.
Of Gods and Demons
~Resha Serrinius~
Wendy appears...or should I call her Resha? :P
Thanks to all who read, faved, followed, and reviewed this story! A round of applause for Ajaczarashi, TheBeatOfWar, and all you shy readers who don't want to be named. Your support means a lot, especially since this story is more novel than fanfiction. x'D
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"I have survived thus long only with a silver tongue, keeping even that monster I called Master under my thumb."
-Aeraya Icilitear
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Darkness drowned everything, as did the silence.
The sinister echoes of heavy boots clattering ominously against frozen stone tiles pervaded the isolated alleyway as the dark wizard vanished into the swirling shadows, accompanied only by the lingering cadence of his hollow footsteps.
But the dreary silence reigned upon the impenetrable blackness only a moment longer before soft murmurs gradually sounded in the distance. Eventually, torches also flared against the morbid stone walls to dispel the yawning darkness, the faint firelight flickering as it spilled both warmth and light onto his otherwise melancholy and solitary path.
At last, with one final turn in the sinister hallway, Jawred whirled around only to discover Aeraya and her servants with their backs turned to him, oblivious to his arrival. Instinctively, the dark wizard melted into the shadows with vigilant golden orbs.
Dark and light sparred with each other against the cold, silent walls as metallic shackles and chains glittered ominously from the feeble candlelight. And crouching gravely in the shadows of a corner, was an ebony table layered with various instruments of torture, their metallic silhouette coated with a fresh layer of blood.
Two dozen guards were kneeling silently before the traitor and her entourage. At the moment, Aeraya Icilitear, his deputy, was hovering above something or someone at the center of the room that he could not see.
What is she doing here?
Don't tell me she is torturing the girl she brought back.
"Oh, my dear child."
A mellifluous giggle sounded, and Jawred instantly recognized it as the voice of his deputy. "Please, you must realize by now that I really mean you no harm?"
"Go to Hell, liar!"
Surprise instantly vibrated throughout her aura as Aeraya visibly recoiled from the ferocity of the splintering scream. As the fearsome screech faded into the sinister atmosphere, an intrigued grin slowly rippled across his lips.
A prisoner dares to be so outspoken to the vice commander? Amusement glittered within those vicious golden orbs. Now that's a first.
Apparently still dazzled by the vociferous outburst, Aeraya hesitantly edged away from the infuriated prisoner, thereby finally allowing Jawred to see the captive without hindrance. But as the dark wizard turned to the passionate prisoner, those golden eyes suddenly widened in surprise.
This is...Resha?
As Serini had told him, the prisoner was indeed a young girl from ten to thirteen years old.
Glistening tears rained from those soaked brown eyes as the young prisoner angrily glared up at Aeraya. Long indigo mane streamed down her small, bloodied shoulders, and while her dark blue hair was oily and tussled, it was–as Serini proclaimed–impossible similar to Jawred's own navy locks.
The young girl was garbed in a small flowered dress that once would have been impeccably clean and bright, but was now so torn that it barely covered her. Layers of ash, dirt, sweat, and dark blood were smeared upon the dingy fabric as cuts, scars, and bruises decorated nearly every inch of her exposed skin. An especially deep, bleeding gash stretched across her left shoulder–curtsy of a particularly painful whiplash–as iron shackles and chains bit into her skinny, bleeding limbs.
This...is the reason why Aeraya openly challenged my authority?
Blinking in bemusement, Jawred took a deep breath as he scrutinized the one and only survivor of the Keevo Village. It was almost insulting that his deputy had deceived him for such a helpless child.
She is the one who knows where Forsaken Curse is...but how?
"Resha." Aeraya admonished gently, her voice suddenly like that of a displeased mother or elder sister. "Please, calm down. I am–"
"A monster!"
A vicious roar instantly shattered the desolate atmosphere as the young prisoner exploded in malevolent fury. Coppery blood suddenly erupted from the hideous slash on her shoulder and drenched her arm as she painfully staggered to her feet, hissing in pain. "You are the monster that burned my home!"
Scorching tears had already carved down her tainted cheeks for countless times, each fragile droplet dripping onto the merciless stone floor to shatter into a glittery splatter. But as another iridescent bead slipped from her trembling chin, a strange emotion suddenly stirred within his heart–one that Jawred thought he had forgotten long ago: pity.
For the first time in an eternity, the most atrocious criminal and soulless slaughterer in all of Earthrealm was actually disturbed...to see this one village girl in pain.
Just who...is this girl?
A dangerous desire suddenly flared within his heart, one that coaxed him to materialize from the shadows and destroy anyone who would dare harm Resha, if only to turn her sadness and despair into joy and hope. His icy black heart–frozen by an eternity of hatred and bloodlust–melted, just because a single tear fell from her bright brown eyes.
