"You could say that~"
They all flinched as the air grew heavy. They didn't know who exactly is this woman and what did she want from them. But they knew it wasn't good. I mean, whenever do someone locked you in a room does?
Although, one member despite feeling the tension raised, felt rage coursing through her veins. "You bitch!" Cynthia growled, looking like she was about to lunge herself at the older woman. Fortunately, she was held back by Erina and Roselyn. "This whole quest was a trap to lure us, wasn't it?!" She barked.
A giggle was all she received from the woman. Luna had looked at them in amusement dancing in her blue orbs.
Rage inside of Cynthia only grew, "oi, listen here you fucking bitch" the blonde girl was more than irked. "We don't know you but your 'quest' here" she had quote marked it before continuing, "had almost got my friends and I killed for your sorry little ass"
Though Luna was the very least fazed by her crude insults. She simply looked boredly at the younger. "Are you done?"
"Huh?" Cynthia's eyebrow had twitched. This woman's true character was hitting all her nerves. She literally made them go through such hardships and dangers just for a freaking ploy of hers.
"Oh dear, it seems like you've gone deaf from your own voice" the blonde woman fakely gasped, concealing her lips. Luna was clearly mocking her and trying to rile her up.
And she did. "You...FUCKING BITCH!" Cynthia was about to pounce on Luna's smirking little face...if not for her friends holding her back. The younger blonde was struggling in their holds.
Though as she halted from her attempt assault, Yumi had shifted her purple gaze directly to that of their captor. "Since you've confined us here, what're your intentions?" The pinkette demanded, paying little mind to the pissed-off Cynthia in her and the other's grasps.
At her question, Cynthia had stopped her struggling and instead snapped her head at her "Yumi!" She hissed.
"What?" Yumi raised a brow. "We need answers and the only source of them here is her"
"Because she was the one who trapped us here!" Cynthia snapped, pointing at the older blonde woman. "She's—Mhhmm!" Kathryn had muffled the angry girl with a hand.
"You may continue" Kathryn sighed, turning at Luna. She ignored the muffled Cynthia beneath her hand.
Luna merely smirked at amusement. "Good, now as I was saying. You—" she gestured to them. "And I have some business to take care of—"
"Get straight to the point," Yumi said, disregarding she had just rudely interrupted their captor.
Luna huffed in disappointment and rolled her eyes, "can't a lady be coherent?" She tsked before shaking her head. "Nevermind, the thing is while you know nothing of me...I know plenty about you. All of you" her smirk grew wider at their pale faces.
If it wasn't already bad with their identities exposed, their situation became a lot more worse. The girls watched in fear as shadowy figures began to surround them. They—the creatures slowly crept closer and closer towards them. "Little noble girls trying to fly out of the nests~" Luna mused while the girls hurdled closer to each other.
Yet as the shadowy figures began creeping towards them, Roselyn haste to blasted them away with a huge ray of light. Her light element spell was effective against the creations of darkness.
"Oops, my bad" Luna feigned an apologetic look. Her blue eyes now danced towards the orang-haired girl at her display of magic. "I forgot not all of you are exactly nobility. How pathetic" she ridiculed them which Erina and Roselyn flinched at. "Though what rare element you have~" Luna had leaned on her knuckle, still keeping her strong gaze on the light-user.
The orange-haired girl cowered under her gaze. Seeing how their friend trembled, Avelyn who was nearest to her had shielded Roselyn from the older woman's gaze. The brunette was glaring back at her.
"So what?" Kathryn snapped, narrowing her amber eyes. "You know who we are but now what? Do you want to use us as hostages? Blackmail us? Or are you looking for some profit in the human trafficking business?" She reckoned, pressing the woman on.
The weak-hearted of the group—Lily and Roselyn grew paler at each of the possibilities.
"H-Hostage? H-Human trafficking?" Lily trembled as she gripped onto Erina completely terrified. The pale blonde girl that she was holding to only smiled down at her in reassurance but there was some doubt in her smile.
