Kita was staring at her with wide-eyed terror, pressing herself against the wall as though trying to force herself through the wall.

‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Kita. It was simply a… spontaneous manifestation of magical power.’ It had, admittedly, been somewhat disconcerting to awaken to find her tattoo moving quite so much, skimming all over her body before slowly settling into place. Kita had woken up as well and immediately started to make a fuss, making pathetic little mewling noises, skin covered in a clammy sweat as she batted and flailed at Janaxia.

Janaxia focused, a spiked crown of black iron appearing on Kita’s head, her body immediately going slack and obedient.

‘Now, kindly listen to reason.’ Kita stared at her with a disquietingly slack-jawed smile, black iron gleaming on her forehead. ‘Very good. Now, please stop making a fuss. We are in a rather unpleasant situation, not helped by your histrionics. So please focus.’

She looked down at herself, clothing already forming, dark and regal. It was well suited to her, sleek and revealing without being too revealing, although perhaps it was a little ostentatious. She would certainly draw attention, but right now attention was, for once, something she didn’t want. Although she would definitely have to remember the lace, silk and leather for another occasion! Should she manage to survive this event, at least. It had only been a few hours since the altercation underground, and she had barely managed to snatch a few hours sleep. Enough to recover her arcane powers, but unfortunately not enough to, in any way, resolve the situation.

Carissia was still intent on her destruction. That was something of an issue. And she was separated from Vrintar and Semari, and Kita was virtually worthless at the best of times. Now she was alone, and with few resources. She had no chance against Carissia in a fair fight, or even an unfair fight, most likely! She could attempt to flee the city, but that would likely cause even more issues. And even with Mavrosa, carrying Kita as well would be a challenge.

She took a deep breath, then plucked at her clothing. Well, at least as much as she could, the material tight enough there was little to pluck at without making it shift in entirely the wrong ways. The fabric rippled as she focused and tried to reform it into something a little less ostentatious – stylish, of course, but a little less eye-catching. The clothing fought her, refusing to shift, the tattoo now back on her skin albeit twisting and spinning, the lines flicking about and detaching from their usual places in a discordant jumble.

‘I think you look excellent, Darkbinder Janaxia.’ A hand slid around her waist, tweaking a belt tighter around her body. Where had Skotadi come from? Her mind lurched. Of course, Skotadi had helped them flee through the tunnels and guided them here. Although she looked taller now, with a suggestion of cleavage underneath her dress, features less gaunt-seeming, although with a touch of burn and pinkness to her face. ‘A queen should always look magnificent!’

Even through the binding of the crown, Kita reacted with panic, gibbering and grinding her back against the wall, sobbing faintly. Really, was there something wrong with her? The last few days had been somewhat stressful and being hunted by Carissia was very much not a pleasant sensation, but this amount of naked terror seemed rather excessive. Her eyes were wide and staring at Skotadi, tongue flapping as she tried to form words. Do calm down, or I shall have to contemplate harsher measures! Even that seemed to have little effect on her, as she slowly slid down the wall, then curled up into the foetal position.

‘I had a lovely chat with your sister. Hard to believe the two of you are related.’

‘Thank you, I have very much the same opinion.’ Janaxia poked Kita with a foot, making her shiver again. Although she did feel a little excluded; quite what had they spoken of? It seemed unlikely the girl would be able to offer anything that Janaxia couldn’t, to tempt Skotadi away, but was Kita such a coward to let herself be bullied and intimidated by this slip of a thing? Although she was less slight than previously – was she undergoing a growth spurt? Such things were apparently possible when young, although experiencing it over the course of a few days seemed very rapid. ‘I don’t suppose that you would be able to help at all? This is a rather awkward situation, and I would rather not be destroyed.’

‘That woman! A curse upon her!’

‘Well, it is not without cause. She does think that I may have, ah, killed her sister. Although it was unintentional, and I am, truth be told, unsure as to quite what did happen then. I may have had a little too much to drink, and then something strange happened.’

‘You simply saw something you wanted and took it! That is your right, after all. And so her spirit was made forfeit. You should take all you wish, feast on all the riches of the world. You should stay away from those of the light though, they will bring you nothing but suffering.’

Janaxia could feel her clothing shifting, tightening around her bust, more jewels forming themselves from magical energy, jewellery extending along her horns. ‘I think, at the moment, survival is rather more important. If Carissia were to find me, then her wrath would be swift and brutal. And without allies, then I would be unlikely to survive. Well, allies other than this one, who is of little use.’ She poked Kita again.

