Chapter 15.5:

426 years ago, Vedem

“From this day forward, you shall call me Vera.” She told the kneeling Lida.

“But Lady Vo – “ Lida began to retort, only to be immediately interrupted by her mistress.

“Hush, my dear.” Vera said, running a gentle hand along Lida’s cheek. “You’ve served me well these past two years, and you’ll continue to do so.”

Lida nodded, grateful for the praise. “Of course, my lady. As you wish.”

In Lida’s eyes, she could never disrespect her mistress by calling her by a mere human name, but if that was what she asked, then she would obey. After all, instead of killing her in the swamps that fateful night, her mistress had changed her life.

What began as a coercive relationship, where Lida was threatened into assisting her mistress in hunting down humans to prove her worth and keep her life, quickly progressed into something Lida had never experienced before. The beginning was tough, and Lida often hated herself for inadvertently killing all those people. But as time passed, and her mistress opened up to her, the guilt began to fade.

In just two years, Lida was no longer the pathetic, cursed girl she had been her entire life in Vedem. Her mistress treated her fairly, even lovingly, granting her strength, power, and self-confidence. In return, all she asked for was Lida’s continued assistance in hunting down humans - random people to aid her recovery. It made sense to Lida; she knew what her mistress truly was and why she demanded humans. And it didn’t bother her. Lida was willing to do anything after all she had done for her.

The first thing her mistress did for her was to heal her shaking hands. The condition that Kaja hadn’t known how to treat, the supposed curse inflicted on her by Vitara that had ruined her life. It disappeared with a simple snap of her mistress’ fingers. It was that easy.

Then, they left the swamps for slightly livelier places - villages beyond Vedem. It was the first time Lida had ever left Vedem, and she was shocked to discover that interactions with others didn’t attract the same hostility she was used to. Since her hands didn't shake no more, and these people didn’t know her, there was no prejudice for them to act upon.

Her mistress took on the form of a human to blend in, but it was still Lida who had to find them places to rest and targets to hunt, making her practice her conversational and strategical skills in the process.

Little by little, her mistress grew stronger. “You should’ve seen me in my prime. They all feared me.” She had said once, after devouring the corpse of a man Lida had lured to her. “Maybe you still will.”

Back then, Lida was still afraid of her, still haunted by the fact she was luring innocents to their deaths, so she simply nodded. But as time passed and she witnessed the incredible strength and power of her mistress, she couldn’t help but imagine what her prime must have truly looked like.

Her mistress wanted her to embrace her femininity, seeing it as a weapon to be wielded. It felt strange to Lida, who had spent her entire life dirty and ungroomed, her hair a sticky, tangled mess. What femininity did she even have?

But her mistress helped her transform, teaching her how to care for herself physically, showing her how to become more attractive and well-kept.

One evening, as they rested in a room at an inn, her mistress brushed Lida’s hair while she sat before a mirror. “Look at yourself. You’re stunning.” Her mistress said, her voice warm. Lida stared at her reflection, hardly recognizing the clean, pale skin and gentle face of the woman staring back at her.

“Those eyes,” her mistress continued, “oh, those eyes - men and women alike would kill for them.”

“You really think so, my lady?” Lida asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Would I ever lie to you, my child?” her mistress replied, wrapping her arms around Lida from behind. Lida allowed herself to cry, feeling the weight of her past slip away in the comfort of her mistress’s embrace.

After a few months, her mistress began to train her. “I have a plan.” She had said. “But I need you to be strong to pull it off.”

“Can’t you just make me stronger, my lady?” Lida had asked at the time.

“I can.” Her mistress replied. “But what will that accomplish? You’ve been weak for too long.”

“I don’t understand…” Lida admitted.

Her mistress made a thoughtful gesture before speaking. “A peasant could live his entire life dreaming of stumbling upon a sack full of gold, thinking it would change his life. But if he did, he’d waste it all immediately because he doesn’t know how to manage wealth. He’s been poor his entire life - he doesn’t understand what it’s like to be rich. It’s a mentality issue.” She paused, then continued. “In your case, you’re strong, but you’ve spent your entire life acting weak. Simply giving you strength won’t make you strong. Becoming strong will make you strong.”

“I’m strong?” Lida asked, surprised and confused. No one had ever told her something so kind.

“Of course.” Her mistress said. “Do you know how many people would have ended their lives after going through what you did for as long as you did? Most of them. You’re strong, but you’ve never acted like it. That’s why you need to gain strength through your own efforts.”

