The black substance that now tried to defend itself seemed sentient to some extent. Raven has never encountered anything similar to this.
"The beasts must have been controlled by this. It appears that this…thing…can control the mind of its host. Much like a parasite." As he muttered to himself, he picked up a snow with this liquid-like being and examined it closely. It seeped into the snow and tried to attack Raven, but instead of piercing his skin, it began to crawl up his arm. Almost like a vine or a plant. As soon Raven noticed it he pulled back and threw away the being. Again, it stayed on the ground. A small bird landed near it, as it turned its head in confusion it began to scream as its head was slowly being detached from its body. The substance seems to kill smaller animals it deems unsuited for infesting.
Raven seemed a little sad over the death of this small bird, but his curiosity gave him a new idea.
He picked up his scythe and stabbed the black pool with its blade. As the blow landed, the pool began to lash out tentacle like vines around, almost like a panic, until those same vines dropped on the ground, and the pool became still.
"So, it is alive. But it has no soul. This could be dangerous." He flicked his wrist, in which he held his scythe and it disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.
"My lord, there are reports that another village has met the same fate as this one."
Raven seemed almost disappointed over the fact, that northern tribes are unable to defend themselves. Not because they are mortal, or that they don't have the strength, but because northern tribes often gloat about their bravery and physical strength. As it seems, it is not the case.
Many days followed, when Raven would fly from one desolation to another. All that was left from the attacks were husks of one lively settlements. Souls were teared to shreds as the behemoths feasted on the slaughter. As he pressed on towards the kingdom of Radia, he experienced something that he hasn't felt in a long time. A drive for something. A rush, almost like a thrill of a hunt. Many people call Raven the Dark Hunter, but he is more of an executioner.
He needed a bit of a rest, so he picked a certain graveyard and landed there. The birds that followed him started to fall asleep, as the deep and cold night took its toll on their small bodies. As he stared on one of the graves, a figure stood behind him. From the sound of its voice, its footsteps and even the rhythm of their heart, he knew immediately who that was. His little brother seemed to find him here.
What followed was a short conversation between a swordsman and Raven. Raven didn't ask any questions, as he liked a mystery. But his brother seemed to be looking for someone too. A girl on a run. Naturally, he didn't tell him anything, as he hasn't been in Radia for even a week.
After his departure he wondered for a while. But the trail got cold. No signs of any black substance emerging from the depths, nor any recent attacks on villages.
Maybe two or three days after this, he found what appeared to be a capital of Radia. Raven heard stories about this city from his father. A giant city with a castle, that is a home to the queen of Radia. At least, that was many years ago. Now, it was as brilliant as ever, but it lacked the radiance which his father described. He flew as a bird and landed on a window of the highest tower. He received a message from one of his ravens that Victor now lives here. Apparently, he became a servant of one of the queens. Or princesses or whatever they're called. As he landed, he turned back into his human form. Sitting on the windowsill and looking around the room. His brother was nowhere to be found.
"So much for a warm welcome." He said to himself and jumped down the window. The room was pretty comfy. It had a bad, a bookcase and a very curious ceiling. Cogs and gears were displayed, probably a part of once functioning mechanism. Now they are just remnants.
He opened the door and left the room. As soon as he closed the door however, a figure pointed a white sword towards his neck.
"State your name, and business here." Said the figure.
Raven, who had his eyes looking at the floor shrugged. I am here to say hello to someone. I'm sure you don't mind." He said with a honey sweet voice. The figure stood there, very annoyed.
"You are breaking an entry. Not only that, but you infiltrated the most guarded building in all of Radia, and you expect me you are here for some meeting? Now, get out." The figures voice was feminine. That's all he could make out. She seemed very adamant about the fact, that he should either explain, or get out.
It was at this time, that Raven looked up. He saw a beautiful woman in white dress holding a sword, aimed at his neck. Her eyes were as blue as the sea, and her skin white as snow. She was gorgeous and Raven lost words for a moment. "Oh my." He thought to himself.
"Now now." He said as his pushed the blade slowly to the side with his index finger. "Let's talk, in any case, this thing won't do any good." He said with an amused voice. Raven looked the woman dead in the eye as he said it.
"Tell me. What is your name?" he asked politely with the sweetest voice you can imagine. Raven was a silver-tongued charmer of the three siblings, yet he never showed interest in any woman. Well, until now.
The woman quickly returned the blade to the place it was before however now it was obvious, she was getting nervous.
"You have never killed anyone. Yet here you are, aiming at a stranger. Is that a way to make friends?" he mocked her.
Another woman appeared in the hallway. "What is going on here." Said the woman. She was dressed in a golden dress and seemed rather resolute. Her posture radiated the word: Strong. She must be the queen.
"Lady Solara." Said the girl as she looked even more nervous. But in her eyes, Raven saw that the nervousness wasn't because of him, or her. It was because of his wings. The pitch-black wings were towering over the girl and must have scared her, or at least shocked her. As she turned to Solara however, Raven noticed a set of white wings on her back too. They were much smaller compared to his own, but still, interesting.
"This man has infiltrated the castle; I will take care of it." Her voice seemed to carry a hidden strength, hidden under the façade of nervousness. Curious.
"Now now, I never said I infiltrated the castle. Actually I wanted to speak to you." Raven said towards Solara.
"How does a stranger with a giant pair of wings and in the middle of a day run past the elite guards without anyone noticing him."
"I have my secrets. But that is not important." He said as he was starting to get a little bit annoyed over that fact, that his whole purpose for being here is to find out more about the substance that is potentially killing more of this kingdoms innocents.
"Come with me. Siren, you keep an eye on him."
"Yes my lady." She bowed her head and gave Raven a very unfriendly look.
"Is it because I came uninvited?" he asked quietly.
"No, it is because you came here, without me noticing you." Siren seemed somewhat…friendlier now that she sort of picked together that Raven is not here to hurt anyone. But she still kept an eye on him.
"Siren. What a beautiful name."
"Silence." She answered.