Soon, Rhea awoke, she was staring up at the black, starless sky: her body resting upon the pale sands underneath her. As more of her awareness returned, she felt a searing pain on her arms and back, causing her to yelp in pain.
“So you are awake, princess.” Vhael’s voice boomed, staring down Rhea who was still laid on the ground.
Rhea slowly tried to stand, falling back down every so often, her arms felt like butter, “harbinger, I…why do I still have my arms?”
“I restored them after I restored you, the pain will subside soon.”
“Thank you, harbinger, I don’t know what I would have done without your aid.” Rhea said, now finally able to stand up properly.
"Save your gratitude, princess. We still have another threat to contend with," Vhael warned.
"Understood. But, do you possess any weapon I could wield?"
"No, and to be frank, I prefer you stay back and observe for the time being."
"And why is that?" Rhea pressed.
Vhael's gaze remained fixed upon the oncoming winged abomination, ignoring Rhea’s remarks, he knew that time was of the essence. With an air of grim determination, the deathbringer's voice resonated with otherworldly power, as a cacophony of incantations emanated from his dragon-skull visage.
Arcane energy crackled around Vhael, manifesting as ethereal tendrils of dark energy that twisted around his unholy form. As the winged shadow beast closed in, Vhael unleashed a focused surge of force, a blast of raw power that erupted from his outstretched palms.
The wave of pure energy collided with the charging abomination, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The creature was forcibly repelled once more, its wings struggling to maintain balance as it was thrown off course. It spiraled through the air before crashing back down to the unforgiving ground below, a resounding thud echoing across the battlefield.
Not wasting even a single second, Vhael continued his assault, his six hands moved with seamless precision, each gesture a calculated maneuver. Shadows swirled and coalesced above the fallen beast, battering the creature to the ground, until they converged into a massive obsidian black pillar that materialized with a deafening crackle of arcane energy.
The pillar descended swiftly, like a merciless judge passing a final verdict. Its weight crashed down upon the struggling creature, trapping it beneath an immense force. The ground quivered as the pillar embedded itself into the sands of the underworld, ensnaring the winged abomination in a prison of complete black.
Caught within the oppressive confines of Vhael's spell, the creature thrashed and roared in futile defiance. It clawed and bit at its obsidian prison, desperate to break free. But the deathbringer's magic held firm, unyielding in its grip.
"Now, princess, is the time for you to play your part!" Vhael yelled out with urgency.
Rhea's eyes widened with confusion and concern as she watched Vhael. "Now? But you already have the creature subjugated," she responded, her voice tinged with confusion.
Vhael's hollow gaze pierced through Rhea's incredulity. "Yes, but I do not want this creature, I want my daughter back," he declared, his voice laced with a mix of sorrow and determination.
Rhea’s breath caught in her throat as her mind began to process the truth that unfolded before her. "That... that is Remuria?" she said, her heart heavy with shock.
"Yes, now hurry and go to her side," Vhael urged, his tone filled with a sense of urgency that brooked no delay.
Driven by a surge of determination, Rhea sprinted toward Remuria. With each stride, her heartache intensified, unable to bear witness to the sight of her beloved transformed into a tormented monstrosity.
Remuria's twisted form convulsed and thrashed uncontrollably, devoid of any semblance of the vibrant soul that had once resided within her. Rhea's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her hands trembling with a mixture of apprehension and resolve as she approached the thrashing abomination.
As the princess drew nearer, a flood of memories surged through her mind, she recalled the uncountable times Remuria would accompany her for even the most mundane tasks, how Remuria had always taken care of her, how Remuria was the first to weep for her.
"What must I do now, harbinger?" Rhea's voice trembled, her eyes locked onto Vhael, seeking guidance from the harbinger of ruin.
A grave solemnity settled upon Vhael's dragon skull visage as he met Rhea's gaze. "You must wrestle the sword away from Remuria," he declared, the weight of his words resonating loud and clear.
Rhea simply nodded in acknowledgment, "understood."
The princess took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists. She approached Remuria, her heart heavy with a mixture of love, sorrow, and the unwavering belief that she could free her most cherished person from the grip of darkness.
Stolen novel; please report.
"Remuria, it's me, Rhea!" she called out, her voice carrying the weight of their shared memories. She reached out, her hand trembling, and grasped the hilt of the crimson sword with a firm grip. The air crackled with energy as she tugged at the weapon, her every ounce of strength focused on reclaiming it.
Remuria's form convulsed, her monstrous visage contorted, the shadows writhing as they fought to retain control. Yet, as Rhea's grip tightened, a glimmer of recognition flickered in Remuria's eyes. Her struggles momentarily ceased, as if a sliver of her true self emerged.
