The dark sky was a sea of floating balls of light carried on the trails of purple, and red mist that was floating aimlessly, and expanding slowly. Underneath the scene was a small open clearing inside a dark decrepit forest of lifeless trees; there in the shadow lay hundreds of corpses.
Atop a certain mound of dead men sat a woman, her glasses were plain, and two black horns were protruding from each side of her skull. One of the horns were decorated in a luxurious golden chain, similar to an amulet.
A gentle wind blew, causing her long violet hair to sway gently, the woman wore a long black dress, with floral decorations made of fine gold. The sleek black fur that decorated her neckline was ruffling relentlessly. Despite the blood that continued to form into a small puddle on the ground, her clothes remained spotless. Her dark red lips formed a small smile, as she turned the page of a book in her gloved hands.
Every time she turned the page, her actions was subtle, and refined, her violet eyes stared at the page in rapt concentration, despite the lack of light, and her expression revealed complete serenity, despite the bodies of the dead underneath, and around her.
Her beautiful, yet elegant expression quickly soured when she snapped the book shut, and stared at an approaching figure, leaving the shadows of the forest. A slim shadow in black robes bowed gently to her, it was a wiry old man, in elegant black clothes, and unassuming features. The man asked in a low but measured tone.
“How was it my lord?”
The woman smiled, and said in a soft tone.
“It was interesting.”
“That's it?”
“For now that's all I can really say.”
He walked closer to the pile of dead she was sitting on, and frowned.
“Someone of you stature acting in such a manner.....”
A bemused expression appeared on her face.
“Oh? Do you expect me to act like all the previous demon lords?”
The man remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
“All the previous ones, had overwhelming power, desire and charisma. The four great families do not see you as someone fit for the position, I merely hope you take precautions, to protect your influence.”
With a small ironic smile, she chuckled softly.
“The former lord had a personality with the depth of a pancake, the one before that was a vulgar thug, and the one before that was merely a debauchee, lusting for every woman he could find. You expect me to learn from them?”
“They may have had their flaws, but they were well connected, and knew how to play the 'game'.”
“How boring.”
She reopened the thick book, and continued reading.
“Will you not continue our dream?”
“..... Never chase a reflection.”
“I'm not sure what you mean?”
The woman smiled to herself, and remained silent. The man likewise did not push her for a response but merely stood still waiting for her to continue. After a good ten minutes she stopped turning the pages, and stared back at the man.
“Charae, what do you believe is important for a living being?”
“A goal.”
“I agree.”
“Does that mean you'll finally.....”
“Yes, and no.”
The man looked confused for several milliseconds, but regained his composure just as fast.
“What do you mean?”
The woman stood up, and jumped down from the heap of dead, landing quietly, and softly next to the man. She took a crumpled piece of paper from her sleeves and gently tossed it to the man.
“This is?”
“A map.”
The man frowned, and opened the crumpled piece of paper, after scanning it for a few times he turned to the woman.
“The map seems to be wrong.”
The woman smiled again, as she slowly walked away, while the man followed.
“No it's right.”
“But how can that be?”
“Interesting isn't it?”
The woman casually lead the way into the darkness, however Charae remained still, and spoke in a low, and deep voice.
“My lord, have you decided to accept Asaih's proposal?”
“No.”
“Are you sure you won't change your mind?”
The woman's voice turned softer, and uttered a whisper.
“No.”
“I see, then.....”
“Charae.”
“Yes?”
“How long have we known each other?”
“Has it been 120 years?”
“Quite awhile, huh.”
“Yes.”
The woman turned around, and smiled.
“Charae, you were a wonderful attendant.”
“Thank you....”
A small sigh escaped her lips as she touched a nearby tree.
“I like Rosaia trees, do you know why?”
“I'm sorry, I have no idea.”
The book in her hand suddenly burst open, and a single page flew out, a black liquid leaked from the surrounding shadows, and quickly engulfed the place. Blood splashed in the air, and a small object flew to the ground. The woman walked up to Charae's decapitated head.
She picked up the object, still leaking blood and gently kissed his forehead.
“It was the type of tree that we first me under, goodbye my dear butler.”
The book in her hand continued to flip through the pages, and eventually ripped themselves from the book until they floated around her like a barrier. She placed the head on the ground, and slowly took off her glasses with her bloodied gloves. Small runic symbols revolved around her pupils, each time changing color, and shape.
She stared at the sky and sighed.
“How long will we live under this lie?”
She turned her head gently staring at the shadows around her, and revealed a smile.
