Moren swore under her breath and quickly gauged her opponents like her Master had taught her. The two men who came to her former home with the intention to kill Mika seem to prefer daggers, and both men drew said daggers with glee. The taller man drew a simple-looking longsword and gave Moren a cruel smile. "I suggest you three leave while you have a chance." She said, snapping her finger and allowing her spear to appear in her hand. "Allow us to pass, and I won't hurt you."
The bald man let out a condescending laugh. "I don't know who you are, girl, but I suggest you leave the half-breed to us and flee before we kill you as well." He said, wiggling his sword in a taunting manner. "She is our bounty, and we intend to collect by killing her and go about our day."
"Yeah!" One of the thugs said with a nasty grin. "We are gonna have a little fun with her before we slit her throat." The man licked his lip as his eyes moved to Mika's chest. "A lot of fun, hehe." He turned to his companion. "I call dibs first, Mort."
Mika trembled violently and pressed herself against the wall, her voice quivering with terror. "Be careful, Moren," she whispered, barely able to speak through her fear.
"You won't lay a finger on her while I still draw breath," Moren growled, her voice dripping with defiance as she brandished her spear toward the bald man with fierce determination. "This is your last warning. Leave while you still have the chance." Her eyes blazed with fury, a storm of rage ready to be unleashed. "Or else." Her grip on the spear tightened, knuckles white with resolve.
Moren hesitated for a moment, her breath coming in steady but measured draws as she stared down her attackers. The weight of her spear in her hands felt heavier than usual, not from its craftsmanship but from the choice she was about to make. After years of training under Master Silvereyes—endless drills, countless sparring matches, and lessons drilled into her mind—this was her first real fight. Not a practice session, not a controlled duel. This time, there would be no reset, no instructor to call for restraint.
She would have to take a life.
Her fingers tightened around the shaft of the spear, the smooth wood grounding her as adrenaline surged through her veins. Her opponents watched her carefully, circling like wolves sensing a moment of weakness. Moren could hear Master Silvereyes' voice in her mind, calm and unwavering. "Hesitation'll get ye killed. Make the first move. Strike wi' purpose."
Her pulse pounded against her ribs as she exhaled sharply, forcing herself to push past the fear. There was no turning back. No running. She leveled her spear, angling the sharp tip toward the nearest attacker. This was it.
Her first kill.
The now identified thug Mort scoffed and gripped his dagger in a reverse grip. "I saw we take them both and have some fun before killing them." He grunted and rubbed his crotch in a vulgar manner. "Been a while since we had enough coins for the brothels. Eh, Cad"
"Disgusting." Moren narrowed her eyes. "So be it." She said coldly before casting Fey Blast at the bald man and watched as her red-purplish beam struck the man in the chest. The attack caught the man off guard, and he stumbled back a few steps. The two thugs rushed towards her and started swinging their daggers at her. Mort missed her completely after stumbling over rubbish and barely stayed on his feet. Cad tried to stab her with a downward thrust aimed at her heart. Moren blocked it with her staff and cast Icy Touch on her attacker. The ghostly hand grabbed onto the man's face, and he screamed in pain.
"You bitch!" Mort barked and surged toward Moren, and the man managed to land a slash on her left shoulder. "Jax! Kill the Bitch!"
Moren hissed and swung her spear at the man's chest with one hand. Her blade cut deep into the leather armor on his chest, and blood splashed over her shirt as the man's chest turned a dark red. Moren sends another Fey Blast to the second attacker at point black range. She took a step back and readjusted her stance.
'Danger, behind.' Luna warned her voice sharp in Moren's mind as her tawny wings cut through the air. She swooped down in a flurry of feathers, talons flashing as she darted at the two attackers closing in on Moren. The men flinched, raising their arms to shield their faces as the owl's sharp beak and claws forced them back.
Moren didn't waste the opening. With a sharp pivot, she spun her spear in her hands and lunged, the tip glinting under the dim light as she drove forward to give her a chance to look behind her.
Moren whipped her head around, eyes locking onto Jax with his longsword poised menacingly, closing in on Mika. "Oh, no, you don't!" she growled through gritted teeth, her voice a low warning of fury. Moren fought desperately to break free from the relentless assault of the two thugs she was locked in combat with. Her spear was a blur as she deflected their vicious strikes, but they pressed her mercilessly, denying her the chance to unleash another spell. "Mika! Run!" she screamed, desperation lacing her voice. With a surge of adrenaline, she drove the butt of her spear into Mort's face with brutal force, sending him staggering back, bloodied and dazed.
