Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  “Are---there---any---more?”---asks---his---[Guard].

  Rathic---shakes---his---head---towards---the---bearkin,---before---pointing---towards---the---girl.

  “I---sense---none---besides---the---girl.---Has---she---been---a---problem---Darius?”

  His---[Guard]---shakes---his---head,---“No,---when---I---made---my---presence---known,---the---others---rushed---me.---She---stayed---behind---and---hid.---She---never---unsheathed---her---weapon---nor---done---anything---else.”

  Rathic---nods.

  “Then---watch---her.---As---long---as---she---does---nothing,---leave---her---alive.---She---will---need---to---be---interrogated.”

  Rathic---moves---the---away,---but---not---towards---the---dungeon---to---report---that---everything---is---ok.---No,---he---moves---back---to---his---room,---past---the---corpse---beside---of---his---bed,---and---exits---to---the---balcony.

  He---looks---in---the---distance,---to---the---area---of---the---city---where---the---poor---live.---He---frowns.---A---building---is---burning---in---the---distance---while---[Guards]---can---be---seen---surrounding---it.

  Rathic---wonders---if---the---timing---was---planned,---or---merely---a---coincidence.

  Chapter---Thirty---Seven:---Angels,---Monsters,---Acrophobia!

  Waking---up---a---bit---later---than---usual,---Threm---yawns---loudly---before---getting---up---from---her---warm---fur---bed.

  Fur…---never---in---her---life---did---she---expect---to---feel---something---so---comfortable---in---bed.---Usually,---she---would---sleep---on---a---stone---bed---covered---in---rubbery---animal---skins.---And---if---they---had---fur,---it---was---usually---very---very---hard.

  But---here,---on---this---second---floor,---the---animals---truly---had---such---comfortable---skin.---The---fur---would---get---between---her---very---small---scales,---tickling---her---skin,---warming---her---up.

  Wiggling---a---bit,---she---stretches---her---body,---only---to---end---up---touching---something---hard.---Not---necessarily---furry,---but---something---else.

  Confused,---she---moves---her---head,---finding---Thoric,---sleeping---peacefully---next---to---her,---completely---naked.

  Her---tail---immediately---stops---moving---as---her---mind---attempts---to---adjust---to---the---situation.---She---starts---thinking---quickly,---remembering---last---night...

  And---nothing.---All---she---remembers---is---going---to---sleep---early---while---fully---knowing---that---the---commander---had---not---returned---to---the---city---yet.---But---now,---she---questions---those---memories.

  Licking---the---air,---Threm---moves---her---hand---down---with---explicit---slowness,---straight---towards---her---crotch---area.

  She---frowns.

  Her---pants---had---not---been---taken---off.---He---must---have---sneaked---into---bed---with---her.

  Shaking---her---head---in---confused---disappointment,---Threm---slowly---slithers---out---of---bed---as---not---to---awaken---him.---She---then---puts---on---the---rest---of---her---clothes,---takes---one---last---long---look---at---the---sleeping---face---of---the---commander,---suppresses---a---shudder---before---opening---the---door---and---leaving---the---wooden---house.

  Taking---a---deep---breath---of---the---nice---cool---morning---air,---she---takes---a---look---around,---finding---that---most---of---the---population---is---already---awake---and---working.

  It---amazes---Threm---how---impressive---Marcia---is---at---running---a---city.---Possibly---more---so---than---Anathema.---Buildings---are---being---built---at---an---alarming---rate.---Her---people---are---leveling---exceptionally---fast.---Even---the---Minotaur’s,---stupid---as---they---are,---are---being---changed---rapidly.---They---are---being---cleaned,---taught---how---to---do---simple---stuff,---and---are---surprisingly---motivated---to---do---manual---labor.---Some---have---even---obtained---classes---like---[Builder].

  Looking---around---further,---she---finds---that---her---people---are---also---hard---at---work,---no---doubt---under---Marcia’s---discretion.

  Finally,---near---a---large---fire---pit,---she---finds---what---she---had---been---looking---for---and---walks---quickly---towards---it.

  ________________________

  “Good---morning---Threm.”

