A/N: Wi-Fi or DATA connection recommended playing the audio above
WARNING!!! Please be reminded to proceed with caution, therefore, the following content contains scenes of violence and pure gore that is not suitable for some people, feel free to skip ahead to the next chapter if you cannot handle or take those kinds of scenes. Reader discretion is advised. Also, I forgot that Riona's hair is blue like Zero so sorry for the 'pinkenette' part about her.
__________CHAPTER FIVE_________
~
Gratia, Eastern City of Borealis
Time period: FANG
MIRROR
The monarchy in Aulora has been at its maximum moratorium currently breaking down at the fabric of their society in purgation as their so-called King was nowhere to be found as if he abandoned them like a child on an orphanage. Those with enough courage managed to escape their grim faith upon my hands at the end of the day not a single soul of those who stayed lived to see tomorrow their blood coated the entire tribe as it burned to the ground. I smiled in the glory of my onslaught, Ignatius and his family were one of the people who escaped Aulora seeking their refuge upon the tribe of Borealis.
Caspian Niven Whist was the current King that time, he is the widow of former Queen Whist point is; King Caspian protected all the refugees from different cities and towns of Aulora and Borealis which made him quite infamous in my Father's book meaning he is challenging the Emperor of the Multiverse but the biggest problem is... My Mother is also the Empress of the Alternative side of RHEA which places King Caspian under her forfend long-story-short Father stopped the trading between their tribe and ours the latter thought his enemy would beg for mercy by the lack of supply but it bested him like an animal escaping from a leash irritating his ego from head to toe this bickering of theirs continued for consecutively five years until Father had enough of his trickery therefore in the course of those past five years Borealis seemed to surpass Helium as the superior tribe so he decided to sent me and take down their rising empire.
King Caspian refused to bow down to his bylaw which cost him his head making it a trophy in Father's collection. They say he's like the reincarnation of the devil in the flesh, Panacea cursed him till his death bed that his soul can never be retrieved once he dies Hades shall prepare Tartarus as his new domicile punishment that is dilapidated than those before him, even if it is against the litigation of RHEA-women we're raped, children became slaves and playthings, kinou's where tortured for entertainment King Caspian witnessed all of these before I beheaded him. Hibiki told me that King Caspian's last thoughts were he'd finally be with his beloved in Elysium and that he forgave his daughter for betraying him. I forgot one thing by the way a governess in Gratia had struck a bargain with Father a governess eh? So she was the traitor among them she made a good choice though HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Foolish woman "And by the way Mirror please also collect her debt, the due is also today"
"Yes, father"
I blasted the heavy metal gates open with my talent. The guards of their manor tried to stop me but inevitably failed in the process of doing so "ITS MIRR-!" I shot him the head before he can fully yell out his attempts to warn the people inside the jade punching its way through his skull to his brain a patent hole can be clearly seen on his forehead. The maid behind him screamed in fear dropping the fruit basket she is carrying, I ordered Hibiki to chase after the stupid maid and kill her on sight and anybody who needs to be killed in case they saw him committing the act the latter immediately followed and ran after her he's rather calm about the situation. Father's plan to lay hold of Borealis from my mother was leisurely unhurried.
I had Sting murder all the servants remaining inside the manor and leave the fate of its owner in my jurisdiction. The damn stairs were a nuisance to my blood-thirsty soul it was overly decorated with jewels, pearls, silver, bronze, gold, and any possible booty you think of is currently present. Nox threw one person in my direction catching his body to levitating in front of me to interrogate upon where their masters are currently lavishing at "Speak ..." I whispered an enchantment through his being which gave him a serious of intensive pain in his veins causing him to turn pale white his blood slowly dripping down his limbs the longer he resists the enchantment "Tniop. . ." I reversed his limbs to the state that it'll be milled.
"T-the grand h-hall . . . P-please I want to live! I have a family to f-feed!"
"And I have a family to kill."
A bullet elapsed by the right of my face whilst I interrogated and tortured one of the manor's many servants, which made me drop the cold body on the bloodied floor to look up at the direction where the bullet had originated only to see Zero on the third floor holding his rifle in hand "Your welcome!" he yelled from the third floor "I had that!" I replied in which case he just smirked and proceeded to eliminate more of the manor's inhabitants, behind me was the manor's butler holding a kitchen knife in his hands preferably to stab me in the back with it as always he shot straight in the head of his enemies I kicked the butler's dead body over to get a good look at the person who tried to stab in whilst my time was preoccupied with one of his underlings. Eyes wide open probably by shock since this cretin probably didn't think to himself that he would get shot on the spot, ah yes, his features perfectly fit the stereotype of what people assumed a butler would be he's got the receding hair, old age, silver locks, tailcoat, shoes well polished before the blood on the floor graced it and a classic pocket watch.
The people partying inside the grand hall did not seem to be bothered by the rampaged outside, the room probable's enclosed from the outside, and from the looks of it, the butler placed a seal on the door so that his masters wouldn't be bothered from their lavish dining thinking that he alone could take down the intruders of the manor he served for 60 years now a shame really. "Everyone in the third and fourth floor has been done for, Nox and Hibiki hunted down those who jumped out the window to try to save themselves Sting hasn't completed his task in the second and first floor tch. Bastard's even sloppier than I thought ." Zero jumped from the upper flor perfectly landing on his feet beside me validating a report with the added bonus of insulting Sting, speaking of the devil he soon walked out from the bottom stairs throwing a severed head of a servant at Zero's direction in which he shot midair whilst it was heading in his direction.
