“Mystic Alfheim: home of ancient gods and demons”
One of the few universal truths in this life is that every world has its wonders. For example, the fifth planet in the Helios system is home to the largest and oldest known perpetual storm in the galaxy, an unstoppable maelstrom as large as an inhabited world. The second, it is said, has islands that float on the water; the third is by far the champion when it comes to objects created by intelligent hands. On Epitaph, there are tales of monsters living in ancient underground passageways; on Utopia, there is a continent of paradise floating high above the clouds, impossible to reach save for the birds. The Elshyrin world has their famed “Cobra Tower”, the Changelings of Maisa have their unique (and oftentimes ill-planned) habitats, and the Felinis, their sacred Temple of the Feline, where it was said their ancestors first conceived. But nearly all of them are trumped by Alfheim, wonder amongst wonders.
While all the planets governed by the Sindarin and their kind are magnificent, Alfheim stands above them all as perhaps the second-most beatific world yet known, rivaled only by Venus, if the scattered tale of its heavenly development can be believed. The surface of Alfheim has not been touched for tens of thousands of years, not since the United Cosmic Military was formed and Gaea was overcoming her final Ice Age. To do so would be a grave taboo, and of the few who dared break this law, none were ever seen or heard from again. Instead, the elves have constructed floating cities on their vast oceans, and even flying artificial continents in the sky. Many of their cities, in fact, can be easily moved and have been known to circumnavigate the globe in a matter of days; a few even move between neighboring planets.
Despite this concentration of life in the lower heavens, there are many natural— and unnatural— wonders of Alfheim that continue to draw a small stream of tourists. One of the flying continents has an island far away from its shores whose surface is said to be composed of Mirror Crystals, while another boasts a Rainbow Bridge, constructed from the fossilized remains of Prisms. From the oceanic homes, one might glimpse upon the Living Forest, a cluster of entities said to be plants whom the Sindarin ancestors gave knowledge. Although there are no deserts, there stands a Giant Cactus that can be seen once a month by the Imperial Palace; its existence remains a mystery. There is also the Dawn Wing, a rock formation shaped like a bird spreading its plumage, which can only be seen at morning, and the Chimera, a race of deformed monsters who live on the land. The uttermost north is home to the Ymir Ice Sculpture, carved by the ancients in honor of their creator god, while the apocryphal center of the world lays claim to an enormous tree that is said to spring from the core and reach into the heavens, lovingly dubbed Yggdrasil by the natives.
Wonders ascend into miracles at the very top of this tree, which is said only the true Emperor may climb. From there, he might be able to spot the Migrating Phantom, the roaming spirit of an unknown Sindarin ghost, forced to orbit the planet until the end of time. Descending into the ocean would lead this same Emperor to observe the Undersea Civilization, a realm fashioned long ago by creatures related to the Mer-folk. And perhaps, if he were brave enough, he would set foot on the surface— for only the royal family may do so, and only upon sacred occasions— he would look about, and in the darkest recesses of the world, which no eye has yet seen, he would perhaps find Valhalla, Throne of Heroes. Rumored to somehow connect with the Imperial Palace through deep catacombs, Valhalla is thought to be the relic of beings from another galaxy, colonists who found the Milky Way and favored it with their crafts. It is believed that Valhalla is both tomb and heavenly vessel, a “chariot of gods” to bear the honored dead to their final resting place. It is also thought that a powerful mechanical giant guards these tombs, and will only permit the Emperor to pass.
“That,” said Lillianne Markus to her audience, taking a conclusive breath, “is basically what we’re dealing with here. It’s really unlike any world you’ve ever seen. I mean, Gaea was definitely amazing, I’ll give you that, but Alfheim has her beat.”
“I still think Venus will outshine them all,” Aseria said numbly as she crossed her arms. “But even so, it’s good to be home.”
“Why are we here again?” Valti said impatiently. The dark-skinned elf sighed and flipped her hair.
“For one, Lil and I haven’t been home in ages, and I don’t want to keep Father and Mother and the family worried. There’s only so much that a letter or a call will do. Secondly, I have some personal business to attend to; third, it would do us all some good to explore solid land, and refresh our supplies, and see that there’s more to the universe than just Venus and…disappointments. Fourth, my half-sister Aria and her handmaidens have been without my administrations for some time…”
“(Orgies that would make Chandra feel right at home,)” Lil explained.
“Fifth, I think I’ve a promotion in the Sindar Special Defense Forces coming; sixth…”
“All right, you’ve made your case! We’ll all go down there for a few days. Well, most of us, anyway. I’m going, that’s for sure. I want to take a look at those Chimeras.”
“None may set foot upon the holy land save royal heirs,” Aseria replied airily. “If you must study them, you’ll have to settle for a telescope at Aqiya. And whatever you do, do NOT approach the Imperial Palace, or even the surrounding property, if you can help it, without my father’s or mother’s permission, unless you’d like a slow and agonizing death. We don’t take fondly to intruders.”
“So even I would be exempt?” said Lyara wryly. Aseria smirked.
“You, my dear little thug, would be greeted by a hail of stones the moment you stepped off the ship. I might tolerate you but my kinsmen will not.” She waved with a bittersweet smile and strolled away, Lillianne acting as her consort. Lyara snorted gruesomely and wandered away in fury.
“Hmph, like I would really want to visit your world anyway. They’re probably all like you, anyway.”
