Kyero's Story

Aetrius smiled at the chaos that had begun below them in the rafters, a sight to behold for sure. Panic, pure and utter panic, all due to the three of them, a genuine wide smile crossed her lips as satisfaction hit, a smile no one would bare witness to as the room was shrouded in pure darkness. Atlum is safe....For now... she thought to herself. She slowly rose to her full height, and as the others hopped through the skylight, so did she. Once it was done and over with she looked around the darkened night sky, and stretched. She looked at her companions and gave a small genuine smile to Kyero and Lolan, "Good work indeed, boys. But it was simply child's play, but Atlum and the people of it are safe, for now." she gave a slight nod and crossed her arms, thinking for a moment as she placed her hand on her chin while in thought. She looked back at Kyero and Lolan as a small rumble came from her stomach, "W-wouldn't mind accompanying me for some well deserved food after we get back to Atlum, would you? And this time, I won't end up murdering someone." she said with a slight chuckle, and began to walk back to the village, but turned on her heel to look at the others, "At least I don't think I'll murder someone else tonight....Not in my plans anyway." she chuckled again at her dark humor and headed back towards Atlum after a thankfully successful mission.

As they entered the town, Aetrius could see two people standing at the end of the entrance of the town. As they got closer one could see that it was indeed Okumi and Linde, perhaps they were waiting for them to return? Well, waiting for Lolan and Kyero to return anyway, least that's what Aetrius thought. As they grew closer, a small smile appeared on Aetrius' face as she looked at Linde, but then just as quickly it disappeared. She remained silent as Kyero and the others exchanged words, telling the two other girls what had taken place. Her attention was taken back when she heard Kyero mention her being hungry.

"H-hey now, last time I didn't even eat that much...If anything. Sorry that I need food?" she said as she looked down with a somewhat embarrassed look. She looked back up at the others as she spoke, "Since Atlum is safe for now, I need food and rest since I plan on heading out early tomorrow for Veilbrand first thing at day break. If any of you want to accompany me, feel free to, just know it's going to be a long trek there, and I don't know what we'll find there...Just make sure you really want to. Not going to waste time if no one actually wants to go with me. You have enough time to think it over..." she said, and started to walk to the tavern by herself, to only stop and turn to look at the other's before she continued her way to find food, "Companions would be appreciated, but this mission isn't your burden to bare....Just mine.." her voice was rather soft and sad as she said those words. Clearly this meant much to her, but as to why the others wouldn't know why exactly yet. She wasn't very keen on talking about her past or personal issues such as Kieran, and why she mattered so much to this seemingly heartless individual.

Food was in bound for the young hunter, but before she could get another step in, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She groaned and looked to see Linde, she listened to her speak and tell her not to leave yet, but to wait. Aetrius wanted to argue, to deny her plees to help and stay and heal. To just leave in the morning, but...Aetrius saw her logic regrettably. She hated that Linde was right, in every way as usual. She groaned, her head fell and after a moment of silence she looked back up at Linde and spoke, "Fine...I'll stay...but two days only. After that I'm leaving, understand?" her voice was surprisingly calm and soft as she spoke to Linde. She nodded again and looked at Lolan, "Okay...Thank you, both...I...I appreciate your willingness to help..." she said with a slight smile, and turned back to Linde, "And yes, Linde...You may, be my...doctor, if that is what you want that is." a slight blush overcame her face and she quickly turned back to where the direction of the tavern was, and made her way there. Trying to overcome the embarrassment she felt, for some unknown reason to her, as well as her need of food.

As the days passed by slowly, Aetrius only drew more anxious as time went on. Would she really be finding Kieran after all this time? If they did, what state would she be in? Would she still be the same person Aetrius used to know and love dearly? Yes, they were sisters and they were incredibly close, but would that bond hold true now after three years of thinking she was dead? She didn't know, but she was so close to finding out. And she had to, no matter the cost of finding the truth. She was determined to find Kieran and bring her back with them, to be able to sit and talk with her and just go back to being like things used to be, even though she doubted it. With what they've gone through, on both side of the coin, they'd be different, but different how would be left up to when they found her.

