Riho
IT'S THE NIGHT that the Hyacinth Colosseum came under attack. Empress Rhea's ship The Otrera cuts through the water as fast as possible, racing home to deal with multiple issues that have cropped up.
Two individuals of unknown origins have made landfall.
Flocks of wyverns darken the skies of the Harmonia Empire. One wyvern is an A-ranked threat, but several flocks of them raise it to an S-ranked threat.
Shoals of krakens blacken the waters around the Harmonia Empire. Like the wyvern, a single kraken is an A-ranked threat, and shoal is an S-ranked threat.
And for the coup de grâce the Named Dragon Maggie has appeared. She alone is classified as SS-ranked. Whether or not she's a threat has yet to be determined.
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛?! 𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝑎𝑚 𝐼 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑦?! 𝑇-𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒'𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦! 𝐴𝑛𝑦𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦! ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 ℎ𝑖𝑚! 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑!
That's the last thing Riho remembers before her world goes black. When she came to, she's no longer in the colosseum, but on a ship. She looks out the window next to the bed. A full moon hangs in the night sky.
"Oh good you're awake. How are you feeling?"
A well toned woman with sun kissed skin, wearing a bra and underwear made from a jaguar pelt, is sitting at a table. She puts down the paper she had been reading.
"Confused."
"That's perfectly understandable. What's the last thing you remember?"
"Emmy… was bleeding. I-I stabbed him. Why did I stab him?"
I'm unable to hold back the tears that flow forth as I remember stabbing Emmy repeatedly. Pulling my knees up to my chin, I start rocking back and forth.
"Riho, sweetie. Emmy will be fine. He's a tough one."
"A-Are you sure?" I asked, in such a weak voice I don't think she heard me.
"Do you remember Manasa?"
"Uh-huh." I nod, remembering the Naga with beautiful white scales. I guess she did hear me.
"Well Manasa is a healer. I asked her to heal him."
"Oh, umm, okay." Wiping away my tears I asked, "So who are you, and how do you know my name?"
"I am your mother's aunt Rhea, and the Empress of the Harmonia Empire. I know your name because I was at the colosseum."
𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘 k𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘 k𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘!
"Enter!"
Lindsey, a grey wolf beast-kin walks in pulling three others by chains. They had been clapped in irons.
She pushes each one of them to their knees. Then positions herself in front of the door.
"State your names." Ordered Rhea.
"Lucy."
"Matsuri."
"Brittney."
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't throw you three overboard and have you dragged behind the ship for stowing away aboard my ship?"
"We came to save Riho." Replied Lucy.
"Why? Who is she to you?"
It's Matsuri who answers, "not us, but her brother Ryo Takashi."
Hearing this bit of news perks me up a bit. "You know my big brother?"
"Yes, from our time together at the Warrior School."
"What was your plan exactly?" Rhea steers the conversation back to the topic at hand. "Everyone on this ship, myself included, are elite warriors. Did you think you could take us all on?"
"We honestly didn't have a plan." Admitted Lucy.
Matsuri and Brittney nod their heads in agreement.
"Gwa ha ha ha! I like you three. Come sit at the table. You too Riho. Lindsey, release them please. Then bring us some food and drink."
"Right away, Your Majesty."
Lindsey undoes their restraints then takes her leave. Riho, Lucy, Matsuri, and Brittney join Rhea at the table.
"Now, while we wait for the food. I have a question for you." Rhea looks up at the ceiling. The others follow her gaze.
"What are you looking at auntie?"
"There's a fae that's been hovering around you since the colosseum, and has been hiding up in the beams ever since we departed. I'm curious as to why."
"Hee hee. Didn't think anyone could see me. And for the record I'm not just a fae, I'm a spriggan."
A very small girl—about 15.24 cm, dressed in a purple and black dress with matching hair flutters down and lands barefoot in front of me.
"Hello master, my name is Nightblossom. It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly." She gives a cute little curtsy.
"Master? You mean me?" I'm at a loss. Why is this fae calling me her master?
"Yes, indeedy."
"How? Why?"
"That headband with the black stone in it was a Fae Stone where I was imprisoned. Only someone with a strong affinity for dark magic could release me."