……
While a majority of the crew explored Alfheim (or at least as much of it as Aseria’s friendship would allow), and while the young Empress-to-be returned to the Palace for a familial welcome, four other visitors were also making their descent to the planet, each with their own business to take care of. The first was a woman tasked with the gruesome occupation of Death incarnate, she who was once a beloved daughter but was now merely Grave; it was her duty to remove a life on this world of undying. The second was a minor half-Inu bounty hunter named Sati Yeriman, come to Alfheim seeking this Grave woman for the enormous price on her head (apparently, even Death was not exempt from revenge); the third and fourth arrived together, former High Priestess of Felinis Marsa Rosemont, along with her companion and bodyguard— whom she had admittedly grown closer to during their travels— the immortal Flying Dutchman; their purpose was yet unknown.
“Tis’ strange to be here now with my mind so altered,” he stated quietly upon landing. “I have usually not made it a habit to change it so whimsically, but you, Marsa, fill it with a reasoning it has not known since my days as a mortal. Once I felt it necessary to kill the corrupted royal family, but this behavior has been almost extinguished.”
“Perhaps all you needed was a woman’s touch,” she smirked. “All the legends about you that I’ve read have suggested a lady’s love will remove the curse. And it would be my greatest desire in life to free you from the chains of immortality, Hendrick.”
“Would that it were so!” he exclaimed sadly. “But venturing here will do little good, Marsa. The elves know life as I do, or something of the kind. Methinks you believe that if death could find them, there may yet be hope for me.” She nodded.
“I must also pay homage to a shrine and partake in their religious ceremonies— and if I could, I would like to explore their catacombs and learn more of their ancient past.”
“Thy steely resolve in the midst of such gloomy environs brings a warmth to my cold heart,” he smiled. Barbarossa had taken it upon himself to protect Marsa, while she vowed to free him from his everlasting life; the two worked well together. Of course, even a High Priestess of Felinis would have found it difficult to maneuver around Alfheim, which strictly controlled and monitored the foreign population, and while Barbarossa would have had little difficulty, any effort on his part would certainly lead to violence, so he would have to be content sheathing his sword while Marsa negotiated her way through.
Sat Yeriman, on the other hand, had this to say as she was greeted by the natives: “Hey, leggo o’ me! I said let go! Why’re you dragging me away for, anyway? What’d I do? I’ve got a landing permit and everything! I’m trying to save someone from getting killed! Hey!! LET GO!! I’m serious, I— hey, you put that thing awuhhmn-muhhmn-mllln!”
Bound, gagged, blinded, and partially stunned thanks to a jolt to the ribs, Sati Yeriman was thrown into a prison cell for the third time in her life. Luckily for her, she was the kind of person who learned from past mistakes. Once she escaped, Sati decided to take a more…subtle route to her prey.
It was no stretch to say that the Imperial Palace was the greatest wonder of Alfheim, exceeding even the spectacular Moon Dance, a festival held once every fifty years when the world’s four moons all rose at the same time. Carved from the rarest building materials in the known galaxy, supported high in the atmosphere by sacred land blessed by the last Sindar to leave the surface, and surrounded by magnificent works of art, it was a legendary feat of construction, all the more magnificent since no one outside of the royal family and their attendants could enter it unbidden. The Imperial Palace boasted some of the finest, most loyal, and most powerful guards in all the galactic alliance, the elite of the elite, each one hand-picked by the Emperor and Empress from the Sindarin Special Defense Forces. A single soldier patrolling the Imperial halls could wrestle a large boar with their bare hands; several working in unison could take down a Scorpio in full heat. The palace was also thick with sorcery, spells that enlightened and accentuated the skills and minds of the people living there while guarding it against higher invaders. It is said that in the entire Sindarin history, no intruder has ever made it more than three levels into the palace. Lady Aseria, on the other hand, was given an honor guard as an escort, and her consort was free to wander every door and hallway she desired.
“Welcome back, young empress,” her attendants said as they bowed to her. “It’s good to see you again, your highness. You’re looking healthier and stronger than before, your majesty. Long life to the Empress Tolan! Your imperial father and exalted mother will be overjoyed to see you again. Your most excellent sister will be glad to hear of this news, your highness. Please make yourself comfortable, your majesty.”
“Things haven’t changed around here much,” Lil commented. She plastered a smile on her face and waved at a group of young Sindarin men, who watched her with awe. Aseria looked like she was in another world, far from happy upon her return.
“It’s Alfheim, what would you expect? Listen, Lillith: my father’s summoned me to his side, so I’ll probably be busy for an hour at least. It’s probably just another formality regarding my promotion. I wish you could come, but you know his laws.”
“Forward and backward,” she grumbled. “Gods, leave it to an elf to take two hours to say hello to his daughter. I guess I’ll go see how Aria and the twins are doing. Might wanna call the sanitation department.”
“Why?” she smirked as they came to a crossroads. “Are you planning on killing her or fucking her?”
“Let’s just see how the day goes first,” she replied cattily. Aseria gave her lover a smoldering stare and touched her rear end; that would have to hold her until she finished with business. Just in case, Aseria did summon a sanitation crew and asked them to remain on standby outside her room. Aria, her frail and somewhat demented half-sister, loathed Lillianne with a passion, but this hatred didn’t always lead to destruction. More than once she had overheard them wrestling and cursing each other, then making love at the drop of a hat. Hopefully they wouldn’t both be dead, or in a compromising situation, when she got back.
