Broken Starfield I

As she attempted to re-shackle herself.

The man who had brought about a total eclipse during their battle stepped forward and took away the chains from her hands.

"For we do not shackle those who serve. Merely don this blindfold until we arrive at our destination," Oga proclaimed.

"I request a draft of an official document for my temporary leave from Murdock Academy!" Yvette implored.

"Granted. However, should you intend to alert others of your predicament, remember, that you have lost a sacred duel... I need to say no more!" Oga warned, unveiling himself. Handing her a parchment, he and his brother scrutinized her temporary leave. Shortly after, a Hupo arrived to collect her leave of absence.

"Going forward you may address me as Lord Oga and Nuu!" Oga said while pointing to his brother. 

Yvette finally gazed upon the unmasked men.

"Handsome devils," Yvette muttered under her breath, ruefully acknowledging the twist of fate that seemed to bind her, much like her apprentice Xena, to men of such captivating charm.

This was her first taste of defeat, and it mattered not whether it was a 2v1; for someone of her caliber to falter, her pride stung. She would rather die than to allow others to know. 

The worst of it, these men were younger than herself, just from their bone structure, she could tell, they were likely 27 to 30 years old.

Nuu's smirk greeted Yvette's submission as he took hold of her chains. 

"Seems you've finally calmed down, Lady Yvette. I apologize for the rough treatment, but your daughter's actions led to this!" Oga offered no further explanation.

"Shameless bastard," Yvette's words were the only defiance she could muster, as she fell into silence for the remainder of the journey.

An hour later, the journey came to a halt.

 Yvette's hearing and blindfold were restored. 

"Our glorious Napha, Oh how I miss you!" Nuu said, gazing upon their ancestral land.

[Translation: Napha-Homeland in Mogart]

"Indeed, the years have passed, yet her beauty remains," Oga replied. 

For Yvette, her face said it all. The twins' identity became known to her—The Ancient Nephilim Clan? Of course that explained the flame and wings.

Yvette had only heard whispers of the Five Great Clans that played pivotal roles in the establishment of the Khan Dynasty, very few knew their exact location.

How had her innocent daughter become ensnared by this mysterious household? Yvette was determined to uncover the truth. The last thing Jocelyn had mentioned was a reconnaissance mission she had accepted.

To ensure Jocelyn's safety, Yvette had sent Xena to accompany her. Yet now, Jocelyn was dead, and Xena's whereabouts were unknown.

With the blindfold removed, Yvette could finally see everything. The landscape stretched out before her, divided into five distinct territories, each a day's journey apart.

"Isn't this...?" Yvette whispered, recognizing her exact location. If she were to fly for a few days, she would reach Quien, the charming border town shared by the Ordic Federation and the Khan Dynasty 

Yvette's train of thought was abruptly halted….

"Consort Zamira?" Nuu's voice pierced through the fog, his tone tinged with curiosity. An unusual overhead cloud followed them since their arrival, hovering persistently.

A soft, amused laugh echoed through the mist. "You can see through me?" a shocked voice responded.

"..."

Nuu's thousand eyes missed nothing. Before him, the cloud began to shift, morphing into the form of a striking woman whose presence could not be ignored.

'Flying Nimbus?' Oga thought immediately about that anime.

'This must be one of her many forms. The Faceless Physique lives up to its name. However, before my eyes, nothing can be hidden.' Nuu mused. 

Why couldn't Zamira see the thousands of eyes staring her down? The answer was simple: Nuu's innate ability was perfect hypnosis. If he didn't want you to see something, you simply wouldn't. To her, they appeared as ordinary black wings.

'How did he manage it? And that infernal transformation… Truly, their lineage lives up to its name—The Fallen Nephilim, the descendants of banished angels and giants!' Zamira pondered aloud.

Nuu's gaze was fixed on his sister-in-law. Zamira's presence was undeniably captivating, but what truly held Nuu's attention was the wakizashi she wore at her side.

 It was no ordinary blade, possibly a named sword. The sting of past defeat at her hands had left him with a burning desire for redemption.

Zamira was the only one who had ever surpassed his fast drawl—a feat that haunted his memory.

"Your hunger remains," Zamira noted, launching a swift and precise attack.

Their swords met, engaging in a dance of steel.

"No butter knife today?" Nuu teased.

Zamira laughed, her warm laughter blending seamlessly with the intensity of their sparring. "You've moved past that stage!" Zamira exclaimed.

Although their exchange was brief, Nuu parried three of her ten strikes. 'Not bad!'

Her eyes sparkled, acknowledging Nuu's progress.

