b

  Saraline stepped foot once more into Ostra however in occardance to Medea’s design, it was no longer the Wild West.

  Around her, Dara and Psylaiso was a dark environment.

  “How did we even get here?” Dara retorted as she stared around, on both sides were decaying, ancient buildings. Bloody pentagrams and sigils plastered on the decomposed walls as she shuddered. Pointed arches on the roofings of the buildings— some of which have already deterioated past a state of roofing. A wanted posted of a Lich lied on one of the buildings, before falling onto the floor.

  “It’s as if he’s now inviting everyone to come.” Psylaiso stared at the flooring, dark burnt mahogany wood laid throughout the entire realm. It creaked with every step but the sound got caught in the air— never able to properly dispell.

  The air carried a fog, a faded yellow substance that ensnared the whole realm. It smelt like nothing, carried no taste nor smell nor feel.

  The only thing that the fog did; was obscure the vision of the three.

  “I’d assume that we’re one of the later ones.” Saraline groaned, she stared at a perished belltower a little closer on the right-hand side. It read ‘12:00’, chiming subtly.

  “It took on multiple forms when we got here before…” Dara looked at Psylaiso and Saraline who began to tread carefully but forward. “No graveyards or ruins— strange.”

  “Medea, he’s not celeberating is he?” Saraline’s eyes fluttered around the environment before she paused in her steps. She then took an inhale before exhaling. Her emerald wolf-cut stood up on her neck, her azure eyes staring above at the sky above.

  The night sky enveloped the realm, dim and blank stars floated around in the sky whilst the moon glew amber. Focusing intensely on the three as it cast a spotlight.

  Nobody else was present, instead what loomed in the background was a grand and ginormous Cathedral. However, unlike Thidos’, it wasn’t a golden masterpiece full of stained glass windows and spires or roofs.

  On the contrast it was a soaring tall treasure, the glass windows were marked with sigils and blood. It stood firm and high from afar, characterised by it’s pointed arch and bats swarming around the tip of the building.

  “Do you believe that the Castle changed shortly after to this?” Psylaiso bit her lip, she attempted to edge further but the fog slowed her down.

  “Well I can barely see it.” Saraline Grover grit her teeth, “Fuck… I really was a dick to him.”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  “Jeremy, I mean I was his first friend and I treated him like that. I haven’t even seen in five years and I—”

  “Is this the time Saraline?” Dara shouted forward, causing both of them to spin around. “You apologise to him as soon as we’re done with the war!”

  “Assuming we all survive..” Saraline closed her eyes and bowed her head, “I’d hope.”

  “Well you should hope some more!”

  “Dara, I remember when I met you.” Psylaiso’s eyes glimmered, “You were a little girl who clung to Jeremiah’s legs in the Reprisal. You wanted to be a hero and help others, it was precious. It’s surprising seeing how fast you’ve matured.”

  “Well I don’t exactly have an option.” Dara flapped her lab-coat, “I don’t know when and where Rallio will take control so I’m fighting it off and I think I’m doing at least a bit well.

  “Let’s move the topic into something more important.” Dara glanced around a moment before leaping toward one of the decayed buildings on the left. Hugging onto the wall for support.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Uh.” Saraline deadpanned, “What’s your goal here?”

  “Simple, I may look like it but I am not a scientist. I operate like a human if you forget my alter for a bit so I need the senses.”

  “Senses?”

  “Right now I feel greasy old mold and dried blood on these walls— however when I was standing out there in the fog, I felt nothing atall with my fingertips.

  Is that not strange?

  Perhaps our senses are obscured from this little change in scenery. We should always remember that maybe we are the only ones that come from an entrance this way and that everywhere we go Medea picks and chooses who goes where.

  Let’s think with that for a moment, maybe he isn’t fully creating these environments on a whim and they are already pre-determined. Think, Famine is an advisor here and if we consider his network. Do you seriously believe that Medea changes it all the time— that’d be bad for buisness!”

  “What about the Cathedral? It was a castle within a futurstic city with people— holograms but still people.” Psylaiso retorted.

  “Think that maybe depending on our placements in this realm, Medea’s homebase looks completely different. Maybe on a different corner, it’s a town hall. I don’t doubt Medea’s abilities but it is strange.”

  “Let me cut you there Dara. Our God is extremely like that.”

  A foreign masculine voice cut in, interrupting the girl.

  The three ladies spun around, staring forehead as a vague silhoutte stood in the fog. Chuckling.