There were no guards at the doorway to the audience chamber. Emperor Tolan was so confident of his security that he boasted that he would openly welcome anybody who had gotten that far, whether they were friend or enemy. Of course, being one of the most powerful men in the galaxy loaned the Emperor magnificent fighting capabilities, which he fairly demonstrated some centuries back against what seemed to be a superior foe. All visitors had to kneel before Valorien and Corina; Aseria merely had to bow. She spied her father whispering to her mother and waited for him to notice her. Not even she would dare to interrupt them.
“Oh! Aseria!!” Valorien boomed. His voice carried splendidly; some said he won a battle simply by shouting at the enemy army. Valorien stood, steady and imposing as a mountain, and waved his arm. “Many years ago, my younger daughter Aseria Guardea Tolan was resigned to the fate of the Eldar when several of my former councilors assigned her to a dangerous section of our glorious empire! Because it was on fringe territory, she was not expected to return. Instead, our auspicious offspring earned success in all her missions, and turned a hopeless venture into a victory for the Sindar people! Ever since then, she has been a growing figure in the Special Defense forces, and even the eyes of the United Military are upon her. People fear and respect her, and they fear and respect the Sindarin Empire! Now, let us all give praise and be thankful for the heroic return of the imperial heir!! Organize a banquet, and spare no expense!”
To hear the Emperor was to obey, and so his attendants immediately set out to follow his command. Valorien sat down after giving his speech, and bade his daughter approach. Aseria first knelt and kissed his feet, then his hand, and finally, his cheeks.
“Father. I am home.”
“My heart is overflowing with ecstasy,” he answered warmly. He kissed both her cheeks and put his lips to her forehead; she then stood back and bowed one more time. Minstrels began playing and three trays of food were presented to the royal family. “There is much for us to attend to now that you have arrived, Aseria,” her father began. “Not the least of which is your promotion. Although I do not believe you’re capable of handling the tasks of an Admiral yet, you have proven beyond all doubt that you have the skills and the leadership of a fine officer. Therefore, I would like to appoint you the rank of Major, and apprentice you under the command of Rear Admiral Djornyu. We shall have the ceremony in three days. Does this please you?”
“Thank you, father. I am glad beyond expression.”
“Your face shines like the depths of deep heaven,” he exclaimed proudly. “It is beautiful. Yes, you will be a fine Empress. Now for a more pressing issue. It has come to my attention that you’ve brought foreigners to our soil. It was my father’s administration that relaxed our time-honored stance on outsiders, and in my time, I have seen the grip loosen even more. Your companions will not be killed, Aseria, or imprisoned, unless they give us reason to do so. However, you will be responsible for them should anything go awry. I have been informed that there are a few troublemakers in the group.”
“Yes, father, but they are nothing you should fear. Somehow our eclectic gathering has achieved balance.” Valorien gazed at his daughter for a moment, rubbing his eyebrow, grumbling quietly. Her exalted mother Corina finally spoke.
“We have received word that an escapee from a Rennai penal colony is among your number, as well as a demonic creature called ‘the Holy Annoyance’ by the United Military. There are also a handful of smaller criminals with prices on their heads, a Norgrim, and even a member of the great Elapidae family with you. Most distressing are the rumors of Dr. Miracle’s involvement. How is it that so many people have been able to find a balance?”
“It puzzles me as well, mother, but I do not question the turn of events. There is a craft aboard the Dauntless that I in my wisdom cannot explain.”
“Too true!” her father boomed as he rose to his feet. “That is another matter! I really don’t care if your companions wander around, but there is a strange power that has arrived on my world that I have never felt before. The Sindarin knowledge and skill is ancient and powerful, and it is no mean thing to say I am a master of these skills. Ours is a craft that can give life and shape worlds, and that craft flows directly through our veins, as you have no doubt discovered by now, O my Aseria. But there is something recently arrived on Alfheim that has my brow furrowing. For the first time in centuries, I have felt honest fear, and I do not like it.”
“I believe I know what is causing this, father,” she replied with another bow. “Some time ago, our crew visited…I mean, we were allowed to visit a world called Venus, named after a Gaean goddess. There we came across a land so fertile and perfect that it exceeded Alfheim’s glory by twofold.”
“Incredible!!” Valorien and Corina hissed, their faces turning ashen. “Tell us more!”
“As you wish. There, on Venus, our benefactor and guide recruited a peculiar man that made me feel the same thrills you are experiencing, father. She said that he came from Numenor of old, that his was a craft even older and more powerful than our own, and he was of the Pendragon line.”
Valorien said nothing as he slumped in his throne. He pulled, twisted, and rubbed his eyebrow, numbly flicking stray hairs away until finally, he rubbed his face and recovered. “Pendragon,” he mumbled. “That explains it. You have dangerous allies, Aseria. Very dangerous allies. One would think you were on a conquest.”
“That does not appear to be the wizard’s intent, father, nor is it Miracle’s.”
“Then what is their intent?”
“Forgive me, but despite the time I have spent with her, even I don’t know.”
Corina spoke as her husband sat meditating on this. “Let us abandon these dark thoughts and focus our minds on happier news. Our daughter Aseria has returned and we shall soon rejoice it. If by her word, her allies are trustworthy, then we ought to believe in her. Let us celebrate her homecoming.”
