Vermin Tide Quest
Chapter 35
I have finally regained the ability to write more then two sentences a day.
I have no excuse for the fact that I have been stuck spinning inside the fanfic writer graveyard for a couple of years at the time of uploading this chapter due to work, save to say that Writers Block sucks. That, and I would have this out at least six months ago had I actually bothered to read the last few chapters in my crossover to ensure continuity was preserved, and narrowly avoided writing out what was essentially a copy of the previous chapter.
Luka and Alice walked on their way to the Pyramid. While it was hot because of the sun beating down on them, Alice had a bright smile on her face feeling the heat of the desert light on her body, while a sunshade was hung over Luka as he rode a camel, and covered his face and head with his scarf. However, upon hearing a familiar speaking for the twentieth or so time time, Alice felt her mouth curl downwards.
"So then, how do we know you aren't planning on sacrificing this naive boy in exchange for the Princess?" Victor Saltzpyre asked.
"For the last time, because I would've killed and ate him by now." Alice mumbled. She began to regret bringing the Other Worlder Humans and Elves and... whatever the short guy was right from the very start. Luka was at least considerate enough to let her sun bathe in peace, while the new add-ons to follow them, Victor especially, seemed to relish waiting for her to lower her gusrd before asking stupid questions.
The two Elves, Kerillian and Aeglian if she remembered right, at least were quiet, though that was because they were staring daggers at each other, while the short man poked jabs at them, at least until Luka at one point to stop midway on their travels to stop the two while they were fighting, much to the annoyance of the Lamia, and surprisingly the other Humans as well. Thankfully after a short conversation with Luka, the boy nanaged to somehow convince him to stop antagonizing the two Elves, who were now settled on glaring daggers at him instead of each other.
The Humans, on the other hand...
"We'll probably have to make sure she isn't tainted by whatever foul Chaos rotuals were performed upon her flesh." the other Witch-Hunter, whose name eluded her says.
First Lord, Please let this be the only part of my journey home I have to have this group around me... she prayed mentally. It was then she got an idea.
"Kerillian, what sort of history is there between you and Aeglian?" the Lamia asked in Reikspiel, changing the topic. The group paused, as Kerillian took a moment to process the question. Kerillian snarled lightly, realizing the implication in the question, while Aeglian, not having been around as long as the others, replied.
"What do you mean by that? I never met her before, but her kind are infamous among all the world." the Elf says, an eyebrow raised.
"Hoh? What for?~" Alice says back with a smirk.
"By Oriens balls, do not answer that!" Kerillian snapped, voice raised upon realizing what this was going towards.
"What do you-" Aeglian paused, face flushing as he realized what the conversation was about.
"Ugh! As if I would lay with one of the children of the forest!" be exclaimed in disgust. Now it was Alice's turn to stare in puzzlement.
"Hmm, are you from separate races?"
"More like different nations." Aeglian replied, inspecting the lion pelt he was wearing.
"Bah, an Elgi is an Elgi, wherever they come from." was the interjection from the short man, Bardin, Alice now remembered.
"Elgi?" the Monster Lord inquired.
"Dwarf word for Elf." Markus elaborated.
"I see. So, what exactly is the reason there's so much tension between your... group? Despite what I and Luka have seen of your fighting these Skaven..." the Human in question looked over at Alice upon his name being mentioned. "...you clearly don't like each other very much."
"Not like we had much choice in who we got stuck with when this all started in Ubersreik..." Sienna muttered.
"The reasons plural, quite frankly and to be honest, depends on who ask as well, so that would be a long story to tell." Markus added.
"Ok, so Elves and Dwarfs, why do they not like each other?" Alice asked.
"What are you guys talking about?" Luka inquired. Kerillian replied.
"We're about to get into some history of the world the others and I come from, specifically the time the High Elves of Ulthuan, of which Aeglian is of their number, ended up starting a race war with the Dwarfs. Bardin is one such specimen." the Wood Elf explained.
"Race war?" Alice and Luka both asked.
"I have heard mentions of when the Elves and Dwarfs fought each other. Wasn't it over the Phoenix King ordering to have a diplomats' beard shaven?" Markus asked.
"...what?" Alice intoned, staring blankly.
"Alright, hold on, there was more to it than that." Aeglian interrupted before anyone else could speak. Bardin, however, didn't like that.
"Oh yes, how about the fact Malekith was the one attacking your caravans, and your 'wise and honorable' King at the time never told us about the possibility of him attacking both of our peoples?!"
"He's got a point there Aeglian, especially since Athel Loran was dragged into the war by Ulthuan's inability to not keep the situation from escalating." Kerillian said, causing Alice to feel several veins bulge on her forehead as the three were about to get into another fight. The Imperials began to start joining in while Luka backed away, face turning pale at seeing how easily the Other Worlders were about to fall on each other's throats.
"Will every one of you shut up!?" Alice shouted, eyes glowing as she fired off a fireball at a distant sand dune, which exploded into a mushroom cloud in the distance for emphasis. The entire group fell silent.
