Chronicles of Espiria Season 2
Episode 8 – Queen Safiya's Deal
Written by CindyDaGreat
"Since when do Hypogeans reside in such blistering heat?!"
There was nothing luxurious Safiya could notice about her current condition, sitting atop her wooden palanquin carried by four faithful Sphinxes and fanned by a fifth as they trekked through sun and sand. Her servants didn't complain nearly as much, despite their kind not being typically revered for physical strength.
The Hypogeans' head had chosen a discreet location within the barren lands of the Scorched Expanse for this meeting. Though the journey and destination both quite upset Safiya, she found the location filled with crevices and shadows that would sufficiently hide her traveling party, as well as a certain small insect. Her eyes glinted with delight as she fiddled with the golden beetle moving endlessly about her paw.
"Hurry up males, there is no time for dawdling when our destination is so near! Amunet, be a dear and freshen me up; I need to look flawless for our meeting. The sand does no good for my complexion."
The opening of the cave came into view as Safiya's servant finished brushing and cleaning her fur. The Queen of the Sphinxes exited her palanquin, holding her paw out expectantly for a male to help her down.
"So nice for her majesty Queen Ankhira to send me fresh laborers." Safiya commented as she glanced at the male who helped her. "Such a lovely improvement from sniveling cats who speak out of turn, wouldn't you say?"
The male simply nodded, not wanting to suffer the same fate as his predecessors. As per orders, the drained Sphinxes settled themselves and the palanquin down, constructing tents and sleeping quarters as inconspicuous as the cave they hid in. Safiya set her beetle free, which flew for a ways before descending on a little rock drenched in darkness.
Safiya was only slightly concerned about the outcome of this meeting. Amunet had warned her once before that Hypogeans only seek destruction, but that was not her only distress. Her spies had confirmed that the plague that had befallen her fellow Maulers before the fall of the Barred Gate had its origin with the demonic beings she was attempting to compromise with.
"Feeling apprehensive, are we?"
The air chilled as Safiya twisted her head, hiding the shock on her face with an impassive mask. The Hypogean wore a flowing, hooded cloak, with two curved horns ripping through the hood, and one visible, glowing red eye. A strange pattern was embroidered into a stole attached at the hood, which glowed slightly as it rustled in the light breeze. His vulnerable heart was covered by an intricate chestpiece with inset gems that Safiya did not recognise. The demon seemed to have no feet; rather he floated over a red essence where his feet would've been. But the most disturbing feature was the Hypogean's four purple arms, one of which held a staff as menacing as he. It glowed with a sinister red like his eye, twisting and turning with piercing edges. As the Hypogean loomed over Safiya, flexing his fingers, Safiya stared up and down at the tall figure and kept her voice assertive yet impartial.
"You must be Azmonath."
"Funny. Most would fall over at the mere sight of me. Pitiful creatures, they are."
"I am not one of those pitiful creatures." Safiya responded, slightly offended. "You are aware of what we shall discuss."
It was not a question; Azmonath knew as much as she did. "You wish to join forces with us to help your…rebellion? I wasn't made aware of any benefit for our side."
Azmonath circled the Sphinx, an irritation brewing inside. Safiya stayed calm, remembering her negotiation tricks and her silver tongue which had served her well in the past.
"I know you have places to be, so I shall make this brief. Join forces with me, help me take back my throne, and I shall aid you in your quest to conquer Esperia. The Hypogeans shall reign supreme."
Her last sentence seemed to calm the demon down, but he was not fully convinced. "How do I know you won't stab us in the back when our part of the bargain is fulfilled?"
Safiya froze at the shrewd observation; she would absolutely dispose of the Hypogeans once she had no further use for them, but Azmonath didn't need to know that. She quickly looked through her beetle's eyes to see if Azmonath brought friends. Seeing he was alone, she swallowed her sudden distress, not allowing any weakness to show.
"You dare accuse me of backstabbing?" she demanded, feigning shock at the accusation.
Thankfully, he seemed to fall for her tone, but still needed reassurances. "You're sidestepping a key point: Your army is merely a speck next to mine. We don't need help from a helpless kitten like you."
Safiya's blood boiled; she could never tolerate being called helpless, even when she really was while among the Arachin people. Yet, she had a mission, and she needed this Hypogean's confidence to complete it.
"I have connections with over half of the Mauler tribes already, and their numbers combined would add considerably to yours. My people aren't the only ones willing to spill their blood for me." She paused, slowly exhaling from her outburst. "Not to mention the most powerful spy network in Esperia. I happen to know you and your people are having difficulties weakening Mauler defenses."
Azmonath stopped in his tracks; only for a second, but it was exactly what Safiya wanted to see. The great and mighty Hypogean leader was like any other she had encountered, exposing moments of weakness whenever their apparent image had cracked. Regaining some of her pride, Safiya continued.
"For instance, a certain rat-infested canyon..."
"Enough! You've made your point, Ya! You say you are useful in infiltration."
"My assets aren't limited to the Scorched Expanse alone; I have eyes and ears in every corner you find yourselves invading." Safiya subtly eyed her hidden beetle behind them.
The Hypogean was silent for many moments, enough to make Safiya think her plan had failed, before finally grunting in resignation.
"Fine, Ya. But one wrong step..."
Azmonath proceeded to float inch by inch towards Safiya, eerily still, until he was directly face to face with the Sphinx, bending down to her height.
"...and you will find that they don't call me the Soul Reaver for nothing."
With a dramatic whirl, Azmonath vanished in a blackish flame. Safiya barely had time to inhale the withering smoke before any trace of him was gone. Batting away any potential poison, she smiled resolute. Saying nothing, the queen turned her back to the cave, wanting to leave it all behind. Strutting out of the darkness, she was met by curious yet sullen faces.
"Your majesty," Amunet said, bowing alongside her fellow Sphinxes.
"We have much to celebrate, my subjects. The arrangement is sealed!"
Safiya stretched her arms out, as if awaiting a big hug. The Sphinxes politely clapped, glad to see their queen's plan work out. But Safiya also noticed the exhaustion on their faces.
"You've all just had an afternoon of rest, how do you all still feel tired?"
Amunet spoke for the others. "Your majesty, yes indeed we have relaxed ourselves." She paused, unsure how to explain. "But it seems an unseen presence has somehow drained our energy once more. One moment we felt just fine, and the next, it felt as if our spines collapsed and our eyes were compressed."
The Sphinxes murmured in agreement, heads still bowed.
Still in her merry mood, Safiya sighed. "Well, I'm feeling forgiving at this moment. And my, it's dusk already. I suppose I won't be berating you for now. Gather up our things, we shall rest somewhere suitable for my needs. Anywhere but this dull cave."
Happy to be spared from further punishment, two males began deconstructing their tents, while the others prepared Safiya's palanquin. Having pleasant conversation with Amunet, Safiya all but forgot the little golden beetle she left behind.
But Azmonath did not forget the beetle. After the Sphinxs left, he found it and toyed with it, sensing the simple magic it had been imbued with. A low chuckle rumbled through his being, his red eye glittering.
"Poor, poor kitten." He muttered as he crushed the insect in his claws, snuffing its life, letting its remains float to the ground.