Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies: The Edge of Soul
Chapter III: The Mysterious Woman


Rain fell softly in random patterns against the old cobblestone streets; as fog rose off theground in a slow aching crawl, being swooshed and swirled away by passerby’s feet. The dense cold fog grips the breath and chills everything to the very fibers of the bone.

Vordak and his companions’ appear slightly disheveled from the journey and rain. Heavily soaked in dark hooded clothing on their horses; they rode along the back alleys and narrow paths of cobblestone.

Tightly cramped buildings are worn from weather and crick in the wet wind. Boarded up windows and entrances are common place, as overgrown rotting plants dance around the dead buildings in delight. The rain brought the stench in the air, to a new life. As horrible as it smells the look is worse; with no true sewer system countless pieces of debris, dead animal remains, rotting garbage, and refuse sloshes down side passages in thick humps.

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Resethia is exhausted, and chilled to her core. She never felt real fresh sky rain upon her body in her entire life. She only knew of the flow of the rain within the stones beneath the surface. Following behind her comrades is a bit tiresome; she had to re-bandage her wrists, as they are growing considerable numb from the cold rain, she felt her hands would fall off. She stops to rummage and carefully look through her cloak pockets for clean bandages.

Resethia’s vision is blurred, by both the rain and sting of the stench; unbearable to her eyes. She moves her shaking left hand and un-straps it from the rein; she begins to wipe away the matted hair on her cheek.

”I’ll catch up with them in a few seconds, no need to alert them, I need a break.”
Resethia continues to look down digging in to her cloak pockets. “Was that an arm floating in the waste?” she thought to her self as she looks on in horror, as it floated away down the dark alley.

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Vordak, Kithius and Sava stop dead in their tracks; at a five forked road, no signs in any direction. Sava looks a little worried at the prospect of being lost in an unknown city; she grips on her whip tightly. Cursing under her breath quietly; “we should have gotten blasted better directions.”

Vordak starts to scratch his hood; deep in thought. He looks down at his hand draw map, damp from the misty rain. He is utterly confused as the old blacksmith said nothing about a five way fork. He slowly turns his steed around, to comfort his comrades on what to do next, when he notices Resethia is not with them. He shot a glare at both of them,

“Did you two happen to notice Resethia is missing?”

Kithius is not in shock, but his face had an immediately disgruntled look upon it, this wasn’t the first time Resethia has pulled this stunt.

Sava spun her mare around and went back down the alley with out a word.

“Well I guess Sava will retrieve her sister for us cousin, I frankly was getting sick of fetching the poor child every time her fingers were unable to bare the cold any longer. We will need to find an Inn and fast, though the prospects of that look grim Vordak.”

“We better go back Kithius and get them; I don’t need to have us all split up in a place we do not know.”

Kithius turns his horse around to go back down the alley with Vordak.

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Resethia continues making her way back down the twisting alley to her comrades; she did not want to be left alone for to long in an unfamiliar place. They only light she has is illuminating from her weapons, she is a moving target for anyone that wants to harm her. Though she is a capable fighter, she knew she wasn’t fully aware of her capabilities in an open environment like this. Resethia looks side to side peering into the darkness; one hand on her back holding on to “Hina” and the other on to her horses reins. The green glow of “Hina-Hino” made a circler glow around her, the light bounced off the slick wetness of the cobble stone alley.

A little up the alleyway Sava is having problems of her own. “Ri-Ri, where are you?” She wisps away the slick rain from her forehead; as the wind picked up speed coming down hard. “I hardly see through this horrible mess; how do surface-dwellers deal with this crap?” she thought to her self. Sava rounds a corner; when she could see her sister about five buildings away. “What was she doing off her horse? A matter of fact; where was her horse, I hope she is okay.”

“Ri-Ri, she screamed.”

Sava picks up speed, she could hear the gallop of her mares hoofs echoing off the buildings; or is that her heart bounding against her chest?

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Resethia could not make out the figure; this is a few yards in front of her. She heard her name, so it had to be her sister. “What is Sava doing off her horse?” Resethia gets off her horse slowly, afraid to slip on the slick cobblestones. She loosens her grip on the horse’s reins and gently pulls her mare behind her. “Sava, is that you? Why are you standing there? Where are Vordak and Kithius?” Resethia slowly moves forward, while the figure continues not to say anything. The soft scent of flowers fills the air. “Something isn’t right about this, where is the light from Sava’s weapon, why do I smell flowers and not the rotting stench of this alley way, she thought. “Who are you?”

