VidaBurn’s Bar, New York City“Hey, Peter…” Vida spoke softly to Peter who was smiling at them from behind the counter, Tessa stood beside her nervously at about what they were going to do. She understood that Peter was a kind man, but they did not want to come off as taking advantage of his hospitality. “Yes, Ms. Vance and Ms. Rodriguez?” Peter asked them in his usually kind voice, “Do you need help with anything?”“About that…” Vida said stuttering wildly, unable to put the words in her mouth, Vergil was patiently waiting for them in the nearby alley. “So, uhhh, we need to take an extended leave of absence, if that’s okay with you, Peter” Tessa interjected suddenly, getting over her nervousness. Peter stopped what he was going and stared at them intently with a blank face, as if trying to read them, “Extended leave of absence?” he repeated.“Yes.” Vida and Tessa said together.“We are needed out of the state” Tessa lied immediately, “But we’ll be back or not, if you do not want
VidaThe Great Hall, Kingdom of Howard"Damn, their food is something else!""Tessa! Keep your voice down!""Why? We're the only ones here."Technically, she was right. Vida and Tessa were the only ones eating breakfast in the dining room. Vida found that 'room' would be a poor way to describe the hall that they were in. They were seated opposite each other at a table so long you could at least sit roughly twenty people and there might even be room for more."Besides," Tessa said as she stuffed herself with what looked like pancakes. "How will you be able to hear me?"Vida giggled. "I guess you're right." She sliced through her eggs and took a bite. It was the best damned egg she ever had. It was kind of nice not having to cook for once.After their arrival, Vida had a brief glimpse of Howard as they were being escorted toward the Palace.She still could not believe she was in Colter's world.Colter's confession about him not being a human and that he came from a world called Howard,
TESSAThe Throne Room, Kingdom of Howard"Tessa --"Tessa cut her off before Vida could even finish her sentence. "I think the prince needs some help out there." She patted Vida on the shoulder. "You got this, girlfriend.""No!" Vida said in a hushed voice. "Don't leave me with the King here.""You'll be fine!" Tessa said. She turned to the King who was regarding her with a sour expression on his face. He must be thinking that the fate of the Kingdom relies on this reckless deity. "Your Kingship, I'll be off. Dismissing myself!" She did a weird curtsy, her hands flailing around like a helicopter.Tessa ran out of the room and out into the courtyard. She got to hand it to the architects of this world because the Palace was built intricately. The pillars are detailed until the last inch. The grounds were huge and one could easily get lost in it. It was like a maze.If you asked her, Tessa did not know why she had the urge to talk to the troubled prince. It was like something or someone
King DyronThe Kingdom of Howard OutskirtsThey stood on the brink of oblivion itself, covered by the darkness. Dyron and all his forces were unseen by anyone, Flora’s passing had rendered them blind. It was as if they had relied on the deity for their protection. Without her, they are as meek and as weak as sheep.His minions and allies were resting underneath a forest that Dyron covered with a black fog, they were already celebrating as if they had won. Some were sharpening their weapons, some were sparring, as if they were warming up. Dyron grinned at this, seeing that they were battle ready. In the corner of his eye, he saw Colter shuddering weakly, conjuring flames that flickered in and out of existence. “Is he having doubts?” Dyron thought, slightly feeling aggravated, “I cannot have that.”Colter’s eyes showed fear, anxiety and horror. His flames were turning from crimson red to its usual red color. The laces of black flames with it died and sputtered out and this made the pr
King MalikThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardKing Malik stared into his crystal as he saw the legions of fiends entering the borders, it was a mixture of monsters of different sizes and races. They ran through the ground like maniacs wanting to shed blood, their eyes were filled with malice and violence. Above them, advancing quickly as they were in the air, are the hideous vultures. They were flying towards the kingdom at high speeds, tearing through the air with pure hatred in their eyes. Malik saw his citizens that were not around the capital of the kingdom flee for their lives as they were run down and slaughtered like farm animals.“It’s those things I saw in my visions!” Tessa shouted in horror as she saw them from the King’s crystal viewer, “They’re the ones who captured Colter!”Malik’s eyes darkened, he may have had differences with his son, but he was a son of his, nonetheless. “It may be in poor taste to do this” Malik announced to Vida and Tessa, who were trembling at t
VergilThe Kingdom of Howard“They did not hold back” Vergil muttered in anger as he cleaned his blade, he had just dispatched a squad of monsters that slaughtered a small village in the outskirts of the kingdom. There were barely any survivors, the captain of the royal guard, Vergil of the torrential ocean stood unscathed yet he felt shame and anger at how these monsters had treated the poor citizens.There were huge bite marks out of the dead bodies, one corpse had been cut in half and his innards were apparently gobbled up by these hungry brutes. His still open eyes showed fear and terror as he was probably eaten alive.The women were naked, there were wounds on their orifices, their necks bore bite marks where large chunks of flesh had been bitten off. They had been violated before they were killed. The children, Vergil was shaken to the core as he saw the dead children, there were barely any of them left. There was little to bury, they had been devoured gratuitously by these mon
