Ari wasn't expecting to be woken so suddenly, nor had she expected it to be so soon. What the hell had caused that noise? She opened her eyes and sat up stock straight. Then someone was talking. A man. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes hastily, she stood up. Tch. Men, telling her what to do. Of course. Why not? She needed another man to order her around. That stupid gem host...ghost...thing...had ordered her around too,âI do not need your advice, old man, nor do I want it.â She responded haughtily, grabbing up her bag and taking a few unsteady steps (or limps, really) away from Monroe, towards the forest. When she was sure of herself, her strides became less labored as she stomped off into the trees.
Monroe sat there and took a more meditating position. âAs you wish.â Was all he said in response to the young woman who was hurrying off. Scarlet however, who was watching Ari since she had re-opened her eyes, didnât think she handled that well at all. Scar struggled to her feet, and clumsily ran after her, almost falling more then sheâd like to admit. After some time, she finally caught up with Arienna, who seemed to have just as hard a time to move.
"Hey" she called out, either being ignored or Arienna not hearing her the first time. "Hey", or the second time for that matter. As she got a little closer, and felt almost like she was going to pass out, she spoke up, sure Arienna could hear her. After all she was almost right next to her now. "Hey. I'm talking to you, ya know."
She coughed a bit, feeling like she was about to cough up blood, but thankfully nothing came out of it. "It wasn't very nice what you did back there. It was quite rude. He was only trying to help. Thatâs what old people do! You could have at least said thank you and decline him more appropriately. I think you owe him an apology." Scarlet worked on catching her breath after letting all that out. She kept walking, trying to keep up with Ari and trying to keep herself from collapsing into the dirt.
Ari was still thinking when a voice piped up almost right beside her. She turned clumsily and drew her blade, aiming it at Scarletâs throat, âDo not sneak up on me, or it will kill you.â She said angrily, though the way Scarlet looked, she knew that sounded stupid. Scarlet looked about as capable as sneaking up on someone as a semi-retarded chimpanzee. This stupid gem thing, it was clouding her head. She heard Scarlet out the rest of the way and crossed her arms, âI do not need yours, his, or anyone's help. I would have asked for it if I did, but I didn't. That's a good indication I don't need it. I'm fine.â She said, though she immediately turned her head and puked, losing the celebratory meal sheâd âearnedâ by getting into the Shadelian army. It tasted almost as bad coming up as it had going down, âDisgusting rubbish they called food...â
Scarlet didn't even flinch when Ari turned around, although she did stop moving as to not impale herself on Ari's blade. "Sneak up on you? I called out to you a few times. Not my fault if you weren't listening." Scarlet scoffed as Ari finished saying she didn't need any help. "No, I think it's a good indication that you're too stubborn and pig headed to ask for help yourself. We'll see how fine you'd get around with a wounded leg. Of course, I bet with a hurt wrist like you have, it would be pretty difficult to wield that weapon right now too." Scarlet didn't fear Ari at all, nor did she fear Ari's threats. Ari wouldn't kill her, that much..... Well, that much she'd make a gamble on. Hopefully she was as good at reading the girl as she had thought.
Ari wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and flicked her wrist, once again forgetting that it was wounded and cringing as pain shot up her arm, âDonât you condescend to me, girl, or I shall rip your tongue out and stuff it in backwards.â She threatened, hefting her weight more off her wounded leg before simply dropping her pack, âYou donât know what Iâm capable of; surviving on such wounds is one of them. I assure you that Iâve had much worse, and still had to fight. So lest you know of which you speak, do not flaunt about your words as if you were preaching to your servants.â She growled as she wiped her hand on her pants, running her other hand through her hair again absentmindedly.
Scarlet stared at Ari, blissfully ignoring any feeling that she should be afraid here. "I'll speak however I want too. I don't care if you don't like it. Don't threaten me, âcause while I may look like the scared little girl, I'm not. I won't let you intimidate me!" Scarlet crossed her arms across her chest, although the feeling of passing out or puking was still very much there. "Just because you can survive that way doesn't mean you should. You don't have to be.... such a... a.... a bitch." Scarlet said adamantly. "Oh and don't assume you know how I lived either. I never preached to any servants, they simply did things for my family."
Ari scoffed, âI didnât ask you to follow me out here and lecture me about my manners, or lack thereof. If you donât like how I act, tough. You and all the others can deal with it. And they arenât threats. I assure you I have no problem inflicting bodily harm to you, or anyone else who incurs it.â She said, leaning against a tree. She was trying to look nonchalant, but she really just needed the support. Her legs felt like lead, âIs there some specific reason you have chosen to attach yourself to me like a shadow? Iâm sure there are others amongst our group whom you could lecture. Iâm sure your time would be much better spent on lecturing them instead of a so-called bitch like myself.â
Scarlet just looked at Arienna with a completely unamused look, not that Arienna was trying to be amusing. "If you want to hurt me go ahead, it's not like I could fight a trained soldier like yourself off." As Arienna leaned on a tree, Scarlet just continued to look at her. "I'm going to help you be nicer, and more lady like. That's why I've attached myself to you, as you put it. No other bitch or fool would do. I've already invested my time into helping you. Whether you like it or not."
Ari tried to cover up a laugh, but it came out despite herself, âOh really? You are going to teach me to be a lady? Indeed? You shall be more than hard-pressed to overcome my prior teachings. But it shall definitely be amusing to watch you attempt such a thing. Let me ask you this, though, why would one such as myself wish to become more lady-like? It is not required of my job, and I assure you I am looking no farther for company than a traveling companion or fellow warrior, so what could I possibly require of your teachings? More importantly, why should you care how I act? It is not so hard to simply disassociate yourself with me socially and instead simply act as we are; companions on a suicide mission.â
Scarlet smiled a bit as Arienna started to laugh. "Yes really. Yes, I am going to teach you to be a lady. You'd be harder-pressed to think I'm giving up at all. I don't care if you want to be more lady-like, I will make you more lady-like anyway. Why? Because I can. I think you need it, but of course raised as a Shadelian soldier, you wouldn't agree. Your mind isn't programmed to be anything but a barbarian. It won't kill you to be more feminine, you're probably not man-ish when you take off your armor, you know. Oh and I don't see it as a suicide mission. I intend to survive this, and I'd like to have some friends after it. I'd rather not go back home. I'd just end up running away again anyway."
