It felt like months, even years, even before the gigantic gate opened, allowing the flow of crimson light to enter the cave and coat its interior. Kyra slowly stood up and faced the three figures standing before them, with her eyebrows furrowed and eyes narrowed like a hawk.
The three figures stepped closer and entered the cave, eyeing the group before them like prey ready to be feasted on.
The trio consisted of two large, bulky men with grey skin, icy blue eyes, and white buzz cuts. They wore a pair of black and white jumpsuits with ball chains attached to each leg. The woman in the middle was tall, voluminous, and wore a sleek black dress with a slit going down one side.
A pair of tall black heels cupped her feet, giving her the extra height she needed. She too had grey skin, white hair that was styled in a bun, and icy blue eyes.
The woman placed her hand forward, showcasing her long, sharp black nails, and a large force pushed Kyra, Gabriel, and Mimosa back. The woman then enclosed her fist, and chains appeared, wrapping themselves around their bodies and forcing them to fall to the ground.
“You bitch!” Kyra barked. “What do you think you’re doing!?” She added, thrashing around. It was of no use. They were stuck on the ground, unable to move properly.
Mimosa looked at the trio and squinted.
“My system doesn’t seem to be picking up their presence.” She stated. Kyra stopped moving around and looked at the grey-skinned fiends, as did Gabriel.
“No, you mention it; my system didn’t initiate battle mode.” Kyra stated. Gabriel nodded, agreeing with the young warrior. “Isn’t that only possible if someone is, you know, dead?”
Mimosa looked away from the duo and back at the trio before them. A sudden look of realisation washed over her face, and she let out a dry laugh.
She should have known. grey skin, icy blue eyes, and white hair. They were clear indicators, and she had missed them.
“They’re Timgons.” Mimosa replied. Gabriel and Kyra snapped their heads, or well, tried to, towards the pink-eyed girl, a string of loud ‘huhs’ leaving their mouths.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“What the hell is a timgon?” Kyra asked.
“They’re creatures who snatch the souls of humans. The reason our system doesn’t seem to pick them up is because they’re the undead. I’ve heard the only way you can gain any reward from killing them is by having your system scan their blackened hearts.” Mimosa explained.
‘Great, just great,’ Kyra thought to herself. The woman before them began walking towards them. She then moved her outstretched arms towards herself. The chained-up trio’s bodies started to move forward, dragging them across the dusty concrete ground.
“I knew I was going to run into trouble one of these days, but my soul being sacrificed has never crossed my mind.” Mimosa giggled, now finding the whole thing far too amusing.
“I would like it if you didn’t make so much noise; my mother hates her food for being messy.” The woman spoke, her tone void of any emotion, coming out robotic and stale.
“Your mother is going to have a whole lot more problems once I’m out of these chains!” Kyra exclaimed. This irked the female Timgon, and she tightened the chains around Kyra even more.
“Ow!” The emerald-eyed girl exclaimed as she felt her ribcage pierce her organ. Any tighter, and Kyra would be crushed. This, however, proved effective in shutting Kyra up.
******
The group continued being dragged across the crimson-lit corridors, up a lot of spiral staircases, and finally before a large black door with two demonic-looking statues by each side.
The door immediately opened, and the chained trio looked up as they were dragged into a dimly lit hall, with various amounts of pillars standing next to each. Kyra observed the group of darkly cloaked figures standing around, their icy blue eyes fixated on her and the other two.
Gabriel was slightly regretting ever leaving the palace. Mimosa, on the other hand, was filled with fascination. She was experiencing a timgon sacrificing ritual up close and personal. She was learning new things. This was fucking exciting.
After being dragged for a bit, the three were then thrown forward in front of a stone platform. A tall woman with the same grey skin, icy blue hair, and white hair stood upon the platform wearing the gothic gown Kyra had seen in her portraits.
“I presume you’re the Lady Magnolia hung up across the inn?!” Kyra questioned.
“You presume correctly. I, a timgon, am mayor of this desolate, cold place.” The woman replied, placing her scrawny hands on top of each before walking off the platform and standing in front of the chained trio.
“Kyra von Stein, Gabriel St Wraith, and Mimosa Samba. Three very young, powerful souls. The townsmen definitely knew how to pick them right this time.” She spoke again. Kyra side-eyed Gabriel, the signals of ‘I told you so’ flaring off her. Gabriel kept his gaze down, annoyed that he was easily tricked.
“Drag them up to the altar.” Magnolia then instructed her daughter. The black-dressed girl did as she was told.
“Shouldn’t you guys have your mana back?” Kyra hissed as each step collided with her rib, sending waves of pain through her.
“We can’t do much with how tight these chains are.” Mimosa and Gabriel spoke simultaneously.
“Jinx.” Mimosa joked, which earned her a laugh from the prince. Kyra could only roll her eyes as she remained stuck between the two idiots.
“Dear Lord,” she began. “I pray that you end my misery here and remove my soul before I lose another brain cell.” She mockingly prayed in her head.
“How the hell are you upper-second if you can’t get us out of here?” Kyra stated.
“I ask myself that every day." Mimosa replied.
Finally, their dragging came to a halt, and they were laid on their backs, side by side.
“May the soul-snatching commence.” Gabriel whispered, closing his eyes.
……
“I’ve finally found my way!” A high-pitched voice echoed across the halls, followed by a loud noise.
A pink and white bird with magnificent wings and a long feathered tail soared through the air, spitting pink balls down at the timgons and burning them. Magnolia squinted her eyes in anger, while Mimosa grinned harder than she ever did.
“Jewel!”