Mamono went about the camp with their business. Some were in the middle of corrupting human women they captured, others in the middle of partaking in their spoils of war with their newly obtained mate. Moans of despair and joy echoed across the camp.
A lone kunoichi hurried through the camp towards the war tent. At the same time within the war tent, another kunoichi had been called by Druella.
Yami entered the tent as Druella was busy writing on a letter of sorts. "You had called for me?" Spoke Yami dry tone.
Druella turned to Yami and rose from her seat, "Yes, I have a job for you."
"And?"
Druella had an agitated glare before sighing, "We are soon to send in the final wave to take Lescatie, however, something has popped up." She pulled out a scroll, "Apparently there is something of great importance to the Order hidden beneath the palace."
Yami interrupted Druella. "This job is more suitable for literally any other kunoichi. I do not see a reason for me specifically."
"I was not finished, and do not test my patience." Spoke Druella giving Yami another death glare before continuing, "Now as I was saying. It seems there is a heavily guarded secret within Lescatie. I have sent other kunoichi but none of them were successful. Seems they have expert mages keeping an eye out for disguised mamono. Also, from what I have heard, the humans are preparing an evacuation at the palace near it. Therefore, I am sending you."
Druella picked up a scroll off the table and handed over the scroll to Yami, "Here is your alias and pass to get in, however, if possible, try to find an opening to sneak in."
Yami opened up the scroll and skimmed through it, "This is a suicide mission, isn't it?"
"Not really, I am sure a kunoichi as experienced as you can do it."
Yami scoffed at that but did not bother arguing as she left the war tent.
A small smile formed on Druella's face, "Good riddance, can't wait to hear of your demise. I have been waiting for the opportunity to be rid of you." Muttered Druella to herself.
Shortly after that another, more honorable, kunoichi entered and quickly knelt down. "And what reason have you become before me? I do not recall calling for any other kunoichi" Asked Druella
"No Highness, you did not call for me. However, I bring news."
Druella sat back down and gestured toward the kunoichi, "Please, rise, and tell me this news."
The kunoichi followed the orders and stood straight up, "A day ago we had entered Lefonce forest, south of Lescatie..." The Kunoichi paused.
"Well? Do not keep me waiting."
"There were large tracks, they were clearly not human, but neither were they of any mamono. Eventually, we came to a clearing where... To put it simply your Highness, Dalhu is dead."
Druella's face went pale, "How was that possible? She was with me since the day I was old enough to take command. No one save for me had ever bested her" Her fists clenched, "Who killed her?"
"We believe it was the supposed Red Hooded beast, the same one that killed Hehoteb."
If that was the case then he will be a problem but... "Where are the rest of Yuri's squad?"
"I was sent to tell the message I have just given, however, I felt I needed to help them, so I went back and followed the tracks."
Druella rose from her seat and placed her hand on the kunoichi, "They are dead, aren't they?" The Kunoichi merely nodded a single tear went down her cheek. Druella wiped it off, "Go, rest. There is nothing else I can ask of you."
The kunoichi made a slight bow before hurrying off. She did not notice as she left, but Yami was standing next to the entrance and was eavesdropping.
She had heard everything, even the part of Druella's desire to be rid of her.
She breathed in and out slowly, trying to keep her composure. Even if the mission was meant to bring her end, Yami would stay. No not just that, but also complete her mission.
She would stay, for her sister's sake who died for this campaign. No matter the outcome, if Druella succeeded or failed, Yami would leave everyone and everything behind and search for a new purpose. Before that, however, she would need alone time to grieve, but right now that could wait.
Who knows, maybe there is something out there other than searching for a mate.
(-)
The city was in chaos. The Order had pushed back another wave of the invading monster army. Soldiers who were not on the walls were checking the bodies of monsters to make sure that they truly were dead. If they were dead their bodies would then be dragged away and burned at one of the many bonfires strung throughout the city.
Any demonic equipment that remained was also thrown into the fire of the bonfires. The Order would not allow a spec of corruption within their walls to exist.
Citizens were being hurried to the capital as the first stage of evacuation. However, a few citizens were caught up in the crossfire of the last wave. Some were underneath the rubble of buildings the monsters tore through, and some were paralyzed from too much exposure. Priests and the like were sent to care for them, Sasha included.
Sasha was near the wall as she helped the other priests. She chanted a small prayer, healing a person who had barely survived a building collapsing on them. "Thank...you," Said her patient weekly.
Sasha replied, a small tear running down her face, "There, there. Everything will be alright. Just rest and let us do the rest." The person nodded before passing out from blood loss.
As Sasha healed them, she started to wonder if siding with Druella was the right choice. Druella told her that the people of Lescatie's suffering would end, and humans and mamonos would live in peace. But this...This was the complete opposite.
