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Eclipse: The Tainted Woman

1
Ezlare
9 years ago
A world, surmounted in only darkness, chaos, and death, the earth ran red with the blood of the innocent as the demons-- the inhabitants of the lamentable Hell Gate, sated their inappeasable lust for blood and sexdrive. An ever waning race called the Lightkeepers have finally depleted the last of their numbers, and with that, not one remained to keep the demons at bay, and the Hell Gate closed. The Gate’s influence even managed to corrupt a few high ranking humans, thus slowly beginning the process of creating a utopia in the hellbound creatures’ glory, however they did this in secret, no human is aware that their leaders are among the unholy beasts that already walk among them.

The world as humanity knew it, was doomed-- and no one was coming to save it.

--

(Okay seriously, I hate this fucking site sometimes)
1
Ezlare
9 years ago

Volume 1--Luna Marcell: Chapter 1


“She’s beautiful. She’ll sell for a good price,” said a man looking down on a woman. Carriage wheels rolled against the rough dirt ground slowly down a long field pass in the middle of nowhere. These men were miscreants, the same type one would end up pissing their pants the moment they make eye contact. A few people lied, bounded and gagged in the back of the carriage, guarded by gruff men armed to the teeth, likely war veterans or runaways from home. One of the men fidgeted impatiently as he eyed one woman in particular: a dainty young woman, no younger than nineteen years old, who sat legs forced open by her bindings. She stood out from her fellow prisoners with her jet black short dress that went no higher than her thighs, and lengthy, untouched, silver hair. She wore an eyepatch, just on her right eye, but that didn’t stop one of the men to get hot and bothered by her looks.

“Hey lass,” called out one of the men, wearing an unrefined expression. “You wouldn’t mind if we have our own fun would ya? This will be a long ride, after all.” he placed a firm hand on her breast and edged his face closer to her’s. She scoffed as she felt the man’s hot breath on the side of her neck. Normally a woman would wince from this, however the young lady stayed vigilant and unmoved, not feeding into the man’s advances.

“Hey, hey, hey; I can’t have you breaking the merchandise now, Mills.” said another man from across the carriage, halting the devious man from possibly doing something stupid. “I’m sure she’s a virgin, they’ll pay more if we keep her unscathed. I know how you are with women, mate.”

“Haha. You know me almost too well, asshole.” replied Mills as he backed off from the woman, vaguely winking at her. The carriage jolted upwards as one of the wheels rolled over a stray stone and fell apart almost instantly, causing the carriage to come to an abrupt halt. One of the men stepped outside to check on the damaged part.

“Ahh, damn it! Wheel’s shot, everyone out.” bellowed one of the men. The prisoners all filed out and each knelt onto the ground lying in wait of their delayed kidnappings. The kidnappers stood at the side of the road and scanned the land for any refuge, there was no luck however. Mills groaned somberly as the dark clouds above gathered, cold drops of rain fell subtly at first, but then rapidly beat down on each individual there. At a first glance, there was no hope until the kidnappers heard sloppy footsteps along the wet ground from the horizon-- a hood figure almost seeming like a silhouette from afar. They seemed to be wearing a long red cape that covered the entire frontal area in mind of the rain. Seemingly they could use this person’s aid to get themselves out of this predicament, though in their minds, they saw another prisoner for the taking, not minding common logic at all.

Each of the men shot each other devious grins as if coming up with the same plan in hive minds. “Oi, keep yur mouths shut or we’ll cut †˜em off,” ordered one of the men to the prisoners. Each of the men drew their knives and held them behind their backs as the red cloth figure drew closer. “Hey there, we’re in kind of an issue and are wondering if you could fix a broken wheel!” called out Mills, halting the nondescript person from their journey. The cowled individual looked upwards to the group of men, revealing her blood red pupils and pale face to them. Each of them flinched at the otherworldly sight for a moment but realized that an exotic looking woman was all the better.

The caped woman glanced to the knelt down civilians before her and sighed, scowling at the sight. She looked back to the men, staring daggers at them, as if she knew exactly what their intentions were.. “H-Hey, we don’t want any trouble now, we’re just looking for help is all….” said the man as he inched closer and closer to the woman.

“Slave traders, eh?” assumed the woman. She glanced over to the silver haired prisoner; she did the same only she had a look of interest in her eyes. “Too dumb and lazy to get off your asses to find an honest paying job?”

“What’s that!?” questioned the thug as he pulled his knife and charged the woman from the side. With a last minute glance, the woman took note to the angered thug and was seemingly defenseless until from under her red cape-- she drew a sword-- a blade much too large to be called a sword by an average human at that. The man was caught in a trance and slowed in his tracks as he looked on at the blade, completely mystified at the slab of steel that towered over his head. He took one final glance at the woman-- her beaming red eyes glimmered with excitement as she made a crazed grin, right before bringing the sword down above his head-- cleaving the man’s body in half. The spectators to the deplorable act reeled in disgust, to the fact that a single woman could wield such a thing, and that she snatched the life of a human being away in a moment’s notice.

"W...What the hell?! What kind of sword is that?!" questioned a thug looking on at the carnage. The woman’s entire face and body was revealed; the men gasped with disbelief as they glanced at her black and red armor, her dead pale complexion, her tattered white muffler that covered just about her entire neck, her snow white silver hair that was cut just about to neck length, and those piercing red eyes that fixed on the stragglers. They had half a mind to turn around and run, leaving their products to the mercy of the homicidal woman, but at the same time, their desire for money-- or rather, another toy to keep them warm at night, distorted their minds.

"Take her all at the same time," said a thug. "In any case, she's just one woman. No normal person could lift a sword that big." The woman stood in the same stationary spot as the each of the men edged closer to her slowly, knives cautiously drawn for those tense, heart thumping seconds while the mysterious woman stood planted there, sword hung over her shoulder. Simultaneously, they charged her, lips moistened to get their hands on the woman.

Like a flash of light the men were all suddenly dismembered and dead on the ground and the soil drank all their blood collectively. The long haired, eyepatch wearing girl looked on at the scene, completely startled by the display of violence. The sword toting woman glanced to her and walked to her position wearing a blank expression as she pulled a knife from her belt. The long-haired woman would think from before, this woman would try to kill them in her madness, but of course, she cut the ropes that bound each of the prisoners setting them free. Each of the prisoners ran for their lives from the woman, all expect for the long haired woman who stared into the blood soaked woman’s face.

Without saying anything, the woman walked off, sheathing her sword. “H-Hey!” said the long haired woman as she gave chase.

"That was pretty cool what you did back there...saving us and all." The woman said walking after the brigand eagerly. "....So, I'm Ibuki Galalith. It's nice to meet yo--"

"Don't misunderstand me," said the silver haired woman in a cold and monotone voice as she came to an abrupt halt, she glanced at Ibuki with a less than interested gaze and practically scowled at her. "I only did it because those men were in my way. If anything, I would have left each and every one of you to rot in those ropes if I felt like it." that reply stopped Ibuki in her tracks for a moment. This woman's animosity towards ordinary people was abnormal, almost as if she had no regard for them at all. The woman continued walking down the road, not paying any mind to Ibuki as she followed.

The two ended up walking for a few hours until the armored woman finally turned to Ibuki who surprisingly, still followed her after this long, however she was tired, thirsty and on the verge of keeling over. She had half a mind to let this girl fall and become the local creature's next meal, but something was telling her to assist, as much as she'd hate to help an eager stranger. Sighing, the woman pulled a flask from a pouch that resided on her belt and begrudgingly tossed it Ibuki's way. "Here," she simply said.

The two found themselves at a rather large open space at a mountain pass they walked on, at the edge Ibuki could see the open sea of green they ventured through all those hours. She could only gasp in amazement, as this was a new sight for her. The orange hued, setting sun made the sight all the better, too, it was like a sprouting daffodil on a Spring morning that lit the entirety of the sky. "Say," Ibuki called out to the woman who was setting up a fire to settle for the night. "I never caught your name, you seem like a nice person."

"That's because I never said it. Cut the shit, who are you and why are you following me? What do you want?" snarled the woman, reflexes telling her to pull her sword. Following her out of spite and then asking her name without so much as a word; honestly, that would make anyone skeptical.

Ibuki's eye glinted as she wore a nonchalant smirk. "Was I that obvious? I guess you aren't so trusting after all." she swept the hair from her right eye, revealing an eyepatch. "To answer your question; you." she said simply, smiling visibly at the woman. The woman stood taken aback by the simple answer, feeling silly that she would think otherwise. Getting a good look at her now, she didn’t look bad at all, in fact, she looked damn near gorgeous. That hourglass figure spoke to the woman in weird ways, almost as if it were familiar to her, but of course, this woman had likely seen many a comely figure in her journeys.

“Jeez, that’s all you had to say.” sighed the woman, she began to peel off her armor, revealing naught but bare skin just ajar under a grey tank top. She looked up to Ibuki to find that she was rather flustered and frozen in place. “Hmm? Don’t tell me it’s your first time.” Ibuki shook her head hastily then nodded realizing that was false, then she found herself looking simultaneously embarrassed and confused not really sure what any longer.

“T-That’s not what I meant…” Ibuki said, disproving the woman’s dilluded assumption swiftly. “I mean I’ve been traveling the country in search for you, and I want to be sure I have the right one.”

The woman sighed, kind of disappointed she would not be able to relieve some stress if not a little. Why would she be so willing to have sex with a stranger anyways? The woman knelt down over a clump of wood, grazing two rocks together, eventually sparking up a fire. It lit that particular area of the mountain pass dimly, so much that the two were able to see passed the darkness caused by the already vanished sun. “Traveling the country, eh? To find just one person? You on a special mission or somethin’?” questioned the woman.

Ibuki nodded and gestured for the woman to take a seat, with that the woman complied and pulled a flask full of alcohol from the pouch of her belt and began to indulge herself. “It’s an organization named The Hand of Quincy-- a pro-human organization formed to battle Demons,” Began Ibuki. “We began hearing word of a woman who may be capable of helping us with our mission, and I, as you now know, was charged with carrying out that mission.”

“And that would be…?”

“...To travel to Bhunivelze’s Oasis to close off the gate that leads to Hell.”

The woman’s face lit up the mention of the Oasis, she scowled again however, dismissing that notion entirely. “You may as well go back home, then.” she spoke up. “Only Light Keepers can close the gates, you call yourself a group of Demon hunters but you didn’t know that detail, did you?” scoffed the woman.

“And don't give me that 'oh, we'll just find one' crap either, there are no more to find, they're all extinct. Yep, seen the last one die right in front of me, no doubt about it. " the woman took another swig of her flask, however the drink had a rather bitter taste now that she had to explain that. She almost didn't even want it anymore. Ibuki's face had a resolute sight to it that she nearly scowled from the woman's words, she had a bad taste in her mouth as well.

"...Y'know its funny you should mention. What qualities do you think Lightkeepers have?" asked Ibuki rhetorically, hands quivering with anger.

"Jeez, your organization need to read a book sometime. Like what they look like? Let's see, they always have blue or green eyes, really milky skin, always women-- oh, and they give off this...I dunno, curious aura that makes a guy delude himself that things will turn out fine; positive shit like that." huffed the woman. Ibuki's face was finally brought to a large pout as she stood up. Her hand untied the laces of her eyepatch before removing it. The woman was taken aback for a moment but was then mystified as everything about this girl came to light.

