47 Megalomania (1/2)

Chapter 47: Megalomania

Deeper into the dark, and dank underground tunnels, a shadow zipped by before phasing back into it's tangible form as a metal grieve took a step onto the gravely floor. Jehxal emerged, his absent arms leaking with droplets of blood dripping to the ground around him. He struggled to catch his breath, as he softly leaned into the cavern's wall beside him. His eyes closed a moment, the location of his severed limbs seeming to restrain the bleeding. Footsteps drew closer just ahead of him.

”Never thought I'd see you this fucked up.” A voice ahead of him spoke, with a cold, yet astonished tone.

Jehxal's head lifted, opening those blood colored eyes at the figure ahead of him. He didn't appear surprised, or even fearful, rather he seemed void of emotions as he vaguely stared to the path ahead as Jackyn came into view. The Angel of Death and the Dreadnaught both remained motionless, having an intense stare down in silence. Both clearly had taken some heavy damage in their previous encounters.

Jehxal shuffled slightly, as he pulled himself from the wall, keeping his sharp gaze focused on his younger brother. ”Why am I not surprised? You've always been little more than a parasite waiting for the opportunity to pick scraps from another's prey.” Jehxal's face darkened as he grinned behind an eerie expression. ”You're nothing but a coward, Jackyn.”

”Stop talking, Jehxal.” Jackyn scoffed, his grip tightening on his dagger.

”Make me then.” Jehxal sneered, boredly. Jackyn flared his fangs before rushing with blades drawn, in the direction of his brother.

Mid air, he spun his body around, slashing at Jehxal. However, his brother's shoulders suddenly bubbled up with oozes of blood, letting massive inchor magic form into arms that shot out to counter the incoming attack. Jackyn felt himself get knocked off his feet, before the blood arms stretched out to clutch onto his prosthetic leg. He was held upside down in the air, his gaze meeting Jehxal's once again. The Angel of Death gritted his teeth, before chucking this blades at the outstretching arms made of blood. The daggers went flying through the slime-like ichor, as if the blood shifted to allow it passage through. This caused the knives to stick into the wall behind Jehxal, as the older man grinned sadistically at his trapped prey. It was clear he had more power than Jackyn, due to how much power he retained despite his severely wounded state.

Quickly, Jackyn summoned forth his skeletal blood magic, to form his bloodbone army. The magic-made skeletons formed, quickly firing arrows at Jehxal. With a sudden shift, the slime blood arms whipped Jackyn hard through a cavern wall, letting him crash to the ground in rubble and debris. Sitting up with a squinted eye, Jackyn held his head as blood trailed down the side of his nose, all the way to his jaw from his forehead. His bloodbones had been left without order, only to be crushed by blood tendrils that formed from the ground behind his brother, who had evaded the incoming arrows. The tendrils weaved in and out of the ground, like a serpent that dragged its victims down into the depths along with it. Jackyn stumbled back to his feet, catching a glimpse of Jehxal's equine appearing beside him. It didn't take much time for his brother to climb onto his mare, and come galloping Jackyn's way at full speed. With urgency, Jackyn leapt out of the path, barely avoiding the incoming jousting maneuver from the Dreadnaught's poleaxe. His blood arms had shifted size to function like the ones he had before his arms had been removed, not even seeming phased by his present injuries.

Making haste, Jackyn continued to remain on the evasive as the mare came charging at him once more. This time it crashed through one of the rock walls, creating a hole into another chamber. ”Jackyn! You can't keep this up forever!” Jehxal declared, in an wildly ecstatic tone.

”Neither can you!” The Angel of Death sneered back, as he summoned forth the blood direwolf, quickly climbing onto its back as it proceeded to rush after the mare with great speed.

The bone-like tail of the wolf waved behind it, as the blood beast leapt closer to the now galloping mare. The two kept neck to neck as they sped down the narrow passage, as the two brothers continued to fight back and forth with their bladed weapons.They shoved and slashed at one another, struggling to knock the other of their mount. It was getting steep with fragments of rocks tumbling down into the dark cavern bellow, where many eyes of fiendish monsters loomed like spectators in hole of the cavern walls. They waited for their opportune moment to join the ongoing conflict, but dared not intervene. The next moment, the blood direwolf latched it's teeth down hard onto the mare's leg. With a loud whinny, the equine crashed into the ground, toppling on top of the blood direwolf, which caused both riders to be thrusted into the gravel.

