Setting
Beloved creation of the gods.
Minimap
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northeast |
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Ter'Ciel is a part of 
Eulogy for the Immortal.
3 Places in Ter'Ciel:
11 Characters Here
Celsia Vorrine [26] "I feel like i've seen this somewhere before..."
Caedes Risus [23] Thank the Gods? I got nothing against the Gods, but I'm right here if you want someone to thank.
Devlin Íobairt [17] "If the gods really did exist, I'd love to meet one."
Laelynn Wyght [15] "I must keep my distance to protect them..."
Kai Seward [13] "Lay a finger on them, and I'll be sure you lose your entire hand."
Maren LeChance [12] "Y'gotta create your own happiness!"
Hans Amsel [12] "Pity you don't know true love the way I do."
Rais Crevan [11] "There's a time and a place for everything. Let's make the place here and the time now."
Genevieve Oullet [9] "That's going to cost you a pretty penny."
Mackenzie Truko [7] "Sure I can fix it, but what the #%*& did you do..?"
Start Character Here »
- 44 posts here • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Devlin Íobairt
They had a ship. That Caedes guy had a ship! Despite all that had happened, Devlin felt a tiny jump of excitement from inside his chest. It was as if his heart was one with the rhythm of the waves. He had never set foot on a ship before. At least not one that would soon be out to see. Back in the capital, he sometimes would be called to help the sailors unload some of their cargo for the Grayson family, but that was always when the ship was docked in the harbor. The pretty blonde lady had gone to see about getting the ship out of port. She was certainly beautiful but...there was something off about her, Devlin thought. Almost as if there was some sort of disconnection between her and her fancy, ruffled clothes.
Devlin looked around. The rest of the group was standing around on the deck of the ship. It seemed like everyone had made it out of the windmill safely. Everyone except...
'Oh no...!'
The red haired man! There had definitely been another captive in the basement of the windmill. Devlin's memory was rather foggy, but he knew with certainty that the red haired man was still there when things started going crazy. Had he not made it out? Was he crushed underneath the rubble?
Devlin's heart grew heavy and mournful over the poor soul he hadn't even really known. Still, he was among those who'd been captured by the cult. Captured by...Lord Grayson..."
'Why...?'
It was too much for him to think about right now. With a twinge of regret, Devlin pushed the thoughts from his mind, promising himself that he'd return to sort them out later.
'Huh?'
Devlin caught movement in the corner of his eye. He turned to see the maid girl walking away from the rest of the group, her long dark hair covering her face from view. He watched her round the corner and disappear from sight behind a wall.
What could she be doing? She looked...sad. Devlin's face narrowed with concern. He had only known the girl for a short time, but in his mind, it felt as if they'd been together for eons. Through hell and back, hand in hand. Something was drawing him toward her. Pushing him in her direction. Without much else for thought, he followed after her.
Rounding the corner, he walked past a few empty rooms -
'Gosh, Caedes needs more furniture in here.'
- before reaching a small, nondescript room at the far end of the ship. There, seated on the floor, was the girl. She was hugging her knees, her gaze fixed downward. For a moment, Devlin stared at her, wondering exactly what is was that kept drawing him to her. The same nagging feeling he got when he was around any of the mysterious captives. When the girl noticed his presence, he cautiously walked into the room. Silently, he took a seat on the floor beside her.
For a long time, neither of them spoke. They just stared straight ahead at the empty wall opposite them. Twice, Devlin had opened his mouth to speak but the sound diminished in his throat. Finally, on the third attempt, his words were heard.
"I'm Devlin. I know you already knew that, but...I didn't get to tell you myself."
More silence. Devlin turned his gaze toward her.
"Can you...tell me your name, please?"
The sudden entry of the blonde woman snapped Celsia back to reality. They were okay and mostly unharmed, but they could catch up on details later after they moved somewhere safer. Quickly eyeing over the lady, she couldn't help but notice the frilly clothes. Small bunches of lace lined the seams, and the material looked well-made and durable. The clothes of someone upper-class.
Or, well, someone pretending to be. Though it did not show on her face, Celsia knew the woman's mouth betrayed her. No high class woman would speak so bluntly to strangers. You should be seen, not heard. As her father used to say.
Regardless, she wasn't in a place to judge upbringing or lack thereof. All that was important right now was getting out of Kirlsa.
"My apologies," She cleared her throat upon seeing a slight look of irritation in Caedes' eyes. "I was distracting him from the engine room it seems." Shaking some of the dust off of her dress, Celsia stepped forward towards the woman and held out a hand. "My name is Celsia Vorrine. It seems we'll be shipmates for a little longer yet."
The woman looked at Celsia's dirtied hands with a scrunch of her nose. Without skipping a beat, Celsia withdrew her hand and gave a swift bow instead. "Sorry for my appearance. I think we're all in need of a good nights rest and some clean clothes." She looked over her shoulder to Caedes. "I'll go check up on the others while you take a look at the engine." She brushed past the woman and let out a sigh of relief once into the hallway. Hopefully the others could offer a more polite introduction. She's probably just tired and stressed out. Pushing it out of her mind, she noted the dusty footsteps leading into one of the other boarding rooms. Whoever was in there could be resting, so she didn't want to disturb them.
Strolling through the boat, she was surprised at how much larger this one was compared to Caedes' other. It was in desperate need of cleaning though, and it had definitely seen its share of years on the water already.
Stepping up the creaky stairs to the main deck, Celsia was pleasantly surprised to see the others there. The boy who almost stabbed her was missing. Maybe down below deck in the room. The witch, red haired man, and quiet girl were also gone. She did a quick inventory of all present. A grumpy looking dark haired man, the broad-shouldered woman, and a tall silver-haired man who she didn't recognize from the windmill.
"Hello, um," The others turned towards her. "Caedes is working to start the engines and then we should be moving along. There's a few lodging rooms below if you need to rest in the meantime. My name is Celsia V-"
Her eyes locked onto the tall man's. They were a deep blue; It was almost like she was gazing into her own. She had many deja vu moments in the past, but this was different. Some sort of connection she couldn't quite place, like she had known him for a very long time. Yet, she didn't know his name.
She cleared her throat again, "I'm Celsia Vorrine. I hope you're all okay, given the circumstances.."
Or, well, someone pretending to be. Though it did not show on her face, Celsia knew the woman's mouth betrayed her. No high class woman would speak so bluntly to strangers. You should be seen, not heard. As her father used to say.
Regardless, she wasn't in a place to judge upbringing or lack thereof. All that was important right now was getting out of Kirlsa.
"My apologies," She cleared her throat upon seeing a slight look of irritation in Caedes' eyes. "I was distracting him from the engine room it seems." Shaking some of the dust off of her dress, Celsia stepped forward towards the woman and held out a hand. "My name is Celsia Vorrine. It seems we'll be shipmates for a little longer yet."
The woman looked at Celsia's dirtied hands with a scrunch of her nose. Without skipping a beat, Celsia withdrew her hand and gave a swift bow instead. "Sorry for my appearance. I think we're all in need of a good nights rest and some clean clothes." She looked over her shoulder to Caedes. "I'll go check up on the others while you take a look at the engine." She brushed past the woman and let out a sigh of relief once into the hallway. Hopefully the others could offer a more polite introduction. She's probably just tired and stressed out. Pushing it out of her mind, she noted the dusty footsteps leading into one of the other boarding rooms. Whoever was in there could be resting, so she didn't want to disturb them.
Strolling through the boat, she was surprised at how much larger this one was compared to Caedes' other. It was in desperate need of cleaning though, and it had definitely seen its share of years on the water already.
Stepping up the creaky stairs to the main deck, Celsia was pleasantly surprised to see the others there. The boy who almost stabbed her was missing. Maybe down below deck in the room. The witch, red haired man, and quiet girl were also gone. She did a quick inventory of all present. A grumpy looking dark haired man, the broad-shouldered woman, and a tall silver-haired man who she didn't recognize from the windmill.
"Hello, um," The others turned towards her. "Caedes is working to start the engines and then we should be moving along. There's a few lodging rooms below if you need to rest in the meantime. My name is Celsia V-"
Her eyes locked onto the tall man's. They were a deep blue; It was almost like she was gazing into her own. She had many deja vu moments in the past, but this was different. Some sort of connection she couldn't quite place, like she had known him for a very long time. Yet, she didn't know his name.
She cleared her throat again, "I'm Celsia Vorrine. I hope you're all okay, given the circumstances.."
You'll never break my faith or my stride"
Kai Seward
It was a relief once Kai was finally untied and could again function like a normal human being. It was rather humiliating to be the only one who required assistance breaking free of his bonds, but nobody seemed to really think much of it- or care. There were much more pressing matters at hand. The man with the strange wolf ears (which also wasn't mentioned at all by anyone else) suggested taking his ship. While Kai wasn't exactly too keen on traveling with a bunch of strangers he had just met, there was a good chance wandering off on his own would once again lead to capture. Being out at sea sounded much, much better, and he had never been on a boat before. It sounded quite relaxing, and ot be honest all he wanted to do right now was relax by the water.
Without much more than a grunt and nod of approval at the idea, Kai followed the rest to the man's ship. It was certainly large enough to hold all of them. Did this man really have this ship all to himself? Not that Kai knew all too much about them, but it seemed like it was intended for at least a small crew. It wasn't really any of his concern, however. He was just looking forward to being surrounded by the sea, listening to the waves below and the gulls overhead. He didnt' even care how long the journey took. As long as the others weren't too annoying, staying aboard a ship with a bunch of strangers he'd almost died with shouldn't be much of a problem.
Kai remained above deck while most of the others went below. He stared out to the horizon- the sea seemed endless from this perspective. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the sounds of the waves as he massaged where the rope that bound him had bit into his wrists. Taking in the scent of the ocean, Kai almost felt at home. He was eager for the ship to set off- to be surrounded by the water. He imagined it wouldn't take long- if they didn't get out of there soon, there was sure to be more trouble, and it seemed a couple members of their ragtag party couldn't handle another ounce of stress.
It was a few minutes later when the frail-looking girl who had passed out earlier emerged onto the deck. He hadn't even noticed her presence until she spoke. So they would be leaving soon. Good.