Her steel eyepatch fell to the ground, the woman didn't realize at first, but it had something of a rune implanted onto it. Magic? Looking back up to the scowling girl, something was...different about her, almost as if she had died and have been reborn as something new. Under that lock of hair that covered the girl's right eye-- was something different compared to what the woman had seen in her lifetime, she could see why Ibuki would cover her eye so avidly. While her left eye appeared as its golden hue, her right was...blue? That wasn't possible, as the estranged woman had said previously, there were no more Lightkeepers in the world, she couldn’t be one herself, could she?

"...I must be drinking too much," remarked the woman.

"It's the truth, I'm part Lightkeeper. The reason why you, or any demons didn't sense me because my eyepatch magically cancels out my 'curious aura', as you called it." Ibuki explained. "Now let's try again. I'm Ibuki Galalith, and you are...?"

The woman sighed, still straining to process all of this. "Luna," she said simply. "Luna Marcell. You really know how to piss someone off with your persistence, do ya?"

"Only when they're a hot headed sort." Ibuki chuckled at her own joke, however was stifled as a blood curdling sound was heard off the side of the mountain pass and was approaching quickly. Luna didn't have time to strap her armor back on to brace for whatever came their way, so she had to make due with only her sword. "W-What's that, what's going on?" questioned the frightened Ibuki from behind Luna.

"Demons, about three of 'em comin' our way." she replied, readying her large sword in front of her. A dark smile suddenly stretched over Luna’s face as the warped sound neared their position. “Hide...before you’re slaughtered.” she only said to Ibuki bluntly. Luna got riled up to the point of losing her mind, and Ibuki lied unsure whether to bear witness to the fight about to unfold, or follow what Luna said and hide. This left her lost in thought for a moment until she felt a sharp nudge to her side. "I won’t tell you again..." Luna warned once more, sterner this time.

Before Ibuki could take a step, it was already too late, the warped, demonic sounds had finally made it to their positions. Large, black bugs ticked and crawled along the rock surface, eventually crashing together and forming three grotesque figures. "A Lightkeeper, a Lightkeeper! Oh, it has been ages since I've had one!" said one of the demons.

"I've told you I smelt one of 'em. Interesting how you can hide your scent for so long, little one." said another demon.

"If my eyes deceive me, I could have sworn I saw the halfbreed-- the one with the sword. Isn't that the one Lord Vlad had been searching for?" Luna's face twitched slightly at the mention of his name. At what expense would she be looking for a fellow that commands demons to his every whim?

"Halfbreed...? Oi, you said Vlad right? The demon that controls this part of the country...?" Luna assumed, staring eagerly into the demons' faces collectively. They remained quiet for what was longer than a simple moment; enough evidence to conclude that the location of the man she was looking for, drew near. "Heh...thanks, now I'll have less trouble sweeping the country for that coward..."

“Coward!? Mind your tongue, halfbreed slut!” spoke up one of the demons. He charged the girls suddenly, teeth sharpened as it closed the distance between him and the girls. However, he was stopped in his tracks as a steel blade came down over his grotesque, warped head, splitting it apart in a splattered bloody mess. Some excess blood spilled onto Luna’s armor and the face of Ibuki. The demon fell limp to the ground without so much of a word, the other demons reeled at the sight of their brethren being struck down in an instant.

“Brother!” Yelled the other two, charging Luna as well. However a sudden ball of flame engulfed the other two, burning them to a faint crisp. Luna turned the other cheek, seeing a waning flame emanate from Ibuki’s hand.

“So you can use magic, now? Hmph, you must be full of surprises.” remarked Luna.

“More than you think,” Ibuki replied with a wry smile to her face. She swung her hand back and forth to disperse the flames from her fingertips as she turned back to Luna. “Now that that’s set and done, do we have a deal? You come with me to headquarters and the Oasis, and in exchange for that, I'll help you find whoever you’re looking for.”

Luna scoffed, realizing that this woman wouldn’t leave her alone no matter how much she tried to keep her away. Helping to purge the ever spreading darkness of the world wasn’t an ideal job she had in mind, but sticking with this woman may help with finding out about these recent...incidents. Begrudgingly, the woman nodded, however a dark, stifled chuckle seeped from her lips. “Help me find whoever I’m looking for? You in for a treat kid, I’ll tell you that…” she said. The sound of that sent a slight chill down the girl’s spine, if this woman was trifling with one of the demon lords indeed, she just might be begging for a death sentence.

The sun finally set, leaving the entire country in darkness. Luna sat upwards on the most comfortable piece of rock she could find. “Yo. You’d better get your rest, we’re leaving at the crack of dawn. You oversleep, I'm leaving you.” said Luna. Ibuki nodded and lied next to Luna, practically cuddling the girl for comfort but was pushed off by Luna almost the instant she came into contact with her.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?!”

“Keep your distance from me, and we’re good. Clear?”

“Transparent…” replied Ibuki before slowly drifting off to slumber, not sure what to expect with this woman in the morning.
1
Xenon FAKKU Writer
9 years ago
This is a very interesting beginning to this story. It's mostly well-written and the background is alluring enough. It reminded me of the new anime Gate, but well, not in modern times and failing to repel the demonic invasion.

In terms of improvement, I didn't spot many typographical errors to fix with spelling and the like. The way you did an em dash was a little weird but it seems everyone does them differently these days. However, you consistently used "lied" when talking about when someone "lied" down. Thus, I should mention to you that "lied" is not the correct word to be using in that situation as it has no meaning other than not telling the truth. You're looking for the past tense form of "to lie," which is what someone does to rest. I "lie" down before I go to sleep for present tense and I "lay" down a while ago but I simply couldn't sleep, for past. Past participle is "lain," as in I have "lain" on the bed for hours. When it comes to objects, you use a different form, "to lay." This is really confusing because "lay" is used for objects but is simultaneously the past tense of "to lie." To use "to lay" appropriately, here's some examples: I "lay" my pencil down on my desk, for present. Past tense for the term "lay" in that instance is "laid." I "laid" my pencil down on my desk a moment ago. Past participle for "lay" is also "laid," so, my pencil has "laid" on my desk for a while.

Here's a chart to remember this in the future and an article to the Grammar Girl site which can explain it again perhaps more simply:

Spoiler:


Anyway, the story itself is already obviously rich with back-story, so I think you have a pretty neat gem here. It should be interesting enough for others to read.
1
Ezlare
9 years ago
Xenon wrote...
This is a very interesting beginning to this story. It's mostly well-written and the background is alluring enough. It reminded me of the new anime Gate, but well, not in modern times and failing to repel the demonic invasion.

In terms of improvement, I didn't spot many typographical errors to fix with spelling and the like. The way you did an em dash was a little weird but it seems everyone does them differently these days. However, you consistently used "lied" when talking about when someone "lied" down. Thus, I should mention to you that "lied" is not the correct word to be using in that situation as it has no meaning other than not telling the truth. You're looking for the past tense form of "to lie," which is what someone does to rest. I "lie" down before I go to sleep for present tense and I "lay" down a while ago but I simply couldn't sleep, for past. Past participle is "lain," as in I have "lain" on the bed for hours. When it comes to objects, you use a different form, "to lay." This is really confusing because "lay" is used for objects but is simultaneously the past tense of "to lie." To use "to lay" appropriately, here's some examples: I "lay" my pencil down on my desk, for present. Past tense for the term "lay" in that instance is "laid." I "laid" my pencil down on my desk a moment ago. Past participle for "lay" is also "laid," so, my pencil has "laid" on my desk for a while.

Here's a chart to remember this in the future and an article to the Grammar Girl site which can explain it again perhaps more simply:

Spoiler:


Anyway, the story itself is already obviously rich with back-story, so I think you have a pretty neat gem here. It should be interesting enough for others to read.


Ah, thanks. I often have a problem with tenses -- as you will see in later chapters -- to the point where I just pepper in present tense when I'm supposed to be writing past tense absentmindedly. To be completely honest, and I am being dead serious here, I had no clue "lain" was even a word. That makes things so much easier, knowing the other tenses for 'lay', and whatnot. I'm still a novice writer, if that wasn't obvious enough, lol.

But yeah, instead of laying everything down right off the back, I wanted to start things off in the somewhat middle of the story, per se, and give off a sense of mystery. Make things unlike what they seem, y'know? The plot will thicken, nevertheless, but really later, I fear. Still, thank you for that, I still need to revise and proofread this, along with several other chapters before I am happy with their outcomes.
1
Ezlare
9 years ago
Chapter 2

Spoiler:
The night ran with gloom. A castle town, not too far off from a vast plain, which was no doubt shrouded in death. A destitute sight from the eyes of an ordinary human. Within the castle was no display in robust either, demons roamed the halls aimlessly, awaiting the soldiers to bring a few unsuspecting townspeople to their untimely end. At the very center of this-- the very inhabitant of this chaos however, was the lord of this unsightly town-- a large thorn in the world’s side, so to speak. He went by the name Lord Vlad, however this was a false name fabricated in his own jubilant right. His true name, was something he had forgotten long ago. He sat at a dinner table, one that stretched across the room enough to block someone’s path, enjoying a meal likely made by his demonic counterparts.

Two shady figures entered the room and swiftly gave terse bows not even a moment after entering. Vlad glanced up to the two and paid them no other mind as he finished his meal. The demons rose up from their bow to speak. “Sire, we’ve found the halfbreed you requested, however our three scouts were struck down by her…” one of them said.

“There was another with her...a slim woman wearing a black dress and an eyepatch,” the other added.

“Her?” Vlad spoke up, finally granting the demons his attention. His voice was like a snake’s forked hiss right before moving in to attack his prey. His eyes glowed an obscene orange, his pupils sharp like a dagger capable of plunging through it’s victim mercilessly. The man did not even care about the Lightkeeper being with Luna, he only had his sights planted on the woman herself. “The halfbreed is but a mere woman?” he whispered to himself, surprised that the thing willing to go cause chaos anywhere in hopes of getting to him was the same person who was frowned upon around the world; everyone else would find it absurd if they heard the stories as well.

“Yes, sire. She is en route to your magnificent town, aiming to burn it to the ground with you in it-- not that she would anyway,” said the demon, swiftly changing his tone now that he saw that his master did not take that comment to his liking. A second passed and Vlad only smirked, reclining into his chair and tenderly rubbing his face with the pit of his palm. He slowly built himself into a guffaw that soon rumbled the very halls of the castle roughly, causing anyone within earshot to stumble to the ground.

“Splendid, let her come! I welcome a challenge!” bellowed Vlad in his hearty laugh. The two demons eyed each other worriedly, possibly knowing what would come next once the person in question arrived. Hearing the stories of the woman, sticking around didn’t sound very appealing to either of them. In fact, they didn’t want to see either their master or the woman brawl at all. They would much rather flee the town and await the outcome if anything.

--

Morning came -- rather -- morning had already went as the afternoon had dawned upon the day. The sun shone dimly through the cataract-like clouds across the world, it was almost as if it didn't even shine at all. The wind blew roughly, enough to reduce an unlucky tree to naught but fallen bark across the ground. This was the type of weather that would make one think that a bad omen was among them-- well, if that weren’t already the case. Ibuki awoke with a sharp ache to her back as she came to. The rock she slept on clearly didn't deliver in the area of comfort. She rubbed her half lidded eyes after throwing herself into a rough stretch in response to her uncomfortable repose.

"Fuck..." she huffed. "Least you could do was get me a pillow or something, Lu-- Luna?" As Ibuki fully parted her eyelids, she only took notice to an empty and voided mountainside, not one crude, silver haired woman lingered. Luna was gone, vanished from the mountain like a clump of dust blown away by a stray wind; it didn't take Ibuki long to realize this either. Swiftly, the girl jumped to her feet and ran the first path she think Luna would venture to. “Damn it, this woman is really starting to get on my nerves..!” complained Ibuki as she ran down the mountain path, through the grassy plains. She stopped midway, panting heavily in lost hope from her sprint; Ibuki lost the her one chance of completing her mission. Knowing this, she cursed under her breath.

