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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 28, 2020 21:35:39 GMT -5
“No one held our hands?” Ayla raised a brow and shook her head. “We come from a different time, Jen. If someone could have helped guide me through the void the first time I entered it I would have gladly taken their assistance.” She scoffed slightly as her brows pulled together.
**
Lily tensed slightly as Jenna entered the shop. Her eyes looked to the woman as the tension tightened within the room. Rykalis seemed none too happy to see Jenna. Almost as if they knew each other. It was a long moment. Painful almost. Lily wanted to speak but she thought it was otherwise not in her best of plans. When the others entered the room she let out a sigh of relief. Ren’s chipper attitude saved the day it seemed. The apothecary, Rykalis, Jenna called her, smiled to Ren’s presence. “It has been a long time dear. Ayla.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the woman, she kissed her cheek. “You look well.” She cupped her cheeks and smiled. Rykalis turned her gaze to Leliana a soft smile about her lips. “I’ve heard of you, the stories speak true to your appearance.” She smiled before she stepped back over to her desk where she sat down.
The woman drew in a breath and gave a nod. “History has a way of twisting itself. Causing things to entangle with others.” Her eyes looked to Jenna, an almost distaste in her voice. “I once was the protector of Ryvalde. The last elf to live beneath the surface in the hidden city that held gems and artifacts the humans could only imagine. Magic beyond what a human was capable of. I lived there in solitude until my sweet niece Ayla showed up one day, during her times of trouble.” Her brows furrowed slightly. “The seed that I protected that was locked behind that stone doors was unlocked by Ayla. Her blood. Hm.” She gave a slight nod. “Only a true dragon rider could unlock it and her mother seemed to be one of the last, I was not gifted with such magics.”
Rykalis shifted slightly, “I entrusted the city to another elf, as I had done my time there, I wanted to see the world and I wanted to see the things that Ayla could do with her new found magic.” She gave a soft smile. “To my surprise the world had not changed. Humans still fought those that were different from them. However, elves had risen into power. Reisguard had formed. I traveled to the great city and I heard of a rumor. The oracle had seen something in the future. A dreadful future full of destruction and chaos. An end.” Her eyes once again seemed to glare to Jenna.
“The king and queen were terrified. They rushed to the town apothecary, whom I had become. They asked for protection spells. For anything to protect the future...” She paused a moment and nodded, “I joined the Circle, to unearth just exactly what they were brewing. The torture that I saw young mages endure.” She shuddered slightly. “I caught wind of the king’s plans...” Her eyes dropped, “I saw the child first hand...” She didn’t look up from the pages before her. “It was a dreadful thing, what the Circle did...the things that they have done...the things they wanted me to do...” She shook her head. “I...never wanted to participate and yet if I would have not followed the commands I would have been killed. As easy as that. I had to protect the elves...the first to rise in power since the destruction of Alexander.” Her eyes looked to Alya whom lowered her own gaze.
Rykalis sucked in a breath then. “I formulated a plan. Only a well trained mage could perform such magic...and I couldn’t be found by the Circle...” She bit her lip slightly. “I ran from the Circle to Reisguard. I ran to the king and queen and I hid myself from the Circle, falling into the job as the apothecary.” She paused as she looked to Lily. “You, Lily. You must feel that your power is much different from that of Jen. Or even Ayla, or Ren. Even Leliana does not have magic like you, dear.” She tilted her head slightly. “Your mother was barren. Unable to bare a child. But, I found a way to bring Reisguard back from the ashes.” Rykalis bit her lip slightly. “Your mother was blessed with the child of Castiel. An angel that was very close to her from her young age. From her lineage. Her bloodline was pure. An angel would willingly protect your family if need be….” She paused as she looked over the shocked expression on Lily’s face. “You...are that child, Lily.” Her eyes searched the icy hues.
“The...vision from the void.” Lily choked the words out, her voice trembled. “The baby...the blood...” Her body quaked. She watched as Rykalis lowered her gaze. “I...”
Rykalis drew in a breath, “You are the daughter of an angel. You have Divine blood coursing through your veins. It is the only way that you are capable of such power, the only way that you will defeat this dark army and the king...the only way that your people will be restored.” She let out a breath and gave a nod.
Lily drew her brows together. She shook her head. “This...cannot...” She stood abruptly. “You want to call Jenna an abomination? Huh? You helped make her?!” She nearly yelled this, tears welled in her eyes. “Then...you...you play god and call upon an angel?” She was shaking as she spoke, it could be heard in her voice. The glass objects of the room quivered and clinked together as Lily’s magic surged from her rage. “None of this should have ever happened!” She snapped as she threw the tea mug across the room with a precise aim to hit Rykalis. The woman ducked just in time for the mug to shatter against the wall behind her.
As Rykalis stood she looked to where Lily was standing and a puff of blue smoke swirled in her wake before it dissipated. She pressed her lips into a flat line. “That...could have gone better...” She muttered softly before her eyes lifted to Ayla.
“She’ll come around.” Ayla gave a slight nod before she looked to Leliana. “Won’t she?”
“She’s...difficult...” Leliana spoke as she crossed her arms. “She’s been through a lot. A lot has already been taken to her...I’m not entirely sure this was the best of ways for her to find out about her lineage...” She looked to Rykalis as she gave a long sigh. “Jen. Can you find her?” She questioned, “You’ve a knack for things like that.” She gave a gentle smile.
**
Lily sat on the dock of a nearly frozen lake. The wind whipped around her as a storm brewed in the distance. Tears rolled over her cheeks. Everything she’d ever known had changed. Her reality was somehow nothing but a lie. To cope with such a thing...after the damage she’d already endured…
She had vanished and teleported herself nearly an hour away. Not a small feat for most mages. But for her it was nothing more than a breath of air. She hadn’t tried to teleport herself, then again her emotions were what fueled her. The more angry she became, the more power consumed her...the more unstable she was.
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Post by Raven on Jan 29, 2020 17:18:45 GMT -5
Jenna tilted her head as the story of Rykalis played through her lips. She knew of the woman, though not as much as she told. Part of her didn't care, she wanted her to get to the point. Time was of the essence... She lifted a brow as the truth was unfolded. An angel... she crossed her arms and leaned against a book shelf in the back slightly, waiting for the next moment. There was a burst of power - and rage, as Lily came to her senses of this truth.
Jenna stepped forward slightly and held her hand out - the shattered tea cup didn't fall to the ground. The pieces formed back together and it float to the desk. "Fine, I'll get her" she scoffed and then her eyes switched from a glowing blue to glowing purple. Her hues peered and she could see - the remnants of the teleportation that Lily had performed. It left a hazy hue in the spot that she had sat once. She moved forward and touched the air - her hand surrounded by this color. She sucked in a breath and then disappeared, following the rift trace that Lily left.
