Prelude Chapter Six: Eye of the Storm

Marika II

"Brew inside the jar with your kin, whore of the Numen."

Marika sat at the Foot of the Erdtree, deep underground caressing one of the roots as she bathed in its golden light.

"My utmost thanks, to you, the grace that guided me here away from the death and carnage. Here I can govern my own will and impose it for the betterment of others and my order. In these new lands divested of shadow and sin, births continue because of you and your guidance. O' Erdtree, I thank you.

As Marika avoided the painful memories of her past she spied in the corner of her eye, her child, he hid by one of the roots nearby. She saw one of his red serpents peeking its hideous head over the top of the root and as she met its gaze, it retreated quickly.

"Come here child." Marika said softly as she called him to her.

The child rose into view, his red hair was the first Marika saw as he ascended the stairs. The boy was as gaunt and pale as a skeleton, but his movements were silent and smooth as he snaked his way to his mother.

"Mother." When he reached Marika he knelt, bowing his head as did the crimson serpents that accompanied him. "Your ascendance was beautiful." The child's voice was soft and caring as he spoke to his parent. When he finally raised his head and met Marika's gaze, she saw her soreseal, still implanted in his singular eye, the other had been seared shut, leaving an hideous scar that Marika found hard to look upon.

"Child, your presence here is unexpected, why do you come to me?" Marika's cold gaze caused the youth to shrink in his position.

"I wished to only see you Mother, and to inquire of my purpose, what am I to do?" the boy's voice cracked as his mother looked at him with disdain.

"Your purpose will be given to you soon, Messmer. For now, guard my Erdtree, and when you complete your purpose, I will bury you here, at the foot of the Erdtree, as my firstborn." Marika reached down and caressed Messmer's cheek although fleetingly as she withdrew it soon after.

"Thank you, mother. I shall do as you ask, blessed be the task whatever it be, as I have been touched by your grace which allows me to see the world as you do." A light smile grazed Messmer's thin lips as he looked up at her. Perhaps for a second Marika felt pride in her cursed child, but it faded shortly after.

"Remember my child, my grace shall guide you and show you the way, never abandon my guidance lest you stray the way of those who harmed us and our people." Messmer nodded at his mother's words. A moment of silence passed between the mother and her son, and in that moment Messmer looked upon his mother, his eyes full of hope, whereas Marika's eyes simply looked upon him with silent disgust, yet she did not show it.

One of Messmers serpents reared its heads towards a glowing light nearby signifying the arrival of others. "Messmer, make yourself scarce, we have visitors." The child quickly retreated into the shadows in which he belonged, his body slithering away across the holy roots which he sullied with his presence. From the golden teleportation gate three figures materialized, two stood and one lay on the ground, his hand held over his midsection.

"I have awaited you all, Shabiri, what news of your conquest of Raya Lucaria?" Marika smirked as she walked over to the man as he lay on the floor as she towered over the wounded priest. Shabiri opened his mouth, yet words did not come, only a groan as he tried to speak. Marika met his groan with a frown as she turned her gaze upon Alecto and Radagon who stood in varying conditions much better than Shabiri.

"Shabiri's arrogance and tactical naivety led to our failure," Alecto interjected, earning a glare from the fallen scholar. She bowed respectfully to Marika, revealing soot-colored hair and golden eyes — traits of their shared Numen heritage.

"Thank you for your candor, Alecto. I should have entrusted this mission to you instead of this… whelp." Marika took Alecto's hand, a gesture of solidarity. "You have served well, sister."

Turning to Radagon, whose once immaculate golden armor was marred by the scars of battle, Alecto noted, "Unlike his counterpart, Radagon managed quite well in the conflict." Alecto said.

"My queen," Radagon began, his voice strained as he slowly knelt, showing the toll of his injuries, "I regret my failures and vow they will not be repeated."

Marika studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Ensure that they do not, Radagon. We cannot afford more setbacks."

Using her divine powers, Marika enveloped Shabiri in a glow of golden light. He winced, bracing for the worst, but to his relief, his wounds knitted closed, the pain ebbing away. Leaning close, Marika whispered ominously in his ear, "Should you fail me again, you shall become the first tenant of the Catacombs below Leyendell. Do you understand?"

Shabiri seemingly shook as he responded shakily. "Yes, my queen."

"Seemingly, we are all now on the same page, now it seems we have visitors in the capital." Marika had sensed the arrival of a strong presence at the gates of her city long before the three warriors had come to her, and even from across the continent she had decided to make the presence wait for her. Marika was met with looks of confusion from the gathered grouping, she even sensed Messmers curiosity as he watched from afar.

"Whatever do you mean Marika?" Alecto asked as she cocked her head, her question was left unanswered as Marika used her grace to envelop them all with golden light as they left the roots of the Erdtree behind as they all materialized at the gate of Leyendel.

