A large room with a red carpet, those were the words that many would use to describe the scene before them, in the center of this room was a large table with a total of thirteen. chairs surrounding it, twelve of them were filled, and only one was currently empty.
A man sat next to that empty seat, he seemed somewhat annoyed at the simple fact that it was empty, but of course he was, he had given instructions to his servants and they were late on carrying them out.
“How much longer must we wait on that buffoon?” A man questioned, he was the largest of the group and he had coins in his hand, he stacked them on the table, “My time is not invaluable, the more I waste here the more it costs me.” he growled.
He wore gaudy clothing that seemed to scream ‘rich bastard’ a young woman at the other end of the table responded, “Now now, out of all of us Striga is the busiest… Lord knows I wouldn’t wish to be in her shoes.” The woman declared, to her right was another woman with purple hair.
The purple haired woman clapped her hands together, “Ah but Liz, if she wasn’t around we’d be able to see battle more often!”
Liz was the other woman, a brown-haired girl with a red dress, “Perhaps so Beatrice, but it does pain me oh so much when I see you injured.”
The merchant growled, “This does not excuse her absences on this important matter!” he shouted slamming his hand down.
Delish, the man who sat next to the empty seat, growled at that, “Cease your prattle, if you have any other grievances with my betrothed then you will speak with me, Margrave.” Delish put a hand on the table.
Margrave flinched at the simple act of another ready to strike him, and thus he spoke no more.
“At the very least I feel the girls, pain.” Yet another man spoke, his hair was a dark black and he was fiddling with machinery on the table, he smirked looking at the rest of them, “We are all rather busy aren’t we?”
To his left, a man with purple hair raised his fist and slammed it onto the black-haired man’s head, “No tinkering on the table Jack.”
Jack’s head hit the table and he raised a finger, “I am not tinkering Frolic, I am creating.”
Frolic responded by folding his arms, “You're being a nuisance.”
An older woman with long red hair sighed, “You're both being a nuisance… If neither of you ceases this senseless prattle, then in the name of Meldi I shall sentence you to the depths.”
Both Frolic and Jack shut themselves up nearly instantly.
A man wearing a long white lab coat with blue hair sighed, “We're all rather impatient nowadays it would seem…” he folded his arms and glanced at the large door.
Another man to his left spoke up in response, “That is to be expected though is it not? These are rather tense times Bon.”
Bon looked back to the one who spoke up, “And it is for that very reason that I expect better of us, our composure cannot break at the mere mention of someone being late. Drew, you should know that better than most of us.”
Drew flinched and glanced to his left, “Er, well I just draft weapon designs Jit here is the one who makes em.”
Jit, a young man with crimson eyes shrugged, he wasn’t the talkative type.
“Enough.” The final man in the room spoke, he wore white boots and a black jacket, and his eyes and hair were both brilliant shades of crimson, “she comes.”
The large doors of the room opened, and Striga entered the room with a smile, her eyes shined with power as she walked over to her chair as if nothing was wrong.
She then sat down upon that chair, and looked to that final man, “Get on with it, Detion. I have places to be.” so she spoke with a scowl, she didn't like leaving her guests alone.
Delish looked to Striga with a slight frown that was until Detion spoke up.
He leaned forward resting his hands on the table, “...As you are all aware, just a week ago we received a letter from the imperial Island of Babylon. In it, the general of that nation made demands… it was here at this table where we refused those demands.”
The room grew silent as Detion looked to the table, “I have received word, a word that their General will be coming to subjugate our nation.”
Bon was the first to speak up, “And I trust you received this information from a credible source? Such as the current ruler of that Empire?”
Detion glanced at Bon, “...The General Midus himself. His precise words were, “The Empire has decided the usefulness of Jubilee has been exceeded, and as such Jubilee will be purged.”
Striga frowned at those words but said nothing, the room seemed to grow tense.
Delish folded his arms, “The storms will not let them through, the threat is an empty one.”
Detion looked to Delish, “And yet the threat was made all the same, we would be fools not to prepare for the worst.”
He then closed his eyes, “If his words are to be believed he will arrive within the week. He did not specify a day, as such I have gathered you all here to cast a vote. Surrender or fight?”
“All in favor of surrendering?”
Margrave’s hand as well as Beatrice’s raised.
“All opposed?”
Every other hand in the room shot up, and Detion sighed leaning back in his chair, “A shame, a hundred years of peace is about to be ruined by a man who longs for war…” He then closed his eyes, “You are all dismissed, expect for Striga and Delish.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the remaining members of the table left the room, Detion opened his eyes slightly and leaned forward once more, “Striga, as our war council I’d ask your opinion. What are our odds?”
Striga paused for a moment before leaning forward, “If I’m frank? We're going to be fucking obliterated.”
“Striga, language!” Delish hissed, and Striga glared at him, she clearly felt this wasn’t the time to be worried about such things.
Detion arched a brow at Striga and glanced to the table, “And yet you voted, for the war. Why?”
“Because there are no other options.” Striga stated simply her conviction clearly, “This isn’t me being an ass, I’m just being blunt. If we are to engage in combat with The Empire, now is the best time.” she then glanced at Delish, “Of course if there are other options I’m more then open to them.”
Silence fell over the room and Detion groaned, “...100 years. Why? Why did this have to happen now?”
Delish folded his arms and hummed in thought, “Perhaps we could request the assistance of The Kingdom…?”
“The Kingdom?” Striga frowned at the thought, “They were essentially obliterated a year ago, sure they’ve mostly rebuilt by now, but they're not exactly combat-ready. And their population sure took a beating…”
“They have one tool that could be of great use to us, however.” Delish smirked, glancing over to Striga, “This goes double with your magic, Skylar Shadewalker.”
The table went silent at that, and Striga hummed in thought, “...No. I don’t think that’ll work. Skylar is essentially the only thing keeping their island from an onslaught… if they were to hand her off to another land? They’d be screwed.”