"Insulting me again Yugen?"
"I have every right to do so, considering the work performance you've displayed--I could fire you right here and now."
"Do you now? and here I thought you're just team member number 5"
"Why you--"
"Enough! Quit acting like uncultured swine's." I separated the both of them before they start slitting each other's throats walking down the direction of the grand hall they stared daggers at each other before proceeding to follow me, I was about to blast the seal placed on the doors when "MALKOVICH!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!" I heard a cry in the hallway a woman running up to our direction whose head is bleeding her body covered entirely with deep wounds, cuts, and bruises Zero and Sting stopped gnawing down at each other when they heard the woman's threat and rushed to the grand hall only to see a desperate servant holding an axe twice her size at her side Zero, of course, did not miss the chance to insult Sting when he saw one servant still alive and kicking here in the first floor.
"See what I mean?? blondie here didn't do his job efficiently! I suggest we kick him out of this team."
"Seriously?? when will you give it a rest Yugen?"
"Never."
I punctured her straight in the chest leaving a hole in it, her body collapsed on the floor right in front of the double doors baring our way with her blood pooling around it "Sonacsed!" the magic seal crumbled leaving the people inside vulnerable to our onslaught "Milady! " Ethan caught his breath as he ran up to us meaning he's done with his task, his entire being covered in blood from the people he killed this kid still needs to be trained to avoid looking like a maniac covered in blood "I've s-successfully. . . just give me a-a momen-t" he huffed as Sting gave him his packed bottle of water to hydrate himself in which the kid immediately snatched from his hands and downed the whole thing in one gulp "See that sun rays? even a kid can do a better job than you." the latter just ignored him for a moment and ripped the nearby curtain to wipe Ethan's face that's been sprayed of blood.
"See this Yugen?" Sting took a knife out of his pocket and threw it at the servant's head as she refused to stay dead pinning it down to the floor "Problem solved! entertained yet?" I blasted the doors while the three of them stand by outside the partygoers stopped in what they are doing once they saw me took a step inside the room my eyes scanned the room for the Seraphine family, the woman that owed my Father was sitting on what seemed to be a throne trying to make herself feel like royalty. "Milady! I'm here!!" Hibiki's voice echoed in hallways as he was nearing down the grand hall a body flew across the hall from where Hibiki came from indicating Zero's point even more "Body count? two." the latter had a smug look on his face as the blonde just clicked his tongue in annoyance apparently the person that Hibiki threw managed to scare the hell out of their unfortunate visitors as they began to scream in fear and started heading for the door in which case I am currently standing at.
I used my talent to strangle out the life of some of the people that almost reached me causing a good amount of them to cower away in fear of meeting the same fate their pals suffered... they're just denying the inevitable with this nonsense. "Anyone who dares to step out of this room will be slaughtered without mercy! So I suggest that if you value your time here on RHEA, you'd stay put." none of them moved an inch except for this one old hag who's standing at the far offside of the dessert table gripping her cane adorned in jewels tightly her face red as a tomato from anger "No!" the hag spoke up the crowd parted for her not wanting to achieve the fate she's about to be given upon it exposed her entire mistake. "Your entire family are frauds!" she began her body shaking in rage pointing her cane at me threatening me with it eternal youth didn't grace this hag the way she talks can only mean that she lived way back before the war those tattoos that decorated her torso and limbs we're worn by the first generation of amazons who came to be after the moons established RHEA.
"You're grandfather Ren Verity was nothing but an ingrate and a bastard who knew nothing but to fill his mouth with all the power he so starves for, he did nothing but cause havoc to the planet we've protected throughout our prime... the lot of you new heirs are all but a bunch of fakes and liars! who clawed their way into taking that power that they now hold." the crowd gasped at her choice of words some of them even trying to persuade her to take back all she said about my grandfather "Hag, if you have a problem with the deceased old man talk it out with him in his grave, therefore, the sins he's committed are entirely separate from mines, the descendants are innocent of their predecessor's deeds hence the fall of your first foundation was without exception, not my fault." the old hag kept her furious stare at me taking out a diamond fang dagger from her pocket charging at me "DIE YOU FALSE GODDESS!" corrupted I knew it, fangs have been strictly banned from ever being used as it was the sole reason why the war sparked years back but father sees it as a source of stability benefiting the seven tribes of RHEA.
"Hibiki, fetch Nox now quickly."
"Whatever you say Mirror."
I immediately materialized Hathor in my hands curling them into a fist to her direction and opened my palms aiming it at the front of her nose when Hathor crushed the bridge of her nose her blood splattered all over the floor causing her to fall down but any further ado she sprang up from the tiled floor causing the crowd to turn their heads in my direction then back at the old hag who was clearly winded by the impact as a gasp of breath escaped her lips within a spilt second in time I saw her either eat the diamond fang or stabbed herself with it fully connecting it with the malfeasance residing dormant within her system. Via initiative I struck both joints of her legs then her wrist making her drop the diamond fang to the floor, Sting teleported himself to the fang securing it before it deceives anyone within its vicinity.
