Characters
mentioned by name and by brief description. This can get long.
Rank: The Leader
Name: Ein
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Female
Skin: Pale Brown
Eyes: Bright Blue
Hair: Dark Brown
Personality: As a child she had a long term crush on her stepfather. As a hopefully older woman, she tries to pretend that she doesn't. A very strong, stubborn and opinionated woman who gets in the way of absolutely everything and has the natural abilty to read, she is like a young Joan of Arc... but without the levelheaded fairness. Rather stingy with money, she hates the out doors with all of her heart and yet loves to be in the middle of things.
Name: Havh
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Burnished bronze
Eyes: Dark green
Hair: Dark brown
Personality: A very attractive, rather hostile selfish kid who can get on everyones nerves, he believes himself to be great. But he isn't, not really. With real pedigree, if he was an animal he holds the arrogance of a prince- but without the fanfare to go behind it. Fostered due to past mistakes, he can be very stubborn, but not really dependable. Money and goal oriented, he would turn on you if he thought it would bring him more luck.
Name: Leix
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Male
Skin: Pale
Eyes: Pale blue
Hair: Dark blonde
Personality: A slightly dreamy waunderer who has the oddest luck of being able to bring strong promonitions to life, he is in a way feared, but kept around for his usefulness. A very quiet youth who keeps to himself, he can creep people out with the way he stares at them and seemingly able to know a lie from the truth. Dangerous in a way, he keeps to himself most of the time, relishing in solitude more than anything else.
Name: Doac
Age: Eleven
Gender: Male
Skin: Ash white
Eyes: Hooded with a mask
Hair: White fog
Personality: He's a very quiet, really sweet kid who doesn't need his eyes after all. A powerful healer controlled by his emotions, he really is a kid in hard times and doesn't hesitate to act like one. While he is valued practically for his gifts, he is also welcomed into the small force due to the fact that he can make people feel so much at ease, as if he can heal them emotionally as well.
Name: Thydia
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Female
Skin: Pale ivory
Eyes: Ebon black
Hair: Raven black
Personality: A quiet almost demur woman who gets away with everything she does because she does it so correctly, she's much more cunning than she seems, but in a good way. Cold hearted and oriented only for her country, she cares for naught else except for making sure that her country reigns and that it survives the bitter years of the harsh Cold War. Aloof, and yet rather kind, she does seem sweet and with her almost perfect mannerism can strike awe in the hearts of all.
Name: Shou
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Ghost White
Eyes: Crimson/Gold
Hair: Black
Personality: He's quiet, amused and rather amused about the happenings of the world. He doesn't keep to himself and while he does not try to goade others, it is clear that he would like nothing better than to do that very thing. A loyal follower of Havh, he is incredibly gifted with the sword and holds a rather passionate pechance for her Highness.
Name: Vehov
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Mottled brown
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Pale brown
Personality: A quiet sturdy dependable warrior with strong skills mostly dependant on his strength rather than anything else, while he is not stupid in any way, he is better led than forced to do everything by himself. He just doesn't work that way, see? A quiet rather becoming man who enjoys spending time with his Princess, he is very loyal and utterly conservative in his ways.
Name: Maelis
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Golden brown
Eyes: Pale gray
Hair: Raven black
Personality: A rather shy prince who is very smart, but still learning the ways of the court, it can be rather surprising at times that he actually does know what he's doing- and that he's very good at it. A quiet man who believes in justice and good, he is still rather surprised by the outlandish ways of the others and while he is a good warrior, fighting is not something he wishes to do.
Name: Sein
Age: Twenty Seven
Gender: Male
Skin: Soft ivory
Eyes: Cold steel
Hair: Clipped brown
Personality: He's a very silent strong force who serves only the Leader and strives nothing more than to be with her, while he is clearly powerful enough to end the war in any way he chooses, still he does choose to remain with her and take the longer, harder way out of the challenge. Incredibly powerful, he only respects two people in the world- himself, and the princess.
Name: Evriel
Age: Two hundred and Sixteen
Gender: Male
Skin: Black
Eyes: Gold
Hair: Black
Personality: A striking, humorless angry man who clearly doesn't like the fact that his Queen has commanded him to serve a mere human, while he does not struggle from his task, it is clear that he would do everything else but this. He hates serving others, believes himself to be far more better than the humans and yet has to admit that he is very interested in the one they called the Prince.
Name: Viha
Age: Twenty nine
Gender: Male
Skin: Black
Eyes: Streaked grey
Hair: Black
Personality: A quiet solid companion of the Princess, he has served her his entire life and knows nothing else- or so it would seem. There is life and defiance behind those odd colored eyes, but also a sense of kinship that he feels with the Lost Prince, A very able, valuable man with limitless skills, he is surprising to all, especially to himself.
Rank: The Leader
Name: Ein
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Female
Skin: Pale Brown
Eyes: Bright Blue
Hair: Dark Brown
Personality: As a child she had a long term crush on her stepfather. As a hopefully older woman, she tries to pretend that she doesn't. A very strong, stubborn and opinionated woman who gets in the way of absolutely everything and has the natural abilty to read, she is like a young Joan of Arc... but without the levelheaded fairness. Rather stingy with money, she hates the out doors with all of her heart and yet loves to be in the middle of things.
***
Rank: The
corrupt PrinceName: Havh
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Burnished bronze
Eyes: Dark green
Hair: Dark brown
Personality: A very attractive, rather hostile selfish kid who can get on everyones nerves, he believes himself to be great. But he isn't, not really. With real pedigree, if he was an animal he holds the arrogance of a prince- but without the fanfare to go behind it. Fostered due to past mistakes, he can be very stubborn, but not really dependable. Money and goal oriented, he would turn on you if he thought it would bring him more luck.
***
Rank: The
ProphesizerName: Leix
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Male
Skin: Pale
Eyes: Pale blue
Hair: Dark blonde
Personality: A slightly dreamy waunderer who has the oddest luck of being able to bring strong promonitions to life, he is in a way feared, but kept around for his usefulness. A very quiet youth who keeps to himself, he can creep people out with the way he stares at them and seemingly able to know a lie from the truth. Dangerous in a way, he keeps to himself most of the time, relishing in solitude more than anything else.
***
Rank: The HealerName: Doac
Age: Eleven
Gender: Male
Skin: Ash white
Eyes: Hooded with a mask
Hair: White fog
Personality: He's a very quiet, really sweet kid who doesn't need his eyes after all. A powerful healer controlled by his emotions, he really is a kid in hard times and doesn't hesitate to act like one. While he is valued practically for his gifts, he is also welcomed into the small force due to the fact that he can make people feel so much at ease, as if he can heal them emotionally as well.
***
Rank: The
PrincessName: Thydia
Age: Sixteen
Gender: Female
Skin: Pale ivory
Eyes: Ebon black
Hair: Raven black
Personality: A quiet almost demur woman who gets away with everything she does because she does it so correctly, she's much more cunning than she seems, but in a good way. Cold hearted and oriented only for her country, she cares for naught else except for making sure that her country reigns and that it survives the bitter years of the harsh Cold War. Aloof, and yet rather kind, she does seem sweet and with her almost perfect mannerism can strike awe in the hearts of all.
***
Rank: The DemonName: Shou
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Ghost White
Eyes: Crimson/Gold
Hair: Black
Personality: He's quiet, amused and rather amused about the happenings of the world. He doesn't keep to himself and while he does not try to goade others, it is clear that he would like nothing better than to do that very thing. A loyal follower of Havh, he is incredibly gifted with the sword and holds a rather passionate pechance for her Highness.
***
Rank: The WarriorName: Vehov
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Mottled brown
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Pale brown
Personality: A quiet sturdy dependable warrior with strong skills mostly dependant on his strength rather than anything else, while he is not stupid in any way, he is better led than forced to do everything by himself. He just doesn't work that way, see? A quiet rather becoming man who enjoys spending time with his Princess, he is very loyal and utterly conservative in his ways.
***
Rank: The Lost
PrinceName: Maelis
Age: Seventeen
Gender: Male
Skin: Golden brown
Eyes: Pale gray
Hair: Raven black
Personality: A rather shy prince who is very smart, but still learning the ways of the court, it can be rather surprising at times that he actually does know what he's doing- and that he's very good at it. A quiet man who believes in justice and good, he is still rather surprised by the outlandish ways of the others and while he is a good warrior, fighting is not something he wishes to do.
***
Rank: The WarlordName: Sein
Age: Twenty Seven
Gender: Male
Skin: Soft ivory
Eyes: Cold steel
Hair: Clipped brown
Personality: He's a very silent strong force who serves only the Leader and strives nothing more than to be with her, while he is clearly powerful enough to end the war in any way he chooses, still he does choose to remain with her and take the longer, harder way out of the challenge. Incredibly powerful, he only respects two people in the world- himself, and the princess.
