《Rise Of The Dark Queen》 Chapter: 1 - Goodbye Old World "Ah...it''s already this late...I have to go to sleep...but I can''t log out just yet...." I looked at my phone it was 3 am...I need to go to sleep soon...I need to wake up in three hours..."sigh"..I hate exam days. My name Alice Wilingson and right now I am playing a popular online game called Arvania Online...it''s a popular online game where you chose one race out of many. It''s an MMORTS game where you start with one little village and you start developing it from the scratch...soon it grows into a town than a city and lastly you have a great capital city...of course, there are wars in this game...I like this game mostly because of that feature...the battles in this game a done fabulously...if I can choose simple words to describe the battles it would be something like the popular strategy game called total war I guess. Anyway yeah, there are many wars in this game...but I don''t really like wars...I have only one city in my possession...the one I started with from the scratch...believe it or not even with just this one city I am ranked second on the list of most powerful kingdoms and players..there is only one stronger than me...some crazy guy that owns three hundred cities. Oh, I forgot to mention the race I chose didn''t I...well to put it simply its one of the races that''s not very popular...and those are undead....yeah I am playing with undead anything wrong with that... Well, the undead aren''t popular because of their relationship with the other races...seriously every race hates the undead even the demon race...the game is made that way and because of that stupid rule, the undead can''t form any alliances. And because of that, you can count the players that play with this race on your finger seriously...the most popular race is, of course, humans. But not everything is so bleak as it seems, the undead also have advantages of their own..for example, they don''t have upkeep cost for their armies...also no need for waiting to recruit your troops. When you reach the highest level in the game you unlock special troops for your army...the undead, for example, have undead dragon knights...just like their name says they ride undead dragons..they the are the elite units and because of no waiting for recruitment even if they die they can be revived once again and ready to serve with their undying loyalty once again....that the reason I am still unconquered undead player in this game...even today I kept beating back waves of players that wanted to conquer my land and my city. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. It really is exhausting...I don''t even want to fight anyone...I just want to play peacefully....but I guess I chose the wrong game for that huh...but this is also fun in its own way...there is that thrill. "Ah, I should repair the equipment on my queen.." I open the character information panel. I look at my queen the ruler of the undead kingdom...I gave her a name Lisha it somehow seemed appropriate...my queen was a vampire..she was 170cm tall...she had white hair that extended all the way to her waist...she had a slender figure, I especially took my time with her face..if you ask me she looked gorgeous...long eyelashes, red eyes,her cherry lips,her small nose....ah I must be weird but I love my character. Anyway, I got sidetracked I wanted to repair my equipment... "Hmm, just my armour was damaged in that last fight huh..." I look at my equipment..I have the legendary class equipment and Its even the legendary vampire set meaning only vampires can wear it...also, I say armour but what I am wearing is more of a dress....a frilly black dress. The equipment can be classified as common,uncommon,epic and legendary tho most powerful of them all....and when you have a full set it''s even more powerful. "Hmm, it''s just my armour huh....well that good cus it really costs much to repair legendary equipment...good thing my queen is not a melee fighter..." yeah my queen is a caster class...a combination of dark mage and necromancer combined with her race a vampire great isn''t it? "Yawn!" hm it''s best if I sleep right now...I pick up my phone and look at the clock..."damn 4am..." I look at my great city before I turn off my pc.."Hope no one attacks me while I am away..." I turn off my pc...and lay down on my bed...I quickly fall asleep. "Good morning my beautiful queen." "hmgdh...." I opened my eyes slowly and besides my bed a blond young man was standing....he was bowing down...he looks handsome....and he is wearing butlers outfit..... is this a dream? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AN:Small prologue chapter of what''s to come hope someone likes it ^^ Chapter: 2 : Reincarnated!? "......." wow this must be one heck of a dream....the young man, butler whatever he is, he is still bowing down...to me....what a weird dream...I don''t recall having taste in a man who wear butlers outfits. "My beloved queen I....no we have all waited for your long slumber to end...and for you to return to us.." huh...what is he talking about...and why is he coming closer. I panicked for a moment and in my panic I noticed that my bed was a little strange....or should I say my coffin...yeah....I am lying inside a coffin and also what''s with my room...so dark only a few candles are lighted in the room....candles...since when did I have candles in my room? "My queen.." the blond beauty came closer to me he bowed down once again and took my hand....he kissed it first and then placed it on his cheek....this is embarrassing....even for a dream. "Ah how long have I waited to feel your touch again....my queen.." he keeps saying embarrassing things every time he opens his mouth...has he no shame...well this is a dream after all. He lifted his head and looked at me...wow he really is handsome....the most handsome man I ever seen...and those red eyes give even more to beauty to his already handsome face....wait red eyes. Now that I look at him a little closer he reminds me of someone....but I can''t really put my finger on it...hmm. While I was busy with my thoughts I failed to notice a hand...the blond beauty moved his hand towards my cheek...and as soon as he was about to place his hand....well how should I explain it....he was sent flying into the wall... My eyes right now are wide open from shock...what the hell happened!? "Kain......you overstep your boundaries....I was going to let you off the hook when you touched the queen''s hand....but you were greedy...." A female voice was heard from outside the opened door....and such a cold voice it sent shivers down my spine....I have no idea what''s going on. Wait wait wait......did I just hear the voice say, Kain..... no no no...it''s impossible...I look at the man that was currently sitting beside the wall, there is so much resemblance....but this is not possible... While I was in my daze the so-called Kain spoke while he slowly got up and dusted his clothes..."aha ha Iris...there is no need for violence....you were mistaken...I just wanted to fix the queen''s hair...she slept for such a long time after all...". "Do you take me for a fool....Kain..." and she appeared...yep there is no mistaking it....a slender woman that looks absolute gorgeous walked inside...she had long black hair...she wore a beautiful black dress that showed off her splendid legs...her breasts were nothing to laugh about...that makes me kinda jealous...anyway she looks perfect...and also, I am certain now....Iris...Kain...they are both my servants in the game I play Arvania Online....but how? "Ahaha...a fool never..." those two continued their bickering in front of me...it seems I am forgoten...should I say something...but I am a little scared...ah... Right now I am looking at my lower body...a black frilly dress...my hand are so slender...my nails are sharp and long...no I can''t be... Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I got up from my bed and passed the two that stopped their fighting and looked at me silently...the one who spoke was Iris..."mistress...my queen....I am so glad you have come back to us.."Iris appeared behind me and gently hugged me from behind...this is awkward...oh and I managed to walk in front of a mirror in the room...yep...long white hair...red eyes...long eyelashes...I have become Lisha...the queen of the undead..is this one of those famous stories when you die and get reborn in another world...if so how did I die? "Iris....how can you touch the queen...and I can''t...." Kain spoke in a rather sad voice...Iris just threw an angry glare at him which made him stop complaining oh and I forgot to mention both of them are vampires like me. Iris lets go of me...I turned around to face the two...they bowed down once again...Kain spoke, "my queen excuse my rudeness...but I...we have to know why have you left us two hundred years ago...and went into deep slumber.." Huh....two hundred years ago....how...I went to sleep last night...and two hundred years have passed... While I was thinking about the stuff Kain spoke once again "does it have to do something with the disappearance of all the legendary rulers at that time?". Huh..I have no idea what happened...hmm..there is that possibility...that I am the only player that was reborn...that would make sense why the other rules or players have disappeared...that means this really is the real world now...and I became queen of the dead...or the so-called dark queen by other players in a game. Kain and Iris remained silent while I was thinking...crap...I need to think of something...there is also a possibility they don''t believe me, I am their queen..but what to say....ah I know. "Yes indeed the reason I had to go into a deep slumber was because a strange power was released at that time...in order to avoid its effect, I went into slumber...sorry to have made you wait so long...Iris,Kain" Why my voice...how should I say this....cute...yeah it sound cute...and also so embracing telling all those lies...hope they believe me. "......" hmm they are crying....does this mean they believe me...right... "Mistress!!" Iris jumped at me and hugged me again...this is somehow becoming annoying...and I am suffocating in her big balloons...again somehow annoying. Kain wanted to jump at me as well....but he was blown away and slammed into the wall again...guess magic is real in this world. "Mistress shall we proceed to the throne room....everyone has gathered for your awakening," Iris spoke...everyone I wonder what she means. "Everyone?" I asked while I titled my head... Iris smiled and spoke again "yes all your generals and high ranking servants have gathered...they are all waiting for you, our queen" "gulp.."Somehow I don''t wanna go...but I guess there is no choice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Hope