As the hag lay upon the floor with her nose bleeding and both legs completely useless I signaled for Zero and Ethan to apprehend the old hag as I magically closed the double door sealing all of us in this very room I menacingly took small steps towards the hag altering Hathor in the process as a dagger, with the aid of my magic I tilted her head to look up at my allure the dagger's blade lying still on her left cheek "I don't hesitate on killing a person if I don't hear the answer I want, now talk. Who or where did you get that diamond fang?" I questioned her whilst sliding the dagger on her cheek making it bleed as she kept her mouth shut refusing to give out the information to me in retribution for her cooperation I stabbed her cheek impaling her tongue in the process blood poured down her mouth "Aww, the hag is crying now. You wanted to be deaf so bad I just granted your wish."
"How dare you display such actions in front of a child."
"You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"At least make him look the other way before you stabbed that poor woman in the face."
"Heartless bitch!"
I grabbed Hathor from the old hag's cheek reverting her back to her true form, an orb levitating in my hand the blood all wiped clean "Lla esoht erad yfed ecneh htruof llahs won dna reverof erom eb denodnoc ot eht sniamod fo Sedah." Each and every one of their guests started dropping dead on the floor "GUARDS!" the firstborn of the Seraphine's called out for her lackeys to try and stop me by I just waved them off to the side. Their mother and father tried to escape but I held them in place to see what they've inflicted upon these people grabbing a butter knife placed on the table the oldest seraphine child threatened me with it in hopes that I would back off and consider my actions her hands shaking as she gripped the butter knife.
"S-stay back... I know self-defense I-I could harm y-you I SAID STAY BACK!" I was towering over her as she shields her family I looked back and forth from her hand to her eyes pushing away her hand. Zero replaced the emptied magazine with a new one, the knife playfully rolling around Sting's fingers and small sparks of space whiffed when Ethan clasped his palms together killing the rest of their guests who refused to die easily. "You can scream for help all you want...nobody can hear you~" I leaned into her ear whispering the last part, my breath sending chills down her spine I gestured to the floor where her former comrades lied dead ready to decompose once the vultures find them.
"Milady I'm back with--Whoa, WHOA!" Hibiki took a moment to look around on the stomach-churning endeavor we just did within his absence for the brief moment he went out to fetch Nox, a small frown etching on his features and carefully made his way towards the top platform with Sting following behind him kicking the dead bodies that dare block his foot from where it wants to step on. Zero had Ethan and Nox help him identify all the people they just killed with the added bonus of double checking if they're still breathing or stayed dead like they should be "Everyone's here let's start the show, shall we? Where's the money?" I turned Hathor into a scythe and placed it on her neck she better be careful because that next lump might wheeze out blood her lips began to tremble words "M-money? s-surely you've mistaken me for someone else Your Highness." making me impatient with her answer decapitating her younger sister which earned a screech from her mother "Don't play dumb with me Flare or the next head that's going to be rolling on the floor will be yours." impeding sadism lingering in my tone.
"I-I can't pay you anything right now, b-but I promise the next t-time I'll have it I swear --No, No...No!" my fingers found their way in encircling her neck invigorating great efficiency hoisting her body off the tiled structure of their manor "Please let's talk this out like rational people, civilized people...I mean you'd understand right? I'm just a humble person trying to get by--ACHHK!" she yammered on and on continuing the running hypocrisy gag show she's been at ever since the day her addiction on gambling manifested "Pffftttt, she just called Milady stupid HAHAHAHAHAHA" Hibiki convulsed with laughter in the background whilst the interval of his task I swear he brings a halt to the hope he obliviously metastasizes to these ignoramuses. "I'll reimburse next time, in overabundance even! that has to be the best way alternative than killing me right? I mean you get the money and I get to keep my head how's that sound?"
"Sentimental."
"WAIT!" a small raspy voice cried out the snot dangling on her nose disgusting. Having me draw to a stand upon decapitating her oldest sister our attention aroused to her direction intrigued on what she has to say on the judgment I enunciated prior to our arrival to their chateau "Please there has to be another stopgap...just don't kill her please I obtest you." a girl about Nox's age begged pardon of her oldest sister's long overdued debt with tears endlessly flowing out of her eyes she spared her a glance of thanks for saving her life "She will give her away as a payment" Hibiki communicated to me via telepathy, I trust his judgment when it comes to reading people minds hence momentarily seconds upon relaying the information to me Flare Seraphine had this crazed menace look in her eyes indicating the orangette's suspicion I averted my eyes between her and her youngest sibling who's currently bowing down on the floor crying "Y-yes! what she said. " She stuttered out of relief as I let go of my hold on her neck dropping her to the floor the latter coughed and massaged her already bruising skin trying to ease the pain away "Name your payment and we'll collect it," I growled the latter wasted no to finally be rid of this burden off her life pointing a finger at the initiator of her pardon.
"HER! I SHALL HAVE MY DEBT BE PAID BY HER! " her words stupefied not only her youngest sibling but their parents upon the sight of their own flesh and blood being given away as if she's was just an old possession ready to be thrown out as it no longer as any value nor sentiment left to be gained from it. Both Hibiki and Sting acted on the initiative in seizing the young girl hastily taking hold of both her arms dragging her out of her mother's protesting embrace the blonde got irritated of her clinginess to her youngest daughter and kicked her in the face to back off, her spouse held her back to prevent her to do any more rash action into taking back their daughter. The monstrosity that loomed over their lives was inevitable the time Flare Seraphine struck a bargain with my father, the girl didn't have enough strength to either protest or struggle to get away from the revelation that unfolded within her presence.
