Vistus: Storm Queen

Dear Journal,

My first year at Bellfall Academy is officially over! I could not have gotten through it without Mikhael and Professor Ark. I owe them so much.

I have improved immensely under Professor Ark's tutelage, and have even bested some of my fellow students in combat! I still cannot believe it. My professor says that if I keep improving, I am on track to becoming the star of the class, which would apparently catch the attention of the Queen herself! It is a nice thought, but it will be a miracle if that happens. For now I am content with training under Professor Ark, and writing to Mikhael. I shall take things one day at a time.

Oh, a letter from him just arrived! I must go read it at once.

-

And… cross. I win.

You won the last ten rounds, you cheater.

Guess that's what happens when you play against yourself.

Akorri sighed, leaning his head back against the cold brick wall. He glanced over at the policeman sitting on the desk on the other side of the bars. "You up for a game of naughts and crosses?" he asked.

The policeman frowned at him before looking back down at his computer.

"Yeah, thought as much." Akorri sighed again.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been in this cell, idling the time away playing games with himself. He'd thought about breaking out, but knew Laerya would toss him back in if he tried. He trusted his friends to bail him out.

They shouldn't bail you out. You deserve this.

Unfortunately, until then he was alone with his thoughts.

Don’t you ever get tired of doing this?

Always.

So why don’t you shut up?

I wish it worked that way.

Akorri groaned loud enough for the policeman to glare at him, so he bit his lip and looked down at the grey, hard bed on which he sat. He was convinced the mattress was actually a rock dressed in covers. He didn’t expect a criminal’s personal hotel room to be as luxurious as Queen Meriel’s chambers, but could it have hurt them to at least stuff some feathers in this thing?

It’s more than you--

Akorri shook his head vigorously before he could acknowledge the thought. If only this constant game of You Suck Ping Pong could just stop for a second. Not even travelling with his friends let him put down the paddle.

Criminal.

Akorri slammed his head against the wall, forcing himself not to wince from the explosion of pain. As he sat there, trying to focus on the throbbing of his head rather than what went on inside it, he surmised that he should never be left alone.

“You guys should invest in a TV,” he said to the policeman as he stared at the blank wall. “Gives us something to do other than plot our breakout or revenge plan.”

“Revenge plan?” the policeman finally responded. “You stole a bag. You aren’t in here for murder.”

“What if I told you that wasn’t me? Again?”

“You were caught red-handed. You’d need substantial evidence to the contrary before we would even consider letting you walk.”

Akorri rolled his eyes. If only he had a lawyer. Then again, back when he actually was at risk of being thrown in prison, he thought he was so good at it he'd never end up in one. It wasn't like he could afford a lawyer anyway, and you couldn't steal those. Well, you could, but that would just be kidnapping and would make the whole Lawyer Please Bail Me Out thing moot anyway.

Vacerus, I'm bored.

He was not sure how much time had passed before he caught sight of a peculiar shadow hovering in the corner of his eye, one with a longer snout and ears than either him or the policeman.

Then the alarm went off.

Akorri only had a second to process the sudden shrill shriek assaulting his eardrums before his throat seized. He felt something cold and not entirely solid gripping his neck, pushing him against the wall he leaned on. He winced from the pressure locking his throat and the rough stone of the wall pressing on the back of his head. He knew what it was before he knew it was choking him. There was no mistaking the shadowy tendrils snaking out from the wall behind him.

No.

He snatched the tendrils at his throat and tried to pull them off, but they only squeezed tighter.

How did she find me?

His attempts to rip the tendrils off grew frantic as he tried and failed to suck in air. Tears leaked down his cheeks from the pain, the vice grip crushing his throat.

Lae! Jinny! Help me!

A tidal wave of blackness pulled at him, hurrying to drown his senses. He wrenched his head above the dark water, his skull pounding. He pulled the tendrils, desperation lending him strength. He couldn't die, not to her, not like this. He ripped the tendrils off, his hands shaking. They slithered away, even though he knew they could so easily strike again in a second.

