Oria sat at the table in Meridith’s house. Her foot tapped rapidly against the floor as she watched Kogna pace furiously around. Meridith sat across from her with her head in her hands. The atmosphere weighed heavily on all of them.

Kogna kicked the table, “Why aren’t we trying to find Mina!” he said glaring down at the red-headed woman.

Meridith took a deep breath before looking up at him, “And where do you think she is?” she said. She had a green tinge to skin in the early morning light.

“I don’t know, but I’ll find her,”

“No, you won’t,” Meridith said, “She was taken by Decker’s men, which means she could be anywhere in the city.”

Oria brushed her hair, “Then what do we do?”

Meridith’s glare caused Oria to flinch, “You’ve done enough,” she said, “Master Reviled is the only one who can find her,” she turned to the shadow sitting on the table, “You can find her, right?”

Two red beady eyes stared back at her, “Of course,” Reviled said through his familiar, “We have our familiars scouring the city for any traces of her, but it would be easier if she called for us.”

“Mina said she wasn’t feeling well…after she drank something,” Oria said gritting her teeth, “Fuck! They drugged her right under my nose.”

“What’s done is done,” Reviled said, “We need you and Kogna to get some rest. We’ll contact you when we’ve heard something. And Kogna,” the swordsman stared intently at the rat, “Save that rage for when it’s needed.”

“Yes, master,” Kogna said.

The familiar dissipated. Oria tried to stop herself from yawning, but the monster was right. She was up all night worrying over Mina. She needed rest, quick.

“Take Mina’s room,” Meridith said, “That way we can all be here when he calls.”

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Mina had trouble opening her eyes. They felt heavy, and there was a weight in her stomach. Slowly, she sat up, and cool air brushed against her soft skin. Mina’s mind stirred and it finally dawned on her that she wasn’t in her room, and she wasn’t wearing any clothes. She pulled the sheets up to cover her exposed skin.

The bed itself was a wide bed for two with silk sheets. A fine screen sat at the foot of the bed with her robes hanging from on a clothes rack. On the other end of the room was an empty washbasin next to the cold fireplace. Her reflection stared back at her from the expensive vanity. There was a knock at the door and a woman, a few years older than her, walked into the room.

“You’re awake,” she said with a warm smile, “I’ll let Madam Reina know.”

“Wait!” Mina said, “Where am I?”

“Madam Reina will tell you everything.”

The young woman closed the door behind her. Mina wrapped herself in the sheets and hugged her knees. She tried to think back to the previous night. She remembered the gambling den, and Kogna playing, but that was about it. She couldn’t remember coming to this place. Fear started gnawing at her heart. What happened to Kogna and Oria? What were these people going to do to her? Would she ever see her friends again? Mina couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face as she buried her head in her arms. The door opened and she looked up to see a beautiful woman with grey and brown hair enter the room with two men.

“Afternoon, little songbird,” she said, “Sleep well?”

“Where am I?” Mina said pushing herself against the wall.

“Your home,” she said with a lovely smile, “This is my garden where I gather beautiful women. Here, everyone will be able to enjoy you.”

“N-no…I don’t want to…be here,” Mina said through tears.

The woman gave her a smirk, “Little songbird,” she said pulling out a wand, “What you want is irrelevant.” The two men pulled Mina away from the wall and held her down against the bed. The woman pulled the sheet away, and Mina whimpered at being exposed. “This will all be over once I’ve dealt with this,” the woman brushed the wand’s tip against Mina’s slave crest, “This will be over soon.”

The wand glowed a dark gold, its light clashing against the dark red of Mina’s slave crest. Mina screamed as the pain rolling through her body caused her back to arch. The men shifted their hands to get a better grip. Their thick, sweaty hands brought back terrible memories.

Mina was taken back to Delilah’s tavern, bound to a bed as the tavern owner branded her with a slave crest. In that same bed, men she never knew touched her. Their touch lingered on her skin and made her feel perpetually filthy. In that same bed, she cried herself to sleep when the men left. The self-hatred eating away at her heart, the same hatred that brought the dagger to her throat, but Delilah stopped her with a single command.

