Flow (Corruptions of Champions 2)

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 1: Awakening​

AN: Welcome! Here's my last attempt at Fanfiction. I'll try to not stress myself with story updates, so please do be patient. Felt like magic and some fluff with the cuties from CoC2, so here we are.​

There wasn't any grand unravelling of prophecies, or flashes of light that heralded her arrival. No portals tore open, and no rivers ran red with the blood of the innocent, to fuel her crossing into the world. There was just the weightlessness of sleep, and the timeless drift of dreams.

She closed her eyes at home, bundled up in two blankets (Different Textures are important, you see), and drifted off in that kind of hazy contentment that could only be found in a reprieve from the ache of a rather bad fever. With naught but the pitter-patter of rain and her cat's purr serving as a lullaby, which coaxed the dream ever closer.

Within the haze of rest, something shifted, and reality shuddered for the briefest of moments. It was in that quake of unseen forces at play, that Kaida was taken from one place, and deposited into another.

It was a snowstorm of all things- face first into the snow-filled banks just outside a lightly walled little hamlet by the name of Hawkthorne, on the northern end of a continent, in the stretch of mountains and valley known as the Frost Marches. She had woken up in this land exactly three days ago, and if there was one thing she could say about the place?

The denizens weren't half bad. Sure, there were a few intimidating figures- and what Kaida was almost certain of was a werewolf (Lupines actually, and not contagious!) but he was rather nice!

He took one look at her freezing on the doorstep of his Inn and let her into the Frost Hound tavern.

Kaida did wonder if they considered themselves to be dogs or wolves as far as taxonomy was concerned, but decided it'd probably be rude to ask. Maybe they had books about these kinds of things?

"Looks good, Kaida. Take five." Garth's gruff voice called from the other end of the tavern.

Kaida sighed in relief, as she placed the small stack of wood down beside the larger logs, propped up against the stone hearth that warded the cold away.

Kaida blinked, cerulean skin reflected in the firelight, as Amethyst irises shimmered and white fair framed the sides of her heart shaped face. A trio of slender fingers clapped against one another, depositing loose wood shavings and pieces of twine into the hearth as it roared.

Oh right, free drinks!

The recollection snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Thanks, Boss!" She'd respond, as she made her way over to the bar, and climbed into the high seat with a sigh, and brushed the remaining chips of wood off her legs. Her tired smile brightened, as a glass of mead slid over to her.

The travel clothes she arrived in not-withstanding, Kaida didn't have anything to pay Garth with, but thankfully he was a fair man. She kept the fire burning bright, and he gave her a place to sleep and three meals.

Did it suck to be babysitting a fire for so long? Kinda, yeah. But it was the warmest seat in the tavern, it beat freezing to death, and it gave her time to think. And heavens did she need to think about things.

She was wide awake, the bandage on her thumb from a particularly rough piece of bark asserted her of that. No one was acting particularly off either, aside from a few townsfolk who seemed keen to keep to themselves, but a blizzard would make anyone kind of grumpy, wouldn't it?

Math still made sense (just as complicated as always), and while she didn't exactly have any reading material, the few carvings decorating the walls of the Inn didn't defy regular sense.

She also happened to be a different gender, and she was blue- and generally looked like a dungeon and dragons' character.

But… she also looked like the character dearest to her heart, so she didn't really complain. Even if going to the bathroom took some getting used to. It was odd, but it felt… right, she supposed.

There were questions, and no answers in sight, at least, without prodding at things with the mental equivalent of a long stick.

She had comforted herself with the hearth's flame, and the idle chatter of the patrons. She even watched a poker game the other night! The players let her push the coins around while the nice horned lady, Ivris, rambled to her about… Wyld elves?

Kaida never expected elves to have horns, but apparently a few do! It's a bit of a random trait, she said. Kaida did get a few looks for all her questions, but it was a nice evening.

Speaking of questions, Kaida had managed to overcome her social anxiety enough to talk with the two lupines running the Inn to understand that 'Savarra' was the land's general name, and that 'Earth' just meant dirt in the ground. Or dirt flavoured magic. Because magic was real, apparently- which was baffling, exciting, and worrying all at once.

Sure, it explained the magical makeover, and the presence she felt in the back of her mind since she woke up, in some way, but it also begged for even more questions- and concerns.

Kaida glanced down at her hand, and she focused. It wasn't so much a power running through her, as it was a desire that she focused in on and slowly, unravelled.

Frost.

The cold, the veil of lethargy that had been pressing down on the Inn ever since she arrived.

With a breath, she inhaled, and with a breath, she exhaled. In the wake of her breath, a faint blue ring manifested over her palm alongside script that rested along the outer ring. It was a slow process, as the script flickered a few times.

Kaida felt a ripple run through her, as the sound of crackling ice filled the space. And in her hand, was a cool mist, one that pressed together into a small cube of ice, that she dropped into her mead with a gentle 'clink'.

As far as Kaida could tell, she nudged the idea of what she wanted outward, like pestering the world to listen. But it was like convincing Patches to move once he got settled, which means it always took time, effort, or some kind of bribe.

Although she assumed that a bribe meant something magical, and not just tuna, in this case.

I miss that fatty.

Her smile muted itself a bit, as she changed tracks.

Flame.

The inverse of cold. Warmth that soothed her down to the ache in her bones. Like the little fire she had been keeping alive the past three days…

The ring hissed, like a campfire one when listens close. The cracking of ice ceased, as the crackling of embers took over.

The ring halted for a moment, before orange bled into blue, overtaken with the hue of a sunrise.

Instead of mist, there was a haze of orange radiating out from her fingers, whisps of heat that sank into the mead through the tankard, melting the ice before her eyes.

Kaida glanced up and noticed Garth, who stared at the ring in her outstretched palm with a raised brow.

"Just practicing, Boss." She'd clarify with a little giggle, as he huffed and paid it no mind.

"You can use your breaks how you like, Lass. Don't burn my Inn down but making things hot and cold is fine." He spoke in response, giving the ring one more glance. "A sight safer than what those Frost-Witches do up north. Who knows, maybe you could help the folk around here with heated blankets and the like."

"Huh… maybe!" Kaida contemplated the idea for a moment. She'd make iceboxes easier, that's for sure!

I don't think they have fridges here. Or Air conditioning for that matter. The manual cooler came from the east, right?

She wasn't that kind of nerd, but her brother had quite a few interests. She remembered a little.

I do wonder how common magic is here.

Kaida nodded while she pondered the question, as the orange ring broke into faint motes of light.

Magic could be subtle, or it could be obvious, and the last thing she wanted to do was spook her hosts and get kicked out.

After all, fantasy land was full of magic- and magic tended to mean monsters. And Garth and Gwyn both mentioned people had gone missing…

"Did your son not come back, yet?" Kaida asked, voice soft and tinged with the slight weight of exhaustion. Fighting the tail-end of a fever did not get better in a fantasy world, apparently. Even with her… new additions, the fever somehow followed her.

