THE DEAD QUEEN
Property of:
Rapid Fire Enterprises
Created By:
David Tyrel Little
Chapter 1: Shadows of Resolve [https://img.wattpad.com/402999da4191518d39659edd6ffbcbbe4ac92c63/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f672d676f5058774e3778614832773d3d2d313530343436373837382e313831333636303265626538363736663539393734343039393735312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Chapter 1: Shadows of Resolve
Enixia's lungs burned as she took in deep, ragged breaths, her body still trembling from the aftermath of her regeneration. The once-charred earth beneath her had given way to lush, swaying grass, a stark contrast to the jagged, barren mountains she had scaled just hours ago. The sun hung low on the horizon, its amber light casting long shadows across the field. She stood alone, utterly exposed, the remnants of her shredded armor left far behind with her dignity.
She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, her pale skin luminous in the fading sunlight. The black veins snaking across her body pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of what she had become. Her feet moved tentatively through the grass, each step cautious as she scanned her surroundings for any signs of life. The serenity of the field only deepened the sense of isolation.
Off in the distance, the light of the setting sun caught on something metallic, sending a bright glint flashing through the trees. Enixia's gaze snapped toward it, her instincts flaring. A structure? Her pulse quickened. Whatever it was, it was her best hope of finding shelter or resources. She had no choice but to investigate.
With deliberate steps, she made her way toward the source of the light. As the sun sank lower, painting the sky with hues of red and violet, the surrounding forest grew darker. The cool night air brushed against her bare skin, and she found herself grateful for the cover of darkness. The thought of anyone seeing her like this, vulnerable and exposed, sent a flush of shame through her.
Her fingers brushed against the bark of a nearby tree for balance, the rough texture grounding her swirling emotions. The glint of the structure disappeared as the sun vanished behind the horizon, leaving only the faintest silver glow from the rising moon to guide her. She pressed on, her thoughts racing with every step.
The night deepened, and with it came a restless quiet. Enixia's steps slowed as she found herself enveloped by the shadows. Her mind turned inward, the events of the day replaying in an endless, torturous loop. Zalandre's fiery wrath. The agonizing destruction of her body. Her shameful defeat.
Her fists clenched at the memory of the dragon god's voice, dripping with disdain. You will pay with your life. And he had tried to make good on that promise. But she had survived. Somehow, she always survived.
Survival at what cost? a voice whispered in her mind.
A growl escaped her lips as her anger flared, unbidden and intense. She stopped in her tracks, trembling with the effort to contain it. The rage felt alien, yet achingly familiar. Her father's experiments had twisted her, yes, but this newfound hunger for vengeance was something darker. Deeper. It gnawed at her, whispering promises of power if she embraced it fully.
I want revenge, she admitted silently, her nails digging into her palms. The realization sent a shiver down her spine. This wasn't who she was—not before. She had always fought to prove herself, to rise above the disdain and rejection of her peers. But this hatred? This desire to destroy Zalandre? It was consuming her.
Her hands dropped to her sides as her head tilted upward to the starlit sky. "Is this what I've become?" she murmured aloud, her voice barely more than a whisper. The power coursing through her veins, once a marvel, now felt like a poison. Had her transformation merely revealed what had always been inside her? Or was it something else—something her father had unleashed within her?
A cold dread settled in her chest. She wasn't sure which possibility was worse.
By the time she reached the source of the glinting light, the moon hung high in the sky, bathing the landscape in its cool glow. Before her loomed a massive structure, its silhouette sharp and angular against the darkened forest. It appeared to be an abandoned outpost, its once-gleaming walls now weathered and streaked with rust. Vines crept up its sides, reclaiming it inch by inch, but its imposing form remained intact.
Enixia approached cautiously, her bare feet silent against the soft grass. The large metal doors at the front were slightly ajar, creaking faintly as the wind teased them. She hesitated at the threshold, her instincts prickling with unease. But the promise of shelter outweighed the risk. Steeling herself, she slipped inside.
The air within was stale, carrying the faint metallic tang of decay. Moonlight filtered through cracks in the walls and ceiling, casting fragmented beams across the interior. Enixia moved deeper into the structure, her eyes adjusting quickly to the dim light. The space appeared empty, though remnants of its past purpose lingered—broken equipment, scattered tools, and a few upturned crates.
Near the back of the room, she found a bundle of cloth, weathered but intact. Relief flooded through her as she shook it out, finding it to be a faded but functional cloak. She wrapped it around herself tightly, the coarse fabric scratching against her skin but offering much-needed coverage.
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As she sat against the cold metal wall, pulling her knees to her chest, her thoughts returned to Zalandre. The image of his massive, shimmering form filled her mind, his eyes burning with divine judgment. Her hands tightened around the edges of the cloak as the anger flared again, hotter this time.
"He'll regret what he did to me," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. But even as the words left her lips, a wave of fear followed. This wasn't who she wanted to be. She'd always prided herself on her determination, her resolve to rise above the cruelty of others. Now, she wasn't sure she could rise above the darkness within herself.
She lifted her head, her eyes staring at the stars in the vastness of heavens above. She thought to herself. Am I losing myself?
Her blackened veins pulsed faintly in the moonlight, as though in answer. She shuddered, curling tighter into herself as tears slid silently down her cheeks. Alone in the outpost, she let herself grieve—for what she had done, for what she had lost, and for what she feared she was becoming.
The night stretched on, cold and unrelenting. But in the silence, Enixia's resolve hardened once more. Whatever the cost, she would master the power within her. She would not let it consume her. And one day, she would make Zalandre—and all those who had wronged her—pay for what they had done.
But for now, she rested. The journey was far from over, and the darkness within her would have to wait. For better or worse, it was hers to bear.
