The Dark Order 1.7: The Devil Serenity

Begin at Chapter 1.1

Click here to jump back to Chapter 1.6

An elegant, white-forward restaurant. Six-person round tables cover the spacious venue, perfectly set for high-roller patrons. Money equates to power-type, pretentious men and women passing those shitty qualities down to the next generation of snobby elites.

It's empty.

Aside from a Black-haired, four-hundred-year-old, Asian female sitting alone at a table in the center of the room. She has flawless skin, almost ageless, tall, and slim... This is Serenity Pyfir, SSA Commander, she's the Grim Reaper. She's a psychopathic mage who doesn't look a day over forty. She's stirring a cup of hot green tea, slowly, methodically.

There are SSA Soldiers present. They're spread strategically around the space. Each soldier is dressed in SSA dress outfits: Black Blazers, ties, and slacks. Uniformed. No autonomy.

However, there are four of them who stand out, these four radiate auras of untamed havoc. They reside on all four sides of Pyfir.

The first stands in the rear left corner beside the rear dining entry. He's a twenty-five, Brown-haired, buzz-cut, Hispanic male, standing with his arms crossed, back against the door. This is Jose. His physique is top-tier but with the bifocals, one might consider him more brain than brawn. He's without a blazer, and the sleeves of his dress shirt are rolled up. He loves literature, reading, and quoting, and he's deaf.

There's a branding on his arm. It's an Acrane Circle with a skull centered. He observes each corner of the room, where the other three shadows guard.

In the front left corner is a twenty-eight, shoulder-length, blonde-haired, Green-eyed, White male, wearing a left eyepatch. This is Grayson. He has the same branding, it's partially exposed on his neck. He's six-four, sitting with his feet on a table, picking under his fingernails with a knife. He's an overconfident asshole.

In the front right corner, is a thirty-red-haired, White female. A face full of freckles, she's wearing her hair in a bun. This is Charlotte. She's five-ten, sitting with her legs crossed, scratching at her palm, where there's a deep scar. It's the same branding as the others. Though sweet, something about the look in her eyes tells you there's something darker... sinister.

In the rear right corner, is a sixty-year-old, bald, Black male. This is Luther. He's five feet tall, that's with shoes. He has deep wrinkles forming with age and looks beyond his years but he's hovering above the floor. Unbothered. He's been branded on the crown of his head. He's the voice of reason, an oracle of sorts.

These are her Holy Bishops. These are advanced tier mages, whose lives belong to the one who brands them. Their magic is rarely seen due to its ability to cause catastrophic damage.

Charlotte looks at Jose, who doesn't notice her, even as she waves her hand to grab his attention. When he finally sees her, she uses sign language and says, I don't know what it is but you look delicious today.

With a bashful smirk as he shakes his head, he signs back, maybe you can have a taste later. He winks at her. This makes her bite her lip.

"Why don't you two freaks get a room?" The white male interjects.

She quickly rebuttals, "Why don't you fuck off?" She signs, Grayson's being an asshole.

Jose uncrosses his arms, with attitude signs, HEY!

Charlotte looks over to Grayson. "Jose wants you."

Grayson looks over as Jose signs, and Charlotte interprets. “Maybe you should focus on keeping a woman." Then he gives him the middle finger.

"Anything would be better than--"

His voice cuts out, a slight sweat breaks his scalp. All their eyes fall on Pyfir who holds her hand in the air. "Quiet your bickering." Her voice is orotund, she's like a scolding parent. “We have a guest.”

The door to the dining room SWINGS OPEN. A White Politician enters the room and he's immediately frisked down.

"Jesus Christ, I'm Senator for fuck sake, I have my badge, see?!" He shoves his badge in their face like a prick. "I'm part of the joint commission for the agency, now move!"

He pushes past, giving his blazer a nice tug before power-walking to Pyfir. At the table, he isn't acknowledged, nor does he speak. She continues stirring. He stands there, glancing around, making eye contact with each Bishop.

Stirring...

Finally, she sits her spoon down and savors every bit of the first sip. Her eyes aren't human, there's a yellow circle around her pupils that gives a slightly animalistic appearance. Her gaze falls on the man from behind her cup.

"Senator, thank you for meeting with me on such short notice, please, sit." She directs him. "Tea?"

