Acantha Periit's Story

Aurel couldn't rest or more like something was preventing him from resting. It was only moments ago that Aurel was enveloped in silence, than the peace was quickly invaded by noise. Not noise one could hear with their ears or see with their eyes. No. It was the one you could feel with your gut, an impending noise that if not contained it cold cause much havoc. Maybe it was this that was causing him such disarray, such uneasiness in his mind.

A soft touch, almost like a feather, landed on his nose. In reaction he quickly twitched his noise and he heard a soft laughter. Slowly opening his eyes, Aurel locked his eyes with Aria’s own red orbs. His sharp gaze stared at hers for what seemed forever, but was only a few seconds. He quietly listened to his friend's voice, ”You are right Aria. Something is here. And just not in the clearing, but throughout the forest.” Reaching for his mask, Aurel put it back on. Silence once again returned until he spoke up, yet this time one could no longer see his expressions as the mask restricted their visibility.

He stood up and stared out toward the east, “But….someone has passed my illusions.” Aurel could feel Aria’s gaze on him and he turned to her, his expression soft behind the mask. ”Do not worry, it is just Argo and Rain.”

Aurel spoke cheerfully, though he had left out the small detail that they weren't alone. Though he knew Aria must have felt this as well, so he said nothing. Walking to the edge of the rooftop he swiftly jumped down onto a nearby branch. Once balanced he than preceded to the next and to the next until he had finally reached the bottom. He didn’t even have to glance behind him to see if Aria was there, as he could feel her soft footsteps following him with great ease.

About to exit the village, he paused at the sound of extra movement behind them, “What is wrong?” He saw that some of the villagers stood behind Aria and Aurel with grimaces on their faces. One of them spoke, a tall muscular man by the name of Decim, “Aurel! Why are you leaving the village?! Is something the matter?”

Aurel stared at them for a while before speaking in a calming voice, “Well…it seems Argo has brought back some new friends. So I was- “ Before he could finish Decim interrupted, “If it is new refugees why hasn’t she brought them here? Why has she kept them out of the village, if they are allies?!”

At this question Aurel looked straight at Decim, ”Do you…not believe in Argo or I?” At these words everyone froze saying nothing. A different kind of silence surrounded the area and everyone could feel it.

Quickly Aurel lightened the mood making everything seem as if it had only been a minor issue, “Well! Why don’t you come with us Decim? I would like for you to see our guest, and maybe if they see you they won’t be so uneasy."

Decim could sense the hint of teasing in Aurel’s tone but he only let out a simple sigh, “Of course. If you want me to than I will happily come, Aurel.” With those words Aurel, Aria, and Decim exited the village.

Arriving at the clearing Aurel spotted only one familiar face, which was Argo, quietly walking up to her he noticed that the others had their eyes on him. He lifted a finger to indicate them to stay silent. Standing behind Argo he spoke to her, “Argo you weren't being mean to our guest were you?” He said this in a playful tone as he knew Argo was not one to play around. She was a woman who got the job done without any unneeded attachments. So if that meant the people who she helps doesn’t like her, oh well.

Aurel was now crisscrossed on the ground examining the four new intruders. Was that a harsh word? Well, that was what Aurel thought of them, and he was doubtful he wold change it anytime soon. “Well isn’t this a surprise. When you told me you had some new faces…I didn’t expect them to look so…interseting.” He couldn't help but let out a light laugh at the expressions of the four. But than he stopped and looked at them. The air turning sort of serious.

“Well, to be honest I don’t quite understand all this either. All I know is what Rain has given me. He told me that five people need my help. But…” Glancing around Aurel surveyed the surrounding area, “It seems neither he nor our fifth guest has arrived. Oh well…I guess I can introduce myself in the meantime.”

He stood up with ease and bowed at the four, “Hello, it is nice to meet everyone. My name is Odysseus Aurelius, but you can call me Aurel.” Pointing his finger behind him he introduced the others, ”The one with the doubtful expression is Decim, Decim Titian. And the other one is Ariadnê Spyros, but we all call her Aria. And it seems you already meet Argo.”

He glanced over at Argo, than back at the guest, ”It seems you have a lot of questions and not a lot of information, though until a certain person arrives I can’t tell you much.” He said this in apologetic tone. Suddenly he heard the crunching of twigs and maybe Decim heard it as well as he stood in attention with his weapon readied. Though he slowly lessened his grip once he saw who it was. You could see Aurel's mannerism change, happily welcoming the visitor, “You’re finally here Rain! I was wondering how long you were going to be.” Seating himself back down, Aurel let the side of his face lean on his fist. He waited patiently for Rain to draw closer so he could explain all the commotion.