Shadows Of The Soul

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Planet: Xibalba

Dimension 15: Guargaeon

The Canyon…of course…

Battle strategies crossed her mind as she approached the designated location.

“M’lady, we have arrived. Shall we set up camp?”

An orc approached from behind. Standing eight feet tall, his steel armor reflected the Flaming Sphinx insignia etched into the shoulder plate. Catching her gaze, his feet came to rest. His iron double-sided battle axe dropped from his shoulder, sinking a few inches from its sheer weight.

“Should I sound the horn for battle?”

Across the great divide awaited the hordes of Manticorian Armada. As far as the eye could see, her forces lined across the embankment on the far side. Realizing the intensity of her mental state, she turned aside, her midnight-black hair flecked with golden streaks billowing in the wind as she did.

“No, Biljax, that won’t be necessary.”

“Come on, this…this is nothing, E…me and the crew can easily finish this. It's only what…” Pausing, he pointed at the enemy encampment “One, two, ten minotaurs…maybe 15 orcs, and another 20 or so battle breds. Jorgand, Mikhal, and I can make quick work of ‘em.”

Chuckling, she placed a hand on his. A small gold glitter-specked furry hand, against the large sand-red fist hanging by his side.

“You will have your fill of battle soon, Biljax. But for now, give the order to make camp.”

“But E…” Looking down at her he stopped. “Uuugghhh….yes, my queen. As you command.”

Turning, he hefted his ax back to his shoulder.

“It will soon be time, my friend,” Esper smiled at him as he headed away. “Oh, and have you seen Prisha?”

Shaking his head, he shrugged, “Last I saw her she was around the middle of the troop practicing with Hino and Mizu.”

Dropping her shoulders, she motioned her understanding as he headed back towards the battalion. Rejoining two other orcs, he signaled the making of camp. The deep, yet shrill sound of Jorgand’s orc-sized pan flute echoed across the plains, a signal they were now preparing to make this place their temporary home.

Taking one last look, her eyes surveyed the enemy’s encampment before returning her attention to matters at hand.

When will she learn her place? Ugh, this child will be the death of me.

Esper, queen and ruler of the Sphinxian Battalions, headed back through the encampment, her mind racing. Soldiers bowed as she passed. Some hit their fists to their breastplates while others gave a full bow, their gratitude and respect surpassing any words that could be said. Esper had been the reincarnation of peace to them. From the frisky bounce of her hair, to the confidence exuding from her every look. The kindness she had shown to each of them, to the power they knew their queen wielded….all these things conferred, creating the many reasons for their individual willingness to follow her to the depths of hell and back. Still, thoughts swirled as she walked.

Why would she choose to call us out here? Gwendolyn has never been one for direct attacks or keeping civilians safe, so why announce she wanted a war to end it all? And out here, away from all civilization at that. It just doesn’t make sense.

Ducking as her subordinates hefted a beam over her head, she continued on.

“Apologies, m’lady...” a Gilatoid and Minotaur called to her. Holding a pile of beams between the two of them, they had barely noticed her crossing.

Smiling, she waved them off. “No worries, keep up the good work.”

With a grunt and a quick nod, they continued forward.

Good thing I stayed in this form was all she could think. Now where is this child of mine?

Suddenly, a seething humid gust of wind smacked her from the east. Sounds of battle that had escaped her while in her thoughts now emanated from the same direction.

Let me guess...

Altering her course, she headed towards the source of the now-continuous stream of heated wind. Placing her hand to her head, she removed a few strands of her hair, which instantly grew back.

“Find Agnes,” she whispered as the hair took the shape of a small black and gold sphynx. “Tell her to come to the arena, now…”

A brief warble of understanding came from the creature as it took flight from her hand. The intermittent gusts sweeping before her did nothing to affect the messenger’s flight pattern as it swooped away.

Various grunts and cries rang out as she arrived at a small stone wall ring. It looked as though a previous owner of these lands had created a sizable circular stone wall, not high enough to keep any adult creature contained, but just enough so a youth wouldn't leave without permission. The children currently causing the ruckus seemed to have chosen to use them as sparring grounds. A few of the soldiers had huddled around to watch the outcome of their little match.