Delish smirked wickedly, “And what if the Empire came to attack them as well? What would they do then?”
Striga paused and then hissed, “No fucking way. I’m not putting another nation at risk of collapse just for a measly 1% increase in odds.”
Delish chuckled, “Of course, of course, forgive me.” Striga then stood up and started walking to the door,
“Regardless of what happens next, we all have to be prepared…” She stopped just short of the door, and turned to look over her shoulder, “I’ll appraise the others of what defenses we have to set up.”
“Please do.” Detion smirked as the door opened and Striga walked through it, Delish then sighed, “Forgive her… she’s been rather on edge lately.”
“She speaks her mind, that’s part of the reason why we put her on that chair in the first place. Aside from her incredible tactical skills…” Detion retorted with a smirk, “As for you, I’d like to ask you to look into that other plan of yours, I’d like to avoid instigating a war between two nations, but we must search all avenues of victory.”
Chapter 2: Greedy Dreams.
Turns out, Jubilee has a different type of bread. This wasn’t a large difference, certainly nothing world-changing.
But it was enough.
Enough to make me bitter about everything.
But… at the same time… It was nice, having something so unfamiliar in my hand, it gave me something to think about besides…
“It was you! If it wasn’t for you none of this would have happened! My family would still be alive!”
She paused the bread hovering just in front of her mouth, she closed her mouth as the words echoed in her head.
She reached up with her left hand and touched her cheek, a stinging pain went through it.
But it resided after a bit.
…She wasn’t hungry anymore.
She looked down, straight down through all of the platforms below.
At the very bottom was a metal door that opened up, a total of nine people walked out, and they all seemed rather grumpy.
Skylar could relate to that grumpiness.
“Dwelling on the past will do nothing. Get up.”
Alma spoke and Skylar closed her eyes, “Yeah yeah, I came here to investigate…” She slowly stood up and started along that wooden pathway.
Still… she was asking for information about a murder that happened nearly a year ago, and it was going to be hard to find leads.
If any leads even still existed.
She reached into her left pocket, she paused as her hand brushed over a pocket watch, she frowned and grabbed the paper she folded. She took out that paper, ignoring her pocket watch for the time, and examined the corpse of the young girl within that paper.
“Just who was she anyway…?” Skylar found herself questioning, she knew this girl was important to Tetra but that was about it.
Well, she wasn’t going to find answers by standing around here.
So she pocketed the picture and decided then and there, “Guess I’ll just go to every hotel until someone recognizes the picture…” Her eyes glanced down the pit once more settling on a hotel at the very bottom, she then pocketed that picture and began to walk.
She’d start from the bottom and head upwards, her stomach growled in protest, but she ignored it.
She wouldn’t be able to stomach a meal when corpses were fresh in her mind.
***
“Guess I’ll just go to every hotel until someone recognizes the picture…”
Skylar's face was shown on a large projector screen, and Origin found himself watching with mild interest, “Such an interesting path to take, wouldn’t you agree?”
Draco responded by folding his arms, he sat about three seats away from Origin, “It’s the logic of a child, and as such it will avail her naught.”
“Hm. Perhaps so… but if it does lead her somewhere…” Origin frowned for a moment, sighing a look of disappointment on his face, “This is rather dull currently isn’t it?”
Draco blinked looking over to Origin, “You thinking of interfering?”
“Don’t be absurd, my place is here observing the flow.” Origin retorted with ease, his eyes narrowing at the screen.
“Then perhaps I could be of assistance?” A new voice came, sounding out from behind the duo.
Origin didn’t tear his gaze away from the screen, instead, he asked a question.
“And why is it you wish to do that?”
The man behind Origin responded with a smirk, “Simple curiosity, I wish to see where their dreams of the silver-haired mages shall lead. And if that path leads them to death then… so be it.”
There was silence for a moment, nothing but the sound of the projector came from the room, soon Origin raised his right hand and snapped his fingers, “You have been given access to the gateways, I trust you will not abuse this gift.”
The man chuckled in response before bowing, “Certainly not my lord.” With that, the man turned around and walked through a black portal.
Origin looked to the screen with renewed interest, “And so conflict, at last, meets our protagonist. And yet I find myself wondering what shall come from the ashes of this fire… A hero? Or a Demon.”
***
Striga let out a sigh as she walked out of the large metal door that was on the bottom of this island, she stretched and started to walk forward to one of the many sets of stairs, meetings like that always seemed to sap her energy away, she paused as she saw the many people crowding the area, they were all looking upwards.
Soon one spoke, then the next, then the next.
“What’s that!”
“Mommy look! He’s flying!”
“Is he an angel?”
Striga found herself looking up, there high in the sky a man floated, floated with such experience that he seemed to be standing on nothing black shoes, and brown hair, and a white jacket adorned his torso one of the few metal airships flew just above him, taking off to a nearby island, he then raised a hand and put it to his mouth, “Ahem.” his voice boomed, as he threw his arms to the side, “Greetings one and all… On this illustrious day, it is with great pleasure that I bid you greetings! And… on this same day. I must apologize, for you see…” he raised his right hand and with the snap of his finger lighting struck the metal airship above, it shook for a moment before it began falling downwards, the man smirked as it did, “I’ve come to issue a challenge… ” the people stared up in horror as the airship fell, but they dared not speak after all a man such as this was not to be trifled with.
“All silver-haired warriors may take up arms to challenge me… And I shall await them at the docks! Of course, if anyone without silver hair is to take me on… Well…” He glanced at the descending airship, “It’d be rather hard to obtain supplies without those ships, wouldn't it? The same can be said of those who make me wait too long.”
With that, he turned around and vanished from the air.
