Mother of Midnight Chapter 48 – The Tempest Champion

Vivienne didn’t have to wait long before another dress was delivered. Apparently, she had terrified the boy so thoroughly that he’d begged soone else to take on the task, vanishing to busy himself elsewhere. Vivienne found it all rather amusing. After all, a fresh servant was just another opportunity for entertainnt.

When the next knock ca, she called out with a lilting, “Enter if you dare!”

The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman holding a neatly folded dress. The servant stepped inside cautiously, her eyes widening at the sight of Vivienne’s imposing figure. What happened next, however, was not the reaction Vivienne had expected.

The woman’s gaze dropped, lingering far longer than necessary on Vivienne’s chest. For a mont, the servant seed utterly srised, her face reddening as her focus remained fixed.

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, waiting, her smirk growing by the second. Finally, she cleared her throat, a low, deliberate sound.

The servant startled as if caught in a daydream, jerking her head up to et Vivienne’s amused gaze. “Oh! I—I beg your pardon, my lady!” she stamred, fumbling to present the dress.

Vivienne chuckled, her voice smooth and teasing. “No need to apologise. I’m glad you are enjoying the view. I know I am.”

The woman’s face deepened to a shade of crimson as she practically thrust the dress into Vivienne’s hands. “Th-this was all we could find on short notice, my lady.”

Vivienne took the plain garnt gingerly, her claws brushing the fabric. It was simple—far less interesting than the one she’d destroyed within days of receiving. Still, it was better than running around naked. With a sigh, she shifted back into her pri form.

The transformation earned a startled yelp from the servant, who stood frozen, wide-eyed and blushing furiously. Ignoring the reaction, Vivienne slipped the dress over her fra, frowning as her elbow spines imdiately caught on the fabric. With deliberate care—and a wicked grin—she tore neat holes for the spines to poke through, relishing the servant’s nervous flinch at the sound of ripping cloth.

When she was done, Vivienne smoothed the dress over her hips and flashed her most disarming smile. “Thank you. You may leave.”

The servant hesitated, her gaze lingering far too long before she managed a stiff nod and quickly excused herself, practically fleeing the room.

Once the door closed, Vivienne stretched, her tail flicking with excitent. “Well,” she mused, grinning to herself, “let’s see how Rava’s doing.”

She found Rava still sprawled on the bed, half-covered by a blanket she had kicked aside during the night. The lekine was out cold, her breathing steady but shallow. Yet sothing caught Vivienne’s attention—a faint but growing pulse of aether radiating from her companion. It was stronger than it had been hours ago, though not by much.

“Hmm,” Vivienne murmured, tilting her head. She tapped a claw against her lip as she considered. Was it simply a lack of aether that had left Rava so weak? She rembered the strange ease with which she had channelled energy in the ruins—how it had felt natural, almost instinctive. Perhaps she could try again here. If it worked, it might give Rava the boost she needed.

Settling beside the bed, Vivienne focused on the ambient aether around them. The air was unusually thick with it, though she couldn’t quite place why. Slowly, carefully, she began to draw it toward herself. It was like catching threads of smoke, tugging them gently into a weave.

She placed a clawed hand on Rava’s shoulder and concentrated, pushing the raw aether into her. At first, nothing happened. Then, gradually, she felt resistance give way. The flow stabilised, and Rava stirred slightly, her ears twitching. Vivienne allowed herself a small smile.

“There we go,” she whispered. “Take what you need.”

Rava let out a low groan, her eyes fluttering open. Her gaze landed on Vivienne, and confusion briefly crossed her face before relief softened her features. The corners of her mouth twitched into a faint smile, the tension in her fra easing slightly. Taking that as encouragent, Vivienne allowed the flow of aether to deepen, letting it saturate the lekine’s weary body.

Rava’s breathing steadied, her ears flicking faintly. “That... feels strange,” she murmured, her voice raspy but stronger than before.

“Strange good or strange bad?” Vivienne asked, tilting her head.