you enjoy. ^^ Chapter: 3 - Meeting With The Generals "......" Right now Iris, I and Kain have left my room and we are currently towards the throne room that Iris mentioned...on our way I saw many skeletons in black armours standing on both sides of our path...I know those skeletons....they are called the black guard they are an elite unit I used to keep in my city for protection. "sigh" I really was reborn or reincarnated as Lisha...even the units are the same....but what I still don''t understand how...and I might never find out. "Is something the matter mistress?" Iris looked at me...ah my sigh just now must have caused a misunderstanding. "No no, it''s nothing Iris" she just smiled at me and faced forward....I took a glance at Kain who was a little further away from us....he had an ugly expression as he looked at Iris....if staring could murder Iris would be dead long time ago...the reason for his death stare..its because he wanted to stand on the right side near me but Iris sent him flying into the wall again and again...eventually, he gave up...but I don''t understand why it''s so important to him... We kept walking for a few more minutes...all along our way the black guard were positioned....when I asked Iris about it, she answered with a smile...."The black guard refused to leave the path towards the queen''s room unguarded...they have been standing there for two hundred years...they never moved an inch" "......"Well what can I say....that''s some hardcore loyalty....but to stand still and never move for two hundred years....makes me pity them a little even if they did it for me. "hmm"I stopped to think for a second. "Mistress?" "queen?" both Kain and Iris spoke in unison but I paid them no mind at the moment...I turned around and faced the black guard the still continued to stand in their spots....I inhaled the cold air and yelled.."Black guard my loyal servants...you have done well to protect me for all this time....but now that task has ended....and once again it is time for you to follow me!" I feel embarrassed saying all the stuff....but that the only thing I could think of. "......"hmm nothing is happening....maybe they don''t obey me anymore....that could be bad....I think. While I was having my inner mind struggle something happened..."swish!" a sound was heard...I looked in front of me...all the black guard have turned towards me and bowed down...the red light in their eyes flickered fiercely..."gulp.." a small smile formed on my lips...you know this is....kinda amazing. I turned around and started walking towards the throne room once again...I looked at Iris who just continued to smile...Kain as well...creepy...I can''t guess what they are thinking at all...behind me a marching sound could be heard...that marching sound was coming from the black guard that walked right behind me in unison. We soon arrived at the large black door...the door was how should I explain....evil looking maybe...the door was covered in bones and skulls...and it was black....it gave me shivers. The door opened...I entered the throne room and looked at all the undead beings gathered there...all in front of me. "The queen has awakened!" they started yelling and cheering in unison. "Finally, our long waiting days have ended..." they kept saying various things...I looked in front of me...a throne that had a similar style as the black door just now...skulls...bones....evil looking spikes...black..."sigh" I walked towards the throne and sat down...as I guessed that''s where I belong...even a moron could figure that much. Behind me and down from the throne the black guard lined up...I was surrounded...Iris was standing on my left side while Kain was standing on my right side...seems Iris allowed him..."heh" a small chuckle escaped from my mouth. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. All the beings were currently speaking which created a disarray of voices but that was stopped soon by a harsh cold voice "Stop your talking you fools...you are in the presence of the queen....or do you want me to rip out your tongues..." nothing....absolute nothing was heard after the voice stopped talking. I looked down and saw four beings that were bowing down....they clearly stood out...and I also know who they are. They are my generals...I had four legions that protected four parts of my little kingdom...and these beings here are the generals and leaders of those legions. The first one was the lich king "Arkenur" he looked like a skeleton except he was a lich and a lich king at that...he was a super rare general you could obtain if you were one of the top three players in the world...he wore a dark robe on his body...there were weird spikes growing out of him..he was also floating a little....in his hand he carried a black book with strange signs on it.. The next one was also one of the rare generals that I obtained on a lottery...the zombie general "DarakMorul" he was one of the sturdiest generals''s in the game...I usually put him on the front line with the vanguard...he was really hard to kill and he sustained damage he was able to easily slip away from the battle...he wore a black armour with skulls that had red eyes....on his back was a large red sword...I should mention that all my generals have the legendary equipment. Next to Darak was the third legion general the ghost princess "Elize Kor Tal" she was one of my first generals to obtain...but it seems in this world Elize can take a form of a human...flesh and blood....and again like with Iris...I am annoyed what''s with those balloons on her chest....nevermind...anyway, Elize is a beauty as well...with her short red hair...and her dark blue dress....her curves that showed off her body....I don''t know why I am jealous. And finally the last general....and the one I obtained before Elize....the skeleton lord "Mortas The Corrupted" is his name but I just call him Mortas...he wore similar looking armour like the black guard...but his equipment is on a whole different scale that the black guard...also in order to recruit the black guard in the game you had to own Mortas and he had to be level 200 the highest level in the game...also the one who silenced the crowd of undead monsters was him. They lifted their heads towards me and spoke "we have long awaited your awakening our queen....this world shall once again now your name...and all shall tremble before you." they spoke in unison....and what the hell how am I supposed to reply to that?! Umm...think...think...."...."maybe I should just go with the flow? It''s not like they would do anything without my permission right.....right? Okay, let''s go with that...I stood up from my throne..."Stand up my loyal generals....I have returned to you after a long slumber...and it seems the world has changed much in the time I was absent...so before anything I must learn more about this world that changed." that should do it right... "By your command our queen!" they replied as they stood up..."gaaaaa!!!" the bone-chilling cheers erupted from the creatures that were bowing down....I guess they are satisfied for now... ....................................................................................................................................................... An: Hope you enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 4 - The World Changed "My queen....we should have taken the black guard with us after all..." Iris spoke while she walked beside me. "sigh" "Iris....what do you think the humans would do if they saw so many undead marching towards their town?" I spoke to Iris rather irritate. "umm....they would flee in terror?" she tilted her head....she is an air head....but she is not wrong...but.. "Iris....Iris.....Iris...you are really dumb....what our beautiful queen wants to tell you is that if they saw that much high-ranking undead...well to put it simply they would run away in terror....but after that they would return with an army....do you get it now?" Kain snickered as he talked to Iris....this is gonna end badly. "Guahha!" ahh see I told you.....Iris punched him right in the stomach.... "Well what Kain said is true....do you understand now Iris?" I asked her again in conformation. "Ah I understand now my queen you are truly wise.." she smiled at me completely ignoring the things Kain said.....scary. Oh, you are probably wondering what am I doing and where am I at the moment right....well in order to explain that let''s go back in past. It has been a week that I was reincarnated into this world....I had learned a lot about this world....and how much it changed....it really isn''t the same world as the game. It was explained to me that the great rulers two hundred years ago vanished into thin air....in my example it was a deep sleep...anyway when those rulers vanished chaos started. Once a great kingdom Leinard was now reduced only to a shell of its former power....Leinard was the name of the kingdom that was controlled by the strongest player in the game....the crazy guy that had three hundred cities or more. Anyway....once the rulers disappeared like I said the chaos started....new kingdoms were formed....the cities once owned by Leinard became free again and made their own kingdoms with their own territories. A similar thing happened to all the other races as well...the orc race formed clans...that ruled their territories...the elves had similar system like the humans with kingdoms....and so on...in conclusion the world is in chaos....with so many kingdoms...greed is at its peak...every kingdom wants to grow in power and wealth, of course, it the basic nature of all beings. When I heard all those things how should I put it I was worried....I was worried about my own kingdom....the Night kingdom....what...I know it''s a lame name...but that was the only name I could come up with when I was asked to choose a name for my kingdom... Moving on, like I said I was worried about what happened to my kingdom while I was asleep was it conquered I wondered....but the one who lifted the weight of my heart was Mortas...all the generals were bowing to me while they were explaining the situation in the world...Mortas stood up and proudly stepped forward. "There is no need to worry my queen.....this kingdom you created...we would never allow anyone to ever lay their hands on it..." after that he bowed down again. ".....thank you for protecting this kingdom....all of you.." I spoke with a smile....I was genuinely happy....I loved my kingdom...while it was just a game...I spent so much time on developing it and protecting it....so naturally even in this world I still love it. Also, the four generals reported to me that the other smaller undead kingdoms or mainly their new rulers tried to take this kingdom for their domain and the Black City....oh the Black City is the name of the capital city...anyway, they tried....yeah tried....the generals cut off the heads of all the undead that tried to take what was not theirs. After all the reports I was given I decided that I wanted to see this world with my own eyes....the generals even Iris and Kain objected to this idea....but I wanted to see it....after all its a dream of every gamer to see the fantasy world with their own eyes right ? Mortas and the other generals said that if I wished to see the world with my own eyes well....I should take them and all the army....so nothing would stand in my way...."sigh" that idea was quickly rejected. