#farres

She had started her formal sim fu lessons at age ten, and had five years to practice against forgiving opponents. In the first few seconds of surprise, Teague and Farres are just as pliant. But as soon as he collects himself, Teague overpowers her. “Behave, girl,” he growls as he tugs at her pointed ear. She groans and wriggles, but the pain is surprisingly disabling.

With a grunt, Farres lifts her over his shoulder and carries her up the narrow stone stairs. He kicks open a wooden door, and sunlight floods the dungeon. Tears well up in Raven’s eyes and she curses to herself—the tears are a simple reaction to the sudden burst of light, but she doesn’t want them to think otherwise.

They don’t seem to notice, though. Farres carries her quickly down a series of precarious steps and over a bridge. Teague follows close behind, a grin plastered on his face and a jaunt in his step.

The surroundings don’t match her captors. The castle is too manicured, too thoughtfully maintained and decorated. The gardens and pond bustle with life and beauty, enhancing the pallor of Teague and Farres.

ART BY @barballie​  (posting here with the artist’s permission!)

Hasta el coño de mis alumnos. 

She turns her attention to Farres. She glowers, her hands alight with cosmic energy. Behind her, Damsel bucks as Dominic brandishes his hammer.

“Surrender,” he orders.

Farres’s eyes flicker between the pair. “She will not let me return a failure.” He drops his sword.

“You’re giving up?” Lark asks.

The pirate clenches his jaw. “Make it quick.”

“We could just let you go,” she says. "If you promise just to leave."

“No. Make it quick.”

Lark obliges, but this victory is bitterer than the last.

Farres attempts a charge, but Lark had anticipated this: holding her arms up, she channels all her power into both offense and defense. The pirate struggles to swing his sword, weighed down by whatever invisible force she’s managed to call forth.

“No,” Teague loses a struggle of his own. “No!” He cries out as his body rapidly desiccates and disintegrates. Unceremoniously, he is gone.

Teague reels back with a grunt. She turns to meet Farres. He swings at her, but he’s too slow. She catches his fist and jerks it down, pulling him forward into her elbow. His weight does most of the work.