‘You have me though.’ Skotadi smiled at Janaxia, face still sharp and predatory, but now a little more mature, eyes bright.

‘While I thank you for your words, I would rather be away from here. With the items I require. Perhaps you, with your knowledge of this city, would be able to help?’

There was a knocking at the door, harsh and strident. Kita shivered again, as Janaxia threw a sheet over her, hoping it would look like messy bedding rather than a cowering victim. Before she could open the door herself, it was shoved open, someone bursting in, steel shining in their hand. Janaxia reflexively flicked her wrist, blasting them with darkness.

‘You have stolen the light!’ It was a young man, his shirt partially blasted open from her attack, a shining tattoo of a solar disc bright on his flesh. Several others were behind him, jostling to charge in. ‘Her light must be returned to the world!’

Janaxia flicked her wrist again, knocking them back into the hallway. All seemed to be bearing the same marks on their chests, starting to burn bright, strong enough to show through their clothing. Skotadi was hissing and covering her eyes as though blinded, staggering backwards in pain. Had the girl lived in the tunnels so long that any bright light burnt her eyes? Another charged, knife thrusting it and she barely evaded, feeling the bed brush against her legs. The room was too small to move properly in!

She tried to attack again, but he was too close, the blast going wide. With Skotadi blinded and Kita as useless as ever, she had to dispose of the attackers. Another pushed their way in, a knife scratching against her chest, fabric slicing, and she felt the hot sting of a cut.

‘I didn’t do anything! Leave me alone!’

‘You are the light-slayer, the night-bringer! For your sins, you die!’ He took a deep breath, his mark glowing even more brightly and making Skotadi whimper as sunlight edged his blade and he attacked. Janaxa couldn’t move fast enough to fully dodge, the attack burning like acid along her shoulder. Skotadi screamed, her slender shoulders hunching in.

Janaxia looked up, meeting the eyes of her attacker, burning with fanatical fervour. And then she gestured, fingers blurring through the spell, chill darkness filling the room. Another knife slashed against her, threatening to disrupt her focus from the spell as a bright knife cut against her. She could see everyone else in the room, suddenly stumbling and uncertain, as they were assaulted by cold and acid. Skotadi seemed to have recovered somewhat, although was still looking about uncertainly, shifting backwards and away from the attackers.

Janaxia sidestepped an attack before blasting back with a bolt of darkness. They seemed hardy enough that, even with the spell assaulting them, they were still attacking. The only way out without going through them was out of the window – how high up were they?

Kita, make yourself useful and push open the window. The sheet was starting to melt away, acid burning away the material and revealing her cowering beneath. She didn’t move, only sign of life being that she twitched again. Janaxia dashed for the shutters herself, shoving them open, feeling a bitter chill bite into her skin, as she wasn’t immune to her own spell. Another attack cut into her hip as the shutters opened – to her, able to see through the biting darkness, outside was a quiet square, ringed with cafes. She stopped and hauled on Kita’s shoulder, pulling the woman to her feet and pushing her towards the window, Kita’s arms fumbling forward, unable to see.

A knife cut across Kita’s back, slicing down from one shoulder, blood welling up behind it, and making her stream, as her hands found the window ledge. Skotadi gave her a push, making her stumble against the window ledge before starting to clamber out. Janaxia gave her a push, sending her tumbling down and out of sight. Her own clothing was melting and reforming, skin starting to singe from the acid as she moved towards the window herself. Skotadi flinched back from an attack, another knife cutting into her arm, light bursting out in a sudden burst. Skotadi howled in pain, a tendril of darkness shooting forth from her arm and slamming her attacker backwards, large enough that it almost entirely enveloped him.

She seemed a more useful ally than Kita, and certainly more attentive, and so Janaxia grabbed her by the collar and then hauled her towards the window. Despite her clothing, the girl had barely any weight, making her easy to pick up and move out of the window, her wriggling not enough to throw Janaxia grip off. Still, Janaxia lacked the strength to pick her up in her arms but managed to push on her posterior to get her over the ledge.

