Chapter 1
The chains in the dark, gloomy dungeon rattled gently, a rhythmic clinking that seemed to amplify the silence and the musty smell of decay. Although the walls of the dungeon appeared sturdy, their age was clear in the crumbling mortar and the chilling presence of many skeletons, their rattling chains a constant, unsettling sound echoing through the dark passages.
Amidst the barbaric scene sat two female elves; one, with skin as bright as moonlight and blond hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, her blue eyes lowered to the floor as she felt the cold, heavy weight of the chains chafing her wrists and neck against the rough-hewn wooden floor. The second elf sat back-to-back with the first, their shoulders touching, a silent understanding passing between them. With skin tanned from the sun, her long, unruly red hair fell over her shoulders, and her defiant bright red eyes glared, refusing to accept their fate.
Huddled together on the cold, damp dungeon floor, their ragged white clothes barely concealing their bruised and dirt-covered forms, they waited, the flickering candlelight casting long, dancing shadows on the rough stone walls, their hope dwindling with each passing moment.
"How much longer do you think we can hold out?" Quietly, the red-haired elf spoke, her fiery eyes glancing at the elf behind her.
"I don't know Sylvanie." The blond elf replied. "I just don't know…" Her eyes reflected a sense of hopeless resignation, as if escape were impossible.
Meanwhile, unknown to them. Running down the hall, the young man, who appeared to be only 24, narrowed his bright auburn eyes as he turned the corner. His black boots landed on the cobblestone ground with a thud as he ran. His lower half was clad in black trousers cinched with a brown belt. A black shirt and a silver necklace, featuring an infinity pendant, adorned his upper body. Clad in black fingerless gloves, his hands were tightly gripped a pair of custom-made black-and-gold daggers. With his messy black hair flying behind him, he ran down the hall, the bruises and cuts on his fair skin clearly visible.
"Stop him!" A shout rang out as a guard in silver armor pointed accusingly. "He's stolen the dragon shard! We can't let him escape!" His shouts drew a crowd of guards in pursuit.
"You've got to be kidding me." The boy glanced behind him as he noticed the horde of guards chasing after him with their weapons drawn. "Great." Gritting his teeth, he turned back to see more guards blocking his path.
"You're not getting away!" A guard yelled and lunged forward, sword in hand.
Sliding to a stop, the boy prepared his blades as the guards attacked. He sidestepped their heavy swipe, countered with a swift dagger slash, and instantly killed one guard with a deep chest wound. There was no time to celebrate; another soldier immediately followed, swords clashing with the boy's daggers, the metallic clang echoing through the halls. A third guard's surprise attack from the rear was met by the boy's quick reflexes. He dodged a falling sword and countered with a spinning roundhouse kick, knocking the guard into the others following close behind.
The second guard didn't let up as he continued his onslaught. He swung his sword with all his might, attempting to decapitate the boy. However, the boy blocked the blow with a dagger and used his other dagger to stab the guard in the neck. The guard gurgled before falling dead.
Narrowing his auburn eyes, the boy bolted forward, slashing at any guard that stood in his way as blood painted the walls. "This isn't even the way that I'm supposed to go." He gritted his teeth as another guard tried to slash him from the side. "Do you guys ever give up?' A rhetorical question as he dodged another swipe of a sword. "Get out of my way!" A fierce kick to the guard's chest sent him crashing backward into the wall.
Turning his back, the boy ran down the hall again. This time, losing the guard for a split second as he rounded the hallway corner, quickly spotting a hallway of metal doors. "Metal doors? Seriously." He whispers to himself, his gaze flitting nervously from one door to another, searching for a safe place to hide from the guards. "Come on, Oreon, think. It won't be long before those guards catch up. Pick a damn door." His eyes darted between the doors as Oreon contemplated his next move.
"He went this way!" Oreon heard a voice from down the hall.
"Ahh, screw it!" Letting out a scream, he chose the first door to his left, quickly but softly closing it behind him before sliding down to the floor, his back against the door. The rhythmic clang of metal-shod feet pounded past Oreon's hiding place, each strike echoing through the stone corridor.
The sound of the guards disappeared down the hall, causing Oreon to release a deep sigh of relief. "I guess I'm going to sit here until they at least clear the area." Oreon leans his head back and closes his eyes for a moment before reopening them. "Now…time to…What the…" A wave of nausea washed over Oreon as his eyes scanned the cavernous dungeon, the crimson slickness on the floor a gruesome testament to the carnage within.
