Author's notes:
2021-09-06: Hey, a short preview of the next chapter is here. I wanted you to know what I'm currently working on. I know it has been a while since I have written an update for that particural story, but I hope you will like it. Anyways, I will try to finish it as soon as possible. Cause, I have a couple of additional ideas for both new and exisitng stories.
2021-09-10: Hey, I have managed to wrap up the chapter quite quickly. It is not that long, but I think it is quite good. Still, tell me what do you think :D
Don't forget to comment. I really appreciate your feedback.
Note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.
As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)
Changelog:
[2021-09-07]: A preview was released.
[2021-09-10]: A chapter was fully released.
Info: The top4 of the previous poll. Each of these will receive a new chapter. Maybe, just maybe, I will choose one additional story for update of my liking.
- My home is where my heart lies
- The family tree
- The rise of the Blood Moons' servants
- Will you look past my mistakes?
Schedule for the nearest future:
1. Fully original story.
2. Story of one lost soul.
Bonuses' section:
A new story taking place in the Warhammer 40k universe.
A story regarding KaiKali (aka Akali x Kai'sa) (Will you look past my mistakes?).
Sometimes it's just better not to know (possibly rewrite).
Kiss the rain (more than likely rewrite).
Whispers in the Dark (extending beyond 2 chapters story).
Story of one lost soul (translation of 2 of my old texts - previously written in polish).
Story of one lost soul: The war call: rewrite.
*bonuses will be worked on when I don't feel like writing the chapters pointed out in the schedule :D
** It is possible for me to change the schedule a little. So stay tuned for the upcoming information.
Vote poll (for September):
Service: strawpoll
Hash: h5q1ebwe6
End of author's notes.
To her utter dissatisfaction, the certain waitress could not have been found. For a brief moment, the white-haired priestess regarded whether to seek the tavern's owner and asked him about Illiadril's location. However, the idea was scrapped out nearly instantly. After all, Katarina was exhausted after a really long day, both mentally and physically. Maybe, the best approach she could choose was to casually clean herself up once again and then proceed toward Morpheus's realm. The Goddess would have been well aware of how disgusted her priestess felt at the given moment. The white-haired assassin felt contaminated with Michael's touch. Just a mere thought about it was enough to cause her to shudder, sending yet another unpleasant shiver down her spine. Katarina must admit that she was thankful that the situation had been already dealt with. To some extent, it allowed her to relax, to calm her mind.
Without wasting too much time, the servant of the Goddess decided to proceed with the latter approach. The stolen clothes were torn apart as soon as she entered the bathroom. After all, they did not mean anything to help. Even more so, they were the last string linking her with the events she would want to forget. So, without a moment of hesitation, she began clawing it inch by inch. It was better to bury everything troubling her, leaving it far behind.
The morning of the next day:
When her eyelids finally began opening slowly, the Sun was already high on the firmament of the skies. A soft, exhausted sigh escaped her throat whilst she was picking herself up from the bed. It was an unfortunate turn of fate that the sleep did not bring her as much of needed rest as expected. But, for now, it would have to be all she would get.
"You can freely sleep some more," Kalista's voice sounded deep and rich. "I'd strongly advise not to join forces with these adventures Akali mentioned before," she added.
"Hmmm… your aura is far stronger than usual," Katarina hummed, wiping her sleepy eyes. "I get your dine went better than expected?" she asked.
"You can say that," the avatar of vengeance replied after a couple of moments of pause. "My power reserves aren't at full capacity, but I can provide much more than in recent history," the ghost-like demon provided a bit more information.
"So…? I assume the plan is to find Akali and learn as much as we can from her?" the white-haired woman asked with hesitation, slowly fixing her gaze on her demon.
Even a single glance over her partner told her that much had changed. The ugly, white, horned mask was discarded and thrown into the room's corner, revealing a noble sculptures face. Kalista situated herself on top of a small drawer, crossing her long, defined legs. The priestess had only once seen the demoness's face previously. It had looked disgusting, damaged, scarred. She had resembled more of a ghost than a demon. Her skin had been pale, thin, her cheeks had been sunken. Currently, it was an entirely different situation. The skin regained a healthy colour of beige; it looked healthy and thick. In addition, Kalista must have gained at least a couple of pounds of weight; her armour was no longer dangling on her thin frame. The demoness seemed much healthier and more powerful. Currently, the avatar of vengeance was playing with her long, silken heir of snow colour. It no longer resembled straw which was a welcomed change.
