“Mmm…” I droned while looking at the mangled corpse of a man once known as Merlä the Butcher.
“What do you think?” Cento asked as a bolt of thunder lit up the dark grey evening sky.
I took a deep breath before looking to the north.
My gaze fell onto the city of Centartta.
We had received news that it had been taken over by rebels.
The strange thing is that although the rebels had killed a few loyalist knights, most of their targets were bandits and key members of the Hellish Horde.
Even stranger was the fact that, when questioned, the Rebels, members of a collective known as Eclipse, said that a being known as Sonek was the one who killed Merlä, allowing them to take the city.
I turned my gaze to a small man with bright blond hair, blue eyes and smooth pale skin. He wore a dark uniform that was covered almost entirely of medals and badges.
“What have they demanded?” I asked flatly.
“Err… they want not only the city, but autonomy with the ability to trade freely with the rest of Lanceberg and the territories beyond.” The small man who was also the lord of Centartta, Soma.
“I see. Send a messenger into the city. I would like to speak with the leader of the rebels. Maybe we can reach an understanding.”
“Pardon? I think I misheard you.” Soma said with a frown but I simply sighed before walking out of the crater with the assistance of Cento who held my hand.
“Under your rule, Centartta was infested with bandits and corruption. I simply want this situation to be resolved peacefully and so, after speaking with Lord Gera, I will see to it that Centartta is placed under… new management.”
Soma winced.
He glanced at Cento before looking back at me with clenched jaws.
“You… you cannot do this. My family served in the great wars and I, through hard work and dedication, kept the city’s walls from falling, if anything… I deserve commendation!”
“You will get the chance to say your piece after I speak with Lord Gera but for now, I would like you to send someone to fetch the leader of the rebels.” I said.
Soma clicked his tongue before storming down the hill with two silver knights in tow.
The area within which we stood was scarred and charred.
An intense battle had taken place here and I could almost feel the force from impacts past.
Littering the area were several knights and other personnel that were a part of Lord Gera’s anti corruption division.
“This… dark being… you don’t suppose it’s Katsíki, right?” Cento asked.
“Last I remember, he was a small, goat boy but the way he and Caligo spoke made it seem as though they were equal in terms of power. Perhaps he has come to Lanceberg to enact his revenge… we cannot say for certain, but we should definitely keep him in mind.”
“Indeed. Actually, another lead that might further prove that this Sonek is indeed Katsíki is the gigantic sword high above Edenton in the void of space.”
“Gigantic Sword?” I muttered.
“Yes. You see, after our first encounter with Katsíki, we noticed that there was a sword hanging high above the prince during the entire meeting. We saw that it didn’t follow us upon our return to Lanceberg, but, ever since the prince attacked Coh, that sword has slowly been making its way north. We would send some space magicians to destroy it, but not only is the sword nearly impervious to attacks from even Primair knights, the Yilon are bound to the kings side and Astír is bound to the prince. If we send them out to try and destroy the sword, this would leave the king and his son open for attack from third parties such as Death and her Platinum Knights. That being said, we are fully prepared to deal with the sword, should it decide to fall.” Cento explained as I spotted a group of people leaving Centartta via the southern gate.
“I see. Then let us focus our efforts on reforming Aurenia.” I said as the group got closer.
A man clad in bits of silver armour then ran up to me while the group of ten came to a stop about ten meters away from me and my though they were surrounded by knights, none of then looked afraid.
“Ma’am, these are members of the rebels group known as Eclipse. Standing before is Pentos, the groups leader.”
My eyes crawled over to a muscular man who was riddled with scars. His left eye had a white film over it and his sturdy looking clothes were worn and quite dirty. He glared at me with a right eye that was dark.
Based on that and the streaks of white in his hair, I assumed he was a death magician.
“What do you want? We will not cede that which we fought so hard for and autonomy is one of our two demands!” The man yelled. His voice hoarse and his face a twisted scowl.
“I understand your demands but we cannot simply give the city to you. To make things clear, I do not want to take the city from you, I simply want a future wherein coexistence is possible.” I said but this only made Penton’s frown deepen.