***
Rank: The ElfName: Evriel
Age: Two hundred and Sixteen
Gender: Male
Skin: Black
Eyes: Gold
Hair: Black
Personality: A striking, humorless angry man who clearly doesn't like the fact that his Queen has commanded him to serve a mere human, while he does not struggle from his task, it is clear that he would do everything else but this. He hates serving others, believes himself to be far more better than the humans and yet has to admit that he is very interested in the one they called the Prince.
***
Rank: The SlaveName: Viha
Age: Twenty nine
Gender: Male
Skin: Black
Eyes: Streaked grey
Hair: Black
Personality: A quiet solid companion of the Princess, he has served her his entire life and knows nothing else- or so it would seem. There is life and defiance behind those odd colored eyes, but also a sense of kinship that he feels with the Lost Prince, A very able, valuable man with limitless skills, he is surprising to all, especially to himself.
***
The eleven
characters are the only things that stand between the land of San
Ikshiva, and the dark forces of the King. While there is always
politics and those who are fighting much more proper armies, this odd
ensemble hold an importance in their hands that can be surprising...
and so fate decides to give them a little push, to see which direction
that they will ultimately travel in. ***
The Calling
The Calling
She never
remembers what continues to happen in her dreams. She calls herself
lucky, because never had she been plagued with a dream that she was
forced to live through, or even remember. Still, there was something
familiar about the dream, the soft golden glow as she continues to look
over a field of men and knowing with pride that they would die well
tonight.
When she woke up, she could still hear it, the vibrating roars as they called out to her. Leader. Leader Ein.
She didn't think that a dream was supposed to scare her so much.
Waking up in the small cot to find herself slick with sweat, she brushed matted dark brown hair out of her eyes and blinked. Ever since the Hundred Year Wars with the demons had started over the Empire of San Ikshiva, her life had changed. The only child of General Lee, she had found herself following him over the entire empire and serving both as a friend and as a second in command. While in retrospect this was unusual considering the fact that she was sixteen years old and a woman, nothing was normal any more, not with the coming of the demons.
Grabbing a gray tunic and slipping it over her head, she cursed silently to the Gods. Everyone knew that the Gods visited the mortals in their sleep- it was only up to the Gods to decide whether or not the mortals remembered it. Drawing the mark of Sachiel and praying for protection, she turned on a small lamp to find herself staring face to face with a demon.
"What the hell..." the words were the only one that escaped her lips as she stared into the cruel twist of his features and watched his weapon arc down towards her neck.
***
Two pale blue eyes the color of a window snapped open, and the pale face that held them seemed to pale even more, if that was possible. There was something tense about the youth who suddenly sat up, staring at the window and ran forewords. His heart was in his chest, as it usually was and for the first time he didn't mind his crap quarters. The smaller the room, the less space for him to hide from. From his tall, modestly furnished tower he could see the battlefields belonging to the Emperor Raa'nan, and winced to see that so many white tents stood in proud proclamantion. The moon was full and heavy like a silver womb, casting an inauspicious light over the valleys.
"May Avrien protect us all." he said softly, muttering the name of the Goddess, the Protector of all who lived until the moons light. No one called for Sachiel's help in the night, not unless they had a death wish or was true to the Sun God. Marking himself with the Nature Pentacle and muttering a quick prayer, doubt crossed his eyes as he wondered if his dream had been false.
But prophesizers do not dream false dreams, if they dream at all.
He didn't have to doubt himself any longer, for suddenly with a piercing shriek, he watched the shadows attack the last enforcement against the Dark Ones.
***
He heard the scream, so piercing that it seemed inhuman. Only he knew that it was human, that it belonged to a young girl in that white tent. He could see her still, make out her shadow as she neatly tucked and rolled away from the demon, grabbing a spear as she did so. A soft light glowered as he lit intoxicating stick and inhaled it's scented fumes. It was a frivolous past time, unhealthy and surely not good for your sanity- but he was immortal. He didn't care what was good for him, and what wasn't. The shadows hid his dark steel eyes that flashed with desire of a fight, as it hid the soft ivory skin that seemed to gleam unholy. He was a Warlord, a special breed in a way, and as he watched the woman fight he felt that same desire tug as sharply as lust could. A warlord's destiny was to fight, after all.
"Take that!" he watched her, thriumphant as she staked her demon and cursed under his breath. Surely she knew that demon blood was poisonous?
He didn't know exactly what it was that he was doing here, only that he had travelled long and hard going nowhere, until he had found himself here, in front of the final battle. Things like this usually never bothered him. A battle was a battle, after all. But he had been drawn for this would be the last battle against Demon Kind. The one which would decide the victor of the Empire. He was of the few who had seen this from the beginning, the fight that had started it all and he was -while he would not admit it- growing tiredd of it.
He heard the acid eat away wood and smiled grimly as he crushed the stick in his palm. Well, he had been getting tired of staying out the fight.
***
Evriel snorted contemptiously. "Don't these humans ever learn that it is useless to fight against demons?" There was scorn in his voice, but it was expected seeing as he didn't really like humans at all. Of course, he would say that he merely believed them to be inferior- but that was the same thing, wasn't it?
"They have more courage and will than my subjects." his Queen remarked dryly. She was the Winter Queen, and thus known for her wry humor.
Evriel winced. "My Queen." he started."
"No need to explain yourself." was her amused remark. "I rather like them- I've admired the Emperors ancestors for a while, and would hate to see his Empire fall." her tone had a slight hint of reprove that someone would dare disagree. "I think." she said slowly. "I wish for them to win."
Evriel paused. "My Queen?" he said slowly. He didn't like the sound of this, nor her grin.
"Yes- that's right." she was smirking. "Evriel, you are the most powerful of the Winter Princes. Go make sure that my side wins."
Evriel winced, and would have argued except he knew just how stubborn she was. He couldn't curse either, because she had exceptional hearing. "My Queen." and bowing, he disappeared.
When she woke up, she could still hear it, the vibrating roars as they called out to her. Leader. Leader Ein.
She didn't think that a dream was supposed to scare her so much.
Waking up in the small cot to find herself slick with sweat, she brushed matted dark brown hair out of her eyes and blinked. Ever since the Hundred Year Wars with the demons had started over the Empire of San Ikshiva, her life had changed. The only child of General Lee, she had found herself following him over the entire empire and serving both as a friend and as a second in command. While in retrospect this was unusual considering the fact that she was sixteen years old and a woman, nothing was normal any more, not with the coming of the demons.
Grabbing a gray tunic and slipping it over her head, she cursed silently to the Gods. Everyone knew that the Gods visited the mortals in their sleep- it was only up to the Gods to decide whether or not the mortals remembered it. Drawing the mark of Sachiel and praying for protection, she turned on a small lamp to find herself staring face to face with a demon.
"What the hell..." the words were the only one that escaped her lips as she stared into the cruel twist of his features and watched his weapon arc down towards her neck.
***
Two pale blue eyes the color of a window snapped open, and the pale face that held them seemed to pale even more, if that was possible. There was something tense about the youth who suddenly sat up, staring at the window and ran forewords. His heart was in his chest, as it usually was and for the first time he didn't mind his crap quarters. The smaller the room, the less space for him to hide from. From his tall, modestly furnished tower he could see the battlefields belonging to the Emperor Raa'nan, and winced to see that so many white tents stood in proud proclamantion. The moon was full and heavy like a silver womb, casting an inauspicious light over the valleys.
"May Avrien protect us all." he said softly, muttering the name of the Goddess, the Protector of all who lived until the moons light. No one called for Sachiel's help in the night, not unless they had a death wish or was true to the Sun God. Marking himself with the Nature Pentacle and muttering a quick prayer, doubt crossed his eyes as he wondered if his dream had been false.
But prophesizers do not dream false dreams, if they dream at all.
He didn't have to doubt himself any longer, for suddenly with a piercing shriek, he watched the shadows attack the last enforcement against the Dark Ones.
***
He heard the scream, so piercing that it seemed inhuman. Only he knew that it was human, that it belonged to a young girl in that white tent. He could see her still, make out her shadow as she neatly tucked and rolled away from the demon, grabbing a spear as she did so. A soft light glowered as he lit intoxicating stick and inhaled it's scented fumes. It was a frivolous past time, unhealthy and surely not good for your sanity- but he was immortal. He didn't care what was good for him, and what wasn't. The shadows hid his dark steel eyes that flashed with desire of a fight, as it hid the soft ivory skin that seemed to gleam unholy. He was a Warlord, a special breed in a way, and as he watched the woman fight he felt that same desire tug as sharply as lust could. A warlord's destiny was to fight, after all.
