Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Lantherem, Aranuvia, and Elanavia–the three island nations ruled by lesser gods, each with its own legacy, rivalry and past. But amongst the three, the god of light was scorned the most, for he was joyous while the others were jealous of each other's land. Thus, they sold their brother's life for more influence and power to the council of greater gods, but in the end with Lantherm they too were laid to rest and more forgotten than their brother was.

Having expected their deaths, however, both gods left behind a legacy that none could take over. One an island with a rune inscribed so deep that no magic–not even that of another god could work. Leaving Elanavia in the hands of a Djinn, they ensured that if not them then no god would ever be accepted in their kingdom.

A pagan kingdom was born upon that god's death, and the same fate followed in Aranuvia. Although being more violent and strategic, the god left many spoils and treasures in the hands of soldiers who would fight to the death before surrendering to another god. What neither expected, however, was that the scorn towards gods that they'd instilled in their people, made those very followers scrub their names off their history books.

They weren't remembered, they weren't served, and most importantly they never existed in the minds of any mortal. Aranuvia turned into a militaristic nation where all those who could sword must serve the greatest warrior alive as their king. Elanavia on the other hand remained in the hands of the Djinns, although with the passage of time, they were forced to breed with other races before snuffing out like a candle powering the illusion of normality over the island.

Being warriors, the Arans–or the kings, desired every treasure in their sights, including the queen's islands, and they'd been mostly successful in acquiring them, except for those that she had masked with illusion from which there was no escape.

"But now, since you've confirmed our suspicion that the god of Lantherem is dead," looking into Raven's eyes, Elana took a deep breath and sighed. "Aran wants it for himself, especially if there really is the body of a god buried underneath that island."

"And you're worried he'll come for you next?" Raven asked.

"I'm not worried…" Leaning back into her chair, the queen stretched her arms and declared with a yawn. "If anything, I don't care about this island anymore."

Jerking her body forward, she wore a smile and dropped another bomb.

"But I still want that island so I can drop these ungrateful people there and they can help build that island and worship whatever god you're trying to sell," reminded of the many scornful gazes from the councilmen, Elana wished to be done with burning her soul for this island until she was to be replaced with another half Dijnn. "I want this place to sink deeper than the hells, I'm tired of pretending everything's fine and just granting everyone's wishes, even if that wish is for fucking toothpick!"

Noticing a sudden change in everyone's expression, mostly the look of alarm in their eyes, Elana held back her voice and shook those thoughts out of her head. Keeping her eyes closed for a minute she opened them again and continued with her plan.

"I want these bastards to be self-sufficient, these days only the jester makes any attempt to be unique, to be different…" Sealing her lips yet again, she held back on her anger and sighed. "Much like my mother and her mother, I already have a mate chosen for me with whom I'll be making a child; if this island remains standing after Aran takes over that god's body that is, and that's the last thing I want."

Bringing everyone back to the mansion's council room, Elana looked over to the one empty seat that always just remained empty. Her arrogant fiance was supposed to sit on it, listen to her council, and even give his own advice, but that man, much like the rest of the kingdom, was far too self-indulgent to show up inside the mansion.

Shifting her attention back to the front, she stared at the table, trying to remember the last time she felt true joy. Pretense had become her poison and the citizens bought it every day.

"I wanna fuck things up, I wanna experiment and enjoy myself," looking up and around the table at everyone, she prosed them a question. "Tell me if you had the ability to do anything you want, would you spend it ruling a blind kingdom or doing what you want?"

The answer was simple, nobody even had to say it out loud. Elana felt the same for once she was a bubbly queen, an enchantress and a beauty, but had now shriveled up from the inside with her inner child and her powers fading every day.

"I want my freedom and in return, I'll grant you one wish–when you most need it, but remember depending on what it is, I'll refuse if it's beyond my limits or if it would burn me into nothing to grant it to you."

"We need an army to fight the king's fleets, can you help with that or not?" Growing tired of the long-winded talk, Raven rose from his chair and decided to just set things straight. "In all honesty, I couldn't care less about this island but if you help us, we'll help you. So again, do you have an army that can help us?"

Staring at the queen while she stared back at Raven, a deep quiet took over the dark room. None dared speak a word until the queen would give her answer, but that's when she shook her head in denial, shattering their expectations.

"No, I can't, but–"

"And who do we have here?" The sound of clapping and the clashing of iron boots echoed from the entrance to the hall. Turning to look at the man, the party and Elana saw a party of three, one a tall man and the other two women standing beside him. Stepping forward and clapping some more, the man laughed a fake laugh before announcing. "I didn't know you had guests, my dear fiance. Why don't you introduce me to them, hmm?"

"Shit, he's here–they're here…" Elana whispered, her hands quivering in fear at the sight of her half-Djinn siblings.

And in that delicate moment, Raven knew…

'This shit is gonna take a while.'Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Two week's time, that's all he had, and as things stood, he was nowhere close to finding a way to defeat an entire army of soldiers along with the witch hunter. '

Thank god we have some time to spare or else we'd be more fucked than the history of these islands!'