Edge of Sidewinder (2020)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

<Alsius POV>

The story started in between the events of my return to Ahishira. It's all hazy in my head because a lot of years passed. Also, humans tried to make me forget who I was before. Some things got nudged in the wrong way, and instead of changing the timeline for better, more events ended up in disaster.

Anyway, if you'd ask Lara who her parents were, she could barely tell you about her father and the Curse. But, as usual, things aren't as simple as they look at first glance. Lara remembers only the things she wants to remember, and I can't blame her. No one wants to live with a fact their dear mother got forced to do intimate activities with the almighty Emperor. No one wants to remember their mother got murdered because of the same thing.

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<POV Change 3rd Person>

The sun was high above the horizon when Luciam opened his eyes. His back cracked as he was rising from soft bed. He glanced upon the bedroom, which was situated in one of the towers of the Lantharian mansion.

Lantharians were highly regarded family in the White Star Empire. Their master blacksmith held to key behind the creation of God-slayer weapons. For strategic reasons, the Empire wanted to have such an asset on their side. Lantharian weapons and armour helped to conquer and unite the realm, making it possible to expand beyond the Star's home island.

Luciam got dressed up in his usual clothing. Long-sleeved coat and hat with a white feather were always his primary choice. He was an exceptional representant of his species - tall draghusian lizard with scales of metallic grey. He had two straight horns on his bald, triangular head. Piercing serpent eyes with hazel colour were looking down and inspecting every detail their master could be interested in. Luciam was a proud member of the Lantharian council. Although he had lost his influence because of his choice in a wife a few years prior.

She was called Kimisiava Crescent, or Kimiko. He had met her during one of the council meetings at the Empire Palace.

Kimiko was a royal cartographer, going on expeditions into the Great Current. Her goal was to find another island on which more thenerians could thrive. However, the Emperor didn't see the importance in her job as in almost 100 years, Kimiko's precursor managed to find only one island.

Ahishiran Island got conquered by the Empire years back. The trust issues of locals didn't fade away despite the best effort. It wasn't in Emperor's grasp, which made him more than upset.

As soon as Luciam was ready, he made his way downstairs and looked around the living room he had just entered.

"Kimiko?" he called his wife's name. His voice was still raspy, sounding like someone was scratching their claws against a stone wall. Luciam scanned his surroundings.

"Well, the fireplace is burning, so someone must be home," he commented. As soon as he had said that, someone else responded. It wasn't Kimiko though.

"Yes, master?" The anthropomorphic feline in red and blue sailor clothes came to greet Luciam. She was a bit smaller than him and had a tiger-like textured fur. She wore, apart from her clothes, leather armour and gloves. A small dagger was fixed to her side as well.

"Amaya? What are you doing here? I've thought..." The grey dragon wasn't quite sure what to think.

Amiko Maya shifted weight from one foot to another, right palm resting on her side. She had her head tilted slightly, and she was smiling.

"Kimiko's left earlier this morning, and I'm currently standing by for instructions," she explained.

Luciam sat down by the table, back turned on the fireplace. He grabbed one of the treats before him and bit into it. He didn't care what it was quite honestly. He was hungry as an old, starving wolf. When he had swallowed the first bite, he spoke up. "I thought you've got the permission already, so what's the hold-up?"