Maybe the fever followed the magic stuff? Or did the magic follow the fever?

She finally remembered her drink, and picked up the tankard, careful not to spill it with her four fingered hands. She nursed the warm mead in her mug, as she took small sips and savoured the heat it gave.

"No sign of him or the lumberjacks yet. But the Lodge should hold up to this kind of weather, so I reckon I won't be seeing him till this storm blows over. Garrets got a thick skull, and thicker fur. He's probably fine." He sighed, fingers pinched over the bridge of his nose… or snout?

Garth seemed to always take that pose when he talked about his eldest, but there was genuine fondness in there too.

"But Gwyn's worried." Kaida prompted a few moments later, much to his begrudged nod.

"Gwyn's worried, Aye. I've raised my kids as fighters, but she's a soft one still." He agreed, but his eyes glinted with warmth.

"He's probably okay! The lumberjacks had a base, you said so yourself!" Kaida replied, an air of assurance despite the twinge of nerves in her stomach, as she finished her drink.

Garth placed a clean mug down on the counter and reached for another one by his side.

"He better be." Garth grumbled, he seemed lost in thought.

"I should probably get back to the hearth, Boss." Kaida murmured, as she placed the emptied mug onto the countertop.

"Hold up a sec, Lass. I just wanted to say thanks for being such a good part-timer. You've kept the hearth burning without complaint, you've made Gwyn smile, and well- you look like something's been eating at you." He paused for a moment, to let the words settle as he grabbed another tankard.

"If talking to an old man like me might get it off your chest… my ears are always open." Garth finished, his words both sudden and genuine. And he made the effort to swivel both his ears in her direction.

A feeling of warmth that bubbled in Kaida's chest made her grin.

Garth raised a brow, but he kept on wiggling his damn ears.

He really isn't a bad guy at all.

"I, thank you! But uhm- it's kind of a lot, I'll have to think about it!" Kaida replied, as she hopped off the stool and adjusted the mantle on her shoulders, till it fit nice and snug again.

Even if she could talk about being from another world without being sent to the clergy for insanity, or about truly having no roots here, she didn't know how to put it into words… but the offer was kind.

Whatever Garth was about to say in reply, it was drowned out by the sound of the tavern door being flung open- and a figure hunched up against the door.

A woman- her figure slightly obscured by a long winter coat and a hood, but the splotches of red stuck out far more on white. Blood- She was bleeding.

"S-Someone! Help, I need help!" The woman called out, as she slumped forward, only for Garth to rush over- limping with his bad knee, cane in hand, to catch her.

His cane fell to the ground as he stopped her fall, and Kaida quickly followed suit- only sparing a glance at the townsfolk who would rather look at the table, or their own hands- then help a woman in need.

She focused on the door first- using her shoulder to slam the stubborn thing closed- after a brief contest against the roaring winds outside. She shut the latch for good measure- and sighed.

Kaida made her way over to the pair, and grabbed onto the woman's arm, she helped her into a chair pushed up by the hearth. The woman's breathing was ragged, and she was cold to the touch.

The thing that drew her attention was the two points sticking up through the hood drawn over her head. For a moment she thought they were antlers, like Ivris' Wyld mark, before she realized they twitched.

Cat Ears.

It was rather easy to resist the urge to pet them, considering it was a person in need.

She was ABSOLUTELY going to ask for pets once she felt better, though!

"We need to warm her up. Gwyn, can you please get some mead?" Garth spoke to Kaida, and then his daughter- as he called the pregnant woman over.

"Of course, Papa! I'll be right back!" Gwyneth moved with great speed for someone so heavily pregnant.

Kaida guessed that it was Lupine genetics. They all seemed to be built like a house of bricks compared to her twigs.

Kaida's hand rested on the woman's cheek, which was rather cold- but soft. The Pinkett leaned into her palm, and Kaida felt her heart sink at the relief that the contact gave.

This poor girl.

She blinked in surprise as a black-haired human woman came by with a quilt blanket, which she wrapped around the Cat Girl's Shoulders.

"We all have to do our part, right Miss?" The villager gave her a subdued smile.

Kaida nodded to her. "Yeah, Thank you!"

A few minutes passed as Gwyn returned with another tankard of warm mead.

It was in this time that Kaida reached for another piece of magic she felt in the corners of her mind.

Felt was a strong word, it was more like an idea that seemed… heavier? Then the rest, not in weight, but in possibility. The difference between speaking a word and yelling with the confidence that the world would give way.

It was substantial, something that could be brought out, that could be pushed like Flame and Frost.

"Slow breaths. Can you tell me your name?" Kaida asked, as she focused again. She wasn't looking to warm her up- her cheek was already warming up in Kaida's palm.

She focused in on another side of magic; she pushed her intentions into the idea of a single word.

There were at least four, but that did not seem like it was final. Despite her mental prodding, only two more were in her reach, and only one seemed like it would help.

Wild.

It was the feeling of blood rushing through one's veins. The thrum of adrenaline, of life. Of bark and root, bone, and sinew.

It was a little harder to grasp considering she hadn't felt great the last few days. Cold? Yes. Warm? Also, Yes. But the feeling of being strong? Of Growth? Not so much.

And yet it responded to her desires all the same.

Whisps of green light flickered into a ring around her outstretched hand.

It took a moment for her to focus on what she desired.

Don't bite, don't grow, or ensnare. Make her better, heal.

The ring halted once, twice, and then it spun.

Within the ring, magic took shape. It wasn't mist, nor was it a glowing orange light. It was an amber liquid that slowly coalesced into existence from thin air. It was thick and emitted a sweet smell that promised energy.

It was honey, manifested from nothing.

Although the gentle thrum of discomfort in her temples assured her it did come from something.

Me.

Kaida wasn't too sure what it took yet.

She gently placed the glistening ball of honey against the back of the cat woman's head. She watched it seep into the injury, and ever so slowly, knit the gash back together, like watching a timelapse of a week in a span of minutes.

Her impromptu patient hissed, winced, and then she relaxed.

That usually means it's working, yes.

Kaida didn't envy her, though.

"There, that should help." She sighed as the ring of green vanished and she flopped back onto her butt in front of the seated woman.

"Good job, Lass. I didn't know you were a member of the clergy. A lost apprentice maybe?" Garth gave her a nod, although the question lingered in the air.

Well that's a can of worms I'd rather not open.

"I dabbled in a bit of everything. Uh, everything magical." Kaida mumbled as she took a deep breath.

"You did good." Garth replied, patting her on the shoulder.

The lack of further questions had Kaida relax, just a bit.

It was then that the cat woman's clouded eyes cleared, as she focused, and spoke. She glanced at Kaida first.

