30 Feelings of the Soul (1/2)
Chapter 30: Feelings of the Soul
”Uhhhh... Where... Where the bloody hell am I?” Solitaire's voice muttered softly to herself, as she struggled to open her eyes. Chilling winds were blowing around abruptly near where she laid, sending chills up her spine. ”Brrrrr!!!! Why is it so bleeding cold!?” Solitaire shivered, quickly moving her body to sit up.
As the pink haired maiden finally pried open her eyes, she was able to visibly absorb the area around her. She was surrounded by an immense amount of snow covered landscape, that was several inches deep. There was trees not too far off, but she appeared to be on the outskirts of Artiren. The cobblestones were barely visible under the blankets of white, even the stone structures around her were in the same condition. Curiously enough, the streets appeared vacant, perhaps due to the snow in.
Solitaire's gaze then focused up on the frosty sky, seeing snowflakes falling from the clouds. She decided to attempt warming herself up, by rubbing her arms; but it was so cold that she could see her own breath.
”Good. You're awake.” Scoffed the cold tone of a male voice, as he briefly adjusted one of his shoulder pads.
Solitaire quickly turned from where she sat, to notice a fiendish man sitting upon one of the stone covered walls of a nearby structure with his legs crossed; while resting his hand against his chin. His sharp eyes focused on her, with a stone-faced expression. This fiend's garbs seemed much better suited for snowy weather, with his heavy gray colored trench coat. Three horns appeared to be pressing up against the top of his reaper-like hood, with patches of dark hair peeking out. His eyes were jet black with pink irises, that slitted in the center like a cat's eye. He had an excessive amount of bandages wrapped around his torso as well. However, Solitaire had just barely noticed his clawed hands, and stitch marks along the bridge of his nose; due to the pink will-o-wisps floating around him like balls of fire.
”Blimey... You're the one who swooped in and grabbed me?” Solitaire gawked at him, with an unsure expression.
”Tsk, talk about a rhetorical question. Don't think about running away either.” The man slyly remarked, with a barely visibly smirk.
”Oh, gonna chase me now, are you?” Solitaire retorted, softly.
”I have soul sight, makes it pretty easy to keep you in my cross-hairs. That, and one other thing.” The man stated bluntly, in a rude manner.
”Beg your pardon?” Solitaire seemed nervous.
”Oh? You like that sort of thing, eh? I'll keep that in mind.” He chuckled, eerily.
”Oy! What are on about, ya cheeky bastard!?” Solitaire snapped, with a slight blush forming on her cheeks.
”You're the one who thought it. Souls are dead giveaways for desires.” He explained sternly, almost as if teasing her.
Solitaire blushed profusely, growing frustrated. ”That's a load of rubbish, whoever you are, arsehole!!” Solitaire shouted, as she denied his accusations.
This only made him smirk.”Name's Tyr Zmeu, if you must know.”
However, before Solitaire could reply, there was a sudden thud; followed by several more. The ground quaked briefly, as a massive beast appeared from around the corner of the street. It had a jarring appearance, with exposed skeletal face and tail. The long black fur on it's back seemed to protect the monster from the falling snow, but those glowing white irises were truly terrifying. It drew closer, leaning it's neck forward from beside Tyr; to peer at Solitaire.
Solitaire froze, staring at the massive creature before her. ”....”
”You're scared. It's understandable, Daemoniorum do eat humans after all... But you're not quite that, are you? Asmodeaus will only harm you if I command him to do so, just relax. He's much like a big dog; you like dogs, don't you?” Tyr explained to her, in almost a cynical tone this time. He extended his claw-like hand to the beast, stroking it's fur.
In the same instant, Zyron was still within the Mystic woods, accompanied by Heath. The dragon intensely focused his eyes to the unresponsive radio, with a concerned expression. On the other side of the signal; Rocky's radio laid on the ground, as Madam Coffin Nail gracefully approached the water's edge.
Pulling the cigarette to her lips, she watched for a moment. ”Oh my, and here I thought I would have myself a challenge. Perhaps it's time to depart back to Wynorex, I must inform my Queen of this victorious occasion.” Her lips curled into a smile.
From the rippling water below, a few bullets shot from beneath the waves. Madam Coffin Nail was taken by surprise, as she stumbled back onto her rear with a frightened gasp of panic. Rocky emerged from the waves, his wings blasting through the water to reach solid ground. His entire body was soaking to the bone. His drenched hair hung in his face, as the water it carried continued to drip down to his feet.