“Speak clearly. What do you really want?” He growled.
“I cannot say anything for certain right now, since I would have to speak with High Lord Gera but the best path forward would be one where, yes, you are allowed to stay in the city but the kingdom maintains government.”
Pentos scoffed.
“Do you know how much suffering your… government brought us?” He asked before facing the city.
“Decades, centuries of pain, hunger and fear… no. Our demands stand. We want autonomy and the freedom to trade with the rest of the kingdom and its neighbouring territories.” Pentos said before suddenly disappearing along with his entourage.
“What… course of action do you think Lord Gera will take?” I asked.
“Mmm… he has softened since meeting you so I doubt he will have the rebels all executed. However, we cannot allow them to simply have this city. I cannot say any more than that since I am not lord Gera-“
“What would you do?” I asked with a sigh.
“I would force them to leave Lanceberg. If they want autonomy, they can have it somewhere beyond our borders. This would also allow for future trade.” Cento said.
“I see. Take us back to Middlen.”
The world flashed several times and I found myself in front of Lord Gera’s office which I promptly entered to find Gera starring at nothing.
“Sir?” I called and this seemingly brought him back to reality.
“Mmm?” He sounded weakly before looking at me with tired eyes.
“Cento.” I said and the Helma raised his hand, sending out wisps of green light that slowly entered lord Gera’s body.
He lightly gasped as his face grew visible brighter.
“Hehe, thank you for that but I am still not going to augment myself.” He weakly laughed.
“You remain steadfast in that but we have more pressing issues to deal with.” I said before explaining everything that happened in Centartta.
“I see. Well, it seems as though we are in quite the conundrum. We cannot forcefully evict them because our forces are already stretched pretty thin. We are also planning a full takeover of Gordias so, in a sense, the Rebels helped us quite a bit… but we cannot simply hand them the city.” Gera said white tapping his nose.
“Why not? I mean… did they not earn it?” I asked.
“Mmm… it is more of a matter of pride. What kind of Lords would we be if we let those of common birth take an entire city from us?”
“If that is the case then maybe we should cast aside our pride for the sake of the greater kingdom.” I said making Gera’s eyes narrow.
“I am inclined to agree with you but that is not our land to give. Go to Lornster and get Kulea. We will have to discuss this with the King himself.”
I nodded before making my to Lornster which had become a hub for production and correctional facility.
It was lined by tall walls that and was guarded by countless knights.
The original inhabitants of the town still lived there while the many criminals who were placed beneath my watch lived and worked in the series of buildings ten kilometres north of the town.
I made my way into the mayor’s office where Kulea spent most of her time.
She had told me that she was deathly afraid of being punished again and so she swore she’d work hard for the sake of the kingdom.
I wondered what had happened to her in the Sunless Gulch but my curiosity would have to wait.
I entered her office to find her sleeping.
She had lost her enhanced body and so, like most people, she grew tired and had to sleep.
Unfortunately, she did not look very comfortable.
I walked up to her and gently woke her up.
“Mmm?” She whimpered. Her weary face barely visible in the dark of night.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Oh- hello Zuri.” She yawned while stretching her small arms.
“Hello. How are things going?” I asked as she stood up.
“Not bad. A few trouble makers here and there but nothing I cannot handle. Anyway, why are you here so late?” She asked while leading me outside where we looked at the dimly lit town below.
“Actually, I wanted you to follow me to the royal palace. I am sure you have heard about The situation in Centartta.”
“Yes. What- let me guess, you are thinking about letting the rebels go free or something.” Kulea said.
“Something like that.”
“Ah… perfectly predictable. Oh well, I will support you in your venture because I would much rather we built than destroyed.”
I nodded and it was not long after that we arrived in the royal palace.
Gera, Kulea and I were led to the study, a vast chamber which was filled with shelves that held countless books. The floor was littered with all manner of devices and sitting at the centre of all this, sitting beneath a small orb of light on a cough with a book in his hands, was Luno.
He noticed us as we approached and his gaze locked with mine for a moment.