He gasped for air, coughs racking his body. He barely registered the shout of the policeman, his returning vision focusing on the imposing figure in front of him. He mustered the strength to look up, past the flowing purple dress, at the wide, silver eyes of his former employer.

His heart stopped.

"Oi, how did you get in here?" the policeman shouted.

Lorelei Schreiber didn't so much as glance at him. She stared down at Akorri as dark wisps writhed behind her, her face cloaked in shadow. Her eyes... Vacerus, her eyes. Akorri saw death in them; venom, fury, hatred burned through the dark mask, speaking a promise that needed no words.

Terror unlike anything Akorri had ever felt before seized him, paralysing his limbs, so all he could do was stare in horror up at his executioner in shadow. The siren blared on, a shrill symphony for the spurned necromancer and her prey.

The policeman was saying something Akorri couldn't make out, talking to someone, maybe him, maybe not, who knew, who cared, how could he think about anything but the face of his nightmares leering down at him? He had to move, had to flee, had to say something, do something, anything but sit there at her mercy, run, run--

The bars shook as the policeman unlocked the cell. Lorelei looked over at him, then melted into the ground before he could blink. She--or her shadow, though now they were the same--slithered past the bars and out the door in an instant.

The policeman stared at the spot Lorelei had been only moments before.

Akorri drew in shuddering breaths as his body shook; he couldn't even hope to rein in the fear yet. The whole ordeal couldn't have lasted more than a few minutes, but for him, time had stopped. Nights had been spent trapped in fear of her retaliation. He knew it was only a matter of time before he ran into Lorelei again. He just didn't expect to be alone when it happened.

He tried to curl up, but his spasming body collapsed in a heap on the cold floor. Lorelei invaded his mind: visions of the corpse of Vacerus towering over him, a puppet's string connecting the dragon to Lorelei; Vacerus opening his skeletal jaw to swallow Akorri as Lorelei watched with her harsh silver glare, magic crackling from her body--

Lorelei's magic exploding from her fist, engulfing Akorri in its blast.

It didn't matter that the blow had been for Fericeus, that his mind was struggling to separate the event in Greenglade from himself. That only meant he was sure to be the next target of the attack.

Lorelei would never leave him alone.

Akorri drew his legs to his chest as he struggled to breathe, deaf to the world around him.

-

Laerya sat in one of the many red velvet seats in the auditorium, long ears perked up to catch the low, sombre notes of a cello. The air was cool despite the packed seating area, verging just a little on the chilly side, but it was perfect for her and her slightly thick fur. The faint scent of fruity alcohol from those who decided to patronise the bar beforehand was nothing compared to the heady, shockingly sweet perfume some of the more extravagantly dressed listeners wore. Laerya wrinkled her nose as a particularly strong whiff carried over from the lady seated in front of her. She sighed and leaned her head in her hand as she watched the musicians on stage.

Stuffed shirts, the lot of them. They carried themselves as though someone from on high pulled them up with strings, though Laerya had to admit they were being puppeteered by a master. How could someone be both stiff and languid at the same time?

Classical wasn't her thing. Country was before classical, and that was including those fake Nemonian types who had never seen a field in their lives. Much like Jazz, she preferred the erratic, exhilarating beats of techno pumping her blood. That wasn't to say she couldn't recognise the skill of the musicians before her; in fact, they played beautifully; but nothing set her heart thumping or her leg bouncing.

Speaking of, Jazz was the only one not in attendance (bar Shady, of course, though Laerya had the feeling he would appreciate being here more than her). She volunteered to act as a guard of sorts in case the thief showed up outside during the performance. She also said she hated classical and wouldn't be caught dead in the same room as a violin. Laerya didn't have to guess the main reason for staying away.

Elora, however, was just full of surprises. She leaned forward, red eyes wide as she absorbed the music, her ears pricked to attention. Her fur even stood on end. It wasn't much different from when she looked angry, save for the scowl replaced by open-mouthed awe.

Damn, does Elora actually like classical? Laerya thought as she raised her eyebrows. She isn't even hiding it.

