บท 5: Death
{A/N: My bad if the story seems a bit rushed. Because it is. I'm wanting to get Xenia to meet the male interest but that part will take longer. To make up for that, I decided to rush the unimportant things such as her travels and talks with people. But I still did not want the story to be empty neither.
The next two chapters will make sense so don't be mad at my too much. Also, this is my first time writing a romance story. That's all. Thanks for reading 🫶‼️}
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One evening, I found myself at the bustling market of the small border town, eager to restock my supplies before continuing my journey. As I am aware that Malvina is most likely out searching for me throughout the kingdom.
The vendor stalls were alive with activity, and the air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of fresh bread and roasted meats.
I approached a stall manned by a woman named Elara, whose warm smile and kind eyes instantly made me feel welcome.
"Hey there," I greeted her, glancing over the array of goods she had on display. "What do you have that could help a weary traveler along the road?"
Elara looked up from her wares and gave me a once-over. "You've been on the road a while, huh? I've got just what you need. How about some bread, dried meats, and a few fresh fruits?"
"Sounds perfect," I said, feeling my stomach growl at the mention of food. "And maybe some herbs or potions? Something for when the road gets rough?"
Elara nodded knowingly. "I've got some healing herbs and a few energy potions that might help. Here, take a look." She pulled out a small wooden box filled with various vials and packets of herbs.
I picked up a vial of shimmering liquid. "What's this one do?"
"Boosts your energy when you're running low," she explained. "It's saved me more than once on a long journey."
I smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll definitely need this. Thanks, Elara. How much for everything?"
Elara waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about the price. It's not often I see someone with a spirit like yours. Just promise me you'll stay safe out there."
I raised an eyebrow. "You sure? I don't want to take advantage."
"Consider it a gift," she said with a wink. "Travelers need to stick together."
"Well, thanks a lot," I said, genuinely touched by her generosity. "I'll make sure to put it to good use."
As she packed my supplies, Elara looked up curiously. "So, where are you headed, anyway?"
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest.
"South, to the Kingdom of Nyx. Got some important stuff to take care of."
Elara's eyes widened. "Nyx? That's quite a journey. You be careful, alright? Lots of dangers between here and there."
"I will," I assured her. "Thanks again for everything."
Before I turned to leave, Elara reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, intricately carved charm.
"Take this. It's a protective charm. My grandmother always said it brought good luck."
I took the charm, feeling a bit emotional. "Thanks, Elara. I really appreciate it."
"Safe travels," she called after me as I walked away, feeling a bit more prepared for the journey ahead.
As I made my way through the market, my mind was on the supplies I had just acquired with others such as toiletries. Everything seemed to be falling into place, even though the road ahead was uncertain.
Suddenly, something hard and heavy struck me from behind. The force of the blow sent me flying through a nearby wall and into a room where a couple was in the midst of having sex.
The impact left me disoriented. My ears were ringing and my vision blurred and unclear. I struggled to make sense of what was happening as the couple screamed in surprise and anger.
"What the hell is going on? You just broke my wall," the man shouted, scrambling to cover himself.
"Get out! Get the f*ck out!" the woman chimed in, screaming while clutching a blanket to her chest.
I tried to speak, to explain, but the pain in my ribs made it difficult to breathe. My vision was filled with flashes of pink, and I could barely hear over the ringing in my ears.
Before I could gather my thoughts, a large shadow fell over us. I turned to see a towering man, at least seven feet tall, wearing a cloak made of what looked like living shadows. Beside him stood a smaller man, about five feet tall, with a sinister grin on his face.
The couple fell silent.
"Who are you people? Get out of my…"
Before the man on the bed could continue, the giant man raised a hand, an orb of dark energy formed between his fingers.
With a casual flick, he sent the orb toward the couple, and it exploded upon impact, obliterating them in an instant. The explosion left a circular cutout on the entire left wall of their room. The inside of their bathroom could be seen with the toilet seat half destroyed.
I gasped in shock. The sheer brutality and ease with which he had killed them left me frozen and unable to move, to run.
My mind raced, but the terror kept me rooted to the spot, unable to move or think clearly. The reality of the situation crashed over me, and I realized I was facing a far greater danger than I had ever imagined.
"Pathetic insects," he muttered, turning his attention to me. I recoiled when his sinister eyes fell onto mine.
The force of the explosion had thrown me against other wall on the right, leaving me bruised and battered. I struggled to get up, my body aching and my vision still swimming. The explosion burned away the blouse I wore. Even my bra was gone.