“You are right,” Valorien replied slowly. “Yes, the wife of my soul speaks the truth. Let there be festivities so long as she is here, and let there be an excellent farewell for her return into deep heaven. My daughter is home and we shall rejoice in her. All the same, Aseria, I would like to meet this Pendragon.”
“O my father, from whom life itself flows, I will do what I can. But he may not even obey your word. Regardless, I thank you from the depths of my heart. May a thousand years of my love repay you for this welcome!”
She bowed and kissed her mother in farewell, then returned to her room, full of excitement and joy. She had nearly forgotten about her earlier dread, but now it came back in full force as she opened the door. The bedroom was predictably trashed, but at least the two fighters had gotten it out of their system. They were both completely naked and trying to out-stimulate each other, and Aria’s maids were with them.
“Sister!” Aria exclaimed. She wrested herself from the mounds of earthly delights and threw her arms around her younger sibling. Aseria blushed and kissed the older woman’s face.
“I suppose old habits do die hard,” she chuckled. “Forgive my absence, Aria, and my delay. I will do what I can to make it up to you.” The young empress closed the door and smiled slyly. Now that business was out of the way, it was time for pleasure.
……
When it was finally over, Lillianne retreated to the adjacent spare room with Aria’s twin maids, and the three soon fell asleep together on the large bed, one sister nestled comfortably atop each of the Mun’s generous breasts. Aria and Aseria, however, secluded themselves in the royal bedchambers, their bodies entwined, still plastered with perspiration and sexual fluids. The silence between the two half-sisters was serene, but somewhat stiff. After a period where both ladies recovered from their ordeal, Aria looked into her sister’s eyes, their noses faintly touching.
“It has been far too long.”
“Yes.”
“What did father have to say?”
“Nothing outside of his ordinary pomp.”
“Did he tell you he was leaving Alfheim for a few weeks, and that your mother would take care of everything while he was away?”
“No, but father never discusses travel arrangements with us, unless we’re involved. It’s nothing new.”
“He’s being summoned by the United Alliance.” Aria’s voice was fringed with importance, but Aseria didn’t know why. This was nothing unusual either.
“So? Father is a key member.”
“He has been discussing it for some time now. This gathering will be different. Only a select few will be there. It seems that the Director of the military and someone in charge of a transportation service have been upset about something.”
“They’re humans,” Aseria sighed carelessly, “being upset is what they’re about.”
“You may dismiss it if you like, Aseria, because you have been out traveling with that Mun whore. You have been absent far too long.” She clutched her sister with sharp fingers; whether out of spite or lust, there was no telling. “Father is beginning to grow concerned about something. There is a force at work stronger than the Eldar, I can feel it. Stronger than that dog you’ve got on your leash.”
“Lillith is not a dog, Aria. She’s very special to me.”
“More special than me? I should be the one at your side, not her!” Aria’s passion was boiling; the room began to shake under her stress. She calmed herself before any damage was done and caressed Aseria’s face, kissing it as a peace offering. “Forgive me. I spoke out of place. I am the one without purpose here; I simply wish to aid you. You will be Empress; I am nothing at all. I am not jealous for your title, my only real love, simply for your heart.”
“You have it all and more,” Aseria whispered sweetly, licking Aria’s long pointed ear.
“I know,” she shuddered. “But I should still be at your side. I fear for you sometimes. Whatever is concerning father is stronger than you, I’m afraid. Perhaps even stronger than I.”
“Nothing is stronger than you, dear one,” Aseria cooed. She kissed her several times and shifted her body so her bare skin would send jolts of delicious friction down Aria’s spine. The tactic only worked for a moment.
“I have felt it. And there are great disturbances here on our world now. I do not mean your companions, though I sense one has strength beyond reckoning.”
“That moronic genie, no doubt,” Aseria muttered. “But what else could you mean?”
“I mean— ” She was suddenly silenced, and offered a frail, frightening smile. “Don’t leave me here anymore, I beg you! Take me with you! I will become her lover as well, if that’s what it takes! Just let me be by your side! Me and my maids— nothing could make me happier!”
“I can’t,” she whispered desperately, “you know that.”
“Please!!” she exclaimed, shrieking as quietly as possible. Aria was frail but now her grip was smothering. She nearly broke her sister’s arms pleading with her. “Is there no room on your ship for us? I have to be with you! There’s something terrible…I have to protect you…and I crave you more than my own life! I beg of…”
Aria roared suddenly and threw herself, and her sister, across the room, tumbling out of the bed into a cabinet, upsetting several small trinkets. A perfume bottle broke against them, saturating them with an alien fragrance. Aseria didn’t even have time to think about what was going on before the ceiling caved in and down came a figure swathed in dark robes, wielding a large scythe. It carved the bed in two with a single stroke and charged after the half-sisters the moment it spotted them cowering in the corner. Aria screamed a brief incantation and thrust the intruder back against the wall; they bounced off, slipped under the collapsed awning of the bed, and threw their coat away.
“You cannot resist! There is no craft in this world that can save you! Resign yourself to your final fate and come in peace!” Aseria’s rage boiled as she composed herself and stood alongside her sister, naked, to confront the menace. She would never forget that face for as long as she would live.
“You’re as persistent as your title would claim, angel of death, but I’m afraid you’re outmatched. There is a legion of Sindarin warriors in this palace all hours of the day, and they will tear you apart upon my command! You will not harm my Lillith again.”