She held a hand up slightly, an orb forming around her - to block the cold and breeze... She looked to the woman who sat in silence. She waited for a long moment before stepping forward. Her boots crunched into the snow, leaving foot prints that faded from the oncoming snow that fluttered from the sky. Jen stopped behind the girl, and then she made her way to the woman's side and sat down. Her feet dangled on the edge of the dock, a few feet above the light layer of ice over the water.
Jen didn't say anything - she simply sat. The orb around her grew bigger, including Lily in its comfort. Within the protective - and nearly see through orb - it was warm and toasty, comfortable. "Truth hurts" she muttered and then let out a deep breath. Her hues looked to the ice capped mountains in the distance. "Knowing the truth doesn't change you, or what is happening now." she turned her gaze to the woman, and then away, avoiding the gaze of her orbs upon the woman's tears. "But, doesn't make it easy..." she added. "People think hiding the truth from us is keeping us safe... in some ways it is true. We're not perfect beings..." she chuckled. "I'm not very good at these pep talks..." she shook her head. "Truth is, I've been in your boat my entire life. Angry at the truth, I spent the entire time trying to figure it out, and exact my revenge on it..." she watched as the storm crept over the mountain, lightning strikes from the thick of the clouds.
"And... you have the right to be angry" she added. "But don't be like me, don't let it control you..." she turned her head and then peered to her once more. "Despite the truth, you still have a choice..." she smiled weakly. "I always did too... but I feared my choices and let the unknown manipulate me. But now... you know. You could take this and run with it, or you could run away from it..." she stood slowly. "But sometimes" she grinned. "It's fun to just get a little bit of that out of you" she held a hand up then.
Forming over the lake in the very center - ice began to gather, shaping and forming swiftly. Within in a minute - a beautiful glistening ice dragon had been crafted by her magic, like a hundred sculptures had worked at this piece of work. It's wings spread wide into the air, mouth open - teeth pointed. Then she sucked in a breath and her hand squeezed into a fist - the entire thing exploded into a shatter of ice fragments, floating slowly in a circle where the statue once sat. Slowly the ice molded back together, forming a city. A replica of Reisgard, from a distance... "We can regret... we can hate, we can even fear... This is all true and acceptable..." she tilted her head. "What we do after these feelings and actions defines us. The world will see me as a monster, destructive and full of darkness. I see myself...as a catalyst, delaying the inevitable just long enough - for someone with the true strength and power to stop fate in it's tracks.." she turned her gaze to Lily. "This is the true calling... No matter who you are, or why you have come to be. You are here now, to face your destiny, to reforge a destroyed world..." she looked to her. "What say you?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 29, 2020 18:19:53 GMT -5
Lily could feel Jenna when she teleported to her. A sense of the power that lurked behind her. She heard her shoes as they crunched on the snowy deck of the lake. Though the princess didn’t turn her head, she merely stared straight ahead at the lake. She didn’t want to talk. Not now. She was thankful that Jenna didn’t speak as the silence seemed to close in around them. She shivered slightly from the cold breeze as fresh snowflakes began to melt in her hair and stick to her leather armor. She wasn’t dressed for the elements. Though, it seemed Jenna knew that. The orb was warm as it surrounded her. Lily’s eyes drifted to Jenna for a moment as the two words came over her lips. Truth hurts. Those words seemed to linger in the air like smoke from a fire. It seemed like a decade passed before the mage spoke her next words.
Lily had returned her gaze back to the frozen lake, her lower lip fought against her as she tried to stop it from quivering, a slight sob escaped over her lips. The words that Jenna spoke were wise. They weren’t filled with the same fire and spite that the mage normally spoke with. She didn’t see the roll of her eyes, nor did she hear that scoff that she’d began to recognize as a normal remark for the woman. This was something that was from the heart, Jenna had been through this. Her entire life was a lie, much as was Lily’s it turned out. Don’t let it control you. That was exactly what she had been doing, since the moment that she lost her kingdom. The moment that Reisguard was taken, anger fueled her every move. She seemed to drink from the goblet of anger as if it filled each time she thought of that fateful day. How her father died...how everyone...died…
Lily glanced to Jenna as she stood. She figured that the woman was going to leave her side, it seemed that she was always doing that. Running off to something else. Perhaps that was just the life that Jenna had become accustomed to. She hadn’t ever really had a family...she was merely a tool to the king of Nuhn. To her surprise Jenna formed a dragon of ice over the lake. Lily gazed upon it with curious eyes, a soft smile curved up her lips. Such detail. Down to even the teeth. She could see the soft curves of each individual scale. Even the iris of the eye was etched out perfectly. She raised her hands suddenly when it exploded, as if she half expected pieces of the dragon to launch her direction and impale her. Lily lowered her arms as she watched the fragments change. She watched her beloved kingdom form before her and her breathing began to quake.
Lily stood slowly her eyes focused on the sculpture as Jenna began to speak once again. She brought her icy hues to Jenna as she finished speaking. A silence nestled in around them once again. Lily tilted her head slightly before her eyes looked once again to the city that floated above the lake. She held her hand up and moved her fingertips about, lights shone from within the icy sculpture, the sound of laughter and chatter. Small icy figures moved about the outside walls of the city. A smile curved up her lips, there was a glow about Lily as she did this, an unearthly glow. It was almost like an aura. She brought her eyes to Jenna, the icy hues searched the mages glowing orbs a long moment. “You’re not a monster Jen. By the end of all this no one will see you that way. This was not your doing at all.” She looked back to the city of ice that seemed to full of life. “What I saw in the void...that is what I am most upset about.” She reached a hand up to her shoulder, her fingertips reached and barely grazed her back where her shoulder blades sat.
A pained look came over her expression. “Do you have scars from what they did to you?” She questioned, her eyes looked to Jenna curiously. She reached forward to Jenna and suddenly the world around them turned dark as the night. A wind swirled around them, only Lily’s glowing eyes could be seen in the darkness. Her fingertips curled around Jenna’s forearm, though she didn’t hold tight, it was a gentle grasp. As the wind settled the world around them flickered to life. Lily turned her gaze to her mother and father as they stood over the bloodied bassinet. The wailing child. She replayed the memory. She didn’t release Jenna as she stepped forward to the small angelic wings that lay upon the table. Mutilated and cut from her body. “I’m nothing more than a tool as well, you see?” She spoke her voice soft, her eyes still glowed. Yet in the memory her mother and father lifted their gaze to meet her. A horrified expression took over the two. Lily frowned slightly before she turned back to Jenna her head tilted back slightly and darkness surrounded them once again. She let out a shuddering breath as wind whipped around her and they appeared within the streets of the trade city. She released Jenna then and took a few steps forward, they stood in a back alley, a few blocks from Rykalis’ shop. The sun was disappearing over the horizon. How much time had they spent by going into the memory like that? Such magic wasn’t common. Lily paused and crossed her arms over her chest. “I always asked my mother...” She paused a moment. “About the scars.” She lifted her eyes, a sadness crept about her. “She never had a good answer for me, said I fell when I was young. It just so happened that I fell just right to create deep scars that mirrored each other.” She let out a long breath. “I’ll never understand it...Jen...how could anyone do...such a thing? To you? To me? We will end the Circle as well...” She turned then her eyes fell upon a man in a dark cloak.
