AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message spell speech
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
Chapter 39
→ Re-Estize Arachamas suit / Arachama ←
Arachama shifted around, trying to find comfort by cuddling Zesshi. But this fight proved futile. Small stringings crept around her abdomen. She felt nauseous and every position felt uncomfortable over time. She sweated without end and her abdomen felt hot every second of the night. When the first rays of the sun got through the window Arachama gave up and crept out of the bed.
She, despite the nausea, managed to get to the living room before she sat down. Cixous was already waiting and Arachama sighed.
"Good morning Cixous. I will go to Nazarick to clean myself. Please help Zesshi in the meantime." Arachama told her and she nodded.
After using "Gate" for the instant travel, Arachama was in her paradies and went to a fitting bathroom. She took her time under a shower, before she clothed herself. The nausea was subdued after the shower, but still lingered in the back of her head.
She returned as soon as possible, only to find Zesshi snoring in the bed. Arachama sighed and decided to take some revenge.
"Heyyy, Monga." She asked him by using "Message".
"Yes." the grumpy voice answered.
"What about the papers I brought you yesterday?" Arachama inquired.
"They will do. Now be gone devil." Monga replied and cut the connection.
"Taste your own medicine." Arachama hissed in her mind and wore a mischievous smile.
She got into the living room and began to read the 'Spider Papers', to see if something interesting was planned. Sadly only two interesting conversations caught her attention and she decided that she would indeed use the invitation she got yesterday.
"Can't wait to have some fun." Arachama mused.
"What plan did you get now, mom?" Zesshi yawned and came closer.
"Look here. I think we can milk that opportunity to the fullest." Arachama showed her the passages.
"If you wish. But are you sure they can't turn this on us?" Zesshi inquired.
"How should they? Officially I know nothing. I will not do something against any form of custom and to top it off I can play the insulted lady." Arachama giggled and Zesshi groaned.
"If you wish. Cixous said that we are invited for breakfast at the palace." Zesshi told her.
"That is great. That was the second thing that was interesting." Arachama mused, feeling much better now. Even her nausea had further retreated.
"I will be back shortly and then we will go?" Zesshi inquired.
"That sounds lovely." Arachama said and kissed Zesshi on the forehead.
→ Roble Holy Kingdom Hoburns ←
A single paladin was walking through the halls of the palace. The paladin had brown hair in a bob-shape with a white hairband. The armor was shimmering silver and only covered by the surcoat. It was one of the armors, which was worn by the higher ups in the paladin order of the kingdom. A mace was hefted on her waist, whilst her back had a round shield. Remedios Custodio always wore her armor, just in case.
She walked along the white floor, which was covered in a blue carpet. The windows were large and formed a wall on its own. Once she came to her destination she knocked.
"Come in." came the voice of her liege.
She stepped in and saluted.
Before her, on the chair in the office, sat the current queen of the kingdom. Queen Calca Bessarez had golden blond hair, which flowed on her back. The face was only described as similar to angels by everyone who met her. She wore one of her more formal gowns. Calca looked up and stared at her for a moment.
"Good afternoon Remedios. How are you?" Calca inquired and signed for Remedios to take a seat.
"I am doing well, considering the quiet time for now." Remedios sighed.
"So you think it is the quiet before the storm?" Calca asked, filling out another paper.
"Yes. But what is troubling me more is my talent." Remedios answered.
Remedios had a rare talent, though it felt more like a curse. She could see the future, to some extent. That was extremely rare and helped her much in her career. It saved her and her paladins from many crushing defeats and even saved some cities.
The problem was that none would believe her if she told them. Not even her friends. Remedios and her sister Kelart had experimented on it. If she had a prophecy Kelart couldn't do otherwise than to not believe it. The best Kelart could do was to write it down and allow Remedios to tell her that she said so. Sadly most of them turned out to be true to some extent. But still she wasn't believed. The only one awaiting fulfillment was her first.
*** Flashback/ Hoburns / Remedios ***
Remedios, a small six year old child, was playing tag with Calca in the garden of her family's mansion. Remedios was sprinting behind Calca when her friend took a sharp turn. Remedios, without any chance to react, ran straight into the wall. A black void crept over her vision as Remedios lost consciousness.
She opened her eyes in something she could only see as a dream. A gigantic battlefield spread around her and she saw two armies fighting. One wore a black robe and had skeletal features. A red orb was where the stomach would be and an army of skeletons was at his side.
