ã€ŠScarlet Dominionã€‹


 Prologue

    On a ravaged battlefield, hundreds of thousands of bodies lay motionless, a casualty of the great conflict which had just taken place. The clang of armored boots could be heard from miles away as soldiers bearing flags of the victorious nation trampled over the defeated.

    Amidst the aftermath, the empress, adorned in her signature red cashmere uniform, surveyed the wreckage from atop her black dragon. The creature was enormous, easily surpassing even the tallest fortress walls. Its gleaming onyx scales shimmered in dim light, impervious to even the sharpest of spears. Its piercing yellow eyes, alight with a fierce and unyielding hunger, seemed to take in every detail of the destruction below.

    The empress too surveyed her surroundings, taking in the aftermath of the battle. Though her army had emerged victorious, the price of their triumph was steep - the ground was littered with the fallen bodies of countless soldiers, her own included. Despite the fact that her empire''s banners were the only ones left standing, a feeling of disappointment gnawed at her mind.

    As she gazed upon the scene before her, the empress¡¯s heart slowly filled with a bitter contempt. She knew that her army should have triumphed with ease, were it not for the foolishly dogged bravery of the enemy. If only they had surrendered sooner, victory would have been short and sweet. With a heavy sigh, the empress accepted that she would need a long war to bring the enemy nation to heel.

    ¡°If you¡¯re looking that glum, I hope it¡¯s not because of me.¡±

    The voice came from above. An imposing figure flew above the empress: a demoness, with curved horns jutting out of her forehead, massive black feathered wings spread out of her back, and a barbed tail which twisted as if it had a mind of its own. To many, she would inspire fear and terror. Yet, the empress could only see the demoness¡¯s glamor: her flowing locks of silver hair, piercing amber eyes, and a warm smile that could melt even the most hardened of hearts.

    ¡°Remuria! I¡¯ve missed you so much,¡± Rhea exclaimed, her voice full of longing and affection.

    ¡°Me too, Rhea,¡± Remuria replied, her tone laced with equal parts joy and sadness at the thought of their separation. She flew over to sit just behind the empress, wrapping her arms tightly around Rhea''s waist in a gesture of intimate embrace.

    The significance of their reunion was not lost on either of them. Had any other person even laid as much as a finger on the empress, their lives would be forfeit. But Remuria was different. She held a special place in the empress¡¯s heart, a bond that remained unbroken for decades.

    ¡°How has my favorite empress been doing?¡± Remuria asked, her voice warm and tender.

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    ¡°Not as good as a certain demoness,¡± Rhea replied, a hint of playful teasing in her voice.

    The two stayed together in a quiet embrace. Despite the tenderness they shared, the constant turmoil of war kept them apart more often than not. As much as Rhea understood the necessity of Remuria''s skills on the battlefield, it was always a painful reminder of the risks they faced. Their brief reunions were bittersweet. For Rhea, every goodbye felt like agony: separation from Remuria was worse to her than even the harshest of campaigns.

    ¡°This war has been harder than most," Rhea muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°I know," Remuria replied, reaching out to gently stroke Rhea''s hair. "But I''m here for you."

    Rhea managed a weak smile, but her eyes betrayed the exhaustion she felt. "I chose this path, but sometimes I wonder if it was worth it."

    Remuria''s expression softened as she gazed into Rhea''s eyes. "As you said, this is the path you chose. But no matter what happens, I will stay by your side."

    "I just wish we didn''t lose so many." Rhea blurted out.

    Remuria''s lips curved into a wry smile. "Maybe you still have a hint of mortality left in you after all," she teased gently.

    "Who knows, maybe I¡¯m still the same girl I was all those years ago."

    There was great irony in Rhea¡¯s words. The empress had long forsaken her mortal soul, and it showed in her ghastly pale complexion, her eyes ablaze with a brilliant, ominous scarlet glow. Her fangs prominent, glimmering under dim light. Rhea gazed off into the distance, her eyes hollow and exhausted, worn out by constant wars.

    ¡°So, how long are you going to mope and wallow around?¡± Remuria asked, her voice gentle.

    ¡°Not for much longer since you¡¯re here,¡± Rhea replied, squeezing Remuria¡¯s hand as if for comfort.

    Remuria smiled softly, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°If only your silver tongue lasted during diplomacy.¡±

    Rhea let out a small laugh,¡°To be fair, I doubt any diplomat would agree to occupation of their lands.¡±

    ¡°So, what now, will you stop here?¡± Remuria pressed.

    ¡°Of course not, we¡¯ll keep advancing.¡± Rhea¡¯s tone was resolute, but there still remained a hint of doubt in her voice.

    ¡°Do you remember when this all started?¡± Remuria asked, her voice softening.

    ¡°I do, how could I not?¡±

    Remuria moved closer, her hand reaching up to gently caress Rhea''s cheek. ¡°Then why don''t you tell me the tale once again?¡±

 Chapter 1: Ascension

    Princess Rhea¡¯s birth into royalty was met with disappointment. Centuries-old tradition dictated that only the most magically gifted sons could inherit the throne, Rhea was neither. The King and Queen viewed their daughter with disdain, even considering legitimizing one of the king''s bastard sons. Rhea had always faced constant disapproval from her parents, with her mother''s cruelty being particularly severe. The queen would berate Rhea for the slightest of mistakes, and on one occasion, even became irate over something as simple as the color of Rhea¡¯s dress. Meanwhile, the king was cold and indifferent towards his daughter, seldom acknowledging her existence.

    Despite the challenges of her upbringing, the princess dreamed of becoming one of the greatest among greats in Ishgria. She would spend hours in the royal library, studying books on philosophy, medicine, and most importantly: magic, in spite of being unable to use it herself. However, because of her lack of magical talent, she knew that mastery of the sword would be essential so she could defend herself. To this end, Rhea relentlessly trained her sword-fighting skills against members of the royal guard. Her frustration at the lack of her arcane talents was channeled into her sword training. By the time the princess turned 20, she had become a skilled swordsman and an adept scholar.

    Yet, now, at 21 years old, Rhea had been reduced to a mere shell of her former self. Her skin was pallid and sickly, and her once plump cheeks had sunken in, as if she hadn''t eaten in weeks. The princess was weak and feeble, requiring assistance from others for even the most mundane tasks. Worse, no physician, healer, or mage was able to cure the princess from the deathly illness which seemed to cling onto her very soul. For weeks, she was left to languish in her chambers by the king and queen, who believed her sickness to be a divine punishment, and a sign of their long-awaited son''s arrival. For Rhea, life had become an endless torture. The only glimmer of hope in her life came in the form of a knock at her bedroom door.

    "Excuse me Rhea, may I come in?"

    "Remuria? It¡¯s fine, please come in." the princess said weakly, stifling a cough.

    "Excuse me."

    As the door creaked open, a silver-haired woman swept in, her hair tightly styled into a chignon which exuded a sense of polished professionalism. She donned the standard uniform for servants of the royal family, a black morning coat, a white dress shirt, and gray trousers that accentuated her svelte figure, the woman was none other than Remuria: the princess¡¯s  most trusted attendant and caretaker.

    Remuria was more than just a servant to Princess Rhea; she was one of the few people in the castle whom the Princess considered a close confidant. As Rhea''s personal attendant, Remuria was personally responsible for catering to the princess¡¯s needs, handling every assignment with meticulous attention. Indeed, Remuria''s devotion to the Princess was unmatched by any other servant in the castle.

    "Rhea, are you feeling alright?" Remuria asked with concern, noticing her worsening condition.

    "I feel fine enough," the Princess responded weakly, her voice raspy and strained as though attempting to push through a mouthful of crushed glass. Every word was a struggle. The sound of her labored breathing filled the room, and she appeared to be on the brink of exhaustion.

    "Please, do not speak too much, I will attend to you now."

    Approaching the Princess''s bedside with soft steps, Remuria exchanged the damp washcloth on Rhea''s forehead for a new one, fresh with a cool touch. In a gesture of care, she offered the Princess some sips of herbal tea, followed by a hearty chicken soup.

    "Eat slowly Rhea, this will make you feel better," said Remuria as she fed the ill princess a spoonful of soup. As the princess ate, her eyes never wandered from her attendant. Remuria would have made a great noble if she had been born to a better family, she was beautiful, kind, and skilled in many trades. Rhea was certain of it, that if her servant had been born as a daughter of a Duke or Duchess, she would have nobles from all over the kingdom pining over her for marriage and she could have lived a life of luxury without ever having to lift a finger for the rest of her life.

    Even now, Remuria still receives marriage offers from many suitors, some of whom were wealthy and successful men. Despite the numerous offers, Remuria had refused each one. The princess couldn''t help but wonder why Remuria would turn down such advantageous marriage proposals. One such proposal came from the son of a wealthy merchant, who was known for his striking looks. Rhea believed that accepting the proposal would have granted Remuria a comfortable life. However, Rhea chose not to inquire too deeply into Remuria''s personal life. She always felt that it was never her place to do so.

    Rhea was close to her final hour, she could feel it. With each passing moment, her muscles grew weaker, her eyelids heavier, and her vision more blurred. She knew that she needed to act fast before her illness consumed her completely.

    "Remuria¡­I trust that preparations are complete?"

    "Indeed, shall I proceed?"

    "Yes please, hurry, while I still have strength left in me." Rhea replied, her voice seemingly growing weaker by the minute.

    As the princess watched her attendant lock the doors to her chambers and remove a plank of wood from the floorboards below, she knew that what was about to take place would change the course of her life forever. Remuria produced a key from her waistcoat and opened a hatch, revealing a cache of strange objects: vials of strange liquids, jars filled with preserved eyeballs, exotic herbs and plant roots, vials of blood, and other odd items. Rhea then guided Remuria in the creation of a ritual circle, using chalk, providing precise measurements for every line, symbol, and orientation. Although the princess lacked magical ability, she had devoted herself to its study with the same passion and commitment as any accomplished sage. This was the moment of her final gambit, a desperate attempt to alter her fate.

    Within half an hour, preparations for the ritual were complete. The ritual circle had been drawn along with numerous runes scribbled within the circle with chalk. Bowls of offerings surrounded the circle, whilst candles were lit in key nodes. The display would have caused the average person to reel in horror and shout claims that the ritual was a blasphemy against the gods. Yet, Rhea did not show even a modicum of fear or doubt, and neither did Remuria.

    "Shall I commence the ritual?" asked Remuria as she looked to Rhea for approval.

    The princess merely gave a weak nod; she no longer had enough strength in her to speak.

    Remuria uncorked several vials of blood, their iron scent thickening the air as it spilled into the center of the circle. Her fingers traced a pattern in the blood, and with each motion, Remuria chanted both arcane words and profane incantations. Rhea''s heart pounded as she watched, a mix of fascination and fear thrummed in her chest. As the last word fell from Remuria''s lips, the air around them grew heavy, as if it  had taken on a malevolent presence. A black smoke began to seep from the runes etched in the ground, slowly at first, then with growing intensity until it choked the very air. Rhea¡¯s eyes widened in horror as the smoke plunged the room into an all consuming darkness. In that moment, Rhea''s mind went blank, swallowed by the void of the ritual''s power.

    For what felt like an eternity, Rhea felt as if she was drowning in an endless void, her mind consumed by a maelstrom of chaotic thoughts and emotions. Her body felt heavy, as if weighed down by a crushing weight, and she couldn''t help but wonder if this was how it felt to die.

    Yet, suddenly, a presence emerged from the darkness, a force that emanated raw power and malevolence. It was as if the very essence of death had coalesced into a single entity, and Rhea could feel it probing at the edges of her consciousness.

    Rhea could not help but be drawn to this presence. It was a force of such terrible majesty that she could not help but feel a sense of awe, even as it threatened to consume her entirely. For a moment, Rhea felt as though she was being pulled towards the presence, her very being at risk of being absorbed by its malevolent power.

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    Wake up, princess

    The voice awoke the princess, her consciousness returning almost immediately. She was alone, but she was not in her bedroom. All around her was an empty void, dark as the night sky if the stars were ripped away from it. She then turned towards the direction of the voice which called for her. She saw nothing, but she tried to call out to the unknown regardless.

    "Who are you? And more importantly, where is this place?"

    "Mortals have given me many names in the past: deathbringer, harbinger of ruin, and all else in between. Now it is my turn to ask, why did you seek me?"

    The voice spoke with great authority: it was thunderous, fearsome, and yet somehow familiar. Rhea instinctively recognized who the voice belonged to. She knew well who Vhael was, he was a god once, before he was condemned to live in the underworld by the other gods in the Ishgrian pantheon for the sin of murdering several gods. Where the gods of Ishgria were Damely known for their virtues such as loyalty, courage, and strength. Vhael was known as the embodiment of death, destruction, and ruin. In current time, the fallen god had become a greater demon, master of profane entities which inhabited the underworld.

    ¡°Harbinger, I have come to ask you for aid,¡± Rhea announced, her voice shaking slightly.

    A throaty laugh boomed and echoed around her, causing her heart to race. She hoped it was a good sign that her request had amused the harbinger.

    ¡°Princess of Ishgria, your hubris amuses me,¡± Vhael replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You may speak your demands.¡±

    Rhea''s eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the voice. She felt as if Vhael was observing her every movement, every breath, even though she couldn''t see him.

    ¡°I wish to return to the realm of the living, but not without your blessing.¡±

    ¡°Why should I offer you my power?¡± The deathbringer questioned. ¡°Many have beseeched my blessings before. You are neither the first nor will you be the last.¡±

    "Because the other gods have forsaken me, and I have beseeched them countless times to no avail. So I have come to beseech you now, deathbringer, for the simple fact you may actually answer."

    ¡°You are more fortunate than you know, Princess.¡± Vhael replied.

    "Pardon?" Rhea asked, a hint of confusion in her voice..

    "It is nothing," Vhael said dismissively. "Answer me this, Princess of Ishgria, do you truly wish to abandon your mortality?"

    Rhea took a deep breath and spoke with a steely resolve. "Yes, for if I am to forge the empire of my dreams, a mortal shell will not be sufficient."

    A chalice materialized before Rhea. She reached out, her hand hesitantly grasping the stem of the cup. She marveled at the intricate imagery etched into its surface, which depicted Vhael¡¯s descent into the underworld in detail. The liquid within was a deep, rich scarlet, and it swirled with an otherworldly energy that made Rhea¡¯s skin prickle with unease. Yet, she felt strangely drawn to the chalice, as if it was calling for her.

    "Drink from the chalice, and you will receive what you seek."

    Rhea brought the chalice close to her lips. The pungent smell of the blood contained within it nearly made her spill its contents. Yet, before she consumed the drink, her thoughts were reminded of Remuria and her devotion. The princess knew that if she were to forsake her mortality, Remuria would need to be by her side.

    "What of Remuria, will she be able to partake in your gifts, Vhael?"

    The princess could not see the fallen god, for the blackness of the abyss covered everything around her. Yet, somehow, she could feel as if the harbinger of ruin was smiling.

    "Remuria, yes, I am familiar with that name. She has already received my gifts."

    Curious, Rhea thought to herself. She must speak with Remuria once she returns to the realm of the living. And so, the Princess of Ishgria drank from the chalice of Vhael. Pain immediately wracked her body, and she began convulsing in the darkness, alone.

    Rhea slowly came to consciousness and blinked her eyes open, she was greeted by a worried Remuria.

    "Rhea, thank the gods you''re awake! I was so scared." Remuria breathed out in relief.

    "How long was I out?" Rhea asked, her voice hoarse and weak.

    "Three days and two nights, you were so cold... I thought you had left me," Remuria''s voice cracked with emotion.

    Rhea lifted a hand to her wrist, feeling the chill of her skin and the absence of a pulse. Panic began to stir within her.

    "Remuria, do I look different?"

    "Yes, Rhea. You were so pale and weak before, but now you look much better."

    The princess did not pay much attention to her servant¡¯s praise, for she was still adjusting herself to the new sounds she could hear. Though she had no heartbeat of her own, she could hear the heartbeat of others clearly like a thrumming in her mind.

    "Your heart is beating rapidly, Remuria, is there something you¡¯re not telling me?" asked Rhea as she turned towards her servant. On her part, Remuria did not look surprised by the question, but rather, mildly intrigued. Her facial expression almost made it seem as if she had expected things to work out the way they did.

    "What do you wish to know, Rhea?"

    "Tell me honestly, do I look different?"

    Remuria grabbed a nearby handheld mirror, and offered it to the princess. When Rhea gazed upon her visage, she couldn''t believe that it was her own reflection staring back at her. Rhea marveled at herself, the beauty that greeted her was so ethereal, so otherworldly, it almost felt like she was looking at a different person. The only blemish on her nigh-perfect face were her scarlet eyes, an unnatural color that marked her as something not quite human. Perhaps this was a sign of the new powers flowing through her very being.

    "Are you pleased with your new appearance?" Remuria asked as Rhea examined her new appearance.

    "I am, yet, you seem as if you were expecting this outcome, Remuria, that I would make it out of the ritual alive," Rhea stated, turning towards Remuria.

    Remuria''s eyes darted back and forth as she considered her words carefully. She bit her lower lip and chewed it gently, trying to come up with the right response. Her fingers fidgeted nervously, tapping against her thigh as she struggled to find the right words to say.

    "Tell me, Remuria, what have you been hiding from me? I promise I will not chastise you, I simply wish to be informed."

    "If that is your wish, then it shall be done," Remuria replied with a hint of hesitation, before taking a deep breath and continuing.

    Remuria knew what she needed to do. With a snap of her fingers, a cloud of inky black smoke enveloped her body, shrouding her in darkness. As the smoke dissipated, it revealed a stunning transformation. A pair of imposing horns had erupted from her forehead, wicked and curving backwards into a spiral. Majestic feathered wings, black as midnight, spread out from her back, seemingly imbued with a dark energy. A barbed tail, coiled and ready to strike, now swayed menacingly between her legs. To the average person, Remuria was now the very embodiment of a demon, a fearsome and intimidating sight. But Rhea was no ordinary person.  She took in every detail, from the curve of Remuria¡¯s horns to the texture of her wings. Rhea only felt one emotion: awe.

    "How long were you able to do this?" Rhea asked, her eyes fixed on Remuria.

    "Since the day before we first met,"

    "Why did you never speak of this to me?"

    Remuria hesitated, her normally calm demeanor faltering. The princess¡¯s query seemed to have struck a nerve. She struggled to find the right words, her throat feeling tight with emotion.

    "Remuria, look at me," said Rhea as she clasped Remuria''s shoulders and stared directly at her. "There is nothing you can say that would make me forsake you. Whatever you say, I will take it in good faith that you did what you did for my sake."

    Remuria finally met Rhea''s gaze. She took a deep breath and, with a trembling voice, began to speak. "I didn¡¯t want you to think ill of me Princess, I was never quite human."

    "I will not pry any further for now, all I want to know is will you continue to follow me?"

    Remuria gave a curt bow and replied, "Even if you go into the abyss, Princess, I will gladly follow."

 Chapter 2: Judgment

    Word of the princess¡¯s recovery had spread throughout the castle. Under normal circumstances, Rhea¡¯s resuscitation from the brink of death would have been a cause for celebration. Her new appearance, however, made the situation more complex. The princess always had fair skin, but not ghastly pale. Her eyes which were once the same emerald green as the queen¡¯s, now, were now dyed closer to a ruby red.

    Some began to whisper rumors about the princess: how she must have been blessed by the gods in her hour of need, how much more charismatic she seemed, how otherworldly she appeared. More sinisterly, there were those voices who suspected that the princess had made a bargain of some kind, some suspected with a witch or worse: a demon.

    The king and queen seldom paid attention to their daughter, but even they could not ignore the rumors. Rhea was to be subjected to a royal inquiry: a trial by the monarchs of Ishgria, the result of which will determine her fate. Due to the nature of the rumors which surrounded her, she would likely be vindicated or face death, there was no room for half hearted judgments.

    ¡°Your majesties,¡± spoke a royal guard, addressing the king and queen in his heavy plate armor, ¡°preparations for the royal inquiry are complete. Shall I summon the princess to the throne room?¡±

    ¡°You have my permission.¡± the king replied blankly.

    ¡°Make haste, this is an urgent matter, that daughter of mine must face judgment.¡± the queen interjected. She could not conceal the devilish smile on her visage: here was a chance for her to be rid of that hellspawn who called itself her daughter.

    ***

    Rhea sat perched on the edge of her bed, her fingers sifting through the pages of the book she held. Her bedchamber was rather modest by the standards of a royal. A green cashmere carpet stretched out beneath her feet, the fibers soft to the touch. Two ebony wood dressers stood sentry on either side of the room, their ornate carvings catching light that filtered through the windows. As Rhea continued to read her book: a guide on Ishgrian law and royal customs, Remuria sat patiently beside her, gently brushing the princess''s lengthy black hair.

    ¡°It seems that the royal inquiry will be rather cumbersome,¡± Rhea said while letting out a sigh and closing her book, turning her gaze to Remuria.

    ¡°You are in a difficult position,¡± Remuria said, her voice laced with concern as she placed her gentle hand over Rhea''s. ¡°The king won¡¯t care what happens to you, and the queen will be more than happy to see you sent to the oubliette, or worse.¡±

    Rhea nodded slowly, her gaze falling to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I can fight against all the allegations they may level against me.¡±

    "Magic isn¡¯t an option either, the royal mages would spot any attempt to tamper with the inquiry via the arcane," Remuria added, biting her lip in frustration.

    Yet, after some moments of silence, Rhea''s eyes seemed to narrow in determination. "Which means, this leaves me with only one course of action: requesting a duel of honor against the crown of Ishgria itself."

    Remuria nodded in agreement. "It¡¯s a chance, Rhea. Those who win duels are automatically deemed to be chosen by the gods, your name will be cleared, and the king will not refuse a challenge so as to not diminish his honor."

    "Yes, but members of the royal family are not allowed to participate in duels, they use champions to fight in their stead."

    "So you will require a champion then."

    ¡°Indeed, specifically, someone who can defeat Sir Falkner.¡± Rhea acknowledged, her voice wavered slightly under the mention of the knight¡¯s name.

    Sir Falkner was a renowned knight and duellist through Ishgria and beyond, his might on the battlefield was well known in times of war, and in times of peace: his prowess with the sword was unmatched. If the princess were to choose a champion to fight on her behalf, they will almost certainly face Sir Falkner, and they will almost certainly lose.

    ¡°I can defeat Sir Falkner on your behalf.¡± Remuria said with confidence.

    Rhea turned towards her attendant, giving her a puzzled look. She knew that Remuria was adept at many things, but the art of the blade was not one of them. The princess had never seen Remuria even hold a sword before.

    ¡°Remuria, I must admit that you are a savant in many aspects of life, but I have never seen you wield even a shortsword. If you are to fight Sir Falkner, you would only be forfeiting your life¡±

    ¡°I have my ways and I will not let you down. Besides, I doubt anyone else would even dare accept a duel against Sir Falkner.¡±

    ¡°Remuria, I-¡±

    Rhea was interrupted by the sound of steel gauntlets pounding against her door.

    ¡°Excuse me, your highness Princess Rhea, his majesty the king and her majesty the queen are expecting you at the throne room.¡± The guard was polite, yet, his words carried an unwelcome weight.

    ¡°I will be there in just a moment.¡±

    The time had come for the princess to appear before the royal inquiry. Remuria hurried to help dress her in formal attire. Rhea''s dress was a somber black, covering her shoulders halfway, with the fabric flowing down into a V-neckline that revealed a hint of her pale skin. The dress hugged her waist and hips, flaring out into a flowing skirt that trailed elegantly behind her.

    Remuria fastened a silver brooch at the base of Rhea¡¯s neckline, and the princess''s eyes met hers in the mirror. She stood back to admire her handiwork, her gaze lingering on the princess''s polished features.

    ¡°Best of luck Rhea, I pray the queen doesn¡¯t make you too miserable.¡±

    ¡°Remuria, if I make it out of this, I¡¯m taking some well deserved time off for myself.¡± Rhea replied half-heartedly, she was visibly tense, barely holding her composure. Noticing this, Remuria embraced the princess and said, ¡°You¡¯ll do fine, I know you will.¡± Rhea nearly broke down on the spot. She leaned into Remuria¡¯s arms and stayed still for as long as she could.

    ¡°Apologies for rushing you, Princess Rhea, but the queen will become displeased if we do not make for the throne room soon!¡± The guard standing outside the door exclaimed.

    Rhea released herself from Remuria¡¯s embrace, trying her best to contain her tears.

    ¡°I should go now.¡±

    ¡°You should.¡± Remuria said as she wiped the droplets of tears on Rhea¡¯s face with a white napkin.

    The princess tidied herself up and made sure to adjust her dress in front of a mirror. She bid farewell to her attendant and was about to leave, before Remuria interrupted, ¡°Oh, and Rhea, next time feel free to cry again, nobody has to know.¡±

    The princess smirked and gave Remuria a joking curtsy. She then walked out of her bedroom to go with the guard, steeling herself for what was to come.

    ***

    As the princess took her first step into the throne room, she couldn¡¯t help but be mesmerized. The room was of immaculate design: stained glass windows in the curved ceiling depicted tales of the gods, while bronze statues of Ishgrian heroes lined the marble floor. An elevated platform held an ornate silver throne, flanked by personifications of the Ishgrian gods of the sky and harvest. A second, less ornate, silver throne accompanied the first, with beasts of Ishgrian myth carved into its frame. The king sat stoically in the first throne, his expression unreadable, while the queen sat in the second throne, a smug grin plastered on her face.

    ¡°Princess Rhea, you took your time coming here.¡± the queen exclaimed loudly.

    ¡°I was summoned, and I have arrived.¡± Rhea replied in a monotone voice, her eyes looking forward towards the king, trying to avoid making eye-contact with her mother.

    ¡°Enough, the princess is here, the inquiry may proceed as planned.¡± the king declared.

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    Upon the king¡¯s decree, several scribes began to make their way to the side of the throne room and were seated there. Their task was to record the royal inquiry word for word on parchment. Many also doubled as legal experts, masters of Ishgrian law who could offer advice regarding legal matters if called for by the king or queen. Other members of the court took their position on the edges of the throne room, leaving space at the center for the inquiry to proceed.

    One of the royal guards, a gruff man by the name of Vespasius, made the announcement, ¡°By the decrees of both King Hadaron and Queen Phaedra, the royal inquiry of year 313 shall now begin!¡±

    The first stage of the inquiry was not difficult. One of the scribes asked Princess Rhea a list of pre-written questions from a list crafted by royal advisors. These questions were not meant to accuse or convict, rather, merely to clarify certain items of information for the record: the princess¡¯s education, her hobbies, and other aspects of her life. Within just over half an hour, the first stage was completed.

    The second stage was where the princess¡¯s fate would be decided. It was courtesy for the queen to ask her queries first, before the king, for the latter had the power to make ultimate judgment as to the result of the inquiry. Queen Phaedra¡¯s contempt for her daughter was well known by all within the castle. This inquiry would turn that contempt into a most poisonous dagger.

    ¡°Princess Rhea, approximately three weeks ago, you were grievously ill, correct?¡± Asked the queen.

    ¡°That is true, your highness, I was indeed ill,¡± the princess replied, trying her best to not display even the most subtle hints of inflection in her voice.

    ¡°No physician was able to discern your ailment, and no cure had been successful for most of your illness, is that correct?¡±

    ¡°That is also true, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Yet, you are now healthy and of sound mind, able to stand for this inquiry, correct?¡±

    ¡°That is correct, your grace.¡±

    ¡°Princess Rhea, how were you able to recover so drastically from your illness? One day you were ill and the next you were as healthy as can be. Please explain this.¡±

    ¡°I had prayed to the gods: Crozius - god of strength and courage, Arisine - goddess of the skies and freedom, as well as Yithi - god of ambition and good fortune. Thankfully, they answered. I will forever be grateful for their blessings.¡± The princess had rehearsed this answer with Remuria days ago. Ishgria was a deeply religious nation, where it was not uncommon for individuals to publicly profess that they had beseeched the gods for guidance. The Ishgrian people believed that the gods intervene in their lives and affairs, and that their will was paramount. So vital is faith to Ishgria that it was enshrined in law, with a special provision for acts or events that could be attributed to the will of the gods.

    ¡°While I can respect a devout believer in the Ishgrian Pantheon, how can we know that it was truly the gods who blessed you princess?¡± The queen pressed.

    ¡°I was ill and now I am ill no more, that is evidence that the grace of the gods is with me.¡± Rhea claimed, her voice as confident as even the most devout priests.

    Queen Phaedra¡¯s facial expression was fixed into a neutral expression for most of the inquiry. Yet, her daughter¡¯s statement managed to force the smallest hint of a sneer to break her stoic visage. This was the chance she had been waiting for.

    ¡°My dear daughter, I have records of your appearance both written and in painting, your skin was not ghastly pale for most of your life, was it?¡±

    ¡°I was always light-skinned, your highness.¡±

    ¡°Your eyes were green prior to your recovery, weren¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°My eyes were indeed green in color, your majesty.¡±

    The queen gestured towards one of the priests within the throne room. ¡°Speaker Avash, please inform us of the nature of blessings given by the gods, specifically aspects of physical change that could occur.¡±

    The priest, clad in white robes which wrapped his entire body, lowered his hood to reveal an aged man whose eyes beamed with great wisdom. Clearing his throat, he began to speak, "It is said that the gods bestow their blessings upon mortals, which can manifest in various ways. Sometimes, the mortal''s physical form undergoes changes such as larger muscles, increased height, or even alterations in eye color."

    ¡°Have there been any cases where a mortal¡¯s eyes changed to scarlet red after being blessed by the gods? Or any cases where the mortals¡¯ skin became as pale as a wraith?¡± quizzed Queen Phaedra.

    Avash paused briefly at the queen¡¯s question, slightly surprised by its directness. He then answered, ¡°Red colored eyes have appeared a few times in mortals chosen by Crozius, yet, pale skin is not a feature that has ever been found by those blessed by the gods, your majesty.¡±

    Whispers spread amongst the courtiers after Avash''s statement, a cacophony of murmurs that became louder with each passing moment. Some spoke their own speculations on the direction of the inquiry, while others merely shared rumors and gossip.

    ¡°Speaker Avash, as we all know, there was once a god who was condemned by the other gods, their name was Vhael, correct?¡±

    ¡°That is correct, your grace, Vhael is a fallen god and patron of all evils within the world.¡±

    ¡°And is-¡±

    ¡°With all due respect, your highness, I object to this line of questioning.¡± Rhea interrupted.

    The interruption elicited a myriad of gasps from those in the room. It was highly unusual for anyone to interrupt a ruling monarch when they were speaking. Even the queen appeared to be caught off guard.

    King Hadaron broke the silence. ¡°Princess Rhea, you must have good reason to interrupt the inquiry, speak. However, if your words hold no weight, you will be hanged. Such is the law, or am I a wrong, scribe?¡± the king said as he gestured towards one of the scribes to the right of the throne room.

    The scribe rushed to produce a book from within his robes. He flipped through the pages with a fervor, before stopping at a page roughly in the middle. ¡°That is correct your highness, it is stated in annex XXIV of the Ishgrian Code that interrupting a monarch¡¯s speech is a grave offense that can be punishable by death.¡±

    Rhea braced herself, she stood straight and faced both of her parents. She needed to take her chance.

    ¡°Apologies for my rudeness, your majesties, but I would like to exercise my right to request a duel of honor to clear my name.¡±

    The throne room nearly erupted at the mention of a duel. It was almost unheard off for any person to have the audacity to request one during a royal inquiry of all things. What were once whispers now exploded into full-blown arguments and exchanges between those watching the event.

    ¡°How dare you-¡± the queen was about to retort, but she was interrupted by the king.

    "Silence!" bellowed King Hadaron, his voice booming with authority.

    The room fell silent. Not a single soul dared to speak another word.

    ¡°Princess Rhea, as a royal, you are indeed granted more leeway in when and where you may request a duel of honor, but are you sure that you are allowed to do so during a royal inquiry?¡± The king asked. He seemed to be actually interested now, a hint of curiosity peaked through his once stern expression.

    Rhea could almost grin from ear to ear, but she did not let her relief be known. She continued to answer with the same composed tone she had used throughout the inquiry. ¡®Your grace, the law is a complex and intricate subject. While there are many provisions that Ishgrian Law can address, there are always some instances where the law does not give us a conclusive answer. In such cases, annex III of the Ishgrian code states clearly that the lack of prohibition against a given act means that such an act is not illegal in the eyes of the law.

    ¡°What is your point, Princess Rhea?¡± the king pressed on.

    ¡°There is no law in the Ishgrian Code which prohibits a royal from making a request for a duel of honor whenever they wish, even during a royal inquiry.¡±

    King Hadaron¡¯s face broke into a wide smile. Rhea was stunned, this was the first time she had ever seen her father smile towards her.

    ¡°Scribes, confirm the princess¡¯s words.¡± commanded the king.

    Several of the scribes looked at each other in confusion. One among them, an elderly woman, gave the first reply, ¡°My liege, apologies, but it would take us a few days to verify the princess¡¯s claims.¡±

    ¡°In that case, do you, in your personal opinion, believe that the princess¡¯s claim may have some merit?¡± The king asked, gesturing towards an older scribe to his left.

    The old woman pondered the question. Her name was Dara. She was the great-granddaughter of Gerald Hamaon, the man who had first codified the Ishgrian Code. The Hamaon¡¯s continued to pass on Gerald¡¯s knowledge and understanding of Ishgrian law throughout the generations, and eventually to Dara. An expert in the ways of the Ishgrian courts, she was well-versed in the complexities of the laws governing both commoners and royalty. "I believe that Princess Rhea''s claim has merit," she said, her voice soft, but confident. "The laws that apply to royalty within Ishgria are often more nuanced and less defined than those that apply to the commoners."

    ¡°Then this inquiry shall be suspended temporarily.¡± The king said. ¡°If the princess¡¯s claims are false, she will be put in the dungeons for lying to a monarch. Yet, if her claims are found to be true, then I will personally send her a letter accepting her request for a duel.¡±

    Queen Phaedra''s voice trembled as she tried to protest, "My beloved, why would you stop the inquiry for the sake of a duel? The Princess can have her duel after she has been judged!"

    The king responded with a sharp laugh. He turned his gaze to his wife, his eyes cold and unyielding, before speaking in a commanding voice. "My will stands above all in this kingdom, even you." The queen remained silent after that.

    The reactions from those in the throne varied wildly. Some brimmed with excitement at this unexpected turn of events. Others were visibly perplexed, unsure of what had just transpired. But it was the queen who stood out most, her bitter resentment evident in the way she tightly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. In contrast, Rhea maintained a stoic expression, a hint of a victorious smirk playing at the corners of her lips as she locked eyes with her mother.

    ***

    Three days later, Remuria knocked on the doors to the princess''s bedroom. She brought with her a letter signed and sealed personally by the king: he had accepted Rhea¡¯s request for a duel of honor.

 Chapter 3: Acclimation

    Rhea stood in front the mirror in her bed chamber with Remuria by her side. The princess¡¯s reflection revealed the further changes that her body had undergone since her rebirth; a pair of razor-sharp fangs protruded from her mouth.

    ¡°This is rather awkward,¡± Rhea murmured, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

    Remuria, standing beside her, studied Rhea''s reflection for a moment before speaking. ¡°Your fangs do appear quite large.¡±

    ¡°Do you think it''s noticeable?¡± Rhea asked, her voice trembling.

    ¡°Maybe not at first, but I think people will eventually notice,¡± Remuria said.

    Rhea''s heart sank at the thought of her fangs being noticed. ¡°That is a shame,¡± she whispered. ¡°How about you, Remuria? What do you think?¡±

    ¡°I find them rather cute, personally.¡±

    Rhea raised an eyebrow in disbelief. ¡°Really now? These?¡± she pointed to her fangs, astonished.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Remuria chuckled.

    Rhea furrowed her brow, still unsure of how to feel about her fangs. ¡°But what about others who may not see things the same way as you do?¡±

    Remuria placed a comforting hand on Rhea''s shoulder. ¡°People may take notice, but I am sure most will not diminish their opinion of you just because of your fangs.¡±

    Rhea sighed, feeling somewhat relieved by Remuria''s reassurance. ¡°I hope you''re right.¡±

    ¡°I know I am,¡± Remuria replied with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, and your fangs are just another part of you. There''s nothing to be ashamed of.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Remuria. I needed that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Rhea, now let me go prepare dinner for you,¡± Remuria said, turning to leave the room. ¡°You must be starving.¡±

    Rhea chuckled softly, feeling a bit more at ease. ¡°Yes, I suppose I am. Thank you again, Remuria.¡±

    Remuria smiled over her shoulder. ¡°Anytime.¡±

    ***

    After roughly an hour, Rhea was seated at a large dining table in the castle, with Remuria standing attentively behind her. The meal that Remuria had prepared for the princess was her favorite: roasted rosemary garlic lamb shank, accompanied by a serving of creamy mashed potatoes and crisp, salt-broiled asparagus. Rhea savored the first few bites, relishing in the flavors she knew so well, but suddenly, a wave of nausea hit her, causing her to hurriedly spit out a mouthful of food onto a nearby napkin. Her hand trembled as she reached for her water goblet, trying to quell the queasiness she felt in her stomach.

    ¡°Remuria, did you change your recipe?¡± Rhea asked, her voice laced with concern.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t Rhea. I¡¯m surprised, you usually enjoy my cooking,¡± Remuria replied, her brows furrowed in confusion.

    Rhea shook her head, still feeling unwell.¡° Yes, but I don¡¯t know. This time something feels different.¡±

    Rhea would normally eat almost anything that her attendant made. Remuria had been serving the princess long enough to know what types of foods she enjoys, down to the exact amount of salt and pepper that should go into each dish. It was nigh unheard of for the princess to not eat the foods that Remuria presented for her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if the food this time wasn¡¯t up to your standards Rhea, I¡¯ll try to do better in the future.¡± Despite her attempt to maintain a formal tone, her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. She was extremely disappointed in herself, unable to bring herself to look at the princess directly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Remuria, there must be something wrong with me! I refuse to believe that your cooking would ever taste anything short of delicious.¡±

    Remuria looks pleased at Rhea''s words. She always thought highly of her opinions.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s something to do with your transformation?¡±

    ¡°That is a possibility, but then what am I supposed to do? Just yesterday I was eating normally and now the food just tastes bitter, as if I¡¯m not meant to eat at all.¡±

    ¡°I see, in that case, I¡¯ll clean up the table, you should go for your sparring lessons Rhea.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you come with me? You¡¯re the one going to duel Sir Falkner after all.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make a note with your instructor then.¡±

    ¡°Thank you Remuria, I¡¯ll see you on the training grounds.¡±

    ***

    In the heart of the royal guard''s barracks lay the training grounds, a spacious chamber where many have dueled in the past. Remuria and Rhea stood facing each other, ready to engage each other in chivalrous combat.

    The room was dimly lit by torches mounted on stone walls, casting shadows across the training dummies and racks of weaponry that lined the chamber. Remuria was dressed in a white blouse and black trousers, wielding a two-handed sword. Rhea, similarly, was garbed in a black blouse and brown trousers, wielding a two-handed sword emblazoned with the royal guard''s crest.

    ¡°Are you ready Rhea?¡±

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    ¡°Ready as ever.¡±

    ¡°I shall take the initiative then.¡±

    Remuria dashed towards the princess before unleashing a flurry of sword strokes, forcing Rhea on the defensive. Rhea was taken aback at this display, this was the first time she had ever seen her attendant hold a weapon. Yet, Remuria seemed as comfortable with the blade as a veteran knight would be.

    Despite being a sparring match, the two combatants seemed to take it rather seriously. Rhea parried Remuria''s strikes with practiced ease, but it was clear that her opponent had the upper hand. Remuria''s sword moved like lightning, and Rhea found herself constantly on the defensive, forced to retreat step by step.

    The training dummies and weapon racks lining the walls blurred into the background as the two combatants continued their exchange. Both unable to focus on anything other than the rhythm of their swords clashing against one another, the tenuous dance of their footwork, and the sweat which beaded from their foreheads. However, before Rhea knew it, she found herself in a losing position, with Remuria''s sharp sword pressed against her neck.

    ¡°It seems today is my victory.¡± Remuria said with a proud smirk.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it, you¡¯re incredible Remuria! But when did you learn the sword?¡±

    ¡°I usually get some practice in after you fall asleep Rhea, one of the royal guards was more than happy to teach me.¡±

    ¡°You must be a natural then, not many can claim to- are you bleeding?¡± Rhea asked as she pointed towards Remuria¡¯s right arm. A cut had made its way there. Blood dripped slowly from the wound, Remuria¡¯s adrenaline prevented her from noticing it at first.

    ¡°Ah, I must have gotten it when we sparred just now. It¡¯s alright Rhea, I can bandage it myself.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s no good, let me tend to you for ¨C¡±

    Rhea paused, her senses suddenly overcome by an unfamiliar and alluring scent. It was so sweet and tantalizing, drawing her in more and more every second. She took in a deep breath, savoring the intoxicating fragrance that seemed to permeate her very being. The princess was entranced, her eyes going unfocused as she succumbed to the scent''s seductive allure.

    As the aroma continued to fill her nostrils, Rhea could feel the slickness of saliva pooling in her mouth, threatening to spill out as she struggled to contain the sudden surge of hunger that had overtaken her. The princess tried to swallow, but the droplets of saliva continued to dribble down her chin, displaying her insatiable desire for whatever was emitting the captivating fragrance.

    ¡°Rhea, is anything the matter? You¡¯re behaving strangely.¡±

    The princess couldn¡¯t hear her attendant¡¯s words. She was wholly focused on tracing the source of that sickeningly sweet aroma. Rhea mindlessly walked towards Remuria, the princess¡¯s gaze slowly turned to the cut on her attendant¡¯s right arm.

    ¡°Rhea? Rhea? What¡¯s going on? You¡¯re scaring me.¡± Remuria pleaded.

    Rhea walked to where her face was but mere inches away from her attendant¡¯s own. Cold sweat beaded from Remuria¡¯s face, she was frozen in place, unsure of what to do. This was the first time she saw Rhea look so¡­ craven, or dare she say, deranged. The princess was momentarily motionless, standing perfectly still.

    But suddenly, like lightning, Rhea bared her fangs on Remuria¡¯s bleeding right arm. Finally, she managed to get a taste of that sweet ambrosia which had tempted her so. The flavor was unlike anything the princess had ever known. It was as if she had drunk from the chalice of the gods. It was magnificent, and she needed more. So much more¡­

    ***

    When Rhea regained her consciousness, she was on her bed. Her head rested on Remuria¡¯s lap who was gently stroking her hair.

    ¡°Remuria¡­what happened?¡± The princess said in a half-dozed state. Her eyes were half open, as if she had just awoken from a deep slumber.

    "You bit me and drank my blood, Rhea." Remuria replied matter of factly.

    ¡®I did? I¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t know what came over me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I didn¡¯t mind as much after a while.¡±

    ¡°a while? How much-¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s ok Rhea, I¡¯m fine. The other servants helped me carry you here after you lost consciousness.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what came over me, I couldn¡¯t help myself, I didn¡¯t want to hurt you.¡± Rhea said with a frown. She turned her body away from Remuria, her head lying sideways.

    Remuria gave part of Rhea¡¯s torso a soft pinch, causing the princess to blurt out a laugh. The princess was very ticklish, a fact only herself and Remuria knew.

    ¡°What was that for?¡± Rhea asked, looking up at, trying to hold back a laugh.

    ¡°You seemed down.¡±

    ¡°Of course! I ¨C¡± Pinch

    Another laugh escaped the princess¡¯s mouth. This time, however, Remuria kept going. Rhea was completely at her mercy.

    ¡°Ok, ok, haha, I get it.¡±

    ¡°See, everything is fine.¡± Remuria said as she stroked Rhea¡¯s head once more.

    ¡°If you say so, but still, this whole blood thing will take some getting used to.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll try to discreetly procure animal blood for you, it shouldn''t be too difficult.¡±

    ¡°Thank you Remuria, I don¡¯t know what I would do without you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do.¡±

    ¡°So, regarding Sir Falkner, do you think you¡¯re ready?¡±.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fighting for your sake, so I will succeed.¡±

    ¡°Is there anything you want for your birthday? I know it¡¯s still a long time away, but I¡¯d like to get you something by then.¡±

    ¡°There isn¡¯t much that I really want.¡±

    ¡®I don¡¯t believe you, surely you¡¯ll want something for when you turn 24.¡±

    "Maybe there is something I want after all," Remuria said as she playfully poked Rhea''s forehead with her index finger.

    Rhea narrowed her eyes playfully as Remuria poked her forehead, grinning in triumph. "So I was right!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Come on, tell me what you want!"

    Remuria gave a smirk in response, her cheeks blushing slightly. "Hmm, I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s not something money can buy," she teased.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem, whatever it is, I¡¯ll try my best to get it for you!¡±

    "I''ll consider telling you, but only after I''ve had a chance to defeat Sir Falkner in the upcoming duel."

    Rhea groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up in mock frustration. "Fine, fine," she said with a pout.

    ¡°And Remuria, promise me you¡¯ll make it back.¡± Rhea said as she extended her pinkie finger to Remuria¡¯s face.

    ¡°I promise.¡± Remuria replied, locking her little finger with Rhea¡¯s.

 Chapter 4: Lullaby

    It was only one more day until the designated time of the duel. Rather than making any sort of last-minute preparations, Remuria decided to spend the day with the princess. Rhea sat within a luxurious wooden gazebo in the royal gardens. The gazebo''s design featured carefully carved wooden beams and pillars, each depicting legendary beasts of Ishgrian myth. The interior was spacious, with intricate lattice work and drapes, many showcasing aspects of either the Ishgrian gods or symbols of Ishgrian heroes past. Though the sun¡¯s rays were not bearable for the princess, she still enjoyed the view of the various flowers and exotic plants which the royal family had gathered throughout the ages.

    Remuria slowly walked towards the princess with a silver tray in her hands. On it sat a delicate teapot and matching tea cups. Rhea''s eyes lit up as she recognized her favorite blend of chamomile tea. The steam from the teapot wafted towards her nose, the soothing scent comforting her mind. She gave Remuria an enthusiastic wave, grateful for some company.

    ¡°Did I keep you waiting, Rhea?¡±

    ¡°Not at all, please, take a seat.¡±

    Remuria gave a nod to Rhea and sat across from her. The butler poured tea for the princess, who reciprocated with a smile.

    ¡°Thank you, Remuria, you should have some of this tea as well.¡± Rhea said as she took a cup of tea near her lips, enjoying the aromatic fragrance of the beverage.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help myself then.¡± Remuria replied as she poured a cup of tea for herself as well.

    From the gazebo, Rhea could see the castle she called home in all its glory. It was an imposing structure, with walls and towers that rose high to the clouds above. Rhea would normally be content with admiring the rich architecture of the castle, yet, a sense of worry had wormed its way to her mind, preventing her from relaxing completely.

    ¡°So, how are you feeling, Remuria?¡± Rhea asked, her face appearing somewhat tense.

    Remuria gave a reassuring smile before replying, ¡°I¡¯m doing fine, if it¡¯s the duel you¡¯re worried about, I wouldn¡¯t be so concerned if I were you.¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯re capable, but Sir Falkner is Ishgria''s best knight, it¡¯s hard to not be concerned,¡± Rhea responded, her expression still anxious.

    Remuria''s eyes shone with confidence as she said, "I can take him. Trust me, I won''t let you down."

    Rhea''s pout deepened slightly. "I just can''t help worrying about you. You''re important to me."

    "I''ll promise you that I will win, in fact, you should be thinking about what to do after I do win."

    "I suppose that''s a good problem to have.¡±

    As they sat in the gazebo, Rhea eventually opened up to Remuria. "I haven''t quite adjusted to this new body of mine."

    Remuria''s brows furrowed with concern. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

    "The sun," Rhea said, looking down. "I wasn''t the biggest outdoors person, yet now the sun''s rays feel as if they are draining my vitality."

    Remuria nodded in understanding. "Is that why you chose to sit in the gazebo rather than take your usual walks?"

    Rhea nodded back. "You read my mind."

    In truth, the princess had noticed many changes to her body since her rebirth. She had developed a thirst for blood that she could not ignore, and the sun''s rays now seemed to sear her skin, weakening her during the day. Despite these changes, however, Rhea was determined to venture out into the gardens while the sun was still out. It was a place of comfort for the princess since childhood, one of the few places she went to whenever she sought refuge from whatever troubled her mind.

    ¡°I just hope the people won¡¯t react harshly to my new appearance.¡± Rhea said with a sigh, looking down on her ghastly pale arms.

    ¡°Once we clear your name, it shouldn¡¯t be difficult trying to convince the public of your virtues.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, but Ishgria is under difficult times, no?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard from the other servants that there have been widespread droughts in the countryside, some people have taken to the streets to demand grain.¡± Remuria explained, taking time to refill Rhea¡¯s cup with more tea.

    ¡°I wonder what the gods are doing in such times, I¡¯m sure they have received no shortage of prayers from the hungry and needy.¡± Rhea pondered aloud.

    ¡°Who knows, perhaps they¡¯re too busy with their own affair in the heavens above.¡± Remuria said with a shrug.

    ¡°Still, isn¡¯t it in their interest to keep their worshippers happy?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, I haven¡¯t been the most devout person if I¡¯m honest.¡±

    ¡°The dutiful and stoic Remuria isn¡¯t a pious devotee of the gods? Scandalous!¡± Rhea exclaimed in a sarcastic tone, as she pressed her right hand to her forehead, pretending to faint in an overexaggerated manner.

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    ¡°Careful, Rhea, that kind of rhetoric could cause trouble for me.¡± Remuria said back in a half joking manner, her hand brushing against Rhea¡¯s.

    ¡°Oh please, anyone who dares try anything with you is going to have to go through me first.¡± Rhea said proudly.

    The two continued to converse underneath the Gazebo for hours, discussing Ishgrian life and how the kingdom fared compared to its neighbors. The Ishgrian monarchy had a reputation for implementing progressive policies that sought to improve the lives of its citizens. King Hadaron was determined to build a formidable military force, so he made admittance into military academies free for all across the land, so long as those who attend such academies signed contracts to serve the military for a minimum of three years upon graduation.

    Queen Phaedra, on the other hand, had a different agenda. She was a patron of the arts and literature, and wanted to see Ishgria become a cultural center. To this end, she promoted the construction of public libraries in nearly all city centers and even some larger villages. These libraries were stocked with books and manuscripts that extolled the virtues of the Ishgrian Monarchy.

    Despite the fact that these policies were not motivated purely by altruism, they had a positive impact on the kingdom. Signing up to study in an Ishgrian military academy did force one to commit to serve, yet, it was also seen by many as a way to guarantee employment for their sons and daughters. Similarly, the expansion of public libraries meant more and more people became literate, as parents could more easily teach their children how to read. People from all walks of life were drawn to Ishgria, hoping to trade, learn new trades or professions, or simply even just to study  culture and history.

    Rhea herself recounted how she had no shortage of tutors from foreign lands throughout her life. Even though the King and Queen did not care much for her, part of her admired the work that the two monarchs had done.

    ¡°As much as I hate them, the king and queen have done much good in terms of governance.¡± Rhea sighed out.

    ¡°Need I remind you that it was them who brought me to your attention?¡± Remuria said with a smirk, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

    Rhea¡¯s eyes widened with a sudden realization. ¡°Right! I could have sworn that you had been born and raised here in the castle with me all this time.¡± She said, letting out a chuckle.

    ¡°I wish. Did you remember when I first came to the castle?¡±

    Rhea paused, trying to recollect the memory. ¡°Yeah, of course I do. Just uh¡­ give me a moment.¡± She said, furrowing her brows in concentration.

    ¡°I¡¯m waiting.¡±

    ¡°Ok fine. I don¡¯t actually remember that much, all I knew was that you had come from a small kingdom far removed from Ishgria.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s correct, I was brought here by my uncle to be left in the king and queen¡¯s care.¡±

    ¡°You were brought here to be a servant?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I was the one who requested it, actually.¡± Remuria said with a small smile, pouring more tea for herself.

    Rhea¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°How come?¡± She asked eagerly.

    ¡°That story, I¡¯ll save for another day.¡±

    ¡°Boo, you always say that when things get interesting.¡± Rhea pouted.

    ¡°Patience is a virtue, Rhea.¡± Remuria said with a soft smile.

    Rhea let out a sigh, rolling her eyes at Remuria¡¯s response. ¡°Fine. I suppose you¡¯re right.¡±

    The sun was close to resting for the day, casting a soft, amber light over the sprawling gardens. The carefully tended beds of flowers of the garden seemed to come alive in the glow of the setting sun. As the light of day began to fade, the princess felt her vitality return to her, the darkening skies empowering her.

    "Care to join me for a walk, Remuria?" Rhea''s voice broke through the tranquility, as she extended a hand to Remuria.

    "Of course," Remuria replied, taking Rhea''s hand and falling into step beside her.

    ***

    As day transitioned into night, Rhea returned to her bed chamber. Despite the late hour, the princess remained awake, tossing and turning on her bed. She felt confused, as she couldn''t quite pinpoint why she was unable to fall asleep. She continued to lay on her bed for several hours, staring up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the restlessness that had taken hold of her.

    Frustrated by her inability to sleep, Rhea sat up and reached for a book on her nightstand. Her book of choice was a collection of Ishgrian folktales and myths, a favorite subject of the princess, one she had fond memories of since childhood. If I can''t sleep, I might as well enjoy myself. The princess thought to herself.

    Hours passed as Rhea lost herself in her book. She turned page after page, until she reached a tale that drew her in more than any other. The story was about a young boy who was belligerent to their parents and ran away from the family farm when he just came of age. The child eventually came across an old witch who offered the child a sack full of gold coins. The boy was eager to accept, but the witch demanded that the child do something for her first. She asked the child if she could have a small taste of their blood, promising to give him the gold in return.

    Blinded by greed, the boy accepted the witch¡¯s offer. The story then describes how the witch gave a wicked smile, before plunging a dagger into the boy¡¯s heart, however, the boy did not die. Instead, he slowly warped and transformed into a twisted version of his original form. Though the boy still appeared roughly humanoid, his fingers now ended with scything talons, and his eyes glinted a bright scarlet: hungry for the taste of blood. The boy had now become the Night Terror, a monster destined to stalk the night for all eternity.

    So much hassle for such a simple message. Rhea thought to herself, breathing out a sigh. Despite her mixed feelings about the story, it did help her to pass time, enough so that the princess thought it would be worth trying to sleep once more. As Rhea tried to settle into her bed, she couldn''t help but notice that her bedchamber appeared to be unusually bright. Her gaze wandered around the room, checking the candles, but they were all extinguished, and it appeared they had been for quite some time. She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of what she was seeing, but the brightness persisted.

