Fires danced to the beat of a marching army. The flames feasted on the vegetation of the forest floor, clinging to trees and climbing up bark to the canopy. Rumbles and tremors filled the small domain as the army marched through the forest in formation. The Erref in front, the priests and priestesses behind, and about 200 battle-hardy soldiers—some of the best in Karakh.
Adrel had come prepared.
Not too long ago, he had witnessed a great wonder from Calor. Through Calor's devout servants, the barrier of someone as dreaded as the Blood Witch was broken. With his command, the priests set up an altar, and delivered an offering of many lambs to Calor. The cries of the little lambs filled the forest, as the priests slit their throats and removed the undesired parts. The carcasses were burned upon the blood drenched altars, turning a mournful black. As the offerings were burned, the priests let out shrill, bloodcurdling cries, deep in prayer.
Adrel watched on unsurprised.
It was normal for such servants of Calor to be invigorated by Calor's flame, their spirits hysterical.
The barrier shuddered with the cries of the priests. The crack in the barrier began to spread across unseen lines of weakness. With each bellow from the priests, the opening grew larger. It groaned as it neared its destruction.
The ceremony processed, and the priests grew even more hysterical. Some rolled over on the ground, dirtying their priestly garments. For others their bodies convulsed in an invisible ecstasy. Others still, simply stood, frozen at the spot, drooling as they murmured chants.
Like empty husks moving in the wind.
Adrel was unfazed.
The light from the fire's offering glinted orange in his silver eyes. Murderous intent was within his soul. It was fire that would never be quenched.
In a final cry, the barrier shuddered for the last.
Adrel tightened his grip on the reins of his horse.
It shattered like many layers of glass, a red energy bursting from the epicenter. Dust and leaves flew. Branches swayed away. The cloaks of the Erref billowed frantically in the violent wind.
With the last breath of the wind, Adrel declared,
"Onwards! Towards the accursed witch!"
"Ut'ia! Lead the way."
Ut'ia nodded sharply, and took point upon her steed.
The horses of the Erref and the army behind them grunted as they began to move in tight formation, slipping past trees. Armor glinting in the sunlight, they delved into the myth.
The Blood Witch's den.
The priests and priestesses recuperated and followed, carrying divine torches.
Reality warped suddenly. What they saw before them changed. The trees changed, their leaves reddening. The very nature of the earth shifted.
Adrel took note of these things. They needed to be wary. Predicting accursed arts was like balling up water in ones hand.
The army marched had marched steadily onwards. The priests burned every tree with accursed signs on them, leaving fire and ash in the wake of the army.
The skies turned a dreadful black as the horses trampled upon the grass, sending tremors into the earth.
Ut'ia directed the army. She had picked up on the source of all the accursed energy, most likely, the Blood Witch. It hit her in maddening pulses, the hair on her skin standing on end. The army weaved past trees arrayed neatly, burning them all.
The unquenchable fires on the divine torches burned constantly in the midday sun. The armor and garments of the soldiers and priests were blessed instruments, partially resistant to fire. As such, they literally burned through the forest.
Adrel had taken every possible move into consideration.
Watchtowers surrounded the forest's borders.
Soldiers patrolled throughout the Akar Forest.
The Blood Witch only had her unpredictable arts to rely on. And even that would fall to Calor's flame. Other than that, she would definitely be captured.
There was nowhere to run.
Adrel's small army forged on through the forest, until they came to a large clearing. A rocky hill stood on one side of the clearing, its precipice overlooking the vast forest down below.
Ut'ia stopped within the clearing. Pointing at the hill, she said, glaring.
"There. I can feel an ocean of accursed energy coming from that hill."
Adrel turned, looking up.
"Stop.", he said, raising his arm in an authoritative move.
It seemed it was the highest point in the forest. Red moss covered the entrace of a hollow. Glowing ominously, it was visible even in the light of the sun. Until a few days ago, the Erref had believed the Blood Witch was a mere myth.
"What a sight." Legt exclaimed.
Their gazes were drawn to the magnificent tree that stood before the entrance of the hollow. It was far greater than anything Adrel had ever seen. He marveled along with the entire army. It stood like a divinity. Like a queen of the forest.
Ancient and spectacular.
Its leaves seemed to bend the sunlight.
They were a wonderful orange, speckled with a rich crimson.
Like fire.
Every line and projection on its trunk was meticulously carved. Its large roots were curled beautifully, like the flair at the edge of a noblewomans dress. Each motion of its branches was with essence.
With purpose.
As though it were aware.
As their eyes sank in the tree's beauty, it hit them how wonderful the place was. The air was fresh and clear. Each breath refreshed their lungs. The aroma of herbs, mixed with a trace of blood filled the air. It refreshed their minds as they slowly absorbed the mysterious wonder.
There was silence and stillness that caressed their minds.
Breeezes blew from time to time, the blades of the short grass fluttering gently.
Staring at the misty canopy beneath the hill, Adrel began to wonder.
A though broke free.
'Could something so accursed, be so wonderful?'
Turning to Legt he said, "This place was built from the Blood Witch's power. Hidden from the sight of man from time immemorial. That barrier…"
Patriarch, who was close, mentioned.
"I believe the barrier…curled space around it. It folded into itself. Like pushing in a sheet of paper from the middle and folding over the hole. Its still flat. You don't see the hole…"
"That seems plausible…", Sek'en said.
"Truly", Legt added.
Adrel turned. Whatever the case, whatever the methods, they were now at the Blood Witch's abode. That was the matter of importance.
However, Adrel noticed.
It was too quiet.
Adrel was expecting her to emerge. She had to. They were threats to her existence, after all. Literally at her doorstep.