“Tch, fine then! I can go to the Oasis myself! Your loss, though, you could have finally done something with your life, ya damn drunkard!” the girl shouted to no one. Her heated rants however, were interrupted as the crumpling sounds of carriage wheels on the dirt she walked on was heard from a distance. Someone to assist in her travels, possibly? Ibuki wildly waved her arms in hopes that the driver would notice her, yelling “Hey!” constantly, even though the carriage moved slowly, there would at least be a good chance of her being picked up-- if the driver doesn’t intentionally ignore her, that is. To her luck, the driver didn’t however. It stopped in the middle of the road and promptly, a head poked out from where the horses were. An elderly man, who was no older than at least seventy, and with him the head of a young girl as well.

“Hey there! It’s too dangerous to be walking these fields without a little protection, y’know? Especially for a young woman,” said the old man. “We have plenty of room in the back for ya, if you want.”

Ibuki nodded heavily and at the last second, remembered her manners. Promptly, she gave a terse bow to her saviors, so to speak. “Thank you,” she said before pulling the cloth that covered the carriage aside to climb in-- however as she entered, she was greeted by a peculiar mop of hair similar to her own. Those same piercing red eyes fixed onto her so suddenly upon opening again that it startled her a bit, like the eyes of an eagle fixing its eye on its prey. That sword that sat behind her didn’t do so well to hide her identity either. Realizing who the person was, Ibuki gave a swift pout, puffing out a cheek in response, Luna kept her usual scowl intact as she eyed the girl silently.

“Oi, what gives, leaving me like that?!” shouted Ibuki, possibly startling the two upfront.

“Keep it down, I’m trying to get some shut-eye. And I already told you, I’m leaving if you didn’t get up when I did.” Luna said simply.

“That’s not fair! Ibuki Galalith needs her rest, otherwise I’ll end up looking rugged and pale like you!” that comment was enough to make Luna scoff in distaste. The girl really was annoying at that, which was possibly another reason why Luna was so quick to leave her. The small girl entered from the front seat of the coach, joining the two somewhat bickering women, eying them curiously. The thing that really caught her eye were the two mops of silver on the girl’s heads, as well as Luna’s red eyes. She knew it would be rude to ask two strangers of their appearances so she came up with another topic:

“What’s you guys’ story?” she asked out of the blue. Ibuki was taken aback by the question while Luna only gave a vague response of a simple hum to the girl.

Ibuki remained silent and looked to Luna for her response, to which she scoffed once more. “There’s nothin’ you'd wanna know about me, I’ll leave it at that,” she replied bluntly, distancing herself from the group even further.

“Don’t be like that,” said the old man from upfront. He was obviously listening in despite being occupied with driving. “Everyone has a story. Either bad or good, it’s all worth telling in the long run.” Ibuki also eagerly stared at Luna in hopes she would tell as well, and Luna sighed, seeing that she was backed into a corner. What was she so distant for? Why did she get all up in arms whenever someone would speak to her?

Why not? It ain't like they're gonna live long anyway... Luna thought. With this, she groaned exasperatedly to the group and turned away towards the outside. "...I'm being pursued by a dark spirit. In fact, I’m putting you all in danger just being here," she said bluntly, suddenly triggering silence in the carriage in almost an instant. The old man and the girl looked on amazed while Ibuki's face had a look of urgency, if what Luna had said was true, then the girl truly had found the solution to her mission.

Could that be why she's so hinged on finding those lords? Ibuki thought, placing a hand on her chin.

The old man let out a hearty laugh, finally breaking the silence that held the room captive. "Like a bad omen or something? C'mon miss, surely you don't believe tha--"

"Fine, don’t believe me. Your senile ass may not know the situation you’re in, but I’m only saying, you’d be smart to kick me out and steer clear of me while you can,” Luna grunted, looking to the old man with a scowl. “Soon you’ll be caught in between my battle, then you’ll be killed. That's one cycle of my day I can't escape.” The carriage was left in an awkward silence once more. The old man wore a grim expression, but turned away to avoid anyone to notice his reaction to the crude woman, even Ibuki had nothing to say on the matter. The little girl came by with a drink -- a flask of wine, holding it out to Luna as if beckoning for the woman to take it.

“You looked thirsty, so…”

With a shake of her head, Luna accepted the flask. With gust, she casually chugged the entire drink empty, leaving without so much of a drop.

“You know stranger, you should try taking up faith--looking to God if things are looking bleak,” the man recommended. “Praying usually does one good.” hearing this instantly caused Luna to scoff loudly. With the amount of luck she’s been having recently, no so-called being of higher power could absolve that, especially if its the army of Hell itself chasing her.

“In any case, I’m gonna get some shut-eye for a bit..” Luna said before drifting off to slumber, but being woken up again as she felt a warm cloth cover her body. The little girl was happy to oblige, providing Luna with comfort, rather, she had no issue with it at all. Luna stared the girl with a look of stoicism and sighed, closing her eyes for good, implicitly appreciating the blanket. After all, she would take all the comfort she could get, especially when it would beat sleeping on the ground any day. All was silent until Luna was nudged from her state of repose as the carriage came to an abrupt stop, causing her to bump her head on the walls.

“What’s the matter?” Ibuki called out.

“Fallen trees blockin’ the road. Don’t worry, I’ll have †˜em gone and we’ll get back on the trail.” the old man hopped from the driver’s seat and got to work, he began to heave the trees painstakingly grunting each time he cut his fingers on the jagged wood of his quarry. He wondered at his age, why he was the one hefting trees off the road. Then again, he was in a party of three women. His pride would not let him allow the girls to do it.

Something resounded in his ears, sounds of faint, long winded moaning, almost as if the sound of death itself was playing a tune right next to him. Turning to the culprit he noticed a curious, foggy looking sprite that floated just next to his head. With a start. the man staggered back suddenly, hitting the ground in his shock. “W-What is that thing?!” the man choked out to scream

“A wandering soul,” spoke up Luna, stepping out of the carriage. “a spirit damned by the influence of Hell. Don’t let it touch you, they possess the bodies of unsuspecting humans stupid enough to get close to †˜em.” Ibuki poked her head from the carriage to get a look at the scene, not even realizing that they made it to the woods.

“Wh-Wha...I…” the old man stammered, unable to believe such a thing is able to exist.

“What? You believe in God, but you didn’t think demons existed? Hmph. Typical of you believers,” Scoffed Luna. “Brace yourself, it won’t be long before they start to swarm.”

With the exception of Luna, everyone got tense. Eyes widened and beads of sweat rolled down each of their faces. The people didn’t dare to move a muscle with the fear something could happen-- but to their dismay, so it did. A resounding racket of rapid swinging resonated through the air -- sounding close to a sharp object being thrown or something -- like a wild and ominous crescendo. Heads bobbed back and forth tensely in search for this unholy noise. The little girl suddenly cried out in pain. As eyes darted to her, she remained unmoved, sudden tears made their ways down her face as she wore a grim expression. “M-My back, it...it hurts… why does it...” she struggled to say before falling limp to the ground-- she seemed to have an axe lodged through her back.

“Henrietta!” the old man yelled before running to the girl’s body.

“You idiot, stay away from her!” Luna yelled to the man. But it was too late, the man was stabbed, wounded by a sword. With a cough of blood, the man fell as well, desperately clinging to life. The blade's owner stood frail, jagged, and skinless-- it was none other than a pile of walking bones that did it. Luna clicked her tongue at this sight, pulling her sword from her scabbard and held it at the ready. Ibuki joined her, standing at the woman’s side.

“What the hell are these things?” Ibuki questioned, completely terrified.

“I already told you, wandering souls looking for bodies to corrupt,” Luna explained. “Apparently they found some takers. Tch, and to think that little organization of yours would teach you basic shit before sending you all the way out here to find me.” she remarked. Ibuki only scoffed at that statement, but it was true. The Hand only told her of Luna and that she was apt at killing demons. They merely left her in the dark for a situation like this.

Charging, Luna took first swing at the horde of skeletons, scattering their bones all over the dirt. Each swing she took was like a swift gust of wind, especially with that massive sword in her hands. She managed to even dispatch at least two or three in one attack. But it wasn’t enough, the skeletons swarmed, possessing no hope of ceasing their charge as they all walked towards the two women, blades brandished. Some had managed to get a few lucky hits on Luna, leaving a few cuts on select parts of her body, however they were quickly struck down collectively as she did not dare to falter.

Surprisingly, Ibuki managed to hold her own, casting spells in quick succession, killing the lot of them off with no problem, that is until a skeleton slipped passed her guard, knocking her down with the butt of its blade. Ibuki stared terrified at the skeleton as it raised its sword to finish the girl off, but before it dared to even finish that notion, Luna’s massive blade collided with it’s head, slicing off the upper half of its skull.

Ibuki looked up at Luna, surprised that she was still alive. This was the most combat she had ever been in, that her heart thumped tensely to no end. “What’re you doing? Fight!” Luna yelled to her, not before noticing more skeletons group up behind her. She made quick work of them as she sliced each unholy miracle in half. Ibuki wanted to thank the woman, but something caught her tongue as her eyes drifted off elsewhere-- a lamentable sight no one could possibly purge from their mind. The trail of blood along the dirt road is what she followed, leading to what got her so stiff: the little girl known as Henrietta -- who appeared to have been killed at first -- walked again, however in her hand, she held something so grotesque, so mentally diminishing that Ibuki merely broke out in tears as she saw it-- the head of the old man that once cared about her, and in her other hand, a jagged, blood slathered knife, which was the culprit for his death. The old man’s lobbed off head rolled to Ibuki’s foot, practically staring up at her with his blank, cataract-like eyes.

Ibuki could only choke out out the name, “Luna!” as she bore this sight, interrupting the woman from her battle to gaze at this. Luna’s crimson eyes turned wide to her dismay as she turned to see this once innocent girl distorted. She giggled uncontrollably, slowly turning to hearty laughter much to the duo’s horror. She dragged her feet walking to Luna, almost as if she were a zombie, still laughing, still holding that crazed smile. Sluggishly approaching the petrified Luna, the girl plunged the knife into her stomach as she stood stagnant at this; Luna winced, the knife pacely digging deep into her pale flesh, adding to the red on her armor. Was she conflicted? Why did she only stand there and allow that girl an attempt to kill her? Perhaps despite her cold words, Luna had her morals.

...No--

This girl was gone, killed by the cruel and unsavory forces of this land, the very forces Luna aimed to destroy on her own accord. Her caretaker, seemingly suffered this fate as well. What need was there to be conflicted? Luna knew exactly what she must do. Gripping her hilt tightly, the woman swung her sword-- hacking off the upper half of the girl’s body in one swing. What was left of her body flew through the air, having to limply hit the ground. The now deceased girl’s eyes were as blank and nondescript as the world itself, a sight Ibuki grimaced having to see. She averted her eyes, hiding herself from what the woman had done. Luna was transfixed, she did not know the demons would stoop this low, taking over the body of a young girl; it was expected, but no doubt low.

The little girl’s smiling face before all this resounded in Luna's mind. Although it was a short time that they met, Luna felt a slight feeling of bereavement towards this girl’s death. Time slowed down as the woman stared, eyes widened at what was left of the little girl, all she could remember was instinctively, and of course, impulsively swinging her blade, and she turned out to be a bloody mess on the side of the road. She turned suit to the remaining skeletons, all but a ways to go before she was in the clear. She closed her eyes, letting out a roar as she sprinted towards the blights, slashing away at the bones recklessly, not inching an eye open to see her progress.

