|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2016 0:05:58 GMT -5
Ren leaned her back against the railing and watched Ayla speak. She noticed that Ayla sort of fidgeted, paced slightly as she spoke of her dream. The speak of the snow made her shiver, she could feel it then. Ren closed her eyes as Ayla spoke - envisioning each scene. The passing of notes, the spying each other in the castle. The long wait for arrival, and finally the loving embrace of arms and touching lips. Ren smiled, her own cheeks flushing as she felt her stomach crawl up into her neck. She could feel that nervous excitement.
Ren stepped forward and grasped Ayla’s hand, pulling her back into the room slightly. “Where ya’ goin’? I gotta share too” she smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “You know the sea doesn’t care who you love, only that you love something” she smiled and then placed her hands behind her head, stretching her pecks.
“I used to go to this small town called Laverntown. I was known very well there, I started myself there doing small jobs. Toting goods, bringing in fish and what not. I basically camped out there for a solid year. I would go to this bakery every single morning. A muffin and a cup of coffee. Always serviced by the same girl. She was gorgeous, her eyes full of light. She always saw the world in such optimistic glory.” She chuckled “she showed me to see the great potential that is before us in every situation.” She rubbed her arm slightly and then closed her eyes.
“She asked me one day if she could have a ride on my boat, she had never been to sea. Of course I said yes!” she laughed and tilted her head back. “No one was on the ship, it was just me and her. We set sail, a few miles off the coast - I anchored. The sun was high, the sky was so blue. We sat in the middle of my deck, a blanket laid out. She had prepared lunch. Home made chicken meat pies, which were truly to die for.” She blushed slightly. “Well - uh - anyways. So she pulled out this paper bag and inside was chocolate. The first time I had ever had any” she grinned. “well, after I had my first bite - I let out this moan” she laughed “Louder than my normal moan. You see, as a fairy Chocolate and other certain foods taste even better, and release more chemicals in my body. So I kinda crave it because… it feels and tastes good” she chuckled. “Needless to say, she just then leaned forward and kissed me… it felt like the entire world was exploding, the sound of the sea seized, and everything disappeared.”
“But.. like all great things. It ended, I took her back to the shop. And I never saw her again. I kept going to the store for a few more months. No one knew where she went, she disappeared. Some times I wonder if I just made it up in desperation” she laughed and turned her head away, her cheeks were fire red.
“Its not as cute and stuff, but it was my experience” she chuckled and then walked over to Ayla and then leaned forward - she placed a soft kiss on her cheek and then stepped to the door. “Theres a really nice hot springs, if you want to come.” She grasped a towel that was folded up and stood in the hallway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 6, 2016 0:44:48 GMT -5
Ayla nearly gasped when Ren grasped her hand and pulled her back. She looked to the woman as she lay on the bed with her arms crossed behind her head. She admired her. Her nerves were put at ease as she listened to the lovely story. She imagined the time out on the boat, the picnic. She smiled before she made her way out to the balcony as she continued to listen. “I think it’s a wonderful story, and I don’t think you made it up, things happen, the girl from the library disappeared too…I….” In this moment she froze, Ren kissed her cheek. Her own cheeks turned a fiery pink, she stopped breathing as she stared forward, her jaw slack now. “Oh…yes…okay…um…” She stumbled over her words. “I..um…” She grabbed a towel. “Sure…” Her heart was pounding within her ears.
She followed Ren, her cheeks hot, she fidgeted with the towel slightly, she was nervous, but not from fear, excitement. It was the same excitement that she felt that night in the snow, when she finally kissed the girl from the library. Nothing had felt quite the same since then, until now. She had honestly felt the warmth in her cheeks more than once around Ren, but she pushed it away, filling her mind with doubt that this woman would even return any affection. The princess looked around as they stepped outside of the city and into the woods. “Should we…?” She asked as she looked to the path before them. She then shook her head. “Nevermind.” She smiled to Ren and caught back up to her. The springs were beautiful, the water was clear as could be. “Woah…” She whispered as she knelt down and touched the water with her hand, it felt amazing. She pulled off her boots and pants, she wore boy shorts beneath the pants, and removed the blouse to reveal a black cami.
“I’ve read of hot springs.” She smiled, “Like everything else, words on a page can’t do justice…” She looked to Ren and smiled before she slipped into the water. She leaned her head back against the cool rocky surface and let out a sigh of pleasure. The heat felt amazing. Her eyes moved to Ren once again, she took in a deep breath, as if to muster up her courage. She leaned forward toward Ren to return the kiss, to give Ren the same butterflies. To stop time. Though she paused, her brows pulled together in pain. She grabbed at her chest, “R…Ren…” She choked as she looked to the water that filled with blood. “What…” She blinked several times, tears welling in her eyes. A figure appeared before her, the Demon, his hand was within her chest, clutching to her heart. “Pl…please…” She whimpered.
Adriel had hijacked her mind once again. On the outside she had slumped into Ren’s shoulder, almost as if she had passed out. She didn’t even have a chance to fight back against him. He had caught her when she was vulnerable, completely unsuspecting, and somehow his magic was incredibly strong. Within the nightmare that he created he chuckled. “Princess, your heart belongs to your kingdom.” He gripped tighter, blood oozed from her chest into the water. “That poor peasant from the library didn’t deserve to die, but she did, because of you.” He ripped his fist from her chest cavity, his fingers clutched her heart which continued to beat within his grip.
“No…this…isn’t…real…” Ayla grasped her head and shut her eyes tightly. “Please…” She whimpered.
“Please?” He cackled, “You can beg all you want dear girl, I will deliver you back to the queen. That is when you will really beg.” He gripped her throat and lifted her from the pool of water. “You can not escape, and when I finally catch you, you will have no chance against me princess.” His voice was rough, low. He held her against the boulder behind the spring. “I will squeeze every ounce of energy from your being and I will cause you more pain that you could possibly imagine if you don’t comply to me.”
“No!” She screamed, breaking his trance. Her scream carried through back to the real world. Tears ran down her cheeks as she jumped from the water that was still perfectly crystal clear. “We aren’t safe, Ren…” She fought back tears, her lip quivered. “How can he do this? I thought she said we were safe? How are we not safe?” She finally broke into tears, unable to hold back any longer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2016 12:03:45 GMT -5
Ren lead Ayla through the city, until they finally reached a pair of stairs that went downward - into the ground. From the stair entrance steam came lifting out… Ren waved to Ayla and walked down the stairs, the steam warming her face and opening her pores. As they came into the under ground cavern, there was two signs. Women, Men, with arrows facing two separate ways. She turned to the women side and smiled when she saw the side was empty. Between each side was a wall, separating the waters and the people. They looked to a uneven half circle that was lined with huge grey rocks.
Ren slipped her jacked off and set it down next to her tall boots that she unclipped 6 buckles on. Then she slipped her pants off and left her in her underwear. She then pulled her tunic off, leaving her in just her bra. Normally she’d take everything off, but in this case - she didn’t want to freak Ayla out. She stepped over to the side and poked her toe into the water. “Mmm” she slipped her foot in and slowly stepped in. She found a comfortable spot and sat down, letting her body float up slightly as her hands held on to the rock behind her.
Her entire body ached, all of the fighting and intense magic took a toll on her. Her rib cages were bruised, her body was covered in scuffs and bruises, though any cuts had healed by now. Her skin was littered with scars, some small, some big, most intercepted with each other. She looked up to the several hanging magical lamps that emitted a gentle blue hue that reflected against the water, just a touch of light in the darkness to add comfort.
Ren glanced over when she heard the water moving slightly, she looked to Ayla and then smiled. “This is -“ then Ayla slumped over. Ren reached out and grasped her as Ayla’s forehead leaned against her collarbone. “Hey-- “ she could feel Ayla’s muscles spasm, her body shook lightly, something was happening. She held her close, keeping her from falling into the water. When Ayla woke she held her shoulders, pushing Ayla back slightly to look at her face. “Hey - “ she spoke again and her eyebrows pulled together once Ayla began to cry. “I guess he is stronger than we thought” she spoke softly and pulled Ayla, her arms reaching around to Ayla’s back as she hugged her. She could feel her warm tears touch her neck as Ayla nuzzled into her shoulder.
A long moment passed and Ayla’s sobs slowed down, just to a huff and sniffle. Ren slowly stood, helping Ayla up. “Come on..” she spoke softly and helped her out of the water. Ren grabbed the towel and handed it to Ayla. She then turned around and began to wipe down her own body, and then quickly got dressed again.
“Lets get you closer to the castle. I figured my mother’s magic was better than that, but I’m assuming the further we get from the source, the weaker the protection.” She touched Ayla’s back and lead her back to the stairs.
They came back to the castle and Xavier approached them. “How was the hot springs ladies?” he smiled and looked to Ayla - who still looked a little terrified.
“Seems as the protective magic wasn’t as strong to the outer section of the city… the demon got to Ayla. Which means..”
“He knows where we are..” Xavier spoke and sighed softly. The demon had no idea which direction to go, but now he tapped into Ayla, he would be coming straight for the city. While he couldn’t enter, he could happily wait outside. They would have to leave at some point.
“We have to get out of here then. We can’t avoid it. He will tail us until the end of time. We leave now, and we have to figure out a plan.” She spoke and then looked to the Queen, who stood in the distance.