“Jenna.” He marched forward quickly, before Lily could react he slapped a metal cuff around her wrist that attached to a chain that he held. “On your knees.” He growled. The chain turned bright red and sent shock waves through Lily’s body. She fell to her knees with a whimper. Her eyes began to glow but then the glow disappeared. “Hm. Good luck with that, princess.” He spoke with a smirk. “How long were you going to hide this little trinket from us, Jenna? You disappear. No word to your king.” The man was of the Circle. He lifted his hand with a smirk on his lips. “Don’t even think about it. I’ll kill her if I have to.” He grinned as another wave of electricity flowed through Lily's body. “Though the council wouldn’t be very pleased with that. But it would be your head that they would be after.” He snickered. “So tell me, Jenna. When were you planning on bringing this one home?”
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Post by Raven on Jan 29, 2020 19:41:26 GMT -5
Jen lifted a brow as the laughing from the city, the gentle hues of lights. She smiled and tilted her head - though things changed as Lily spoke, as she worked through her confusion and pain. "I do..." she muttered. "I have scars" she shut her eyes briefly and something changed about her. She had an image that covered her skin - which now faded. Along her arms were deep scars, across her wrists were several - self inflicted. She let them show for a moment... before covering her past with a touch of magic. Her skin became silky smooth, the color of life flourishing across her flesh once more.
Her hand fell slowly as a vision surrounded them. The magic that Lily displayed was beautiful - it was natural, as fluid as her own. It was impressive to her to see how simple it was. She wondered in that moment - how different Divine magic was from her own chaos. She grit her teeth slightly as her eyes fell upon the severed wings, blood leaking over the table - and the baby who cried. She said nothing in response, she wondered the same words frequently. Why would some one do this to me? What did I do to deserve this? She lowered her gaze and sighed. Though when her eyes came back up - they were back in the town of which they came. She sucked in a breath and then swiftly turned - a voice pierced forward.
In an instant - Lily was trapped by the bracelet, a familiar tool she knew much about. She grit her teeth and then straightened herself. "First... she is not a trinket, nor a tool. For I was neither as well..." she stepped forward. As she stepped forward - the man stepped back. "Second - what an insult to send one lonely ...weak... mage after me, the soul of chaos" she lifted a hand upward. In an instant the mage's throat was gripped by her magic - she lifted him into the air. "I see you... I am no idiot" she grit her teeth. "Look at me - and look into your cups of tea. Watch the leaves spell out your demise!" She squeezed tighter. "As you send your buffoon of a mage - to his death - intentionally. How. Dare. You" She crushed his throat harder. She was speaking not to the mage - but to the Circle, who she knew was watching through his eyes.
She dropped him suddenly then. She stepped forward confidently to the man who sat on his knees - trying to catch his breath, a hand upon his own throat. She leaned in, her glowing orbs staring into his hues. "You better prepare" she whispered and then reached forward with two fingers and pulled his eye from his socket, a bloodied mess over her hand. She snatched both and then lifted them to view her eyes. She sent magical impulses forward - powerful and brutal. In the chambers - where the circle sat before their safety - the crumbled to the ground in pain as she used the link from the eyes to them, their own bodies fighting against them. Then she crushed both eyes between her fingers and tossed them to the ground.
Jen leaned down to Lily and helped her up. "We will find a way to remove the bracelet, he doesn't have the key. They would never send a pawn with the key..." she sighed deeply and lead Lily to the shop. The group swiftly rushed forward, helping Lily as she was clearly struggling.
"What happened?" Ren questioned, her hands pulling out a cloth and handing to Jen to wipe her hands off.
"The Circle knows we are here, but they do not know why. They sent a pawn to his doom, just to use his eyes... so I took them, and sent them a message..." she grit her teeth. "We need to find my Spirit Mage - Luna Strybourn, do you know her where abouts these days, Rykalis?" she questioned - her powerful and noble voice lingering in the air.
"Luna? Hmm... she is in the mountains to the east, you'll find her amongst the Shaman village - Keysvor... that is the last I heard of her. She is their Seer now..." she nodded. "Take my tribute with you..." she lifted a feather then. It was a silver feather, delicate - and full of magic. "You will need it for the ritual, no doubt..."
Jen reached forward and took the feather. "From a Hippogriff..." she smirked. "Thank you" she spoke and then turned to the group. "She has a concealment bracelet on, I'd actually like to keep it on her for a little bit. It will suppress her powers - which will make tracking us harder. I can take it off her when we get closer, it will keep them off our trail... for a little bit. No doubt they will send more mages - to spy. They dare not attack me, no until we are vulnerable..." she stepped to Lily then and took her hand - which the bracelet sat. She hovered her hand over the bracelet and closed her eyes. A small ball of light formed, no bigger than a penny, and a beam pierced at the bracelet. "Over my time of wearing these things... I learned how to deactivate it. Piece by piece, until it finally unclasped from my arm... This will nullify the magic that will harm you... we will keep the suppressant on. No doubt our combination of magic has left a happy trail for them to follow..." she sighed softly.
"Let's get some steeds, food.. and warm clothes.. hm?" She questioned with a fake smile.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 29, 2020 20:32:45 GMT -5
Lily gripped onto her arm above the bracelet, tears ran down her cheeks. She’d never felt anything like this before. The shockwaves that pushed through her body to the mage’s command. When Jenna stepped forward the mage had pushed more energy through her. She was on her hands and knees as the scene took place. Jenna’s words were loud within her ears as blood splattered from the mage, a few droplets landed on her own cheek as she looked up. She trembled as Jenna helped her to her feet. She stared to the mage’s empty sockets as blood leaked from his skull. “They….as in the Circle?” She managed to mutter the question as they made their way to the shop. She had flown under the radar of the Circle for her entire life, just as the King and Queen of Reisguard wanted it. She took a shot of vitamins each morning, she’d always done so. It helped hide her magic from the Circle’s watchful eyes. A concoction that Rykalis had come up with to protect the young princess.
