The Two Empresses
Step Two, On Fire

The sound of footsteps rang out loud and echoed in a dark, long and damp tunnel. The fear he did not feel, but continued walking down until he arrived in front of a large door with a carved jade-eyed snake that had begun to be enveloped by moss. He whispered a spell in a foreign language, almost like a hiss of a snake. Slowly the carving moved and left its place, opening the large door and walking heavily. He stepped in, finding Vatra sitting on a throne made of stone with a blank look.

"Have you sent all the invitations?" ask Vatra. The man nodded, his face covered by a hood. The red wine hair grinned and stood up. His hands clasped a wine glass and held it up high.

"The event we're waiting for is about to begin. I can't wait for the face full of despair to be drawn on them. My hands are itching to slash the heads of the gods who dare to humble me, and I can't wait to take the blood from Oorun" said Vatra. Laughter echoed in the room, but the person just silently watched. Vatra shook his hand to let the man go, then he walked down the narrow passageway with fire in hand. A woman with hair as black as night lay rigidly on a stone quarrel. Lilies and white silk cloths covered her beautifully. He stroked the cold cheek gently.

"Mother, I will soon have your revenge. Hold on a little more" said Vatra, peeping his cheek. He left the room with a cold gaze, stepping towards the large room containing body pieces from the various races he had wiped out.

"My collection is far from complete" he murmured. Dark walked in casually, but came to a halt as the dagger floated right around his neck. "I warned you not to come in here."

"Well, how fierce are you. I'm just making sure you're ready for our festival" Dark kalem said as he removed the dagger from his neck.

"Everybody in position?"

"Yes, it's just you and me" Dark replied. "You have no intention of retreating, do you?"

"Huh, what did you say? Retreating? Have you gone crazy to ask me that?" vatra. He walked past Dark with a cold aura, making Dark tremble slightly. After their distance was far enough, Dark followed by covering his face.

...****************...

"...My gut feeling is not good" Saciel said as she placed the questioner a little hard to the surprise of her adjutant who had been reading with Lao.

"A hunch, Your Majesty? What does that have to do with the invitation you received from the crow yesterday?" ask Phillip.

"It could be," Saciel murmured. "You've tightened your guard?"

"That's it, Your Honor. All areas are heavily guarded by our troops" Phillip replied. Lao approached the queen and put on a smile.

"Don't be too tense, you'll be stressed later" comforted Lao.

"You are the one who is stressed. Why are you even here? I don't remember making you an aide" Saciel complained as she pushed the man away from her.

"Coldly, I'm here to comfort Your Majesty. But I don't think the timing is good, do you?"

"If you know, why ask?" reply Saciel while standing up and stick his fingers on the window. His heart felt unsettled, yet he knew showing weakness meant that he would only knock himself down. After everything that happened, he could not let others underestimate his young self and easily fall into a moment's emotion.

"How's Tania doing?"

"He is still in shock, but has begun to accept although it is undeniable that he hates His Majesty" Lao said.

"Of course, I'll have already killed the person closest to him" Saciel replied with a forced smile.

"Don't lie. I know you still don't accept this decision."

"Just if I reject your decision, I think Vristhi managed to easily destroy the empire. Worst of all, you could die" Lao replied as he clasped the queen's delicate, pale fingers, gently tucking them to make Saciel blush a little. "If I had to face him, I think I'd lose immediately."

"Although that's the case, the hole in your heart is deepening, isn't it?" chirps Saciel. Lao nodded.

"Umm, sorry to interrupt, but it looks like we have an uninvited guest" Phillip said. They turned around and were surprised to see Dark behind Phillip as he pointed the sword around his neck.

"Stay away from my wife, Lao. I won't hesitate to spill blood right now" Dark threatened. Lao rushed away, but he did not relax his vigilance.

"You again! When do you want to call me that?" sahut Saciel while clenching his hand. "If you hurt him even if it's just a line, I cut your neck."

"Aahaha! Are you capable of doing that, my wife? The last time I met you, you almost died fighting me. Are you sure you can kill me?" scorn Dark. An ice shot floated quickly past Dark and left a line of red wounds on his face.

"You think I can't?" ask Saciel kalem. "Take him off."

Dark was silent for a moment, but he had not kept his sword away from Phillip's neck. A smile suddenly imprinted and pecked at Phillip's neck until it collapsed quickly. Before Saciel made a move, Dark instantly teleported behind him and hugged him tightly.

"Ke~tang~kap~. Let's get out of here, my wife. Together we will see the sun crying blood at this time" he said, teleporting before Lao responded to the situation. It moved to a high mountain with the sun directly above them, making the sweat slowly pour out.

"A little while, my wife. We're going to enjoy a festival all over Eurashia" Dark said. He fired fireworks from his index finger, followed by a large explosion at several points.

"No!" saciel's Saut. Dark laughed loudly and gripped his chin until he looked at him.

"We saw the Eurashia massacre today, Saciel. All the races that exist on this continent will perish, even the silly gods who are here" Dark whispered. Saciel instantly slapped his face and jumped back as far as possible.

"You crazy!"

"Blame Vatra for giving such an order, honey. It just so happens that I do have the same thoughts as him," Dark said. "Come here, I won't kill you if you obey."

"...i choose to die against you rather than to act like a dog before you" Saciel replied as she drew a sword. "Eurashia will fight with rebels like you!"

"Well! You who are still overcome with anxiety, racism and suspicion of other races are able to defeat us?"

"Well, I guess if working together to suppress the ego, it could be" said someone.

"Who? Show yourself, coward!" sahut Dark's. A flugel jumped down beside Saciel and put on an arrogant face.

"Hello, Your Majesty. Need some help from me?" jegudiel said while carrying a sword in his hand.