Laughter erupted from the blonde woman. The girls had jumped at the sudden laughter. "My, I'm quite hurt that you've thought so badly of me" she wiped a tear from her eyes.
"Sure, and a kidnapper had trapped us for a fucking tea party. What's next? A murderer asking to join them for a bloody picnic?" Cynthia snarkily said, rolling her eyes. Seeing the blonde girl speak, Kathryn blinked and looked at her hands. "Eh? When did you—"
"When you were distracted by her" Cynthia waved the green-haired girl off, keeping a strong glare at the blonde woman instead. "So what the hell do you want with us if you have such good intentions?" She crossed her arms.
Luna simply smirked wider, "oh, they're good, alright" she snapped her fingers as shadows began circling them.
"You bitch!" Cynthia swore as the same shadowy figures appeared but this time, appearing more vicious than before. She had to dodge a sharp-clawed hand, content with keeping her head. "Take them down!" Cynthia had yelled, unsheathing her sword.
Following their forcibly appointed leader, each of them began attacking the shadowy figures. However, with each attack, more shadowy figures replaced the ones they had taken down. "Shit..." Cynthia glared at the weak yet persistent beings. The ideal plan would be to take them all out in one go....wait.
She quickly shot a glance at Roselyn as she recalled earlier events, "hey Rosy, can ya do what you did earlier but way bigger?" She spoke as she took down another shadow.
The orange-haired girl was moderately distracted by the shadowy figures that were attacking her before nodding back to the blonde girl. "A-Ah right but try to cover me. It's gonna take time" Roselyn sweated a bit after blasting the ones nearest to her with her staff.
"Right! Circle Roselyn!" Cynthia ordered as they all surrounded the mentioned girl.
"You good there?" Kathryn asked as more and more shadowy figures emerged. Their attacks were effective but they're useless against an enemy that could easily come back.
Sweat grew on Roselyn's brows as she tried to concentrate most of her magic into one attack. "J-Just a little more" a small ball of light grew larger and larger in her palms.
"Roselyn?" Avelyn gulped, deflecting a shadowy claw with her metal fan. She wouldn't want to rush her but they can't hold them back for long.
"Got it, close your eyes!" Roselyn cried out with eyes shut as the light consumed the whole room, destroying all the shadowy figures at once. "D-Did I get them all?" The orange-haired girl peeked open an eye nervously.
"Yeah, you did" Erina sighed in relief, almost collapsing from exhaustion. They all were.
"Took you lot long enough" though one couldn't help but comment. Luna watched the whole thing with a bored face. Yes, she was still there. And boy did it pissed the most short temper member in the group.
"Oh, you're so gonna get it!" Cynthia was quick to charge straight at the bemused woman with her sword blazing bright. She was exhausted from the stupid made-up quest and everything following after it. Now fused with her anger and frustration from being fooled by this complete stranger, she was completely overtaken by her emotions and lack of realisation.
"Cynthia, wait!" Kathryn tried to warn her but it was too late. Much too late...
Shadowy hands emerged from the floor, grabbing the girl in mid-air. "Argh!" Cynthia snarled as she was held restrained. She had even dropped her sword in the midst of her struggle.
"Tut tut tut, don't you ever think before you act?" Luna tutted, showing disapproval at her action. The girl knew that she was outmatched yet consumed by rage, the girl still charged onward. So reckless.
"Yeah?! Well, all I was thinking was beating your fucking face!" Cynthia continued to struggle in the shadowy restrains. She even tried burning them off but only more shadows replaced the destroyed ones. Now, she was panting heavily as red consumed her sight.
Watching the violent struggles of the restrained girl, Luna furrowed her brows. "Hmm, we gotta work on your temper there, dear" she realized from early on that the blonde girl's emotions are gonna be her downfall.