"A Salamander? I'm … Cait- Caitriss. M-My sister and I got attacked…" The woman's trembling slowed as her gaze sharpened.

Is that what I am? Or something similar? Huh.

Kaida nodded, entirely focused on those expressive green eyes.

"Yes! I'm a Salamander! I'm Kaida. What happened, Cait?" Kaida did her best to keep her anxiety out of her voice. After all- Cait was entirely alone, which meant that they still had her sister… or worse.

Fantasy world or not, some people can just be cruel.

Just the thought made her stomach churn.

"We were just outside the wall, we were going north to meet up with our father, but then the storm got worse. We saw the gates were open- we headed that way, and we were attacked before we could get in. They started hitting, and grabbing, and one went for my head- and I was alone." Cait's voice trembled, and tears pricked in her eyes.

"That's rough, Cait." Garth rumbled as he stood back up and handed her the warm mead.

With Garth stepping back, and Cait's Hood lowered, Kaida got a better view of her Cait's blonde and pink hair- cat ears, and a heart-shaped face.

She was beautiful, even covered in dirt, snow, and dried blood.

The sight of it all made Kaida's heart clench.

"S-someone here can help me, right? It's not too late, I need to save my sister." Cait stammered, eyes wide, as she glanced between Kaida and Garth- followed by the townsfolk behind her.

Given the pin-drop silence that had fallen over the Tavern, Kaida knew she didn't need to turn around to see that not a single person had met Cait's eyes. Her hopeful expression seemed to harden a little- but those eyes glinted with teary determination.

Garth grit his teeth. "If Garret was back, if it weren't for this damn leg…" He hissed to himself, fingers clenched.

"I'll go." It took a second for Kaida to register the words that came from her own mouth.

"R-really? Oh thank you!" Cait shot up from the chair, pulled Kaida up in a hug.

Kaida promptly flushed red, as she felt the taller woman's surprisingly well-endowed form press against her. She's always had a weakness for pretty girls.

And taller girls' makes it worse! Is it good I'm so short now!?

The woman was athletic- and it was easy to see she cut a curvaceous figure now that the cloak was a little more open.

Kaida was a little touch-starved, but she reminded herself to focus.

"Are you sure, Lass?" Garth asked, and she nodded over Cait's shoulder.

She gave the cat girl a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah. I- I can't see my family anymore, but this… Cait still can. It's important. I must help." Kaida replied- even as it left her stomach in knots- the idea of fighting… the guilt of ignoring it would be far worse.

"If it's both of us, then we can do this! I'm a priestess of Mallach, which means I can use white magic. I've got a few defensive spells and some healing, but I need to recover my staff!" Cait declared, as Garth hummed.

"I can use magic too!" Kaida replied, perhaps a bit too eager to prove her own worth.

A hand went up, and she focused.

Frost.

The request to not burn down the Inn remained at the forefront of Kaida's mind, as she coaxed the frigid mist of her magic into the shape of a sharp icicle the size of a crossbow bolt.

She made sure to not point it at anyone! Although she had hoped it'd be a little bigger…

"I… meant to do that." She muttered, ever the wellspring of confidence.

You were supposed to become a mighty spear!

The bolt quivered in her mental grip, as she grumbled.

"I'm sure you did, Lass." Garth looked away, as Kaida felt her cheeks flush a little bit.

Kaida dismissed the icicle and watched as the bolt cracked into tiny chips of Ice and fell to the wood-shaving coated floor. The slight pressure on her temples eased, and she let out a sigh of relief.

Oh, looks like I can refund spells! Probably not if I let them go off, though.

"Alright, Kaida's evidently got a few tricks of her own, so I suppose I approve. But neither of you are going out empty handed!" Garth pulled himself up, gathered his cane, and walked back to the bar.

Reaching beneath the bar-top, he pulled out a dagger wrapped up in cloth- freeing the leather grip and a polished sheathe with a single smooth tug.

"This was from my mercenary days; I kept it just in case I'd have needed it. And it looks like today's the day, use it well." Garth stated, as he handed the dagger to Kaida.

She hefted it in her hand, before she attached the sheath to her belt. It was closer to a short sword in her hands… but she could wield it.

"I- Thank you, I'll take good care of it." She responded.

Garth merely snorted.

"I'd rather that it takes care of you. You two better come back in one piece, got it?" With that, Garth returned to the counter.

"You're not going anywhere till you've warmed up, Missy!" Gwyn's voice cut into the silence that followed, as she pressed Cait's forgotten glass of mead back into her hands.

"I- Yes, Ma'am!" Cait stammered, eyes wide, as she glanced at the demanding expression of The Frost Hound's Serving Maid, and she wisely downed the glass in a few sips.

"I'll keep her Warm, Gwyn!" It was Kaida's turn to hug Cait, instead of the other way around. Her face pressed into Cait's chest, as Gwyn hummed.

"Alright, fine. But you are forbidden from getting sick!" She declared, as she finally stepped away.

Despite the possibility of a fight to come, Kaida couldn't help but giggle.

She felt Cait relax in her arms. Gwyn really was kind.

"We'll be back! Let's go, Kaida!" Cait grabbed Kaida's hand and pulled her along. Kaida held hers tight, as the door swung open- and they walked out into the storm.

--- Flow ---

​

The way to the carriage was just as frigid as Kaida expected it to be. The buildings beyond the warm walls of the Frosthound Inn were shops and small homes of wood and stone- followed by the lumber-stacked walls and palisades- with their gate wide open.

Passing the gate led to the powerful winds buffeting at Cait and Kaida's forms- to the point that the pair had to wrap their arms around each other, just to keep moving.

Cait retrieved her Staff from her family's cart, with the bags overturn, belongings spilled onto the snow powdered ground and the wheels smashed into a pile of firewood.

There was no sign of Cait's sister, and with only the footsteps leading up the hills towards the dilapidated temple in the distance, they had to follow.

The cold chilled Kaida down to the bone, only kept at bay by the gentle warmth radiated by her sphere that rested by her arm… and Cait hugged that arm, and stole the warmth for herself.

She really is a cat, huh?

Kaida grumbled to herself.

The first pair of cultists they passed… were preoccupied. A pair of robed figures, a human man and woman, were pressed up against a rock.

Kaida quickly looked away- they were clearly in a session of passion… although the middle of a blizzard was hardly a good place for it!

She turned red, glanced at Cait- and they both quietly walked past the pair, who were too occupied with each other to take notice.

"W-What kind of cult is this?" Kaida whispered to Cait, who only shook her head.

"Mallach, is all about passion, but there's a time and place for it- and kidnapping has no part of that!" She whispered back, as the pair continued onwards.

"I don't think they follow Mallach, Cait." Kaida whispered, doing her best to shake the image out of her head, as they continued forward.

