novelraw Chapter 72 – Group Attack
Chapter 72 – Group Attack
Vivienne and Rava strolled into one of the clanhall's tranquil gardens, a secluded haven of greenery and soft murmurs of water. The last golden rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns across the cobblestone paths. As twilight deepened, the soft glow of lanterns strung among the branches began to flicker to life, lending the space an almost ethereal quality.
The two found a quiet bench near a small fountain, the gentle trickle of water providing a soothing backdrop. Vivienne perched on the edge of the bench, her bare feet brushing against the cool stone, while Rava stood nearby, her imposing figure silhouetted against the fading light.
Vivienne launched into her tale with characteristic flair, her hands gesturing animatedly as she recounted her escapades. “It started with Lyssandro, of course. He sent me on a mission to chase down a rival merchant who’d been muscling in on his territory but then that led to something about Rathik and one thing led to another and suddenly I was finding myself in a mysterious fortress in the undercity. Turns out, the place was more of a death trap than a hideout. And, oh, you’d love this—Aegis’ grubby hands were all over it.”
Rava’s eyes narrowed, her tail swishing slowly behind her. “Rathik,” she repeated, her voice low and dangerous.
Vivienne nodded, a mischievous glint in her black eyes. “Yes, he outright told me he betrayed Serkoth himself, because he thought he could kill me! So cliché. He’s been dealing with the Sovereignty of Aegis. They had forces down there—working alongside his men. The audacity, right? But I handled it. Most of them ended up as snacks.”
Rava's expression remained carefully neutral, though her eyes tightened slightly at the mention of Vivienne's... unusual methods. She crossed her arms, her posture tense as she leaned slightly forward. “Snacks, you say?” Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying edge to it. “You… ate them?”
Vivienne’s lips curved into a sly smile as she flicked her tail, amused by Rava’s response. “Oh, not just any ‘them,’ sweetheart. These were the audacious ones. Thought they could take me on? Well, they got a firsthand lesson in why that was a mistake. I wasn’t about to leave all that aether there either. Waste not, want not.”
Rava’s gaze darkened, and her posture stiffened even more. “I’m not asking for a lesson, Vivienne. I’m asking why you ate people.”
Vivienne’s grin didn’t falter, but her eyes softened ever so slightly, as if considering her words carefully. “Not all of them, no. Only the ones who needed to be taken care of. I’m efficient, Rava. You know this.”
Rava inhaled deeply, her sharp teeth clenching slightly as she processed Vivienne’s words. “Efficient…” She repeated the word slowly, her gaze narrowing as she regarded the other woman. “You don’t… feel anything about it?”
Vivienne tilted her head to one side, an almost innocent look crossing her features, as if the question itself were bizarre. “Feel anything? Sweetheart, I’m not some saint. I’m practical. They’re dead, and I’m alive. What’s left to feel?” Her voice was low, but there was an undercurrent of something darker in it, a suggestion that she’d long since buried any notions of guilt or remorse, if they existed at all.
Rava’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flicking to the fire for a moment, the flames casting flickering shadows across her face. Her voice was quieter when she spoke again, though still firm. “I’m asking if you ever question why you do it. It’s not like you need to… consume them, Vivienne. There’s no necessity to it. You choose it.”
Vivienne’s gaze softened for a brief moment, and she stepped closer, her fingers brushing the edge of Rava’s arm. “I choose what I must, because I have to. Because I can. Because it works. That’s all.”
Rava’s eyes remained locked on Vivienne’s, the two of them standing in the flickering light, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. After a long pause, Rava finally spoke again, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of something hard to define. “Just don’t forget that there are lines, Vivienne. Even for you.”
Vivienne’s lips tightened into a thin line, her gaze unwavering, before she let out a soft sigh. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
Rava nodded, her expression softening just slightly. “Thank you.”
“Right,” Vivienne said, refocusing. “So, the fortress. It wasn’t just some hideout. There’s this giant orb of dawn aether hanging in the cavern, illuminating everything like some divine chandelier. Burned me just looking at it. They were using it, Rava, and portals, to move people and goods in and out in secret.”
Rava’s expression darkened further. “And Rathik’s involvement?”
Vivienne’s playful demeanor faltered, a rare seriousness creeping into her voice. “He admitted it outright. He’s the reason you were nearly killed, Rava. It wasn’t just bad luck or coincidence. It was him.”
