- NUALLIS -
The blonde demon and his minions stood at the steps of an abandoned office building. They say there's someone dressed in black, Cordis had said, prowling around. Nuallis was sitting at the foot of a stone statue of a lion that guarded the structure when she saw the winged beast swoop down from above, it's white feathers making it look like a star against the dark and heavy rain clouds.
Nuallis leaped off the stone and sprinted towards the building's double doors. Cordis swung his head as he watched the elementalist trip over the steps.
"It's her," Nu screamed at Cordis, "she's—"
The bolt that caught Nu's calf sent her falling to the concrete. When she tried to move, pain shot up from her leg. The tip had grazed her, making a deep cut.
This is it, thought Nu as she crawled up the steps, at least mama will be there ... But then the words of Cordis came unbidden in her head. If you die in the afterlife, that’s it, he had told her, no judgement, no peace, no existence. You’re done. The words scared her more than anything. No, this can't be the end. Granna, Mag, and Ike may think she is gone, but here, she had a fighting chance to return to them. And Van ...
She was still a little exhausted from her fight with Caecius, and the pain from her wound affected her focus. Even so, she turned, her back against the steps and tried to freeze the rainwater into spikes.
A hand from behind her rustled her hair. It was Cordis, and he gestured for her to stop her conjuring.
"Allow me, sweet lady." Cordis made that dark grin of his. "Let me show you how much of a gentleman I am."
He whistled and snapped his fingers to a few Umbras. The shades picked up Nu and carried her above the steps where an awning blocked off most of the rain. She awkwardly thanked the Umbra who, in turn, snarled in acknowledgment. Using a puddle made on the damaged floor, she drew the water from it and tried to heal herself, though her progress was slow.
Down below, the blonde twirled his scythe and tutted at the woman in red as she spurred her giant bird of a pet towards him.
"Now," began Cordis, "that was quite rude, shooting poor Nuallis."
"Hand over the girl, Cordis," demanded Ladnavia, her sinister playful tone absent, "don't waste my bloody time."
"Pray tell," pondered Cordis, "why?"
"My power over on this summoned beast is fading," explained Navi, "It won't be long before it has to return to its realm." She shot a glance at Nu. "Obviously, my Vandal is fond of her. She comes with me as a hostage, along with my husband, and we will return home through the portal this creature will make."
Nu became anxious when she heard Ladnavia's words. Most likely she would be used to hurt and control Van. Nu also knew she may never see her family again if Navi took her.
The Simurgh began to glow, it's light sputtering. It shifted wildly, but Navi gripped its feathers to remind it of its master.
"You have no use for her." Navi pointed at the elementalist. "And the gunner will bother you no more."
Cordis thought for a moment, rubbing a finger under his chin.
"No," he said, "I actually do have a use for her."
"Well then ... " the red woman responded, the rain making her wet red clothes as dark as blood.
- CAECIUS -
"What are you waiting for," the aeromancer asked Gideon, "you're not gonna save your boss?"
Gideon sighed as if the question was idiotic.
"Clearly, this is a duel." Gideon pointed to the minor umbras on the steps. "See how they watch? My master, as you seem to perceive him as, would rather not be interrupted."
"Such stupid rules," said Caecius as he made a move to take Nuallis as she sat injured, "only fools play such games when the stakes are this high."
Black tentacles slithered around Caecius, stopping him in his tracks.
"I do not know what kind of uncouth savages raised you," said Gideon as the tentacles tightened, one of them around his neck, "but as long as you are here, you will play by the house rules."
Caecius raised his hands in surrender and stepped back towards the Umbra.
"Rules, laws," uttered Caecius as Gideon released him, "they are all meant to be broken."
"I'll deem the same for your bones if you try anything," spat Gideon, his professionalism faltering.
He did not fear losing to the Umbra lord, yet he knew there would be consequences if he made things difficult for both him and Cordis. Caecius wondered why the two were dueling. Once allies, they intended to tear each other to shreds. He looked at Nu who watched in horror as Cordis and fought the red woman, her feathery mount beneath her. You'll be mine, he promised, I swear you will bring Neith back to me, if not ... The gunner would make decent leverage, mused Caecius.
There is no way that man Vandal could best him. He was not a master of the arts; he only knew how to enchant weapons and items. Take away his gun and axe and what was he? He could not manipulate flames, stem the flow of water, shake the earth, and call the winds. What a pitiful creature, one that pretended to be like his kind. Whatever vapid realm of weaklings he's from, death would be a mercy.
It was only that one they called Senshi who would be a proper adversary. The way she could mold the concrete from the buildings like clay made him quite glad that she defected. At least that is what Cordis told him. Hopefully, she would come soon and help put an end to this farce.
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