The First Elder snarled softly. He and the other Elders despised resorting to tactics like this, but it was the only one capable of capturing Alethia alive. He slowly inserted the key and turned it in the rusty lock, wincing as the metal screeched its defiance.
"Who's there?" A soft voice rasped.
"First Elder Gabriel. I have come to give you your orders."
"Under whose command? Surely you of all people know what I am capable of."
"My own orders. Your capabilities are the only thing that brought me here today."
Behind him, the Second Elder trembled at the sound of the voice. This was a monster that had terrorized the Council Village for decades. Now they were releasing it on little conditions but the word of the First Elder?
"Now, let's make a deal. Seduce and capture Alethia, the rogue angel, and we remove three centuries from your seven century imprisonment. Fail and you gain three. Sound fair?"
"Two more centuries is still a long time to wait, old man."
The First Elder seethed at the jibe but didn't budge.
"No more than three and a half."
A long tense silence, suffocating and suspenseful, filled the Council Hall basement before the creature answered.
"Very well, provided I am supplied with two days to prepare and any necessary materials."
"One day. That's all you get. You'll have to make it work."
"I can't possibly refresh my hunting skills and gather the things I need in one day."
"Give us a list and we'll get the items you need. You have one day."
A long rattling sigh echoed in the small cell.
"Good enough."
The long creak from inside the cell sent a shudder down the Second Elder's spine. This creature had the power to kill two hundred angels in a span of decades. It would not hesitate to slaughter the mere fifty in the Village if it wanted to. As the creature emerged, the Second Elder peeled his eyes from its hunched form.
"Don't worry, old man number two. I have yet to seek revenge on your family."
The Third Elder, who hadn't seen the creature before, had taken over after the previous Third was killed by this very monster. He visibly shook, his hands trembling quite violently. The tattered, ebony wings, scraggly hair and tortured facial features showed no emotion, only predatory glares. There was no angelic remnant in this beast left untouched, every bit of it tainted by the greed and despair within it. It's back, once held straight and proud, was now curved and heavy from two hundred years of sitting and rotting in the damp cell. Frightening wasn't enough to describe it.
"Lead the way, old men."
The First Elder gritted his teeth and began the descent back into Elvirund's surface. It would be a miracle if this thing managed to follow the rules for once.
YOU ARE READING
Elvirund | ✔️
Fantasy*Featured on Fantasy's Dark Fantasy reading list!* ► Book One of the Wings Trilogy This is, by no means, a story for those light of heart. This is also, unfortunately, a true story. I am a doctor with wings, one who doesn't belong here. I know...