Kai simply shrugged in response. He was sure his face looked a bit beat up, but all in all, he could have been in much worse shape.
"The sooner we get going, the better." He wouldn't be surprised if whomever of those cultists made it out of that mess were already frantically looking for them. "The name's Kai, by the way." he threw in almost as an afterthought.
Without much more than a grunt and nod of approval at the idea, Kai followed the rest to the man's ship. It was certainly large enough to hold all of them. Did this man really have this ship all to himself? Not that Kai knew all too much about them, but it seemed like it was intended for at least a small crew. It wasn't really any of his concern, however. He was just looking forward to being surrounded by the sea, listening to the waves below and the gulls overhead. He didnt' even care how long the journey took. As long as the others weren't too annoying, staying aboard a ship with a bunch of strangers he'd almost died with shouldn't be much of a problem.
Kai remained above deck while most of the others went below. He stared out to the horizon- the sea seemed endless from this perspective. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the sounds of the waves as he massaged where the rope that bound him had bit into his wrists. Taking in the scent of the ocean, Kai almost felt at home. He was eager for the ship to set off- to be surrounded by the water. He imagined it wouldn't take long- if they didn't get out of there soon, there was sure to be more trouble, and it seemed a couple members of their ragtag party couldn't handle another ounce of stress.
It was a few minutes later when the frail-looking girl who had passed out earlier emerged onto the deck. He hadn't even noticed her presence until she spoke. So they would be leaving soon. Good.
Kai simply shrugged in response. He was sure his face looked a bit beat up, but all in all, he could have been in much worse shape.
"The sooner we get going, the better." He wouldn't be surprised if whomever of those cultists made it out of that mess were already frantically looking for them. "The name's Kai, by the way." he threw in almost as an afterthought.
Tomorrow, we shall never surrender"
How can I live if I destroy?"
Laelynn Wyght
The creaking of a floorboard snapped Laelynn out of her thoughts, bringing her attention instead to a figure standing in the entryway. After a moment, she recognized it as Devlin. Had he been standing there for long? She hoped not. She remained silent as he approached and sat down beside her. Why was he sitting next to her? Hadn't he realized yet that she was dangerous? Did shoving him away mean nothing to him? Perhaps he, along with everyone else, had believed the entire earthquake was the result of the witch's spell. Perhaps he had chalked up her suddenly keeping him away to her being scared. He certainly seemed worreid. But why did he concern himself with her? She was nobody to him. The only thing that had kept them together before was a mutual fear and necessity to get away. Why did he feel the need to find her and sit beside her?
After a long, awkward silence, he finally spoke, asking for her name. Oh. She had heard his in passing, but she supposed there was no way he would have known hers. Greyson hadn't exactly been a kind man- not like the mayor had been. She wasn't even sure if Devlin had seen any more of the mayor's house than that one room he had been in when she called for him.
"Laelynn." She mumbled at first, not averting her gaze from a completely uninteresting wall. Then, realizing he probably hadn't caught what she said, she lifted her head up, looked over at him slightly and attempted to put a friendly smile on her face. "My name's Laelynn." She loosened her posture slightly, hoping it would lead him to believe that she was alright despite the fact she was anything but. "Sorry for meeting under such...unusual circumstances..." It felt sort of rude thinking about it now, that she had asked him for help when he hadn't even known her name. And yet, he'd been looking out for her throughout the whole ordeal. Devlin was far too kind- probably to a fault. He was certainly too kind to be worrying about somebody like her.
"Are we...getting ready to leave port?" She asked, not even sure where they were going or how long it would take for them to get there. The thought made her anxious, but she did her best to suppress it.
After a long, awkward silence, he finally spoke, asking for her name. Oh. She had heard his in passing, but she supposed there was no way he would have known hers. Greyson hadn't exactly been a kind man- not like the mayor had been. She wasn't even sure if Devlin had seen any more of the mayor's house than that one room he had been in when she called for him.
"Laelynn." She mumbled at first, not averting her gaze from a completely uninteresting wall. Then, realizing he probably hadn't caught what she said, she lifted her head up, looked over at him slightly and attempted to put a friendly smile on her face. "My name's Laelynn." She loosened her posture slightly, hoping it would lead him to believe that she was alright despite the fact she was anything but. "Sorry for meeting under such...unusual circumstances..." It felt sort of rude thinking about it now, that she had asked him for help when he hadn't even known her name. And yet, he'd been looking out for her throughout the whole ordeal. Devlin was far too kind- probably to a fault. He was certainly too kind to be worrying about somebody like her.
"Are we...getting ready to leave port?" She asked, not even sure where they were going or how long it would take for them to get there. The thought made her anxious, but she did her best to suppress it.
Where is the reason to exist?"
And act rich before I get paid"
Rais Crevan
A ship, huh? Thinking about it, it was probably their best bet. It was unlikely the crazed god worshippers would get themselves together fast enough to chase them by ship. If they were still in pursuit, it would likely be by foot. Though, judging by how that windmill had collapsed, Rais guessed the more sensible (or cowardly) of the bunch would be taking time to recover.
Rais smirked at the wolf-eared man led them to his supposed ship. There was no way a single man had this whole ship to himself, and there was no reason anybody would already be on board awaiting ambush. That would have required them to not only know which ship was his, but to plan ahead that their plot would be foiled- something he highly doubted even crossed their minds. Still, he had to give it to the man: he was a good liar. Rais was almost impressed at the man's quick thinking. Nobody else even questioned him.
Rais boarded last, watching everyone as they walked ahead of him. Wolf-ears had already taken the strangely familiar woman to a cabin to rest. A gorgeous blonde strut on after him, followed by who was apparently the god's equivalent of the dark, broody, rebellious teenage boy. Filing in slowly behind them was the worried boy and quiet girl, the latter of whom clearly had no desire to be there. Once on board, he continued to watch everyone go their separate ways. He figured they'd need some time to recuperate before they were willing to form a plan of action. Which was fine- Rais had all the time he needed now.
It wasn't too long before the girl who had previously been out cold approached. He was once again struck by a strong sense of familiarity though he had never seen her before in his life. She was introducing herself when she stopped suddenly, locking eyes with Rais. As she stared, he felt as if her eyes were a reflection of his own. While he was used to woman becoming tongue-tied around him, this was something different entirely. It wasn't an infatuation or desire of any kind. It was almost as if she was on the brink of some breaking realization. Rais, too, found himself caught up in this unusual gaze, unable to break it. What was it about this woman that tugged at him so strongly? Why did she feel so important to him?
The memory of a voice that he once knew echoed again in his mind.
'I'll see you again, Brother.'
Rais' eyes widened. Sister? Was she actually related to him not by mortal blood, but immortal ties?
The girl broke her gaze then, whether nervous from his reaction or nervous at her own he wasn't sure. She introduced herself again, this time finishing what she had originally meant to say. Rais blinked, careful to resume his previous demeanor and hoping nobody had caught on to his slip-up. If she really was his sister... well, he couldn't really do anything about it at the moment. She would surely think him some crazed madman if he suddenly told her that she was his sibling in their should-have-been-immortal lives. This would have to wait until they all knew about who they were. He would have time to learn more about everyone anyway, as they were now all on a ship together for an undisclosed amount of time.
Rais gave his usual charming smile (though not quite the same one he gave any other girls he met) as he introduced himself, "Rais Crevan. Once we get this ship sailing and everyone is settled, I'd be happy to fill you all in on what I know. We can plan from there."
A ship, huh? Thinking about it, it was probably their best bet. It was unlikely the crazed god worshippers would get themselves together fast enough to chase them by ship. If they were still in pursuit, it would likely be by foot. Though, judging by how that windmill had collapsed, Rais guessed the more sensible (or cowardly) of the bunch would be taking time to recover.
Rais smirked at the wolf-eared man led them to his supposed ship. There was no way a single man had this whole ship to himself, and there was no reason anybody would already be on board awaiting ambush. That would have required them to not only know which ship was his, but to plan ahead that their plot would be foiled- something he highly doubted even crossed their minds. Still, he had to give it to the man: he was a good liar. Rais was almost impressed at the man's quick thinking. Nobody else even questioned him.
Rais boarded last, watching everyone as they walked ahead of him. Wolf-ears had already taken the strangely familiar woman to a cabin to rest. A gorgeous blonde strut on after him, followed by who was apparently the god's equivalent of the dark, broody, rebellious teenage boy. Filing in slowly behind them was the worried boy and quiet girl, the latter of whom clearly had no desire to be there. Once on board, he continued to watch everyone go their separate ways. He figured they'd need some time to recuperate before they were willing to form a plan of action. Which was fine- Rais had all the time he needed now.
It wasn't too long before the girl who had previously been out cold approached. He was once again struck by a strong sense of familiarity though he had never seen her before in his life. She was introducing herself when she stopped suddenly, locking eyes with Rais. As she stared, he felt as if her eyes were a reflection of his own. While he was used to woman becoming tongue-tied around him, this was something different entirely. It wasn't an infatuation or desire of any kind. It was almost as if she was on the brink of some breaking realization. Rais, too, found himself caught up in this unusual gaze, unable to break it. What was it about this woman that tugged at him so strongly? Why did she feel so important to him?
The memory of a voice that he once knew echoed again in his mind.
'I'll see you again, Brother.'
Rais' eyes widened. Sister? Was she actually related to him not by mortal blood, but immortal ties?
The girl broke her gaze then, whether nervous from his reaction or nervous at her own he wasn't sure. She introduced herself again, this time finishing what she had originally meant to say. Rais blinked, careful to resume his previous demeanor and hoping nobody had caught on to his slip-up. If she really was his sister... well, he couldn't really do anything about it at the moment. She would surely think him some crazed madman if he suddenly told her that she was his sibling in their should-have-been-immortal lives. This would have to wait until they all knew about who they were. He would have time to learn more about everyone anyway, as they were now all on a ship together for an undisclosed amount of time.
Rais gave his usual charming smile (though not quite the same one he gave any other girls he met) as he introduced himself, "Rais Crevan. Once we get this ship sailing and everyone is settled, I'd be happy to fill you all in on what I know. We can plan from there."
