"It would seem that hubris clouds your judgment Callista, I'll let this go once more but next time I won't be so merciful." Atherion mused, his tone heavy as his eyes locked with hers. Not a flutter flashed on her's, his calm as ever.
"However since it would seem that you require some form of lesson to learn the problem that blinds you. Redfall, a kingdom has had a lot of attacks as of late with the mutated abominations. I'll have you go there to help curb the numbers, and any form of active murder will result in your exilation."
Callista remained aloof, her hands neatly tucked on her laps. "Or is it because of him that you are so. Jarren Velros?" James clenched his fists at the mere mention of the man that bewitched his daughter. "It would be better that you know that's he's dead." James taken aback knit his brows, Atherion however was ready to watch as Callista crumbled.
His mind however was shocked, her breathe didn't hitch, she didn't react at the slightest at the news of her significant other. "People live and people die, however monsters endure through time and eternity itself." Her words surgically calm as if not hers.
Atherion's eyes narrowed at her words. "Do you perceive yourself as immortal?" The more he talked with Callista, the more he wanted to break from his kingly mask and slap her. "I've yet to meet a threat that can faze me." And with that he knew that she definitely needed that mission.
[{Ding: You've been personally sent by the king himself to help maintain order at the borders of Redfall}]
[{Reward will be 1,500,000 merit points upon completion and the glorious coronation of your title as the king's close guard}]
She looked at the notification, chuckled at the absurdity before rising to her feet. "Whether I kill or not, that is not o your business in foreign lands." The door shut behind her, her words cold before her figure vanished. "My king-" Atherion cut James off. "There's no need for you to apologize, let her learn from the world just how cruel it can get to those filled with their own pride."
As much as James wanted to stop Atherion, he knew that he had a point. 'Is she keeps on going with this act then she'll attract way too many eyes, some hostile. Ready to watch her fall and feast on her corpse.' Though given that she'll be heading to Redfall meant that he wouldn't be able to intervene in any way.
***
A carriage waited for her outside, horses and a coachman all ready for her. "So you're the kid that I'll be monitoring." A voice rang through as a person stepped out of the coach. Her armor gleamed in the sunlight, a faint smirk perched on her face as a shield hung on her back. "I can't believe that I'll be baby-sitting."
Her tone showed her disappointment as she shot out her arm, a greeting that Callista didn't bother reciprocating. "Oh, so you're one of those kinds of people. I heard that you would be full of yourself but you're too much. Not a lot of people dare to challenge the king so easily." The knight, Dame Isolde Veyline, clicked her tongue before boarding the carriage.
Callista followed her, her temperament cold as ever. The reins whipped, horses neighed before they started making progress out of the palace grounds. Past that, a luxurious modern world awaited them. Sky scrapers loomed over them, high end sports cars drove past them, people adorned in earth clothing could be seen.
This wasn't Arcania anymore, this was earth brought here. Callista's eyes remained fixated outside as she wondered all that awaited her. "Hey, Callista right?!" Isolde mused however a cold shoulder greeted her. She didn't lash out, merely kept in it and waited till later. Past all the glamour of a world that wasn't theirs, they made it to the middle section where mild progress had been made.
The houses here couldn't be compared to the villas and mansions in the inner circle but they were better than that of the outer circle,the entire capital took four hours to leave and once outside the kingdom gates, Isolde ordered the coachman to stop. She stepped out of the carriage, her demeanor cold. "Get out Callista, don't think because your father is the counselor mean that you'll get special treatment."
She barked making the coachman shudder with what to come. Callista got off, her descent graceful unlike Isolde who glared at her. It was clear that she was fed up with her act. "How about a small spur l, consider it a learning lesson for you. I'm going to stay completely still and if you manage to touch me then you can keep that prissy attitude of yours, if not then I'll have you walk to Redfall with no stop."
Callista tilted her head, her mind laughing at the ignorance as she prepared to fight. A small obsidian dagger flashed in her hand, Isolde took on a defensive stance ready for her move. She was an augmenter and her shield was her arsenal, she didn't fight outright but tanked attacks and when the opposition was exhausted she would make her move.
She was also one of the few that had gravity as a subsidiary element making her even harder to deal with. 'She's a student so I won't bother with my shield.' She thought as a paper thin dome surrounded her. At a mere glance it would seem that it could break down from the lightest attack but that wasn't the case. Inside the dome, the gravity was amplified to five times that of the outside world.
It wasn't meant to halt Callista but make her realize that there were those above her. Or that was what Isolde had in mind. "Ready when you are." Isolde spoke, anticipating Callista's move. 'Does she plan on attacking me or is she going to keep on standing there?' Callista didn't adopt a fighting stance but rather examined the dagger in her hand.
It glimmered faintly, absorbing all light that came in contact with the gem before deciding to make her move.
...
