Chapter 21

Raid on Atlus part 1. Saving a Princess, as a Princess

All the killing and lying had finally gotten to me I finally broke down in front of my friend Siena. The final straw was when she knew I was lying because I had someone else's blood still on me. Siena is very sharp and even though I am very good at lying she would know I was lying. I had just eliminated an entire scout team, and the last member was unfortunate to have information I needed. I know what I did to him was inhumane but when I was doing it I felt no sort of regret or mercy, the only thing I felt was exhilaration. I enjoyed seeing how far I had to go to get him to crack and tell me everything. I was way stronger then him and I did what I had to get information out of him. Afterwords I killed him to make sure he stayed quiet.

I don't feel any source of regret or empathy from anyone I have killed because I have only killed those who really deserved it or tried to hurt me or my friends. That I can deal with, the thing that really bothers me is the extent that I enjoy doing it. This sadistic gratification is unnatural and it has really been bothering me lately. Surely only a monster would enjoy inflicting suffering so much. What would Siena think of me if she saw me cutting someone up to get information I needed with a huge smile on my face.

“Good morning your highness.” Siena opened her eyes she had fallen asleep with me right next to her spooning me. I revealed my true identity of a princess to her.

“Please you must keep that a secret you said I could trust you.” I look my at my dark elf friend in the face.

“So why did you run away from home? Surely people are searching for you. I remember hearing about a Termainian princess with a beautiful song voice” I am not surprised that Siena knows this she is the gossip queen after all.

“Well they all think I am dead except for my sister Mandy. There was an incident where people tried to kidnap me and I escaped. Instead of returning to my family I began an adventure to seek out strength. I promised myself I would get stronger so I would no longer have to run. In hindsight that decision was extremely selfish, and has caused my family grief. Also I have changed, I have become cold and disconnected. I have done things to people who have tried to hurt me or my friends...........terrible things.”

“I know you, there is no way you can be evil. Would an evil person go and help out a caravan that was in trouble without a second thought? Would an evil person be able to brighten a room with just there smile like you do? I don't know what exactly you have done to give you this sense of guilt but I am sure that you had your reasons to do it. Stop beating yourself up about it and move on.”

“Siena there is something important I must tell you, I am not as old as you think I am only 8 years old, after this raid I plan on leaving the city to attend Mahouren. I may even have to reveal to my family that I am not actually dead. This adventure is our last one at least for awhile.” I could see her expression sadden when I revealed this.

“8? Since when do 8 years old have these?” She then to my unpleasant surprise groped my breasts that were somewhere in between an A and B cup. I gasped in surprise.

“You know it is a capital punishment to grope a princess like that. Anyways I have always been developing several years ahead of my current age. It has to do with the immense amount of mana and psionic power held within my body.” I explain to her the reason for my rapid development.

“Anything else you want to tell me before we meet up with the others?”

“As evident with the involvement of Eclipse, this raid is a lot more important than anyone who set up it up could anticipate. If we fail a lot of innocent people will get hurt a long side or friends. We must succeed no matter what.” After that we both went and took a bath and got dressed. We meet up with the group to head out.

The walk to entrance would be over soon. In truth I felt butterfly's in my stomach. I had to do a lot of work to get this to this point. The real adventure was about to begin. We all were standing outside the cave our rogue mason was searching for traps but I had already taken care of them all.

“Weird there are dozens of traps inside but they are all disarmed.” Mason reported back to us.

“Perhaps they already sent a team in? They disabled them to avoid friendly fire?” The half Demon Lux suggested.

“Well that would make sense but why wouldn't they leave any sort of alarm or sentry to cover there flank? It doesn't make sense” Diana chimed on her thoughts.

“We will just have to continue with caution, perhaps the luck is on our side.” I say with a slight smile.

The cave is very dark and several people are using light magic so we can see. We come to a split in the cave Diana takes us right after continuing for several more minutes we come to another fork this time it is 4 splits she takes us on the second from the left. Finally after following this path for a little bit we are emptied out into a large area.

“Careful I sense danger!” Lux's battle intuition kicked in. I could feel a hostile presence too but it was different from a monster.

