Eleanor Hume took a swig of her water sack, her throat parched from heat.
Passing through the small town just before the deserts, they finally arrived. Her spear felt like it was in an oven, too hot to touch about its metal bits. It was only made worse that she carried a knapsack. But these were important things she carried. Always carried.
She looked at her arms. In the years passed, simple gloves were replaced with gauntlets. Too many close calls. A single lone ponytail on the right side of her head, hung by a single purple ribbon. The one on her right side, holding Velvet's broken blade, reforged.
She needed better protection.
Cast your doubt aside.
So much has changed. In some ways, she hasn't changed. And in others, she couldn't be the same. Eleanor breathed. It's been a long seven years. And with newer threats coming, she needed to prepare.
Not just for her sake, but for every Shepherd or Exorcist that comes after her.
So many times she discussed with Maotelus. So many times, she tried contacting the rest of the Menagerie. Only a few times, she got replies.
The redhead shook her head. Now was not the time to discuss it.
Checking herself and slapping her cheeks together, she patiently waited for her companion to return.
"Looks clear to me." Called a voice from the outcropping into the mountain. Her other Legate, Alexandra Breuse.
"Alex, how's the antechamber?"
The blonde combed her hands through her wild hair. "Stony. Plenty of gems all over, and a bit on the hot side." She paused. "You sure talking with the Earth Empyrean will help?"
"I wouldn't have bothered trekking and finding this place if it wasn't worth it." She rebuked. "Let's go in."
The cavern in the ground was laid with marble-like stairs, eroded by the shifts of sand and time. Stalactites of strange minerals and gems hung down like tapestry. Imperial and royal weaves of the earth's majesty, from the very precious items like flamestone, to iron and steel that made their armor and weapons. Deeper and deeper into the cave, even the air tasted of dirt and metal.
This was a sanctum to the Empyrean of Earth, Eumacia.
This place really is blessed with the Earth. A feminine voice rang in her head. Her malakhim companion and first devotee to the Sixth Empyrean, Aoife. Major Earthpulse veins lead to this location. Looks like it was an ancient tomb.
I'm surprised it wasn't caved in. Eleanor replied, her eyes shifting back and forth.
It probably was, until you guys decided to reawake the quartet.
They reached the bottom, yet light continued to illuminate the way. Sparkling arrays of yellow painted the corridor a tainted color. Darker threads pointed further, almost blinking them along a path.
Alexandra held her blade over her shoulder, ready. Knees bent and ready to strike at the nearest sound coming at them. Eleanor let her. As her other Legate, she oversaw security details and unsavory items.
Funny, it reminds me of the old Abbey… The redhead bitterly chuckled.
The way opened to a massive sanctuary. A dome rolled about, caked with crystals. Large and small, rough and smooth, these vesicle bits gently swayed on the ceiling above. The air and light returned to normal and Eleanor took a breath in. Observing the room, a massive void deeper into the ground. As she held her ground, something rumbled. Coming from the chasm in the center.
The room was breathing.
A low roar built up before quaking the chamber, snapping and breaking crystals as they fell to the ground and splintered. Alex and Eleanor shielded their heads, yet no gems fell near them. The rumbling intensified, unleashing a roar. Bursting from the hole in the ground, a gigantic lizard's head poked through with stubby arms gorging the matte floors.
The dragon furiously clawed out of the hole, fully emerging. Translucent myriad colors reflected off its scaled body, swapping between all colors of the rainbow as it swished its tail about. Scarlet pupils turned to the two Exorcists, hellish slits shifting from one to the other.
Blinking, the dragon's tongue flicked out, tasting the air. As if by some penance offering, it coiled just before its hole, closing its eyes and fell asleep. The majesty glow of the dragon died as the ground shook again.
Spikes erupted from the ground just before them. Building and building, they split into several smaller spikes until it resembled some kind of door way. The crude door ground to the side, plumps of ashen yellow and orange danced about. A man walked through.
Eleanor gasped.
"S-shigure…"
Just before her, was a figure resembling the late Legate, Shigure Rangetsu. The same body build, the same stance, even the same type of clothing. But this Shigure had the same eyes as the wingless dragon behind him. Pulsating golden veins beat through its fabric. His voice, a dominate and reflective tone.
