Alright, ladies and gents, after carefully thinking things over and feeling very unsatisfied with my work, I decided to take another crack at this chapter and re-write it.
With the amazing new job, taking care of the new cats I adopted and every freaking thing else in between, I definitely haven't had as much time to write out new chapters as I used too. But I'll be damned if I don't aim for quality after 59 dang chapters, boyo's.
So I made a lotta changes, lotta additions, but unfortunately, no inclusion body pillows with half naked anime women. ;-;
But anyway, I took another crack at this and I hope you guys enjoy the read.
Warning: Supreme Gamer has not beaten Elden Ring despite having it for weeks now. As such, this chapter may or may not siphon readers of their "Git Gud" energy for his use in his journey to impress Melina and get to second base with her person. You have been warned.
Making her way back towards the other, a certain red clad woman felt absolutely reinvigorated
And how could she help but feel anything but joy and exhilaration after having thoroughly punished the theft of her lord's prey and simultaneously taught a valuable life lesson to an insufferable cleric.
It only made sense she would find a new pep in her step and walk with a bright, cheery smile on her face.
"Ah~, how wonderous it is to be so charitable. Bettering the world for my lord one swing at a time, heh, heh, heh. Certainly, my lord will be so pleased with me once I inform of that fool Petrus's fate. Oh, the praises he will certainly sing; "Oh, Yuria. Knocking around old haircut for me? This is why you're my favorite slave." Yuria thought to herself giddily with a blush. "Oh, but because of how I've sinned against him, he will of course need to punish me regardless. Such is his right. Mmh~, heh, heh, heh…I can already feel his hands around my throat and his flames burning my flesh. Thoroughly showing his rage and ravaging the body that dared disgrace him…"
At this, the red robed woman could not help but revel in her fantasies of the one who would rule her…or rather she reveled in the depraved things she'd hoped he'd do to her as penance for her sin.
She stared off longingly at the moon that hung high above the forest sky, wishing more than anything to be able to experience her master wrath. To feel his hands take hold of her in any way he wish, to submit herself to his desires and know that she had purpose at his side.
And yet even beyond that, Yuria dared to picture the extent of her master's future.
She dreamed of a time where Kaylen would smile, knowing that his faithful servant was at his beck and call. A time where the old gods were dethroned, the Pygmy Lords would be put to slaughtered one by one, the Lord Souls and the Dark Soul would be claimed, but most importantly…
A time where her Lord would achieve the happiness and future he sought with his cherished concubines at his side. A proper and deserved ending for the wonderous being that was Kaylen of Demacia.
It was then, as if her own heart had seeped into the vision, that Yuria saw herself within this picture of her lords happiness. Her place solidified as a worthy addition to his rule and her sins against him forgiven…
"Buck up, Yuria. It's a real mood killer if you mop about the past so much, ya know." She imagined Kaylen, her master and ruler, saying with a bright smile upon his lips. "The Darkwraith is dead and gone. So let its corpse fade into oblivion already. Otherwise, it's as if Kaathe still controls of some small part of you that I don't."
"Never…That will never be the case, my lord. I would sooner perish." Yuria thought to herself as a warmth within her bosom caused her to place a hand to her heart.
"Good. Because I got no use for something as pathetic as a Darkwraith." Kaylen exclaimed as he placed a hand upon Yuria's cheek in a familiar and loving manner, before placing the other upon the hand she held to her heart. "I want to see what the women standing in front of me can do. She's the one I want at my side…and I won't accept anything less than all of her. Understand?"
Her breath hitched.
She could almost picture her lords voice and presence perfectly, as if he was standing before her in the flesh. His hand upon her cheek and his voice resonating with her very soul. Such was the depth of her devotion and obsession with him.
It was then that a new fantasy emerged within her mind. One born of her own carnal wishes.
One where her lords admired her visage and drunk in the sight of his servant. One where his hand ran down her cheek, before gently moving along the length of her neck, and finally reaching within folds of her robe where her bare body waited for his touch. Only when he decided to place his lips upon hers did she release the breath she had been holding.
For a moment a part of her considered whether she was overstepping by allowing such rewards to enter her thoughts. For this internal desire went beyond her just being used for satisfaction or pleasure, as she would expect. Instead, there was a deep sense of intimacy and care mixed within. One that she knew immediately was reserved for the likes of Anastacia and Velka.
However, Yuria quickly rationalized to herself that it only made sense for her to be inclined towards such things.
In fact, why wouldn't she be? Her service was to ensure her lords happiness above all else, was it not? Be it physical, emotional or a mixture of the two, she should be ready to do exactly what was expected of her, when it was expected of her. How could she help that her mind and body would be inclined to be as close to him as possible, even to the extent of daring to hope for a place beyond her station and within his heart?
Thinking it over for a moment, Yuria stopped in her tracks and curiously regarded her person with a critical eye.
Amidst her own hunger for humanity and the blood she'd spilled in her previous (and pathetic) years as a Darkwraith, she'd never stopped to ask herself if she was physically appealing.
Her skin held a somewhat sickly pale color, likely due to being confined into a watery prison for years and lacking any sort of direct sunlight. Her hands were covered in a multitude old and relatively fresh stains of blood. The crimson robes she wore were loose fitting and the color hid much of any such sign of bloodstains or gore that surely covered the fabric. Her body beneath the robes was tall and shapely, yet held its figure solely due to her consuming the humanity of others. In a sense, it was nothing but a falsehood.
She delved into the part of her master's essence that dwelled within her for insight. It wasn't so potent as to describe it as a whispering voice in her ear, but she could get a general feel for what would appeal to his more carnal cravings.
Listening with rapt attention to her lord's essence, Yuria blushed a bit and felt her heart flutter within her chest. For his being told her that, yes, her current self would indeed be appealing to him.
It was buried deep as a darker shade of himself and his desires, but there was no doubt in her mind that the sight of it all would be something that would draw her lord's satisfaction. The red of the blood upon her hands, the loose fitting robes upon her body, the pale shade of a woman's form complete with shapely curves and plump thighs.
Especially the thighs, these would all speak to the great masters urges and pull at his more impure impulses, even if he would deny them.
"Oh, but why show restraint in any desire you should hold, my lord? It pains me to know that you have even a single one that has been left unfulfilled." Yuria thought lovingly, as she all but kneeled in reverence at even the prospect her masters bidding being voiced. "If you enjoy the sight of blood and crave depravity with one steeped in sin, I would waste not a moment in granting you ample amounts of both. Truly, it would be my pleasure."
Positively reveling at the thought of serving every whim of her masters more debased carnal impulses, especially those he would never ask of the pure hearted Anastacia or the strong willed Velka, Yuria began to go over the entirety of his memories for the hundredth time. Wishing for all the world that she was at his side to tell him these things in person and grant him the relief she knew he wanted.
