SkullsandSlippers
Alex listened to Naisha's suspicions and nodded in agreement. It made sense. Why else would these Empire soldiers be waiting out at the forest while a former Princess came to challenge Karette? Just as the witch had to leave? It was all too coincidental. Alana frowned thoughtfully with a soft hum. "But it's impossible for them to get passed the barrier without the Queen's or Lady Krieli'nas' permission. Unless their Amazons. But most are loyal to Queen Karette. Most of the Empire's wizards don't stand up against Lady Krieli'nas. Unless.... they try to come from the sky maybe. But indeed... maybe they expect Zira to win this battle and allow them entry." she said with soft concern for her Queen. Queen Karette could indeed handle herself in battle, but Queen Hera had been such a ruthless Queen and if Zira was with the Empire... foul play could practically be seen in this event.
When Naisha questioned them, the elves shifted a little as they thought for a moment, before they both nodded. "Uh yes. There are plenty of gems and crystals in the treasure room. The elves even have a room building for magical practice so it has some magical items." Alana answered.
"A-And... U-Um... there is a ladder to one of the Sentry Post at the end of this hall. And... I um... have a crystal with me." the eyeless girl stammered, moving a slender hand into her pocket and pulled out a very clear crystal that was finely cut and held it out toward Naisha.
Alex blushed a little at the brief sight of Naisha without clothes before shook her head to regain focus. "We better see how everything is then right? Show us." she said before heading out of the room after Alana who led the way to the latter. Opening a door to reveal some stairs before a ladder.
Outside, the villagers were gathered by the entry but the impenetrable doors of the Amazons were tightly shut. Queen Karette was standing outside, alone with another Amazonian woman. Dark black hair of the night, long and pulled into a loose low ponytail. Yet she wasn't quite wearing traditional Amazonian clothes. She had Empire made armor over her chest and hips with gauntlets and boots. A silver circlet on her head, covering her forehead with a red jewel in the middle.
Pointing a sword at the Queen, Zira narrowed her bright amethyst eyes. "Karette! I challenge you for the throne! As Queen of the Amazons, you are required to accept! And you WILL fall before me! Just as you killed my mother! And you led the Amazons to outrage! You threw away our values! You accepted cowardly lowlives such as elves, humans or whatever scum you can find! You even spared me! You are a coward and have no right to the throne or to lead our people! You're just a weak fool!" Zira shouted with a angry snarl.
Queen Karette looked calmly, arms crossed over her chest as she gazed at the agitated banished Amazon. "I am obligated to accept Zira. Just as your mother was when I challenged her. Some of our traditions are ill willed, but I will keep others that I deem honorable. Simply killing to kill, or shunning those different are not honorable. So if I have to change some things to push for my ideal life for my people, then I will. And what of you? Why do you bare the armor of the Empire?" she answered, making her challenger growl in irritation.
"I had little choice! Obviously there was little to do but to work for our people's future! Instead hiding like cowards! We should be fighting in battle! We are Amazons! That is what we do! Not sit around helping petty weaklings!" Zira snapped.
"We have fought plenty battles. But not pointless battles. I will not subject my people into petty squabbles of power. And I will not turn those away who wish no part of it either. I shall shelter any female within our walls, when other people would just use them. Like the Empire. Just as they are using you." the Queen replied.
"Shut up! I am not being used! But enough talk... we fight with our blades!" Zira shouted before lunging.
Her attacks were quick and fierce, yet the Queen Karette's spear moved nimbly, using her spear to deflect each strike while taking a stab whenever she had a opening. Zira sliced upward almost catching Karette by the cheek but was swiftly uppercutted, knocking the challenger back. Yet Zira quickly got up again, punching with her left to give a left hook toward the Queen's face, while using her sword to slash at her waist. Karette blocked the punch with her arm while grabbing the sword, kicking Zira in the stomach before moving to stab her spear quickly into her opponent's stomach. However, Zira smirked, the red gem glowing on her forehead and a sudden black smoke smashed into the Queen and knocked her back.
Queen Karette grunted painfully but was soon standing again, steam coming from where the black mass had touched her. The sound of burning sizzling coming from her skin. Zira stood again and smirked, multiple black shadowy masses floating around. Karette blinked in minor surprise, as Amazon's had the inability to utilize magic. They were similar in dwarves in that regard. Strong and powerful physically, but didn't have any magic in them.