Jinny kept a rigid posture next to her. She didn't seem to be entirely there, though whether that was because a stranger sat next to her or she was worrying about Akorri, Laerya wasn't sure. Jinny's eyes were fixed on the one lady they came to see.

The pale green fur of the Feln was almost white in the light of the stage. Her eyes were closed, following the conductor's baton through practise rather than sight. Her mint green hair, tied up again in a wavy ponytail, rippled behind her like a snake even as she sat still. Her pale blue dress sparkled in the light, complimenting her off-white fur. Her violin's sound was lost among her peers, though Laerya knew connoisseurs would say the seamless blending was a sign of skill.

An hour or so passed in which the group listened to the performance with varying degrees of attention. By the time the musicians bowed and the crowd applauded, Laerya had almost dozed off. Jinny went through the motions, aware enough to applaud for a scant few seconds. Elora shot up like a rocket and clapped hard enough to create sparks, which she hastily put out.

"Didn't peg you for a classical enthusiast," Laerya said--or shouted to be heard over the applause--once Elora sat back down.

"You tell Jazz and I'll murder you," she replied simply.

Laerya gave a lopsided smirk. The temptation to tease her was great, but they had more important things to do, and Laerya was sure she would get a mouthful of fire for her troubles.

They got up, stumbling through the crowd towards the stage. Laerya let Elora lead, since she opened up a path through intimidation alone. Laerya heard a few mutterings of the "how uncouth" flavour as they walked past, likely directed at Elora, but she didn’t seem to hear them.

Unfortunately the Feln lady was already halfway off the stage, so they had to act quickly. Laerya knew they couldn't go backstage, and they were close enough now for her to hear them. Fortunately she had an elegant solution.

"Excuse me, miss violinist! We need to talk to you!"

Jinny's ears dropped so abruptly they may as well have crashed to the floor. She fixed Laerya with a horrified glare as the eyes of the entire auditorium turned on them.

"Nice," Elora muttered.

The violinist regarded them with a small frown from her place on the stage before her eyebrows quirked up in recognition. "What is this about?" she asked, her heels clicking on the hard floor as she moved closer.

"This morning!" Laerya replied.

The Feln narrowed her eyes in thought, a white gloved finger tapping her chin.

Please don't blow us off, people are staring. Laerya didn't have to glance at Jinny to know she was currently trying to melt into the floor.

"Very well. Please wait outside." The Feln gave a reserved nod before disappearing backstage, green hair flowing behind her.

"It was that easy, huh," said Elora. "We could've just done that earlier."

"You mean in the middle of the performance you were enjoying so much?" Laerya asked with a grin.

"Suck my--"

"Please can we go!" Jinny hissed, though she had already grabbed Laerya's arm and started lurching her out of the auditorium and away from the stares.

They left Chrome's Edge Music Hall, greeted by neon lights and the bustle of the city. The sky was dark, but that was the only thing suggesting the late hour. If anything, the city was more lively than in the day.

Jazz approached them, illusion-detecting sunglasses perched on her snout. "Phew, Lae, I can spot that blinding green hoodie o'yours from a mile away."

"Hah! Good,” replied Lae.

"So how'd it go?"

"It's not gone yet," said a voice behind Laerya. She turned to see the violinist leaving the hall with her case held close to her. “Now, if you would all be so kind as to make space for people to pass.”

Laerya smiled sheepishly as she realised their rather big group blocked off most of the door, and shuffled quickly out of the way.

“And if we are to conduct business, I’d rather it be done in a more appropriate setting,” the violinist went on.

“‘Fraid the best we can offer you is an alleyway,” said Jazz with a shrug.

The violinist blinked slowly, then, when no one let up, raised an eyebrow. “Surely you jest?”

“She doesn’t even know the meaning of the word,” said Elora. “Now c’mon, clock’s ticking, and we’ve got shit we need to get done.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Please, beg, so long as we get moving.” Elora gestured to a wristwatch that wasn’t there, tapping her arm.

“Your social grace floors me,” said Jazz, deadpan.

“Yours is worse.”

“Maybe, but not on the clock!”