Ari laughed again, âIndeed. Youâre more than welcome to try, girl. I am not a barbarian, as you put it, I am a knight. There is a stark difference.â When Scarlet mentioned her not being too âman-ishâ, she raised an eyebrow, âAnd what, pray tell, is that supposed to mean? Just because I wear armor instead of a dress, or carry a sword instead of basket of flowers does not make me âman-ishâ, thank you very little. I simply choose to be different from your ilk, and actually make myself useful. I would have thought a Pyrian such as yourself would know of womenâs rights to bear arms, instead of being married off for status.â What originally seemed like a joke to her was now irritating her severely. How dare thisâŠthis noble little girl, this mere child of a woman, call her âman-ishâ. An angry frown crossed her face, âYou have no right to criticize me or my hardships. What know you of hardship? What know you of pain? You and your ilk, always passing judgment, always trying to change others for your own amusement; I like who I am, so I will kindly ask you to fuck off.â
"It's a very barbaric way of life. To always think of fighting and your job, as you put it, first? I can't imagine anything being considered more barbaric." Scarlet was taken aback a bit by the way Arienna took the man-ish comment. It was clear that she wasn't used to people talking about how she looked alone. "Hey hey, look. Stop taking things so much to heart; otherwise you'll be living a life filled with much more pain then usual. In your armor, it hides your feminine features, and makes you look like a man. I was just saying outside your armor you don't look like a man, so it wouldn't kill you to act a little more feminine. Saying thank you for someone doing something is just common decency."
Scarlet stared at Ari as she told her to fuck off, but Scar wasn't going anywhere. "So I don't know of pain and hardship like you do, it doesn't mean I don't know how to act like a decent person. Those are skills you seem to lack. Oh, and I don't try to change people for my amusement. I could think of another way to amuse myself with you, but changing you isn't one. I'm sticking around you and I'm not going to fuck off, as you so crudely put it. So buck up and enjoy the company and the fact that someone cares enough to want to help you, and if you ever talk to me like that again I'll... I'll.... I'll slap you." She said clearly frustrated with her arms over her chest.
âOh yeah, Iâm sure a noble like you could find plenty of pleasure out of me, huh? âLook at the little Shadelian girl, the little tom-boy, the freak. Letâs see if we can make Everenâs little freak cry. She never cries, letâs see how far we can push her! Maybe if we hit her, maybe if we call her names, sheâll cry! Oh, what a fucking wonderful time it will be! And weâll all just laugh and laugh at the freak! She canât do anything, âcause if she hits back, sheâll be strung up like her mother!â I donât need your pity, I donât need your kinship, and I donât need you!â Ari was yelling now, quite angrily. She even went so far as to shove Scarlet with both hands, planting them squarely on her shoulders, âIâll act however I want, to whoever I want, whenever I want! You stay the fuck away from me; you stuck up, pigheaded, noble piece of shit! And if you so much as touch me, I will make you more than regret it!â
Tears glistened at the edges of her eyes, though she quickly brushed them away and turned away from Scarlet, hoping the girl hadnât seen them. What was going on with her? Sheâd never let comments like this get to her before, but now she was practically crying with anger over them. It had to be that gem, and whatever the hell it was doing to her. This dark cloud she couldnât seem to get out of.
Scar stared at Arienna as she started to freak out. She didn't understand what the hell Ari was saying at first. Was she yelling at her? Was this Everen her father? What did her mother have to do with anything? Any normal person would have run away by now, but Scar was quite stubborn herself. After being shoved to the ground Scarlet got up and looked at Ari. "I don't pity you and I don't think that you need me. I just.... I just thought that we could be friends. You clearly didn't know anyone here, and I didn't obviously. Most of the others seemed to either be talking to other people, or more anti-social then you are. I just took a chance on you, and I still hope it wasn't the wrong one...."
Scarlet walked closer to Arienna, and walked in front of her, now staring her straight in her tear filled eyes. "I said; don't ever talk to me like that again. I suppose if you really wanted no friends, then you got your wish." She said as she raised her hand and slapped Ari right across the left side of her face. Scarlet without saying another word began walking away from her, done with trying to make friends with someone so clearly fine with living a life alone.
Ari was surprised by Scarletâs fulfilling her word; she definitely hadnât expected the girl to actually slap her. As she started to walk off, Ari stood there dumbstruck, until the stinging pain in her face brought her back. With balled up hands, she shouted. Though her voice might have been within earshot of those at the temple, but her words would be nothing but garbled noise, âYou nobles are all the same! You know that!? So entitled to do whatever you want. Like Iâve never heard that line before! âJust wanted to be your friend.â Nobody wants to be my friend. NobodyâŠâ Her voice went from angry shouting to simply talking, her voice more than likely just on the edges of Scarletâs hearing. Before she could stop herself, she began to cry. It had been a long time since she had actually cried, especially in front of someone else. It felt good, though, to let all of her negative emotions out like this. But to do it in front of this girl, this nobleâŠshe was just broadcasting that she was weak.
âDo you want them to think youâre weak, Arienna? Cease your tears this instant! A soldier does not cry! A weapon does not cry!â Everen shouted in her head, and Ari actually cringed back a little, as if he were standing right beside her instead of inside her head, âI did not raise my child to be a sniveling worthless sack of shit. You get up, and you make that girl pay!â
Ari just shook her head against her knees, which sheâd brought up against her chest to rest her head against as she cried, letting the darkness her body created sooth her and hide her eyes. She would have said more, but the girl already thought her a chew toy. No sense for her to think she was an insane chew toy.