But Ibuki did.

From where she sat, she saw Luna rip through those bones like tissue paper. The sword was massive, bigger than Luna was entirely, even. But why did she move so inhumanly fast?

The entire night was spent fending off the undead bones. Morning came, sun shining into the woods like the eye of the storm. It was all over. Luna was wounded, exhausted, and to the point of losing her mind. She looked over to the remains of the little girl-- the little girl she killed. Her corpse lied in a now rusted pool of dried blood, eyes still pried open and rusted. It was likely her death was too swift her to feel the pain.

Luna wore nothing a grim expression. Lamenting, she looked to the ground and leaned onto her sword, not feeling any condolence for herself.

Ibuki, who had finally ceased her cowering, emerged from behind a tree, seeing the field void of the leagues that previously haunted it. The sun finally came out of hiding, shining onto the destitute woman that only stood there, back turned and hunched over to the direction of the little girl.

Ibuki stumbled over a few bones, slowly and hesitantly approaching her companion. She looked on at the destruction, the rusted and malnourished bones scattered in a dense pattern, leading to Luna who merely stood there-- panting, recovering from the fatigue her body suffered her in that horrible, horrible afternoon. It definitely wasn’t what Luna had expected to endure-- in actuality it was, with the many fights she had over the course of one year, she did not think this one would be this mind numbing. Ibuki finally came near her partner, steadily placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder.

She had no clue what to say, completely skeptical to even part her lips. She was in too deep, however. Although she did not turn her attention to the girl, Luna was waiting for her to say what she had on her mind. “L-Luna…” Ibuki finally began. “it’s...not your fault. None of us could have known this would have happened. Not now, anyway...” Ibuki consoled, still feeling the uncontrollable urge to break down and weep.

Something trickled it’s way up Luna’s throat, Ibuki would have thought that it was a stifled sob that she had held in for so long after doing something so disgraceful. The faint noise Luna made grew, becoming more vocal, her shoulders hopped up and down as if she were...laughing? Luna was laughing uncontrollably, a depraved smile crept across her face as she roared to the sky in a loud and hearty guffaw. Ibuki was taken aback, surprised from the woman’s sudden laughter. Not too long ago, she was completely torn at being responsible for the deaths of the old man and child. Why was she so happy now? Luna ceased her abysmal tittering, and hung her head low to the ground, looking to where the blade of her sword was impaled, still wearing that distorted grin.

“...You got that right...yeah, It WASN’T my fault. Like I said before, people who get caught up in other people’s fights, are worms, and should die either way!” Luna yelled harshly, completely entranced how funny it was to her that the two died in their persistence. Luna warned them, both of them-- not even that, she warned Ibuki as well, that she was not the person to hang around so casually, and they didn’t listen. They were still lying stagnant in a fantasy world as if there was no longer cruelty, no death, no desperation. “...Everyone in this world...are weak, and should just die...die and leave me alone.” the words hissed through Luna’s teeth in quivering bluntness.

With a flip of her crimson cape against a sudden gust of wind, she turned away, into a deep neck of the wood, down a nondescript path, likely to where her destination would be, leaving Ibuki standing-- watching as she walked. She was lost in thought before following suit, running after the woman.

Vision a world, shrouded in darkness. Death, injustice-- things we have no control over, leaving in us either in chains, or in a bloody dissuading mess. A world where fate was overturned and had only the one conceived purpose to leave one’s life in ruins. A world where we must constantly fight to live-- no, to survive. This...is Luna’s world, a decadent, corrupt, and immoral world she, no matter how much she fought, could not escape. And we were all swept up in the current with her, unable to fight against it, rather, we were merely forced into it. Whoever, or whatever caused this predicament of uncertainty, may it be a person or a being of a higher power, look out. A woman officially angry at this world you created is on her way.
1
Xenon FAKKU Writer
9 years ago
Not too bad a chapter, some down time, some battling and action, some traumatic events, some insanity. It seems like it had it all, in addition to progressing the story. Hopefully the pair are on their way to vanquish whatever evil in whichever ways they can.

There were a couple notable errors I'd thought I'd point out to you:

Ezlare wrote...
“What’s you guys’ story?” she asked out of the blue.


Ezlare wrote...
It was likely her death was too swift her to feel the pain.


Ezlare wrote...
Vision a world, shrouded in darkness. Death, injustice-- things we have no control over, leaving in us either in chains, or in a bloody dissuading mess.


In addition to those oddities, I see that you're consistently ending your quotations with periods and then beginning the next sentences with lowercase letters. That's usually never acceptable. If the end of the quotation marks a new sentence, begin the continuation with a capital, but if the sentence persists after the quotation, end the quotation with a comma and continue with a lowercase. Here's an example where you do it correctly:

Ezlare wrote...
“There was another with her...a slim woman wearing a black dress and an eyepatch,” the other added.


Ezlare wrote...
“You know stranger, you should try taking up faith--looking to God if things are looking bleak,” the man recommended.


Ezlare wrote...
“What’re you doing? Fight!” Luna yelled to her, not before noticing more skeletons group up behind her.


But here you do it incorrectly:

Ezlare wrote...
“Praying usually does one good.” hearing this instantly caused Luna to scoff loudly.


Ezlare wrote...
“Fallen trees blockin’ the road. Don’t worry, I’ll have †˜em gone and we’ll get back on the trail.” the old man hopped from the driver’s seat and got to work, he began to heave the trees painstakingly grunting each time he cut his fingers on the jagged wood of his quarry.


Ezlare wrote...
“What? You believe in God, but you didn’t think demons existed? Hmph. Typical of you believers,” Scoffed Luna.


Ezlare wrote...
“Apparently they found some takers. Tch, and to think that little organization of yours would teach you basic shit before sending you all the way out here to find me.” she remarked.


Ezlare wrote...
“...Everyone in this world...are weak, and should just die...die and leave me alone.” the words hissed through Luna’s teeth in quivering bluntness.


If you have any questions, feel free to ask me to elaborate.
1
Ezlare
9 years ago
Chapter 3

Spoiler:
It rained that day…

Tears from the sky fell onto the land like a shower from the gods-- wherever they may be. Puddles of mud formed along the dirt paths as the rough drops of liquid surmounted the land. Footsteps clapped along the softened ground in an unending crescendo as the two women walked, Ibuki trotted behind Luna, albeit, keeping her distance from the woman hence the occurrence from earlier. At that point, she was plain afraid of the woman, despite their short time together, completely afraid what would happen if she were to get on her bad side.

They both remained silent as they walked, an unending conversation of stagnancy between the two. Usually, Luna would say something to Ibuki as to why she would still; follow her so avidly, despite being afraid; she didn’t even dare to make eye contact whenever Luna were to look her way. Her words from earlier resounded in her head. Why would she possess such cruel and depraved thoughts? It was careless at best! Even when she cleaved that little girl in half, she felt not a speck of guilt or remorse, instead she laughed-- it made Ibuki nauseous that she would easily carry on like this. It was Luna that attracted the wandering souls, it was Luna who got the two killed, and she did nothing but laugh.

The red-eyed woman buried her head in her hood and scarf, while Ibuki hid herself from the rain from under her delicate hands, feeling each wet drop pelt her skin roughly. Luna only bat an eye at the girl, seeing her body drenched in rain. Her black dress appeared transparent, showing off her petite body. With a sigh, she paused, having Ibuki unconsciously bump into her. “W-What’s up?” asked Ibuki, looking up to Luna.

Luna turned back to the girl, wearing a blank expression; sighing once more. “...Not much longer,” she said. “there’s a city not too far from here. We can get out of this rain, then.” she continued walking leaving Ibuki slightly concerned that she did not yell at her at all. Strange, she thought.

The two later reached the face of large stone gates, likely from a city. There was a moss covered sign stuck on the side of a rock signifying that the town went by the name of “Portrana”. A strange name for a seemingly well fortified town. It seemed like it used to be a village before these gates were built. But why does it look like a kingdom now? Ibuki thought, looking on at the vast eeriness the place gave off. The large building at the zenith of the town too.. it all gave the girl shivers. There was a bell that sat along the wooden post in front of the very gates. As Luna punched it, it’s loud ringing sound notified a guard, bringing him to the top platform to see who would approach his gate.

“State yer business!” he yelled down to the two, instinctively rimming a finger to the trigger of his crossbow. “Be you men, or demons?”

“Neither,” Luna shouted in answer, sarcastically at that. “Just two women lookin’ to get out of the rain. Let us in.”

“A likely story! How about you prove it?” demanded the guard, not giving them the benefit of the doubt so soon.

“Say what? Just let us in! We don’t bite, we swear!” Ibuki stepped in, as if that would help their cause. The guard sooner noticed the lengthy head of platinum approach; his eyes bat wide as he glanced at her.

“Y-Your hair, why is it without hue and colorless?”

Ibuki gulped, she had no viable answer for that. For as long as she could remember, her hair was white. No one in the Hand dared to question her about it or mention to her about it’s abnormal color. She would assume that having hair this color was normal by now, which is why she had not questioned Luna about her own snowy mop.

“I...uhh, well…”

“She dyed it that color, that’s all,” Luna stepped in, voice stern.

The guard thought for a moment. If that were the case, she must be the daring sort. “You have a death wish, then. These days, people host hunts against people with that hair color. They say it is of bad omen and they are possessed by forces of the damned,” The guard warned. “I wouldn’t blame them either, with the world turning into a pit of Hell in under a year, I’d be up in arms meself!” a hearty laugh left the man's lungs, and Luna clicked her tongue at the man’s words for some reason, wearing a face of distaste from under that dampened hood.

“Right then, I’ll let ye both through, but you watch yourselves -- I meant what I said. Don’t wanna see the heads of two more beautiful women on pikes, as you’ve probably already noticed,” he said pointing to one of the wooden posts where Luna rang that bell.

What they saw was disgusting; about one-- no, two hundred disembodied heads of women, stuck upright on sharpened, bloody, wooden pikes-- all lined up down the lengthy labyrinth of a field. Vultures and crows alike rejoiced as they pecked at the heads, ripping the petrified skin from their bones, piece by piece. The heads were blank and lifeless, holding one singular similarity by their hair; white. All of the women, cut from their necks had the hair of the moon, now wilted, decomposed, and broken off as they were aged and withered by the outside weather. Was it to get a reaction out of Luna? It was as if this Demon Lord knew she was on her way. Perhaps he was weeding out as many women who happened to have silver hair he could find in hopes to find Luna, just to bide his time.

Damned coward.

Luna scoffed, entering the parting wooden gates into the city. Ibuki followed, attempting not to make eye contact with the guards that stood adjacent to the gates. There were murmurs in between them, likely vague insults spouted in concern to the girls' shady appearances, but neither girls heard a peep of what was said. As they walked, Luna turned her head back to Ibuki with her prize-winning nonchalant, uninterested, directionless scowl. “Don’t talk, don’t say a word. Just shut up and follow,” she warned harshly.

Ibuki pouted, but complied regardless. Seeing what happened to all those women sent a chill down her spine, all the while making her nauseous.

The two entered through two stone outposts before meeting the actual city. The streets bustled with busy people, going on about their business, from shop owners selling their wars, civilians likely walking to work or performing such tedious tasks given to them by their employers. There was a commotion occurring from afar, a large crowd gathered, shouting, jeering, yelling with fits of unbound anger, what was going on? Having an idea, Luna ripped a piece of cloth from one of the sheets a vendor sat on and wrapped the silk fabric over Ibuki’s head. “Hold still,” she said sternly.

