Path to Destruction

Chapter 1: Tedious Routines

          Bored, she decided to go and check the current balance of her bounty. As if it ever runs out. She wore her holster which held her identical pistols on her waist and went over to a green, glowing pentagram on the floor in the middle of her bedroom. As she stepped on it, the pentagram glowed even brighter and her body began to fade; she was being teleported to her “happy place”.

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          She was teleported to, what seems to be, the heart of a forest. Ancient trees towered above her, forming a thick canopy that only permits a few rays of sunlight touch the ground. Around her were tall blades of grass and lush undergrowth. A light fog seems to be forming which made the scenery ghastly and dank.

          As she walked, vines retreated, branches lifted, bulging roots sank and blades of grass bowed down; revealing a cobblestone path she can use.

          Soon Euphemia stopped in front of a large wall of vines. It too, retreated. And a wrought, iron gate stood before her. She pushed open the gates and looked back. The plants returned to their original positions, concealing the path. Stepping back, she let the vines envelop the gates. She was now at the front yard of a manor.

          Though shrouded by a wall covered with thorny and poisonous plants, the manor looked rather polished. With various flowers and a fountain as a centrepiece, it looked serene. The flowers bloomed and the plants became livelier than before. Euphemia smiled.

          Reaching the front doors, she needn’t to knock. Inside, the manor was majestic. Elaborate designs and ornate decorations were vaunted, making the manor look like a palace. Striding on the ecru, marble floor, Euphemia was greeted by her familiar, Veirriana who was about one foot tall and was floating in mid air at eye level. She was combing her lime green hair into a neat bun. She had pale skin, dandelion eyes and was wearing an Oriental, black dress with pink floral patterns. Vierriana is her only familiar and can tell the future since she was in alliance with the God of Time, Valsrath.

          “Good morning, Euphemia,” Veirriana greeted in a soothing, melodic voice.

          “Like-wise. Now, where is that inhumane of a bastard?”

          “In his room and is currently sleeping.”

          Euphemia groaned in exasperation. There isn’t anything new about him for the last 150 years. Eat, sleep, eat, sleep, and repeat. That was his only routine. “Let’s just proceed to the vault,” Euphemia said.

          They went over the hearth in the living room. Granite gargoyles were at both sides of the wide fireplace. They were sitting down; heads lowered down and wings spread upwards. Details were carved intricately from head to toe. Euphemia tapped the forehead of the one on the left. Its eyes began to glow a bright, lilac hue. The hearth became warped and turned into a large, wooden door with elaborate carvings. Opening the door, both of them looked back; making sure that no one is lurking around. Vierriana floated in first, followed by Euphemia. Vierriana closed the door, making it disappear so that no one else would enter.

          The room was wide enough that more than twenty people could fit. It was an old warehouse they’ve found a few decades ago when Euphemia came into prominence and have converted it into a vault for her bounty rewards. Back then the only thing you’d see was a chest.

           Now, the warehouse was full of piles of gold coins, jewelleries, and weapons. She tossed a pouch into the pile, making the stack topple. “Is that all?” Vierriana asked seemingly unimpressed by Euphemia’s bounty.