The Crimson Champion

Lorelei Side Story: A Scarred Past

(Author's Note: The first part of this Lorelei chapter starts directly after Brutus's death towards the end of the prologue!)

Yuri stands in the forest, putting pressure over his eye socket after he killed Brutus Crescent and his wolf. "Damned mutt put up a fight, didn't it...?"

Yuri goes to retrieve his katanas from the wolf's body, but as he does, the body disappears. He immediately whirls around to see that Brutus's body is gone too. "What in hell is this?!"

Yuri turns to look at the girl's body and he sees it's still there. He goes over to check her, and he notices she's still alive and breathing. "Hmm...this one may be useful to me..."

Yuri pulls out a communicator and contacts Lonril. "The job is finally done, Lonril. Have the mages bring down the airship and prepare the healers."

Lonril gives him a confused look. "Healers? For who?" Yuri glares at him. "Do not question me, just do it!" Lonril nods and leaves.

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Yuri brings Lorelei's unconscious body to the medical wing, where the healers are prepared. He sets her down on a bed and he waits while they check out her right shoulder's stab wound.

The lead healer looks it over then turns to Yuri. "We should be able to heal it easily, not even leaving a scar." Yuri grins evilly. "No, leave a scar." The healer looks at him, confused.

"With all due respect, my Lord, why?" Yuri laughs. "The scar will be as a reminder to never betray me. She will either serve me or meet her death." The healer nods and gets to work.

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I wake up in an unfamiliar bed, then I frantically look around, wondering where I am. I look at my shoulder and notice it's bandaged. "Where is this? Where's Brutus?"

A familiar voice laughs. "He's dead. I killed him and his damned mutt." My eyes widen as I see Yuri walk into the room, with an eye patch covering his right eye. "What is going on?!"

Yuri smirks. "As I said, Brutus is gone. As for what's going on, I have something to speak with you about." I look at him warily. "What is it?" He grins. "Lorelei Melnith, while I never trained with you, I have seen that you are a very skilled warrior. So, I have an offer for you."

I spit at him. "I don't want anything to do with you, you bastard! You killed Brutus and Kara!" Yuri cackles. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice." He pulls his katanas off of his back. "You either serve me, or you die where you lay."

I look around for an escape route, but I know that if I try anything, I'll end up just like Brutus and Kara did. "I...damn it, fine..." Yuri grins. "Good choice! I already have a task in mind for you, so you can prove your loyalty to me."

I see the insane look in his eyes and I start to worry. "What is it?" He starts to laugh maniacally. "The people of Virkom know too much. Your job is to...get rid of that threat." I cover my mouth with a hand. "No..."

Yuri snarls and points his blades at me. "You don't get a choice! You do it, or I kill you here and now!" I numbly nod and stand. He smirks again and he hands me my spear device. "I trust you won't try anything...unwise with that. Now, go do what I asked."

I find the ladder out of this strange flying ship and I head down to the bottom, then I go into town. Everyone is still gathered in the main square. The mayor sees me and comes up to me. "Lorelei, it's good to see you-"

With a heavy heart, I extend my spear and stab him. He collapses to the ground as everyone else looks at me with shock and fear in their eyes. "I...I'm so sorry for this...but...I have no other choice..." I leap towards the rest of the people, knowing what I'm about to do is something that can never be forgiven...