Ren stepped past Xavier and to her mother. “We must go”
“I know.. “ she spoke and then nodded. “Take the fairies, think about it… when my time comes I will signal you. If you decline the crown… then just come back. Come back and host an election, do something. Without a leader, the Fairies lose order and faith. I fear if they separate from home - they will thin themselves out, and before you know it we are extinct species.. “ she crossed her arms slightly and then nodded. “Prayers be with you” she spoke and then disappeared.
Ren turned away and then nodded. “To the docks” she spoke and stepped to Ayla. “Come on..” she whispered and placed her hand on her shoulder. They loaded the ship, the fairies standing in two rows, 5 by 5, on the deck. “Stay with me” Ren spoke to Ayla, taking her up to the wheel. There was no sight of the demon yet, but he would find them. She reached over to Ayla’s hand and placed it on the wheel. “Take it” she spoke and stepped back. “Turn it slowly” she spoke, instructing Ayla to turn the wheel so they could leave the port. “We are headed that way” she pointed. The boat would have to do a large sweeping turn, headed up the coast.
Ren’s eyes glowed and wind picked up, taking the boat forward. She didn’t push the boat at insane speeds, but it was going about 30 mph. With Ayla’s hands on the wheel, Ren could focus on keeping the boat going. As long as she powered the boat, Ayla wouldn’t have to worry about fighting waves, currents and such. “You’re doing great” she smiled, the spell continued to cast. She stood next to Ayla and watched her slowly move the wheel, correcting the direction of the boat in small increments, her fingers running over the studs of the wheel. Xavier stood behind them a few feet, watching Ayla with a smile on his face.
They were being chased, but Ren was going to take the advice Ayla had. She never said it, but she presented it. Despite it all, we should love the moment. “Look at that” she grinned as the boat faced North, headed up the coast. “In a few miles there will be a channel. We will take it. It’s high tide right now, meaning the channel is deeper than usual. If we go through that channel, when it switches to low tide - our demon friend will be stuck. He will bottom out on the channel and wont be able to move for another 4 hours. Where as my boat is light and small. We would have three hours to clear the channel and cut across to the other side, entering back out to the sea, before I would bottom out too. If he’s tailing us, he’ll enter and boom” Ren chuckled. “This is the kinda thing only good sailors pay attention to” she laughed.
“Right up there, take us in and then I’ll take the wheel” she spoke. The boat would have to be dead center of the channel to keep from hitting the bottom…
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 6, 2016 21:45:35 GMT -5
Ayla fought to hold back her sobs as she allowed her body to lean against Ren. She somehow felt safe in the captain’s arms, this is what ultimately caused her to calm down. Ayla sniffled as she dried herself off, “What if when we finally face him, what if I freeze? I can’t even fight him in the nightmares, Ren…” She lowered her head. “What if I am helpless against him.” She sighed softly, she didn’t like the lack of control she felt over her body. He could just step in whenever he wanted. She was beginning to lose sense of what was real and what was a nightmare. “I’m sorry, Ren…” She whispered before she fell silent, milling over the most recent nightmare. How he had easily torn her heart from her chest with his giant hand.
When they reached the castle she could still feel her pulse pounding away, she couldn’t fight away the fear, it lingered as if a poison had been injected into her blood. It coursed through her system like a deadly toxin, waiting to strike. She was silent as she listened to Xavier and Ren talk. It was her fault that the demon knew where they were, if she had blocked him…maybe the crew and her friends could get some rest…
Ayla’s thoughts shattered when Ren placed her hand on her shoulder, her palm was warm through the fabric of her blouse, she looked to her, fear still lingering in her eyes. She followed Ren silently onto the Flotsam and paused when Ren placed her hand on the wheel. She knew very well that the captain didn’t allow anyone to touch the wheel, especially someone like her. A land lover, as she had heard Ren call people from the cities before. Her breath caught in her chest and she gave a smile, her fears leaving her for that brief moment as she stared to Ren. She followed the instructions carefully, focusing on what the captain told her to do. Butterflies raged within her stomach, this was trust. Ren trusted her. She felt an overwhelming joy from this, she remembered when they had first met not long ago, she was just another body. Ayla felt like someone now. Ayla smiled brightly to Ren, looking to her, watching her use her powers, it was a beautiful sight. The white glow that came from her body as she cast the spell, controlling the wind and sea.
Ayla took in the feeling of the old wooden wheel, each spoke told a different story. She smiled, the breeze in her hair. This was what she had wanted all along. This was the feeling that she had searched for her entire life, she felt free, at ease. She giggled slightly when Ren came to her side, she looked to her for a moment before she returned her eyes to the sea in front of them. “This is amazing, Ren.” She grinned, unable to hold back her excitement. She laughed and smiled wider as she glanced back to the captain. When Ren began to tell her plan Ayla listened intently, looking to where the captain had pointed. She gave a nod as she focused, brought back to the ground by the cold reality that they were being tailed by Adriel. She carefully turned the wheel, inching it along as she turned the Flotsam into the channel. She stepped aside to allowed Ren to work her magic and just as she did she stumbled.
Xavier stepped forward and caught the princess, keeping her from falling to the ground. “Ayla?” He asked, her body trembled as she tried to fight off the demon. “Stay with us princess.” He carefully set her on the old wood deck. “Focus, deep breaths. Think of the ship, think of what you just did.” He smiled and brushed her hair from her eyes.
“Xavier…” She groaned, the ring of her pupils glowed a bright fiery orange. She was incredibly tense, her hand held onto his forearm tightly.
“Take in deep breaths, princess, breathe okay?” He placed his hand on her cheek. “Come on, don’t let him do this to you.” He focused his energy to her, trying to help give her strength. That was his power, he was remarkably strong for an elf, a tank really. When placed in the right position on the battle field he was one of the best chess pieces.
“R-r-…” She grit her teeth and let out a cry, her vein on the side of her neck popped out, her pulse could be seen racing through it.
Xavier watched her with worry in his eyes. “It’s okay, we are safe, Ayla, push him back, you can do this.” He coached her as he held his hand on her cheek still. His eyes never left hers. “Don’t you let him take you.” He almost warned, his voice strong and unwavering.
Ayla whimpered as the demon pushed against her. He finally won her over and took over her world. Xavier’s hand gripped around her throat, blocking her breath. A deep chuckle came from his chest and his eyes glowed with the fire of the demon as his body morphed into the knight. “You will not escape me princess.” He cackled. “Even now I grow closer, that rat of a friend you have can’t outrun me forever, she will tire, and when that happens.” He paused, “I will be waiting, within reach; you will be as easily attainable as her sweet chocolate that she loves so much.” He slammed her hard against the ground and released her back into her reality.
Xavier held Ayla in his arms as he sat on the ground, when she came to she woke thrashing, trying to escape. “Hey, hold on…” He hugged her into his body, preventing her from hitting him. “You’re safe, princess, you’re on the Flotsam with Ren and I, and her crew and the fairies. Everything is fine.” He soothed her.
Ayla trembled as she looked to Xavier, she pulled herself from his arms and stood, backing next to Ren. She stared at him, the red eyes. She could still see the red in his eyes, though it was beginning to fade. She took in quick breaths. “He’s close.” She whispered. “He’s on top of us…” She shook her head.
**
Ayla was right. Adriel was closing in, he stood at the top of his crow’s nest with a telescope held to his helmet. He could see them in the distance. “We’ll corner them!” He laughed. “She has no where to run in that canal! Stupid girl.” He jumped down and with the wave of his hand the sails lit fire and the boat picked up speed, gaining on Flotsam. “Oh this will be so easy.” He chuckled. “She’s terrified.” He looked to Victor who stood next to him on the deck. “She can’t even keep me out of her head for a second, she thinks I am gone, but I’ve got her.” He held his hand in a fist, as if to show that he held her in the palm of his hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 6, 2016 22:14:11 GMT -5
Ren turned her view to Xavier while Ayla held the spokes of the wheel. Xavier was grinning, when he noticed Ren looking to him he nodded his head of approval. Ren closed her eyes and felt the wind rush over her body, pushing against her as they moved with speed. Ren slowly opened her eyes and looked to Ayla, holding onto the wheel with the biggest smile. Ren felt a warm and fuzzy feeling in her chest as Ayla gripped onto freedom.
Ren stepped over and placed a hand on the wheel as Ayla steered. “This is what I live for” she spoke and then took the wheel over as they came to the channel. Ayla veered and stumbled - Xavier gripping her before she could fall. As Ren looked back she noticed the ship in the distance… perfect. Ren looked to Xavier and nodded “I can’t stop… you got this” she spoke to him and then swooped the ship in a strong motion. The boat turned into the channel.
Ren looked to both sides of the wavering channel and placed the ship right in the middle, the deepest section of it. Ren glanced back and looked to Ayla - a pit of hatred filling as she watched her thrash and cry. Ren whistled, the fairies stood at attention - waiting for something to happen. As they entered the channel - Adriel put on full speed and chased them up. Ren was a good mile ahead when she turned.