When the morning came, Aetrius was the first to awaken, before the others were even stirring she was wide awake and packing her things. She dressed in her new outfit that she had bought while at Atlum and covered it with her black cloak. When the others had woken up, they all ate and prepared for the long trip ahead of them. Aetrius took the lead of the caravan, Bree leading them to Veilbrand. The ride was almost silent for the most part until Linde spoke up and asked if anyone had a story to tell. She pondered, she had many, many stories to tell. But most were uh....Not for this occasion, one could say? She was going to speak, but Lolan started to spin a tale of his, and she remained silent paying attention to his story of his first adventure with his grandfather. She and the others chuckled, the others did out of fondness and amusement, she chuckled due to her darker sense of humor. Decapitation? she thought, I would have impaled him on a pike and left him to dry in the sun...But that's just me. she mused at her sick twisted idea. The group remained silent after the others commented on his tale. She pondered again if she should tell one of her own, should she? If so, what one? She had many...

She looked up at the sky, lost in thought. Then came back down when she had an amusing story to tell. "Did I ever tell you one of my adventures?" she mused, looking back at the others she gave a shy grin and light chuckle, then turned back around looking at the road ahead of them. "It's uh....One not exactly for the faint of heart, or one who have disproving mindsets. As, yes this story isn't very....uh...how you say orthodox for this journey, but it's a story none the less." she said as she thought back to when she was sixteen and met someone who made her feel what it was like to be in love, or at least that's what she thought it was. But as her luck would have it, her relationships would never last long, nore usually passed a day or two. With what she did as a job, killing or capturing those that were of the lesser chain of humanity, to the fact that she was...well, how you say more so experienced than others? But that didn't mean she was one of those kinds of people. She still had morals and a sense of worth when it came to relationships. She always wanted more than that from a relationship, but usually the other one would just stay and leave without a second glance her way, often leaving her feeling rejected and alone. Therefore usually leaving her to stay by herself and be alone.

"I guess you could say it was a past relationship, but for me they never lasted very long...They'd get what they wanted and then would fuck off, never seeing me again...Does it bother me? Usually, but...well, let's just say I'm used of it and not really on the market at the moment...Not like anyone would really want anything to do with me anymore in that sense, if you catch my drift." she chuckled slightly, but then sighed, she wasn't proud of her reputation, but it was one she had and they were bound to eventually find out one way or another, and she'd rather it be by her than someone else.

"Let's just say, I'm not proud of the reputations I have, okay? Some are good, like me being one of the best Bounty Hunters on the market, cost cheap, get the job done, but with that it comes at a price. Meaning I have a rather big target on my back, which is why my relationships are never really that long lasting..It's not that I make a terrible partner...Just my reputation and well...what I look like doesn't help I suppose, or least it's what I've had said to me. Doesn't bother me none, but ya know..." she sighed again, but then decided to get to the actual story itself.

"It was about four years ago, I believe? The first person I ever dated, can't remember her name, but that's irrelevant. What the story does hold is that I met her by saving her ass from a group of bandits. They were...well, the lowest of the low. Murderers, rapists, dirt in one word. Well, I managed to come across them on one of my journies after a target of mine. I managed to pass them and stopped them, killed half, severely maimed the others. She was so thankful that she wouldn't stop saying thank you, and she said she owed me anything." she paused in her story, chuckled then continued with the events.

"I made a poor joke and I guess she took it seriously...Let's just say, I had ended up getting a bit more than I bargained for saving her ass." she chuckled, then realized how that would have made her look, "W-well, anyway. From that day out after I got my bounty paid for, she requested we could court if I so desired, I denied several times, but she uh...she had her perks. We lasted for a while, about six months...But after she realized how dangerous it was to be with me she left...I just woke up one day and she was gone...Sure it hurt, but...She was a fine young woman and I hope she has the best life one could have...Especially now that I'm not in it...ahem anyway, does anyone else have anything they'd share? I have other actual stories...but uh, they're more...more of sitting around a fire or a table and drinks and just waste the night away." she said with a slight smile, maybe she revealed a bit too much of her past, especially relationship wise, but oh well. She was honest and that should be the thing that mattered. All that mattered is that she wasn't the same person anymore in that regard, and maybe someone would change her for the better in that regard, but it didn't matter, not like anyone would ever be interested in her in that way anymore. As being with such a notable killer like her would put someone in danger.

