SVAN CHORYTH

We were left on our own, hung to dry. After numerous efforts, trying to get in contact with the imperium, we got no response from them. There was no way they didn’t know what was going on; it was no longer news that we were being attacked. I couldn’t think of any reason why they decided to be silent. Whatever reason they had for their actions certainly did us no good.

We were left with two options; either we patiently awaited a response from the imperium, or we took matters into our hands. Lord Edger’s patience grew thinner by the day and was inclining towards the latter. Either way, we were stuck between a rock and a stony place as it proved difficult to decide on our next course of action. The only problem we would face if we decided to take any action was that there was only so much we could do.

On the outside, everything seemed pretty normal. Though there were no reported attacks on the common folk, it was easy to tell that everyone was kept on their toes. There weren’t any demon occupations in any towns or cities. They only attacked prominent Houses and killed everyone they found in it.

Our idle contemplation was cut short when we received a letter from House Vaughn. House Vaughn was another prominent House in the city of Landchet, which was located south of Stafford. The letter read that they needed help to fend off the demon attack, which they knew would happen anytime soon.

After so much deliberations, our final decision was to help. Eliora even suggested further that if it was within our capabilities, we should try to defend Stavren as a whole from the demons. Her suggestion sounded a bit too ambitious but was a reasonable one. House Choryth was left to make decisions by itself since the council of Houses couldn’t convene because most of its members had probably been slaughtered.

Receiving this letter from House Vaughn was good news of some sort. At the very least, we weren’t alone anymore. Eliora suggested that Yukina, Evren, and I go with her to Landchet. Though we didn’t know how many demons would carry out the assault on House Vaughn, the patterns of the previous ones they’d done made us estimate that they would be no more than three of them. Eliora could fend off three demons on her lonesome, we didn’t have to do much other than assist her. Besides, House Vaughn had nobles of its own that could also fight.

We set out for Landchet in the morning and traveled by road with horses. After an exhausting journey, we arrived at our destination, sunset.

“I just need a warm bath, a good meal, and a cozy bed,” Yukina said in relief as we approached the gates of the Vaughn residence.

“We aren’t here for a vacation,” Evren countered.

Yukina and Evren rode side by side for most of the journey, as most conversations they had were argumentative.

“These two can’t possibly be on the same page, right?” Eliora asked, stifling a giggle.

I shook my head,

“No, they can’t.”

The Vaughn residence looked a lot different from ours. The distance between the entrance gates and the manor was long, connected by a single wide path, with a lush of green fields stretching as far as the path went. Though we were on horses, riding at a trotting pace which was much faster than a human walking, it took us quite some time before we got to the main building.

For some reason, I felt every prominent House would have a castle residence just like ours, but I was completely wrong. The Vaughn residence was a lot like an estate and looked more welcoming in contrast to the Choryth castle. The Head of the house, Lady Charlotte Vaughn, and other dignified members were outside the manor awaiting our arrival. We alighted our horses and paid our respects as they reciprocated in the same fashion before we were led inside by the attendants.

One of Yukina’s wishes came to fruition as we were led to a large dining room, with assorted dishes occupying almost every part of the table. I silently savored the aroma coming from the dishes. I tried to keep a straight face as I led a battle inside me to suppress any appearance or gait that might give off a perception that I was interested in the food.

One wouldn’t expect such dining to be a quiet one where everyone ate silently without speaking, as Lady Charlotte led the conversation. I didn’t know much about Lady Charlotte or House Vaughn except that the House was a prominent one and that she was the head of the House.

Lady Charlotte’s appearance was just as I had imagined. She was a bit plump. Maybe if she was taller, she would have appeared differently. She assumed the role of High Lady since her husband died, but she had to be strong, even though her appearance might say otherwise.

“I am really grateful that you all came to our aid. House Vaughn is indebted for this kind gesture House Choryth has shown us.”

None of us said a word. Yukina was focused on the food she was eating, and I wasn’t sure she was even listening to what Lady Charlotte said. Eliora and I stared at Evren, expecting her to say something. She was heir apparent, after all. She squinted her eyes, and her expression was screaming,

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“What?”

Eliora tilted her head toward Lady Charlotte’s direction. That was when she understood what we were asking of her. Evren cleared her throat,

“It’s the right thing to do given the current situation.”

Her response was sharp and formal as Lady Charlotte let out a faint smile.

“This new enemy, who do you think they are? What do they want?” Lady Charlotte asked.

“We don’t know who they are, but we call them demons. We reached the conclusion that their activities point towards a conquest. They are planning to take over these lands.”

“How so?” A voice asked.

It wasn’t Lady Charlotte who asked, but rather a young lady who sat beside her. I couldn’t tell how old she was, but she was somewhere between my age and Yukina’s or Evren’s age. My guess was that she was Lady Charlotte's daughter since they both shared a few facial characteristics.

Evren shifted her gaze from Lady Charlotte to the young lady who just spoke.