Ever since she started helping Druella everything got worse. Before Lescatie had been flourishing, even the slums were starting to be considered a respected part of the city. But now the city was in ruins, barely held together by the Order's forces.
Sasha finished healing the person and two soldiers holding a stretcher arrived. Quickly they put the stretcher down, placed the person on it, and hurried away with them.
She then began to look for another person to save before turning around to see Wilmarina coming over. The hero stopped in front of Sasha, "Hey, Sasha." Spoke the hero.
"Hello, Wilmarina." Replied Sasha tiredly
"So, how is everything going around here?" Asked Wilmarina, giving a look of concern.
"We are managing... I guess you could say. If only our situation didn't look so...bleak."
A small chuckle came from Wilmarina, "Sounds better than everyone else I asked." Wilmarina got closer with a look of concern, "By the way Sasha, how are you specifically?"
Sasha paused and looked at Wilmarina with confusion, "What do you mean?"
"I've heard rumours that you are ill, also..." Wilmarina looked around, and then reluctantly continued, "I've also heard rumours that you betrayed us, and are helping the monsters. But...that can't be true. Right, Sasha?"
Sasha froze at that, "Of course not. I would never betray us.", she then felt another bit of herself die as she made another lie. It was true in the past few weeks the Order had grown suspicious of her, but they did not have any actual evidence to hold against her. However it seems it was no longer a private rumour amongst the higher-ups, but now a common rumour that was spreading.
A smile formed on Wilmarina's face as she sighed, "That's good to hear. To be honest, I couldn't believe such absurd rumours myself, but I felt I had to ask you anyway." She turned towards the wall, Watching Mersé as they barked orders at the soldiers.
"You know Sasha if it wasn't for the trade boom from a few months back, we would have fallen a long time ago." Wilmarina turned to look at Sasha," I am afraid to say this but, but Lescatie will fall in the next wave. If we hope to see the end of tomorrow, we will need some sort of divine intervention. Guess that's why everyone's praying for a miracle of some kind. We can only hope that God will hear our prayers and deliver us."
(-)
Within the divine realm of Hel, where the souls of mortals first went to before being sent to their selected afterlife, a meeting between two gods was soon to take place.
On the rooftop of Hel's capital, the servants of Hel were busy maintaining the many mechanical pieces of the web of fate, others were busily maintaining the runes of the core with the strange dark liquid inside of it.
Hel herself was studying the threads of fate that came out of the core with great concern. "Impossible, this cannot be," muttered Hel."
"What do you speak of Hel." Spoke a familiar voice. Hel averted her attention from the thread to see the fallen god.
"Oh, you have arrived. Apologize, I must not have heard you entering my realm."
The fallen god walked over next to Hel and looked over at the thread she was observing, "It's quite alright, but what is it that you see that has caught your attention so?"
"Actually, it has to do with why I have been requesting an audience with you."
"Should we discuss this elsewhere?" Asked the fallen god.
"No, that won't be necessary. Servants leave us." Commanded Hel with a snap of her finger. Emmiedietly on commanded the servants left and Hel continued, "Were you aware of events at Lahara desert?"
"I'm afraid not, I was busy with the matters of Lescatie."
Hel gave a slightly disappointed look, "I see, just like the other gods I contacted, you also were not aware."
"Aware of what?"
"A month ago the entire desert was covered in a fierce storm, not one person survived the storm." The fallen god gave a surprised look, "And yes I searched, there was not a single living being. That's not the strange part. The strange part is that not a single soul entered my realm. Nor did they stay in the mortal realm as I could not revive them as undead."
The fallen god walked over to the edge of the roof and peered down at the realm's residents, thinking of what Hel just said.
"I am surprised that somehow I nor any of the other gods were aware of this," The fallen god turned to look at Hel, "But what does this haft to do with that thread of fate?"
Hel reverted her attention back to the thread in her hands. She looked long and hard before speaking, "three months ago I foresaw the fall of Lescatie. It was a short and easy victory for our allies. But now, I cannot perceive a single event as I peer into Lescatie's fate. It's as if something has erased its inevitable fate entirely."
"Strange... It reminds me of my own divine gift."
Hel looked back up at the fallen god, "How so?"
"I have been using it to block off the chief god from communing and supporting her followers, but recently it has stopped working. It's as if it grew a mind of its own and is rejecting me. I have tried to find the source, but whatever it is, it seems to elude me."
Hel dropped the thread and was now giving a grave look, "Were you using it specifically to support conquering Lescatie?"
"Yes of course I was."
Hel walked over to where the fallen god was and peered down upon her people as well, "Then the only conclusion I can think of is..." She paused, still unsure of what she was about to suggest, "Is that there is a god-like force out there. Somehow it has remained hidden from us, but now they are taking action and are somehow able to influence our gifts."
