Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING.
Author's Note: The beginning was inspired by "Room of Angel" by Akira Yamaoka, which I listened to quite often as I desperately tried to come up with a beginning to this chapter. That song seriously reminds me of Ultima.
Special thanks to Balaura for hearing my gripes about this chapter and helping me get through it! It wasn't much the content that was the problem, it was the length of it. If I left it the way it originally was, it'd be like 600 words…
Just for reference, the orb she holds in her hands towards the end is the same orb she commented on earlier.
I suppose I'll answer my review here. Yes, the first chapter is short, it is intentional. Descriptions are handed out at certain designated parts of the story. As for their thoughts, I intend for readers to only know certain Scions thoughts, and the thoughts of others will never be written for undisclosed reasons. As the author, I do know what all of their sides were on each subject, but I also know that if I wrote it all out, it would eventually ruin the purpose of my scheme for character development and relations.
Flamers, I think you get the point.
Chapter VII
Assassin
Far beyond the glistening waterfall lied a vast field touched by the golden rays of sunlight as far as the eye could see. The field was covered in soft green grass and beautiful flowers that put the Earth to shame. The grass rustled as a gentle breeze swept across the seemingly endless plains. The flowers' sweet aroma intertwined with the scent of flowing water and green grass as it traveled along the winds.
Ultima looked softly out onto the distant field with an impassive expression on her face. She reached as a solitary red petal floated onto the balcony and settled onto her dark green-blue hand. Tilting her head to the side, she steadily brought the hand closer, shielding it from the breeze. Dark, sapphire eyes gazed at the lonely petal as she lightly ran a finger along the intricate veins. Her lips slightly quirked upwards as a hard look crossed her eyes. The red scarlet of the flower stained her fingertips as she slowly ripped the petal in half, crushing it between her thumb and index fingers. Elegantly extending her six golden wings, she flew off towards the field as the broken petal fell silently to the valley below, never to be seen again. Delicate flora quivered beneath her, tiny blooms shattered under the force of her wings. Colors burst into the air, petals and leaves weaving a trail behind the High Seraph as she silently flew to her destination.
The sky darkened the closer she drew closer to the edge of the plains. Landing neatly in the midst of the flowers, she walked the remainder of the way, stopping at the edge of the cliff. She looked up to the sky and observed the almost black tint that swallowed up the other side of the cliff. She jumped into the black void below, expanding her wings just before she hit the bottom. Closing her eyes and spreading out her arms, she whispered a small unintelligible word.
Small orbs of golden light began to fade into existence, casting a soft light over Ultima. The shallow water rippled as she landed upon the ground, slightly marring the perfect mirror reflection of the golden lights. She held one hand out, drawing a tiny orb into her palm. The orb illuminated her palm, the light warm and gentle.
This one led a good life… Ultima thought to herself. The orb emitted a low humming sound as it floated towards the sky. The orbs suddenly jerked away from Ultima, enveloping her in almost total darkness.
"Chaos," She acknowledged, sensing his presence behind her. Beckoning towards the floating lights, she tried to make them feel welcome once again.
Chaos looked around, observing the delicate orbs floating near Ultima. His lip curled in disgust as one slowly came near him. "What are these things?" He asked as he swatted one away disdainfully.
"Souls," Ultima said simply. Chaos stepped closer to Ultima, scaring away a few more of the orbs. "They are the souls of the departed. It is my job, after all, to shepherd them to reincarnation." She said with a murderous laugh. The souls slightly dimmed in response, hesitation faltering their slow orbit. Ultima flicked her hand, and a white light began slipping around the void, sparkling with soft blue lights. The holy magicks soothed the souls, returning them to their cycle. "What brings you to this place anyways, Chaos?" She asked after a pause.
"My brother has recently made contact with the new born." Chaos stated dryly. The orbs ceased as Ultima turned her head. Chaos could barely see her eyelashes from behind her long platinum blonde hair as it settled back into place.
"What?" She asked in a whisper. Slowly turning around, Ultima looked up to his eyes, a hatred burning deep within them. The water rippled beneath her as she took a step forward. The gold light casted shadows across her face, showing a more menacing side that Chaos tried to avoid. Chaos stood his ground, looking down at her with an emotionless expression. "Adrammelech could ruin everything I have planned for Mateus."
