ETHER IS PREPARING FOR THE END of his guard shift in the palace. He waits atop one of the spires holding onto the flagpole and overlooking the city. The sun sets in the distance setting the sky ablaze with a dazzling red light show. The covenant of Sabrous was a bustling metropolis again after only twenty-six years. He turns his gaze looking up at the palace as the sun reflects off of it. The palace glistens brightly, lighting up like star. Unbeknownst to him, Princess Withra had begun her escape and today will be the beginning of her adventure away from her father's covenant.
"Ether!" Rose yells from the wall. "Stop being all cryptic up there and let's go. Our shift just ended."
Rose is from the beast dragon race called Draugr created by the Demon Dargous who once had a covenant. He, however, left his coven centuries ago to never return. They are humanoid averaging about six feet in height and grow scales along their necks, backs, arms and legs. Most of them have wings but all have tails and razor sharp talons. They stand on the tips of their toes. Because of their appearance, no other covenant would accept them. Then Sabrous came along not only allowing them to join but promising them equality.
Ether jumps from the spire, doing a few flips on the way down.
"Aaaand sticks the landing," he says as he lands.
"Yeah-yeah, super-man let's go I have a date to get to tonight."
"You have a date tonight? Is it with that guy you've been talking about? What was his name Rafael? No. That's not it. Maybe Arnold..."
"If you mean Ray, no." Rose says angrily. "If I see that rough hide, no good, small di..."
"Whoa! Okay damn; calm down." Ether says shaking his head, not wanting to hear anymore. "What happened?"
"He was married! Can you believe that?"
"Oh... sorry to hear that."
"That's not what I am mad about." Rose waves off Ethers empathy. "He wanted to be with his wife and stop fooling around. That son of a bitch!"
Ether throws up his arms. "What!" He brings his arms down and face-palms. "I forgot who I was talking to."
"Don't look at me like that." Rose says. "He was sweet; and the money. Let's just say he knew how to lavish a girl. Almost made up for his small... well... he was definitely compensating for something."
"And just like that I've lost interest." Ether says. "Have fun with your new guy."
Suddenly storm clouds roll in overhead bringing in booming thunder. A chilling rain pores in blankets and winds howl furiously. Ether and Rose quickly run under the spire inside the guard post. Rose uses her wings to shield her hair from the rain. Ether looks up from the window and sees the belly of a serpent stretching for miles across the stormy sky. He can see shadows of the beast moving throughout the clouds as the lightning flashes in the dark brew.
"Well that's just great." Rose says while she shakes her wings dry. "Where did this storm come from?"
"Looks like Sabrous has a guest. Take a look." Ether says as he points outside.
"Luintris?" Rose says shocked at the sight. "What is that Demoness doing here?"
"Come in, guard tower six," calls the guard captain from the radio.
"We are here." Rose says as she picks up the radio with her tail.
"Sabrous has a guest he apparently forgot to tell us about. With Luintris in town all guards will be remaining on duty indefinitely."
"What," Rose screams. "No-no, I have somewhere very important to be right now."
"More important than protecting your covenant? I don't think so. Stay put until further orders." The guard captain says.
"Yes sir." Ether says as he takes the radio. "Guard post six out." Ether put the radio back on the table and takes a seat at his station. "Looks like we are here for a few more hours. I could use some overtime anyway."
"Well there goes my hot and steamy night." Rose says in a sigh. "They can't do this to a Draugr during mating season. Wait, maybe it's not all bad." She walks over to Ether grabbing his shoulders and leans in closely to his ear. "So... Ether. How much money do you make again?"
"Not enough to impress you, I am sure."
"Humor me." She says seductively.
"Are you really doing this?" Ether asks in disbelief. "No Rose, just no."
"Humans are always so lame." Rose pouts as she retires to her station. "Hey, you never know unless you try."
"It's raining outside, go out there if you're thirsty."
"What is that suppose to mean."
"It's a human gesture."
* * *
Withra reaches her floor in the elevator shaft. She sits on a structural beam waiting for her armor to signal her when it has reached the banquet hall. She hears rain and thunder start abruptly outside.
"Sounds like Luintris is here right on schedule." She put on her control visor. "Status report, robot."
"I am approaching the banquet hall now, lady Withra."
"Okay then, I will be taking control."
Withra walks into the banquet hall. Inside is a stone rustic look contrary to the highly advanced interior of the rest of the palace. Swords, spears and other medieval weapons hung on the walls. The room is lit by a golden chandelier with many arms. The floor with a checkerboard red and white tile which reflected everything as a perfect mirror. Servant androids stood to the side, bowing and waiting for orders.
"Withra!" Sabrous yells as he stands from his seat at the head of the table. "Why are you wearing your armor?"
