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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Apr 23, 2020 15:18:04 GMT -5
His answers didn’t answer her questions at all. But as a keeper of secrets, some even Eldred himself didn’t know, she could tell when someone was hiding something. Not with everyone, but with people who obviously avoided answering a question head on? There was something deeper, She was sure of it.
But he obviously didn’t want to talk about it, and that itself was a bit horrifying. She knew when to cut off of something, and now seemed like a good time to do so.
”Well, even if the chances are against us, he won’t stop until he knows for sure, and I owe him a lot too. I thought he was a fool, but he did everything he could to protect his people in that cave. People he didn’t know before a week ago.” she seemed to be gaining a soft spot for Zahavi, like she was viewing him in the light of a friend instead of a nuisance, though a small bit of annoyance was in her voice. ”And how could he feel useless? I’m not talking about him being royalty either. He’s a lot like Zach and I, to a degree. Though, he is very gullible, from what I’ve seen.”
Being stuck in a cave and attacked by a monster really brought you together. Zahavi knew about her magic, and yet he only thought of it cool. Maybe not the whole destroying things part. She was honestly scared about what they all thought of that. She was scared someone would draw the link to the cave-in and her powers, and blame her. Worst of all, be scared of her.
”And you answered your own question. Atlas is going to have to accept this for what it is. Zelos has hid mst of the trip, out of fear for his protection. That can no longer be the case, will not be the case. Atlas is here to protect us from vile magic creatures, to help us identify dangers. He’s not here on some great witch hunt against Zach, Zelos, yourself, or myself. The prince had allowed him on this journey, and Atlas will simply have to deal with it. And if he tries anything, or I find out he has hurt any member of this group in some manner, I will not hesitate to act.”
It seemed she got her two cents in, her hair, messy and such from everything that happened that day, with dust and blood caked in, bobbed slightly as she tipped her head, ”Now, was that all? Are you sure there’s not some grand overarching scheme I should be aware of?” she questioned, before looking at him, ”Or was there something else you had wanted? Any tips you have on dark magic?” inadvertently, it was her way to see if he had true experience with it, but it was asked casually, a simple method of getting information without arousing suspicion. A trick Alfaro had taught her, an easy method to get what you wanted by distracting with the questions before hand. Phrasing it like a simple question of well, this would help me if you knew this.
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Post by Sparky on Apr 26, 2020 0:13:38 GMT -5
[ jus a lil oneshot ]
The sun was yet to rise for many hours, but the streets of Erez'val shone brightly. Each house within the seaside village had been set ablaze, and these colossal torches reflected light upon the mayhem of the area. Wickedly designed steel weapons colored the ground red with their victims. Resistance came in the unprepared hands of pitchforks and harpoons, but they were silenced all too quickly.
Erez'val had been completely unaware to the looming threat upon itself, and it was due to this lack of knowledge that all the village's men had been slain. No more battle cries or clangs of metal pierced the sullen atmosphere. The only sounds came in the form of a child's scream, a mother's heavy sobs, or a distant clap of thunder.
The Sykari pirates had seized a quick victory over Erez'val. And now they searched. Women and children were rounded up into shackles and brought to the shore. Any rebellious mothers were killed- they weren't what the Sykari were looking for anyway.
One by one, the pillagers unchained the youngest of the children and brought them to the waves. They plunged each small, flailing body beneath the waters, waiting patiently for every answer.
No... no... no... no...
Each and every time a child's lungs filled with water, they moved on to the next- much to the despair of the imprisoned mothers. Their wails grew louder and louder with each passing child.
No... no... no... no...
But finally, after at least a dozen limp bodies had drifted to the shoreline, one mother shouted out from the herd.
"Stop! Please, stop!" She pushed herself away from the middle of the crowd, cradling a small bundle of blankets. The woman drew herself to the edge of the group only to be stopped from advancing any further by a blade.
"The hell do you think you're doing?" One of the captors asked, unremorsefully digging his weapon shallowly into the woman's neck. A line of blood spurted from the wound, but she didn't back down.