“I am not after your companion today, elvish princess,” said Grave huskily. “My target is your sister, Aria Felasse Tolan. She must die today.”
“Who are you to threaten me?” Aria shouted. Suddenly she fainted, weary from exerting herself so much. Aseria caught her, covered her with a robe, and glared daggers at Grave.
“This is a woman who thinks she has been given the right to take lives. She has attempted to murder Lillith and many others. I think you have underestimated my sister, fool. Though she may be feeble, she has the power to wipe continents off the map and slay immortals— and I, with my own royal lineage behind me, will not suffer you the pleasure of her demise. Leave us while you are still master of your fate!”
“You cannot negotiate with me,” Grave murmured darkly. “Stand aside, young princess, for I despise taking lives before their appointed time. Indeed, you have many years upon you, Tolan, and a blessed reign, but this one is scheduled for my blade.”
The door to the other room burst open, splinters and boards and jewels spewing everywhere. Aria’s twin maids, hastily dressed and pale with fright, rushed to their mistress and shielded her with their bodies, while Lillianne charged headlong into the intruder, smashing her onto the floor and into the wall. Everything happened fast but Aseria wasn’t the kind to be stunned so easily; she quickly took her sister into her arms and rushed her outside, sounding the alarm.
“That all you got, bitch?” Lil snarled, lifting Grave by her shirt. The young woman was bleeding at the mouth and her right shoulder was dislocated, but her eyes still smoldered.
“I am not after you today! The bastard heiress of Alfheim is the one I’m chasing. Let me go so I can fulfill my duty.”
“Whoa, seriously? You’re gonna knock off Aria? Well why didn’t ya say so!!” Lil laughed and helped Grave to her feet, dusting her off and straightening her hair. Grave grunted as she reattached her shoulder and licked her bleeding lips; the wounds healed magnificently for a human. “Gods, I thought you were after Aseria! Hell, I’m sorry for roughing you up like that. Hey, if I can help you out in any way, just let me know.”
“That won’t be— ” Grave was interrupted as a score of hardened Sindar soldiers stormed into the room, armed to the teeth. Since they knew not to attack the Mun, their only other logical target was the sandy-haired girl next to her, the one armed with the sickle that glowed like the four moons during the climax of the Migrating Phantom.
“Leave her to us, Lady Markus! See to it that the young mistresses are safe!”
“Whoa, guys, take it easy! Chill-ax, okay? She’s cool. Miss Laval here’s only after Aria. She’s not gonna kill Aseria!” The guards glanced at each other in bewilderment, and resumed their approach. Grave covered her face in frustration.
“Why is it that I never get the simple jobs? They always have to be complicated.”
Meanwhile, Sati Yeriman tilted her water bottle back for the last time, draining it completely. Escaping from her cell had been easy enough, but the prison itself was another matter. She had fought through two soldiers before she was overpowered by the third— to her considerable humiliation— but luckily, she was spared an execution when a certain Felinis Priestess came by. Marsa and Sati didn’t know each other, and since the Inu and Felinis had been enemies several centuries ago, the situation could’ve gotten a lot worse. But Lady Rosemont did not become priestess for nothing, and soon everything was smoothed over and the two were becoming friends, of a fashion.
“I don’t think my face will ever stop being red,” Sati admitted as she tucked the bottle away. “First I’m thrown in prison, then I’m beaten by only three elves, and to top it all off, I’m rescued by a Felinis! Not that I’m ungrateful, of course. My pride’s just taken a beating, is all.”
“If that’s the worst of it, then you’re very fortunate,” Marsa replied warmly. She and Sati liked each other immediately; there was no grudge as far as they were concerned. “But I’m confused. I thought foreigners weren’t treated poorly anymore on Alfheim. You seem like a nice person, albeit…ah, very spirited, so why were you in prison in the first place?”
“How should I know?” she winced. “The damned fools never told me anything. I thought people had rights, even on a world like this. Anyway, I came here on business. There’s a bounty I’m after, and I’m guessing she may have something to do with my arrest.”
“That does sound reasonable,” Barbarossa said. “More than once I’ve faced unnecessary obstacles thanks to duplicity. Perhaps we might be able to help, although I do not believe milady would get herself so involved.”
“Every story has two sides,” she quoted. “But I’m also a Felinis, and curiosity runs in the genes. So who are you after?”
“A young woman calling herself Grave, the Angel of Death. There is a family willing to pay a high sum for her capture. It seems she’s an effective killer.”
“One can hope,” Barbarossa whispered grimly. Both women heard him and stared quizzically. Their attention was diverted to more pressing matters as an alarm sounded, and soldiers mounted flying machines heading for the palace. Sati watched them zealously, knowing that they were probably after the same thing she was.
“I think I found her!” she exclaimed. She ran to find a transport; Marsa called out for her to wait while the Dutchman followed at a slower pace. A small group of Sindar spotted Sati and surrounded her, grabbing her with hands as strong as granite, shouting in their poetic language. They threw her and mounted the machine; soon all the rides were gone, and Sati was left to shout and curse by herself.
“Damn it, what a bunch of cocky bastards! I’m trying to help them, for crying out loud!”
