Chapter 23: Battle of Light and Shadow

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Overlord: Celestial Crusade

"So, did you consider my offer?"

It was morning

Queen Lily was along with Astra and her bodyguard, Tyr, in a big, silver table filled with pastries while there were two rows of maids surrounding them while there were two heavily armored guards on the door "I believe it would be quite beneficial for you to accept, Lady Astra." said Lily in a cold but polite tone.

Astra picked up one of the napkins, delicately wiping her upper lip, despite having barely touched her food. A few nibbles here and there, that was all. Tyr likewise hadn't even touched her food. She hadn't even sat down, despite being offered serval times. She just stood at Astra's back, eyeing just about everyone in the room at one point or another. "Well, I agree, an alliance would be good for both of us. But I'm curious... With Hashigin being so far away, and with how small out territory is... What is it about it that caught your eye?" She offered the queen a small smile, tilting her head slightly. "Surely it can't be a simple passing interest, could it?"

Lily then grabbed a cup of tea "Well, Hashigin being suddenly no longer under Lazuli's influence is quite the intriguing feat, but it also being a port town also played a big part." she explained and took a small sip and placed her cup down "Since you agreed on an alliance, I won't pry on what is it that makes you feel safe in case Lazuli decided to gain back Hashigin, so let's continue with our breakfast." she said as she grabbed a slice of bread with honey.

Though her brow twitched, Astra retained her smile. "Well, I'm good at making allies. Its a talent of mine, I've been told." She took a small cut fruit off of a plate, cutting herself a piece and taking another nibble, then turning and offering the other half to Tyr. Though, Tyr only gave her a passing glance and a gentle shake of the head. Astra let out a short huff, but returned the item to her plate. "Speaking of allies... That adventurer you sent as an envoy." She sat up straight, interlocking her fingers nd offering another small smile. "He was... quite something. Where did you meet him?"

Lily then took a sip and placed her cup down with a smile "Let's just say that he was...a god-sent." she said in a warmer tone.

Astra narrowed her eyes slightly. "I see..." She spoke slowly, her eyes drifting to the table, to her plate, and finally to her cup, which she'd likewise not touched yet. "Well, then let us toast to your good fortune." She heard Tyr make a noise behind her, something between a grunt and a gasp. She glanced back at her from the corner of her eye, finding her bodyguard wide eyed and shaking her head as much as she dared. None the less, as the queen had already raised her glass, Astra took her own and had a quick sip. She could practically feel Tyr's disapproval, but none the less, pressed on. "I think... We have a great many things to discuss."

**Later that Evening**

Despite her proclamation, much of the day had gone by unproductively. No mater how she tried, Astra was unable to get a straight answer out of the queen. Weather it was ignorance or she was a master of negotiation, she couldn't say. Even making casual conversation was an uphill battle. Queen Lily Baraja Bessarez seemed to be an unbreakable rock. It was evening by the time the two women returned to their quarters, both of which thoroughly exhausted from the day.

Of course, Tyr didn't stop. She ushered Astra through the door, then quickly locked it behind her and set about checking every corner of the room. Under the bed, behind the curtains overlooking the balcony, through each of the large wardrobes. All moving like a woman possessed. "Tyr... Please stop." Astra urged, clutching at her heart.

"I just have to make sure..." She half muttered back, throwing the blankets and looking the bed over. Seemingly content with her search, she moved to a small tea table with a set of decanter and whisky glasses, taking a small vile out of her pouch and pouring it onto one. "Here, drink this."

Strolling back across the room, Tyr shoved the glass into Astra's hands. Astra however, remained fixed on her companion. "Tyr, I hardly think they tried to poison me."

However, this only made Tyr grimace. "Just drink it."

"Tyr..." She grumbled.

"Astra-." Tyr instantly clasped her hands over her mouth, realizing she'd spoken far louder than she meant to. Both woman to glanced at the door, remembering the two guards that had accompanied them here. And who where likely still keeping watch. A few seconds passed, and nothing happened, but all the same, Tyr stepped closer and cupped her hands around Astra's. "Please, just drink it."

