Chapter 24:- The Storm that followed.
Disclaimer:- all the characters form the game belong to moonton and this is not a commercial story but just the work of a diehard fan.
Claimer:- the other characters which are not in game of mentioned are mine
The night was cool and quiet, with the full moon shining brightly in the sky, bringing an unlikely calmness and beauty upon the barren lands of the Megalith Desert. In the middle of the desert was the small settlement of the People of Wilderness, resting soundly after a whole day of tiring journey, gathering strength for the day that was to come tomorrow. Within one of those camps lay Saya with her human wrapped protectively around her long, slender arms. Coolness of the night made the contact much more pleasant then it would normally be so Hanabi shifted closer towards her much taller friend and Saya wholeheartedly welcomed such closeness. It was a heart-warming sight to behold, yet not every spectre would agree to this.
There from the darkness, a pair of glowing purple eyes looked upon them with burning jealousy. The figure stalked towards the sleeping couple without a single sound. Finally she stopped before the two, looking at Saya with an almost longing expression, which then turned into a snare upon seeing the masked girl laying her head on the Sai'ores bosom with an expression of upmost bliss and satisfaction. It infuriated her, as if Hanabi's very existence mocked her, but the figure controlled herself, "Now is not the time." she whispered to herself and faced towards her primary objective.
The figure bends down and carefully closer to Saya's body and caressed her cheek, or that was the idea before the Sai'ore suddenly grasped the figure's arm. The intruder gasped when Saya opened her glowing green eyes and glared directly inside her purple eyes.
Awkwardly, the figure smiled and spoke in a hushed voice, "Hello, Darling."
Recognizing who had sneaked into the camp, Saya's eyes widened and she immediately got out of the bedroll (how she managed to do this without waking up Hanabi was a mystery). Turning towards the Demon queen, the Sai'ore asked with complete astonishment, "Alice? What are you doing here?"
The white haired demon's expression turned serious, "We need to talk."
"We cannot talk here; it's too risky what if someone heard you?" Saya protested.
"I know a place, come with me." Alice spoke and offered her hand to Saya, a sudden and unexpected request. Most people would out right refuse such offer but Saya was not exactly most people. Without hesitation, she took hold of Alice's hand, shocking the said demoness. Saya's next words shocked her even more, "I trust you."
Was it Saya's naivety or was it her arrogance or was it real trust she had on her, Alice didn't knew. But it did leave a strange mixture or happiness and heaviness on her heart that she couldn't describe. The Blood demoness held Saya's hand tighter, marvelling the softness it possessed even after countless battles, and lead them out of the camp. "Hold me." Alice commanded.
A healthy blush radiated across Saya's face but she did as she was told. Tentatively she put her arms around Alice's shoulder and allowed the demon woman's rose and blood-like smells invade her senses. Alice holds the taller woman around her waist and spread her wings. Using it, the two took to the sky. Alice took them away from the camp and landed on one of the many stone spires dotting the landscape.
Saya let go of the shorter woman and looked around, the height of the stone formation giving a breath-taking panoramic view of the desert. Even she had to admit, although the desert was a death-trap, it was very beautiful in its own way. Alice came and stood beside her, introducing a tense atmosphere between them.
The Sai'ore was the first to break the silence, "Why did you come here, Kari?"
Alice gulped nervously at this; she knew exactly why she came here but still was unable to actually form words. Instead she tried to play it off by humour, "Are you not happy to see me?" she pouted. Saya sighed and rubbed her temple, "You know that's not what I meant, Alice."
Knowing that she now had nowhere else to run, Alice spilled the beans, "You have made quite an impression in the Abyss, My Darling."
Saya scoffed at this, "Let me guess, you're here to apprehend me?" Alice laughed at this, "I'm not foolish enough to come after you alone, Darling. I came here to warn you. The Lava lord himself has left his fortress to look for you." She warned.
The Ex-empress shrugged and spoke nonchalantly, "I took care of you lots before, I can handle him as well."
Alice frowned, "No, you do not understand, The Lave Lord Thamuz controls fire! His very presence melts the ground he walks upon; you cannot heal if there is nothing left to heal!"
"I will manage."
"Of course, like how you managed in the desert?" spat back Alice, causing Saya to narrow her eyes. "How do you know?" The demoness snorted and declared, "Had it not been me, the tribe you are currently travelling with would have never found you." This statement caused the Zeno to pause. The fact that Alice was stalking her really angered Saya but then again if what Alice says was true, than without the demoness's intervention, both Saya and Hanabi would've been in a much graver condition. Humbly, Saya spoke, "My sincerest thanks for saving our lives, Alice of the Blood Demons."
Saya's words surprised Alice. Getting used to gratitude was still an alien concept for Alice and so it really left an off taste in her mouth, but it was not exactly a bad one. The woman then shook her head and came to the real matter at hand, "That's another matter. You cannot win against the Lava Lord, not with your current weakness."
"You're concern is appreciated, Kari. But I will be fine." Replied Saya monotonously, frustrating Alice even more.
"Why won't you just listen?"
"Why does my fate suddenly interest you so much?"
