[CATHEDRAL/ AT THE SAME TIME/NIGHTFALL]
The scene transitions to a large city being assaulted by rain. Towers of buildings cast long shadows over quaint homes, while freshly paved streets gleamed, providing a stark contrast to the rustic charm of the villages. The empty streets glistened as the relentless rain poured, while booming thunder echoed loudly. In the city center, dominated by the Holy Order Sigil, sat a cathedral so large its bells echoed, guarded at every entrance by Holy Order soldiers.
In another chamber, vastly different from Alaric's, sat in silence. There were no knights lined up against the walls with their blades at the ready. Fewer stained-glass windows offered unobstructed views of the torrential rain and flashes of lightning whenever the storm chose to unleash its power.
A dark burgundy carpet, trimmed with shimmering gold, stretched from the large chamber door to an imposing throne seat at the room's far end. The seat had seen better days, but still maintained its somewhat holy appearance as a woman lay lazily on it. Her sharp black boots swung slowly from the side as her pale-colored legs moved against the armrest. Her long black tunic fit her body perfectly, paired with a split skirt that revealed glimpses of her legs as she moved. Her collar was high, long, and close-fitting, and her sleeves extended to her knuckles.
A loud sigh of boredom left her lips as her black pig tails moved along with her head, her purple eyes now slit as she glanced over at the two dark elves that knelt before her. "So, you're telling me you went back to the village and there was nothing there? Just gone, everyone vanished?" She leaned her head back in slight annoyance. "That's so boring, but I can't say that I'm surprised. I didn't think that Eastern witch would show up and not have a backup plan." She sighed. "Oh well, what can you do?" Another sigh escaped her.
The two dark elves who remained knelt in front of her slowly lifted their heads at the woman who sat in front of them, both Vexes and Desirae slightly confused at the woman's response.
Beside the ornate throne chair, stood another woman, tall and imposing. Her blue eyes glanced momentarily at the woman seated in the seat next to her. Her matte black, form-fitted suit, paired with a subtly reinforced collar, sat perfectly beneath her long, flowing silver ponytail. Standing motionless, her black boots remained rooted to the spot, and a large blade in a black sheath rested silently at her side.
"Inquisitor Cassian," Xylara spoke, her blue eyes remaining on the inquisitor, who appeared not to have taken their news seriously.
Cassian's eyes lazily drift toward Xylara, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she shifts positions on the throne.
"Oh, Xylara, always so serious." Cassian drawls, her voice carrying a hint of mocking to it. "What would you have me do? Throw a tantrum because some old elf witch outsmarted Alaric's little pets here." She thought honestly for a moment. "Well, my pets, since it is my power flowing through your veins right now." She gestures dismissively at the kneeling dark elves.
Cassian's eyes flicker with dangerous amusement as she watches Xylara's stoic expression. "You know what I find fascinating?" Cassian continues, her voice taking on a sing-song quality as she swings her legs more enthusiastically. "Everyone expects me to be upset when things don't go my way, or according to plan. But honestly?" She lets out a delighted laugh that echoes off the chamber walls.
"Predictably is death, my dear Xylara. When everything goes exactly as planned, when every little sheep falls in line...." She trails off, her eyes gleaming with twisted excitement. "Where's the fun in that?"
Lightning illuminates the chamber as thunder crashes overhead, casting eerie shadows across Cassian's pale features. She sits up slightly, her black pigtails swaying as she leans forward.
"Besides, this just makes things more...entertaining. I was getting so bored with how easy everything was becoming." Her eyes lifted slightly as they landed on the ceiling above her, revealing rows upon rows of chains dangling from it, some around the necks of some poor souls who dared cross the Inquisitor. Some were soldiers, civilians, humans, and a variety of beastkin alike. "It's always purify this, cleanse that; but nobody has the backbone to step up and provide me with a challenge." She leans back. "It's so annoying, honestly...but."
She giggled a bit. "Now, we've got a proper game brewing. I can finally settle the score with that Eastern Witch. Alaric's precious son, wielding power that shouldn't exist, with the dragon shard no less, and two escaped princesses who refuse to break." She reared her head back once again. "I'm so...excited."
