Chapter 871

Chapter 871: First Blood [9]

Panic of accountability rose within Loftha’s mind, despite the exposed figure, she pulled herself, pain and all, from the bed and slid to the latter’s end. There in front laid a cupboard of which held the essentials to covering one from the world. The messages by the mercenaries were troublesome, she got dressed in a subjective darkened hue. Outside looking in, dawn upon the horizon wasn’t much to worry about. Loftha’s fear actualized, she had brought the mercenaries onto Hidros, the actions were a direct result of her attempts at proving her independence and shake Igna’s shadow of affection and belonging. One leg followed the other, mildly skinny trousers tied by force at her waist dawned upon the unconscious Ziu. ‘-I don’t have a phone,’ she narrowed and tied the fallen young man upon the bed – in a way to say, ‘-screw yourself,’ a mechanism was hoisted in where if Ziu so much as the thought of escape, a frighteningly sharp knife would drop. Most of the time, the anticipation of pain and suffering doubles, even triples the actual felt ‘-pain.’ Her play on the very principle would greatly affect Ziu’s wake on the empty room.

Loftha pushed the door aside and fell against the corridor. There, she gasped for air, the tightly fitted clothes hampered much of the gestures. The gaze subconsciously narrowed as in to say, ‘-pain,’. By sheer will, the princess fought body and limb, until an unconscious guard. Blood splatter told of the man’s untimely demise, ‘-the Sadian leadership,” she winced and checked for any device abled for communication. Fortune wasn’t much a pleaser – the closely fitted grasp held naught save bullets and a firearm. ‘-he died on accounts of not following the hierarchy. Poor soul,’ she clambered to a stable stance, ‘-I need to warn Igna about Ziu,’ more distance grew between the room and her, the greater amplified the pain. A loud explosion caught the vigilant Loftha by surprise – mana in the atmosphere drained, she’d pass the unconscious guards mere minutes ago. Intent on following the path, louder footsteps crashed upon the floor, resounding across the empty hall until her station. A bloodcurdling murderous intent froze the spine solid, Loftha simply hung against the wall, no thought in the following course of action. Stern walls were allowed to spin without much effort, the posture remained the same save being 180 degrees turned. Shoulders upon the wall, she watched through blurred vision, two figures split into four and collapsed into one, “-Ziu,” she gasped, “-how dare you assault a princess,” lack of energy forced one knee to buckle.

“Why?” he snorted loudly, “-you, princess, came to me for help. I accepted,” crystal clear chops( Ziu’s footsteps) moved at regular intervals, “-I, Ziu Patek, graciously offered to further thy name. Without my influence, the position of Ambassador would have gone to the older sister. A blank check was signed, and to said end, I had wished the payment to be a carnal bonding of our bodies. Ever since the story of the brave princess’s survival in a foreign land, I wanted to steal that smug sneer. Nothing infuriates me more than a strong woman, coincidently, one who has the drive to fight pushes my libido to greater heights. From the models and actresses I’ve slept with, those who resists are the most memorable,” he walked with open arms, “-join my memory, join the strong ladies whomst dared fight against my libido. I told you,” veins bloated, the muscles increased – a definite presence of strength gathered, “-the more you fight, the stronger I get. A book to the back of the head isn’t very courteous,” he sighed, “-no matter, Loftha, I will have what I want, and what I wish is in thy pants,” the fingers curled as in to invite more to what was said. Unfortunately for Loftha, her blurred vision came from exhaustion, the other knee finally buckled, her head echoed against the wall, “-try your worse,” she gritted, a snarky expression rode upon Ziu’s face.

