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Nyx - The Shadow Princess
A2:C19 - Trust Issues

A2:C19 - Trust Issues

Quietly humming a strange, otherworldly tune as she lightly rocked back and forth, Nyx perched atop one of the dilapidated fort's gate posts on the balls of her feet while scanning the many tents and flimsy huts that littered its interior.

Massaging her temples to ease the dull headache that had been growing over the last few days, Nyx's gaze moved to the wooden palisade segments that encircled the camp as she revealed a look of contempt.

Finding the long, spikey shadows cast upon the well-trodden, dirt ground by the half moon above somewhat captivating, Nyx rubbed her slightly swollen eyes as she stifled a yawn.

-"What a pointless waste of materials. So many blind spots and vulnerabilities. Even then, with those muppets that are meant to be on guard half asleep, if this were the prime continent, none of these people would live to see another sunrise."

The ominous blue glow from Nyx's eyes increased slightly, barely masked by the black blindfold she wore.

Shaking her head as she released a profound sigh, Nyx glanced at the large building at the centre of the camp before the strange, teepee-like, golden tents nearby.

-"If only things were as simple as the old days."

Cringing at her careless thoughts, Nyx fell back into silence as memories of the past bubbled from the depths of her mind.

Half an hour later, a gentle breeze blew across the grasslands, slightly ruffling her robe and hair.

After basking in the sensations, momentarily losing herself in the soft moonlight, cool night breeze and fresh, tantalising scents carried with it, Nyx's humming abruptly stopped as her face twisted into a grimace.

Clenching her fists, Nyx quickly circulated her essence to numb the sharp, stabbing pain emanating from her core as her leather gloves noisily protested at the strain.

A few minutes later, finally able to take a full breath, Nyx's head drooped.

-"I've run out of time. No matter how much I resist, by the end of tomorrow, I will have a breakthrough whether I like it or not," thought Nyx as she looked up into the clear, starry sky.

-”If only I stayed a few more days.”

Memories of the forest played through her mind as her stomach clenched and a sour taste appeared in her mouth.

-”Even if I wanted to, from the maps I saw earlier, my situation won’t improve in the slightest if I were to make a run for it now.”

Nyx shook her head.

-"What's done is done. I've made my bed, and now I have to lie in it."

-"The last breakthrough left me half dead. As they have been steadily getting worse with each layer, it's highly possible even the pathetically weak animals that call this desolate wasteland home would be able to make a meal out of me without much protest if they attacked straight away."

Furrowing her brow, Nyx shifted slightly, pushing her legs outwards so she could rest her palms on the top of the post.

-"The only places that can provide any sort of advantage in this damn land, even if it is inadequate, are these forts. But even then, that’s only if I were to take them at face value."

Nyx's gaze once again scanned the many tents and buildings, her eyes narrowing.

-”Humans… Beasts… Do I really have to place my life in one of their hands? No. I need to find someone I can manipulate or coax into being a temporary bodyguard.”

Sighing, her shoulders sagging in reluctance, Nyx's sight moved to the largest wooden hut at the centre of the camp as she rubbed her chest with her left hand to alleviate the remnants of the stabbing cramps rippling through her chest with every heartbeat.

-"No good. That old man is just too cunning. Even though he hasn't shown any hostility in the last four days, and hinted that he would help, I wouldn't be able to focus on the breakthrough with someone that dangerous nearby."

Nyx's eyes continued to drift to the right where two tents, white robes hanging on an impromptu washing line tied between them, were placed a small distance away from the others.

The style and build of the tents were simple, matching the other sect members and setting them apart from the merchants and rogue mages that had joined their group early on in their journey.

Coincidently, it was at this time that a female disciple, her dark grey robe and hair in disarray, crept from the leftmost tent.

After glancing each way twice, the woman stealthily ran with a crouched back as she headed towards the cluster of tents nearby.

-"What an idiot. The only thing less trustworthy than a human is a male beast. Especially when they are placed in front of a weaker member of the opposite sex.”

Nyx shook her head, scraping her tongue against her teeth as if she had tasted something disgusting.

