Screams split the air as villagers fled. The Elyssar from the chapel fought off and created barriers against the smaller maiaaks, making time for the villagers to run. A large scorpion shaped maiaak rushed in, breaking through the barrier and tearing down buildings in its path. It sprayed venom from its tail, melting anything that it landed on. A small ball of light formed between its mouth pincers and shot a light beam at the top of the chapel, catching it on fire.
“Liora Luna? What are you still doing here?! The chapel is going up in flames. Get out! Now!”
“I’m making sure everyone is safe. Leave! I’ll be right behind you!”
“Liora Luna!”
The ceiling began to creak under its own weight as the fire ate its wood, and the long chairs crackled in the fire as glass shattered from the heat. Luna ran down the corridor telling everyone who she crossed how to get out safely. Getting to the back of the chapel, she noted a decent sized bronze key next to a heavy wooden door. She turned on her heels when-
“Help. Oh, please help me. Oh woe is me, help.” A woman’s voice, just loud enough, was heard through the door and over the fire. However, despite the current situation, the voice held no urgency. Almost as if it were mocking.
She turned back toward the door, froze mid-reach for the key.
No one should be down there except captured maiaaks. So it’s just another maiaak, right?
In a split second decision, Luna grabbed the key, unlocking and opening the door, she rushed inside. As she rushed down the corridor, Luna noted that all the cells were empty except the last one. There sat a woman with a long serpentine-like tail that ended in a barb that was wrapped up in charms, and black leather-like wings pinned to the wall by a livine binding spell, and a shackle chain attached to her neck.
“Well, well, looks like I’m saved.” She softly chuckled, “By a Liora of all things.”
Luna could feel her face heat up at the snide remark. “I-I have to get you out of here.”
“How noble of you. But isn’t it a transgression to save me? A maiaak.”
Luna reached for the gate, then pulled her hand back. The maiaak was right. Saving a maiaak would be pointless since they are all doomed for execution. Different thoughts raced through Luna’s mind.
But she must be important if they have her locked down here. Or maybe we simply couldn’t finish her? Will she perish in the fire, or will it just set her free? I can’t let her go free. If I heard correctly, it is to be sent to the Solarch.
Tightly closing her eyes, Luna snapped, “Do you want to get out of here or not?!”
The woman maiaak gave another soft chuckle, shrugging her shoulders. “Sure. But you better make it quick.” She pointed at the ceiling that was burning away as parts fell to the ground and pieces of the night sky showed through the holes.
Fumbling with the keys, Luna swiftly unlocked the gate.
Meraki, what am I doing? Please tell me I am doing the right thing by getting this creature out of here. Luna internally prayed to her Goddess.
She unchained the shackle around the maiaak’s neck and undid the spell that pinned her wings. As soon as the spell was undone, the wooden ceiling could be heard breaking under its own weight, beginning to descend upon them. Luna instinctively shielded her face and lowered her head, curling into a ball.
Cool air suddenly touched her skin. She lowered her hands and opened her eyes. She found herself in the arms of the maiaak in midair. Letting out a yelp and tightly holding onto the maiaak, she closed her eyes again.
“Put me down!”
“Really? From this height?”
“That’s not funny!”
A chuckle could be heard as the maiaak dropped down. Once landed and standing up straight, she opened her arms, dropping Luna to the ground. With a wide grin, she set her sights on the scorpion maiaak and lunged at it. Using her bare hands, she ripped down the maiaak’s back, killing it with one enormous blow. Smoke rolled through the street until even the villagers’ cries went still.
“Pay heed, you foul creature!” Luna shouted, then spoke a chant. Once again, the maiaak was bonded.
“You serious right now? I just saved all your lives, and you’re going to restrain me?”
“I didn’t save you to set you free, maiaak!” Luna shouted back.
“Why did you even save me?”
Luna paused, slightly taken aback. “You are to be delivered to the Solarch of Elysian. You will… stand before their judgment.” Luna paused, trying to remember the correct phrase. “Th-The Seat of Radiance.”
The woman maiaak raised an eyebrow. Letting out a scoff, while rolling her eyes, she turned away from Luna. “The Seat of Radiance. Please.” She mumbled to herself.
Luna turned around to see that what was left of the Sanctara chapel was still smoldering. Wynfell had taken quite a blow from the maiaaks that came from the south. The villagers scattered, examining the damage that had been done. Those who devoted their lives to the Elysian faith, gathered in front of what was left of the chapel.
“Did everyone get out safely?” Auren Menda asked about.
She did a quick headcount. Although some were injured, everyone had made it out of the fire. However, some perished in battle along with some villagers and soldiers from the Disenthrall. While everyone was checking on each other, Luna went to give the woman maiaak a quick look over.
“What are you doing?” Not looking directly at Luna, the woman maiaak sneered in question.
“Making sure you’re okay.”
She deadpanned, “Your concern is wasted.” She turned her full attention to the smaller girl, who had ignored her and continued with her inspection. “Shouldn’t you worry about yourself or the other pathetic humans?” She continued to ask as her tail flicked in annoyance.
