Veronica.
I trudged through the forest, humming a low, haunting tune to myself, a tiny smile playing on my lips. After days of exhaustive searching, I had finally tracked down Oberon’s hideout, and I couldn’t contain my excitement.
For the first time in a long while, things were falling into place, and my good mood was a welcome respite from the frustration that had been plaguing me for some time now.
Earlier, I had encountered some of Oberon’s soldiers on patrol, tasked with guarding the perimeter. I had taken out most of them, but deliberately let one escape, wanting him to inform Oberon of my presence. Now, all I had to do was wait for their return, and I continued making my way through the dense woods, my senses on high alert.
The air was heavy with anticipation, and I could feel the darkness within me stirring, eager to unleash its fury. It didn’t take long for the sounds of hooves and feet pounding the earth to echo through the forest, growing louder with each passing moment.
I paused, my smile growing even wider as I felt the familiar surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I drew a deep breath, savoring the moment, my eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for the perfect vantage point.
The sound of approaching horses and armor grew louder, and I could feel the ground trembling beneath my feet. My heart pounded in my chest, and my smile transformed into a fierce grin.
Finally, they burst out from the trees, surrounding me in a circle. “There she is! Apprehend her!!” One of them yelled, his voice echoing through the forest.
A couple of soldiers rushed forward, their weapons poised in the air, but I was prepared. Raising my hands, I unleashed a burst of shadows, lifting the advancing soldiers off the ground and rendering the rest immobile.
Narrowing my eyes, I began to speak, my voice low and menacing. “If anyone of you takes another step closer, you will all end up dead.” I growled through gritted teethteeth, my eyes flashing with rage and something even darker.
With a flick of my wrist, the suspended soldiers fell back to the ground, lifeless. The remaining soldiers paused, fear flashing in their eyes.
Some gripped their weapons tighter, while others morphed into a half-shift, their bodies tensing for battle. Cocking my head to the side, I continued, my voice dripping with malice.
“Have you told Oberon about me?” I asked aloud. None said anything, the silence palpable. I took a step forward, my shadows swirling around me. Grabbing two soldiers by their necks, I wrapped the shadows around their throats like a rope, slowly tightening it till they turned purple in the face.
Shock rippled through the crowd as the two began to gag and writhe. “I asked a question,” I repeated, my voice cold.
“Y-yes!” One soldier rushed out, his voice strained and breathing ragged.
I smiled, satisfied. “Good. Is he expecting me?”
“Yes, he is! That’s why we’re here!” The soldier cried out. I released the choking soldiers, and they fell to the ground, coughing viciously.
“Take me to him,” I ordered.
The soldiers exchanged hard glances but eventually conceded, leading the way. I followed between them, my shadows dancing around me. As we marched through the forest, the tension grew thicker than the trees, the only sounds coming from our footsteps.
Oberon’s soldiers were on edge, unsure what to expect as they kept glancing at me, their faces filled with confusion. But I knew what I wanted. We soon arrived at a bustling clearing, where thousands of soldiers milled about, their tents scattered across the landscape. The air hummed with activity, but as we walked past, the soldiers’ conversations died down, their gazes fixed on me and the shadows swirling around me.
“Where is he?” I asked, growing impatient with the seemingly aimless journey. One of the soldiers pointed toward the largest tent, its entrance flanked by imposing guards.
“There…” he muttered, his voice laced with resentment.
I chuckled inwardly, intrigued by the soldier’s animosity. As we approached the tent, the guards eyed us warily. One of them hastened to whisper something to the lead soldier before we arrived.
Upon reaching the entrance, the guards parted, opening the flap to usher us inside. Oberon sat at the center of the room, surrounded by chaos. Scrolls and parchments littered the table and floor, while half-rolled maps hung from the canvas above.
The air inside reeked of hay, liquor, and something distinctly primal Oberon’s scent. I was taken aback by his imposing stature. He rivaled the shifter kings who ruled the realm, exuding raw power.
“I thought I said I didn’t want to be disturbed,” Oberon growled, his brow furrowed in concentration, scribbling something on the parchment before him.
The soldier hesitated. “Umm… We figured you might want to see this as soon as possible, sire.”
Oberon’s gaze slowly rose from his scroll, his eyes locking onto mine. “And what would that be?” he boomed, his voice like thunder. Our gazes met, and for an instant, Oberon stiffened, his eyes narrowing. His face was a scowling mask, with scar marks running across it, making his terrifying appearance even more ghastly.
By now, my shadows had dissipated, leaving me looking harmless a facade I knew would soon shatter.
“Who the hell is this?” Oberon barked, his deep voice echoing through the tent.
Some of the soldiers surrounding me flinched, exchanging nervous glances. “She… She’s the lady who attacked us earlier during our patrol,” one of them rushed out, his voice trembling with fear.
Oberon’s gaze never left mine as he dropped the quill he was holding and leaned back in his seat, steepling his fingers together.
“Continue,” he urged, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. But before anyone could speak, a dagger flew straight at me. I raised a hand, and my shadows surged forward, protecting me once more. The dagger halted mere inches from my forehead, suspended in mid-air.