“Striga.” Delish’s voice entered her ear, and she paused before turning around in Delish’s hand was a sword, still in its sheath, he was holding it out for Striga to grab, and she found herself staring at the sheath itself, it was black, “...That man was an Eternal. As such his threat cannot be taken lightly.” he raised his left hand and put it to his heart, “It pains me to ask this of you, but please… would you fight for the people here?”
Striga reached out and grabbed the hilt of that blade without question, “You don’t need to ask me that. You should know that better than most.”
She attached the sheath to her hip and began to run up the stairs.
Delish smiled faintly watching his beloved rush into battle, she was always so elegant no matter where she went.
Oh, how he loved her so.
His eyes widened some when he saw a young girl with silver hair exit a nearby inn, she looked around for a moment, a sword still in its sheath upon her back, she then nodded running to the same staircase that Striga ran up just a moment ago.
“Another silver-haired mage…?” Delish questioned putting a hand to his chin and cupping it in thought.
***
The man who made the challenge stood on one of the many wooden planks that made up the dock looking to the storm in the distance, the battle ahead was not going to be an easy one that was for sure.
He paused as he heard footsteps approaching as such, he turned around and began to make his way closer to the entrance, he tilted his head when he saw a woman reach the top, “Hm? You're not who I was expecting…” he muttered.
Striga reached for her sword and drew it, “...I shall not let you harm anyone else, in the name of Striga I shall put an end to you!” she shouted.
Yet her words rang hollow to the man he found himself bored just looking at Striga, “And whom is it that you fight for? You point that blade to me as if it’s an answer, but a blade is useless in the hands of one who wishes to toss it aside.”
“Shut up.” Striga growled, “I promise you, you’ll not find me easy prey.”
The man chuckled at that, “Prey? Bah, you hardly even have a worthy toy… I wonder if you’ll break before someone can come to your rescue.” he then threw his arms to the side and continued,
“Greed, that is what they call me.” So Greed declared looking to the storm swirling about a smile on his face as he slowly turned around, his brown hair blowing to and fro, “And yet I have no desire for coins, nor have I the desire for riches… such things are worthless in my eyes.”
He threw his arms to the side, “For the one thing that humanity should always strive for is to achieve their dreams! Once that dream is achieved, another is made! And another and another and another! Ahh, for it is never enough to simply have one dream be achieved…” He then smirked, lowering those arms, “Humankind is naturally greedy, they must give their lives meaning through this singular greed, or else succumb to Sloth.”
Striga frowned at that, pointing her sword forward, “And yet achieving one’s dreams isn’t inherently a bad thing.”
Greed looked into Striga's eyes, “A single person’s dream could be the nightmare of another.” He retorted with that twisted smirk.
He then took a single step forward, his eyes shining bright with power, “But I digress, I didn’t come here to discuss such topics with insolent mortals… I came here to take what belongs to me.” he pointed forward right at Striga, “I’ll kill you.” he spoke the words casually.
Striga tilted her head to the side, not lowering her sword for a second, before responding, “You’ll die trying.”
Greed cracked his knuckles and started to walk forward, “If that is the dream you would achieve then go for it… after all.” he blasted forward cutting the distance between them down to nothing in less than a second, his right fist was pulled back blue energy swirled about it as he smiled, Striga’s eyes widened in shock and she moved on reflex, but she was too slow Greed’s fist hit it’s mark slamming into Striga’s gut, but the assault didn’t end there he spun around slamming his boot into Striga’s neck, he then reached forward and grabbed the back of Striga’s head slamming her face first into the ground as he continued, “Impossible dreams are the Greediest of all.” he chuckled as he looked down to Striga, “You need not feel ashamed, you lost the moment you stared into my eyes… your vision, your senses, even your magic… I know every move you’ll make so long as those eyes of yours remain open.'' There was a drawback to this; he couldn’t swap who he was sharing senses with for a whole day.
But it wouldn’t matter, Striga was the larger threat considering her sheer combat potential.
Greed however narrowed his eyes at Striga.
Striga grits her teeth on the ground, Greed blinked, slowly turning his head to the right, and arches a brow, “Oh?” he removed his hand from the back of Striga’s head and slowly stood up, “And who do we have here…?”
Striga’s eyes shifted in the direction of Greed’s gaze and her own eyes widened out of fear, not out of fear of the strength of who stood there, but out of worry for what may become of them.
Skylar Shadewalker.
Stood face to face with the sin of Greed, her eyes wide in rage.
“...What the hell do you think you're doing?” Skylar questioned her eyes, glowing emerald as she stepped forward, unafraid of the battlefield.
Greed smiled at the sight, he tilted his head to the side, “This girl has a gift bestowed upon her by one of our kind, her purpose is to exist as a trial for us… so I’ve come to claim the prize.” he slammed his boot onto the back of Striga’s head causing Striga to cry out in pain, “If you’ve got a problem with that. Then you can drop dead girl.”
Skylar responded with hollow eyes, her anger shined clear as she reached up and drew her sword.
Greed frowned at that, “How boring. Is your dream to be a hero? Such a boring dream… and such a waste on someone like you.”
“Why would I want to be a hero?” Skylar questioned, “Where were the heroes when my island fell? Where were the heroes when the gods attacked?” She then pulled her sword behind her back, “Heroes aren’t real, there’s just those of us who fight.” She then threw her sword forward with all of her might, Greed clenched his fist and with one swift movement knocked the sword out of the air sending it flying behind him.
He then watched with bored eyes as Skylar closed the distance, she pulled her own fist back and Greed responded in kind, only for his left ear to twitch, his eyes widened and he quickly leaped into the air, removing his boot from Striga’s head, he stared forward as Skylar’s sword soared under his arm and back into Skylar’s left hand.
She lowered her right fist as her blade returned to her, Greed landed on the ground his eyes now shined with curiosity at the young girl ahead of him, “So young.” He commented, “Yet years of experience fill those eyes, I’m starting to see why so many gods would fall to someone like you…” he then frowned, “But there’s something else, something… feral.”