    Suddenly, a voice spoke, jolting Rhea out of her confusion, saying only one word: Sleep. The princess spun around, searching for the source of the sound, but she was alone in the room. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

    ¡°Who said that?¡± she asked aloud, her voice shaky. But there was no response. Once again, the voice spoke, more insistent this time. Sleep. it repeated, and Rhea felt a strange compulsion to obey. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Within seconds, she collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep slumber.

 Chapter 5: Collapse

    The day had come, the moment of truth: the duel between Remuria and Sir Falkner would begin. The event was to take place during high noon, in the dueling grounds of the royal castle. The grounds were a vast, open field surrounded by well-tended gardens. It was a place where duels of great importance and distinction were held, after all, it was a sacred rite in the eyes of the gods.

    Before the duel was to start, several priests poured holy water on the dueling grounds to consecrate it for the gods. The other guests were seated around the grounds in oak chairs, while the king and queen sat on wooden thrones at the edge of the grounds, separated from all others.

    King Hadaron was dressed in his ceremonial attire, vibrant red robes that contrasted sharply with his jet-black hair. He carried himself with great dignity and pride, as if every last drop of his blood was born to rule over others. Queen Phaedra, on the other hand,  wore a stunning gown made of fine silk, with her blonde hair styled in an elegant up-do. She moved with a regal poise, her every move exuding confidence and charm. Together, the monarchs commanded the respect and admiration of all who beheld them.

    Rhea and Remuria stood at the leftmost part of the dueling grounds, with Sir Falkner and his entourage on the opposite side. All eyes were on the princess and her attendant, with many among the guests openly sneering at the two. The battle¡¯s conclusion was inevitable after all, the princess¡¯s champion would fall to one of the greatest knights in Ishgria.

    ¡°It seems the princess¡¯s champion is in for a difficult time.¡± The voice came from an earl, a man in his late thirties.

    ¡°I would normally not bother with such terse events, yet, it isn¡¯t everyday one is able to witness Sir Falkner in the flesh.¡± Said a regal sounding woman in her forties, she was a duchess.

    ¡°That is indeed true, but still, to think the princess would challenge her own parents in a duel.¡± The earl said, a hint of surprise in his tone.

    ¡°Her relationship with the king and queen must be even worse than even what the rumors say.¡± The duchess replied, her gaze fixed at Sir Falkner who was fitting his gauntlets.

    ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, King Hadaron wishes to make an announcement!¡± exclaimed a guard.

    ¡°Ah, it seems the show is about to start.¡± Quipped the earl.

    ¡°The bloodbath you mean.¡± The duchess replied with a chuckle.

    The crowd slowly died down as they prepared to listen to the king.

    ¡°Honored guests and the most revered priests of Ishgria. I thank you all for your presence here today!¡± said the King.

    ¡°Today is a historic moment. For the first time in decades, a duel of honor will be held in these royal grounds.¡±

    ¡°By the grace of the gods, today we are blessed with the presence of Sir Falkner of house Revin, knight and hero of Ishgria!¡±

    The guests clapped at the mention of Sir Falkner¡¯s name. The queen was especially energetic in showing her respect to the knight gallant.

    ¡°Now, as you are all aware, the one who proposed today¡¯s duel was none other than my own daughter: Princess Rhea!¡±

    The crowd was silent. Many looked at each other, unsure if they should clap or cheer.

    ¡°By tradition, royals would not be allowed to participate in a duel of honor and must send in a champion to do battle in their stead.¡±

    ¡°However, today, I have come bearing momentous news!¡±

    Remuria looked at Rhea, who was too engrossed in listening to the king speaking. She had realized what the princess had not, and it sent a chill down Remuria¡¯s spine.

    ¡°I have communed with countless priests regarding the will of the gods, as well as the royal scribes regarding the nature of this duel.¡±

    ¡°Princess Rhea requested this duel to prove her innocence from allegations leveled against her during a royal inquiry. As such, it is she who will face Sir Falkner. Not her champion. Such is my decree, and in Ishgria: my words are absolute.¡±

    The announcement from the king was met with stunned gasps from the guests, who whispered among themselves. While duels of honor were not usually fatal, the fact remained that taking someone¡¯s life during a duel was not considered a punishable offense under Ishgrian Law. Several guests began to speculate about the king¡¯s motivations, did he want his daughter dead?

    Rhea''s gaze shifted towards her mother, the queen, who was looking back at her with a self-satisfied smirk. The expression on her face seemed to mock Rhea, as if wanting to say, "Just give up."

    The princess looked at her father. She was unsure if her father was the one to arrange the change in the duel, or was it her mother who convinced him. Either way, it did not matter much, Rhea needed to win.

    ¡°Rhea, are you sure you don¡¯t want to say anything?¡± whispered Remuria into the princess¡¯s ear.

    ¡°The king¡¯s words are absolute, there is no room for bargaining. Just help me change later, and I¡¯ll also need to borrow your sword.¡± Rhea replied.

    ¡°I pray you succeed.¡±

    ¡°Princess Rhea,¡¯ the king proclaimed, his gaze piercing into hers, ¡®given the unexpected nature of my announcement, I grant you half an hour to gather your thoughts and make any necessary preparations for the duel.¡±

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    ¡°Thank you, your majesty, I will return swiftly.¡± The princess replied.

    After several minutes, Rhea made her entrance onto the dueling grounds, drawing curious and condescending gazes from the spectators. Her attire was a stark deviation from the norm - instead of the standard chainmail vest worn by most warriors in duels, she chose to wear lightweight leather armor. It was paired with sturdy boots, and in her hands was a common weapon of choice for Ishgrian warriors: a standard two-handed sword. Despite the disdainful looks thrown her way, the princess walked with great pride in her stride.

    ¡°The princess must have gone mad!¡± shouted Lord Agramond, a portly nobleman with a bushy mustache and a prominent belly.

    ¡°She must have given up already!¡± echoed Lady Bascha, a thin, haughty woman with a nose as prominent and pointed as pride.

    "The show''s over before it even started," added Duke Gyrus, a prideful man with azure eyes that seemed to bore through the princess.

    Rhea ignored the remarks coming from the nobles, she simply walked past them towards the center of the grounds. She knew what she was fighting for, and she would win with using everything she could muster.

    Sir Falkner stood in the center of the dueling grounds, ready to greet the princess as she approached. He was a formidable figure, towering over the princess at a height of just over 6 feet. His armor was the epitome of the code of chivalry: a suit of chainmail that covered him from head to toe, and sturdy gauntlets that shielded his arms. An ornate helmet bearing the emblem of the Ishgrian monarchy adorned his head, marking where the knight''s loyalties lied. Lasty, he wielded a custom made two-handed sword which was noticeably larger than its traditional counterparts, its weight a testament to the strength of its wielder.

    ¡°It is an honor to meet you princess, I wish we could have met in a more amicable setting.¡±

    ¡°Likewise, Sir Falkner, I have heard tales of your many exploits, your reputation precedes you.¡±

    ¡°I am humbled, your highness, believe me when I say that today¡¯s match is nothing personal.¡±

    The princess ignored Sir Falkner¡¯s remark. The only thought on her mind was how the sun¡¯s rays filled her with so much pain. Rhea felt as if she was being scorched alive by searing flames, her skin burning. Was Ishgria ever this hot? The princess thought to herself.

    The two combatants sized each other up. For his part, Sir Falkner treated this duel as if it were any other. Maintaining his stance and focusing solely on the princess. Rhea tried her best to reciprocate. She needed to win this duel: to prove herself, for her sake, and for Remuria.

    ¡°Honored combatants, are you both ready?¡± asked a guard as she looked to both fighters for confirmation. Sir Falkner gave a nod, Rhea followed suit.

    ¡°Let the duel commence!¡±

    The second the guard finished her sentence, Rhea threw the full might of her blade against Sir Falkner¡¯s with a vengeance. The sound of her blade clashing against the knight¡¯s rang loudly throughout the surrounding area. The princess did not relent, she pressed her advantage and tried to overwhelm the knight¡¯s defenses. Her lightweight armor allowed her to move more aggressively and keep attacking without exhaustion.

    All who watched were perplexed as Sir Falkner was forced back by a woman nowhere close to his size. Many cheered on the knight, yet, some among the crowd began to show their support for the princess as well. The king appeared to be completely invested in the fight, his gaze never wandering from the two combatants clashing against one another. The queen, on the other hand, was beyond livid. Loudly scowling and yelling for Sir Falkner to fight back.

    The knight was completely absorbed in the heat of the moment, with only the ringing of steel and the sound of his and his opponent''s breaths filling his senses. This unwavering focus was one of his strengths, allowing him to hone in solely on the battle and his opponent, disregarding all other distractions. The moment the princess unsheathed her sword, the knight was immediately aware of her proficiency with the sword. Yet, he was still taken aback by the sheer weight and power behind each of the princess¡¯s strikes. It was as though she possessed the strength of a minotaur, rather than what could be expected from someone of her size.

    Rhea was determined to end the duel swiftly, she felt her strength draining with each passing moment under the scorching sun. The princess did not know why the sun¡¯s rays seemed to despise her, yet, she had no time to dwell on it. Determined to defeat Sir Falkner, she relentlessly attacked him with her sword. But the seasoned knight expertly countered and evaded each strike. It was apparent that, despite Rhea''s supernatural boon, Sir Falkner still held a significant advantage in experience and skill as a fighter.

    As time passed, Rhea''s movements grew increasingly uncoordinated. Her once swift strikes now dragging, her footing unsteady, her grip on her sword slipping with each passing moment. The spectators, lost in the thrill of the battle, remained oblivious to the subtle changes taking place. But for Sir Falkner, it was clear: the princess was tiring, and victory was within his grasp. He bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to launch a decisive counterattack.

    Soon, the opportunity Sir Falkner had been waiting for came. The princess made a swing with her blade, which while not exactly sloppy, was not the best strike she could have done. The knight parried Rhea¡¯s sword, then threw his full body weight against the princess to knock her back. The princess stumbled, and in that moment, Sir Falkner thrust his sword into the princess¡¯s stomach. Rhea dropped to her knees, clutching at the blade wedged in her body.

    "Forgive me, Your Highness. Duty calls, and I had no choice in the matter." Sir Falkner''s voice was heavy with regret as he knelt beside the princess, bowing his head in a show of deference.

    ¡°I.. know-¡± were the only words the princess could muster before she began to cough out blood.

    The crowd who had been cheering the entire time suddenly fell silent. They looked towards the king for a signal as to how they should react. King Hadaron had a solemn look on his face, his eyes staring blankly at his dying daughter. Queen Phaedra, surprisingly, did not give out much of a reaction at all. She had thought that the death of her daughter would bring her joy, yet, she felt nothing. Out of all who watched the duel, Remuria was the only one to drop to her knees and cry.

    Rhea¡¯s consciousness was quickly fading. Yet, she still managed to take a glance at Remuria. Her attendant was weeping, crying out her name. The princess wished she could comfort her trusted servant, Remuria had done much for her. She was someone precious to the princess, someone who was always there, who would always be ready to help, someone who would actually weep if she were to disappear.

    Rhea: Princess of Ishgria, dead at the hand of the venerable Sir Falkner, greatest of the Ishgrian Knights. Not the worst way to go, the princess thought to herself. Sir Falkner had been an honorable and worthy opponent. At the very least, he seemed to show her more respect than most of the nobility who seemed eager to watch her fall.

    As Sir Falkner took out the blade wedged in her. Rhea collapsed to the hard ground. The last thing she saw was Remuria with her hands to her face, unable to bear seeing the princess wounded in such a way. Rhea wondered what Remuria saw in her. In Rhea¡¯s mind, she was nothing but a rejected princess, someone who struggled to gain even the smallest modicum of approval from her parents. She had dedicated most of her time to bettering herself, driven by selfish ambition and a desperate need to prove herself. But now, she was nothing, a dead princess, fading away into oblivion.

 Chapter 6: Pierce the Veil - Part 1

    Beware children, be wary of the night

    It knows no friends, only enemies

    For the darkness is a veil for maliciousness

    For criminals and monsters fearful of the light of the gods

    For the night hides all, good and bad

    It is where the unspoken are laid to rest

    Beware children, be wary of the night

    -Ishgrian Poem

    Anguished. That was the word that perfectly described Remuria''s mind after the loss of Princess Rhea. The sight of the princess'' funeral was nothing short of heart-wrenching to her. Ever since the day they met, Remuria had been enamored with the princess, her admiration blossoming into a deep and unconditional love. For Remuria, the princess was her dearest, her reason for existence, her very soul. The emptiness she felt after the princess'' passing was unbearable, it was as if a part of her own body had gone missing.

    The image of Sir Falkner''s sword plunged into Rhea¡¯s body was forever etched in Remuria''s mind. Yet, Remuria harbored no ill feelings towards the knight or the ruling monarchs. No, her heart only had room for sorrow. Words of comfort did little for her. The person she cherished above all had narrowly escaped the grasp of death by disease, only for the blade to claim her life instead. Remuria ached to speak to the princess once more, to fulfill all the plans and dreams they shared, to give the princess everything she had left to give.

    There was a small solace, at the least. Thanks to Princess Rhea''s fearless and exceptional performance in her duel against Sir Falkner, the king and queen exonerated her of all accusations after her passing. In honor of her bravery, Princess Rhea was given a state funeral with full honors, her remains laid to rest in the Sacred Catacombs. This was the ultimate recognition of her legacy, as only the most distinguished Ishgrian nobles and royalty were interred there for eternity.

    Remuria was eventually promoted to head butler of the castle. She had decided to continue working for the king and queen so that she could continue to maintain the late princess''s bed chamber. The king and queen honored her request to keep the room untouched, and she devotedly kept it in pristine condition. 9 months had passed since Rhea''s death, but Remuria''s love and devotion to the memory of the princess never faded.

    Remuria often clung to the precious memories of Rhea, cherishing the daily rituals that kept her close. In the servant''s pantry of the royal castle, Remuria would often prepare a cup of warm chamomile tea, the late princess''s favorite morning beverage, now her own as well. Each sip was a reminder of the love she once felt in Rhea''s presence, a comforting thought to carry with her as she went about her duties.

    ¡°Good morning Remuria! how are you?¡± greeted a cheerful voice.

    Remuria raised her eyebrows and turned towards Joey, he was a new butler who had been assigned to Remuria so that he may be trained. Joey was a young man with short, neatly styled blond hair and a cleanly shaven face. He was dressed in the standard uniform of a butler serving the Ishgrian Royal Family, although there was a small wrinkle in his white dress shirt.

    ¡°Joey, did you even bother to iron your clothes properly?¡± Remuria asked in a tone that was laced with a hint of irritation. She couldn''t help but feel frustrated with the newbies¡¯ lack of attention to detail.

    Joey let out a nervous chuckle in response, his eyes downcast. "Oh goodness, sorry! I¡¯ll try to be careful in the future," he replied, trying to make light of the situation.

    Remuria let out a sigh, "Come here," she said, motioning for him to come closer. Joey slowly walked towards her, his posture rigid with tension.

    "You can drop the salute, I¡¯m just a servant, like you," Remuria said gently, trying to ease Joey''s nerves.

    "But you are my senior and the head butler," Joey replied, his voice tinged with nervousness.

    "It is fine," Remuria said, smiling kindly at him.

    As Joey dropped his salute, he almost knocked over Remuria''s tea, causing a small splash of liquid to spill onto the floor. "Oh, I¡¯m so sorry!" he exclaimed, frantically trying to clean up the mess.

    Remuria knelt down to help him, her face softening with understanding. "You need to be careful next time, what if you were to serve the king and queen in the future?"

    "I know¡­ I¡¯ve just been clumsy for the longest time," Joey admitted, his cheeks blushing a bright red.

    Remuria chuckled lightly, trying to break the tension. "You could say that again."

    After Joey finished cleaning up the spilled tea, Remuria gestured for him to join her for morning tea at a nearby table. She brewed a fresh batch of aromatic chamomile, offering Joey a cup.

    "Thank you for the tea, Remuria!" Joey said, sipping the hot liquid carefully.

    "You are welcome, be careful it¡¯s quite hot," Remuria replied, watching him with amusement.

    "Once again, I¡¯m sorry for my tardiness, I know I should do better," Joey said, sounding contrite.

    "It¡¯s fine Joey, you¡¯ve only been here for a week. What matters is that you are willing to learn," Remuria said, trying to reassure him.

    An uncomfortable silence descended upon them, with Remuria''s thoughts drifting away from the present moment. She was lost in her memories, feeling a deep sense of loss and loneliness.

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    Joey noticed her distant gaze and tried to break the silence. "If I may ask, Remuria, why do you not speak with the other staff often? They all seem to hold you in high regard."

    Remuria hesitated, her mind grappling with complex emotions. She struggled to find the right words to express herself, feeling vulnerable and exposed.

    ¡°Lay off, Newbie. That¡¯s a tough one for Remuria," a gruff voice interrupted. It was Aziv, a senior butler of the castle, who had come to offer his support. His comforting presence allowed Remuria to feel more at ease, knowing that she was not alone.

    "Oh, I didn''t know, I''m so-"

    But before Joey could finish his sentence, Remuria had already begun to leave. She took a deep breath and turned to Joey. "I think I''ll take my leave for now. Joey, I''ll see you in the evening after you complete your duties." She spoke in a cold tone as she walked away from the pantry, leaving the newbie and Aziv behind.

    "Joey was it? Don''t take it personally, Remuria just needs space," Aziv said, trying to console the the newbie as he took a seat.

    Joey hung his head low, the weight of guilt and regret evident on his face. "If only I knew, I wouldn''t have asked," he replied, his voice filled with worry.

    "You live and you learn, I''m sure Remuria won''t hold it against you," Aziv reassured him.

    "I hope so, I''ll try to make it up to her later. Maybe I¡¯ll get her something for when I go out to town tonight.¡± Joey pondered out loud.

    Aziv''s face suddenly became stern. "Speaking of which, will you be going out to town late at night?

    Joey nodded. "Yes, there''s an item that my father left for me back in my house, and I''m only able to be excused later in the day."

    "I see," Aziv replied, his voice grave. "Please be careful then. There have been rumors of people disappearing at night. It started with people missing in the outskirts of some towns, but now, it has reached even the capital."

    Joey''s eyes widened in shock. "Oh? Bandits?"

    "No," Aziv corrected him. "The people who disappeared could usually be found days later, their possessions and clothes more or less intact."

    "But?"

    "The victims, no, the victims'' bodies," Aziv paused to choose his words carefully, "they were usually pale and mangled. As if they had their very life essence drained out of them before being butchered."

    "That sounds terrible! Who would do such a thing?"

    "Nobody knows for sure," Aziv said with a hint of fear in his voice. "Some names have floated around: banshee, wraith, dream eater. But most have decided to name the potential culprit: Night Terror."

    "Does anyone know what this so-called ''Night Terror'' looks like?"

    "Rumors have it that the Night Terror is a pale beast that stalks the night in search of prey. It is said to have scarlet eyes and massive, scything talons that can tear apart flesh with ease," Aziv replied. "If I''m completely honest, its description eerily matches the one described in the fables."

    Joey gulped audibly. "I''ll try to mind my step when I go out later, thank you," he said to Aziv, standing up to give a curt bow.

    "Best of luck on your duties, kid," Aziv said as he watched Joey leave the pantry, praying in his heart that the newbie won¡¯t be too careless later.

    ***

    The sun had set for the day, and the moon had taken its place in the night sky. Joey was walking alone in the capital, only half an hour away from the royal castle. He was eager to finish his errand as soon as possible, as Aziv''s warning earlier in the day was still fresh in his mind.

    The streets were eerily empty at this hour. It seemed not a single soul was outside bot for Joey himself. He felt goosebumps on his skin, it was rather cold. Joey cursed at himself, he wished that he had brought a scarf with him.

    Joey swiftly walked past several dark alleyways. Each one he passed made him ever more fearful. It was fine, Joey convinced himself, tonight was just a mundane time as any other. He would make it back to the castle safely, and nothing would happen.

    Yet, Aziv¡¯s words from earlier in the day still echoed within Joey¡¯s mind. Night Terror, what kind of person or creature could warrant such a title? He thought. A morbid curiosity had worked its way to the young man¡¯s mind. He pictured images of wicked fanged beasts and of the most hardened criminals. His mind wandered once more to what Aziv said regarding the victims of the Night Terror, how degraded they became.

    CRASH

    The sound of a piece of glass shattering broke Joey¡¯s train of thought and made him move two steps back. He tensed himself and scanned his surroundings. There was nothing of note. Just more dark alleyways and empty streets. Joey questioned himself, was that noise just my imagination? He scanned his surroundings once more, eyeing every little nook and cranny he could see through the light of his handheld lamp.

    Once he felt it was safe, Joey took hesitant steps, his heart pounding in his chest as he moved at a slow pace. The silent streets only amplified the sound of his heartbeat, making him feel as if he was walking through a ghost town. Despite his fear, he finally reached his destination: his house, it was empty, as his family had gone to visit relatives in a nearby city.

    Joey fumbled through his pockets to produce a set of keys. He inserted one of them into the keyhole of the front door of his house. After opening the door, Joey went inside and proceeded to grab what he came for: a pocket watch that was left on the dining room table. Underneath the item was a note. Joey picked up the note, and placed it under his lamp''s light. It read:

    Dear Son,

    I managed to repair your pocket watch and restore it back to roughly its original condition. Please try to not drop it too much in the future.

    With Love,

    Your Father

    Upon reading the note, Joey smiled. He was thankful that his father still put up with him for all these years. He pocketed the note and pocket watch, then went outside and locked the door to his house. When he turned around, about to return to the castle, he was surprised to find what appeared to be a woman standing just a few feet in front of him. Joey was about to greet the woman, until he took a second look.

    Joey''s heart raced as he stood frozen, transfixed by the unearthly sight before him. The woman''s deathly pallor seemed to glow in the darkness, her scarlet eyes burning with a fierce hunger that made his blood run cold. Her tattered cloak obscured most of her features, but Joey could sense that his life was in grave danger.

    Despite his fears, Joey tried to convince himself that the pale woman might simply be lost, in need of help. But then he saw her hands, the fingers elongated into razor-sharp claws that shimmered under the moonlight. The blood dripping from them was fresh, still slick and warm: evidence of their latest work.

    As the pale woman licked her lips, Joey glimpsed the glint of her fangs, far too large and sharp for any human being. He tried to run, but it was too late. The pale woman moved with lightning speed, her claws tearing into his flesh with a sickening crunch. Joey fell, gasping in pain, as the woman sank her fangs into his neck. As he bled and dropped to the ground, the last thought on his mind was one name: Night Terror.

 Chapter 7: Pierce the Veil - Part 2

    It had been 2 days since Joey left for his errand, he had yet to return. Remuria was preparing her usual brew of chamomile tea in the castle pantry. She found It odd that she hadn¡¯t spotted Joey at all the past few days. Yet, she had not made much effort to look for her trainee. The castle was home to hundreds of servants at any given time, hence, it was not unusual for staff to be reassigned to different areas of the castle or to be assigned to different seniors. Remuria was sure she would see Joey eventually.

    ¡°Remuria, have you seen Joey recently?¡± a voice interrupted, it came from Aziv: a fellow butler.

    ¡°No, I have not seen him for the last two days. Has anyone else seen him?¡±

    ¡°Not to my knowledge, it seems he just disappeared.¡± Aziv replied, his hands scratching the back of his head.

    ¡°That¡¯s odd, he seemed so enthusiastic, did something happen to him?¡± Remuria asked back.

    ¡°His house was in a relatively secure location in the capital, so attacks by thugs and the like shouldn¡¯t be likely.¡±

    ¡°But not completely out of the question. Isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s true. At any rate, let¡¯s hope for the best, I¡¯ll see you later Remuria.¡±

    ¡°Likewise, Aziv.¡±

    Several more days passed, yet, not a single soul within the castle had seen any sign of Joey. Not only that, there had been more rumors that several other butlers had also not been seen as of late. The situation had escalated enough to where Remuria was instructed by Queen Phaedra to hold a meeting with all servants within the castle.

    Remuria gathered hundreds of servants within the castle''s great hall. It was filled with a diverse range of people, including butlers, bakers, chefs, gardeners, and horse handlers, who had all been called to attend. It was not typical for the great hall to host such a gathering, as it was usually reserved for the nobility and those invited personally by the monarchs, but, the current situation warranted an exception. As everyone chatted amongst themselves, rumors circulated about the missing individuals, spreading a growing sense of unease throughout the room.

    "I heard a rumor that Joey, the new servant, went missing!" whispered one servant to another.

    "Joey''s not the only one. Carmen''s disappeared too!" another other servant replied.

    "What about Adrian?" asked the first servant, panic evident in her voice.

    "I haven''t seen him in days, he''s probably gone missing as well!" exclaimed the second servant.

    "I''m right here," grumbled Adrian, annoyed at being overlooked.

    "Oh, apologies Adrian. We didn''t realize you were there," one of the servants replied with an awkward laugh.

    Remuria walked up a stairway so that she could be visible to all in the great hall.

    "Cough, Cough, excuse me, may I have your attention?"

    The noise within the hall slowly faded. After a few seconds, barely any sound could be heard.

    After the hall was completely silent, Remuria began to speak, ¡°Thank you all for coming here today, as some of you may know, Queen Phaedra has instructed me to gather all of us here to discuss the disappearances of 9 of our fellow servants to the Ishgrian crown.¡±

    ¡°To keep things structured and productive, I will request that nobody speak unless they are invited to do so. If you understand this, give a salute to the crown.¡±

    The sounds of hundreds of hands thumping could be heard, as hundreds of people placed their right hands over their chest in unison. They all knew the Ishgrian salute by heart, since the days they were young, as was taught to them by their parents, and their grandparents before them.

    ¡°Excellent, I will now continue.¡± Remuria then proceeded to list the names of those servants who had gone missing: Argos, Bernadette, Barnes, Carmen, Dreskov, Elias, Elim, Helena, and Joey. Some of them disappeared together, others were deemed missing at different times. Yet, all disappeared only recently, the first disappearance being that of Barnes who went missing approximately one week ago when he went out for a night of drinks. No clues about the whereabouts of any of the missing servants had been discovered so far.

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°I have petitioned the head of the royal guards to form search parties who will investigate the disappearances, we can expect to hear from them in a week¡¯s time.¡±

    Many in the audience exchanged nervous glances, silently conveying their fears. How many more would vanish before the investigation concluded?

    ¡°I am aware that these are trying times, but the royal guards have assured me that the investigation will be done as thoroughly and as swiftly as possible.¡±

    As Remuria finished her words, a member of the crowd raised their hand. She was Bertha, one of the royal chefs.

    ¡°Yes? You may speak.¡± Remuria encouraged.

    ¡°What of the mages? Surely, the court''s most accomplished sorcerers could delve into these mysterious disappearances with their magic?¡±

    "My apologies for not clarifying earlier. I''ve taken the liberty to consult with skilled mages, both within and beyond the castle walls. Unfortunately, none have been able to offer any solutions. Regrettably, their clairvoyant abilities only extend to the living, and cannot be utilized to track those who have died." Remuria explained, her voice tinted with disappointment.

    "So, you''re saying the nine of us who disappeared are beyond rescue? They are truly deceased?" Bertha asked, hoping to be proven wrong.

    ¡°Unfortunately, that appears to be the case.¡± Remuria replied with a solemn tone.

    Bertha sank back into her seat at Remuria''s words. Her mind refused to accept the reality that her dear friends may have been lost forever. The mere thought of it brought a deep sense of sorrow to her chest, and a tear welled up in her eye.

    Remuria tried her best to continue the meeting. Yet, the somber atmosphere of the meeting hall made meaningful discourse difficult. It was as if a thick smoke had choked the air out of everyone in the meeting hall. Remuria decided to end the meeting early, dismissing everyone.

    It was a difficult time for Remuria. She was already someone who had dealt with a great loss, yet, she was forced to address loss once again and bear the weight of everyone¡¯s expectations. It broke her heart seeing her colleagues seem so despondent.

    Remuria found herself in Rhea¡¯s chambers once more. It was one of the few places where she felt secure, where she felt comfort, where she could just be. She sat herself down on the floor, leaning on the bed frame, and let out a heavy sigh. The day had been taxing for the head butler. Every part of her body felt sore, even her eyelids wanted to give out and collapse in on themselves.

    The head butler cast a wistful gaze towards the ornate standing mirror positioned before her. Memories flooded her mind, taking her back to the times when she would assist Rhea with her dresses and styling her hair. The thought brought Remuria so much joy, as if she were reliving a dream, how she wished she could have those days back. But those days are gone, and Remuria knew this.

    The head butler stood up and went to lock the door to the late princess¡¯s bedroom. Remuria wanted to have her moment alone, she wanted to rest, desperately. She¡¯ll deal with the consequences of sleeping outside her assigned quarters another day. Remuria plopped herself onto Rhea¡¯s bed. For now, sleep¡­

    Rermuria¡¯s dreams were a wonderful place, for it was where she could live out the best version of her life. Since she was a child, Remuria was gifted with the ability to dream lucidly, allowing her some control over what she saw in her dreaming mind. Lately, her dreams were recollections of time spent with Rhea.

    In her dream, Remuria was walking through a beautiful garden, filled with vibrant and colorful flowers. The sun was shining, and a gentle breeze was blowing. She saw Rhea in the distance, standing under a large oak tree, her long black hair shining in the sunlight. This version of the late princess was from before her sickness and rebirth. Her eyes were still an emerald green. Her skin, while fair, wasn¡¯t the ashen pale it was when the princess had passed.

    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Rhea asked with a smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s been a long day.¡± Remuria responded with a smile of her own.

    The two sat under the oak tree and talked. Though the princess wasn¡¯t actually there, it did not matter to Remuria. This shadow of what once was, to Remuria, was more than enough.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what to do without you Rhea, when I wake up, you¡¯ll be gone once more.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that.¡± Rhea replied with a smug grin.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Remuria asked, a puzzled look on her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m alive, Remuria.¡±

    ¡°No, that cannot be, you¡¯re just a ghost. The real Rhea is dead, I saw her being buried with my own eyes.¡±

    Suddenly, Rhea''s appearance shifted. Her eyes darkened into deep crimson, her skin fading into a hauntingly pallid hue.

    "I''m alive and well, Remuria, I truly am," Rhea said, her voice almost too low to hear.

    Remuria struggled to find her voice. "This must be a nightmare," she said, her words coming out in a near-whisper. "It will all be over soon."

    But Rhea''s reply was cold and certain. "Oh, this is very real, Remuria, and the later you accept it, the likelier you will lose me again."

    Panic seized Remuria''s chest, and she felt the urge to flee rising within her. "Wait, what do I need to do?" she asked.

    "You''ll need to stop me," Rhea replied, looking straight into Remuria¡¯s amber eyes.

    "Stop you from what?" Remuria asked, her heart beating faster with each passing moment.

    "From killing you."

 Chapter 8: Pierce the Veil - Part 3

    Remuria awoke with cold shivers running down her back. What was that? She thought to herself, trying to recall the dream she just had. Rhea is alive. That thought echoed in Remuria¡¯s mind. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to believe it, it was nearly inconceivable to think that the princess somehow still walked amongst the living. A small corner of Remuria¡¯s heart rejoiced at the faint chance that her beloved remains still. Yet, her heart sank when she recalled what Rhea told her, that she needed to stop the princess from killing her of all people. Why would you try to kill me, Rhea? Remuria pondered.

    The head butler stood up from Rhea¡¯s bed and adjusted her clothes. She took deep breaths at a steady pace: one, two, one, two. Remuria had many questions, and her current mortal form would not be able to answer them. With a breath, a familiar cloud of black smoke consumed Remuria¡¯s form. When the smoke dissipated, Remuria had reverted to her true form: that of a demon. It was a form which she seldom revealed, for she still recalled the memories of her youth. How other children would mock her for her horns, how adults would hide their children¡¯s eyes from gazing at her wings, and how the elders would step on her tail. Her true form certainly did have an aura of malevolence to it, yet, it also gave Remuria access to the full extent of her latent magical abilities, ones that she needs to use urgently.

    In her true form, magic felt as if it were second nature. Where aspiring mages would normally spend years studying magic at an institution, Remuria¡¯s knowledge of the arcane arts was innate. She merely needed to listen to whispers of ghosts long past, echoes of mages who had been condemned to the underworld. Their desperate wails for escape were a great source for profane words of power and forbidden secrets. Remuria then only needed to replicate what she heard, combining it with the massive wellspring of arcane energy within her.

    Remuria closed her eyes and was about to prepare a spell, before she heard a loud Thud coming from above. As her concentration broke, she felt goosebumps emerge all over her fair skin. An eerie sense of dread wormed its way into her mind. Whatever creature or entity that made the noise, it was malevolent. The princess¡¯s bedroom was located on the highest floor of the castle. So the creature must have somehow made its way to the roof.

    As Remuria stepped out onto the balcony, she was greeted by a chilling gust of night wind. The darkness felt ominous, as if it was anticipating that blood would be spilled. She peered down below, scanning the area to ensure no one was nearby. Thankfully, it was almost midnight and most people in the castle were likely asleep at this hour.

    Once she believed that nobody could see her, Remuria spread her wings and soared into the night sky. It had been a long time since she felt the air on her wings. The sight of her imposing silhouette would have intimidated anyone who happened to witness it. However, at the moment she took off, all Remuria could think of was how cold it was, almost causing her to sneeze.

    Undeterred, Remurira ascended higher into the sky, just barely piercing the clouds above. She squinted her eyes and carefully surveyed the rooftop of the castle, searching for signs of the intruder. After spotting a solitary, cloaked figure standing on the roof, Remuria readied herself for a confrontation. With a whispered incantation of Ave Ixhana, she summoned a shadowy sword out of thin air. The blade was  crafted from arcane energy with a dark onyx hilt. The ethereal gray blade seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. Remuria named it Oros, after a gigantic mythical serpent with an insatiable appetite, said to have devoured entire continents.

    With Oros in hand, Remuria descended to the rooftop like a falcon, her boots stomping down with a loud Thud. Her gaze then turned to the mysterious intruder in front of her. She couldn¡¯t believe what she saw.

    As Remuria gazed at the crawling figure before her, she felt her heart sink: it was a twisted, distorted version of Princess Rhea. The creature''s feral movements were more animalistic than human, as it slinked on all fours, its knuckles bent, and its talons retracted menacingly behind its arms. Thick, bloodied toenails protruded from its feet, like that of a savage beast. The creature''s scowl exposed razor-sharp fangs, and its very presence evoked dread. It was then that Remuria realized that this monstrous figure was none other than the infamous Night Terror that had been rumored among the castle staff.

    You were right all along, Rhea. I must stop you, Remuria thought with conviction, steeling herself for the task ahead. She understood that before she could bring the Princess back, she needed to first subdue the monster that stood before her. With Oros at the ready, she steeled herself for the confrontation, fully aware that it would be a complex affair. Her objective was not to kill the Night Terror, but to subdue it: a challenging feat, considering the beast had no such reservations.

    The Night Terror circled Remuria like a seasoned predator, stalking her with an unsettling intensity. Its watchful eyes bore into her, searching for an opening to strike. Yet, Remuria refused to give out an opening. She held her ground, keeping a close eye on the beast''s every move, patiently waiting for her chance to strike. The two remained locked in a tense standoff for several long minutes, neither side daring to make a move.

    Yet, it was Remuria who first broke the stalemate, unfurling her wings further and rattling her tail, seeking to provoke the beast into making a move. The display seemed to have shaken the Night Terror¡¯s confidence somewhat. It hesitated, crawling back slightly and moving at a slower pace. Yet, even as the beast retreated, its gaze remained fixed on Remuria, unblinking. As the beast prepared to make its move, Remuria saw her opening and seized it. Like lightning, she dashed towards the creature, firmly gripping the hilt of Oros.

    A loud Clang echoed throughout the night sky the Night Terror parried Oros with both of its massive claws. Remuria couldn''t believe her eyes, her sword had always been able to cut through the toughest materials like a hot knife through butter, but this creature was able to not only withstand her strike, but also counter it with ease. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend what had just happened. How was it possible for a creature to be so powerful? As Remuria was momentarily lost in thought, the beast capitalized on her distraction and leaped away, landing a few paces away from her with a resounding Thud.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    As the Night Terror continued to prowl, Remuria remained vigilant, focusing her senses to detect the slightest movement. Suddenly, the Night Terror leapt at her with incredible speed, its massive talons glinting in the moonlight. Remuria met the beast¡¯s attack head-on, her sword flashing as she parried the beast¡¯s deadly claws.

    The grueling battle between Remuria and the Night Terror raged on for what seemed like an eternity, each blow matched by fierce retaliation. Remuria observed that the beast appeared to not tire in the slightest, as if it was energized by the pale light of the crescent moon above. With her stamina quickly waning, Remuria knew that she needed to finish the fight as fast as possible. Summoning all the strength she had left, she seized a moment when the Night Terror was off-balance and thrust Oros at its flank. Her blade found its mark, burrowing deep into the beast''s flesh and pinning it to the ground.

    The beast squirmed in pain and thrashed about. Remuria, unable to bear seeing the creature any longer, closed her eyes and chanted Novoas Sorash summoning steel chains which wrapped around the beast: restraining it. Now was her chance, to be rid of the beast and bring Rhea back. With a heavy sigh, Remuria reached deep inside the recesses of her mind, focusing on the source of her arcane energy.

    In an instant, the world around Remuria crumbled away, leaving her suspended in a realm of pure darkness, almost completely alone save for the imposing figure standing in front of her. Vhael, the fallen god, towered over Remuria at over thrice the height of a normal human, draped in a cloak of flickering black flames that licked the surrounding darkness like starving hounds. The skull of a dragon obscured his face, a symbol of his dominion over the underworld, and his six pale arms were adorned with profane runes and glyphs, a sign of his mastery over the arcane. Two pairs of black feathered wings sprouted from his back, seemingly large enough that they could swallow entire armies whole.

    Remuria greeted Vhael with a deep bow, as she did so, she noticed how the fallen god¡¯s presence seemed to consume everything around her. The air was heavy with an oppressive stillness, and a chill ran down her spine as she met his skull-like gaze.

    ¡°Welcome back, daughter. It has been some time,¡± he spoke in a deep, ominous voice that echoed through the darkness.

    ¡°Indeed it has, father,¡± Remuria replied, her voice steady but her heart pounding in her chest.

    ¡°Have you finally decided to join me in the underworld and leave that silly castle where you work as a servant?¡± Vhael''s words were sharp, his tone disdainful.

    ¡°I have not, father. It''s rather the opposite. I need your help to bring the princess back.¡±

    Vhael''s response was immediate. ¡°It disheartens me that you''d rather serve a princess than take your rightful birthright as ruler of the underworld.¡±

    Remuria stood her ground. ¡°With all due respect, father, you are still available to watch over the nether realm. Besides, you know that I feel strongly about Rhea. Your words cannot convince me to abandon her.¡±

    Vhael''s dragon-skull visage showed no emotion, but she could sense his displeasure. ¡°That much is unfortunately true.¡±

    Vhael let out a deep sigh, his piercing gaze fixed on Remuria. "So, what have you come to ask of me?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

    "Rhea, can you cure her of whatever curse she is under?" Remuria asked, her heart racing with anticipation.

    "That will be difficult," Vhael replied, his arms crossed in front of him.

    "Even for you, father?"

    "Make no mistake, daughter. The princess is not one of us. Her mortal body was still adjusting to my blessings. Her ''death'' triggered her powers so that they ran amok."

    "And you cannot restore her?"

    "It would be a difficult ordeal which will require-"

    Remuria looked up at Vhael with a pleading expression, her voice cracking with emotion as she interrupted him. "Please?" she begged.

    Vhael''s response was stern, his tone unbending. "It will take more than that to convince me," he stated, his dragon skull visage giving away nothing.

    Frustration etched across Remuria''s face, and she adopted a more threatening tone. "If you don¡¯t bring Rhea back, I¡¯ll never visit you again," she warned.

    Vhael''s head jerked back, the bony plates of his skull scraping together. "Alright, I understand," he finally relented, his voice tinged with surprise. "What I said earlier was merely in jest."

    "You''d do well to not jest about Rhea, father."

    "You really do take after your mother at times," Vhael remarked, a hint of fondness in his voice.

    Remuria couldn''t help but smile at her father''s words. "Is that a compliment or an insult?"

    "Take it as a compliment, it brings back memories of a better time for me," Vhael replied, cupping Remuria''s cheek with one of his six pale hands.

    Remuria stood still, "I''m sorry for speaking so harshly, father, you know how much Rhea means to me."

    "I am aware," Vhael said, his gaze softening. "One day you''ll see things my way and stay by my side in the underworld, daughter."

    "Perhaps, but not today."

    As Remuria emerged from the abyss, the world came rushing back to her in a sudden burst. Her mind struggled to reorient itself as she gasped for air, her body feeling as if it had been plunged into ice-cold water. Her attention quickly shifted to the disheveled form cradled in her arms, and she looked down at Rhea with a mixture of worry and relief.

    As Remuria cradled the princess in her arms, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. The once terrifying Night Terror was now replaced by a delicate figure, so different from the monster she had fought just moments ago. Rhea''s talons and toenails had receded, leaving behind slender fingers and delicate feet. The princess looked so peaceful, her features now soft and gentle.

    Yet, the blessings of Vhael still left its mark on the princess. Her skin was still an ashen pale, her eyes an unnatural scarlet, her fangs still remained larger than would be normal, and her ears seemed sharper and more elongated than before: a seemingly recent development. But for now, Remuria was just happy that the person she loved most was brought back from the brink.

 Chapter 9: Restoration

    Rhea was sinking, choked by the endless blue of a vast ocean. She had been going to the depths below for what felt like an eternity. She found it odd, that though she was drowning, she could not feel most of her body: not the water which filled her lungs, not the taste of salt on her tongue, and not even the urge to breathe. Yet, she could see. Visions of her, as a beast that stalked the night, always hungry, always filled with bloodlust.

    The princess could only watch as the bloodthirsty beast ravaged through its helpless victims. She felt a wrenching pain in her gut, and she wanted to scream, but no sound could leave her mouth. The sight was ghastly, and Rhea couldn''t bear to look away, even as the beast continued to shred through the flesh and bones of anyone in its path. The sounds of the beast''s victims filled the waters surrounding the princess, their wails and cries echoing in her ears.

    It was numbing. At some point, the princess no longer felt disturbed by the visions she saw, by the cacophony of screeches ringing in her eardrums. It all became white noise to her numbed senses. Slowly but surely, the princess began to accept her fate, feeling resigned to the idea that this would be her existence until her consciousness inevitably faded into nothingness. The weight of hopelessness settled in her chest like an anchor, dragging her down further into the abyss.

    However, when Rhea saw Remuria through the beast¡¯s eyes, she began to hope once again. The princess¡¯s faithful attendant had transformed into her demonic form. Rhea saw as the beast seemed wary of Remuria, it did not attack her immediately like it had done so many times before. Steadily, Rhea watched as the beast was beaten back by Remuria, until finally, it was pinned and screeching underneath Remuria¡¯s blade,

    Rhea didn¡¯t care if the beast dying would end her life too. She was beyond grateful that one way or the other, she would be freed of her burden of inaction. She would finally be relieved of her torture, she would finally be able to rest. Thank you, Remuria, the princess thought to herself, as she conceded to whatever fate had in store for her.

    ***

    At some point, Rhea''s consciousness broke free from the waters that once suffocated her. Gradually, she began to register the softness of her bed beneath her. As she lay there, mind adrift between the waking world and her dreams, she became aware of a gentle, comforting touch on her head. Fingers trailed softly through her hair, tracing the contours of her scalp. Though she was still too drowsy to open her eyes, Rhea felt a great sense of tranquility. There was only one person who could give her peace and comfort: someone whose touch she knew so well that it felt like a part of her own being.

    ¡°Remuria, is that you?¡± Rhea''s voice strained slightly as she spoke.

    ¡°Yes, it''s me. How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°Terrible,¡± Rhea replied, her voice weak.

    ¡°Then you should rest,¡± Remuria urged.

    ¡°I killed all those people, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t you, Rhea. You couldn¡¯t control yourself.¡±

    Rhea''s voice trembled as she spoke, ¡°I... I saw everything that happened. It was like a terrible dream that would never end. You¡¯re right that I couldn¡¯t act, but still, it doesn¡¯t feel right.¡±

    ¡°That Thing wasn¡¯t you, it was a monster, nothing less, nothing more.¡±

    ¡°But it was also me!¡± Rhea shouted out, tears welling up in her eyes.

    ¡°Rhea, what¡¯s done is done. There is nothing you can do to change the past. You need to look forward. After all, isn''t that what''s fit for a member of the royal family?¡± Remuria said as she rested her right hand gently on Rhea''s shoulder, trying to calm the princess.

    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right, Remuria,¡± Rhea replied, her voice filled with uncertainty.

    Remuria looked at Rhea with a gentle expression, trying to ease her discomfort. ¡°Now, let¡¯s move on for now, is there anything I could do for you to make you feel better?¡± she asked with a soft voice.

    "My shoulders do feel rather stiff. Do you think you could massage them for me?"

    "Of course," Remuria replied, shifting her position to reach Rhea''s tense muscles. As she settled her fingers on the princess''s back, she began to apply steady, firm pressure, skillfully kneading the knots she found there.

    "You''re way too good at this," Rhea muttered out, her voice softening as she relaxed into Remuria''s ministrations. She felt her muscles gradually loosen under the skilled hands of her attendant, her tension and pain slowly melting away.

    Remuria looked at Rhea, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "You are looking rather helpless at the moment. A would-be assassin would relish this chance," she joked.

    Rhea giggled softly, "Like you would let an assassin get anywhere near me."

    Remuria ran a finger down Rhea''s spine, causing the princess to shudder with pleasure. "You''re right, only I am allowed to see you like this," she whispered.

    Rhea closed her eyes and savored the sensation of Remuria''s touch. "Consider it your reward for your dutiful service," she murmured.

    Remuria smiled, "oh believe me, I do," she said softly.

    ¡°I love you, you¡¯re the best.¡± Rhea mumbled dozily.

    Remuria paused as her heart filled with warmth at Rhea''s words. She stopped her fingers and looked at the princess with a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I...I love you too, Rhea," she stuttered. "Um...Rhea?" But the princess had already drifted off to sleep, snoring softly.

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    Remuria felt a pang of disappointment, but she knew there would be other opportunities to express her feelings. For now, she contented herself with tucking the princess in and planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

    As Rhea''s consciousness slowly returned, she was first greeted by an exquisite aroma that permeated the air. The scent was so deliciously tempting that it stirred her senses. When she slowly opened her eyes, she saw an impeccable bedside breakfast that had been arranged by Remuria. The dish consisted of succulent lamb blood sausages, accompanied by a side of red-tinted noodles which were infused with blood. Her attendant had adjusted the meal to suit her altered palate. Remuria, with a gentle smile on her face, was preparing a pot of chamomile tea on a separate table, ready to deliver it to Rhea''s bedside as soon as she wished.

    ¡°I hope the food is to your liking, Rhea.¡±

    ¡°This looks amazing! And hopefully I can actually eat it this time, I¡¯ve missed your cooking.¡±

    ¡°All we can do is hope.¡± Remuria said with a chuckle.

    When Rhea took her first bite of her food, she was delighted to find that she could appreciate the taste of cooking once more. Though the princess¡¯s tongue is now only suitable to taste blood, Remuria had managed to incorporate enough blood to sate Rhea¡¯s needs.

    ¡°So, how is it this time?¡±

    With a contented sigh, Rhea set down her fork and turned to Remuria. "This is exquisite," she said, "I''m so glad I can at least eat some of the foods you make now."

    Remuria''s smile was warm and genuine. "You and I both," she replied.

    As Rhea continued to eat, her mind drifted to the questions that had been nagging at her. With a sense of resolve, she set down her fork and looked up at Remuria. "Can I ask you something?" she said.

    Remuria paused. She took a deep breath before responding. "Of course, Rhea. What would you like to know?"

    Rhea steeled herself for the inevitable surge of emotions that would follow her question. She knew that asking about her own death would be difficult for Remuria. The princess took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, before finally summoning the courage to speak.

    "What happened after I died?" Rhea asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Remuria hesitated, trying to find the right words to convey what she needed to say without causing Rhea to fall into despair. "After your apparent death, all charges against you were dropped and preparations for your funeral began."

    Rhea nodded, her eyes locked on Remuria''s face. "Continue please."

    "King Hadaron and Queen Phaedra promoted me to head butler and Sir Falkner was given a sizable plot of land for his service," Remuria said.

    Rhea''s mind reeled as she processed the information. "I see." After a moment of silence, she gathered the courage to ask one more question. "Did you know that I was actually alive?"

    Remuria''s eyes widened in surprise. "No, I was not aware, Rhea. I genuinely thought you had died. It was hard to think otherwise after what I saw."

    ¡°What of my time as the Night Terror?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°I had heard rumors, but at first I dismissed them as local folklore, then some of the other servants in the castle began to disappear.¡±

    ¡°Did you ever suspect that the Night Terror could have been me, Remuria? Please be honest.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I had the inklings of doubt at the back of my mind. I actually did try to use clairvoyance to search for you, but it did not yield results, so I continued to assume you were dead.¡±

    "I¡¯m sorry for worrying you Remuria.¡±

    ¡°It is fine, what matters is that you¡¯re here now.¡±

    ¡°Apologies, but I have one last question to ask, Remuria," Rhea said, her tone hesitant.

    Remuria turned her head to face her, her eyebrows raised. "What is it?"

    "How did you restore me back to how I am now?"

    Remuria''s chest tightened as she tried to come up with an answer. She had hoped that Rhea wouldn''t ask, but her piercing gaze made her reconsider. "I made a bargain with the deathbringer," she finally blurted out.

    "Vhael?" Rhea asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

    "That''s correct," Remuria confirmed, trying to keep her voice steady.

    "What did you offer to the harbinger?" Rhea asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

    Remuria hesitated before responding, unsure of how to explain her deal with Vhael. "Nothing," she said finally, hoping to downplay the situation.

    "Nothing? Doesn''t he always ask for a price?" Rhea''s eyes widened in disbelief.

    "He usually does, yes," Remuria said, averting Rhea¡¯s gaze.

    "And he didn''t this time?" Rhea pressed on.

    Remuria shook her head, "No, but let''s not worry about that now. We need to focus on your claim to the Ishgrian throne."

    Rhea knew that Remuria was hiding something, but the princess did not want to pry much further. She always trusted that Remuria had her best interests in mind, and if her attendant wished to keep her lips sealed, so be it.

    ¡°Alright, if you insist.¡± Rhea said with a furrowed brow. ¡°Though to be frank, I¡¯m not sure on what my next course of action should even be.¡±

    "In that case, perhaps receiving a divination would serve you well." Remuria explained.

    Remuria''s suggestion caught Rhea off guard, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Divination? I don''t recall anyone in the kingdom who can perform such a task," Rhea said with a puzzled expression.

    Remuria nodded. "You are correct, which is why we will not visit any temples."

    Rhea caught on quickly. "I see where you''re going with this. The prophet?"

    Remuria confirmed Rhea''s suspicion with another nod. "That is correct."

    "The prophet is an enigmatic figure. They aren''t known to hand out divinations so freely," Rhea said.

    "It''s still worth a chance. Who knows? We may receive some other form of enlightenment or blessing instead if we can convince them to aid us." Remuria said.

    Rhea pondered for a moment, weighing her options. "I suppose you are right. In that case, let us prepare. We have a prophet to see."

 Chapter 10: Ambush

    The prophet was an enigmatic and mysterious figure. They¡¯re widely regarded as the voice of the Ishgrian pantheon, able to beseech the gods directly. Legends spoke of their ability to call forth rain even after months of drought, and to bestow blessings on chosen individuals, such as the strength gifted by Crozius, god of strength, to King Hadaron through the prophet''s hands. It was because of these miraculous abilities that the prophet¡¯s words held great sway and influence.

    Despite their remarkable talents, the prophet¡¯s true name and origins remain unknown. The prophet was known to be eccentric, often making bizarre demands and behaving erratically, causing many to speculate that they had long lost their mind. However, their abilities spoke for themselves, with many individuals: including nobles and other powerful individuals would make pilgrimages just to seek their counsel and guidance in times of need.

    Remuria made arrangements so that she and Rhea could make the journey to see the prophet undetected. She petitioned King Hadaron to be excused from her duties as head butler for a month-long pilgrimage. The King was surprisingly cooperative, allowing Remuria to leave so long as she could find someone who could replace her during the time she was to be gone. In fact, the King even gave Remuria permission to use horses from the royal stable should she need it. Remuria wondered whether the king¡¯s generosity was merely on a whim or due to him recognizing Remuria¡¯s service. Yet, it did not matter much to the head butler: the brunt of the work was done.

    Meanwhile, Rhea had been forced to stay hidden within her bedroom, fearing what people may think of her returning back from the dead. Despite this, the princess¡¯s curiosity compelled her to venture out of her bedroom each night. As the moon rose and the castle fell silent, she would leap from her balcony to the gardens below, her supernatural body allowing her to make the several story fall unscathed. With her senses heightened, Rhea explored her abilities, astonished at the things she was capable of. She could crush stones with ease and leap from the ground to rooftops in mere seconds. Though the princess did not fully understand her powers, she felt that the night now called for her: empowering her.

    Remuria continued to make preparations for the pilgrimage to the prophet. Purchasing potions, rope, and other equipment that she deemed necessary for the journey. Along with the supplies, she also acquired a pair of hooded cloaks and a mask to conceal Rhea''s appearance. The mask was masterfully crafted with ceramic material, its detailed carving depicted the visage of the goddess Arisine: mistress of the skies, with impressions of feathers carved to the side of the mask. All in all, it took three nights for Remuria to complete her preparations.

    On the fourth night, as the moon cast its silvery light over the castle grounds, Remuria and Rhea ventured quietly under the cover of darkness to the royal stables. When they approached, they could hear the soft whinnies and rustling of the horses within. Rhea felt a twinge of excitement and anticipation as she gazed at the magnificent animals. The princess was seldom able to pursue horse riding in the past, yet, she enjoyed every moment when she could afford the time to do so.

    But there was little time to admire the animals. Remuria had selected two stallions, and quickly set to work saddling them up with the supplies they had prepared earlier. As they worked, Rhea felt the warmth of the horses'' breath on her face, and the soft tickle of their noses as they sniffed at her. It was a strange sensation, but not unpleasant.

    Their preparations complete, the two mounted the horses and set off at a brisk pace. They wanted to make good progress while they still had the cover of night. Rhea''s weakness to sunlight was a constant concern, and they did not want to risk being caught out in the open during the day.

