We Are Taking Down the Goddess

Meeting Fate

Amid massive green landscapes, countless roots that stretched far and wide, vibrant flowers, and delicate petals that kept falling endlessly from the bright blue sky, Aiko woke up to the sound of dancing birds. She listened to those calming screeches that flew above her head. The whole area felt like liquid magic washing her sanity away.

The girl stood up to take a better look at her surroundings, only to realize there was no end in sight. The trees lined perfectly with the lawn stretched across the entire horizon. While the fields were almost completely covered in those bright and mesmerizing flowers.

-     “What is this place?”

For a moment there, the garden looked and smelled like heaven. As if the entire place was woven into the very fabric of nature. When she tried to reach for one of the flowers nearby, the girl felt a strong divine force forming in front of her. Rays of light danced in the sky, before creating a woman-like figure. To Aiko, it all seemed like a lucid dream. But, then, the figure spoke. That’s when the young girl was forced to face the reality. Everything that happened there was all too real. The divine smell was real, the wind that caressed her cheeks was real, and the light breeze was all too familiar. Aiko couldn’t help but frown.

-     “Greetings, my chosen one. I see you’ve already met an early fate.”

Her voice was unlike anything Aiko had ever heard before. Every time she spoke, her words would echo around the garden, like a charming melody. All the birds and critters would follow the sound and bow at her feet. Aiko was terrified. She was sweating profusely just by being in her presence. But, somehow, she managed to gather some of her courage and stand up to the figure.

-     “Who are you?!”

Something radiated from the center of the energy. That power finally came together, revealing a stunning woman, three times taller than the young girl. Her flowing golden curls, ivory skin, and piercing white eyes glowed with powerful magic. But, the aura she gave off was neither that of a friend nor a foe.

-     “That would be hard to answer since it is something a human mind cannot comprehend. Which is why I’ve taken a more familiar form – a shape that would please your senses.”

-     “What…what do you want from me?!” – Aiko took a step back. Then, she made a fist and gulped before uttering another word. “Listen, I don’t care if you kill me. But, please, save the others. Ren, Kana, Xeneth, and all the succubi don’t deserve to die. Please. You have to help them.”

-     “Unfortunately, Aiko, their fate rests in your hands. And while you roam my lands, countless lives are meeting a dreadful end. Your friends can beat these foes. But, what awaits you is more powerful than you can possibly imagine. Unless you truly awaken that power within you, you will never be able to fulfill your purpose. Something that you alone can achieve.”

-     “Then, how do I that?! How do I learn these powers? Tell me!”

-     “Remember.”

-     “What do you mean? Remember what?”

-     “Remember your past.” – as soon as the figure uttered that sentence, her body began to slowly disappear. “Remember how you ended up in that mining village.” – her voice became a quiet echo. “Remember who put you there.” – before turning into energy fragments and disappearing into the bright blue sky.

As Aiko’s vision became blurry, and exhaustion kicked in, she realized that the bright sky was suddenly being covered with pitch-black clouds. The gorgeous flower fields were turning into scorching lands as if the entire land somehow got submerged into fiery lava. Another woman-like figure approached her. But, this one was full of dread. At that moment, Aiko’s stomach clenched, as if a million larvae had crawled up inside. Just being in her presence made her feel sick, ready to puke her guts out. The figure spoke in a menacing voice.

-     “You? Beat me?!” – she chuckled. “Don’t you dare mess with my playground, or you will have a steep price to pay. Not that you stand a chance, anyway.”

-     “I have no intention of beating anyone! I just want to save my friends!” – Aiko protested.

-     “The fated protector charged with freeing the land. Oh…so noble of you.”

The figure let out a cynical laugh, so scornful and full of negativity that it sent a shiver down Aiko’s spine. But, the spite didn’t end there. The figure deliberately let out a powerful surge of energy that lifted every stone, pebble, and rock off the ground. The young girl was not only surrounded by lava but by bone-crushing stones as well. Although the elements didn’t reach her, Aiko couldn’t help but shake in fear.