"What…is this?" A muttered sound escaped Oreon's lips as he rose and crossed the spacious room. "How could anyone…This is…" A jangling of chains caught his attention, cutting short his words. His eyes swiftly focused on the origin of the sound; two elves bound to the floor, staring intently back at him.
The fair-haired elf's blue eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at Oreon, a stranger she'd never seen before entering the room; then, her gaze dropped, and her face became an unreadable mask. The red-haired elf, standing beside her, locked eyes with Oreon, her crimson eyes blazing with defiance, a set jaw betraying the rapid thoughts of escape swirling in her mind.
"What the… They have elves here." Oreon's eyes swept the room again before finally settling on the elves. He saw chains holding them captive. Chains bound their wrists to the wall, and their collars were chained to the floor. "This…. This is sick." The sight of the neglected room and the abused elves made him grimace.
He sauntered up to the red-haired elf, kneeling, slowly reaching for her collar. "You move any closer and I'll rip your throat out, human." She growls instantly; her threat clear as Oreon's hands stopped in place as he looked down at the Red-Hair elf.
"I'm here to help." Oreon started calmly. "I promise I won't hurt you; I'm just trying to—"
"Don't touch me!" The red-haired elf barked as she tried to lash out at Oreon, her hand nearly coming within mere inches of his face, but the chain stopped her. "Don't you dare touch me with your filthy hands, human!" She screamed as the blonde-haired elf looked over at her companion in chains, her eyes remaining unreadable.
"Sylvanie." She whispers, her voice soft yet carrying authority. "Wait."
The sounds of more guards approaching echo down the corridor: heavy footsteps, shouted orders, the clank of armor. The blonde-haired elf looks towards the doorway, then directs her attention back to Oreon.
"Are you here to kill us or free us?" She asks directly, her composure unbroken despite the circumstances. "Because we have perhaps a few moments before they arrive. I encourage you be hasty about your decision." Her unreadable expression remains.
Oreon looks down at the other elf. "I don't know what's happening, but I'm not here to hurt you," Oreon whispers, slowly kneeling before the blonde elf. His hands carefully unfastened the chain around her neck.
The elf's blue eyes widen slightly as the collar falls away, her slender fingers immediately rising to touch the bare skin of her neck. For a moment, vulnerability flashes across her face. "Thank you," she says, rubbing her wrists as the chains fall away. Though I cannot fathom why, you, a human, would release an elf."
Sylvaine watches with disbelief, her crimson eyes darting between you and her companion.
"Don't trust him, Celestia!" She snaps, still pulling against her own restraints. "Humans don't help elves without wanting something in return." She quickly directed her a glare towards Oreon." What's your price, human? What sick game are you playing at?" The approaching guards' metallic boots echoed nearer on the stone floor. Celestia rose elegantly to her feet; her stature was commanding, even in her ragged clothing.
"Whatever his reasons, sister, we have little choice," she says firmly, then turns her attention to Oreon. "Free her quickly. If we don't hurry, who knows what horrors will await us," Celestia instructed as she turned her attention towards the door.
Oreon nods his head and then turns towards Sylvanie. Her eyes still glaring daggers at him, but she allows him to get closer as he gently unfastens the collar from her neck and undoes her chained restraints.
As the collar click opens and falls away from Sylvaine's neck, she immediately jumps forward-not to attack Oreon, but to stand protectively in front of Celestia. Her eyes scanned the room for a weapon before refocusing on Oreon. "If this is a trap," she mutters, slightly rubbing her wrists where the shackles had bitten into her skin, "I'll make sure you die first." She threatens.
Celestia places a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder, a silent request for restraint. "We have no time for suspicion," Celestia says, her voice calm but urgent as the sounds of metal footsteps get closer to the door. Her eyes quickly fell back to Oreon. "Do you have a plan? I hope you didn't barge into the castle and think that there wouldn't be repercussions." Celestia's regal voice spoke.
"Well, I've been kind of winging it since I got here," Oreon says shyly, rubbing the back of his head slightly, embarrassed.
Sylvanie gave Oreon a deadpanned look as she glanced over at her sister. "Great, our savior is an idiot, how the gods smile down upon us." She gritted her teeth, annoyed as Celestia closed her eyes at the comment.
