Chapter Text
The sun rises upon a small vibrant town, full of pink trees and expertly trimmed brushes. A glistening lake surrounds a picturesque castle standing proud at the end of town. Sunlight peeks its way into the castle’s bedroom, a soft looking room with a lavish bed in the center. A beautiful heavy set dark skinned girl with a large mess of soft curly pink hair lays gracefully upon it, awakened by the beams of light shining through the barely opened curtains. The girl rolls over not wanting to wake, but eventually gives in. Stretching up from the soft confines of the bed. The woman wipes the sleep from her eyes and puts on a gentle smile, ready for the day ahead.
The woman wanders into the room’s bathroom to clean herself up before heading back to the wardrobe. It’s filled with various puffy and frilled pink dresses. She looks over the selection with a serious face, which proceeds to turn to joy as she pulls one out. Now dressed, the woman finishes by gently setting a hot pink crown in her cloud of hair and skips out.
The princess strolls down the streets of her kingdom, waving to everyone else getting up and ready for the day. A group of small children come dashing up to her, pulling her dress, and yelling over each other.
“Please! Please! Do some magic for us!” The kids happily scream. The princess is startled, but quickly catches herself.
“Okay, watch this!” The princess uses her hands to form a ball of light which she throws in the air. The ball explodes into a colorful array of fireworks above the children. The children are wowed by the sight.
“Again! Again!” The children yell to the princess. The princess giggles at the children’s excitement before forming an array of flowers out of light around the children. The children go to pick them as the princess continues her stroll through the kingdom.
The princess makes it to the garden where others have already started watering the plants and trimming the brushes. They all wave to her as she approaches. The princess carefully sits herself down and creates a watering can with her hands as she begins to help. Watching the flowers brings the princess at peace as she just enjoys the morning sun and fresh smell of the garden. Not long after a mail lady dressed in blue and panicked comes rushing over to the princess, panting.
“A package…arrived for you princess. I tried..to make it here as fast as I could.” the mail lady huffs as she tries to keep herself from passing out.
“Oh, well I’ll go take a look then. Thank you, and get some rest, miss” the princess gently says to the mail lady, putting her watering can down. She gets up and pats the woman on her shoulder, giving her a soft smile before heading back to the castle.
Inside her room the princess finds a large, beautiful gift basket, wrapped in gold, and with a letter attached to it. The princess hesitates at the sight of it, thinking of just leaving it alone, but nervously grabs the letter. Inside the letter reads
“Dear Princess Elara, I hope this basket lightens your day. I am holding a ball at my castle and invite you to join me as my guest of honor. Take this basket as a welcoming gift. Signed The King.” It’s as she feared, Elara’s face scrunches in disgust at the letter and drops it to the floor.
“I wish he would stop trying. Can’t he take a hint?” Elara says to herself, collapsing onto her bed. She huffs out a sigh, before a loud bang sounds from outside the room. Startled, Elara shoots up. She sits there in fear of what’s to come, but nothing does. Slowly she climbs off the bed and heads towards the door. Listening in closely on the other side, she waits to hear anything else, only to still receive nothing but dead silence. Cautiously she tries the handle, and as she begins to creak the door open she feels a hard smack to the back of her head, knocking her out cold.
Elara slowly regains consciousness, feeling the dirt beneath her as she slowly struggles to pull herself up. Looking around she finds herself in a dense forest, the sound of scraping can be heard nearby. A cloaked woman covered in purple is sharpening a dagger, a mask over her mouth, and silver hair blocking one eye, with the rest obscured by her hood. The woman looks at the princess, gaze narrowed and intense as she stops sharpening.
“Where am I? Who are you?” Elara questions, clearly panicked. The mysterious woman gets up and steps closer to Elara, who tries to guard herself only to realize her hands are tied. “I-I’m warning you, I can..”
The woman’s face remains dead panned, unfazed by Elara’s threats.
“Do what?” the cloaked woman scoffs, “those ropes block your magic.”
“Please, don’t hurt me.” Elara shakes out, raising her arms to protect herself
“I don’t plan to. You are worth more unharmed.” The woman responds, putting her dagger away.
“Huh?” Elara questions, letting her guard down a bit.
“The King,” is all the woman says as she turns away, Elara huffs in annoyance.
“Of course it’s him.” Elara goans as she climbs off of the dirt and dusts herself off.
“Get moving.” The assassin commands Elara as she begins walking away. Elara stands still looking around for anything she recognizes, but then a snarl is heard from the woods. Elara jumps at the sound, and decides to do as told and follows behind the woman.
“So what’s in this for you? The money?” Elara questions, catching up to the woman.
“None of your business.” The woman responds.
“Come on, there’s gotta be something.” The princess retorts.
“It’s not of any importance to you.” The woman replies, speeding up her pace. Elara can clearly tell she’s hiding something so continues to try and poke her.
“Well then what about you? What’s your name? Where are you from? Where are we going?”