A flight of stairs came next, protected from the frigid winds by an outcrop of rock, they made their ascent beside the stone, relieved at no longer having to fight the sky, and less contesting of the cold.

They were close now, just a way from the temple proper- when they came across the second group of Cultists. A lupine woman was sprawled out against a crate of sorts, with even more debauchery taking place.

Kaida's eyes lingered on them for a moment, before she covered her gaze, peering through slightly splayed fingers as Cait stood Infront of her.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Cait called out- only for the lupine woman to laugh.

"Oh, if it isn't the impure kitten, and a little knight in shining armour? No, she's trembling! I suppose she's an extra damsel then. I suppose we could use a spare sacrifice!" The wolf woman chuckled as she fixed her clothing.

Oh finally, a civilized conversation!

Kaida's relief died a swift death, however, as the woman did not seem all that open to diplomacy.

The cultist flexed, cracked her neck, and grabbed a vicious sickle and a wicker shield, nodding to the man and the woman behind her, who grabbed their own weapons.

"Let's get em, Master Talos doesn't want any interruptions, but I'm sure he could use more meat for the orgies~" She declared.

The man chuckled. "Spilling blood is almost as good!"

Cait glanced to Kaida. "Guess we're fighting, keep a cool head, I won't let you fall."

Kaida nodded, and swallowed, feeling herself break into a cold sweat despite the frigid air- as she clenched her trembling fingers around the hilt of the dagger.

I can do this; I can do this. For Cait and her sister. Frost!

Frigid blue light spilled from her fingers, as Kaida focused on the bolt shape from before. The falling snow around them swept up into the projectile manifested in front of her.

Her other hand grasped the dagger tightly, as she tried to still her trembling fingers.

We just need to scare them a bit, right?

Kaida dearly hoped that was the case.

Cait's hand burst into white flames, which she released forward. The shimmering white flames splashed into the wicker shield. The flames licked and singed the material as the woman flinched, a wave of heat washed over her.

To the woman's credit, however, she did keep going- but she took shelter behind the shield- she couldn't see.

Talk about a warrior's courage!

Kaida's chest burned with envy for that bravado, as she thrust her dagger forward, sending the edge skittering against the shield.

"Hngh!" The woman grunted, as she slammed the shield upward- the shock had Kaida flinch, her dagger knocked up into the sky- but it left the lupine woman's chest exposed.

Kaida pointed with two fingers and mimed firing a gun. Her ice-bot shot forward, colliding with the woman's thigh.

The shield-wielding cultist stumbled with a grunt, and Kaida's winced, as she forced herself to keep going.

The woman drew close, and Kaida didn't exactly want to come to blows with her- not when she was so much taller, and stronger, and probably knew a thing or two!

Wild!

The faint green ring of magic manifested once again, as a sturdy tree root shot out of the ground in the woman's path and coiled around her foot. The sudden lurch sent her to the ground, face first. The wolfwoman fell prone.

A second splash of Cait's white flame drew the other cultist woman's attention; a shimmering ward spun to life.

A mage then!

Part of Kaida recoiled at the violence, at the feeling of blood drew by her own hand- but as she retrieved her dagger, she thought about what they could be doing to Cait's sister… and the disgust fueled her. She could keep going.

The held dagger cowed the wolf woman into staying down- only for Kaida to yelp as she was Kicked in the stomach and sent into the snow, gasping for air. Fingers scrabbled around the knife.

"Kaida! Hold on!" Cait called out, the butt of her staff collided with the man, a resounding 'thwack' echoed.

Kaida groaned from the snowbank.

"Ugh…" She shook her head, pain flared, and the fear of failure drove as deep as a knife to the chest.

Her eyes snapped open, and with a desperate squeak, Kaida drew on magic again.

Flame!

A ring of orange, the feeling of warmth, a steady presence- it thrummed as she took a breath, it cooled as she exhaled, and it warmed up again. An ember of flame that swept across her body, it did not burn, but rather encouraged her.

Her own magic guided her breath, and she could pull herself up.

The churning anxiety of combat ebbed beneath a mental tug, drawn to the lupine woman that attempted to stand.

"Cait! Below!" Kaida exclaimed, as she scrambled to her feet. Her right hand stowed the dagger, as she reached out to the final sign.

Sky.

The feeling of freedom, the winds of a cool morning breeze, and the rain that was welcomed and disliked by many, all around the world- presumably both worlds.

A teal ring of magic snapped into existence, as a swirling gale of wind coalesced in Kaida's grip. Held as best as she could.

With six steps, Kaida got back into the fray, streams of air swirled across her palm, as she promptly palmed the woman in the face, and released the gathered winds on impact.

She swung as hard as she could, A puff of white kicked up in the impact as the shield bearer was blown backwards, and slumped to the ground, she dropped her weapons and cradled her face.

Oooh, that was a bit too effective.

Kaida cringed, but she kicked the sickle away and grabbed the shield.

Two bursts of flame caught her attention- one a sickly pale green, the other the gold-tinged white of Cait's magic.

The mage, and Cait, were at a standoff, gouts of flame splashed against each other.

Kaida charged the other guy, as the heat filling her body begun to coalesce around the shield, setting it alight with gleaming embers that did not burn the wicker frame. The surface glowed an orange sheen as Kaida pushed herself to the brink- her body grew warm and pressure built up in her boots.

"Salamander Smash!" Kaida called out, her voice only a little hysterical, as she collided with the man, and promptly bowled him over with surprising force. The two of them toppled over into a heap.

"Ugh…" He grumbled beneath her, as Kaida scrambled to her feet.

"Sorry!" She exclaimed, as she slammed the shield into his head, and he slumped over, unconscious.

Turning to the other two- she sagged in relief.

Cait had knocked the final woman to the ground, a small bead of white flame held in her outstretched palm.

"Glad to see you got your head back in the fight, Kaida" Cait's voice was still tight, but there was a hint of tease there as well.

"H-hey! That was my first time fighting!" Kaida stammered in her defense, as she pulled the dazed man's heavy frame over to the recovering wolf glaring from the floor.

"Now Talk! Where did you assholes take my sister?!" Cait demanded, flame inches from the cultist woman's paling face.

"T-the temple up there! That's where the portal is being opened. It's going to happen at Dusk, when the veil is weakest!" The woman stuttered, eyes darting between her comrades and Cait's furious glare.

"Good. If you lied to me… I'll be coming back to give you a spanking you won't forget." Cait gritted out, before she turned to Kaida.

The fire fading from her fingers promised that it would not be a fun punishment.

"It hasn't been long, the fact they guarded the temple so zealously means it's probably not finished yet, right?" Kaida asked, as she examined the area for anything the pair could use.

Oh, coin pouch! Score!

Kaida promptly robbed all three of the cultists. Counting around two hundred… Electrum pieces?

She shrugged and tied the coin pouch to her waist. She would've felt bad… but they attacked first! And now she can pay Garth back for his kindness! And get a proper cloak for the cold!