Aetrius was leading the way, she held her head strong with renewed spirits knowing, that in two weeks time she would be arriving in Veilbrand to find Kieran. Yes, Veilbrand was a two weeks worth of time on horseback and sadly that was the fastest form of travel. Especially since Veilbrand is a very mountainous region. The mountains run far and wide along the eastern half of the north border, and wrap all the way around the east side down to the coastline. The rest of the nation is rolling hills with few to no forests and very open grassland type places. The capital city, Valoc is in the northern sector of the east mountains along the border with a giant wall around the front to guard from invasions. A fortress city, if you will for the lack of a better word. And that was their newest destination, in two weeks. They spent the rest of the day chatting, sharing tales of past memories and experiences, more so than the others did. They arrived at a small town, if you could call it that. It was mainly used by travelers from far away places to find respite and food, containing a small place for lodging, food, and stables for their animals.

After being their for the night they headed out the next day after a good meal and prepping their steeds of course. They spent the next week traveling from small outpost to small outpost, to small town to small town. Meeting new people and having some rather good bonding moments. From small talk in the local taverns, to staying up late in their rooms sharing stories and telling jokes. To making their way under the hot sun, to under the open and star filled night skies. Few and far between did they run into trouble, and they settled things with negotiations, not violence. They helped small groups with their broken convoys, or help from raiders and bandits. They were an interesting bunch to come across for sure, a shrine maiden who rarely talked, a tall man in a hood, a red headed male who more often than not would get into fights with his horse, the nurse of the group who was always helping with wounds like the one Lolan got from handling a heated up plate, and then Aetrius, the one who used to be feared and held a large bounty on her head and never talked to anyone, was now slowly begining to open up and slowly grow close to the others, which was odd for her. She hadn't had decent human contact with anyone in years, nor did she think she'd ever be in a group, but here she was in a group of the most unlikey of people....and...it felt right? Not being under constant surveillance or suspicion? It felt good, she was just worried it would eventually all fall apart when she found Kieran, if she did.

Now, it was the eight day when they saw another small village, one much like Atlum in the distance. It was late in the evening, and the sun began to go down. She knew the group was tired and would need to stop for the night soon, as much as she would like to keep going, she couldn't do that to them. "Alright, we'll stay here for the night. We'll leave in the afternoon, okay? Giving us some more time to relax and catch our breath. You've all earned it by now, eh?" she gave a small chuckle and smile to the others. As they grew closer to the enterance of the town, people greeted them with smiles and greetings as they slowly strode in on their horses. "We seek shelter, do you still have some room for a group our size?" she asked the man, who looked up at her with a kind face and smiled as he spoke, "We here at Ukron welcome everyone. We have space for you and your beasts. We'll take them to the stables on the east side of town, where you'll be staying is in the north side, just straight up this here path and you'll find the Gray Fox Inn. If there's anything else that you need, you mustn't be afraid to ask." he said kindly. Aetrius gave a nod, "Thank you, good sir. I see that a festival of some sort must be going on?" she inquired, as there was music coming from inside the inn and people were everyone smiling and drinking. "Ah yes. Here we celebrate the Winter Festival every year. It's a tradition we always have, and held close. Everyone who comes here is free to celebrate with us. So, do enjoy it, or just do as you please." Aetrius and the group smiled and thanked the couple kindly as they dismounted, grabbing their gear and saying goodnight to their horses for the night as they were taken to the stables.

Aetrius turned to her now friends and spoke, "If you all wish to celebrate, feel free to. I'll be having some food and probably will retreat to my room. I uh, don't really do the whole festival thing...At least not recently." she said with a small chuckle and looked down. As the last time she ever took part in a celebration was with Kieran five years ago. She turned heel and walked to the inn, she paid for the rooms and put her stuff away, and eventually returned after seeing the others had done the same. The inn was a humble place, as well as the rooms. Plenty big enough for two people to share a room easily, and so they did. Linde and Okumi were put into a room together and so was Kyero and Lolan, Aetrius decided to go for a single room, although it was still big enough for more than one individual. As the others took part in the Winter Festival, she had excused herself outside, and looked at the night sky, it was indeed the begining of winter as it wasn't completely freezing, but on nights like this one could see their breath, they'd need warmer clothing, that was for certain. The stars were out as well as a full moon, the animals were making noises in the distance, and Aetrius sat upon the wall overlooking the lake that was beside the inn. She sighed, it would be another week until they arrived at Veilbrand. She looked back at the inn, seeing everyone enjoying themselves, dancing, singing, and having a genuinely good time. She wanted to join, as she loved to dance, but she wasn't very confident in joining the others, she'd need encouragement from someone, if they'd bother trying to bring her out of her shell of being a wallflower, who currently watched from the sidelines.