Vexes shifts uncomfortably on his knees, glancing between the two women. "Inquisitor, what are your orders? Should we continue searching for—"
"Did I ask you to speak?" Cassian's voice drops to a whisper that somehow carries more menace than any shout.
The temperature in the chamber seems to drop several degrees as Cassian's purple eyes narrow into dangerous slits. The playful boredom evaporates from her expression, replaced by something far more sinister. She doesn't move from her lounging position, but the air itself feels heavier, more oppressive.
Vexes immediately drops his gaze back to the floor, his body trembling slightly as he presses his forehead against the cold stone. The chains above rattle softly in the wind that somehow penetrates the cathedral, the corpses swaying like macabre wind chimes.
"That's better." Cassian purrs, her voice returning to its sickeningly sweet tone. "You see, this is exactly what I was talking about. No backbone, no creativity. Just mindless obedience without any…flair." She stretches languidly, her black boots clicking against the throne as she repositions herself. "Taking orders like a trained dog, it's so…Nerve wrecking." She eyed Vexes once again, causing him to sweat a bit before she sighed.
"Dark elf, look up and tell me what you see." Cassian purred again.
Vexes slowly raises his head, his dark eyes reluctantly following Cassian's gaze upward to the grotesque display of corpses hanging from the chains. His jaw tightens as he takes in the sight of bodies in various stages of decay, some still wearing the remnants of Holy Order uniforms, others just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I see…" His voice wavers slightly before he steadies it. "I see those who failed you, Inquisitor."
With a delighted smile and a twisted glint in her eyes, Cassian clapped her hands together like an excited child, the sound sharp and sudden.
"Oh, how wonderfully boring!" She laughs, "Those who failed me—really? That's the best you can come up with?" She swings her legs more enthusiastically now, her black pigtails bouncing. "No, no, no. You see art, my dear little pet. Each one tells a story of someone who thought they could bore me with their predictable, insignificant lives." She points to a fresh corpse, a young woman in torn civilian clothes.
"That one right there? She begged for mercy in the most tedious way possible. Just crying and pleading—no creativity whatsoever!"
She stands gracefully, her black boots clicking against the stone as she approaches the kneeling dark elves. "The soldier there thought he could desert. The merchant believed he could hide his profits from the Order. That sweet little beastkin girl tried to bite me when I questioned her about harboring refugees." Cassian stops directly in front of Vexes, her shadow falling across him.
"They all failed spectacularly, but at least they dared to try something interesting," She paused, looking up at the first corpse she spoke of. "Well, except for her." She states as she crouches down, bringing her face level with his, her eyes boring into his dark crimson ones.
"You and your little friend here? You're just…disappointing. No creativity, no spark, no delicious defiance to break." Desirae shifts beside Vexes, her breathing shallow as she keeps her gaze fixed on the floor. The storm outside seems to intensify, as if responding to Cassian's growing excitement.
"But perhaps…" Cassian's voice drops to a whisper as she reaches out to trace a finger along Vexes' jawline, her touch deceptively gentle. "Perhaps this little setback will finally give you both some motivation. Some fire in your bellies." Her finger stops at his chin, tilting his head up to meet her gaze. "Because if you continue to bore me with your incompetence, well…" She glances meaningfully at the chains above. "I might just have to find more creative uses for you both." She ends as she turns back to her throne, collapsing in her seat as if she had worked an entire day.
Xylara remains motionless beside the throne, her blue eyes watching the exchange with professional detachment, though her hand rests casually near her blade's hilt.
"Now then," Cassian purrs, crossing one leg over the other as she eyed the two dark elves in front of her." Let's see what happened during that little battle of yours against the Purifier's son and those two escaped princesses." She snapped her fingers, and like magic, a holy artifact appeared and expanded into a screen of sorts, showcasing the battle that took place.
