The bones shifted in a gruesome symphony, bulging out from under his ivory pale skin. Further grew out from the previous as his torso elongated. In a macabre fashion it swinged in all directions of the compass before it stiffened in an instant. Then the sound of flesh tearing followed as his abdomen opened up like a book, revealing the putrid flesh, burnt chunks dropped onto the floor, blood tainting its radiant surface.
His jaw expanded while also additional grew in its sickly embrace, stacking inside the original. A vertical hole slit open in the center of his forehead, darkness filled it before an orange, wet pearl formed in its center, brimming with infernal light while dark roots spread down his mangled, grotesque visage that no longer resembled Vidnol.
Within seconds, the short, bulky Vidnol that lied motionless on the ground now stood taller than the highest drachelven. His arms elongated, his smoking, shadow claws scraped the ground as It groaned in a distorted, bellowing voice while It slowly approached towards Aurelithae, Asatyra and Ohtia.
His single pupiled eye darted around, its infernal glow lightly scorching those it passed through before it stopped staring at Aurelithae clearly.
“I have finally found you, little chosen.” The jaws moved in a dissonance as it spoke, slowly and gleefully trampling towards Aurelithae whom froze with fear. Thanks to Ohtia’s quick reaction, he pulled her away just as It’s left hand struck the floor, leaving infernal claw marks in it, spreading its sizzling vile.
“No point in running. Give her to me, and I gift you the rest of your miserable life.” It said in an agitated tone, fixating Its eyes at the two. Then as It rushed towards them, a spear flew besides Its gruesome, hellish head.
“Kill them.” Another shriek left the jaws. Groaning and screaming followed as the dead sprung up, attacking their former comrades. Some dug into their throats, their unnaturally strengthened jaws and teeth tearing pieces of the armor like flesh and weak bones.
“Come on.” Asatyra grabbed her arm and yanked Aurelithae away as they started sprinting towards the entrance door, an intricate wooden work with nine slender figures grafted onto its oak surface, separated by stripes of scales.
“Down.” Ohtia yelled, and in that moment, they fell flat on their face in a coordinated manner, as hellish flames went past them, catching on to both the living and the undead. In a matter of seconds, the flames consumed them, only giving them a few second to emit their tortured wails.
Asatyra looped her right arm around her waist and lifted her up as they continued sprinting, It followed after them, the ground trembling under their feet while his soul shaking laughter filled the air.
“There is no point in running.” Ohtia turned around, venom gushing forth from his jaws right into Its ethereal eyes. It screamed in anger while breaking through the door closed on it. Its upper body seemingly swung around, all those meeting Its gaze fell burning. The infernal flames entered into their bodies, tainted their soul and raised them into an unholy service.
After rotating around three times, It sensed her fear, following after the sweet scent right into the sewer under the courtyard. “There you are. Would you be kind enough to die now?” It asked with a wide, chilling smile on Its grotesque visage. With what remains of Vidnol’s beard, turned into molten shadows creeping towards the trio. Then they wrapped around her right foot, pulling her closer as his jaws extended.
Before she would disappear in Its mouth, golden flames came forth from her leg, swirling into its jaws. Its distorted scream travelled through the whole sewer system. The flames expanded even more as Ohtia spewed black tar into Its burning orifice. It tore off Its own head, completely engulfed and burnt beyond its grotesque recognition.
Aurelithae screamed up next when in retaliation It swinged its clawed left hand at her abdomen. Ohtia tried to block the next one, while Asatyra sprang into action.
She ran towards It, her mana coursing through her Arkhaine points, muffling her steps while also conjuring reddish white flames around her arms through which they engulf her dagger’s blades. Her muscles tense, mana enhancing her leg’s capabilities, when she reached only three steps from It, she leapt high in the air. For a moment she tasted victory, then wicked crimson flames burst forth its gaping wound where Vidnol’s mutated head once was. They formed into a laughing, infernal skull that swallowed her whole.
Aurelithae watched in horror, almost screaming her name out but her dread stifled her words. Meanwhile Ohtia evaded the two more tendrils that joined the other, all aimed at him. With slithering movements, he dodged from their way as they tore through the air with clear aim being his head and heart.
With his claws, he severed them while funneling his mana through his Arkhaine points. He started chanting, the water flowing in the center started rising, shaping into a twirling tendril that wrapped around Its legs.
It crashed loudly on to the floor, though before It could get up, the water froze keeping It in place as it covered its lower body. Ohtia aimed for the same place, sensing a wicked presence condensed in that point. A third twirling watery tendril attached itself around his right arm, quickly freezing into a lance.
But before he could strike at It, the tendrils pierced through his body and hurl him onto the other side, crashing straight into the wall. In the same manner his blood poured out in an unhealthy amount while he laid motionless. “How vexing.” The ice shattered to hundreds of pieces as It freed itself from its binding.
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“Now, just be a good girl and stay where and as you are.” It slowly walked towards her with Its gaping neck facing Aurelithae. Its disembodied voice tensed up her limbs, she stayed still while her eyes shot wide as It slowly walked towards her. The tendrils whirled, danced as It got closer and closer. She managed to overcome her fear just as tears started flowing down her sharp cheeks, the same golden flames lit up parting the shadows as they engulfed both her arms.