“I already told you, I’m taking you to the King. Who I am is of no concern.” The woman says, but before Elara could add anymore an arrow whizzes past the woman’s face and stabs itself into the ground. The woman stops in place and gestures to Elara to shh as they both stay still. A second later another arrow is shot, then another before back flipping out of the forest a man with a charming face and dressed in green lands gracefully in front of the ladies with a bow.
“Whoo! Excellent entrance!” Elara cheers at the stunning performance.
"Thank you, Thank you. Always nice to have someone who appreciates a good performance." The archer says with a flick of his luscious green hair. The archer takes a step towards Elara, but the other woman takes out her dagger to stop him from coming any closer.
"Woah, woah, woah there. No need for violence, I mean you two no harm. Why you always gotta be so trigger happy, don't you trust me." The archer calmly says to the woman. The woman is shooting him daggers as Elara just stares at the two confused. The archer refocuses his attention on Elara as he speaks again.
"Don't tell me that Ms. Dark and mysterious here never mentioned me." He fakes being taken aback.
"She doesn't need to know, and if you care about that face of yours you won’t interfere with my business" the woman threatens.
"Come on Verene, you don’t gotta be so serious all the time. How about we do this as a team, just like old times." The archer suggests Verene.
"I don't need your help, and I don't need you making me look bad. This mission is important, don’t get in my way." Verene says, pushing her dagger towards him.
“Important to whom? You, or mom.” The archer smugly responds. Verene hesitates for a second at those words, but shoots backs.
“Get out of my way.”
"Hm, fine. I was trying to be nice, but if you wanna make this difficult then so be it." The archer says drawing his bow again.
“Hey, hey! Don’t you both think this is a little much?” Elara says worriedly as both of them ignore her pleas.
The archer flips back to create distance and starts firing arrows at incredible speeds, but Verene expertly waves through them like water. She gets a hit on him before he changes anim to Elara and fires off another arrow. The arrow flies right towards Elara’ face, locked in fear she doesn’t move before out of nowhere Verene slices the arrow right in half mid air. She narrows her eyes and throws her dagger right at him, slicing his cheek and causing him to lose footing, falling to the ground. Before he can regain his composure Verene appears in front of him, crushing his hand with her boot and snapping his bow in half as she does so.
“Leave now.” Verene says through gritted teeth as she pulls her dagger out of the ground. The archer looks at her with anger before letting out a chuckle and relaxing again.
“The same as ever I see. Guess I should know better at this point then to mess with Lilith’s prized pupil.” He says before Verene slowly frees him from the ground. He brushes himself off before looking at the two girls again.
“See you around.” The archer says with a salute. “Oh, Verene, be careful out there. I know how Lilith can be.” He says genuinely before jumping off back into the forest, leaving the two girls behind. Verene looks on, taking in his words. Elara thinks of asking something, but before she can say anything Verene speaks.
“Don’t listen to him, it’s not important. Now come on.” She starts walking again, dragging Elara behind her.
Not long after the two find themselves heading towards the forest’s edge. As they cross over, the air becomes filled with the smell of freshly cut grass and a variety of sweet scents. Extending all around them is an open field painted with brightly colored flowers. Verene continues to stomp through the field, not paying it any mind only to hear a gentle hum from behind. The princess is laying as soft as a cloud on the ground as rays of warm light wash over her, a light breeze gently waving through her hair. She just stays there calmly watching the flowers. Verene begins to feel something whelming up within her, She hesitates to tell Elara to get up and so just stands there.
Elara turns to Verene with a soft smile on her face and gestures to sit with her. Verene looks back in the direction they were headed, a chill is sent up her spine, but against her better judgment she goes to sit on the grass. As time passes Verene starts to relax her body a bit.
“This place is so beautiful, I could stay here forever. It reminds me of the garden back home.” Elara softly explains. “What about you?” she asks, “Do you have anything like this back where you’re from?”. Verene doesn’t respond for a bit, but decides to answer.
“No,” she replies back, “nothing like this.”
“Well, treasure the moment and enjoy this a little bit longer.” Elara holds Verene’s hand as she gives a warm smile. A light blush forms on Verene’s face before she quickly pulls her hand away as she turns opposite from Elara.
“So it’s Verene is it?” Elara asks calmly
“Yes.”
“Well then Verene, nice to meet you!” Elara sticks her hand out towards Verene. Verene turns slightly to look at Elara, a welcoming smile on her face just waiting patiently for her to accept. She thinks about shaking it, but a voice reminds her that she isn’t here to make friends so she turns back away. Elara looks on sadly at Verene as she retracts her hand.
“Are you okay? That guy seemed to have really gotten to you.” Elara questions, trying to change the subject.
“Why do you care?” Verene shoots back. Elara doesn’t really know herself, but for some reason she sees something in Verene, that this isn’t really who she is.
“I was just wondering.” Is all Elara says back. The two sit in silence for a moment before Elara speaks again. “So who was that guy anyways?”
“Just someone I knew.” Verene replies, a hint of sadness in her voice. Elara wants to know more, but doesn’t push it seeing her reaction.