The pained stopped as the woman pulled the wand away, “That’s unfortunate,” she said pouting, “Someone clearly valued you, my little songbird. A crest this strong can only be cast by a powerful mage.”

Trapped in the memories, Mina cried, “Brother…brother!”

She remembered Kogna coming to save her, only for him to be taken away in chains. If he couldn’t save her, then who could. Mina closed her eyes shut, and in the darkness, she stared into two piercing red eyes. Eyes that once made her flinch, but now she brought comfort. Would he come? Would he save me? The questions echoed through her heart.

“M-Master!” Mina cried with all her might.

She lay there waiting for something to happen. Doubt dogged her, but she prayed for him to crash through the door. Then, there was a cry of pain, and the weight of the two men eased off Mina’s body. Free from their grasps, Mina pushed herself across the bed and against the wall. She tried to cover herself by wrapping her arms around herself.

The two men backed away from the bed. One held his left hand which had an unnatural red hue with thick black veins disappearing into the sleeves. He was screaming in pain and when he pulled his other hand away, it tore chunks of flesh with it. The woman looked at the wounded man, then at the one who caused it. A shadowy black rat stood on the bed with its heckles raised and its tail swaying in anger.

“You hurt her,” Reviled’s voice came from the rat, “You caused her pain. How dare you!”

The woman sneered at the rat, “A familiar protector,” she said, “Who do you think you are?”

“We are Reviled Legion,” it said, “And this girl belongs to us.”

“So, you’re the leader of the Legion?” the woman said with a condescending smile, “You poor fool, do you really think you can win against the king?”

Reviled’s laugh echoed through the room, “You know nothing, whore,” it said, “We exist because of Decker’s hubris. We will be his downfall, and we’ll start with you.”

The woman growled, “You have some nerve. First, you lay claim to my songbird, then you threaten me! Come then, come, and get her yourself.”

“Gladly,” Reviled said, “Hold on a little longer Mina. We’re coming to get you.” The rat faded away.

“Let’s get you ready my songbird,” the woman said, “We need to get you ready for tonight.”

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Reviled stared down into the bone pit. It knew where Mina was, but how was it going to save her? Reviled looked down at its missing left arm. A low growl followed. Trying to save Mina would be difficult in its current state, and the chances weren’t looking good. If only it could repair itself.

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Reviled pulled out Melgareth’s spell book from the satchel at its side and started flipping through the pages. The necromancer had collected many illegal spells when he was alive. Surely, there was one that could be of use. It stopped on a page at the back of the book.

Form Necrosis:

Utilize necrotic energy to mold flesh and bone into whatever the caster wills. (Of little us)

Reviled stared at the handwritten note. Of course, Melgareth thought this spell was useless. His focus on merging necromancy with machinery often led him to ignore the fundamentals of craft, but this could be what Reviled needs.

“You found Mina!” Reviled looked up to see Meridith, Kogna, and Oria approach.

“Yes,” Reviled said, “We’re going to save her tonight,” a familiar formed at its feet, “Kogna, Oria follow the familiar and wait for our signal.”

“What do you mean wait?” Kogna growled, “We need to save her now!”

“Do as you’re told!” Reviled said, “You and Oria are crucial to this plan, understand.”

Kogna took a deep breath, “Yes, master,” he said as he turned to follow Oria and the rat.

Meridith stepped forward, “What should I do?”

“Return home and be ready to treat any wounds,” Reviled said, “Maybe prepare some treats, and a warm bath. Mina will need it.”

“Yes master,” Meridith turned to leave but looked over her shoulder, “Be careful…please.”

Reviled watched her leave, then turned back to the pit. It dove into the magic core and had the souls begin the spell. Necrotic energy poured from its right hand into the pit, and the bones rose up and started circling around it. Reviled found controlling the magic to be difficult since none of the spellcasters in its possession have ever used this spell. It started by trying to fit a skeletal arm into the missing socket on its left side, but when it released the energy, the arm fell to the floor. Reviled growled as it started over again.