"...By the Ancestors and Dark Goddess, I already can tell this is going to inspire a level of anger and disgust in me that I rarely felt before... who were the belligerents involved, and who is a third party that would give their assessment of how this whole war broke out?" Alice asked, after taking a moment to calm herself by breathing in and out deeply, rubbing her temples on either side with two fingers from the headache she could feel forming. After a few minutes of sorting out that Bardin and Aeglian were both part of the opposing sides of the war between Elves and Dwarfs, it was then decided that Kerillian would chosen to mediate while Bardin and Aeglian gave Luka and Alice a summary of the war in question due to both acknowledging that Athel Loran was independent of them, and thus the requested third party. The Imperials sat back to listen, as the Wood Elf explained the war in question, with Alice translating for Luka.
"Right, so, the War of the Beard, or the War of Vengeance as Bardin and his fellow Dwarfs would call it. In order to understand it fully, requires some brief context as this took place about several thousand years before Sigmar founded the Empire of Man. It also involves being aware of the history of both sides that Aeglian or Bardin can explain later if they so wish. Aeglian, would you give a brief summary of Ulthuan, followed by Bardin as he covers the Dwarf perspective of things?" Kerillian asked, gesturing to the two.
"Very well." Aeglian says, then straightened his back.
"Ulthuan is the home realm of my people, the High Elves, or Asur as we call ourselves. It is an island nation that was raised from the bottom of the sea by the Gods of our people, and from which the Great Vortex was created to ensure that the fell influence of Chaos is kept from consuming the world in its entirety. Our governance is run with two Elves chosen to act as it's head, the Everqueen, who is chosen from a bloodline of female elves, with each one reigning for life, and a male elected for life is chosen among the Princes of Ulthuan to become what we call the Phoenix King, and is confirmed upon the candidate surviving the performance of a ritual meant to prove their purity." the High Elf intoned, while the others listened. Bardin, upon seeing that everyone was ready for him to explain who the Dwarfs were, nodded.
"Alright then. So, my kin and I dwell underneath many of the mountains of our world, in what we call Karaks. At one point, our peoples met each other during the first invasion of Chaos into the world, and after successfully fighting together to keep the Daemons from consuming it by many of the Dawi giving their lives alongside soldiers of the Elgi as call them in my native tongue to ensure the Grand Mages of the High Elves had enough time to create the aforementioned Great Vortex. Seeing as until then neither side had been able to do much beyond ensure the constant attacks, our peoples formed a peace between us to give aid to each other wherever Chaos could be found." Luka nodded, taking in what Alice was saying.
"What happened then that caused your races alliance to fall apart?" the boy asked, which Alice translated for him. Aeglian replied with a venomous tone. His tone was as if he was tasting the most vile of drink, and the expressions of Bardin and Kerillian darkened, something Luka and Alice noted.
"Malekith the Great Betrayer. He was a Prince that believed himself entitled to the throne of the Phoenix King, despite the fact he was not elected to be chosen, and caused the Sundering, a civil war among the Asurai that spread from one end of Ulthuan to the other. Entire cities were burned to the ground as their streets ran with the blood of men, women and children alike as his servants ran through them like a plague. By the time the war was over, our people were reduced severely, and Malekith and his ilk were banished to the cold lands of Naggaroth, across the sea opposite of the lands in which the Empire and most Dwarfs call home to the west."
"Hold on, like that one continent full of lizard creatures, Lustria if I remember the name correctly?" the Warrior Priest of Sigmar inquired.
"It's part of that land, but Lustria is to the south of Naggaroth, where Malekith and his followers are now referred to as the Druchii, or Dark Elves in our language. Nowadays, they still cling to the belief that they were the true and righteous side of the Sundering, and as such most of the fighting they spent since was in the form of pirating raids and attacking the allies of Ulthuan." the High Elf explained.
"Something that would've been nice for us Dawi to know for what happens next in this story." Bardin grumbled. Alice raised an eyebrow while Luka spoke up.
"Pirates? Reminds of the stories of Dark Elves here who participate in trafficking Human men for other Monsters." Aeglian looked at Luka.
"There are Druchii in this world?" he asked.
"Not the same type of Dark Elf. I allowed them to continue this practice, on the condition that the men in question are kept healthy and we're taken to Monsters who otherwise weren't able to acquire a human man to sustain them." Alice interjected, and already had a response to give as the Other Worlders glared at her.
"I have a duty to my kind same as your leaders do as well, and have to attend to their needs as best I can." The Imperials took their turn to grumble.
"As it so be, I suppose this is the part where I take over." Kerillian said, moving the conversation along. Luka released a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Right, I will remember that fact, creature. Know that if any of those Dark Elves were found in Imperial lands, they would be tried and punished to fullest extent of our laws." Victor said, casting his one eye at Alice. Slyph and Gnome appeared in the air by Luka.
