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 Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:39 pm
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 Riyel "The Ringer" Vicaria
There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
Junction: Ifrit , Elliot
Level: 19
Health: 0000/1900
Location: Time
Magic: Scan (0), Fira (4), Firaga (2), Cura (0), Thundara (2), Gravity (1), Haste (0), Double (0)
Items: Phoenix Down (3), Hi Potions (0), , Cigarettes
Weapon: Infiniti Edge: 0/6 Chamber Filled (), Brass Knuckles
Mood: Goodbye...
{{Ooc://Thank you everyone. Riyel became more than I had ever hoped he would be and I'd like to thank you all for playing along with him even as he messed up constantly. It means a lot to me... }}
{Current Theme Song: Never Forget Me....}
Fading Away...So this was what it felt like. Even as he laid in his brother's arms, Lloyd's hand holding onto the least maimed one, all Riyel could focus on was how everything seemed to be losing color, slowly but surely at least. It was only when a stray tear fell onto him that he became more aware, at least as much as he could, about what was going on around him. Lloyd's manic whispering seemed to bring a sad smile to the dying man's face, knowing that he was putting his brother through a kind of torment he would wish upon no one. Riyel's hand clenched around his brother's with as much strength as he could muster. To let him know he was still alert. That he was still his brother for a least a while longer. Even looking back at what he had done, Riyel would not have changed a single thing he had done that led up to this. No matter who asked, he would not respond with a different answer. In spite of Riyel's selfishness, his desire for things to turn his way, he knew that what he had done was perhaps the purest thing he could have ever done. Riyel had been so spiteful towards his little brother when he had found out about Nona, he figured this would be at least a form of atonement. He had been cruel. But he was also in the wrong. His little brother did what he could not do and went after the girl he had cared about for what seemed the longest time. Lloyd was the better man. It was better his brother lived than neither of them. Someone to help Koyuki. Someone to help her care and love for his child. Someone to be there for Nona. Riyel's cold blue eyes looked into his brother's once more, that small smile on his face. It shouldn't have been there. The man should have been visibly sad. He should have been angry. He should have been afraid. Riyel Vicaria may not have been showing it, but these feelings he knew well were deep within. But unlike what he had been years ago, the man knew that all he could do was accept it. None of these things could overcome the smile he held though. Even as his time drew to an end, he had to be the strong one of the brothers. The man's own despair would do nothing more than bring others around him down. And while he may have been a selfish driven fool...he couldn't do that to those he loved. Not now. And not ever again. That smile still remained on his face as he squeezed Lloyd's hand once more. "You can't...protect everyone...Lloyd." it was something that he knew had to be said as he gasped for air, "Things happen beyond our control. I'm just happy...that I could protect...you. But...you need...to...stay strong for everyone...for me...and for my kid." Even though he continued to gasp for air as he spoke, he knew that he had to get things out and off of his chest. But he didn't feel any pain. The pain had resided just as his limit break had resided, all he could feel was cold. And it was then that his memory flashed back towards Fisherman Horizon, the warm sun on his body while he sat next to Koyuki, her leaning against him as he sat fishing quietly, Lloyd sitting next to him as they talked. The warmth. The sun. It almost staved off the cold he was feeling. Almost. He wished, just as he had at that moment in time, that particular moment was what the after life was like. The colors still continued to fade, as he blinked slowly. The world went dark for a moment and he knew that soon, it would go dark for good. There was still so much more to be said though. He knew that he would have to hurry. And with that, that he felt another presence grab his arm. A more familiar touch. Rough but still soft in her own way. Yuki... He almost seemed to breathe her name outward with his thoughts, even as she gripped his hand and yelled. Screamed. She was grieving, and he knew that her words merely showcased their love that they had grown to have over the past year and a half. He let her continue to curse him, that small smile never leaving his face. The one that people had come to know and love. Struggling to make words come out once more, his eyes managed to obtain Koyuki's frame, the little bump in her stomach visible enough to make his smile grow a little more. But also visible enough to force a single tear to move down the unburned side of his face. His hand fought the urge to lay still as he grasped the hair ornament that lay in his hair, placing it in Koyuki's hand that grasped his blackened one. A promise he had kept. "I did it...because our kid needs...at least needs Uncle Lloyd. Our boy..." It was apparent that he was guessing. Wishful thinking. But even as he lay there though, he just knew. A father's hunch. The thought almost made the dying man laugh, if he could at least. "The kid will be a handful." His eyes never left Koyuki's face as he forced out the words that struggled to stay lodged within the confines of his throat. The tears had begun to run more rampant down his face, but the smile he wore never wavered. "And...I hope...I know...that everyone will help you... Lloyd..Nona...Issy...Kalay...Lisanna...everyone will." Words ceased as he struggled to regain his breath before he continued. "I just wish I could be there." But he could not. And it was there when the tears ran free down his face as he gripped her hand tight. There was just so much that he wished to say to her but knew that he could not say them all. "I love you, Yuki...even when I'm gone...that won't change. And I know our brat will love you more." His hands fell away from her as he grasped the journal, lighter, and two hi-potions that had fallen from his grasp after he had fallen. It took a moment as he blindly reached for where he had heard them fall. His hands hit nothing but dirt until he felt Lloyd's hand place the items into his brother's grasp once more. Slowly, he brought the items up to Koyuki, his eyes looking at the outline of her bump. "The first page only...something I made...read it...when...it's all over. My...will." That was two words no one so young should ever have to say they made. No one. Everything was in that journal. Everything about him. Everything about them. The potions were obviously meant for Koyuki, as well as the lighter that she had gotten him, adorned with a flame. He knew that she had just come from the great battle and would be weary. He had planned ahead. Even as Koyuki had tried desperately to avoid his protection during the battle. Everything was quiet as he continued to look at her stomach, tears dripping from his face as right hand shook. He almost couldn't reach it. Almost. As pitiful as it may have looked, the blonde Unbroken leader rested his hand on Koyuki's womb, on top of where his child...his legacy resided. His one and everything. The reason he had died. "Hey..." It was a whisper, nothing more but one still intelligible to those surrounding him. His words were sad but warm...loving. "You...treat your mother good. You treat everyone who loves you good... Love them...love your family..." His eyes closed, his face wrinkling in discomfort. His body was shutting down on him, and he knew that from here on out it would be a fight just to simply speak. But he would win that fight as he spoke to his child. "And remember that daddy loves you." Live what I couldn't...It was as clear as he could have made it. The tears ran strong down his face but that damn smile never wavered. His head turned away as he saw the last new comer approach, his smile softening further. It was odd that he would go this way. As scarred and burned as the first girl he had ever loved. His time was coming, almost all the color in his eyes fading away as Nona came up to his side. "Cura..." The double spell was still in effect as he used what little spells he had left on Lloyd and Nona, his left hand reaching out and grasping Nona's hand closest to him, managing to get it on the first try while his other remained on Koyuki's. To her, the words couldn't come it would seem. His voice wouldn't cooperate. Riyel merely gripped her hand just as he had to Lloyd in a hug, and his eyes caught hers as the tears continued to flow. His smile never wavered. All that he felt. All that love that felt for the girl...the woman...before him was still as strong as it had been. Even though he knew there was no chance of it. But he was finally trying to show it. Both of his hands gripped both of the girls' hands as his head fell back into his brother's chest, too weak to continue holding it up. Memories rushed through his mind as the lines of reality began to fade as the color had, times in the Academy. Times at Fisherman's Horizon with his brother, Nona, and Koyuki. Times eating dinner with his father and stepmother All the times with everyone he considered family. Now was truly his last moment. His breathing began to quicken as he struggled to force out five words. His lungs and vocal chords held no desire to comply but his mind screamed for them to work one last time. To speak his last to them all, his hands squeezing Koyuki's and Nona's hands. Thank You..."Thank you for loving me." Please don't forget about me...And from there... Riyel Vicaria faded away.