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Iris told me to at least take the black guard with me....but you know the story about the black guard already....and thus as my bodyguards instead of a full army or the black guard, I have Iris and Kain with me...I had to give up on that idea. We are currently in the kingdom called Lizia....it was the first human kingdom that shared the border with our kingdom...we crossed the border rather easily....well it''s to be expected with so many wars even the border guards are thin in number...but to leave the border with kingdom of the undead so little guarded....is stupid. We arrived in this town called Larnwick...the town wasn''t that guarded as well...they are most likely at war and almost all the soldiers are called to arms leaving only little military to maintain the order in town''s and cities. "How rude...to make the queen wait in this line for almost ten minutes....unacceptable..." Kain muttered....I have to calm him down again...and yeah right now we are waiting for our turn to enter the town...which will be right about now. "Kain calm down" I whispered to Kain...he looked back at me and just smiled and continued looking forward again. "Next!" the armoured guard holding a halberd yelled...finally it''s our turn. "Good day to you" I greeted the guard that only looked at me. "Yes-yes what are you a refuge....adventurer..speak" he spoke rather irritated...both Iris and Kain let out slight blood lust towards the guard...I tapped both of their shoulders to calm them down. "Neither we are just simple travelers that want to rest at your lovely town" "hmm" he looked at me and Iris....disgusting...seriously your face tells all that you are thinking about....he had a lewd expression on his face while he scanned both of us with his eyes...mostly Iris....by the way, Iris wore the same dress as before the black one that showed her white legs and her bountiful balloons...I wore the different coloured dress...it was a crimson red frilly dress with red silky gloves...Kain switched from his butler outfit and wore a dark leather armour...it was a vampire lord epic set...tho it was not legendary set it was still pretty powerful. "For the there of you...it will be three silver coins...but I can lower the price...if the lovely ladies would like to go for a drink with me...hehe" Dam.....both Iris and Kain''s eyes shone crimson....when that happens it means they are at their peak with the anger....."sigh" "No thank you...here you go your silver''s...now let us through" I spoke with a smile...and handed over the coins to the guard...the currency in the world is the same as the game...bronze...silver...and gold...one hundred bronze coins was one silver...and one hundred silver coins was one gold coin...really easy. "Tch....let them pass!" the guard clicked his tongue and yelled to the other guards that were standing near the gate. We passed by the other guards that had the same expression as the first one...morons. We entered the town....the streets were full of people...merchants were on the side of the street selling various things...from weapons to food. "That worm...." Iris was the one who spoke those words. "I want to tear him limb from limb..." and that was Kain. "sigh" "Calm down you two....its not like he did anything to us...so don''t cause trouble for now.." "But mistress..." Iris looked at me. "My queen...to have that lower life form look at you with that expression and those eyes....it is unacceptable....but since you have plans I shall restrain myself for now." Kain bowed his head slightly towards me...I only nodded and continued forward. While we were walking down the street I noticed a sign with a beer glass on it....this must be....the legendary fantasy Inn! "Kain,Iris are you hungry?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Sorry for not releasing yesterday....didn''t have time...anyway enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 5 - Trouble At The Inn "Kain,Iris are you hungry?" I asked the two of them, they looked at each other then they turned their gazes to me. "Mistress if you are hungry it would be my honour to search this filthy town for a good quality blood" Iris spoke and Kain just nodded at her words. Seems they misunderstood me...and yes as everyone knows the vampires drink blood, but in this world we the vampires don''t really need blood to survive....the blood is something like a delicacy after a meal for us...also, the sun doesn''t have any effect on us..so everything I saw in a movie or heard is a lie. Anyway I should clear the misunderstanding or Kain and Iris will go on a killing spree for blood...that would be bad...in so many ways. "No no what I meant was....I want to go to that Inn and have a meal...please don''t kill anyone...or dry their blood." I spoke and pointed at the Inn in front of us. "Oh my...so that''s what you meant...excuse my rudeness...you are right these low life forms are not worthy to provide the blood for our queen." Kain started speaking....there is something seriously wrong with their way of thinking. "Okay....let''s just go" what else could I say...I don''t even get their way of thinking. "Creak!" Kain pushed the wooden door and they opened with a creak...we entered the Inn. What can I say....the Inn is just as I imagined it would be... the old man with a large white beard behind the large wooden conter...there were two maids...yes maids with their maid outfits...the wooden tables and chairs....awesome. "Welcome dear customers please come this way" we were greeted by one of the maids she had short black hair not even to her shoulders..she was rather cute in that maid outfit...in my opinion. The maid guided us to one of the free tables I sat in the middle, Kain on my right Iris on my left and the maid just kept staring....but not at me nor Iris..this time, it was Kain''s turn...she stared at him for a whole minute, until Kain couldn''t stand it anymore. He turned around and faced the girl "excuse me is there anything you need?" Kain flashed a smile at her which made the girl blush...but I could sense the blood lust from Kain''s words...she really pissed him off. "Umm...no...please tell me your order" she managed to compose herself and spoke. Kain and Iris looked at me..."hmm would you give me today''s speciality please" I don''t really know about the food in this world yet...but it shouldn''t be that much different...I think. "Okay...today''s specialty is gravgar''s meat with freshly picked silenim leaves as a salad" What a hell is a gravgar and silenim leaves and damar juice....I never heard of those before...of course, this is different world fool! As I yelled inside my mind the girl asked Iris and Kain about their orders, they just ordered the same thing as me...they are no fun...they should have tried something else so I would know what it tastes like. "Mistress do you really want to eat here....it''s polluted.." Iris spoke as she looked at the other customers in the Inn. "Yes" I said only one word but it seems it was enough to stop Iris from talking about that matter any further....she was the one who was most opposed to coming to human kingdom...she really hates them. "Here is your order" the maid came back and brought us our meal.I looked at my plate and to be honest, I was surprised it looked great...the meat was juicy and it was easy to cut it and the silenim leaves salad was very good combination with the meat...by the way the meat has similar taste as chicken, the damar juice was also great it tasted like orange juice. Iris and Kain were reluctant to eat at first but after seeing me eat they decided to dig in themselves....and they had a rather pleasant expression I guess they liked it as well. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. While we were enjoying our meal''s the Inn door slammed open...I looked at the entrance...a group of armoured people entered the Inn, they were lead by a middle-aged man with short brown hair...he had a nasty scar across his eye...one-eyed. "M.....sir Holden what brings you to my humble establishment.." the Innkeeper spoke with a scared voice...all the maids hid and didn''t even show their faces. "Nothing much just patrolling around...now bring me your best vine...and your pretty maids hehe" the Innkeeper was pale as a ghost...he really is scared of this man called Holden huh... "But....but sir...I...can bring you wine...but.." the Innkeeper was lost for words at Holden''s demands. "Huh?" Holden looked at the Innkeeper...he grabbed him by the collar "do as I say or I will kill you and your whole family..." he treated him and dropped him on the floor. The Innkeeper didn''t say anything....it was clear he didn''t want to hand over the girls to this kind of man...what a brave gramps. "Fine than...cut of his head" Holden ordered one of the soldiers...but as the soldier moved a yell was heard "Stop please!" the one who was yelling was the young girl that served us our food earlier. "Hehe not bad, not bad at all" Holden looked at the girl from head to toe and smacked his lips as he stared. He moved closer to the girl and reached out his hand towards her...this man is disgusting. Just as he was about to take a hold of her I spoke "Okay that''s enough...you better stop right now" I spoke coldly towards the man called Holden. He stopped and turned around...once again his lewd smile returned when he saw Iris and then he looked at me..he started walking towards our table. "My, my what a beautiful ladies you two are...how about I take you home with me I promise you an unimaginable night of pleasure...heheh" every word he spoke made my blood boil. "You young lady look especially pretty" he stared at me and moved his hand towards me...seems he wanted to grab me but that was the worst mistake he made in his entire life...seriously. In an instant his right hand that was extended towards me was.....well gone... "You dare....."Kain stood up, in his hand was an arm...Holden''s ripped out arm. "Huh...." it all happened so fast that Holden didn''t even realise it...but now he did "Guahahhaha!?!?" he yelled like a pig being slaughtered