The fallen god was now astonished at Hel, "Another god? No that cannot be so. Save for you, all of us gods were made at the same time and place by the original chief god."
"Even if that is true, there is no other way to explain how both of our divine gifts have refused to help us. Especially considering how it seems to be in relation to Lescatie."
Hel looked at the fallen god dead in the eyes, "This thing, whatever it may be, will not simply allow us to do as we please."
(-)
Cries of despair from banshees echoed across the camp, striking fear amongst the mamono. The commanders that were currently at the camp tried to calm their comrades, but even they were worried.
Some mamono started to think of leaving, others wondered why only know they were being warned of a costly battle.
Druella exited the war camp in a storm towards the group of banshee who had gathered near the centre of the camp. "What is the meaning of this?" Asked Druella in a commanding voice.
One of the banshees walked up to speak, "We are here to send a warning to you, oh noble one." The banshee made a slight bow as she said the last part.
"Yes, warning us that many will die. Though I must say your quite a bit late with your warning, a few short battles have already taken place."
"That is not exactly what we have come to warn your highness." Once again the banshee bowed.
"Then what is this warning?" Asked Druella
"Lescet's fate has become unknown to her. She fears that if you attempt to claim Lescatie from here on out, there will be bloodshed on a massive scale."
Druella did not say anything at that. How could a god, whose business was that of fate, send her that message? Even still she could not simply walk away from this campaign now. She had spent far too many resources and too much time on this campaign. She would not let Dalhu's death be in vain.
Druella turned went to one of her commanders, "Let everyone know, tomorrow we will take Lescatie. We are going to prove these banshees wrong."
"Are you certain that is wise? They are the messengers of the Hel." Came the voice of one of her commanders.
"I will not go home empty-handed, understand?"
The commander bowed, "Yes your highness, forgive me."
"By the way, has that kunoichi Yami returned?"
"Not yet, your highness." Responded the commander
"I see." Simply replied Druella. She began to head off back to the war tent but then she sensed danger from behind at a rapid speed. She moved out of the way and saw a dagger zoom past her. Druella turned to see who did it. Before her was an angry minotaur.
"Now I see why that kunoichi, Yami, hated you. My sisters died in the last raid on Lescatie, and you hardly batted an eye. Your... YOUR NOTHING BUT A MURDERER!" Yelled the minotaur
Druella knelt down to pick up the blade that was thrown at her and observed it closley. It was not a demonic steel weapon, it was a normal steel weapon. "You do realize the penalty for attempting an assassination on mamono nobility?"
The minotaur froze, her anger being replaced with fear as two ogres stood behind her. "Take her away." Commanded Druella. The two ogres emmeidietly grabbed the minotaur and dragged her away. With a huff, Druella turned and entered the war tent.
"This campaign just keeps getting worse and worse." Druella took a deep breath in and calmed down, "Don't worry father, mother, Dalhu... I will prove to you I have what it takes."
(-)
Etail yawned as he left the room he was translating at in the ancient laboratory. Everyone had left save for him and Thea, who he had no idea why she was still here. Not that it mattered anyway due to the siege going on, causing most of them to leave the project.
After that last translating bit a while back, not a lot worthy of note was found that he had to translate. Most of it really just restated what he had translated before, always about or a warning of some red hooded slave named Gael. From what he had translated, you could have mistaken him for the demon lords of old where they slaughtered all humans in sight.
Etail peered over the door to see Thea still watching that disgusting looking bug. He understood that it was probably the only original remaining monster left, but why in the divine realms was she still watching it?
He shook his head and made his way towards the exit. With the creak of the old wooden door, Etail went up the stairs. Etail silently thanked himself for lighting all these torches when they originally arrived here. It would have been a pain traversing this place again with nothing but a single torch.
Still, one had to wonder just how old the place was. There are no known records of this place nor was there any symbols to help date this place, not even the runes. Granted the language in the recordings suggested it was built before the Order ever existed.
As Etail at long last reached the top of the stairs, he was snapped of his thoughts as the door opened in front of him. As light creaked through the door, he saw a face he did not recognize.
The person looked like a member of the group, but he had no recollection of them. "Are you alright?" Spoke the strange women.
"Uhh yes... Sorry but, who are you?"
"Teneb, I'm a new member."
Well, that explains why he didn't recognize her but, "What time is it?" Asked Etail.
"It's morning if that's what you are asking."
Etail pulled his clock out to make sure she was telling the truth. Just as she said it was morning, "I see, sorry about that."
"No problem." Simply replied Teneb, "Now if you excuse me, I must get to work."
"Alright, though do you need a guide? You haven't been here before after all."
"No, but thank you. I believe I can manage."