    The journey to the prophet would only require just over a week of travel on horseback, but the weight of anticipation hung heavy on both Rhea and Remuria. The prophet was known to be an enigmatic figure, his actions often unpredictable and their decisions swayed by what appeared to be the whim of the gods. They had been known to bless hardened criminals and were equally as likely to smite those who were perceived to be paragons of virtue. Despite the risks, there was no greater source of divine enlightenment that came anywhere close to the prophet.

    Rhea and Remuria rode throughout the night towards the Ishgrian countryside where the prophet¡¯s temple was located. Roughly six hours had passed since they left the castle, and the two decided to rest and let their horses drink at a nearby river before continuing their journey. Remuria was first to dismount, before helping Rhea do the same.

    ¡°Thank you kindly.¡± Rhea said as Remuria helped her off her horse.

    ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure.¡±

    The two sat down near the riverbank, their tired bodies seeking rest after a long night of riding. The peaceful sound of flowing water and chirping crickets provided a calming ambiance for their brief respite. The night was a beautiful spectacle, with the full moon casting a soft glow over the surrounding countryside. The stars twinkled above like scattered diamonds, adding to the serene atmosphere. Rhea''s eyes were fixed upwards, captivated by the celestial display, lost in wonder. Remuria, however, had her attention solely on Rhea.

    "Rhea?" Remuria spoke up, breaking the silence.

    Rhea''s gaze shifted towards Remuria, mildly startled by her voice. "Oh, sorry. What is it, Remuria?"

    "I just wanted to ask how you''re feeling," Remuria inquired, fidgeting her fingers slightly.

    "I feel amazing!" Rhea exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I feel so weak during the day, but now? I feel as if I could take on the world!"

    "That''s good to hear," Remuria responded, her tone remaining neutral.

    Rhea picked up on the lack of enthusiasm in Remuria''s reply. "Is something bothering you, Remuria?"

    ¡°It''s just that-" Remuria paused, her eyes darting towards the direction of a faint rustling sound nearby. She lowered her voice to a hushed tone. "Wait, did you hear that?"

    Rhea''s attention was also drawn to the noise, her senses heightened during night time. "I did. What do you think? Bandits?" she whispered back, her hand reaching for the hilt of her sword.

    "Most likely," Remuria confirmed, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

    "I sense roughly fourteen heartbeats. You think we can take them on?"

    "Absolutely," Remuria replied with a smug grin, preparing to manifest Oros: her ethereal blade. "I could do it myself if need be."

    "Don''t be like that, Remuria. Save some fun for me too!"

    ***

    Ishgria was no stranger to criminals. The kingdom was simply too large for the eyes of justice to watch over completely. Law enforcement frequently struggled to cover the necessary ground, leaving room for gangs and bands of bandits to roam free. It was not uncommon for groups of bandits to travel during the night, moving their operations whilst simultaneously preying on under defended travelers or merchants. For Yivan and his gang of bandits, the night had provided them with a most fortuitous opportunity.

    ¡°Hey boss, look! Fresh meat!¡± The voice came from Little Finger, he was the shortest among the group, but became Yivan¡¯s right-hand man due to his talents with lockpicking and pickpocketing.

    ¡°Well, what do you know, it seems we hit the jackpot today lads. Two fine stallions alongside two very lovely travelers.¡± Replied a gruff, yet commanding voice.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Yivan had not chosen to become a bandit. In better days, he was once a humble baker, making a modest living that was enough to sustain himself and his family. Unfortunately, he chose his relationship with alcohol over his wife and kids, leaving the man destitute and penniless a few years after his second child was born. To survive, Yivan started committing petty crimes, stealing a loaf of bread here and there, picking pockets of people in crowded markets, and taking wares from shops when the owners weren¡¯t looking. Life became surprisingly easy, until Yivan ruffled the wrong feathers, and managed to face the scorn of a group of thugs who beat him for within an inch of his life. From that day onwards, Yivan knew the value of strength, and that he too would need his own merry band of outcasts to survive.

    ¡°Aye boss, I sees them well enuff.¡± Chimed in a deep voice. It came from George, or Gorg as he preferred to be called: a large, heavyset man which can best be described as a sentient slab of muscle.

    ¡°Yeah, we can all see them well ya dimwit!¡± One of the bandits exclaimed.

    ¡°Now, now, settle down lads, it¡¯s not every day we get opportunities as easy as this. And if my eyes don¡¯t deceive me, I think I spy a fine lass among them.¡± Yivan said as he licked his lips.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s the real prize.¡± Another bandit said with a laugh.

    ¡°You sure have a good eye boss!¡± Little Finger quipped.

    The sound of rustling leaves underfoot echoed through the night as the bandits crept closer to the unsuspecting travelers. Yivan gave a subtle nod to his men, and they fanned out, forming a semi-circle around their target. Each bandit gripped a weapon tightly in their calloused hands, ready to strike at a moment''s notice. Yivan himself stepped forward, his eyes glinting with greed as he assessed the travelers and their valuables. To him, they were nothing more than easy money. The horses would fetch a hefty sum on the black market, and there are no shortage of brothels looking for women to be sold into servitude.

    However, the bandits were perplexed when the two travelers, instead of trying to run away, were calmly approaching them instead. The woman had a sword which shone an ethereal gray. Her companion was a masked figure, wielding a rather fancy looking two handed sword. Yivan noticed the breakout of  goosebumps throughout his body, and the cold sweat that ran through his face. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but he had a bad feeling about what was to come.

    ¡°Boss, should I start the usual spheal?¡± Little Finger asked.

    ¡°Yeah, sure, go ahead.¡± Yivan replied, a hint of doubt in his voice.

    ¡°Is zere anything rong wif ya boss?¡± Gorg asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, let¡¯s do this.¡±

    They bandits positioned themselves strategically, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting travelers. Some held machetes, their edges dulled from countless battles. Others brandished daggers while others clutched rusted iron bars, and other makeshift weapons fashioned from whatever they could find. Regardless of their weapon or background, each of the bandits were united by a shared greed: that tonight they would have an easy prize.

    ¡°Alright, you two are unfortunate enough to face the big boss here and all of us. So best to give up your goods and we might consider playing nice.¡± Little finger said as he rattled his dagger.

    ¡°And don''t cha even think aboot runnin¡¯ away!¡± Gorg added.

    For a moment, Yivan felt his confidence return. There were fourteen of his bandits, including himself, the travelers were greatly outnumbered. Even if one of them had some fancy magic sword, surely they wouldn¡¯t be able to take out all of his men. In fact, the magic sword would probably make a fine addition to the loot he¡¯s going to sell off after all is said and done.

    When Yivan saw Little Finger¡¯s head split from his body, he could barely register the fact. Suddenly, he saw his men being torn apart by the two travelers. The one with the gray sword was terrifying enough, cutting down nearly half of his men with ease. Yivan could only watch as the woman danced around his men¡¯s strikes, before retaliating with lethal thrusts from her magical blade. Yet, the masked one gave Yivan the most pause. Where the woman was at least masterful in her movement, the masked one attacked like a ravenous beast.

    He then observed As Gorg swung his massive club at the masked traveler, Yivan held his breath, expecting to see the figure crushed under the impact. But to his shock, the masked one vanished in a blur of motion, leaving Gorg''s club to strike the ground with a thunderous crash. Yivan couldn''t believe his eyes. He knew then that his group was outmatched.

    By the time Yivan had realized what was going it was too late. He felt a blade pressed against the back of his neck whilst the last of his men had fallen. It was a surreal experience, he had never seen anyone, or anything move like the two travelers, they barely seemed human.

    ¡°Drop to the ground with your hands behind your back, I suggest you make this easy for me.¡± The voice came from the woman with the gray sword.

    Yivan obeyed the command. He was in no position to protest, not after what he had just seen.

    ¡°Ooh, so is this what a bandit leader looks like?¡±  The voice came from the masked one, upon closer inspection, Yivan realized that the masked traveler was also a woman. He couldn¡¯t fathom how his entire gang was bested by only two people, let alone two women.

    ¡°It is Rhea, bandits are not uncommon in these parts.¡±

    Yivan watched as the masked woman casually strolled towards him. The masked one appeared to look at him with great curiosity, as if he were some exotic animal in a zoo.

    ¡°Are bandits usually so ugly, Remuria?¡±

    ¡°Not necessarily, but criminal life can be punishing to the mind and body.¡±

    The bandit leader stayed silent as the masked woman examined him from head to toe. Part of him could barely resist trying to jump at her, but Yivan knew better than to take his chances, at least not for now.

    ¡°Could you hold him still for a moment? The smell of all this blood is getting to me, I think I need to drink.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Rhea, take your time.¡±

    Yivan¡¯s brow furrowed at the exchange. The two travelers seemed to have such a nonchalant attitude after what they had just done. He knew that he and his posse were just bandits, but fourteen people had just died, and the two travelers seemed to act as if nothing had happened. The bandit leader¡¯s shock would only become more apparent as his eyes widened at what he saw next.

    The masked woman lifted part of her mask and knelt down towards one of the dead bandits. She lifted his neck and bit down into it with her fangs. Yivan stared silently as the woman appeared to suck out copious amounts of blood out of his dead comrade, turning him into a pale, shriveled husk within a minute. He could only watch powerlessly as the masked woman repeated the process a few more times, turning the bodies of his former friends into even more decrepit husks. Then, his heart lurched when the masked woman turned and walked towards him. As she approached, Yivan could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He could see the blood on her lips. Despite her human form, there was something undeniably otherworldly about her. Her movements were far too graceful. like an apex predator stalking its prey.

    ¡°Thanks for keeping him still, Remuria, hope it wasn¡¯t too much trouble.¡±

    ¡°No issues here, he¡¯s actually rather obedient.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear, I want to try speaking to him if possible.¡±

    Yivan heard a ¡°go ahead,¡± come from behind him as he felt the blade at his neck pressed a bit deeper, drawing some blood from his skin.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name bandit?¡± the masked woman asked him.

    The bandit leader couldn¡¯t find it in him to reply. Both because he felt a bitter rage at the death of his men and because he couldn¡¯t hold back a deep sense of fear which gnawed at his mind.

    ¡°Answer her, or you answer to my blade.¡±

    Even with the threat looming over him, Yivan¡¯s tongue remained frozen. He had seen much during his life: daylight robberies, murders, and gang wars, none of them irked him as much as the situation he found himself in now. Forced to yield while he watched the men he had carefully gathered and supported for nearly a decade disappear in an instant.

    ¡°Don¡¯t push him too much, Remuria, I think he¡¯s too scared to speak. His heart is beating very fast.¡±

    ¡°Should I force him to speak then, Rhea?¡±

    ¡°No need, I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to experiment.¡±

    The masked woman began to chant words that Yivan could barely comprehend. Her voice grew louder, her incantation filling the air with a haunting resonance. The masked woman¡¯s hands moved in intricate patterns, tracing out strange symbols in the air. With each passing moment, the spell grew in intensity, and Yivan could feel an otherworldly force gathering around him. He felt blood begin to pool inside his skull, the vision in his eyes turning red. His breath became more bated, limbs shaking uncontrollably. He felt a searing pain, as  several of his veins burst and he began to choke on his own blood.

 Chapter 11: Confrontation

    "I didn''t think that would actually work," Rhea said, her voice tinged with a hint of dark satisfaction. She knelt beside the now lifeless man, dipping a finger into the pool of viscous red liquid that was once a human being. Her scarlet eyes glittered with a newfound power, her recent act of magic leaving her both ecstatic and disturbed.

    Remuria approached, "Your spell was marvelous, Rhea," she said, her voice hushed in reverence. "Was it one from the tomes of the royal library?"

    Rhea shook her head, "That''s the thing," she replied, "I still cannot use the spells I have read about from the magic tomes I dug through."

    Remuria frowned, "I see, perhaps it''s due to your magical affinity?"

    Rhea nodded slowly, "Possibly, the spell I cast just recently was not one I read about. The words and gestures came to my mind in whispers, and I simply repeated them."

    The arcane arts were something that remained deeply mystical and mysterious in the world. Not all nations had access to mages, and those nations fortunate enough to be blessed with magic casters can barely muster a few dozen of them at a time. Ishgria itself only had just over 100 registered magic users based on the kingdom¡¯s latest census five years ago: which included wizards, witches, and select speakers within Ishgrian Temples. Despite such a seemingly small number of mages, Ishgria was known as the nation with the highest number of magic users throughout the continent of Kartesia.

    While the knowledge of magic itself can be learnt by even the lowliest peasant, the latent wellspring of arcane energy that was needed to manifest magic into the material realm was extremely rare. The only other way a human could hope to possess magical talents without being born with it is to receive the blessing of a god. This too, was an ordeal all on its own, for only a select few people would attract even the slightest glance from a god, let alone their blessings.

    ¡°How does your magic work, Remuria?¡± Rhea asked, eyeing her attendant with great curiosity. Remuria turned her gaze towards the princess, studying her expression for a moment before responding.

    ¡°Similar to yours, I too hear whispers in my mind: instructions on how to conjure certain spells and repeat them.¡±

    ¡°I see, but how come you are able to use more different types of magic than I? No matter how hard I try, I can only seem to manifest a select few spells.¡± Rhea now stood up, facing Remuria directly.

    ¡°Both of our magic sources come from a god,¡± Remuria explained, ¡°so their nature and our connection with them dictates the abilities we have access to.¡±

    ¡°So does that mean you have a closer connection to Vhael than I do?¡±

    ¡°That is correct,¡± Remuria replied, her eyes flickering briefly to the ground before returning to Rhea''s.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to teach me how to gain more favor with him in the future then,¡± Rhea said in a cheerful tone as she began to walk towards a nearby tree, beckoning Remuria to join her.

    ¡°That might be rather difficult,¡± Remuria hesitated, her eyes darting sideways.

    ¡°Difficult why?¡±

    ¡°You know how gods are, with their whims and what not, it can take a ludicrous amount of time before you are truly favored by one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll just keep trying,¡± Rhea declared optimistically, ¡°besides, unless you¡¯re a god¡¯s child, I¡¯m sure anyone would find it difficult to curry favor with the gods.¡±

    Remuria froze at the princess¡¯s words, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that the princess still did not know of her connection with Vhael, yet, even the potential implication of Rhea knowing about her ties with the harbinger was enough to give Remuria pause.

    ¡°Are you alright, Remuria? Your mind seems as if it were drifting elsewhere,¡± Rhea looked at Remuria, appearing genuinely concerned, still oblivious to her attendant¡¯s true thoughts.

    ¡°Sorry for worrying you, Rhea. I¡¯ll join you now,¡± Remuria said, forcing a small smile onto her lips as she walked towards the princess.

    ¡°Come on then, the night won¡¯t last much longer!¡± Rhea said in a gleeful tone, the princess had already sat herself against a tree and had taken off her mask.

    As Remuria sat down next to Rhea, she noticed how the princess¡¯s scarlet eyes were focused on her, seemingly staring into the depths of her soul. Remuria felt that that princess was expecting something from her, but she wasn¡¯t quite sure what.

    A tense silence settled in, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the soft hum of insects in the night. Remuria fidgeted, feeling as though a rift had opened up between them. She couldn''t shake the feeling that Rhea was waiting for her to say something.

    ¡°Is something the matter, Rhea?¡± Remuria asked, trying to break the tension.

    Rhea took a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s just, something has been bothering me for some time. I¡¯ve always buried it at the back of my mind, but it¡¯s always there.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I actually don¡¯t know that much about you, Remuria.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible, I have been by your side for years.¡± Remuria replied, trying her best to reassure Rhea.

    ¡°That is true, and as a result you know so much about me, but I don¡¯t know enough about you.¡± Rhea replied with a hint of melancholy in her voice, her gaze turning away from Remuria and instead staring into the night sky.

    ¡°Rhea, I¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±

    The princess took a deep sigh and turned towards Remuria, ¡°I know it isn¡¯t my place to ask, but I always wondered why you care for me so much?¡± Tears began to bead at the corner of Rhea¡¯s eyes before they became thick streams, the tone of her voice becoming heavier, ¡°I¡¯m just another sheltered princess who couldn¡¯t live up to her parents¡¯ expectations and who most people think is dead!¡±

    Remuria''s heart ached as she watched tears stream down Rhea''s face. Never before had she seen the princess so overwhelmed with emotion. Remuria knew how much Rhea yearned for validation and recognition from her parents, which they had always denied her. As Rhea''s attendant, Remuria had always tried to offer comfort and support whenever possible. But now, she felt like she had failed in her duty. Despite spending over a decade together, Remuria still kept many details of her past away from Rhea behind lock and key.

    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rhea, I was and still am afraid that you won¡¯t accept me.¡± Remuria said with a strained voice, her eyes began to mirror the princess¡¯s, shedding tears of their own.

    ¡°Remuria, you are the person I cherish most in my miserable life, why would I not accept you?¡±

    Remuria''s hands began to shake as tears welled up in her eyes. She had always thought of herself as a person of control: someone who was always composed no matter the situation, but now that illusion was shattered. The walls she had built around her heart came crumbling down, and all that remained was the truth.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I just, I didn¡¯t know.¡± Remuria broke down. She felt so defenseless, so vulnerable, so unprepared. She hated the feeling, she was usually calm and collected so she could act swiftly for Rhea¡¯s sake. Now, she was completely lost as to what to do or say.

    For the next few minutes, Rhea and Remuria clung onto each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces. Their embrace under the tree¡¯s canopy was a sanctuary where the two could just be themselves. It was a moment of vulnerability and intimacy that they had long denied themselves. As they held each other, they were acutely aware of how unbecoming it was for a royal to have such close ties with a servant, but they couldn''t bring themselves to care. All that mattered was each other''s company, and for a brief moment, they felt as if they were the only people in the entire world.

    As Remuria''s tears began to dry up, her heart felt heavy with guilt and regret. She had always prided herself on her loyalty and dutiful service, but she realized that she had been keeping too much from Rhea. She knew that it was time to let go of her fear and share her secrets with the princess, that if she were to earn Rhea¡¯s trust once more, she needed to open up.

    ¡°Rhea, I¡¯m sorry for hiding parts of my past from you, so I¡¯d like to correct that mistake. If there is anything you want to know about me, please do not hesitate to ask.¡±

    The princess smiled at Remuria¡¯s words, she began to speak as she wiped a tear off of her face, ¡°Thank you, Remuria, you don¡¯t have to tell me everything immediately, but I do wish to learn more about you.¡±

    ¡°So, where do you want to start?¡±

    ¡°Your past, Remuria, who were you before you entered the royal castle? Before we met each other.¡±

    Remuria took a deep breath, she steeled herself for what was to come. If Rhea wanted the truth, she would receive it.

    ¡°I was always a demon, Rhea, I never was human. When I was a baby, I lived in the underworld with my father.¡±

    ¡°So, how did you come to the plane of the living?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I was always curious about humans as a child, I had heard stories about them before, but I never truly met one when I was young. Not until I decided to try and escape the underworld.¡±

    Rhea¡¯s face lit up at the mention of Remuria¡¯s escape. The princess enjoyed reading tales of Ishgrian heroes who would fight through the underworld to save their loved ones. An enthusiastic smile began to break out of the princess¡¯s once solemn visage.

    ¡°So, what did you do to escape?¡±

    Remuria¡¯s tone began to lighten as well at the princess¡¯s interest, she replied, ¡°I stole a tome from my father¡¯s library and tried to cast one of the spells contained within.¡±

    ¡°Were you successful?¡±

    ¡°Depending on how you define success, I was indeed transported to the material plane. But, I faced, how should I say: unintended consequences.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°When I came to, I realized that I was a lot smaller than I was, and when I tried to speak, all I could muster were loud squawks. My body was that of the Ishgrian Falcon. I was lost and didn¡¯t know what to do, so after I had adjusted to my new body, I flew in search of a way to either go home or return to my original form.¡±

    ¡°That must have been difficult for you, I couldn¡¯t imagine myself being in such a situation.¡±

    ¡°It was¡­ an interesting experience to say the least. My time as a falcon wasn¡¯t all bad, soaring throughout the sky felt amazing, and I managed to enjoy myself a little bit, until I was hit by rocks that is.¡±

    ¡°Hit by rocks? How?¡±

    ¡°I was flying over the capital, when I passed some kids who were playing with slingshots. In hindsight, it wasn¡¯t the brightest idea, but I wasn¡¯t paying much attention to what was below me. One of the little brats managed to sling a rock at me, breaking one of my wings and causing me to fall.¡±

    ¡°That sounds terrible! I always hated people who did that to falcons. Such majestic creatures should be treated with more respect. Your story reminds me of one time when I saw some kids shoot down a falcon while I was out on a tour of the capital. Even as a child, I knew that it was wrong.¡± Rhea asserted.

    Remuria smiled, realizing that Rhea had not quite read between the lines, ¡°Indeed, I was fortunate that a certain princess took note of my plight, chased the children away, and nursed me back to health.¡±

    ¡°Wow, what a great princess, I would love to meet- wait, how long ago was this incident, Remuria?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d say it was roughly 14 years ago.¡±

    ¡°Wait, so are you telling me that¡­¡±

    ¡°I was that falcon you rescued all those years back, Rhea.¡±

    Rhea''s eyes widened in shock as the realization hit her. She stared at Remuria with a mix of disbelief and wonder. "It was you? The falcon I saved was you?"

    Remuria nodded, her smile turning bittersweet. "Yes, it was. I had no way of repaying you for your kindness then, but I made a promise to myself that I would always be there for you, no matter what."

    Rhea''s expression softened as she looked at Remuria with a newfound appreciation. "I had no idea."

    Remuria''s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she took Rhea''s hand. "You saved my life back then, and you continue to do so every day, Rhea. I owe you everything."

    ¡°So, when did you manage to regain your true form?¡±

    Remuria chuckled softly, "after you released me, one of my father''s servants managed to find me," she explained. "They returned me to the underworld, after chastising me for my foolishness of course."

    Rhea''s eyes widened in realization. "Wait, your father had servants in the underworld, he can''t be who I think he is right?" she asked incredulously.

    Remuria''s lips twitched into a wry smile. "Who else do you think?" she replied.

    Rhea gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You''re the daughter of the deathbringer? Of Vhael?" she exclaimed.

    Remuria simply nodded. The cat was out of the bag now, and there was no putting it back in.

    "I have no words, this is a lot to take in." Rhea said in a melancholic tone. She was not sure exactly how to feel about everything she had just heard.

    Remuria placed a comforting hand on Rhea''s shoulder. "I understand. I can always continue the tale another time. We have a prophet to see, remember."

    "You''re right, but before we continue, I''d like to thank you, Remuria, for finally opening up to me," Rhea said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

    "It was my pleasure," Remuria replied, her gaze meeting Rhea''s.

    As Rhea was about to turn away from Remuria and return to their horses, she felt a sudden tug on her wrist. She turned back to face Remuria, only to be met with an intense gaze that made her heart race.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Remuria?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something I need to tell you, Rhea.¡± Remuria replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Rhea watched as Remuria took hold of her hands, squeezing them tightly. She felt a surge of warmth spread through her body as Remuria leaned in closer, their faces barely inches apart.

    "Remuria, what are you doing?" Rhea muttered out, her face red with embarrassment.

    Remuria''s lips brushed against Rhea''s as she spoke, "This," she murmured, before closing the gap between them in a passionate kiss.

 Chapter 12: Bad Omens - Part 1

    For the sin of killing his kindred

    Vhael was to be given a punishment like no other

    He was to be condemned to the underworld

    Left to rot as the skies unfurled

    -Excerpt from the Chronicles of Ishgria

    Rhea¡¯s face was still bright red. Her heart beat fast, and she felt very, very warm. It was true that the princess had always admired Remuria. Her attendant was someone competent, professional, and kind. Yet, Rhea hadn¡¯t really viewed Remuria beyond anything more than a close confidant. Not until now.

    ¡°How are you doing, Rhea?¡± Remuria asked with a playful tone, her right hand cradling Rhea¡¯s back. The princess nearly swooned right then and there.

    ¡°I uh, I¡­ um.¡± Rhea stuttered out, blushing an even brighter red.

    ¡°Did you not like it?¡±

    ¡°No! Yes? Maybe?¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should try again then.¡± Remuria whispered, as she pressed her lips against Rhea¡¯s once more.

    This time, Rhea relaxed into the kiss, trying to savor the moment as best she could. The princess had dated before: both men and women, to her parent¡¯s ire. She frequently confided in Remuria regarding her relationships. She was rather oblivious to the fact that Remuria was interested in her, believing that her attendant simply saw her in a platonic light. Yet, in hindsight, the signs of Remuria¡¯s romantic interest were present for a long time. Rhea recalled the rare occasions when Remuria would pout, it was always after she had just met a new partner. Other times, Remuria would give her gifts every lover¡¯s day whenever she was not with someone else.

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± Rhea said, breathing heavily.

    Remuria smiled at Rhea, holding back a chuckle, ¡°I¡¯ll leave things at that for now, wouldn¡¯t want you to be too flustered when we see the prophet.¡±

    The princess nodded at her attendant¡¯s words, she rushed towards her horse, her face still flush with a mixture of warmth and embarrassment. Remuria, on the other hand, took her time walking towards her horse, drinking in the image of a flustered Rhea, highlighted under the moon¡¯s pale light.

    The two continued on their journey, going at a slower pace during the day, whilst accelerating at night. It was a necessary adjustment, on account of Rhea¡¯s aversion to the sun. Fortune favored the travelers, as no other bandits approached them on their way to the prophet. It gave the pair much needed space and time to collect their thoughts. When Remuria spotted a raggedy hut perched near the edge of a cliff, she knew that they had arrived at their destination.

    As Rhea and Remuria drew closer to the hut, they could feel their own hearts pounding in their chests, mirroring a strange, steady rhythm they sensed coming from within. They could feel it, the prophet was there, waiting for them. Despite the countless stories they had heard about the prophet, neither Rhea nor Remuria knew what to expect.

    The horses they had ridden stood tethered onto a nearby tree, while the two women approached the hut on foot. As they drew nearer, they noticed a slight movement from within. They paused, before continuing to walk with greater caution.

    ¡°So, Princess Rhea and her faithful servant Remuria have arrived!¡± A voice within the hut exclaimed.

    ¡°Are you the prophet?¡± Rhea shouted back.

    ¡°I am, and I know why you are here. Enter my abode if you wish to speak with me, however, the daughter of Vhael must remain outside.¡±

    Rhea and Remuria were taken aback at the prophet¡¯s words. How was it possible that the prophet knew about Remuria¡¯s lineage? Yet, after exchanging some reassuring glances at each other, Remuria gave Rhea a nod and encouraged the princess to meet the prophet.

    As Rhea walked towards the prophet¡¯s hut, her mind raced with the many questions she wished to ask of the wise man. There was so much that she wanted to gleam from the prophet, if only she could gain his cooperation.

    When the princess entered the hut and saw the prophet for the first time, she was taken aback at their appearance. The prophet was sitting on a wooden stool, in a run-down shack in the middle of nowhere. Yet, they exuded a majesty unlike anything Rhea had felt before.

    The prophet¡¯s appearance was otherworldly. The ornate golden mask that covered their face was etched with symbols and names of the gods from the Ishgrian pantheon, shimmering in the dim light of the hut. The rest of the prophet''s body was cloaked in flowing, dark blue robes that seemed to radiate with a strange energy that Rhea couldn''t quite comprehend. As she looked closer, she could see faint lines of light that seemed to pulse and flicker across the surface of the fabric. It was as if the robes themselves were infused with some kind of eldritch force.

    But it was the prophet''s hands that truly captured the princess¡¯s attention. They were the only part of their body that was exposed, and they were a stark contrast to the rest of his appearance. They seemed to be made of pure, starry night sky, the moon and stars transposed on their skin, blinking in and out of existence. It was a bizarre and mesmerizing sight, one that left Rhea feeling both captivated and uneasy.

    ¡°Take a seat, princess,¡± the prophet said, their voice laced with a hint of condescension. Rhea sat across from him, her eyes fixated on the prophet¡¯s golden mask.

    ¡°It is a pleasure meeting you, prophet,¡± she said, maintaining her cool.

    The prophet cut her off. ¡°Let us skip needless pleasantries, I do not have much time. I am aware of why you are here, and am willing to help you.¡±

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    Rhea was taken aback. ¡°Apologies, prophet, I do not understand. I thought you spoke on behalf of the Ishgrian Pantheon. Why would you assist me, someone who has made a pact with the harbinger?¡± she asked, visibly perplexed at the prophet¡¯s words.

    The prophet let out a throaty laugh, their voice echoed throughout the small hut. But as the princess was wondering on how best to react, the prophet removed their golden mask, dropping it to the floor. What Rhea saw would scar her memory for years to come.

    Behind the prophet¡¯s golden mask: was nothing. The prophet¡¯s head was nowhere to be seen, It was as if there was a hole where a person should have been. Despite this, the prophet¡¯s hood clung onto the air, as if there was still something it had left to conceal.

    ¡°Do you see this princess? This is the truth of the gods!¡± The prophet yelled out, their right hand pointing towards where his mask once was.

    Rhea''s heart raced as she swallowed hard, the nervousness evident in the dryness of her throat. The prophet''s words had left her shaken, but she made a conscious effort to project confidence. With determination, the princess straightened her back, looked forward, and asked, "Could you please elaborate, prophet?"

    "The gods are too preoccupied with their own conflicts in the heavens above, unconcerned with the lives of their mortal followers," the prophet explained.

    Rhea''s heart sank as she questioned, "So, have the gods truly forsaken us?"

    A pang of bitterness filled the prophet''s voice as they replied, "It would not be the first time they did so, and it would not be the last."

    Rhea felt conflicted upon hearing the prophet''s words. She struggled to comprehend why someone so intimately connected to the divine would speak of them in such a dismissive manner.

    ¡°Forgive me for this, prophet, but I must ask. Why do you speak of the gods as if they were malevolent? I was under the assumption that you would be advocating for the gods.¡±

    The prophet shifted, rising from their stool and moved to the rear of the hut, their hollow visage never seeming to ¡°look away¡± from the princess. ¡°It appears that my true purpose has yet to be understood," they remarked.

    The prophet stood completely still as they questioned the princess. "Have you ever experienced a vision, Princess?"

    Rhea''s eyes followed the prophet as they moved about, "I have not."

    ¡°Then let this be your first.¡± The prophet stated, raising both of their hands. ¡°I suggest you shut your eyes, lest you wish to become blind.¡±

    Rhea was hesitant, but she was not keen on challenging a representative of the gods. As she closed her eyes, she felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through her body, and a brilliant light piercing through her eyelids. For a fleeting moment, she felt weightless, as if suspended in an infinite expanse of space, leaving her breathless and disoriented. And then, just as suddenly, the prophet''s voice resonated in her mind, pulling her consciousness back .

    "Open your eyes, Princess," the prophet commanded.

    As Rhea opened her eyes, she was struck by a sense of vertigo. To her astonishment, she found herself suspended in the air beside the prophet, high above a scene of utter chaos and carnage. In the distance, she could see swarms of harpies swooping down from the skies to clash with an army of minotaurs on the ground below. And amidst the tumultuous fray, she caught sight of a figure that she knew could only be the sky goddess herself, Arisine.

    Arisine''s form was not unlike that of her harpy offspring, adorned in feathers that replaced her hair and covered nearly every inch of her towering frame. Her powerful legs ended in razor-sharp talons, and she brandished a colossal spear that was twice the length of any mortal man.

    Leading the charge of the minotaurs was none other than Crozius himself: the embodiment of strength. Like Arisine, Crozius¡¯s appearance was akin to that of his sons, with a bull''s head atop a massive, muscular frame. But where his children had only two horns, Crozius boasted four, each one thick and curved like a scythe. Standing at what Rhea approximated to be over 40 feet, Crozius loomed over the battlefield like a vengeful titan, easily dwarfing even the largest of his sons. His hooves pounded against the earth with earth-shattering force, sending tremors through the ground.

    The god of strength was clad head-to-toe in armor that glimmered with an otherworldly radiance, crafted from a metal that mortals could not name or comprehend. In his massive, muscular hands, he wielded a battle-axe that seemed almost comically oversized, yet appeared more than capable of cleaving through entire groves of trees with a single, devastating swing.

    Rhea saw as the battlefield was filled with the clash of gods and their spawn, each fiercely loyal to either Arisine or Crozius. On the side of the sky goddess was Yithi, the god of fortune who rode alongside his mighty pegasus knights into battle, their wings beating like thunder as they charged into combat. Meanwhile, Arkhari, goddess of the hunt, commanded her Dread Wolves, massive beasts of ancient lore with teeth that could crush steel, and fur which could resist even the sharpest spears.

    On the opposing side, joining Crozius, was Hamon, lord of lightning, who summoned countless lightning elementals, each crackling with the energy of ferocious storms. They hurled bolts of electricity at their enemies, turning waves upon waves of them into charred dust. Zefra, master of metal, led an army of golems in his likeness, each one towering over the battlefield and capable of crushing anything in its path.

    As Rhea watched the gods and their spawn clash, she could feel the raw power of their conflict, the very air around her seemed charged with energy. The sound of battle echoed through the mountains, and the ground shook beneath her feet. It was truly a spectacle of divine proportion.

    "This is what the gods have reduced themselves to," The prophet''s voice was laced with bitterness, as they gazed upon the ghastly scene before them, at the mangled corpses and the destruction that was left in the wake of the divine conflict. Even so, the gods and their kin continued to fight through the corpses of their fallen brethren.

    "They care not for mortals, princess, only for their own dominance over other gods," the prophet continued, their tone heavy with disillusionment.

    Rhea looked around, and the devastation and carnage of the battlefield seemed to stretch out before her endlessly. It was difficult to believe that the gods, whom she had always thought to be benevolent beings, were so eager to clash with one another with what appeared to be a zealatrous vengeance. Although Rhea was not the most devout of Ishgrian worshippers, she had always believed that the gods had the best interests of mortals at heart. But as she watched the bloody battle unfold before her, that belief became more and more untenable.

    ¡°Prophet, how did the gods come to clash in this way?¡±

    ¡°It is quite simple, the gods are powerful, but even they can fall to mortal desires.¡±

    ¡°So, did one god become too ambitious?¡± The princess asked.

    ¡°That is correct, princess. Crozius sought to become first among the gods, to lead them all in a new pantheon. But as you can see, many viewed his declaration with disdain at best, and open retaliation at worst.¡±

    ¡°How long has the war lasted?¡±

    ¡°It started only this year. Just around the time when Ishgria began to experience great droughts.¡±

    ¡°If the gods are so busy with their war, where does your power come from?¡±

    ¡°I used to receive power from the gods, but that is no longer the case. So, I made a choice.¡± The prophet stated.

    ¡°Which is?¡±

    ¡°To reject the gods.¡±

 Chapter 13: Bad Omens - Part 2

    The prophet¡¯s words echoed within Rhea¡¯s mind. Here was the prophet, a representative of the gods on earth, speaking of abandoning the very gods they once served.

    ¡°So you will throw away the gods, prophet? Just like that?¡±

    ¡°You misunderstand my purpose, princess. I speak with the power of the gods, yet, my loyalties never lied with them alone. I owe my allegiance to the people of Ishgria. The gods do not.¡±

    ¡°Then why do they meddle in mortal affairs?¡±

    ¡°It is all part of the game they play, a power struggle which has proceeded for years uncountable.¡±

    ¡°But the gods do bless mortals frequently, such as ensuring harvests for farmers, and saving sailors from wreckage.¡±

    ¡°That too, is part of their power struggle. The more worshippers a god has, the more exalted they become amongst their peers.¡±

    Rhea''s gaze lingered on the scarred battlefield in her view, she too had become disillusioned. The gods, beings she once saw as mostly gracious and beneficial, were now reduced to warring factions that cared nothing for their mortal followers. She couldn''t help but wonder if the countless prayers from Ishgrians went unheard and unanswered: falling on uncaring ears.

    "Then who do you speak for, prophet?" Rhea asked.

    "I speak for myself now. The gods have proven to be too unreliable, more concerned with their games in the heavens than mortal struggles," the prophet replied, their voice laced with bitterness.

    "Are you saying that all gods are false?"

    "Yes, they are parasites who thrive on the worship of mortals,"

    "But what of Vhael?" Rhea brought up.

    "The harbinger? He''s a failure, a fallen god who couldn''t even hold onto his power," the prophet spat.

    "But why do you say that?"

    "Because you don''t know his true story,"

    Rhea''s eyebrows furrowed. "I know that he was exiled to the underworld for killing several of his kin, was there anything else?"

    "The fact that he was exiled to the underworld is but a small fragment of the truth.¡± The prophet explained, ¡°Do you know why the harbinger killed his kin, princess?"

    Rhea shook her head.

    "Then close your eyes once more, princess, and let me show you the truth."

    When the princess opened her eyes, she was confused. Gone was the battlefield that was before her, now, Rhea seemed to stand in some kind of gilded palace. As the princess¡¯s eyes glanced back and forth, scanning her new surroundings, her gaze eventually fell upon a familiar looking figure: a titanic man, with rune covered arms.

    ¡°That is Vhael, before his fall.¡± The prophet said, their voice echoing in the princess¡¯s mind.

    ¡°I see that prophet, but where are we?¡±

    ¡°Observe, princess, and your questions shall be answered.¡±

    Vhael was sitting on a throne in what seemed to be a massive palace, easily larger than any palace constructed on the material realm. It was lined with countless marble pillars, and the floors were gilded in silver and lined with magical runes which sparked a brilliant energy. This was a time when the harbinger of ruin was known as the god of the knowledge, master of arcane and architect of change.

    The future deathbringer was walking towards the gardens, his massive form creating deep, resounding booms with every step. Even in his current, more human form, there was an otherworldly aura to him that seemed to make the very air around him tremble. Yet, as he neared his destination, a large mirror suddenly flew in front of him, startling him for a moment. The mirror then began to speak in a reprimanding tone.

    "Master Vhael, you can''t think of seeing Lady Ixhana looking like that!" it scolded, the rebuke echoing through the air.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Ixhana wouldn¡¯t mind, Erin, now I would appreciate it if you stepped out of the way.¡±

    The mirror shook vigorously from side to side, dissatisfied with Vhael¡¯s answer, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I cannot do that Master Vhael, please, at least see your own reflection.¡±

    Vhael reluctantly complied with the mirror''s request, straightening his posture and beckoning it to reflect his image. The figure staring back at him resembled a work of art crafted by a master artisan. With his shoulder-length obsidian locks that occasionally glimmered with ethereal radiance, eyes like glowing amber akin to his future daughter''s, and a well-defined yet not overly prominent chin, Vhael exuded raw beauty in its purest form. Yet, Vhael lacked his wings and extra pair of arms, making him appear relatively unremarkable compared to other deities.

    "Pray tell, Erin, what appears to be lacking in my attire?" Vhael asked with a tinge of curiosity.

    A faint sigh escaped the mirror as if exasperated, "For a god of knowledge, you truly are clueless about appearances."

    "I have never been one for superficialities," Vhael replied, somewhat dismissively.

    "But you are meeting your beloved shortly. It''s only fitting that you present yourself in a manner befitting your status."

    "Very well, do as you please."

    As Erin''s incantations filled the air, the once-blazing cloak enveloping Vhael''s form disappeared in a flurry of sparks, replaced by a rich blue doublet that complemented his amber eyes. The sleeves of the tunic were snug, hugging his toned arms and the cuffs were adorned with delicate gold threading. The trousers were a soft gray, tapered at the ankles to accentuate his slender frame, which was finished off with a pair of high leather boots.

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    ¡°Are you sure Ixhana will approve of this attire, Erin?¡± Vhael asked skeptically, eyeing the silk fabric that clung to his form.

    ¡°Master Vhael, trust me. Lady Ixhana has been obsessed with mortal fashion lately, this will be the perfect surprise,¡± Erin reassured, their voice resonating with a hint of excitement.

    ¡°If you say so.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave then, Master Vhael.¡±

    Erin nodded in what seemed to be an attempt at a bow, before flying away from Vhael¡¯s sight. Truth be told, Vhael found the mirror to be rather cumbersome at times, but the mirror was a gift to him by his beloved, so he always listened to what Erin had to say.

    As Vhael made his way through the winding paths of his garden, he felt a sense of pride in the otherworldly beauty of his creation. The petals of luminescent flowers that seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance, casting an ethereal light upon the path. The dragon sprites, with their fiery blooms, danced in the breeze, casting flickering shadows across the ground. The shadow vines, with their twisting tendrils, seemed to defy the laws of nature as they clung to thin air. It was a paradise beyond mortal comprehension, a symbol of his love for Ixhana.

    Tending to the flourishing flora with delicate care was Ixhana herself, the divine serpent of rebirth. Her body was coiled in a graceful serpent-like form, covered with iridescent scales of purest white. From her waist upward, her form took on a humanoid shape, with smooth and unblemished skin. Her hair was a radiant silver, cascading down her back in gentle waves, and her eyes glowed with a soft, pale yellow light, as if infused with the very essence of life itself.

    As she worked, Ixhana seemed to radiate an aura of tranquility and vitality, her movements as graceful as the swaying of the flowers she tended. Her slender fingers moved with precision, plucking away any wilted blooms and coaxing new growth to flourish.

    Ixhana''s eyes glinted mischievously as she greeted her beloved. "Ah, hello love, how are you?" she purred, slithering towards him with feline grace.

    Vhael''s response was hesitant, "G-good, as usual," he stuttered awkwardly.

    Ixhana frowned, sensing his discomfort. "You really need to learn to relax," she chided gently, wrapping her coils around him in a comforting embrace.

    "Forgive me, love, I just can''t help it when I''m around you.¡±

    "Is that a compliment I hear?" Ixhana asked teasingly.

    Vhael''s response was playful, but his eyes betrayed a deeper emotion. "Perhaps."

    Ixhana sighed wistfully, resting her head on Vhael''s shoulder. "Well, at any rate, we''ve been together for a good few centuries now, I thought you''d be bored of me by now," she said softly.

    Vhael''s response was immediate and heartfelt. "That is patently impossible."

    Ixhana''s heart swelled with happiness, and she leaned in to kiss her husband. As their bodies entwined, she felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over her, and for a brief moment, there was only her and Vhael.

    ¡°Now that is something I¡¯ll record for the archives.¡± Vhael said, his face beaming.

    ¡°Oh you.¡± Ixhana replied with a giggle.

    Vhael and Ixhana shared a moment of tenderness, their bodies close together as they breathed each other in. But suddenly, Vhael''s head snapped back in surprise, as if he had sensed something inexplicable.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, love?¡± Ixhana asked.

    "I sense... something strange. Almost as if there were two of you. No, two of me?" Vhael muttered, bewildered.

    ¡°Whatever could you be talking about.¡± Ixhana teased, feigning ignorance.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, the biology of gods is not a topic that¡¯s well studied, so I cannot decipher-.¡±

    With a sly grin Ixhana took her husband¡¯s hand and placed it on her abdomen, saying, "Let me give you a summary, then. I''m pregnant."

    Vhael''s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. "I... I will be a father?" he stammered, barely able to comprehend the news.

    Ixhana was amused at seeing Vhael''s stunned reaction. "You may be the god of knowledge, but you can be clueless at times," she chuckled.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I never stop learning.¡± Vhael replied with a soft smile.

    ¡°Some things never change.¡±

    Ixhana released Vhael from her coils, her serpent-like body moving gracefully towards the center of the garden. The lush flora seemed to part effortlessly to make way for her. With a gentle gesture, she beckoned Vhael to join her. The god of knowledge followed, his eyes fixed on his wife as they made their way to the heart of the garden.

    Ixhana''s eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Vhael, a radiant smile on her face. "Our child... It''s almost too surreal to believe," she said softly, barely able to contain her joy. "Do you think they''ll take after me or you?"

    Vhael''s expression softened as he locked eyes with Ixhana, "I hope they take after you, you''re far more suited to this than I am."

    Ixhana giggled, reaching out to caress Vhael''s cheek. "Oh, come now. You''ll be an amazing father."

    I just worry... I don''t know if I''m ready for this."

    Ixhana''s coils wrapped tighter around her husband, embracing him with more of her warmth. "I¡¯m sure you will figure it out. No, wait, we''ll figure it out together."

    ¡°Only if you teach me.¡± Vhael muttered out, caressing his wife¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Ixhana''s thoughts then turned to names for their future child, her mind brimming with possibilities. "If it''s a boy: Julius," she suggested.

    Vhael chuckled at the human-sounding name. "That''s quite a mortal name," he remarked.

    Ixhana chuckled back, "Well, mortals do have good names, don''t they?" She teased.

    Vhael then asked, "What if we have a girl?"

    Ixhana''s gaze turned thoughtful, and she replied, "What about: Remuria?"

    Vhael''s surprise was evident on his face. "You''re suggesting we name our daughter after your late sister?" he asked, taken aback.

    Ixhana''s smile softened, her eyes filled with melancholy. "It was her last request to me."

    As the two gods held each other tightly in the center of the garden, the world around them began to twist and contort. The once bright and beautiful colors now swirled together in a dizzying dance, the sky collapsed onto the earth, and shapes twisted into grotesque forms. Rhea, still caught up in her vision, turned to the prophet for answers.

    ¡°What is happening, prophet?¡± she demanded, her voice shaking with fear and confusion.

    ¡°We have little time left, princess,¡± the prophet replied gravely. ¡°I must expedite your vision.¡±

    ¡°Until when?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°Until the day Vhael became known as the harbinger.¡±

 Chapter 14: Bad Omens - Part 3

    Vhael stood at the heart of a vast cavern, lit only by the faint glow of magical runes and glyphs that littered the rough-hewn walls. The still form of Ixhana laid motionless at the center, her body hoisted on top of a towering stone altar, carved with glyphs and runes that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.

    Rhea stood next to the prophet, watching the scene before them unfold as ethereal projections. They could observe the events, but their presence remained intangible, unable to interact with the vision they saw.

    Rhea''s voice trembled with apprehension as she spoke, her eyes wide with concern. "Where are we, prophet? And is Ixhana...dead?"

    The prophet stood beside the princess, their ghostly form shimmering in the unearthly light of the cavern. "Where we are, even I do not know," they replied with a shake of their head. "As for your second question, yes. Goddess Ixhana passed shortly after giving birth to Remuria."

    "Is Vhael trying to resurrect the goddess?" Rhea asked, speaking with her voice so low she nearly whispered.

    The prophet nodded. "Precisely," they said, their eyes fixed on the glowing glyphs and symbols that adorned the walls of the cavern. "But he will fail, you will see."

    Rhea observed with growing unease as Vhael continued to carve intricate runes into the damp stone walls of the cavern. His movements were frenzied, almost manic. His eyes glinted with a hint of madness, as if he had been completely absorbed in the ritual he was about to perform.

    As she watched, Rhea could sense the intensity of the energy in the room building, as if the cavern itself was straining against strange and unnatural forces yearning to be unleashed. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning incense, and the runes within the cavern glowed with a pulsing light that seemed to seep into the princess¡¯s very bones. It was clear that Vhael had been preparing for the ritual for a long time.

    ¡°What in the heavens is Vhael trying to conjure?¡± Rhea gasped, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

    ¡°Death, princess, death,¡± the prophet replied nonchalantly.

    Rhea recoiled in horror, her mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening before her. ¡°Pardon?¡± she stammered.

    ¡°Vhael is trying to conjure the essence of death itself,¡± the prophet continued, their eyes fixed on Vhael''s movements. ¡°He believes he can control it and use it to revive Ixhana.¡±

    Rhea watched in horror as Vhael inscribed more and more runes onto the walls of the cavern. The air crackled with dark energy, and the oppressive stillness grew heavier by the second. Once Vhael finished his preparations, he stood directly before the stone altar, his arms raised high in the air. He began chanting in an otherworldly language, his voice growing louder and more intense with each passing moment. The very air around them seemed to vibrate with the power of his incantations, and Rhea felt her heart pounding in her chest as she watched on in horror.

    The damp cavern was shrouded in an ominous cacophony as Vhael continued his incantations, his body enveloped in a pulsating aura of dark energy. A thick mist began to emerge from the runes inscribed on the walls, coiling around Vhael''s limbs like a serpent. At first, Vhael seemed pleased, almost exhilarated, by the sight of the mist. But as it grew thicker, darker, and more suffocating, Vhael''s expression changed. His face twisted in agony as the mist began to consume his body, devouring his flesh and bone until all that was left was a dragon¡¯s skull.

    Vhael''s body continued to transform, growing much taller, with two additional pairs of arms sprouting out from his torso like twisted vines. He let out a deafening shriek, a sound that shook the very foundations of the cavern and sent shivers down Rhea''s spine. The dark mist that had enveloped Vhael began to spread outwards, billowing across the floor of the cavern in a thick cloud. Rhea could feel its icy tendrils wrapping around her body, suffocating her, blinding her. She struggled to breathe, her lungs filling with the thick, noxious vapor. It was as if the very air around her had turned to poison. She could not stay for much longer.

    Rhea''s voice trembled with fear and confusion as she called out to the prophet. "Prophet, I thought this was a mere vision, why do I feel so...?" Her words trailed off as she realized that the prophet was nowhere to be seen.

    She turned around, her eyes wide with terror as she took in the strange, otherworldly landscape that surrounded her. The air was thick with a dark mist that made it difficult to see, and the ground beneath her feet felt unstable and shifting.

    Rhea hastily tried to escape, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched for any sign of the prophet or any sign of an exit. But all around her, there was only the swirling mist and Vhael''s maddening cries..

    Darkness descended upon the princess like a thick, suffocating blanket, obscuring her vision and enveloping her in an all-consuming void. It was as if the very air had turned to ink, and Rhea could feel herself drowning in the abyss of shadows that surrounded her. She tried to call out for the prophet, but her voice was swallowed by the darkness. Panic began to claw at Rhea''s mind as she realized she was completely alone in the dark, until suddenly, a white dragon skull materialized before her, staring back at her with empty eye sockets.

    ¡°Hello again, Princess of Ishgria,¡±

    ¡°Harbinger,¡± Rhea gasped, her heart pounding in her chest.

    ¡°It is I,¡± Vhael replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

    ¡°Where is the prophet?¡± Rhea asked, her voice quivering slightly.

    ¡°Faded, their essence scattered and headed to the underworld.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°Without the power of the gods, the prophet was weak. The visions they showed you took the last vestiges of their strength away and so he cannot remain in the material realm,¡± Vhael explained.

    ¡°So how am I still here? In whatever this place is.¡±

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    ¡°I intervened, Princess of Ishgria. I figured a talk was in order.¡±

    ¡°Why? Vhael, why speak to me now?¡± Rhea asked, her confusion evident.

    ¡°Because I fear the path you may take, and regardless of where you go, my daughter will be involved.¡±

    ¡°You mean my quest for the Ishgrian throne?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Vhael confirmed.

    ¡°I understand that it will be difficult, but I never imagined it would be easy to begin with,¡± Rhea replied, her voice firm, but with a clear hint of uncertainty.

    ¡°It is not a matter of difficulty, princess. I fear that you too will be consumed by the darkness which consumes me at this very moment,¡± Vhael warned sternly.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Rhea asked.

    Vhael turned to face the princess, his hollow ¡°eyes¡± boring into hers. ¡°You saw yourself, I tried to master death, to control it, to reject it. Yet, now, I stand without my beloved, condemned to the underworld.¡±

    Rhea felt a chill claw at the back of her head. The surrounding darkness seemed to close in, suffocating her. ¡°Your spell led to the deaths of several gods?¡± she asked incredulously.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Vhael replied, his voice heavy with regret. ¡°It was no wonder I was banished to the underworld.¡±

    Rhea tried to process everything she had just heard. ¡°But I am here now, aren¡¯t I?¡± she said, ¡°I returned from death, thanks to you.¡±

    ¡°You attribute too much to me, princess,¡± Vhael said with a bitter laugh. ¡°It is true that I gave you the body of an immortal, but by all accounts, you should have died in your duel against Sir Falkner.¡±

    Rhea felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound very immortal to me.¡±

    ¡°I do not jest, princess,¡± Vhael said, his voice somber. ¡°All denizens of the underworld and those tied to it are weakened during the day and stronger when the moon rises. This includes you.¡±

    ¡°Then what of Remuria? She seems to have never had an issue with daylight.¡±

    ¡°Ixhana¡¯s blood flows through her, strengthening her against the corrupting influences of the underworld,¡± Vhael explained. ¡°Yet, even so, she still manifested the traits of a demon over time.¡±

    ¡°I see, so Remuria is the exception, not the rule.¡±

    ¡°Correct,¡± Vhael replied with a nod. ¡°In your case, you felt it when the sun¡¯s rays weakened your body when you clashed with Sir Falkner.¡±

    Rhea couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of foreboding. ¡°You mentioned that I should have died then and there, so why am I here now? Why am I still able to walk the earth?¡±

    ¡°The underworld has taken a liking to you, princess, and I do not know why.¡±

    ¡°You speak of the underworld as if it were a living being, Vhael.¡±

    ¡°Because it is, the underworld has a mind of its own, I dare say it even has its own breath and pulse.¡±

    Rhea felt a sense of unease settle over her. ¡°How is that possible? The underworld is a place, a mirror to the heavens above, no?¡±

    ¡°That is a commonly held belief, but not entirely correct,¡± Vhael said. ¡°Both the heavens and the underworld have their own voice. The former calls out to the divine and pious. The latter calls out to the fallen and the lost.¡±

    ¡°This is hard to accept all at once.¡±

    ¡°You need not accept my words as truth, princess, I only need you to listen,¡±

    ¡°Apologies then, please continue.¡± Rhea urged.

    ¡°As I stated earlier, the underworld chose you, princess. It gave you another chance at life, though your mortal upbringing did cause some complications,¡± Vhael explained, his sox rune-scarred arms gesturing to and fro.

    Rhea felt a wave of confusion and fear wash over her. ¡°So my resurrection after my death at Sir Falkner¡¯s hands was not because of you?¡±

    ¡°That is correct, I merely restored your mind, the underworld was the one who actually allowed you to return to life,¡± Vhael confirmed regretfully.

    Rhea felt a lump form in her throat as she realized the true extent of her connection to the underworld. ¡°Then what of the first time, when I was cured of my illness, was that the underworld as well?¡±

    ¡°Partly, you can think of me as a conduit of the underworld, rather than someone who controls its power,¡± Vhael replied in a solemn tone.

    ¡°How are you able to remain sane then, Vhael? You have been in the underworld for a long time I would assume.¡±

    ¡°I have acclimated, being a former deity helped with that.¡±

    ¡°In that case, if I ever lose myself again, can you not restore me then?¡± Rhea asked, hoping that the harbinger would reply affirmatively.

    ¡°It will become more and more difficult over time, until I can no longer do so. Once the underworld has claimed you completely, even my magic cannot save you,¡± Vhael warned.

