The Rules of Blood-Volume Two ; Chapter 85 (301) - The Unbinding
“Sera of Noble Blood Denegis, join me,” the Daughter said, turning toward Blanc and his sister.
But no reply came. None of them could answer her; every breath was spent spewing their breakfast onto the ground.
“Itarevraj,” Lendros gasped between heaves.
“Itarevraj,” Tahreni echoed, agreeing with his assessment of the Daughter.
‘Witch
.’ That’s what they called her. And from the eyes of foreigners untouched by the Sanguinarch Order, it was a fitting word. Even Velakia staggered near Blanc, bent over, vomiting.
But Blanc and Sera were the worst.
They knew the Order. They trusted the Order.
Yet never had they imagined its power could be so hideous.
The Daughters were healers, neutral politicians. Not... this.
Kneeling amid enemy soldiers, they clutched their mouths, trying and failing to hold the bile back.
Blanc forced himself to look up, but the moment his eyes found the lump of flesh, fat, bone shards, and torn skin, his stomach gave out again, splattering across a soldier’s boot.
The soldier didn’t even flinch.
For those who had not fainted or joined in the vomiting were frozen stiff, paralyzed by terror at the realization: a moment ago, they had loosed arrows against her.
And when that realization hit, they took off running out of the Grand Hall.
“What is wrong?” the Daughter asked while approaching Blanc, Velakia, and Sera.
“Wasn’t it… a bit extreme?” Blanc asked as he wiped his mouth, struggling to breathe.
“The Order does not take lightly to people who go against it, or stand in its way,” the Daughter crouched in front of him, her face lacking any emotions, as always. “When we act, which is rare, but when we do, we make sure we do not have to do it again. Good thing you are our friend, Lord Blanc.”
Fear.
That was what overtook Blanc’s soul as he looked into the red eyes of the Daughter.
The gruesome sight before her was as much punishment for Blood Seraph as it was a warning to him.
‘We are friends, but let us show you what happens to those who are not.’
That was the message Blanc understood from the Daughter’s words. However, unable to puke any longer, he tried to compose himself and not show fear.
“Thank the Vita for that, friend,” Blanc attempted a smile.
That was enough to please the Daughter, making her rise to her feet.
“Now then,” the Daughter said, her steps carrying her to where Sera knelt barely two feet from Blanc. “Let us rid you of this cursed engagement, Lady Sera.”
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Still pale, stomach twisting, Sera managed only a weak nod before extending her trembling hand.
The Daughter’s touch was firm but kind as she pulled her upright, then turned her gaze toward Fiamma and Aidan, both still fixed on the quivering lump of flesh that had once been a man, a husband, and a father.
“Lord Aidan, join us,” the Daughter spoke as the two of them approached.
Aidan did not hear the Daughter, his eyes fixed on the bloody ground below.
“Lord Aidan,” the Daughter spoke again, her voice domineering.
But nothing this time, either.
“I will not speak for a fourth time, Lord Aidan,” the Daughter warned.
“Go,” Fiamma muttered, still holding the lumps of flesh in her hands.
Only then did Aidan realize he was being addressed.
“What?” he muttered, “Go to my father’s killers?”
“I SAID GO!” Fiamma yelled, her anger and grip rupturing some of the flesh she was holding, making blood spew out all over her face.
Aidan, without any tears in his eyes, with a ragged breath, turned to the Daughter and slowly approached.
Every step he took, pressing hard on the remains of his father, made him squint his eyes in grief at every crunch, snap, or gooey texture.
“Welcome near,” the Daughter nodded, letting go of Sera, and stepping between the two of them, “Because of the unfortunate circumstances of today, we will keep it brief to let Noble Blood Denegis depart, and let Blood Seraph grieve in peace.”
None said a word.
So the Daughter began.
“As the Heavens were once whole, yet now lie Shattered,
As the Gods once walked among us, yet now walk no more,
So too, as this bond was once forged, it is now broken.
Before the eyes of Vita, witness to all things, I declare you both released of one another.
Sera of Noble Blood Denegis.
Aidan of Blood Seraph.
Do you accept?”
“I do,” they both said in unison.
“May your roads never cross each other,” the Daughter declared, slapping Aidan.
She then turned to Sera, slapping her as well, “And may you find love in another.”
After the ritual was done, Sera returned to Blanc and together helped Velakia back on her feet.
“H-how are you, my dear?” Blanc asked, still sick to his stomach.
“I’ve seen a man turned to minced meat,” Velakia muttered, “Who have I just invited into my home, Blanc?”
Blanc sighed, turning to look at the Daughter in the distance. Her eyes were fixed on the ground, without focus. “The best, and apparently, worst thing that has happened to our continent, I fear.”
“Stop it,” Sera whispered, panicked, “What if she hears you?”
“We must make sure to never lose this friendship of ours, no matter the cost,” Blanc muttered, “I will make sure of that.”
“How?” Velakia wondered.
“By giving them what they want,” Blanc muttered, “Which still remains unknown.”
“Wonderful,” Velakia shook her head, terrified, “I may have doomed my kingdom with this one.”
“Velakia,” Blanc grabbed her cheeks with both arms, making her watch him, “I will make sure nothing happens, okay?”
“Are you sure you can do it?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“We’ll discuss later, you two go help Tahreni and Lendros on their feet,” Blanc replied with a gentle smile, “Now I will go and settle this.”
With that, Blanc let go of Velakia, walking through the remains towards Fiamma, backpack now in hand.
A few feet away, he crouched down, reached into his backpack, and pulled the locked box, placing it on the ground.
Fiamma’s eyes looked at it intently, but soon turned back to the lump of meat, silent.
“I hate you,” Blanc began, “I hate your son, your stupid horns, and the entirety of your Blood. You have betrayed my Blood, betrayed our Empire, and I would love to see you all dead. But I’ve never wanted… this.”
“
This
is my husband,” Fiamma hissed, her jaws clenched, “You hate me? You hate my Blood? Well, I fucking hate you, and do not worry, Blanc of NOBLE Blood Denegis, I will hunt you, your sister, your princess, and all you hold dear, and I will turn you all to ashes. Bring what armies you want, bring war, bring all that you can muster, for soon, hahaha, soon, you will learn dragon fire.”
Volume Two ; Chapter 85 (301) - The Unbinding
Comments