"Take that!" he watched her, thriumphant as she staked her demon and cursed under his breath. Surely she knew that demon blood was poisonous?
He didn't know exactly what it was that he was doing here, only that he had travelled long and hard going nowhere, until he had found himself here, in front of the final battle. Things like this usually never bothered him. A battle was a battle, after all. But he had been drawn for this would be the last battle against Demon Kind. The one which would decide the victor of the Empire. He was of the few who had seen this from the beginning, the fight that had started it all and he was -while he would not admit it- growing tiredd of it.
He heard the acid eat away wood and smiled grimly as he crushed the stick in his palm. Well, he had been getting tired of staying out the fight.
***
Evriel snorted contemptiously. "Don't these humans ever learn that it is useless to fight against demons?" There was scorn in his voice, but it was expected seeing as he didn't really like humans at all. Of course, he would say that he merely believed them to be inferior- but that was the same thing, wasn't it?
"They have more courage and will than my subjects." his Queen remarked dryly. She was the Winter Queen, and thus known for her wry humor.
Evriel winced. "My Queen." he started."
"No need to explain yourself." was her amused remark. "I rather like them- I've admired the Emperors ancestors for a while, and would hate to see his Empire fall." her tone had a slight hint of reprove that someone would dare disagree. "I think." she said slowly. "I wish for them to win."
Evriel paused. "My Queen?" he said slowly. He didn't like the sound of this, nor her grin.
"Yes- that's right." she was smirking. "Evriel, you are the most powerful of the Winter Princes. Go make sure that my side wins."
Evriel winced, and would have argued except he knew just how stubborn she was. He couldn't curse either, because she had exceptional hearing. "My Queen." and bowing, he disappeared.
***
The Golden Cage
The Golden Cage
"Vehov, defend!"
simultaneously the young virile warrior flowed to obey the commands of
the Master at Arms. Moving swiftly and almost inhumanly, he blocked the
complicated parry with the force of his weight behind the broad sword.
Attack, defend, attack. Parry, twist, move. The commands echoed like a
dull throb in his mind, his muscles glistening with sweat as he tried
very hard to follow out each of the actions.
"You move like the possessed, Vehov" the words were meant kindly and Vehov grin, causing the craggly rather harsh features of his face to soften. He would never be called attractive, but it didn't matter when he had such a bright future ahead of him.
"I only learn from the best." grinning, his voice almost gruttural he continued parrying the blows from his opponent before pushing swiftly and turning to glance his weapon over the top of the man's helmet.
"Aye, you do." chuckling fondly, the old man watched the younh prodigy of a warrior. While he was not the smartest around and would probably not meet the rank of General, there was some brute force in him, some kind of instinct that made it appear as if he had been created for the war. Sometimes that was a bad thing, but at moments like this, it was a good one.
It was a good time to be alive for such a youth.
"It's the princess." The old man watched amused, as the entire barracks seemed to hush as a pale draped form emerged from the tallest tower. There was a look of both awe and fear on their faces, for none had really seen the face of the princess whose beauty was supposed to be legendary. But it was more then that. She was the final treasure to be kept away from the demon.
***
"You would think that the second best warriors of all of San Ikshiva would have more brains than to act like gutless fools at the sight of a white veil." the voice, silent held so much amusement that the white figure laughed softly.
"Viha." while the name might be feminene, there was nothing feminene about the man who it belonged to. Tall, bulky with odd grayed eyes at the age of late twenties, he moved quickly to assist the woman back into her bed. "We must have more respect for these men."
"You would say that" dryly and grimly, he watched them. "They don't stand a chance." he said softly, shaking his head even as he absentmindedly rearranged the silk around her. Dressed in white and gold, the figure was enchanting in a way that called perfectionism into the mind. And in a way, she was. There was something perfect about the way she sat, her shoulders dipping and her face set in a calm expression.
"Do not say so, Viha." she said softly, smiling and ruining the perfection. "You know they are our last chance."
"Especially since..." at the sharp look from the princess, he tried to quell his tongue.
"No, what is it?" her voice escaped too sharply, and she regretted it. Viha was probably the most devouted... slave on all of San Ikshiva. While many would have protested, Viha had grown up knowing nothing else and even found a measure of pleasure in his acts.
"The Emperor's Palace was ambushed last night." as he watched the pallor in her cheeks, he regretted his words. "He..."
"Are they safe?"
"It's Hahv." he said automatically, as if it would make everything better except it... didn't. The words seemed fake, somehow as did the cruel twist to his eyes.
"Hahv." it was the Emperor who spoke. "While your father left us here for safe keeping..."
"For you, you mean." he showed no respect. "He knows I don't approve of this Empire..."
Ein's good hand shot out before she could think, grabbing his throat. "Don't speak like that." she growled. She was one of the few who were extremely loyal, and she felt a wave of disgust to the man who spoke such... blasphemy.
"Ein." the Emperor, kind inturrupted. "Hahv has always had a mouth on him." still, his gaze was cold.
"Your majesty." words dripping with irony, the prince bowed once, before leaving his presence.
Evriel, sensing something evil about him paused, before following. While he may not like his orders, he obeyed his Queen to the fullest and he knew this one would be trouble. Sein followed, not because he really cared but because he was fascinated by the elf.
"I don't know why you keep him around." Miriel muttered.
"He may be callous, but he is still a prince." the Emperor murmured. He smiled slightly to see the blind Healer nodding off. "Take Doac to his room Miriel, and get some sleep yourself... you've just returned from the other side and..."
Miriel nodded. He was weary. "Aye...I will see you later..." he paused, sending a curious look down the hall and smiled. "Father."
***
"It wasn't smart letting them see the contempt." the voice hissed from the shadows. Annoyed, Hahv paused and glared to see two crimson beady eyes staring back at him.
"What would you know, Demon." he spat.
"Everything." laughing at his own sense of humor, the tall dark and stunning form of the monster revealed himself in the shape of something close to an animal, close to a human but with no definite boundary. "If they suspect at all."
"The emperor is too weak to believe that one of his own Princes would dare cross him." he grimaced, because a apart of him loathed the idea still.
"Creating a concious now, Hahv? What a waste."
"Mind your own buisness, Shou."
"Ah, but you are my buisness."
Hahv turned, irritated. He had betrayed his Emperor to the Demon because he was weary of this world. He wanted power, dominance and in his mind the only way he would get it was if he changed sides. It was not being everything he had thought it would, however. The Demons were much more trickier than he had first suspected, and while he would never admit it, a part of him cowered at what he had become.
"Shut up, Shou."
Hissing, the demon lashed out at him, but paused, unwilling. For the demon had a small smidgen of respect for the one they called the dark Prince. Or the Forgotten, as the demons liked to nickname him. Suddenly he paused, his nose in the air as he inhaled the sweet scent of... ah, yes.
"Elves and warlords." the demon mused, amused and at the same time, ecstatic. "Ah, the company this War is brewing..."
***
"Your Highness, are you sure..."
Thydia smiled, watching Vehov squirm under her gaze. "With your finest men, I shall hardly be suspectible to demon attacks." she said lightly. Dressed in pale rose silk that set off the blush on her cheeks, she appeared sweet and slightly warm hearted. "I have complete confidence in you." placing a hand on his, she watched him blush and her smile deepened. He was such a sweet man.
From behind. Viha rearranged her clothing, touched her hair and just continued moving, as if somehow if he stopped, the world would stop moving as well. Thydia did not mind the attention, but again at his constant touch she just... wondered about him.
"Come, let us go." she pushed softly, and smiled when with a suffering sigh Vehov followed.
Ever since she had heard of what had happened to the Emperor, knowing he had survived but only with the help of immortals she had known that her own life would soon be at danger. The only living member of the old Nadian line, she had a responsibility to bear on her shoulders that she couldn't just give to anyone else. Planning this trip had been dangerous, for while her life may be at less risk once she arrived at the Imperial Palac, going there... who knows?
"Don't worry." It was Viha who spoke quietly, as if somehow sensing her thoughts. "Everything will be okay."
She hoped so.
***
"What?" the Prophesizer watched, nodding as Miriel looked up with curiosity.
"She's coming right now, here." the youth confirmed, looking grave. At that moment, Hahv walked into the room and Leiz flushed. Something about the prince...somehow, he hadn't had any dreams about the prince, and yet knew it was only a matter of time.
"How did you not know before? Why now?"
Leix blinked. "I don't time my dreams, you know." he answered dryly, causing Ein to giggle from the corner. Ever since she had arrived to the castle, she had climbed the ranks swiftly. He had known this would happen, that she would follow in her fathers footsteps and yet at the same time, become... more. He smiled as he watched her. He always liked having his dreams confirmed. He was young enough that he was allowed this childish fancy.