When the three of them were finally out of earshot we prepared our weapons to finally take out the Seraphine's but when I was about to, in the spur of the moment their bodies began to tremble and turn grey, clutching their own necks barely clinging on to life - vomiting all the blood coursing in their body. I only knew one person who uses that kind of magic and it's Conri. I shot a hole on the roof above me revealing that ever so loyal lackey of my father looking at me straight in the eye trying to relay a message to me before turning and leaving it was a good thing that Hibiki had already left or else the two of them would be gunning for each other's necks.
"You just had to send out you're little puppet now, didn't you father?" I questioned him whilst I am annoyed by his lack of trust in collecting the due he had loaned to that gambling-obsessed woman. Conri is quite amused by my annoyance towards his brief appearance earlier the cretin even had the audacity to laugh. If there was an award for the best minion he'd snag it in an instant there has never been an opportunity that Conri disobeyed my father never.
"Just to make sure she pays her debt properly."
"Was all that really necessary? I did everything you ever asked me my whole entire life,"
"Just ensuring your loyalty my dear."
"Loyalty?... here's your loyalty." I materialized the severed head of Seraphine's oldest child and threw it across the throne room, with her eyes wide open and turned my heel away from this entire conversation of his so-called loyalty the guards immediately took their stances as if I was a threat to the king telling me to stay put unless the king says so "What about the girl? " I began as I linger my eyes on these imbeciles around me its much better to be cautious than trusting their actions my eyes looked back at my Father as he took a bite out of an apple given to him on a platter by one of the maids, savoring the bittersweet flavor with every crunch and drank wine poured down in his cup to swallow it in his throat making me want to slice it open burying him 500ft underground "Do what you want. I don't care either way she's nothing but another nuisance to me." he began "But. . .If she causes a rucks that payment girl will answer to me. "
I walked out of the throne room once he was finished monologuing as the damn guards didn't falter to place down their weapons until I was fully out of sight with a loud thud echoing on the marble floor in the throne room that would shake up a complete stranger to the palace whose unfamiliar with its ways. I've had Hibiki train Ignatius, that's the name of that payment girl I've collected along with Nox as elemental talent is her forte, perks of being a citizen of Aulora that kid grew up fluky with serendipity despite the erstwhile experiences. Shame on her sister for wasting such talent awaiting her in the precedent, her rank as an aristocrat burgeoned to becoming an elite in no time from being a part of our team maybe fate favored her in the atrocious actions of a flesh and blood; Pleasantries didn't carve her thirst for love from her eldest sister.
~
When Ignatius was old enough to drink she wasted away most of her time drinking forcibly drowning her bygones alongside her perilous health. For the past couple of days, she stayed at his favorite pub and euphonious tavern such a wonderful place to be they also offer harlots if you need that sweet sweet nectar when your feeling lonely or just hungry, plate ware and undergarments we're being flung at random inside the rowdy pub. Ignatius was sitting on the bar all by himself with his back slouched I blocked the beer bottled that was yeeted over my direction by the inebriated customers while making my way towards Ignatius's loathing self.
I sat down on the vacant seat beside her as the redhead just ignored my presence. The bartender immediately gave me two tall glasses of water before cowering away from us avoiding such presence completely, afterward tending to the other customers that came into their establishment bloating their stomach's with the intoxicating drink either celebrating or drowning out their sorrows, pain, anger and problems away for a brief time. Ignatius drank half of the firewater from the huge mug she's been using from day one of being here this few days wiping the liquid off her mouth aggressively paying no heed to my presence beside her.
"Having any plans to take a bath, Ignatius?" I began whilst playing with the glass of water in my hands hence the latter reeked a terrible odor from drinking non-stop "Just leave me alone Milady." she croaked pouring herself another drink from the countless bottles laid out in front of her "Maintain that habit and you'll die sooner than me." making sport of her little tantrum before taking a sip from the glass I am analyzing guaranteeing it's safe from being laced with poison "Even better." she scuffed throwing the mug behind her once finishing what has been left inside it the glass shattered as it made contact with the cemented floor gaining no scrutiny from the befuddled individuals on the further side of the establishment.
Ignatius opened a new bottle drinking straight from it angrily placing it down with a thud on the island. Tears were present in her eyes with her cheeks burning in a deep shade of red due to intoxication "I-I tried to save her..." she sobbed face-palming herself from shame "But she sold you instead." I finished for her as the latter broke down even more from the horrendous recollection that lead her here on this day "We're related by b-blood - calling herself my sister." the redhead rasped out punching the wooden surface of the island with her right fist "We are your family now Ignatius, we care about you unlike those with blood ties to you." I comforted her, I would have hugged the poor girl but he has a redolence smell I'll just save the sympathy for another time.
"You're so sweet Milady, I think I'm gonna puke." and with that, I splashed her with the glass of water I am holding and the other one given to me earlier free of any charges - for good measure. "Let's go kid." I grabbed the back of her shirt before she could protest, dragging her out of the noisy pub "You need a bath." I reminded her as the redhead just replied with a hum as a retort with a pout etching on her lips slowly falling asleep while I dragged her back to the palace.