“What about that woman he mentioned, Lilith was it? He said you were her pupil right?” Verene tenses up at that question, a more serious expression replacing her melancholy one.
“It’s none of your business.” Verene states, trying her best to not sound bothered. Verene pushes herself up before speaking again. “We need to get moving, come on.” Verene commands as she begins moving forward again. Elara looks on with sadness, beating herself inside for making her uncomfortable, but gets up in kind and follows again. The two make it to the end of the field and head back into the forest.
The two of them wander through the forest for some time, the sound of rushing water growing closer the further they go until they find themselves in front of an old stone bridge crossing above a flowing river. The setting sun peaking through the treetops painting the surroundings in an orange glow. From across the bridge waddles out two small round metal robots, following behind them struts a fancily dressed person covered in grays and with a pair of glasses sat upon their face.
“Hello your majesty, it’s lovely to make your acquaintance.” The person speaks confidently with a smug expression. “Oh and you too Verene.” They continue with a hint of sarcasm.
“Mm, who are you?” Elara questions back while Verene just shoots daggers at them, unpleased with their presents.
“Why I’m just a humble engineer, no one nearly as important as yourself.” The person says, taking a bow. The two bots follow their lead before one loses balance and falls to the ground with a thud. The princess instinctively jumps back at the sound as the engineer looks to the bot annoyed before kicking it.
“Stupid bot.” The engineer mutters under their breath. “Sorry about that princess, these things aren’t the brightest, but how about we get you to the King. I’m sure the wait is just killing him” The engineer smugly responds as they begin walking towards the two. Verene pulls her dagger to the engineer stopping them from continuing.
“Why are you here Ether?” Verene questions. Unphased by the threats Ether answers back confidently.
“I’m here to pick her up. Your job is over, so go wherever it is you go when you’re not needed.” Verene just stands her ground though not moving. “You're just like Lilith, always so serious. Don’t worry, I already talked to her about this.”
“Is that so? Why didn’t she tell me then?” Verene shoots back.
“You know, plans change.”
“Really, or do you just want to steal credit from her.” Ether’s facade breaks as they start to be angered by Verene’s lack of cooperation.
“I might be below Lilith, but I’m still ranked above you. Now move out of the way so I can take ms. too much pink here to the King.”
“Hey!” Elara interjects.
“She’s mine!” Verene says as she smacks Ether across the face.
“How dare you! I’ll report you to the King for that, and no amount of being Lilith’s precious little girl will get you out of that one.” Ether yells.
“I’m sure Lilith will do much worse to you for taking her credit. Now leave!” Verene threatens as she readies herself.
“Oh so that’s how you want to play. Well then let’s play.” Ether says as they snap their fingers. A rumble is heard as out of the forest stomps a large heavy robot. The two smaller bots jump at the sound and run into each other, before hurriedly hiding away as the bigger one approaches behind Ether.
The large robot sucks in one of its hands before shooting out a large mace on a chain from where its hand once was. The mace shakes the ground with its impact, causing Elara to hide behind Verene as Ether just slides out of the robot's way. The robot slowly lifts the mace above its head before throwing it down towards Verene with immense force. Verene doges out of the way of the swing as the robot slowly pulls back up to go again. Verene races towards the bot, jumping into the air to go for a stab on its head, but the bot swings its mace up towards her before she can close the gap. Verene doges the attack mid-air, but lands back on the ground as the bot slams its mace back down near her. She moves out of the way and begins dashing up the chain itself before slicing it in half, leaving the mace stuck in the ground.
“Hey, that’s expressive you know!” Ether shouts from behind the robot, the robot looks to its now cut chain before swapping it back to a hand. It begins to smash its fists into the ground, trying its best to crush Verene under them, but she weaves in between the robot’s blows. Verene leaps into the air for an attack, but the robot blocks the attempt with its arm. She stabs right into it, but the robot uses its other hand to grab her, squeezing her tightly.
“Okay enough fun and games, this is starting to become very annoying.” Ether speaks, but Verene manages to cut one of the bot's fingers causing it to drop her. The robot goes in for another punch, but Verene jumps over it. However the robot sucks in its other hand and shoots out an ax head, catching Verene off guard as it slices her across the chest.
“Verene!” Elara shouts seeing her fall onto the ground limp, she races up to her.
“See what happens when you don’t listen. Should have just let me take the credit.” Ether speaks, but Verene is too hurt to reply. Her hood and mask were knocked off revealing her silver hair in full, and there is a big slash across her torso. She feels herself beginning to pass out as she tries to push herself off of the ground. Elara rushes over and grabs her, helping her sit up.
“No, no, no. You’re going to be okay, just stay awake” Elara panicky blunts out as she looks at the damage done to Verene.