Scarlet stopped as she heard Arienna yell at her. As she turned around to look upon the girl crying on the ground, she just sighed. "Damn it...." She walked over to Ari and placed a handkerchief on Ari's knees. "I'm not like all the rest of them. They'd pretend to be your friend just to insult or hurt you. I really wanted to be your friend. I figured you may not be one to hurt me. I'm not one that would hurt you. Don't worry though; maybe your lack of friends is a better thing. People who act like your friends, or maybe more.... They can hurt you. Empty is better then pain in some cases."
   Â
After she spoke she turned around and started walking away, before pausing once more. "I may not know your pain, and I may never know what it's like to be you. However, I have my own pain. Pain I hope that you never have to face. Just because I'm a noble, doesn't mean my life is perfect; far from it in fact."
As she felt the handkerchief spread across her knees, Ari looked up. What did she want now? Just to watch her cry? But no, it didnât seem like that at all. As Scarlet started to walk away again, she began to regret her actions. When Scarlet spoke again, she listened, âIâŠIâve never had a friend beforeâŠâ She whispered, just loud enough to have Scar hear her, âNot a real, human friend. Iâve never even had someone care about me before. Why would you? Even my own father didnât want me.â She whispered ruefully. Whiskers, who had once again escaped the bag, had by now trotted over to Scarlet and was looking up at her with big, curious eyes. He meowed once before rubbing against Scarletâs legs.
Scarlet thought about how to answer Arienna's questions. They were rather sad, thinking that's how she felt about herself. She thought so low of herself, Scarlet felt bad for her. She didn't pity her, she could almost relate in a way. Scarlet had been in her shoes, not too long ago. She felt worthless, why else would anyone have hurt her so many times like they did? She came to grips that it wasn't her fault though. Maybe that was part of the reason she wanted to leave so badly, so she could find someplace where the people were better.
   Â
"Why wouldn't I want to be? Despite you acting like a bitch on the outside, I can tell you're not. You're just not used to not being a soldier. I've seen it before. People change when they're raised as a warrior, but that doesn't make them cold, heartless people. It just makes them misunderstood. I wanted to make you feel like you were among friends. I wanted to be your friend." Scarlet took note of the cat and picked it up. Petting its head she walked over and sat down across from Arienna. It felt good to sit actually.
"The way you talk, you sound broken. I know how that feels, and I can help you fix it. No matter who did what to you, it's not your fault. Don't let people ruin your life. There has to be someone out there that won't treat you like shit, otherwise no one would ever be happy at all."
Ari shook her head, âIâm not broken. Iâm fine.â She whispered, turning away from Scarlet, âWhat does happiness gain me? It wonât help me out on the battlefield. Friendship begets pain and hazes the mind. If you have concern for anything aside from your objective, even your life, then you will die in combat. You have to be willing to give away everything to survive.â She said, though the words didnât sound like her own.
Scarlet stared at Arienna, while holding Whiskers in her arms. "If all that really is true, then maybe it's best we don't become friends for I will die soon. I won't give up any hope for friendship, or give up anything for survival. If you have nothing but yourself to fight for, then why bother fighting at all? What's surviving if you have nothing and no one more then yourself? I suppose I should say goodbye to you Arienna." Scarlet placed Whiskers on the ground, pushing him more towards Arienna.
Ari simply nestled her head into her knees again and felt the sobs wrack her again, âWhat do you want from me? Huh? What do you want?â She asked, sobbing.
Scarlet stared at Ari for a moment as she cried. "Nothing. I wanted to be your friend is all. I think the question you should ask yourself here though is what do you want? I mean really you, not how you were taught to think or anything. Look deep inside yourself and find out what you want. Until you know, I don't think you can ever allow yourself to be happy."
Ari didnât bother looking up, âI donât know what I want.â Was all she could say before she started sobbing again, âI donât know what I want or what Iâm supposed to do. You donât understandâŠyou canât understand.â
âNobody will ever understand, Arienna.â
âI feel like a puppet whoâs strings have been cut. So what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?â She asked, putting her hands to her head again, as if it were going to explode spontaneously, and she was just trying to keep herself together. âA puppet without its strings is worthless.â She heard herself, as well as Everen, say.
Scarlet didn't know what to say as Ari said she didn't know what she wanted. It was clear this whole friendship thing was going to be harder than she thought. "You're.... You're completely right. A puppet without its strings is worthless. Good thing you aren't one. You're a puppet without a puppeteer. You're free to do whatever you want to do. To feel however you want to feel. To pull your own strings, no matter how wrong other people think you are in doing so. Taking your life into your own hands is the ultimate form of survival."
Ari listened as Scarlet talked, at first confused by what she was saying, âI donâtâŠI donât know how.â She whispered, for the first time sounding afraid.
âSheâs trying to trick you, Arienna. You can only trust yourself, and by that extension, me.â
Ari paused for a moment, thinking, âHowâŠhow does one go about making a friend? Iâve never had one before.â She said quietly, and she could feel Everenâs rage receding from her mind, until there was nothing there. She waited for him to shout at her, but the shouting never came. It was only her, in her own mind. Her hands fell away from her head, slowly, as that sick feeling receded a little.
"How does one make a friend?" Scarlet was surprised to hear the question. It was human nature, wasn't it? Basic instinct that just made them know how to? This Arienna.... She was a strange girl indeed. "Umm.... Well, for starters you have to want to be someone's friend. Then if you both want to be friends you just kind of be friends. Talk to each other, and just be there for each other and stuff. Maybe play a game or something. I used to play some Pyrian games with my younger friends when I was a young one." Scarlet moved a bit closer and placed her hand on Arienna's knee. "Of course, not being a bitch always helps too." She said in a more joking tone trying to maybe light the mood a bit.