The other figure was wearing armor, which shone brightly in white colors. A silver flame came out of every opening and engulfed the warrior. The pelt of a minotaur was hefted and seemed to breathe fire itself. This proud warrior was attacking the undead without fear nor restraint. Only tenacity. A wave of silvery flames swept over the skeletons, which responded by fighting it.
Just as Remedios got curious the paladin got distance and placed his hand on his visor. Just as he opened and the burning neck was revealed, blackness returned. Remedios was once again in darkness. Then she opened her eyes. Calca and Kelart looked at her with suspicion.
*** Hoburns / Calca ***
Calca had turned around a corner when she saw Remedios crash into the wall. Remedios fell unconscious and Calca panicked. At least until Remedios' eyes opened. Only the white was visible and an ethereal aura engulfed her. Kelart came just around the corner, only to coil back at her sister.
"The six long lost still remain, the last one His anger knows no restrain, the world shall run. Fear the might of death. He prepares to take humans' last breath ." Remedios, in an ethereal voice. Strangely Calca couldn't but snort at it, which was also the reaction of Kelart.
Just as the voice finished Remedios fell to the ground and groaned. She opened her eyes and looked at them.
"Is she the same?" Calca asked herself, questioning the sanity of her friend.
*** Hoburns / Remedios ***
Remedios had opened her eyes and looked at her sister and her friend.
"Are you ok?" her sister asked.
"A headache and a weird dream." Remedios replied.
"As long as it gets better." Calca sighed.
"You can't believe what I saw in the dream. I saw a gigantic battle. A paladin facing down an undead in an epic fight." Remedios beamed.
"See, she is still a dreamer." Calca smiled, uneasiness in her voice.
"Yes. Imagine she tells us that it was the end of humanity." Kelart laughed.
"But I saw it." Remedios said, a bit shocked at their behavior.
*** Flashback end ***
Since then Remedios had trained to become a paladin to protect humanity. She would never allow the wretched undead to take over and extinct her species. Sadly no one ever believed her. But she herself later learned to stay awake during such phases and was able to learn from them.
One of them occurred last night and unnerved her. She saw a one-eyed danger crawling into the palace. A dagger, which had dribblers all over itself. Then a slash and a tombstone. She feared the worst and decided to stay inside the palace that night.
"I will not stop you from taking over the night shift. I just want you to be careful. Don't overexert yourself over some false dreams." Calca smiled.
"Will do. Can I also take my sister to this nightshift?" Remedios inquired.
"Of course. But tomorrow you rest." Calca smiled, giving a soft look at her.
"If you wish. I will prepare now and tell Kelart of the changes." Remedios told Calca and left.
"If only others could actually take my words in regards to my talent more seriously. It would have saved even more lifes." Remedios thought, regret seeping through her spine.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Arachama ←
Arachama and Zesshi arrived shortly after leaving their mansion. Both were then led towards a prepared room, the same party she already encountered was present. Though a new person was there. This person was tall, blond and seemed to be muscled. Arachama was pretty sure this was the prince Barbo, as reactions between Zesshi and him were immediate and strong distaste.
"Good morning, Lady Arachama." The Marquise greeted her.
"Good morning, Marquise Raeven." Arachama replied and smiled at him.
"I hope the night was refreshing?" The king inquired.
"Not really but I wouldn't tell you." Arachama thought.
"It was indeed." Arachama told him.
At that moment the servants brought a buffet in and Arachama felt relieved. Maybe a bit of food would help her against the nausea.
She and Zesshi ate at a slow pace and held their decorum, though Arachama suspected that Zesshi did it more because she was present than anything else. She also observed unease creep between the prince and the rest of his family. Then she remembered a few passages she had read and smiled in her head.
"I already contacted my friend in regards to the potential treaty. He agreed to the terms I presented to him. We only need to clear the air around the installments." Arachama smiled and observed the reactions.
Zanac, Raeven and the king smiled at the news. Renner feigned happiness while the Barbo seemed infuriated.
"That would be good." the king muttered.
"Indeed. That would also mean that I would depart tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see my daughters again." Arachama sighed and ate a bit of meat.
The breakfast continued along in silence, as neither side wanted to speak. It was a combination of morning grumpiness, no interesting topic at hand and Arachamas nausea.
She also observed that Zesshi looked at her more often, as if to make sure she was alright. Arachama simply smiled at her when she noticed, hoping to relax her daughter a bit.
