Realm of Monsters

Chapter 265: Live, Dine, Cry

Loh stared out the window at the tranquil sight of Undergrowth below. She had chosen this restaurant because it was built high around the trunk of one of Undergrowths largest trees. The beautiful vista it offered its guests, along with its renowned cuisine, made this establishment one of the finest restaurants in the city. Or so Loh had thought.

Yet Tauris dour expression made Loh doubt her decision to come here.

Loh reached across the table and poked the lovely orcs forearm with her fork, Is it the food? We can go somewhere else if you want.

Hm? No, the foods fine, Tauri mumbled.

Is it your parents? You told me last night you were going to have breakfast with them this morning. That couldnt have been easy with all the drinking we did last night, Loh chuckled.

There were so many kinds of wine and mead, Tauri said with a reminiscent smile. She sighed, Breakfast was fine, my parents were naggy as usual, but I just deal with it. Thats what it means to be a daughter of a Great House, am I right?

Yeah Loh glanced around the restaurant, checking for any eavesdroppers looking their way. Fortunately, there seemed to be none. Are you worried about the viperidae incident yesterday? Ismene is looking into it.

Its not that Tauri muttered.

Loh leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, Well then, what is it?

...Remember when we were traveling in Dusk Valleys hills a few days ago?

Yeah, of course. What about it? Loh tilted her head to the side.

Well, you said there was something you needed to tell me

Ah Yeah Loh shrugged, Well, I was going to wait until after dessert before revisiting that topic, but might as well do it now.

Wait! Tauri said, panicked.

Huh? Loh furrowed her brow.

Tauri took a shaky breath and steadied her gaze, Let me go first, please.

Okay?

I already know what you want to say.

You do? How?

Where do I begin? Tarui bit her lip. ...I I know about your feelings for me Ive known for a long time

Lohs face paled. What? she whispered.

When we were younger I didnt know what to say. I didnt want to hurt you, I didnt want to ruin our friendship. And then when I became engaged with Aizel, things just got more complicated! I didnt want to hurt you Im sorry. Tauri shook her head, Thats a lie I didnt I thought I was saving you from pain. But I was really only trying to spare myself from losing you. I was a coward. 

Tauri bowed her head low, Im so sorry.

Loh covered her beet-red face with her hands in embarrassment. Oh, dear Caligo This is not how I ever imagined this moment would go.

Im sorry, I just thought you deserved to know before you told me about it yourself, Tauri winced.

...was going to tell you, Loh muttered.

Huh? What was that?

Loh uncovered her face.Thats not what I was going to tell you, she said abashedly.

Im sorry, what now? Tauri blinked.

Loh sniffed, Im planning to propose to my girlfriend, Louise. I wanted you to be my best woman at the wedding

Oh Oh shit, Tauri blanched.

They sat at the table in silence for the next few minutes, sipping their drinks and playing with their food.

Well, this is awkward, Tauri muttered.

Yup

Tauri stood up and walked over to the window, Why dont I just jump out the window and save us both the embarrassment.

Loh couldnt help but chuckle weakly, I rather you didnt.

You dont hate me? I hate me, Tauri said half-jokingly.

Oh I do hate you, but I love you too. Thats how best friends work, dont ya know? Loh winked. Now sit back down before more people start staring at your big dumbass.

Tauri nodded and sat down, though her eyebrow was raised in suspicion, Are you saying Im a dumbass or that I have a big dumb ass?

Both, definitely both, she smirked.

Fuck you, Tauri laughed.

Loh stiffened, the connotation of the word only brought back to the forefront their too recent confession.

Tauri realized it a moment later. She grimaced, Sorry. Its just ugh this is awkward.

Its fine, Loh forced herself to smile.

No, its not. You set this whole thing up because you wanted to talk to me about Louise and I ruined it. Sweet Bellum, I really am a dumbass. I should never have listened to Vayu, Tauri groaned.

Vayu? What does Vayu have to do with any of this? Loh narrowed her eyes.

Tauri looked away uneasily, ...He confronted me about your feelings for me back in Dusk Valley.

Hes why you told me about all of this? Loh asked in a quiet voice.

Kinda, but it was still my decision at the end of the day Tauri admitted. I should have come clean to you a long time ago

Excuse me, I have to deal with something, Loh slowly stood up and pushed her chair out of the way. 

Lohs face was cold, emotionless. It reminded Tauri of Elzri.

Wait, where are you going? Tauri asked, worried.

