Author's note

We're entering the final stretch. Soon our adventure will come to and end. Yes, you can all start picking up on the criticism so I can get better for the next one I'll make!

Word count

This chapter:1866

Total: 43406

NaNoWriMo target for the 26th: 43333

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Indeed, during broad daylight, Rosedriah waltzed right through the gate with nothing but a different hairstyle and some old rags she brought along.

Aitken sighed. “Being a human was so much easier.”

“So how are we going to cross that wall?” Flasor asked.

“We have to wait. Three demons inside of the walls are sure to cause problems if spotted.” Aitken answered.

Aitken sat down on the ground, staring at the capital in the distance.

“I wonder what Rose is going to do in all that time.”

“Probably find the two witches.” Flasor answered.

Rosedriah approached the gate.

“Halt!” A guard covered in gray chainmail said, as a drip of sweat rolled down his forehead.

“Who are you, where do you hail from and what is your purpose?”

“I am Rose, a farmer’s daughter from Crullfield. I am here to buy crops for the next harvest.”

“This early?”

“We’re harvesting soon, sir, it’s by no means early.”

“Hmmm… I could show you around town, maybe we could… You know… Get to know each other.”

The guard next to him smacked him with the back of his halberd. “It’s not the time to pick up girls now. We’re on the lookout for those witch scum, seeking to poison our wells and eat our children in their sleep.”

“That’s why it makes sense to make some new babies, right?” The first guard said with a big grin.

The first guard received another jab from the blunt end of the halberd.

“Just ignore him and move along, ma’am.” The second guard said.

Rosedriah walked inside, smirking slightly behind their backs.

She walked onto the crowded street, and she continued walking to the end of the street, arriving at the large church, at least a hundred paces tall and as many wide. It was a huge area, with green areas in front and in the back of the church. The large, black pointy-ended fence went all the way around the church.

Rosedriah grabbed the handle and pushed the metal gate open, closing it behind her and continuing through the large wooden gate, directing her into the church itself.

“Have you come for soup?” A white haired priest, wearing a similarly white robe and a kind smile asked her. “I have come to give thanks to the light, for letting me pass the wilderness in peace.”

“Certanly. Take your time.” The priest in a white robe said.

Rosedriah placed herself near the wall, furthest away from the platform of the priest.

She put her right hand over her heart, and bent her neck.

She stood like this for a long time. The priest came by.

“Miss? Anything the matter?”

“Ah, I’m sorry, I’m not done yet.”

“That’s understandable. The church needs more dedication as of late. Take your time.” the priest smiled again, and walked back to his duties.

Another while passed by, the sun rose and lowered again. The day started darkening soon outside.

“Hey.” A lady with long blonde hair said.

“Hi.” Rosedriah responded. “It’s been a while.”

“Come along, I’ll show you to my grandfather's place.” The blond lady said.

“Thank you, i’ve been waiting for you… Do you want to share a prayer first?” Rosedriah responded.

The blonde lady nodded, and after a short time putting the hand on the chest and bending the head in silence, they both left the church.

The blonde lady quietly walked around town, and Rosedriah tagged along.

“We’re here.” The blonde lady said as they entered a small wooden shack.

“Cast the spell.” The blonde lady said to a black-robed woman with fiery orange hair.

“Hang on, I’ll get back to you.” The orange haired lady motioned into the air, turning her attention to Rosedriah.

“Let there be silence!” The orange haired lady said. “So, Melusina, which of the two is it? The old wrinkly one or the young black-haired one?”

Melusina sighed. “Maura, it’s the one that’s not a ghost… Let’s just get on with this.”

Melusina grabbed Rosedriah’s arm, pulling her along.

“Ah, wait!” Rosedriah protested.

“Sit!” Melusina threw Rosedriah into a chair.

“Uf!” Rosedriah exclaimed and immediately had a chain crudely wrapped around her stomach and arms from Maura behind her.

Melusina dropped her dark robe and revealed a red and black, gothic corset with somewhat mismatched long black pants, as one would sooner expect a skirt. She put her foot on the armrest of the chair, leaning forwards, yet tilting her head backwards, looking down on Rosedriah. “Who are you, where are you from? Why have you come here? What do you know about us? Do you know who we are? Any idea who you’re messing with, huh?”

“Woah woah, one question at a time” Rosedriah said.

“You little punk, you’re not in charge here!” Melusina almost yelled at her face.

“How about a ‘welcome back.’ Melusina?” Rosedriah said. “or how about ‘I haven’t seen you since forever’?”

Melusina frowned. “You’re full of crap. We’re getting the nine-tailed, see if you wanna talk then.”

“Ah… Hold up!” Rosedriah said.

“That’s too late.” Maura said with a much more timid voice. “She’s getting the cat, now.”

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“You’re kidding me. Maura, punch some sense into her head.”

Maura shook her head. “Can’t. They know… They know everything… They can even look like your best friends… There’s nothing you can do.”

“Maura, you’re talking crazy!”

“That was to him.” She pointed into the air next to her.

Rosedriah rustled with the chains, trying to slip out.

“Where do you think you’re going, Priestess?” Melusina said.