Jehxal was the first to his feet, whipping out his poleaxe to strike downward at Jackyn, who swiftly rolled out of the path as it struck the ground hard. This motion continued until Jehxal had his younger brother pinned to the ground, with him halfway hanging off the cliff that lead deep into the pit below, which carried unknown terrain. The metal grieve of Jehxal's boot pressed down hard on Jackyn's chest, causing him to wince out in pain. It halfway rested on the previous wound in the battle with Finch, causing some blood to escape the open wound.

”Even with how many deaths you've claimed, you're still a weakling! You'll always be a WEAKLING! Cowards like you have no purpose in this life, Jackyn! You were put on this planet to die!! I told you before, you were going to die by my hand, and today I deliver that promise!!” Jehxal wildly exclaimed, as he roughly held the bladed end of his poleaxe against Jackyn's throat, who gripped to it as he struggled to keep it from piercing his flesh. Jehxal was growing angry,hoisting it into the air from his brother's grasp as he prepared to bring it back down.

Jackyn had panicked eyes, and bloody palms, but with luck he managed to shift his body back enough to stomp his boots into Jehxal, knocking him off balance. With that, Jehxal's feet left the ground, tumbling down off the cliff, with stunned eyes watching Jackyn rise to his feet, as he continued to plummet further into the hole. He slammed into the rock covered walls, skidding down before he thumped into the other end of the cavern, continuously falling down with roughness. Then blood erupted into the air, as a spiked stalagmite flooring punctured through his chest cavity, piercing most major organs as the sharp ends escaped through the torn flesh and blood covered cloth.

Jackyn had watched his brother fall to his doom, remaining silent for the moment. He was still in shock from just barely managing to avoid certain death, and turning the tables on the one who's plagued his life the longest. He watched, waiting as his brother's body began to decay and phase off into the air like ash into the sky much like how fiend's died. It was as if his worst nightmares had left his body, upon witnessing this particular death. Perhaps it was relief, unfortunately though he didn't manage to escape this unharmed, but he was alive.

Elsewhere in the tunnels, all of Nye's forces continued converging onto the gates of Wynorex from their various points in the tunnels. Zyron, now regrouped with Solitaire and Minerva continued through stealthily. Jackyn and Adam still remained separated from the others, one hanging back due to his weakened state, and the other despite being weakened from his battle with Jehxal, was approaching a massive manticore. Both weren't ready to back down, Adam forcing himselfto proceed to the rendezvous point, while Jackyn prepared to face off against the massive fiend before him. Ashewyn and Miles were breaking through hordes of lesser-fiends, while Nye and Nikolai had nearly managed to reach the summit of the Wynorex front gates on their own.

Nye and her fiend companion's path however soon became obstructed by bubbling black ooze that emerged from the ground ahead. It shifted, taking the form of a small fiend that resembled a stitch doll with a giant tack through it's stomach.

”Keeheehee!! Ready to play?~” The fiend's female voice giggled in a distorted fashion. Her eyes were focused on Nikolai, rather than on Nye.

”Yandere...?” Nikolai softly spoke.

”You chose the wrong side, Niko! NOW YOU DIE!!!” The smaller fiend rushed at the reaper, pulling out the pin from her back to thrust it at him like a sword.

Nikolai quickly got out of her line of attack to deflect the pin blade with his scythe. He seemed reluctant to fight her, which allowed Yandere to knock him back into the ground. Zipping through the air, she came for him with another strike, only to be met by Nye's sword blocking her path.

”Get out of our way!” Nye instructed.

”Mistress! Please don't harm her!” Nikolai pleaded from behind Nye.

”Why not, she attacked first. She said she was going to kill you.” Nye asked, keeping her eyes sharply on the doll-like fiend.

”That doesn't matter. Yandere is... Special to me...” Nikolai softly admitted.

”... I see.” Nye replied, her eyes still on the fiend.

”....She... Understands us?” Yandere slunk back, seeming to be growing annoyed.

”I don't wish to see you hurt. Please flee... If you continue this... you might die.” Nikolai worriedly explained.

