Wolves of War

Return to South Akkadia

I jerked and jumped in surprise. The door I saw in my…vision was the same door that held back the cursed witches locked away in the basement temple of South Akkadia. What I gathered from the vision was that the seal was gone and that meant the cursed witches would be able to push the door open and walk out. What the vision did not tell me was when this was going to happen or if it already had.

We hadn’t heard news of anything suspicious going on in Akkadia but we did only leave a few weeks ago and if anything did happen word about the incident may not reach us in time. I have to leave now and handle this.

“Are you okay?” Mihira asked, concerned.

I smiled at her and nodded. “I’m fine.”

Mihira put the back of her palm to my forehead and frowned. “You are a bit clammy, are you sure you are okay?”

I nodded my head again and smiled, “I’m sure. Now let's get some music going and dance the night away”

The vampires cheered. A band of musicians holding instruments appeared out of nowhere and began playing lively music that filled the area. I did not stay long an hour into the festivities. I excused myself by using the heavy dress as an excuse to leave the party. The dress was actually not that heavy. I could have danced in it all night and into the morning.

“I knew you were lying” Thea said as Galga helped me out of the dress. “What happened up at the altar?”

“I don’t really know”I admitted. I explained to the group about the vision that I had during the ceremony.

“I thought there was a seal on the door keeping them inside.” Galga asked, confused.

“There is, but in my vision the seal is gone and what makes it worse is that I should have known that this was going to happen. The witch who put the seal on the door is dead. Any active magic that she left behind is going to fade away and eventually disappear. The worse of it is that we don’t know how long this witch has been dead. The seal was strong the last time we were in Akkadia, so I can assume that the witch was alive a little over a week ago.”

“So it’s a gamble?” Thea asked. “Either the seal is still active and is holding the door closed or the seal is gone and it’s a matter of when they will notice.”

“I’m sure they have already noticed.”

“When do we leave?”

I snapped my head towards the doorway and saw Ramune standing there.

“Someone needs to stay…”

“Jora can handle it.” Ramune said. "He is a very competent and respected general in Asai's army."

“And I will keep the vampires in line” Mihira said as she perched on the window.

I looked at her curiously.

“Vampires have exceptional hearing. All I have to do is focus on who I want to listen to.” Mihira chuckles.

I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, Mihira.”

“We will leave now” I said, then I turned to Galga.

“You stay here?”

She looked at me baffled. “Why?”

“Someone needs to reattach Atman’s wings once they are located,” I said.

Galga looked at me in horror.

“You can do it.” I said before she could get a word in “You have a natural talent. Just keep calm. I promise you will know what to do.”

Galga took a deep breath and let it out with a nod.

“Once your job here is done, meet up with us in Akkadia if Mihira allows it.”

"Yes my lady” Galga answers.

“Mihira, please ask the tunnel men to get Bootsie and the other wraiths ready. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

“What’s the plan?” Ramune asked.

“I assume that they escaped. There is a power down there that might have broken the seal once it started weakening. I’m not sure what kind of curse took over their bodies, but I know that the people of Akkadia will be seen as a food source. They won’t go on a killing spree, but they aren’t smart enough to know that taking people will bring attention to their nest.”

“What will happen if the mayor decides to attack the nest on his own?” Ramune asks.

“It will not end well for the mayor” I said.

“My Desmona”. I looked up at a vampire bent at the waist

“Allow me to congratulate you on your Naming Ceremony.”

Smiled up at him “Thank you. How are the wraiths? Are they okay to move?”

“The Tunnel man jumped down from the cart and kneeled in front of me. They ate and are ready. They can take you all the way to Akkadia in under 8 hours. Just hold on tight.”

The tunnel system is a great discovery. It connects the major cities of old Akkadia; New Lumina, the Mountain, Gaia, Asai’s Dukedome, the Golden City, South Akkadia, and the Capitol. The vampires discovered the tunnels while living in the catacombs of New Lumina. They were trying to expand when they discovered the underground system and the micro-towns that existed below the country of wolves. With the wraiths' power and speed, traveling time from major city to major city has dramatically decreased. Right now, the only tunnel systems open to the public are the ones between New Lumina and Gia and the Dukedom. Commerced between the three cities practically exploded overnight.

The journey to South Akkadia was quiet. The wraiths traveled at a speed that didn’t allow for normal conversation. The wind whipped the words pass my ear so quickly that I had to ask the speaker multiple times in order to comprehend what was being said. Just as the tunnel man promised, we arrived at Akkadia in eight hours. The steps that led to the surface are small and steep. One missed step could see you starting over from the beginning.

“Wait” I whispered so low that I barely heard myself.

“What is that smell?” Ramune asked, covering his nose.

“It’s them, the cursed witches. Their bodies are dead, so they give us the stench of decaying flesh even though the curse keeps them from decaying.”

“What are they doing?” Ramune asked.

“Hunting” I said, taking quite slow steps towards the wooden door.