Ari looked at Scarlet as she talked. Did she want to have friends? She didnât want to be alone, that was for sure. Sheâd been alone almost her entire life, it felt like. She felt stupid as Scarlet talked. She didnât know what she could say that anyone would want to listen to, nor did she know of any games. When Scarlet mentioned not being a bitch, Ariâs eyes fell and she wrapped her own arms around her knees, âIâŠI am sorry.â She sat silently for a moment before her eyes tentatively came up again, though they would flick off in a different direction, as if she expected something that wasnât going to come, âIâŠI donât know any games. And training to be a knight is all I really know aboutâŠYou wouldnât find it interesting, Iâm sureâŠâ
Scarlet watched how Ari reacted to what she had said and frowned a little. "It's alright. Wait 'till you get to know me a bit better. I'm kind of known as one stubborn bitch at times." She smiled a little as Arienna explained about what she knew and what she didn't. "Don't worry; games are a bit young for us anyway. I don't know much about being a knight, but I can listen. Maybe when I feel be.... Maybe when I get used to the Gem a bit, you can even teach me some moves. I'd rather not die on the battlefield, even if I do have friends."
Ari listened to Scar speak, but fell silent as she mentioned teaching her how to fight. Her eyes fell and she simply sat like that for a few minutes. She honestly didnât know if she could teach someone else how to fight. The only manner of teaching she knew was her fatherâs, but she absolutely refused to teach anyone like that. Her eyes came back up slowly and she spoke softly, âThe GemâŠis it doing weird things to you ?â
As a silence fell through the area, Scarlet listened to the whisperings of the wind as it blew through her hair. It was a bit awkward, but peaceful at the same time. However when Arienna finally spoke and asked about the gem, Scarlet only turned her head away from Arienna. "It's nothing to worry about. Really, I feel fine with it, just need to adjust to its power a bit. Nothing to worry about at all."
Ari wanted to pursue the subject of the gem, but let it fall away as Scarlet made it out to be nothing, âRightâŠyeah, just an adjustment.â She murmured, more to herself than to Scarlet. Was she the only one who was experiencing this? She refused to ask; she wasnât going to look weak in front of the others. Again the silence fell between them as Ari kept her head turned away. Whiskers meowed quite loudly, actually, as if wondering why the two âfriendsâ were acting this way.
Scarlet stared into the woods as the silence continued. "Maybe I should go... Let you think for a bit..." She said as she stood up. However from the excitement, she hardly made it 3 steps before unloading her stomach into the nearest bush. She fell over to the ground on her knees, shaking from the force of the puking. "I... I'm sorry...." Scarlet said timidly, apologizing for Arienna having to see her throw up.
Ari watched as Scarlet got up as made to leave before puking. At least she had aimed for the bushes. Ari had pretty much just puked into the middle of the clearing. She stood up as well, picking up her pack and putting Whiskers into it before walking over to Scarlet. Now that Everenâs voice had receded, taking with him a bit of her ill feelings, she felt a little stronger. Not nearly up to full strength, unfortunately, but maybe a good nightâs sleep would help with that. She held her hand out to help Scarlet back to her feet and with a tentative smile, she said, âPerhaps we should leave before our respective lunches begin to smell. Besides, I believe I have someâŠapologies to extend.â
Scarlet looked up as she heard someone walk over. It was Arienna, and she was extending her hand to help her up. Maybe Scar really had changed her, just a bit. At least let her know that not everyone was an asshole. She accepted Arienna's hand and got to her feet, although dropping her bag when she did so. It fell to the ground with a clang. "Thank you." She said as she leaned over and picked up the bag. As she slung it over her shoulder though, she became off balance and fell right into Arienna. After staying there for a moment, leaning on her, she finally backed off. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean too."
Ari was taken aback by Scarlet falling into her, but she just sort of stood there as the girl leaned on her, âItâs uhâŠitâs alright. JustâŠbe more careful, alright?â She didnât say it pointedly, but with a tentative smile which quickly faded, âAre you sure the Gem is only a slight adjustment?â She asked, trying to get back to that. She really did want to know if there were other adverse effects on Scarlet, but she wouldnât press the girl. Not that she would reveal anything herself.
Scarlet stood still as Arienna asked her if everything really was okay with the Gem. She knew she couldn't hide it from everyone forever. Maybe a friend could help her keep it hidden from the others. "You can't tell anyone else, Arienna... Ever since I got the gem.... I think it's making me sick. Its magic is so... different from what I'm used too.... So much more dense. It's harder to breathe, to walk, it's hard to keep anything down despite me not having eaten anything. I don't want everyone else to know. I've seen the way they all look at me. Like I'm a little girl that isn't capable of taking care of myself... I've seen the look so many times before.... I just... I just wanna prove that I'm not a weak little girl. Ya know?"
Ari nodded slightly. So it wasnât just her that was having an adverse side effect to the gems. This both comforted her and worried her. How long would that last? âI see. I will keep your secret if you will keep mine. The gem has called something up in me I cannot seem to shake; a depression that clouds my every thought.â She replied, feeling the clamminess she had felt earlier going away. Perhaps all she needed was to puke, to let it all out.
Scarlet smiled a bit as Arienna agreed to keep her secret and even opened up a bit herself. "Don't worry, with me around you won't be able to be depressed and have your thoughts clouded. At least not from your depression. We'll find some other ways to keep your thoughts occupied. Like looking at the clouds. I've always found that very calming." She said with a smile as she started walking back towards the others. "Come on, you have an apology to make right, or at the very least, a thank you."
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As Zet finished up with his impromptu leadership speech, Kass took her chance. As quickly as she could, without tripping over anything or shivering her way into anyone, she made her way over to the cloaked man, ââScuse me. Sir? Mr. Krovi?â She asked, her teeth chattering a little both with excitement and the cold that radiated from her core as she gently tugged on the hem of his cloak.
    As Zet stood there, letting everyone else decide how to react, he just stared into the woods. He didn't normally care about being in this area. Bandits don't exactly care to fight a Krovi, or care enough to attack him for his family. However, a large group with several inexperienced fighters moving through their turf, that made for a much different situation. They were ripe for mugging. As he was thinking things over he heard a small voice. He turned to see the young Aquarian host talking to him. "It's Zet. Call me Zet." He noticed her teeth chattering, and couldn't help but think she was cold. While she wasn't exactly dressed the warmest, there wasn't any way she should be as cold as she seemed. "Is something wrong? You look like you're freezing cold."
