Good afternoon, readers! I am back with a new update! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter and you're getting back into the groove! I'm so excited of what's to come- it's definitely going to be a roller coaster ride. So, if you want your anticipation to settle, please enjoy this update!
Kapra smiled and nodded at Arsenik in thanks when he brought her some tea. "Kapra... I still cannot believe you are here." He smiled as he paced a bit. "I brought you aside because there are subjects I wish to discuss with you privately."
Kapra blinked as she sipped on her tea. "Like...?"
Arsenik sighed. "I... still feel extremely guilty of what transpired. I still have not found the one who exposed you to the crown, and... I feel I have failed you in this manner."
"What happened wasn't your fault, Arsenik. And I guess it turned out to be a good thing." Kapra replied.
"Be that as it may... it could have gone far worse. I would not be able to live with myself. I have lost a great deal in my life. Loss... changes a person." Arsenik said. Kapra nodded. When he said this, Pyramus came to mind for a moment. And, as if he could read her mind, he decided to change the subject. "At any rate... I also wished to express my concerns regarding Pyramus."
Kapra sighed. "Arsenik... you don't have to worry about him. He's not going to do anything to me."
"That is not what concerns me." Arsenik said, his expression growing more serious by the moment. "I am concerned of what he will do in order to possess you."
"He's not going to do anything like that, either." Kapra got up, stopping Arsenik from pacing. "Look... I know that you're trying to make sure I'm safe. Pyramus isn't the problem right now."
Arsenik turned to face her more, furrowing a brow. "Kapra... tell me. Did... something occur between the pair of you in the palace? I do not pose this question with vile intent. What I mean to say is... was there perhaps some... mutual exchange of understanding?"
"... I guess you could say that, yeah..." Kapra shrugged. She blinked when he took her hands.
"Be very, very careful. Becoming too close to someone that destructive, volatile... it will lead you down a dark path which you will lose your way. I will not allow this. I have seen how he behaves around you. I have felt him watching you even when you are not in the same room. He is like a predator stalking his next victim, Kapra. Let me assure you that despite what he may tell you, what he feels for you is not love. Perhaps he may have felt this at one time, but it has become corrupted." Arsenik said.
"You're right about that. He's literally been to hell and back. But with enough time and patience, and defeating the dark ones... I have a feeling he'll come around. If he wanted to do something to me, he would have in the palace. He had many opportunities, trust me."
Arsenik nodded, withdrawing. "I will trust your judgment for now. But if he should ever give you reason to feel fear, or pain... I shall see to it personally that he is severely punished for it. I will not allow anyone to bring harm to you." He took her hand, bending down to kiss it. Kapra smiled a bit, but tilted her head when their gazes met.
That look in his eyes... the way they seemed to glow... it seemed familiar.
Before she could think too much on it, however, Arsenik politely excused himself before swiftly exiting the room. Kapra was left with her thoughts, buzzing from all that had already occurred that morning.
In the Imugi territory, several gathered inside a large cave, some assisting an older male as they sat him up, giving him water to drink. Suddenly, several became alert, glancing beyond some of the trees. They began to whisper in hisses and low snarls, soon seeing their people returning. Mist was at the head of the pack, watching as families were reunited. She proceeded inside the large cave, about to seek out someone when she was stopped.
"Mist. He is very ill."
The young woman hesitated for a moment, furrowing a brow. "Bring me to him." The older Imugi glanced over when he saw someone approaching. His tired eyes lit up a bit when Mist crouched down, bowing so her forehead touched the ground. "Father. I have much to tell you."
"You returned while there is still life in me. There is not much time. A darkness has fallen over the wood."
"I know this. I was freed only because of the one who seeks to vanquish it." Mist said.
"You made a great sacrifice for the Imugi. Many were able to undergo the change because they were not confined to a stone cage. You have proven yourself to be a strong leader among us. Your mother would be proud."
Mist nodded firmly. "Now, we must get you well."
"No. You must do what I have become too weak to do. The Imugi already look to you. Only the strong survive. Remember this, daughter." He weakly pointed to her claw necklace. "Remember also that your mother's spirit remains with you."