"She's coming with a small retinue... as well as Vehov."
Ein grinned at that, for she knew the warrior from the past, when her father had still been alive. "She'll be safe then." she said softly, relieved. "But doesn't she knew..."
"...the risks?" Hahv purred. "Dear Ein." this seemed to get on the girl's nerves, which was why he used it. "There is no place on the Empire that is safe, except for here... with those two." he glared. He knew that the elf and the warlord were following him around, having almost been caught conferring with the demon too many times to count.
"I think we've been complimented." while the elf and the warlord were not close, they had formed an uneasy truce.
"Yes, I think so too." Sein replied dryly, causing the dark prince to flush.
"That's not what matters." surprised by his outburst, he turned to see everyone staring at him. Miriel swallowed. "The princess is coming... surely, we need to make..."
"...preparations?" Leix watched the room, counted the people and knew that they were one short from his dream... no, that person was here, he just couldn't see them. He shuddered at the thought. "No, this... this is perfect."
Miriel nodded. He felt a sense of anxiousness as he waited for her to arrive.
***
Leix looked around over the throne room to where they essembled a week from that fateful day, and smiled thinly as he watched them. He couldn't see them, not really. He could only see the small haze of a prophecy hanging over them as he knew a vision would be arriving soon. He knew these things, for he had been born into his gift.
"Are you okay?" turning to see the blind heale watching him with concerned brows, he nodded. Leix knew that the healer could see - not in the conventional sense, but he still could.
"Just... nervous."
Miriel heard the exchange, and laughed. "We all are." he admitted. His glance flew to Hahv, as he wondered just what the black prince was doing here. What did he have to do that Leix had asked for his presence? He still felt uncomfortable around him.
As if hearing his thoughts, Hahv smiled thinly, and saluted mockingly.
Miriel stiffened, ready to react when the loud announcement boomed.
"The Royal Princess Thydia" it was such a simple title, and while the room was already quiet the hush seemed to grow.
Feathered wings of gryphons beating down against the harsh ground, the sight of demons screaming as sharp talons and beaks ripped at them, the poisonous blood harming them none. Powerful creatures with nobility and savagry tearing through the lines, and he could smell victory. Ein, Miriel, Leix, Doac and Sein on top of gryphon backs pressing the victory line as the lines of demons crumbled on the earth and the sky.
Creatures swimming in the water too quick for the hides to behold; a flash of scale and hide as wonderous, reptilian beasts tore from the seas and the rivers to capture the demons- the ultimate predators. Their songs dance on the back of sea dragons and there were so many, devouring those who got too close to the waters edge. The warrior, the slave, the princess fighting in the pressing line, the elf and the black prince attacking, with the shadow.. the shadow...
When he came to, he was cradled in the soft arms of the princess who watched him worriedly. All faces were crowded over him, and for a moment he could not see what was happening. For a moment he forgot who he was, what he was for the vision was calling for him with sweet nothings. When he found his voice, he understood the vision so completely, that he was at awe.
"I..." he was suprised as to how hoarse his voice was. Pausing to clear his throat, he looked around wildly and was about to get up when small childike hands of Doac pushed him back down. Firmly.
"Lie down, you're not well." there was something authoritive about his tone as the child healer frowned, watching him. "And speak little."
Leix smiled, sheepish. It was so wierd seeing the child act so... grown up. "I had a vision." he said simply, and nodded. "I know how to defeat the demons."
***
Viha didn't know why he was staring at the elf man so much, for his sharp golden eyes seemed so... odd. Still, he kept staring and for a moment he forgot his rank, his statas as merely a slave.
Because the elf captivated him.
"Why do you stare so?" for a moment Viha thought that Evrial was speaking to the man besides him, and yet as those startling gold eyes turned to him, he realized that the elf had known that he was staring all along.
"I don't know." he said honestly. With Thydia cradling the youth, he felt a larger measure of freedom, as if somehow the presence of the princess had always crippled him. He winced, for the thought was cruel.
"Am I causing you some harm?" mistaking the wince, Evrial looked up to study the slave, amused by his reaction and at the same time... fascinated by their likeness.
"I think so." the slave was honest, that Evrial would concede. While he did consider humans to be beneath him, there was something exotic about the slant of his eyes that let keen viewers know that he was not completely human. The gray eyes, a mark of the half breed only through the winter court was another give away to the fae. He couldn't be... Evrial shook his head. The fae were usually impotent with humans, so surely this could not be one of his own... nah.
"Then I apologize."
"Why should you? You are fae."
Evrial watched, amused. Well, if he wasn't.. he still admired the courage. Although it troubled him that such a rare find could be a slave... it spoke badly for the winter court. It was very hard for the fae to breed, and this... he shook his head. He will keep an eye on his one, when the prince was not troubling him.
***
I cannot let him speak Hahv spoke hotly in his mind to the demon who resided there. While the demon could not possess him, he often rolled his mind so that he could have a first eyes view of the events. It seemed the demons didn't even trust their own ranks... or maybe it was only because he was a turncoat. One a betrayer, you could turn again.
You can the demon said sharply. He wanted to know what the prophesizer knew... and... an idea came into the demons mind, and he chuckled at his own genius. we will go with him.
Are you mad? the prince asked furious. He was not willing to give away his secret. It was already touch and go, using all the magic the demons could provide to keep his betrayal a secret. Still, he knew Leix suspected... something. To follow him would endanger his secret, increase the risk of... what do you mean, we?
I can take human form.. or have you forgotten? Listen well. He says that they will go to the gryphons and the sea dragons... something I have not suspected. An Old One must be helping him for him to know all this... he will take one group, and the other will go...
"I will lead the group to the sea dragons." Hahv volunteered abruptly, for he knew what the demon was thinking. Find the secret, find just why these creatures were potentially lethel and use it against the humans.
Clever... the demon found the swift mind of his human amusing and also... endearing. In a way, he felt loyal to this black prince.
"You?" Miriel sounded skeptical, and Hahv flushed.
"Aye." he glared. "I will take my protector" he said, using the old adage and smiled. clever clever... the demon approved in his mind, and his smile seemed to deepen. "Unless you do not trust me, my prince?"
Miriel scowled. He would never say the words, not in public. "Go then."
***
Thydia watched, amused at the prince and also slightly... enthralled. They had met all those years ago and she remembered how... disappointed she had been once she had seen the prince. Now, that was no more. They had been children, and for some reason she had arrived, still expecting that child even though she knew herself no one stayed the same forever. He had changed... he had become bigger than life, and she could see the blood of his ancestors running hot in his veins.
She shook her head at the thought, and saw him watching her. They had been watching each other all night, and she realized that there was something expectant in his eyes... as if he expected her to say something. Sitting there, she realized she had raised herself and that everyone else was watching her as wlel.
"I will go with him." even she was surprised by the words that left her mouth, but knew that they were right. The prince stiffened, Hahv that is and turned to her, suspiciously. She wondered why that was.
"I can't let you." Miriel inturrupted.
"Can't?" there was steel in her voice, and she distinctly heard the emperor chuckle.
"I won't come to harm." she said softly.
"Aye." Evrial nodded. "I will see to it." he said this to reassure the prince, but this also provided the perfectly opening for him to stay with the black prince. He turned to the warlord expectantly, to see him shake his head.
"I will stay with the..." he paused. The elf knew what he was about to say. The General. He met to call the young chit that, a girl who had done nothing to comandeer the respect of some as powerful as a warlord.
"With me?" Ein seemed surprised as well even though the warlord hadn't finished the sentence.
"... prince, Miriel." he finished smoothly. Ein flushed then, embarresed and Evriel hid a smirk. Ah, so that was the way things were. He had believed the warlord to be above all this.
"I go with the princess." Vehov said softly, and something in Miriel seemed to relax.
"As do I." it was the slave, and while Thydia took this calmly, Evriel looked over, surprised. The slave? At the same time, the suspicion that this youth was more than a slave clung to him sharply.
You know I go with you... the demon purred in Hahvs mind.
"I go with the Prince." the healer said firmly, and no one protested. The boy was young, but he was powerful. He was not blind, and Leix knew that the people would understand.
"Okay" Leix took a deep breath. "Ein, Miriel, me, Doac and Sein will go to the land of gryphons." he paused. "Evriel, Viha, Thydia" he smiled. "Princess." he said softly. "Vehov and" he frowned. "The dark prince..." everyone noted that he hadn't bothered to call Miriel by his rank. "There is someone missing." he paused.
Havh tensed. "My protector." he said smoothly, and smiled. "All know I go nowhere without him."
Leix nodded, but he seemed unsure. "Okay then." he smiled. "I guess thats..."
