Vengeance (Pt. 4)

Vengeance (Pt. 4)

Vengeance smiled as she took hold of the stone. Distantly, Renee could feel the gem, oddly warm to the touch. The longer Vengeance held the stone, the hotter it became, until the water was boiling around it, reddening the flesh of her hand. Renee felt the prickle of distant pain, which throbbed in her mind.

Vengeance’s voice filled her mind.

Do you feel that, Renee?

The pain was beginning to fill Renee’s mind, “Yes.”

That is everything that matters.

“Pain?”

No, the cause of your pain. That is fury, taken material form.

“Whose?”

Vengeance chuckled. You are wiser than I thought. This is the fury of a seraph.

Renee was puzzled, “A seraph?”

Ah, you do not know of them…

A flash of light filled Renee’s world and suddenly she stood inside a large stone chamber. She could still sense the water, still feel it pressing down on her, yet her mind was here, in the chamber. A figure approached from the far side of the chamber. He towered above her, standing almost twice her height. He was as wide in the shoulders as her reach, fingertip to fingertip. His skin was so tanned that it was almost golden, and he wore a shining silver breastplate. Flowing white and red robes hung from his shoulders, and a short white kilt left most of his well-muscled legs visible. Tall white boots rose almost to his knees, and were doubled over at the top to reveal a velvet lining. Glowing white eyes glared down at Renee from behind long blonde hair. He spoke, his voice rumbled deep and shook the chamber, “Why are you here?”

Renee stumbled back, unable to speak.

Massive white wings exploded from the man’s robes, reaching across the chamber, the wingtips touching the great grey columns that supported the domed roof. The glowed softly, as though filled with some inner power. He raised his hand and a flaming sword appeared in it.

Rene screamed in terror. She felt a tug at the back of her mind and the chamber and the man faded away, and her vision was once again filled with rotting wood and dark water.

Renee was still filled with panic, “What was that?’

A seraph. One of the most powerful beings to ever exist. Servants of the Fallen Empire of Erelisia.

“How did they die?”

One of their brothers, more powerful than them, cast them down when the empire fell. He hunted them mercilessly, and destroyed them all. The one you saw was Primaris, the first to rise and the last to fall.

“Is this his fury?”

Vengeance chuckled again, No, unfortunately not. This is the fury of Octavius, the first one hunted down. He fell in Kormouth, but his remains were put on this great ship to be taken south. Alas, she laughed, the ship was destroyed in a horrific storm.

Renee sensed a hint of smugness in Vengeance’s tone. She decided not to question it, instead asking, “What will you use it for?”

Be patient, child, and you shall see.

“I am not a child,” snarled Renee, “You have taken everything from me, you can at least tell me this.”

Vengeance seemed to pause for thought, and then said, I think not. You still owe me much for the life of your love.

Renee could think of nothing to say, so remained silent as Vengeance pocketed the gem and then stepped out of the cabin. To Renee she seemed filled with new vigour. Vengeance looked up and kicked off from the wreck of the ship, speeding towards the surface. The water rushed by, and the silvery scales of fish flashed by. 

Renee couldn’t help but wonder what Doran was doing.