Darkness had fallen throughout the old manor and with it, the air had grown thick with the chill of fear. The ancient candlelight flickered off the walls, casting an eerie glow against the midnight sky as a figure moved steadily through the shadows, chanting an ancient incantation in a language long forgotten.
“Volo vocare diabolum placere caput meum...”
The figure stooped at the edge of the room and set down the heavy cauldron, the flames from the fire licking fiercely at the sides and casting dancing shadows onto the clammy stone floors and walls.
The Duchess of Beaufort slowly continued chanting, reaching into the pocket of their cloak and pulling out a vial of thick, deep red liquid. Unstoppering the glass vessel, they slowly poured the liquid into the inlaid circle, letting it ooze to the edges to form a ruby pool.
Her chanting became louder, more fervent, as she slowly moved her hands in a clockwise motion, gently intertwining the circle and connecting all the points before placing her free hand upon the liquid and uttering the final syllables of the incantation. As if from nowhere, the fire within the chamber roared in response, burning brighter and transforming the pool of blood into a thick mist of smoke.
Wynrose smiled proudly, thinking that she had already perfected the enchantment that she'd been practicing for years.
The mist was thick and heavy, swirling around the magic circle, an ancient pattern of runes and symbols etched in red and black upon the floor. The air began to tremble and glow, and a black-haired woman slowly stepped from within its depths, her ivory skin glowing with a blindingly red light.
Her eyes were the color of the roaring fire, large and captivating. The woman's eyes sharply turned to the woman who summoned her.
Wynrose began to tremble when she realized that she had summoned the wrong devil.
The woman stomped up to the nervous-looking duchess, her face a mask of exasperation, eyes burning with anger and frustration, a look of fury contorting her features.
"What were you thinking summoning me like this? You know I have very important things to do." She said, pointing a finger at Wynrose. “I expected a lot from you, Crowned Princess”
Wynrose shrank back in fear, not daring to reply in the face of so much anger. “Please forgive me, sister---”
“Utter that word and I'll have your head detached from your body.”
“Gra-Grand Master Lauren Luminuz-Flamelock...” said the Duchess, bowing her head low in respect.
The lady's fiery red ruby eyes twinkled with delight. Seeing her worthless step-sister bow down to her makes her blood boil in excitement.
Ugly blooded Scarlet like the Fake Duchess deserves to bow down to a Pure-Blooded Scarlet like herself.
She leans over the trembling Duchess. “It's your responsibility to make sure the job is done right. You had one job and you couldn't get it done. And you certainly don't deserve to have me in your presence. There won't be any second chances.” The woman glared at her stepsister with a fierceness that could have melted ice.
Wynrose cowered under the woman's icy fury, her eyes wide with fear. She stood trembling, unable to move or say anything as the woman continued to berate her for her foolishness.
“I swear on my honor that I shall do whatever it takes to fulfill this mission," she said. She took a breath looked at the Grandmaster and bowed her head solemnly. "Should I fail, I will give up my life and my position without hesitation." Wynrose was resolute, her gaze unflinching.
Annoyed by her step-sister's dedication, her voice began rising as she chant a spell. Colored candles lit the room with a faint glow and smoke filled the air.
The woman closed her ruby eyes and continued the chant, her voice growing louder and louder as the intensity of the spell increased. She raised her hands and began to wave the smoke around her body, the magic of her spell reaching every corner of the room. The grandmaster's body began to disappear until there was nothing left but faint mists.
Now, with her sister gone, the woman let out a long sigh of relief. She felt like a great weight had been lifted off of her and that she could finally relax. She muttered a silent thanks to the universe for making her sister's stay short, even though it was her entire fault that she had to go through all of those trash talks.
Wynrose clenched her fists and is determined to succeed in her job tenfold.
She has to assassinate the human body of the Goddess Aure and to achieve that, Wynrose needs that girl Irish.
The Duchess gritted her teeth thinking that if she fails the enchantment once more. She'll be stripped from her position, she doesn't want that.
“I need the Goddess' Soul. I must have it no matter what.”
And with that, the Duchess cut her palm and splatter her blood across the room, causing the magic circle to glow crazily once more.
----
The castle was dark and still. Even the servants had gone to bed early tonight.
Dianne crept silently out of her blanket, eyes closed, and silent prayers on her lips. She held her breath while she gathered her magic, feeling it swirl around her and out through her fingertips. Concentrating deeply, her power reached out into the world around her, projecting her sight into an invisible dome around her quarters.
Outside, everything was calm and quiet. The palace guards were patrolling the castle walls, and no one seemed to be nearby. The princess smiled in relief, knowing that her powers had not failed her despite of inactivity.
She has to check up on Irish, if her suspensions were true, her human body is bound to perish.
Dianne waited till midnight to sneak out of her chamber and to the young lady of Beaufort's chamber.
The Goddess waved her hand, a shimmering aura surrounded her, and then her body began to fade away. When the light was gone, so was the princess.
Dianne began her journey through the royal residence, her invisible body clinging to the shadows and alcoves as she rushed past her loyal subjects.
As she reached the entrance of the young lady she kept her eyes firmly on her surroundings, knowing that no human eye could be trusted.
When she saw that no one was around the area, she grabbed the handle of the door and was surprised that it was left unlocked. Her heart began to pound like crazy, wondering if the young lady was okay considering that there weren't any knights guarding the lady's chamber when she got there.
Slowly, she opened it and made her way inside. At first, there was nothing but darkness. In the corner of the room, the princess could see a faint glimmer coming from a single candle set on the bedside table.
The princess walked to the edge of the bed and gently brushed her hand over the blanket. Quickly, Dianne felt a familiar presence behind her. But it's not the comforting presence that she use to sense whenever she's around with the young lady.
It's making her... nervous.
The trees whispered with a chilling breeze, and the moon cast an eerie light between the branches. She felt her heart racing as she wondered what would happen next.
Suddenly, the presence behind her grew stronger. Dianne turns around to see what it was.
At first, there seemed to be nothing but swirling darkness. But then, the princess saw a pair of red glowing eyes, staring at her from the depths of the dark side of the room.
Dianne heaved a sigh, “Who are you and what did you do to my friend?” Who - or what - was standing there?
Suddenly, the eyes blinked, and out stepped a figure. Dianne was surprised to see...Irish?
"Do not be afraid," the young lady said. She smiled... as she stepped closer to the Princess, her red eyes still fixed upon hers...
“You're not Irish,” mumbled Dianne as soon as she saw Irish's once violet eyes turn red.
The young lady's figure stopped and looked at her. “What do you mean? Your Highness, I'm still me?” she said before bursting into a burst of laughter. “Of course, I'm not! Who would have thought that a Goddess like you would be so naive!? Could it be that you got it from your stupid human mother!?” Irish said mockingly.
Dianne jolted at the words, her eyes wide with shock.
Though flushed with anger because of her...FRIEND mocked her mother, she's too stunned to even utter a word or cuss at the disrespectful being.
The princess was stunned, unable to comprehend what the young lady had said about her identity. Questions raced through her mind. How did this child or rather...person know? How had she found her secret? What exactly did this mysterious being entail?
With a serious expression. “What do you want?”
Irish smiled, she slowly walked up to her and stopped just inches away from her face. “I want your soul.”