Lida nodded, seemingly understanding, and her mistress continued. “You still fell that rage inside, don’t you? You’ve been out of Vedem for two months now, but it still burns, doesn’t it? The abuse…the betrayal…” she paused, leaning in closer. “This rage of yours is a powerful weapon. Capitalize on it.”

“How…How can I do that?” Lida asked.

Her mistress smiled. “Just imagine what you would’ve done to them all if you had the chance. Keep that image in your mind. Recall it every day and every night. Let it empower you.”

And so she did. Through intense physical training and martial arts taught to her by her mistress over nearly two years, Lida’s body grew stronger, her muscles defined, even developing abs. Every moment between training and hunting, she followed her mistress’s words – imagining the horrible pain she would inflict on those who had wronged her the most: Kaja, Elmer, her parents, her sister. At first, she just imagined killing them quickly and efficiently. But as time passed, her fantasies grew wilder and more gruesome, even scaring herself. She had never been a violent person, and the brutality she envisioned inflicting made her stomach churn. But her mistress encouraged these visions, urging her to surpass the cruelty of the last. Eventually, her mistress’s words, combined with the pain she inflicted on the humans she devoured, slowly made Lida accept this side of herself, even show it more openly.

And now, the day had finally come.

“Are you ready to face them?” her mistress asked, releasing a short, amused laugh. “To face your demons?”

“I’m ready.” Lida replied, a smile spreading across her face as she stood up and stretched.

Her body was clad in light armor – a chest plate and shoulder guards, covered by brown leather, fitted over a simple shirt and leaving her arms bare. A short sword hung across her back, nestled in a scabbard attached to a black strap that ran diagonally across her torso. A dagger rested at each of her hips. On her right hand, her index finger bore a pink quartz ring - her mistress’s gift, a tool she had learned to wield with great skill over the past year. To someone ignorant, she looked every bit like a seasoned mercenary, but that wasn’t the disguise she was going for. Those in Vedem would recognize the look, but not her.

“Good.” Her mistress smiled. “Remember, you can only kill the ones I’ve approved. I’ll need the rest for my plan.”

“Of course, my lady.” Lida knelt before her. “Anything you ask.”

Her mistress let out a satisfied sigh. “I want you to go wild, my girl. Make them pay, but remember the plan. Your life belongs to me, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. You’re in control - don’t forget that.”

Lida nodded and set off toward Vedem, where her mistress would join her in exactly one day. By then, everything needed to be ready for her arrival.

It was noon when Lida rode to Vedem at a slow trot, the familiar scent of the swamps filling her nose. She wished she could say she’d forgotten the awful smells of her home village during her time with her mistress, but that wasn’t the case. She had lived there far too long to forget something like that.

As she approached the village’s entrance, she cast a quick glance at the forest and its swamps to her left. Everything looked exactly the same as the day she’d left, which meant that the villagers still hadn’t turned their attention or manpower to these swamps.

She wondered if Cloud was still there and made a mental note to try and look for him when she had the chance.

“Wow, lady, you look so cool!” a child, no older than ten, called out to her, while his friend next to him just stared, dumbfounded. She recognized them both. They were part of the kids who had thrown mud at her in the past.

“Thanks.” Lida replied simply, not caring for the compliment. “Where’s your mayor? Go fetch him. Tell him a representative of the Order of the Lily is here to see him.”

The children looked confused, but Lida had no patience for them. “C’mon! Chop, chop. Get moving!”

The first kid turned to run, grabbing his friend by the arm, but Lida stopped them. “One of you stays here - I have some questions.”

The kids nodded quickly, and the one who had stared at her, still looking bewildered, stayed behind.

“What’s your name, kid?” Lida asked, her tone calm. She already knew his name but wanted to make the conversation to feel more organic.

“Rolo.” He replied hesitantly, which made Lida smile inwardly.

“Say, Rolo, is old Kaja still the village herbalist?” Lida asked, hoping the old hag hadn’t died yet. No way old age and the natural order of things would take that pleasure away from her. She had to be the one that takes her life.

The child nodded, and Lida instinctively smiled. “Good.”

She was about to ask her next question but noticed the kid still staring at her, and then she realized why.

“You recognize me, don’t you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

The child remained silent, and that was answer enough for Lida.

“I’m glad someone does.” Lida mused. "You're probably the only one."

She leaned closer to the child. “I was sent here by Vitara herself. If you tell anyone who I am, the goddess will rain terrors upon you and your family.” She paused, letting the terror sink in the child’s mind, before continuing. “Do you understand?”

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The kid nodded nervously and ran away.

“I’ll know if you did, kid.” Lida called after him with a chuckle. She didn’t even need to use the quartz’s magic on him.