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:40 pm
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I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
In the same fleeting moment thou must live, die and know
Junctions: Leviathan
Level: 18
Health: 800/1800
Mood: "..."
Location: Betwixt and Between
Magic: Waterga(0), Watera (0), Water (0), Blizzard (0)
Items:???(3) ???(4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lloyd was breaking, he tried his best but he couldn't hold it together anymore. He was out of options and now...his brother was dying in his arms. All of the other sounds and sights were blurred in the background, it felt surreal. It all continued to move but he was still frozen in this accursed place. There was a loud crash, voices talking...screaming...but for Lloyd all he could see was Riyel. He wished...how he wished he could take away his brother's pain. "It should have been me..." he whispered gritting his teeth against tears following falling against his brother's charred skin. And then there was a whistle followed by a landscape changing event. Lloyd covered Riyel with his body despite the feeling of the barrier protecting everyone. By the even of it, they were now within a snow filled wasteland. Riyel was fighting for every breath and it was clear now the hand of death was closing in on him. Lloyd never felt so helpless. No matter how much he was willing to fight, scream, and curse fate...in the end death would not be denied this time. Riyel's fading blue gaze stared softly into Lloyd's grief-stricken hues, he could see the pain Lloyd was in but...he kept a small smile. Lloyd had always tried to be as strong as he could...but this was too much to take. And then Riyel spoke. His first words made Lloyd's eyes widen...it was a truth he did not want to face...especially not here. Every single time....it was something out of his control that took the things precious to him. Missiles destroyed the garden, Galbadia destroyed Fisherman's Horizon, and now here...a sorcerer had sent his brother to his death bed. However, when Riyel said he was happy to protect Lloyd his brother shook with grief but listened to his final words. "I-I..." he just couldn't find the words. How could he continue to be strong, when one of his greatest sources of strength was fading away in his arms? Riyel spoke to Koyuki tell her his wishes and Lloyd handed him the materials he searched for. He then...spoke to his unborn with as he was struggling to remain with them. Tears streamed down his face as well as he cured who he could before taking Koyuki and Nona's hands and leaning his head against his brother. Lloyd latched onto his every breath as it grew shallow and slower. And then...it was over. Silence. All was still in within the snow with the occasional wisp of snow being picked up by a faint wind. It was silent. There was no breathing. No crying or sobbing...just complete stunned silence. "Riyel...?" Lloyd spoke quietly. Lloyd gaze was hollow as on his knees as his brother had disappeared. Lloyd's breath was quiet but quickly began to quiver as the truth gripped his heart. Riyel was gone. Lloyd wailed out his fallen brother's name against the cold snow and his cry reflected the depths of despair the human soul could bare before breaking within it. He did not feel anger nor rage, only a boundless despair. All he wanted was his brother back, all he wanted was his life back. All he wanted was for things to go back to how they used to be. He felt alone, he was alone in this abyss of hopelessness. ~~~~~~~~~~ "What's the matter, Lloyd?"A voice...? Who...? Lloyd opened his eyes and found himself in a...small nursery. It wasn't extravagant by any means but it had a warm rustic feeling to it. Was this a memory? His eyes widened as he recognized his father, though he was younger and who was this woma-...it couldn't be. A Mother's Love"Oye oye, hey quit pullin'! Raia get your son" Lein shouted bopping the toddler Lloyd on his nose, to which the little one responded by crying. A feminine hand flicked Lein in the forehead and took the little one who almost immediately calmed down and cooed. "Honestly Lein, he's a baby he didn't mean it" Raia responded bringing Lloyd over to his twin brother who seemed to be focused on trying to master the art of crawling. With care she placed him down and Lloyd began to fuss wanting to be held again. "C'mon kid, we can't hold you all the time. You have to learn how to get by on your own too" Lein said kneeling down with a bit of a chuckle. Lloyd wasn't happy about it by looked at his brother and laughing mimicking him. Eventually the duo tired themselves out and their parents brought them to their room to rest. Raia couldn't help but smile as she watched her sons sleep soundly. Lein looked at his family with a soft expression and rubbed Riyel's head as Raia gently stroked Lloyd's hair. "Riyel...Lloyd, listen ok?" she began in a tender tone of voice. "You two are the greatest gift your father and I could have been given. Riyel...you came a little earlier so that makes you the big brother, protect Lloyd. But Lloyd, don't make trouble for your brother...but never lose that energy you have. I have a feeling it'll help you someday” Raia chuckled a bit but her gaze became a little more sorrowful. “But..life is difficult, little ones. You're going to experience a lot of pain and suffering. As much as your father and I will try to keep it from you and protect you...somehow I know trouble will find you. So please, always remember who you are. Find a goal… a dream… and don't stop trying until it comes true. There's… there's so much more that I want to say… to teach you. But more than anything, I love you.”“ Oye...you feeling ok, Raia?” Lein asked raising an eyebrow. “H-huh? Oh, yeah I'm alright. Just never know when the last time you tell someone you love them is, right?” She rubbed the back of her head and smiled before settling into Lein's arms. “Ha...well in that case, I love you too” he said and the two slept as well with their twins in between them. ~~~~~~~~~~ The Other PromiseLloyd stood in that darkness as the memory faded away. How could he have forgotten his mother? He smiled peacefully realizing that in the end, his big brother gave his life to save his. Lloyd was always making trouble with that energy of his, wasn't he? But Lloyd did have a goal to strive for, a world where no one would have to struggle or hurt anymore. One where no one would have to lose their loved ones to war or battles. A world where everyone understood each other and lived in peace. That's a goal he and his brother shared. Lloyd closed his eyes and felt the cold around him once more. Lloyd took a shaken breath and gazed upward “Leave it to me...rest now. And...thank you for everything, brother. I'll take care of it.” Lloyd, with effort, managed to stand. Sticking out of the ground was Fenrir and Riyel's gunblade crossing each other. Lloyd's footsteps walked up to them and lifted his spear out of the snow flourishing it and resting it on his shoulders. This was the weight he would carry. He would shoulder his brother's burdens and keep his memory alive. Only thing left to do was... “Finish this” Lloyd thought allowed dashing into the snowfield. |
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 5:14 pm
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Ixion (1900/4000) :Junctions
15 :Level
900/1500 :Health
Confused, Sad, Angry :Feeling
..... :Location
Thundara (1) Haste (1) Cure (1) :Magic
195/390/585/975 :Spell Daamage
2 potions, 2 Hi potions, journal, lighter :Equipment
❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀
Her grip only tightened when Riyel struggled to speak. Every word he spoke to her and Lloyd just made her feel more upset and angry that he was dying. "You b*****d. You can't just leave us!" She yelled as if she could protest otherwise on his inevitable death. There was so much she actually had hoped for in the future. Even if it wasn't planned she actually looked forward to having Riyel in it. He was a good man, he would of been a good father. She knew that. So why did he have to die now? Why would he never get the chance to see his child grow up? or become a grandfather? "It's not fair!!" Again another protest but she knew that it wasn't going to help. It was then that Riyel began to say his goodbyes to her. He said Lloyd was going to be there, and everyone else here was going to help her. She shook her head as tears kept falling from her face. She wanted him there too by her side with their child.
