Lendicinae stood in silence. Across from him, Markarious stood, panting. Hand on his chest, he glared at Lendicinae.
“Why?” he muttered as tears strolled down his cheeks.
“Why did you do this? What purpose does dividing us solve? How many are dead because of you?” Lendicinae stood unmoved as his grip on his sword tightened.
“Please, surrender. You are a smart man, you do not need to continue this bloodshed,” Lendicinae said, extending his hand to Markarious.
“Please old friend, just stop,” his voice was soft, and Markarious did not reply. Slowly putting his hand back to his side, Lendicinae stared off to the side to the ashes of Saclith.
Etasose stood to the side. Her eyes fixated on Markarious. She knew he was his father, yet still, their resemblance was incredible to her. Despite all that was happening, despite her hatred for the man before her, she felt her chest cramp. Her eyes were soft as she stared at him. A fear wrapped around her mind, the fear of what was to become of Charlie…
She came here originally just to see the memories of Charlie and confirm to herself his loyalty and trust, as well as the source of these sudden powers, yet now she only found concern. The darkness that overcame his father, what if that were to happen to him? But from what she had seen, this man by the name of Lendicinae seemed to have created some pill to be able to hold back this insanity.
Flames roared from Markarious as he lunged forward. His hand swung for Lendicinae who simply stepped to the side, his sword cutting up through Markarious’ arm.
“Surrender, and I will spare your wife,” Lendicinae’s words were cold as he ducked as Markarious swung again for Lendicinae. In a flash, black smoke smothered the eyes of Markarious as cut off his remaining arm. Leaping back, he stared down at Markarious. The flaming emerald eyes stared back. Flicking his stumps where arms once were to the side. Flicking the stumps down to the side, flames ripped from his flesh and coursed around his arms.
Standing back up, his eyes were glossed over by green light as his arms slowly regrew. Lendicinae lunged forward, his sword aimed for his neck. In a flash of flame, Markarious hand plunged through the chest of Lendicinae. But blood did not spill as the chest of Lendicinae dissipated into a black mist. Markarious immediately turned, knowing what blow from him was to come next.
The mist warped around Markarious until it formed back into Lendicinae. As his eyes widened, he saw the flaming hand of Markarious diving towards him. The dance repeated of Markarious lunging himself towards Lendicinae in a relentless assault as Lendicinae only managed to drift away from him. But never for long enough to regain a footing and strike a blow.
Dodging and weaving, Lendicinae stayed within roughly the same area. A way to slow him down? The Chiefess thought to herself, but then her eyes caught something. By his waist, Lendicinae was constructing some kind of device with one of his hands. Between the fading to mist, and reappearing, he would quickly add some more progress before fading back into the mist and starting again.
As his hands morphed from between the mist, she saw a small needle appear in his hands. Again, Lendicinae appeared behind Markarious, but as he turned to stab him, Lendicinae swiftly dodged to the side and grabbed his arm. From their blows alone, it was obvious to the Chiefess they did not intend to fight properly, a sign of their comradeship still present even now.
Her thoughts were confirmed Lendicinae slammed the needle into the flesh of Markarious. From the mist came a hammer, attached to it an iron spike. Leaping back, Markarious lifted his arm to fight the flames to Lendicinae. Yet no flames erupted from his arm. The needle had stopped the flames. Seeing Lendicinae advance, Markarious used his other arm to summon a wall of flame.
But through the flames Lendicinae dove, his hammer directed at Markarious’ head.
“I wanted to make it painless for you. Goodbye old friend. May you be free of your sickness,” Markarious watched as the spike on the hammer grew closer to his temple. His eyes hovered over Lendicinae. For a moment they stared, but green filled both of their visions. The air boiled while the ground quaked. The Chiefess squinted as she stepped back. Pain flooded through the back of Lendicinae as he slammed into a wall.
Blood splattered from his mouth as he felt cracks within his bones. With what strength he had, he tried to drag himself to his feet, but yet another flaming hand slammed into him, sending him into another wall further down the street. Blood poured from his back as his coat was ripped by the flames. Standing, he was again only knocked down by a fist punching down onto his head.
