Private Finished i! love! killing! things!!!!!

Su.

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Her magic was fading. Again. Threads of energy refused to bend to her will, causing her illusions to lose the life which Raella once breathed into them. Desolation, like vile poison, burst forth, filling her to the brim and staining her vision with delusions and hallucinations which all manifested into murderous intent. She wanted to kill, no, she needed to kill, now. Leaping off her window pane, Raella extended her wings and used the momentum from the fall to swiftly glide to into the midst of the forbidden forest. This time she was too desperate, too bloodthirsty and too far gone to check for the presence of anyone in the vicinity. It was carelessness on her part, however, her previous huntings had proved successful hence she thought little of this slip-up.

It wasn't long before Raella spotted her prey idling in a small clearing. Vicious, mutilated and hideous, no different from all the others. Pushing herself off the ground, she charged towards the unsightly creature, brandishing her dagger and successfully slicing it across its torso but making sure her first strike wasn't lethal. Leaping into the air, Raella then stabbed at the monster's back with the spike of her tail before swiping it horizontally to dismember its body in half. Crimson blood splayed across unsuspecting grass, barely visible due to the dense canopy while the beast let out a repugnant brawl. As the last of its life drained from its misshapen body, Raella stood tall, towering over the fallen brute, unsatisfied. Dropping to her knees, she growled, relentlessly stabbing at its corpse with her dagger and further dissecting its unrecognizable figure.

Sometimes, when you can't hurt what hurt you, hurting anything else will do.

Tossing her weapon aside, she dug her claws and sunk her fangs in its dead flesh. As tainted blood gushed down her throat, so did relief. Satisfaction enveloped her being like a gentle spring breeze, clearing her mind from her clouded rampage. With her wings extended midway and her tail held high in the air, Raella bent over and devoured her sacrifice.



@Lotharingia the italic line was 100% a quote from a book LOL but aye its finally up! p.s. it is a terrible idea to let me name threads
 

Lotharingia

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Euphemia had spent the day at the arena. Practising with her sword there had become a regular occurrence for her. She knew it was a skill she didn't truly need anymore, but even so, the training had been thoroughly drilled into her, and it had long since become a habit for her. By the time she returned the campus was quiet, the staff were either returning homes or still in their offices, and barely any student wandered the grounds. When she had first arrived, Euphemia might have remained on guard regardless of how many people were around, but now she was used to the daily life on campus, she felt her surroundings were relatively safe.

Her trip back to the dorms was interrupted by a shadow suddenly passing by overhead. She turned just in time to see the source, a figure with a large pair of wings flying out of the building, towards the direction of the forbidden forest.

That was suspicious, quite suspicious indeed.

Euphemia debated finding a member of staff, maybe Finch was inside the dorm, and she could inform him that something was amiss. But the figure was moving fast, and by the time she was able to tell someone, they may have already long since disappeared. Besides, maybe it wasn't something sinister, maybe it was just another student who was uninformed of the danger. After weighing her options, Euphemia decided to follow, moving swiftly across the ground.

It wasn't difficult to find her once she arrived at the forest, she just had to follow the sounds of tearing flesh, of blood splattering against the surrounding bush. Soon after she saw her, saw the big pair of wings and tail, saw that she was crouched over something,

Any thoughts she had earlier about this person being simply uninformed went out the window fast.

Judging by her appearance, the girl was demonic, or at least something similar. Throughout her life, Euphemia had seen many unholy creatures in a state like this, bloodthirsty and murderous. Her immediate instinct was to draw her sword and attack, while its back was turned. But, she held back. She knew she wasn't to start fights on the island, and strangely enough, this was the first time she'd seen a demon on Manta Carlos behaving in a way she thought most demons did. Maybe something didn't know everything about this situation, even if her prejudices told her that was unlikely.

She stepped out from one of the trees, hands calmly folded in front of her, the hilt of her blade hidden behind her arm.

"Excuse me." She called out, her voice devoid of emotion. "Are you aware this forest is off limits?"

The lines of magic that Raella was so familiar with behaved strangely around the tall, emotionless girl. They converged, drawn towards the centre of her body as if about to combine into a single point before just...disappearing. Like light bending towards a black hole, being pulled into her being that devours the magic without a thought.

[I'm kinda making assumptions here about how Raella's magic sight works, if they wouldn't work like that I apologise for it. Feel free to let me know if I should edit that part out.]
 
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Su.

