《Devoured by the Void》


 Approach to Zaurak

    Quintessa squinted as she drifted out of her meditative state. What had disturbed her? Maybe there was something out there?


    She tried to look towards the forest, but the bright glow from the orb before her was almost blinding. Past the edge of the path, a bubble, projecting from the sphere before her shimmered. It''s rippling surface protect them from tendrils of dark magic, swirling outside the aura. She always felt nervous when they were traveling through the void.


    Silhouettes of decaying trees surrounded the path, twisted into infernal beings in her mind. She would be protected if something happened; Quintessa reminded herself.


    Vibrations rocked her with each step the vehicle''s legs took. Metallic parts clicked and clanked against each other as the machine scuttled along. The spider-like legs extended from a large metal chassis, propelled by gears and levers that connected to the primary hull.The constant rhythm sounded like clockwork in her ears. She knew that wouldn''t have alerted her. What could it have been?


    She gazed back towards the orb studying the tether of energy, connecting her to the sphere. The rippling colors were mesmerizing as they danced through the air, splitting and twisting around each other.


    ''Get him up here.'' A voice called from in front of her.


    She flinched as a loud squeak of metal echoed through her ears. Boots clanged against the ladder rungs before Eligius smirking face popped up through the hatch.


    His gaze lingered on her for a second before he winked and pulled himself onto the roof. He always looked like he doesn¡¯t have a worry in the world, even so far away from the sanctuary of a city.


    She felt a presence of power, merging with her own inside the hovering artifact. The bubble that encompassed the squad expanded outwards, pushing the dark energy of the void farther into the forest.


    Eligius gasped her shoulder firmly with his hand. ¡®Quint, cap says it¡¯s my turn to take over Anchoring us.¡¯


    Quint rose and shuffled out of her seat as she began to ease off her channeling. The glowing link of light connecting her to the orb faded as her link to the eye weakened.


    The bubble collapsed back to its former size as the dual-link dissipated. She saw the change in Eligius eyes as he drifted away in concentration.


    ¡®Over here, Quint. Now.¡¯ The captain yelled from his position at the front of the Arachnae.


    She studied his back as he surveyed the terrain ahead. One leg stood perched atop the parapet as he intently watched for danger. His black cloak, emblazoned with a white Invictus symbol billowed out behind him. The captain''s'' armor was made from black leather, flexible enough to provide maximum mobility, while still affording some protection. His salt and pepper hair blew softly in the wind. He was old enough to be her father, and similarly stern.


    As she approached Quint observed the white trim on his shoulder plates, indicating his rank. White trim was standard for those lucky enough to be born with two chronomantic powers, a rare blessing. She gripped her wrist tightly, waiting for a reaction.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ''Enjoying the sightseeing trip?'' The man said, still surveying the area ahead. ''You must have seen something amazing; if it was worth risking all of our lives for a look.''


    Quintessa cringed. He had seen her. ''Apologies sir, I thought there was somethin-''


    ''Girl.'' The captain interrupted, turning to face her. He looked furious. ''I refuse to get turned into one of those things because you were busy staring at rocks. You know the protocols. Never break your concentration until you feel that hand on your shoulder. Do I make myself clear rookie?


    Quintessa stared at the floor in shame. She didn''t know what to say. ''Yes sir'' Her lips seemed to speak by themselves.


    ''Good, now go get some food, I need you back here maintaining the Anchoring field before we reach Zaurak.''


    ''Yes Captain Baccius, sir.''


    Why were they going to a ruined city? Quintessa thought as she studied her leader.


    She stepped over to a large metal hatch in the floor. She grasped the handle while struggling slightly to lift the heavy door. Mounting the ladder she began to climb down.


    Over the parapet, she could see two figures clad entirely in black, riding ahead of them. Their equipment bore no markings, but she knew who they were. The two organizers of this expedition, Atropos. One of the riders turned back as if sensing her gaze, and instantly locked eyes with her. It was the female. She looked barely older than Quint. Her face looked stern. Quint jumped down the last few rungs in the ladder, into the Arachnae''s hull. Shards of Chromantium set along the walls glowed, dimly liting the interior. She smelled the aroma of food cooking. Quint began to make her way towards the rear of the vehicle, towards the alluring smell.


    Quintessa noticed the older woman staring at her as she wiped her bowl clean with a piece of bread.


    ''Want some more?'' She asked.


    ''We aren''t supposed to Ambria. You''ll get in trouble.''


    ''Don''t worry, everyone else has eaten and there is a little left.'' She smiled fondly, offering the large ladle. Quint held her bowl forward, and Ambria tipped the stew into it. She is always so kind to me; almost like a mother. Mine could have used a few lessons from her if she hadn''t been so busy mixing with the mercantile elite. Quint hurriedly slurped the stew down before stuffing the last of the bread in her mouth.