Her eyes had softened, loosing their sharp glair she'd worn all day. Something about that made Astra relent. She slowly lifted the glass to her lip and drank, trying not to focus on the bitter taste as it danced across her tongue. She shook her head, fighting back the foul tasting antidote, but seeing Tyr relax was more than worth it. if even just a little bit. "You should eat something."

Straight away, Tyr went back to scouring the room. "Later."

"Tyr, you haven't eaten since we arrived." Astra argued, taking half a step to follow her.

"I'm not hungry." She said, not even so much as looking at her.

"Don't be stubborn. You must be." Astra speed walked to the table to replace the glass, then to Tyr to catch her by the arm. "Please Tyr, you need to eat."

She finally got her companion to look back at her, but that was all she managed to do. "I'll eat once we're home." She insisted, trying to shake her arm out of the young lord's grasp.

Still though, Astra shook her head. "Tyr, that's absurd. We have no idea when we'll be home. Or even if we will be." Tyr's brow furrowed, but she stopped puling away. taking it as a sign she was listening, Astra stepped closer and placed a hand on Tyr's shoulder. "If, and only if, they harbor ill intent for us, you need to keep your strength up."

It took a moment, but Tyr slowly turned her head away, blushing slightly. "Its my job... To keep you safe..."

Astra withdrew her hand, hugging her elbows tightly. Despite this, she smiled sadly. "You're my friend Tyr, not my-."

"Shh!" Tyr shushed her, her head whipping around to glair at the door to the balcony.

Narrowing her eyes, Astra tried glancing past her to see what she was looking at. "What is-?"

Tyr's hand jumped over Astra's mouth, but she remained glairing at the curtained door. Slowly clueing in, Astra took a step back, and Tyr silently made her way to the door. It was then Astra saw it, a shadow outside the window. Someone was looking in on them. No... Someone was trying to get in!

The latch slowly clicked open, and the door began to open. Faster than lightning, Tyr's hand shot through the curtain, grabbing the figure by the wrist and yanking them inside. "Kyaa!" All in one motion, she threw the figure to the floor, twisted their arm high up on their back, and drew her short sword from her back. She raised it into the air, ready to drive it through the intruder's back.

"Tyr wait!" Astra gasped.

Tyr froze, only now realizing who it was who she'd caught, "Aoi?"

"Hi..." Aoi gasped, her eyes tightly shut in pain. "You're brakin' my arm..."

Releasing her hold, Tyr sat up, stowing her weapon away as Aoi massaged her elbow. "How..." She stuttered, briefly glancing at Astra. "How could you possibly have-?"

"Hello?" The guard's voice echoed, and shortly after a knocking came at the door. "Is everything alright in there m'ladys?"

"Yes, we're fine!" Astra called back, nervously glancing at Aoi a moment. "A... bird flew in. My friend was just dealing with it. I'm sorry if we disturbed you."

They waited a moment, but the guard didn't respond. Confident that he either believed her or just didn't care, Astra speedwalked to Aoi's side and dropped to her knees. "How did you find us?"

Sitting up and massaging her shoulder, Aoi half chuckled. "How do ya think?"

Another shadow moved into the door. Tyr whipped around, her hand clutching the hilt of her sword again, but again stopped dead with a huff. "Oh... You."

"Hello." Ragni waved, offering a sly smile. "You're a little jumpy today."

"Ragni..." Vespa chided, stepping inside and up onto the table. "Don't tease her."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry Lady Vespa." The small black haired girl chuckled into her sleeve.

Finally, the hooded man stepped inside, gently closing the door behind him. "Are you two alright?"

Both women relaxed, Astra knelt down and pulled Aoi in for a tight hug, eventually reaching out for Tyr to join them. "We are." She muttered, her eyes finally betraying how tired she was. "It's been a... Trying day... But they haven't harmed either of us."

Aoi let out a sigh of relief, pulling away and taking Astra by the shoulders. "Do you know why they took you?" She blurted, still looking over both her and Tyr for injury's. "Was it for some sort of ransom?"