"This Malekith sounds like a real meanie..." the Wind Spirit said, causing Gnome to look at her, and then slap her. "Ow!"
"Way to late to comment with an understatement." Kerillian mumbled, she and the Other Worlders already having gotten used to the presence of the Spirits after they explained themselves to them.
"Anyways, where was I... ah, now I recall. The Dark Elves, at around two thousands before the Empire hatched a plan to weaken Ulthuan, by attacking the caravans of both the High Elves and the Dwarfs, as they discovered that the High Elves didn't do something that Bardin implied with his complaints towards Aeglian." Alice, after processing this, facepalmed.
"What did they fail to do?"
"They didn't the Dwarfs that one of their own went and rebelled did they?" Alice asked, making sure to speak the same language as Luka so he could understand. Kerillian replied in the same.
"Correct, and to sow tension between the two races, he had his followers use and leave behind weapons and corpses of High Elven while attacking Dwarf caravans, with the goal to stir mistrust and anger between the two races. This eventually lead to the Dwarf High King of the time, one Gotrek Starbreaker-"
"Wait what, he had the name Starbreaker? The Dwarfs are able to fly to mine stars or something?" Alice asked.
"Sounds amazing!" Slyph chirped.
"No, as far as I am aware he just happened to had the name Starbreaker." Kerillian responds, before continuing.
"Oh." Slyph sighed.
"So, reports of the Dwarfs trade caravans being found dead and looted for all they were worth, with all the evidence pointing towards Ulthuan caused the High King to demand answers from the Elven ambassadors, and when they replied that it was the Dark Elves, Gotrek and his refused to believe it, because up until this point Ulthuan never mentioned the Sundering, or anything about Malekith, who himself was considered a friend of the Dwarfs who renewed the bond both races had when he fought the forces of Chaos alongside a past High King before Gotrek took the throne."
"Damned be Malekith the Oath-Breaker..." Bardin intoned menacingly. Even Alice was taken aback by the hatred the Dwarf radiated as he did so, while the Imperials moved back a bit.
"Oaths are very serious in Dwarf culture I take it?" Alice inquired.
"Very. To go back on one's word is tantamount to blasphemy in our culture, and shames not only yourself, but your kin and people. His slaughtering of my ancestors' fellow Dawi was just the tip of the great insult that treacherous waste of flesh committed against us, and for the High King Snorii Whitebeard who he gravely wronged personally." Bardin sneered. Alice nodded, whispering back to Luka what the Dwarf said. Luka made the sign of the Cross of Ilias, while Alice kept a mental note to very carefully watch what form of agreements she makes with Bardin and his fellow Dwarfs.
"Right then. Kerillian, if you may." the Lamia requested.
"Will do. So, the Dwarfs began to debate amongst themselves over how to deal with the problem, with Gotrek staying... relatively calm, convinced his people to stay their arms and armies, and thus sent an emissary to Ulthuan, first to ask why the High Elves were attacking them, and why the Phoenix King of the time, one Caledor II, son of Caledor the Conqueror did not do anything to stop them."
"Doesn't sound too unreasonable." Alice remarked.
"Caledor II, rather then ask what they meant by this, rebuked the messengers sent by Starbreaker by telling them to return with a message from the Phoenix King himself: That if he was to get even a single gold coin from Ulthuan, he will have to come to the island, and beg Caledor II in person." Aeglian then stared bluntly.
"I can feel the massive ego the man must have had been radiating at that moment as we speak." Alice remarked dryly.
"That's just rude." Slyph added. Gnome rolled her eyes, while Luka cringed at the description of Caledor II and his response.
"It gets better, because there's a thing Dwarfs have regarding... Grudges." Kerillian said.
"What is that?" Alice asked. The Wood Elf looked over to Bardin.
"Lumberfoot, would you do your people the honor of describing your culture regarding Grudges?" she requested. Bardin smiled with malevolent intent.
"With pleasure. The Dawi hold a long standing tradition of remembering those who wrong them, and recording the deeds they committed against us to put them right. When oaths are made between us, they're made with the spirit that our descendants will follow the oath in both spirit and letter, and so too will we seek recompense should one be descended from an oath breaker. Those who are treacherous and deceitful are considered to not just bring shame to themselves, but to their ancestors and their children as well. Malekith is one example of the many who have dared to bring upon his head the wrath of all Dawi, and his servants who murdered our kin and kind also, and thus the Grudge we hold against the Dark Elves will not be satisfied save for when the last drop of the blood of the last of their filthy kind is spilled from their head by the axes of our brethren." the Dwarf explained, fingering his ax-blade as though imagining splitting the skull of one such Dark Elf. Alice and Luka looked on with widened eyes.
"Ok, so Caledor II severely shamed Ulthuan with his words and deeds." Alice replied.
"Indeed, which speaks to the patience of High King Gotrek Starbreaker that he didn't yet resort to violence even with Caledor and his retinue being massive and arrogant prats, and the various Thanes and Kings that formed his court calling for Elgi blood." Bardin spat.
