Realm Kings

Chapter 4: How Many Wings!?

Roughly four hours passed when the ropes that bound Sercy went up in flames. She glanced at the parcel of food next to her. Inside, was a very intricately carved knife along with food and dried rations that could last her up to a week. She smiled to herself before removing the knife and using it to put her hair up into a bun.

 She sauntered towards the campfire where bandits were sitting and no one heard her approach. Covering her mouth, she giggled flirtatiously.

"You guys are such poor excuses for bandits, how can you not hear me approach you?"

The bandits were startled, but before they could react, Sercy had already moved. She appeared in front of the man who tied her to the tree earlier then grabbed his neck. Dark energy snaked from the palm of her hands, reducing his body to ashes. 

Another bandit tried to attack her from behind, but she elegantly knocked him down with a roundhouse kick before crushing his skull into the ground. The crackling noise that came from the bandit's head made everyone uneasy. The remaining bandits were wide eyed as they hesitated in fear.

Seeing their expressions, Sercy couldn’t help taunting them, she covered her mouth, laughing mischievously, "When you look at me like that, it makes me feel hot, what are you hesitating for? Didn't you all want to try a beautiful woman?" 

Without waiting for them to react her hands dropped to her sides and black flames appeared on her palms, dancing in an almost rhythmic way. Her white dress faded away, replaced by her original black battle dress.

Her hair rebraided itself eerily as if there were invisible hands aiding her and her facial features changed back. The last thing to move into place was the veil that normally covered her face. 

Sercy rarely ever revealed her appearance, but it didn’t matter if dead men saw her right?  Her eyes turned all black with a purple glow, and she smiled menacingly as eight beautiful wings appeared behind her.

The bandits all stared in disbelief. One of them stuttered. "T-that, she’s a dark fae? I-I thought they were extinct!"

“Eight wings.” Another one mumbled almost inaudibly. 

Hearing the commotion outside, Niyad left his tent to check what was happening, he was just in time to see Sercy's transformation, his face went pale as he stared at her in disbelief. He stood in stunned silence unaware of the armed cultivator who ran towards him.

"Benefactor, we need to get out of here! That woman is a dark fae."

Before Niyad could respond, the bandit was knocked unconscious by a shadow. Niyad was unable to decipher what happened. His eyes moved around wildly trying to see what had attacked the bandit.

Just then Count appeared before him and his vision went black. Niyad was knocked unconscious after receiving a gentle tap to the neck.

Count lifted Niyad's limp body over his shoulder, then disappeared.

Sercy started moving, the bandits tried to defend themselves, but they were unable to do anything against an opponent they could barely see. She reappeared in the spot she was originally and the bandits stood staring at her. One of them yelled, getting ready to charge, only to see his arm fall to the ground. He looked at his severed arm in confusion before spitting up blood, then falling face-first to the ground.

Similar scenes happened all around. Heads started separating from bodies, a few of them lost arms, and legs without noticing; others were impaled. The bandits present were all at mid Ivory realm and a few were at the first stage Spirit realm; Trying to resist was futile.

"No one here can even put up a little fight," Sercy complained. "Makes this less fun."

Count landed next to her while carrying Niyad like a stack of potatoes.

"Let's move a bit faster with the other camps, I don't plan on babysitting while you have fun making a play."

"OK, no problem."

They both exchanged a look, then disappeared heading in the direction of the next camp.

A few minutes later they sat in a tree above the second camp observing in silence.

"Am I the only one who thinks something is off?" Sercy asked.

"No, you're not. Why would there be a noble here with the bandit group who are only supposed to be distractions? Also he is the non-human thing you were smelling." Count agreed.

"I think he's from our civilian village," Sercy said softly.

"Oh, then he is off... kill him?

"No, not yet."

"Oh well, kill first, ask questions later."

Count stood from his crouching position, a creepy smile appeared on his handsome, but slightly dead looking face. He rested the young noble's body on a branch then tipped his rice hat at Sercy before vanishing. A few seconds later blood-curdling screams could be heard coming from the camp below.

Sercy glanced at the man lying slumped on the branch next to her.

"I know you're awake."

Niyad's body shuddered a bit, then he moved into a sitting position. He stared up at Sercy, a confused look in his eyes.

"Why didn't you kill me?." Niyad asked 

Sercy replied monotonously "Because I'm curious about something. Why didn't you let them take advantage of me?"

"I have female relatives. I felt pity."

"I'm sure the other bandits all had mothers or else they wouldn't be here, but I'll take that answer for now. Why are you, a young noble, here with bandits?"

Sercy had keen ears, and by listening to his heartbeat she could tell whether or not he lied.

Niyad shook his head. "I think you're confused about something, I am no noble."

The truth...

"You're evading my other question." Sercy responded.

Niyad took a deep breath before responding. Refusing to answer could cost him his life but he didn't know who these two people were. "I cannot provide that information. I don't know who you are."

"I'm someone... hired by the Blenheim region, I'm here to pay back what is owed."