The flames cooked the walls an ashy black as the ground beneath them cracked. Looming over Lendicinae, Markarious glared down.
“It is not a sickness,” he glared at the man’s golden eyes, “It is a trophy of my efforts,”
“You will see what Saclith meant. You are not strong,”
“Then what am I?” Markarious continued to glare down at Lendicinae.
“You’re the same as me. A shell of your former self,” Lendicinae’s arm began to fade into a thick dust.
“So, you were never here from the beginning?” Markarious cackled and shook his head as the body of Lendicinae faded.
“If I was here at full strength… no… when I see you, I will eradicate you,” Lendicinae said before the rest of him faded to ash. Taking in a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the street.
“I am not strong now, but given time I will bring the merchant union under my grasp, and the church to heel,”
So Lendicinae lived? The Chiefess was not sure of what she saw. But if Lendicinae was alive, it gave her hope for Charlie’s safety. Black mist stirred around her. Her eyes fixated on Markarious, even as the mist blocked him from her vision. Light flickered into her eyes as she felt a soft breeze over her. Tall bits of emerald grass stroked against her legs.
Looking up, she saw a hill. Upon it sat two thrones.
“Etasose, am I correct?” a voice boomed in her ears. Silent, she stared up at two figures upon the thrones. For a moment she continued to stare, wondering if it was true, she had heard their voices speak of her. Looking around, she tried to look for either Charlie or his father.
“Has seen the visions of the past broken her maybe? I thought I showed her the tamer of the past,” a soft voice echoed the booming one.
“Maybe yes, should we just send her back and cut our losses?” the darker voice said, a hint of bother in his tone.
“No! We can’t send her back to Charlie like that,” the soft-voice wined back.
“Do you talk of me?” she glared up at the figures.
“Oh! She isn’t brain-dead! I was scared for a second we broke her,” the soft voice said, giggling a little and even getting a small chuckle from the deeper voice.
“What are you?” the Chiefess’s fist tightened as her glare locked onto the figures. Placing her strongest foot back, she readied for an attack from the figures.
“Calm yourself, if I was to attack nothing you can do would spare you from me,” the deeper voice spoke.
“Ignore him, he is just bitter that Charlie doesn’t just conquer your people,” the softer voice said.
“What do you mean?” the Chiefess said, her voice now showing her fear. But still, she held strong and kept her gaze fixated on the figures. Studying any movement that may hint at a threat.
“Well, unlike this demon, your Charlie has a heart… or maybe a brain. He does not see a purpose in ruling you,” the soft voice said in a tone which was meant to be comforting, yet only placed the Chiefess more on edge. What were these things saying? What purpose did they serve? It was clear to her this was not a memory, but if not, then what was this?
“What are you?” Both entities stared at one another.
“We are, in the best terms, a power in Charlie’s blood. What you saw were the memories of not just him, but his father. But may I ask a question to you beast-woman?” the deeper voice said as its own leaned forward on its throne to stare at her. The Chiefess did not answer but gave a nod instead.
“What do you think of Charlie after what you have seen?” In silence, the Chiefess stood. Staring down, she soon lifted her gaze to the demon.
“I love him. Regardless of what he has been through…But his father, I do think he would make a good top…” the Chiefess’s glare had the demon sit back. Even he could see a red glare in her eyes.
“Blessing of a dragon?” he whispered to the angel. Nodding, she continued to speak to her.
“Do you fear Charlie?” she asked. For a moment the Chiefess was silent.
“I love him,” she answered.
“Yet that does not mean you don’t fear him,” the angel spoke. For a moment the Chiefess was quiet.
“Do you intend to harm him?” her words were stern as her eyes fixated on them.
“No,” the demon answered bluntly.
“I do not fear Charlie, but I fear you lie to me. So be honest creatures, or I will find a way to force you from him,” Etasose stood defiant. It was clear she was scared, yet her ambition shone through. Cackling, the demon clapped his hands.
“You speak in such a way to higher beings? Do you not fear us?” he cackled, leaning forward with a glint of red flame in his eyes. Biting her bottom lip, the Chiefess continued to glare.
“As I said, I fear you. But I am not scared of what is to happen to me,” She was not sure what to say. A sense of dread gripped her the longer the demon stared at her.