Aetrius was one of the last ones awake the next morning, it having gone by way too quickly. She desired sleep, but after being awoken by both Lolan and Linde knocking on her door, she eventually joined them downstairs in the diner part of the inn. After they all ate and exchanged small talk, well the others did, as both Aetrius and Lolan were suffering with headaches from the drink challenge the night prior.

Before they left, Aetrius went to one of the stores and got supplies, warmer clothing and tents, food, and she managed to find a new mask that could be used for Veilbrand, as she knew she would need to hide her face their. Some of the others asked why, and remained to keep the reasoning to herself, as it was also due to her not feeling completely confident with herself.

But later that day they came to a remote clearing along the way to Valoc in a large forest. They pitched their new tents and supplies, making camp rather easily. It would be cold, as winter was coming to this area of Cre' Est and they'd need a fire to burn all night, not just for warmth but also to ward off the wild life as this place was known for wild wolves, bears, and other deadly creatures at night. Aetrius built a large barn fire and torches all along the camp, keeping enough light for protection and warmth for them all. As the days passed, it was the second day of them staying in the camp, they were sitting at the fire preparing to eat, when Aetrius noticed Linde seemed to be rather cold, she knew Linde didn't have alot of warm clothes, as she guessed she lived in a warmer place than Veilbrand. Aetrius walked past where Linde was sitting, she removed her cloak and gently wrapped it around Linde's shoulders, "You'll need it more than I do, so...keep it. I'll be fine, I'm used to colder weather." she said with a kind smile, and sat across the fire from where Linde was, and began to eat the dinner that Lolan had prepared for them all.

"Sure, always welcome an interesting story." Aetrius said with a small smile as she casually answered Linde's question if anyone wanted to hear a story.

Aetrius was happily enjoying the story thus far and was eating the dinner that was made for them, looking down at the ground as she was rather insecure when it came to eating. When she did look up however, she wasn't expecting to see what was currently in front of her, all she saw was clothing and a the general shape of something that was all too familiar to her. It was Linde's ahem chest, right infront of her face, her left hand was holding the plate and her right was holding her fork, but when she saw what had been going on, the fork fell from her hand onto the plate as her face turned several shades of red. Aetrius remained still and in shock as she just sat there with that view, until Linde smirked at her and walked off, continuing her tale. Aetrius couldn't speak or even more, she was frozen in place, hand appearing as if it was holding an invisible fork and eyes wide as tea saucer plates.

Eventually when Linde was done spinning her tale of all things, it had to be that, she finally slowly looked up. Thankfully with no female breasts in her sights, her blush slowly starting to go away. She needed to calm and cool down, she carefully placed the plate on the log she was sitting on and stood up, face still a bright red but was thankfully covered by the fire's glow. "I-I uh....Uhm....I-I'm gonna go on a walk....I-if anyone needs me, I-I'll be over...." she looked around as she needed to think of something, noticing a path that was well treaded upon, "There, I'll be there if you need me for anything." she stuttered and awkwardly stumbled away from the fire, and dipped out of there. She needed to clear her head and not have that image ingraved into her mind, sadly it was too late for her.

"That woman is going to be the death of me I swear...." she muttered to herself as she started her walk to nowhere in particular. Thankfully the moon was out and shone its light, making walking easy, but still dangerous without fire light.


