Realm of Monsters

“Dad? What’s wrong?” Unalla asked, raising her head, but refusing to sit up from the sofa. The two had been resting in the solar room next to the fireplace when her father had suddenly stiffened in his chair and frowned.
“Something’s wrong with my mother,” Atlas said, his expression darkening.
“Grandma? Is it Caligo?”
“No, I would have sensed a battle of chaos nearby if it were. The problem is I can’t sense anything.”
“And that’s a— problem?”
“Usually, I can feel your grandmother’s presence if she isn’t too far. Always present, like something in the corner of my eye. She was somewhere in the city and then she disappeared.”
“So she teleported. Grandma does that all the time.”
“No, this is different, I think. Something doesn’t feel right. Where is your mother?”
“I think she went to the merchant's guild to negotiate some kind of deal on behalf of our House. Something about stocking up on food and supplies with a potential war on the horizon.”
“When will she be back?”
“I dunno, I didn’t ask.”
“Don’t leave the manor until she gets back.” Atlas stood to his full towering height.
“Wasn’t planning to.” Unalla yawned and stretched. “Where are you going?”
“To find your grandmother.”
“Good luck.” Unalla relaxed and settled back into the plush cushions. Whatever it was, Holo could handle it, she always did.
~~~
Loh walked through her home, reminiscing about the days when she used to run through these halls with her brother. They were so young. It was long ago, before Aizel had awakened his magic and their grandfather discovered how little talent for it he truly possessed. Back then, things were simpler, life was brighter.
Lily sighed in delight behind her. Loh stopped and glanced at her assistant, eyebrow cocked. “What is it?”
“Hm? I’m simply enjoying your nostalgia mixed with bitterness and a dash of longing,” Lily said as if she were talking about food.
“You say the strangest things, you know that?”
“Do I?” Lily tilted her head to the side, her red lips puckered in a pout, scarlet strands of hair falling over her sculpted face. Loh looked away and kept walking.
Loh knew Lily was odd, possibly even a bit addled, but the vixen was smart enough to know how beautiful she was and how to use it to her benefit. Lily also knew her beauty unnerved her mistress, not that it ever stopped her from trying to throw Loh off her composure. All it took was a simple pose, a shift of the hips, and bending down ever so slightly. Loh always found herself looking away, lest she stare. The last thing she needed was to get involved with a quite possibly insane woman.
Which was only made worse by Lily sneaking into Loh’s bed most nights. Loh didn’t even notice her until the morning, at which point she promptly kicked the vampiress out. But there were times when Loh found herself waking up from a nightmare of her past, screaming in the dark hours of the night. Lily held her close in silent comfort until the screams disappeared and her tears faded.
Loh didn’t quite know how to feel about that. At the same time, Lily had been her grandfather’s right-hand, and she had proven herself several times over in the last few weeks by helping Loh adjust to her new position as head of the family. So for now, Loh tolerated her unnerving presence and she pretended not to notice the vampire’s constant flirtations.
“Does it bother you?” Lily suddenly asked.
“Am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?” Loh said.
“Being an open book.”
“I’m not an open book,” Loh tried her best to keep her tone calm, but there was an edge to her voice, and she scowled for it. Thankfully, Lily trailed behind her and could not see her expression. This damn woman somehow always managed to get under her skin.
“You are to me. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what I find.”
“How benevolent of you.” Loh rolled her eyes.
“Someone else is in there,” Lily noted as they reached the door at the end of the hall.
“How do you know?” Loh asked.
This was another odd trait Lily possessed. The vampire was no mageborn, but she somehow always knew things that no ordinary person would. Before she could prod Lily for more, Vayu opened the door. The two froze as their eyes met. Silence hung in the air until Lily coughed pointedly.
“Loh, it’s, uh, good to see you,” Vayu said.
“Y-Yeah. You too. I heard about your mother and brother. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. My condolences for your grandfather, as well. Lord Elzri was a pillar of this city, his loss is felt by many.”
“Thank you.”
The two stood in silence for a long moment, thinking about their loved ones who had passed on. There was more pain there than either cared to wallow in. Finally, Loh spoke up. “Vayu, I… We didn’t really get a chance to talk back at the council meeting.”
“I’ve been busy. I still am. I just came to check up on her.” He threw his thumb back towards the door.
“I’m sure she’s glad for the visit. Nora visits her a couple times a week, too,” Loh said.
“Honestly, I’m surprised you managed to talk the Tempest Archmage into staying at your home while she recovers.”
“Well, it was either that or dealing with countless white mages fussing around her in the academy’s infirmary. It was a pretty simple choice for Ismene if you ask me.” Loh shrugged.
“She fought you the entire way, didn’t she?” Vayu asked.
“Quite,” Lily answered for Loh.
“Yes, thank you, Lily,” Loh noted sarcastically.
Vayu finally noticed her and furrowed his brow. “I saw you at the council meeting. You were Lord Elzri’s assistant.”
“I am the seneschal of House Noir, yes. A pleasure to see you once again, Lord Glaz,” Lily curtsied, the top of her dress dipping dangerously low.
Vayu forced himself to look up and cleared his throat. “I should get going. My carriage and guards are waiting for me.”