Again, the maiaak was right. Why should she worry about her well being? Well, it didn’t matter at this point. She had already finished looking the maiaak over. Luna walked away from the maiaak and began inspecting the nearby villagers. Frowning, she healed what she could. She wasn’t good with broken bones or very deep cuts, but she had hoped it was better than nothing. Holding her hand over a villager’s cut leg, she began to softly pray. Her hands began to glow a soft white as the cut slowly healed.
“See, don’t you feel better for helping your own kind?” The woman maiaak mocked.
Luna pouted, but before she could reply, “Liora Luna, you have that beast tamed?!” Auren Menda walked up, cautiously approaching them.
“Ha?” The maiaak sounded insulted, “This beast has a name.”
“It seems tamed.” Auren Menda continued, ignoring the maiaak’s statement.
“You meant ‘she is calm’.”
Luna pressed her lips together, suppressing the slight curl before replying. “Yes, …she is under control.” Luna’s carefully picked words earned her an exasperated sigh from the maiaak.
“Well, since you are the one that is currently bonded to the creature, you will have to be the one to take it to the next town over.”
“Me?”
A scoffing sound left the maiaak from behind.
“Yes. We can no longer contain that maiaak with the current state of the Sanctara. I will check on the villagers. You should be able to do this much. Do give Elyssar Fenris our apologies. Be diligent and stay safe.” Auren Menda promptly left the two alone.
“So, big, scary, Liora Luna,” the maiaak added extra exaggeration to her title, “where are we headed to?”
“Hearthgrove. It’s not far. A few hours’ walk.”
“Hours? I can just fly us there.”
“Quit whining and let’s go.”
The maiaak made reluctant noises, but promptly followed Luna.
After a few hours, as promised, they had made it to Hearthgrove. The sun could be seen rising, illuminating the outer lines of the village, giving it a soft glow. While Luna visited plenty of times, she still couldn’t help but feel nervous. Maybe it was because Elyssar Fenris was not the Elyssar she followed every day, so she felt even more of a need to be a perfect Liora. After taking a deep breath, Luna entered into the village and led the maiaak into the chapel, where murmurs were not discreet as they walked in. However, they were more about how a Liora was the one leading a maiaak than the actual maiaak entering their walls.Elyssar Fenris came out to greet Luna. Looking between Luna and the maiaak, Elyssar Fenris spoke; “My child, what has happened? Is everything okay in Wynfell?”
“No. Maiaaks attacked us, however, things are under control now. But Sanctara is currently gone, so we must ask you to look after this maiaak. Our apologies.”
“I. Have. A. Name.” She leaned forward, wings twitching. “It’s Lyzal. Try using it.”
The Elyssar gave orders for the others to go to Wynfell and to bring what supplies they could to help. One of the Auren walked up to him, quietly discussing what to do. Luna overheard the Auren explain that they didn’t have the resources to take the maiaak in and that it’ll need to be transported. Again.
“Let me help.” Luna spoke up. Both the Auren and Elyssar stared at Luna for a moment. “I don’t mind since she is already bonded to me. I can just take her.”
The Elyssar raised his hand to his chin in thought.
“Excuse me, your Radiance, but you could not possibly be thinking about sending a Liora-”
“And why not? The beast seems to be calm with her.”
“I’m right here, you know.” Lyzal butted in, referring to the lack of usage of her name.
“And this is a perfect opportunity for her to prove her faith.” He continued, ignoring the maiaak.
Luna gleamed, but only for a moment. What did I just volunteer for? What will test my faith?
“Yes, I think it’s a great idea. Listen carefully, Liora Luna.” Luna stiffened, giving a quick nod. “You must take this maiaak to Empyrean in Athanasia.”
“Atha-!” Reminding herself that they were in the chapel, Luna lowered her voice. “Athanasia?”
“Yes. We had been discussing for some time what to do with the beast, and the Solarch has sent a request for the maiaak to be transported there.”
Lyzal cackled from behind, loud and unforgiving.
“Excuse me, your Radiance, but what kind of need could our Eminence have-”
“Are you questioning the Solarch?” Both the Elyssar and Auren stared at her in shock.
“N-No! Not at all. It would be a great honor to bring the maiaak to our Eminence.”
“Very good. Report to them, and you will be given our reward. Bring it back to us.”
“Yes, your Radiance.”
The Elyssar nodded at the Auren, who quickly and quietly left. “She will get you supplies for the road along with the official letter. Please keep track of your inventory. We can only spare a little extra. If you are diligent, the travel should take you about four weeks.”
“For blasted sake, I have wings.” Lyzal quipped.
“Do not be tempted to undo those bonds. It speaks only to turn on you the moment it can.”
“She. And if I wanted to, I would have already done it. Are all you humans this thick skull?”
Luna nodded at the instructions, doing her best to tune out the maiaak. By this time, the Auren had come back with a very large, and stuffed travel bag and a letter in hand. Taking the sealed letter and bag, Luna desperately tried not to look like she was struggling to put the bag on.
“The carriage will be waiting for you outside in just a moment. It’ll have more supplies.” The Auren instructed Luna.
