by SlyOkami
Unable to hear her own footsteps, as she stood over it.
Absolute silence surrounded her, and it was driving Risera mad. As her eyes darted from side to side in panic, as she tried to mumble to herself, but the words never once reached her own ears.
A coldness permeated her, she felt it creeping out of her gut, up her spine and filling her bones with fear.
For a moment, Risera even forgot how to breathe, when she noticed a cut on her left shoulder. Her panic grew when she saw her own violet blood dripping down her arm, she hadn’t even felt the attack, less so seen it.
The succubus spun about, agitated and confused. Trying to locate an enemy that, for a moment, she pondered if they were even there.
Was she there?
Had she left?
Was Risera alone?
Had she been alone all along?
Those questions riddled her mind, as she drowned in apprehension.
Freezing on the spot, “Will you run?” as a chilling voice reached her ears.
Followed by silence once more, making Risera wonder if she had imagined the voice.
“Are you afraid?” The voice then asked, and Risera took a step back from the fright.
Pain, agony filled her as another attack slashed across her back. She spun around, but saw nothing, heard nothing.
Sensed nothing.
And her panic, reached its very limit.
As her expression turned to terror, her eyes on the brink of tears while she spun around.
Looking for something.
Searching, for anything.
Anyone.
“You are.” The voice spoke once more, “Good.” It said, Risera now realising that it was Makaela’s voice.
“You should be.” Makaela whispered coldly, her voice suddenly seeming mere inches away from Risera’s ear.
Risera jumped in surprise, teleporting away that exact instant.
But when she reappeared, a third cut slashed through her left cheek.
Her eyes widened, her breathing doubling in speed.
And her heartbeat, went through the roof.
Risera teleported and teleported, appearing and disappearing a mere moment after.
As cuts now riddled her body, the attacks going unseen, unheard.
(“No more…”) Risera thought, lunging with her tail’s bladed end at empty air after something cut her nose.
No, not empty air.
As she felt her tail connect with something, it was brief but she felt the mild resistance it gave. Barely noticing the thin string’s shine as it slowly fell through the air before her.
“For Zentha.” Makaela said, as she suddenly faded into visibility behind Risera. Plunging her dagger into the succubus’s back, but only piercing it through the demon’s shoulder as Risera evaded a deadly blow.
Teleporting that exact moment, and taking Makaela with.
Risera heard herself take a deep breath, as sound suddenly returned to her ears. They both had appeared above the caravan’s upper deck, high up in the air above it, and were quickly descending upon the battle.
She heard blades and shields clash, she heard hammers and armour collide.
She heard the screams, the bellows and grunts.
And as Makaela’s whip coiled around her left arm, she felt further pain. Snapping her out of her confused daze.
Risera teleported once again, the both of them appearing over the desert dunes and tumbling down into the sand, before they both stood up to face one another.
Risera struggled with the whip, as Makaela used it to throw her aside, also summoning emerald flames to run down the weapon’s length. Risera summoned her own magic, a pinkish miasma that clashed with flames before they reached her arm. She tried to stand back up, but Makaela waved her whip aside, with enough strength behind it to flip the succubus over once more.
Risera groaned as she raised her face from the sand, her teary eyes now refilling with rage as she turned to gaze at Makaela.
She teleported, meaning to appear behind her.
Only to turn confused as Makaela and the whip between them also teleported.
The situation seemingly not changing one bit as the dunes all look alike.
Makaela grinned widely, pulling on her whip once more and almost making Risera stumble.
Briefly averting the demon’s gaze from her, as she rushed forward. Risera saw her coming, but didn’t teleport, knowing she’d only be wasting her energy. Instead, her tail slashed down onto the whip, meeting more resistance than she expected as her tail-end deflected right off.
She returned to face Makaela as the Xilfir now stood before her.
Their eyes met, both were full of hatred for the other.
Both their eyes widening, as hate turned to fury.
Both lunging at one another, Risera’s blade-ended tail and her claws engulfed in demonic energy.
Against Makaela, who held her shortening whip with one hand. But having let go of the dagger that still lay in Risera’s back, she pulled a smaller knife out of her cloak.
