Smouldering tobacco lay waste to the once pristine air, swirling through the darkened room. Echoes of heels clapping the wooden surface hammered into the ears of every member of the Henla Guild. Glasses clinked, and the pungent scent of alcohol filled Rhaenyx Maltalor’s nose. She pushed her way through the crowds to the bar, picked up a metal mug, leaned against the cobble bench, and pushed a piece of paper towards Kaia, the bartender. On it was the name of Malakai Hamirez. Besides his name, his fingerprint, with blood for ink. Kaia took the paper and stashed it under the counter. “Still sitting at the top, I don’t know why you take continuous jobs, it’s not like anyone could beat you anyway.” She grinned pulling out a bottle of liquor, filling up Rhaenyx’s mug once again with that sickly toxin. “And I don’t know why I continue to drink this poison.” “You drink it because I make it Rhae,” Kaia retorted. “Got any more work for me?” Rhae swallowed the c
Rhae darted through alleyways, making her way upstairs between two houses. Soon she reached the open air, a small hill with one Akiara tree. The tree held golden Akihyra, translating to ‘Sun fruit’, forever in abundance no matter how many were taken. An Anera bush, ‘Sin flower’, grew from the base of the tree circling around it. Rhaenyx inspected the tree, recalling their names and translations from her lessons. When training to be an assassin, you are taught the ancient language so that you can pass messages onto other members of the guild without comprehension from any interception. She walked over to the tree, stretched up, and plucked one ripe Akihyra from the tree. She bit into the fruit, a calm feeling washing over her body. The fruit acted like an anaesthetic for the wound, pushing away all pain. Rhae leant down, ripped the wood from her leg and watch the fruit work its magic. It stitched the muscle together, like threads pulling th
Later, Rhaenyx awoke in a dimly lit guild house. The building was barely maintained, and the walls were black. Rot grew on the timbers in every damp corner. A torch sat on the table next to her. She tried to move her arms and legs, only to be thwarted by ropes strapping her to a rusted metal chair. A bucket of golden liquid sat a few feet away, resembling the extract of an Akihyra fruit. “Ah, the princess has awoken. Or well, soon to be queen if she follows her orders.” The man from earlier stepped out of the shadows. He was clean this time as if he freshly bathed. No dirt stuck to his face, and his hair was neatly pulled back into a bun. “The name is Tariar, Icran Tariar, and I’m the leader of this rogue guild, Dynamere. Of course, we named it after our benefactor. Dynamere Raenaleous stepped out from the shadows, grinning. “Nice to meet you Rhaenyx. I’ve always wanted to meet the one I’d eventually beat into the dirt.” She pulled out a small knife
Rhae was hauled to her feet and dragged up rotten wooden stairs to the top floor of the guild house. They came to a metal door, covered in rust. The roof leaked water as if a storm had rolled in. Rhae heard the thunderclap overhead, realising that Icran went out in the storm. A rogue soldier stepped forwards and pulled out a key, unlocking the iron door. Before Rhae could ponder Icran for long, she was dragged into the room, awoken by the door slamming behind her. She slowly stood up, staring at the rope that tied her fists together. She walked around the room, examining every object, looking for a way to cut the rope. A metal bed lay in the far corner, with only a dirty mattress sitting on top. A small pot sat in another corner, likely a chamber pot. Rhae had only one blanket to keep her warm on her bed. The windows were barred, yet there was no glass to prevent the wind and rain from surging into the room. The walls around the windows were growing mould, and a small puddle sat bel
Kaia was locked in a basement, though the room was decorated beautifully, and fit for a noble, she needed to escape. Her head pounded, and sweat beaded on her forehead. She had to save Rhae from making a mistake, a mistake that would change her life. Being an assassin was warranted, but being a plain murderer, she would be hung for that. Kaia slammed her fist on the door screaming at the top of her lungs until her throat scratched and her head ached. She felt the blood rise in her throat as she hoarsely coughed up a few drops. She fell to the floor, heavily sobbing into her arms. All morning she could only hear Rhae’s screams. Kaia let herself get captured, she made a mistake and Rhae had to pay for it. She clutched her arms, clawing at her skin with her fingernails. Recalling the events of the day, she ripped the skin on her arms. Kaia stepped out the back of the guild house to burn a herb, and inhale the smoke. She leaned against the walls of the house staring towards
With a push from the woman next to her, she slowly stood and moved towards the stage. She stood on the opposite side of the stage to Icran, so he grabbed her arm and pulled her closed to him, not letting go of her forearm. “Kaia was originally a bartender for the Henla guild, now she works for us. She has minimal training, and will need a mentor for the next few days before we bring her into the plan. Yrae, you will train her. Both of you will meet in the 5th ring, east side for your training, we will have a guide to take you there through the tunnels, from there, you will have to remember. Five volunteers will guard them. We need two scouts, one sniper, and two melees. Meet me after to be chosen for the roles, otherwise, it’s house jobs for the rest of you.” With a flick of his wrist, men both left the room and raced to the front to ask for a position, pushing Kaia off the stage as they did. Icran immediately waved a few out of the room, as their faces turned sou