"I have what you're looking for," she said, though it was clearly difficult for her to get the words out. Her voice squeaked out and rang with grief. "Please, just... just stop this." She unravelled the blanket slowly, revealing a pale newborn.
The man took a minute to inspect the baby before calling out. "Sir!"
One of the Sykari perked up slightly, loosening his grip on a child that he was holding under the waves. The girl, who could've only been six at most, came up gasping for air. Under his command, a few of the other pirates brought up the little ones they had been drowning.
"Let them go," the commanding Sykari said, releasing the girl entirely so that she may struggle back to her mother. A few cries of relief broke out as the four children waded to shore.
A commotion arose among some of the Sykari. What was this display of mercy?
"Quiet!" The captain boomed, bringing about a wave of silence to the shore. Only the distant crackling of fire and close lapping of the waters could be heard.
The captain lumbered over to the woman in question, pushing aside his crew member. His eyes were a dark, stormy grey, but they seemed to brighten up after catching sight of what lay in her arms.
"I beg of you," the young mother began, clenching her child tightly. "Take him and stop this." The world paused.
"My, my, my..." The captain breathed, extending his arms out. "Give it to me." She handed her newborn over painfully, and in the end the captain practically wrenched the child from her grasp.
The captain had just turned away when the mother spoke out again. "You spare us for him, won't you?"
The captain marched into the shallows and lowered the baby. He turned to watch the mother's unflinching expression as he submerged her child completely. She knew he wouldn't drown. "We'll see." The captain said, unable to contain a grin.
A stunned silence rang around the beach. Pirates and villagers alike held their breaths, waiting for the answer. The young mother's gaze never left her child, and a silent prayer escaped her lips as the minutes passed.
It was ages.
The captain held the baby underneath the waves for much longer than was needed. He had to be absolutely sure.
When he finally lifted the child from the waves a soft cry could be heard. Many of the Sykari gasped. Others cheered. But the captain only beamed in his victory. He brought up the baby to his chest protectively. "You must be so cold," he whispered, kissing his prize atop the forehead.
"That's not your son!" The mother called out, her words laced with anger and... something else. Fear.
The captain eyed her. "Is it not?" He chuckled, then made the short journey back to shore. The baby bounced slightly in his arms as he rocked it. As if on cue, it stopped crying. The captain gleamed with a sadistic grin. He made a circle, taking in the eyes of his people and the eyes of a people that he had just conquered all in.
Before deciding something.
"There's been a slight change of plans," he announced to his crew members. Although he already held everyone's attention with an iron fist, his tone changed to that of a command. "Kill them all."
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Apr 28, 2020 15:41:08 GMT -5
“What do you mean you lost it?” Two kids, both with curly red hair, stood arguing in the center of the woods. One had somewhat long red hair, and blazing blue eyes. The other has shorter red hair, with eyes that seemed to reflect the bark on the trees. The shorter one was paler, but had an angry look to their eyes.
“Hey, Ro, you need to calm down...”
“Calm down?” The one called Ro replied, stepping closer to the older sibling, arms crossed, “You lost it!”
They still seemed to calm down, grabbing at their already messy hair, tugging on the locks as they started pacing, eyes wide in terror, “If we don’t find it, then I become useless. And if I become useless, then they find me out. And then I’ll be locked up forever because they’ll find out I’m a-“
“Luka!” The elder sibling commented, shaking the younger one, “You have to calm down. We’ll find it! Trust me! It has to be here somewhere-“
“Niko! Luka! What are you two boys doing out here?” Both siblings froze, turning to stare at the intruder with doe eyes.
Luka seemed to visibly cower, while Niko simply smugly grinned, his eyes sliding over to his younger brother with mischevious eyes.
Luka glanced between his brother and the intruder, one of their teachers, mouth gaping open for a moment, before shaking his head profusely, “We’re just-“
“Luka lost his bag.” Niko interrupted, much to Luka’s horror. The younger brother stared with an open and taped mouth, horror dawning over his features.
“Oh, I can help!” The teacher offered, his lips turned into a friendly smile. Niko trotted over to join him, smile on his face.
