* Emvis *
* What I find fascinating about the Killicks is not their combat performance or their incredible resistance, but rather the relationships they have with each other. When a group is formed it is for life or death. There isn't much of a quarrel between them and even if there is, it quickly settles down. The more a group has lived together, the more easily they have a disconcerting understanding without even having to speak to each other. As I followed them to this small village I expected them to commit a bloodbath, but the atrocities I witnessed were even more disturbing *.
- Go faster I thought you would regenerate faster than that.
-I don't know maybe I need more food to have more blood. * He said irritated *.
* I saw Thorn come out of the woods with a bear, yes a bear on his shoulder *.
-Go eat.
-What any raw? * Kord asked *.
-Our stomach can digest everything. * Said Philis *. So don't fuss Kord.
* To understand what was happening now I had to explain. Arriving here with about 20 of my guys, the Sephora team figured out we were all dressed like civilians anf left armor at camp. I thought Seph wanted to infiltrate the village for information, but instead we looted. Without killing, Sephora had insisted. Suddenly it is no less than 300 villagers that we have parquet floors like cattle in a barn. Then she gave a dagger to her three companions: Philis, Gladys and Kord. Thorn brought a bucket and the three of them bled it until it was full. While they were filling it I saw Sephora approach young girls she had freed, they were all terrified and seeing the look she was giving them it was understandable *.
-We ... We have nothing, please. Take whatever you want....
-I'm not here for your money. * She said, stroking his cheek *. I want you to cook. A feast, a real feast.
* Seph's creepy look startled her but she was also amazed by her request *.
-You came to ask us, to cook?
-That's right. Enough to feed 20 people. Will it be okay?
* She then pulled them to the barn and made her select the best cooks in the village, then she sent them cooked under guard *.
-I admit that I have trouble following you. *I said*. Blood and food.
-Not just any blood. Emvis. Killicks blood.
* I tilted understanding what she had just said. She sent my men to choose 20 people at random and when the first meal was ready she had them eaten *.
-What tells me he's not poisoned?
* She sighed and slit his throat before cleaning the blood from her dagger. The other people looked at her scared *.
-Then the poison issue is solved. The choice is yours, the steak or my dagger ....
* The reluctant locals then began to gulp down their meal, drinking the water and wine as if it was a normal day. But in the middle of the meal some began to vomit blood, others collapsed and the rest began to mutate. Seeing this my men stepped back in fear. I approached Sephora just as intrigued *.
- I suspected it. You're gonna build a mutant army with Killick's blood. And they will be under the orders of Gladys, Kord and Philis.
-They will constitute the avant-garde indeed. But this is only the beginning. * Said she smiling *.
-You could have forced them to drink directly, why feed them?
* As the spawned critters tried to unleash themselves Sephora calmed them down. I saw his eyes turn blue and then return to a normal shade *.
-I wanted them to enjoy one last meal.
-You want me to believe that you have a minimum of compassion, is that it?
* She gave me a look of disdain and walked away. This is how the process was started. Thorn would go hunting animals that Sephora forced them to eat raw and blood plus the girls in the kitchens, all of which turned the humans into horrible beasts. Some had troll bodies and sharp teeth, some had wings, there was even a damn minotor. Others had wolf bodies, others half wolves but none of it looked like a beast known before *.
-The ravages of Killick's blood. * Says an officer who accompanied me *. My father told me he had seen the same thing once. These poor people no longer have souls; they will be child that obey their parents. They will massacre everything in their path.
-As long as they are in our camp, I have no complaints
-You have the power to stop them. * Said the officer *. At least spare the women and children.
* I looked him in the eye and saw that everything that was happening disgusted him. I admit that this disgusting and horrible sight gave me chill in the back, but my face remained calm and placid *.
-We will spare women and children.
-Thank you my prince....
- But not those of this village. *I said*. No one will be spared. It's clear ?
* The insistence in my voice made him understand that I wouldn't do anything. If I closed my eyes to this massacre it was to avoid having survivors who would engender a cycle of revenge against Adrun. At least I was trying to convince myself of it *.
-Come on, I need more blood. * Sephora ordered *.
* I walked past the barn and there was barely a last twenty *.
-You ... Aren't you ashamed? * A woman shouted at me *.
-How dare you talk to the prince?
- Anyway, we're all going to die. * She said with a weakening voice *. But I am not afraid, I know that my brother will get wind of this massacre and he will avenge us.
* I turned to her and looked her in the eye *.
-What makes you believe that your brother will be able to avenge you?
-He will do it. Because he has already killed Killicks in the past. He is a relic bearrer.
