My fingers dug deep into soft dirt that nestled underneath each nail sending an irritating feeling to the confines of a dazed mind.
Pain shot throughout my upper body mainly near the right side of my face and the back of my skull.
Muffled sounds faded on deaf ears while blurred figures danced sporadically between focused blinks.
Strained arms collapsed upon themselves trying to support the weight being lifted only to defiantly scream at a second attempt.
This pain was seldom compared to the hopelessness I felt watching those Vaniel dogs do as they pleased.
"Come now," Kuval mocked, "give it up already, Etarrai."
I gritted my teeth forcing my body to regain its footing. Shaking fingers wrapped around the staff handed to me moments ago, "I'm…I'm just getting warmed up."
I wiped away the stray trail of spittle running the length of my chin and readied myself for the vampiress' onslaught.
She moved like a bolt of lightning charging forward with staff held low to her waist and free hand guiding her body.
Instinct took over when it appeared she was going for a low jab forcing my body to move the staff at a low angle only to feel pain rushing throughout my side like spreading fire.
Hoping to gain some room to strike, I began back peddling just to be swept back into the flurry.
The sound of wood snapping was the last thing I heard before the world became dark with immense pain in my stomach.
When I opened my eyes, a blackened sky devoid of stars hung overhead with a blue eclipse taking center stage.
Collapsed buildings filled the eye everywhere I looked making it apparent that I stood in the heart of a ruined city.
White dust danced in the air as it covered each dilapidated building and the left over armaments of war scattered about among still standing barricades.
I moved through each space moving aside any loose rubble and diligently searching every crevice hoping to find some unknown object of great importance.
Without resisting, I continued to dig until my hands were covered in ash just as the guiding unseen marionette strings wanted.
[(It has to be here someplace!!)]
My fruitless search of the surrounding buildings had eventually led me to the remnants of a gate marking a long pathway to a large manor caked in moss of abandonment.
Blue luxurious rays of moonlight drifted over the building's outline with each step forward as a sudden unexpected sense of urgency soon guided my body.
I took the small flight of steps two at a time when a faint symphony of howls sounded from the gate and only stopped when the large double door withstood my weight.
An animated mist that moved like a centapedos twisted over the right column of the gatehouse and stood tall as two thin appendages frantically licked the air.
The multiple pairs of crimson eyes dotting the mist creature's head went wide when it caught hold of my scent and varying limbs pierced the ground in a surge of momentum.
The door finally gave way on the fourth thrust of my shoulder and creaked shut with my applied weight just in time to catch the creature.
Shrill voices screamed, "Let us in! Let us in! It will only hurt for a moment!"
Fear made my heart beat multiple times per second with each powerful rasp of what sounded like a hundred hands pounding against the old wood for entry.
There were multiple times that my body was pushed from the door only to be thrown back in a half squat as I prayed it would be enough.
I scanned the grand entry hoping to find something amongst the rubble and debris for anything that would keep the door shut long enough to make an escape.
A grand staircase took up a majority of the center area where several pathways led deeper into the decrepit husk.
Through some of the balusters, I could see another door outlined in the shadows of the small hall by a faint velvet glow.
My mind screamed in defiant protest at the thought of moving even an inch from the door but my body demanded some subtle relief from the immense strain.
The decision was soon made when pain began to flare up in my legs that moved to my back after being flung off the door and pressed hard against it once more.
Frenzied eyes searched the area with more urgency and found a slender piece of piping a few millimeters out of reach.
I heard the creature beg with each forceful burst of strength as I continued to reach for the pipe.
It was soon apparent that my two options were to either try to withstand the creature for however long or to do something risky.
[(Fuck!!!!)]
I leapt for the pipe after counting the seconds between each burst and managed to grab it with enough time to place it through the handles.
The doors folded inward until finally finding the resistance needed only to place all the force on the rusted handles as furious red eyes glowed bright with rage.
Not wanting to be in the same room when the creature breaks through, I turned toward the pathway chosen and ran for the outlined door.
My fear was so great that I didn't see the collapsed wooden baluster and tripped over it.
Adrenaline soon kicked in even more when the combined sound of the creature screaming and metal breaking sounded from the entrance.
All pain was gratefully numbed when I rushed the door and flung it shut as the entity started to crawl over the staircase.
I stood with my back pressed hard against the hard wood and waited for the sudden burst to come only to hear nothing but my beating heart.