“What brings thee all here so late?” He asked and Gera explained the Centartta situation.
Luno’s eyes then returned to me.
“If they want autonomy then we shall give it to them.” Luno said with a sigh.
“They will get the region of land around Centartta and in return, we will spare them. We will recognize them as a nation within a nation although I will need to speak with their leader for all this to happen. I will make my way to Centartta before mid-day.” He said and we all let out understanding hums.
“Good. You may all leave.”
We did as instructed, but Kulea stopped me just as I stepped onto a teleportation platform.
“Umm… would you like to join me for a few drinks?” She asked.
“But I cannot get drunk.”
“That does not really matter. I just wanted to spend the night with you.” Kulea said with a sweet smile.
“Mmm.” I droned before realizing something.
“I will join you but can Astír come as well?”
“Why? I always had the feeling she did not really like you.” Kulea asked but I shook my head.
“We talked recently and sorted everything out.” I said.
“Alright. I will be waiting in the Spire.” Kulea said as she stepped onto the teleportation platform. She disappeared shortly after and I turned to Cento who took us to Caligo’s palace where I found Astír in the dining room reading a book. She was still wearing a white robe and it loosely hung from her shoulders, revealing more of her chest and more of her scars.
“Good evening.” I greeted making her raise her golden eyes.
“Good evening. Is there something you need?” She asked.
“No, not really. I was just wondering if you would like to join Kulea and I for some wine.”
Astír frowned slightly.
“Hehe, yes. She is also aware that we cannot get drunk.” I chuckled.
Astír sighed before closing her book.
I snuck a glance at the title which read “In Search of His Light” by Saint Viden.
I had actually read it before and one of the many important things it spoke of was detachment. In Saint Viden’s search for Summus, he learnt that in order to reach further to the light, one needed to abandon that which tethered themselves to the world. Worldly desires were to be cast away before one attained a clearer glimpse of the divine truth. That truth being Summus.
Funnily enough, Saint Viden never actually found Summus or wrote about him ever finding the one absolute being and so he remained content with the existence of Caligo who he saw as the incarnation of Summus’s will.
Astír stood up and gave me a curt nod before following me all the way back to Middlen in the middle of the night.
We found Kulea sitting in the living room of her apartment in the Golden Spire and it looked like she had already started drinking.
“Hey! You made it! I thought you were going to abandon me!” Kulea yelled while trying to stand up.
I rushed to her side and held her before gently sitting her down.
Astír and I sat down as well before pouring ourselves two half glasses of wine.
“Ooh, nice to see you again, madam Astír, but… where is you armour?” Kulea asked while struggling to sit up.
Astír took a sip of wine before sighing.
“I have decided to shed my armour and instead allow myself to bathe in Summus’s light entirely.”
“Wonderful! Hey, Zuri… do you think we should add her to our little club?” Kulea whispered while comically shifting her eyes.
“What club is she speaking of?” Astír asked.
“I honestly have no idea.” I said while shaking my head.
“Oh, come on. You know it. The “Women who fell for Caligo” club!” Kulea yelled with a grin.
Astír and I exchanged flustered glances.
“Err… oh- there is a way for you and I to get intoxicated!” Astír said with an awkward smile.
She then raised her hand and my eyes quaked as light poured out from both of our bodies.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?” Kulea asked as the light from Astír and I gathered in her hand.
She then absorbed the light before taking a large gulp of wine.
“Ah… I just weakened our bodies, meaning we are now, temporarily, susceptible to the effects of alcohol.” She explained.
“Hoh?” Kulea sounded as I drank some wine.
My breaths hastened as a warm feeling filled my chest.
“Wow!” I exclaimed before giving Astír a thumbs up.
“Yey! Now let’s go back to talking about Caligo. It’s no secret that you’ve like the prince for the longest time but since Zuri ruined everything for both you and I, what are you going to do now?” Kulea asked while swirling her glass’s contents.
“I will resume my duties, as usual. However, I plan on pursuing the light of Summus further studying its divinity.” Astír said with a rather wistful expression.