But as fear remained within her, her attempts at controlling them failed. The ceiling caught on golden flames, bathing the whole area in radiance before it crumbles down on top of It. Yet it remained unfazed, the blocks of elven marble broke to pieces on impact.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be quick and gentle.” It spoke with a cackle as Aurelithae tried to crawl further and further away while sobbing.
With a clean swing, her right arm flew into the folk-made river flowing between the platforms, a luminous trail showed its path. Her scream echoed through the sewer as she passed out, her prismatic blood cascaded from the gaping wound. Its large hands wrapped around her body, lifting her closer to the gaping wound where a whirling array of teeth poke out from the flesh.
“Sweet, sweet tender elven meat.” The teeth danced around as Its vile voice came through the throat, murky saliva flowing out to the floor and onto the passed out Aurelithae.
Then It screamed as her prismatic blood streamed onto Its enormous hand. She fell onto the floor with a loud thud drowned out by the distorted scream. It intensified as three arrows, their heads engulfed in a radiant aura tore into Its infernal flesh. Similar cracks gradually appeared on Its borrowed body, their light gradually escalating until It explodes into ethereal dust, Its’ scream echoed through both sewer and the courtyard, escaping beyond its imposing walls.
Ivor landed on his feet and rushed towards Aurelithae. His right hand hovered above her mouth, letting out a sigh when her hot breath hit his palm. With somber eyes he looked at Ohtia’s cadaver before lifting her over his shoulder. He quickly tore off his left sleeve, tying it around the gaping wound of hers to stem the bleeding. The soft, dark fabric stiffened as her prismatic blood pervaded into a sphere.
As the footsteps increased above, he started sprinting into the dark, not looking back as metal clinging echoed through the path.
**
“Easy there lass.” Aurelithae jolted up from the bed screaming. Her prismatic eyes darted around the small room of the Sleeping Dragon Tavern. The sound of the busy crowd entered through the closed window. The deep, mellowing voice of Naghig calmed her down as her muscles gave in and lays onto her back once more.
“What happened? How I got out?” She asked in her tired voice as she noticed the masked figure, quickly recognizing Mirayroth thanks to his contrasting attire.
“You have been out for half a day. Which is a miracle all things considered.” His voice came clean through the mask, slightly distorted to sound a bit more feminine as the ivory masks bore a striking resemblance to the Lady of Night and Secrets, a minor deos serving under the Silent Shepherd.
“Thanks to Naghig your wounds have been healed, for now rest, and think of some lie to your father.” He slowly raised up, moved across the room like a ghost, spoke each word with a caring tone.
“Ivor brought me out. Is he fine?” As the last of her memories started flowing back, she asked in a weak, broken voice as she stared at her shaking hands.
“Yes, he explained mostly what happened, or at least what he thinks may have happened.” Mirayroth answered while Naghig walked to the table and poured out a fruity flavored drink which scent reached her, easing her mind a bit.
“I..” Aurelithae started speaking but before she could finish, Mirayroth shushed her. For a while she remained silent, recalling how It targeted her, how Asatyra and Ohtia died because of her. While confusion also clouded her mind.
“Do you know what was that?” She asked after deciding to keep this to herself. To a day when she can accept the truth.
“Infaerni.” Mirayroth said in an unnerving tone as his eyes veiled in shadows stared at her uttering the word. A shock run through her spine as she recalled reading about Infaerni, malevolent spirits that dwell in the in the Seven Hidden Infernos, their namesake. Realms each carved by the darkest desires of the Almodo he cut out from himself at the dawn of creation.
Like other similar wicked beings, they can’t enter the world through their being, a curse of theirs cast upon them by their unloving father. Their only way is through the weak, whom they make pacts with to just step foot and taint the His world in their unending resentment for their fate.
“With Vidnol being drained of his mind, seems like one saw a chance to enter our world. Pretty unlucky to enter into a Magistralua prison, but if not for you and the others, it may have wrought great misery upon the capital.” He said noticing her understanding of the word, his voice slowly decreasing in volume as his attention focused away from her, to outside the window.
“The people, your family may not know it. But you did a great service.” At those words, her pain eased for a bit, a weak, smile curved onto her trembling lips.
“Still feels strange that it chose to enter straight into their… our territory.” She said with a pondering gaze, trying to push the guilt away.
“It is as you say. My only explanation would be at this moment is that it sensed you. Your family, your father has a deeper connection to the Almodo in this world, one that is only toppled by His Chosen only.” Mirayroth added while staring up at the ceiling as he dwells in his thoughts.
“But well, it doesn’t matter now. Here drink this.” He said while looking at Naghig. The pale, imposing orkh nodded and brought out a small vial with a snow silvery hued liquid inside. The thick fluid slowly cascaded into a wooden cup on the table and he slowly brought to them.
“What is this?” She asked as she took the cup, its metallic stench burning her nostrils and even mouth.
“Your initiation. Welcome to the New Dawn your Highness.” Mirayroth answered in an eerily kind, welcoming tone.
After a bit of hesitation thanks to its metallic scent reminding her of a certain living flower her father once had ordered to their garden, she gulped it down in one go. She grabbed her belly as it started burning along with her throat and head. The world around her started spinning, blurring for a few moments before it stopped. A tender coldness followed, dark veins appeared under her perfectly smooth, fair skin for no more than a millisecond.