“Can’t you stay? Just a little longer? I was hoping we could talk,” Loh reached out to grab his arm but pulled back.
Vayu noticed the gesture but didn’t move. “Talk about what?”
“How we left things…” Loh took a deep breath. “I said horrible things to you back at Undergrowth, but you still came to save me when I was surrounded by Thorn’s soldiers.”
“To be fair, I did divulge your secrets to Stryg.”
“Only after you were stupidly drunk. And I deserved it. All of it,” Loh admitted. “Even still, you came and fought by my side when I was alone. I thought we were going to die.”
“So did I,” Vayu said wryly.
“You almost did. Because of me…”
“I also survived because of you. Consider us even.”
“I owe you far more. Ever since Aizel, I—” Loh’s voice caught in her throat. Even now, she struggled to say her brother’s name aloud. “I manipulated you and led you on. I’m sorry.”
“No.” Vayu cracked a small, bittersweet smile. “I knew what I was getting into. I just thought I could somehow win your heart over. Call it pride or arrogance. Either way, I was wrong.” He scratched his cheek, “That night at Undergrowth when you told me there was no future between us, it hurt, more than I care to recount. But in the end, I’m glad you did it. You helped me finally let go of you and move on.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you what you wanted,” Loh whispered.
Vayu cleared his throat and showed a brave smile. “Nonsense, now I can have my pick of the most beautiful women in the city.” His eyes wandered over to Lily before focusing back on Loh. “Excluding your lovely damsel, of course.”
“She’s not my— We’re not— You know what I mean,” Loh rambled.
“She’s lying,” Lily mouthed silently from behind her.
“Understood.” Vayu smirked.
“I really do hope you find a woman who can make you happy, you deserve it, Vayu,” Loh said.
“Oh, Elohnoir, neither of us deserves happiness,” he said softly, his eyes growing sad. Then he shook his head and gave a charming grin, though it did not reach his eyes, “It doesn’t mean we can’t try. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get going.”
“About the council,” Loh called out as he walked past her and Lily.
Vayu didn’t break his stride. “If you’re talking about Stryg, don’t bother. I’m fond of the kid, but I’m not interested in helping you turn him into a king. Hollow Shade has had enough of kings and queens.”
“Vayu…” Loh whispered as he turned around the corner.
Lily opened the door behind them. “Shall we?”
“Right.” Loh scrubbed her face with her hands, put on a pleasant smile, and walked into the room. “Good evening, Ismene, how are you feeling?”
The old woman appeared as if she had aged another twenty years. Where once, there had been strength in those beige eyes, now there was a deep-set tiredness. The woman had single-handedly held a gate against Marek’s horde. She had almost died from the mana burnout. Many mages had been cooked alive from the inside just by wielding half the amount of mana Ismene channeled that day.
“Better than yesterday,” Ismene grumbled.
“Is there anything I can get you?” Loh sat next to the bed.
“No. Your servants have seen to that.” Ismene grimaced and fell into a coughing fit.
Lily poured a glass of water from a nearby pitcher and gently lifted Ismene into a sitting position before holding the cup to her lips. Ismene took a couple of gulps before settling back down. “Thank you.”
“You are most welcome, young one,” Lily said in a soothing voice.
Ismene stared at her for a long moment, then she paused, seeing something deep in Lily’s ruby eyes. “You know, I never did like you. I thought you were just some pretty little thing Elzri kept around for his own pleasure.”
“I know. I made sure you did,” Lily said.
“What are you really?” Ismene asked.
“A friend. If you’d like,” Lily replied.
Ismene stared up at the ceiling. “I always thought I’d die old and decrepit in a bed like this, while Elzri still looked middle-aged. But now he’s gone and I’m still here. Not for much longer, I reckon. I suppose you’ll be the only one who lingers.”
“I suppose I will,” Lily said solemnly.
“The healers say you’re recovering, Ismene.” Loh grabbed the old woman’s frail hand.
Ismene scoffed. “I can hardly cast a simple novice spell. I’ll be lucky if I can ever walk again.”
“Ismene, I… I’ve met people, more powerful than even my grandfather, far more powerful. I think they can help you. I’ll talk to them and—”
“I’ve lived long enough, child. I do not fear death, not anymore,” Ismene said.
“I don’t want you to go.” Loh’s voice quivered.
“I’m not dying,” Ismene chuckled, which ended in a cough. “At least not yet.”
Loh laughed and wiped the tears in the corners of her eyes. Lily wandered towards the window as the two talked. She idly stared at the carriage waiting outside; it no doubt belonged to Vayu Glaz. Something moved in the corner of her eye. Lily turned and spotted several dark figures clambering up the outer walls, somehow entirely ignoring the various wards in place. A flicker of light appeared in the treeline.
Lily spun around, “Get down!”
Loh frowned, “What?”
A cacophony of explosions echoed throughout the manor and rocked the very foundations.
~~~
Eight watched the blessed alchemy bombs tear through the Noir Manor’s walls, sending half the mansion up in flames. They were far more potent than Six had led him to believe.
A cloaked figure glided up beside him. “My lord, the house has sustained more damage than we anticipated.”
“I am aware,” Eight replied calmly.
“What are your orders?”
“Nothing has changed. Proceed as planned. Kill the titan offspring.”