"What is the matter, Lord Father? You are the one that told me that I am a Demi and my flesh was weak. At least in my armor I can be protected."
"That is not what I meant and you know that." Sabrous says. "Take that off at once young lady."
"No, I am rather comfortable in it." She crosses her arms. "And I am still mad about my birthday cake you ruined."
"Just sit down and not another word. We will discuss this later." Sabrous sighs. "Are you still upset because I ruined some silly mortal tradition? You are an Immortal!"
Withra turns up her nose and takes a seat in the chair furthest from Sabrous. Shortly after the doors open on their own and in slithers Luintris the Demoness of Decay. Normally she takes the form of a giant snake that travels in a cloud of demonic energy. However now she is in her true demonic form. A half woman, half snake monster; but as the mother deity of the Gorgon, it is to be expected. From above her waist she looks almost human with fair skin, flowing black hair and a face that would seduce any mortal with a glance. The similarities with humans end there. She has six arms four of which wields massive swords and another holding the skull of a long dead God from a time Immortals could kill each other.
"Sssabrouss," Luintris' voice hums. "It hass been sso long. One would think you didn't have my number." She looks down and sees Withra. "Iss that you Princesss Withra?"
"It is nice to see you, Lady Luintris."
"Don't mind her outfit, Luintris; you know how children are."
"Yesss well," she moves to the table beside Sabrous and coils her long tail sitting on it. "I know it iss unussual for you to leave for the Nether before your time. Iss ssomething the matter?"
"No there is just some urgent business I must attend to. As you know, for each day I stay in the Nether, three days pass here. I cannot leave my covenant alone for too long. Too many Immortals have their eyes set on this place and of course, my daughter."
"Ssso you've finally come to accept me asss your ally? The prophecy ssayss your daughter will become a Desstroyer. How do you know I don't want the future Immortal killer dead asss well?"
"You are the only ally I have left amongst the Immortals and the only one I would trust the safety of my daughter to. Once you told me that if I ever needed you, you would be there. You are a Demon known for many things but lying is in one of them."
Withra takes off the visor seeing now is a better time than any to continue her escape. She puts the controller in her bag and jumps from the steel beam that she is sitting on to the elevator door. She whispers a spell and the door opens then closes behind her. She is on the second floor balcony of the front lobby of the castle. She walks to the handrail and looks down. What she sees delights her. For the first time in her life, she sees so many real people and not androids. The bliss is short lived before she feels a hand grab her shoulder causing her to recoil.
"Excuse me miss." The guard says. "But I am afraid visitors aren't allowed in this area. I will have to escort you downstairs. After I see your ID, of course."
"My ID?" Withra responds. The guard raises one eyebrow. "Oh, yeah... my ID, it's somewhere; silly me." She lets out a nervous laugh while she checks her pockets. "I mean really, who doesn't have their ID on them at all times. Personally, I don't even go to bed without my ID."
"Look that's nice and all young lady, but do you have it?"
"Do I have it? Well I've never been soo offended in my life."
"Hey Greg," A second guard says as he walks over. "What's going on here?"
"I just asked this girl for her ID."
"Asked!" Withra says continuing the charade. "More like demanded! Then while I was looking for it, he started rushing me." Tears start welling up. "I mean, I just got lost looking for my mom when the storm outside got really bad. Then he comes along putting his hand on his gun and the lightning and... "
"Woah Greg, I didn't know you were so heartless."
"I-I didn't do anything." Greg rebuts.
"For shame man." The second Guard says.
"Fine, fine let me just check your bag and I'll take you down to the public area."
Greg takes the bag off Withra's shoulder and opens it. His eyes open wide when he sees the golden Oli and the visor showing the meeting between Sabrous and Luintris. The second guard pulls out his gun aiming it at her. She disarms him quicker than the two can react and crushes the gun in her hand, then grabs the bag from Greg. She uses her magic to blow the two down the hallway. She didn't want to hurt anyone, so she uses only non-lethal magic.
She jumps over the balcony rail into the crowd below. The crowd quickly opens as more guards surround the mass to find her. She pulls up her hood to hide her face and starts running through the crowd, using magic to increase her speed. As soon as she breaks free of the crowd, guards open fire. Withra dodges the gunfire with ease. The castle goes into lockdown and all the doors lock. It doesn't stop her, she holds her hand forward and the doors are blasted open. She runs into the courtyard where she finds herself once again surrounded.
She whispers another incantation and phases through the ground into an underground tunnel.
"Well I am here but that didn't go according toplan at all." Withra lets out a sigh. "Well I didn't kill anyone, so that's aplus." She sits down against the wall and pulls out a map of the tunnel. "Imean, really? What is an ID anyway?" She puts the map away and takes out thecontrol visor and puts it on. "Might as well check on dinner."