"How was your final attempt to avoid the duel?" Lisa asked. They were sitting at the two ends of a long dining table, enjoying breakfast. This used to be Evony's dining room, until Heather took over.
"Failed," Heather replied, "Lauren Lewis is a liar. I sent someone to search her home and lab last night. She had made nothing, but I know she definitely has the formula. I could sense it. I just don't have access to her data to reproduce the reverse serum."
"Have you tried using your persuasion power?" Lisa asked.
"It wouldn't be helpful. Even if she started making the serum yesterday, it would be too late to fix Evony. I am definitely going to die."
"No you won't," Lisa laughed, "I know you are ready. You just need to take off your bracelets. Your rock cuffs have made you soft. Ironic, isn't it?"
"On a serious note, Lisa, please take care of Evony when I die," Heather begged.
"No. She is your mother! You will win the battle and take care of her yourself."
"She is your little sister too," Heather protested.
"I have no time for argument. The guests are coming in in the next hour. Finish your breakfast and get changed. You are not going to combat wearing sweatpants and hoodies," Heather shook her head.
It was the town's bar. It was a different time.
Vex, known as the man who trapped powerful fae, was sitting across Evony, who was known as Dawn. She used to be the lover of the god of love, until her sister stole her man.
Her eyes were swollen from crying. Her heart was broken. The only good thing that was left in her life had been stolen from her.
"The world's last Mesmer at your service, milady," Vex took Evony's hand and kissed it.
"I need your help," Evony said, "Eros had my daughter."
"You should come to the Dal sometimes." "Honoured to meet you!" "Pleasure to be here." "It is exciting." Trick was replying with standard greetings. For the past two hours, he was greeted by dozens of noble fae from both light and dark. The Thunder Duel was an open event.
Dyson and Mark were set up by Trick. They were bartending at the Dal and spent some alone time. Bo was Trick's plus one.
"Bo," Tamsin was there. She bit her lips.
"Tamsin," Bo grabbed her hands. Then there was awkward silent.
"Bo, I know I can't force you to love me, but…" Tamsin stole a kiss from Bo. Their kiss wasn't long as they were interrupted.
Everybody was slowly walking to the back hall. A duel stage was set up. Audience would be sitting down and enjoying the good food, excellent wine and entertaining fights. Tamsin grabbed Bo's hand and walked toward the first row.
Trick followed, but the Tlahuicole stopped him. "For your safety, old man," Lisa pointed Trick to a seat in the fifth row. He went to the back and sat alone. Then she went onto stage.
"Enjoying dark fae culture so far?" Vex set down next to Trick. Trick smiled and looked toward the stage.
"Thank you for coming here to celebrate the making of our new Morrigan. Please welcome our nominee, the acting Morrigan - Heather Marquise," Lisa announced. People clapped.
Heather came out from the backroom. Her slight grey hair was tied neatly as a bun. She was wearing jeans, t-shirt and sneakers, completely disapproved by the Tlahuicole. She carried a sword on her belt and a stone cuff bracelet.
"Challengers?" Lisa asked. People hesitated. They had not met Heather before and they didn't know what she could do. A dark elder's Redcap volunteered. How hard could it be? She looked so old and tired. Sure, she shared last name with Evony, but that doesn't guarantee that she was as powerful.
"Duel to the death!" Lisa left the spot light, "May we begin."
He approached her with his double daggers, but she deflected the attack and knocked his daggers on the ground. He reached for the sword on Heather's belt but she grabbed his hand and twisted it. He kneed down on the floor to ease the pain on his shoulder, but she stomped on back of his knees and broke them. She knocked his head open brutally with her rock cuff and thrown him off stage. He died.
Her attack was clean and fast.
But, was that all she could do? Physical attack? What was her fae power?
No fae power? She was an easy target. Or so as everyone thought. Five other men stood up from the audience. After all, if they won, they could become the Morrigan.
"Much anticipation," Lisa smiled, "Challengers, please line up." A dark elder's godson was the first in line. He was a Basilisk, natural born killer.
I will live. "I haven't had a feed since Cliff Burton died, but I guess I can't go on a diet forever," Heather took off her rock cuff bracelets and dropped them on the floor. They were so heavy that they dented the floor. They bounded her power.
Heather took a deep breath and slowly changed her hair bun into a pony tail. The moment her hands touched her hair, the grey had turned back to black.
She took another deep breath. Her opponent had collapsed onto the floor, with his hands wrapped around his head, screaming. His childhood flooded his mind. He didn't want to fight. He just wanted to play his violin.
She inhaled. The first three rows of the audience felt headache. They felt the need to paint, dance, sing and play music. They had to do something to commemorate this moment.
She exhaled. She kicked the violinist off the stage. She won.
She looked different. She no longer looked like a woman in her late fifty. It was like her body had gone through a time machine. She looked like she was in her early twenty.
She was the star tonight. No one could take their eyes off her. She was their muse.
No one noticed Vex. He shook his head slowly, "This is troublesome."
= To be continued. If you like it, review it. =