In a luxurious mansion, the large living room was a blend of modern extravagance and tiless elegance. The room was expansive, with a vaulted ceiling that created an airy, open atmosphere. A crystal chandelier hung from the center, casting a warm glow over the space.
The floor was covered with a plush carpet that contrasted with the sleek, marble tiles extending into the hallway. The walls were adorned with a mix of contemporary art pieces and a classic Victorian design, lending a touch of old-world charm.
Despite the refined decor, there was an ominous edge to the room—strategically placed along the walls were various weapons, swords, spears, and axes, each displayed as if they were art pieces themselves.
Three stunning won lounged on the lavish sofas that frad a large flat-screen TV. The centerpiece of the room, the television, was currently displaying the news, though the subject matter was anything but engaging.
A tall, graceful maid stood quietly to the side, her posture perfect as she awaited instructions. Ana, dressed in a traditional black and white maid outfit that accentuated her slender fra, had her brown hair tied back neatly, and her blue eyes were sharp with awareness.
The reporter on the screen droned on monotonously, her voice devoid of any real enthusiasm.
"In local news today, the city council has announced yet another round of talks regarding the budget allocation for public transport. Despite ongoing debates, there has been little progress. Residents express growing frustration with the delays, citing the continued issues with overcrowding and outdated infrastructure..."
A young woman with fiery red hair shifted restlessly on one of the sofas, her impatience palpable. She was dressed in a pair of loose, boyish shorts and a hoodie that was clearly not her own—it was too large, the sleeves hanging past her hands. The hoodie bore the unmistakable scent of its owner, Alicarde, and the woman wore it like a prized possession.
Her vibrant amber eyes flashed with irritation as she finally spoke up.
"Why are we watching the news?" she demanded, her voice laced with frustration.
This was Argint, a spirited and feisty individual whose temper matched her fiery hair. Her youthful features were striking, though her current expression was one of annoyance.
A delicate, mocking laugh ca from the woman seated across from her. This was Elizalina, a silver-haired beauty with piercing grey eyes that seed to see right through anyone they rested on.
She was dressed in a form-fitting red dress that accentuated her curvaceous figure, the fabric clinging to her like a second skin. Her deanor was one of calculated elegance, every movent she made exuding a cold, sophisticated grace.
"It is understandable that soone of your nature may find it challenging to comprehend the actions of those who operate on a more elevated level of intellect and sophistication," Elizalina began, her voice dripping with condescension.
"But even an individual of your… limited faculties should be able to appreciate the importance of staying inford. Knowledge, after all, equates to power, though I fear such a notion might elude your grasp."
Argint's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching in her lap as she prepared a retort. Before she could lash out, Ana interrupted with her usual calm efficiency.
"Mistress, I have just received access to the databanks. It appears that Alicarde was successful in retrieving the information," Ana announced, her tone even and composed as she addressed the room.
She raised her wrist and lightly tapped it to create a floating hologram screen in front of her. Lines of data flowed across the screen, each reflecting a wealth of information.
The third woman in the room, who had thus far remained silent, finally spoke. She was an aloof beauty with long, dark hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves, her violet eyes sparkling with an intelligence that seed almost otherworldly.
She wore a sleek, black dress that highlighted her seductive figure, the fabric shimring slightly in the ambient light. Her voice, when she spoke, was smooth and commanding, carrying a tone of regal authority.
"Excellent," she said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I expected nothing less from my Alicarde. With access to the governnt's database, we now hold a most valuable asset. This information will undoubtedly prove instruntal in furthering our plans."
Argint tilted her head, confusion flashing across her face.
"Wait, what… what are you guys up to?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Elizalina couldn't resist the opportunity to taunt her.
"Oh, my dear," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, "it is almost endearing how you struggle to keep pace. I suppose it is a challenge for one of your… rudintary intellect to comprehend the intricacies of what we are discussing."
Argint bristled at the insult, shooting back, "At least I don't spend all my ti sitting around like so overgrown ornant, pretending to be a queen. Maybe if you actually did sothing, you'd know what it's like to get your hands dirty... parasite."
Elizalina's smile didn't waver, but her eyes darkened.
"A true queen's strength lies not in manual toil but in her capacity to command those beneath her to enact her will. Such a concept, however, is understandably foreign to soone who lacks both a na and wisdom."
Before the tension could escalate further, the aloof woman in the black dress—Carrisa—intervened.
"Ladies, your bickering is tireso and beneath you. Let us focus on the task at hand. Ana, continue analyzing the data. We have much to deliberate."
Ana nodded and continued to tap on the holographic display, bringing up more detailed files. The room fell into a tense silence as the won shifted their attention back to the task at hand.
Not long after, the TV screen abruptly switched to a breaking news segnt, the words "Breaking News" flashing in bold red letters at the top.
The channel displayed chaotic footage of an ongoing battle in the city. The cara footage, shaky and hastily captured, showed what looked like a grim reaper on a dark, monstrous steed, effortlessly overpowering the military.
The scene was harrowing, soldiers were thrown aside like rag dolls, bullets suspended in mid-air as if ti itself had been halted. The reaper's figure was cloaked in shadow, his face obscured beneath a hood, but his presence was unmistakably malevolent.
His mount, a nightmarish creature with three sharp horns and infernal violet eyes, added to the horror of the scene, its hooves leaving a trail of violet flas in their wake.
The reporter's voice was strained as she tried to narrate the events, her words barely masking her fear.
