Celestia cradled her teacup while Janusz divulged the details regarding the recent dragon sightings. The last few months had proven to be some of the worst, with the creature devastating countless crops and devouring farm life. Half of Catania had been razed to the ground, the Knights of Sorentina were practically defunct, and the queen could not afford to send her [Crusader]s due to the ongoing Defiled threat in Nyarlothep.

  “There is no one else,” Janusz insisted, wringing his hands. “I wouldn’t ask you if I wasn’t sure. I know how much this place means to you.”

  Celestia carefully set her cup on its saucer and then placed one hand over the other in her lap. “Do you know where it currently resides?”

  Jaqulin nodded. “We do. It’s resting in Anyona. If we leave now, we’ll be there in four days.”

  “Or we’ll meet it on the path,” Janusz added gruffly.

  Celestia glanced at Hanna. She had been exceptionally quiet since arriving. “Allow me a moment to speak with the others. As headmistress, I must ensure someone can act during my absence.” Janusz grunted, and she rose to her feet and smoothed her skirt over her apron. Janusz and his Party remained tight-lipped as she exited the room, quietly shutting the door behind her.

  Arranging for a temporary headmistress was a quick affair. Until her return, Bethany would serve as her substitute. There was no other as prim and proper and noble as she. In case the worst were to happen, Bethany would make a fine headmistress.

  “In the event that I do not return,” Celestia said as she made the finishing touches on her letter, “provide this to any who would contest your claim as headmistress.” She placed the missive in an envelope and pressed her seal into the puddle of wax, holding it until it was dry. Once it was finished, she held it between two fingers and handed it to the white-haired Bethany. “It bears my seal and my signature.”

  Bethany accepted it with unsure hands and a difficult expression. “Madame Celestia, may I be honest?”

  Celestia nodded after a pause. “Always.”

  “I do not approve of this. You have said on countless occasions that you do not agree with the men putting themselves in harm’s way. They are integral to our survival, our way of life.” She shook her head. “Why not try to stop him? Make him stay?”

  Celestia smiled wryly. “Janusz is no such man. My pleas would once again fall upon deaf ears. If it meant saving even a single catgirl, he would gladly give his life. That is simply who he is. At least, if I’m with him, his chances of survival improve.”

  The envelope crumpled at the edges, and Bethany’s knuckles turned white. “Venicia has become a paradise thanks to you. If you were to perish in the battle, then—”

  The legs of Celestia’s chair squeaked as she rose from her seat. “I have no intention of perishing. Janusz is the finest man to grace our land, and Hanna is a master [Celestrope]. We will dispatch the dragon and bring peace to Shi Island once more. You have my word.”

  Bethany let out a tiny sigh and nodded. “Very well, Madame Celestia.”

  “In the meantime, I expect you to keep the other maids in line.” Her shoes clicked as she walked, and she stopped when she was shoulder to shoulder with Bethany. “Be well, Bethany.”

  “Be well, Madame Celestia.”

  Celestia sifted through her [Cat Pack] to ensure each item was in its proper spot. As a [Shaman], many of her Spells required material components, specialized weapons, and rituals to work properly. If even a single item was out of place, then it would mean their deaths.

  Janusz furrowed his brow as the carriage came to a stop. The coach threw open the door and gestured them away. “This is as far as I can take you.”

  “Thank you.” Janusz palmed a few Bells into the woman’s hand, then stepped out. Jaqulin and Hanna followed, and Celestia was the last one to join them.

  Threads of black smoke crested a hill in the distance. Celestia clicked her tongue, drumming her fingers along the front of her apron. The fact that they could see such a detail at this distance was concerning.

  The coach was quick to return to her seat. She urged the horse in the direction opposite Anyona, snapping the reins several times to expedite its pace. With the trotting of hooves growing distant, Celestia came to Janusz’s side along with Jaqulin and Hanna.

  “I do not wish to question your judgment,” Celestia said, “but you are certain of this?”