But no on gets beyond this mask"
Lera glanced down at her worn map for the hundredth time. Where is this stupid town, I should be there already.... She continued to stroll through the woods, whistling a tune to herself, her heavy jewelry clanking together with each step.
The overgrown path led Lera to a posted intersection of the road, with 3 signs on it. She squinted to read the old words aiming in the direction of her travels.
'KIRLSA'.
"Uh..." She pulled out the map again. "What?" Looking between the post and the map, she let out a loud groan. Kirlsa. To the south....
"I went the wrong way....." Lera scrunched her nose in a pout and stuffed the map back into her pocket. The sun was setting so it wouldn't do to go all the way back now. I might as well just go there for the night. Maybe they'll have something interesting to do in town. Her boots loudly clunked along as she continued her journey.
----------------------------------------
Still on a winter's night they say,
when the wind is in the trees
when the moon is a ghostly galleon
tossed upon the cloudy seas--
Lera's loud voice echoed through the quiet woods. Barely seeing the path in front of her, she still marched on ahead without hesitation. Her boisterous entrance probably spooked any dangerous animals, so she had nothing to worry about.
The road was a ribbon of moonlight
and over the purple moor...
Lera paused as she felt a strange energy building around her, wrapping itself between the thick foliage and winding about her body. Her arms started to quiver.
"Huh..?" She lifted her hands to inspect them, when suddenly a powerful gust of wind forced itself from her hands.
"Ahhh~! What the fu-" Facing her hands away from herself, the forceful gale whipped around the forest, nearly tearing the leaves off of the trees. The deafening roar of wind tore through the silence so suddenly, as if a tornado made contact where she stood. Her metal bangles clashed together violently like bad wind chimes.
"Stop stop stop st--" The gust ceased seemingly as quickly as it began, leaving Lera frazzled. Her hair flew in disarray and parts of the woods around her now lay bare, the smaller shrubs being torn up and blown away. "Oh, Gods...." She lifted a shaky hand to her mouth. "...That was SO COOL!" She laughed to herself loudly, stomping her feet in excitement. Waving her arms around, she grinned. "Do it again! Ah!"
Her gleeful moment was cut short as a loud boom and flash of light in the distance caught her attention. Was that a firework?! Kirlsa must be close by! And so cool! She picked up the pace, leaving the crime scene behind her.
----------------
Lera pushed herself through the dense shrubbery and out into the moonlight. Kirlsa lay before her, with the sea just behind it. She couldn't quite hear what they were so excited about, but hearing the townspeople yelling and running about surely meant there was something fun going on in the town!
While casually making her way into the town, Lera made note of some interesting looking people running towards the docks. Ooooh, does Kirlsa have a troupe here too?! Before she could make her way to follow them and ask, her gaze was caught on a red-haired man on the ground. Hmmm.. She noted the destroyed windmill. Uh oh......maybe something happened with the performance... With all the best intentions in mind, Lera ran over to the man.
"I'm so sorry I missed the show! Are you guys okay?"
The overgrown path led Lera to a posted intersection of the road, with 3 signs on it. She squinted to read the old words aiming in the direction of her travels.
'KIRLSA'.
"Uh..." She pulled out the map again. "What?" Looking between the post and the map, she let out a loud groan. Kirlsa. To the south....
"I went the wrong way....." Lera scrunched her nose in a pout and stuffed the map back into her pocket. The sun was setting so it wouldn't do to go all the way back now. I might as well just go there for the night. Maybe they'll have something interesting to do in town. Her boots loudly clunked along as she continued her journey.
----------------------------------------
Still on a winter's night they say,
when the wind is in the trees
when the moon is a ghostly galleon
tossed upon the cloudy seas--
Lera's loud voice echoed through the quiet woods. Barely seeing the path in front of her, she still marched on ahead without hesitation. Her boisterous entrance probably spooked any dangerous animals, so she had nothing to worry about.
The road was a ribbon of moonlight
and over the purple moor...
Lera paused as she felt a strange energy building around her, wrapping itself between the thick foliage and winding about her body. Her arms started to quiver.
"Huh..?" She lifted her hands to inspect them, when suddenly a powerful gust of wind forced itself from her hands.
"Ahhh~! What the fu-" Facing her hands away from herself, the forceful gale whipped around the forest, nearly tearing the leaves off of the trees. The deafening roar of wind tore through the silence so suddenly, as if a tornado made contact where she stood. Her metal bangles clashed together violently like bad wind chimes.
"Stop stop stop st--" The gust ceased seemingly as quickly as it began, leaving Lera frazzled. Her hair flew in disarray and parts of the woods around her now lay bare, the smaller shrubs being torn up and blown away. "Oh, Gods...." She lifted a shaky hand to her mouth. "...That was SO COOL!" She laughed to herself loudly, stomping her feet in excitement. Waving her arms around, she grinned. "Do it again! Ah!"
Her gleeful moment was cut short as a loud boom and flash of light in the distance caught her attention. Was that a firework?! Kirlsa must be close by! And so cool! She picked up the pace, leaving the crime scene behind her.
----------------
Lera pushed herself through the dense shrubbery and out into the moonlight. Kirlsa lay before her, with the sea just behind it. She couldn't quite hear what they were so excited about, but hearing the townspeople yelling and running about surely meant there was something fun going on in the town!
While casually making her way into the town, Lera made note of some interesting looking people running towards the docks. Ooooh, does Kirlsa have a troupe here too?! Before she could make her way to follow them and ask, her gaze was caught on a red-haired man on the ground. Hmmm.. She noted the destroyed windmill. Uh oh......maybe something happened with the performance... With all the best intentions in mind, Lera ran over to the man.
"I'm so sorry I missed the show! Are you guys okay?"
Maren LeChance
"Mister LeChance."
The regal voice echoed throughout the banquet hall, practically dripping with authority.
"As Emperor of all Ter'Ciel I humbly thank you on behalf of all mankind."
Maren bowed his head and dropped to one knee.
"Thank you, Emperor. It is an honor -"
"Nay. Rise, young hero." The Emperor cut him off. "If not for your valiant efforts, that dragon would surely have razed these great lands into little more than a scorched desert by now. It is thanks to your quick thinking and strength that there wasn't a single life lost."
"Well, except for that dragon, hehe!" Maren scoffed, confidently flexing his bicep.
The Emperor spoke again, "As remuneration for your deeds, I shall hold a feast in your honor! -"
Maren could feel his mouth begin to water.
"- as well as any of my ten daughters' hand in marriage!"
With that, ten of the most gorgeous women Maren had ever seen sauntered into the banquet hall; blondes, brunettes, redheads, well-endowed, modest, statuesque, petite. Each one of them a perfect specimen of femininity, and each one was looking his way.
"Go ahead, Maren!" The Emperor's voice boomed. "Choose your bride to be!"
The young man felt his face grow hot and sweat began to form on his forehead.
Just one!? How on earth could he pick a single girl among this...menagerie of blossoms?
"Uh...uhmm..." Maren swallowed hard, "I...uh...I...duhhhh...I-I choose...I choose..."
"I'm so sorry I missed the show! Are you okay?"
Suddenly, there was light and his eyes were straining. He blinked once...twice...and saw a pair of boots in his direct line of sight.
'Whaa...?'
Someone was wearing the boots. Groggily, his gaze followed a pair of legs upward until...
"Nice..." Maren whispered, still half asleep. A dopey smile crept across his blank face.
Suddenly, he remembered everything. The windmill. The hooded figures. The witch. He saw her in his arms...they were escaping...but what happened then? The forest? Had he fallen asleep?
The young man's eyes flew open, and he sat upright in an instant. It was then that he saw her. Well...more of her.
She was tall and thin, dark hair framing freckled cheeks. She was looking down at him with an amused look on her face.
Maren frantically wiped the drool from his chin, trying his best not to blush.
"H-hi. I'm Maren. Uhm...what are you doing here? Wait, what am I doing here? Where is this, exactly? Is Kirlsa near here?"
He looked around...
"Hey...where's that witch lady!?"
The woman he'd rescued from the windmill was nowhere to be seen.
"What the hell...? She was just with me, I swear!"
A moment of silence passed while Maren attempted to piece together all that had occurred the night before as well as the potential whereabouts of a certain busty, raven-haired witch. He felt someone's gaze on him and realized that new girl was still staring at him, wearing that same pleasant expression as if it were painted on her face.
Realizing how strange he must seem to her, he made an attempt at humor...
"Usually it's me who's gone in the morning! Hehe...heh...heh..." he cleared his throat awkwardly. Turning toward her, he spoke again.
"My name is Maren. Wait...I said that already, didn't I? Uhm...what are you doing here? You, uh...you don't look like a local."
He'd hoped the sudden appearance of this mysterious girl was a sign of his luck beginning to pick up. But like any seasoned gambler will tell you, Lady Luck is fickle and has an odd sense of humor...
And act rich before I get paid"
Rais Crevan
With introductions aside and engines running, it was time for the unusual crew to set sail. Rais had suggested the town of Soleus- he was friendly with the owner of the Inn and believed he could get them a deal on some rooms. The town was busy enough that they would be difficult to find, unlike in Kirlsa, and it wasn't unusual for travelers along the coast to stop by. There was also another small town between it and Kirlsa, meaning it definitely wasn't the first place anyone who wasn't crushed beneath the windmill would go looking for them.
Once the docks were out of sight, everyone had gathered together to discuss what was going on. Rais had promised to fill them in. He glanced from face to face, attempting to read them. Kai and Hans were both glaring at him, though the latter seemed far more irritated for reasons Rais didn't know. Those two would be tough to win over. It was a shame, because Hans had quite the pretty face. Caedus seemed relaxed given the situation. Rais also noted that he no longer had wolf ears. There was a chance he wouldn't be too difficult to work with, though Rais would have to be careful not to overstep his boundaries with him. Devlin (who had introduced himself along with the girl named Laelynn once they had finally stopped hiding in some dusty cabin) waited patiently, his gaze purely innocent. He was trusting. He would be easy. Laelynn was as far back as she could be while still being amongst them, arms wrapped around herself as she glanced at the floorboards of the ship. Though she put on a smile when somebody looked her way, it wasn't convincing. Everything about her screamed fear and insecurity. She, too, would be easy to work with, though he suspected he would have to be careful how he delivered news to her. She was much like a porcelain doll- beautiful but extremely fragile. Then, there was Celsia. She watched him intently, seemingly lost in thought. Her gaze pulled at him, her familiarity demanding his attention, and he wished for nothing more at this moment than to sit with her alone and find out if she really was his sister, but they didn't have time for that now. Plus, Caedus seemed rather protective of her. It was unlikely he would catch her alone right now. It would have to wait.