    Rhea felt a sense of despair wash over her as she considered the magnitude of what Vhael was telling her. ¡°Had I known this, perhaps I would have chosen to stay ill all those months ago,¡± she said regretfully.

    ¡°The past is the past, now you must walk the path you chose, princess.¡±

    Rhea felt a sense of anger welling up inside her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just stop me now, Vhael? Why warn me at all?¡± she asked, her voice now tinged with frustration.

    ¡°I have no desire to interfere with your plans, princess. I believe mortals should ultimately be left to be masters of their own destinies, for better or for worse,¡± Vhael replied, his voice calm and measured.

    Rhea calmed herself down, taking deep breaths, arguing with the harbinger would not lead her anywhere. ¡°That is admirable, harbinger, yours is a sentiment not shared by many gods I assume.¡±

    ¡°It is not, but I do not care. Nonetheless, I have said my piece, you have been warned.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Vhael, I will keep your words in mind,¡± Rhea said, her voice now filled with a sense of determination.

    ¡°Be careful, princess, for your sake, and for my daughter¡¯s¡± Vhael warned once more, turning his back against the princess before walking away into the abyss.

    ¡°I will.¡±

    As Vhael''s form dissipated, the suffocating darkness that had enveloped the hut began to lift. The sparse furnishings and rough-hewn walls of the prophet''s dwelling emerging from the void.

    Rhea stood motionless. The prophet''s visions and Vhael''s warning had left her reeling. Her thoughts were in turmoil, and she couldn''t quite put into words what she was feeling. She felt lost and unsure of herself, uncertain of what her next move should be. All Rhea knew was that no matter what, she could not allow herself to lose sight of her ultimate goal; her rightful place at the Ishgrian Throne.

 Chapter 15: Descent

    Fear not souls of the damned

    For there is a home for the likes of you

    The underworld sings to the hearts of the lost

    Its melody irresistible to those it holds true

    -Excerpt from the book of lost souls

    As Rhea emerged from the prophet''s hut, she was greeted with a sense of relief upon observing that everything appeared to be in order. The sun shone in the clear blue sky, casting a golden glow upon the lush foliage that surrounded her. In the distance, Remuria stood beneath the shade of a tree, gazing intently into the horizon.

    "Remuria, I''m so sorry to have kept you. Were you waiting for a long time?"

    "No, not at all. You were only gone for a few minutes," Remuria replied in her usual manner, but her eyes betrayed concern.

    "Where''s the prophet?" she asked, scanning Rhea''s face for any sign of distress.

    "They are no longer with us."

    "The prophet disappeared?"

    "Yes, they... faded away. I''m not sure how to explain it."

    "Faded away? What happened while you were inside?"

    "The prophet showed me visions of the gods, of Vhael, and of your history,"

    Remuria took a step back, surprised at Rhea¡¯s words. "What did you see?"

    Rhea took a deep breath before answering. "Enough to know that you are the daughter of the late Goddess Ixhana, and that she passed shortly after your birth."

    "I never had the chance to really know my mother." Remuria muttered out, her gaze falling to the ground.

    Rhea sensed Remuria''s pain and spoke with care. "Even though you didn''t have much time with her, I can tell she was a wonderful person from the glimpses I''ve seen of her."

    Remuria nodded, her voice tinged with melancholy. "My father would often tell me stories about her, especially how she saved him during one of the wars in heaven. That''s how they first met."

    "I''m sure she was the one who made the first move." Rhea said with a light-hearted smile, hoping to steer the conversation to a more relaxed tone.

    Remuria chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Correct. Maybe our family has a talent for attracting clueless lovers." She teased Rhea, her smug grin lighting up her face

    Rhea''s cheeks flushed red as she stuttered, "I...well...maybe." Remuria, quick to reassure her, patted her back gently. "I''m just joking, Rhea."

    "Just you wait, I''ll get you back one day." Rhea said with a small laugh.

    Remuria gave out a smug grin, "I look forward to it."

    "At any rate, I still don''t know what to do next. Meeting the prophet has only left me more confused."

    ¡°Maybe we should make our way back to the palace and reveal your presence."

    Rhea appeared hesitant, "I¡¯m not sure about that, there¡¯s a chance I may not be received as well as hoped."

    Remuria reassured her, "If anything goes wrong, I have a plan. We can escape to the underworld."

    "What? Can we really do that?"

    "Yes, I can. But returning to the material realm may be a challenge."

    Rhea paused for a moment, considering her options. She was certainly not eager to head to the underworld: a place she was told all her life only knew endless suffering. Yet, she could not help but wonder if it would be any worse than facing the scrutiny and judgment of the Ishgrian People, or worse: the King and Queen. "I suppose we have no choice. Let''s hope for the best." the princess said aloud, donning her mask once again.

    Rhea and Remuria mounted their horses, tightening the saddles with practiced ease. As they began their journey towards the capital, they couldn''t help but feel uneasy as the landscape grew increasingly desolate. Normally, they would have expected to encounter another traveler or two, perhaps even a caravan making their way to the capital. Yet, there was nothing.

    The pair rode on in eerie silence, which was only punctuated only by the sound of their horses'' hooves against the ground. When the two travelers actually did encounter some other people: they were bandits. Rhea and Remuria reacted quickly, drawing their own weapons and fighting back the low-lives with ease.

    Yet, as the pair continued on their journey, they encountered more and more bandits and wandering thugs. Each one seemed more desperate than the last, leaving Rhea and Remuria on edge. They were ambushed three times in one day, an unprecedented level of aggression that left them both on high alert. The bandits were becoming far too brazen than what was normal. The pair began to wonder if perhaps there was something going on in the capital.

    Their fears were confirmed when they stumbled upon a caravan of refugees, stretching for miles, trying to make their way away from the capital. The sheer number of people fleeing was staggering, and it was clear that something was amiss. Rhea and Remuria exchanged a worried glance, knowing that they needed to uncover what was happening.

    Remuria rode ahead, her horse slowing down as she approached the massive caravan of refugees. Her heart sank as she saw the faces of the people, their eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. Everyone seemed to be wary and desperate. Many could only carry their belongings on foot using large sacks.

    Rhea followed closely behind, her gaze scanning the multitude of people as they rode through the crowded caravan. She saw people of all ages, from small children clinging to their parents'' hands to elderly individuals who looked weary and exhausted. The princess''s heart ached as she realized the suffering that these people must have endured as to be so desperate to abandon their homes. Farmers and merchants, artisans and laborers: no matter their background or socioeconomic status, all seemed eager to flee.

    The princess observed with keen interest as Remuria approached a middle-aged woman, who was tending to her children playing in the dirt. The peasant woman was scolding her son, who was playing tag with his brother a few paces away.

    Remuria approached the frazzled woman with a friendly and curious tone. "Excuse me, madam, may I ask where you all are headed?" she inquired. The woman appeared as if she were exhausted more so by her son''s antics than the long journey she was undertaking.

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    The woman was too busy scolding her son to notice Remuria, "Oi Martin, ya little snot nugget, if I see you tackle your brother one more time I''m gonna smack your arse redder than tomato soup."

    "Um, madam?" Remuria tried asking again, hoping to get the woman''s attention.

    The woman snapped out of her reprimand and replied, "Ah, my bad there missy, my kid''s just being an absolute pain, I wish the gods gave the little bugger some more manners."

    Remuria brushed off the woman¡¯s words and pressed on. "It is fine, I just wanted to ask where you all were headed."

    The woman, seeming dismissive at first, spoke with a surprisingly gentle voice. "Ya been travellin¡¯ for long missy?"

    Remuria nodded, and the woman let out a sigh. "Explains a lot, count yerself lucky," she muttered.

    "How so?"

    ¡°Did you know that his majesty King Hadaron passed?¡±

    Remuria''s eyes widened in surprise at the woman''s words. "No, I haven''t heard," she admitted.

    "Ya really know nothin'', huh?"

    "Pardon my ignorance, madam, I haven''t stopped in a single town or even a village for weeks."

    The woman let out a small chuckle, unused to being referred to so formally. "Just drop the madam, missy, call me Hannah."

    "Sorry, force of habit," Remuria apologized.

    "It''s fine," Hannah said, "so ye said ya didn''t know about the king''s passing?"

    "No, I was not aware," Remuria confirmed.

    "After the king died, word spread quickly. It didn''t take long before the civil war began." Hannah¡¯s words lingered longer at the mention of war. Only now did Remuria notice that Hannah had a tattoo of the Ishgrian Falcon on her left hand: it was tradition in Ishgria for the spouses of soldiers to bear the mark of the falcon: it was a respected symbol which carried great prestige. Though Remuria could not help but wonder if the mark only served to eat away at Hannah¡¯s conscience now.

    Despite her concerns, Remuria pressed on,¡° this all happened in a few weeks?¡±

    "Aye, missy, Queen Phaedra herself has already abandoned the capital and fled north."

    "I see, thank you for the information, ma- Hannah."

    "Gods be with ya, missy."

    Remuria nodded to Hannah before turning her attention to the other travelers within the caravan. She asked them about the current state of Ishgria, and their responses were all too similar. They all spoke of the king''s death and the subsequent outbreak of civil war that left many homeless and destitute.

    As she spoke to each person, Remuria took note of their expressions. The burden of both the king¡¯s death and the civil war weighed heavily on the conscience of the average Ishgrian, and it showed in the eyes of everyone she spoke to.

    Eventually, Remuria mounted her horse once more and trotted back to Rhea with a heavy heart. Things had taken a significant turn for the worse.

    ¡°So did you manage to find out anything?¡± Princess Rhea asked anxiously as Remuria rode up to her on her horse.

    Remuria stopped her horse just in front of Rhea¡¯s, her expression grave. ¡°Yes, the king is dead, and Ishgria is in civil war.¡±

    Rhea bit her lip, ¡°I knew that something like this could happen, but to think it would happen so soon.¡± she muttered out.

    ¡°You think your relatives had anything to do with the civil war?¡±

    ¡°My uncles, cousins, and aunts? Almost definitely. They never liked the authority of the Ishgrian throne, all of them had their own territory and levies.¡±

    ¡°So now that the king is dead, they believe that they can seize power for themselves?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt it. Even though I should be the rightful ruler of Ishgria, I do not have the strength to fight them off.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s an army you need, I know where we could raise one,¡± Remuria mentioned, looking directly at Rhea.

    ¡°Remuria, don¡¯t tell me,¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s exactly as you think, Rhea. We can raise an army from the underworld.¡±

    Rhea cocked an eyebrow, ¡°I mean no offense, but is the underworld not filled with demons, banshees, and the restless dead?¡±

    ¡°Indeed it is,¡± Remuria admitted, ¡°but there are also those who are more human in their appearance, it is they who we can rally to our cause.¡±

    ¡°But how? Even if we did manage to get some to follow us, you said yourself that returning from the underworld would be difficult.¡±

    ¡°Many would be keen to join us on account of the underworld being a terrible place to live in. And returning to the material plane, while difficult, would not be impossible,¡± Remuria explained.

    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s fair, but how do we ensure the loyalty of those we recruit from the underworld?¡± Rhea asked with a worried frown.

    ¡°It is simple, you will show them that you are worth following,¡±

    ¡°And how will I do that?¡±

    ¡°Most denizens of the underworld respect strength, display yours, and half the battle is already won,¡± Remuria answered, placing a reassuring hand on Rhea''s shoulder.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Remuria, I do not think I would be a match for any demon if they are all as strong as you are,¡± Rhea admitted with a hint of fear in her voice.

    ¡°Oh please, they wish they¡¯re anywhere close to me. I¡¯ve seen your strength, Rhea, short of the very elite, you should easily be able to best any demon who challenges you,¡±

    ¡°If you say so,¡± Rhea replied hesitantly, still unsure.

    ¡°So, are you ready, Rhea?¡±

    ¡°I am, what do I need to do?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s head further away from the caravan first, to where no eyes will be on us.¡±

    The two women rode their horses towards an empty clearing, where there were only rocks and shriveled up trees. A perfect location to avoid prying eyes.

    ¡°We should be safe here, brace yourself, Rhea,¡± Remuria warned.

    Rhea complied and braced herself on her horse. Remuria began to chant a spell, and Rhea saw as dark green flames burst from her palm. The princess watched in awe and horror as both her and Remuria¡¯s stallion''s brown flesh turned to charred black: seemingly devoured by the strange flames.

    ¡°What have you done? Is my horse dead?¡± Rhea gasped, staring at the burning green flames that now consumed her horse''s mane and licked at their surroundings.

    ¡°Your horse is fine, Rhea. I have just granted him a bit of extra strength,¡± Remuria explained with a sly grin playing on her lips.

    Rhea was nearly stunned, the princess could not help but be fascinated at what she saw, ¡°Very interesting, Remuria, what did you do?¡±

    ¡°I merely prepared our horses so they can traverse the underworld,¡± Remuria replied matter-of-factly.

    ¡°I see, so what now?¡±

    ¡°Brace, again.¡±

    Remuria let out a piercing whistle, and her horse''s eyes widened as if possessed by some otherworldly force. The stallion reared up on his hind legs, kicking the air with an almost frenzied vigor, before charging forward with an electrifying energy. Rhea''s horse responded in kind, sensing the sudden surge of power and the rush of adrenaline coursing through its veins. The two horses raced faster and faster until it felt as if they were flying. Then, as they approached a swirling vortex of darkness, reality itself seemed to split apart, and the horses plunged into an endless, inky abyss.

    Within seconds, Rhea and Remuria had entered a place that seemed to be a parody of the material realm. The skies above were pitch black, devoid stars, and only a fiery red moon glared down at them with its wrathful gaze. The ground beneath them was an endless expanse of pale sands that seemed to stretch into infinity. Towers of jagged, blackened brimstone loomed in the distance, their twisted spires reaching towards the sky as if trying to claw their way out of the dark abyss. A chill ran down Rhea''s spine as she gazed upon the eerie landscape that surrounded her.

    ¡°Welcome to my home, Rhea.¡±

 Chapter 16: Underworld

    Rhea took a deep breath, the darkness of the underworld engulfing her. "As eerie as this place is, I somehow feel as if I belong here," she said, her voice low.

    "You are no longer quite human, Rhea, so I¡¯m not surprised if the underworld feels comforting to you," Remuria replied.

    Rhea twitched, "I''m not sure how to feel about that. Actually being here still feels surreal to me."

    "You will adjust to it over time," Remuria said reassuringly. "But the fact that you''re still able to speak just fine is proof you''re suited to the underworld."

    Rhea looked at the desolate environment around her. "Would normal people usually die or something of the sort if they enter the underworld?"

    "They do, sometimes immediately. This place drains the souls of those who do not belong here, weakening them until they are consumed." Remuria answered in a nonchalant tone.

    "You are speaking of people losing their souls the same way one of the palace chefs would speak of their food."

    "It is just how things are around here, and the reason why I was eager to get out."

    Rhea and Remuria continued to ride atop their blackened steeds, traversing the soul sands of the underworld. With every step their horses took, a greenish flame sparked to life, a testament to the magical energy that allowed them to move through the treacherous terrain with ease.

    As they delved deeper into the underworld, Rhea''s attention was drawn to the twisted and odd creatures that inhabited the dark realm. Skeletal vultures circled above them, leaving trails of pale flames in their wake, while monstrously tall creatures with spindly stick-like legs strode across the sands. Their heads were like those of malevolent beasts, contorted by centuries of torture.

    Even the flora was ominous. The few trees that grew in the underworld were blackened and charred, their "leaves" replaced by pale flames that flickered in the wind. Rhea felt a sense of unease whenever she rode too close to them, for she could hear the wails and moans of tortured souls emanating from within.

    "This place has been... an experience to say the least," Rhea muttered out.

    Remuria couldn''t help but let out a chuckle, tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "I''m glad you''re enjoying the sights," she replied.

    Rhea shot her a blank gaze. "I know you''re joking, but there is a macabre beauty in this place. It''s mesmerizing in its own horrifying way."

    Remuria raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You''re one of the first I''ve heard say anything remotely positive about the underworld."

    "In all fairness, our journey so far has been much more peaceful than when we were in the material realm. No bandit attacks, just the sands and the animals who inhabit it."

    "Most of the underworld is like this," Remuria replied. "There are some cities and even kingdoms here and there, but they are but a tiny speck in comparison to the vastness of the dark."

    Rhea was intrigued. "So what of the people who live here? How do they survive?"

    "Just like those who live in the material realm: farming, hunting, trading," Remuria replied. "But there is also war. Roving warbands raid settlements and hold skirmishes with other warbands or even kingdoms."

    "The more I learn about the underworld, the more it doesn''t seem that different from the material realm." Rhea stated.

    "In many ways, we are just a darker mirror to the material," Remuria agreed. But then, she abruptly stopped her horse and held out her hand. "Wait," she said urgently. "We need to go back, now."

    Rhea was taken aback. "Go back where?"

    "Further away from that!" Remuria exclaimed, pointing towards a massive sandstorm in the distance.

    The two women gripped the reins of their horses, their fingers tightening as they spurred their mounts to greater speed, desperate to outrun the approaching sandstorm. Their horses kicked up plumes of sand in their wake, leaving a trail of greenish flames as they raced to escape. But the sandstorm was relentless, a pale wall of swirling sand that seemed to devour everything in its path. Its edges crackled with violet lightning, and the air itself seemed to shake with the sound of its approach.

    As they rode, Rhea could feel the sandstorm closing in around them. The air grew thick with grit and dust, and she struggled to keep her eyes open against the onslaught. Her horse was laboring now, struggling to move, and she could hear Remuria shouting something, but the words were lost in the howling of the wind.

    And then, in an instant, the storm was upon them. Rhea''s world was reduced to a maelstrom of sand and wind. She clung to her horse, her eyes squeezed shut against the stinging grit, and felt the animal shudder beneath her. She could hear it whinnying in terror, and then suddenly she was falling, tumbling head over heels in the midst of the storm.

    For a moment, she was disoriented, not sure which way was up or down. She tried to call out to Remuria, but her throat was clogged with sand, and she could barely draw a breath. The sandstorm swirled around her, and she felt herself withering away under its relentless assault. She fought to stay conscious, to keep her grip on reality, but the sandstorm was too powerful, too overwhelming. In the end, she was consumed, her body swallowed up by the swirling mass of sand.

    ***

    As Rhea gradually regained consciousness, the sound of harsh and taunting voices filled her ears, piercing through her confusion. She tried to move, but a searing pain shot through her limbs as she realized she was in some kind of camp, firmly bound to a pole with chains. Looking up, she saw a menacing figure looming over her, brandishing a strange, bone-like white axe with a twisted grin. The woman''s eyes glinted with malicious pleasure, and Rhea felt a great unease begin to creep into her mind.

    The axe wielding woman approached Rhea with a cruel grin, relishing the fear that was in the princess''s eyes. "Well, well, what do we have here?" she taunted.

    Rhea''s voice trembled as she asked, "Where am I?"

    "You''re with the Red Reavers, meat," the woman spat, her tongue flicking out to lick her lips hungrily.

    Rhea did not immediately reply, her gaze tracing the woman before her, taking in her features. The woman''s attire caught Rhea''s attention first, a red hood and cloak adorned with intricate white patterns on the sleeves and shoulders. Her hair was a bold shade of red, cut into a messy bob that seemed to defy any attempt at taming it. But it was the woman''s skin that truly stood out - a light shade of blue that contrasted starkly against the vibrant red of her hair and clothing. Rhea couldn''t help but feel a sense of familiarity as she locked eyes with the woman, noticing the same scarlet hue in her gaze that she herself possessed.

    ¡°The Red Reavers?¡± Rhea asked, her voice tinged with fear and confusion.

    ¡°Why are we wasting time talking to meat, Zia? She¡¯s going to die soon anyway.¡± A harsh voice interrupted.

    Rhea¡¯s gaze turned towards the source of the voice, a tall, muscular man with a scowl on his face.

    ¡°Shut your mouth, Sedris, I¡¯m feeling generous today.¡± Zia chastised, her eyes locked on Rhea¡¯s.

    ¡°If you insist, just remember we have a hunt soon,¡± Sedris retorted.

    ¡°Thank you for the kind reminder, brother,¡± Zia replied in a sarcastic tone.

    Sedris heaved a heavy sigh and shrugged his shoulders in a show of indifference before turning on his heel and walking away from his sister. With his pale skin and short black hair, his appearance contrasted sharply with that of his sister, Zia, whose vibrant personality shone through in her more striking appearance. Without their matching robes, Rhea doubted that she would have assumed the two were related.

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    With Sedris gone, Rhea''s attention was once again drawn to her surroundings. Figures cloaked in red hoods loomed around her, each brandishing an array of weapons made from the same eerie material. Despite her dire situation, Rhea couldn''t help but feel a sense of keen interest at the weapons wielded by the Red Reavers. Until suddenly, Zia returned to break the silence.

    Zia twirled her axe in her hand, a wicked grin on her face as she approached Rhea. "Now that the distractions are out of the way, where were we?" she asked, pointing one axe towards the princess while twirling another in her opposite hand.

    Rhea remained calm, but her heart was pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of the other Red Reavers'' eyes on her.

    "I was asking about the Red Reavers," Rhea said.

    "Ah yes, of course. I''m surprised you don''t know about us," Zia said, bursting into laughter. "I didn''t think you had the gall to tell a joke in your state."

    "I''m completely serious," Rhea replied blankly.

    Zia approached Rhea, examining her closely. "There''s no need to play dumb. Anyone here can clearly sense that you''re one of us, you reek of someone from the underworld."

    "Believe it or not, I was mortal too once. I made a bargain to become what I am now." Rhea said, her expression unfazed.

    ¡°Interesting.¡± Zia blurted out. ¡°You managed to sell your soul and live? Impressive, who or what did you bargain with?¡±

    Rhea hesitated before answering. "Vhael," she said finally.

    "The deathbringer?" Zia''s eyebrows rose. "You must have been someone capable or extremely wealthy back in the material realm."

    Rhea nodded. "I was a princess."

    ¡°Typical, little rich shitheads are always the greedy type.¡±

    "Then let me go, lest Vhael come for you."

    Zia''s grin widened. "Do you really think I or anyone in the Red Reavers fear the harbinger?" she taunted. "He has power, but so do we. Besides, you speak as if Vhael will avenge your death."

    "You''re assuming he won''t?"

    "Even if he cares enough about you to do so, he won''t be able to."

    "Why not?" Rhea asked.

    "Look around you, meat. The darkness of the underworld isn''t just for show," Zia said, leaning in close to Rhea with her axe pointed menacingly. "Any idiot who attempts at divination or clairvoyance will find themselves disappointed, such magic cannot pierce the shroud of the underworld."

    Rhea felt a tinge of pain at her throat as Zia''s axe nicked her skin, causing a small trickle of blood to run down her neck. "So certain types of magic aren''t functional here?" she managed to say through gritted teeth.

    Zia pulled away from Rhea, a wicked grin on her face. "It''s what has allowed us to prosper. We hunt easy because no one knows when we will strike."

    "Why do you wish to kill me?" Rhea asked.

    "Because we will hunt again soon, and it is customary to have fresh meat sacrificed before we proceed. And you happened to be defenseless and available," Zia said, twirling her axe in her hand.

    Rhea let out a bitter laugh. "I see. I didn''t know the Red Reavers were cowards."

    Zia''s eyes flashed with anger. "Don''t be foolish, meat. You thought to taunt me into releasing you? So that you can challenge me or one of the others into some kind of duel for your freedom? Please, we don''t have the time for such pointless hassle. Once preparations for the feast are complete, we will kill you and eat you, blood and all."

    Rhea remained silent after that; she knew that nothing could convince Zia to let her go. As time passed, the princess found herself encircled by a swarm of the Red Reavers. Each member of the group bore an eerie resemblance to Zia and herself. Though their complexions varied in shade, Rhea couldn''t help but notice the scarlet hue that painted each of their eyes. She watched as some of the Reavers sipped blood from jugs, their unnerving eyes locked onto her every minute movement.

    ¡°Zia, everybody is here, shall I proceed?¡± Sedris addressed his sister, glaive in hand, as he advanced towards Rhea, who remained bound and immobile to her pole. The raucous crowd cheered and raved, urging Sedris to complete his task. Zia rested her twin axes and responded,

    ¡°You may do as you wish.¡±

    As Sedris drew nearer, Rhea''s gaze shifted between him and Zia. ¡°Any last words, meat?¡± he sneered.

    Rhea''s response was defiant. ¡°If I come back from this, I¡¯m having you two follow me.¡±

    Sedris snorted sarcastically. ¡°Heh, that one¡¯s new. Best of luck with that.¡± He readied his glaive, his scarlet eyes gleaming as he prepared to strike.

    With a quick and fluid motion, Sedris lunged forward, driving the sharp point of his pale white glaive deep into Rhea''s chest. The weapon sliced through her skin and muscle with ease, causing blood to spurt out from the wound. Rhea let out a strangled gasp, her eyes widening in shock and pain. The crowd erupted into a frenzied uproar, their bloodthirsty cries drowning out Rhea''s anguished cries.

    As the moments ticked by, Rhea''s struggles began to lessen. Her breathing became shallow and labored. Her eyes appeared to glaze over, as if her life was draining away. Sedris finally withdrew his glaive, and as he did, a thick stream of dark, viscous blood oozed from the wound. The blood pooled around Rhea''s body, staining the ground beneath her with a deep, almost black hue.

    ¡°The meat is dead, sister, shall we prepare to feast?¡± Sedris announced, his voice laced with excitement.

    Zia''s eyes lit up at the news, and she let out a wicked cackle. ¡°Only if you let me eat first,¡± she said, flashing a smug grin at Sedris.

    Sedris rolled his eyes at Zia''s comment. ¡°Fine, but I get first claim on the hunt.¡±

    Zia''s grin widened, dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Of course, anything for my dear brother.¡±

    But suddenly, a chilling voice interrupted their banter. ¡°Yes...brother.¡±

    The two Red Reavers stopped and turned towards the source of the voice, their eyes widening in shock. Rhea had not only broken free from her bonds, but she had undergone a ghastly transformation. The tip of her fingers had turned into sharp, scythe-like talons and sharp, bony wings sprouted from her back. She seemed to have grown to a monstrous height, easily towering over the nine foot pole she was once bound to. Her once fair visage was now akin to that of a monstrous bat with rows of pointed teeth. The only thing that remained of the princess were her scarlet eyes, now glowing with a predatory intent.

    Zia''s eyes widened in surprise. "By the dead gods, what is that?"

    Sedris shook his head in disbelief. "You tell me, sister."

    The Night Terror spoke in a monotone voice. "You...two...can...live...others...die."

    Sedris stepped forward, his glaive at the ready. "What are you?"

    The creature grinned wickedly. "Me? I am known as the Night Terror..."

    Zia scoffed. "Which idiot gave you that name?"

    "The... ones...who died," the Night Terror replied, their claws carving deep gouges in the pale sands below.

    "Sister, I have to admit it, but whatever that is, I don''t like it," Sedris said, his glaive at the ready.

    Zia rolled her eyes. "What''s this, Sedris getting cold feet?"

    "This is serious, Zia."

    "He''s... right, you know," the Night Terror interrupted, lunging towards Zia, who raised her twin axes with a curse. "Just my damn luck."

    As the Night Terror lunged towards Zia, she spun on her heels, her twin axes at the ready. But to her surprise, the Night Terror passed by her, and instead, set its sights on the other members of the Red Reavers. With lightning speed, the creature impaled several of them on its talons, reveling in the scent of their blood.

    Zia gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her fallen comrades. "Are you ready to take this seriously now, Zia?" Sedris asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

    "I am now," Zia replied, her eyes darting back and forth between the Night Terror and her fallen comrades. "Red Reavers, slay the creature!" she commanded, her voice echoing throughout the camp.

    Within seconds, the Red Reavers nearby surged forward with a fierce battle cry, baring their bone-like weapons. Their eyes filled with a furious vengeance as they charged towards the Night Terror. Zia and Sedris led the charge, the siblings'' muscles tensed as they prepared to strike, their weapons held tightly in their hands.

    The Night Terror did not flinch at the sight of the Red Reavers charging towards them. Instead, they let out a blood-curdling growl that echoed across the battlefield. With an eerie smile, the monster leaped into the fray, their talons poised to strike. The sound of clashing weapons and war cries filled the air, as the Night Terror tore through the Red Reavers and began butchering them like cows.

 Chapter 17: Night Terror

    Sedris gasped for breath, his chest heaving, a result of relentless battle. He casted a desperate glance towards Zia, who was still hacking and slashing at the Night Terror with an unquenchable vengeance.

    "This is getting out of hand," he panted, sweat pouring down his face.

    "Keep going," Zia replied, her voice tight with barely suppressed fury.

    "But our weapons are useless against that thing!" Sedris shouted, pointing his glaive at the Night Terror''s towering form.

    "If you have a better plan, I''m all ears," Zia clapped back, her eyes glittering with a cold, furious light.

    Sedris shook his head, defeated. The Red Reavers had been locked in combat with the Night Terror for hours now, their numbers dwindling as the creature tore through their ranks with a savage, unrelenting hunger. They had inflicted little more than superficial wounds on the monster, which now dripped with the blood of their fallen comrades. And still it appeared as if it hungered for more.

    "More... blood..." The Night Terror growled. Its already fearsome appearance had become even more twisted and monstrous over time, as if it had been corrupted by some dark force. Its feet had transformed into blackened hooves, while the talons on its hands now sparked with pale lightning, giving off an eerie glow that seemed to dance around its monstrous form.

    ***

    As the battle between the Red Reavers and the Night Terror raged on. Rhea was facing a challenger of her own, deep within the recesses of her mind. The princess was speaking with an entity that seemed to be a twisted parody of her own form.

    ¡°Night Terror.¡±

    Princess.

    Rhea''s voice shook with frustration as she demanded, "I would appreciate it if you return my body back to me."

    The Night Terror chuckled. You mean, our body, yes? it countered, its voice dripping with malice.

    Rhea bristled. "There''s no ''our'' here. You''re quite literally in control of me as we speak."

    Only because I needed to save you, the Night Terror replied, its voice cold and calculating.

    Rhea''s eyes narrowed. "When I died at the hands of Sir Falkner, was it you too who took control of me?" she asked, her irritation growing.

    I saved you then, and I saved you now, the Night Terror said lazily, its hooves clacking on the ground as it approached Rhea. I am you, and you are me.

    Rhea''s lip curled in disgust. "I don''t see it," she retorted. "You share my face, but everything else? Not quite."

    The Night Terror''s scarlet eyes seemed to ignite as it replied with a contemptuous voice, You''re lucky that you are important. I''d have killed you by now otherwise.

    Rhea scoffed. "Trying to win my trust with a threat? Just baffling."

    The Night Terror dismissed her with a wave of one of its massive talons. Not a threat, princess. I was merely stating the truth.

    "I suppose such things are relative. Why are you so keen on keeping me alive anyway?"

    You are weak, so you need my power.

    Rhea''s voice shook with anger as she spoke, "I don''t recall ever inviting you to stay in my body to begin with."

    I didn¡¯t need an invitation, I made my way in when you sold your soul.

    "I did, to Vhael, the harbinger, not to you."

    The Night Terror scoffed, The harbinger is but a small piece of the great song of the underworld. A notable piece, but a pawn nonetheless.

    Rhea''s eyes narrowed, "You''re speaking awfully fluently right now, how come you can¡¯t do that while controlling my body?"

    The Night Terror replied with a voice filled with condescension, It¡¯s only because of your stubborn resistance, princess. Once you accept me, all will be well.

    Rhea''s voice dripped with venom, "Then tell me, why do you or the underworld give a rat¡¯s arse about me?"

    Language, princess, it''s unbecoming of you, the Night Terror chided.

    "I didn''t know monsters cared for decorum," Rhea replied with a bitter laugh.

    The Night Terror ignored her and lowered its head to Rhea''s level, pressing a talon against her neck. It is best if you took me seriously, Princess of Ishgria, for your own sake.

    "I am a princess in name only now, while you wrestle control of my body, Ishgria is consumed in civil war," Rhea said, completely undeterred.

    If it is the throne you seek, I can help you.

    "I¡¯d rather not, besides, I still need to find Remuria before I try for the throne."

    Remuria? Ah yes, I wish the underworld chose her instead of you, but alas, here we are, the Night Terror mused.

    "So you know of her?"

    Of course, I see what you see and so much more

    "Do you know where she is?" Rhea pressed.

    Maybe I do, maybe I don''t, it depends, the Night Terror replied coyly.

    Rhea sighed, ¡°Alright, what do you want?"

    Just accept my power, the Night Terror demanded.

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    Rhea hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and relented, "Fine, I accept."

    Excellent, the Night Terror purred.

    ***

    Back in the present, Zia and Sedris were still locked in a brutal battle against the Night Terror. Sedris had been gradually pulling back from his strikes, attempting to retreat and regroup with the rest of his kin that remained. But Zia was lost in an unbridled bloodlust, her eyes empty except for a thirst for battle that seemed to consume her entirely. Her body moved with reckless abandon, striking out at the Night Terror with furious strikes from her twin axes.

    ¡°Sister, cease this madness!¡± Sedris pleaded with her, but Zia didn''t seem to hear him. Instead, she let out a fierce cry of rage, her movements growing even more frenzied.

    Sedris could see the signs of the curse that had afflicted her: Morak¡¯s Frenzy, a curse that affected roughly one third of all Red Reavers. It was a state that disgusted him, for he knew that those who were affected by it lost their sense of self and sanity rapidly, becoming nothing more than maddened berserkers. But at the same time, he knew that the curse was the only thing keeping Zia and their comrades alive. It granted those afflicted by it incredible strength, speed, and regenerative abilities, allowing them to withstand wounds that would normally be lethal.

    Sedris struggled to stay on his feet as he watched the frenzied Red Reavers continue their relentless assault against the Night Terror. The metallic tang of blood mixed with the acrid smell of flesh charred by lightning, creating a sickening miasma that clung to the air. Sedris felt his own breaths becoming shallower and more labored, his body wracked with pain and exhaustion.

    Despite his own dire condition, Sedris forced himself to survey the scene around him. The once-lively Red Reaver camp was now a desolate wasteland, littered with the broken bodies of his fallen kindred. Sedris counted them in his mind, a grim tally of the dead. He estimated that at least one hundred Red Reavers had been present before the Night Terror appeared, but now, only about a fraction of that number remained.

    Sedris couldn''t help but feel a pang of despair as he looked upon the devastation. As a Red Reaver, he was no stranger to the sight and smell of blood, but the fact that it was his own comrades'' blood that stained the ground filled him with dread.

    Sedris knew that he couldn''t reason with his sister and the other frenzied Red Reavers. Their minds were lost to Morak¡¯s Frenzy, consumed by the insatiable bloodlust which drove them to attack anything in their path. He tightened his grip on his glaive and pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain that radiated through his body. His eyes scanned the Night Terror, searching for any weakness that he could exploit.

    However, before Sedris was able to act, he tensed as a deafening sound erupted from the Night Terror. Suddenly, a bright flash of pale lightning surged forth from the creature, striking Zia and the other Red Reavers with devastating force. They were thrown back like ragdolls, their bodies crumpling to the ground in a heap. The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and smoke, and as the smoke cleared, Sedris could see that Zia and the others were unconscious, their bodies twitching involuntarily as electric energy coursed through them.

    ¡°Yield, Red Reavers, you have lost,¡±

    The voice came from the Night Terror, in a surprisingly lucid voice. Sedris was taken aback by the unexpected words of their enemy, unsure of what to make of it. But he didn''t let his guard down just yet, cautiously watching the transformed creature before him.

    ¡°Night Terror, my kindred are not ones for peace and surrender,¡± Sedris responded, his grip on his glaive tightening. ¡°Once they awaken, they will come at you once again.¡±

    ¡°Fear not, I have pacified them. And I suggest you call me by my actual name,¡± the creature replied, its voice calm and controlled.

    ¡°Which is?¡± Sedris asked, still suspicious of its intentions.

    ¡°Rhea, Princess of Ishgria,¡± the creature said as its form began to shift and change, surrounded by a coruscating pale flame. As the flame died down, a figure emerged: a woman who appeared to be unharmed save for the tattered remnants of her cloak.

    ¡°What are you?¡± Sedris asked, warily raising his glaive.

    ¡°I am Rhea, rightful heir to the Ishgrian throne: a kingdom in the material plane.¡±

    Sedris was taken aback by the revelation, unsure of what to make of it. ¡°What happened? Why did the Night Terror disappear?¡± he asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.

    ¡°I was, no, am the Night Terror. I made peace with the creature, and now its powers are mine to wield,¡± Rhea explained, her eyes meeting Sedris''s in a steady gaze.

    Sedris lowered his glaive, still wary of the princess''s true intentions. "What do you want from us, princess? If you wanted us dead, you could have easily taken our heads."

    Rhea''s eyes narrowed, her voice cold and steely, "I want you, your sister, and your comrades to join me."

    Sedris raised an eyebrow. "You want the Red Reavers to fight alongside you? But why?"

    "I need a force that is unyielding and powerful enough to crush my enemies in the material plane."

    "But many of my comrades, including my sister, are like rampaging beasts. They live for the thrill of the kill."

    "That is precisely what I am looking for. A force that will stop at nothing to achieve victory."

    Sedris sighed. "If that is what you wish, I will accept on behalf of the Red Reavers. But I need time to convince my sister."

    Rhea nodded. "Take all the time you need. I trust that you and your sister will make the right decision."

    Sedris took cautious steps towards Zia''s unconscious form, his heart pounding with worry. As he drew closer, he could hear her muttering under her breath. His ears strained to catch her words, and when he finally did, a wave of relief washed over him.

    "Blood...blood...vengeance," Zia muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Sedris couldn''t help but shake his head at his sister''s stubbornness, even in defeat, she was a Red Reaver inside and out. He let out a small chuckle, a mix of amusement and affection for his sister.

    ¡°Zia, wake up,¡± Sedris urged, shaking his sister''s shoulder.

    Zia groaned, her eyes fluttering open. "Sedris, shut...up," she muttered, still dazed.

    Sedris let out an exasperated sigh before resorting to more drastic measures. He pinched her nose until she gasped for air and sat up, her eyes burning with anger.

    "You bastard! I could have died," Zia shouted, her voice hoarse.

    "And by all counts, you should be dead. Look around you, sister," Sedris retorted with a shrug.

    Zia''s gaze darted around, taking in the unconscious forms of their fellow Red Reavers and the ruined tents nearby.

    "Did we manage to slay the Night Terror?" she asked, her voice weak.

    "I''m right here," Rhea interjected, waving a hand in their direction.

    "You!" Zia snarled, lunging forward with her glaive. But she was met with a sudden wave of pain and doubled over, coughing up blood.

    "Calm down, Zia. The battle''s over," Sedris said, catching her before she fell.

    Rhea''s eyes scanned Zia''s rapidly healing wounds with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "I''m surprised your sister is still able to stand," she commented.

    "You won''t believe what she''s gone through. I''m often surprised by how fast she is able to recover," Sedris replied, hefting Zia onto his shoulder.

    "Come speak to me when she has recovered, then," Rhea said, and Sedris nodded gratefully before carrying Zia to a nearby tent.

    As the siblings left, Rhea took a deep breath and began to survey the aftermath of the carnage that was left during her possession by the Night Terror. Her heart sank as she took in the full scope of the destruction she had wrought. Though the princess did not have control over her body for most of the battle, she was still able to see what had happened. Everywhere she looked, there were bodies of those who had charged in to face her, both dead and unconscious. The ground was littered with broken weapons, tattered clothing, and blood.

    As Rhea walked through the scene of devastation, she couldn''t help but feel a growing sense of unease. It wasn''t just the sight of the broken bodies and shattered weapons that disturbed her, but the lack of emotion she felt in response. She should have been horrified by the destruction she had wrought, but instead, she felt a strange sense of detachment. A part of her, a dark and insidious part of her, almost felt pleased by the evidence of bloodshed.

    The princess felt a sense of unease wash over her. She felt that some part of her was being slowly eroded by the darkness that came with the Night Terror''s power. A part of her knew that she should never have given in to the temptation of such power.

    Yet, Rhea still tried to push away the nagging doubts and rationalizations. She began to convince herself that she could harness the Night Terror''s power without succumbing to its malevolent influence. However, in the back of her mind, a twisted laugh seemed to echo, a minute cacophony which would only grow louder over time.

 Chapter 18: New Order

    Zia''s mind felt foggy as she struggled to open her eyes. The voice calling out to her seemed both familiar and unwelcome. It was Sedris, her brother, someone she both loathed and cared for deeply.

    "It''s me, Zia, nod if you can hear me," Sedris asked calmly, his voice echoing in her head.

    Zia nodded weakly. She felt vulnerable in her weakened state, something she despised more than anything. She tried to open her eyes, but it took several attempts before she was able to lift her heavy eyelids. By the time she could open her eyes properly, Sedris had already brought her back to her tent and placed her on a bedroll.

    "Thank you, Sedris, I mean it," Zia said, her mind still drifting between reality and unconsciousness.

    "If only you were this grateful more often," Sedris replied with a smug grin.

    "Don''t count on it often," Zia snorted, her eyes scanning her tent. "Did we lose?"

    "We did, badly," Sedris responded, his voice laced with disappointment.

    ¡°I don''t remember much, just the feeling of falling before getting up, over and over again," Zia murmured, pressing a hand to her forehead.

    "I''d be surprised if you remembered anything at all during your frenzies."

    "So, what now? Is that creature gone?"

    ¡°Not quite,¡± Sedris replied. ¡°The princess has somehow managed to take control of it, and she¡¯s waiting to speak with us.¡±

    ¡°The princess? You mean the meat we captured?¡± Zia sneered.

    ¡°Yes, though I wouldn¡¯t refer to her as meat anymore. She killed more of us than I¡¯d like to admit.¡±

    Zia clicked her tongue. ¡°So what does she want?¡±

    ¡°She wants us and the rest of the Red Reavers to follow her.¡±

    Zia shrugged. ¡°Fine by me.¡±

    Sedris raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re so accepting of this.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a fool,¡± Zia retorted. ¡°She took on the full power of the Red Reavers alone and remained unscathed. She¡¯s earned the right to lead us.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re fine with those the princess killed?¡±

    Zia let out a cold laugh. ¡°Since when were you so sentimental, brother? Those who fell only did so because they were weak. If anything, the princess did us a favor.¡±

    Sedris smiled. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right. And on the bright side, she plans to return to the material realm and wants to bring us along. There¡¯ll be plenty to hunt there.¡±

    ¡°Almost certainly,¡± Zia replied while mirroring her brother¡¯s smile. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that normal humans are pathetically weak. Butchering them should be quite easy.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Sedris said with a chuckle. ¡°And considering the princess seems to want to bring us to a war, we¡¯ll have plenty of opportunities to paint our weapons red.¡±

    Zia got to her feet. ¡°Not much use laying about here then, come brother, it¡¯s time to meet our new leader.¡±

    As Zia trailed behind Sedris and emerged from her tent, her eyes darted around the camp that had been her home since forever. The area was certainly functional, with some tents housing skinning and drying racks, others with grindstones, and still more containing barrels of blood. Yet, despite the different purposes each tent served, they were all similarly rough and worn, with little to distinguish one from the other aside from air poked holes in them over the years. As Zia took it all in, she began to think that she wouldn''t be missing much if she and the Red Reavers were to leave it all behind.

    ***

    Zia and Sedris emerged from their tent, their eyes adjusting to the aftermath of the battle that had transformed the camp into a charred and battered wasteland. The Red Reavers had gathered at the center of the camp, forming a circle around the Princess of Ishgria. Zia was surprised to see that the princess was now flanked by her own warriors, a sign that the other Red Reavers had pledged their allegiance to their new master.

    Sedris was the first to kneel, and many others followed suit, showing their respect to the princess. Zia hesitated, but a stern glance from her brother made her drop to her knees as well.

    The princess surveyed the siblings with a piercing gaze, taking in their battered appearance. "You two may stand," she said. "I''m glad that you were able to make a swift recovery," she added, her eyes fixated on Zia.¡¯

    "It was no big-¡± Zia was about to respond when she felt Sedris nudge her, a sign that she was about to make a grave mistake. ¡°Apologies, thank you, princess,¡± she replied instead.

    The princess then gestured towards them to stand and raise their heads. "Our talk has been a long time coming,"

    As Zia stood up, she couldn''t help but lock eyes with the princess. The woman standing in front of her appeared nothing like the one they had captured. The first time Zia laid eyes on the princess, she seemed frail and powerless, no different from the countless individuals the Red Reavers had hunted. However, now the princess appeared to have an otherworldly authority. Something within her soul seemed ominously powerful. Seeing the princess in this state, Zia understood why her comrades had pledged their allegiance to a complete stranger so eagerly.

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    "What do you seek from us, princess?" Zia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

    ¡°I believe proper introductions are in order first. I am Rhea, sole heir to the Ishgrian throne.¡±

    ¡°I have heard from my brother that you wish for us to aid you in claiming your right to the throne.¡±

    ¡°That is correct. My country is currently embroiled in a civil war, hence, I would need an army to quash any opposition upon my return, before uniting Ishgria once again.¡±

    Zia was taken aback at the princess¡¯s words, unsure how to best reciprocate them. Fortunately, Sedris decided to speak up before her, ¡°Pardon me princess, but as much as we pride ourselves on our strength, the Red Reavers number barely twenty five souls at the moment. Our numbers would not be sufficient for long campaigns.¡±

    ¡°You make a good point, Sedris.¡± Rhea complimented, ¡°which is why I plan to expand your ranks. Your men have told me it would be difficult, but not impossible.¡±

    ¡°You mean to raid the scattered vampire warbands?¡± Zia interrupted; her curiosity piqued.

    ¡°Vampire. I must admit that word is foreign to me. But yes, I¡¯ve heard that there are many small tribes and warbands of these ¡®vampires¡¯. We will take from them their finest warriors to add to our own.¡±

    Zia couldn¡¯t help but let out a smirk. It was surprising to hear a vampire speak of their kind as if they were foreigners from distant lands. Despite this, she found Rhea¡¯s ambitions admirable, if not wishful.

    ¡°A fine ambition, princess, but how do you plan to convince the scattered to join the Red Reavers? We haven¡¯t made many allies in our years of raiding after all.¡± She spoke.

    ¡°So I have heard.¡±

    ¡°If it were that simple-¡±

    ¡°Zia!¡± Sedris chastised with a glare.

    ¡°What?¡± Zia retorted.

    ¡°It is fine, Sedris, your sister is just being passionate, I do not mind.¡± Rhea said calmly, her face betraying no sign of displeasure.

    ¡°Apologies for my outburst then, princess.¡± Sedris said with a respectful bow.

    "Zia, I completely understand your concern," Rhea spoke, her eyes turning to the former leader of the Red Reavers. "However, rest assured that when we leave the underworld, the Red Reavers will be restored to one hundred souls once more."

    The sound of gasps and muttered whispers filled the air at the Princess of Ishgria¡¯s declaration. Every single Red Reaver understood the gravity of Rhea¡¯s words, and they were stunned. Their numbers had always been slow to grow, only growing to one hundred souls only after several centuries. The challenge with replenishing their ranks was not for a lack of willing candidates, but rather, it was the difficult induction process that would allow one to become a Red Reaver.

    To even aspire to count oneself amongst the Red Reavers meant abandoning whatever previous ties you had to be forsaken as you dedicated yourself to the path of blood. Then came the trials: a series of grueling tasks that an initiate must complete, ranging from carving the hide from monstrous beasts of the underworld to bringing the heads of great champions.

    Zia''s memories of her initiation into the Red Reavers were vivid and haunting. She remembered the feeling of her heart pounding in her chest as she faced down the monstrous beasts that she needed to slay to prove herself. She could still feel the sweat on her palms as she gripped her weapon, the sharp sting of adrenaline in her veins as she prepared to take on creatures that towered over her.

    But the physical trials were only the beginning. The true test of an initiate''s worth came during the crimson chalice ceremony, a ritual where the initiate must drink the blood of a Red Reaver. Zia remembered the taste of the thick, crimson liquid as it poured down her throat, filling her with a potent strength that felt both exhilarating and dangerous. She recalled when her body convulsed in pain as her mind was consumed by an insatiable thirst for blood and violence.

    Zia tried to keep her tone even as she asked the princess, "I assume the others have informed you about the path of blood, princess?" She watched Rhea''s face closely, trying to gauge her reaction.

    Rhea''s expression was stoic. "Indeed, they have," she said evenly, "but in spite of that, I stand by my words."

    Sedris couldn''t help but interject. "How can you be so certain?" he blurted out, his curiosity getting the best of him.

    The princess didn''t seem surprised by the question. "In making peace with the Night Terror," she explained calmly, "they have shown me the faint threads of fate they were able to glean from the abyss."

    The camp erupted in gasps and stunned looks. Many of the Red Reavers shook their heads in disbelief.

    Zia''s curiosity got the better of her. "Can you see the future, princess?" she asked, looking up at Rhea with wide eyes.

    Rhea shook her head. "I cannot," she admitted. "What the Night Terror showed me was less an absolute prophecy and more like possibilities, one of the many branching threads of fate."

    Zia could see that her brother was about to interrupt, but she beat him to it. "Then how can you be so certain?" she asked, her own curiosity piqued.

    As the princess paced around the perimeter, her steps grew quicker and more agitated. She cast glances at the Red Reavers, as if searching for an escape. Her breathing was shallow, and her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

    Abruptly, a sharp cry tore from the princess¡¯s lips, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees. One hand flew up to clutch at her forehead, her fingers digging into her hair as if trying to gouge the pain away. Her other hand pressed against the ground to keep her upright. Sedris and his fellow Red Reavers hastened to her side, concern etched deep into their features. But Rhea waved them away with a dismissive flick of her wrist.

    As Zia stared at what was happening in front of her. Her mind began to piece together about what the princess actually did to the Night Terror.

    ¡°Are you alright princess?¡¯ Zia finally asked.

    Rhea straightened up, regaining her composure. "I am fine, thank you. Now where was I?"

    ¡°I asked about how you were able to be so certain about your goals.¡±

    ¡°I am just that confident.¡± Rhea replied, her voice closer to a low growl than something that would come out of the princess¡¯s mouth.

 Chapter 19: Kindred

    Just under two weeks had passed since the Princess of Ishgria seized control of the Red Reavers. Zia was utterly dumbfounded. Only one aspirant had perished out of the ten who embarked on the path of blood. Nine survived.

    "I knew they would succeed," Rhea proclaimed.

    ¡°Still, this is unexpected.¡± Zia said, eyeing her newly inducted kindred.

    She was speechless, scanning the faces of her newly initiated kin with a mix of shock and awe. Princess Rhea had personally supervised the latest aspirants'' initiation, and against all odds, they had survived. Most should have met their demise, but instead, they had emerged triumphant.

    "You should have had more faith in me," Rhea remarked, a smug grin plastered across her face.

    Since assimilating into the Red Reavers, Princess Rhea had donned the same red hooded cloaks as her fellow reavers. She wielded a wraithbone weapon of her own - a two-handed sword made from the same material as the weapons crafted by the reavers. The material was scavenged from underworld beasts, stronger than steel, and impossibly resilient. In every sense, the princess was now a fully-fledged Red Reaver. Yet, whenever Zia laid eyes on her, an unexplainable fear gripped her insides, making her stomach churn with unease. Still, she concealed it well, not daring to show any signs of weakness in front of the princess.

    Zia gave Rhea a bitter glare, her voice heavy with suspicion, "Who are you, really, princess? Or have you become someone else entirely?"

    Rhea dismissed Zia''s suspicions with a wave of her hand, "You and your baseless accusations, I have no idea what you are talking about"

    Zia remained unconvinced, "Is that so?" she challenged. "Then, if you''ll excuse me, princess, I believe my brother is waiting for me."

    The princess gave Zia a curt nod, but as she walked away, she couldn''t shake off the feeling that something wasn''t quite right with the Princess. Fear was not an emotion that was natural to the Red Reaver. A true reaver did not know fear, only bravery and bloodlust. And yet, Zia felt it. Whenever she was close to the princess: the smallest hints of fear clawed its way into her mind.

    ***

    ¡°Brother,¡± Zia called out as she approached Sedris. The two siblings were outside of the Red Reaver camp, hunting in the dry dunes of the underworld. Skeletal birds of prey glided throughout the starless underworld sky, providing guidance towards where their prey might lie. ¡°Sister,¡± Sedris greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain.

    Zia grunted in response, trying her best to act aloof despite the warmth she felt in her chest at the sight of her brother''s smile. She had always been protective of Sedris, even more so after they both joined the Red Reavers. She couldn''t bear the thought of anything happening to her brother, though she would never show that to him outwardly.

    ¡°What do you think of the princess?¡± Zia asked abruptly, her boots treading over the pale sands.

    Sedris looked at her with a quizzical expression, ¡°What brought this up, sister? You seemed more eager to accept the princess''s rule over us after all.¡±

    ¡°I do not know why, but the princess becomes more unnerving by the day,¡± Zia admitted, her voice laced with concern.

    ¡°You can sense it too? I¡¯m glad it isn¡¯t just me at the least,¡± Sedris said, heaving his wraithbone glaive on his back. ¡°She is certainly different now, changed from the pathetic state we found her in.¡±

    ¡°She did something, brother, when the Night Terror disappeared. Perhaps she sold her soul?¡±

    ¡°Possibly, though I¡¯m not familiar with the implications of such an act.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Whatever she is now, she is dangerous,¡± Zia said, her eyes darting around the desolate landscape.

    ¡°How so, sister?¡± Sedris asked, his gaze turning to hers.

    ¡°You''ve noticed it too, haven''t you, brother? How suddenly, so many aspirants could succeed in the path of blood,¡± Zia said, her voice strained.

    ¡°I have, our numbers have grown significantly as a result, we¡¯re already nearing 100 souls again,¡± Sedris said, trying to calm Zia down.

    ¡°And that does not disturb you?¡± Zia exclaimed, her emotions getting the better of her.

    ¡°Sister, you need to calm down,¡± Sedris said, gently squeezing her shoulder. ¡°I know how you feel, but I also know why you are actually distressed. You feel it, don¡¯t you? That presence emanating from the princess, a presence that compels you to want to obey her.¡±

    Zia clenched her fists, trying to push down the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Sedris knew her too well.

    ¡°I hate it, brother, I hate feeling so powerless,¡± Zia said through gritted teeth.

    ¡°And yet there is nothing we can do,¡± Sedris replied with a sigh.

    ¡°I suppose you are right.¡±

    ¡°Forget about it, sister, I see our prey in the distance.¡± Sedris knew that it was pointless to argue with Zia even at the best of times. At the very least, he knew that a good hunt was an easy way to take her mind off of things.