Kass shifted a little as Zet mentioned her shivering, âI donât know. I canât get warm no matter what I do. I think itâs that gem those ghost things gave us. Ever since I got it Iâve felt like this.â She said, before shaking her head, âBut thatâs not what I wanted to talk about. Youâre really a Krovi? Like, the infamous ones?â She didnât really realize how callous that had sounded, even after it left her mouth.
Zet laughed a bit and shook his head. Infamous? Is that what they had become? It's a shame really, they used to have such a good name. "Yes, I'm really a Krovi. Go ahead and get all your comments out now. I'm sure I've heard them all before countless times. Say what you wish and go back and talk to the others." To say Zet was a bit sore on the subject was an understatement. The stories however defined his life so much, it was almost impossible not to be sore about it.
Kass just kinda stared up at him for a minute with nothing but the sound of shivering coming from her before she said, âThat is so cool. I have so many questions!â She said with a giddy smile. She was looking at Zet more like a book that needed reading than a person, âWhatâs it like, when you do that blood thing your people do? Is it true your ancestor slaughtered his allies with ease? Is it true that the Krovian Durability hasnât been seen since the traitor?â She asked all in one breath, panting a little once she had finished, but looking up at him with huge eyes.
Questions? She had Questions? Zet didn't know whether to be pissed off, offended, or wonder who this girl really was. "Your people? We're not some kind of diseased rodents waiting to be dissected, we're people with an ability. Our own set of magic that no one else can do. You're not so far off of being considered one just like us you know. The only difference is how people will look at you. Heroes instead of murderous traitors. You wanna know how it feels when I use my blood ability? Anger. Pain. It starts out as both and by the time it's done I feel nothing. The wounds that open up go numb, the people that witness it stare in fear, and the few similar to you wonder how I do it. You wanna know how it feels? Words can't possibly describe how it feels."
   Â
Zet paused a minute before answering the next question. He needed to take a deep breath and cool down a bit first. "Are those stories true? Does it really matter what I say.? The stories have been told so often that even some of my clan start to believe them. Sometimes, I don't even know what I believe anymore. Whether it's true or not doesn't matter to me anymore though. I've decided to prove that the past of a family, doesn't create a person. We're all individuals, we're all different. I'm the only person that can do it. I'm the only person that can show we're not traitors, even if my ancestor did do what they blame him for. If you want my opinion though, no. The stories are not true." Zet didn't answer the last question, instead he just moved away from her, jumping down onto lower ground closer to the woods. Would she take the hint?
It was only then that Kass realized what she had done, as his words became angry, he took deep breaths to calm himself, and then walked off. She let out a small whimper as her eyes went to the ground. She hadnât meant to offend, she was just excited. This was a huge learning experience for her, and she just couldnât pass it up, but now sheâd gone and made him mad. She stayed where she was for a minute trying to get the tears to go away. When they wouldnât, she decided that it wasnât worth waiting for. She walked over to him again, albeit much more quietly and a lot less excitedly, âIâm sorry. I didnât mean to make you mad, I just was excited to get a chance to talk to someone who would know about it is all. When I first read about your family, your heritage, I was fascinated. So the opportunity to talk to someone who actually knew the answers to my questions was just exciting. ButâŠwhen I get excited, I donât say the smartest things some times.â
She paused, glancing up from the ground at him for a minute before she looked away again guiltily, âI apologize for acting like you were some kind of animal to be picked apart. That wasnât nice. Because youâre right, youâre not just your heritage, youâre your own person, just like I am my own person from my family.â She mulled over what he had said, before looking up at him, âAndâŠit does matter what you have to say. I meanâŠdoesnât it matter what everyone has to say? Who better to ask if the stories are true if not his own descendants. I meanâŠIâve only heard of the one incident. It wasnât fair that the whole family was punished for one personâs mistakes. That would be like my whole family getting grounded because I skipped school again.â This time, she realized what she said as she said it, âNot thatâŠbeing grounded is similar toâŠâ she looked away guiltily again, sure she would upset him.
Zet could hear her start crying, and while making her cry wasn't what he wanted to do, she did ask. As she came over, tears still flowing from her eyes, he just sighed to himself a bit. She was apologizing like she should, but he still couldn't shake the guilty feeling of making the girl cry. "It's alright, it's just after a lifetime of being criticized, mocked, and looked down upon for my name, it's a bit of a sore spot. Not that I can expect anyone to really understand why. The sad part of this all is, it doesn't really matter what everyone has to say. No one usually listens to the side of a Krovi, and if they do it's not because they want to hear it. It goes in one ear and out the other. The only thing they see us as good for anymore is a mercenary group. Nothing but a hired sword. We helped create and shape Yarevon into what it is today and we're nothing more then an above average sellsword to anyone anymore." Trying to ignore the comparison she made, he just shook his head. "Just forget it. Is there anything else you wanted to know?"
Kass was surprised when he didnât get upset again, but she looked at him for a few minutes, âWhy were your people, the Lethalians as a whole, I mean, so quick to dismantle the family because of one incident? Thatâs what I donât understand.â She was being sincere, not trying to bring about the anger again. She honestly couldnât understand why an entire family should be made to suffer for the actions of a single person, âI meanâŠwas the man the head of the family, or someone really important on the hierarchy of knighthood? The books never really said who he was, and nobody really knows a lot about far away incidents like this when it comes to scholars back home.â
Zet listened to the question and stayed silent for a minute or so. "My ancestor was a Holy Knight. One of the highest ranks you could achieve in Yarevon. He led his own hand picked squad of elite fighters. He was blessed, at least people thought, with the ability that most call Krovian Durability. When he was covered in the blood of another, or himself, he would gain an increase in strength and agility. The stories are told that to gain superhuman strength he slaughtered his own squad without mercy or a second thought. All to cover himself in their blood. The Krovi clan always have been taught the same way, and the same virtues instilled. Lethlians decided to take that as we must all be murdering traitors. Deep down I know that story is false. A Krovi would never do that to anyone else. My ancestor accepted the punishment never saying a word after the incident, and with his Squad slaughtered and him put to death I fear that what really happened will be lost to everyone forever. Krovian Durability and Blood Rage. A combination of abilities thought to make one of the strongest warriors, a true hero. In truth, that combination is nothing more then a curse. It's no blessing."