"You're a grown woman Madeline, I no longer have to assume nor inform you of what your responsibilities are while we are away henceforth that pretty little head of yours is fully aware of them. " the blonde candidly nodded in response as I was busy putting on my boots the later rapidly typed and scanned all the things I've told her to take note of all over her holo screen "Madeline," I called for her attention gesturing to zip up and tighten the slightly loose ends of the back of my top once she was done I've asked her one last thing
"Madeline?"
"Yes, Milady?"
"Take good care of my baby. Take her out on walks every morning, make sure she drinks her vitamins, and have her hair brushed daily."
"But I thought you will be taking her with you? on this journey Milady?"
"Wha - No! You stupid woman I meant Salt." I pointed my finger over my little baby whose currently giving out those cute pleading eyes that no one can help but resist the blonde bimbo picked up her holo screen with all possible haste from the soft mattress of the couch glancing up at me verifying my stipulation.
Madeline Alana Ixion, how do I even begin to delineate this woman - unintelligent and unable to concentrate on multiple occasions that I've designated her to do she's been serving me for years even before Riona's birth. She used to be my handmaiden during my youth a clumsy and blithe little girl who in previous years of me growing up soon came to be my supervisor she did point out once that no matter how these characteristics shaped her and tried to pull her down most of the time there is nothing to be worried about saying that as long as she's trying to surpass her flaw she'll do fine, a flaw that I know she can never swim away from no matter what kind of cure she places on the wound that is her shortcoming in life.
Looking at her right now I fret that she should have come with us on this one but I doubt that she'd be able to last even a mere second once we leave Helium's premises either from getting scratched or a tiny cut on her porcelain skin. Why am I having thoughts on taking this idiot woman with us you may ask? for the sole purpose that my father meddling with her mind in the time of our temporary absence here on Helium, I've asked Mother to keep an eye on the blonde and "if" only "if" father tries to do anything brute to the myrmidon have the blonde under her protection as Queen, not of Helium and most certainly not as his wife but Queen of her own tribe Zoldanga. Hence fourth gathering a bunch of fangs is never easy --it never will be, the mere existence of those gems are a malediction on this planet caused by an amazon's hubris.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! " Riona squealed as the alcohol-loving red head yeeted a dead person's skeleton up in her alley. Since I've given her the easiest task anyone can have in this mission-keeping my daughter entertained, safe, and mostly distracted from the abomination the rest of us are committing, gratifying the ill intents of a man called father. Ignatius's silvery tongue mesmerizes the little girl so much that her eyes sparkled in delight as if it was made of glitter. Not a single soul was left up here Father calls this place a "disgrace" to RHEA and yet he wants us to scavenge the land for his precious fangs.
The entire place was deserted by life itself but the howling wind played as its melody, dark clouds loomed over as far as the naked eye can see. Those inhabiting this land perished extinction as the final battle of the past war took place here the city dubbed as "Life who thrives" 24/7 ever since its foundation- Cynic, was its name supplies varied for each person's self-indulgence from a factory producing refined goods destroyed by an unauthorized Fusion. Hibiki lead the rest of the team to start digging the dry soil, while Zero stood beside me looking analyzing more possible grounds to excavate hence fourth it is common knowledge that using magic to uncover Diamond Fangs might result in someone being torpefied or getting a seizure on the spot the side effects vary from person to person the most viable candidate would be non-other than Hibiki.
Hathor warned me earlier to stay vigilant of my surroundings as Cynic became downright the home of Diamond Fangs for many years and she was right therefore I can feel a heart of a human lurking "Since when did you start to use tools to aid you? Zero teased taking a small glance over our daughter and Ignatius "Since now...I borrowed it from Faust's lab since the old man wasn't using it any longer." I closed the compact tool Faust invented placing it back to the pocket of my pants "Earlier, when I was scouting the area there was a cornucopia." Zero began heaving a sigh alongside it his expression stoic "Someone or something is still out here aside from us and I think it is trying to follow our footsteps Mirror." the howling wind did not fail to bring horror to my husband's words "Once we've collected a hundred pieces Father wanted-we're leaving this wretched place." my beloved growled griping the pulse gun strapped to his hips as much as I want to leave Cynic we can't therefore such actions might stain my already damaged reputation against Father, besides Hibiki and the others already managed to collect ten shards of Diamond Fangs each piece symmetrical as the other. I gave Zero a small kiss on his cheek attempting to calm him down a little his body tensed up from the gesture not expecting the sudden display of affection, I took his hands away from the gun strapped to his hips intertwining them with mine.
He tsk-ed in annoyance but knowing him deep down he liked it no matter how stoic his facial expression might be, I grabbed his face gently to look at his ocean eyes who stared back at my dark orbs the latter then caressed the right side of my face as leaned in into his touch "We could use a hand over here!" Hibiki you cock block the orange he yelled from a distance waving the shovel he's been using for a while now his interruption had Zero in a sour mood whose kissed my forehead before grabbing a spare shovel to possibly swat his best friend on the head-to help him dig the dirt.