Burns covered my chest and arms, the pain excruciating. Once covered, my burned breasts are now exposed, dangling and swinging freely.
A small part of me was infuriated. I put a lot of effort into securing and making them as inconspicuous as possible. Yet, two random men came and burned away my top, leaving them burned and exposed?
'Oh, nooooooo. Now I'm pissed,' I think to myself as my vision turned nothing but pink-.
The smaller man stepped forward, his eyes widening with lecherous delight as he took in my exposed state. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he sneered, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. "Looks like we've hit the jackpot tonight."
He chuckled darkly, his gaze lingering on my chest. "You know, I've always had a thing for fiery women. And you've got quite the... assets."
He moved closer, his eyes roaming over my body with a sickening hunger. "It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a rare opportunity," he said, his voice dripping with lust. "I wonder how those burns feel against my skin."
Rage surged within me upon hearing such lecherous words. I am a princess and I will not be taken advantage of by a midget man. Not by anyone for that matter.
Something inside me snapped, and I felt a surge of power unlike anything I'd ever experienced. My burns began to heal rapidly, the pain fading as my mana levels spiked. Pink filled my vision, and I could feel the dormant power within me awakening a bit.
When I looked at the two men, all I felt was indescribable rage. I lunged at the smaller man first, drawing the dagger Morrigan had given me. He sidestepped, moving with a speed that caught me off guard, and slashed at me with a short blade.
Our daggers clashed, making sparks fly. He was fast, but I my processing speed is faster. I ducked under his swing and drove my knee into his stomach, causing him to stagger back.
His grin never wavered.
"You're good," he taunted. "But I've faced better."
He lunged at me again, blade aiming for my throat. I twisted, narrowly avoiding the strike, and brought my own dagger down on his wrist. He cried out, dropping his weapon.
With a swift motion, I kicked his legs out from under him and drove my dagger into his chest. He gasped, eyes wide with shock, he looked over at the tall man and then went still.
I barely had time to catch my breath before the larger man was upon me. His fist collided with my side, sending me sprawling across the floor. Pain shot through me, but I forced myself to stand.
"Malvina didn't tell me you'd be such a disappointment. I thought you may have been someone much more dangerous since you were kept at the lowest levels of the dungeons, but it turns out you're just this much," he says, mocking me but also sounding very much like a disappointed father. "Tell me, all this running and where did it get you?"
I gritted my teeth, drawing on the power within me. The pendant around my neck glowed bright, and I felt a surge of strength.
Then, I launched myself at him, aiming a flurry of strikes at his head and torso. He blocked them all effortlessly, his movements almost lazy. With a growl of frustration, I summoned a blast of pink fire and hurled it at him.
He raised a hand, and a dark green shield materialized, absorbing the flames. "Show me more, girl."
He advanced on me, his massive form casting a long shadow. I dodged his strikes, but he was relentless. Each blow he landed sent shockwaves of pain through my body. It felt like my very bones would break.
"Why don't you just give up?" he sneered, grabbing my arm and twisting it until it broke. I cried out. "You're outclassed. You may have been someone in the past, but bedore me, you're nothing but a fugitive."
I refused to give in. Summoning the last of my strength, I blast of pink fire erupted from my body, forcing him to release me and stumble back a few steps. I leaned back against the wall, panting, my vision swimming and my arm limp.
"Usually, fire isn't much against my aura, but your pink fire is quite cute but deadly," he says, a knowledging my fire's potency. "However, it still doesn't change anything: you're nothing but a weakling in the face of true power!"
I, myself, was confused. Why's he so bent on trying to beat me up? What did I do? Who is he? Is he one of Malvina's goons? Neither does he look like someone in the Royal army. He looks too much of a rogue.
Before I could even try to voice my questions, he lunges at me. The man gets in front of me and delivers and jaw-numbing left hook. I tasted blood and fell to the ground, dazed. He stood over me, his expression one of triumphant malice.
"Say goodbye, little girl," he snarled, raising his fist for the final blow.
But I wasn't done yet. With a surge of desperation, I reached for the dagger, channeling all my remaining power into it. As he brought his fist down, I rolled to the side and slashed at his leg, cutting deep.
He howled in pain, stumbling back. I forced myself to my feet, every muscle screaming in protest as I moved to create distance. My vision was tinged with pink, the power within me pushing me to keep fighting.