Moren's grimace turned into a fierce grin as Luna swooped down with lethal precision, her talons raking across Cad's face, drawing a raw scream of agony from him. "Thank Luna!" Moren exclaimed with fervor, unleashing a powerful telekinetic shove that hurled Cad violently to the ground. Her attention snapped to Mort, and she nimbly ducked under his clumsy attack before driving her spear with deadly force into his throat. A crimson fountain erupted, splattering the wall in a gruesome display as she withdrew her weapon, leaving Mort to crumple to the ground, his hands desperately clutching his bleeding throat. Cad, his face a mask of fury and pain, scrambled back to his feet, spitting curses at Moren with venomous rage.
The man's eyes blazed with fury as he clenched his fists, his voice a low growl that echoed through the dimly lit alley. "You whore!" he spat, his words dripping with venom. His face twisted with rage. He took a menacing step forward, his intentions clear in the dangerous glint of his eyes. "I'll kill you, bitch, for killing my brother!" he snarled, his breath ragged with anger and grief.
"Not today, you won't!' Moren spat back and deflected his first attack, but his second managed to graze her left forearm. She was trying to end it quickly and could have sworn that someone was singing nearby in Elvish. Moren pushed that thought to the back of her mind as she spun her spear around to smack the man in the face with an elbow and watched her attacker crumple to the ground. A scream made Moren's head snap towards Mika.
Jax let out a primal roar that echoed through the alley, a guttural cry of anguish and fury at the loss of his friend. With eyes blazing and muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike, he charged at Mika, swinging his longsword with a ferocity that seemed to cleave the air itself.
"No!" Moren cried, raised her hand, and sent a telekinetic blast at her opponent, causing him to stumble and miss his target in his attack. She heard the Elven singing grow louder mere moments before a chain with a fist-sized six-sided mace attached to the end slammed into the back of the tall man's knee with a loud crack.
Jax screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground, clutching his broken knee. His longsword slipped from his grasp, hitting the ground with a clatter as furious curses echoed around him.
Moren looked at the other end of the alley and saw a woman pull the chain back toward her with an elegant snap of her wrist. She quickly caught the whip's last few feet and started twirling the mace head. The woman was several inches shorter and had a slim but lithe figure. She had long, striking white braided hair styled in multiple braids that contrasted against her light caramel skin and gold eyes. The newcomer wore a fitted white shirt with a high neckline. The shirt has long sleeves, and the fabric is slightly puffy around the shoulders and upper arms, giving it a structured look. Over the white shirt, the woman wore a corset-like piece of brown armor with golden accents. This piece has multiple straps and buckles, suggesting a sturdy and functional design. The leather gloves had metallic armor plating, providing protection while allowing for dexterity. Her golden wings shined beautifully in the light and seemed to shimmer with each step.
The woman was still singing a beautiful song in a stunning voice. "Veysha, our guide and savior, shine your light so bright, In your warmth, we find our solace, in the endless night. With your grace, we find redemption, in your love, we find release, Veysha, our divine healer, guides us to eternal peace~." She never missed a beat as she walked closer to the down man with a calm and steady breath. The emblem of Veysha around the woman's neck swayed on a god chain with each step while her whip danced around her.
"Thank you!" Moren called out and returned her attention to her opponent, who had grabbed his fallen friend's weapon and came at her wildly, swinging his weapon at her face. Moren went on the offensive and easily deflected the enraged man's attacks, twirled her spear, and spun on her heels before sending a powerful thrust with her spear into the man's chest. "May you and your disgusting brother burn in Nine Hells." She spat out as the man choked on his own blood and fell to the ground.
Moren turned back to see the tall man standing on his one good leg, trying to swing his sword at the dark-skinned woman, but his attackers were easily deflated with her chain and landed several more blows to his chest and stomach. The woman wove her spell into the end of the song verse, and five gold darts flew from her hand and slammed into Jax's body. The man collapsed to the ground with a grunt before his body went limp.
"Mika!" Moren cried out and rushed to her mother's side. Mika was sitting on the ground, hugging her knees to her chest with a terrified look on her face. "You're safe." She pointed her spear away from her mother as blood ran down its tip.