“Okay, I’ll tell you. I’m the grey witch, Rosedriah. I’ve come here for information on taking down the half-angel known as Ramiel.”

Melusina grabbed all nine ends of the whip and pulled it, forcing a ‘twoing’ sound from the whip.

“Melusina, we were sitting next to each other on the last Black sabbath… Well, I guess it’s the second last now… We talked about your new broom?”

Melusina suddenly changed her expression. “Ah, it really is you, Rosedriah.” she said cheerfully, as she threw the nine-tailed whip over her shoulder. “You could have said that from the start!”

“Said what?”

“Something only a member of the cult would know.” She said with a smile. “Let’s get out outta that.”

“It would be appreciated.” Rosedriah said.

Moments later Rosedriah stood up. “You do that to everybody?”

“Can’t be too careful around these parts, they have a whole lot of tricks and clever disguises up their sleeves.” Melusina said.

“So, Violet, why have you come?”

“Violet?”

“Yea, your pendant. So, answer me.”

Rosedriah sighed. “Okay, look, as I said, I need info on how to take down Ramiel.”

“But w-we don’t have-.” Maura said.

“We know how to make it happen.” Melusina said. “We just gotta get in ‘ere and snatch her.”

“I’ve got a few allies with me, as well.” Rosedriah said. “They’re currently outside town.”

“Then let’s go see them, it’s dusk anyway.” Melusina said as she grabbed a black broom and opened the door out. “Pssh, they’ll be able to hear us out here.”

“Here, put this on.”

Rosedriah looked at it. “A belt… with a strap in the back?” Rosedriah looked at the broom, to witch the belt was fastened.  “No. No way. I’m not going to act as living cargo for your broom.”

“Awh, that’s too bad. I guess you’ll have to hop on. Maura, keep the base secure, a’ight?”

Rosedriah placed herself behind Melusina. “This is rather uncomfortable with a dress.”

“Relax, not like you’re wearing panties under there. Just hold on tight.”

Rosedriah grabbed onto Melusina’s shoulders with her hands.

“If you want to fall off, you should have put on the belt.” Melusina said teasingly.

Rosedriah latched onto melusina with both arms wrapped around her chest.

“That’s better. Hold on tight, we’re taking off.”

Rosedriah felt the sheer force from the acceleration in her face - she must’ve looked like someone who was hit by a frying pan, as she felt her skin stretch and she barely hung onto Melusina.

“Ah, here we are. So where are your friends?” Melusina said, looking down through the cloud.

Rosedriah’s fingers started tingling, as she saw the city far, far below her. She wanted to latch onto her pendant, but couldn’t due to holding on tightly. “They should be down there.” Rosedriah carefully pointed, but quickly latched onto Melusina again.

“Yeah, I see them. Hold on, this is gonna be fast.”

Rosedriah clenched tighter around Melusina, as melusina pointed the broom at an angle downwards. “This is gonna be fun!”

Zoom!

Their hair fluttered as the broom shot towards the three demons faster than a crossbow bolt.

“Here we are. Oh... It’s all demons. I thought a neutral like you, would have at least one good looking guy in the lot, Alas, I got my hopes up for nothing.”

Rosedriah got off the broom, a little shaken. “I found them.”

“I can see that.” Aitken said. “Did they have what we need?”

“Nah, we gotta do a little kidnapping first.” Melusina said.

“Who are we going to kidnap?” Aitken asked.

“Sure as heck not a talking imp.”

“What’s that got to d-”

“You sure this guy’s not a spy?” Melusina asked.

“Yes, I’m certain.” Rosedriah said.

“I shouldn’t bring the nine tailed just to be sure?”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t go about threatening me with a whip while wearing a corset.”

“Oh, okay. Can I borrow your dress, Violet?”

Aitken sighed. “Look, let’s just abduct this person we need to ask about Ramiel, okay?”

“It’s just a heavily guarded paladin in training… And, well.. We don’t need to ask her anything… We will abduct her and leave a note… Ramiel’s got a girlfriend, this will be his downfall.”

“We’re kidnapping his girlfriend and leaving a note that she wishes to see him alone at a romantic spot?” Aitken asked in surprise. “I’m starting to doubt we’re the good guys.”

“Hey, I’m from the cult. I don’t know about you guys, but I had no illusion an organization called ‘the cult of shadows’ would be the good guys.” Melusina said with a slight smirk on her face.

“So how do we get to this lady?” Aitken asked.

“We’ll fly in there, I can carry two people and one of you shorities. I’m guessing it’ll be the talking one and the two of us witches…” Melusina responded. “The lady should be in the garden behind the church, she’s taking an evening stroll. It’s a great time to go for her right now.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Aitken said.

Rosedriah took a deep breath and put herself onto the broom behind Melusina.

“Here, put this on. Violent can’t hold you both.”

Aitken looked at it. “It’s a belt with a string attached to the broom? That’s odd.”

“Put it on, or get left behind.”

Aitken hesitated, but put it around his waist regardless.

“Hold on tight, we’re going in.” Melusina said with a grin.

The wind whipped by and Aitken started feeling nauseous as he was dangling behind the speedy broom, suddenly stopping just to be looking down on the garden from above the clouds.

“See her? Let’s get this started.”

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Thanks for reading!