“Important Bulletin!

Due to increasing chaos from the reignited Gratian Civil War. Temporary measure ETF-24 has been paced by the house of lords as of this morning. All travellers to and from the Republic and Kingdom of Gratia will now be subject to additional scrutiny and security checks as we near Saint’s Day. There has been no decided end date as of yet. We thank you all for you understanding and cooperation.”

- Notice Posted Across Ostia

Tendrils met rock as more and more sprouted out of the eyewall, meeting wrapping tightly around rocky fists that tried to strike at it. Occasionally the golem would shake them off or dwarven cannon fire would explode one in half, but every time, more would return. Sophie’s stomach churned and she could see how this fight was going. Even with the power of the amber crystal behind it, the golem was outmatched.

The echoes too seemed to be getting bolder once more, seeing their main weapon regaining its strength. Though the dwarves were not done either, the rangers had set off a series of blasting charges off to the flanks, sending a flurry of small rocks and boulders into the horde. It wasn’t very effective, but they were trying. Sophie however, had bigger concerns, for the eyewall had spoken to her. And now that she looked at the eyewall closer, she felt a chill down her spine that pierced her to the very core. The eyes, the tentacles, the color and consistency. She remembered that the Entity had called it an imposter for stealing some of its powers. It sounded like a jab at a God it did not consider a God. Now, she wondered if that was all it meant. And all the eyewalls down in that other dwarven city… and Goddess knows how many more.

“Sophie, less thinking, more moving!” Sophia growled, pivoting to parry a blow aimed at Sophie.

Her trance broken, Sophie lunged forward with her sword. Though powerless, it was still a blade and with what little force she had left, she swung downwards and cleaved through the arms of a shambler. Back in the fray, Sophie peeled away to hack at another shambler, her blade embedding itself within the creature’s skull. As she pried it free, she felt her surroundings darken and looked up just in time to see a tendril aiming straight for her. Panicked, she opted for one of her classic moves, simply diving to the ground and rolling out of the way.

This did save her temporarily from being grabbed as the tendril curled around several shamblers that had taken her position instead, their greedy lunges costing them their shadow touched lives. For her however, regret and pain were the most prominent feelings she felt. In her haste, she had forgotten that her torso was now completely uncovered, now exposed to the rocky cavern floor. With her adrenaline wearing off and turning into fatigue, she was acutely reminded of the fact when her stomach, breasts, and sides now ached with a multitude of new cuts. Her nipples too, scraped against the ground and she contemplated simply curling up into a ball and wallowing in her newfound pain. The squelching noises of bodies being popped open, however, was enough motivation to force her to pick herself up, barely casting a glance at the angered squeeze of the tendril that destroyed the shamblers. That could’ve been me.

Sophie staggered away from the tendril, finding herself feeling extremely exposed in her current state. Still, she needed to find another way to defeat the eyawall, the golem wasn’t enough. And what can I do? When even the chosen of the spirits are being overwhelmed? By the stars, what we need is a proper saint, not me.

She fought on, carefully moving out of the way for most attacks and letting Sophia take the killing blow. Her counterpart was tired, there was no doubt, but there was something almost magical enhancing her strength too. Sophie couldn’t sense what it was, but all she could feel was a sense of gratefulness for whatever boon was given to Sophia. The two fought with a discordant harmony that occasionally flowed together to create a chorus of righteous deliverance, but like the golem, Sophie’s light was fading faster than Sophia’s shadow.

Blocking the blow of a shambler, Sophie looked for help only to find Sophia fending off one of her own. Taking charge, Sophie raised her hand and gripped the creature’s wrist, shattering its bindings using the void.

“Truly magnificent.” The eyewall trembled at her.

Before she knew it, Sophia was elbowing her out of the way as a hellhound leapt at Sophie. It caught Sophia by the collar of her armor and managed to pin the girl down. Thinking fast, Sophie ineffectively jabbed it with her sword even as she returned Sophia’s favor by physically tackling the creature off her. With a small opening made as the hellhound now turned its half dozen eyes on Sophie, a shadow blade struck it clean in its head, bisecting the creature’s brain and eyes in two.

The two breathed a sigh of relief only for a shadow to loom over them. Sophie quickly reached down to pull Sophia up but it was too late. The tendril whipped down and knocked the wind out of both of them, curling up around Sophie as it yanked her up into the air. She clawed futilely at the shadowy tendril, her blunted nails finding little purchase and even less wiggle room for her sword to land an effective hit. Slowly but surely, she rose up into the air, almost the exact height as this section of the city walls. For a second, she wondered how many people could see this, to watch a half elf being lifted by such a monstrosity, one that was defeating the golem. Then she remembered her state of undress and flushed at the thought of however many people catching a glimpse of her.

