Year 71.2

  *As the soft green glow covers the city streets, Emma sneaks into a warehouse. Upon entering, Emma is met with a booming voice as a Human male spouts on about how corrupt the guards are.*

  Man: And our “Count.” All he does is hunt and pretend not to see it! We all know about the fighting rings you attend, AL!

  *The people cheer for him as he goes on and on about different times people were wronged by the guards.*

  “Ryan!” “Ryan!”

  *As the room goes silent, the room darkens, and a spotlight falls upon Ryan. *

  Ryan: Tonight. Our man of the hour is the Knight known as Haythum!

  Two men bring out an armored guard; a bag has replaced his once-glorious helm. Emma leans into her bracelet.*

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily. I’ll see you in the morning.

  *The gem pulses. She waits a moment, then calls out to the bracelet again.*

  Emma: Master, it is time.

  Argon: Fifteen minutes..

  Emma: Understood.

  *Emma feels her magic return, and she completely turns invisible.*

  Ryan: Yes, tonight!

  *A guillotine is rolled out onto the stage.*

  Ryan: We’ll give him the same treatment that so many others have received from him and his “kinsmen.”

  *As Ryan makes air quotes with his hands, the lights go out, and soft Piano keys begin to play. The sky begins to fill with stars, and the crowd looks around in amazement, oblivious that they’re under a spell. With everyone’s focus elsewhere, Ryan goes to speak, but his voice has been silenced. He grabs his throat and turns to see another man, presumably the executioner, by their hood. He reaches out, and his hand falls to the ground, severed from his arm. He attempts to scream, and the executioner falls back in fear. Emma stands over the guard's body, and blood pours from his throat. A black veil covers her body, and she makes her eyes glow red. The executioner stands up and picks up a nearby axe. As he lifts it over his head, he charges toward Emma. He collapses just past her, his head rolls off the stage, and a scream is heard from the crowd. A man points at Emma and yells out.*

  Crowd: You can’t silence!

  *The voice is silenced, and Emma turns to the crowd. She reaches out, and her knife returns to her. From the body. As she speaks, she distorts her voice using magic*

  Emma: Anyone else?

  The people begin to scream as they run. Ryan runs through a door and sneaks into the sewers. He continues to run until he reaches the city limits. He grabs one of the bars and attempts to lift it, but nothing happens. *

  Ryan: What’s wrong? They never fix the sewer grate.

  *The soft sounds of a harp fill the tunnels. Then, followed by the sound of a piano again, Ryan turns to see the same red eyes glowing once more. Slowly. Stalking him. Ryan moves a stone and pulls out a hidden sword. He turns to Emma, and his only hand flies into the air, blood spirals beautifully coating the walls. A glowing smile forms, and as Emma’s appearance fades, so does the music.*

  *A week passes, and Emma has returned to her disguise. She stands behind Kevin while he reads over some papers. When Denise runs in screaming, she runs over and sits next to him.*

  Denise: Did you hear?! There was an attack last night. From reports, they say someone interrupted a rally, and in all the panic, a guard died. The one responsible was never found.

  Kevin: The ones after your father?

  Denise: Yes! They’re interrogating one of his men right now. Apparently, he saw the whole thing. He’s stopped talking for now.

  *Kevin looks toward Emma.*

  Kevin: Uncle Argon trained you. How well would you say you could interrogate someone?

  Emma: *Smiles* I think I can get something out of him.

  Denise: I’ll ask Father later today, then.

  —---------------------------------------

  *The sound of water dripping through the cold, damp dungeon echoes through the room. A man hangs from chains, beaten and bruised. Emma’s disguised voice rings around the room.*

  Emma: Fortunately for you, I’m only allowed to injure you.

  *He exhaustedly turns his head toward her voice, her disguise starts to fade as she hops down from the window, high above.*

  Emma: Unfortunately, I can’t heal the wounds I’m about to inflict.

  *The man begins to scream upon recognizing Emma’s figure. His eyes filled with terror. The door begins to rattle as the guards attempt to break the door open. Emma cloaks herself and silences everything but the two of them. The man wriggles around, terrified, his wrists begin to bleed, and they cut into his skin. The room goes dark, the only thing the man sees are the glowing red eyes, and a smile forms underneath.*

  Emma: So, Daniel. Why don’t you tell me everything you know?

  Daniel: I did what you asked for! You’re with Him, right? So please. I’ll keep my word.