"It is most unfortunate." As Celestia reopens her eyes, she responds. "Then we'll just have to come up with a solution to get us out of this mess."
As the sounds of guards at the door grew closer, a sinister smile crept onto Sylvanie's face. "Well, plan or no plan, I've been waiting for months to repay these humans for their…Hospitality."
Oreon quickly looks around and sees that there is no other way out, but the time for planning had passed as the guards burst through the door. "I think the plan is obvious." Oreon held his twin daggers firmly as the soldiers charged into the dungeon.
"We're going to have to fight our way out." Determination hardened his gaze as his brown eyes narrowed, fixed on the soldiers. With no prior indication, Oreon attacked. As the first guard swung his blade at the dual-dagger fighter, Oreon nimbly dodged, kicking the guard into the others.
The room erupts into chaos as Oreon launches himself towards the guards. Behind him, the sisters exchange a glance before Sylvaine's face splits into a predatory grin.
"Now this is more like it," she snarls, dark energy coalescing around her hands. With a fluid motion, she thrusts her palms forward, sending tendrils of shadow magic snaking through the air. The shadows wrap around a guard's throat, constricting until his face turns purple and he drops to his knees.
Celestia moves with surprising grace for someone who appears so delicate. Her hands glow with soft golden light as she raises them defensively. When a guard lunges at her with his sword, she sidesteps and presses her palm to his chest. Light explodes from her touch, sending him flying backward into his comrades.
"Stay close!" Celestia calls out, her voice steady despite the violence surrounding them. "Sylvaine, don't overextend yourself—your magic is still weak from the binding
"Speak for yourself, sister," Sylvaine retorts, ducking under a sword swing and grabbing the face of the guard, slamming his head hard into the ground, crushing his face instantly. "I've been saving up for this moment!" Wild-eyed, Sylvanie snarls, fangs bared, at the on-rushing soldiers. A bloodthirsty laugh escaped her lips as she whipped her hand back; the dark energy coalescing around her formed a custom-made black and red scythe in her palm.
"Come, humans!" She laughs as she twirls the scythe between her fingers." Don't disappoint me!" With the agility of a cat, she darted forward, evading the soldiers' attacks as her scythe sliced through the air with deadly precision; her laughter rang through the dungeon. With effortless grace, her blade tore through the guards, dismembering them with each stroke. Sylvanie's brutality knew no bounds as she painted the walls with blood. "More." She laughs. "More, I SAID GIVE ME MORE!" she screamed as she slashed a few more guards in her way.
Celestia sighed at the sound of her sister's words echoing throughout the dungeon. "Sister, your magic has not fully returned. Please show some restraint." Celestia's icy gaze fell on another guard's attempts to attack her from behind, but with fluid grace, she dodges his swing and gently flicks his forehead, a ray of light exploding on impact, knocking him forcibly into the wall. "Humans have always been such delicate beings." With a soldier charging toward her, sword swinging, she stopped him by pressing her hand against his chest, triggering an explosion of light that knocked him down.
Oreon fought his way past the soldiers, felling another guard before turning back to the two rescued elves. "Hey! More are on the way; we need to move now!" As another guard engaged him in a clash of steel, Oreon parried several blows before thrusting his dagger into the guard's chest, killing him instantly. "Come on!" Oreon waved.
"Leave? I'm just getting started!" With a wild laugh, Sylvanie's scythe cleaves another guard in two. Flickering with waning, dark energy, she sheathed her scythe, conserving her power for the approaching guard. Believing himself to have the upper hand, he attacked the elf with several slashes. However, Sylvanie's agility was superior; she effortlessly evaded his strikes, seizing his arm before delivering a powerful blow to his abdomen, sending him crashing to the ground. Maintaining her grip on his arm, she effortlessly broke it, eliciting a loud scream as she seized his weapon. "Oh, I've missed this feeling so much!" She screamed, her bare foot coming down hard on the guard's head in a crushing blow, sending blood spraying across her face.
The sound of more approaching guards reaches Celestia's ears as she quickly moves to her sister's side, grabbing her wrist. "He's right, Sylvanie. We're in no condition for a prolonged fight." She started firmly. "Besides, you put your weapon away for a human, resourceful, but that clearly shows you don't have much power left. We should leave." Earning a slight grunt from Sylvanie, Celestia pulled her by the wrist as they stood by Oreon. Her eyes scanned the corridor beyond the doorway. With a graceful gesture, she summons a blinding flash of light that momentarily stuns the approaching reinforcements.
