[] "She's surprised me once. She can do it again."
Marina cracked a smile and said, "She's surprised me once. She can do it again."
Marcella grimaced as she glanced at the Witch, "Isn't that what we do when we were her age?"
"Indeed. Except this time, we're both blind since this is a new branch. I'd say kick back, enjoy the show," Marina replied as she did just that. She crossed her arms and continued, "Though I doubt you can even sit with that massive stick up your ass."
Marcella raised her gaze and stared down at Marina. The Witch felt her skin tingle at the slightest brush of the Paladin's magic. Oh she pissed her off this time. However whatever retribution Marcella had in mind never came. Instead, what Marina received was a soft whisper from the girl on the other side of her prison bars.
"I know where your friends are... And I'm going to kill every last one of them," Marcella whispered as she stared down the Witch, "Unless you offer us anything substantial, I'll serve their heads to you on a plate."
Marina's crimson eyes began to glow as she cracked a smile, "You fucking bastard."
"You're an anomaly yourself. You were fated to fall a long time ago. But instead you created a branch of your own. While Marcus' path is set, yours rings hollow. Trust me, you wouldn't want to find out where you end up next time," Marcella warned.
"Next time?" Marina scoffed as she held back her own temper, "If Marcus does her job right there won't be a next time. And I'll laugh when it's over... Laugh as you fuck up one last time, while I jam my sword
RIGHT THROUGH YOUR BEATING HEART!"
Marcella frowned and turned away, choosing to walk as she left Marina roaring behind her. She's shaken that fool enough, she had no need to be here. Marina continued yelling at her as she left only to be silenced by the door shutting behind her. A sigh left her lips before she noticed someone nearby.
A man in a hooded robe walked up to her before promptly stopping.
"High Cardinal," Marcella greeted as she glanced to her side, "Why are you here?"
"I came to see you. You did not report as soon as you've returned," the Cardinal said as he glanced at the door behind her leading to the jail, "Come to visit her? I'm surprised she was your first stop."
"I heard you caught her. I wanted to see her for myself," Marcella replied as she raised her gaze, "Let's leave. The air here is suffocating."
"Very well," the Cardinal mused as he walked by her side, "So, you failed."
Marcella was silent for a bit then. They managed to get out of the dreary halls leading to the jail. It was only when Marcella walked out into the building's inner courtyard did she stop. She looked up and stared at the blue skies, wholly different to what she was normally used to. She can't help but wonder what the High Cardinal wanted with her.
The blue haired man simply kept his distance as he watched her, patiently waiting before she turned to face him.
"I did. She was prepared this time. I will not fail again," Marcella assured him.
"Even with all the weapons and armor we've given? A simple Star Eater escaped your wrath?" the Cardinal chuckled as he crossed his arms.
Marcella frowned and glanced at him, "Did my sister have any complaints?"
"The Great Ruler has turned her attention to where her body resides. The other side has its fair share of troubles. This is an unprecedented occurrence compared to the cyclical nature of this world. I think it's because the old world you both came from has begun to change that this one has begun to take its first step in a very long time," the Cardinal replied.
"About time too," Marcella said as she placed a hand on her hip, "If you can, tell her something for me."
"I'd be glad to. Our Great Ruler's own sibling, you alone are the one she has embraced among the countless failures," the Cardinal said as he bowed, "I'd e delighted to carry your message."
"Tell her to stop fucking around," Marcella said with a cold tone, "Tell her to get her doomsday machine order before it all falls flat and explodes on her face. I didn't live this long just to get dragged in her incompetence."
The Cardinal stared at her then with an equally icy look, "You would do well to refrain from speaking out against our Lady would bring about untold misfortune."
Marcella scoffed as she faced him, "Then get her to show me results."
"From one who failed to fell your weaker self? You're joking," the Cardinal chuckled as he shook his head, "You cannot impose upon her Lady without providing your own victories. I've served her the Yaga, you failed to kill Sardekheim's Queen."
"Vania is no longer an issue. The Authority of Omnipotence is no more. Not at least until another successor is found. Killing her was not in the cards," Marcella declared as she grit her teeth.
"Technicalities," the Cardinal sighed.
