We Are Taking Down the Goddess

The Calm Before the Storm

[Inside Valerie’s chamber - 5 minutes earlier]

In the middle of the room, between the massive bookcases, stood a long desk, and on it, a little silver teakettle. Dainty cups of the finest glass were grouped around it, while the golden tray held everything neatly in place. The tinkle of glass and the smell of freshly brewed tea overwhelmed the senses. Valerie leaned on the desk and stared at the man that sat right across her. She looked at him with a warm smile, as if she knew exactly who was hiding behind that unfamiliar face. Their knees almost touched under the narrow tabletop. Valerie reached for the man and took him by the hand.

-        “How long you plan on keeping that disguise? It’s just you and me now.”

-        “Oh, you are right.”

The man snapped his fingers loud and clear. Soon, a powerful gust swirled in the air, like a magnificent cloud, enveloping his limbs, face, and body like a warm blanket; changing their shape and color with the rhythm of his beating heart. His gray hair had turned black and covered his entire back. His honeyed skin restored to its former glory, and the striking golden embellishments on the head, neck, and arms appeared out of thin air. There was no longer a man that sat next to Valerie, but a stunning young woman. Kana finally revealed her true form.

-        “That’s better.” – Valerie smiled once more. Her eyes twinkled with joy.

-        “I found her, just like you told me. She is too young now and needs time to awaken her true potential. But, when she does, we will finally set this world free.” – Kana explained with a steady tone. Although the way she spoke felt more of a warrior reporting their recent endeavors, there was a sense of peace in her words. She was brimming with confidence.

-        “But, what if I was wrong? What if this world is not ready to be saved? At least not yet.” – Valerie’s voice trembled with worry.

-        “What are you talking about, Val? You told me Aiko will fulfill that prophecy and put an end to our tyrant of a goddess.” – Kana was slowly losing her composure.

-        “I was wrong.”

-        “Val, you can see the future. You’ve seen the past. You’ve lived more lives than I can count. Someone like you knows what Elidy is truly capable of. If we don’t end her now, this world will just keep repeating that same cycle. More lives will be lost.”

-        “You need all ten Emeralds to make it happen. And they are nowhere to be found. Even my power can’t find them. Plus, that’s just a fraction of the things you will need. It is impossible!”

-        “I will make it happen. No matter what. With you by my side, we can overcome anything.”

Kana’s will was unwavering. Every word she spoke, and every sentence she uttered carried a strong feeling of determination. She carried herself with pride and unyielding self-control. To quench her thirst, the woman reached for the nearby glass and took a sip of that wonderful tea. But, the moment her lips touched the beverage, she raised her head and was met with eyes full of sorrow. Valery’s eyes filled with tears, her body started to shake, and her heart was weeping. Kana could see the woman’s soul crying…screaming in pain. But, the woman didn’t let out a single peep.

Now, Kana was shaken to her very core. She tensed up, stared at the cup, and saw a familiar tiny drop that was darker than the rest of the tea. It was smaller than a baby fly, but to her, it was enough to make her heart tremble. She immediately recognized it.

-        “Nora! It’s Nora’s poison! You…poisoned me!!!”

Nora Viper emerged from the shadows. Since Kana had sealed her power to shape-shift, she never noticed the young woman with black leather clothes and a platinum necklace hanging from her neck. She must have been hiding in the shadows for who knows how long. But, the moment, their eyes met, Kana could feel a smirk creeping up on Nora's face under that black mask.

Kana felt a dagger piercing her heart before she saw it. She turned to face Valerie. It was her best friend from long ago. Her eyes that were once filled with so much joy and happiness were now replaced with the bitter feeling of regret, grief, and shame. The only thing that looked anything like her old friend was the shell that she left behind.

-        “Please forgive me.” – the guild master sobbed.

-        “Why?!” – Kana placed her hands around her own neck and strengthened her grip in an effort to soothe the soreness that was slowly creeping in.

-        “Please, you have to understand.”