So enraptured by her thoughts of the noblest of being in her world, that she almost didn't notice that a familiar face waiting fer her at the entrance of the old cathedral until she was standing directly before him.
"Hm? Why aren't you with the others" Yuria questioned plainly, suppressing the annoyance she felt at being pulled away from such wonderous musings.
"Ah. Hello, Miss Yuria." Solaire said as he barred the path forward. "Apologies, but I feel I must speak with you about a few things."
At this, having her lords inherent knowledge of the Sunlight Warrior's personality, Yuria gave a small roll of her eye's. A large part of her mind much preferring to return to thinking of her master rather than talking to some sun obsessed knights. However, a very small remaining part acknowledged his strength as one of the few in this world truly worthy to stand at her lord's side and so deemed him fit for her attention.
"Speak with me? Certainly. We probably have a bit of time before everyone's weapons and such are restored to perfect condition, so I suppose it shouldn't hurt. But let us go back with the others as we talk so that-"
"I'm afraid it can't wait." Solaire interrupted in a tone that said he meant it.
Yuria was surprised by such insistence on the matter. She'd expected more of a cheerful and accepting reception from the large knight.
"Well, well, a bit pushy today, aren't we. What could have brought on such a forceful attitude, I wonder. Has the suns disappearance soured your mood, Solaire?" she exclaimed with a curious and playful tone.
"Not at all. And please, forgive me my lack of manners. It's just I cannot help but be a bit concerned about you and I could do nothing to bury this feeling." The knight exclaimed politely, slightly reprimanding himself for his rudeness. "And so, I find myself here."
"Heh, concerned about me? Is that what you came all the way down here to deal with?" Yuria chuckled openly, finding such a proclamation more than a bit laughable. "Well, you may put your fears to rest. There are very few things within the Darkroot Garden that hold enough power to bring me any sort of harm."
At this, Solaire simply stared down at the woman with his helm completely concealing his expression, though his body language was clear in the message that he was not laughing. He then allowed more than enough time to pass for Yuria's laughter to die away into a bit confusion at his silence and unmoving form.
"Yes…I suppose that may be true." The Knight said in a low tone that immediately struck Yuria as out of place coming his lips. "It's indeed a very confusing and troubling time for our kind, is it not? The bonds we form with others are more important now than ever before. In fact, not all that long ago, I myself was on the edge of crisis. But just as was ready to give up and allow despair to consume me, I was offered a hand of hope from a woman who…was the cause of a great deal of a pain and sin upon others."
"Not that this isn't a riveting tale, but I'm afraid I really don't care about-"
"But despite her past, I had come to learn that she holds no evil in her heart. Merely in need of guidance along the right path. Before I knew it, I had grown quite close to her and her to me." Solaire interjected, meaning to continue his tale. "And then, strangely enough, another light had graced me and I found myself fond of her as well. She's a bit set in her ways, but there is no doubt of her kindness. Wishing nothing more than to hold on to these bonds, I had found new strength I never knew existed within me. And I swore to use that strength to push back and defeat any evil that would harm them."
He took a single step forward, getting just close enough within Yuria's personal space to get across the sense that his next words were one's that he wanted the woman to pat very close attention too.
"Before when you touched me, I felt something in you. A gnawing corruption of unfathomable depths." Solaire said gravely, his expression still unreadable behind his helmet. Though Yuria was hard pressed to ignore the shiver that seemed to crawl across her back. "It would be wrong of me to judge you solely based on this feeling. I do not know you or your tale. But do you understand what I'm trying to say by telling you mine? About the people who I've come to see as something of a family and the two women who I hold dearly to my heart?"
His voice trailed off and the knights questioned was left to linger but a few moments between them. But during that brief space of time, Yuria began to feel a deep sense of dread crawl through her very being. The source of which she could not trace.
"I'm not certain what you're implying, but-"
Her voice caught in her throat and her eyes widened at the unexpected sight that met her eyes.
Directly behind the knight, where there should have been an open path into a wide chamber, was instead replaced by a curtain of darkness. It ruled the space beyond, impenetrable to any gaze that sought to peer inside and almost seemed to be held back solely by the knight's presence.
With the shadows appearing to reach out and infect the stone floor just beyond the entrance at Sunlight warriors back, Solaire spoke his next words with a sternness that said he meant them.
"I'm saying that I meant it when I said that I would protect them. And so, I come to you in search of answers and the assurance that you truly mean no harm. For truly, though I will not lay judgment upon you, that does not mean that I will stand by and let you do as you please."
At this inquires and questions from the towering, behemoth of a knight, Yuria…
...didn't pay attention to a single word.
Seeing the shadows coalesce seemingly at the knights will, every thought within her mind could only be concerned with how this power might affect her lord. With haste and focus only known to the half mad, she furiously began trying to make sense of this unknown phenomenon.
"Corruption? No. He shows no signs of transformation or extra limbs. Kaathe? Impossible. He'd strike the serpent down before so much as breathing the same air as him. A covenant? No. None within the Depths could make the offer. Missing something, I'm missing something!" Yuria thought as she delved into the remaining paths available. It was only when she cut off the possibility of outside forces and thought of the knight personally did she begin narrow things down to a few reliable assumptions.
Each of which had the effect of drawing out her ire.
However, in a display that would have no doubt please her lord, Yuria did not give away an outside indication that she was concerned in the slightest. Instead, she gave only the impression that she was only mildly insulted as she placed her hands upon her hips.
"Wow. The absolute nerve. So let me get this straight, you came all the way out here just to needlessly threaten a lone woman?" Yuria exclaimed with a shake of her head in mock disbelief. "To think you would assume the role of a bully like this. Shame on you, Solaire. Shame, I say!"
"What? Threaten? I'm not-" Solaire said before cutting his sentence short and turning his attention to the wall of shadow that enveloped the entrance at his back. He then quickly turned back toward Yuria in a very hurried manner. "Oh, goodness, I must sincerely apologies for that."
"Apologize?"
"Yes. This is somewhat of a….reactionary occurrence?"
"You can't control that?!" Yuria asked with a raise eyebrow.
"Well, yes and no. It's a very complicated-.…Wait a minute, this is not about me I'm afraid. This is about you." Solaire pressed, turning his attention back to the topic at hand. However, this only earned a small sigh from the woman standing before him.
She was quick to process that Solaire wasn't exactly in control of whatever power this was. Which partially put her nerves at ease, even if she did not display it openly.
"Wow. This is simply an embarrassing disgrace. Not only have you come to badger and harass me, but you're doing it with a weapon you can't even properly make use of. Brilliant, Solaire, simply brilliant." Yuria said with a disapproving shake of her head. "If you must know, I'm not under the influence of any such "hunger" you may think I have and I've no interest in any harming any ally of my lord. So you've done nothing but waste both our time."
"These are indeed fine words from a starved soul such as yourself. But I can see past the surface. I know you are unwell right now." Solaire continued to press without holding back in the slightest on things.
