CHAPTER 8

The border of the Drow empire was lit up with multiple fire beacons pocketed in strategically small alcoves along the Great Wall, a mixture of Drow architect built into the naturally occurring rock which acted as a natural defence against invading creatures of the Underworld.

Sentries were silently patrolling the top section of the Great Wall, with many more hidden eyes watching for any intruders. The Great Wall is located near a pathway which leads to the Lower Reaches. As a border fort, it regularly has skirmishes with any Thralls a Beholder would send in an attempt to conquer.

No sign of any Abyssal Sisters. Do I need to head toward the secret entrance that I was shown before? But I’m not even sure I can find it again...

I shake my head. For now, there is a more pressing matter at hand.

How do you get pass an entire army who is stationed the on lookout to spot any invaders?

Deciding I need a change of pace, I tore my gaze away from the Great Wall and walked in the opposite direction. I stopped at a relatively hidden alcove with large boulders on three sides. I found this small spot last cycle where I have been staking out the Great Wall, hoping to find a weakness within the patrols. But to no avail.

I slumped down near the basin of water naturally occurring nearby, taking a few sips to refresh myself. The chilled liquid helped put me into a more relaxed state, easing my mind from this impossible task.

I close my eyes feeling more relaxed now than ever. It’s a bit odd thinking about how a thief like me is here, testing to become an Abyssal Sister. I know nothing about being a soldier, let alone being an elite soldier who is capable of taking over command of any army. An Abyssal Sister is a title granting so much authority that I wouldn’t know what to do with it. The leaders and shining star against external forces and known as the devil when dealing with internal disputes.

A sudden splashing had me turning and tightly gripping my dagger.

A small frog.

What the hell. With the adrenaline leaving me, I once again slumped down staring at my unexpected visitor.

Odd. I don’t recall seeing any frogs when I first arrived.

Where did it come from?

I stood up and walked closer to the frog, startling it in the process. With a hop it jumped back into the water and disappeared.

My gaze lingered over to the surface of the basin of water as I waited.

…

…

…

I don’t think it’s coming back.

Meaning there must be another side.

The size of the basin of water is small, but it’s size is large enough to fit my whole body in. Although I’ll most likely have to leave the stolen backpack behind.

The water is facing toward the direction of the Drow Empire as well.

I’m no aquatic creature, I can only hold my breath for a limited time. Would I even have enough air to reach the other side? Better yet, does the water even lead to the Drow Empire?

I slumped my shoulders as I resign myself to this course of action. I have no other ideas, especially since I don’t want to fail the trial and get caught.

Before that though, one final meal.

What? If I’m leaving the backpack behind, I might as well eat the rest of the food so it doesn’t rot.

With all my weapons and the leather outfit given by the Abyssal Sisters, I am ready as I’ll ever be. The backpack wouldn’t fit and the cloak would most likely get snagged underwater. There’s no telling how enclosed it could get.

With a deep breath, I slowly dived into the water. Arms outstretched ahead.

My ears shift from hearing the echoes of the cavern to a pressurised submerged feeling as I sink deeper.

The basin is actually a narrow tunnel as it continuously shifts and swirl in shades of black and white. Good to know that darkvision works underwater. Thankfully, the direction the tunnel is definitely pointing toward the Drow empire.

The tunnel continued to slope downward for a few moments before flattening. I continued to propel myself forward using a combination of kicking and pulling myself on ledges.

A sharp pain is transmitted up my shin. I turn around to find I cut myself on a sharp rock sticking out of the wall. I am slowly running out of room. The space was slowly getting smaller.

There isn’t much room to kick anymore. Instead I began to use my hands to pull myself onward.

My lungs began to feel a bit of a strain by the time the tunnel began moving upward.

The channel suddenly became more narrow. Now, the rocky walls were scraping against my body causing small cuts on my skin, cutting through the leather clothing.

A tug pulled me back.

I couldn’t move forward.

Turning my head I saw it was the stolen crossbow I had slung on my back getting caught.

Shit.

I fumbled around for the sling, trying my utmost to untie it.

My vision is getting faint. I’m starting to lose air fast.

I think it’s time to panic.

No! Don’t panic. You can do this. The mighty Synthia will not die from something mundane as drowning.

I withdrew my dagger and simply cut the sling around my shoulder and pushed onward with haste.

There was an even smaller channel where I would have to squeeze my way through.

Having prior experience, I cut the stolen sword loose and let it float downward before squirming onward.

Everywhere around me, the light is darkening.

I could feel my movements becoming more sluggish.

I’m almost there.

I hope.

Just a bit more.

Come on, how far away is it?!

Shit, shit, shit.

The walls began expanding and widening.

With renewed energy I kicked as hard as I could propelling myself through the water.

There it is, the surface!

I broke through the top and began coughing as I took in as much air as I could.

The wheezing of my breath was all that could be heard within my immediate vicinity.

Calming down, I noticed a small frog sitting on a stone on the edge of the water.

It was looking at me with disdain, as it judged me for struggling through such a short tunnel.

My eyebrows began to twitch as I felt a sense of frustration wash over me. I am so tempted to take my dagger, tear its limbs and stab a few holes through its chest.

...But it did show me the way into the Drow Empire so I guess I’ll spare it this time.

I crinkle my nose as the smell of manure hits me. Glancing at my surroundings reveals a myriad of farm animals grazing and lazily walking around a flat field.