    Zia squinted her eyes, trying to focus on the distant shape Sedris was pointing at. Like every denizen of the underworld, her eyes could see under the darkened skies which surrounded her. Yet, Zia had always prided herself on her eyesight, more so than even her other kindred, and certainly more than her brother. She saw clearly what was to be her prey: Kharkars, large tusked beasts with tough gray hides and a vicious temperament.

    Zia and Sedris approached the Kharkar with caution, their footsteps soft and measured against the shifting sand. The beast was massive, with hides that seemed impervious to the underworld''s harsh environment. It was distracted, bent down to drink from the dark river that flowed nearby, its massive head almost touching the inky surface. Zia could see the black water dripping from the Kharkar''s maw as she and her brother drew closer.

    As they approached, Zia drew her twin wraithbone axes, feeling the familiar weight and balance in her hands. Sedris followed suit, his glaive already drawn and ready for the kill. Adrenaline surged through Zia''s veins, a familiar thrill that made her heart race and her senses sharpen. This was the moment she lived for - the hunt, the chase, the kill. Nothing else mattered. Nobody else mattered.

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    Without a word, Zia launched herself towards the Kharkar, her axes raised high. Sedris followed close behind, matching her every move with grace and precision. The siblings moved with blistering speed, closing in on the beast before it even realized it was under attack.

    The Kharkar bellowed out an earth-shattering cry, turning towards its attackers with a fury that could only come from a creature that had lived its life in constant danger. It tried to impale them with its massive tusks, thrashing about in a wild frenzy. Zia and Sedris pressed on, their weapons striking true against the Kharkar''s tough hide.

    For a moment, it seemed as though the beast might never fall. Its vitality was impressive, even in the face of the siblings'' relentless attacks. But then, with a well-timed thrust of Sedris''s glaive and a linked slice of Zia''s twin axes, the Kharkar''s futile struggle was over. It fell to the sand with a resounding thud, its massive body still in death. Zia and Sedris stood over it, victorious.

    ¡°That was excellent.¡± Zia gasped, a fierce glint in her eye as she surveyed the carnage around them. The stench of blood and sweat was heavy in the air, and Zia could feel the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She took a deep breath, savoring the warmth of the blood that now covered her and her red cloak.

    ¡°It was quite enjoyable.¡± Sedris agreed, his voice low and measured as he pulled his glaive out of the Kharkar¡¯s prone form. Blood dripped from the wraithbone weapon, spilling onto the sands below. He watched as Zia closed her eyes, taking in the moment.

    ¡°Do you remember, brother, when we first donned our cloaks?¡±

    ¡°I do, those were¡­ interesting times.¡± Sedris replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. ¡°What brought this on?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, just being nostalgic.¡± Zia replied, a wistful note in her voice. ¡°But, do you remember our parents?¡± she pressed, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°I must admit, I do not, we were taken away quite young, no?¡± Sedris said, his voice tinged with regret.

    ¡°I suppose we were.¡± Zia replied with a nod. ¡°What was it, 100 years ago?¡±

    ¡°I believe so, but I really am surprised sister, why do you care about all of this so much. Why now?¡± Sedris asked, his voice low and measured.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid of the future, Sedris, it¡¯s as simple as that.¡± Zia replied, her voice serious now.

    ¡°Is it because of the princess?¡± Sedris asked, his voice laced with anger.

    ¡°It is. Let¡¯s not forget that she was the one who killed most of our comrades.¡± Zia said, her voice hardening.

    ¡°I could never forget that, Zia. However, such is the way of the Red Reavers no? The strong survive while the weak disappear.¡± Sedris said, his voice cold and nonchalant.

    ¡°Correct, but I sense that great changes will lie ahead.¡± Zia said, her voice filled with apprehension.

    ¡°This really isn¡¯t like you, Zia.¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t.¡± Zia replied, her voice heavy with emotion. ¡°But sometimes, we have to take a stand.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, sister?¡±

    ¡°When was the last time we took things sitting down, my dear brother?¡± Zia asked in a sarcastic tone.

    ¡°Do you want to confront the princess, Zia?¡±

    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t, but part of me believes that I must.¡± Zia replied, her voice resolute.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always been impulsive.¡± Sedris said with a hearty chuckle.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve always followed my lead.¡± Zia said with a smug grin.

    Sedris gracefully lowered himself into a mock bow and asked, "Alright, boss, where shall we venture next?"

    ¡°Onward, to the Princess of Ishgria.¡± Zia replied, a determined look on her face.

    ***

    As the Siblings rushed back to the Red Reaver camp, they pushed past their comrades, barely acknowledging anyone who tried to speak to them. They had urgent business to attend to and nothing else mattered. They made a beeline for the largest tent at the heart of the camp, determined to speak with the Princess of Ishgria directly.

    To their surprise, they found the princess standing outside the tent, flanked by four Red Reavers who had only been inducted hours ago. Sedris was stunned into silence, but Zia wasted no time in addressing the princess directly.

    ¡°We came to talk, princess,¡± she said.

    The princess remained calm and collected. ¡°That is fine, what do you wish to speak about?¡±

    Zia was about to answer when she was struck by a sudden pain, dropping to her knees in agony. She writhed on the ground, clutching her head as if wanting to tear out her skull.

    ¡°What did you do to her!?¡± Sedris exclaimed, drawing his glaive.

    The Red Reavers guarding the princess immediately drew their weapons in response, but the princess waved them off with a flick of her wrist. ¡°Nothing, Sedris.¡±

    Sedris could see dozens of Red Reavers closing in around him and his sister, their glares warning him to tread carefully. He spoke up, addressing his fellow Red Reavers directly.

    ¡°Brothers, sisters, it appears you all have sided with the princess,¡± he said, eyeing them warily.

    ¡°We have, and it would be best if you did as well,¡± one of the Red Reavers replied coldly.

    ¡°Maybe Zia was on to something after all,¡± Sedris muttered, eyeing the princess with suspicion.

    The princess shook her head. ¡°I never wanted this, Sedris. I never wanted to meet you or any of your kind.¡±

    Sedris didn''t buy it. ¡°What does that have to do with anything?¡±

    ¡°Everything, Sedris, everything,¡± the princess said. ¡°When I was found, you, your sister, and many among the Red Reavers were content with seeing me dead. I was afraid, I feared that my true death would come at last.¡±

    Sedris didn''t reply, but his eyes remained fixed on the princess. Meanwhile, Zia was writhing on the ground in agony, her hands clutched to her head.

    ¡°When the Red Reavers forced my hand, I made a choice, Sedris,¡± the princess continued.

    ¡°To lose yourself to the Night Terror?¡± Sedris spat.

    ¡°It was an easy bargain,¡± the princess said with a smirk. ¡°I get to live and get an army.¡±

    Sedris was tempted to lash out, to say something spiteful or insulting, but he knew better than to provoke the princess any further. If even his sister couldn''t resist whatever power the princess wielded, he had no chance.

    ¡°I see,¡± Sedris said evenly.

    The princess gave him a choice. ¡°Will you follow me?¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± Sedris replied without hesitation.

    As Sedris made his decision, Zia''s pained cries finally subsided. She collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from the extent of her torture.

    ¡°Excellent, now take care of your sister,¡± the princess commanded. ¡°Once you are done, meet me at the central tent. We¡¯re leaving soon.¡±

    Sedris nodded, ¡°Where to, princess?¡±

    ¡°To find the deathbringer''s daughter.¡±

 Chapter 20: Visions

    How wonderful it is to hear the song of the tormented

    When they have arrived at their final destination

    Woe not to the weak and the wicked

    But to those of strong will and righteous conviction

    -Excerpt from the book of lost souls

    Remuria and Vhael soared across the darkened skies of the Underworld, untouched by the pale sands below. The deathbringer led the way on his six, jet-black feathered wings, with his daughter following closely behind on her own pair of onyx wings.

    ¡°Are you sure the prophet will be there, father?¡±

    ¡°I am certain, daughter, my wraiths have confirmed their location.¡± Vhael explained, looking behind his shoulder.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe they are actually alive.¡±

    ¡°Alive, is a poor choice of words.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Remuria asked aloud, flying forwards in lockstep with her father.

    ¡°The prophet has not been alive for a long time, neither when he walked the earth, and certainly not now.¡± Vhael explained to the tune of his great wingbeat.

    ¡°Is the prophet even human?¡±

    ¡°No, daughter, and they never were.¡±

    ¡°So, are they friend or foe?¡± Remuria quizzed.

    ¡°That is what we are going to discover.¡± Vhael said, holding out one of his rune-scarred arms to point at a large spire in the distance. ¡°There, there is where we shall land.¡±

    The spire was a construct which many would consider a mockery of architecture. It was twisted and warped in a way that defied common sense. With a myriad of spindles and loosely hanging rocks, clinging onto the air, unsupported. Massive, spiked stalagmites erupted from the spire¡¯s floor, making themselves visible even from miles away. Surrounding the structure were hundreds of screeching banshees and damned souls floating haplessly in the air, their heads perpetually ablaze: an eternal punishment for mortal souls too weak to survive in the cold depths of the underworld.

    ¡°The prophet is inside that, really?¡± Remuria asked aloud, a chuckle breaking out of her lips.

    ¡°I need you to take this seriously, daughter, for your sake and mine.¡± Vhael replied sternly, turning his dragon skull visage to the side, imitating the motions of a glance with his hollow eye sockets.

    ¡°My apologies, father.¡± Remuria said softly. It was never a good sign when Vhael became serious.

    ¡°It is of no matter.¡± Vhael replied, turning his dragon skull visage forward once more. ¡°We will soon descend, when we do, stay close to me.¡±

    ¡°Understood, father.¡±

    As Remuria and the harbinger began to close in on the spire, her thoughts began to drift to that of Rhea. Over a year had passed since she had been separated from her beloved by that accursed sandstorm. She had tried desperately to find the princess to no success. She hoped that the prophet may be able to provide some answers as to Rhea¡¯s whereabouts, though, by the tone of Vhael¡¯s words, her expectations remained as low as possible.

    ¡°Prepare to descend, daughter.¡± The harbinger commanded.

    ¡°Yes, father.¡± Remuria replied, slowing down her flight.

    As the pair began to descend to the foot of the spire. The cacophony of shrieking banshees and tortured souls parted like water. They seemed to flee from a sense of primordial fear, unable to bear witness to the deathbringer. Some among the blazing ones had the flames which were once confined to their heads spread out to consume their ghastly bodies whole. For these unfortunate souls, their wails of pain beat out even the loudest of banshees.

    Vhael landed harshly, blasting countless grains of sand in all directions. Remuria followed with a more elegant landing, her two feet falling on the sands below like a featherweight.

    ¡°That took longer than I expected.¡± Remuria said while stretching, her hands straightened above the curved horns perched on her head.

    ¡°Indeed it was, but we have arrived. Now is the time to be vigilant, draw your blade, daughter, and follow me.¡± Vhael instructed, beckoning Remuria to walk beside him with one pair of his six pale arms.

    Remuria obliged, chanting a familiar spell: Ave Ixhana, and a familiar ethereal gray blade manifested in her hands once more. Oros seemed to shine brighter here in the underworld than it ever did on the material realm, its ethereal gray light taunting the surrounding darkness with its merciless glow.

    The harbinger led his daughter into the corrupt spire, its gates slowly wheezed open, as if its hinges had suffered from an untenable rust. The inside of the spire, however, was somehow more inconceivable than its exterior. The interior¡¯s ¡°floor¡±, if one could call it that, was a writhing mass of questing tentacles, grasping at the air as if in search of prey to subsume into itself. The long corridor seemed better suited to an eldritch nightmare than inside of any structure.

    ¡°You may do the honors, father.¡± Remuria said light-heartedly, motioning herself into a mock bow.

    Vhael let out a deep sigh, before motioning for Remuria to get behind him. Though the harbinger may not always appreciate his daughter¡¯s humor, he could not bring himself to ever stay frustrated at her for long. The deathbringer then prepared to cast a spell, bringing four of his hands to the center of his towering form. Enigmatic words began to echo throughout the area, as the runes on Vhael¡¯s hands began to glow. With a swift motion, Vhael brought one of his hands forward into a pointed finger, and with one last whisper: Bhat¡¯kar, black flames emerged and desecrated every single tentacle in front of him. Within seconds, there were no more questing tendrils, only the smell of charred flesh and echoes of flickering wisps which slowly waffed around the air until they faded into nothingness.

    ¡°Come, daughter.¡± Vhael said as he traversed deeper into the corridor.

    Remuria nodded, then followed her father, She checked her tail occasionally to ensure it did not accidentally brush against any remaining charred tentacles. Her wings tucked behind her back as she proceeded onwards with caution.

    Walking further through the corridor, Remuria couldn¡¯t help but feel as if she had been walking for much longer than she should have. She could have sworn that she saw a door at the edge of her vision. But after what felt like an eternity of walking, Remuria felt no closer to the door than when she first started.

    ¡°Father, is it just me or have we been walking for much longer than necessary?¡± Remuria asked, still walking at a steady pace.

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    ¡°We have, it is the nature of this place. If you spot a floating eyeball anywhere, stab it with your sword immediately.¡±

    ¡°Where can I find this eyeball?

    ¡°It¡¯s likely hiding within a crack inside the walls,¡± Vhael explained, his pale hands grazing the surrounding walls, trying to search for the enigmatic eyeball.

    Remuria slowed her pace, her eyes scanning her environment more carefully. She made use of her tail to tap at the small gaps and crevices in the floor below and the walls beside her, hoping to find something that could lead her to her target.

    After walking for a few more minutes, suddenly, Remuria felt her tail brush against something soft and watery, instinctively, she turned and thrust Oros to the source of that strange sensation: her body moving faster than her mind could follow. When her eyes began to track what exactly she had just thrust her sword into, a smile began to break on her visage, as she saw a fleshy eyeball impaled in between Oros¡¯s edge.

    Drawing Oros back to its hilt, Remuria broke out a huge smile, ¡°The eye is no more, father.¡±

    ¡°Excellent work, daughter, our exit should appear soon.¡± Vhael complimented, stroking Remuria¡¯s head with one of his pale hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so young anymore you know.¡± Remuria quipped jokingly.

    Vhael brushed away some debris from Remuria¡¯s shoulder, ¡°perhaps, but you¡¯ll always be my daughter to me.¡±

    Remuria acquiesced and let her father do as she wished. She knew that Vhael misses her presence often, and she would feel guilty if she were to reject her father¡¯s gestures of affection.

    ¡°Is that our exit?¡± Remuria asked, pointing towards a door which had suddenly manifested a few feet away.

    ¡°Indeed, let us proceed.¡±

    When Vhael opened the door and tried to enter it, Remuria couldn¡¯t help but break out into laughter. The door was relatively large all things considered, but still barely enough for Vhael¡¯s towering frame to squeeze through.

    ¡°Are you alright there father?¡± Remuria teased. Still clutching her stomach from laughter.

    ¡°I must admit that this is rather awkward.¡± Vhael replied, though his dragon skull visage could not betray any emotion, his voice was clearly disgruntled.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try to get you inside.¡± Remuria moved to try and help squeeze Vhael through into the doorframe. Her left hand pressed against the harbinger¡¯s cloak of flickering flames, which did not harm Remuria in any way. While her right hand tried to fold one of Vhael¡¯ massive wings so that it could fit through the door frame. Yet, the most challenging part was fitting the horns of Vhael¡¯s dragon skull head through. It took several tries and many bumps against the doorframe before Remuria could get her father¡¯s head inside.

    Once Vhael was through the door, Remuria followed closely behind. She was immediately met with a massive, circular, stairwell which seemed to climb higher and higher with no end in sight.

    ¡°Father, do you happen to have a spell that will allow us to climb these stairs faster?¡± Remuria asked nervously, hoping for an affirmative response.

    ¡°I do not, but I can carry you if you wish, daughter.¡±

    Remuria immediately began to ascend the stairs ahead of Vhael, ¡°you know, maybe these stairs won¡¯t be so bad after all.¡±

    The harbinger let out a wistful sigh as he shrugged, his eyes following his daughter as she walked ahead of him. It pained him to realize just how much time had passed since his little girl had been small enough to fit into his arms. The memory of her excited giggles as he playfully lifted her into the air like a bird brought a bittersweet smile to his face. But as much as it saddened him to see his daughter grown and independent, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride at her growth. Knowing that she was capable of taking care of herself gave him a great sense of comfort.

    After hours of grueling ascent up the seemingly never-ending stairs, Remuria and Vhael finally emerged into a mind-boggling hallway. The air was thick with the acrid stench of sulfur and the hiss of arcane energies. Vortexes of strange magic swirled and twisted in the air, manifesting their malice in the form of violet flames and sparks of blueish lightning that danced and flickered across the walls. Glowing runes etched into the brimstone floor below seemed to pulse with a malevolent power, their twisting lines and angles forming intricate patterns that were both mesmerizing and terrifying. Worse yet, a cacophony of whispers filled the air, their words impossible to discern but for one word that seemed to repeat like a chant: death.

    ¡°Follow me daughter, and keep as close to me as possible. Try to ignore the whispers as well, close your eyes if you need to.¡± Vhael instructed, taking a step into the eldritch hallway.

    Remuria nodded and grasped her father¡¯s black flame robes with her right hand. Though she was unable to bring herself to speak out, Vhael was her solace at that very moment. She followed her father dutifully as he walked to the end of the hallway.

    The pair continued until they found themselves in a chamber of immense size. The space was dominated by rows upon rows of gargantuan pillars, each one towering over them and dwarfing even Vhael¡¯s formidable form. As they made their way through the maze of columns, Remuria couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer magnitude of the place, though a strange unease slowly began to gnaw at her mind, something deep within her was warning her of the danger that the place held.

    Standing in the middle of the pillars was a familiar figure: a humanoid figure cloaked in dark blue robes with a visage concealed underneath a golden mask, with arms that seemed to resemble the stars themselves: here was the prophet.

    ¡°Greetings Vhael, as well as you too, Lady Remuria.¡± The prophet said with a bow.

    The prophet''s bow was graceful, but it did nothing to quell Vhael''s contempt. ¡°Spare me the nonsense, prophet. Tell me, when did you allow your soul to be tainted by the underworld?¡± Vhael demanded, his voice laced with scorn.

    The prophet responded with laughter which boomed throughout the chamber. "Ah, Vhael. Always so direct. I suppose I should not have expected any less from the former god of knowledge." The prophet mocked sarcastically. "But tell me, harbinger, has your fall from grace taken more than just your title?"

    Vhael snarled. "You are playing with fire, prophet. Your soul is not meant to touch the underworld. I can see its corruption fester in your essence as we speak."

    The prophet tilted their golden visage sideways in a mocking display. "Ah, but isn''t that what makes it so thrilling? To walk the razor''s edge, to defy the gods themselves...that is true power."

    "So you refuse to speak," Vhael growled. "Very well." With a chant, the harbinger unleashed a torrent of pale lightning from one of his rune covered hands, aimed straight at the prophet''s heart.

    The prophet''s hand moved with uncanny speed, intercepting Vhael''s blast with a resounding swat. The air crackled as the pale lightning arced off their fingertips, sending it hurtling towards a nearby pillar. The impact was deafening, as the structure was split in two, the sound of shattering stone echoing through the massive chamber. Chunks of debris rained down upon the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and debris that choked the air. Despite this, the prophet remained unfazed, their masked visage staring back at Vhael.

    ¡°Your aim seems to be off, harbinger.¡± the prophet scoffed, walking towards Vhael slowly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, prophet, that was only a small taste of what I intend to do to you.¡± Vhael sneered, the runes on his hands glowing as he prepared to unleash a barrage of spells.

    ¡°You wish to fight me here? While your daughter is nearby?¡± The prophet taunted.

    ¡°Daughter, you need to get away.¡± Vhael said aloud, but there was no response. ¡°Daughter?¡± This time, Vhael turned his dragon skull visage around, trying to find Remuria. To his horror, Remuria was nowhere to be seen.

    As Vhael''s attention was drawn away, the prophet seized the opportunity and conjured a searing ball of bluish flames. With a fierce flick of their wrist, the fireball hurtled towards the distracted harbinger, engulfing him whole. The intense heat and searing flames wracked Vhael''s prone form, the bluish flames ate away at his pale flesh, leaving behind the black char of burnt flesh.

    ¡°Come now, deathbringer, is this all you can do?¡± the prophet taunted once more.

    ¡°So you have chosen death.¡± Vhael growled.

    In an instant, the entire chamber was consumed in an inky black abyss. The air grew thick and suffocating, as if the deathbringer himself was omnipresent throughout the chamber, his malice and anger seeping through even the smallest cracks and crevices.

    An eerie silence descended, with not even the faintest hum of wind to be heard. Yet, the prophet remained defiant, their starry hands glowing faintly in the darkness. "Is this supposed to scare me, harbinger?" they scoffed.

    ¡°No, but this is.¡±

    Suddenly, a chilling force seized hold of the prophet, forcing them to their knees. Their robes began to unravel, disappearing into the air thread by thread, exposing the prophet¡¯s star transposed body to surrounding darkness. Their golden mask began to crack and dissolve, piece by piece, crumbling away into nothingness.

 Chapter 21: Deceiver

    Remuria''s mind struggled to comprehend what had just happened to her. In an instant, she had been whisked away from her father and the prophet, and she now stood in a vast labyrinthian garden. It was a jarring experience. It was rare for Remuria to feel so lost and alone. Usually, she was always the one who was prepared and measured, she often had to be, for Rhea¡¯s sake. But there was nothing she could have done to prepare for the situation she had just been thrust into. So Remuria did as she always did during tumultuous times: move forward.

    As she walked through the garden, Remuria couldn''t help but notice the similarities between the plants here and those in Vhael¡¯s garden. The shadow vines that snaked through the air were twisted and menacing, while a multitude of perdition trees stood tall and ominous, their burning leaves billowing with dark smoke. Even the ground beneath her feet was familiar, littered with intricate runes and glyphs that shimmered softly in the darkness.

    With every step she took, the daughter of Vhael could not help but feel a growing sense of uncanny dread. The gardens were so similar to that of her father¡¯s, yet, upon closer inspection: she could easily spot the differences, ones that were not notable on their own, but made her feel uneasy the more she encountered them. It started when she noticed a strange, nauseating stench, which seemed to permeate the air. Then there were the occasional shadows which seemed to dance at the corner of her eyes, Remuria could have sworn that some of them appeared to be cackling maniacally. However, it was the occasional, shrill shrieks, which was most disturbing. Remuria had thought that it came from some kind of banshee somewhere, yet she did not see any signs of the ghastly creatures.

    At least Oros was still with her: its grayish blade seemed to shine brighter than ever before within the confines of the strange garden she found herself in. The sword was one of the few things which gave Remuria relief. As she held the arcane sword in her hand, Remuria couldn''t help but run her fingers along the hilt, she felt the soft hum of arcane energy emanating from the blade, as if it was alive and attuned to her every movement. Its familiar weight in her hand helped to ground her in the present, offering her a sense of comfort in an otherwise uncomfortable circumstance.

    Remuria continued to traverse through the garden, peeking back at her shoulders every so often. With each step she took, Remuria couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease settling in her gut. She knew that she was not alone in the garden, and every time she looked back over her shoulder, she could swear that she saw the shadows of something tailing her, darting out of view each time her eyes tried to gaze upon it. What¡¯s worse, the rancid stench which was already barely tolerable before was now completely unbearable.

    The putrid odor clung to her nostrils, and she could feel her stomach churning in protest. She pressed a hand against her nose in a desperate attempt to block out the smell, but it was no use. The acrid fumes invaded her senses, causing her to cough and gag. Soon, she was on her knees, tears streaming down her face as she fought to keep the bile rising in her throat at bay.

    ¡°Do you need help, daughter?¡± a feminine voice called out.

    Suddenly, Remuria could no longer smell the acrid stench which had assaulted her senses. She let out a massive exhale and began to cough so violently that she felt pain in her chest.

    ¡°Oh dear, let me help you.¡± With those words, Remuria felt soft hands patting her back, trying to comfort her. Then, she felt another caress her head. She was about to swat the hand away, yet, she couldn¡¯t help but relax into the gentle touch she was feeling. It was oddly comforting, dangerously so, for Remuria realized that she was no longer gripping Oros. Yet, when she tried to reach out for her blade, a purple tinged hand swatted hers away.

    ¡°Relax, daughter, there is no need for you to worry about anything¡­¡± the strange voice purred.

    This is wrong. Remuria thought to herself, she was beginning to lose herself to this stranger who somehow seemed to know her all too well. Yet, despite her mind¡¯s apprehension, her body was all too eager to submit to the ministrations of the stranger. Remuria felt soft hands rub against her wings, another caressing the top of her tail, then, those same hands worked to relax her tense muscles. Yet when she felt something begin to coil and wrap around her body, Remuria¡¯s body finally awoke from its trance, and she jolted back, trying to stand up once more. However, it was too late, the lower half of her body had been completely wrapped underneath a serpentine form.

    ¡°Tsk. Tsk. Come now daughter, we had just met, why leave so soon?¡± the voice said aloud, holding up Remuria¡¯s head to face her own.

    Remuria could not help but feel one emotion: awe driven fear. Whoever she was seeing now, she was beautiful, too beautiful. If an artist were to lose themselves completely in their craft for decades and were assigned the task of creating the most uncannily perfect face, the creature in front of Remuria would be the result.

    Gazing upon the visage in front of her, Remuria was overcome with a sense of both admiration and terror. Every curve of her face was flawlessly sculpted, her skin glowing with an otherworldly luminescence that bathed her surroundings in their afterglow. Her eyes, a piercing shade of red, that seemed to beckon any who gazed back at them, drawing them into a hypnotic trance.

    Despite her undeniable beauty, however, there was something unsettling about the stranger. Perhaps it was the way her gaze seemed to bore into Remuria''s soul, as though searching for something hidden deep within her. Or perhaps it was the sense of otherworldly authority which seemed to emanate from the stranger, her very presence exuding a choking pressure. Whatever the reason, Remuria knew that she was completely and utterly powerless.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, daughter? You should speak, I wish to hear your voice.¡±

    ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡± Remuria said weakly.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Silly child, I am your mother.¡± The stranger said, caressing Remuria¡¯s head with one of her hands.

    ¡°Mother¡­Ixhana?¡±

    Remuria forced herself to look away from Ixhana¡¯s visage, now trailing towards the rest of her serpentine form. The serpent goddess seemed so different from what Vhael had told Remuria, her scales were not white, but rather, a dark purple hue, her skin was an alluring violet, and her eyes were a bright scarlet. Only her hair matched what Remuria had heard from Vhael: a brilliant silver which glimmered every so often underneath even muted light.

    ¡°You cannot possibly be her, father told me you died giving birth to me.¡± Remuria said, still struggling to accept that she was indeed talking to her mother.

    ¡°And I did, daughter, I did die.¡± Ixhana replied with a giggle.

    ¡°Then how are you here and speaking with me?

    ¡°Now that is a long story, why don¡¯t we discuss other matters instead?¡± Ixhana cooed, drawing Remuria closer to her. ¡°I heard you even found a lover.¡±

    ¡°How¡­ did¡­you know?¡± Remuria said with a slurred voice, she could barely concentrate on speaking, as if a fog had clouded her mind.

    ¡°I have my ways, daughter.¡±

    ¡°What¡­do¡­you¡­?¡± Remuria couldn¡¯t finish her sentence, her mind lulled into a deep slumber.

    Ixhana kissed Remuria on her forehead. ¡°Sleep well my child, there is much I have prepared for you.¡± The goddess said, lovingly caressing Remuria¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°Hands off, foul creature.¡± A voice boomed, accompanied by thunderous stomps which announced the displeasure of their master.

    The serpent goddess turned her gaze towards the source of the interruption. Her expression quickly turned into one of contempt and bitter enmity, one word escaping her lips, ¡°Deathbringer.¡±

    ¡°Release my daughter!¡± Vhael commanded, his black wings spreading out in an intimidating display.

    Your daughter? She¡¯s mine as well, you know.¡± Ixhana chastised, undeterred.

    ¡°I know you are not Ixhana, just an impostor wearing her skin. I broke your prophet, and I have no qualms with breaking you as well.¡± Vhael warned, the runes on his pale hands shone brilliantly, ready to unleash his full wrath should the need present itself.

    ¡°Pity, they were one of my favorites.¡± The impostor scoffed. Very well, I suppose there¡¯s no need to play pretend with you.¡± She said, releasing Remuria from her coils.

    Before her daughter¡¯s body could hit the ground, Vhael was already weaving a myriad of spells. The first was one that locked Remuria¡¯s body in place in the air. The second was a barrage of hellfire directed at the impostor¡¯s head. When the false serpent goddess was about to deflect the flames, the harbinger unleashed his final spell: lifting the impostor¡¯s torso to the air in direct collision with his vengeful flames.

    As the impostor reeled back from the torrent of searing flames unleashed on them, Vhael had already moved to carry Remuria in his arms. Yet, the harbinger did not seem ready to lower his guard just yet. His dragon skull visage still directed towards the serpentine impostor, who has already begun to slither back towards Vhael, the flames that once licked her flesh extinguished until only smoke remained.

    ¡°Bravo, deathbringer.¡± The impostor said with a mocking clap.

    ¡°What¡¯s your true name, deceiver?¡±

    ¡°I have no name, for I am but a shard of the underworld, but if you wish to refer to me as deceiver, then so it shall be.¡±

    ¡°I figured as much, is that why you walk in Ixhana¡¯s skin?¡±

    ¡°Ah yes, the divine serpent has proven to be a most useful vessel.¡± The deceiver said with a wry smile.

    ¡°Is the Princess of Ishgria next?¡± Vhael pressed.

    ¡°Your daughter¡¯s lover? Why of course, she¡¯s already accepted the underworld¡¯s gifts.¡± The deceiver said. ¡°I foresee her becoming the greatest chosen that the underworld has ever had.¡±

    ¡°So it was you who interfered with the princess after all.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t act so surprised, harbinger, you too have been touched by the nether realm. You should know better.¡± The deceiver said in a contemptuous tone.

    ¡°Perhaps, but why her?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this? You care for the Ishgrian Princess?¡± The deceiver teased, slithering around Vhael in their serpentine form.

    ¡°Not as much as you think, but my daughter is enamored with her.¡± Vhael stated frankly, ¡°I¡¯m here to protect my daughter, that is all.¡±

    ¡°I believe you already have the answer to your question then, harbinger, you merely need to kill the Ishgrian Princess and your daughter will be saved.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think my daughter will ever forgive me if I harmed her beloved.¡±

    ¡°Then it must be painful for you. To know the solution to a problem yet unable to actually act on it.¡± The deceiver taunted.

    ¡°If the Princess of Ishgria has been chosen by the underworld, there¡¯s little I can do regardless, isn¡¯t there? She¡¯ll just be resurrected, again and again, until her usefulness expires.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an awfully heartless way to put it, harbinger.¡± The deceiver teased sarcastically.

    ¡°Enough games, we are done here.¡± Vhael said, preparing to leave with Remuria still in his arms.

    ¡°If you ever wish to speak to your wife again, you know where to find me.¡± The deceiver mocked.

    Vhael did not bother to give a reply. The harbinger took off on his black wings and soared away, cradling Remuria in his rune scarred arms. He was not sure if taking his daughter back to Rhea was the best course of action, He knew that it would make Remuria happy, but Vhael had many reservations regarding the Ishgrian Princess. She was still a mortal at heart and prone to temptation. The harbinger contemplated his actions as he soared throughout the starless skies of the underworld. Wondering if he should take a more proactive approach after all.

 Chapter 22: Duality

    Listen carefully and listen well

    The song of the underworld calls out to many

    But most can only hear its screeches and its wails

    But blessed be those who can hum its true melody

    -Excerpt from the book of lost souls

    When Remuria opened her eyes: she knew that she was walking in her dreams. The blackened skies of the underworld were nowhere to be seen, instead, she was back in her happy place: a serene garden of nigh-perfect beauty. The scene before her was breathtaking. Towering trees adorned with glistening golden fruits stood tall, casting dappled shadows on the landscape. Streams of water flowed like liquid rainbows, the vibrant hues of each color blending seamlessly into the next, while the pathways that wound their way through the garden were paved with marble polished to a brilliant shine.

    To be lucid within dreams was nothing new to her. Remuria traversed through her dream garden filled with a sense of contentment and calm. In this world, she was not burdened by any worries: not her commitment to Rhea, not her connection to Vhael, nothing at all. She was free to admire the aesthetics of her dream world, how marvelous everything seemed.

    As Remuria continued her walk, she couldn''t shake off the unsettling feeling that something was calling out to her from the shadows. At first, the voice was barely audible, like a soft whisper that tickled the edge of her ears. She strained to make sense of the words but could only hear fragments: my child, my child, my child.

    The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and a shiver ran down her spine as the whispers grew louder, more insistent: MY CHILD, MY CHILD, MY CHILD. The voice was relentless. Remuria knew that she should ignore it, that acknowledging it would only invite trouble. But the voice was like a leech, sucking at her willpower, slowly eroding her resolve.

    The whispers soon turned into a deafening cacophony that reverberated within her mind, drowning out all other thoughts: MY CHILD, MY CHILD, MY CHILD. It was maddening, like a thousand needles piercing her brain. Finally, with a heavy heart and a deep breath, Remuria gave in and spoke, "Who or what are you? Show yourself!"

    After Remuria spoke, a hush descended upon the surroundings, a stillness that was at once peaceful and disconcerting. The constant din of voices and whispers that had plagued her earlier had vanished, leaving behind only the sound of rustling leaves and the gentle flow of nearby streams. The tranquility of the garden seemed almost too serene, as if the very air itself was holding its breath.

    For several minutes, Remuria stood silent and wary. Her eyes darted in all directions, trying to spot anything suspicious or anything out of the ordinary. Cautiously, she began to pace slowly through her dreamscape once more, her senses as alert as can be. With every step she took, she felt goosebumps emerging from her skin, the cold caress of the wind causing her to shudder on occasion. Was this place always this cold? She thought to herself.

    After what felt like hours, Remuria continued to walk, and walk, and walk. Slowly, she noticed changes in her dreamscape. The marble roads she once walked on had now turned into a dusty dirt path. The once colorful river streams now had turned into a flow of a strange blackened sludge. And the golden fruits which once hung from resplendent trees had all but disappeared: leaving behind barren husks of leafless branches.

    Despite her growing apprehension, Remuria continued to walk, droning forward as if she were a puppet. She wasn''t sure why she felt the need to keep moving forward, but the compulsion was too strong to ignore. It was as if some unseen force was pulling her forward, urging her to obey some vague instruction that she couldn''t quite understand. With each step, she felt her heart grow heavier, her mind starting to play tricks on her.

    Every so often, at the corner of her eye: Remuria would see shadows darting back and forth, disappearing too fast for her to discern its shape. Once: she felt something prick on her left arm, causing her to bleed. She had no idea what caused her injury, only that she could feel it, and that it would not heal. Remuria tried to think the wound away: she was still within her dreams after all: reality here should bend to her whims, at least to an extent. Yet, still, the wound would not go away. In desperation, Remuria began to chant arcane words of power, hoping that one of her spells could close her wound: it was all futile.

    As Remuria made her way through the dream world, the shadows that had once lingered at the edge of her vision seemed to take on a life of their own. They no longer flitted about, but instead, stood stark and solid, taking on the form of strange, twisted beasts. They were hunched and gnarled, with limbs that twisted and writhed in unnatural ways. One of them had eyes, too many eyes. Strangely, the monstrous creatures did not seem eager to attack Remuria. They were content with simply stalking her, watching her.

    The fear that her mind had embraced only grew stronger in time. Remuria could feel it pulsing through her veins, making her heart race and her breath come in ragged gasps. And then, suddenly, the shadow beasts were everywhere: dozens of them swarming around her, their twisted forms blocking out the light and leaving her in near-total darkness. But even as they closed in on her, Remuria could sense that they were not there to harm her. They moved with an eerie, unnatural precision, parting ways as she approached and then closing in behind her like a living wall. Remuria tried to reach out to them, to communicate in some way, but the shadow beasts remained unresponsive.

    Remuria glanced downward to her legs, they too were bleeding now. In fact, they must have been bleeding for quite some time. She glanced behind over her shoulder, spotting a trail of blood that followed her. Strange. Remuria thought to herself. She did not understand why she did not feel even the smallest hint of concern at her predicament. Somehow she knew that she was reaching her destination soon.

    A broken blade: shattered in two. When Remuria saw the shattered weapon, she knew that this was what her long march had led her to. Despite its current state, the broken sword was a thing of beauty to behold: its blade was made out of a strange crimson material which Remuria had never seen before: both in the material realm and in the underworld. The sword¡¯s hilt also appeared to be crafted out of the same red material, whatever it was, it was highly refined and polished: Remuria could see her reflection clearly on it. However, as Remuria stared at her reflection from within the broken blade, it slowly morphed and twisted, becoming a grotesque parody of Ixhana. The scales on Ixhana''s body were twisted and distorted, no longer a pure white but a sickly shade of gray, and they seemed to writhe and slither unnaturally. Her humanoid half was twisted and hunched, as if wracked with pain, and her once-smooth skin was now covered with pustules and boils that oozed a noxious green liquid. Her silver hair was matted and tangled, and her eyes, which had once shone with life, now glowed with an eerie, sickly yellow light.

    The impostor''s voice echoed through the darkness, sending shivers down Remuria''s spine. "My child, can you hear my voice?" it spoke, its words oozing with a sinister edge.

    Remuria''s eyes narrowed at the sight of the impostor''s twisted form. "You are not my mother," she spat, her voice thick with contempt.

    "I never claimed to be," the impostor replied, its visage twisting into a smug smile.

    "Liar," Remuria hissed, her grip tightening on the hilt of the broken blade.

    The impostor chuckled, its mocking tone sending a surge of rage through Remuria''s body. "So what if I am?" it said, its voice dripping with venom. "Does it matter?"

    Remuria glared back at the impostor, "what do you want?" she demanded, her voice cold.

    "You can hear me, that is good," the impostor said, ignoring her question.

    "Who are you and what do you want with me?" Remuria pressed.

    "I am the underworld: at least, an aspect of it," the impostor replied, its voice echoing through the void.

    "Why do you take the guise of my mother?" Remuria demanded, her eyes narrowing.

    "To show you what I can do, what is possible," the impostor said, its voice dripping with malice.

    "Possible to do what?" Remuria asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

    "Impersonate people and play tricks on my mind," the impostor replied, its mocking smile growing wider. "All of that, but also to let you know that we are inexplicably connected: always have and always will be."

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Did you give this speech to Rhea too?¡±

    The impostor laughed, ¡°oh my, aren¡¯t you the smart one?¡±

    Remuria felt her anger growing, her grip on the broken blade tightening. "Do you regret handing the princess''s soul over to me?" the impostor asked, its voice taunting.

    "No," Remuria replied, her voice cold and hard. "It was either you or her dying. But believe me when I say this: you were my last choice."

    The impostor sneered, its twisted form shifting in the shadows. "You insult me," it hissed.

    "Why of course, I have the right," Remuria shot back.

    "Care to enlighten me?" the impostor asked, its voice oozing with sarcasm.

    Remuria ignored the taunt, her eyes narrowing. "I tire of this game, impostor," she said, her voice deadly. "Speak your demands, and let us get this over with."

    "Aren''t you the feisty one?" the impostor chuckled, its twisted form shifting in the darkness.

    "Speak fast, impostor," Remuria pressed. "You are wasting my time."

    ¡°If you insist: All I want to do is help you, that is all.¡±

    ¡°Help me? You couldn¡¯t have figured out a better way to help me than to invade my dreams?¡±

    ¡°I needed to get you more attuned to my song, so that you could follow my melody.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I have adjusted now. So how do you plan to help me? But don¡¯t think for even a second that I trust you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine, I have no use for your trust: only your compliance.¡± the impostor remarked, ¡°I know you want to reunite with the Princess of Ishgria, I can take you to her.¡±

    ¡°Why would I need your assistance? My father can take me to Rhea just fine.¡±

    ¡°While your bravery is commendable: daughter of Vhael, I hope you are aware that I can end your journey here and now.¡±

    ¡°So you are resorting to threats now?¡±

    ¡°Not a threat, just a kind warning.¡± the impostor taunted.

    ¡°Answer my question then.¡± Remuria demanded.

    The impostor¡¯s sinister eyes glimmered with malevolent intent, ¡°I can make your journey to the princess nigh-impossible, or you can accept my generosity and allow me to take you to her.¡±

    Remuria remained unfazed, maintaining her composure, ¡°why are you even offering me this? There has to be a catch somewhere.¡±

    The impostor gave out a brief chuckle, ¡°my goals and the princess¡¯s are aligned, that is all.¡±

    ¡°What of my father? If I accept your help, what will happen to him?¡± Remuria¡¯s voice was tinged with concern, her father had always held a special place in her heart, even if she did not show it outwardly.

    The impostor sensed Remuria¡¯s weariness, and smiled, ¡°I will leave the harbinger be, I have no use for him anyway.¡±

    ¡°I will accept your offer, only on one condition.¡±

    ¡°And what may that be?¡±

    ¡°You will not only take me to Rhea, but you will also help us return to the material realm.¡±

    ¡°An interesting proposition, daughter of Vhael, what makes you think I will accept this?¡±

    ¡°I just assumed you were generous.¡±

    ¡°Then you assume correctly, it shall be done.¡±

    ¡°What do I have to do now?¡±

    ¡°This sword which I inhabit is called Nemaia, grab its hilt, and it will seal our pact.¡±

    ¡°This sword is for Rhea, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°You truly are a fascinating little thing, I¡¯m going to enjoy working with you.¡± the impostor commented.

    ¡°I know this is a trap and I won¡¯t have a real choice regardless, so why don¡¯t you force my hand so I can feel better about myself?¡± Remuria quipped sarcastically.

    The impostor shrugged, their visage breaking out into a wry smile, ¡°if you insist.¡±

    Remuria''s body tensed at the sound of those words, as if an invisible force had gripped her, commanding her to act. Her eyes darted to the hilt of Nemaia, the broken sword lying on the ground in front of her. She tried to push back, to resist, but it was as if she was being drawn towards something irresistible. With a reluctant hand, she reached out to touch the hilt of Nemaia.

    In an instant, a jolt of energy shot through her arm, and she watched in amazement as the shattered pieces of the blade levitated and reassembled themselves around the hilt. As the last piece clicked into place, the sword glowed with an eerie scarlet light. But as Remuria looked at the blade''s reflection, she gasped in horror: instead of her own face, a twisted, demonic visage glared back at her from the sword''s surface. Remuria''s heart raced as dozens of shadowy creatures spilled out from the sword, their dark forms swarming around her, suffocating her with their presence. The weight of the shadow creatures quickly bore down on her, and she felt her breath grow shallow as they enveloped her whole.

    ***

    The pale sands of the underworld stretched out before the Red Reavers, an endless expanse of nothingness. With each plodding step, sand clung to their boots, the light of the crimson moon illuminating their way. But the Reavers pressed on, their red cloaks billowing in the hot, dry air as they trudged across the barren wasteland.

    ¡°Princess, our warriors need to rest, we have been marching non-stop for weeks.¡± Sedris said aloud, breathing heavily.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine, personally.¡± Zia shrugged.

    ¡°Of course you¡¯re fine sister, I¡¯m talking about the others.¡± Sedris replied in frustration.

    ¡°Rest easy Sedris, we are close to where we need to be.¡± Rhea replied nonchalantly.

    ¡°Remind me why we need to see this Remuria person again?¡± Zia asked aloud.

    ¡°She is my lover, Zia.¡±

    ¡°Duly noted.¡± Zia was not willing to press the princess on the matter any further.

    ¡°I do want to ask, princess, how do you know that she will be where you think she will be?¡± Sedris asked.

    ¡°The underworld showed me the way.¡± the princess replied.

    Sedris felt unease at the princess¡¯s answer, but he could not bring himself to refute the princess¡¯s words. Ever since she quelled the Night Terror, the Princess of Ishgria had shown a prophetic accuracy in her words.

    Several times, the princess led the Red Reavers on their most successful raids yet. Attacking even those territories which were owned by powerful demon warlords. Somehow, their targets were always weak and vulnerable. Once, the Princess of Ishgria led an assault on the territory of the Demon Warlord Maz-Gharal. When they arrived, the reavers had found the warlord¡¯s domain to be woefully undermanned: many had left to fight in another skirmish elsewhere. And so the Red Reavers butchered those that remained. When Maz-Gharal returned with the rest of his warriors: it was too late. The Princess of Ishgria pressed for an immediate counter-attack, crushing the exhausted ranks of the demon warlord, before challenging, and then besting, Maz-Gharal himself in single combat.

    ¡°I sense danger ahead,¡± Rhea stated aloud, ¡°tell the reavers to prepare for combat.¡±

    ¡°As you wish, princess.¡± Sedris replied, before issuing commands to the rest of the Red Reavers.

    ¡°Finally, some action.¡± Zia said excitedly, gripping her axes in each of her hands.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so excited if I were you.¡± Rhea said.

    ¡°Why not, princess? It is in our nature to spill blood.¡±

    ¡°Even against that?¡± Rhea said, pointing towards a mass of writhing shadows at the distance.

    Zia''s breath hitched as the firsts of the shadow beasts appeared. Its body was dark as the void, with jagged edges and razor-sharp claws. Its eyes were nothing but empty pits of darkness, yet they seemed to be able to see everything around them. The beast''s movements were fluid, and it seemed to glide over the sands of the underworld, moving and shifting with an ethereal grace.

    As the horde of shadow beasts drew closer, Zia could see that each one was horrific in its own way. Some had large, bat-like wings that seemed to stretch out impossibly far, while others had long, whip-like tails that lashed out in every direction. Still, others had massive, clawed feet that could tear apart even the toughest armor with ease.

    But even more terrifying was the winged abomination that led them. Its wingspan was wider than any dragon''s, and they beat with a thunderous sound that echoed throughout the underworld. Its body was massive, with rippling muscles as dark as charcoal. Its face was a contorted mess, twisted into a snarl, revealing a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. But most horrifying of all was the sword it wielded, its crimson glow illuminating the darkness around them. The sword seemed to be alive, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.

    Zia was many things, an honest soul being one of them. So when faced with such a daunting circumstance, she said the first thing which came to her mind out loud, ¡°shit.¡±

 Chapter 23: Venom

    "Zia, Sedris, you shall accompany me in facing the one with the crimson sword. Inform the other reavers to confront its minions."

    ¡°Understood, princess.¡± Sedris acknowledged.

    ¡°You think we stand a chance against that thing?¡± Zia asked aloud.

    ¡°Maybe, maybe not.¡± Rhea said, ¡°but either way, we cannot sit idly by and let it kill us.¡±

    ¡°You know what? That''s fair.¡± Zia replied, shrugging her shoulders.

    ¡°Ready?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°As ever.¡± Sedris said, hoisting his wraithbone glaive.

    A grin formed on Zia''s lips as she brandished her twin wraithbone axes, anticipation evident in her voice.¡°I¡¯m ready to spill some blood, or whatever it is those shadow creatures spill.¡±

    Rhea nodded in approval, "then let''s go.¡±

    The princess led the charge, her sword held high as she sprinted towards the approaching shadow beasts. The Red Reavers were right behind her, their weapons drawn, roaring for battle. In response to the display, the largest of the shadow beasts, the monstrous winged abomination, let out a shriek that echoed loudly throughout the underworld.

    With a single beat of its massive wings, the winged creature lifted itself off the ground, soaring towards the Red Reavers, yet, its eyes were fixed solely on Rhea. The princess braced herself for the impact, but before she could react, the winged abomination had snatched her up in its jaws. Rhea kicked and thrashed, struggling against the monster¡¯s grip, but it was no use. She was carried away, trapped in the grasp of the winged monstrosity.

    ¡°That thing just took the princess.¡± Sedris mentioned, his breath heavy from combating several shadow beasts, ¡°what do you think we should do, sister?¡±

    Zia was far too engrossed in battle to offer a coherent response to her brother, ¡°Kill!¡± she exclaimed aloud. Fully consumed by Morak¡¯s Frenzy.

    ¡°Good point.¡± Sedris commented, before stabbing another of the shadow beasts with his glaive.

    Rhea was carried by the winged shadow beast for several minutes before being unceremoniously dropped to the pale sands below. The creature gave the princess no time to react, as it raised its crimson blade in an attempt to cut Rhea down then and there.

    As Rhea hit the ground with a thud, her instincts kicked in. She rolled to the side, narrowly evading the devastating swing of the shadow beast''s crimson blade. The sheer force behind the strike sent tremors through the ground, stirring up the pale sands into whirling clouds.

    Rhea quickly regained her footing. She gripped her own wraithbone sword tightly, and with a defiant battle cry, the princess lunged forward, her sword cutting through the air. The clash of blades echoed through the desolate expanse of the underworld as the princess engaged in fierce combat. Each swing of the winged abomination¡¯s crimson blade was met with Rhea''s own skillful parries and counterattacks.

    The monstrous shadow beast moved with an uncanny grace, its wings fluttering ominously in the darkness of the starless underworld sky. It matched Rhea''s every move, mirroring the princess in a deathly stalemate. Rhea weaved between dodges and strikes, her movements matching the beast¡¯s own uncanny speed. The sand beneath her feet shifted and swirled with each step, as if the underworld itself was watching her.

    However, slowly but surely, Rhea knew that she could not keep up with the monster she faced for much longer. While the shadow beast was content with hurling its crimson blade at her with wanton abandon, the princess¡¯s breath became more beleaguered by the moment, her movement¡¯s becoming slightly more sloppy, her blade¡¯s edge seemingly becoming more dull by the second.

    You are losing, princess. a familiar voice echoed within Rhea¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Shut it you.¡± Rhea replied, desperately parrying the shadow beasts¡¯ attacks.

    I can help. the Night Terror said.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help!¡± Rhea exclaimed aloud. But just as she said those words, the shadow beasts¡¯ crimson blade shattered Rhea¡¯s sword.

    "Just my cursed luck," Rhea said through gritted teeth, her body weaving and ducking to avoid the relentless onslaught of the winged shadow beast¡¯s devastating blade strikes.

    But the moment when the winged abomination poised to strike Rhea down, a sudden surge of invisible power sent the creature hurtling away with a violent force. It was hurled so far into the distance that Rhea could no longer see where it went.

    "I thought you might need some assistance, Princess of Ishgria," a thunderous voice boomed from above.

    Turning her gaze toward the source of the voice, Rhea felt a wave of relief wash over her: Vhael, in all of his unholy splendor, had arrived. His twin pair of blackened wings were spread out in a majestic display, as if they could swallow all the sands of the underworld whole. His six pale arms shimmered with a vibrant red glow, mirroring the hue of the crimson moon hanging ominously in the sky. And yet, the princess could not help but feel something stirring within her.

    Kill the harbinger. A voice echoed within Rhea¡¯s mind, soon blaring aloud such that she could not hear anything else.

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    Vhael appeared unsurprised, the deathbringer knew what had become of Rhea, ¡°You must fight, princess, do not let it overtake you!¡±

    I believe it is too late for that, harbinger.

    ¡°I was afraid it would come to this,¡± the myriad of runes on Vhael¡¯s pale arms shimmered and flickered, pulsating with an otherworldly, pale light. With measured determination, the harbinger brought his six hands together in a seamless sequence, their movements fluid yet purposeful. As he completed the sequence, he slowly unfurled his hands, revealing blades made of blackened flames nestled in each of his palms.

    With a voice laced with somber resolve, Vhael spoke directly to the presence that had usurped the princess''s soul. "I know who you are, Night Terror, and I will not allow you to continue to possess the princess¡¯s body."

    The Night Terror smiled, slowly warping Rhea¡¯s form, now: a pair of bone white wings sprouted from her back. You are a hypocrite, deathbringer, I remember the first days of your exile here well, after you had sworn to never again tamper with the essence of life and death, and yet. The Night Terror paused briefly, their scarlet eyes locked onto Vhael¡¯s skull visage far above, You tried again, to save someone from escaping their destiny.

    Vhael swiftly descended onto the ground, his wings blasting away clouds of sand, he then slowly walked towards the Night Terror, readying his six blazing blades, ¡°If I didn¡¯t answer the princess¡¯s call, you would have, and I do not dare think of what could have happened to her if she met you instead of me.¡±

    Pillars of pale lightning struck the surrounding sands as the Night Terror¡¯s influence over Rhea grew ever stronger. The princess¡¯s form had warped even further, growing as large as the harbinger himself, now hosting a pair of hardened hooves which left deep crevices in the sands wherever they threaded, it would have made things much easier if you hadn¡¯t meddled in the underworld¡¯s will, harbinger, but alas: your interference ends here.

    As Vhael now stood only a few feet away from the Night Terror, he steeled his resolve. The task set before him was a difficult one, he needed to excise the monster which inhabited the princess¡¯s body while leaving her mostly intact. Then again, he hadn¡¯t much choice.

    Seizing the initiative, the harbinger unleashed a flurry of strikes, his six obsidian blades slashing through the air with lethal precision. Yet, the Night Terror evaded his onslaught with uncanny agility, leaving Vhael''s blade strikes to miss their mark, hitting the pale expanse of the desolate sands instead. As he lifted his swords, the sand beneath them formed into glass, etched with the imprints of his failed attempts.

    Are you sure you wish to save the princess, harbinger? Your blades are better suited to disintegrate her in my humble view. The Night Terror taunted, now having manifested its claws, it licked at its talons while its gaze never left Vhael, not even for a second.

    ¡°You are a durable creature, I¡¯m sure you can handle it.¡± Vhael voiced out sarcastically, twirling his swords and raising them to readiness once more.

    How kind of you. The Night Terror retorted, before lunging head first at the harbinger. Vhael swiftly sidestepped, narrowly evading the creature''s monstrous assault, before countering with a swift upward slash, his blades leaving trails of sizzling black flames in their wake. The Night Terror twisted in mid-air, its lithe form contorting to avoid the deadly arc. Its claws raked the earth, sending shards of glass-like sand scattering through the air.

    The harbinger pressed forward, he aimed a series of rapid strikes at the Night Terror''s flank, trying to create an opening for a more critical blow, but the creature¡¯s movements proved far too elusive. Each swing of Vhael''s blades was met with uncanny agility, as the Night Terror twisted, spun, and leapt, evading the onslaught with supernatural grace.

    Time seemed to warp as the two adversaries fought, their clash becoming closer to a blur of swirling forms. Each strike unleashed a wave of kinetic force, sending shockwaves rippling through the surrounding landscape. The sands of the underworld shifted and parted under the weight of their titanic struggle, bearing the scars of their relentless combat.

    Give up, harbinger, I will only become stronger the longer we do this. The Night Terror taunted, all the while dodging Vhael¡¯s attacks with ease.

    Vhael did not dignify the Night Terror with a response, still focused on ending their duel when the time is right. His rune-scarred arms still moved in rapid succession, maintaining a steady rhythm of attacks.

