XVIII: Rise of the Cosmic Sorceress

Ilaz was beyond shocked. The first time she met Kzel on Goree River, he was not bonded with anyone. But now, she can sense something between him and woman before them. She inspected the very man and saw a purple mark on his forearm. The mark was fresh and she is certain that he just got engaged maybe a day ago. Her chest tightened. There was a feeling of hurt she could not comprehend.

"She's someone I met some time ago, " Kzel calmly explained.

"Oh! A friend?" Naevnir narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Well, we have other places to be at. Come husband."

Naevnir grabbed Kzel's forearm and tried to drag him away but was unable to. She turned around and found Ilaz holding Kzel's other arm.

"What's the meaning of this?" Naevnir drew her swords with a hiss.

"Wait!" Kzel stayed between the two. Unbeknownst to him, stealing a husband is very common in Eerian tradition and Eerian women can make a quick snap decision.

Some of the crowd noticed the commotion and halted to watch. They had not seen an Aldiree for a while now. The guards would naturally intervene when there are fights inside the town. But an Aldiree is a sacred practice that they won't even think of interfering. It is a deadly fight between Eerian women to decide who have the right to claim the man they have set their sight upon.

"This man has offended me earlier before he was committed to you and he must take responsibility. I have more right to claim him." Ilaz said with an unwavering tone while pulling Kzel to her side.

"Huh?" Kzel was dazed. He thought she was just trying to befriend him. So that's what she meant when she said that he must take responsibility by the river.

"I don't care what offense he did to yo-" There was a hint of jealousy in Naevnir's eyes when she realized what she meant. "W-what kind of offense did he do to you? I-I don't care!"

"Oh come on!" A woman by the crowd scoffed. She was no doubt a warrior due to the greatsword strapped on her back, "Two weaklings fighting over a weakling. Go find another place to settle your stupid show!"

Ilaz turned her head and coldly stared at the woman who was arrogantly unfazed. She then opened her palm and fire sprouted above it. Contrary to most expectation, Ilaz hurled it at Naevnir who tilted her body to the side dodging the fireball which passed harmlessly in the air before explodiby on a nearby stall.

"Hey! You must pay for that!"

A smile appeared on Naevnir's face as she raised a sword towards Ilaz' direction. The blade started to vibrate and she slashed the sword--sending a metal piercing windblade, embued with mana and ki.

Ilaz balled a fist and raised it. She stretched her fingers and an invisible barrier deflected the windblade.

The woman on the crowd took a step back. Her eyes were terrified. She started to question her own sanity. Why did the words she spouted earlier came out her mouth. It was now clear to her that the two women were not on the same league as her and she called them weaklings.

Kzel had enough of it. He stepped between the two women and said in a serious tone, "Stop this at once!"

"Stop? There's no stopping this!" Ilaz and Naevnir didn't broke their gaze away from each other.

>>Warning!

Over the years, Female Eerians challenge other females for their mate. This cause a chaotic society until a law was established that a male cannot be claimed through a challenge and is permanently committed for life. This caused an uproar. Many Eerians protested that it is an insult to the traditions of their ancestors until the law was revised. Female Eerians can now decide whether to share a mate or not. Now this law was respected and added to their traditions. As a result, male Eerians can have many wives!<<

Kzel spurted blood. However, a vision appeared in his mind. It was pitch black. There was ringing in his ear and he collapsed as the vision intensified.

-----

Kzel saw a mist of darkness, unperturbed by the light and something unseen was pushing him toward it. Inch by inch, he floated nearer to the mist until he was within arm's reach. It started whispering something. It was inaudible but soon became clearer. Before he could grasp its meaning, his eyelids opened. He immediately pulled his upper body on a sitting position.

"You should not get up, husband." Naevnir said and caressed his back. "You hit your head on a rock when you collapsed."

"What happened?" Kzel shook his head until he remembered. His eyes widened and he turned to look at the other pair of eyes. There on the side of the bed, Ilaz sat beside Naevnir watching him silently.

Ilaz left her chair and sat beside Kzel, earning a glare from Naevnir.

"Let me see your head." Ilaz said. Kzel turned around and let her inspect it. Her gentle touch stimulated an electricity down his body. Then she exclaimed, "Your wound is healed!"

"I heal very fast when I'm in the darkness." Kzel honestly replied.

"Now, get away from him." Naevnir growled, gritting her teeth.

Ilaz revealed a teasing smile as she went back to her chair.

"Husband, we need to discuss something." Naevnir started, "If we became your wives, we will have to impose something from you. Some may not accept it if a man has two wives and hasn't prove anything."

Kzel pondered for a moment before saying, "If that's what your customs require of me, then tell me what I need to do."

"We are not only talking about money," Ilaz was the one to speak this time, "We are talking about power."

"What kind of power?" Kzel's eyes glinted in anticipation, like cold steel.

They both answered, "You will join The League of Chaos!"