Kalika, lost in a void of darkness, kept silent, feeling familiar yet alien in the world around her.
"Focus…."
"Focus…"
Kalika woke. Pushed from the void and back into the same stone-cold cellar that housed the barreled ales and mead of the brothel above. She grumbled, feeling her senses return.
"Awake?" Zelak questioned. He sat next to Kalika and peered. "I think you lasted a lot longer than last time. But remember, you-"
"Yeah, yeah! Maintain the crushing feeling, right? You don't have to keep reminding me, I know already."
"Well... Do you think you're getting the hang of it?"
"I think so..." Kalika said, staring at the ceiling. "And I think I'm getting closer to. So again." She said.
Zelak nodded, and without hesitation, he stabbed his sword into her chest and watched as her black blood expanded yet again on the cold pavement.
Like the many times before, the dark void returned to Kalika.
"It's so annoying trying to stay in here…" Kalika focused on the feeling Zelak had specified many times over—the feeling of being crushed. It was as if the world of darkness and emptiness were rejecting her entire being, as if it had a mind of its own. So each time she attempted to squeeze her out like a nasty pimple.
"There! L-like that…"
Maintaining the current sensation, Kalika attempted peer around. It was then she came to a realization.
"The air… It doesn't exist. Neither are my arms or legs… I don't have a body. Am I actually seeing, or am I sensing this dream world around me? Is my mind just adrift in a world at all? Can I… move at all?"
A slight tingling sensation arose, drawing Kalika's curiosity. "No… I need to focus on the feeling of this world…. It's almost like… This world exists… And I'm still actively fighting against it.…. I wonder…. maybe... I should match the feeling of this world?"
A sudden emptiness filled Kalika's being and flowed right through her existing consciousness like a stream. It felt as though she was becoming one with the world. Spreading in all directions.
A cool sensation returned, and she opened her eyes to find herself holding a black, misty magic in her hand. She looked forward, now realizing that she was standing. "How did I- No. That's not important."
"Y-you're awake." Zelak stutters.
"Yeah?" Kalika exhaled sharply, and the magic quickly dissipated. "So what did you see me do?"
"Hmm… After a couple of minutes, you stood and wandered around for a little bit. Then you began to channel that dark magic."
"I walked around? I wonder why that happened…"
Kalika looked at her and, again, attempted to reignite the same feeling she felt in death. The feeling and actual non-existence. She concentrated and meditated for a few minutes with no real results.
"So annoying. What am I missing!?"
"[It's rather simple]" Zorbian said. "[It's because you don't see magic as part of yourself. You're thinking of it as an outside object instead of part of what you are.]"
Kalika pondered Zorbian's words, uncertain. "Part of myself?" She muttered. "Hmm... I think I understand now."
Zelak watched with quiet anticipation as Kalika raised her hand and took a deep breath, once again entering into a silent meditation. From her chest, into and through her arm, the strange crushing numbness sensation passed into the palm of her hand. A moment later, a flicker of dark magic came to life. It hovered in Kalika's palm and grew to the size of a berry.
With a contained excitement, Kalika smirked, proud of her endeavors.
"Congratulations, champion!" Zelak approached for a closer view.
"I can't seem to make it bigger…" Kalika noted.
"Progress is still progress," Zelak said, "And once you've controlled your blood magic too, I'm confident you'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Kalika chuckled lightly at the thought and broke into a rare smile. "Hmmm~... That sounds…. Nice…"
Suddenly, a rumble came from Kalika's stomach, practically embarrassing her. She quickly turtled back her emotions, becoming indignant. "I'm hungry."
********
Kalika, with Zelak next to her, quietly ate her food, savoring taste. she took another bite from a large haunch and gazed across the table to Lyra who watched, contently. Along with the other Succubus women that were sneaking a peek at them.
Kalika silently sighed to herself, seeing this. "At least that stupid smell is gone from this room. They really do know how to make a place smell garden."
Satisfied and finished with the meal, Kalika reached for another of the many meat-based dishes —This time slice pieces of white meat with a tasty brown glaze. She took a few pieces for herself, enjoying it s unexpectedly sweet taste. "Mmm~~"
"
Just before Kalika could take the mug, Zelak took it. "Hey!" she blurted.
"
"
Kalika groaned from annoyance, watching as her drink was escorted away from her replace with bland water.
"
"Hmph!" Kalika turned back to her meal and continued eating to her heart's content.
"
Kalika glanced at Zelak, curious.
Lyra, however, chuckled at the remark. "
""
"
Lyra chucked, lightly, biting and eating the stripped meat. "
"" Kalika suddenly said. She ceased her eating and glared at Lyra, who forced a smile.
"
Growing, Kalika turned back to her food.""
Lyra chuckled, amused by the remark. "
Lyra took a larger slice and slathered it with its sauces over its white meat. In one bite, she chomped the piece down, eating it. "" She curled a deeper devilish smirk. "
Kalika finished the last slice of meat on her plate and watched as Lyra followed suit, practically gulping it down. "
"
"
"
"
Zelak grew more serious.
"
Lyra gestured to the woman behind. Seconds later a couple of the succubus started packing away the variety of meats in a cloth, then into a small bag for them to carry.
Zelak stood and took the bag, ready to leave. "
Kalika followed suit, standing and leaving alongside Zelak.
"
The women nodded and followed the two out the door, leaving lyra to ponder with a smile. "
********
"
""
Donovan nodded, feigning his understanding. "I'll have Charla explain to Bjorn what he said…" He then took the pipe in hand and examined it.
The iron rod was half its original size, and the newly crafted handle was long, smooth, and black with a hole big enough to fit a crystal. It was just as he had Bjorn specify to Charla. "Yeah, I think this should work. And when we leave this city, I could probably test it out too."
Donovan nodded again. "E-eehh…. What was that word again for saying thanks? O-oh!"
"Anzu," Donovan suddenly spoke.
Karsh cocked his head, puzzled by Donovan. "Anzu?"
"
"Ah~~ ahahaha." Karsh patted Donovan hard on the shoulder. ""
Karsh took a red-patterned knife from his thick black apron and presented it to Donovan. "
"
"
"Charla," Donovan called. He gestured for them to leave.
"
"
"
"
A silent recognition flashed in Charla's mind, " " ********
A Succubus bowed to Kalika and Zelak before receding into a tower, re-entering the lower levels of the city.
Kalika exhaled sharply. "I hope I don't have to enter another of those brothels again."
"Come on, Zelak, let's get out of here." Kalika continued onward. To her surprise, the once-busy streets of the city had become more desolate and quiet.
A sudden storm of footsteps erupted. Seconds later, a swarm of city guards blazed past Kalika and Zelak, surprising them. " "What the heck was that about?" Kalika wondered.
"There's no point in wondering, let's just get back to the inn."
"Hey! You, Kalika, and Zelak, right!>" A demon shouted.
Kalika and Zelak rolled their gaze up, finding a red demon dressed as a rogue who stood atop the stone buildings.
"Who the hell is that demon?" Kalika wondered.
********
Bretta scurried into the maze of the alley. His heart beat a million miles an hour, and with meeting a dead end, she clawed her way through the stone.
" Terrified, Beretta glanced back and clawed hard. The stone cracked, and rubble flew at the guards. And through her sheer desperation, she pushed into the building.
" The whole wall collapsed inward, separating Bretta from the guards.
" A more lightly armored guard joined the two shocked guards. " " Their commander pulled their ears, frustrated. " " "