Domina Vindictae
*Two days later*
I could not help but feel uneasy. It was not exactly a feeling I felt often. For as long as I remember I was always sure of myself and my decisions.
I sighed as I took out the only photo I had of my family. I looked at my husband’s face and my twin boys. I smiled as I touched their faces and brought their picture to my chest.
Losing them was the greatest pain I ever felt but I swore I’d never let myself feel it again. I swore revenge and by God I got it. I killed every last person who had to do with their death.
In doing so, I grew in power. They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Perhaps the saying was true. Over the years, I became more cruel, more vicious. My sense of remorse or guilt became non-existent.
Now, now I knew I might have crossed a line of no return. Little Umbra was always a special girl – talented, fierce and fearless. From the moment she was brought here, I saw her potential. I saw how good she could be but I underestimated her heart.
It seems nothing I did turned her cruel. Unlike me, she never lost her pure heart. I scoffed, knowing she will be coming for me – not for vengeance but to secure safety for her new found family.
Every Scarlet knows that she is the only one who could beat me. A part of me worries while another part of me would welcome death like an old friend. Even if I have come to hate her guts, I know she would lead the Scarlets better.
The door suddenly opened as one of the girls walked in, a worried look on her face. ‘My lady, she’s here,’ she said and I nodded.
‘I will come shortly,’ I said as I stood up. The girl left, closing my chamber doors. I grabbed my own cloak and my sword. I pulled it out of its sheath and looked at the mirror.
‘This is it,’ I said as I walked out of the room. I could hear the buzz but there was no chaos as everyone was going to the arena. How fitting.
I could feel the eyes on me as I walked through the corridor, in front of who were once my people. They bowed slightly, out of respect but I could feel the excitement for change in the air. The only reason they still followed me was out of fear. They knew what I would do to traitors. Other followed because they were loyal to the Scarlet pledge.
I arrived and saw her there in all her glory. She had certainly grown well. She looked beautiful and fearsome. She was in her full attire today – the leather corset, tight leather pants and boots. She was wearing her cloak and her sword was at her back.
Right behind her were Bangtan but there were other runaway Scarlets. Of course there would be. I scoffed as I stood on the other end of the circle while she took a step forward.
‘Well, well, well, I have to applaud you little Umbra,’ I said as I clapped slightly.
‘Why? You’re surprised to see me alive Vindictae,’ she said as she smirked. Ah there was that Scarlet blood – that defiant, proud, cocky side of us.
‘A little. My mistake but I assure you, it won’t happen again,’ I said and she nodded.
She removed her cloak and unsheathed her sword and took a step forward as the Scarlets began to form a circle. ‘I, Domina Umbra, challenge you, Domina Vindictae, for the throne,’ she said. She sounded confident. Hmm interesting. She really did think she could beat me.
I smirked and removed my own cloak as I looked at her. ‘Are you sure you’re ready to die puppy?’ I asked. She laughed and tilted her head. Behind her I saw Hoseok tense slightly.
‘I won’t be the one dying tonight,’ she said. ‘Do you accept the challenge or are you too much of a coward? Do you only fight when you have the advantage or when you can play dirty?’ she taunted.
‘Oh Umbra, you have definitely grown but you seem to forget,’ I said as I pointed my sword at her. ‘I thought you everything you know,’ I said.
‘Not everything,’ she said and I nodded to myself. ‘You should have made sure I was dead the first time around,’ she said.
‘And you should stop pretending to be a saint little Umbra. You’re a killer like me,’ I said and she nodded.
‘Yes, I am a killer but not like you because I kill people like you. Do you accept the challenge?’ she asked again and I nodded.
‘I accept little Umbra. I hope you said your goodbyes,’ I said as I launched at her.
Possible theme song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuklIb9d3fI
Hoseok
I gasped slightly as I saw Vindictae just go to attack Hanuel. Hanuel ducked, Vindictae’s sword passing right above her head.
My heart was racing against my chest as I dared to exchange a look with Namjoon who was right next to me. He looked worried as well but he was not saying anything.
Hanuel turned as she jumped quite high and attacked. The swords seemed to echo as they came in contact with one another. There seemed to be a rhythm as they both moved fast and light. It was if they were dancing a dangerous dance, both of them knowing the steps all too well.
I could see why Hanuel said Vindictae was one of the best fighters she ever saw. Even though she was much older, she was quick on her feet and knew how to attack and defend. Hanuel was barely keeping up with her and I knew how good she was.
Vindictae’s sword came in contact with Hanuel’s arm, scratching it. I winced as I saw Hanuel stumble a little back before she attacked again.
Vindictae blocked and ducked before she hit Hanuel and cut across her thigh. Hanuel winced this time and I felt myself leaning forward before Yoongi’s arm was on mine.
‘Don’t,’ he said. I gulped as I looked at him and he sighed. ‘I know you’re scared for her. I am too, but getting involved would only dishonour Hanuel. They won’t follow a cheater,’ he said.
I gulped and nodded knowing he was right. I saw Jungkook holding Yeonjun as well who probably wanted to go to his sister as much as I wanted to go to her. I looked back at Hanuel who had blood dripping from her thigh and her arm, yet, she was standing tall.
‘Is that all you got little Umbra?’ Vindictae asked as she twirled her sword in her hand and smirked. She was taunting her but Hanuel simply closed her eyes for a brief second before she ran at her.
Once again, their swords clanged but this time Hanuel ducked low and cut across Vindictae’s leg. Vindictae turned, only to be hit in the face with an elbow. I heard Jungkook chuckle because that was one of his tricks.