  “I am,” Janusz said without a hint of hesitation. “[Combat Mode].” Resplendent silver armor took the place of his tunic and trousers. A half cape crafted from spotted fur hung over one shoulder, with hints of red poking through the gaps of his armor. He held his arm out to one side, and a bardiche appeared in his hand.

  Jaqulin and Hanna followed suit, and Celestia responded in turn. Her pince-nez glasses and maid uniform disappeared, giving way to dark, thin leathers and silks with uneven hems that sported ritualistic symbols made up of circles, lines, and other runic sigils painted with red and green onto the fabric. Golden bangles dangled from her wrists, and a simple cloth that barely qualified as a skirt draped inches above her knees, torn along the edges. Strands of beads clung to her hair, each of them representing a different sin. Gone was the firm and orderly headmistress, and replacing her was a woman of chaos.

  “Are you prepared?” Janusz asked the group.

  “Yes,” Celestia said.

  Hanna and Jaqulin gave affirming nods.

  “Good.” Janusz turned to face Anyona. “Let’s move.”

  The march to Anyona was unnerving. It had been nearly a year since Celestia had donned her [Shaman] armor, and she feared she was out of practice. As strong as her Spells were, speaking with [Shaman] spirits was akin to pleading to Saoirse for divine aid, and she had not spoken with them in a very long time. She worried they may not respond to her.

  What few understood about [Battleguard] was how dangerous its source of power was. Fury was not merely a resource to manage and cast aside when it was convenient. She had learned that painful lesson when she advanced her Class from [Battleguard] to [Shaman].

  Bloodletting, the thrill of combat, the urge to destroy, all of it shifted from her personal welfare in her Second Class to the whim of spirits that reveled in the destruction of others in her Third Class. [Shaman]s could trade the blood and [Health Points] of not only themselves, but their Party members as well.

  The spirits of [Shaman]s were cruel and unjust beings, self-serving and exceedingly arrogant.

  For those reasons, Hanna would be integral to their success. Equalizing the Fury and Temperance which [Shaman]s employed resembled balancing on the edge of a razor. With the practiced hand of a [Celestrope], her dangerous waltz with the lives of her Party would be made easier.

  “[Mark of Madness],” Celestia recited. At her words, a sensation like someone pressing the air out of her lungs came. The hairs on her skin rose; the air turned cold around her. The Spell was a success.

  Janusz grunted. “I’ll never get used to that.”

  The Spell would frighten any Encroacher that approached their Party. It would give them the appearance of something darker, larger, sending waves of cold air in the direction of those who looked upon them. Of any Spell in her kit, it was the most useful for ensuring a safe journey. That was, so long as she continued to provide a steady payment of [Health Points] and [Myana Points].

  As they came upon Anyona, Janusz’s gauntlet squeaked with his grip. The town was barely recognizable. The walls—what was left of them—were covered in large spots of black, pocked by innumerable holes and blanketed in soot and ash. Entire portions of buildings were missing, torn from their bottom halves as if something had simply swept them away. What accompanied the destruction was the scent of burning flesh and lumber.

  Greeting them past the main gate were the charred remains of catgirls. Bodies frozen with fear, grasping at the air, indistinguishable from one another. Hanna gently touched the hand of one such body, and it shattered to ash inside her caress. A tinge of worry prodded the back of Celestia’s mind.

  “[Temper Fear],” Celestia whispered. The aura granted by [Mark of Madness] vanished, giving way to the new aura. There was a notable difference in the expressions of her Party members, more assuredness in their steps. Fear was a notable tool, and she knew best how to use it to both fight and protect.

  They came upon the remnants of Anyona’s once-bustling market, and Janusz’s breath caught. There, at the center of the square, lying among the rubble and destruction of merchant stalls and half-burned catgirls, was the dragon.

  Celestia could scarcely believe such an enormous creature existed. Stretching from one side of the square to the other, it barely fit within the space it occupied. The dragon was covered in thick black scales, with curved spines along its back and tail. Its three heads were draped across its folded forelegs while it slept peacefully atop its hoard of Bells, golden trinkets, and rent limbs, each breath exhaled like three separate gusts of wind.

  “We have an opportunity,” Janusz whispered. He readied his bardiche for a piercing strike. “Hanna, Celestia.”