He put a hand to his chin cupping it and looking at Skylar like he was examining some sort of science experiment, “A beast that holds back her true strength out of fear of what will happen to others… Yes it would seem the mantle of hero doesn’t suit you after all… But then…” he tilted his head to the side, “What is your dream?”
Skylar tossed her blade to the skies and her eyes shined with power, “Irrelevant.” She spoke the word casually as her sword flew forward, Greed dodged to the side throwing his hand back behind him and grabbing the hilt of Skylar’s blade before throwing it back to her.
The sword stopped just short of Skylar’s face, Striga had started to get back up at this point.
Greed then tilted his head to the side, “Irrelevant? Foolish. Dreams are what make up the soul of humanity.”
“Dreams are useless without the power to achieve them.” Skylar retorted with ease, “Power that I’m lacking… that’s what I’m still working towards. Doesn't matter how many times I strike you with my sword, or how many blows I land with my fists if I fight you alone. I’m going to lose this fight.”
Greed folded his arms, “And yet you strike all the same, do you claim yourself to be a fool?”
Skylar shrugged, “Nah, I find myself trusting in the greatest Executioner's in the realm. If not that, then I at least put my faith in those with the capabilities to be the best.” she glanced at Striga who had finally reached her feet, “You seem to have the misconception that human strength comes from our dreams alone. But there is actually a second option for what to do when we achieve our dreams.” She slammed her boot onto the ground, her sword spun around in the air and she grabbed the hilt pointing it forward with a smile appearing on her face, “We help another person to get what they want in life.”
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Striga looked at Skylar with a frown, but Skylar stood there with an unwavering grin, her jacket whipping back and forth in the wind, “Do you have a plan?” Striga questioned.
“Plans are stupid in this particular case.” She responded, “I wasn’t here for the whole thing but I’m still aware of his explanation of his abilities, you're just going to have to put your trust in me… God help us if you figure out what I’m thinking.” Skylar frowned for a moment clearly irritated with this opponent, she’d have to think of her feet.
Greed stared forward with a smirk, “Good good! Very good, you’ve figured it out!” he laughed, throwing both hands to the side with a manic smirk on his face, “Throw away silly tactics, screw thoughts, and process, come at me like the beasts you are! Is that not what we live for as warriors!? The pure and unbridled bloodshed that can only come from beasts tearing at each other’s throats!?!”
Striga frowned at that, “Skylar, how good are your eyes?”
“Huh?” Skylar looked at Striga with an arched brow.
“If I threw a fist at you at full strength right now could you see it and dodge it.” Skylar’s smile turned nervous just at the thought of trying to dodge another one of Striga’s blows, sure Skylar was fast but when she fought Striga earlier even she could tell that Striga was holding back.
But even so, she looked back to Greed with a confident smirk on her face, “Yeah. Probably.” After all she was holding back far more than Striga was.
Striga then held out her right hand and a string connected to Skylar’s wrist, “Then we’ll cut off one avenue for him to strike back.” Striga closed her eyes as she removed her blade from her back, “I’ll use your eyes to attack, keep me in your vision as much as you can.” she pointed that sword forward without opening those eyes.
Skylar paused, turning to face Greed taking a few steps backward, “...I’ll put my faith in you then.”
Greed frowned at that, “...I suppose even true beasts can’t help but attempt to give themselves an edge.” he then threw his arms to the side, “Very well then! Come at me with all you’ve got, let us see those dreams of yours brought to reality so you may be crushed by the weight of your next dream!”
“I’m counting on you to make an opening for me Striga,” Skylar stated with a smirk, and Striga responded with a smile.
“If that is your request then I shall gladly grant it, my friend Skylar Shadewalker.” with that Striga launched forward with Skylar right behind her.
Though the two of them easily matched each other’s speed Skylar purposely stayed a little behind, Greed stood there with a smirk on his face as the duo approached.
Striga was the first one to approach, leaping into the air and slashing down, Greed raised his right fist to block the block, and sparks flew from his gloved hand as it crashed with the blade, Stiga grits her teeth before leaping backward, as soon as Striga’s feet hit the ground Skylar was upon Greed in an instant, she thrusted forward with her own blade aimed at Greed’s chest, Greed narrowed his gaze at the sight before using that same fist from before to slam down at Skylar’s blade, his eyes widened when Skylar’s left fist slammed into his chin causing him to stumble back, Skylar leaned down looking under her legs while she grabbed her sword, giving
Striga the sight needed to make her next move, Striga leaped forward using Skylar’s back as a platform to continue her assault, she leaped off Skylar’s back and spun in the air slashing down at Greed twice before landing, the man easily took both blows on his fists, his eyes shining with excitement enjoying himself to the fullest in this clash.
His eyes shifted a bit when he saw Skylar dart out from behind Striga, she moved fast getting behind Greed.
That was fine, so long as he timed his movements, Striga roared thrusting forward with her blade, Greed easily ducked under it, and in the same movement slammed his boot into Striga’s gut, sending her flying backward off the edge of the island a soft thud could be heard from that distance.
Greed raised his left fist behind his neck with a wicked smirk as the back of his hand shattered Skylar’s blade, “And that is where dreams get you! Weak and defenseless on the battlefield- '' his eyes widened when he turned around to see Skylar leaped into the air, hands raised grabbing both of Greed’s wrists and locking them in place, he smiled at the sight, it was like witnessing a desperate animal’s final strikes.
“Idiot!” he shouted and started to stare down at Skylar, his eyes glowing, only for those eyes to become fearful when Skylar opened her mouth and with one rush she bit down into Greed’s neck, drawing blood instantly. The hot irony liquidly rushed into her mouth, her eyes were wide with primal rage.