As soon as Resethia asks the figure who it is, it made a few quick jumps effortlessly, on to the buildings out of site. “It just vanished” Resethia gasps and steps backward, slightly bumping in to her horse. Regaining her thoughts she mounts her horse again, she notices her sister is galloping towards her.

“Ri-Ri, what in the Undergods names are you doing?” Do you know how worried I was?
”I am sorry Sava; however we need to get out of here and fast. We are not the only ones in this alley way tonight.”

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“That’s right ladies, you ain’t the only ones in this here alley way.”

Suddenly five figures step out of the surrounding alley shadows encircling the sisters. Their clothes are dirty, skin weathered, features battered; unequivocally from their chosen profession.

“Why don’t you’s two get down from..them there.. horses un give us your goods?”

“Why would we do that?” Sava said with force in her tone. “Shit, I didn’t have enough room to use my weapon with out hurting my sister. Where on earth are Vordak and Kithius?”

“Boss, why donts we take’em along wit ta goods? I ain’t ever had me uh real lady bafore! I‘d sure like ta know wha they’d be tastin like?’ the rough bandit’s hand sits on the hilt of his short sword, his eyes gleaming in the glow of Resethia’s weapons. She could see a furious greed and lust deep within his eyes.

“Well get’em both, But I getta fuck’ em first”

“Like Underhells you will,\" Sava yelled; her hands glowing neon purple as she could hear the unsheathing “Hina-Hino”. Resethia’s hood coming off as she moves to retrieve her weapons. The light of her twin short swords danced brightly off her face. “Lay one fucking finger on me or my sister and we will tare you all to shreds!”

“Ha, ya surrounded, there tain’t nutin ya can fucking do, Bitch,\" the big man said as his rotting teeth clenched in full view while stood behind Sava.

In a whirlwind of wetness and ally stench; Sava and Resethia are under attack. The men move with incredible inhuman speed, able to rush them with out as much as a warning. Both noblewomen’s’ hands and feet are tided; as they lay helplessly over their saddles.
Fuming inside, Sava wondered, “Where the fuck those two bastards?”

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”Cousin, are you absolutely sure we are going the right way, because I am pretty sure we were just here ten minutes ago!’ Kithius shouted; his right hand in a fist that gripping his reins. His eyes closed, due to the annoyance of time being wasted.

”Kithius I am telling you, we took a right, we didn’t come straight passed here!” Vordak struggled with his words as he realized they had gone the wrong way.

”Obviously cousin, you have no sense of direction. Follow me and do not quarrel, I am in no mood to be running in circles.” Kithius moves his slick wet silver hair from his eyes, then suddenly dashes off. Vordak too tired to argue; thought he’d let Kithius lead them around in a circle for awhile.

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Putting up a struggle to get loose, Sava thought she was going to be sick; her view is only of the cobblestone ground and its passing putrid refuse. Trying to raise her head enough to see her sister’s condition; all of a sudden in her distorted view she sees an eerie yellow light coming from above. The light slowly moves down building walls, blinding her momentarily.

Screams of utter terror, loud thuds against the wet cobblestone ground, and the coppery smell of blood mixed with the nauseating stench of entrails filled the air. Blood spatters against Resethia’s face, she quickly strains to look; only to see a man holding on to his neck, as yellow light tightens around it like a noose. His eyes bulging out of his head in horror as he tries to getting away, holding on to what little breath he has left. The light around his neck slices through his veins, blood splattering unforgiving on the ground.

Yellow wisps of light come flowing from every direction; grabbing out at the men with ferociousness. Blood sprays on buildings as the light slices of limbs from bodies; as the horrifying assault seems to go on forever; one by one they drop to the alley ground, their body parts floating away with the alley refuse.

Slowly yellow light dissipates; the ladies bounds are free, yet they did not dare move. Soon pulling themselves upright upon their horses; they look around at the carnage of the bodies, and ready their weapons for what might happen next.