Leliana wrapped her arms around Lily and had to nearly hold her up as she looked over the princess. “The Circle knows of her?” She breathed, her voice worried. “If they are sending pawns after you then they must know. They must be preparing for you to attack the king.” She drew her brows together. “They’ve sensed her magic no doubt...the amount of magic you two have been creating...” She sighed softly.
Lily leaned against Leliana as she winced. The bracelet was painful. Something she couldn’t even explain. The amount of pain that coursed through her body. How could anyone create such a tool? She had a hard time even focusing on the words that floated through the room around them. When Jenna took her hand Lily looked to her with her icy hues. As the beam pierced into the bracelet the pain that surged through her body slowly began to dissipate. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you...” She breathed as she rubbed the bracelet. Black marks ran up her arm from the shocks of electricity that the mage had sent through her. She looked to the chain that hung from the bracelet before she took it and wrapped it around her arm and tucked it beneath her leathers.
Ayla looked to Lily with almost sad eyes. “Those things that the Circle has invented are absolutely horrible.” She sighed softly and shook her head. “Even my father tried to talk the Circle out of their ways when I was a child.” She scoffed.
Rykalis cleared her throat slightly. “Go see Pete in the tavern. He has a shop in the basement. He can get you what you need, just tell him I sent you.” She gave a warm smile. “Oh and Ayla.” She stepped forward, “If you run into trouble, you know how to reach me.” She nodded before she turned and disappeared into the back of her shop once again.
Lily staggered slightly and grit her teeth. Her body felt as though a freight train had collided with her. She winced as she stepped forward. “Clothes...food and horses...hm?” She held her arm against her body as she walked from the shop. Lily was quiet as she looked up to the signs of the streets to try to decipher where they needed to go.
“This way.” Ayla spoke with a smile as she wrapped an arm around Lily’s waist. “You can ask for help, you know?” She walked along slowly to help support Lily’s weakened body. “You don’t have to do this all alone.”
Lily gave a nod as she winced slightly. Her arm felt as though it was on fire. Though, the pain had begun to dull out. It would take some time. “Thank you, Ayla.” She spoke in a soft tone as she looked about the city.
The group made their way to the tavern as instructed. It was a large building and it was busy. All walks of life seemed to be within the tavern. Young. Old. Poor. Rich. It didn’t matter. Elf. Human. Dwarf. They all were there for one thing. Ale and food. That was it. Relax and recharge. Lily stepped up to the counter and leaned against it, her strength was beginning to filter back into her muscles. “What can I get ye?” A stout man with a thick beard asked from behind the counter. His eyes looked to the group and he raised a brow slightly.
“Are you Pete?” Lily questioned. The man gave a nod. “Rykalis sent us, we need a few things.”
The man grinned as he looked to them. “I wondered if this wasn’t the doings of Rykalis.” He chuckled. “Come along.” He glanced to the other barkeep before he led the group down a hallway. He pushed open a door that led down into the basement. Amongst the casks of ale nestled back into a far corner he had all sorts of things. Weapons. Clothing. Armor. It was a little blackmarket shop. “What can I do ya for?” He asked then with a smile. “Those leathers aren’t for the cold girl.” He looked to the princess. “I’ve got something that might suit you well.” He waved her forward. Lily stepped forward as he rummaged through a chest. He pulled out pieces of clothing and armor until he’d arranged it into a stack. “Try that on.” He nodded.
The princess glanced to the others before she stepped behind a curtain into a makeshift fitting room that the man had created between the casks. She pulled her leathers off carefully. She lost her balance a few times. The electric waves had done a number on her. She leaned against the cask for a moment as she looked to her arm. She couldn’t feel her magic at all. She’d always been able to feel her magic. But now? It was as if it didn’t exist at all. Such a strange feeling. Lily pulled on the clothing piece by piece. It was a suiting outfit, truly elven even. She wore brown leather boots that reached up to her thigh with thick black pants beneath. About her hips white fur was sewn beneath the brown leather of the belts that were layered upon her. Golden armor with intricate lines clasped onto her shoulders and her torso, with warm fur to line it as well. She had a bit of trouble with the gauntlet upon her left wrist, she couldn’t quite get it over the shackle from the Circle. Lily sighed softly as she pulled on the cloak which was a beautiful forest green with golden trim. She glanced into the mirror and a smile curved up her lips. She looked much like the ancestors within the history books. It was a fitting ensemble for her.
She stepped from the fitting room slowly. “Um...the bracelet...” she spoke as she held the gauntlet in her hand. Pete stepped forward and inspected the bracelet, her drew his brows together and scoffed slightly. Most of those that were not on the main continent did not agree with the things that the Circle did. He turned and pulled a pair of pliers form the pile. He then cut through the chain links to leave only the metal of the cuff behind. He knew better than to cut at the bracelet itself. Pete then fixed the gauntlet over her wrist and smiled.
“You look rather noble, princess.” Ayla smiled as she looked over the girl. “Good choice Pete.” She grinned.
Pete chuckled, “Oh Rykalis chose that one.” He winked before he stepped over to another chest. “Here.” He pulled out a beautiful sword that seemed to hold wings wrapped around the hilt. “This is for you as well. Rykalis picked it just for you.” He fixed the sword to her hip and nodded.
Lily looked to the sword, her lips parted slightly as she ran her fingertips over the beautiful design. Was it an artifact from the angel that was her father? She sat down as the others took their new ensembles from Pete. Rykalis seemed to know many things it seemed. “How far is Keysvor?” Lily asked as she looked to Leliana.
“Hm...it’s a good journey. But we will make it in good time.” Leliana gave a gentle smile.
Lily nodded as she patiently awaited everyone to get their new gear. Pete even served a stew to them as they waited on the others. It was warm and flavorful. Lily was more than happy to eat it. She felt like it had been far too long since she’d eaten. She looked up then as she waited for Jenna to come from the fitting room.
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Post by Raven on Jan 29, 2020 23:29:52 GMT -5
Jen followed the group into the tavern, she stepped to the bar and lifted a finger. A glass mug lifted into the air and float towards the tap - the mug filled and then floated over to her. She grinned as she took the drink and sipped on it, a small smirk crossing her lips. The second bartender looked to her and then laughed. "Neat trick" he handed her a coaster. Jen pulled a gold coin and set it on the table and sat on the stool.
"Are you coming to the back?" Ren questioned.
"Mm no, I'll be right here" she nodded and sipped once more. "Your chocolate is my ale" she winked and then took a long gulp. Her eyes glanced about the room as they slipped away. Watching the people around them - looking for anyone that stared them down. Her thoughts play over the last moments. How history seem to unravel itself before Lily, how the Circle knew where they were. The uneasy feeling in gut came back - the one she lived with her whole life. For a little bit she felt free, and was finally doing what she wanted to do. Now the fear of what they would do lingered over her head. Though this time - she wouldn't let it control her.