Mist nodded a bit slower this time. "Yes, father." She rose, turning to the Imugi that were looking on. "Hear me. The Imugi are now a single people once again. We are no longer divided by our conquerors. I come with a message. An evil beyond even them lurk in the shadows. It seeks to bring great destruction. Among them, they brought two creatures called humans. It is the female human who drove the king to free us. She showed the strength of not her body, but her heart. My father has left command to me. Many of you seek revolt against the crown. This is not the path I believe we should take. We need to take up our strength against the greater evil. If the humans should need us, the Imugi will fight with them." In response, the Imugi cried out in roars and chirps, Mist maintaining a firm expression as she looked upon all of them. Deep down, she had always looked up to her father, especially when her mother perished in the wars. He was her strength, but now he had become weak. She could no longer remain silent, lingering within the shadows.
She had to be the leader her father raised her to be.
Wildfire nodded slowly when a Valkyrie reported the return of the Imugi people to their territory, narrowing her eyes a bit. Brooks was with her, raising a brow as Wildfire scoffed. "That Barium is a bigger fool than I expected. Do y' know what this means? That was their punishment from the wars. The fact that it's been undone... means that it was almost like they weren't punished at all. Think about it. The Cucuy lost many of their people. The Trold had many of their own executed. I brought the head of our former queen to his feet." She curled her lip. "The other clans will move to act. Retaliation will go against the Vi and the Imugi."
"The Imugi may turn around and protect the Vi." Brooks replied. "Maybe that was what the Vi wanted all this time."
"Not necessarily. There's one factor we're forgetting. The Imugi aren't very fond of the Phoenix. Their sense of entitlement makes them feel they owe nothing to anyone. Hard to understand when they live in caves and can't even make a decent meal. Not t' mention, anything sets them off. Our wolves are more tame than the Imugi are on a good day. At least they know who their alphas are." Wildfire stood. "I want posts set up along the border. Make them small, discreet. All eyes on the surround. Anything moves, I want to know about it." Brooks nodded, heading out of the small hut. Wildfire glanced out the window, watching some of the other Valkyrie harvesting from their small gardens, others forging and sharpening weapons. She went into her cupboard, taking out a bowl shard and staring at it for a moment. "You used me for your little game, Ambrosia... I'm going to return the favor soon enough." She growled lowly, shoving the shard back into the cupboard and slamming it shut.
Just then, Brooks ran back into the small house. "Wildfire-!" When she went to question her, she grabbed her hand. "There's no time, one of the wolves are tracking something!"
Wildfire nodded, the two catching up. Once they reached a clearing, the two stared at what the wolf had found. Brooks shut her eyes tightly as Wildfire's expression became stone cold. "Send it back to camp."
"Wildfire... we should keep it for protection-"
"Send it... back... to camp." Wildfire shot her a look. As Brooks did what she was asked, Wildfire bent down, looking over the pair of Valkyrie corpses. She slowly took one hand in hers, flipping it over.
Their veins were dark.
"Do you think they were poisoned?" Brooks asked.
"... Unlikely." Wildfire stood to her feet. "This is the Vi's doing."
"How do you know?"
"They are working with the fallen one. The human. The human brought those creatures here that attacked us both. This is the crown's way of beating the other clans into submission." She got to her feet. "Set up a gathering."
"I don't want to leave you out here alone, Wildfire."
She spun around then, anger in her eyes. "I don't care what you think you want! When I tell you to do something, you do it!" She shouted. "Valkyrie are not weak, Valkyrie do not give in to intimidation!" She placed a firm hand on Brooks' shoulder. "This darkness is not going to be the death of us. We will take down the whole bloody Vi clan if we have to, but we will NOT be shoved into a corner like mangy dogs!" She took a step back. "Now go back to camp and build a pyre."
Brooks nodded firmly, bowing her head briefly as she started to jog back. Wildfire returned her gaze to the corpses, curling her lip as she unsheathed her hunting knife, stabbing it into a tree angrily.
