June stepped out of the rift and onto Syrova as it closed behind him. Quin, the Vyshtani woman, and her son were off to the side next to an unconscious Althori woman. Even lying down, he could tell that the Althori woman was tall. As tall as the female Vampire, if not more. The Vyshtani woman cradled the Althori woman's head in her lap as Quin knelt beside them, channeling Life Essence into the unconscious woman.
Looking over the camp, June used his Life Sense to check for any survivors of the attack. A few were lying about, roughly fifteen altogether. They either groaned in pain from broken bones or were unconscious, like the Althori woman. Over thirty people from the company of soldiers were dead. He assumed they had to be soldiers because of the uniformed armor they wore, which had emblems attached to their arms and breastplates.
June's heart fell into the pit of his stomach; the weight of his failure bearing down on him. He hadn't been able to do anything for his own people, for his own family. Tears threatened to spill, but he held them in, unwilling to succumb to his own sorrow and pity. Now wasn't the time. But when would it be? He didn't know—all he knew was that he could help those in need here, that he would help. Anything to keep him distracted from the cruel reality he found himself in, to keep moving forward in life.
Tossing aside his frayed emotions, he channeled Kinetic Essence and lifted the fifteen survivors, guiding them over to where Quin was. He laid them down gently on soft, tanned hides he pulled from his spatial dimension. Quin looked at him, and the ghost of a relieved smile blossomed on her face before vanishing, carried away by the wind.
"Is everything alright, Father?" she asked, concern etched in her yellow gaze.
June exhaled a heavy breath. "It will be in time, I suppose."
Naturally, the Vyshtani woman hadn't understood their exchange as they spoke in English. Her gaze jumped between the pair, with a nervous tension heavy in her eyes. "Is everything okay, Quin?"
"Right, sorry," Quin said, turning to her. "This is my father, June Mikkelson… Well, technically, he isn't my biological father, but he did raise me, so yes, he is my father."
Quin then turned to June. "And Father, this here is Yisha Thalmori and her son Draxxus."
June bent down and extended a hand toward Yisha, who looked at it, confused, before tentatively accepting it.
He gave her silk-smooth hand a tender shake. "Nice to meet you, Yisha."
Her face flushed crimson at his gesture, but before she could respond, June released her hand, retracting it and righting himself, turning to Quin. "What's the situation, Quin?"
He channeled Life Essence and sent tendrils of it out to the injured soldiers, while Quin briefed him on what she knew. "According to that dead asshole," she threw a thumb at the Althori man she had killed, "and Yisha, they are members of the Shining Arrow Guild, a notable Mercenary Guild in the kingdom of Lysia. They were the strike team dispatched to exterminate the Vampire that resided at Castle Dumar. But it would seem that the intelligence they had was wrong since a group of ten Vampires intercepted them, with him," she nodded at the dead Althori again, "betraying them."
June listened silently as Quin telepathically shared key details with him that Yisha may not be privy to.
The bastard's name is Vern Dumar. He is the second son of Ravengel Dumar, and they're a prominent noble family in the kingdom. They—
However, June interrupted her as he finished healing the injured soldiers.
I'm well aware of the family and its dealings.
Those who were still conscious slowly rose to their feet, dazed but fine. The Althori's size still fascinated him as he watched them, his preconceived notions of elves deeply rooted. An Althori man groaned as he unclasped his armor, which had a fist-sized dent on it, and tossed it.
"Where's the sniveling traitor!?" he shouted, his voice a deep baritone as his face twisted into a visage of fury and rage.
His eyes searched wildly, pausing briefly when they landed on June and Quin before looking past them at Vern's corpse. He snarled as he stalked past them and up to Vern's corpse. He placed his heavy boot on Vern's head and growled. "This is for Armina!"
June didn't flinch when the squelching of brain matter and skull shards splattered everywhere as the man stomped down.
After finishing with that, the man kicked the headless corpse. More blood and flesh spewed everywhere as it tumbled over the bloodstained grass before crashing into a burning tent. The flames crackled as the remnants of the tent collapsed onto the corpse. A plume of embers rose into the night sky.
The distinct scent of burning flesh reached June's nose, dredging up images of his brief trip back to Earth. His unresolved emotions threatened to resurface, but he suppressed them quickly.
