[Melas] - Chapter 94: Estia II - War

Estia had always heard of Jasmin the Voodoo, but never seen her firsthand before. As old as the Half Demon— Demon— was, she only ever joined the Dark Crusaders recently. Plus, she was considered young for her species, even if she was technically twice as old as the Dark Sage.

But age did not matter; age mattered to Goblins, but not to her. What she found captivating— what led her to respect others— was power. And that didn’t just mean physical or magical strength. No, they had to command authority. Their personality itself had to be powerful too.

If they were strong and let others control them? That was not power. They had a glaring weakness that no amount of strength could overcome. Real power came in what you were capable of doing and what you actually did.

That was why Estia considered herself powerful. She had been weak once. Someone stronger than her had controlled her once. But not anymore— she broke free from their control. From their grasps. And now she was her own master.

She joined the Dark Crusaders out of her own volition. She wanted to rise up their ranks of her own free will. She was not beholden to them.

Although she would— try to— listen if Kores told her to behave in a meeting. Show her best side to those gathered there. She was only an Apostle, in a room full of Heralds and even one of the Sages.

Estia found herself staring for a moment— only a moment— when she entered the large meeting hall. There were Orcs, Goblins, a few Humans and Elves, and a single Beastkin gathered in the room. The only two Demons here were herself and Kores.

No Dwarves. Those were the most difficult to work with— they didn’t want to join the Dark Crusaders, but they would always offer their services in exchange for the Dark Crusaders’ resources. It wasn’t exactly the most unfair working relationship, but Estia did not trust these kinds of agreements. They were opportunistic— susceptible to backstabbing.

Estia found a seat at the round table, next to Kores as his direct subordinate. He was a Dark Herald, and he thought it would be useful for her to join in on the discussion. There were mindless chatterings happening all around the room as everyone settled into their places. Jasmin the Voodoo sat on a high chair at the head of the table. Estia knew it was her because of her signature long black dreads on what would typically be a Goblin’s bald head.

She turned a single yellow eye in the direction of the Demons before casting her gaze to the rest of the meeting room. Jasmin stood up and the room quietened.

“Greetings, members of the Dark Crusaders. Let us spare time from pleasantries and get down to business.”

Straightforward, Estia thought. I like her already!

First, they began talking about the Abominations— the newly revealed Monsters that have spread throughout the world.

“How were they able to keep such a big secret from us for so long?” Onir, a Goblin Herald, asked with bulging red eyes.

“It’s because our information network in Soli is lacking,” Alkasim said simply. The only Elf in the room— and one of the only full Elves in the Dark Crusaders— tapped a finger on his chin. “Our division is small. Our resources are meager. We need additional support if we don’t want to be blindsided by the Church again.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” a female Goblin laughed. “You only want to spend our resources on a suicide mission. No matter what you do, you won’t get your Elvish brethren to rebel against the Empire. They’ve always been dogs to the Church since the world began.”

Alkasim snarled, a spell circle forming on his hand, but Jasmin brought down her staff.

“Enough,” she said, glancing at the two Heralds, readying to duel each other. “Both of you bring up good points. I will consider expanding the resources of Alkasim’s sect in Soli. However, I will not allow it to be wasted either.”

The Elf sat back down, satisfied, while the other Goblins glared at him. Estia couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Immature, she thought, mentally sighing.

Even here in the Dark Crusaders, there was politicking. Everyone worked to serve their own interest— while having only the same vague goal of dismantling the Church and its doctrine. Personally, Estia didn’t mind the politics unless she was there to see it.

All you have to do to be heard is prove yourself. No need for any of this talk. Action is the loudest voice.

The conversation moved on to the situation in the Free Lands; there were less vocal opinions about it. Everyone agreed it was an opportunity. Apparently some Humans were angry that one of their Disciples with potential was killed there. By the daughter of the Fiend.

Estia narrowed her eyes. Hm? Why would that happen?

“This Melas… she’s a threat, no?” an Orc said, harrumphing. “She refuses to work with us, and from what I’ve heard from those who met her, she’s conniving. Her betrayal came unwarranted.”

“But why would she do it?” This time, it was Kores who spoke. “Surely, there has to be an ulterior motive for it. She’s still being hunted by the Church, after all.”

