(Just a little flavor post for now)
Through a long chain of wars built on the never ending cycle of vengeance, the nations of Kalestiyanai and Ardenarai have inevitably degenerated into dark reflections of themselves. The sins committed in the past could never ever be cleansed, the mistakes that never shouldn’t have been done._
A crowd of monochrome, and dirtied captives organized into a line the moment the chime of the evening bells announced the time for roll-call. Much of them were fitted in grey jumpsuits robbing them of any identity they once had, the first steps of breaking a person's individuality. These once-proud holy warriors of Ardenarai were to be sold into slavery. Arbenn Saanca, Head of Security for the Levenn Artificiers League, oversaw the procession with the same dutiful gaze. She held a lit cigarette on her right hand, extinguishing it upon the wrists of one of the captives. He/she, whatever it was, wailed in pain.
“ Strange. “ Arbenn threw away the used cigarette butt at her shoes, not paying any heed to the pained wails of the prisoner who was promptly swatted down by her escorts for desecrating the Republic with their cries. Soon, the thing was rendered unconscious. “ By Republic Act 566, the revised criminal code, article twenty-six. Opposing the revolution can be grounds for mandatory community service for up to ten years, and by article fifty-one, possession and utilization of the phenomena known as magic is a felony that can directly endanger Eleutheria as proven by the existence of aberrations wrought upon the world through the usage of such forbidden weapons. With the power vested upon me by the Tribunal of Colors, I sentence you all to Gehinnom. “
“ Infidel“ a voice echoed out from the back of the line, coming from an old man, likely a minor noble as distinguished by his well-groomed appearance and the respect other captives seemed to offer to him. His nonchalant attitude didn’t really mind Arbenn, as long as directives were carried out, as always.
“ You believe that the Trinity is a bunch of lies? And that we fight for absolutely no purpose? Do you?“ The elder approached Arbenn from behind, supporting himself upon a cane to compensate for his limp right leg. The Head of Security merely looked at him with relative indifference, not even contempt, something that annoyed the nobleman. “ Why aren’t you answering me? Don’t you have anything else to say? Bastards, you shouldn’t have ever come to our world. “
“ You didn’t request an answer from me. “ Arbenn simply stated, raising an eyebrow. “ Does my opinion matter? “
“ Our sons will take back Eleutheria, everything. Your kind do not belong here, destroying everything, poisoning the lands, using our daughters as. . . you bastards. “ The nobleman began steadily intruding on the HoS’ space, he was acting unusually, as Arbenn observed, something was off. “ Nymenna will crush you sinners.. “
“ Is it my fault? “ Arbenn Saanca inquired as she analyzed what the man was up to. Disabling him in one fell-swoop as he comes closer would be the most effective way of neutralizing a threat. She moved back by a single step. “ If it offers you any reprieve, sorry. “ dryly apologized.
“ You can’t just spew that shit, after all that has happened. You will have to pay for it. “ Exasperatedly threatened the elder.
“ I don’t have the budget nor authority to offer war indemnities. “
“ For the Purest! “ The elder rushed at her, dropping off the cane, all an act to put her guard down. Although being a trained combatant, was sluggish after the days of exhaustion and starvation he was put through, easily disposable with the right aim. Suspecting that the elder might be armed, Arbenn unholstered her service-pistol and simply fired a single shot, filling the room with a bright flash of light.. It completely scorched his torso, leaving only burnt flesh and bare bones. A warm glow emanated from the dying man’s body. Before he could give his last words, the life in his eyes died out. Soon afterwards a loud fiery explosion engulfs the entire formation of captives and Arbenn.
A few minutes later, she regained consciousness, her escorts desperately scrambling to mend the wounds upon her body. Arbenn was saved in due time thanks to her position, but losing her organic limbs of which were mangled beyond recognition, and her visage was scorched by the fireball that formed. Much of the slaves were on the brink of death, a lot of them have passed away already . . .
“ F-f-faach… W-what? “ She turned her face to the sides, bewildered at the unexpected turn of events. Her security escort then quickly debriefed the situation as they tended to her scalded wounds.
“ The man’s body spontaneously combusted as you performed that field-execution, he clearly set it up using thaumaturgy, with his death as the catalyst. It consumed much of the prisoners . . . it seems like his intention was to both kill you and as many of his own men as possible. You are lucky madame . . . a few distance closer and it would’ve been the end of you. “ The escort continued administering a combination of salves into her exposed flesh as he explained. “ Those implants you installed really helped you out, but we will be needing more of them after this. This was a mistake on our part for not executing them earlier ourselves, apologies. “
She looked down, there was nothing left below her shoulders but blackened flesh. Another of her bodyguards beside her appeared to have shared the same fate, but unfortunately might’ve passed away, judging by the covers on his body. The augments afforded by the Artificiers League saved her this time. Little-by-little, Arbenn's body lost the necrotic burnt hue inflicted upon her by the nobleman, restitching bits of flesh that were no longer there, although even such miraculous technology was incapable of restoring Arbenn into her original condition. Eventually, sensory dampening augments took effect and put her into a deep sleep.
(non-canon)
