Skies of Fyir Box Set

by Gabriela Voelske

  As they touched down, Iliana fell off and landed with a thud. He groaned but shook it off, brushing off the dirt from the floor as he stood up. How did Sakura manage to ride him? Somehow he didn’t see her using a saddle. The Raven knew of their arrival without the need of his aether, Abel was far from silent. Without Iliana saying a word, he knew of their purpose and shook his head. His reason was repeated as expected, it was too much to ask. If Sakura had gone off, then it was on her, as much as he liked her. Iliana felt something well up in him as the demon spoke, something unusual.

  “You don’t understand, Raven,” Iliana said, earning a raised brow at the liberal use of his name. “She’s not just someone you can let go.”

  “Then make me understand, Northerner.”

  Abel let out a warning whine, but Iliana found his mind fixated on the issue. He took a deep breath, before grabbing on to one of his own horns. “That’s just it, I am a Northerner. My sister, her mother, is also a Northerner. I didn’t know Abel before a week ago, he’s Sakura’s dragon, not mine.”

  As Iliana’s passion spewed out, Abel shrunk to the ground. His icy eyes threw pleading glances between the two demons above, his claws rubbing against Iliana’s ankle in a vain attempt to distract him. A quiet, high pitched cry emerged from between his scaled lips.

  “And just who are you, exactly?” the Raven stated, his irritation alleviated in part by Abel’s begging. The dragon’s tail rapped on the deck as he braced for his answer.

  “Northern royalty.”

  Silence gripped the two demons as the Raven processed what was said. Abel slunk behind Iliana, placing his nose between his feet. The dragon was far from hidden, regardless of his desire to be.

  “You’re telling me this why?”

  “So you understand her importance.”

  “I could also use that in order to have you all killed,” the Raven said, folding his arms. Iliana however, was unfazed.

  “You’d be doing the North a favour doing that, and you know it.”

  The Raven groaned, unable to refute his claim. He raised a hand up to scratch his head, mulling over the information. Seeing the change in tone, Abel emerged from the floor and rested his massive head on the top of Iliana.

  “Fine. I still can’t authorise an attack on the house, though,” he replied, putting an index finger upright. “But, there is something I can try. Raz’iel has the most to lose, so I can appeal to him. That city may not like me, but they will listen in regards to the North.”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “Talk to Solomon, see what information he can give you regarding his father.”

  Iliana nodded, offering the Raven a bow. Before the leader departed, he gave Iliana a stark warning: don’t tell anyone else. He may not have ordered his death, but others wouldn’t be so kind. Abel’s jaw vibrated as he chirped a farewell, tickling the Northerner’s head.

  “So much for not telling him,” Abel remarked once they were alone. A laugh escaped Iliana’s lips as he reached up to stroke the dragon’s head, feeling him wiggle in excitement.

  “I think that’s what you would call ‘getting caught up in the moment’,” Iliana replied, glancing towards the healing rooms in the distance. “It felt nice to fight for something for once, to stand up for something I want.”

  He felt Abel’s head slip out of his hand, followed by a deep-throated purr. The dragon once again offered him a lift, although Iliana was nervous after his previous attempt. It didn’t go unnoticed, so Abel gave him some simple advice; hook his legs under his own and hold on tight. Once Iliana was settled on his back, Abel took off and made the swift journey over to the distant hut. This time, he remained seated on landing, if with a hint of pain.

  “Certainly a perk to be a woman when riding,” Iliana murmured, rubbing his thighs. With a sweep of his legs, he slid down off the scaled hide. In between them and where Amnur lie was already one obstacle, a door too small for the dragon’s bulk. When Abel noticed this fact he let out a whine, regardless of Iliana’s efforts to remind him that he can just change back to a demon. He was enjoying being a dragon that much was obvious. Unable to wrangle him, Iliana just promised that he’ll be back with the required information.