Sophie’s resistance faded, resignation and embarrassment halting what little effort she was willing to spend in defiance. She could feel her aching body cry out, the disappointed acceptance that this was her fate. Her own uncertain gaze met that of hundreds of eyes, but none more so than the eight central ones, each the size of a small house.

“So the little puppet returns to me. This time without your… master. So weak… so frail, how fortunate.” Arantos purred into her mind.

Something within his low tone spurred the dread that was now filling her mind into overdrive. She needed to escape, every rational and irrational bone within her bone screamed for release. But the harder she tried to look around, the tighter the tendril squeezed. There would be no easy way out. Is this… her spirit waned further, is this what defeat feels like?

All of a sudden, she felt her body tense up as electricity shocked her veins. Sophie was unprepared and caught off guard, becoming as rigid as a plank as she tried in vain to deal with both the pain and the recovery.

“Cat got your tongue?” The amorphous eyewall seemed to chortle.

Hearing this, Sophie bristled with anger. It remembers, it remembers what happened with Riza.

“So close you have come. Yet, so far, you still have to go. Tell me, puppet of the banished. Why. Are. You. Here? Did the witless gormling send you here to stop me? It is too late!” Artantos roared.

There was a forcefulness to its words that forced her to speak, that soaked its shadowy claws into the recesses of her mind. She fought to restrain herself, to inject some control over her body, but it was to no avail. Her mouth pried itself open to answer.

“Was… an… accident.” She croaked, not quite herself.

This seemed to surprise the imposter, the eyewall almost letting out a questioning trill as it probed deeper for answers.

“Job… in… city.”

Arantos seemed to refuse to believe her, its eyes searching for any signs of deception. If not for the current situation, Sophie would’ve chuckled. She’d practiced shielding her mind from light psychic intrusions ever since Melton, but against what was essentially a God, she stood no chance. So baffled by the truth that Sophie could see the eyewall considering its options, looking almost like a petulant child that wanted to shake its toy until it worked. Though she sincerely hoped that was not about to happen.

Then it seemed to cackle, or whatever an eyewall considered a cackle. She could feel the tendril unintentionally tightening around her, her bones barely holding against the pressure exerted against them. Her breathing grew panicked as the creature’s own laughter now threatened her life. Just as quickly, it stopped, the cackling brought to a halt by an eerie calm.

“Well… to surprise a God, how novel. I think I begin to understand now, the cruel intricacies of the fates. But you, puppet of the banished, you do not belong here, I see that now. A child touched by the chaos of the stars. Begone.”

To her horror, it resumed crushing her, this time with force behind it. She could feel her body crumple under its grip. Her eyes widening as she would perish once again, this time so close to her goal. Then, she was falling.

With the tendril still coiled around her, her head lurched backwards as instead of the eyewall, she caught sight of the cavern ceiling. Then she saw the world upside down, the sheer scale of the echoes that battered against the city walls. Huh? The world below grew closer, but then it didn’t. She could look down and see the tendrils holding the stone golem being beaten back. No, they’re retreating? And then the world was covered in shadow, a darkness so complete that she could not see anything at all. It was a lonely, chilling sensation and she waited with bated breath for whatever might happen next.

“Traitor!” Arantos’s voice cried out.

“Traitor? My, my, someone’s forgetting the terms of our agreement.” A feminine, almost sultry voice replied. But from where?

Sophie could feel the snarl on the death God’s face. Sensed the bubbling frustration that threatened to boil within.

“The shadows are yours to do with as you please. But if there is something I need, I will simply take it, as I desire. In recompense, I remain silent. Was that not the terms?” The feminine speaker continued, almost as if she was goading Arantos.

Sophie could only describe the moment as divine silence. A silence that seemed to hold the fate of a people in its palm, like a trifling little treat to be consumed or discarded.

“So what would you have me do?” Arantos replied.

Huh!? He’s giving up? But doesn’t he hate the Gods? That certainly sounds like a divine being of sorts at the very least.

“The damage is done. The amber’s hold has been weakened. You lost one holding and you panicked, far too hasty. But you have done your part, they will fall in due time, as they had before. You can leave now. As for this one and that one, I desire for a little chat. That is all.” The voice answered.

Sophie suppressed a small smirk. Trapped as she was, it still felt somewhat gratifying knowing that the imposter was getting his comeuppance, even if it was from a mysterious divine being. Still, a thought snagged in the back of her mind as she overheard them, her smirk vanishing just as quickly. They will fall in due time, as they had before. Are they talking about the forge city? How the visions showed that they were tricked? Damn.

