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Chapter 41
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2022-07-19 18:27:06Related chapters
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 1
Helia was a slayer. She came from a long line of slayers in her family, but presently she was the only one in the trade. Her father had grown too old and had been injured too many times by the profession to continue so she had taken up the mantle. Though her mother had not been pleased with her choice of vocation, due to its dangerous, wandering nature, her father had supported her decision and even seemed prideful that she'd followed in his footsteps.Helia was the eldest daughter in a family with no sons. She had thick, long, wavy red hair that flashed like copper penny in the sun and striking blue eyes to compliment. Standing at five-foot eleven, she was tall for her gender with a fit, muscled body; a must in her profession of killing monsters. She had a classic beauty in her features but did nothing to flaunt it. Makeup and other frivolities were unknown to her. Women in the position of slayer were unheard of, but Helia had a killer's edge and huntress's instinct that would've imp
Last Updated : 2022-06-16Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 2
The winged female struggled against the net, bucking her body. But she was hopelessly entangled and couldn't free herself. She was crying and seemed to slump after her fight. Quite suddenly her eyes, which were the color of purple orchids, went wide when she looked down and saw Helia dismount her horse."No...NO!" she cried out with terror, struggling even more to no avail. "KENDRICK!"Helia looked up at her, "Are you ok?"The winged creature didn't seem to hear her as it fought desperately above."Hey! Hey!" Helia said loudly and firmly, "Take it easy. You're going to hurt yourself if you struggle like that.""NO! Let me go you poacher!" she suddenly screamed with panic, though her voice sounded weak from shouting so much, "KENDRICK!"Helia shook her red locks, "Calm down! I'm not a poacher."The beautiful eyes directed at her, "This-This isn't your trap?""No. But I can free you if you just calm down. Ok?"The winged girl seemed doubtful but eventually winced and nodded. Helia's eye
Last Updated : 2022-06-16Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 3
Later that day...Helia gripped the hilt of the sword at her belt as she crept closer to the massive cave entrance. She had followed the directions of the people of Rumstead and found the broken topped mountain which was supposed to be the place where the Gray Shadow lived. From under her bone and metal helmet, her red hair spilled over her eyes which she had to flick away. She couldn't afford to be distracted by something as trivial as hair in her eyes...not when there was a giant residing in the cave before her. She crept closer, feet quietly crunching the rocks before the crevasse. Her shield braced in front of her.She looked up at the entrance to the cave which was very tall indeed...well over fifty feet if she had to guess. Already she was second-guessing her assumptions that the people of Rumstead had exaggerated his size if the crevasse was any indicator. However, she'd hunted trolls that weren't nearly as big as giants and they lived it caves with exceedingly tall entrances.
Last Updated : 2022-06-16Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 4
She swore internally when she viewed his leather boots. The giants of her country never wore any footwear so her plan to slice his Achilles tendons went out the window. Helia was trying to formulate a plan of attack or defense, but nothing seemed plausible now. If she were to kill him she'd need to get at his neck or through his eyes. Both options were dismally out of her reach. Now she was wishing she'd tried jumping down from above.In just two strides the colossus was mere yards from her. With measured, slow steps he began to circle, staring down at her with a smirk on his face. Helia turned with his strides, knowing he could swing his boot and kick her or stomp her flat in less than a second. Yet, he seemed to be toying with her nerves, circling, watching her. She kept her shield ready.He lifted his nose up a bit and smelled the air.Then he looked down at her with a coy smirk, "Oh...so you're really by yourself? That's remarkably bold...and foolish."Helia didn't respond. She ke
Last Updated : 2022-06-16Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 5
Quite suddenly he raised her up higher and tipped his head back. His mouth opened; lips pulled back to expose white teeth with notably sharp canines. Helia recoiled violently as he lowered her down. His hot breath washed over her with a deep menacing rasp as the dark cave of a throat seemed to gape wider in anticipation of her.Helia's fear peaked and she cried out suddenly, "The king of Rumstead!"The giant paused, his mouth slowly closed beneath her and his breath ruffled her hair, "Hmm. Rumstead. Most of you slayers are sent from there. Though...it's been awhile since the last ones." he smiled at her, "They weren't as fun as you...they tried to run."He suddenly jerked his hand up and let go of her feet in a toss. Helia couldn't help but scream as she plummeted to the unforgiving ground. But, in the blink of an eye she was slammed into and enveloped by his massive hand; snatching her out of the air and righting her in the same motion. Helia cried out with pain as she heard a pop in
Last Updated : 2022-06-16Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 6