"I must admit, you look great, Kalista," the white-haired priestess uttered. "You should have told me sooner."
"Pfff," the vengeance itself scoffed. "It seems that we're, in fact, very much alike. We're both stupid and clueless sometimes," she added.
"Yeah, it seems about right," Katarina responded, flashing a small reassuring smile. "So… shall we proceed with our hunt?" she asked.
"Is it still the hunt, though?" the ghost-like demoness uttered a question of her own.
"For now… let's just stick to calling it the hunt. It might change; it'll most likely change," the priestess stated confidently.
"What about the waitress?" the demoness smoothly changed the subject. "I haven't seen her leaving your room. Wasn't bedding her part of your yesterday's plan?"
"Ehhh," the white-haired priestess sighed, scratching her cheek. "I tried to find her, but she was nowhere to be found," she provided a minimal explanation.
"Considering the size of this tavern, it shouldn't be a problem," Kalista thought aloud. "Still, maybe she's staying somewhere else for the nights. Who's to know?" she added, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Will you seek her before we leave?" the ghost-like demon asked another question after a couple of minutes of pause.
"Well… I… maybe," the assassin began stuttering. "Maybe, I will try," she managed to mumble, reddening over her face slightly.
"It's almost adorable to know that as little as hips swaying is enough to turn you on," Kalista mocked her partner. Then, she covered her face with her right hand. She must have been intensively thinking cause she frowned.
"Ehhhh… maybe," an embarrassed priestess replied. "Is it a problem, though?" she asked.
"Can you be quiet for a couple of moments?" the demoness asked in a rough tone. "There's something off going on here. Let me focus!" she demanded loudly.
"Fine, fine, fine," Katarina replied immediately. "Sheesh, what's come into you all of a sudden?"
"Be silent! Just a couple of moments, it's all I need," the ghost-like woman responded roughly.
The white-haired woman respected her partner's will. So, in the meantime, she started to warm up a little. The funny feeling could be felt across her muscles. A soft numbness scattered across her entire frame. She must have fallen asleep in some weird position, which put unnecessary pressure onto some of these fibres.
"How stupid you're, Katarina?" the Blood Moon's priestess asked herself.
"You won't see that pretty little waitress anymore," Kalista uttered suddenly in a serious tone. "Pick up your stuff; we're leaving this settlement!" she ordered.
"Wait… what?" the confused white-haired woman asked. "What have you been thinking about? What caused such a sudden change? After all, it was you who suggested I bed her. Talk to me, Kalista. What's going on?" Katarina asked rapidly.
"Think for a moment, dumbass!" the demoness scoffed. "Doesn't she seem to be perfect? Or at least… doesn't she seem to be a perfect match for you?" the avatar of vengeance replied, narrowing her eyes.
"Ehhh…," Kat sighed heavily. "I must admit that she's too attractive to be just a typical waitress in such a shithole as Riverbend. I can't actually express my feelings regarding her," she added with a huff. "Illiadril seems to be well-educated, intelligent; however, there's something behind the pieces of information she fed us with. I can't put my finger onto her exactly."
"Didn't it raise any alert in you?!" the demoness asked in a mockery tone. "You're sometimes such a clueless child. I swear, one day, you'll kill us both because of this trait of yours," she continued to mock.
"Hey…," the offended priestess raised her voice slightly. "You're to be blamed partially as well," she commented.
"Let's finish this nonsensual conversation whilst we ride forward, shall we?"
"Yeah, can you scout the surroundings? In the meantime, I'll go for my mare," the assassin said, giving up. "I'll put my trust in you."
"I'd suggest hurrying up!" Kalista huffed, annoyed. "Or… I'll start shedding tears cause you finally noticed my contribution to our relationship. How thrilled I'm!" the pissed off manifest of vengeance mocked.
"I think it'll be for the best if we settle that matter whilst riding," the white-haired priestess responded, slightly afraid of her demon. She tried to seek in her memory the last time Kalista had been that pissed off. And… to her unfortunate discovery, she did not find a relatable situation occurring in the past.