… She also picked up the gnarled wooden staff the cultist was using.

"They better not have finished. Oh? That's a good idea! Rob em blind!" Cait would approve from the foot of the next hill, although the nervous flicking of her tail proved her desire to keep moving.

"Like I said, first time fighting. I want to be prepared!" Kaida called back, as she finished looting their foes…. Before she gave a small bit of Wild honey to both downed cultists.

"Watch your friends, and maybe look for a different line of work? Please?" Kaida pleaded, as the conscious woman straightened a little bit, and glanced at the pair.

"I… I'll think about it." The woman mumbled, already checking on her allies.

They may be kidnappers, but I'm not looking to kill anyone!

She gently tapped her bruised stomach, before nodding to herself.

Stings, but I'm okay.

Up against the rock-wall was a wooden crate, and within were vials upon vials of blue and pink concoctions. The lewd iconography on both dissuaded her from picking them up.

Definitely not health or magic, then. Hopefully someone sells some healing potions at the town?

She ignored a glance from Cait, cheeks still somewhat red from the scene they walked in on earlier and joined her at the edge of the battlefield.

Dagger sheathed, shield strapped to her arm, and staff in hand, they continued to hike upwards.

• --- Flow ---

Thankfully the final stretch was a lot shorter, and it only took about two minutes to come across a large hole in the wall of the dilapidated structure.

Small piles of rubble were strewn across a ground that once held beautiful patterns and iconography carved into smooth stone, but now only held impressions. Benches of stone lined the walls, crumbling and decaying from the erosion of time.

In the center of the structure sat a raised altar, with men and woman of all sorts in robes standing around said altar. A girl much like Cait with longer hair lay atop it, pale skin flushed red, breathing heavily.

The cause of it may have had something to do with the portal hovering behind her. It was a… tear in space. A deep purple hue that resembled a folded diamond shape, or an open flower bud. With swirling tendrils of pink magic filling the air- flushing the skin of all those they touched.

That's… ominous.

Kaida thought the understatement of the century.

"CALLA! Let go of my sister!" Cait screamed, and Claire held up the shield.

A woman with her hands raised upwards spoke first.

"Master Tollus! It's the sister!" She'd exclaim, voice tinged with exhaustion, tendrils of green magic extending towards the portal.

"Oh? I see you made it to my temple. What good initiative. Good help is so hard to find these days. Might I extend an invitation to our esteemed halls? A woman of the cloth is always quite helpful for our activities." A bald man, Tollus? Was covered in dark markings and stood before the twisted ritual.

The energy in the air was palpable, and Kaida's long ears flopped down in the wake of that pressure. She felt herself start to sweat, as the heat pressed down upon them like the desert sun, a far cry from the biting cold outside. But the heat… sank even deeper, it was the heat of desire.

Kaida did her best to ignore the pounding of her heart, as her skin suddenly a lot sweatier.

What kind of ritual is this!? I guess it is coming from a group that would have sex in a blizzard.

"W-we're not joining you, kidnapping deviants! Let go of Cait's sister and pack this stuff up!" Kaida stammered slightly, but she held up the staff- now topped with the newly dubbed Flow.

"Aww, that's adorable. I'd let you watch the proceedings, but you seem adamant on stopping me… very well, I'll just have two more offerings for my dark lady's blessings." The man had the audacity to chuckle in response to Kaida's intimidation, as he held his weapon aloft.

It was a staff, like Kaida's, but the dark varnished wood was capped off by a long crystalline blade, reminiscent of a halberd or war scythe. The crystal crackled with malevolent pink energy, as Kaida and Cait readied for combat.

"I think the mages are too focused to stop us, if we can just get passed this guy!" Kaida exclaimed, glancing to Cait.

Cait nodded, and it took a moment before her eyes left her sister's prone form.

She's gonna need a big hug after all this.

Kaida really hoped that Calla would be available for sisterly hugs. But she'd need to make that happen!

"Your life lacks whimsy, and your Ass is Flat!" Kaida exclaimed, as she drew on Flame more.

"What?" The man's head snapped towards Kaida, his expression a mixture of befuddled and baffled, just as a burning orange dart of flame collided with his shoulder.

He grunted, as a loud thump resounded like a hammer against stone. He staggered backwards, using his staff to brace himself, embers curled along his robes.

"Cait! Fire at will!" Kaida pushed the unintentional pun aside, as a second bolt was fired at the man's chest, and sent him back another step.

He stood there for a moment, before he fixed a glare at her, his amusement melted into irritation, before he growled.

"You da-" His mouth shut, as a gout of holy fire washed over his robes, and Kaida heard his teeth audibly clash and grind together.

"My mistress, grant me power!" The man's voice was guttural and spoke as if two voices were one. Tendrils of brilliant pink energy snaked out of the portal, and coiled around the man's frame, his lanky build tensing, robes fluttering, as pink electricity intensified around the blade of his staff.

With a growl of anger, the man raised his hand- and a sphere of pink energy rocketed towards the pair.

Oh no-

"Cait! Bad touch!" Kaida exclaimed, as she leapt away from her partner. The energy grazed her leg- and she fell to the ground with a squeal of pain.

"Gnh!" She whimpered, as her leg burned from the impact, as if several hammers came down on it all at once- and then someone replaced the gauze with razor wire.

Tears pricked at her eyes, as her focus frayed.

"Kaida!" Cait's voice was desperate, concerned, afraid.

In pain, trembling on the ground, Kaida heard the man chuckle, and she heard the terror in Cait's voice. She desperately cast her mind towards her magic; towards the strange phrases she knew were important.

Protect us, Flame!

There was a thrum somewhere deep in Kaida, beneath the terror and beneath the pain wracking at her mind. She pointed her acquired staff upwards- and she poured in everything she had.

Her hope to save Calla, her growing admiration for Cait, her dislike of the smug and terrifying bald man standing in her way… her fear of dying alone.

Bleary eyes turned up to the battle before the pair, as that bladed staff swung downwards Kaida's need sharpened.

A ring of orange bloomed at the end of the staff, it's light blinding as a tiny ember swelled. It trembled, and then it surged. The size of a fist, and then a watermelon, and then it unleashed itself.

It was a gout of pure heat, a torrent of fire that was only held back by a hastily formed dome of pink magic- but even then, Tollus was pushed back, skidding across the floor as the force of the spell.

All the snow in the temple had melted from the heat, and Kaida's trembling hands sweat, as the staff clattered to the ground beside her.

"Disgusting Lizard!" The man roared as he clenched his hand in pain and stumbled a few steps back. The damaged shield shattered and his staff trembled in his burnt fingers- only still held by some measure of discipline.

"Kaida!" Cait's hands rested over Kaida's prone form, as a yellow radiance slowly bloomed from outstretched fingers.