he fell down on the floor and started rolling down...the blood gushed out of the wound. "You bastard !" the other knights that accompanied this fool yelled and took out their swords...but they did nothing why? Well, Iris let out a bloodlust so strong that made the knights tremble in their armours...one of them even made a mess of himself. "Iris,Kain don''t kill" I told Iris and Kain while I took another sip of the delicious damar juice. "By your command" they both replied. "Take this filth out of my sight and take this with you" Kain spoke to the trembling knight''s and threw the arm at them...they picked up passed out Holden and took his ripped arm with them and left the Inn so fast that it seemed like they teleported out. The Innkeeper walked over to our table and spoke with a grim voice "young lady...do you know what you have done...". "Huh?"somehow I have a feeling this whole thing is gonna be....troublesome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 6 - Dark Side Of Larwick The Innkeeper spoke to me, I only titled my head...the old man was trembling and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. "What is so terrifying that I need to be afraid of?" I asked the old man. "I can see you aren''t from around here young lady...it''s best if I start from the beginning" he took a chair from a nearby table and placed it close to us and sat down. The old Innkeeper who gave us his name Lorens told us about this town called Larwick. He told us that this town and the people living here, the people are all hiding their real thoughts, no one dares say anything about what is really happening in this town. To be honest, when I heard the story grampa Lorens told us I was disgusted....disgusted by the deeds the ruler of this town has done and is still doing. Grampa Lorens began his story, he said that around two years ago when this town was governed and ruled by a lord called Cliff Wetherby the town was a happy place...children were running around the streets laughing happy...it was such a happy time for all the people in this town. But the good lord Cliff has gotten a strange disease...all the castle healers were called immediately to help the lord...but all of them were powerless...no one knew what kind of a disease it was, all they knew that the lord''s life was going to end soon. The lord''s wife and his only son desperately sought help from all the nearby cities and town''s but in the end, they said the same things the other healers said. His wife stayed by his side day and night never leaving his side...she barely ate anything...his only son and heir to the Wetherby house continued to search for a cure...but in the end, he returned empty handed. "And from this point on everything turned for the worse" grampa Lorens''s expression turned grim. He told us that a black robbed man came to town...he told the lord''s wife and his son that he came to heal the lord from his illness, and to everyone''s surprise, he did he cured the lord...it was such a happy time for all the citizens and the lord''s family. But that happiness didn''t last for long, the lord that was once known for his honor and valor and his kindness towards the common people changed...he became twisted...greedy...madness took his mind...he became something close to a monster. The first thing the lord did was kill his own wife...when his son saw the horror that happened in front of his eyes he tried to kill his father in rage and sorrow but he was quickly put down by the lord''s guard and executed in front of the crowd of people that watched in horror as the heir to Whetherby was beheaded. Grampa Lorens continued his story with an even more grim face than before. He told us that it was not long after the murder of the lord''s wife and his son that the lord turned his sight on his own citizens...children started missing from their homes...the soldiers that once protected the people of Larwick also became twisted...they took women for their own even in broad daylight, like what happened today at the Inn. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. "The people of this town are scared....they are scared to talk about the things that are happening...and no one even knows why" he spoke with a heavy voice. "Now that you heard the story young lady....you should run away as far as you can from this place....and if possible I would like you to take these two girls with you...I beg of you." grampa Lorens lowered his head and begged us. After hearing grampa Loren''s story I feel....sour....diquasted by the lord for all the things he had done to his own people...but from grampa''s story something doesn''t add up...the lord was a kind and honorable man..what changed...could it be...the black robbed man? Ah...grampa Lorens is still bowing down...I should say something... "Sure old man your story is sad...but your human realms and you humans, in general, do not concern us...you should be happy that the mistress even listened to your story...worm." Oh dam....Iris has such a sharp tongue...she even let out a little blood lust...look grampa Loren''s is shaking now! "Iris restrain yourself" Kain spoke to Iris who seemed to have calmed herself....nice going, Kain! "Even if you are right it is up to our queen to decide and whatever she decides we will follow" those are some grand words...and once again I have to decide everything....can someone take my place please! "Tch....getting lectured by Kain....I want to puke" Iris whispered but I heard it clearly...she hates everyone....well except me I guess. Okay, then what to do, what to do....should I get involved with this town...it smells like big trouble....but then again I am curies about what happened to the lord and why has he gone mad...oh well I am on an adventure so why not. "Ehm...well gram....I mean mister Lorens...instead of running away why don''t I help your town instead." I stood up and Iris and Kain followed right after me. Grampa Lorens lifted his head and looked at me "h...help what are you saying you should run!? What can one little girl and two people do you are just going to die!!" he yelled at me.Kain and Iris were really close to beheading him but they restrained them self...good seems they are learning. "Don''t worry...I am not so weak as you think I am gramps." I walked towards the door Iris and Kain followed me outside. "Now let''s see what is truly happening to this town...shall we?" "By your command!" Iris and Kain said in unison. Wait for me lord you are about to be greeted by the queen of the Night Kingdom....still sounds so lame when I say it in my own head. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 7 - Foul Magic We walked out of the Inn and what greeted us outside was, well no one there were no people on the streets, no merchants that attended to their stuff, this place looked like a ghost town. "Mistress it seems we will have...company soon" Iris spoke behind me. "Is that so" I could also faintly sense that there were humans...no this feeling is a little different from humans, more sinister if I can describe it like that, anyway I could faintly sense them approaching from upfront, but I still need more time to get used to my new body and my new powers. "They are here my queen" Kain stepped forward in front of me. "Hehehe there they are, boys, they are the ones that hurt me" a familiar voice resounded within the group of knights. He stepped forward out of the group of knights, it was that fool Holden, but the strange thing was his arm was reattached to him..and another thing was the knights that were with him, this time, are different they looked crazed they had creepy smiles on their face''s and black eyes..as I thought they are not normal. "So you worm you came back for more now?" Kain spoke to Holden who was currently grinning ear to ear. "Bark while you can...you will die first..and then I will take my sweet time with those ladies behind you" Holden spoke as he licked his lips and looked at me and Iris. "Get them!!" Holden yelled and the crazy looking knights behind him started charging towards us like madmen. Kain remained silent and just stood there not moving even a finger, after a few seconds he spoke coldly "If you just insulted me I would have killed you fast...but the words....the words you spoke to the queen...suffering....you only deserve suffering." hmm now that''s what a psychopath looks like, Kain''s hands were twitching even his body was slightly trembling. "Huh suffering...the onl...." Holden didn''t even have enough time to finish his sentence, Kain jumped towards the incoming knights..he passed the knights with lightning speed and arrived in front of Holden. Behind Kain all the knights dropped on the ground one by one, fresh blood soaked the earth, when I looked at the fallen knights closely I saw that they all had holes where their heart was supposed to be...brutal, that''s the only word I can use to describe the way Kain killed them, there is another thing that dropped in my mind, I don''t feel anything looking at these dead people not even a slight feeling...guess with my new body comes a price huh. "How...how...this doesn''t make any sen..." Holden started yelling loudly, but he was stopped by Kain, he grabbed his tongue with his right hand. "There won''t be any more words from your mouth....filth" Kain spoke coldly as he ripped out Holden''s tongue, blood flowed out of Holden''s mouth...he tried saying something but all that was heard were strange noises coming out his mouth. "Now this is just the beginning of your suffering next.." Kain was very determined to make Holden suffer, but I really don''t have time and to be honest I really don''t care how Kain is going to make him suffer. "Kain, finish him quickly we don''t have time to waste on him." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "Yes, my queen!" Kain bowed slightly towards me, he then turned to face Holden once again, Holden had teary eyes, he seemed to beg Kain for mercy, but there was no mercy Kain pierced his chest with his hand. "Tch...you are lucky to get fast death...be thankful for my queen...worm" Kain clicked his tongue and took out his hand from Holden''s chest. "Well, then shall we" I walked past the dead knights and Holden and headed towards the castle that stood proudly at the end of the town. On our way towards the castle we encountered more knights and patrols, there was one thing all the knights and patrols had in common, they all looked crazed and had black eyes instead of normal human eyes...some kind of magic? And they smell strange. "Iris,Kain do these humans seem different to you?" I asked Iris and Kain for their opinion maybe they know. "Yes mistress, these humans are not humans anymore" Iris spoke up first. "Not human anymore?" damn it I don''t know anything. "Indeed, these humans have been corrupted by foul demon magic..from the state they are in right now...it is only a matter of time before they turn into twisted abominations" Kain was the one who spoke this time. "Demons, demon magic..ah" I remember now, indeed, there was a spell that the demon general could use if I remember correctly it was called contract of Nagarosh...or something like that, Nagarosh was the god the demons worshiped in the game, but this spell is little strange, contract of Nagarosh was a spell that turned humans immediately into abominations, demon players often used it to gain early advantage over the enemy, tho that spell didn''t work on undead. It could be another similar spell, maybe. While I was chatting with in my head with myself we arrived at the castle. "There were two knights standing at the gates, they held halberdiers in their hand''s, as soon as they saw us they rushed at us like madmen. Once again they were quickly dealt with by Kain, "Let''s enter the castle" I spoke to Kain and Iris, just as we were about to enter the castle a yell interrupted us from behind. "Where do you think you are going" I turned around, and I will be honest I was a little surprised, It was Holden and his knights...but they were different very different. They were bigger, some red tentacle-like things covered their bodies, the only reason I was able to tell that it was Holen and his knights was because his face was only half covered in that strange thing. "You just don''t die huh?" Kain had a strange cold smile on his face. "Kain I leave this to you" I spoke to Kain and told him to take care of them, Kain is strong I know he will deal with them easily, I have more important things to deal with, the black robbed man grampa Lorens told us about. "By your command!" Kain yelled, as I and Iris turned and headed inside the castle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Have many things to do these day''s, have so little time to write. Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 8 - Storming The Castle "Let''s go!" I spoke to Iris who was following me, Kain has stayed outside to deal with the abominations that the knights have become, truly they are abominations they looked rather horrifying with those red tentacle things coming out of their bodies, if a normal human girl that I was once had seen those things...without a doubt I would have fainted on the spot but I am not that girl anymore. "There are no guards mistress something doesn''t feel right" Iris spoke in a hushed voice behind, we were walking in a straight path, but she is right it is strange that there is no one guarding the enemy stronghold, the men...I mean those abominations outside couldn''t be the only soldiers. While we continued walking down the path screams were heard straight ahead of us, many-many screams. But the screams that we heard did not belong to adults, yeah all of those voices belonged to children, their voices were high pitched not as deep as an adults. I quickened my pace but I didn''t run, even after those blood-chilling children''s screams, I didn''t feel anything towards them. After a few moments, the screams stoped, instead of screams a crazy laugh was heard. "It seems the screams and now this obnoxious laugh is coming from inside here mistress" Iris and I stopped at a giant iron door covered with rather interesting pictures, but that didnt matter at the moment. "Open it" I pointed at the door and gave Iris an order to open the iron doors. "By your command!" Iris slightly bowed and moved towards the door, she lifted her white hand and pushed the iron door with such force that they shattered into tiny pieces. "Well, thats one way to make an entrance" I muttered to myself as I stepped inside. The first thing that caught my attention was the strong and I mean strong stench of blood, I looked around and saw bodies of children, and adults some were missing their heads, some legs, arms, some had their guts sticking out while their dead eyes stared into nothing. "Who dares disturb my rest" An old and a little demonic voice was heard, I took my eyes of the lying corpses and looked in front of me. There was a throne in the middle of this room, on the throne a man..no it is rather a thing was sitting there, it resembled the abominations outside but this one gave off a feeling of intelligence not just some mindless monster. "I am guessing that thing is what''s left of the lord huh?" I looked at the thing that was sitting on the throne, it was wearing an armor like the knights, there was some red tentacle sticking out, I could not see his face because of his helmet, the armor he wore was covered in blood there were even remains of people on his armor and helmet. "Who are you!" the creature grew impatient because of my long silence, well I should introduce myself otherwise, I would be seen as a rude girl. "My name is Lisha..oh and I am here to kill you" I picked up the end''s of my dress and bowed slightly...just like those noble girls in tv dramas and movies...it felt kinda cool. "Kill me...ha ha hahaha" he started laughing maniacally at my words. "You dare" Iris looked at the creature with cold eyes, she was ready to pounce on him at any moment. "But before that I would like to ask, are you the lord Cliff the lord of this town?" before anything it''s better to know. "Cliff?? Ah, yesss I was known Cliff in the past....but that Cliff was weak...Ill...broken...this Cliff is overflowing with power!!" he yelled loudly. "Hoh...is that so, you do know what you did to your only son and your own wife right?" I asked the crazed monster that was once the lord. "Wife? Son? hahaha , of course, I know I killed them with my own hands....this power is magnificent it cured my illness...it made me stronger...what more could I ask!" he smiled at me with that crazed face...disgusting. Hmm seems there is no saving for him but what about-about the black robbed man, what happened to him? "What happened to the man that gave you this magnificent power?" I am truly curious I don''t see him anywhere, did he leave already? The creature looked at me without a word, but after a few moments it had a grin on its face, it stood up from its throne and moved its hand to its belly. "He is inside here now...just like the rest...heh hah hahaha" I see, so after creating this thing out of the lord, it backfired at him this creature devoured him, just like these children and men here. It continued talking as it slowly walked towards Iris and me "that foolish human tried to control me...haha how stupid was he.. with that little power he could never control me!" "At first, I devoured him..then the soldiers inside the castle...but it wasn''t enough my hunger...it wasn''t enough to satisfy my hunger..but I can''t leave this place, that cursed magician bound me to this castle, but I still found a way to get my meal every day.I created flesh servants, they bring me meals everyday hehe" so he calls those abominations flesh servants. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. But who was the magician that bound this creature to this place, and where is he now? "About the ma.." I wanted to ask the creature about the magician but it seems he doesn''t want to talk anymore, he pounced at Iris and me at an amazing speed. "Time to be devoured!!" he yelled. "Mistress!" Iris wanted to jump in front of him to block him, but that was not necessary I also wanted to test out my abilities in this world. "Blood shield," I spoke calmly, all the blood in the room started gathering in front of me and formed a shield. When the creature collided with the shield, it was pushed back and it slammed into the wall. "What....blood magic!?" the creature seems to know my vampire unique magic. "You...you aren''t a human!?" why is he angry. "Well yeah I am a queen of all the undead creatures so...yeah I guess I am not a human," I spoke calmly, the creature opened its eyes wide open and its mouth. "Lies...the undead haven''t had a queen for two hundred years!" he is well informed. "Yeah, they haven''t, but now they do." I raised my hand towards the creature "blood spear." the blood that was once forming the shield took the shape of a spear and flew towards the creature at an amazing speed. The creature jumped to the side but it didn''t leave uninjured, its right hand was torn to shreds by the spear. "Grwawr! To injure me...I will tear you apart slowly then consume you!" he yelled in rage. "Come." I don''t know why but I am calm, very calm I don''t feel fear at all, I might be even enjoying all of this. "Die!" now that''s interesting the arm that was destroyed my spear has grown back. It pounced once again at me but this time, it extended its hands towards me, a red like energy surged from them, "Inferno!" it yelled. "Blood shield!" I quickly realized what spell it was, "inferno spell" one of the strongest demonic spells. A blood shield enveloped Iris and me, this time, the shield was made like a ball that encircled us both. Dark flames erupted inside the room, everything was engulfed in the dark flames. "Hahaha what''s wrong...a little hot for you?" the creature laughed maniacally. The flames started to disappear slowly, I think it''s time to end this little charade. "What...how you are still alive!? My inferno should have fried you to a crisp how are you alive!?" he looked rather shocked when he saw Iris and me walk out of the blood shield. "A spell of that level can''t even scratch my mistress you lower life form" Well I was wondering when Iris was going to start insulting him. "But...that inferno a spell that destroys everything...could you really b..." "Your time is up." I raised my hand up "Sphere of death." I muttered slowly. On top of my hand, a small black sphere formed "Die." I sent the sphere flying towards the creature. "Wa...wait you don''t know who you are dealing with wait !?" he yelled but it was all useless now. "Just die already," I spoke coldly. "N...." The sphere reached him and entered inside him, he soon started shaking violently, blood started flowing from all over his body, soon everything stopped and the sphere got out and returned to me and disappeared like it was never there. "Well, that concludes that." "Yes mistress you were magnificent" Iris started praising me, but more importantly this creature spoke about not knowing who I was dealing with, that means there is someone even higher in position behind all of this, but that''s for another day..and I don''t really need to involve myself any further. "My queen." Behind us a familiar voice was heard, I turned around and looked at Kain who was a little bloody but no visible wounds on him, he was bowing slightly. "Your fight ?" I asked. "Completly annihilated the enemy." he spoke with a proud voice. "But I must inform you my queen...a large group of paladin knight''s have entered this town a few moments ago," Kain spoke. Paladins...paladins!? Aren''t they the order of knight''s that serve the church of light? If they are here that means they know what was happening to this town, and it is known that they hate all the demonic and undead beings equally. "Well, this has become rather troublesome." I knew it I shouldn''t have involved myself"sigh". