THE DEAD QUEEN
Property of:
Rapid Fire Enterprises
Created By:
David Tyrel Little
Chapter 3: Bonds of Control
Enixia's march through the forest was filled with a strange quiet, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the steady footsteps of her two Dema puppets. The forest stretched endlessly, the canopy above casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the ground. She walked without hesitation, her mind buzzing with a new realization.
This was the first time she hadn't released her control over those she had taken. The puppets moved effortlessly, as though they were an extension of herself. She flexed her fingers experimentally, watching as one of the Dema mimicked the motion perfectly. It wasn't just control—it was connection, seamless and absolute. She could see through their eyes at will, her perspective shifting as easily as taking a step. It was as though their bodies were hers, another set of limbs to command.
Curiosity tugged at her. She stopped walking and closed her eyes, focusing on the connection. Her vision shifted, and suddenly she was seeing through the eyes of the larger Dema. The perspective felt natural, fluid, like slipping into a familiar role. She turned his head, taking in the surrounding forest, before pulling back into her own body.
A small smile tugged at her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Effortless," she muttered.
The thought unnerved her. This ability, this power—none of it felt right. No Temeri had ever displayed such abilities. Not even the strongest warriors or the most gifted manipulators of energy could match what she had done. And then there were her wings—or what used to be wings. Their transformation into deadly, silvery whips was something entirely new. Unnatural.
She laughed softly, the sound dry and bitter. "Wings that can't fly," she mused, glancing at her back. The irony wasn't lost on her. She was supposed to soar, to rise above everything that had been done to her. Instead, she remained grounded, her powers growing stranger and more alien with each passing day.
The forest began to thin, the trees giving way to an open expanse of grass. In the distance, rising like a jagged shadow against the horizon, was an ancient pyramid. Its surface was worn and cracked with age, vines creeping along its stone facade. The structure exuded an air of quiet reverence, but as Enixia stepped closer, she felt something else.
A chill ran down her spine. The air grew heavy, charged with an oppressive energy that seemed to seep into her very bones. She stopped, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scanned the area. The presence was unmistakable—sinister, ancient, and watching.
"Stay here," she commanded her puppets, her voice low. The Dema obeyed without question, their blank eyes fixed on her as she took a cautious step forward.
Suddenly, a rustling sound drew her attention. From the shadows of the trees emerged a creature unlike anything she had seen before. It moved on eight spindly legs, its body sleek and black, glinting faintly in the dim light. Two glowing red eyes stared at her, unblinking, and a maw filled with jagged teeth split open in a grotesque smile.
"Hello," the creature said, its voice smooth and chilling. It tilted its head, the red eyes narrowing with a curious gleam. "What brings you to this place, little Temeri?"
Chapter 4: Charleiza's Bargain [https://img.wattpad.com/746655a177e1a740dce340fc9e22f3e317607172/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6b5434375a566a6f50636d6d70773d3d2d313530343437333533302e313831333638633034663230363865313830363635323035313033322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Chapter 4: Charleiza's Bargain
Enixia stiffened, her sharp eyes locked onto the grotesque creature before her. Every instinct screamed at her to attack, to remove this alien presence from her path. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her fingers outstretched. The tips of her fingers brushed against the smooth, dark surface between its glowing red eyes. For a fleeting moment, she expected the familiar surge of connection—the rush of control over another being—but nothing happened.
The creature did not flinch. Instead, its jagged smile widened, its crimson eyes narrowing with amusement. "Interesting," it purred, its voice calm and composed.
Enixia stumbled back, her breath hitching as confusion flooded her. She had never encountered anything immune to her abilities. The creature tilted its head, its spindly legs shifting slightly as it stepped back, breaking the contact with her fingers.
"You're quite fascinating," it said, its voice smooth yet unnerving. "Tell me, what is your name?"
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Enixia's brow furrowed. She remained tense, her fingers twitching, ready to summon her whips if necessary. "Enixia," she said cautiously. "What are you?"
The creature chuckled, the sound low and almost musical. "I am Charleiza," it replied, the name rolling off its tongue with an unnatural elegance. "And you, little Temeri, are quite intriguing."
Enixia's confusion deepened. "How do you know what I am?"
Charleiza's smile widened further, the jagged teeth within its maw gleaming faintly in the dim light. "I know many things. When you touched me, I glimpsed a fragment of what you are, what you can do. It's a curious power you wield, isn't it? Such potential..."
Enixia's heart raced. This creature had not only resisted her abilities but seemed to understand them in a way she herself did not. She tightened her grip on her cloak, her mind racing with questions.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
Charleiza's legs shifted again, its body swaying slightly as it regarded her. "I could ask the same of you. What brings a little Temeri to this place, searching for secrets long forgotten?"
Enixia hesitated, then relented. There was no point in hiding the truth—not from something that had already proven it could defy her. "I need to get home," she admitted. "I'm looking for the Anagi, or anything that might help me return to my city."
Charleiza's red eyes gleamed with interest. "Ah, the Anagi. Yes, they were quite fond of this temple once, though it has been abandoned for many, many years. You're unlikely to find them here. However..." The creature paused, its grin stretching impossibly wide. "There may still be something within these walls that could aid you."
