The battlefield was chaotic.
The air reeked of blood, steel, and the acrid scent of burned flesh. The ground tore, displaying the carnage, on which stood two warring factions—Elves and Giants, locked in a struggle of utter annihilation.
The Elves, draped in loose robes that fluttered like tattered banners, moved like lightning. Their pointed ears twitched at the sound of clashing metal. They struck with precision, their blades and arrows carving through flesh and bone without pause.
Then struck—bright, crackling light that radiated from the skies. It rained down on the battlefield, crackling and vibrating the air. The force scorched the ground beneath their feet as they unleashed their might upon their foes. With a mere gesture, they summoned high speed wind blades, slicing through armor and severing flesh in an instant.
The Giants, towering figures clad in heavy metal armor, stood like moving fortresses. Twilight radiated from them, giving off a luminous glow that clashed violently against the wind currents and lightning strikes. They wielded massive longswords, hammers, and javelins—all weapons that could cleave through multiple opponents at once.
A Giant, standing at nearly three feet tall, swung his sword in a wide arc, cutting down three Elves in one stroke. Another, a paladin, raised his hammer high, the Twilight coalescing around it before bringing it down. The ground shattered, sending shockwaves that knocked several Elves both on land and air off balance.
Dusk emanated from their swords, a bright glow that quickly spun, twisting and coiling into an enormous hurricane of light blanketing the skies and engulfing the entire battlefield. It was unrelenting, shattering weapons, crumpling wind, and sent foes hurtling into their deaths.
A Giant, his armor tainted in crimson, brought his warhammer down upon a trio of Elves, the impact sending massive shockwaves through the ground. Two of them barely evaded, their robes fluttering as they twisted unnaturally fast, but the third was too slow. His body crumpled like dry parchment, bones splintering with an audible crunch. Yet the remaining Elf did not retreat.
They lunged, their hands gripping metal and engulfed by a whirlwind which pierced the Giant's armored arm, sending electrical shock through his system. The metal reverberated, and then molted, severing the very arm from the giant. The giant bellowed, not in pain but rage, his severed limb still gushing sea of crimson blood.
Twilight radiated from him, before he reached out with his other hand, and balled it into a fist. Suddenly, all Elves around him numbering over ten, stood motionless, as if they had forgotten what to do. Then, the giant coalesced twilight into his hand, forming it into a large javelin which he threw at the slowly recovering enemies. Before they could react, the projectile, which their eyes perceived as one, split into multiple ones, impaling a large number who were unprepared.
A few elves were "lucky" enough as the spears missed them. To keep up the momentum, one in particular, with a mix of blue and red hair, conjured flames which were hurled at the giant, who pierced his dawn sword into the ground as he genuflected. Before him, a large barrier formed, but the elf simply grinned at this. His white flames joined as a singular arrow which went right through the barrier, and the giant's skull, killing him.
Before the elves could breathe, stars manifested around them, melting and disintegrating most, while a few took the attack with little damage. From the surviving elves, a psychic storm emanated, sweeping through the surroundings at the giants featuring starlight and others protecting them with their barriers.
Elsewhere, an Elven warrior covered in steel and blue flames tore through a line of armored Giants with ruthless efficiency. Halting just for a moment, he looked up at the sky and clapped his hand. At that moment, Giants suddenly stumbled as the ground beneath them became unstable, shaking that only increased in magnitude, before cracks began to appear and the very earth began to be split apart.
At the same time, véritable tsunamis were summoned as well as terrifying tornadoes that swept the Giant army. However, most of the momentum of these natural disasters, filled with flames was "stolen". This gave an opportunity for the Giants to recover, as a wide scale theft attempt swept the Elves. Most failed, due to the Elves' insane luck. However, a few succeeded as some Giant army commanders had predicted. Mysterious symbols materialized before the elves, turning into a maniacal aura, which made use of the connection between all elves, and filled them with a frenzied surge.
Mystical reenactment of those Bloody Devils? An imposing elf discerned. "He" didn't plan to engage just yet, but "He" took on most of the burden of the aura, alleviating "His" army. After all, with the Queen's blessing, "He" could take care of this latent problem.