“How uncouth, do you gentlemen not understand how rude it is to spy on a lady?”
A giant rumble sounded, and shadows started darting in, and out of the trees, and crawled from the ground. They came in the hundreds, and thousands, silently and quickly. The silence of the forest quickly ended.
During this moment a small ray of light shined on the light less forest, into the small clearing, and covered the corpse of the butler in a thin blanket of light. There in his hand, was a small silver shine.
------------------
“Forge nation Havanwald... Have you ever heard of it Lumina?”
She lightly shook her head, as she gazed idly at the direction he was referring to.
“It's a nation with relatively low population, but rich in magic minerals, and raw natural resources. They maintain healthy trade relation with neighbours for their innovative products, refined materials, and pragmatic approach to things. Despite their low population, they are arguably among the most powerful of the human nations in the southern regions.”
“I'm not to keen on human matters, but I'm guessing that is because of their connections?”
“No, they have one of the strongest military forces compared to their neighbours, because of their specialty.”
“Specialty?”
“You know how I taught alchemy to the some of the grems right?”
“Yes, through creating concoctions, and theories in changing chemicals, and ores.”
“Havanwald specializes in the same thing, but follow a distinctively different path.”
Lumina brushed a few strands of hair, she then tilted her head, and looked at Acacia curiously.
“The alchemy I use are common every day things, that can be acquired generally by anyone willing to learn. What they follow is the principle of animation, change, and construction though the aide of magic, and tools.”
“General terms please.”
“It means they use alchemy as an all encompassing form of magic in creating weapons, and armies.”
“I've never heard of such a thing......”
“With the amount of resources available to them, in relation of magic resources, they have managed to forge a quite the construct army.”
“That sounds quite amazing.”
“No, what's more amazing is the head of the technocratic government's, daughter.”
“You're using terms I do not understand.”
“All you need to know is that everything they have accomplished, pales in comparison to how bright the future of a single girl is.”
“Then that nation will have a prosperous future?”
An ironic smile formed on Acacia's lips as he stared idly at the stars.
“That's what it should have been.”
A small frown formed on her face, after hearing him speak,“you're being vague again.”
“That aside, what was that report about a murdered patrol?”
“A small militia of grems were sent to survey uncontrolled areas, at the southern tip of the river. After a few days of missing reports, we sent a few harpies to track them, their corpses were recently found.”
“Unfortunately we do not have anyone skilled in analyzing corpses, do you want to have a look?”
Acacia nodded, as Lumina lead the way to the last floor of the tower, there lain in straw mats were several dead bodies of adult male grems.
He looked over one, and knelt down, bits of torn flesh, melted skin, and he could feel large concentrations of mana on damaged body parts. The next one was cut in half, the one after, had black lacerations across his body. He walked up to another that had, an awkward posture, after feeling the body he nodded, and let go.
“His spine was snapped.”
There were a few common points, the attacks used venom that was natural, and not magical. The mana drifting around certain wounds indicated a form of dark magic, which had characteristic of leaving decay in the wounds, and tainting the mana around it.
“Lumina, what happened to their tools, and weapons?”
“They were most likely taken by the assailants.”
“Hmmm. Dark magic, uses bladed weapons, strong physical power, and venom.”
“Have you found any foreign material on the bodies, or near the area?”
Lumina walked up to Acacia, and placed dark scales roughly 5cm long in his hands.
Acacia's face paled slightly, and formed a slight frown, the scales were leaking negative energy, similar to dark magic.
“....Deathmist Nagas.......”
Luminna frowned, and looked slightly curious, “nagas?”
“Half-human, half-snake, with four arms, generally a militant matriarchal society. Naga's in general have high magic aptitude, and inhuman physical strength. It is said they grow stronger with age, the oldest recorded living one was a silver scale Naga, that supposedly lived for 1200 years.”
Lumina merely stood by his side, as she watched him mumble to himself.
“..One of the few races that were blessed by the former living god of night, Agralesh.”
A small sigh escaped his lips as he turned to Lumina.
“Can you lead me to where the bodies were found?”
“Yes, master.”
As Acacia walked out of the tower, Lumina turned towards a nearby black light pixie, and whispered a few words to her, before Lumina also left to where Acacia was waiting.
The sky was shining brightly, and the cool light reflected off of the flowing water of a wide lake flowing into a large stretch of trees. Underneath the sky grunts of horses could be heard as two primitive carriages were being pulled, and driven by two grems.
