Chapter 18: Foundations 8

Elania and Yolani left the Ironfist headquarters, moving quickly enough to avoid being noticed again. As they made their way back towards the central island of Contia, Yolani’s voice cut through the wind.

“Elania, I know you’re worried about Tessa, but maybe we shouldn’t get our hopes up,” she said, green eyes filled with concern. “It might be better if we find a solution to the problem instead of checking on her.”

Elania shook her head. “No. I think we need to go check on her now.”

Yolani didn’t protest any further. As they continued, a strange sensation pricked the back of Elania’s neck, like tiny needles. It didn’t hurt, but felt odd, like a persistent itch she couldn’t scratch.

They reached the bridge connecting the district to the central island. Elania’s eyes widened. Lyra, the Blue Tower, stood near the bridge, flanked by a blue-robed man and several priestesses. A sizeable crowd had gathered around them, listening intently.

Elania turned to Yolani. “What are they doing?”

Yolani’s eyes narrowed as she studied the scene. “It looks like they’re preaching.”

As they approached the crowd, their frowns deepened. Elania’s ears caught Lyra’s voice, watching as the Tower turned to the people and asked them to listen to her oracle, Orion.

The man in the blue robes stepped forward, voice ringing out over the assembled crowd as he delivered a short sermon on why they should follow Lyra. He promised succor and a better life in Contia to those who came with them.

Elania’s heart sank as Lyra’s gaze met hers. A villainous smile played across the Tower’s lips before she turned back to the crowd, her expression once again proper and dignified. It felt like a kick to the gut as the realization dawned: Lyra was stealing her followers.

Yolani bristled with indignation and her eyes flashed with anger. “She shouldn’t be allowed to do that,” she hissed.

“I’m not allowed to preach or acquire followers, but that doesn’t apply to the Four Towers themselves,” Elania muttered under her breath.

Yolani glared at Lyra’s back. “What a bitch.”

Elania sighed and pulled Yolani away toward the bridge. “There’s nothing we can do about it at the moment. Let’s just keep going.”

The walk back to the central district was done in silence. It wasn’t until they reached Arlois’ personal island that it was broken.

They both looked up, blinking at Arlois’ Tower.

“This is why they’re called the Towers,” Elania muttered.

Yolani’s gaze swept over the structure, taking in every detail. “The architecture is different,” she mused. “It looks sturdier than the original city spires—stout and round rather than pointed.”

A mischievous grin spread across Elania’s face. She reached out and poked Yolani, eliciting a startled yelp.

“Look at you, gushing about architecture,” Elania teased.

Yolani narrowed her eyes, grin appearing. She poked Elania back, her touch light and quick. “At least I’m not gushing about finding merchants to pay us for cargo services.”

Elania laughed, the sound echoing slightly against the tower. “It’s actually kind of fun,” she admitted. “I never expected that.”

Yolani’s expression turned serious, her green eyes boring into Elania’s. “Be careful,” she warned. “They might end up calling you the demi-divine of Commerce Wing instead of Neftasu’s Protector.”

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Elania’s jaw dropped. “What? Seriously?”

Yolani burst into laughter, the sound bright and joyful.

They approached Arlois’ Tower, the Silvers guarding the entrance, allowing them entry after a brief wait. The heavy doors swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Arlois herself, her purple wings folded neatly behind her back.

“Follow me,” Arlois commanded.

Elania and Yolani exchanged a glance before falling into step behind the demi-divine, their footsteps ringing against the polished stone floor. They ascended several flights of spiral stairs.

Finally, they reached a heavy wooden door, which Arlois unlocked. The sound of squawks filled the air, and Elania’s nose wrinkled at the pungent smell of feathers, feed, and… well, farm.

Inside, the room was a stone dungeon, devoid of windows and lit by flickering artifice. A cage at the entrance formed an antechamber, preventing any escape attempts from the single entry and exit point.

They passed through into the main cell, where dozens of demon chickens roamed freely. Some pecked at grain, while others drank from water troughs or nestled contentedly on straw-filled nests.

At the back of the room, Tessa glared at them with suspicion. Half a dozen chickens sat on top of her, unbothered by her hissing and snarling.