"So what lead to the Elves calling this war the War of the Beard?" Alice asked.
"That part is coming up next." Kerillian replies. Alice sat back down to listen to the Wood Elf, lying back down to feel the rays of the sun. She noted how the Imperial men and the Dwarf Bardin either side-eyed her but didn't react, Luka on the other hand openly stared for a few seconds. As Kerillian continued, Alice turned her eyes to him, causing the fake Hero to blush and avert his gaze. It was... odd, not because she expect him to not look at her, but because of how she felt about Luka staring at her specifically.
"Anyways, when the messengers got back, the court of High King Gotrek understandably began proverbially pounding their chests and crying out for war. Despite this, and his own growing frustration with Caledor, the High King managed to once again calm his people down, this time sending one of his cousins as an emissary, this time with the demand that Ulthuan cease all hostile actions against the Dwarfs and their caravans, and to pay a large sum of gold as recompense to the damages they had caused in the process. Caledor, in his arrogance then proceeded to have the emissary tied down and his beard shaved clean from his chin, whereupon he was sent back to his homeland in disgrace and shamed." Kerillian explained. The Imperials were visibly and audibly alarmed by this, while Bardin muttered something in Khazalid and Aeglian facepalm.
"Absolute prat, that one." the High Elf muttered.
"...Stupid question incoming. How bad of an insult is shaving a Dwarf of his beard?" Alice asked.
"Given how much pride your subject Monster Girls seem to have in their physical beauty, it would be equivalent to tying down one such Monster down, mutilating her face, then slicing off her breasts and smearing her in mud and dirt as far as shaving the beard off of a Dwarf goes for their kind. In fact, there's an entire caste of elder Dwarf known as the Longbeards, who you can only join by having a beard long enough to touch the ground when not bundled up, something they pride in as they had to grow it for centuries to acquire that honor, of which the emissary in question was one." was the response given by Kerillian, making sure to say it in the language Luka speaks so he understood the weight of what Caledor II has done to the Dwarf emissary. The vivid imagery was one that made even Alice's mouth drop. Luka however, was the one who spoke out what they both thought.
"Holy fuck..." he muttered in a wavering tone.
"Indeed, and this was done to an extended family member of the very leader of their entire race no less, so as you can imagine, that was when High King Gotrek Starbreaker, went from being one of the more calm and level-headed examples of all Dwarfs, to being one of the wrathful. Genocidal, frothing at the mouth, crying havoc and letting loose the war-machine of the Dwarven military, split the mountains in twain screaming for Elven blood enraged at what had been done to his cousin, releasing the full might of the Dwarfs upon the many colonies that Ulthuan set up to better facilitate trade and communication with their allies outside of their island nation." Kerillian continued.
"I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this..." Alice replied.
"Said colonies, as you may have guessed Alice, ended up being the ones who fell victim to the wrath of the Dwarfs, and while the High Elves were gifted especially in magic and has various other advantages, mainly speed when pitted against their stouter opponents, the Dwarf armies had their own advantages in that the entire race has a unique resistance against magic, meaning what would have been otherwise devasting spells weren't as effective as they could have been, the Dwarfs wielded superior war machines and their more attrition-focus style of warfare made them more suited to besieging the various holdings of Ulthuan they attacked."
"Those poor souls." Luka muttered, once Alice translated what was said.
"Oh, I hate it when good people are needlessly hurt..." Slyph added. Gnome, instead of hitting the Spirit of Wind, looked down, and then patted her opposite elemental incarnation on the head.
"Thanks Gnomey."
"I'm assuming they were planning to eventually invade Ulthuan as well?" the Lamia asked.
"Yes, but one of the few displays in intelligence the absolute rainbow of idiocy that was the peacock known as Caledor performed, was too muster the military might of Ulthuan to fight the Dwarf siege back... and then fumbled said intelligent choice by taking *every single soldier* out of Ulthuan to do so... including the garrisons in the island's western shores meant to keep Malekith out of Ulthuan... zero guesses as to what he did while the Dwarfs and High Elves were distracted beating each other to death."
"...Goddesses damnit." Alice mumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Indeed, especially since the War lasted for 400 years." Alice and Luka stared at Kerillian, while the two Spirits both paused at hearing that.
"400 years? As in four centuries, of total war against one another? What the hell is in the water and food supplies of your world?" Alice asked.
"I rather not know..." Markus quipped, while Victor and his fellow Witch Hunter began ranting about various sorts of 'taint' they had to be on the look out for.
"...I really need to count my blessings." Luka says, clearly feeling grateful for not having to live in the Other World.
"So what happened next?"
"To keep it short, High King Gotrek and Caledor II met in one final battle, clashed until Gotrek smashed the Phoenix King of the time period in a gory paste with Ghal Maraz. Yes, Markus and Victor, the very same Ghal Maraz Sigmar himself would be gifted by the Dwarfs for saving High King Kurgan Ironbeard and has become the symbol of the Warrior God himself." Bardin interjected.