Minutes seemed like hours as nothing happened allowing me to slide down to a seated position and swaddle my legs deep into my chest where I proceeded to weep.
Pain finally overwhelmed the inebriated feeling adrenaline gives when my heart finally calmed to a slow thump.
It took several moments to fully calm myself and realize that the room I had chosen was what looked like the remnants of a fine kitchen stocked with everything needed.
My full attention was on the two figures standing with their backs turned toward me in front of a collapsed brick oven where a faint velvet flame danced between cracks.
Though they didn't appear to notice me, I had to bite down on my lip and pull my ears flat against my head to dull the screeching each made.
The pain was comparable to sharpened nails gliding across glass with a high pitched scream that even covered ears would still be tormented.
I managed to force my body to peek around the corner and found that there were the remnants of another countertop that led to another corridor just a stone's throw away behind the right figure.
After weighing my limited options, I slunk behind the debris forming a pathway until the breakage and froze when an opportunity presented itself as the screeching became distorted voices.
The figure closest to me asked, "Can you believe the young bimbo failed the entrance exam?"
"Everyone in the palace is talking about it," the right figure cackled with a harsh tone.
"It's hard to believe that SHE is the daughter of Lady Udreth," the first added, "and is unable to cast the simplest of spells nor show any signs of magic proficiency."
The second chimed, "I heard she can't even wield a sword like her father."
"Shut up," I whispered to myself.
My request went unheard as the left figure chuckled, "At least that delusional dimwit brother of hers knows his way around the battlefield."
I pulled harder on my ears hoping to block out their lashing tongues, "Shut up...."
The second figure added, "Lord Maddox will surely keep those Vaniel dogs from sticking their noses…"
It took several painful seconds to realize that the voices had suddenly vanished mid sentence leaving the room in utter silence.
I slowly released the death grip on my ears and listened for any kind of sound before stealing another quick peek only to find empty air.
Seeing that the figures had suddenly vanished without any evidence that they had truly been there was by far the most unnerving thing so far.
My heart soon relaxed when it finally sunk in that I was alone in the room and had little to fear for the moment.
I allowed myself much needed seconds to rest and thoroughly plan out my next steps from here .
[(It has to be close by.)]
Sighing, I noted the distance of the next hallway that drew me toward it and started to move around the corner only to freeze stiff.
Blurred green eyes met mine the moment I stuck my head out and soon felt clammy bloated flesh cling around my wrist.
I could not take my eyes off those portals of unblinking green belonging to a former maid named Sera.
Fear gripped my body to the point that all senses screamed to break free of her grip before it was far too late.
Vomit filled my mouth when a centipede began to crawl from her front broken teeth and disappear within the large gash over her right temple.
"Lady Udreth," Sera cackled, "have you come for your congratulatory slice of c…oh wait."
She pressed her decayed face against mine, "The Academy doesn't accept failures like yourself to join their fine alumni."
A voice boomed in my ear, "Don't be like that! Can't you see that the sorry sow is upset enough already."
I managed to slip my hand free when Sera began to screech at the unseen figure and ran to the far wall hoping to keep both figures in my horrified eyes.
The tattered black and white garments they wore looked tight in places where pale waxy flesh protruded from tears while Sera was in a more severe state.
Water caked their hair to the scalp before trailing underneath cloth like a second skin that left five toed footprints as they walked toward me.
A mass of frayed ropes hung around their necks that traveled under each arm like a harness before running down the back and ending in a large rock that scraped against the ground.
I instantly recognized that the other figure was what remained of Numa as her exposed organs shifted side to side with every step.
Both played a part in my Father being forced into servitude and the usurp of the crown before everyone's eyes.
Vaniel dogs swarmed the ballroom before anyone could react to their presence and soon corralled all in attendance alongside an unknown traitorous snake.
Maddox showed his true allegiance when he struck father from behind when he stepped between the Vaniel noble and mother.
The image of Sera and Numa standing by Maddox's side as father and most of his loyal subjects were taken away to become slaves was burned into my mind for life.
It was the first time that I felt betrayed on a grandeur level after hearing how the staff gossiped behind my back.
I gave a halfhearted grin, "Maddox showed both of you his true self, aye?"
I tried to get a rise out of the two of them, "Sage had to be burned three times a day for two weeks straight to rid the stench your bodies had when they pulled them from the harbor."
Orbs of water pooled around Numa's raised jabbed limb but soon disappeared when Sera grabbed the exposed bone where her wrist hand used to be.