“We don’t know what she wants, we just know she’s our enemy,” Onir said simply. A few seemed to agree, however Estia noted how Jasmin’s lips fractionally curled down.

Interesting.

Finally, they spoke of the matters at hand.

“The Puer Kingdom,” Jasmin said simply, turning to Kores. “How progresses the insurrection?”

“They prefer to call themselves a… revolution.” The Demon man spoke slowly, strumming his fingers on the blackened table. “The people are unhappy with how the aristocracy of their kingdom has been running things. They’re trying to rile them up— but even with our support, the people are still unwilling to act. I’ve had Estia here carry out a few assassinations to show what an alliance with us can do… but they’d prefer support from the Taw Kingdom.”

“Hah, they want help from the Dwarves!”

“Do they really think those fools care about anything but their inventions?”

“Maybe if they had a mana mine—”

There were a few snickers, mostly coming from the Goblins. Especially those who had grown up in Taw. Jasmin nodded at Kores, then Estia.

“Very good. We need more allies. We have a few small kingdoms unofficially backing us— and have gained the goodwill of some of the Chained Cities. But Puer is large. If we can get a foothold in their country, it would only aid our cause. Good job.”

Estia felt a flush of pride wash over her— she held her chin up, higher than usual, as the meeting went on. Until finally, it was adjourned.

None of the Apostles contributed much to the meeting. They were only there to observe. However, once the Dark Sage left and the Heralds began to leave the room, the Apostles had their very own meeting.

They were students— underlings to the Heralds. But they were at the very top of the Dark Crusaders hierarchy. They had their own divisions. They had their own groups they were in charge of scattered throughout the continent.

So they spoke on the matters and how it related to them. A few Heralds stayed back to simply watch— see how things played out. And perhaps they would judge those who have grown significantly, enough to become Heralds.

But that was rare. And Estia didn’t expect much from it. Not unless you left an impression on them.

Today, Jasmin stayed behind with Kores and Alkasim. A Goblin, a Demon, and an Elf. They left their original seats on the table and stood to the side of the room. Estia glanced around, recognizing other Apostles she had met before.

There was Kajal, Mishik, Aryaan, Adam, Aleid, Joshua, Chenglei— Goblins, Orcs, Humans, and Beastkin. It didn’t really matter to Estia, however, considering that she didn’t like most of them.

They were all so narrow minded, all only focused on their plans and goals.

Adam was the first to speak, the Orc placed his red arm on the table as he leaned forward. “Our Dark Commander in Rem has requested reinforcements. Apparently, the Republic has seen a surge of pressure exerted on them by the Holy Xan Empire— especially after the Fiend was discovered in their lands. And Orcs are not the most inconspicuous lot. Mishik, your Goblins in Elios and Felan are not preoccupied, no? Give us the help we need.”

“Help you?” Mishik laughed. “My men are occupied with supplying the allies we need, which the Voodoo has emphasized the importance of.”

“They’re slacking.”

“That’s—”

“We have no traction in Anibes.” Chenglei spoke over them. “The Beastkin are the least prejudiced against our magic, and yet we refuse to recruit them to our cause. If there is anything that could be spared, it is better directed at our people.”

“The Beastkin aren’t prejudiced against the Dark Crusaders, but they aren’t for it either. When the Shadow’s Evangelium began recruiting—”

“Who cares about the Evangelium. They’re gone.” Mishik slammed a hand on the table. Estia frowned as she watched her goblet full of wine wobble and almost fall. She glanced up at the Goblin and Mishik continued. “As much as everyone in the Dark Crusaders weeps for the death of the Fiend— for her strength— she was a coward and a traitor. Don’t forget she was one of the ones who led the destruction of Xantioch, alongside the Imp and the Reaper. Even the Voodoo, as young as she was then, knew how foolish of a move that was.”

“And why is that foolish?”

Estia spoke up for the first time in a while. Heads turned to her as she sat there, a hand on her goblet as she twirled it on the spot.

“They were at war, were they not?”

“Are you really justifying one of the biggest reasons for the failure of the Shadow’s Evangelium?” Mishik narrowed her eyes.