    ''Quint, get up here. Now!'' A booming voice echoed through the hull. She mumbled an unintelligible reply before rushing back towards the hatch. Looking back, she could see Ambria smiling at her.


    She reached the ladder in seconds and hurried up. What was so urgent? Almost at the top of the ladder, Quint braced her shoulder against the trapdoor and pushed it open with her whole body. Why did they make these things so heavy?


    Peeking out, she heard a sound that made her spine tingle. A feminine sound somewhere between a song and a scream. It echoed ominously through the trees as she climbed onto the roof. Void-possessed, Sirens by the sound of it.


    Quintessas heart thumped under her white leather breastplate. She felt her palms begin to sweat. Why were they this far out?


    ''Quint, relieve Eligius, we are stopping here.'' The captain called as he pulled a large crank towards himself. The Arachnaes legs slowed, and the craft ground to a halt. The sudden stop jolted her slightly as she moved over to her comrade.


    She grasped his shoulder firmly before connecting herself to the eye. Her power amplified and merged with his as he began to rise and his connection to the orb began to fade


    ''Can''t say this is my favorite melody.'' He chuckled. She smiled nervously back at him while they traded places. ''Don''t worry Quint, we''ve dealt with sirens before.'' He ruffled her hair as he stepped away to speak with the captain.


    The wails rang louder in her ears. They were getting closer. She stared into the Eye of Romulus, feeling a calmness wash over her. The eye was made from pure Chromantium, a mystical metal that was semi-translucent, it seemed almost crystalline.


    She watched the vibrant colors swirling inside as a calmness washed over her. Her heartbeat began to slow as her mind began to fade.

 The Sirens Song

    Aurelia dropped from her saddle to the gravel path below. The impact vibrated through her legs and up her lower spine. A distant wailing rang in her ears. She gazed into the setting sun, staining the sky blood red. The silhouettes of two huge moons were slowly becoming visible in the sky. It would be dark soon. Aurelia unfastened her riding cloak, rolling it into a bundle before slipping it into her saddlebag.


    ''Aurelia.'' Her comrade called from over her shoulder. She ignored him while grabbing the her horses reins. She gripped the leather strap tightly in her hands, feeling adrenaline rushing through her body, preparing her for the fight ahead.


    ''What now?'' She said, turning to face him. Marcus rummaged through his pocket, producing a large silver coin.


    ''If I win, I get the one in the forest.'' Marcus flipped the coin into the air. ''Eye or Glass?''


    ''Eye.'' She called as she followed the coins descent. It bounced several times before coming to rest in the dust, a small hourglass barely visible on its surface. ''I never win.'' She scoffed. She knew he must have some sort of trick. ''Tell me how you do it.''


    Marcus winked at her. His face looked normal for an instant, before he reopened his eye. It glowed with an eerie purple, casting a shadow across his sharp features. ''A gentleman never reveals his secrets.'' He jested. ''Those knives of yours fully charged?''


    Aurelia gripped the blades crossing her chest and slid them partially out of their scabbards. Magical energy radiated from the visible portion of the dark metal blades. ''The feel full to me.'' She said, slamming the daggers back into their sheiths. ''Think they have drawn much of an audience for us?'' Aurelia said as led her horse towards the Arachnae.


    Marcus shrugged at her. ''Can''t be sure, the river should have kept most of them inside the city.''


    She paused, watching him tether his horse to one of the immobile Arachnae legs. Above, several archers gathered around the captain. She followed, tying her horse beside his. The captains head popped out over the guardrail above.


    ''Do you have a plan?'' He asked staring down at her.


    ''We''ll deal with the Sirens for now, just hold this position.'' She said. He nodded before disappearing back over the barrier.


    When Aurelia looked back, Marcus was already striding towards his target. Close to the edge of the bubble. His body glistened with energy as his movement picked up speed. He became like a spectre, moving so quickly that his image was hard to track. He had begun drifting.


    Aurelia searched her mind, establishing a link with her inner essence. Embers of power erupted throughout her body as her essence was slowly consumed. Her mind became clear as her surroundings slowed. She dashed forward, advancing towards her prey.


    The dark tendrils of the void moved in slow motion as she reached the boundary of the bubble. They seemed to converge as she drew near, but she felt no concern. She leapt forwards, erupting through the glistening edge.


    A soft vibration hummed around her neck, as a smaller field burst forth around her, keeping the foul energy at bay. She moved swiftly down the path, kicking up a plume of dust behind her.


    Drifters could move through time at an accelerated rate, the most talented reached speeds of three times normal time-flow, but required constantly burning essence to maintain.


    She drew her daggers from the scabbards crossing her chest. The familiar purple glow of the blades reassured her. Tightly, she squeezed the leather-bound hilts in her grip, feeling the presence of her weapons that invisibly linking them together. They were hers, gifts from her master.