“Ayla - hold the ship straight” she spoke as Ayla came to. She helped Ayla up and placed her hands on the wheels. “Focus on that” she commanded her, trying to get her mind off of the nightmare. “I’m relying on you” she spoke and then stepped to the bow of the ship. She held her hands up above her head and her magic began to conjure. The waters began to shake, then it began to move. Adriel’s ship began to lower as the water began to rush out of the area in insane speeds, heading directly for Ayla.
As the water caught up to her she summoned it to gather into a huge ball of water above the river. The ball started just the size of Flotsam, but as she continued it began to grow bigger and bigger. The river from Flotsam to Adriel lowered, the banks began to show. Adriel’s ship slowed and then anchored into the thick sludge in the center of the river. He had bottomed out…
The ball of water continued to grow, now larger than a stadium. Ren’s muscles flexed, as if she was holding it up herself. The water in the ball circled fast, as if it had been shook in circles. As they continued to leave the area around Adriel became more and more shallow, the ship digging deeper into the mud. The ball was a miraculous feat of power… Ren lifted it higher and higher as it grew, until it was as big as a small town. It was huge, creating a huge shadow over Adriel’s ship.
It lifted high in the sky, higher and higher, the rage of water spinning faster and faster as she focused her power. Her nose began to bleed as she focused even harder. Ren pulled back her hands, holding them both to one side, the ball drew in closer to her and then she shoved her hands forward. The huge ball of water shoot forward - it flew incredibly fast, over Adriel and out to sea. The ball came low to the sea, its force and wind creating a semi hole through the surface of the sea. Then the ball burst with explosive force. Her eyes were glowing a furious white, her eyebrows creased. A stream of blood came from her nose and dripped off her chin, landing on the wooden boat.
She slowly turned around and looked to Xavier who stood - his jaw loose as she watched the whole scene play out. He looked to Ren and bowed his head slightly, it was a great show of power. Something a god could only be capable of. Ren grit her teeth, it was anger and passion that drove her wave of power. It had been years since she was capable of such stunts, and it felt like child’s play to what she had left. She held her hand out and a force of wind came forth and pushed the ship. This power that came to her was greater than she could imagine, it flowed through her - like she couldn’t use it quick enough before more pulsed in the previous place…
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 6, 2016 23:14:30 GMT -5
Ayla gave a weak nod as she focused on the wheel. She glanced to Ren, her brows pulled together in worry. She looked back ahead keeping the ship in the center of the canal. She had to do this, she couldn’t be weak. She could feel the demon tugging at her mind, trying to pull her away from her reality. The feeling became stronger as the ball of water grew. Ayla grit her teeth, fighting of Adriel. She thought of the garden, of the breeze in her hair, she thought of the ship…the kiss on her cheek…she thought of every single positive moment she possibly could to hold him back.
When the ball flew out to sea the tug at her mind suddenly disappeared. Ayla looked to Ren as she continued to drive the ship, she relaxed once the ship cleared the canal. “That was incredible.” She whispered.
Xavier let out a cheer, and the men in the crew echoed his yell. “That was amazing, Ren!” He pat her on her shoulder and let out a chuckle. He looked back to the channel where the tips of the sails could be seen. “Beached!” He chuckled. “That was excellent!” He hollered again, and another cheer from the men aboard the ship followed.
Ayla stood in awe, every story that she had ever been told by Xavier of this incredible captain of a beaten up old ship. Every, single, story…it was beyond true. Ren was a story book character come to life. Ayla had always admired the woman that Xavier spoke of when he told his stories, his memories. She had always thought that he was fluffing up the story, making it out to be better than what it actually was. No, his stories couldn’t even amount to what Ren was. To what the Flotsam was. It was beyond the imagination. Ayla would have never been able to comprehend such feats, such power. She turned the wheel carefully and let out a laugh. “I’m buying you some of the best chocolate in the world the next stop we make, no doubt about it, I’ll find you something you’ll love.” She grinned and giggled. She turned and hugged Ren carefully, “Thank you.” She whispered as she held her gently to her body. She then pulled at the long sleeve of her blouse and wiped the blood away from Ren’s nose and chin. She blushed as she stared into the captain’s eyes before she turned her attention back to the wheel. “Where to now Captain Ren?” Ayla turned her head and everything seemed to slow, a dark cloud seemed to settle around the ship. The ocean froze, the waves cresting but not crashing. Ayla looked to Xavier and then to the crew who stood on the deck below. He was mid cheer once again, his fist rose into the air.
Ayla turned to find herself staring to the back of the Demon, he grasped Ren by the neck and lifted her upward, well above the ground. His nails dug into her skin causing blood to trickle down her neck. Ayla felt as though she was stuck in quicksand. She grit her teeth as she listened helplessly to the sound of Ren choking. She looked up as she watched Ren try to fight back, but…she had expended so much energy. ‘when she tires, I’ll be there’
Time slowly began to come to, she saw Xavier rushing forward from the corner of her eye. Ayla let out a scream then, a flash of light, almost like an explosion came from her body as the Demon pulled his sword and thrust it forward. Within seconds Ayla had jumped onto his back, her arm slipped around his neck and pulled tight. She reached to her thigh with her other arm and ripped her dagger from its sheath before she slammed it through Adriel’s thick armor. The demon dropped his blade before it was able to make contact with Ren. His grip on her released as he stumbled and reached for his back. Ayla stabbed him again, and again. Her eyes glowed blue with energy.
“Ayla!!!” Xavier’s voice echoed into her ears, he sounded miles away.
Ayla looked up just as Adriel grasped ahold of her. Thick black blood dripped to the deck below him, she had stabbed him six or seven times, forcing completely through the armor. He knocked back the crew and the fairies easily as he slammed her into the deck, breaking the wood beneath her body with the force.
“Ayla!! No!!” The voice again was so far away.
She gripped her dagger only for Adriel to lift her up again and slam her against the mast of the ship. Ayla brought the blade down into his eye. The demon ripped the blade from his fiery socket and threw it. The blade flew across the ship and landed at Ren’s feet, black thick tar like blood covering the ancient metal. Adriel chuckled as he stumbled, his grip around Ayla’s neck, she struggled in his arms and kicked him. This caused him to lose balance and suddenly…the two fell overboard into the ocean. He flipped and thrust forward in the water, slamming her against the rocky bottom hard, blood leaked from her nose and mouth from his harsh blows.
Time on the deck resumed and Xavier immediately ran to the side of the boat. “Ayla!!” He cried only to be held back by Giant when he went to jump into the water. The sea began to boil from heat. Almost like a volcano lay beneath them. Waves began to thrash all around them. “Ren!” Xavier ran over to the captain and knelt at her side. He looked to the blade which pulsed with a blue light. “We have to go after her…we have to do something…!” He stood and ran to the edge of the ship just as a huge explosion of water sent the ship sideways. He toppled back and landed with his head on Ren’s calf. He stood once everything had settled and looked out over the sea just as a flash of flame in the sky disappeared. He leapt into the water and began swimming quickly. “Ayla!!!” He called and glanced in the water. The closer he became the warmer the water was. He dove down under the water after taking a gulp of air and searched for the princess. He did this several times before he finally spotted something. He dove down deep within the water, his ears popped and his chest ached before he grasped her cold hand. The water around her was icy cold. It nearly stole his breath.
Ayla’s body was limp, she looked so peaceful floating there in the water, her hair spread about, suspended in time. Xavier pulled her hand and pulled her body into him before he kicked back toward the surface. He fought as he ran out of air, choking on the water as he continued to kick. When he surfaced he took in a huge gasp of air. “Here!!” He called to Giant who threw a rope into the water. Xavier tightened the rope to his waist and held on to the princess tightly as they were lifted to the deck of the Flotsam.
Once aboard Xavier tapped the princess on her cheek, her skin ice cold and pale. Blue even. He placed his head by her face and waited for her to breathe. “Come on princess!” He moved back and pushed against her chest, water and blood came from her mouth with each compression. “Come on!” He snapped, “You’re not allowed to die on me!” He continued for a solid minute with no response before he sat back and took in a slow breath. “Come on…come on…” He begged. He bowed his head and shut his eyes. “Come on Ayla, you’re better than this.”
Her eyes shot open, a blue glow within her hues as she gasped for air. A blue aura covered her entire being as she choked on the blood and water in her mouth, blood dripped from her nose freely, creating a puddle on the deck as she sat up. Xavier stared at the princess in awe. The aura faded away as the blood slowed and finally her eyes returned to normal. She took in quick breaths as she collapsed back to her back. “Where…is Ren?” She gasped. “Is…she okay?” She was breathless and weak. Whatever had happened beneath that water…it was entirely possible that she was the cause of the explosion…
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 8, 2016 22:11:06 GMT -5
Ren smiled when Xavier exclaimed loudly, even chuckled slightly. The small, bubbly girl was truly capable of insane feats. When performed she often found herself awestruck as well. She had resorted to keeping her powers hidden, she never wanted that sort of spotlight. If she did – it was rare, and necessary. Never a show off. Ren glanced to Ayla and smiled. “Ah well.. I do love chocolate” she spoke and then was surprised when Ren hugged her. “Uh – “ she flustered for a moment and then smiled – her cheeks bright pink. “Yeah” she replied to her thank you. She leaned her head back slightly as Ayla wiped her blood away.
