Shadow 3: The Shadow Takers [Part 3]

Ryikaria sauntered into the great hall with her hand resting on her hip. Her smile was confident and she showed no fear.“ Joten kuka haluaa taistella minua vastaan ?”

All eyes fell upon Ryikaria. The room was silent as she looked around to see the gazes of many Shadow Takers. It was clear that they were ready to fight and possibly even kill her. A cutesy giggle could be heard from the back as Ryikaria took notice of Mhyiera heading her way. Well, at least I have a friend. Even if she is undeniably insane, Ryikaria thought.

“ Mhyiera giggled as she danced across the room and fell into Ryikaria’s arms.”

Ryikaria caught Mhyiera as she fell in her arms like she was jumping into a bed.

“Mhyiera smiled as she wrapped her arms around Ryikaria’s neck. We take all our battles outside in the courtyard now, Mhyiera said with a wink.”

“Guess we get to take all this outside,” Ryikaria said with a smile.

“Mhyiera stood to her feet and unsheathed her dagger strapped to her thigh. She smiled and handed the dagger over to Ryikaria in order for her to defend herself against the onslaught she was about to face.”

Ryikaria smiled as she took the dagger from Mhyiera’s hands and studied it for brief second. It had a wedge shape to it with a ring at the end. Twirling it around in on her index finger, she made her way down one of the aisles. She could hear the sound of various Shadow Takers standing to their feet. Oh, this is going to be fun, she thought as she exited out into the courtyard with a grin on her face.

“ I hear Shadow Takers like to collect shadow coins as a show of power around here. Let’s make this interesting.”

Nine Shadow Takers stepped forward with their weapons drawn.

“For each one of you I beat, I’ll take a coin,” Ryikaria said with a confident smile.

#

Rikaria laid there in bed with a compressed wrapping of bandages pressed against her cheek. She continued to smile as Yiania wrapped up another cloth shirt and dipped it into the bowl of cold water. Nercyil leaned against the wall with an almost smug expression on her face.

“Remind me, Ryikaria. Who was it that said she would be better then the other Shadow Takers?”

“Just going to kick me while I’m down?” Ryikaria chuckled before holding her ribs.

“Hey, you were the one that started that fight. They just finished it.”

“Guess there is still so much more I need to know.”

Yiania placed another cold cloth against her sister’s ribs.

“Still, I learned quite a lot just from those battles. In time, I’ll be better then all of them.”

“If not, you’ll just end up with bruises and even more cracked bones. To be honest, I’m surprised they didn’t bring you down within one strike when they had the chance.”

“Well, I’m sure most of that was just thanks to your teaching.”

“Anyway, I’ll be sticking around for at least a few days. You two should get settled in and train whenever possible.”

With a wave of her hand, Nercyil headed for the exit while Ryikaria continued to play out the whole fight in her mind. She went over all the mistakes she had made and the countless times her opponents could have easily incapacitated her. The only reason they didn’t outright kill her was due to the intervention of her sister, Nercyil and Mhyiera. Yet, even when she was broken and in pain, Ryikaria still had a smile on her face.

“After we’re done here—”

Before Ryikaria could finish her sentence, a sudden knock at the door forced her to remain alert. Opening the door and standing in the doorway was petite and flawless that looked as if she had not seen the sun in ages. Her long hair appeared wild and unkempt like she had just decide to get out of bed, a small cow-lick adding to the visual identity. Despite her hair, she wore a white buttoned-up dress shirt that remained untuck with a large black overcoat that with a size too big for her and seemed thick and heavy but extremely warm. She wore a black short skirt with a small chains that wrapped around her waist before slightly hanging off to the sides. Unlike other styles of socks that Ryikaria had seen, the girl wore a pair of stripped socks that alternated between black and white. The shoes she wore stopped at her ankles and arched upwards with a heel for support.Ryikaria took note of two things that made the girl stood out from the rest of the Shadow Takers she had seen so far. The girl had an eye patch over her left eye and a toothpick in her mouth. Her hands were buried down into her coat pockets as she leaned one shoulder against the wall. She could see on the girl’s back a large great-sword that seemed impossible for her to carry on her own.“If you’re here to kick my ass, maybe we can schedule a date,” Ryikaria said with a joking expression.