Vindictae spat out blood before she corrected her stance. She jumped, changing her posture mid-air as her feet connected to Hanuel’s chest, sending Hanuel to the ground.
Vindictae laughed as she reached towards another Scarlet and took out her sword, giving her two swords.
‘Hey!’ the other Scarlet yelled but the others stopped her. I could see the anger and hatred in her eyes but no one dared to interfere. This was their fight.
Hanuel stood up and laughed. ‘Is that what you got? Cheap party tricks?’ she asked.
‘I’d say I have more than you,’ Vindictae said before she launched at Hanuel with both swords. I felt my throat run dry as Hanuel defended herself, blocking both swords.
‘She’ll be okay,’ Taehyung whispered. I wasn’t sure if it was to me or to himself. I saw Hanuel shift as she used her palm to block. She spun around, kicking one of the swords out of Vindictae’s hands.
It fell to the ground, a couple of paces away. Vindictae laughed as she mimicked the trick, sending Hanuel’s sword flying, leaving her defenceless.
‘No,’ I mumbled as I saw Vindictae go to take a swing. She caught her in her side and Hanuel’s hand went there. I could see the blood flowing between her fingers just as Vindictae went to take the finishing blow.
‘Hanuel!’ I called out, unable to help myself. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.
Somehow, Hanuel managed to grab the sword. I saw the sword digging into her palms, blood dripping as the two women faced each other.
Hanuel smirked before she suddenly buttheaded Vindictae. She just used her skull to hit against Vindictae’s head, sending her reeling back. Hanuel backflipped as she grabbed her sword once more.
Vindictae blinked before she raised her arm to defend herself. Hanuel twisted her arm and threw away her sword. She kicked her in the stomach and then ribs, sending her to one knee.
‘I’m sorry,’ Hanuel said before she spun around, her sword going right through Vindictae’s neck. It was a clean cut as her head seemed to slice off, the rest of her body falling down with her.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked at Hanuel who although bruised and scratched and bleeding, she was okay.
Hanuel turned around, her body covered with blood as she panted and looked at each of the Scarlets. She raised her arms as she continued to turn until she stopped. It was almost as if it was a show of dominance. I saw Adamantem take a step forward as she smiled before she went down to one knee.
I looked in awe as each of the Scarlet took a step forward and just kneeled as if she was their queen. Hanuel looked on as she raised her head slightly before she raised her sword.
Adamantem stood up as she went next to her and turned to face the Scarlets. ‘Domina Vindictae is dead. Long live the reign of Domina Umbra,’ she said as the women saluted once. Adamantem turned to her as they almost seemed to speak in a language of their own before Hanuel nodded.
Adamantem nodded at two others who approached her. I looked on as Adamantem took Hanuel’s sword and passed it to another. The other two started to undress her, bit by bit in front of everyone.
‘What are they doing?’ Jimin asked, almost mortified but somehow, I was not. I was actually in awe. It was almost as if she was truly a queen. I was amazed and stunned. Something about the whole thing seemed to mesmerize me.
‘It’s called the cleansing ritual,’ a Scarlet said from behind us. She had a smile on her face, a proud smile. It looked as if she was relieved and maybe she was
‘A cleansing ritual? What’s that?’ Yeonjun asked as he turned to look back at Hanuel.
‘These challenges, they don’t happen often but when they do, it means we get a new leader. Before our new leader is appointed, she must be cleansed from the blood and from her past,’ she explained.
I watched as two others worked with Vindictae’s body and put her on a pyre of sorts. Hanuel, who was completely naked took a step forward. It was like an ancient ritual that paid respect to the dead, even with someone like Vindictae.
‘No more vengeance. No more vicious and senseless killing. No more hired to kill,’ Hanuel said, her voice the strongest I ever heard it. It was almost as if she was born for this role. It was if she was made to lead the Scarlets. ‘Today marks a new dawn. A new beginning as we go back to our roots of protectors and guardians. Those who wish to leave, are free to do so now, I will not haunt you down but I will not allow cruelty to rule here,’ she said.
She looked on, maybe expecting some Scarlets to walk away but no one did. Adamantem approached her with a torch light. Hanuel took it and took a deep breath before she set fire to the pyre.
She then walked down and went to what looked to be a big bath. I shuddered as I remembered her drowning. Instantly my mind started bringing up images of her in that awful tank – of her body *ing and bubbles coming out of her mouth. I shook off the thoughts as I kept my eyes on her. She raised her arms as two females scrubbed at her blood before she got into the bath.
For a moment, she seemed to disappear beneath the water and my heart stopped. I stopped breathing until I saw her come back up. I looked in awe as they dried her off and then she started putting on clothes.
They were the usual clothes – black leather corset, pants and boots but a new cloak. This cloak was red and rimmed with possibly real gold. Adamantem kneeled once more and I watched as all the Scarlets kneeled once again.
Adamantem took out Hanuel’s sword and presented it to her. I watched as Hanuel took the sword into her hand and stepped towards the throne. I saw her close her eyes before she finally sat on the chair.
All the Scarlets bowed their heads and it was almost as if gravity was pulling me as I found myself going down to one knee as well. I saw the rest of Bangtan do the same.
What a long way she had come – from the girl who was given up as payment, to endless torture and beatings, to being haunted like an animal and now a queen. I dared to look up and her eyes locked with mine. She smiled as she gave me a small nod – reminding me that although now she was Lady Scarlet, she was still my Hanuel. I smiled at her, feeling proud and love towards her before I bowed my head once again.