She was thankful then - the Circle did not know who we she was traveling with. Some of the most famous mages history had to offer... She was thankful then, for her engagements with them in the past. The moments the monster was hidden and she was able to make friends, perhaps. She finished her ale and ordered another, sipping on it while her thoughts chugged away. What would they do now? She shut her eyes as the plan began to formulate. Travel to the Spirit Mage, perform the ritual. They would bring back the dead... They would launch their attack plans and go.... She paused and turned her gaze.
Her mother stood before her - her figure was fading. "I'm trying" she whispered. "Hang in there...." she turned her gaze. Her mother lingered for a long moment and then disappeared. She was coming more and more - she could tell... her time was running out. She guzzled her ale and then stood - a nice buzz fueling her. She watched as the crew emerge from the back.
"Well well" she bowed her head. "You all look a lovely bunch" she smirked, her personality looser with the drinks. Ren stepped over and handed her a white wolf cloak. Jen accepted it and pulled it on, clasping it in the front of her outfit. Jen lead them outside and they were greeted by a boy - holding the reigns of several horses.
"These have been ordered... all packed with travel food..." The boy spoke and handed the reigns out. Jen pulled out a small sack of coins and handed it to him. She smiled and then took her horse - a tall black steed with a long mane. She pulled herself a top it and then she dug through her pocket.
"I got this for you, by the way" Jen handed Ren a wrapped item, it was chocolate. Ren squeeled happily and quickly unwrapped it - taking a chunk out of it with her teeth, not even breaking it properly. She chewed happily and nodded.
"Okie dokie, lets roll" Ren pulled her horse to the front of the pack and head forward.
"So, what's changed here?" Jen glanced to Ayla, who sat properly on her horse next to her.
"The King of Kings has fallen, and the council too. Leaving the 4 Kingdoms as separate entities, war torn for new land. They are trying to redraw property, and define who has the trade. So... chaos, truthfully. We should be prepared for any sort of strike. Once we leave some of the cities - we are nothing but an opportunity for some of the Kingdoms, bandits... so on. This is one of the least safest places, despite what some may so of our own home.." Ayla spoke and the sighed softly.
"Hmph" Jen nodded as her horse clopped forward, her body bouncing slightly with the uneaven pathway that lead towards some rolling hills. Te pathway would cut through some rock side, and proceed into a forest...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 30, 2020 10:32:06 GMT -5
Lily stepped from the room her eyes upon Jenna whom had a warm aura about her from the ale. She watched as Ren and Jenna interacted with one another like old friends that had been reunited after a long while. Lily smirked slightly to the loosened personality that Jenna held now, she’d never seen this side of the mage. Once they exited the tavern Lily found herself drawn to a beautiful pure white horse. It bobbed its head as she approached it and pressed her palm against its nose. Lily gazed into the creatures large brown eyes for a moment before she moved around and climbed into the saddle. It felt as though she’d ridden this horse a thousand times. A strange feeling, almost like a memory. She closed her eyes a moment, quite aware of the bracelet blocking her powers. Almost as if something willed her powers forward, but she could not react with the device around her wrist.
“Lily? Are you alright?” Leliana asked from atop her steed. Her eyes looked over the princess carefully. “We will put an end to all of this. Just like we have talked about over the years.” She gave a smile before the group started forward.
As Ayla spoke of the history of the continent Lily closed her eyes. The movement of her horse beneath her seemed to disappear as a vision came before her eyes. A room full of people stood around a casket. They spoke in an old language that she’d never heard before. Tears came from the eyes of some, and others looked as though they were happy to see the man within the casket dead. Lily took a step forward to peer into the casket. A grey bearded man lay inside, a crown upon his head, a sword upon his chest.
“I will take his place.” Another crowned man spoke up. “I will rule just as he did.”
“Why do you think you deserve to rule over us all?!” Another man spoke up.
The war began on that very day. Visions of explosions and the battlefield rushed through Lily’s eyes. She gasped as she found herself back in the saddle of her horse. Her fingertips gripped tightly upon the horn. Sweat beaded upon her brow. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Was it the void? Had that brought out this strange ability to see the past so clearly? She gazed around as they approached the edge of a forest. Her heart was beating rapidly within her chest. How long had she idly rode upon her horse? In the cloak of the night no one had seemed to notice that she wasn’t truly there. She looked to the bracelet that still remained around her wrist. How much stronger would the vision have been if the bracelet was not blocking her powers?
“Ah Evarick forest.” Ayla spoke up as she looked to Jenna and then she glanced to the others. “This will be a trial all in its own.” She sucked in a breath. “This forest was once filled with friendly spirits. Now after a battle that took place nearly 100 years ago within...the spirits are angry. There are creatures that reside here that are bloodthirsty….we must keep a watch on our backs as we make our way through here.”
“What sort of creatures?” Lily questioned, her voice nearly a mutter.
Ayla glanced to her a long moment, her horse was already breathing heavily. “Those of nightmares.” She spoke before she looked back forward. “The creatures of the night that were once extinct. But after the war? They all came back with a vengeance.”
As they rode into the forest the air temperature around them seemed to drop nearly 20 degrees. Lily shivered slightly, even in her armor the air seemed to chill her to the bone. She gazed around, the sounds of the forest were eerie. The plants seemed to be alive, the trees swayed in the breeze that kicked through the forest. Chirps from insects filled Lily’s ears as she moved her eyes about quickly. A low rumble of a growl came from their left. Though, beyond the shadows...only darkness seemed to stare back at the group. Lily gave a gentle kick to her horse whom stopped moving as they progressed through the forest. Ahead of them a figure appeared from the shadows. A man clad in armor. Blood dripped from the openings between pieces of his armor. “What is an angel doing amongst you?” His voice was a hiss. His eyes were focused in on Lily. “You think she’ll protect you?” He cackled then before he disappeared.
Lily felt a shiver run down her spine as she gazed about the forest. The others in the group didn’t seem to thrilled to be in this situation either. Another snarl came from the forest. Her eyes snapped to the side as a creature rushed forward. Drool dripped from its jaw as it leaped into the air. Thick matted black fur covered the creature with glowing red eyes. It was a thing from nightmares. The creature slammed into Lily and knocked her from her horse. In a rolling mess they fell to the ground and mud splashed over her face. Lily struggled against the creature as its jaws snapped near her face, drool dripped onto her chest as she shoved at it.
