As I approached the basement door, I sent multiple spheres of light around the garden and the surrounding area, casting away the darkness and returning my unblemished vision.
Just before my hand reached the handle, I felt a sudden surge of hostility oozing from the basement. I instinctively leaped backwards, summoning a longsword of light, grasping its handle tightly.
CRASH
The wooden basement door shattered into thousands of splinters, flying all across the garden. I swiped down with the longsword, destroying the splinters heading my way.
A flurry of hideous snarls and growls escaped the creature's mouth. It took me a moment to process what the creature was in front of me.
It was Morgrave.
It seemed Helios didn't extinguish its life, a shame truly. I didn't have the mental energy to battle with this monster again, although Liliana had spilled its secrets. If I had to, then I'd end it in a split second.
Morgrave wasn't the same. Its roaring azure flames were no longer present, replaced with a festering scar; its right leg had been completely severed.
Although it was acting brave, I could see the lines of fear and hesitation in its gaze. It slowly backed away once it realized who I was.
Despite their loyalty to the Horsemen of War, it seemed fear was still present in their hearts. A fortunate development, if it feared me, then it wouldn't attack unless I was after its life.
Morgrave's presence here confirmed my suspicions; the Horsemen of Mysteries wasn't behind this. It was most definitely the Horsemen of War. I couldn't possibly know what it was after. But I knew its presence was an unwelcome one.
"Morgrave, go away," I commanded.
I don't really know what I was expecting, but it didn't move, staying rooted in front of the basement door. It lowered its position, snarling at me, showing a full set of crimson-stained teeth.
"Morgrave, go back inside. I'll handle this."
An unknown voice reared out of the darkness. Morgrave swiftly moved out of the way, letting a woman adorned in a black silk dress walk out of the basement.
Morgrave swiftly walked back into the basement, its visage disappearing in the sea of darkness.
The woman's face was obscured by a veil covering her mouth. She brought a fan up to her mouth, flicking it open and closed dramatically.
"Hello, Evernight, the Divine String of the Servants of Order. What can I do for you?"
Her hair was as black as night and tied into two buns, her wings were of the same colouring as if they had been forged in the heart of darkness. She had six wings, and a set of great horns was attached to her temple.
Although this woman was most definitely my enemy, I couldn't deny her beauty and dignified looks. Liliana's attempts couldn't hold a candle to this woman. I knew if Liliana were here, she'd be arguing about who looks more royal and smarter.
My posture shifted into a defensive stance. I knew this woman wouldn't be a pushover. Six wings were the mark of a powerful warrior in this world; even the most inexperienced beings could still hold great power.
"Who are you?"
Her magenta eyes didn't once land on me, trailing the spheres of light dotted around the garden.
"Oh, how rude of me. I suppose I do owe you some gratitude after all you caused Karravok's downfall. I never liked that brute's attitude; it's a shame I didn't get to sink my claws into him. I am the Third Herald of War, Nyserra, the Mistress of Shadows."
"So the Horsemen of War's claws are deep into this land, then? As I suspected, let me pass or suffer the consequences."
"They're much deeper than you could ever realise."
"Mhm? Why would I let you pass? There is nothing down there anyway, only death."
"You're telling me that two people aren't down there impaled on a mountain of swords? I don't think that is true, is it?"
"Oh, the ones Lady War took. They died as soon as that four-winged girl left. What did she tell you? Something about the curse of war, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but that doesn't exist. They only survived that long because I protected their vitals."
"I already knew that. I've come here to retrieve their bodies. I couldn't leave a friend's family dead in some slum."
"I'm sorry, but I can't allow that. You see, it just wouldn't be any fun if I moved aside. Even if it displeases Lady War, I still plan on testing you," declared Nyserra.
I knew a conflict was unavoidable once she appeared. Her appearance spoke volumes about her personality; she wouldn't forsake her pride and move aside. That'd go against every principle in her mind.
From what my eyes could detect, she was a step above Karravok. It was a miracle that she hadn't superseded his position long ago. I was actually quite curious as to why she hadn't.
"Before you bare your fangs, may I ask a single question?"
Nyserra merely nodded her head in approval, spinning her black and magenta fan on her fingertip.
"You are clearly more powerful than Karravok, so why didn't you kill him a long time ago?"
Nyserra's head tilted slightly, an exaggerated yawn escaping her mouth.
"You don't know much about devils, do you? You must get permission from your governing Horsemen before challenging a Herald. I was never given that permission. Karravok still had use to Lady War, but that usefulness has long since left the station."
"So it was just a strategy to test an unknown's strength?"
"Yeah, you caught on pretty quick, I'll give you that. Also, the closer a Herald gets to their Horsemen, the more power is passed down to them."
It seemed that this power she speaks of is a double-edged sword. From my encounter with Karravok, it was easily stripped away at a single thought.
The Horsemen of War was clearly a methodical person; such a mind made me shiver. I knew that Ickni wasn't the only twisted mind in this world; I was merely scratching the surface.
"You're rather talkative for an enemy. Do you like teaching people?"
Nyserra chuckled behind her fan, her eyes gleaming with blatant amusement.
"Funny. Of course not, I find it boring. But I must follow orders, I was told to enlighten any question a certain wingless may have."
"How generous of the Horsemen of War, how ever could I repay such kindness?" I said, my voice laced with mockery.
"You'll just have to ask her, won't you?"
Nyserra gave my attitude right back, sheepishly smiling through the gap in her fan.
Nyserra wasn't as insufferable as Karravok. I quite liked the words spilling from her mouth. I held no true malice for the woman, but I knew what needed to be done, and I'd kill her a thousand times over to get through that door.
My mind shifted into one of understanding, unleashing my hostility onto the streets of the slums surrounding us. I summoned another longsword of light, and, duel-wielding the weapons, I could easily change their form any time I wished.
I believed that such trickery in battle was only natural for battling against devils, and I couldn't deny it was rather fun to win through underhanded tactics.
"Hehe. So you're ready to fight me now? I'll take your murderous intent as a yes."