Death Walks Among Us

Rachel walked towards the parked trucks, King Alexander and his bodyguard in toe. As they approached, Zyhara and Matt jumped out of the lead vehicle, hastily walking towards the odd party. Rachel huffed, her mind spiraling on how she would handle this.

“Your Majesty, this is Princess Zyhara of Zion. And that is Mathew, knight of Zion and leader of this party. Everyone, meet King Alexander,” Rachel said.

Alexander bowed from the waste grandly as Zyhara curtsied, and Mathew saluted.

“A princess of the stars! I speak for Talabor when I say I am honored to receive you and pained that your welcome was not befitting your station,” Alexander grimaced.

“The honor is mine, your Majesty. No need to worry about the welcome; I was undercover,” Zyhara giggled.

“I seem to recall this little one being at the court several times.” One of the knights said.

“Indeed,” A voice called.

They turned to see Professor Abraham walking on.

“Ah, Abraham!” Alexander boomed.

“It is good to see you, my old friend,” The Professor grinned.

The two men embraced.

“I see you’ve been here for some time,” Rachel said.

“Uh-hum, yes, well, this planet holds a dear place in my heart,” Abraham nodded abashedly.

“When my father’s father was but a wee lad, Abraham joined the ranks of Zion. Our peoples have worked together tirelessly since,” Alexander said proudly.

“That would have been nice to know,” Matt said with an arched eyebrow.

“Ah yes, well, let’s just say this operation isn’t exactly commonly known. The council never knew we were here. I found out about the Zeta massacre when the weapons came to us; aside from that, I rarely visit Zion except to refuel,” Abraham said.

“And I just wanted to get away for a bit,” Zyhara sighed.

“Well, I hope you two have both learned to keep everyone up to date on where you guys are,” Rachel sighed.

“Yes, but to send the Goddess of Death, knights, and the very Princess, surely Zion has seen our plight and answered with righteous fury and steel!” Alexander said proudly.

The Zion acolytes all quickly and awkwardly mumbled, nodding hurriedly.

“So,” Rachel sighed, desperate to change the topic, “This village…”

“Right, yes, the village. Has mistress Rachel discussed the plan with you regarding the attack?” Abraham asked.

“Yes, of course, the knights of Zion shall lead the charge, with the mighty men of Talabor close behind!” Alexander said proudly.

“They have our friend,” Zyhara piped up.

King Alexander raised an eyebrow.

“One of my former pupils, this is her first-time leaving Zion,” Abraham said quickly.

“The black cloaks have taken a maiden of Zion? A thousand deaths upon their accursed heads, we shall free her from evil clutches and save the day! Else fail our holy vow!” Alexander proclaimed.

“Yes, most likely she will be used as bait,” Abraham sighed.

“Then we shall spring this fell trap!” Alexander grinned.

Rachel fought the urge to chuckle. She knew he was deadly serious, but it was so cheesy; he reminded her of a bad porno actor. Still, he was ready and eager to fight. She was just more concerned with protecting the Talaborians seeing as they would be of little help in the battle.

“I’ll find Sapphire and kill this Darktar. Just stay alive and keep them off my back, please?” Rachel asked.

Mathew and Abraham solemnly nodded.

“This is going to be awesome!” Zyhara giggled.

Rachel and Mathew shared a look, and she nodded.

“Hey, kiddo, mind walking with me for a second?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah, sure,” Zyhara said happily.

The two walked away as everyone else prepared. Rachel took a knee.

“Hey, listen-” Rachel sighed.

“This is going to be so cool!” Zyhara giggled.

“I want you to stay here with some of these dope knights. Can you do that for me?” Rachel asked.

The smile melted from her face, her eyes squinted as the princess frowned.

“I won’t get in the way,” She murmured, her eyes foggy.

“I know, kiddo. Trust me, I wish I was as brave as you were when I was your age,” Rachel said kindly.

“But I can help! I can particle manipulate, and-and” Zyhara stammered.

“You are the Princess of Zion. And even if you weren’t, I could never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“I’m not a child.”

“I know, trust me, I know.” Rachel smiled. “But this is the real shit, I dunno what’s gonna happen out there. Just stay back here, for me? Please?”

“This isn’t fair,” Zyhara grumbled.

“I know, kiddo, but you’ll get your chance to fight one day.”

“Why do I get protected when other people die!?!” Zyhara exclaimed. “How’s that fair?”

