Avria walked up the steps to the Palace of Vul De Mar. The seat of power in Lokkadonia. The city itself was a fortress now, after the fall of Vul De Rah; All of the remaining forces of Lokkadonia, and the coalition brought from Torre’ had assembled there. Thousands of warriors were camped outside the city, and thousands garrisoned within. Avria had been escorted there by Baa’Yega warriors after she separated from Daniel. A pang of guilt settled in her, as she entered the palace itself. Leaving him there wasn’t right. Part of her wanted to stay, she owed the man that much.

“Lady, Avria.” A young noble said, approaching her with a greeting. “King Yomin and the other Hegos are waiting for you in the war room.”

Resigning herself, she cleared her mind and followed the noble through the winding halls of the palace. They entered a large room with a massive stone map of Eleutheros in the center, elevated like a large table. Around it were dozens of warriors and members of the Lokkadonian military. At the front of the table sat King Yomin, flanked by her father, Telmos of house Regios, Boros, who was now Hego of the southern region of Lokkadonia. Grophen of house Ruge, Hego of Eastern Lokkadonia, and Magde, of house Ruffus, Hego of Western Lokkadonia.

Telmos looked up and met her eyes. It took him several moments to register, but his face brightened, and he opened his arms toward her. “Avria!” He exclaimed, bringing all of the heads within the room to turn toward her. In an instant, he dashed across the room in a Dunamis-enhanced frenzy. Before she knew it, Avria was locked in an incredibly powerful embrace. “Avria! My daughter. Thank all the spirits you live. We thought you were dead.”

“I’m fine, father,” Avria said, “I’ve only just arrived, but there is a great deal we need to discuss.”

“It is good to see you, Avria.” Boros said, approaching her as well. Avria could see a great deal of emotion behind his eyes. But he remained composed and strong, every bit looking the part of a Hego. “We could certainly use your support. Right now, we are planning our offensive against the Rexunii to retake Vul De Rah.”

“Yes,” King Yomin said, bringing Avria’s attention to him. “Very good to see you again, my dear.” The leader of Lokkadonia wore heavy robes and a rather large bone crown on his head. Being only slightly older than Oros had been, he had maintained a reputation of being somewhat of a party goer. Not the stern and calculated warrior that Avria felt was needed now. “When we heard you were alive, Telmos and I could scarcely believe it. And surviving for so long with a Demon no less. Quite a feat.”

Avria bowed her head deeply, holding for several moments. Then returned her posture, saying. “Forgive me, your highness. I believe the reports you have are wrong. Daniel, who I believe is the ‘demon’ you’re referring to, helped me during the battle. We managed to confront King Alektor himself… It was only because of him that I managed to escape.”

“Avria, we have heard different reports.” Yomin said, “The perpetrator of the attack itself was non-other than, the now, King Reku of Visgo.”

“Or as we used to know him.” Boros chimed in, “Robert, the demon.” Boros clenched his fists and brought them up. “He possessed Oros’ corpse, Avria. He made him decapitate my father. It’s sickening what he did. Our spies in Rexun tell us he was also solely responsible for the cloaked army that defeated Oros, and the cloaked warriors that assaulted Vul De Rah itself.”

Avria nodded, knowing full well these reports were true. Robert had betrayed them all. And nearly singlehandedly defeated their army, and taken their city. “I have heard as much.”

“The High Espi-Dae believes all of those creatures have similar abilities.” King Yomin said. The Torre’ have ordered us to kill them or capture them if possible.”

Avria looked at her father, who didn’t meet her eye. “Father, you can’t possibly be alright with this. You saw Katrina, you knew Daniel. They were our loyal friends. They fought to protect us.”

“We are still trying to piece everything together…” Boros said. Avria looked at him, puzzled. “They might have tricked us… It is a possibility we must investigate.”

“Boros, how could you say that?” Avria was stunned at his words, of all Dae. “You realize we’re talking about Katrina here. We all know how fond you were of her.”

“I said that I don’t know, Avria.” Boros huffed. “Our reports are very troubling. Do you know where she is right now?”

Avria hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

“She is currently in Vul De Rah. At the right hand of King Alektor himself.” Boros sighed. “I didn’t want to believe it either. But every single source we have within the city. Those who are still within the court circle have all independently verified this information.”