Ayla jumped from her horse suddenly She rushed forward and slammed the creature with a burst of power from Lily. Though as she did this another leaped from the shadows. They were surrounded. Ayla pulled her cutlass and she began fighting against the creatures. With one hand she would draw fire to the demonic beasts, with the other she would slice through them. Lily scrambled to her feet and she drew her own sword. The weight of it was heavy in her grip. She stared to the beautiful art upon the blade that must have taken weeks to create. Though her brief moment of pause was cut short by another beast that roared before her. Lily sliced through it with beautiful control over the sword. It seemed to have a glowing warm aura about it as she fought back against the creatures. As its blade touched their skin it sizzled and fizzed. Almost like holy water against a demon. Where were all these creatures coming from? Lily glanced to the others whom fought as well. She couldn’t imagine making this journey on her own. Could she even survive it? She let out a yell as she lobbed the head of another beast to the ground. It splattered and rolled to the side as she took in quick breaths.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 30, 2020 18:46:15 GMT -5
Jenna listened to Ayla speak of the history further. She frowned slightly - what a shame this place had become. Once the bustling home of knowledge, peace and prosperity. It became a war zone, if you made it past youth - you were a lucky one. She pulled her brows together - how much her father had wished for the same. To rule it all, and kill anyone that stood in the way, and then even those who followed... would find their deaths some meaningless way or another. She leaned her head back and sighed deeply as the trotting of the hooves made into the forest.
She felt a strange aura right away, the kind of tingling she felt before a battle. An unknown sense into the future. It wasn't much longer that the sense had warned her - was true. Beasts crept from the shadows, as if commanded to attack. Though why them, and now? What would the beasts gain of their death? It didn't make much sense, other than perhaps they were bewitched. She slipped from her horse and lifted a hand. One of the beasts stopped its track and its neck broke instantly. In an instant Jen let out a cry - teeth piercing into her arm as one latched onto her. She twisted swiftly and suddenly the wolf like beast exploded from the inside out. His innards splattering across the dark trees. Her arm was sliced - but no blood trailed. She had thick blue blood that clot swiftly...
Ren came flying by - two blades in each hand. She twisted her body, taking two out in a graceful blow. Jen stepped forward and shot a blue flaming ball forward - killing another. She watched another formulate from the shadows, and then bursting forward. She grit her teeth and flung another, though the wolf dodged it. She lifted a hand suddenly a root burst upward from the ground, piercing into the wolf and wrapped around it, then sinking into the earth - dragging the creature down with it.
"They are coming from the shadows" Jen called out. She moved to her horse. "We need to keep moving" she lifted a hand then. A orb of white formed in her palm - bright light shining forwards into the forest. She held up another hand - clutching onto her horse now with both legs. Multiple orbs generated around them - shining brightly into forest. They stopped forming. "Go, quickly" she called out.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jan 30, 2020 19:51:09 GMT -5
Lily climbed onto her horse swiftly. “How is it even possible?” She gasped, blood ran over her gauntlets from the fight. Her sword was still held in her hand, ready to fight if need be.
“When darkness is allowed to rule, anything can be possible.” Ayla spoke as she shot a flaming ball from her palm behind them. Screeching could be heard as the flames wrapped around the creatures. “This is what the Nuhn king does not understand. When all good is drawn from the land and it is starved….this is what grows in its wake.”
Lily gripped onto the horn of her horse, she could see the creatures just outside of the light, they snarled as they were held back by the barrier. Different shapes hid within the shadows. She turned her gaze away as she felt a strange tug at her being. She slipped her sword away and gave another swift kick to the horse’s sides. “We’ll make it.” She breathed as she gazed back into the forest. She gasped as she felt the pull upon her again. “Jen...” She groaned before her body fell limp upon the back of her horse.
“Lily!” Leliana was the closest to her, she reached out and quickly gripped onto the princess, keeping her body from falling from the back of the horse. She struggled as they raced through the forest, but Leliana kept Lily balanced the best she could.
**
Lily slammed harshly against the forest floor. She could hear the sound of the hoof beats as they raced away from her. “Wait!” She cried, her voice was a distant whisper that seemed to echo off of the shadows within the forest. “Wait...” She scrambled to her feet as the light faded away in the distance.
“They aren’t waiting for you.” A voice came from behind her with a cackle to follow. Lily spun around swiftly, she reached forward sword, only to find it wasn’t in its sheath. Her eyes fell upon a man in a cloak with a red skull mask over his face. He snickered as he stepped closer to her. “Looking for something?” The man asked, he held her sword in his grip. “Such fine craft.” He admired it a long moment. “Do you deserve it?” He asked as he took another step toward her, this caused Lily to take a step back. With each step he took she took another away from him until her back was pressed against one of the large trees. “You aren’t even a full blooded angel are you?” He questioned, his voice was nearly a hiss. His face was just inches from hers now. “No.” He clicked his tongue. “Let’s see….” He tilted his head slightly. “Could I draw the angel out? Hm?” He gripped her face and snickered. “You can’t even use your magic to defend yourself.” He could see the fear in her eyes as he took a few steps back.
“Who are you?” Lily asked her voice trembled.
“Why me?” He asked with a chuckle to his voice. “Just a demon.” He spoke in response. “I brought all of those beasts upon you. Gnarl. They aren’t too smart.” He tapped the side of his head with a finger and then laughed once again. “I want the archangel that is your father. That would be a nice head to have as a trophy.” He stepped forward and with precision he slipped the blade into her abdomen.
Lily didn’t scream. She couldn’t. She gasped as she looked down to the hilt that stuck from her body. He’d buried it all the way into the tree. Though the motion she was even lifted off of the ground slightly. Her toes barely touched.
The demon gripped her jaw once again. “Where is he?” He snarled, his eyes were as black as the shadows that surrounded them.
Lily gasped for air as blood leaked from her nose. “I...don’t...know...” She choked out.
Though as the last word came from her lips a blinding light formed behind the demon. “How weak of you to think of such a ploy to draw my attention.” A strong voice spoke over the sounds of the forest.
The demon cackled as he turned around, “Kind of you to join us.” He gripped the hilt of the blade and twisted it slightly, this caused Lily to cry out. “Care to save your daughter? Castiel...just give me what I want and I’ll release her soul.”
The man that stood no more than ten feet away was adjourned in intricate armor that held designs of wings upon the knee caps and shoulders. Golden and white armor with inlays of silver. Though the most striking thing about the man happened to be the two large feathered wings behind his back. His hair was short and nearly the same shade of brown that Lily held, his eyes were the same striking icy blue. “You think you are strong enough, demon?” The angel spoke his eyes stared to the man, awaiting his move.
