After Oltor\u2019s execution, the last thing to take care of was the funeral for Rentir and Glanfu. Their bodies were resting in the morgue and the guard leafed through his magazine. He then heard a knock on the door and pressed a button to open the door. Arsha was the one who knocked. She entered the room and spoke to the guard. \u201cAny disturbances?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNope,\u201d replied the guard. \u201cAll the stiffs here are still stiff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what about any intruders?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re hardly an intruder, since you know the knock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny attempts to create a Revenant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Highness, what\u2019s with all the questions?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Sheriff\u2019s office went through Rentir and Glanfu\u2019s records, even their communication records! It\u2019s been discovered that they made a deal with Dr. Borg!\u201d The guard\u2019s expression became one of disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Sheriff Rentir?! One of Dr. Borg\u2019s flunkies?!\u201d he asked. \u201cImpossible!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s possible, I assure you,\u201d came an oily voice. Arsha and the guard\u2019s shadows then came together and formed a pool of blackness. Rising out of the blackness were Oyed, Dr. Borg, and Yulduk. The guard slammed the alarm and Arsha pulled out her communicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBackup! Now!\u201d she called. Two Realmfleet officers then burst into the room as everyone prepared to fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFind them,\u201d Oyed ordered Dr. Borg. \u201cYulduk and I will hold them off.\u201d Dr. Borg nodded and began her search. Arsha and one officer took on Oyed while the guard and the other officer dealt with Yulduk. To their credit, the two were good fighters, managing to keep a Revenant at bay. Yulduk then cast a fireball at the two. The officer, a Blaze Elf, then held it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally?\u201d scoffed the officer. \u201cThat is SUCH a basic spell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI suppose YOU are a Flame Master?\u201d replied Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m near enough.\u201d The officer then created fire ropes. \u201cRashel bu DAH!\u201d he shouted as he flung his arms towards Yulduk. The fire ropes then became fire snakes as they were launched towards Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRasulain!\u201d chanted Yulduk as he jabbed into the fire snakes\u2019 mouths, splitting them down the middle and dissipating them. \u201cAnd you scoffed at ME about basic spells?\u201d The officer was catching his breath after casting his spell. \u201cThat\u2019s only a Tier 2 spell. If you\u2019re winded from that, you\u2019re nowhere near as close to being a Flame Master. I, on the other hand\u2026\u201d A red runic circle then appeared beneath him. \u201cHasheenday!\u201d The runic circle then moved underneath his opponents and a massive octopus of fire grabbed them, burning them as the tentacles constricted them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arsha and her partner continued swinging their punches at Oyed. He kept blocking them, then kicked into Arsha\u2019s chest, knocking her back. Her partner then leapt towards Oyed, but Oyed grabbed him by the face and spewed black mist onto him. The mist entered his ears, eyes, and mouth and he was reduced to a twitching mess, his face contorted into a silent scream. Oyed let him crumple to the floor. \u201cHe\u2019ll be awake from that nightmare in a few minutes,\u201d he purred to Arsha. He then tilted her chin up. \u201cSuch beauty would go to waste if it were damaged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not looking to be part of your harem!\u201d snarled Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI offer a greater position than that. You see, you and Dr. Borg are much alike. You both seek to unite the Realms. You both want to ensure the best future possible for you and your loved ones. Dr. Borg saw it my way with no coercion, making her one of my best warriors. I extend the same offer to you. Join me and unite the Realms, fulfill your greatest wish. My offer will lead to peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTake your offer and blow it out your\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cINSOLENT, FECULENT CHILD!\u201d Oyed then grabbed Arsha by the neck and hoisted her up. \u201cWhere is it?! I weakened your precious Realms\u2019 resolve with my presence, made the veil between the living and the dead thinner by bringing Intrag into the Over-realm, made one of your fellow Captains resign, yet still you defy me! Where is it?!\u201d He then slashed across Arsha\u2019s face with his claws. \u201cWhere, in your soul, is the part that tells you to resist me?!\u201d As blood dripped from her cheek, Arsha chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s the issue you\u2019re having!\u201d she laughed. \u201cYou wanted me to be weakened by my Inner Demons! That\u2019s what made Dr. Borg so much more pliable! That\u2019s where we\u2019re different!\u201d She grabbed Oyed\u2019s arm, then Oyed felt a pain in his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oyed found himself in a barren landscape under a dark sky with the corpses of the Divine Ones littering the ground. He scoffed. \u201cTrying to gain access to my plans, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot really!\u201d cackled a demonic voice. Oyed arched an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho are you?! You\u2019re not talking like Arsha!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, but I AM Arsha! \u2026More or less!\u201d Arsha\u2019s Inner Demon then leapt onto Oyed, her tentacles constricting his limbs and throat. Her claws then plunged into his skull!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oyed finally returned to the real world and clutched his head in pain, screaming as if he were really stabbed through the head. When she fell to the floor, Arsha drove her fist into Oyed\u2019s ribs, then another fist into his diaphragm, the impact knocking him into Yulduk. Yulduk lost concentration on his spell and the fire-octopus vanished, leaving behind a burned guard and officer. Oyed\u2019s nightmare victim regained his mobility and mind. All four people checked each other over as Yulduk checked his master over. He was gasping in pain. \u201c\u2026Pain!\u201d he hissed. \u201cArsha\u2026inflicted\u2026pain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord!\u201d called Dr. Borg. \u201cWe have Rentir and Glanfu! I\u2019m opening a way out!\u201d She opened a small Realmgate and drank a strength potion to lift Glanfu and Rentir\u2019s bodies. Yulduk got Oyed up and had the Titan lean on him so they could get out. Yulduk then cast a few fireballs onto the walls, distracting their opponents and giving them time to return to base. Once the fires were put out, Arsha shouted in anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGIVE! ME! A FAT! BREAK!