"How about testing her out in an actual fight?" Crimson stated as with a flicker of her wrists opened a rapture through space and onto the court. Jarren and Magdalene hesitated as they went onto another venue. "Let's see just how fast you can take it down dear." Dagna fueled with anticipation shone a smile as she stretched her hand out.
*Boooom*
A ray of light filled the scene that instantly brought the life of the abomination to an end with one move. However her move ended scorching the rest of the court and forming a hole on the side of the palace. "You didn't have to go all out with it dear." Crimson cooed as she reversed time undoing the damage she had done.
'So they really do have power over this plane as Lyssara had said.' Dagna wondered as she had initially thought that Lyssara was exaggerating with her words. 'It would seem that there is no other means of escape with these monsters.' The thought filling her with dread and hopelessness.
'I just have to make sure that I don't anger them is all.' She reassured herself as she shone a cheeky smile. "My fault Crimson, I'll try to control my power next time." A nervous laughter escaping her lips followed. "That's alright dear, after all there's more for you to learn of this world than you think." Crimson's words cryptic to the two ladies.
"Off with you both or do you wish to learn golf? Go to Reuthar and help Isolde with the hordes." Clomere's words sharp as she rose to her feet and picked up a golf club. "You don't have to shatter Magdalene's spirit already Clomere, she's just learning now." Crimson protested as she too rose to her feet.
Seeing the lack of interest from the monsters, the two ladies took their leave. "And be back by nightfall." Lyssara paused, wondering how she would cover such a distance so quickly.
*Snap*
Jarren flashed a grin to for worries. "Consider it an aid from your benefactor. You'll pay it back in the game." His words chilling as he remained focused on Magdalene, helping her make a swing of her club making another hole in one.
*Whoosh*
Magnificent butterfly black flame wings grew from Lyssara's back which shocked her before she recovered. "Thank you." She whispered as she took off alongside Dagna disappearing into the clouds.
...
"Abominations? Is that what you call them?" Dagna asked as the two whizzed through the air at incredible speeds. A barrier had formed around Lyssara's body shielding her from the wind, as for Dagna, an energy barrier coated her frame. "That's what the rest call them. It's so stupid."
Baffled with her comment, Dagna asked. "Why is it so stupid? I think it's a fitting name." Lyssara let out a sigh as she realized that Dagna didn't know what she did. "It's that Clomere has already formed a vial capable of taming the abominations. With them I'm sure she could make an army further strengthening Redfall's power."
Dagna's brows furrowed. 'What?! They already have such a tool at their disposal?!' It was then that it hit her. 'These monsters really do dictate what happens in the world of Arcania should they already have made such progress. The rest of the world is merely tagging along, ready to fall in their grasp.'
The revelation chilling as the two began their descent. A forest came in sight and not far from where they were, a swarm was visible as it headed for a ruined city barely holding onto it's last breathe. Dagna easily took care of it as small bit sized chips came off her back and fell to the ground below.
*Boom-Boom-Boom*
The swarm was bathed in a sea of flame, their screams blood curling which shocked Lyssara at her power. 'It would seem hah Clomere did have a lot thought through with her body. I wonder just how strong she actually is.' A fight between the two began to form in her mind, unsure of who would emerge victorious.
'She could outlast me however her mechanic body does hinder her from rapid recovery.' She mused, unaware of the cards Dagna had in her inventory. 'But I'm confident with my skills as well. The game has served me well when it comes to growth.' A smile formed on her face as she made her landing with Dagna.
The two looked around, at first met with rubble and silence. The scent of smoke and blood lingering in the air. "It would seem that there's no one here." Lyssara flatly said as she realized the overwhelming silence. "From my scans, it would seem that you are right." Dagna added as she prepared to take off.
"Wait! What exactly is the most powerful attack that you have. In case the two of us should face each other in fight." Dagna flashed a smirk of intrigue at the thought. "A fight huh? Well why would I tell you my trump card then?" Lyssara bit her lip realizing that she would have to force the answer out of Dagna.
"You trust me, right? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." Dagna narrowed her eyes as she gauged her words. "Fine, after all I'm quite curious of what you are capable of. My most potent attack would be an orbital laser. However it takes way too long to charge up and by the time I get it operational, the fight would be over."
'An orbital laser? It would seem that Clomere didn't hold back with her.' She chucked as she let out a sigh. "Mine at the moment would have to be an infernal domain." Dagna's eyes sparkled hearing this. "From my readings alone I can already tell that your flames are far more potent than any fire. I suspect that Jarren was the cause for this."
Her words met with a nod. "Well then I'm sure that the fight would be rather interesting." And with that the two took of, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake from the take off. They went from town to town, checking for any swarms to cull and any survivors to rescue. However most of the towns they came across either had corpses or people on the verge of death.