It was then that Riyel said he loved her. That was the first time he had ever said that too her. She was hesitant and filled with tears, anger, and sadness. She slowly leaned down and kissed him on the lips and quietly spoke. "I love you too Ri." She then took notice that he was was trying to hand her some items. A book, lighter, and two hi potions. She took the items and held the book tightly as he spoke saying the first page was something for her to read while the rest of it was his will. That just made it more worse for her. He actually took the time to write down his will. At his age he shouldn't of had to make one, but he thought he might of died at one point so he figured he had better write one soon. He came into battle expecting to die at some point. She wanted to burst out crying but she forced it down.
She watched as Riyel then placed his hand on her womb and began to talk to the child in her stomach, telling it his wishes for it when it grows up. It was heartbreaking and Koyuki was shaking trying so very hard not to completely breakdown. She just sat there letting Riyel get his last words out to the child. She knew it could hear him, she could feel it. After Riyel finished what he needed to say he cast one last spell to Lloyd and Nona. She had come to his side as well. They were here at his final moments and as he squeezed her hand tightly he said his last thank you and then after faded away into nothing.
Koyuki's breathing was a panicked pattern, as if she was trying to gasp for air like something was choking her. "Why did his body disappear?! Why was he gone?! Why can't we bring back anything for a proper burial? Why?!" Koyuki's will to hold back her pain, and tears could no longer bear it. She let out a scream of anger, sadness, and pain. She just lost the father of her child, and the man she loved. She had his journal pressed up against her chest tightly as she continued to cry for him. No one's words would likely be able to break Koyuki out of this hysteria of sadness, and anger. The only thing that silenced her was her need to breath itself. Huffing, gasping, wheezing, all of the patterns of her breath were shown. She then took a glance at her weapon. It laid there, ready to be used. A sudden need to grab it came to her, and she knew why.
She slowly allowed her breathing to calm down, but the tears did not stop. She would carefully rest the book in her pouch with the rest of the stuff that Riyel gave her. Once she did she slowly reached to her weapon and picked it up. A surge of hatred overcame her. The intent to kill was what replaced all other emotions, and its attention was towards the enemy that caused this. Karas. There would not be a war cry or a yell of anger, just silence and the need to kill him. As she stood up and began to move small sparks of lightning began to emit from her body. She saw Lloyd running towards the enemy so she would follow right behind him. A couple of words escaped his mouth. Two words that she agreed with, and she would make sure that the one who cause Riyel's death pay's dearly for it. The aura that Koyuki was surrounded in was being transferred to Lloyd as well creating a joint link of lightning to one another showing that they both had the same desire to end this.
❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀ |
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:42 pm
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 . : : Nona Winchester : : .
Junctions: [Magic (B), Vitality (F), Speed (D)]
Level: 17
Health 100/1870->600/1870
Magic: Cura (1), Protect (1), Shell (1), Holy (2), Haste (3)
Spell damage: 255/510/765/1275
Items: Hi-potions (2), Phoenix Down (3), Antidotes (3), Eye Drops (2), Soft (2), Echo Screen (3), Holy Water (2), GF Hi-potion (1), G-Returner (1), Grenades (2)
Current buffs: Haste.
---
Nona was the last to make it. Riyel still had one free hand. The other was on Koyuki’s belly. He turned to look at her, and Nona felt her breath catch. His face was a mirror of her own. Her flesh had dried and cracked, but his was still furiously red and nearly liquid in places. Was he feeling that pain? He couldn’t be. He couldn’t smile through that…right? Riyel’s hand reached for hers. She reached back, but stopped, startled, when he cast his spell. His flesh ran like mud, but some of her fresh burns smoothed over. His hand closed over hers and found it shaking. She tried to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. He was crying, looking at her. Was it the pain, or fear, or something else? All of them? What did she say? He was dying. What could she possibly say to make that any better? But there should have been something…
She felt a sting on the side of her face. Riyel could see the shine even on the ugly scarring. Nona was crying. Both eyes could manage that.
"Thank you for loving me."
Nona squeezed his hand in both of hers, and watched the light leave his eyes.
Lloyd wailed. Koyuki yelled. Nona was quiet.
She felt cold. Soon, she realized her breath was frosting in the air. A little cloud in front of her face every few seconds. There was none coming from Riyel. Lloyd and Koyuki were getting up. There was still fighting to do, for them. Nona took a shuddering breath, and laid down Riyel’s hand. She reached over and brushed her gloved hand over his face, shutting his eyes.
”Thank you, Riyel” she murmured.
Nona stood, and forced herself to run after the other two, drawing her gun.
. : : Face the end. : : . |
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 9:28 pm
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 Ultimecia
Health3000/3000
Barrier? 1500/10000
Status Immune to Time Effects/Gravity Effects Disease
Spell Dam. 350/700/1050/1750
{{OOC:// }}
It was a wasteland, and the silence was deafening. Even as the three stood to find their target, nothing moved in the expansive wastes. It just snowed. A faint distortion formed in the air, dropping Sophia to the snow. She took a moment to gather the situation before starting after the group. The look on her face no doubt gave away her confusion. She didn’t make it more than three steps. The third step was met with the blinding flare of magic, a magic circle appearing beneath Sophia without warning before flashing a bright burst of energy skyward. ”Hell’s Judgement.” The voice seemed to come from the air. As the light left, Sophia was left trying to pick herself up off the ground. Whatever the attack did was unknown. She raised her hand out in the group’s direction eyes wide, followed by an explosive fire spell where she was. It was over in but a moment. As the fire’s cleared, her body was gone.