Rachel pursed her lips.

“Because you’re the important one,” She sighed.

“No one is more important than another,” Zyhara grumbled.

Rachel was silent.

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re too smart for your own good?” Rachel huffed.

“All the time,” Zyhara rolled her eyes.

Rachel chuckled.

“Yeah, listen. That’s leading, man. You see Alexander over there, you think he thinks it's fair when his men die?” Rachel asked.

“I don’t want to send people to die,” Zyhara stammered.

Rachel straightened Zyhara’s wool collar.

“One day, you’re going to have to make some tough choices if you’re going to rule. But for every good person who dies, ten innocent get away. You understand? We’re soldiers; we signed up for this. Better one of us eats it than some family eating dinner in their home because some asshole wants to prove something,” Rachel sighed.

“Have you ever sent people to die?”

Rachel looked her dead in the eye.

“Yeah,” Rachel said. “I have.”

“Does it get easier?” Zyhara asked.

“No!” Rachel exclaimed, startling Zyhara.

Rachel grimaced and patted the princess’s shoulder.

“No, it doesn’t, and it never should,” Rachel sighed.

Zyhara pursed her lips.

“I read your file,” She said sheepishly.

“Oh, did you now?” Rachel chuckled.

“First human Scourge since the Martian thirteen! The Angel of Death,” Zyhara recited proudly.

“Sorry I didn’t recognize you,” Rachel said abashedly.

“It’s okay; they hide me away. I walk around Zion all the time, and no one ever recognizes me,” Zyhara giggled.

“But your parents have to miss you tons? Shit, I would,” Rachel laughed.

A dark look shadowed Zyhara’s face.

“I don’t think they even noticed I’m gone,” She murmured.

Rachel shook her head.

“C’mon, kid, don’t say that. I’m sure they miss you. Shit, they probably got all the task forces out there right now, combing the stars for you,” Rachel chuckled.

“You think so?” Zyhara asked wistfully.

“I know so,” Rachel smiled.

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Rachel extended her finger and lightly tapped the young princess on the nose. Zyhara giggled.

Rachel stood up, stretching, her knees clicking as she groaned.

“C’mon, let’s find you some cool knights to chill with,” Rachel said.

Zyhara swiftly reached out and hugged Rachel, startling her. Rachel looked down and returned the embrace, holding her tightly. In the distance, Matt waved his arm.

“Let’s go; one more bad night, and we’re home,” Rachel laughed.

“Drinks on me when we get back!” Zyhara chuckled.

“You do not drink!” Rachel exclaimed.

Zyhara gave her a mischievous look before skipping away.

“Yo!” Rachel called.

She sighed, following behind as Zyhara went back to the group.

“Your Majesty, you mind donating some brave Knights to protect the Princess in the rear?” Rachel asked cautiously.

Immediately, several giant knights drew their swords, knelt, and stabbed their blades into the ground, saying it would be their highest honor.

“Great, well, that’s taken care of. Leaders, y’all mind following me for some recon?” Rachel sighed.

Lt. Mathew, Professor Abraham, and King Alexander followed as Rachel walked up the hill that overlooked the village in the far distance. As they reached the top, the smoke from the burning buildings came into view. From their perch, Rachel would see, with her enhanced sight, several bodies on stakes, lit ablaze as well.

“They shall regret this cruelty,” Alexander growled.

“Indeed. Do we have any intelligence on this Darktar?” Abraham asked.

Rachel shook her head, passing her scanner to Mathew.

“No. Best guess is that it’s some high-speed, super stealthy fuck, hiding in a corner somewhere,” Rachel sighed.

“We just have to kill that special light bearer, right? After that, Zyhara can send up her signal,” Mathew said.

“We kill every last one of them, then we send up that beacon,” Rachel said darkly.

“That may not be practical. We know nothing of their capabilities,” Abraham sighed.

“Nay. They can fly, set forests ablaze with a snap of their fingers, are cruel, prefer shadow, and do not engage in direct and honorable combat; there are far fewer of their number than ours,” Alexander reported.

Rachel studied the King.

“That’s actually pretty useful,” Mathew said with wonder.

“Alex, I mean, Alexander, do you by chance happen to know the attrition ratio of knights to ‘black cloaks’ kills?” Rachel asked.

“My lady?” The King asked with an arched eyebrow.

“She means, how many knights does it take to vanquish a single black cloak, your majesty,” Abraham said.