The next day they woke up early and took down the tents, ate food, prepared for the long trip ahead of them to Valoc. Things were a bit awkward between Linde and Aetrius, as the events that took place the previous night still left Aetrius rather flustered and every time she looked at Linde a blush were spread across her face. But as the days passed by the group only grew closer to even becoming better and closer friends, some more than others. They passed by towns, villages, outposts and all the like. Meeting new people, encountering ruffians here and there, dispelling trouble every way they went. Eventually they made it to the capital of Veilbrand, Valoc. The was seemed to endlessly surround the city, one may say it did. As all you could see was large and thick walls guarding the great city from invasion and the like. Once they passed through security checks, they were allowed into Valoc.

Aetrius warned them of the dangers that would lie in Veilbrand, it was not only walled off from invaders, but to also keep people from leaving. The only people allowed weapons were military or security personnel or people among those ranks. As well as passerby's and travelers, but were kept under tight surveillance. Once they made it into the middle sector of the city, they stopped in the middle of a marketplace and store center. People were everywhere, of all kinds. Shop keepers, buyers, travelers, townspeople, young and old. The group stayed together, as Aetrius warned them, "The people here are dangerous and should not be underestimated, even some children...The people here are some of the wort kind. If you must go somewhere, stay in a group, never go anywhere alone. Trust no one." she said under the new mask she had bought, also dressed in one of her new outfits with her hood up, and mask covering her face. She knew she would need to keep her face covered, as unbeknownst to her friends, she frequented Veilbrand in the past for....business purposes. She was going to talk to the group more as to devise their plans of what to do to start searching for Kieran, she knew where it was and how to get there, but their course of action would be of most importance.

"What did I tell you, you little bitch? Don't try running away from me, you hear?!" a deep voice sounded out from the crowd, garnering Aetrius' attention, as well as the group. It was a rather large man yelling at a small child that couldn't have been any older than twelve, if even ten years old. She was small, light brown hair, dark grey eyes, innocent looking, and rather roughed up looking. It didn't take her a second thought to understand what was going on. Slave traders... she thought to herself. If there was anything that she hated more, it was slave traders. The lowest of the low, next to murderers and rapists in her opinion. She swiftly dismounted Bree and strode over to the man and child. She forcefully pushed him aside, causing him to reel back and yell, "Watch where you're going, slut! This is none of your business. Just walk away and you won't get hurt. Much." he said with a sneer as he held a cat and nine tails in his hand, a painful and grotesque whip Aetrius was all but too familiar with. She growled at the man, and seized him by the throat, smashing him into the wall, "I will gut you like a fish where you stand, you piece of shit. Do you hear me?!" she yelled, slamming him against the wall again, and punched him square in the jaw. The man reeled back and spit on the ground. "I told you to stay out of this, bitch!" he exclaimed, going for a punch.

Aetrius dodged with ease, not even coming close to her. She grabbed him by the arm, and slammed her arm down heavily in the joint between his arm and elbow, dislocating it in one swift motion. Causing the man to yell out in agony and fall to the ground. "Get up, you uselss, good for nothing, bastard!" she punched him again and then again, until she slammed her leg into his jaw, letting him fall to the ground. She panted, breathing heavily as she looked at the beaten man. Her attention was fully on him as she was in a pure and blinded rage. She never once took her eyes off the man from behind her mask, it was only taken away when she saw movement from the corner of her eye. She saw the child pick up the whip that her slave master had dropped. Aetrius immediately snapped out of it once she saw the look on the girl's face, she was horrified of Aetrius, and trembling before the compared to her giant. Aetrius slowly turned to the child, and slowly knelt down infront of her, removing her hood and mask, revealing to the child that she was actually a woman, a scarred up but none the less rather good looking female. To the child's relief her savior was a female, which caused her to relax somewhat. She looked at the child and spoke to her in a calm and soft voice, looking her directing in the eyes, "That man, your....your master, he's hurt you, hasn't he?" she asked with a tone of sadness in her voice, the girl shook her head. Aetrius sighed, "It's okay, sweetheart...You're safe, okay? I...I was once like you...A slave..." her voice fell flat, and she looked down. She never spoke of her past, especially the fact she was once a slave, but this time she had to. The girl looked at Aetrius with innocent and scared eyes.