In front of them bright yellow wispy strings of light still dances around the bodies of the men that had been killed. The central light brightens the alley, however they could not see beyond it. They shield their eyes from the pain of the light, till they notice the light slowly dimming down.

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The hooves of their horses bound against the wet ground; the wind died down, however the rain seems to be heavier than it previously was, and it made it hard for both males to see. Kithius loosens one of hands from the horses rein and wipes the heavy wetness from his brow; then suddenly he notices a strange eerie yellow light up ahead of them. “Vordak, do you see that light up ahead, that would have to be the girls!” “You may be right Kithius, let’s keep on moving they maybe in trouble.”
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The figure stood in front of Sava and Resethia; curvy, elegant, divine features to be hold. Long midnight blue hair; passing her waist, dancing like there was a wind about it, as yellow highlights intertwine like her yellow light source. Smooth cocoa skin, which didn’t seem to be touched by the present rain; as the soft sweet scent of flowers fills the air. Full ruby lips glisten, as beautiful purple-sliver eyes shine back at them. She is dressed in what seems to be a fancy female fighter’s leather scale outfit, with rare embroidered silk dressing. Strapped to a sash around her mid frame is a chakram, two Sai and a small highly decorated rod with a yellow globe that shines. A strange charismatic aura seems to emanate around her; it was something unlike anything they had ever felt before.

“I see both your auras strength is weak above the surface;” her lips curled in a slow smile.

Just as Sava and Resethia were about to respond, Vordak and Kithius made their appearance. They both came to a staggering halt, instantly they notice the scenery; dead torn bodies, Sava and Resethia in shock and a strikingly beautiful woman with her back against a building stairway. She seems to be viewing them all with varying interest.

“The resemblance is striking; she looks just like the goddess Nythia! Is it possible she could be an avatar?” Vordak thought as his eyes widen. Kithius felt he had died and gone to heaven, the air smelled like sweet soft flowers and he knew it had to be her. “God I have to have this woman,” he thought to himself.

“Have me, I doubt that very much young man!” her smile turns into a smirk as her eyes playfully look at Kithius. “How on earth could she have heard me that well?” Kithius was in absolute shock; her level of telepathy was way beyond his.

Sava shot Kithius a mean glare, “What took you two fools so long?” They both felt embarrassed and they started to scratch their heads repeatedly, making random excuses as to what happened.
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“Never mind, you two sound like two rambling children. As long as you found us, I don’t care what happened to you two lost idiots!” Sava said as she slowly felt embarrassed to have them as company. “Who are you, what are you, and why did you Sava my sister and I?” Resethia said leaning in and holding tightly on to her horses reins waiting for the answer patiently.

The female moves off the steps and slowly walks in front of the group; her hair swaying in an imaginary wind no one could see. Her clothes were bright with colors and clean; as if none of the alley filth had dared to touch her. She smirks folding her arms over her chest; she almost arrogantly taunts them with her stance, as one hand freely plays with her rods globe.

“First of all, you two females are surface virgins; you don’t know how to fight above ground. It seems whom ever sent you off is hastily set on getting you killed. I thought you might need a little help when I realized you were in a tight situation.”

“Secondly, you people were wandering around these parts of the back alleys like stray animals. I am surprised that you all have not been killed yet; there are other things lurking about and I am not talking petty thieves and bandits.”

“Third, I spotted you all coming into the city early this morning; I know exactly what you are and your status. There are strange and dangerous things happening to important figures as of late; princesses and princes are no exception. You all coming out to play in make shift disguises, is fool hardy. If I can spot what you are the first time I see you, then you all are in allot of trouble.”

“Vordak’s, eyes light up in surprise, “How can she know all these things, we barely started our journey?”

“Fourth, as to whom I am; my name is Nythia Silver, I am want you might call; a mistress of disguise.

Vordak could not believe what he was hearing; “Her name was exactly the same as the goddess, and this was to strange. What did she want from them?”

“A mistress of disguise; why would such a lady of your caliber need to hide such beauty”, Kithius said with hearts floating in his eyes.

Nythia laughed flirtingly at his comment. “I am just as noble as you all are, having shared the life style.”

“Then why are you running out-an-about yourself, aren’t you worried about being abducted?’ Sava said annoyed mainly from Nythia’s keen observation of her sister and her situation, holding on tightly to her reins, cutting the circulation of her fingers.