"I got you, I promised, didn't I?" She spoke with a hushed tone, as the yellow light seeped into her smaller frame.

Despite the chill of fear, despite the cold of the storm that had been slowly wearing down to her bones, and despite the oppressive malaise of the portal… it was warm. It was pleasantly warm.

Kaida gasped as the hot pain of the direct blow melted into a warm soreness and a sob of pure relief rolled through her chest.

"T-Thank you…" She got out, as she forced herself to her knees. Cait spared a single hand to rest on Kaida's head for a moment.

It was… nice.

Kaida sucked in a shuddering breath.

That was the worst feeling of my life.

What did he do- Microwave her leg!?

"Those horns will be a nice trophy for my Mistress, I'll be sure to leave them intact…" Tolls muttered, as his weapon swapped hands. He opened and closed his injured hand with care, before he nodded to himself.

Kaida held a hand to her head as she got up, and winced as a wave of vertigo and a thrum of pain ran through her head. That spell took a lot out of her, but it was better than being bisected!

He said… 'grant him power' right? That means it's borrowed, maybe if I throw him off his game…?

She didn't think she could Focus for that much longer, but if she could make the next one count then… there was a chance.

"Can you buy me a second or two?" Kaida glanced to Cait, who glanced back- and then did a second stare.

"I can do a second, not sure about two!" Cait smiled, but… it looked about as brave as Kaida currently felt.

…and Kaida just wanted to go back to the Inn and cry.

I miss my bed.

She whined in the privacy of her own mind, as she nodded back.

"Mallach, may your desert sands blow true, protect your servant's faith in you!" Cait raised her staff high, as a yellow hued wind pulsed outward from the tip of her staff, and wreathed itself around her, like a cloak of wind.

"You god won't be able to save you, whore!" The man charged forward, blade swung once again. To Cait's credit- she blocked it with the centre of her staff.

Disrupt his focus somehow…

Kaida glanced once more at the clash between two mages. The pink sparks crackled against the sand-spun winds, as Tollus slowly loomed over Cait. His stance widened for extra stability; it gave him the upper hand.

Oh… HELL YES.

Now Kaida wasn't the most violent person. But right now? She was just a tad vengeful.

Wild!

Whether it was the vivid imagination about the justice that was to come, or the rage simmering under the surface that beat back the exhaustion, the magic flowed more smoothly then any spell Kaida had cast yet.

The green ring shown steady, as a small set of roots pushed through the earth. A quiet rumble, as greenery peaked through the hewn stone. The magic pushed forward, as Kaida bit her lip, and easily slid past Cait's struggling form.

"A-A little help Kaida?" Cait's voice was tense as she grit her teeth, she struggled beneath the frail man's frame.

"STRANGER DANGER!" Kaida bellowed, as her magic made its way directly beneath Tollus's strained form- and it fired upwards- tight between this outstretched legs.

"More Drivel-" Tollus cut himself off with a squeal, as his entire body shot into the air for a moment, as a pole of hard wood crashed into his family legacy.

"Hah!" Cait's leg came up and kicked his abdomen- which knocked him into the side of the altar with a gasp. His staff flung to the side of the room.

"Master!?" The woman he spoke to before yelped, as the man slumped against the Altar, and slowly pulled himself up.

"T-The Sacrifice, Now!" He roared, as he staggered to his feet.

"I won't Let you!" Cait stomped forward, ready to lunge for her sister.

But just as her foot left the ground, multiple hands had grabbed Calla, and with a heave… they threw her into the portal.

Cait's body smashed against the portal for a moment- and it denied her entry. She hung there for a moment- before the portal heaved.

What followed was a blast of hot winds, even more intense than the first. It sent Cait back to Kaida, as everyone else braced for it.

Frost!

The puddle of water on the floor coalesced behind Kaida before a small wall of Ice half her height pushed itself out of the ground, and Kaida opened her arms wide.

"Got you!" Kaida exclaimed, as Cait collided with her body- only held up by two trembling legs, and a wall of gleaming ice.

"Calla!" Cait screamed, as the temple shook, a case dropped onto the Altar, now clutched to Tollus' chest by one arm, as the other was supported by one of his cult.

"Out, we have it!" Tollus demanded as he sent one last glare to the pair, and they all retreated from the temple, and made their way out of a large hole in the side of the temple.

Whether they made the hole, or the portal did… Kaida wasn't so sure.

No longer supporting Cait's weight, they both slumped to their knees.

"M-my sister…" Cait whimpered, and sobbed, her shoulders trembled, as her hands punched at the cold, unyielding stone floor.

"I'm so sorry…" Kaida whispered through the malaise of exhaustion as adrenaline faded, and she wrapped her arms around Cait's trembling frame.

She had hoped Calla would be here to do the hugging… but it was just her.

It was just Kaida and Cait, feeling the sting of defeat as the portal dimmed and the howl of the winds finally went quiet.

Kaida rested her head against Cait, as she tucked her head into Kaida's shoulder, and she let her sorrows out.

But something in her stomach knew, beneath the sorrow and the exhaustion and the aches… things were far from over.

Chapter 1: End.

AN: Thanks for reading! I like reading Lit RPG but it seems I don't really like writing it myself, So I've kinda abstracted the levels of the game proper. Might go more into that later, in world.

Tutorial isn't 100% done yet, still need to see big bad Kasyrra herself. But I promised myself I'd post this when it hit 7000 words so I'd stop procrastinating. I'll give the demon lady a proper scene in the next chapter!

 

[AzureAurora]

Chapter 2: Demons and Decisions.

​

It had taken a few minutes for Cait to gather herself and declare she would be heading back to Hawkthorne for the time being. She needed to gather her things before the wolves got to it, or something of the sort.

The storm had since departed, which left Kaida alone, seated on a pile of rubble smoothed into a chair with Flow as the seat.

It rested near the collapsed wall of the temple. The oppressive atmosphere had faded, with naught but the muted sounds of birdsong in the distance, it was… very quiet.

Kaida glanced towards the castle in the distance. The footsteps had vanished in the wake of the winds, but she could still recall that the cultists headed that way. They mentioned something about a waystone, but she couldn't recall the exact details.

Well… they'd have to investigate another time, because as pressing as the matters of a kidnapping-happy cult was… Kaida was exhausted.

Not to mention now that I know to expect trouble, I can practice some more. Hopefully outside, and with some help, now that I have money and the storm's gone.

Flow rippled beneath Kaida, a flare of warmth emanating from the magic, in what Kaida could only imagine to be agreement.

"One step at a time. I'm gonna eat until I drop when I get back." Kaida slowly stood back up on unsteady legs, and stretched, groaning softly as she felt her spine pop and her muscles tingle with a pleasant warmth.

"Sleep till noon too." Kaida mumbled, as flow snapped back into it's normal shape and returned to its orbit around her.

