Redeemer Angels vs. The Bride of the Skeksis 03Chapter 02: The Swamp of Sog (Part One) Author's Note: Some of this chapter is re-used from a long dead fanfic from a long dead account of mine. Only, there is nothing too graphic about it this time, unlike the old fanfic. In the Swamp of Sog, flitting around so care free, is a Culicida Faerie named Brassica. Like with her clan of fair folk, Brassica had periwinkle hued skin, a humanoid, yet insectoid like face that resembled a mosquito with large humanoid eyes. Grown males range from 25-30 centimeters, while grown females range from 21-23 centimeters. Since Brassica has come of age, and can travel the swamps on her own, she is in Earth years reckoning, 18 years old, making her 22 centimeters in height. They have humanoid arms, a pair of mosquito wings, and smooth, hairless, insectoid feet. Brassica herself has long mint green hair crowned with a halo braid, with a pair of long periwinkle antennae on top. Her eyes are amber colored, and she wore an outfit consisting of a pressed pink flower petal dress, a pair of copper anklets, a pink ribbon choker that matches her petal dress, a copper bracelet on her right hand, and a copper armlet around her upper left arm. Since Brassica is a female Culicida Faerie, only the females of her clan can feed off life energy, such as vliya from a Gelfling, or even a vliya vein ridden tree in the middle of the Sog for that matter. Male Culicida feed off sweet things, such as honey, nectar, and so forth. The Culicida Faerie clan are one of the many types of foreign creatures making their place at home in Thra. They originally made their home in the Alvar and Fair Folk world of Alfheimur, but through the gaping huge portal where the crystal castle once stood, these odd creatures made their homes in the many swamps of Thra. The swamps and marshes of the Culicidae's new world reminded them of their old home regions in Alfheimur. So it was the perfect place for them to settle. “Finally, I can travel the swamp lands on my own.” Brassica thought to herself as she flits around the swamp freely, appreciating her new found freedom. While exploring the forest, she found the trio of humanoid Yatagarasu harvesting the remains of a strange animal they killed. They seem to be harvesting every bit of this strange animal, which is a good thing, since nothing will be wasted. Marut grabs out a portable stove, ingredients, and dishes from the holy pouch that was given to them by Lord Iyesu, so that at least a little bit of the edge is taken off of their journey. The holy pouch can store many amounts of items without taking up too much space. Such a handy item indeed, especially on such larger than life quests the trio are taking on. “Oh wow! This Curry Nebrie tastes delicious.” Mist said, as everyone ate the Curry Nebrie around the stove fire. “It really goes well with this wild swamp rice we found in this region.” “Thank you Mist.” Marut said as he started to dig into his meal he cooked for everyone. “I'm glad you two like my cooking.” “Anytime brother.” Harut said cheerfully as everyone started to sit around and eat.“I wonder how far we are from this vein y dead tree found within the Sog?” Marut asked as he took a spoonful of swamp rice coated in leftover curry sauce. “Hopefully, we aren't too far.” Mist responds hopefully. “I mean, that ol' log sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of this swamp.” Harut looks around the swamp, hiding how uneasy he feels. Then he turns to face both Marut and Mist, saying, “We still need to be careful here. How knows what other wretched beasts makes its home here.” “True enough.” Mist and Marut said together. “Even though we are Yatagarasu angels, we still need to assert caution, no matter what.” Mist told everyone. Brassica just watches from a nearby downed log she is sitting on, watching and listening She seemed to be very intrigued by the trio, thinking to herself, “Once they are done eating, I'll guide them to that dead tree covered in vliya veins. I can go for some nice yummy vliya right now.” A group of angels of various races, led by Mikael the Archangel, have just done using their powers to resurrect an ancient ark style fortress that was left behind on the ghost planet of Xibalba . The golden haired angel who wore his serpent skin shawl wherever her went, heard about how technologically advanced this once prosperous civilization was in middle to later ages. Yes, yes! Good, good!” Mikael said in relief as this ark style fortress was mystically being put together with the abandoned technology found in the abandoned kingdom of Yahannam. The whole kingdom on Xibalba is quite a spectacular sight. There were hovering cars, flying castles, buildings made from pure aurichalcum metal that is thought to be the thing of legend in human folklore, and a power source driven by magic energy, which has died out ages ago after the great cataclysm. “Hey, need anymore materials?” A young female yatagarasu angel of the Rose Jay clan asked Mikael. “Or are we all good?” “I think we are almost done dear Eir.” Mikael replied in confidence. “But thank you for your help young lady. You did a lot these days.” Once the Ark fortress became the Cosmic Ark, dubbed “The Cheollima”, Eir was excited to see her friends once