Nythia shot her a small grin, and smirks noticing how she was annoyed. “It is unexpected, I know; to find that I used to be noblewoman.”

“Not for me it isn’t, Kithius said with a smirk”

She turns her gaze at him; stepping back and looking at them all.

“I would be more than willing to say more but not here, we need to find you all a nice clean, nonviolent place to stay.

Standing around these dead bodies for a long period of time will make you all cold to the world.” Nythia turns to look down the alley, in the direction she wants to go. She walks down the alley at a fast pace; Sava and Resethia followed her, no questions asked. Vordak and Kithius stand there in silence, in total amazement of the woman. They then quickly get in tow with everyone else, protecting the rear as they follow.

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Within fifteen minutes Nythia leads them out of the city into a valley clearing, following a strange path of off dirt roads, woods, and long grass fields. They pass a dark slow moving river, into a heavily bushed area, then into a clearing. The rain was all but gone now and the moon brightly dances upon their skin. The stars are bright diamonds in the sky, and soft breeze of wind swept across their faces; as they listen to the sounds of babbling brooks, small animals and insects.

They find a small hill that lead back into the woods; it seems as if it is coming upon a medium size stronghold. As they move upon the stronghold, they notice it is also a homestead, nicely concealed and far out of the cities reach.

“Come everyone, let’s get inside! Nythia said cheerfully”

All of them got off their horses as soon as they saw young males come to their aide from what looks like a gate. They came to bring their horses to be feed and stabled. Vordak felt like he was visiting a surface relative in the country side. Nythia’s home is well staffed and if she wasn’t a noble anymore she sure didn’t live like she wasn’t.

Sava and Resethia immediately were welcome by the household female servants; they quickly ask them their needs and went off to do their bidding. Resethia felt like she was in heaven; her companions would not be staying at another run down inn.

Sava kept an eye on Nythia, not trusting the situation at all. She wants to kill Nythia for her insults, and more so for the ease at which her comrades took to her. Something differently is not right about this strange surface dwelling lady.

Vordak and Kithius were pleased with the situation as well; they look around and notice that the place is more than just a stronghold; it is a small midsized castle. It is surrounded by high stone walls. On the outside it seemed only to look like a forest on a hill. Nythia’s household workers have sleeping quarters of their own, and a small little village with additional housing surrounding Nythia’s keep.

As far as Vordak and Kithius could tell there is about seven to eight different general stores of varied kinds; two local black smith shops, a training ground, barracks, two small towers that allow watch men to walk the stronghold walls.

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Guards’ men and what looked to be mercenary soldiers greet Nythia on her way up to the living quarters. What seems to be a high ranking soldier quickly comes down the hill to greet Nythia.

“Mistress Nythia, how was your evening?”

A very tall, handsome man bows in front of Nythia. His medium length dark hair moves freely in the breezes of the night. The moon sparkled in his dark blue eyes, and the torch light shows golden on his muscularly-tone, smooth complexion. He is wearing elaborately decorated studded leather armor.

Sava is entranced by his eyes, as he looks up at Nythia and then to her quickly. He lowers his eyes and then stood up quickly to walk side by side with Nythia and her companions.

“I am fine Samson, these are my guests; Sava, Resethia, Kithius and Vordak!”
They all bowed in his direction and proceeded up the hill.

”How odd she didn’t ask our names before, she must be using her telepathy”, Vordak thought quietly.

“How has everything been holding up since I was gone for three-days?” Nythia wiped her hair out of her face to make direct eye contact with Samson.

“Fine mistress, I have been setting up the itinerary of our journey with Thesa. Thesa, he has not been in the best of moods, since you left. You know how much he hates missing some fighting action. I also have gotten new information from Lord Sage; and your sister delightful Merriam, is at it again with her stealth training. She has been sneaking up on the novice fighters at night training, almost religiously since you have been gone. She should be about some where in the shadows lurking.

Vordak laugh in his head at this Merriam’s antics. He always played tricks on the new recruits at his father stronghold. It was a great source of entertainment when he was bored.

Samson moved along with the group, as if he had walked with these new people a thousand times. Nythia did love bringing home strangers, and helping them when she could. However he some how felt this was different, and he could not seem to get over his attraction to this Sava.