Soon enough, she spotted the mayor, her sister’s father-in-law, waddling nervously in her direction. He was heavier than she remembered, and clearly anxious. The village’s roads were still uneven, no cobblestones in sight, and Lida laughed inwardly at the thought of him losing his balance and rolling like a circus ball.

He reached Lida, exhaling heavily from the unexpected exertion. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” He apologized, before asking for her name. “Miss?”

“I’m no miss, you fool.” Lida scolded, playing her role in her mistress’s grand plan, savoring every second of it. “I’m a weapon of Mother Vitara - can’t you see?”

The mayor looked even more nervous. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he quickly wiped it off with the sleeve of his shirt before giving a small bow to Lida. “I apologize, Inquisitor, we just weren’t expecting a representative from the order, and I’m a bit nervous, is all.”

Lida chuckled inwardly at his submissive act. The Order of the Lily was nothing more than a sect of Vitara worshippers who claimed to communicate with the goddess and pass her will to the people. The sect was run by two distinct roles: the Priestesses and the Inquisitors. The former were the spiritual backbone of the order, wasting their days praying and imagining Vitara’s answers, while the latter, their real names sacrificed forever, were the brute force - those sent to protect Vitara’s name and honor by physical means. The sect survived and prospered only because it was sustained by donations from wealthy individuals and religious communities each year.

She had heard of the order in the past but never knew her village was entangled with them. Her mistress had revealed that Vedem was just one of many villages in Morthryga that donated heavily to the Order of the Lily. When Lida learned this, she fumed. It was yet another example of the villagers’ blindness and stupidity in their devotion to the goddess. The air was foul, the swamps everywhere, the houses small, and the roads non-existent, yet they had enough money to donate to some distant, faraway sect? How? Why?

“Is there a reason for you to be nervous?” Lida asked, her tone sharp, probing further to shake him even more. “Have you or your villagers done anything to upset Mother?”

“I – I don’t think so.” He stammered, quickly correcting himself. “No. We all follow Mother without question.”

“That remains to be seen…” Lida replied slowly, letting the weight of her words settle, allowing more worry to creep into the mayor’s heart.

The mayor swallowed hard, visibly anxious. “Have we done something to upset Mother Vitara?”

“That is not for me to say.” Lida replied. “Tomorrow, the High Priestess, Lady Vera, will arrive. I am here to ensure everything is ready for her arrival.”

The mayor nodded, his nervousness growing. “Of – Of course. Let me know what the High Priestess requires, and we’ll make all the necessary arrangements.”

“I know you will.” Lida responded, satisfied with her performance.

***

After Lida provided the mayor with a list of requirements for her mistress - things she thought of on the spot - she allowed him to escort her to one of the empty houses in the village. And as fate would have it, it was her old house, the very place where she had lived with her parents and sister before they discarded her and left her with Kaja. Lida almost burst out laughing but managed to keep her cool in front of the mayor.

“If there’s anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to let me know, Inquisitor.” the mayor said before leaving her.

Lida didn’t linger long in her old house. She had no intention wasting her time reminiscing. She immediately set off toward Kaja’s home. The old herbalist - the one who had declared her cursed and ruined her life - was first on her list. As she walked, she glanced at her steady hands, the result of her mistress’s care. Hers and no one else’s. Kaja would pay.

She knocked on Kaja’s door but quickly wondered if the old herbalist would even be able to answer. Before the villagers had driven her out, Lida had been the one to open the door for Kaja’s visitors, since the old hag could barely move freely anymore. Now, after two years, her condition was likely even worse.

“Come on in.” came Kaja’s raspy voice from inside. “It’s open.”

Lida smirked and stepped into the house.

The old house, which had been her home for nearly ten years, smelled just the same – a strong scent of herbs mixed with something indescribable, something old. Lida moved into the living room, already guessing that Kaja would be there.

She was right. The old herbalist sat on the couch, weaker than ever before, sipping what looked like veilroot tea. Kaja narrowed her eyes at Lida, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“You’re not from around here.” She said, as if stating the obvious - yet so obviously wrong.

Lida felt no need to continue her act within these walls. Kaja wasn’t leaving this room alive.

“But I am.” Lida replied coldly.

“You are?” Kaja asked, surprised. “From somewhere in the area, then?”

Lida chuckled, contemplating how she wanted to carry it out. What would bring her the most satisfaction? She had imagined herself killing Kaja so many times over the past two years, yet she could never settle on which way would make her feel the most complete.

“From here, actually. I left a while ago.” Lida replied, watching confusion cloud Kaja’s expression. “Tell me, Kaja, have you ever felt sorry for what you did to that girl?”