Acacia idly admired the glimmering water, as the occupants talked among themselves. In his carriage Luna was sitting beside him with a very thin blade strapped to her side, resembling a rapier, and was found in an old armoury in the tower. An odd choice for a physically weak pixie. She was talking to three grems armed with crude short swords, with light armour made from treated beast hide, and one junior alchemist.
The other carriage trotting slowly next to them had a single harpy sleeping in the carriage, with slight electrical sparks dancing on her feathers, and a three grems huddled in a corner away from the harpy, with similar basic armour and weapons, there also were several sacks on that carriage.
Although they were named carriages, they resembled more like modified wagons.
Acacia could feel the carriage go up, and down on the bumpy plains, because the ongoing project of building dirt roads did not reach very far. He yawned lightly as he nearly nodded off. The warm winds, the sounds of running water, a long ride of several days caused his mind to seem dreary.
As Acacia eyed the river in an absent mind, he noticed his body growing tired, and gold dust slowly smothering him, immediately he eyed Lumina who was smiling beside him.
She whispered in his ear, in a cheerful voice, “I'll wake you up when we get there.”
Before the words could come out of Acacia's lips, he was already asleep, and feel into Lumina's arms.
“Sweet dreams.”
------------------------
I could see his torn body impaled into the hill, the bright red liquid flowed from a mangled body, his legs were bent in an awkward position, his arms were torn away, and a painful gasping noise echoed in my ears; I drew my face closer to him trying to hear him speak.
“Ah cough* cough* ..... agh...sorry.”
“Is that what you should be saying with your body looking like that.”
After a few coughs, his bloodied lips formed a awkward grin.
“The coalition forces managed to break through, we're finally going to stop the source of chaos, hehehe....”
I could see John's erratic breathing turn slow, and tepid, his eyes glazed over, and his body remained still, his forced smile permanently etched on his bloodied face.
“John?”
“....”
“It was nice knowing you.”
“....”
I reached over, and closed his tired eyes.
“You've done enough, rest now.”
As I stared at the endless sea of bodies strewn across the hill I could see bright lights flashing in the distance, and massive creatures dancing in the skies far ahead, where the war rages on. Massive craters littered the landscape, trees destroyed, hills burst apart, and the resting dead all over the place.
Far off in the distance I could see a pillar of iridescent light shooting into the heavens, the unnatural birth prophesied by the grand seer has come to pass. Instead of going forward towards that great expanse of light I knelt down, and sat next to the dead body beside me. Surprisingly the heat of war died, off, and I could only feel a slight chill.
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“Haah, I couldn't move even if I wanted to.”
As I stared idly at the sky, I could feel my body temperature slowly drop, my arms felt stiff, and tired.
“.........I really don't want to die.”
The last thing burned into my eyes was the distant pillar of light, as I slowly drifted off into the darkness.
Acacia slowly opened his eyes staring at Lumina looking down on him with a smile, and he noticed a dull orange glow colouring the sky.
“Did you have a good rest, master?”
“.......... It was ok.”
After answering, he immediately got back up to notice that a small camp was set up near the river. The crackling flames sent wisps of smoke drifting to his nose, it was charred meat.
Immediately Acacia shook his head, as several distorted images of bloody lumps of flesh that were formerly sentient beings floated in his mind.
“Lumina, can I get some vegetables instead?”
“Of course.”
After a quick nod, she went over to where the grems were roasting the meat, and brought out some vegetables from the sack. Acacia stared vacantly at his frail arms, and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“What irony....”
The campsite was built near the southern tip, and a fair bit of distance from where the first surveying team was murdered. The smoke would likely attract anyone near the area, and the fire would most likely keep primitive beasts away.
Half of the original group was currently off completing some tasks, and Lumina was now focusing her efforts on roasting the vegetables.
“I guess I shouldn't waste time.”
Acacia found a comfortable spot in a thick patch of grass to sit on, and sat down, after breathing slowly he closed his eyes, and drowned out his consciousness. Slowly but surely, the outside world disappeared.
The darkness was eventually replaced by the furious wind, and blinding snow. His flesh felt like it could shatter at any moment from the frigid cold, and without a single thought he decided to walk forward. He walked past the snowy landscape, past the giant silver lake, and witnessed a massive shadow in the distance covered by the snow.
It remained still and faint, it looked as tall as a mountain, and yet no matter how much Acacia walked towards it, the distance between the two never closed. As he was wondering what it was he noticed the scene distort, and within an instant the scenery disappeared, and he was looking at two planets swirling to the left and right. Rather than say the planets were right next to him, it was more accurate to say the images of them were imprinted in his pupils when he looked at the specific direction.
