"Grr!!" Kalika glared, bitterly, at the thousands of holes riddling the pillar wall. With a sneer and clenched teeth, she turned and stormed down an empty road that circled the massive pillar.
********
"
Lyra pulled a plate of cubed meat and purple fruit and began picking and eating them. "
"
"
"
"
"
" Cyrus eyed Lyra, noticing a subtle drool, and her eyes were even more distant as if salivating the moment.
Cyrus sighed. " " " ' Cyrus grew bitter, " " " " " " ********
Deep within the stone chambers of the castle's winding corridors, several old demons sat in wait around a large, stone, circular table. Each one was more silent than the last as a tension rose in the air.
Biltrix eyed a single empty seat with impatience.
Suddenly, a demon slammed open the door. " " Not long after, an old, wrinkled blue demon with pure white hair entered. He wore a blind fold and a clean-cut robe that cloaked his entire body. The demon, Fricius, slowly approached the table and lifted a strangely shaped stone piece in his hand.
He quickly placed the stone piece in his hand into a thin slot on the table.
<" How unusual for you to be late, Fricius.>" A large blue councilman said. The demon stroked his long, grey beard, curiously awaiting a response.
" BOOM
A fist slammed the table, shaking its foundations. " " " " " The sharp-bearded demon twitched, trying to remain composed. " " " " " " " Krason blurted a laugh. " "I despise to be the one to say this, but perhaps Rakon has finally decided to show his fangs," Fricius said.
The whole chamber became silent a cold sweat ran down Biltrix's face as he was lost in thought. " " " The chamber soon erupted into a war of words as council members disagreed and debated the remark, some even defending Rakon's supposed loyalty to them and their cause. All it eventually became simple noise of Biltrix, and with a chest full of air, bellowed. "SILENCE!!!"
The room was silent at once, with all eyes on Biltrix.
" A demon quickly opened and peered through the door. " "New orders for the guards. We want them to kill on sight. Anyone they find, dead. Even those they escort to their homes tonight.>"
" Biltrix glanced around the room. " The silence among the members of the council continued to hang in the air. And with no opposition heard, the answer became clear.
With the newly acquired orders, the demon scurried away with the new declaration in mind.
Left alone in their chambers, once again, Pellock spoke up. " " " ********
Donovan stared at his mask, lost in thought. "Hopefully, Kalika and Zelak are able to find that Bretta woman."
Bjorn huffed, averting his gaze in the same bar corner. "If I had known that the guards would come, Falaz and I would've been more prepared. But what happened, happened. And all we can do is wait for the lockdown to finish."
Charla, who sat by Bjorn, watched Donovan nervously. She saw that his gaze was glued to the entrance, and from the colors she saw him emanate, it was too clear that his concern was deepening into borderline guilt.
She grimaced, unable to understand him.
Donovan clenched his fists, pulled himself away from the bar. "Maybe I-I should-"
"I wouldn't recommend leaving." Bjorn interrupted. "Kalika and Zelak can handle the situation themselves, I'm sure."
"Because of Zelak's power?"
"Of course. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if the elder council enacts a street culling."
"Street Culling?" Donovan glanced at Bjorn, confused.
"It's only happened once, from what I remember. But essentially, anyone on the street is escorted back home. But anyone who is either homeless or refuses to comply, the guards are permitted to kill on sight."
"So, you think the guards might attack me?"
"They will attack, without question, either," Bjorn said.
"I guess that's why they took everyone's weapons…" Donovan sighed, relenting. "Okay. Fine. I guess I should retire for the night then. Since there really isn't much we can do."
Donovan stood, but just then, the bars' door suddenly opened. Panicked, Donovan reached for his mask and concealed his face in time to see Zelak walking in with Bretta in his hands.
"Wh-what the-"
Right behind Zelak, a hooded woman entered, carrying two sleeping children. Behind them, several unamused guards watched keenly as the two entered.
" " " Slowly, Zelak, downcast, approached an empty table and laid Bretta's body on it. The woman followed his lead and unfurled the two sleeping babies atop Bretta's body and covered them.
Bjorn sighed, seeing the sight. "So she's finally passed on."
Donovan's eyes immediately drew to the hooded woman, noticing her pink eyes.
"A succubus." A confusion took hold, and with a deepening concern, he turned and approached Zelak.
"Zelak. W-wheres Kalika?" Donovan questioned.
"Yes," Bjorn agreed. "Where is she?"
With an almost bored expression, he relented. "The Champion refuses to come back."
"What?" Donovan's eyes shook, shocked. "What do you mean she refused to come back!?"
Charla, growing concerned, turned to Bjorn, noticing his growing anger.
Bjorn growled to himself. "What is that woman doing now!?" he uttered.
" Suddenly, Donovan dashed to his room and grabbed his pipe. And with a growing determination, he stormed towards the door.
"Hey, wait! What are you doing, human?"
"What does it look like? I'm going to find Kalika!"
'DONOVAN!" Bjorn yelled. "You need to stay here. If you go now, there's no telling what the guards will do to you."
"And what about Kalika!?" Donovan stopped and glared at Bjorn. "She obviously is not in her right mind if she left Zelak! Argh!! You should've stopped her, Zelak. What were you thinking?"
Zelak sneered. "The Champion can handle herself just fine, Human. Let it be."
"Let it be?" Donovan scoffed at the remark. "I know Kalika can handle herself, but that's besides the- AARRGHH!! FORGET IT!! The last thing we need is for Kalika to fall on the deep end again!"
Donovan clenched his fist with resolve. "And I'm not gonna take that risk." Donovan turned to the door, only to be met with a pair of glowing pink eyes.
" "D-donovan!" Charla rushed to Donovan's side, catching him in her hands.
" Charla instantly flushed, realizing that she was holding Donovan in her hands. Her mouth squirmed about, trying to contain her hidden joy.
" Charla glanced at Bjorn, then back at the hooded succubus, hesitant. The woman chuckled, seeing Charla hesitate. " The Succubus moved to take Donovan. " Alarmed, Charla pulled Donovan away. " Bjorn sighed, watching as Charla closed the door behind her. " " "" Kalu said. She pulled her hood down and revealed her short grey hair and stubby black horns that stuck from the front of her head. ""
" " " " Bjorn narrowed his eyes, noticing a sly grin from the woman as she closed her door. "Interesting…"
" " The door closed, leaving Bjorn and Zelak in the Bar. The babies soon erupted into panicked cries, leaving Bjor more frustrated than before.
********
A puddle of red flowed across the streets of dead guards. Blobs of black soon escaped into the cracks of the roads, leaving the scene without its killer.
"[Now this. Will be fun.]"