Chapter 220
Skinwalkers.
They were… fawning? Over Athela?
If that was even the right word.
Prostrating or attending to her with different odds, ends, gifts and food they had on hand, Riven watched the strange pale creatures deliver her trays of refreshments while she sunbathed in their newly built temporary lair next to Tanya’s family cabin.
Hakim’s cabin?
Who knew. They all shared it so who cared.
“Athela…” Riven said with a dumbfounded look on his face, equivalent to those the others had on their own faces when they’d returned to the woodland home to find this amalgamation of demonic entities. “Just how did you convert them into servants, one more time?”
“We wish to serve the great one!” A pale, faceless humanoid creature with abnormally long and wiry, clawed limbs said fervently. It bowed and prostrated itself before Riven next. “We did not know an archdemon existed on this planet! We are indebted to her gracious act of sparing us, and wish to grow in her shadow so that we too may one day find glory!”
Athela smugly smirked Riven’s way, gesturing to the nest she’d crated. Bloodsilk now formed layers upon layers of walls, webs, and cocooned carcasses of animals - creating a multi-layer structure of her webs between the large trees with only a single central tunnel shaped like a funnel that allowed the sunlight onto her sunbathing spot. “It was my charm! I am a princess after all!”
She gave him a wink on the web hammock she’d created, then closed her eyes and enjoyed the deep tissue massage one of the other demons was giving her. “You should do this more often, you know. I’d like it more if it was coming from you. Or Fay…”
Fay blushed, and Riven outwardly laughed and shook his head in amazement.
Julie was less enthused by it, and her voice quivered when she spoke next to Hakim. “Didn’t these creatures eat John and Sara? Sara… she was pregnant… She was so nice…”
“We ate them long before you knew her.” One of the skinwalkers said, cocking its head to the side from a perched position up above in the webbing. “The person you always talked to was actually me. I am the Sara you’ve known all along. My real name is Selzi, and yes - I am actually pregnant with child. That is not false.”
This admission was something of a shock to Julie, who didn’t know how to handle the information at all. She stuttered twice, had a series of conflicting emotions cross her face, and then she simply turned to leave - walking out the hole used as a door with Hakim quickly following.
“Interesting. As long as they’re not hostile I don’t mind.” Tim stated with a shrug. “Going to start on your crafting gig today?”
“In a few hours, yes.” Riven nodded, letting Fay help him up and feeling his soul jolt when a strand of Gluttony yanked a little too hard on one of his shattered fragments. “Uhm, I’m going to need to rest for a while though. I have an off-world meeting later today with The Blood Moon Requiem, so I’ll probably be out of commission for while. If you need me, just talk to my demons - they’ll be staying here while I’m gone excluding Fay. She’ll be escorting me to the vampire compound back home. Latest, we’ll be gone until tomorrow morning.”
Tim frowned, and Len’s laughter was heard alongside Tanya and Genua outside. “Just what exactly is The Blood Moon Requiem anyway? Not a lot is known about it on the forums, all the Panu forum community knows is you’re registered as a lost prince of that place and it has to do with off-world vampires.”
“That’s basically all there is to it. Space vampires.”
Tim snorted a laugh at Riven’s deadpan expression. “Alright, fine. Keep your secrets!”
They exchanged smiles and a handshake - Riven already feeling week from standing for more than a dozen seconds. “Alright man I’ll see you when I get back. Athela? Mind making that thing bigger for Fay and I to join?”
“YOU’RE JOINING?!” Athela exclaimed in a squeal of delight, immediately opening her eyes and getting to work in a blur of motion that sent strands of blood webbing in numerous directions. “Ooooh a midday nap! I’m so excited to cuddle with the two of you! Skinwalkers, take a hike. I need private time with my man and succubus friend.”
“Yes, my lady!” Ak’ra - Selzi’s husband, grabbed the other skinwalker and abruptly shifted, turning into their Sara and John figures before exiting the bloodsilk nest with over twenty other skinwalkers in tow. They all bowed or said respectful well wishes, and one of them even offered Tim help training his thieving class up.
“You’re willing to help level my pickpocket ability?” Tim asked, repeating the offer this unknown demon had just laid out. His freckled face twisted into a confused half-smile. “Why? I would certainly appreciate it but… why me?”
The skinwalker’s bald head bowed low. “You are friends of the great one, it would be an honor to help you along with your class evolutions! I have a very similar class involving subterfuge as well, and I too have the pickpocket skill. When I overheard your mother Tanya talking about it, I told myself that I should ask. Not to brag, but I am rather good at it.”