"I don't believe so." Astra quickly shook her head, brushing Aoi's hands off her shoulders and holding them in her own. "Part of me thinks they where after the Hashigin Rifles. But... I couldn't say for sure..."

"Of course we can." Tyr grumbled. "They mean to use you as a tool against Lazuli. You're close with the queen."

"But they'd never have known that." Astra shook her head slightly. "To them, all I am is the former kings daughter who was shipped off to rule over some small border town."

Vespa crossed her tiny arms. "Could that be why? They're curious how Hashigin has grown so much in such a short time?" Despite voicing the question, judging from her tone it sounded like she didn't have much faith in that thought.

All the same, Astra chuckled at the idea. "A whole kingdom jealous of the growth of a small port city three country's away?" Right away, Astra realized she needed the laugh. Her stomach untightened and her shoulders relaxed, something she only noticed was the case now that she had relaxed. "I'm flattered by your confidence in me, but I'm afraid we're not quite that well off."

"Alright, forget it." The hooded man huffed, taking a quick look around the room. "Where's Shino?"

The two exchanged a glance, then Astra shook her head. "She... Isn't with us." She glanced to Aoi, who likewise looked concerned by that answer. "We didn't even know she was missing."

The hooded man grimaced. With a wave of his hand, a dark, swirling portal appeared in the dimly lit room. "Well, whatever. I'll find her myself. You guys are going home."

Tyr and Aoi breathed a huge sigh of relief, however Astra suddenly perked up and shook her head slightly. "W-wait... You mean to confront the Queen, don't you?" The answer to that was obvious, even if the hooded man didn't respond. "About... The adventurer they sent to Hashigin."

The hooded man grimaced, but let out a dry chuckle. "Man, nothin' gets past you, does it?"

Astra slowly rose to her feet, clutching a hand to her chest. "He is... Like you... Isn't he?" Aoi gasped, looking back at Vespa, Ragni, and the hooded man, then Tyr, who also wore a grimace. "Another with your kind of powers."

Letting out a huff, the hooded man nodded his head slightly. "From what I saw, I'd be more surprised if he wasn't."

That addition sent a chill down all their spines. Even Vespa hugged her elbow's uncomfortably. Despite this, Astra rose to her feet. "Please, let me stay here."

"What?" Aoi gasped.

"Astra, you can't." Tyr blurted.

"I have to." Astra argued, turning to the hooded man again. "That adventurer was there to speak with me. Tyr was there because she's always by my side. But the Queen hasn't mentioned Shino at all. Not as a hostage, a bartering chip... Not even a passing curiosity..." She trailed off, but it was clear what she was saying. "If he took Shino as well, then-."

"Then it was of his own accord." Vespa grumbled.

"Please..." Astra urged. "The Queen hasn't harmed either of us. And I don't think she means to." She clutched a hand to her chest, staring briefly at the portal gently swirling in the corner. When she looked back at the hooded man, her eyes where filled with resolve. "I cannot speak for that adventurer, but I don't think Queen Lily is a threat. Please let me stay and speak with her."

Most everyone turned to look at the hooded man. He simply stared back. it was hard to tell what he might be thinking; the shadow of his hood hid everything above his lips. IF he was ok with the idea or about to dismiss them on the spot was anybody's guess, until he began to speak again. "If you're sure about this... Vespa'll stay with you."

"Yes master." Vaspa bowed her head, falling to one knee.

"I'm staying too." Aoi chirped, raising to her feet as well. "I can't exactly go back to Fin and say they wanted to stay behind." A troubling thought crossed Aoi's mind, and she sunk her head down between her shoulders. "And... I'm pretty sure my sis would kill me..."

Astra glanced at her with a warm smile, likewise to Tyr when she rose to her feet without a word. With another wave, the hooded man dismissed the portal, and turned towards the door. "Ragni. Stick close."

"Yes master." She offered a quick solute, before winking to the others.

"Remember Ragni, you're a scout, not a fighter." Vaspa chided. "Listen to what master says."