"You want proof...?" she asked, the girl slowly and nervously nodded. Aetrius nodded at the girl, and slowly stood up. She took a deep breath, and removed her belt and over shirt, having her chest binder be the only thing that was covering her chest. Normally she wouldn't do something like this in public or at all, but this was the only exception. She turned so the young girl could see her scars, littering her whole back, she then put her clothing back on and looked at the child as she crouched back down. "I have the same scars...same story...I know what he did, and he can do it no longer to you, okay? If he or anyone ever tries to harm you again, I will personally deal with them." she said with a slight chuckle. She then became solemn and serious. She slowly unwrapped the wrapping around her hands, covering the scars on her palms and forarms, she spoke to the child yet again, "These...These were made by my master...When I was your age, one day I did something he didn't like, and as usual he would punish me, and hurt me...Much like your master would do to you...As punishment that day he made me carry heavy load of supplies through the shop, with recently forged chains...These are what is left..." she looked back up at the girl, who's eyes were filled with tears and sadness, but nevertheless she continued her speech, not caring who heard her pour out her life story to a child. "But, a few weeks before he did that...He gave me this scar, as well as the ones on my back." she said as she pointed to the scar on her face. The young girl looked at her scar, never once looking away. She reached up and gently traced the scar on her face, it caused Aetrius pain, but she bore a strong face for the child. Aetrius looked back at the child, "What? What is it, young one..?" Aetrius asked, the girl looked at her and spoke for the first time, "Why...Why do you wear a mask, lady..." she asked innocently. Aetrius was taken aback. No one ever asked her why, she thought for a moment and sighed. "Because...These scars...They made me ashamed...and I felt like I wasn't worthy to look at, all scarred up...I felt ugly, ashamed of these markings that were not my own...But...Overtime...and thanks to a good friend, I...I'm not so ashamed..." she answered honestly.

"Then why do you still wear one..?" the young girl asked Aetrius. She was stunned, she didn't really know. "I wear this mask...So people forget I exist...To...To be something I'm not, I suppose..." the young girl shook her head at Aetrius, "Well, I think you shouldn't....I think you look better without the mask...It...It covers your face...Too pretty to cover up with something so ugly..." Aetrius chuckled at her words, but was nonetheless dumbfounded. She had a point, even though she didn't want to get outsmarted by a mere child. She sighed and looked at the child once more, "But promise me one thing, dear one. Do not let this man win. Do not let him make you become something you fear..Don't let him make you become a monster, something you never wanted to become...Don't...Don't become like me....Live a life you deserve to live. Grow up, become a wife, live a happy and well deserved life. Don't let him make you into what my master made me..." Aetrius said as her tears filled with tears. The girl slowly drew close to Aetrius, and gently wiped her tears away, "What...What did he make you become...?" she asked. Aetrius looked at the child, "What I feared most...A heartless, ugly monster..." she looked down at the ground.

The girl giggled and gently lifted up Aetrius' head, "I don't think you're a monster...nor ugly..Neither do I think your pretty friend does...If anything I think she disagrees." she chuckled. Aetrius looked up at the girl with confusion, "M-my friend? You mean, Linde?" she questioned. The girl nodded and giggled, Aetrius chuckled along with her, "Is that so?" the two chuckled for a moment, but soon became serious again. Aetrius slowly stood up and straightened her height, towering over the young girl, and began to walk away. "H-hey, wait....M-miss?" the girl called. Aetrius stopped and looked back, "Yes, dear one?" she asked. The girl looked at her and spoke for the last time, "What...What's your name? So that I can remember the person who saved me..." she said shyly. Aetrius thought for a moment, should she? She remained silent, then finally spoke up and uttered something she hadn't said in years, "K....Korriban....Korriban Borral..." she said, gave the girl a small smile and turned back to her friends, leaving her mask and wrappings on the ground behind her. But before she left the man, she looked at him and spoke, "If you ever touch her or someone else, ever again. And if you harm anyone else, ever again. I will personally come back here just for you, and deal with you, personally. Don't make me make your life a living hell, because I swear to Heresta, I will." she growled, and turned away from them, letting the guards deal with the mess. She learned a lesson, from none other than a child. She wouldn't need to hide behind a mask no longer nor would she need to hide who she was, and Aetrius sighed, a small smile on her face as she walked back to the group, with renewed energy she anticipated her mission for Kieran.