Oga watched them, puzzled by the exchange. 'Did something happen while I was gone?' he wondered.

 Despite his confusion, he felt a swell of pride. 'At last,' he thought, 'he's found someone from whom he can truly learn and grow.'

"How did you know we arrived?" Oga inquired as their skirmish concluded, the commotion was enough to arouse those within the fief. 

"A wife should await her Lord Husband's return," Zamira responded. "Oh, you brought along my gift!"

Yvette winced, her countenance betraying a myriad of emotions. 

"It's you…the bitch that snuck me!" Yvette shouted

"...."

Nuu couldn't help but facepalm. He knew his brother well and understood what would happen next.

"Watch your tone with my wife!" Oga's voice boomed, his frown deepening.

 Yvette's breath grew shallow, a high-pitched ringing filling her ears.

"Wife?" The word echoed in her mind. 

Before Yvette could fully grasp its meaning, she was on the ground, gasping for air, her eyes wide with terror.

"Please, stop, I didn't mean to..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Oga, that's enough! You're going to crush her skull!" Zamira intervened

A glint of steel seemed to flash on Oga's hand. As the pain in Yvette's body slowly eased, a thin trickle of blood escaped her lips.

Her life and death for the next decade lie within their hands.

"There won't be a next time," Oga warned, tossing a handkerchief. "Clean yourself up."

Memories of Zamira flooded Yvette's mind, recalling the ambush that left her incapacitated, unable to resist the force that overcame her. It now made sense, yet surprising.

Yvette found herself baffled. Such mystical abilities were typically associated with the Eastern Continent.

Yet, Zamira lacked the characteristics, no matter how she thought about it, there were no monolid eyes or cherry blossom hair commonly traced among denizens of the Eastern land. Of course, Yvette would know this, it's the home to that hateful bastard. 

How, then, could she possess such a power? Yvette pondered this as she recalled her last unexpected encounter with Zamira pretending to be a tree, which had inexplicably engulfed her.

Now, faced with a woman seemingly capable of morphing into clouds, she couldn't help but feel a sense of bewilderment creeping over her.

"Is this his wife? A mere Rank 1 Magus married to a Rank 2 Heavenly Knight? What is the world coming to? Yes, he's handsome but he's weak," Yvette thought bitterly.

She regretted every moment of coming here without a plan.

If not for their vows, she wouldn't endure such humiliation. These fools were simply no match for her in a one-on-one duel.

Yvette was frustrated. This woman, so blessed, she could have any man….with such a jaw-dropping body, yet she chose to marry an insect. Yvette loathed the entire situation. If Oga knew what she was thinking, he would vomit blood.

As Yvette delved into her thoughts while cleaning herself up.

"You've your work cut out for you, honey," Zamira remarked, though inwardly she was taken aback.

Oga defending got her a little wet, this was a first…

At that moment, the decision to accept Oga's proposal now seemed to be the right choice. 

Her smile conveyed it all; Zamira pressed her lips upon his.

"A gift well received!" Oga replied, savoring the taste.

"You've grown even more handsome," Zamira murmured, her fingers tracing his black wings. Her touch was tentative, a mix of curiosity and reverence.

Noticing the violet flames dancing along the wings, she hesitated, her finger hovering above the ethereal glow. "Violet flames?" she wondered aloud, almost touching but pulling back at the last moment.

"They don't burn," Oga assured her gently. "They are unique."

Zamira's gaze lingered on the flames, and then her attention went back to Yvette, "Will she comply?"

Oga nodded, his expression calm. "She is bound to House Thornbrick for ten years. She cannot leave this land without permission nor harm anyone within it, you've already witnessed what happens if she steps out of line. These are part of her Seven Vows."

Zamira's eyes sparkled with interest. "Ah, you've managed to secure her loyalty with the Seven Vows. Impressive. I must reward you!" she whispered, her voice a soft caress.

"It is I who shall reward you!" Oga said. 

Oga then surveyed their surroundings, those slaves brought by Yanis had proven remarkably capable; they had already carved out a significant portion of the wilderness, erecting several wooden abodes.

Where once silence reigned, now signs of life flourished in the thornbrick territory. 

Meanwhile, to the east, the jungle sprawled, its depths echoing with the thunderous roar of cascading waterfalls—a wild expanse brimming with untamed beasts.

'It seems we must go hunting, lots of mouths to feed.' Oga contemplated.

" The land is quite breathtaking, what do you think of turning it into a commerce?" Zamira's lips brushed his ear.

Oga replied with a simple smile, relishing the sensation of Zamira's breath against his skin.