The battle ensued, as blood, Twilight, flames, steel, starlight, madness, and more washed the battlefield. This battle extended underground, in the sky, within the sea of the mind, and even in sea—though the elves had a large advantage in the latter scenarios.
This war was just one of many consecutively fought by the elves and giants. A deep enmity which had formed years ago, in the battle which changed the world.
…
The palace trembled as bolts of lightning crackled across the vast dome, illuminating the storm and flame-scarred murals with an eerie, flickering glow. The dark waters that surrounded the palace boiled and pressed against the coral walls like a restless tide, as if stirred by the violent fury within.
Within the place, at the nine steps that were inlaid with pearls, diamonds, emerald, and turquoise, sat two enormous thrones that seemed to be made purely out of lightning. On the central throne was a towering figure. His fingers curled tightly around the armrest as though barely restraining himself from hurling the divine lightning spear, covered in transparent and colourless flames rested against it. Soniathrym's piercing gaze burned like a storm in the depths of "His" eyes. "His" black and blue hair lifting slightly as electricity and flames coursed through "His" body. "His" pointed ears twitched as "His" breath came heavy, filled with barely-contained wrath.
"Aurmir…" "His" voice sounded like a thunderstorm, deep and oppressive, shaking the palace to its foundation, causing multiple calamities to arise from naught. The name itself was spat like venom. "That traitor! The spineless giant who abandoned us in the moment of reckoning! Who watched as Lilith fell!"
Lightning, steel, and flames flared violently around "Him", striking and melting most of the mural-covered walls, searing deep cracks into the depictions of the past battles. However, an interesting scene occurred, as a silvery light encircled the destroyed surroundings, causing the damage to be undone—as if rebooted.
Seated at "His" side was a woman with pointed ears, deep brown eyes that seemed to contain a deep and calm Sea within. She had black hair that was tied into a bun, her outline was soft, her features exquisite, the timeless beauty glowed from the electricity and the illumination of flames around her. Her complicated dress slightly fluttered from the cold breezes.
The Queen of Calamity, Cohinem.
"She" remained eerily still, "Her" fingers lightly curled around the stem of a golden wine cup. "Her" raven-black hair, bound in a high bun, remained undisturbed despite the tyrannical and conquering fury around "Her". "Her" sharp gaze remained fixed upon "Her" husband not in fear, nor in caution, but in calculated assessment.
"Your rage is understandable," after a while "She" finally spoke. "Her" voice was calm and steady, as if the storm before "Her" was but a distant breeze. "But indulging in it changes nothing. Lilith has perished. This fact cannot be undone."
Soniathrym's knuckles whitened as "His" grip tightened further. "He" was not one for words before action. "He" was a force of nature—no, Nature itself, given form. It sought retribution not through discussion but through obliteration. Yet, Cohinem spoke as though "She" was dissecting the very essence of "His" Tyranny, reducing it to something manageable.
"I will raze Aurmir's kingdom to the ground!" Soniathrym roared, "His" voice shaking the various realms. The violent crackle of lightning and blazing fire surrounding "Him" intensified, turning "Him" into a mixture of fire and lightning. "For centuries, I believed that fool's pea sized brain would grow to accommodate some sense. I greatly overestimated him. I was blind!"
Cohinem took a slow sip from "Her" cup, her dark-brown eyes unblinking as she watched "Her" husband's rage surge and swirl. "She" placed the cup down with deliberate precision, tilting "Her" head slightly as if listening to the deep meaning of "His" word, before responding.
"No, you were not blind," "She" said. "You simply assumed loyalty, where there was none. Aurmir was always a coward, a creature embodying self-preservation. I dare say even more so than that Devil Monarch.
"When the crossroad of choice came, "He" did what "His" kind really does—"He" ensured not only "His" survival, but also profited from the entire ordeal."
Soniathrym's blazing electric form wavered as "He" returned to "His" typical form. A snarl formed on "His" face. "And for that, I will rip "His" court to shreds! I will reduce "His" wife, children, and people to naught. Not even ash shall remain!"
Cohinem exhaled softly, as though weary of this inevitable storm. "And what will that accomplish? Will it bring Lilith back?"
Soniathrym's breath hitched for the briefest moment. The storm around him faltered, but only slightly. Cohinem seized the moment, "Her" voice turning colder, sharper.