“Ah!” The King said. “For each black cloak slain, they have claimed five knights.”

“Five?!” Rachel stammered.

“Yes, five. We are mighty warriors of Talabor!” The King proclaimed proudly.

Rachel looked at Professor Abraham.

“As I said,” The Professor smiled. “A rather peculiar proclivity for particle manipulation.”

“Shit,” Rachel smiled.

She looked at Matt, who was also grinning.

“And I thought we were dealing with pros,” She whispered.

Mathew chuckled.

“Okay, sweet. Right, here’s what I’m thinking: trucks in the center. We use the armor and heavy guns to burn through the center of the village. We got the cavalry on either side protecting the flanks; I say we emplace Matt on that hill with his guys, giving us some traveling overwatch,” Rachel nodded.

“Sounds good to me,” Mathew shrugged.

“They shall sing tales of our valor in the halls of my ancestors!” Alex boomed.

“I see no reason why that wouldn’t work. Perhaps a bit more caution, but then again, who can tell what they are doing to Sapphire as we speak,” Abraham said darkly.

Suddenly, movement in the bushes to their far-right caught their eye. In an instant, Alexander drew his sword. Professor Abraham ignited his bright red fire. Mathew leveled his gun. Rachel was already in the air, her energy bow drawn. Sapphire stumbled out of the bushes.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rachel roared, falling back to the ground.

“Sapphire?!” Mathew shouted.

“Ah! We have rescued the fair maiden of Zion! Huzzah!” Alexander boomed.

“You’re alive!” Abraham chuckled.

Sapphire was silent. It was amazing she could walk; her body was a mess. Her right arm was broken, with a bone sticking out from the clothes. Her legs and head were covered in light burns and claw marks as she ascended the hill.

Rachel hastily came down, studying the acolyte cautiously.

“Holy shit, it’s really you,” Rachel said with wonder.

Sapphire extended her good arm and slapped Rachel across the face as hard as possible.

“You left me!” She seethed.

Rachel pursed her lips, choking down her anger.

“I deserve that,” Rachel shrugged.

“Ah!” Sapphire screeched. “I see we have recovered the great Professor, Abraham.”

“My dear, please,” Abraham raised his open palms.

“Please, what?” Sapphire manically shouted. “Calm down? You want me to calm down? I have been hunted like an animal through these bushes for the last night! One of them tried to rape me; I barely made it out alive!”

“You are in shock, my dear; let us help you,” Abraham called.

“Don’t come near me!” Sapphire screeched.

“Fair maiden, allow me to introduce myself-” Alexander bowed.

“One more word out of your savage mouth, and I swear to Zion I will disintegrate you!” Sapphire shouted.

“Okay, everything you’re saying is valid, but now is really not the time, Sapphire,” Rachel grumbled.

“Ooooooooh! Now is not the time? I am so sorry. I’ll just wait and bleed out while you idiots charge that ambush!” Sapphire shouted, waving her hand.

“What do you mean?” Mathew asked.

“You go down there; you will all die!” Sapphire screamed.

“I think we can handle some emo terrorists,” Rachel scoffed.

“When we get back, I am taking all of your statuses! The council will hear of this!” Sapphire shouted.

As they argued, Zyhara came up, followed by her new bodyguard.

“You!” Sapphire pointed with gritted teeth.

“Acolyte Sapphire, shut your mouth and fall back to the rear to get medical attention,” Zyhara ordered.

Sapphire's eyes nearly popped out of her face.

She began slowly creeping towards Zyhara. Everyone stepped sideways, getting in her way.

“I understand due to a tactical error, you were gravely mistreated. But before you open your mouth, understand you are addressing the Princess of Zion,” Professor Abraham said firmly.

Sapphire’s face was pure shock and rage as she stammered.

“T-t-t-tactical, error?” She softly asked.

“Yes. A tactical error, of which you could have easily avoided, acolyte.” Zyhara said firmly. “One more threat out of you, and my aunts, uncles, cousins, the council? They will actually hear of this, and it won't be discarded, unlike your little library paperwork. You will be reassigned to a more a suitable task when we get back. Now, go get seen by the shamans.”

Sapphire stood there like a statue. Rachel was shocked, a mixture of pride and fear running through her.

“Staff sergeant, take that village. Come and get us when it’s over. My beacon is hidden under the house's floorboards that you found me in,” Zyhara said firmly.