Chapter 2: The Dema [https://img.wattpad.com/e7614a56c52c95ec24626d16bb7819506d2f9829/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7154376270726f63764b735031773d3d2d313530343436373837382e313831333636356233613131366662663638373533303633323333352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Chapter 2: The Dema
The first light of dawn crept through the cracks of the outpost's walls, bathing the space in a pale, gray glow. Enixia stirred, her limbs stiff from the cold night spent against the hard floor. The coarse fabric of the cloak clung to her as she rose, she brushed away the loose debris that had gathered around her during the night.
She adjusted the cloak tightly around her shoulders, her bare feet padding softly across the floor. Outside, the world was awakening, the distant calls of birds mingling with the rustling leaves. Enixia peered out through the cracked door, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. She needed a plan—to move forward, to survive, to figure out what to do next.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a distant rumble. It came first as a faint vibration beneath her feet, then grew into a series of booming sounds that echoed through the trees. She froze, her instincts sharpening. Something or someone was approaching.
The rumbling grew louder, and soon, three figures emerged from the treeline. They moved with inhuman grace, their powerful forms cutting through the morning light. Dema. Enixia's heart clenched at the sight of them. Tall and imposing, they bore the unmistakable presence of their kind—a species that had long been enemies of the Temeri. Though the war between their peoples had ended, the hatred lingered like a festering wound.
The lead Dema stopped abruptly, his glowing red eyes narrowing as he caught sight of her. His sharp features twisted in a mix of surprise and disdain. For a moment, the air between them was still, charged with unspoken tension. Then, without a word, the Dema transformed.
Their forms shifted grotesquely, limbs elongating and muscles bulging. Wings—large, leathery, and bat-like—burst from their backs, and their hands now gripped enormous swords that shimmered menacingly in the sunlight. The leader pointed his blade at her, and with a guttural growl, they charged.
Enixia's body moved before her mind could catch up. She darted to the side, her enhanced speed barely keeping her ahead of the first strike. The massive sword cleaved through the ground where she had stood, sending dirt and grass flying. Another Dema came at her from the left, its weapon whistling through the air. She twisted, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Their speed was overwhelming. Even with her enhanced speed and abilities, they pushed her to her limits, their relentless assault forcing her to stay on the defensive. She tried to get close, to touch one of them and seize control, but their movements were too quick, too precise. Frustration boiled within her as the battle dragged on.
A sharp pain lanced through her as one of the Dema's blades struck her arm, severing it cleanly. She stumbled back, clutching the stump as black blood poured from the wound. But before the Dema could press their advantage, the arm began to regenerate. Flesh and bone reformed in seconds, the black veins pulsing with renewed vigor. Enixia's new arm flexed as if nothing had happened.
The Dema hesitated, their expressions shifting from rage to confusion. "What... what are you?" one of them snarled, their voice tinged with confusion.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/e5b505744289de90588dde8dcd8818fc3632d8d3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5a47716e764746746e35377359773d3d2d313530343436373837382e313831333636366461363334636235333937333733393834383935302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Enixia's breath came in ragged gasps as something stirred within her [https://img.wattpad.com/aa88690c5ac44a2b81be2c494982bc944d86a70d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f69586546635155334345367162673d3d2d313530343436373837382e313831333636373530623136613037333232313131333433313639302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Enixia's breath came in ragged gasps as something stirred within her. The anger she had felt before now roared to life, an inferno that threatened to consume her. Her body began to change, the energy coursing through her veins intensifying. The wings she had once struggled to summon emerged from her back, this time as easily as taking a breath. However they were no longer the elegant, silver constructs of before. Instead, they twisted and stretched into shimmering whips of light, each one pulsing with deadly intent.
She lashed out instinctively, the whips slicing through the air with a sharp crack. One struck a nearby tree, cleaving it in two as though it were paper. The Dema reeled, their confidence faltering as they faced this new, terrifying power.
Enixia wasted no time. She directed one of the energy whips at the nearest Dema, wrapping it around his torso. The whip tightened, cutting through armor and flesh with ease. The Dema howled in agony as Enixia used the whip to pull him closer, her hand reached out to touch his forehead. The moment her fingers made contact, his memories flooded into her mind—a torrent of pain, rage, and loyalty to his kind. She absorbed it all, and with it, his life force.
The other two Dema watched in horror as their comrade's body fell limp, his eyes empty. Enixia turned her gaze to them, her expression cold and unrelenting. The stolen memories guided her, giving her insight into their movements and strategies. She sent the puppet forward, the lifeless Dema now fighting under her command.
The leader growled with anger and hate, his eyes blazing. "The Temeri... always experimenting. Always defying nature." He charged at her, his sword raised high. But Enixia was ready. She lashed out with two of her whips, one disarming him while the other wrapped around his legs, bringing him to his knees. The puppet struck from behind, sweeping its blade through the second Dema's neck. Its head bounced off the ground and rolling away, leaving only the leader alive.
Enixia approached him slowly, her whips retracting as she placed a hand on his head. He struggled, but her grip was unyielding. His memories flowed into her, revealing fragments of his life and something more—a temple not far from here, belonging to the Anagi. Long standing allies of the Temeri. A flicker of hope ignited within her.
When the Dema's body finally went still, Enixia stepped back, her chest heaving. The two puppets stood silently at her sides, awaiting her command. She glanced toward the horizon, where the knowledge she had gained told her the temple lay.
"Let's go," she said, her voice steady. The puppets followed without question as she began her march. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, she had a destination.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/d177327467b4441a7406ce3cfba8e08c105dec6d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6654687072442d665068663159513d3d2d313530343436373837382e313831333636383463643432626462393138353638393839343734372e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]