"So, while hanging around Kirlsa, I caught wind of some interesting tidbits of information." Raise began, "Alcohol makes the tongue loose, and you wouldn't believe some of the things you can overhear in a tavern. Somebody who I believe was involved in the plot back there was a bit too heavy on the alcohol, and let some interesting things slip before getting kicked out of the tavern for being a loony. They were after some very special people- people who, not soon after, suddenly began showing up in a town that sees very few new faces.
"I'm sure you are all already aware that you're different. To what degree you have realized this, I don't know, but we are not like everyone else. We have powers that normal humans don't have. You were all hunted down because you have powers that haven't been seen since the ages of the gods."
Kai scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Special powers? Ages of the gods? The gods don't exist! This is real life, not some stupid fairy tale."
"Explain that earthquake that brought the entire windmill down, then. Some perfectly-timed coincidence?"
"I-..." Kai hesitated, trying to come up with an explanation. "That woman. She did something. I've never seen it, but I know some have the ability to practice magic. She was in the midst of casting something when the windmill came down."
Rais smirked as Kai tried to rationalize the situation to fit his beliefs. He was very closed-minded. If it wasn't for the fact the existence of magic was widely known, he suspected Kai wouldn't have even acknowledged that much. A witch was with them then. She was behind the massive pulse of energy. It was after that that he had been hit with all of those sudden flashbacks. Did she help awaken their powers?
"A witch was with you? Well, why would she try to kill all of you? If she was part of the...cult, I guess is the best term for them, why would she put all of their lives in grave danger when they clearly had a goal? And if she wanted to help you, why would she put your lives in danger with no warning? I don't know who she is or what she wanted, but she wasn't the one who created that earthquake.
"Listen, you can try to deny it all you want, but if you just give it some thought, I know every one of you can say you have a talent that others don't. That talent is your latent power. Didn't you feel it? Didn't you feel the surge of energy flowing through you just before the windmill collapsed? I wasn't in there, but I felt it. We're all here for a reason, and we have to find out what that reason is."
With introductions aside and engines running, it was time for the unusual crew to set sail. Rais had suggested the town of Soleus- he was friendly with the owner of the Inn and believed he could get them a deal on some rooms. The town was busy enough that they would be difficult to find, unlike in Kirlsa, and it wasn't unusual for travelers along the coast to stop by. There was also another small town between it and Kirlsa, meaning it definitely wasn't the first place anyone who wasn't crushed beneath the windmill would go looking for them.
Once the docks were out of sight, everyone had gathered together to discuss what was going on. Rais had promised to fill them in. He glanced from face to face, attempting to read them. Kai and Hans were both glaring at him, though the latter seemed far more irritated for reasons Rais didn't know. Those two would be tough to win over. It was a shame, because Hans had quite the pretty face. Caedus seemed relaxed given the situation. Rais also noted that he no longer had wolf ears. There was a chance he wouldn't be too difficult to work with, though Rais would have to be careful not to overstep his boundaries with him. Devlin (who had introduced himself along with the girl named Laelynn once they had finally stopped hiding in some dusty cabin) waited patiently, his gaze purely innocent. He was trusting. He would be easy. Laelynn was as far back as she could be while still being amongst them, arms wrapped around herself as she glanced at the floorboards of the ship. Though she put on a smile when somebody looked her way, it wasn't convincing. Everything about her screamed fear and insecurity. She, too, would be easy to work with, though he suspected he would have to be careful how he delivered news to her. She was much like a porcelain doll- beautiful but extremely fragile. Then, there was Celsia. She watched him intently, seemingly lost in thought. Her gaze pulled at him, her familiarity demanding his attention, and he wished for nothing more at this moment than to sit with her alone and find out if she really was his sister, but they didn't have time for that now. Plus, Caedus seemed rather protective of her. It was unlikely he would catch her alone right now. It would have to wait.
"So, while hanging around Kirlsa, I caught wind of some interesting tidbits of information." Raise began, "Alcohol makes the tongue loose, and you wouldn't believe some of the things you can overhear in a tavern. Somebody who I believe was involved in the plot back there was a bit too heavy on the alcohol, and let some interesting things slip before getting kicked out of the tavern for being a loony. They were after some very special people- people who, not soon after, suddenly began showing up in a town that sees very few new faces.
"I'm sure you are all already aware that you're different. To what degree you have realized this, I don't know, but we are not like everyone else. We have powers that normal humans don't have. You were all hunted down because you have powers that haven't been seen since the ages of the gods."
Kai scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Special powers? Ages of the gods? The gods don't exist! This is real life, not some stupid fairy tale."
"Explain that earthquake that brought the entire windmill down, then. Some perfectly-timed coincidence?"
"I-..." Kai hesitated, trying to come up with an explanation. "That woman. She did something. I've never seen it, but I know some have the ability to practice magic. She was in the midst of casting something when the windmill came down."
Rais smirked as Kai tried to rationalize the situation to fit his beliefs. He was very closed-minded. If it wasn't for the fact the existence of magic was widely known, he suspected Kai wouldn't have even acknowledged that much. A witch was with them then. She was behind the massive pulse of energy. It was after that that he had been hit with all of those sudden flashbacks. Did she help awaken their powers?
"A witch was with you? Well, why would she try to kill all of you? If she was part of the...cult, I guess is the best term for them, why would she put all of their lives in grave danger when they clearly had a goal? And if she wanted to help you, why would she put your lives in danger with no warning? I don't know who she is or what she wanted, but she wasn't the one who created that earthquake.
"Listen, you can try to deny it all you want, but if you just give it some thought, I know every one of you can say you have a talent that others don't. That talent is your latent power. Didn't you feel it? Didn't you feel the surge of energy flowing through you just before the windmill collapsed? I wasn't in there, but I felt it. We're all here for a reason, and we have to find out what that reason is."
But no on gets beyond this mask"
Caedes Risus
Any and all of Cae's thoughts were immediately interrupted by the annoying girls voice. 'Can't even have five minutes...' He thought to himself, as he watched Cel get up and try to introduce herself. He still wasn't exactly sure what all the names were on the ship.. but this person did have a point, he was the only one that knew how to work the engines... once he found exactly where they were either. Pasting his normal smile back on, he walked past the woman without saying anything until he was a step behind her. "Not exactly mine either, doll." Cae started humming that song again as he walked on down the hallway, arms up and hands behind his head as he lazily strolled forth, turning a corner to get back to the main hall.
Once around the corner, his hands went through his hair, feeling for where the ears he had would have come from... or, more importantly, why and how he had them in the first place. He tried to picture himself with them, getting annoyed with the thought of having his normal ears, and those wolf ears on top and let out a frustrated sigh the more he thought on it. 'Ah well... just another adventure.. and that Rais guy... he said he knew something'
Finally in the engine room, he got it all up and running again, the familiar hum of machinery working filled the ship. Easy enough for him to figure out, he had shut down a few engines like these in the past when raiding a ship, so he knew the general ends and outs of it. Rushing back up the bridge, not wanting any passerbyers to see that the ship was departing without it's normal crew. He passed by the main group, noticing them starting introductions without him, overhearing a couple names, but not able to put a face to them just yet. He set the ship in motion, turning the throttle up and steering them out of the port, putting the ship in a low speed until he heard the destination. He knew the waters fairly well out here, and set them in a course that they wouldnt run aground for quite a long time. He then checked the engine's fuel meter. "Good... that should last a few days at least." It had been a while since Cae had been on a ship this large.. it was nice to be back.
With a stretch and a slight yawn, the ex pirate made his way to catch the beginning of Rais' little speech. He listened to the man with folded arms over his chest, his eyes never leaving the silver haired man. There was some sense to what he said, despite the blue haired's interjections, Cae had experienced first hand. He was quick to notice the looks that Cel and Rais were giving each other, and wondered if he had missed something, but didn't think much of it for now.
The large man took a step forward, a bit into the circle they had created, "Alright, so I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, but what he's saying makes some sense... to me at least. I mean.. I apparently had wolf ears for who knows how long... And thats never happened before this." He gave a light shrug and a bit of a smile at his own thoughts. "Plus.." He turned towards the small girl beside him with a warm smile. "This one gets visions every now and then.. I like to think that it isn't just coincidence."
Any and all of Cae's thoughts were immediately interrupted by the annoying girls voice. 'Can't even have five minutes...' He thought to himself, as he watched Cel get up and try to introduce herself. He still wasn't exactly sure what all the names were on the ship.. but this person did have a point, he was the only one that knew how to work the engines... once he found exactly where they were either. Pasting his normal smile back on, he walked past the woman without saying anything until he was a step behind her. "Not exactly mine either, doll." Cae started humming that song again as he walked on down the hallway, arms up and hands behind his head as he lazily strolled forth, turning a corner to get back to the main hall.
Once around the corner, his hands went through his hair, feeling for where the ears he had would have come from... or, more importantly, why and how he had them in the first place. He tried to picture himself with them, getting annoyed with the thought of having his normal ears, and those wolf ears on top and let out a frustrated sigh the more he thought on it. 'Ah well... just another adventure.. and that Rais guy... he said he knew something'
Finally in the engine room, he got it all up and running again, the familiar hum of machinery working filled the ship. Easy enough for him to figure out, he had shut down a few engines like these in the past when raiding a ship, so he knew the general ends and outs of it. Rushing back up the bridge, not wanting any passerbyers to see that the ship was departing without it's normal crew. He passed by the main group, noticing them starting introductions without him, overhearing a couple names, but not able to put a face to them just yet. He set the ship in motion, turning the throttle up and steering them out of the port, putting the ship in a low speed until he heard the destination. He knew the waters fairly well out here, and set them in a course that they wouldnt run aground for quite a long time. He then checked the engine's fuel meter. "Good... that should last a few days at least." It had been a while since Cae had been on a ship this large.. it was nice to be back.