“Pft, what’s this? You know she kidnapped you right? Why care about some no good assassin?” Ether says utterly confused watching the scene unfolding in front of them. “The King will be really unhappy if you get hurt so can you just move. I have something I need to finish.” Ether says as the robot sucks the ax back into its arm now using it as a gun and charging up a massive laser aimed directly at the two girls. Elara is terrified seeing the ball of light forming in front of them, but Verene uses the last of her strength to cut the rope binding Elara’s hands together.
Right as the bot is about to fire off the laser something slams right into its arm causing it to fire the laser into the forest instead as its arm flies up and around into the sky.
“What the heck was that!” Ether shouts only to see Elara standing free, she forms a spear out of light and throws it right into the chest of the robot. The bot stumbles from the hit, but quickly recovers and rips the spear out before hurling it back at Elara. Elara forms a wall in front of her as she ducks behind. The spear lodges itself into the wall safely. Elara peeks out to see the robot charging up another shot. Mustering all her strength she pulls the wall apart, shatting both it and the spear into small balls of light, which she pulls together into a large mass. With the last of her strength launches the mass into the barrel of the blaster causing it to backfire, exploding the robot’s arm apart. With that the robot loses its footing and crashes into the ground. As the bot begins to pull itself up Elara walks up, sweat dripping down her face, panting as she forms a shield. Elara hurls the shield into the robot's head, cutting right into it as the bot finally slumps over, offline. Elara collapses on one knee as she continues panting. Ether pulls at their hair as they let out a scream.
“Steambots go get her!“ The two small bots poke out from behind a tree, but seeing the damage done to the bigger one they hurriedly hide behind again. “Come back out here and make yourself useful already!“ Ether shouts, but the Steambots don't listen. When Ether turns back Elara is looming right in front of them with another shield in hand. Ether stumbles back in fear, but quickly catches themselves.
“You’re lucky the King wants you or I would take care of you myself!” Ether spits out, trying to sound threatening. “Come on Steambots, let’s get out of here.” Ether says stomping away as the two small, scared robots follow behind. With them gone Elara huffs out a sigh, but she looks back to Verene still injured and passed out. She picks Verene up and carries her into the forest.
Moonlight reflected across the lake’s surface, the cool air glittering with sparks from a soothing fire in the middle of the clearing. The glowing warmth of the flames encapsulates the two women who sat before it.
Verene sits motionless, staring deep into the flames that dance in front of them as Elara gently and slowly wraps a bandage around her exposed stomach. Once finished Elara lets go of Verene, staring patiently at her. They both just sit there staring at the peaceful sight before them, feeling the gentle breeze of the air and relaxing heat from the fire. Moments pass before Verene starts to speak up.
“Why did you protect me?” she asks gently, guilt and confusion creeping through her expression.
“You were in danger,” Elara said with a gentle smile, “I couldn’t let you die, even if you kidnapped me.”
“Right.” Verene scoffs in response, “even if it could have given you a chance at freedom?”
“That engineer would have just caught me eventually. They weren’t as nice as you either.”
“Nice?”
“In comparison, yeah.”
They both remain silent for a bit. Elara looks as though she’s about to ask something, but Verene speaks first.
“Do you still want to know more… About me?”
“Only if you want to.”
“Well, then consider this thanks for saving me.”
Elara thinks to respond for a second, but chooses to just accept. Verene stares into the fire as she starts thinking back.
“Yeah I’m Lilth’s pupil, she… She’s the King’s right hand and is also the one who trained me.” Verene starts fiddling with her hands uncomfortably as she speaks.
“When I was little I had no one, that was until she found me. She saw something in me, a spark, potential. She took me in and trained me, raised me to be who I am. I wasn’t alone either, she guided others too. That archer we met was one of them. His name is Edwin, he's like my brother I guess. They were the closest thing I had to a family growing up. When we were old enough we started to work with her. Our work was well paid, but dangerous. You'd probably consider it scary, but we were trained well. Prepared for every scenario. It paid off. We were good at it, really good. You might even consider us unstoppable, until one mission.
I was alone with Edwin on a regular job. He looked at me the most seriously I had ever seen him and asked me if I really liked doing this. I wasn’t really sure, but he continued. He said we could just leave this all, that we didn’t own Lilith anything, but I couldn’t. She’s like a mother to me, and she cares about us. I couldn’t just leave her like that, but Edwin looked at me so sad when I answered. He said he understood, but I know deep down he didn’t like my decision. Before I could do anything though he left, ran far away. Lilith… She wasn’t happy, and said I should have stopped him, but I just couldn’t. She called me a failure and without Edwin I had to work twice as hard for her, but I know it’s for the best. I just… I don’t know.”
Verene trails off, Not really knowing what else to say. She just continues staring into the fire, melancholy in their eyes. Elara reaches out for a moment, only to pull back. She stares at Verene for a while, letting the weight of the tale sit on them before she begins to speak again.
“Well, while we’re sharing... did you know that I wasn’t always like this either?” Elara breathes out before doing a fake laugh. Verene perks up hearing her voice and turns away from the flames to look at her. Elara had a gentle smile on her face that betrayed the nervousness in her eyes.