    She glanced back at the Arachnae as she raced down the path, barley visible through the churning void. Turning her head, the Siren came into view at the edge of her vision farther down the road. Her ghastly cohort stumbled along behind her. They almost looked normal at this distance.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She could see three other Voidstricken, gathered close to the Siren. The sickening song drew the regular ones close for some reason. The Siren must have been an old women before the Void infected her, a fat one. It must have turned before the breach opened, food was too scarce now.


    Aurelia saw the Siren notice her as she sped towards it. It''s scream resonated so loudly all she could hear was a ringing in her ears. The creatures skin was pale and dark veins crossing it''s entire body. Her followers were similarly infected.


    She saw the creatures bloated stomach split open, revealing a gaping maw, lined with needle-like teeth. Instinctively she leapt sideways. A breif flash of light illuminated the Sirens maw as it sprayed a cluster of teeth towards her previous position.


    They left a ghost-like trail of light as they sped through the air. Aurelia drew her daggers and slid to a stop. She had time before the Siren could spin to face her. The other three voidstricken began to run towards her, blocking her line of sight to the Siren.


    They moved quickly, enhanced by the Void; but still slow to a drifter. Aurelia lifted her blades above her head, and shifted her weight onto her back foot. She envisioned the path the daggers would take towards her targets in her mind as she brought her weight forward. The instant the blades left her grip, she activated her slicer power, creating a shard of sped up time along the path of her weapons.


    A loud whistle drowned out the sirens screams for an instant as the blades tore through time. Even drifting at several times normal speed, the blades were impossible to follow. They instantly struck two of the stricken, blasting them from their feet. Two pale streaks of energy slowly faded, tracing the path the daggers had travelled.


    Aurelia turned her head and ran before they hit the ground, encircling the siren. She couldn''t let it get a clear line of sight on her again.


    She searched through her mind and found the spiritual link that connected her to her blades, calling out to them silently. She was reassured as she felt a soft thud against her chest. Drawing both blades, she weaved towards the remaining foes.


    The Siren was facing away, trying to twist it''s girth to face her, but the more nimble stricken had followed her movements. It had been a man, middle aged before the void got him. Tatters of his previous clothing still hung off his body as it grasped towards her. Aurelia closed in and easily ducked under the creatures outstreched arms. She slammed her blade up into the possessed man''s chin, instantly ending his servitude to the void.


    Foul power seeped from the wound as the corpse toppled backwards. The constant wail in her ears was interrupted by a loud whistle.


    Pain filled her world as she looked down at her legs. They had been punctured by several siren teeth. Aurelia growled in anger as her legs began to crumble underneath her. She had lost focus on the Siren.


    She tried to clear her thoughts, focusing on one word in her mind. Return.


    A surge of power flowed through her body, and she felt a large portion of her remaining essence burn away in an instant. A lurching sensation filled her chest, as reality blurred away. Suddenly, everything came into focus around her. She was standing where she had stood moments ago, legs in their previous undamaged condition.


    Clenching her remaining dagger tightly she dashed towards the Siren. It had barely begun to react to her sudden change of position. Her heart thumped as she sprinted, trying to reach the creature before it could turn to face her. She had to finish this quickly, she had less than half her essence left.


    The milky white eye of the creature came into view as it manuvered to attack. She wouldn''t make it in time. Aurelia jumped forward, extending her legs infront of her. She sailed through the air, straight towards the mouth of the creature. She hit the ground sliding through the gravel. Teeth whistled past above her head as she slid towards creatures legs, dagger raised. She rammed the blade into the Sirens stomach as she slid between it''s legs.


    A gaping wound opened up as the creatures insides spilled out onto the pathway. The sirens wail was replaced with a soft gurgle as the creature attempted one last scream before collapsed to the ground.


    A foul stench filled her nose as Aurelia stood and brushed the dust from herself. She hated this smell.


    She withdrew a small metallic spike from her belt and crouched beside the corpse. At least she could harvest something from this one. She plunged the spike into the dead siren, waiting for the process to begin. The metal flashed brightly for an instant, before fading to a dull glow.


    Withdrawing the spike, she slid it back into her belt and went to retrieve her second dagger. She pulled it from the chin of the dead voidstricken, laying nearby on the path. Dark blood dribbled off the blade onto the corpse below. She looked down at the former human. How long had he been wandering out here, a slave to the void? A breif memory of a familiar face, flashed into her mind before she repressed it. She didn''t have time to think about that now.


    She cleaned her blade with a rag as she wandered back towards the wagon. With her drifting now extinguished, she moved at a brisk walk. She heard no wails in the distance, only the sound of her boots hitting the ground. Marcus must have finished off the other Siren. She hoped the squad back at the Arachnae were safe.