Marika stepped out of her graceful light, and she was immediately flanked by the two tree sentinels that guarded the gate of Leyendel. As her vision adjusted, she saw seventeen figures all kneeling in reverence to her. Sixteen of these figures were the Crucible Knights, who Marika despised for their service to the tree that predated the Erdtree, the tree that caused her pain and the crucible that let her people die. Among the Crucible Knights three were different, Devonia, Ordovis, and Siluria, the three who commanded the ancient force.

The final figure who stood at the head of the knights was not wearing the colors nor the horrid horns that adorned the armor of the Crucible Knights, surprisingly he wore no armor at all. The man even kneeling stood nearly as tall as Marika, who herself towered above many, the man was quite chiseled which Marika took an immediate liking too. Marika quickly observed the way his muscles bulged and flexed even as he was stationary, she also noticed his blonde hair, she would have expected this barbarian to have a long beard, yet he was clean shaven which she noticed as he raised his head to speak revealing piercing blue eyes and his manly features.

"Queen Marika. My name is Hourah Loux, I bring a gift for you, in hope I may pledge my service to you and your Order." In his right hand he raised the body of a hawk, the bird Marika instantly recognized by its size and the jewels that adorned its crown and its talons. The body of the Storm King of Limgrave was raised high as an offering to Marika by Hourah.

"This Hawk, is the King of the Storm, correct?" Marika asked, behind her she sensed her underlings all tense in the presence of Hourah Loux.

"Indeed, I Issued my challenge to him in his castle, and I slew him." Howrah responded in his deep voice. Marika smiled as she bent down and took his chin in her hand.

"An accomplishment of strength, perhaps a reward is warranted for your strength Hourah Loux."

"I seek no reward, only the honor of serving you."

"Well, if you seek to serve me, I will give you one task and you shall have what you desire and much more." Marika said as she rose, taking him with her as she pulled his chin up lightly. When they both stood at full height, she trailed her hand down from his chin to his chest and then to his engorged abs. "Your task, to become my General, is to defeat the Beast Regent of Farum Azula."

Marika heard a growl of disagreement from a shadow nearby signifying a hard conversation to be had.

"Yes, my queen. Your task is mine to complete." Hourah Loux responded.

"Then be on your way, kindly warrior, and bring him back alive." Marika's grin widened as Hourah Loux and his Knights turned and made way Northeast to Farum Azula. As Hourah walked Marika's eyes found their way to his hindquarters which she deemed quite tight and mesmerizing.

Marika turned, grin still upon her face as she was met with the yellow eyes of her Shadowbound Beast, his lips curled as he growled at her, instantly every being present took a step back as the vassal wielder of the Rune of Death glared his half-sister down, as she elected not to step back and stared directly back at him.

The Queen held her grin even as Maliketh curled his lips back revealing his fangs. "Marika, why? Why harm one of our trusted advisors, Serosh is my brother in blood and in duty, why wouldst thou harm him?" Maliketh's voice rumbled threateningly as he spoke.

"Serosh will serve his purpose from within the capital, not rotting away in Farum Azula." Marika stepped closer looking up at Maliketh with a stern look in her eyes, but she kept her smile as she held her ground against the beastman.

"Marika, if Serosh is to leave his post as Regent, my people will fall into ruin." Maliketh lamented still growling, as if Serosh did leave Farum Azula the power balance of the ancient capital of the crucible would indeed fall into ruin, an idea Marika was fond of.

"What of it? The beastmen nor the ancient dragons or their kin support my rule, save you and Serosh. The time of beasts and drakes is no longer, brother it is the age of the Erdtree and all must fall in line." Marika's eyes squinted maliciously as with a single step forward she pushed Maliketh backward. "If they cannot pledge their strength to me, then from within they shall fall."

"Marika-" Maliketh started to growl again but Marika silenced him by wrapping her hand around his snout.

"My will is absolute brother. All of those who served the previous order shall either fall in line or be exterminated. Now retreat to your shadows until I need your guidance." The white beastman's eyes were filled with fear as he solemnly slinked backwards through the gates.

A few moments of silence passed between the remaining subjects, the Tree Sentinels returned to their posts, Shabiri shifted uncomfortably, and Radagon exchanged a look with Alecto, which Marika was keen enough to notice. She turned and stood before them all, standing taller than each of them. "I take it you all have your concerns? Please, voice them for your queen to hear."

Shabiri elected to keep his mouth shut, as did Alecto. Although Radagon spoke a surprise to all present. "My queen, what is your need for Serosh in the capital?"

"Serosh shall serve as my consort's pet, whoever claims that title must first best the beast in combat."

"Marika, you cannot mean you wish for that barbarian to become your consort?" Alecto responded with a sense of worry in her voice.

"Why verily? Is a crown not warranted through strength?" Marika said as she turned on her heel and walked through the gate, leaving the assembly behind and as she walked she spoke to them as she exited the scene.

"Wait for Hourah Loux to return, if he survives his duel, he will join you in claiming the academy."