  Celestia and Hanna nodded, both of them quietly reciting Spells to amplify Janusz’s attack. Celestia completed the myriad of Spells with [Embrace Death]—an aura which would increase the potency of any Skill used in its area for a trade of [Health Points].

  Celestia licked her dry lips. No longer fortified by [Temper Fear], the insanity of what they were about to do was made more evident. Before she could hesitate, she said, “At your command, Master Janusz.”

  Janusz shuffled one step after the other to his left, never taking his eye off the creature for even a moment. He stepped over the beams of lumber and burned catgirls, his bardiche poised for the beast’s heart. When he had clear line of sight to the dragon’s chest, Celestia held her breath.

  “[Double Down],” Janusz murmured.

  As soon as the words left his mouth, the dragon’s eyes snapped open. Janusz closed the distance between him and the dragon instantaneously, thrusting the point of his weapon into the breast of the creature. The bardiche sunk into its flesh with a squelching crunch, eliciting a roar from the dragon. Janusz grunted and wedged the weapon deeper and deeper inside.

  “Look out!” Hanna cried. Janusz’s head whipped to his left as Hanna called, “[Forestall Destiny]!” A surge of energy shaped like a card appeared in front of her, then shot to Janusz in an instant, surrounding him in a violet bubble of light composed of hundreds of hexagons.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The dragon’s claw crashed into Janusz, propelling him through the air like a ragdoll. Janusz’s left pauldron flew off and joined the dragon’s hoard.

  “Janusz!” Hanna ran to him, leaving Jaqulin and Celestia to deal with the dragon while they recovered.

  “[Essence of the Bear]!” Jaqulin’s eyes grew wild, the veins in her neck bulging. She pulled the string of her bow back and followed up with, “[Blunted Shot]!” She loosed the arrow, and it struck the dragon’s middle head, lodging itself just beneath its nostril. The other heads glared back at her, eyes narrowed to slits, and reared up.

  Celestia sucked the air between her teeth, sweeping her arm in a half-circle. “[Bind By Blood]!” A tendril of red connected her and Jaqulin together. “[Constricted Carmine]!” The first Spell would share any damage Jaqulin took with her, while the second would reduce damage taken and penalize the attacker.

  Jaqulin lunged to the side, evading the waves of fire bombarding her from all three mouths. Reclaiming her balance, she deftly weaved in and out of the dragon’s flames, dizzying the monster with her blunted arrows and closing in with impressive speed. She nocked three arrows across her bow, aimed at the sky, and shouted, “[Rain of Arrows]!” as she set them free. No less than a dozen points of light came whistling down upon the dragon’s back.

  And yet they barely managed to puncture the skin.

  The dragon took a step backward, snapping at the air with one head, blowing flame with another, snapping at the arrows in its back with the third. Celestia continued to support Jaqulin using her curses, but with the gap in power between them and the creature, the dragon began to gain the edge.

  Jaqulin panted. “[Barrage]!” She let loose arrow after arrow, each of them splitting off into a separate streak of light which punctured the dragon’s tough scales. Beads of sweat collected on her forehead, and as the dragon reared back once more, Jaqulin darted toward the dragon.

  But the dragon didn’t blow flames this time.

  The creature swiped its powerful claw through the air toward Jaqulin, snaring her in its grasp. Celestia’s breath caught, and she cried, “[Echoes of the Past]!” A feeling like lightning in her veins suddenly swept over her. She fell to her knees, gasping for air. The spirits were displeased with her, angry that she had gone so long without drawing blood. And now, as recompense, they would revel in Jaqulin’s death. “Damn it! No!”

  “No! Please! D—” Jaqulin’s cries were cut short as the dragon’s jaws clamped down over her waist.

  Celestia’s world spun as the dragon chewed on its victim. The sound was unlike any she had ever heard. Jaqulin’s bow tumbled out of her hand, landing with a dull thud in front of Celestia. By the time she recovered, the dragon had finished its meal. Its eyes narrowed in on her next while it ran its long, forked tongue across the top row of its pointed teeth.