But there they were, and nothing was reacting against them. They had broken the barrier and entered without any resistance. They were now close enough for Adrel to feel it. Surges of accursed energy tingled on his skin, coming from the hollow.
The place felt empty.
'Or is this an ambush?', he wondered.
"Be on guard, men! We tread on the Blood Witch's soil!"
The soldiers stirred, as the army readied themselves for battle.
There was a long silence.
The army awaited Adrel's orders.
"Inquisitor", Legt began.
"Shall we…approach the hollow?", he whispered.
Adrel could feel the unease in his voice. He was sensing it too. That silence was too much for someone whose barrier had just broken.
Adrel feared an ambush.
His sharp eyes locked on the entrance. His heart began to pound faster. Adrel was about to face an entity of myth that had existed before he was born. He could feel the incessant thumps in his chest, almost resonating with the silence.
He held the reins on his horse hard.
Before he could say anything, a fearsome sight emerged from the hollow.
The forest froze.
The figure was unmistakable.
The feared murder.
A demon.
A harbinger of death and destruction.
The aftermath of which Adrel had witnessed.
"Rahiel.", he murmured.
He stood like a presumptuous god, a cloak like night billowing behind him. It sharply contrasted the white cloaks of the Erref.
His blue eyes stood out, expressionless, yet fearsome.
They stared at Adrel, unblinking, cutting into his soul.
The tension rushed across the army as his cold blue eyes scanned through them. The forest seemed to still itself in reverence.
Adrel steeled himself. It was the moment he awaited. The moment of his glorification. He would take Rahiel's head.
He drew his sword, its magnificent shaft glinting in the sunlight. Its searing rasp was followed by many others behind him, as the Erref followed suit.
Adrel trusted in his chances of success. His army was no unruly band of mercenaries. It was order itself. Disorder crumbled before it.
Then he saw it. Rahiel's hands were raised.
It was a show of surrender.
The last thing to come from a supposed cold-blooded monster.
Adrel gaped.
Legt and the rest of the Erref were bewildered. 'Was this not Rahiel?', they wondered.
Adrel clenched his teeth, as he glared at Rahiel.
He announced, his voice commanding.
"Rahiel! Tremble before the Eye of Karakh. You damned demon! Today, through this righteous army, you shall die. Prepare yourse-"
"You shouldn't call yourself righteous if you go around burning trees for no reason."
Rahiel's voice sounded through the entire army, as he cut Adrel off. It was calm, yet filled with a strange authority. He didn't struggle to speak.
"Look." He gestured behind them.
"All you leave in your wake is senseless destruction. How is that righteous?"
Adrel hesitated, but obeyedHe looked behind him.
A thick clouds of smoke filled the skies, moving towards them.
Adrel turned sharply. His resolve cracked.
"You are the leader of this army are you not? Hear me. I do not desire to clash swords with you. I only ask what you seek from me. If it is within my power, I shall give it to you."
A slight wind blew past Adrel carrying particles of ash.
Adrel calmed himself. Rahiel was unfazed by the army before him. There wasn't the slightest bit of tension or fear in his eyes. It seemed he truly wished to speak with him rationally.
Adrel lowered his sword. The Erref followed suit.
He spoke.
"We seek the Royal Blood, Rahiel. We know you have her with you…the girl with the amber eyes…"
Quantum's eyes glistened as he listened.
"Royal blood, you say?"
"Exactly, demon."
Soldiers of Karakh had gone above and beyond to look for a single girl. Quantum heard it right. They called Nhea a royal blood. And they sought her as well, urgently.
"For what reason do you seek the girl?", he inquired.
Adrel's glare tightened.
"The Emperor seeks her.", he hissed.
Quantum sighed, a smile forming on his face.
It seemed his creator had a wonderful plan in mind. Nhea was no ordinary girl. Somehow, she was the daughter of the Emperor of Karakh, the greatest empire in the world.
Quantum looked up at Adrel, grinning, his eyes shimmering.
"How unfortunate."
Quantum brought his hands down.
Adrel yelled.
"We aren't asking you demon. We are taking her, along with your head and that damned Blood Witch, here and now!"
He raised his sword once more, taking a stance.
"The girl does not belong to any mortal. Her life is in the hands of my creator.", Rahiel said.
His confidence sickened Adrel.
"You spout nonsense. She belongs to the empire. Her place is at the Divine Emperor's side, under the light of Calor!"
"Light. Well that's a generous replacement for darkness. You're pitiful.", Quantum laughed.
Adrel seethed with rage.
"Honestly, it seems we can't meet eye to eye. I'll be taking my leave then.", Quantum said.
Adrel gasped. With a sudden, powerful force from his legs, he launched his body forwards. Leaping towards Rahiel, he charged his sword with divine energy, the Erref close behind him. His body began to burn the air, as he sped through it. His silver eyes lit a fiery orange, as he swung his sword.
"No you aren't.", he seethed.
In a single strike, the Earth raised as a shockwave run through it, lifting dust and sand several feet into the air.
Adrel's fiery eyes scanned the site of impact.
Rahiel was missing.
Adrel was sure he had struck him.
The Erref surrounded Adrel, readying their weapons. The soldiers behind took positions.
The dust cleared.
Adrel suddenly heard a calm yet terrifying voice behind him.
"We are now enemies. Prepare yourself, Adrel. You and your Erref."
He turned sharply, but there was nothing but the greenery of forest.
That day, he understood something.
Rahiel hadn't spared him out of mercy.
He just didn't need to kill him.
Adrel clenched his jaw. It had been a long time since he feared for his own life.
Fear had appeared with Rahiel.
And it had remained.
The events flashed within his mind.
He frowned.
The truth burned in his heart, as four fugitives disappeared in the forest below.