more, and aid them on their recent journey. “Oh boy, I cannot wait to see Mist and her friends again! Woo! I hope we make more friends on the way.” Just as the Cheollima was being finalized and ready for anyone to pilot it, Eir turned herself around a little, and was greeted with a hideous figure in the middle of the abandoned town square. “Ewww, what is up with that statue?” The huge, ugly, horribly damaged statue in the middle of town square, was that of King Heylel, the all father of Hades, sitting on an oven like throne. The side part of the head has been broken off over time, as well as one of his wings, and the tip of his scepter. In the alabaster statue's left hand, was a miniature figure of Heylel, back when he was a Seraphim Angel. Eir sighed as she looked at the statue. “What a waste of beautiful material to make such a horrid figure. That statue is making me uneasy.” “Hey hey, dear Eir. Relax.” Mikael said to the Yatagarasu, as he gives her more comforting words. “We'll soon leave this wretched planet, and then, you can see your friends once more.” “Yay!” Eir cheered in joy, as everyone gotten their hard work on the Cheollima wrapped up. Now, it is time to go to Thra, where Harut, Marut, Mist, and a potential new ally are waiting for them. After the Yatagarasu trio cleaned up and packed their belongings, they were ready to go find this tree that allegedly holds a new ally. Harut got up, beckoning everyone to follow him. “Okay everyone, let's go!” “Okay.” Marut and Mist said in a somewhat fatigued tone. The Yatagarasu couple got up, getting ready to follow Harut's lead, but suddenly, the trio heard a small female voice calling to them. “Yoo hoo! I think I can help lead you to the vliya vein tree.” The trio looked around the swamp, wondering where this small voice was coming from. Harut asked, “Where did that voice come from?” “It wasn't me.” Mist replied, being just as confused as the twin brothers. “Over here! Over here!” The small voice rang out, as a speck of pink, periwinkle, and green flashed before them, then, slowing down, revealing a Culicida faerie. “Hello there. It is I, Brassica.” Marut and Mist eyed the faerie, ogling over her appearance, with huge grins on their faces, as well as their hands out, as if ready to catch her. Mist spoke first...”Ah, So CUUUUUUUTE!” “Yes, she is quite cute indeed. Heh heh.” Marut said, smiling at the sight of the faerie. “Uh oh!” Brassica thought to herself as she flew from the couple's grasps, perching on Harut's shoulder, clinging to him. “MARUT! MIST!” Harut shouted sternly. The couple stopped in their tracks, looking more serious now, saying together, “We are so sorry.” “Oh, forgive them dear Miss Brassica.” Harut said softly to the faerie. “Whenever those two see something cute, they have to go chasing after it.” “I can tell.” Brassica replied. “I didn't catch all your names. Who are you guys?” “Well, I am Harut of the Yatagarasu Angel race.” Harut said. “And the twin brother of mine is Marut, and this here, is our friend Mist Elmarn.” “Hi there Lady Brassica.” Marut and Mist said back, smiling and waving hello. “I can lead all three of you to that tree covered in vliya vines.” Brassica said, as she flew from Harut's left shoulder, beckoning the trio to come follow her. “After all, I am kind of hungry. That vliya tree also looks very tasty. Come, let's go!” Finally, at last, the Cheollima cosmic ark was ready to take off from the desolate ruins of Xibalba. All the angels, especially Eir Gullmannen, were more than happy to leave the place, since they have harvested all the materials then needed. “I am so, sooooooo happy to leave this wretched world behind!” Eir said in relief. “Those ruins were creeping me out.” “I understand how you feel Miss Eir.” Mikael said as he commanded the angelic crew members to take off from Xibalba. “Okay everyone, are we ready to take off.” “Yes Sir Lord Mikael!” The crew members cheered down below the depths of the ark. “Ready to take off in 5...4....3...2....1!” Mikael commands. The Cheollima started to slowly rise off the grounds of Yahannam, leaving a big cloud of dust and debris in its wake. As it was now hovering off the ground, the Cheollima started to give off a soft humming noise, making a vertical column of dust following behind it. The ruined planet beneath started to get more and more distant as the ark is taking off. The ark is making its way to the clouds, leaving wisps swirling around it the ark's wake. Once the sky was becoming deep space, all the angels on board started ti rejoice at Cheollima's successful take off. The next goal: Make their way to Thra, where Harut, Marut and Mist were waiting. While following Brassica's lead through the Swamp of Sog. The Yatagarasu trio finally found the vliya tree that they were looking for. But there was a catch: There were three shadowy entities circling the tree, waiting for whatever, or whoever was inside, to come out. They made horrific hissing and gurgling noise, as they circled the tree like buzzards circling a dead animal. “Oh no! Look over there!” Brassica cried out in fear. “Dark Mist monstrosities!” “Quick, we got to fight them off!” Marut yelled, as he, Harut and Mist prepared to take down the Dark Mists. Brassica watches everyone at a short distance, knowing that