Ren stepped forward and approached the wheel. “We get the hell out of here!” she shouted and laughed loudly. She glanced up when the cloud rolled in, she turned her head and saw her crew frozen. A deep pit gathered in her stomach just as suddenly she was lifted into the air – a huge hand around her neck. She tried to breath but his grip tightened. Ren reached forward and clawed at his arm covered in its metal and armor. Wind began to pick up – despite everything being frozen, it felt like they were in a tornado. It pulled at the sails and wheel. Her magic panicked as she did – in the grasp of the demon. Ren’s spit bubbled from her mouth, her vision began to fade – her hearing was as blurred as her vision. Ren fell to the ground – landing on her side.
Ren gasped loudly – the air seem to fill her lungs at a rate that was extremely painful. It felt like her lungs were going to explode. She coughed loudly and then turned her head up – Ayla as gone. Ren slowly lifted her arms out – when suddenly the ship rocked to the side very harshly. Her body was thrown to the side and she groaned loudly. Her body was on the edge of consciousness, she fought to stay awake despite the pain that took hold of her body.
“Go” she lifted her hand and pointed to the waters. Slowly she stood and made her way to the railing, leaning on it. She looked to the waters. “Tell me she’s okay” she whispered. The water stirred slightly and then there was a small splash – even though nothing hit the water. The splash pin pointed where Ayla was. “Please” she whispered. She leaned forward when Xavier came up with Ayla’s body.
Ren gave a sigh of relief and she leaned back. She wavered slightly and then fell over – but Giant caught her before she hit the ground. He lifted her into his arms and held her, practically cradling her tiny body in his giant forearms. He stepped forward to Xavier who hovered over Ayla and waited patiently. Giant lifted Ren as Ayla came to and questioned where Ren is. Giant spoke “Here” he spoke, his voice was insanely deep, so deep it rumbled and could hardly distinguish words, which is why he often never spoke. If he did, it was almost very simple, very short.
Ren’s eyes opened and she glanced to the chest of Giant. She reached up and pat his huge peck that was in her face and patted it. Giant slowly let her down, but held her shoulder, keeping her standing. Ren smiled weakly and then shoved Giant’s caring hand away and walked forward. She walked over to Ayla and crawled down onto her knees, and then she moved so that her head rest on Ayla’s chest. Ren’s arm reached around and hugged her side, snuggling into her. Ren waved her hand away – signaling for everyone to give them space.
The co-pilot took the wheel. “Take us out” she spoke to him, he turned the wheel and pointed the boat to the center of the great ocean. She would be hardly trackable if surrounded by nothing… Ren glanced up slightly, looking at Ayla’s face. She reached over and wiped away the blood that was on her face. She pulled her body in to give Ayla some warmth.
She could feel the warm toasty feeling of the sun playing over her body. The gentle feeling of the air above them rushing over their still bodies. After a long moment Ren slowly sat up, glancing down to Ayla. “Lets get dressed” she spoke and stood up. She helped Ayla up and they walked to the captains room. Ren stepped forward once the doors shut and stepped to her wardrobe. “Here…” she pulled a large tunic out and handed it to her. “I got a spare set from that stylist we saw, for you to have, I didn’t get around to giving it to you yet. I had the boys fetch it” she pulled a set out and handed it to her.
Ren then turned and fell onto her bed. She rolled onto her back, so she wasn’t looking to Ayla. “What happened? I missed most of it… all I knew is I was being choked.. and then you two were gone.. Xavier was freaking out, I was lost. All I know is you saved me…” she spoke softly, adjusting herself so that her cheek lay on her hands, still looking away. “What happened?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 9, 2016 22:41:54 GMT -5
“Ren…” Ayla breathed, her pulse was still pounding from the energy that had been exerted. She hugged Ren to her body weakly. “I’m glad…you’re okay…” She allowed her eyes to slip shut then as the warmth of the sun brought color back to her icy cool skin. When Ren wiped the blood from her face she opened her eyes opened slightly before she allowed them to slip shut once again. When Ren finally spoke Ayla had been dancing on the edge of unconsciousness. Her eyes opened to a blur of a world, “Okay, Ren…” She muttered as she slowly pushed herself to a sitting position before the captain helped her stand. She stumbled slightly and Xavier helped balance her with a gentle smile before he gave a nod to Ren. He moved away to let the two have their space.
Ayla was silent as she went with Ren to the captain’s quarters. She sleepily stood in the middle of the room as Ren handed her the clothing. She realized then that her clothing was soaking wet. As she stood looking down at her soaked clothing Ren asked the question, she asked for the answer to what happened beneath the surface of the ocean. Ayla slowly pulled the clothing from her skin, the cotton material stuck to her skin. “The world stopped again.” Ayla began, she blinked a few times, her vision still a blur as she pulled the pants from her legs. She kicked her soggy boots to the side and shivered slightly. Bruises lined her body, from harsh blows. The bruises were dark purple, raised and swollen. She carefully pulled clothing back onto her back before she sighed happily to the warmth of the dry clothing. “I saw you, fighting against the Demon….everything stopped but you…you screamed…” She sat on the edge of the bed as she ran a brush through her short hair, it began to untangle nicely. “Your blood began to run down your neck, I felt like my feet had been glued in place.” She moved and pulled a blanket over her body, she shivered, her body still cold as ice.
Ayla looked to Ren’s back and sighed before she placed her hands behind her head and stare up at the ceiling. “I just wanted to save you.” She whispered, “That’s all I could think about, saving you.” She let out a soft laugh, “Then, there was this weird surge in my body, it felt like electricity was running through my veins, and a strange light burst from my body…I was free.” She shivered again from the cold. “I remember running forward, and the next thing I knew I was on top of that bastard, and I had stabbed him, through his armor….He was going to stab you, and he let go.” The princess paused, she had imagined Ren getting stabbed, it brought tears to her eyes. She sniffled slightly before she took in a deep breath. “I stabbed him, again…and again…until Adriel ripped me from his back.” She fell silent for a long moment, “When he pulled me from his back he slammed me into the deck so hard that it broke the wood…I’m certain a few of my ribs are broken, they still hurt…it pinches…it hurt so badly. I thought I had felt pain from my mother’s beatings and from Victor, but what that demon did in a matter of seconds blew my past away.” She mumbled the last bit.
The princess rolled to her side then, looking at Ren’s back. “He lifted me and slammed me into the mast, I couldn’t breathe…I still had my dagger and I did what I could, I stabbed him in the eye…but that wasn’t enough to stop him, he isn’t of the living. It confused him, or at least I thought it did. His grip around my neck tightened then…I remember I felt as though my neck was about to snap, the only thing I could hear was his demonic chuckle. I kicked him, hoping he could release me…” She paused as she felt her severely bruised neck. Black and blue hand print marks lined her skin. “He stumbled, and he took me with him, almost happily, it almost felt as if that is what he wanted.” She swallowed as she thought of the knight’s fiery eyes and the ball of flames that surrounded her. “He gripped me by my shoulders as flames surrounded us….I felt my back hit the rocky ocean floor and it pushed all of the air from my lungs. The demon began using me as a punching bag…” Ayla felt her jaw where a bruise was. “I remember trying to guard myself, but then I felt that surge again and suddenly my body was surrounded by the blue light that burst from my body. It pushed every speck of water from me, opening a hole to the sky above, just long enough to take a deep breath.” Ayla looked to her fingertips, the skin of her fingers was still pale from the cold. “I don’t even know how I did what I did, all I know is, I should be dead…I don’t know what happened…” She shook her head. “I didn’t know what this energy was.” She rolled away and curled, trying to warm herself the best she could. She felt like she was sitting within a bath of ice. “The demon rushed me and I put out my arms and a strange blue fire shot from my hands, it froze the water around me, everything around me, including Adriel….”
Ayla shook her head, “Adriel ran from me. I think…I can’t remember anything after that…I remember not being able to breathe…staring into the water as I kicked up toward the shadow of the boat. I couldn’t breathe, everything eventually faded….until I woke up on the ship…and…you were okay…” Ayla fell silent then, her eyes fluttered, “I don’t know what happened down there….or with me…all I know is the only thing I wanted was to keep you safe…” Ayla fell silent then as she rolled to her back, she didn’t know what the power was, she didn’t even know how to control it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 9, 2016 23:15:44 GMT -5
Ren rolled over when she felt Ayla sit down on the bed. She let her head fall to the side, looking to her as she spoke of what happened. To each terrifying image she winced slightly and grit her teeth. She looked terrible, black and blue, swollen and tender. She wished in that instant she had the healing powers that Ayla possessed, to offer that to her would mean the world. Ren closed her eyes as she listened, picturing each image that she had missed. Ren reached forward and touched her throat - the puncture holes had crusted over, they were tender – along with the ring of bruising around her entire neck.
Ren wanted to be the one to jump into those waters. She would have liked to be the one to pull her from the waters and bring her back. She would have wanted to see the life come back to Ayla’s eyes, to be the first one she saw when coming from the darkness. Ren felt oddly jealous of Xavier when she spoke of his rescue. She was glad, none the less, but jealous. Ren reached forward and gently pulled at Ayla’s hand. Ren pulled Ayla to her body, forcing Ayla to lay on her chest. She closed her eyes and hummed softly, an old sailor tune. As she hummed her body began to emit extra heat, allowing Ayla to steal it from her.