He nods no as he takes a seat, and he keeps looking around.

"Nervous Senator?" She's condescending.

"There's nothing to be nervous about." Adjusting himself in his seat "I'm the one with the power here."

She smirks, "I'd rather not waste your time, nor mine, so I'll get right into my issue... I have concerns with the way the search for the relics and for-"

He's not in the mood based on his facial reaction. "What the fuck, Serenity? You called me here about those fucking relics." He scoffs, "I don't believe this, you were told-"

All it takes is a look.

He swallows hard, "We asked you not to show up unannounced. The summit approaches and we don’t need the other realms questioning our motives by seeing you."

"Yes, well, work never stops and with the circumstances having changed, I unfortunately have no choice but to intervene, I'm sure you understand my position in all of this?"

She scratches her nails against the tablecloth repeatedly.

"Yes ma'am, of course. We're only trying to keep your focus on the true goal of the agency... I can assure you that we have everything under control."

Her scratching continues.

"But with all due respect, your presence here will only complicates relations further, and even in my position, I can only lie away so much."

"Have you found any of the artifacts?"

"Not yet- We're still deciphering the journal. That girl of yours is the only one who can read the text."

"And where is she?"

He looks around the room. "We do not know, at this moment... Last known location is Godrick Square. Her bounty poster is in mass circulation… There isn’t anywhere for her to go without drawing attention."

Her nails TAP against the table. She's growing more annoyed.

"Where are the triplets? What have they reported back?"

He swallows hard, "They- They're all dead."

She's shocked by this revelation but ultimately, smiles.

"Look- I think we need to reconsider our approach in securing her... We're already exhausting Government assets and don't need the wrong people asking questions."

"Senator- What was the one thing I promised you after you devoted your life to helping my cause? “

His gaze starts to drift and she SNAPS her fingers, regaining his attention. He's started to sweat.

"A seat at the table, did I not? Spared only by my mercy."

"You were and still are only in a position of power because they allow it... You're merely a tool, Serenity, and I encourage you not to forget."

"...So when you speak as though any of you can stand before me as equals- I assure you, you're nothing more than shit beneath my boot."

He puts his hands up. "I'm not here to bicker, I'm just telling you, we need more time. This is a delicate situation but I give you my word, it will be taken care of."

She FLEXES her hands and her bones CRACK repeatedly. A black and green mist rises from beneath the table, surrounding the senator. "That's the thing, Senator."

It's thick as a fog, swaying and blending into the atmosphere, there's a low rumble of thunder. "I have no more to give."

"Have you lost your damn mind? You can't just threaten me and think the SSA will take it lightly… You ungrateful bitch." He glares at the others around the room. The Bishops display no interest in what's happening. Redirecting his attention back to Pyfir, "You are nothing without us!"

.

..

...

....

Elsewhere, Jubilee and Maggie are sitting in a train car, on their way to TRAMBLE.

They're sitting across from one another, quiet. Jubilee is rubbing the bracelet that he wears. Maggie stares out the window.

"Tell me something, what exactly does Serenity want from you?"

"I don't know."

He scoffs, "I'm learning."

Outside, they're roaring past vast fields with sky-touching mountains in the distance.

"All she's ever said was how special I am."

"Special enough to kill." He chuckles. "That's a new one."

"Don't be an asshole, I'm just telling you what I know."

"Right- Okay. Then why don't you share what you know."

"I know that she's evil, she gains power from soul consumption… I know that she needs my help with the harvest--"

She voice dies.

"The harvest...? What is that?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because… You already know too much and the more you do—" She looks at him, eyes full of concern and loss. “It just won’t end well.”

Staring directly at her, he says, "I don't give a damn about that, what is it?"

She's overcome with dread. Rubbing her hands together, nearly crippled by the thoughts.

"It's her endgame."

He sits up.

"She's a user of very ancient necro magic- Which she intends to use to steal the life force from anyone with an ounce of magic, even if their powers haven't surfaced. It'll be a plague that sweeps across the realms."

"So- Why hasn't she done it?

"She isn't strong enough. She- She's searching for these relics… Artifacts that were protected by a group known as The Dark Order for hundreds of years."

"Who...?"

"Legend has it, The Dark Order was a secret alliance between species that helped end the war, seven hundred years ago."