"If you destroy Aurmir now, you give Ankewelt and Gregrace exactly what they desire—a war that weakens us, that divides us further. They will not move while your wrath is aimed elsewhere. They will wait, as they always do, and when you have spent your fury, they will strike."
And it may be a foul play by Ankewelt, and maybe even Farbauti, wherever "He" is. Ankelwelt came to us at the exact moment when our allies needed help. Not only that, "He" didn't attack, and instead ensured we were fully distracted, in a reasonable manner. After all, wouldn't it make perfect sense for us to assume the Giants would aid the Sanguines?
And then there's that "Sun"... The rage that burned within Soniathrym still roared, but Cohinem's words, "Her" clarity, wove through the tempest like a thin blade piercing the heart of a storm. "He" knew "She" was right; "She" always was. "He" knew that "His" fury, while justified, would be used against "Him".
"His" grip on the armrest loosened, the fiery storm that had filled the air dimmed. "He" leaned back, "His" chest rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. The lightning spear at "His" hand, covered with colourless and transparent flames receded into "Him". Cohinem picked up "Her" cup once more, taking another sip as "She" watched "Her" husband's rage simmer into something more dangerous—cold, calculating intent.
"Good," "She" whispered. "Now, let us speak of vengeance, not destruction." "She" got up from "Her" seat, and laid down on "His" lap, and rested "Her head on "His" chest.
Soniathrym exhaled, "His" grip finally releasing the armrest. The storm within "Him" had not faded—it had simply changed shape. And that, Cohinem knew, was far more terrifying than unchecked fury.
…
In another part of the coral palace, within a quiet room, save for the distant echoes of shifting tides beyond its walls. Seated upon a stone bench carved from deep-sea obsidian, Auernia let the silence envelop "Her".
"Her" fingers traced the stem of a blood red wine cup, idly rolling it between "Her" palm. "She" had no desire to drink, nor did "She" seek comfort in anything so fleeting. No. "Her" thoughts were far from the present, drifting back to a time long gone.
"My child…"
"She" could still hear "Her" voice, smooth as silk. The most beautiful voice, from the most beautiful being. It had been a voice that spoke of affection, of love. Lilith had not merely been "Her" mother—she had been the mother of all Sanguines.
And yet, "She" had perished, and the Blood Queen couldn't even recover "Her" essence.
Auernia closed "Her" eyes, recalling the scent of blood thick in the air, the screams that had long since faded into memory, but never truly left "Her". The clash of the Mutants, the Sanguines, and the Demonic Wolves had shaken the world and the existing order.
Betrayed.
The word curled bitterly at the edges of "Her" thoughts. Aurmir, the Giant King, had faltered. "He" had turned "His" back when it mattered most. "He" let Lilith face the Annihilation Demonic Wolf and Mutant King alone. "He" had left the Sanguines in a battle they were bound to lose.
The image… no, the words were burned into "Her" mind: the moment Lilith had told "Her" to leave.
The crimson in the sky had died with "Her" that day.
The Sanguines had suffered an irreversible blow. They had to leave their territory; they lost their Ancestor, a subsidiary god, and countless Sanguines.
Again, worst of all, Auernia couldn't recover "Her" mother's "Essence". A fact that made "Her" restless. "She" instantly shattered "Her" cup, letting blood and wine fall and mix on the ground. "Her" face, however, remained impassive—detached. The coral palace, with all its grandeur and brilliance, suddenly felt too hollow, too silent. What was the worth of all this beauty when the one who should have ruled it all was gone?
"In thought?"
Her head slowly looked up at the figure before "Her" A woman with sharp ears, deep brown eyes, wearing a complicated ancient dress.
Queen of Calamity, Cohinem.
"Her" ears twitched—"Her" gaze calm as ever. "She" stepped forward and without hesitation, lowered herself onto the obsidian bench beside Auernia.
"Mind if I sit?" Cohinem's voice was mature, smooth. It radiated a strange calm, instantly easing the storm composed of Auernia's emotions and thoughts. Auernia instantly took notice of the sudden relaxation of "Her" mind and the wash of lightness.
"She" opted not to answer, only shaking "Her" head.
A pause. A soft silence stretched between them. Then spoke Cohinem.
"Would you like to share your worries with me?"