“Yeah, I lived far away from here with my family once upon a time. I… I was different back then. I wasn’t comfortable with who I was and wasn't able to be who I wanted to. But then one day I figured out what I could do.” With a bright flash Elara forms a set of flowers out of light, they solidify into 2 beautiful pink and purple flowers. She grips them tightly to her chest as she continues to speak.
“This power could let me be who I always dreamt of being, and so I left and never looked back. I made a place where I and anyone like me could truly belong. I'm finally happy with myself.” Elara continues as she nervously plays with her hair, she’s smiling but tears are slowly forming in her eyes. Elara reaches over to Verene with a soft smile and the pink flower in her hand. Verene hesitantly plucks the flower out of her hand and holds it gently as Elara sticks the other one in her own hair. Verene fiddles with the flower in her hand, inspecting it from all angles before staring at their reflection slowly rippling in the lake. Not a moment later she feels a hand gripping hers. She looks back at Elara now holding her hand, caressing it with her thumb.
“I don’t think you’re a failure,” Elara says, “I know deep down you can be who you want to be as well.” Elara gives a caring smile to Verene. Verene can feel herself get warmer, but she turns to hide it. Elara lets go of her hand, but shifts over to be closer, she rests her head on Verene’s shoulder as the two of them just sit there together for the rest of the night.
Verene awakes to the morning light just beginning to raise past the horizon. She goes to move only to notice Elara, fast asleep on her lap still. She thinks of waking her up, but decides to place a hand on the soft cloud of hair. Verene looks north, the king's castle just barely visible in the distance. She pulls out the purple flower and looks at it and Elara for a moment, guilt in her eyes before turning back to the castle. She knows what she has to do.
Elara slowly blinks awake, letting out a big yawn as she does so. Elara pulls herself up and goes to stretch only to realize her hands are tied yet again. She looks around and sees Verene waiting in front of her.
“We need to get going.” Verene says plainly, but with a tinge of guilt. Elara looks at her with sadness across her face. Verene loses her serious demeanor seeing her face.
“I’m sorry,” Verene says under her breath, looking away. Elara hesitates for a second before putting a smile back on.
“I understand,” Elara says, getting up on her feet fully. Verene starts to walk in silence, her movements more unsure of themselves than before as Elara follows behind.
The two find themselves back at the old stone bridge, mace still lodged into it and the collapsed robot on the other side. Verene crosses it quickly while Elara hesitates, looking around before continuing behind. Not much farther past the bridge they make it to the front of the King’s castle. The golden castle looms over them on the top of a large mountain, each tower piercing the skies above, adorned with long red tapestries. A large drawbridge smashes to the ground as they approach, Verene unphased as Elara begins to feel uncomfortable. Two menacing masked guards stand at the ready wielding intimidating swords, they look the two up and down as the assassin furrows her brow. The guards back away, then forming out of the shadows between them is a tall slender woman dressed in red with long black hair and a menacing mask with only piercing white eyes and a set of upturned horns adorning it.
“You’re late.” Is all the woman says upon inspecting the two.
“I’m sorry Lilith.” Verene sadly speaks as she kneels down.
“I expected better, but at least you didn’t fail me this time.” Lilith spits back. “Now hand over the princess to me.” She commands. Verene hesitates upon grabbing Elara, but Lilith just commands again. “I said bring her to me.”
“Yes Lilith.” Verene says, still unsure. Verene drags Elara to Lilith, but doesn’t let go of her.
“Good, now run along. Your job is done.” Lilith says, but Verene can’t seem to make herself let go as a pit begins to form in her stomach.
“D-Don’t you think I should accompany you?” Verene shakily replies, but Lilith just grabs Elara and pulls her out of Verene’s grasp.
“I said, your job is done.” Verene wants to say something, fight back, but she can’t.
“Yes Lilith.” Verene says with a bow.
“Good.” Lilith says as she turns away, walking inside the castle. Verene grabs Elara before she follows and looks at her with guilt, clearly not wanting her to go in alone, but Elara tries to reassure her with a gentle smile. Verene lets go, but passes something to Elara before she leaves completely.
Verene watches as Elara fades into the castle, smiling back one last time at her before the two guards move back to blocking the entrance. Verene just stands there, unable to move as the drawbridge closes in front of her, leaving her all alone.
Elara finds herself in the golden, glimmer lobby of the castle. Massive staircases rest above on the back wall and spiral out to a higher level as a red carpet flows from every path to the entrance. Lilith stands in the middle of the room, tall and at attention as she looks down on Elara.
“Follow me.” Lilith speaks as she walks into one of the neighboring hallways. Elara doesn’t want to, but knows that she doesn’t really have a choice so continues on behind Lilith.
The many hallways are lined with numorse paintings of the King, all seemingly staring straight at you. It sends a shiver down Elara’s spine as they continue on. Lilith just ignores her as they push onwards to their destination. Before they all could reach the throne room Ether appears in front of them with their two small bots on either side.