Loh walked away without looking back. Good night, Tauri.

~~~

Its a little cold, Calex rubbed his hands together.

He sat on a broken pillar in the ruins of an abandoned temple, near one of the poorer areas of the city. Usually, hed never come to such a place, but tonight wasnt the usual circumstances. 

You Thorns really are like delicate flowers. Pretty to look at, but you wilt at the first sign of the cold. Kalliste emerged from the shadows, her scarlet eyes seemed to almost glow in the night.

Is that a threat, Miss Lilith? Calex smiled, Or is that just how you northerners say hello?

That depends on who Im speaking to, Kalliste smiled wide, her fangs glinting in the moonlight.

Lovely, he whispered, amused.

Kalliste glanced around the ruins, mild disgust in her eyes. Why did you ask to meet here of all places?

Its poetic, no? House Thorn rejected the gods when Stjerne abandoned the drows. Now a thousand years later, Sjternes temple is in ruins, yet House Thorn is still standing strong.

You're so small-minded, Kalliste shook her head. The gods may be cruel at times, but they are always fair. I do not believe for a second that Stjerne abandoned your people without just cause.

Perhaps, perhaps not. I suppose it is easier to make such conjectures when you yourself are not a drow, but I dont think you came here to discuss apologetics with me.

You tell me. Why did you ask to meet?

Calex pointedly looked behind her, Where are your teammates? I thought theyd be here.

I could ask you the same thing.

My team will follow my orders, I have no doubt of that, he said confidently.

I believe you, Thorn. But you still havent answered my question.

Hm, Calex smirked. Indeed. If you must know, they went out tonight. For what? I didnt bother asking. I have more important matters than monitoring my teammates.

Matters like me? she said slyly.

You know, Miss Lilith

Hm?

He smiled pleasantly, You still havent answered my question. 

Tch, youre no fun, she clicked her tongue. If you must know, they had something to do as well, so I let them go. After all, I can handle you. All. By. Myself.

Perfect. Calex stood up and dusted off his pants, I have a proposition.

Kalliste sauntered towards him, Im listening.

It seems we both have a common enemy.

Thats funny. In my eyes, you are my greatest enemy, she licked her red lips.

Callum Veres, he said calmly.

Kalliste tried to smile, but Calex caught the bitter anger in her scarlet eyes.

...What about him? Kalliste muttered.

He is your fianc. Your families share a long history. Each generation a Veres and Lilith marry, yes? Unfortunately, it seems you got the short end of the stick. A hybrid vampire will leave you no children.

Care to tell me something I dont know? Kalliste raised her eyebrow.

My family also shares a long history with the Veres family, although not quite the same. Veres I helped Ebon Lord Koval exile my ancestors from the Northern Lands. House Veres later helped overthrow my family and run us out from Hollow Shade two centuries ago.

That seems like a different kind of relationship, indeed, Kalliste smirked.

And yet we both hold no love for Callum Veres. Life is funny that way, Calex shrugged.

I see. My loathing towards Callum and your apathy towards him, hm? Kalliste placed a finger to her lips, I wonder, together, what malevolence could we accomplish?

Calex smiled, I thought youd never ask.

~~~

A hard series of knocks rang harshly on Vayus door. It was late at night and he wondered who might be at his door. With an annoyed sigh, he got up from bed and answered the door.

What do you wa-? Vayu froze as the door swung open. Loh? What happened?

Her blue eyes were icy cold and her grey skin seemed paler than usual.

I thought you were my friend, Vayu, she whispered emotionlessly. Even after everything, I thought we were friends. I had your back and you had mine. That was the deal we made years ago

Back when we fought against the savages, I remember, Vayu nodded. Loh, did something happen? Its cold outside. Why dont you come in?

Loh laughed bitterly, Pretending to still be my friend?

Pretending? Vayu frowned. Loh, weve been friends for years.

Have we? I used to think so. Im not so sure anymore. Friends dont backstab each other.

Backstab? What are you talking about? Id never backstab you! Ilove you, Vayu said.

Loh snapped her fingers and pointed an accusing finger at him, You see thats just it. know what it's like to have an unrequited love. And I know what it is like to want to do anything for them to seeyou. Is that what you did?

I dont know what youre talking about, he said, confused.

Did you try to sabotage my friendship with Tauri by telling her to confront me about my feelings for her?

Vayus eyes widened, I I was only trying to help.

Help? How the fuck was that going to help!? You think telling people about my secrets is helping!? Bullshit!

Bullshit? Vayu clenched his trembling hands. You want to talk about secrets? I kept your secret, the one that youd rather die than let Tauri ever find out. The secret that keeps me up at night even after all these years The secret that eats me up inside. I abandoned my friend, my comrade I let an innocent man die, for you.

Loh bit her lip, I know what I asked of you was wrong I should never have dragged you into that.

Vayu scoffed, No, you shouldnt have. You manipulated me, you used me. And I let you, because I loved you I still do. And now I have to carry the weight of Aizels death with me just as much as you. But you still want to talk about bullshit? Talk about friendship? I am the only true friend you have, the only one who will never betray you. Because thats what love does, it fucking hurts, and it makes you do stupid shit.

Vayu shook his head, I have done more stupid shit for you then Id like to ever admit and Ill probably end up doing more, but Im not gonna stand here and let you label me a backstabber. If you want to go accusing people, then go look in a goddamn mirror.