“Katrina wouldn’t do that.” Avria said, bluntly. “There must be an explanation, Boros. She could very well be a prisoner. I’d like to see those reports myself.”

“Those reports are none of your concern, Avria.” Yomin said. “What I need is great military minds formulating a plan to bring this clan back from the brink of destruction. We need to outmaneuver them, assassinate this demon king in Visgo, and take back Vul De Rah. Your father is doing a very good job in bringing our warriors into form, but he can’t be the only military commander. You have the experience and the will to do so, I'm sure. Lokkon needs you, Avria. She needs all of us to be at our best.”

~

Avria tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She had barely slept throughout the night, and now she lay in bed, just looking at the stone ceiling at a loss of what to do. Thoughts of betrayal and memories of Oros and Agron lying dead on the throne room floor haunted her. She saw the shock on Katrina’s face; she fought side by side with Daniel against the enemy. She saved his life, and he saved hers. She imagined his face at that moment. His brown hair and intense brown eyes. Such a strange-looking creature, but… she found herself unable to stop thinking of the man. In the months after the attack, he had been there for her. In her moments of weakness, he told her she needed to be strong. She found herself feeling guilty of such thoughts. She hadn’t liked him when they first met. Going as far as wanting to kill him at the beginning, after seeing what he did to her brother. But now?

There was a sudden knock at her door. “Lady Avria, your presence is requested.” A servant called from the other side.

“I’ll be on my way.” She said, before quickly getting dressed and presentable.

She made her way from her quarters to a large breakfast area, where King Yomin, her father, and all the Hegos of Eleutheros were sitting around a massive table.

“Avria!” Telmos said, motioning for her to sit beside him, he had saved a seat between himself and Boros. Avria did so, feeling her appetite wasn’t quite there. She bowed her head in greeting as she approached and took the seat.

“Now then,” Yomen began, “to bring you up to speed on these bastards to the South, Avria. Troubling news came this morning, that Reku is in Vul De Rah again. He arrived suddenly, and no one knows when he intends to leave. Alektor knows we have many spies in Vul De Rah, and is doing his best to protect any sensitive information that might spread to us.” Yomin smiled and took a large bite of meat, then spoke around it. “But he doesn’t know how observant we really are. For example, he has been hidden in his study since Reku’s arrival. Having secret meetings, not even his guards are allowed to attend. Strange, don’t you think?”

“And we know who has been with him in these meetings.” Boros said, lowly. Venom in his words. “Robert, Athica, Queen of Visgo, Demessa of house Irro, and Katrina…”

“The very same Katrina you spent your final days in Vul De Rah training.” Yomin said, smiling. “They underestimate our resolve and our resourcefulness. Within the walls of our own territory, we know how many shits Alektor takes a day.” Yomin began to laugh loudly. “They are struggling to maintain control. Now is the time to strike.”

“No.” Avria said, her mind racing. There had to be more to Katrina’s involvement. There isn’t any way she had so grossly misjudged, not just Katrina, who had been with her night and day over the course of her stay there. But Daniel as well. I don’t believe it. She thought.

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“Lady Avria?” Yomin asked, leaning closer to her. “I didn’t hear that.”

“No.” she said, louder. “They are prepared for any counterattack. The number of patrols Daniel and I saw on our way to Baa’Yega tells me this. There were hundreds. Their main forces are camped outside of Vul De Rah. And even if we were somehow able to destroy a fortified force that is roughly the same size as our own. Robert’s abilities aren’t understood. If he can cloak an entire army well enough to infiltrate one of the most fortified cities in Eleutheros… He can’t be underestimated.”

“So, what then?” Yomin asked, irritation crossing his features. “We let them, have it? Send in our emissary and sue for peace? We must fight them before they are so dug in that we have no chance for victory.”

“Because there is none!” Avria shouted, suddenly catching herself she cursed under her breath. She bowed her head and apologized. “My King, I am not myself. I beg your forgiveness.”

“What do you mean there is no chance of victory?” Boros asked, turning to her. She saw the anger in his eyes, the emotion and sorrow still fresh.

“Your lack of respect and insolence will be dealt with, Lady Avria.” Yomin said, pointing his finger at her. “But you will answer your Hego’s question. “Why do you say there is no chance for victory?”

