The torrential rain lashed against the castle windows, each flash of lightning momentarily illuminating the oppressive gloom that clung to the ancient stone. Moonlight, filtering through the leaded panes, cast dancing, macabre shadows that writhed like phantoms in the vast, echoing halls.
Deep within the castle's heart, a lone figure, cloaked in darkness, knelt before a throne carved from obsidian. A palpable aura of menace emanated from the enigmatic figure seated upon it, listening intently to the acolyte's hushed report.
"Demon Lord Zael," she began, her voice barely a tremor in the silent hall, "My spirit eye has confirmed… the monster that ravaged the slave traders… it was the Goddess of Fertility herself." Terror and reverence warred within her, making her words sound strangled.
Fearfully, she dared to raise her head, catching a glimpse of a being clad in armor so black it seemed to consume the moonlight. Zael sat, a study in predatory stillness, his hand resting beneath his chin as if bored by her revelation. The black crown upon his head did little to tame the wild mane of ebony hair that cascaded down his back. His ears, pointed and far sharper than any elf's, were ornaments to a face both terrifying and mesmerizingly beautiful. Black eyes as dark as the pits off dispair only illuminated by red halos within them, held her gaze, piercing her with their intensity. Long, backward-curving horns, black as midnight, emerged from his temples, completing the picture of infernal majesty.
"Tell me, Pawn," his voice, though quiet, resonated with power that sent shivers down her spine, "who invoked the wrath of a goddess?"
Pawn hastily returned her forehead to the cold stone floor. "No one knows for sure, my lord. But… she was traveling with a lesser demon, and a homunculus with hair as white as the snow that falls on Nifelheim. Both vanished. Perhaps she serves a newly risen Lord, one unknown to us…"
Zael's hand moved, a subtle gesture that held her full attention. "Assemble emissaries and a legion of our finest. Go to the human kingdom of Theron. Make it known that this was not our doing. And find this demon, Pawn. Find out which master dared to unleash the goddess's fury. Bring me their head."
"It shall be done, my lord!" She pressed her forehead harder against the stone, hiding the triumphant smirk that played upon her lips.
[...]
The morning sun, a pale ghost behind rain-laden clouds, did little to penetrate the gloom that hung over the city of Theron. The usual sounds of the barracks waking were punctuated by a frantic urgency. Zaria woke with a gasp, heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. To her relief, Lily lay across form her peacefully on her bed, seemingly unharmed.
Their respite was short-lived. The door to their room burst open, banging against the wall with a sound that echoed Zaria's racing pulse.
"Everyone to the courtyard!" Felix's voice was sharp, edged with tension. "Something happened last night. Briefing Now!"
The rest of the Black Rose Knights, already armored and ready, rushed past Felix, their faces grim. Zaria, momentarily panicked, found the strange, demon like armor that had encased her legs was gone. The runes on her arm were dull, their previous glow extinguished. Her other arm, the one that had borne scales, was smooth, her flesh returned to normal. With a trembling hand, she reached up to her head. The horns, the cruel, curved horns, were gone.
All memory of your involvement in yesterday's excursion has been erased from every person you came in contact with.
The voice, a cool whisper in her mind, did little to ease her racing thoughts.
Lily, sensing her distress, hurried to her side. "Zaria, are you alright?"
Lily saw her struggling and confused and quickly rushed to her side, helping her sit up.
"Lily how much do you remember of last night" Zaria spoke in a low but cautious tone.
Lily who was now getting herself dressed in her uniform smiled at Zaria "I remember everything and thank you for all you did and I promise to not tell a soul, but I do have some questions, was that really you last night?"
Zaria paused also wondering the same thing. "Let's keep it that way and honestly I don't know myself" Zaria said sighing in relief as she buckled her armour chest piece but with visible worry on her face.
Lily paused and looked at Zaria for a moment. "Zaria what really are you?".
As she was about to answer Felix reappeared. "Ladies! This is bigger than we thought. Move it!"
Zaria and Lily hurried after him, joining the throng of knights gathered in the main courtyard. The mood was electric, crackling with worry and a palpable undercurrent of fear. The Oracle stood on a hastily erected platform, the usually jovial Pope an uncharacteristically somber figure at her side.