"You know very little about anything, Solaire. But fine. If you want answers and then I shall provide them. Really, all you had to do was ask." Yuria said nonchalantly to the knight continued accusations. "However, I must insist that we do it with the entire group so that I need not explain myself twice."
At this, Solaire did not move from his position, instead choosing to remain in place to silently, his expression beneath his helm unreadable.
"Come on now, there's no need to act all serious and stoic. It really doesn't suit you. Let there be no doubt that we are on the same side. Above all else, I am solely dedicated and wish for nothing more than the happiness and satisfaction of my beloved master. Simply give me a chance to explain myself. As you said, you do not know me or my tale, so you have right no right to demonize me or block my path." Yuria exclaimed clearly and calmly. "And by the way, I'd don't care much about the rest, but to suggest that I would ever think to bring harm to Anastacia is quite the unfounded insult. I might even say that it is rude beyond measure to slander me like that. How would you feel if I said, "I know you're a pea-brained buffoon who wants to punch kittens", hm? You better be lucky your covenant doesn't have a method of delivering complaints or I'd have a quite few things to say about this."
The knight blinked confusion for a moment at what he was hearing. It wasn't just the words, this woman's unbothered mannerisms, tone and demeanor…He wasn't in doubt about what he felt, but he admits he is surprised to find not a hint of any ailment upon her bearings.
Either she was very well practiced in her mask….or she was truly not swayed by the hunger he knew was there.
"Now do you have at least enough control to get little shadow-trick nonsense out of the way or will I have to take the long way around?"
Solaire waited a handful of moments more, still trying to wrap his head around the state of the woman before him. But eventually he relented, knowing he couldn't just stand there forever, and the darkness appeared to clear away with his acceptance to give way to the path ahead.
"Very well. But I'll be watching-"
"Yes, yes, you'll be watching me and if I do anything crazy you bring the wrath of blah, blah, blah upon me. Let's just get on with it already. Every second we waste here is a second I am not attending to my masters wishes."
Without another word, Yuria proceeded to walk past the knight without a hint of worry about her stride. Solaire, preparing himself to do whatever necessary should she try to attack or use any of the others as a shield, was quick to follow close behind her.
However, the very minute Yuria walked past the knight and her face was out of sight, her nonchalant expression fell away and was replaced by a look of fierce dissatisfaction.
She hadn't given away any of her cards or even that she was interested in the display she'd just seen. In her eye's, it was best to play this very close to the chest.
If her guess is correct, then what Solaire had done should have been impossible. Yet, she could come to no other conclusion other than that Solaire had somehow managed to learn to utilize a variation of the Dark on his own.
The only question was what method he had used to do so.
"Dark Sorcery would not be possible without a catalyst. Solaire has none, so that's out. That leaves either Dark Miracles or Hexes. But how? The existence of either of those should not be brought about for hundreds, if not thousands of years from now." Yuria thought to herself, still feeling the chill Solaire's display had brought upon her body. "Concerning…very concerning. Such an awakening is beyond my lords' expectations. Which is to be expected of his General, of course, but this fool has been overcome before in his former fate. Who's to say something of a similar nature could not happen again and have him turn his blade upon his better? No…I must assess his new abilities closely and learn all I can. There will be no usurpers within my lord's rule, especially not from some upstart touching upon things he doesn't understand."
Making her way up the path that would lead back to the others of her lord's forces, Yuria had resolved herself to keep a very close eye upon the so-called Warrior of Sunlight. Reminding herself that no matter what he may have learned, there wasn't a living being in this world that was immune to the effects of the Dark Hand.
If it came down to it, she would eliminate him without a second thought.
Just Outside Sen's fortress
The massive steel gate to the Undead Proving Ground had opened at the toll of the bell. Leaving the path forward free and open for all.
Andre had repaired the groups armor and sharpened their weapons in a timely manner. As of now, each and every one of the newly formed band of humans were fully armed and dangerous. Save Anastacia and Reah, whose roles were to focus on healing any injuries that may be inflicted upon the others.
So now, all they could do was hold at the entrance of the undead proving ground for the rest of their party to return.
As they waited, Reah kneeled with both hands placed to her heart and prayed alongside Vince for the journey to come. The Crestfallen Knight sat in reserved silence, close enough to act if need be, but far enough to send the message that he wasn't going to be involved in any sort of prayer.
The Merchant was looking over the wears within his Bottomless Box with a prominent scowl on his face, swearing wholeheartedly to charge that jerk of a kid a fortune for getting him involved in this mess.
Dusk, for her part, remained sitting near the Knight of Catarina. Trying and failing to work up the courage to speak with the new faces that surrounded her.
Siegmeyer sat preparing himself mentally for the inevitable battle to come with the Pale Drake that held his daughter captive. With his body and muscles restored to perfect condition some time ago using the Old Cathedral's Bonfire, he sat before the great steel gate that had impeded him in the past with no small feeling of impatience.
And as for the last of them, Mildred found herself staring with rapt attention at the unmoving form of a plump, broken and beaten cat laying upon the ground next to the conversing Anastacia and Dusk. Licking her lips slowly, she wordlessly thought over how to create the best opportunity to strike.
Not really one to overthink things, she quickly abandoned the idea of trying to plan things out and leaned her large cleaver against a wall before approaching the keepers person.
As she did so, Anastacia was of course somewhat confused as to why the large, half naked woman suddenly decided to walk into her personal space and looked down upon her in clear examination.
"Hmm…Hmm..." Mildred mused as she gauged the keepers body from top to bottom.
"Uh…Miss, what are you-"
"Not "Miss". Am Mildred." the large woman interrupted as she got a step and puffed out her barely bound chest a bit.
"Right. I'm sorry about the misstep." Anastacia apologized politely, though she did not retreat from Mildred's approach. "Um, Mildred, may I ask why you've gotten so close?" It's a bit-"
"You small. How fight when so small?" Mildred questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Fight? Oh…well, I'm afraid I've not much use in combating another. But I will do all that I am able to heal any injuries any may suffer. Truly, I am sorry that I cannot provide more assistance." Anastacia said as she bowed slightly bowed her head with sincerity. Much to Mildred's clear disgust.
At the Keepers gentle and respectful word, Mildred gave a small huff before speaking in a somewhat antagonistic manner.
"Hmph. Weak city people always use big words cause not fight good. If not worry about words, would be strong like Mildred."
"Oh. Well, as I said, I am sorry that I am unable to offer more." Anastacia replied with a slight bow once again.
"Ugh. Stop that. Not be sorry." Mildred responded with clear disgust at her actions.
"Oh, sorry." Anastacia replied reflexively.
"No, not be sorry."
"Oh, right, sorry."
"Stop being sorry to Mildred!"
"O-Oh, dear, sorr-, Oh gods, what is wrong with me?" Anastacia said as she at least snapped out of her endless apologizing. "Can I start over, please? My name is Anastacia of Astora."