“You are to leave here and tell them Charlie is not a threat to your people,” the demon sat back on its throne, the red flames from its eyes fading.
“And I suggest seeking out Lendicinae. We are not aware of where he is since the memory, we showed you was the last one Charlie’s father has of him. If you love Charlie, I suggest you find him so he may aid him. The darkness that overtook his father is not of our doing, so we are not sure how to stop it, nor how it begins to appear,” the soft voice stated.
“I understand, but tell me, what are you?” the Chiefess stated. Again, the two looked at each other.
“I fear telling you will only make you fear us and distrust us. But if you must know, I am an Angel, a demon here. A mixture of hell and holy magic courses through Charlie. Turning him into a mix of good and evil. A perfect, but chaotic mix,” the soft voice of the angel said.
“I see… I have so many questions. May I ask some more?” The Chiefess said, her voice soft, and her eyes confused but determined. Both figures smirked.
“A determined one aren’t you mortal? Leave, deliver what message you must then follow your Charlie. Place faith in him. But I entrust to you that may guide him,” the demon said, sitting back on his throne. Satisfied with his last words, he looked to the Angel. Her eyes were down as she sat deep in thought.
“What was your question?” the Angel said. Moving a little closer, she spoke.
“Can you see Charlie’s thoughts?”
“We can see more than just his thoughts. His feelings, ideas, past and present,” the Angel answered. The Chiefess hesitated for a moment.
“What does he think of us? Of me?” The Angel smiled.
“As I said, he does not hate you. But he is like a small animal. He scared, but he trusts you to keep him safe,” The Angel spoke. There was no change in the expression of the Chiefess. Her eyes stared down, while her mind thought. It did not answer her question. Yet from the looks of the figures, she thought she was to not get any further answers. Without words, an understanding seemed to have been reached as black mist again swirled around her.
Opening her eyes, she found herself curled on Charlie’s chest. Nuzzling her face down, she felt a tear trickle from her cheek and onto him.
“I love,” she muttered as her arms wrapped around his chest.
Lendicinae stood in silence. Across from him, Markarious stood, panting. Hand on his chest, he glared at Lendicinae.
“Why?” he muttered as tears strolled down his cheeks.
“Why did you do this? What purpose does dividing us solve? How many are dead because of you?” Lendicinae stood unmoved as his grip on his sword tightened.
“Please, surrender. You are a smart man, you do not need to continue this bloodshed,” Lendicinae said, extending his hand to Markarious.
“Please old friend, just stop,” his voice was soft, and Markarious did not reply. Slowly putting his hand back to his side, Lendicinae stared off to the side to the ashes of Saclith.
Etasose stood to the side. Her eyes fixated on Markarious. She knew he was his father, yet still, their resemblance was incredible to her. Despite all that was happening, despite her hatred for the man before her, she felt her chest cramp. Her eyes were soft as she stared at him. A fear wrapped around her mind, the fear of what was to become of Charlie…
She came here originally just to see the memories of Charlie and confirm to herself his loyalty and trust, as well as the source of these sudden powers, yet now she only found concern. The darkness that overcame his father, what if that were to happen to him? But from what she had seen, this man by the name of Lendicinae seemed to have created some pill to be able to hold back this insanity.
Flames roared from Markarious as he lunged forward. His hand swung for Lendicinae who simply stepped to the side, his sword cutting up through Markarious’ arm.
“Surrender, and I will spare your wife,” Lendicinae’s words were cold as he ducked as Markarious swung again for Lendicinae. In a flash, black smoke smothered the eyes of Markarious as cut off his remaining arm. Leaping back, he stared down at Markarious. The flaming emerald eyes stared back. Flicking his stumps where arms once were to the side. Flicking the stumps down to the side, flames ripped from his flesh and coursed around his arms.
Standing back up, his eyes were glossed over by green light as his arms slowly regrew. Lendicinae lunged forward, his sword aimed for his neck. In a flash of flame, Markarious hand plunged through the chest of Lendicinae. But blood did not spill as the chest of Lendicinae dissipated into a black mist. Markarious immediately turned, knowing what blow from him was to come next.