"'Sup Eleanor?"
"Err…" The redhead took a moment to catch her stumbling fall. "Yes. Empyrean Eumacia. I've come to your holy sanctum to –"
"Yes, yes I know." He cut her off waving a dismissive hand. "The Sixth has already discussed this with me. Do you really think something like this can work?"
"I must try." She nodded. "Humans aren't like dragons. If there's even a sliver of a chance, to ever cut somebody from their malevolence, I will take it."
"This is an incredibly harsh and dangerous road for you to go, Shepherd." Eumacia gazed over to Alex. "This your bodyguard?"
"Yes. And her second Legate. Much like yourself Former Lord Shigure." Alex bowed.
"Shigure, Eumacia. For me, it's all the same." He flippantly shrugged. Almost seemed like he was just himself. Returning to Eleanor he held his hand out. "Shepherd Hume, step forward."
Eleanor took a deep breath and stepped forward. Runes appeared at her feet, circling around. Ancient arte scriptures rose and spun around her as Eumacia closed his eyes. In penance, she bend down to a single knee.
By the blessings of the Empyrean of Earth, and the foundation of this stones, may your path stay resolute to what you have desired.
Flashing golden light erupted in the room. Just as fast as it came, it disappeared.
"Rise, Eleanor Hume. By my blessing, I proclaim you as a true Shepherd to humanity."
Eleanor stood back up. Nothing felt too different. Maybe her legs fell asleep when she bend down.
"There is something however, we Empyreans have been keeping a secret for the past seven years."
She blinked. "About what happened with Velvet and Innominat?"
"Right." He scratched his head, trying to find the best words to say it.
"Uuuh yeah. The sacrifice, while incredibly noble by Hyanoa's standards, but… Well.."
"Well, what?"
"All she really did was buy time. She's gonna die by Innominat's malevolence devouring."
The redhead shifted. That's not right. How could that be true? "But Velvet sacrificed herself to –"
"To save the Fifth Empyrean from possibly hurting or killing his connections, and to calm down the Empyrean so he couldn't potentially damage the world or whatever." He shrugged. "Tell me, where did she learn of that?"
Her mouth opened, hollowed breath coming out. She kept all that information to herself, even to her last moments among them. All she gave to the world was a pray that her own sins would be repaid by them.
"You saw the dragons in Hexen Isle, right? 'Infinite Malevolence' to keep the Empyrean awake and under our thumb. So what did Velvet do?"
"Trap him in an infinite loop… But he was weakened so –!"
"Why the hell would an Empyrean to the caliber of Innominat be weaker as the heart, to the rest of its subordinate 'heads'?" Eumacia frowned. He rubbed his eyes, shaking his head. "A year after that happened, we told Maotelus. He took it hard, but… even he couldn't do anything."
"But there must be something we can do!"
The Earth Empyrean looked at Eleanor. For all the years he watched through the Earthpulse, feeling the very ground that all life steps on, each touch vibrating through the globe. How reserved and calm she was. Even the face of controversy and exploitation, she did her best.
Now, that mask she wore to the people was cracking. Even seven years later, that kind heart tried and tried and tried, living by her own ideals that found ways to betray her.
Or perhaps, it was the people and circumstance against her that betrayed her.
"Unfortunately, it's between Innominat and Velvet. If I had to guess… She has another three years until he's devoured her completely and he falls asleep."
Her arms shook, pulling up to her chest. "B-but there must be something…"
"Shepherd." Alex called over, looking to the entrance. "We've got guests."
She turned, holding her spear, unsteady by the current events.
"Venators!"
Slowly, armored figures emerged from the shadows. Spears, swords, maces and morning stars swished in the air. Forming a semi-circle around the group, a leader stepped forward.
"False Shepherd, we have come to purify you of your sins. Be honored your blood shall be the one used for a new order."
Alex and Eleanor held their weapons tightly. Aoife manifested behind the redhead, arms out, holding a single short-sword in reverse grip. All concentration focused on their enemy until Eumacia stepped forwards. His characteristic grin turned to a grimace.
