Chapter 46 - At The Crossroads
After enough time passed, the next day, Thundur found herself terribly bored.
Everyone was busy. Her twin was preoccupied, overseeing a mission that doubled as training for Timbur and Jem, while the others were either working or goofing off. She could never be too sure anymore. Kita was put back on the beach, and Stud was secured in a makeshift cage of entwined, thick roots nearby. She had no desire to talk to either of them though.
In the meantime, Thundur had an old, terribly worn journal open on the table. On its worn pages, there were notes in demon tongue about the day's schedule. With her other hand, she had a potion glass, half-full of a deep violet liquid. A seeing brew.
'Woosh!'
As Thundur poured the brew into a bowl of charred wood, cyan mist burst out. Within the mist, hovering over the liquid inside, she could see it forming a map. Darker blue spots would indicate a living presence, which others used to determine possible threats, but Thundur could take it a step further after adding a special ingredient to the mix. She could reach out and get a vague read of these presences with her aura magic, providing better hints.
At least, she could when there were threats to find.
After finding nothing again, Thundur took a deep breath, then reached out in her mind.
Leiyt, are you busy?
After a moment, she heard his response, Not currently.
Are you making Timbur and Jem fight everything?
How else do you learn?
Thundur couldn't help laughing a bit to herself. It was exactly like her brother to jump at the first sign that their siblings really needed help, but everywhere else, most of the work fell on them for 'training purposes.'
She poured more of the brew, which changed the map in the mist. She had gone through their main territories, so started checking some of the neutral ones.
Thundur asked, Did Timbur update you about our recent 'game' with the mortal?
Mostly, yes. I'm going to assume some of it was exaggerated and ask again, though.
I was reading her responses as much as I could. Both during the mission and confronting her afterward. I'll be honest, I was expecting a lot worse. However, there were no deceptive behaviors, and she actually seemed a bit content despite the scenario.
I'm not shocked, but it's good that there's been no change in her behavior.
"I still think you were too open about it," Thundur muttered. Anyway, I think we're safe from her tricks for now, and we can still study her. Just as the Communicator told us.
Exactly.
But, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. It's not just down to beliefs and laws that keep sylphs in line, it's their nature as well. They know splitting up will get them killed, and that was the case for a long time. That instinct to follow the leader is ingrained, and it will stay until she completely lets go of everything in her homeland. Truth be told, I am slowly coming to believe that's possible after seeing her behaviors, but-
AND AFTER I TOLD YOU TWELVE GODDAMN TIMES, PERHAPS?!
Thundur flinched, rubbing her temples. "Gods, don't do that, dope..."
The annoyed demoness went to pour more potion, but then realized something.
In this map, which she barely remembered bringing up, she noticed one odd speck of dark blue. It was common to find tiny flecks, as they usually came from harmless wildlife. However, something about this speck was unnatural. The way it moved, how it so suddenly manifested from nowhere, and the simple fact that this region was always barren.
She heard Leiytning; What are you suddenly focused on?
A potential threat in the seeing brew...
Thundur held her hand over the bowl, her fingertips glowing with a soft blue light. However, she only became more confused.
"It doesn't feel like an animal. It's emitting white magic. Not just white magic, either, it's a very certain branch..."
She focused harder, then stepped back. She rubbed her head, wondering if her senses were deceiving her. She couldn't help vocalizing her thoughts in a cautious whisper.
"Leiyt, it's Elvenmagic."
Great, more pointy-eared idiots that want us dead.
"It's not just that..." Thundur checked the bowl again. "It's in the Sun-Scorched Ruins."
So? Jahaver is within a couple days' walk from there.
"Those are Dark Elves," Thundur argued. "They have no interest in us, and the place is so isolated that they never stumble across it. Besides, they have no white magic, they're elemental like us. This is different."
Staring down the irksome blue speck, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"I'm getting to the root of this."
You don't think you should wait for reinforcement?
"It's just one, and I want to confront this stray before he decides to flee or summon reinforcement of his own."
Waving away the smoke, which dissipated the map, Thundur rushed through the entrance tunnel and out of the fortress. The Dead Beach was just a passing glimpse as she darted across the sand and seamlessly jumped into the portal.
On the other side, she landed in an area she hadn't seen in a while, and she didn't miss her time away from it.
The Sun-Scorched Ruins used to be a post for the Zyreans, back before the Extinction Battle, that allowed for smoother trade between their kingdom and the kingdom of the Dark Elves. After all, the Northern Territories' only desert was a hard terrain to navigate without thorough preparation. Of course, now it couldn't be recognized as anything but the most decrepit state of ruins, only used as a rare vantage point for resources and travel.