End of the Line
The snow exploded upward and away from where Ultimecia and Karas had originally been. She was standing there, firm as always with a displeased expression on her face. Karas was kneeling behind her, severely wounded and clearly dying. She didn’t so much as even give him the time of day as she raised her hands to the approaching three. ”I will end your foolish ambition here, SeeDs.” The snow melted away rapidely, leaving a strange twisting, symmetric rune on the ground. The spell seemed to have no end, the runes stretching out impossible far, very nearly even as far as Kalay, Lisanna, and Salem. There would be no escape, that was certain. ”Be taken into time itself! Apocalypse!” The spell was triggered.
But something changed. Space distorted.
Karas
Health ???/???
Barrier 0/7500
Status Immune to Poison, Meltdown Disease
Spells Dam. 300/600/900/1500 |
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 9:29 pm
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● Sou-Ho ● Nebulous ●
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
"Sou-Ho, what do you think it means to be a good leader?"
Pausing in the midst of pouring tea, Sou-Ho looked back over his shoulder to look at his grandfather. The headmaster had his back to Sou-Ho, and was facing the window and looking out at the Garden grounds far below; his arms folded behind his back and hands clasped together just behind his waist. Dressed in his full military regalia, he looked every bit the military officer that had once taken part in the Sorceress War, some seventeen years prior.
"Sir?" Sou-Ho inquired, setting the kettle on its tray and standing straight, turning to give the headmaster his full attention.
"A good leader." He repeated, turning now to look at Sou-Ho. "What traits do you think a man must possess in order to be a good leader?"
Without any hesitation, Sou-Ho replied: "They must be an inspiration to those that they lead, someone that people can aspire to be. He or she must be prepared to lay down their life in order to protect their charges. They must seek to not only lead, but to educate, empower, and prepare those that they lead; in order to achieve a better future. They need to have vision, commitment, and the strength to not only reach that desired goal but to not deviate from their desired path."
"I see. So this is what it means to be a good leader to you?" The headmaster asked, the corners of his mouths lifting and eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Yes, sir." Sou-Ho replied, expression stern as always.
"I must say, Sou-Ho, that I did not expect such ideals from you." Sou-Ho's eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth to retort, only to be cut off as the headmaster raised a hand and chortled.
"I am not making fun of you, don't worry. I am simply surprised to hear you say such things. I do not disagree with you. Those are all excellent traits for a good leader to have. A good person."
"I see..." Sou-Ho said slowly, not so certain if the headmaster was being honest at this particular moment. When the man made no further comment or attempt to defend himself, Sou-Ho turned to resume pouring out cups of tea when his grandfather spoke up once again.
"Tell me... do you think I am a good leader?"
Sou-Ho was caught off-guard by the question, and for a moment was silent. The two men stared at one another, Sou-Ho calculating and the elder awaiting Sou-Ho's response patiently. Finally, at the end of the long pause, Sou-Ho replied.
"No, I don't."
"Do you think that you would make a better leader?" There was no challenge in his question, nor was there any sense of offense or aggression. The question felt asked with genuine curiosity.
"I don't, but that does not mean I should not strive to."
The headmaster threw his head back and laughed, Sou-Ho simply staring at the man in both confusion and concern. He had not found his comment funny in the slightest.
"Very good, Sou-Ho. Very good. I think that you will do well when you take over. Let's just pray that time won't come for a while yet. You still have much to learn. Besides, I hope that you will be able to pass on some of those ideals to a few others before resigning from instructing. Now then, how about we have some of that tea?"
Stroking his mustache and still chuckling beneath his breath, the headmaster sat at his desk, finally ready to work.
Turning back to the tea set, Sou-Ho watched his grandfather from the corner of his eyes, unsure of what to make of the man. Sou-Ho had said that he did not think his grandfather had been a good leader, but he had withheld one important thing: He had made an excellent father, and Sou-Ho would have chosen no other man to raise him.
'I hope you will live long enough for my own children to see you, grandfather.' Sou-Ho thought, approaching the desk with a cup, setting it down before the headmaster. 'So that they could know you for as great a person as you were.'
Thanking him, the headmaster lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip; smiling after a second. "Ahh... perfect, as always. Thank you, son. Now then, let's get this work out of the way. I have some... ahem... Prior engagements tonight I would like to attend to before I get too old."
Sou-Ho allowed himself to smile then, thinking to himself as he looked on at how perfect a scene, so familiar it could be traced back to his childhood, this was. It was enough to make him wish that things would last.
'Riyel...' Sou-Ho thought, expression pained as he watched Riyel fade from existence just moments after Sou-Ho himself was summoned into the field. He had arrived too late. Perhaps had he been brought in sooner he could have... no, there was no use thinking about 'what if's' It was done, and Riyel was... gone. 'You... were a good leader.'
A far better leader than what Sou-Ho had been, and perhaps better than what he could have hoped to be. The young... no. The man had come a far way. Farther than what Sou-Ho could have possibly anticipated. From the quiet, rebellious youngster who acted rashly and on his own to the very strength and determination that supported and lead a resistance against overwhelming odds. Sou-Ho could not have been prouder of him, nor been anymore sorry to watch him go.
'That should have been me. Sou-Ho thought, turning his gaze to Ultimecia, 'It may still very well be me, when this is all over. But at the very least I will see to it that I finish what you started, Riyel.'
The sorceress appeared to be preparing something, dark energies swirling around her as she gathered her magic and prepared to release it. Gripping the hilt to his sword, Sou-Ho took a step, and then disappeared in a flash.
When Sou-Ho appeared again, he was beside Ultimecia, and his sword had been drawn; held out to the side as if he had already taken a swing, although no blood could be seen along its gleaming edge. He was staring past her, down at Karas who was on the ground and verily on the verge of death. To those approaching, those whose last sight of him had been with his blade bearing down on him, his arrival might have meant bad news. Fortunately for them, that was not the case.
"Ultimecia." He said softly to draw her attention, his eyes turning towards her; purple and magenta eyes staring with a piercing gaze and intensity that did not befit his cold expression.
"I am still your opponent." He declared, his comment referencing that fateful fight at the Deling Mansion, where he had demanded Edea and Karas's attention in order to give the rest of his team the chance that they needed to flee to safety.
But now was not then, for now he was not injured and alone. This time, he would be supported, and he would support them as he had once before. Things would not end in shame and defeat as they had before, and those who had died in this forsaken place would not be in vain.