“I’ve got you this time, Hino.” Flitting from side to side, a fairy made her approach. A wind demon billowed in her opponent’s direction.

Blurred pinkish-green afterimages sifted silently through the wind, dodging side to side as the fairy sought a viable moment to strike.

“Arrrggggh!!” Snarling, Hino began to focus particles of wind magic between the palms of her hands as three long white tails fanned out behind her. Each released a pocket of blue and white flames. “TAIL…” Hino’s tails began to arch over her head, each lining up to form a three-piece helmet, the tips coming to bear on her opponent. The flames she emitted pulsed in rhythm with her hand movements, growing larger and larger as the ball of wind spread from her palms to fed them. “TEMPESTA!!” Flailing her hands in a wavy motion, three beams of hot blue and white flames leapt forward, propelled by a hurricane gust.

“Too slow, sweetie,” the fairy yelled back, her speed tripling instantaneously. The once-fleeting afterimages stagnated. Now clearly visible, twin blades crossed before them in preparation to deflect the incoming blast. As the blue flames ferociously ravaged the sky, reaching ever closer, both reflections dashed forward. Hino’s aim was true as two of the three beams connected with their intended targets. The fairies’ black floral blades shimmered against the flames as they rotated. Both the blades brightened red as the blast from the vengeful fox pressed, intent on destroying its target.

“FAIRY…” From the space between spaces, the words seemed to float along the air between the fairy and fox. Rolling her blades opposite each other, the beam refracted, now aiming outside of the stone circle towards the camp. The soldiers watching the battle scattered as the magical energies randomly dispersed.

“TABOO…” whispered from behind the crowd. The volley of diverted energy reached the stones’ precipice before coming to a halt, a filmy yellow bubble solidifying around the arena. Horrified, the soldiers slowly rose to their feet in disbelief. Some clutched their hearts while others rose shaking from their near-death experience.

“PETAL…”

Two of the three blasts now deflected, the afterimages vanishing. From out of thin air, a flurry of spiraling pink, violet, and crimson petals begin to appear one by one in the center of the third blast. Melting as quickly as they appeared, a distorting void manifested, throwing off the consistency of the blue flames. Engulfing the blaze of their enemy, the petals picked up speed, devouring the flame as though it was a road to its next victim.

“DANCE!”

From within the mysterious whirlwind, a single black blade stopped just short of Hino’s throat. Midnight black faded into a pristine steel color along the blade’s curved tip, and an elegant pink primrose vine etched along the blade and down its jaded hilt. The petals in the wind dispersed, revealing the crimson entanglements of thread that guarded the hilt now within the fairy’s hand.

“Tsk...”

The grimacing clicks from Hino’s foxlike face expressed it all. The yellowish tent once encapsulating the area melted from its apex, releasing its dueling prisoners. The fairy lowered her blade, returning them to their restraints on her back. Her left hand extended to help Hino stand. The darkness that had just recently graced her visage had gone. “Told ya. I had you this time, didn't I?”

Hino’s tails vanished beneath her robe and her fur-lined muzzle shortened, leaving only a quaint little black nose as evidence of her bestial nature. “I swear, Prisha…” Her voice was lilting and melodic. “I thought I had you that time. When did you come up with that last attack?”

Standing side by side laughing, one would never have assumed these two girls had caused the amount of damage that was easily marked by the pockets of missing earth surrounding them.

“Captain Bondet, Captain Kaze!”

Both winced as they heard their respective names, recognizing who spoke them. Cringing, they both turned to face their queen. “Yes, ma’am?” they responded in unison, that nervous itch causing them to scratch their heads.

SMACK…SMACK!

With one clean stroke, both received a blow that sent them careening across their little makeshift arena. Slowly sitting up to a kneel, their heads hung low, hands in their laps.

“What was that just now? You almost took out half of the camp with your recklessness! I can’t believe you two didn't even have the decency to put up a barrier.” Both girls sat there, rubbing the sides of their arms in shame. Sidling up next to Esper, an older bearish-looking creature stood, holding a staff. Metallic and adorned with the fangs of her victims, Agnes stood shaking her head as she released a slow, feral growl.

