The chilly wind blew past her skin, sending a cold chill up her spine. The rays of the sun having gone down, it was hitting nighttime and now there was little warmth for comfort.
She was standing on deck at the edge of the airship, which sailed in the sky. The wind turbines on the side as well as Red dog members blowing fire were the only things keeping it afloat.
The freezing air aside, the night was beautiful. There was just a radiance about it that she couldn't describe upon reaching Rebble.
"Please. Have a rest Edict Noya. We've a warm bed prepared for you in the haul. There should be no need to freeze out here," The long, black, and spiky hair of Yami Bahndai. His most prominent feature stood as tall and regal as the black coat he wore.
"I appreciate your concern, but it is wasted on one such as I," Erika said. She subconsciously looked down the surface so far beneath them.
It wasn't just Rebble's surface, but the entire area below it. The landscape, the cities, the mountains. All of it felt a wonder to her.
"If you long for the scenery I will not stop you. But do recognize your political standing. I fear should something happen to you," Yami pleaded.
"Your fear should something happen to me, or the White Dragons?" She asked.
"Surely you jest. It is your safety about which we are most concerned," He said. Such an untrusting smile he held.
She looked back over the deck. "Forgive my manners Saint Yami. I've people who looked after me my whole life. I must admit, it does get a bit tiresome from time to time," Her eyes shifted towards bond guard Tsubaki.
The girl was far too tense. Her thumb barely holding her blade from the hilt. She needed to remind the young bond guard of her station; less Saint Yami feels threatened.
Seemed she got the hint and took a breather. She silently re-sheathed her sword. It was most likely the girl had no idea she was on the verge of drawing her blade. She did so at a sub-conscious level.
Yami's presence could cause that kind of effect. Tsubaki better learn to get used to it. They'll be here a while.
"No offense taking. Your presence warms us," Yami said.
Erika rested her glare upon Yami again. No matter the compliment, she only felt mockery coming from him. Was he this confident in his abilities?
Yami walked up to her side. He approached her openly without permission. He truly was an arrogant one, but she refrained from comment.
"I imagine the other edicts won't be finding favor with you any time soon. Your presence here legitimizes us. Might I ask what compels you here so much that you would tarnish yourself as such?" Yami asked.
"How strange… I would think a man of such ambition as yourself would notice it in another. What other reason could it be?"
"Ambition, is it? For that, you would sully your name?"
"My name is of little importance. What matters is what people remembers. That's results," Erika said.
"Results…" The corners of his lips curled into a smile. "I see… should I be worried about these results?"
"Only if you have a problem with the shining spirit for the White Dragon working under you,"
That was the first time he dropped his cocky attitude. It was replaced with mild shock and bewilderment. She would be willing to give him such a card. Most people couldn't fathom it especially since the White Dragons weren't on good terms with the edicts.
This one was hard to read but he smiled all the same. "I must say, you're a generous one. Sure you don't want him for yourself?" He asked.
"And do what with him? Have him serve me personally? We're only aloud one bond guard if you weren't aware, none of them with a shining spirit to boot. And I highly doubt if he came to Eden, they'd let such a person last. They'd off the kid at first nap,"
"So you offer him to me as protection," Yami said.
"The idea is to neutralize him from being antagonistic to the Skylands. Killing him may be the most effective in terms of finality but recruiting him offers him a way out. I can't imagine someone wants to live their whole life being hunted and it accomplishes a similar result,"
Not only that, but if she could reach contact with him first and convince him to join, with his relationship with Toga, it wouldn't be too hard to have him as an inside man against Yami She was thinking in the long-term gain. If one thing she knew Ryuma to be based off his record and recent event, was capable. Yami favored capable men and trusted only the black cloaks. His Achilles heel.
"I see… well I look forward to seeing your results," Yami said.
Did he doubt her?
"Father. We're now pulling up on Rebble and will be touching ground in about ten minutes,"
{Father?}
Erika couldn't help but look at the guy who addressed Saint Yami as such. He was clearly someone in his early twenties. An 'X' mark on his cheek. Copper skin that matched his father and hair just as black and spiky albeit far shorter. She'd heard he had a son but had not known he was on the ship this whole time.
"Thanks for the update Hikage. Inform me should something arise," He ordered.
"Yes sir!" He said.
He seemed no less loyal than the rest of his men. No doubt the guy had a strict upbringing to be that salute. She sensed not an ounce of resentment from him. With a glance alone she could tell he had undying loyalty.
That one was a good one to watch out for.
The ship began slowing down as it landed near a docking platform. From a distance, she could see a group surrounding a young woman. A bunch of black surrounding a hint of red.
No matter the context nothing good could come from that.
She strained her eyes to see what exactly was going on. They were pinning her down. Tears in her clothes were beginning to form as she fought back.
There were a few other Red Dogs in the vicinity that were beaten and battered as well as some White Dragons who were also abused.
She immediately pieced the situation together. The ones beaten up were trying to help her but must've given up.
From the looks of things, they haven't taken her virtue yet, but after the first one, she'd be passed around with the rest of the men. Such filth will not be happening in a territory she presided in.
Even with the distance covering between them, she enacted the Will of Dominance.
Without warning, all parties involved instantly fell to the ground where they stood. All scrambled for the source of their lack of muscle control. They looked over and saw Erika with glowing red eyes giving them the death glare that only an Edict could give.
Yami raised an eyebrow at her behavior.
Hikage stepped up. "Hey, those are…"
Yami held up a hand and stopped him from speaking any further.
Yami failed to teach his boy decorum around the edicts. His intent for rebellion was clear enough in Erika's mind but that was put in the backburner for now. The Dark Queen had stepped out.
She slowly walked up to the group, her bond guard in tow. As she got closer, every clack in her heels more prominent in their mind. Even the victims feared her presence for one did not always know what could set an Edict off.
"May I ask what is going on here?" She demanded. Only an Edict could demand a question. Nobody answered. Everyone of their voices caught in their throats.
"I see the reputation of the White Dragons for being rebellious was not without merit. I ask a question and get no answer. It's even to the point where Red Dogs are being influenced," Erika said.
They all looked to the leader who wanted to be the first to break the girl in. He could only curse in his head who they all throw her attention at. He had no choice but to answer.
"You see edict… we were just having some fun," He broke out in a cold sweat.
"Fun…" Her gaze swept out over the crowd of people kneeling before her. None contradicted his version of the events.
Her eyes rested on the girl with dark-grey hair. She was terrified to correct him. "You there, girl. What is your name?"
Her voice cracked from the questioning. "My name is Clara, edict," She refused to look her in the eyes.
"Clara…" The girl wasn't younger than herself. The bastard was about to rape a teenager. However the situation, she was not about to drop her air of dominance to be soft even for a victim. "Be true about it. Were you having… fun,"
"I…" Clara didn't know how to answer.
"I will warn you, not to lie to me girl,"