Reviled tried fitting an arm into the socket again, but it resulted in another failure. The problem being that it had to keep necrotic energy flowing from its body to keep the arm in place. It was inefficient and meant that it couldn’t divert its attention away from the spell. It needed a way permanent source of energy outside of itself, like when it raises the undead.

“Why did we not think of that sooner?” Reviled growled.

Reviled had the lesser casters focus on preparing Raise Undead while using Melgareth on Form Necrosis. However, another problem arose. The necrotic core that powered the undead needed secure housing. It was often stored within the chest so that the energy could be spread evenly throughout but housing it in an arm would make the core unstable. Two large ribcages flew out of the pit, and the necrotic energy broke them into four pieces that attached themselves to Reviled’s torso, then the arm was attached next. Reviled felt the necrotic energy coat its torso as a modified Raise Undead was cast. The modified spell allowed for the creation of a necrotic core but allowed Reviled to directly control the arm. There was a delay in its control that was quickly resolved with a few modifications. Now, it had a fully functional left arm and hand. Reviled looked down at the pit.

Reviled chuckled, “Why stop here,”

More bones flew out of the pit. Slowly and meticulously, the bones were fused onto Reviled’s new exoskeleton. It tested each new addition before moving onto the next one. After a few hours, Reviled looked over its work.

“We hope Skivret has a large enough cloak.” Its laughter echoed off the walls.

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Mina sat at a table on the second-floor balcony of the small parlor with her tied hands on her lap. Mina wore a sheer silk dress that showed off more skin than she liked, and her face felt heavy from the make-up. Reina had spent hours getting her ready for tonight. The two dozen thugs hungrily eyed the helpless girl in their midst.

“I wonder what’s taking him so long?” Reina said sitting next to her, “My men are starting to get restless.”

Mina shivered as the men next to her chuckled. “He’ll be…here,” she said, “Honesty is one of his virtues.”

“Good.”

Mina stared at the double doors of the parlor. She could see the darkness of night through the window. He’ll be here shortly. The doorknob rattled causing everyone to stop and stare, then the doors burst open. A tall being shrouded in a large, hooded cloak stepped into the room. The heavy steps of metal on wood echoed through the room.

“Master Reviled!” Mina stood but was forced back down. The figure shifted to look up at them.

“Took you long enough,” Reina said leaning against the railing, “Only the Virtues know what would have happened to her had you waited any longer.”

“We’re tired of hearing you speak, Decker’s whore,” Reviled said, “Return Mina to us, now.”

“Then come get her,” Reina said snapping her fingers.

The ten men on the second floor drew their crossbows and fired down on him. Most of the bolts missed but Reviled shrugged off the few that struck.

Reina started clapping, “You came prepared,” she said, “But how long can you keep powering those enhancement spells.”

“As long as we need,” Reviled threw off the cloak.

Mina stared at the monster. Reviled wore an exoskeleton made from human bones with a left arm attached, but that’s not what caught everyone’s attention. Six skeletal arms protruded from its back with a bony tail curling around its feet. The thugs on the ground floor stepped back from the monstrosity.

“Damned Prison, what is that?” Reina said stepping away from the railing.

Taking advantage of everyone’s shock, Reviled rushed towards the closest thug. Reviled’s top two arms grabbed the thug by the head while the middle arms grabbed his arms, and the lower arms grabbed his legs. The thug screamed in pain as he was lifted off the ground. Despite the screams, Mina could hear the tearing and ripping of flesh, and the thug’s cries peaked when his limbs were torn from his body. Then, the screams ceased when Reviled crushed the man’s head. The body fell to the floor.

Reina shook away the shock, “Don’t just stand there,” she said, “Kill it!”