“That girl?” Kaja repeated, her tone genuinely confused. “Who are you referring to, dear?”

Lida stood, her chuckle growing darker. “Of course you don’t even remember her.”

She approached the seated Kaja from behind, her steps slow and deliberate. She placed her hands on the herbalist’s frail shoulders, leaning in close, her lips just inches from Kaja’s ear. “You were right, Kaja. I am a curse. And now I’m here to collect what’s owed.”

***

After disposing of Kaja, Lida left the old hag’s corpse on the couch to rot and made her way to the butchery. She wondered who she would encounter there - Elmer’s father or Elmer himself? Either way, her elevated status in the village would make it easy to exact this part of her revenge.

When she entered the butchery and saw Elmer, his sturdy form and curly hair still the same, her heart nearly skipped a beat reminiscing of their so-called romance. A romance that was never truly a romance at all. He had used her - she knew that now. He used her to get veilroots, to make money, and to satisfy his sexual urges. And then he threw her away like a piece of trash, despite the loyalty she showed him. The initial feelings of nostalgia were quickly turned into a burning fire of rage, eager to be unleashed on the man who had broken her heart.

“We were warned of your arrival, Inquisitor. How can I be of help?” he asked as she approached the counter.

Lida smiled at his words, not surprised he didn’t recognize her. For the piece of shit who had used her body to his satisfaction and then discarded her, she had prepared an elaborate punishment.

She stepped closer, her eyes lingering on him. “It’s been a long journey. Serving as Mother's Inquisitor takes its toll.” she said, her voice soft, her lips curving into a playful smile. “There are some needs I need taken care of.”

Elmer shifted, looking uneasy. “Of course, Inquisitor. I…understand. Is there something I can provide for you?”

Lida’s fingers brushed the counter as she moved closer. “More than food and shelter.” She said, her tone low and suggestive. “Right now, I require comfort. Surely you understand what I mean.”

Elmer hesitated, blinking rapidly as he tried to process her words. “Comfort?” he asked, his voice a bit shaky. He glanced around nervously before speaking. “I’m…I’m a married man, Inquisitor. My wife – “

Lida raised an eyebrow at his façade of loyalty, her smile widening. “Your wife?” she asked, her voice cold yet amused. “Do your vows to her outweigh those to the goddess?”

Elmer’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but the moment passed quickly. “No, Inquisitor. I was just…I thought maybe I misunderstood.” He said, his tone softening, trying to mask his growing eagerness.

‘Good.’ Lida thought to herself. ‘Now, that’s the Elmer I remember.’

“You didn’t misunderstand.” Lida said, leaning in closer, her lips near his ear. “You wouldn’t refuse Vitara’s will, would you?”

Elmer’s demeanor shifted quickly. He let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, I wouldn’t dream of it, Inquisitor.” His gaze drifted over her body, unable to hide his lust. “I can be of service to you in any way you desire. If that’s what the goddess wants.”

Lida smiled at his answer. “Good. Is there a room here we can use?”

***

She made sure to have as much fun with Elmer’s body as he had with hers over the years, leaving each and every one of his limbs – yes, each and every one – scattered in different corners of the backroom of the butchery, using her daggers and sword in the process.

She used the key she found in his clothes to lock the room behind her, ensuring no one would discover his mutilated body before her mistress’s arrival tomorrow. Then she made her way to Elva’s and Rolf’s house, but not before she stopped at her parents’ new house for a short and pleasant conversation.

On her way to her sister’s, she stumbled upon Elmer’s wife, Alrun. This bitch was the worst. Alrun had always bullied Lida, and marrying Elmer only made things worse. But now? Who cares?

“We are honored to be in your presence, Inquisitor.” Alrun said, bowing as Lida passed.

“Thank you, child of Vitara.” Lida replied, her smile widening as she recalled what she had just done to Alrun’s husband.

She knocked on the door of her sister’s house, which could easily be called a mansion compared to the rest of the houses in Vedem. A servant greeted her at the door.

“Inquisitor?” the servant asked, confused as she bowed. “How can we be of service?”

“I’m here to see the lady of the house.” Lida replied calmly.

“Of course.” The servant said, gesturing her inside. “Right this way.”

Lida followed her into a dining room, where she waited for a few short minutes. When Elva arrived, she recognized her sister immediately.

“Pip?” Elva whispered, her voice trembling. She quickly turned to the servant. “Leave us.”

Once they were alone, tears rushed down Elva’s cheeks. “Pip, you’re alive? I thought you’d died in the swamps.”

