17. Catandria

17

CATANDRIA

T he power surges through me, intoxicating and raw. I feel alive in a way I never have before. My skin hums with energy, each pulse reminding me that I am no longer the frail girl who once cowered in the shadows.

"My lord," I say, my voice reverberating with newfound strength.

His lips curl into a satisfied smirk. "My lady," he replies, amusement dancing in his eyes. "How does it feel to be reborn?"

"Glorious," I laugh, a sound that echoes with madness and delight. "I can finally have my revenge."

"Good," he says, his voice a low growl. "But first, there's a venue I have in mind for our... celebration."

I saunter towards him, every movement graceful and predatory. "What's wrong with here?" I ask, running a finger down his chest. My eyes trail towards the withered dead bodies nearby, but that's not an issue. That's our solemn audience.

He catches my hand, his grip firm but not painful. "Patience," he says, leaning in close. "I promise, it will be worth the wait."

"Patience was never my strong suit," I mutter, but I can't help the excitement that builds within me.

"That's why I like you," he says, pulling me into a fierce kiss. His lips are demanding, and I meet him with equal fervor. The taste of him is electric, a promise of the power and pleasure to come.

When he finally pulls back, I'm breathless. "Where are we going?" I ask, my voice husky.

"You're going to love this, I'm sure."

The world warps around us, and I feel a rush of cold wind against my skin. My vision blurs, and then suddenly, we’re standing outside the general’s mansion. My eyes widen in happiness, like a child seeing a festival for the first time.

“Finally,” I breathe, my voice trembling with excitement. “Finally!”

Javan grins, his sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. “Excited, are we?”

“More than you know,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. “This is it. This is where it all ends.”

“Or begins,” he corrects, his tone dark and promising. “You ready to make them pay?”

I nod, feeling a surge of power ripple through me. “More than ready.”

Javan’s hand tightens around mine, his eyes blazing with anticipation. “This is your baptism, my lady. Show them your power.”

I nod, feeling the energy pulse through my veins. The dark elf general’s mansion looms before us, its stone walls a monument to my suffering. I step forward, the power within me begging to be unleashed.

As I push open the grand doors, the soldiers inside turn to look at me, their expressions quickly shifting from confusion to fear. I smile, a wicked, triumphant grin. "Surprise," I say, my voice dripping with malice.

The first dark elf soldier lunges at me, sword raised. I flick my wrist, and he's thrown against the wall with a sickening crunch. His comrades barely have time to react before I'm upon them, my movements a blur of deadly grace.

Magic crackles at my fingertips, and with a mere thought, I send a wave of dark energy crashing into a group of them, their screams echoing through the chamber. The air thrums with power, and I revel in the chaos I've unleashed. Each strike, each spell, is a symphony of vengeance, and I conduct it with ruthless precision.

Javan's voice, a dark promise in the shadows, urges me on. "Show them no mercy, my lady."

I catch the eyes of another soldier, his terror palpable, and I feel a twisted satisfaction. "Your turn," I whisper, before a bolt of energy leaves my hand, striking him down.

“Faster, Catandria,” Javan’s voice echoes in my mind. “Make them fear you.”

I laugh, a sound that sends chills down my own spine. The soldiers fall one by one, their screams of agony a symphony to my ears. Blood splatters the walls, and I can feel the life force draining from them, feeding my power.

A particularly brave soldier charges at me, his blade aimed straight for my heart. I catch it with my bare hand, feeling the metal bend and warp under my grip. “Is that all you’ve got?” I taunt, before snapping his neck with a swift twist.

“Good, my lady,” Javan’s voice rings in my mind, filled with dark pride. “Feed on their energy. Let it consume you.”

I close my eyes, feeling the raw power coursing through my veins. It’s intoxicating, overwhelming. Every scream, every drop of blood fuels me further. I can feel myself teetering on the edge of control, but I don’t care. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, the revenge I’ve craved.

The dark elf general finally appears, his eyes widening in shock as he takes in the carnage. It's him. The one who ordered my capture, who separated by family apart. Who killed men, women, and children in his lust for power.

“What is this?” he demands, his voice shaking.

“Your end,” I reply, my voice cold and merciless. I raise my hand, and he’s lifted off the ground, struggling against an invisible force. His fear is delicious, a sweet nectar that fuels my power.

“Finish him,” Javan urges, his voice a seductive whisper in my ear.

"Not yet… I want to make this one suffer," I say, narrowing my eyes at the dark elf general. "I want to make him understand what it's like to have everything taken from you. To be left with nothing."

"My, my," Javan whisper, perking a brow. "You're incredible, my lady."

"Not just that," I reply swiftly. "I'm out for blood."