"T-Thank you," Mika said shakily as she gasped at Moren. "You're hurt!" She immediately began looking at her daughter's injuries.
Moren cast Minor Manifestation on her spear and clothes to remove the blood of the men she had just slain. "I'm fine," she said quickly, helping her mother get back to her feet. "I will drink a potion in a moment. The cuts aren't too serious." She watched Mika's expression change to a frown. "I promise to treat them in a moment."
"Allow me to be of service." The woman said softly.
Moren and Mika turned to face their savior, who greeted them with a warm smile. As she stood before them, they noticed golden freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks and her Elf-like ears, which were longer than Moren's. Her chain whip was neatly coiled and secured to her belt alongside a T-guard rapier.
"I am grateful for your help," Moren said, nodding her head in acknowledgment. "Without your timely arrival, I would have lost my mother. I am Moren Ravenheart, and this is my mother, Mika."
"Veska Goldfeather, at your service," She replied with an elegant bow. "Hold still for a few moments." She placed her hand on Moren's forearm, and her hand glowed a bright gold. It healed her wound before repeating the process on Moren's shoulder. "Now to fix your clothing." Veska cast a simple mending spell to make the slashed shirt look as new. "I suggest we vacate this alley in case any of their friends come looking for us."
Moren couldn't deny that Veska had a point. It was highly likely that some of the guards were being paid by her parents, and they would send her back home. Yet, the thought of Mika facing punishment as an escaped slave weighed heavily on her conscience.
"That sounds like a good plan," Moren agreed, retracting her spear back into her glove. "We're on our way to the Skyport to depart from Stormhaven ." She glanced at Luna, fluttering above, before perching on her shoulder. "I can pay you in gold to ensure our safe passage to our destination."
"No gold is necessary," Veska chuckled with amusement. "I'm also traveling by airship, and, as a devotee of Veysha, it would be my honor to accompany you both to the Skyport," she said with a playful wink. "We should hurry. They might have allies nearby."
"Lead the way," Mika said, standing close to Moren as they hurried out of the alley, away from the dead bodies of her would-be killers on the ground in the trash where they belonged.
The trio navigated the bustling throng with a brisk pace, weaving through the crowded street until they arrived at the expansive Skyport, encountering no further obstacles. The air was alive with a cacophony: merchants barked orders with urgency, dockhands strained as they unloaded heavy crates, and the rhythmic clanking of metal resounded as diligent workers secured the thick mooring lines to the massive docking arms. The sharp scent of burning aether intertwined with the salty tang of the sea breeze, creating a heady atmosphere, while luminous cargo lifts vibrated with a steady hum under the weight of imported goods, their mechanical groans barely audible over the symphony of industry.
Luna flew several laps around the towering spires, her sharp eyes scanning the network of floating platforms for any signs of pursuit. Below, skyships of all sizes hovered in designated berths, their sails pulsing with residual arcane energy as crew members offloaded shipments of rare minerals and alchemical ingredients. Steam hissed from the pneumatic ramps as mechanical constructs hauled crates stamped with noble sigils, their metal limbs moving with precision among the bustling workers.
Moren instinctively reached for her mother's hand as they ascended the spiral stairs leading to the bustling loading floor. The staircase wound upwards like a coiled snake, each step echoing underfoot with a metallic clang. Passengers in fine travel garb, adorned with delicate embroidery and vibrant silks, navigated past laborers covered in soot, their faces smudged with grime and their clothes heavy with the scent of oil and sweat. Airship captains, clad in crisp uniforms adorned with brass buttons and insignias, barked orders to their crews, their voices sharp and commanding amidst the clamor. Overhead, aether engines thrummed with a rhythmic hum, their faint blue glow casting eerie, flickering shadows across the stone flooring, like ghostly specters dancing in the dim light. The Skyport pulsed with energy, a hive of constant movement and activity, where one could easily vanish into the chaos, like a drop in a roaring river—or be plucked from it if they weren't careful, a single thread pulled from a tangled weave.
"There she is," Moren said with a smile and let out a sigh of relief. The Horizon Seeker loomed ahead, its elegant hull reinforced with enchanted steel, a testament to both speed and durability. Aether sails shimmered faintly, catching the energy of the ley lines above. Deckhands scurried across the gangplank, securing crates and guiding passengers up the ramp, their voices mingling with the hum of the ship's core. Moren turned to Veska. "What ship are you sailing out on?"