"...Huh, good to know that particular arrogant wacko got what he deserved, based on what you have told me." Alice says.
"Gotrek also took the Phoenix Crown from his head, and with that, declared the Grudge against Ulthuan settled with the Phoenix Crown and the spilled blood of those who died fighting the Dawi in battle to be sufficient to satisfy their goals in the War of Vengeance." the Dwarf added.
"With all that warfare, I can't imagine things ended well either way." Luka commented. Aeglian nodded, looking a far off distance to the horizon.
"Unfortunately that was true, as the casualties sustained by both sides left both races severely crippled, to the degree that almost all the colonies of Ulthuan were forced to be abandoned, save for the Wood Elves of Athel Loran, they essentially saw were Caledor II was taking their people, and as a result declared independence and cut ties with their homeland, and thus avoided being dragged into the War of the Beard... until a group of Dwarfs found it while trying to flank Caledor's troops, and decided to rampage through the forest in an attempt to kill them simply because they were Elves." he said.
"And there is the 'but wait' moment." Alice replied, and it was then the group became aware of fighting sounds up ahead, and moved ahead to see a lone Human woman fighting a Scorpion Girl. Victor raised one of his pistols, but Alice stopped him.
"Alright, Luka, you know what to do." Alice said, then turned to the others. "Let him have this one."
"Alright then, if it gives us free information on what forbidden skills you taught him with that accursed sword, I will stay my hand." the Witch Hunter says.
As long as you are not shooting my subjects... or Luka. Alice thought, releasing a tense sigh she didn't know she had, then eyeing Luka as he fought, and surprisingly defeated the Scorpion Girl rather quickly, making even the non-Humans stare in surprise.
After a short conversation, the group continued on with the woman in their number to the Pyramid.
Tamano and Alma Elma stood at a combat ready stance as the crystalline... creature looked at them, or at least turned the equivalent of it's head towards them. Granberia limped over to them, her arm regrowing its flesh, the markings of dragon scales barely formed poking only their tips out as she gets behind her comrades.
"Who are you guys, and what do you want?" Alma Elma asked, while the two Human knights assembled behind it.
"Isn't it obvious, Mutant-spawn of Darkness?" the Knight whose helmet invoked features of a Dragon asked, flashing his sword. The crystalline creature prepared an attack, only for a male voice to ring out telepathically, which all present heard. Whoever it was, carried a great amount of power, which was something the Monsters noted by the intensity of the magic spell that conveyed his message.
STOP! The mental message cried out, and the Heavenly Knights watched as this new party looked around. The crystal... being garbled something.
"Who was that?" the Dragon-horned Knight inquired. After the being replied, he cursed.
"Teclis? What is he doing here?" he snapped.
"Teclis sound like someone familiar to that Imperial whose memories you looked into?" Granberia whispered into Alma Elmas' ear.
"Supposedly he's the founder of the Imperial Colleges of Magic. Other then that, it's a complete blank." Alma replied.
"Why do you defend these beasts?!" one of the human knights shouted into the air.
Because while you were busy fighting the natives of this land, Chaos is laying its roots elsewhere where neither of us is attending to it, and will continue to fester unless left unchecked. Come to the Monster Lords Castle, and cease the fighting with these Monsters for now. If the Chaos Cultist spreading the Dark Gods' influence is the one I suspect, with have bigger concerns then the Heavenly Knights. Teclis intoned, his voice echoing in the minds of those who were in the area.
The Human Knights turned to their companion, who stood silent. after a moment passed, a crackling sound akin to breaking glass resounded.
"What?"
Thank you for your patience. The central continent is where I have sensed it's presence, and where you must go for now. Teclis replied, as the creature opened some form of portal, while the Human men looked at the Heavenly Knights, then with clear frowns followed it in.
Granberia, Tamano and Alma relaxed, however the Kitsune was less so then the others.
"Are you willing to show yourself?" she asked. her companions waited for a response. After brief moment passed, Teclis replied.
At this time, I am afraid not. However, I am willing to have a cease-fire to deal with Chaos, if you allow Balthazar Gelt and his soldiers who have been trapped in Hellgondo with him go free. he replied Tamano squinted, expecting the man communicating with them to be more hostile.
"What?!" Granberia and Alma Elma cried out in response.
"You expect us to let them go free, after attacking our fellow Monster, just like that?! Who the hell do you think-" the Dragon Knight roared out, only to stop her rant when Tamano raised her hand.
I assume you're Granberia, the Dragon I have heard much about. Tell me, what would you have done to Balthazar Gelt, had he not drove you out of the Monster Lord Castle? Would you have been willing to let him go free? Teclis replied, not directly answering Granberia.
"That is not answering Granberia's question!" Alma Elma exclaimed.