Greed howled in pain as he found himself doubling over, his eyes glowed in retaliation as he bit down into Skylar’s shoulder, she bit down harder in response, refusing to even howl in pain for doing so would mean her end.
A child?
He was going to lose to a child, he could feel his vision blurring in and out the storm flickered in and out of existence around the island, he tried to move his hands, but they were pinned to the ground Skylar wouldn’t let him move an inch without it being on her terms.
Such a thing baffled him, for a child this young to have strength this barbaric? Just what kind of monster was he dealing with, he would soon receive his answer when Skylar’s fangs retracted from his throat, she leaped backward letting go of Greed’s hands for a moment as the wind picked up around Skylar once more carrying Skylar to her feet, Greed however slowly sat up still dizzy from the experience, he reached up and touched his neck mouth agape in shock.
“May the divinity have mercy on you.” Skylar spoke as she stood in the distance. The shards of her shattered blade floated beside her as she glared. The emerald glow of her eyes was all-consuming at this moment, “Because I have none.”
With the snap of her fingers, those shards flew forward at blinding speeds, Greed didn’t even have time to react as the shards impaled his body.
He stared forward in shock and as he began to fall backward his blood flying from his body he spoke, “How… greedy.”
Skylar let out a shaky breath as Greed hit the ground, she then fell to one knee wincing she had used more mana than she intended…
She then glanced over to the side of the cliff where Striga fell off, “You dead Striga?!” she shouted.
There was silence for a moment before Striga’s voice came, “Ehh… Just hanging around.”
Skylar blinked at that before walking over to the edge of the cliff, she saw Striga’s blade stabbed into the edge and she was handing off the handle, a stupid smile on her face as she looked up.
Skylar frowned, “You know if I wasn’t a nice person I’d let you fall for that joke.”
Striga chuckled, “Harsh but fair.” she then glanced to the side with a light blush, “Soo… wanna help me up?”
Skylar responded with a playful hum, “Dunno, you wanna tell me how you figured out my real name?” she smirked, and Striga smiled nervously.
“Well… Erm… Your fighting technique and the little hint you dropped gave it away…”
Skylar paused, they were small hints sure, but once she thought it over, she realized she essentially did just scream out who she was the moment she said her primary magic is wind.
She sighed and with a flick of her wrist sent a gust of wind below Striga, the force was strong enough to send Striga flying upwards with her blade still in hand, Skylar then wrapped an arm around Striga’s waist pulling her back to the safety of land, she quickly removed her arm thinking nothing of it before scowling, “I really need to think before I speak…”
Skylar then looked at the corpse of Greed and a frown appeared on her face, “An Eternal…” she muttered the name causing Striga to arch a brow.
“You know of them?” she questioned as she walked over to Greed’s corpse and she started to examine his pockets.
Skylar stopped and a deep frown appeared on her face as a memory resurfaced,
Blood shot from her mouth, and her right arm was limp at her side, Wrath stomped down onto that broken arm, "Still think your tough big shot?"
She blinked, shaking the past from her memory and continued to speak, “I’ve had a run-in with one a while back, they're strong. Stronger than most gods.” Skylar explained.
Striga nodded in agreement, “Old too, despite how they look they’ve been here since the beginning.” Striga grunted in irritation as she found nothing within her quarry, “Well it’s not as if it matters, not at the moment at least.” Striga looked over her shoulder to Skylar with a slight smile, “So then, miss Shadewalker. Might I ask what brings you to Jubilee?”
Skylar paused for a moment, rolling the words around in her head she then raised her arms and placed her hands behind her head, “Searching for answers. Particularly in regards to why Tetra came to this place.” Skylar explained she then turned to look at the storm still brewing in the distance, “I owe him that much.”
Striga frowned at those words, and she looked to the city, “I’d drop the search now if I were you.” she explained causing Skylar to lower her hands, and turn around.
“No way in hell am I going to do that.”
Striga let out a small hum in response, “You don’t have the protection that Executioners have, and while I’m not sure as to why, the governance here has information on Tetra locked down, if you keep searching you may end up in the cloud sea yourself.”
Skylar laughed at that, “I can handle myself just fine.” she then blinked before folding her arms and arching a brow, “But why tell me this anyway? Or rather, how do you know that?”
Striga put her hands behind her back, “Well… I could lie and say it was information I obtained from running the bar, but the truth of the matter is, I’m part of the high council in this city.” She turned around and with one hand bowed, “Striga Delmask. Commanding the seat of war, a pleasure.” Striga then stood up to her full height with a smirk.
Skylar unfolded her arms and with an odd expression on her face walked up and examined Striga’s face, she got so close that Striga’s face turned a bright red, “W-What…?” Striga glanced away nervously.
Skylar blinked curiously, “You don’t look like a shady bastard…” she commented, her eyes shining with distrust.
In response to that Striga’s blush faded and she glared at Skylar, “Not all of the people running a government are bad people.”
Skylar frowned at that before moving away from Striga’s face, “Guess not.” She conceded this fact for a moment before she looked down at Greed’s corpse with a scowl, “...Dreams huh…” she reflected on Greed’s words for a moment.
She hadn’t really considered human nature up to this point, she’d always been too busy focusing on surviving. That and finding her own answers…
Striga looked at the corpse as well, “Dreams give life meaning, without them… most of us tend to be empty husks. Or something worse. But to call that greedy? I dunno. Something about that seems wrong.”
Skylar in response rolled her eyes, turning around and walking away, “Meh, arguing philosophy with an Eternal is a waste of time. If they’ve been around as long as you claim, then their views are probably completely different than ours.”
Striga blinked at that, turning to look at Skylar, “...Wise words, It’s hard to believe they come from someone so young.”