‘You should slay them, devour their…’ Whatever Skotadi had been saying was truncated as Janaxia pushed her out of the window. She was light enough she could probably manage the fall without an issue! A knife stabbed into her from behind, her skin burning as it cut over her ribs. The slash hurt, but not as much as the light that seared from the knife, feeling as though it were biting into her very soul. But his attacks were poorly aimed, clearly unable to see, giving her a chance to dash for the window herself. She pulled herself up, her lacey skirts snagging on the wall before she dropped, the fabric melting away to nothing as it tore itself away. She tried to focus on the spell above herself while simultaneously reforming her clothing, not wanting to strip herself naked!

Above them, sounds of pain and confusion could be heard, some of the seated nobility looked up in confusion. Kita was standing, the sunlight seeming to restore some clarity to her gaze, while Skotadi… Skotadi had virtually wilted, shrunken down and fully child-like again, her dress loose again on her body.

Janaxia coughed and tried to settle her clothing to maintain some dignity. ‘I believe it is time for a swift exit. Skotadi, are you alright? You appear to be, ah, somewhat singed.’ Smoke was trailing up from her arm, the cut fringed with light, burning like acid and searing into her body. Rather than bleeding, she seemed to be emitting dark smoke, tendrils of darkness trying to knit her arm together, the limb more than half-severed.

Skotadi caught her looking and clasped a hand over the cut, hiding it from view. ‘I like not this accursed brightness! The eye of heaven should be cast down and extinguished.’ She gestured and conjured up a parasol, hiding herself in shadow, looking deeply uncomfortable still.

‘I am unsure as to quite who those gentlemen were, but it seems best we be gone. I believe my spell should finish them off.’ Although she was more than slightly burnt by the assault of their light-bound blades herself. ‘Skotadi, I require access to the sealed vaults. Are there any hidden relics you are aware of?’

They moved at a rapid pace, Janaxia having to drag Kita along. What was she going to do? And why hadn’t the angel appeared? She needed all the help she could get!

Skotadi was shivering herself, looking wan and mildly feverish in the sunlight – had she truly been forced to live beneath the surface for so long? She looked at Janaxia and grinned, eyes flashing brightly, sparkling like emeralds. ‘If you were to follow me, then I may be able to help. I must rebuild my power, and you are skilled and wise, and beautiful.’

Janaxia smiled back, even as she steered them towards a quiet-looking alleyway, that looked to have an exit. ‘Why, thank you, Skotadi. But I rather think that I have more experience than you do, at least when it comes to matters outside of enduring rather rough and low circumstances. I have been adventuring for quite some time now, in addition to my arcane studies. Although, of course, any guidance would be listened to, as I have few contacts of use in this place. Sen would possibly be of use, although I am unsure as to where she is right now. But if you know of any rapscallions and the like that could aid us, then it would be appreciated.’

As soon as they entered the alleyway, shielded from the light by the buildings on either side, Skotadi relaxed somewhat, the parasol blinking out of existence. ‘There are always weak-willed pawns that can be used.’ She gestured at a beggar. ‘Take his will away and use him as needed.’

‘That seems rather… distasteful. And I think there is little that a beggar will help us to accomplish. No, I think the most straightforward route out of here would be to attempt to find our way back into Anytha’s chambers and use that pillar again. Unless, Skotadi, you are aware of any similar items? They often occur in clusters or groups, and there may be others that are less secured.’

‘There are none, Darkbinder. The pillar is unique, a passage between the old world and this place, a great trap to bind those that were slain, and hold them captive. You had traversed it but lightly – within its depths are legions, to be summoned by my kin. Had I my full power, I could call upon some myself, but as I am, I am limited. Unless…’ She looked up, eyes fixing on Kita. ‘I could call a servant into that one. She may not survive, but she is rather useless already.’

Kita made a rather strange “meep” sound, before shuddering and pushing herself against Janaxia, as though desperate for protection. Janaxia patted her on the head then pushed her away. ‘While that is a potential idea, I think that Kita is more useful as herself, rather than the vessel for something else. She does have at least a modicum of arcane knowledge and necromantic power. No, we will be keeping her alive and herself, at least for now. If we can get close to Anytha’s chambers, then I can teleport us the rest of the way. Skotadi, this may be risky, but you appear to have an attunement to magics similar to myself, so if the two of us were to work together, we may be able to achieve greater effects.’

‘Yes, Darkbinder! And then when we rule this place, you can teach me… other things.’

She blushed again, her emerald eyes dropping for a moment. Well, at least she had direct goals, even if “conquest” might be something of a long shot for now. Escape was rather more of a priority! But an underling of her own, that was certainly something of use, and the girl was already more useful than Kita was.