“My my what do we have here. I was starting to think you wouldn’t actually be able to get her.” Ether mocks, but Lilith isn’t phased just glaring at them. “I guess I should know better, your pupil is just so good, isn’t she?”
“She has to be.” Lilith states back, unamused.
“Well of course, only the best for our favorite sorceress.” Ether smugly replies back.
“What do you want Ether.”
“Oh nothing, just wanted to see what all the ruckness is about.” Lilith glares at them instantly before speaking again.
“Well I heard that one of your little machines was spotted near the bridge. You weren’t getting in my way now were you?” Ether begins feeling more annoyed as they continue to speak.
“It would have only gotten in the way if your star pupil isn’t as good as you say. Maybe then the King would see there are things more reliable than some witch and her girl.”
“Unlike some people I don’t accept failure. So your plan wouldn’t have done anything, but waste my time.”
“Oh is that right? Then why don’t we see about that.” Ether says, stepping right up to Lilith’s face.
“The King wouldn’t like it if he knew you were delaying the Princess’ arrival, so how about you get out of our way.”
“Fine. Come on Steambots, lets go.” Ether says gesturing to the bots to follow behind. “Oh and Princess, so nice to see you again. I hope Verene is doing well.” Ether smugly says before disappearing around the corner as their two bots hobble behind, one falling over before pushing themselves back up and racing to catch up. Elara holds in her anger, but Lilith just pushes forward.
They both arrive in a large room lined with stained glass windows and at the end the King’s large throne. Sat upon it is the King himself, impatiently tapping his fingers as he looks down on all of them with a look of disappointed anger. Elara freezes up seeing him, unable to move in his gaze as she just stands there shaking. Lilith gracefully bows in front of the king before speaking.
“Your majesty, I have completed my mission.” The king just continues to stare down at Lilith, narrowing their gaze before speaking up.
“Took you long enough. Now where is she?” The King booms. Lilith steps to the side to reveal Elara standing behind her, fear in her eyes. The King grins at the sight before him. “Good job Lilith, now leave us.” The King commands. Lilith looks back at Elara with a slow wave before dissipating into shadows. The heavy doors shut behind them with a loud slam as the princess is left all alone with the King, unable to do anything but stand in fear.
“It’s so nice for you to finally join us, Elara. I’m sorry that it had to be like this, but you just wouldn’t come any other way, now would you?” The King questions, knowing full well he’s right. Elara doesn’t answer back though, she just stays standing under his looming shadow.
“No need to fear, Elara. You’re safe with me here.” The king speaks, waiting for a response. Elara just continues to say nothing, too afraid to respond, and growing impatient the King continues. “I have brought you here with an offer. Live here, with me, and enjoy all the luxuries my kingdom can provide.”
Elara knows that this is less an offer and more a demand. She decides to try and be like Verene, sucking up her fear, standing tall and serious.
“Thanks for the offer sir, but I have to decline.” Elara says, trying to sound as confident as she can, but the King just stares at her intensely.
“I don’t think you understand Elara, you are in no position to decline anything.” The King says, rising from his throne and looming over the small woman even more. Elara backs away in fear, but bumps into two guards behind her. “I have offered you a paradise, anything you could ever want, for years. Yet you still deny me within the walls of my own home? Deny your destiny?” He takes a deep breath in, recomposing himself.
“I think you could use some alone time to rethink your answer.” The King says as the guards grab her by her arms, dragging her away into the unknown.
The guards throw Elara into a cold metal cell, hitting her back against the hard floor. The guards lock the door before leaving her all alone. Elara pulls herself off of the floor, and sits there sadly for a moment, overlooking the damp, cramped space around her. Elara pulls the flower from her hair, trying to use it to give herself strength. Once calm she reaches for the item Verene handed her.
It’s her dagger. Elara holds it in her hands, looking longingly into it with an expression of sadness before using it to cut her hands free from the ropes. Now free, Elara uses her magic to break the lock and begins to sneak out of her cell. Not knowing where to go, Elara heads in a random direction hoping it’ll lead to a way out of here.
Verene soberly stumbles to a small decrepit house in the middle of nowhere. The door creaks open as she enters. The inside is cold and barren as she throws the bag onto a mattress on the floor of the room. Verene collapses next to the bag and just sits there, head in hands.
"You know, I would expect you to be happier with that girl gone." A familiar voice says. Verene looks up to see Edwin leaning on the door frame with a smug smile on his face.
"Leave now." Verene states, repeating the last words she said to him.
"Come on, there's no need for that. I'm just here to see how my favorite little sister is doing." Edwin responds back. Verene shoots daggers at him as he approaches her. He takes a seat next to her on the mattress as he begins to speak again.
"I never expected to see you mopping about right after a job well done. Where's that unmatched work ethic of yours? Not satisfied with mom’s compliments?" Verene doesn't respond, but Edwin sees it in her face. Guilt. Edwin lets out a light chuckle before speaking.
"Wow, I can’t believe it! Here I thought you were all business, no attachments. I guess a pretty face can do a lot to make someone feel guilty, especially when you gotta hand them over to somebody like mom.”