That is my answer. Would you honestly have allowed a small army of human men that appeared on the doorstep of your capital to leave of their own free will? Teclis replied, to which Alma Elma growled lightly. Tamano swished her tails, batting one of them into the face of the Succubus, subtly telling her to keep quiet.
"No. Since we have answered your question, I would like to ask of you something in return." the Kitsune requested.
What is it?
"What is your goal in all of this?"
For now, I came here specifically for Balthazar. His disappearance was... noticed, so I followed him to investigate where he had gone.
"That is it?"
That is all I am willing to share for now, save that the coming of Chaos is my larger concern regarding both our world. Teclis explained, and it was then the Heavenly Knights felt him withdraw his presence. Alma and Granberia looked at Tamano, who gestured to return to the camp with her to figure out what to do next.
Some time later, Alma Elma and Granberia both entered Tamano's tent, where the Kitsune Knight was sitting down legs crossed.
"What now?" the Dragon asked, setting Aries down next to her thigh as the two sat down across from her. Granberia spent about an hour or so with one of the Human males that were kept alive in the camp, and thus recovered quickly. Even so, her left arm had a patch of raw skin where her scale had been torn by the Human Knight that tried to kill her.
"Everything alright with you two?" Tamano asked. The two other Knights looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Alma asked.
"With all that is going on, I want to make sure all three of us are mentally, and emotionally healthy enough to see through this ordeal for our kind." Tamano explained. The two of them took a moment to examine her.
"What, you think we're scared now?" Granberia huffed angrily. She continued then with, "I had both my legs chopped off, got held prisoner, had my Darkness Energy drained by one of the Imperials using a cross of Ilias, then-"
"What?" Alma asked. Tamano perked her ears up.
"I will explain later, point is, Tamano, I am not scared. I am pissed at this whole 'ordeal' as you called it, especially with Alice right now!" Granberia shouted in anger, the tent's Sigils of Silence allowing her to yell this as she stood up without anyone else listening in. Tamano raised a hand, getting the Dragon to halt as she saw that the Kitsune had a serious scowl on her face, something she displayed rarely towards her comrades.
"I'm going to let you say your piece, but only if you take a moment to compose yourself, and sit back down." the Heavenly Knight of Earth said calmly, to which Granberia replied, growling lightly as she let her anger fizzle out. Alma sat off to the side, watching this exchange.
"Alice, the Monster Lord, is supposed to be our leader, yet where is she now while Hellgondo is currently getting all this bullshit heaped on it, starting with the Castle? Eloping with a Human boy, taking her sweet time getting her to take care of problems she should've resolved by now while we have been getting our asses handed to us. Where, the hell, is she now, hmm?" Granberia demanded. Her fist tightened as she shook and trembled lightly.
"She had just managed to capture a group of Imperials at Sabasa city. So she's making progress, both in coming back, and finding out how to get these Imperials to... at least agree to a cease-fire by understanding their motivations." Tamano explained. She observed that Granberia continued to shudder.
"Granberia, want happened before we found you?" Alma Elma asked. Granberia then proceeded to explain.
"The Imperials, are working with Ilias, and she has used them to get around the clause in the peace treaty signed after the Great Monster War that 'No servant or Hero of Ilias shall bear her Blessings, save for that which renders their essence toxic for Monster consumption, neither are they to carry weapons, magical or otherwise which were used or are similar in use to the arsenal they used in the war.'" Granberia said.
"What do you mean?"
"Just before I was captured by the Skaven, one of the Imperials bore a Ilias Cross, and activated the Draining Spell that it was blessed with." Tamano felt a knot in her stomach.
"Those were given out to her priests and nuns for use as a self-defense weapon while traveling between cities or when a territory held by the Angels in Sabasa was under siege. If true..." Tamano replied, then trailed off. Alma spoke up then.
"That bitch! She actually-"
"Don't even go there Alma, not when you have been sinking ships going from Ilias Continent to Santora and back." Tamano interrupted. Alma attempted to speak up, only for the Kitsune Knight to glare at her into silence. she turned back to Granberia, who was breathing heavily.
"Sorry Granberia, can you go on? It would probably be best to speak up." Tamano requested of her companion.
"...When the Skaven captured me afterwards, I was weak to the point of being captured by them. I could resist, but they would've slain another Monster Girl if I did, and I couldn't save her." the Dragon admitted, gripping her arm as she continued.
"That kind of weakness, I... I am supposed to be above all that and fear, I'm a Heavenly Knight of all things, and these... invaders humiliated me, Alma and you multiple times. They... Gelt slew Erubetie of all people, and now after conversing with that one guy, Teclis, we're supposed to let him go!?" she hissed, a thin wisp of smoke exiting her mouth as she did so. Tamano closed her eyes, and sighed.
"So you think lashing out now is going to help us further?" Tamano asked. Granberia looked up at her.
"Well, what are we supposed to do, stand back and watch everything fall apart because we can't protect everyone?" Tamano shook her head.