“Wait!” Luka cried out, forcing his trembling to calm, “Um, I really don’t want to take time away from your day-“
“Nonsense, my boy!” Luka let off another yelp as the teacher tugged him closer, before his hair was rubbed by the older man. “We’ll find this bag of yours, my good chap!”
“Oh-“ Luka wanted to argue further, but Niko glared at him, and so he looked down, letting of a large huff of air, which blew part of his hair that hung over his face. “Okay,” he pouted, seeing this as a loss.
The teacher let him go, continuing forward with a jolly smile, though Luka shot Niko a glare as the man passed.
Niko shrugged, smirking as he followed behind the teacher.
“Stupid Nikolai,” Luka muttered under his breath, arms crossed over his chest in annoyance. His panic faded slightly, though he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. The garden was luscious, but he could still see his bag resting under one of the willow trees.
“You coming, young Luka?” The teacher asked, turning slightly to glance at the young boy.
“No, I found it!” Luka exclaimed in relief, running over and leaving behind his brother and the teacher. He opened the bag, spotting his assorted objects, a wand, some rocks with runes, a quill feather pen, many object in which Luka used.
He closed it, standing up, smile on his face.
He glared at Niko as the other boy walked over, the teacher walking out of sight with the issue resolved.
“You act like such a girl!” Niko taunted, laughing.
He stopped laughing when Luka elbowed him hard in the chest, a pained cry escaping him.
Luka snickered, walking forward slightly, glaring at his brother still, with arms crossing, “At least I’m not an idiot who almost got me kicked out of the academy!”
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on May 13, 2020 13:22:47 GMT -5
The group had finally been taken care of, tended to by Drusilla, and finally, the group decided to rest. The excitement of the day had passed, leaving a calmness in the morning, as they ate the breakfast prepared, and continued on their journey with little more than silence. The dangers had become clear. This journey would likely be the end of some of them.
Lyra, the taller blonde, stuck to her own, silent, but always sticking nearby Eldred, Zahavi, Drusilla, or Isabella. It wasn’t a matter of trust, as much as it was fear. It stuck to her like a plague, and was so obvious. The way her arms curled defensively into her her skirt, bunching up the fabric as she walked. The way she nervously would glance at the others, as if assuring herself that no one else had been lost. The way she looked silent and downtrodden, and absolutely apprehensive. Everything about her was obviously nervous about what was to come.
Leon watched her, with little more than an apathetic state. The young girl had gained darkened circles around her eyes, fatigue and exhaustion pulled at her body, along with a throbbing pain from her shoulder. Her usually vibrant blue eyes, almost saturated enough to seem like a dull lavender, seemed to be downcast as well. Still, she kept at the journey strong, offering up her shoulder to Zelos, and fiddling with the same tooth that had been impaled in her shoulder, her gaze flickering between it and her surroundings. She wasn’t as skittish as Lyra, and outwardly, she still held her same bravado. Though little things differentiated, the way her arms curled into herself, as if to make sure she would touch anything, the way her eyes would narrow between Eldred, and then Atlas. She didn’t keep to the back as she usually did, instead, she walked more to the side, closer to the trees, every once and a while glancing at them.
Alfaro wouldn’t be there, but she still felt a complete sense of fear like she felt as a child. Of guilt, and sorrow. And the feelings only crashed down. Was the secret even hers anymore to keep? Why did she keep it? Was it really out of fear of what it would do to her?
Or was it more about wanting to leave the pain of the past behind. To be more than she was. She ad thought it was to protect herself, but seeing how Zahavi felt, the pressure he was under, she didn’t really envy him too much. It didn’t exactly seem easy.
Her hair, out of it’s usual braid that it was almost always in, was at least brushed and tame, though it was thick, and covered much of her back in a blanket of soft curls. She was in a dark outfit still, still in a tunic, still in black pants, but at least they were dry now. Her satchel, while it had gotten wet, had dried as the days went on. It was enough, at least, until the group wouldn’t reach a new village.
And soon, they likely would.