“Guys!” Laerya snapped her fingers, then turned to the violinist. If no one else wanted to play the diplomat… “I’m really sorry, but we honestly don’t have a lot of time, and we really need to talk to you about what happened earlier today.”

The violinist’s brown eyes flicked to each member of the group before she nodded, seemingly pleased with whatever she was assessing. “All right. I will hold you to your word, but know I will not go so easily should you try anything.”

“We aren’t suspicious, I promise!” Lae shook her head vigorously.

“Sounds like something a suspicious person would say,” said Elora.

“Do you want to help or not?” Lae frowned at her.

“Certainly not as suspicious as you seemed about a second ago,” said the violinist. “So, shall we?”

Laerya led the group to the most secluded alley she could find, but even that proved to be a challenge in the busy city. Once the violinist was satisfied that she was not going to be immediately slaughtered, Laerya quickly dived into the heart of the issue.

“So, miss violinist,” she began.

“Please, darling, call me Liliana.” The musician bowed her head slightly, the picture of poise.

Laerya noticed Jazz and Elora exchange unimpressed glances, and wasn't sure whether to be relieved they were getting along, or apprehensive of what may follow. "Okay, Liliana, then." She introduced herself and the group and got down to business before Jinny could strangle her for wasting more time. "About that thief you caught this morning."

"Hm, yes, that ruffian." She turned up her nose, and Laerya saw Jinny tense beside her. "What of him?"

"He wasn't the real thief," said Jazz with a frown, "or a ruffian."

Liliana's eyebrows raised ever so slightly, almost unnoticeably. "Go on."

"The real guy's an illusionist, and he transformed into my friend when he stole your bag," said Laerya before either Jazz or Elora could say something less diplomatic. "My friend was framed."

"Oh. Oh!" Liliana covered her mouth with a white-gloved hand. "Goodness, and I played right into his game, didn't I?" She dipped her head low enough that she was almost bowing. "By the Dragons, I am so sorry!"

"Wait, you believe us? Just like that?" Elora asked.

"Should I not?" Liliana raised her head.

"No, no, you should," Elora amended quickly, "it's just, I was expecting a little more..."

"Disagreement?" Liliana offered. "Well, why would you lie? Unless the Peacekeepers are suddenly working with criminals."

"How did..." Elora glanced down at the ID card hanging from Jazz's neck. "When did you get that out?"

"Thought it'd help our case," she said. "Where's yours?"

"Melted."

Jazz snorted.

"You're probably wondering what you have to do with this," Laerya continued.

Liliana’s eyes lingered on Jazz's Peacekeeper badge before focusing on Laerya. "Yes," she replied in a tone that said, 'please, do go on, this is getting interesting'.

Laerya's ears twitched as she tried to keep them from lowering. I really don't wanna do this part. She took a deep breath. "We need your help capturing the real thief," she said.

Liliana said nothing. She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes as if in thought. Laerya wasn't sure if she was mulling over an answer or if she was keeping them waiting for dramatic effect.

“If it’s too much, we understand, we’ll find some other way,” said Laerya quickly. She wouldn’t risk a civilian’s well-being if she could help it, especially not if said civilian was reluctant to get involved.

"My apologies, I needed time to think it through," said Liliana. "A lady mustn't rush to decisions lest she end up in the maw of a beast."

"There are no beasts involved!" Laerya hurried to appease her.

Liliana smiled in amusement. "I should hope not, in a city such as this," she said. "It's a saying, darling."

"Oh." Laerya's cheeks lit up.

"As for your request," Liliana went on with a quick glance at Jazz, "yes, I will help you."

Laerya heaved a sigh of relief. She didn't have a plan B in case this one fell through. "Thank you!"

"Now, what can I help with?"

Laerya froze. She looked to Jazz with wide, desperate eyes. Please don't make me say it.

Thankfully the girl in question pulled through. “Bait,” she answered.

Laerya's eyes bulged in horror. You didn't have to say it like that!

"I'm sorry?" said Liliana, genuine shock barely hidden behind her veil.

"Um, what she means is, well, you know how the thief took your bag?" Laerya said. "We were hoping that you could, uh..." There really is no good way to say it. "Lure him out."