“The Imperial Palace is restricted unless you have permission,” Barbarossa announced flatly. He crossed his arms and stared at the hovering construction. “Or…if you’re a soldier and there’s an emergency. Well, it looks as if something’s coming back. I wonder if this is our friend.” Marsa looked at her guardian and saw a glimmer of hope and excitement in his ancient sea-grey eyes. She knew what he was thinking, that this Angel of Death might possibly offer him release from his eternal prison, and didn’t know whether to hope with him or feel concerned for his fatalism. Of course she wanted to free him— but a part of herself wanted, very slightly, for that day to be delayed a little.
The vessel did not contain Grave, but two elvish princesses, the sisters Aria and Aseria. Aseria recognized all three of them; she swung at Barbarossa and struck him on the jaw.
“Bastard! Go to hell! You’re as bad as that damned maniac! You there— Sati, right? What are you doing with this monster?!”
“Wait a second, I don’t know what’s going on! Why did you hit him? Who’s that with you? And what the devil’s going on at the Palace!!”
“Enough!” Aria exclaimed, grasping her forehead in pain. She wobbled and swayed to Aseria’s side, and leaned against her for support. “This was supposed to be a day for joy, but instead it’s been nothing but havoc. Everybody and everything is getting in my sister’s way. If we can’t have some peace and quiet, I’ll see to it that you all burn in the fires of Musphelheim!”
“Peace, your highness,” Marsa said firmly. “The three of us mean you no harm. As for the young Empress, Lord Barbarossa will keep to himself, and will cause you no concern. We are journeying together and are caught in the middle of whatever fiasco has erupted. Please, tell us what has happened.”
“Aseria, is she there?” Sati demanded, grabbing the young empress. “Did you see a young woman calling herself an angel of death?”
“Why, are you friends with her?” she snarled.
“Of course not! I’m after the price on her head!” Surprise struck the Sindar’s face, and her shoulders relaxed. She smiled feebly and let out a haggard breath.
“Forgive me. Aria’s right: this day has gone from good to terrible in a very short time. That woman you’re looking for jumped in on us and attacked us. Lil ran in to save us, and I had the guards move in. I promise that if there’s anything left of her, you can take her in and claim your prize.”
“What do you mean, if anything’s left?”
“Everyone be quiet,” Barbarossa said, his voice strong and commanding. “Empress Aseria, it seems you and your sister were not the only people who escaped in the confusion.” They all looked up, and sure enough, a small dark speck was heading straight for them, growing larger until it took the shape of a transport. Inside was Lillianne, the twin maids Sylpheed and Sylvannas, and the new Angel of Death. She jumped out first, coughing violently.
“Ugh, finally! Ten minutes locked up with a person wearing that much perfume is a crime! Don’t you have any restraint?”
“Hey, it’s Aseria’s favorite brand, and I haven’t worn it since I left! I need to get good and saturated in case I don’t come back for awhile! Oh, hey there lemon tart! Sati, Marsa, great to see you! Wow, you two have gotten sexy since I last saw you! Aw, damn, downer patrol! You two freaks are still alive?!”
“Her again,” Barbarossa grumbled.
“Lillith, what are you doing with that monster?!” Aseria screeched.
“Sylpheed, Sylvannas! They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Aria cried.
“Holy crap, she’s gorgeous,” Sati murmured as Grave took several cleansing breaths. She had no idea the new Angel of Death was beautiful. Grave noticed her and smiled awkwardly; usually she didn’t receive compliments. Lillianne scratched her ear as she realized what this gathering meant.
“Whew, and it hits the fan.”
……
“This is an unexpected blessing in disguise,” Aria purred maliciously. “I have two enemies in my sight, and my anger has been called forth. For my sister’s sake, Lillith, I have spared you until now, but I can no longer abide by you. She is my blood and we belong together. I have no idea what trickery you used to seduce her, but it’s over now. I’m going to wipe you out once and for all with the Soul Reaver!”
“If I had a gold coin for every time she’s said that,” Lil answered casually. “Listen, Aria. Can’t you just forget all this and drop dead? Aseria chose me over you, which is really no surprise. Incest just isn’t that common a practice on Alfheim anymore. Besides, I’m younger than you and in much better physical condition. You won’t believe the kind of fucking we do while you’re wasting away in your cold little room. You know, I really pity those poor girls, having to take care of a sickly little weasel like you. They deserve to be with us!” She laughed out loud; Aria retaliated by throwing one of the pins in her hair. It caught Lil in the abdomen, silencing her very effectively.
“You witch! The only reason Aseria chose a whore like you was because you cheated her away from the only person that ever really loved her! You don’t even have that to claim! She’s just a doll you can screw around with and pretend to care about whenever it’s convenient! You know, I’m going to spare the Soul Reaver until last so that I can steal the rest of your lives one after the other! Each death is going to be more miserable and gruesome than the last!”
“Are you following any of this?” Sati said to Grave. Arine placed her hands on her head and sighed deeply.
“Not really, no. It sounds like these three have a history. Ugh— see, this is one of the reasons why I hate my job. I mean, somebody’s gotta do it, but it causes nothing but trouble.”
“I know, and getting involved in something like this has to happen a lot. I’m starting to feel sorry for you.” She smiled at the sandy-haired girl, who gave her a rather sweet grin. Sati blushed and played with her fingers; she never imagined she’s be making friends with Death. “Um, you know, you sort of have this price on your head. That’s why I’m here.”