"Brave knights of Theron," the Oracle's voice, amplified by magic, rang out across the silent courtyard. "Last night, one of the most notorious slave trading organizations in the land met its end. Rumor claims a goddess herself rained down divine retribution upon them."
Zaria's blood instantly ran cold.
"Sadly," the Oracle continued, her voice laced with grim satisfaction, "no one witnessed anyone entering or leaving the city that night. Every slaver… and every slave… was burned to ash."
A collective gasp rippled through the gathered knights. Zaria's heart hammered against her ribs.
"Such destruction, the loss of innocent lives, will not be tolerated within our kingdom." The Oracle gestured, and two guards, their faces etched with disgust, dragged a figure forward.
The man, if he could even be called that, was barely recognizable as human. Burned beyond comprehension, his skin charred black and peeling, his face a grotesque, skeletal mask. One remaining hand, mangled and useless, twitched feebly. The slave brand that Zaria had cast, seared into his flesh, stood out starkly against the ruined flesh of his neck.
"Fortunately," the Oracle continued, her voice like ice, "we found one survivor."
The Pope shuffled closer to the barely-living man. "Ain't no shit, someone did a real number on you!" His tone was inappropriately cheerful, at odds with the gruesome spectacle before them.
The man laughed, a dry, rattling sound. "It was no man I faced… yet I held my own! I even… I even cut off its head… with my bare hands!"
"Tell us," the Oracle demanded, her voice dangerously quiet. "What manner of creature attacked your encampment?"
Warning: This human is the Warrior Noble variant that decapitated Mother last night. My systems could not erase his memories.
Terror, cold and sharp, shot through Zaria.
"I saw her, there was another person there aswell!" the charred husk of a man croaked, his voice a death rattle. "She… she took the false god's crown, claimed its power as her own. She looked like..."
[Sword of Damocles.]
Before the man could utter another word, a black shadow blotted out the pale sun. A sword, impossibly large, fell from the sky, trailing smoke and the whisper of death. It plunged down with terrifying speed, impaling the man splitting him in two on the stage before anyone could react. Blood splattered, painting the cobblestones crimson. The Oracle, untouched, barely flinched, while the Pope let out a shriek and scrambled back, tripping over his robes in his haste to get away.
The sword vanished, dissolving into ash along with the unfortunate soul it had silenced. Zaria felt a surge of raw power course through her veins, leaving behind a bitter taste of dread.
Assassination complete. Conveying life force to Nethril: Nethril points +2
Around her, knights gasped, many stumbling back in fear. The Oracle, her composure finally broken, turned back to the crowd, her eyes blazing. "Whoever he encountered cursed his very soul to protect their identity! Do not fear! He was already beyond saving!"
The Pope, brushing dust from his extravagant robes, cleared his throat. "Yes, well, nothing to see here! Everything is perfectly alright!" He beamed at the stunned crowd, apparently oblivious to the fact that he had been the only one panicking moments before.
"Now then!" He clapped his hands together, regaining his usual boisterous demeanor with an ease that bordered on disturbing. "We've received word that emissaries from the Demon Lord Zael himself are traveling to our fair city! We need knights to meet them in the village of Cairnwall and escort them here."
He paused, beaming at the assembled knights. "That is why you are all gathered here today! Ranks S through C will remain, safeguarding our beloved city in case this… perpetrator… is still among us. The rest of you…" his eyes twinkled with what Zaria could only describe as manic glee, "well, this will be your first official mission outside the safety of Theron's walls!"
Mutters rippled through the assembled ranks.
"Quiet down, quiet down!" The Pope's voice boomed out, silencing the whispers instantly. " Ranks S to C will protect the main castle Ranks E and F, this is your moment to shine! Ready yourselves, for you depart at midday."
With a final flourish, the Pope bustled off the platform.
Varix looked worried as Grim was not present at the meeting, he also knew that Grim was also part of the slave merchant's hired protection, he slowly signalled his group and they all left the court yard.