[SCREEN STARTS]
A surge of power coursed through Oreon as he stood before Vexes, who gritted his teeth in response. His crimson eyes narrowed at the sight. "The Purifier's ability…" Vexes growled, a low rumble vibrating in his chest, his teeth bared. "That aura, that magic," He sneered in a low voice. "Who did you learn this from, boy?"
"Wrong, it's my mother's ability." Oreon returned, his energy still swaying around him. "The ability you speak of that my father uses is nothing but a mere copy. Nothing like the real thing." Oreon breathed as the intense stare down continued between the two.
As the magical projection flickered and shimmered, Cassian's purple eyes eagerly soaked up every detail of the scene unfolding before her. Leaning forward on her throne, her tall form became more prominent as she impatiently scraped her boots against the ground, watching with palpable excitement as Oreon's crimson aura crashed against Vexes' dark energy.
"Oh, my..." Cassian breathes, her voice barely above a whisper as her fingers grip her armrests. "Is that Alaric's son? The almighty purifier's boy!" She laughed as she watched. "Oh, what a wicked tongue that one has." She stated as her giggles continued. "Did you hear what he said? He said the power he's using is his mother's power, not daddy's little cheap imitation." Her laughter continued as she leaned back against her chair. "I always knew that he never could quite compare to that half-breed abomination he called a wife." She smirked as her eyes remained fixated on the magical projection screen.
"Your mother?" Vexes sneered. "The Half-breed witch." He spat. With that comment alone, Oreon shot forward with blinding speed, his dagger flashing in the air as he appeared before Vexes, whose eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Oreon's golden irises. Oreon's sudden appearance before Vexes was immediately followed by a resounding clash of metal throughout the tavern. Oreon's dagger meets Vexes' curved blade.
"His Strength," Vexes' mind raced as he struggled against Oreon's dagger. "That…That Power…The Purifier's Power!" He thought as he gritted his teeth.
"Oh, this is great!" Cassian squeals, clapping her hands together as she watches Oreon and Vexes lock in their deadly assault on one another. Each clash of their blades sends sparks flying, illuminating the shocked faces of those who witnessed it.
Cassian suddenly stands, her boots clicking against the stone as she moves closer to the magical display. "Xylara, are you seeing this? The boy isn't just Alaric's little secret--he is something else entirely. Something...That shouldn't exist...He's just like his mother..."Her smirk widened sickly.
"Watch your mouth when you speak about my mother." With a furious red glow surrounding him, Oreon smashed through Vexes' defenses. The impact of his 360-degree roundhouse kick sent Vexes sprawling through the tavern's open doorway in a shower of splintering wood and shattered glass. The impact was jarring, but Vexes swiftly recovered his balance, his feet skidding across the rough cobblestones.
"You damn brat!" Vexes growled, quickly tightening his grip around the hilt of his sword.
"You're just like her." His eyes glaring hatefully at Oreon. "A monster wearing human skin. Your father should have drowned you at birth when he realized what you were!"
Oreon appeared in the doorway, both daggers in his grip as he slowly walked down the Tavern steps. "Grr, don't get cocky!" Vexes quickly began charging towards Oreon, his blade coated in dark energy. "I'll make you pay for using the power that mocks the Purifier!" Vexes shouted as Oreon prepared himself.
A flurry of sparks erupted as the blades clashed, a fierce ballet of steel against steel. "How!" Vexes swung his curved blade at Oreon's neck, who stepped back and turned, dodging his attack with ease. "How are you doing this? How are you using the Purifier's ability?" As Oreon dodged another blow aimed at his head, he retaliated, his dagger slicing upward into Vexes' chest, tearing through his Black Order vest.
Vexes yelped, leaping back from Oreon, his empty left hand crackling with dark energy. "Shadow Bolt!" Vexes roared, launching a massive dark energy sphere spiraling with lightning at Oreon, who remained unmoved.
The magical projection crackles with intensity as Cassian watches Oreon slice through the shadow bolt with ease. Her eyes widened with genuine delight, her twisted smile creeping wider across her features, her sharp teeth showing.