After breakfast the group went to the launch from last evening. Snacks and wine were delivered. Zesshi enjoyed both, though more the wine than the actual snacks. She herself decided to not indulge both. Her nausea certainly wouldn't help and she wasn't hungry after eating her way through a buffet.
They got comfortable when a sigh escaped her lips.
"Everything in order, mom?" Zesshi whispered.
"Yes, I just have a bit of nausea. Don't worry." Arachama tried to push the issue under the proverbial rug.
Zesshi nodded, though Arachama knew that she just worried her daughter.
"I would ask for three installments. They would be every three months. If possible we would like to start after harvest." the king began.
"I could give you 10 percent on that. Lower and I would pay from my wallet." Arachama pointed out.
"That sounds like it." Ramposa said and took a deep breath.
"Then we should write it down." Arachama smiled and so began the most chaotic and biggest part of the day.
They crafted the whole contract. Though Arachama would mostly look over their shoulders and try to not vomit onto anything.
→ South of Slane Theocracy ←
Two armies were staring each other down. One wore armor with dark-green, green and black coloring. The other had white background with six red candles, the symbol of their faith, on their garments. Pikes were at the front and Archers shot volleys after volleys at each other.
Soon the ammunition was used and the fronts advanced. A massacre ensued. The leader of the white-red army tried to hold his forces together, but it got increasingly hard.
Suddenly his enemy Sanguis Qaesier Furapis got closer. This behemoth carried a large scythe on his back. A sickle was carried in his left hand and a large bell on his right.
Sanguis Qaesier Furapis himself was tall, fat and always carried a wide smile. Former wounds, which have poorly healed adorned his body, as he didnt care for armor. The most prominent wound was a large cut on his chest, which produced large quantities of puss and many warts adorned it. Three points were burned on his forehead. Hair, filth and puss was simply kept on his body. The stench was disgusting, but seemingly effective. But nothing terrified his soldiers more than the unholy chime of the bell, which this monster in human skin carried.
He chimed it over and over again, which gave the green clad army a frenzy. Sanguis Qaesier Furapis then found him. One swing with his bell and a few soldiers between them were on the ground, trying to grab their jaws and collecting their teeth.
"Got you." Sanguis Qaesier Furapis smiled, as he grabbed the warlord.
The warlord hung at the left hand of Sanguis Qaiser For Furapis arm. The bell swung back and he entered a world of chimes and pain.
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong*
*Dong**Crack*
The bell went back and forth, back and forth. At the thirteenth beat the skull cracked and the warlord was released to the ground. The white-red army tried to flee the field.
Some were captured and brought before the monstrosity. He looked at every single one of the captives. Afterwards some were brought away, stripped of their clothes. Then they were clothed in the uniform of their captors and branded. The others were huddled together before the warlord. They whispered, feared and huddled together until, with one swing of his gigantic scythe, he decapitated them all.
"What a great harvest. Hahaha." Furapis laughed and would enjoy a great feast today.
→ Close to Abellion hills / Demiurge ←
After having located his goal, Demiurge had prepared as carefully as possible. He observed his target from an elevated position for a short time.
It was a crude camp with many tents and barley and camp fires. A rigid palisade was pointing outwards, but every cunning and flexible being would be able to crawl in. Inside he saw quite a few demi-humans running around. All were male and seemingly preparing for something. Demiurge knew that this would be interesting.
He decided to make his entrance more interesting. Using "Bonfire of Floo", which was a cosmetic that enables demons to appear in a globe of fire, and "Teleportation" he appeared in the largest campfire at the center of the camp.
Immediately all stopped what they were doing and had to catch their jaws. Then all hell broke loose. They tried to equip their armor as soon as possible, but Demiurge snapped with a finger.
"Shadow Demons" suddenly appeared and spread chaos around the camp. They stole pieces of armor, weapons and provisions and ran around the camp.
A roar came from the biggest tent and a demi-human emerged from it. It looked like a mixture of a lion and a human.
"Who dares.." He began.
"I dare, weakling. I demand your service and you all will give it to me or perish in flames. Anything against this change of management?" Demiurge smirked and this made the demi-human even angrier.
"You will reverse it weakling or I will use your body as a new club." it roared.
"Then come here. I always need new pelts." Demiurge laughed.