Athenis, his face drawn, approached with the rest of his squad. Anna rushed forward, throwing her arms around him.
Athenis hugged her back, his eyes searching the faces of his sister's squad. "Be careful out there. Come back to us safe."
Felix clapped a hand on Athenis' shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll look after them. You focus on protecting the city, you hear?"
Athenis nodded, worry etched into his features as he rejoined his squad.
"Alright, Black Roses," Felix clapped his hands together, effectively ending the impromptu reunion. "We've got a lot of preparations to make. Let's move!"
As they made their way back towards the barracks, a figure detached himself from the throng of departing knights. He was wizened, his brown robes hanging loosely on his frail frame. Round spectacles perched precariously on his nose, magnifying his bright, surprisingly youthful eyes.
"Greetings," his voice was surprisingly strong, a hint of amusement lacing his words. "I am Brother Edwin, training master for the Talons of Theron. And, for the moment at least." He smiled, a surprisingly mischievous expression on his wrinkled face.
Felix bowed respectfully. "Brother Edwin, it's an honor."
"Now, now, my boy, no need for formalities." Brother Edwin waved a hand dismissively. "My knights are eager to make your acquaintance. Meet them in the mess hall before you depart, unfortunately I will not be joining you. May the Four Pillars guide you on your journey." With another smile and a wave, he turned, disappearing into the crowd.
Felix straightened, his eyes fixed on the spot where the old knight had stood. "That man," he said, his voice low, "single-handedly dismantled a squad of two hundred enemy soldiers using nothing but his bare hands. Be wary of him."
Their instructions were to gather what few supplies they would need for the journey. From there, they were to collect their guild tags from the armory before meeting the Talons of Theron in the mess hall. The armory was a bustling hive of activity, knights preparing for their mission and guards returning from their patrols. The receptionist, her face a mask of bored indifference, handed them each a simple black tag. Zaria examined hers, frowning.
[Zaria]
[Black Rose Knight]
[G Rank]
[Job/Class: None]
Lily, her own tag reflecting her newly acquired rank and position as Information Officer and Scout, looked up, her brow raised in delight.
"Don't worry about it," Felix said, his tone nonchalant. "It'll update once you settle into your role within the squad."
He explained that the tags served as identification and, more importantly, as proof of death should the unthinkable happen. The tags were to be returned to the guild at all costs.
The mess hall was relatively quiet when they arrived. Most of the knights had already left, either to prepare for their mission or to savor their last few hours within barracks walls. The Talons of Theron, easily identifiable by their mismatched, well-worn armor, occupied a table near the back. They seemed relaxed, laughing and joking amongst themselves.
One figure stood out from the rest. Tall and muscular, even seated, she possessed a strength that was almost palpable. She was an Elf with pale grey hair with white highlights and an eye patch on her right eye, she was masculine for a lady and only a leather breast plate covered her chest exposing her defined abs. Her legs were also toned as the muscles could be seen through her tight pants and her boots weathered and dusty.
"Black Rose Knights!" her voice, deep and resonant, cut through the din of the mess hall. "Welcome! I am Zeshra Dhazhiel, captain of the Talons of Theron. But please, call me Zeshra." She smiled, a surprisingly warm expression that belied her imposing physique.
Keldorna stepped forward, extending her hand. "Captain Keldorna, Black Rose Knights. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Zeshra's grip was firm, her handshake confident. "The pleasure is all mine, Captain. Please, join us."
She gestured towards the table, but Felix, ever the watchful leader, hung back. "I'll leave you all to get acquainted. I'm going to grab a drink." He turned, heading towards the bar.
One by one, the Talons of Theron introduced themselves.
"Thane, at your service," a jovial voice said. A Lycan, his dark grey fur marked with intricate tattoos, grinned at them. Numerous piercings adorned his ears, glinting in the dim light. "Healer extraordinaire! Well, as extraordinary as a healer can be in this line of work, anyway." He winked, leaning back in his chair.