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As they entered the household; servants were waiting with water bowls and soft linens. Each person carefully washes their hands, faces, and took off their shoes and washed their feet. Soon they were all led to their prospective rooms, to prepare before dinner. All the guest rooms were identical; colored silk embroidered pillows and soft warm white linens, ran the length of the low beds. Upon the beds lay silk embroidered robes of various colors; and next to the robes a gift basket of bathing oils and a sea sponge. To the far end of the rooms were lager cherry wooden cabinets to place their belongings in. Each room had a small outdoor patio that had a small enclosure for privacy. On the patio there is a small water garden, a medium sized man-made bathing unit that allowed natural steamed spring water to flow into the chamber ducts.

Soon everyone was bathed, in their robes, and was being escorted by servants to a dinning area. As soon as they walk into the dinning area, their eyes meet a large feast as well as a set of people standing to greet them. Vordak notices his comrades had entered the room from various entrances; no one was in the same wing of the household. Kithius, Sava, Vordak, and Resethia walk slowly into the room meeting everyone’s gaze and bowing their heads lightly.

“We are glad you all finally made it to dinner, we were beginning to worry that those hot baths were making you forget.” I see the servants helped you Vordak with the difference between the kimono and yukata robes; I am glad the purple silk kimono looks good on you!” “Kithius, you look absolutely breath taken in your maroon silk, golden embroider kurta and pyjamas.

Kithius looked at Nythia with flirtatious eyes; he notices how her left hand grips at her chest, kimono squeezes between her fingers with force as she looks him over.

“I also see that Sava you chose to wear a traditional blue and golden sari, while Resethia you chose to adorn yourself in traditional lehngas wear; a bright orange and yellow choli suit”. “You both look very beautiful!”

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Nythia winked mischievously at them, as they slowly enters the room. Nythia turns to her left and raises her hands toward her comrades; her kimono robe was a silk red, embroidered with gold butterfly patterns. Her soft sweet flowery sent dances in the air, mixing with the warm scent of food. She was absolutely radiant; pure perfection like the goddess Nythia herself.

“Oh let me not forget proper formalities, as you have meet on the way to the household; Samson.

Samson looks much of a samurai; his hair was jet black, pulled back in a knot. He wares a royal blue silk kimono with a golden-red embroidered sash around his waist; which held a wakizashi in its sheath. He bows his head slowly.

“It is a great honor to meet the royalty of the subterranean tribes’ men. “I have heard greatly about you both Prince Vordak and Prince Kithius!” Vordak and Kithius bowed together in Samson direction, acknowledging his praise.

Nythia looks to her left again and continues to introduce her comrades to her guests. “Sava, Resethia, Vordak and Kithius; this is Thesa, my head monk and Merriam my sister.

Thesa bows low and acknowledges Nythia’s guests. His eye catching the sight of Resethia, thinking to him-self how beautiful she is. Thesa was completely charming; his kurta a royal green, with a golden-red embroidered log scarf identical to Samson’s sash was around his neck. Behind him leaning up against the dinning room wall, were two tonfa. Thesa is slightly shorter than Samson; however they look like they could be brothers. He shares the same strong build, skin complexion and facial features as Samson. The only difference is that he had dark green eyes, long brown hair flowing over his shoulders and a small pink scar was clearly visible over his right eye.

Extremely beautiful; long mauve pink hair flows in wavy curls over Merriam’s shoulders; a petite curvy frame, in a traditional purple georgette sari; golden woven zari border and heavy pallu with a matching stitch blouse. Her hair dances around her face; lightly blowing into a set of strikingly beautiful almond shaped golden eyes. Her soft creamy complexion is radiant under the candle light, making her skin shimmer, and her soft pink lips glisten. She stood with her arms folded against her chest, staring directly at Vordak, ignoring everyone else in the room. It is as if her heart skipped a beat and everything slowed down.

Vordak’s eyes met hers and he was instantly in love with her. “We had already failed the journey”, he thought to himself.

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Nythia waves her hand as to suggest that everyone should be seated. They sit upon pillows around a black shinny stone table. It is covered in an array of foods they have never seen before. Servants quickly begin to accommodate everyone; filling drinks with rare spice wines and plates with the warm food.