-”Though, those two are pretty clever. Starting those rumours about the benefits of dual cultivating with a beast. Coupled with the girls being in a strange, uncertain environment and weak to the temptation of safety and reassurance, no wonder so many have fallen for their ploy.”

In the vast grassy plains behind her, a solitary shriek erupted, causing Nyx to flinch. The silver dagger that had appeared in her hand disappearing into her sleeve just as quickly.

-"This is getting ridiculous. I'm only at the core realm. I was already nearing exhaustion before. Add on the four days of constant vigilance and no sleep..."

Rubbing her temples again, feeling the pain from her increased heartbeat, Nyx took a deep breath as she casually looked over her shoulder as her muscles returned to their dormant state.

Flexing her fists, Nyx clicked her tongue loudly before looking over the largest cluster of tents, where the recruits rested.

Not finding anything of interest, it wasn’t long before a strange, self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips.

-"How times have changed. In the past, I would have been able to mingle and blend in seamlessly but now... After getting a taste of what it’s like to be free and be myself, I can't bring myself to put on another mask. Especially when I already stand out so much."

Unbidden, images of Granny and Harold flickered across Nyx's mind, causing her to frown and release a quiet, almost inaudible growl.

-”Fuck them. Why should I pretend to be something I’m not? This is my life.”

"Are you done with your nocturnal brooding yet?"

Below, sitting on the ground with her back against the same post, Dimi yawned loudly without covering her mouth.

A slight red tinge emerged on Nyx's snow-white skin as her fingers started to curl into a claw-like shape. As her fingers moved, faint, black wisp-like lines pulled on the daggers hidden in her sleeves, causing them to shift slightly.

Opening her eyes slightly, lazily rubbing away a small amount of crust that had formed at the corners, Dimi yawned again before cracking her neck. "Finally willing to play?"

Staring down at the woman for a few seconds, Nyx's head slowly turned towards the horizon.

The beautiful starry sky, something that Nyx often found herself absentmindedly staring at was growing light at the bottom, indicating that dawn was fast approaching. “No.”

Sighing, Dimi shook her head. “Why not? Once we sort out the rankings, we can stop this game of cat and mouse and find something fun to do.”

Getting no response, Dimi didn’t show a surprised reaction. “You’re almost as dull as this place. All you do is lurk about in the darkness, absorb essence or sit next to that old goat and doze during the day."

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Nyx's gaze returned to the woman as her head tilted slightly to the side. -"On the surface, it seems like all she cares about is fighting, eating and having 'fun' but how could a humanoid beast become an elder of a sect if that was all there was? What is she hiding and why is she targeting me?"

Narrowing her eyes, Nyx increased the amount of essence she was circulating, shifting to balance herself better.

-"Even though she does seem to be the best choice. It's just that it's too convenient. Her thoughts and desires are too simplistic and shallow. There must have some hidden agenda or goal."

Nyx's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden pang in her chest, causing her lips to twitch as she sucked in a shallow breath of air.

However, unlike before when she had forgotten about the woman who had turned herself into Nyx's second shadow over the last four days and nights, she didn't reveal any other signs of discomfort.

Looking up and finding that Nyx was still watching her with a thoughtful expression, something that in itself was quite rare, Dimi smiled. "OK, if a spar is out of the question, fancy a quick hunt? Though not very challenging I hear there might be some bandits hiding nearby and we can compete on who takes out the most without being discovered."

-”Come on Runt~. I even made it, so you have the advantage of your innate skills. Let's do something, anything before I die of boredom.”

"I already told you." Nyx's tone was cold and without emotion, but it was still a vast improvement from her usual interactions. "I hunt alone."

"I know, I know.” Dimi rolled her eyes. “But we aren't really hunting as we won't eat them or use their cores. Humans are pretty tasteless after all. We are just going to play a game."

“A game with the lives of others?” Nyx’s right eyebrow raised slightly, the action causing Dimi to sit a little straighter as her grin revealed some teeth. -"Got you."

“You're telling me as someone that practically oozes bloodlust and killing intent, that you have a problem with having a laugh while exterminating some vermin?“ Dimi snorted. “Anyway, life is a game, and we all lose in the end. It’s just some lose quicker than others, and we are slightly more active than most.”

