The Serpentine's Revenge

Chapter Six

I was about to yell at Arian, but instead a raucous voice spoke in his place. “Going somewhere?” I turned to see a young man, older than me, with slicked back raven hair. His eyes a clear, sharp green.

“Didn’t you learn your lesson before? Or do you still need a reminder, Adrien?” Adrien Black was a self-absorbed, egotistic bastard. He had a quiver of arrows and a bow strapped to his back, while his silver sword hung at his side.

“I’ve been practicing, and my new sword was made from the hardest metal on earth, Crillium. I’m the best in the class.” I rolled my eyes. His boasting was the most unbearable thing ever.

“What class did you attend? The Amateurs? Oh, wait. I don’t give a shit.”

“Hilarious. Enough talk! Let’s see if your skills are as good as your words!” A scar lined across his face, from his temple to under his left eye. It hasn’t even healed properly yet, a scarlet colour tinted just under his skin. He wasn’t even ready for a fight. I was surprised that he dared to try again. Adrien tossed his bow and quiver to the side. He unsheathed his sword.

“Adrien. I don’t have time for this. Go bother someone else. Someone who you might have a chance at beating.”

He bared his teeth at me. “Unsheathe your sword. I am going to fight you.”

I rolled my eyes, and turned to walk away. I heard a swoosh of his sword through the air. I turned, and his blade connected mine, half way out of its sheathe. I pulled the sword all the way out.

Adrien tsked. “The same old sword. When are you going to change that shameful thing to something that might actually win a battle?” I lifted the sword above my head, and brought it down. It clanged as it smacked against Adrien’s blade.

“Wit and wisdom win more battles than swords and weapons, Adrien.”

“Yes, like I’m going to believe something as idiotic as that! You are weak, you stupid little girl!” He lunged at me, and I dodged out of the way with ease. Adrien stumbled and hit a tree. He stood up, dazed, but ready and more determined about winning. He lunged again, this time, was blocked by my sword and I kicked him back.

“I’m not a little girl, I have much experience that you will never be able to learn. You don’t know everything, Adrien.” He swung his sword, and I couldn’t block in time. Fire bursted across my arm, stinging like hell. He smiled with pride. I gritted my teeth, as my arm began shaking uncontrollably.

“I told you I was good.”

“I don’t think one slice across my arm counts like anything.” I tightened my fist to try to steady my quivering hand.

“Of course it does. Especially when you are not immune to poison.” My eyes widened. I could feel the fire continue up my arm and across my collarbone. He charged at me, only to be blocked by my sword again. Even when I used both hands, I could barely handle the pressure pushing onto me.

“Little girl, I thought you knew, battling is not about blocking,” His black hair stuck to his face as sweat continued to drip down.

“Apologies, you probably didn’t know that blocking and dodging is battling too.” He advanced forward, and thrusted his sword, aimed at my chest. I blocked and flipped back. His sword was kicked out of his hand and into mine.

“Are we done yet? I have a tight schedule to keep, because I’d like to find a antidote for this poison,” He rolled his eyes. “Keep rolling your eyes. Maybe you’ll find a brain back there.” Adrien bared his teeth and growled. He looked beaten up, yet I seemed to be unscathed other than the vicious slice peeking from under my cape.

“We are done when one of us surrenders!” I’ve grown impatient. I pushed him up against the wall of the inn, blade at his neck. But before I could speak, another arrow skimmed the air around my head.

“Stop! You must not fight! This is Azuria! A right and fair Empire, we shall not fight!” I completely forgot Arian was here. Arian may have been a hunter, but he still has some peace inside him. My vision went fuzzy.

“Not anymore. Crimson has been advancing in his rule and no one can stop him! You especially should know, boy.” said Adrien. I looked at Arian with confusion. He should know about Crimson’s rule? How does Adrien know about Crimson’s plans? Why has he decided to find me today? How did he know Arian and I were headed to Violantia? I quickly shook the questions out of my head. I turned my attention back on him.