The room was spacious, but it was still undeniably a cell. As Elania looked closer at the chickens. Their eyes were blue, indicating that they had been contracted.

Her gaze shifted to Tessa. The demoness’ eyes were still glowing red.

“The woman is stubborn,” Arlois said. “It’s only because you expressed an interest in her that she hasn’t been discarded.”

Tessa’s voice rang out, filled with anger and accusation. “They stole my babies’ souls!” she yelled, eyes blazing with fury. “They will pay for what they’ve done!”

Elania took a deep breath. “Tessa was more coherent when she was contracted,” she explained. “But after Relain was killed, she went wild and roamed around the sewers.”

Yolani nodded in agreement. “I’m pretty sure these are some of Ranolf’s escaped chickens,” she said. “Maybe we missed them when we were cleaning his kennels.”

Elania shook her head. “They probably got out before we even arrived.”

Arlois looked at them with a stern expression. “None of that matters,” she said. “What matters is that Tessa must be contracted and provide [Power], or she will be disposed of. And I will not allow the demon to be set free out in the countryside in her current state.”

Elania frowned at Arlois’ ultimatum. She glanced at Yolani, seeing the same concern etched on her love’s face.

Tessa hissed defensively in the cell's corner.

Elania squeezed her hand into a fist. If circumstances had been just a little bit altered, it could have been her in Tessa’s place—abused, tortured, forced to kill, and driven to the brink of insanity, all because they were “demons” torn from their original world and brought to Eladu.

Taking a deep breath, Elania stepped forward. “Tessa, I’m here to help you. I want to be your friend.”

Tessa hissed, red eyes narrowing with suspicion. “There are bad people stealing my babies,” she growled, voice raw with anger and fear.

Elania approached slowly, hands held out openly. Tessa sat back on her haunches and took a defensive stance.

“I want to help you, Tessa,” Elania calmly reassured her. “Your babies will be safe, I promise.”

Tessa leaped, claws and teeth bared.

“Elania!” Yolani shouted.

But Elania was ready.

She caught Tessa in midair, her [Demonic Aura] and [Divine Power] forming a protective armor over her skin. The demoness’s claws and teeth scraped harmlessly against the invisible barrier.

Elania wrapped her arms around Tessa, pulling the struggling demoness into a tight embrace. At first, Tessa fought against the hold, body writhing and twisting in an attempt to break free. But as Elania held her close, murmuring soothing words and projecting an aura of calm and safety, Tessa’s struggles began to subside.

Slowly, the tension drained from Tessa’s body, and she sagged, breathing ragged and eyes filled with confusion and fear. Elania stroked her hair with a gentle touch.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Elania cooed, rubbing small circles on Tessa’s back. “I’m here for you, Tessa. I want to help you.”

Tessa’s body shook with sobs, face buried in Elania’s shoulder. Elania continued to hold her, waiting for the demoness to calm down.

After a few moments, Elania pulled back slightly, golden eyes meeting Tessa’s red ones. “Tessa, I need to make a contract with you,” she whispered.

Tessa’s reaction was immediate and violent. She screeched, voice raw with anger and betrayal as she lashed out at Elania. “You’re evil!” she cried, claws and teeth bared. “You tried to trick me!”

Elania released her and let her retreat to a corner.

“Tessa, please,” Elania pleaded. “I’m not trying to trick you. I want to help you, I promise.”

Slowly, Tessa’s agitation began to subside, claws retracting and teeth returning to normal.

Miraculously, she approached again, this time without the clawing. When she was close enough, Elania stroked Tessa’s hair, her touch gentle.

“Everything will be alright, Tessa,” she said softly. “I’ll protect you and your chickens, I promise.”

Tessa sniffled, voice small and uncertain. “Contract bad,” she whimpered, eyes wide with fear.

Elania shook her head. “Not this one, Tessa,” she said, voice firm with conviction. “This contract will be fair, and it will keep you safe. I promise.”

Tessa looked up at Elania, red eyes searching for any sign of deception. “Such a thing exists?”

Elania looked back at Yolani and smiled. “It does.”