"One question, prophesizor." it was the emperor who smiled as he said this. "How will you find these creatures?"
All turned, expectantly to see Leix flush. "Oh..." he paused. "I don't know." he said sheepishly.
***
I don't understand... why do you want us to go? Hahv demanded.
For the greater good of man kind? his tone was so mocking, that it hurt. The demon, in the form of a tall dark skinned man smiled, and there was a shadow of fangs in his mouth. He rarely spoke, mostly because his tone was still too silky... to demonic -if that was at all possible- to fit the human ears without causing suspicion.
Don't play with me. Hahv sounded angry, too angry as he snapped at the other man.
No, don't you play with me suddenly the demon's tone was dark and sharp as the 'protector' frowned at his prince. To others, it looked like a mild disagreement, but Hahv knew how different it was on the inside. It will help my knowledge, help our side... it would have happened eventually. Why not now, when it will benefit us as well?
The demon was speaking of the arrival of two search riders. They had come from a different world, arrived because of a note that had been sent speaking of the available... candidates. The note itself had been sent by a high ranking demon who knew the goings of the other worlds. The note had been explicit, so detailed that the search riders had doubted it at first. When they had found out that the people were at war, and that the candidates were important people for the war, they had been almost unwilling until the prophesizer had convinced them otherwise. Still, they were very unwilling to take away these very important pieces from the chess game.
"To the healing den swim, and to that stupid gryphon thing..." one of the search riders muttered.
"Don't be so racist." the other replied dryly, patting his dragon.
"Have the right to be." muttering, he threw up his hands in defense. "Look at them!"
"They look nervous, like all candidates." the other replied, placating the older search rider with a winning smile. They watched as the elf threw his hands up to the heavens and cursed someone he kept refering to as 'my queen', and smirked. Higher powers messing with life... oh yeah, they were very familiar with that one.
"Do you think they'll be accepted?"
"Of course." okay, so it was a lie... but it was reassuring, none the less.
"If we've done something to screw up the timeline and dedicated course of this worlds history..." he warned. "I don't want to take the blame again."
The search rider turned, exhasperated. "Those two worlds were a mistake, alright? I'm still apologizing... jeez. I'm sorry I screwed up the lives of two entire worlds to a point where we had to backtrack the civilization through time several million times. Okay?"
The other search rider paused, and smirked. "Okay." he sniggered. "This is on your head as well..."
"Fine..." he muttered. "But if it ends up as being the right thing..."
"...I'll take the credit."
"Jerk." still, the way he said it was affectionate.
"Prat." he replied in return.
"Um..." it was Ein who inturrupted, and they both turned to her with a glare. "I'm sorry but..."
"Yeah, yeah." the older one muttered. "Take a small break and they're already bugging you..."
"Amen to that." swinging onto the back of his dragon, he turned to the candidates and to the dragons that were arriving to transport them. "Come on guys, hitch up. We're going to the Nexus." he grinned. "Back to work then, aye?"
The other grinned, and did a thumbs up. "Ready when you are, captain."
***
The New Gryphon Riders
Leix and Tuohuolavshe
Power Level -Average
Powers- Mental sense/empathy, mind command (human/humanoid)
Size- small for breed
The small golden cuckatoo gryphon looked over, large eyes blinking and looking such a sweet sight. She was so much liek her rider, with the same pale feathers and the darker crets with blue eyes that seemed to gleam with an unholy light. She crooned, watching her rider with a sense of empathy that shouldn't be normal. Both rider and gryponh were suited in many ways, but most especially, because both loved each other to a point where it was painful to watch.
Is something wrong, rider? she asked, soft. Her empathy alllowed her to know things other's didn't, to help her rider in small ways because she knew things that he wouldn't tell her. The boy tried to protect him, btu she would have none of that and often volunteered her help.
"Nothing, Tuo." he whispered. "But... it will soon be time, to round up the water riders."
The cuckatoo nodded. While they were not the leaders of the group, he was the prophesizer and until he said, they would remain here, at this place with the gryphons. The gryphons were proving to be formidable companions, for while they did not have the size and bulk of dragons, they were powerful in a much more magical way, in a much more understandable way.
We will do this together, rider. she promised, and he nodded. Curling his fingers through a ridge of her feathers, the ones closest to his hands he nodded.
"Together." he whispered.
Maelis and Ytengze
Power level: Average
Powers: Life control, ground speed.
Size: Average
While Ytengze was not the largest or the fastest, he did appear to be one of the deadliest. With speed and the keen mind of a falcon, he had the noble bearing of a gryphon that would lead, and as he watched his rider, solemn, the gryphon knew he would never have to prove himself. His allies were enough.
It is almost time. the gryphon whispered, his voice husky as he nodded his head to where Leix had arrived.
Doac and Geizee
Power level: Average
Power: Life sense, water control
Size: Above average
We can heal, and once the water dragons arrive, with our ability to manipulate water, we will accomplish much. the wise calm voice of the spoon bill otter had Doac smile, shaking his head.
"I was never worried of that." he said simply, and the beak brushed against soft hair as the healer closed his eyes. He was just so...weary at the thought of it all. "It's just that..."
Neither of us want death. he said kindly, simply. He understood his rider, and they were similar. But we will do all it takes.
"Yes." Doac murmured. Breathing in the sweet heady scent of the ocean and smiling, he looked at at Geizee with a determined gleam. "In a months time, we go for the dragons."
Yes.
Sein and Diioze
Power: High
Power level: Temperature control, summon animals.
Size: Large
Sein closed his eyes. Strong, deadly people would have thought that he was considering his options, but it was more then that. He closed his eyes, because he knew what was to come and he didn't want people to see the bright glee. He was a warlord, not The Warlord who was waging war against the San Ikshivan kingdom, and he knew his deeds would ring hardest. The betrayer, the...
Hero. calm, and very keen that mallard turned his head, looking sternly. Large for his breed and with a very high power level, he helped the true Leader, helped them control the other gryphons and other animals. It made hunting easy, and both had no qualms about trapping others with their power. Still, there was something bloody about them both- if a mallard duck could look bloody.
"We are to leave, soon." he whispered. "I wonder..."
If the other group will be ready?" he asked, voicing the thoughts that his rider had been having anyways, and snorted. Even if they are not...he began.
"Yes." they could already read each other's minds. "We can do this, the two of us."
We can win this war...
Ein and Dramoze
Power level: High
Power: Senses, body control
Size: Large for breed
Ein had grown up with Dramoze, to a point where the warlord actually admired her in more ways then one. Nodding curtly as the prophesizer brought her the news and bowing for the prince, she almost felt a pang of regret that the prince was so besotted with the princess. Still, it did not matter. This war was her first priority and then...
No one is good enough for the both of us. Dramoze reprimanded gently, shaking his head as he watched the thoughts of his rider. With higher, keener senses then everyone else and the ability to control his strength and endurance, he was a very impressive sight.
"When we go." she said quietly. "We will seek vengeance."
Revenge is petty. Dramoze said curtly. We will merely kill.
Ein blinked, still not used to the ferocity of her bonded and then began to laugh. "Yes." her voice sounded almost harsh, until one saw her eyes and the kindness barely suppresed. "We will get what he want." With ease.
"You move like the possessed, Vehov" the words were meant kindly and Vehov grin, causing the craggly rather harsh features of his face to soften. He would never be called attractive, but it didn't matter when he had such a bright future ahead of him.
"I only learn from the best." grinning, his voice almost gruttural he continued parrying the blows from his opponent before pushing swiftly and turning to glance his weapon over the top of the man's helmet.
"Aye, you do." chuckling fondly, the old man watched the younh prodigy of a warrior. While he was not the smartest around and would probably not meet the rank of General, there was some brute force in him, some kind of instinct that made it appear as if he had been created for the war. Sometimes that was a bad thing, but at moments like this, it was a good one.
It was a good time to be alive for such a youth.
"It's the princess." The old man watched amused, as the entire barracks seemed to hush as a pale draped form emerged from the tallest tower. There was a look of both awe and fear on their faces, for none had really seen the face of the princess whose beauty was supposed to be legendary. But it was more then that. She was the final treasure to be kept away from the demon.
***
"You would think that the second best warriors of all of San Ikshiva would have more brains than to act like gutless fools at the sight of a white veil." the voice, silent held so much amusement that the white figure laughed softly.
"Viha." while the name might be feminene, there was nothing feminene about the man who it belonged to. Tall, bulky with odd grayed eyes at the age of late twenties, he moved quickly to assist the woman back into her bed. "We must have more respect for these men."
"You would say that" dryly and grimly, he watched them. "They don't stand a chance." he said softly, shaking his head even as he absentmindedly rearranged the silk around her. Dressed in white and gold, the figure was enchanting in a way that called perfectionism into the mind. And in a way, she was. There was something perfect about the way she sat, her shoulders dipping and her face set in a calm expression.