"It's going to be a perfect day; I'm sure of it," Katarina allowed herself to mock, deep inside her mind.
As soon as the angry demoness left the room, the assassin started to dress up. It would be in her very best interest not to annoy her partner even an inch more. So, she doubled her effort instantly.
An hour later:
The tavern's cellar could not have been described as a nice place to spend one's time at. Most of it was filled with various piles of rubbish items that the tavern's owner did not want to see often. So, one day he had come up with the idea of storing all of these trashes here. Unfortunately, only one small window was located across the entirety of the level. Thus, the sun rays passing through it had little to no chance to fill up the cellar's massive space. So, the twilight ruled over the majority of the level.
In front of the window, the feminine figure stood. The woman's attention seemed to be preoccupied with something that took place outside. Her clothes massively contracted with her surroundings. The ball dress was smooth, made out of finest silk. Yet, surprisingly, it was dyed with a deep purple colour that – at least in the past – was reserved for emperors, empresses, nobility. The semi-long blond hair was allowed to fall onto the woman's neck and back in cascades. She must have been upset; her defined jaw was clenched; something happening outside was not unfolding according to her plans. A moment later, her slender right hand was brought to her chin, cupping it. The annoyed grimace was finally allowed to show, twisting her beautiful face within mere moments. The woman started to crease her chin whilst walking back and forth. Evidently, she was planning something, trying to come up with a quick solution to fix what had upset her.
After a couple of minutes, a deep, exhausted sigh was allowed to be heard. Even though she clearly did not have to be quiet, she remained reserved with her actions. The woman turned around slowly. Her surrounding was scanned by the bright blue eyes before she allowed herself to proceed further. Within moments, she reached out the door. Even when she was exiting the cellar, her face was still twisted by the grimace.
"She didn't wait for these idiots," the woman allowed only a single thought to manifest in her mind.
The next day's night:
The enormously large bonfire could be spotted from quite afar. Its tounges of fire were going up and up as if trying to reach the skies. The pleasant sounds of wooden blocks cracking under the fire's effect were filling the nearby area. The pyre was lighted atop of the highest tower of a long-forgotten castle. The construction had belonged to the family ruling all over these lands a couple of hundreds of years ago. However, to the current times, only the remnants of its former flory survived. Quite frankly, only the highest tower had been preserved in the useable state.
A couple of steps away from the pyre, the cloaked figure was standing. Its heavy hood was drawn deep, hiding the figure's face within shadows. Even though it was a late night and the chilling wind was constantly blowing, the stranger did not seem to be affected by it. The hooded figure was standing still, apparently waiting for someone or something.
It did not have to wait too long. Maybe a couple of minutes later, the click-like sound could be heard, and another figure appeared out of thin air. Compared to the already present figure, the newcomer did not hide behind the hood nor cloak. Instead, the raven-haired woman was clothed in a red kimono. To her belt, a white-as-snow mask was attached.
"Diana, what an unexpected meeting," Akali referred toward the hooded figure. "What has happened that the Goddess's chosen summoned me?" she asked, intrigued.
"Fate sent Katarina after you," the feminine voice responded bluntly.
"Oh, come one, discard that hood finally," the jet-black-haired woman chuckled. "And… as of your warning, I know that. I have already fought her, defeating her without much of an issue," she provided some pieces of information.
"It is surprising to hear that you spared her," Diana made a comment, discarding her hood. Her long silverish hair was fully visibly now. Just like Akali remembered, they looked like living silk. The chosen of the moon fixed her gaze upon the ex-priestess. These eyes seemed to be endless, emotionless.
"Yes, I have spared her," Rogue said quietly, even though it was evident that Diana did not need her reassurance. "I think that I can make her stronger."
"You are planning to train her?" the amused silver-haired woman asked. "If you have not already noticed, she plans to kill you," she commented.
"Oh, come on!" Akali faked being offended. "We both know that she will never reach the level required to beat me in a straight-up fight. But, on a side note, I will be more than thrilled to see her taking her revenge on the so-called leader."