  “I don’t recognise this voice.” Saraline clutched onto her sheath, “Neither Gabriel or the Imp!”

  “It can’t be Ivory either! I’ve heard him when he was contesting against Zero!” Dara yelled.

  “Not Hecate— it’s not a girl!”

  “Ozymandias then!” Psylaiso leered forward at the man who shook his head.

  “Saying not a girl or not a guy is quite regressive. I am what I want to be. I am the newest Fifth Slavi— replacing the Imp after his betrayal. Murder of Gabriel Khan.” The figure clapped his hands.

  “Murder? Gabriel’s dead?!” Saraline’s voice cracked, “How? What!”

  “It was a shame he had to die in such a way, but you guys killed my best friend a while ago so I feel quite annoyed being your tour guide.”

  “Friend?” Dara cupped her chin, “Do you refer to the murder that occurred in the previous timeline?! Does that mean you have knowledge of both?!”

  “Precisely. I was a scholar… historian before my promotion. I’ll be frank with it, you creatures killed Gilgamesh. And that old man was my heart.”

  “That wasn’t us! For you should also know it was the Imp who committed that atrocity!”

  “But is he here?” The shadow within the fog mockingly looked around before shaking his head, “No. He is not, therefore you three will be the target of my hatred.”

  “Then reveal yourself truthfully!”

  “Very well.” The shadow stepped forward, dark leather boots with chains clanging against the wood before recoiling upward. The man catched it with his razor sharp teeth— his fangs gnarled as his pale white skin glimmered in the moonlight.

  His elegant but dark diamond shaped eyes blinked purple at Dara before landing on Saraline. He itched his nose before ruffling his already messy but lengthy flowing raven-hair which ended at his neck. Scratching his bare-lean chest as he posed against the same building Dara was on— forcing her to back away. He blew a kiss at the girl.

  “Ew! What are you?” Dara gagged before backing up into Psylaiso.

  “I’m Enkidu, The Fifth Slavi holding the title of ‘The False’.”

  “The False? False of what?” Saraline peered.

  “Considering I have all possible knowledge of the Old World, I’d argue my title retains more to Enkidu of theirs contrasting me. However we do share similarties, it also plays into factors of if I am a reincarnation or my own— but there is one clear difference. Big one between not only me but every other Slavi or Puck to exist.”

  “Which is?”

  “I’d say I’m closest thing to a God here— excluding the Lord of course.”

  “I’ve heard that alot, in terms of what?” Saraline let go of her sheath and dropped guard. “You can’t prance along in here where I don’t know of your existence at all and then drop such a term on your head. I’ve never heard of an Enkidu let alone Gilgamesh— who knows what happened with the ‘older timeline’ but I don’t buy it. I’m already dealing with enough shit so I wouldn’t want a bastard homo on my case either.”

  “What! ‘Bastard homo?’ I’m straight!”

  “You introduced yourself by saying you’ll claim vengeance for ‘your love’. Just accept your homosexuality, me and Saraline are a thing but you don’t see me try stay in the closet.” Psylaiso scoffed.

  “You’ve also said you’ll kill us but aren’t you the lowest ranking Slavi? If Gabriel, God bless his soul, is truly dead.” Dara fixed her glasses, “Wouldn’t there be a fourth one vacant?”

  Clap.

  Clap.

  Delay.

  Clap.

  ‘Enkidu’ smiled, “You people are so smart, you caught onto my bluff instantly. I predict at-least one of you three will die a painful death before the month ends. It is only the twenty-third right? Make those sweet memories.”

  “Bluff? Death? What are you on about?” Dara coughed.

  “I lied about my identity but not my association with Gilgamesh or my power— I decided to showcase a bit of my trivia utilising my knowledge of the Old World.” ‘Enkidu’ posed once more.

  “So who exactly are you?”

  “A shadow of Thidos given form! Released after the crueltes I suffered from his care and also that bastard Gabriel Khan. I am a Shadowy Piece that was restored sentience— similarly to your girlfriend, Psylaiso!

  I am Alucard. The Fifth Slavi with the title of The Past!

  For the Past NEVER DIES!”

  Alucard twitched his fingers before nodding his head repeatedly.

  He walked away from the building and walked in-front of the group.

  “Now let’s get to the Cathedral— you people are last ones to join! But we all know you truly won’t be the last, we are eagerly awaiting Thidos’ journey so I’d say we wait a little longer. But of course in the comfort of the Count Medea and not out here!”

  Alucard snapped his fingers before walking forward.

  Leading the three toward Medea.