Avarice Twilight

by R. A Davidson

  Everyone tries to direct the horses to the trees with haste. The Basilisk comes crashing down onto Barin's horse. Barin jumps off as his horse as it's carried into the sky, neighing in fear. They still make for the trees.

  "You have to help the horse!" I cry.

  The Basilisk and horse drop into the woods, and soon after, the horse stops screaming.

  I shove Barin. "Why didn't you even try to save it!?" I cry.

  Mister Utrix comes between us. "He did the right thing Asteria. You know nothing of the creature or its temperament when attacked," he explains.

  Princess Isla walks over to comfort me as the guys huddle together… most likely to discuss how we proceed from here.

  As Princess Isla reassures me, all I can think about is that horrible creature. Why would the Celestials allow such creatures to exist?

  "Sleep," Princess Isla whispers.

  I look up and see her hand contorted in a weird shape. My body suddenly relaxes, and I feel elated. At the same time, my eyes begin to shut.

  "Wake up, Asteria." I'm shaken awake by Princess Isla.

  "I am so sorry; did I fall asleep on you?" I apologize.

  Princess Isla smiles at me kindly. Mister Utrix, Aryn, and Barin approach us.

  "Well, there's bad news, and worse news," Mister Utrix begins. "We seem to have entered into the Basilisk's territory, which means it will eventually attack us. We can safely leave only if we kill it first."

  Kill that creature? I've only read about Basilisks in books or heard stories from people in the guild. They are aggressive, willing to harm themselves to kill a threat. They feast upon anything they can kill. They attack with claws, beak, wings, and tail.

  "Will you have the fool deal with it?" Princess Isla inquires.

  That's right, Aryn is strong enough to take on the Basilisk even without our help. With him and Barin with us, a beast like this one should pose no problem to us.

  "Well…that would be tough. You see, Basilisks are creatures with mana, so they can damage me," Aryn responds.

  "I will simply use my magic to overwhelm and dispatch the vile creature," Princess Isla decides.

  Mister Utrix steps forward. "You two need to forget everything you think you may know about the world and your strength."

  Princess Isla stands. "How dare someone like you try to lecture me about strength. I have lived far longer than you," she states.

  Mister Utrix gets right in Princess Isla's face. "You have never fought monsters that consume everything, that destroy everything. You have never killed before, be it man or monster. You have never had to put your life or those of others on the line to secure survival. Compared to my experience, you may as well be a newborn," he coldly states.

  Princess Isla glares at him, but Mister Utrix isn't wrong. I cannot speak for Princess Isla, but I have never experienced anything like that, nor do I hope to. I have a feeling that Princess Isla is the same too.

  "What about them two?" Princess Isla gestures towards Aryn and Barin. "Are you saying they have the same experience as you?"

  Mister Utrix steps back and looks at them.

  Barin leans back against a tree, and Aryn just grins.

  "I don't know what experience they have, but they give off a presence similar to mine. What they do have is experience dealing with Basilisks. So, you will listen to me first, then them with the fight."

  Princess Isla backs down; it seems she realizes that Mister Utrix is the leader of the group.

  "We've talked about battle formations," Mister Utrix states. "We believe our standard formation should be Aryn as the vanguard, The Princess and myself as midrange, and Barin as long-range with Asteria as the support."

  That setup does seem like the best formation to go to whenever we may need to fight. Aryn is the only one who can fight up front and take the brunt of an attack. I don't know the area of Mister Utrix 's attacks, but Barin and Princess Isla could fight in either position.

  "I can fight all the fights by myself," Princess Isla claims.

  Mr. Urtix gets a frustrated look on his face.

  "Didn't he just explain why you can't fight alone?" Aryn chimes in.

  Princess Isla begins to make her way over to Aryn.

  Suddenly, a large shadow crashes down between us.

  12

  ISLA

  A figure lands in front of me as I am about to confront the fool, creating a cloud of dust.

  "Ssshcraaak!" the figure screeches, dispersing the dust and revealing itself.

