The Dark Factor

Licha and Halidesus were standing at the top foyer of Leo's tobacco plantation, when Leo walked towards them with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Licha looked at them and smiled, "So, how are you doing? I see, you have accomplished quite a lot. Looks like you were not bluffing after all." Leo smiled, "Bluffing? Why would I bluff? We are what we tell. I am a businessman and doing business is both my passion and profession." Halidesus said grimly, "I don't see much glee in this case. Aliyah is preparing an army to attack Namaria when we return. I'm pretty much sure that she is planning on killing us." Leo smiled, "So, what are you suggesting? We shouldn't return?" Halidesus said grimly, "It is not something to joke about, Leo. If Aliyah captures Namaria, she will gain immense wealth from the royal treasuries and then she will slowly build her whole army and will hunt us down and kill us." Licha sighed, "Aliyah. Aliyah. Aliyah. This woman will never let me stay happy even for once. She is a bad person and her intentions are even worse. But, she is not going to defeat me this time. I have planned all the things. If she attacks Namaria in my absence, I will attack the Elf Kingdom in retaliation." Halidesus said grimly, "That won't be so easy. The Elf Kingdom is much bigger than Namaria and also we have to fight the ogres if we want it." Licha smiled, "Doesn't matter. With the newfound power, we can easily buy any army we want. The ogres were greedy from the start and if we show them money they will easily betray Kystion and aide with us." Halidesus said, "It's your decision after all. But, we shouldn't let that woman take Namaria like this. She is dangerous and we cannot just wait and watch her." Licha said grimly, "Fine. You and Leo go and do whatever you can do to stop her. I will not return so soon from here. The people of Ganzi City have finally started trusting me and alienating them at such a crucial moment will be considered betrayal and cowardice at this point." Halidesus smiled, "Fine. We, two will go." Halidesus walked outside the tent.

Leo walked inside his tent and mumbled angrily, "Crazy bitch! Trying to gulp down all the profit herself. She wants to send me to die there and wants to get fat here." Elena asked, "What happened, dear?" Leo looked at her angrily and said, "Don't call me dear. You are still just a common harlot. Licha has ordered me and Halidesus to go to Namaria and stop Aliyah from invading Namaria. We all know how dangerous the war is going to be and only the most foolish of fools will go directly to the war from such a comfort zone. But, Licha wants me to go there and stop Aliyah. That fucking psycho has Elgin beside her and also the fucking Blood Spear. She is basically invincible right now. If I go there, it will only mean my end." Elena said calmly, "Then, refuse to go. She can't force you to go there." Leo sighed, "That's the main problem, honey. If I refuse to go, my fame will die instantly. The people of Ganzi City are rooting for a change. An utopia. If I refuse to give them that, their trust and respect for me will fade and soon Licha will play her dirty game and snatch all my factories in her name." Elena smiled, "Tell everyone that Licha is the Queen of Namaria and she should fight for her city. Both Aliyah and Licha are women. So, if Aliyah can attack Namaria, then Licha can defend Namaria too. What good will a sitting Queen do to the people? If there is a revolution to begin with, the torch should be lit by Licha first." Leo smiled, "Such great words from a common's mouth. What are you?" Elena smiled, "Just a common harlot." Leo smiled and walked outside the tent. Elena sighed and said, "If Licha doesn't leave Ganzi City soon, people here will become her shield and I don't want innocents dying for that bitch." Elena took out a shell and blew in it. The sound rang all over Ganzi City and soon spread everywhere.

