"This is your last chance, Pyra," Commander Flynn threatened. "Lay down your weapons or face the consequences."
Despite being heavily outnumbered, Pyra appeared relaxed and even smiled widely. Her flaming blades looked alive in her hands as she twirled them quickly, causing some guards to step back cautiously.
"I didn't realize you needed a demonstration of my talents, Lord Commander," she said, with her bright eyes studying the men before her. "These guards are leagues below my skill set, but they'll do just fine."
Without warning, she swung at the nearest guard, cleanly cutting off the metal head of his spear. The man barely had the time to process his beheaded weapon when Pyra's feet landed squarely in his chest. The strength of her kick was so great that it left a huge dent in his breastplate as he flew backward, crashing painfully onto the wall behind him.
Before the others could react, Pyra struck again. One of her blades had thinned and stretched into a whip coated with flames, and she flung one end forward, catching the ankle of another guard. With minimal effort, she pulled and flung her unfortunate target, using him to knock down several men at once. By the time Hayden realized it, Pyra had already taken down half a dozen guards.
"What are you waiting for?!" Flynn thundered with wide eyes. "Attack her!"
The remaining guards paused for a moment, as if considering their commander's orders. Their brief hesitation proved costly as Pyra attacked first. Her weapons morphed again, this time turning into flaming gauntlets that covered her fists. She zipped forward with blinding speed, striking the first man through his helmet. As he fell backward like a chopped tree, the others suddenly sprang into action. But it was already too late. Pyra's next round of movements was so quick and precise, they couldn't keep up. Soon after, Pyra stood alone, surrounded by bodies of groaning men with broken spears and damaged armor.
"Now, then," she said, turning to the Commander, "I believe our little practice session is over."
But it was, indeed, far from over. In the blink of an eye, Flynn launched himself from the top of the steps, swinging his sword overhead as he descended towards Pyra. Hayden's bewildered eyes watched as his friend attacked before he could stop the already escalating violence, but he was even more surprised when he spotted Pyra. She wasn't taken aback; she, in fact, expected Flynn to attack her.
She shifted her weight with ease at the last moment, sidestepping Flynn's strike as he reached her. The commander rolled forward, got to his feet, kicked a guard on the ground, and turned to her.
"You will pay for what you did to my men," he growled fiercely. His eyes blazed with fury as he raised his sword to his shoulder level and took a stance.
"Don't be too hard on them," Pyra said soothingly as she summoned her fiery blades again. "They did their best. I'm just far better."
Hayden watched helplessly as Flynn charged at her with a yell, but the battle between them ended before it began when a loud voice echoed with authority.
"Enough!"
Both challengers froze in their positions, then they turned to the entrance of the throne room. Niveria stood at the large doorway, and behind her were multiple guards that seemed to be waiting for her orders to storm in.
"It would seem I wasn't invited to this frivolous affair," she said, her eyes taking in the chaos before her.
"Aunt," Hayden began as he came down the steps, "I had sent a messenger to find you earlier, but he came back empty. We'd assumed you must've gone for a ride."
"Which was why you sent a generous amount of men to come after me," she finished, gesturing at the guards behind her. "When, in reality, they were needed here. Though, judging from what I'm looking at, I doubt it would've mattered much."
Before Hayden could question her last statement, Niveria flicked her wrist forward. The guards behind her understood the signal and marched into the hall immediately. Pyra tensed as she prepared for another showdown, then lowered her arms when she realized they weren't there for battle. In a few moments, the guards had lifted and taken their beaten comrades out of the throne room, leaving the rest standing in silence.
Niveria slowly walked forward, her flowing jade-green dress dragging behind her. She moved past Pyra and Flynn, ignoring them like a mother would her disobedient children. She stopped before Hayden, bowed her head slightly in respect to the other members of the council, and turned back to her nephew.
"If you wouldn't mind, my king, I'd like to speak to you and the Grand Advisor in private."
Hayden raised an eyebrow, wondering what his aunt's request could be about. Regardless, he turned to Jesper and Ulric and nodded. "You can leave us."
Both men lowered their heads. "At once, my king."
Jesper walked a wide arc around Pyra as he made his way out, and Flynn kept looking over his shoulder to glower at her as he exited the room. However, as Pyra herself was about to take a step, Niveria stopped her.
"No. Not you. You'll remain here."
The corners of Pyra's mouth drew up in a small smile as the massive doors banged shut. "It's good to see you, my lady. You look well and hearty."
Niveria smiled. "Usually, compliments are a thing of joy to hear. But not from you, Pyra. Like everything about you, your words burn."
Pyra's smile widened. "Good to know that the delicate life of royalty hasn't softened your foul tongue, Lady Niveria."
"Hold on. You know each other?" Cassian asked, the confusion on his face matching Hayden's.
"I know Pyra as the proficient bounty hunter that she is and I believe she should be able to find the cursed creature responsible for my brother's death," Niveria stated casually. "Isn't that right?"
"Without any reasonable doubt," Pyra confirmed. "Though I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised to be here. After all, a werewolf is something you can handle as well. Or have you drowned your gifts with lavish wines, Niveria?"
Hayden couldn't take it anymore. "Is there something both of you would like to tell us? Without being so secretive and cryptic?"
Niveria beamed at Pyra again, though it wasn't a pleasant smile. "You know why you're here, Pyra. I suggest you get to it immediately. We can't afford to lose any more innocent lives."
"And yet, among the innocent lies the perpetrator," Pyra remarked. "I understand your concern, though. I'll set out immediately."
"Wait!" Hayden called after her as she strode smoothly towards the exit. "You said my father sent for you. You're yet to explain why he did."
"I'm sure your aunt will explain better, my king," she called back. But, just as she reached the large oak doors, she paused abruptly. "For all it's worth, Niveria, I am sorry about Baustas. He didn't deserve to die like that."
"Don't be, Pyra," Niveria answered, rather emotionless. "He had lived his life. He died for the Hunt."
Pyra glanced over her shoulder, nodding gently as she uttered, "For the Hunt."
With that, she pushed the doors open and disappeared out of sight.