Rhea took a deep breath, the darkness of the underworld engulfing her. "As eerie as this place is, I somehow feel as if I belong here," she said, her voice low.

"You are no longer quite human, Rhea, so I’m not surprised if the underworld feels comforting to you," Remuria replied.

Rhea twitched, "I'm not sure how to feel about that. Actually being here still feels surreal to me."

"You will adjust to it over time," Remuria said reassuringly. "But the fact that you're still able to speak just fine is proof you're suited to the underworld."

Rhea looked at the desolate environment around her. "Would normal people usually die or something of the sort if they enter the underworld?"

"They do, sometimes immediately. This place drains the souls of those who do not belong here, weakening them until they are consumed." Remuria answered in a nonchalant tone.

"You are speaking of people losing their souls the same way one of the palace chefs would speak of their food."

"It is just how things are around here, and the reason why I was eager to get out."

Rhea and Remuria continued to ride atop their blackened steeds, traversing the soul sands of the underworld. With every step their horses took, a greenish flame sparked to life, a testament to the magical energy that allowed them to move through the treacherous terrain with ease.

As they delved deeper into the underworld, Rhea's attention was drawn to the twisted and odd creatures that inhabited the dark realm. Skeletal vultures circled above them, leaving trails of pale flames in their wake, while monstrously tall creatures with spindly stick-like legs strode across the sands. Their heads were like those of malevolent beasts, contorted by centuries of torture.

Even the flora was ominous. The few trees that grew in the underworld were blackened and charred, their "leaves" replaced by pale flames that flickered in the wind. Rhea felt a sense of unease whenever she rode too close to them, for she could hear the wails and moans of tortured souls emanating from within.

"This place has been... an experience to say the least," Rhea muttered out.

Remuria couldn't help but let out a chuckle, tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm glad you're enjoying the sights," she replied.

Rhea shot her a blank gaze. "I know you're joking, but there is a macabre beauty in this place. It's mesmerizing in its own horrifying way."

Remuria raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You're one of the first I've heard say anything remotely positive about the underworld."

"In all fairness, our journey so far has been much more peaceful than when we were in the material realm. No bandit attacks, just the sands and the animals who inhabit it."

"Most of the underworld is like this," Remuria replied. "There are some cities and even kingdoms here and there, but they are but a tiny speck in comparison to the vastness of the dark."

Rhea was intrigued. "So what of the people who live here? How do they survive?"

"Just like those who live in the material realm: farming, hunting, trading," Remuria replied. "But there is also war. Roving warbands raid settlements and hold skirmishes with other warbands or even kingdoms."

"The more I learn about the underworld, the more it doesn't seem that different from the material realm." Rhea stated.

"In many ways, we are just a darker mirror to the material," Remuria agreed. But then, she abruptly stopped her horse and held out her hand. "Wait," she said urgently. "We need to go back, now."

Rhea was taken aback. "Go back where?"

"Further away from that!" Remuria exclaimed, pointing towards a massive sandstorm in the distance.

The two women gripped the reins of their horses, their fingers tightening as they spurred their mounts to greater speed, desperate to outrun the approaching sandstorm. Their horses kicked up plumes of sand in their wake, leaving a trail of greenish flames as they raced to escape. But the sandstorm was relentless, a pale wall of swirling sand that seemed to devour everything in its path. Its edges crackled with violet lightning, and the air itself seemed to shake with the sound of its approach.

As they rode, Rhea could feel the sandstorm closing in around them. The air grew thick with grit and dust, and she struggled to keep her eyes open against the onslaught. Her horse was laboring now, struggling to move, and she could hear Remuria shouting something, but the words were lost in the howling of the wind.

And then, in an instant, the storm was upon them. Rhea's world was reduced to a maelstrom of sand and wind. She clung to her horse, her eyes squeezed shut against the stinging grit, and felt the animal shudder beneath her. She could hear it whinnying in terror, and then suddenly she was falling, tumbling head over heels in the midst of the storm.

For a moment, she was disoriented, not sure which way was up or down. She tried to call out to Remuria, but her throat was clogged with sand, and she could barely draw a breath. The sandstorm swirled around her, and she felt herself withering away under its relentless assault. She fought to stay conscious, to keep her grip on reality, but the sandstorm was too powerful, too overwhelming. In the end, she was consumed, her body swallowed up by the swirling mass of sand.

***

As Rhea gradually regained consciousness, the sound of harsh and taunting voices filled her ears, piercing through her confusion. She tried to move, but a searing pain shot through her limbs as she realized she was in some kind of camp, firmly bound to a pole with chains. Looking up, she saw a menacing figure looming over her, brandishing a strange, bone-like white axe with a twisted grin. The woman's eyes glinted with malicious pleasure, and Rhea felt a great unease begin to creep into her mind.