"Hehe, isn't it delightful?" Zamira giggled, her hands resting upon Oga's flaccid member.

Yvette cleared her throat awkwardly, observing the indecent couple.

Understanding dawned on her. "I see it now," Yvette thought. It explained why a woman like Zamira would marry someone like Oga—although brief, the outline of Oga's penis, shocked even herself. 

Yvette could scarcely believe her eyes. 'I didn't know it could grow that large,' she thought, catching herself immediately.

How could she let herself think about such a trivial observation? Jocelyn had been killed by these very people? This was no time for such thought.

'What's wrong with me?' She scolded herself silently.

"Phi has truly outdone himself. Within a week, he restored the household to its former glory." Oga's voice followed as he attempted to clear the awkward silence. 

"And I must say, your family house is quite beautiful. Was your father an artist?" Zamira asked.

Nuu interjected, "No, it was our mother who created those artworks adorning the walls. Her most acclaimed piece sold for 2.7 billion ducats. Have you heard of The Feast For Crows?"

Yvette's reaction was subtle yet unmistakable.

"???"

"No, I haven't. Does it involve a battle?" Zamira inquired.

"Father often entertained guests with stories, and one of his favorite pieces by our late mother; The Feast For Crows. You might imagine a battlefield littered with fallen soldiers and crows overhead."

"If it's not that, then what is the painting of?" Zamira asked, curiosity piqued.

"It portrays a woman of great beauty, completely nude wearing just a choker, crawling on a vast white expanse. Surrounding her are five hooded men of varying sizes, each holding a leash." 

Zamira paused, lost in thought. "Why does this seem so familiar?" she mused aloud. Suddenly, the infamous scandal from 2,000 years ago resurfaced in her memory—the tale of the cuckolded Baron and his Consort. Was their mother inspired by this event?

"Do you know who bought the art?" Zamira asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"The last I heard, it was resold on the Eastern Continent," Nuu replied, his voice tinged with intrigue.

"Such a shame," Zamira lamented. It was now impossible to retrieve it. Auction houses on the Eastern Continent would rather see their establishments burn to the ground than reveal their clients' names, unlike those on the Central Continent.

"Are you an art collector?" Oga interjected.

"...I prefer poetry," Zamira responded, her words soft yet filled with depth.

"Truly?" Nuu's eyes seemed to light up as he gazed into the night sky.

"A canvas of stars, where hopes may grow," - Nuu 

"I didn't realize you had such flair," Zamira said, a hint of admiration in her tone.

"I find solace in the whispers of eternity," - Zamira 

"Do you know Alle Yun?" Nuu asked eagerly, his excitement shining through.

"He's one of my favorite poets," Zamira responded with pride. "I've collected all his early works. I even have his autograph. Would you like to see it?"

"Can I?" Nuu's eyes sparkled like a child's in a candy store.

"Of course, come by tomorrow!" Zamira said.

Oga smiled warmly as if Nuu had found a long-lost friend in Zamira. Their shared love for poetry delighted him.

"Honey, do you also like poetry?" Zamira turned to Oga, her curiosity piqued.

"Did you not see the sculpture in the main house?" Nuu interjected.

"Sculpture? What of it?" Zamira asked, confused.

"It doesn't belong to my mother or father, so…" Nuu paused, letting the implication hang in the air.

"Ooh, my husband is that talented? Wait, didn't you leave here when you were around fourteen? Are you implying those sculptures were created by Oga?" Zamira's eyes widened. The statues were breathtaking, and the idea that Oga had crafted them as a child amazed her.

"Aah, you flatter me. It's nothing much," Oga said, scratching his head. But his blushing face revealed how much he enjoyed the compliment.

Not long after, a rather tall fellow hurried forward….

"I guess our discussion will have to wait," Oga said

"Potter, escort Professor Yvette to the guest house. She should be able to reunite with Xena. Also, inform Laura and Quo to prepare a bath for her and ensure our guest is well taken care of," Oga instructed. 

"Xena is alive?" Yvette inquired, having been silent and attentive to their conversation. 

"Of course, we aren't bloodthirsty fiends!" Nuu responded.

 "Then why is my daughter dead?" Yvette demanded, her voice trembling with anger.

 "I've already explained," Oga interjected.

"All your daughter had to do was comply. If you want to know more, Xena can fill you in. Her death was brought about by her actions, Lady Yvette." Despite the tension, Oga tried to remain composed.

The Seven Vows bound Yvette, yet nothing prevents her from taking drastic measures, like blowing herself up.

 "Humph, just you wait!" Yvette murmured as she stared daggerly at Oga, this bastard was truly irritating her.