"Let her go!" Erina cried out, already aiming an arrow right at the older woman. She couldn't stand by and just watch. This is just growing worse.
"Ah ah ah, I wouldn't do that if I were you" Luna smiled, wagging her finger as she eyed Erina's shaky grip on her bow. "Who knows what were to happen if someone else was hurt by accident" her lips had curved sinisterly. She spoke no lies. She could easily reflect the arrow before it could reach her....with anything or...anyone.
"Stand down, Erina..." Kathryn gulped, catching on to what the woman was implying. Right now, Cynthia's life is literally in her palm. "Okay, the stage is yours...now what?" The green-haired girl bit her lips.
"Well, I—" Luna's eyes had widened when she realised something. "Oh how rude of me, I haven't really properly introduce myself" she had feigned sadness and shock.
The girls only looked at her in displeasure. It was obvious that the woman was just messing with them.
"Oh well," the blonde woman sighed before turning her frown upside down. She has happily gotten up from her icy throne and stood before them. "Luna Hayden, at your service~" she had curtsy with a smiled yet they weren't blind to the glint in her eyes.
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"H-Hayden?!" Cynthia was quick to catch the last name. And she looked like she had seen a ghost. Her blue eyes stared down at the blonde woman in complete disbelief. She had became soberer from rage at the new information.
"Yes~" Luna simply chirped as she released the younger girl from the shadowy restrains. Cynthia immediately fell midair as the shadowy hands completely disappear. "Ouch..."
"Hold up...as in the Grand Duchess of the Hayden Household?" Kathryn also looked at the woman in disbelief. The green-haired of course recognised the distinguished name "The only niece to His Majesty, King Charles Avalon?! That Luna Hayden?!"
"Who else?" Luna was enjoying the reaction of the girls. Erina was gaping as she quickly lowered her bow. Lily was now cowering at Yumi's side, who despite the usual blank face, had kept her eyes guarded on the woman. Roselyn looked completely frightened at the realisation that they were attacked by such a high-status figure. The orange-haired girl would have fallen over if it weren't for Avelyn, who was keeping her steady. Whereas, the brunette though was trying to stay strong but one could easily see the shaking of her knee.
However for Cynthia, after being rudely released from Luna's grasp, gotten up and hissed quietly at the pain of being dropped. Though the blonde girl did manage to say. "What? How? Why?" She had looked gobsmacked.
"Well, I was bored" Luna shrugged as all of them looked at her like she had grown a second head. Really?
She noticed their stares and rolled her eyes. "What? I had ventured to great lands, discover unknown mysteries and even conquered deadly beasts. You can't blame me for getting bored"
"Really?" Yumi was the one who voiced their thoughts.
"Okay, fine" the blonde woman groaned, leaning back on her icy throne. "I may have been there at your Coming of Age Ceremony" she finally admitted. She found more interest in twirling a lock of her hair.
"So you got interested probably most in Cynthia or Roselyn with the fact that had rare elements, correct?" Kathryn guessed and she was right on point.
"Precisely!" Luna had beamed at the green-haired girl. "But it actually concerned Cynthia more"
"Because she has dark water element?" Erina blinked while Avelyn acclaimed, "cause she's your future cousin-in-law!" The brunette raised her hand.
"Both are correct!" The older woman snapped her fingers at them. She grinned at both girls.
Though Cynthia only grew paler at the thought of catching this woman's attention. Oh god, it's bad enough she had the Prince's now the Duchess? What's next? The bloody King himself?
What was more worst, the Duchess is one of the characters who was highly regarded yet never really appeared within the game. Nevertheless, she knew of the tales that Anthony's route had given. And oh bad, they weren't all the best.
They don't call her the Demon Duchess for nothing.
"Cynthia?" Roselyn furrowed her brows in concern. "Are you okay?" The orange-haired had noticed how the girl was profusely sweating.
Cynthia could only weakly nod back.