"An-knee-Sta-See-A?….Tch, too long." Mildred said with annoyance at having to remember such a dumb, drawn out name.
The keeper sweat dropped at this, but spoke up with the intent to maintain a friendly air.
"Well, many also refer to me as simply Anna, if that would better please you."
"Hmm…better." The wilder of the two said calmly as she placed her hands on her hips and turned her nose up at the keepers person. "Anna hit Mildred."
"Pardon me?"
"Anna. Hit. Mildred." The woman in rags repeated slowly, making sure to enunciate each word clearly.
"Hit you? Why would I do that?" Anastacia replied with clear confusion.
"Stone house big and maybe monsters inside." Mildred exclaimed as she gestured towards the entrance of Sen's Fortress. "Anna ever need hunt or fight before?"
"Well, no, but it is because I prefer to focus my efforts upon healing and keeping things civil, if possible. I am simply not accustomed to violence or hurting others." Anastasia said honestly about herself.
At this, Mildred shook her head with clear displeasure and annoyance in her eyes at the naïve woman before her.
"How Sahler friend when so weak? Even Reah know how fight a little." Mildred exclaimed in an accusatory manner as she placed a pointed finger directly upon the keepers chest, clearly unwilling to let Anastacia's meekness deter her. She then proceeded to take the Keepers hand in her own, ball the finger into a fist and place it against her cheek. "Come on. Anna hit Mildred."
Turning her gaze to the side in a nervous fashion, the keeper could see that the others were looking at her from the corner of their eye's, yet no one seemed as if they were planning to intervene on things.
It seemed she was on her own here.
"I already said I am only able to heal the wounds of others and that inflicting pain is not is my-?"
"To much talking! Anna want help? Then no more weak and soft. Need be strong and tough." The scantily clad woman said sternly with a nod of her head, feeling certain this was the right thing to do. "Now hit Mildred as hard as can! Right now!"
There was a few moments of hesitation as Anastacia mulled things over to think of a way to avoid bringing harm to this clearly unwell woman. But Mildred's unflinching gaze seemed to head off any such thoughts and eventually lulled her into relenting.
"Okay then…uh…Here I go." Anna said as she took a step back and raised both her fist in a way that showed she'd never been in a fight before.
It was only after overcoming her own reluctance towards hurting another person, did she finally cock back her right fist and punch Mildred square in the center of her face with as much force as she could give.
Watching as her head snapped back harshly and feeling the sensation of the heavy crunch of her nose against her knuckles immediately caused on a wave of guilt to flood the keepers' thoughts.
However, as a small trail of blood made its way from her nose and she quickly regained herself from the flash of pain, Mildred could only smile with approval at the half decent punch that she'd just received.
"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! Are you alright?"
"Ha, ha, ha! No, not be sorry. Did good." Mildred laughed happily as she licked away the blood that had reached her lips as she placed a friendly hand upon the keeper shoulder. "Now know how hit for later. Still small, but need know help."
"Oh…I think I see now. You were showing me how it feels to fight?" Anastacia said as an inkling of understanding began to dawn on her about Mildred's intentions. Only for the larger woman to pat her on her shoulder and nod in confirmation. At this, Anastacia seemed to grow a small smile of her own at the impromptu lesson that had just been delivered to her. "You are surprisingly a kind woman. Though I admit I did not expect such teachings, I thank you for lesson and I shall not forget-"
"Uh-huh. Now Mildred turn hit Anna."
"Wait, wha-OOF!"
Before she could even begin to panic over what she'd just heard, Mildred proceeded to cock back her fist and buried it directly into to the Keepers chest. Not holding back her strength in the slightest, she was easily able to knock the wind out of Anastacia's lungs and send her crumbling to her knee's, gasping for air.
"Nice hit." The Crestfallen Knight complimented dryly.
"Mildred!" Reah said as she at last decided to cease just letting things play out and made her way towards her friend. Only for Anastacia, in the midst of still regaining her breath, to raise a hand as a means to say that all was well.
It was only once her lungs began to properly take in air did she speak up with a pained smile to show that she did not let a single punch overcome her will.
"It's-, U-Ugh… It's okay. I'm fine." The Keeper exclaimed as she held a hand to her chest with clear distress. "This is but a small trail. If I cannot handle even this much, then I will truly do nothing more than slow the rest of you down.
"Heh, heh, Yeah! Anna fine!" Mildred said as she wrapped her arm around the keeper's body and hefted back to her feet in a clear show of friendship. "Tough. Strong."
"That served no purpose and you know it, Mildred. Anastacia is not some punching bag to be hit for laugh." Reah said in defense of her friend, not willing to just allow such a thing to go unreprimanded.
"Ah~, shut up. Anna need be stronger. Will die if never know how am fight or be hit." Mildred said pointedly to the cleric, as if such a proclamation was the most obvious thing everyone should know.
It was then that, much to everyone's surprise, the Crestfallen Knight spoke up in a dull and nonchalant tone.
"She's right, you know." the knight said plainly, earning a raised eyebrow from both Reah and Vince at his unexpected input. "It's a nothing short of a miracle the keepers made it this far without a weapon or even knowing what it's like to take a hit or two. That woman is doing her a favor by showing her what she may be in for. In fact, it would serve both you and her well to at least carry some form of blade or small knife."
"She didn't have to hit her to prove such a-"
"Such lessons are unnecessary for someone like Anastacia." A familiar feminine voice called out resoundingly grabbing everyone's ears. The group turned their attention to the incoming pair and were none to surprised that it was Solaire and Yuria come to complete their little gathering of warriors.
Though it should be noted that, though the tone of her voice was pleasantly friendly, Yuria was obviously forcing a smile upon her lips at what she'd just seen transpire.
"There is no cause for my lords' chosen love to have to dirty her hands with the riff-raff and scum around her. Not when she has reliable attendants to do it for her. Namely me." Yuria said as her smile widened, though her gaze was firmly locked on a specific offending woman. "So, Mildred, I saw that you seem to enjoy a bit of roughhousing as a means to bridge friendships. Heh, heh, heh, how very amusing. Care to give me a go as well?"
At this, Anastacia's eyes widened with clear concern. For she was the only one to have bore witness to the monstrous strength of the smiling red clad woman.
However, Mildred couldn't be more excited to trade blows with the cocky, taller woman.
"Ho-ho, okay." The simple woman decried as she made her way through the group, fully intent on gut checking the taller woman.
"Yuria, wait a moment." Anastacia said with clear.
"Mildred, perhaps we shouldn't." Solaire spoke up with a raised hand.
"There is no point behind such nonsense." Reah exclaimed with sigh and a shake of her head.
However, the man eater would hear none of their protest and merely moved forward with her a smirk on her face, completely unbothered by the fact that the red robed woman hadn't dropped the smirk she wore as well.
Then, without hesitating for a single moment, Mildred drew her fist back and threw a hefty punch directly into Yuria's chest.
