21 | Farewell (II)

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A woman stepped into view just as Nyxis stood up to join Xanthy

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A woman stepped into view just as Nyxis stood up to join Xanthy. She's a peculiar woman who wore a black coat buttoned up to her chin. It's like she decided to suddenly be one of the Unities but with a darker coat and more...feminine.

Nyxis's heart pounded in his chest as the woman strode towards them past the bushes and branches dividing the space between them. Tight, horse-riding breeches hugged her slender legs before being tucked into heeled, knee-length, dark, leather boots. A thin rapier swayed from her belt with every step she took. Medals of different sizes and shapes on her coat glinted whenever her form was at an angle that reflected the sun.

Xanthy took a sharp breath from beside Nyxis as the woman closed the distance and extended a gloved hand towards them. "The Chalice and the Virtakios, please," she smiled, her round face and pointed chin elongating in a slender curve. Wine red lips framed pearly white teeth in a grin that made it took like they were friends for a long time.

It was a smile that could win people, and ultimately, nations.

Short strands of limp brown hair fell out of the woman's strict bun and framed her forehead. Just from the stance alone, she was used to being the dominant one in any given room.

Xanthy's arm shot up almost as if at the woman's request. Nyxis slapped it down. "Who are you?" Xanthy asked instead. Her voice carried some sort of quiver in it.

The woman chuckled. "My, we met many times already," she put a gloved hand to her chest. "You should be able to tell it by my voice."

Nyxis's throat closed up. Voice...

From beside him, Xanthy narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?" her voice was a little louder this time. Firmer.

"I am the Heiress," the woman's eyes were nothing but an empty landscape as they ran over Xanthy up and down. "I will have your heads if you don't give me the Chalice and the Virtakios."

Nyxis's breath hitched. The Heiress. The name struck a chord inside him so hard he could feel it vibrating to his toes. This was the woman that wrecked his life and that of his family? This...

She was nothing more than an average fairy.

"Come on," the Heiress had her eyes on Xanthy whose lips quivered. "Be a good girl and surrender."

Xanthy's chest rose and fell in great heaves. "Not a chance, old hag."

The Heiress hummed. "We do this the hard way then," she extended her arms. "Maaterparka."

Xanthy threw up a cover spell just as Nyxis dove and hauled Juen off the ground. Distance. They'd need distance from the Heiress if they were to survive this. The earth swirled like water as the Heiress' chants floated in the air. Ancient words slammed into Nyxis's ears as the Heiress' eyes turned fully black. Branches crunched and flew towards her. His eyes widened when they disappeared into her coat like the Heiress was not made of anything.

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