"I will, Lady Vespa, don't worry." Ragni waved to them. However, the hooded man turned, and faded straight through the wall. Ragni only saw this when she turned, bumping her head against the wall. A moment later, Ragni turned back to them, offering them a small humps up. "Dont worry."

Later that evening, Queen Lily sat alone in her throne room. She wasn't sure why, but suddenly she felt a cold chill run through the room. Her eyes flowed along the long shadow cast by the moon at her back, stretching almost the full length of the room. Something was off. She wasn't sure what it was, but... as she looked around the room, she thought she caught a glimpse of a figure standing in the shadow of the shut door opposite her throne. The second she focused on it however, she saw nothing. Nothing but the two guards flanking the entrance.

Suddenly, she saw the two guards flying back and before her was a cloaked figure "Who are you?" she asked calmly the figure that was approaching her slowly while not responding "What do you want here?" she asked a little more nervous this time.

The figure continued to approach, moving along the shadow cast by the queen's throne. She could see his legs moving, his clothes ruffling together, a pair of hatchets sway across his back, and yet... He seemed to move without a sound. "That adventurer." When he spoke, it came out as a whisper, yet seemed to echo throughout the entire throne room. "Who is he?"

Queen Lily then narrowed her eyes "*Does this man know something about Lord Aethaion?*" she thought alerted "It's not of your business. Leave now and I promise that I won't have anyone going after you." she claimed in a tone of authority.

Regardless, the figure continued to approach. "You already sent someone after us." The voice echoed once more, seemingly coming from the very walls around them. "And I want 'em back." The figure's hood lifted ever so slightly, and a pair of glowing slits stared back at her. They burned like fire, yet seemed to produce no light. Next, a viscous grin split across the width of the hood. A frigid chill shot up the queen's spine, every fiber of her being telling her to get away. But, so lost in the figure's burning eyes, she failed to notice he was now face to face with her, and a jet black hand reached toward her face. "**Palm of the Puppeteer**." The figure's finger touched the Queen's forehead, and her eyes suddenly went hazy. The hand withdrew, and the grin closed but the burning eyes remained. "Let's try this again. Who is that adventurer?"

***Later that Night***

"Hm? That's strange."

Aethaion was outside the throne room in his human form, with him seeing no guards to his surprise and then entered the throne room "Good evening, Queen Lily," said Aethaion while walking toward her "what's wrong? You sounded very upset." he said curious.

"I just had a great need to see you." she said with a faint smile and Aethaion narrowed his eyes.

"I ask again, what is the reason." he asked more serious.

"I just had a great need to see you." she repeated with another faint smile.

"Anyway, I caught someone suspicious and I interrogate her since she seems to be Lady Astra's secret weapon." he explained.

"...I'm glad that I had that great need to see you." replied Queen Lily without changing her tone or expression, with Aethaion feeling something is amiss.

"Queen Lily...what happened to you?" he asked alerted and concerned.

"She saw a ghost" A voice whispered just behind him, sending a very human chill up Aethaion's spine. He turned his head just in time to see an axe coming right as his neck.

Aethaion then teleported many feet back "Who are you and what do you want with the Queen?" asked Aethaion in a demanding tone.

However, whoever this was didn't respond. He moved in a plomb of smoke, but faster than anything Aethaion had seen I this world. In a second, he was on top of Aethaion again, bearing down on him with a pair of hatchets in his hands.

Aethaion then manifested two katana and blocked the attack "*That guy is strong! Even though I'm human now, no mere assassin should give me trouble...unless!*" he thought realized as both were struggling and the hooded attacker then jumped back "Maximize Boost Magic: Magic Arrow!" he shouted as he unleashed numerous small arrows of pure magic energy.

The Figure stopped a moment, before vanishing in a puff of smoke. Aethaion's attack tore the cloud apart in seconds, filling the room with a light haze. But the moment the spell ended, the throne room fell deathly silent once more. His attacker had vanished.

"I see, I see. A Player with advanced Shade classes. A Race fit for only assassination and espionage indeed but unfit for PvP, that's why you are such a coward. I have met numerous such Players and really, they were so easy to kill once they couldn't escape!" said Aethaion with a cocky tone and smile while looking around and then manifested Circe's Staff in his left hand and had it close to his chest.