Skylar stopped walking forward when she heard that, she looked over her shoulder, fire reflecting in her gaze, “Fire has a way of burning any purity in a heart.” she declared before looking forward to her right hand, her open palm clenched into a fist as her determination was relit.
She winced stumbling forward, her vision going blurry, her left hand clenching her head.
“Shit…” she grits her teeth but before she falls forward, Striga wraps her arms around her waist, “Are you ok?” Striga questioned with concern growing on her face.
Skylar winced in response, uttering one word before passing out, “Overdraw…”
***
A cup slammed down onto a table, and a man wearing a white coat leaned backward on his wooden chair with a smirk and a sword upon his hip, “Another round if you would!” he shouted to the server who only smiled in response, walking over and grabbing this man’s cup, and bringing it behind the counter, he watched this golden-haired maiden with his silver eyes.
She poured another glass of this man’s particular poison.
Before bringing it back to his table, “Honestly Azazel, you drink like a man on his final days.” she commented with a smile Azazel responded by taking the cup and downing most of its contents in a single gulp.
“Why wouldn’t I?” he questioned as he held that glass in his hands, any semblance of joy that was in his voice became bitter as he glanced at the sword on his hip, “...Heh, things certainly have changed. I picked up this sword with an oath to protect everyone in this village… Now it feels like I’m dragging everyone down to their deaths.”
Azazel’s eyes widened as the girl slammed her hands down onto the table, a stern look on her face as she spoke, “There you go blaming yourself again.” she then looked Azazel in the eyes, “Recall what happened that day?”
He paused looking down at his drink once more and reminisced on that moment.
***
Swords clashed, Azazel’s blade clashed against a large greatsword, and ice covered the entirety of Azazel’s sword, he grits his teeth as he was quickly overpowered by the armored man ahead of him, Azazel’s blade was knocked out of his hand and he summoned a small pillar of ice right below his feet launching him upwards.
Just out of reach of the greatsword that was aimed at his lower body, he leaped off that platform and landed on the ground into a roll, picking his blade from the ground as he did so.
He then spun around ready to strike only for his eyes to widen as he felt something press into his back.
Slowly he raised his hands upwards in surrender, “Got me good…”
The blade pressed to his back lowered as soon as he uttered those words, Azazel turned around with a small smile, “So when did you get so fast, Azure?” The man clad in full armor smirked, Azure sheathed his blade and spoke, “I could say the same to you as well Azazel. Your speed alone made me bring out my best.”
Azazel chuckled at that before glancing to the small forest to his right, the branches rustled, and a man leaped down from them two daggers in his hands and azure hair shining.
“My lord,” he said, kneeling in front of Azazel.
Azazel arched a brow at the sight, this third man wore a purple robe, and a set of baggy pants, “Lin, what’s up?”
“...You must return to the village, they have discovered where the crystals have been vanishing of late.” Lin explained.
Azazel put a hand on his hip, “That so? Heh, well good in that case we can sort out this mess and set matters straight before the soild-”
“The Empire. The Empire figured out where they’ve been going.” Lin corrected.
Silence fell over the group.
Azazel’s smile instantly dropped, and his mouth hung open for a moment before he asked a question that brought dread into his soul, “...Where were they… Going…?”
Lin frowned bitterly, “To The Kingdom, and Jubilee, being sold for high profits by some of our youngest. My lord, it is my humble opinio-”
Lin was cut off by Azazel running forward, quickly rushing back to the village in a mad dash.
His teeth were grit as he rushed forward, when he burst out of that forest he came into the center of his small villager, there a young man was kneeling down, himself and three of his friends in front of four men clad in black armor.
One raised their sword, ready to swing it down.
“STOP!” Azazel shouted, causing the soldier to pause as Azazel entered the square, “What the hell do you think you're doing!? He’s just a kid!”
The soldier spoke, his voice somewhat muffled by his helmet, “Azazel Minphel. Are you aware of the crimes this ‘child’ is accused of?” The Soldier spoke with narrowed eyes.
Azazel nodded slowly, “Even so, there must be another way… to kill a child, that’s just insanity.”
The Soldier looked to the terrified child before looking over to Azazel, “It was an act of treason regardless of the age, we as men of the Empire cannot be lenient with such things. Less it leads to others getting ideas.” he began to raise his blade once more, and the child closed their eyes fearfully, only for his eyes to widen as he heard the sound of shattering metal.
The child opened their eyes to see Azazel standing in front of them, blood running down his right fist as he lowered it, there on the ground ahead that soldier clenched their cheek the metal of their helmet had all but shattered.
Slowly but surely that Soldier began to stand.
He frowned as he looked at Azazel, “I take it that means that you will not go quietly?”
Azazel growled in response, reaching for the sword upon his back. As the three other soldiers pointed their blades at him.
The soldier that had received the blow to the face paused before shrugging, “So be it,” he made a motion with his hand and the other soldiers lowered their weapons, “We waited long to sow the seeds of hatred and fear, and now we shall see the harvest. You had best prepare yourselves.”
The villagers did nothing as the soldiers walked away, right towards the castle.
One of the children looked up to Azazel, “T-Thank you sir.”
“Why are you thanking me?” Azazel questioned with a scowl, “Because I couldn’t let one child die?”
“Y-Yes you saved my life!” he shouted as the three friends behind him nodded, smiling up at him.
Azazel paused for a moment before lowering his right hand, he then walked over to the children and removed their bindings, “Head home. Spend time with your families.” that was his one and only order.
He didn’t save anyone, he knew this better than most, all he did was change the order of death.
And give these children some final moments with their families.
***
Azazel sighed, putting the drink to his lips once more, “At best they’ll send a battalion or two. At worst…” Azazel looked to his glass frowning deeply, “They’ll send him. The Black Wolf.” The girl who listened intently laughed a little at that, taking it as a joke.
“Come now, The Black Wolf? That’s hardly likely, there are several villages in The Empire, sending our best soldier after a single one for an incident such as this one just doesn't make sense.” She stated.