There was a murmur of agreement from Chenglei and Aryaan.

“Hrn, I don’t believe anyone thinks it’s justified. Would you care to explain yourself, Estia?”

“I can’t see how her statement can be construed in any other way.”

The Demon snorted and kicked her legs up onto the table.

“The moment the Church attacked the Shadow’s Evangelium when they had been peaceful advocates of magic, was the moment they declared war on them. Such actions are necessary in times of war— sacking, pillaging, and even razing cities to the ground are not uncommon.”

“How barbaric. Truly you belong in the same camp of warmongers like Bahr had been—”

Alkasim narrowed his eyes but Mishik went on.

“Such a path would only lead to destruction. It happened for the Shadow’s Evangelium, and it will happen to you.”

“I am well aware of what the Shadow’s Evangelium did wrong, and I can assure you it was not their warpath against the Church. We have the same goal, no? To destroy such a disastrous institution.” Estia grinned as she awaited the expected response.

“Then why are you advocating what they had done?” the Goblin asked, furrowing her brows.

“I am not,” Estia said simply. “What they did was destroy everything around them— not just the Church. They became self destructive. They didn’t care for spreading magic or saving any peoples. Instead, all they vied for was revenge. And I’m not foolish enough to make that mistake.”

She paused, remembering something. It was just a flash, then it was gone. Estia stood up, shaking her head as she prepared to leave when Mishik laughed.

“You? Not foolish?” The Goblin smiled and leaned back on her seat. “I’m sorry, but you need wisdom for that.”

Estia paused midstep. Slowly, she turned around and looked at Mishik’s mocking face. The Demon knew this was a provocation— she was being taunted. And yet, she took it.

She walked forward, reaching into her Dimensional Storage and stopped right in front of the table. “Let’s prove who here is truly wise, shall we?”

Estia pulled out the map and laid it onto the table. Mishik raised an eyebrow. “What’s this, the map of Puer?”

“How perceptive,” the Demon said, a sly grin on her face. “It’s the map of Puer— I took it when I was there.”

“A petty thief, too.”

“You’re wise with your words, Mishik. But tell me, are you wise in the ways of war, strategy, and tactics?” Estia picked up her goblet and placed it on the center of the open map. “If you are, take the goblet without touching it— without using your spells and your hands. Use only your wit and your wisdom. This is not just a challenge for you, Mishik. Anyone who’s willing to try it, go and try it.”

“You want us to take the goblet without touching it? And without magic?”

“Ridiculous. That’s impossible.”

“We don’t have time for your foolish games, Estia.”

“If it’s such a foolish game, then why don’t you just solve it now?”

Estia turned an inquisitive glance to Mishik. The Goblin scowled and crossed her arms, refusing to say anything else.

The Demon looked around the room, trying to meet the eyes of all the Apostles sitting at the table. None dared to look at her, instead clicking their tongues and averting their gaze. Kores was watching on with a frown, while Alkasim had a bored look on his face. Meanwhile, Jasmin looked interested.

She wanted to see what Estia was going to do next— what she wanted to say. Good, the Demon thought, a smile spreading across her face. Attention grabbed. And now—

“If you don’t want to prove how wise you are, then let me do it myself.”

Estia brought an arm out— and picked up the goblet. Slowly, she brought it to her lips as a grin spread across her face, then downed the drink.

“You…” Mishik stared.

The Demon finished her drink and sat it back down on the table. “Done. Simple enough, was it not?”

“But that broke the rules of your game!” a voice protested.

Estia glanced back at her, a savage grin plastered on her lips. She spread her arms out wide and spoke clearly for all to hear.

“I told you to show me your wisdom, your wit, and your merit. Prove yourself wise in this game of war and strategy, before I even laid out the rules of the ‘foolish game’. Well, guess what? There is only one rule in war and that is: there are no rules in war.”

With that said, the Demon turned around and marched out of the room. The other Apostles erupted into an angry jeer, shouting after her and hurling insults at her. But Estia did not care— it did not matter to her. Because today, she proved herself their superiors.

Author's Note:

This ending scene was inspired by all those tik toks of people putting a glass over a dollar bill. Instead of having it played out with her folding the map however, she just yoinks the goblet lmao.