The world seemed to groan as something moved, her ears barely able to catch the cacophony of noises that suddenly assaulted her. She winced at the flurry of sounds, but tried to pick out what she could, latching onto the squelchy noises that came from where the eyewall was. From that direction, she could feel the anger, but at the same time notice how it was growing more distant. It’s leaving, he’s really leaving. As the thought hit her mind, her body jolted in agony, and she could practically see Arantos grinning, the message clear as can be, we will meet again. She shivered.

To her immediate relief, the tendril began to loosen around her, the appendage uncoiling itself and falling. Disappearing into the inky black shadow before landing with a wet splat somewhere below. Freed, she almost relaxed her guard when she felt the airy touch of shadows cupping her breasts. Alarmed, she stiffened up in fear only to find a sickly pale orb of light crossing into her vision. The hands playfully squeezed her and she almost let out an unintentional moan, holding it back only with sheer will as she refused to surrender to the new arrival. This seemed to intrigue it greatly and Sophie felt the shadows running all across her body, caressing her with a gentle touch that brought her a momentary sensation of comfort. She was miffed that Arantos had simply been allowed to leave, by a Goddess no less. Unfortunately for her, she had far more pressing issues to worry about.

Her face was then violently seized by the shadows and she found herself dragged forward towards the light. Panic flashed across her eyes but the shadow did not care. She felt the distinctive wet muscle of a tongue lapping across her cheek, only for it to recoil. If an orb of light could scrunch its face up in distaste, she was certain that she could tell.

“My, how curious. Alive, reactive but with the taste of something long expired. Touched by powers long forgotten.” The sultry voice purred, trying to hide its distaste.

“W-who are you?” Sophie shakily asked.

The orb seemed to scrutinise her before covering itself in shadow. With a burst of arcane power, the shadows parted to reveal an elven women with ashen grey skin and glowing red eyes. She wore a greyish purple dress with a low cut down to her belly, the sides stopping just before her nipples. It was an outfit meant for seduction and Sophie was suddenly far more wary of the elfin face that was looking back at her. What the hells? And her face… it’s like…

“You look like that elf that was chasing me. But I… I don’t think you are her.” Sophie whispered, her mind trying to recall her pursuit from the arachnid corpse.

The elf smiled dangerously, leaning down at an angle that showed Sophie a bit too much.

“A facsimile yes, much like the one that is attached to you.” The elf replied.

Sophie unwittingly gasped. She knows about Sophia.

“I am, however, quite disappointed. I had thought you knew the teachings of your Goddess.” The elf clicked her tongue before tearing off her own dress, revealing both above and below, “With such a display, such theatrics, I would’ve thought a smart little thing like you would’ve already known to prostrate yourself before me, but alas. Still, I can see your gaze, your eyes as they try but fail to avoid me. Drink it in, revel in it, and witness the glory in shadow.” The elf declared as her lips curled up in amusement.

A thousand thoughts ran through Sophie’s mind, but two key things stuck out to her. She mentioned the Goddess and is likely divine. She’s also floating with me but clad in shadows.But this seems improbable, could it be…?

“Morea?” Sophie hesitantly spoke, her voice sounding almost afraid.

This delighted the elf, and it's eyes twinkled with mischief before she reached one hand between her legs and began playing with herself. Sophie only stared on, mostly dumbfounded by the sight.

“Ah! Simply exquisite, to hear my name spoken with such reverence, such fear. A most invigorating pleasure, I assure you.” It grinned with razor sharp teeth, “But yes, behold. For you stand before the mistress of shadows, a rare audience granted to such a fascinating little soul.”

“Wha-why are you here?”

“It is obvious, is it not, little eavesdropper? For you and your friend down there. After all, it isn’t often a banished being’s little messengers would trespass on my domain.” Her expression shifted to one of malice, “So interesting as well, a strange little creature that tastes neither alive nor dead, but simply, wrong. An abnormality, a defect, a reject, and oh so fascinating!” The Goddess of shadows practically screamed as she orgasmed.

Sophie had many questions, but out of fear and worry, she remained mostly silent, content with letting the Goddess speak. She did, however, swallow a little as the Goddess drew closer, holding her face with still wet hands and staring directly into her soul. Sophie tried to squirm free but this only seemed to embolden the Goddess more.

“My, how surprising a single thing can be. You see, I speak to you out of curiosity, for your threads are not bound by fate, yet you orbit around calamities like this as a moth is drawn by flame. Despite being unbound, you run headlong into the open maw of prophecy and emerge precisely as they described but equally as different as can be. Tell me then, little child, does thou enjoy my boon?”

“Boon?”

“Surely, you do not think your facsimile possesses such powers without my permission? If they were simply a replica, they would be exactly like you, would they not?” Morea smiled menacingly.

“I…” Sophie gasped, “Since when?”