"Haha! A good thing about being kicked out is finding all these magical trinkets! No rules against them, and they have quite a few uses. This one... will certainty be the end of you..." Zira grinned, watching as the Amazon's on top of the wall pulled at their bows but halted as Queen Karette held up her hand to stop them. Which only made Zira laugh more. "You're such a idiot. You break some traditions, but keep the ones that could end your life. After all, all is fair in a duel for the throne as long as one of us dies. But it is a dual. So no outside help. But of course... your little whore isn't here to use some magic to get you out of this, even if you wouldn't allow her to help. You probably just rely on her magic all the time to save your sorry ass! Don't worry. When the Empire get's their hands on the witch, she'll probably be executed quickly. After all, they are dangerous abominations. Why you help them as well, despite your 'honorable' view, will never make sense." Zira sneered, raising her swords as the shadow massed glowed a bright ominous demonic amethyst. Dripping droplets of thick purple goop.
The makeshift floating swords lunged at her along with Zira and Queen Karette quickly dodged out of the way, narrowly missing the blows and she used her spear. Kicking Zira in the gut while spinning the spear over her head in a fast manner. Slicing against the purple blades. Yet her spear just went right through them like air, and they reformed almost instantly. "What are you doing with this sort of magic?! Our bodies are not made to use this sort of magical items!" Queen Karette said as she quickly dodged out of the way from the attacks.
"As long as you die before I do, doesn't matter! And who are you to talk? You keep all sort of little magical creatures with you! Little pretty elves and witches!" Zira hissed, making another stab and catching the Queen in the left side as she had to dodge a purple blade aimed for her head.
Queen Karette winced and quickly punched Zira in the cheek, but then gasped. Feeling the magical blades pierce through her. Five perhaps. One went through her left shoulder, one through the right leg, one through her side, another in the other side and one through her chest. Coughing, her body shook as her body felt like it was burning, and she could smell the poison and her body collapsed as she fell on her back. Zira laughed triumphantly, watching the Queen gasp and wince in utter pain.
"Hah! I win! Now everything you have belongs to me! The rightful Queen. Don't worry, I'll lead our people to the glory we so deserve! It is quite tempting to let the poison kill you. It's pretty potent, made from the blood of a Demon Lord apparently. Even your witch would have difficulty dispelling it if she was here. But she's not and it will be too late, and there is only one cure. Not one you will find.. It will kill you slowly and painfully. Course, I have no time for that. I have to kill you. Tradition and all. So no need to worry about having the Amazons... or.. your pets go find it. You'll be dead." she smirked as she got near the Queen and raised her spear to decapitate Karette's head.
Queen Karette growled, before standing, punching Zira's jaw as she struggled to stand again. Zira gasped, feeling blood fill her mouth as she scrambled up, her eyes wide with shock as she saw Karette standing once more. "W-W...What?! How?! You shouldn't be able to move after taking a hit like that!" Zira snapped angrily.
Panting, Karette clenched her teeth before standing straight once more, a frown upon her lips and her eyes sharp as she glared at Zira. "...I didn't become Queen out of luck. Zira. Nor with trickery. If you want to test my strength.... so be it." Karette said coldly before taking a shaky breath and getting into a stance before pounding the ground with her right foot. The blow was so strong, large rocks kicked up in which she practically threw them at Zira as they launched up.
Caught by surprise Zira tried to move out of the way, but Karette was moving so fast she was unable to dodge it all and got hit in the arm and stomach. Knocked down, Zira coughed but when she opened her eyes, Karette was already standing over her, a boulder propped up in one hand that was raised over her head. It was about as big as the red head. Zira scrambled to her sword, the purple blades launched to skewer the Queen once more, but Karette threw the boulder down and utterly crushed Zira. The satisfying crunch and squishing of blood notifying it. Breaking the circlet into pieces that forced the blades to disappear just as they about hit her once more.
".....I won't let someone like you take my place. And hurt my people. All of my people. Be it Amazon... elf... dwarf... human.... witch... Otherworlder... whomever... They will be safe." Queen Karette muttered, hearing far off voices of perhaps the Empire. Did they somehow get passed the barrier? Her vision was blurring and her skin felt like it was on fire. Her blood boiling. She was sure she was bleeding profusely as well. Yet if the Empire was coming, she would fight them. She had to in order to protect her people.