”How dare you trick a lady in this manner, you mongrel!!” Madam Coffin Nail screamed at him, as she tried to settle her panicked disposition.
She scrambled for her cigarette, and before she could unleash another smoke spell, Rocky's gun was placed point blank to her skull. The cigarette dropped to the ground, as she stared in horror at the crimson haired dragon.
”P-P-P-Plea-s-s-s-se....” She begged for mercy, as no further words were able to pass through her oversized lips.
”Pfft.” Rocky scoffed, with an annoyed gaze from behind his damp hair. ”See ya in hell.” He growled, before pulling the trigger. The round blasted from the barrel of his gun, exploding through her cranium to the other side of her skull.
The massive fiend's body collapsed onto the pile of brain partials, as rocky placed away his pistol. The skin of Madam Coffin Nail's corpse was dissolving rapidly, as the skin and blood partials were slowly floating up into sky, with the strands evaporating into dust. The sight was rather gruesome, with the trails of blood raising up from the deceased fiend. Rocky glanced to her, as he swiped the cigarette from the Madam's fancy filter, leaving the extra piece on the ground. He pulled the remainder to his lips, taking in the smoke, before exhaling it into the air.
On Heath's end, the silent radio finally drew feedback, before a voice followed. ”Sorry bout that. I had to take out that annoying broad.” Rocky's voice reassured his brother.
Heath sighed with relief. ”Don't scare me like that.”
”Not my fault , bro. Ya know I can handle myself just fine. So. What's the sitch with this post-mission thing?” Rocky inquired, seriously.
”Oh yes. I have offered my aid to a Vulpis, whose master may have been abducted. Your assistance might be required.” Heath explained, glancing over to Zyron, who still appeared unsure.
”I said I don't need your help. Just forget it.” Zyron turned away from the dragon man.
”Hold on, just a moment. I understand your kind aren't too trusting, due to how others commonly have mistreated captive species. However, do you think it's wise to venture off on your own? You seem capable of handling yourself, but what if another formidable foe appears? What then?”
Zyron hesitates, noticing that Heath had no ill will against leashed, like most others he would encounter. He sighed, glancing back to the Terra.
”Fine, if you're so persistent.” He agreed, with reluctance this time. However, a scent caught his nose, causing him to breath in the air. ”Solitaire.” He murmured, seriously.
With great haste, Zyron shifted directions, running off towards the southern region of the woods.
”Rocky, rendezvous towards the south. I think our friend here may have picked up his master's trail.” Heath explained, soaring off in pursuit of Zyron.
”Count on it. Over and out.” Rocky's voice replied, from the radio that Heath carried.
Back in Atiren, Solitaire shakily gazed at Asmodeaus. She seemed uncertain at this time, but then noticed something from the direction the beast had came from. Another Terra was laying in the snow, seeming to have been thrashed up terribly. It appeared to be one of Eclipses other dragons, the one named Manik.
Tyr glanced over to where she was looking, and back to Solitaire. ”Worried about some wounded Terra? Don't concern yourself. He's breathing. Barely. I had a bit of fun, while I waited for you to wake up, girl.”
Tyr hopped down to her level, pulling a strand of her hair to his face, as he took in her scent. ”...What do you want with me?” Solitaire inquired hesitantly, he was so close to her at this point, but she couldn't bring herself to form any blade from her body.
He released her hair, staring with his sharp gaze. ”I was supposed to bring you back to the boss, but I don't really feel like obeying orders right now. So, gonna keep restraining yourself? We both know why you're not using those little blades of yours. You're into me.”
Solitaire grew more flustered, turning her face away from him in a timid manner.The Daemoniorum loomed at the same distance, it's eyes blankly staring at the two of them.
”Ah. That's why. You're scared. Is some shitty luck really gonna hold you back?” Tyr slyly smirked at Solitaire.
Solitaire nervously peered back over at him. ”How do you keep doing that?...” She asked, shyly.
”Soul sight. Told you already. Thing is, if you wanna be with me, you have to leave those friends behind.” Tyr bartered with her, keeping a cunning disposition.
”Together?...” Solitaire relaxed slightly, at the thought. ”...With you?”
”That's what you want, isn't it?” Tyr stepped closer, reaching for his hood. Solitaire stared at him, as he pulled the hood from his head. Three horns had became visible, before his face came right up to hers.