He himself was floating aimlessly in a sky of black, where distant stars were glowing lightly, a thin white film was covering his flesh, preventing him from moving. The planet on the left was white, and black, surrounded by contrasting mists. The planet on the right looked like a massive fireball glowing brightly, with small moons floating around it. It was definitely not the sun, but could rival it in every way.
He had no idea, what to do, or where to go. The concept of this space was only at the initial stages, Acacia himself was at the level of trial and error.
What exactly am I supposed to do?
As he floated aimlessly for what seemed like several hours, a powerful force dragged him into the white, and black planet. The force was so strong he felt incapable of any other action, just nearing the planet, caused his body to crack, and his skin to melt.
As soon as he broke past the atmosphere he slammed into a strange wall, the flesh that housed his body was no more, and he merely became of ball of light, without a human form.
------------
Acacia's eyes remained closed, his breathing seemed calm, and his face seemed oddly peaceful. Lumina had already tried to get him to wake up for his meal, but to no avail, instead or persisting she merely watched the unresponsive body quietly without batting an eyelash.
During the long silence a wooshing sound could be heard, and something landed beside her.
“Mistress Lumina, a strange group has been sighted heading to this location from the south.”
“That was faster than expected.”
The harpy called Leine eyed Acacia sitting in a fixed position in curiosity. Lumina merely smiled, and walked into he distance where the harpy came from.
“You're.. Going alone?”
“He's busy after all, the noise would disturb him.”
“Should I...”
“No need, who knows if that's a distraction, or if there's a splinter group. In the worst case scenario grab master, and escape.”
“I couldn't see them directly, but I could sense they were dangerous., and there was quite alot them.”
“I know.”
“Isn't that being reckless?”
“There's something I want to confirm.”
Without waiting for a response Lumina flew into the distance, to meet the group head on. She flew past the trees in minute, and quick motions. Barely a sound was made, as a light blur swerved past trees, grass, boulders, and tall foliage. Instead of slowing down because of all the obstacles, her speed actually accelerated, leaving a subtle vibration of wind.
In mere moments a figure burst out of the trees, and rushed into the plains, causing the grass underneath to bend unnaturally, eventually a large lake came to view. She flew directly over an expansive lake, and ignored the looming shadows underneath it.
Eventually her flight stopped, and she landed on a plain field of grass, where she unsheathed a thin rapier, covered in artificial leaves, and stabbed the soil beneath her.
A smile spread on her lips, as she whispered gently to herself, and merely stood their staring into the distance. At first they seemed like shadows, darting in and out of every crevice, but since the plains had no obstacles the creature were easily in view as they rushed out of a suspicious looking fog.
Their lower bodies looked to be of a snakes, with thick black scales, they were over 5 metres long, and wore surprisingly enough, well forged armour, and weapons. Their upper bodies had human qualities, with an occasional scale in different areas on their hands, and face. The most striking characteristic were their four arms, armed with various weapons that looked well made in design, and form.
“Hmm...”
A small smile spread across her lips as she stood stock still. The Naga's that saw her alone, and waiting, were cautious at first, and some at the front even slowed down their movements. Pixies had a racial trait of mischief, and trickery.
But compared to a Naga, especially a group of them, why would they stop for a mere pixie? This reasoning wasn't communicated to each other, but a natural train of thought. The more cautious of the group stayed back, and spread out, while the majority rushed in with a vengeance.
The green grass around Lumina started to bloom with vibrant flowers of various colors, a subtle flap of her wings caused the wind to stir, and waver restlessly, as gold dust seems to float in the air, and gravitate around her. She placed her delicate fingers on the hem of her dress, and curtsied.
A cheerful chuckle escaped her lips, “I'll be you partner for tonight, treat me well.”
The flowers around her grew more vibrant, and gold dust started to dance violently in the sky.
....................
Did the me from back then die on that day? What is that feeling I occasionally feel? That black desire slowly growing inside of me? What have I became?
Was this always what I have been? Or..... Have I truly been led into insanity?
If the blood that flows in my body is lit aflame for every time this blade of mine rips apart flesh...
If that flash of red looks more beautiful than any jewel, then have I finally walked to that side?
The ecstasy in seeing the lifeless bodies fell one by one by my hand, of walking the thin divide in life and death, and the cold winds blowing from the future?
If that darkness consumed me then so be it, let this thrill live on, and let me drown in this darkness.
If the me back then already died, then allow me to be someone else. If insanity is my current self then I will embrace it.