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Upon hearing a voice pierce through the shrill air, clearly resounding throughout the vicinity, Raella internally cursed. Just her luck; the one time she neglected concealing her presence, she got spotted. Dropping whatever she held in her hands, she slowly rose from the ground, brushing down any creases and folds on her onyx dress out of habit. Inhale, exhale. Pivoting on her right foot, she swiftly turned around, her lips curled to form an empty smile and her shoulders gently sloping to give off false, calm composure. Folding her bloodied wings neatly behind her back, she faced the intruder. The other woman was unexpectedly tall, easily towering over Raella in height. Porcelain-like pale skin gently glowed beneath the few steaks of moonlight and her hazel hair could easily pass off as sterling silver. However, the oddest thing about the woman was that she was absorbing the magical energy surrounding her like a vacuum. Raella was shocked but decided to pay it no mind; as of that moment, Raella was at full power and could spare enough energy to survive and escape should that woman choose to attack. Waving a hand over the corpse, she cast an illusion which would make it vanish from plain sight if successful.

"So sorry you had to see that." From now on, you'll only see what I want you to see went unsaid. Raella's tone was light and apologetic, almost eerily so while her voice was hollow and void of any emotions. Humming lightly as she slowly approached Euphemia, Raella idly wiped off traces of blood from her face and arms and halted a meter before her. Tilting her head upward to meet Euphemia's gaze, she almost reeled back at the sight of her glassy azure eyes but shot her a stare equally distant.

"Well, if the forest's so forbidden..." Leaning forward ever so slightly, she placed her arms on her hips and raised an eyebrow, their height difference made even more obvious with this action. Her smile morphed into one of a sly grin as the teasing facade which Raella was so familiar with seeped into her composure. "What are you doing here, darling." She purred. The words rolled off her tongue smoothly, her playfully devlish tone practiced to perfection.



Don't worry you described the magic sight correctly!
 

Lotharingia

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Euphemia's eyes briefly flickered down to the corpse, studying what details she could. She didn't recognise the creature, but the brutality in which the girl had attacked it was plainly obvious. She wasn't able to see much else before it vanished from her sight.

It was clear from that she had more power that Euphemia didn't know about. Maybe she moved the corpse, maybe she hid it from her senses, whatever she did it only added to her initial assessment of the girl.

The demon was dangerous.

Euphemia remained still, standing with the same stiff poise and impassive gaze, not moving any closer nor stepping away as she approached. Her eyes watched her closely, looking for any sudden movement, clearly on her guard. She looked back into her eyes once she spoke. They were blank, hollow,

Empty, just like hers.

The only difference was Euphemia made no effort to hide it.

"The forest is dangerous." She continued, not showing any visible reaction to the sudden change in Raella's tone. "The academy staff has made it clear that students are not to enter unaccompanied. My intention was to inform you of this, in case you were unaware of this rule."

She spoke bluntly, her refined voice lightly accented. Much like her appearance, her voice betrayed nothing, no apprehension, no fear, no curiosity.

"However, it appears you were in fact, aware." Her head tilted to the side slightly. "If that is so, what was your intention coming here?"

Now that Raella was close, whatever pulled the lines of magic towards Euphemia was tugging on her as well. It was small, light, barely noticeable, but present and easy for the demon to tell regardless. Euphemia showed no sign that she was doing anything, however.
 

Su.

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Once Raella leaned in, she realized that this woman, whoever she was, was absorbing her magic. Though subtle and insignificant, it was still odd and rather uncomfortable. Straightening her back once more, Raella then took a step backward to avoid having her magic drained by Euphemia.

The academy staff has made it clear that students are not to enter unaccompanied.

Placing her hand on her chin, Raella averted her gaze to the side, humming lightly. Euphemia? going out of her way to inform a lost student of the dangers of the forest? If her gaze weren't so distant and her words not colder than ice, Raella would have assumed this woman had a hint of empathy. However, as of that moment, that assumption would seem far from the truth. "Well, what's life without breaking some rules." With a light tone and a carefree voice, she then broke the momentary silence. "Besides, safety is my own responsibility and" Extending her wings, Raella gave them a few flaps before examining the rest of the body. "I can guarantee I won't be dying anytime soon, dear"

If that is so, what was your intention coming here?

Raella visibly froze, every limb in her body stiffening upon hearing those words. Her playful and teasing facade drained from her expression while a wave of unease washed over her like a tsunami. Abruptly whipping her head back and facing Euphemia again, Raella continued to study her. As expected, her expression remained as distant as ever, not a hint of concern nor interest was shown. Then why would she ask? Why pry when she was clearly nonchalant? Raella's mind was whirling yet no thoughts came to mind. It was clearly too late to come up with an excuse; Euphemia had unmistakably seen the corpse.