"In what appears to be a surreal and terrifying turn of events, an unidentified individual, resembling the grim reaper, has been sighted engaging military forces. The assailant, shrouded in darkness and mounted on an otherworldly beast, has single-handedly decimated the troops.
Eyewitnesses report hearing the figure's ominous declaration, 'The guilty will know agony.' Speculation is rife as experts struggle to interpret the aning behind this chilling ssage..."
As the news anchor struggled to provide context, the broadcast shifted to various comntators, each attempting to interpret the situation. The reaper's final words had already beco a topic of fervent discussion, with pundits and analysts debating their significance.
Argint's eyes widened in shock as she watched the footage.
"What the hell did that bastard Ali do?" she exclaid, her voice a mix of disbelief and frustration.
The other won in the room, however, were much calr, almost nonchalant about the entire affair. Elizalina leaned back on the sofa, a knowing expression on her face.
"It was to be expected," she remarked, her tone laced with a subtle, cold amusent.
"Ali going on a rampage was inevitable," Ana added.
Argint shot her a puzzled look. "What do you an? Carrisa said he got better."
Carrisa, the dark-haired woman with violet eyes, spoke up with a sigh.
"I believe I ntioned that he was rely permitted to leave. His condition may have improved, but it does not imply he has been cured of his aggression," she clarified, her voice steady yet carrying a trace of skepticism.
"We had anticipated this outco," Ana interjected. Her tone was calm, almost detached.
"That is why he was tasked with retrieving the data from the bank. He would accomplish his objectives while we gained access to the governnt networks."
Argint looked even more bewildered. "Wait, you knew he was going to cause a commotion? Then why did we even bother keeping him confined for a month?"
Carrisa t her gaze, her expression serious. "His ntal state was exceedingly unstable. Now, I believe he is of sound mind… or so I hope."
Argint wasn't convinced. "You hope? That's not good enough," she retorted, her frustration boiling over.
Elizalina couldn't resist adding her own pointed remark.
"Oh, this is sheer folly. Had we not allowed him to leave, his ntal state might have deteriorated further, and he would have likely departed on his own," she comnted, her tone dripping with condescension.
Argint glared at her but seed to let the insult slide, instead focusing on the bigger picture.
"Hmmm, I see. So you used him to gain access to the databanks. For what purpose? What exactly do you intend to do with the governnt data?" Argint asked Carrisa.
Carrisa allowed a small, calculating smile to cross her lips. "The aim is to assert control over Evergreen City," she stated.
Argint's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You don't an… the nexus. I see. You wish to establish this place as your territory and lay the groundwork for your return to the Demiplane."
Carrisa's plan wasn't difficult to discern. She intended to establish the nexus here in the mundane world, where she could steadily build her forces and reap its benefits. However, there were complications.
The Demiplane, though dangerous, was rich in resources. If Carrisa desired resources here, she would have to acquire them through theft or conquest.
Elizalina placed a hand on her chin, her expression thoughtful as she spoke in a calm, asured tone.
"A nexus… I see you are pursuing the one I recently sensed emitting waves. By my estimation, every major power in this world will covet it. Should you secure it, you will require a substantial force to defend it."
"I have already amassed an army," Carrisa declared confidently.
"You are referring to the Nightshades?" Argint questioned, her voice laced with both acknowledgnt and skepticism.
Elizalina's curiosity was piqued. "The Nightshades?" she inquired, her tone still composed yet tinged with genuine interest.
"The Nightshades are a tribe of warriors and assassins, banished to the wastelands," Argint explained.
"They sohow ended up here due to Wrath and the nexus."
Ana, ever precise and efficient, provided additional context for Elizalina.
"The incident that led to Alicarde obtaining Wrath involved the Nightshades. They were transported here by the nexus's power."
Elizalina nodded slowly, her expression contemplative.
"I see. I have heard tales of their prowess as assassins. From what I understand, they surpass even the dark elves in stealth and lethality, while also being formidable warriors. Quite a formidable combination."
Argint, her mind racing with this new information, asked, "Is that why we aren't assisting Ali with his revenge quest?"
Carrisa nodded. "Indeed. He has his role to play while we handle the repercussions. His vendetta will likely lead him to target key governnt figures associated with Zagarath. Our task is to replace them with our own."
"I understand, but we are still sowhat undermanned," Argint noted. "Unless you bring the Nightshades here. Which raises the question—why are they not here already?"
"The Nightshades have currently ventured to a place in this world called the Underground to refine their combat skills," Ana explained, her stoic deanor unwavering.
"The Underground? Where is that?" Argint asked, her curiosity piqued.
Carrisa's expression was one of calm authority as she elaborated.
"It is a concealed realm beneath the earth, where nurous supernatural creatures and flora remain hidden from the mundane surface world."
Ana tapped her hologram, displaying a few images.
"Have you heard of the novel Alice in Underground, written by a mage inspired by so accounts concerning the Underground?" she continued.
Argint nodded, recalling the children's book that had gained popularity in the mundane world.
Elizalina, ever the voice of cold pragmatism, added in a calm tone, "I have heard so tales. It is akin to the wastelands—dangerous, teeming with many monsters and horrors, though not quite on par with the wastelands. I suspect many of them have already perished by now."
"My mistress did supply them with the bulk of what little potions we had left," Ana added. "In hopes of increasing their chances of survival."
"Let us hope they are not all dead. Now then, what is the plan?" Argint questioned Carrisa.
Reviews
All reviews (0)