"This is..." He started, sheathing his sword. As soon as it made the soft 'click' of locking into place, three gashes where Sou-Ho had previously drawn his sword and slashed the sorceress appeared.
"The end."
The first slash had been across the interior of the upper part of the arm she had raised to aim at the group. Not immediately life threatening, but with a normal person exsanguination would have been inevitable. But that was not the primary reason he had slashed at her there, instead using the force of the attack to knock her arm aside, in hopes of redirecting her attack. But then, with the runes that covered the ground for what seemed endlessly in all directions, chances of that happening were slim.
The second slash had been across her abdomin, and had been targeting a major abdominal artery. With the barrier he could not have hoped to cut through it and the muscle necessary to sever this, but if it had a normal human would have collapsed almost immediately.
It was the third and final slash that he had put all of his strength and power behind, and had been directed towards her neck. More specifically, the jugular vein within her neck. Sorceress or not, all it would take was a breath, and the sudden air embolism would be all that it took to make her collapse. Assuming his blade had pierced her barrier.
The three attacks had been instant and fatal, and the skill Hyakuretsuken made their performance possible. With her attention focused on those charging, his arrival and assault had, with any luck, gone unnoticed. It was a small chance, but one he had to take. She had ignored him up until this point, but now that she was fully aware of his presence, and that he was no longer under her control, it would only be a matter of time before she released the magic that kept him breathing. Even if she didn't survive, well... it would only be a matter of time before her magic wore off anyways. Either way, neither of the two would survive this.
'This is the most I can give you.' He thought to the others, waiting for the time that had halted his death to resume once more. 'Use it well.' |
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:26 pm
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Lloyd Nipal & Nona Winchester
The Finale
"Confront the Enemy"
☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯
☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯
"You're not getting away"
Lloyd jaw clenched as the frigid air rushed past him as he closed the distance to Ultimecia. In was in these moments that he saw someone fall into the battlefield and have their life taken in the blink of an eye. Sophia. The cold air gripped his core and reached the pit of his stomach. He had already lost pieces of himself that couldn't be regained. And now this? Like a candle, his soul flickered with a single ember which exploded outward throughout his body. His jaws were clenched and his pupils sharpened with this flood of emotion. His speed sharply increased and abruptly Sou-ho appeared.
At first, Lloyd was prepared to fight him but the old instructor turned his blade on his former master leaving her open. Lloyd roared from the depths of his being and fresh snow filled with moisture began to shift skyward into pristine towers. They bowed inward to follow after the blonde becoming drills of white. Lloyd lept unleashing a spinning kick toward the sorceress sending forward a single drill. The memory of his Master Kyrrdis, entered his mind. “Right! Left! Come on boy! Is that all you've got?!” the voice echoed. Taking the challenge, he turned and lashed out fist after fist in blinding succession bellowing from the pressing effort.
Drills of snow shot forward one after the other in rapid succession impacting Ultimecia one after the other. Lloyd dropped low and lashed up another fist, causing the snow beneath the woman to burst beneath her sending her skyward. Lloyd pulled his arms into a semi-circle making a stance that his master favored. Then with another shout he sent forward a fist crashing the final drill into her sending her bolting away. Huffing deeply Lloyd clenched his fist and took hold of his spear draped across his back. This wasn't over, not yet!
☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯
Lloyd unleashed his assault.
Nona lay on a rocky landscape, the snow around her evaporated in a hateful fire spell. Embers fell from her hair and clothes. Her scares burned. She shook even after her cure spell removed the worst of it. She hated fire. It was hard to get up. She pushed herself up, and felt her arm give out. She crumbled against the sharp ground, her breath coming out in cold crystals, and clamped her eyes shut.
So you wish to challenge the world?
Nona’s eyes snapped open. The snow was gone. She lay on the sharp surface of a rocky plateau, amid endless storm clouds. Her voice was weak.
”I fight for the world.”
Will you beg for my aid?
”Never.”
Damned imbecile. Why do you wish to fight?
”It’s in my nature to fight.”
A rumbling snort and a peal of thunder were her answer.
Nona gritted her teeth, and pushed herself up with an arm.
”It doesn’t matter if you help me. I’ll fight her world. I’ll tear it down and build a better one.”
Nona staggered to her feet, and swept her arm through the air. The clouds brushed aside, and that lonely plateau was replaced by the snowy field where her brothers and sisters fought.
Have you seen the light…?
Nona began to glow.
”Apotheosis.”
☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯
☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯
Junctions: Bahamut, level 4->level 10, Moogen, level 2: [Magic (B), Vitality (F), Speed (D)]-> [Magic (EX), Vitality (F), Speed (D)]
Level: 17
Health 270/1870
Magic: Holy (2)
Spell damage: 255/510/765/1275->340/680/1,020/1,700
Items: All gone.
Current buffs: Haste, Triple, Protect, Shell, Apotheosis
Nona began to run. Her pupils dilated, then narrowed into reptilian slits. From her back erupted a pair of great, leathery wings, tearing her jacket apart to reveal her scarred body, covered only by a chest wrap underneath. She leaped into the air, beat her wings, and flew, trailing a glow of power behind her.
The sorceress raised her hand high. Behind her, Nona soared. She stared down at the sorceress with all the judgment of Heaven at her back, and raised her hand.
”Holy.”
She brought it down. A blast of white fired from her hand, driving into the sorceress’ back, driving her down into the snowy ground like an insect swatted out of the air. Nona raised her hand again.
”Holy.”
She brought it down. The earth erupted in a dome of white, blasting snow and stone away, the sorceress in the center of it all. Nona raised her hand again.
”Holy.”
She brought it down. A multitude of small explosions burst around the sorceress, driving her between them and turning the field all around into a shelling ground. Nona raised her hand again.
”Holy!”
She brought it down. A white bullet flung from her hand struck the cratered ground, and erupted, driving the sorceress back into it as she tried to get up. Nona raised her hand again.
”HOLY!”
She brought it down. The ground underneath the sorceress exploded, hurling her up into the air, right underneath her attacker. Nona raised her hand again.
”HOLY, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF FILTH!”
She brought it down. A pillar of light shot from her hand, just in front of the sorceress, hurling her back to the earth from on high. This time, toward Lloyd, who shone with the same radiant power as Nona. He met the sorceress before she could strike the ground, his fist erupting into a white blast of Holy power, hurtling the sorceress upward again. In sync, Nona lifted the restrictions on magic from Lloyd, and Lloyd brought to bear more force than she could alone.