If on queue a gigantic golem seemed to come out of the wall and start to approach us it was a level 95 and it was classified as a miniboss in its status. Several times we had gone over our combat formation. The vanguard was Rictor, Basu, and Leon they would do the primary tanking. Siena, myself, Luke, Lux and Mason would attack from the flank targeting any weak spots we could find. The rest of our group fought primary at range providing support and offense. The only exception was Landon and Calidina's pets who fought with us in the flank group.

The golem had a very predictable attack pattern and I found myself able to dodge its attacks with ease. Our tanks had taken a few hits but they were able to receive them without trouble. Unfortunately Luke got nailed with one attack and is currently getting treated by Reid for his injuries. Our attacks seem to be somewhat ineffective I can see April do some damage with ice based attacks.

After several more minutes of fighting another party member gets hit by an attack this time it was Joel. The golem occasionally picks up a rock off the ground and hurls it at someone usually at range. Joel was in the middle of a cast and didn't notice it until it was too late. He is not dead but Reid is going to really do a lot of work on him. It seems like everyone's but me is starting to fatigue we would need to end this soon.

After many attempts to find a weak spot I finally decided to create my own. I had been concentrating my attacks primarily in the middle of the golem's back where there was a natural crack in the rock. While this is one of the hardest parts of a golem there is a good reason for it. Up to this point I had read several books that discussed golems even one that taught you how to make them. A golem core is basically it's heart and the biggest weak spot. The problem is the core is usually protected, in this case by at least 3 feet of sold rock. The spot I was attacking now had become a large crack. I run up to the crack and use the highest ice based spell I knew icy touch a level 2 water spell. The crack is quickly filled with expanding ice when I land back on the ground I immediately jump back up and slash with my katana square on that spot and am rewarded by a huge chunk of rock breaking off from its back. We could now see the inside and core was now visible. After seeing the weakness Siena went in and performed her weapon art Piercing thrust right on the core shattering it. The golem now cut off from its magic simply collapsed like a puppet having its strings cut. We spend a couple minutes regrouping from the fight when an illusion appears before us.

“I welcome you adventurers, how fortunate that you arrived at this time as we are on the brink of resurrecting the god of fortune Sanite! You have demonstrated your worthiness by defeating the guardian of this entrance to the lost city. You have the chance to join us, and trust me the rewards from the god of fortune are substantial.” Everyone seems to be in shock. This mission was suppose to be uncovering forgotten runes so the fact that someone was already here is surprising.

“Phantom projection a level 6 illusion spell. Quite impressive so you are Sanite's champion what is your name? Not everyday you get to meet a demi-god's champion.” He appears human, perhaps a mage? He obviously is quite skilled level 6 illusion magic Jennifer is the only one I know who has higher illusion magic.

“I am Kormon, anyways I will give you guys a few minutes to consider my proposal.”

“We don't need anytime to consider it, we refuse. We came here to find artifacts and secrets of the Karthians, not to become some pawn for the aspect of greed.” Diana clearly refused the offer.

“How........unfortunate you will regret refusing this offer.” With that Kormon disappeared.

“I didn't sign up for this I am out” this was Rictor saying he was done.

“Same I thought these runes were undiscovered this is suppose to be a discover mission not a subjugation mission.” Dax added.

Everyone started arguing among st one another clearly this new curveball was a lot to take in. I would have to turn on my charm.

“Did you not hear what Kormon said they are resurrecting Sanite. This is way bigger then a discovery mission now. We must stop this ritual from occurring if we don't Zyrus will end up the same way as Atlus is.” I try to rally everyone with my words, but Rictor is unmoved.

“So what why should I care about Zyrus I can just move.”

“Odd I didn't think you would be one to run from a good fight. Perhaps you are rank SS only in name?”

“That's funny, you don't earn double S by being a lackey. Attack me and I will show you what SS is truly made of.” I seemed to have struck a nerve with him.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Enough if you want to leave go ahead and do it now, this quest was suppose to be discovery with possible monster subjugation. I will make sure you get paid one way or the other.” Diana offered but no one ended up leaving not even Rictor.