It shot towards him, equipping a large flail in the process. It swung its flail in wide ranging motion to build momentum, but Demiurge was too fast and flexible. He just dodged every swing for nearly five minutes, tiring his opponent. In the meantime some demi-humans built a circle around them and observed.
"Weakling. Attack or face my wrath." it burst in anger and red mist surrounded it.
"I agree, weakling. I am tired of you. "Aspect of the Devil: Razor Sharp Claws"" Demiurge replied.
His claws got longer and much sharper. The demi-human was allowed to dodge the first swing. Turning around the beast aimed for Demiurge's mid-section. But it was blocked with the claws.
"My turn." Demiurge smirked and used his second hand to stab right where the liver should be.
The face of his opponent showed pain, but also resolve. It jumped back, only for demiurge to be upon him and slashing across the face, cutting the nose, lips and eyes.
Blinded and without smell it swung its flail without any form of aim, damaging everything it hit and injuring some of its own kin.
Demiurge enjoyed it for a short while and then shot towards his victim. He was underneath the creature and cut right above him. A growl of pain was heard and it tried to stomp where it guessed Demiurge.
The flail meanwhile was still swung around. Deciding that he had enough, Demiurge ended it by casting "Gate" and "Aspect of the Devil: Stout Demons Gigantic Arms". The portal formed and Demiurge's arm grew until it was gigantic. It was multiple times as long as demiurge tall. Demiurge hit the demi-human and it was catapulted through the portal to his nice little farm.
He looked around. The other demi-humans looked at him in fear. This made him smile and he decided to indulge himself a bit.
"I am not here to kill you, yet. I demand your services and you will give it to me." Demiurge ordered and all demi-humans nodded.
"Good. You will follow my little henchmen and behave nicely. Anyone disobeying finds himself in my care." Demiurge grinned and let his sadism flow into his gaze. He was ecstatic.
Far away but just within the view range, red, malicious and beady eyes glared at the camp.
"So it starts-begins. Yes-yes. I report-tell master-chief." the observer says. Only a naked tail glimmered as it scurried towards an abandoned mine unknown to demiurge.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Arachama ←
It was getting closer to the evening. The sun was already settling. Within the delegation the yawns were suppressed, except for Zesshi. Zesshi was cuddling into her side, under the hateful glare of Barbo.
Arachama meanwhile kept every possible corner in her vision, either through her eyes directly or by her "Hive Mind". No dangers were present the whole day, but she wouldn't loosen the security around her daughter.
The contract meanwhile was close to finished, as only the signatures were missing. But before that the servants brought tea and cake. Zesshi grumbled a bit as she was nudged by Arachama, but in the end all enjoyed the tea and sweets. That meant that the group was quiet, not wanting to stress their tired mind with anything other than the dish.
Afterwards the necessary copies and signatures were made. Arachama smiled and placed it in her inventory, for now. She sighed though.
"I will get back home tomorrow. Please understand that I am a mother of many children" she told the group.
"That is understandable. I hope the kingdoms will have peace from now onwards." the king smiled.
"That is a hope we share." Arachama replied honestly.
After that Zesshi and her left, preparing for one last appointment. Once they were at their mansion Zesshi yawned.
"It was sooo boring." she complained.
"But it was necessary." Arachama giggled and got an annoyed glance from Zesshi.
"Nazarick could conquer this land easily, you know?" Zesshi asked, raising four eyebrows.
"I am sure we could. But he decided on the slow approach. It would be a travesty and a gigantic mess if we slaughtered our way across the world." Arachama answered.
"So what is the plan?" Zesshi pleaded.
"Tonight we will go to this ball. Once there we will have a second meeting with one of Demiurges contacts." Arachama smiled.
This got a reaction out of Zesshi. It was a combination of shock, annoyance and fear.
"He didn't strike me as one who would have 'contacts'" Zesshi mumbled, resignation in her eyes.
"I don't think it is a 'contact' in the traditional sense. More a fearful servant who knows not to cross us, since they would face his wrath." Arachama thought loudly.
"Mhm." Zesshi replied and seemingly decided to just go with it.
"Anything else for tonight?" Zesshi inquired.
"After the ball we will cuddle. The same will be done tomorrow on our trip home." Arachama smiled.
"I can't wait to see my sisters. I hope Entoma is doing well." Zesshi sighed.
"I think she is doing fine. Otherwise she would have contacted me already." Arachama told her.
"I would also feel it in my heart. Call it motherly instinct." she thought smugly.