"This way!" She calls, pointing toward a narrow side passage. "The servant corridors will be less guarded."
The three run down the hall, giving themselves a head start as the guards remain blinded by Celestia's light. The narrow hallway amplified the sound of their approaching footsteps until, at the next corner, they were confronted with two diverging paths. "Which way?" She asks urgently, moving to Oreon's side while maintaining her defensive stance. "These corridors are a maze to us."
While Oreon tries to decide, Sylvanie comes up next to the top, the guard sword that she had earlier gained, still in her hand, resting the blade on her shoulder. "I vote we go wherever there are more guards," she says darkly, twirling the blade. "I'm not leaving until I've painted these halls red with Holy Order Blood.
"Sylvaine," Celestia calls her sister, but a note of understanding beneath her disapproval. "Our priority is to escape, not vengeance." She tells her sister.
"Why not both?' Sylvaine counters, her crimson eyes gleaming with bloodlust as she turns her attention to Oreon. "Well, Human? Which way are we going? Is there a quick way out of here, or are we going to take the bloody way out?" She asked Oreon was still deep in thought until the ground trembled beneath their feet, causing their eyes to widen in shock as a loud archaic sound could be heard coming down the left path.
"What the…." Oreon's words were cut short as the trembling intensified. Dust and small fragments of stone were raining down from the ceiling. The archaic sound grows louder deep, resonant hum that seems to vibrate through their very bones.
"That's no ordinary magic," Celestia whispers, her face paling as she instinctively steps closer to her sister. "That's a summoning ritual."
"A summoning ritual?" Oreon responds. His eyes widened at the sound that seemed to grow louder. "What the hell could they be summoning? They shouldn't have this type of power." He gritted his teeth as the sound continued to grow.
Sylvaine's earlier bloodlust gives way to genuine concern as she grips her stolen sword tightly. "They wouldn't…" she begins, then curses under her breath in elvish language. "Of course they would. Hypocritical bastards preach against dark magic while binding demons to their will."
As her words left her mouth, the left corridor suddenly illuminated with an unnatural purple glow, and the temperature dropped dramatically. The hum transforms into something more sinister- a chorus of whispers in a language that hurts to hear.
"We need to go," Celestia says firmly, her attention turning to Oreon. "Now. Whatever path leads away from that sound is the one we must take." She continues.
"For once, I agree with my sister," Sylvaine adds, backing away from the purple light that began to emanate. "Even I'm not eager to face whatever they're calling forth, at least not now." She started as Oreon quickly looked down the other corridor.
"Then come on, this way!" he instructed as the three ran down the opposite corridor. They fled, legs pumping, from the horrors unfolding before them. The narrow hallway quickly opened into a large room where soldiers streamed in. Of all the soldiers, three were distinct. "Shit…" Oreon swore, whipping out his twin daggers as he skidded to a stop, bracing for a fight. Three soldiers advanced slowly, their comrades watching, but not attacking.
As the three elite soldiers approached, an eerie silence descended upon the grand hall. Powerful and confident, these warriors stand in stark contrast to the common guards. Divine magic shimmered faintly around their armor, which gleamed with holy symbols. One wears a golden-winged helmet, another a crimson cape embroidered with silver runes, and the third carries a massive, glowing war hammer.
Celestia inhales sharply, recognition flashing in her eyes. "Paladins of the Holy Order," she murmurs, her voice barely audible. "The same ones who led the assault on our kingdom."
Sylvaine's expression transforms into pure hatred, her knuckles white around the hilt of her sword. "The butchers of Vel'Anathar." She hisses. "I watched them cut down our mother's royal guards like they were nothing."
Eyes cold, the paladin in the winged helmet advanced, his gaze shifting between Oreon and the Elven sisters.
"The thief harboring fugitives and the royal vermin." He announces, his voice carrying throughout the chamber. "How convenient to find all our problems in one place." A soft, dark chuckle could be heard.
"Return the elves and surrender the shard, thief," the red-caped paladin adds, drawing a sword that burst into holy flame. "Perhaps then your death will be quick."