"Maya doesn't care. The only thing I failed in was killing the Demon," Marcella snapped as her Spirit reappeared behind her, hands clasped together in prayer before turning to look at the Holy Man, "And I will not fail again. The curse we've inflicted is eating away at her even now."
"And with such a curse, she's still managed to fend you off. A poor showing on your part, Lady Marcella," the Cardinal said only for golden swords to surround him all at once. The Spirit was looking at him in disdain and Marcella made no move to have her Spirit stand down.
The Cardinal kept his smile and said, "Killing me will earn you nothi-"
Marcella's eyes narrowed and the swords all plunged down, skewering the man from all sides. The blades then burned with Holy fire, scorching the Cardinal where he stood until he was nothing but ash.
"Very well. I'll deliver your message," the Cardinal said with a sigh as he suddenly appeared with no warning to the Paladin's side. Her eyes darted to him as she grit her teeth, "Her Lady protects her most faithful. Not even your Holy Swords could break my Faith. I bid you good day. Your next mission will be sent to you shortly, do make use of this time to rest."
Marcella watched him disappear into the shadows, fully leaving her alone. Her Spirit lowered herself to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. The Paladin raised her hand and rested it over her Spirit's.
"I know. I hate him too," Marcella sighed as she glared after him. She turned and left the sunlit yard, her glimmering armor shrouded by the shadows as she entered the shade once more.
.....
....
...
You opened your eyes with a groan. You held your head and grimaced as you managed to push yourself up and sit on your bed. Sweat was rolling down your cheeks as you let out a shaky breath. You held a hand to your forehead and felt it throb. Headache, you were feeling a little woozy. You haven't eaten anything and the pang of hunger shook your core.
It was just normal hunger. Not the dark, creeping dread that normally rolled within your body. You just needed something to eat. Some actual food. You're not sure how long it's passed since you passed out again but you felt like you needed to get up from where you were. You made your way to the door and unlocked it.
You could hear some people moving about above deck as you felt your senses open up to you. The smell of people, their voices ringing in your ears, the heartbeats of your party whispered to you of their good health. Everything was fine...
Nothing was on fire.
You can relax.
Nothing can hurt you here.
You allowed yourself to calm down and make your way to the kitchens, following the smell of food till it led you to where you should be.
"Come for some food, huh?" the burly chef spoke up as he walked up to you, "Well, dinner was awhile ago but we've got some spare meat for you. Not sure if you demon folk prefer that but no skin off my back. Take a plate and some wine."
"Ah, thanks," you managed to say as the chef helped you gather up some food before he gently pushed you out of the kitchens so that him and his apprentices could continue their work. Seems like steak was on the menu tonight, you hungrily took a bite from your marinated meat slab and chewed as you headed back to your room.
You'll have to return the plates in the morning. Still, you felt like you were being sated bit by bit. You've pushed yourself over and over through this journey, farther than you ever could imagine yourself going. That was the only time you pretty much were intent on burning the candle of your life out.
You felt it then, it was like your entire being was becoming undone.
You reached your room and decided to finish your meal there. You drank the wine you carried back with you, washing down the after taste of the steak you just ate and sighed. You could smell the faint hint of cinders which made you look ahead of you.
"Come out," you whispered.
The air grew hot as it blew past you. You were then greeted by the sight of Orthus with her arms crossed, eyes staring down at you.
"You're getting better at noticing others," Orthus said as she raised an eyebrow.
You gave her a small smile, "Thinking about our deal?"
"Now that our little detour is over I suppose I should remind you of it. I would not have cared once but you earned your rest now," Orthus said as she crossed her arms, "Your Spirits are smart to stay out of this."
"How considerate. Still, let's talk then. What brings you here?" You asked her with a frown.
"It's regarding the Underworld and the Hells. As you know, I'm a venerated guardian much like my sister Cerberus," Orthus said as she turned to pace before your bed, "While my power may have been stolen from me, I still find myself being connected to the events occurring in the underworld. As such, I've come to you with a warning."
"What is it?" You asked with concern.
"They've turned their attention towards us. The Usurper who stole my might. She wants something... I... I feel that she's going to start hunting us from now on," Orthus said as she rubbed her arm. She looked distressed, almost panicked.