“Yes, ma’am.” Rachel nodded.

Sapphire gave a murderous look to Rachel.

“You all deserve everything coming to you, down in that valley,” Sapphire grinned.

“Now, Acolyte!” Zyhara barked.

“At once, your majesty,” Sapphire groaned, walking past them all.

Mathew and Rachel both looked at each other.

“Fuck me,” Rachel said softly.

“Hey, eyes up. We’ve got a village to take,” Mathew grinned.

“Yeah,” Rachel sighed. “Mount up, people!”

The group dispersed.

Rachel took to the sky, watching as the Zion military climbed inside the trucks, the Talaborians mounting their steads. Below her, the ocean of metal and men slowly shifted, moving towards the village, flowing into the valley. No turning back now.

Slowly, the trucks crested the hill, the long lines of knights on either side trotting at pace. It was indeed a beautiful sight. The knights looked glorious, banners flapping in the wind, armor gleaming, weapons were drawn. She could see Mathew grinning from his driver’s seat, Professor Abraham on the passenger’s side.

“Hey, the angel of death,” Mathew chortled on the radio. “You gonna send us in without a speech?”

Rachel rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, let's go fuck shit up!” Rachel boomed.

Some of the knights looked and raised their swords, cheering.

“That sucked,” Mathew laughed on the radio.

“Suck my dick, Matt.” Rachel jabbed.

“Dude, most of them don’t speak English; they’re just cheering because some hot lady with wings was yelling at them,” Mathew chortled.

Rachel groaned.

King Alexander stomped his steed out from the Army and saluted with his sword upwards towards Rachel with a grin. He then faced his men. He became serious and began speaking in his native tongue.

“Shall I translate?” Professor Abraham asked on the radio.

“Sure,” Rachel sighed. “Why not?”

“The Goddess of War and Beauty has graced our lands. Let us honor her call and meet her foes with honor and courage,” Abraham said.

“Dayum, homie likes you!” Mathew laughed.

“I will fucking smite you; you ginger fuck,” Rachel growled.

Mathew’s laughter echoed over the radio net as Professor Abraham continued.

“Let this be a new day for Talabor. For our children, our shield brethren, and our future. Forward, brave children of Talabor,” Abraham said.

“See, now that’s a good speech.” Mathew chortled.

Rachel huffed as she rolled midair, facing the village.

“Let’s get it,” Rachel growled.

They entered the valley, the village merely a few kilometers away. The Army stayed at a steady pace, careful about any surprises. The Talaborian army lurched forward, majestically charging down the hill. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the valley erupted.

The village lit up like a Christmas tree, the muzzle flashes from concealed gun positions flashing like hidden lights. A massive explosion ripped through the ranks of the knights, sending men and Artue flailing through the air like ragdolls. The gun trucks opened fire, tracers, and missiles flying.

Suddenly, a truck erupted, the improvised explosive device buried in the ground beneath it exploding. All people on board disappeared in a fireball, the truck dematerializing in a furry of mayhem. Rachel shrieked, searching frantically for targets.

Bolts of bright red energy soared towards her as she desperately dodged. One managed to hit her, altering her course as she weaved midair. She tried to steady herself, but five fireballs shaped like humans smashed into her just as she leveled out. The flying enemy slammed into her, as she stabbed at them with swords and daggers made of energy.

Rachel shouted, grabbed a flying man by the throat, and cut his head off. She then fired point-blank into the chest of another, completely disintegrating their upper torso. Two more came at her, and she charged them. In midair, with a thunderous crash, they clashed. Weapons and energy intermignled like a geyser of light and fire as they dueled. Rachel overpowered them, sending both limp and dead hurtling to the ground.

The last one attempted to flee. She notched an arrow and sent it flying straight into their back. With a fiery explosion, they disappeared. She then looked down, gazing at the battlefield. The Zion military had dismounted, a few brave souls left crewing the gun trucks. Professor Abraham and Mathew bravely lead the way, their energies deployed.

Suddenly, multiple explosions ripped through the fighters of Zion. Land mines. Dozens of men and women went up in pink mist as the detonations tore through their ranks. As they charged, hidden spider holes opened. Warriors in black armor and cloaks smashed into the lines with deployed red, purple, and blue energy. Hand-to-hand combat began.