“Where would you like to go now, Kaia?” The woman looked into her eyes, smiling wide. “We have permission to go anywhere you would like, except to Rhae’s room at this time. She is busy with Icran.” “So, I can see her soon?” Kaia’s face brightened. “When she returns from her scouting mission tonight, you may see her. As long as it’s before curfew.” The woman nodded, relaxing her posture. “What is your job anyway?” Kaia looked her up and down. Her armour was not that of a simple cleaning woman for the house or a mere bartender. “I am usually a warrior, one of Icran’s best, but for the next few days I am your guide. Though I have to watch you like a guard. Icran still doesn’t believe his hold on your loyalty. It still belongs to Rhae I presume. Though I doubt he won’t have his grasp on you for a long time, judging from the show you made today.” The woman grinned widely at her. “And you are not worried about my disloyalty?” Kaia’s body shook. How
A man stood and screamed out her name, turning to all the others in the hall. He began to chug from his glass as others repeated her name and began to chug. The woman stepped forwards, raising a glass and stretching out another towards Kaia. “A welcome ceremony,” she said quietly, grinning wide. Kaia took the glass and sipped the thick, sweet liquid. “It’s not anymore toxic than it was originally. Don’t drink too much.” She drank from her glass once more. “I’m a bartender I think I can hold my liquor,” Kaia spoke sarcastically, dropping her arm. “You serve the drinks, not chug every one you pour.” The woman turned and walked towards an empty seat at the tables. Kaia followed, inspecting the glass, finally deciding to drink it. She chugged the glass as she walked, feeling the alcohol wash over her bones. She became relaxed and forgot the worries of standing in her enemy guild’s house. She sat quietly, staring at the food that lay before her. He
Rhae stormed through the camp, straight for Aynyra's tent. Ambrose left her feeling hot and her skin sticky. His presence always made her feel strange like there were butterflies flapping their delicate wings along the lining of her stomach. She thought that she could vomit at the feeling and maybe it would go away.But Aynyra came first, so she shook her head and took a deep breath before stepping into the darkness of the tent.Aynyra was sat up on the bedroll, staring blankly at the entrance to the tent. Her long ears and canines had turned back to human features, and her face was sickly, clouded by dark circles that hung low under her eyes.Even in Rhae's presence in the tent, Aynyra didn't blink. She merely stared, lips slightly agape and grey in colour."Aynyra?" Rhae whispered, kneeling down in front of Aynyra. She gently reached out and grasped Aynyra's cold, dead fingers. Rhae grimaced at the cold that seeped from her usually warm skin.Rhae bent to the side and picked up the
Rhae had surveyed the camp a few times on the back of Diavel. He seemed agitated but wouldn't talk to her about what he had seen behind Aynyra's tent. Since then, neither of them had spotted anything unusual. Even Ambrose's Fae senses hadn't picked anything up.Rhae decided that it was enough and flew back down into the camp to sit outside of Aynyra's tent, keeping watch until she woke up."Did Diavel say anything else about what he saw?" Ambrose asked, climbing off his Draekon to sit beside her. Rhae ran her fingers through her dirty and matted hair, trying to pull it away from her face. "No, he has refused to talk to me since," Rhae whispered staring at Diavel, whose head was snapping around at the smallest sounds, searching the treeline for movement. "He needs to rest, but I don't think he will now that there might be a threat.""You need rest too, and a bath," Ambrose chuckled, covering his nose. "So do you!" Rhae laughed, lightly shoving Ambrose. Ambrose stood and held out his
"What the hell do you mean, they AREN'T DEAD!" A man with long fiery red hair and a scruffy beard yelled. He tapped his long fingernails on the wooden table in front of him. It appeared to be a repetitive action as there was a small dent in the table where he had slowly worn out the wood."They escaped. The monsters were too large, it made them slow. They couldn't kill two of those bloody so-called warriors." This man's voice was smooth and deep, rolling off his tongue. He oozed confidence and strength, hidden under a black cloak that covered his features. He was calm compared to the other's rage."So why weren't they in the Kingdom? Why weren't they burned with it?" The man with the scruffy beard yelled, his voice raspy and scratched."A number of the citizens managed to escape. The princess has grown powerful, she is able to use a large amount of her power so quickly.""It won't last forever, raw magic isn't as all-powerful as she thinks. Her powe