"Alright," replied Etail, letting the women walk past him. As she went down the stairs he couldn't help but feel suspicious of them. Reluctantly, he decided to follow. He had to know whether or not she was who she said they were.
(-)
Gael pushed through the cluster of trees, grunting in annoyance. Somehow the forest became absurdly thick, and the trees continued to block his vision even as he was hunched over. Sometimes his size was a curse, and this was one of those moments.
Gael was tempted to just start hacking away at the trees to clear his path, but that would cause too much of a racket. Even though people were starting to become aware of him, he still had to keep the attention low as much as possible.
And so Gael wandered through the forest, unsure of if he was still going in the right direction. For a while, Gael thought he was going circle. Eventually, he had enough and decided to start whacking away to make a clearing.
The loud thud of each tree falling echoed across the forest until Gael had enough room to actually see his surroundings. After waiting for a moment or two to make sure nobody heard it he took a deep breath and lept into the air. For a brief moment, he was above the trees with a birds-eye view of the surrounding forest.
He could see there was still a great deal of forest to traverse, but could barely make out something from the distance. As gravity starting to bring Gael back down, he saw another clearing in the far distance with just enough of it visible for him to pinpoint a location to summon at. Concentrating hard with his eye, he deformed and reformed at the northern edge of the clearing.
Once again the deep forest was in front of him as he reformed. Gael felt like continuing on but out of curiosity, he turned around.
A small worn down looking building was in the centre of the clearing. Strange, the building looked like it was in serious need of repairs, but the fact there was a clearing here meant that someone lived here, or else the place would have been overrun with plant life.
Looking past the building, there were other things. A small garden, a small unlit bonfire, and small yet strange looking contraptions tied up to wooden poles. One of them was several chains attached to a flat bit of wood hanging on a pole held up by two other poles. He walked over to those strange things and pushed them. The chains creaked as the boards swung back and forth.
"Strange, what sort of purpose do these things hold?" Muttered Gael as he turned his attention to a board of wood with two handles on it, seemingly built to be balanced on the log holding it up.
Even still he had no clue what these things were. They were most certainly small enough for a child but definitely not an adult. With a single finger, he pushed down on one end of the board and watched as it went down with a creak.
Creek
Gael turned sharply to the sound which came from inside the building. In an instant, he reformed back to the trees and hid behind them. What was this? Why did he not sense life within the building? Was the dark retracting more of its power from him?
Three men walked out of the forest, each of them unsavoury looking. "Looks like the rumours were right about Sasha." Said the leader.
"How you know this is Sasha's place?" Said one of the other men.
"I don't know, just my gut telling me that." Responded the leader before pointing to the other member who had yet to say anything. "You! Get in there and see if any of those bastard children are inside like the rumours say."
Seems that the member was mute or something as they simply nodded. The moment the man walked into the building, the screams of children were heard. One by one, children were thrown out of the building before the man walked out holding one of them by the arms.
A smile formed on the leader, "Oh good, seems It'll be worth the trouble of sneaking out of Lescatie under siege."
"Let go of me!" Yelled the child held by the mute man, who Gael could now tell was not human.
The other man spoke up, "Just imagine what the Order will reward us with for this." The person grabbed one of the children by the face with a disgusting look, "Though, what if we enjoy our success a little before turning em in?"
Gael was thinking hard on what course of action to do. He could just kill them but, he just couldn't just do it in front of these children. It was the same with his lady, not once killing in front of her. But he had to do something.
However, Gael could not wait anymore as one of them started to reach underneath one of them. Gael summoned himself directly behind the human filth
"That's enough" Uttered Gael as he grabbed the man by the head and slammed him into the ground, knocking him out.
"What the-" Muttered the leader before getting a fist slamming into his skull, sending him back and knocking him out as well. After the leader collapsed onto the ground, the mute pulled out and swung his blade down. Gael raised his arm and blocked the attack as it landed on his old armour. Surprisingly his old armour didn't get damage.
The man's eyes widened in fear as Gael grabbed him and threw him. With a loud thud, the man crashed into a nearby tree.
All the children stared at him, frozen in both awe and fear. Without a word, Gael took the other two men to the tree and tied them up. With a loud rip, Gael took pieces of their clothing as rags and gagged them.
Still, they stood there looking at him. "What direction is the city?" Asked Gael as he turned around.
One of them shakily pointed the direction, "M-Mistress Sasha always come from t-that direction."
Without another word, Gael started heading that way without looking back. He could not waste any time, even though he knew the children would never forget this day.
Author's note.
Oh finally. I considered what you all put in the reviews so I tried to make this a bit longer. In fact, this is the most words I've written for a chapter. Hopefully, I have not spread myself too thin in making this. I also hope that I did not miss any mistakes or errors after two days of proofreading this multiple times.
Anyway, have a nice day.