she is no match for these foul beings. With Marut being the first to attack, he charged at one of the Dark Mists circling the tree. He slashes at the monster frantically with his twin daggers, only to find out that he is only hurting the creature a little bit, but not by much. “Man, come on! Hurry up and die!” “Wait you two!” Mist commanded. “I know these beasts. Dark Mists, like any being of the shadows, are weak against holy magic.” Right there, Mist started to chant a mantra, as a aura of pure light started to surround her. The energy became a pillar of light, as the tip of Mists hammer started to give off a glow, with her chanting, “Holy Downpour!” Clouds of divine light started to form over the Dark Mists, with a downpour of holy water sprinkling on them, making the creatures screech in agony. While the holy water rain continued to pour, it was now Harut's turn to chant his mantra. As Harut's chanting started to slow down, everyone's weapons started to glow, as he yells, “Saint's Blade!” All the trio's weapons started to give off a bright incandescent glow, blessing them with the holy element. “Thank you Harut!” Everyone started to take down the Dark Mists with their blessed weapons. Marut nimbly slashes away at one with his blessed twin daggers, Harut beating another one with his tonfas, and Mist started to bash the final one with her hammer. “AAAAGH! YAAAAK!” The creatures cried out, as they started to fade way back to Hades. Marut wipes the sweat from his brow in relief, saying, “Wow, what a relief. I didn't know that those creatures were easy to kill.” Brassica comes back to greet the trio, feeling greatly relieved from the Dark Mists being destroyed. “I'm back! Now it's my turn to suck away the vliya veins from the tree. But don't worry, I can do it without harming who, or whatever is inside of it. It is your duty to free the thing after all.” Brassica glides right over to the vliya tree, embraces a vein, and digs her mosquito like proboscis deeply into it. “Slurp... Sluuuurp! Mmm!” The little Culicida Faerie didn't realized how hungry she was before feeding off the vliya veins surrounding this dead looking tree. But now, little Brassica was hungry, and going into a massive feeding frenzy like never before. Harut, Marut, and Mist just stand there, being both impressed and dumb founded with observing the faerie's immense appetite for the vliya flowing through the veins of this tree. “That little lady has quite the big appetite.” Marut thought to himself. “Thankfully, she is not a mosquito that you find in the human world.” Harut thought to himself, feeling impressed with witnessing Brassica greedily suck down the vliya. “If she were a regular ol' mosquito, she'd burst into a bloody mess.” “The fair folk are quite amazing creatures indeed.” Mist was thinking to herself, witnessing the veins outside the tree growing dull, and shriveling up. As the veins shriveled up, and crumbled from the tree, Brassica stops glowing, lets out a small, dainty burp, sighing in relief, “Man, that was delicious. This will help stave off my appetite for a while.” While the dead veins crumble from the tree, Brassica releases herself from them, turns over to the angelic trio, waving farewell to them. “Thank you for letting me have this vliya. I have to go now. The elders of my clan must be worried about me right now. Toodles!” “Farewell Little Brassica!” The trio waved good bye, as Brassica started to fly her way home. “Thank you for helping us!” Mist cheered out, waving farewell to the little Culicida Faerie. After Brassica left to her settlement, the Yatagarasu trio noticed the tree moving from inside, with huge slivers of it coming apart. The trio ran up to the tree, expecting to meet whoever was trapped in it for all these years. Right before them, a huge, azure blue arm, clad in rags, punched itself out the front of the tree. A deep, feminine voice started to come from the being within the tree, crying out in desperation, “Somebody....Anybody....Please! Free me from this wretched wooden prison! I beg of you!” Right there, the trio got the incentive to take apart the creature's wooden prison. Mist lightly tapped parts of the tree with her hammer, loosing the weak parts of the wood. While Mist did that, Harut uses his bladed parts of his tonfas, and Marut was using his twin daggers to cut away at the dead tree. While they were destroying the tree, without harming whoever was inside of there for who knows how long, two other blue, ragged covered fists burst out of the tree. “Yes...Yes! Keep it up. I am almost free!” “Hang in there.” The trio shouted out, giving words of encouragement to this being. Finally, when the tree was rendered to just flimsy bark, a tall, peculiar looking creature came bursting out of it, cheering out loudly in relief, her booming voice exclaiming, “Yay! Hooray! Freedom at last....! (cough) (cought) (hack)” The she-creature almost collapsed to the ground, only to be caught by the trio, so this rag clad entity would collapse on the Sog's ground. As the Angelic trio got a closer look at the being they freed, they could not believe their eyes. The creature itself left the trio shocked and bemused, with Mist saying in surprise, “No, is this what I think it is? It can't be! Could it possibly be....”gifperson