Ambrose, cradled Rhae's unconscious body, next to Diavel who grunted in pain every time he tried to move his torn wing. The two monsters still stood at the edge of the kingdom, blasting fire at the wall that blocked them from tearing down the city. It would fall in seconds. He couldn't stop them along, and neither could Rhae. One blast knocked Rhae off her feet. Who knows if that same blast would work on the monster who breathed fire itself? There was no choice, they had to evacuate with the citizens of the Kingdom.Aynyra? He called out in his mind, hoping she would hear him.Ambrose! I can't feel Rhae's mind anymore. What happened?We need to evacuate and now, have you all left?We have all made it out the gate. We are heading deep into the forest. Most of the Fae have abandoned us now, Aynyra whispered.I'm bringing Rhae to you now, I'm sorry we couldn't help further.Sometimes you need to know when you've been beaten, Ambrose. We will return with a plan.Ambrose remained silent, f
Rhae and Ambrose soared over the Kingdom. There were a few struggles below running for over who hadn't made their way to the square. Hopefully, they don't get in the way.Then Rhae looked up and towering over the wall were three great beasts. That was the only way she could describe them. They were amalgamations of many different creatures and bigger than anything she had ever seen. They were taller than the castle at full height. Full-blown monsters. Even Ambrose stilled.Diavel's voice popped into her head. You're magic is strong, but not enough for this. Ambrose can't help much. Rhae, we won't win."We have to try," Rhae growled, pushing forwards. "See if you can get close enough to get a blast in."Diavel grumbled but complied. Even he was a bug to the monsters before them. Before they could even get in range, the arm of the monster came down on them, swatting them away. Diavel barely managed to dodge.Ambrose's Draekon sent a blast of lightning from a distance before swerving out
"We need to make a statement," Valor slammed his fist on the long wooden table that the remains of the council sat around. There were a few old men from the old council, along with Aynyra's court. Rhae sat on Aynyra's right, Valor on her left. Beside Valor was Aerys, whose actions gave them the god's favour in the battle. So, he was offered a place in court. Besides Rhae was a sneering old man who was twisting away from the Fae ears that peeked through Rhae's hair. The rest of the council appeared equally aggressive. "We have all been recovering from the battle, surely they will understand," Aerys rubbed his dark eyes. "The people recognise the power vacuum. We need Aynyra to solidify our position," Valor retorted. An old man piped up, the man who sat next to Rhae, "Maybe the Princess is too young to lead us." Rhae interjected sharply, "You will address her as your majesty." "She is not Queen until the coronation ceremony, even then, she needs a King by her side." The other counc
Rhae's eyes burst open and she pushed herself up quickly, examining her surroundings. She glanced around, Aynyra lay unconscious beside her and Ambrose knelt on her other side, reaching out to support her. Icran; she had to find him, she had to end him.Quickly, she stood, ignoring the throbbing pain in her head and the dryness in her mouth. There was no more time to waste, nothing else to do, but end it here and now. Behind the pillar, that's where he hid before. Ambrose followed close behind her, his arms being held in her direction, ready to catch her if she fell. Her body was filled with only one burning desire, to kill Icran. Fate could be damned, bloody destiny could be damned. Only one thing mattered and that was ending Icran. She found him, cowering behind the pillar, a fool and a coward in his last moments. She grabbed him by his hair and threw him out onto the concrete, towering above him. Rhae felt the white fire burning through her and pushed it onto the surface of her
Rhae was surrounded by darkness, her mind empty. It was like standing in a void. Every time she moved, her body shifted, fading in and out of existence.Was this death? Was this her final punishment from the gods? It couldn't be. Surely, she wasn't doomed to float in a never-ending void forever.No, Icran wasn't dead yet. She couldn't end it here, not when she had so much to do, not when she had so much to return to.Her relationship with Aynyra had been rocky so far. They went from enemies to friends to enemies again. They had no time to talk to each other, spend time together, to develop anything.Yet, Aynyra had been by her side through it all. Without earning it, she had received unwavering loyalty. How did she repay Aynyra? By stabbing her.Rhae didn't deserve anything. Didn't deserve the love that constantly poured from Aynyra. She had betrayed Aynyra multiple times along the way, even abandoning her in an ancient city. She had been focused on revenge for Kaia, focused on keep
Rhaenyx was burning. She was fire itself; hot, bright and hungry. The fire ate her from the inside, consuming her body with rage. Finally, she was in front of the man who brought her so much pain and now she could end him, once and for all.The flames covered her body, bright and blue, all-consuming. Icran trembled in front of her, his wide eyes taking in the fury in front of him. He barely even noticed Aynyra standing behind Rhae, sweat dripping down her forehead."Rhaenyx, dear. Violence isn't the answer. Do you think the people will follow you when you storm into your own Kingdom and burn it to the ground? Do you think they want you as a leader when you bring in our enemy to slaughter us like lambs to the wolves? You're a fool. You had no real plan. This Kingdom will fall if I don't take place as its leader. You are the real traitor," Icran growled, his voice dripping with malice.Behind his anger, was fear and Rhae could taste it. "Shut up," she hissed."Have I hit a nerve? You kn