Tales of Revenants

Chapter 33 – Mist

The darkened skies of the Dethrim Kingdom where there's not a single ray of sunlight is much more wondrous when witnessed.

The citizens have white pale skin which 'cause by the phenomenon of black clouds. It's the opposite of the Frozen Northlands but their clouds are as white as the snow it bears.

The temperature of Ravina City's region is quite standard and balanced. Luciella expected the vampires are much scarier and ferocious ancients who only wanted to suck the blood of the living.

To her surprise, they live casually in their lands. There's not much different vibe from when they were still in the Frostwolf City and Royal Capital.

The whole concept Luciella and the sisters had about them completely shattered when they observed and compared the lifestyle of the vampires from their fantasies.

There are different races from around the world visiting the city just how the Frostwolf had merry visitants.

Even if the darkened horizon is somewhat depressing and doesn't seem to be pleasant, it didn't become a hindrance for those who wanted to visit the Dethrim Kingdom.

The diversity and eccentric atmosphere it brings become its attraction towards the neighboring lands, and their desire to seek the vampires' nature keeps them in curiosity.

The party will start their meeting after they tidied up their items and things in their room.

The sisters are still not present. It's been minutes and they still haven't shown up when they said they'd catch up where the group is currently staying to discuss matters.

“Someone should check them up. Maybe they were already lying on their bed with a mark of vampire's fangs on their neck,” Xenon tried talking about spooky things.

“Fine, I'll drag them here if needed,” Laken groaned before closing the door. The room of the sisters is just next to them so it shouldn't be cumbersome for him.

The window at the end of the hallway next to the sisters' room is opened so he closes it instantly. He saw the overcast, colorless sky which is washing the broiling thunder of umbra where one can witness neither dawn nor dusk.

Laken's going to open the doorknob when he forgot he should knock first. When he thought to knock, he heard a slight but silent squeal coming from their room.

He thought he's imagining things. He gradually connected his right ear to the edge of the wooden slit which is just actually plain eavesdropping.

This time he clearly heard the loud shriek which made him instinctively open the door without any prior notice thinking something bad had happened to the sisters, but he was wrong.

He just witnessed Lena who is physically removing the white scales on Luna's posterior as she is lying on the bed while her face is buried from the pillow.

“Ahhh~” Luna moaned out of pain when Lena removed another scale on her back which made Laken perplexed. He stood in an uncomfortable air.

“That's the last scale. You can dress up now so we can go back to others,” Lena handed her sister's clothes.

“We plucked five scales today! This will give us a month's resources if we sold it to a black merchant,” Lena gleefully hid the scales she got from her sister on a pocket.

Laken closed his eyes while Luna's getting dressed. He figured sisters didn't realize he is plain standing by the door watching a scene he will only see once in a lifetime.

“Oh, you're there Laken? Sorry, we didn't hear the knock of the door,” Lena's oblivious that Laken's there from the beginning.

“I know this is weird to ask, but why are you selling her scales?” Laken asked. It appears Luna only realized Laken is in the room after she dresses up, she hid on her blanket in embarrassment.

“The only traits Luna got on our father was the white scales on her back. The scales actually can't fit on her skin which sometimes gets the layers crooked and could hurt her behind from the process,” Lena explained showing the white plates she accumulated.

“I have no choice but to pluck the scales at the edge which is the extras on each layer from time to time so she'll be relieved of the discomfort,” Lena expounded. Laken got a better gist of the nature of the twin sisters.

“I'll just forget what I saw for all eternity,” Laken sighed. The sisters quietly giggled and they followed him to the next door to discuss things.

“Now since we are complete. Let's hear the details about Eirisse,” Laken hinted.

“Me?” Eirisse asked as she's pointing herself.

Everyone's waiting for her, “We have no knowledge about the Dethrim Kingdom let alone know the status of Ravina City. It's normal to ask someone who used to live here,” Xenon gets to the point.