Liliana paused. "Well." She stood there, blinking. "That is quite an ask."

Laerya's ears lowered with her gaze. She knew what she was asking and would sooner put herself in danger than use Liliana, but the thief knew she was after him.

"Please." Jinny's hushed voice barely carried over the surrounding din of the city. Laerya turned to her in surprise. "Our friend will end up in prison if we don't do something soon." She was strained as always, as careful as Liliana not to let an emotion slip, but the fact she spoke at all said everything.

Liliana put a hand to her chest as she looked at Jinny, her brow furrowing. "When you put it like that... it would be heartless of me to say no."

"I-I didn't mean to guilt trip you," mumbled Jinny, looking down at the ground.

"I understand, you worry for your friend." Even Liliana's sigh was melodious. "I will help. I suppose I would like to see the real criminal brought to justice anyway for attempting to mug me."

Oh, thank Vacerus. "Thank you again," said Laerya with another relieved sigh. "Don't worry. You won't be in danger at any point in our plan."

Liliana smiled, though this one did not reach her eyes or even her cheeks. "Don't worry,” she said. “A lady can take care of herself."

-

Laerya got a feeling of deja-vu as she sat on the roof overlooking the city once more, illusion sunglasses covering her eyes. How many times was she going to perch atop these chromatic buildings like a spy? Thinking about it like that helped a bit, though. She could totally be sneaky like a spy.

Night time ruled over Chrome's Edge only in name; or rather, the general definition of the word 'night' had a different meaning here. This was when the... interesting types came out, Laerya noticed. Even from up here, she could see the wavering dance of the drunkards as they stumbled out of bars, the sultry sashays of 'hotel visitors' as said drunkards hollered at them, the excited jitters of teens rebelling against their parents by staying out late. The scent of alcohol, perfume, and frying mingled together in what Laerya now dubbed the 'Chrome's Edge nightlife' smell, all the while the crystals lit up the streets in neon greens, blues, and reds. Laerya noticed it was different from the blues and pinks of the previous night; it seemed the city changed its colours almost daily.

She wasn't overlooking any old street though. She was perched above the park, or what constituted a park in a technological city like this. Down below, lit up by a streetlamp, stood Liliana, lively music bounced from the violin as she played, attracting visitors with her little night time concert. Laerya scanned the audience for illusory tricks, hoping their fish had taken the bait.

And oh, what luck. There!

Her eyes locked on the shifting figure of what appeared to be a cat, but he was distorting so wildly she couldn't be sure. The way his body flickered in her vision left no doubt that this was who they were after.

He must really want that bag.

Laerya knew the others were in their own hiding spots not far from the park, so she sent a quick text saying she found him, and waited for her chance. She needed to be careful about this. Her legs tensed as she prepared to spring; it would be quite a leap, but she could do it.

Then she heard a yell, and a figure burst from the bushes near Liliana, lunging right for the thief.

Laerya facepalmed.

"You won't get away this time, you sneak!" Elora's growl rose over the shocked gasps of onlookers, and even Liliana's violin jerked to an off-key stop. Elora sent the illusionist crashing to the ground, his body distorting wildly as he fought to keep his mask.

I thought we were going for subtlety. Laerya pouted and leapt down to join Elora as the crowd dispersed, just in time for the thief to throw his hands up in Elora's face.

"Oh no you don't!" Quick as lightning, Laerya grabbed his fingers and clenched them shut so not even a spark could break through. Light sputtered in his palms before dying out as quickly as it came.

The 'cat' hissed, glaring at Elora and Laerya as he struggled to break free. Elora's strength kept him pinned as Laerya kept a vice grip on his hands. She wouldn't allow the person who framed Akorri to slip away.

"Liliana, get the police!" Laerya ordered. "We'll keep him down."

"No, you won't," growled the cat, and he spat in Elora's face. She recoiled in disgust, and in that brief slip he kneed her with such force she snarled in pain. Her grip slackened, he rolled out from under her, actually taking Laerya with him. Laerya stumbled as she too lost her grip and he wrenched his hands free, jumping up and breaking into a run.