Rava’s claws flexed, a low growl rumbling in her chest. The air around her seemed to thrum with restrained fury, and Vivienne felt a pang of satisfaction at having delivered the truth, even if it reignited old wounds.
“I brought back a… souvenir,” Vivienne added, trying to lighten the mood. “A goblin named Kivvy who worked for them but isn’t exactly loyal. She’s in my room now with dear Renzia.”
Rava’s growl subsided, and she gave Vivienne a long, considering look. “You’ve been busy,” she said finally.
“Always,” Vivienne replied with a sly grin. “But, Rava, I couldn’t wait to tell you. I missed you. And I thought… you should hear it all from me first, you know, before Narek decides to pepper you with compliments about me and my services.”
Rava barked out a laugh, a rare sound that cut through the stillness of the garden. “Yeah, I’m sure he’s writing poetry about your dedication as we speak. But seriously, why’d you take him up on it in the first place? I didn’t think you’d enjoy being anyone’s errand girl.”
Vivienne paused, her grin softening as she turned her gaze upward. The first stars of the night glittered faintly, scattered across the deepening indigo sky. She folded her arms, her claws drumming lightly against her elbows. “To get some revenge for you,” she said finally, her voice quieter than usual. “I can’t imagine what you went through, Rava. Knowing Rathik nearly took you from us… it made my blood boil. I wanted to make them suffer for you.”
Rava’s piercing gaze softened, her tail swishing slowly in the grass. “Vivienne…”
Vivienne waved a hand dismissively, though the gesture lacked her usual flair. “I suppose I failed, though. Rathik got away, and that fortress is still standing. I wanted to bring you his head, but instead, I brought back scraps.” She chuckled weakly, her expression tinged with frustration. “Some revenge.”
Rava stepped closer, towering over Vivienne but speaking with surprising gentleness. “You didn’t fail. You uncovered a lot more than I ever expected. If anything, you’ve exposed Rathik’s connections, his alliances, and his tactics. That’s invaluable.”
“Still not as satisfying as ripping his throat out,” Vivienne muttered, her claws twitching involuntarily.
“No, it’s not,” Rava admitted, her voice firm now. “But his time will come. Thanks to you, we know where to look, and we know how deep his treachery runs. You’ve given us the tools to deal with him properly.”
Vivienne looked up at her, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”
“Someone has to keep you from brooding,” Rava replied with a smirk. “Now, what’s this about a goblin?”
Vivienne snorted. “Kivvy’s a former prisoner of the Sovereignty—sharp little thing, though she’s terrified of me, naturally. She's Waiting in my room with Renzia.”
Rava raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “You brought her here?”
“What was I supposed to do? Leave her to fend for herself? Besides,” Vivienne added with a sly grin, “you’ll love, Kivvy. She’s as cute as a button.”
Rava sighed, shaking her head. “First Renzia, now this goblin. You’re collecting strays now?”
“Call it building a network,” Vivienne quipped, a mischievous glint in her many eyes. “Every great operation needs allies, after all. And besides, Kivvy has potential. She just needs... guidance.”
Rava smirked, crossing her arms. “Guidance, huh? You sure you’re the best candidate for that?”
Vivienne placed a hand over her chest in mock offense. “Rava, please. Who better to shape a lost soul than me?”
“Right,” Rava replied with a chuckle. “Anyway, if you’re so confident in your little ‘network,’ then fine. I’ll help you figure out what to do with her. But for now...” She glanced at Vivienne, her expression softening. “I’m just glad to see you back in one piece.”
Vivienne’s grin turned genuine. “Likewise. It’s good to be back.” She gestured grandly toward the path ahead. “Shall we? My illustrious quarters await.”
Rava rolled her eyes, though the smile lingered on her lips. “Fine. Lead the way, oh fearless leader.”
The pair walked side by side through the dimly lit corridors of the clanhall, the atmosphere calm yet brimming with an underlying tension. As they approached Vivienne’s room, a faint murmur of voices reached their ears.
Vivienne stepped into the room with her usual dramatic flair, her many eyes glinting in the lamplight. “Oh, good,” she said, surveying the scene. “You’re both still alive. Excellent. I was worried I’d come back to find ashes and chaos.”
Kivvy looked up from the intricate, sparking device in her lap, her expression a mix of irritation and boredom. “Alive and bored,” she muttered, shaking the device slightly. “You could’ve at least—”
Her words faltered as Rava entered behind Vivienne, the tall warrior’s presence filling the room. Kivvy’s eyes widened, and her jaw practically hit the floor. “Gods above and below, you are massive! What do they feed you here, bricks?”