Veska leaned against the railing, watching as workers rushed to load the last of the cargo. "It seems Veysha wants us to journey together a little longer," she mused, tilting her head toward the Horizon Seeker. "My ship leaving Stormhaven is also The Horizon Seeker bound for Ethos. She flashed a wide grin, mischief glinting in her golden eyes. "How fortunate."
"Bless the Goddess," Mika murmured, her voice quivering slightly as a tentative smile spread across her face. "It brings comfort to know that someone will be by our side to assist my daughter should any difficulties arise."
"I agree, Mother," Moren said, flashing Veska a warm smile. "I would like to discuss your magical prowess and beautiful singing voice." She was curious about Veska's abilities, and her singing seemed to be linked to her fighting style.
"You both are too kind," Veska beamed. "How about we get settled on board and spend the evening chatting and maybe playing a game of Arcane Ante?" Veska's wings flexed with her excitement.
Moren flashed Veska a fierce smile. "It has been ages since I found someone to play cards with me." She gestured to Mika. "She refuses to play Arcane Ante with me anymore, and my.. former friend stopped playing after she got married." She felt a pang of regret when she thought of Tiana but quickly buried the painful memory.
Mika scowled playfully at her daughter. "That is because you always win," She said, rolling her eyes. "You are such a sweet daughter until those cards are on the table."
"Oh?" Veska chuckled and cracked her knuckles. "That will make this trip even better than I could have hoped for." She reached into a belt pouch and pulled out a deck of blue and silver cards. "I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
"I agree with that, my friend," Moren replied with a laugh and made her way towards the Horizon Seeker. "What are we waiting for?" She hurried over to check in with the Captain and to pay for Mika's passage.
Moren smiled as Captain Alaric Stormblade, a Half-Orc with a powerful build, wore a loose-fitting tunic, gray pants, and brown pirate-esque boots and welcomed them aboard with a wide grin. Alaric's long black hair was swept back, and his neck bore a few tattoos. The man reminded her of the cover of an old romance novel. "Thank you for allowing my Mother to join me on the trip to Ethos." She followed the Captain to her room. "I hope I'm not inconveniencing you or your crew, Sir."
"Not at all, miss," Alaric replied with a chuckle. "You already paid for the room, and it will be a tight fit for two, but luckily, it will be a short trip to Ethos." He stopped in front of a door and unlocked the door with a simple iron key. "Meals will be brought to your room by a crew member, and all I ask is that you stay in your rooms until we arrive in port to allow my crew to work uninterrupted." He handed the key to Moren.
"Now, Miss Goldfeather, your room will be across from their room." Alaric handed a similar key to Veska. "Please get comfortable. We will be heading out of port shortly." The Captain gave them a quick bow before heading back down the hallway to bark orders at her crew. "Quit your lollygagging! I want to depart on time. Move it, lads and ladies!"
Moren chuckled at the Captain's words and unlocked the door before walking inside to find a small bunk with a dark green blanket atop an old mattress. A small desk was covered with dents and scratches, and a matching chair was beside the bed. A few lamps hung from the ceiling with white magical crystals in place of oil. "You can take the bed, Mom," She said, turning to her mother. "I will sleep on the floor." Moren reached into her enchanted bag and pulled out a sleeping bag.
"We will see about that," Mika muttered as she walked into the room and set her bag down on the desk. "I am not so delicate that I can't sleep on the floor for a few nights."
Moren scowled and let out a sigh. "We will figure it out later." She replied, setting her large bag against the wall. Luna fluttered off Moren's shoulder and landed on the desk with a hoot. "Do you want to stay here or go back to your realm?" Moren knew Luna would not be happy being cooped up in a room without a window.
'Home.' Luna replied, hopping forward to bump Moren's hand. 'Summon soon.'
"I promise, Luna," Moren said, petting her familiar before the tawny owl faded back to her realm. She placed her bag against the wall and turned to see Veska leaning against the door with a chair from her room behind her, holding a deck of cards in her hand. "Shuffle the deck, and I'll move the table."
Mika sighed, got comfortable on the bed, and pulled out her knitting needles. "Keep it friendly, girls." She said, knowing that the friendly game would turn completive after the first hand was dealt.
"No promises." Moren and Veska said together before busting out laughing. Moren got the table in place and took a seat. She watched as Veska closed her eyes and concentrated momentarily. Her wings merged into her body before entering the room.