Suddenly, an axe hooked around the head of Aethion's staff. Before Aetheion knew it, he'd been tugged sideways, tumbled through the air, and felt himself hit the floor face down. Barely able to comprehend what was happening, he came back to his senses just as he saw a hatchet drop down next to his neck, and a foot on his back. "You fucked up, asshole." The same hollow, echoing voice growled once more. "Stuck your neck out too far, without a fucking clue what else could be out there."

Aethaion stopped gritting his teeth and was trying to look at him serious "Seems like it. So, who are you? I know you are a Player, but what could you gain by controlling the Queen and bring me here?" he asked curious "Are you hunting Players?" he asked again and his eyes narrowed.

However, the figure's face remained hidden under his hood. Only his mouth remained visible. "If I were, you sure as hell made it easy to find you." He growled, regripping his axe. "And I could give a shit about your queen over there. But one word from her and you came running." The figure snapped his fingers, and instantly Queen Lily gasped and slumped over unconscious. "Now, why might that be?"

"She and her kingdom are under my protection." said Aethaion "That's why I will stop you! Circe's Staff, restore my form!" he shouted and the staff glowed, with Aethaion's body giving off a blinding radiance and flew away, barely hovering above the ground "What the-?" he gasped as he saw the hooded man being nowhere present "Did he leave? Or is he hiding somewhere?" he wondered and looked at the Queen "*He won't harm her, she served his purpose. I must leave and think what to do* Gate!" said Aethaion and a portal was formed which he entered and left the throne room which was now silent.

When Aethion reappeared, it was in a small forest overlooked by the main building of the Elysium Fortress, floating high above the mountain ranges below. He took a moment to catch his breath, contemplating the last few minutes. There was a lot to take in, a lot to analyze. He certainly had his work cut out for him. He touched a finger to his head, sending out a message to his guild. However, so caught up in what he was doing, he failed to notice a pair of bright orange slits sitting in his shadow. They glared at him for a few steps, untill he passed by a shadow of a large tree, where the eyes stayed behind. Aethion continued to walk off, and once he was out of sight, the shadow slowly peeled off the ground.

"*Message*." A small scroll popped out of the shadow, which instently evaporated in a blue fire. "Ragni, can ya hear me?"

After a few seconds, he got a response *"Yes Master. I can hear you. What have you found?"*

Likewise The shadow took a moment to respond, slowly scanning over the forest. "Everything." He muttered. "This idiot led me right to his home base. I'll send ya a gate in a second." True to form, the shadow morphed into the same hooded figure, and with a wave of his hand he summoned another swirling dark portal. A moment later the small black haired woman hopped through, dusting off her kimono and folding her sleeves together, and the man dismissed the portal with a wave.

Ragni took a moment to look around as well, and seemed no less surprised by what he saw. "Wow... This is... Incredible."

"Sure is something..." The figure admitted.

Together, the two moved through the forest, eventually reaching the edge of the fortress, glancing down at the valley below. "So... What do we do, Master Beard?" Ragni asked, tilting her head curiously.

Taking a moment to think, the hooded man scanned the valley below. Eventually he spied a small settlement almost directly below the floating island, and smirked to himself. "That down there could be a staging area. They might be keeping Shino there."

Ragni leaned over the edge, but didn't look so sure. "There?"

"I said they could be..." The hooded man grumbled. "I'll look around up here for her. You head down there and keep an eye out. Even if you don't see out fox girl, stick around. Learn what ya can."

"Yes master." Ragni bowed politely, shaking one of her hands out of the sleeve. With a quick jab, she knotted a thin thread around one of the trees, then made for the edge. "Good luck, Master Beard. Be safe." With that, she lept over the side, quickly but elegantly repelling down to the ground.

"You too..." The hooded man grumbled, stepping back into the trees. "Alright asshole." He said, the bright orange eyes lighting up his hood as he melted into a shadow once more. "Let's see what you're working with."