  “Huuaaah!” Janusz’s battle cry broke Celestia free from her shock. The dragon roared as Janusz severed two of the dragon’s teeth with a poleaxe, each of them hitting the ground like a boulder. “[Torn By War]!” Wisps of black and red whipped up around Janusz.

  Hanna ran to catch up, distracting the dragon with a pair of disabling Spells while Janusz stabbed and slashed. He severed nail from hand, scale from flesh, drawing streaks of pink and red across the dragon’s body with every attack. The man moved like a demon, pivoting and maneuvering in a way Celestia had never seen before.

  The dragon moved its attention away from Celestia, snorting bursts of flame, and spent more of its time evading Janusz’s attacks. Celestia remained at Hanna’s side, supporting her and Janusz with curses and trades of [Health Points] and [Myana Points], pleading with the spirits to assist them.

  Janusz growled, taking a step back as the dragon raised its claw. “[Shattering Clinch]!” The dragon halted, and the head closest to Hanna hissed the same as it had when it blew fire at Jaqulin.

  “Hanna! The fire!” Celestia snapped.

  “No!” Janusz turned heel and ran for Hanna, sweeping her from the ground and throwing her over his shoulder before taking cover behind one of the few stone walls that remained. Celestia vacated to a similar wall close by.

  She watched as Janusz and Hanna spoke, their words too far away to hear properly. Janusz mouthed something, and the iPaw appeared in his hand. A slur of unintelligible words spilled from his lips as he kept moving to avoid the pressing heat of the monster. Whatever exchange occurred was not to his liking. He screamed at the device, slammed it against the stones, screamed again, then tossed it into the rubble, yelling, “Kurwa ma?!”

  The dragon’s roar pierced the air, and Celestia threw her hands over her ears. Janusz and Hanna did the same, and a wave of fire followed just as Janusz was making to escape his cover. He quickly retreated, cursing and scraping the edge of his poleaxe against the ground as the stone behind him began to melt.

  “Master Janusz!” Celestia screamed. “Circling the beast will provide us the greatest chance of winning! We must come at it from all ends!”

  “I’ll grab its attention and take the battle to its face!” Janusz yelled back. “You two go around the flank and tail!” His voice was cracking. “On three! One! Two! Three!” He rolled to his side, his armor clinking with his movement.

  Celestia fled next, taking to the beast’s tail and chanting, “[Temper Fear].” Her dread and anxiety were once again cast aside, granting her and her Party the courage they required to usurp this detestable lizard from its throne.

  As Hanna fled from the opposite side of the wall she’d hidden behind alongside Janusz, she recited several different shielding and healing Spells, bolstering Janusz’s defenses as he approached the dragon.

  “[Bead of Truth]!” Celestia added to the cacophony. With this Spell, Janusz would take increased damage, but his weapon would be capable of slicing through even the toughest of hides. She prayed that dragon scales were among them.

  “[Forged in Flame]!” Janusz’s Skill activated, and a swath of orange and red light erected in front of him. The dragon’s flames collided with the shield, forming cracks in the surface. He steadily marched forward with his newfound protection, then carved the air with his poleaxe, severing a massive portion of the dragon’s middle head. It fell to the ground with a sickening crunch, and the other two heads ceased their fire and reeled back in panic. “[Double Down]!” He took two steps toward the dragon, cutting away what remained of the head at the neck. Blood sprayed out of the orifice, coating the ground and Janusz in crimson.

  The left head lunged at Celestia, and her heart skipped. Despite the effects of [Temper Fear], she couldn’t completely fight down her instinct to run and survive. Still, she stood her ground, even as the eyes and scales of the beast turned a bright violet. Lightning arced between the dragon’s horns moments before it opened its mouth, lashing hundreds of lightning bolts toward her. Celestia threw one arm up in front of her just as the bolts clashed with a magical shield provided by Hanna.

  The other head took notice of Hanna, its horns turning a frosty blue.

  “Damn it!” Janusz ran to Hanna, poleaxe at his side, slashing and dodging to keep the monster preoccupied. “[Provoke]!”