Enixia's gaze narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Charleiza began to pace, its movements fluid and unnervingly graceful. "The Anagi were masters of technology, builders of devices that could bridge worlds and minds. It's possible their artifacts still linger within the temple. But to access them..." It stopped, fixing her with its crimson stare. "You will need a key."
"A key?" Enixia repeated.
Charleiza nodded. "Yes. One that has long been separated from this place. It lies within a human castle, west of here along the river. The humans guard it well, of course, nestled within their bustling little city. If you wish to find it, you will have to tread carefully."
Enixia's jaw tightened. A human castle, surrounded by a city and heavily guarded. It sounded like an impossible task, but she had little choice. "And what do you want in return?" she asked, her tone wary.
Charleiza's smile returned, its voice smooth as silk. "Ah, you are sharp, little Temeri. Yes, I would ask something of you. Bring me an Anagi artifact from within the temple. A trinket, a fragment, anything imbued with their unique power. Do this, and I will guide you to the key."
Enixia considered the offer, her instincts screaming against trusting this creature. But she had no other leads, no other way forward. Slowly, she nodded. "Fine. I'll bring you something."
Charleiza's laughter echoed softly through the clearing. "Excellent. Then we have an accord. I will await your return here. And, Enixia..." It leaned closer, its red eyes boring into hers. "I wonder just how many you can control at once. Such power..."
Enixia's heart skipped. The question lingered in her mind as she turned away, heading west toward the castle. The creature's laughter followed her, as she began disappearing deeper into the forest.
Chapter 5: Towards The Human Castle [https://img.wattpad.com/5cf64beb62e39a0c03e995d8adc514dd80d13ec3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3771754857416169766f6d524b513d3d2d313530343437333533302e313831333638633730386465313566613531353433373737373832352e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Chapter 5: Towards The Human Castle
As Enixia ventured further away from Charleiza, her thoughts lingered uneasily on their encounter. The creature's immunity to her powers, its chilling composure, and the unsettling deal they had struck left a weight pressing on her chest. Yet, as she stepped further from the temple, Charleiza's voice called out once more.
"Wait," it said smoothly. When she turned, it raised one of its spindly legs, and a faint glow began to form at the tip. A small, shimmering blue orb appeared, pulsing gently with light. The orb hovered for a moment before darting in the direction of the west, illuminating the forest path ahead.
"This will guide you," Charleiza explained, its jagged smile faintly visible in the shadows. "Follow it to find the river. Beyond that, you will find the castle. And remember our agreement, little Temeri."
Enixia said nothing, her sharp gaze shifting between the orb and the creature. Without another word, she began to walk, the blue light bobbing ahead like a will-o'-the-wisp. Behind her, the faint sound of Charleiza's laughter faded into silence.
The orb's light cut through the dim forest, casting long shadows that danced across the undergrowth. Enixia followed it cautiously, her two Dema puppets trailing silently behind her. Their presence was both a comfort and a reminder of the power she wielded—and the cost it carried.
As she walked, her mind turned back to Charleiza. What was that creature? It clearly wasn't Anagi, and yet it spoke of them with familiarity. And what did it want with the temple? She couldn't shake the feeling that Charleiza's motives were far from simple curiosity.
Enixia glanced over her shoulder at her Dema puppets. They moved with eerie precision, their forms perfectly controlled by her will. The thought struck her again—just how many could she command at once? Charleiza's question had stirred something in her, a quiet but insistent curiosity.
Focus, she told herself firmly, forcing her attention back to the path ahead.
The orb flickered slightly as it led her through a dense thicket. Branches clawed at her cloak, and the faint rustle of unseen creatures echoed through the forest. The journey felt interminable, the orb's gentle glow the only point of consistency in the shifting, shadowy landscape.
As the forest began to thin, Enixia's thoughts turned to the castle Charleiza had mentioned. A human stronghold, surrounded by a city and heavily guarded. It would be no simple task to retrieve the key, especially without attracting attention. Her abilities gave her an edge, but she couldn't help but wonder if they would be enough.
And then there was the temple. What would she find there? What relics of the Anagi's power still lingered within its walls? Charleiza had hinted at artifacts capable of bridging worlds, tools of immense potential. Could they truly hold the key to returning her home? Or was she walking into a trap?
She shook her head, banishing the doubts that crowded her mind. For now, she had a direction. That was more than she'd had before. And if Charleiza proved treacherous, she would deal with him when the time came.
After hours of walking, the forest finally gave way to a wide, open expanse. The air felt cooler here, carrying the faint scent of water. In the distance, Enixia could see the shimmer of a river winding its way through the landscape, its surface catching the pale light of the sky. The orb hovered just ahead, its glow steady and sure.
Enixia paused, taking in the sight. The river marked the next stage of her journey, the boundary between the relative safety of the forest and the challenges that awaited beyond. Her gaze drifted toward her Dema puppets. They stood silently, awaiting her command. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it with them by her side.
The orb began to move again, floating toward the riverbank. Enixia took a deep breath, steeling herself, and followed. The journey west was far from over, but for the first time, she felt a flicker of purpose. Whatever awaited her at the castle—and beyond—she would face it head-on.
image [https://img.wattpad.com/cc03bcf53a1d4c6132bfb7fe8ae9d7a2e1929552/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f456e4134553155316b35626466413d3d2d313530343437333533302e313831333638636335383632653433663133393536383731373539332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]