"You fuckers again. I thought I kicked your asses out of here for defiling my home under the sun. Even managed to stop me from having my recreation of yozakura anmitsu." His voice rumbled as the chamber quaked.
"I'm fucking pissed. You will leave. Now!"
Earthly waves of light exploded at his feet, but his opponents held their ground. A spike erupted through the ground at his side. Eumacia held its tip, ripping it off its ground. Dirt and marble crumbled away, revealing a massive double-edged blade.
"Very well. Entertain me then!"
"Angel Claw!"
"Demon Fang!"
"Azure Edge!"
Energies bounced around, colliding, and exploded. Cacophonies boomed about the structure. Absolute chaos broke loose between the Shepherd's allies and these Venators. Eleanor gasped, fighting herself fighting five of them. Shigure handled five at once and Alex taking on another four.
Blades danced about her. None of them got close. Swatting attacks with her spear, Eleanor held her ground. This was nothing new to her now. At her back, Aoife held her small sword inwards.
"Whirling top!"
"Sword rain!"
She backed up. They pressed again. And again, their efforts proved fruitless. Back and forth, Eleanor spun her spear and herself, evading, countering their attacks.
"Crimson Servant…!" One of them jumped. She spun and threw him behind her. "Flame beast!"
A fireball consumed his body. Aoife waved her blade about, dancing the fires before to another. The ringlet of fire spread across the floor and air. Three pulled back, two charged through. Their impatience was rewarded.
Sparks rubbed, then died. Eleanor gasped, feeling the pressure. Fight or flight. Eyes turned to Alex, disarming and flourishing through her opponents. Eumacia brutalizing his opponents with limps breaking and ripping apart.
Her mind trailed and pain spiked up her side. The Venator shoved through Aoife and struck her. Fingers uncoiled around her spear as the man followed through. Eleanor gasped, taking her other arm and punching him in the gut. Fingers crushed against the leather and light metal armor. She followed through.
Velvet's blade glimmered, meeting softer skin. The man howled, coiling back. It won't kill, it won't kill, it won't kill.
"All Wings retreat." The leader barked. Malak at their sides appeared and pulled them away, disappearing.
Her eyes fell to the spattered blood on the ground and back to Velvet's reforged blade. Along the edges, crimson dripped and pooled down.
The ground shook, her head spun.
"…Anor?"
Eleanor turned, seeing Alex at her side. Aoife blinking as well.
"You ok?" The blonde asked again.
"I-I'm fine. Just gotta clean this afterwards, you know?"
Alex turned, swiping her own blade clean. Eumacia walked over, crushing his makeshift blade into pieces. The room was cleared out. While the Venators took even the dead bodies, they left behind smashed and cut body parts. Most of them from Eumacia's doing.
"I fear for the rest of the Elemental Empyreans. I've already talked with the other's, but these Morrígan Wings are persistent." He shook his head. "Collecting artifacts, gathering weapons. Following orders of old man Melchior."
"We know." The blonde nodded. "Passed two years and their little shadow war, public opinion dropped."
Eleanor slumped her head, taking a small rag of hers to clean the blade. "Does Ameouch know this?"
"He does. Unfortunately, he's not gonna persuade them to stop. More like, he can't persuade them to stop."
"I can send you two close to the forests. That'll cut the time for you to head back." Eumacia stamped his foot on the ground, projecting a portal before them. It was like the many she saw in the earthpulse and final battle.
"Thank you Lord Eumacia." Alex bowed, walking over to the portal.
As Eleanor turned, the Empyrean sighed. "Eleanor. If you ever happen to run into Rokurou… Say this to him; hana wa sakuragi, hito wo bushi."
"I-I'll try…"
He chuckled, waving them off. Stepping into the portal, they vanished. And soon enough, so did his ethereal form. The dragon's eyes flickered to life, lumbering back into its hole, to wait and guard its home.
-.-.-
Eleanor's head rattled as they finally arrived at the Empyrean's throne. Plagued by Eumacia's words, she and Alex climbed the stairs to the top. Despite the original intentions of the throne, and it's forced labor construction, she couldn't help by admire how well crafted it was. Silver-white marble lining up and down its pillars and steps.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. This time, she'll ask Maotelus directly. Was what Eumacia said was true?