  The dragon trembled for barely a second, then whipped its tail at Celestia. She raised her forearms to protect herself, and the tail struck the shield that Hanna had placed on her moments earlier. The shield shattered, and the force threw her into the living room of a nearby home, where the second floor came down on her. She kept her arms above her head and her legs tucked in while falling debris battered and pelted every inch of her skin. The bloodcurdling cry of Hanna sounded just as something heavy landed on top of Celestia’s ankle. She shrieked and looked down in horror to find that a large table had snapped the bone.

  Her fingers trembled, her teeth chattered. The slightest movement sent waves of agony up her leg. Groaning, she chanted, “[Ignore the Pain].” The pain subsided, and her breathing rasped. She had to move fast. Five seconds were all the Skill would afford her. She lifted the table off her foot and snaked her leg out, dropping the table on the floor. Her mouth gaped at the limp foot.

  The pain returned. The fear returned.

  A dry lump formed in Celestia’s throat, and she swallowed it, pushing away the debris and urging herself back to her feet. She dragged her useless foot as she struggled to return to the fight. At the threshold, she noticed two things: a second head lay unmoving on the ground, and Hanna… Hanna was missing.

  “I’ll kill you!” Janusz bellowed. “I’ll kill you!” He repeated the phrase over and over and over like a madman, swinging his poleaxe, cleaving scale from flesh, crying out every Skill available in his [Crusader] and [Templar] skillsets. “Umiera?, umiera?, umiera?, umiera?!”

  Celestia shook as she watched the man throw every ounce of his weight into each strike, growing increasingly fearful for her own safety.

  I have to help him. We cannot lose him. Shi Island, as we know it, will perish without him.

  She raised one hand. “[Disruptive Wave].” The aura granted by [Temper Fear] was dispelled, forming a large sphere of black between Janusz and the dragon. Janusz glanced at her over his shoulder, then quickly looked back at the dragon. The sphere exploded between them, sending several spears of black into the beast’s chest.

  Janusz complemented the attack with several quick stabs from his poleaxe. The dragon swiped its right arm, and Janusz jumped, landing on top of its claw. The dragon reared up onto its hind legs, clapping down with its left foreleg. Janusz directed the poleaxe’s head into the palm of the incoming claw, drawing fresh crimson from its skin and spilling it over his head. As the dragon pulled its hand away, the poleaxe snapped at the center, leaving Janusz with the bottom half.

  “Get down!” Celestia cried. Janusz responded, but he wasn’t quick enough. The dragon flicked its claw, and Janusz went flying, crashing into one of the market stalls. The structure fell down around him, sending billows of smoke and dust into the air.

  “No. No, no! [Plead With Fate]!” Celestia fell to her knees, grimacing at the pain in her ankle. Every [Myana Point] flowed out of her, pouring into Janusz and mending the wounds he took.

  “Come here, you son of a bitch,” Janusz growled, staggering to his feet. He was bloodied, bruised, and severely wounded. One arm sagged at his side, and he was missing an eye. “I’m not done with you!” The dragon’s attention returned to Janusz, and this time it dove with the one head it had left. “Give me back my wife!”

  Janusz leaned into the dragon’s attack, and as the dragon’s teeth clamped around his waist, he drove the pointed stub of his poleaxe through the roof of the dragon’s mouth. Blood gushed out between the crevices of its teeth, and after a few seconds, Janusz and the dragon’s head fell to the side.

  “Master Janusz,” Celestia stammered, rising to her one good foot. She had to get to him soon, had to inspect the wounds. If she was quick enough, urgent enough, she could save his life. Venicia needed him. Shi Island needed him. She gasped when she noticed Janusz’s torso was still intact by threads. “[Sanguine Wrath].” Celestia’s muscles tensed with increased [Strength], and she used it to pry the dragon’s mouth open. The flesh slid away, and the bones crunched, spilling Janusz free. He rolled to his side, and as Celestia moved to inspect the wounds, she stopped short.

  The one eye he had left looked up at her, vacant, absent of a soul. She called his name, but he made no response. She tried again and again and again, chanting every healing Spell she knew, and still…no response.