Just as she finished the last touch and the clothing was done Arachama observed both of them in a mirror.
"You look gorgeous." Arachama grinned and suppressed the urge to cuddle her daughter like a plush.
"Mooom." Zesshi tried, but failed, to change the topic.
"Now then. I think we should go." Arachama giggled and both left their accommodation.
The little baron had seemingly arranged a map with the location for the ball, as Cixous had one and drove them according to said map. They arrived at a seemingly elegant mansion, though it was easy to detect mold and other disgusting defects.
"I hope he didn't pay much for this round down thing." Arachama thought.
The reception, or rather the young baron, looked down upon the mass of younger people. Beside him stood a blond with a snake tattoo. She seemed pale and underweight. One glance from her, and the turning of her head to her side, showed Arachama a plethora of recently acquired problems.
"Poor thing. Did they really go that far overboard?" Arachama thought as she came closer.
"Good evening, envoy." the baron greeted her.
The blond immediately turned even paler and Zesshis face formed a snarl, which disappeared after a small nudge from Arachama.
"Good evening. I hope everything is going as it should?" Arachama threw in.
While the blond nodded the baron smiled at her.
"Of course. I wouldn't have it otherwise." he said.
"Everyone likes to hear their plans are moving forward, don't they?" Arachama giggled.
"Demiurge has overperformed with both of them." she thought.
Both agreed and soon enough the baron hooked her arm into his. She resolved to disinfect it after she got to her accommodation. Zesshi meanwhile talked with the blond.
"Now entering, the host and the guest of the evening."
"There it is. They announce me and the shitshow can start." Arachama thought and observed hushed movements everywhere.
Soon enough she stood alone within the hall. She positioned herself into one corner and observed. The other guests were laughing between each other and pointed at her. She let them and decided to walk back towards her daughter.
"Look at this thing. We should have eradicated such monsters."
"What is this? Such mockery we have to deal with them."
"Why do we treat them with such regards? I am sure we can beat them in battle."
"I heard she has children. Such a shame the brood is getting merrier."
All those, and more, were spoken in the hall. The baron himself was agreeing and laughing about her as well. She spotted the prince, who pointed at her and laughed.
She came back to her daughter and then they left.
They moved fast through the streets towards their accommodation. Once there she was greeted by Cixous.
"Cixous, prepare everything. We will leave tonight, since we are finished and not welcome. I personally have a meeting. Zesshi, please help Cixous. If everything goes well we will arrive at Nazarick in the morning and from there travel as fast as possible to the mansion." she ordered and both nodded.
As Cixous, Zesshi and some hanzos packed everything and prepared the carriage, Arachama used "Gate" to get to her next appointment. Thanks to the reports and notes she could make a clear enough picture for the meeting place, which is above the ballroom of the baron.
She stepped through the "Gate" and observed the blond and some others were there. Renner was seated on the only couch within the room.
Arachama grabbed into her inventory and threw one of her own out. Once she sat on it she counted to 80, to calm herself down.
"Alright. How is the plan going?" Arachama inquired.
"We are ready to strike, Lady Arachama." One of the men behind the blonde reported.
"That is great. Anything regarding this evening?" Arachama hissed.
"It will give our Lord and Lady political advantage." Renner said.
"Besides, Lady Arachama, you wanted to collect it, otherwise you wouldn't have come to that farce of a ball." Renner continued.
"I just wanted to test the humans of this country." Arachama wanted to shout, but only the mini-Arachamas heard her.
"True enough. How will the kingdom react?" she inquired.
"I guess you will be leaving tonight?" Renner asked.
"Indeed. As part of this plan." Arachama improvised.
It had been a spontaneous idea and she was curious where it would end. While she knew what would happen, she hadn't known it would have that much impact.
"Then news will spread at breakfast. It will be funny to see what will happen. In every case, the Re-Estize kingdom will lose once the news spreads further than the palace, which it will thanks to every spy of other kingdoms." Renner mused.
"It also means I have no reason to deal with this farce of a country anymore." Arachama smiled, feeling relieved.
"Indeed." Renner replied.
"By the way. I have a present for you. Albedo and I have had a bit of a fight over it. But in the end we agreed to this. She also wants to meet you when the time is ripe." Arachama told Renner and grabbed an item from her inventory.