“Ah, the right questions. Since my children prayed for success on a hunt. Since my spawn felt you disturb its waters. And when your facsimile was born, I simply added onto the grand design as I saw fit.” Morea leaned in and blew at the tips of Sophie’s ear, making her squirm, “So? Was it helpful?”

Sophie nodded, trying to suppress the strange feelings welling up inside her.

“Most agreeable, yes. So I would like to propose an accord between you and I. A deal that favours you, of course.”

Sophie somehow doubted that last fact, but she wouldn’t disagree with a Goddess, so she nodded. This seemed to intrigue Morea even more and mirthful eyes danced across Sophie’s form. She could see the Goddess look almost curiously at her loins and Sophie suddenly felt very afraid. But Morea, if she desired to, did not act. The Goddess merely looking back up with a far more languid if still joyful expression.

“The boon is hers to keep, your facsimile, that is. In turn, that allows me to track where exactly the two of you go.”

Sophie’s eyes widened at the last fact, her mouth unintentionally moving before she could stop it, “But that’s…”

“Rest easy, I will not inform the pantheon, not yet. For I am interested in seeing what exactly the banished one has planned involving you. Remove the Myndiri towers, but then what? A delightful little mystery, even if the others would disagree.”

“But…”

“Expecting more? I’m hurt, my dear. My terms are as simple as they are clear, are they not?”

“I… I guess they are.” Sophie agreed, taking great care in choosing her next words, “I agree to that much.”

“Of course, you would! But I must add, she mustn't leave your side.” The Goddess seemed to pause, “Not too far, anyways.” She added with a chuckle.

“That’s… also fine.”

“Oh most wonderful! How shall I reward you?” Morea wiggled her fingers, “Hmm, perhaps something more valuable. How about this, think really carefully, and I shall answer one question for you. One and only one. Hmm, nothing about the pantheon or the stars, there are some shadows too murky for even me to pry into. But ah! Do keep it related to yourself or your quest. Be warned however, as my brother says, I do tend to be vague sometimes. I am the mistress of secrets as well, after all. So speak and I shall answer.”

Sophie frowned, something didn’t feel right. For a Goddess to bargain so casually. But then again, little is known about the Goddess of Shadow and Secrets. I guess, point taken about her titles. But still. Seeing the Goddess look expectantly at her however, only made her more anxious. So if I have a question, there’s so many I could ask! The towers, the monsters, Arantos… does he count as a God? Maybe a way to reach the tower? Or ooh, the Myndiri or Aetosi. Maybe the Griffin knights? Or… or… my parents… family… her shoulders sagged at the thought, or I could ask her about… me.

“Well?”

“I uhh, I guess, who or what am I?” Sophie managed to mumble.

The Goddess seemed pleased by her question, though she did wag a single ashen finger at Sophie.

“That’s two questions technically. But let’s see what we can do about that. Oh, just try not to scream.”

Just like that? She’s okay with it? Wait why should I not-

Sophie let out a soft gasp as her world was plunged into total darkness. Her mind trapped within itself once more. Yet, unlike before, there were no nightmares and death was not forthcoming. Though her head felt like a blade had split it in two, she remained aware of her surroundings, still able to feel the gentle caress of the Goddess’s icy cold fingers dancing across her face. Then she saw flashes; one of an elf, tall and poised; another of humans, a gaggle of them; then a warrior, the griffin crest painted somewhere across his armour.

“Secrets far and wide, your mistress commands you to reveal yourself. Let none remain hidden where shadows might dance.” Morea’s voice echoed in the emptiness of her mind.

With a flash of white light, Sophie jerked back to consciousness, the sojourn the briefest she had ever spent within her vision. Taking a moment to adjust herself, she found the Goddess looking at her with a glint of contemplation in her eye.

“Well, well. That was fascinating, my dear.”

“Y-yeah?” Sophie croaked.

“Very much so, little ruler.” Morea chuckled.

“Huh? Ruler?”

“Saphyre af’ Kasteiane, an ironic name for a child born of chaos. But a fitting name for a nascent knight.”

“I… what does that mean? Saphyre…that’s… that’s my name? What’s so weird about it? What’s ironic?”

“One answer. Those are the terms. Still, a truly intriguing discovery. To think, the banished are capable of this.” Morea hummed to herself before waving at Sophie, “Oh, do brace yourself though, the fall can be quite nasty. Until we meet again, and may our accord remain unbroken.” Morea finished with a cackling laugh, giving her a small wink before vanishing into a puff of billowy dark smoke.

Like an overcast day becoming sunny again, the darkness that had enveloped the cavern faded as amber light shone through once more. Then, with mysterious force holding her aloft gone, she kept falling.