“Damn you Makaela!”
“Go back to hell Risera!”
Time seemed to slow for the both of them, as they both screamed each other’s names. As claw and tail, descended against a much smaller throwing knife.
The demon’s claws swiped widely before her, while her tail lunged straight ahead like a spear.
Yet, each missed their mark.
As Makaela evaded to the side, pulling on her whip to widen one of the demon’s swipes before rolling beneath it. Coming to a kneel by the Risera’s side, she plunged her knife into the demon’s leg.
“For my sister, for my friend, and for the one I love.” Makaela said, letting go of the knife as she spun around to now stand behind Risera. Unsheathing a short sword from her belt, she slashed through the demon’s neck.
“Die.” Makaela hissed, her blade beheading the succubus, and splattering blood onto the sand beneath them. The demon’s head rolled, falling upon the sand and bloodying it further.
As the rest of her body briefly remained still before Makaela.
Before abruptly collapsing on itself, joining the head inside the pooling blood below.
The demon’s expression was frozen, even after death, as one of ugly fury.
Makaela sighed, but not in relief.
Disdain still filled her eyes as she gazed down at the demon, she felt no closure in her death.
No, Makaela wasn’t satisfied. She wanted to inflict further pain upon the creature, for everything it had done.
But it was too late, she couldn’t reverse death, as much as she wished to. Simply to torture the succubus further.
So, she sighed.
A sigh filled with disappointment.
Releasing her whip from the corpse’s arm, she left it behind her, burning away with emerald flames as she climbed up the nearest dune. Makaela gazed at the battle ahead while it still raged on.
Zentha’s summoned serpentine monstrosity of poisonous golden fog had moved onto another caravan, while Ascal was still toying with his.
Pyra on the other hand had completely thrashed hers, the caravan now laying in bits and pieces as a streak of light dashed about its ruins, clashing with a streak of shadow that flew above.
Her gaze went over the battle, she was looking off into the horizon, but the ocean was nowhere in sight as more dunes and some greener hills lay blocking her view. “Please…be safe.” Makaela whispered, snapping her whip to full length as she noticed several of the Dagen waking up from their slumber.
Makaela grimaced as the draconic beasts turned onto the rebel’s ships where the hostages lay, “This is going to be a long night.” she mused before dashing down towards the closest Dagen.
Ch 44 - Before The Storm
Nearby Seeri
Off the coast of the island Mieri
Thea gazed off at the horizon as she stood at the North Orca’s very back, Sinroz now all too far to be in sight, yet she still gazed off towards it.
; Hoping, that she made the right call.
“Any longer and I would have dropped a bucket full of sea water on ya.” Kyllix sighed as he came out of the ship’s cabin, Nerick and Shizuka in tail.
“Sorry…those beds are really cumfy!” Shizuka chuckled as she stretched her arms.
“Hah…The Crimsons have it good, in the army we had to deal with bedrolls…” Nerick mused as he fed Ivara who lay coiled around his neck as usual, passing the wyvern a piece of smoked meat out of a leather bag.
Which, Ivara dived right into when she noticed where the food was coming from. Causing Nerick some panic as he tried to pull her out, “H-Hey some of that is m-mine…” but it was too late, Ivara had eaten her fill.
And her fill was the entire pouch.
“Prepare yourselves,” Thea then said, walking over to them as she now gazed ahead, at the Orca’s destination. “We’re almost there.”
“Mieri huh?” Nerick said as he followed her gaze, each of them turning to look at the flourishing tropical island.
“Ambassador O’Connor did confirm Umbra’s hint, there is no mistake, that island is owned by council member Ramzi Al-Salem.” Thea explained.
“So how do we approach this then? Go in quietly?” Shizuka asked.
“Heh, I’ll probably be able to tell you whether that’s a good idea or not soon. Getting in range of my detection, I’ll give the land a good scan once I do.” Kyllix said as his eyes narrowed.
Thea noticed his change of expression, “Something wrong?”