"Magnificent!" Cassian breathes heavily, her voice trembling with excitement as she presses closer to the display. "Absolutely magnificent! He just...He just cut through dark magic like it was butter!" Cassian spoke with a sick glee. "He literally sliced your stupid attack like it was nothing but cheap fabric. Oh, why didn't Alaric tell me his boy had grown up so big and strong?" She expressed with deranged happiness. "Look at that speed, look at that focus, that power...Those....Eyes." Her breathing grew heavy as she continued to watch the screen in almost a state of ecstasy. "Those beautiful, precious eyes..."
*The Scene Shifts*
Vines continued to spread across the battlefield, trapping more Holy Order soldiers, while Aura stood tall and unyielding in the center of it all. Her presence seemed to alter the very atmosphere of the confrontation.
"Enough of this!" Desirae roared, her hideous form launching toward Aura, claws extended and ready to tear the newcomer apart.
Without even turning to look, Aura flicked her wrist. Massive roots erupted from the ground, wrapping around Desirae's limbs and halting her charge mid-air. The transformed Elven woman howled in rage, struggling against her wooden restraints.
The magical projection shifts to show the chaotic battlefield where Aura's nature magic dominates the scene. Cassian's expression instantly transforms at the sight of Aura. The image triggered the battle they had once before the day Leona was killed.
"Well, well, well...There she is." Cassian lightly grits her teeth, a slight hint of anger evident on her face as she continues to watch the scene. "The only elf that wouldn't break. The only elf that had enough fight to bite back." Cassian growled lightly. "Showing herself again, sticking her nose in business that doesn't concern her."
"Your master's forces grow weaker every day," Aura stated calmly, finally turning to face the suspended Desirae. "The dragon is stirring, the Elven resistance strengthens, and the Order's grip slips further with each passing moon."
Desirae thrashed violently against her wooden prison, her body contorting as she tried to break free. Black Ichor dripped from her mouth as she snarled at Aura.
"Screw your resistance, you damn witch!" She spat; her voice distorted by rage. "The Order controls every kingdom from the Northern wastes to the Southern seas! Your pathetic rebellion is nothing but a dying ember!" Her violent struggle continued as she glared hatefully at Aura. "The Purifier will burn your precious forests to ash! He will find every last elf hiding in the shadows and hang them from the trees you love so much!"
Aura's expression remained impassive as she stared up at the struggling creature, a hint of pity flashing across her emerald eyes. "Look at what they've done to you, Desirae," She spoke softly. "Once a proud elf of the Round Table, now a twisted puppet dancing on human strings."
"That Eastern hag...." Cassian hisses through clenched teeth, her voice dripping with venom. "Still playing the savior, still pretending she's above it all. Acting all high and mighty like she's above everybody else! Above me!" Cassian yelled at the projection, causing the two dark elves to give her nervous looks, but they remained in their position, while Xylara remained emotionless; her eyes also narrowed when she saw Aura on the screen.
Vexes suddenly launched forward, his blade aimed directly at Aura's exposed back. Before anyone could shout a warning, the elven woman sidestepped without even looking, causing Vexes to stumble past her. With a casual gesture, roots wrapped around his ankles, bringing him crashing to the ground, then wrapping around his body.
"Predictable as always," Aura sighed, glancing down at the fallen assassin before returning her gaze up to the suspended monster.
The struggle came to an abrupt halt as the air suddenly grew heavy with power. Aura's emerald eyes began to glow as Desirae's eyes widened in genuine fear for the first time since the battle began.
"I was hoping we could avoid this," Aura whispered, raising her palm toward Desirae as Emerald light began to coalesce around her fingertips. "But you've chosen your path." Aura extended her hand towards Desirae, who now panicked in her restraints.
"No! Stay back! Stay away from me, you witch!" Desirae screamed like a frightened child. "Don't come any closer! Leave me alone!" Her voice cracked. "Leave me alone!" She thrashed as Aura's palm ignited in emerald light as she stepped closer towards Desirae.
"I'm sorry, Desirae." Aura's eyes remained unnerved. "This is the only way to save you." She spoke gently as she closed the distance between herself and the monstrous form of Desirae.