Rava blinked a few tis, her brow furrowing. “Good, I think. Like... warmth, but not? It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, as long as it’s not killing you,” Vivienne quipped with a smirk, drawing her hand back. The flow of aether tapered off, leaving a faint shimr in the air that quickly dissipated.

Rava pushed herself up onto her elbows, wincing slightly but looking far better than she had earlier. “What did you just do?”

Vivienne leaned back, propping herself on her claws as she plopped onto the floor with a casual shrug. “Rember when I, uh, borrowed a bit too much aether in the ruins and then gave so back? I just did that again. Last night, I could barely taste you—figured you were running on empty and needed a pick--up.”

Rava froze mid-motion, her ears flicking sharply as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. Her tail swished in annoyance, betraying her discomfort. “Could you not word it like that?”

Vivienne’s grin widened, her sharp teeth catching the light as she leaned forward, clearly revelling in Rava’s reaction. “Why not? It’s the truth. You’ve got this... distinctive flavour—like rain on stone, autumn winds, and just a hint of sothing fiery. Kind of like a storm deciding whether to behave or wreak havoc.” She waved her claws in a loose, exaggerated gesture, utterly unapologetic.

Rava groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Could you just say, ‘I helped you’ and leave it at that?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Vivienne quipped, her tail flicking lazily behind her. “Besides, I’m complinting you. You’re delicious—taphorically speaking, of course. Well, mostly.”

Rava shot Vivienne a withering look, but decided it wasn’t worth the argunt. Instead, she redirected her focus, testing her balance as she pushed herself off the bed and stood. “Let’s just get moving. I need to report to my mother.”

“Whatever you say, little treat,” Vivienne replied with a mischievous smirk, her voice dripping with playful amusent.

Before Rava could retort, Vivienne’s form shimred and dissolved, her body briefly becoming a swirling, dark haze before reforming into her pri shape, already standing upright. She stretched languidly, her claws flexing as if to show off.

Rava’s ears twitched, her expression caught sowhere between impressed and annoyed. “Do you have to make everything dramatic?”

Vivienne’s smirk widened. “Yes.”

Rava muttered sothing under her breath, shaking her head as she adjusted the straps on her gauntlets. “Let’s just go before I regret dragging you into this.”

Vivienne chuckled softly, falling into step behind Rava. “Oh, co now. You’d miss terribly if I left.”

Rava didn’t reply, though her tail flicked sharply—a gesture that could’ve ant annoyance but hinted at sothing else.

“So,” Vivienne began, her tone laced with mock curiosity, “where will Mother Dearest be? Or does she live in that quaint little eting room?”

Rava sighed, adjusting her tunic and smoothing out the wrinkles as they walked. “She’s a busy woman. Most of the ti, she’s in her office. Occasionally, though, she’s out in the training yards in the back.”

“Then the training grounds it is,” Vivienne declared, her gaze drifting ahead. “I can taste sothing strong coming from there.”

Rava glanced back at her, puzzled. “You can tell from here?”

“I suppose I can,” Vivienne mused, her voice almost nonchalant. “It’s faint because of the distance, but your mother? She’s practically a fountain of aether. Excluding about four others, I can only taste...” She paused dramatically, sticking her inky, worm-like tongue into the air like a serpent testing the wind. “Roughly four servants nearby. There’s also a strong pool of aether sowhere in this building—less potent than you but notable. Oh, and the weakest one is leaving for the city, I think.”

Rava quirked a brow. “That’s four. What about the fifth?”

Vivienne humd, her expression contemplative as she concentrated. “Hard to say exactly how far they are, but they seem to be in the heart of the city. It’s faint though.”

Rava’s ears twitched as she frowned, concern evident on her face. “I see. The one in the building is probably my second-oldest brother. He’s a powerful exomancer. He tends to spend all of his ti in his laboratory.”

“Powerful, hmm?” Vivienne’s grin returned, her interest piqued. “Do you get along with him, or is he another obstacle to navigate?”

“Define ‘get along,’” Rava muttered, her tone dry. “He’s... intense. Always focused on tradition, hierarchy, and making sure everyone knows their place. Which, in his mind, ans I should’ve stayed out of trouble and kept my head down.” She sighed. “But he’s not malicious, just... difficult.”