Helia wasn't sure how it came to this, but she was about to be eaten by a giant. She was immediately soaked when she hit his soft, slimy tongue and he began to maneuver her to the center of his mouth. He shut his mouth, sealing her in darkness as he tasted her thoroughly.His powerful voice shook her, hurting her ears, "Oh...my, my. Tart...a hint of caramel. Very interesting."Helia struggled as the massive, slimy muscle against her back flopped her around with his speech. Like she was a piece of hard candy, he held her in his mouth, rolling her around, pressing her to his palate, and then releasing her. He was savoring her. Helia's heart was set to explode, the fear was so strong. Her cracked ribs were on fire as she tried to keep breathing. Frantically, she felt her armor for a weapon, any weapon she could use to make him spit her out. But he'd found and removed everything she carried. She was defenseless.Or was she?Somehow, she had a desperate idea that could stop her doom. Quick
Last Updated : 2022-07-03Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 7
Twillow looked away, seeming uncomfortable, "Do you... hunt fae?"+Helia's blue eyes directed at her seriously, "Well considering I've never seen one until I met you...no. And if even if I did, you don't go around killing or eating people so there's no one hiring to have you killed. I'm no poacher.""But...if someone hired you...would you?""After today, definitely not." The redhead smiled honestly at the winged fae.The smile was returned in kind.Quite, abruptly the ground shook several times. Just as Helia gripped her sword and turned she was swept off her feet. Her butt hit something soft but firm and in an instant she was hoisted into the air at breakneck speed. Her ribs shot pain through her and the sudden vertigo made her roll back helplessly in the palm of Kendrick's massive hand. He didn't seem happy.His golden-brown eyes narrowed at her and her half-drawn sword, "Yeah...draw that sword and see what happens."Helia could feel the bundles of thick tendons flex inside the palm
Last Updated : 2022-07-03Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 8
A couple years earlier...The sky was peaceful, a veritable watercolor of pinks and oranges as the sun set. Not a breath of wind could be felt as the dusk shadows grew long. That all changed when a yellow spark popped out of seemingly nowhere. In an instant the spark grew and mutated as it branched off into a crackling ball of electric energy. The writhing electric fingers grew in size, creating a windy disturbance that whipped the trees violently beneath it. A shiny golden colored substance began raining down in thick globs as the violent disturbance suddenly opened up. A golden white light poured out of the opening as if heaven itself had opened to the mortal world. A form fell through the opening, plummeting to the unforgiving earth; an angel cast out. Then, as if it never happened, the portal closed and winked out of existence.Twillow fell and crashed hard through the branches of the trees below until she managed to snag a branch and stop her descent. She winced, tears rolling do
Last Updated : 2022-07-03
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Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 41
Kendrick looked completely unsure as he stepped closer to the horse and patted it very gently, almost too gently, "Hey...Hershel." He looked at the animal with doubt, "Are you sure I won't hurt him?""He weighs over one thousand pounds Kendrick." she gave him a look of visual assessment, "You're...maybe two hundred seventy plus? Believe me, he can hurt you worse than you can hurt him." Helia reassured truthfully.Taking a readying breath, he put his foot in the stirrup."Wrong foot, Kendrick."He sighed and switched, grabbing the saddle horn and seat."Now just stand on your one leg in the stirrup." Helia urged him when he hesitated.He did so shakily."Ok. Now just swing your other leg over his back and sit down."Kendrick did so, but Hershel decided to move nervously to the side which sent Kendrick flopping over the other side and onto the stone floor. He grunted with pain laying on the ground and Helia snorted a laugh at his expense whilst she reigned the horse.Eyes flashing angri
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 40
Kendrick's nose had been hit with a whiff of strong fear scent coming from his garden. Something was scaring Twillow. His first instinct was that he had been right all along and the slayer was responsible. Without hesitation he came charging down the tunnel and ran into his garden to see what was wrong.Twillow screaming "STOP! STOP THIS! PLEASE!" spurred him on.But what he saw sideswiped his expectations. He saw Helia battling what looked like another fae on the branch of the tree. Then there was a bright light that he couldn't look at directly it was so intense. But he could smell Twillow's fear and see her silhouette.Then Helia yelled at him, "Kendrick! They're taking Twillow!"A surge of protective rage crackled through him as he demanded she be returned. Whoever they were, they would not get away with this. He would destroy them until there was nothing left and Twillow was safe. Kendrick reached out toward the light and the silhouettes but suddenly the winged being wearing the
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 39
Twillow seemed to snap out of her funk, "Oh...nothing. I thought I sensed something." She shook her head, "Go on. Show me."Shrugging, Helia held her sword at an angle from her shoulder and put her feet in a stance, "Ok. This is something an old pirate taught me...bear with me though. It looks different when I don't have a sparring partner.Twillow watched Helia maneuver the blade, arching it low and then bringing it up in broad to short patterns that seemed built into her muscle memory. Despite her interest in the blade acrobatics she couldn't shake a sense she was having. It felt like there was strong magic nearby. She'd felt something earlier today too whilst reading but it was so brief and faint she wasn't even sure if she had felt it at all and dismissed it.And then she felt the presence of magic distinctly close along with the sound of wings that weren't hers. Her head whipped around and suddenly someone grabbed her through her wings and around her chest, placing a gloved hand
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 38
