Chapter 14: Summoning

Empress stood in the great hall with her knight and Hilda. She held the sigils in her hands, ready to activate them. With a thought, she started the summoning. The symbols glowed brightly, causing Empress to shield her eyes. 

The air started to swirl and tremble. A hole ripped open in the space before her. Footsteps could be heard from within the void.

Suddenly, a stream of people gushed out. The crowd consisted of twenty-four women dressed in maid outfits. When they saw Empress they immediately curtsied.

“Greetings madam!” they rang out simultaneously.

Empress smiled in satisfaction.

“Hilda, show them to their duties. You’re in charge.”

“Thank you mistress!”

Hilda gathered the ladies together and escorted them deeper into the castle. Once the servants disappeared, Empress activated the second sigil.

A group of large, burly men emerged. They looked at the castle interior with interest, ignoring Empress.

Empress frowned. She waved her hand, causing a barrier to descend from the sky, flattening them. They groaned in pain, struggling to resist the pressure.

“Look at me,” Empress snapped, causing the henchmen to raise their heads.

“I am Empress. I am your queen,” she said slowly.

“You will respect me or I will wipe you from the face of existence,” she said coldly. A regal aura emanated from her body, causing the men to go pale from fear.

Empress lifted her barrier.

Feeling the pressure go away, the men immediately crashed to their knees. The groveled upon the ground, trembling.

Satisfied, Empress turned to her black knight. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, frowning.

“My name is Felix, madam,” the knight said with a knowing smile.

“Of course! Felix!” Empress coughed, blushing slightly.

“You’re in charge of the underlings. Whip them into shape.”

Felix saluted.

“On your feet!” he snapped at them, waving his lance of darkness threateningly.

“Follow me!” he ordered, leaving the hall. The henchmen dashed after him in a panic, desperate to get away from Empress. She rolled her eyes at their backs in amusement.

She now stood alone in the hall. One last sigil rested in her hand.

Empress took a deep breath. It was time to summon her sidekick!

She activated the final sigil, ripping another portal in space.

The first thing Empress saw was flaming red hair. It burned brightly, causing Empress’s eyes to go wide in amazement.

Following the hair was the head and body of a young girl. She was looked to be around Empress’s age. She wore a red hoodie and ripped jeans. A sheath hung from her back.

The girl yawned loudly before speaking.

“Yo,” she said, making a peace sign with her fingers. A sleepy, uncaring expression was on her face.

“Hello!” Empress said enthusiastically. She now had her own sidekick!

“What’s your name?” Empress asked her.

“Helia,” the girl said, looking around casually.

“Tell me about your powers.” Empress said with a smile.

The girl sighed, running a hand through her flaming locks.

“Weren’t you told all that when you bought me?”

“Yeah,” Empress admitted, “I just want to confirm.”

“It’s simple. You get hurt, I touch and absorb the wound. Then I touch the bad guy and give him the wound instead. Understand?”

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Empress nodded with a slight frown. The girl was a little rude.

“I have one question though. What happens if you don’t transfer the wound? Will it rebound?”

“Nope. I just can’t absorb another wound until I give the previous one to somebody.”

Helia paused briefly, “Oh yeah. I also can’t regenerate body parts so don’t lose a limb.”

Empress paused thoughtfully. Helia’s ability was pretty unique.

“We’re going to hunt primordial beasts for power crystals. Can you hold your own?” Empress asked her.

“Yeah. Just worry about yourself boss,” the girl said, yawning once more.

Helia’s eyes wandered around the room in greater detail.

“Nice place you’ve got here by the way,” Helia said with a smirk, glancing at the torn tapestries and banners hanging from the ceiling.

Empress felt her face twitch.

“I’m working on it. I just hired some servants today.”

“Good. It’s an eyesore.”

Empress took a calming breath.

“That’s enough. Let’s go,” she sighed.

The two girl exited the great hall and entered the courtyard.

Outside, the henchmen were currently performing physical feats. Felix had them performing pushups and sit-ups. They dripped with sweat, soaking their clothing.

“Glad to know I’m not the only one who likes big, sweaty men.” Helia said, causing Empress to rub her temples. Learning to live with Helia was going to be difficult.

The two made their way deep into the forest, searching for primordial beasts. As they searched, Helia spoke up.

“Let me handle the first one by myself.”

“You sure you can take it?” Empress asked warily, “You’re a healer after all.”

“I already told you. I can take care of myself,” Helia said with a frown.

“Okay,” Empress said, making a placating gesture.

It wasn’t long before they encountered a beast. It was an enormous gorilla. It thumped its chest in confrontation.

Helia wasted no time running up to it. She immediately drew her sword.

Empress’s frowned as she saw the plain blade. It wouldn’t be able to cut through the gorilla’s thick hide.

“Don’t move!” Helia yelled, just as Empress was about to run in and help.

Empress froze.

All of a sudden, Helia performed an action that made Empress’s eyes go wide in horror. Instead of attacking the primordial beast, she attacked herself.

She rammed the sword through her own stomach, causing blood to go flying.

The gorilla opened its eyes wide in confusion. Its meager intelligence was enough to know that something was amiss.

Helia took advantage of the ape’s pause. She touched it.

With a burst of light, Helia’s wound disappeared. All of a sudden, the injury showed up on the primordial beast.

The monster blinked in confusion before roaring in pain. It didn’t understand what happened.

Helia wasted no time. She stabbed herself two more times in the stomach and touched the ape once again.

The ape roared as blood spilled from its body like a fountain. After a few moments it collapsed.

Helia looted the minor power crystal that dropped from its corpse.

“I told you I could handle myself,” Helia said sleepily as she sauntered up to Empress.

Empress’s mouth was wide open. Helia’s fighting style was horrific. She glanced at the red-haired girl from the corner of her eyes.

Maybe a sidekick wasn’t such a good idea.