A deep voice, barely a whisper, came from the far end of the table. "F-Fernley." An Orc, his tusks worn smooth with age, blushed under their scrutiny. "Unit porter. I carry things." He gestured vaguely at a pack that seemed far too large for even someone of his considerable size to carry. "A-and I'm good at defensive magic! I can protect you!" He ducked his head, his cheeks turning a delicate shade of green.
"Greetings," two voices spoke in unison, causing Zaria to jump. Two young women, identical in every way except for their hair – one a rich ebony, the other a fiery red – smiled at them. "We are Dua and Luna," the raven-haired one said. "Twinborns, at your service."
"We are not long for conversation," the redhead continued, her voice echoing her sister's. "Our talents lie elsewhere. We are the tools of stealth, the whispers in the night."
"Fascinating," Valor rumbled, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I've heard tales of Twinborns… is it true that you cannot die?"
The twins turned their gazes to him, their movements synchronized, their smiles unnervingly identical. "Not in the conventional sense, no. Should one of us perish, we merely return to the other. A temporary inconvenience."
"A twenty-four hour delay," the other twin added helpfully.
Valor's eyebrow rose. "Intriguing. And what, pray tell, happens if you both meet your demise within that window?"
The twins exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. "We have yet to discover the answer to that particular riddle," one said, her voice devoid of inflection. "And we are in no hurry to find out. When one fights, the other seeks sanctuary. We are two halves of a whole, you see."
"We are invaluable as scouts and spies," the other twin added, her smile taking on a predatory edge that sent a shiver down Anna's spine.
"Indeed," Zeshra said, her voice cutting through the tension. "Which reminds me, I haven't fully introduced myself in my introduction. Have any of you ever met a Silarian Elf before?"
"Impossible!" Valor's outburst was met with startled silence.
"What's a Silarian Elf?" Max asked, peering at Zeshra with interest.
Valor shook his head, chuckling. "A myth, that's what. An extinct species. The offspring of a mountain elf and a gorgon. They say they could summon golems of stone and even turn their own bodies into living rock." He looked at Zeshra, his eyes narrowed. "But that's just a story to frighten children, isn't it?"
Zeshra smiled, tapping the eyepatch that covered her right eye. "This old myth is very real, my friend. One look from this eye, and I'm encased in impenetrable stone armor." She flexed her hand, her grin widening. "Sadly, at my current rank, I haven't quite mastered the petrification aspect yet, but one day…"
"One day," Valor said, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of fear and morbid fascination, "entire armies will tremble before you."
Zaria, unsettled by the conversation, leaned closer to Keldorna. "What's going on?" she whispered.
Keldorna sighed, shaking her head. "What happens when you put two Elves with rare, unpredictable magic together?, Pure, unadulterated chaos." She shuddered. "Mark my words, Zaria, those two are going to bring about the apocalypse. It's only a matter of time." She spoke jokingly.
"Alright, ladies, time to hit the road! We've got a kingdom to save!" Felix's voice, loud and cheerful, broke through their conversation. "And since you lot are the lowest ranks, we get to walk! Lucky us!"
They followed him out of the mess hall and into the blinding sunlight. The streets were thronged with people, cheering and waving as they made their way towards the city gates. Anna and Lily, ever eager to please a crowd, waved back, but Zaria felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her stomach.
Zeshra, walking beside her, leaned close, her voice a low murmur in Zaria's ear. "You have a strange scent about you, little knight…"
This made her feel uneasy which made her consult KHAOS in her mind.
'Khaos can you hear me?' she said in her mind wondering if it would actually work.
Yes, Zaria, I hear you. How can I be of assistance?
The voice, cool and emotionless, cut through Zaria's fear.
'Can she be trusted?' Zaria thought, directing her question inward.
My programming relies on statistical analysis. I have no data on this individual. More interaction is required for accurate assessment.
'Statistical… data… what does that even mean?' Zaria frowned, confused by the strange words.
My apologies. To simplify: we need to observe her further before drawing any conclusions. I will be on standby should you require my assistance.
The voice went silent, leaving Zaria alone with her unease.
'What are you?' she wondered, but there was no reply.
Zeshra leaned closer, her breath warm against Zaria's ear. "Tell me, little knight… what secrets do you hide beneath that armor?"