Smoke started oozing from the Orpheus Manor, followed by a large crimson fire. It swallowed the building whole just like a snake. Screams echoed and the sound of wind blowing got louder.
News took long to reach where the Orpheus family was currently as the location from the Manor to the capital mansion was far. Knights on horses travelled across many forests and small villages in desperation without breaks. They had gone for a few hours without water or food.
Isabella was already waiting at the arena, she was the fifth participant, she looked around and attempted to spot her parents and Envius at their seats. They promised they would come, so why weren't they..there? Maybe they were there, just lost in the overwhelming crowd.
It was her turn but she couldn't find anyone yet, feeling nervous she clenched the handle tighter but snapped out of it by a loud piercing voice of the instructor.
"Isabella Orpheus and Gideon Nighthawk. Commence." The instructor yelled, screaming at the top of his lungs with plenty of air. His cold breath could be seen fading into the background.
Isabella tilted her head down and held her blade properly with grace, she crossed it in front of her face as she analysed her enemy. The enemy made small but well-thought-out movements.
They had a long start but once their blades clashed, it was intense. Their blades met roughly each time until a loud clang could be heard through the whole crowd. It was a battle of strength and technique, seeing who would be able to overwhelm the other.
Isabella took one step forward and put her weight on her front foot to assist in her strength, she pushed Gideon back and he shuddered to that one blade clash, he went back in, not giving up.
Almost immediately, Isabella's blade direction turned and she bent down as she sliced her sword through the air as it reached her opponent's neck while she was seen behind the enemy. Just with a few steps with no energy put to waste, she closed the distance and overwhelmed the enemy.
Isabella's feat was rewarded with loud thundering applause that shook the arena. She smiled and bowed down to her enemy with respect, he did the same and walked away with his head down.
Gideon hadn't expected to win against the Orpheus but he didn't think he'd last this short. All his training and dreams shattered in an instant.
However, Isabella's smile dropped when she still couldn't locate her family and her lover. Could they have encountered some difficulties on the way here that did not permit them to see her victory? She calmed herself a bit more and focused again, she had 2 more fights to go before they could fully declare her as the winner.
At the Orpheus mansion, everything was in chaos and everybody was causing a ruckus, whether it'd be the knights or the butlers.
The Duke and Duchess had only just received shocking news that their Manor had burnt down in flames, and a highly suspected raid on their land is incoming. They immediately sealed themselves off from the public and retreated into a safe room with only their most trusted knights.
The Duchess refused to leave Isabella outside alone, knowing she was still near a public area. However, her husband's pleading stopped her.
She compromised and looked for Envius instead, but he was gone. She ordered her servants to check every room but he was nowhere to be seen. Could he have gone to the competition already? But he had no carriage or any mode of transportation. And the door hasn't been opened since Isabella left, confirmed by the guards who were on duty from morning till noon.
The Duchess stepped into a room and helped the servants look for Envius, he had to be here somewhere. She looked outside the window to see if he was at the garden by any chance. To her surprise, she now felt a cold blade being placed on her neck, she caught a glimpse of the attacker through the reflection of the window and saw Envius.
"My d-dear, what are you doing?" The Duchess asked, her legs quivering in fear. His eyes didn't seem normal, they had a strong bloodthirst to them. Without his reply, her vision blacked out as she heard her own scream vibrating throughout the small room.
Envius dropped her dead body and headed for the Duke. He has to accomplish his mission through to the end, it was far too late. He couldn't miss the chance to finally end his misery.
By the time he arrived at the Duke's location, he was already killed brutally. Envius immediately recognised the voices and dropped to his knees and greeted them. The Vikings.
"Good, good. You did well. Ayrton, give him the potion." The leader in front said with a greedy smile. He was adorned with numerous bright jewels and multiple large gold chains hanging around his thick neck. He held a sword that was dyed red.
Envius grabbed onto the vial of red liquid for dear life. Tears started forming without him even knowing it, he uncapped the vial and chugged down the liquid with no hesitation. His body stopped and he dropped the vial, it cracked into fragments. He clenched tightly onto his shirt as he struggled for air. His upper body dropped dead on the floor while the glass shards pierced into his skin. Finally...he could experience the sensation of death. His immortality was also a curse from his dear God.
Ayrton returned back to his leader's side and held up a mirror that was shining weirdly. "The others said they have apprehended and killed the other royalties, only leaving Isabella Orpheus alive" He said, looking at the mirror with pride. It was a communication device he had found on his treasure hunts.
"Good, good. Bring that girl to me here. I heard she was quite the beauty." The leader smacked his lips together while he broke a glass cabinet and retrieved the liquor inside it. He ought to have some fun for his hard work and planning all these years. Envius was useful, it was such a shame that boy wanted to hold onto death instead.
The leader waited patiently at the biggest room in the mansion with his partners, chugging down the liquor with them while they celebrated with songs and hurrahs. It was time for the vikings to shine after having spent so many years in unknown territory and terrible living conditions.
Soon enough, a beautiful maiden was dragged in. She had smooth long black hair that was tied in a high ponytail, her purple eyes shone with pride. She was truly a beauty, the way she scrunched her face in anger did not make her look any worse. She had multiple bruises on her face and arms from struggling.
"Such a waste of beauty if your face is blemished like that." The leader said, walking to her with loud footsteps as he held a bottle of wine in his hands. Once he reached her, she lashed out but was held back by his underlings. He poured the red liquor over her head and laughed.
"This looks exactly like the same shade of poison I fed to your lover." The leader said, looking at her face drowned in red expensive wine. He had never found a woman this beautiful in a long time, he ought to have fun with her while she still lasts.
"You barbarians. I will rip your mouth out and stab you to death!" Isabella yelled, her anger releasing itself. She spouted words she had never ever said in her life, she had to kill them and get her revenge. They killed her family and Envius!
The leader pointed the tip of his sword at Isabella. "Such a foul mouth. I'll teach you some manners while we're together. Don't worry, we'll have plenty of time."
Isabella wanted to scream and shout again but words got stuck. They never came out. Once her anger spilled out, the fear rushed in. She was scared. Scared of what was going to happen to her.
Why...did you leave me?