“Adrien Black. Let me ask you something. Why do you think I am less than you? Because I am a girl? Because I am different? Is it to prove a point?” I didn’t wait for his response. Fire spread across my other arm, weakening me. “Being different isn’t a curse, it’s a blessing. I know that now. Don’t underestimate me. Or anyone for that matter.” I leaned into his face as I pressed the blade closer to his neck. “Why are you here?”

“Am I not allowed to challenge add hopefully kill my rival on a day like today?”

“I’m sure that’s not the only reason you’re here. You couldn’t have found this poison without a huge cost.” He stayed silent. I pushed the blade closer to his neck.

“Alright…” He sucked in a breath “I was sent.”

“By whom?”

“I’ll never tell someone with the likes of you.”

I exhaled out a heavy breath.“You will tell me.” My eyes pierced through his. His face paled, and he tried to take a breath but couldn’t. “You will tell me who sent you.” I softened my glare, and he gasped in a breath.

“The Ruler.”

I raised my eyebrows. “The Ruler? As in from the story?” He quickly nodded his head.

“I can’t tell you anything else. The Ruler has taken my wife. If I don’t follow the commands I am given, she dies.” I didn’t know Adrien had a wife.

“Fine. You will be punished for not telling me.” I smirked.

“What are you do? Just leave me here?”

“No. I’m going to leave you here dead.” I stabbed his sword into the wood of the wall, pinning him there by his arm. He gritted his teeth as blood dripped down from wound.

“Why does it matter if I die? You’ll be dead soon enough,”

“Then I’ll see you in Hell.” I pulled out my dagger, letting it gleam in the sunlight. “I’ve been waiting to do this, the moment I met you.” It was so easy, to just let the dagger slide across his throat. The blood streamed down his neck, and down his chest.

His head fell against his unmoving chest. His body hung by the sword protruding from his arm.

I turned on my heel, sluggishly walked away and joined Arian by the road. My hand began to tremble. Crap. I steadied it with my other hand. Arian gaped at me in disgust, but I didn’t care. I looked him straight in the eye.

“Was it really necessary to kill him? He had wife, you left a woman a widow!”

“You learn, Arian, that the world cannot be trusted. He was in my way, and I,” I took a long breath. Iciness ran down my throat. “Got rid of him.” My entire arm began to shake. I wasn’t sure if it was the poison, or the regular tremors.

“But killing? Is never the way.”

“Well, if you are so against killing, and death,” I cleared my throat, as if to cough up the poison. “Why did he say you should know about Crimson’s advance?”

“Stop. You've been poisoned. You’re going to die if you don’t see a healer.”

“I’m not going to see a healer. I promised Adrien that I would see him in Hell. Can’t…” I took another breath. “Break a promise. Answer the question. Do you know about,” I clutched my burning arm. “Crimson’s advance?”

“You trust him over me? I thought we were allies.”

“We are.” The poison felt like fire and ice mixing in my veins. “But this isn’t about trust. It’s about truth. Tell me what you are hiding.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

I took in a shaking breath. “Liar.” He stayed silent. “Fine. Don’t tell me. I won’t tell you anything else.”

I pushed past him, trying to walk at a brisk pace. I didn’t care if he followed or not. I’m going back to Azuria.

I didn’t make it far from him though. I turned back to look at him, and the ground came rushing up to meet me. I heard faint footsteps, and felt a slight nudge towards unconsciousness. And I followed it willingly.

Everything ached. Everything felt like it was compacted with lead. I couldn’t lift my arms or legs. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. My throat dry, my eyes heavy, my ears muffled. As if I were underwater. Even though heat blanketed my face, arms, and legs, chills racked my spine. I shivered, and a heavy sheet draped over me, letting my body heat reflects back to my core. Everything in the outside world was just a blur. A blur, a memory, one I may never see again.