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Sorry for not releasing for so long, these past few weeks have been chaotic for me. Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 9 - The Purge "My lord we have arrived this is Larwick" a knight clad in golden armor turned his head and spoke to an elderly man who wore the same armor as the knight, he had a gray hair and his face really showed his age. "Umm, I can sense the foul demon magic in this town" the elderly man spoke. "Lord Evenwulf!" another one of the knights was running towards the old man called Evenwulf. "Report." Evenwulf spoke. "Yes! We have surrounded the town we await your command my lord!" the knight yelled loudly as he talked to Evenwulf. "Good-good well then it is time for the purge to begin!" Evenwulf took his sword out of its scabbard and pointed it at Larwick. "Leave none of these heretics alive!" the golden colored knights roared as they stormed the town. "Mage" Everwulf turned his head and looked at the blue robbed man that was riding behind him. "You were right this town stinks with demonic magic, when you came to us a year ago I didn''t believe you but this confirms it, this kingdom has been tainted." "Yes everything is as I told you, my lord, up in the castle is that abomination that was once the lord of this town, it is all that foul black robbed man''s fault, he was the one who used the demonic magic and turned the lord into abomination...but it didn''t go as he planned he couldn''t control that demon, it devoured him when it was done with him it turned its attention to us, it was pure coincident that I was there at a time, I was just curious about the new illness the lord was suffering from." the mage spoke with heavy voice, horror visible on his pale face. "I managed to seal the creature in the castle...but it cost me my arm" the mage touched the place where his left arm was once. "You are a brave man, not many would do the things you did" Evenwulf spoke. "Yes...when I went to the capital city no one even believed me, that why the only hope was the church...but my lord is it really necessary to....to kill all these people?" the mage asked with a shaky voice. "Indeed, it is, even if the creature was confined in the castle by your magic, its corruption...the foul demonic corruption still spread to the town, sooner or later all the residents would turn into abominations....trust me I have seen the horrors of demonic corruption" Everwulf spoke with a gloomy face. "I....I see" the mage looked at the town with a sad face, the town started burning in the flames and countless screams were heard. "let us join the purge!" Evenwulf yelled and the remaining knights that were around him charged into the town with him in the lead. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lisha POV We walked outside the castle and I looked at the abominations that Kain defeated...no it''s better to say destroyed, yeah almost nothing was left of them. I looked at Kain with admiration, to which he only smiled. "Screams!" what''s this? I looked towards the north gate of the town and saw fire engulfing the houses. A similar situation was happening on the eastern side and the western, I heard screams from all directions. I as a vampire have very good eyes and I can see far even from the castle I can see what''s going on, golden colored knights were indiscriminately killing everything in their way and setting houses on where ever they passed. "Are paladins supposed to kill the people they are supposed to protect?" my thought leaked out. "No not at all mistress, these humans are fanatics when they see demons or undead they have a strange urge to....kill us, so if they already know what happened in this town with that demon, it is only natural for them to think that there are more of them hidden" Iris spoke with a smile on her face. "hmm, I see" the behavior of these paladins is rather a cliche, yeah that''s the word cliche...but it doesn''t concern me, this town and the church knights are not my concern, I did kill the demon but I have no ties to this town. "Well, shall we be on our way?" I looked at Iris and Kain to my question they only nodded and smiled. "Hmm, but how to leave and not run into the paladins?" I started thinking deeply how to avoid unnecessary fighting, but it seems my luck is rather bad. "You there who are you!" a voice was heard just ahead of us, I lifted my head and looked at the golden colored knights with their shiny armors and weapons. "Great...." I muttered. "Is this the demon?" the knights started whispering amongst themselves as they looked at me, Iris and Kain. "But the demon should be sealed in the castle..." "That''s true than who the hell are they?" "It doesn''t matter this is a purge!" oh seems they have finally made up their minds. "Charge!" the knights charge at us like wild boars. "Sigh" "Iris,Kain" I have just spoken their names "Yes!" and in a flash several golden helmets with heads still inside rolled down on the ground. "This...." the knights that were lucky and stayed behind just stood there frozen and looked at their fallen brothers in arms. "Do not me afraid of these demons we are the children of the goddess of light Eliner charge!" one of them yelled and made their morale come back up again...so stupid. "Iris,Kain step back" I ordered them to step back, it is my turn to play. "Rise, my children, rise my warriors, and serve your queen!" this was one of my favorite spells in the game, "rise of the forsaken" it basically raises the fallen warriors on the battlefield, I used this spell in almost all the battles I fought when I was playing the game. The headless corpses started twitching and shaking "wha...." the knight that first noticed this didn''t have a chance to speak up, one of the headless knights pierced his throat with a spear. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version."Un....undead!?" the headless knights stood up and charged at the paladins that were caught by surprise. "Stand your ground men!!" a loud elderly voice resounded from the back of the paladins. I ordered the headless knights to return, let''s see who has such a loud voice. "Whats this....mage is this the demon you were talking about, this little girl?" the old man spoke to the blue robbed man that was missing one of his arms. "N...no-no that''s not the demon!" he yelled as he looked at me, oh they mean the demon I killed in the castle. "Sorry but the demon you are looking for is long dead" maybe they leave....what it could happen! "Hoh and how did this happen little lady?" the old man looked at me, but those eyes that looked at me didn''t see the little girl, in his eyes he only saw an enemy that much was clear. "I killed it" I spoke calmly, let''s see what their reaction will be. "How dare you lie!" the blue robbed guy yelled. "Insolent..." Iris looked at the blue robbed guy coldly and whispered, Kain just kept smiling....crepy. "No-no I am not lying when you let me pass you can go and check it out yourself" let''s see if this works. "Hahaha I believe you little lady, but to let you who has killed and defiled my men...unforgivable!" a light aura burst out of the old man....well this is new, I didn''t know there was a spell like this. "Little lady surrender and I might give you an easy death!" he yelled as he took a stance ready to strike at any time. Do I have to fight, "sigh" seems there is no other option? "Go!" I ordered the headless knights to attack, they charged at the old man with their weapons, but as I aspected they were dealt with quickly, and what''s more when that light touched them, they were dead...I mean truly dead my magic was gone...interesting. "Your dark magic can''t stand against me!" now it was his turn he moved at an amazing speed, he was even faster than the demon. "My queen!" Kain wanted to jump in but was stopped by Iris. "Blood shield" in that instant all the blood on the ground gathered in front of me and formed a shield when the old man''s sword and my shield collided sparks flew in all directions. "This is.....blood magic!?" the old man said in surprise as he jumped back and looked at me, so he knows about my magic. "You who are?" he pointed at me and asked. Do I tell him,hmm I mean I won''t be able to hide it from the world forever, not that I really tried to hide it but if I tell them now it will so troublesome...but then again I so want to tell them and look at their faces, hehe well I guess it''s decided. "Heh, I am...." "ROAR!!!" suddenly a loud roar was heard from the sky, and just one but countless. "What the!?" the paladins looked at the sky and dropped down on their knees while their faces were pale as a ghost. "How?" to be honest I was surprised as well, I didn''t expect this. The things that were roaring in the sky, are none other than the bone dragon''s and their undead knights, my bone dragons and what''s more there must be hundreds of them!? "Iris,Kain care to explain?" I looked at them both, I clearly said when I started this adventure that I didn''t want anyone else following me. "Mistress please forgive me...it was all Kain''s idea!" she moved closer and looked at me with teary eyes while Kain had his mouth open and just looked at Iris...he was really angry. "Sigh" "It''s okay, I guess this will make one great introduction huh?" well here goes nothing. "Well, then I should introduce myself since you asked nicely" I walked towards the old man and the deathly failed paladins. I took both sides of my dress just like with the demon and bowed slightly "Lisha the queen of all the undead, nice to make your acquaintance" "Queen of the undead...." the soldiers whispered and just kept staring, the old man didn''t lose his composure at all he just stared at me and the bone dragons in the sky. I noticed he wanted to attack again, that why I gave the order to one of the dragon''s and its rider to come down, I and my undead servants are connected so I can easily give orders. Just as the old was about to jump at me "ROAR!" the dragon landed behind me. "D....dragon!?!?" the paladins yelled if you ask me they are to scared for the knights of the church, guess they haven''t seen many battles. "So what''s it gonna be old man, let us go...or die?" I asked coldly, I don''t have the desire to kill him and his men, I mean I told them my name and who I was so they will spread it around....now that I think about it I