Chapter 57 - Helios (Part 6)
Helios's hand instinctively moved to a concealed weapon, his fingers curling around the hilt. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing. "Roxana, what aren't you telling me?" His tone was taut with suspicion.94Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaLdE0W4D3
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Roxana turned to face Helios, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She cocked her head to one side, a lock of hair falling across her face. "Oh, nothing much," she purred, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "Just that Ossa might have a few... surprises."
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As she spoke, grotesque shapes emerged from the mist behind her, their growls rising in a menacing crescendo. The creatures' forms twisted and writhed, all teeth and claws and malevolent intent.
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Helios's eyes widened, pupils dilating with shock. His sword slid free with a metallic hiss, the blade gleaming in the dim light. "Roxana!" he shouted, his voice sharp with urgency. He dropped into a fighting stance, muscles taut and ready.
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But Roxana merely smiled, her posture relaxed and unconcerned. Her eyes drifted closed as if savoring a pleasant memory, long lashes brushing against her cheeks. "You know," she mused, her tone light and conversational, "I've always thought monsters make the best party crashers."
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The creatures lunged forward, claws extended and jaws gaping. Saliva dripped from yellowed fangs as they barreled towards the pair. In one fluid motion, Roxana raised her hands, her smile never faltering. Suddenly, the air crackled with energy, the hairs on Helios's arms standing on end. A burst of deep purple light erupted from her palms, illuminating her face with an otherworldly glow.
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The monsters' howls turned to shrieks of agony as dark flames engulfed them, reducing their forms to ash in seconds. The acrid scent of burnt flesh filled the air, thick and cloying.
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Roxana opened her eyes, her smile now tinged with satisfaction. She brushed a speck of ash from her sleeve with casual elegance. "See? I told you this place wasn't as abandoned as you thought."
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Helios stood frozen, his sword still raised, staring at the smoldering remains of their attackers. His chest heaved with rapid breaths, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and exasperation. "You... you could have mentioned that earlier," he managed, his voice hoarse.
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"And miss the look on your face?" Roxana laughed, the sound bright and melodious in the eerie silence. She stepped closer, patting his cheek playfully. Her touch was light, almost teasing. "Where's the fun in that?"
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Helios's face suddenly went blank, his expression unreadable. In one swift motion, he seized Roxana's hand that was touching his cheek, his grip firm but not painful. He leaned in close, looming over her with his imposing presence. His ruby-red eyes bore into hers, intense and unwavering.
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"Roxana," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Your power is impressive, but this isn't a game. Next time, warn me before you decide to incinerate our surroundings."
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Roxana's eyes widened, her smile remaining intact but now tinged with something akin to respect. She quietly snatched her hand back, holding it close to her chest with her other hand. Her gaze dropped, and in that moment, bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight filtering through the mist, she looked like a goddess descended from the heavens.
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With a sudden, graceful movement, Roxana turned and walked away quietly, her steps barely disturbing the eerie silence of Ossa.
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Helios let out a sigh that seemed to say "As expected" and followed her, his own movements careful and measured in the treacherous landscape.
-Night; Fortress of Ossa-
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As Helios and Roxana approached the fortress, its imposing silhouette materialized through the mist. Towering spires of obsidian pierced the night sky, their surfaces gleaming faintly in the moonlight. The fortress walls, seemingly carved from a single piece of dark stone, loomed before them, stretching impossibly high.
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At the base of the structure, a moat of swirling, inky water surrounded the fortress. A narrow bridge, barely wide enough for two to walk abreast, spanned the gap. As they crossed, the bridge creaked ominously beneath their feet, the sound echoing in the eerie silence.
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Reaching the main gates, they found themselves face to face with two Azone guards, their armor as dark as the night itself. Roxana stepped forward, her voice clear and commanding.
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"I am here to see your leader. Grant us entry."
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The guards exchanged glances, their expressions hidden behind ornate helmets. "We have no orders to admit visitors," one growled.