"Looks like we best head back, after all the sun is starting to set." Dagna said as she saw the steaks of orange coat the skies. "Probably, however I'm sure that there were survivors from Reuthar to attend the meeting, I want to see exactly who it was is all." Dagna didn't bother protesting as the two took off once more.
...
The air was heavy amongst Isolde's subordinates. Some glad underneath, others skeptical of what was to come with the document she had agreed to. "So we are nothing more than their vassal, why would they want to keep us alive?" A voice finally echoed tearing the silence. "Because they already know that they've won."
Isolde sighed as she recalled the meeting. She realized the taunts Jarren engaged in, the casual air with the monsters she dealt with. "They never took the meeting seriously to begin with. They already knew that we would agree regardless of what they proposed." A reality she detested.
'I swear that I'll avenge you my king and bring back your daughter to Reuthar.' The memory still fresh in her mind. However the more she thought about it, the less realistic it seemed to her. 'Or should I just abandon the thought all together and yield to the tyranny of Redfall?'
Her heart screaming for rebellion and yet her mind knew better. 'It would be selfish and foolish of me to put the lives of others at risk for my own goal.' Covering her face with her hands, she grit her teeth as she faced the possibility of letting go of her oath to Atherion. 'I tried Atherion.' She mused in her mind as she tried to see another way out of her predicament.
"Madam! We have company from Redfall." A voice from one of the patrolling guards barged in. "What now?!" She groaned, rising to her feet as she made her way outside. Unlike before where she had anticipated an army, she saw two figures, their faces unreadable as they sighted her.
"Are you Dame Isolde Veyline?" Lyssara asked, her eyes narrowed on her figure. "I am. Who are you two?" Isolde asked as she noted the horns on Lyssara and the lack of aura from Dagna. 'Whoever these two are, they're definitely not simple people.' She concluded. "I'm Lyssara and this is Dagna, we're from Redfall as your subordinate had relayed to you."
'Redfall? What do they want this time?' Isolde gritted her teeth as she waited for a request to be made by the two ladies. 'Do they belittle us so to send children?' She cursed as she stared at the pair. "We were merely passing by helping with reducing the numbers of the abominations that plague these lands."
Lyssara's explanation taking Isolde by surprise. 'These two? What exactly are they capable of?' She calmed herself down, her tone easing up. "We're thankful for your work Lyssara. And please do thank Magdalene for all of her assistance thus far." Dagna glanced around, her focus narrowing on the dilapidated walls and poor state of it all.
'And to think that there are havens not far from here while the rest of the world tries to live.' The difference of disparity shocking to her. The scrawny knights, the helpless air thick and the sounds of empty stomachs echoing all over. "Oh, and before we leave, could you be so kind and help us find an individual. She goes by the name of Kaelin Morren."
Lyssara added as she turned around to take her leave alongside Dagna. "She might have fled to Calledra but I'll look for her. And once again thank you for visiting." Flashing her black inferno wings, she took to the skies with Dagna leaving Isolde baffled. 'Why they fly above it all, the rest of us are forced in drudging through this apocalypse.'
She cursed at the difference in status before turning to face her men. "We've already made an allegiance with Redfall. Aids and supplies will be sent to us two days from now, the hordes of abominations thanks to the two and Redfall will be taken care off. All we have to do is focus on restoring Redfall." Her words felt like a deluded story which was met with unenthusiastic cheers.
A reaction she had expected. 'With the fear of deaths constantly pressing down on them, it is only natural for them to be so pessimistic of a better tomorrow.' Even she found it to be too good and yet deep down she hoped that it was true. 'The food, they'll no doubt lace it with Hine to control us.' As much as she wanted to turn it down, her situation wasn't favorable for her to make such choices.
'It's either the lack of control or the lack of safety.' Both of which she found equally troubling. 'But with the growing influence of Redfall, the prior is far better than death.' As much as it ached her to abandon her oath to Atherion, she knew that he would want to see Reuthar rebuilt once more. Even if it did mean through the hands of Redfall and the leash of it's monstrous court.
'What is honor at the face of death?' She asked herself as she made her way back to her chambers, her mind heavy with what was on the horizon.
...
"You met Isolde, that's cute." Crimson stated over dinner. The shift in air still foreign to Dagna who recalled the struggling conditions of the men of Reuthar. "I though that Jarren wanted to find Kaelin." Lyssara spoke as she took a sip of her goblet. Dagna watched her motions, unbothered with what she had just seen in Reuthar.
Her plate remained full, her body capable of digesting organic foods and yet she didn't feel hungry. She slammed her hands onto the table garnering the attention of all. "How could you all eat and live so lavishly while the rest of the world suffers in agony and grime?" Lyssara let out a sigh, Crimson and Jarren chuckles as Magdalene's smirk felt sharp enough to bore into her silicone body.
"Do you wish to play the hero and save them? Help them out of their pathetic state and let them live the way they did before?" Jarren asked playfully, his fingers twirling his fork as his gaze lazered on Dagna's frame.