Kass frowned, âButâŠsurely someone survived that saw something. How did they come to the conclusion that he slaughtered his squad?â She asked, nibbling on her lower lip. It was all so curious, and yet, so exciting. It was a real life mystery, and she was curious as ever to see how it all turned out. Before she could let herself get to excited, though, she remembered to consider his feelings on it all, âMagic is a blessing, not a curse. I mean, maybe it does bad things sometimes, but itâs only a tool to be wieldedâŠlike this gem, right? Sure, itâs making me super cold right now, but as soon as I get the hang of it, Iâll be the best healer ever.â She said, trying to smile a little, but her shivering had actually gotten worse. She pulled her clothes tighter around her, trying to get warm, âI meanâŠsure, some tools you can put down. But the ones that you carry with you are the special ones. Take me, for example. If I hear something, I remember it forever. I used to think it was bad, because when people would say things that made me feel bad, I remembered them, and the feelings kept coming back. But I learned how to use it, how to kinda control it. Now I remember the good things, instead of the bad. I canât ever stop remembering thingsâŠI just have to remember that itâs a tool that I control, not the other way around.â
Zet didn't answer her at first. Even he had to admit, the reason they knew it was him, didn't make him seem any less guilty. "Every member of his Squad.... was sliced in half. I'm not talking just light cloth armor either, I'm talking full battle armor of a Holy Knight. More armor then Arienna currently has on. Every single one of them cut in two, with a clear single blow. There are not many that have the strength to do that. Blood Rage can only bring on destruction. It's grants superhuman strength alone, in return for dealing physical trauma to your body. There's no good that can come from that. Only Death. Only Destruction."
   Â
Zet pulled a dagger from seemingly nowhere and tossed it at a tree. Instead of making contact with the tree it seemed to just pass through it and disappear. As it did, a cut appeared across Zet's cheek and blood runs down from it. As droplets fell from his chin, starting to form a small pool on the ground, he just stared at her. "That ability is not good for anything. It destroys something, destroys myself, or both. It's no blessing no matter how you look at it." As he finished his statement, the tree began to tip over, and finally fell onto another tree, the knife having made a cut clear through it.
   Â
"Some magic is a blessing, others a curse." He sighed and stopped for a moment. Taking off the back part of his clothes, he placed it around Kassidy's shoulders. "Here, this should help warm you up a bit. Now where were we. Oh right, Magic is a tool. Magic is all well and good, even if you consider it a blessing, but when it comes down to it you can only trust in your own strength. If your magic was to fail, only your own strength could save you. I've trained myself my whole life, only relying on my curse as a last resort. I don't regret that decision."
As Zet demonstrated his magic, Kass watched in amazement. The knife seemed to disappear completely. She was fascinated. Thatâs when she noticed the blood running down his cheek. She tried to make her magic work, but nothing happened. It just made her all the colder. Instead, she took a cloth from her pocket and licked it, dabbing at the cut and looking at the blood that stained it. Thatâs when the tree fell over. She let out a squeal at the sudden noise, quickly putting Zet between herself and the fallen object as it caused a racket. When she finally peered out from behind him, she was both amazed and frightened by the destruction he had caused, with but a simply flick of a knife. She didnât hide that fear well as she glanced at Zet, then back at the destruction. But then he put something around her shoulders, and spoke kindly to her. She wasnât so much afraid of him as what he was capable of. She pulled the cloth around herself tightly, but it didnât help. This only reaffirmed her suspicions that it was the gem that was making her cold. She continued to shiver, but she tried to make it less so, so that she could at least be polite and lie.
When he spoke again of magic, she looked down at her hands, clasping one slightly as she looked back at him, âOhâŠâ she whispered, more out of not knowing really what to say than anything else. She had never really heard of someone referring to their magic as a curse. After a few minutes of awkward silence, she gave him a smile and put out a hand, âIâm Kassidy, by the way. Kass, if you prefer. I probably shoulda done that first, huh?â
Zet smiled a bit as she changed the subject so quickly. He took her hand gently and shook it a bit. "I'd introduce myself, but you already know who I am. Let me ask you a question though Kassidy, do I scare you? You have fear in your eyes, fear I've seen so many times before. I'm a Krovi with the power to destroy so much. Do I scare you?" The fear he saw in her eyes was undeniable. It was the same fear people had that he'd kill, just a split second before the life left their eyes. It was unmistakable, undeniable, and unforgettable.
Kass looked away when Zet brought up the fear she had. She shook her head a little, âNotâŠof you, I guess. ButâŠâ She looked over at the tree again, her eyes hanging there for a minute before they flitted back to him, âI guess Iâm glad youâre on our side. Thatâs all.â She absolutely never wanted to be on the receiving end of any attacks from him or his family. If he could do that to a tree, then imagine what a person would be like? She cringed at the image and gave a small squeal, trying to shake it off.
"I think that's the first time I've ever heard someone wanting the Krovi's around." He shook his head as she let out a small squeal at the tree. "Don't worry, my attacks won't ever turn on you or anyone else here. I'll help stop this war, and protect those of you that can't protect yourselves. Not to sound mean but you don't exactly look like you could hold your own in a fight, even before the gem made you freezing cold. By the way, don't think I didn't notice you hide behind me when the tree fell. Just another reason I think you and some others here will need protecting."
Kass gave him an indignant look, âI can fight just fine! I justâŠscare easy.â She muttered, blushing a little as he mentioned her hiding, âYeah, well, Iâm not used to trees justâŠfalling over. I wasnât expecting it. I donât need your dumb protection. Iâve been in a bunch of fights andâŠâ she bit her lip. Okay, so she did need someone to make sure she didnât wind up dead by bandits or whatever it was he had been warning them about ten minutes ago, but she didnât want him to know that. She crossed her arms indignantly and let out a âhmphâ before muttering, âMeanie,â under her breath.