“You’re a bounty hunter?” Grave’s smile saddened and she put her arms on her pockets. “Sometimes people can’t come to terms with their death. Their survivors seek vengeance, and are willing to sacrifice everything they have to satisfy their anger. It’s such a wasted effort…and it’s not like I enjoy it.”
“I’m sure it must be a tough job, and you seem like a really nice person.”
“Normally I am!” she chuckled. “But every so often, I’m called in for work, and I have to get it done. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer. Did you know that if I never stepped in to take anybody away, they’d just get older and older, and the pain would grow and grow until it couldn’t even be tolerated?”
“Really? Gosh, I never really thought about what might happen if someone didn’t die.”
“Well your mother is so ugly, the sun won’t even rise until she leaves the planet!”
“Your mother is so fat, she needs two zip codes!”
“Your mother is so fat, when she turn around, she levels a mountain!”
“They’re becoming more juvenile by the minute,” Sati groaned. “I almost wish they’d just fight and get it over with.”
“They hate each other too much to resolve anything,” Aseria mentioned. “The only time they make peace is when they have sex.”
“So rip their clothes off or something! It’s getting annoying! …Anyway, I don’t think I’ll be turning you in or anything. I’m sure that you have your reasons for doing things, and you’re just trying to live day by day like the rest of us.”
“Thank you,” Grave replied, beaming beautifully. “I don’t meet many people as kind as you in my line of work. What did you say your name was again?”
“Sati, Sati Yeriman. I think I already got yours.” Grave faced her with outstretched hand, and Sati took it shyly.
“Arine, Arine Laval. Very pleased to meet you. Now if you could please excuse me, Sati, I really do have to get back to work. I hate to say it, but Aria Felasse Tolan is reaching the end of her life. I must make the transition as smoothly as possible.”
“I understand. Hey, when you’re done, maybe we can go out on a date later!” Arine was surprised at the sudden proposition, but didn’t seem hesitant about it in the least, and nodded enthusiastically. Aseria nearly had an aneurism.
“WILL YOU STOP FLIRTING WITH HER AND HELP ME OUT, YERIMAN!!!”
“I’m not flirting!” she wailed, and jumped in to break up the fight. Sati kicked Lil as hard as she could in the stomach, and pushed Aria with all her might. She got a knuckle sandwich to the face for her first effort (even though Lil did go down), and a fire spell to her tail for the second (which Marsa quickly helped put out).
“Damn— kuff, kuff— you’re strong, bitch! Shit! We should…wrestle sometime…ugh.”
“It’s no more than you deserve for attacking my sister like that!” Aseria yelled. “As for you, Aria, I am sorry for neglecting you, but Lillith— I mean, Lillianne is…well, she’s special to me. You are the love of my life, Aria, and nothing will ever change that, but…there’s just something that compels me to be with her. I can’t explain it. It’s as if forces beyond my reckoning are keeping us together.”
“To hell with that!” she shouted. “Open your eyes! She’s a witch!”
“All right, that’s enough soap operas for today,” Marsa said, stepping between them all. “Let’s try and solve things peacefully. First off, I’m glad that Sati and Miss Laval have come to terms. Secondly, we should all lay down our arms and bury our hatchets for her highness’s homecoming. Lord Barbarossa and I have been invited to her welcoming banquet, and I’d like for all of you to come as our guests. We should be raising our cups today, not our swords. Miss Laval, do you truly mean to kill this young lady, when she has done you no wrong?”
“Sorry, but it’s this whole death thing. If I don’t take her, she’ll wither up from her disease and end up worse than before. I’d be doing her a favor.”
“We don’t need your favors,” Aseria snarled. Grave sighed in defeat.
“I can wait for another time if it’s really that important to everyone, but I will come back. You can’t stop death, not even if you’re a Sindar.”
“Fair enough,” Marsa replied.
“Who made you the high councilor?” Aria groaned as her maids lifted her to her feet. As she limped back to her half-sister, the elf quietly murmured the incantation for the Soul Reaver, an attack she claimed could slay immortals. She would wait until the proper moment to reveal her true intentions.
“I don’t see anybody else trying to calm you thugs down. And I am a Priestess, or I was, at any rate.”
“She’s the best candidate in my opinion,” Barbarossa said. He noticed Aria chanting something but didn’t think too much of it until she approached Lil, who was still doubled over in pain. Marsa was perched over the fallen Mun, trying to recover her body if not her pride, hence the Dutchman’s sudden concern. He didn’t know what the princess had planned, but he had sworn to protect the Lady Rosemont at all cost, and rushed in to save her from whatever mischief was in store. Of course, he also rescued Lillianne in collateral— and was right in the line of fire when Aria struck.
“If there was a god, this would kill him. SOUL REAVER!!!”
The entire world seemed bathed in an unnatural rainbow-hued light, as if a second sun had come to shine on the dark side. The oceans shivered, and waves crashed against the forbidden shores all across the globe. The floating cities vibrated, the citizens fearful for their lives. The air became so thick that it absorbed all sound, and so for one brief instant, there was silence throughout the whole planet. Most dramatically, though, the sun in the sky seemed to sink a little faster for a moment, before it resumed its normal pace. This happened because for that one moment in time, all of Alfheim raced four hours ahead on its axis, one for each of the moons that floated in the heavens, alarmed at what they were witnessing. The Deplorable Craft had been revealed for the first time in eons, fully concentrated on one man.