With that, Ibuki’s head was wrapped in a less than systematically made hood, thus covering her hair. That would come in handy if they were to be venturing the town further. Make do without the dregs of villagers and guards down their throats. Without saying a word, however, Luna pushed through the crowd in order to get to the front, having a front row view at what was getting these people so riled up. Of course, Ibuki apologized for her companion’s carelessness as she eased through the crowd, bowing all the way through.

Reaching a fairly viewable spot from within the crowd Luna and Ibuki gazed at the deplorable act the people of this town screamed so ardently for-- a woman, beaten to an inch of her life, face hardly even recognizable from the bruises, leaving it contorted and broken. She knelt down across a wooden stage before the crowd, pleading and begging. “P-Pwease, jou haf to beweave me! I’m not a Demo--” her garbled plead, however was stifled as a cowled man delivered a swift punch to her ribs, striking her low to the ground.

“Silence, Demon! We know of your schemes, and they won’t work against the likes of us,” ordered the man. He grabbed the woman by the back of her neck and held her above her own feet, holding her at his mercy. “Shame, you were attractive. You would have made a great wife.”

She stared into his eyes, tears rolling down her distorted face slowly. She grimaced, choking out more pleads of mercy; however they fell on deaf ears.

The man dropped the woman onto the ground, creating a loud thud as he did. Before giving her a chance to push to her feet, he planted a boot to her back, causing a loud cracking sound to make one cringe, making her scream in agony before lying stagnant onto the ground. That stomp had likely severed her spine, leaving her paralyzed along the blood soaked platform. She couldn’t speak anymore, the pain was too intense for the woman, if anything. All that could be heard from her was faint gargles of saliva as her vision blurred. Her body twitched slightly, making futile attempts move, but she soon ended up causing more pain for herself as blood dripped from her mouth and ears.

Ibuki winced at the sight, averting her eyes, while Luna watched, scowling. She had not taken her eyes off the spectacle not once. It was as if she was searching for someone, but who?

“Put her to the axe,” ordered a average-sized yet, well built woman clad in armor to the executioner. “Give these people a reason not to side with demons.”

With a nod, the executioner complied, pulling a rather large double edged axe from a wooden rack that held a multitude of weapons. As the executioner stepped over the woman, he brandished his weapon, raising it over his head, aiming for the woman.

“Luna…”

“I said not to speak.”

The woman could only stare as the man above her blot out the sun with the blade of his rusty axe, no longer able to say a word of protest. She looked to the crowd and noticed a crying boy, standing the closest to the platform. He was no younger than five years old as he gazed at this heart-rending moment. Why was he there if his only intention was to cry? The boy held his hand out and yelled, “Sister!” at the woman, teary-eyed. The guards quickly restrained the boy by his arms and head...making him watch.

“See what happens to those who whore themselves out to demons? That could be you next, boy,” said a guard, forcefully holding the struggling boy’s head towards the direction of his so-called sister.

The axe finally came down, colliding with skin and the wood under it, cleaving the woman’s head from her body. The disembodied limb rolled across the platform and the crowd roared collectively with jubilation. Luna gave a scowl of dismissal, while Ibuki was in tears, lightly sobbing with her head low. Luna scanned the platform further, finally spotting a gazebo with a curtain surrounding it. Inside, a silhouette, gazing at the execution like a family show. Through that gazebo, however, he turned his head towards Luna’s direction, as if eying her, as if sensing her presence. Luna only smiled darkly at this, knowing that this “man” was exactly who she was looking for, and he awaited her arrival with opened arms.

Luna wanted nothing more than to gut this person alive, however the overwhelming amount of guards would give her more than enough trouble to boot. She needed to prepare, heal her injuries, and then when he least expects it; strike. She pat Ibuki’s head to console, gesturing her through the crowd to follow. With that, Luna turned to the gazebo silhouette, delivering a middle finger, followed by a crooked smile, letting him know that she would be on her way soon enough. She turned back and ushered Ibuki away.

The man inside the curtain reclined in his padded chair, watching as the two walked away. He guzzled down his chalice of wine and smirked. “That woman...so she is the one I’ve been searching for-- the halfbreed. Hmph, such a small thing intends to kill me? To usurp my power? Feh,” he scoffed.

“Lord Vlad,” the same female soldier from earlier called out once she entered the gazebo. “The execution is complete and-...is something the matter, your grace?”

“No, I am fine. I am only concerned for the safety of my people, however. These wretched demons have lowered me to my wits end. I will not be content even if we execute a thousand silver-haired harlots,” he fibbed, mocking a false face of worry.

“They will be reduced to ashes soon enough, your grace. So says I, and your army.”

“Good, you are dismissed, Captain Eliza.”

The soldier saluted, promptly turning to exit the gazebo. Vlad smirked once more as soon he was sure the man was out of earshot. “All in due time…”

Meanwhile,

The two met at what seemed like a pub, somewhere in one of the lower districts of Portrana-- the slums. Funnily enough, this neck of town was even worse compared to the main district. Houses were compact, withered, and ready to fall at any moment. There were more beggars than expected, here than higher up, and the eerie feeling of someone attacking you for your pouch was a given. The pub the two stood in front of was no different from the buildings around, only this seemed a bit more fortified than others. Before Luna could even enter, she was yanked slightly aback by something -- or someone -- obstructing her path. Ibuki tugged onto her cape, almost like a scared child, once Luna turned back to check. What happened to that smart-ass attitude? Luna thought.

“Didn’t I say not to touch me before?”

Ibuki did not say a word at first, she was still attempting to cope with what she had saw. “Sorry…” she said, releasing the red cloth and allowing Luna to enter. The door shut behind them as the two walked through, taking view to a dark, shady and surprisingly, silent pub. Ibuki was expecting miscreants and felons alike to be teaming within. She expected men singing songs with merriment and partying. She expected some brawling somewhere behind the cheering crowd. She expected men gambling, the barkeep having a ball with how much money he was gaining, even that occasional woman of the group who can down more drinks than a man could and did everything she could to prove so... but to her surprise, it was actually silent. Men, with heads low in their drinks, and not a single smile in sight, not even a peep from one of the ones who were actually drunk was heard.

The barkeep was speaking to a man in front of his counter, whispering behind his hand. “Barkeep...any good news these days?” asked the man.

“There’s never good news,” he replied. “There was an execution today.”

“Another woman?”

The barkeep nodded, wearing a face of grim. “Yeah, no younger than her twenties. too. Beaten to a pulp then decapitated. No hearing, no words, nothing. Just ignored her pleas and cut her off, just like that. Lord knows what they’re doing with the poor thing’s head,” he answered, cleaning out a glass mug tentatively.

The man grimaced, taking a swig from his glass and slamming it down with a grunt. “I don’t get it, ever since the Demons arrived, Vlad has been accusing anyone he assumed to be one. Not only that, you could have the wrong hair color and your head will be on a pike. It’s ridiculous.”

“Quiet down, you might attract the wrong attention talking like that…!” the barkeep warned, self conscious that he might be accused as well. He eyed two hooded women curiously as they walked passed him to take their seats. He would have thought they were hiding something, but from what had occurred earlier, he wouldn’t expect any less.

Luna and Ibuki took their seats, cautious to the wind as their eyes darted back and forth through the halls of the bar to each patron. The two kept their heads low until they were completely sure that no one bat an eye to them. As Luna glanced at Ibuki, she noticed that she wore a face of nothing but sheer lament. Her face was stricken with dried tears. Luna only stared, annoyed for a while before she spoke up.

“Why’re you staring into space like that? You'll get suspected of being a madwoman.”

“Why didn’t you help that poor woman?" Ibuki asked, ignoring Luna's question. "That boy...he just watched his sister get butchered and you did nothing!" At this point, Luna’s indifference fueled her outrage further. That same emotionless scowl she made was beginning to burn at her body like a metal rod, burned in flame.

Luna only shrugged, wearing a nonchalant expression as she did. “Not my problem,” she said bluntly. “Did I not tell you before that people unable to protect themselves-- who can’t live life the way they wanna live are worms? They’re weak, they’re scum, and it makes me nauseous seeing them like that. Tch, if I had to worry about whatever of the many ants I step on, I wouldn’t be able to walk around.”

“Then...why do you fight? If you don't plan on saving the world, why are you searching for these Demon Lords, and if you’re not going to protect those who cannot fight for themselves, why are you even out here at all? The first time I saw you, I noticed a small, good part of you when you saved--”

“I’ll stop you right there…” Luna snapped. “First off, you misunderstood me -- like I said you would the first time. I didn’t save anyone, those men just got in my way. Second, don’t give me any of your 'I’m a good person' bullshit. I’m wondering what it would take for you to see that there IS no more good in this world. The slaves? The heads? The executions? Those two dead in the forest? Next you’re gonna tell me that the demons are all nice and hunky-fuckin’ dorey. Eh, Lightkeeper?” Luna expressed in a scathing manner. Despite how cruel her words were, she had a point. Ibuki stood in a distorted mindset that the world they currently lived in was a safe and just place. But of course, that wasn’t the case at all.

Ibuki scowled at the woman, then dropped her head to the ground. Luna only smirked as she was struck low by her words. “It’s not just that…” Ibuki spoke up. “as a Lightkeeper -- the last one at that -- I’m supposed to look for the good in people, to look to the ever-waning light of the world, dismissing how bleak things look. In order to keep that small light from dimming further-- to keep it alive, I must do these things. Do you even know, Luna? Do you know how it feels to literally experience the pain inflicted on others?” Ibuki continued.

“Their sadness, their anger, their emotions-- I can even understand whatever pain they feel when they die. I can feel all of this, all in which sometimes bring me to tears. What’s more, I’ve never seen anyone die before until today. I feel what they feel, and its not exactly a walk in a bloody park either.”

“So?” Luna replied.

“When I’m with you, I feel nothing but anger and sadness and anguish, and lament, and vengefulness. You’re angry Luna, whatever these demons have done to you, I’m sorry. But it gives you no right to treat these people like they are nothing.”

Luna scowled, even more this time at Ibuki. She almost looked like she wanted to kill somebody at that point. “And you have no right to act like you’re my damned counselor. What ties I have with the demons is none of your fucking business.”

Ibuki stood up, completely fed up. “Well fine! I hope your Demon friends tear you to shreds, then!” she turned tail and exited the pub, slamming the door closed. Luna scoffed, nonchalant with the situation. She waited for the girl to completely be gone before she slumped her her shoulders, and she wore a grim expression. Could it have been from Ibuki? The woman rested her face in her hand and sighed. Like a stroke of reoccurring bad luck, sets of footsteps were heard bumping about the floorboards in slow intervals. It started with two sets of footsteps, then two more, then more began to sound like a resounding crescendo of footsteps on wood.

As Luna glanced up from her table, she noticed men began to gather around her in a cautious formation.

“Shit…” she sighed. She pulled a flask from her belt, taking a large swig of alcohol from it. She stood up from her chair, stretching a bit before facing the group in front of her. Her crimson pupils came into view from under her hood, glaring at the men with somewhat an unholy glint. “Got a problem?” Luna asked, hand instinctively reaching for her sword that leaned at the table next to her. From afar, she noticed the barkeep hide behind the counter, as if he knew things were going to get awry.

And they were.

The men brandished weapons -- and some well-forged weapons to boot -- ranging from knives, short swords, and even cross bows.

One of the men gazed outside a window and nodded to a group of soldiers peeking from a corner to take formation; they did so, ready for what was to come.