   Â
Zet couldn't help but laugh a bit as she explained how she could fight, ending with calling him a "meanie" under her breath which definitely could have been hidden better. "So you've been in a bunch of fights before? Alright, maybe your looks are deceiving. Hit me. Hit me right in the gut, as hard as you possibly can. Let's see how good of a fighter you are. That is, if you don't think I'm too much of a meanie to talk to."
Kass didnât mind a good scrap now and then despite the fact that she always lost. She grit her teeth, though, at Zetâs challenge. She couldnât turn down a challenge. She cranked her fist back and punched him as hard as she could in the gut. It wasnât likely to do much damage, but she did put all her power behind the one punch. Could she muster that in a fight, probably not. Thatâs not the point though. She looked at him hopefully, wondering how he would appraise her hit.
Zet felt the hit, but it wasn't very hard at all. When you're used to being stabbed and wounding yourself to use an ability, a punch from a teenage girl just doesn't really have much impact anymore. Not even flinching as he was hit, he just laughed a bit. "Was that it, or was that just a joke? If that wasn't a joke, you won't last an hour in these woods alone."
Kass scowled as Zet laughed at her, âYouâre wearing armor, you jerk!â She shook her hand lightly, letting the soreness leave it before she crossed her arms and turned away from him. Sure, she wasnât strong, but normally she didnât need to be. Nobody had ever tried to kill her before. The fact that the fate of the world rested on her shoulders came back to her in dizzying realness. It scared her. She shivered a little more as the thought went through her mind again. Barely audible, she whispered, âI donât want to dieâŠâ
Zet rolled his eyes, not that anyone could see it. "It's hardly real armor. If you hurt your hand punching leather, how are you gonna feel after hitting someone in the face?" Zet let out a sigh as he walked over near the half fallen tree. Most people would be more reserved around it, but he could tell for the moment it was solidly held up. Walking to the tree behind it, he pulled the knife from it before walking back over to Kassidy. She mumbled something, but he couldn't even hear her make a sound. "What was that?"
Kass glanced up at him, a few tears decorating her eyes, âI donâtâŠI donât want to die.â She whispered, shaking her head, âI donât want to hurt people. I didnât ask for this, you know? I just went exploring, I didnât think Iâd be given some epic quest. I should have just listened to my parents and-â her eyes widened as she continued to shiver, âOh my godâŠmy parents are going to kill me if your bandits donât.â She said hopelessly.
Zet stood still and just looked at her. "If the bandits don't? I'm a guardian for the whole group. I won't let them kill anyone, trust me. After all, you do have me on your side, remember? No one asked for any of this, but what happened, happened. Use that new power you have to learn to heal. You can heal me after I kick everyone's ass. Just don't... Just don't cry. Oh and I'm sure your parents will be fine. After all, being a gem host is a big important deal. It's not like they can ground you for it." Zet didn't feel comfortable around a girl crying. He was an assassin, he wasn't used to dealing with emotions.
Despite his words, Kass still cried, and when she looked at him, she whispered, âThey can ground me for anything.â She said, giving him huge, tearful eyes. Whether she was more afraid of the bandits or her parents was a mystery. After a moment, she considered what he said about her healing, and she shook her hand, as if expecting it to do something, âI canât make it work, and I donât know how. Iâve never had magic before. All this stupid gem does is make me cold.â
Clearly, she wasn't going to stop crying. They can ground her for anything? Was she serious? Then doubting the magic of the gems. Oh God this was going to be some trip. "Don't worry, you'll get it eventually. When I first discovered my magic I nearly cut off my arm. It's just a matter of practice. Start with getting over the cold thing. Until then, I'll try not to get cut up too bad. You'll definitely learn though. If you don't, you won't have to worry about your parents. We'll likely all be killed way before that if you all don't get better eventually." Zet tried to make the last part sound as a joke. Probably not the best idea to joke like that with a young and scared girl.
Zetâs âjokeâ only made Kass cry harder. Now not only was she going to die, he was going to die and everyone else was going to die if she didnât get better. She felt guilty for deaths she hadnât even caused yet, though she felt sure she was going to cause them. She pulled the cloth around herself tightly, sobbing harder before her hands went to her face, âI donât want to be the one that gets everyone killed!â She cried, sobbing harder. As she did, she put her hands out in front of her and though she had no idea what she was doing. Both of her arms shook violently, both because of the shivered and because of whatever it was she was attempting to accomplish. Her face went blue as she strained, before finally letting out air and falling on her butt.
As Kassidy began to cry harder, Zet knew that he shouldn't have made that joke. He really wasn't a people person, and this was a good indicator of that. "What? You're not going to... I was just kid.... God Dammit... Kass, it was just a joke. You're not going to cause everyone to die." As she stuck her hands out, Zet had no idea whatsoever what she was trying to do. Maybe it was just a girl thing? Well needless to say that thought didn't last long. "Kassidy, what are you doing?" He asked as she began to shake, finally stopping and falling to the ground. Just what the hell did he get himself into here?
Kass was crying and she was angry at the same time, âTheâŠthe stupid thing doesnât work!â She shouted through her tears. She had no idea how to channel magical energy, and now she was colder than ever. Her lips were actually a little blue as her breath came out in small puffs, âI can feel it inside, but I canât make it do what I want to do! I want it to doâŠsomething! Something magical, like itâs supposed to do.â She shivered, before looking down at her shivering hands. She looked like she was going to shiver herself apart.
Zet didn't really know how to respond. It's not every day that you become a guardian for someone who gets a magical gem of power, and can't figure out how to use it properly. "Look... Maybe it doesn't work because it doesn't need to right now. When the time comes that it's a life or death situation, I'm sure it'll work. Right now, just work on taking care of yourself. Don't let me fail my mission because you don't wanna take care of yourself."