"Honey," she started, her voice dropping to a growl, edging on threatening. Gone was her whimsical smile, instead, her lips pressed together to form a thin line. Answering Euphemia's question would no doubt be the drop of water which breaks the dam, throwing Raella into an inescapable abyss of despair. Only time had enabled her to never question the need for prey, burying the questions of her existence and allowing her to live in absolute bliss. That wasn't going to change. Not now, not ever. Stepping forward, she ignored her mana being drained and extended her wings to its full length. An illusion of shadows danced around them, circling them relentlessly like a tornado and encasing them in its darkness. Colder than the depths of the ocean, harsher than the arctic winds, Raella spoke.

"Don't ask questions which you don't want to know the answer to."


 

Lotharingia

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Euphemia didn't quite understand people. She was never sure what someone was truly feeling, what those feelings even truly meant. She could never tell how her words would affect someone, why they would affect someone. She was slowly beginning to learn thanks to her time at the academy, but she was far away from figuring it out.

But the malice that Raella exuded was something she was very familiar with. She'd seen it plenty of times.

This time Euphemia did react. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but her back seemed to straighten, shoulders tensed, legs just slightly bent. The grip on her sword hilt, still hidden behind her arm, tightened. She'd been stared down by demons and monsters all her life, far too many to count. The change was not based on any fear or intimidation, it was simply the result of a lifetime of fighting.

She was like a coiled spring, ready to burst into action at a moments notice.

"Please, do not mistake my questions for ignorance." She continued in her same deadpan manner of speaking. "I am not a stranger to the supernatural, nor am I unaware of what you are. I am familiar with demonic entities such as yourself."

Her eyes closed for a moment as she spoke, the light of Raella's soul still visible even though she saw nothing but blackness. When she spoke again, it was like she was reciting from a sheet, repeating words that did not belong to herself.

"It is the demons nature to indulge in its base urges, to commit all manner of profane sin against the Lords Creation, for reasons as simple as they are petty. To allow such a creature to exist breeds only pestilence, to let it fester only brings ruin to Man."

She opened her eyes once she finished, tilting her head again. Despite her declaration, she didn't speak with any accusatory tone. She had been told, time and time again, that demons were to be accepted here, that she had no reason to remain so vigilant. But a lifetime of conditioning was not something she could simply put aside. When she asked, she asked because she wanted a confirmation, for either her view or the view of her new home.

"I ask of you again, for what reason have you come here?"
 

Su.

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Raella caught the other woman tense up, coiled like a serpent ready to strike but she remained unfazed. After all, they were both students of Starlight Academy and though Raella was a new student, she was sure reckless brutes would have been long expelled. As the woman spoke or recited a religious text of some sort, like clockwork gears, it all clicked into place. The fear and unease clawing and snapping within the confinements of her chest, her weakened magical energy and the desire to flee could have all been due to a holy relic which Euphemia yielded.

"So this is what they think of us" she voiced, no louder than a whisper. Raella let out a chuckle that transcended into hysterical laughter, piercing the tranquil atmosphere like a lance impaling flesh. "So this is what they think of me." Audibly louder, she repeated, more for the sake of herself than the other. At that moment, it all made sense. The isolation, loneliness, and seclusion her parents provided in living by the sea was to protect her from those residing in the church. The segregation which she despised so much ended being her shield of bliss. Folding her wings behind her back once more, she dropped the threatening act and sunk back to a relaxed posture. Lips curled into a smile, she took a moment to switch the mask of her personality.

"An abomination to man and this world itself huh, you're absolutely right dear. I am a vile, disgusting creature, worse than those which roam this forest." Her was tone sarcastic but her words were true as if she were making light of the demons which plagued her mind. "I'm even lower than the revolting remains of the one I killed." Releasing her light hold on Euphemia's senses, her illusions vanished. The disemboweled corpse lay wide open, visible to all while the stench of rotting blood stained the air.

Stepping forward, Raella ignored the draining of her magic and continued with the same manner of speech. “Once every six months, I require a sacrifice to sustain myself and if I forgo that for three years I’ll die. Killing animals from the forest leave a bad taste in my conscious hence I come here and feast on God's other misshapen mistakes." Taking full advantage of Euphemia's shortened height, Raella tiptoed and leaned in such that their faces were a mere inch apart. "My weakness, like most of my kind, are religious items and relics. One swing of that holy sword there and I'm pretty much dead." Voice dropping an octave lower, she rid herself of all facades, willing her tone to switch to one of pure seriousness.

"Should you choose to end me like how you did numerous others, at this moment, I can't say I'm opposed."


yo I kinda assumed a holy sword would probably clarify as "religious items" hence Raella could sense it but do correct me if I'm wrong!
 