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Post by Sparky on May 14, 2020 23:54:46 GMT -5
[ ok so this doesn't advance anything at all for shit but I just wanted to get his perspective up. I'll get Zach up tomorrow as well ]
As best as he could, Atreyu was aligning himself on a journey that was parallel to the path along the forest. Every so often he would go back to it, doing his best not to lose sight of its twists and turns. But at the moment, it didn't seem to be straying far from the wood's edge. The group that he was trailing had the luxury of numbers. Any encounters they experienced on the dangerous trek would likely have minimal consequences. The same couldn't be said for Atreyu.
Especially with the state he was in.
No memories and travelling solo? The pair of predicaments didn't exactly fit together well. A few times he had stolen achingly close routes to the group, but each time something held him back. What exactly that something was, he didn't know. He was taking the slow burn in gaining information, using his observations of the group to piece togethers the puzzle of his own life. To no avail, of course.
Each night, Atreyu would locate their camp before turning back to scavenge deeper in the forest for food. Berries, bark, bugs. Everything out here seemed to be somewhat edible, and he hadn't died yet, so that was a plus. Still, the pains in his stomach reminded him of his malnourishment. Either he would need to start taking up hunting with what little items he had or other measures would have to be taken.
Other measures were taken. A hollow stomach drove him to their campsite- while everyone was asleep. Stealthily, Atreyu shuffled about the belongings which were left outside of the tents. He had found an apple and a helping of bread. Both would do nicely. Just as he was about to fully get away with the task, however, he had heard a rustle behind him. One of the group members -a boy- he hadn't seen earlier was awake. No... he simply didn't sleep in the tents like the rest.
And the boy had seen him.
Atreyu dashed with the food in hand, and ever since then hadn't gone close to them as they travelled or made camp for the nights. Until, that was, today.
At the moment, he walked along precariously close to the edge of the forest, maybe only 30 yards in. He was travelling alongside the group today, simultaneously brought in towards them like a magnet and repelled by the unknown danger that they possessed. Maybe today was the day... the day he would finally approach them. His right hand fiddled anxiously with the jewel of a golden necklace that rested on his chest. It hadn't taken long during his days in the forest to realize that it possessed supernatural healing abilities. And a few of the group members were still so obviously recovering from serious injuries...
Maybe he could help them.
At this distance, Atreyu could hear the conversations being had between a few of the members. He hadn't done much eavesdropping in terms of listening to their interactions, and what he heard now was proof that such observations didn't yield the best results. Two of the younger ones -the ones that he guessed were around his age- were bickering back and forth. Over the course of a few hours, however, he was able to gather a few names. Eldred, Dru, Atlas, Lyra... and another. One he had only heard once and couldn't quite pinpoint. Bavavi?
Whatever it was, the name was wack.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on May 15, 2020 1:08:16 GMT -5
“You look-“ A voice had beckoned, soft as always, with a tint of humor, “Purposeful.”
That was not quite what Lyra had wanted to say, but it would have to do. Yet the almost lavender eyes of the thief met hers for a moment, teasing and mischevious, “Purposeful?” She question.
“Yes. You always look like you have some mission on your mind, like you have some big grand scheme.” Lyra started, bringing to mind all of the times she had seen Leon pondering in silence. For such a silly teen, Leon seemed to think quite a bit. Always in silent bought, where she would linger, always away from the group, almost like she didn’t know she fit in.
And yet, looking around at all the members in their group, Lyra didn’t think Leon could fit in more. Sure, the young teen was brash, silly, and often foreboding, but the girl brought a certain cheer. Zach brought a brightness, like a flame, that seemed to attract people to him like a moth, it was hard not to like the teens of the group. Not with their smiles, or antics.
She could still remember hearing Leon fall into the water, just the morning prior. But all of that happiness seemed sucked away, drowned out by the water they fell into. Leon had that look to her still, rubbing at her wrists as she stared blankly ahead, eyes rimmed in darkness, a lack of sleep. Lyra could read people, better than many would credit her for, and she could see the doubt written all over Leon’s face.
She wasn’t a fool, and none should take her for one. Leon glanced between Zahavi, Eldred, and then back at her wrists. Like some decision had to be made, like the world would end. Then the girl would grab that tooth, stained lightly with her blood, caked on the jagged edges, like a morbid treasure on display.