“I see. What would you say drew you to Caligo in the first place? For me, it was sheer fucking awe. I saw him and I knew that he was the ultimate existence! What about you, Astír?” Kulea asked as she stood up.
She then walked over to a nearby cupboard where she grabbed a bag of what looked like peanuts and raisins.
“Sorry, I would have prepared more aptly but this is all I have for now.” She said while placing the bag on top of the table.
Astír grabbed a handful of the snacks before droning thoughtfully.
“I, even as a child, saw the prince as a beacon for all mankind. Our guiding light in the form of a man. This feeling of respect and adoration changed once he and I fought together. We, along with Sidus and the others, protected each other, cared for each other and I fear he ultimately never saw me as anything more than a comrade.” Astír said with a saddened expression.
“Huh… did you ever try to make a move on him?” Kulea asked while shoving peanuts into her face.
“What do you mean?”
“You and Caligo fought side by side for hundreds of years and in none of that time did you tell him how you felt?”
“T-that’s preposterous! Even if I did, he would never accept the feelings of one such as myself!” Astír cried. Her face red with fluster.
“Why not? He chose Zuri and she was but a mere hand. Think about it. Apart from the fact that he might not have reciprocated your feelings, the only thing standing in your way this entire time was you.” Kulea said while dismissively waving her hand.
Astír frowned before lowering her head.
“What about you, golden consort? What drew you to him?”
“Mmm… fate.” I said causing both Kulea and Astír to look at me intently.
I sighed before refilling my glass and instantly downing its contents.
“From the moment Adia and I stepped onto this world, my path was bound to intersect with his. The Black Scribes would have somehow found Adia and taken him in and even if they didn’t take me, they would returned since Adia was from another world and both Caligo and Luno, due to their fascination with all things earthly, would have sent for me.” I said.
“As for why I… love him. A few days ago, I would have answered that question without hesitation but now…” I slowly stopped and realized that my hands were shaking.
“Both of you have killed before… how has it affected you?” I asked.
“Mmm… my of my earlier enemies were dragons and they are naught but overgrown lizards. And as for the people I’ve killed, most of them were Lanceberg’s enemies. I find solace in knowing that their deaths most likely saved at least one of Lanceberg's people.” Astír said.
I nodded before turning to Kulea who simply shrugged.
“I told you before, but I was a soldier at first. I killed whoever my superiors told me to kill. Yes, sometimes I wake up at night, covered in sweat and crying uncontrollably but that’s only because I can never and will probably never forget just how scared I was back then. I was one of the only women in the Liland Corps back then and I when I wasn’t fighting dragons I was fighting off men who’d given in to their perverted desires. Unfortunately for them, the only man who can ever touch my skin is Caligo.” Kulea said with a chuckle before deeply sighing.
“I… I had to kill and that’s all.” She muttered.
I nodded before looking up and thinking about Caligo and Luno.
Luno had to kill the Haneem to keep his armies which he used to protect his family and kingdom.
Caligo had to kill the dragons.
But the Rendaro…
Maybe there was a reason I was not fully aware of any so I decided that I would discuss it with him.
“Ugh! We got side tracked! We’re supposed to be obsessing over Caligo!” Kulea yelled.
“Would it not be best if you and I moved on?” Astír asked with a pained expression.
“Mmm… you’re right, but, if I can be completely honest, it’s my desire for him that’s kept me going all these years. Even now, I’m working hard in Lornster trying to become a woman he can look at fondly.” Kulea sighed.
“You could live for your own sake.” Astír suggested.
“Meh. That sounds boring although… having a legacy of my own would be pretty neat. I mean, you are a Helma and you are not only his wife but the woman who is helping mend the relationships between the provinces. I, on the other hand, am a failed Priestess.” Kulea said with trembling lips.
Astír and I exchanged concerned glances.
We then moved over to the couch where Kulea sat and we wrapped our arms around her.
“There, there. Isn’t there anything else you wanted to do?” I asked.
“No. Not really. For as long as I can remember, I just wanted to come to Middlen and meet him. Everything I have ever done has been a means to that end.” Kulea whimpered.