Verene didn't respond, but she pulled out the flower and held it tight in her hands. Edwin looks at her with understanding and gets up off the mattress.
“You don’t want her to be involved with Lilith do you? I get it, I wouldn’t want someone I care about to be treated the way she treats people.” Verene doesn’t say anything, but tears start forming in her eyes.
“I just… I don’t know anymore.” Verene finally says. Edwin looks at her with care in his eyes as he speaks again.
“Hey it’s okay. Mom is… well she isn’t the best, but I know deep down you are better than her, so just do what you would do, not what she would.” Verene watches her tears hit the flower and roll down as she lets what Edwin said go through her.
"You know, I’ve heard that rescuing a princess makes for a good fairy tale. If you still wanna try for a happily ever after, anyway.” Edwin says with a smirk as he walks out the door, leaving the assassin alone. She looks down at the flower in her hand once again, gripping it tightly as she finally accepts what she wants to do. What she has to do. Putting the flower away she gets up and rushes out the door back towards the castle. Unbeknownst to her Edwin watches her leave, relaxing on a nearby tree.
"Go get her, " Edwin says watching her fade out of view, “I know you can.”
A few guards march through a long hallway in the castle. Elara stands behind a nearby wall, holding her breath as she waits for them to leave. Once gone Elara sneaks over to the hall, going the opposite direction of the guards. At the end of the hall is a large door, the back exit of the castle with windows on either side. Elara goes to break the door open, but a swift hit knocks her down to the ground.
"You are going nowhere princess." A voice speaks from the darkness. Elara looks around and, forming out of the shadows, is Lilith. She stands tall over Elara as she pulls herself off the ground. Elara forms her shield and stands at the ready.
"You are out of your depth," Lilith says, forming a sword out of shadows. Elara pulls out the dagger, gripping it tightly as she goes in for an attack, but Lilith grabs her hand mid air. "This isn't yours." Lilith speaks as she crushes Elara’s hand, causing her to drop the dagger to the ground. Lilith throws Elara back to the ground, slamming against the cold hard floor below. When Elara looks back up Lilith is launching in for a strike, but Elara quickly uses her shield to protect herself. The blade stops mere inches from her face. Elara pushes back against Lilith with her shield, giving herself enough space to jump back up just in time for Lilith to try again. Lilith quickly moves in and out of shadows to flow all around Elara, attack after attack being blocked until finally the shield gives out and shatters. Lilith uses this to go in for another, but Elara forms a wall in front of her. Lilith’s blade slices the wall right in half as Elara quickly makes another as she continues backing away, but it’s useless as Lilith slices through it like butter. Elara rams into the wall behind her and falls to the ground. Backed in a corner and with Lilith continuing towards her, Elara in a last ditch effort forms a bubble around her that expands quickly, throwing Lilith into the wall across from them. Lilith splatters into shadows against the wall giving Elara a moment to rush towards the door, but forming out of the shadows in front of her is Lilith. Elara doesn’t stop in time and rams right into her, knocking herself to the ground, but Lilith just picks her up by the collar.
"You're sloppy, but have potential. For now, it’s time to get back in your cage.” Lilith says, but Elara forms a ball of light that explodes into a bright flash, blinding Lilith and causing her to drop Elara. Elara goes to blast the lock open with another ball, but large ropes made of shadows wrap around Elara, causing her to fall over and unable to do anything.
“This is over.” Lilith looms above the helpless princess, still struggling to somehow let herself free, but it’s no use. Then suddenly a figure smashes through one of the windows. Rolling on the ground the figure grabs the dagger and leaps towards Lilith, stabbing right into her shoulder all in an instant. Lilith screams as she goes to grab her shoulder, dropping her sword to the ground. The figure jumps off, pulling the dagger out with them as they land in front of Elara. Now in clear view Elara can tell the figure is Verene, she looks at her with unbelievable joy. Verene slices the ropes apart, freeing Elara.
"Y-You came back?" Elara says, stunned.
"I had to." Verene says, giving her a warm smile. Verene helps Elara back to her feet as they both go on the ready, Elara generating another shield. Lilith rises up and glares at the two girls, conjuring 2 more swords into her hands.
"How dare you fight back against me, I raised you!" Lilith spits out. Verene only narrows her eyes in return, saying nothing. “Leave now, or die.” Lilith coldly states.
“Sorry mom, but I’m not letting you hurt anyone else.” Verene retorts.
“Then you are of no use to me.” Lilith swings her sword towards Verene but she stops the blade with her dagger, pushing it to the ground with a spin as she kicks Lilith in the gut, knocking her away. Verene sprints towards her, but massive black spikes start bursting through the ground to slow her down. Verene expertly weaves between them, once Lilith is visible she shoots her dagger towards her, but Lilith dissipates just in time. Verene pulls the dagger from the wall just as an array of spikes shoots towards her, she rolls out of the way as they stab themselves into the wall.