"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU!" screamed Alice, stunning Saya. She witnessed as the Almighty Demon Queen's eyes glossed with unshed tears threatening to spill out. Realizing what she was doing, Alice looked at her own hands with astonishment. It then turned into despair and Alice fell to her knees. She looked away, feeling ashamed at herself for harbouring all this emotions that had suddenly brewed within her ever since she met Saya. Weakly, she mutters, "What have to done to me?"
Carefully the Zeno approached the blood demon, her hands raised in a gesture of peace while Saya crept closer to Alice. She flinched away when Saya raised her hands, Alice tried to scoot away but Saya had already wrapped her arms around Alice.
Oh, how Alice wanted to get away, she really wanted to push Saya away, to do anything to stop this. To stop the overwhelming feeling to warmth and security that came from Saya's embrace, the feeling of affection and acceptance that she had never experienced in her long life. She really wanted to, but couldn't help but melt in Saya's arms. Melt away as all her fears, pains and worries fade away as Saya gently stroked her back. If was so different, so foreign, yet it felt right so right; as if this was where she belonged. As if she was right at home.
"What is happening to me?" Alice chocks out in Saya's arms, "Why am I feeling like this? What have you done to me?"
The Ex-empress sighs and explains, "There is an old saying amongst my kind. They say that, 'one only craves for the things that is derived from them.' Power, wealth, freedom….. Affection."
Saya's words really offended Alice. She was a demon for the abyss, things like affection was something that she did not need in her life, yet, here she was, deprived of the very thing she hates and carving it form the only person that was willing to give it to her. It sickened her, yet it had its own addictive nature, perhaps even more so that any blood she had ever tasted, making her bound to think, 'Perhaps she is right.' Yet Alice didn't dare to voice this thought.
They stayed like this for several moments as Alice basked in Saya's warm embrace while the Sai'ore showered the much needed affection upon her unlikely demon partner. Suddenly Alice held Saya's hands and spoke desperately, "Come with me. If you just come with me, I can persuade my peers to spare you. Please just with me and don't make this harder!"
Her worlds were filled with worry and desperation, the likes seen only in desperate person who want to save their loved ones no matter the cost and Saya understood it. However, "Alice, I cannot do that….."
"Please, you have to! I cannot! I cannot watch you get hurt!" her voice more desperate with every words. Suddenly Saya cupped Alice's cheek, causing her to stop in her tracks. Then Saya gave her a smile, a soft and warm smile, like the ones Alice had seen Saya give to that human girl Hanabi, only this time, it was meant for her. Only her. Her breath hitched, finding it hard not to be overwhelmed by the seer amount of emotions her gaze held. Making her admire and wonder just how that human girl could match Saya's disarming gaze with ease. Saya rubbed Alice's cheeks gently and spoke, "I will be fine, Meha Kari. I will be fine."
Alice wanted to believe her, she really wanted to but still, "You don't understand…You don't know who Thamuz really is." she pleads. The Sai'ore just smiled reassuringly, "And you don't know who I really am."
It was clear, there was not reasoning with her. Alice sighed and looked away, "Fine, but at least take this…" with that Alice took out a small charm form her robe. It looked like a small crystal fork with a blue gem stone in the middle. Holding it up to Saya, Alice explained, "This is Winter Truncheon, one of my most prized charms." She gave to towards Saya, "It will help you, when time comes."
The Zeno took the item in her hands and immediately felt her body grow colder as its name suggested. She had no idea how this was supposed to help her, but Saya trusted Alice. "Thank you, Alice." She says and held Alice's hands, placing a peck one her knuckles, making the demon queen blush.
The two looked at each other in the eyes. So many words they wanted to say, yet no words formed on their tongue. It was then the two noticed that twilight was slowly chasing away the darkness of the night. Day would be upon them soon and they couldn't be seen together at any cost.
"I must leave now." Spoke Saya with reluctance and Alice nodded in answer, both still holding hands, unwilling to let go so soon. Pondering on this… 'Thing' they now had discovered between themselves. With a last squeeze, Alice let go of Saya's hand, "You better not die, or I'll resurrect you just to kill you again." The demon queen threatens half-heartedly. The Sai'oren Empress chuckled and answers, "As you wish, meha Mahajani."
With a last smile, Alice flies away, leaving Saya alone on the stone spire. The tall woman looked around and mumbles, "Now, how do I get down."
When Hanabi woke up and found that Saya was not besides her, the first reaction she did was panic but Saya entered the camp soon after that happened and when the taller woman was inquired she answered smoothly, "I was out for a walk." Hanabi trusted Saya enough to believe her, making Saya feel very bad about lying to her.
The day was soon upon them and the whole tribe had already gathered their belongings and were ready to head out for their journey. It was but a normal day in the desert but one could easily notice the difference that particular day. Firstly, Saya was up and about, seemingly more cheery than Hanabi had seen since the past few days. What's more was the fact that Saya was now unaffected by the sun and it rise more than a few suspicions. When asked, Saya explained explicitly, "You see, my healing power not only keeps my body in top condition but it can also help my body adapt to the environment. Although this takes time but I'm glad that I was able to do it now."
