Chapter Four, Part Two
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All she saw was a sheet of blinding light and then they were there. Arilyn found herself standing in dirt and surrounded by chunks of rocks floating in the smoky air. The ceiling was gone as well as the walls. She coughed and waved a hand in front of her face to clear some of the smoke. Was this the throne room? Could a battle between two demons have caused all this? Speaking of which, where was Overlord Krshin and the other demon?
A crimson wolfr12;a hundred times larger than that of Jaya’s wolf formr12;appeared heading to them. A jolting feeling screamed in her to run but a firm hand held her shoulders and pulled her toward the crimson wolf sharply. “What are you doing?” she cried out.
“Down!” Kiran’s voice ranged clear as Jaya shielded them from a crackling black light.
Where did that come from? thought Arilyn. She watched the black sparks ran down Jaya’s clothes and dissipated upon hitting the ground. That was when she saw a demon, standing off to the side where a wall had been. The demon had glowering amber eyes and scaled silver skin. The demon flickered a purple tongue before zipping out of sight.
“What you all doing here!” The crimson wolf was over them in a protective stance.
“Pa! We’ve come to stop you,” said Jaya.
“In the middle of a battle? Are you insane?” roared Krshin and then looked warily from side to side for his enemy.
“Listen, Pa!” yelled Jaya.
“No, you listen to me! I don’t have much time. Protect your Ma and Miss Arilyn!” said Krshin. He jumped back and howled deeply. A red wave of wind sprung out of the ground and enveloped him in a tight cocoon.
“Ah,” a voice echoed, “back up, Krshin?”
“Shut up and show your ugly face right now!” raged Jaya.
“Shouldn’t we listen to your father?” said Arilyn and eyed the red cocoon. What was Jaya’s father up to?
“Miss Arilyn is right. Krshin knows best and besides, I do not see Harduke. She would’ve been here by now. I’m afraid….” Kiran hesitated.
“That old coot is hard to die,” said Jaya. She turned around and chanted rapidly as a wall of white light formed around Kiran and Arilyn. “You two stay with in the barrier”
“What about you?” said Arilyn, touching the barrier and feeling it deflect her fingers. “You are not going to fight that demon?”
Jaya cracked her knuckles. “I’ll be fine. Just need to beat Eirabas before Pa breaks out.” She hooked a thumb at the red cocoon. “He’ll be dead if Pa does.”
Arilyn nodded. She had seen Jaya defeat the demons coming here and Kiran’s confidence in her daughter abilities was a bit, even though she thought it was ludicrous, of an assurance that Jaya would be fine. At least she hoped Jaya would be so she wished the halfling well. “Alright. Be careful.”
“Make Eirabas eat the dirt,” said Kiran.
“Okay, Ma,” said Jaya.
Arilyn watched Jaya turned around, her back facing them, and took a step forward. She did not see Eirabas anywhere and Krshin, whatever he was doing, made her get the feeling that Jaya’s barrier was more than just protecting them from Eirabas.
“What don’t you show yourself and fight me? Hiding is very cowardly,” shouted Jaya with her arms spread out haughtily.
“I will not be so foolish as to fall for that.” Eirabas ranged out clear but it did not betray where he was. “As long as Krshin does not know where I am, he can do nothing.”
“Pa will not come out until you show yourself and YOU won’t show yourself unless Pa comes out. You see a problem? It’s a stalemate and we all might as well die standing here,” said Jaya.
“She makes a good point,” said Arilyn under her breath.
“That demon never thinks his plans thoroughly,” whispered Kiran to Arilyn.
Arilyn couldn’t help but smirk a little despite the seriousness of the situation.
“Do not mock me elves!” shouted Eirabas.
“Oh, I did not know reptiles had ears and, my, rude for eavesdropping between conversations between two ladies,” said Kiran with a slight tilt in her voice.
“Muahaha, nice one Ma,” said Jaya.
“I should just come over there andr12;oh! No, you little elf! You almost tricked me!” shrieked Eirabas.
“So are we just going to stand around?” asked Jaya while scratching her head. She did not know what to do. Her father can stay in that cocoon for weeks but her Ma and Arilyn they were not like demons. Their ancestors did not evolve in climates where food and water was scarce. And her? She wasn’t sure but she figured she would outlast a little longer before succumbing to hunger and thirst.
Does he intend to do this? Kill us through starvation and thirst? Then it dawned upon her. She looked. And didn’t Thantos said the throne was surrounded? The sounds of battle that should be surrounding them, were non-existent. Have they somehow been isolated under a spell?