“Sounds like a good deal to me.” Riven said encouragingly, smiling at the continued look of surprise on Tim’s face.
Tim, for his part, slowly nodded and then gave Riven and the two women standing with him a wave. “I’ll see you later tonight or tomorrow! Good luck with your meeting!”
“Thanks man. Adios for now.”
The last of them left, leaving Riven standing with an arm over Fay’s blue shoulders to support himself and staring at the nest’s entrance.
“You two just going to stand there looking sexy or am I going to have to drag the both of you down with me?” Athela said lazily from the back, getting a sharp inhale from Fay when she and Riven turned around to look at the other demoness.
Athela was missing her chitin now, the outer shell layer she usually wore was gone and in its place was softer black skin - emphasizing her now completely bare feminine qualities. She was seductively laid out with her head propped up on one hand, and grinning at the two of them like a predator about to pounce. Hiking up a pointer finger, she clawed in the air signifying them to come to her. “I’m waiting…”
“Didn’t realize it was going to be that kind of nap!” Riven laughed, sitting down on the bloodsilk that’d been very rapidly transitioned from hammock into a pseudo-bed. He winced when he put his entire weight down, his lumbar spine screaming at him with the act, and jolts of his injured soul painfully lit up when his mana channels that connected his physical body to his soul realm twitched. “I may not be able to be as active as I usually am.”
Fay laughed, gently pushing him forward into Athela’s grip and helping him up onto the bed. “We can do the work, don’t worry. Just relax, enjoy the sunshine, and let us put on a show that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
“Did you tell him yet?” Athela asked curiously, pushing her warm body up against his with a gleeful grin.
“Of course I did!” Fay promptly replied - kicking off her knee-high boots and laughing at the smug look Riven was making when Athela started taking off his belt. “I couldn’t keep that a secret for long! You know that. He approves, just like you’d said he would.”
Athela giggled evilly. “Yeah I kind of counted on it, let me avoid the discussion myself. Alright, cat’s out of the bag - now let’s have some fun!”
***
Helicopter blades whirred about them, beating against the air and delivering Riven, Fay, and Allie at The Blood Moon Requiem’s compound where dozens of vampire soldiers bearing Wraithtide’s sigil of an orb wreathed in deathly black-teal flames stood at attention.
Allie gave the necropolis pilot a thumbs up. “Thanks Jack, we’ve got it from here!”
“No problem my queen, always a pleasure to escort you from place to place.” The military man in the cockpit gave her a thumbs up back through the window, and when the three others were off - began lifting up off the landing spot before heading towards the airfields their military were using.
Riven and Allie watched the helicopter go as Fay adjusted Riven’s legs on the wheelchair.
“Remind me to ask General Viku about getting some modification specs for our own fleet on Panu.” Allie muttered under her breath when the sound of the beating blades keeping the machine aloft were no longer heard. “If what you say about Wraithtide’s fleet is correct, they’re thousands of years in development ahead of us. Maybe more.”
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“Probably more.” Riven nodded in agreement. “But I doubt it would work. Already asked Kathrine about this and she said the system would either tax the everlasting hell out of that kind of knowledge, or in the more likely scenario - it’d completely stop it from coming at all through numerous means including and not limited to smiting people dead. That kind of knowledge would be something that could shift the balance of these world trials and the political landscape so fast and so drastically that Elysium likely just wouldn’t allow it.”
Allie’s shoulder’s sagged. “Damn. And speak of the devil…”
Out of the inner compound where the main body of the fortress was located, came Kathrine. Her long brown hair was swept to one side and the usual style of a form fitting black dress with red flowers of her house on it was worn yet again - though she had six of her own personal house guards with her.
She took about twenty seconds to reach them, then nodded in greeting to both Fay and Allie - getting polite smiles in return, before giving a genuine grin Riven’s way. She then bowed low at the waist. “Riven… I never got to say thank you for saving my life. What you did, using your malignant prophecy to make sure that I didn’t die, has both me and my parents flustered in a good way. None of us are sure how we will ever repay your kindness.”
Riven waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve had a rough time now, with two attempts on your life since getting here and you’ve never done me wrong.”
She raised her head and straightened her posture, a soft gaze lingering on him before turning heel and gesturing them to follow. “Suitable words from my future husband, I suppose. Come now, your family is waiting for you on the other side.”