    Soon, the princess¡¯s form had become even more corrupted, its visage now reflecting the true form of the Night Terror: that of a wicked, demonic bat. This was what Vhael had been waiting for. It had taken slightly longer than he had anticipated, but he finally managed to draw out the Night Terror completely.

    While the Night Terror was too focused on dodging and parrying Vhael¡¯s black flame blades, the harbinger unleashed a powerful kick: knocking the creature prone on the ground, ¡°I hope this doesn¡¯t hurt you, princess¡± Vhael said aloud, charging towards the Night Terror who was still trying to regain their balance.

    The princess is go-AAARGH. The Night Terror screeched and reeled in pain as one of its wings were decapitated by one of Vhael¡¯s blackened blades: leaving a charred stump where the infernal sword connected. The Night Terror desperately flailed and thrashed against the harbinger, yet: its scything claws could never seem to touch Vhael¡¯s form. Instead, the Night Terror let out another blood curdling screech as Vhael cut off their last remaining wing with another strike of his blade, and then one arm, and then the other arm: until the Night Terror only had their head and legs remaining.

    Seeing his chance, Vhael dissipated a blade from one of his hands and immediately used it to grasp the Night Terror¡¯s head. ¡°By my will you shall be scattered back to the darkness where you came, I am Vhael: harbinger of ruin, and you shall heed my decree: Vax¡¯eri, ob¡¯sineratus.¡± And with those words, the Night Terror¡¯s form began to dissipate.

 Chapter 24: Shatter

    Soon, Rhea awoke, she was staring up at the black, starless sky: her body resting upon the pale sands underneath her. As more of her awareness returned, she felt a searing pain on her arms and back, causing her to yelp in pain.

    ¡°So you are awake, princess.¡± Vhael¡¯s voice boomed, staring down Rhea who was still laid on the ground.

    Rhea slowly tried to stand, falling back down every so often, her arms felt like butter, ¡°harbinger, I¡­why do I still have my arms?¡±

    ¡°I restored them after I restored you, the pain will subside soon.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, harbinger, I don¡¯t know what I would have done without your aid.¡± Rhea said, now finally able to stand up properly.

    "Save your gratitude, princess. We still have another threat to contend with," Vhael warned.

    "Understood. But, do you possess any weapon I could wield?"

    "No, and to be frank, I prefer you stay back and observe for the time being."

    "And why is that?" Rhea pressed.

    Vhael''s gaze remained fixed upon the oncoming winged abomination, ignoring Rhea¡¯s remarks, he knew that time was of the essence. With an air of grim determination, the deathbringer''s voice resonated with otherworldly power, as a cacophony of incantations emanated from his dragon-skull visage.

    Arcane energy crackled around Vhael, manifesting as ethereal tendrils of dark energy that twisted around his unholy form. As the winged shadow beast closed in, Vhael unleashed a focused surge of force, a blast of raw power that erupted from his outstretched palms.

    The wave of pure energy collided with the charging abomination, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The creature was forcibly repelled once more, its wings struggling to maintain balance as it was thrown off course. It spiraled through the air before crashing back down to the unforgiving ground below, a resounding thud echoing across the battlefield.

    Not wasting even a single second, Vhael continued his assault, his six hands moved with seamless precision, each gesture a calculated maneuver. Shadows swirled and coalesced above the fallen beast, battering the creature to the ground, until they converged into a massive obsidian black pillar that materialized with a deafening crackle of arcane energy.

    The pillar descended swiftly, like a merciless judge passing a final verdict. Its weight crashed down upon the struggling creature, trapping it beneath an immense force. The ground quivered as the pillar embedded itself into the sands of the underworld, ensnaring the winged abomination in a prison of complete black.

    Caught within the oppressive confines of Vhael''s spell, the creature thrashed and roared in futile defiance. It clawed and bit at its obsidian prison, desperate to break free. But the deathbringer''s magic held firm, unyielding in its grip.

    "Now, princess, is the time for you to play your part!" Vhael yelled out with urgency.

    Rhea''s eyes widened with confusion and concern as she watched Vhael. "Now? But you already have the creature subjugated," she responded, her voice tinged with confusion.

    Vhael''s hollow gaze pierced through Rhea''s incredulity. "Yes, but I do not want this creature, I want my daughter back," he declared, his voice laced with a mix of sorrow and determination.

    Rhea¡¯s breath caught in her throat as her mind began to process the truth that unfolded before her. "That... that is Remuria?" she said, her heart heavy with shock.

    "Yes, now hurry and go to her side," Vhael urged, his tone filled with a sense of urgency that brooked no delay.

    Driven by a surge of determination, Rhea sprinted toward Remuria. With each stride, her heartache intensified, unable to bear witness to the sight of her beloved transformed into a tormented monstrosity.

    Remuria''s twisted form convulsed and thrashed uncontrollably, devoid of any semblance of the vibrant soul that had once resided within her. Rhea''s eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her hands trembling with a mixture of apprehension and resolve as she approached the thrashing abomination.

    As the princess drew nearer, a flood of memories surged through her mind, she recalled the uncountable times Remuria would accompany her for even the most mundane tasks, how Remuria had always taken care of her, how Remuria was the first to weep for her.

    "What must I do now, harbinger?" Rhea''s voice trembled, her eyes locked onto Vhael, seeking guidance from the harbinger of ruin.

    A grave solemnity settled upon Vhael''s dragon skull visage as he met Rhea''s gaze. "You must wrestle the sword away from Remuria," he declared, the weight of his words resonating loud and clear.

    Rhea simply nodded in acknowledgment, "understood."

    The princess took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists. She approached Remuria, her heart heavy with a mixture of love, sorrow, and the unwavering belief that she could free her most cherished person from the grip of darkness.

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    "Remuria, it''s me, Rhea!" she called out, her voice carrying the weight of their shared memories. She reached out, her hand trembling, and grasped the hilt of the crimson sword with a firm grip. The air crackled with energy as she tugged at the weapon, her every ounce of strength focused on reclaiming it.

    Remuria''s form convulsed, her monstrous visage contorted, the shadows writhing as they fought to retain control. Yet, as Rhea''s grip tightened, a glimmer of recognition flickered in Remuria''s eyes. Her struggles momentarily ceased, as if a sliver of her true self emerged.

    With a heavy breath, Rhea wrenched the crimson sword from Remuria''s hand, breaking the connection that bound her to the darkness. In that instant, a radiant light burst forth, engulfing Remuria in its ethereal glow. The shadows that had once clung to her dissipated, revealing the delicate features of her human form.

    With Remuria cradled in Rhea''s arms, her breaths coming in shallow and erratic waves, the weight of their shared ordeal hung heavy in the air. Gently, Rhea brushed a strand of hair away from Remuria''s face, her touch tender and filled with a mixture of love and worry, whispering soothing words hoping to provide solace to her beloved.

    However, the silence was soon broken by Vhael''s voice, "We need to talk, princess," he said, his tone laden with a weighty significance.

    Rhea''s gaze met Vhael''s, she nodded, her expression a mix of readiness and apprehension. "I am open to speaking,¡±

    A momentary pause hung in the air as Vhael chose his words carefully. "The underworld''s grip on you has strengthened, I see."

    "I had no choice, harbinger," Rhea confessed, "it was either that or death."

    "Apologies, I am not here to judge your actions, princess, I was merely stating an observation." Vhael spoke, maintaining a neutral tone, "and at any rate, it seems the underworld has dug its claws into my daughter too," he muttered out, disappointment evident in his voice.

    "Did Remuria make a pact as I did?" Rhea asked.

    Vhael''s nod confirmed the princess¡¯s fears. "I would assume so," he admitted, "though, just like in your case, the underworld may have played a heavier hand. Consent is easy to get once you force someone to have no other feasible options."

    Rhea''s grasp on Remuria tightened, her fingers interlacing with a protective urgency. "I-no, we need to find a way to escape from this accursed place."

    As Rhea''s resolute gaze met the empty voids of Vhael''s eye-sockets, a somber understanding passed between them. "I concur, Princess," he affirmed, "but first, the sword."

    Rhea''s gaze shifted momentarily to the weapon at her side, Nemaia, its crimson blade shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, both alluring and foreboding. She hesitated, a glimmer of doubt clouding her eyes. "What of it?" she questioned.

    Vhael''s response held a measured caution, "I will assist you in shattering it," he offered, "though I cannot guarantee it will diminish the underworld''s influence upon you, I sense a malevolence lurking within that blade, it must be destroyed."

    Rhea''s gaze lingered upon Nemaia, there was a part of her that did not want to part with the blade, though she was unsure why. Yet, a sword that could possess Remuria of all people can¡¯t be good news. So, with a deep breath, Rhea handed the hilt of the crimson sword to the harbinger.

    Vhael''s pale hands wrapped around the hilt of Nemaia, a surge of power emanated from him, crackling with otherworldly energy. His hollow eyes seemed to flare with intensity as he began to channel a spell.

    A swirling vortex of shadowy essence enveloped the sword, tendrils of obsidian energy caressing its sharp edges. The sword trembled within a vortex of darkness, its form contorting and warping as its form struggled to maintain itself. And then, with a resounding blast, the sword shattered. Fragments of crimson metal scattered into the ether, their glimmering remnants fading into insignificance.

    "It is done," Vhael declared, sparks of arcane energy continued to flicker across Vhael''s rune-scarred arms as he spoke.

    Rhea felt an odd relief washing over her, "thank you, harbinger, for your assistance."

    "It was a small matter, Princess, considering what lies ahead. Now, let us turn our attention to the matter of your return to Ishgria." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed upon Rhea as he began to explain their next course of action. "There exists an ancient gate," he revealed, "Which was once capable of transporting numerous demons to the material realm. If you can find and activate it, you will have a path to your home."

    "You mentioned ''was''," Rhea interjected, "I assume there is a complication in this plan?"

    Vhael''s eyes shifted towards the crimson moon, its enigmatic allure drawing his attention. "Indeed," he admitted, his voice taking on a contemplative tone. "The gate is located there," he explained, pointing skyward to the distant celestial body.

    "Any idea on how we can get there?" Rhea asked.

    "I can take you there, alongside anyone else you wish to join you, getting there is not the issue," Vhael revealed.

    ¡°Is something protecting the gate?"

    "Correct," Vhael responded, his voice filled with a touch of amusement. "The gate is guarded by a dragon, one who I don¡¯t believe is keen to cooperate with anyone or anything"

    ¡°Wait, why do we need to cross a gate? Rhea interrupted, ¡°wasn¡¯t Remuria able to go to the material realm without using the gate?¡±

    ¡°Hers was an accident more than anything. It¡¯s usually almost impossible for any being to cross from the underworld into the realm of the living. You will need the gate in your case, princess, and that means facing the dragon who guards it.¡±

    A determined glint sparked in Rhea''s scarlet eyes, "I''ll still take my chances."

    ¡°I see.¡± Vhael muttered out, ¡°though, at any rate, you should return to aid the reavers should you still wish to bring them with you alive.¡±

    ¡°But what of Remuria?¡± Rhea asked, still cradling Remuria in her arms.

    Vhael extended one of his rune scarred arms to Rhea, ¡°You can leave her to me, I will not let any harm come to her.¡±

    The princess gently passed Remuria¡¯s body to Vhael, ¡°I shall return soon.¡±

 Chapter 25: Warnings

    Meanwhile, on another battlefield, the Red Reavers found themselves ensnared in a relentless barrage of shadow beasts. The reavers¡¯ battle cries echoed through the chaos, their determination undeterred even as fatigue gnawed at their limbs. Zia''s vibrant hair now clung damply to her forehead, her eyes weary with exhaustion. Despite this, she swung her twin blades with practiced precision, slicing through the nightmarish forms that lunged towards her with gnashing fangs and razor-sharp claws.

    Beside her, Sedris fought with an unrelenting fervor, his wraithbone glaive a deadly extension of his will. Yet, even the mightiest strikes from his weapon seemed to merely ripple through the never-ending tide of shadow beasts. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, and each breath became a struggle, his chest heaving with the weight of his exhaustion.

    ¡°Comrade Sedris, we can¡¯t keep this up any longer, or we¡¯ll start losing warriors!¡± One of the Red Reavers called out to Sedris, speaking in between bated breaths.

    ¡°Akon, you know well that retreat was never possible, just look at them.¡± Sedris spoke while stabbing at a shadow beast with his glaive.

    Zia and the vast majority of the Red Reavers were fully consumed by Morak¡¯s Frenzy. Their minds lost to the powerful allure of unbridled bloodlust. It was the purest state for a reaver to be in: allowing them to forget all but the heightened adrenaline from spilling blood. Even Sedris could barely resist the temptation now.

    ¡°Then what do you suggest we do? Die here?¡± Akon spat, thrusting his spear into a downed shadow beast.

    Sedris did not respond immediately, far too distracted with dealing with the horde of shadow creatures that blotted out his glaive, ¡°Just¡­hold¡­on¡± he muttered out.

    The Red Reavers kept slashing, stabbing, tearing away at their foes who seemed as uncountable like the grains of pale sand below them. Even those consumed by Morak¡¯s Frenzy had already begun showing signs of exhaustion.

    ¡°Comrade Sedris, behind you!¡± Akon yelled.

    ¡°What?¡± Sedris asked with beleaguered breath.

    That was when Sedris felt the full weight of a shadow beast slamming into him. The creature was large: easily at least 13 feet tall and with the weight of a stack of boulders. Sedris did not know how he did not see such a lumbering behemoth coming. How he was unable to dodge the creature¡¯s crippling blow. It should have been child¡¯s play to him: finest among the Red Reavers except maybe Zia. And yet, Sedris soon found himself half buried in pale sand, his legs unable to move. So this is how it ends. He thought to himself. He did not feel fear, only disappointment, going down without much of a fight was not the Red Reaver way.

    Sedris was ready to accept his fate. To die. To return to the sands. Yet, to his surprise, the fatal blow he had anticipated never came. Despite his blurred vision, he could discern that the once menacing shadow beasts had all but vanished, their presence reduced to mere fragments. In the periphery of his sight, a striking silhouette emerged, accompanied by the unmistakable shade of a Red Reaver¡¯s crimson cloak. The figure advanced steadily towards him, each step exuding an aura of great power. Sedris strained his eyes, struggling to perceive the identity of the stranger.

    However, what he could discern through his hazy vision was the mesmerizing spectacle of black wisps, remnants of the shadow beasts, converging and being inexorably absorbed into the stranger''s cloak. It was as though the stranger¡¯s cloak possessed an insatiable hunger, devouring the all of the shadow beasts whole.

    "You have done well, Sedris," a familiar voice echoed. Sedris glanced around, his eyes widening with disbelief, "princess?" he asked aloud.

    A smug smile curled upon Rhea''s lips as she stepped forward, revealing herself to Sedris."Yes, Sedris, it is I," she declared.

    Sedris, utterly bewildered, struggled to find words. "How...how did you do that?" he stammered.

    ¡°The deathbringer assisted me in¡­convincing the Night Terror to be more cooperative,¡± Rhea replied.

    ¡°So you have defeated the winged one as well?¡± Sedris asked, turning himself over as he prepared to stand.

    ¡°No, not quite, but it is no longer here.¡± Rhea said.

    Sedris had no desire to push the princess on the issue, instead, he looked around to see the state of the Red Reavers: Several have collapsed, many others are only standing by a thread. Even Zia could only not bring herself to stand on her two feet, she could only lay flat and let out exasperated pants of exhaustion.

    ¡°Fortunately, none of us died, the Red Reavers remain whole to fight another day.¡± Sedris commented.

    Rhea¡¯s gaze turned to the dozens of Red Reavers who were splayed out on the pale sands like fish in a market. Though they looked awfully pathetic now, they did just survive an assault like no other. I need to bring them to Ishgria. Rhea convinced herself. Even after all the time she spent in the underworld, the princess never lost sight of her original goal: to claim the Ishgrian Throne.

    Rhea walked so that she was only inches away from Zia¡¯s prone form. She could not help but let out a snicker as she saw Zia¡¯s helpless state, ¡°Well, well, aren¡¯t you looking awfully vulnerable?¡±

    Zia did not register the princess¡¯s words at all. Her mind was still lost, ¡°Kill¡­Maim¡­¡± she muttered out subconsciously

    ¡°Good talk,¡± Rhea commented sarcastically, ¡°now let¡¯s get you up.¡±

    As the princess hoisted Zia onto her shoulders, she could not help but smile, ¡°You¡¯re awfully heavy you know, maybe you should let go of your axes?¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± Zia blurted out weakly.

    Sedris chuckled softly as he looked at his sister''s limp form, still tightly clutching her axes. "Zia would sooner die than let go of her weapons, princess," he explained in an amused tone.

    Rhea couldn''t help but snort in kind. "That is evident," she said wryly. "Now, how about you help me take care of your other kindred as well?"

    "Can do, princess," Sedris replied, stepping forward to take Zia from Rhea''s arms.

    "I''ll leave your sister in your care, Sedris. I¡¯ll be going for a moment though, there is someone I need to speak to.¡±

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    Sedris nodded in understanding. "I see. Will you return to the camp after?"

    "I will, oh, and tell the others to wait at the camp as well."

    ¡°As you command, princess.¡± Sedris said back with a respectful bow.

    ***

    When Rhea returned to see Vhael, just outside of the Red Reaver¡¯s camp, she saw that the harbinger was sitting down on the pale sands: cradling Remuria with his rune scarred arms. It was an unwieldy sight, to see someone who appeared so monstrous act with compassion, and yet, Rhea knew that the harbinger¡¯s tender care for Remuria was genuine, something that resonated with her easily.

    ¡°How is Remuria doing now, harbinger?¡±

    "She is on the path to recovery, though her time spent as a shadow beast has left her drained," Vhael replied calmly.

    Rhea let out a relieved sigh, "I am glad to hear that."

    ¡°I am sure you have some questions, Princess of Ishgria, ask, and I shall answer.¡± Vhael offered, turning his dragon-skull visage to meet Rhea¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Seeing as there is no reason to beat around the bush, I shall begin: How did you find me, harbinger? One of the Red Reavers mentioned to me that clairvoyance and similar magics do not function here.¡±

    ¡°It is indeed true that clairvoyance and other such magics used to track souls are rendered almost completely useless within the underworld, however, there are exceptions.¡± Vhael explained, stroking his bony chin with one of his pale arms, ¡°I have placed a spell on my daughter long ago, when she was a child, it was a spell that allowed one to know the location of those to which they are bound together by blood. Remuria once chastised me for placing the spell on her, she said I was being too ¡®overprotective¡¯, but I knew better.¡±

    Understanding his point, Rhea nodded once more before pressing onward. "I see. Then my next question pertains to the dragons you mentioned. How can I find this creature?"

    ¡°As I mentioned before, he will be by a gate on the crimson moon, trust me, you will not be able to miss him.¡±

    ¡°You say this as if you will not be there, harbinger¡±.

    ¡°Because I will not, or rather, I cannot.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°I am of the underworld, bound to it since the first days of my exile, the crimson moon is not part of the underworld: unlike what one may assume.¡±

    ¡°So you can only take us to the moon, but not aid us?¡±

    ¡°That is correct, though, you have my daughter with you: I am sure you will do fine.¡±

    ¡°But wasn¡¯t Remuria able to go to the material realm on her own, why do we need a gate?¡±

    ¡°My daughter was a special case, her heritage allowed her to access power many others would find impossible. I can easily transport just you and my daughter to the material realm, but you wish for the Red Reavers to join you, no?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I need their aid.¡±

    ¡°In that case, you will need the gate.¡±

    Rhea paused, her eyes fixed on Vhael, as she prepared to pose another question. "If so, harbinger," she began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "why do you choose to help me now? Did you not previously say that mortals should shape their own destinies?"

    Vhael acknowledged the princess¡¯s query with a nod, "an astute observation, princess.¡± he complimented, ¡°regardless, those words I said to you before still hold true. You are no longer a mortal, after all, princess.¡±

    Rhea''s brows furrowed, "is this because of Remuria? Is that why you intervened to save me?"

    The harbinger paused for a moment. He considered how honest he needed to be to the princess. Yet, when he looked upon Remuria¡¯s prone form, Vhael found his answer, "indeed, my daughter¡¯s is the sole catalyst for my involvement. Please do not take offense, princess, but were it not for her, my interest in your well-being would be considerably diminished."

    A pang of melancholy swept over Rhea''s expression. "I have never experienced the love of a caring father. It must be a comforting feeling."

    Vhael¡¯s tone softened, becoming more gentle, his voice no longer booming like thunder, ¡°all mortals are born with different circumstances, princess: in many ways, you were fortunate to have been able to live in the lap of luxury. Compared to the vast majority of Ishgrian peasants, none could imagine living a life as you do.¡± Vhael said, ¡°However, you lacked the parental affection that so many children take for granted, it has scarred you, even now I sense the wounds of your upbringing have not healed.¡±

    ¡°I would hate you, harbinger, were it not for the fact that everything you said is true.¡± Rhea replied in resignation, ¡°Sometimes I am not sure why I seek the throne, why I bother with it all.¡±

    Vhael¡¯s hollow eye sockets scanned the princess¡¯s expression, ¡°that is a question only you can answer, princess. Only because it is also a question that you need to answer.¡± A faint gesture of hospitality accompanied Vhael''s next words. "Why don''t you sit beside me, princess? Standing must be exhausting," he offered.

    "Very well," Rhea acquiesced, weariness tugging at her limbs. "If you insist, harbinger." She lowered herself onto the pale sands, finding solace in the proximity of Vhael''s presence. It was an odd feeling, to feel so secure next to someone called the deathbringer. Rhea could barely resist the smile that tugged at her lips. I wonder if this is what having a real parent feels like? She thought to herself.

    ¡°Tell me, harbinger, how were you able to raise Remuria here? The underworld is an unkind place to say the least.¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°It was not easy raising a child in the underworld. Though my former status as a god helped to keep most away.¡± Vhael said, ¡°Remuria was the last thing Ixhana entrusted to me, and I intended to keep her safe at all costs.¡±

    Rhea''s curiosity grew, and she leaned in closer. "So, harbinger, where did you keep her? How did you manage to create a semblance of normalcy here?"

    Vhael''s voice carried a touch of pride. "Within this realm, I possess a small estate, a sanctuary that only those I trust¡ªand myself¡ªcan access. It offered a glimmer of hope, a space where I could raise my daughter with a semblance of normality."

    ¡°Then what of the time when Remuria escaped to the material realm?¡±

    ¡°What of it?¡±

    ¡°I¡­I was just surprised you allowed her to do that.¡±

    Vhael''s response was nonchalant. "Ah, yes, that incident. I was absent, and Remuria had been experimenting with her burgeoning magical abilities. One thing led to another, and the consequences unfolded. I trust you are aware of the ensuing events."

    Surprise filled Rhea''s eyes as she contemplated the harbinger''s response. "Are you not disappointed that Remuria sought me out in the material realm?"

    ¡°No, on the contrary, you were definitely one of the better things that could have happened to her. Can you imagine if she was teleported to an empty chasm or a bandit¡¯s hideout instead?¡±

    ¡°You make a fair point, harbinger.¡±

    ¡°I know you care for my daughter deeply, princess, and I respect that. Even if allowing her to be with you is putting her life at stake.¡±

    ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°It is nothing really, I¡¯m sure Remuria would scold me if I tried to stop her from following you.¡± Vhael said.

    ¡°That does sound like her.¡± Rhea replied with a chuckle, ¡°I¡¯m very grateful that she is in my life.¡±

    ¡°At any rate, princess, you should make haste and prepare for the next step of your journey: you do not have much time.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡± Rhea asked, her head tilted slightly.

    ¡°Because Ishgria is already no more.¡±

 Chapter 26: Ishgria Lost - Part 1

    Castle Arstella was a fortress constructed during Ishgria¡¯s infancy to defend the kingdom from raiding barbarians and other enemies from the far north. Now, it serves as a home for Queen Phaedra and the remnants of the royal guard, protecting them from the various rebel groups which had infested Ishgria ever since the death of the king.

    Harsh wintry winds carried with them a biting cold that constantly enveloped Castle Arstella. Yet, the fortress stood steadfast, unyielding against nature''s onslaught. Its walls, hewn from the rugged granite of the mountainside, remained mighty and imposing, even despite the fact that it was buried underneath layers of frost.

    But the true gem of Arstella was not something displayed so easily, hidden beneath various hatches, levers, and secret entrances, deep underground, laid the war room: a clandestine chamber that was carved out from sturdy bedrock, its walls were adorned with faded tapestries depicting grand battles and victories of ages past. The air within carried a distinct aroma of aged parchment, mixed with the scent of steel weaponry and flickering candle flames.

    At the heart of the war room stood a colossal oaken table, weathered by countless deliberations and heated debates. Its surface was etched with intricate maps, meticulously detailing the vast expanse of the realm and its surrounding territories. Miniature figurines, representing armies, fortresses, and crucial landmarks, were carefully positioned across the maps: usually, these figurines would be placed on maps of foreign nations or on the outskirts of Ishgria. Now, they are all placed at various points within Ishgria itself.

    Sir Falkner led a meeting within the War Room, with two other members of the royal guard and even the queen herself in attendance, ¡°and that is why we must meet Lord Agramond¡¯s forces at Frostbite Pass, we cannot allow him to lay siege to us, we will not survive long without supplies.¡± the knight commander explained.

    Commander Olmus, a veteran of the Varandus campaigns, was first to respond, ¡°With all due respect Sir, Lord Agramond¡¯s forces number over 3,000 while our own forces only number half of that at best, and you expect us to strike first?¡± His tone carried the chastising weight of decades of experience.

    ¡°Lord Agramond¡¯s forces consist mostly of only Varanian mercenaries, I¡¯m sure you of all people know that they have no experience fighting under the winter cold, Olmus.¡±

    ¡°It would be wise for us to not underestimate Varanian Soldiers, though they prefer to fight in the dry deserts of their homeland, they are still fierce fighters.¡± Olmus replied, stroking his graying beard. The veteran had seen first hand what the warriors of Varandus could do, for they had wrought utter devastation to Ishgrian forces before, a mistake that he was eager not to repeat.

    "I believe Sir Falkner''s assessment is valid," a grizzled woman with a scarred face interjected, her voice a testament to a life shaped by warfare. "We cannot afford to let Lord Agramond lay siege to us. Our supply line would be severed, and our survival would be in grave peril."

    ¡°Irina, please, this is not the time for us to throw away our men. We should only retaliate if and when Lord Agramond¡¯s forces come close to us¡± Olmus pleaded.

    ¡°Then what do you propose? That we sit here and die?¡± Commander Irina exclaimed, her voice booming throughout the war room like rolling thunder.

    "Enough, both of you!" Queen Phaedra commanded.

    Irina and Olmus ceased their debate immediately, ¡°Forgive us, your majesty.¡± they said in unison.

    Queen Phaedra¡¯s emerald green eyes were glued to the patchwork of maps and array of figurines arranged at the heart of the war room, ¡°It is of no matter, I just wanted to remind all of you that we are already pressed for time, so let us use it wisely.¡± she said, never once looking up to address the two commanders.

    ¡°Of course, your majesty.¡± Sir Falkner responded, ¡°do you have any concerns in mind?¡±

    ¡°In fact, I do, we have lost all of our battle mages since the start of the civil war, how can we possibly engage in warfare without magic users?¡±

    Olmus raised a hand. He was eager to show his usefulness to the queen.

    ¡°Commander Olmus, you may speak.¡±

    The aged veteran gave a respectful nod before speaking, ¡°thank you, your majesty. Pardon my crudeness, but from experience, I am aware that the Varanian¡¯s loathe magic almost as much as they loathe our beautiful nation.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Queen Phaedra asked aloud, her eyes glancing over all three commanders at the war room.

    ¡°It is indeed true.¡± Ireena stated, ¡°there was a time when Arstella housed several hundred of these Varanian mercenaries, something born out of necessity, I assure you all.¡± The grizzled commander did not hide her contempt for the Varanians in her tone, a common sentiment in Ishgria.

    Queen Phaedra¡¯s interest was piqued, ¡°care to elaborate, commander?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your majesty, around a decade ago, Castle Arstella had a shortage in its garrison which needed to be filled, lest the Ishgrian north be beset by savages. So in desperation, I authorized the hiring of Varanese mercenaries, at least temporarily.¡±

    ¡°And you spoke with these mercenaries?¡±

    Irina gave a polite nod of affirmation, ¡°only out of necessity, from what I gathered, Olmus¡¯s words are true, their nation chastises the use of magic due to it violating some vague honor code they have.¡±

    ¡°In that case, I believe I have our plan.¡± Queen Phaedra muttered aloud, her eyes scanning the many maps in front of her.

    Her finger soon pointed toward a mountainous region on the outskirts of the Ishgrian North, marking a crucial point on a map. "What if we engage Lord Agramond''s forces here instead?"

    While Irina and Olmus contemplated their answers, Sir Falkner offered his opinion without hesitation, ¡°Forgive me for questioning your wisdom, your highness, but I highly doubt any reasonable commander would lead their forces to an engagement at Arisine¡¯s Pass: it¡¯s terrain is rough and there are many narrow passes which will slow down troop movement considerably.¡±

    ¡°Sir Falkner, you make an excellent point.¡± Queen Phaedra commended, ¡°however, I know my foolish cousin much more than you do. He is an arrogant imbecile who would sooner seek glory in battle than listen to reason. If we can send out a smaller force to lure him into an engagement at Arisine¡¯s Pass, victory is ours.¡±

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    ¡°I have heard of Lord Agramond¡¯s¡­reputation from some of my soldiers before, if this is true, then we will have an easy battle on our hands.¡± Irina commented, a smile breaking on her visage.

    ¡°I must admit that I¡¯ve heard similar things as well,¡± Olmus chimed in with a reluctant sigh, ¡°Last I heard he commanded an entire battalion of cavalry to charge to their deaths at the battle of Marven.¡±

    Queen Phaedra''s gaze shifted from person to person, her voice infused with determination as she assigned the crucial tasks that lay ahead. "Commander Olmus, I implore you to lead a small contingent of veterans from the Varandus campaign. Your firsthand experience with the Ishgrian cavalry will be invaluable in luring Lord Agramond''s forces into Arisine''s Pass."

    "I shall fulfill your request, Your Highness," Olmus affirmed.

    Turning her attention to Irina, the queen continued, "commander Irina, I entrust you with the soldiers who were born and raised in the Ishgrian north. Position them strategically in Arisine''s Pass, giving priority to archers and those skilled with the bow."

    "Understood, Your Highness," Irina replied.

    Finally, Queen Phaedra addressed Sir Falkner, her tone firm yet filled with trust. "Sir Falkner, I task you with leading the remaining royal guard. Intercept the bulk of Lord Agramond''s forces at Arisine''s Pass."

    "As you command, Your Highness," Sir Falkner responded.

    "Provided that everything is clear and understood, and if there are no further inquiries, you are all dismissed. You may depart first. I shall remain here for a while longer," Queen Phaedra concluded.

    As the three soldiers paid their respects to the queen and left, Queen Phaedra was left alone in the war room: her mind thrumming with near endless possibility. While the queen was a patron of the arts: sponsoring renowned poets and masterful artists frequently, few knew that she also considered warfare an art all of its own. Before arriving in Ishgria, Phaedra was raised in a nation surrounded by many enemies, and so she was taught from a young age in the disciplines of warfare, when her future husband would come to lay siege to her former castle: a young Phaedra was the one to organize the defense, holding out for weeks before being breached by King Hadaron¡¯s forces.

    It frustrated the queen deeply, that she was forced to retreat north when the late king passed. Many among the noble courts had always been waiting for King Hadaron to die without a legitimate heir, so that they may carve out Ishgria into their own domains. Phaedra despised her cousins almost as much as she despised her daughter. She knew that many of her relatives were vultures who were willing to do anything to gain power: even if it meant tearing Ishgria asunder.

    Queen Phaedra took a deep breath before standing up. Her mind filled with uncertainty. Though she projected confidence in her earlier meeting with her commanders, she knew that the best laid plans are seldom executed perfectly. The queen knew that her forces, though experienced, were small in number and cannot be replenished easily. She knew that there was a chance that Agramond would actually listen to his generals. She knew that if she were to lose at Arisine¡¯s Pass, that her life and all of her future ambitions would be forfeit. Despite this, Phaedra knew that this was her greatest chance of survival: now, she can only hope that things go to plan.

    ***

    Sir Falkner laid in hiding alongside roughly five hundred soldiers. All of whom forsook their metal armor in favor of winter cloaks to better weather the freezing cold and allow for greater maneuverability. They were all hidden in between the multitude of snow capped pine trees which dotted the landscape. Just behind them were Commander Irina¡¯s soldiers: nine hundred strong, mostly consisting of marksmen, their numbers swelled thanks to volunteers from civilians who were willing to join the militia in service to the queen.

    All among the Ishgrian ranks waited in patient silence. Though not all of them shared an equal reverence to Queen Phaedra, none of them wanted Castle Arstella to fall to Lord Agramond. The Lord had a reputation for being a greedy despot, a tyrant who cared only to enrich himself and his peers without any care for the common man. What¡¯s worse, he was known to be an incompetent leader, often enacting policies which serve only to enrich himself in the short term: against all common sense. To the people who lived around and within Castle Arstella, almost any other person with a pulse would be a more preferable leader than Lord Agramond.

    And then, as if the world held its breath, the long-awaited moment arrived. On the far-reaching horizon, ethereal figures gradually materialized, gaining size and clarity with every passing second. The silhouettes transformed into majestic horses, their forms growing larger against the backdrop of the vast expanse. It was none other than Olmus, the indomitable commander, and his valiant cavalry, executing a strategic ruse of feigned retreat. All who watched knew that battle was coming soon: Lord Agramond''s forces were not far behind.

    Soon enough, the thunderous hooves of hundreds of horses could be heard echoing throughout Arisine¡¯s pass.  The earth trembled beneath the relentless pounding of mighty hooves as the booming noise grew louder and louder.  It was Lord Agramond''s cavalry, their numbers neared  a thousand soldiers, trailing behind the forces of Commander Olmus. Yet, there was something off about them, something that made them appear weaker and less imposing than one would expect.

    It became clear that they were struggling to navigate the treacherous terrain and frigid winter weather, which was alien to them. It was only natural, for they were Varanian mercenaries, they were not used to their heavy winter clothing hindered their movement, and they struggled to control their horses. In stark contrast, Commander Olmus''s cavalrymen appeared nimble and graceful, moving with a fluidity that defied the harsh winter conditions. They were agile and surefooted, displaying clear mastery over the surrounding terrain. Commander Olmus¡¯s soldiers consisted solely of veterans from his old cavalry battalion, men and women who trained with horses from the Ishgrian North since youth, who were well known for their increased endurance and strength compared to other breeds.

    With Commander Olmus at the helm, the Ishgrian cavalry galloped with ease, their determination carrying them deep into the heart of Arisine''s pass, a narrow passage fraught with peril. Behind them, their relentless pursuers clung to their heels, refusing to relent.

    Completely blind to what was planned for them, the Varanian mercenaries ventured further into the confining passage, chasing the Ishgrian cavalry with an unrelenting desperation. And then, on Commander Irina¡¯s signal: the first volley came. Hundreds of arrows poured from the skies like heavy rain, decimating most of the Varanian ranks immediately, turning most of them and their horses into nothing more than arrow-marked corpses.

    Meanwhile, emerging from the shadows, Sir Falkner led the remaining Ishgrian ground forces with unwavering resolve. They surged forward like a tidal wave, their battle cries piercing the air. The Ishgrians slaughtered the remaining Varanian warriors with ease, many of whom had still not fully comprehended what had just happened to them. Though some fought desperately until the end: it was all futile, Sir Falkner¡¯s forces had managed to completely annihilate their opposition.

    After the skirmish, the Ishgrians thought to compose themselves and reorganize once more, preparing for a counter-attack. However, their eyes widened with disbelief as a breathtaking sight unfolded before them. Emerging from the horizon, a vast multitude of soldiers and mounted cavalry advanced with relentless intensity. It was the rest of  Lord Agramond''s army: all Varanian mercenaries who were as inexperienced fighting in winter as their fallen predecessors. The Ishgrians could not believe their luck, the foolish lord was so blinded by pride that he was willing to send his warriors to die.

    The Ishgrians stood at the ready, tense and focused as they awaited the next wave of attackers. Their eyes were fixed upon the entrance to Arisine¡¯s Pass. As the ranks of Varanian mercenaries ventured deep into the passage, Irina commanded her archers to unleash a torrent of arrow fire. Decimating many of Lord Agramond¡¯s soldiers, who unceremoniously dropped to the snowy terrain below like flies.

    Yet, undeterred by the devastating barrage, the Varanians pressed on, seeking to break through the Ishgrian defenses. However, they soon found themselves facing a wall of steel, as Sir Falkner and the Ishgrian ground forces surged forward, their blades glinting in the sunlight. The mercenaries were quickly cut down, their bodies falling in heaps upon the rocky ground.

    Those who managed to flee the deadly melee were not safe for long. Commander had positioned his troops to flank the retreating mercenaries, and now they galloped forward with reckless abandon, their horses thundering across the terrain. The Varanian, their nerves frayed and their morale shattered, tried desperately to escape. But the Ishgrian cavalry easily rode them down, trampling them underfoot, cutting them down with swords and lances, and putting an end to their futile attempts at escape.

 Chapter 27: Ishgria Lost - Part 2

    When the Ishgrian soldiers returned to Castle Arstella: they were given a hero''s welcome. The faces of the Ishgrian people seemed to brighten at the sight of their returning men and women. Queen Phaedra had invited those who lived surrounding Castle Arstella to enter the fortress to celebrate. Before long, the sound of cheers and applause echoed through the snow-covered courtyard, as banners bearing the Ishgrian Falcon snapped in the brisk wind.

    As the soldiers dismounted from their horses, Queen Phaedra herself emerged from the castle doors to greet them. Dressed in fine furs and silks, she looked every inch the powerful ruler of Ishgria. She embraced each of her commanders first: Sir Falkner, Commander Olmus, and Commander Irina, thanking them for their bravery and leadership, and then turned to thank the soldiers themselves.

    Her voice rang out clear and strong, ¡°Our valiant warriors have returned victorious, let us celebrate in their honor!¡± she exclaimed, praising the soldiers for their courage and victory over Lord Agramond¡¯s forces.

    Inside the castle walls, a grand feast had been prepared, the smell of roasted meats filled the air. Soldiers ate and drank heartily, their spirits high thanks to the knowledge that they had been victorious. Sir Falkner regaled them with tales of the battles they had fought, while Commander Irina spoke of the strategy and tactics that had led them to victory.

    Commander Olmus, meanwhile, stood apart from the festivities. His mind was focused on their mission and the challenges that still lay ahead. In a dimly lit room deep in the castle, he stood huddled with his soldiers around a large table, studying maps and discussing tactics. The old veteran always had a habit of skipping post battle festivities, to the chagrin of the men and women who served with him.

    Still, as the day wore on and the wine flowed freely, most of the soldiers were able to sing and dance. Queen Phaedra herself joined in, laughing and twirling with her subjects. For a few brief hours, the realities of war and winter were forgotten, and the Ishgrian soldiers celebrated their triumph with all the joy and enthusiasm they could muster.

    By night time, Queen Phaedra was jubilant, but exhausted. Her constitution had never been the best, even before the break of the civil war. In her private chamber, the queen commenced her bedtime preparations. She changed to her night gown: woven with threads of fine silk, adorned with intricate embroidery in shades reminiscent of traditional Ishgrian heraldry.

    As she approached an ornate vanity table, Queen Phaedra caught her reflection in the mirror. Her face bore the signs of fatigue, with faint lines etched upon her regal visage. With a serene determination, she slowly removed her intricately braided crown, placing it gently upon a velvet cushion, allowing her aching brow to experience a long-awaited respite.

    The queen then moved towards her grand four-poster bed, with a soft sigh of relief, Queen Phaedra nestled herself amidst the plush pillows and soft blankets, the burdens of life momentarily lifted from her shoulders. As she closed her eyes, the flickering candlelight and the soft silence of Castle Arstella, provided a gentle lullaby to accompany her sleep. Or at least, that was her plan.

    In reality, the queen tossed and turned on her bed for hours. Paranoia was a close friend of the queen, though it was not a relationship born out of thin air. Ever since her marriage to King Hadaron, the queen became a target to many: from those who sought her approval and endorsement to those who sought to blackmail and threaten her. She has narrowly escaped several assassination plots in her lifetime, both from outsiders and from Ishgrian nobles. Queen Phaedra knew that if she were to let her guard down, the power which she desperately clung onto could evaporate in seconds. Now, that threat came from her relatives and their allies who sought to capture and likely execute her. A dreadful possibility which left the queen sleepless on most nights since the start of the civil war.

    ***

    A few days passed without incident. All appeared well, until Queen Phaedra received the news she had been dreading to hear: Lord Agramond was bringing a new wave of soldiers to the forefront, and this time he was to be joined by Lord Gyrus: another prominent noble and second cousin to the queen. What¡¯s worse, the queen had heard rumors that Lord Gyrus had managed to acquire several combat mages to join his ranks.

    Fortunately for the queen, she had managed to rescue some of her personal retinue of mages when she escaped from the capital, although, none of them could use combat magic, for Queen Phaedra was always paranoid of having someone with such lethal capabilities close to her. Yet, the queen¡¯s mages were all still knowledgeable about the arcane arts and of mystical rituals to beseech the gods for aid. In a state of escalating urgency, Queen Phaedra rallied her mages to an emergency meeting within the war room.

    ¡°Are you all aware of why I have called each of you here?¡±

    The three mages which gathered in the room looked at each other for a brief moment. Then, one of them spoke, ¡°Yes, your majesty, and we are still unsure if it would be wise to execute your plan.¡±

    Queen Phaedra let out a loud sigh, ¡°Ishgria is at stake here, I was hoping all of you could see that.¡±

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    ¡°Forgive us for questioning your wisdom, your majesty,¡± one of the mages voiced, ¡°but conducting the ritual you have in mind with only three mages is highly dangerous.¡±

    ¡°And? If you wish to sit here and wait until Castle Arstella is under siege, you are welcome to do so.¡± Queen Phaedra chastised in an annoyed tone, ¡°but if you still wish to live and see Ishgria restored once more, then you will listen to what I ask of you all.¡± she warned, glaring daggers at the mages before her.

    The three mages began to whisper amongst themselves, contemplating their next response. All of them owed their livelihoods to the queen¡¯s patronage long before the Ishgrian Civil War, even until the present day. It was thanks to her that they could continue to conduct their research without having to be drafted to the Ishgrian military. After a few brief minutes, where Queen Phaedra¡¯s contemptful gaze watched over them: one of the mages spoke, ¡°We will do as you wish, your majesty.¡±

    The queen smiled, pulling at a book from a nearby shelf. A loud rumbling echoed throughout the war room, as bedrock split apart: revealing a set of iron doors where there was once only a rocky wall.

    ¡°Excellent, now follow me, then do what you must.¡± Queen Phaedra invited, a smile tugging at her lips.

    The queen guided her personal retinue of mages past the iron doors. The grand chamber that unfolded before their eyes bore testament to its purpose: a sanctuary intricately crafted to honor the arcane arts. Expansive rows of sturdy shelves stretched across the vast expanse, hosting countless tomes and codices, repositories of wisdom carefully amassed over generations of Ishgrian mages. Glass vials, shimmering with strange substances, lay scattered carelessly amidst an array of alchemical instruments, the aftermath of fervent experimentation that had once transpired in times long past.

    At the heart of the chamber, an ornate altar stood as a focal point of their intricate ritual. Its surface, painstakingly carved with intricate sigils and glyphs, pulsed with latent power. Arrayed around the altar were meticulously arranged artifacts: crystals pulsating with ancient energy, rare herbs and potions collected from distant lands, and vials of strange shimmering liquids.

    The mages rushed to make preparations for the ritual, dusty parchments bearing ancient incantations were carefully unfurled, materials were meticulously arranged, and the ritual site consecrated for good fortune. With each step taken, every component delicately placed, the mages intensified their focus. Their hands traced patterns through the air, weaving invisible threads of power. Methodical chants spilt from their lips, beseeching the gods for aid. They wished that the gaze of the gods would fall upon them, that the gods would take pity upon them, and give them strength.

    The ritual was a complicated one, for it was created for the sole purpose of allowing a person to commune directly with the gods, if only briefly. Very rarely had such a ritual been done in Ishgria¡¯s history, for scholars have warned of the risks that come with attempting to breach into the realm of the gods, even if it was simply to ask for aid. Yet, Queen Phaedra¡¯s fears meant that the mages under her command were willing to go against the warnings they were taught since youth. They were prepared to oblige the whims of their liege, no matter the result.

    Soon, the mages began to chant, to mark the start of the ritual. They did so for an entire hour, their voice increasing in zeal and devotion as they hoped for the gods to answer their call. Yet, despite the fact that every element of the ritual had been painstakingly prepared, as the ritual progressed, a sense of unease began to creep over all who were within the chamber.

    Even the queen, who had no experience with the arcane herself, could feel that a strange presence was lurking close to her and the mages under her service. It was something that felt so close yet so far. An entity both material and immaterial in nature. Though Queen Phaedra did not understand what she was experiencing, a part of her knew that danger was imminent.

    The queen stood helplessly, her gaze fixated on the alarming sight unfolding before her, insidious black tendrils slithered out from the shadows, entwining themselves around the legs of her mages. Ethereal sparks of pale lightning began to dance erratically, momentarily illuminating the ritual site before fading back into darkness. Then, with an anguished gasp, one of her mages collapsed, crumpling to the ground, their strength and vitality abruptly snuffed out.

    As the ritual faltered, a strange, eldritch energy filled the air, causing the queen and her mages to choke in its presence. They were all brought to their knees, unable to bear the ominous weight of the strange, dark power. The queen''s heart pounded in her chest, a rhythm echoing in her ears as panic seized her. Desperation etched deep lines upon her face, and her once steady hands trembled uncontrollably. She tried to speak, to utter words of command or plea, but her voice was caught in her throat.

    And then came the black mist, which filled the room until it was almost entirely swallowed in darkness. Queen Phaedra could not feel, see, or even smell anything. All she knew was that she was somehow swallowed into the abyss, unable to escape, unable to make it out. She cursed the weakness of her mages. How dare they fail me? She convinced herself that she did nothing wrong, that everyone else around her were fools who should have adhered to her vision sooner. None of this would have happened if those imbeciles listened to me the first time. She thought to herself, never once did the thought of taking any semblance of personal responsibility for her actions crossed her mind. No, she is a queen, someone exalted amongst all other men and women save for the king. But now the king was dead, and only she remained.

    As Queen Phaedra drifted aimlessly through the inky black which surrounder her. She managed to pick up the trace whispers of a voice, one that seemed eager to call out to her. Do you wish for power, mortal? The voice spoke softly, in a tone which brought great pleasure to the queen¡¯s ears. Though she could not speak, deep in her mind, she wished for the voice to speak louder. So you do wish for power, very well, I shall grant you your heart¡¯s desire.

 Chapter 28: Ishgria Lost - Part 3

    Ishgria found itself consumed by an endless night. The skies themselves were blotted out: replaced by an inky black. There were no clouds, no stars, no sun: only the dim light of a small, pale moon. A disquieting stillness held sway over the land, as even birds dared not fly into the ethereal expanse of perpetual night. Terror gripped the hearts of the common folk, their eyes helplessly transfixed upon the unimaginable calamity that had befallen their realm.

    Castle Arstella bore the brunt of Phaedra¡¯s mistake. The once majestic fortress now laid in ruins, its rubble infused with a dark, crackling energy, which caused the shattered stones to emanate a sinister glow. The air throughout the broken castle was now filled with a thick miasma that would choke any living creature that tried to enter. No life could possibly survive in the ruins of Arstella, and yet, there were all too many ¡°people¡± who tread its surface.

    Warped, maligned, scarred, these are just some of the words that are most aptly used when describing the poor souls who walked in the ruins of Arstella. The castle was now home to chimeras: monstrous humanoid entities that appeared as if they were the result of a mad mage trying to fuse several humans together. Each one of the chimeras bore multiple sets of heads, dozens of arms and legs, and eyes that covered almost every inch of their bodies. To be a chimera was a pitiful existence: where one is forced to walk in constant pain as they desperately wrestled for control over a shared body against the wills of many others. It meant being tortured by the pained screams of dozens of people whose heads have been joined together, constantly screaming together, causing others to scream in turn. To be a chimera was to not live at all.

    Sir Falkner wasn¡¯t sure where he was, all he knew was that he had been trying to get as far away as possible from Castle Arstella for quite some time. The Knight Commander found it difficult to track how far he had gone, or where he was going, for it seemed that the landscape around him had changed so much. Where the Ishgrian north was once home to droves of snow-capped pine trees, crystal clear rivers, and small animals who would call the land their home. Now, there was none of that left. The pine trees that once dotted the landscape all appeared as if they were shriveled up and left to die centuries ago, their ashen bark crippling under the slightest touch. The once clear rivers were now flowing with a disgusting blackened liquid, one that smelled so rancid it made sewer water seem like perfume in comparison. None of the animals seemed to change at least: for none of them survived.

    It was ironic, to Sir Falkner: he was the Hero of Ishgria, but now, his homeland was as unfamiliar to him as his name would be to the barbaric tribes of the far north. Alas, it did not matter. The knight commander knew that all he needed to do was to keep walking. He needed to escape, to get away, to run. Of course! Sir Falkner thought to himself, running was the key. He needed to return to Ishgria as fast as possible so that he could alert any survivors of what had happened. Yes, he must run.

    Running was so easy. Sir Falkner could feel the chilling breeze of miasmic air waft through him as he ran at a pace he never thought was possible. The knight commander felt exhilarated, he was moving incredibly fast: faster than even when he was on horseback. At this pace, Sir Falkner knew that he could make it back to the capital of Ishgria in just a few hours. There, he must find survivors, allies, anyone else at all.

    After some time, Sir Falkner began to notice some oddities. First of all, his point of view from the ground seemed much higher than before. He had always been a tall man, yet, it was jarring to see that the ground looked so distant than what he was used to. Yet, the knight commander dismissed this as just his mind playing tricks on him. It must have been all that miasma from before. He thought to himself. And so, he continued to run.

    Run. Run. Run. That was all Sir Falkner could think of, and he was so close, so very close, his destination was near. When he would reach the capital, all he needed to do was tell the guards to let him in, for he was bearing urgent news. Yes, they would surely understand his predicament and skip all the usual niceties and bureaucracy. It was only natural after all, for them to let him in, he was the Hero of Ishgria, who slew countless enemies on his sword. My sword? Sir Falkner was confused, he could not find his weapon of choice anywhere. He frantically tried to look around and scan his surroundings for any trace of his blade: nothing.

    Fortunately, when the knight commander turned to look downwards, he found his sword! In fact he saw that he had many swords. They were odd-looking, yes: all crooked and curved, and covered in a strange leathery hilt. But it was of no matter, he found his weapons, and now he will be prepared for the hunt. Yes, the hunt, it was the entire reason he wanted to return to the capital. It was his sole purpose for existing. He needed to eat, for he was hungry. It was natural for any living thing to want to eat, and out of all the things Sir Falkner enjoyed, he knew that a hearty serving of human flesh would be most delightful to his palate.

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    ***

    The heart of Ishgria: the capital, was in a state of utter chaos. Though the skies above were devoid of any features apart from an endless void, the situation on the ground could not be in higher contrast. Tens of thousands of people were frantically scurrying throughout the streets, while those with carriages or horses were all too eager to trample over any who had the misfortune of getting in the way. It was every man, woman, and child for themselves. There was no room for sympathy, everyone was afraid.

    ¡°Heather, come on, we need to go!¡± exclaimed a gruff, middle aged man, desperately trying to saddle a woman onto a horse.

    ¡°Sorry dear, I¡­ I don¡¯t feel so good.¡± the woman replied weakly, still struggling to raise herself onto the saddle.

    The man continued to desperately try to push her onto her saddle, ¡°Come on just a bit more! I swear by my family name that I will get my wife out of this blasted city!¡±

    ¡°Thank you¡­ Fritz.¡± the woman muttered out, just barely able to sit on the horse.

    ¡°There, hold on tight to me dear, we¡¯re getting out of this.¡± Fritz declared, raising himself onto his horse, before grabbing the reins. With a swift motion, the man set his horse running. It was just in time too, for when the man looked back: a mob of people had just turned the corner to where he and his wife were. Horses were all too valuable in a time when everyone wanted to run as fast as possible.

    Fritz was a simple man, but he felt as if life held a grudge against him at times. Just a few years ago he lost his only son: Joey, and right after he had just seen him blossom to adulthood. It was a painful experience for him. Fritz loved his son dearly, and his son was a golden child. Always wanting to help, if a little clumsy. Yet, he knew that it was Heather: his wife, that suffered the most through it all. She was nigh-unconsolable when Joey passed, it took several months before her tears would stop. Even after that, Fritz noticed that Heather became sick much more easily than before, catching colds more often, having higher fevers here and there, and whatever ailment she had now which caused her to cough blood.

    Fritz could not help but let out a bitter laugh as he rode across the Ishgrian capital. How was it fair that life seemed all too content to take away from him all that he held dear. He was always devoted to the gods, eager to help his fellow man, and a gentle person at heart. Fritz tried to live a simple life without much ambition but that of happiness, and yet, he now felt as if he was paying the price for some old sin he committed in the past: or perhaps, the sin of whoever caused the catastrophe that now beset Ishgria. So lost was Fritz in his thoughts, that he did not notice when his horse stopped moving suddenly: causing his wife to fall off his horse.

    ¡°Heather!¡± Fritz exclaimed, a pained expression wracking his visage.

    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m alright, dear.¡± Heather replied in a pained voice, she had injured her knee in the fall, and was clutching it tightly.

    Fritz immediately dismounted from his horse, ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll get you back up,¡± he said, placing one of Heather¡¯s arms over his shoulder.

    ¡°Ok, slowly, slowly, slo-,¡± Fritz froze, fear seeping into his very core at what he saw.

    Mere steps ahead loomed an immense, colossal creature. Its towering form eclipsed even the loftiest of buildings, casting a darkened shadow upon Fritz''s trembling figure, its ebony fur mirroring the ink-black skies above. A grotesque fusion of wolf and nightmare, the beast had a multitude of eyes that constantly swirled and glared in every direction. Rows upon rows of teeth, dwarfing the claymores once brandished by passing knights, lined its gaping maw. Before Fritz stood a monstrous entity, a grotesque amalgamation born from the depths of his deepest fears, as if every monster he had ever known coalesced into a single abomination.