Lotharingia

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For a moment, there was silence, no movement from either girl as their eyes locked, the sound of the wind and the chittering bugs of the forest fading into the background.

Euphemia stared back, her guard remaining resolute even as the magic disappeared. Raella was right, it would take only a thought for the sword to activate, barely a fraction of a moment for her to thrust the blade through her chest as she'd done to countless other unholy monsters.

Her instincts told her to do it. Raella had left herself right open, was practically resigning herself to death.

But, she didn't. She was no longer of her Order, she was on
Manta Carlos now, and was just as much a subject to its laws as Raella was.

"You have killed in order to sustain yourself, to maintain your life, not as an act of cruelty." She finally said. "In future, please do not enter the forest in secret. Should you be caught by the Academy staff without permission, you will likely face consequences.

She eventually stood up straight again, rising to her full height, looking back down at her as the tension seemed to fade from her body. She uncrossed her hands, leaving her arms by her side. Raella knew she held the silver handle of her sword, she had no reason to hide it anymore. She simply slipped it back into her pocket, before crossing her hands again.

"I do not desire your death, any more than a blade held by a swordsman desires the death of his opponent. Your actions are against the laws of the island, but they are not crimes worthy of execution."

For now, it seemed, Raella's answer was satisfactory to Euphemia.

[Nah I think it counts, ya good fam]
 

Su.

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As silence fell between the two, Raella's gaze was neither that of a prisoner ready to be executed nor was it one of submission. Instead, it portrayed nonchalance at it's finest. It wasn't that she knew the other wouldn't strike, no, it was that her mind was a complete void. Whether Euphemia chose to strike or not was left completely up to fate. When all tension was released from Euphemia's body, Raella too loosened up and moved a step backward. Her lips curled ever so slightly to form a subtle smile yet her expression remained forlorn and detached. Maybe, just maybe she and Euphemia had common ground despite their differences. Both were murderers, willing to kill without hesitation; one to live and the other to serve. As Raella spoke, her voice contained but a hint of desolation.

"Killing for the sake of living is still killing nonetheless."

Pausing, she took a moment to think and wonder about the other woman. Euphemia had no doubt took many lives. Had she not once paused to question her actions? A possible reason could be the church which pushed her to do it, making it her responsibility, however, this was no longer about simply doing one's job, instead it was a question of morals. Maybe she had been raised that way, conditioned fight as though she was no different from a machine. Cicadas cried, creatures howled and Raella spoke once more.

"Now I've answered your question, would you care to enlighten me." Averting her gaze to the side, her eyes glazed over and her voice disconnected as if her mind were wandering and recalling memories from the abyss of her past. "Does it ever plague your dreams and haunt your nights or make you question the value of your morals and purpose..." It could have been the late hour which amplified her melancholy or Euphemia's presence which reminded her of her long-forgotten terrors but barely noticeable, her lip begun to tremble and her hands were clenched in tight fists yet. Despite that, she willed her voice to remain strong as she directed her gaze back to the tall woman and continued.

"To have so many die by your hand."
 

Lotharingia

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Watching the way Raella seemed to slip between flippant to apathetic to anxious confused her. Part of her still felt it was intentional, that the demon wanted to trick her for whatever reason. Still, it seemed, for the moment, that the two of them had a sort of truce, so she decided to take her questioning at face value.

"No." She said simply, without hesitation. "You are correct in your assumption. I have killed many, far too numerous to describe, but I have no reason to regret my actions, for regret is not an emotion that one such as myself should be allowed to feel.

Her eyes closed again.

"I am an existence whose very nature is sinful, much like yourself, much like many other unholy creatures that walk this earth. I was born from the deaths of many innocents, and can only cause more death by my actions. There is no salvation for one such as myself, I have lived my life knowing the gates of heaven shall forever be closed to me. That is why I cannot feel regret, or guilt, or sadness, or love. I have no right to hold such things,

The words fell from her mouth without any shame, without any self-loathing, she spoke of herself like it was just a fact of life, something that she had accepted long ago.

"The only justification for my existence is to serve a higher cause, to serve in God's name. I am a tool, a weapon. That is my purpose."

For a moment, she hesitated, opening her eyes again.

Perhaps it was because of the fight that had almost happened, the sense of familiarity as she remembered her training, or perhaps it was just the result of a lifetime of conditioning. Euphemia had fallen back into her past, she had spoken as if that was still how things were. She no longer served the order, no longer killed in God's name. She blinked a couple times, a small look of what appeared to be confusion barely visible on her face, the first sign of any emotion she'd shown this whole evening.

"...I was..." She corrected herself. "I was a weapon, at least, that is what I have always believed."
 
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