Vivienne chuckled, her sharp teeth gleaming. “Sounds delightful. I can’t wait to et him.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t co to that,” Rava muttered under her breath.

As they stepped into the courtyard, the sounds of clashing tal and barking orders filled the air. Soldiers and exomancers alike trained rigorously, their movents precise and disciplined under the watchful eyes of their instructors. The space was a stark contrast to the quiet halls they’d just left—alive with energy and purpose.

Vivienne’s gaze swept across the courtyard like a predator assessing its next al. Her pupils narrowed, gleaming with amusent. "Your mother truly knows how to keep her house in order," she remarked, her grin widening to expose sharp teeth.

Rava exhaled slowly and led Vivienne closer to Korriva, halting a respectful distance away. She bowed slightly. “High Fang.”

Korriva’s commanding presence remained unshaken, her sharp amber eyes flicking between the two of them. “Soldiers! Take ten.” Her voice rang with authority, scattering the trainees to the edges of the courtyard. She turned her full attention to Rava. “You should have reported as soon as you returned.”

Rava straightened, her tone asured but respectful. “I apologise, High Fang. I could barely hold consciousness after last night.”

“Oh?” Korriva tilted her head slightly, her curiosity palpable.

Rava hesitated only briefly. “I had to use full-body empowernt. Kaelen’s clergy breached our wards.”

Vivienne observed the flick of Korriva’s ears—interest rather than alarm, though her stance beca subtly more rigid.

“They breached the wards?” Korriva’s voice remained cool, though a sharpness crept in beneath it. “And?”

“I dealt with several personally. Their bodies should still be in the woodlock. Many managed to escape.” Rava’s voice remained steady, though Vivienne could practically taste the undercurrent of tension. “But there’s more. The disappearances—Kaelen’s clergy appear to be involved. We found a boy being drained of his aether for a ritual. He’s alive but gravely weakened.”

Korriva’s lips pressed into a tight line, her eyes narrowing. “Aetheric ritualists under Kaelen’s sect. Troubleso, but not unheard of. What else?”

Rava glanced briefly at Vivienne, her hesitation subtle. “They summoned a Nexus Arbiter.”

That revelation earned Korriva’s full attention. Her wolfish head tilted slightly, her mouth curling into a sharp smile that was more calculating than warm. “A Nexus Arbiter? And I presu you dispatched it?”

“With Vivienne’s help,” Rava confird. “It created a barrier to empower itself. She kept it occupied while I dismantled the barrier.”

Korriva turned her gaze to Vivienne, the weight of her scrutiny almost tangible. The air seed to grow heavier under her piercing stare. “You distracted a Nexus Arbiter? Fascinating.”

Vivienne, ever unbothered, spread her hands with a grin. “I am fascinating, aren’t I? Finally, so proper appreciation for my talents. Rava keeps acting like I’m just here to be annoying.”

Rava rolled her eyes. “Could you at least pretend to have so decorum?”

“I am the paragon of good manners,” Vivienne replied, her grin widening mischievously.

Korriva’s expression remained indecipherable, though her tail flicked once, almost imperceptibly. “Indeed.” Without further comnt, she turned on her heel. “Follow.”

Neither argued, though Vivienne couldn’t help but feel the sheer weight of Korriva’s aether as they trailed behind her. It was suffocating, a roaring bonfire compared to the flickering candle of her own. If fear was sothing Vivienne allowed herself, she might have been terrified. Instead, she found herself impressed.

Korriva led them to a quiet grove, away from the noise of the courtyard. The soft rustling of leaves filled the air as she turned to face them. “Tell , in detail, what happened last night.”

Rava opened her mouth to reply, but Vivienne beat her to it, launching into a vivid retelling. Every twist of danger, every blow exchanged, every mont of tension was spun into a tale dripping with dramatic flair. She stuck to the truth—mostly—but couldn’t resist embellishing where it suited her.