  Janie---yells---while---waving---her---hand---and---smiling---at---the---rescaled---Gejan.

  Threm---looks---towards---the---[Priestess]---who---sits---cross-legged---next---to---the---undead---named---‘Mule’---while---the---spider---named---‘Petyr’---sits---upon---her---lap.

  “Morning.”

  Threm---nods---towards---the---[priestess]---with---utter---respect.---Initially,---she---had---found---the---female---human---annoying,---more---towards---at---how---fragile---she---is.---Even---the---weakest---of---beasts---could---end---her---life---quite---easily---at---how---weak---she---is---in---combat.

  But---the---following---events---of---the---days---prior,---Threm---had---quickly---realized---the---usefulness---of---the---women.---She---shouldn't---have---doubted---the---commander's---companion---at---all.---It---was---now---clear---to---Threm---how---useful---and---powerful---the---women---can---be.---Being---able---to---heal---wounds---that---could---take---months---in---mere---minutes---with---the---only---side---effects---as---the---feeling---of---soreness.

  “There---is---food---over---by---Darrow,---I---don't---think---he---ate---it---all---yet.”

  And---sure---enough,---next---to---the---flame---is---Darrow,---three---sticks---of---meat---in---his---left---hand,---while---his---other---hand---was---trying---to---stick---a---fourth---stick---into---his---mouth.---The---man---was---a---glutton.

  “Go---Darrow---go,---add---another---stick.---You---can---do---it!”

  And---of---course,---cheering---him---on---is---Lily,---smiling---and---yelling---towards---the---man.

  Rolling---her---eyes,---she---makes---a---beeline---towards---Darrow---and---snatches---a---skewer---of---meat---from---his---hand.

  “Mmmmhmmmmm.”

  Darrow---of---course---protests,---but---his---mouth---is---too---filled---for---her---to---make---any---sense---of---what---he---had---said.

  She---walks---away---from---the---glaring---Gejan---and---takes---a---seat---on---the---log---next---to---Janie’s.---She---then---takes---a---bite---of---the---skewer---and---smiles,---enjoying---the---truly---amazing---taste.---She---cannot---blame---Darrow---for---his---love---of---food,---especially---now---that---a---[Cook]---had---made---it.---The---juices---were---tantalizing,---seemingly---dancing---with---her---tongue.---A---far---cry---from---a---Gejan---diet---of---raw---meat.

  As---she---swallows,---she---looks---around---and---finds---two---members---of---the---core---group---missing.

  “I’m---guessing---Marcia---is---already---at---work,---but---where---is---our---scout?”---Threm---asks,---curious.---They---had---come---to---an---agreement---to---meet---together---for---breakfast---every---morning---to---exchange---information.---It---was---actually---Marcia’s---idea,---but---she---did---say---that---she---may---be---too---busy.

  Lillys’---tail---whips---quickly,---a---cheeky---smile---coming---on---her---face,”---She’s---waiting---for---our---grand---leader---in---his---bed.”

  At---those---words,---Threm---coughs,---her---tail---flicking---the---ground---before---she---blushes.

  “Yes…---it---seems---that---the---[Commander]---found---his---way---into---my---bed---instead.”

  Lilly---continues---smiling,---already---knowing---that---information.---She---looks---to---Janie---who---is---calmy---smiling,---her---hand---brushing---the---soft---fur---of---the---black---spider---on---her---lap.---The---spider---in---question---seems---to---make---a---sound,---a---soft---cooing.---Petyr---enjoys---the---attention.

  “He---was---tired---from---the---trip,”---Janie---starts,---still---petting---the---spider,---“So---when---he---came---back---during---the---night,---he---said---something---about---stupid---old---people---and---walked---towards---your---home.”

  Janie---looks---up,---“I’m
---guessing---he---is---still---asleep---at---your---place?”

  Threm---nods.

  “Yes,---he---seemed---rather---tired.---I---didn't---want---to---bother---him---for---training---this---morning.”