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Roxana's eyes narrowed. "I am the Princess of Kior, niece of your leader. You will let us pass."
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The second guard scoffed. "Anyone can claim a title. Prove it, or be gone."
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Frustration flashed across Roxana's face. With a swift motion, she pushed back her hood, revealing her face fully in the moonlight. Her hand moved to her cloak, pulling it aside to expose a brilliant sapphire necklace that seemed to glow with an inner purple flame.
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"This jewel of Kior should be proof enough," she declared, her voice tinged with impatience.
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The guards studied the necklace, then nodded reluctantly. "Very well. We will take you to the head of management. But know that you are watched."
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As they entered, the true scale of the fortress became apparent. Vast halls stretched in every direction, their ceilings lost in shadow. Staircases spiraled impossibly, defying the laws of physics. The air hummed with barely contained magical energy.
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They passed workshops filled with arcane apparatus, bubbling cauldrons, and floating crystals. In one chamber, a miniature galaxy swirled above a table, stars winking in and out of existence. In another, shadowy figures danced across the walls, enacting battles long past.
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Finally, they reached a grand door, intricately carved with scenes of conquest and power. The guards ushered them inside, where they found themselves in a spacious, dimly lit room. A massive window dominated one wall, offering a view of the misty landscape below. Before it sat a high-backed chair, its occupant hidden from view.
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Helios remained alert, his eyes scanning for potential threats as they awaited the revelation of the Azone leader.
-In the Leader's Study; Night in Ossa-
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The Azone guard announced, his voice echoing in the cavernous room, "My lady, a girl claiming to be your niece seeks audience."
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Roxana stepped forward, her posture regal despite the journey's toll. "I have come, Aunt," she declared, her voice steady but with a hint of challenge.
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A moment of tense silence followed, broken only by the faint hum of magical energies permeating the fortress. Then, a voice emanated from the chair, low and devoid of warmth. "Leave us," it commanded.
The guards bowed slightly and swiftly exited, the heavy door closing behind them with a resounding thud.
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Slowly, the high-backed chair rotated. The woman revealed had hair of a deep, burnt orange, cascading over her shoulders in intricate braids. Her face, framed by this fiery mane, bore piercing dark blue eyes that seemed to hold centuries of knowledge and power. Her chin rested on her fist, arm propped on the chair's ornate armrest, giving her an air of casual authority.
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Her expression was a mask of controlled anger, eyes narrowed as she regarded her expected visitors. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly, hinting at displeasure or perhaps disappointment.
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Helios remained outwardly calm, but his muscles tensed imperceptibly, ready for whatever might unfold in this tense reunion. The air in the room seemed to thicken, charged with unspoken emotions and the weight of history between aunt and niece.
The tension in the room grew palpable as the aunt's gaze shifted to Helios. Her eyes narrowed, voice laced with controlled anger as she spoke in Japanese, the language of the Kiorians.
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"Soba ni iru sono otoko wa dare da?"
Translation: "Who is that man beside you?" she asked, her controlled anger evident in her narrowed eyes.
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Roxana replied coolly, her posture remaining regal despite the hostility radiating from her aunt. "Koroshin no futago desu."
Translation: "The twin of the killer."
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The aunt's face turned neutral, though her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity. She crossed one leg over the other, leaning forward slightly in her chair. Her fingers drummed once on the armrest before she spoke again.
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"Naze kare wo tsurete kita no? Soshite, nani ga kimi wo kare to tomodachi ni saseta no?"
Translation: "Why did you bring him along? And what caused you to befriend him?" Her eyes glinted dangerously, her face taking on a menacing aspect.
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Roxana stood her ground, her chin lifting slightly as she responded. Her voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of determination.
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"Kare wa watashi ga ryuu no honoo no chikara wo motsu kodomo wo umu tame no shokubai ni naru deshou. Watashi wa sono jouken wo mitasu koto ga dekiru to kakushin shiteimasu."