Ren did have the urge to say anything, more like – there wasn’t much to be said. In an instant she fell asleep. Usually she lay restless, tossing and turning, often she didn’t sleep at all. Her genes allowed her that leisure, but she still required it occasionally. Even then she would have troubles. It wasn’t because she was tired, and hurt, something else lulled her to sleep. Something she couldn’t pin her mind on, and didn’t care to in this instant.
The morning came, but she continued to sleep. Sleeping in further than she usually might. There was a soft knock on the door, and then it opened. Xavier stepped in and stood in the door way for a long moment. He had his hands on his belt and he smiled, rocking slightly on his heels. He turned – leaving the door open, but the curtains closed. The morning breeze pushed in, rolling over their bodies. Ren stirred slightly and lifted her head – looking to the door. She then turned her head to Ayla and blushed deeply. The previous day had felt like a dream, she didn’t realize she actually brought Ayla to her room. She slowly moved her arm from under Ayla and stood up, walking to the door.
“Good morning” Xavier spoke and bowed his head. “I am glad to see you are doing well, the sleep was needed” he pointed to her neck. Ren’s neck was no longer purple and blue, the puncture holes were now scars, she had healed that quickly. It was rare that she could sleep, but if she did – her body would go into hyper regeneration state. She would gain enough energy for days, her wounds would practically heal completely, she would wake fresh and new. This was part of the perks of being mixed races.
Ren walked to the center of her deck where the fairies still stood at attention. She looked to Xavier and then to her room. “We need to start making up a plan…” she spoke and then crossed her arms. “We have to do it together, if Ayla helps – we might risk losing the plans to the demon” she sighed, she rather not leave Ayla out..
Xavier nodded and looked to the wheel of her boat, he lead Ren up the stairs and stood at the bow, looking out behind them. “Any ideas?” Xavier spoke and turned to Ren. She bit her lip and then tilted her head. “We are relatively safe in the space of sea…” she spoke and then glanced to the sky. She thought for a long moment and then opened her eyes – an idea. “I got it” she spoke. “I’ll do what I do best, but better” she grinned. “You know how I am infamous for sinking ships by drilling my way through it… I haven’t attempted this but – I could form a bubble of air around me. Flotsam will have him tailing, I wait under water. He passes and I begin their sinking process, while also boarding their ship. I take the Fairies with me… we take out what we can. All the while I am distracting them – their ship will be sinking.”
“The moment you board we can stop Flotsam, dead in its tracks. The demon will be confused. You don’t attack until the demon is on Flotsam. You and the fairies can take out the crew. Without his crew he can be defeated easily.” Xavier spoke excitedly.
“What about the demon himself? You will fight him?” Ren spoke, her arms crossed.
“I can hold him off until you finish it up. Once the distraction starts, the fairies can atleast hold their own and you can come over and help..” He nodded and smiled. “Between the three of us…” Xavier looked down slightly, to where the Captains room is. “We have no idea what she can do..” he smiled and then nodded. “It sounds dangerous”
“I love dangerous” Ren grinned and nudged him. “Lets get breakfast going”
“It’s almost lunch, kiddo. You slept all day” Xavier laughed and looked up to the sun, which was almost mid-day.
Ren glanced up and then shrugged. “Whatever!” she laughed and then ran down stairs to grab food. “I still want eggs and toast, damnit!” She shouted. The chef laughed and got some left overs, prepping two plates. She carried it up stairs and entered her room, approaching Ayla.
“Rise and shine sleepin’ beauty” she smiled and set the plates down. She reached over and touched Ayla’s shoulder. Ayla was still beat up pretty bad. Ren frowned and huffed slightly. “You’re still in some bad shape huh?” she muttered and stepped from the bed. “We gotta figure out how to fix that. We have a plan, but we need to get back to training you again… you’re going to need to be somewhat ready for whats ahead of us. We have to defeat that blasted demon, and after him – we have to figure out what to do with your mother… no time to sleep around” she spoke with her hands behind her head, pacing slightly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 10, 2016 17:51:43 GMT -5
Ayla didn’t fight against Ren as she pulled her onto her chest. She winced only slightly, the pain from her fight with Adriel had surfaced. She lay her head down as her breathing calmed and her pulse slowed, her eyes fluttered as she listened to the rhythmic sound of Ren’s heart as it beat within her chest. The warmth from the captain’s body began to soothe Ayla as well, and soon, she allowed herself the sweet release of slipping into the dream world.
The sound of an explosion rocked Ayla, she fell through space debris all around her. She let out a scream that only stopped once her body collided with the ground. She slowly pushed herself up, her breaths heavy. She held her shoulder that had landed first on the hard cobblestone ground below. She looked down to her body, her hand that hung down her side held her dagger, the blade pulsed with the gentle blue light. The same blue that she had emitted when the Demon attacked. She took in a slow breath as she lifted her head to the sound of waves crashing. She turned to see a broken dock behind her, the sky was a dull grey, and ash fell from the sky.
“Hello?” She called to only find that her voice echoed back to her.
Ayla looked to her clothing once again, she had armored boots on that clinked when she stepped. She wore a beautifully designed corset that also had armor on it, a cloak was pulled up upon her head and her ears stuck through it. Her gloves led into armored gauntlets that matched wonderfully. Turned to the city then and stared at the familiar shape of the palace in the distance. The ashes that fell from the sky began to turn to droplets of mist. She looked up into the cloudy sky before she looked back to the city before her. Bodies lay in the street. She rushed forward as she sheathed her blade and knelt next to the woman who owned the coffee shop. She saw this woman the day she met Ren, when she gave the captain the money this woman was in the shop. The princess pulled the woman to her back to see she had been stabbed through her chest, a pool of blood had soaked into the stone beneath her.
“Anyone? Hello?” She called a bit louder this time, nothing. Ayla stood and stared around the city, it was beginning to rain now. She stood frozen for a moment as she looked to all the bodies that lay in the streets, the broken windows to the homes. It was then that she heard the thunder of hooves upon the ground. Ayla turned and rushed into the coffee shop and took cover in the shadows. She peered over the broken glass to see an army of human guard coming through with a trailer attached to two large work horses. The men lifted the bodies and tossed them into the back of the wooden box carelessly. Her brows drew together. She looked to the palace, worried for her father.
She snuck around back and ran through the alleys, somehow she knew where to go. She knew each and every turn through the city as if someone had taught it to her. She stopped outside an old wooden door and pushed it open. Xavier stood in the room, his eyes fell upon her and he bowed his head. “We need to get to the king.” He whispered. “Before it’s too late.” He turned and moved his bookcase which hid the secret passage that he had taken her through from the castle.
Ayla paused and looked to the knight, he wore his armor again, his long sword at his hip. “What happened, Xavier?”
“We’ve no time.” He pushed her through and into the tunnel and the door slammed behind her casting her into the darkness.
She stood still for a moment looking to the dim tunnel before her, about fifty feet ahead a torch was lit. She began to run, and the run turned to a sprint as she pushed through the tunnel and eventually emerged in the gardens of the castle. Ashes fell from the sky with the downpour of the rain. She ran up the concrete stairs and into the castle, she ran through the empty halls, blood stained the marble flooring. Bodies lay everywhere, each body an elf. She burst through the doors to the main hall of the castle, the doors slammed against the walls causing a loud boom to echo through the large room to the throne.
Clapping began from a single set of hands. The throne was cast in shadow, though the boots of the person who clapped could be seen. “Wonderful job, might I add that I am impressed at your work?” The voice chuckled, it was male. She knew it from somewhere. Ayla stepped forward and stood before the throne now. The man stepped forward from the shadow, it was Victor, he wore the crown upon his head. “It wasn’t hard, you know. To convince Adriel to get me what I wanted.” He stepped down in front of Ayla. “It was easy to do this.” He whispered and grasped her chin. “Just as easy as it was for him to break your dreams. In the snap of a finger his army stormed the city with my men. The queen…well…” He hummed, “I’m sure you’ll be glad to know she didn’t approve, so I had to take care of her, you see, no one will stand in my way.” He snickered. “Not you, not your mother, and not the king.” He looked to her devilishly then. “Oh, by the way, surprise.” He kissed her upon her lips then before swiftly stepping back.
Ayla made to move only to find herself gripped from behind. She felt the huge hands of Adriel upon her neck, squeezing the life from her. “What do you require me to do with the princess, my lord?” Adriel’s deep voice asked.
“We won’t be killing her.” He smiled, “She possesses far more than she could imagine.” He stepped back to the throne, “Throw her in the dungeon.” He snapped his fingers.
Ayla struggled against the demon as he pulled her along the ground by her neck. She gripped and clawed at his arms until he eventually threw her into a cell. He slapped a set of glowing cuffs on her wrists before the door slammed shut. He chuckled, “Good luck without any power, princess.” He was then gone in a burst of flame.
Ayla looked down to the bracelet devices that had a low red glow. She felt weak, almost as if the devices were sucking her energy from her body. She pulled at the bars of the cell and hit her hand against it until her skin broke and she began to bleed.
“Ayla?” A voice came from the shadows. Her father.
Ayla turned as he came from the shadows and wrapped his arms around her weakly. He was frail, dark circles had formed around his eyes. “My girl.” He whispered and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Why did you come back here?” He shook his head.