With a stretch and a slight yawn, the ex pirate made his way to catch the beginning of Rais' little speech. He listened to the man with folded arms over his chest, his eyes never leaving the silver haired man. There was some sense to what he said, despite the blue haired's interjections, Cae had experienced first hand. He was quick to notice the looks that Cel and Rais were giving each other, and wondered if he had missed something, but didn't think much of it for now.
The large man took a step forward, a bit into the circle they had created, "Alright, so I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, but what he's saying makes some sense... to me at least. I mean.. I apparently had wolf ears for who knows how long... And thats never happened before this." He gave a light shrug and a bit of a smile at his own thoughts. "Plus.." He turned towards the small girl beside him with a warm smile. "This one gets visions every now and then.. I like to think that it isn't just coincidence."
Celsia Vorrine
Though she felt embarrassed for so blatantly staring, there was something about Rais that held her attention. It was strange- she had never seen him before in visions but he carried an aura of familiarity about him. She pulled her gaze away from him to look at the others while he spoke. Kai, the one who looked ever frustrated, seemed doubtful that any of them could have hidden powers in them, but Celsia was all too familiar with her own to brush aside Rais' claims. She had also witnessed Cae's strange transformation, as well as the witch's powerful incantation. That surely couldn't be coincidence.
Hans, seeming entirely too inconvenienced by all this, glared at Rais from across the boat, listening but not speaking. Devlin and Laelynn sat near each other, one looking optimistic and the other terrified. Devlin seemed content to be on the boat and away from that pompous Lord back in the windmill. Laelynn had a forlorn look stuck on her face, deep in thought, eyes darting around. She recoiled as Kai and Rais brought up the windmill's collapse. ...I wonder what her power is, then, Celsia thought.
Caedes was by her side, as relaxed as ever. Maybe he didn't realize it, but he reached up to run his hand through his hair a few times, as if to check for a new pair of ears again. He didn't seem particularly phased or concerned with the current conversation, but he listened intently.
"...this one gets visions every now and then. I like to think that it isn't just coincidence." He gestured at her, with a smile. Celsia felt her face grow a bit red as she looked around at the others. More people to think i'm insane...
Taking a deep breath to collect herself, she nodded. "As crazy as that sounds...he's not lying." Celsia found herself staring at Rais again somehow. "I've experienced these sort of... visions and dreams, ever since I was young. I've seen most of you in them, long before we even met in person. ...Unfortunately they haven't told me much more than what we already know, at least so far. And they happen sporadically, so I can't just...make one happen when I want it to."
Glancing towards her scarred friend, she gestured towards his head. "Even if you don't believe me, it's as he said. He had... wolf ears. His eye color was changed too. And I gather there was some sort of...earthquake." She caught Laelynn shying away from the corner of her eye. The poor girl was probably traumatized by all that just transpired. "...I think if we do really have some latent power in all of us, it's a good idea for us to stick together until we can figure out why it's just surfacing now... especially while we are out of harms way."
Though she felt embarrassed for so blatantly staring, there was something about Rais that held her attention. It was strange- she had never seen him before in visions but he carried an aura of familiarity about him. She pulled her gaze away from him to look at the others while he spoke. Kai, the one who looked ever frustrated, seemed doubtful that any of them could have hidden powers in them, but Celsia was all too familiar with her own to brush aside Rais' claims. She had also witnessed Cae's strange transformation, as well as the witch's powerful incantation. That surely couldn't be coincidence.
Hans, seeming entirely too inconvenienced by all this, glared at Rais from across the boat, listening but not speaking. Devlin and Laelynn sat near each other, one looking optimistic and the other terrified. Devlin seemed content to be on the boat and away from that pompous Lord back in the windmill. Laelynn had a forlorn look stuck on her face, deep in thought, eyes darting around. She recoiled as Kai and Rais brought up the windmill's collapse. ...I wonder what her power is, then, Celsia thought.
Caedes was by her side, as relaxed as ever. Maybe he didn't realize it, but he reached up to run his hand through his hair a few times, as if to check for a new pair of ears again. He didn't seem particularly phased or concerned with the current conversation, but he listened intently.
"...this one gets visions every now and then. I like to think that it isn't just coincidence." He gestured at her, with a smile. Celsia felt her face grow a bit red as she looked around at the others. More people to think i'm insane...
Taking a deep breath to collect herself, she nodded. "As crazy as that sounds...he's not lying." Celsia found herself staring at Rais again somehow. "I've experienced these sort of... visions and dreams, ever since I was young. I've seen most of you in them, long before we even met in person. ...Unfortunately they haven't told me much more than what we already know, at least so far. And they happen sporadically, so I can't just...make one happen when I want it to."
Glancing towards her scarred friend, she gestured towards his head. "Even if you don't believe me, it's as he said. He had... wolf ears. His eye color was changed too. And I gather there was some sort of...earthquake." She caught Laelynn shying away from the corner of her eye. The poor girl was probably traumatized by all that just transpired. "...I think if we do really have some latent power in all of us, it's a good idea for us to stick together until we can figure out why it's just surfacing now... especially while we are out of harms way."
Lera Dothen
Lera listened intently to the red-haired man as he rambled about a mysterious witch. Poor thing, he must've hit his head when the performance went awry. She offered him a hand "I'm Lera Dothen!" She grinned at him, her smiling face a stark contrast against the atmosphere of the town around them. "I heard fireworks I think, and so I came here. But I guess I missed the show. It looks like your team did a number on that windmill, huh? Hehe."
The oblivious smile never left her face as she watched the frantic townspeople run by. Now that the initial shock of the impact had left them, it seemed they were growing angry, and wanted answers.
"Hummm." Tapping her chin with her index finger, she looked back towards the woods, then towards Maren again, leaning close to his face. "You must be in a pickle, huh?" She whispered. "It's okay, I've caused a bit of trouble before after some of my stunts too. If you'd like there's a trail in the woods that leads back North. We could get out before you have to pay for the damages...?"
The man looked as if his brain still hadn't caught up to current events. Lera eyed him up for a moment. His shaggy but vibrant red hair fell in disarray around his face. I wish I had red hair, lucky! He stood a few inches above her- even with her boots on- and she noted his lean, yet muscular figure. He's too cute to be dangerous! She decided, grabbing his hand.
"What do you say, uh..." What was his name again? "...Marlo?"
Lera listened intently to the red-haired man as he rambled about a mysterious witch. Poor thing, he must've hit his head when the performance went awry. She offered him a hand "I'm Lera Dothen!" She grinned at him, her smiling face a stark contrast against the atmosphere of the town around them. "I heard fireworks I think, and so I came here. But I guess I missed the show. It looks like your team did a number on that windmill, huh? Hehe."
The oblivious smile never left her face as she watched the frantic townspeople run by. Now that the initial shock of the impact had left them, it seemed they were growing angry, and wanted answers.
"Hummm." Tapping her chin with her index finger, she looked back towards the woods, then towards Maren again, leaning close to his face. "You must be in a pickle, huh?" She whispered. "It's okay, I've caused a bit of trouble before after some of my stunts too. If you'd like there's a trail in the woods that leads back North. We could get out before you have to pay for the damages...?"
The man looked as if his brain still hadn't caught up to current events. Lera eyed him up for a moment. His shaggy but vibrant red hair fell in disarray around his face. I wish I had red hair, lucky! He stood a few inches above her- even with her boots on- and she noted his lean, yet muscular figure. He's too cute to be dangerous! She decided, grabbing his hand.
"What do you say, uh..." What was his name again? "...Marlo?"
Maren LeChance
"Huh...? No, my name is Mar - woah!!"
Maren felt the girl take his hand, her skin soft and her grip...terrifyingly strong. He winced slightly as she dragged him to his feet.
"...Maren." He finished, dusting himself off. "Maren LeChance. And you are?"
She was cute. Freckle-faced and beaming happily. But despite that, Maren couldn't deny there was something foreboding about her. The way she smiled was mischievous and almost...sadistic. It reminded him of a girl he'd grown up with back in Serf...
Gretta. Gretta Hoogenak. Just remembering her name sent a chill up Maren's spine. She was a year older than him and about three times as large. She'd lived on the farm next door and her favorite hobby (besides chewing on screws and lifting 100lb bales of hay) was tormenting him to the point of tears. It was Gretta who had taught him that a knuckle sandwich wasn't very tasty.
But this girl was small and friendly and cute. She couldn't possibly be like Gretta...or could she...? Maren couldn't help but feel like he knew her from somewhere else.
"Hey, you ever happen to visit Davonshire before? You look familiar somehow."
It was then that the sounds of clamoring townsfolk caught Maren's ears.
"Oh, man. These people can't be happy about their windmill. I think you're right, we should get outta here. I'll explain what happened on the way. Uhm...where'd you say that trail was?"
At the mention of the trail, the girl beamed again, her eyes shining with excitement. Nah...there was no way this girl was trouble. If there was one thing Maren was an expert on, it was women, and this one totally fit the girl next door type; innocent, homely, and eager to be swept off her feet. All he had to do was play the hero, make her feel safe, and she'd be putty in his hands.
"Welp...let's be off." Maren stretched, being sure to flex his muscles while doing so, his voice dropping half an octave. "Just be sure to stay close to me. This area can be kinda dangerous."
And act rich before I get paid"
Rais Crevan
With the exception of Kai's initial skepticism, the group seemed to accept what Rais had said. Of course, he knew none of them would be able to deny it for long, but at least nobody else put up a fight. Most of them fell silent, deep in thought. He was certainly curious to know just what powers they all had. All he could gather from Caedes was that had the qualities of a wolf. Outside the power of sass, Hans was a mystery, as was their resident dark-haired angsty teen. Laelynn, perhaps, was aware of her power, but if she was, she certainly wasn't happy with it. It seemed that the more they talked, the more she shrunk into the shadows, begging not to be seen. Devlin was just kind of there, taking it all in. Again, Rais couldn't guess what power he had. Cel, however...