The axe wielding woman approached Rhea with a cruel grin, relishing the fear that was in the princess's eyes. "Well, well, what do we have here?" she taunted.

Rhea's voice trembled as she asked, "Where am I?"

"You're with the Red Reavers, meat," the woman spat, her tongue flicking out to lick her lips hungrily.

Rhea did not immediately reply, her gaze tracing the woman before her, taking in her features. The woman's attire caught Rhea's attention first, a red hood and cloak adorned with intricate white patterns on the sleeves and shoulders. Her hair was a bold shade of red, cut into a messy bob that seemed to defy any attempt at taming it. But it was the woman's skin that truly stood out - a light shade of blue that contrasted starkly against the vibrant red of her hair and clothing. Rhea couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity as she locked eyes with the woman, noticing the same scarlet hue in her gaze that she herself possessed.

“The Red Reavers?” Rhea asked, her voice tinged with fear and confusion.

“Why are we wasting time talking to meat, Zia? She’s going to die soon anyway.” A harsh voice interrupted.

Rhea’s gaze turned towards the source of the voice, a tall, muscular man with a scowl on his face.

“Shut your mouth, Sedris, I’m feeling generous today.” Zia chastised, her eyes locked on Rhea’s.

“If you insist, just remember we have a hunt soon,” Sedris retorted.

“Thank you for the kind reminder, brother,” Zia replied in a sarcastic tone.

Sedris heaved a heavy sigh and shrugged his shoulders in a show of indifference before turning on his heel and walking away from his sister. With his pale skin and short black hair, his appearance contrasted sharply with that of his sister, Zia, whose vibrant personality shone through in her more striking appearance. Without their matching robes, Rhea doubted that she would have assumed the two were related.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

With Sedris gone, Rhea's attention was once again drawn to her surroundings. Figures cloaked in red hoods loomed around her, each brandishing an array of weapons made from the same eerie material. Despite her dire situation, Rhea couldn't help but feel a sense of keen interest at the weapons wielded by the Red Reavers. Until suddenly, Zia returned to break the silence.

Zia twirled her axe in her hand, a wicked grin on her face as she approached Rhea. "Now that the distractions are out of the way, where were we?" she asked, pointing one axe towards the princess while twirling another in her opposite hand.

Rhea remained calm, but her heart was pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of the other Red Reavers' eyes on her.

"I was asking about the Red Reavers," Rhea said.

"Ah yes, of course. I'm surprised you don't know about us," Zia said, bursting into laughter. "I didn't think you had the gall to tell a joke in your state."

"I'm completely serious," Rhea replied blankly.

Zia approached Rhea, examining her closely. "There's no need to play dumb. Anyone here can clearly sense that you're one of us, you reek of someone from the underworld."

"Believe it or not, I was mortal too once. I made a bargain to become what I am now." Rhea said, her expression unfazed.

“Interesting.” Zia blurted out. “You managed to sell your soul and live? Impressive, who or what did you bargain with?”

Rhea hesitated before answering. "Vhael," she said finally.

"The deathbringer?" Zia's eyebrows rose. "You must have been someone capable or extremely wealthy back in the material realm."

Rhea nodded. "I was a princess."

“Typical, little rich shitheads are always the greedy type.”

"Then let me go, lest Vhael come for you."

Zia's grin widened. "Do you really think I or anyone in the Red Reavers fear the harbinger?" she taunted. "He has power, but so do we. Besides, you speak as if Vhael will avenge your death."

"You're assuming he won't?"

"Even if he cares enough about you to do so, he won't be able to."

"Why not?" Rhea asked.

"Look around you, meat. The darkness of the underworld isn't just for show," Zia said, leaning in close to Rhea with her axe pointed menacingly. "Any idiot who attempts at divination or clairvoyance will find themselves disappointed, such magic cannot pierce the shroud of the underworld."

Rhea felt a tinge of pain at her throat as Zia's axe nicked her skin, causing a small trickle of blood to run down her neck. "So certain types of magic aren't functional here?" she managed to say through gritted teeth.

Zia pulled away from Rhea, a wicked grin on her face. "It's what has allowed us to prosper. We hunt easy because no one knows when we will strike."

"Why do you wish to kill me?" Rhea asked.

"Because we will hunt again soon, and it is customary to have fresh meat sacrificed before we proceed. And you happened to be defenseless and available," Zia said, twirling her axe in her hand.

Rhea let out a bitter laugh. "I see. I didn't know the Red Reavers were cowards."

Zia's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't be foolish, meat. You thought to taunt me into releasing you? So that you can challenge me or one of the others into some kind of duel for your freedom? Please, we don't have the time for such pointless hassle. Once preparations for the feast are complete, we will kill you and eat you, blood and all."