The long-rusted and warped bars of an old fence lay mostly hidden in hot sand, enclosing a ballroom-sized area full of debris, with remnants of walls and foundations slowly sinking into the sand. On the horizon, there was a seemingly endless sea of sand, with random cliffs and hills of stone to break it up. The sun was almost blinding, and it was nearly impossible to breathe without getting a nose full of dust and sand, especially with a faint breeze stirring it up.
The portal was hidden under two slanted, would-be walls. As it closed behind Thundur, it revealed the familiar four-flamed emblem, burnt into the sandy, eroded stone.
Thundur was already annoyed, having to brush sand off her gray skin and shield her one exposed eye. She hated having to fight in extremely muddy or sandy regions.
Moving forward, she had to step over many shards of broken porcelain and glass, caked in dirt and dust from years of being in the desert. Fibers that were probably once flags or other fabric were now rotten and strewn about. Eventually, she stopped before a structure that was slightly more intact than others in the area. One very large room, half sunken into the sand. As Thundur flattened herself against the outer wall, she stopped to gauge her surroundings.
Thundur thought to herself, Not even a trace of an elf.
She got no response. She slowly took out her coiled whip.
From there, she cautiously moved toward the inside of the structure, staying close to the wall so that nothing would sneak up on her. Her ears stayed perked, listening for even the slightest scuffle.
As she finally made it inside the sunken room, she was shocked.
There was a glowing red symbol etched into the back wall. An incredibly complex, finely-detailed rune.
I know that rune. Its effects...
Thundur felt her blood turn to ice.
Leiytning? Leiytning, can you hear me?!
No response. No matter how much she reached out, she couldn't sense her brother anymore.
Now on edge, Thundur took on a defensive stance and held her weapon close. This was no laughing matter; there were very few things that could come between her bond with Leiytning. Apart from the naturally-occurring blood moon, the only one she had ever known was this accursed ward.
"That thing could've even been what I sensed through the seeing brew," Thundur murmured, backing away. "That would take a lot of time and effort to put up, and a lot of energy..."
She gripped her weapon harder.
"This was planned," she growled.
"You would be right, spirit-walker."
Thundur spun back, lashing her whip out. Immediately, it was deflected and a flash of a glimmering blade lashed back at her. Thundur narrowly dipped away from it, some of her hair falling to the ground as it was sliced. They turned fully black as they fell.
As she recollected, Thundur snarled in anger. "I should've figured you would be involved."
Across from her, Corelia was in her infamous silver and violet armor, with the emblem of a rabbit's head on the chest. The queen seemed angry on the surface, but it went further with a burning fury that practically illuminated her green eyes.
Only, Thundur realized that her armor was different. Runes bordered the edges of her chestplate, gauntlets, and greaves, and all the pieces had an unusual new sheen when the light hit them. As the sunlight illuminated her pristine royal greatsword, it revealed more runes shimmering down the length of the blade.
Thundur sighed, "It's been some time since we last met, hasn't it? Guess I should've figured this would happen. But what the hell are you doing here, and what have you gotten your hands on this time?"
Corelia's eyes narrowed; she wanted to attack, but brought herself to speak.
"Over a hundred years of practice proves a point. Changing the weapon and the strategy didn't break the stalemate, so we took the extra steps to change the magic. Not just in our weapons, either. Transportation, armor, and other equipment."
"Yeah, I can see that," Thundur retorted. "You've covered yourself so densely in white magic that I couldn't even sense that vile Aubade essence. I asked where. And let me guess, you stole it? Wouldn't be a first for your ilk, Erxina."
"Bought," Corelia spat. "I'm not foolish enough to tell you which tribe, and I'm sure you wouldn't be foolish enough to go seeking them out."
In a flash, Corelia charged and struck. Thundur narrowly dodged the first swing, then flipped over the second, kicking Corelia back as she did. She snapped her whip, the spines latching into the top of the wall, and yanked herself up. From the top of the wall, she glowered down at the queen.
"As for why you're in the Scorched Ruins?" Thundur interrogated, as Corelia stormed to the base of the wall.
'CRASH!'
As Corelia struck the wall with a powerful kick, it made the whole unstable structure tremble. Forcing to jump down, Corelia grabbed Thundur's wrist before she could land and jerked her back toward her, kneeing her hard enough to crack a rib or two. She then threw the spirit-walker aside like a mere ragdoll.
Thundur wheezed as she got back to her feet. "I get it. You're mad about Shira. Well, technically, that wasn't our doing. It was-"
"Shut up," Corelia spat. "First you take Kita and use her to taunt me, then you strike down my daughter, and now you have killed Shira, using the very sylph you stole. Just one of those is a graven sin, but three strikes can't be ignored."