Of course, as her body had long since been strengthened by the humanity she'd taken from others, the blow only just barely caused Yuria's body to shift ever so slightly. Not unlike how a child's meager strength would be unable to effect an adults frame.
"Hm?" Mildred questioned with a raised eyebrow, expecting at least some show of concealed pain.
"Heh, heh, well now, I wasn't expecting to be tickled so suddenly, but good effort, Mildred." Yuria said with a bright, friendly smile as she raised her fist in a playful manner. "I suppose that means it's my turn now, right?"
Giving a bit of a pout at being patronized so obviously, Mildred accepted the challenge without a second thought.
"Alright! Bring it on! Right here!" Mildred exclaimed as she pounded a against her chest and held her head high.
"No, not right anywhere. This stops now." Solaire interjected sternly.
"Oh? So she gets to hit me, but I can't hit her back in return? That doesn't seem very sporty, but I suppose if you're afraid of me, Mildred, it can't be helped." Yuria said with purposeful childishness, already pegging the cannibal savage as a complete idiot to easily be guided into saying what she wanted. "We have other things to discuss anyway, so-"
"Mildred not afraid!" the woman spoke aggressively, completely confirming Yuria's thoughts on her being a dunce. "Forget others talking. Mildred hit lady, so now lady hit Mildred. Come on!"
With an impish grin and a barely concealed chuckle, Yuria of course complied with this request. Knowing full well that she was now practically in the clear and blameless for what comes next since Mildred was outright asking for it.
"Heh, well, if you're so adamant, I suppose I cannot refuse." Yuria exclaimed pleasantly as she closed her hand tightly and took a step back to gain just the right amount momentum to make the cannibal pay for daring to strike her lords concubine.
She wasn't going to kill her, but a shattered ribcage should make her think twice the next time she wants to lay hands upon Anastacia.
"And a-one, and a-two, and a-"
"No!" Anastacia exclaimed audibly as rush directly in front of Yuria with a look of clear displeasure upon her face. Prompting said woman's smile to drop from her face, to be immediately replaced with the look of guilt known only to those who knew they had been caught red-handed in their wrongdoing.
"A-Anastacia-"
"Why are you attempting to bring harm to someone coming to help us save the Prophet? You're better than this, Yuria." The Keeper admonished firmly, much to the surprise of everyone around her.
"N-No, no, I'm the innocent here. You saw how I was attempting to move on, but Mildred was insistent that we continue. I was simply doing as she asked." Yuria said with clear anxiety and nervousness. Even seeming to shrink a little beneath the keeper's gaze despite being taller, much to everyone else's confusion.
"I understand that, but when you're as strong as I know you are, you cannot simply concede to using your strength in such a way. If my suspicion is correct, you were thinking of harming her as some form of retribution on my behalf, right?" Anastacia question plainly. And from the way Yuria's lips clamped shut, she knew she had hit the nail on the head. "Well, no more of that sort of disposition. Mildred was helping me understand what I may have to prepare myself to face in the future…uh…in her own way."
At this, Yuria's jaw clenched for a moment as she paused to carefully consider her next words. It didn't take her long to decide to simply put voice to her thoughts.
"…She had no right to lay a hand upon you." Yuria responded, letting just a sliver of the outrage she felt slip through into her tone. "You are one of the most important things within my lord's heart. To just allow someone to hurt you without retaliation would be a disgrace his name."
"I know you are concerned with the Kaylen's wishes first and foremost, but hurting our allies and friends would only be counterproductive. And yes, I know the Prophet would not wish to see me harmed, but he certainly would not approve of needless aggression in the name of my protection either, Yuria." Anastacia said, knowing that such words would have an immediate effect on the woman. However, as Yuria's eye's widened with sorrow and the color drained from her, she quickly realized that she may have underestimated just how sensitive the topic of the Prophet was to her.
"B-But I wasn't…" Yuria's voice trailed off as fear clawed up her throat. It was only after she took a few moments to swallow it down did she speak once more. "I was not seeking to earn his disapproval or his displeasure. I am a loyal and willing subject of his will, so I only wanted to protect you and-….Y-You understand my intentions were good, right, Anna? That I would ever work towards my masters bidding?"
"Of course, Yuria. I know you mean well and I'm not blaming you. Merely asking that you show a bit more restraint. Especially towards those who stand with us." Anastacia said, not wanting to send her companion into a downward spiral of doubt. "You are no longer the fiend of your previous life, so you must take care to not give in to-."
"Alright, I think we've been kept in the wings long enough." Vince spoke up from the peanut gallery as he took a step towards the two women, causing Yuria's eyes to widen with the unbridled outrage and fury that nearly caused her to immediately gouge the young cleric's eye's out. "Isn't about time we get a bit more of an explanation on things and know who exactly she is?"
"See, Anna? I truly am changed and trying my upmost to earn my position at master's side. Look…" Yuria said as she placed a hand upon Vince's shoulder, though her fingers did appear to be noticeably close to his throat as she gave a few friendly squeezes. "See how I'm not crushing his windpipe for daring to interrupt you?"
"W-Well, I'm certainly grateful for that. But Vince may be right. An explanation may be in order." Anastacia said, hoping that Vince didn't accidentally do anything further to agitate Yuria's person.
"Well, I'm certainly more than curious as to the exact detail of yourself and why you refer to the Prophet as you "Lord"." Reah chimed in.
"Yes. And why is it that you call him that, yet Anastacia said that you "Ate a part of him and gained his knowledge"." Siegmeyer added curiously.
"She ate a part of the Prophet?" Solaire said confusingly.
"Got hungry and not share?" Mildred said with a raised eyebrow, completely on a different wavelength than everyone else…until she happened to notice no one was paying attention to certain little addition to the group.
"Okay, okay, everyone. Let's not start rambling. I'll explain everything quite clearly." Yuria said as she held her head high as she prepared to speak her transgression against the supreme one openly. Though it must be said that there was a twinge of heartfelt pain within her eyes as she spoke the words. "What Anastacia referred to as me devouring my lord…Is merely a way to say that I stole a sum of his essence. Or more precisely, his humanity. Thereby assimilating it with my own and granting me a great deal of his knowledge, memories and feelings."
"You robbed him of his-" Solaire started, before he cut his own words off as a question was quick to form within his thoughts. "And just how were you capable of doing do such a thing?"
"Simple. Before my lord, I was nothing more than a pathetic rabid dog. More specifically, a breed of rabid dog that went by the title of "Darkwraith"."
She pauses to take in the reactions of the faces around her….not that she held more than a small twinge of curiosity about what any of them thought. The only one that truly mattered was Anastacia and she looked ready to jump to her defense at a moment's notice.
However, what she did not expect was the sounds of chuckling from both Reah and Vince.
"Heh, heh…A Darkwraith? Really?" Vince said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his lips. "The boogeymen from old wives' tales?"