With a coy smile, I let my lips stretch wide. “That won’t be necessary,” I said, my voice like silk. “I just want to talk with you, that’s all. Will you grant me an audience?”
Oberon’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. “Who are you to think you can waltz in here and demand an audience from me?” he growled, a glint an anger in those dark eyes.
“I am someone who will become indispensable to you soon,” I replied easily, my voice dripping with confidence. A strange glint appeared in Oberon’s eyes, but his lips remained pursed.
“How?” he demanded, his voice low and menacing. The shadows around me coalesced into a billowing cloak, radiating sinister energy. The soldiers exchanged terrified glances, taking a step back.
Oberon’s gaze never wavered, though a hint of surprise flickered across his face. “You would have to grant me an audience first,” I said, my voice unwavering. The tent fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the shadows.
Everyone stared at me, their eyes filled with questions and trepidation. Oberon glared at me for what seemed like an eternity, his jaw clenched. Finally, he raised his hands, dismissing the soldiers with a curt gesture.
“Leave us,” he commanded. The soldiers scrambled to obey, fleeing the tent as if their lives depended on it. The flap closed behind them, leaving Oberon and me alone. The air thickened with tension, the shadows swirling around me like living darkness. Oberon’s gaze never left mine, his eyes burning with a mix of curiosity and hostility.
I smiled inwardly, satisfied I had gotten his attention. “Speak,” Oberon commanded, his voice low and deadly. Stepping forward, I let my shadows retreat until it was just me.
“Thank you…” I muttered, settling into the empty chair across from him. Oberon tensed, his eyes narrowing, but remained silent. I leaned forward, keeping my gaze locked on his.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about you,” I began. “Rumors are flying around that you want to start a rebellion after years in exile.” I said, glancing around the tent, taking in e every detail and committing it to memory.
Oberon’s eyes flashed with something I couldn’t decipher, his grip on the armrest tightening, the air tensing around us.”I’m listening,” he growled.
“My name is Veronica, and I would like to aid your plans,” I said, studying his expressions.
“How?” he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
“As you’ve seen earlier, I possess powers you might desperately need to make this plan a success. “As you have seen earlier, I have powers you might desperately need if you want to make this plan of hours a success.”
Oberon snarled, his voice thick with rage. “I have no need for magic.” I smiled inwardly; he was predictable.
“But it isn’t just magic, Oberon. It’s so much more. It’s the one thing you need to take over the realms: shadows.” I gleaned a spark of recognition in his eyes when I mentioned shadows.
“Shadows?” he repeated, his tone laced with surprise. Yes, he knew.
The very thing that had descended into the realm centuries ago, wreaking havoc on shifter lives. “Yes, shadows. And I’m willing to join your army, sharing my powers with you.”
Oberon raised an eyebrow. “Why? With such power, you could go solo and ruin lives.”
“That’s because we have a common enemy,” I replied. “With shadows, we’ll achieve our goals faster.” Oberon’s expression darkened.
“I don’t need your powers. Get out before I kill you.” His eyes glinted with anger, as if I’d insulted him. “Guards! Take her out of here!” he bellowed
The tent flap burst open, and soldiers rushed in, but I remained still, my shadows bursting out of me once more. They enveloped the tent, sucking the life out of the soldiers in an instant. Eyes rolled back, they dropped to the ground, pale as bones. Even Oberon struggled with the intensity, his face ashen. But I relished in the realization that I was getting stronger with every kill.
“Is that what you really want, Oberon?” I asked, standing to my feet, my voice dripping with menace. “Remember, it’s shadows we’re talking about here,” I whispered, watching as his eyes grew red, his pupils constricting.
“If you piss me off, I could end your entire army right here and now, thwarting your plans before they even begin.” I said, watching as Oberon’s face twisted in rage.
“You wouldn’t dare!” he growled, his body trembling. My smile dropped, revealing a frightening visage. My vision blurred as the shadows took over, growing even stronger.
“Try me,” I dared, my voice barely above a whisper.
More soldiers poured into the tent, only to meet their end as I sucked out their life force. Their bodies piled up, a grim reminder of my power.
“All I ask is for you to let me join your army,” I continued, my voice steady. “I’ll fulfill my end of the deal while you fulfill yours. It’s definitely not too much.”
Despite his weakening strength, Oberon let out a roar and tried to attack me. Swinging his longsword at me, he aimed for my chest. The blade cut through me, but no blood dripped out. I had reached the height of my powers, where physical attacks caused no harm.
Oberon’s eyes widened in shock. When he tried to pull the sword away, he realized it was stuck.
“What do you say, Oberon?” I asked, staring at him as he glared at me.
“You need me. Let’s work together. My conditions aren’t heavy. If anything, they might be something you’ll enjoy.” Oberon’s face contorted in a mixture of anger and desperation.
“Okay… Fine!” he ground out, conceding.
I smiled then, my shadows receding. “Great, you’ve made the right decision,” I said, my voice dripping with satisfaction. Oberon’s eyes narrowed, a calculating glint in their depths.
“I’ll make sure you regret this,” he muttered. I chuckled, finding his words extremely funny.
“I’m counting on it,” I whispered.