Solitaire quickly pulled back, averting her gaze. ”I can't... Not if it means losing my mates.”
Tyr grew annoyed, his interest in this game vanished. ”Quite a shame. Guess we're doing this the hard way then. Asmodeaus.” Tyr boredly snapped his clawed fingers.
The massive Daemoniorum suddenly focused it's jarring gaze on Solitaire, as they began to glow vividly, while emulating a clicking sound. Solitaire was caught in the snare, the entity of her eyes become jet black. Her mind was being lulled into a trance, as her body remained completely motionless. Tyr circled around her, standing directly behind Solitaire now. He shifted her hair, as he tilted her head to the side to expose her neck. His long, forked tongue licked along her bare neck, before sinking in his fangs, like a vampire.
His eyes quickly shifted ahead of him, as he sucked the blood from her neck. Immediately, his body phased away from Solitaire, right as a ball of fire cam flying his way. Asmodeaus quickly shifted it's body, to eat the fire out of the sky. It's white eyes glanced over, as Tyr reappeared on top of him; eying down at the approaching aggressor.
”We weren't expecting company...” Tyr muttered, in a darker tone.
”That thing can eat fire? SHIT!” Zyron came into view, as he reached Solitaire's side. ”Solitaire?..” He panted briefly.
The canine magic user continued to stare in concern, seeing Solitaire's body hunch down, before falling on her hands and knees. Blood was escaping the bite on her neck, and Zyron was enraged. His eyes frantically wandered, to catch sight of where Tyr had warped off to.
Zyron's glare shot at Tyr, before shouting, ”WHAT DID YOU FUCKING DO TO HER!?
Tyr chuckled, in a sinister manner as he boredly peered down to the Leashed. ”Not much. You on the other hand, may want to reconsider your position.”
”What was that, asshole!?” Zyron retorted, angrily.
With Zyron's attention on Tyr, he was unable to see that something else was going on within Solitaire. Six dark magical spheres began to form from her back, outstretching into elongated shadow claws. They fidgeted around in the air, crackling like a wild creature. However, just as Zyron took notice off the odd occurrence, the claws rushed him. He was thrusted into the air, being strangled and constricted, as if the claws were snakes.
”Urgh...Sol...Solitaire?...” He fearfully gasped, through struggling to breath.
Her twitching head slowly elevated, being shadowed over by darkness. Her black eyes stared blankly at Zyron, forcing terror into his mind.
”How interesting.” Tyr seemed intrigued, carrying a dark grin. He was crouched like a yanki, as his eyes loomed over the trepidation below. ”Your soul is feeling so many things right now. I have to wonder. Who will rescue you, from the one that you're trying to save? Heh.”
”What's... What's wrong with her?...” Zyron tried to get an answer, wincing from the tight hold of the shadow claws. His squinting eyes stared over at Tyr, on his mount.
”Persistent, aren't you? I guess you're not familiar with Daemoniorum. Beasts likes these can posses the mind of their prey, and control them like a marionette . Let's just call it, a temporary soul infection, shall we?” Tyr chuckled, patting the head of his pet.
”Soul Infection..?” Zyron appeared shaken, as his eyes trailed back over to the empty gaze of the pink haired damsel. Solitaire's body began to move, much like a puppet on strings. The shadow claws slammed Zyron into the cobblestones of the snowy ground roughly, causing the canine to cry out in pain. ”ARGHH!!!”
A bullet suddenly flew at Tyr, but he swayed out of the way, just in time to avoid the attack. ”You brought others...” Tyr's irritated eyes danced over to spot Heath flying his way, with Rocky close behind him.
Tyr phased from his Daemoniorum's back, reemerging in the path of the dragon brothers. Will-o-wisps began to cluster around Tyr, where he hovered, as the eyes on his coat tails began to glow vividly. Without warning, the flames casted out at the oncoming attackers. The barrage of fireballs bashed into Heath and Rocky, knocking them out of the sky. The two crashed into the ground, hastefully rising to their feet.
Tyr landed just ahead of them, with his claws at ready. Heath quickly dove at Tyr, slashing his oversized blade at the fiend. Tyr however, gently swayed from each strike. Right as Heath was about to undercut him, Tyr grabbed the giant bastard sword with both hands, as if he was holding back a wall.
”You're stronger than you look...” Heath grimaced, trying to push back his blade.