"Oh don't look so scared" Luna had said, smirking at the nervous blonde hair girl. "I won't bite plus I'm actually here with a good cause" but Cynthia didn't look any more relieved.
"Says the woman who had attacked and threatened us earlier" Yumi bluntly reminded her.
"Oh please, I was just playing. Can't blame a lady for that" Luna only waves off the pink-haired girl. "Moreover, I heard ya looking for a teacher"
"A teacher?" Erina had blinked, shocked that the woman knew despite them never telling anyone else outside the group.
"Yep for your little friend there" the older woman snickered the pale girl—Cynthia. "And you have the best one right here" Luna had gestured to herself smugly.
"Only Cynthia?" Kathryn narrowed her eyes.
"My dear" Luna's lips only curved upward more. She found the girl's scepticism almost endearing. "While Cynthia is the reason, I have no intention of letting go of such potential individuals" she scanned the girls with her sky blue eyes. They were glinting in excitement and interest. "It will be a pleasure to teach such fascinating disciples"
The girls couldn't help but shiver under her gaze. It had held a promise for mayhem. Luna had smirked at the small reaction before continuing, "also while the quest may seem pointless to you—"
"You wanted to see our current skills and capability" Cynthia's eyes widened when she now realized it. Though she was still somewhat pissed that someone had played them like a fool.
"Correct" Luna had smiled at her, proud that the blonde girl had caught before freezing her feet. "But don't interrupt me again" the older woman smile quickly turned into a glare. Her sky blue eyes darkened in a warning.
"R-Right" Cynthia's teeth had chattered at the cold ice that reached her lower waist.
"Good~" the dark glare quickly disappear and was replaced with a bright smile. Luna had removed the ice from the girl's body. Cynthia then quickly warmed herself up and sighed in relief.
Watching the scene, Kathryn couldn't help but twitch at the older blonde woman. 'This woman is more bipolar than Cynthia' she had groaned in her mind. She can already see the pain and suffering that awaits them under her mentorship. Out of all teachers, why must they have the unstable one?
"Great!" Luna clapped her hands, smiling down at all of them. "As for today, you'll be under my wings and I'll be your mentor. Congratulations!" The blonde woman completely glossed over the dreaded looks on their faces. "Any questions?" She hummed.
Avelyn raised her hands as if she was in class, "do we get any say in this?'
Luna snapped her fingers at the brunette. "Excellent question!" She still kept her bright smile. "Nope!" She had answered nonchalantly.
All the girls slumped in defeat. And just like that, they had become the disciples of the Demon Duchess.
'I can already feel the pain...' Cynthia wailed internally. Though, she knew that the Duchess is probably the only one who can help her with her magic.
According to the game, Duchess Luna Hayden was one of the very few to be a master in dark elements and the only one mentioned within the game.
However, she knew that this way was like playing with fire. The Duchess is an unpredictable variable that even she couldn't guess her motive. This either gonna be a big mistake or a blessing in disguise...she only hoped it was the latter.
"Alright, who's hungry?" Luna had snapped her fingers. Instantly, the bolted windows and dark eerieness of the whole room disappear. Now it was replaced by a comforting and fancy air as a dining table had appeared as well with food and dessert galore placed upon it. Even the ice that once covered Cynthia's lower half had vanished.
"Who knew..." Yumi blinked at the dining table. "A kidnapper really did treat us to a tea party" she glanced at the teacups that were before them. "If I knew this was kidnapping lead to then I should've gotten kidnapped more often.." The pink-haired girl always had desserts in her hands.
"No Yumi...just no" Erina sighed at the foodie girl. Sometimes she's worried that girl might actually get lure by food one day.
"Enjoy yourself~" Luna beamed, gesturing to the delectables presented. "Eat as much as you want before leaving tomorrow~" she smiled as she placed her chin on her
"Leaving?" Roselyn blinked, catching the older woman's words.