“You are no match for me. I know all your tricks.” Lilith speaks as she readies her to shoot out more spikes, but then Elara’s shield launches into the side of her in the head, catching her off guard, and knocking her down. Elara races towards Verene, but Lilith grabs her leg causing her to fall to the ground. Lilith gets back up only to have Verene stab her in the back. Lilith recoils as Verene leaps away, landing back down near Elara. Verene helps Elara up as the two hold hands and with a nod of understanding Verene launches Elaraforward, hands still held tightly as she drags Verene into the air, and with a final spin they line up side by side with their held hands extending forward. Their hands held together they punch Lilith right in her face, shockwaves reverberating around from the impact. Lilith is sent flying into a wall and slumps over, both girls land gracefully as Elara excitedly hugs Verene. Before the two can really celebrate Lilith is heard grunting, dragging herself across the ground towards them, mask cracked on one side from the impact as she huffs out a yell.
“You both are nothing, worthless, failures! This is not over.” Lilith melts back into shadows, vanishing. The two girls just look on with pride. Verene looks at Elara with a smirk as she lifts her into her arms, much to the shock of Elara.
“Hold on tight.” Verene says as she jumps out the window she entered from. Elara hides her face in Verene’s chest to not look as they land safely on the ground below the castle. Elara opens her eyes to see their alright before looking up at Verene’s face, a confident smirk on her face as Elara leans in and places a soft kiss on her cheek.
“My hero.” Elara says gently as Verene’s cool demeanor disappears, face turning red as she drops Elara. Elara just playfully giggles at her as Verene tries her best to hide her face.
“Alright, alright, let’s get me home.” Elara says trying to get back on track. Verene calms back down and starts walking off in a direction.
“I know a shortcut, follow me.” Verene says as she walks off.
“Alright!” Elara joyfully says, following behind.
The King sits impatiently on his throne, glaring down at the room around him. Next to him rests Ether. Out of the shadows Lilith manifests in front of him, taking a bow as she speaks. "My liege, the princess has escaped."
"What!? You were supposed to make sure she couldn't!" The King boomed, bursting up from his throne.
“Now what did I say King, I knew she wasn’t right for the job.” Ether smirks.
"It was Verene, she betrayed you and-" Lilith added, but the King grabbed his massive throne and hurled it over to her. Ether quickly ducks away from the action in fear.
"Excuses! Excuses!" The King yelled.
Lilith quickly dissipated into shadows as the throne passed where she once was, smashing into the wall with a crash that could be heard throughout the whole kingdom. Lilith reformed back where she was as the King continued to scream.
"How could you make such a foolish mistake?! Retrieve her! Elara will join me on the throne, and let nothing stop you."
"Yes sir." Lilith says with a bow.
"Good, now leave." The King commands. Lilith glares harshly at him before disappearing once more. “You!” The King points to Ether shaking in the corner. “You are going to help too, if you value your life.” The King threatens.
“Y-yes your majesty.” Ether shakily replies before hurriedly running off. The King takes a deep breath to calm himself, staring intensely out into the distance.
"Next time, my princess," The King mutters to himself, “next time.”
Verene walks out from the forest with Elara close behind. Standing proud in front of them is Elara's kingdom.
"I can't believe we made it!" Elara excitedly says.
"Didn't trust me?" Verene mockingly responds.
"Not that, I just-" Elara nervously tries to correct.
"It's okay, Come on, let's get you home." Verene responds, walking towards the kingdom's entrance. Elara follows behind closely as the two make it inside.
"Welcome back!" The citizens all yell in unison. The town entrance is decorated with many banners welcoming their princess back home.
"Oh, guys." Elara says with tears welling in her eyes.
"Some of us were worried when you disappeared, but I knew you could handle yourself!" A citizen adds.
"Yeah! We knew you’d come back!" Says another.
"Aw come here." Elara says, opening up for a hug which everyone tries to cram into. Verene just stands awkwardly by watching the scene play out. She gives a smile, happy for Elara, but looks down sadly. Verene turns to leave, but Elara looks back and shouts at her.
"Hey, where do you think you're going miss?! You aren't going to leave without so much as a goodbye?" Elara calls out. Verne turns back as Elara gives her a caring smile.
"No, I guess I won't." Verene answers back, running in to join the hug, but Elara hugs her first. They embrace each other tightly as the whole town watches.
"So, what do you think about moving in?" Elara questions, giving Verene large puppy dog eyes as she waits for a response. Verene looks around the town before responding softly.
"Yeah, I'll stay." Elara jumps up and down excitedly as she squeezes her tighter.
"We are going to have so much fun together!" Elara squeals. Verene just looks at the excited girl softly.
“Oh, and one last thing.” Elara says leaning in before pulling Verene in for a kiss. Verene is shocked, but relaxes into it, rubbing through Elara’s hair as they continue their loving kiss. Elara pulls away first and looks deep in Verene’s eyes as she says.
“I love you.”
“Me too.” Verene responds as the two just stay there holding onto each other for some time as the world fades away around them.