A Trold stabbed his meat with a knife, using it to hold up the large piece and tear large chunks off it. As he licked his chops, he was about to take another bite when he heard a thud. Turning, he rolled his eyes when he saw who had hopped down from the tree above. "Get lost, runt."
"Grant, give me a break, will you? You barely even see me nowadays... and that would still be the case, but... my pal's been kind of... occupied lately." Chase said as he headed inside the animal-skinned tent to plop down.
"And so that gives you a reason to bother me?" Grant barely glanced at him. Just then, another Trold dashed inside, nearly tripping over himself. "Foster. Why in the hell are you empty handed?"
"It was those things again! The ones people have been talking about!"
"What things? You don't mean the dark ones, do you?" Chase asked.
"I was hunting and I came across some Valkyrie. Didn't think twice about them but then we were ambushed. They... didn't make it. I would have helped but those dark ones came in droves."
"Doesn't answer my question, Foster. Why're you empty handed?"
"Did you hear what he just said? Those are the ones my friend Kapra is trying to get rid of." Chase said.
"Oh, you mean your walking food?" Grant asked as he tore another chunk off his meat. "Like that little lamb could even swat a moth."
"Hey. You watch what you say about her. She's stronger than you think." Chase said, snickering when he managed to snatch some food from his elder brother.
"But Chase, what if those things come after us? They saw me, I even sliced up a few of them."
"Yeah, trying to save your girlfriends. You're a wimp, Foster."
"Yeah, no offense, but Valkyrie aren't worth losing your life over." Chase said, handing Foster some food.
"But the way they died..." His voice trailed off, frowning as he ate quietly.
"Oh, boo hoo. Don't forget how many of us have been executed. If you're going to be a baby, don't cry over those witches. Lucky you don't meet the same end from coming back here without a morsel. You and the runt can go on a night hunt now. Have fun trying to catch something in the dark." Grant said, making the pair groan.
Barium sat in a large, circular meeting room where he spoke among the Vi councilmembers as well as his brother, who sat at his left. He held up a hand when chattering began to swell, silencing them.
"I know you all have many concerns. I called this meeting in the hopes of addressing them." Barium said.
"Your highness, what do you plan on doing about a staff? The Imugi were used to complete a variety of laborious tasks both within the palace and upon the grounds. Things will surely fall into disarray if there is no one to complete it."
"Great question. I thought about this myself when I realized that the Imugi should be returned to their own people. The day I decided this was something I would consider doing, I took a walk. I realized that up until now..." Barium sighed. "I have been very ineffective as a leader. I've wasted enough time on myself. On that walk, I saw people, my own people, who did not have the means to live decently. If I have been so blind as to not see suffering within the Vi Clan, what have I failed to see among the other clans of Virgo Island? What about the Phoenix, those we are sworn to protect?" The room was silent for several moments. "Therefore, I have included in the proclamation that those who will take the place of the former Imugi servants will be those who are in need of shelter, food, that we will serve them in addition to them serving us. They will not be treated like animals, but as people of the community."
Alexandrite silently wore a scowl, having been told he was not to interject during this meeting. The councilmembers looked at one another with surprise before turning their attention back to Barium.
"This... seems like a reasonable solution, your grace."
"Excellent. Now, if no one else has any other concerns they would like to share, I will call an end to this meeting." When no one else said anything, he smiled, rising from his seat. He said nothing to Alexandrite, who silently rose himself to exit the room after him. He felt very bitter about what had been going on, hoping that the last few tricks up his sleeves would produce something in his favor.
Until then, he would bide his time.
Kapra rose from her seat in the library, stretching out a bit before folding up a map of Virgo Island. She headed out, wandering through the halls. As she did, she stopped, looking up at a large painting she rather liked. She smiled lightly, not noticing someone approaching behind her.
"A beautiful portrait, is it not?" Arsenik asked, smiling as he moved to stand beside her. "It does not do them justice, I'm afraid."
Kapra looked up at him. "Are they your parents? Is the boy you?" She asked.