“Perfect,” he said and leaped – under her nose, the manly grasp tightened around her neck and squeezed, Loftha found herself suspended for milliseconds, in her mind read as minutes. Both landed harshly, although, Loftha took the brute of the force. The struggle for consciousness was hard, Ziu’s lustful mien undressed her chest and waist, he pulled without mercy, a bulge pulled along the pants, tis then, a realization of his strength crossed her mind, ‘-bastard has a strengthening power,’ she narrowed and suffered through the vile undressing, ‘-sorry brother,’ memories of the past and present flooded, ‘-I fucked up,’ *snap,* an unrestrained stump, brought by the volley caused moments earlier, flashed and impaled Ziu through the chest. He gasped, confused at the situation, “-Loftha,” grip firm upon her neck, “-fought till the very end, didn’t you,” lack of blood brought lightheadedness, “-too bad,” he squeezed and snapped her neck, “-I never lose,” he dropped and gasped, “-my job here’s done. Princess Loftha,” he side-glanced and caressed her cheeks, “-you truly were the best lady I ever met.” Nothing, the princess’s last attempt worked as did Ziu’s triumph.

Yonder at the Rosespian manor, ladies and gentlemen of all social classes moved around the driveway and parked. Those unable to find spots were forced to settle in order adjacent to the curved slope. Igna, Vanesa, and Minerva arrived before the event. He got off at the garage and entered a chaotic inside; Laurance adamantly guided the servants. The gentle aroma of food brewed in the kitchen, a lovely tune played in the background, nothing could be more peaceful. Once inside, Minerva and Vanesa split. Igna shuffled along to the common room where once laid Laura’s coffin. Arrived, the television played international news loudly, a coverage titled, “-King Juvey’s sudden change,” seemed very interesting. The narrator painstakingly voiced every word and justifiably added the correct tone. Merely reading wasn’t sufficient, there needed substance, “-our journey takes us to Elendor. Information’s been scarce, rumors say the palace was under attack. Old Cray’s council is left without a backup plan, many high-profile individuals have been reported missing. On consulting with our sources, not mentioned for their safety, we’ve found the true cause... diplomats, politicians, and high-ranking nobles have been killed. All happened supposedly on a celebration in honor of electing a new member of the crowd’s inner circle,” videos and images showed snippets of smoke pillars toward the capital’s vague area. Enhancements of certain aspects added an air of intrigue to the story, “-though tis speculation, we have read unconfirmed rumors of the queen’s death. Since the day of the incident, access to the castle has been restrained by the authorities. We’ve tried, and I truly emphasize on the word tried, information is scarce, even for our informants. The closer we get to the truth, the more elusive it gets. Elendor’s not a united front, join us as we follow the story,” a sudden push toggled the television. Seiran walked in-between Igna and the show, “-master, we have high-ranking guests visiting, would it bother if thee’d put an effort?”

“Fine,” he yielded and followed Seiran. Sparse lighting from the setting sun eventually dwindled, streetlamps clawing up the driveway toggled, an amber hue settled.

“Done,” gasped Igna, “-I’m done.”

.....

“Congratulation,” returned slow claps, “-the Alchemist cooked for once,” narrowed Seiran, the distance gate opened, messages riddled the intercoms. *Guests,* said the guard, the few already pleasant enjoyed drinks at the bar, newly arriving guests took precious time in finding the perfect parking spot. Expensive vehicles exposed the human error and the misfortune of mother nature, both sufficed for an owner to wince. Laurance, Seiran, and Rile served the role of host, their focus extended over the common area. Each joined in certain circles, added comments on current events, and shortly left to other entourages. Role of hosts during high-profile soirees was more, courteous ‘hello’ and small talk didn’t suffice. The hosts were responsible for keeping the conversations flowing, if a debate or energetic conversation flared, tis their responsibility to put the breaks or forcefully kickstart a conversation. Igna subconsciously shuffled to the veranda, there – he looked upon the unveiled memorial to Laura. Taps followed and stopped beside him, a hurryingly dressed Yui sipped juice and threw ‘pensive’ looks at the garden.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Pardon me,” she smiled, “-on closer inspection, I’ve found details relating to Laura’s death and Cimier’s arrival. The trade lady Elvira organized between her and an unknown group’s amplified Snow’s influence. The Patek’s are responsible, I traced the money to the younger son of Patek, he seems to have sent money to the Sadian tribe.”