Kass shivered furiously on the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest, pulling the cloth around herself, and trying to get warm, âI-Iâm c-coldâŠâ she whispered, looking up at him as if this was the first time she had realized this, instead of the fifth or sixth, âStupid gem. Makes me cold and doesnât even be magical when I want it to.â
Zet wasn't sure what else to say to her. She was right, the gem wasn't doing any good for her at this point, he couldn't lie and say it was. Although sitting didn't seem like a good idea. "Don't sit down for long. You should stand up, and keep moving. Right now I really don't know how else to keep you warm." Zet paused for a while before sighing and sitting on the ground next to her. "You can still walk right? Once we make it through these woods to the nearest town, we can look for a way to get you warmer. These woods are dangerous though, we can't camp in them with such a large group at night."
Kass actually didnât know whether she could actually get to her feet or not. She tried once, but her shivering made her legs unsteady, and she ended up felling down again. She rubbed her butt and looked at him somewhat guiltily, before giving an indignant, âI-I n-need h-help.â She breathed, each syllable punctuated by another cloud of breath forming in front of her. She held out a hand, but it was shivering terribly, âA f-fire w-would b-be n-nice.â
Zet sighed for a moment; things were off to a wonderful start. She couldn't get up on her own, the fire host Scarlet looked like she was about to pass out, the Dark host Arienna was hurt, and god only knows what all the other hosts were feeling from the effects of the Gems. Why the hell did this cave have to be right on the damn outskirts of fucking bandit central anyway? "When we get to town we'll get a fire going. For now, let's get you up." Getting to his feet and then leaning down wrapping his arm around her back and the other under her legs, he lifted her up. Just holding onto her for a moment before saying anything, he stood still. To him, she didn't feel all that cold. God magic was weird. Clearing his throat after he realized he was still just standing there holding her, he spoke quickly. "Ready to try to stand on your own?"
Kass wasnât expecting Zet to pick her up like he did. Maybe a lift to her feet, but he was just cradling her now. She just sat quietly in his arms for a minute, both surprised and stunned silent. She didnât really know what to do. She felt heat on her cheeks though. Of all theâŠshe was blushing, and it was the warmest part of her body now! His bodyâs warmth felt nice, though too. When he posed his question, she shook her head to shake her thoughts away, âUhmâŠI guessâŠJust donât drop me.â She whispered shyly. God she was so embarrassed. She probably looked like a weak little child now, needing his help like this and everything. She almost felt like crying again, but that would just make things worse.
Zet laughed a bit, although it was a bit shaky clearly signifying that this was awkward. "Drop you? I think I can handle it, just hold on while I let your feet go, okay?" After she was all ready he let go of her feet, grabbing onto her waist, just to make sure he didn't drop her. Letting go of her waist almost as quick as her feet touched the ground, he steadied her with the arm around her back still. "I... umm... won't let go until you have your balance back. So just say when."
She wondered if he was feeling as awkward as she was. By his laugh, she would assume that, yes, this was just as awkward for him as it was her. Probably more. When her feet touched the ground and he held on to her, she just blushed again. Once she was sure she had her balance back, she said, âI th-think I have it. Th-thank you,â though it was a near whisper. God, this was embarrassing. Still, he was a lot nicer than she would have thought by the stories. She nibbled her lip a little and whispered, even quieter than before, âAndâŠthank you forâŠbeing nice to me.â
Zet smiled a bit as he let her go. If she could stand on her own there was no need to help her anymore. She didn't need it. Clearly she was a bit embarrassed by all this as well, seeing as her cheeks were suddenly bright red. It was actually kind of cute, in a kid kind of way. "You're welcome for the help, there's no need to thank me for being nice though. I should apologize for yelling at you earlier. You only asked a question, I shouldn't have taken that frustration out on you."
Kass stared up at him for a minute, âR-RightâŠI guess thatâs sorta your job, right? To be nice to us, I mean.â She asked with a small smile, but she was still blushing. Why did she feel like she had butterflies in her stomach right now? Must be the stupid gem, âYouâre not the first to yell at me for my questions, so donât worry about it. I used to drive my teachers and parents crazy, you shoulda seen itâŠâ she laughed, but it died out rather quickly, âI guessâŠMaybe I shouldnât have asked so many questions.â
"Yeah, that's my job. Of... of course I would help. I have to, right?" Of course that's why he helped her, it was his job. He didn't know how to react to her talking about the questions. "How about we start things over and never mention the question thing again. We have bigger things to worry about ahead." Zet smiled a bit and held his hand out to Kass. "I'm Zetisuke Krovi, or Zet for short. It's nice to meet you."
Kass just looked at him for a minute before taking his hand, though it was still shivering, âKassidyâŠKassidy Anasiti.â She said, though she said it differently than the original host had said it. She instead pronounced it like it should rhyme. She giggled a little and then pronounced as it should be pronounced, âWell, I hope I donât cause too much trouble for you, Zet.â
Zet smiled as she giggled a bit. The way she acted really had a way of making things better. He wasn't sure why. "Trouble? Miss Kassidy Anasiti, how much trouble could you possibly get into?"
Kass laughed a little despite herself, but it died relatively quickly once again, âOh, please donât make me answer that. You really donât want to know.â She said solemnly. People often told her that trouble was her middle name, thanks to her curiosity.
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Ven just watched everyone go off and do their own thing. Okay, so this was great, right? Getting to know each other and....shouting. The Shadelian was angry at the elder Terran man, the apparent self-appointed leader (which Ven had no problems with, he'd rather follow than lead) was yelling at the youngest member of their group, the guy with the panther was walking around like a blind man, the wind host was covering his ears as though millions of voices were screaming next to him, and the only apparently normal person, the medic he'd helped earlier, was wandering off to go sit by a tree by herself. What....was he supposed to do, exactly? He fluttered his wings twice, just sort of standing there. Before he could say anything, a tree fell over as if by itself, and the little Aquarian girl shrieked. What...the hell. He gave up. He wasn't a leader, he was barely a follower. He decided he'd just go sit off to the side, out of everyone's way, until they were evidently ready to go. If the Pyrian woman was going to sleep, she would need someone to rouse her if they decided to move, yes? Yes. That seemed acceptable. And hopefully not creepy. He sighed as he walked over, giving her a wide birth, and plopping down somewhat close, but not creepily close, "Feels like I'm losing my mind..." he muttered, more to himself than her, but she would no doubt hear it.