A man stepped forward, face excited, yet terrified. Luna saw that he was trembling in his boots, smiling at this from under her hood. Both parties stood at an impasse, standing in silence inside that broken down pub. No one dared to say a word, not the group of men, or the hooded silver-haired woman. For some reason, the tension rose, despite them not moving at all. “Demon friends, is what she said…?” asked a man. “It appears we have indeed found you, Halfbreed.”

Luna’s eye twitched at this in reaction to the name, †˜Halfbreed’. She
had heard that name a bit too much for her tastes. “I’m getting a little sick of that title, if you ask me.” Luna replied, putting up a mocked smirk when in truth, that pissed her off to a high degree. “...I hope you bastards are expendable, because that Vlad asshole is gonna lose a whole lotta you.” like a flash of light, Luna grabbed for her sword, lunging at the men at a blinding speed. With ease, the woman sliced through each of them like they were nothing but paper.

Blood sprayed all over the wooden floor, coloring it crimson as Luna swung through each man, wearing nothing but a fixed glare. The barkeep glanced from behind the counter, looking on at the many men losing limbs, and being cut from the waist up. They lied stagnant on the ground as Luna barged out of the pub, breaking through the wooden door, running through the town as lingering soldiers gave chase.

“Tch, how can someone run so fast carrying a sword like that?!” asked a soldier running headlong behind Luna, gazing at her weapon. “Who is she?!”

“You ask too many questions for a soldier,” answered another guard, larger than the rest of the group. His armor was thicker and heavier than the rest, it was a shock to the other soldiers that he was able to carry this. He must have been the head honcho of the group, looking back, Luna remembered him standing at the execution. As Luna turned a corner, she realized that she ran into a dead end. Cursing under her breath, she found the men who pursued her as she turned around, quivering in their boots and hesitant to take action. Ironic given they put themselves through so much trouble to get her in this position. Luna glared at each of them, sword drawn at the ready. The large and well-built man pushed past each of the soldiers, wearing a confident smirk. He nudged the guard he was talking to the first time, “...She’s just another woman awaiting the stake.”

Luna scoffed, seeing this man dwell in his self-entitlement like some fool. She spat at his direction, near his foot, completely dismissing his existence. “Well, would you look at this…” Luna began, looking on at the guards in distaste. “It took thirty of you dickless cowards to chase down a twenty-two year old woman and drive her into a corner. Congratu-fucking-lations, you deserve a medal for your efforts, no, really. I applaud you all, seriously.” Luna japed, literally applauding the men, sheerly expressing her sarcastic nature in a vulgar way.

“All the same, you’re dangerous and you need to be put down,” the large soldier said. “A human woman able to carry around a blade like that is no human at all in my books. You’re just another demon.”

“And who told you that, your †˜o exalted master Vlad? You’d be surprised who the demons are in this world, you fucking inbred piece of shit.” Luna snarled, letting that last comment get the best of her. She held her sword at a battle ready stance, glaring the man down as if beckoning him to take the first stab at her.

“Very well, Halfbreed. When you’re in chains, you shall remember the name Alberto Lodernian.” he drew his sword and dashed at Luna with great speed, almost comparable to her’s. Both blades clashed, causing a light shockwave to be felt from both sides of the street each time the steel from their swords collided, slightly knocking each soldier back and forth from the force. He slashed for Luna and somehow made a hollow cut on her abdomen. She winced from this, yet stood unmoved by the attack. She retaliated with a heavy slash for the man’s head, hoping to end this quickly, however that was for naught was it was dodged and countered with another cut on the side of her face.

The man known as Alberto moved at lightning speeds, creating a multitude of hollow slashes on different parts of Luna’s body. He was smart though, the man watched Luna fight the men in the bar and saw how easily she cut through their lot. Luna saw this too, the man wasn’t allowing her to move her sword at all, thus making this an easy bout for him. His men cheered and yelled Alberto’s name from afar, boosting his already maxed confidence on the matter. Luna watched his brandishes, seeing a small, fragile area on that small sword. Luna had cut through poorly made swords before, what makes this one any different?

“What’s wrong, Halfbreed? Why don’t you just cut me down like you’ve done the rest? Why don’t you kill me, eh, demon? What’s the matter? Seeing you like this, you’re nothing but a mere woman who’s only angry at the world!”

Noticing a small flaw in the man’s stance, Luna decided to kick the man’s foot loose, causing him to lose his footing. Seeing this, Alberto raised his sword upwards to protect his face, tense for what is to come. With all her strength, Luna’s arms pulsated as she brought her sword down, breaking Alberto’s sword into nothing but shards. If not all, the shards shot into the man’s face and eye, tearing what ever semblance he had as a man apart. He screamed, rolling frantically on the ground with cries of agony; even the cheers of his men had ceased as this occurred. Luna stood over the man, smiling sadistically at the sight. She placed a boot on the man’s face, pressing the back of his head into the dirt.

“I couldn’t agree with you more. I am just a woman angry at the world,” Luna replied, kicking the man on the side of his face with every sentence’s end. “You hit the nail right on the head, there.” she kicked him again, this time in the ribs, dislocating a few. “Thing is, I don’t like how your master run things here-- not the decapitating women part, mind you-- the part where he decided to take up †˜demon hunting’ when he’s a demon himself. That’s just hypocritical, if you ask me!”

“W-What? --Argh!”

“Do you feel that? The pain from the many women you’ve falsely killed?” Luna kicked the man until his face was contorted and unrecognizable. He was unable to speak that the many sides of his face were swollen. Luna delivered one last stomp to the wounded man’s face, planting his head into the concrete, breaking beneath him. Blood oozed, onto the floor and ran onto Luna’s boot as she stood, panting over his now stagnant body. “Tch, fucking asshole.” Luna snarled.

Now said and done, Luna turned to the other guards, a cold sweat ran it’s way down her forehead, followed by an overwhelming sense of exhilaration. She breathed heavily, hyperventilating almost. The death of that soldier released a little pent up anger in her, from seeing those heads in display, and Ibuki’s words, she felt a little riled up. More guards filed in through the alley ways, joining the already large army of men that stood before this red-eyed woman. Luna was stuck at a dead end, seeing no reason to do no other than fight. She felt something, like something looming on the inside of her body. It pulsated lively inside her, craving for the blood of these men.

“N-No...not now…” Luna said, a faint, red aura forming over her body.

Spread their blood through the streets, do it now!

“No, no, no…!” Luna repeated to herself. She backed into the wall at the end of the large alley and dropped her sword, creating a loud thump through the small, hollow part of town. Luna held her head, shaking it, all to forcefully pushing away the influence of the voice resounding in her head. What was it? Luna couldn’t see straight, she staggered in a futile attempt to keep herself properly footed. Luna’s vision went blank, she fell, limp to the ground as whatever screamed in her head ceased, eventually overwhelming her.

The soldiers that surrounded Luna looked on, confused at this spectacle. What happened? Someone wanted to say, but with the death of their captain, mere words would be taboo between the soldiers. One of them stepped up to take advantage of this situation, claiming authority. “Alright, we have our orders, grab the woman and bring her in. Any of you touch her and I will personally make sure you have nothing left to touch any woman with, permanently.” yelled the soldier. The way she yelled, the woman was likely to be second in command, assuming position from her fallen comrade.

It took only two men to heft the unconscious Luna into a prisoners carriage; double to lift her sword along with her. As the carriage and majority of the soldiers departed, the female soldier and a small group remained, gazing on at the dead man and a few other men caught in the crossfire.

“Ma’am?” asked another soldier. “Should we arrange a burning? There are too many bodies for consecutive funerals.”

“...There should have been one yesterday, soldier. For the time being, regroup at the castle. We’ll see from his grace about what to do with...her.” she ordered, looking in the direction where the soldiers had taken Luna.

The woman glanced at Alberto’s corpse, wearing a look of sheer disgust as she clenched her fist. “It’s a shame she offed you before I could even muster up the courage to do it myself,” the woman said, as if talking to him from the beyond. Finishing what Luna started, the woman began to kick the already mutilated man, disrespecting what was left of him. “Bastard! I told you you’ll pay what you did to me!” Tears began to well up in her eyes as well. For what reason this woman wanted to kill her commander? Judging by the emotion, it obviously wasn’t for fame or glory. If not that, then what?

She kicked him one last time, wiping the rest of her tears. Turning away from the man, she said nothing, right before walking away, leaving the area dead silent.
0
Ezlare
9 years ago
Chapter 4
Spoiler:
The sun had set, the already shadowy clouds creating a field of darkness in the shady city. Nothing could be seen through this gloom. It was almost as if the wicked forces of the world had gathered to make the city turn out like this. The streets were empty, almost as if the citizens were hiding from something. No one could blame them either; given that majority of the city’s women had been snuffed out by false accusations and the like, the people were left iffy, afraid that they could be blamed for having some ties with the Demons.

Ibuki walked alone, hugging and rubbing her own arms to fruitlessly stave off the cold. She scowled, eyes cast towards the ground, moving aimlessly through the empty alleys and terraces. The girl simply had no clue where she was going anymore, didn’t even know why she continued to walk. Ibuki would much rather find a quiet place to sleep...that’s it, she needed to rest. After today’s recent events, she needed to regain her sanity… that woman, though. How could she be so quick to neglect and abandon others who need help? Luna was quite literally the boldest woman Ibuki had met, there was no doubt about it.

She just let those people die and did nothing about it, but when someone confronted her, she was quick to get violent. The world was lost to her; this woman only cared about herself and had no regard for humans left. The city’s guards had been up in arms since Ibuki left. She wondered where Luna had gone, could she had gotten herself in any trouble?

“No, it’s not the time to be thinking about her,” Ibuki shook the thought of the woman from her head and walked on.

Finding a spot next to a gate that sat in front of a large house, Ibuki decided that this would be her place to sleep for the night, having no money to lodge. She sat onto the hard ground and blew her waning hot breath into her palms, shivering from the cold. “Raining one second, now it’s freezing the next? Eugh, natural causes are the real Demons…” she groaned irritably.

No matter how many times she attempted to push the thought of Luna from her psyche, there she was, a splitting image of whatever she looked at breached her mind. Ibuki had met some unsavory people in her life, but none could surpass that woman, the way she spoke, her mannerisms, her brutally distorted mindset; Ibuki could feel it all and clenched her chest whenever she felt some semblance of Luna’s. Why couldn’t she get the woman ot of her mind, especially given the amount of resentment she held for her?

Letting out an even more grimacing groan, Ibuki buried her head into her knees, to shield herself from the cold and to despair. Perhaps that woman had taken a much bigger toll on her than she expected. Ibuki had half a mind to cast a flame spell, but even she hadn’t fully mastered it. She rather not risk it. She could make due without lighting herself on fire, besides that definitely wouldn’t be the type of warm she desired.

Shivering slightly, Ibuki painstakingly shut her eyes and prepared for what possibly could have resulted in one of the worst nights of her life, but that thought was cut short as the chatter from carriage wheels resounded from her ears, coming to a full stop in front of her. The sounds turned into footsteps, then voices. Ibuki’s head lifted as she found a dainty woman with a guard standing over her.

“Again, Miss?” asked the guard sounding somewhat annoyed with her decision. The woman only nodded to the guard before kneeling over to Ibuki.

“Hello, there. Do you have a place to stay? It’s rather cold out,” the woman asked, tugging on her hood to get more warmth. Ibuki was taken aback with disbelief, unsure she was sure that someone who appeared high-class would approach her and possibly offer up a place to stay. She did not want to be a burden, however, she refused.

“Y-Yes, I do, thank you for your concern, Miss.” Ibuki said, turning tail to another location.

“Not so fast,” the woman halted. “you wouldn’t be out in the streets on this cold night had you proper lodgings. Please, I implore you to come.” the woman smiled sweetly at Ibuki, proving her offer was sincere.