The mist warped around Markarious until it formed back into Lendicinae. As his eyes widened, he saw the flaming hand of Markarious diving towards him. The dance repeated of Markarious lunging himself towards Lendicinae in a relentless assault as Lendicinae only managed to drift away from him. But never for long enough to regain a footing and strike a blow.
Dodging and weaving, Lendicinae stayed within roughly the same area. A way to slow him down? The Chiefess thought to herself, but then her eyes caught something. By his waist, Lendicinae was constructing some kind of device with one of his hands. Between the fading to mist, and reappearing, he would quickly add some more progress before fading back into the mist and starting again.
As his hands morphed from between the mist, she saw a small needle appear in his hands. Again, Lendicinae appeared behind Markarious, but as he turned to stab him, Lendicinae swiftly dodged to the side and grabbed his arm. From their blows alone, it was obvious to the Chiefess they did not intend to fight properly, a sign of their comradeship still present even now.
Her thoughts were confirmed Lendicinae slammed the needle into the flesh of Markarious. From the mist came a hammer, attached to it an iron spike. Leaping back, Markarious lifted his arm to fight the flames to Lendicinae. Yet no flames erupted from his arm. The needle had stopped the flames. Seeing Lendicinae advance, Markarious used his other arm to summon a wall of flame.
But through the flames Lendicinae dove, his hammer directed at Markarious’ head.
“I wanted to make it painless for you. Goodbye old friend. May you be free of your sickness,” Markarious watched as the spike on the hammer grew closer to his temple. His eyes hovered over Lendicinae. For a moment they stared, but green filled both of their visions. The air boiled while the ground quaked. The Chiefess squinted as she stepped back. Pain flooded through the back of Lendicinae as he slammed into a wall.
Blood splattered from his mouth as he felt cracks within his bones. With what strength he had, he tried to drag himself to his feet, but yet another flaming hand slammed into him, sending him into another wall further down the street. Blood poured from his back as his coat was ripped by the flames. Standing, he was again only knocked down by a fist punching down onto his head.
The flames cooked the walls an ashy black as the ground beneath them cracked. Looming over Lendicinae, Markarious glared down.
“It is not a sickness,” he glared at the man’s golden eyes, “It is a trophy of my efforts,”
“You will see what Saclith meant. You are not strong,”
“Then what am I?” Markarious continued to glare down at Lendicinae.
“You’re the same as me. A shell of your former self,” Lendicinae’s arm began to fade into a thick dust.
“So, you were never here from the beginning?” Markarious cackled and shook his head as the body of Lendicinae faded.
“If I was here at full strength… no… when I see you, I will eradicate you,” Lendicinae said before the rest of him faded to ash. Taking in a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the street.
“I am not strong now, but given time I will bring the merchant union under my grasp, and the church to heel,”
So Lendicinae lived? The Chiefess was not sure of what she saw. But if Lendicinae was alive, it gave her hope for Charlie’s safety. Black mist stirred around her. Her eyes fixated on Markarious, even as the mist blocked him from her vision. Light flickered into her eyes as she felt a soft breeze over her. Tall bits of emerald grass stroked against her legs.
Looking up, she saw a hill. Upon it sat two thrones.
“Etasose, am I correct?” a voice boomed in her ears. Silent, she stared up at two figures upon the thrones. For a moment she continued to stare, wondering if it was true, she had heard their voices speak of her. Looking around, she tried to look for either Charlie or his father.
“Has seen the visions of the past broken her maybe? I thought I showed her the tamer of the past,” a soft voice echoed the booming one.
“Maybe yes, should we just send her back and cut our losses?” the darker voice said, a hint of bother in his tone.
“No! We can’t send her back to Charlie like that,” the soft-voice wined back.
“Do you talk of me?” she glared up at the figures.
“Oh! She isn’t brain-dead! I was scared for a second we broke her,” the soft voice said, giggling a little and even getting a small chuckle from the deeper voice.
“What are you?” the Chiefess’s fist tightened as her glare locked onto the figures. Placing her strongest foot back, she readied for an attack from the figures.
“Calm yourself, if I was to attack nothing you can do would spare you from me,” the deeper voice spoke.