Oreon, daggers drawn, glared at the paladins arrayed before him, prepared to strike if needed. "You know, death just doesn't seem to be on my schedule today." He returns with a smirk." So, I'm going to have to take a rain check on that, and as far as the elves go, well, I don't think I'll be handing them over either, so that sounds like you're taking two losses today." Oreon's words echo throughout the grand chamber as his eyes glance around the room, trying to see if he can find another way out of this predicament. "I am curious, though." He says his eyes remain on the center paladin. "What does the Holy order want with a couple of elves?" he questions.
The grand chamber resounded with the paladin's bitter laughter, his winged helmet gleaming. "Your ignorance betrays you, thief," he says, taking another measured step forward. "These are not just mere elves- These are elves of royal bloodline, a bloodline that carries ancient magic in their veins. Magic that the Order requires. Especially the elder one- her light magic is…compatible with our needs."
To gain a flanking position, the paladin with the Warhammer moves slightly to the right.
Meanwhile, the winged-helm paladin continues to speak. "The golden-haired elf is Celestia Velyndor, former queen of Vel'Anathar." He glanced briefly at Sylvanie as he pointed. "And the dark one is a wellspring of forbidden magic. The high exarch believes her corruption can be…repurposed."
"So, in simple terms, you're just trying to drain them dry." Oreon pressed back. "Is there no low you people won't stoop to?" As Oreon watched, he noticed the Warhammer paladin making a slight move to get behind them.
"You misunderstand, thief." The winged helm paladin continued to speak. "Both are essential to our cause." He jests. "A greater good for the world, if you would." After he finished speaking, Sylvanie spat at his feet in reaction to his comment.
"I'd rather die than serve your twisted order's needs,' She snarls
Forward strode the paladin, his red cape billowing, the flaming sword in his hand sending dancing shadows across the walls. "That can be arranged, dark elf. But First- "He turns his attention back to Oreon." The shard thief, hand it over, and perhaps we'll only take your hands instead of your head." He threatens.
"Oh, now it's my hands that you're going to take," Oreon responds, slightly taking a step back towards the two Elven sisters. "First, it was a quick death, and now I just lose both of my hands. Did anyone tell you guys you should be merchants? The way you guys' bargain makes me want to consider at least giving the shard back." A playful smirk was still on his face.
The paladin with the winged helm narrows his eyes, clearly growing impatient with Oreon's stalling tactics. "Enough games," He growls, raising his hand to signal the other guards. "Take them!" He orders.
A glance from Oreon toward a large, unguarded window caught Celestia's attention. She nodded almost imperceptibly. A bright golden light gathers in her hand, seeping between her fingers.
"On my signal."She whispers, the light growing brighter. "Be ready to run. "She says as Sylvanie quickly shifts her weight, ready to spring into action, her crimson eyes darting between the approaching soldiers and the window.
"Hey, human, if we survive this." She mutters to Oreon. "I might consider not killing you in your sleep." Her eyes not leaving the incoming horde of soldiers coming their way.
Oreon's head quickly snaps to Sylvanie. "What? You were going to kill me in my sleep!" he exclaims.
The paladins and soldiers advanced, their divine auras flaring with power. The Warhammer paladin raises his weapon, which begins to crackle with holy energy.
"NOW!" Celestia suddenly shouts, throwing her hands forward and releasing a blinding explosion of light that fills the entire chamber.
Following their improvised plan, he burst towards the large window, pushing past the few obstructing soldiers as the elves followed close behind.
"So, what's your big plan?" As they neared the window, Sylvanie cries out, "Will we be fighting with our backs against the wall?" She posed her question as Oreon looked back, then redirected his gaze forward.
"Nope, we're going to take a leap of faith!" He shouts.
"What!" With a cry from Sylvanie, Oreon charged forward, smashing through the manor's window with his shoulder. He tumbled outside, the two elves following in a seemingly perilous drop.
For a breathless moment, only the wind rushed past, and glittering shards of glass surrounded them, like diamond stars in the night. At the bottom, a deep cliff exposes the manor perched on the Cliffside, with a thick canopy of trees far beneath.
Celestia's eyes widen in alarm as she realizes there's nothing but air beneath the group. With remarkable composure, she extends her hands, golden light erupting from her palms as she attempts to slow their descent. "By the ancient light, protect us!" she calls out, her magic forming a shimmering barrier that slightly cushions your fall.
Sylvanie, meanwhile, is far less dignified in her reaction.