"What are spriggans?"
"Spriggans you see are the rarest of the faerie folk." Explained Rhea. "They're known for their mastery of illusion magic, as well as dark magic."
Nightblossom puts her hands on her hips, puffs out her non-existent chest, "that's right, and I am awesome when it comes to both types of magic."
"Is that how I was able to use advanced dark magic with zero experience?"
"Technically it's Archaic Magic. It's something we can bestow upon someone if we deem them worthy and compatible with us."
"How does it work?" I asked.
"Normally one has to call out the element they wish to use before they can cast their spell."
"Like saying Fire Magic or Earth Magic?"
"Correct. But with Archaic Magic one doesn't need to call out the element—just the type of magic they wish to use."
"Like when I say Shadow Dive or Shadow Movement?"
"Correct again."
"Wouldn't the Nagas know about Archaic Magic as well?" Inquired Matsuri.
"That all depends on their magic capacity. Which comes with training, age, talent, or if someone is born with an abundance of magic and trained properly. May I have a sugar cube, master?" Nightblossom asked.
"Huh?! Oh, yes you may, but only if you stop calling me master."
Nightblossom's face falls. She's on the verge of tears. "But if I can't call you master, does that mean you're rejecting me?"
"Not at all. I don't want a master/servant relationship." I pick up a sugar cube and hand it to Nightblossom. "I want us to be friends.
As soon as Nightblossom accepts the sugar cube both she and Riho begin to glow.
"W-what's happening?! Why are we glowing?!"
"That is proof that Nightblossom has complete trust and faith in you. She is now your familiar. Congratulations Riho it's not easy winning over a fae."
"Thank you auntie."
"Congratulations."
"Yes, congratulations."
"Your ameowzing, Riho."
"Thanks, you guys." I can feel myself blushing.
The food arrives and everyone digs in. Once everyone has eaten, Rhea speaks.
"Riho, do you know why you attacked Emmy?"
"No."
"A curse mark known as "Puppet" was branded onto your body. It forces someone to do things against their will. Combine that with the spells like "Enslaved Mind" and "Marionette" and you have full dominance over someone's entire mind and body."
A cry of shock comes not from Riho, but from Lucy, and Brittney.
Matsuri, wondering how Rhea knows all of this asks, "you seem quite versed on the subject of curses. Why is that?"
"I have an excellent teacher."
"Where is it? This mark?" I asked.
"Matsuri, would you please step outside?"
"Understood Your Majesty." Matsuri gets up and steps out of the room.
"Before we get into that there's something you should know." Rhea pauses, making sure she has everyone's attention. "Lindsey and I both have extremely rare skills.
"I have "Fairy Eyes", and Lindsey has "Fairy Sight". This allows us to perceive things others cannot."
"So that's how you saw me." Said Nightblossom.
"What's the difference between the two?" Lucy asked.
Extremely Rare Skill "Fairy Sight." Allows the user to briefly see things others cannot for a few seconds at a time.
Extremely Rare Skill "Fairy Eyes" Allows the user to continuously see things others cannot.
"It's also how we saw the mark, that was placed in a spot no one would notice, not even you."
"Where is…"
"The mark is in your ass." Nightblossom blurts out.
"It's where?!"
Both Lucy and Brittney have a look of rage on their faces. Their minds go to a very dark place.
"To be more precise, it's branded on the inside of your left butt cheek."
"Is there a chance…" Lucy struggles to ask her question, "did they do more than brand her?"
Brittney slams a fist on the table. "I need some air."
Matsuri has a look of confusion on his face when Brittney blows past him.
Out on the deck of the ship she lets rip an animalistic scream—one filled with rage. Anger. Frustration. None of the Valkyries bat an eye, they just go about their duties.
After letting it all out she drops to her knees—her strength drained away.
Matsuri gently puts a hand on her now shaking shoulders, he doesn't say a word. He's so confused right now. Questions swirl in his mind, but he's smart enough not to ask—not now anyways.
"No. The ship's doctor says nothing perverse befell Riho. I assure you. If it was discovered that something of that nature had happened. I would've tracked down the guilty party or parties and proceed to brutally beat them to death with my bare hands."