“Sadian tribe, the dragon-kins?”

“Yes, they’re the scariest mercenaries out there currently.”

“And how did such information come about?”

“I might have sent someone to stalk the princess...”

“Right,” the arms crossed, “-by all means, stalk the ambassador tasked to mediate affairs from Hidros and Alphia.”

“Master...” her eyes blinked invitingly, “-are you disappointed?”

“Not really,” the posture eased and turned to look at the gradually increasing common area, “-what did the stalking say?”

“We traced her position to a building in the slums.”

“And I assume the building’s tied to Snow, Rosespire’s not very united on the underground front.”

“Yes,” she said, “-master,” a sudden notification halted the nonchalant attitude, “-I must attend to a matter of utmost importance.”

“A matter of utmost importance,” he returned, “-just say you’re needed somewhere. Much as I admire the theatrics atmosphere it gives, the usage of said words best fitted for plays.”

“Whatever,” the eyes rolled, “-in a bit, master.” The keen observational skill watched, as it did best – acquired body movement reading skills channeled, part of the guest list didn’t seem much ordinary. Many wore unfitted suit jackets, their piercing stares scanned face to face.

“Something the matter?” interjected a familiar voice.

“Julius,” he returned brazenly, “-hello cousin. Is Malley around?”

“In the kitchen, why?”

“Just asking,” a text suddenly flung across the interface, the same instant upon which, *-Princess Loftha and Ziu have been found dead. Time of death is estimated to be 45 minutes ago, authorities have been called,* said Yui.

Igna’s heart dropped, ‘unfamiliar faces,’ he rushed for Tharis, *BANG, BANG,* cackled in the distance. Julius’s face dawned a fearful expression, “-Malley,” he shuddered and rushed, bullets shattered the glasses, Igna forced Julius into a bow. Screams echoed, counteractive gunfire drowned the area into panic and fear.

“Cousin!” glared Julius, “-I need to check on Malley.”

By the look in his eyes, there was no denying a would-be father’s determination. *Mana Control: Spatial-Arts – Wormhole,* a portal manifested, “-go on,” gritted Igna, “-it goes to the kitchen. If you find Malley, get her out using this,” he dropped a teleportation scroll.

“Cousin...”

“Don’t bother,” glasses shattered further, the number of enemies heightened, “-take the scroll and get her out.”

“I appreciate it,” he said and vanished, the fissure closed, ‘-we’re under attack,’ a touch toggled the lens into combat mode, éclair soon joined the channel, “-master?”

“Ask Yui for details,” he said, “-Phantom’s under attack. We need reinforcement. Bring in the heli-squad, I don’t care,” orders were given, he stormed the room, pulled onto Tharis, and shot. Punches using the acquired martial arts sent enemies to their deaths, ‘-they broke through security,’ wondered Igna stood upon an enemy’s body, ‘-facial features and a tag-bearing alliance to the Sadian people. Loftha must have killed Ziu – I warned her, no one ever listens.’ Spider webs and the unsatiated hunger for blood loomed, the gunfire stopped, Seiran and Laurance hurried into the common room, hand in blood, they gasped, “-master?”

“All’s clear here,” returned Igna, “-where’s Rile?”

“Here...” he said in the powerful wolven-beast form, canines dripped of blood and claws reeked of crimson. *BANG* the ground shook, leaving Igna looking vaguely at the gates, “-what’s happened?” he teleported upstairs. Machine gunfire destroyed cars, loud rumbles climbed the driveway – Seiran and her party finally arrived on the balcony, “-master?” they panted, “-what’s happening?”

“We’re under attack,” the expression changed, “-by the Sadian people,” wings sprawled, sprinkles of uncontained power fluttered, “-they will regret the day they dare moved against Phantom,” a flap cracked the balcony and shattered windows. ‘-Sadian...’ projectiles summoned at his back; ‘-die.’