There.

In the distance was a shed attached to the main building of this land. It doesn’t matter what it is, but it’s the closest form of shelter in any direction.

My quick glance didn’t reveal any Drow in the immediate vicinity.

This could be my only chance for all I knew.

With only a moment's hesitation, I swam to shore and made a mad dash toward the building disregarding any noise I make.

The farm animals would act as a cover for my disturbance.

Hopefully.

A hop over a low fence whilst dodging around piles of stinking dung and I am leaning with my back on the building in an attempt to catch my breath.

I pressed my ear against the wooden door in an attempt to listen in on the other side.

Slowly I push the door inward at a gentle pace, hoping the door doesn’t begin to creak.

The musky smell of rotten wood and farm animals once again hits me in full.

Empty except for seemingly random bundles of hay strewn across the ground.

I moved across the devoid barn to the door on the other side of the building. From memory, this should lead toward the main household.

A sharp sting reminds me of the cuts I took while swimming through the narrow channel.

I might as well steal some medicinal ointments to prevent any infections while I’m here.

Gently I opened the door to find a lavishly decorated hallway using the tips of my toes to silently to move forward.

This silence is unnerving. Not that it’s a bad thing mind you. I actually like the silence. It really gives you the time to think about things.

Now if I was a medicinal ointment, where would I be?

While stuck in my thoughts, it seems that I have made a terrible rookie mistake.

I turned the corner at the end of the hallway without checking it first.

With a shocked expression a young maid is frozen in disbelief as she stares at me while clutching a basket full of clothes.

We both stand there staring at each other for a moment. To this maid, I must look like some bandit or thief. Well, she's not wrong.

Fuck.

I snapped out of my daze, dashed forward and slam her against the wall with one hand covering her mouth whilst my dagger is pressing up against her throat.

“Y-yo-you’re a young thing aren’t you?”

Wow.

Real smooth.

Was that my attempt at being intimidating?

I really need to work on this conversation thing.

Way to strike fear into the heart of your enemies.

Or in this case, into the heart of a young Drow maid.

In response to my badass mode, the young maid in front of me became so scared she… slowly stopped shaking completely.

And raised an eyebrow in my direction.

…

…

…

Err, this is not the way I had things planned.

“D-Do you have medicinal ointment at this place?” I softly asked. I guess it’s a good thing that she’s no longer scared of me. I don’t wish to hurt innocent people for no reason. At least, not if I’m back in society. If it’s outside in the Underworld, in the wilderness? Well, everyone is fair game.

Seeing that I’m not much of a threat, the Drow in front of me hesitantly nods.

“N-now, listen here” I said with as much conviction as I could muster into my voice “I’m going to let go of your mouth, a-and if you scream I s-swear I will c-cut your throat. You hear me?” I give an extra hard glare to make my point clear.

Hearing this, the maid furiously nods.

Whilst still keeping my glare, I slowly slide my hand off her mouth. I can’t help but notice how soft she is. This young Drow looks… well my age and appears to be so tender and fragile. In contrast, I look down at myself and find that my leather hugging outfit is still slightly damp from my swim. I could feel my hair is also wet and clinging to my skin in a tangled mess. I can’t imagine how horrible I must look right now.

We are the same age, yet we both have lived such different lives.

The difference baffles me. Is this what I would have turned out like if I didn’t have my elder sister looking out for me?

A sweet innocent voice breaks me out of my thoughts, “Mistress, would you like me to lead you to the medical room?”

Her voice sent shivers down my spine. Is this what it’s like to fall under the effects of a Siren? Did she go through the ritual as well? No, impossible. She is just a lowly maid, there’s no way the high priestess herself would perform the service. Not even higher members of society are capable of paying a high priestess to perform the Voice of a Siren ritual.

I look into her innocent eyes. Her petite form. Her voice, full of concern.

Something primal rises up from within me.

She’s only a lowly being.

Her life’s goal is to serve a master.

I have decided. This little Dylthra is going to be mine.

Mine!

She will be the first of my servants.

I’m going to enjoy ravishing her.

I’m going to thoroughly enjoy having my way with her. Just imagining her screams is already making my body pulsate in excitement.

This is the way it should be. The weak serve the strong. I’m clearly above her, in every way.

A crash from the window behind me has me suddenly turning around.

Through all the shards of glass, a figure in black with red accents comes flying toward me, weapons raised.

Rage begins spiralling from within me. This Abyssal Sister wants to take whats mine!

I will not let you!

Pushing the maid to the side I rush to meet the Abyssal Sister head on.

I can gleefully imagine the carnage that awaits. The blood all over the walls. The face of agony. Haha, yes! This is how you are meant to live your life! Not stuck in some hole, afraid of others.

I strike out with my dagger.

And hit nothing.

What?

Where did she go?

A hard strike to the back of my head has me stumbling through the air.

Or maybe it’s to the ground. The world begins spinning fast, so it’s hard to tell which direction is upward.

…

Like a curtain being drawn, my mind clears up.

What the hell was that?

That was so unlike me.

Those thoughts… they were driven by a sense of madness.

My vision begins to blur with darkness creeping up on me.

“By my order, you will never mention this to anybody. Do you understand me?”

“Yes Abyssal Sister, you have my wo-”

Everything fades to black.