When nightfall came Ethan switched duties with Ignatius as the redhead was needed to tend to the fire while Sting and Nox prepared dinner, Zero took first watch for the night. I kept to myself analyzing the fangs incised inside the small glass containers Nox made prior to our arrival. The compact theodolite placed in the middle of its arrivals in hopes that I'd point to the next dirt we'll need to excavate tomorrow. I pressed the bridge of my nose in frustration as the needle ran in circles and the dot remained fixated in the corner of the compact "Milady!!" Hibiki ran inside my tent making me jump a little on my chair my knees making contact with the bottom of the table the shards dangerously slipping from its surface "What do you want Hibiki? " I pissedly asked the orangette placing the shards back to their original place in the middle of the table Hibiki placed his arms over his chest a pout etching on his face "Oh ya know, I just wanted to cheer you up--cause you looked so gloomy." I can't believe this guy.
"Hibiki.." I began intertwining my fingers together standing up from my seat the height difference prominent "Why don't you spend that energy of yours in helping the two cook or go switch with Zero for a while, tell him I need to talk to him about something." I ordered him but the orangette just wiggled his eyebrows with a smirk starting to appear on his lips-- "Don't you dare say it orange juice." I warned him via telepathy as Hibiki constantly annoyed me with his face "You love him~" he whispered with that silly grin plastered all over his face nobody but the both of us heard that but it annoyed me to my bones making me chase him outside the tent the latter wheezing himself to death. The others looked at me like I'm crazy as the rare sight of me losing my cool was strange to them and Hibiki's always responsible for getting under my skin way back then.
"Milady?"
"I'm fine...just get back on what you're doing."
But before I could retreat back to my tent Sting caught up with me tapping me on the shoulder "Can we use those bulbs we've brought now? It's getting crazy dark out here Milady" the blonde reasoned fully aware that I wouldn't agree to his demands knowing that any minute now Zero will be here as Hibiki ran away to his direction from his oh-so-fantastic escape just mere minutes ago, I shook my head 'no' therefore he and Zero had a hue argument earlier regarding those bulbs we've brought Zero stopped him from doing so as those bulbs could light up an entire city saying that it might attract unwanted attention on our behalf the blue-haired male had a point in the matter since those assailants could be anywhere us "Milady, Ethan almost chopped his finger while cutting up the vegetables due to the dimness of the fire."
"Oi! I'm right here ya know!" Ignatius protested as the blonde mocked the younger female's current task. "Ethan?" I asked confused since the raven was the one I've asked to switch duties with Ignatius to look after Riona "I almost did Milady." The raven peeped his head behind Sting waving his finger that had blood oozing out of it before it dropped on the ground I caught the single droplet before it made contact, the latter shocked from my sudden actions then grabbing his wrist catching the attention of the others to look over "Diamond Fangs feed on blood--no matter how badly injured you are don't let it make any contact with Cynic's landmass. You've already been briefed on what took place here unless you want to die. Ignatius. don't get any ideas, you cretin." Nox carried Riona in his arms the toddler clinging to her brother "You may return to your duties, Ethan come with me." I pulled the kid to my tent to treat his acquired cut from cutting with the vegetables.
HHHEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!" Hibiki's girly screaming jolted me awake as I sat up from the futon, it's freaking 6:00 in the morning! I gave him one task, one! And he can't even do it right I should have asked Ignatius not him. Zero just grabbed the pillow beside him covering his face with it refusing to be bothered by Hibiki's feminine screaming at this time of the day, I groggily rubbed my eyes to ease out the sleep out of my system when I looked between us blinking a few times realizing that Riona was nowhere to be seen, it made my iris' dilate in fear "Zero, Zero!" I roughly shook his sleeping form pissedly yanking off the pillow covering his face "What?!" He growled, "Our daughter is missing!" Upon hearing the word missing he immediately rose up from the futon taking his pulse gun from the table and I followed him outside--only to see Hibiki running for his life with only a towel wrapped around his lower half a boar made of ice chasing him with Ethan and Riona mounted on its back--RIONA????!!!!
Zero broke out in fits of laughter at the sight of his best friend being chased around by an animated boar and two children when the orangette ran in our direction I seized him in the neck lifting him off the ground with one hand glaring at him as the latter sweat dropped in my grasp, Nox was amused of the situation and dismissed the boar with his talent Ethan caught Riona in his arms as the little girl climbed open his back wanting a piggyback ride the raven promptly agreeing with her request but mostly just distracting her from the confrontation between us adults "What on Hades do you think you're doing?!" I angrily yelled at him as the latter had a nervous smile on his lips "Come on Mirror, Hibiki just made me laugh." Zero chuckled placing his arm over my shoulders convincing me to re-evaluate my actions looking at the orangette up and down as he got the gesture answering immediately "I was--"
"He was jerking off!" Sting yelled a suggestion obviously teasing the latter before the orangette could even defend himself, the blonde placed down the bowl of steaming food on the table mittens cover both of his hands "I WAS PEACEFULLY TAKING A BATH, YOU IDIOT!" Hibiki yelled back to Sting defending himself his cheeks burning up from embarrassment I loosened my grip on the oragenette's neck making his body drop on the dirt from hearing the counterargument between him and Sting "Hey! That's my towel!" Ignatius stomped her way in our direction her hair messier than usual, she just woke up--yanking off the towel covering Hibiki's lower half revealing all of his shining glory for everyone to see making him scream in agony "AAAAAAHHHHHH!! IGNATIUS YOU BITCH!" The mortifying sight made Ethan stop in his tracks quickly covering Riona's eyes from the horror that has been beholded, Nox dropped all the plates he was bringing to the table when the organette passed by him in the nude. I just pinched the bridge of my nose from all the commotion and voluntarily closed my eyes, Arcana was right...it is small--in a way.