“Not really, well, something has been bugging me for a while though…” Kyllix mused, ”Azkel has in her employ the entirety of the Assassin’s Pact, and a mastermind plan. But Brazath…I cannot read him. Does he only have this Ramzi in his employ? Who has captured the last actual Dragon on Faetera. So why keep it alive? What use does Ramzi have for this Dragon? How did he capture it in the first place? No adult Dragon would allow itself to be captured without laying waste to the land around it, yet I’ve heard of no such disaster.”
“It could be a drake, like Erik.” Shizuka pointed out.
“It very well could be,” Kyllix agreed, “But that still begs the question, is Brazath so lax that he’d allow Ramzi to toy with something as dangerous as a Dragon? Even a young one? Maybe it is because it is a young one? Maybe Brazath is planning to do with it what Hell has done with Erik already? No matter the age, to have a Dragon as an ally is a great increase in Hell’s forces on Faetera.”
“Would they be able to turn it in their favour though?” Nerick then asked, “I mean, you said that it took a God’s power to allow Hell into Erik’s mind. You also said that you’ve rounded up the other Gods and questioned them, is there any that would still side with Hell?”
Kyllix smirked as he glanced back at the Djinn, “Gods never change, that’s their primary weakness. They’re power beings who’ve had their strength locked away, they wish to be free. Are there any more Gods that would side with Hell? The short answer would be yes, there are many. The long answer? It’s complicated. Either way, what Hell and Grim did to Erik was no simple task. Dragons have exceptional mental fortitude, it must have taken them centuries to crack him.”
“And Ramzi hasn’t had centuries since he’s had this drake in custody.” Thea added.
“Something else is afoot then, what is? I’m not sure.” Kyllix said as he shrugged, “But the answers lay ahead, and I’m about to be able to take a quick glance at it all.”
“How much further?” Shizuka asked.
“You won’t feel a thing, we’re still too far for your ears. This is me though, here goes.” Kyllix explained as he stepped forward, moving to the ship’s very front.
He stood there, watching the island in silence.
Focusing on his senses.
“So, what do you see-Err-feel?” Nerick asked.
“Nothing…” Kyllix said.
“Are we not close enough yet?” Shizuka then asked.
“No we are…I should have at least half the island in my range…But I don’t even sense the trees, grass, bugs! Animals! Nothing…” Kyllix explained, his tone turning serious as he focused further. “Wait…I sense something, how did I not feel it earlier? It’s bloody closing in.”
“W-What is it?” Shizuka asked as Thea unstrapped her gunblade and Ivara turned into a pole-axe within Nerick’s hands.
Each of them watched as Kyllix turned to face them, his eyes wide in surprise.
“Ru-” He tried to speak, but his words were cut off.
As he suddenly disappeared from sight.
(“Well that wasn’t helpful at all!”) Ivara whined, as the other three stood frozen in shock.
“Kyllix? W-Where d-did he g-go?” Nerick asked, stuttering from the surprise.
“I don’t sense him…I don’t-know?” Shizuka said, as she stepped forward to where he once stood. “What do we do?”
The both of them turned to Thea, whose eyes narrowed as she gazed at the island ahead.
As it suddenly disappeared from view as well.
Water rippled along the Orca’s sides as it moved, the liquid seemingly appearing out of nowhere and expanding outwards. Revealing a massive barrier of water, surrounding where the island lay. The ship stopped at the barrier’s edge, unable to pass through, the water blocking it from going further.
“What the hell…” Shizuka mumbled out as she stepped away from the water.
“Ah, we have surprise visitors!” A monstrous voice suddenly exclaimed, “Welcome, to the grandest show on Faetera.” it said, and the Orca suddenly began to sink forward into the barrier.
“Thea! What do we do!?” Shizuka asked again in panic, glancing in between the quickly approaching wall of liquid and then at her.
Thea was grimacing, “Steel yourselves.” She told them, preparing herself as well. “We’ve been had.”
Shizuka turned around to face the barrier, stepping away to stand in between Thea and Nerick as it approached them. Grabbing onto Thea’s sleeve in dismay, as the water reached their faces.