Rava raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Good blood, I guess.”
“Blood?” Kivvy snorted. “They must’ve been brewing you in a vat or something. I mean, look at you! You could probably snap me in half by sneezing.”
Vivienne chuckled, sliding gracefully into the room and gesturing toward Renzia. “And yet, here I am, the second smallest one in the group, wrangling all of you together. Life’s funny like that.”
"I am the only daughter of High Fang Korriva," Rava intoned, her voice steady and proud. "I’ve been told I take more after her than whoever my father was."
Kivvy blinked, tilting her head. "You don’t know who your dad is? Are you... a bastard or something?"
Rava let out a soft chuckle, a glimmer of humor in her eyes. "None of my siblings know who their father is, actually. In fact, I doubt even my mother knows. They were chosen for their bloodlines, selected specifically for the optimal child each time."
Vivienne's expression darkened as she processed this. "Ah. Eugenics. Just what I needed to hear," she muttered, her voice thick with distaste.
Rava raised an eyebrow. "Eugenics?"
Vivienne shook her head, her lips curling in a mixture of distaste and resignation. "It’s a practice that’s best left forgotten. Not everything from the past is worth remembering." She paused, her tone turning more serious. "Some things... shouldn’t be repeated."
Rava looked at her curiously, then nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them. "I suppose you're right. Some parts of our histories should stay buried."
Vivienne clapped her hands together. “Right, Rava, I wanted to get your input on what we should do with Kivvy here. I feel a little bad for her after all.”
Rava looked down at the goblin and stroked her chin thoughtfully. “What skills do you have?”
Kivvy perked up, sitting straighter as her sharp green eyes darted between the towering wolfkin and Vivienne. "Skills? Like what?"
Rava arched a brow. “I mean skills that make you useful. Can you fight? Sneak? Build things?”
The goblin snorted and crossed her arms. “Build things? Try best enchanter you’ll ever meet. I’ve worked on artifacts that’d blow your fur right off, lady.”
Vivienne grinned, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. “Oh, she’s got spirit. I knew I liked her.”
“Enchanter, huh?” Rava’s tone remained skeptical, but her tail twitched, betraying her curiosity. “And what exactly does that mean you can do for us?”
“Well,” Kivvy began, pulling a small, sparking contraption from the bag she’d somehow gotten her hands on and holding it up with a flourish, “I can make things that go boom, things that go zap, and things that make life a whole lot easier when you’re out there trying not to die. You’d be amazed what I can do with scraps and a bit of aether.”
Rava glanced at Vivienne, who was watching Kivvy with amused interest. “She might be worth keeping around,” the wolfkin admitted.
Vivienne clapped her hands together, a gleeful smile spreading across her face. “See? I knew you’d come around. So, Kivvy, congratulations. You’re officially... an accessory to whatever it is we end up doing next.”
“You make it sound like we’re planning a heist,” Rava grunted, crossing her arms.
“Oh, no, of course not, Lady Ravanyr! I would never dream of breaking the law,” Vivienne said with mock innocence, pressing a hand to her chest. Then, leaning conspiratorially toward Kivvy, she added in a whisper, “At least, not in front of her. As the wisest of my people often say, *‘It’s only illegal if you get caught.’”
Kivvy snorted, a sharp laugh slipping out despite herself. She tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her sharp green eyes. “Your people, huh? Who are they exactly? I haven’t seen anything like you before.”
Vivienne tapped her chin with a claw, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Well, do you know what a nightmare is?”
Kivvy nodded slowly, her brow furrowing. “Yeah, sure. The little pests that sneak into your head at night, give you bad dreams, and leave you dragging your feet the next day. Harmless, really.”
“I am one,” Vivienne declared, her tone laced with playful pride.
“Steel and smoke! No, you aren’t!” Kivvy blurted out, nearly dropping her bag. Her voice rose in disbelief. “Nightmares don’t eat people! They’re just pesky little things! You’re—you’re a walking calamity, not some harmless dream bug!”
Vivienne chuckled, clearly amused by the outburst. “Walking calamity? I quite like that.”
Rava smirked, leaning back against the wall with her arms crossed. “Walking calamity fits. But she’s not entirely wrong, you know. You’re not exactly what comes to mind when someone says ‘nightmare.’”