What...is happening to me?Stunned, those vigilant ginger brown eyes widened ever so slightly as Jawred reluctantly stepped away. Since when did I get so soft?
"Mistress Aeraya, shall I deal with her?"
A hollow growl pervaded the dreary silence as a tall and lean guard, dressed in the regalia of a captain, slowly rose to his feet. A dangerous gleam burned within his sadistic gray eyes as he licked his lips in anticipation. "I can definitely make her sorry for being so rude!"
So this is Irin!
Fury glowed faintly from his widening ginger eyes as Jawred snarled in distaste. This is the shameless mongrel that can flagrantly torture such a defenseless girl!
"No need." Aeraya murmured softly without turning to him, raising her soft hand delicately in objection. Instantly, the captain diffidently lowered his head and knelt before the traitor once more. Carefully, she then approached the vigilant young prisoner, the faintest trace of her venomous intentions glided beneath her sugary voice as an impossibly soft growl escaped through her gritted teeth. "Oh, I will most certainly make this brat kneel before my will!"
"Oh, miserable child!"
But then, her demeanor suddenly transformed into that of a smiling, radiant Goddess. With theatrical grace, Aeraya gingerly lowered herself before Resha, allowing her long, silk dress to ripple out behind her like a majestic wave.
"My poor baby..." Releasing a soft, dramatic sigh, Aeraya gazed almost benevolently into those drenched, cautious brown eyes. Gingerly, she shook her head as an impossibly convincing frown rippled across her luscious lips. "What have they done to you?"
"Get, get the Five Hells away from me!" The young girl instantly snarled as she attempted in vain to back away, even as her widened brown eyes flashed in fear.
"Oh, my dear Resha." With a soft hand, Aeraya gingerly stroke Resha on her soaked, feverish cheek, cooing with artificial kindness."You misunderstand, darling. You have absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I am actually your friend–"
Apparently, the deputy had not expected what came next. But in all honesty, neither had Jawred.
A sharp yelp escaped from her once grinning lips as Aeraya suddenly lashed her hand away, blood squirting from her index finger as the young girl staggered away, redness tainting her otherwise bared, innocuous teeth.
"F-friend?" After spitting the repulsive blood out, Resha instantly howled in incredulity as glimmering tears outline her bright, infuriated brown eyes. With animalistic rage, she feebly staggered up as her voice trembled with uncontrollable rage. "A friend? You call yourself a friend? Seriously, just how shameless are you?"
Venomous rage instantly exploded from her darkening aura as Aeraya ferociously turned to the courageous young girl. The pretentious kindness within those widened black orbs darkened into monstrous enmity as blood dripped from her trembling, bleeding hand.
"Are you still my friend?"
Whether from bravery or stupidity, a triumphant gleam flashed within those narrowed brown eyes as Resha hissed in disgust. "Do you still have the nerve to call yourself my friend? Seriously, just look at how scary your eyes became! Do you really think I'm that dumb, that easy to fool?"
"Mistress, please, let me!" Irin hissed in the corner, muscles trembling with sadistic intentions as his hand tightened around a bloodied, coiling whip tucked behind his belt.
An ominous and oppressive silence suddenly smothered the dark atmosphere as Aeraya maliciously gazed at her tormented but ferocious young prisoner with murderous rage. But then, she reluctantly shook her head as her bleeding hand curled into a trembling fist. "No, you will not touch her."
"W-what, why?" Irin whined in disappointment, his voice suddenly reminding Jawred of an unloved puppy. "My Mistress, this filthy girl dared–"
"Silence!"
An impossibly sharp and aggravated scream suddenly exploded from the deputy's lips and resonated across the sinister dungeon room. Instantly, Irin froze midsentence as Aeraya lashed toward him. Those stormy black orbs glowed in both fiery rage and suffocating impatience as she roared.
"You will not make me repeat myself again!"
A moment of smothering silence ensued before Aeraya gradually released a deep breath, taming her wild, ferocious roar into a soft, soothing whisper once more. "My apologies, Captain Irin. You may not understand, but Miss Resha is an important guest. She is my important guest, your important guest...but most importantly–"
Those black orbs suddenly widened dangerously. "Miss Resha Serrinius is an honored guest invited by our dear Master Jawred himself!"
Wait.
In the darkness, those ginger brown eyes blinked in speechless disbelief as Jawred frowned.
What?
Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review if it's not too much to ask and have a good night!
Updated on April...FOOLS DAY, 2017. (EST 8:11PM)
Revised on April 6, 2017. (EST 11:50PM) Revised quote and sequence.