Allie and Fay shared a look, each of them rolling their eyes while Fay pushed Riven ahead - letting the vampiric guards fall in line around them while they marched into the walls of the inner compound.
Construction was still underway concerning repairs, and there were many corridors and rooms that still held bloodstains. The bodies had been cleaned out and servants were putting the walls back in place with various kinds of crafting magic, but they all stopped to prostrate themselves when the three royals passed.
“Anything I should know about this meeting?” Riven asked curiously, turning a corner in the inner sanctum of the fortress and eventually coming to a stop inside the ritual room he’d used last time.
Kathrine cleared her throat and nodded to the wizards, sorcerers and ritualists lining the area - signaling them to start the process when the runes and crystals began lighting up. “Not necessarily concerning your family, no. General Viku no doubt knows more about the inner squabbling than I do, and he is a trustworthy man that served your mother well. I have no doubt he has your best interest in mind so if in doubt, ask him for any advice you might want. As for the rest of what recently transpired…”
Her voice trailed off and her face fell, red eyes casting themselves to the floor and porcelain features contorting with worry. “The empire is not in a good place right now. There will be political upheavals at worst, assassinations are being carried out daily in one sector of the empire or another, and the elder council has congregated to enter seclusion indefinitely until they can fix whatever it is they are trying to fix about this problem. Elder Thune and High Queen Nephridi have always been at odds, but it’s never been this bad before.”
“No point in worrying about things we can’t fix, but sending that little bitch Lord Barimont to force Allie’s hand like that was an absolute no go.” Riven shrugged. “Neither of us have regrets.”
“You got that right… He tried killing Lahn.” Allie muttered venomously. “Good riddance.”
Kathrine laughed, shaking her head while Fay remained still and silent. “Good gods… Are the two of you ready to enter the ritual? I believe it is ready to activate.”
***
Riven’s hologram form materialized on board the supercarrier right on time, and General Viku’s spirits rose when - for the very first time - he laid eyes on Allie’s figure alongside the prince. There was also Kathrine Vonsilla Crushada, but she was less important to General Viku than the two heirs of his house were.
“My prince, princesses!” General Viku bowed low and took a knee, the glow of light from above reflecting off his perfectly shaved head and polished plate armor. “Your highnesses! Thank you for coming. I sincerely appreciate the time you’re taking out of your doubtlessly busy schedules in order to run the inheritance your parents left behind! Much is needing to be done.”
The walk through the flagship was just as awe inspiring to Allie as it’d been to Riven, with the bay doors shielded by some kind of forcefield being the same exact point she stopped this time around - a replica of how he’d been taken so aback by seeing the nebula and starship fleet of sleek, dagger-like black and red vessels outside in planetary orbit.
“Wow…” Allie said, just staring absolutely wide-eyed at the thousands of craft floating with the backdrop of a beautiful starry display. “This is incredible… Riven! Why didn’t you tell me about this!?”
She whirled and glared at him accusingly, getting a laugh from his spectral self-image.
“I did tell you about it! You just chose to ignore it.”
“Did not! This is WAY cooler than you made the previous trip out to be!”
Fay was equally stunned, and came up to the forcefield’s edge while gawking into the abyss beyond. “This is incredible…”
“Right?!” Allie agreed with a huge smile, joining Fay at the lip of the drop off while lights blinked randomly throughout the fleet beyond.
Kathrine cleared her throat, getting Riven’s attention while General Viku grinned in satisfaction at the reaction Allie was having to the tour.
“Yes, Kathrine?” Riven asked, glancing left to where her own spectral visage stood beside him.
Kathrine beamed. “I think you two should come visit my own place sometime, now that General Viku was kind enough to create such a message delivery system. My parents have been wanting to meet you, and Allie as well, to discuss potential trade negotiations and upcoming wedding ceremonies scheduled for next yet. Would that be alright?”
“Next year?” Riven repeated - suddenly struck dumb. “That’s… awfully close.”
Kathrine’s face fell into a concerned frown. “Is something the matter? I’d already talked to Athela about things like you’d said and she understood the situation… I hope there aren’t second thoughts on the matter. I realize that our relationship will never be real, and is more of a political ploy for both our houses as well as a means to acquire more of the gift for the empire - but…”
Riven shook his head, giving her an encouraging smile. “No, you’re fine. It’s just hitting me a bit harder now that you’re giving me a timeline. Sorry if I came out as shocked.”
Her eyes searched him for a bit, and she took in a deep breath before steeling herself. “Very well. I’ll tell my parents you need to have some more time, and if we need to put a hold on the wedding we can. Whatever makes things most comfortable for you.”