Rhea remained silent after that; she knew that nothing could convince Zia to let her go. As time passed, the princess found herself encircled by a swarm of the Red Reavers. Each member of the group bore an eerie resemblance to Zia and herself. Though their complexions varied in shade, Rhea couldn't help but notice the scarlet hue that painted each of their eyes. She watched as some of the Reavers sipped blood from jugs, their unnerving eyes locked onto her every minute movement.

“Zia, everybody is here, shall I proceed?” Sedris addressed his sister, glaive in hand, as he advanced towards Rhea, who remained bound and immobile to her pole. The raucous crowd cheered and raved, urging Sedris to complete his task. Zia rested her twin axes and responded,

“You may do as you wish.”

As Sedris drew nearer, Rhea's gaze shifted between him and Zia. “Any last words, meat?” he sneered.

Rhea's response was defiant. “If I come back from this, I’m having you two follow me.”

Sedris snorted sarcastically. “Heh, that one’s new. Best of luck with that.” He readied his glaive, his scarlet eyes gleaming as he prepared to strike.

With a quick and fluid motion, Sedris lunged forward, driving the sharp point of his pale white glaive deep into Rhea's chest. The weapon sliced through her skin and muscle with ease, causing blood to spurt out from the wound. Rhea let out a strangled gasp, her eyes widening in shock and pain. The crowd erupted into a frenzied uproar, their bloodthirsty cries drowning out Rhea's anguished cries.

As the moments ticked by, Rhea's struggles began to lessen. Her breathing became shallow and labored. Her eyes appeared to glaze over, as if her life was draining away. Sedris finally withdrew his glaive, and as he did, a thick stream of dark, viscous blood oozed from the wound. The blood pooled around Rhea's body, staining the ground beneath her with a deep, almost black hue.

“The meat is dead, sister, shall we prepare to feast?” Sedris announced, his voice laced with excitement.

Zia's eyes lit up at the news, and she let out a wicked cackle. “Only if you let me eat first,” she said, flashing a smug grin at Sedris.

Sedris rolled his eyes at Zia's comment. “Fine, but I get first claim on the hunt.”

Zia's grin widened, dripping with sarcasm. “Of course, anything for my dear brother.”

But suddenly, a chilling voice interrupted their banter. “Yes...brother.”

The two Red Reavers stopped and turned towards the source of the voice, their eyes widening in shock. Rhea had not only broken free from her bonds, but she had undergone a ghastly transformation. The tip of her fingers had turned into sharp, scythe-like talons and sharp, bony wings sprouted from her back. She seemed to have grown to a monstrous height, easily towering over the nine foot pole she was once bound to. Her once fair visage was now akin to that of a monstrous bat with rows of pointed teeth. The only thing that remained of the princess were her scarlet eyes, now glowing with a predatory intent.

Zia's eyes widened in surprise. "By the dead gods, what is that?"

Sedris shook his head in disbelief. "You tell me, sister."

The Night Terror spoke in a monotone voice. "You...two...can...live...others...die."

Sedris stepped forward, his glaive at the ready. "What are you?"

The creature grinned wickedly. "Me? I am known as the Night Terror..."

Zia scoffed. "Which idiot gave you that name?"

"The... ones...who died," the Night Terror replied, their claws carving deep gouges in the pale sands below.

"Sister, I have to admit it, but whatever that is, I don't like it," Sedris said, his glaive at the ready.

Zia rolled her eyes. "What's this, Sedris getting cold feet?"

"This is serious, Zia."

"He's... right, you know," the Night Terror interrupted, lunging towards Zia, who raised her twin axes with a curse. "Just my damn luck."

As the Night Terror lunged towards Zia, she spun on her heels, her twin axes at the ready. But to her surprise, the Night Terror passed by her, and instead, set its sights on the other members of the Red Reavers. With lightning speed, the creature impaled several of them on its talons, reveling in the scent of their blood.

Zia gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing at the sight of her fallen comrades. "Are you ready to take this seriously now, Zia?" Sedris asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

"I am now," Zia replied, her eyes darting back and forth between the Night Terror and her fallen comrades. "Red Reavers, slay the creature!" she commanded, her voice echoing throughout the camp.

Within seconds, the Red Reavers nearby surged forward with a fierce battle cry, baring their bone-like weapons. Their eyes filled with a furious vengeance as they charged towards the Night Terror. Zia and Sedris led the charge, the siblings' muscles tensed as they prepared to strike, their weapons held tightly in their hands.

The Night Terror did not flinch at the sight of the Red Reavers charging towards them. Instead, they let out a blood-curdling growl that echoed across the battlefield. With an eerie smile, the monster leaped into the fray, their talons poised to strike. The sound of clashing weapons and war cries filled the air, as the Night Terror tore through the Red Reavers and began butchering them like cows.