This was a lie. The main reason why Saya could withstand the heat of the desert was due to the charm Alice had given her that morning. Saya was still not sure how it worked but the magical item was able to keep her body cool even under the burning sun, making her immune to its effect. That was the reason why she was able to walk out in the sun without dehydrating or being covered in blisters. Hanabi believed this story as well, leaving another wave of guilt within Saya.
Right now we find Saya and Hanabi on board Hilda's caravan, only this time; Saya was not in a critical condition and was happily conversing with the other two occupants of the vehicle, making the journey much more bearable that it would've been.
Hours went by and the tribe had still been travelling. Saya was looking out of the caravan and into the desert, that's where she saw it. There on top of the sands were some rocks that were clearly put together by man and not nature. When Saya told Hilda of this, the huntress beamed happily, "Fortune smiles upon us today! We found the desert road!"
The same road that Saya and Hanabi had been deviated from a few days ago. Without delay, the entire tribe were now behind Hilda and with the help of the road, travelling was much more easier. As they travelled by the road, Saya could see many stone pillars dotting the sides of the road here and there. They seemed old and weathered, probably due to how long that had been exposed to the elements.
"These pillars, they seem ancient." Saya commented.
Hilda, who was stirring the horse nodded and answered, "Yes. You see, this road was built long ago by an ancient king of the Desert. His name is Kufra."
"To thing someone would be willing to build a road in a place such as this. He must be a very good king." Marvelled Hanabi, but Hilda laughed at this, "Actually quite the opposite. Kufra was a cruel but powerful king. His ambition was to conquer the whole Land of Dawn."
Saya nodded at this, "A tyrant then."
Hanabi frowned at this and asked, "What happened? Was he stopped?"
Catching the reigns tighter, the Huntress recited further, "Kufra was a cruel ruler, but still his love for his mistress Esmeralda was legendary. But seeing what her beloved had been doing, she betrayed him." Saya tensed at this but Hilda carried on, "She casted a powerful curse on him and put him in an eternal slumber, thus ending Kufra's tyranny."
The kunoichi sighed at this, "Oh good riddance, the bastard got what he deserved."
However, the Sai'ore shook her head, "If there is something I hate the most then its betrayal. I agree that Kufra was cruel, but he loved and trusted Esmeralda. Thus making her even crueller." Her words really surprised both Hilda and Hanabi. The journey from then was now covered in silence with none speaking much as the entire tribe travelled down the stone road. Oblivious of the storm that was chasing them.
Towards the end of the day, the tribe had decided to camp just beside the road. They had covered quite a lot of distance that day and it was clear that they were very tired. One could see a great canyon in a distance and according to Hilda was a sign that they were close to the end of their journey. This brought a new hope amongst the people who wanted nothing more than to get out of this barren lands and start a new life.
"We rest for today and tomorrow, we make our way around the canyons." Declared Hilda causing Hanabi to frown, "Around it? Wouldn't going through the canyons be a lot easier?" she asks.
"That might be true, Shortie, But that's the borders of the Elven kingdom of Moniyans and they hate visitors. Past the canyons is the great Crystal mountain that houses a beast that guards the entrance to their kingdom and I don't want to anger it… Ha, worry not, Shortie, the path around is safer and not as long as you think, just a day's walk. Trust me, it's better than never!"
Hanabi was really sceptical about this talk of the beast as she continued to argue with Hilda causing Saya to chuckle at her antics. The kunoichi's impatient nature was something Saya really had to work on and perhaps after leaving this desert, Saya would give her more lessons how to control her temper. The Sai'ore ponders whether some meditation would do her good. Although Saya herself was not so fond of meditation, thinking it as only a means to laze around, but in Hanabi's case, it might help the young human to calm her down and channelize her abundant energy.
The evening was upon them and the tribesmen were preparing to set up their camp. Everything seemed fine but Saya couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. She felt a sudden shift in the air and she looked around in worry.
'Something's not right.'
She was certain that she could smell brimstone in the air but this confused her to the core. Suddenly, without a warning a ball of fire descended from the sky and landed on the first camp that was being raised in the middle of the settlement. In an instant, the structure was turned into ashes, shocking all of them as that had been the last food supplies of the tribe.
Then they heard it, drums. Beating like thunder, they all heard drum beats echoing throughout the almost lifeless desert. They turned towards the source of the noise and what they saw nearly gave them a heart attack. There on a distance on top of a stone spire was a flaming horse. The sight itself was chilling but what was even worst was the fact that mounted on the horse was a great fire demon. There was no mistaking it. That was the Lava lord Thamuz himself.
Conjuring another ball of fire, he threw it towards the camp once more, this time it exploded just before Saya's feet. This was no fluke, but a well place warning shot. The two locked eyes as Saya gave him a snare while the fire demon grinned maniacally. The drumming they had been hearing suddenly got louder and soon more fire demons mounted on various mounts came on view. Little by little more poured in till they had an entire mounted Demon horde just waiting to storm towards them.
Their intention was clear and right now they had no other choice.
Gravely Saya turned towards Hilda and stated, "We need to move, NOW!"
Wasting no time Hilda barked to her men, "You hear her! Get moving now!"…
.