However she tried taking a step and she ended up collapsing to the ground. The gates opened as the citizens of the villagers quickly came to aid their Queen. The elves servants attempted to use their magic, attempting to heal the serious physical injuries. A couple of Amazons picked up the Queen to carry her but there was a shout in the distance, notifying a attack.
Alex clenched her teeth and growled. "Those... cheating cowardly bastards!" she said angrily, hands crushing the stone of the edge.
When Naisha questioned them, the elves shifted a little as they thought for a moment, before they both nodded. "Uh yes. There are plenty of gems and crystals in the treasure room. The elves even have a room building for magical practice so it has some magical items." Alana answered.
"A-And... U-Um... there is a ladder to one of the Sentry Post at the end of this hall. And... I um... have a crystal with me." the eyeless girl stammered, moving a slender hand into her pocket and pulled out a very clear crystal that was finely cut and held it out toward Naisha.
Alex blushed a little at the brief sight of Naisha without clothes before shook her head to regain focus. "We better see how everything is then right? Show us." she said before heading out of the room after Alana who led the way to the latter. Opening a door to reveal some stairs before a ladder.
Outside, the villagers were gathered by the entry but the impenetrable doors of the Amazons were tightly shut. Queen Karette was standing outside, alone with another Amazonian woman. Dark black hair of the night, long and pulled into a loose low ponytail. Yet she wasn't quite wearing traditional Amazonian clothes. She had Empire made armor over her chest and hips with gauntlets and boots. A silver circlet on her head, covering her forehead with a red jewel in the middle.
Pointing a sword at the Queen, Zira narrowed her bright amethyst eyes. "Karette! I challenge you for the throne! As Queen of the Amazons, you are required to accept! And you WILL fall before me! Just as you killed my mother! And you led the Amazons to outrage! You threw away our values! You accepted cowardly lowlives such as elves, humans or whatever scum you can find! You even spared me! You are a coward and have no right to the throne or to lead our people! You're just a weak fool!" Zira shouted with a angry snarl.
Queen Karette looked calmly, arms crossed over her chest as she gazed at the agitated banished Amazon. "I am obligated to accept Zira. Just as your mother was when I challenged her. Some of our traditions are ill willed, but I will keep others that I deem honorable. Simply killing to kill, or shunning those different are not honorable. So if I have to change some things to push for my ideal life for my people, then I will. And what of you? Why do you bare the armor of the Empire?" she answered, making her challenger growl in irritation.
"I had little choice! Obviously there was little to do but to work for our people's future! Instead hiding like cowards! We should be fighting in battle! We are Amazons! That is what we do! Not sit around helping petty weaklings!" Zira snapped.
"We have fought plenty battles. But not pointless battles. I will not subject my people into petty squabbles of power. And I will not turn those away who wish no part of it either. I shall shelter any female within our walls, when other people would just use them. Like the Empire. Just as they are using you." the Queen replied.
"Shut up! I am not being used! But enough talk... we fight with our blades!" Zira shouted before lunging.
Her attacks were quick and fierce, yet the Queen Karette's spear moved nimbly, using her spear to deflect each strike while taking a stab whenever she had a opening. Zira sliced upward almost catching Karette by the cheek but was swiftly uppercutted, knocking the challenger back. Yet Zira quickly got up again, punching with her left to give a left hook toward the Queen's face, while using her sword to slash at her waist. Karette blocked the punch with her arm while grabbing the sword, kicking Zira in the stomach before moving to stab her spear quickly into her opponent's stomach. However, Zira smirked, the red gem glowing on her forehead and a sudden black smoke smashed into the Queen and knocked her back.
Queen Karette grunted painfully but was soon standing again, steam coming from where the black mass had touched her. The sound of burning sizzling coming from her skin. Zira stood again and smirked, multiple black shadowy masses floating around. Karette blinked in minor surprise, as Amazon's had the inability to utilize magic. They were similar in dwarves in that regard. Strong and powerful physically, but didn't have any magic in them.