Translation: "He'll be the catalyst I'll use to give birth to a child that will bear the powers of the dragon flames. I'm aware and I am confident I can meet the conditions to give birth to a child capable of such a miracle."
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The aunt's eyes widened in shock, her composure cracking for a moment. She half-rose from her chair, her voice rising.
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"NANI WO ITTERU NO? Ryuu wa-"
Translation: "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SPOUTING? Dragons are no-"
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Roxana interrupted, her voice firm. "Watashi wa sono jouken wo mitasu koto ga dekiru to kakushin shiteimasu."
Translation: "I'm aware and I am confident I can meet the conditions to give birth to a child capable of such a miracle."
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The aunt gritted her teeth violently, sinking back into her chair. Her fingers gripped the armrests tightly as she spoke, her voice strained with barely contained frustration.
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"Demo, sonna ni nagai jikan matenai! Keikaku wo hajime, kougeki wo tateru, Azones wo kunren shi, jouhou wo atsumeru hitsuyou ga-"
Translation: "But we can't wait that long! We need you to begin the plan, strategize the attacks, train the Azones, gather information and-"
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Roxana cut her off again, her voice level but firm. "Domino kara tasukemasu."
Translation: "I will help from Domino."
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The aunt's patience was clearly wearing thin. She leaned forward, her eyes flashing with anger.
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"Dame da! Dominion ni anata no shigoto wo sukoshi demo shiraretara ikenai. Hisoka ni yattemo, itsuka wa baresou. Wareware ga dore dake okure wo totte iru ka wakaru? Moshi Alizah ga saki ni kougeki shitara dou suru? Anata wa sonna ni eagerly ni karera no shokuji ni naritai no?"
Translation: "You cannot! We can't let the Dominions know of your work to the slightest. Even if you do it secretly, you will be caught one way or another. Can't you see how far behind we are? What will we do if the Alizahs attack first? Do you wish to become their meal so eagerly?"
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Roxana remained calm, though her hands clenched slightly at her sides. "Dakara koso, ryuu no ko wo umu koto de warera no shouri wo yakusoku shiyou to shiteiru no desu."
Translation: "That's why I have been suggesting bearing a child of the Dragon so our victory is promised."
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The aunt's face contorted with a mix of anger and frustration. She stood abruptly, her voice rising to a near shout.
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"Demo, sono ko wa dou naru? Anata ya sono ko ga tashika ni ryuu no honoo wo motsu to dare ga hoshousuru no? Mou anata no orokana kangae ni wa kyoumi ga nai. Ichi-nen dake ataeru. Moshi umareta ko ga hontou ni ryuu no honoo no mochiushi nara, yorokonde sodatete. Sou de nakereba, umanakatta you ni Ossa ni modotte kuru koto. Kore ga saigo no kotoba da. Anata no jinsei nado dou demo ii. Anata wa watashi no tsubasa no shita ni ari, watashi no meirei dake ni shitagau beki da. Sou de nakereba, anata no kawaii kyoudai-tachi wo tsugi no shokuji ni shiyou."
Translation: "But what about the child? What guarantees or promises us that you can surely or that child will surely bear the dragon flames, huh? I don't care anymore about your foolish little ideas. I'll give you 1 year, and if the child born is actually a dragon flames owner then gladly raise it, if not, do not even dream about it and return to Ossa like you never gave birth. That is my final word regarding you. I don't give a shit about your f*cking life or whatsoever, you are under my wing and shall listen to me only and act as I command, or else, I will have your sweet little siblings as my next meal."
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Throughout this heated exchange, Helios remained silent, his muscles tense and ready for action. Though he couldn't understand the words, the aunt's increasingly aggressive body language and tone made it clear that her intentions were far from benevolent. His eyes darted between Roxana and her aunt, prepared to intervene if necessary.
To be Continued...
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