-     “You will save no one, little human.”

Then, the figure reached with her hand and touched Aiko’s skin. Where the energy met her cheeks, a bright flame appeared, scorching her face to the bone. Aiko screamed in agony, but the energy simply laughed.

At that moment, Aiko woke up to the sight of Kana and Ren, staring at her reddened eyes. The young girl was drowning in terror. She had a difficult time figuring out what was real or not.

-     “Aiko?! Aiko! Get ahold of yourself!”

-     “Ren?! Is that really you?”

-     “What are you talking about?”

-     “What happened? Where is everyone? Where did the assassins go?!”

-     “We took care of them.” – Kana answered.

-     “What about the succubi?! Are they all right?” – Aiko desperately tried to get up, only to fall down to the ground again.

-     “Rest, you fool.” – Ren placed his paw on her forehead. “I get it. You are strong enough to remove the poison from your own system, and now you think you are invincible. But, that’s not it. You took a heavy blow.”

-     “I took the poison out myself?”

-     “Yup. Look at those hands.”

Aiko took a good look at her body. Those runes were glowing bright yellow again, just like they did when she revived Ren. But, this time, the energy was around her, sipping every ounce of that poison out of her body and inside a deadly green ball that hovered above her head.

-     “Ren is right. You need time to cure such a strong poison. I’m happy you had the power to do it yourself, or you would have been dead by now.” - Kana said with a firm tone.

-     “Please, at least tell me what happened to the girls?! Are they all right?”

That’s when Xeneth approached the young girl and pushed her hair to the side. Although the succubus leader tried not to show any emotion, she was still hurting deep inside.

-     “Their death is my fault. I shouldn’t have underestimated the enemy. Sleep now. We will talk later.”

Before Aiko could say another word, she noticed that Xeneth was now staring dead in her eyes. Those fearsome eyes emanated purple-like dust that covered Aiko’s face like a warm blanket.

Then, the world was a blur. The young girl slowly drifted into consciousness. No matter how hard she tried to stay awake, Aiko’s eyelids finally slipped closed. Her rapid breaths were now calm and even, and the expression on her face no longer looked terrified. She fell into a deep slumber.

♣

Countless waterfalls cascaded down a series of rocky outcrops floating in the sky. The white water flowed down into the sea, and when it drew closer, a plume of vapor hung low over the massive pool. The castles erected on each hovering island stood proud on top of a vast city holding over a million souls; making the gorgeous coastline look like an infinite dream. A sort of place where fairies would live. Every building, house, and tower reflected the golden rays of the sun, while the walls, whiter than the purest cotton, seem to brighten up the place. This scenery surpassed every type of grandeur typical for mankind. It was obviously built for only the noblest of races – the elves. A bustling elven city, with elegant pointy houses, fabulous terraces, and stunning gardens fit for royalty. The streets were packed with merchants and passerby's going about their day. One would think that this entire area was of noble heritage. But, this kind of luxury was typical for the elves. Each resident treated the other with the utmost respect, giving the citadel a completely different feel to that of a human town or the slave village.

At the center of the plaza, in the middle of all that noise, stood a mansion, as humble as any lavish estate in these parts. Every stone was even and square, built to perfection. From afar, the wall seemed to be painted in a simple white, but from up close, it was a mosaic of gems, tiny crystals embedded in every square. The massive silver doors stood tall, emanating a powerful presence, while the windows were like great slits in those thick walls. But, the gorgeous scenery didn’t end there. The estate was surrounded by tall trees that would act as armies charged with defending the place. A garden, packed with the most colorful of flowers, enhanced the mansion’s beauty, making it into a welcoming space.

A man walked towards the door. His face was completely covered by a pure silky white cloak, with edges drenched in gold. The elf held himself with pride and with every step he took, he moved just like the autumn leaves would – freely, with a serene presence of purpose and nobility woven into the very fiber of his being. The two sentinels who kept an eye on the entrance bowed the moment he approached and greeted him with respect.

