VIX'THRA
The sound of the gong continued to resound within the eerie town, the scared whispers of the villagers accompanying it. Vikki leant against the side of a building, picking disinterestedly at her sharp, white claws as people began to gather around the seemingly sacred gong.
Vikki had rung it after deciphering the ancient language on its brass, rough surface. She had not translated it out loud to quench my curiosity, which led me to believe that nothing good was to come of her ringing it.
The two dark knights whom guarded the over looming castle had been motionless up until this point. Now, they deemed to walk towards the growing mass of cowering townsfolk.
The overbearing doors to the previously mentioned stone structure were flung open on their hinges. A robed man, almost as pale as that of my cold companion, gracefully and purposefully marched towards the gong.
"The gong has been rung, Vix'thra demands a sacrifice," the pale man called powerfully. "Are there any who come willingly?"
The pale man's accent was thick and peculiar, and his boomingly slick voice sent chills cascading along my spine. He was not at all unlike Vikki in his demeanour.
Vikki smirked; watching the scene unfold before us with obvious interest, the cleaning of her blood stained claws long forgotten.
The man, easily bored it seemed, pointed towards a cowering young woman whom clutched protectively to a small child whom was openly weeping.
"Vix'thra deems you worthy," he stated simply.
None questioned his choosing, all openly thankful that they were not chosen, all except for the woman and her screeching child. It was obvious to all who watched that the woman was not frightened for her own safety, but for that of her child. It was only a baby, unable to care for itself were its mother to be taken for this 'sacrifice'.
Vikki simply watched on in interest, she didn't make a move to step in and aid the mother. She found the fear and protectiveness the woman portrayed for her child, remarkably fascinating.
What kind of upbringing did Vikki have if she's confused and intrigued when one puts somebody else's needs and wellbeing before even their own?
Did this have something to do with why she acted as she did? Or was I just imagining things to excuse her obviously evil acts? Was I imagining it to assure myself that there was good in everyone, despite their blood?
The knights both approached the previously dubbed sacrifice, the woman in question backing away in upmost fear for her child's wellbeing, clutching at the small bundle instinctively.
Shocked from her stupor, Vikki looked back at me, her lips drawn in a flat line. She seemed hesitant to say what she was thinking. Steely determination clear within her eyes, she nodded towards the mother and her wailing infant.
"You know you want to be the knight in emerald armour; go ahead," she stated simply.
I drew Devil's Bane, my flail feeling at home within my tight two-handed grip. I fought the urge to grin at Vikki's subtle, yet real, show of concerned for another, even if it was simply a nameless villager and her young child.
She was weakening at the seams, and I was starting to see more of the woman and less of the snow dragon. Although, how much of the woman was left behind the icy walls she'd build within her was a mystery.
I could only hope that the ice would continue to melt.
Growling deep within my throat, I charged forward, roaring a stormy battle cry.
"Into the flames we leap."