The thugs eyed the monster wearily, but a young man drew what courage he had and charged forward. This encouraged the others to advance. Unfortunately for them, their courage was in vain. Reviled tore through crowd. His bony claws tore out throats and pierced chests. One thug tried to sneak up behind it, only for the skeletal tail to stab him through the eye. Reina turned pale as the blood flew everywhere painting the walls, floor, and ceiling red. Reviled jumped up to the second floor using the arms on its back to pull itself over the railing.

“Stop it!” Reina screamed at the guards around her. She grabbed one by the arm, “Grab the girl and follow me.”

Mina felt the rough hands pull her away, “Master!”

Reviled screamed in anger as it charged forward, but the remaining thugs blocked the way. Mina tried to fight back, but the thug pulling her was too strong. Reina led them into a back hallway and down the back stairs to the first floor and out the back. At the back of the parlor was a carriage. The footman hurriedly opened the door when he noticed them rush out of the building.

“No!” Mina screamed as she desperately fought back. She heard the dress tear but that didn’t matter. She’d rather be naked than get in the carriage.

“Damn it, get in this carriage!” Reina said, “You’re–”

A figure dashed out of the shadows and tackled Mina pulling her free from the thug’s grasp. The thug reached out to grab them, but he suddenly was cut in half as a gust of wind blew through the street.

Reina jumped into the carriage and pounded on the front, “Go!”

Reina fell to the floor as the horses bolted down the streets. Another blast of wind blew down the street, and Reina screamed as the top of her carriage was cut free. Reina peeked over the carriage’s side and saw the driver barely holding onto the horses pulling the carriage. The footman was missing.

Mina cried as the person held her. She looked up and saw golden hair tucked underneath the leather hood, and a pair of grey eyes looking over her.

“You alright Min?” Oria said, pulling her to her feet.

“Y-yes,”

Kogna rushed over and took Mina into his arms, “I’m sorry,” he said, “I didn’t keep you safe.”

“Brother!” Mina held onto tightly as she cried into his shoulder. She heard footsteps at the door.

“Good,” Everyone looked towards Reviled, “You were able to grab her.”

“Damn boss,” Oria said eyeing the monster wearily. It was covered in blood and still had the exoskeleton, “You really went all out.”

“Of course we did,” Reviled said, “We won’t ever hold back when one of our own needs us.” It turned its gaze to Mina, “That whore didn’t do anything to you, did she?”

“No,” Mina said wiping her eyes, “I was brought here once your familiar left. Then she had me put all this on.”

“You’re unharmed, good,” Reviled’s tension eased, “Oria, get her back to Meridith. Kogna, you’re with us. We need to deliver a message to Samon Blackhammer.”

“Understood master,”

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The morning light brushed against Samon’s eyelids, and he stretched as he let out a yawn. His hands rested on the plump asses of the two prostitutes sleeping next to him. He paid Reina good money to have both, and it was money well spent. Samon slipped out the bed and headed downstairs.

Samon was glad that he made the gambling den his headquarters. All his vices could easily be fulfilled here. Of course, the hall wasn’t empty. Dozens of drunken gang members littered the floor. Samon was going to throw parties all week, that way, he knew for certain which gangs would oppose him. The inebriated moans of his men caused him to chuckle, but there was a smell that caused him to retch.

“Shecoga’s grace, what is that?” Samon said looking around.

The gambling hall usually smelled of piss and vomit in the early mornings, but this stench wasn’t that. It was closer to the smell of rotting flesh. A smell he knew well when he first started out. Samon searched through the hall but couldn’t see anything, but he did notice a group of people standing outside through a window.

Samon opened the front door and reeled back at the sight. A pile of thirty heads stared at up him. The faces stuck in perpetual horror. Samon growled and started looking down the street, but the only thing he noticed was the letter pinned to the door by a dagger.

The Legion is coming, was written in dark red ink. No, blood.

Samon crumpled up the note as he slammed the door shut. “Get up!” his shouting stirred the drunks awake.

“What’s wrong boss?”

“The Legion just issued a challenge,” Samon threw the note on the ground, “And we’re going to oblige them.”