You've never seen her like this before. Orthus could be cruel, savage and sadistic, but in her helpless state she's become far more nervous. Even with your strength aiding her, you could feel her lack of confidence she once possessed.
"Why? Did we do something?" You asked her.
"The Authority of Omnipotence. The vampire Queen's might. It's a power born of an accord between the Vampire Lords and the Kings of Hell," Orthus explained as she turned your way, "The residents of the Underworld have taken interest in the person who allowed such a power to be relinquished from its current host. Meaning they've turned their gaze towards you, Master."
"Just for doing that? I didn't even do anything. Vania chose it for herself," you told her.
"Indeed. But your infamy will grow and such things will eventually draw the gaze of others," Orthus said as she placed a hand on her hip.
"So what? If they're coming for me then we'll be ready," you said as you straightened up.
Orthus stared at you before tilting her head slightly, "What do you know of the Hells, Marcus?"
"Um... Not a lot actually," you admitted, "Well, no. To be honest I don't know anything at all."
"It's where Demons came from. Our race," a voice piped up behind you. You and Orthus glanced to the side as Iza showed up with her hands behind her back. She had a small smile and said, "Sorry, I was listening."
"No offense taken. Better you than the other two," Orthus said before she glanced at you, "But yes. It is where the race of Demons and their many clans came from. The Hells and it's layers are located in a plane reverse of this world."
"It was a place which preceded the rise of the Lords... Kept separate from this plane by the might of the Lords and when they were struck down by the Slayer, the two worlds were able to make contact," Iza explained as she floated above you, "But such contact brewed conflicts."
"A war between this world and the Hells brewed. Humans, Erheni, Dwarves, Elves and Holy beings waged war against the emerging Demons and their clans, the Kings of Hell responding with bloody fury as chaos reigned for thousands of years," Orthus continued as she sat down on your bed side, "People waged death, betrayal and treachery. The night creatures, the vampires and witches conspired with the Hells while a few Demonic clans sought to be ruled by the overworlders to escape far more crueler Hell Kings. One of the boons the Kings gave the vampires is the Authority of Omnipotence the royalty carried with them, the same one you have in you right now."
"My mom and dad told Nagi and I stories of our people's past. Though that's separate from our clan as Star Eaters," Iza said as she nodded.
"The underworld which is the domain I reside in is said to be the frontline in which the Hells and the Overworld fought, turned ashen and cold as it became the pool in which dead souls gathered," Orthus explained further.
"And that's why it's the Underworld?" You asked her.
"A remnant of the earliest war in history. Where the earth's riches are hidden and the souls of those dead wander for eternity," Orthus said as she held up her hand, "I was a Guardian to prevent the souls wandering into the Hellfire of the Kings. I punished the damned and judged the guilty... Until I found myself in the state I'm in now."
"The Usurper. You never did tell us who they were," Iza pointed out.
Orthus made a difficult expression before snarling, "Charon. That's her name. She's the one who took my flames... And reduced me to what I am now."
"And she's after us now... For her own curiosity?" You asked.
"Yes..." Orthus paused as she swallowed before turning to you. She leaned forward with a pained look, her gloved hand resting on yours, "And she's coming for you. Possibly to pluck what remains of Vania's gift from your chest."
......
.....
....
The skies were clear and you were on your way to Silver Lake City. The detour of Sardekheim was long behind you and there didn't seem to be any sign of the Gallian fleet following their retreat. Kifa and Vania made sure they ran with their tails tucked behind their backs.
You leaned on the railing and stared at the open sky, remembering Orthus' words.
"What's on your mind?" A voice asked before you noticed Kifa beside you.
Her ears twitched as she glanced your way with her one eye, "You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders."
"Oh well... I do have it sometimes but nothing too serious. Okay well that's a lie..." You said as you scratched your cheek.
"Come on. Talk to me," Kifa urged you with a raised eyebrow.
"Well... Orthus talked to me last night," you told her slowly.
Kifa seemed surprised by that, "Huh. Never thought I'd see you two get along. So? What is it?"
Looming Shade
[] "I think we need to get off this ship. Now."
[] "Well, she just told me that my being here might endanger everyone. Again."
[] "I suppose she just told me a whole bunch of history. Not too sure what to do about it save for the seriousness of her problem."
[] Write in...