  Inside the hall was serene, and cool. Aside from the beds being empty, Amnur’s position was pronounced by Sariel’s white form napping on the edge of the bed, his wings twitching. As Iliana approached, Solomon broke off his casting to receive him. His eyes changed from Iliana to the empty space beside him, then back to Iliana with a raised brow. He reached over and tapped the angel on the head, startling him awake. Sariel shook his head and stared at the two demons, letting out a quiet groan.

  “Is Sakura with Abel or something?” Solomon said. Iliana shook his head, causing Sariel to pay attention for the first time. His feathers fluffed up, and his wings arched.

  “What’s she done?” the angel queried. With a deep breath, he explained the situation to them, omitting the detail about how he got the Raven to consent. Sariel’s gaze turned to Solomon, demanding him to give the required information. The young mage sighed, but the turn of events made him think. He had heard what Raz’iel murmured when he grabbed Dyn, that ‘he’ll do’. It was also Raz’iel that Lilith had contacted, giving him access to Amnur. Both individuals were linked to Sakura, making them bait to contact her. But why?

  Solomon held his finger aloft while he thought on the matter, trying to figure out the connection. “Sakura’s twenty-two, isn’t she?”

  “Uh, as far as I know,” Sariel replied, his bluster damped by the sudden question. “Why?”

  “I’ve got a theory, but um… Has Uriel said anything to you about her?”

  “If you’re meaning her chaos magic then yes, he has. Only in brief, mind.”

  Iliana’s lip puckered, that was news to him. The North had nothing against unusual mages unless they posed a threat. Considering his mother thought anyone who didn’t side with her as a threat, that definition was wide and varied. He kept his shock hidden, however. This was not the time.

  “One thing with her magic that’s confused me for a while now is the question of why now? How is she suddenly a mage?” Solomon said, pausing for a moment to ensure Sariel was following. “To hear that Lilith knows Raz’iel put something into perspective for me. I would say that she always was a mage, but Raz’iel siphoned that magic off. With her injury occurring as it did, the siphon was broken.”

  “I don’t see Amnur as the type to welcome him, though,” Sariel replied, gesturing to the demon resting on the bed. “Even if he didn’t know who he was, I would’ve thought that his behaviour and aether were a deterrent.”

  Solomon agreed, it was a fact that he had an answer to. If Sakura was twenty-two, then she would’ve been around two when Raz’iel attempted to kill Sebastian. It was the incident that brought him to Shadekeep and into Dumon’s care. He had poisoned the King, for reasons even unknown to Solomon. With the young mage’s help, Sebastian’s poisoning had been reversed and a battle ensued. Raz’iel escaped with his life, but with his magic hindered by Solomon’s own. Such a thing would lead him to be desperate for aether, and Lilith provided him with an ample opportunity.

  “Well that’s the how, but not the why,” Sariel said, his anger for Solomon dissipating. “Why does he want her now, to replace the siphon?”

  “Would chaos magic even be a good thing to drain?” Iliana remarked. Sariel’s expression went blank, before giving a slow repetitive nod. It was a fair question, given the element’s reputation.

  “The siphon is one suggestion, yes. I would conclude that he intends to keep her alive,” Solomon stated, letting out a sigh. “Alive with someone else and alive with Raz’iel are two different things, however.”

  “And the chaos magic?” Iliana said. Sariel shook his head in reply.

  “The guy’s already insane, it would only fuel it if anything,” the angel said, turning his attention back to Solomon. “Not you though, you’re fine.”

>   “Thanks,” Solomon said. It still stung him to hear Sariel’s words, though.

  Iliana had heard what he needed, so he thanked the two of them and excused himself. He met up with Abel outside, instructing him to find the Raven. Given Solomon’s thoughts, Sakura should be safe. The only thing he needed now was for Az and Lile to be kept in the dark, as somehow he doubted they would be so kind.

  Chapter 30: Raz’iel

  Sakura woke up in a tiny, unfamiliar room. She was alone and her limbs were not bound, leaving her free access. As she debated just standing up and leaving, a smell wafted to her nose. It was acrid, metallic and familiar. On the other side of the room sat a desk, littered with all matter of papers. There was also one object that grabbed her attention more than the others, a skull complete with a set of black, upward curving horns. By its size, the owner can’t have been much older than a teen. A bead of sweat slipped down her face as she stared, the scent that existed in the room now made sense. Blood, it was blood.