“I…I wanted to save you father…” Ayla whispered as she looked to him.
“There is no saving me. Look at where we are.” He looked around the dungeon. “I’ve been locked away for weeks…your mother…” He sat down on the cold metal bench. “She ordered that I be locked away…that demon, it changes you…” He shook his head. “Victor isn’t any better, I heard the screams last night as he ordered the demon and his army to slaughter the city…”
Ayla climbed up on the bench and stare down to the city through the bars. She heard a cry from behind her and spun around, the demon had appeared once again and had her father in his grips. “No!” She rushed forward only to be slammed against the wall. The cuffs upon her wrists held her there like a set of magnets. “Let him go!” She screamed.
Adriel stepped forward and looked to the king as he held him up high, he snapped his neck and dropped him to the floor before he stepped forward to Ayla. “Is this what you want, princess?” He asked as he took her jaw into his huge hand. “Do you want those that you love to die?” His fiery eyes burned within his helmet. “The elves to perish by my hand, because of you?” He chuckled. “Victor wants them to die, he wants all of the city to die princess.” He gripped her throat, “Don’t forget what you are, who you are.” He growled and slammed her head against the stone.
Ayla sat up in a panic, tears streamed down her cheeks, she grit her teeth from the pain that coursed through her body as she fell back onto the bed. “Ah…” She cried as she took in quick breaths. She lay there breathing heavily and shut her eyes as she tried to drown out the pain. She fell into a light sleep and the next thing Ren was by her side with a gentle touch to her shoulder. Ayla opened her eyes to see the captain she took in a painful breath. “Ren…” She whispered as she slowly sat up. “I need to figure out how to block him.” She rubbed her eyes pushing sleep away. “We need to do something so that he can’t get into my head anymore…” Tears welled in her eyes. “He just showed me a vision of Portland, everyone slaughtered, down to the last elf…he killed my father in front of my eyes…” She swallowed and felt the bruises on her neck, the skin was raised and warm where each bruise lay. “I don’t know what to do.” She bowed her head. “We can’t let him kill my father…he is the only family I have that I have ever felt love from…” She looked back to Ren and shook her head, “Do you feel better today? How is your neck Ren?” She asked in a worried tone before she grit her teeth again from the intense pain that coursed through what felt like her entire body. She lifted up a plate and munched on the food. “I don’t know what to do…” She said again as she stared off into space. The dream that Adriel had given her really gave her a shock. It was more realistic than anything she had encountered before. He didn’t stab her, he didn’t torture her, but he did destroy everything that she knew, everything that she had once loved…
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 10, 2016 22:38:55 GMT -5
Ren looked to Ayla and frowned. “I’m not really sure how…” she muttered and then she paused. “Well, we have to start some where. We have to train you how to use your magic. The only way to do that - is to simply use it.” She came over to the bed and sat down. “I remember when I first discovered my own powers” she spoke and smiled softly. “I was young, it was the first week that I had just become a slave” she shivered slightly as the memories plagued her. “I tried so hard to run away. I ran through the huge fields until I came to a cliff. I stared at it for a long moment, I remember. I was thinking about everything. Back then.. I didn’t know why I was there. What had happened. It was staged, as if I had been stolen. I decided to jump… but as I was falling I realized I didn’t want to die. I panicked. In that split second that I chose life - my entire body became surrounded by air, it was rushing around me in circles. When I came to the ground after that long fall my body suspended in mid air, that circle of air saved me from impact…” she smiled then. “I remember that feeling of the power within me. I felt light like a feather, drunk like a sailor” she laughed and then stood.
“After that I would practice using it. Trying to imagine how it felt when it happened. That surging in my body, that thrill. I would make kites and fly them on windless days. Push paper boats across the tub” she chuckled and then stood before the bed. “You should try with yourself… Try to heal yourself, once you are up and ready we can try other things too. Once you get the flow of your power going through you, you’ll learn how to easily manipulate it.” She held her hand up and a gust of wind flowed into the room.
The stepped over to the door and closed it. She tightened down the curtains and allowed the room to grow dark. She stepped over and lit a few candles on each side of the room. The flickering of the light played off the sides of the wall. The candles gave the room a relaxing aura, its gentle scent flowing into the air as well. Ren stepped over and sat on the bed, crawling to the middle. “Sit up” she spoke - holding her hands out to help Ayla. Ren moved herself so that she sit across from Ayla, their hands still holding each other.
“Close your eyes” she whispered. “Lets go some where” she spoke again and smiled. “Green. Everything is green. The grass under your toes is green, soft, inviting. The trees are really tall, reaching so high” her voice was velvet, soft, soothing. “the canopy covers the sky, but the sun peaks through the leaves. It’s lightly lit, calming. You can smell the green, nature, it smells like oak sap, it smells like fresh air and apples.” She paused for a moment. “Lets walk..” she spoke. “In the distance is the ocean, you can hear it. The lapping of the waves against the sandy beach, the cawing of seagulls. You can hear it, but you can’t see it.” She spoke. “Keep walking” she spoke. “Lets go down this hill to the right” she spoke “through the bushes, step over them. Careful, lets walk down. The leaves, I hear them rustling under my footsteps, crunching and cracking. A pool of water now, surrounded in big rocks, hidden away. From up a hill theres a small stream leading to it. Lets get in it…” she smiled and took in a breath. “Now.. just float. Float ontop of the water. Just observe… “
“What do you see?” Ren spoke, her eyes closed. She envisioned what Ayla saw, smiling to each thing. “Now don’t think. Just sit there in the water. Silence…” Ren stopped talking. She didn’t say another word for a few minutes.
Ren could feel the energies within her stirring. She could feel her power on her fingertips, she could swamp the ship if she wanted, there was power surging. “Do you feel that?” she whispered. “You just mediated” she spoke. “You take yourself away from here. , Become one with yourself. See what is not there, touch what cannot, and love everything.” She spoke softly.
“Focus on your arm, focus your energy to that. Don’t tell yourself what you want. Show yourself. Picture yourself healing, picture what you want. You saved me because you couldn’t see me any other way, you couldn’t see me dying. Refuse to see yourself hurt… just like you did with me that first time…”
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 10, 2016 23:08:56 GMT -5
Ayla looked to Ren as she spoke of her past, the images vivid in her mind. “Just like that…?” She asked softly when Ren told her how she used her powers the first time. “Why haven’t I been able to use my powers before now?” She muttered and then winced as Ren helped her sit in the middle of the bed. She looked to their hands and smiled before she gave a nod and shut her eyes. Her fingers curled around Ren’s as she imagined the world that the captain painted for her. Her lips curved up in a smile as she took in deep breaths, relaxing as the sweet scent of the candle came into her nostrils. She could hear the breeze through the trees, feel the blades of grass. She let out a small giggle as she opened her eyes to look to Ren. “Okay…” She whispered when Ren told her not to try to force her magic.
Ayla looked to her scraped arm, a cut ran down the outside of her forearm and a hand print was bruised into her fair skin. She traced the lines of the injuries and winced as she remembered the demon pummeling her under the water. She shut her eyes and took in a deep breath, her heart raced at the thought of the demon but eventually it slowed. She looked to the bruise again and traced along the black and blue this time, a green glow appeared from her fingertips in that moment. As she traced the bruise began to disappear, almost as if she was erasing the wound.
She grinned and looked to Ren before she stood and moved in front of the mirror. She lifted her shirt and looked to the bruising upon her ribs and abdomen. Adriel had really used her as a punching bag. She shut her eyes and took in a slow breath, imagining herself standing there, no bruises, no scratches, just herself as she was just before the demon showed up. A gentle glow began to crawl over her entire body, a warmth surrounded her as her wounds began to heal. When the light dissipated Ayla stumbled and fell onto the bed, her head lay on Ren’s knee. She smiled brightly up to her and giggled. “Thank you.” She whispered, even though she felt dizzy from the use of her power, it was much better than the pain she was in just minutes before.
Ayla’s smile melted away as she thought of the power that she used under the water, she thought of the cold. “What caused the ice?” She asked softly. “Am I a mage? My mother and father are elves…. I’ve never heard of an elf that can wield magic like that. It was like an icy fire. I remember the feeling, I felt as though I was outside in a blizzard, but blue flames were all around me.” Ayla looked to Ren, her eyes taking in as much as she could of the woman. “I’ve never heard of anything like it, Ren.” She shook her head and sat up, her muscles weak from the use of her power.
The princess moved so that she lay on her back with her hands laced behind her head, she stared up at the ceiling once more. “I don’t know how I did what I did when I saved you. I was just…so afraid…” She shut her eyes then, “I haven’t had anyone care about me…. besides Xavier…and…you are different…I didn’t want you to die because of something that I did. This entire thing is my fault…” She whispered, the blue aura lit her fingertips and her skin began to cool as she thought of the scenario once again. “I just wanted to save you…” She muttered softly before she opened her eyes, the blue glow was a vibrant ring around her pupil. Her power was beginning to surface, what she did to the demon was nothing compared to what she could perform if she trained and understood her magic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 11, 2016 20:24:30 GMT -5
Ren looked to Ayla and nodded slowly. “Magic is the essence of emotion. As emotion is the essence of the living. Everything has emotions, the trees, animals, they feel.” She paused for a moment and then stood up from the bed. “My people are creatures of pure magic. The most emotional of them all, it is rare for a Fairy to base their decisions off of knowledge. When a fairy is good, they’re the best, when they’re evil - it’s the worst. But we do believe that every single thing has an essence, has magic, has heart. That is where magic starts. You want to know why it took you so long? Your heart had nothing to live for” her voice turned into a soft whisper at the tail end of the sentence. “When I wanted life - my heart sprung to life, purpose. Before… before this happened you had accepted death as your sweet release.” She then walked over and grasped her hand. “but now you have freedom, a life to claim as your own. It would only make sense for you to blossom now.” She pulled Ayla to the doors and opened them.