Each took a deep breathe, the water then engulfing them. Shizuka closing her eyes as it did.
“Welcome…” A voice said, as Shizuka opened her eyes to find herself elsewhere. “To my Monster Coliseum.” Ramzi greeted, as he stood before all three of them, while they suddenly found themselves at the centre of the arena.
Yet, there was just them within the entire cavern. No monsters or fighters, no observers either as the stands lay empty. It was just Thea, Nerick, Ivara and Shizuka standing before an amused Ramzi.
The Orca, the ocean, and the barrier were all gone.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” Ramzi said, mildly bowing before them, as he remained polite in both form and tone. “I am Ramzi Al-Salem, council seat holder, Sinbeni businessman, mercenary contract provider, and the showman of this wonderous place.” He explained, gesturing at the arena around him. “I apologise, but your ship was seized, alongside its crew. Now I ask, what is a Djiin, a Wyvern, a…Ah, a Spirit Beast is it? Oh, and a drake’s Chosen. What brings you to me?” he asked with a raised brow.
But neither of them responded, as each glanced about in confusion, anxiety and apprehension filling them. Then focusing on the man before them, as he sighed. “Well, I can always guess. Azkel sent you my way to deter me, oh how thoughtful of her. And how much like her it is to drop her problems on others, Master will be grandly amused to know how much her plans have failed, and in turn aided me.” Ramzi chuckled.
“W-Where is he?” Shizuka then suddenly asked.
“Hm? Who might you be speaking of child?” Ramzi asked, narrowing his eyes as they befell her. Shizuka froze before his cold gaze, a dark gleam in his eyes filling her with terror.
Terror she had only felt once before.
“Kyllix! Where did you take hi-!?” Nerick exclaimed, Ramzi’s gaze then moving onto him, causing him to choke on his words from sudden fear.
“How disrespectful, have your parents never taught you basic
mannerisms?” Ramzi chided, “I know not who this Kyllix, you speak of is. What I do know, is that you’re trespassing. So, for what reason? How much, do you know?” Ramzi asked, his voice twisting into a hiss.
His gaze met Thea’s, forcing upon her the same terrifying aura that befell the rest, but she resisted the fear. Thea struggled, feeling her body suddenly get heavier, feeling the coldness filling her bones. But she did not let up, meeting the man’s gaze with her own as a warmth suddenly filled her.
A flame burned within her, deterring the fear.
“Ah, how admirable.” Ramzi said, his amused smile widening. “You shall not tell me? Well, you must at least understand your situation. Like flies, you’ve flown into a spider’s web. There is no escape, no matter how much you may resist from now on. Nobody will come to save you. Nobody can save you. Forget the flimsy feeling you call hope, you have none. Why is that?” He chuckled wickedly, his eyes narrowing further.
Causing each of them to take a fearful step back.
“Because, you have all just volunteered to join my collection.” He said, as his voice warped once again. “And oh, how much do I love to see new additions!”
“Collection? We’re not your damn possession!” Thea exclaimed, her eyes glowing a fierce gold as she charged at him. Her blade surged with sudden lightning as she lunged ahead, reaching mere inches away from landing her attack when Ramzi suddenly disappeared.
“Ahaha, feisty are we? No matter, you’ll get your fill of action yet!” Ramzi laughed as he reappeared on his balcony, looking down at them from above.
Thea stumbled out of her attack, turning to look up in surprise. Grimacing as she glanced between him and her two companions.
“I will guess that, you’re here for her? Well I’m afraid you’re all too late then.” Ramzi said, grinning evilly as his eyes widened. “Let me show you.” He said, flicking his fingers.
And suddenly, each of them stood elsewhere.
The arena disappeared from their view, as they appeared in a completely different hall. Runes of ethereal light lay floating down from the ceiling and walls which they covered in its entirety, as hundreds of chains hung from every direction.
The chains held a massive beast of green scales, a young drake much smaller than Erikathyr’s true form. Ivyieth’s eyes were rolled back into her head, as she lay unconscious while the runes floated down in the shape of glowing lines of energy, slowly wrapping themselves around her body.