  That---of---course---was---a---lie.---She---didn't---actually---know---if---he---was---tired---or---not.---She---merely---found---it---extremely…---pleasant…---in---an---unpleasant---sort---of---way---being---near---him.---She---never---realized---this---before,---but---now,---after---having---her---class---upgraded---to---[Swordmistress],---she---found---herself---confused---at---how---attracted---she---is---to---him.---Granted,---as---a---male,---she---finds---his---strength---attractive,---but---it---is---only---now---that---she---realizes---that---most---of---the---attraction---she---has---for---him---is---seemingly---forced.---Like---just---being---near---him---turns---her---on.

  “Huh…,”---Lilly---voices,---confused,---“So---you---actually---didn't---fuck---him?”

  “Yea,”---Darrow---finally---voices---out---loud,---the---food---in---his---mouth---having---finally---been---eaten,---“Why---the---fuck---didn't---you---fuck---the---Commander?---Do---you---think---you're---better---than---him?---Huh?”

  Yes---and---No.---When---she---obtained---her---class---upgrade,---she---found---herself---winning---all---of---the---spars---against---Thoric,---but---only---because---of---her---increased---physical---speeds.---Though---he---was---still---much---more---superior---than---her---in---skill,---his---physical---prowess---was---lacking.---She---was---merely---too---fast---and---his---body---was---just---not---fast---enough---to---react---even---though---his---mind---was---clearly---keeping---up---with---her---speed---with---ease.

  But---that---is---only---true---if---he---does---not---use---his---abilities.---There---are---limits---to---her---ability---to---dodge---attacks,---especially---if---the---attacks---come---from---every---direction---in---the---dozens.

  “I---woke---up---to---him---in---my---bed.---I---was---already---asleep---when---he---entered---my---home.”

  Darrow's---eyes---widen---in---acknowledgment.

  “I---see.---I---see.---Sorry---about---that.---I---thought---you---might---have---found---him---weak.”

  Darrow---sits---back,---his---tail,---which---had---been---ripping---into---the---dirt---from---his---anger,---relaxes---just---as---quickly.

  Threm---rubs---her---temples---in---response,---annoyed---at---the---man---for---his---blind---Loyalty.---Threm---fully---believes---that---if---Darrow---was---a---female,---she---would---probably---be---as---obsessed---with---the---commander---as---much---as---Tella---already---is…---if---not---more.

  “Janie,---I’m---guessing---you---haven't---shown---your---new---spell---to---the---commander---yet?”---Threm---asks,---trying---to---change---the---conversation.---Sex---is---not---something---she---wants---to---talk---about,---especially---not---in---the---morning.

  Janie,---perking---up,---moves---her---hand---and---wipes---her---blonde---hair---back.

  “Not---yet.---He---was---too---tired---and---I---don't---think---he---will---be---too---impressed---with---it.”

  “Really?---I---thought---it---was---amazing,”---Darrow---says,---taking---his---final---bite.

  Janie---shakes---her---head---before---pointing---towards---a---group---of---individuals---training.

  Threm---narrows---her---eyes,---quickly---finding---a---female---Gejan---slamming---into---a---tree---with---impressive---precision.---Her---scales---are---glowing---and---a---seemingly---ghostly---image---of---a---Desbat---can---be---seen---around---her,---seemingly---like---a---cloak.

  “Saura---has---the---ability---to---borrow---skills---and---stats---from---what---she---kills.---I---have---never---heard---or---seen---anything---like---that---before.”

  Threm---just---shrugs.---The---class---is---impressive,---but---her---summons---are---temporary---nor---are---they---easy---to---get.---Saura---has---to---kill---something---many---many---times---before---she---can---obtain---the---summons---from.---On---top---of---that,---she---is---only---able---to---have---one---form---up---at---a---time.

  “Still,---it---is---not---that---strong.---I---fail---to---see---how---it---can---compete---with---a---regular---class---in---reliability.”

  “It---doesn't,”---Lilly---interrupts,---“and---I---agree---that---it---is---weak,---but---each---of---my---people---was---chosen---by---Thoric.---He---said---they---have---amazing---potential---for---growth.”

  “Then---it---must---be---true.”

  Both---ladies---look---at---Darrow---and---roll---their---eyes.