"That's a terrifying thought." Comments Lucy.
"How could I not notice something like that?" I asked in a small voice.
"You were most likely rendered unconscious, branded, and then healed. Hiding the fact that you were even marked," answered Rhea. "It's a common practice among slave traders. However legit traders don't place them in unseen locations."
Nightblossom adds her two cents, "and besides it's not like you squat over a hand mirror, spread your butt cheeks and examine yourself after you take a bath, or…"
"Finish that sentence and no more sure cubes for you."
A look of both shock and horror appears on Nightblossom's face.
"Before I arrived at the colosseum. I was abducted by a man named Fuji. It must have been him who branded me."
"Has the mark been removed?" Asked Lucy.
"No, just neutralized. A specialist is required for this particular mark. Unfortunately I don't have anyone aboard that can remove it safely."
"But there is one back in your empire, right?"
"There is. Her name is Opis. However I currently have some uninvited guests I need to deal with first. Once they're dealt with I will ensure that the mark is removed and have you thoroughly examined to make sure nothing else has been done to you."
"Thank you Auntie Rhea."
"Think nothing of it. Your family after all."
****
Two individuals stand on the shores of the Harmonia Empire. One dressed from head to toe in all white—their face hidden. The other is dressed in a similar fashion, only dark brown instead of white.
A phalanx of Shield Maidens blocks their path. The one in white raises a gloved hand. They don't utter a word, and yet wyverns darken the skies and krakens rise up from the sea.
The commander of the Shield Maidens starts issuing orders.
"Cassi, get the aerial unit airborne. Don't engage unless they attack first."
"Copy." Cassi, a demi-human eagle, takes flight.
"Rilla, same with the marine unit.
"Understood." Rilla, is a demi-human octopus, who'll transform once she hits the water.
The women in the phalanx tighten their grip on their spears and shields, ready to die with honor on the field of battle defending their homeland.
Then a massive shadow falls upon them all. Some of the women further back in the phalanx look up.
"T-That's a dragon?!"
"A black dragon?!"
"They summoned Abyss, the Black Dragon!"
Several of the rookie maidens start to panic, sending a rippling effect throughout the phalanx.
"Enough of your damn whining!" Shouts their commander. "There is nothing to fear. Abyss is long dead. The only thing you should fear is the wrath of our empress if she were to learn of how scared you were of a fucking flying lizard!"
Hearing this, "𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢! 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛, 𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑒." She begins her descent.
Watching as it comes down the commander turns to her second in command. "Tia, relay the situation to Her Majesty's ship. I'm moving to the frontline."
Tia, a blue-cat best-kin responds with a "rrroger that." pulling out a Lapis Stone.
"Also, if I were to fall, you're in command."
Tia just nods her head.
As she draws closer to the ground, the women can see Maggie's intricate black scales are covered in rivulets of glowing lava. Fiery spiked wings and tail.
Now on the ground the dragon speaks again "𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑟𝑑?"
"I am Commander Kuma, of the Shield Maidens, and I called you a 'fucking flying lizard.'" Kuma, a beast-kin panda, pulls out a pair of nunchaku. "And you will die just like your masters."
"𝐼 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠."
"So it's just a coincidence that you showed up at the exact same time as them?"
Maggie nods her head, "𝑦𝑒𝑠. 𝐼'𝑚 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠. 𝑁𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒."
The one in white steps forward to speak, "you're wasting your time here dragon. For there will be nothing here upon the empress's return."
"𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑏𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒. 𝐴𝑛𝑦 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ. 𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒?"
Now it's the one in dark brown that speaks, "we will take our leave for now. But be warned, genocide is coming." Raising their hand a green light envelops both of them, whisking them and their summons away.
****
Standing before The Empress is a strikingly beautiful woman. It wouldn't be a stretch to mistake her as a professional model.
"Greetings Your Majesty. I am known as Maggie, the Alluring One." She bows.
(𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒊𝒐)
𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑶𝒏𝒆
𝑨𝒈𝒆: 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒎𝒂 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏
𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: 𝑭𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒆
𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕: 1.55 𝒎
𝑾𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕: 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏
𝑯𝒂𝒊𝒓: 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈, 𝑹𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒉-𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒔
𝑬𝒚𝒆𝒔: 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆
𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅: 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒆
𝑺𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓: 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌
𝑱𝒐𝒃: 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏
𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔: 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏
𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔(𝒆𝒔): 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏
𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒌: 𝑺𝑺
She's not wearing a stitch of clothing. Most would find this unacceptable, especially in front of royalty. But Empress Rhea isn't bothered in the least by it—considering her own people tend to walk around in various states of undress.
"I am told you're the reason for driving off my unwanted guests."
"I merely informed the trespassers of my intentions, and what would become of them if they tried anything."
"Why?"
"I'm interested in living on the volcanic island known as Pōhinahina."
"Did you at least get their names?"
"They did not give a name, but a warning."
Rhea leans back on her throne, placing her left leg over her right knee, rests her chin on her left fist, and with her right hand starts drumming her fingers on the thrones armrest.
"Oh, do tell. What half-assed warning did they give?"
"They said 'genocide is coming.' That is all."
Empress Reha stops drumming her fingers, her face gives nothing away. However, rage radiates off of her.
In a surprisingly calm tone she says "Let them try to commit genocide in my domain."
Rhea rises from her throne, "I would be more than happy to go to war with these spineless, no name, ball less pieces of shit!
Maggie, I grant you permission to live on Pōhinahina Island. But in return I want you to help train the warriors that come to the island."
"Of course Your Majesty."
"I'll also need to inform Lakonia's Emperor, about my previous guests and of you as well."
"I would be more than happy to accompany you. Properly dressed of course."
"Of course."
****
Kino
"There you have it. That's everything that has transpired up to this point. Questions?"
Crown Prince Jamison, Ryo Takashi, Kino Kurosaki, Angel, Emmy, King, Izumi, and Igz, are seated at a round table made of white ash in Empress Rhea's study. Dante and Yukino are asleep under the table.
"If Maggie is here, that explains why you wanted my healing capabilities."
"Is she your sister, Angel?" Izumi asked.
"Aunt. And don't ask about my parents."
"What type of dragon is Maggie?" I asked.
"I'll tell you, but no wise cracks from you King."
"I make no promises."
"It's your funeral. Maggie is a magma dragon. She boasts incredible defensive capabilities, and has a devastating breath attack."
"Maggie. Magma." King tries and fails to contain his laughter.
"Wait back up a sec. Are you sure they said 'genocide is coming.' that they used those exact words?"
"That's what Maggie told me. My own people said the same. Why do you ask Kino?"
"Before Blackbeard started keelhauling traders, each one of them kept uttering that exact phrase like some kinda mantra. Captain Benjamin Hornigold and I heard them chanting it over and over."
"How interesting." Remarks Rhea.
"Your Majesty, can you arrange a meeting with Lakonia's Emperor? I believe this matter may eventually reach his shores and my empire as well; if it hasn't already. I'd like to have lines of communication established for when they do."
"I agree. This phrasing has been heard in two separate and unrelated cases."
"Kino, will you join us?" Crown Prince Jamison asked.
"Yes, of course."
"I'd like to visit with my sister right now if possible?" Said Ryo, rising from his chair.
"I'm honestly surprised you waited this long to ask. Riho you can come out now."
Riho steps out from the shadows, her eyes cast downward.
Ryo goes over and embraces her. Hugging him back, "Shadow Dive!" She pulls them into the shadows.
"Who wants something to drink?" Asked Rhea, completely ignoring what just happened.
"I do. Oh, and I also have an invitation for both you and the emperor of Lakonia." Said the Crown Prince.
****
"Where are we?" Asked Ryo, looking around the place.
"My bedroom."
"Why did you bring me here?"
Riho begins crying. Ryo pulls his sister in close, he doesn't say a word—just lets her cry.
After she gets it out of her system she asks, "do you think Emmy is mad at me for stabbing him?"
"Not at all. In fact he told me and I quote 'I owe your sister a story after all.' End quote."
"That's good, I like him."
"There's something else you should know sis. It's about the man who took you."
"You mean Fuji? What about him?"
"He's…"
"I'm your father, Riho." Said Fuji, as he too steps out of the shadows.