A thunderous wave of wind blasted the steps. Eleanor braced while her malakhim companion gazed up. Bowing down, she was accompanied by Alex.
Ethereal flames manifested before them as a familiar little boy stepped towards them. There was something on his mind, and he wanted to tell them.
"Maotelus…"
"Eleanor…"
"Why didn't you tell me Velvet was dying?"
"Velvet's gone missing!"
Eleanor stopped. Maotelus rubbed his eyes with his sleeve. "I knew that Eumacia or any of the Empyreans would've told you but… V-velvet's missing."
"W-what?"
"Wasn't she captured in some kind of infinite malevolence ball?" Alex interjected.
"Y-yes. It's not really 'infinite' but… I don't know, I checked on Innominat and her a week ago, and she was just… gone."
"Does that mean that somehow Innominat pushed her out?"
Maotelus stumbled, shrugging wildly. "I… I maybe? I can't watch them dream all the time but…"
"So… Velvet's out there. Somewhere." She paused. "I want to look for her."
Aoife stepped in. "Shepherd Hume, I must disagree."
"Aoife, you know how much she meant to the group."
"And now, that group has spread across the known lands, living by their own ideals. Take for example, the Pirate; remember the general threat they are to trade routes."
Eleanor bit her inner lip. While she was associated with the less scrupulously bunch, it was handled by Alex. But she wanted a hand in her duties as well. If there was anybody to suffer, then it'd also be by her hands too. Eizen was her friend, forged through their adventures, but now, being on the other side of the law, it was just the way things were.
As much as she wanted to change it.
"I suggest we continue with our plan."
"Hume," Alex stepped up. "You know what is occurring in the frontiers."
The redhead rubbed her temples. A new Lord of Calamity. Velvet's given title still haunted the people. The mere mention of a new Lord of Calamity sent shivers down the ordinary people's backs. And while she knew who she was, it wouldn't matter.
The people won't accept the reality.
At least, not yet. Eleanor closed her eyes. "But what if she's out there, alone?"
"She is a daemon." Aoife scoffed. "Have you so little faith in your former leader?"
"That's not what I meant."
"If she is the former Lord of Calamity, she will survive. We should not go following leads on her."
She turned to her friend, hot breath at every word. "And just leave her?"
"Eleanor Hume." The flame malak stepped forward. "I mean no insult. If the Therion has returned to this world, she has many options. One, she may try to start anew again. Tossing away her old life. Perhaps she will not want to be found."
Growling, Eleanor bowed her head. It was possible. Given all the shit that Velvet had gone through, would it be so hard to think of returning as an escape?
After all, nobody beyond the Bloodwing Butterflies, several Exorcists, and the Menagerie knew who the Lord of Calamity was.
"The other, and the more probable, she will go out and try to find what happened to her former comrades, no longer bound by the chains of her own vengeance." Aoife chuckled. "She will go and find her old friends. And possibly, find herself here. We should continue with own quest."
"I… Th-thank you Aoife."
"Do not thank me, young Shepherd. It is the bonds you share with your allies. As frail as those bonds seem now, I suspect it will come around in time. But I will give you this warning Shepherd: Do not rely on their abilities to compensate your own weaknesses. There will be times where it will be you, and only you, that will be tested in the trials to come.
"After all, in darkness, ambition and dreams will be the sole light you have."
Eleanor gulped. Sometimes she wondered how long-lived Aoife was. She almost never talked about herself. Her eyes turned to Alex, also reflecting on her words. For the small fidgets of her fingers and stance, those words cut deeper than she thought.
"Eleanor," Maotelus said, "Is that..?"
The girls turn to the steps, seeing black hair bobbing up and down. Long nodachi blades sat behind a warrior's back. A constant smile hid behind shadowed features. Clothes of the Far Continent, modified by Midgand cultural standards.
"Rokurou…?"
Pain is a two-fold thing. Especially for immortal things. How many times to you think they've died during their life?
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