  Did Raz’iel leave it there as a warning, or was it just his sense of decoration? The troubles of the South came into perspective now, somehow she doubted that this was its only victim. If they were willing to harbour someone like him, just what other individuals did they have here?

  There was one thing for certain, Sakura couldn’t stay here. She had to save Dyn. The door was an obvious exit, but she was wary of it being booby-trapped. With a deep breath, she grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. A grunt emerged from behind the door, which when she realised she was not alone. Panic set in and she ran back to bed, sitting down on the edge to pretend she had never moved.

  “Nice try,” Raz’iel said, snapping the door shut behind him. “You opened the door before I did.”

  “You’re the one that left the door unlocked.”

  Raz’iel snorted, strolling the short distance to the bed. Sakura wondered what the best method was to keep him amiable, for her sake. Getting him to talk about himself came over a sensible option.

  “So, Az and Lile. How’d that happen?” Sakura said, bracing against the bed. The demon loomed over her, whether out of choice or due to the restrictions of the room. His crimson eyes stared at her, but his expression appeared almost calm.

  “Az is just a parasite, although he’s a good fighter. Lile is different, she’s-“

  “Oh, you two are together.” As she thought on it, she shuddered. A certain level of crazy must attract one another. Raz’iel scowled at her negative tone, letting out a huff.

  “Is there a problem with that?”

  Her mouth opened to speak before she slammed it shut. His irritation over her words was pronounced, aggravating it was not to her advantage. Raz’iel’s past was bloody, and that was just the details that were public. If Solomon were asked, he could tell of horrors far beyond what was known, she would imagine. The silence was grating on him, tensing up his face.

  “Well?”

  “You don’t exactly have a spotless past,” Sakura said, throwing a glance to the skull. “Or present.”

  “Neither does your father.”

  Sakura went to reply, but she was instead met with a tightness in her throat and an agonising pain in her mouth. It lasted for mere seconds, a warning to watch her tongue. Next time, she may lose it. A growl emerged from her lips as she recovered from the effects, amusing Raz’iel.

  “My relationships are none of your business.”

  People’s opinions of Az and Lile aside, they were relatives. As such, it could be classed as her business but pushing it wasn’t going to change anything. She’d rather not be on the receiving end of one of his attacks again, either. Turning the conversation away would be in her best interest now.

  “So,” Sakura said, earning a raised brow from the demon. “You baited me here, why?”

  Raz’iel hummed, bobbing back and forth on the spot. He tapped his fingers on his arms, confusing Sakura. After a minute or two, he stopped and regarded her. “I wanted to see you cast, to confirm something.”

  “Couldn’t you have come to the Central Isles to do that? Instead of hurting others. Although I suspect you enjoyed that half…”

  Pain shot through her arm, followed by a smirk from Raz’iel. Yes, yes he did. She grasped her arm, forcing aether into it to try and negate the agony. His magic felt impenetrable; a thick, black mass writhing inside her skin. Once his point was made, the pain once again disappeared.

  “Solomon can pick up on my presence, he’d be too alert if I went back there. That Magi Council of yours also can be a nuisance.”

  “What’s to stop me just telling him what’s happened here?”

  A wicked smile crossed Raz’iel’s lips. This was an eventuality he had considered, he even wanted the question. He placed a knee on the bed, then lunged for her throat. Sakura closed her eye as the fingers scratched her, and gulped. She denied him the fear he lusted for with all the strength she could muster. The fingers slipped to one side and tilted her neck at an angle, with his thumb pressed against the underside of her chin. Warm mist greeted her neck as Raz’iel neared. It hovered there, trying to scare her.

  Sakura opened her eye and glared, catching a glint of his crimson eyes. He chuckled, making her think that his game was over. The attempt to spook her had failed, now to move on to the next one. A hint of white caught her eye, followed by a sharp sensation. Raz’iel’s teeth pierced her neck, slicing through the skin like butter. Blood rushed out of the wound, only to be lapped up by the demon. She tried her best to keep calm, but a small cry escaped her lips. It satisfied his sick desire.