”...” Yandere grew quiet, with flared teeth. ”The master will be furious if I do.”

”You must...” Nikolai pleaded with her.

”...” She seemed more hesitant now with Nikolai's reactions. There was a brief pause, before Yandere reluctantly withdrew from the battle to make her escape.

”I hope this doesn't have any repercussions.” Nye spoke up, as she continued leading the way up the steps.

”I do as well...” Nikolai replied, following after Nye.”I'm just relived she's alive.”

After placing away their weapons, they proceeded up the steps, that lead to the entrance. Ahead of them was the gates of Wynorex, guarded by the massive ink reaper. His scythe quickly blocked the gate, peering down upon them.

”Only the scapegoat may enter, the Queen has been awaiting your arrival.” Inkers stated, seriously.

”So, she's been expecting me. This bodes well.” Nye stated, sarcastically.

”Mistress, I don't like this.” Nikolai stared up at her.

”I know. For now, comply. Remember, we're not alone.” Nye said, turning to leer at Inkers before being allowed to enter Wynorex, without Nikolai to back her up.

The gates closed behind Nye as she made her way inside. She was met by skeleton soldiers that guided her through the now foreign domain. Wynorex had changed so much since she first arrived there some time ago, with structures formed and various outcasted species living there. It wasn't all just armed forces allied with the cultists, there were innocents living here as well, possibly even with their families. Nye was unsure what to make of this, realizing the cult was more complex than she was lead to believe. She needed answers, and here she would be able to acquire them.

She was taken through the crowds of people, reaching the lower end of the staircase leading to the upper levels of this underground city. Before her stood a more of the skeleton forces guarding the stairwell. They felt empty, perhaps even soulless as they stood there without any wavering motion. The rest of her battalion must have been stationed inside the tunnels, seeing how few there was here among the innocents. The wall of skeletons parted, allowing Nye to be escorted to the upper level and taken to the entrance of the throne room. She waited until the doors were opened, and she was lead inside.

It was vastly decorated to suit that of a royal family, with a skull decorated throne at the end where Koron sat. Standing in front of Koron was Raz, seeming to have been informing her of something. However, Nye took notice of what seemed to be a small Amygdala newborn nestled in Koron's arms. There was a cocoon webbing that had been torn open on the side of the throne, clearly having been were this slime-like web covered child originated from. The throne beside her was protected by a large majestic beast, resting on the floor beside Koron, but ever watchful.

Koron's attention shifted to Nye, as she carefully handed the child to Raz. ”You may approach.” She instructed, watching as Nye slowly drew closer.

Nye passed by Raz, glancing to the lady fiend and the baby, before turning her attention to Koron as she reached the throne.

”I was wondering when we'd finally meet, little scapegoat.” Koron crossed her legs, peering down to Nye with an arrogant expression. ”Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Koron Ghestro. First of her bloodline and true Heir to the throne, The Manipulator of Monsters, The shadow in the Dark, Invoker of Fear and Breaker of Sorrow, The Slayer of Blades, Mistress of the Dead, The Black Winged Angel, The Remanent of blood, Corrupter of Life, The Angel of Darkness, Instrument of Rebirth, The One and only True Queen of Fiends, and master of the Four Horsemen.” Koron paused, looking to the uncertain blonde before her. ”...You may introduce yourself.”

”Nyghtmare Ghestro... Nye.” Nye replied, not sure why she was allowed so close.

”You are no Ghestro. Just a Amygdala without a true surname. You're a bastard.” Koron rose to her feet, her eyes on Nye. ”Your mother took my father's life away. You understand this, yes?”

”...” Nye averted her gaze. ”She mentioned such.”

”It's only fair I got to use you as a decoy to throw off the Templar. That woman stole him from me, but then, Pythagoras took away the child she cared about most dearly, the little cyclops. It's a shame really, now she and her lover are dead and I didn't even have to lift a finger. You however, have served your purpose as planned. It was quite an elaborate scheme to confuse the templar by manipulating you with my great-grandfather's guidance. You went along without a second thought, like the fool you are.” Koron remarked, still carrying such superiority in tone.

”(Why is she mentioning them like that? Maybe she was trying to gain their alliance too, but her underlings took it too far... I don't know what to make of this..)” Nye thought, seeming distracted.