King Alexander blew his war horn, his men echoing the war call. Each man’s sword, or lance, was encased with fire in the blink of an eye. The knights charged forwards, hitting the Dark Axium head-on, trampling the enemy, slashing and stabbing from Artueback as the valley disintegrated into pitched battle.

Rachel soared over their heads, desperately searching for any odd signature that might have been the Darktar. She saw a tiny glint on the far side of the burning village.

“Got you bitch,” Rachel sneered.

She accelerated forward, reaching top speed, her energy flickering as the wind and G forces pummeled her body. The Angel of Death roared overhead, mimicking the sound of a low passing fighter jet as she tore through the air. The glint grew closer and closer.

Just as she was about to be right above it, a projectile shot up towards her, made of black energy. Rachel attempted to dodge, but the shot tore through her right wing, nearly severing it from her body. Rachel shrieked in pain as she hurtled to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Rachel smashed through the roof of a burning hut. Rachel clawed her way through the wreckage in a blur of immense, staggering pain and confusion. She emerged into the center of the village.

Standing in the center of the village stood a lone man. He was bald, skinny, with painted black nails and makeup. He was covered from head to toe in black leather residing underneath terrible and horned black armor. His cruel mouth was framed by teeth filed to a point. He was encased in dark black and blue fire, with two wings expanding from his shoulder blades and two smaller branches extending from his lower back. The wings had the texture of bat wings. He held a suitcase.

“Looking for this?” He grinned.

Rachel drew her bow, channeling every iota of anger, hate, and pain into her energy. She floated, her wing slowly mending, reaching its proper form. Her hair whipped about, lightning arching from her body, black flame roaring like a furnace from her state.

“I’m going to enjoy killing you,” Rachel’s voice boomed through the village.

“You may try,” The Man sneered.

The Darktar dropped the suitcase, clothes piling out. A small, golden medallion fell into the ashy mud. The beacon. He extended his hands outward, a long fishing line like web of pure white energy flowed from his hands as if he had long lines of string made of electricity attached to his fingertips.

The two charged each other.

The Darktar whirled the long thin energy lines above his head like a whip and lashed out. She grabbed a line by the hand and snapped it in half; the energy exploded, sending a geyser of sparks and white lighting. Rachel then dodged, notching and sending an arrow.

As Rachel notched another arrow, pain-racked her body. She looked down, only to notice being snared by the other long lines, wrapping themselves around her body. Every inch of her body that they touched, seared and burned, smoke rising from the wounds as she faceplanted into the mud.

The Darktar laughed as he triumphantly strolled over.

As Rachel struggled in the mud, she could see the battlefield. In the distance, fire and smoke rose, the sound of clanging metal and gunshots dissipating. As she struggled, Mathew crossed the farming grounds, having abandoned the plan, entering the village. Behind him, several Zion troopers followed, shooting everywhere as they were surrounded. He held out his hand, shouting something.

A hailstorm of machine-gun tracer fire, energy bolts, and rifle bullets tore through them. Rachel could see in real-time as chunks of Mathew were thrown into the air, his body crumpling, his lifeless face smashing into the blood-soaked ground, his men meeting similar fates.

In the distance, a giant creature had lumbered onto the field. He was twenty feet tall, with dark grey skin and four arms covered in scaly armor. A Gurgen. The massive creature stormed forward, sending Talaborians flying before him as he wielded a tree as a mace. King Alexander charged forward; lance lowered. Behind him, Professor Abraham lobbed massive red firebolts at the giant.

The Gurgen swatted the King aside, sending the man’s crumpled body through the air and out of sight. The Gurgen roared and charged the Professor. The old man attempted to flee, but the giant caught up and snatched him with a firm hand. In the air, the Gurgen grabbed Abraham’s arms with one claw, and with the other his legs, and pulled. Ripping the Man in two and sending both parts flying in opposite directions with a roar like guttural laughter.

Rachel screamed in pain and fury.

The Darktar knelt next to the wounded Angel, chuckling.

“Thank you so much for delivering the dear little princes to us. That tiny, weak, supple little body of hers. Oh, one shivers at what I’m going to do to her,” The Darktar whispered in her ear.

In his moment of triumph, he had not noticed her body healing far faster than usual. Rachel closed her eyes. She had felt this sensation only once before. When her team had all died on Earth. When her family had died. When every single man, woman, and child she had ever known, died.

“Nothing to say, sweet Angel of Death?” The Darktar sneered, running a bare digit down her cheek.

