43 Day of Departure pt.4 (2/2)
Another system message appeared and on queue with the message came a flare of coloration auras. Purple seemed to appear around Kristen, Black appeared around Vex while White appeared around Mina. Lira held a Yellow aura, and Cira held a Neon Blue aura while Skylar held a Green aura. In comparison, these were the same auras that flared around Riyku.
A message appeared before Kristen. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your power has been increased.'
A message appeared before Vex. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your magika power has been increased.'
A message appeared before Mina. 'You formed a link with Riyku. The power of your healing arts and buffing spells have been increased.'
A message appeared before Lira. 'You formed a link with Riyku. The power of your mana has been increased.'
A message appeared before Cira. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your perception has been increased.'
A message appeared before Skylar. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your agility has been increased.'
Of course, each message appeared simultaneously in front of each of them. They were speechless by the message that appeared before them. ”It's a buff of sorts. I'll explain later, for now, deal with those two weaklings.” Riyku would lick the trickle of black blood from his lips as he pulled his weapon from the ground and took to a low stance. The tips of his fingers touching the ground as if he were about to sprint forward. The girls and Skylar did not have time to question him, they indeed were only able to focus on the opponents before them. Though the battles were not as hard as they were beforehand, well for Skylar's group anyways.
Vex, Lira, and Kristen were already eliminating their foe. Vex had prepared both a frost spell and an earthen spell along with a flare spell, similar to how the Goblin Queen put Riyku on the defensive and overwhelmed him. She sent out the flare spell while Lira had blinded the giant goblin completely by shooting the second eye. This allowed Kirsten to follow up by yanking the goblin downward with her whip since the whip was wrapped around its neck. The flare spell would slam into the goblin causing him to cry in even more pain. Vex would use the earthen spell to rupture the ground below the goblin to pierce through him while Kristen leaped to safety. Vex would then use her frost spell to turn the goblin into an icicle only for Lira to follow up with a massively charged up arrow that pierced through the icicle and shattered the goblin into tiny pieces. The three would regroup to celebrate before looking to Skylar, Mina, and Cira to see how they were doing.
Mina seemed to keep up the buffing and healing arts which allowed Skylar and Cira to overwhelm the goblin with agility and precision. In truth, they looked like two flies buzzing around the giant goblin, though the efforts of the goblin were in vain when Cira took out the goblin's eyes and Skylar cut off the ears. Both of them knock the goblin over by taking out his ankles with concentrated attacks while Mina exhausted her mana reserves with a few last-minute buffs. Cira and Skylar would proceed to finish the job once the beast onto it's back. Cira stood on top of its face, while Skylar stood before it's the neck. Cira would unleash several bullets into the skull and Skylar would continuously cut at the neck until the wounds were deep enough to be lethal and the gigantic goblin. Though why didn't the goblin just use its hands to shoo them away? Well, that was because Vex had sneakily provided a binding spell with the earth that pierced through the arms and hands, as well as legs of the beastly goblin to keep him from moving them around. ”Good job!” Kristen would approach Skylar, Mina, and Cira who were regrouping with each other to take a breather since they all appeared exhausted.
”Should we help him?” Kristen looked to see Riyku's bout with the Goblin Queen. Riyku had already dashed towards the Goblin Queen, evading each combustion and arc of wind effortlessly. Invading her space to the point where he brought the blade around to cut her down; however, the woman would stomp upon the ground causing the earth to rupture upward to block the blade. Though the earth only caused it to delay since Riyku destroyed the shield in one swing. This delay provided the woman enough time to evade the attack with a spin of her heel while weaving away from the direction the cut was going in. She would bring her other leg upward to kick Riyku in the stomach; alas Riyku used his free hand to catch the woman's ankle. Quickly, Riyku would jut the hilt of his blade against the woman's face while using his leg to trip her up. Following up he would yank the now following woman around like a rag doll and toss her against the wall he was previously at.
”Rosario Style...” Riyku muttered in a darken manner as he grasped the hilt of his blade tightly with both hands. The blade would ignite with a crimson aura. ”Fallen Petal.” Riyku would mutter as he slashed downward releasing the crimson aura from the blade in the form of an arc which would slam against the Goblin Queen who had just collided with the wall. A painfilled scream escaped her lungs and from the mist came her body that fell from the wall. Flicking his blade to the side would dismiss the aura and he would approach the Gobling Queen slowly.