”Well. Aren't you going to say something?” Koron spoke up, snapping Nye out of her thoughts.

”... I admit, I wasn't too fond of the idea myself. I knew I couldn't be some Queen, but I wanted to believe in something. It gave me a purpose for once, even hope that this world could become a better place for people like us.” Nye begrudgingly admitted, almost as if she felt shameful about it.

Koron looked astonished, before she laughed. ”Haha! You blindly followed our plan, and trusted it all based solely on hope? You truly are stupid, I'm surprised you managed to survive this long. Why, pray tell, do your allies even bother with you?! You're nothing remarkable!”

”Laugh all you like, Koron, I'm still standing... Even with all the trials and tribulations your scheme and underlings put my friends and I through. If anything, you've helped me realize my true potential.” Nye replied, shifting to a more calm demeanor. ”Now I have to ask, why was I allowed into Wynorex without conflict?”

”Not going to grovel? You have more moxie than expected. However, a pawn like you could never understand the method to my madness. Let me summarize it in a manner you might understand. I invited you and your allies to these war games so that I may make a final attempt in recruiting your forces to join the TRUE war. This little skirmish will be nothing in comparison to what's coming!” Koron explained, coldly.

”You're referring to the Templar, aren't you?” Nye asked, uncertain by her meaning.

”Then perhaps you see the grander scheme of things. They deserve to die after the Genocide we endured!! They may have allowed few of our numbers to live, but those survivors were completely sterilized before they were forced into solitude! The Rhyme, no THE TEMPLAR, they made it so we were forced to evolve, to adapt, so our kind wouldn't go extinct!!” Koron explained, but was getting a bit manic in tone with statement.

”If what you say is true, then we shouldn't be fighting each other. We should be working together to stop Aoba! Don't you get it, Koron? We have the same enemy! This conflict you've forced between us, all those deaths, they could have been avoided entirely!” Nye retorted, getting serious as she recalled everyone she's seen die in the underground.

Suddenly, Koron knocked Nye off her feet, letting the younger Amygdala stare up to her in shock. Koron seemed angry, forming a demented broadsword from her necklace, she had tucked away in her coat.

”Bite your tongue, bastard! You misunderstand me, I need your people to cooperate with me, when the templar kill you! I had underestimated the strength of your forces, and now most of my Generals are dead, as well as many of my pawns! If I don't take your man power, then the coming war is already lost!!!” Koron sneered, gripping to her blade. ”YAAAAAAAAHH!!!” She shouted out, whipping it over over her shoulder, and down at Nye.

Nye quickly formed her wraith-edge, blocking the sword from harming her. She was straining herself, holding back the stronger female's blade. ”This fighting needs to end!” Nye exclaimed.

”THIS IS MY BIRTHRIGHT!!!!!!” Koron shouted, as she struck down harder onto Nye's sword.

”Stop this, Koron!” Nye insisted, with urgency. She was unable to move, only able to hold back the repetitive slashes that continued to wail down hard on her blade.

Around the hall leading to the throne, swarms of undead and skeletons began to surface from below the ground. They were crawling out, gripping onto Nye, in attempt to detain her for Koron. They were piling onto her, causing Nye to recall that strange dream she had before she awoke from the nightshade poisoning. Perhaps it was more like a vision with the monsters, undead and even the four horsemen surrounding her like an engulfing plague. She remembered how suffocating it was, but quickly came back to her senses. The barrage of slashes kept coming, despite the skeletons holding her back. Nye was nearly losing her grip from spacing out, but she was struggling to do much of anything.

”This fighting is pointless!!!” Nye shouted, trying to counter her blows, as she knocked some of the skeletons off her.

Simultaneously, Solitaire's group managed to reach the stairs leading up to the gates of Wynorex. Zyron seemed a bit more conflicted than usual, but that didn't stop the group from progressing. Nikolai was just ahead of them, having an intense stare down with the massive ink reaper. There was eyes watching in the darkness, as wings kept whatever it was airborne far above them, nearly the ceiling. A blue glow was flowing from the mouth of it, but it didn't seem eager to act.

”Isn't that the fiend you got separated from?” Minerva glanced over to Zyron.