Lida felt the anger burning inside her as she watched her sister’s tears. She believed they were fake. When her sister could have helped her, she turned away, and now she was crying? What a joke.

“Pip had died long ago.” Lida replied, keeping her voice steady, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

“But you’re here…” Elva whispered, before she paused, seemingly reminiscing. “Do you remember why I called you Pip?”

Lida remained silent, and her sister continued. “You were so little, always running after me around the house.” Elva let out a short laugh. “I told mother I wanted to call you Pip, because it sounded both small and cute.”

Lida’s expression stiffened. She hated that nickname.

Elva approached her, gently caressing her arms, but Lida immediately pulled away. “Don’t touch me.” She snapped.

“I’m sorry…” Elva apologized, her voice soft as she paused. “So, you’re an Inquisitor in the Order of the Lily now?”

Lida chuckled, concealing the truth for now. “Something like that.”

“How did…how did you even end so far north with the order?” Elva asked, then quickly shifted her question. “How did you survive the swamp that night? They went looking for you, you know. The major, his men, some of the villagers…but they never found you or a body.”

“They didn’t venture deep enough.” Lida replied, glancing down at her hands.

“Your hands!” Elva exclaimed, only now noticing. “They’re not shaking anymore!”

Lida nodded slowly. “So much for Vitara’s curse, huh?”

“How did…did the Order treat you?” Elva asked hesitantly.

“Listen.” Lida decided to put an end to the play. She channeled her mana through the quartz ring, her voice laced with magic as she spoke. “Being my sister was tough, wasn’t it?”

Elva, slowly succumbing to the charm of her sister’s magic, responded quietly. “It was…”

Lida chuckled, the anger inside her building. “And still, you ended up with Rolf - of all the men in the village, you ended up with the mayor’s son. Wasn’t that nice?”

“It was.” Elva replied, her voice hollow. “He used to say it wasn’t my fault and that he couldn’t judge me for something out of my control.”

“How sweet of him.” Lida laughed darkly. “Tell me, sister, did you ever love me, or was it always just an act?”

The answer surprised her. “I loved you. I still do. You're my little Pip.”

“What…?” Lida whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. Then she shouted, her voice trembling with rage. “You liar! Then why did you leave me behind? Why did you stop seeing and speaking to me? Why did you turn away when the soldiers came for me? I needed you!”

“I’m a coward, Pip.” Elva responded, still under the magic’s influence. “I always was. Afraid of our parents, afraid of what Rolf would think, afraid of what the villagers would say. I loved you, but I couldn’t show it in the way you deserved it because I was weak. Can you forgive me?”

Lida remained silent, her heart racing, her mind flooded with emotions she thought she’d buried long ago when she imagined strangling Elva with her bare hands, and even worse things. Her magic was working - Elva wasn’t lying. But what was there to do now? Could she ever forgive Elva?

No. Elva had plenty of opportunities to step in and be good sister, but she didn’t. It was too late now.

Lida only had her mistress now.

“I can’t, Elva. Your Pip is gone.” Lida replied, wiping off her own tears, her voice steadying with each word. She paused, before issuing a command. “Come with me, now.”

A pink tether appeared around Elva’s neck, extending from Lida’s left hand, binding them together.

“What the hell is this?” Elva asked, suddenly snapping back to her senses. But despite her panic, she couldn’t resist her sister’s command, standing up against her own will.

Elva followed Lida, her steps beyond her control, as they made their way to their parents’ home - where Lida had already visited earlier.

“Pip, stop. What is this? Is it magic?” Elva pleaded, but her sister ignored her.

Lida opened the door, and they both stepped inside.

In the living room, their parents, down on all fours, were locked in a brutal, animalistic brawl. Barking like wild dogs, they clawed and bit at each other, completely ignoring their daughters.

“Pip, what…what is this? Is this your doing?” Elva snapped, her voice full of horror.

Lida laughed at the sight. “Of course it is. By the way, you might think that Dad would have the upper hand, but Mom’s been giving him a few good hits.”

“Pip…” Elva whispered, then shouted, her voice breaking in desperation. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do this?”

“Hush.” Lida commanded, and Elva fell silent, unable to speak. “Now, get on all fours and join them. A three-way battle royale…to the death.”

Elva, no longer in control of her own body, dropped to her hands and knees, her movements taking on the same dog-like appearance as her parents. Without hesitation, she lunged into the fight.

Lida still had to make sure everything was ready for her mistress's arrival tomorrow, but for now, she just wanted to stay here and watch her family.

She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the brawl unfold with a growing smile, which eventually turned into a long, dark laugh.

Something inside her snapped at that moment.

She was finally happy.