"Heh, the ones that are described as giants with three heads who come to take away naughty children?" Reah said with a shake of her head and sporting a smirk of her own.
"Take away naughty children? How very curious. Could it be that you two from a distant future where my kind are remembered as nothing but myths and bedtime stories? It's very hard to tell with the way time currently works." Yuria mused with a tilt of her head, not knowing if it was her own mind or her lord's essence that brought about her inquisitiveness. "But no, I'm not talking about those Darkwraiths. I'm talking about the malformed and corrupted creatures of the dark that live for nothing more than to devour the souls and humanity of others. Each one a cataclysm of death, serving at the whims of a cruel and disgusting serpent to bring about the ruin of the gods themselves…of which we nearly succeeded at."
Hearing this, Vince and Reah's laughter and amused chuckling understandably died out rather quickly. To be replaced by expressions that said what they were hearing was far from something to laugh about.
"Oh, of course. So you're some god killing murder machine. Is that it?" the Merchant said with a scoff and shake of his head that said he didn't believe a single word of such nonsense.
"Well, technically I wasn't a "God killing" murder machine. More of a "Genocidal" murder machine. Kaathe didn't quite care if it was gods or humans I consumed, and frankly neither did I." Yuria corrected aloud, as she held up her hand and allowed a bit of darkness to radiate from her palm. Further drawing apprehension from those around her, save Anastacia, and convincing them that she was telling the truth. "It was such disgrace to be used by a lowly snake like him. So much time wasted as a mindless drone in a meaningless game of light and dark. I was so confused, so lost. It was only when I encountered my lord and consumed much of essence that I was able to break free from my chains. His very spirit so strong that I was compelled to turn away from Kaathe and accept my true purpose in his service."
At this, the surrounding group could only look on with a new sense unease at the woman that stood before them.
"So you…uh…had a change of heart because a part of the Prophet's humanity influenced you then?" Vince said, trying to lay things out in as polite a manner as possible. "That's certainly…a commendable change."
""Commendable", my rear end! She's a freak who got over an addiction by finding an even stronger addiction." The Merchant said without holding back.
"Um, everyone? Mildred is-" Dusk started lowly.
"That judgment is not fair! She did not have a choice in becoming what she was. It was forced upon her." The keeper interrupted passionately Yuria's defense. "The circumstance for it may not have been ideal, but she's doing what she can to make amends and atone for what she's done in the past."
"Or is that just what she wishes us to believe." Siegmeyer said aloud, wishing to voice his suspicions openly. "The Prophet spoke of these Darkwraiths' creatures, their service to Kaathe and the severity of the danger they posed to the world. Can we truly believe she's still not under his service? Even more so considering she apparently has the Prophet's knowledge within her. A more perfect stage for betrayal, there has never been."
"E-Everyone, Mildred is taking-"
"Still under Kaathe's service?" Yuria said in a tone filled with anger and disgust. Taking a moment to snarl through her teeth at such a prospect, she swallowed her fury as best she could before speaking again. "How dare you accuse me of such a repulsive crime. If my goal was to defy my lord, why would I reveal my sin to any of you or go through the effort of gathering his forces to aid him? Or have you forgotten that if not for Anastacia and myself stepping in, you would have remained trapped within the Darkroot Garden and your Daughter would have been Seath's to toy with."
"I am simply saying aloud what many would assume, and my daughter has nothing to do with the discussion at hand. Leave her out of it." Siegmeyer said, trying to suppress a bit of outrage he felt at the mention of his daughter.
"Tch, how truly pathetic. If you were competent enough as her father, then she wouldn't be involved at all, now would she? Even still, when you are offered the means to reach her sooner, you think yourself so important that I would bother trying to deceive you with a veil of kindness. " Yuria replied spitefully with a furrowed brow, completely uncaring for the knight disposition. "Let me make myself perfectly clear here. I would sooner slit my own throat a thousand times over before I'd ever take commands from the likes of Kaathe again. I serve only the will of my true lord; Kaylen of Demacia. If that's not good enough for you then by all means, remain distrustful. But no matter what you believe, I will be doing everything in my power show my devotion towards my lord and prove my loyalty. And right now, that means telling all of you of the dangers of Sen's Fortress so that we may aid him in battle with haste. So the only question worth asking now is if you will heed what I have to say or are you going to simply regard me as a foe. Either way, I will not allow my allegiance or bond with my master to be questioned by any of you insects. Now what's it going to be?"
This passionate and unwavering declaration was met with complete and utter silence as each of the surrounding humans looked to one another, silently debating among themselves what their next step should be.
Should they acknowledge that she could be a serpent waiting to strike when their backs were turned and this was all just a façade, or should grant her a level of trust and hear out her words for the dangers posed ahead.
But more importantly, with the desperation of their current situation, could they truly afford to disregard any help they could receive? As it stands, despite her clearly unhealthy fixation on him, Yuria did seem to hold a portion of the Prophets knowledge. Not to mention the strength and dark power that she still retained, of which she apparently wishes to use towards his desires.
With this in knowledge in mind, each of the surrounding humans had varying thoughts on the matter.
Anastacia had long since had resigned themselves to their morals and decided that if Yuria truly meant to atone, she should be given the chance. In their eye's, it was only the right thing to do.
Reah and Vince acknowledged what she was and the blood on her hands, but frankly, when paired against the gods they were meant to face and the encroaching end of the world, they were having a hard time finding truly sticking with a reason to disregard such a powerful ally.
The possibility of being tormented by an abysmal dark had that effect on one's mind.
Despite still not trusting her, Siegmeyer ultimately found himself feeling much the same. With the Prophet currently indisposed and his fate uncertain, he felt that it would be best to have a contingency in place for the sake of his daughter's life. If worse came to worse, her stolen knowledge could be the difference between saving Sieglinde and losing her.
The Crestfallen Knight, somewhat resigned to the fact that death and hollowfication were a near certainty anyway, wrote off the entire thing as "If I have to fight her, I'll fight her. If I don't, I'll just end up having to fight someone else anyway."
Ironically, despite his despondent and simple disposition, he was the most resolute and decisive of them all in this.
The merchant merely saw her as a lunatic and added her clear insanity and obsession upon the list of reasons he was sure they were all going to be killed. If not for the fact that she was likely telling the truth about him meeting a terrible fate should he not go with them, he would have been long gone by now.
And as for Solaire? He took more time than the rest to think things over carefully. For he was the only one of them that truly recognized that the corruption within Yuria went far beyond simply wanting to make a change. Such was the extent that the corrupted dark had sullied her very soul. It was only after he was completely certain of his decision did he step forward and begin to speak for the group as a whole.
"Very well, Yuria. You shall come with us and aid in our rescue of the Prophet. Better to have you with us rather than-"
"Everyone!" Dusk shouted aloud, summarily and finally gaining the attention of those around her.
"Yes, Dusk, what is it?" Yuria questioned at the sudden uproar.