A gush of wind pushed against them as the boat moved forward through the sea. The entire world was a ray of blue, screaming to them. Ren stepped back slightly, gripping herself against the rush of the wind that made its way. They were moving fast. “Embrace it” Ren spoke and stepped forward out of the room. She jumped high into the air, like her legs were that of springs. She landed on the boom of one of the sails, with another leap she was on top of her highest mast. She stood on top, like the wind wasn’t there to push against her. She spread her hands outward, her eyes looking out to the far distance. Ren closed her eyes and smiled.
• * * *
They came up to a new city. Ren now stood at her wheel, bringing the boat to the dock. They were docking in at Cinstin, a human port that specified in trading and fishing. It had been a very long time since Ren last docked there. They had to, however, to get blasting powder to make more explosive cannon balls. It was a special mix one of the members made, it would explode upon impact. It had been quite some time since she even needed to make them, but this adventure called for extra measures.
As the boat tied off Ren landed center deck. She waved to Xavier and Ayla. “Lets hit the land, so you don’t lose your sense of it” she grinned. Ren always stepped off the dock. If one spent too long on the sea, they would become a pirate to life. The home of the breathing was truly land. Despite her love for the sea, she loved land even more. It was a different world with each city, it always interested her.
Ren stepped through the docks, her boots clicking against the well kept wood. The city was so clean, tidy and almost royal. Very human. Ren turned her head and looked to Ayla “You still owe me that chocolate” she grinned and they entered a bakery. She rubbed her hands together as she looked to the options. “Mmm look at that one, a molten center. Oh..” she bit her lip. She turned and then was instantly punched in the face. A tall slender man, in all black, grabbed Ren. He wrapped a sack over her head and looked to the two. “Ren is under arrest for inference of justice” he spoke “she will pay with her head” he spoke again and then in that second he was gone - the door swinging as the man disappeared with her tiny body.
He ran fast, Ren over his shoulder. He jumped upward with ease, landing ontop of the roofs, he ran from building to building. He led deep into the city, where walled castle sat. It wasn’t a giant castle, but a good sized. One for a lord, or mayor of some sort…
Ren was pushed forward, her hands shackled together by a magic band. Her eyes looked up to a man who sat on a smaller throne. His legs were crossed and slowly he stood, looking to her with crude eyes. “Do you know why you’re here, Ren?” They ripped the sack off her face so she could look to him.
“For bein’ too cute” she spoke with a grin on her face.
The man scoffed and shook his head. “No, my small friend. Couple years back you intervened on my glory” he spat and stepped down from the 4 steps to his throne. “You took pity on my mother” he gripped his hand “That whore of a mother.” He spoke through his grit teeth. “she murdered my father!” he shouted. He raised his hand and punched Ren in the cheek. She fell to her knees and nearly fell over, but the two guards held her in place. “I had to wait 15 years for my next opportunity…” he shouted and then kicked her with the heel of his boot. Her body wanted to fling back but they held her in place. Instead she coughed and spit blood onto the ground.
“There is a big bounty on your head” he spoke and stepped back. “I will seize it. 11.8 million gold. Which by the way is the second highest bounty out there” he laughed and waved his hand. “I will seize it after I torture you for my pain” he waved the guards. The guards lifted Ren up and dragged her to the door directly right of the throne. They threw her into a cell and shut the thick wired door.
Ren rolled over and sat up, finding it hard to move with her hands still tied behind her back. She leaned up against the stone wall to the back of the cell and looked through the barred wall to the next cell over. “Hey” she spoke, her voice a little ragged. The man next to her cell moved slightly, lifting his body to look to her. He was black and blue all over, he had been beaten very badly. Ren scooted her butt forward inch by inch until she came to the bars. “Octar?” she spoke as she tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the shaggy bearded man.
“Mhm” the man hummed slightly.
Ren shook her head. Octar was once a legendary knight. “Ren?” he spoke, his voice cracking and crumbling, hardly there. “Yeah” she spoke and put her forehead against the railing.
“huh… wouldn’t expect you here” he laughed slightly and then coughed hard. He spat a bloody loogey and then cleared his throat. “I never got.. to say thanks” he spoke again, looking to Ren. He grinned, his once perfect teeth were brown and rotting away.
“You ain’t got tuh. You did me enough favors then Tar.” She spoke and poked her nose through the bars. Octar reached forward - his arms unbound - he poked her nose and then chuckled. “How’d ya get here Tar? You disappeared a few years back, your tales grew thin.. I loved hearing of the songs when my boys would come stumbling from the bars.” She spoke happily.
“Aye. That good for nothing Nobleman… his sister, Gwenivere, well. I got her knocked up” he laughed. “he ended up killing Gwen, and well. I swung at his head a few times with one too many drinks in my pot” he laughed again and then coughed once more. “He didn’t like that” he spoke again. “You?”
“Like 20 years ago the queen lady thing was going to be beheaded for murdering her husband, when actually she didn’t murder anyone, it was the second hand who raped her” she spoke softly and then shook her head. “little boy didn’t like that either. I just docked for supplies. I am currently being chased by the Despair Demon for protecting a Princess who was in for an even worse fate” she spoke and then sighed softly.
“the Despair Demon eh? Hes a nasty one” he spoke and then coughed harshly. Octar moved to lean against the wall, looking at Ren. “Who’s this Princess?”
“Princess of Portland”
“Oh ouch. That queen is a fucking wench”
“Aye, you can say that again.”
“You are a kind person for offering her salvation, as you always are…” he smiled and then rested his head back, smiling. “You do that a lot, you just save save save, everyone else gets you introuble” he laughed and then choked again. After a moment he continued “never expecting anything. You’re such a goddess Ren.” He spoke and then turned his head to her.
“This princess is different” she spoke softly. “Everyone I save tends to go on their own story, I don’t mind that normally. I want that, save you from your wreck and prepare you for equal greatness. You left me and offered even better services to the needy” she paused. “But I don’t want her to go..” she whispered.
Octar perked up and then grinned wildly. “A new first mate, aye?”
“Uh - um- uh -“ she finally sighed. “yeah.. I think so… “ she spoke softly, almost nervously. Octar reached through the bar and put his hand on her arm. “You deserve it” he pulled away suddenly when the main door opened. The tall slender man walked to Ren’s cell and opened. He reached forward and grabbed her.
“Whatever you do Ren, don’t bite your tongue” Octar spoke loudly as the tall man pulled Ren away.
They entered a small room and the man tied Ren up - both hands to two tall posts, holding her up. He grinned and walked to his table of instruments. “Lets see how long you last…” he pulled a whip out. It was studded with nails. He slapped it in the air and walked towards Ren. “Don’t bite your tongue” he winked and pulled back the whip with a slap.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 11, 2016 21:47:03 GMT -5
Ayla smiled as Ren spoke of magic. “When you put it like that, it makes more sense.” She followed the captain out to the deck and watched with a smile as she effortlessly moved from sail to sail and stood high in the air. Magic was something she was not allowed when she was within the walls of the palace. Her father told her that only evil people use magic, that magic is never used for good. She distinctly remembered when she was a young child and she asked her father why her mother was allowed to use magic, ‘if mother can use magic, does that make her evil too?’ She remembered her question and her father’s expression as his eyes fell on his young daughter. Her father was silent for what felt like a year at her young age, she now knew that he was trying to come up with a good answer for his daughter. He told her that eventually no matter the will of the magic if used too much it would turn to evil.
The princess had always believed her father as a child, though she watched as her mother used magic to control the kingdom, it was incredible to think that a man with such a despise for magic allowed such a thing within his kingdom. But, the queen was the ruler, her father merely stood by her side and made sure that she was safe. He wouldn’t raise a finger to anything no matter how much he disagreed. That was something she hated about her father. When her mother beat her, he didn’t stop it. Ayla knew her father had overheard some of her screams as a child. But he never stopped her. His eyes would always be sad the next day, but he would never ask Ayla if she was okay. She always wondered why. What did she do to deserve the beatings that she received regularly, so many beatings that if she didn’t have at least one bruise on her body it was a dream that she wished to stay within, only to wake in pain.
Ayla leaned against the railing of Flotsam, she looked down to the ripples in the water behind them. Her mind continued to wander. She wondered what the city was like now, was it the same? Was she missed? She eventually came to Ren’s side as they came to dock. She looked to the humans on the docks and then to the royal city as she followed her captain. “Of course I’ll get you any chocolate that you would like, Ren.” She grinned to Ren’s comment about her owing her some chocolate. “You saved us.” She chuckled as she followed Ren into the bakery.