  The Basilisk has found us.

  Upon seeing it closer, I can see how truly terrifying it is. The horrid scales on its body that turn into matted feathers. Talons that resemble jagged swords, ready to shred the poor and unfortunate soul that meets this beast. Rows of sharp, stained teeth lie enclosed by a terrible, hooked beak.

  "Get back you two!" Mister Utrix yells from the other side of the Basilisk.

  The monster swiftly spins, savagely slashing at Mister Utrix. Mister Utrix raises his hand just as the Basilisk's claws reach him. The Basilisk's wing slams into the ground due to Mister Utrix's magic. With the monster pinned, this will be my time to show those three that I am not shy of them with my battle prowess.

  "Steel Sword," I chant, summoning a sword to my hand. I have no need to be afraid of a creature of this caliber. I shall kill it with my hands.

  I raise the sword. I bring it down, ready to slay the monster; I see something green coming at me from the corner of my eye.

  "Dodge!" Mister Utrix yells

  What is it? Can I dodge it? I would not be able to move properly because of my strike. Am I going to die?

  Suddenly, the fool jumps in front of me, getting stuck by a liquid substance.

  "Aaaarrghh!" the fool screams in pain as he grabs his face.

  The Basilisk slashes at Mister Utrix again, forcing him to undo his magic and retreat.

  "Ssschraaak!" the Basilisk screeches as it takes to the sky once again.

  The fool starts to cough vigorously, then falls to his knees and regurgitates his food.

  Asteria makes her way over to heal him.

  "Stop," Barin commands as he grabs her.

  "Let go. I have to heal Aryn," Asteria demands.

  Mister Utrix walks over, cautiously observing the sky. "Basilisk venom affects the vicinity of where it lands; if you go near him, you get affected too," Mister Utrix explains.

  Asteria looks at the fool, helplessly.

  "I-I can only heal if I touch the person," she stutters.

  It is evident that Asteria is unnerved by the events that have occurred; I shall be a good friend and calm her down.

  I take Asteria by the hand. "The fool is far sturdier than average. An ailment like this will be only an annoyance to him," I reassure her.

  This group is considerably lucky to have one who can remain calm during unrest like I can. If I can take control of this group, then I can guide us through this sentencing without any perils. I will show that king not to use us as tools to maintain his kingdom's political balance. I am The Princess of the marvelous Aelfdene family… if The King of Avalon assumes there will be no retaliation, he is dearly mistaken.

  "Princess?" Asteria calls.

  I blink and come to my senses; it appears I was lost in thought.

  "Aryn will have even worse reactions to the venom," Barin states.

  What does he mean by the fool will experience worse reactions? As we all know, he has high resilience to physical attacks. Asteria looks just as confused. "Why would the venom be worse for him?" she questions.

  "It's because Basilisks are creatures that do not exist naturally," Mister Utrix answers. "They were born due to interference from mana intertwining with our world, or at that's what scholars say anyways," Mister Utrix explains.

  Does that imply all the beings we consider monsters, like that Basilisk, are beings made from mana? It sounds like the babbling of scholars mad from reading too many scrolls. Though... the fool was affected by the venom,
does that mean the theory has some verifiability?

  "It is the fool's fault for letting such an attack hit him. Yet, he has the audacity to act superior to me in terms of combat," I state with a shrug.

  Asteria glares at me. "Forgive my rudeness princess, but Aryn got injured protecting you," she claims.

  "You did charge in after I told you not to," Mister Utrix joins in. " You don't know the first thing about fighting creatures; now, because of your carelessness, we have lost most of our fighting power."

  How dare he not only blame me for the fool's recklessness, but also suggest the fool comprised most of our strength?

  I step towards Mr. Urix. "I will make this quite clear; I should be the one in charge here," I state. "I have the prestige and capabilities that the rest of you lack. Our talents are so far apart, that I see all four of you as mere kids playing games!"