**
Hours had passed as they rode through the forest. Leliana managed to pull Lily from her horse and hold her in front of her. She glanced to the others as they broke free from the shadows and the beautiful starry night sky could be seen. “We need to stop.” She spoke up. “We need to make camp here and stop.” She brushed a bit of blood from Lily’s nose. “Something has happened...” She looked back to the forest, her eyes worried. “There was a darkness in that forest that….I’ve never felt such a darkness before.”
Ayla nodded in agreement. “We wouldn’t want to travel far.” She spoke as she gazed to the unconscious princess. “Something doesn’t quite feel right.” She looked to Ren and then to Jenna.
**
The demon snarled as he turned from Lily and lunged forward. The two began to quarrel then. Punches landed from either party. Castiel drew his sword and it clashed against the armor of the demon. Waves of power came from the two as they fought. Lily whimpered as she tried to pull the sword from her abdomen. She pressed her toes into the ground as much as she could. She took in shaken breaths as she tried to focus on what was happening before her.
Castiel slammed his shoulder against the demon which caused him to fly against a tree, which split the tree nearly in two. Snarls came from around them in the shadows. “I’ll have you yet, Castiel!” The demon huffed before he disappeared into a puff of smoke.
The angel turned then as several Gnarls rushed forward from the shadows. He held his hand up and a bright blinding light came from him. The creatures all turned to ash. “Ariwyn.” Castiel spoke as he stepped forward, his hand cupped Lily’s cheek. Her breaths trembled as he lifted her gaze to meet his. “Just relax.” He gave a nod. “Breathe.” He gazed into her eyes, a calm sensation overwhelmed her then. Her eyes began to flutter. “That’s it.” He spoke with a smile about his lips. Then he quickly slipped the blade from her body. His arms wrapped around her as she fell limply forward. “That’s it.” He spoke again, “Just breathe, Ariwyn. I’ll get you back to that group of yours.” He held onto her as they took flight and lifted through the canopy of the forest. The world around them was dull of color. Even the wind did not seem to push through Lily’s hair as they flew. “Don’t give up.” He spoke his voice was as smooth as a gentle stream. Soon enough he dropped down to the ground. The world around them seemed to freeze. Castiel gave a long look to Lily. “I’ll keep you safe.” He spoke as he slowly lowered her. “I always have.” He smirked slightly as he released her soul into her body. Castiel stood and looked to those around her. His eyes landed on Jen for a long moment before he disappeared...
**
Leliana brushed a cool wet cloth over Lily’s forehead. “We must have missed something.” She spoke with her brows knitted together tightly. “Something about this isn’t right.” She sighed heavily.
Just as the words came over her lips Lily’s eyes fluttered open. She sucked in a deep breath and sat up quickly. “Wait!” She cried, though as she looked around to the familiar faces the only one she did not see was that of the angel. Lily let out a long breath, had it all been a dream? She found herself looking to Jenna. “Where did he go?” She asked softly. “He was just here...”
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Post by Raven on Jan 30, 2020 20:32:38 GMT -5
Jenna turned her gaze as she watched Lily's body give out. She heard her name - echoing over and over in her head. Something about it fueled her. Maybe it was - in perhaps Lily's last breath - it was her name that echo'd through the world. A part of that lingered deep inside of her, churning a fire that had been long lost. Jen grit her teeth and the light burst outward, like a flash of lightning that crossed all of the world they could see. They pushed further, until finally they came to a clearing, exiting the woods then.
Before them was a rocky hills, the mountains in the far distance... "Peel off here, I can sense some water" she spoke and lead them not far from the pathway. There was a small lake, and a place where often people camped... Jen slipped from her horse, tying the lead to a tree near the water, enough room for it to drink and munch on grass.
Ren leapt from her horse and helped lower Lily to the ground. "Ayla - draw a rune in the dirt... I will fortify this area" Jen spoke and then held her hand up. She burned a large circle around the group, circling what would be their camp. She then held her hand up and whispered a spell. Her eyes flashed and suddenly a dome appeared in that circle. It was purple at first - then slowly turned translucent. It would hold off most enemies, and at a minimum alert them if something was to come.
Ren and Ayla slowly lowered Lily onto a run scratched into the dirt. Jen then pulled out a small bag. A nether-bag... she reached in and shuffled around for a moment, and then pulled a cube out. Ren turned her gaze and then grinned "Oh I love this thing"
"Mm you don't wanna know what I had to do to get it" Jen grinned and then she napped her finger. In an instant a delicate popup tent emerged around them. It was descent sized, about a person high at first. Though once you step inside - it grew 10 times the size. It formed around Lily and the group, in a magical second they were inside of this mansion-like tent.
Jen stepped over and knelt down before Lily. "She is in some state... its not here. Not the void either" Jen looked up and then grit her teeth slightly. "Ren, Ayla - fuel me. I will remove her bracelet, but it will not be kind to me" she spoke softly. "Lily cannot be suppressed, her magic is too bound to be free" she spoke softly and then she held a hand over the bracelet.
Jen titled her head back a great wave of power emit from her hands, the bracelet shook wildly and then released in an explosion into Jen. She flew backwards - though Ren and Ayla gripped her tightly, pulling her back down. In an instant Jen's body was aflame, a huge crater like wound in her chest. Her glowing blue eyes flickered slightly, her power fighting. The flame suddenly vanished and she crumbled to the floor, blue blood leaking from her chest.
Ren dragged her to one of the many cots and she pressed a hand against her chest. "I can handle this - tend to Lily" Ayla spoke. Leliana rushed over to Jen's side and began to whisper spells. Her blood was pure magic - there for incoming magic was absorbed easily, within in seconds the bleeding stopped. Though she would be unconscious for quite some time...
"I'll need to divert the mages.. no doubt they felt that" Leliana stepped from Jen, though her eyes peered back. The thick strand of golden hair - half of it turned white, leaving only a few pieces left of her original color... Leliana nodded and rushed from the room. In an instant she was gone - teleporting madly across the lands. This would mix the power wave, perhaps to send the Circle astray.
Ayla moved over Lily and then sucked in a breath. "I can feel you" she whispered, holding Lily's hands now. Suddenly Lily rose once more - Ayla steadying her. "Relax, breath" she whispered. "What happened? Do you know where you went? You... you scared us there" Ayla tucked a lock of hair from Lily's hair away, behind her ear...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 1, 2020 19:09:18 GMT -5
Ayla’s words were lost to the silence in the tent as Lily stared to Jenna’s unconscious body. Her brows knitted together as she slowly stood. “Lily, where did you go? What are you talking about?” Ayla questioned again, her hand upon the princess’ shoulder as she steadied her. “You should sit.” She moved before her and gazed into her icy hues. “Come on.” Ayla grasped her arm gently.