“Come on, surely there was something else.” Astír said while gently tapping Kulea’s back.
“No. I… am nothing!” Kulea cried making Astír and I hold her even tighter.
.
..
Kulea’s tears eventually dried and we let her go, revealing her reddened face.
“Kulea.” Astír called.
“Mmm?” Kulea whimpered while raising her head to meet Astír’s golden eyes.
“Come with me.”
“Where to?”
“Towards the light. Zuri and I spoke a few days ago and I found myself in a similar situation to the one you are currently in. For so long had I lived for the sake of someone else that I could not even imagine going off on my own. But the truth is…” Astír looked at me and shot me a gentle smile.
“I am not alone. The Path ahead may be dark and shrouded by fog, but if we join hands, I am sure that everything will be alright.” Astír said with eyes that glowed dimly.
“So… what will we do?” Kulea asked with a sniffle.
“Study, learn, teach. I do not have the answers and even now, I want to rush back to the prince’s side and watch over him, but, something you said is actually far more true than I initially wanted to admit. Back then, when the prince and I fought together, my fear and hesitation led to a sort of stagnation within me. I was afraid that if I showed him too much of myself, I would be rejected. Fortunately, even as I distanced myself from him, he cared for me regardless but the time for inaction has ended. I will continue to watch over him while carving out my own path.”
Kulea nodded before falling back into Astír’s arms.
“I… I really like it Lornster. Maybe… if I work really hard, it could become a reformation centre for the lost and misguided.” Kulea said. Her voice muffled within Astír’s bosom.
“Spoken like a true Priestess.” Astír chuckled.
A moment passed as we sat and Kulea eventually groaned.
“Mmm… now that I think about it, I’ll probably have to get rid of my boys.”
“Mmm?” Astír sounded as Kulea sat upright.
“Hehe, come. I’ll show you.” She said while wiping her tears and I suddenly got a bad feeling.
She led us to the teleportation platform and asked that Astír take us to the twentieth floor.
My eyes widened as we arrived on the floor that was filled with portraits of Caligo.
Kulea then led us to a certain door in front of which stood a sleepy guard.
“Hey, go get one of the boys!” Kulea yelled and, after nodding, the guard teleported away.
Kulea then chucked menacingly while opening the door revealing a certain room which had a tub in middle.
The room was filled with the smell of perfume but nothing could hide a certain distinct smell that lingered.
The guard returned with a tall muscular man with short blonde hair.
“Is there something you need, ma’am?” The man asked sleepily, but Kulea simply grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room as the guard closed the door.
“Undress.” She said.
“But-“
“Just do it!” Kulea yelled and the man nodded before removing his black silk gown revealing his more of his toned body.
“You see, I kinda got bored while waiting for Caligo to notice me and so I got a bunch of guys that vaguely look like him to… fill the void, hehe.” Kulea snickered.
“My goodness…” Astír gasped. Her eyes focused on the man’s rather large penis-
“Oh, my! It’s gotten quite late, hasn’t it? Oh well, see you tomorrow!” I yelped while grabbing Astír’s hand.
“Wait! Why not stay the night? I wanted to tell you all about my experience with these bad boys, haha!” Kulea laughed while wrapping her arms around the sleepy man.
“Astír! Home! Now!” I cried and after a series of flashes, we found ourselves on the teleportation platform in front of the main palace building.
Astír and I then both fell onto our knees before locking eyes.
“Hehe. Hahahahahaha!”
We both laughed before completely falling to our sides.
Our laughs eventually stopped and I joined Astír into looking up at the starry night sky although parts of the sky were slowly turning grey.
Astír poured back into me the life energy she had taken and we both sighed.
“Do you think she will be alright?” I asked.
“I think we will be alright.” Astír said.
I nodded before accompanying her to Caligo’s bed chamber which I promptly entered to find Caligo soundly sleeping.
I sighed before collapsing next to him but just as I closed my eyes to sleep, he sat up and yawned.
“Good morning.” He greeted but I completely ignored him while trying to rest, even it was for a little bit.