"A LEAP OF FAITH?!" she screams, tumbling through the air beside Oreon and her sister. "I'm going to kill you if this fall doesn't do it first, you suicidal human!"
Oreon looks over at Sylvanie, no less dignified than her. "You already said you were going to kill me in my sleep; you damn psychopath!"
"Brace yourselves!" Celestia shouts
As they fell at an alarming speed, the three shouted as the treetops rushed up to meet them; Celestia's magic only partially slowed their descent, and branches snapped and cracked under their weight.
The three figures' bodies tumbled like rag dolls as the sound of their grunts echoed throughout the forest. Their bodies hit the ground, flipping and flopping before they came to a stop as they rolled down a steep hill, with Oreon finally stopping on his back and the two elves landing in their positions.
Oreon winced as he sat up, rubbing his lower back. "Well, that could have been better."
Celestia was next to rise, her movements graceful despite the fall. Leaves and twigs cling to her pale blonde hair, and a thin scratch marks her cheek, but she appears unharmed thanks to her protective magic. She brushes herself off with dignity, as if falling from castle windows were a regular occurrence for Elven royalty.
"That was…Resourceful, unexpected, but resourceful. "She offers diplomatically, though her tone suggests she might have preferred a plan with fewer bruises. "Are you injured?"
Sylvanie groans loudly as she pushes herself up from where she landed face-down in a patch of ferns. Her red hair is wild and tangled with forest debris, and her expression promises violence.
"Resourceful?" she snarls, spitting out a leaf. "We could have died! What kind of escape plan involves hurling ourselves off a cliff?"
"It was a plan that was needed," Oreon responded. "Besides, it wasn't avoidable. We were cornered, and we weren't strong enough to take down three paladins." Oreon finally stood up, his back still hurting from the fall.
Sylvanie snarls again, wincing as she pulls herself up to a sitting position. "We could have avoided it entirely with something called a PLAN! Are all humans this reckless, or are you a special kind of idiot?"
"Calm yourself, Sylvanie," Celestia spoke softly, placing a steadying hand on a nearby tree trunk. "We're alive, which is more than we would have been had we stayed. "She turns her sapphire gaze to Oreon, studying him with a bit of curiosity. "Though I must admit, I share my sister's question. Why risk your life for two Elven slaves? And what is this shard they spoke of?"
Before Oreon could answer, something drew his eyes upward, narrowing in response. "Right now, it may not be the time to talk about that." He calmly spoke as his eyes remained narrowed at the Manor from which they fell. "They'll be on top of us in no time." He redirected his gaze to the two elves. "We need to move."
Celestia follows Oreon's gaze upward, where torches are already appearing along the cliff edge. The distant shouts of soldier's echo through the night air as search parties mobilize.
"You're right. The Holy Order's trackers are relentless," she concedes, straightening her posture despite her obvious fatigue as her gaze fell back on Oreon. "We should head east, towards the forest trees. They will provide cover for us.
Sylvaine yanks her stolen sword from the ground and rises to her feet, still glaring at Oreon with suspicion despite the immediate danger.
"And what makes you think we should follow you anywhere?" She challenges, though she's already checking the forest for signs of pursuit. "For all we know, you're leading us to another slave market."
The distant sound of horns echoes from the mano above, followed by the barking of hounds. The hunt for the order has begun.
"We don't have time for this," Celestia interjects firmly. "Easy or west, human? Choose quickly.
"Wherever we go, we need to move quickly." Sylvaine mutters, rolling her shoulder with a grimace. "Those paladins won't give up easily, especially if they want whatever this "Shard" is so badly." Sylvaine kept her eyes narrowed at Oreon. "So, our dear human savior, please choose a path for us." She started as Oreon looked at the two of them and then turned his attention to the directions he was left to choose.
Oreon looks towards the forest and then backs up at the manor as the order moves. "Let's head east." He suggests. "The forest should give us cover and make it harder for them to track us. Also, there's a small town that we'll be able to hide in. We just have to get there first." He finished as he brought his gaze back towards Celestia, who nodded before turning to her sister, who silently complained as she began walking in the direction that Oreon chose.
"We better hurry off into the unknown then, before we become a blood sacrifice for their horrid rituals. "Sylvanie grunted, her footsteps thumping against the ground. "Or return to chains."
Celestia remained silent as she walked gracefully behind her sister, who quickly turned around to face Oreon. "Well? Are you coming, human?