"Mm. Mhm."

"Their weapons are artifacts fused with ancient magic that give their user Godlike power."

"And these artifacts, if she finds them then what?"

"She’ll enslave the world."

"Unbelievable."

"She's been searching for them for almost two hundred years and hasn't come close but she's relentless and she isn't going to stop. Ever. She will not rest until she's killed every living thing on this planet."

"She could do that?"

"If she collects all of the artifacts, she will."

He pulls his flask from his pocket and takes a big drink.

.

..

...

....

The Senator sits at the table, petrified as GHASTLY FIGURES ascend from the mist.

VILE CREATURES WITH LEATHER BLACK SKIN, AND ELONGATED DEMONIC FACES, THEIR EYES ARE VOID AND THEIR WAILS ARE CHILLING.

The Senator screams in agony as the creatures pierce their spiny fingers into his shoulders and face before he's YANKED VIOLENTLY into the mist, his screams becoming a distant noise.

Pyfir continues tapping her nails against the table. Her Bishops approach. Bow at the knee. They do not speak.

Pyfir stares at each before her gaze falls on, "Jose. Charlotte."

They step forward.

"You and your team go to Godrick Square. Bring her back to me."

"Of course, master... And what about the man helping her?"

"I will deal with that."

Grayson chuckles, throwing his snide comment, "And it isn't a romantic getaway, don't fuck the entire time."

Her internal frustration escapes for a split second as her nails pierce the table, aging everything from cloth to table before it crumbles. Her words are sharp and damning, "I told you to be quit!"

Grayson's branding begins to swelter and smoke, burning away the collar of his shirt. He buckles to his knees.

"I'm sorry, Master!" Her gaze breaks and he falls forward, struggling to catch his breath.

She stands to her feet, "The rest of you have your assignments."

The four Bishops are shrouded in smoke, the color of their mana.

Jose - Blue.

Grayson - Green.

Charlotte - Red.

Luther - Black.

Pyfir heads for the exit, "Do not fail me."

Together in unison, "Yes, master."

The mana clouds thicken consuming the Bishops. When they fade, they're gone.

.

..

...

....

The train roars along the track. Jubilee sits quietly, trying to process the information he's being given.

"Okay, let me get this straight, you're running from a four-hundred-year-old mage, who wants to use ancient weapons to end the world and turn us all into slaves?"

"Right."

"And you come into play in this, how?"

"I'm..." Once again, she hesitates. "I'm the only person who can read the journal left by a member of The Dark Order."

"That sounds like really shitty luck."

"I'm a descendant of the Godricks, they ruled the Northern Realm during the Dragon Conquests."

He shakes his hands wildly, he's throwing in the towel. "Okay, that's where I'm going to stop you... There's a lot to unpack here but right now, I'm struggling to understand something." He rubs his frowed brow, "If she's as powerful as you say, how'd you escape?"

"It's complicated."

"Of course it is." He sighs heavily, "Okay, so, we have a psychopathic mage searching for powerful ancient relics mentioned in a journal that no one can read but you? So, she’s using the SSA to hunt you down in secret, so she can enslave the world?" He looks at her, "Am I missing anything?"

She quickly shakes her head no.

His head drops back, "This is going to be fun."

He winces in pain, holding onto his lower abdomen. He glances down, there's black pus staining his fingertips.

"Are you okay?"

He's distracted, "You keep asking me that- I'm peachy."

"You don't seem like it."

Looking up, "Kid-"

She cuts her eyes at him.

"Excuse me, Maggie- I'll worry about you, got that? Not the other way around."

She rolls her eyes, "Whatever you say. Now, I've told you my side, tell me why we're going to Tramble?"

"To visit an old friend."

"You're friends with those monsters?"

"They aren't monsters, they're just misunderstood."

Fighting through the pain, he lays out on his bench.

"Now, try and get some rest, we've got a long trip ahead of us."

With that, the conversation ends. She watches him struggle to get situated before he's resting. Maggie stares out the window.

The mountains in the distance, the sunlight, and the free world soon vanish behind the blanket of dark, ominous forest. The roar of the locomotive dies out as it disappears into the heart of the North.

.

..

...

.... To be continued.

Jump right into the next chapter:

Chapter Eight