"Apologies for the mine outburst, but I've been trying to inform everyone that Mildred seems to have taken thine cat and shimmied away whist you were talking." Dusk informed, prompting everyone to quickly take in their surrounding and realize that, yes, Mildred and Alvina were gone.
"Oh, no." Solaire said with a sigh before hurriedly making his way across the bridge to the old cathedral with everyone else following behind.
It wasn't long before the sounds of gnawing and chewing reached their ears. Soon enough, they all made their way across and through the doorway where a bonfire sat burning brightly….
…along with the sight of a blood-stained Mildred, who had appeared to have skinned Alvina's from the neck down, cooked her body over the bonfires flames and had already eaten majority of the juicy meat that lay beneath right down to the bone.
And the worst part? Judging by the slight movement of Alvina's mouth, the feline was still alive to feel every second of this. Likely due to her not truly being alive and holding the body of a primordial being.
Turning around to the group that had finally came looking for her, Mildred gave a satisfied grin as she used her teeth to bite off another chunk of meat from the cat's body and chewing it happily.
"Heh, heh, snooze, lose." The wild woman said happily to the groups wide eye's.
"BAHAHAHAHA!"
"Yuria, please, it's not funny." Anastacia said with a sigh, purposefully ignoring the fact that the smell of cooked meat was somewhat mouthwatering..
"AHAHAHA! Oh! Oh, my sides! First Petrus becomes fertilizer, now Alvina's been made into Primordial lamb chops! BAHAHAHA!" Yuria exclaimed hysterically as practically doubling over with laughter. "Heh, heh, heh, comedy gold. Oh! It's only fitting that we preserve a portion of such a rare delicacy for my lord. Merchant, pop open the Bottomless Box. Mildred, break off the two back legs."
"Yuria, no!"
"And don't even think of being greedy and taking a bite out of it!"
Anor Londo
"He did what?!" Velka exclaimed, nearly shouting her words and causing the stark white woman standing before her to visibly flinch.
She couldn't help it. After getting the full story up to the current point, the anger she felt was quick to reach a boiling point. So much so, that she could not stop herself from snarling through gritted teeth before turning to a nearby wall and punching a small hole straight through it.
"Eep!" Priscilla squeaked at such a display of aggression.
"He made it practically to the end with freedom within his grasp and he stays to fight some red phantom?!" Velka said seething to her very core at such a ridiculous notion. "The point is surviving and returning here for the real battle, you goddamn moron! If he can see you, why not let her distract them briefly and create a window for you both to escape? Or even keep moving, fight as you go and lead the phantom back here?! It's not like it would matter when we're already outnumbered! God, any plan that involved continuing moving towards the exit would have been a good one! Yet he chooses to let his ego take the lead and fight an entire world of monsters ALONE?!"
With the scowl on her face growing in intensity, the Goddess of Sin was quick to shift her heated gaze back towards the Crossbreed.
"And YOU! You drew every monster and beast right to the both of you?! Just as he was nearly free?!"
"I-I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean too, it just happened." Priscilla said with a pained expression on her face.
"Oh, good, it was just a happy little accident. Clearly, I should have taken that into account." Velka replied with an aggravated sigh and a shake of her head, before sharply turning her gaze away as she began to feel her mind soften and be made submissive to the sight of her.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, the goddess took a minute to take a few deep breaths to calm herself down so as not to have anger clouding her judgment on her next move. But as she continued to run things over in her mind again and again, she found that calming her boiling irritation was easier said than done.
"Dammit, Kaylen. Do you not see that you've only further complicated a situation that's we already needed to play very carefully? Before, once we managed to overcome Lord Gwyndolin and everyone else, we could then have perhaps forced him into a discussion. But with this creature, he's going to unquestionably wish for her immediate execution and there will be no compromising with him on that stance. She poses far too much of a threat otherwise."
"Don't speak of me as if I'm not standing here!" Priscilla exclaimed with clear offense as the faint sight of ice crystals began to emanate from her body and the floor began to decay beneath her, causing Velka to slightly turn toward her general direction at the sharp tone she held.
Knowing full well of the crossbreeds' abilities, Velka wasted no time in willing her flames to appear across her body and ready herself to use her sorcery at the first hint of an incoming attack.
"Careful. You're not the only one with power here, creature." Velka responded lowly to the woman, causing Priscilla to realize that her abilities had reacted to her emotions and given off the entirely wrong message of a threat.
"W-Wait a moment, twas not mine intention to provoke thee. Mine powers just reacted on their own. What thou said was simply…. discourteous, was all. To refer to mine person as if 't be true I am merely an inconvenient problem to be dealt with. I would only ask that thee cease doing so." Pricilla said as she shifted her gaze away from the winged woman in clear shame. "The prophet shall return anon. Once he does, then I know we shall be able to decide on a path forward together. Surely, with our efforts combined, we can explain that that I am different now because of the things he hath taught me of myself."
At this, Velka cursed internally. Acknowledging with certainty that the Prophet had made a very grave mistake.
If it wasn't obvious enough, Priscilla wasn't just a "misunderstood woman with dangerous power". She was a walking cataclysm in the shape of a beautiful woman.
But if there was one thing that was worse than a walking cataclysm, it would have to be a walking cataclysm that had developed an attachment to another person.
Why was this a bad thing? Simple. One of the greatest advantages they had over the crossbreed in her youth was that she did not hold any true worldly desires of her own. It made her agreeable and easy to handle. So much so, that she didn't even put up any resistance at being sent to the Painted World in the first place.
But now?
Now she clearly held affection towards Kaylen, which that buffoon probably brought on and enabled in their time traveling together. Not knowing that with showing and letting her experience such affection and care, not only would he be opening the door for her to experience the feeling of pain and loss, but now she will inevitably seek out other experiences and change because of it. Something that could mean devastation for the world itself when it concerned a creature like her.
This is all without mentioning the problem of Lord Gwyndolin and the current situation at hand. Velka didn't even know if it was safe to simply kill her as heaven only knows if her death would leave her powers to run amok or not.
"Priscilla, let me ask you a question…do you understand how much at stake here? Truly, understand?" Velka said as she placed her hands behind her back, hoping to interject some order into this unprecedented situation.
"What?"
"It's a very simple and straightforward question. Do. You. Understand. How much is at stake?"
"…Yes. I do."
"Good. Then the instruction I am about to give you should be very easy to follow." The goddess raised her gaze upward, but did not look directly at the crossbreed's person, as her tone shifted to show that what she was about to say was of the upmost importance. "The Prophet's allies will be here soon and we are trying to win this battle with a little complications as possible. You are nothing but complications and your being revealed will only make things more difficult for us all. That's why you need to stay completly out of this and not be seen by anyone."
"But-"
"Once things have settled and the battle is done, we will all discuss what your future holds. I understand it may not seem like it, but you not getting involved would be the best way for you to help the Prophet and to prevent the possibility of a battle to the death for us all. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
At this, Priscilla shifted her gaze to the floor for a moment and a frown look of clear dissatisfaction made its way onto her lips.