-     “Your highness! Welcome to the Blue Lust guild house. We’ve been expecting you.”

The elf just nodded and took his cloak off revealing that majestic silver crown and glass accessories pinched inside his long silky hair. His dark green eyes hid behind a serene presence the moment he took a good look at the two sentinels. Though the guards never raised their heads, they felt his ominous presence weighing on their shoulders. One of them gulped before reaching for the door. The moment the door cracked open, he announced the elf’s presence loudly for the entire mansion to hear.

-     “His majesty, prince Folwin Azidora I has arrived.” – then the sentinel lowered his voice and spoke again. “Our guild master will greet you shortly. Please accompany our maids to our master’s chamber.”

-     “Much obliged.”- said the elf as he took a step inside.

As the door to the entrance closed, over a dozen maids rushed to greet the royalty. They all lined up in the great hall and bowed with respect. Countless men and women dressed in typical attire of a black dress, white apron, and a white hairband for the ladies, including a black shirt and pants for the gentlemen.

Compared to the streets outside packed with elves, the mansion offered a completely different scenery. The place was like a small world unto itself. There were adventurers standing in every corner. Some carried their drinks, others enjoyed their time with friends, while the rest were gorging on the food served on porcelain plates. Lively music played near the hall that created a tavern-like atmosphere. The butlers, maids, and residents were all human, which was a typical scenario for the most famous guild. But, everyone immediately stopped what they were doing to take a good look at the new guest. Without a moment’s notice, all those standing near the great hall bowed.

The elf took a good look around. The ceiling must have been more than twenty feet high. And the statues, vases, rich scent, and lavish paintings gave off a sense of royalty. Although no elf lived here, this place fit perfectly with the rest of the elven citadel. The man was pleased. It was his first time visiting this famous guild house. So, he took his time looking around. 

-     “This way, your majesty.”

One of the maids interrupted his exploration and led him towards a chamber at the end of the hall. Two butlers opened the door to a massive room. In it, there was a single desk with a leather chair and a lavish sofa facing the desk. While the rest of the room was adorned with carefully aligned bookcases as if the entire place was one big library.

-     “Master, his majesty Prince Folwin I has arrived.”

The maid announced the guest and slowly left the chamber. She kept bowing until the door was completely shut.

The elf browsed that abundant collection of books in the quiet place. He moved his fingertips across every single piece that was leveled with his eyes. He felt the rough edges of those covers that must have been worn out from old age. But each piece on the shelves was obviously well-kept, which gave him a sense of calmness. But, that pristine silence was immediately engulfed by a loud clatter at the back of the room. Although he never expected such noise to shatter his quietness, the man still remained at the door. Besides, it never came to his mind that he should go there and have a look. Maybe lend a hand if necessary. Such typical kindness was foreign to someone of noble heritage. 

Just a couple of seconds later, a young woman, two times shorter than any human, walked towards him. Her big round glasses were crooked to the side, her garments were dirty, and her green hair was all messed up.

The elf raised an eyebrow when the woman came closer, seemingly displeased with her appearance. He kept looking at her shabby clothes, a couple of sizes too big for her tiny figure. None of the clothes she wore made any sense – from the flowery shirt to the short red skirt, and oriental scarf. She looked more like a commoner. One you would find at a village, rather than an actual guild master rich enough to buy that village.

-     “Folwy! You came!” – she smiled while barely holding on to a huge pile of books.

There was a clumsiness to her. Her big green eyes spoke of a pure-hearted soul, softly reflecting the light of the sun coming from the one big window behind her. She was clever, kind, and a nurturing woman with the body and the temper of a young girl. No one would dare speak to his highness in such a friendly way, except for her of course.

-     “I see you have yet to learn your manners.”

-     “Oh come on, pumpkin. Just because you turned 100, it doesn’t mean I don’t get to treat you like my baby.”