Everything happened so quickly. Ayla stepped forward when Ren was smacked in the head, “Ren!” She cried out and went to run after her only to be clotheslined by an armored arm of a knight. She was slammed to the ground and coughing.
Xavier pulled his sword and began to fight the man, parrying him easily. The clatter of a swordfight broke out in the bakery. The baker behind the counter cowered in fear. “Just take whatever you want!!!” The woman cried as she ran into the back room.
Ayla leaped upward and took off after the slender man. Her eyes had the blue glow around her pupils once again. She caught a glimpse of the man leaping to the roofs. A knight rushed her and she slammed her fists into his chest, her hands turned blue and he flew backward with an explosive burst of the blue flames. The knight flew backward into the side of a building, ice lined his armor. The princess continued to run she scaled a fire escape on the side of a building and sprinted off after the man and Ren. Her pulse pounded within her ears as she rushed along. The only thought on her mind was to save Ren, the blue within her eyes grew brighter as she leaped from one building to another. The princess quickened her pace as she saw the huge gap that the man had jumped from to another building. She bit her lip as she ran and made the leap. Halfway through the air it was evident that she wouldn’t make it. Ayla screamed as she flew through the air. She slammed against the brick wall of the building. She felt a tug at her wrists, and when she didn’t feel the sensation of her body falling she opened her eyes as she was pulled upward.
A man stood before her, a top hat on his head, a baggy black shirt buttoned down in the front and black slacks upon his legs. “Well, hello.” He chuckled, “Fancy meeting you here.” He looked her over, as if searching for something. “You look rather familiar.” He placed his fingertips on her forehead, a blue glow from his own fingers, she felt dizzy and stumbled only to be caught by him. He let out a laugh. “The day I meet a family member I save her from falling to her death. That is one for the books!”
Ayla looked to the man as if he was crazy. “Excuse me, I’m not sure who you think I am but I need to save my friend she---“
“Yes, yes, the captain of the Flotsam, I know.” He looked to her with ocean blue eyes. “You know, how would you know I don’t know who you are? Hm?” He blocked her from continuing.
The blue within her eyes was almost like a fire now. “I need to get to her. You need to move.” She ordered, her brows pulling together as she went to go around him again and he blocked her.
“She isn’t going anywhere, just the castle, she won’t get far.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, “Just wait a minute would ya? I’ll help you.”
“Help me?!” She scoffed, “You’re in my way!” She shoved against him, the man grabbed her hands tightly.
“Don’t.” He spoke, his voice serious, calm. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with, I want to help you, Ayla.”
She loosened then, no one knew her as Ayla…she looked to him baffled, the glow within her eyes dimmed slightly. “Who the hell are you?!! I don’t have time for your idle banter, Ren is in trouble and we have a demon on our tail, we don’t have time for this at all!” She pulled her dagger, the blade glowing bright blue to her touch.
“Listen.” He put up his hands. “I know the city in and out, I can get her back, I’ll get you into the castle, I know a secret entrance….” He stepped back slightly as he searched her eyes. “Ayla, just let me tell you something.”
“Well what is it?” She asked as she pointed the blade toward his jaw, “Don’t waste my time.” Her eyes were bright once again as her pulse raced within her ears. Frost covered her forearms.
“When I was a child, I had a younger sister.” He began softly. “We were orphaned…our parents killed in the war between elves and humans….” He watched as Ayla loosened slightly. “My sister was taken from the orphanage…when I was young…to Portland, by the King and Queen, they could not bare children…and with us being elven…”
“Are you lying to me?” Ayla asked, her expression of disbelief.
The man shook his head, “No….Ayla…just try to remember, you were young, but, you’re my sister…we come from a long line of elves and mages….our home is Vlaskavitz. It’s far to the north, in the mountains…our people should have never gotten involved in the war, but the queen threatened to wipe us out, she knew about the strength of the two races combined…”
Ayla lowered her dagger, her jaw loose as she looked over his features, his eyes, his brow line, the structure of his ears. “What…why…why did they do this? Why would she take me from you? Separate us?”
“They didn’t want you to know. The queen didn’t take me because I was old enough to remember, you were just barely three years old, Ayla….” He stepped forward and slipped the dagger from her grip. “I would be surprised if she didn’t wipe your memory so that you wouldn’t remember. She works some dark magic, magic that as a mage I won’t even dabble in. Magic that eats away at you.” He looked to the blade that he now held in his hands and smiled.
Ayla stared to him for a long silent moment. “What is your name?” She asked softly. The glowing within her eyes had nearly disappeared now.
“Jak.” He replied as he flipped the dagger around. “This blade belonged to a mage, long ago.” He smiled.
“Now, can we go save Ren? I mean…we don’t have time.” She shook her head. “I wish I had more time…I can’t just stand here.”
It was then that Xavier ran across the rooftop. He saw the two from below and had scaled to the roof of the building. He came forward with his sword pulled. Ayla looked in just enough time to block her brother, a burst of blue light came from her arms as she held them up. The blast blew Xavier to his back, his sword stay in a wall of ice, frozen in place just inches from her arms. Jak let out a chuckle. “You have much to learn, Ayla, but not bad.” He looked to the knight that stood and looked to the princess in confusion.
Ayla ran to Xavier’s side, “I’m sorry…” She whispered and helped him to his feet. “I can’t let you hurt him.”
“He has your dagger Ayla!” Xavier grunted as he pulled his blade from the ice.
“She gave it to me, I’m going to give it back.” Jak smiled, “I’m her brother. Look, we don’t have time to fight about this, I’m going to help you save Ren.”
Xavier stood dumbfounded for a moment as he looked to the two. He too noticed the similarities, they shared the same unique shade of hair as well. Ayla took her dagger back and nodded to Xavier. Jak led them down into the shadows of the alleys and down into a series of tunnels beneath the city. “How much longer?” Ayla asked anxiously, she had a bad feeling about all of this.
“We are almost there.” Jak said over his shoulder as he opened up a door that led to a ladder. They climbed up the metal rungs and into the dungeon of the castle. He rushed forward and grabbed a knight. He slammed the man against the wall and in an instant he had a dagger to the man’s throat. “Where are they keeping the captain from the Flotsam?” He growled, his voice threatening. “Don’t think I won’t kill you.”
The knight struggled for a moment until he felt the sharp blade against his throat slice at his skin. “Okay okay okay!” He cried softly. “She’s in the cells in the throne room! That’s all I know! I swear!”
“Ah thank you.” Jak chuckled before he knocked the knight out and looked to Ayla. “We will have to be quiet.” He gave a nod. “This castle is swarming with knights.” He went to the door and peered around the corner from the shadows.
Ayla was at his back, following his every move as they slowly progressed through the castle, each moment they made it closer to the throne room, closer to saving Ren. Ayla’s eyes began to glow again as her anxiety began to skyrocket.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 11, 2016 22:15:02 GMT -5
Ren pulled her head to the side and grit her teeth as the whip came forward. It struck her across the chest, the nails stabbing into her and pulling out harshly. She cried out loudly and her head fell forward, blood began to stain her white tunic. He pulled back again and lashed again, this time it smacked her shoulder and dragged, the nails scratching against her. She leaned her head back this time and cried again. The man threw the whip down and picked up the next tool. This one was a wooden bat. He lifted it over his shoulder and smacked her in the ribs. A loud cracking filled the room, her ribs breaking to the force.
He laughed and tossed the bat down. “Not loud enough” he spoke and then picked another item. The next was a pair of pliers. He took them and grabbed onto her earlobe. He held onto the lobe and then quickly yanked. Her entire ear ripped off the side of her face, dangling from the bloody pliers. Ren screamed in agony, blood rushing from the side of her head.
“oh there we go!!!” he laughed and wiggled the ear infront of her. He threw the pliers and ear down to the ground. His hand reached forward and cupped the side of her face, his hand filling with blood. He cupped his hand and brought the handful of blood to his lips, drinking it. “mmm” he moaned and his body became infused with power. He laughed loudly and then grabbed another item. The next was a machete. He stepped forward and lifted the machete.
Ren’s head fell forward, blood dripping from her jaw and onto the ground at a fast rate. He lifted the machete and swung it - chunking off a piece of her arm. He gripped the skin and stuffed it into his mouth, his sharpened teeth bit into the skin and he swallowed his chunk. “Yes!!!” he shouted louder. His body began to glow red. “Am I bringing back memories here doll?” he laughed loudly. “Oh yes, I know your pathetic mother sold you to the humans.” He chuckled. “I got my first taste of your skin years ago, imported. And man was that expensive. But the fresh bits? Oh this is so much better” he grinned and flayed off a piece of her other arm. He chewed it like a lion in a frenzy.
Blood leaked from both wounds on her upper arm, down her sides and soaking into her jacket along her broken ribs. Ren lifted her head and spat a goblet of blood. “Fuck you” she shouted and grit her teeth.
“Oh yeah?” he spoke and began to pull at his pants. “That sounds perfect” he grinned, his teeth full of blood. He yanked at her own pants and then gripped her shoulders, pushing himself into her. Ren cried out. “NO!” she shouted and she tried to move, thrashing viciously as he pushed his hips inward. Her eyes filled with tears and she shook her bleeding head.
|
|