“Ignore him, he is just bitter that Charlie doesn’t just conquer your people,” the softer voice said.
“What do you mean?” the Chiefess said, her voice now showing her fear. But still, she held strong and kept her gaze fixated on the figures. Studying any movement that may hint at a threat.
“Well, unlike this demon, your Charlie has a heart… or maybe a brain. He does not see a purpose in ruling you,” the soft voice said in a tone which was meant to be comforting, yet only placed the Chiefess more on edge. What were these things saying? What purpose did they serve? It was clear to her this was not a memory, but if not, then what was this?
“What are you?” Both entities stared at one another.
“We are, in the best terms, a power in Charlie’s blood. What you saw were the memories of not just him, but his father. But may I ask a question to you beast-woman?” the deeper voice said as its own leaned forward on its throne to stare at her. The Chiefess did not answer but gave a nod instead.
“What do you think of Charlie after what you have seen?” In silence, the Chiefess stood. Staring down, she soon lifted her gaze to the demon.
“I love him. Regardless of what he has been through…But his father, I do think he would make a good top…” the Chiefess’s glare had the demon sit back. Even he could see a red glare in her eyes.
“Blessing of a dragon?” he whispered to the angel. Nodding, she continued to speak to her.
“Do you fear Charlie?” she asked. For a moment the Chiefess was silent.
“I love him,” she answered.
“Yet that does not mean you don’t fear him,” the angel spoke. For a moment the Chiefess was quiet.
“Do you intend to harm him?” her words were stern as her eyes fixated on them.
“No,” the demon answered bluntly.
“I do not fear Charlie, but I fear you lie to me. So be honest creatures, or I will find a way to force you from him,” Etasose stood defiant. It was clear she was scared, yet her ambition shone through. Cackling, the demon clapped his hands.
“You speak in such a way to higher beings? Do you not fear us?” he cackled, leaning forward with a glint of red flame in his eyes. Biting her bottom lip, the Chiefess continued to glare.
“As I said, I fear you. But I am not scared of what is to happen to me,” She was not sure what to say. A sense of dread gripped her the longer the demon stared at her.
“You are to leave here and tell them Charlie is not a threat to your people,” the demon sat back on its throne, the red flames from its eyes fading.
“And I suggest seeking out Lendicinae. We are not aware of where he is since the memory, we showed you was the last one Charlie’s father has of him. If you love Charlie, I suggest you find him so he may aid him. The darkness that overtook his father is not of our doing, so we are not sure how to stop it, nor how it begins to appear,” the soft voice stated.
“I understand, but tell me, what are you?” the Chiefess stated. Again, the two looked at each other.
“I fear telling you will only make you fear us and distrust us. But if you must know, I am an Angel, a demon here. A mixture of hell and holy magic courses through Charlie. Turning him into a mix of good and evil. A perfect, but chaotic mix,” the soft voice of the angel said.
“I see… I have so many questions. May I ask some more?” The Chiefess said, her voice soft, and her eyes confused but determined. Both figures smirked.
“A determined one aren’t you mortal? Leave, deliver what message you must then follow your Charlie. Place faith in him. But I entrust to you that may guide him,” the demon said, sitting back on his throne. Satisfied with his last words, he looked to the Angel. Her eyes were down as she sat deep in thought.
“What was your question?” the Angel said. Moving a little closer, she spoke.
“Can you see Charlie’s thoughts?”
“We can see more than just his thoughts. His feelings, ideas, past and present,” the Angel answered. The Chiefess hesitated for a moment.
“What does he think of us? Of me?” The Angel smiled.
“As I said, he does not hate you. But he is like a small animal. He scared, but he trusts you to keep him safe,” The Angel spoke. There was no change in the expression of the Chiefess. Her eyes stared down, while her mind thought. It did not answer her question. Yet from the looks of the figures, she thought she was to not get any further answers. Without words, an understanding seemed to have been reached as black mist again swirled around her.
Opening her eyes, she found herself curled on Charlie’s chest. Nuzzling her face down, she felt a tear trickle from her cheek and onto him.
“I love,” she muttered as her arms wrapped around his chest.