  *Daniel’s voice cracks as he starts to cry, and he feels a knife pierce his chest, and he screams in pain.*

  Daniel: *Breathing heavily.* I haven’t said anything about the Devils…

  *Upon hearing the name, Devils, Emma feels a pulse inside herself. She steps back, blinking her eyes for a moment, when Argon’s voice calls out.*

  Argon: Times up.

  *As Emma’s magic fades, so do her illusions, the stab wound. Never happened. Alabaster blasts the doors to smithereens, and Daniel mumbles to himself with his eyes wide open. Before getting found, she shadow steps to appear beside Kevin nearby*

  Daniel: I won’t tell them. I won’t tell them.

  Alabaster: What happened in here?!

  *Kevin turns to Emma and jumps. *

  Kevin: *Whispers* Did you?

  Emma: I haven’t had the chance.

  *Alabaster grabs Emma’s arms, squeezing tightly, and as the sound of her bones creak.*

  Alabaster: What did you do, elf? Speak or I’ll break you in two.

  Kevin: If I may?

  Alabaster: Not now, boy!

  *Alabaster shakes the very ground when Denise slaps her father, and he drops Emma. Alabaster stands back in disbelief.*

  Denise: Kevin asked him to help with the interrogation. I was going to ask you, but you never came to dinner. We waited for an hour.

  *Alabaster sits back, stunned.*

  Alabaster: Sorry, I’ve been. Busy.

  *Emma stands up and endures the pain after almost being broken in two. She takes a step back, holding her arms.*

  Alabaster: Does he need healing?

  Denise: Who, the slave or the prisoner?

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  Alabaster: Both. Call the church if we need to.

  Emma: I’ll be fine, just some bruising.

  Alabaster: That’s good. *Smiles and stands up* I tend to forget my own strength when I get angry.

  Prisoner: NO! I KEPT QUIET! YOU CA…

  *As everyone turns to see the prisoner, their body quickly expands until he bursts. Denise screams as some of the blood splashes on her face. Alabaster runs into the room.*

  Alabaster: Forrest!

  *The building rattles a little as Alabaster calls for his slave. Forrest quickly arrives, bowing upon arrival.*

  Alabaster: You ever seen it before?

  *Forrest looks past his master, seeing the body, he makes a face of disgust. He puts his hand over his mouth to stop himself from throwing up.*

  Forrest: *Gag* I’m sorry, my lord. *Gag* No, I have not.

  *Alabaster turns to Emma.*

  Alabaster: Well? I know you elves have magic far beyond what you all show.

  *Emma shakes her head. Keeping her composure the entire time.*

  Alabaster: Okay, let’s get the church here, maybe they can find something.

  *By evening, a priest and two priestesses arrive at the estate. The priest is a middle-aged man, while the two priestesses seem to be barely young adults at best. The priest heads downstairs to the prison with Alabaster while the two priestesses wait upstairs. They spot Emma on her way towards the west side of the estate.*

  Priestess 1: You there. Elf. What can you tell us about the incident that took place?

  *Emma stops and approaches the two. She bows before speaking.*

  Emma: We all heard some commotion down below. When we got there, the prisoner seemed fine. While we were all standing outside his cell after the count broke the door, He screamed something about “You can’t do this to me!” When we looked at him, his body had expanded to more than double in size. Then he just exploded.

  *The two priestesses listen in disgust.*

  Priestess 1: That’s more than enough, thank you.

  *The other priestess struggles to keep her stomach down as she gags. Emma heads to Kevin’s room and she knocks three times.*

  Kevin: Is that you, Goren? I told you to be quick.

  *Emma enters the room.*

  Emma: I apologize, the priest has arrived, and his two priestesses have asked me about the events that took place.

  Kevin: Oh, good, I look forward to hearing about their findings in the morning. That was the most bizarre thing. He just. Exploded.

  *Kevin spaces off for a moment, then snaps back, shaking his head a little.*

  Kevin: I just remembered. I need you to get everything ready to go hunt those ogres.

  Emma: Understood. Am I to accompany you?

  Kevin: I’m going to ask in the morning. With everything that happened today, I never got the chance.

  Emma: If you’d like, I can ask on your behalf.

  *Kevin gets up and walks over to his bed. he falls back onto the bed with his arms supporting his head.*

  Kevin: *Sigh* No. I can’t bring you with me because of the rules. But I thought I might ask for the hunt. I landed a great deal on the timber. If I can get a fourth horn for the McGravy’s. Then they’ll sell for half price. But I can only hire the adventurers for three. I figured between you and me, we could manage one. Assuming you’re as good as Uncle Argon made you out to be.

  Emma: *Ears perk* Of course!