“M’lady is offering you a warm place to sleep. If I were you, I’d take her kindness in a heartbeat.” the man standing next to the woman suggested, wearing a stern expression. Ibuki looked to the woman’s smiling face once more, and with a sigh, she nodded in acceptance.

“...Alright, alright. I guess I can’t take another night sleeping on the ground.” Ibuki said, rubbing the back of her head. The woman smiled, ushering her into the carriage. As it pulled off through the street, Ibuki couldn’t help but notice that they were headed towards the large, towering building at the center of town. Ibuki looked on, mystified at as a thought went through her mind, but she dismissed it quickly.

“May I have your name, Miss?” asked the woman.

“I-Ibuki, Ibuki Galalith.” she replied, nervously as she sat across from the woman. She couldn’t even make eye contact with her that she was so nervous.

“Charmed, I am Lizabeth Zertal, your savior for tonight.” she laughed.

Ibuki returned the laugh, halfheartedly though. The more they approached the building the more her suspicions were correct. Could she be in ties of that man Luna was looking for? Vlad was his name? He did seem like the leader of the city if he was issuing the executions. She mildly wondered what could come of this, and what Luna was doing at this moment.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Light was void, Luna was running through a vast abyss of nothingness. There was naught to run to or hide under, it was just...nothing. Luna tried her utmost best to run from whatever pursued her, fruitlessly moving through the null environment with no hope of escaping. She was void of clothes, occasionally stumbling.

Something chased her, dark red eyes and a shadowy miasma that ripped through whatever it touched. The void nothingness turned into a long, stone hallway. Luna kept running, internally looking back to see this thing, this monster. Whatever that monster ran past. the hallway returned back to darkness. It was almost as if it was causing this.

To her horror, Luna ran into something solid-- a wall, which towered at the complete end of the hallway. She banged the wall with her fist, in futile hope that she would escape, but it was no use, alas. The darkened, shadowy figure got closer, edging towards the woman in a brisk pace, licking it’s foul lips to close the distance between she and it had apart from each other. As it drew near, Luna had but backed herself into the wall, and not taking her eyes off the beast. It’s piercing red gaze startled Luna, having half triggered her instincts to draw her sword, but that motion was for naught as she realized her blade, and armor, was missing.

The beast finally reached Luna, taking the form of a wolf for some reason. It held something in it’s mouth, in between it’s dark and jagged teeth. Blood, and a strand of platinum hair fell from it’s chops as it slowly stepped towards the petrified Luna. Slowly the woman could make it out to be something-- a head, that was jammed in between it’s fangs. Toned, milky skin, a mole which sat right the side of the lip and that platinum hair that fell. The beast was close enough to touch Luna now. and the disembodied head was recognizable and clear as day.

A blue, cataract coated eye which hung crooked to the side of the head-- the head of the woman.

Luna’s eyes were cast wide as she realized who this was. She cursed the beast, ready to scream at the gods like no other until a distorted and warped voice resounded, giving a deafening and distorted chuckle.

You couldn’t save her. What makes you think you’ll be able to save yourself? Hahaha...HAHAHAHA.

“Stop it…” Luna pleaded, head hung low.

What will you do, Marcell? Knowing full well that it was all your fault? Running away won’t solve it, when I’m STILL HERE!

“Stop it…”

If only she could see you now, she’d laugh right in your face. I guess that’s the price you pay from growing up with some dyke too naive to know that she has no place in this world!

“ENOUGH!” Luna finally screamed, dispersing the darkened beast and the shadows, leaving her mind adrift to a more somber darkness. There was nothing, a large void where Luna stood. Something resounded in Luna’s ears low and unclear, followed by a dimmed light as it engulfed her.

“...You’re a tough one, aren’t ya?” said a voice, sounding garbled and faint at first, then sounding clear and true as day. “Tch, been cutting away for hours and you still haven’t woken up. Hrm, I’m beginning to think his grace was right about you..”

Her eyes opened to a dark and nondescript room, a foul stench filling her nostrils as an array of corpses hung by their arms or ankles, cut to the very bone. The mutilated bodies were likely unjustly subjected to this destitute treatment from all this †˜demonic’ nonsense. Luna’s eyes turned to a heavy-set man wearing a hood. Granted the clanking of metal, he was likely fiddling around with his tools, preparing to continue with the torture.

“Oh, you’re awake. Good,” said the man, turning to Luna. “You’re a tough young lass, aren’t ya? From here you look just like a man if it weren’t for those tits you got.”

“That’s saying a lot for a guy fiddlin’ with a tied up woman. Let me down and I’ll show you exactly how tough I am, asshole.” Luna threatened, attempting to remain calm.

The man chuckled. “Heh, we’ll have none o’ that, lass,” he began. The man leaned in close to Luna after making sure no one was around. “I had to keep this act up for too long, Lord Vlad is insane…!”

“Really.” Luna asked sarcastically, in mock surprise, already knowing that notion is true.

The man nodded, uneasily looking back and forth through the chamber in mind that someone could be listening. “You’ll hafta excuse me, lass. Word of the Red Halfbreed being captured is a rather popular tale going on within the castle. Can’t be too careful in terms of who may or may not be watching.” he explained. “Word is, Vlad is a Demon himself, searching for you and killed off any woman who just so happened to resemble you.”

“I kinda figured that already,” Luna replied.

“Then you’re brighter than you look. Let’s have ya down so I can explain further.” He drew a knife, cutting Luna’s bindings and letting the woman down. “Careful though, I cut a bit more than I could muster so--”

With that, Luna suddenly fell face first to the ground after her legs buckled. “Wh-What...why can’t I move?!”

“Yeeeaaah, like I was saying, I cut a few nerves in your legs after running out of things to mess with.”

“Tch, so you fuck with my legs?”

“Can’t be too careful. If the stories were true, you would have been at my throat as soon as you woke up. Though I suppose this little tidbit would make you wanna kill me even more, huh?” the man asked, chuckling nervously. Even he was hoping that was to be taken as a joke.

“Feh! You listen a bit too hard there, believing in shit you know shouldn’t exist,” Luna said, occasionally attempting to lift herself off the blood soaked ground. Finding humor out of this. “Heh, for all I know you may have just crippled me. So do tell...why are you helping me, again?”

The man’s face went grim. He took a seat in a nearby chair to explain his reasoning. “...Because that man you know as the inhuman tyrant, Vlad-- he wronged me.”

“Like everyone else on the fucking planet,”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “But I was a special case, you could say. Literally a year ago, Vlad went by a different name, a different face, too. He was a kind man with a loving family, ruling this city like how a king should; kindhearted all around with not a violent bone in his body-- though come the year’s passed, when the Demons appeared, he just...changed, all of a sudden.”

“So?”

“So...as he adopted this new personality, he began spouting delusions of women being possessed by Demons and...started executing women who...looked like you, basically.” Luna scowled at that. So her assumption was correct, that bastard really was gunning for her before she even had the chance to arrive.

“...And what did he do to wrong you, exactly?”

“I used to be his royal advisor. As soon as he became insane and...did the things he did, I attempted to sway his mind, trying to tell him what he was doing was inhumane and was not what the old Vlad did.” he explained, head casting lower and lower as he said this. “All he did was laugh...that horrible, horrible laugh...he pointed to my house which stood not too far from the castle, but you could easily see it from the balcony where we spoke…” tears suddenly began to roll down his dirt stricken face as he explained further. “He gave me a telescope...to view a group of his guards...violate my wife and daughter-- right before cutting their heads off.”

The man slumped his shoulders, dropping his face into his hands as he wept uncontrollably. Luna only watched stoically as he writhed in his own self-pity. “As punishment, he made me into an executioner. I’ve killed so much...to fill the empty void my wife and daughter once had a place for. I even developed a...a fancy of relieving myself of the disembodied heads, imagining them to be my wife. I still collect those heads to this very day…” Luna saw the aforementioned heads-- all lined up with blank eyes, contorted expressions and dried blood-- she even noticed the head of the young woman who was killed earlier today.

She scoffed in disgust, rather than reeling like any other person would do. It was as if Luna had seen something like this before. It was expected, though, for a woman to have no regard for humanity left, no one could blame her for not feeling any emotion for this man. Luna felt a queer sensation, as if the feeling in her legs had returned and the wounds had somewhat closed up. Having feeling this, Luna pushed to her feet and dusted herself off, glancing at the man blankly and without emotion.

“What do you want me to do about it?” Luna asked in mock curiosity.

The man looked in amazement as Luna appeared unharmed, standing before him, then returned to his grim expression. “...Kill him. I want you to kill him for me.” he offered.

A smile crept up along Luna’s face, followed by a jump of her shoulders as a small laugh trickled its way up her lungs. It slowly turned into a loud and hearty guffaw that shook the dungeon. The man stared at Luna confusedly-- before being knocked over by a sudden punch to his face. Struck low, he glanced up to the woman to see her crimson eyes through the darkness of the room. She was smiling wildly, shrouding her anger.

“Don’t make me laugh! You torture me, you cut me! Then you have the balls to tell me to fight your battles for you!” She snarled. “Fuck you, I don’t kill for you, or anyone! If you are so selfish as to wait for someone to come by on a silver platter and kill the person who wronged you, you might as well had died already!”

With a sigh, the man pushed back to his feet, still feeling the sting from that punch. Luna had a point, but at the same time she missed it, he was only human, unlike her. Fighting Vlad and winning on strength alone was foolish, which was, as he feared what Luna was planning to do. She rummaged around the items in the dungeon for her armor and sword, having found them inside a wooden barrel. She tied on her metal armor, and strapped on her gear, from her throwing knives, her flask of alcohol that she holds on to dearly, and her inhumanly sized blade.

She flung her tattered white muffler that had hint spots of faded dirt plastered on it around her neck, turning back to the man with a now calmed expression, now that she got her prized possessions back. She crossed her arms after a while, staring at the man in silence...this pitiful man, who writhed in his despair. She sighed, finally, turning to the exit. Luna paused, and turned her head back to the man and said, “Oi, what’s your name?”

The tear stricken man glanced upwards to Luna “J-Jensen…” he replied.

Luna only turned away, pushing through the door out of the chamber. The man wiped his tears, for some reason, smiling; taking that as a small gesture of acknowledgement from the woman. It did not explicitly show, but Luna had plans to fulfil this man’s wish whether it was by her own volition or not.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The night burned slowly as Ibuki and her new friend Lizabeth entered the towering mansion she saw from afar. The house was massive, the foyer even seemed monstrous to boot. The girls stood on waxed marble floors that showcased their reflections to the nearest inch, they were likely just wiped clean moments before they even entered. The two girls were met with two lines of servants standing adjacent to the door, awaiting them to pass by. They all stood at attention as if ready to fulfill any order Lizabeth gave in between a heartbeat.

Ibuki looked on, amazed at how such a girl her age could be capable of having such a posh lifestyle. “So all this is yours? Amazing…” Ibuki said, astounded by the sight.

Lizabeth nodded. “Yes, my father was a highly respected man for creating this city that they honored him the best that they could, apparently,” she chuckled.

“Highly respected for killing innocents? I bet,” Ibuki thought, scoffing internally.

“Now, shall we go upstairs? I’m sure you’re exhausted after being in that riff raff.” With a smile, Lizabeth grasped Ibuki’s hand and ushered her up the rugged stairs to her room. The bedroom was almost as large as any other room Ibuki had ever been in. The bed looked like it was made for three people, that it was so big; the silk covers even made the spread look all the more exquisite.