"Where is the item? "Yokai Horns''. Annnnnd there it is. This is the puzzle to it. Enjoy it as I am sure you will solve it easily" She smiled and gave the item to Renner. It was a broken horn, with creme colors. It had a stump on one end and was curved. The paper was made by Albedo and contained the requirements for the usage.
"Thank you, Lady Arachama." Renner beamed and was close to tears. This time not playing it.
"It is a reward well earned. Now then. Why do you all look so pale? I know I am considered a monster, but I think I am not that cruel." Arachama asked, looking at the 'contacts' Demiurge had 'acquired'.
"We would never insinuate such a thing, most merciful." The blond shot and fell to her knees, bowing towards Arachama.
"You will have no problem if I do something, right?" she inquired.
"Of course not." the blond said.
"Well, "Control Mind"." Arachama cast before anyone could stop her.
"What is your name?" inquired Arachama
"My name is Hilma Cygnus."
"Why do you fear me so much? Why are you not eating properly?" she asked
"Because of the punishment we received for standing in your way."
"What punishment?" Arachama wanted to know.
"We were eaten alive from the inside out multiple times for days on end. Since then our throats hurt when we try to eat properly."
"Typical for Demiurge. That was too much." Arachama thought. She released her hold and leaned back. She then used thought for a moment.
"Do you feel sore or anything in the throat?" she inquired.
"Yes. We feel where they have bitten us." Hilma answered as fast as possible.
"Demiurge, you ordered healing for the 'contacts'?" she asked Demiurge via "Message".
"Yes. I asked Pestonya to barely heal them. The throats were meant to be injured and the injury was meant to stay for the rest of their lives." Demiurge reported.
"I will heal them completely. I think they learned their lesson." Arachama told him and cut the connection.
"Well. As you served Nazarick I will reward you. "Heal". And here. Dig in." Arachama smiled. She first healed all their throats and then placed a "Never ending Cornucopia" on the only table. Fruits were boasting out of it and rolled all over the table.
The pale group got closer and carefully tried. After a short while they ate hungrily and without concern.
"I think you got them under your thumb." Renner smiled and whispered to her.
"Yes. I think." Arachama replied fearfully, as Hilma stared at her like some more denizens of Nazarick do.
"Thank you, my Lady." Hilma teared up and tried to kiss her feet.
"No problem. Just serve Nazarick to the best of your capabilities." Arachama tried.
"We will." Hilma promised and continued to work the cornucopia.
"Well. Seems like the carrot and stick have worked perfectly. I congratulate you, Lady Arachama." Renner giggled.
"I think you're right?" Arachama thought and only nodded.
"I will leave the item here for now. If you want you can also eat from it but after they eat their share. The item can also stay with them. Good night and hopefully, we will see each other again soon." Arachama yawned.
"Of course we will." Renner grinned and bowed towards her.
Arachama used this chance to use "Gate".
She arrived at the carriage and saw all the forces waiting for her. After a stifled yawn Arachama thought about the ball and her determination festered.
"The humans of this country will only learn when it is too late." she whispered and scooped Zesshi up.
"Let's move out. I have enough of this place." she ordered while getting inside the carriage.
"Yes, Lady Arachama." Cixous replied and helped them get comfortable.
Afterwards Arachama felt the carriage move and continued to cuddle Zesshi.
"Why did you do this to yourself, mom?" Zesshi asked.
"I hoped humans could look further than the species. I seemed to have made an error in my calculations." Arachama fumed.
"Don't give up yet. Think of Carne. What about them? They learned and I am sure the rest will learn as well…." Zesshi mumbled and continued to make herself comfortable.
"I hope. Otherwise Monga will win the other way." Arachama sighed and leaned her head into Zesshis hair.
"I hope they will." She whispered again, a single tear dropped from her chin and fell onto Zesshi before Arachama fell asleep. She hadn't registered that Zesshi had still listened and hoped as well.
→ HRK Hoburns Palace / Alator ←
Alator was climbing the walls of the royal palace without any effort. Afterwards he used the bushes in the garden as cover. There he used his mirror to look for a safe path.
He had chosen this night as there was no moon visible. The leader of the paladins, Remedios Custodio should also be far away as he saw her leave the palace in the afternoon. This made it far easier to get to his target. He sneaked through the palace without any problems, taking out patrols and hiding them. He soon saw no one inside the palace when scrying.
This elevated his mood and soon he made his way towards the royal bed chambers.
He stretched his arms on the way to the door, while looking to the right and to the left. Then he opened the door. He barely dodged a beam of Light fired at him by falling backwards.