Loh sighed, the anger in her eyes slipping away. I regret everything from back then. My brothers blood should never have been on your hands Im sorry, Vayu.

She looked him in the eyes, This is toxic. This. Our friendship is toxic. I understand that now. Ive used you Ive hurt you Im so sorry.

Vayu carefully grabbed her hand, Loh, I dont regret having fallen in love with you.

I do, she smiled bitterly. I should have never let it happen. I should have stopped it the first day I met you instead of just letting it fester... Look at what weve become, Vayu. Were monsters that walk in the light, hoping no one sees our secrets in our shadows.

Loh pulled her hand back. Ive made so many mistakes Aizel, Stryg, you Id give anything to change the past but I cant her voice broke into tears, ...But I can change the future. This ends now.

Vayu swallowed, What are you trying to say?

Im saying that for the better of both of us, our friendship ends here.

Loh, dont do this, he said weakly.

She bowed her head, I think its best if we spend the rest of this tournament as colleagues mentoring our students and nothing more. Goodnight.

Loh, wait! Vayu called out desperately. ...I can change how I feel.

Loh smiled softly, I really hope you can. I hope you find someone that loves you for who you are. Goodbye, Vayu Glaz. 

She left without another word. Vayu fell to his knees. His throat felt tight, he could hardly breathe. 

Please dont go, he whispered.

~~~

Even during the late hours of the night, Undergrowths streets were filled with locals and tourists. The Great Cities Tournament brought thousands of folks from all around the Ebon Realm and none of them seemed eager to stay indoors. Lysaila hated it.

The amount of noise the crowds gave off was overwhelming to her sensitive ears. It was difficult to hear what any one person was saying, much less track a specific individual.

Stryg had gone to bed like his teammates hours ago. And yet when Lysaila had gone to check on him, she had noticed he wasnt in his room. He had sneaked out from the tavern, alone, for some obscure reason that no one seemed to know, not even Gale. Perhaps, the drow, Loh Noir might have known something, but she had gone out earlier with the orc, Tauri.

Lysaila would have simply preferred to go to sleep and forget about all of it, but her mind kept bugging her. A voice in her head telling her over and over to go find Stryg and make sure he was safe. She hated Stryg.

Still, here she was, wandering through the night streets of Undergrowth, searching for an idiot goblin. She hated people.

But at least the crowds made it easy to blend in, most of them didnt notice her long blue tail underneath her blue cloak.

Well, hello, a voice broke through the cacophony of sounds echoing through the crowds.

Lysaila felt her body stiffen to a halt. A cold shiver ran through her back. She slowly turned around, eyes wide. A young woman with black curly hair and a pale white cloak stood right behind her.

I didnt expect to find you here, how nice, Holo smiled.

Y-you Y-youre, Lysailas voice caught in her throat.

Yes, yes, no one cares, puppet, Holo said impatiently.

Lysaila couldnt move, she could barely breathe. She was powerless as the strange woman reached out and placed her hand on her chest. A cold stinging sensation ran through Lysaila, like icy needles stabbing into every fiber of her being. She wanted to cry out in pain, but all that came out was a quiet whimper.

Holo furrowed her brow, Huh, youve already been activated I guess the little one isnt as clueless as he let on.

Lysaila tried to move, she tried to scream, but her body stood still, yet her mind was perfectly clear. She had never felt so vulnerable, so helpless. She felt terrified of the woman who stared at her so calmly, her brown eyes examining the lamia as if she were a vase at a store.

A tear slipped down Lysailas eye.

Emotions? Holo frowned and flicked the tear away with her finger, Youve been activated, yet youre still displaying emotions? How odd, the little one must really care for you. Maybe he really is clueless?

Lysaila focused every ounce of energy she had and slowly pulled her lips back and bared her fangs.

Holo pulled the lamias mouth wide open and expected her fangs, He is wrong, of course. To care for you, I mean. Youre not an actual person. Did you know that? Youre not from this Realm, right? Do you even know what you are?

Lysaila whimpered quietly, but her eyes were filled with rage.

You must be trying very hard right now, huh? Holo gently patted her cheek. Do you know why you cant use magic? Or why any beast-kin cant? The answer is simple really when you take a moment to think about it. Holo poked her chest, Its because you have no soul, none of you do.

Lysailas face paled in horror.

I guess you didnt know, Holo sighed. Times like this Id usually say not to worry. That the painful emotions you are feeling right now are simply an unforeseen byproduct of a latent activation. The pain would eventually fade.

She traced her finger over the lamias face, And then Id say this is all you are. There is no soul underneath your flesh, no life after you die, you just simply cease to be. You may as well be a golem made of flesh and bone. A tool

Warm tears slipped down Lysailas cheeks.

Holo wiped the tears away, But I believe youre different. I believe I can help you. And luckily for you, Im in search of someone with your very unique talents. She smiled, Care to make a deal?