“So how do we open the gate?” It was Calidina our summoner she was up next a stone gate that was fused perfectly into the wall.

“I got some explosives if you need it!” Grimblee said, he was to stay in the back and keep watch over our prisoner but when a situation came up where something potentially needed to be blown up he chimed right in.

There was writing around the arch written in Karthian. It read ' To enter speak the word and cast it to its proper place, that which supply's life and cuts through the darkness.' A riddle how cliché. Well this one is pretty simple the answer is the sun. The sun is a huge fireball so I just have to summon a fireball and throw it at this sun carved into this gate. Then I speak the word sun in Karthian which is Lume. While Diana is still trying to decipher the writing I go ahead and summon a mini-fireball. We don't have time right now so I will just open it, people will probably ask questions about how I did it but I will just say it was luck.

“Lume” I say as the fireball hits the sun on the wall. This causes the whole gateway to fill up with magic and begin to open.

“How did you do that?” Diana looked at me in shock along with everyone else.

“Probably just dumb luck Lara does have a habit of doing stuff like this.” Siena stepped in and backed me up. Oddly enough most people accepted that as an explanation, I could tell that Diana as well as Lux were not convinced though. She will have to ask me later.

The path down is extremely boring it is pretty much a long case of stairs going downward. The path was sort of narrow so we were all 2 by 2 going down. After a couple hours of walking we finally came to a dead end on the side of the wall there was a lever. After we pulled the lever the wall was pulled down opening the path. As we entered in from the door we found ourselves in a stone basement we took the stairs upstairs and found ourselves now in a large mansion that was truly showing its age. The front door had fallen off the hinges, we all exited the mansion and stepped out into the lost city.

The city itself was a marvel, such a large city dug out of the earth centuries ago. You would think a lost city under the earth would be dark, however the opposite is true. There is a giant self containing fireball on the roof of the cave. They had even managed to create there own sun down here. The mansions around us were all large but time had taken its effect on them. There appeared to be a commercial area in front of us followed by a river that split it from a residential area with houses a lot smaller then these mansions. I followed the river with my eyes to the left and I could see a large temple laid out. Going to the right I could see a huge palace area.

“This the most incredible thing I have ever encountered. As a Karthian archaeologist this is....” before Diana can complete her sentence I had to tackle her to the ground as an arrow whizzed right by where she was standing. Luckily for her I had not let the amazement of this discovery dull my senses The assassin was long gone by the time I made it to where he had shot the arrow from. I inspected the arrow and found it was indeed poisoned with a nasty mid poison that would kill someone below level 50 most likely. Anyone else would be severely crippled from its effect. It appears that they are going to use guerrilla tactics.

“Hey did you guys see that lady she was standing right at the door way of that mansion?” This was Dax saying it. None of us had seen it but him, he decided to go and follow where the lady went without going over it with us which was into the mansion. What a fool! This is an obvious trap.

“You all stay here while I go and get the fool.” I go and leave but there is someone right next to me.

“Siena please I can handle this on my own.”

“I told you I was going to be there for you my lady.” She really is pissing me off.

“Shhhhh people can still hear us. Last thing I need is Reid finding out im a princess.” I reply in a whispered tone.

As I came up the mansion something was extremely off first this particular mansion was in pristine shape there was there was even a garden that was alive and taken care of. Perhaps Dax truly did see a lady. Grena had warned me that there were many dangerous things down here besides Kormon and Grena doesn't seem to be the type to lie about things

As I stepped into the mansion I felt an sinister presence. What ever thing Dax saw definitely is not friendly. Unlike outside it is very dark in here. I slowly search around in a battle-ready stance. I went room to room looking for Dax with no success. Siena searched the other wing with no success. We both headed upstairs together. The first door I came to atop the stairs was locked. I use all my force in my foot to kick the door right where it is locked. The scene I witness is truly horrifying. Poor Dax had been seduced by a succubus. What was left of his body was a wilted husk. The succubus had drained him completely and was standing next to him. The succubus turned its attention to us.