"Ugh, you son of a bitch!" Elora yelled as the entire length of both her arms burst into flame, startling the onlookers. "You'll pay for that!"

"Shit, he's fast," Laerya hissed, watching him flee. "But not as fast as me." In a flash she was gone, swathes of lights and crowds blurring together as she bounded past them.

He led her through the park as she quickly caught up to him. Even with passers-by as obstacles, she was able to reach him within seconds, the air rushing behind her with each stride. "You're not getting away this time!" she shouted, shooting her arm out to grab the cat's tail.

Her hand passed right through it.

Shit!

"Nice try, bunny," said the 'cat', and within seconds he took off into the air on wings unseen. Through Laerya's glasses they sparked like static on his back, struggling to stay within the illusion.

He's got wings, but he's not the only one! "Jinny!" Laerya called. "He's in the air!"

Before she even finished speaking, Jinny swooped towards the cat, her transparent draconic wings shimmering in the kaleidoscopic lights of Chrome's Edge. She appeared as if from nowhere, her wings beating rapidly from her shoulder blades as she tried to catch up to the cat, who was flying ever higher in the night.

Yeah, Jinny, get him! Laerya cheered, pumping her fist.

But something wasn't right. Jinny's tail bristled like spikes as even from far below, Laerya could see her shaking.

Jinny?

-

"What's wrong, pet? Magic incontinence?" the cat asked, feigning a worried expression as he turned to look at Jinny. Her glasses had blown off her face in her pursuit, leaving her at the mercy of the cat's illusion.

Even with her heart struggling to beat out of her chest and her limbs turning to ice, blood still rushed to her cheeks. "No!"

"Happens to the best of us love, don't worry," said the cat. He stopped his ascent to simply fly in front of Jinny, his face twisted in a smirk.

He's mocking me. He's not even flying away! He was ripe for the attack, and yet Jinny couldn't move. It was taking all her energy to keep her wings up, each slip in concentration threatening to dispel them.

"This is the part where you catch me," the cat went on. "It's no fun if you just float there." His long leather coat billowed from the beating of his invisible wings, green and red lights bouncing off his fur. If it weren't for his wings, Jinny would have no trouble believing he was a cat; to keep up an illusion so well with so much movement took skill she could only hope to have.

And skill, she most certainly lacked, for even the basics of her flight were eluding her. The fact that this cat could see she was struggling just rubbed salt into the already gaping wound.

She shot her hands out, begging for her Light magic to catch them. One blast, just one blast was all she needed!

Yet the ice of anxiety froze her blood and her magic in place. She could not even feel it building up beneath her fingertips; at this point she couldn't feel her fingertips at all. All she could think about was keeping her wings up, and the fact that this cat was watching her with an amused sneer.

It was the same look the Greengladers had given her.

"Oh wow, you really are having trouble performing." The cat's eyes squinted from his grotesque sneer. "But don't worry, that's to be expected when you have an audience." He gestured below with a swipe of his hand.

Jinny knew she shouldn't do it.

And yet, she looked down.

Thousands upon thousands of eyes stared up at her in expectation and confusion. She was a long way up, but she could make out each individual face in the park's crowds, all of them watching her, waiting for something to happen. She knew those looks. She knew them as well as the cat's sneer, and in some ways, those faces struck her more than his did, for at least she had already disappointed him.

Those expectant eyes drilled into her mind, her heart, her very being. She was but a spectacle to be observed and judged by those so much higher than her. And with each millisecond of pause that passed, the jury’s eyes hardened from expectation to incredulity.

You can’t even use magic right, they said. How pathetic are you?

She could not argue with that verdict.

I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this--Her jaws clenched, so not even a whisper of a whimper or a breath could escape. She was already pathetic enough, she didn't need her voice to betray her, too.

Then she saw among the crowds the face of her best friend, and the fear and disappointment reflected in those pink irises pulled her under.

I'm so sorry, Lae.

Her wings locked up and vanished, and she fell to the hungry wolves below.