“It is time,” a woman’s voice echoed in Rachel’s mind.

Rachel opened her eyes.

Standing beyond her was a dark and beautiful woman. Her skin was as pale as bone, her silver hair flowing, covering her chest, a pitch-black robe covering her body, giving her the sense of a specter. Beside her stood Mathew, Abraham, and everyone else who had died on this mission. Neither the Darktar nor anyone else noticed them. Her glowing red eyes kindly studied the defeated light bearer.

“No,” Rachel softly stammered as time seemed to slow down.

The woman slowly walked over to the trapped warrior and knelt.

“I came to you once before, and you were not ready. But now is the time, my child. Take my place and deliver justice upon these wretches. Restore balance,” The woman kindly said as she caressed Rachel's bloodied face in frozen time.

“I am not the one you think I am,” Rachel sobbed.

“You are the last child of your world. And my successor. If nothing else, do this now, for all who have met such an awful fate,” The woman said kindly.

“I will not become the shepherd of the dead!” Rachel moaned.

“You always have been, dear daughter,” The woman said solemnly.

Rachel wept, every ounce of pain, fear, and regret gushing forward.

“I miss you,” Rachel sobbed.

“I am so very, very proud of you,” The woman kindly smiled. “You cannot change the past, but you can help that defenseless little girl. Do this, for her and everyone you once held dear.”

Rachel banged her head into the mud.

“I accept my fate,” She moaned.

The woman nodded.

“I will succeed you,” Rachel cried.

The woman smiled.

“One day, you shall see them all again. But today, you must avenge them. Go forth, my daughter, bear my mantle, and end this darkness,” Death said.

The woman stood and backed away, her form changing. A thousand morphing faces, her body shrinking. The body evaporated, the ghosts disintegrating. The ocean tide of fog and memory flowed through the air and into Rachel.

The remaining life force of each warrior fed into Rachel as time pushed forward once again. She could feel each last breath, their hopes, dreams, and dying wishes.

Rachel roared and snapped the energy cables. The Darktar stumbled backward, falling to the ground, and scampering away on all fours as she completely stood up. She could see the plains of reality and feel the flow of time. Every life spent now fed into her power.

Her body shimmered with grey light as her energy took a new form. She looked down onto the Darktar and crossed the few feet to him in a blur of motion. He tried to fight back, but she easily parried his strikes, pinning him on the ground with her boot to his chest.

“What are you?” He asked with a bloodless face, his eyes wide.

“Death,” Rachel snarled.

She stomped downward, crushing the man. His torso exploded, viscera and organs flying everywhere. Rachel roared and pounded the body with her fists, encased in black flame. Once he was a bloody mush, Rachel went over to the medallion.

She picked it up, studying it. It was a majestic medallion, made of silver and gold, its design intricate and well forged. Rachel dissipated into the fog, traveling the battlefield at mind-blowing speed. She reached the truck Zyhara was hiding behind alongside Sapphire.

Rachel reformed out of thin air, kneeling beside the two.

Both Zyhara and Sapphire screamed as the knights drew their blades.

“Here,” Rachel growled, holding out the medallion.

Zyhara, shocked, studied the medallion, then hugged Rachel in a rib-cracking embrace.

“I thought you died,” Zyhara cried.

Rachel grimaced and slowly hugged her back. Sapphire and Rachel shared a look; Sapphire’s pale face was framed with a twitching frown, her blue eyes searching.

“It’s okay, kiddo,” Rachel croaked softly with pain stained words.

Zyhara released her.

“What about the others?” Zyhara sniffled.

“Please, just call home,” Rachel sighed.

Zyhara nodded, wiping away a tear.

“What happened-” Sapphire cautiously started.

Rachel raised a finger.

“Please. Don’t,” Rachel softly murmured.

Sapphire worriedly nodded; her face framed with fear.

Zyhara ignited her energy, purple sparks flying from her fingers and hands as she held the medallion. The medallion glowed, a faint beam of light shooting towards the sky.

“This is Princess Zyhara,” She sniffled, her voice echoing. “I am on Talabor, with what remains of Taskforce Sapphire, please, we need assistance. I don’t know how much longer we will last.”

Rachel nodded.

The warrior stood, gazing down on the carnage in the valley.

“What are you doing?” Sapphire asked.

“Getting some fucking payback,” Rachel growled.

With a blur of motion, sparks and black flame lapping about, Death descended into the valley of war.