"Kaylen hath said much the same. That he did not wish me to fight and get involved, for it may be too dangerous and bringeth unnecessary harm to others." Priscilla exclaimed lowly.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that he thought that far ahead and told you that. So it is agreed that you will-"
"I'm sorry…but if the situation is a dire as I've been led to believe, then the danger will be nothing to be taken lightly. If he needs me…I cannot guarantee that I will simply stand aside even if he wishes it." Priscilla interrupted as she raised her eye's and stood just a bit taller. "I have already failed in leaving him behind once. I doth not wish to do so again. I care for him far too much for that."
At these word, Velka's thoughts came to a screeching halt as a sudden conclusion struck her like a bolt of lightning. And it had nothing to do with the fact that her fears of the crossbreed gaining her own desires seemed to have been dead on the money, but rather the very familiar and intimate way she had referred to the Prophet's person.
After rolling things around in her head for a moment, she gave Priscilla a quick once over from top to bottom and made a very painfully obvious note.
"Yes…you two were certainly alone together for a quite a long time. It would only make sense for you to grow attached to him, wouldn't it." Velka said with a clear question in her tone. One that Priscilla, who was fully aware of the Velka's own intimate relationship to the Prophet, caught with clear understanding.
"U-Uh…I suppose…
"Indeed. And you've certainly grown into quite the beauty for someone who's been starved of life all these years, haven't you. No doubt the Prophet took notice of that fact amidst your time with one another. He's human after all and you're specifically made to entice the living." The goddess said as she flexed her finger offhandedly in an attempt to appear unbothered. "As he is my champion and lover, I cannot help but wonder just how close the two of you could have become in your time with one another."
"I…doth not believe now is the time to discuss such things." Priscilla said with just the barest hint of guilt in her tone, but more enough for the goddess to catch on to.
"You're shame and embarrassment is written all over your face. I assume that means something did happen between the two of you." Velka said calmly as she moved a bit of her black hair over her shoulder. "Hmph…I suppose I'll have to have a thorough discussion with him about it."
"Thou art not angry?"
"Angry? That would imply that I held any concern about you and the Prophet in the slightest. I know him far too well for that and can make a few guesses on what probably happened. Especially with a creature of your nature." Velka said, scoffing aloud at the crossbreeds questioning. "But make no mistake, his heart and love are already mine, just as much as mine belong to him. Whatever has happened between you, I have no doubt that he has every intention of explaining himself and telling me everything on his own."
At this, there was a long pause between the two women as the crossbreed stared down at the winged goddess in silent contemplation.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" Velka questioned plainly.
"Nothing. It's just that you're every bit as confident as Kaylen said you were" Priscilla complimented gently. "He misses you a great deal. And Anastacia as well."
At these words, there was yet another pause between the women as Velka shook her head and sighed. It went without saying she yearned to be with him as well. It wasn't easy being here and rely on nothing but the hope that he figured something out.
Despite her outward anger, it brought a great deal of relief to know that he'd survived, even thrived, amidst the Painted Worlds dangers.
Not that she was going to share this internal relief with the Crossbreed though….
"Tch. Focus on the task at hand instead of minding the business of other. The time to act is nearly upon us and-"
Almost as if on que, Velka felt something akin to a ringing flow through her mind. Informing her that her lord was summoning her presence.
Though what she did not notice was the sight of Priscilla tilting her head curiously. As to her eye's it looked as if some strange aura of blue began to emanate from Velka's head for a moment. Taking a moment more and feeling the aura out, she could only think to describe it to herself as feeling as if she was smelling the plainest of white bread.
"Is this…someone's essence reaching out to her?" Priscilla thought to herself peered closer at the strange sight. "Hm. Tis quite different from the Prophets. Plentiful, yet not nearly as pleasant or fruitful."
Just as she had the thought, the aura dissipated from Velka's person. Seemingly meaning that whatever was reaching out to her had finished doing so.
"I must return to preparing for what must be done. Remember what I've told you. Stay out of sight and out of the way. This will be over soon." Velka ordered as she made her way toward the bedroom door and pulled it open. Knowing with clarity that the hour of battle was nearly upon them and all the pieces were about to be set into place.
Just as she was about to leave and answer her lords call, the goddess felt she needed to give but one last piece of advice to the stark white creature she was leaving behind.
"….By the way, you should really get comfortable with knowing your place. You are not a truly a living being, as I'm sure the Prophet may see you as. As such, it would be dangerous for you to think of trying to get any closer to him than you already have. I'm certain that deep down you already know this to be true."
With that, Velka made to leave and be on her way, but was stopped as gentle voice spoke up in reply.
"All I know is that it hurts to be away from him. Even if I may not truly be alive and may not even truly be the woman he sees me as, this longing I feel cannot be false." Priscilla exclaimed passionately, not holding her tongue in the slightest of the how she felt. "Whether the bond we have is right or wrong, I know not. But…I do know I wish it not to be lost."
Hearing this open admittance, the Goddess of Sin felt the creature before her was being a little too honest and could help but feel a bit ticked off at the intimacy she was showing towards her champion.
But after deciding that she had more important things to take care at the moment, she chose to walk through the bedroom door with a bit of a scoff at her words. With only a lone thought echoing through her mind as she left.
"Okay, I'm going to strangle him with my bare hands a little, then hear him out. If the explanation isn't a good one, he'll receive immediate castration. Yeah…that's more than fair. Anastacia will understand."
ALRIIIIIIIGHT! I'VE DONE IT!
As I said in the beginning, I re-wrote this chapter because I was a bit dissatisfied with the quality of what I did before. Especially after finding out there was a TON of grammar error and cut off sentences.
So hopefully I got things a bit closer to the mark with this new setup.
But not much to add other than that this time around, dear readers.
As always, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you guys thought about this chapter of the story. Was Solaire having limited control and understand of his Dark related abilities a bad move or did it make sense? Was Yuria a little too standoffish and stuck up towards the people trying to help the Prophet in his war? Was Priscilla a little to honest about her feelings that it felt a bit forced?
Honest opinions are always appreciated as I'm always looking to improve my style of writing to make this story a bit more interesting for you guys. so don't be shy in telling me your thoughts about how things are going so far. Outside opinions will have a huge effect on how this story will play out.
This is Supreme Gamer, Signing out.
P.S. Let me run an idea by you guys. The merchant keeps Alvina's still living head in the bottomless box, then when the fighting starts he goes "Call your little forest hunters here or I'm gonna gouge your eye's out." Is that a bit much or am I on to something?
P.P.S. Goddamit, with all the PM's about Yuria, I definitly let the ProphetXYuria side of thing go a bit farther than needed. But whatever, I'm rollin with it. For this chapter, Knaifu is best waifu. -_-