"No. That is my brother and his first wife... the chief of our clan after our parents perished. The boy is me... and as you can tell, my sister-in-law was with child. She did not survive birthing Viktor. It was one of the last things we had done before she died. She so wanted a painting done... I am glad my brother gave in to her insistence." He smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry." Kapra frowned lightly. Arsenik placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Viktor has lost much in his life as you have." He sighed lightly. "I am sure in this uncertain times... he will lose much more. I only hope at the end of all this... he and I both find the peace we so desperately seek."
"You will. As long as I'm around... I'll make sure that happens." Kapra replied as she looked up at the painting.
Just then, a Hulder approached Arsenik with a sense of urgency. "Sir, forgive me for alarming you, but it's an emergency. We-... we have found Lylith."
Arsenik widened his eyes. "What is her condition? Is she alright?"
"Found Lylith? Wait, what's going on?" Kapra asked.
"I will inform you shortly. Please excuse me." Arsenik said, going with the Hulder guard to the infirmary. Arsenik frowned deeply, moving to lift the blanket when the guard stopped him.
"Sir... she is alive, but... I must warn you. Her attackers have mutilated her." The guard said bitterly.
Arsenik looked at him in shock, slowly lifting the blanket. He shut his eyes tightly, exhaling slowly. "What... vile creature could have done such a thing to a young woman? Where was she found?"
"Western end of the neutral territories... she could barely speak, I have no additional information to give, I'm afraid."
Arsenik nodded. "You may go. Find Ravyn and tell him to come here." After the other Hulder left, he slowly took off the blanket, looking down at Lylith. "Well, my dear... you have what I promised. I give you permission to seek out my nephew." He paused then. "This does not mean, however... that he will necessarily take your hand. He already plans to make Kapra his wife. She returned to us just last night. A true blessing." He spoke softly as he looked upon Lylith, no longer cringing. "We could both learn something from her. I know that I will be punished somehow for this. But for now... I can simply tell you that perhaps in the future, you will think twice before betraying me. You and Ravyn both."
Meanwhile, Kapra wandered the corridors, finally spotting Viktor.
"Oh. There you are, Kapra. I was looking for you in the library, and-"
"Viktor, I think you should speak to Arsenik. I overheard a scout telling him something about Lylith. It doesn't sound good."
He frowned at this. "Oh, dear... I have not seen her in a few days. I admit that with your absence I was caught up in my own emotional turmoil... perhaps if she has become more reclusive, I should encourage her to-"
"I don't think that's it. I heard something about... her being found somewhere." Kapra noticed that Viktor's face paled at this. She was about to say something when he wordlessly took her hand, practically dragging her down the corridor. When he found Arsenik, he hurried over to him.
"Viktor. There is something I must-"
"Where is Lylith?" Viktor's voice cracked.
Arsenik glanced at Kapra momentarily. "I cannot bring her to you yet. I understand your concern, but I must first explain something to you. Come with me and I will inform you of what's happened."
"V- Very well, but Kapra is coming too. I know Lylith isn't fond of her, but... I promised Kapra there would be no more secrets between us."
Arsenik stiffened for a moment before nodding. He led them to a room within the infirmary, sitting them down. "Viktor... forgive me for not saying anything to you sooner. I figured the last thing you needed was more emotional turmoil. Lylith... had apparently wandered off on her own and had been missing for three days. I sent a small search team to look for her, and... she was found this morning."
"Oh goodness... Arsenik... please, tell me... tell me she's not-"
"She's alive. But Viktor... I must warn you. Lylith was not brought back to us in good condition. She was viciously attacked. Her face..." He shut his eyes a moment. "... the poor thing, is... I understand that miss Ambrosia is to meet with Kapra today, so one of her cousins have been sent to care for her. It is not going to be a quick process, however. Her wounds have already begun to fester. It will take some time before she appears decent again."
Viktor could only cover his mouth, Kapra frowning as she gently squeezed his other hand. "I'm so sorry about this." She said.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Kapra. I am all the more relieved you are here... my nephew will need you now more than ever. I must leave you two for now, but please come to me if you need anything. I am so upset I must be the bearer of ill news."