\u201d she roared. She then went dizzy for a few seconds. As soon as her compatriots went near her, she recovered. \u201cOkay, may need to see Malnar about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Highness, are you all right?\u201d asked one of her officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine now,\u201d she assured him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, positive.\u201d Arsha then released a breath in fatigue. \u201cHave to admit, Oyed almost tempted me with his offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat made you resist?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis path would lead to the Realms\u2019 downfall. I like the Realms too much for that. I don\u2019t need him to make me a woman; I already AM one!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain, you made Oyed feel pain,\u201d recalled the morgue\u2019s guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yeah, I did,\u201d remarked Arsha in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU DID WHAT?!\u201d Malnar and Marshii shouted as Arsha was in Sick Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUse my Inner Demon against the enemy,\u201d replied Arsha as she rubbed her ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOF ALL THE CARELESS, DUMBASS THINGS YOU COULD HAVE DONE!\u201d shrieked Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with you two?!\u201d protested Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha, using your Inner Demon as a weapon could kill you!\u201d lectured Malnar. \u201cIf you used it on a weaker opponent, the damage to your soul would be severe!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI DIDN\u2019T use it on a weaker opponent!\u201d countered Arsha. \u201cI used it on Oyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOyed was there?!\u201d yelped Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd he doubled over in pain after I hit him twice,\u201d answered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026But he CAN\u2019T feel pain, can he?\u201d asked Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what the Codex says,\u201d replied Malnar. \u201c\u2026Say, you don\u2019t think\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m NOT!\u201d hissed Arsha. \u201cI\u2019m not the Champion!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut only the Champion could cause Oyed pain,\u201d replied Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, even the Divine Ones are a little screwy on that prophecy,\u201d remarked Arsha. \u201cThey all said so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess you have a point,\u201d mused Malnar. \u201cI mean, they misinterpreted prophecies before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFair enough,\u201d remarked Marshii. \u201cIn any case, Arsha, you\u2019re staying there until I\u2019ve given you a full checkup!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, Doctor\u2026!\u201d protested Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShut it!\u201d snapped Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the incident in the morgue, Oyed had bandages over his torso and an ice pack on his head. \u201cHow\u2019s that even possible?!\u201d protested Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo yelling, please,\u201d groaned Oyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, my Lord, but, seriously, how?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOut of desperation came invention, I\u2019d say. I had not anticipated someone using their own inner demons on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t think she\u2019s the Champion, do you?\u201d Offense then crossed Oyed\u2019s features as he stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCertainly not! Besides, if she were, it would still amount to nothing. I now know how she fights when she\u2019s struggling for life. Victory won\u2019t come to her. \u2026Speaking of which, how\u2019s Dr. Borg coming along?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s still chanting the spell at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go see, I never saw a Revenant being created.\u201d Oyed and Yulduk then went into the next room. The bodies had just opened their eyes and were screaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShanwey yat talyen falunar!\u201d chanted Dr. Borg as the pentagram glowed. \u201cShanwey yat talyen falunar! Shanwey yat talyen falunar! TEL!\u201d She stopped and the bodies stopped screaming. Much like Yulduk, Rentir and Glanfu had ashen grey skin with blue veins glowing like stars. Rentir\u2019s body still had fur, so one could only see the veins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, Oyed, my HEAD!\u201d groaned Glanfu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGlanfu? Is that you?\u201d moaned Rentir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s me, my love,\u201d replied Glanfu. Just then, their memories came back to them. \u201cOur house! The explosion!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt DID take your lives,\u201d replied Dr. Borg. \u201cWe got you out of the morgue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d bid Rentir. \u201cNow, about the cousin fornicator who killed us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Over-realm Royals already executed him,\u201d replied Oyed. Rentir and Glanfu then knelt. \u201cPlease, rise, my loyal subjects.\u201d The two rose. \u201cWe\u2019re currently at a repurposed Plunder Island Stronghold in the Under-realm. Would you care for a tour?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, My Lord,\u201d replied Glanfu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSplendid.\u201d Oyed then led the two out of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026A real smooth talker, ain\u2019t he?\u201d muttered Yulduk to Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s how he works,\u201d replied Dr. Borg. Tormo then came in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoctor, we need to discuss something,\u201d he griped as he presented a paper to Dr. Borg. She took it and looked it over. Her eye then went wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYulduk, Tormo, assemble the Council,\u201d she ordered. \u201cWe have financial problems to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After Oltor\u2019s execution, the last thing to take care of was the funeral for Rentir and Glanfu. Their bodies were resting in the morgue and the guard leafed through his magazine. He then heard a knock on the door and pressed a button to open the door. Arsha was the one who knocked. She entered […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2710,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,236],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-3-the-first-strike","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3145"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3146,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions\/3146"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}