The expedition and guard teams stood shocked by the golden flaming pillar that ascended into the sky. At the crescendo, a black figure burst out which gathered the pillar of flames transforming it into wings.

With a single beat of the flaming wings, the figure shot directly towards the base’s entrance. Before the figure hit the ground the flames wrapped around it and cushioning the impact and making it bounce off the ground.

When it stopped the flames retreated into the figure’s body who lay bruised and bloody on the ground. Instantly the two groups recognized the figure as Urist. The first to move was Reaver who pushed Unicy away and cradled Urist.

“Boss, you ok? Answer me, are you ok?!”

Someone retorted, “Does he look ok? He looks like shit.”

Shaking the unconscious Urist, Reaver got stopped by Unicy who pulled her off and put her hand in front of Urist’s face. 

“Wha- what are you doing?!”

Unicy didn’t answer her as she focused on feeling for his breath. She sighed relief when she noticed that although his breath was shallow he was still alive.

She turned her head to Fatty, “Fatty, carry the boss to the cave. Elrish, I want you to gather the healers and that light mage. The rest of you are under my command, we’ll be defending the wall.”

“Understood!” cried the guardsmen to which they turned and entered the base without complaint. While giving out the orders Unicy heard the sound of thousands of feet and screeching head in their direction. Of the exploration team, only Fatty moved under the heroic aura of Unicy, picking up Urist and heading inside.

Seeing the exploration team not moving Unicy gnash her teeth. She stood up and walked towards Reaver and smacked her across the face.

“What the fuck did I tell you! Get up on the wall you fools if you don’t want to die!”

Reaver awoke from her shellshock holding her face as Unicy dragged her through the gates with the exploration team in tow. 

Once everyone was past the gate Unicy yelled at the top of the wall, “Tomo! Cover the gate with the stone wheel!”

She then turned towards the camp, “Everyone at your positions. Construction team to the pulleys and ready your spears. Uria, be ready to light the shallow trench. Magic users along the walls and be ready to cast large scale magic at a moments notice. Those that run out of magic head towards the statue and regain your mana. Move! Move! Move!”

Following Unicy’s orders, everyone got into gear except Uria whose eyes were covered by her scarlet hair. She walked straight up to the exploration team with each step leaving a flaming footprint.

“Why… Why did Urist end up like that… Depending on your answer…” Lifting her head, flames began to gather along her eyes that held untold anger. She didn't understand why she held such anger for someone she hadn’t even known for long. 

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Somewhere in the back of her mind, a familiar voice tickled her ear, Kill them, they deserve it. Leaving our precious one all alone. Wouldn’t he be proud of us avenging him? Come on you know you want to. Do it like before; rip out their eyes for not seeing, cut off their fingers for not feeling, and rip out their hearts like they ripped out ours. Kill them you know you want to. Just kill. KILL THEM ALL!

Gathering origin flames in her hands Uria kept walking towards the exploration team.

Seeing how weird Uria was acting Unicy put up her guard and moved between Uria and the group.

“Uria what are you doing. Stand down, they did nothing wrong they were following orders.”

Tilting her head Uria stopped, “Are you going to get in my way of vengeance? Like how they did before? Why is everyone always standing up for evil? He’s always trying to do his best but people like you always take advantage of him.”

Flaming tears streaked down Uria’s face as she dug her nails into her hands until blood began to drip.

Uria’s voice became cold and her expression hollow, “Get out of my way before I burn you to ash. I’ll give you until the count of three.” 

“Uria we don’t have time for this, the rat’s are coming to assault us. Do you want all of us to die!? I need to take command!”

“Then go. All I care about is getting my vengeance. One.”

Pulling out her bow and arrow Unicy notched out an arrow and pointed it at Uria, “I’m telling you to stop this madness. Boss wouldn’t want you to do this, put away your flames and get into position.”

“So? Urist is too kind to punish these maggots. We should trim the useless. Now get out of my way or die. Two.”

“Uria do not force my hand. This is your last chance to stop acting stupid.”

“Ha… Haha… HAHAHAHA!”, Uria swung her head towards the sky and laughed as if thinking Unicy had said something stupid.

And just as abruptly she stopped and stared Unicy straight in the eyes, “Stupid? No. I am completely sane. You’re the one stopping me for no reason. So poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, go act out your part as a good little girl and let your big sister do what she wants because I’m sick of your shit. Three.”

Uria took a step forward causing the sweating Unicy to move back a step, “Stop this is madness Uria. Don’t make me shoot you, this is your last warning.”

Uria did not reply as she kept her cold stare, walking one step at a time.

A shout came from the wall at this time, “Captain, the rats are coming out of the treeline! What do we do?!”

“Captain?”

“Captain, what are you doing? Give us your orders!”

Shouts kept pouring down, but Uria kept moving without care as killing intent danced in her eyes.

Hands trembling Unicy yelled, “This is your last warning! Stop or I will shoot!”

As she raised her hand flames began to gather around her arm. Coldly she muttered, “Di-.”

“Uria, stop!”

A man's hoarse voice rang out making Uria’s arm falter. Turning her head, Uria saw Urist gasping for breath, leaning on Uroa for support.

“Unicy... Go command the defense... I’ll handle this…”

“But what abou-”

“Go!”

Unicy only hesitated for a moment before making her way up the stairs to the top of the wall.

This left the exploration team in an awkward position as Uria and Urist started a staring contest.

“Why did you stop me?”

“You would... Have regretted it… Leave them alone... Uria I ordered them to fall back while I held back the rats’ advance. Go get ready to light the oil… We’ll talk later.”

Extinguishing her flames Uria turned away from the exploration team and Urist. She walked away and headed to her designated position. 

“Fine, we will talk about this later. Go rest before I beat you up, dummy.” 

“Yeah… I plan… To do just that…”