“I can’t believe you thought so little of your fellow soldiers,” Agnes said through bared fangs. “If I hadn't been summoned, we would have lost this war before we even started it.”

The girls were now terrified. Hugging each other, they started to cry. “It won’t happen again, Agnes, we promise! Please, please, don't put us in the box…”

A snarled, chagrined look crossed Agnes’ face as she glanced from the children to Esper, who was shaking her head.

“If this happens again.” Stroking her staff, she turned to leave. “I will own your souls.”

The sheer terror on Hino and Prisha’s faces were enough to cause the old Bremen enough laughter to last the rest of the trip, and Esper knew it. Yanking both by their ears, she dragged them a few feet away, just out of earshot of those who gathered to watch their previous display. Letting go, Esper settled in to talk, making a mental note to check with Agnes about what “The Box” really signified.

“Prish,” Esper’s tone changed from commanding to motherly. “Where have you been all morning?”

The avoidance of Prisha’s eye contact was enough for her to know that she had not been with the armada for the entire march.

Hino, seeing that the queen was about to dole out punishment for Prisha, spoke up. “We were surveilling the nearby forest , Your Majesty.” A cautionary look from Esper was enough to slow her tongue. “As we were closing in on the canyon, Captain Bonet and I decided to get a higher perspective on our positions. We happened to notice that the canyon seemed to end about five miles due east and a forest spreads around the entire lip.”

Intrigued and perturbed, Esper crossed her arms. “Continue...”

Standing to dust herself, Hino continued the report. “I asked Captain Bondet to accompany me. We wanted to see how easy it would be to launch an attack on the enemy from there.” She paused, casting a sidelong glance at Prish before turning to face the queen. Her expression said, You owe me big for this. “It was my fault she was not at her post. Please don’t be mad with her.”

Sighing, Esper released her hands to her side. “Captain Bondet, is this true?”

Prisha looked up. “I’m sorry, Mom. I know I was supposed to be at your side when we first arrived at the canyon. But yes, Hino speaks the truth, and it would be extremely easy for an assassin squad to carry out a mission using that area.” Standing, she rubbed her upper arm. “But that doesn't excuse my responsibilities as the princess or as a captain.” Dropping into parade stance, her eyes locked onto Esper’s. Her voice shakily uttered, “I accept any punishment that awaits.”

In disbelief, Esper’s right hand covered her face, her left hand bracing her elbow.

What am I going do with these kids? She internally laughed at the thought.

“Your reconnaissance is excellent as always, ladies, but this must be the last time I am notified after it has been completed.” Both girls’ heads bowed as Esper closed the distance between them. Placing a hand on each of their heads, she gave their hair a quick jostle before leaning down to hug them.

“I’m proud of you for telling the truth, and that little duel was actually quite impressive.” Standing and walking through them, she waved. “Get Jorgand to analyze the forest area in case we need to use it.”

The girls smiled thinking, they were off the hook.

“And then report to Biljax for armory duty.”

Hino and Prisha’s faces dropped. Armory duty with Biljax meant cleaning everyone's armor and sharpening all the weapons in the camp, something they both hated doing.

“Well…” Dusting herself off as her mother disappeared around the corner, Prisha rubbed her still-sore cheek. “I guess we should go find Jorgand.”

Hino shrugged her shoulders. The idea of meeting with Biljax afterwards was not her idea of a great way to prepare for a battle.

“And besides…” a twinkle crossed Prisha’s eyes, a sly grin curling her fairy lips, “…who said that finding and making sure Jorgand safely returned from the forest would be a quick task.”

Hino crossed her arms, “Oh no! No, no, no, you are not getting me into any more trouble.”

Prisha stretched her wings, lifting off the ground. “Let’s go!” Taking off towards the medical tent, she grabbed Hino’s collar, virtually dragging her along for the ride.

“I…haaaattte…..yoooouuuuuu….” was heard for a few yards, an afterthought of dust swirling in their wake as they zoomed through the camp.