Valerie reached out to Kana in a desperate attempt to hold on to her before she fell. But, Kana immediately pushed her back with resentment. Then, the sound of breaking glass emanated across the chamber. The teacup Kana held, vanished from her arms and fell to the ground. Nora watched the shards shrink moments before the poison burned the floor and the remaining tea turned them into gem-like pebbles; sharp enough to cut anyone who would dare walk over them. Blood gushed from the woman’s eyes and oozed across her cheeks. Kana was choking on her own blood.

-        “They left me no choice. It was either you or the entire guild. I couldn’t let so many innocent children die for my mistakes.”

-        “So…you…decided to sacrifice me?” – Kana struggled to speak. 

-        “I’m sorry. I tried to change your mind.”

-        “This…was…all…YOUR idea.” – Kana coughed blood.

To Valerie, this was the final straw. She turned her back on Kana, unable to look at her struggling face anymore. She sat on the ground, hugged her legs, and stuck her head between her thighs. Her skirt was soaking wet from all the crying and her body was shaking profusely.

-        “There was no other way to beat you, Kana. You signed your own death warrant the moment you took that girl from Vesryn’s hands. To be honest…” – Nora bent down to Kana’s side and wiped the blood from her cheeks. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion. “…I didn’t think this would work. You see, it’s impossible for us to kill you if we fight head-on. But, having the smartest dwarf in the kingdom really has its benefits. I say... this went smoothly.”

At that moment, the door to the chamber swung right open. Aiko and Ren stormed inside and hurried to Kana’s side. Seeing her savior drenched in blood, and the ground stained red, something crept up in the young girl’s mind. Any leftover fear and doubt she had, vanished in an instant. She walked all over the sharp glass that easily penetrated her poorly crafted shoes and pierced her skin. But, Aiko didn’t feel any pain. She was overcome with the urge to save her fallen friend. So, she pushed Nora, without even looking at her face, and grabbed Kana by the waist. The blood wouldn’t stop gushing from her reddened eyes.

Seeing her prey in the hands of the young girl, Nora Viper immediately took out two daggers hidden beneath her black-leather corset and charged to take them out. That’s when Ren dashed at the woman with eyes full of anger and tore three of her fingers apart. Her blood-stained dagger fell on the ground and she screamed in pain. But, in all that chaos, she knew she had to put an end to all of them right there and then. So, instead of moving a step back to recover, she swung the other dagger she held in the left hand. Ren wasn’t fast enough to dodge this one. Nora was too nimble and agile for him to even stand a chance.

In a blink of an eye, the heat from the yellow runes carved all over Aiko’s arms ripped her old dirty shirt and glowed with the power of the sun. Her scream tore through the entire chamber like a great shard of glass. She closed her eyes, her pulse quickened, and in a desperate attempt to save Kana and Ren, she screamed again.

A beacon of burning light came crushing from the sky opening a massive hole in the ceiling. When the force touched the ground, a strong aura sent Nora and Valerie flying. Their bodies slammed against the wall and the numerous bookcases came crashing down. Ren stood unfazed. Instead, the light had engulfed him, creating an impenetrable shield. The soothing warmth made him feel at ease, while the light that enveloped Kana, was healing her from the inside. Having already passed out, Kana had no idea that she laid in the hands of the young girl. She had already surrendered herself to fate. Her body was drained from all that pain. But, when she opened her eyes and saw that crying girl in front of her, she couldn’t help but caress her cheeks.

-        “You…came.” – she smiled.

-        “Of course, silly.” – Aiko sobbed and giggled. “I will never leave you behind.”

Shortly after, Aiko could hear the footsteps of countless adventurers closing in. William was among them, and he yelled in the distance.

-        “Aiko?! Are you OK?”

-        “What’s going on?!”

-        “That racket came from the guild master’s chamber!!!”

-        “The master is in trouble! Everyone to her aid!”

-        “Save the guild master!”

-        “Hurry!!!”

But, before they could reach the room, the girl felt a heavy flat object landing at the back of her head. It knocked her unconscious and her body tumbled to the floor right next to Kana. Everything turned black.