It was one of those moments, and Leon chuckled ever so softly, “And what if I have a scheme in mind?” She questioned, gaze flickering above that tooth, almost freezing Lyra in place. The blonde herself had warm, inviting eyes, almost like the color of amber, maybe darker. Always such a rich color, blended into her features, all soft and caring. But Leon’s were freezing, and cold, and felt like they could see through anything. The color of ice, yet saturated and they stuck out. Not unnatural, per se, Leon’s eyes were obviously of blue hue, but at times, they almost seemed to be purple, the color concentrated, just like her personality. Her hair was raven, and her features seemed to contrast it, yet fit the girl so well.
“Lyra?” Leon was asking in concern now, having recovered from her bickering earlier amongst Zelos and Zach, she focused her attention on her issues, and on Lyra. She had been strangely silent for some time, Leon had, and it concerned Lyra. “Are you alright?”
“I am quite fine!” Lyra amended, nervously laughing, as she looked at the younger girl. A girl who should have been much more innocent and pre than Lyra. Yet, everything about Leon painted an image of coldness, and hardships. The strength such a young girl could possess wasn’t lost on Lyra. Nor was the look of guilt. “But I feel I should be the one asking you that question?”
Leon looked away immediately. Lyra had found that the girl never seemed to make eye contact. It made sense, for such a secretive character. A saying went that eyes were the window to the soul, and the statement held a lot of truth. Lyra always believed that the eyes could reveal who was there. By warmth, by virtue, and by hope.
And oddly, anytime Lyra saw Leon’s, she didn’t see hope, or warmth, or virtue. She didn’t see much at all, other than a constant struggle. A conflict.
Leon was fighting battles in her head, much like the ones she had fought. She hadn’t been carefree since the morning before. The only times she seemed to truly smile were when bickering with Zach or talking to Zelos. Lyra understood that they were her friends, it wasn’t a hard fact to pick up on.
“I’m fine.” And the answer didn’t convince either of them. She could spot Leon wince slightly, and the girl jumped to amend, “I’m just hurt, we all are. And I-“ her hands, Lyra could spot, bunching into the fabric the younger girl wore, nails digging in. Some darkened color seemed to eat at the skin of the girls fingers. It wasn’t extremely noticeably, and mst of the time, Leon acted nonchalant, it never even caught Lyra’s attention.
“You’re hands.” Lyra dawned, concern etched into her own voice. “What’s wrong with them?”
It was a personal question, and probably should have never been asked. But Lyra sometimes didn’t get the memo on those things. Often brash, and to the point. Though Leon offered a soft smile in reply, an assurance that it was fine.
Leon’s smile fell slightly, and it wasn’t lost on her. The girl’s gaze fell to the form of Zach, before some decisive came over her gaze, as she curled on hand into a fist, in front of her, inspecting the darkened, poisoned flesh. The marker of what her powers really did.
And Lyra, eve runknowing, watched as the emotions swirled. The small crease to Lyra’s eyes, before she smirked slightly. A smirk, that was completely opposite to what the words would usually make one feel.
The hand closed, finally, as Leon looked from them, to Lyra, seeming more at ease, more calm, like she solved some big issue she ad been facing. It felt like the teasing nature was back. “It’s just a stupid curse,” she commented, almost bitter, “It’ll go away soon enough.” With that, Leon had seemed to come to the decision to let it go, but the words felt heavier, a small tension now set, that left Lyra feeling confused.
She froze, watching as the girl walked on, before she felt something sting along her back. Her gaze swung back, turning her body. But nothing was there, nothing out of the ordinary. It must have just been the weather, causing the tingling, painful aches that ran along her shoulder blades. Or maybe just the ice, leftover from Leon’s stare.
Whatever it was, she decided, as she watched the younger girl walk on, attitude seeming to be lifted, and yet darkened all the same, she was left with a heavier feeling of forbidding than she had experienced ever before.
And for some reason, she felt like she was being watched.
(Enjoy this pointless writing. I’m...not exactly sure what my intent was on this, I just realized I never had Lyra or Leon actually interact, and I was like.
oh, let’s mindlessly Write about them.
So...yeah, here’s a oneshot.)
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