"BITCH!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT," he yelled, his voice shaking my eardrums.
I barely had time to react before he was on me again, moving with a speed that seemed impossible for his size. He grabbed me by the throat, lifting me off the ground. I struggled to loosen his iron-like grip. My feet dangling and kicking his pectorals which seemed like metal.
"I'll break you," he hissed, his grip tightening.
I struggled, gasping for air. My vision blurred, and black spots danced before my eyes. But I couldn't give up. Not now. I used a spell called "Gale Force Blast".
Despite its potency, it was weakened due to my dangerously low stamina and distorted mental clarity. Those are what is needed to effectively cast a spell with full power.
The blast of concentrated air was not enough to even flap his lips.
What I got in return was laugh filled with nothing but contempt. So much so that he drops me to the floor, clutching his stomach with both hands.
I landed heavily, gasping for breath. My entire body felt like it was on fire, the pain almost unbearable. But I forced myself to stand. Something about his laughter made me doubt myself.
Am I even as good as I thought I was? Fighting against this giant man made me reassess my current combat standard.
The man recovered a minute later, his eyes filled with ridicule and malice. "You've got my approval," he said, his voice like thunder.
Still struggling a bit for breath, I say between barred breaths, "F*ck your approval!"
Instead of responding, a ghastly green aura surged forth from him, completely surrounding his frame. Even his Magica, comparable to my own, soared through the ceiling. It transformed to something that I was all too familiar with.
Upon realizing what this aura meant, despair struck me harder than even this giant man ever has. This giant man is Warrior Knight.
To compliment the Mages of this world born as descendants of magical beasts which enabled them to use mana, Knights were also born. However, anyone can train to become a Knight as long as they are able to cultivate Qi.
Knights don't utilize mana, an energy that fuels magic spells, but a variant of it called Qi. The realms of Knights are, from low to high: Squire, Blade Adept, Warrior Knight, Champion Knight, Warlord.
And once one reaches the Warrior Knight realm, they are able to manifest their aura externally and significantly increase their physical power and weapons and gear. The power he displayed was nothing but a joke compared to his true abilities.
"That's right. I'm a Warrior Knight. I'm done playing games with you. Time to die," he sneered, his breath hot against my face as he simply blurred straight to me after noticing the despair on my face.
He slammed me against the wall to which it cracked. My vision swam with stars. "I'll enjoy breaking you," he whispered as his grip tightened on my unbroken arm.
He began to pummel me, each blow more brutal than the last. I felt a few of my ribs crack. The pain I had experienced was indescribable. He took his time, savoring my screams.
He broke my remaining limbs one by one, kissing each wound sadistically. His eyes roamed over my body with a sickening lust, and he began to grope and massage my exposed mountainous breasts, kissing my neck as I whimpered in terror.
"You're mine now," he whispered, his breath foul. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me, but I smelt his pheromones. The last permeating and wafting off his body.
Desperate, I tried to blast him with more pink fire, but my arms were unresponsive. As I was so desperate and left with no other choice, I did something no princess would ever do: I spat in his face.
Completely taken aback, the man simply stared at me. Then, like a slow-motion scene…
'Slow-motion scene? What is such a thing?' I spoke to myself while in the midst of a s*xual assault case.
Anyways, like a slow-motion scene, I saw his face twist and contort. I could see, with the clarity of my upgraded vision, his facial muscles tremble and tighten.
"I was just going to tease you a bit and deliver you to Malvina, but this…," the giant man said in a calm voice and paused and pointed at his face. "Is unacceptable. Oh, I will thoroughly defile you to the point of blankness."
Enraged to a new height, he grabbed my head and twisted, snapping my neck with a swift motion.
The power that had fueled me dissipated, leaving me helpless and broken on the floor. The pendant around my neck went dark.
I lay there, unable to move, tears streaming down my face and wheezing air through my overworked lungs. Just the thought of what was to come filled me with a deep, soul-crushing despair.
In that moment, I made a decision. I would not live through this. I would not allow myself to be violated and tortured any longer. With the last of my strength, I bit down hard, severing my tongue. Blood filled my mouth, and I let it pour into my lungs, suffocating me.
As darkness closed in, I felt a strange sense of peace with the choice I so quickly made.
'I'd rather die with my honor and pride as a princess and a Noble Mage in tact than to suffer such defilement.'
My last thoughts were of my mother, my father before her death, and the new addition, Aunt Morrigan.
And then, everything went black.
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