If it was true, if Celsia did have visions, then maybe she really was his sister. The woman he remembered had sworn to him with the utmost certainty that they would see each other again. And he had truly believed her. It was a piece that fit in all too nicely to be coincidence. It had to be true. Now, if he could only figure out what his true power was. He supposed he would figure it out as he struck around the others, especially if that witch Kai mentioned had helped awaken them.
For now, however, everyone needed to rest. He was sure the group needed time to process everything that had happened.
"I agree with Celsia. I mean, we don't exactly have much of a choice at the very moment, but separating could prove to be dangerous if we're all being hunted. For now, I'm sure you all need some rest. I can stay up and make sure this ship runs smoothly for a while." He flashed a smile as he patted the railing of the ship. "The rest of you have had quite the day. You should head below deck and relax as best you can."
With that, the group once again split up, finding their own spaces in the cabins. Kai was the last to go down, staring at the water for a bit before finally giving in to the exhaustion Rais could now see on his face. They said nothing to one another, but the kid did seem to calm down a bit. At least, he was no longer glaring at Rais.
So, this was the start of his grand adventure. This is what he had been looking for. This was the thing that had been calling to him for all this time, whispering promises of a great destiny in his ears, luring him away from the rich city he lived in to that hick village nobody cared about. What came next? He had to find out just what he could do. Rais knew he had great power- he just had to find it.
Light footsteps broke Rais out of his thoughts. He turned behind him to see Celsia approaching.
"Where's Captain Wolf Ears?"
She gave him a weird look before responding, "Caedes? He's below deck. I just came out for some fresh air."
Good. This was his chance to talk to her.
He scooted over slightly, indicating for her to come stand with him, though it seemed she had already been heading in that direction. They were silent for a moment as they both watched the waves. Though he had only just met her, it felt nice, almost as if this was something they ought to be doing together. It was Rais who spoke first.
"You said you had visions, right? Visions of the future?"
Celsia nodded. "I know it sounds odd, but I've had them for as long as I can remember. I see them in dreams. Unfortunately, I don't know what they are of until they happen..." She slumped slightly and her voice lowered. "If I did, I might have been able to avoid that windmill altogether."
Rais frowned, a look he didn't commonly wear earnestly. While he didn't know what had happened in there, it had clearly taken a toll on her. "I think I have something that will sound even odder than that." He waited until she looked up at him to continue. "What if I said I've had a vision too? When I first saw you, I was reminded of it, only clearer than the first time I had seen it. It was of a woman, promising that we'd see each other again. You remind me so much of that woman. You even look a lot like her. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I've known you. Like we have a connection of some kind. Not an attraction or anything like that, but something more important. Something that brought us together for a reason. Do you know what I mean?"
With the exception of Kai's initial skepticism, the group seemed to accept what Rais had said. Of course, he knew none of them would be able to deny it for long, but at least nobody else put up a fight. Most of them fell silent, deep in thought. He was certainly curious to know just what powers they all had. All he could gather from Caedes was that had the qualities of a wolf. Outside the power of sass, Hans was a mystery, as was their resident dark-haired angsty teen. Laelynn, perhaps, was aware of her power, but if she was, she certainly wasn't happy with it. It seemed that the more they talked, the more she shrunk into the shadows, begging not to be seen. Devlin was just kind of there, taking it all in. Again, Rais couldn't guess what power he had. Cel, however...
If it was true, if Celsia did have visions, then maybe she really was his sister. The woman he remembered had sworn to him with the utmost certainty that they would see each other again. And he had truly believed her. It was a piece that fit in all too nicely to be coincidence. It had to be true. Now, if he could only figure out what his true power was. He supposed he would figure it out as he struck around the others, especially if that witch Kai mentioned had helped awaken them.
For now, however, everyone needed to rest. He was sure the group needed time to process everything that had happened.
"I agree with Celsia. I mean, we don't exactly have much of a choice at the very moment, but separating could prove to be dangerous if we're all being hunted. For now, I'm sure you all need some rest. I can stay up and make sure this ship runs smoothly for a while." He flashed a smile as he patted the railing of the ship. "The rest of you have had quite the day. You should head below deck and relax as best you can."
With that, the group once again split up, finding their own spaces in the cabins. Kai was the last to go down, staring at the water for a bit before finally giving in to the exhaustion Rais could now see on his face. They said nothing to one another, but the kid did seem to calm down a bit. At least, he was no longer glaring at Rais.
So, this was the start of his grand adventure. This is what he had been looking for. This was the thing that had been calling to him for all this time, whispering promises of a great destiny in his ears, luring him away from the rich city he lived in to that hick village nobody cared about. What came next? He had to find out just what he could do. Rais knew he had great power- he just had to find it.
Light footsteps broke Rais out of his thoughts. He turned behind him to see Celsia approaching.
"Where's Captain Wolf Ears?"
She gave him a weird look before responding, "Caedes? He's below deck. I just came out for some fresh air."
Good. This was his chance to talk to her.
He scooted over slightly, indicating for her to come stand with him, though it seemed she had already been heading in that direction. They were silent for a moment as they both watched the waves. Though he had only just met her, it felt nice, almost as if this was something they ought to be doing together. It was Rais who spoke first.
"You said you had visions, right? Visions of the future?"
Celsia nodded. "I know it sounds odd, but I've had them for as long as I can remember. I see them in dreams. Unfortunately, I don't know what they are of until they happen..." She slumped slightly and her voice lowered. "If I did, I might have been able to avoid that windmill altogether."
Rais frowned, a look he didn't commonly wear earnestly. While he didn't know what had happened in there, it had clearly taken a toll on her. "I think I have something that will sound even odder than that." He waited until she looked up at him to continue. "What if I said I've had a vision too? When I first saw you, I was reminded of it, only clearer than the first time I had seen it. It was of a woman, promising that we'd see each other again. You remind me so much of that woman. You even look a lot like her. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I've known you. Like we have a connection of some kind. Not an attraction or anything like that, but something more important. Something that brought us together for a reason. Do you know what I mean?"
But no on gets beyond this mask"
The group continued to make some small talk, but it was obvious everyone was tired, frustrated, and confused. It seemed before Rais could finish his sentence, Hans was already strutting back into the depths of the ship. Devlin and Laelynn were quick to follow, the latter looking particularly relieved to be given some space to breathe.
As Rais ran his hand along the railing of the ship, Caedes stared him down with narrowed scarlet eyes. He seemed skeptical to trust this stranger with his ship, especially with all that just occurred, but if Rais truly did have a safe haven for them, then he would just have to leave it to fate. Celsia caught him flipping the bronze token once over in his hand, but couldn't see the results. Caedes sighed as he jammed it back into his pocket, and strolled over to the bridge of the ship to change their direction of travel to Soleus.
Shortly after, the two of them headed below deck as well, leaving Kai and Rais behind. There was something eerie about the silence of the cabin after all of the commotion. All that was left for now was the rhythmic churning of waves against the ship.
Caedes laid down on the bed, his arms behind his head. He stared at the ceiling. Celsia sat next to him and offered a smile. "I'm sure Rais will be okay up there. You need to rest, alright?" Cae shrugged at her, "Yeah, yeah...Well, hopefully I'm wrong."
Cel scooted herself over, laying next to him with her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it too much," She mumbled, "If we can get out of a collapsing windmill in one piece, I'm sure this will turn out fine too, right?" The optimistic words felt strange leaving her mouth. She wasn't completely convinced, herself.
Caedes didn't answer. "Cae?" Celsia lifted her head to look over at him. Already fast asleep, the pirate snored lightly, his face returned to its usual unworried self. She smiled to herself, glad he was finally taking a break. She stayed there for a while, taking in the peaceful quietness...until she realized her proximity to the man next to her. Feeling her heart start to race, Celsia quickly sat up.
"U-um.." She pointed towards the door, but the man was still fast asleep. "I'm going to go get some...air... sorry..." The girl quickly scurried out of the room, face red, and headed up to the main deck.
----
Kai had gone to sleep as well, but Rais remained. He seemed surprised to see her up, but even more so that Caedes was not with her. They stood next to each other by the edge of the ship for awhile, just watching the endless dark waves before them. After a moment he began to explain to her of his own vision- a woman, a promise.
"Does the woman you saw have a name?" She wondered aloud. "..I don't disagree though. I've had visions of almost everyone on this ship before I met them, so when I finally did, they seemed very familiar to me." She let out a sigh, "I felt it too though, the connection. Even though...you're the only person here who I haven't seen before, I feel like I already know you somehow. I think there's a lot of answers we need still. I hope you can recall more of what you saw, so we can find them."
"Until then, we are lucky to have you to guide us." Celsia smiled at him. She didn't know him for long but she felt like she knew him well already.
While staring out to the sea, Celsia noticed a small light over the horizon. "Oh...what is that? That can't be Soleus already, is it?" Leaning forward, she squinted her eyes, trying to figure out what it was. The light began to grow in intensity, becoming brighter and larger. "What-" In an instant the world around her was ripped apart, the dark sky becoming bright and blue, the sea turning into land, the boat, and Rais, disappearing. She looked around for cultists, but they weren't there. Two voices were yelling nearby. As Celsia went to investigate, she came across the source of argument-- Kai, and Rais. She couldn't quite make out what it was that was making them combative, but whatever it was brought them to blows. "What are you doing?!" She shouted, but her voice didn't reach them.
As Rais ran his hand along the railing of the ship, Caedes stared him down with narrowed scarlet eyes. He seemed skeptical to trust this stranger with his ship, especially with all that just occurred, but if Rais truly did have a safe haven for them, then he would just have to leave it to fate. Celsia caught him flipping the bronze token once over in his hand, but couldn't see the results. Caedes sighed as he jammed it back into his pocket, and strolled over to the bridge of the ship to change their direction of travel to Soleus.
Shortly after, the two of them headed below deck as well, leaving Kai and Rais behind. There was something eerie about the silence of the cabin after all of the commotion. All that was left for now was the rhythmic churning of waves against the ship.
Caedes laid down on the bed, his arms behind his head. He stared at the ceiling. Celsia sat next to him and offered a smile. "I'm sure Rais will be okay up there. You need to rest, alright?" Cae shrugged at her, "Yeah, yeah...Well, hopefully I'm wrong."