With a heavy breath, Rhea wrenched the crimson sword from Remuria's hand, breaking the connection that bound her to the darkness. In that instant, a radiant light burst forth, engulfing Remuria in its ethereal glow. The shadows that had once clung to her dissipated, revealing the delicate features of her human form.
With Remuria cradled in Rhea's arms, her breaths coming in shallow and erratic waves, the weight of their shared ordeal hung heavy in the air. Gently, Rhea brushed a strand of hair away from Remuria's face, her touch tender and filled with a mixture of love and worry, whispering soothing words hoping to provide solace to her beloved.
However, the silence was soon broken by Vhael's voice, "We need to talk, princess," he said, his tone laden with a weighty significance.
Rhea's gaze met Vhael's, she nodded, her expression a mix of readiness and apprehension. "I am open to speaking,”
A momentary pause hung in the air as Vhael chose his words carefully. "The underworld's grip on you has strengthened, I see."
"I had no choice, harbinger," Rhea confessed, "it was either that or death."
"Apologies, I am not here to judge your actions, princess, I was merely stating an observation." Vhael spoke, maintaining a neutral tone, "and at any rate, it seems the underworld has dug its claws into my daughter too," he muttered out, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Did Remuria make a pact as I did?" Rhea asked.
Vhael's nod confirmed the princess’s fears. "I would assume so," he admitted, "though, just like in your case, the underworld may have played a heavier hand. Consent is easy to get once you force someone to have no other feasible options."
Rhea's grasp on Remuria tightened, her fingers interlacing with a protective urgency. "I-no, we need to find a way to escape from this accursed place."
As Rhea's resolute gaze met the empty voids of Vhael's eye-sockets, a somber understanding passed between them. "I concur, Princess," he affirmed, "but first, the sword."
Rhea's gaze shifted momentarily to the weapon at her side, Nemaia, its crimson blade shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, both alluring and foreboding. She hesitated, a glimmer of doubt clouding her eyes. "What of it?" she questioned.
Vhael's response held a measured caution, "I will assist you in shattering it," he offered, "though I cannot guarantee it will diminish the underworld's influence upon you, I sense a malevolence lurking within that blade, it must be destroyed."
Rhea's gaze lingered upon Nemaia, there was a part of her that did not want to part with the blade, though she was unsure why. Yet, a sword that could possess Remuria of all people can’t be good news. So, with a deep breath, Rhea handed the hilt of the crimson sword to the harbinger.
Vhael's pale hands wrapped around the hilt of Nemaia, a surge of power emanated from him, crackling with otherworldly energy. His hollow eyes seemed to flare with intensity as he began to channel a spell.
A swirling vortex of shadowy essence enveloped the sword, tendrils of obsidian energy caressing its sharp edges. The sword trembled within a vortex of darkness, its form contorting and warping as its form struggled to maintain itself. And then, with a resounding blast, the sword shattered. Fragments of crimson metal scattered into the ether, their glimmering remnants fading into insignificance.
"It is done," Vhael declared, sparks of arcane energy continued to flicker across Vhael's rune-scarred arms as he spoke.
Rhea felt an odd relief washing over her, "thank you, harbinger, for your assistance."
"It was a small matter, Princess, considering what lies ahead. Now, let us turn our attention to the matter of your return to Ishgria." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed upon Rhea as he began to explain their next course of action. "There exists an ancient gate," he revealed, "Which was once capable of transporting numerous demons to the material realm. If you can find and activate it, you will have a path to your home."
"You mentioned 'was'," Rhea interjected, "I assume there is a complication in this plan?"
Vhael's eyes shifted towards the crimson moon, its enigmatic allure drawing his attention. "Indeed," he admitted, his voice taking on a contemplative tone. "The gate is located there," he explained, pointing skyward to the distant celestial body.
"Any idea on how we can get there?" Rhea asked.
"I can take you there, alongside anyone else you wish to join you, getting there is not the issue," Vhael revealed.
“Is something protecting the gate?"
"Correct," Vhael responded, his voice filled with a touch of amusement. "The gate is guarded by a dragon, one who I don’t believe is keen to cooperate with anyone or anything"
“Wait, why do we need to cross a gate? Rhea interrupted, “wasn’t Remuria able to go to the material realm without using the gate?”
“Hers was an accident more than anything. It’s usually almost impossible for any being to cross from the underworld into the realm of the living. You will need the gate in your case, princess, and that means facing the dragon who guards it.”
A determined glint sparked in Rhea's scarlet eyes, "I'll still take my chances."
“I see.” Vhael muttered out, “though, at any rate, you should return to aid the reavers should you still wish to bring them with you alive.”
“But what of Remuria?” Rhea asked, still cradling Remuria in her arms.
Vhael extended one of his rune scarred arms to Rhea, “You can leave her to me, I will not let any harm come to her.”
The princess gently passed Remuria’s body to Vhael, “I shall return soon.”