A/N: I can only apologize for my lack of updating lately, I haven't had a lot of motivation to write, but I had the idea for this and just decided to run with it. The first chapter is pretty short, but it's just the starter and they'll get longer over time.
This isn't set at any particular time, but it is pre-season 2, before everyone was taken to Irene's dimension.
Again, this story will cover darker themes and the rating may go up over time! Warnings will be posted below the author's note as always. Don't continue to read if you're uncomfortable with the contents.
Hope you like!
Warnings: Major injury, blood, intense violence
She woke in a flurry of confusion, sharp sounds from outside drawing her from the comforting embrace of her dreams. In her dazed state, Aphmau hopped off the bed with a stumble, her legs unsteady, and quickly dressed herself.
It was barely dawn, the first hints of morning light peaking over the treetops, but the sunlight was drowned out by the silhouette of a massive ship at the shore. The woman came to a stop at the front step, staring at the boat.
For a moment, she didn't recognize it, but then she saw the symbol on the side. Oh no-
Horror-stricken, she broke into a bound down the steps, drawing her sword from her belt. The sounds of battle were getting louder as she drew closer to the town.
There was an overwhelming amount of O'khasis guards. They were everywhere. Ducking behind a tree, Aphmau realized she couldn't see any of Phoenix Drop's guards anywhere; the O'khasis guards seemed to have settled and were now prowling the village, looking for something.
She knew she couldn't take them all alone. She was smart enough not to try.
Backing away slowly, she drew in an unsteady breath clutching her sword to her chest. Then her back hit something hard and she let out an undignified yelp, falling forward. The sword tumbled out of her grip, coming to stop a few feet away from her.
She rolled onto her side and looked up at just who she had bumped into, terror filling every corner of her mind when realization hit.
"Lord Aphmau, I thought you were more careful than this," a voice came from behind the mask, hiding what was sure to be a confident grin. The woman dug her nails into the ground, slowly trying to put some distance between herself and the priest.
"What do you want, Zane?" she spit angrily, staggering to her feet. "Where is Garroth? Laurance, Dante-?" Stalling now, she eyed her sword that lay a good distance from her, too far away to make a run for it.
"You care more for your guards safety than your own. That's cute. But really, you should be more concerned for yourself now. Guards-" Zane raised a hand. Aphmau took that moment to dive towards her sword.
Her hands wrapped around the handle and she turned over just in time for the blade to plunge through the chest on a dark-eyed O'khasis guard. Blood began to trickle down the sword and he sputtered, an array of red flecks spraying Aphmau's armor.
She pushed the body off, dislodging the sword from his chest and pushing herself up to stand. Another guard lunged at her and she grit her teeth, bringing the sword in front of her to block his attack.
"Are you going to fight the entire O'khasis army, Lord Aphmau? One against hundreds?" Zane's mocking voice was unnaturally calm amidst the sound of swords clashing.
"I won't submit to you!" Aphmau shouted. Her limbs ached from wielding the sword. One well-aimed swing caught the guard's neck below his helmet and blood splattered the grass as he fell.
She stared at the bodies of the O'khasis guards on the ground, stunned at what she had done, but that moment of hesitation was all Zane needed. The priest grabbed her wrist and attempted to wrench the weapon away from her.
"No-!" she cried, the determined tone to her voice melting with fear. Angling the sword toward him as his other hand came up to take it from her, the blade landed on his palm, slicing through his glove with ease.
He hissed in pain and stepped backwards, staring at his bloody hand for a second before he turned back to her, fury corrupting his face. He drew his good hand back and balled his fist up, hitting her over the head as hard as he possibly could.
The pain was instant and she wasn't able to make a sound to express it, her body falling to the ground heavily as burning white blinded her vision. When she recovered enough to open her eyes, the sky was spinning above her.
"Fight all you want, you're not stronger than me," Zane spoke venomously over her. Aphmau still felt dizzy, but before she could regain her balance enough to sit up, she felt a tiny sharp pain in her neck, then the world faded to black.