Avria took a deep breath, then pressed on. “Because you are all looking in the wrong direction. Vul De Rah isn’t the only objective. You are gathering information on our enemy’s leadership, pontificating on why certain things are taking place within the walls while his armies are being stationed around our region.” She looked at Boros. “Do you know where his armies are? Do you know where the Visgo forces are? Where the Sabree or the Volsung are? No, none of you do. None of your spies know either, I’ll bet. You’re too focused on the man himself. On Robert, and Katrina. Turak controls the armies of Rexun, not Alektor. He gives his mission to Turak, and he executes. That should be our focus. Besides that, we could know where all his warriors are and still be outmatched because of Robert. That brings me to the true reason we can’t defeat them. You see the humans as demons; they aren’t. See them as weapons. Robert is a weapon to our enemy, and has been convinced to be one. We had a human with us. Daniel. Who I saw do incredible things against the forces that pursued us. I saw him fight against Alektor himself, and we turned him away. We turned away the only true way we could even the field of battle.”

“We can’t go against High King Phobos, Avria.” Boros said, “The risk is too great. The next betrayal of his will in our current state could cost us everything...”

“I’ve heard enough of this weakness from you Oros, it is unbecoming.” Avria said, her temper beginning to flare again. “All you spoke about for the last year was Katrina. You dreamt of her, day and night, begging for her affection. She isn’t a traitor to our cause. She’s proven that time and time again, and she fought for us when we were invaded.”

“Then how did she come to the enemy?” Oros stood, and faced her fully. “Why di—”

“Because she went to kill him!” A resounding voice called from the entrance of the room.

Avria turned and was shocked to see none other than her brother, Delmos. Standing, rugged and disheveled, but alive and well before her.

“Uh… L…Lord Delmos, of House Regios.” The attendant stuttered as Delmos strode in.

“Delmos!” Telmos shouted, rushing around any obstacle he had and embracing his son. “My boy! My son is alive!”

Avria stood and made her way over as well. The three of them shared a long moment as they embraced each other. The Regios house again reunited.

“You’ve looked better.” Avria said, pulling away.

Delmos smiled. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you both.” He gave one last hug to his father and Avria, then stepped toward the table of King Yomen, and the Hegos. “But I am disturbed at what I’m hearing coming from the leadership in Lokkon.”

“Delmos.” Boros said, nodding in his direction.

“You think that Katrina joined them?” Delmos scoffed. “I saved her during the battle for Vul De Rah. She had a spear in her guts and was gasping her last breath on the barricade before the palace. Fighting for you.” He pointed at King Yomin. “We escaped the city and fought off dozens of attacks while we fled. For weeks, we starved and suffered. Until she heard the news. That the traitor, Robert had been married off to the queen of Visgo.”

Illya entered soon after, her white hair, usually composed and orderly, was as Delmos’ disheveled and unkept, along with her attire.

“Uh.. Krya… Illya of—” The attendant began to say before being cut off by Illya.

“Boros!” She screamed, lifting her dress and running across the dining hall toward her brother.

Boros stood, his face one of absolute shock and relief. “Illya!?” He gasped, standing to embrace her as she leaped into his arms.

The two took many silent seconds, speaking to each other softly, and crying. Avria shifted a bit, afraid to ruin the moment of their reunion with an unexpected breath or sound.

Finally, Illya pulled away and placed her hands on the sides of Boros’ face, looking into his eyes. “Brother… we must save her.” She said, her smile still broad, and tears still flowing from her eyes. “Katrina tried to assassinate Alektor… I heard what you said. She isn’t a traitor. She must have failed and been captured. She saved me.”

“Ahem!” Delmos coughed loudly, shrugging.

“And Delmos too.” Illya said, going in again for a hug. “I would still be trapped in Vul Req if it weren’t for them. Katrina is good, she would never join the enemy.”

Boros stared at her, his eyes dancing between hers. Avria looked then to Delmos, He was grinning, as usual, she didn’t know why, but the sight brought a smile to her face.