As he left the room, Viktor remained silent. Kapra sighed, turning to face him more. "Viktor... if you need some time alone with Lylith..."
"I can't believe this. She was missing for three days and I had no idea." He frowned.
"Look. I may have not gotten along with her... but this is never something I would have wished on her. She will need your help to recover, and... I know she means a lot to you." Kapra said.
Viktor finally glanced at her, smiling through his gathering tears. "I don't deserve you. Truly..." He gently hugged her, sniffling lightly. "I promised I would remain by you today for your meet with the Imugi..." He sighed. "Here you are, offering me your support once again, and once again, I am not returning the same gesture to you. I don't understand how you could possibly love me sometimes."
"Because things happen that are out of our control, Viktor. It doesn't mean I'm going to give you up." Kapra said. "Stay here with Lylith. She needs a friend right now. I'll do what I have to do. I'll still have Ambrosia and Wind."
He nodded. "I cannot say this for miss Ambrosia, but for the Imugi- er, Wind... Kapra, I don't trust him. He may have made amends somewhat for his outburst this morning, but... Imugi have little to no control over their animalistic instincts. If he did something to you..."
"He won't. You have to trust me on this, Viktor. This has to be done, and as soon as possible. Once we have them on board, I have three more clans to get on board."
"It's not you I don't trust." He sighed. He was about to say something about Chase, but their last conversation came to mind then. Uncertainty buzzed about his head, nearly making him dizzy. "Please be careful. Do return as soon as you can."
"Hopefully I'll come back with better news." She replied, kissing him briefly. She then got up, Viktor sighing forlornly as she departed. He turned towards the other end of the infirmary, making his way to where Lylith was situated. Kapra was right... she needed him, now more than ever.
Chase grunted as he unloaded an elk carcass from off his back, placing it on the ground. Foster came up from behind, the pair taking out hunting knives as they began to skin their kill. "You were great back there, Foster."
"Glad someone thinks so..." He sighed. "Grant's still on my case for not scavenging those Valkyrie."
"Why didn't you? You usually go with whatever our brothers tell you. Wish you would have been around when Kapra was with me. You would like her." Chase sighed. "Now she's been lured into the big Hulder spider web."
Foster sighed. "I just... I'm tired of just going along with what everyone else is doing. I'm not a kid anymore, Chase. Neither are you. I want to do what I want. Those Valkyrie didn't deserve that."
"Come on... don't tell me you actually like them. They're a bunch of witches." Chase cringed.
"No... but what about you and that human girl? She could be far worse."
"You don't know her." He sighed. "She has a heart of gold. That's why the Hulder want her so badly. They'll take anything worth their while for selfish reasons. That Viktor... he's becoming a bigger pain than Arsenik. I bet he's using his hypnotism on Kapra and not saying anything."
"And what's with you and that Phoenix girl? And that Imugi? And you think I'm weird for feeling bad about those Valkyrie?"
"Hey, Wind's my pal! Also... he and Ambrosia really like each other."
"Yeah, okay. Everyone knows the Imugi hate the Phoenix's guts."
"And WE'RE supposed to hate the Valkyrie's guts."
"Good point. I just... those shadow things... the way they killed them..."
"Yeah. That's what Kapra's been trying to stop. The king wants her to get all the clans to fight together, but... all we do is fight each other."
"You think our brothers are going to agree to anything? They'll only be thinking of methods to roast her."
"There's got to be something we can do, Foster! Kapra's depending on us."
"'We?' Since when am I involved?" Foster rose a brow.
"Look, you've got to help me. Grant'll never listen to me, you know that."
"Grant doesn't listen to anybody. So what?"
"So we've got to help Kapra to get the others to fight with her. It's our only chance of surviving."
"Okay, okay... you know, I really missed having you around, Chase. It hasn't been the same."
"Yeah... don't worry. You'll see how great my friends are." Chase smiled as the pair continued to skin their kill.
Wind sighed lightly. "I am so glad I am finally away from that twerp for five minutes."