"Do not say so, Viha." she said softly, smiling and ruining the perfection. "You know they are our last chance."
"Especially since..." at the sharp look from the princess, he tried to quell his tongue.
"No, what is it?" her voice escaped too sharply, and she regretted it. Viha was probably the most devouted... slave on all of San Ikshiva. While many would have protested, Viha had grown up knowing nothing else and even found a measure of pleasure in his acts.
"The Emperor's Palace was ambushed last night." as he watched the pallor in her cheeks, he regretted his words. "He..."
"Are they safe?"
***
The Forgotten
Prince
"Father"
relieved, the tall slender form of Miriel seemed to visibly relax to
see that the Emperor was still unharmed. "I thought..."
"You were misinformed." eyes dancing with amusement, the Emperor watched his heir walk towards him with the air of a King. A prince was what he was now, but not for much longer. Waving his hand at th emedical group, he grimaced. "One of the fae..."
"The fae?" he inturrupted, face shuttering with suspicion. "What kind of deal..."
"No deal." Evriel snapped as he approached them both. "I was ordered by my queen."
"Of the winter court." Sein whispered softly, purring and smiled. "The most cold hearted of the fae..."
"I wouldn't talk, Warlord."
Watching this, Miriel shook his head, baffled. "What..." he began, when a small slender form in a white tunic streaked towards him.
"Miriel!" the voice, still pitched at the relative high contralto belonged to a young boy who appeared too young. Wearing a veil over his eyes, he grinned as he lunged himself into the Heir's arms. "I'm glad to see you."
"Oof." still, the prince was grinning as he watched Doac. "You've grown." he said softly, frowning to see his blood streaked hands. "Who was..."
"Many men... we won only due to these two supernaturals." the Emperor waved his hand at the two men. "the Warlord, the Elf, this is my son Miriel."
Evriel's eyes narrowed. "The last heir." he said softly.
Sein watched him, and arched a brow. "Why are you not hiding behind some tower, waiting for it all to end?"
Miriel scowled as he watched the two, wondering just how much could have happened while he was away. "I'm no coward Warlord. If my empire must fall, I will rather be there and fall with it."
The Emperor chuckled. "As well as the fact that the only defensible fortress is already occupied by Thydia."
Miriel seemed to crimson at this, blushing so furiously that Evriel blinked. He knew the name to belong to the beautiful Princess, but...
"She's last in line of the legendary King who ruled the land surrounding San Ikshiva. When our Emperor took over, they made a treaty." was a quiet, feminene voice. All turned to see the hard sharp lines of Ein walking towards them, barely limping. She looked up once at Sein, and blushed. He had saved her life, so she always felt uncomfortable around him. "The treaty is to fuse the two families..."
"But that was ages ago." Miriel protested. "None of my ancestors followed through with it."
Ein shrugged. "Maybe that's why the Empire is crumbling." belatedly remember who she was speaking to, she flushed. "That is..."
"Is it the commonors who are so superstitious." the quiet, deadly voice had Ein spin, a dagger in hand already to stare face to face to a rather attractive, if eerie man.
"Your Highness." Ein flushed. She had bumped into the man while getting her wounds mended, and hadn't liked his sinister air.
"You were misinformed." eyes dancing with amusement, the Emperor watched his heir walk towards him with the air of a King. A prince was what he was now, but not for much longer. Waving his hand at th emedical group, he grimaced. "One of the fae..."
"The fae?" he inturrupted, face shuttering with suspicion. "What kind of deal..."
"No deal." Evriel snapped as he approached them both. "I was ordered by my queen."
"Of the winter court." Sein whispered softly, purring and smiled. "The most cold hearted of the fae..."
"I wouldn't talk, Warlord."
Watching this, Miriel shook his head, baffled. "What..." he began, when a small slender form in a white tunic streaked towards him.
"Miriel!" the voice, still pitched at the relative high contralto belonged to a young boy who appeared too young. Wearing a veil over his eyes, he grinned as he lunged himself into the Heir's arms. "I'm glad to see you."
"Oof." still, the prince was grinning as he watched Doac. "You've grown." he said softly, frowning to see his blood streaked hands. "Who was..."
"Many men... we won only due to these two supernaturals." the Emperor waved his hand at the two men. "the Warlord, the Elf, this is my son Miriel."
Evriel's eyes narrowed. "The last heir." he said softly.
Sein watched him, and arched a brow. "Why are you not hiding behind some tower, waiting for it all to end?"
Miriel scowled as he watched the two, wondering just how much could have happened while he was away. "I'm no coward Warlord. If my empire must fall, I will rather be there and fall with it."
The Emperor chuckled. "As well as the fact that the only defensible fortress is already occupied by Thydia."
Miriel seemed to crimson at this, blushing so furiously that Evriel blinked. He knew the name to belong to the beautiful Princess, but...
"She's last in line of the legendary King who ruled the land surrounding San Ikshiva. When our Emperor took over, they made a treaty." was a quiet, feminene voice. All turned to see the hard sharp lines of Ein walking towards them, barely limping. She looked up once at Sein, and blushed. He had saved her life, so she always felt uncomfortable around him. "The treaty is to fuse the two families..."
"But that was ages ago." Miriel protested. "None of my ancestors followed through with it."
Ein shrugged. "Maybe that's why the Empire is crumbling." belatedly remember who she was speaking to, she flushed. "That is..."
"Is it the commonors who are so superstitious." the quiet, deadly voice had Ein spin, a dagger in hand already to stare face to face to a rather attractive, if eerie man.
"Your Highness." Ein flushed. She had bumped into the man while getting her wounds mended, and hadn't liked his sinister air.
"It's Hahv." he said automatically, as if it would make everything better except it... didn't. The words seemed fake, somehow as did the cruel twist to his eyes.
"Hahv." it was the Emperor who spoke. "While your father left us here for safe keeping..."
"For you, you mean." he showed no respect. "He knows I don't approve of this Empire..."
Ein's good hand shot out before she could think, grabbing his throat. "Don't speak like that." she growled. She was one of the few who were extremely loyal, and she felt a wave of disgust to the man who spoke such... blasphemy.
"Ein." the Emperor, kind inturrupted. "Hahv has always had a mouth on him." still, his gaze was cold.
"Your majesty." words dripping with irony, the prince bowed once, before leaving his presence.
Evriel, sensing something evil about him paused, before following. While he may not like his orders, he obeyed his Queen to the fullest and he knew this one would be trouble. Sein followed, not because he really cared but because he was fascinated by the elf.
"I don't know why you keep him around." Miriel muttered.
"He may be callous, but he is still a prince." the Emperor murmured. He smiled slightly to see the blind Healer nodding off. "Take Doac to his room Miriel, and get some sleep yourself... you've just returned from the other side and..."
Miriel nodded. He was weary. "Aye...I will see you later..." he paused, sending a curious look down the hall and smiled. "Father."
***
"It wasn't smart letting them see the contempt." the voice hissed from the shadows. Annoyed, Hahv paused and glared to see two crimson beady eyes staring back at him.
"What would you know, Demon." he spat.
"Everything." laughing at his own sense of humor, the tall dark and stunning form of the monster revealed himself in the shape of something close to an animal, close to a human but with no definite boundary. "If they suspect at all."
"The emperor is too weak to believe that one of his own Princes would dare cross him." he grimaced, because a apart of him loathed the idea still.
"Creating a concious now, Hahv? What a waste."
"Mind your own buisness, Shou."
"Ah, but you are my buisness."
Hahv turned, irritated. He had betrayed his Emperor to the Demon because he was weary of this world. He wanted power, dominance and in his mind the only way he would get it was if he changed sides. It was not being everything he had thought it would, however. The Demons were much more trickier than he had first suspected, and while he would never admit it, a part of him cowered at what he had become.
"Shut up, Shou."
Hissing, the demon lashed out at him, but paused, unwilling. For the demon had a small smidgen of respect for the one they called the dark Prince. Or the Forgotten, as the demons liked to nickname him. Suddenly he paused, his nose in the air as he inhaled the sweet scent of... ah, yes.
"Elves and warlords." the demon mused, amused and at the same time, ecstatic. "Ah, the company this War is brewing..."
***
"Your Highness, are you sure..."
Thydia smiled, watching Vehov squirm under her gaze. "With your finest men, I shall hardly be suspectible to demon attacks." she said lightly. Dressed in pale rose silk that set off the blush on her cheeks, she appeared sweet and slightly warm hearted. "I have complete confidence in you." placing a hand on his, she watched him blush and her smile deepened. He was such a sweet man.