Nona met the sorceress just as she had before, bringing her hand down in Holy judgment. The sky filled with light, each blast larger than the one before it, the sorceress knocked back and forth between Heaven and Earth. Hair horns burned away, clothing torn, and blood and scorching burns turned everything red. Until, at last, Lloyd met her not with a fist, but his spear. Radiating light like a star, he hurled it into the incoming sorceress. The impact sent a shockwave rushing out across the snow field, piercing her gut. The spear lodged in her middle, carried her upward.
Nona caught the sorceress by the throat, bringing her to a dead stop. Battered, bloody, skewered, barely alive. Nona was calm, the storm passed. She squeezed the sorceress’ throat until she opened her eyes.
”Your world. Your dreams. Your hopes. Everything you ever worked and stood for. All of it will amount to nothing. Your entire existence, every murder you committed, everything you took from all of us, was worthless.” As she spoke, Nona’s other hand began to glow white once more. On the ground, Lloyd’s hand did the same.
”Welcome to a world without monsters.”
Nona let go. The sorceress fell. She raised her hand again. She brought it down, and Lloyd threw his up. Two blasts of radiant white met at the middle point between them, catching the sorceress on either side. Where they met, brilliant white erupted into a ring of colors, fanning out in all directions. The snow below and clouds above caught the thousand hues, turning the world from white to a vibrant kaleidoscope.
The blasts dissipated. The sorceress was gone. Lloyd’s spear fell end-over-end, bloodless, to embed itself in the ground. |
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 9:43 am
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The End
It was over. She sat in the distance watching with nearly closed eyes as the final blow was landed. Her fur swayed with the pressure of the attack from Lloyd and Nona, but still she did not move. Her wings remained folded behind her back, her black and white form hard to distinguish among the snow bound field. As the final blow landed, space seemed to buckle in the sky above them all. Still she did not move. The sky was falling. Still she did not move. This place was created by the time Sorceress, and with her defeat it would fall apart. Time was partially compressed, but without her power it was separating at the seams. They would not remember any of this if time overtook them.
The Time Fox
She stood as the little one that fascinated her panicked. The girl was too tired, she had tried too hard. She might have smiled in that moment the little one panicked. Her wings stretched. She might have frowned. It mattered not as time slowed to a stop for everyone involved. There was the sound of an eternally ticking clock. She walked among them, going directly to the girl that had fascinated her. She looked up at the green haired girl fondly. "Don't fret. You'll be home soon." The girl couldn't hear her, time was frozen. She moved forward, stopping in the middle of the group. A large clock face was forming onto the ground, etched into the snow as she stood there, looking up at where the sky had started to fall.
"You do not belong in this place, this crossroad of time. May your spirits return you to the place and time where your hearts take you. Your memories shall be the guides. I cannot fix that which has already been compressed, but I will return you all intact to your proper timeline. But first..." She turned her attention to the decompressing time. She had to first fix that. To them, the last thing they could have remembered in this situation was the sky falling towards them. To her, the time she spent here was unknown. Was it days? Was it months? Was it years? They would never know.
To them, it would have been like waking from a dream, a dream they all joined in the ruins of Galbadia Garden, where they had fought their final battle with Edea. Their fight for survival had ended. The memories remained, and the wounds as well. The exhaustion was present, but it was still like waking from a Dream.
The only pieces missing were Riyel Vicaria and Sophia Vinginshy. Nothing remained of them. To those that had fought alongside them, their memories remained, but the rest of the world seemed to have forgotten that they had even existed. No memories, no records of their existence, nothing remained from their time spent in the lives of the people around them. Only memories in the minds of those who fought in Galbadia Garden.
Epilogue |
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:06 pm
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● Sou-Ho ● Nebulous ●
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄
With Ultimecia dead, and the effects of her magic fading from the world, time slowly resumed for Sou-Ho Nebulous. His time, paused, just barely rewound, and then frozen just on the precipice of his death; started moving forward once again. But the man was relieved. His time had come some two years prior, and after everything that had happened, and being unable to do nothing as he watched a world crumble before him unable to stop it until the final hour, it felt right to go. As fate would have it, however, it seemed his time had not quite come.
As the magic faded and the wounds sustained from his battle with Edea returned, Sou-Ho was raced to Esthar; there he was brought to immediate medical attention, being just one of the many injured from the fighting. With the assistance of Kalay Laytos, and Esthar's medical technology, Sou-Ho's life was saved.
He spent the next few weeks recovering in Esthar, undergoing some rehabilitation to recover from the severity of the damages done to his body (and adjust to the prosthetic put in place of those parts that were beyond saving). It was there that he met Ernmas Odine, the daughter of the famous Dr. Odine and a young scientist in her own right; who approached him during his rehabilitation in order to study and ask him questions.
Like her father, she had an interest in Guardian Forces and Sorcery, and wanted the opportunity to study a sorceress knight firsthand and obtain a detailed record of the bonding. But as the days passed, fewer and fewer of the questions pertained to her research, and more and more time was spent idly chatting and talking. So it came that Sou-Ho and Ernmas established a connection with each other, and unknowingly forming a bond that would one day bring Sou-Ho back.
When he was discharged from the hospital, and it was finally time to leave Sou-Ho found passage to return to Winhill. Returning alone, he stood before the ruins of what had once been Winhill Garden; his home. Waiting for him, amidst the ruins, almost as if expecting him, was Byakko; the Guardian Force of his grandfather, having been waiting patiently for his return to bear and pass on a message.
From Winhill, Sou-Ho traveled across the nations, at some points even in the company of others (Eamonn and Eliana most commonly). From Galbadia to Trabia, down to Balamb, and even paying a visit to the city which bore his name. He eventually found himself in Centra, where there he met with the Roving Clans of the surviving remnants of the Centra civilization, and swore that he would one day fulfill the promise made some years ago, to come back and assist them with taking back their land and rebuilding. Until finally, Sou-Ho returned to Esthar, where there he sought out and met with Ernmas Odine once more.
Within a year's time the two were married, and by the time two years passed they were the parents of a child; Fianna Nebulous. The two lived with one another for a time, content to raise Fianna and be in one's company. He may have remained there for the rest of his days if all had gone well, living in peace. However, he found the notebook he had written in, what had seemed like so many years ago, on the train ride to Deling City. The day his life had been thrown into chaos. In it, the notes, messages, and instructions he had meant to be given to his grandfather and the instructor who would replace him.
What had been meant as a will to mark that he would not be returning home, instead reminded him that he still had a duty to fulfill. To return home to Winhill Garden and rebuild it once more, and this time for the better. Ernmas, however, did not share his ideals or sense of duty and honor. Rather than attempt to rebuild a relic from the past, she asked for him to stay and remain with her and Fianna. She would not give up her work or throw away her research, and Sou-Ho would not abandon his grandfather's dream.
So it came that the two divorced. Neither had any disillusions about their marriage, and knew that with the work they would be doing that they would hardly have the time to visit or spend time with another. For all intents and purposes, their marriage was over. It was agreed that Fianna would live with Sou-Ho, where he would be more able to watch over her and care for her, although in the years that followed Fianna would spend time with her mother as often as possible.