am an idiot I just made more troubles for myself!? "Sigh" While I was having a lovely conversation in my head seems the old man has made a decision. He dropped his sword and sat down on the ground when the others saw that they followed as well. "Go" the old man had a rather gloomy face, well at least he did a right thing, better to surrender and live than dying for nothing, he was thinking about his men as well he is not so stupid. I climbed the dragon that descended down two more descended down for Iris and Kain. "Oh, before I forget what is your name?" I asked the old man, I gave him my name so he should tell me his. He looked at me with a gloomy face "Evenwulf" , Evenwulf huh I will remmber it. The bone dragon took off and rejoined the rest if the dragons that were circling the town. "Sigh" "Let''s go home" I had a rather short adventure. "Yes, mistress!" "Yes, my queen!" Well, they seem happy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 10 - Invitation It has been almost a week since I got back from my rather short adventure, honestly, in my imagination I traveled the land, saw many interesting things, this is a fantasy world, but oh well guess some dreams never come true. "sigh" "Is something the matter mistress?" Iris who was standing beside me asked me. "No nothing" I answered, right now I was enjoying a cup of red liquid, I don''t know where we got it or how we got it, and to be honest I don''t really care because this red liquid is blood, at first I thought I was gonna throw up when I first tasted it but I was wrong, it is rather refreshing I am a vampire after all. I am sitting in my personal garden and looking at the dark clouds that hover over my kingdom, somehow this feels relaxing. I have been doing nothing since I returned from Lawrick, so far nothing happened I was expecting a war as soon as I returned but there are no reports of anyone invading our borders. I thought the church would make some kind of a crusade and invade us almost immediately, but now that I think about it this isn''t a game anymore, this is a real world and it takes months maybe even years for an army to get ready for war unless you are undead. "sigh" ah I just keep sighing I should find some kinda distraction from my boredom. Maybe I should visit Mortas who is currently stationed on the eastern borders with his army or any other general. While I was having another one of my inner monologs the door opened and Kain walked in he stopped in front of me and bowed slightly. "My queen the black guard seem to have caught a rather exotic rat" Kain smiled coldly. "A rat?" why would he tell me that the black guards caught a rat, do we even have rats? "Bring him in!" Kain yelled and two black guard soldiers walked in while holding a rather well dressed, hmm young man? "This is the rat I am talking about my queen" Kain smiled as he pointed at the so-called rat....oh now I get it a rat. "Hmm, so what business does a human have in the land of the dead?" I asked coldly and stared at him. "I....I am not a rat! I am just a messenger please have mercy your highness!" the human yelled even some tears were visible in the corners of his eyes, wow either I or the black guard really scared him...or Kain. "A messenger and what kind of message do you carry?" this is all rather strange who would send a messenger to me. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "I....I...have an invitation in my pocket....could please tell these things to release me?" really now an invitation...isn''t this little cliche. "Release him" I ordered the black guards to release the man. He started searching all over his body, after a few seconds he stopped and looked at me, his eyes had no fear in them anymore. "This is the invitation your highness!" he yelled and jumped towards me in his right hand he had a knife headed straight for my throat. "sigh" "Blood shield" I made a blood shield out of the blood I was drinking, it wasn''t big but just enough to stop the blade from reaching me. "huh? why did it stop?" the man looked surprised. "Screech!" the black guard made a strange sound the red lights in their eyes grew even more almost like flames, even an idiot would realize they were enraged. The moved with amazing speed and pinned down the man, they were about to pierce him with their weapons. "Stop" I spoke and told them to stop, I want to know who sent this man to kill me, tho I have an idea. But what surprised me is that neither Kain nor Iris moved an inch in all of this mess. "pfft! hahaha!!" the man started laughing. "You really are the queen! Haha!" I wonder what so funny. "Is death so funny to you?" I asked him coldly. "Hehe calm down your highness I really am a messenger, tho I am not a human" when he spoke those words his face and even his clothes started to disappear, his face now looked very young at an age of eighteen he had a very handsome face, but what surprised me a little was horns on his head, two black horns were sticking out, he had a very noble black leather outfit and on his back a black tail was sticking out, yep he is of the demon race. "Hoh a demon, so what kind of message do you have for me demon?" I asked him and waved my hand to the black guard to let him go. He stood up and dusted off his clothes than he took out a rolled up paper bowed slightly towards me and extended the paper towards me. "I present to you queen of the night kingdom Lisha an invitation to a dark alliance formal ball!" Huh,what the hell is a dark alliance!? "Umm excuse me but what is this dark alliance you speak of?" I am confused. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 10,5 : War Is Coming "Raise your spears lads, put some back into it strike those dolls!" Inside a large courtyard, a golden-armored man was yelling at the soldiers that were practicing around fifty of the soldiers were present at the momment. "Ahh why do I always get stuck with new recruits, damn it" the man had an angry face, he was in his thirties, not an old man but not young as well, he had a large build with just a look anyone could tell he was an experienced warrior. "Ahh I wish Evanwulf would return soon, I want to spar with him, this country stinks and it''s boring and this castle as well" the man grumbled. "Open the gates! Lord Evenwulf has returned!" the soldiers on top of the wall raised their voices as they shouted the return of lord Evenwulf. "Hohoh this must be gods luck, lads continue practicing with those spears if you want to have a place in the paladins order you need to know how to use a spear at least!" the man shouted as he turned around and started walking towards the gate that was slowly beginning to open. This castle was one of many that belonged to the church of light, every kingdom has an obligation to provide the church with the base of operation in their kingdom and this was the castle that was provided by the Lizia Kingdom. These castles also served for recruiting new soldiers for the order of the paladins and also for those who wished to simply devote their lives to the church. The man arrived at the gates that were now fully opened and waved his hand at the man that was riding ahead of the soldiers that followed closely behind. "Evewulf welcome back my friend how was the purge?" the man smiled at Evewulf, but Evenwulf wore a grim face as he stopped and just looked at the man. "Grewein I am sorry my friend but this is no time for greetings and happy chatting" Evenwulf spoke and just continued inside the castle. "Huh!? What the hell do you mean!?" the man called Grewein yelled loudly. "Just look at the soldiers I took with me and everything will be clear to you, also is the commander inside I need to speak to him" Evenwulf spoke while he dismounted his horse. "Yes the commander is inside but what about yo.....your....men" Grewein stuttered with his words when he saw the lifeless eyes of the soldiers that pulled two large carts behind them, the carts were filled with the golden-armored corpses. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "By the gods, what kind of an abomination has done this to ya!?" Grewein yelled and looked at Evenwulf. "Come I will tell you and the commander....war is coming " Both Evenwulf and Grewein entered the large keep and continued towards the door that was guarded by two soldiers that carried spears in their hands. The soldiers saluted them by bowing their heads down, they entered a large room on both sides of the wall there were bookshelves the whole room was covered in books and in the middle of the room was a desk that had many folded and unfolded papers on it. "Welcome back Evenwulf" An elderly voice spoke from the pile of papers he cleared the papers from the desk, it was an old man, he had a white beard but it wasn''t long, his face showed how old he was, his hair wasn''t long but not too short as well, he like all the rest wore the golden armour but his was slightly different, in the middle of it was a carved griffin mark, only the highest members of the paladin order are allowed to wear the sigil of their order the golden griffin. "Yes thank you commander" Evenwulf spoke. "Now-now Evenwulf we are friends how many times have I told you to call me Orian" the commander had a joyful face. "But jokes aside, report what happened in Larwick?" the commander put on his serious face. Evenwulf told the commander and Grewein everything that happened in Larwick and everything he saw with his own eyes. "Hmm" the commander had a serious face. "Seriously an undead queen!?" Grewein was a little more shocked but no one could blame him, the undead were not active for two hundred years. "We shall report this to the church and we shall see what the high council decides about this matter" the commander spoke, both Evenwulf and Grewein just nodded. "You are free to go" he spoke, Evenwulf and Grewein bowed their heads slightly and turned around to leave but just as they were about to the commander spoke again. "Evenwulf, Grewein you should both be ready for this world shall enter the age of chaos once again" "Yes!" both of them spoke before they left the room. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An: Just a little about what''s happening on the other side. Enjoy! ^^ Chapter: 11 - Demon Capital "We shall arrive soon your majesty" "Good I am tired of this journey, I don''t like riding carriages so much" "My-my so even the great queen of undead has something that troubles her" "Watch your tongue little demon, before you disrespect mistress again I will rip it out" "Sigh" right now Iris,me and Liadon are riding the carriage for almost two weeks. Oh, Liadon is that demon that delivered the invitation to me, I had him explain everything I wanted to know, so he explained to me what this dark alliance is, basically they are united dark races of this world orc''s,dark elf''s, demons, beast men and some minor races. He told me that the ball will be held in the demon capital Karak Da Maz, or how humans like to call it simply Hell''s Pit. Liadon told me that to this ball I can only bring an escort of a hundred soldiers and my personal attendants into their capital. Naturally I took the black guard with me thirty mounted variation and seventy on foot, this time, I didn''t take Kain with me just Iris and two of vampire maids, who believe it or not are strong and I mean almost as strong as Iris or Kain. Anyway, the reason I didn''t take Kain with us, this time, was because I sent him on another mission, I sent him to the human territories to gather information, humans won''t stay silent not at all. "Your majesty, take a look outside your window and you will be able to see our glories city Karak Da Maz!" Liadon exclaimed with excitement. "Hold your carriage the city can not be entered right now, and most certainly you undead bones!" the demon soldiers stopped us at the gate, wow they really look mean with all those spikes on their armors and shields and their helmets with horns, gotta admit they do look cool. "Well-well please excuse the rudeness of these fools your majesty I shall go sort it out immediately" Liadon bowed his head and exited the carriage. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Hello there, might you fools know who I am and who you just insulted in that carriage, I thought my second brother had already informed all the gate guards about our arrival" Liadon spoke with a smile but his voice was cold. "Ma....master Liadon!!" one of the guards yelled and kneeled down immediately. Hoh, I knew he was a high ranking demon, but a master, well-well this was unexpected. "Now that you know who I am do tell me why haven''t you been informed, or maybe you are just lying, well what is it speak!" well that''s some power, the ground around Liadon started to shake even some cracks appeared. "We....we didn''t know!" the demon guards spoke but ahh even a blind man could see they were lying. "Is that so, okay then please open the gates for me and.....our guests" Liadon spoke with a smile again, with that cold smile. "Yes-yes immediately open the gates!" they yelled and the gates slowly opened to us. "Well thank you very much, and goodbye" "Hu............." "Swish!!!" in that single second two heads were rolling down and the ground became soaked with blood. Liadon returned to the carriage and just smiled when he entered. "Was there a reason to kill your soldiers?" I asked, tho I don''t care that much asking just out of curiosity. "But of course we can not have our own guards insulting an important guest, now can we?'' Laidon just smiled like always. "Sigh" "I suppose" best not to dwell too much on this matter. "Putting aside the...minor inconvenience welcome to Karak Da Maz queen of the undead!" "Well thank you for the warm welcome" I have a feeling my stay in this capital will be a rather interesting one. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoy! ^^ Short Notice I have been away for a long,long,long time lol. I have been busy in real life I didn''t have time to write at all, but it seems the time will soon be upon us for the dark queen shall make her return soon muhahaha! If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Anyway if there are still those who are interested in this story this is a notice for you ;) BestRegards-Love ya! Chapter: 12 - Not So Warm Welcome "So this is the capital city Karak Da Maz of the demon race huh?" I looked with amazement at the houses where all kind of demons lived, I am surprised how similar the demon capital looks like a medieval city back in my old world, well all except the sharp-horned demons that looked in wonder at my carriage and my escort. "Well, your majesty what do you think about our capital amazing right?" Liadon looked at me with a grin on his face, even a blind man would see that he loved this city very much. "Well it''s not too bad, but I still prefer a little darker ambiance than this" I answered my question as I still looked outside the carriage. "Hehe" Liadon smiled at my answer. "Mistress look" Iris spoke and pointed towards a distant building that looked like a palace. "Oh, that is our destination, that the royal palace where the demon king lives and his sons, a seat of power from where this kingdom is being ruled, meaning my father and my brother are there" Liadon spoke but this time his expression turned a little cold. Wait, did his just say, father and brother? Then that would mean he is royalty? Wait maybe his brother and father are some kind of knights that serve under the king, well let''s just ask him. "Liadon, may I ask you a question?" I asked him. "By all means please go ahead your majesty if it is withing my power I shall give you the answer" Liadon, bowed his head a little and tried to take my hand and kiss it, but he was stopped by a deadly glare that Iris gave him, to be honest, that glare sends me chills down the spine as well. "Uhm, well please go ahead and ask your majesty" Liadon coughed once and returned to his seat. "Well then who are you Liadon, you are no simple messenger that''s for sure?" I asked him politely. "Well it''s not like I tried to hide it, let''s see I think I should be the second prince of the demon kingdom" Liadon answered as his face turned cold for a second but it went back to normal almost immediately, I wonder what''s causing his mood swings. "I figured as much, I just wanted to confirm it" yeah he is a royalty now that makes me wonder why was he the messenger that invited me to this so called ball of theirs "You don''t seem much surprised, although you did mention you had your suspicions, and I can guess what you are thinking right now, you are thinking about why would a demon prince be a messenger right?" Liadon showed a smile as he spoke, and he is quite sharp. "Hoh and you wouldn''t mind answering me that question right?" let''s see if he will reveal that, I wonder if there was some special reason. "Of course, it is simple actually my brother sent me to you with hopes I would be killed or maybe just eaten alive by your undead hehe" Liadon laughed but I could sense deep down his heart was cold as ice, and I understand now whenever he talks about his family his expression turn cold, must be some real issues with his older brother but I shall not dig in any further it is none of my business. "Well then thank you for answering my questions that will be all" "What you don''t want to ask about my relationship with my brother?" Liadon grinned at me and spoke. "No, not at all, it is none of my concern" I answered his question. "Well you are really different from the other nobility and royalty your majesty hehe" "Anyway, it seems we have arrived your majesty, if you excuse me I shall go and speak with the guard at the gate" Liadon spoke and gave a small bow. "Okay" I replied to him while nodding slightly. I looked outside, this city is truly marvelous, I turned my head and looked at the palace it is really big now that I see it so close, the palace was surrounded by another thick layer of wall. I glanced at Liadon who was standing with the guards at the gate, he glanced back at me and waved his hand towards us, it was a sign that we may enter the palace grounds. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. The gate slowly opened and my carriage and escorts entered inside, I noticed a lot of gazes from the demons towards us, even these guards have those eyes, I think they are eyes of disgust, well no wonder even in the game no one could team up with the undead race, but beeing here and being invited to this ball just says that this is the real world now and not a game. "Well than your majesty I shall head to my fathers, I apologize that he can not come out and greet you, he is really old and lately not in the best health, also these servants will show you to your quarters, your escorts will have their own private quarters as well" Liadon spoke to me as he presented a few servants tha wore some nice cloths. "Okay I understand, also I would like to have my escort as close to me as possible" I spoke as I stepped outside the carriage, the black guard lined up when they saw me. "Sigh" "Very well your majesty we shall give you quarters close to your escorts, but you need not fear for your safety here" Liadon sighed and spoke. "Hehe, I am not worried about my safety at all" I chuckled, at Liadon who had a confused face right now. "Well then let us proceed, the ball shall be held in the evening I shall guide you to your quarters as well as your escort, please come this way queen of the undead" one of the servants spoke as he extended his hand to me. Well this is amusing the tone in his voice was that of a disgust instead of the eyes, I wonder why do they hate the undead so much but who cares. "Mistress can I kill these flies right now, I have kept myself composed till now, but now a mere servant dares to disrespect you, could you please grant me the honor" Iris was boiling with rage and killing intent, that it was visible to the eye. "No Iris remain calm, no need to create a scene, they can hate us and look at us with disgust but that is how much they can only do nothing more" I spoke to calm Iris down and now instead of hatred and killing intent her eyes brightened up and looked at me. "As you say, mistress, I apologize for acting like that" Iris gave a deep bow. "It is okay it happens, now let us proceed" I turned towards the servants. The servants guided us, to run-down quarters of the palace, somehow I expected this but seriously I think they should show some respect to me I am after all the queen of the undead and night kingdom. Also on our way, I saw many races, major and minor ones that existed in the game and they were all given better quarters. "We are truly sorry for the state these quarters are in but, you requested to be close to your escorts and these are the biggest quarters we have" one of the servants bowed but I caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. "You may leave now" I told the servants with a cold face. "Y..yes!" they trembled a little and ran out as quick as they could. "Mistress we should get ready for the tonight''s ball" Iris spoke. "Yeah but I want to rest a little now" I sat down on a chair, a really old chair. "As you command, when you feel you have rested these two will be here to assist you with your dress" she pointed her hand at the two vampire maids, who gave a deep bow. "As for the safety, leave those to me and the black guard" "Alright, I leave it you" I am really tired of riding a carriage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A comeback chapter, hope you like it, next time the ball finally begins!!!!!! ^^