“Is this really necessary? You didn’t have to take me in, y’know.” Ibuki protested modestly, however that fell on deaf ears as Lizabeth refused her passive resistance.

“It’s fine. You are a guest in my eyes, think of this as your second home for the time being.” the girl stressed, not willing to budge at anything Ibuki said to sway her mind. “While we await dinner, why not take a load off?”

The two took their seats onto the bed, which felt like a physical Heaven to Ibuki as her skin connected with the silk covers. The girl sighed in content as she practically sank into the soft bed. Lizabeth chuckled for a moment, but couldn’t help but notice the cloth wrapped around Ibuki’s head, it bothered her for some reason that she continued to wear it at this moment, even inside.

“Do you not want to take that off? It’s rather warm in here.” she asked.

Ibuki’s eyes shot wide, remembering that Luna wrapped this around her head to hide her hair. It slipped her mind up until this very moment that she still had it on after all this time. That was one benevolent act of The Luna Marcell to document, she supposed. “N-No, I’m good. Thanks, though.” Ibuki replied, attempting to keep her secret hidden.

“No, really, you should take that off, it could be bad if you get too hot.” Lizabeth reached over, attempting to undo the knot Luna previously made along Ibuki’s head.

“N-No!” the two were soon engaged in a struggle, rolling about the floor like two children fighting over a toy. They caused a ruckus within the room, deshelving items whilst holding each other down. The two let out small, stifled yelps as they pushed around each other, all in which to reveal someone’s hair. Lizabeth eventually ripped the cloth from Ibuki’s head, letting out a jubilant “Ha!” as she did, however that snide jubilance was short lived as she stood, mystified at head of lengthy, platinum hair that laid out on the floor, and the panting Ibuki that lied with it.

Ibuki braced herself to cast a spell on the woman, as she was afraid she would scream, “Demon!”, but to her surprise-- she didn’t. She only stared, transfixed, surprised at the color, as if she had never seen anything like it before. “My word, your hair...it looks amazing!” Lizabeth exclaimed, in which, was the opposite of what she thought was going to be the outcome. Could she have not known about the Demons when the entire world is practically run by them? “It looks so...so...exotic! Were you born with this color?”

“Y-Yeah, actually. Didn’t know my parents long enough to find out if we matched or not...” answered Ibuki, making it evident that Lizabeth stepped on a sore topic. She scowled, tearing eye contact between the two.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that…” Lizabeth said, becoming silent for a moment, deciding to change the subject. She glanced at Ibuki’s clothes, the short, thigh length black dress was interesting apart from an ordinary citizen’s attire. That eyepatch as well...Lizabeth wondered what exactly Ibuki could have been doing out in the cold that late. “...You wouldn’t happen to be an adventurer of some sort, would you? You clothes made me curious.”

Ibuki glanced down to her dress. “Oh, this?” she asked, lightly pulling on the garb. “You could say that I am. Right now, I’m sorta wondering what do next.”

“Did you come here by yourself? I would imagine it’s dangerous walking the roads by yourself with bandits running amok.”

Ibuki was ready to part her lips to answer the question, however the thought of that woman passed her psyche once more, every swing of her sword, every harsh word responded in her mind that she felt the foul emotions all over again. It was almost as if Luna herself was in the building with the two, dwelling inside, skulking for her target-- the man known as Vlad. “No, I didn’t I had a companion but we...split up for a bit. She became too much to handle.”

“Oh, I see. Do you plan to go back to her? I’m sure she’s worried sick about you.”

“I doubt it, she’s not all too caring and she is a tad bit violent for my tastes.” answered Ibuki.

Lizabeth tilted her head, unable to see the true nature of the aforementioned woman the two conversed about. “Well that can’t be entirely true, she probably hosts some sort of affection for you, I mean, she traveled with you for this long.”

“That was two days. She spent half the first night leaving me behind and most of our partnership killing.”

“Killing? Why the animosity?” asked Lizabeth.

Ibuki shrugged. “One thing’s for sure, I’ve seen her body before...she’s got all of those scars, some I don’t think an ordinary human is capable of causing.”

“Oh...I think I see now.” Lizabeth wore a face of sudden enlightenment, all the while flushing red. She covered her mouth and turned away from Ibuki with a wry smile.

“What? What is it?” Ibuki asked, confused.

“Forgive me, had I known that this woman was your significant other, I would not have pounced at you the way I did.” Lizabeth said, attempting to hold her laughter. “I hope you did not misunderstand me, I have no intention to steal you away from her.”

Ibuki flushed as well, wearing an angry expression on her face. “T-That’s not the case at all! What’re you talking about, we’re not lovers or anything!” Ibuki yelled, embarrassed. “I hardly even like Luna, I’m sure she feels the same about me!”

Lizabeth chuckled, satisfied with the girl’s reaction that it rang humorous to her. It would have been such a spectacle to bear if those two were to conjoin in love despite how taboo it would be to the public. It was like some idea excerpted from the sick and twisted ruminations of some seventeen year old boy in the safety of his room, that Luna, a brutish and cruel woman were to display her affection for Ibuki, who was just about as innocent as the blades of grass in the plains. In truth, it was all absurd.

Basking in the downright ditzy mood, Lizabeth sat onto her bed, face suddenly plastered with melancholy that it overlapped her smile. She wiped her blonde hair from her eyes and revealed this face to Ibuki, who was surprised how quickly the atmosphere changed. “Haa... I had not laughed like that in so long...then again, I had not spoken with a person other than the servants and my father in so long.” Lizabeth sighed, staring up at the ceiling from her bed.

“What do you mean?” Asked Ibuki, confused.

“I mean that...I was never allowed to leave the castle since I was young.” she revealed. “I didn’t even know what the outside air felt like until I took to rescuing locals from the harsh cold just recently. It was from them and my servants that I learned how to have conversations, but that isn’t enough…” she continued as tears trickled their ways from her pupils. Ibuki made a face of grim for some reason. Eyes casted low, unable to make eye-contact, Ibuki grimaced meeting someone to talk with her about this certain subject.

“I want to go out with my father’s knowledge, to meet people, to make friends. My father is different somehow, not his appearance or anything like that, rather-- his aura.” Lizabeth said, wiping the sorrowful tears. Ibuki scowled further, remembering the threat that ruled this city. With that, she felt pity for Lizabeth, not having the heart to tell the young, naive girl what her father is, truly-- the monster that is likely responsible for the forces of Hell-- the Demons to be spreading across the world so rapidly.

The sudden thought of Ibuki’s red eyed compatriot setting her sights for this monster shot at the back of her mind as well, sending a vicious chill down her spine. Luna really was going to try and kill this man, was she?

“...Lizabeth,” Ibuki called out, rather low and with conviction. “Do you love your father, no matter what he turns out to be…? Even say, a monster? What would you do if that were the case?”

Lizabeth, taken aback by the question thought for a moment; truthfully, if her father were a monster, she wouldn’t know what to do, really. The scenario was too obscure from reality in her mind to make an image out of. “I’m...not sure, really. If my father was a monster, I guess...I would still love him with all my heart and soul, and not let anything so absurd deter my mind.”

“I see,” Ibuki only said, biting her lip, as well as trembling her predominantly clenched hand out of sheer guilt. The unbending urge to tell this girl the cruel and dark truth nudged Ibuki enough to make her groan exasperatedly. “Lizabeth,” she called out, fearing the outcome of what she was ready to reveal.

This, however, was interrupted as a loud, blood curdling scream of agony resounded from outside Lizabeth’s room. The ear bending sounds of grunting, clanging of blades, and boots clacking against the floor as if in a rush jolted the two from their conversation. What was going on out there? Without saying a word, Ibuki rose from the bed and cautiously tip-toed to the wooden door, hugging the wall as she sought to hear more on this ruckus. Another scream was heard, followed by a sound of a liquidy substance splattering on a solid surface; likely the walls.

Ibuki heard a surprised scream from Lizabeth who, at first, sat curiously on the bed, but is now terrified. To her horror, glancing down upon whatever got Lizabeth so hopped up, Ibuki noticed a torrent of blood oozing from under the door, and into the room. “W-What the hell?” Ibuki wanted to yell but stifled herself. “Is someone being murdered out there?”

Ibuki stepped out into the hallway, which was as she expected-- a spectacle of blood and guts. Soldiers were scattered about the floors, tossed aside like they were nothing. Their blank, now alabaster pale faces still held the same petrified expressions of which they had from the second they were killed. Ibuki reeled at the sight, kicking back the urge to vomit. She held the center of her face, where her nose would be, shielding it from the foul odor that proliferated through the room.

“I-Ibuki, what’s wrong?”

“Stay back! Don’t move, just stay there until I come back for you.” She ordered, exiting the room and shutting the door behind her without even making sure that Lizabeth really stayed put. Cautious to the wind, Ibuki hopped over the gluttonous amounts of crimson, making every effort to avoid the red liquid with all her might. The trail of blood seemed to have gone on forever as Ibuki slowly broke into a sprint down the house, hoping from the bottom of her heart that whoever caused this was not making her mark, not tonight. “Nonononononono…” is what Ibuki chanted down the hall as she clumsily checked through each door, each nook and cranny for either Vlad, or Luna-- she wasn’t even sure which one she would want to see even less, though.

Through the house, all the doors were opened and searched through, with no sign of either Luna, or Vlad. All save for one singular door that stood at the very end of the hallway. Chances are that this was the last available room in the house and Ibuki was not about to let this stone remain unturned. This begged the question, why was she so apt in keeping Luna from killing this man, now? Was it out of pity that Lizabeth was left in the dark for so long? When did she find this moment fit to become a benefactor? Then again, the possibility of Luna lying about all this came to mind, that Vlad wasn’t a demon at all, and that she was just a wanted kingslayer waiting to strike her next victim. She would have been fine with believing that notion if it already didn’t sound so ridiculous.

With ease, Ibuki pushed through the door, expecting to find the room in shambles and riddled with debris, but to her surprise, it was empty-- almost. It was a throne room, almost like a massive gathering hall for all subjects and aristocrats alike, likely for royal meetings in their own right. Stretching down the large hall was a crimson red rug that extended across the stone floor, which sat under the throne at the end of the hallway. A multitude of pillars reach from floor to ceiling in a pattern, repeating all the way down to the end of the hall; and at the center of it all, who was waiting for his quarry-- a rather sluggish, thick skinned man sat at the throne in contemplation. Looking up to notice Ibuki, a toothy smile crept over his lips, followed by a glint of his oddly yellow eyes. It was almost like he was waiting for her.


(Though I have this story written all the way up to chapter 30, I always forget to update the thread. My bad.)
0
d(^_^)(^_^)d
9 years ago
I read chapter 1. If Ibuki can use magic, why couldn't she burn through her ropes when she was captured by the slavers? Was it sealed by her eye patch as well?

This is a pet peeve of mine and it comes down to personal choice, but I hate it when people avoid using a character's name until there's a reason to introduce it such as giving it to another character who doesn't know them.
0
Ezlare
9 years ago
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I read chapter 1. If Ibuki can use magic, why couldn't she burn through her ropes when she was captured by the slavers? Was it sealed by her eye patch as well?

This is a pet peeve of mine and it comes down to personal choice, but I hate it when people avoid using a character's name until there's a reason to introduce it such as giving it to another character who doesn't know them.


Yeah in a later chapter, Ibuki will reveal that she's a big screw-up when it comes to magic. What she'll end up finding out later is -- yeah, you were right -- because of her eyepatch canceling out her powers if not weakening them just enough.

Looking at the first chapter now, yeah, holding off on a character's name for that long does seem a little silly. I may change it once I start doing a mass revision of the entire story -- that is, when I finish it.
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