Chaos looked at her in question; even he did not know the full extent of the High Seraph's plans. He crossed his arms as he shifted his weight, awaiting an explanation. Ultima merely shook her head as she walked towards a soul, cupping her hands around it. The orb floated between her hands peacefully, remaining in place while she made her short trek back to the tall Scion. A malevolent smirk crossed her face as she gazed upon the innocent soul in her hands. She quickly spared a glance towards Chaos, observing his curious gaze at the soul in her hands.
"If I were to condemn this soul to the Underworld, what do you think would happen to it?" Ultima tilted her head to the side as a shadow began to appear below the orb.
"Is that not what Zalera is charged with? To decide the fate of souls upon their deaths?" Chaos slightly furrowed his eyebrows as the darkness crept up her fingers.
"Zalera is kept under lock and key somewhere deep within the Realm," Chaos's usually stoic appearance was replaced by one of pure shock, causing Ultima to smirk. "He kidnapped a shamaness, much to the displeasure of the Gods. He keeps her hidden somewhere…not even they can find her," She let out a dark chuckle. "Ever since then I've been tasked with the paths of souls," Ultima sighed, looking at the slowly blackening orb affectionately. "Regardless," She said after a long pause. "Mateus holds the key to the Underworld and all who lie within."
"An army of the dead…" Chaos whispered, not quite sure if what he was hearing was true. How could she hope to control the souls of the dead? Letting out a small chuckle, she nodded slowly.
"An infinite supply of troops, all easily disposable. They won't expect it." A minuscule ray of light shone from the solitary spot still visible amidst the darkness enveloping the orb. For a split second, Chaos swore he heard a small scream of anguish come from the soul as the last bit of golden light was eaten away. Ultima rubbed her palms against one another with a look of disgust on her face as she tried to get the remaining darkness off.
"What role does Mateus play in this?" Instead of replying, Ultima just pointed up, spreading her wings and lifting off into the sky. Chaos sighed as he watched Ultima ascend towards the valley above.
He pressed his palms together in an almost prayer-like gesture as he closed his eyes. Slightly cupping his hands, he slowly pulled them apart, revealing a spinning ball of grey wind. His dark, green hair whipped about his face as he forced his hands apart making the ball disappear. Manipulating the air, he carefully lifted himself out of the void, landing gracefully next to Ultima waiting for him in the flowery meadow.
She smiled and gave a slight nod of her head before turning around and walking leisurely through the valley. Chaos kept up her pace, walking steadily alongside her.
"We cannot just head into the Underworld and demand their servitude. We need someone they trust, someone they obey without question. We need Mateus." Ultima said, finally responding to his question. "Your brother needs to be taken care of…"
"And what would you have me do?" Chaos asked, no emotion evident in his voice. Ultima stopped and faced the man at her side. A cruel look swept over her features as she looked him straight in the eyes.
"I want you to dispose of him. Once and for all. He has become too much of a liability for our cause," Venom laced her voice as she spoke the condemning words. She paused and gave him a moment to mull it over.
His eyes barely widened at her command. For all his cruelties, never once has the thought actually crossed his mind. Contrary to popular belief, he never even once considered ending his own brother's life. He wasn't terribly fond of him, true, but he was still his brother. He stood silent for what seemed like hours to him. Are my loyalties being tested? He wondered in his mind. He had done unspeakable things for Ultima in the past, enough to garner her trust and earn his spot as her second-in-command.
However his younger brother was becoming an obstacle for their plans of an uprising, and it would be much more peaceful with him finally out of the way. Hardening his eyes, he slowly nodded to Ultima, casting off the remnants of brotherly affection; the warmth of his heart growing colder as the days dragged on. Silently, he agreed to become his own brother's assassin.
A small smile formed on Ultima's blue-green lips as she acknowledged his agreement. She was sure her most loyal of servants would not have failed her because of mere family relations. Soon, her pathway to the top would be cleared, and she would finally rule over all the Realms instead of the worthless Gods.