~

After some time, Delmos and Illya retired to rest and clean up after many days of their harsh travel. Avria made her way to the far end of the palace, a place where she could be left with her thoughts. She often found solace in places like the practice yards or fighting pits. But now, after so much time spent under constant stress, she found it on a balcony, Overlooking Vul De Mar. She sighed and wrung her hands, trying to do her best to relax. But she couldn’t. Daniel was still out there. Alone, and… she shook her head, cursing herself. Why did that human always find his way into her thoughts? She wondered. His eyes crossed her vision, blazing with determination. The thought brought a sudden heat to her cheeks. A feeling she was not familiar with.

“So, you found my spot?” A familiar voice called from behind her.

Avria whirled to meet the eyes of Nasha. She sat on a chair against the wall near the entrance. She must have missed her as she entered the balcony. Avria looked her over. Her red hair was shorter now, and she had a pair of crutches resting next to her. Avria then noticed she was missing a leg. “Nasha…” She nodded in recognition. “I didn’t see you there.”

Nasha smiled, and grabbed her crutches, stood, then moved toward her. “I come here a lot too. After the battle… I was brought to Vul De Rah, only to see it under siege. So, we left and came here.”

Avria looked at her missing leg. “It must have been quite the battle.”

“Ah.” Nasha chuckled. “This was a souvenir from Turak. A far more formidable foe than I thought. Kryo Oros saved me before… well… you know.”

A pang of sadness wrenched Avria’s heart and thoughts of the late Kryo rushed through her mind.

“I watched as our victory was snatched away from us.” Nasha continued. “As warriors clad in grey cloaks materialized out of thin air. Then Alektor appeared…” She paused for a moment, looking lost in the memory. “Avria.” She said, turning to meet her eyes. “He’s the most powerful Dae, I’ve ever seen… He…”

“I know what he did.” Avria said, cutting Nasha’s words off. “I saw as much in Vul De Rah as what was left of Oros cut Agron’s head from his body. I don’t care how powerful he is. We must defeat him.”

“Well, he also has the human on his side.” Nasha shrugged. “A shame both of ours are lost now. Either to the Rexunii or to our own High King’s foolishness.”

“Indeed.” Avria took a deep breath. “We must make them see reason, Nasha. We won’t stand a chance any other way. Robert is too powerful to ignore. The Rexunii and their King, allied against us with him is too great an adversary.”

“Not to mention the other clans who have united with them.” Nasha sighed, “I know what you’re saying. But Phobos is… well.”

“How did you convince him to side with us against the Rexunii before?” Avria asked, genuinely curious. The details of her compelling argument were never truly revealed.

“Well.” she said, a sly smile crossing her face. “I did something that few could.”

Avria raised an eyebrow. “I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with spreading your legs.” She gestured down. “Because that won’t work this time around.”

Nasha’s face suddenly went deadpan. “First of all, that was uncalled for. Second, who do you take me for? I am a noble lady of Lokkon. And would never stoop so low.”

“So, what was it then?” Avria asked.

“I simply appealed to his good nature.” She smiled. “I won’t lie to you and say that he may or may not have found me attractive. That was entirely out of my control. I was sent to do the bidding of my Hego. I accomplished my mission. It was much easier once his High Espi-Dae was far removed from us.” Nasha shook her head. “That man is poison… and is going to get us all killed.”

“You still sound so vague.” Avria huffed. “I only ask, because that will most likely be my next destination. I must get him to change his mind on the humans. Katrina fought hard for us, and Daniel…” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “We need to find him, and get him back here. Without a doubt, we will not survive without them. Katrina might be out of our reach, but Daniel, he can still be found.”

Nasha was silent, and Avria turned to see her smirking.

“What?” Avria asked,

“I’ve never heard you speak of him that way.” Nasha said, “Did something happen between you two? I heard you were both alone on the road for some time.”

Avria scoffed. “You are speaking nonsense. This is a serious situation.”

“Obviously.” Nasha moved closer and leaned in. “I know we haven’t liked each other much, and we never spent much time together, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you this flustered.”

Avria narrowed her eyes at her, issuing a warning. She would not be poked fun at.

“Fine.” Nasha resigned. “I will accompany you when you see High King Phobos. I know him, and will do my best to help you push your case. Then, we will find Daniel.”

Avria softened a bit, and let out a very small sigh of relief. “Thank you Nasha, your help, would be appreciated.”