Over the next fifteen years, Sou-Ho, with the aid of Kalay Laytos and others, rebuilt Winhill Garden once more, and established the Winhill Garden not merely as a military institution meant to breed mercenaries but to train, educate, and raise children in hopes of creating a better future. Raising them to be doctors, engineers, politicians; and yes, even monster hunters. An academy.
And as per the agreement, so many years ago, Winhill Garden sent aid and relief to the roving clans of Centra, and with the assistance of several other organizations and groups managed to lessen the monster population considerably, and provide enough support for the nomadic people to finally settle down, rebuild, and fully recover from the loss they took so long ago.
These days, Sou-Ho remains up in his office; seated at a desk and going through the day to day administrative tasks that he had been brought up to one day resume. When he can spare the time, he occasionally returns to the lecture buildings, and gives lessons to feel the nostalgia of being an instructor once again; but many people have found these classes and days as terrifying as they were educating. He still continues to train and meditate, Sou-Ho never one to let his body relax simply because his mind is busy, and has taken on a surprising number of students over the years (Laval, Fianna, Kalen, Aella, etc).
Whenever he can, while waiting for the water to boil for his tea or during moments of peace, Sou-Ho takes the time to look out his window, as his Grandfather used to do, and look at what he had accomplished, and at what he had helped save. |
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:51 pm
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 Kalay LaytosKalay had watched as the sky fall, without concern. They had succeeded, and that was most important, even if they didn't remember it when all was done. He was surprised though, when they returned to the world with all intact. He might have taken time to express his joy with Lisanna at the fighting being over, but there was not time. Ellale had given him the warning he needed to know he needed to go to Esthar and get an emergency evac for Sou-ho.
Kalay was not a doctor nor would he ever become one, but his alterations on Sou-ho's body saved the mans life. After that, there was a pause. Kalay sent Lisanna a letter telling her to meet him in Winhill at the end of the month, and to his word he was waiting for her when she arrived. He wasn't the only one waiting for her though, the girl she had met for the first time in Galbadia Garden was waiting with him, Carbuncle. And this time, he didn't disappear on Lisanna and Nyale.
He lived his days with Lisanna, Nyale, and Carbuncle in peace, Carbuncle interacting with Nyale very much like a sister. In a little over a year, Layel was born and the family grew closer. Kalay, surprisingly, grew restless as the days passed, living in Winhill with his family. He got to visit with Ellale every day, and spent as much time as he could with his family, but he felt something was missing. And then an old friend appeared in Winhill, and Kalay found what he was missing. Kalay returned to Winhill Garden with Sou-ho Nebulous and worked to rebuild the place he had called home for so long. When it was completed, Kalay asked Sou-ho to be let back in as an instructor.
What came about was something else. Sou-ho asked Kalay to assist him in running the Garden, and Kalay accepted (much to many's surprise). Kalay and Lisanna were re-employed at Winhill Garden and returned to work. While Kalay now had administrative duties to attend to, notably interactions with Esthar, he still taught a variety of classes. True to how he was in the past, many students still found him to seem lazy. Though he received an office in the same level as Sou-ho, Kalay seems to have taken to the fields of Winhill Garden as his office, often filling out his paperwork in the open air and with Carbuncle at his side. Occassionally, Nyale, Layel, or even Kalen joined him as he worked.
Most people have found that Kalay's office is unusual and it's filled with plant life and sky lights even though Sou-ho never had such things installed. It wouldn't be hard to figure out where this comes from.
When not in the fields or changing things in his office, Kalay is known to wander the halls with Carbuncle hopping behind him, much to the surprise of new students, who take some time to get accustomed to the constantly summoned GF.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:00 am
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 Elale LaytosShe knew Azale had come for her in the end, and the girl was eternally grateful. She knew it from the moment she'd opened her eyes in Galbadia Garden, returned to the world. There was some sadness of the loss, and a weight on her chest that she couldn't get rid of, of failing to protect someone he loved. There was too much to do in that moment though. Ellale could feel the residual power of Azale on Sou-ho and had rushed to get people to help him. She knew it was what Azale wanted. When the fighting was over, Ellale went to Esthar, as many others had, but she went for another reason. She did not let Taeria go with her, but she asked her knight to meet her in Winhill. It is unknown what Ellale did in Esthar, though some speculate it was to meet with Ellone and discuss things pertaining to the past, and future. She didn't say goodbye to Lloyd or Nona, nor did she stay for anyone. She disappeared from Esthar only a few days after arriving.
Ellale from this point disappeared, and very few people knew where to find her. She returned to Winhill with her Mother, and after living with her briefly, got a house in Winhill with Taeria. It was here that Ellale remained, staying out of the world and hiding away. Though Kalay and her immediate family visited, Ellale chose to not leave Winhill. While others went on journey's, Ellale remained in Winhill. She no longer showed an avid joy of creating things, and her mannerisms were no longer that of the girl who had gone to fight Ultimecia with the others. She had changed, and the effects showed on her. Even when she received invitations to visit Lloyd, she didn't respond. She didn't seem to want to belong to the outside world, instead opting to live in her own, in a house with walls that no one could see into.
Two years passed, and Ellale had a child. Due to her hiding away, only a select few even knew she was pregnant, let alone how. Their first daughter was born in the middle of the spring, Tael Limmari-Laytos. Though Ellale never spoke on how she'd gotten pregnant, a few people knew; artificial insemination. The donor was Taeria's brother, Hiro, which offered explanation on why Tael looked so much like Taeria and Ellale, hence where her name was born from. Ellale was notably careful with Tael, constantly worried the girl would show some kind of sorcery, the very reason Ellale hid from the world. But it was determined by both Kalay and Salem that Tael had no sorcery, and that she was a normal girl. Time passed and the girl was raised by Ellale and Taeria.
Two years passed once again, and Ellale had twins. They were different from Tael, they looked little like Ellale and looked much like Taeria. As always, Ellale was afraid that they might show sorcery, but neither did and she grew relaxed as they grew. Tael departed to Winhill Garden at a young age to train to be a SeeD, much to Ellale's dismay, but the twins stayed with their mothers. It was after the departure of Tael that Ellale had one final child, a daughter named Evelyn. Ellale was told by Salem when Eve was still a little girl that she was a sorceress, and Ellale made the decision to shelter the girl in Winhill. Ellale still worried about how Sorcerers and Sorceress's were viewed in the world, and so she taught Eve to control her power, while her older siblings Gwendolyn and Oswin were trained by Taeria. Eve took Ellale's last name while Gwen and Oswin took Taeria's.
