Chapter 34

The flames were reflected in Raia's eyes, which became smaller and smaller and finally went out. When nothing was left of Darian but hot ashes, she turned to Azamir's corpse. She looked at him for a moment but then moved on to Liara. She stopped in front of her and waited for their eyes to meet. "Come.", Raia's voice resembled a mother's encouragement to her disturbed child. Despite all the gentleness, Liara shook her head.

“N-no. You... you're not Kyla. WHERE IS KYLA?” Her voice rose to a hysterical screech and she jumped up.

"I'll explain when we're alone. Come on now."

Liara shook her head again, stormed past Raia and left the room. She just wanted to go. The fear she felt at what she was witnessing numbed all her thoughts.

Raia stared at the empty chair in front of her and sighed.

"The meeting is over," she finally explained, turning to Devon. "Bring Azamir's body to my room."

And shortly thereafter, Raia disappeared.

Devon needed a few seconds and no one else dared to say anything either.

“Return to your chambers. The meeting will continue tomorrow."

Instantly the princes disbanded and Devon was alone.

He stared ahead for a moment, then his gaze wandered to Azamir. "You've finally served your purpose."

Devon raised his hand and the body disappeared.

Liara didn't think about where she was going. Her legs carried her almost by themselves. It was only when she turned into the corridor where she had collapsed earlier that she slowed her pace. In contrast to before, torches were now burning, which were attached to the wall with the help of a bracket. She could see where she was going.

Her breathing slowed, the panting eased a bit, but her heart was still racing. How could this happen? Kyla had promised to stay with her always, to take care of her. And now? Liara spotted a few steps in front of her, a hallway. She stopped in front of him and stared into the darkness.

With little light coming in from the torches, she could see the sandy floor and uneven wall. There were no torches and without thinking twice she continued into the darkness.

Raia stopped abruptly. Her inner voice told her it wasn't over yet. She had no choice, she had to find Liara before it was too late. For a moment she closed her eyes, fully focused on Liara and found her.

She was able to see through her friend's eyes and when she realized where Liara was, her eyes widened and without thinking she ran to her.

The passage ended in a large, black cave. Liara couldn't see anything, but she heard it. Her footsteps echoed against the walls. She turned around but saw nothing. "Crap!"

Liara dropped to her knees. She couldn't anymore. She couldn't stand it any longer. She didn't want anymore. What was the point? How was she supposed to explain to Kyla's parents that their daughter was no more? How could she face them when she had promised to come back with her?

Raia ran down the sandy corridor. A small flame in front of her lit her way. And near the entrance to the cave she saw Liara sitting on the floor with her back to her. "LIARA!" Raia's voice echoed off the walls like thunder.

It was quiet for a moment, but then a wild scream followed. Liara turned to Raia, startled.

“Damn Liara! Get out of there! Come here!”, Liara didn't know if the concern in Raia's voice was real. She turned to her and shook her head.

"Where's Kyla?!"

"I'll explain that to you later, come here immediately!" Raia was still standing at the entrance to the cave, but she didn't set foot inside.

"NO! You all lied to me! Beleth, Xarfai and also KYLA!” Tears started running down her face.

"Beleth and Xarfai?" Raia asked in a whisper.

"Please! Raia or whatever your name is, please give me back Kyla!” she begged.

"Sure, but dammit, COME HERE!"

Now Liara realized that Raia was still standing in the entrance. If she didn't dare go any further, then... Her tears dried up and she slowly turned her gaze to the darkness behind her. Through the light emanating from Raia's small flame, she stared straight into a pair of yellow eyes.

Raia cursed. The flame became a fireball that shot straight past Liara and stopped in front of the behemoth. She knew she would gamble with her life, but she had no choice. Ignoring the flapping and shouting around her, she went to the human. As she stood in front of Liara, she roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her up. "You're nothing but trouble for me! Damn, we'll be lucky if we get out of here alive!"

"W- What do you mean...that?" Liara's voice shook.

"Well, take a look around!" Raia raised her hand and small flames appeared all over the cave, illuminating her.

Countless such beings had gathered around her. Liara couldn't believe her eyes.

A woman's torso, a snake's tail instead of a pair of legs, and long claws on it's fingers.

"W-what is that?"

"These ... are Nirraven."

Raia's gaze shifted to the creature in front of them, flapping its wings protruding from its shoulder blades in anger. It opened its mouth and a high-pitched scream erupted.

Liara stared at the fangs that flashed at her.

“They are always female and do not need males to reproduce. Over the centuries, they grew stronger and stronger. Nirraven never appear alone, but always in droves. And that's what makes them so dangerous. Because unlike other creatures, their bodies are immune to any kind of elemental magic."

"That means …"

"We're sitting in a damn big pile of shit..."

Liara forgot her fear of Raia. "And what do we do now?" she finally wanted to know.

Raia was silent, still staring into the eyes of the creature across from her.

Liara noticed and looked back and forth between the two. "Answer me!" she finally demanded.

“This is the leader. If we can convince them that we don't want to harm them, then nothing will happen to us. ... Hopefully..."

"Good. Then talk to her!"

Raia laughed. "Clear! If it were that easy, we would be sitting over coffee and cake right now and chatting about old times."

Liara stared at Raia. "T-that... Kyla always said that too!"

Raia growled. While contemplating how they were going to get out of here, didn't Liara have anything better to do than compare her to Kyla?

She grabbed Liara's arm and pulled her behind her.

Her gaze was still fixed on the Nirrave in front of her.

It would only be a few more seconds and both would face their end. "I didn't come back to die right now. Damn Liara, I swear to you, if they don't kill you, I will!"

Just as Raia was about to rush forward, a few Nirraven began to scream and scatter wildly. Raia looked frightened in the direction and the leader let go of the two women.

"Damn me!" was all Raia could get out. Liara sighed in relief. “Beleth! Xarfai! You came to help us!"