"We can't always be there for the entire race, but that doesn't mean you have to let despair overcome you." the Kitsune replied to Granberia.
"Oh yeah, what are you going to do, give some speech about..." Alma snarked, only to trail off as she saw Tamano place both her hands palms up, offering them to grab onto.
"Let me show you both something, something that I frankly, cannot simply tell in speech." the Kitsune said, casting a look at the Knight of Wind. Once the two of them grabbed a hold of her hands, she channeled a spell to show them visions of her memories.
Monster Lord Castle, 20 years ago
Tamano started her day by brushing her tails, and was currently putting on her kimono when a knock at the door drew her attention.
"Enter!" the Kitsune says, and the door opened to reveal an Imp.
"It's the Monster Lord, she has requested your presence in her personal chambers." the small creature said, handing a scroll to the Kitsune. She looked at it for a bit, and hummed.
"I will speak with her about this personal matter of hers. Tell her I am on my way." Tamano replied, giving the Imp a warm and friendly smile. She flew away to deliver the message, leaving the room of the Ancestor Lord in disguise.
Sometime later, Tamano entered the room of her sovereign lord, and student of some 64 years. Despite her age, Alipheese Fateburn, 15th of her line still looked as young and vibrant as that of a 20 year old woman in the prime of her health. Tamano kowtowed as was demanded of the culture of the Monsters, but after Alipheese bowed back, the two embraced each other as friends.
"My student and my liege, it's heartwarming to know you haven't forgotten about your mentor and advisor." Tamano said, smiling lightly as the Monster Lord pulled back.
"Indeed, it's been too long since we can speak in private. How is my daughter, she hasn't been too disruptive and stubborn a student has she?" The Monster Lord replied.
"No, she hasn't been anything like her mother, and actually could be kept under control." The two shared a laugh, and it was then that Alice XV offered a seat to the Kitsune. As the two sat down, the 15th sighed, and it was then her smile faded.
"...I have been reading the reports about that band of Heros that have found their way into Hellgondo. How far are they from the Castle?" the woman asked Tamano.
"About three days from now, but their path takes them near a cave inhabited by a Dragon Girl. Nowhere close enough to discover her, but she will likely ambush them for their intrusion. I have sent word to Nanabi and Yao to have them aid her in defending her territory, and it should suffice to-"
"Recall them, and have the Dragon Girl sleep so she doesn't ambush them." Alice XV interrupted the Kitsune, making Tamano stare in surprise.
"What? Why?" She asked, tails swishing about lazily as she turned to look back at her pupil. The then Monster Lord breathed deeply, taking a deep breath in, and another out.
"I intend to let them into the Castle three days from now and face them personally." Tamano paused, then laughed lightly.
"My Lord, if you're that bored, you can just go fight them right now. I am only sending my servants there as a gesture of good will for the Dragon Girl, she won't be needing the assistance."
"I am aware. But I intend to deal with this group personally, so my political rivals will see that I am not a coward afraid of a small pack of Ilias' zealots who would rather send her servants to slay them. As such, I also expect that the Heros will be led straight to my throne room, and enter it unmolested... in both senses of the word." Alice says in reply, but Tamano looked over at the Monster Lord, and could tell she was hiding something.
"...That's the only reason?" Tamano asked, inspecting her liege's face. The Monster Lord shook her head.
"No, but that's the official reason I want you to give if asked about my disappearence, I am also canceling my schedule and planned meetings for the next few days to see Alice, and trusting your capable hands." the Monster Lord said, and slithered out of the room. Tamano's ears twitched, but she didn't question the Lord.
The next three days was spent with Tamano balancing her time with preparations for the battle to come with angry Monster Queens demanding to know why they couldn't see the Monster Lord, who spent practically every second by her daughter's side, playing various games with her in the day, even canceling her studies for those days, much to the chagrin of the various tutors who protested taking their pupil out of their hands while she was still young. At night, she told her heir stories of both Monster and Human history, and sang songs until her daughter fell asleep. It was on the night of the last day before the Heros would come, that Tamano confronted the 15th Monster Lord.
"What's really going on, and what are your plans?" the Kitsune demanded, nonetheless maintaining a poised stance. Alipheese scowled lightly, but upon seeing Tamano was asking out of concern for her sister Monster, she sighed. When she looked back at the Kitsune, it was with a look of resignation and also... sadness?
"...I am giving the best of my time left here to my daughter. Is that so bad?" Tamano raised an eyebrow.
"You're speaking as though you have some terminal disease..."
"Maybe I am. I am not going to kill the Heros coming here, nor violate them... I am going to let them take my life, and if it so be, my head." the Monster Lord responds to Tamano. The Kitsune took around half a minute looking into the eyes of Alice XV, then her eyes widen.
"You're genuinely serious." Tamano stated flatly, staring incredulously at the 15th Monster Lord. Alice didn't even deny it, simply nodding her head.
"All in the name of peace and co-existence. Just as you taught me to seek." she says.