  *Emma’s disguise flickers for a moment as she struggles to contain her excitement to impress her master.*

  —-----------------------------------------------------

  *Emma waits outside the guild hall until Kevin walks through the door. Behind him stands a large, armored man, Dustin. Followed by a female archer, Olivia. Shawn, the priest who was at the estate with the two priestesses as well. After a moment, a male gnome in leather armor and a male dwarf in heavier armor, Kip and Durak, walk out discussing which waitress was more attractive. Dustin looks at Emma.*

  Dustin: It’s going to cost extra to protect your slave.

  Kevin: he won’t be fighting.

  Dustin: *Squints* Okay, but if he gets hurt, I’m not taking any pay cuts.

  Kevin: That won’t be an issue.

  Durak: *Dwarvish* As long as he stays out of my way. Damn Spirit Fuckers.

  *Emma’s eye twitches as she holds her tongue. Kevin looks at Durak in confusion.*

  Kevin: I’m sorry, I don’t speak Dwarf.

  *Kip starts to speak, but Emma interrupts.*

  Emma: He just asked that I stay out of the way.

  *Durak looks at Emma, and she grins slightly. Durak’s face turns red as he gets angry. Kip attempts to hold him still as he walks forward, horribly.*

  Durak: *Angry* Don’t shelter the boy on my behalf.

  *Kevin looks to Emma in confusion.*

  Emma: He called me a *Dwarvish* Damn Spirit Fucker. *Common* Or Damn Spirit Fucker in common.

  Kevin: Wait, do elves really do that?

  Emma: I’ve never met an elf who has. So, unless he misheard a story due to his height is another issue.

  *Kip and Olivia laugh, and Durak gets angrier until Dustin steps between them, looking over to Kevin.*

  Dustin: Maybe it will be best for your elf to stay. Durak here isn’t fond of them.

  *Kevin turns to Emma.*

  Kevin: Stay in earshot.

  *Emma bows and watches the group leave first. She then follows the party while they ride in an open carriage. For a week, she would run up ahead at night and slaughter anything that might slow the party. On the seventh night, she pushes past her exhaustion and scouts ahead, finding a group of ogres. She sits high in the trees without her disguise.*

  Emma thinking: No Greater Ogres.

  *She hops down and lands on an Ogre, splitting it down the middle. She looks ahead, and the Ogres all turn and let out a battle cry. She grabs the now-dead ogre’s weapon, a club. With the help of her weakened telekinesis to swing the club, she throws it at the group. The one in front leaps over the club, but the ogres directly behind him trip. He pauses, and as he turns around, he watches the ground approach him as his head drops. Emma looks at the group with an evil grin. *

  Emma: Guess that means I get to have some fun.

  *After the fight, Emma goes back into hiding as the party arrives. They see all the ogres dead and look around in shock.*

  Dustin: Look for any clues as to what happened. If need be, we can call off the hunt.

  *Emma drops down in her disguise .*

  Emma: That won’t be necessary. Young Master Kevin, I took care of any issues along your way here. Would it be all right if I rested?

  Olivia: Durak will lose it if we come back with him.

  Emma: I’ll be fine on my own.

  *Dustin looks at the carnage, his eyes wide open.*

  Dustin: Yeah, I can imagine.

  Kevin: Yeah, go ahead.

  *Kevin looks at it all stunned, as Emma climbs back into the trees where she finds a dip in the branches, allowing her to quickly fall asleep.*

  Olivia: If I heard her right, she’s been ahead of us this whole time? We haven’t been moving fast, but still.

  Kip: It’s an Elf thing. I’ve heard some can go months without sleeping.

  *The group heads back to their camp.*

  *Emma wakes up midday, as the sun beams directly into her eyes. She uses her arm to block the light.*

  Emma: Good morning, Lily.

  *The gem pulses, and Emma finds some eggs in a nearby nest. She sets a trap at the nest, then sets up a fire on the ground. As the fire starts to burn, she hears two birds, a snap, and then one bird. She heads up to take her catch below, where she butchers the body, some for now, and the rest left out to turn into dried meats.*

  *After eating, she heads toward the party’s camp. She attempts to sense them.*

  Emma: Nothing… Guess I’ll just have to track them as well.

  *A group of roars, one after another, shakes the branches of the forest. Emma covers her ears and looks toward the noise. A loud boom comes next, and Emma heads for the source. She finds the party in front of an army of ogres, four Greater ogres and a Lesser Oni, resting atop a throne. The Ogres all wear makeshift armor and have gone as far as creating Stone weapons. Emma’s head hurts for a moment as her memories try to surface, as the similarities to the find with the Goblin queen.*

  Argon: What now?