Sera chuckled, "The sweet love we made together was absolutely humorous but it kept him satisfied until a new tramp came by."
"Served him loyally," Numa added as she hefted the stone over her shoulder, "and ended up taking a prolonged swim."
The two of them shifted back into the senseless screeches that hurt even more at this distance however my attention was focused on what looked like a bird clothed in moving shadows perched next to the pathway out.
Slowly, I shifted against the rotted jagged surface while keeping the bickering duo in my sight along with ensuring nothing halted the path forward.
The shadowy bird fluttered its billowy wings and gave a silent caw that halted my progress just in time as a tethered rock smashed a hole in the wall where I would've been.
Hoping to make it to the shadowy fowl, I desperately lunged over the tightened rope as the sound of haggard screaming grew louder.
The pathway was in sight when clawed fingers wrapped around my neck and flung me backwards into a pile of rusted utensils.
Soon darkness was accompanied by a cold sensation running the length of my flesh just under tattered clothes that went mostly unnoticed until pain swelled in my chest.
Blurred bloated faces were the first images I saw when realization kicked in along with the familiar feeling of clawed hands holding my limbs down as water rushed down my throat.
I clawed, kicked and bit through the layer of water into waxy flesh when instinct shook my rattled mind fully awake only to wither deeper into despair.
My own sheepish voice yelled desperately for mother and father to come save me before silently fading into darkness with fading struggles.
In a faint moment, I saw the Mongrel standing behind the two husks with hand wrapped around his beloved blade embedded in the side of Sera's temple.
[(I will stand beside you as an equal!!!)]
I shot forward into a seated position grasping for all the air my lungs could carry and soon found myself in the large bed chamber we shared.
My skin was soaked in a cold sweat that became even colder from the small draft coming through the cracked window as my heart slowly calmed.
Sighing, I was very relieved to discover that the husks of both maids and that barren wasteland were nothing more than a depraved dream.
A dream that brought back past memories of being unable to do anything when the time came for action and simply allowed others to govern the path ahead.
Such dreams have been plaguing my slumber ever since the recent conflict with Vaniel which could have resulted in the enslavement of thousands if not for Jackal's intervention.
It was quite inconvenient to be born to a powerful sorceress like my mother and find out that none of her capabilities had been inherited.
My shortcomings were even more heightened when the Magic Academy had respectfully declined my application for fear that I'd end up getting harmed.
I could only form a small short-lived flame in my palm while other applicants managed to form full spheres of flame nor could I get the crystal that determined ones' affinity to glow while others made it shine with an array.
Swordplay was the only option I had to prove myself only for it to be another weakness no matter how hard I tried to grow better.
With no options, I decided to become the cliché bratty princess from fairy tales that looked down on people no matter who they were without much resistance.
[(He was the first person to publicly put me in my place.)]
I looked at the night sky, "You're the first person to truly show me just how weak I was and became the beacon of my transition."
"He has that effect on people," a voice startled me from the bedside.
I turned and found Momma Joan sitting beside me with thread and needle in hand. I sighed, "You scared me Momma."
The old Vulpes gave a small grin, "Kuval gave you quite the bump on the head. You've been unconscious for most of the day."
I gazed down at the velvet comforter, "I bet everyone became flustered."
Momma gave a soft chuckle and calmly tucked away her past time before sitting on the bed beside me.
She wrapped an arm around just like mother often did when my mind was down in the dumps.
Mother always made time to console me and listen to any meaningless woes I had while acting as governing Queen during Father's revocation.
It was mainly thanks to her and her Crows that the two year revolution against Maddox finally ended when Twilight Sand brought Father back to reclaim Breura and the surrounding area.
The way Momma Joan has treated me during these months have always reminded me of those trying times and often made me feel like I was her own blood.
"Aye,"" she placed some stray hair behind my ear.
She gave a small laugh, "The doors of Raven's Claw basically exploded inward when Kuval came rushing in and almost started a brawl or two."
She shook her head, "Hadn't been dragged in the longest of times ever since patrolling with Zachariah."
There was a stray tear in the corner of her eyes, "I finally understand how those thrown out feel."
I appreciated how Momma Joan tried cheering me up by saying such things but it wasn't working at all right now especially after such a dream.
This would have been my fifth day trying to persuade either Duval or Nathaniel to allow me to participate in their training and possibly one of their mock battles only to gain the attention of a certain short tempered vampiress.