  “Did---he---explain---why---Lilly?”

  Lilly---frowns---and---looks---at---her---side,---staring---at---the---weapon---of---bone.---A---weapon---that---Thoric---had---called---a---whip.---A---weapon---that---she---found---herself---falling---in---love---with.

  “He---said---something---about---making---a---late---game.---I---have---no---idea---what---that---means,---but---I’m---sure---he---has---his---reasons.---After---all,---he---hasn't---failed---us---yet.”

  To---that---statement,---Threm---can---do---nothing---but---nod---in---defeat.---The---commander---is---nothing---but---a---genius.

  “[Priestess]”

  All---eyes---turn---around,---including---Janie’s---as---they---look---at---a---Minotaur,---his---arm---is---hanging---limp---from---his---side---while---bruises---dot---his---entire---body.

  “Hand---bad.---Need---heal.”

  Janie---sighs---before---standing---up.

  “Did---you---pick---a---fight---with---Zorren?”---she---asks,---looking---at---the---arm---hanging---limp.

  “Ugh”---the---minotaur---grunts---in---approval.

  “Why?”

  “Want---be---[Chieftain]”

  “So---you---came---for---healing?”

  “Ugh”

  “If---I---heal---you,---will---you---try---to---fight---Zorren---again?”

  The---Minotaur---pauses,---his---puny---mind---thinking---with---intense---concentration.---The---hamster---jumps---on---the---wheel,---running---at---speeds---it---has---never---been---able---to---run---before.---For---the---first---time---in---a---long---while,---a---certain---organ---is---finally---being---used.

  “...Yes”

  Janie---shakes---her---head---before---placing---Petyr---on---the---ground.

  “Lay---down,---I’m---going---to---need---to---set---your---arm---first---before---I---can---begin.---Darrow,---I---need---your---help.”

  The---minotaur---complies---and---lays---down---on---the---floor.

  For---the---next---several---minutes,---Threm---watches---as---a---Minotaur---three---times---her---weight---whines---like---a---baby---during---the---whole---process---of---just---setting---his---broken---arm---back.

  ***********************************************

  “Alright---Janie,---show---me---that---spell.---I---really---want---to---see---it.”

  Janie---hesitates.---Why---did---she---hesitate?---The---skill---sounds---amazing.---Freaking---useful---if---you---ask---me.

  “Come---on.---Your---mana---is---full.---Just---cast---it.”---I---say,---waiting---with---anticipation.

  She---takes---a---breath---and---closes---her---eyes.---I---watch---as---her---mana---starts---to---reciprocate,---compiling---to---her---hands---which---she---extends---out.

  “[Summon---Minor---Angel].”

  Her---mana---exhales---from---her---body,---forming---in---the---air,---creating---matrices---and---matrices---of---complicated---strings---of---mana,---each---intertwining---with---all---of---the---others---faster---than---my---eyes---can---keep---up.

  For---a---split---second,---at---that---moment,---I---feel---the---onset---of---reality---bending.---A---feeling---so---similar---to---when---a---god---travels---dimensions.

  But---unlike---what---I---am---used---to,---the---feeling---is---only---there---for---the---briefest---of---seconds.---An---explosion---happens.---Not---of---sound,---but---of---the---mana---which---disperses---away---from---the---being.

  A---being-
--of---gold---and---white.---A---humanoid---figure---which---looks---to---be---wearing---a---fully---covered---suit---of---golden---armor---with---shiny---white---wings---which---are---flapping,---keeping---the---being---in---flight.

  [Advanced---Analyze]

  Minor---Angel---Ezina---Level---81.

  Blessing---of---Eir:---[Aura---of---Regeneration.]

  Minor---Angels---are---the---most---numerous---of---Heaven's---denizens.---They---are---also---the---cheapest---to---summon---while---also---being---the---weakest.---They---have---impressive---combat---abilities---rivaling---that---of---seasoned---warriors---while---their---bodies---are---resistant---to---physical---damage.---Unfortunately,---their---low---cost---means---that---they---lack---any---inherent---magic---based---ability.