VidaBurn’s Bar, New York City“Hey, Peter…” Vida spoke softly to Peter who was smiling at them from behind the counter, Tessa stood beside her nervously at about what they were going to do. She understood that Peter was a kind man, but they did not want to come off as taking advantage of his hospitality. “Yes, Ms. Vance and Ms. Rodriguez?” Peter asked them in his usually kind voice, “Do you need help with anything?”“About that…” Vida said stuttering wildly, unable to put the words in her mouth, Vergil was patiently waiting for them in the nearby alley. “So, uhhh, we need to take an extended leave of absence, if that’s okay with you, Peter” Tessa interjected suddenly, getting over her nervousness. Peter stopped what he was going and stared at them intently with a blank face, as if trying to read them, “Extended leave of absence?” he repeated.“Yes.” Vida and Tessa said together.“We are needed out of the state” Tessa lied immediately, “But we’ll be back or not, if you do not want
VidaThe Great Hall, Kingdom of Howard"Damn, their food is something else!""Tessa! Keep your voice down!""Why? We're the only ones here."Technically, she was right. Vida and Tessa were the only ones eating breakfast in the dining room. Vida found that 'room' would be a poor way to describe the hall that they were in. They were seated opposite each other at a table so long you could at least sit roughly twenty people and there might even be room for more."Besides," Tessa said as she stuffed herself with what looked like pancakes. "How will you be able to hear me?"Vida giggled. "I guess you're right." She sliced through her eggs and took a bite. It was the best damned egg she ever had. It was kind of nice not having to cook for once.After their arrival, Vida had a brief glimpse of Howard as they were being escorted toward the Palace.She still could not believe she was in Colter's world.Colter's confession about him not being a human and that he came from a world called Howard,
TESSAThe Throne Room, Kingdom of Howard"Tessa --"Tessa cut her off before Vida could even finish her sentence. "I think the prince needs some help out there." She patted Vida on the shoulder. "You got this, girlfriend.""No!" Vida said in a hushed voice. "Don't leave me with the King here.""You'll be fine!" Tessa said. She turned to the King who was regarding her with a sour expression on his face. He must be thinking that the fate of the Kingdom relies on this reckless deity. "Your Kingship, I'll be off. Dismissing myself!" She did a weird curtsy, her hands flailing around like a helicopter.Tessa ran out of the room and out into the courtyard. She got to hand it to the architects of this world because the Palace was built intricately. The pillars are detailed until the last inch. The grounds were huge and one could easily get lost in it. It was like a maze.If you asked her, Tessa did not know why she had the urge to talk to the troubled prince. It was like something or someone
King DyronThe Kingdom of Howard OutskirtsThey stood on the brink of oblivion itself, covered by the darkness. Dyron and all his forces were unseen by anyone, Flora’s passing had rendered them blind. It was as if they had relied on the deity for their protection. Without her, they are as meek and as weak as sheep.His minions and allies were resting underneath a forest that Dyron covered with a black fog, they were already celebrating as if they had won. Some were sharpening their weapons, some were sparring, as if they were warming up. Dyron grinned at this, seeing that they were battle ready. In the corner of his eye, he saw Colter shuddering weakly, conjuring flames that flickered in and out of existence. “Is he having doubts?” Dyron thought, slightly feeling aggravated, “I cannot have that.”Colter’s eyes showed fear, anxiety and horror. His flames were turning from crimson red to its usual red color. The laces of black flames with it died and sputtered out and this made the pr
King MalikThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardKing Malik stared into his crystal as he saw the legions of fiends entering the borders, it was a mixture of monsters of different sizes and races. They ran through the ground like maniacs wanting to shed blood, their eyes were filled with malice and violence. Above them, advancing quickly as they were in the air, are the hideous vultures. They were flying towards the kingdom at high speeds, tearing through the air with pure hatred in their eyes. Malik saw his citizens that were not around the capital of the kingdom flee for their lives as they were run down and slaughtered like farm animals.“It’s those things I saw in my visions!” Tessa shouted in horror as she saw them from the King’s crystal viewer, “They’re the ones who captured Colter!”Malik’s eyes darkened, he may have had differences with his son, but he was a son of his, nonetheless. “It may be in poor taste to do this” Malik announced to Vida and Tessa, who were trembling at t
VergilThe Kingdom of Howard“They did not hold back” Vergil muttered in anger as he cleaned his blade, he had just dispatched a squad of monsters that slaughtered a small village in the outskirts of the kingdom. There were barely any survivors, the captain of the royal guard, Vergil of the torrential ocean stood unscathed yet he felt shame and anger at how these monsters had treated the poor citizens.There were huge bite marks out of the dead bodies, one corpse had been cut in half and his innards were apparently gobbled up by these hungry brutes. His still open eyes showed fear and terror as he was probably eaten alive.The women were naked, there were wounds on their orifices, their necks bore bite marks where large chunks of flesh had been bitten off. They had been violated before they were killed. The children, Vergil was shaken to the core as he saw the dead children, there were barely any of them left. There was little to bury, they had been devoured gratuitously by these mon
VidaKingdom of HowardVida could not believe her eyes.It was Colter. But it was not him."Colter!"Tessa pulled her back down. "Don't! We must not draw attention to ourselves. It's already bad enough that the guards are keeping the monsters at bay. Their energies are depleted. I doubt they can still protect us." The pair was hiding inside a secret niche, one of the many secret passages in the Palace. Gian had instructed them to hide and not to come out unless told."But Colter --"Her friend slapped her hand over Vida's mouth and whispered harshly. "Be reasonable, Vida! If the enemy knows we're here, they're going for us. Let them handle it for now." Only a thin wall was separating them from danger. It was crucial for them not to be discovered. They may not make it out of Howard alive.Vida nodded as tears fell down her face, fear and desperation enveloping her mind. Tessa was right. They were merely pawns in this horrid chess match.When Tessa was sure that Vida had calmed down eno
GianKingdom of HowardA duel, just like old times.No holding back.Despite it being a life and death situation, Gian found it amusing how his brother retained some sort of sick and twisted humor. He had to give it to Colter for being so dramatic.Gian knew that in his current state, he would not be able to defeat Colter singlehandedly. Especially now that Colter seemed to be feeding off Dyron's dark powers."Be careful, Gian." King Malik called out to him. He must be worried because the last time they had a duel, Gian was easily floored by Colter. Regardless of his rigorous training, he was no match for the unpredictable moves of a rookie."How sweet. Tell me Malik, do you have any last words for your son?" Colter mockingly smiled at Gian."Don't engage him, Father." Gian said over his shoulder. "Don't give him the satisfaction of him getting in your head.""Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic." Colter shook his head. "Tell me, Gian. Are you scared?"Gian spat out. "You wish.""Colter! Ti