LOCATION: CAPITAL CITY ZENARLI, VENDARYA.
*In the netherworld, there are various beings, one of which the demons are the strongest and the ruling race, but there are others that rival such strength.*
The whole of Zenarli felt like a market all over, a market with residential buildings constructed amidst the surrounding goods of marketeers, carts trundled along the streets, carrying greeny cabbages, erected stalls held antiques that shone like gold. It seemed like there was no end to the market. Even the crowd seemed endless.
The moment Adriana stepped out of the Cascade gates, she was immediately swallowed by the milling crowd, the morning wind caressing her bruised cheeks, blowing her vibrant orange hair in her face. Kali was weaving alongside her, his face poised in a calm smile that lit up his face. His long dark hair was ruffled and long; he needed a haircut.
Kali seemed to have sensed Adriana's gaze when he turned his head. She hurriedly turned away, her cheeks burning. Adriana blew out her cheeks; she felt ridiculous, almost like a schoolgirl. On the other hand, Kali looked on, his face a stoic mask of calm that made Adriana even more embarrassed.
Why was she behaving this way? There was nothing romantic between them before, and that had been a rule the Uprising made her uphold, but the Uprising was gone, and she was open to more possibilities. But still, she felt the need to withdraw. It was too soon. What did she know about Kali since she was captured? How did he survive? How did he become the king's assistant? What made him leave Lavene?
No, she had to be cautious around him. She would have to draw him into a conversation that would make him loosen his tongue. But it was like Kali read her mind, but before either of them could proceed, a loud growl interrupted them.
Adriana blushed. She didn't realize how hungry she was; her thoughts had enveloped her hunger. Without a word, Kali stopped at a stall, and the sweet scent of freshly baked doughnuts wafted into her nose, and Adriana couldn't help but salivate.
"Here," Kali said, handing her two wrapped doughnuts, its skin glazed a delicious brown.
Murmuring her thanks, Adriana collected the wraps, and without another word, the doughnuts were no more. Her stomach growled its assent and need for more, but Adriana ignored it and downed a cup of warm chocolate, and soon they resumed their walk.
Where have you been? No, that didn't seem appropriate. Kali stole a glance at Adriana, her vibrant orange hair covering her face a fraction. How did one start a conversation like this? He knew the angles he was playing but was not prepared for this, her presence was unprecedented, and he hadn't received orders on what to do with her. But one thing was certain; he had to keep a close eye on her, lest she–
"So, how did you come to live in Zenarli?" Adriana began lightly, keeping her tone civil. When all she wanted to scream was, "How did you survive the fire, and how are you alive?"
"I just left," He answered, monotonously, ignoring the true meaning behind her words before adding, "After things became unbearable, I couldn't take it."
Adriana remained silent for some seconds, gauging her approach.
"And your relationship with the King?"
"Oh, that.Well it was just a job of convenience," Kali replied, dubious. He hadn't expected her to take the initiative. "Or so I had thought at first."
"And how is it looking now?"
"It's great, actually. I get to meet dignitaries, have a lavish lifestyle, roam the city like the King himself, and all sorts of stuff," Kali said gleefully, his eyes gleaming.
"Hmm," Adriana said thoughtfully.
Kali remained silent for some time, pondering his speech's effect on her, and he knew she was doing the same.
"So, Antioch still got its charm," Kali began after some seconds passed.
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Adriana replied. For some reason, her answer caused her chest to clench, and within, she felt a storm that caused her eyes to darken. She was getting angry.
"What would you say then?" Kali said with a chuckle.
"Many things...But you don't want to know, really." Adriana replied tartly, kicking aside a used brown carton of cigarettes.
"If you insist."
"How did you escape?" Adriana asked abruptly, and Kali stilled, their walk took a pause.
"Excuse me?"
"How did you escape the fire, Kali?" Adriana whisper-yelled. "I saw you burn in that fire and here you are looking fine, enjoying the life of whatever it is, and after everything you behave as if everything is fine." She was yelling now, and passersby had stopped to look at her.
Kali stared at her for some time. Her brown eyes were tear-rimmed, and at that moment, he told her everything. What happened? How he escaped? How the King of Vendarya turned out to be his cousin, and the negotiation with King Damianos? How he begged for them to release her but Anlai was adamant for her to suffer for the Uprising's sins.
Adriana stared at him for a long while, and for some reason, she believed him, and that was something because she never really believed anyone, let alone trust them but it must be the old ties that caused her to trust him.
Was his face drawing closer or was she inclining hers to his?
....
LOCATION: OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF ANTIOCH.
Four figures stood outside the four walls of the Antioch in billowing dark cloaks, their eyes set on the distant horizon facing Vendarya.I Inky dark fluids crawled on their skin like black tentacles, their eyes a translucent purple, and their body seemed to smoke black tendrils.
"Spread out!" A voice barked from behind and the figures didn't so much as get startled. Instead, they moved to carry out his orders like they had been spelled.
With the insurmountable power in his veins, blazing his whole being alive, Anlai watched with glee as his team of monsters levitated off the ground, awaiting his next orders.
He had planned for today, and with the power of the Nefaris on his side, he would get rid of Adriana with enough ease than with that of the demon he summoned.
Come to think of it, Anlai thought, It had been three days since he last called upon the demon link to his aid.
Oh, well. The demon can run rampant all it wants; he didn't need it anymore. The demon's destruction would foreshadow the havoc he was about to wreak on Vendarya.
Without hesitating, Anlai zoned into the preternatural energy within him, and he was immediately lifted off his feet. His body was coursing with electric-like energy, he felt unstoppable; he could do anything.
"Onwards!" He growled as he found his balance mid-air, and his spelled monsters levitated forward, over the expanse of desert sand, towards Venderya in search of a flame headed girl.
I might as well send a warning to my spy. Anlai thought, a firecracker conjured up before his eyes and with flick of his fingers, it lit itself, then soared past his beasts and into the sky, towards Vendarya.
Ready or not, here I come. With a murderous grin, Anlai surged in the same direction as his beasts.