Azazel however closed his eyes, “...Did I ever tell you about the one time I fought him?”
The girl paused at that before responding, “I don’t believe you have.”
“It was a clear day, the cloud sea was calm. And there was a nice harvest when every village received word to send their best warriors to the castle. There The Empress sent The Black Wolf to duel us. Two hundred men, armed to the teeth with weapons and magic, and he beat us all back without even drawing his blade.” Azazel explained with a serious look in his gaze, “Didn’t even use magic. He just broke through everything we had.”
The girl paused, “Your… point being?”
Azazel leaned back in his chair, “I learned something important that day, The Black Wolf wasn’t chosen to fight us because we were worthy. It was to prove a point. That if we ever rebelled, he’d come and take our lives.” he looked down to his hands before slowly standing up, “I may be overreacting… but it never hurts to be cautious, gather the people in town, evacuate them.” Azazel stated as he began to walk over to the door.
“B-But what about you?” the girl questioned looking at him.
He paused at that door before looking over his shoulder he spoke, “I’m going to finish what I started.” with that he walked out the door and made his way to the town square there both Azure and Lin were waiting for him
He paused seeing them before saying, “You should both evacuate. All hell is about to break loose here.”
Azure folded his arms, keeping his eyes hidden beneath his helmet, “Like hell. If you're going into battle then I’m going with you.”
Lin nodded in agreement, “I live to serve you, I owe you that much.” Lin declared.
Azazel was about to comment on that fact when he paused, in the distance towards the castle in the distance he saw a man slowly approaching.
Airships took the skies, in the distance.
He stopped complaining then.
Narrowing his eyes at the opponent that loomed in the distance, “...Let’s move.” he eventually spoke the words and began to walk forward to meet that single man halfway.
If he was going to get into a battle he wanted to be away from the village.
Metal boots walked across the dirt, a man adorned and red and black armored walked forward, a sword was upon his back, and a helmet shaped like a wolf’s head adorned his head.
Slowly he walked forward, a village stood in his path, he paused as he saw three men standing in defiance.
Azazel, Azure, And Lin.
Azazel, at last, spoke, “Not another step, you will not reach our village… Monster!” he drew his blade and pointed it forward with determination clear in his gaze.
“Monster?” The man who stood in opposition to the trio repeated the question, before folding his arms, “Hmph, you savages were given the option to retreat. Yet instead you would stand in opposition to us, throwing your lives away for what? A few worthless rocks?”
“Those worthless rocks are the livelihoods of our people.” Azazel scowled, “Without them, we won’t make enough coin to survive… even you must have realized this Midus.” The man declared throwing an arm to the side.
Midus paused at that before lowering his arms, “You have been given leave to live upon our lands, so long as you comply with our demands, that was the deal made with your people. The only offer of kindness The Empire gave you. And you take that kindness and spit on it. Trading your mana crystal’s with the enemies.”
Azazel flinched, ‘How did yo-”
“The Empire has eyes everywhere, boy don’t think your small village is any exception to that… As such I had also seen the things my men have done, they were rash I shall give them that, such crimes would usually be met with a lifetime in prison, for both those children and those boys, and so… Rejoice! For the Empress has seen fit to grant an exception this time.” Midus declared, throwing his right hand forward, a palm outstretched.
Azazel showed a look of relief at that, “I-Is that so… Well that is most kind of her eminence!”
“Indeed, a mercy such as this is almost too much for your people.” Midus agreed as he slowly lowered his hand, closing his eyes he continued “Not many towns such as yours get the honor of being made an ‘example’” Midus spoke the words, and as soon as they reached the ears of the trio.
Their eyes widened as an explosion rang out, all three of them turned around to see flames covering their town and airships flew above firing bombardment after bombardment upon that small town.
Azazel stared forward with wide eyes, once he heard the ground cracking behind him, he quickly spun around and slashed upward, Midus ducked under his blade now right up in Azazel’s face, Azazel leaped backward gritting his teeth.
Whereas Lin rushed forward with his knives in his hands, Midus spared him a glance and as Lin leaped into the air, Midus grabbed Lin by the arm, spinning him around and sending him flying into Azazel’s chest.
Azure was next in line rushing forward to strike at Midus with his own blade, only for Midus to raise his right hand catching that sword with ease, “...Like babes tossed out to greet the wolves, your lives end here.” he declared turning to face Azazel who pushed Lin off his body, Azazel then grits his teeth staring down Midus, before he spread his legs and gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, an icy chill came to his body as he breathed out a misty breath, he then uttered two words before blasting forward, “Sub Zero.”
With blinding speed he closed the distance, everything seemed to move in slow motion as he came forth.
His blade nearly reached Midus’s neck, but it stopped just short.
And Azazel coughed blood exploded from his mouth, he looked down to see a sword stabbed through his chest, Midus’s blade had been drawn.
Midus said nothing at the pathetic sight; instead, he lifted his boot and slammed it into Azazel’s chest, detecting him from Midus’s blade, and he fell to the ground lifelessly.
Lin screamed running forward to strike as Midus, his blades bounced uselessly off Midus’s armor, and Midus reached out with his left hand grabbing that blue-haired boy by the face and lifting him skyward as he removed his blade from Azazel, Midus could hear the footsteps of the armored man approaching from behind, but paid him no heed as he crushed the skull of the man in his left hand, that man’s body tumbled to the ground uselessly his blood flowing onto the dirt.
Midus then turned around just in time to see that armored man swinging a greatsword at him, Midus reached out with his free hand and gripped the edge of his blade, “When most see me on the battlefield, they’d turn tail and run…” Midus commented as he reached up with his right hand, slowly sheathing his blade, Azure responded.
“I’m not the kind of coward… who’d let a monster roam the land! Not someone as mercilessly as you!” he shouted, hiding his lack of strength through the power of his voice.