From behind. Viha rearranged her clothing, touched her hair and just continued moving, as if somehow if he stopped, the world would stop moving as well. Thydia did not mind the attention, but again at his constant touch she just... wondered about him.
"Come, let us go." she pushed softly, and smiled when with a suffering sigh Vehov followed.
Ever since she had heard of what had happened to the Emperor, knowing he had survived but only with the help of immortals she had known that her own life would soon be at danger. The only living member of the old Nadian line, she had a responsibility to bear on her shoulders that she couldn't just give to anyone else. Planning this trip had been dangerous, for while her life may be at less risk once she arrived at the Imperial Palac, going there... who knows?
"Don't worry." It was Viha who spoke quietly, as if somehow sensing her thoughts. "Everything will be okay."
She hoped so.
***
"What?" the Prophesizer watched, nodding as Miriel looked up with curiosity.
"She's coming right now, here." the youth confirmed, looking grave. At that moment, Hahv walked into the room and Leiz flushed. Something about the prince...somehow, he hadn't had any dreams about the prince, and yet knew it was only a matter of time.
"How did you not know before? Why now?"
Leix blinked. "I don't time my dreams, you know." he answered dryly, causing Ein to giggle from the corner. Ever since she had arrived to the castle, she had climbed the ranks swiftly. He had known this would happen, that she would follow in her fathers footsteps and yet at the same time, become... more. He smiled as he watched her. He always liked having his dreams confirmed. He was young enough that he was allowed this childish fancy.
"She's coming with a small retinue... as well as Vehov."
Ein grinned at that, for she knew the warrior from the past, when her father had still been alive. "She'll be safe then." she said softly, relieved. "But doesn't she knew..."
"...the risks?" Hahv purred. "Dear Ein." this seemed to get on the girl's nerves, which was why he used it. "There is no place on the Empire that is safe, except for here... with those two." he glared. He knew that the elf and the warlord were following him around, having almost been caught conferring with the demon too many times to count.
"I think we've been complimented." while the elf and the warlord were not close, they had formed an uneasy truce.
"Yes, I think so too." Sein replied dryly, causing the dark prince to flush.
"That's not what matters." surprised by his outburst, he turned to see everyone staring at him. Miriel swallowed. "The princess is coming... surely, we need to make..."
"...preparations?" Leix watched the room, counted the people and knew that they were one short from his dream... no, that person was here, he just couldn't see them. He shuddered at the thought. "No, this... this is perfect."
Miriel nodded. He felt a sense of anxiousness as he waited for her to arrive.
***
Leix looked around over the throne room to where they essembled a week from that fateful day, and smiled thinly as he watched them. He couldn't see them, not really. He could only see the small haze of a prophecy hanging over them as he knew a vision would be arriving soon. He knew these things, for he had been born into his gift.
"Are you okay?" turning to see the blind heale watching him with concerned brows, he nodded. Leix knew that the healer could see - not in the conventional sense, but he still could.
"Just... nervous."
Miriel heard the exchange, and laughed. "We all are." he admitted. His glance flew to Hahv, as he wondered just what the black prince was doing here. What did he have to do that Leix had asked for his presence? He still felt uncomfortable around him.
As if hearing his thoughts, Hahv smiled thinly, and saluted mockingly.
Miriel stiffened, ready to react when the loud announcement boomed.
"The Royal Princess Thydia" it was such a simple title, and while the room was already quiet the hush seemed to grow.
Feathered wings of gryphons beating down against the harsh ground, the sight of demons screaming as sharp talons and beaks ripped at them, the poisonous blood harming them none. Powerful creatures with nobility and savagry tearing through the lines, and he could smell victory. Ein, Miriel, Leix, Doac and Sein on top of gryphon backs pressing the victory line as the lines of demons crumbled on the earth and the sky.
Creatures swimming in the water too quick for the hides to behold; a flash of scale and hide as wonderous, reptilian beasts tore from the seas and the rivers to capture the demons- the ultimate predators. Their songs dance on the back of sea dragons and there were so many, devouring those who got too close to the waters edge. The warrior, the slave, the princess fighting in the pressing line, the elf and the black prince attacking, with the shadow.. the shadow...
When he came to, he was cradled in the soft arms of the princess who watched him worriedly. All faces were crowded over him, and for a moment he could not see what was happening. For a moment he forgot who he was, what he was for the vision was calling for him with sweet nothings. When he found his voice, he understood the vision so completely, that he was at awe.
"I..." he was suprised as to how hoarse his voice was. Pausing to clear his throat, he looked around wildly and was about to get up when small childike hands of Doac pushed him back down. Firmly.
"Lie down, you're not well." there was something authoritive about his tone as the child healer frowned, watching him. "And speak little."
Leix smiled, sheepish. It was so wierd seeing the child act so... grown up. "I had a vision." he said simply, and nodded. "I know how to defeat the demons."
***
Viha didn't know why he was staring at the elf man so much, for his sharp golden eyes seemed so... odd. Still, he kept staring and for a moment he forgot his rank, his statas as merely a slave.
Because the elf captivated him.
"Why do you stare so?" for a moment Viha thought that Evrial was speaking to the man besides him, and yet as those startling gold eyes turned to him, he realized that the elf had known that he was staring all along.
"I don't know." he said honestly. With Thydia cradling the youth, he felt a larger measure of freedom, as if somehow the presence of the princess had always crippled him. He winced, for the thought was cruel.
"Am I causing you some harm?" mistaking the wince, Evrial looked up to study the slave, amused by his reaction and at the same time... fascinated by their likeness.
"I think so." the slave was honest, that Evrial would concede. While he did consider humans to be beneath him, there was something exotic about the slant of his eyes that let keen viewers know that he was not completely human. The gray eyes, a mark of the half breed only through the winter court was another give away to the fae. He couldn't be... Evrial shook his head. The fae were usually impotent with humans, so surely this could not be one of his own... nah.
"Then I apologize."
"Why should you? You are fae."
Evrial watched, amused. Well, if he wasn't.. he still admired the courage. Although it troubled him that such a rare find could be a slave... it spoke badly for the winter court. It was very hard for the fae to breed, and this... he shook his head. He will keep an eye on his one, when the prince was not troubling him.
***
I cannot let him speak Hahv spoke hotly in his mind to the demon who resided there. While the demon could not possess him, he often rolled his mind so that he could have a first eyes view of the events. It seemed the demons didn't even trust their own ranks... or maybe it was only because he was a turncoat. One a betrayer, you could turn again.
You can the demon said sharply. He wanted to know what the prophesizer knew... and... an idea came into the demons mind, and he chuckled at his own genius. we will go with him.
Are you mad? the prince asked furious. He was not willing to give away his secret. It was already touch and go, using all the magic the demons could provide to keep his betrayal a secret. Still, he knew Leix suspected... something. To follow him would endanger his secret, increase the risk of... what do you mean, we?
I can take human form.. or have you forgotten? Listen well. He says that they will go to the gryphons and the sea dragons... something I have not suspected. An Old One must be helping him for him to know all this... he will take one group, and the other will go...
"I will lead the group to the sea dragons." Hahv volunteered abruptly, for he knew what the demon was thinking. Find the secret, find just why these creatures were potentially lethel and use it against the humans.
Clever... the demon found the swift mind of his human amusing and also... endearing. In a way, he felt loyal to this black prince.
"You?" Miriel sounded skeptical, and Hahv flushed.
"Aye." he glared. "I will take my protector" he said, using the old adage and smiled. clever clever... the demon approved in his mind, and his smile seemed to deepen. "Unless you do not trust me, my prince?"
Miriel scowled. He would never say the words, not in public. "Go then."
***
Thydia watched, amused at the prince and also slightly... enthralled. They had met all those years ago and she remembered how... disappointed she had been once she had seen the prince. Now, that was no more. They had been children, and for some reason she had arrived, still expecting that child even though she knew herself no one stayed the same forever. He had changed... he had become bigger than life, and she could see the blood of his ancestors running hot in his veins.
She shook her head at the thought, and saw him watching her. They had been watching each other all night, and she realized that there was something expectant in his eyes... as if he expected her to say something. Sitting there, she realized she had raised herself and that everyone else was watching her as wlel.
"I will go with him." even she was surprised by the words that left her mouth, but knew that they were right. The prince stiffened, Hahv that is and turned to her, suspiciously. She wondered why that was.
"I can't let you." Miriel inturrupted.
"Can't?" there was steel in her voice, and she distinctly heard the emperor chuckle.
"I won't come to harm." she said softly.
"Aye." Evrial nodded. "I will see to it." he said this to reassure the prince, but this also provided the perfectly opening for him to stay with the black prince. He turned to the warlord expectantly, to see him shake his head.