I can pay to sleep in. Yippee!

Of course, Kaida's thoughts of a nice long sleep were cut off by the crackling of static.

The whine-hum of something becoming unstable, the tremoring that had recently shaken across the temple begun once again, and slowly Kaida turned her head to the side- and noticed that the portal was growing once again.

Crackling tendrils of pink energy oozed off of the portal, as heat burst out in greater waves than before.

"Oh fuck-" Before Kaida could react beyond the curse, before she could scream- Flow moved in front of her and stretched, a pentagon shaped sheet of indigo rested over her torso.

Flow managed to shield her vitals, as the next wave of power washed over her- as the whine reached it's apex. It was heat, it was force, it was pure power.

Flow shattered as the portal exploded. It was hot, it was loud- and for a moment, everything went dark.

For a moment, there was nothing, there was silence, and Kaida was weightless.

Then she hit the ground, and her body reminded her that hurt a lot.

Ugh…

How long was she out for? Seconds? Minutes? She honestly couldn't tell. But the air in the temple had changed. Dust and powdered snow drifted across the temple's interior, whipped into a frenzy from the pressure of the portal that had vanished.

That oppressive heat no longer pressed down upon her- but it was already within her. Searing heat inside, pushing outward, as the cold wind against her skin was like a balm for the heat… but not quite enough.

That cold wind was like an exhale after a long moment of holding one's breath- and yet there was no time to rest quite yet, after all… Kaida was no longer alone in the temple.

The figure that stood before Kaida was towering in stature. She easily dwarfed Kaida, even if she were to stand on her toes!

Sure, Kaida was shorter than she used to be, but she only came up to this woman's stomach.

Said woman had red skin, flowing black hair, bovine horns jutting from the sides of her head. Almond shaped eyes, black sclera, golden irses, draconic wings- with a second pair on her hips, and a muscular build.

She also happened to have a long and thick tail, and cloven hooves peering out from under her white top and black skirt. Which was a lot higher quality than what Kaida was expecting, this is a fantasy world no?

Magic Tailoring, maybe?

The thought was promptly pushed out of her head to make room for the reminder about the black eyes and horns.

Kaida was not quite sure what she was looking at, but it sure as hell wasn't an angel.

Dragon? Demon? Dragon Demon?

The consideration swirled around in her mind, as the woman looked down at her… and those plush ruby lips smiled.

Kaida felt a shiver run down her spine at the attention, as if something dangerous was watching her- as if she had just gotten the attention of a great predator.

"Oh, I am so glad you are still in one piece darling, even if you seem a little… bruised." She pursed her lips as she crouched down, and Kaida was thrown for a loop.

Oh… that's why everything hurts.

A single finger reached out, and gently poked Kaida's cheek. The sensation of her touch was electric, and Kaida jumped slightly, despite being on the floor.

The strange sensation couldn't mask the tinge of pain that came from the woman touching her bruised cheek however.

"Hm… you're pretty fragile, athlough I suppose all mortals are, so that's hardly surprising. But you are a cute one, and a fine witness for the arrival, the beginning of my ascension." The tone was one of consideration, appraisal, like watching a product from a store, or a pet at the shop before making the purchase. Eyeing her as if assigning values.

"That was a big lightshow for an Isekai." Kaida mumbled, before she went very still.

Uh oh, did I say that aloud?

In her defense, she was exhausted, and all these weirdos kept showing up. But she felt a lot stronger than Tollus, and she kind of had to play dirty for that win.

Granted there was no rules in a life-or-death match, so didn't really care about playing dirty- and now she's rambling while staring down a demon.

I really need that nap.

"Ise…kai. What an interesting phrase, and what do you mean by that, dear? It took a lot of energy for me to make this trip." She tested the word on her lips before she frowned.

The woman took a step back, her tail swayed back and forth, semi upright, as if a serpent. Both hands rested behind her back as she… paced before Kaida. That somewhat casual air that had started to dispel the budding tension slipped away as the woman's irritation was made known to Kaida. And it was terrifying.

"I have been the Bitch queen's general for centuries. An age of plotting and planning, and I took my opportunity to escape right as the champion of Mareth invaded the castle and started tearing through demons like a farmer harvests wheat. Stolen notes, an incomplete spell, and all the power I can bring to bear… and you, little one, have a name for such a thing?"

The woman's voice left its sultry tones to one of frustration, clawed fingers wringing at the open air, as curls of steam wafted off of her crimson digits, and Kaida eyed them like a naked blade.

Why can't portals drop bunnies or unicorns into my lap? Why'd it have to be a demon? Quick! Say something!

"Uh… Just had the word come from some vivid dreams is all, miss demon lady!" Kaida stammered out, as the woman turned to face her once more. She took note of the way those broad muscular arms tense and those wicked claws on her scale tipped fingers- and Kaida did not want to be anywhere near them if she lost her temper, she doesn't want to die after all.

There was a fine line to walk here. Too interesting and she might not get to leave. Not interesting enough, she might get killed for being boring, she just didn't know how demons worked, except inferring that it's not very good. After all, they usually are evil beings.

Flow slowly weaved around Kaida's shoulders once again, as the demonic woman blinked, and then she let out a slow drawn exhale.

"I suppose you wouldn't know anything about transferring between worlds, would you? After all, you look like you've never seen a demon before. What? The clergy didn't spin tales of the demonic scourge? The power and bliss from surrendering your soul? The haze of desire sweeping across the land? Surely the big bad demon isn't so intimidating now, am I? I can feel your eyes on me after all… or do you just fancy me, hm?" A single brow rose as the woman's finger poked Kaida's nose.

Kaida flinched, as the feeling of heat intensified at the contact- as well as the feeling of that talon running across her soft skin. Ever so gentle, but ever so present a threat.

Kasyrra chuckled, as she brushed a lock of hair out of Kaida's face.

"Relax, Darling, you're quite skittish, aren't you? You are the first mortal I have seen in this new, cold, world of yours. If I had wanted to harm you, the portal was ready to do it for me, I merely wouldn't have sheltered you. But I'd be very grateful if you were to answer a few questions for me…~?"

The woman's voice readopted that sensual tone as if it were a well-worn coat. A gut feeling assured Kaida that it very much was a familiar routine, one to be taken on and discarded at a moment's notice.

But as… nice as the voice was to listen to, and the way that the demon casually stretched as she spoke, groaning as pops as loud as felled trees reverberated from that towering frame…

Kaida knew somewhere deep in her bones that this was not a question, but a command.

"Uh, Sure. Thanks for protecting me." Kaida uttered after a moment, as she forced herself to not volunteer any information about herself or Hawkthorne unless this woman directly asked her about them.

The heat causing havoc under her skin made it difficult, but she still realized that inviting a demon over to the Frost Hound was a terrible idea. Especially considering how strong this woman seemed.