"I'm done." Her voice echoed behind Isolde before a thin trail of crimson tricked down her cheek. A warm feeling coated her cheek and looking at it, she was baffled at the sight of her own blood on her fingers. She looked back to see Callista, her dagger in hand dripping with blood before flickering away.
"Maybe next time don't just stand there like a fool waiting for death." Callista made her way back to the carriage, the coachman anticipating a showdown was shocked with how quick the fight ended. 'When did she...' Isolde couldn't figure out when Callista made her move. 'I didn't sense anything, nit even the dagger grazing my skin.'
The dome shattered before collecting her composure. "Oi! Get back to work, we have to make it to Redfall in a week's time so get to it." The coachman flustered as he clumsily held the reins before the carriage started moving again. Inside, the silence was much louder than before, Callista's arm resting on the window frame staring outside, her hair faintly dancing to the wind while Isolde kept her sharp gaze on her.
'Just what is she? And what was that glyph? I've never seen a glyph like that.' She clenched her fists, the taste of defeat wasn't something she was used to but by her own words she knew more about Callista. 'Her speed is way too monstrous. How did i fail to sense her enter my dome?' She was the kingdom's renowned defense specialist.
She could endure attacks from thousands of soldiers and remained unharmed and yet in the face of someone she saw as inexperienced as Callista she almost lost her head. 'Looks like I'll have to get stronger.' She vowed in her heart as the carriage dragged on.
***
Their first stop was at a famous city known for it's trade. The place was fully adorned with earthly designs, tarmacked roads, high end classy structures and as far as the knights on patrol had modern firearms. "We'll stop here for two hours." Isolde mused as the two got off the carriage.
Making their way to a restaurant, their clothes quickly drew attention from those around them however they didn't bother. With Isolde's sharp gaze, they paused eyes on making any advances. The two took a seat, a table already reserved ahead of time promised anything but the best they had to offer.
The two dug in, the mouthwatering cuisine melting in their mouths. Isolde was less reserved but Callista didn't bother, her meal though lighter was just as scrumptious. "Isolde, do you mind if we were to find a place to rent. An hour will do." Isolde paused as Callista finally bothered to spark a conversation. "We could make an allowance."
After the two were done with their meal, they found a hotel room. Way up high above the city, the view breathtaking as the wind brushed through their hair. A room for two, the place was adorned in luxurious designs and tapestries. Callista sat at a bed, watching Isolde who remained in place akin to a sentry.
"Isolde, I want you to take off your armor. I want to see you stark." Callista's predatory gaze affirmed Isolde that it wasn't a joke. "I'm here to escort you, not to indulge in whatever fantasies you may have." Her words bitter making Callista sigh. "Well in that case we might as well leave then."
'Leave? We just got here!' Isolde cried in her mind but Callista had already left making her follow. 'Did she really want to indulge with me? Is she really one of those people?' The idea of people of the same gender involved in sexual relations was extremely rare to find, usually more likely with the elites.
'But didn't she have a relationship with a brat called Jarren?' A mystery she didn't bother herself with as the elevator finally arrived at the lobby. "We'll be checking out." Isolde mused as she spoke to the clerk. "Of course." While Isolde was engrossed, Callista looked around to notice someone who cast glances at her.
Not lecherous nor malicious but rather playful. "You must be Callista Vaewlyn." The man introduced himself. Jeweled smile, fine suit and a charismatic air around him. A man who knew his way around women no doubt. He kissed her palm, she didn't mind brushing it off. "I've heard a lot about the obsidian crystal of Reuthar and it is true. You're definitely a gem."
His compliments fell flat with her as she watched his movements. 'Does he really think that I would fall for him?' She chuckled inwardly as she pondered whether to kill him. However Isolde came back before she could. "We're done." She mused before her eyes drifted to the man next to her.
"We don't have for games Callista, we have to keep going." The man clicked his lips. "You must be on a task I presume. I could lend a helping hand, be it transport, security or even company if you'd like." Neither of the two girls seemed interested. "We'll be fine." Isolde mused leaving the hotel. Callista however stayed before whispering to the man.
"If you don't want to perish then you would pull back your men. They've been watching me since I got here and having pests watching me isn't ideal." Her tone glassy as her eyes bore into his. "Haha! Sharp as ever I see. Don't worry, I'll have them get off your trail." Before he could lean in for a kiss, something warm trickled down his cheek.
"Please don't he so ungentlemanly and stain my clothes." And with that she took her leave, the man examined her left ear only to realize that it was on the floor. 'This girl?! I'm sure that she'll fetch a nice price but she'll be hard to get my hands on. I always prefer a bit of resistance.' The man didn't bother with his ear before taking his leave.
***
"Since when did you realize that we were being watched?" Isolde asked realizing that Callista seemed to know more than she did. "Since we set foot in the city, I'm sure that bastard will send some of his men to intervene so it would be best if we were on guard."