  The Basilisk crashes onto the ground near the fool, kicking up a cloud of dirt. Mister Utrix and Barin rush to help the fool.

  "Wind Blade!" Barin yells as loud as he can, I assume to let the fool know that an attack is being aimed in his direction.

  The dust cloud is perfectly sliced by the air from Barin's attack. The Basilisk shrieks—presumably, the attack managed to hit. As the dust cloud disperses, the Basilisk's outline becomes more visible. We advance towards the Basilisk and see that the fool has it by the mouth. The fool is struggling to keep the monster at bay.

  Mister Utrix uses his magic to pin down the Basilisk's body.

  The fool uses the opportunity to secure the Basilisk's head and manages to close its mouth. If the fool can keep the mouth closed, then it will be unable to use its venom on us.

  "Cut its wings, Princess!" Mister Utrix yells.

  I do not like the idea of someone inferior giving me commands. However, it does seem to be the best assessment of handling the situation.

  "Steel Storm," I chant, forming spears in the sky. I will not merely immobilize the beast, while they keep it still, I shall annihilate it altogether.

  "Everyone, get back!" Barin yells, seeing my attack prepared.

  Steel Storm flies towards the ground. I will skewer that foul creature and show them that I am not incompetent like them.

  Barin and Mister Utrix retreat, and the fool releases the Basilisk to escape.

  The Basilisk slashes the back of the fool's leg as soon as it is freed. The fool collapses to his knees just as Steel Storm bombards him and the Basilisk.

  "Aryn!" Asteria screams.

  I stop her from running towards the area my attack covers; Steel Storm takes time to finish. It is precisely the area it covers and the length it takes to complete that make it one of the best spells I have created.

  The last spear hits the ground; through the dust, I can see that the Basilisk is dead, majestically mutilated by me. I let go of Asteria as she runs with Mister Utrix to rescue the fool.

  "Over here," the fool calls from the other side of the Basilisk's body.

  It seems he was just able to avoid my attack. I make my way over to them.

  "Can you heal me Asteria?" the fool asks as I join them. "Pretty sure I've bled out most of the venom by now."

  Asteria kneels to start healing him.

  "What's your damn problem!?" Mister Utrix yells as he grabs me by the collar.

  "Unhand me!" I demand, slapping him in the process.

  He releases me.

  "How dare you grab me like that! Know you pla—"

  Mister Utrix strikes me with the back of his hand, and I fall to the ground. My cheek stings, but the shock from his action has immobilized me.

  "I need to know my place!? You need to know yours from now on!" Mister Utrix yells. "You've been given this shit order because of your own action, and I got pulled into this damned quest. We're in this together; we have to protect each other and keep one another safe from now on. Yet, due to your misguided pride, you damn near killed two of us!" he shouts.

  I am too flustered to think of a counterargument to his statement. I know I am better than them. Why can they not just accept that?

  Asteria finishes the treatment on the fool.

  "I'm alright, Basilisk did more damage to me than she could anyways," he remarks with that idiotic smile.

  I do not believe I have hated a smile so profoundly in my life before.

  "It is all his fault any of us are in this mess!" I declare with a glare.

  The fool sighs. "I kept you from making a foolish decision. You're just too arrogant and spiteful to see that," the fool comments.

  His intolerance makes my body surge with energy to attack him.

  I get to my feet. "Steel Sword," I chant, forming a sword in my hand. "For the first time in my life, I will kill a person," I state.

  I have never felt this sensation in my body. Is this what the intent to kill feels like?

  Mister Utrix and Barin step between us. Do they really think that they can stop me? I take a step forward, then a chilling sensation rushes down my spine.. I stop moving. The fool is looking at me, but his expression is not his usual one. There is no emotion on his face, and his eyes seem black. His face is almost the same as when he threatened Regin.

  My legs begin to tremble, and my body ceases to do what I tell it to.

  "You say you'll kill me, yet your resolve to do so is that pathetic?" the fool mocks. "You should watch to whom you say such things. Unlike me, they may actually kill you."