-"If only you knew." Nyx’s lips twitched at the corners. "Not really. I just didn't expect an elder of a prestigious, first-rate sect to be so... dismissive of life. Normally they at least pretend to care while slaughtering those unable to defend themselves."

Noticing what she believed to be Nyx's positive reaction, even though the faint blue glow coming through her blindfold giving her shadowy figure above a sinister, bird of prey-like appearance, Dimi's grin grew. -"Ha, they said that this couldn't be forced but it's only been four days, and this little cub has already started to open up. Not only does she let me approach closer than the others, but I even get full sentences where that old spoilsport would only get silence."

The two continued to stare at each other.

-”Do I really have no other choice but to gamble on such a risky unknown?” While Dimi watched Nyx from below, Nyx analysed from above. -”Then again, it's not like she is leaving me alone. But… can I really trust her?”

Nyx yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. -"Not that I actually have to trust her. I just need to be sure that I am safe."

At the same time, Dimi's smile faded. -"Shame it's taken this long. Tomorrow evening we are going to arrive at Rafael. Not only do I have to patrol the town to make sure those on leave don't get up to any trouble, but afterwards I have to go eliminate those wretched, no fun bandits on my own."

Blowing something similar to a raspberry as she exhaled noisily, Dimi scratched her head. "So~?"

-”Fuck it. It's only a few harmless words and chatter for now until I get a better grip on her objectives. It’s not like she will glean any advantages as long as I am careful.” Nyx shook her head slowly, the pressure behind her eyes causing them to water slightly. "Maybe another time. I'm not in the mood."

Dimi’s eyes fully opened as her lips slightly parted before revealing a mocking smirk. “Runt!... You feeling OK?”

Hearing the question, Nyx’s head jerked back as her heart rate slightly increased.

After a few moments of silence, Nyx wet her lips with the tip of her tongue as her muscles tensed. “Why do you ask?”

Seeing the reaction, even though it was so slight that it would have been easy to miss, Dimi frowned, the smirk on her lips from making the joke diminishing. "I was joking..."

Dimi’s eyes narrowed as she continued. “But for you to react in that way… it must be pretty big.”

The urge to kill and eliminate the woman below, who had identified that she was in a weakened state, surged from the depths of Nyx's soul as she lost control of her aura.

Faint black ripples appeared in the air around Nyx, causing the air to waver as if it were a swelteringly hot day, while the bugs that had been making noise in the tall grass became silent.

Jumping up with lightning speed, the hairs on the back of her arms and neck standing on end, Dimi quickly backed away while trying to hide a smile.-"Well, wasn’t really the reaction I was looking for but…"

Holding her hands out in a placating manner, Dimi revealed a charming smile and lowered her tone. "Easy there. No need to be so sensitive. There is no benefit for me to harm you in any way."

"In fact, this is a good thing. Even with Timur's protection, if one of the other two noticed there is no doubt that they would try and take advantage and pull you into their factions."

Closing her eyes, knowing that even if she was able to silence Dimi, it wouldn't be without significant effort and alerting the others, Nyx took a deep breath and restrained her aura. -”It’s OK. She just guessed something was wrong before I could hint at it. It's fine. Totally fine.”

Seeing this, Dimi released the breath she had been holding. While she wanted to spar with Nyx to sort out the hierarchy and learn more about each other, she did not want a death match.

"Especially as your human form is so attractive and your bloodline so mysterious." Seeing Nyx calming down and believing it was because of her words, Dimi continued. "Then again, you also have those two humans after you. The grandson of that battle mage and the brown-haired warrior. You know, the one that keeps making eyes at you whenever he can."

"What was his excuse again? Oh, that he wanted to say sorry for bumping into you? What a feeble excuse." Dimi chuckled and took a few steps closer, her instincts no longer warning her of danger. "Still, he is persistent which is a good trait. The fact that he keeps offering you the game he catches during the day at least shows he knows the basics of courting a female, unlike the other one. As if you would be impressed by his background and shiny artefacts."

-"What the hell is this woman on about? Yes, that lanky boy keeps offering me his excess kills but I have no recollection of the other one."