"Haha! A good thing about being kicked out is finding all these magical trinkets! No rules against them, and they have quite a few uses. This one... will certainty be the end of you..." Zira grinned, watching as the Amazon's on top of the wall pulled at their bows but halted as Queen Karette held up her hand to stop them. Which only made Zira laugh more. "You're such a idiot. You break some traditions, but keep the ones that could end your life. After all, all is fair in a duel for the throne as long as one of us dies. But it is a dual. So no outside help. But of course... your little whore isn't here to use some magic to get you out of this, even if you wouldn't allow her to help. You probably just rely on her magic all the time to save your sorry ass! Don't worry. When the Empire get's their hands on the witch, she'll probably be executed quickly. After all, they are dangerous abominations. Why you help them as well, despite your 'honorable' view, will never make sense." Zira sneered, raising her swords as the shadow massed glowed a bright ominous demonic amethyst. Dripping droplets of thick purple goop.
The makeshift floating swords lunged at her along with Zira and Queen Karette quickly dodged out of the way, narrowly missing the blows and she used her spear. Kicking Zira in the gut while spinning the spear over her head in a fast manner. Slicing against the purple blades. Yet her spear just went right through them like air, and they reformed almost instantly. "What are you doing with this sort of magic?! Our bodies are not made to use this sort of magical items!" Queen Karette said as she quickly dodged out of the way from the attacks.
"As long as you die before I do, doesn't matter! And who are you to talk? You keep all sort of little magical creatures with you! Little pretty elves and witches!" Zira hissed, making another stab and catching the Queen in the left side as she had to dodge a purple blade aimed for her head.
Queen Karette winced and quickly punched Zira in the cheek, but then gasped. Feeling the magical blades pierce through her. Five perhaps. One went through her left shoulder, one through the right leg, one through her side, another in the other side and one through her chest. Coughing, her body shook as her body felt like it was burning, and she could smell the poison and her body collapsed as she fell on her back. Zira laughed triumphantly, watching the Queen gasp and wince in utter pain.
"Hah! I win! Now everything you have belongs to me! The rightful Queen. Don't worry, I'll lead our people to the glory we so deserve! It is quite tempting to let the poison kill you. It's pretty potent, made from the blood of a Demon Lord apparently. Even your witch would have difficulty dispelling it if she was here. But she's not and it will be too late, and there is only one cure. Not one you will find.. It will kill you slowly and painfully. Course, I have no time for that. I have to kill you. Tradition and all. So no need to worry about having the Amazons... or.. your pets go find it. You'll be dead." she smirked as she got near the Queen and raised her spear to decapitate Karette's head.
Queen Karette growled, before standing, punching Zira's jaw as she struggled to stand again. Zira gasped, feeling blood fill her mouth as she scrambled up, her eyes wide with shock as she saw Karette standing once more. "W-W...What?! How?! You shouldn't be able to move after taking a hit like that!" Zira snapped angrily.
Panting, Karette clenched her teeth before standing straight once more, a frown upon her lips and her eyes sharp as she glared at Zira. "...I didn't become Queen out of luck. Zira. Nor with trickery. If you want to test my strength.... so be it." Karette said coldly before taking a shaky breath and getting into a stance before pounding the ground with her right foot. The blow was so strong, large rocks kicked up in which she practically threw them at Zira as they launched up.
Caught by surprise Zira tried to move out of the way, but Karette was moving so fast she was unable to dodge it all and got hit in the arm and stomach. Knocked down, Zira coughed but when she opened her eyes, Karette was already standing over her, a boulder propped up in one hand that was raised over her head. It was about as big as the red head. Zira scrambled to her sword, the purple blades launched to skewer the Queen once more, but Karette threw the boulder down and utterly crushed Zira. The satisfying crunch and squishing of blood notifying it. Breaking the circlet into pieces that forced the blades to disappear just as they about hit her once more.
".....I won't let someone like you take my place. And hurt my people. All of my people. Be it Amazon... elf... dwarf... human.... witch... Otherworlder... whomever... They will be safe." Queen Karette muttered, hearing far off voices of perhaps the Empire. Did they somehow get passed the barrier? Her vision was blurring and her skin felt like it was on fire. Her blood boiling. She was sure she was bleeding profusely as well. Yet if the Empire was coming, she would fight them. She had to in order to protect her people.
However she tried taking a step and she ended up collapsing to the ground. The gates opened as the citizens of the villagers quickly came to aid their Queen. The elves servants attempted to use their magic, attempting to heal the serious physical injuries. A couple of Amazons picked up the Queen to carry her but there was a shout in the distance, notifying a attack.
Alex clenched her teeth and growled. "Those... cheating cowardly bastards!" she said angrily, hands crushing the stone of the edge.
