Chapter 432 - Shadow Realm (1/2)
”Cleopatra, did you think bringing bloodied heads here would be a good idea?” referring to the trail left behind, a few maids walking past snarled. Blood wasn't easy to clean, and amidst the ruckus; the Queen of Elendor made herself known.
”Good morning, Staxius,” said she scurrying down.
”Good morning, majesty, said he with a bow.
”Might I ask who the fine lady is?” her attention turned to the stranger.
”I'm Miira Kronicious, your majesty,” bowed the lady, ”-a humble follower of King Haggard.” The sentence had many faces fall into weightlessness. The idea of she who had wished death upon their leader was foolish and irresponsible.
”Well met, Miira,” smiled the queen courteously.
”Intherna, Gophy, Cleopatra, and Miira, please, return to my shadow and make acquaintance.”
”With pleasure,” said they with evil in the stare.
”By acquaintance, how rough should we go?” whispered Gophy the last to leave.
”Try not to kill her, assess the skills, she'll be a great asset.”
”Puppet army… I see, good, I shall do so.”
Alone with a bike and the waking sun – he stood as the four went on to be acquainted. The shadow realm was a place of bliss. As dangerous and imposing as the name sounded – the world birthed from the inheritance of the greater Death Element, made an idyllic replica of Hidros. The place there was filled with people, rather, puppets, counting amidst the populous. The day-night cycle was the same as the 'real' world, and inside Claireville Academy did they spawn.
”We're back,” said Cleopatra yawning.
'What's this immense mana I feel?' wondered Miira on guard from the ladies. Few gaze here and there's showed an oval, empty battle-arena. The same place where Eira and Staxius held many o' battles before.
”Lady Gophy, Goddess of Chaos, Lady Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, Queen of Eduipt, and Lady Intherna, daughter of sun-god, Rah, it's a pleasure to make thy acquaintance.”
”You know of our names?” asked Interna taking a strong step forth.
”Tis obvious I'd know the names of people who were close to Zeus,” lobbing a glance at Gophy, ”-isn't that right, Mistress of the Supreme God.”
”Quite uncalled for,” said the Goddess with a river freezing stare.
”There's no need to glare as if thee wishes to eat mine heart.”
”Miira, you seem a little too confident,” commented Cleopatra.
”I need not hear that from a lady who'd not blink twice to let her empire fall to survive…”
”Crude remarks,” added Intherna, ”-it seems thee wishes to fight wholeheartedly?”
”Yes, I wish nothing more than that!”
”Well then,” said Adete with a microphone, ”-Miira, here in Shadow Realm; despite our lower numbers, we are a community. To have access into said world, you must prove yourself,” the arena barriers rose and grew transparent. Many ghouls sat as spectators with even a griffin flying over the opened-roof.
What Adete said was true, it was a long time coming but the world inside his Shadow grew to accommodate a whole continent. The people who swore to obey were treated to a life of simpleness or luxury depending on their thoughts. Intherna and Gophy were the monarchs – the Queens of the Shadow.
”Is this place really called the Shadow Realm?” chuckled Miira.
”Yes, is there a problem?”
”No, I just figured there'd be two cages with us battling using cards.”
”Have you lost it?” asked Gophy.
”I guess you didn't get the joke…” walked towards the center, the arena split into two.
”Firstly, Lady Miira, you'll fight Lady Intherna followed by Lady Gophy. There's no need to hold back, the world is strong enough to accommodate the powers of the gods.
”Great,” smiled she as the arena cleared.
”Lady Miira, I still have no clue how thee knows of my identity. Since the master saw you fit to join the Shadow Realm – I'll make sure to not injure you that hard.” *BEEP,*
They dashed at one another without weapons nor spells. *Smack,* a deadlock from the punches meeting one another.
*Flame Burst.* Aiming her hand below Miira, flames came in the form of an explosion.
*Dimensional Barrier.* The energy from the attack was sucked into a vortex giving time for both to retreat.
*Heed mine call o' spirit who dwells in mine soul, o' spirit serves mine blood, o' spirits who very ire could melt the world, come to me, Onix.* No time spare, Intherna summoned her familiar. In its wake, the temperature rose beyond uncomfortable.
'She's going all out,' thought Miira jumping back, *Come one who is trapped in the never-ending clutches of time, Guardian of the Kronos's dominion, Giantaom.* A figure as tall as the arena stepped from a portal. Big, heavy, and resembling a status, ”ATTACK!” the words activated the Guardian who conjured forth a plethora of spells around the vicinity. Each with angel-tier level magic, the projectiles blasted for Intherna's familiar.
”No YOU DON'T,” voiced she angrily on the ground, *Come to me, Wing of RAH!* the arena illuminated with the blinding glow. The manifestation of her power, the fiery hair levitated, her legs crossed as she hovered with a staff in hand.
'She's NOT MESSING AROUND,' *BANG!* a direct hit dislocated Miira's shoulder and threw her away. '-The Goddess of Fire isn't to be trifled with,' thought she with the combatant coming full speed with the staff aimed for her head.
'Guess I can't hold back either,' *Guardian of the Dominion of Time, he who rules over the East – I, Miira, call upon thy help, grant me thy strength for the time of retribution has come: Azure Dragon Transmutation.* *SMACK,* her fall halted with Intherna landing a clean hit. However, she seemed to come out unscathed. A clench of the fist had Intherna thrown to whence she came.
”Don't screw with me,” gritted Intherna with the wings increasing heat.
”It's been quite the battle,” said Miira with her hair changed into blue and green.
”Who knew one of the four legendary dragons would make herself known,” smirked Intherna.