Luna's smile grew wider, "of course~" she was practically grinning. "You'll need all the energy you can get for the trip back tomorrow~"
"B-But the m-monkeys..." Lily paled at the thought of the primates. She was practically traumatized by the furry beasts.
"The leeches..." Cynthia also paled. She will faint at the sight of them again.
"We're dead..." Roselyn was looking faint herself.
"First lesson for you all~" Luna chimed, catching their attention. "Always prepare for the worse" she had smiled but they could see the sadism laced upon her lips. "No matter what fate throws at you, you gotta walk it through...crawl if you have to ~"
'Sadist!' Was all they had thought looking at the smiling woman. Then they all had groaned at the thought of a trip back to the guild. Just great.
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~ The Next Day ~
"You're back!" Clara had welcomed them with a big smile. The older woman was anxious about their return. I mean, they are newly guild members and she was quite fond of them. They don't get plenty of young polite members.
Tired groans and smiles were all she received in return. The receptionist didn't take it to the heart, knowing how exhausted the girls had been from their first quest. She instead smiled at them in sympathy, knowing how some quests are too much for the human body.
The girls had dragged themselves to the nearest table and slumped against the wooden surface. They had spent almost the whole day getting back to the guild, going through more giant leeches and monkeys kidnapping them...again. Not to mention the forest beasts that had attacked them, thinking of making them into a quick snack.
"You guys looked like shit" Koda snickered at them before receiving a hit to the back of his head. He had glared at the culprit.
Rafael who had hit him, simply shook his head in disappointment at his brunette friend. The dark-skinned boy softly smiled at the girls. "You girls should rest up. Do you have a place to stay?"
More groans answered his question and he already guessed that they didn't. They did get lost finding the guild and was sent off to a quest right after registration. He was sure that they didn't have time to find a place.
"Well, you girls could stay in a nearby for the night before searching for a place tomorrow" Rafael suggested. "They won't cost much for one night so I'm sure you girls could manage"
"Y-Yeah, thank Rafael" Cynthia weakly smile at him before faceplanting back on the table.
The dark-skinned male could only sweatdrop at the barely functional girls before him. They were really exhausted from their first quest.
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~ Nearby Inn ~
"Remind me why didn't we didn't already have a place built or something?" Kathryn groaned against the pillow. Her whole body was sore and crying out in pain.
"Something about being independent and finding our own place?" Erina hummed as she brushed her hair. The group had split two pairs and one group of three sharing a room.
"Ha!" Cynthia laughed as the blonde hair exited the bathroom. "Like it would discourage us from the life of an adventurer" she plopped on her bed. She sighed in relief at the soft mattress beneath her. Goddamn, she'll marry it.
"Your dad was determined to convince you otherwise" Kathryn lifted her head and rested her cheek in her palm, leaning on her elbow. "Anyway, Rafael's right. We gotta find a place of own tomorrow" she said with a sigh.
"I'm sure we'll be fine" Cynthia waved the green-haired girl off. "How hard could it be?" She stretched her arms. "We just faced off with monkeys, giants stone monsters, disgusting giant leeches and so much more" Cynthia grinned at them. "How could house hunting be any worse?"
"I don't know" Kathryn rolled her eyes. "With our luck, I bet it won't be easy as it seems" she buried her face into her pillow.
"Okay, that's enough" Erina sighed, placing her hands on her hip. "We should go to sleep now. We'll need the rest"
"Alright~" Cynthia yawned as Erina helped switched off the light to their room.
"Goodnight"
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Author Note:
Okay! Early warning, my classes are starting tomorrow....yayyy (Ｔ▽Ｔ)
So my updates are going to be slower...dammit...I'm so sorry! I'm already a slow updater but I'll try my best! So, please continue to enjoy this story! ಥ⌣ಥ
Anyway, how did you all enjoy this chapter? Please do comment and vote! (￣ω￣;)
Byeeeee!!!!