    Agony lanced through Fritz''s body, causing him to convulse violently, coughing up rivulets of blood. Gritting his teeth, he mustered the courage to cast his gaze downward, only to behold the wolf-like monstrosity impaling him with a menacing claw. Lifted high into the air, he dangled helplessly, a plaything for the creature''s insatiable hunger. Through its yawning maw, Fritz caught a harrowing glimpse of the beast''s stomach. This was to be his final act, the culmination of a life destined to fade into oblivion, remembered by no-one: not his son, not his wife, nobody.

 Chapter 29: Farewell

    Rhea and Remuria rested inside a tent nestled in the heart of the Red Reaver camp. Remuria had only awakened a few minutes ago, her mind still haunted by the torment she endured as a shadow beast. With tender care, Rhea sought to console her, delicately running a makeshift brush through Remuria''s silvery hair. crafted from a mysterious, charred wood.

    "Feeling any better?" Rhea asked gently.

    "I''d like to think so," Remuria replied with a soft chuckle, "but I never want to go through that ordeal again."

    Rhea couldn''t help but laugh in response. "I''m with you on that. It''s definitely not a pleasant experience to turn into a monster."

    Suddenly, Remuria''s expression changed, her weariness evident. "We need to leave. Bringing you here was a mistake."

    "It''s not your fault," Rhea reassured, resting her head on Remuria''s shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that, I never planned for any of this.¡±

    ¡°Plans don¡¯t always go as well as¡­planned, right?¡±

    "Nothing ever goes as planned when it involves you," Remuria half-joked, tilting her head to look at Rhea. "Want to know why I brought you here in the first place? My original plan?"

    "Enlighten me," Rhea teased.

    "I wanted to introduce you to my father, have him acknowledge you in a more formal way, and then ask for his assistance once you proved yourself," Remuria explained with a heavy sigh.

    Rhea smirked. "Well, technically, I did meet Vhael."

    "I guess you''re right," Remuria admitted, turning to rest her head on Rhea''s lap.

    "By the way, he mentioned that we should return to Ishgria as soon as possible," Rhea revealed.

    "What did he say?" Remuria inquired.

    "He mentioned something about Ishgria being no more."

    Remuria raised a brow, "You¡¯re awfully nonchalant about this."

    ¡°I just don¡¯t know what he means exactly.¡± Rhea shrugged, part of her still wondered if Vhael was speaking metaphorically.

    ¡°I doubt my father is being hyperbolic, we need to go, now.¡±

    Rhea frowned slightly, ¡°fine, but can we stay like this for a few minutes longer? It¡¯s been so long since I last saw you.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ***

    When Rhea and Remuria left their tent, Sedris was the first to meet them, ¡°I hope you are in good health, princess, and you are?¡±

    "Princess, I hope you are in good health," Sedris greeted cordially. His gaze then turned to Remuria, and he gracefully bowed. "And you¡­miss, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

    Remuria returned the greeting with a nod and a warm smile, ¡°thank you,¡± she said, her eyes studying Sedris¡¯s form. With his composed demeanor, he was not someone she expected would be a part of the Red Reavers.

    "Thank you, Sedris. I appreciate your assistance," Rhea acknowledged as well.

    Sedris nodded, his attention focusing solely on Rhea. "The deathbringer wishes to see you, princess, he emphasized its importance."

    Rhea''s brows furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "I will see him. Where can I find him?"

    "Just outside the camp, at the second entrance," Sedris explained, extending his finger to indicate east.

    "Thank you, Sedris. I''ll make my way there immediately," Rhea affirmed.

    Before Rhea departed, Sedris hesitated for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Ah, princess, before you go..."

    Intrigued, Rhea turned to Sedris, ¡°yes?¡±

    But Sedris stopped himself, he shook his head, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. "Nevermind, apologies for distracting you," he bid Rhea and Remuria farewell before turning away.

    Once Sedris had vanished from sight, Remuria turned to Rhea, her curiosity getting the better of her. "He is... rather well-mannered for a Red Reaver," she remarked, her voice laced with a touch of surprise. "It is rather jarring to see."

    Rhea arched an eyebrow, "you''re familiar with the Red Reavers?"

    Remuria nodded, "yes, it is hard not to be familiar with them if you''ve spent a long enough time in the underworld. I was under the impression they were ruthless barbarians who only know of slaughter."

    "They are that, yes. But Sedris has always seemed to me to be more nuanced than the rest of his kindred." Rhea said.

    Remuria''s lips curled into a wry smile. "I''ll take note of that. Never thought I''d be working together with the Red Reavers, but I suppose we are in unusual times."

    Venturing outside of the Red Reaver camp, Rhea and Remuria stepped onto the pale sands of the underworld. And eventually, their eyes fell upon the figure that awaited them in the desolate expanse. Vhael stood tall and unmoving, his draconic visage as emotionless as always.

    "I am relieved to see you safe, my daughter, and you as well, princess," Vhael greeted.

    "Likewise, father.¡± Remuria replied;

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    Vhael waved off the gratitude with one of his pale hands, "it was a necessary task. Now, let us delve into why I have summoned both of you. As I mentioned earlier, once I transport you and the Red Reavers to the moon, your path will diverge from mine," he explained, "your objective will be to locate the gate and confront the dragon who guards it."

    Rhea¡¯s curiosity was pique, "tell us more about this dragon."

    ¡°His name is Krithosos the Immortal. Millenia ago, far before my exile to the underworld and even before the birth of some gods, he ruled over all life in the material realm.¡±

    ¡°Wait, father, is this not the same dragon from the bedtime stories you used to tell me when I was younger? Remuria asked.

    Vhael nodded, ¡°yes, daughter, and he is not to be underestimated. He had the power to rival even beings as powerful as the gods themselves.¡±

    ¡°Then why is he in the underworld now?¡±

    ¡°The same reason why many others fall, daughter: arrogance. He tried to challenge the authority of the gods, boasted that he could easily defeat them. Evidently, he failed, and was condemned to the crimson moon.¡± Vhael explained.

    Rhea''s voice carried a hint of uncertainty as she asked, "So, our task is to somehow persuade this dragon to grant us passage through the gate back to Ishgria?"

    Vhael''s response was direct, "That is correct. Alternatively, if negotiations fail, you may have no choice but to engage in combat with him."

    Rhea couldn''t help but notice the lack of confidence in Vhael''s tone. "From what you imply, harbinger, it seems you harbor doubts about our chances of defeating this dragon."

    Vhael''s reply held a mixture of caution and concern. "To be perfectly honest, it will prove challenging. If you can find a way to reason with Krithosos, it would be far more preferable."

    Rhea probed further, "Have you encountered the dragon before?"

    "Yes, once, centuries ago, during my research on the crimson moon''s gate," Vhael replied.

    ¡°And the dragon just let you mind your own business?¡±

    ¡°I managed to hide my presence from the dragon for a time, though not as long as I had hoped.¡±

    ¡°So I¡¯m going to assume that the dragon would have proved a challenge had you been forced to face it?.¡± Rhea asked aloud.

    ¡°He¡¯s a foe that I¡¯d rather not fight, and one you should avoid as well if possible.¡±

    ¡°Do you think we have a chance, harbinger?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, though you must be very careful when doing so.¡± Vhael warned.

    ¡°So what is our next course of action?¡±

    ¡°Gather the Red Reavers here, I shall transport you all to the crimson moon.¡±

    ***

    Soon, Rhea gathered Remuria and the fierce Red Reavers, bringing them together at the location where Vhael awaited their arrival. Most of them, including Rhea, did not quite understand how Vhael was going to transport them to the crimson moon. Teleportation magic itself was nigh-unheard of both to denizens of the underworld and the mortals who live in the material plane. However, the Red Reavers were more than eager to leave the underworld behind, to go to a realm much more flush with life.

    ¡°This should be everybody.¡± Rhea said.

    ¡°I have checked, there is not a single soul left in the camp.¡± Sedris replied.

    Rhea nodded, ¡°I appreciate it, Sedris.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m curious to see how the deathbringer is going to take us to the crimson moon.¡±

    Zia shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t know and I don¡¯t really care, going to the moon sounds fun enough I suppose.¡±

    ¡°My father will cast a spell.¡± Remuria said. Her silver hair flowed freely down her shoulders now, and she was clad in a practical gray hood and cloak, a departure from her usual attire back when she was in Ishgria. The Red Reavers, lacking sufficient garments to spare, had offered Remuria one of their spare cloaks which had yet to be embellished.

    ¡°My daughter is right, now if you will excuse me: I shall proceed.¡±

    Vhaels stood amidst the hushed whispers and nervous shuffling of the large group gathered before him. As the silence thickened, Vhael''s six pale arms began to move with graceful purpose. On each limb, profane runes and glyphs glowed with an unholy light, they were the marks of a master, symbols of forbidden knowledge.

    With a deliberate motion, Vhael unfurled his wings, then closed his eyes. The air around him crackled with suppressed energy, and the group could feel a building pressure, a force ready to be unleashed.

    In the moments that followed, a low chant, barely audible at first, escaped Vhael''s mouth. The words echoed through the gathering, resonating with ancient power and arcane knowledge. The incantation wove a web of mystic energy, intertwining with the very essence of those present.

    With one final, resolute syllable, Vhael thrust his arms forward, his voice reverberating through the very fabric of reality. The gathered crowd gasped as a blinding light erupted, a beacon of pure magic that engulfed them all. In that instant, Vhael''s spell took hold, and the group felt a profound shifting sensation, as if their very beings were being torn away from their surroundings. And within seconds, they were gone.

    ¡°It is done.¡± Vhael said out loud.

    "I must admit, harbinger, your attempts at interference amuse me to no end," a voice jeered from afar, carrying an unsettling echo.

    Vhael turned to face the source of the taunting voice, his dragon skull visage betraying no emotion as he spoke, "prophet, I knew you to be a resilient creature, but this charade grows wearisome."

    Standing tall, the prophet''s blue robes billowed in the otherworldly breeze. The golden mask they wore bore numerous cracks and fractures, the unmistakable signs of damage from their previous encounter with Vhael.

    "You are nothing more than a pawn, deathbringer, just like me," the prophet taunted, their mask radiating an ominous power, slowly piecing more of itself together as time passed.

    "I am well aware of my ties to the underworld. I do not require your lectures on the matter," Vhael countered, refusing to be swayed by the prophet''s words.

    The prophet scoffed, "And yet, despite your knowledge, you persist in your attempts to thwart the will of the underworld. You continue to aid the Princess of Ishgria, hoping that she will find her way. But even you must acknowledge the futility of your efforts."

    "I understand the schemes of the underworld, the grand design they seek to unfold. That is precisely why I must strive to stop it."

    The prophet''s mask cracked, forming a wicked smile. "But you cannot," they sneered. "The underworld may grant you limited freedoms, but you remain trapped within their grasp. Everything you have done has merely been within acceptable parameters. You are but a slave to darkness, deathbringer, and deep down, you know it."

    Vhael''s hollow gaze did not falter from the prophet, his voice filled with defiance. "And where is this leading, prophet? I highly doubt you came here solely to taunt me."

    "I am here to inform you that you have outlived your usefulness. Once the Princess of Ishgria departs from the underworld, her path as the chosen one will be sealed."

    "I have shattered Nemaia and pacified the Night Terror. When the princess departs, she shall no longer be tainted by the underworld''s influence." Vhael declared, the runes on his six arms glowing with arcane energy.

    The prophet''s response was filled with mocking disdain. "You have merely delayed her transformation, harbinger. There will come a time when she will be forced to embrace her power, to save the one she loves. She will have no choice."

    Vhael prepared himself, his hands already forming the intricate gestures of a spell. "I have heard enough," he stated firmly.

    The prophet''s golden visage seemed to brim with malevolence. "So have I."

 Chapter 30: Sleep

    Stepping onto the surface of the crimson moon, Rhea and Zia were greeted by a surreal landscape. All around them, there was only red. A monochromatic blur that overwhelmed their eyes. There were no signs of plantlife, not even a single bush. Instead, the desolate expanse was dominated by barren rock formations and jagged crevices. Deep craters punctuated the surface, like wounds inflicted upon the moon''s scarlet surface.

    "I don''t like this place," Zia commented, taking in the unsettling environment around her.

    Rhea remained silent for a moment, her gaze scanning the barren landscape in search of any signs of Remuria or the Red Reavers. "Wait, where is everyone?"

    "Maybe the deathbringer''s magic got a bit wonky," Zia shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "But does it really matter? We''re here, and we can still find that gate or the dragon, right?"

    Rhea''s frustration was immediately evident as she snapped, "Of course it matters! Everyone else is missing, including your brother!"

    Zia''s expression remained unchanged, "relax, princess, I can sense my kindred. The Red Reavers are alive somewhere on this moon."

    ¡°But do you know where they actually are?¡±

    ¡°No, but they are here, somewhere.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s enough for you?¡± Rhea asked.

    Zia shot a sharp glance towards the princess, ¡°there¡¯s nothing we can do for now except to keep moving, unless you can do something I¡¯m not aware of.¡±

    Rhea''s shoulders slumped slightly, "I suppose there''s not much we can do for now."

    Zia was already walking ahead, ¡°If you¡¯re going to keep being useless and sulk, I¡¯m leaving you behind.¡±

    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go.¡±

    Rhea and Zia continued ahead, their footfall resonating through the crimson moon. With each step, the ground beneath them transformed into a rugged mosaic of jagged rocks, their sharp edges threatening to impede their progress at any moment. Over time, an eerie silence accompanied the two, Rhea especially was not in the mood to speak.

    Yet, Zia''s voice soon cut through the silence, "I have always wondered, princess, are you aware of what you have become?"

    Rhea''s response was sharp and defensive, "I have always been me."

    Zia refused to let the matter go, ¡°Don''t play dumb with me. I can sense that you''ve changed since the first time I saw you."

    Rhea''s eyes narrowed, "Is this because of the Night Terror?"

    ¡°That''s part of it, but it''s far from everything. You''ve witnessed it in the eyes of my kindred, bowing to your every whim like obedient dogs, unable to resist your command."

    "You, on the other hand, seem more than fine."

    Zia scoffed, her laughter revealing a hint of bitterness "I''m just built differently, princess. Although I must admit, going directly against you is something I cannot bring myself to do."

    "And why is that?" Rhea questioned.

    ¡°You are an anomaly, princess. Never before have I witnessed someone so intimately entwined with the underworld as you." Zia said.

    "I''ve been hearing that a lot lately."

    "Only because it''s true. But honestly, it doesn''t matter much what you know or don''t know," Zia said dismissively.

    An edge crept into Rhea''s voice, "Have you always been this opinionated?"

    Zia''s response was swift and sarcastic, "I am, princess. And you''re going to have to deal with it until we find a way out of this cursed place."

    "By the gods, you are insufferable," Rhea said aloud.

    Zia''s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with mockery. "And what will you do? Unleash the Night Terror¡¯s power, forcing me to my knees like before?" She taunted, "oh wait, you can''t do that anymore, can you?"

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    "Even without the Night Terror''s aid, I am more than capable of facing you," Rhea spat back with a contempt of her own.

    Zia''s confidence wavered for a brief moment, but then, with a dismissive wave, she regained her composure. "I''m not entirely convinced of that, but I suppose for now, I still need you around," she conceded.

    ¡°How did the Red Reavers choose you as their leader again?¡±

    ¡°Nobody chose me, princess, I forced my way to the top.¡± Zia said smugly.

    Rhea rolled her eyes, ¡°how come I¡¯m not surprised.¡±

    Zia shrugged her shoulders, ¡°I mean, hey, if any of them wanted to be leader so badly, they are more than free to challenge me to a fight, not that they¡¯ll win of course.¡±

    Rhea couldn''t help but add a final jab, "I have no idea how your brother tolerates you."

    Zia''s wry smile flickered across her face as she replied, "Neither do I.¡±

    After having walked for a few hours, the pair began to notice an oddity. More and more, they saw life-sized statues of people, all in various positions: as if they had been frozen in time. The only commonality between them was the fear which was vividly etched on their faces. Rhea and Zia ignored the statues at first, but over time, they could not help but exchange glances at each other, unsure of what to expect if they continued forward.

    Eventually, the pair¡¯s exploration came to an abrupt halt when their gazes locked onto a fearsome sight. A creature of old legend, the basilisk, slithered into view. Its serpentine body coiled with powerful grace, shimmering scales reflecting the crimson moon''s radiant light. The beast''s piercing eyes, like shards of obsidian, glinted with a deadly gaze that promised petrification to any unfortunate soul who happened to look into them.

    ¡°Well I¡¯ll be damned.¡± Zia commented.

    ¡°Have you ever fought those things before?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°Nope, heard a few stories though.¡± Zia replied, ¡°usually doesn¡¯t end well.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s anything like the ones I heard, we can¡¯t look it in the eyes.¡± Rhea said.

    ¡°Sounds about right, but anyway, I¡¯ll be going now.¡± Zia said, her twin axes raised as she charged at the basilisk.

    ¡°No, wait-ah, damn it all.¡± Rhea cursed, before charging ahead as well.

    The basilisk''s deathly gaze fixed upon Rhea and Zia, its eyes glowing with a hypnotic intensity. Both of them knew the danger it possessed, and they clenched their eyes shut, relying solely on their instincts and the sounds around them.

    Rhea gripped her wraithbone sword tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. Though her senses were more heightened now than when she was human, Rhea still found it difficult trying to fight blind. As she swung her blade blindly, her movements were clumsy and uncoordinated, lacking the finesse she desired.

    In contrast, Zia twirled her twin wraithbone axes effortlessly, her movements graceful and precise. She anticipated the basilisk''s every strike, deflecting them with calculated precision. She danced around the creature, relishing in her own combat prowess.

    As the basilisk lunged forward, its tail whipped through the air with alarming speed. Rhea, still struggling to find her rhythm, failed to anticipate the attack. The tail struck her forcefully, sending her sprawling to the ground with a painful thud. She gasped for breath, momentarily stunned.

    Zia''s laughter cut through the chaos, a mixture of amusement and superiority. "Looks like you still have a long way to go, princess," she taunted.

    As Rhea struggled to regain her footing, a surge of desperation coursed through her. She knew she needed to turn the tide of the battle. At the very least to show that she was not completely useless in this battle. Drawing upon her connection to the underworld, she began to tap into her ability to use blood magic. With a swift motion, Rhea traced intricate patterns in the air with her fingertips, channeling her essence into an incantation. Crimson energy crackled around her, imbued with the force of her will.

    The basilisk recoiled, its scaly hide writhing in agony as the blood magic took hold. It let out a deafening screech, a sound filled with primal pain and torment. The creature''s movements became erratic, its focus shattered.

    Seizing the opportunity, Zia capitalized on the basilisk''s momentary vulnerability. Her twin wraithbone axes whirled through the air with deadly precision, finding their mark on the creature''s weakened form. Each strike was accompanied by Zia''s triumphant laughter, even as the basilisk¡¯s blood coated her body in red.

    As the basilisk succumbed to its wounds and collapsed, Zia stood tall, her chest heaving with exertion and her eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction. She surveyed the defeated creature, a smug grin playing on her lips, "well, princess, looks like you managed to contribute something after all," she sneered.

    Pushing aside her irritation, Rhea took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Remember, Zia, we need to work together, if at least for now."

    Zia shrugged nonchalantly, her smirk widening. "Sure, princess, whatever you say," she replied dismissively, clearly enjoying the upper hand. "Just be glad I was here to finish the job."

    ¡°Fine, at least this is done and over with, now we can-¡± Rhea paused, her eyes widening in surprise.

    ¡°Ha, caught your tongue princess?¡± Zia taunted.

    Rhea did not reply, her silence hung heavy in the air as she rose to her feet. Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.

    Intrigued by Rhea''s sudden shift in demeanor, Zia''s gaze followed the line of Rhea¡¯s stare. A nervous gulp soon caught in her throat.

    Several dozen basilisks converged upon them. The ground trembled beneath the weight of their slithering approach. Rhea''s grip tightened around her two-handed wraithbone sword, her knuckles turning white as she prepared for the battle ahead.

    Zia, on the other hand, let out a wide smile. If there was anything she was going to be prepared for, it was killing some oversized snakes. Her muscles tensed as she felt adrenaline begin to course through her veins.

 Chapter 31: Wake

    As Remuria and Sedris materialized on the crimson moon, reality shifted violently around them, wrenching their senses into disarray. Their vision blurred and swirled, leaving them momentarily disoriented. Remuria''s heart beat fast, her pulse pounding in her ears as the unexpected arrival jolted her senses. She blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the crimson environment around her.

    Sedris, instead, was consumed by a wave of intense nausea that surged through his core. The abrupt and violent teleportation was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He clutched at his churning stomach, desperately trying to suppress the overwhelming urge to vomit. The sensation twisted and churned within him, threatening to spill out. Riding the back of a wild Kharkar now seemed like a leisurely joyride compared to the torturous sickness that Vhael''s spell had wrought upon him.

    Remuria placed a comforting hand on Sedris¡¯s trembling back. "Are you alright?"

    Sedris managed a weak nod, his face contorted in a grimace as he struggled to maintain his balance. "I''d like to think so," he managed to mutter before his stomach rebelled, expelling its contents in a violent upheaval.

    Remuria did her best to offer solace. With gentle, soothing strokes, she patted his back and adjusted his position to alleviate his discomfort. "There, there, take it slow," she murmured.

    Sedris battled against the noxious inertia that held him captive, the minutes feeling like an eternity as waves of sickness threatened to overwhelm him. Finally, with a mixture of relief and exhaustion, the retching subsided, allowing him to regain a semblance of stability. He stood shakily on his own, casting a grateful gaze towards Remuria. "Thank you for that... erm."

    ¡°It¡¯s Remuria.¡±

    ¡°Right, apologies, I¡¯m not very good with names.¡±

    ¡°It is quite alright, are you able to walk?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I think I am.¡± Sedris replied, heaving his wraithbone glaive, ¡°let us go.¡±

    The pair threaded cautiously through the surface of the crimson moon. Both travelers were weary of the overt silence which shrouded the place. Sedris walked while gripping his glaive, eyes always darting around his surroundings. Meanwhile, Remuria had also done more of the same: having conjured Oros herself, her senses heightened to any signs of danger.

    Until suddenly, the pair came face to face with a ghost of a man, one who seemed to have possessed a regal poise in life. Though he was almost completely translucent in his ghastly form, the man¡¯s long beard and aging wrinkles were still visible. Resting atop his head was a shattered crown, one that should have been adorned with gems, but now only home to empty holes where such luxuries should have been. Perhaps this man was a king of sorts, once, his fine silk robes and tunic would have confirmed as much, but he seemed far closer to a disheveled peasant now than a ruler.

    ¡°Greetings, Remuria,¡± the man said, his voice warm and respectful. "And to your companion as well," he continued, turning his gaze towards Sedris.

    Sedris glanced at Remuria, seeking confirmation. "You know this person?"

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m aware,¡± Remuria replied, "forgive me, but do I know you, Sir?" she inquired, addressing the ghost.

    The ghost chuckled heartily before responding, "Why, I am Hadaron, the former king of Ishgria."

    "My lord?" Remuria gasped, immediately bowing in respect. Sedris, however, refrained from following Remuria''s gesture, refusing to bow to a ruler he did not serve.

    "You may rise, Remuria. I am no longer a king. Just Hadaron," the ghost reassured her.

    "Forgive me, old habits die hard, Your maje- Hadaron," Remuria replied, correcting herself.

    "So you were a king before? What happened?" Sedris inquired

    "I was poisoned, a tale as old as time," Hadaron replied, bitterness seeping into his words. "I''ve always had enemies, and somehow someone managed to mix poison into my wine."

    "That is¡­ unfortunate," Sedris sympathized.

    Hadaron smirked slightly. "Such is the life of a ruler. In all fairness, there are much worse ways to die."

    ¡°If I may interrupt, your majesty, I am curious as to how or why you are here now?¡± Remuria interjected.

    "I am not sure. After my death, I found myself awake in this strange realm and have never been able to leave since," Hadaron replied, his ethereal form shifting uneasily.

    ¡°Is that so? But I heard that there was a gate here that could lead to the material realm.¡± Remuria mentioned.

    ¡°Indeed, that is why we came here in the first place.¡± Sedris added on.

    ¡°Of course, the gate, I¡¯ve tried using it before: to no effect, since I am what I am now.¡± Hadaron said light-heartedly, poking a hand through his ghastly body.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a dragon protecting the gate?¡± Sedris pressed.

    ¡°Yes, indeed, and I must impart one piece of wisdom to you both regarding the creature.¡± Hadaron said, his eyes darting between Sedris and Remuria.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°And what may that be?¡± Remuria asked.

    ¡°That the dragon you seek is close to death, you need to make haste, you will not be able to use the gate without its approval.¡± Hadaron said.

    ¡°Wait, can you explain-¡± before Remuria could finish her sentence, the ghost of Hadaron had vanished.

    ¡°Is it normal for your kings to give cryptic messages before vanishing?¡± Sedris asked, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

    ¡°No, but I have a bad feeling about this.¡±

    ¡°As do I. I can¡¯t help but feel as if we are being drawn into something that we should not cross.¡± Sedris mentioned.

    ¡°But we do not have much of a choice, sadly.¡± Remuria said.

    ¡°You¡¯re correct in that regard.¡± Sedris replied.

    And so the pair continued on their march across the surface of the crimson moon. Only marginally more at ease than when they first arrived.

    ***

    Sedris''s voice shook with a mix of awe and apprehension as he spoke, unable to tear his eyes away from the imposing figure in the distance. "Is that...is that supposed to be the dragon?"

    Remuria''s brows furrowed, her voice held a hint of uncertainty, "I see a colossal gate looming behind it, so it seems likely."

    At the heart of a gargantuan crater, laid the gate to the material realm and the dragon which protected it. However, it was far from the majestic creature of ancient legends. Its once magnificent scales now appeared sickly and mottled, their luster tarnished by the passage of time. Each breath it took was labored, rattling within its emaciated frame, as if the weight of existence burdened its very being.

    The dragon''s wings, once expansive and awe-inspiring, now hung tattered and frayed, resembling faded remnants of a forgotten glory. Its once fierce and piercing eyes were clouded with an unsettling haze, lacking the vitality and fire that one would expect from such a formidable creature. Its body contorted with deformities, as if it had suffered innumerable trials and agonies throughout its long imprisonment.

    ¡°I believe your former king mentioned something about the dragon being sick, I thought he was joking at first, but I suppose not.¡± Sedris muttered out.

    ¡°I also thought that we may have had to fight the creature-.¡± Remuria heard the sound of dozens of footsteps behind her. Instinctively, she tensed and turned around, drawing Oros out. Sedris followed suit, readying his glaive.

    ¡°Be at ease, comrades.¡±

    Seeing the red-cloaked figures approaching, Sedris breathed a sigh of relief. Though Remuria was still alert at first, she dismissed Oros once she realized why Sedris was so relaxed.

    ¡°Ah, Akon, it¡¯s just you.¡± Sedris said with a hint of relief, lowering his glaive, ¡°and I see that you have brought the rest of the Red Reavers with you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve managed to find all of them, except for Zia and the Princess of Ishgria.¡± Akon replied.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure they will find us eventually, with this place being as empty as it is, they¡¯ll have to get here eventually.¡± Remuria said aloud.

    ¡°Wait, I smell something.¡± Sedris said, ¡°It¡¯s blood.¡±

    ¡°I smell the same, though there is a familiar scent mixed in.¡± Akon agreed.

    ¡°Is this a good sign?¡± Remuria asked.

    ¡°Depends on your perspective.¡± Sedris said, still trying to make out the scent, ¡°ah, nevermind, it¡¯s just my sister.¡±

    Remuria''s brow furrowed in confusion, her gaze narrowing as she saw two figures in the distance. A sense of dread coiled within her, briefly, only to be replaced by a surge of relief as she recognized the familiar silhouettes.

    The figures drew closer, their forms haggard and stained by battle. Remuria''s heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene before her. Rhea, her red robes now tattered and smeared with blood, bore the weight of Zia upon her shoulders. Zia, her body battered and broken, still managed to cling to her twin axes somehow, almost as if she were unable to let them go no matter the circumstance.

    Once she recognized the figures, Remuria immediately rushed towards them, ¡°Rhea! Are you alright?¡± She called out.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Remuria.¡± Rhea managed to say with a weak smile.

    Sedris, in contrast, seemed less concerned. He casually walked up to the princess, before gesturing to take Zia off of her shoulders, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of my sister, princess.¡±

    ¡°Please do.¡± Rhea said, more than eager to let Sedris take Zia off of her shoulders.

    ¡°You two look like you¡¯ve been through a lot,¡± Remuria said with a worried tone, trying her best to wipe some of the blood off of Rhea¡¯s face, ¡°what happened?¡±

    ¡°Basilisks¡­¡± Zia muttered out weakly, she was still conscious, if barely.

    ¡°Ah, so you can still speak sister, excellent.¡± Sedris quipped, carrying Zia back towards the other Red Reavers.

    ¡°Hold on, basilisks? We never fought anything of the sort.¡± Remuria looked towards Rhea, hoping for answers.

    Rhea took a deep breath, before letting out a deep sigh, ¡°I was confused myself, but yes, me and Zia did indeed battle several basilisks before we made it here.¡±

    ¡°You must have the worst luck.¡± Remuria said, wiping off more of the blood on Rhea¡¯s body using the tip of her gray robes.

    Rhea gave out a brief snort, ¡°It¡¯s fine, we made it, somehow.¡± she said, ¡°so, how¡¯s progress on finding the dragon?¡±

    Remuria pointed towards the gargantuan figure resting in front of a large gate in the distance, ¡°the dragon is right there, although, I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s in the best of health.¡±

    ¡°Is it sick?¡± Rhea asked, pacing around to get a better view of the dragon.

    ¡°I believe so, he hasn¡¯t moved  much at all since me and the Red Reavers came here, and his breath sounds like it¡¯s made by a creature in much pain.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like he¡¯s as dangerous as the harbinger made it out to be.¡±

    ¡°Who knows,¡± Remuria shrugged, ¡°the dragon could still be very powerful for all we know, I suggest we should still exercise caution when approaching it.¡±

    ¡°Fair point,¡± Rhea agreed, ¡°once Zia has recovered, let¡¯s head to the gate and see what we can do.¡±

 Chapter 32: Lost Souls

    Rhea and Remuria stepped forward, their hearts pounding with anticipation, as they prepared to confront the colossal dragon. Standing a few dozen feet away, Zia, Sedris, and the other Red Reavers formed a protective circle around the behemoth, their hands tightly gripped their wraithbone weapons, while their scarlet eyes remained fixated on the dragon''s every breath, awaiting its next move.

    Yet, the dragon appeared oblivious to their presence, its massive form motionless and unresponsive. Intrigued, Rhea and Remuria inched closer, as they did so, they noticed a peculiar sight: the dragon¡¯s eyes, although open, were veiled by a peculiar haze, as if a dense membrane had inserted itself between the vibrant iris and the surface of the eye. Rhea and Remuria exchanged a silent glance. With a nod from Rhea, Remuria mustered the courage to speak.

    "O mighty Krithosos, hear my words!"

    In response, Krithosos emitted a brief, dismissive snort, as if to acknowledge their presence but not their plea.

    Turning to Rhea, Remuria suggested, "Perhaps you should give it a try?"

    Rhea arched an eyebrow skeptically, but shrugged her shoulders, "alright, here goes nothing.¡±

    With determination pulsating in her voice, Rhea called out, "great dragon, can you not hear us?"

    Once again, Krithosos remained unresponsive, oblivious to their efforts. "This dragon''s lack of presence is truly underwhelming," Rhea said, her disappointment evident in her tone.

    Remuria nodded in agreement, her frustration mounting. "Indeed. How are we to gain the favor of a dragon that can barely awake itself?"

    Suddenly, a thunderous rumble erupted, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Krithosos, gradually rousing from its dormant state, slowly lifted its massive head, fixing its gaze upon the two seemingly insignificant figures before it.

    "What do you want?" Krithosos bellowed, his thundering voice laden with an air of annoyance.

    Rhea and Remuria stood still, momentarily caught off guard by the dragon''s blunt response. Uncertain of how to proceed, Remuria found her voice first, gathering her courage to address the dragon.

    "Greetings, Krithosos, my companions and I humbly beseech your aid in unlocking the gate that stands behind you." Remuria said, dropping into a respectful bow.

    "The gate? You may use it as you wish," Krithosos thundered, his words dripping with indifference.

    Once again, Rhea and Remuria found themselves utterly perplexed, their minds racing to comprehend the dragon''s words. Uncertain of how to react, they exchanged bewildered glances.

    "Really?" Rhea exclaimed, ¡°you''re simply going to allow us to use the gate?"

    "I have no use for it, and I fail to see any reason why I should impede you and your companions from utilizing it."

    "Thank you, noble dragon, for your kindness." Remuria said.

    "If that is all, I shall make way so you can pass through the gate," Krithosos murmured weakly, his strength waning. "But do make it swift, for I find solace in slumbering in its presence."

    "May I ask, great dragon, why are you so¡­ill?" Rhea asked.

    Krithosos sighed, his voice tinged with melancholy. "I know not why. It occurred suddenly, as if the heavens themselves turned against me. One moment, I soared freely through the boundless skies, and the next, agony consumed me as my wings felt as though they had been mercilessly torn asunder."

    Rhea pressed further, determined to understand. "Do you have any inkling as to who might be responsible for this affliction?"

    Krithosos snorted dismissively. "The underworld, of course. Who else possesses such malevolence?"

    Remuria''s curiosity couldn''t be contained as she voiced her question. "What have you done to earn the ire of the underworld?"

    "I do not know, nor do I care," Krithosos replied bluntly, his words tinged with resignation.

    "Ever since I was condemned to this realm, I have been nothing but a pawn, subjected to the whims of the underworld, just like all of you," he said, his eyes piercing into Rhea and Remuria.

    Stunned by the dragon''s unexpected words, Rhea and Remuria stood frozen, unsure of what to do or say. Assuming their silence as a signal to end the conversation, Krithosos bellowed, "I shall assume your silence means our discussion has concluded. Now, proceed and make use of the gate. Waste no more time."

    Rhea and Remuria exchanged meaningful glances, their eyes conveying a shared understanding and purpose. With subtle yet purposeful gestures, they beckoned the rest of the Red Reavers to join them, their movements resembling an intricate dance of silent coordination.

    Soon, the Red Reavers fell into formation, their footsteps echoing with determined resolve as they trailed behind Rhea and Remuria. Before them stood an awe-inspiring sight: an ancient gate, crafted from a mysterious combination of shimmering wraithbone and carved stone, the gate reached skyward, its height towering far above them. Etched upon its surface were arcane symbols, their origins lost to time, their glowing lines pulsating with a gentle luminescence that flickered as if whispering secrets to those who dared to approach.

    As the Red Reavers neared the gate, they felt a tingling sensation in the air. The gate''s surface shimmered with a soft iridescence, as if veiled by a gossamer veil of otherworldly energy. It seemed to emanate a faint, melodic hum, drawing them closer with its enchanting melody.

    ¡°So how are we supposed to operate this thing?¡± Zia asked out loud.

    "I must admit, the mechanics of such devices elude me. I lack familiarity with their workings." Sedris confessed.

    Zia''s impatience ignited, her gaze piercing Sedris with a scathing look. "I wasn''t speaking to you, you, brother."

    Krithosos, growing weary of the ceaseless bickering of these diminutive beings beneath him, interjected, "Enough with your petty squabbles. If you seek knowledge, then listen. One of you must gather the courage to step forth and venture through the gate. Envision your desired destination, and the gate shall open to that location for a limited time."

    "Well, I must say, I''m starting to warm up to this dragon," Zia said with a smug smile.

    "We extend our heartfelt thanks, noble dragon." Sedris said.

    A dismissive snort escaped Krithosos''s nostrils as he retorted, "your gratitude means naught to me. Now, proceed: the time for action has arrived."

    ¡°I¡¯m going in first!¡±  Zia exclaimed, rushing towards the gate. The second she stepped foot on the large structure, she vanished completely: consumed by a red light.

    ¡°Zia, Wait!¡± Sedris sighed, ¡°I¡¯ll follow her,¡± he relented, slowly walking towards the gate as well.

    One by one, the other members of the Red Reavers followed suit, their curiosity and loyalty pushing them forward.Rhea and Remuria, however, exchanged a knowing glance, they couldn''t help but chuckle softly at what they saw.

    ¡°You first?¡± Rhea offered, dropping to a mock bow.

    ¡°Why I¡¯d be honored.¡± Remuria replied with a smile.

    ***

    As the group reached the crest of what appeared to be a hill, a scene unfolded before their eyes that defied all of their expectations. The once vibrant blue sky had transformed into a chasm of inky blackness, akin to the shadowed firmament of the underworld. The sun''s radiant warmth had been usurped, replaced by the feeble glow of a pallid moon.

    In the distance, a sprawling array of buildings came into view, their forms twisted and contorted under the insidious grip of sinister tendrils. These dark appendages clung to the structures with an insatiable hunger, as if their purpose was to distort and deform.

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    "This... This is the material realm? It bears an uncanny resemblance to the underworld." Zia said out loud, scratching her head.

    Sedris affirmed Zia''s observation, "Indeed, I must confess, there is an unsettling familiarity in this landscape."

    Rhea''s brows furrowed with concern, "this cannot be right. The portal must have malfunctioned, distorting our intended destination."

    "No, Rhea, this is indeed Ishgria. The air bears a different taint, distinct from the underworld''s malevolence. Though I must admit, Ishgria doesn¡¯t look nearly as good as I remembered" Remuria said, her eyes scanning her new environment.

    "This place looks like shit,¡± Zia said, casually walking about.

    Sedris was about to correct Zia, but upon further consideration, he sighed, ¡°despite my sister¡¯s¡­peculiar delivery, she¡¯s right, this place does seem¡­decrepit, even by the standards of the underworld.¡±

    "In that case, we should go ahead and explore, see for ourselves what¡¯s happened here." Remuria said.

    As the group ventured deeper into the desolate landscape, they became more unnerved by what they saw. Once vibrant flora and fauna had withered into twisted, gnarled remnants of their former glory. Jagged, skeletal trees stood like sentinels, their leafless branches reaching skyward like accusing fingers pointing towards the darkened skies. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the occasional mournful howl of a distant wind. Buildings that loomed on the horizon, once symbols of life and human endeavor, had become macabre monuments to decay. Their crumbling facades marred by webs of shadowy tendrils.

    An oppressive atmosphere weighed upon the group, clinging to their skin like a suffocating shroud. Their breaths became shallow, as if each inhalation carried the weight of the foreboding reality that surrounded them. The very air seemed tainted, heavy with an otherworldly miasma that threatened to infect their spirits.

    And then, they saw the first of the chimeras.

    ***

    I am the eyes to things unseen

    I am the voice for words unspoken

    I am the path to secrets left undiscovered

    I am the prophet, and if you wish to live, you shall heed my words

    -Words of the Prophet of Ishgria

    Recent events have been interesting, haven¡¯t they? I¡¯m excited to see how things play out myself. The underworld has set the stage for something never before seen both in the realm of the living and the dead. It will be truly magnificent.

    Ah, you may be wondering who is speaking to you at the moment. My apologies dear friend, I should have introduced myself sooner. As you may have presumed from the brief excerpt at the start of this chapter, I am the prophet, I have no true name as most mortals do. I think, therefore I am.

    If you understand my words, then I am sure that you have many questions for me. Allow me to answer one of the most pressing of such questions. Vhael the deathbringer, the harbinger of ruin, is dead: for good. But contrary to what you may assume, I was not the one who killed him. No, no, no, he was much too powerful for an admittedly pathetic being such as myself. I have some abilities, but even I cannot best a god: even one that has fallen long ago.

    It was the underworld itself who did the job. The harbinger tried to resist and interfere in the underworld¡¯s plans, and so, he was snuffed out. Under the guise of his dead wife, the underworld cast a lethal spell: one that scattered the deathbringer¡¯s essence into innumerable tiny shards, never to be reunited again. It was a suitable ending for one who does not know his place.

    Regardless, with that out of the way, we can discuss subjects that are significantly more interesting than the death of an exiled god. Let us start with my role and connection with the underworld, and why I am even speaking to you directly at this moment. I am a mere messenger of the underworld, a flattering position considering I am a slave to its will. All who dares to bargain with the underworld must pay a price, one way or another. No matter how long it takes, the underworld will always have its way.

    Now, you may ask, where are the gods in all this? Surely even they would interfere and aid the mortals who worship them? The truth of the matter is that the gods do not care for mortals, at least not as much as their worshippers would like to believe. What reason would they have to care? It was they who created the world and everything in it, if it were to fall to ruin, they could just start over. The underworld, in contrast, is different. By its very nature, it is a place shaped by mortal life. Every soul: no matter if they were virtuous, malicious, brave, or cowardly, will go to the nether realm when their physical bodies collapse. This is the reason why the underworld takes a more proactive approach when it comes to the material realm and its inhabitants. It needs mortal kind to sustain itself, and so is forged by their sacrifice.

    Some gods find it entertaining to ¡°rescue¡± certain souls from this fate, so they occasionally descend into the underworld to take as many souls as they see fit (usually their most devout followers of course) and return back to their realm, satisfied that they will have direct access to worshippers to satisfy their infinite hubris. If they work together, the gods could rescue every soul from the underworld if they desired, but they will never do so. Because struggle creates devotion.

    Answer me this question: who among these two individuals will be more devoted to the gods? Is it a noble who lives with a silver spoon and has nearly all of their needs catered to? Or is it the destitute peasant who prays, and prays, and prays every day, with the hope that just one day, they could maybe eek out enough grain to feed their family? A nation at war will almost always be more strong of faith compared to one at peace. For when kingdoms and empires wage war against each other, they will beseech the gods for aid. There is not much reason not to try, after all, what if the gods were to bless their enemies and not them? This is why the gods gave mortals just enough intelligence to know right and wrong, but also emotions to cloud their judgment.

    I know all these things because I am part of the underworld now. I must admit, it was not a choice that I made entirely of my own volition. My essence had been drifting closer towards the nether realm for millenia. Slowly, year by year, as I aged: it was drawn towards the underworld¡¯s song, and now I am a part of its melody.

    So, what does this all mean for our intrepid protagonists of this story? Worry not, the underworld does not wish for the Princess of Ishgria or even the deathbringer¡¯s daughter to die. They have an important role to play as part of the underworld¡¯s grand design. You see, the underworld has decided that now, out of all times, would be the best chance for it to increase its influence upon the material plane. The gods are still locked in their squabble for dominance, the underworld itself has become strong enough to exert more of its influence, and of course: certain events have played out almost perfectly, as according to the grand design.

    Now, my dear friend, you already know how this story ends. Right from the beginning, you too, have seen the inevitable conclusion to this tale. You are lucky to be able to foresee a conclusion many others can not. And now, you might ask, why? Why is the underworld bothering to do any of this? Why prolong a tale with an inevitable conclusion? Why create needless suffering?  I cannot give you a perfect answer to the aforementioned questions, but I will try to approach one as best I can. The underworld is powerful but neither omnipotent nor omniscient. It needs mortals to drive it, to allow it to reach heights it could not achieve alone. And as for suffering, if you paid attention to my words, you will already know why it is important.

    You¡¯ve seen it yourself, haven¡¯t you? You¡¯ve seen how the Princess of Ishgria has had to rely more and more of the underworld¡¯s power as she continued on her journey. Though she may refuse to admit it, she is already a devotee of the underworld. That is why the harbinger of ruin was a threat, if the princess grew to rely on him instead of the underworld itself, she would eventually diverge from the grand design, and such things are not acceptable. As for the deathbringer¡¯s daughter, she has always had the influence of the underworld within her, she is a useful tool, that one.

    Despite everything I have said, I would not be a prophet if I did not speak about the future now, would I? So allow me to do exactly that. What? Are you concerned that this tale would become less engaging if you knew the truth so early? Fine, as a gesture of appreciation to you, dear friend, I shall only partly impart the truth upon you. So that you may still find pleasure in the events to come.

    The Princess of Ishgria will eventually have to face her destiny alone, without any of her companions. She will confront her mother, the queen, at the ruins of Castle Arstella. The princess will struggle, but she will come out victorious. Then, and only, then will she be able to establish the Scarlet Dominion.

    The deathbringer¡¯s daughter will also play a crucial role in the princess¡¯s ascension. She will accompany the princess as far as she can, battling any foes or threats that would threaten her beloved. She is many things, and being loyal is one of them, to a fault, perhaps. But then again, I am not one to judge devotion.

    The Red Reavers will survive. All of them will live to see the Princess of Ishgria ascend to her rightful place on the throne. They will become the new vanguard of Ishgria, a force powerful enough to fight foes many times their number and come out victorious.

    As for Ishgria, perhaps this is a piece of information that I will not reveal to you, at least, not yet. It has certainly changed significantly since the underworld has exerted its will upon it. But that is only to be expected. Though, I suppose there is no harm in allowing you to see some part of the kingdom¡¯s future. Ishgria will rise again, though forever scarred. A great wound has been inflicted on the kingdom, and it is one that can never be healed, not unless Ishgria is erased from the annals of history forever.

    Of course, you have no reason to trust my words. But I believe that future events will prove to you that I speak not merely in jest.

    What about me? Ah, I did not think that you would care for one such as I, but if you insist. I will observe, as is my prerogative. Perhaps I will deliver some information to the princess and her companions, but I do not know what that may be or when or if I will ever do so. I only speak when the underworld wishes me too, and I only deliver information it wants me to.

    A sad existence, isn¡¯t it? But that is the price that I paid. I have nobody to blame but myself. I was arrogant and too naive. I was a fool. I was lost. Apologies for that tangent, dear friend, it was unbecoming of me. Perhaps it is a sign that I must go. I still have much work to do, and I am sure you do as well.

    Before I leave, I shall impart one last bit of my knowledge to you. It is a small piece of wisdom, an excerpt from a book which contains great knowledge and truths. No, I am not the author of such a vital text, it is simply a work that has always existed since the first days of mortal kind: and it will continue to exist until the last mortal in existence meets their demise.

    There is no truth without suffering

    The gods understand this, and that is what they bring

    The underworld understands this, and that is what it brings

    These are the truths of this world, and they are painful

    But that is why they are true

    -Excerpt from the book of lost souls

 Chapter 33: The Wolf

    Abomination. That was the only word Rhea could find that could accurately describe the creature which was limping towards her. The chimera was an amalgamation of human limbs and flesh. Although they varied in appearance, they all looked as if a madman was instructed to draw what a person looked like from memory. The monstrosities had dozens of limbs, sticking out from all the wrong places. Conjoined heads with tongues that lolled openly and eyes which were rendered useless thanks to their clouded lenses. And they had legs which grew out of each other, some even having several hundreds. Every single one of the chimeras constantly wailed and moaned as if in pain, streams of blood constantly dripped from any open orifice they may have: mouth, nostrils, and¡­

    ¡°Rhea! Snap out of it, we have company.¡± Remuria yelled, shaking Rhea with both of her hands.

    The princess''s attention snapped back into sharp focus. Rhea found herself standing in the heart of the capital, amidst the once-grand central square that now lay in ruins. The buildings that encircled the square stood as ghostly specters of their former glory. Each structure wore the scars of relentless turmoil, as if the gods themselves bore contempt for them, One particular building, now reduced to a mere skeletal framework, had been ravaged to such an extent that only a jagged pile of debris remained.

    The princess then noticed that she was flanked by Remuria, Sedris, Zia. The other Red Reavers were scattered. They were all only exploring at first, but something forced them to separate. It was something dangerous, something¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s coming, ready your weapons!¡± Sedris yelled out, already raising his wraithbone glaive.

    Remuria had Oros prepared, while Zia stood eagerly with her twin white-axes. Rhea was still confused, but she raised her own wraithbone sword to follow suit. The princess¡¯s mind was still foggy, struggling to process what exactly she and her companions were supposed to fight. Her questions, however, would be answered soon enough.

    In the distance, the haunting cry of a wolf-like creature pierced the night, echoing through the air. Under the watchful gaze of the crimson moon, a monstrous entity emerged, a black furred behemoth that defied imagination. Towering at least nine storeys tall, the beast¡¯s colossal form stretched across the horizon, its sheer length hinting at an unparalleled ferocity.

    The creature''s visage was a grotesque amalgamation of nightmare and nightmare. Countless swirling eyes adorned its massive head, each a swirling vortex of malevolence that seemed to draw in the very essence of darkness itself. Rows of gargantuan, razor-sharp teeth jutted from its gaping maw, glinting ominously as they hungered for flesh.

    As Rhea and her companions came into its view, the creature''s attention fixated upon them with a predatory intensity. Its baleful eyes locked onto their presence, gleaming with a mix of hunger and malice. Thick droplets of saliva oozed from its panting jaws, dripping onto the scorched earth below.

    ¡°Do we have a plan?¡± Rhea asked, her eyes still fixed on the wolf-like monster.

    ¡°Try not to die I suppose,¡± Zia replied with a shrug.

    ¡°You should listen to her, Rhea, try not to die.¡± Remuria said sarcastically.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve got an actual plan, I¡¯m all ears.¡± Zia said.

    ¡°You and your brother are going to take that thing on from the front while Rhea and I try to kill it from behind,¡± Remuria replied calmly.

    ¡°Any particular reason you think Zia and I should take the brunt of the beast¡¯s attacks?¡± Sedris asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

    ¡°Both of you can take more hits than either me or Rhea.¡± Remuria said bluntly.

    ¡°Heh, you¡¯re not wrong about that.¡± Zia said, ¡°and also, time to shut your mouths everyone, it''s coming!¡± she emphasized, hunkering down into a more combat appropriate stance.

    The wolf-like beast charged towards Rhea and her companions. It¡¯s maw open and hungry for flesh. While Sedris, Remuria, and Rhea scattered in an attempt to avoid the beast¡¯s incoming charge. Zia, instead, let out a blood-curdling scream and proceeded to run towards the beast, twin-axes in each of her hands.

    It did not take long for Zia and the beast to clash. The wolf monster opened its maw and tried to bite Zia down. But the Red Reaver was able to make a powerful leap, avoiding the attack and instead landing on the beast¡¯s head. Noticing that a pest was now on it, the beast thrashed and threw its head around, smashing it into the nearby rubble, in an attempt to shake the puny creature that had the audacity to perch herself on its head. Zia, on her end, clung desperately to the beast¡¯s black fur, her arms and legs straining to keep her in place. Strong as she was, the beast¡¯s wanton throws were becoming too much for her to bear. The palm of her hands were becoming ever more slippery thanks to her own sweat, she could not hold out for too long.

    High up in the air, Remuria was now in her true form, channeling a spell. She closed her eyes and tried to focus as hard as she could, attuning her mind to the souls of damned mages she had relied on for her magic for so long. However, it was much harder to do this time, the underworld sounded more¡­erratic than ever before. There were too many souls screeching at once, to the point where it was drowning out the voices Remuria did actually want to hear. Worse still, for a reason she could not yet comprehend, Remuria could now also listen to the screams of all the chimeras in Ishgria. Their pained moans and wails served to only further hinder Remuria¡¯s concentration and it even began to affect her sanity as well. She could hear them all: voices that sounded like they came from children and the elderly, all of them screamed. All of them were far too loud.

    Far too engrossed in trying to cast a spell, Remuria did not notice when the beast opened its maw in her general direction. The creature had already managed to throw Zia off of it, who was now flung so far away even Remuria could not see where she landed. The beast knew that Remuria was the next greatest threat, and so it gathered energy at the base of its mighty throat. A bright, purplish light, emanated from the beast¡¯s maw, shining brighter and brighter. When Remuria finally noticed the blinding violet light that pained her eyes, it was already too late. The beast unleashed a blast of purple, coruscating flames, which soared through the air faster than Remuria could react. The flames made contact: charring her flesh and burning away her wings, causing her to fall from the skies.

    Rhea and Sedris had originally planned to flank the beast once Zia had managed to distract it for long enough. However, that plan had long gone out the window by now. Rhea had already rushed towards the direction where she believed Remuria might fall, leaving Sedris alone to face the beast. He tried to outrun the beast at first, he knew he did not stand a chance against it alone, he would need Zia back at the very least. However, the beast was far too fast, its strides were rapid and vast, covering large distances with ease everytime it moved one of its massive legs. Within seconds, Sedris found himself in the beast¡¯s maw, and then, inside its stomach.

    Rhea, on the other hand, managed to make it in time to catch Remuria falling from the sky. With a supernatural leap, only possible since her rebirth, she caught Remuria with both of her hands, resting her on a miraculously undamaged bench nearby. She breathed a sigh of relief when she could hear Remuria still breathing, albeit weakly.

    Loathe as she is to admit it, Rhea knew that she would need the Night Terror¡¯s power if she were to defeat the beast. The princess closed her eyes and tried to reach into the deepest recesses of her mind, she needed to be fast, the beast would be onto her soon. Nothing. The princess did not hear a single word. Rhea became increasingly distressed, she could hear the beast approaching her: fast. Night Terror, answer me, this better not be one of your tricks. Again, there was no answer.

    As the princess opened her eyes, her vision sharpened, and the looming presence of the beast came into focus. At the corner of her eye, she glimpsed its terrifying form rapidly expanding, growing larger with each passing moment as it closed in on her. Rhea felt her heart sinking in her chest, the weight of dread pressing upon her with an unrelenting force.

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Paralyzed by fear, Rhea found herself rooted to the spot, unable to move or even draw a breath. The realization of her own insignificance in the face of such a formidable adversary gripped her with an icy hold. She knew deep within her core that she did not stand a chance against the beast, at least, not alone.

    The beast was only a few feet in front of her now. Close enough that Rhea could smell its breath: musty and rancid, as if someone had left rotten flesh inside a barrel and let it sit inside a damp cellar somewhere. Rhea closed her eyes in resignation, bracing for what was to come. Yet, just as the beast¡¯s jaws were about to close in on her, it stopped. Rhea was confused, she had expected to feel the pain of hundreds of jagged teeth pierce her flesh. But when she opened her eyes once more, she saw that the beast was completely unmoving, as if it were somehow frozen in time.

    A familiar voice echoed behind Rhea, ¡°greetings, Princess of Ishgria.¡±

    Rhea instinctively knew the source of the voice, ¡°Wait, is that you, prophet?¡± she asked, stepping away from the beast''s jaws.

    ¡°Why yes I am, and you are in luck, I am here to tell you that you may have a chance at survival.¡± the prophet said.

    ¡°May? What are you talking-,¡± Rhea turned to meet the prophet face to face. She was stunned. The prophet looked so much more different than what she remembered. For one, they had wings now: shiny and golden just like their mask. In fact, everything about the prophet was golden now. Their mask: gold, their robes: gold, their arms: gold. Speaking of arms, the prophet has six of them now, all etched with words that Rhea did not understand. The prophet had always been an enigmatic figure, but Rhea felt that they were utterly alien this time around.

