|A couple hours ago|
Paper crinkled against rough palms as the carriage seemed to go over every bump in the road.
"Good thing we were with each other when the letter came in! Saves us some travel time don't you think!" Phoebe giggled, glancing over the contents of the letter.
"The sooner we get there, the better," replied Araht. "To summon all of us, the situation must be royally out of hand."
"Hmm, I agree. I imagine the High Council's already trying to move in. Y'know for an organization that's meant to keep the best interest of the people in mind, they hardly consider how their actions affect said people. I could—"
Phoebe's rant was cut short by the sudden halt of the carriage, throwing Araht and Phoebe right off their seats.
"What was—"
Araht slapped her hand over Phoebe's mouth, shushing her.
The roof of the carriage began tearing open. Before Araht and Phoebe could flee, a spear shot through the roof, pinning Araht's ankle to the bottom of the carriage. She hissed through her teeth, attempting to pull the spear from her ankle only to be interrupted by the door tearing open. Phoebe tried to block the intruder but was met with a rather violent greeting. There was little time between the door opening and the smell of fresh blood filling the air. When Araht looked up, Phoebe's head was tilted back at an alarming angle and blood was flooding forth from the deep gash on her neck.
Araht ripped the spear from her ankle with haste and tumbled out the other door crawling away quickly from the carriage.
"And just where do you think you're going?"
Araht whipped around, using the spear to block the intruder's attack. "What is it you want? You attack us yet hide your face? Unmask yourself, coward!"
The masked intruder laughed heartily. "Lady Araht, you are in no position to be making demands of me. Do forgive me, it is not in my nature to treat women as harshly as this but the situation is unfortunately beyond my control."
Araht used her other leg to try and kick the masked intruder's feet out from beneath him but unfortunately for her, he was quick to react and nimbly dodged her before stomping on her injured ankle, breaking her foot entirely and earning himself a pained scream.
"Don't worry, I shall put you out of your misery quickly, just as I did with your friend."
In an effort not to waste any more time chatting, The masked man swung his weapon down again, severely injuring Araht's hands when she tried to block again. Now exposed, he swung again. Blood splattered against the shrubbery and tree trunk behind her, staining the greenery with what was once her life's essence.
When he was certain that she was dead, he pulled his mask down putting his hand out. A crow flew gracefully onto his extended hand and looked at him, awaiting his order. "Inform Gwyenevere that I've disposed of two Eclipse Order members." The crow's eyes flashed red and it flew off to deliver the message, leaving Favian to clean up the mess he had made.
"Hopefully Anduran will have similar luck. I don't want to think of the fit Gwyen will throw if we return unsuccessful."
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Luck as it were, was certainly not in the Eclipse Order's favour. Anduran had found himself standing upon a similar messy scene. His legs were coated in a thick pool of blood, having just stomped Themis' skull into the ground until nothing was left save for its pulpy remains.
Takeru had put up more of a fight but was not as skilled at fighting on land and it was beginning to take a toll on him. "You think getting rid of us will do anything? I know you people are lacking in common sense but you greatly underestimate Solaria's strength my friend."
"I shall let you believe that if it is was gives you solace in your last moments." Without another word spared to Takeru, Anduran grabbed him by his horns and dragged his weakened body towards the fire pit in the center of Themis' chambers. "However, I am not so merciful to spare a quick death to those who undermine the authority of the High Council."
Takeru's eyes widened in horror when he realized what was about to happen. Without an ounce of strength left in him, he was unable to do anything when Anduran shoved his face into the fire, holding him there until his gut-wrenching screams ceased and the heavy silence of death filled the chambers.
Satisfied with his work, Anduran made his way over to the balcony, greeting the crow that had come for him with a scratch on the head. "Send word that the task has been completed." The crow's eyes flashed red before it took off just as the one before it had.
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
The crows gathered around Gwyenevere whispering their messages to her. A wicked smile formed on her lips as she stared down at Vanaleigh.
"It seems your faith in your comrades was for naught."
"Spare me your nonsense hag!" Spat Vanaleigh.
"It's alright. I shall overlook your impudence and swiftly send you to meet them."
Vanaleigh had been putting up quite the fight, but she wasn't as skilled against opponents who used magic. Gwyenevere had trapped her in a magical sphere, preventing her from calling for backup. Instead, she was forced to shield herself against Gwyenevre's barrage of magical attacks until she was worn out and at her limit.
Realizing she would not be able to hold on for much longer, Vanaleigh cried out in desperation one last time. "The Council's will is not the will of the people! You are a selfish disgrace to those you claim to protect!"
Gwynevere scowled. "I wouldn't expect a follower of that tyrant to understand. Worry not, I shall rid the world of your ignorance."
Sword in hand, Vanaleigh stood defiant against a blast of fire from Gwynevere's staff. The magical sphere around them shattered and the remains of Vanaleigh's burnt body came down with it. Gwynevere looked down on the woman's disgraced corpse with a look of indignation.
"No one will be getting in our way."76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5CPcv2KZW