Although the flash of light was not blinding, nobody could see for a few seconds. Barbarossa was bathed by it as the Soul Reaver took control of his body and, gradually, devoured him whole, breaking his molecular structure down and throwing his atoms into a vacuum. It all happened in a matter of seconds but the aftershock of such a horrifying attack would last for the remainder of the week as the coastline suffered flooding, clocks everywhere would have to be reset, and the cities would be in need of small repair. Aseria, Lillianne, Sati, Grave, and Marsa stood gaping in a circle, stupefied and silent. Aria was the only one that could move, and she only moved to drop into unconsciousness.
“Holy shit burgers,” said Lil. It was definitely the most eloquent thing to say at the time. The others gradually broke away from the shock: Aseria rushed to her sister’s side, Grave ran fingers through her hair, thankful that she had avoided a similar fate, and Sati, well… Sati took a little longer to recover. Marsa was at least in a somber mood, and knelt down to examine the area where the Dutchman last stood. Emotions swirled and clashed in her heart— love, grief, sorrow, joy, relief, amazement, gratitude, guilt— they overpowered her and drew tears from her eyes.
“Oh, Hendrick…are you really gone? Did that do it? Are you free? I’m ashamed to admit that I did not want this moment to come so soon…but all the same, I am glad for you. No suffering now shall you endure. For thy eternal years you gave me life anew— you saved two souls for thy own! I thank you, Aria, though you did not mean for this to happen. He may rest now.” Marsa put her palms together and closed her eyes in solemn prayer. Sati finally snapped out of it as Grave shook her.
“Hey, are you all right? Get a hold of yourself!” She blew an exhausted breath.
“That was really freaky.”
……
Rather than stay and bid her sister a painful farewell, Aseria left as soon as the ceremonies for her promotion were over, telling no one of her plans save her parents. Valorien also parted for the alliance meeting; he understood his daughter’s desire to return to work, and did not urge her to stay longer than she needed. Aria’s maids would have to explain everything once their mistress woke from her long slumber, and there was no doubt that she would be stricken by the news. But she would endure the loneliness: it gave her prime opportunity to eliminate all of her sister’s enemies and rivals, from the youngest infant to the oldest noble, men and women alike, until her sister’s path to the throne was cleared. Perhaps one day she would be reunited with her sister once and for all, slay the demon that had ensnared her, and live out the rest of her life in servitude and devotion. The Venusian medicine Aseria left behind would see to that.
True to their word, Grave and Sati abandoned the planet for other pursuits, neither one finding any reason to return in the future. Grave despaired at her work but was overjoyed to find a new friend; Sati was merely excited and anxious for their date. What would her parents think, she wondered, if she told them she was courting Death herself? Or Kaori, for that matter! It would’ve been disturbing if it weren’t so funny.
And so, in spite of a rather monumental setback, life on Alfheim resumed its stagnant course, with politics swirling just as the oceans below and the breeze above. Corina Guardea spent her days tending to matters of state, and her nights in the arms of temporary lovers, as it was custom for people to do when their husbands or wives left. Aria soaked her hands with blood and watched as her maids loved her, and each other. And on a cold, windswept plain, not far from the landing platform for vehicles commuting from the Imperial Palace, a small pile of ash was gradually forming, slowly gaining shape, as winds blew more flakes and particles together, until a mass had grown over long patient hours. From this mass came a form— indistinguishable at first, but eventually turning into something familiar, something alarming— something that was alive.
A loud gasp signaled the dawn of a new day.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Preview of next chapter
Shana: Stupid ship! Go faster! My brother’s not going to wait forever, you know!
Lyara: Yeah, hurry up! The further we are away from that godforsaken world, the better.
Sharyn: What dost thou mean, love?
Lyara: Oh, Sharyn, it was awful! They wouldn’t even let me set foot there! And I’m an elf, for crying out loud!! Waaaaaah!!
Sharyn: Ssh, it’s okay, those xenophobes can’t hurt you now.
Lyara: (sniffle) Can we snuggle, please? I’m feeling neglected.
Sharyn: That’s why I love her, folks!
Shana: …A-huh. Aaaaaanyway, we’re headed straight for Epitaph, right?
Naja: Tch, I wish! No, it’s… (grumble-grumble)
Shana: What? I can’t hear you. What did you say?
Naja: I said it’s time for… (mumble-mumble)
Lyara and Sharyn: Lalalalalala, lalalalala!!
Shana: ……
Naja: ……Look, I don’t wanna talk about it, all right?!
Allegra: Could it be that time of the month? Or worse— that time of the year?!
Kate: Elshyrin are dangerous when they shed their skin.
Naja: I’M SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIED NOW, YA JACKASSES!!! THERE, YA HAPPY!!!??
Shana, Kate, and Allegra: ……Whoa.
Sharyn: I’ll say! Heeheehee!!
Shana: Urgh, can’t we just skip it?! My brother’s in danger!
Naja: Shana, you’re a woman after my own heart! In the next chapter, I do everything I can to avoid the prison of matrimony! Up to and including murder!
Everyone: Hooray!!
Naja: It’s the day I’ve been dreading, next time in, “The Marriage of Naja Elapidae: brute of a bride!” Wish me luck!
Kate: Hey, we wanna cuddle, too!
Allegra: All RIGHT! Cuddle party!
Everyone: Hooray!!
Naja: I love you guys! (hearts!)
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