They stared at each other in silence for a solid ten seconds after that, while Fay and Allie continued to point out things to one another at the edge of the pilot’s bay like little school children at the zoo.
“Thank you, Kathrine.” Riven eventually replied, and he gave a nod. “That would be appreciated. I’ll meet your parents in time, just… give me a bit. With everything that’s happening, I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed.”
“Of course.” She politely smiled back, though the smile no longer reached the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry if politics have corrupted your view of our empire. It really isn’t that bad of a place most of the time.”
“Questionable.” General Viku muttered with a sideways glance, getting the attention of both Kathrine and Riven simultaneously. His red eyes narrowed. “It’s a cesspool. One that the queen has been trying to clear up for some time, but the corruption is rampant and the other elders make things hard for the rest of us. At least, that is my opinion. I am, however, far older than you princess - I am sure you’ll probably come to the same conclusion as I eventually given time. Your parents are good people though, so at least you have that going for you.”
Princess Kathrine Vonsilla Crushada was somewhat taken aback by this statement, but she shook herself out of her momentary shock at being addressed by this high ranking military official with a curtsy. “Thank you for your kind words concerning my parents, and for the insight you have granted me. I will meditate upon your wisdom and seek answers, I assure you.”
General Viku scoffed with an eye roll, then quickly corrected himself and shook his head like a wet dog. “Sorry, princess! I did not mean that as a rude thing. I just don’t need to be addressed as formally or placated with such aggrandizing words, I am a mere head of House Wraithtide’s military. A privatized general of the empire. Nothing more.”
The rest of the tour was much the same as last time. The central deck showed the large constructed stargate with merchant fleets coming in and out, as well as the large space station they were docking in and the planet Luteski far below.
“51.23 Million vampire citizens, and over 6 billion slaves.” General Viku stated after a while of shocked stares from the two women who hadn’t been here before. He turned his bald head to meet Allie’s respondent gaze. “That is what your family lords over and controls. It is your inheritance, where your brother - and you to a lesser extent as second in line to the house name after your parents left - is able to make and change laws that determine the way people life. To most if not all of those slaves, your word is law. You are gods to them, so far out of their reach that they can’t even comprehend it.”
Allie blinked. “Why are you telling me this like you’re trying to make a point?”
General Viku gave a sad smile. “Because, Princess Allie Wraithtide, though it is Riven’s name that holds the most dominant power of this house - it is you with the true power behind it. After speaking with Riven previously and after watching the two of you on Panu, it is very apparent to me that Riven is a weapon. A sword that he begrudgingly shapes himself into in order to make his own version of the world. He is a threat, a hidden dagger you use to spearhead your advancement of the civilization you are building on the frontier - and he allows you to do this because he loves you. Would I be wrong in assuming that it will likely be a shared venture between the two of you when running Luteski?”
Allie slowly began to blush at the mention of Riven’s brotherly affection toward her, but Riven gave her a warm smile and calmed her down - allowing her to nod. “You’re probably right. What about it?”
General Viku chuckled and folded his arms while his gaze shot back to the planet and merchant fleets beyond the window. “Because though you haven’t yet been to the empire up until now, your name is already known far and wide as being absolutely ruthless. It is a quality many of our kind are proud of, proud of FOR you! It is needed in your line of work, in order to get things done properly. To crush your enemies into dust so that order may remain.”
The man sighed, then fully faced the young woman with determination set in his hardened jawline. “Those enemies I speak of live within your own house, princess. Before you enter into the room where your extended family is now gathered here on this ship, know this: they are not your friends. They are vultures, maggots trying to eat away at the diseased corpse of the dying animal that was your house so that they could squeeze the last of life and prosperity from it before its end. They are corrupt beyond measure, and they think only for themselves. Given there are a few of them that aren’t like this, but that’s how most of them are - and I want you to be very aware of this before speaking to them. They have the smiles of snakes, and the venom to go along with it. The reports I give you when we meet the rest of your family will show some of these things in an obvious light, while other things are not as well defined - but Kathrine will be there to guide you if she sees things amiss. Things that I myself have seen, where you can make jumps of logic even despite not having true proof. Now, are you ready to go in there? Are you ready to pull out that cloak of ruthlessness that you so readily use back on Panu? Are you willing to do what needs to be done in order to better the lives of your citizens? Because if not, if you are not ready to face the family branches, we may perhaps want to postpone this meeting to another date.”