Thundur smirked. "You were the one who wanted to play nice, the way I heard it."
"Only to convince Kita to return," Corelia retorted. "Otherwise, your beta would finally be stopped for good, you would still be begging for the return of those two captives, and if all went well enough..." She used air quotes. "The legend of the 'demon king' and his twin would finally come to an end."
"You can only wish," Thundur muttered.
Corelia aimed her blade forward. "And take this as a warning, before things escalate. You won't be walking away as easily as your siblings have. Unless, of course, you meet one demand. No negotiations."
"What 'demand'?" Thundur spat.
"Open that portal and take me to your fortress. Hand over Kita, then stand down. Otherwise, I will gladly paint this sand with your blood."
Thundur wasn't foolish enough to believe Corelia would keep her word. 'Stand down' was a demand that had been given before, and it usually meant something much worse. Taking prisoners, or trying to slaughter either her or Leiytning, and sometimes Timbur too. However, she did have reservations about fighting this notorious Aubade.
Normally, Thundur could keep up with Corelia for a decent amount of time, and she could inflict some nasty injuries. It was usually just enough to create an opening, whether that meant giving Leiytning the chance for a more lethal strike or allowing others to retreat safely. However, it wasn't enough to win, and now she was fighting alone in a terrain she didn't take well to. Her connection to Leiytning was severed, and while she wasn't intimidated by white magic or elves, that power in addition to Corelia's was bound to be a pain.
However, there was no good window to escape. Sure, she could make a run for the portal, but Corelia was almost as fast as her. If she was able to keep up, Thundur could be attacked regardless, and worse yet, she could likely make it through the portal before it closed. Then everyone would be in danger, and Corelia would have even less desire to 'play nice.'
Thundur thought to herself, I just need enough of a hit to slow her down...
Thundur braced her whip to strike. "Go ahead and 'paint the sand.' You will find a lot more red than black."
Without warning, Corelia charged Thundur with intense speed. Thundur barely evaded the blade's edge as it just grazed her side.
She couldn't help wincing; the blade left a burning sensation that radiated from the wound. However, it only made her want to fight harder.
"So, it's magic you want?"
The white sections of Thundur's hair started to glow, as did her amber eyes. Light blue and white smoke burst along one of her hands.
As Corelia tried to strike again, Thundur thrust her hand forward, creating a translucent blue shield that blocked the blade. She kept the barrier up until Corelia's sequence of strikes was over, then immediately hopped into the air, dodging another surprise swing in the process. Mid-air, a large rune of blue light acted as a platform, where she was able to jump behind Corelia. She snapped her whip at one of the nearby loose stones, and it launched toward the queen, striking her hard in the chest just as she turned to face the demon.
The stone made her stagger, but the armor wasn't even scratched, and Corelia was hardly fazed. However, as Thundur clenched her fist, the blue smoke flared even brighter.
As she thrust her fist forward, the smoke formed a wyvern head, jaws agape as it released a soundless roar.
Corelia blocked, the jaws clamping hard on her sword, and Thundur used her free hand to lash the whip against her leg. Blood spewed from the side of Corelia's knee, making her stagger. Thundur then aimed the wyvern head at her throat, but Corelia knocked it aside with her gauntlet, making the head dissipate.
Seamlessly, Corelia rose to her feet and tried another hit, but it was only a feint; when Thundur jumped onto another platform, she immediately threw the greatsword. Thundur narrowly dodged, falling from the platform with less grace and then rolling away. Corelia already caught the sword, then threw it again, this time cutting deep into Thundur's calf as it came close to severing the limb.
With a flick of Thundur's magic-fueled hand, the blue smoke formed a bird with wings like razors, forcing Corelia to block as it swooped and lashed both wings like they were blades. It left streaks of smoking light against the pristine metal. With a firm strike, the bird dissipated into mist and the streaks slowly started to fade.
By now, Thundur managed to put some distance between them. Despite the black blood gushing from her leg wound, she stood strong and hid any pain.
"You're in over your head, spirit-walker," Corelia spoke without fear or mercy as she picked the greatsword back up.
Just as Corelia lashed the sword at her, Thundur kept her whip close; she coiled it around the blade as it came within range of piercing her chest. She kicked Corelia and rolled back, forcing the blade out of her hands.
Immediately, Thundur threw the glorious blade skyward, catching it with her whip. She lashed it down at the queen, who attempted to dodge, but the blade still cut into her arm.
As the whip swung in quick succession, Corelia narrowly caught the blade between two hands so it wouldn't cut her, then grabbed the hilt and forced it from the whip's tight clutch.