"Are you ser- just open a dialogue with the Human nations!" Tamano responded, catching herself from yelling out in frustration.
"That isn't possible, not while I am on the throne. Ilias has done well to make me out to be a bloodthirsty beast, too much so that all our agents confirmed for me that they have every reason to assume reaching out to them is a trick and thus not respond back other then commiting more resources to killing me. Not only that, but with the ban on mating with Monsters, my subjects, both good and ill alike are taking desperate measures to feed." Alice says. After a moment passed, she stared at her hands.
"There's other ways. You have been working on getting the rest of the Monsters to reconsider their ways, so who is going to pick up where you left off." Tamano countered back.
"That isn't possible, not while I am on the throne. Ilias has done well to make me out to be a bloodthirsty beast, too much so that all our agents confirmed for me that they have every reason to assume reaching out to them is a trick and thus not respond back other than committing more resources to killing me. Not only that, but with the ban on mating with Monsters, my subjects, both good and ill alike are taking desperate measures to feed." Alice says. After a moment passed, she stared at her hands.
"There's other ways than becoming a martyr. You have been working on getting the rest of the Monsters to reconsider their ways, so who is going to pick up where you left off." Tamano countered back.
"My daughter will be able to, but only if my death at the hands of those Heroes is heralded by them, and I succeed in getting them to spread the word that you, my child Alipheese, and I have been working for co-existence. It will give her a blank slate untainted by this current generation's atrocious behavior towards humanity." The Monster Lord replied. Tamano kept her remark at that line of thought shut, only to then watch as the 15th squeezed her arms close to her, and noticed her expression change.
"What's wrong?" Tamano asked. After some passed, the 15th chuckled lightly.
"I never thought I would feel this."
"What?"
"...I'm afraid. Both of dying, and of what might happen to Alice once I pass, and she has to fight for the throne. So many questions have arisen from the back of my mind now. What if the Nereneids return to Hellgondo to take advantage of the power vacuum and turn out to be stronger then her, and undo everything you and I are working towards? What if the Heros geniunely turn out to be dangerous, and attack the other Monsters here once they finished me off?"
"Then don't let yourself be killed like some animal!" Tamano exclaimed in exasperation. It was then that the 15th sighed.
"Aren't you the one who taught me that fear itself isn't what makes you a coward, but instead, running away from your fears?"
"That's a completely different thing."
"Is it, you also said that I should respect the fact that not everyone is going to wish to follow me, and seek their own paths independently through their own choices." the Monster Lord replied, and then turned to Tamano.
"I have decided on this path a long time ago, and even with these doubts not coming up, I intend to see theough to the end... even so, I just need one thing from you in return for respecting my wishes." she says, making the Kitsune swallow the lump that formed in her throat.
"What is it? Name it, and I will follow your will." Tamano asked, her tails still and her ears turned towards her former student. As much as she wished otherwise, she saw that the 15th even now wasn't backing from this path, amd as she pointed out to her teacher, Tamano herself now had to choose whether or not to respect Alipheese Fateburn XV and her choice in this matter.
"...Be there for Alice for me. Teach her what I failed to be there for her to learn from me, don't let her lose hope, and help her grow to have compassion for Humanity, and don't the actions of the Heros tomorrow morning plant the seeds of hate into her heart. She's going to need a mother figure in the years to come, and you're the only one I can trust not to take advantage of her." Tamano felt her lips quiver, as the 15th Monster Lord stared her in the eyes.
"As you wish... I will do this for you, not as your teacher, nor your servant, but as your friend." the Kitsune says, and the 15th looked on she heard Tamano's reply. Then, she released a shuddering breath, and with a speed that was blinding even for one as strong as Tamano, wrapped her arms around the small Fox Girl in an embrace, pressing her face into the crook of her neck. A few moments pass, and Tamano hugged Alipheese XV back, feeling the unmistakable wetness of tears against her skin.
The Succubus and Dragon Knights jerked back as Tamano released them from the flashback, and looked at the face of their fellow Heavenly Knight of Earth. The Kitsune took a moment to compose herself from the rush of emotion she felt from reliving those memories, then looked over at Granberia as Alma Elma.
"The rest of this story is already something you know." Tamano said, fluffing her tail as the Succubus Knight replied.
"What was that about?" she asked, rubbing her forehead.
"To show you Alma Elma, Granberia, is that you're not the only Monsters who represents the best of our kind are to feel fear. If anything, our strength is a curse since when we do feel it, we haven't the kind of experience our weaker sisters had dealing with it to fall back on to not be overwhelmed by it. That is why I wish to change things for us all. What you feel may be new to you, my friend, but you are not alone." the Kitsune then stood up. The other Knights stared at her as she walked away.
"There's still Skaven in the city, and I will need help removing them from it." the Kitsune says, walking down the steps, leaving Alma Elma to watch as she took in the words of the Heavenly Knight of Earth... but looked down as she and Granberia were left with Tamano's parting words for now.