VidaKingdom of HowardVida could not believe her eyes.It was Colter. But it was not him."Colter!"Tessa pulled her back down. "Don't! We must not draw attention to ourselves. It's already bad enough that the guards are keeping the monsters at bay. Their energies are depleted. I doubt they can still protect us." The pair was hiding inside a secret niche, one of the many secret passages in the Palace. Gian had instructed them to hide and not to come out unless told."But Colter --"Her friend slapped her hand over Vida's mouth and whispered harshly. "Be reasonable, Vida! If the enemy knows we're here, they're going for us. Let them handle it for now." Only a thin wall was separating them from danger. It was crucial for them not to be discovered. They may not make it out of Howard alive.Vida nodded as tears fell down her face, fear and desperation enveloping her mind. Tessa was right. They were merely pawns in this horrid chess match.When Tessa was sure that Vida had calmed down eno
GianKingdom of HowardA duel, just like old times.No holding back.Despite it being a life and death situation, Gian found it amusing how his brother retained some sort of sick and twisted humor. He had to give it to Colter for being so dramatic.Gian knew that in his current state, he would not be able to defeat Colter singlehandedly. Especially now that Colter seemed to be feeding off Dyron's dark powers."Be careful, Gian." King Malik called out to him. He must be worried because the last time they had a duel, Gian was easily floored by Colter. Regardless of his rigorous training, he was no match for the unpredictable moves of a rookie."How sweet. Tell me Malik, do you have any last words for your son?" Colter mockingly smiled at Gian."Don't engage him, Father." Gian said over his shoulder. "Don't give him the satisfaction of him getting in your head.""Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic." Colter shook his head. "Tell me, Gian. Are you scared?"Gian spat out. "You wish.""Colter! Ti
And so, Gian Howard ruled gloriously, from a prince begotten by his ambitions to a fair king that was loved by all. The damages that Dyron and his kingdom had done to the Kingdom of Howard was repaired a few years after the attack. There was no more word of a darkness that would threaten the peace that they had earned and fought for. The blatant loss of life was unforgivable to many, yet they managed to build their lives again. He also had fallen for a kind hearted Ecanus named Delilah, their children were many and were given love that they so deserve. King Malik peacefully passed the throne to him knowing that the prince had changed for the better and as he passed away in his sleep due to his failing age, the Kingdom mourned for a whole month, The Dowager Queen Regina followed less than a year later. Colter and Vida often visited them, checking in on them while they were alive and bonding with the new king that was Gian. Tessa also tagged along from time to time, serving as some sor
Vida’s Apartment, New York CityThe heat built in his body as his hands found themselves caressing every part of Vida’s body, she was whimpering in pleasure as she felt his caresses, Colter, had found himself longing for this, hungering for her as they spent that time away from each other, and the one moment they finally did get time together, they were surrounded by such chaos. Now they had time alone.Vida’s nails buried themselves into Colter’s back, minding his now healing injuries, as Colter put his lips on her breast, he suckled on it like a hungry infant hungering for its mother’s milk. Vida moaned in ecstasy as Colter worked on her body, she involuntarily found herself wrapping her bare legs against his waist, locking him in and not wanting him to stop ever.“I love you, Vida” Colter said, rising from her body and then started biting on her neck gently, Vida shuddered and her nails moved across Colter’s back as her nerves were shot to the point of oversensitivity. They had bot
ColterNew York City, Planet EarthPowerless but fulfilled, Colter stepped out of the portal with his companions, Vida’s hand was locked in his as they walked out with Tessa blubbering uncontrollably while holding on to Vergil, who was doing his best to be stoic:“Damn, I can’t believe that wasn’t just a dream, girl!” Tessa said to no one in particular, everyone was just listening to her speak, “Like boom! Zoom! Pow! We crossed some mystical portal! That’s right up Vida’s fantasy novel shit! I can’t believe it. I thought I was going to wake up wasted in a bar somewhere! Goddamn it was real, I have these weird powers that can see visions and shit!”“Tessa!” Vida interrupted, giggling as Tessa had begun to pick up steam with her words, she simply leaned on Colter’s arms and felt the moment, he had chosen to live with her on this Earth and it thrilled her to no end.“Don’t interrupt me girl, I was on the verge over there! Like look, those things were real, yeah? Those creepy flying vultu