Against her brother's and Nathaniel's approval, we had struck a bargain that allowed me to freely train with them if I managed to land one successive strike against Kuval.
I gladly accepted the challenge without a moment's second thought even though my gut was against it and my mind yelled how much of a bad idea it was.
It took only twenty or so seconds before I was knocked to the ground with ease when attempting my first strike.
"Hold a moment," puzzlement filled my voice, "Kuval was worried?!"
Momma gave a confused look, "Why wouldn't she be?"
"I," my eyes met hers, "I thought she hated me just like most of the others."
Past mocking faces flashed in my mind's eye, "I see the looks they secretly give whenever I pass by."
My fingers went white holding onto the clumps of cloth as the faces of Sera and Numa were among the disappointed looks owned by my parents after discovering my faults.
They were both so excited when I turned thirteen and eligible to enroll into the Breura Academy of Magic only to find out that their daughter had very low affinity to every magic crystal.
I could tell my mother was so disappointed after hearing the reasoning even though she often portrayed otherwise around me by the sadness lingering in her eyes.
Father held the same sadness in his eyes which sunk even further when I could barely use a sword after months of training unlike Maddox.
Their approval was the sole reason for agreeing to their proposal of being married off to some stranger.
[(I will admit that the Mongrel is a far better improvement to what I had imagined after hearing Father's description of him.)]
Momma Joan placed a hand on my cheek and pulled my head gently upward so that I couldn't escape her eyes.
She muttered, "I don't think anyone hates you, my child. Though I will say that I'm unsure if Kuval came for me out of concern for your or her well-being."
I gave a small smile imagining what would happen if the Mongrel came back to find me bedridden or the like.
Momma spoke in a soft reassuring tone, "Do you think Jackal was always the way he is now?"
I pondered the question for a few moments before answering, "Probably not at first but he grew to learn combat and form spells unlike me."
Momma shook her head, "Jackal liked to spend his days in the library where he filled his head with stories of grandeur."
She scoffed, "His parents had to force him to study both their crafts while Veronica was quite the prodigy."
"On several occasions," she paused briefly, "she was regarded as the most proficient of the two while Jackal remained where he felt comfort."
Her voice carried a hint of sadness, "Unfortunately, that difference often made him the target of other children who teased him for lacking simple capabilities of magic."
"What," my mind couldn't imagine the Mongrel in such a way, "what changed?"
Momma shrugged, "All I can really say is that Jackal put them in their place."
Momma proceeded to tell me the story, "It was a warm summer afternoon and I was walking along the forest line looking for Einor."
I closed my eyes and imagined being there, "The air was a cool comforting breeze that fluttered gently through the trees when I found Zachariah standing next to the clearing where Einor often played."
"Puzzled," I felt her move to the chair, "I crept beside Zachariah who simply put a finger to his lips and gestured toward the clearing where Einor stood relaxed facing the three youngins that had been terrorizing him."
"Though he looked the same," I pictured a young Mongrel standing in a clearing, "I sensed something wasn't the norm about him."
Turning so that my feet dangled in the space between us, "What do you mean Momma Joan?"
Pain shot through my forehead when Momma flicked me, "Don't interrupt me child."
I rubbed my head and gave a small pained smile. "Anyway," Momma cleared her throat, "it was as if the air around him curved in on itself and reverberated."
Momma Joan proceeded to explain what happened in the next few seconds to the best of her capability.
Everything started when the center boy named Thomas threw a small stick into the air signaling for the start of the childish duel and for an unseen fourth to strike.
Jackal had somehow tilted his head out of the way of the boy's fist before he returned the attempt with a jab of his own hard against the lad's nose.
Momma Joan made it sound as if Jackal moved like the wind dodging every attempt to strike him while HIS made contact with impactful force.
When everything was done, two noses were broken and the rest received a few minor bruises along with one broken wrist.
I gave into my curiosity, "Was that the first time he showed signs of body enhancement magic?"
Momma Joan chuckled, "It was the first sign of something alright."
"Without anyone knowing," she sighed, "it appeared Jackal had been leaving the manor at night to train himself by emulating what he read in books or seen during the training sessions Veronica often had with their father through the library windows."
"That being said," Momma Joan's tone became more cold, "it still took his father's and my intervention to pull him off Thomas."
The room became quiet once more as the sound of birds searching for a place to roost the night away sang through the closed windows.
"Anyway," she sighed, "striving to be strong for the right reason is always a blessing but doing it for ill intent often leads to disaster."