“Why me? You guys knew I was...” Eirisse kind of checked her sentence which left the rest hanging about on what she's going to say.

“I escaped from my homeland so there's nothing I could help you with,” Eirisse averted her eyes which tells the nuance of her usual self hiding the truth.

“Then we'll proceed to the next plan where we divide ourselves into two so we can gather information about shady things that might be happening,” Xenon said which should be the line of Laken.

“You're right. You'll go with Eirisse to search near the west entrance. Luciella and I will try to find some underworld connection on the plaza,” Laken clarified his primary plan.

“What about us?” Lena's tail is wiggling steadily.

“That is our plan for the meantime. The good ones should better act things out, we are not totally joining forces, we are still your enemies,” Laken stated the truth with a hidden message when he blinks three times.

He said those harsh words to the sisters because he felt someone was eavesdropping on their conversation and therefore not telling the complete plan to Lena and Luna will make them unpredictable.

“Fine!” Lena exclaimed while her sister's just hiding on her back, “We are going to find the shards and return to our home as soon as possible, so get lost!” Lena exclaimed.

She winked back at Laken before closing the door roughly knowing she also felt that someone was observing the room from afar. She understood Laken's indirect message.

Laken considered if only the sisters aren't Heavenly Heroes they'd sure be good comrades.

“We should also get going, let's forget them for now.” Everyone understood the situation and nodded in agreement.

They went to their designated search place. Xenon and Eirisse headed to the west entrance, both of the sisters are considered the wild card to distract the gazing eyes. They perceive the culprits will surely appear at the right time.

Laken and Luciella left together. The streets are filled with the crowd. The uncomfortable appearance the two brings is especially depressing. They are beside each other yet they are so distant.

What made it more embarrassing for Luciella is when her stomach grumbles in hunger. She averted her eyes and hid her blushing cheeks. Laken shook her head and dragged her to the nearest bread shop whether she likes it or not.

“Two moon bun please,” Laken handed a gold coin. The vendor's returning him four silver coins as a change but Laken did not bother and just gave it as a tip.

Laken gave a moon bun to Luciella. Her pride might be obstructing her from receiving the kindness, eventually, she kind of gave in. She really can't refuse after she caught the aroma of the moon bun's chocolate filling scent.

They sat on an isolated bench to lessen the gap in the air. They kind of remembered when they were still on the Jade City, sitting beside each other.

“Alisa is like a sister to me. We're always together when we were young. But a lot of things happened, and I'm sure she's no longer herself when you first encountered the way she became,” Laken directly pressed what's making her gloomy.

Luciella remains silent as she takes a bite of the moon bun, “I'm sorry if I talk it to you now that it’s pretty late. I embraced her 'cause I always denied her existence, but I wanted to change and accept everything as I step forward,” Laken stated and takes another mouthful of the bun.

She already finished her snack, “I was only scared I thought you'll leave me...” Luciella finally told him her feelings.

“That's not true. Aren't we going to collect the shards together with everyone?” Laken assured. She nodded as she wiped her tears before it could run on her cheeks.

“I had the wrong notion. I just felt jealous,” Luciella muttered while she's slouching.

“What did you say?” Laken didn't catch what she said.

“No-Nothing, nothing! Forget it, let's search for information now,” Luciella stuttered and got embarrassed.

She placed her hands on her cheeks and felt feverish. The bitter air between them diminishes considerably.

“First we'll head towards–” Luciella abruptly silenced. He thought she bit her tongue or something but when he realizes something shining on her neck, he halted on the spot.

Laken also felt a very thin silver-like needle pierced on his shoulder right through the gap of the armor. He immediately removed the object that sank on his skin.

His head became dizzy he thought his vertigo was playing against him. His vision was clouded by a thick stream of mist, “Luciella...” he called her name and no one answered.

The last thing Laken saw was Luciella collapsing on the ground as he also lost consciousness unaware of what is transpiring.