With a shake of his head, he banished the images and returned his attention to Quin and Yisha. "Quin, I'm—"
However, the man called out to them, his voice booming and authoritative. His footsteps squelched with every step as he made his way toward them. "Yisha! Who are these people and what are they doing here!?"
Yisha's eyes shifted frantically, surprised by his sudden interrogation. Luckily, Quin jumped in, quick to defend her. "And who the fuck are you to speak to her like that!"
The man turned his glare on Quin, and he marched right up to her, towering over her. "I'm Company Commander Urzenkeil Vell, her commanding officer! How I choose to speak to her is of no concern to you!"
"You—!" Quin shouted, but June pulled her back, interrupting her.
"That's enough, Quin," June said in Elvrish before turning to the man and bowing, swapping back to Elythra. "Forgive my daughter for her lack of decorum. My name is June, and this is Quin."
Urzenkeil's rage simmered, completely flustered by June's politeness, and he subconsciously returned June's bow.
"However, the same could be said about you, Commander Vell," June said, straightening up.
Before Urzenkeil could react to June's comment, he released a tiny portion of his Aura for but a moment, suppressing Urzenkeil and forcing him to his knees. When June's Aura retracted, Urzenkeil looked up at him, his eyes wide with shock and horror. June had carefully controlled how much of his strength he revealed through his Aura. With his little stunt, he had projected the Aura of a person at the peak of the Transcendent Realm. Urzenkeil himself was in the middle of the Sovereign Realm. In one swift action, June effectively established their hierarchy in an instant.
"Who—"
But before Urzenkeil could finish his question, June shook his head, silencing him. June approached and knelt before Urzenkeil, whose gaze dropped to the ground in supplication.
"My Lord—" Urzenkeil said.
But before he could continue, June interjected. "None of that. I'm no lord. Just call me June."
June reached a hand out, and Urzenkeil stared at it blankly for a moment before taking it. He pulled Urzenkeil up and onto his feet. The man was big, a whole head taller than Vern. He had to be at least seven and a half feet tall, and that wasn't including his ears. His physique was that of a linebacker, wide and rippling with muscles. His mop of brown hair hung wild and loose. Had his skin been green, June might have mistaken him for the Hulk.
"I know that you and the Shining Arrow Guild were dispatched to exterminate the Vampire at Castle Dumar. Instead, it was a trap for you and your Guild mates," June said, turning to the remaining members of the Guild. "You're in no condition to continue with your mission."
Urzenkeil's nose flared, about to protest, but turned to his Guild mates and huffed a deep sigh. "You're right. It'd be suicide to continue without reinforcements."
"That is why I'd propose going and dealing with this coven myself," June said, drawing a shocked look from Urzenkeil.
"I can't let you do that," Urzenkeil said, panic restrained in his voice. "My Guild Master, she…" He then paused for a moment, hesitation clear on his face. Ultimately, he decided to come clean as he continued. "My Guild can't afford to lose the contract for this quest."
June frowned. "Can't afford to? Has the Shining Arrow Guild fallen on hard times that you'd risk your lives going after Vampires?"
Urzenkeil's shoulders slumped as he heaved a sigh of defeat. "No, it's not that. This type of quest is special in that we had to pay an exorbitant amount of Soul Crystals in order to undertake it."
One of June's eyebrows lifted in intrigue. "I assume that the reigning government or monarchy issues these quests. So, why would you have to pay to complete it?"
"Because of the reward. If we succeed in ridding the Vampire plague from Castle Dumar, the presiding Lord of the region, Lord Ravengel Dumar, would lift our Guild Master's family to the rank of lower nobility, granting her lands, titles, and ownership of the castle," Urzenkeil said, forgoing any secrecy.
"Wouldn't your Guild Master then be beholden to Lord Ravengel Dumar, essentially pledging her allegiance to him?"
June purposefully chose to leave out what he had learned about the Dumar family—a chess piece he'd rather keep close to the chest—wanting to see what Urzenkeil's answer would be.
"That's… uh… well, you see…" Urzenkeil said, struggling to maintain his composure.
"Something I'd need to speak with your Guild Master about," June said, nodding and giving Urzenkeil an out.
"How about this? I'll eliminate the Vampires at Castle Dumar—" Urzenkeil was about to protest again, but June held up a hand. "And the Shining Arrow Guild can take credit for completing the quest."