She quickly turned to where they had appeared and did not see the glyph that carried them here. Her eyes widen. Al-Azim had tricked them. He was in lieu with Eirabas all this time!
“What’s wrong darling?” asked Kiran.
“We’ve been tricked,” gritted Jaya.
“Oh! You’ve figured it out so quickly!” said Eirabas happily. “Isn’t this the perfect entrapment?”
A slit in the sky opened and thee demons fell down, landing on their feet with grace. Jaya could smell strong magic over them and knew the trio had recently been in a great battle. Her lips curled as the demon in the middle took a step forward. “Shriva,” she growled.
Shriva bowed. “Greetings, young master.” She straightened herself and saluted to the sky. “King Eirabas, sorry for the delay. The sage was more difficult to dispose of.”
“Muahaha! Good, good!” said Eirabas in giddiness.
“Harduke killed? That’s like the sky falling,” said Jaya.
“Sage Harduke was a worthy opponent. She even manage to kill Eimos and Drayruga before expiring by my hands,” said Shriva.
“Bah! I don’t believe it,” said Jaya.
Shriva shrugged. “I care not if you don’t believe me.” She addressed again to the sky. “Your orders, m’lord--”
Jaya sprung forward, her fist smashing into Shriva’s abdomen. “What the?”
Shriva stood with a wide grin.
Jaya pushed harder, giving all her body weight into her fist until she could feel the skin of her knuckles breaking apart. Shriva did not budge nor wince with pain.
“What an impudent little mutt,” said Shriva and flung Jaya backward with a simple flick of her wrist.
“Oof!” Jaya landed on her back and almost had the wind knocked out of her. She kicked herself up into a squat. “Damnit!”
“Kill the mutt and the elves,” said Eirabas.
“What of Overlord Krshin?” asked Shriva and looked warily at the red cocoon. “He can come out at anytime and will not just let me kill his family.”
“I will deal with him. You just do as I say,” said Eirabas.
A ball of magenta color appeared next to the red cocoon and deep purple and crimson electricity exchanged between the two fiercely.
Jaya clenched her teeth. The outlook was not looking good for them. In the corner of her eyes, she took a quick glance at her ma and Arilyn. They stood there, watching her and Shriva with worried looks. No, I will not lose today. I will not let Ma and Arilyn die! Especially the latter to whom she made a promise and she always keeps her promise. But what can she do?
Shriva crossed her arms in a relaxing manner. “I’ll be nice and let you make the first move.”
“And what of those two?” asked Jaya as she looked at the two other demons standing on either side of Shriva.
Shriva waved a hand. “Stand down,” she said to them.
“But his lord,” protested one of the demons.
Shriva’s hand struck out and snapped the demon’s neck. She threw away the limping body and turned to the remaining demon.
“Of course, Miss Shriva,” said the demon quickly and bowed away.
“Shall we?” said Shriva to Jaya.
Jaya nodded. First move, eh? she thought. She began circling around Shriva, thinking of a way she could defeat her enemy in one swoop. She needed to for the longer the fight extend, the stronger Shriva becomes. She thought back a month ago where she challenged Shriva and her cronies.
It was devastating as it was a life lesson. The pain from that awful defeat nagged in her mind. In a moment of overconfidence, she had expended too much energy and Shriva struck her on the back, ending that fight.
“Thinking about last time?” said Shriva mockingly.
Jaya stopped in front of Shriva and crossed her arms over her chest. “I think you should make the first move,” she smiled and she plopped down into a sitting position on the ground.
“What are you up to?” said Shriva as she took a step forward.
Jaya’s smile became wider. “Gotcha.”
The ground where Jaya had circled glowed within it turned pitch black.
“What is this crap?” exclaimed Shriva as her feet sunk into the blackness like quicksand.
“A little spell I picked up shortly after you kicked my ass,” said Jaya. She continued to smile but she began to perspire above her brow. She was already tired and this spell was making it worse. She bowed over a little and took a gulp, trying to placate a strange feeling, not her feelings by any means, creeping up from her stomach. Brick. Stone cold. Pain. Betray.
Sticky black hands shot out of the blackness and clung onto Shriva.
“Grah!” screamed Shriva. She ripped the hands but more would sprout up in their place. “What hell is this?”
“A thousand hands, shadows of the dead,” chanted Jaya. No! Pain. I. Please, stop! Jaya closed her eyes tightly and continued to chant, trying her best to ignore the voice. Voice? This was not her inner voice. Who’s voice is it then? There was something awfully familiar.
“Don’t stand there, Gheshna! Help me,” screamed Shriva before a hand covered her mouth. More hands sprung up and latched onto her like leeches.