The girl laughed as she chewed on the end of her toothpick.

“Pissing off a fair number of people like that is no small feat. Would have been a lot cooler though if you could have backed up those words.”

“Tell me about it. Figured when I became a Shadow Taker I’d be good enough but after today…”

“You realised it takes more then just becoming a Shadow Taker. There is still the fact you have to learn.”

“Yeah. Still, I’m happy I got beat, it helped me to understand what I need to learn.”

“Clearly you’re a smart kid. I know none of the others will admit it but they are afraid of you.”

“What about you?” Ryikaria asked with a smile.

“I’m just going to take the initiative and ask if you want to join my unit.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Don’t get on my bad side. Study everyday. Train until you drop.”

“Sounds like fun. I’m ready to go.”

The girl laughed and made her way over to Ryikaria.

“How about you heal up first. Then we can break you again,” the girl said as she held out her hand in a friendly gesture.

Ryikaria extended her hand politely.

“Sounds good to me.”

“ My name is Luminita Mhyril Ryaskvelsa but Luminita the Shadow is what most know me by. Feel free to just call me Luminita.”

“I’m Ryikaria. I don’t exactly have a moniker as of yet.”

Ryikaria placed her hand on her little sister’s head.

“And this is my little sister, Yiania.”

“Right, I’ll be sure to come by in a few days when you’re not looking so dead. My unit can train the both of you together.”

#

For seven long years, Ryikaria studied and trained non-stop until she mastered various fighting styles. She had learned to make use of her shadow magic during combat which only enhanced her overall skill set to the point that she was able to surpass her own commander in a battle. The only one by the end of it who could even relatively hold their own against Ryikaria was her little sister, Yiania.

When the time came for a rematch against the other Shadow Takers that had beat her, Ryikaria beat eighteen of them at once without so much as getting a scratch on her or breaking a sweat. Before long, no one wanted to fight her. Yet, this didn’t change her perception on life. Where she was once filled with joy and happiness, all emotions had slowly been drained from her. She had entered the lands of Enfieria many times. All of those times, Unit Nine was sent to do the impossible and while they were successful, there was always a price. Ryikaria had to watch many of her friends die. Even if she tried to smile it always felt forced. She had seen so many horrifying ways to die in that place she could no longer keep up the facade. In essence, she had become hollow, earning her the moniker of Ryikaria the Hollow at the age of sixteen.With all the experience and knowledge she had gained, she crafted her own weapon and clothes. Her weapon was a shadow iron violin with a bowstring that could be used in tangent with each other as a way to parry and slice or stab. She had also managed to gather up a rare shadow cloth material that was white and made a dress out of it. The dress that consisted of a frilly top with ruffled sleeves and a matching skirt made her appear noble-like in her appearance. Along with pair of white stockings drew up a bit past her knees and a pair of white single strap high-heels, she completed the look with various bows and other accessories.Yet, even with this change in clothes, deep down she was still hollow. Everyone that watched her enter into the great hall remained silent when she would walk down the aisle. No one spoke or even coughed. The only sound that could be heard was her heels against the stone floor with each step she took. All of them avoided the gaze of her half-moon stare. They all knew that it was best to wait until she was out of earshot.

Even her room showed change throughout the years. What was once a clean and tidy noble living area, soon became a chaotic mess before finally becoming an empty room of just nine candles and six dog tags. She had watched each and everyone of her comrades die in the most nightmarish of ways. Even her own commander suffered the same fate, leaving her as the last surviving member of Unit Nine. While she had only lead the unit as a commander for three years, she knew that there was one thing that she couldn’t train herself to do. She couldn’t bear to watch another friend die to the realm of shadows.W hat exactly have I been fighting for, Ryikaria thought as she slipped off her shoes and allowed them to fall from the staggering height of the old watchtower that hadn’t seen much use in ages. The tower was old and considered the first tower to be built years ago by the first Shadow Takers. Even though it had fallen into a state of disrepair, Ryikaria loved the solitude that it provided. She felt some sense of peace while she played her violin in various

sad keys that would bring anyone to tears. It was the burden she had to bear, the sorrow of losing her teammates and the harsh reality that the Shadow Takers would have to battle the Ryiza for millennia.