Midus said nothing at first, his grip on this armored man’s blade tightened, soon enough cracks began to run along the blade, and when Midus determined the man was being serious with his words, he, at last, responded, “Then you will die braver than most.” the sword shattered then.
And Midus threw his right fist forward, shattering through the man’s helmet with one strike.
His left fist came next, shattering through the armor on Azure’s gut, sending him to his knees in an instant.
The man grits his teeth looking up with furious azure eyes, only for his eyes to widen fearfully as Midus grabs the side of his head, “Those who think they’re heroes… deserve a hero's death.” Midus declared as his boot made contact with this man’s gut once more, he cried in pain as Midus’s thumb dug into his eyes socket, a cracking sound resounded from the man’s face, his screams echoed across the land as Midus pulled.
Uncaring for the suffering of the man before him.
After all…
Who could stop him?
He paused for a moment looking down at the man, he had stopped screaming.
…
How dull.
Midus let out a disappointed sigh as he stood to his full height, “All that boasting, and then you die such a pathetic death…” He looked to the city and the flames that raged on even now.
He watched from a distance for a moment ensuring that no one escaped the city.
While he did so, he looked up to the airships and nodded, giving the signal for them to search the area, after all, if those men had come out to greet him then it was likely that others would attempt to evacuate.
Like the worthless maggots they were, they would hide someone within the dirt.
But it mattered not, just like every other infection that had plagued these skies. they would be dug out and burned to the ground.
His gaze turned to the castle made of dark stone bricks in the distance a stormcloud hovered over it.
The land that he was sworn to serve.
He paused as something entered his vision, a girl.
“...And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure Jenna?” Midus let the question hang in the air.
Jenna said nothing at first, walking forward with a light skip in her step, a smile on her face, and blood beneath her lip. She stopped as she looked at the corpses on the ground, “...Do you remember when I first introduced you to this land?” she questioned, that smile never fading from her face as she looked into the horrified eyes of the dead.
She ran a hand through the red hair of Azazel's corpse with a loving smile, drool forming on the side of her lips, meanwhile Midus responded, “That I do… It was a rather odd gift, one that I never forgot.” he turned to look at the kneeling Jenna, one would see that pose as a way of letting her guard down.
But not Midus, he knew better than that, Jenna never did anything without a purpose, and if she truly wanted to.
She could take his life with the snap of her fingers, “...Sharp as always.” she commented standing, but she refused to face him, “I heard about this nation, and its plan to attack the city of Jubilee, will other nations be next?” she questioned a certain giddiness in her voice.
“They will,” Midus confirmed he could hide this information but there's hardly any point. He knew Jenna wouldn’t involve herself if she could avoid it.
“Hm.” she smirked and turned around fully at last, “In that case, I suppose I have to call in my favor.”
The man narrowed his gaze dangerously, “All I do is in service to Her Eminence, if it goes against her orders the-”
“Then nothing.” Jenna spat, walking up slowly to Midus, “You know better than most what I’m capable of, and you're in no position to talk back to me.”
He took a single step backward as Jenna got to his face, she then chuckled putting a hand on his shoulder, “Relax~ I’m not here to kill anyone today… The favor is simple, do not kill Skylar Shadewalker. You can stab her, wound her, kill everyone around her… but not kill her.”
Midus arched a brow at that command.
“May I ask why…?”
Jenna smiled slightly at that, removing her hand from Midus’s arm, “Now now, it’s not nice to ask about a lady’s personal life.” she then turned around and a pink portal opened in front of her, “Just to be perfectly clear… if I do find that she died by your hand.” Jenna turned around her pink eyes glowing with malice, “I’ll sink your Empire.”
With that threat, she walked through the portal and it closed behind her.
Midus kept his gaze focused on the castle ahead and without uttering a word he began to walk towards it, the fire still burning bright in the village behind him.
All he did was in service to his Empress, after all, he cared not for Jenna’s words.
If his orders were to kill Skylar Shadewalker, then that is what he would do. Consequences be damned.
(“And so the pieces of the game board at last set into place, heroes would fall, gods would clash with kings.
And the truth of this world would come to light… All under the light of Stella.”)
Striga looked down to a bed where Skylar slept, “To think this girl would travel all the way here putting The Kingdom at risk… she has more courage then I gave her credit for.” Striga frowned at that, folding her arms, she was alone with this girl in a small room, she was able to convince Delish to allow her to stay until she recovered but beyond that…
Well that would be up to her.
She blinked as she heard a sound to her right, Delish walked in with a frown on her face, “She’s suffering from Overdraw correct? To think that she would push herself so hard for our sakes…” Delish put a hand to his chin, “I can’t fathom why…”
“If you're about to say that it’s a scheme I’ll come over there and slap you.” Striga shot back near instantly.
Delish chuckled, walking over to Striga’s side and kissed her on the cheek, “I only jest. If you put your faith in this Valery, then I shall do so as well.”
“...She could be helpful in the fight against The Empire.” Striga commented.
“That’s only if you can convince her to join us, and having children fight in a war is not a good look for the government…” Delish retorted instantly.
Striga paused at that before looking at the nearby window, “...I… Think I’ll come up with a strategy for this fight.”
Delish’s eyes widened slightly, “Are you certain? The last time you made one it-”
“It was flawless… It obtained the victory we wanted, I just… I wish it hadn’t cost so many lives.” Striga looked to her own hands, a ringing appeared in her ears, and she could hear screams.
That was.
Until Delish wrapped his arms around her pulling her out of her delusions, “It’ll be okay.” he spoke the words as he ran a hand through her hair comforting her.
Striga smiled softly at the affection, “Yeah… You're right.” she looked to the sleeping Skylar and smiled softly, “Wake up soon okay? I still have to thank you.”