    ¡°I am here to offer you a solution, princess, a ¡®way out¡¯ if you will,¡± the prophet explained.

    ¡°What, how are you even here?¡± Rhea asked, her voice laced with disbelief, ¡°the harbinger told me that you should be dead, or at least, not alive.¡±

    ¡°Vhael may act as if they know everything, but they are not always correct, princess,¡± the prophet said calmly, their gaze fixed on Rhea, ¡°now, as I said, I am here to offer you a solution.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°A way for you to slay the beast, and fulfill your price.¡± The prophet said.

    ¡°I see where this is going,¡± Rhea said, ¡°what do I need to do?¡±

    The prophet reached into his cloak and produced a sword clad wholly in crimson, his movements deliberate and controlled, ¡°take this,¡± he instructed.

    Rhea jolted back slightly, shocked, ¡°this sword¡­how do you have it?¡±

    ¡°Nemaia was always meant for you princess, this sword will allow you to survive the trials to come.¡± The prophet explained.

    Rhea¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°trials?¡±

    ¡°Yes, trials, ones that you will face alone.¡±

    ¡°And what of my companions?¡±

    ¡°They will be safe, if you succeed in all of your trials that is¡±

    ¡°And you are giving me the key to surviving these so-called trials, why?¡±

    ¡°Because the underworld wills it, and it is my duty to do as it wills.¡±

    Rhea crossed her arms, ¡°this all seems awfully convenient.¡±

    ¡°If you want to leave your companions to die, you are free to choose that. Of course, you will die too, that beast does not look very friendly,¡± the prophet said sarcastically, pointing at the beast with one of its hands, ¡°but if you wish to live, take Nemaia with you, then after you have beaten the beast, head north towards Castle Arstella.¡±

    Rhea sighed, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll take the damn sword, but one thing: what happened to the harbinger? I¡¯m not sure if he would approve-¡±

    Before Rhea could finish her sentence, the prophet was no more: leaving Nemaia behind. The princess could feel the crimson blade calling out to her, it was a magnetic attraction, when Rhea finally grasped the hilt of the crimson sword: it felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    Yet, the second Rhea held Nemaia in her hands, the beast was no longer frozen. With wanton fury, it charged towards the princess: its maw wide open. This time, however, Rhea did not feel even the slightest hint of fear. Instead, she charged to face the beast, Nemaia at the ready.

    The beast tried to close its jaws around the princess, but Rhea dodged it with ease, dashing out of harm¡¯s way. Next, the beast tried to slash the princess with its massive claws, and again, Rhea managed to dodge without much trouble. By the third time the beast tried to attack, Rhea felt that the creature was becoming much slower somehow. Where before, she could barely follow the beast¡¯s frantic movements and attacks, now, the princess saw the beast the same way one would perceive a snail.

    Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Rhea went to work, slashing at the beast¡¯s hind limbs using Nemaia. The crimson blade cut through the beast¡¯s flesh as if it were butter, its blood spraying out everywhere like a fountain. The princess continued to hack away at the beast¡¯s other limbs, slashing through them with all of her might. Yet, the beast did not fall. The blood which one spewed from its gushing wounds has all but evaporated, turning into blackened flames. The burning beast was much faster than ever before now, whether spurred on by its wounds or some other force, the princess did not know why: and frankly it did not matter. What mattered was that the beast moved fast again, and it was still angry.

    As the beast lunged forward with renewed speed and fury, Rhea knew she had to adapt her strategy. With lightning reflexes, Rhea sidestepped the beast''s initial charge, narrowly avoiding its claws. She spun on her heel, using the momentum to deliver a powerful upward slash aimed at the beast''s chest. But the creature was agile, and it managed to twist its body, avoiding a fatal blow. However, Rhea''s strike wasn''t in vain; the blade left a deep gash across the beast''s hide, causing it to let out a guttural roar of pain.

    With a bellowing howl, the beast¡¯s maw glowed with the light of its purplish flames. It was desperate, it wanted Rhea dead. The princess continued to hack and slash the beast¡¯s limbs, but the creature still stood firm. The burning beast then turned its head to directly face Rhea, unleashing a torrent of purplish flames directly at her. The princess closed her eyes instinctively, bracing for the worst to come.

    Yet, despite the searing flames which enveloped her, Rhea did not feel even the slightest hint of pain. The first thing she felt was confusion, she thought that perhaps she was already dead and was hallucinating somehow. But when she opened her eyes, Rhea saw how the flames which were supposed to char her flesh were instead being absorbed into Nemaia¡¯s blade. The crimson blade made it look effortless, and by the time the burning beast¡¯s flames had turned to fumes, Nemaia was blazing with bright red flames.

    Rhea seized her chance, while the beast was still recovering from its attack. With all of her remaining strength, the princess leapt into the ear and thrust Nemaia right through the beast¡¯s skull. The beast reeled in pain, part of its flesh turning to blackened ash with every second Nemaia was lodged in its skull. It desperately tried to dislodge Rhea and her crimson blade, thrashing about and throwing its head around in all directions. But the princess¡¯s grip on Nemaia remained firm, and the crimson blade responded in kind, piercing deeper into the beast¡¯s skull, its flames eating away at the foul creature''s insides.

    After a few minutes of struggle, the beast¡¯s limbs eventually became limp. Its movements became staggered and disoriented, causing it to trip and fall with a resounding thud. Rhea was panting, her breath¡¯s pace still heightened. It took her a few seconds to relax her muscles enough to relax her grip on Nemaia.

    Rhea was unsure of how he felled such a ferocious creature so quickly. Though that was only one of the many questions in her mind. There were so many questions she wished she knew the answer to: Ishgria, the Prophet, Nemaia, and those barely scratched the surface. At the very least, she still had Remuria. Once the princess managed to regain some of her strength, she stood up and walked towards the bench where she had left Remuria.

    She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Remuria was still in one piece. Rhea had already been separated from Remuria far too many times than she is comfortable with. At least with Remuria back, part of her mind could be at ease.

 Chapter 34: The Huntress and the Horse

    Zia wasn¡¯t sure where she was. The beast knocked her back quite a distance; maybe several hundred, thousand, no millions of feet away? It didn¡¯t matter much to Zia, she was never good with numbers. What did matter was the fact that she somehow lost both of her wraithbone axes when the beast hit her. Losing even one axe was devastating, but two? Unacceptable. She didn¡¯t even care for the pain she felt all over her body, she lost her axes.

    Her axes had always meant the world to her. They were one of the few things in her life she actually cared about, save for her brother as well. Zia hated feeling defenseless, she hated being vulnerable, she hated feeling so weak.

    Furious as she was, Zia was still alert enough to instinctively sidestep an arrow that was shot her way. The projectile appeared unlike anything she had seen before, for it was completely made out of glass. Turning her head towards where she believed the arrow originated, every single muscle in Zia¡¯s body immediately tensed.

    A few dozen feet away, a figure stood in stark contrast to its surroundings. It possessed a humanoid form, seemingly a woman, yet her composition defied all common sense. Her entire body shimmered with an ethereal translucence, as her flesh was crafted from the pure glass.

    What perplexed Zia even further, however, was the figure''s attire. The glass lady wore a hooded cloak that also seemed to be made out of glass. The cloak somehow billowed in the wind,as if it were made from normal fabric. In the transparent hands of the glass lady, an ornate bow gleamed with an otherworldly radiance. Waves of ethereal energy pulsed through the intricately crafted weapon, casting a surreal glow upon the surroundings. With each pull of the bowstring, an arrow materialized in an instant. And now, the glass lady unleashed her deadly aim, sending an arrow hurtling through the air.

    Zia''s reflexes kicked in, she dropped to the ground, narrowly evading the lethal trajectory of the glass lady''s arrow. The projectile whizzed past her, slicing through the air. But the glass lady was relentless. She unleashed a relentless flurry of arrows towards Zia, each propelled with supernatural swiftness. Zia, found herself pushed to her limits, she weaved and dodged in between the glass lady¡¯s arrows as best she could. However, despite her efforts, a few arrows managed to find their mark, grazing her skin.

    A jolt of agony shot through Zia''s body as she instinctively glanced at her wounded leg, a gash now gaping wide and oozing blood. She knew she couldn¡¯t keep dodging; she needed a weapon, something to tip the scales in her favor. As she evaded the relentless rain of arrows, Zia''s searching eyes darted across the environment, scouring her surroundings for something, anything, to wield. Yet, she found nothing of use: scattered rocks, but too small to wield as a weapon; tree branches, too fragile to matter; and a few dozen lifeless birds, Frustration surged within Zia as her gaze returned to the glass lady, preparing to take another shot.

    Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, Zia lunged forward, covering the distance between her and the glass lady in an instant. Just as the glass lady prepared to release her next arrow, Zia''s fist connected with bone-crushing force, striking the glass lady''s torso and sending her hurtling toward the ground.

    The glass lady''s form crumpled, her torso shattered, sending shards in all directions. Zia winced in pain as fragments of glass pierced her skin, embedding themselves deeply into her flesh. Her knuckles were now covered in uncountable shards of sharp glass. She withdrew her hand, blood mixing with fragments, yet she managed a sigh of relief. The glass lady was dead, or so she thought.

    Within seconds, the eerie sound of glass clashing together reached Zia''s ears from behind. Slowly turning her head, her eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before her. Shards of glass materialized out of thin air, converging and reassembling themselves to form yet another manifestation of the glass lady. Complete with her hooded cloak and taut bowstring.

    Without thinking, Zia''s adrenaline-fueled determination propelled her forward, each stride carrying her closer to the glass lady. Like lightning, Zia''s fists met the glass lady''s chest once more, the force of her blows resonating through her entire body. The sound of cracking glass filled the air as the glass lady recoiled from the ferocity of Zia''s attack.

    Briefly, Zia breathed a sigh of relief, that is until she heard the sound of glass reforming behind her once more¡­

    Zia''s fists clenched with raw determination, her knuckles pulsating with a mixture of adrenaline and pain. She could taste the metallic tang of her own blood on her lips, but she refused to relent. With a primal scream erupting from her throat, she lunged forward, aiming a devastating punch at the glass lady''s form.

    Her fist collided with the crystalline figure, shattering it into a myriad of shards that scattered through the air. Zia''s heart leaped with a flicker of hope, her breath caught in her throat as she anticipated victory. But to her dismay, the shards began to coalesce, reforming before her eyes. The glass lady emerged once more, unscathed.

    Zia launched herself at her ephemeral foe again, her fists becoming a blur of furious strikes. Blow after blow, she unleashed the full force of her fury, channeling her desperation into each punch. Yet, with each devastating strike that sent the glass lady''s form shattering, she only witnessed the glass lady''s ethereal essence reassembling once more.

    ***

    Sedris knew something was wrong when he heard the sound of glass being shattered over and over again. He had always had a strong connection to Zia, in a literal sense, whenever one of them was in danger, the other sibling would always seem to have this innate feeling of unease. And Sedris was feeling very uneasy indeed, he knew his sister was close, he just needed to turn the corner and-

    Sedris froze in place as he arrived at a clearing where a woman made out of pure glass stood. Underneath her feet laid the broken corpse of his sister. Sedris saw a lot of bloodshed and carnage in his lifetime, but the mangled state of Zia¡¯s corpse nearly drove him nauseous. His sister¡¯s body was riddled by uncountable shards of glass: large and small. Blood seeped into the crystalline shards, tinting them a bright red.

    So transfixed was Sedris by the sight of his sister¡¯s corpse, that he nearly forgot to dodge when the glass lady fired her arrow at him. Fortunately, thanks to his heightened reflexes, Sedris managed to duck and roll out of the way, dodging out of harm''s way. Then, he hoisted his glaive and prepared for combat, he needed to avenge Zia.

    With measured precision, Sedris''s instincts kicked into overdrive as he maneuvered through the onslaught of crystalline arrows. Every fiber of his being was focused on a singular objective: to deliver the killing blow with his glaive.

    And then, in a single decisive strike, Sedris''s glaive found its mark, piercing through the glass lady''s crystalline torso. Her form erupted, fracturing into untold millions of shimmering shards that cascaded through the air.

    Yet, one by one, the fractured remains of the glass lady''s form transformed into a storm of glass shards, their trajectory altered, aimed at Sedris. He tried to evade the deadly assault, his body contorting and twisting in a desperate attempt to escape the impending shards.

    Sedris''s instincts kicked into overdrive as he attempted to evade the onslaught of the lethal assault. His body contorted, twisted, and weaved through the air with desperate agility. Every fiber of his being strained, every muscle screamed in protest as he sought to escape the impending shower of pain. But the shards were relentless, their pursuit unyielding.

    One by one, the shards found their mark, piercing Sedris''s flesh with cruel precision. Agonizing cries tore through his throat, blending with the sounds of shattering glass. With each puncture, more and more pain coursed through Sedris''s veins.

    Sedris''s resilience gradually waned, his strength faltering with each new wound inflicted upon him. The pain, sharp and unrelenting, threatened to consume his consciousness, yet, through the haze of agony, a flicker of determination burned within his eyes, he was not willing to give up yet.

    Yet, the storm of glass shards raged on, an embodiment of the glass lady''s wrath. Sedris''s movements grew sluggish, his breath more labored, and his vision increasingly blurred. Anguished cries escaped Sedris''s lips as more shards of glass tore through his flesh, lacerating his being with merciless precision. Blood flowed freely from the wounds, staining his garments.

    Sedris staggered backward, his grip on the glaive wavering. His vision became hazy, the world tilting precariously as he fought to maintain his footing.

    ¡°Curse you!¡± Sedris spat at the glass lady, still reeling in pain.

    Then, Sedris heard the sound of glass reforming from behind his back. As he turned, he saw the glass lady¡¯s form begin to reconstruct itself once more, except this time, it seemed to speak, ¡°I¡­Iri¡­Irina.¡±

    ¡°I..Irina?¡± Sedris said out loud, confused.

    ¡°I¡­I am Irina, and I will protect¡­Ishgria.¡± the glass lady said, drawing her bow once more.

    ***

    ¡°Part of me wonders if all of this was my fault,¡± Rhea said.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter for now, what we need to do is focus on solving this issue once and for all.¡± Remuria said.

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    The pair had been walking for a few hours, making their way north: towards Castle Arstella. Though they faced some minor resistance from the occasional chimera which crossed their path, their trek had otherwise been uneventful.

    ¡°I just feel so powerless.¡± Rhea said, ¡°I have a bad feeling about all of this, first I was used by the Night Terror and now by the prophet too.¡±

    ¡°Suppose you are right, that all of this was your fault, does that change what we need to do now?¡± Remuria said.

    ¡°I¡­I suppose not, we still need to try and save Ishgria, somehow, though I¡¯m not sure if trusting in the prophet¡¯s advice to go to the castle is going to do that.¡± Rhea said

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust the prophet either, but he¡¯s the best lead we have for now.¡± Remuria said.

    ¡°Well said, Remuria.¡± a booming voice responded, causing Rhea and Remuria to startle.

    ¡°Who was that?¡± Rhea asked, drawing Nemaia.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but best be prepared,¡± Remuria said, manifesting Oros.

    ¡°I would not be so eager to jump to violence, if I were you.¡± a voice boomed.

    ¡°Show yourself coward!¡± Rhea yelled out.

    ¡°As you command, princess.¡± the voice replied.

    Suddenly, a clad in armor bearing the insignia of an Ishgrian commander strode out from the surrounding woods and into view. He had a graying beard, the look of years of wisdom evident in his eyes.

    ¡°Commander Olmus?¡± Remuria asked out loud.

    ¡°Ah, Remuria, I remember you still from when I visited the main palace long ago, I¡¯m happy to see you are well.¡± Olmus replied.

    ¡°But what are you doing here?¡± Rhea asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have much time left, princess, I need you and Remuria to save me.¡± Olmus replied, closing his eyes.

    ¡°Save you? Save you from what-,¡± Rhea paused her question as what she saw caused her eyes to widen in disbelief.

    The once human form of Commander Olmus shifted and writhed, within seconds, his body had grown to gargantuan proportions, his head now deformed into that of a sneering horse¡¯s. A large eyeball dangled from one of its eye sockets, held together by a single strand of reddish flesh. The former commander¡¯s limbs had now grown elongated legs ending in ironclad hooves. Dozens of large tendrils dotted the former commander¡¯s new form, writhing and grasping at the air every second.

    Rhea and Remuria exchanged glances with each other. Both understood what they needed to do. When the beast that was once Commander Olmus charged at them, the pair knew it would not be an easy battle.

    With relentless determination, Rhea and Remuria unleashed a flurry of strikes upon the monstrous form of Commander Olmus. Their blades, Nemaia and Oros, cut through the air with desperate precision. With each swing, Rhea and Remuria desperately hoped to find a weakness in Olmus''s monstrous form. But to their dismay, with each successful strike, Olmus¡¯s body recovered almost immediately, his flesh rapidly regenerating from each cut and gashing wound. His monstrous tendrils then lashed out with a relentless ferocity. Rhea and Remuria evaded as best they could, but the tendrils seemed to anticipate their every move, fatigue crept through their limbs, their muscles protesting with every movement.

    The former commander¡¯s attacks were unrelenting. He reveled in their struggle, his deformed visage twisted into a cruel grin. With an unnerving agility, he sidestepped a slash from Rhea, before retaliating with a sweeping strike that sent the princess crashing to the ground. Remuria, consumed by a mix of fury and fear, launched a desperate assault, but her strikes were deflected effortlessly by Olmus''s ironclad hooves.

    Gritting their teeth, Rhea and Remuria struggled to their feet, their vision blurred and their bodies trembling. As Rhea fought against the relentless onslaught of Commander Olmus, desperation seeped into her every movement. Nemaia trembled in her grasp, with each clash of steel, her heart pounded rapidly in her chest.

    But in her desperation, Rhea''s focus wavered, her concentration faltering. She glanced at her own bloodied hands, a dangerous thought sparking within her mind: blood magic. Though she wasn¡¯t sure of her capability, with a mixture of fear and determination, she made a desperate choice.

    Closing her eyes, Rhea reached deep within herself, drawing upon the wellspring of power that resided within her blood. She chanted strange incantations, her mind seemingly knowing them out of nowhere, crimson energy began to swirl around her, an ominous aura taking shape. But, the magic eluded her grasp: the swirling energy spiraled chaotically, flying out in all directions before vanishing into the air. In her momentary vulnerability, Commander Olmus seized the opportunity.

    With a sinister grin, Olmus''s elongated arm lashed out, striking Remuria with, the force of the impact sent her sprawling to the ground, her body crumpling under the weight of the assault.

    Dread coiled around Rhea''s heart as she witnessed Remuria''s still form, the weight. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched Nemaia tightly. Her failure weighed heavily upon her, filling her with a self-inflicted guilt.

    Rhea''s heart pounded in her chest, a tempest of anger and frustration swirling within her. The weight of her losses, the pain of her failures, all converged into an overwhelming surge of raw emotion: a primal scream.

    In that moment, the crimson blade responded to the intensity of her emotions. As if awakening from a dormant slumber, Nemaia ignited with scarlet flames that danced along its razor-sharp edge. The flames grew brighter and fiercer with each passing second, mirroring the intensity of Rhea''s anger.

    Her eyes blazed with determination as she advanced toward Commander Olmus. With every swing of her blazing sword, the flames licked at the air, leaving trails of scorching heat in their wake. Each strike only added more fuel to her fury, the scorching flames leaving smoldering marks on the abomination''s twisted flesh.

    The flames that engulfed Nemaia licked at Olmus''s grotesque form, searing his flesh and preventing his regenerative abilities from taking effect. His monstrous limbs thrashed in pain and frustration as the flames ate away at his flesh.

    As the battle raged on, Rhea''s strikes grew more precise, exploiting the weaknesses exposed by Nemaia''s scorching flames. She danced around Olmus, evading his desperate lunges and retaliating with relentless fury. Soon, Rhea found the opening she needed to end things. With one great leap, the princess took to the air, barreling down on the monster. The clash of steel against flesh echoed loudly as Nemaia found its mark. Rhea''s strike was true, the blade slicing through Olmus''s twisted neck: a torrent of darkened blood erupted from the severed stump. Olmus''s gargantuan form convulsed in its death throes, a guttural, unearthly cry escaping from his twisted maw.

    Rhea landed gracefully, her eyes fixed upon the decapitated monstrosity before her. The lifeless body of Commander Olmus slumped to the ground. Rhea stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. The scarlet flames of Nemaia flickered and waned, their purpose fulfilled.

    As the smoke of the battlefield settled and silence enveloped the scene, Rhea wiped the sweat from her brow, her gaze fixed upon the severed head of what was once Commander Olmus.

    ¡°Well done, princess.¡±

    Rhea turned towards the source of the voice. Her visage turned to a frown as she recognized the figure approaching her, ¡°greetings prophet, I¡­did not think you would be here.¡±

    The prophet¡¯s golden mask seemed to shine even brighter than usual, ¡°I come as I am needed,¡± they said bluntly, ¡°your opinion of me is irrelevant.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this nonsense, Remuria is dying.¡± Rhea scoffed, turning her back on the prophet.

    ¡°Your lover is dying, princess, and you will need my help should you want to save her.¡±

    Rhea paused. Shooting a glare at the prophet, ¡°you did this, you set us up to die.¡±

    ¡°No, I did not plan anything,¡± the prophet explained, a hint of contempt in their voice, ¡°you have your own weakness to blame.¡±

    ¡°So now you are just here to insult me?¡±

    ¡°No, as I said, I can help you save Remuria.¡±

    ¡°But there¡¯s a catch, isn¡¯t there?¡±

    ¡°If that is what you want to call it, yes, you must continue alone to Castle Arstella and confront Queen Phaedra.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m supposed to just leave Remuria here?¡±

    The prophet walked closer towards the princess, ¡°I can keep her safe, for a time.¡±

    ¡°You really think I¡¯m going to trust you? Just like that?¡± Rhea scoffed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your trust, only your cooperation.¡±

    ¡°And what are you-,¡± Rhea felt a headache worm its way into her skull. She dropped to her knees, clutching her head.

    The prophet walked past Rhea and towards Remuria, kneeling over her, ¡°I¡¯ll be taking your companion, princess.¡±

    ¡°No¡­please¡­no.¡± Rhea muttered out weakly, fighting against the pain that seized her.

    ¡°You will have her back in good health, after you follow my advice.¡± the prophet said dismissively, placing a hand over Remuria.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you-,¡± before Rhea could even finish her sentence, the prophet was gone, taking Remuria with them.

    Rhea breathed out a heavy sigh. There was much left to do.

 Chapter 35: Scarlet Dominion [END]

    Rhea had been walking for hours. Her joints ached with a dull pain that worsened over time. Were she still a human, she¡¯d probably have needed to force herself to rest a long time ago, and yet, she continued to trudge on, unwavering, unfaltering.

    The prophet¡¯s words continued to echo in her mind. Rhea was unsure of what she would face once she reached Castle Arstella. Her mother was cruel at times, yes, but Queen Phaedra was never a fighter. Certainly, the queen wouldn¡¯t stand a chance if Rhea decided to end her life then and there. But, when Rhea saw the gargantuan shadowy figure hovering above the silhouette of Castle Arstella in the distance, she knew she needed to run.

    With a surge of adrenaline, Rhea pushed her tired body forward, propelling herself toward the castle gates. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she raced as fast as she could. Finally, as her footsteps carried her to the entrance, Rhea''s breath caught in her throat, and her mouth hung open in stunned disbelief.

    ¡°So you have come, daughter.¡± a voice bellowed.

    Rhea paused. She took a few cautious steps back, unable to believe what she was seeing.

    ¡°Mother¡­what have you become?¡±

    ¡°I have become death, my daughter.¡±

    Queen Phaedra, if one could still call her that, had transcended the boundaries of mortal comprehension. Towering over Castle Arstella, she loomed like a nightmarish specter, a grotesque embodiment of otherworldly power.

    Her eldritch form was a shifting mass of darkness and shadows. It writhed and twisted, bound together by an arcane force that defied comprehension. Each individual tendril moved with a sinister sentience, as if possessed by a mind of its own, pulsating and squirming with an eerie intelligence. Phaedra was lost completely, her eyes, or whatever semblance of eyes remained, glowed with an otherworldly light, and as the queen moved: the shadows rippled and contorted, seemingly alive with a dark energy. They reached out like twisted appendages, brushing against the ground with a macabre curiosity.

    "Did you cause all of this?" Rhea''s voice trembled with disbelief, her hands spreading out in a gesture of despair.

    Phaedra met Rhea''s gaze with a chilling nonchalance. "So what if I did?" she retorted, her voice devoid of remorse.

    "Do you not feel even the slightest trace of remorse?" Rhea pleaded.

    Phaedra scoffed, "Remorse for what? Desiring power? Is that not what you want too, my daughter? Believe it or not, I have long been aware of your ambitions for the throne, Rhea.¡±

    "Yes, I desire the throne, mother, but I would never stoop to as low as you have."

    Phaedra''s voice thundered with a twisted conviction. "You just don''t understand, daughter," she bellowed, "power is not a prize for the weak-willed; it is meant to be seized by those who have the strength to wield it. If the cost for my ambitions is the suffering of all of Ishgria, then so be it."

    Rhea''s eyes blazed with fury. "Look at you!" she yelled, ¡°What have you become?"

    Phaedra''s reply was unyielding, "I am Queen Phaedra, the rightful ruler of Ishgria, and if you still hold even a hint of respect for this nation, you will bow before me."

    Rhea scoffed, ¡°You were a queen once, but that title holds no meaning now, I would rather face death than kneel to you."

    ¡°Then you die here.¡±

    As Phaedra prepared to strike, raising one of her massive tendrils to crush Rhea, a miraculous intervention occurred. In a dazzling display of power, Nemaia radiated a pillar of fierce flames. The blaze acted as a shield, enveloping the princess and causing Phaedra to recoil as her tendril became entangled in the searing inferno.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The Ishgrian throne is not yours to claim, mother.¡± Rhea declared triumphantly..

    ¡°No, impossible, what in the heavens is that sword?¡± Phaedra said, her voice strained.

    ¡°This sword is called Nemaia and it shall bring about your doom.¡± Rhea tightened her grip on the crimson blade, feeling its warmth and power surge through her veins. And with a great leap: the duel for the fate of Ishgria began.

    As the battle commenced, Phaedra unleashed her eldritch might upon Rhea. Shadows lashed out with malevolent intent, reaching towards her like ethereal tendrils seeking to ensnare and consume the princess. However, Rhea''s reflexes were honed, her movements fluid and precise  as she deftly maneuvered through the onslaught, narrowly avoiding the queen¡¯s tendrils.

    Then, Rhea countered with swift, determined strikes of Nemaia. The flaming blade cleaved through Phaedra''s eldritch form. Scarlet flames licked at the eldritch abomination¡¯s flesh. But Phaedra was far from finished. With each strike she took, her form contorted and shifted, the tendrils recoiling only to reform with renewed ferocity. Soon, her dark power surged, lashing out with tendrils of darkness that whipped and thrashed, threatening to overwhelm Rhea.

    Undeterred, Rhea summoned her inner strength and as her determination peaked, Nemaia responded in kind, its scarlet flames burning brighter and fiercer. The sword seemed to pulse with a life of its own, resonating with Rhea''s emotions and augmenting her attacks with a newfound intensity.

    With a resounding battle cry, Rhea launched yet another daring leap, her blade raised high above her head. Time seemed to slow as Rhea descended upon Queen Phaedra, her strike aimed with precision.

    In a single, monumental stroke, Rhea''s blade cleaved through the swirling darkness, severing Phaedra''s form. A shriek of unearthly agony echoed through the air as the eldritch queen''s essence recoiled, the severed tendrils dissipating into ethereal mist.

    As the echoes of the battle subsided, Rhea stood amidst the fading shadows, her chest heaving with exertion. The decimated remnants of Phaedra''s eldritch form dissipated, leaving behind an oppressive silence.

    Rhea cautiously approached the dissipating shadows, her eyes locked upon the heart of the fading darkness. And there, amidst the dispersing tendrils, emerged a figure, hunched and trembling. The eldritch veil that had shrouded Queen Phaedra for so long relinquished its hold, revealing her true, human form.

    Phaedra, her once regal visage now marked by exhaustion and defeat, looked upon Rhea with a mix of awe and fear. Her eyes, devoid of the eldritch glow, mirrored a frailty that belied her former grandeur.

    Rhea approached her mother cautiously. The crimson flames of Nemaia flickered and dissipated, leaving behind a faint warmth that mirrored the princess¡¯s resolve.

    "I never wanted it to come to this," Rhea said, her eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill onto her cheeks.

    "Kill me... daughter," Phaedra''s voice trembled, a frail whimper escaping her lips.

    Rhea''s rage ignited, her face contorting with fury. "I''d like to talk first," she said with gritted teeth.

    Phaedra''s eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and resignation. "Ask away."

    "Did you make a pact with the underworld?" Rhea asked.

    A heavy silence hung in the air as Phaedra''s gaze dropped to the ground. "Yes," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

    "Did you truly despise me?" Rhea asked next.

    Phaedra''s eyes met Rhea''s, ¡°ever since... you were born... I hated you," she admitted, her voice choked with the weight of a lifetime''s resentment.

    The air grew still as Rhea tightened her grip on Nemaia. She looked into her mother''s eyes, searching for any glimmer of remorse. "Any last words?"

    A bitter smile tugged at Phaedra''s lips as she mustered her final breath. "You''re a failure, Rhea, even now..." she murmured with her last breath.

    With her mother¡¯s lifeless body sprawled before her, Rhea stood amidst the wreckage, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape. The once majestic Castle Arstella lay in ruins, while the skies above remained draped in an oppressive darkness, as if mourning the loss that had befallen Ishgria. The death of her mother, though a momentous event, seemed to have little impact on the world around her.

    A voice pierced the silence, causing a chill to crawl up Rhea''s spine. Every fiber of her being reacted, instinctively sensing the presence of someone she had hoped never to encounter again.

    "You have done well, princess."

    Rhea''s jaw clenched, her eyes refusing to meet the gaze of the prophet who stood behind her. With a measured tone, she asked, "What do you want, prophet?"

    ¡°Nothing, I have come with Remuria, to fulfill my end of our agreement.¡±

    At the mention of Remuria, Rhea''s heart skipped a beat, her eyes finally locking onto the figure cradled in the prophet''s arms. The sight of Remuria, still unconscious and vulnerable, stirred a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within the princess.

    Rhea''s voice trembled with concern as she observed Remuria''s motionless form. "She is still unconscious."

    "She''s merely tired,¡± the prophet dismissed.

    Suspicion etched itself across Rhea''s face as she pressed further, "What have you done to her?" she demanded.

    A few steps closer, the prophet''s presence grew more imposing. "Nothing," they replied, "You played your part, and now I am here to fulfill mine."

    With hesitant caution, Rhea gently took Remuria''s limp body from the prophet''s arms, carefully laying her on the ground, cradling her on her own lap.

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    ¡°She will awake in due time, but now, we must talk, princess.¡±

    The princess couldn''t help but shoot a cutting glance at the prophet, her scarlet eyes ablaze with contempt. "What else do you want from me?¡±

    A respectful bow accompanied the prophet''s reply, their voice holding a newfound servitude. "You are right, Princess. I am here to serve you now."

    Rhea was taken aback by the prophet¡¯s words, ¡°Why? Why would you choose to serve me?"

    "You are the chosen of the underworld, its greatest champion. It is only natural that I align myself with your cause." The prophet explained.

    Doubt gnawed at Rhea''s resolve as she contemplated the prophet¡¯s allegiance. "How can I trust that you will not betray me?"

    "For now, you have only my word," the prophet replied, their tone steady. "But should you ask of me anything within my ability, I shall oblige."

    "Can you restore Ishgria to its former state?"

    "There is no turning back Ishgria to what it was, it shall forever remain a land of eternal night. However, it is within the realm of possibility to restore its people, or at least what remains of them."

    Rhea''s bitterness spilled forth, "All I witnessed were the Ishgrian people transformed into hideous chimeras, monstrous beings stripped of their humanity."

    "I am well aware of the¡­peculiar state of the Ishgrian people," the prophet replied with a curt bow, "these ''chimeras,'' as you call them, can indeed be restored."

    ¡°And the ones that are dead?¡±

    ¡°Everyone who has died can be brought back to life, if you wish, and they shall be bound to your will.¡±

    Rhea tilted her head, ¡°Bound to my will?¡±

    ¡°Yes, they shall have their free-will, but their existence will be bound to you: whatever you ask of them they cannot refuse and whenever you die, they too shall perish.¡±

    ¡°So they will be nothing more than slaves?¡±

    ¡°Functionally? Yes.¡±

    ¡°That¡­that isn¡¯t right.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so naive, princess, it¡¯s not like you aren¡¯t used to having slaves around.¡± the prophet scoffed.

    ¡°I never had slaves.¡± Rhea retorted.

    ¡°Oh? Those ¡®servants¡¯ at the royal palace: they must serve the royal family for life no?¡±

    ¡°But they are paid a fair wage.¡±

    ¡°But they cannot stop if they wish, and their children and grandchildren must serve as long as possible, or am I wrong, princess?¡±

    ¡°I¡­no.¡± Rhea admitted weakly.

    ¡°You are a ruler chosen by the underworld, princess, and soon you will learn to act like one.¡± the prophet reaffirmed.

    ¡°I¡­I understand,¡± Rhea relented.

    ¡°Good, I¡¯ll leave you with the deathbringer¡¯s daughter, there¡¯s still an intact village not too far from here. If you wish to rest, we shall speak again in due time.¡±

    ***

    When Remuria slowly stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttered open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. Her gaze immediately fell upon Rhea, who sat hunched over, eyes closed in an expression of weariness. There was always a certain tenderness that enveloped her when Rhea revealed her softer side.

    "Rhea... what happened?"

    Rhea, finally sensing Remuria''s awakening, turned toward her with a mixture of relief and sorrow etched across her face. In a moment of longing, she enfolded Remuria in a tight embrace, "a lot," she whispered.

    Responding to Rhea''s gesture of affection, Remuria returned the embrace, feeling the warmth of their connection amidst the encroaching darkness. "That''s fair, but are you alright?"

    "I''m¡­alright¡± Rhea replied, ¡°but I could do much better.¡±

    Remuria couldn''t help but press further, "And nothing bad happened while I was out of commission?"

    Rhea hesitated, the princess took a deep breath, summoning the courage to lay bare her soul to the one person who understood her completely. "About that..."

    Soon, Rhea recounted every harrowing detail to Remuria, sparing no aspect of her recent trials. She spoke of her battle against the late queen, and then went on to reveal her fateful pact with the prophet, holding nothing back.

    As Rhea finished her explanation, Remuria''s expression shifted from surprise to awe, her eyes widening with each revelation. "I... wow, that is a lot," she finally managed to say.

    "I know... It''s just so... overwhelming," Rhea confessed, her voice heavy with self-condemnation. "I''ve become a monster."

    Remuria''s heart ached. She reached out, gently cradling Rhea''s face in her hands, "Perhaps you have," Remuria conceded, "but what other choice do you have now?"

    "I just wished there was a better way," Rhea whispered.

    "I''m sure we can figure something out, a way for you to break whatever hold the underworld has on you."

    "Really? You think so?" Rhea asked expectantly.

    Remuria''s smile radiated warmth and reassurance. "I promise," she whispered.

    ¡°I¡­I just-¡±

    In a sublime moment, Remuria seized her chance. Her soft lips found Rhea''s, a kiss, it was all the princess needed and so much more. The world seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the raw intensity and depth of their connection. In that fleeting embrace, Rhea and Remuria found solace and affirmation only in each other''s arms.

    ***

    A few months had passed since the death of Queen Phaedra, by right, the ruler of Ishgria was required to be a son. Yet, with Rhea being the sole legitimate heir to the throne: it did not take long for the former princess to become a queen. Queen Rhea inherited a recovering nation, one that was scarred but regaining its strength. Unfortunately, there were many other kingdoms nearby who could smell blood in the water, they sought to trample Ishgria before it could regain its strength. Something the new queen could not afford to let pass.

    Now, In the solitude of her bedroom, Rhea stood captivated by her own reflection, positioned before a grand mirror. The military uniform Remuria made for her gave out an aura of authority and elegance. Its fabric, woven meticulously with dark red cashmere, embraced the new queen with a luxurious touch. Delicate silk trimming, adorned with white piping and cuffs, added a touch of finesse to the ensemble. The garment itself was a masterpiece, emboldened by an exquisite tapestry of gilded threads, each one a testament to the skilled hands that had brought it to life. Completing the ensemble were a pair of sleek black trousers that clung effortlessly to her form and dark leather boots, their gleam mirroring the new queen¡¯s determination.

    "Excuse me, Rhea. May I come in?"

    "Remuria? Please, come in!"

    "If you''ll excuse me." The door creaked open, as Remuria let herself in. Her hair was tightly styled into her signature chignon, perfectly complementing the uniform she wore, which bore a striking resemblance to Rhea''s own. The uniform, meticulously tailored, featured an ebony hue with silver accents that traced delicate lines along the edges.

    "You look amazing, Rhea!" Remuria exclaimed.

    Rhea couldn''t help but smile, her eyes filled with affection. "You have yourself to thank for that," she replied with a soft chuckle. "And besides, you look amazing yourself."

    With a tender touch, Remuria moved behind Rhea, carefully adjusting the collar of the queen¡¯s uniform. "You need to be more mindful of appearances now, Rhea. I won''t always be here to assist you with adjusting your clothes."

    A playful grin graced Rhea''s lips as she turned to face Remuria. "But you are here now, aren''t you?"

    Remuria chuckled in response, "So, do you have your speech prepared?"

    Rhea''s expression turned slightly apprehensive, her eyes reflecting her nervousness. "I do, although I must admit, I am feeling a bit anxious."

    Encouragement emanated from Remuria''s gaze as she reached for Rhea''s hands, clasping them gently. Leaning in, she planted a tender kiss on Rhea''s lips. "You''ll be fine. I am certain of it,"

    Rhea blushed, a faint rosy hue coloring her cheeks. "Well, you have always been quite convincing."

    "So, what are you waiting for? Your people are eagerly awaiting your presence."

    Rhea nodded, "You''re right, I should make my way there." Turning towards the bedroom door, she paused briefly, a smile gracing her lips. "Oh, and I¡¯ll see you at the gardens after I¡¯m done,"

    A smile mirrored Remuria''s face as she replied, "To you as well, my queen."

    As Rhea emerged from her chamber, she was met with a surprising sight. Standing before her were Zia and Sedris, their usual red cloaks absent, replaced by uniforms befitting esteemed members of the royal guard.

    "Greetings, Queen Rhea," Sedris greeted her with a respectful bow.

    Zia, on the other hand, seemed slightly uncomfortable, fidgeting as she struggled to match the gravity of the moment. With a mumbled effort, she managed to muster a bow, albeit a somewhat awkward one.

    Rhea couldn''t help but chuckle at their contrasting reactions. "I see that you two are as consistent as ever," she remarked.

    Sedris nodded, his demeanor still retaining a hint of stoicism. "For better or for worse, yes," he replied curtly, a flicker of a smile momentarily gracing his features.

    Zia crossed her arms, her expression a blend of uncertainty and disbelief. "I''m still not used to all this fancy living and whatnot," she admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of self-consciousness.

    "You''ll get used to it in time," Rhea assured Zia.

    Zia let out a half-hearted sigh. "Right..." she droned.

    Sedris, ever pragmatic, interjected. "Anyway, are you ready to deliver your speech, Your Highness?"

    "I am, yes."

    With Sedris and Zia now at her side, Rhea led the way towards the grandeur of the palace balcony. The trio moved in unison, their unified presence a symbol of strength and unity as they headed towards the platform that awaited Rhea''s powerful voice.

    Rhea stood resolute, her figure elevated high upon the expansive palace balcony. Her gaze swept across the sea of faces gathered below, their faces seemed even brighter under the perpetual night that shrouded Ishgria. Among the throng, she could discern the presence of vampires, their ethereal allure blending seamlessly with the nocturnal ambiance.

    "People of Ishgria, for far too long, our great kingdom has been beset by enemies from all sides who covet our wealth, our lands, and even our children."

    As Rhea''s voice resounded through the air, the crowd leaned forward, hanging on her every word. Heads turned, gazes locked, and murmurs of agreement passed like wildfire.

    "The hostility towards us has only intensified since the emergence of the eternal night which has come to embrace Ishgria," Rhea continued, her voice filled with steely resolve. "They brand us as monsters, mere beasts incapable of reason or redemption."

    "Our enemies encircle us, and no nation stands willing to be our ally," Rhea proclaimed, her words echoing with a mix of solemnity and determination.

    Eyes widened, jaws clenched, and fists tightened as the queen¡¯s words struck a chord within the crowd.

    "Henceforth, I declare that Ishgria shall embark on a war of conquest!" Rhea''s voice rang out, her proclamation filling the night sky. "If our enemies wish to take everything from us, we shall do the same to them first!"

    The crowd erupted into a chorus of thunderous applause, their collective fervor painting the night with an indomitable spirit.

    "Even if it demands the last drop of my blood, even if the very ground becomes stained crimson with the sacrifices we make, I swear upon my name: We shall witness Ishgria prosper once more!"

    Applause erupted, thunderous and passionate, filling the night air. Hands collided in a symphony of claps, punctuated by triumphant shouts and joyous cries that echoed throughout. A myriad of voices merged into a single unified roar of support, echoing through the night like a rallying cry.

    ¡°Glory to Ishgria!"

 33: Opportunity

    The doors of the adventurer¡¯s guild creaked open as Adrian, Kael, and Galtier stepped inside. They quickly moved toward the front desk, where a familiar face waited: a receptionist with sharp eyes and an ever-present ledger.

    Adrian reached into his satchel and pulled out a carefully wrapped bundle. "We''re here to submit the Venomfang spider silk for Mr. Crawford''s quest," he said, placing the parcel on the polished wooden counter.

    The receptionist eyed the bundle before unwrapping it slightly to inspect the shimmering threads within. "Solid work as always."

    Kael leaned casually against the counter, his fingers tapping a light rhythm. "What can we say? We''re just that good."

    She offered a faint smile before flipping open her ledger. "Adventurer licenses, please, for recordkeeping."

    Galtier produced his license card from a hidden compartment in his gauntlet, while Adrian and Kael retrieved theirs from their pouches. They handed them over, and the receptionist recorded their details with swift, practiced strokes of her quill.

    "Everything appears to be in order," she said, returning their licenses. "The reward for this quest is seventy-five gold pieces. Given the exceptional quality of the silk, the guild is adding a bonus of twenty-five gold, bringing your total to an even one hundred."

    Adrian exchanged a pleased glance with his companions. "Thank you kindly."

    The receptionist counted out the coins into a small leather pouch and handed it to Adrian. "Keep up the good work. The guild values competent teams like yours."

    Kael gave her a playful salute. "We''ll do our best to keep you impressed."

    As they stepped away from the desk, Adrian felt the satisfying weight of the reward in his hand. They found an empty table near one of the large windows overlooking the street outside. Adrian poured the coins onto the table, arranging them into three equal piles. "That''s thirty-three gold each, with one extra coin. How should we handle the remainder?"

    Galtier''s armor clinked softly as he took his seat. "We can set it aside for shared expenses: supplies, repairs, that sort of thing."

    Kael nodded in agreement. "Works for me."

    Adrian placed the solitary coin back into the pouch. "Alright, communal fund it is." He distributed the remaining shares, sliding the gold toward Kael and Galtier.

    Kael pocketed his coins, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Not a bad day''s work."

    "Agreed," Galtier said.

    Kael pushed his headband back slightly, revealing just a hint of his closed eyes beneath. ¡°Hey, guess what? This makes it our tenth successful quest in a row!¡±

    He threw his arms out in triumph, chest puffed with pride. ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll be A-rank adventurers in no time.¡±

    Adrian chuckled at Kael¡¯s enthusiasm. He couldn¡¯t deny the pride that swelled in him at their recent streak of successes. Ten B-rank quests in a row, didn''t think I''d enjoy adventuring this much.

    "Unfortunately, I¡¯ll have to celebrate another time. I need to get home a bit early today, promised to help make dinner.¡± Adrian said.

    Kael¡¯s expression immediately shifted to one of exaggerated disappointment. ¡°Aw, come on, are you really ditching us for kitchen duty?¡±

    Adrian laughed, shaking his head. ¡°Some things are more important than ranks, Kael. Besides, the quicker I help with dinner, the quicker I can get back.¡±

    But suddenly, Galtier leaned forward. ¡°Actually, Adrian, could I speak with you alone later?"

    Adrian¡¯s smile faltered for a brief moment, sensing the seriousness in Galtier¡¯s tone. He glanced over at Kael, who perked up immediately, his curiosity sparking like a lit fuse.

    ¡°Oh, if it¡¯s a secret, then I definitely need to be in on it!¡± Kael said.

    Adrian placed a hand on Kael¡¯s shoulder, gently but firmly. ¡°Kael, not this time. I really need to talk with just Galtier.¡±

    Kael¡¯s grin faded into a pout, but he didn¡¯t argue further. Instead, he let out an exaggerated sigh and crossed his arms in mock surrender. ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯ll be outside if you change your mind."

    When Kael sauntered off toward the guild¡¯s main doors, Adrian and Galtier moved to a quieter corner of the guild hall, away from the bustling crowd. The two looked around for a few moments, making sure nobody was paying attention.

    ¡°I have a lead on the Mourne,¡± Galtier said.

    Adrian¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°Who? And how did you find them?¡±

    Galtier¡¯s helmet shifted slightly, as if he were recalling every detail. ¡°It was strange. Recently, a girl approached me. She had red eyes and spoke with a calmness that didn¡¯t fit the situation. She asked me if I wanted to know more about the Mourne.¡±

    Adrian¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He stepped closer, his gaze intent. ¡°Did she have black hair?¡±

    Galtier paused, considering Adrian¡¯s reaction. ¡°Yes, why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°Never mind,¡± Adrian said quickly, though his thoughts churned. Could it be her? Seven? How is she alive? And why would she be working with them?

    Adrian pushed the thoughts aside for now, focusing on what Galtier was saying. ¡°What did she tell you?¡±

    ¡°The girl wanted to know if I was truly interested in learning about the Mourne. I was¡­ less than welcoming at first, as you might imagine.¡±

    ¡°And then?¡±

    ¡°She told me that if I approached with an open mind, the Mourne would be willing to undo my curse, and my sister¡¯s."

    ¡°Did you accept her offer?¡±

    ¡°Not yet. She told me to meet her in South Tusk in a week¡¯s time. She made it clear that this was not a standing invitation.¡±

    Adrian¡¯s thoughts raced. ¡°When did you see her?¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°Two days ago, just before we started our tenth quest.¡± Galtier said.

    Adrian fell silent, turning the possibilities over in his mind. If it really is Seven, why would she be working with them? Is it possible they made another homunculus that just  looks like her?

    The implications were dizzying. He took a steadying breath. ¡°Do you trust her words?¡±

    Galtier¡¯s helm tilted ever so slightly. ¡°Trust is not the word I would use. But I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t curious. If there¡¯s even a chance that this curse could be lifted, I must consider it.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s what you were trying to hide from me,¡± Kael said suddenly.

    Adrian whirled around, his surprise quickly giving way to mild exasperation. ¡°Kael? How did you hear that? And why are you even here?¡± He glanced around, scanning for any sign that Kael had been nearby, but he hadn¡¯t sensed him at all.

    Kael grinned, tapping the side of his head where his headband rested. ¡°I never went too far, but you know me, I picked a good spot and have good enough hearing to catch the gist of things.¡±

    Adrian pressed a hand to his forehead. Of course, he¡¯d listen in.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to hear that,¡± Adrian muttered. ¡°This isn¡¯t something you should be getting involved in without knowing all the risks.¡±

    Kael¡¯s grin faltered slightly. ¡°I¡¯m already involved, aren¡¯t I? The Mourne hurt you, Adrian. They¡¯re connected to Galtier¡¯s curse. And if they¡¯re as dangerous as you two say, then that makes them my problem, too.¡±

    Adrian opened his mouth, ready to argue, but the intensity in Kael¡¯s expression stopped him. Doesn''t look like we can keep Kael out of this forever.

    Galtier¡¯s armored frame shifted, his focus now on Kael. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game, boy. The Mourne are ruthless. They will not hesitate to kill or worse.¡±

    ¡°Listen, I¡¯m not taking this lightly. But if we¡¯re really going after them, you¡¯ll need all the help you can get. And like it or not, I¡¯m already here.¡± Kael said.

    Adrian¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly. ¡°Fine, you''ll need to be much more careful than usual."

    Kael nodded.  ¡°I can do that."

    ¡°If you are to stay involved, you follow our lead. No reckless moves." Galtier said bluntly.

    Kael tilted his head, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. ¡°You might be asking a lot there, big guy.¡±

    Galtier¡¯s armor creaked as he stepped closer, his shadow swallowing the light around them. ¡°I am asking because it is necessary. We cannot afford mistakes.¡±

    Kael¡¯s expression sobered, and he nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±

    Adrian drew a deep breath, feeling some of the tension in the air release.  ¡°With that settled, we should meet here again tomorrow morning. There¡¯s a lot to prepare.¡±

    ¡°Very well. We¡¯ll be ready.¡± Galtier said.

    ***

    The glow of candlelight bathed the dining room as Adrian sat down with Marcus and Anisa. The simple wooden table was set with care, each place adorned with a plate of hearty stew, fresh bread, and a small dish of herbs.

    Adrian was especially proud of today''s meal, as he played a great deal in helping to make it. Took a while, but the results are undeniable.

    Marcus tore into his bread with enthusiasm. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten better at this, Adrian. Almost like you actually like cooking now.¡±

    Adrian grinned, dipping a piece of bread into his bowl. ¡°Only because I have good teachers,¡± he said, glancing at Anisa. ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll ever get the seasoning just right.¡±

    Anisa, seated across from him, chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way. t¡¯s not just about the food, you know. It¡¯s the heart you put into it.¡±

    "Of course, I always keep that in mind."

    They ate in companionable silence for a few moments. But Marcus broke the silence first, his tone more serious. ¡°What¡¯s next for you, Adrian? Any plans?¡±

    Adrian paused, his spoon halfway to his mouth, then forced himself to smile. ¡°Just¡­ more work, but nothing I can¡¯t handle.¡±

    Anisa¡¯s eyes lingered on Adrian, a hint of concern shadowing her otherwise bright expression. She studied him for a moment longer, setting down her spoon with a quiet clink. ¡°Adrian, I know there¡¯s more on your mind than just ¡®more work.¡¯ What¡¯s really going on?¡±

    Adrian¡¯s fingers tightened around his spoon, his appetite suddenly waning. He tried to look away, but Anisa¡¯s steady gaze anchored him. I can swear that she''s psychic, but¡­ I''m probably just bad at hiding my feelings.

    He exhaled slowly, setting his spoon down. ¡°I¡­ I have to go to South Tusk.¡±

    ¡°Adrian, please. There must be another way.¡±

    ¡°I wish there was, but I can¡¯t ignore it, Anisa. There''s someone important in South Tusk that I have to see, and I might not get another chance."

    Anisa¡¯s shoulders sagged, and she shook her head slowly. ¡°South Tusk¡­ it¡¯s a place that consumes people, Adrian. Even seasoned warriors don¡¯t always come back. You¡¯re walking into a den of vipers.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right. It¡¯s a pit of thieves, cutthroats, and worse." Marcus said.

    ¡°I know the risks, but I¡¯ll be careful." Adrian said, hoping to assuage Marcus and Anisa''s concerns.

    Anisa¡¯s eyes glistened, and she reached out, gripping his hand tightly. ¡°I''ve¡­ seen those eyes before, you''re not going to back down from this, are you?"

    "Sorry, Anisa, I need to do this."

    "Then at the very least, please promise me you''ll come back home after whatever you do in South Tusk."

    ¡°I promise,¡± Adrian said, squeezing her hand back. ¡°I¡¯ll do everything I can to come back.¡±

    Finally, Marcus cleared his throat. ¡°If you¡¯re really set on going, there¡¯s someone who might make it a bit safer.¡±

    Adrian tilted his head. ¡°Who are you thinking?"

    ¡°Seth, he knows his way to South Tusk and around it. If anyone can help you get in and out with less risk, it¡¯s him.¡±

    ¡°Who''s Seth?"

    Anisa let out a small, exasperated sigh, lips curving into a tired smile.  ¡°Seth was the rogue in  our adventuring party, remember? He¡¯s not around often, but that doesn¡¯t mean you should forget him.¡±

    Adrian¡¯s eyes widened as recognition dawned. "Isn''t he the one who liked the mage in your group?"

    Anisa chuckled softly. ¡°That¡¯s the one. He owes us a favor or two, and he''d likely be your best bet for navigating South Tusk.¡±

    Marcus leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. ¡°He''ll at least help you get in the city in one piece."

    ¡°Thank you both, ¡°I¡¯ll speak with him. If there¡¯s a way to do this with less risk, I¡¯ll take it.¡± Adrian said.

    After dinner, Adrian quietly excused himself and made his way to his room, leaving Marcus and Anisa to clean up. As he shut the door behind him, he leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath. No turning back now.

    He shrugged off his cloak, letting it fall over the back of a chair, and called softly, ¡°Mimi.¡±

    A small, flickering green light peeked out from beneath the fabric of his cloak. Two luminous emerald eyes blinked up at him before a fox-like shape made of green flames emerged. Mimi hopped onto his bed with a graceful, almost playful motion. She stretched lazily, curling her tail around herself before relaxing fully on the bed.

    Adrian smiled despite the heaviness of his thoughts and reached over to rub her belly. The magical fox¡¯s green flames flickered softly as she leaned into his touch. This feels right.

    Eventually, he stopped rubbing her belly and sat down on the edge of the bed, his expression growing serious. ¡°Mimi, I need to ask you something.¡±

    Mimi¡¯s ears twitched, and she lifted her head, her eyes focusing on him with an intensity that made it clear she was listening. She tilted her head slightly, her green flames flaring softly.

    Adrian hesitated, running a hand through his hair. ¡°What do you think about going to South Tusk?¡±

    At the mention of South Tusk, Mimi¡¯s flames dimmed noticeably, and her ears drooped. She let out a low, uneasy rumble. Her bright eyes were shadowed with concern, and she shifted closer to him.

    Adrian nodded slowly. ¡°I thought as much, but it might be the only way forward.¡±

    Mimi nuzzled against Adrian, the warmth of her magical flames pulsing gently against his skin. Her form, usually bright and reassuring, now cast a dim and hesitant glow. You don¡¯t like this any more than I do, do you, Mimi?

    He reached out, his hand settling lightly on her head between the fox''s drooping ears. ¡°Sorry, but South Tusk is the only place where I can find answers right now."