Chapter 299: Charred Husk (Part One)
In the wreckage of a sitting room one floor below the battle unfolding around Zedya, a wraith formed of vengeful holy flames descended on the helpless figure of Hamdi. Under the effect of Nyrielle’s Kiss of the Void: Acceptance of Fate, the ancient vampire stood helpless with a calm, welcoming expression on his face as Ignatious flames enveloped him.
His tattered and bloodstained clothing were reduced to cinders and ash in the blink of an eye and his dark fur followed a second later, filling the air with the sharp, acrid stench of burning hair. Moments later, the searing pain as his flesh bubbled and blackened finally broke Nyrielle’s hold on his mind and the sound of his anguished howls filled the air.
"You’ve done well, Ignatious," Nyrielle said, resting a hand on the kneeling vampire’s shoulder. Though she stood tall and proud, her touch wasn’t light as she used the kneeling vampire for support to remain standing while she watched Hamdi burn. As powerful as Ignatious’s flames were, they were far from enough to kill such an ancient vampire and Nyrielle refused to relax until she was certain that Hamdi was no longer a threat.
"And I’m sorry," she added softly. "That you had to wait so long for this moment to arrive."
"Mistress, you..." Ignatious started only to stop when Nyrielle shook her head slightly and pressed a finger to her lips. Some things, it seemed, shouldn’t be spoken aloud but that didn’t mean he didn’t know what had happened.
Blood flowed from countless wounds on Nyrielle’s body and her once elegant dress had been reduced to blood stained tatters that barely protected her modesty. It was clear that her fight against Hamdi had extracted a heavy toll from her, and yet, she hadn’t used her Kiss of the Void until the very end when Ignatious launched his wraith of vengeance.
All of those wounds, and many of them could likely have been prevented but she endured all of it, just to give Ignatious a chance to realize a portion of his revenge with his own hands. To see his tormentor burn before his eyes instead of watching Nyrielle handle Hamdi’s venomous insults herself.
"Mistress Nyrielle," Ignatious said, turning completely away from the burning vampire to bow deeply to Nyrielle. "Thank you, for this gift, I, I will do everything in my power to prove worthy of what you have given me today."
"I haven’t given you anything," Nyrielle said as she watched the flames engulfing Hamdi begin to gutter out and die. His flesh had turned to a bubbled and blackened mass, and in some places on his face, hands and ribs, white bone could be seen where thin skin had burned away entirely.
The holy flames flickered and died, leaving behind wisps of smoke that coiled around Hamdi’s charred form. Despite wounds that would have killed any lesser being, the ancient vampire remained standing through sheer force of will, his golden eyes blazing with fury even as bits of charred flesh crumbled from his face.
"Because you are my ancestor and the ancestor of my parents, I will give you one chance to receive mercy," Nryielle said sternly as she strode toward the charred vampire. Despite the wounds on her body, many of which were still bleeding, there wasn’t the slightest tremble or sound of pain in her voice. Rather, thick disdain dripped from her words as she spoke to the High Lord of the Tangled Wood.
"Kneel at my feet," Nyrielle commanded in a tone that left no room for argument. "Apologize for your rudeness and hostility, and then beg for my forgiveness. When you do, you will address me properly as ’your Eternity’ the way you should have from the beginning."