Urzenkeil's face changed from argumentative to bewildered interest as June continued. "In return, I'd like to meet and have a discussion with your Guild Master."
Urzenkeil's eyes narrowed as he stared down June. "And why would you want to meet our Guild Master?"
June flashed him a winning smile. "My daughter and I are new to the kingdom of Lysia. What better way to get the lay of the land than by speaking with a prominent Guild Master?"
Urzenkeil thought his proposal over for a moment. "Would you form a Soul Pact with me, guaranteeing that you mean no harm to my Guild Master, Layhanna Milliadry?"
Sarah? What's a Soul Pact?
It's basically a contract between Cultivators. Only those who have reached the Sovereign Realm can perform it. Just a word of warning, it would require you to bind your soul with his in order to prevent either party from reneging on their word.
So in essence, it'd render my little stunt to hide my true strength a waste of time.
Yup! If one does break the Pact, the foreign Essence and Energy will irreparably damage the other party's Cores, fundamentally ending their career as a Cultivator.
But it doesn't stop someone from breaking it?
Nope.
Of course it doesn't. Coercion and torture could still force someone to break their Pact.
Exactly.
June huffed in annoyance, drawing a scowl from Urzenkeil. "Are you unwilling to form a Soul Pact?"
June ignored Urzenkeil's question.
Great. How is it done?
Sarah explained how to perform a Soul Pact before he returned his attention to Urzenkeil. "I'll agree to that, and I'd like to add something to the Pact if you don't mind?"
Urzenkeil's scowl deepened. "What?"
"I'd like you to keep whatever you learn and or see about me or my daughter to yourself, even from your Guild Master."
Urzenkeil's scowl remained on his face, but he nodded. "Very well." He then turned to Quin. "I'm going to need a Soul Pact from you, too, little lady."
Quin glared daggers at Urzenkeil as June telepathically relayed the information Sarah had told him. Quin clicked her tongue in annoyance before assenting.
June and Urzenkeil clasped wrists.
"I vow never to reveal what I see or learn about you or your daughter," Urzenkeil said.
Urzenkeil's Soul Essence and Energy flowed into June, intermingling with his True Soul and settling into his Core like a tattoo.
"I vow not to harm your Guild Master, Layhanna Milliadry, upon meeting her," June said.
Urzenkeil's face then paled in realization as June channeled his True Soul into him. "You're—"
But before Urzenkeil could finish his sentence, a cheeky grin slowly spread across June's face. "I trust you'll keep this to yourself."
Sweat beaded down Urzenkeil's face as his body trembled beneath June's soul.
Before long, he completed the Pact, and Urzenkeil fell to his knees, coughing up a storm while trying to heave in heavy breaths. The last surviving members of the Shining Arrow Guild rushed to Urzenkeil's side, all save for the woman in Yisha's lap. She was up now, a little dazed but better than before, as she sat up.
"What have you done to him!?" one of the Althori men shouted, consternation clear in his voice and face.
Some of them took up a defensive stance, cycling their Essences, while the others checked on Urzenkeil.
"Stand down, you fools!" Urzenkeil commanded, shakily getting to his feet. "We just made a Soul Pact, that was all."
"But sir—" the same man who confronted June said, but a glare from Urzenkeil shut him up real quick.
"Can y'all quiet the fuck down!" the woman beside Yisha shouted at the group, gripping her temple. "Some of us are still recovering!"
Quin knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I've cleansed the Vampiric blood from your system, but there'll still be lingering effects from its magic."
"Bless the Divine Mother! You've saved me a lifetime spent in the hells for that," the woman said, wrapping Quin in a giant hug, her supposed discomfort suddenly vanishing.
Quin returned her hug with a light smile, patting her on the back. "Anytime."
The woman then gasped and broke from the embrace. "How rude of me. I haven't introduced myself." She hopped to her feet, as graceful as a cat, pulling Quin along. "I'm Merriam Milliadry."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Merriam. I'm Quin-tel Granwoad, but you can just call me Quin."
"The pleasure's all mine, Quin!" Merriam said, wrapping her in a giant bear hug and spinning her around.
A ghost of a genuine smile crossed June's lips as he watched Quin's first interaction with others. Well, technically, it'd be her second, considering she met Yisha and Draxxus first. His gaze then fell on Yisha, and a piercing pang stabbed through his heart. A reminder of the vision. Of her decapitated head, and the feelings he had for her during that vision, it haunted him. Taunted him. Like the ghost of a previous life,
Yisha's eyes then met his, and he averted his gaze immediately. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the falsehood the Dweller had shown him. It wasn't real.