"Wrong night, assassin." a female voice told him.
Before him stood a woman with brown bob shaped hair. She had tied it back with a white hairband. She wore the garment of a priest and Alator knew he stood against Kelart Custodio.
He simply stood up, while placing his cloth back over the lower half of his face. Afterwards he pulled out his second dagger.
"I also get another price? That is quite a productive night." Alator smirked.
"You will not achieve your goal, "Shock Wave"." Kelart replied and casted another spell.
Alator was hit by a painful shockwave, though he gulped the pain and didnt let it show. Afterwards he leaped into action.
Kelart tried another "Holy Ray", but Alator dodged this one as well and continued his advance. While he advanced Kelart grew seemingly anxious by the second. Just as Alator was leaping over Kelart he observed movement from behind Kelart.
Just as he was about to stab the caster he saw a black mass fly towards him from the left. He tried to dodge, but it was too late for that. Pain echoed through the left side of his face. In fury he threw the dagger towards the caster.
He heard a yelp while he himself retreated half blinded.
"Sister!" he heard and tried to open his left eye. His vision did not increase. He looked down. A mass of white skin, and red flesh and gelatinous substance was on the floor together with some blood. He spit and three teeth followed his eye.
"I will get you for this." He heard the angry voice and looked up. He did this just in time to dodge another attack by the mace. Then he recognised the threat. Remedios Custodio. He tried to stab, but a buckler was in the way. He tried to kick, but his aim was getting worse. She dodged and slammed the mace into his stomach. He jumped back, feeling nausea.
Remedios leaped after him and he managed to dodge again.
He dodged another beam, but then he felt his wound widen. Losing blood and stamina in rapid succession he grabbed into his pouch and retrieved a mask. Afterwards he retrieved small egg shaped objects. He threw them on the ground and they exploded.
The smoke hurt in his wound, but he heard the cough of two women as he retreated.
He just managed to throw himself over the wall he used to get in, as he heard an angry Remedios discovering some of his kills.
"I will get him and then he will wish I got him now." he heard her fume.
Alator continued to retreat to his cave. Once inside he leaned against a rock and slid down onto the ground. Then he felt the pain resurface. The left side of his face felt loose. He feared to open the mirror in his medallion. He didn't want to see the result. But he had to.
He opened it and looked at the reflection. The entire half of his face was ripped open. His cheekbone was poking out of the last bit of skin. Some of his former eye was hanging on a thread while he knew the rest was on the ground of that cursed palace. He hadn't even been able to retrieve the dagger he got from his master. Cuts were spread all over his body, as they were burning at the moment.
He opened his tunic and looked at the stomach. Two ribs poked out on his sides while the flesh was torn. He could even see parts of his entrails.
"Luckily I bound my tunic tight today." Alator thought, as he grimaced. He would need to sew his stomach shut.
"At least I got away. But how did this monster in human skin beat me so easily." He asked himself and got to work.
→ RHK Hoburns Palace / Remedios ←
Though Remedios would have liked to hunt the dog down, the wound her sister sustained was of much greater concern. Kelart was unable to either dodge or block the thrown dagger. Remedios' own shield wasn't fast enough either.
Kelart was placed into a bed and cared for by Remedios, with the help of Calca. Despite all effort during the following days the wound got worse and black stains developed on it. The breathing also worsened.
Remedios got more desperate by the hour.
"We could try to seek out a powerful healer." Calca promised.
"Do you have anyone in mind?" a devastated Remedios asked.
"Rumors reached me of a powerful magic caster in Baharut. We could ask for her help, if you want to." Calca answered.
"Then I shall move out." Remedios agreed and was already standing up.
"No, sister. Think about the realm." Kelart threw in, barely awake.
"But who else?" Remedios inquired.
"We need someone, who is not important enough for the war, but of high enough social standing." Calca told Remedios.
The picture of a squire came to mind. She was important enough, because her father held a high social standing. She herself though didn't hold the potential of her father.
A young blond with beady black eyes. Always glaring at others and shades that spoke of back alleys. Though Remedios knew she was pure at heart as she was useless.
"I have someone in mind." Remedios agreed and prepared to send her squire Neija Baraja.
AN: → HRK stands for Holy Roble Kingdom. It is a mouthful and thus I shortened it.
We are finally starting to see some action again.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you did, feel free to comment and review it.