She smiled, and that heavy pressure relaxed somewhat, as the woman leaned against the crumbling remnants of the altar. The portal's explosion certainly did a number on what little was left of the place.

"Excellent, then where might we be at this moment? I'd like to know the name of my conquests before I make them mine." She gestured with a hand, the embers of a flaming sphere manifesting before they were snuffed out by a fist, crushing the light in her grip.

Well… that's not intimidating at all.

Kaida was very much fighting down the urge to stay quiet out of a fear of saying something wrong.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and sweat soaked her brow, but she did her best to smile regardless, even as she felt her heart in her throat.

"Savarra. Uh, the Frost Marches, to be more specific. The northern part of the world. That's why it's so cold!" Kaida stated what she knew, and what she could gather from common sense.

Of course, it's so cold, it's the north! North always tends to be cold when it comes to geography. She just hoped that this woman wouldn't be asking much more questions about the world because, well… Kaida didn't have answers.

And she didn't want to accidentally babble about home, last thing she needed was mysterious and possibly malicious tall demon women to be able to cast gun as well as fireball. Or heavens forbid… nuclear warhead.

I'm so glad I don't know how modern weapons work.

When in doubt, just be an idiot! No gunpowder, no moral quandary on the concept versus payout of introducing modern weaponry to the bronze age!

At least, I think it's the bronze age? I haven't seen any steel until now. And that stuff is in swords a lot, usually. If you know how to make it?

"Hm… Savarra… A fine enough name for my first world, just ripe for the harvest. Very well! You may have the pleasure of being the first mortal of this world to know my name. I am Kasyrra, but you may call me Mistress while you are acting in service of my cause! Or just, serving me~" The newly named Kasyrra's smile sent shivers down Kaida's spine.

Kaida had a foreboding feeling welling in her stomach, about what this demon was going to say next.

"May I have your name, little one? The sooner I get to know my newest plaything, the happier I'll be." Kasyrra cooed the words, but the tone set Kaida on edge. Something about the whole thing… seemed off.

"I'm Kaida, and not very uhm, comfortable with being a plaything!" Kaida spoke with all the conviction of a flustered school girl, granted she felt exactly like one, but Flow flared in response to her denial, the stellar matter shooting up to intercept the hand that aimed for her face once again.

Why is she so handsy!? Wait… lustful demon, right.

That playful expression cracked, the budding smile froze, and her brow furrowed. The air got a notch… hotter, as a momentary whisp of flame passed her lips as she huffed. Her fingers tightened around Flow, but was unable to dig into the material before it puffed into mist once again and reformed by Kaida's side, a protective ward.

Kasyrra's eyes lingered on the sphere of starlight for a moment, as she pursed her lips.

"I don't think you realize just how precarious your situation is, Darling." She spoke slowly, but the tone was anything but patient. Her tail whipped out, and wrapped around something behind the Altar, tugging it towards her.

"You are a cute little morsel. An interesting one, with that little companion of yours, but oh so insignificant. Oh so Mortal. This is me being nice. To deny me is an insult, and I have brought PIT FIENDS to their knees, begging for my attention, for the sole crime of not treating me as their Queen!" The object finally came into view, the thick haft of a polearm, with one arm reaching down, clawed digits wrapping around the haft and- It's fucking MASSIVE.

THAT IS LIKE TWO MES, WHAT THE HELL!?

Kasyrra was holding an axe roughly as tall as she was. It was double-sided, with runes decorating the sides of the blade, and the center where the two axe heads met. It hummed with profane power. And Kaida swallowed heavily.

Now the smart thing to do would be for Kaida to apologize, to bow, to back-pedal, but part of her knew, deep in her core, that it would be a mistake. This is a demon, after all, and to submit… she'd loose something very, very important.

Flow… get the staff.

A trembling hand held itself out, and with a flick, Flow shot out, not at Kasyrra, but at Tollus' weapon that lay in the corner of the tower, untouched despite the rubble around it.

The staff shot into Kaida's hands, and she held it up, even though her legs refused to move out of sheer terror.

After all, it'd only take one swing of that massive Axe for her tale to come to an end.

"I-I'm always happy to make friends, but I don't think that's the kind of relationship you want, so I'll say it again. I don't want to be a plaything." Kaida forced the words out, as the staff crackled in the magically charged air.

It's funny, my mom always said I needed boundaries, and now they might get me killed.

Kaida didn't know if she wanted to laugh, or to cry.

"Ha!" Kasyrra started to laugh in that moment, one hand held to her face, as she leaned against the Axe, which promptly crushed the stone it was planted atop.

"You're trembling like a Fawn! But there is a fire in your eyes. Very well, if that damn queen could have a champion oppose her, then why can't I? Grow strong Kaida, make your soul the most brilliant of gems, I'll treasure it when I get my hands on it, and you~."

Kasyrra stepped closer, and as she did, Kaida's Flow fired out towards her, stopped by a casual swing of her titanic axe, it was shot into the stone floor, leaving a dent behind.

"Now, Now Dear, don't be so hasty. I want our confrontation to be a grand climax. This is merely the beginning, so rest. But do be warned, the Savarra you wake to will be a lot different to the one you fall asleep to…. ~"

And with that, she tapped Kaida on the forehead. Kaida's eyes fell heavy, and despite her best efforts to resist, she succumbed to the irresistible pull of slumber.

A second soul had entered the world from beyond, and a dark design was put into motion. One with a foil that rested squarely on the shoulders of that small girl, now passed out in a cold, run-down temple, with a pillow of glittering stardust cradling her head.

"Kaida? I saw the light show, are you okay? I managed to get my- By Mallach's Menagerie?! What happened in here!?"

Cait had returned, just in time to fuss over our intrepid heroine, and drag her unconscious ass all the way back to the inn.

"Next time you wake up, I'm going to have to introduce you to this wonderful little thing called Armor…" Cait mumbled, as she hauled the sleeping woman up the stairs.

All she got was a tighter hug around her neck, as for all intents and purposes, Kaida was dead to the world.

But for her? She dreamed of Stars.

Chapter 2: End.

Hope I wrote Kasyrra okay! Dialogue is a bit challenging sometimes.

 

[AzureAurora]

AN: Hey there! Just letting y'all know things are progressing. 1k words into Chapter 3, and I just finished editing chapter 1! 2 shall be edited tomorrow.
Flow was more or less a placeholder power until I finished setting up my book's magic system, cuz I wanted to test it here. Signs!
Signs are more or less what happens if you take the Idea of Runes, and the Thu'um, and you smash em together.
Several symbols of conceptualized intent run through will to create phenomena!
There are not many signs, because they are the foundation or modifiers of spells, instead of every little aspect.

Kaida's use of them are rather basic at the moment, but there are more signs and more creative spells to come! Hope y'all are looking forward to it! I suggest giving chapter 1 a reread for the spell segments :3