“Fully draining someone of there life energy is the worst cardinal sin for your kind. In there stead I will act as your executioner.” I didn't really like Dax but that didn't mean I wanted him dead, this demon will pay for that.

“Such a cute little human, surprising you know about the succubus code but I haven't followed that for centuries. I simply am here to witness a demi-god being reborn I will pledge my loyalty to him. Now I usually prefer men's energy but you smell intoxingly delicious to me.” She tried to use her eye's to seduce me but I resisted, my dear friend Siena however was not as successful.

“Able to resist my charm spell ho.........” Like lightning I had streaked by her decapitating her in one motion with Tachi. She tried to block it with her claws but they were sliced through as well I didn't have time to play games. After slapping Siena back to reality we covered Dax's body in a sheet and brought him back to the party. We will make sure he gets a proper burial when we get back to Zyrus.

After the shock of a fallen party member the raid regrouped. There were still enemies around down here and as evident from earlier they will not hesitate to kill us. Before we could really explore we would have to care of Kormon.

“They are starting the ritual now, I guess I am going to die again” I definitely could tell the voice was close. It felt like it was coming from the temple. What did the voice mean by dying again?

“Something is going down at the temple we should make haste over there.” I say to Diana.

“Are you sure I was pretty sure Kormon is in the palace. What makes you think something is happening at the temple.” Diana asked.

“I cant explain it but something terrible is occurring in the temple. I will go by myself if necessary.” I plead to Diana.

“Well you haven't led us wrong yet, and I cant have another party member go off on there own like Dax did. Lets head to the temple.” With that we started to head to the temple. My suspicions of something quickly are confirmed as there is a party of a dozen acolytes impeading our party.

“The ritual must proceed, we will keep you interlopers away while it proceeds. It shouldn't be long now the dragon's blood is being drained .” With that the clash between the two parties began. Shit I was running out of time to save the girl we would have to hurry.

I noticed a spell caster in the back by the entrance to the door. I guess now is not the time to worry about concealing my shadowblade abilities. The fake sun fortunately casts a nice big shadow for me to shadowstep to. As I teleport into the new space I stab backwards right into the caster's vertebra easily taking them out. I head to the temple door. As I enter the door I can hear a little girls cries of pain. I went up as swiftly to possible to the main altar.

The scene I see is extremely disheartening, there is a little girl chained up to a post she is the same girl I had seen in my dreams. Her wrists have been cut and she is screaming in pain the blood is being funneled to a chalice close to the altar. There is 3 priest working on the ritual one is dressed in special red robes. I sprint up close enough so I can shadowstep again. Doing it again in such a sort period from my last one would cause a major penalty to the mana it would consume but right now I will just have to pay the penalty I did have a very large mana pool to draw from.

After shadowstepping in I went for a quick kill on the first priest unfortunately the shadow he was casting was in front of him and he was able to jump back so my attack only wounded him. I could hear an incantation for a middle level lightning spell coming from the priest in red. I would most likely not be able to dodge it so I cast an earthen wall to protect my flank. The priest that I had wounded was now chanting a light spell likely to heal the wound I had caused. I couldn't let that happen.

I launch at the priest and attack with Tachi, the priest had a metal quarterstaff and surprisingly was able to block my blow he also was able to block my followup blow. This blow he blocks as well but he is slightly staggered and I am able to land a successful leg kick to the kidney. I slash again with Tachi and he just barely manages to cause a deadlock with his quarterstaff. I use the opportunity to grab Tanken with my offhand and stab him in chest successful hitting the descending aorta. He crumbles to the ground after losing consciousness after a few seconds.

The earthen wall I had cast earlier had done its job and just now was destroyed by the other priests I go ahead and engage the red priest he like the other priest carries a metal quarterstaff and knows how to use it. I slash at him slightly enraged still from the fact that they are sacrificing a little girl for some sick end. I keep my focus though I can't let the anger consume me. The speed of my blows quicken the red priest is able keep up albeit barely. I can hear the other non red priest start an incantation for a healing spell. Crap he is going to heal the priest I have already taken down. Fortunately I had prepped several poisoned throwing knives before we headed here to the temple. This particular poison was a fact acting and extremely painful one to endure I had made use of one of my favorite poison herbs fire poppy. While still engaged with the red priest I sheath Tanken and pull out two daggers.