“No...” Lily whispered her eyes stayed upon Jenna. “What happened to her?” She asked her eyes looked to Ren’s hands upon Jenna’s chest. The strange blue blood that covered the woman’s skin.
Ayla drew in a breath as her eyes looked to Jenna. “With your powers suppressed by the bracelet...it seemed to be doing more harm than good. So she removed it...” Ayla clicked her tongue slightly, “It let out a blast wave….and she was the target for it. But...” She held her hand forward. “Don’t worry, Ren has it.”
“No. Ren shouldn’t have to do that.” She spoke as she stepped forward. Lily knelt next to Jenna, her eyes lifted to Ren, her hues were already beginning to glow. She gave a nod and then placed her hands over Ren’s upon Jenna’s chest. She was sucked into the moment that Jenna used her magic to remove the bracelet. Her head lulled forward slightly as her power surged from her body feeding into Jenna. Her breathing quickened as she focused on mending the wound. After nearly an hour of this blood dribbled from her nose. She was pulled into memories that she’d shared with Jenna since they met. Their first meeting, how much hate had boiled within Lily at the time when she discovered who Jenna was. Then she was tugged into something else. The memory of Jenna as she floated above Reisguard with red magic around her. The screams of agony as the city was destroyed and the people tried to flee. Tears rolled down her cheeks as this memory played out for her. She could feel the pain that Jenna felt. The feeling of doing something so terrible...when in reality she didn’t want to do it at all. Lily sat like this for several hours, eventually her mind was filled with nothing. It was silent. Calm.
“Lily.” Ayla spoke, her voice a whisper as her hand reached to touch her shoulder. “Take a break. She will wake when she’s ready. You’ve healed her wound….and then some.”
Lily was broken from her trance like state. She looked to Ayla with glowing eyes, then her eyes gazed back to Jenna. Slowly the glow from her hands began to fade, it was the same divine glow that Castiel held. She pulled her hands back and let out a long breath, the glow from her eyes slowly fading as her hues returned to icy blue.
“Here.” Ayla reached forward with a cloth.
Lily took it and brushed the blood from her nose. Her blood had soaked into Jenna’s wound. She glanced to the wound that was once deep and oozing with the blue blood, it was completely healed. Lily blinked a few times as Ayla pulled a blanket up over Jenna. Was it her blood that fueled her to heal Jenna so well? Her brows pulled together again as she looked around the tent. “Where is Leliana?” She questioned softly.
**
Leliana appeared for a few seconds before each jump. After she’d leaped around several times she appeared in the outer limits of the city once again, she leaned against a building breathless. Leaping so quickly and pushing a ripple of magic from her body was exhausting. It wasn’t something that she had done in a long while. She straightened herself after several minutes only to find that three men stood before her, and a woman. The four were dressed in black and red robes. The colors of the circle. Talismans hung from their necks. “Hm, a decoy?” The woman stepped forward her eyes fixed on Leliana. “An elf even?” She questioned. “Curious.” She reached forward and touched Leliana’s cheek as she continued to suck in quick breaths. “You’ve really outdone yourself hm? A little tired from such a display? You have my attention.” The woman snickered.
Leliana grit her teeth as she looked to the woman. “And what is it that you want?” She smacked her hand away. “There is no good from where you all come from. Only darkness and hate.”
“Oh, no no, you are mistaken.” The woman spoke with a sly smile. “Darling we form the strongest mages in all the world. We grow them and breed them into what is needed by the kings.” She had her hands in the pockets of her robe, completely idle. She wasn’t threatened by Leliana at all it seemed.
This though, was the wrong move for the woman to make. To assume she was stronger than Leliana. “Hm. Perhaps I am mistaken.” She spoke before she lunged forward. Her hand moved quickly to the belt of the woman where a dagger was tucked into her robes. Leliana pulled it and buried the blade to the hilt in the side of her ribs before she turned and kicked forward toward one of the three men. Another grasped her from behind only for her elbow to drive into his abdomen harshly. This caused him to release her. Leliana ducked forward as another man rushed her. She spun and sliced into the back of his arm as he tumbled into the other man, they both were sprawled out on the ground.
“Enough!” The woman snarled as she held her hand forward. Dark shadows encased Leliana like a snake, squeezing her and forcing the air from her lungs. She writhed against it as she tried to fight the power. “I’m going to kill you, elf.” The woman hissed. Her hand was held into a tight fist. Her other arm crossed her body and was gripped over the wound, blood leaked through that gaps between her fingers.
“That just will not do.” A light flashed above them. Suddenly two feet slammed against the woman’s back knocking her onto her chest in the middle of the street and wielding her unconscious. The light that came from the being was blinding. Leliana collapsed forward as the shadows disappeared from her body, only to be caught in the warm arms of this unknown man. Suddenly her feet were lifted from the ground and they lifted into the sky. “Ariwyn wouldn’t recover well if you died.” He spoke as the light began to fade. Leliana gazed up to the man. Her eyes moved to the feathery wings that flapped behind him. Her jaw loosened as she moved her eyes to see that they were above the clouds. Lightening flashed below. “I’ve spiked magic in the surrounding area to help draw them away from you.” He spoke as he looked to her with his icy hues.
“You’re….her father?” Leliana questioned as she looked over his complexion. It was as if he’d been carved from stone. Every edge carefully sculpted.
“Yes.” He replied as they swooped down near the tent. His wings relaxed behind them. “And so I’ve become the guardian angel of the group.” He chuckled before he gazed up to the sky. “A storm is coming. You better get inside.” He smirked before he disappeared in a flash.
“Wait...” Leliana let out a breath before her eyes looked to the tent as large raindrops began to fall from the skies. She rushed to the tent and made it inside just as the rain turned to a downpour.
“Leliana!” Lily stood quickly and rushed over to her. She wrapped her arms around the woman tightly. “We were worried.”
“Lily.” She hugged her back. “As was everyone else about you...” She gave a soft chuckle.
Lily gave a slight smile, “No need to worry.” She spoke before she gazed to Jenna. “Hopefully she wakes by morning, huh?” She spoke softly before she moved back to her cot. Ayla was already fast asleep.
Leliana nodded, “Yes, I’m sure she will dear.” She stepped to Jenna and brushed her hair from her eyes. A slight glow came from her hand. She held it there for a few moments before she found her way to her cot to settle in. She glanced to Lily a long moment before she fell asleep.
Lily curled onto her side. Her mind kept scrolling through everything. The demon. Her father. The memories that had bombarded her. She’d never had that before. It was a strange feeling. A strange ability. After some time Lily eventually slipped into a slumber, though it was light and she seemed to wake to every small noise throughout the night.
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