-     “Your tutoring days are over Miss Valerie. And while I do appreciate everything you’ve taught me in the last couple of years, I can’t let our relationship cloud my judgment.”

-     “Valerie?!” – the woman chuckled. “When did you stop calling me Val and went for that silly old name?” – she put the books on the desk, gave the prince a warm smile, and gestured for him to take a seat on the comfortable sofa. “Come on. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

-     “I didn’t come here for idle talk.” – the prince proudly refused and kept standing at the door.

-     “So, what brings you here then? If it is the bandits raiding the merchant streets, don’t worry, we got it covered! You see, we had quite the eventful evening with those bubbleheads. They thought they can outnumber my guild and attacked our warehouse. They had no clue that all my lovelies were waiting for an ambush. And then…”

-     “I don’t care about your latest endeavors, Miss Valerie.”

-     “Oh, my bad. What is it, hun?” – the woman smiled, not letting the prince’s serious demeanor ruin her mood.

-     “I’m sure you’ve heard, Kana Nakamura has betrayed the adventurers and took the slave in her care. As a seer, I believe you saw it coming.”

Valerie took her glasses off, wiped her tired eyes, and stretched her legs across the sofa as if there wasn’t a prince right there beside her. Then, she yawned before uttering another word.

-     “Pumpkin, the future is never that easy to predict. There are countless strands of fate for each person in this world. These strands are waiting to be unleashed. Whatever path we choose, will affect our whole future. When I see a future, I see the multiple possibilities. Yes, it’s true that in one of those possibilities, Kana saves the young girl.”

-     “Miss Valerie, you’ve always been faithful to the crown, even long before I was born. Being a former royal scholar does have its perks. You’ve worked with the royal family for ages. As a dwarf, like yourself, I believe that’s the most difficult thing to accomplish in an elven-dominated society. While I do trust your judgment, I must lay before you a path that you must choose. Once you make that choice, there is no going back.”

-     “Ah, I already know what you are going to say.” – the woman sighed and pushed herself off the sofa. Then, she stood up and approached the young man. “But, don’t make me do it. You know I can’t do it.”

-     “Miss Valerie, the crown orders you to capture or kill Kana Nakamura, the moment she sets foot on these premises. If you don’t comply…”

The prince was abruptly interrupted by a loud voice. In a matter of seconds, Valerie had pulled him towards her and glared right into his eyes. He could feel Valerie’s breath. Her once kind eyes had turned to a menacing stare. Folwin didn’t budge, as he expected such a reaction. But if anyone else stood in his place, they would surely shake in fear in her presence.

-     “You know I can’t do that.”

-     “If you don’t comply.” – he continued unfazed. “The entire elven fleet will be sent to eradicate every member of Blue Lust.”

-     “Kana saved my life. I owe her my life!”

-     “I understand. But, will you be able to live with yourself with all those deaths lingering on your conscience? Will you save one person when you can save all of them?”

Every time the prince opened his mouth, Valerie got angrier. At first, she tried to swallow her retort and bear with it, but the more he talked, the worse it became. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. With every passing second, her face got redder and redder until she could no longer suppress her rage. Then, she snapped.

-     “Get out!”

Powerful magic emanated from her tiny body, like a magnetic force sending shockwaves through the entire room. The bookcases shook, multiple books fell to the floor, and the chandelier swung left to right as if there was an earthquake solely focused on that chamber. Then, a mischievous smiled crept across the prince’s face. He mumbled another sentence before reaching for the door.

-     “Think about it.”

When the door opened, Valerie just turned her back on him, while desperately trying to suppress her rage. In a fit of anger, she pushed those books off the desk and onto the floor. The maids, who had no clue what happened, just watched in disbelief. The way their master acted now was completely the opposite of what they were used to. Folwin’s face moved slowly across the hall like he was taking in the surroundings one last time. Then he grinned. The butler nearby managed to catch a glimpse of the prince’s bared teeth. That evil smile sent a shiver down his spine.