"That's enough fooling around, Merriam," Urzenkeil said, approaching them.
"Oh, stop it, Zenki. Let me have my fun. I was nearly turned into a Vampiric blood thrall," Merriam said with a pout, before looking around. "Mina! Reign in your man! He's getting full of himself again!"
Mina? Was she talking about Armina? If so, then—June turned to look at Urzenkeil—yup, just as he had suspected.
Urzenkeil's eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared as he stared at Merriam with the intensity of the sun. "Armina's dead."
Those two words alone sent a ripple of silence through the air as Merriam froze in place. She released Quin and went up to Urzenkeil, tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. "Oh, Zenki. I'm sorry."
She hugged him as her tears finally broke, streaming like a waterfall. Urzenkeil returned her hug, fighting a losing war against his own tears. Quin looked at June, a pleading question in her eyes. However, June answered her question with a shake of his head.
"We should preserve her body. Maybe someday we'll be able to afford the Revival Ritual by our Great Lady Ashara," Merriam said, with hope in her voice.
"Yeah…" Urzenkeil said as his eyes drifted over to meet June's
Death was no longer an end in most cases now, at least not for them anymore. Reviving the dead wasn't that difficult a task as long as they had the dead person's Soul Crystal, their body, and the knowledge. But, to perform such a task here and now would be too risky.
June's gaze drifted to the campsite, the many tents knocked over, several of them burning, and the piles of corpses that littered the ground. How many of them actually died from their wounds and not from having their Soul Essence and Energy fully drained by the Vampires? If that were the case, then even they wouldn't be able to reverse death.
However, Quin forced his hand when she stomped past him.
"Quin, wait!" June hissed in Elvrish, grabbing hold of her arm only for her to break free.
"You once told me it was our duty, our responsibility to help those in need when we can," she retorted, glaring at him defiantly. "They need our help, and we can provide it."
"It's too risky," June said. "We can't risk showing our strength here and now. Not when we've just arrived, not knowing what dangers we might face."
Quin's face scrunched in confusion. "What's wrong, Father? You're not acting like yourself. What are you so afraid of?"
June faltered for a moment. "I… I just don't want to lose you, too."
"Lose me, too?" Quin looked down, her eyes shifting, searching for something before they widened. "What happened on Earth?"
June ran a hand through his hair and exhaled heavily. "The Dwellers had corrupted Earth. There was not a single living soul left alive. Not even my family."
Quin gasped, her scowl dropping. She immediately went up and hugged him. "I'm sorry, Father."
June hugged her tightly, taking comfort in the warmth of her embrace. When they separated, June gave her a sad but stern look. "That is why we've got to be cautious. We're strangers here, and we do not want to draw too much attention without first gaining some knowledge of our new home."
Quin's eyes drifted down to her hands. "If that is what you wish, Father."
Merriam's sudden yell pulled them from their shared moment as she marched up to them. "Hey! Is this…" Merriam stared at June for a moment, a befuddled look on her face. "This—man—bothering you?"
Quin's saddened face changed as a small smile broke on her lips. "No, Merriam. He is my father, June Mikkelson."
"Nice to meet you, Merriam," June said, extending a hand out for a handshake.
Merriam frowned, looked at his hand for a second before accepting it, and clasped his forearm. "It's great to meet you, sir!" She gave his arm a few shakes as she continued. "You've raised a fine young lady here!"
"Thank you." June then turned to the Urzenkeil. "Quin will remain with your group while I head to Castle Dumar."
"You what!?" Merriam nearly shouted. But Urzenkeil reigned her in by pulling her back by the scruff of her leather armor.
"If that is your wish," Urzenkeil said.
June turned to Quin, speaking in Elvrish. "Protect them. I'll be back as soon as I can."
She gave him a curt nod before wrapping him up in a big hug. He returned her hug before taking off into the sky. He gave her one last wave before leaving, thunder booming and shockwaves emanating in his wake. In the blink of an eye, June floated above the castle, and a flame of rage lit within him when he saw what was happening inside. His Aura descended on the castle as he placed a barrier. No Vampire was escaping his wrath tonight.