Too irritated to pay the useless topic any more thought, Nyx stood up and pulled two ribbons from her pocket before sweeping her hair back.

Once her hair was tied back, she stepped off the post, and half floated, half fell towards the ground where she landed silently.

Apart from when she was sitting next to Timur on the carriage, this was the closest Dimi had managed to get to Nyx, enabling her to notice the faint strands of black mist that were swirling around Nyx’s body.

Occasionally a strand would break away from the rest, seemingly dissolving into nothingness while the nearby shadow seemed to bend towards her.

After getting over the surprise at Nyx's decent, wondering how much she weighed, Dim's frowned. "Your aura's pretty unstable, and there are a lot of fluctuations around your body... Are you about to break through?"

Slowly opening her eyes, Nyx glared into Dimi’s. The killing intent portrayed by her taut body and positioning not having diminished in the slightest.

However, as she sensed no danger, Dimi ignored Nyx's hostile stance and took the woman's silence as confirmation. "That's great."

Clapping her hand’s together, Dimi smiled. “Let’s get this over with before the others wake up. I’ll protect you while you recover from the backlash and then we can spar, eat our fill and get clean before completing the missions set by the old goat.”

Eye twitching at the woman’s words, Nyx’s nostrils flared slightly. -”This is what I wanted yet why does it feel like I am falling into this woman’s pace.”

Not getting any response from Nyx, Dimi pouted as she stamped her right foot on the ground. “Oh come on Runt. Stop being so hard to get. This place isn’t the wild. You may have Timur’s backing and the status of an executioner, but the lone wolf often falls prey to the pack. I’m probably the easiest, least demanding friend you can make at the Sect and all I want is for us to have some fun. I'm even willing to waste time and keep an eye out while you rank up without asking for anything in return.”

"Bar the help with these... missions," snorted Nyx. -"Has she just mentioned these now to try and lessen my cautiousness?"

"I'd have convinced you to do them with me anyway." Dimi shrugged her shoulders. "You needing a hand just makes it easier. Plus, I help you, and you should trust me more, so it won't be so hard convincing you to join me next time. That way I kill two birds with a single stone."

Nyx frowned. “You want me to join your faction? Pride?”

“Nope, only true-blood lions can join the pride, and I am factionless.” Dimi paused for a moment. “Well, excluding Timur. But he’s special as he defeated the old Alpha in combat, so is our leader, even if he only mates with my sister.”

Dimi's face twitched slightly at the end of her statement, her lips pulling together with dissatisfaction.

“Then what’s your angle?” Nyx’s frown grew, pushing the question of Timur and Dimi's relationship to the back of her mind. -”I can’t believe she is this simple. This is an elder for god sake. They are supposed to be responsible for the sect and its future.”

This time, It was Dimi’s turn to frown. “Angle?”

“What is your goal?” said Nyx blandly. “What do you want?”

Dimi leaned in a concerned expression on her face. “Are you all there in the head? I’ve already told you. Let’s get you ranked up, have a spar then you can help me with my missions."

-"OK, I'll bite." Nyx folded her arms. “What are these missions?”

“Oh, don’t worry. The missions I get are pretty dull alone as that old goat says I can't be trusted with anything too important, but with another, they aren’t so bad. We just need to beat up any unruly disciples in the town and kill some bandits that were too stupid to keep low while we made the rounds. We can even turn it into a game. Hrafn likes to bet but as he is busy 'chasing tail' and Lilly has already told them that you are competition, not easy prey, he won't be joining us."

-"Competition?" Nyx tilted her head slightly, wondering what Dimi meant.

Dimi paused, her eyes widening slightly. "Actually, you don't have any tokens so we can do something along the lines of the loser has to hunt the equivalent number of meals for the winner during the trip back to the sect."

Nyx’s eyes narrowed while she revealed a mirthless smile, her left hand confirming that the pouch strapped to her leg was still there. -”Fine… let’s see how long you can keep up the facade. I am not as unprepared as when we first met.”

"OK but not here. Follow me."

Turning around, Nyx effortlessly lept the palisade walls, followed by Dimi without a shred of hesitation. Moments later the pair had vanished into the two-meter-high grass, disappearing from sight.