She had spent years studying about the Enfieria and exhausted every book the library had. Her thirst for knowledge into the more about the shadow realm didn’t see the light as there was nothing new for her to learn. There was almost no monster that she had not read about or encountered in the realm from the Lima to the Noita and while she had yet to encounter the likes of a Jattilainen or Lohikarme, she knew that it would be a worthy battle. The exhilaration of fighting for her life in a battle that she could lose her life in. It was all she wanted.

Once she had finished with her song, she felt the presence of her little sister standing behind her. Opening her eyes, Ryikaria stared out at the vast landscape of the fifth layer. Even if the crystal lake was a death trap that could boil a person alive, it was beautiful to see the soft colours and glow of the various different blue and purple hues. Standing to her feet, Ryikaria turned on the ball of her foot and grabbed her shoes from Yiania’s hands.“You know you can talk to me, sis,” Yiania said with a smile.

“I know. Maybe one day I will. For now, just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Never stop smiling. Even when times seem tough, smile for the ones you love and care about. Be the light in the darkness that they will follow.”

“You make it sound like you’re dying.”

“No, I’m already hollow. Just thinking it’s time I go on a vacation.”

Ryikaria made her way past her sister after putting on her shoes and headed down the stairwell. Yiania playfully followed behind like a small child as she twirled and danced

keeping in step with Ryikaria. Stopping at the room where she had first met the council of shadows, Ryikaria waited until one figure appeared from the shadows.

“Ah, Ryikaria the Hollow. What brings you here?”

“Varjo, I’m denouncing my commander position of Unit Nine.”

“Oh? Well, if that is what you wish to do that can certainly happen. But why do you wish to do so? If I may ask.”

“I will be entering the lands of Enfieria myself and I will uncover the truth of the Ryiza and what can stop them to put an end to this war.”

Varjo laughed.

“I expect nothing less of you. Here is a parting gift. If you drink it, then you will surely survive by yourself.”

Making a small vial of black liquid appear from the shadows, Varjo handed it over with a smile. Ryikaria took the vial with a bit of hesitation. There’s something he isn’t telling me, Ryikaria thought. Against her better judgement, she downed the vial in one shot.“It taste like shit.”

“It’ll be worth it.”

“Somehow, I know you have something up your sleeve, Varjo.”

“You’ll see in due time, rather it be sooner or later.”

“Right, I’ll be back, one day.”

Without another word, Ryikaria exited the room as her sister followed behind her. She exited out into the great hall where silence befell the room in her presence. As she stepped out into the courtyard, she felt her little sister grab her by the arm.

“You better come back, sis,” Yiania said with a cheerful smile.

Ryikaria placed her hand on Yiania’s head.

“It may be years but I will return. I promise. Just don’t die before me.”

“Please, we both know that can’t happen. I need to be better then you after all.”

“I doubt you’ll ever carry eight coins like me.”

“Hey now, I’m tough! You should know I’m carrying twelve coins on me now. So, bite me,” Yiania said with a playful smile.

Ryikaria quickly pinned her sister against the stone wall. Her face remained deadpan and devoid of emotion.

“Should I drain you instead?” Ryikaria asked.

“And have all the men in there watching, naughty,” Yiania giggled and winked playfully.

“Guess that’s another thing to try out when I get back.”

“What? Violating your poor defenceless little sister.”

“Exactly. If people pay me in their coins, means it stops you from reaching your goal.”

“Always the evil schemer.”

“Anyway, you’ve grown and don’t need me around to train you. Take care, okay, Yiania.”

“Same for you, Ryi-Ryi.”

Gently kissing her sister’s forehead, Ryikaria twirled on the ball of her foot and headed for the pathway leading out of the fort. She knew it was possible to die out in the shadow realm but the chance at being able to learn something new was enthralling enough to entice her on the journey.