ColterThe Great Hall, Kingdom of Howard"Brother,"Colter approached his brother on the balcony of the Great Hall. Gian was staring off into the distance, watching the sunset on the horizon. Days had passed since the war against Havocc took place. The Kingdom of Howard has been slowly rebuilding itself from the wounds of the attack. What was left of the Royal Guards helped the citizens rebuild their homes and establishments until they had a sense of their lives back. "Colter," Gian said, nodding.He settled in to stand beside his brother and looked at what was once a thriving capital below them. Colter knew that the entire Kingdom would be back to its former glory in no time."What an experience," Gian said. "All my life, I have always thought Howard to be untouchable, a haven, that no harm would ever befall it. Seeing it being razed to the ground is something I will never forget.""I could say the same," Colter said."But we're getting through it. Just look at how fast the Ecanus
King MalikThe Kingdom of HowardThe capital has been devastated greatly, they had suffered many losses and everyone had a somber demeanor. Houses were shattered, the gates were splintered, there was still blood on some parts of the pavement and the royal palace was almost in ruins. The bodies of the fallen Ecanus were being transported for burial, with the highest honors they could be given. Those who were still able to move helped out, finding people trapped in the debris of their homes, giving out food and just giving words of affection towards those who were severely saddened by the recent events.King Malik stood in front of them all, his wounds were still undressed, the blood all over him had dried up and gave him such a scary look, but he wanted to address all of the people before he took care of himself. He wanted to give him hope, and thus, casting the spell once more that would allow the people of his kingdom to hear him clearly:“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the
ColterThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard“Then let us have a duel to the death!” Dyron roared in fury as Colter slowly approached his foe, he could notice the king’s dark magic twist all over his body, “I shall send you straight into the pits of the underworld, and soon afterwards, everyone in this failure of a kingdom”Colter’s powers were at their peak now, three of the four elements worked in tandem as he leapt forward the elemental sword in his hand glowing with a bright light that radiated hope. He swung down as he descended on his enemy, but he was met with resistance. The sword of light clashed against the sword made of pure darkness.Dyron’s wounds from Vergil’s earlier attack burst with blood as he struggled, “I shall have this kingdom and no one will stop me” Colter just stared blankly at Dyron’s claims, they clashed swords once more, this time with blinding speed as each combatant gave their whole strength into it. Sparks of fire flew around their battle area, along with
ColterThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardIn the blink of an eye, Colter stood before King Dyron, his hand was firmly grasping the king of darkness’ neck, “Have I ruined your plans, King of Darkness?” Colter taunted the struggling enemy in his hand, Dyron squirmed and tried to fight back, but the prince’s grip was too strong.“What are you doing, son?!” Dyron gasped, trying to regulate his breathing as Colter slowly tried to crush his larynx, “I am your father, do not give in to the lies these filthy Ecanus have fed you!”Colter tightened his grip in anger as he felt Dyron’s magic try to corrupt him again, but the prince’s aura swirled around his senses in protection, this time anticipating the attack.“Your lies bear power no longer, King Dyron” Colter said in an angry whisper as he slammed the king down into the ground.Hope swirled in the hearts of every Ecanus and human in the room, Colter was slightly weakened by the ordeal, but they were glad that he had returned to his normal
VidaThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardShe ran towards Colter, slipping out of Tessa’s grasp who only screamed in horror as her friend put herself in mortal peril.“Vida” she screamed but Vida did not mind her, she had moved herself through the debris, stepping aside the blood and fire, and managed to reach Colter who instantly hesitated when their eyes locked.“Please remember me” Vida thought fervently as Colter’s crimson eyes found her amber ones, he let out a ragged breath that was filled with panic as his arms were still motioned upwards, wanting to stab down at his fallen brother.As Colter hesitated, Vida found her opportunity in his hesitation and grabbed Colter, locking him in a tight embrace.“Colter!” she cried out, tears spilling uncontrollably as she felt the heat of his anger burning inside him, his heart was also beating fast, “It’s me Vida. I crossed a world for you, please remember who I am. Remember who you are. Look into your heart, Colter. It’s me.”She heard Dyr
King Malik HowardThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard“Colter is under the imperium-class spell; it is a magical poison that seeps through every corner of his body. “ Malik announced finally recognizing its effects, he remembered how often it was used in battles before Gian and Colter’s time, “There is one weakness that Dyron has not accounted for.”Dyron glared at the king and flung another black ball of magic at him, and he dodged it cleanly. “Your ambition will be your downfall, old friend” Malik taunted the furious Dyron this time, finally putting it all together. Colter running away. Vida coming over to help and Tessa assisting. It had been in front of him all this time, and finally, a way to save the lives that could still be saved.“The poison indeed courses through every part of their body, except for one” Malik announced, “It could never breach the heart. The mark of Ecanus protects the heart from being fully poisoned, this is why Colter fluctuates in and out of control whi