"I will stay with the..." he paused. The elf knew what he was about to say. The General. He met to call the young chit that, a girl who had done nothing to comandeer the respect of some as powerful as a warlord.
"With me?" Ein seemed surprised as well even though the warlord hadn't finished the sentence.
"... prince, Miriel." he finished smoothly. Ein flushed then, embarresed and Evriel hid a smirk. Ah, so that was the way things were. He had believed the warlord to be above all this.
"I go with the princess." Vehov said softly, and something in Miriel seemed to relax.
"As do I." it was the slave, and while Thydia took this calmly, Evriel looked over, surprised. The slave? At the same time, the suspicion that this youth was more than a slave clung to him sharply.
You know I go with you... the demon purred in Hahvs mind.
"I go with the Prince." the healer said firmly, and no one protested. The boy was young, but he was powerful. He was not blind, and Leix knew that the people would understand.
"Okay" Leix took a deep breath. "Ein, Miriel, me, Doac and Sein will go to the land of gryphons." he paused. "Evriel, Viha, Thydia" he smiled. "Princess." he said softly. "Vehov and" he frowned. "The dark prince..." everyone noted that he hadn't bothered to call Miriel by his rank. "There is someone missing." he paused.
Havh tensed. "My protector." he said smoothly, and smiled. "All know I go nowhere without him."
Leix nodded, but he seemed unsure. "Okay then." he smiled. "I guess thats..."
"One question, prophesizor." it was the emperor who smiled as he said this. "How will you find these creatures?"
All turned, expectantly to see Leix flush. "Oh..." he paused. "I don't know." he said sheepishly.
***
I don't understand... why do you want us to go? Hahv demanded.
For the greater good of man kind? his tone was so mocking, that it hurt. The demon, in the form of a tall dark skinned man smiled, and there was a shadow of fangs in his mouth. He rarely spoke, mostly because his tone was still too silky... to demonic -if that was at all possible- to fit the human ears without causing suspicion.
Don't play with me. Hahv sounded angry, too angry as he snapped at the other man.
No, don't you play with me suddenly the demon's tone was dark and sharp as the 'protector' frowned at his prince. To others, it looked like a mild disagreement, but Hahv knew how different it was on the inside. It will help my knowledge, help our side... it would have happened eventually. Why not now, when it will benefit us as well?
The demon was speaking of the arrival of two search riders. They had come from a different world, arrived because of a note that had been sent speaking of the available... candidates. The note itself had been sent by a high ranking demon who knew the goings of the other worlds. The note had been explicit, so detailed that the search riders had doubted it at first. When they had found out that the people were at war, and that the candidates were important people for the war, they had been almost unwilling until the prophesizer had convinced them otherwise. Still, they were very unwilling to take away these very important pieces from the chess game.
"To the healing den swim, and to that stupid gryphon thing..." one of the search riders muttered.
"Don't be so racist." the other replied dryly, patting his dragon.
"Have the right to be." muttering, he threw up his hands in defense. "Look at them!"
"They look nervous, like all candidates." the other replied, placating the older search rider with a winning smile. They watched as the elf threw his hands up to the heavens and cursed someone he kept refering to as 'my queen', and smirked. Higher powers messing with life... oh yeah, they were very familiar with that one.
"Do you think they'll be accepted?"
"Of course." okay, so it was a lie... but it was reassuring, none the less.
"If we've done something to screw up the timeline and dedicated course of this worlds history..." he warned. "I don't want to take the blame again."
The search rider turned, exhasperated. "Those two worlds were a mistake, alright? I'm still apologizing... jeez. I'm sorry I screwed up the lives of two entire worlds to a point where we had to backtrack the civilization through time several million times. Okay?"
The other search rider paused, and smirked. "Okay." he sniggered. "This is on your head as well..."
"Fine..." he muttered. "But if it ends up as being the right thing..."
"...I'll take the credit."
"Jerk." still, the way he said it was affectionate.
"Prat." he replied in return.
"Um..." it was Ein who inturrupted, and they both turned to her with a glare. "I'm sorry but..."
"Yeah, yeah." the older one muttered. "Take a small break and they're already bugging you..."
"Amen to that." swinging onto the back of his dragon, he turned to the candidates and to the dragons that were arriving to transport them. "Come on guys, hitch up. We're going to the Nexus." he grinned. "Back to work then, aye?"
The other grinned, and did a thumbs up. "Ready when you are, captain."
The New Gryphon Riders
Leix and Tuohuolavshe Power Level -Average
Powers- Mental sense/empathy, mind command (human/humanoid)
Size- small for breed
The small golden cuckatoo gryphon looked over, large eyes blinking and looking such a sweet sight. She was so much liek her rider, with the same pale feathers and the darker crets with blue eyes that seemed to gleam with an unholy light. She crooned, watching her rider with a sense of empathy that shouldn't be normal. Both rider and gryponh were suited in many ways, but most especially, because both loved each other to a point where it was painful to watch.
Is something wrong, rider? she asked, soft. Her empathy alllowed her to know things other's didn't, to help her rider in small ways because she knew things that he wouldn't tell her. The boy tried to protect him, btu she would have none of that and often volunteered her help.
"Nothing, Tuo." he whispered. "But... it will soon be time, to round up the water riders."
The cuckatoo nodded. While they were not the leaders of the group, he was the prophesizer and until he said, they would remain here, at this place with the gryphons. The gryphons were proving to be formidable companions, for while they did not have the size and bulk of dragons, they were powerful in a much more magical way, in a much more understandable way.
We will do this together, rider. she promised, and he nodded. Curling his fingers through a ridge of her feathers, the ones closest to his hands he nodded.
"Together." he whispered.
Maelis and YtengzePower level: Average
Powers: Life control, ground speed.
Size: Average
While Ytengze was not the largest or the fastest, he did appear to be one of the deadliest. With speed and the keen mind of a falcon, he had the noble bearing of a gryphon that would lead, and as he watched his rider, solemn, the gryphon knew he would never have to prove himself. His allies were enough.
It is almost time. the gryphon whispered, his voice husky as he nodded his head to where Leix had arrived.
Doac and GeizeePower level: Average
Power: Life sense, water control
Size: Above average
We can heal, and once the water dragons arrive, with our ability to manipulate water, we will accomplish much. the wise calm voice of the spoon bill otter had Doac smile, shaking his head.
"I was never worried of that." he said simply, and the beak brushed against soft hair as the healer closed his eyes. He was just so...weary at the thought of it all. "It's just that..."
Neither of us want death. he said kindly, simply. He understood his rider, and they were similar. But we will do all it takes.
"Yes." Doac murmured. Breathing in the sweet heady scent of the ocean and smiling, he looked at at Geizee with a determined gleam. "In a months time, we go for the dragons."
Yes.
Sein and DiiozePower: High
Power level: Temperature control, summon animals.
Size: Large
Sein closed his eyes. Strong, deadly people would have thought that he was considering his options, but it was more then that. He closed his eyes, because he knew what was to come and he didn't want people to see the bright glee. He was a warlord, not The Warlord who was waging war against the San Ikshivan kingdom, and he knew his deeds would ring hardest. The betrayer, the...
Hero. calm, and very keen that mallard turned his head, looking sternly. Large for his breed and with a very high power level, he helped the true Leader, helped them control the other gryphons and other animals. It made hunting easy, and both had no qualms about trapping others with their power. Still, there was something bloody about them both- if a mallard duck could look bloody.
"We are to leave, soon." he whispered. "I wonder..."
If the other group will be ready?" he asked, voicing the thoughts that his rider had been having anyways, and snorted. Even if they are not...he began.
"Yes." they could already read each other's minds. "We can do this, the two of us."
We can win this war...
Ein and DramozePower level: High
Power: Senses, body control
Size: Large for breed
Ein had grown up with Dramoze, to a point where the warlord actually admired her in more ways then one. Nodding curtly as the prophesizer brought her the news and bowing for the prince, she almost felt a pang of regret that the prince was so besotted with the princess. Still, it did not matter. This war was her first priority and then...
No one is good enough for the both of us. Dramoze reprimanded gently, shaking his head as he watched the thoughts of his rider. With higher, keener senses then everyone else and the ability to control his strength and endurance, he was a very impressive sight.
"When we go." she said quietly. "We will seek vengeance."
Revenge is petty. Dramoze said curtly. We will merely kill.
Ein blinked, still not used to the ferocity of her bonded and then began to laugh. "Yes." her voice sounded almost harsh, until one saw her eyes and the kindness barely suppresed. "We will get what he want." With ease.
Images
© QuietSiren
Candidates © Naeodin
Candidates are standing at the Healing Den
Summer Swim
Candidates are standing at the Paniya
Isle Egg Fest