“It’s quite obvious. These demons struck Houses holding some sort of power and influence, which could have been a potential threat to them. They struck hard and fast without raising suspicion and were successful. Taking Stavren alone into consideration, where are our fighting force? Gone. To make matters worse, The imperium had withdrawn their soldiers, prioritizing the safety of the central republic. Who’s left? Normal people without abilities that pose no threat to them.”

“This is worse than it looks,” a distressed-looking Lady Charlotte said.

“From the way I see it, we are already fighting a losing battle. We can only hold out for just so long, but the end is inevitable,”

“Forgive my daughter, Maven. She is a rational type,” Lady Charlotte said in defense of the words Maven just said.

“But it’s the truth, mother. Am I the only one thinking logically here? This enemy you speak of, they are stronger than we are. Maybe you guys somehow managed to fend them off and take out a few of them. What will happen when they come back in greater numbers?”

Maven paused and looked around,

“We are all going to die,” she concluded.

Nobody said anything. Some looked in her direction, while others looked at their food. The silence said a lot. Maven wasn’t wrong. In fact, she confronted the sad truth no one was willing to face.

“If you are going to die regardless, At least you get to die trying. I think that there is some honor in that,” Yukina said, breaking the silence.

I had to admit, I didn’t think that far. I was just living one day at a time, and my goal each new day was to get stronger than the previous one. Even after Maven said what she said, I wasn’t scared. I couldn’t describe how I felt. Optimism was messing with my logical thinking. I just didn’t want to think of what would happen if we lost. At that moment, I thought about the queen of the dark haven and got even more confident. She was the one who led me to Eliora, and I remembered her saying something about her plan.

“If I was part of her plan, she wouldn’t possibly let me die, would she?” I queried myself.

The conversations I was having in my head came to an end when a guard ran in and said,

“They are here.”

There was a rising panic growing in the room.

“How many are they?” Eliora asked.

The last report from the guards at the gates indicated five of them, with five creatures accompanying them.

“Last report, you say?” Lady Charlotte asked.

“Yes. The guards at the gate, they are most likely dead.”

The murmurs grew louder, and the expression on the faces of all members of House Vaughn present in the room read,

“Death has come.”

Everyone stood up from their seats almost at the same time. It looked as though it was choreographed, but it wasn’t. It was just a general sense of urgency.

“I didn’t get to ask how House Choryth was able to fend off these demons, as you call them. I guess we would have to experience it firsthand,” Lady Charlotte said.

“Their numbers tilt the odds to their favor. There is no guarantee on the outcome of the fight we are about to engage in.” Eliora replied. Four of us began walking out of the room, but Eliora stopped and turned in Lady Charlotte’s direction.

“Tell the guards to retreat, unless you want unnecessary bloodshed. Assemble your strongest casters; any help is help.”

Eliora’s demeanor was different. She didn’t look anything like the cheerful and playful person I had always seen her as. Looking at her, I was reminded of the expression she wore when she fought against the demons that attacked us at Stafford. She looked like a cold-hearted person who had only known fighting all her life.

“Ah, one more thing. I won’t forgive anyone who puts my children in harm’s way. Anyone who is going to be a liability rather not join.”

Eliora turned to us and said,

“Let’s go.”

I turned to see the expression on the faces of those behind us, and it was definitely what I expected. They were surprised, too stunned to even say a word.

We could hear screams that drew closer with each passing moment as the retreating guards ran past us.

“Svan, Yukina. Both of you should take care of the falxes as quickly as possible. Evren will fight alongside me, and when you both are done, she will join you both. Remember, fight as one unit.”

I nodded. Funny how I didn’t even consider the falxes a threat. I could take out all five of them alone. I was sure Eliora had her reasons on why she assigned Yukina and I to face the falxes. Besides, Yukina’s inclusion made it even easier.

Lady Charlotte joined us outside with Maven and five others,

“We will help,” she said.

Yukina whispered to me,

“I’m still hungry, I didn’t get to finish what I was eating.”

I almost burst out laughing. Yukina wasn’t done yet as she whispered again.

“Imagine dying hungry.”

I couldn’t suppress the laughter anymore as I let it out.

“Sorry, I’m sorry,” I apologized, still giggling.

I couldn’t help but wonder how she was able to make jokes when we were about to fight for our lives.

Even Evren, who knew nothing about why I burst out laughing, was struggling to keep a straight face. Eliora’s stiff expression loosened a bit as she smiled faintly. I was sure that Lady Charlotte and the people with her wondered if there was something funny about the situation. There was no way they would know why I laughed since they wouldn’t bother asking.

Silhouettes of the demons and falxes began to appear from a distance. The humor from the joke Yukina made started to fade away as fear encroached. My heart was beating rapidly like it was going to implode, but I managed to keep a calm demeanor. I decided to launch a surprise attack. I was tempted to make an attempt on a demon, but Eliora’s instructions were to take care of the falxes first. I whispered to Yukina,

“I’m going to get the first kill.”

Before she could open her mouth to speak, I disappeared from her sight. My target was a falx on the far right. It didn’t see me coming as I materialized in front of it. With two pocket knives drawn, I stabbed its eyes as we both crashed to the ground. There was no need for words to be spoken. The battle had just begun.