Cel scooted herself over, laying next to him with her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it too much," She mumbled, "If we can get out of a collapsing windmill in one piece, I'm sure this will turn out fine too, right?" The optimistic words felt strange leaving her mouth. She wasn't completely convinced, herself.
Caedes didn't answer. "Cae?" Celsia lifted her head to look over at him. Already fast asleep, the pirate snored lightly, his face returned to its usual unworried self. She smiled to herself, glad he was finally taking a break. She stayed there for a while, taking in the peaceful quietness...until she realized her proximity to the man next to her. Feeling her heart start to race, Celsia quickly sat up.
"U-um.." She pointed towards the door, but the man was still fast asleep. "I'm going to go get some...air... sorry..." The girl quickly scurried out of the room, face red, and headed up to the main deck.
----
Kai had gone to sleep as well, but Rais remained. He seemed surprised to see her up, but even more so that Caedes was not with her. They stood next to each other by the edge of the ship for awhile, just watching the endless dark waves before them. After a moment he began to explain to her of his own vision- a woman, a promise.
"Does the woman you saw have a name?" She wondered aloud. "..I don't disagree though. I've had visions of almost everyone on this ship before I met them, so when I finally did, they seemed very familiar to me." She let out a sigh, "I felt it too though, the connection. Even though...you're the only person here who I haven't seen before, I feel like I already know you somehow. I think there's a lot of answers we need still. I hope you can recall more of what you saw, so we can find them."
"Until then, we are lucky to have you to guide us." Celsia smiled at him. She didn't know him for long but she felt like she knew him well already.
While staring out to the sea, Celsia noticed a small light over the horizon. "Oh...what is that? That can't be Soleus already, is it?" Leaning forward, she squinted her eyes, trying to figure out what it was. The light began to grow in intensity, becoming brighter and larger. "What-" In an instant the world around her was ripped apart, the dark sky becoming bright and blue, the sea turning into land, the boat, and Rais, disappearing. She looked around for cultists, but they weren't there. Two voices were yelling nearby. As Celsia went to investigate, she came across the source of argument-- Kai, and Rais. She couldn't quite make out what it was that was making them combative, but whatever it was brought them to blows. "What are you doing?!" She shouted, but her voice didn't reach them.
And act rich before I get paid"
Rais Crevan
Rais listened intently as Cel spoke. He was relieved that he trusted her and also felt a connection- if she hadn't it would have made things incredibly awkward. Strange, though, that he was apparently the only one she hadn't yet seen. She was the only one who stood out to him in the few flashbacks he had. Nobody else around felt as familiar. Though, that didn't seem to affect how she felt about him very much.
He returned her smile, but before he could speak, she was suddenly learning forward and gazing out at...absolutely nothing. Rais tried to find something, but all he could see was the dark ocean all around them. "What are you talking about? There's nothing-" His sentence died short as he turned to Celsia to see her suddenly stiffen, eyes wide, seeming to be completely lost in her own world.
"Celsia? Hey, Celsia!" Reaching out to grab her shoulder, Rais suddenly felt as if he was being lifted into the air. He could still feel Celsia shoulder and the wood of the ship, but it all felt disconnected, like he was feeling through somebody else's body. The ocean became land, the waves became yells, and he was no longer seeing out of his own eyes.
Before him, he could see himself and Kai, yelling something incomprehensible. He watched himself smirk, then Kai yell in rage as he pulled back, aiming to punch Rais straight in the face. Rais easily caught the man's fist, and then time seemed to slow down. Kai almost seemed frozen.
Then, just as quickly as it happened, the vision left them, land once again become water, yells returning to waves, and all of Rais' senses bringing him back into himself. He felt Celsia tremble under his touch, and quickly made to catch her before she fell. She seemed weak, but was still awake. He, too, was suddenly aware of a strong fatigue that had washed over him.
"Was that...one of your visions?" He asked, panting slightly as his body tried to recover from the unexpected experience. It seemed Kai was going to be a problem after all. He had no clue what they had been fighting about, but he was sure Kai wasn't going to trust him easily. If he was as rough of a person as he seemed, however, the others might not be too fond of him either. He was, after all, the only one who had angrily objected to what all the others had known was the truth. Rais could play him without much of a problem.
"Kai does seem to be a bit of a hothead, doesn't he?" He said with a small smirk, making light of what he had just seen so as not to cause any concern. "Are you okay? Can you stand on your own?"
Rais listened intently as Cel spoke. He was relieved that he trusted her and also felt a connection- if she hadn't it would have made things incredibly awkward. Strange, though, that he was apparently the only one she hadn't yet seen. She was the only one who stood out to him in the few flashbacks he had. Nobody else around felt as familiar. Though, that didn't seem to affect how she felt about him very much.
He returned her smile, but before he could speak, she was suddenly learning forward and gazing out at...absolutely nothing. Rais tried to find something, but all he could see was the dark ocean all around them. "What are you talking about? There's nothing-" His sentence died short as he turned to Celsia to see her suddenly stiffen, eyes wide, seeming to be completely lost in her own world.
"Celsia? Hey, Celsia!" Reaching out to grab her shoulder, Rais suddenly felt as if he was being lifted into the air. He could still feel Celsia shoulder and the wood of the ship, but it all felt disconnected, like he was feeling through somebody else's body. The ocean became land, the waves became yells, and he was no longer seeing out of his own eyes.
Before him, he could see himself and Kai, yelling something incomprehensible. He watched himself smirk, then Kai yell in rage as he pulled back, aiming to punch Rais straight in the face. Rais easily caught the man's fist, and then time seemed to slow down. Kai almost seemed frozen.
Then, just as quickly as it happened, the vision left them, land once again become water, yells returning to waves, and all of Rais' senses bringing him back into himself. He felt Celsia tremble under his touch, and quickly made to catch her before she fell. She seemed weak, but was still awake. He, too, was suddenly aware of a strong fatigue that had washed over him.
"Was that...one of your visions?" He asked, panting slightly as his body tried to recover from the unexpected experience. It seemed Kai was going to be a problem after all. He had no clue what they had been fighting about, but he was sure Kai wasn't going to trust him easily. If he was as rough of a person as he seemed, however, the others might not be too fond of him either. He was, after all, the only one who had angrily objected to what all the others had known was the truth. Rais could play him without much of a problem.
"Kai does seem to be a bit of a hothead, doesn't he?" He said with a small smirk, making light of what he had just seen so as not to cause any concern. "Are you okay? Can you stand on your own?"
But no on gets beyond this mask"
Celsia Vorrine
In a blink, she was back on the boat. She took a deep breath in to clear her head, her eyes adjusting back to the dark of night. Her knees felt weak but her head was surprisingly clear. Rais was crouched next to her, a smirk spread across his paled face. "Was that... one of your visions?" He asked, seemingly a bit winded. What? How did he... "Are you okay? Can you stand on your own?" Celsia quickly stood up, nearly pushing him over in her haste. "S-sorry, I..." She ran her hand through her hair, at a loss for words. "You saw that? The vision?" Rais slowly rose up, leaning against the railing. He nodded.
"You.. felt that too?" She tried to get a good read on his face, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. "I've never.." The girl shook her head, "No one has ever seen them except for me before. How did you see it? Are you okay?" Her mind wandered back to what they had just seen. Clearly the argument between Kai and Rais was more than a minor understanding. What happened? When would it happen?
Her heart raced, the feeling of someone else sharing a vision with her was almost liberating. Now at least she knew one person would believe her fully, having experienced it as well. "Something...weird happened, you saw it, right? Do you think that has something to do with what your abilities might be?"
In a blink, she was back on the boat. She took a deep breath in to clear her head, her eyes adjusting back to the dark of night. Her knees felt weak but her head was surprisingly clear. Rais was crouched next to her, a smirk spread across his paled face. "Was that... one of your visions?" He asked, seemingly a bit winded. What? How did he... "Are you okay? Can you stand on your own?" Celsia quickly stood up, nearly pushing him over in her haste. "S-sorry, I..." She ran her hand through her hair, at a loss for words. "You saw that? The vision?" Rais slowly rose up, leaning against the railing. He nodded.
"You.. felt that too?" She tried to get a good read on his face, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. "I've never.." The girl shook her head, "No one has ever seen them except for me before. How did you see it? Are you okay?" Her mind wandered back to what they had just seen. Clearly the argument between Kai and Rais was more than a minor understanding. What happened? When would it happen?
Her heart raced, the feeling of someone else sharing a vision with her was almost liberating. Now at least she knew one person would believe her fully, having experienced it as well. "Something...weird happened, you saw it, right? Do you think that has something to do with what your abilities might be?"
Lera Dothen
Ooh, he's lean, Lera raised her brows and watched the disheveled boy stroll toward the forest trail. She picked up the pace to walk next to him, never taking her smiling eyes off of him. He almost seemed a little nervous under her unending, intense stare. It wasn't long before the dense wood muffled the sounds of Kirsla. It was quiet now, and Lera hated quiet.
Maren had opened his mouth to say something, but it was quickly cut off by Lera's boisterous and off-tune voice. Even the evening birds dared not to try and interrupt her deafening serenade- they knew she would just get louder.
And with no trace of hesitation,
she keeps going head over heels!
Paving the way!
Pushing through unknown jungles every day!
She's a girl with a taste for the world--
Lera halted for a moment, her eyes suddenly becoming wild and frantic. "Wait a minute." She scurried off into the thick brush off the trail, leaving Maren alone. Returning with two large sticks, she handed them off to the boy. "Here, you can hit these together! It'll sound better that way." And without taking no for an answer, she began to march forward again, her voice cutting through the night.
Approximately one long hour later, Lera decided it was time for a quick rest. Plopping herself down onto a mossy rock, she smiled at her new travel companion again. "You're quite the percussionist. Are you in a troupe? Is that what happened at the windmill?"
She leaned forward, barely giving him time to process her barrage of questions. "Are you from around here? Do you have siblings, how did you get here?" Her voice increased in intensity with each sentence, she seemingly never ran out of breath. "DID YOU KNOW I CAN MAKE A LITTLE TORNADO?!"