"Slowing down?" Thundur asked with a smirk. "Did you finally allow yourself to age a bit? Or a lot..."
Corelia chuckled contemptuously. "And here, I thought you couldn't get any more petty."
From there, the rally went by in a flash; Thundur moved with great speed and fluid motions, while her whip maneuvered around her and lashed like a snake. Corelia's power, however, shook her with every strike, constantly threatening her with another painful injury. Thundur kept aiming for the legs or soft spots guaranteed to stun her, but as if she was catching on to the plan, Corelia kept dodging, even if it meant taking hits to other places. She wasn't slowing down at all, and Thundur was growing a bit anxious.
As Thundur landed from a flip, and Corelia was briefly vulnerable after a failed strike, she lashed her whip. It started to coil around her, but before it could construct and tear into her neck, Corelia threw both gauntlets up. The whip failed to reach her neck, the spines only scraping the metal of her seemingly impenetrable armor.
"Nice try," Corelia spat.
She ripped the whip from her neck, throwing it back. The spiny tip threatened to hit Thundur, but she caught it easily.
This time, Thundur tried to summon another burst of magic, but a much less impressive burst of smoke was the only result. Likewise, she felt the injuries on her side and leg burn even more.
The enchantments on that thing have to be weakening my magic. I can't risk that degree of magic fatigue trying to overpower it...
Noticing the failed spell, Corelia spoke in a dark tone, "You were warned."
Thundur discreetly glanced behind her, wanting to run, but didn't even get to consider before Corelia returned with another brutal swing. Thundur managed just enough energy to generate another shield, which shattered from the force and even caused her to stagger back. Corelia struck with a fast and powerful kick, forcing Thundur to the ground.
Before the sword could impale her, Thundur rolled to the side, letting it strike the ground. Thundur snapped the whip at her legs, but Corelia only staggered from the hit.
"Enough games," Corelia growled.
Just as the whip cracked again, Corelia grabbed it, despite the spines tearing up her hand.
As blood dripped from her palms, Corelia growled with the primordial fury of a goddess, "Submit. Now."
Thundur's eye narrowed. "Not with my tribe on the line."
Thundur tugged on the whip, but as Corelia exerted her full strength, there was no match.
With a firm grip on her weapon, Corelia yanked it back, pulling Thundur with it. With her other hand, she thrust the blade forward.
Then, everything went chillingly, deafeningly silent.
Thundur froze as she felt a piercing pain, but also a shocking, sudden numbness that overtook her whole body at once. She rigidly managed to look down.
The tip of the sword was burrowed into her stomach.
While Corelia reflected no mercy or remorse, glowering down at her struggling enemy, Thundur struggled to move. As soon as she tried, burning shockwaves pulsated from the wound, and black blood gushed out in pints. Blood began welling up in her throat, and she started to lose the remaining bits of feeling in her limbs.
"I-Impossible," Thundur wheezed. "Not like this..."
"Oh, is this painful for you?" Corelia retorted. "Good. Let's see how you like being stabbed, you godforsaken whore."
Corelia tore the blade out, making Thundur yelp with pain and stagger back, clutching the deep wound. Before she could limp away, Corelia grabbed her by the neck, holding her off the ground as if she weighed nothing and had no value.
Thundur made a repulsive choking sound. "S-Stay away from my brothers..."
"Don't worry," Corelia replied.
Suddenly, Corelia threw Thundur across the arena. She hit the wall hard enough to crack several of the bricks, even shattering one of the remaining slabs of glass, then fell facedown to the ground. Her vision was blurred, the world spiraled in a haze around her, and her ears rang with the wails of the damned. Despite the desert conditions, it was growing intensely cold.
Corelia spoke with no regard, "There's one thing I've learned over the years. Where there is one struggling twin, the other will come running to save it, even if it's a futile venture. So I won't go after your brothers..." She flicked the blood from her sword. "But at least one will come to you."
Thundur desperately wanted to curse her out, but then saw her own blood pooling around her. Her digits were shaking despite having no feeling behind them, as if her body was straining to hold onto life.
With a pained yelp, Thundur struggled back to her knees, trembling the entire way. Corelia gained an unamused look, approaching her once more.
"Are you really going to try this again?" The sylph interrogated.
"My soul is not my own..." Thundur wheezed, "If it were, I would sacrifice it. But like this, I'll not let you..."
Corelia's eyes narrowed. "You both deserve to suffer."
With one effortless stomp from her iron-clad boot, Corelia forced her back down. This time, Thundur couldn't move at all, and the world finally went completely dark and quiet.
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