”Doesn't look like he needs our help. Let's just rest for a bit.” Cira stated as she plopped onto the ground, everyone else would join her in taking a seat. ”That was some skill though.” Mina would comment about the move Riyku just used. ”It looks like Mana Slash, the marital skill that most swordsmen tend to use. Though...” Mina paused for a moment. ”It felt eerie as if Diabolical Energy was within its presences.” Lira finished for her which caused Kristen to look from Lira to Riyku. ”You don't think...” Kristen would grasp the fabrics of her skirt tightly. Skylar and Mina would both shake their heads. ”No. He is perfectly fine.” Mina would reply. ”Mhm, if anything it seemed like he controlled whatever power that was. Besides, he is supposed to be a part-demon or well... I think.” Skylar would add. ”I hope you are right,” Vex added. ”Right about what? What is this about being a demon?” Cira inquired and everyone looked in her direction. ”Oh right, you probably don't know. I mean, we just found out recently too, but Riyku is somewhat demon.” Kristen stated bluntly, yet Cira did not appear shocked for whatever reason. ”Okay, so?” Cira was nonchalant about it which caused Mina to perk up. ”You knew?” She asked and Cira would nod. ”I had a hunch. You honestly expect me to believe that any human is strong, hot, charming and smart all in one? Yeah, no. If anything that sounds like a demon, though unlike demons. Riyku is kindhearted. Regardless, I accept him for who he is.” Cira stated firmly which caused everyone to smile softly. An awkward silence befell them which caused her to react in embarrassment, ”What!?” She exclaimed. ”Nothing. Just, I think that I speak for all of us when I say that we accept you fully.” Kristen stated with a warm smile. ”Well, you were pretty much the only one who was in disagreement,” Mina added which caused Kristen to blink rapidly. ”I was looking out for our Riyku! Not just anyone can waltz up into our group!” Kristen would hastily defend herself with a soft blush. ”Yeah, yeah, we get it you are totally in love with him. Just like the rest of us.” Vex added which caused everyone to start giggling softly. Skylar would smile softly and shake his head before returning his focus onto Riyku who was now hovering over the Queen of Goblins.
”You aren't from here, are you?” Riyku would state firmly as he pointed the tip of the blade at the woman who was on her hands and knees. Whatever clothing she had was nothing more than tattered rags like that of a slave. In truth, most of her assets were plain as day, yet this did not do much in arousing the man. ”Bah, and if I am not?” The woman remarked with heavy breathing. ”Then you are a captive, or perhaps a slave of sorts,” Riyku stated while narrowing his eyes at the woman. The woman would huff as she backed her self against the wall, leaning against it so she was sitting slouched while eyeing the male. ”I don't see what this information will do for you, but I am not from this castle. I was taken as a hostage from my region after the damned demons pillaged and plundered my land.” This caused Riyku's brow to rise though he did not withdraw the tip of his blade from her throat. ”Your region? Are you saying there are other regions besides this castle?” Riyku inquired and the woman blinked rapidly. ”You talk like you know nothing of the Underworld as if you have never lived here.” The woman replied in a mocking tone which caused Riyku to press the tip of his blade against her throat with enough force to draw a trickle of blood. This caused the woman to gulp heavily, ”Yes. fine. Yes, there are multiple regions. Each region of the Underworld is divided into sub-regions where the Lords and Ladies cultivate economic growth. I was from the Western Region of the Underworld, the Region of Famine. There I was the Queen of Goblins, Orcs, and all other green-skins. But the damned demons decided they were just going to invade us one day and take everything! They took me as a hostage since female goblins tend to have high pregnancy rates and produce high-quality offspring depending on who you breed them with. I was forced to breed strong demons for them. Though, when my womb became tainted by black by them I became absolute and they dropped me into the basement of this damned castle.” The woman would grit her teeth as she told her story. Riyku would retract his blade from her throat and dismiss it with Weapon Return.
”Then I'll get you out provided you help us leave this basement as you call it,” Riyku stated as he offered her his hand. The woman was shocked, she did not understand the jester he was providing her with.
'Links have been canceled due to party exhaustion.'
A system message appeared in front of him as well as the girls and Skylar. The auras around them all faded away. Though, Riyku would not mind this dismissal since the battle was long over. ”Are you trying to trick me? I told you my womb is black as tar. The quality of my offspring are worth nothing, so there is no reason for you to even help me escape.” The woman stated firmly and Riyku shook his head. ”Do not misunderstand me. I do not want you for breeding. I am merely trying to escape from this place with my friends. You seem like you want to get out and you also seem to have knowledge of this place. So, I see no reason to refuse my offer.” Riyku replied to her and the woman hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. ”You are truly a confusing person. Most demons don't call their females friends, nor do they willingly aid other people without anything in return. But, I have nothing to lose. So I'll help you out.” The Queen of Goblins stated as she was aided on to her feet. ”Besides, it looks like you could easily kill me if you wanted to. You held back on your attack earlier...” The woman made note of his previous attack which caused the male to chuckle. ”So you noticed? How battle harden are you, anyway? I figured female goblins only tended to economic growth or breeding.” Riyku would remark which caused the woman to snicker. ”I am Queen of the Goblin's after all. Just having a high-quality womb isn't enough to become Queen. You need to also be able to command legions of goblins and stand up for yourself since any Goblin can dethrone you if they take your head.” The woman replied and Riyku nodded. ”Oh, one last thing. I never caught your name...” Riyku would comment.
”Oh! My name is....”