The next following days went on per usual with the constant digging and checking of each piece we've found. Ethan and Ignatius switched duties from time to time on watching over Riona, Hibiki got the better end of the stick when Ethan switched turns with Ignatius as the youngest two constantly played pranks on the older kinou as Sting whacked some sense's into his dense skull to just ignore the two, Nox, on the other hand, got a break from shoveling dirt all day when I assigned him to keep tabs on all the diamond fangs we've gathered. "Only two pieces left." I reminded myself tightly gripping the compact theodolite in my chest as the ravine below me was overflowing in Diamond fangs, ripe and ready for harvest the steep gorge I'm currently standing on is dangerously urging me to jump down. Tempting me with greed. Testing the hazardous fact I activated my magic through my eyes, looking down at the colony of fangs seeing all the pain of those who died in the Autarchy War.
"Mirror..." A loud but dark and hoarse voice called out my name, with it echoing in the pit coercing me to cover my eyes from the surging pain "ARGHH!" I relinquished to my knees from the agonizing sting in my dark orbs. There's no one here but me since I've left the rest of the team on the other side of the mountain to check if the area was void of unwanted attention, all my wailing fell unto deaf ears making me clutch the sandy dirt beneath me as I forcibly called out for the aid of my orb "H-Hathor!" as her name left the graces of my lips Hathor materialized around me creating a boxed barrier around my form helplessly laying on the ground "I apologize for not taking an initiative, are you alright now Milady?"
Hathor asked concerned replenishing my nearly demoralized self "Get me out of here, take me back to the others." without any protest nor hesitation Hathor teleported us back to the other side of this stupid mountain "Mommy's back!" I heard the voice of my daughter informing the rest of the team the moment she spotted my disheveled figure in the distance of the spot they've nested on while I was away to scout the said area, Hathor returned back to her original form levitating on the palms of my hand assisting me as my body forced to get back on my own two feet only to fail in the process collapsing on the sandy and dry ground of Cynic "MIRROR!" my husband's panicked voice rang in my head as I slowly lost consciousness of those around me.
~
A woman clad in black, whose hair is red as blood. Stood opposite of me her back exposed baring a huge "X" shaped scar, the field we're both currently standing at bloomed a sudden red color the mesials reeked of that a rotting corpse. None of us moved an inch despite the horrible smell arousing within the air "Save me..." her tone baring a huge resemblance to the voice I heard back in the ravine, she slowly lifted her head up looking at the sky above us before proceeding to eerily turn her attention in my direction making my eyes shift on the grip she has on her hands which contained a bloodied necklace that was made of gold--her blood I spoke mentally as the red liquid continued to coat the accessory in her hands subsequently advancing to throw it at me, making all the petals to be plucked by her robust actions the said projectile made contact with my stinging eye-blinding it before I could do anything about it. When did I become this weak?
~
I shot up awake, sweating heavily from the futon I've been laid on to rest with a change of clothes on from what I previously wore before I passed out, I placed a hand over my eye that was blinded by that woman in my damn dream that I just had. Tracing a finger over my undereye feeling them until a faint clinking sound that is surely made by a small object, had stolen my attention from further investigating my eye. Hanging from a post of the tent was the necklace I saw in my dream the blood from it leisurely taking its time on sucking up all the blood coating it not making a single drop on the ground, making use of my talent I've drawn the necklace to me with it swiftly levitating just in time for me to catch.
"How...did you get here?" carefully running my thumb over the pendant "You're awake." Zero entered the tent a tray of food and water in hand but I was too fixated on the object in my hands to acknowledge his sudden appearance the male took notice of the uneasiness I'm feeling placing the tray on the table where some of the uninspected incased fangs sat, before sitting by my side "What happened out there?" still unable to answer his question Zero doubled tapped my hand as I subconsciously gripped it tightly the chains making marks on my fingertips "Whose is that?" he tried to ask the second time hoping to get a response out of it "T-there was a woman." I muttered quietly which was only enough for him to hear making his body tense at the presence of another person "In my d-dream, whose clad in black and her hair bleeding the same color as blood."
"How can we be sure this isn't one of Raios' mind games?"
"If it was, I'd know."
The dark-haired male stood up from the bedside as I started to relax a bit after telling him about the dream I just had, taking the tray from the table that he had brought in earlier to return to his seat beside me once more scooping the food placed in the plate to feed me.
"Say ah"
"I didn't ask for this."
"You need it, love."
~
My legs became numb from all the pain I've accumulated, my utterly helpless state earned me a look of pure disgust from my father. As the crowd surrounding us slowly whispered in hushed voices from the revelation of my true identity, making me hang my head low a dark shadow hiding my eyes from the fringes of my hair...there was no turning back now as much as I hate to admit it I am his daughter. It was that imbecile Sting's fault on why the plan became tattered like this, naturally I would not also put myself as responsible but this time around I myself was also at fault for letting my guard down just because a certain blondie is in desperate need of friends who aren't annoying boys. Prior to my arrival at Lireo to infiltrate, my father had a set of rules for me to act in accordance, with threatening reminders saying they exist for you to abide by.