Vivienne placed a hand over her chest in mock offense, her tail flicking playfully behind her. “Well, pardon me for evolving beyond expectations! I’ll have you know I’m very effective at my job—if a bit unconventional.”
Kivvy squinted, still grappling with the absurdity of the conversation. “Wait… you’re serious? You’re actually a nightmare? Like, for real?”
Vivienne leaned in slightly, her sharp grin widening to reveal rows of predatory teeth. “Oh, absolutely. Want me to prove it? I could lull you to sleep right now and fill your dreams with horrors so vivid you’d wake up begging for the safety of daylight.” Her voice dropped to a purring cadence, teasingly sinister.
Kivvy shuddered, raising her hands defensively. “Steel and cinders, no thanks! I’ll, uh, just take your word for it.”
Vivienne straightened, her grin softening into an almost teasing pout. “Your loss, really. I’ve been told my nightmare work is... unforgettable.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s real unforgettable,” Kivvy muttered, eyeing Vivienne warily. “But I’m not volunteering to find out.”
“Smart girl,” Rava said with a chuckle, her tone laced with a hint of warning. “Vivienne’s not one to bluff.”
“Yeah... I can see that.” Kivvy said, her eyes flickering nervously toward Vivienne. “So, uh, if it’s not too much to ask, I haven’t eaten in like, two days…” She trailed off, glancing between the two women, her stomach rumbling audibly.
Vivienne arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful grin. “Two days, huh? And here I was thinking you goblins had a better sense of survival. I suppose we’ll need to fix that, won’t we?”
Kivvy looked between them, half hopeful, half wary. “I’m not picky. Just anything with a bit of meat on it—maybe a stew or something?”
Rava crossed her arms and let out a low laugh. “Vivienne’s idea of a meal might not be quite what you had in mind.”
Vivienne gave a small shrug, her grin widening. “It’s true, I’ve been known to snack on the occasional emotional breakdown… but I suppose I can make an exception for food, if that’s what you really want.”
Kivvy blinked, trying to gauge if Vivienne was serious, but before she could say anything else, Rava stepped in.
“Let’s get something proper for her,” Rava said, her voice calm but firm. “We’ll head to the kitchens. I’m sure they can rustle up something for a starving goblin.”
Vivienne’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she nudged Kivvy lightly. “Consider yourself lucky. Not everyone gets a free pass to the kitchens of Serkoth.”
Kivvy’s face broke into a grin. “Yeah, well... I’m just glad I’m not the one getting served up as the main course.”
Vivienne leaned back, folding her arms with a mock pout. “Ah, but Kivvy, the night is young.”
“I’ve seen you eat people so that is very scary. How are you saying the most terrifying things yet manage to look cute while doing it? That shouldn’t be possible.” Said Kivvy
“Aww, you think I’m cute?” Said Vivienne sweetly, bulldozing through the first part of that sentence. She looked up at the giant lekine. “Do you think I am cute, Rava?”
Rava arched an eyebrow and her lips slowly spread into a smirk. “I think you know the answer to that, Viv.”
Vivienne blinked, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes as Rava's smirk lingered. She shifted uncomfortably, as if suddenly aware of her own flustered state. Her usual confidence faltered, and her cheeks flushed slightly under the weight of Rava’s gaze. “I—well, that’s not exactly what I expected,” she stammered, her playful tone cracking for the first time in a while.
Rava leaned in slightly, eyes glinting with mischief as she leaned her weight on one hip. “What, you didn’t think I’d admit it? You’re certainly not hard to look at, Vivienne.”
Vivienne straightened up, quickly trying to regain her composure, but the sudden warmth in her face made it hard to hide her embarrassment. “I—well, you’re not exactly wrong, but I didn’t think you’d say it so... easily,” she managed, her voice losing a little of its usual teasing edge.
Kivvy watched the exchange, grinning from ear to ear. “Looks like someone’s a little flustered,” she chimed in, unable to hide her amusement.
Vivienne shot her a quick look, though the flush on her face made it clear she wasn’t as unaffected as she usually appeared. “I’m not flustered,” she insisted, but it was clear from the slight tremble in her voice that she wasn’t entirely convincing.
Rava chuckled, leaning back slightly. “You are, just a little bit,” she said softly, her voice almost teasing.
Vivienne gave a small huff, finally relenting. “Alright, maybe a little,” she admitted, her tail flicking nervously behind her. “But it’s not like I need to be cute...”