Chapter 28.1: Gift

Gheptiza

The marble floor reflected the small fires that lit the large windowless room that hung on the large walls. Gheptiza sat at one of the many dining tables. The tables were made from luxurious, varnished wood that reflected the soft fire light. Gheptiza sat in the room, alone as he usually did. As a commander, he believed it was necessary to find a balance as a warrior who led an army, and a man who could sort through his thoughts when needed. He rested his large, thick fist on the girthy table wood, his other hand held a large goblet of deep orange wine. The large meal that could feed up to three soldiers had been consumed eagerly and quicker than a regular meal. Gheptiza was a warrior first, he vowed never to skip a meal, otherwise, his loss of strength in battle could spell his demise. Today however, was difficult. Gheptiza found it a struggle to work through his thoughts and formulate a plan. Vholeria was winning the war between Ash and Atlus. Their advancements with unknown technology had given them the upper edge in recon and manpower for battles. The strength of Ash’s men was reaching it’s limits without the aide of mana. He would not stoop to that level however. He would never accept the instant gratification of magic that so many weak men had taken without a second thought. He would fight as a warrior, not as a coward. He would lead his men as a warrior, not as a commander. Gheptiza rested his head against his thick fist as he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, to then take another sip of his wine. The large, thick marble doors that led into the dining room slowly swung open, echoing throughout the room. Before the doors could finish opening, a messenger - with their armor and helmet still on - rushed through the gap and scampered towards Gheptiza. The large man turned his head calmly at the sound of the doors opening.

“Speak your business,” He said with his thick accent and thunderously deep voice. The messenger stopped just before Gheptiza and looked to be clutching a large wooden box. He kneeled before the commander and lay the box before him on the brown marble floor.

“I-it was marked a-as a g-gift. F-for you c-commander,” he said stuttering through his words. Nervous to even speak with Gheptiza. The burly man turned fully around and placed his wine on the table.

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“A gift? From who?” He asked confused as he slowly raised the lid. The messenger did not reply and instead stood there nervously which was visibly apparent despite the helmet covering his face. As Gheptiza removed the lid from the box slowly, his expression quickly turned from one of confusion and intrigue to anger and disgust. His face was filled with shock and slowly began to contort into a face of rage. The lid hit the ground and clanked against the marble. Inside the box was Nalory…or what was left of her. Her head had been torn from the neck and was placed within the center of the small box. The flesh her head was torn from was dry and no blood was left within it. Her eyes were wide and in shock, as if the last thing she saw before her last moments was death itself. Next to her head severed head lay her arms. The arms also looked to be torn off. Uneven flesh hung out from the ends of the dry tears in her flesh. The blood from her limbs and head sat at the bottom of the box had mostly sunken into the wood. Gheptiza’s teeth began to clech and ground. His breath became more frantic and deep.

“Who?” He groweld from his diaphragm. The messenger only stood and cowered, stammering and preventing him from speaking. Gheptiza quickly rose and slammed his gigantic fists into the wooden table. He shattered the thick wood with no resistance as he struck in fury, splitting it into many pieces.

“WHOOO?! TELL ME?! OR YOU SHALL SHARE THE SAME FATE AS HER!?” Roared Gheptiza into the large dining room. Almost as if he was asking a higher power for an answer. The messenger quivered, his hands shook as Gheptiza roared through the open dining room.

“Y-yami commander, ” he managed to stutter out “there was n-no other n-ame than Y-yami,” he stammered, retreating back slightly. Gheptiza's face only grew with more shock and anger.

“Yami…of the Red Wings” he uttered more quietly but still with apparent anger in his voice. His expression resembled a volcano that was slowly about burst as his face changed rapidly from shock to malice.

“LEAVEEE! FIND THEIR RATS DEN…NOOOW!!!” roared Gheptiza. Once again as if he was speaking to a higher power and not the messenger himself. The messenger scampered away, almost tripping on the smooth marble floor and fled the room as quickly as he could. Gheptiza fell to his knees, with the box lay before him. His anger subsided into despair as his once soon to be mistress had been reduced to a pile of limbs and torn flesh.

“Nalory,’ he uttered somberley as he lifted her head from the box as gently as he could. “You were to be my queen…as I was to be your king, I'm sorry” Gheptiza remained on his knees and uttered remembrance to the dismembered head. As if the woman it belonged to still lived despite being bereft of life.