-So you teach me something. * I say stroking my beard *. What's your name ?
* She spat in my face and I wiped it off with my hand. I motioned for her to answer me *.
-Edith. You killed my parents and my brothers.
-They are still alive but in another form.
* I pulled out my dagger and untied its ties. Thorn walked over but I gave him an angry look and he pulled away. The other hostages were screaming at injustice but I was deaf to their plea. I made a sign to one of my men who brought a horse or I made Edith ride *.
- Go tell Solon and tell your brother that the 20 thousand wings of the Azure bird are going to fall on you.
-You think I'm going to fall into your dirty trap ....
-Stop whining silly. * I tell him in a serious tone *. I'm giving you a chance your friends don't have. Don't forget to mention in detail what happened here. He must know that we are not afraid and that we are waiting for him firmly.
* She grabbed the horse's girth and started galloping at full speed towards the city. But just as she left a horseman entered in the village. Gladys, who was on break, bent her bow but I motioned to her to lower it *.
-Excuse me I'm looking for Lord Hanneman's family. It is to deliver a message.
* At that moment he observed better and saw that we were all armed and dangerous. Dangerous because in the sky were flying half-human critters, monsters with troll bodies and many other things that can't be describe by words*.
-I ... I ....
-His family is doing well. * Said Kord who wiped the blood on his mouth *. She is even in great shape. * He insisted *.
* The messenger wanted to flee but an arrow shot by Gladys beheaded his horse and he collapsed on the messenger's leg *.
-The poor guy. * Said Kord *. Why did you let that kid slip away?
-On his message will depend the state of mind of our enemy of tomorrow. Whether he's angry or just a little upset it will all be to our advantage.
-You are a vicious you.
-I learned at a good school. * I replied *.
* Kord approached the messenger who was trying to struggle with his leg still trapped under his horse *.
- Please don't kill me, I have a family. I have...
-Children? Come on, look at you, you're barely 16.
* Kord slashed his arm and made him drink his blood directly. The young boy began to scream in pain as his bones creaked under the mutation. His body twisted several times and he continued to cry out crying. It was horrible to watch and some of my men were even throwing up. But for those who discovered this facet of reality, I had to cool my head in front of them *.
-Killick's blood is abominable. * My father said *. But as long as it is in our possession I find it wonderful.
* The transformation completed, the young man had ironically changed into a kind of centaur. The upper body was human, but the rest was horse-like. He gave a shrill cry and everyone covered their ears except Kord who was laughing Euphoric *.
-Hahahahahah first perfect transformation in a long time.
* Father I'm sorry to tell you, but the Killicks are monsters, there's nothing wonderful about it *.
-What are we going to call you? Come on who cares you're my Centaur just for me.
* And these are my monsters *.
* Jeremy *
* That night I was broken. I was in my room thinking about what my sister had told me. Edith had managed to survive this carnage as terrible as he was and she was in tears. Jeen consoled her in a corner while me locked in my rooms I was assailed by all kinds of emotions. Anger, hatred, regret, terror. I didn't know what to think personally. When I think of my father and mother and my other brothers and sisters turned into demons I feel drained. Why had he released my sister *?
-He told me to let you know particularly. * Edith told me *.
*But why ? Suddenly I tilted and grabbed my locket. I took refuge in prayer and I asked Saint Jade to grant me the strength to resist. If he wanted to destabilize me with help in a psychological battle I was going to give him a big surprise. I grabbed my sword and planted it cross in the plank *.
-Oh Astreif Bird of greatness, bring down your anger on the invader Adrun and his Killick dogs. By this oath I strengthen my commitment to you and I swear before the gods and before you. That tomorrow I would shed the blood of my enemies in abundance.
* I then reengaged my sword but Jeen entered the room. She threw herself on me and hugged me *.
-Don't let yourself get angry, I beg you.
-I'm ...
-No I forbid you. I saw you, you plan to make a carnage tomorrow. But it doesn't look like you, it's not you.
-They killed my family. * I screamed *.
-And mine too. And you gave me the strength to continue. So please I beg you, don't fall into hatred and revenge. Remains the Jeremy I know. The one I fell in love with ...
* She lifted her head and looked me straight in the eye *.
-The one I love.
* This last minute statement gave me a shock that froze me in place. I dropped my sword and brought my face closer to her. We kissed lovingly, hugging each other. I made her lie down in my bed and looked at her *.
-Maybe we must ...
-I want to do it ... With you.
* I kissed her again and took off her clothes little by little. She took off my shirt and pulled my pants down. That night I made love for the first time. And I loved it *.
* End of chapter *