  “I just wanted another taste,” Raz’iel said. “Chaos tastes rather tangy, with a hint of sweet.”

  Sakura didn’t even wish to answer that one, she just focused on her breathing. Even after he patched up the wound he made she felt violated and dirty. The saliva clung to her neck, caressing her skin with revolting warmth. She didn’t wish to pitch the question about how he can stomach demon blood, for she wouldn’t like the answer.

  “Now, to answer what was asked. I have a way to prevent you from talking, but first I need to tell you some things.”

  Before she had a chance to say anything, he began. The first point in his story was when they first met when she was just a young girl. She remembered this bit, but his information was new to her. He told her how he placed a siphon on her, draining her of her magic to supplement his own. A temporary measure at first, until he felt the effects of her magic. It whispered to him, showing him grand visions. Such visions only remained while he still had access to her chaos magic, something he realised when it was severed. Raz’iel refused to detail what those visions were, but the creepy twist of his lips told her it was nothing good.

  “I need you alive, though. I see you at the end of this.”

  Somehow, she doubted that the end he saw was his own death. He was too excited, too eager for that to be the end. A knock on the door brought about the current end, to her relief. Raz’iel huffed and broke away, opening the door a smidge to see who interrupted them. As he saw the demon on the other side of the door he relaxed, though he refused to open the door much further.

  “Who’s that?” Lile said, trying to peek through the gap. Raz’iel glanced back to Sakura for a moment, before turning his attention back to Lile.

  “She’s the one I told you about, my kitten,” he whispered, although Sakura still heard. She cleared her throat, which earned her another spike of pain in her arm. “She doesn’t approve.”

  “Let me see her. I won’t kill her.”

  Raz’iel thought for a second, before letting her in. Between gasping for breath to manage the agony, Sakura got a look at Lile for the first time. Compared to the warmth and damaged nature of her father and Dyn, Lile was cold, calculating, and dangerous. This was not an individual to see pain, only inflict it. She grabbed onto one of Sakura’s horns, pulling on it to drag her head around.

  “Hmph. I see the Northern traces,” Lile stated, twisting Sakura’s head at an uncomfortable
speed. “I didn’t appreciate your friend’s stunt earlier, but no matter.”

  The horn was let go, allowing Sakura to return her head back to its normal position. A few seconds later, she felt the hard snap as Lile slapped her, landing directly on her old wound.

  “I feel better now,” she said, giving her knuckles a crack. “Thanks for that, mister.”

  Raz’iel gave her a smile, before shooting a glare at Sakura. This time the young demon had no quip, they were proving too painful. “Just keep Az away, I don’t need him stroking his ego.”

  “I will.”

  Once Lile had left, the pain subsided. Raz’iel started at the shut door for a moment, savouring the moment. He then grabbed the bag that had been hanging from his waist, tossing it at Sakura. “A snack. You might want to consider resting up. But first…”

  Sakura once again had her neck grabbed, but this time she could feel aether burning into her skin. No biting, at least.

  “There, no talking for you. Don’t think about having Solomon try and remove it, I threaded it into your spine. He touches it, you lose your ability to move.”

  “I can still talk though,” Sakura stated, causing Raz’iel to laugh.

  “Try talking about what I said and you’ll find yourself at a loss for words. And now it’s time for me to leave, I’ll see you again in the morning.”

  Sakura watched as he stepped out, hearing the door lock this time. She relaxed on the bed, debating her next course of action.

  Chapter 31: Breaking Free

  Sakura woke to a quiet knocking on the door, trying to get her attention. Curious, she walked up to the door and rapped on the door herself. The door lock clicked open, forcing her to take a step back. Raz’iel had locked her in, so was he playing a trick on her? As the door opened, Sakura saw not Raz’iel but the servant who promised to distract the siblings.

  “I’m so sorry about what happened, he broke off for whatever reason,” the servant said, throwing a glimpse behind her.