  His usual expression returns as he smiles at me.

  Mister Utrix sighs then turns to me. "Was there any need to give off such bloodlust?" Mister Utrix asks.

  It was not my intention to express such a ghastly aura, but I believe they see that I am not a sheltered princess.

  "Aryn, next time I feel as if you'll kill one of us, I will take extreme measures to stop you," Mister Utrix states to the fool.

  "What about my intentions to kill that imbecile?" I remark.

  Surely, he felt my presence too. The fool's bloodlust was indeed intense, but there is no way that mine is any less than his.

  "I don't have to worry about you killing anyone until you've actually killed someone," Mister Utrix replies. "You wouldn't've made an attempt on his life, prepared to lose yours.”

  Asteria makes her way in between the three of us. She takes my hand, then Mister Utrix, Barin’s, and lastly the fool's, arranging our hands one atop another. She then puts her hand on top. "We cannot fight each other; like it or not, we are the only companions we have. I do not want to see any of you get hurt, certainly not from our own actions. Let us put this behind us and get some rest!" she exclaims.

  We stand in awkward silence. Asteria's face turns red; I assume she is embarrassed from that little speech.

  The fool places his hand atop Asteria's head. "You're right, we should listen to your nice words," he says with his smile.

  Asteria lowers her head to hide her face.

  "Let's move. The Basilisk's body is bound to attract all manners of creatures," Barin informs. "The horses most likely ran; we'll have to find them," he says, looking around.

  Barin and Mister Utrix head in the direction where the horses were left.

  "Us too," the fool says as he gestures for Asteria and myself to follow.

  As the three of us walk, the fool whispers something to Asteria, which causes her to walk ahead of us.

  "You don't have to prove anything to us, Isla. The three of us are aware of your natural prowess," the fool tells me.

  "I am not looking for your gratification! I am simply showing you three why I should be in charge," I snap back.

  The fool chuckles. "You're gifted with amazing power, born into a position where you could obtain all the knowledge one would need, yet you can't see past yourself," he replies.

  I stop walking. The nerve of the plebe to dare imply that I have a problem with myself. He does not know the slightest about me, yet he tries to judge an elven princess.

  "You didn't listen to those who have more experience with th
e Basilisk; you can see what the results were this time. If something like this happens again, you may get one of us killed, or even yourself," the fool states.

  Why do everything this person says and does infuriate me so?

  "The only way trouble would befall us is if you cause even more grievance than you already have!" I snap. "All of this is your fault, and I am the only one who seems to understand what it takes to accomplish the task, yet everyone is aloof to that fact!" I exclaim.

  The fool smiles at me. "I do hope we manage to become friends at the end of this journey. I'm sure we'll face many obstacles, each worse than the last. However, I believe your biggest obstacle will be yourself."

  He walks ahead to catch up to Asteria, leaving me before I am able to refute what he said.

  The sun has set as we have sat around the fire. The crackling of the wood is the only noise to fill the silence as we eat. I stare at the embers as they flutter off into the dark sky. I wonder where they will end up; I wonder where I will end up.

  "Is anyone else tired of the silence?" the fool asks. He looks bored as he stares off at the sky. "Why don't we tell each other about ourselves? We hardly know one another, yet we're in a situation like this," the fool suggests.

  We look at him, and no one says a word. Of course, they would not want to converse, not after the altercation with the Basilisk.

  "I will go first," Asteria speaks up.

  I suppose I would not mind hearing about Asteria; I do like her, after all.

  "There is not much to say about me. I grew up the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I had a good childhood; I lived in a nice house with wonderful parents," she begins.

  As I listen, it seems as though our upbringings may have been quite similar.

  "I got anything I wanted if I could earn it. My father made sure to teach me the ways of business in a way I could understand from a young age," she says.

  "That's a merchant for you, always making investments for the future," Mister Utrix interrupts.

  Is he calling Asteria an investment?

  "Are you saying she was just an investment to her father?" Barin questions.