  *Emma smiles and calms down. She quickly catches Argon up to speed.*

  Argon: A Lesser Oni?! Shit… Okay, I’ll release your limiter. You should have enough to take care of one, but keep the boy safe.

  Emma: Thank you, master. Yes, Master. Understood. I am eternally grateful.

  *Emma feels her magic return, both Durak and Kip turn around as her Magic flows, and she begins covering herself in a veil once again. *

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily. I’ll wake you up soon.

  *The Gem pulses and the Lesser Oni lock eyes with Emma.*

  Durak: What the fuck is that?!

  *As the party continues fighting the ogres, Kevin begins to get overwhelmed. Just before an ogre’s stone axe is about to come down onto Kevin, all the Ogres around him turn into piles of flesh. Emma stands before him, wiping some blood from his cheek.*

  Emma: Young Master. Please refrain from getting yourself killed.

  Kevin: Goren?

  *Emma bows.*

  Emma: Please stay in the back. I’ll take care of this… If I can.

  *A Greater Ogre steps toward Emma, turning into a charge. He swings his his stone greatsword with a low swing, Emma leaps, using her blades to skate over the blade, she cuts the Ogre's ankle on his left leg and he drops to his Knee.*

  Dustin: If you had an ‘S’ rank slave. Why did you hire us?

  Kevin: I-I didn’t know. My Uncle trained them. Sure, he uses unconventional methods from what I’ve heard, but.

  *The Greater Ogre grabs a smaller Shalele-like weapon. He slams it into the ground, and a boulder lifts into the air. He swings at the boulder and sends it into Emma, sending her flying back. She uses her magic veil to slow herself. The Ogre gives her no break as he continues to charge in, swinging at the ground. With the lighter weapon, she struggles to keep up. The Greater Ogre slams down directly on top of her when Durak arrives with a large shield. Using Dwarven magic, he grows to four times his size.*

  Durak: The Fuck you doing? I told you not to make me save your ass. *Grin*

  *Dustin stands beside Durak, wielding his greatsword, and they push the Greater Ogre back. She looks toward Kevin as a magic blast lands next to him, and the explosion sends him flying. Emma turns to the Lesser Oni.*

  Lesser Oni: Dark one. *Points to Emma.* I challenge you.

  *Emma drops her veil as hiding her identity is no longer the priority. She pulls out her blades and shoots one of her knives at him. In an instant, she is slammed into the ground, as he appears in front of her. She coughs up blood and attempts to sense Kevin. The Lesser Oni begins to punch with enough force that Emma can hear her armor break. She shadow steps and attempts to flee toward Kevin's location, leaning against a tree. She can barely sense him, signifying how weak his body is, but he feels stable. With Emma’s mind at ease, she turns to the Lesser Oni, who is already in pursuit of her. As the sun sets and the area darkens, a Green Moon beams down onto the land. Emma’s Magic is amplified by the glow; her eyes radiate as she grins. Just as the Lesser Oni is about to hit her, she multiplies into 50 different clones. The Lesser Oni begins crashing through the clones, one after another.*

  Lesser Oni: Quit hiding!

  *Emma’s voice echoes from the trees.*

  Emma: Who’s hiding? I’m everywhere.

  *The Lesser Oni blows away a tree, destroying another clone.*

  Emma: That makes seven.

  *The Lesser Oni begins to slow down. Breathing heavily. He takes out another and another. The party defeats the greater Ogre and turns to watch the fight that has even the Ogres' attention.*

  Durak: This is why you shouldn’t trust elves. Because on the night their moons glow brightest, the stronger they become. *Looks up.* And tonight is as clear as the crystal lakes.

  Emma: Twenty. One. Two. You know, for a talkative beast, you sure are stupid. Since you’ve now managed to take nin-thirty doses of enough poison to take down a greater bear.

  *The Lesser Oni finally drops to their knees. Emma’s clones disappear, and she slowly walks toward the Lesser Oni, back under her veil. The same red smile, but her eyes still glow green.*

  Emma: Now I’d appreciate it if you’d stop sharing the same air as me.

  *She runs to check on Kevin as the Lesser Oni’s poisoned body drops. She feels her magic fading and disguises herself as Goren again. As the party returns, they make attempts to invite Emma to join them, but Emma, no longer needed, returns to the Thompson estate, where she would inform Alabaster of the events that took place. As she finally has a moment to lie down, she rests in the slave quarters and rubs her bracelet.*

  Emma: Sorry, Lily. That took longer than expected.

  *The Gem pulses as Emma tells Lily about the events that have just taken place.*