  Time came to a halt. Their days spent together struck her like bolts of lightning. She ran her fingers through his hair, wondering what she could have done differently to save him. There had never been a more noble, more perfect man. She wanted to cry and scream, curse Saoirse, curse the spirits for abandoning her when she needed them most. But she would do no such thing. Crying would not bring him back. No curse would alleviate the pain she felt with his absence.

  “I will not let this happen again, Master Janusz.” She cupped his cheek. “I promise.”

  Years Later

  A knock came at Celestia’s door. She set the quill back in its ink bottle and rose to her feet. “Enter.”

  “Madame Celestia?” The woman’s voice shook, her fingers writhed. “I, ah, have something important to tell you.”

  “Anna. The three pillars,” Celestia reminded her.

  “Y-yes, Madame Celestia.” Anna straightened her posture and cupped her hands in her lap. “My apologies.”

  “Very good. Now, tell me, what is this about?”

  “It… The next man is here.”

  Tristan looked around the room, marveling at what Celestia considered basic necessities. He brushed a finger across the dining table, rubbing his forefinger and thumb together. “I can really stay here?”

  Celestia smiled. “Of course, Master Tristan.” She curtsied. “Simply ask and I shall see to it that any desire you have is met. Of that, you have my word.”

  He scratched his head. “I’m sorry, but what’s the catch? You’ll forgive me for being rude, but this sounds way too good to be true.”

  She took one of the two seats at the table, gesturing to the chair across from her. Once Tristan was seated, Celestia intertwined her fingers and perched her chin atop them. “The men of Nyarlea are burdened with a difficult task. One that is best served while you are in complete comfort.”

  Tristan frowned. “Burden? What burden?”

  Celestia’s smile widened. “Allow me to start from the beginning.”

  There would be no adventures for Tristan. No fights with Defiled, no hunts for materials. Not this time. To ensure the livelihood of Shi Island, to protect Tristan from a terrible fate, she would never allow him to leave Venicia.

  This time would be different.

  Volume One is out now on eBook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Audible! , , , and are available on eBook, Kindle Unlimited, and Paperback.

  Thanks for reading!

  Be sure to check out our for early access chapters, NSFW chapters, full-size artwork, and more. Subscribe to the monthly for exclusive updates and coupons!

  Many thanks to our Patrons!

  Berserker Tier: SkySom, [William Martin]

  Scholar: Jack Sparrow, Flaming Moose, DiscountDan, Alex Bagster-Collins

  Curator: PhantomKnight, nick0, Runecaster, Lazarus G, LT_Ashpole, Elissia, 0hawkclaw0, Cole, Sir Joe, Janna Shi Island’s Fury, Lord Taxus, Miles, Aycee, Tim W., Gavin D, Zachary, Zarkis, Carlos M

  Powerhalf, Mitchell Aberson, Matt[hew] D Christensen, Travis, JC Quinn, HariboHeadHunter, King Jerkera, waymogunz, Phil, Centhi, Khii, Matt[hew] Johnson, Jason Walker, Belkorin, Rodney the Paladin, ICE.Paragon, Rassarion, Smithman774, Kyle McCoy, Cameron Garfalk, blackmambauk, NekoPix, Zerum Sparklez, Joshua williams, Michelle Hundt, Dave, Emily, Skade, Rosalee, SyloSpectre, Tonk, Twelve, hanani, Shags, Ranger Frank, Zak Stromquist, Spencer decoteau, Jacob Moore, Alex H Cowley, Zeklor, Neko1967, KH, Bilman, VKandis, ProfessorComputerMan, Victor Bugg, Vir Honestus, Steve Tatum, Brooke Grace, Hock, kenneth york, Kat, WarptheSynth, ObeseStrayCat, Aaron A, Queen Toast, Craig S, GreatFireLegend, Ryan E, Draxx127, Wesley F, Bakenecro, BeanSauce, StarTin, Myrmarked, Bryan O, Mister Drake, Nye Winston-Corradino, Hahn Feder

  Please remember to follow, favorite, and rate!

  Patreon | |