"Now, Wind... you know sir Chase is very kind to you. He sees you as a dear friend."
"Pfft. Yeah, he annoys the hell out of me. He should follow someone else around for once."
"I know you don't mean that." She smiled softly, kissing his cheek as he rested one of his arms around her shoulders.
"Why did I agree to go this route with you again?"
"Because you love me?" Ambrosia giggled.
"Maybe because it's better to keep you out of trouble this way. I can keep a better eye on you."
"Oh Wind, I knew you cared." She said as he rolled his eyes, but maintained a playful smirk.
Just then, Kapra approached, Wind getting to his feet as he helped Ambrosia to hers. "Alone?" He rose a brow.
"Yeah... something came up. Maybe it's for the best- not that Viktor would hurt anybody, but I'm not sure how Mist would feel about a Hulder coming into her territory."
"Huh. Maybe there's some hope for you yet." Wind smirked. "Let's go."
As they traversed, Ambrosia glanced up at him. "It must be exciting... seeing your whole family again."
"Yeah, it's going to be a huge, happy reunion." He rolled his eyes.
"You don't have siblings or anybody that was in servitude?" Kapra asked, and Wind's expression hardened at the mention of siblings.
"My brother died before we were sentenced. And don't feel bad about it. I don't." He said, Ambrosia quieting as Kapra rose her brows in surprise. She decided not to continue pursuing the subject.
Meanwhile, Mist remained stoic as she fed her father water, holding his head up with one hand. Though she kept up a strong front, on the inside, it pained her to see what he had been reduced to.
"Mist... you've done enough for me. The Imugi who served their sentence need your guidance now. Being trapped in the stone prison hindered their growth toward the change. You must help them to embrace and be one with the power within. Remember... to obtain this power takes strong will."
"Yes, father." She get to her feet, turning to look out the cave. Her shadow was cast upon the inner wall, its shape transforming into a crouched creature as she dashed into the wood.
Night narrowed his eyes as he made his way through the corridor. He had seen Ambrosia leaving to go somewhere with Wind and Kapra, a deep loathing growing in the pit of his stomach. He approached a door, knocking upon it. When it opened, he took a step back. "We have a guest."
Alexandrite smirked lightly. "I will go to him. Keep Onyx and my brother occupied." He said, moving past his cousin.
The Prince made his way along quieter corridors, descending stairs before approaching a figure obscured in a cloak of dark feathers.
"It's done." He said. "Now, we just need her testimony and they will be convicted. It will be her word against theirs. They will believe her and pity her. They will demand justice lest their pleas go unanswered and they threaten war. You will have your satisfaction, and I will have what I have longed for."
Alexandrite chuckled. "I never thought you would seek me out for assistance... I'm flattered, really. See you and I... we're not all that different, are we? As for your proposition... I will ensure my brother is convinced that this is the best course of action. An up and coming chief taking one from another clan as their mate would add fuel to the fire... form unfavorable alliances against the crown and the Vi... threaten our security." He took out a parchment, handing it to the other to read it over. "You will have every opportunity to take what you have deemed is yours."
"I will make the arrangements. Your brother should expect a letter within a few day's time. Then we shall move forward."
Alexandrite nodded. "You have been most helpful. I would love nothing better to see that pair of rebels fall under Vi steel. Now, you mustn't linger. We will meet again soon enough, after all."
The figure nodded, turning to take his leave. As he exited the castle, he strode briskly toward camp, his hands pulling back the hood of his cloak.
Arsenik wore a pained expression. He knew this would break his nephew's heart.
He knew this would falsely condemn two innocent persons to death.
He knew this would undo everything the object of his desire sought to fulfill.
He knew he was taking the path of weakness, and that he was too far along to turn back now.
Well, that certainly had to make some jaws drop! Will Arsenik continue down this dark path, or will he see the error in his ways and do the right thing? Also, we have a new OC, Foster! You will definitely be seeing more of him throughout the story, and I hope he is a nice addition to the Trold clan. In the meantime, thank you again for reading, and stay tuned for the next update!