“So I guess you all are wondering a little more about me and my comrades, better yet why I live in such a place?” Nythia said with a big smirk, and then she sighed. Nythia stares into her food and begins to speak.

“I have been in these types of cities before, all these cities have away of being alike; over the years becoming more dangerous. I have had many attempts on my life. Soon these well kept outer edge communities were over run to become part of the cities, or burned down in attacks by, bandits or tyrants. I finally decided to gather a small following, build numerous strongholds outside some of the larger cities throughout the mainland countryside. My employment is in high demand; and as such that it always took me to these cities.”

“You’ve said nothing of who you are, what you want from us and why you brought us here?; an what exactly did you know about my aura, bitch! Surface or not, I am not some weak little opponent in a training session, which you can speak to me like small runt!” Sava said coldly with an evil look to her eyes. She did not like Nythia and was not about to let the good graces she places upon them; not be called to question.

Samson, Thesa and Merriam did not look surprised; they simply looked at Nythia to see what her response would be. Samson thought to himself; “What a little spitfire Sava is, I pray Nythia would go easy on her.”

Resethia is flabbergasted at the attitude her sister took to Nythia, she cups her hand over Sava’s mouth afraid of what she might say.

Kithius face turns from amazement to utter shock and disgust; about to defend Nythia when Vordak turns quickly toward Sava. His fists tightly clench his eating utensils as he begins to sternly speak. “Sava, hold your tongue woman!”

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Sava stands up, to defend herself; “I am not blind to Nythia’s generosity, however she is not a mere surface dwelling mortal. She could be easily setting us up in a trap to be abducted. Where is the Lord of this household; surely there is someone you answer to Nythia?” Sava was looking directly at Nythia with a sort of annoyed interest. She has never met any ladies on the surface outside a royal household that did not have a lord to answer too.

Nythia begins to speak slowly and precise. Calmly she places her utensil back down near her plate. She raises her face and glares right back at Sava with an intensity that Sava didn’t think she could bare.

“I answer to no one, girl!”, and I do not much care for your attitude. You should learn to keep your cold observations in your head, like your comrades. Rash temperamental outbursts will only get you killed. Would you rather I had let those bandits kill you and your sister in the middle of an alley way? I hardly see that a fitting grave for a spoiled brat such as yourself.
You’re so sure of yourself Sava, now that your culture has allowed women of higher stature to pick up a weapon. It is turning a new leaf, because it is a dying kingdom; and all you seem to be worried about Sava is your pride!”

Nythia’s utensils started to slightly float up and down with the pale yellow light surrounding them.

“A lesson for you Sava; your aura is attached to your weapon. That is what you have chosen to focused it on. Since you have lived underground, you are not trained in taken advantage of your surroundings. The surface is where; I suspect you’ve been sent to harness and master the power force skills. Once you‘ve trained your mental powers enough, they will be flowing and a devastating force. Until then, child you are merely a hot tempered fighter with some magic ability.”

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Sava was going to explode in a rage of purple energy whips; when her sister calmly held her back. The energy inside Sava pounded hard; she knew that Nythia could kill her. Sava is determined to get her back; she has to find her weak spot.

Nythia dismisses the hot tempered noblewoman; “As to who or what I am; what I do remember is that I woke with my young sister upon a nobleman’s door step. The nobleman just had lost his wife to a server illness; he was left with two young sons to care for. I was in human standards about fifteen or sixteen years of age; and my sister was just a baby. Instead of sending us away to an orphanage in a human village; he adopted me and my sister. I was to take care of his young boys, Samson and Thesa and in return he would raise my sister and I like his own to be ladies of the court.”

”My adopted father was the first elven family to be accepted by the other races in a position of power. However that position was short lived, as those in power around him undermined my father in his business dealings. They took me and my sisters and put us in the services of being concubines, and shunned or killed my other adopted family members. Samson and Thesa had been sent off to their age of ascension journey and had not showed up until five years after; when they decided to track my sister and me down.“


”From then on we live by our wits, gaining skills from masters of various fighting talents. We learned a few trades and ended up joining an investigation squad called the Eternals of Sacredness.” I was in the city looking for clues on a particular case, waiting for two females and two males to show up. I thought they might have been you guys, at first. “