My throwing knife skill was now level 4 so I was able to throw 2 with one hand successfully. The daggers land home one in the shoulder and the other in the stomach. The incantation is definitely disrupted as the other priest is now crumpled in a fetal potion bellowing in agony. I continue my assault on the red priest.

The red priest is very skilled at lightning magic he was able to infuse his staff with lightning and actually able to do some decent damage to me when exchanging blows. I saw his level as 74 but I think I would grade him out slightly higher. For a caster his guard is quite impressive. I try a new approach as my martial power is not enough to take him out, I use a level 2 water spell stream of water aimed right at his quarterstaff. The attack worked greatly as he damaged by his own lightning spell.

“Just now that spell the mana you used the energies were white. Are you the white one? I must stop you at all costs.” He said to me now in a very concerned voice.

“The white one? I don't like that nickname, I prefer the 'The angel of Death'.” I look over at the girl chained up and it is extremely dire her health is approaching 0 quickly I must end this quickly. I lunge at the red priest and as I do something incredible happens. I can sense what the priest is thinking, 'She is going for a high attack I will parry high and counter low'. As I go in I change my original attack and shift it to hit him in the midsection on his offhand. The attack lands and rips through his flesh staggering him I follow up with a leg sweep tripping the priest down. I stab down with Tachi as he is laying on the ground stabbing him through the heart. The red priest gasps and quickly loses consciousness.

I turn my attention to the girl who is chained up to the post I quickly slash her chains with my katana. I catch her as she falls to the ground. I quickly take out 2 high potions pouring one on to her wrists and the other down her throat somehow she is still conscious and is smiling at me. I think she is trying to say something but she is too weak right now. After a few seconds I notice that her health is still dropping but now the speed that it was dropping was a lot slower. I look at her status to see what is wrong. She is only level 30 two high potions should have been overkill. She has a very weird abnormal condition mana deficiency. Some how her mana is negative the altar somehow was draining her mana with her blood and now her mana pool was coming back to 0 from drawing from her health pool. The problem was that the health pool was extremely low.

Dammit I would have a mana potions but I have yet to acquire the necessary ingredients. Giving her another high potion would have no effect. There is a cool down on drinking potions, and pouring a potion on a wound was the only way I had to sort of cheese the system. I have to find a way to stabilize her. I look on in horror as her hp slowly starts to slip away. I start to cry as I feel hopeless.

“If thou wishes to save her thou must form a pact with her. Pacts with dragon's are blood pacts. Thou must share each others blood and form a bond using the traditional method. Thy will use our power to create the circle.” Grena said in my ears. I can feel power being channeled through me. The chalice that was filled with her blood was picked up, and then blood floated out, like there was no gravity. The blood then starts to draw a magic circle around us. The diagram that was being drawn was extremely detailed. I put my hand down on the ground and pour mana into the diagram it begins to light up.

The next part of the ritual requires the exchange of blood. I do what is necessary and lick up some of her blood that was still on her body. I then bite my own lip splitting it open I lean in and kiss her letting my blood from my lip flow into her mouth. She doesn't resist what I am doing and as the blood goes into her mouth I can feel the magic circle flare up finalizing the blood pact. I can feel my mana flow into her to stabilize her pool. It is somewhat taxing but I endure it, I have really taxed my mana pool in these recent events. A window pops up in my eyes.

Blood pact with Skyler Draken The Dragon Princess

new subclass gained Dragoon

new abilities unlocked

Skyler looked at me with a smile. I am pretty sure she got a window as well. She had recovered enough strength to talk.

“You saved my life, and now I find out that you are a princess just like me. We are now bonded for life with this pact. I may have just met you but I cant help feel a familiarity with you. Perhaps its because you fight with a katana......it reminds me of …....Oh nevermind just talking out loud Kara-tan.” Kara-tan? Is it possible that Skyler is reincarnated too?