Throughout the recounting, Korriva remained impassive, her expression giving away nothing. When Vivienne finally finished, she arched a brow and turned to her daughter. “Is this accurate?”

Rava sighed, her ears flattening slightly. “Slightly exaggerated, but… yes.”

Korriva stroked her chin thoughtfully, her sharp gaze flicking between them. “Then I’m impressed. Surviving an encounter with one of the gods’ hands is no small feat. Defeating it is extraordinary.”

Vivienne leaned casually against a tree, clearly basking in the praise. “Extraordinary is my middle na. Well, actually it’s Marie, but that is neither here nor there.”

Korriva ignored the quip, her attention firmly on Rava. “We’ll need to send scouts to confirm the bodies and secure the area. Kaelen’s clergy are bold to breach our lands so openly. This Nexus Arbiter—did it reveal anything of their intent?”

Rava shook her head. “No. It was focused entirely on eliminating us.”

“Of course it was.” Korriva’s voice dropped to a low growl, her wolfish features sharpening with tension. “Praxus doesn’t send his followers on half-hearted errands. This was deliberate.”

Vivienne straightened, the grin slipping from her face, though her tone remained casual. “Well, if he wants to play gas, I’m more than happy to ruin his day. Or his whole year.”

Korriva’s sharp gaze shifted fully to Vivienne, her eyes narrowing. “Which brings to my next question.” Her voice carried an edge, cutting through the mont like a blade. “Which god marked you?”

Vivienne’s grin returned, needle-like teeth glinting in the dappled light of the grove. “Ah, you’re sharp, High Fang. You did ntion recognising that I was touched—or marked, or sothing—by the divine. So tell , how do you know?”

Korriva’s voice was stern and unwavering. “My question first, nightmare.”

Vivienne raised her clawed hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine.” She tilted her head, her grin widening just enough to be unsettling. “Akhenna.”

The faintest flicker of surprise crossed Korriva’s face, quickly replaced by a thoughtful frown. “Akhenna?” She repeated, the na heavy with disbelief. “That doesn’t seem likely. There are no tales of her interfering with the world directly. She plays her gas from the shadows—or so the stories say.”

Before Vivienne could respond, Rava’s voice cut in, quieter but resolute. “It… it makes sense to .”

Korriva’s ears swivelled toward her daughter, her gaze shifting. “Explain.”

Rava hesitated for a mont, glancing at Vivienne as if seeking permission. Vivienne simply gave a small, amused shrug, motioning for her to continue.

“Well, Akhenna is the goddess of chaos,” Rava began, her tone cautious but steady. “And Vivienne… she’s unpredictable. Powerful. Whatever she is, it doesn’t fit into any natural order. The things she can do, her abilities—they’re not tied to any of the usual aetheric schools. She seems to be made of primarily dusk aether but I’ve seen her eat dawn aether too. She’s not… normal.”

“Flattering,” Vivienne drawled, leaning casually against a tree. Her tone was light, but the glint in her dark eyes betrayed a flicker of genuine appreciation.

Rava ignored her, though a faint smirk tugged at her lips. “The fight with the Nexus Arbiter wasn’t just luck. She’s chaotic, unpredictable… and,” Rava paused, her smirk softening into sothing almost fond, “yet she’s here. Helping.”

Korriva’s sharp gaze flickered between the two, lingering on Vivienne. Her expression remained inscrutable, though the weight of her attention was palpable. “If Akhenna truly marked you, it explains much. But it raises more questions than it answers.”

Vivienne shifted her stance, crossing her arms. “Trust , I’ve got plenty of those myself. But whatever ga Akhenna’s playing, I’m happy to play along for now. The question is—what are you going to do about it, High Fang?”

Korriva’s ears twitched slightly, her piercing amber eyes narrowing as she weighed Vivienne’s words. After a beat of silence, she spoke, her tone asured yet firm. “Then let us dispense with any ambiguity. I am Korriva Serkoth—High Fang of the Serkoth clan, Champion of Serranos, enemy of Praxus and his vile machinations. I stand as the protector of our borders, the first wall against all who would see us fall. And you, Vivienne, presumptive champion of Akhenna—what are your intentions here? I ask you this one final ti.”