Will they shatter my bones? Dye my flesh red?And see me with eyes filled with hatred, and fury?
How beautiful is the malice directed at me?
Hate me, destroy me, let your blood adorn my dress, that is more beautiful than any gold, or jewel.
Show me the true worth of my existence!
A wicked smile formed on Lumina's lips while she stabbed the rapier into a Naga' eyes, as she swiftly flew sideways narrowly dodging two silver arcs. The single slash was more than enough to sever her limbs, and the flow of blood was a lustrous red.
“Your scales are too hard, and your physical force is indeed powerful, as a pixie I should really be using magic, but something about a melee weapon....”
The Naga that lost it's eye ignored her, and spat out a dart of venom at her blurry form, only to be met with an expanding shield of petals, that was quickly dissolved, and Lumina disappeared from view.
A sharp pain could be felt, and the Naga screeched in agony as something pierced through it's neck, a gentle whisper sounded in the Naga's ears as it began to fall.
“...Is just so satisfying.”
As the corpse slowly fell to the ground the blood that came loose slowly dried, up and a black flower started to form from the corpse itself, from the mouth, nose, and area's she pierced. The gold dust slowly became more vibrant, some of them glowed black, while other started to glow white.
A beautiful smile formed on her lips, as her speed suddenly increased, causing her to dodge a cluster of venom that landed on the grass making a terrifying sizzling sound. Three more rushed at her from the front, emanating a powerful negative energy.
The dust floating in the air start to grow rapidly into seed, then grow into flowers, while dancing along the wind. Instead of charging in, she flew back wards baiting the attackers closer. A naga weighs over 500 pounds, the rushing speed, and weight alone would shatter her body, and break her bones if they made contact.
As the three naga's charged forward, she discovered her left, and right flank were slowly being enclosed as well. Leaving only the back empty, but instead of going backwards, she charged back into the three at the front.
“I know you're deliberately leading me to that route, I won't fall for it.”
As three male naga's charged forward, their movements became stiff, and clumsy. The grass underneath them housed many black flowers leaking a strange black light, during this awkward delay Lumina already appeared near the naga in the middle, and thrust her rapier into the naga's forehead.
That single explosive power was aided by the wind from her wings, and acceleration, however the naga barely dodged, while the rapier glanced past him. Flowers bloomed on the blade, releasing a burst of paralytic pollen. After inhaling a bit of it, the naga slumped to the ground. Lumina ignored the fallen naga, and went for the one on the left, as she was about to reach him, a barrage of black light pierced the space between them.
Causing the air between them to decay, instead of moving she uttered a single sentence.
“Thorn burst.”
The naga behind her started to leak blood from his lips, and eyes, after convulsing he fell to the ground, bits, and pieces of his scales fell apart, as bloody thorns burst out from the skin, and shot outwards. All around the area naga's coughed out blood, cried tears, or had flowers blooming from their skulls, and eyes.
Despite this scene Lumina danced around the corpses, and flew along the flowery plains. The dead bodies were covered with thorny flowers, leaking black light. The skin, and vitality of the naga's slowly decreased, but for some reason Lumina's skin looked more glossy, and her dress became more, and more vibrant.
Petals fell from the sky, causing the insect that were buzzing around to drop dead from merely passing them. As Lumina casually danced around the dead, the sky above the field grew dark, and the blue sky burst apart, revealing a pillar of darkness. The pillar rapidly expanded, until it slammed down on where Lumina was, scorching everything black.
In the end only a patch of decayed grass lay, even the bodies of the dead naga's were turned to dust. Far away hidden in the trees were a group of naga's lead by a single female naga, in fancy obsidian coloured armour.
Her mature face furled in disgust. “To have all that trouble from a single strange pixie.”
As she was about to order her men forward a strange shadow floated next to her.
“So that's where you were?”
The female naga looked on without emotion as she watched Lumina floating passively in the distance to the right of her.
“Are you that confident?”
“No, I'm just here for negotiations after all, let's talk”
She placed the rapier in it's sheathe and revealed her bloodied hands, with some bruises visible.
“You see my body isn't really suited for this, so I can only do this for a short time. My hands are also hurting.”
“Oh? Does that mean we can kill you now?”
“Hmm.... I wonder?”
Comments: Comp crashes, and the general heat kinda killed my motivation. That, and just finding out some new games yay. Lots of gaming time used up, anyways eventually found time to write a chapter.
Also realized I should probably make it longer because it's been awhile. But don't really want to progress the plot past this point, what to do... Insert a random battle scene of course. Shameless aren't I?