“Yes, Miss Shriva,” said Gheshna who withdrew his blade and charged forward at Jaya.
“Watch out, Jaya!” shouted Arilyn.
The voice is outside? Jaya’s eyes fluttered open. The blackness around Shriva rippled away like a drop in still water and the barrier around her ma and Arilyn disappeared. Gone. I signed it away. Traitor. Guilty. She covered her ears. “Goddamit! You’re not my voice!” she shouted and sprung onto her feet.
Jaya felt the sword slide into her abdomen and out her back.
The pain came afterward.
“Kkr, f-fucking shithead,” said Jaya. Blood dribbled out the corners of her mouth as she extended her black nails and slashed her right hand forward.
Gheshna’s body slid apart onto the ground without a sound.
Jaya gripped the handle of the sword and pulled it out as she staggered back.
“Jaya!” Her ma and Arilyn caught her.
“Hold still, Jaya!” said Arilyn. She took a sleeve of her dress and ripped it off.
Ah, it was her voice, realized Jaya as she looked up to see the golden haired elf pressing a torn piece of cloth over her abdomen.
“Keep your eyes open, Jaya!” urged her ma.
“Lucky me. I thought that mutt finally had the upper hand,” sneered Shriva. She had recovered from Jaya’s spell and she was ready to kill them all. She flexed her muscles and began marching over to them.
All hell. Damn Shriva. Jaya held her ma’s and Arilyn’s hand. Was this the end? Had she failed?
“Kuku, I hope I’m not late!” Harduke’s voice crackled over the entire area before a white light flashed over.
Now the sky was filled with the smoke of battles and the cries of fighting boomed in the air. Harduke stood between Shriva and the trio.
“I killed you,” said Shriva in shock.
Harduke lifted her iron staff and jutted the tip at Shriva. “Ah, you thought you killed me. I just did a little smoke and mirrors so that I could escape and go fetch my staff,” she said. “Kuku, I didn’t expect you to be gone when I returned.”
“Ha! I knew she was bullshitting when she said killed you,” said Jaya.
“You idiot! Did I not say to take the Lady and Miss Arilyn to safety?” berated Harduke.
“Er, I thought you meant that I protect them?” smiled Jaya weakly. “I failed that.”
“Never mind,” said Harduke. “Lady Kiran,” she threw a small pouch she retrieved from under her robes to the dark elf,” medicine for Jaya’s wounds. Miss Arilyn, will you come to me please.”
“Uh,” hesitated Arilyn. What was Harduke up to?
“Do you trust me?” asked Harduke.
Arilyn nodded.
“Then come here and pick up that sword by the way,” said Harduke.
The elven princess obeyed but wondered why she had to pick up the sword stained with Jaya’s blood. She grasped the handle awkwardly as she picked up the sword and walked over to Harduke.
Harduke jutted her staff at Shriva again. “You are going to fight her.”
“What?” said both Shriva and Arilyn.
“Jaya is hurt and her ma is taking care of her. That leaves only you to fight Shriva for I can not touch her,” said Harduke.
“Were you playing me as a fool all this time?” asked Shriva.
“Of course. Didn’t you see how fast I took down your friends? I would’ve took you down just like them if it were not a promise I made to your grandmother that I would not touch anyone from her family. She said nothing about something else touching. Hence, I had to get my iron staff,” explained Harduke.
“Then why don’t you fight her since you DO have your staff,” said Arilyn. She knew nothing of fighting and had always relied on others to come to her aide from her sister to Allegra.
“Because I don’t feel like it,” said Harduke simply. “C’mon, it’ll be fun!”
“You’re crazy! I don’t know anything about fighting,” said Arilyn.
“Oh, but I get to touch YOU!” said Harduke. “Here, let me show you.” She grabbed Arilyn by the arm. “Whatever happens, don’t drop the sword!”
“W-wait, hey,” said Arilyn as Harduke spun them around toward Shriva.
“One and two and three and four!” Harduke struck out with her hand, staff and feet, directing Arilyn’s body like a puppet.
In less than eight quick steps, Shriva went down with a blow from the pommel of Arilyn’s swordr12;guided, of course, by Harduker12;to her chest.
Shriva staggered back and shook her head in disbelief. “Not even a flick of magic,” she murmured. She was defeated with no magic! This was something of a rarity in Arangkor.
“Magic is not everything. Only partial to the complete picture,” said Harduke while waggling a finger at Shriva.
Feeling ashamed, Shriva bowed her head. “You are truly fit for the title as Sage. I would normally concede defeat, however, I must obey my king.”
“Your pa,” pointed out Harduke.
Shriva went red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”