A short time later, Ragni's feet gently touched the ground in a small cluster of trees. Again smoothing out her kimono, she snapped her fingers, sending a small green flame shooting up the thread, incinerating it almost instantly. She'd landed near the outskirts of the village, but could still see what looked like a small market from where she stood. A market full of demi-humans. "Hmmm... interesting..." She reached up to feel her cheek, her chitinous fingers tracing just under her glassy red eyes. "I think... a sliiiiight disguise is in order."

Faster than lightning, Ragni touched her fingertips together, drawing a thin silk thread from each. weaving them together, she fashioned herself a long pair of black opera gloves, and a low cut hood which she then sowed onto the collar of her kimono. Donning the gloves and flipping her hood up, She retrieved a small ornate walking stick from her back, admired her new garments, and then strolled forth, turning onto the path into the village and making her way inside.

Upon entering the village, what she saw was the goat Demi-Humans known as Bafolk being busy; some women and children were harvesting from the fields and others were gathering fruit from the trees. As she was heading deeper, she saw some of the men spar with each other, others training their bodies with push-ups while there were others smithing spears and armor.

"Excuse me, little girl." Ragni was then approached by a Bafolk woman "You are wearing some unknown clothes but even so, they seem like they would sell like crazy. Are you from far away?" she asked curious.

The complement made her smile from ear to ear, but she was careful to keep her head down, using her hood to shield her eyes. "Yes, I'm quite a ways from home." She nodded slightly, holding her sleeves out to the side to show off a little. "Do you really like them that much?"

"They are pretty and I believe many human women would buy them." explained the Bafolk woman "By the way, do you want something to eat? Our patron and savior taught us how to be polite to strangers, so we can offer you some water along with fresh vegetables and meat if you want." said the woman with a little more enthusiasm in her voice.

Ragni's eyes narrowed, and she folder her arms together and covered her mouth with her sleeve. "I would welcome that, thank you." She followed as the Bafolk woman led her further into the village. "Tell me... Who is this patron you spoke of?"

The Bafolk woman then became uncertain and stopped, watching left and right "Look, you must swear to not say anything to anyone." she asked in a whisper and Ragni nodded "A high level angel, Lord Aethaion, appeared and saved our village from the Holocausr Scripture's curse while when they attacked, his holy aura turned them into horrified statues." she explained in a tone of gratitude "Not only that, he also helped in uniting all the Bafolk and saved us from a tyrant that was torturing Bafolk women and children he got as slaves from the tribes he conquered." she explained with even more gratitude in her voice.

"An angel? Really?" She tried her best to feign surprise, but even Ragni knew she wasn't the best actor. "Is he in the village now? Could I speak with him?"

"Oh, unfortunately, Lord Aethaion is in the Heavens," said the woman in regret "but, who knows? You might be lucky and meet him one day." she said with hope in her voice and then stopped "This is my house. Please wait a minute here so I can tidy things up a little." she asked and ran for her house, living Ragni alone.

"In the heavens, hmm?" Ragni mumbled under her breath, glancing back down at the path where she'd emerged. "Tell me, what is it you do here?" She called through the small hanging blanket acting as a door. "I don't think I've told me your name."

"My name is Bobla and I along with the other women do agriculture and sewing while the men train, smith or build things." explained Bobla casually.

"I see..." Ragni nodded slightly, glancing down at her kimono again. An idea formed in her head, and she leaned in close to the house entrance. "Say... If you like, I could weave something for you. All I'd need is some thread." She stopped herself, realizing she'd misspoken. "Well... Maybe a lot of thread, but you could consider it payment for the meal."

"Oh my, you don't have to go to such trouble, but I would love to see you weave." said the woman flattered and then searched her shelves, with her managing to find some thread "Here." she said extending her hand at Ragni.

Taking the spool, Ragni turned it over a few times to look it over. Admittedly, it wasn't much. Nor was it of much quality. But it was workable. "Thank you." She smiled politely, taking a seat on a small cushion in the corner. As she picked up a pair of needles to work, she took a moment to glance outside the hut. "I think... I like it here." She muttered as Bobla laughed at something one of the other Bafolk had said. "This is quite a nice village."

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