Aliyah and Vexana were sitting at the verandah and eating baked corn when the sound of the shell fell on their ears. Aliyah asked, "Is it what it is?" Vexana said, "Yes. Elena is sending us signals from the hidden place. I think she has reached that place." Aliyah and Vexana quickly ran to the receiving room and located that place. Aliyah smiled, "Ganzi City? All of the hard work and risk, just for locating Ganzi City. It will be a piece of cake to win that place. It is already our pet city." Elgin entered the room and said, "It was our pet city. Apparently, Licha brought a revolution in the hearts of the youngsters and now they believe Licha to be their queen. I think they won't receive us without violence." Aliyah said angrily, "Fuck!! Why does nothing go according to the plan?" Elgin said, "Ganzi City is a small place. There will be a half day war there. They barely reach two thousand elves excluding the old and babies. But, not everyone will fight, so the number will decrease further." Vexana said grimly, "Don't be so overconfident, Elgin. Ganzi City is not a familiar place. The locals know that place far better than us. We will face hurdles if we attack blindly. Ganzi City is surrounded by high mountains and barely has enough places to do an aerial attack. But, the only way which goes to the Ganzi City is surrounded by heavy rocks which will be a problem if we attack from the front side. But, we attack from the left side which is a very narrow yet manageable path, we can take them by surprise. But, there is one way too. It is from the inside. That way is unknown to anyone. That's all we know." Aliyah smiled, "That's Kayuba and his sidekick 's headache. We should concentrate on Namaria for now. Once, we do that the Blood ritual will be conducted as soon as possible." Vexana asked, "What about Elena?" Aliyah said, "Elena will be safe. Kayuba knows her." Elgin smiled, "Fine. We can finally go to the mortal world after all."

Aliyah said grimly, "Don't be so happy about that, Elgin. Harsher times are still ahead of us. This war is just a small tremor, the biggest earthquake is still to happen. Only Mother Manaca knows what will happen? Alice and the whole Elf Kingdom is going to unite if Xao Chang is to be defeated. He spent so many decades in meditation and I am sure that he is coming more prepared than us." Vexana said grimly, "The future will always be unpredictable. Just focus on the present situation." Aliyah said, "Kystion and Kavana are also advancing at a steady pace towards us, so maybe two consecutive wars are waiting at our doors. Licha is a sly woman and she might be already away from Namaria. She perfectly knows that according to the Namarian tradition, the siege is not completed until the ruler is alive. So, she will definitely flee Namaria on the rise of the siege." Elgin said, "Elena is with her and according to the plan, we will capture her in either Namaria or Ganzi City. She will have no third place to hide. I didn't want my sister to die, but maybe it is for the greater good only. Anyways, Namaria was long due to become a princely state anyway. My father already gave his word for it." Aliyah said, "Namaria will remain independent under a separate ruler and administration. In fact, I have decided to declare Dailo Mountains, Mount Tysogame and Ogre City as independent states. After the death of Kystion and Kavana, I will give the Ogre City to Shinigano and Shuriken tribes. They will have a separate ruler and administration as requested." Elgin asked, "Are you really giving them independence?" Aliyah smiled, "Yes. Why would I lie? I will stay where the Blood Spear stays and you two will go to the mortal world. So, I have decided to lessen the burden on the future ruler by diversification of the Elf Kingdom. Too much crowd only brings animosity amongst groups." Vexana smiled, "Animosity is inevitable. But, at least there will be less chance of it." Libitina appeared and said, "Stop daydreaming, guys. Your dreams will only come true if you work hard for it." Aliyah said grimly, "Our dreams will come true. What is Kystion and Kavana plotting? Anything new?" Libitina said grimly, "Nothing new. Just the usual chit chat. The demons are exploiting them hard on the negotiations. Kystion and Kavana are really worried about the deal." Elgin smiled, "Of course, they would. The demons don't make friends, they make slaves. They must have offered them a position in the Monastery in lieu of giving them the Elf Kingdom." Libitina smiled, "There is chaos everywhere. The demons are also scattered now. Everyone is pissing in each other's bowl." Aliyah smiled, "Whose bowl are you pissing in?" Libitina smiled, "I am currently trying to hold my piss for a better bowl." Aliyah smiled, "The bowls are filling quite fast. You cannot hold your piss forever." Libitina smiled, "I have quite an experience in that." Aliyah said grimly, "Seriously. Whose side are you on?" Libitina said grimly, "I don't know. I might become neutral and hide in some hole till the war ends." Aliyah smiled, "There aren't any holes left. Neutrality is just bogus and non-existent." Vexana asked, "Weren't you with us, Libitina?" Libitina said grimly, "I was. But, your side is weak now. I mean no offense, but only Kayuba and Bayu cannot help you win the war. You will need a much bigger and tougher ally than them. Maybe, someone Xao Chang level." Aliyah sighed, "We do have someone Xao Chang level. In fact, we have someone Xao Lin level, but she is unconscious and her recovery is questionable. But, it is what it is." Libitina said grimly, "Reciting your disadvantages again and again won't produce a solution. If Alice is unavailable, find someone her level. You are yourself quite a powerful woman of one time. Don't you have some powerful allies from the past?" Aliyah said, "The powerful allies that I have are already standing before you and the other powerful allies are either dead or presumed dead." Elgin said, "I have one guy. But, he is very costly. I mean, it's too costly." Aliyah asked, "How costly?" Elgin said grimly, "Like life threatening costly." Aliyah asked, "Aren't you talking about some rogue wizards like Botago or Sixila?" Elgin said, "I am talking about their son, Safi." Aliyah said grimly, "Sixila was a woman? Ah. But, weren't they banned to have sex and produce children?" Elgin smiled, "They were rogue." Aliyah smiled, "Well, why is Safi costly?" Elgin said grimly, "Because. He is a dark wizard like his parents." Aliyah said grimly, "Many wizards know dark arts. What's so unique about him? Is he Xao Chang level?" Elgin said, "I don't know. He might not be Xao Chang level. But, he is quite powerful and that I can vouch for. He remained undefeated till date so he certainly is a good wizard." Aliyah said grimly, "Fine. Call him. We can negotiate. Let's see if that "genius" can outshine my dominance?"