Unknown to them, Vexes turned to watch the scene with gritting teeth. "Oh, no, you don't, I won't let you!" Vexes shouted as he managed to break one of his arms free from his restrictions, flicking his wrist in a controlled manner, creating a dark portal that appeared around Desirae, quickly snapping the roots that restrained her, and pulling her into the portal.
The portal collapsed with a thunderous clap, leaving only wisps of dark energy where Desiraee had been moments before. The emerald light around Aura's palm flickered and then faded as she lowered her arm, her expression unreadable.
"You don't get two victories in one day, witch." Vexes breathed.
[SCENE ENDS]
The projection flickers and dies, leaving the chamber in an eerie silence. Cassian's breathing is heavy, her chest rising and falling as she stares at the space where the magical display had been. Her violet purple eyes burned with a mixture of anger and something deeper, like a wound that never quite healed.
"That stupid eastern bitch..." Cassian whispers, her voice barely audible, before finally letting out a deep breath and sitting back in her chair, crossing her leg over the other, her eyes landing on both Vexes and Desirae.
"Listen up, you two, because I'm only going to say this once," Cassian spoke. Her voice left no room for her early playful but sick demeanor. "I couldn't care less about you failing the purifier, but you... Will... Not.. Fail me." She breathed.
"I've already given you a gift to strengthen you, or at least make you stronger than what that pathetic purifier made you." She continued to glare at them. "So next time, this better play out differently, and I don't care if that stupid nature-loving witch shows up. She better be bathed in blood by the time you are done with her." Cassian ordered as her eyes bore down on them.
"Inquisitor..." Xylara spoke as she glanced over at Cassian.
Cassian's head snaps towards Xylara, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What is it, Xylara?" Cassian snapped. "Can't you see that I'm making myself clear to my new pets here? Why do you choose to interrupt me when I'm trying to set boundaries?" Cassian bellowed as Xylara remained unfazed by Cassian's outburst.
"Inquisitor," Xylara stated calmly, her eyes closed momentarily. "Must I remind you that the purifier put this on you to show the council that you aren't adequate to handle this mission?" Xylara reopened her eyes, locking onto Cassian's. "You cannot forget the goal is to retrieve what was lost by him. That means the boy, the elves, and the shard that he stole." Xylara's expression didn't change; her mind clearly analyzing the situation, while Cassian gazed at her, caught in contemplation.
Cassian's eyes narrow as she processes Xylara's words, her fingers drumming against the armrest of her throne in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The reminder hits her like a truck, forcing her to refocus on the bigger picture.
"Tch..." She clicks her tongue. Leaning back in her chair as her expression shifts."You're right. The council is watching, wondering if I'll fail like that pathetic excuse for her purifier did." Her gaze shifts between Desirae and Vexes, her voice dropping as she speaks to herself, but loud enough for the room to hear.
"The purifier's son with his mother's abilities. The escaped elves, and the dragon shard...All slipped through Alaric's fingers like sand." She stood, her boots echoing throughout the chamber as she slowly walked past the kneeling dark elves.
"But they won't slip through mine." Turning back to her two enhanced agents and the phantom blade herself, Cassian's smile returns-but not without showing a bit of her sharp teeth again.
"Change of plans. We're going to take back what that brain-dead waste of space lost. We're going to bury that Eastern witch, and we're going to put those Elven princesses back in their cozy little cells. All so the council can see how great I am." She twirled a bit before stopping. "And also, I want Alaric's son; I want those golden eyes of his to look at me." She breathed. "Imagine the look on Alaric's face when he sees his abomination of a son standing beside my throne...My little play toy to do whatever I want with." She breathed slowly, her arms wrapping around herself in a crazed hug. "That power, those eyes...All belong to me." She giggled, her voice echoing off the chamber walls as she quickly snapped back and looked at the three elves in front of her.
"If we can't find them, then we'll make them come to us." A wicked smile spread across her face as Xylara remained composed, while Vexes and Desirae looked at each other before returning their gaze to the wide grin of the Inquisitor.