At a distance over the forest...The afternoon sun shone brightly over the Northern Woods, early summer in full flower. Then, the ideal setting was disturbed by a crackling of yellowish lightning and a sudden gale of wind whipping the trees. Golden liquid fell to the trees in thick globs as the portal opened with a bright flash that challenged the Lower Realm sun. The portal to the Parliel Realm was opened just large enough for two figures to fling themselves through before it closed with a violent crackle of energy. Then the day stilled, returning to pleasant normality....Earlier...Kendrick arrived back at his home a little over an hour later as Helia had been killing the spiders well beyond the border of his typical range. He traversed through his home to find Twillow in the garden. He placed Hershel on the ground, making sure his tiny reins were tied to one of his corn stalks so he wouldn't run away. The horse freaked out a bit but began calming, even sniffing and nibbling at th
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 37
The queen spider had pulled Helia closer until she was but a leg's length from it; just out of its reach. Its glossy black fangs, which were as long as Helia's forearm, dripped with the promise of venom. Helia knew she wouldn't be able to cut the webbing in time so she readied herself to stab the beast when it gave one last tug. Quite abruptly the spider seemed to freeze.And then, Kendrick's voice was directly over her, "Ugh. I hate these things almost as much as I hate slayers."His huge boot came up, hovered over Helia a moment in debate.Helia froze. Was he going to step on her?But then his boot passed over her and came down on the queen spider with an abrupt, gooey crunch. His action was so casual despite that fact that Helia herself had been mere meters from death. For him it had been as simple stepping on a regular spider. The simplicity made her feel very small and inadequate...that pissed her off.Kendrick removed his boot from the slimy pile of ooze that used to be the spid
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 36
A few days later...Kendrick was returning from the daily patrol of his territory, as was his routine. It had been a quiet day; no poachers, no trespassers. However, this also left him alone with his thoughts, which as of late had been consumed with Twillow. A little over a month had passed since he had made the difficult decision of burying his feelings for his fae friend in lieu of admitting them to her. He, in essence, sealed up his hearts' desires behind metal plating and doors to ensure they would be contained and their friendship safe. At first he was convinced he would be content with that choice.However, little things would pick and probe at the metal doors of his hearts, searching for weak points. Her soft, demure smile, the quick flutter of her wings when she was amused, the way her skin would light up when she was happy, the musical sound of her laugh. And the gods help him if she ever kissed his cheek; it was like setting off explosives against those metal doors. They buc
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 35
Back to the PresentPresent...Twillow had explained her and Kendrick's year and a half relationship to Helia in just a few minutes, even though there was so much to tell about that time. The redheaded slayer listened as she dried off in front of the fireplace. It was certainly an interesting way for two completely different beings to meet, if not slightly familiar."So...did this wizard, Sig, ever figure out how to open a portal to your realm?" Helia asked.Twillow shook her head, "He's gotten a bit closer but we're missing a key ingredient. Parliel Ichor is what he called it."Helia made a face, "Sounds...disgusting. What is it?""When the portal was opened to this realm there was a golden goo that was present when the barrier was breached. Sig says we need some of that to render down to use with the Sunfire Topaz." She sighed, "But...if the portal doesn't open again then there's no Parliel Ichor for us to collect. So..."Helia nodded with understanding, "Well...if I ever see any 'o
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 34
The next day...Twillow had been excited about the invitation to see Sig and Leida. Kendrick, on the other hand, was feeling sick to his stomach. He couldn't eat his breakfast and he hadn't slept much the night before since his brain wouldn't quit torturing him with all the 'what-if' scenarios of the next day's plan. Most of the situations always seemed to end up in the worst way; the worst of all being Twillow felt so appalled by the idea that he loved her that she left and he never saw her again. Every time he thought of that his guts clenched painfully.Surely it wouldn't end that badly?"You're quiet today." Twillow mentioned in his ear, "Are you ok?"Kendrick jerked slightly, jostling her, "Oh. I- I don't mean to be."The fae moved her wings a bit, staring at him, "You seem...nervous."He made a scoffing noise but didn't say anything because he knew he'd have to lie."She's on to you dummy...she's going to keep at you until you fess up and ruin everything!" his mind warned him om
Beauty Behind The Shadow Chapter 33
Kendrick gestured down the path, stood up, and then stepped aside, "We can talk on your way home.""Uh. Ok." Sig agreed, taking the reins again and urging his horses forward.The animals weren't so keen on passing Kendrick's boots as they shied away but once they were past him they resumed their gait. Kendrick waited a moment and began lightly, treading behind and off to the side of Sig's wagon...or at least as "lightly" as a giant could tread. The horsethes didn't like that much either but gradually they kept pace."So...what questions did you have?" Sig asked, watching the huge boots swing and settle next to his cart with giant's steps."How is Leida and your children?" Kendrick asked."Good, good. How's Twillow?" Sig returned the question."She's...uh...she's good too.""She didn't come with you?"Kendrick shook his head, "She doesn't approve of what I do when I'm patrolling my territory...so no.""Ah. I-I see." Sig read between the lines of what he meant.The giant was quiet for a
