Xavier walked up to the pod and stared at the young woman inside. He watched as her chest heaved, breathing gently despite being inside Nixatrine. All he knew was that just by looking at her, he sensed that she was powerful, and that was all. His brow furrowed in thought. What was Theron doing with her? Was she a human before? Was she a Demaranian?
It was then that Bignath answered on his behalf.
He had heard an audible gasp from her and he had turned to see the creature stumbling back in fear and with her eyes widened in shock. The heavy cuts marred on her body were long forgotten as she gazed at the woman inside the pod with horror.
"No....." She whispered, dazed. "That's impossible."
"What's wrong?" Xavier asked, staring at her.
"She.....she smells like a Demaranian."
'OK,' Xavier thought. 'Question answered. That's a start.' He then spoke. "What's wrong with that?"
"Her blood is different from mine." Bignath continued. "She's a Higher Demaranian."
"A Higher Demaranian," Xavier spoke, confused. "So that means you're not one?"
"No, I'm just a normal Demaranian," Bignath answered. "I've not become that strong so that I can evolve to the higher stage."
Xavier turned back to the beautiful figure in the pod. "So that means this woman is stronger than you. Well, that's perfect. She's all mine."
"How?" Bignath asked in shock. " But no Higher Demaranian has stepped foot in Carragis or even spoken to Theron. "
Xavier shook his head. "What happens if Vardos gave him the blood without you noticing and he used a F-rank woman and evolved her?"
"That's impossible!" Bignath snapped. "I'm a Demaranian. Vardos would have spoken to me instead of that scum."
"I don't think so. I think I'm finally understanding what's going on here." Xavier spoke, realising. "As you said before, humans are far more intelligent than Demaranians and that means Vardos trusted Theron instead of you because of his intellect."
"You're saying nonsense." Bignath spat in anger. "I'm not believing any of that crap."
"It's true," Xavier replied, not flinching. "Theron's smarter than you, and he does the process of mutating. You're the brawn that does the kidnapping, the F-rank. It's obvious who is trusted more, especially when there's a reward."
Bignath tried to refute his words, but knew he was right so she didn't say a word and watched as Xavier pressed a red, unmistakable button on a raised platform and watched as the pod hissed open, the green liquid draining quickly.
As the pod opened, it was then that Xavier had an actual good look at the woman inside. She was pale, the type of pale that people will look at and think she's very sick, but it's actually the opposite. She had white, flowing hair and she had a petite physique.
Her skin was grey, the same colour as Bignath's but not as profound as the latter. Purple veins coarse through her body and it was a marvel just looking at her.
Not to mention, she was extremely beautiful, her face at ease as she was sleeping so he could actually see her beauty clearly. It was a huge and stark difference compared to Bignath, who resembled more of a grotesque ogre than a beautiful woman. In other words, she was hideous and repulsive.
He suddenly wondered if Higher Demaranians were actually different than normal Demaranians or if Theron's project was an exception. If it was the former, he now understood why Bignath was shocked and troubled that she was in the presence of someone higher than her.
Xavier watched as the woman opened her eyes and he noticed it was violet in colour. He watched as those eyes took focus, centering on him, and the woman flexed her fingers before gradually lifting herself out of the pod, and then she lowered herself onto one knee.
"Master," She drawled out, the words sounding as if they were foreign in her tongue. "I'm at your assistance."
Bignath's eyes widened in shock while Xavier grinned audibly.
'Good,' He thought. 'Just what I wanted. Theron must have wiped her memories so now she believes I'm her master just by me being the first thing she laid her eyes upon.'
"You don't need to bow," he said. "Can you tell me your name?"
"I don't have a name," the woman replied, standing up with ease.
Xavier nodded, expecting that answer. "OK, what if I call you...Aria. Is that okay with you?"
Aria nodded gently, accepting the name with ease and grace.
Xavier smiled. "Good."
He turned back to Bignath and his smile vanished from his face instantly.
"I've got what I wanted." He said. "Now I need you to take me to the exit of this fucking dungeon. I'm tired of staying in this place."
Bignath nodded and began to direct both Xavier and Aria to the exit. Her pride and dignity had crumbled to pieces due to the reveal of the truth and the defeat she had witnessed at the hands of Xavier. She had nothing to say again, the best she could do was take them out of Carragis and then train again then she will have her revenge.
After twenty minutes of being in the passage, Xavier gradually started noticing a large stone door that was on his way. It was designed with gems and diamonds with a laughing gargoyle as a doorknob.
Bignath stopped at the door and turned to the duo behind her.
"This is the exit out of Carragis." She spoke. "Once you step out, you'll find yourself in the forest of Blackwood. North to Blackwood lies the town of Mayfair. Now I'm just free to go. I fulfilled my part of the deal."
"Deal?" Xavier chuckled, icily. He stepped forward, the Shadowfang Daggers in his hand as he began to reach Bignath. "Please enlighten me." He continued. "When did I ever say a deal?"
"You said it back at the...." Bignath began then it dawned on her. She had done it many times before to her victims, but the same situation was now coming back to her.
"You rotten animal!" She snarled in anger. "You're a scum! You were never going to keep to the end of your bargain!"
"Nope," Xavier replied. "Especially not to you. I detested you for the shit you tried on me."
"Master," Aria called out. "Do you want me to eliminate her?"
"No need," Xavier replied. "I've been waiting too long for this."
Bignath howled in rage, and despite the injuries, she lunged at Xavier, her claws outstretched and ready to tear him apart, but she didn't have a chance.
Xavier was faster, his blade already aimed for her throat. He felt the satisfying sound of flesh being pierced as his blade plunged into her neck and came out of the back.
Bignath choked, her eyes contorted in shock, maybe for not expecting to die like this, or the fact that she got killed by the people she considered beneath her.
Xavier swiftly pulled out the blade and watched as the grotesque beast collapsed in a crumpling heap. Ge watched Bignath choke on her own blood, watched as her life slowly ebbed away, watched as she struggled. And he couldn't help it. A low, amused grin erupted from his face, and that was the last thing Bignath saw before her eyes lost all light.
Xavier turned away and towards Aria, the latter displaying no emotion on her face.
"Alright, " he said. "Let's get the fuck out of here."