Rule one: do not get near a kinou. Rule two: never form any attachments, and lastly. Rule three: kill anyone who interferes without mercy, as mistakes and failure has no room in his notion of morals "Walk." his voice was both hard and cold not an ounce of care nor sympathy shook his character "Walk or die." he repeated, forcing me to materialize Hathor my palms levitating her to get back once again on my feet despite the aching pain in my muscles to those unfamiliar of my upbringing and seeing this scene in front of them might see child abuse and cruelty at its finest but to me, it's just good old manners that kept your bones from being batter--it makes you stronger, my father's unique parenting skills saved my mind from all the hallucinations and insanity that dared conquer me at such a young age, I became a cupcake sugar-coated by false fantasy with no one to wake you up. Zero kneeled in front of me proceeding to take off his coat despite the chilling weather, covering my bloodied form offering his aid "Put your arms around me." I slapped his hand away from the appalling suggestion, hissing.
"I did not ask for your help!"
"You need it."
He stood his ground offering his arms once more as the obvious truth lingered in the small space separating our physical forms, our onlookers baffled by the sight of me hesitate to heavily entertain the idea of Lireo's one and only heir, who rose to his feet carrying me in his arms. Father was not blind as the very sight of his daughter relying on someone else made his blood boil to a degree, ready to disown me here and now with the throng of people paying attention to the scene closely like it was gossip. Vulnerability wasn't my strong suit once exposed, as showing it was a sign of great offense to the kinou that raised me "Mirror." his voice beckoning me let go from Zero, who in turn held me even closer to his chest. Father's angered tone was enough to make the crowd forming around us scatter in fear.
Father, you took two lives today...and you used me to commit the reprehensible sin.
~
"Mommy look, look!" Riona was waving the small trinket she found in her tiny hands, I shrugged off the distant memory that came to mind giving my best girl the attention she needs "Great find sweetie, did you find this on your own?" I praised her efforts as she nodded happily, holding a trowel shovel on her right hand, dirt residue present at the plates of her poofy dress and black stockings. Ethan waved from behind from my daughter holding a shovel in his hand whose also covered in some dirt I guess she had some help I patted her soft hair smiling a bit at her cuteness, crouching down to her level to give a hug "That's my little helper, now Mommy will keep this safe for you while you find more trinkets."
"Okay!" she squealed happily returning the hug, giving me a kiss on the cheek before running off in Ethan's direction. I stood up from my crouching position making my way to where we have made camp for the past days, examining the trinket my daughter found, it was a secret knife taking a form of a butterfly brooch this type of decorative jewelry was quite popular among monarchs back then, therefore, one can be easily sneak in a weapon in their person because who would suspect? It's just a brooch after all. I placed the trinket inside of my pocket for safekeeping like I promised Riona, this might come in handy who knows? I shook the theodolite hoping for a response only for it to rotate at a fast pace none stop, a heavy sigh leaving. We've made progress from digging out of context around the mountain, dodging the ravine who was screwing with us making the task Father had given burden me even more than it should--it is like that damn pit has a mind of its own knowing that sooner or later we'd be left with no other choice to get the last two remaining fangs from it.
"Anrutcon!" stretching my hand up above my head with Hathor levitating in my palms I cast a spell speeding time around me in annoyance, once the skies became dark, stars twinkled and the moon shone brightly illuminating my shadow once they were all sitting down eating dinner still unaware of my hidden figure. I retracted my hand back down to my side with Hathor vanishing as the spell has served its ulterior purpose "H-how long have you been standing there Milady?" Ignatius inquired dropping his fork startled "Enough." I answered before walking away waving my hand offering to take the first watch for the night "Hathor." I beckoned her once again raising my hand, opening my palms materializing her.
"Yes, Milady?"
"Are there any shards remaining?" I began carefully awaiting Hathor's answer
"Outside the ravine you found, the answer is no"
"That greedy bitch."
"It did sense your magic when you activated it through your eyes, Milady. It's scared."
"And why is that?" I asked curiously upon what she just said since fangs are both the natural and ultimate nemesis of magic. I placed an enchantment around me and Hathor to avoid those who might eavesdrop. "That's why your Father wants them, the motherload is here in Cynic. Not all fangs can be a void for corruption, after all, if the properties are distributed right the effect will be the polar opposite of its true nature." I remained silent for a minute taking a seat on the huge rock, that each one of us had sat on to stay guard once I was comfortable in my position we continued our discussion. "Who else knows about this?"
"Raios, Smoking Mirror, and you. Milady" my body tensed up from hearing my father's name and stared at Hathor intently "Who's this smoking mirror?" the question hung in the air as Hathor kept to herself having me repeat the curiosity she had inflicted on me "Who's the smoking mirror? Hathor. Answer me when I ask you a question." still nothing but silence, the orb refused to let anything slip through her attitude, at the verge of using my powers on her glass form a girly screaming cut through Hibiki your timing couldn't be any more accurate the orangette came in running with an animated pig with antlers hot on his heels--did he just unintentionally recreated that time he got outwitted by a real pig?
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