"Are you sure she will do as you have planned?" Diana asked sceptically. "After all, she has been brainwashed since you had disappeared," she noted in a stone-cold tone.
"You can sit and watch. I bet it will be an interesting sequence of events. But, to be honest, the seed of doubt was already planted in Katarina. Soon, I will see the result of it growing," Rogue responded with a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
"You are far more confident than when we spoke the last time," the silver-haired priestess uttered. "I presume it is a side effect of your connection with your demon."
"I would think so," the raven-haired ex-priestess agreed with a slight nod. "Evelynn… brought a lot of confidence into our united existence. But, above all, she made me the strongest I have ever been," she added. "I think… I would be able to take you down this time… master," the assassin whispered, flashing a small smile.
"You know that I do not like overconfidence in my students," Diana reminded Rogue. "I do not like to see it in my current students, nor in those who no longer need my guidance."
"Once… it is over, I will seek you and challenge as I have promised during our first meeting," Akali spoke cooly.
"So, I will await that day with great anticipation, my student," the Goddess's chosen replied, allowing herself to smile a little. "I need to tell you one more thing. I have learned it whilst having an unfortunate encounter with this fool – Fate."
"He has reached out for Pyke, has he not?" the raven-haired assassin asked nearly instantly.
"I have trained you well," the chosen allowed herself to comment. "Yes, this 'thing' was sent after you. However, shall Katarina turn her back against Fate, Pyke will hunt her down as well," she added in her oh-so-common emotionless tone.
"When was it released?" Rogue asked. Under her mask of stoicism, there was doubt that Diana managed to notice. She doubted that her student was afraid about her own life. No, she must have felt responsible for what she had done to Katarina.
"You will try to protect Katarina, will you not?" the silver-haired woman asked.
"She is my responsibility," the ninja replied confidently. "She became my responsibility when she had foolishly thrown herself into the fight against Evelynn," she added with a proud.
"I would not expect anything else from you," the chosen commented. "Fate released Pyke around 2 days ago. I have already seen the effects of his unsatisfied thirst. I fear that he will reach you sooner than later."
"Leave him to me, master," the raven-haired ex-priestess uttered. "I must go," she informed her mentor.
"I know; may the Goddess be with you, Akali."
Without uttering a single word more, the assassin vanished in the same manner as she had travelled here. Yet, only a click-like sound could be heard, then there were only sounds of the wood cracking under the fire.
Diana allowed herself to stay here. After all, she had nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. Fate must have sent someone after her as well. Only the time would tell who had been the hound released to hunt her down.
After a couple of moments, the Goddess's chosen put the hood back, hiding her face in the shadows.
The next day's night (around midnight):
"She was there," Pyke thought to himself whilst watching the pitty-worth settlement slowly appearing in the distance. "How do these pigs call this hole? Riverbank, Rivergank, ahh… Riverbend. Though, it does not matter. Once I am there, the blood will be spilt," he continued his train of thoughts.
The bone he was still holding in his blood-soaked hands was thrown away nonchalantly. After all, there was no one strong enough to face him nearby. He could do everything he so damned pleased. Without a hurry, the decently-sized backpack was put onto the ground. Around it, dozens of flies were flying, constantly making annoying sounds. In the past, that bag must have been of green colour. Remnants of its original colour could still be spotted in some areas; however, mostly, the fabric was covered in brownish colour. The mix was – in decent percentage – consisted of dirt, but not only. As soon as one of the many pockets was opened. The second ingredient of the mix was revealed. It was blood – a lot of it.
For a couple of prolonged moments, the hell hound known as Pyke was picking his next snack. Then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, he chose what he felt like eating next. So, the cut, slightly burnt arm was retrieved from the bag. Pyke only licked his lips before sinking his razor-sharp fangs into the human flesh.
The moan-like sounds of satisfaction mixed with clucking were filling the silence of the chilly night. Once again, the beast realised that he could do so because no one was around to stop him. His little feat was stopped for a moment. In his mind, the perfect, beautiful slaughter reign.
"I will replicate it soon," he thought to himself. "And… then, I will have enough meat to recharge before the encounter with that bitch Evelynn and her puppet."
He failed to stop the wicked laughter from escaping his throat. But, after all, he did not care. So, he was content with that.