Vivienne’s grin widened, her needle-sharp teeth catching the light. “Well then, High Fang, consider this my formal introduction. I am Vivienne Marie Castillo. A wayward soul with a dubious track record, and, yes, I suppose Akhenna’s champion—though, to be fair, she didn’t exactly spell it out.”

Korriva’s brow arched slightly, but she said nothing.

“My intentions?” Vivienne repeated, her grin growing into sothing more wolfish, needle-sharp teeth catching the golden light. “To hold up my end of the deal I made with Akhenna—disrupt Praxus’ plans, scatter his precious order into chaos, and, well…” She gave an exaggerated shrug, splaying her inky, clawed fingers. “…maybe have a bit of fun while I’m at it. As for the how? That’s still a little murky. She didn’t exactly hand a playbook. So for now, I’ll focus on gaining power, learning more about this world, and, most importantly, enjoying myself.”

Korriva’s brow arched slightly, her expression unreadable but undeniably calculating. “I suppose that sounds about right,” she said after a beat, her smirk subtle but unmistakably present. “It would be soone like you that Akhenna would appoint.”

Silence followed, but it wasn’t empty—it carried the weight of unspoken things. The courtyard seed to hold its breath, shadows stretching longer across the worn stone as the golden light of late afternoon shifted. The distant clamor of soldiers training faded to a dull background noise, leaving only the faint rustling of leaves and the tension hanging thick between them.

Korriva’s gaze remained locked on Vivienne, sharp as a blade poised to strike. There was sothing in her presence—unyielding and commanding, like the stillness of a predator before it pounces. When she spoke again, her tone was cool, precise, but each word carried the force of an unspoken warning.

“And what,” Korriva began, voice cutting through the quiet like the edge of a finely-honed dagger, “are your intentions with my only daughter?”

Vivienne didn’t flinch. Instead, she tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief, her grin widening just enough to show that she enjoyed the implied threat. “Oh, you know,” she said, tone light and deliberately playful, a stark contrast to Korriva’s seriousness. “Spend ti with her. Tag along on so of her adventures. Tease her as much as I possibly can—because you do know she’s ridiculously easy to tease, right?”

A sharp, sudden laugh broke from Korriva, echoing across the courtyard like a crack of thunder. It wasn’t the sound of soone amused by a joke—it was sothing sharper, more dangerous, yet sohow approving. “Oh, I imagine she is,” she said, a faint glint of amusent flickering in her amber eyes. “Rava has always been a touch too serious for her own good.”

“Mother,” Rava interjected, stepping forward with a huff, arms crossed in irritation.

Korriva’s smirk widened, but her tone remained as sharp as ever. “What? It’s true. Perhaps this is a lesson for you, my only daughter—even if it cos wrapped in sharp teeth and unbearable wit.”

Vivienne grinned, her needle-like teeth catching the light. “Finally, soone who understands . We’re going to get along splendidly, High Fang.”

Korriva’s amusent faded as swiftly as it had appeared, her expression hardening again. “Don’t mistake my understanding for approval, nightmare. You may walk beside my daughter for now, but that is a privilege, not a right.”

“Noted,” Vivienne said, raising her clawed hands in mock surrender. “You’re all business, aren’t you?”

“Soone has to be,” Korriva replied curtly. She turned her attention to Rava. “You’ll need to report in detail to the council. They’ll want an account of the Nexus Arbiter and Kaelen’s clergy. The implications of this breach are not small.”

“And Vivienne?” Rava asked.

Korriva’s gaze shifted back to the grinning nightmare. “She’ll co with you. If Akhenna’s hand is truly in this, the council will need a proper introduction from her. Akhenna appointing a champion is big news, though sothing we will need to keep under wraps for now. We champions do not often announce ourselves.”

Vivienne tilted her head, intrigued. “Sounds like a party. Do I need to prepare a speech?”

“Just try not to make things worse,” Rava muttered under her breath.