Aliyah and Libitina were drinking tea when Elgin and Vexana entered the room. Aliyah looked at them and smiled, "So, where is your prodigy?" Elgin smiled, "Safi. You may come inside." A tall, thin boy with long hands and skinny legs came inside. His pale face was filled with red freckles and thin dry pink lips. His right hand was holding a small book of a foreign language and his left hand was tucked inside his left pocket of his long black cloak. Underneath the cloak, the pick waistcoat and a small red bowtie was smearing slightly. His boots indicate a muddy road and his dull yet bright green eyes indicate sleepiness. He walked towards Aliyah and bowed before her. Aliyah rose from her chair and carefully examined the boy, who was merely in his mid twenties. Aliyah smiled, "Safi? Isn't that your name, young boy?" Safi replied politely, "Yes, ma'am." Aliyah asked, "What is your full name?" Safi replied politely, "Safi Licus Botago." Aliyah smiled, "So, you got your father's name, hah? I vaguely remember meeting your father once. It was early summer. I was walking around the wild of Mount Dailo when a tall guy appeared before me and told me to surrender all my valuables or else he will kill me. I remember kicking him in the groin and running as fast as I could. Later, that evening my father caught him and decided to execute him. But, I stopped him. Your father was as skinny as you. Might be genetics or starvation. I showed him mercy and let him go. He showed interest in a book I was holding and asked for it. That was an old book of magic and stuff. He had a profound interest in magic and later learned quite a lot of magic but unfortunately turned rogue. I never met your mother, but I saw her posters quite a lot. She was a notorious bandit with a knowledge in dark magic and might have teamed up with Botago later." Safi replied politely, "My mother left me when I was three and my father left my mother after he got her pregnant." Aliyah said grimly, "Don't worry. I respect people who grow up in difficult times. I, myself rarely got my mother's love but my father always tried his best to shower me with love and joy. Anyway, I heard that you are a very costly asset." Safi replied politely, "I just take what I deserve." Aliyah smiled, "I give people what they deserve. Looks like we both will go a long way." Safi replied politely, "I am happy to be of service to you, ma'am." Aliyah smiled, "Thanks. Meet me tomorrow at 10 sharp. I might need to see your talent with my naked eyes." Safi replied politely, "Sure do, ma'am." Alice patted his head and disappeared in purple smoke....