Ooh, he's lean, Lera raised her brows and watched the disheveled boy stroll toward the forest trail. She picked up the pace to walk next to him, never taking her smiling eyes off of him. He almost seemed a little nervous under her unending, intense stare. It wasn't long before the dense wood muffled the sounds of Kirsla. It was quiet now, and Lera hated quiet.
Maren had opened his mouth to say something, but it was quickly cut off by Lera's boisterous and off-tune voice. Even the evening birds dared not to try and interrupt her deafening serenade- they knew she would just get louder.
And with no trace of hesitation,
she keeps going head over heels!
Paving the way!
Pushing through unknown jungles every day!
She's a girl with a taste for the world--
Lera halted for a moment, her eyes suddenly becoming wild and frantic. "Wait a minute." She scurried off into the thick brush off the trail, leaving Maren alone. Returning with two large sticks, she handed them off to the boy. "Here, you can hit these together! It'll sound better that way." And without taking no for an answer, she began to march forward again, her voice cutting through the night.
Approximately one long hour later, Lera decided it was time for a quick rest. Plopping herself down onto a mossy rock, she smiled at her new travel companion again. "You're quite the percussionist. Are you in a troupe? Is that what happened at the windmill?"
She leaned forward, barely giving him time to process her barrage of questions. "Are you from around here? Do you have siblings, how did you get here?" Her voice increased in intensity with each sentence, she seemingly never ran out of breath. "DID YOU KNOW I CAN MAKE A LITTLE TORNADO?!"
And act rich before I get paid"
Rais Crevan
Rais listened intently as Celsia spoke. How curious it was that she had never shared a vision with another person before. It seemed to take her by surprise as well. Did it have something to do with their relationship? Surely if they had been siblings in the past, he would have a connection with her that nobody else could.
As she mentioned his abilities, he replayed the vision in his head. It was obvious Rais had had an advantage over Kai. He had seemed to easily read the angered man's moves. Kai's fist connected with Rais' palm, and then everything seemed to slow down. At first Rais had chalked it up to the vision slowing down as it ended, but Celsia seemed to find something unusual about it. Was it something else that was happening? Though, it seemed doubtful that it had been caused by another person, and Rais doubted Kai had that sort of power. He seemed far too uptight for somebody who had control over time itself. Was it Rais himself, then, who had the ability to alter time? The flashbacks he had had earlier in the day hadn't had any indication of his powers- rather, it simply helped him realize who he was. Nothing stood out to him at the moment either.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Rais answered with a smirk. "I'm not entirely sure what the extent of my abilities are- just that we all have a destiny far greater than that of any normal human. For now, though, I think we both need some rest. You've had quite the day, and that vision kind of wore me out. There will be plenty of time to discuss things further in the morning. Sleep well." He reached out, ruffling her hair a little. He waited until she had walked back to her cabin before finding a place for himself to sleep.
Things were certainly getting interesting. It seemed he would have to be careful around Kai. The boy certainly wasn't a threat, but it was clear he would be against him. For now, he was just glad Celsia was so accepting of what was happening. It wasn't usual for him to feel emotionally connected to another person, but he was happy to be reunited with his sister. He would make sure they both realized their destinies, regardless of anybody else in the group.
Rais listened intently as Celsia spoke. How curious it was that she had never shared a vision with another person before. It seemed to take her by surprise as well. Did it have something to do with their relationship? Surely if they had been siblings in the past, he would have a connection with her that nobody else could.
As she mentioned his abilities, he replayed the vision in his head. It was obvious Rais had had an advantage over Kai. He had seemed to easily read the angered man's moves. Kai's fist connected with Rais' palm, and then everything seemed to slow down. At first Rais had chalked it up to the vision slowing down as it ended, but Celsia seemed to find something unusual about it. Was it something else that was happening? Though, it seemed doubtful that it had been caused by another person, and Rais doubted Kai had that sort of power. He seemed far too uptight for somebody who had control over time itself. Was it Rais himself, then, who had the ability to alter time? The flashbacks he had had earlier in the day hadn't had any indication of his powers- rather, it simply helped him realize who he was. Nothing stood out to him at the moment either.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Rais answered with a smirk. "I'm not entirely sure what the extent of my abilities are- just that we all have a destiny far greater than that of any normal human. For now, though, I think we both need some rest. You've had quite the day, and that vision kind of wore me out. There will be plenty of time to discuss things further in the morning. Sleep well." He reached out, ruffling her hair a little. He waited until she had walked back to her cabin before finding a place for himself to sleep.
Things were certainly getting interesting. It seemed he would have to be careful around Kai. The boy certainly wasn't a threat, but it was clear he would be against him. For now, he was just glad Celsia was so accepting of what was happening. It wasn't usual for him to feel emotionally connected to another person, but he was happy to be reunited with his sister. He would make sure they both realized their destinies, regardless of anybody else in the group.
But no on gets beyond this mask"
How can I live if I destroy?"
Laelynn Wyght
They were closing in on her, and they were closing in fast. It seemed no matter how fast she ran, the cultists gradually got closer despite the fact they were only walking. Her legs were getting tired- she wouldn't be able to run for much longer. She turned around briefly to see them still gaining on her. Before she could turn back around, she bumped into something. Strong arms pulled her in. The rest of the cultists caught up.
As much as she screamed and kicked to break free, the grip on her only seemed to tighten. She was surrounded by the cloaked cultist members. She could hear them whispering to each other, though she couldn't make out what they said. There was a glint of light as one of the members lifted a dagger into the air.
She didn't have a choice. If she didn't do it, she would die. With a scream, she released a powerful burst of energy, knocking everyone near her away. The person who had held the dagger crashed into a tree, weapon limp at his side. He was no longer wearing a cloak. Sad gray eyes looked back at her.
"D-D-Devlin?!"
"Why? I thought..."
No...no...no!
"How could you?!"
She whipped around to see Caedes standing up, a vicious expression on his face.
"No... the cultists...I didn't..."
"He's going to die, and it's all your fault." Kai growled.
"We trusted you!" Celsia yelled as Caedes helped her up, her eyes full of tears.
"I-...I didn't... I thought...I-I'm..." Laelynn fell to her knees and screamed.
Laelynn awoke with a start. A thin blanket was tangled around her body. She was in a cabin. Cae's ship. They were at sea. They got away from the cultists.
As she tried to calm her breathing, she glanced around the cabin. Devlin was sleeping in another bed. She couldn't recall sharing a cabin with him, but then she couldn't recall much that had happened after boarding the ship. She vaguely recalled a meeting they all had before going to bed. Devlin had stayed near her, silent but watching, almost like a guardian. He must have gone with her when she went to bed without her really noticing. It had been hard to focus on much of anything after everything that had happened. Why was he so adamant on being around her after what she had done?
Taking a deep, steady breath, Laelynn untangled herself from the blanket and stood up. Maybe a nice walk up to the deck would help her feel better. As she walked, she rested her hand against the walls of the ship, steadying her still slightly shaky body. She stopped before she reached the stairs to the deck, pressing her hand slightly harder against the wood. Something didn't feel right. This section of the ship felt quite weak. It didn't seem like it would take much pressure before it would break. Was Caedes aware of this? How could she explain it? She did recall that man, Rais, mentioning their powers. Perhaps that would be enough for them to believe her. She would have to find Caedes and tell him. The last thing they needed was a leak before they got to port.
It didn't take long for her to find him- he was already awake and on deck. Slowly, she approached him.
"Um...excuse me, Caedes? I'm sorry to bother you, but I found a weak section in one of the walls of your ship. I wanted to let you know in case you weren't aware. I'm not sure how close to port we are, but it feels...very weak, and I think it needs attention sooner rather than later."
As much as she screamed and kicked to break free, the grip on her only seemed to tighten. She was surrounded by the cloaked cultist members. She could hear them whispering to each other, though she couldn't make out what they said. There was a glint of light as one of the members lifted a dagger into the air.
She didn't have a choice. If she didn't do it, she would die. With a scream, she released a powerful burst of energy, knocking everyone near her away. The person who had held the dagger crashed into a tree, weapon limp at his side. He was no longer wearing a cloak. Sad gray eyes looked back at her.
"D-D-Devlin?!"
"Why? I thought..."
No...no...no!
"How could you?!"
She whipped around to see Caedes standing up, a vicious expression on his face.
"No... the cultists...I didn't..."
"He's going to die, and it's all your fault." Kai growled.
"We trusted you!" Celsia yelled as Caedes helped her up, her eyes full of tears.
"I-...I didn't... I thought...I-I'm..." Laelynn fell to her knees and screamed.
Laelynn awoke with a start. A thin blanket was tangled around her body. She was in a cabin. Cae's ship. They were at sea. They got away from the cultists.
As she tried to calm her breathing, she glanced around the cabin. Devlin was sleeping in another bed. She couldn't recall sharing a cabin with him, but then she couldn't recall much that had happened after boarding the ship. She vaguely recalled a meeting they all had before going to bed. Devlin had stayed near her, silent but watching, almost like a guardian. He must have gone with her when she went to bed without her really noticing. It had been hard to focus on much of anything after everything that had happened. Why was he so adamant on being around her after what she had done?
Taking a deep, steady breath, Laelynn untangled herself from the blanket and stood up. Maybe a nice walk up to the deck would help her feel better. As she walked, she rested her hand against the walls of the ship, steadying her still slightly shaky body. She stopped before she reached the stairs to the deck, pressing her hand slightly harder against the wood. Something didn't feel right. This section of the ship felt quite weak. It didn't seem like it would take much pressure before it would break. Was Caedes aware of this? How could she explain it? She did recall that man, Rais, mentioning their powers. Perhaps that would be enough for them to believe her. She would have to find Caedes and tell him. The last thing they needed was a leak before they got to port.
It didn't take long for her to find him- he was already awake and on deck. Slowly, she approached him.
"Um...excuse me, Caedes? I'm sorry to bother you, but I found a weak section in one of the walls of your ship. I wanted to let you know in case you weren't aware. I'm not sure how close to port we are, but it feels...very weak, and I think it needs attention sooner rather than later."
Where is the reason to exist?"
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