And so Ellale's life went. A recluse, hiding away from the world; a victim of her own despair at having failed to save Lloyd's brother, and a unease for how the world perceived those like her. Instead of fight the stigma, she chose to live her life in peace, in the one place where she could feel truly safe. It is said though, occasionally, a fox with wings can be seen sitting with her. The time fox has not lost it's affection for the woman it once saved.
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 7:24 am
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 It was all finally over. Lisanna felt overwhelming relief, yet also deep sadness for the loss of Riyel.
After returning to the real world where she heard news of his child to be born she vowed to be a good godmother for little Kalen, remembering how Riyel had saved her and Nyale on that snowy rooftop.
Immediately after the battle Lisanna remained in a refugee camp for a while, caring for Nyale by herself as things settled down, until she recieved a surprising letter from Kalay. She journeyed to Winhill and settled there with him, forming a home and a family. With nothing else to fear it didn't take her long to revert back to the cheerful and good natured young woman she had been before everything, locking away all of the dark memories inside herself. They had no place in her future, she decided. After Winhill Garden was rebuilt she happily took the invitation to start teaching there again, and would often keep her wings exposed as she went about her day to show the young students that sorceresses weren't all dangerous and that they could be a normal part of society like everyone else. For a few years it was a wonderful and peaceful life, but the war had taken its toll on her in its own way and her health steadily declined as the years passed. Lisanna remained her positive, carefree self despite spending more time in hospital than out of it. Nyale subsequently spent a good deal of her childhood years trying to care for her ailing mother and worrying about her. Not that she needed to, Winhill Garden had an excellent infirmary and staff, and though Lisanna had some worse lapses than others, she was not really in any danger.
When not sick she devoted her time to teaching, raising and caring for her children as well as young Kalen, and spending time with Kalay and Carbuncle. She occasionally visited with Salem and his family, though she avoided having any interaction with Maris and it was clear that she would never forgive the woman for her past transgressions.
All in all Lisanna was content with the life she had been given.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:07 pm
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'As my journey ends, I will feel many things, but mostly I will feel Joy And Sorrow. I will feel Joy at the fact that I was able to experience all of these wonderful events with you, my friends. I will feel Joy at the fact that all of our troubles are now over, our fight finally complete. My Sorrow will come as I realize the fact that our journey together is ending. I will feel Sorrow knowing that after this journey, we shall all embark on our separate ways, each of us attending to another calling. The two emotions clash within me as we all stand together for the last time, our last victory.
We all entered this journey at different points, yet we still became friends and shared the same experiences, and it is these thoughts in my mind that heighten the battle of Joy And Sorrow within me. I am glad that we all made it through this journey together, but know I am sad to see you all leave. We may have won the last battle, but now the real test begins. the test of how we handle this pain of separation. It will be a long and grueling battle in my mind, but I know that, eventually, my Joy will overtake my Sorrow, and only then will I truly be able to appreciate the time we spent together. Farewell, my friends. I hope that, one day, we may meet again.'
P.S: Don't forget about your buddy! Let's make this world a better place!
~Lloyd Nipal
Thus read Lloyd's letter to his friends and comrades as they parted ways. It was over at last. Everyone's trial had come to an end and now they had to make good on their promise to change the world. Immediately following the battle, Lloyd vowed to place the burdens of Riyel upon his shoulders for the rest of his days. His brother would never be forgotten, even if the world did not remember him. It was no easy task however. Lloyd learned Kyrrdis did indeed fall in battle and took the news with a heavy heart. Thus he began to wear bandannas as a homage to his late master. The hardest thing he had to do though, was convince his father that Riyel had indeed existed. Lein was confused as he couldn't recall anything about another son, neither could Talia, but the fierce look in his son's eye rung true and Lein accepted the truth after learning what happened.
Sadly, his best friend Ellale drifted away from him and disappeared to the world altogether. His letters would go unanswered and ultimately he decided that he'd support her decision, even if it meant not speaking again. Much to his appreciation however, Nona stuck with Lloyd every step of the way and offered her support and comfort for the tough things he had to do for Riyel's sake. She understood how much it meant to him. In return, Lloyd pledged himself to Nona and took her hand in marriage wanting to 'do it right' as he said. The two rivals who once hated the other finally came together in an everlasting union and he absolutely adored his wife without a doubt. It was during this time that another bright light shone into Lloyd's world, Kalen. He instantly fell in love with the little one and when Koyuki asked if he could help look after his nephew Lloyd didn't even hesitate. As Unita began to take form, Lloyd rose to the occasion as best as he could.
From his hyper active personality, Lloyd grew into a kind man who helped to ease the burdens of others. Kalen and Lloyd naturally bonded, and while during the day he had responsibilities, he would always come home to play and read a story to his growing nephew. He looked so much like Riyel, it hurt sometimes but perhaps Kalen gave Lloyd peace as well. In Unita, Lloyd was offered the role of a high ranking official but declined much to everyone's surprise. He was a man of the people, and his place was among them. So he simply took the role of training recruits and keeping Unita protected.
Not long after, Lloyd received the brightest stars to shine down on his world. His own children. The first time Nona told him she was pregnant, they were both fearful not knowing what to do or how they would be as parents. But every doubt was erased the moment Rem, the eldest daughter, was born. Holding her for the first time and just looking upon her face made every problem, anything the future would bring worth it. A year later, they were given 2 gifts in 1, twins. A boy and a girl, Jae and Mae. But lastly, they had one more child. The youngest girl, Sou-hi. Lloyd was overjoyed to finally have a son of his own and quickly became a family man moreso. He laughed delighted as each of their children had shown their own developing personalities. Rem took after her mother moreso, Jae was a hyper active but bright little one, Mae was the most gentle and kind, and Sou-hi proved to be a feisty girl with a temper to cover up her weaknesses.
On the other hand, Koyuki also had two other children, the one visiting most being Yukiko. She was treated like another daughter of his and Lloyd and was happy to look after her as well. Lastly, Kyrrdis's son found Lloyd and the blonde opened his big heart to the boy as well making him feel welcome. And like that Lloyd's family was complete. He was there for Nona and Koyuki every step of the way and often cooked for the family, played with the children, and planned family activities. He had found his balance between work and family and this life is something he cherishes even to this day. Today, his little ones are in their teens and beginning to advance down their own paths. But whenever they are unsure or hesitant they can always take heart in knowing that dad is proud of them and always has their back no matter what. |
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:33 pm
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 . : : Nona Winchester : : .
Nona turned her eyes to the future.
The scarred woman had few words for her comrades as the group prepared to split apart. She had a troubled past with most of them. But if there was any sign that troubled waters might be bridged, it was that she left hand-in-hand with Lloyd Nipal.
Nona and Lloyd walked side-by-side forevermore. Riyel had been lost, but they both tried to shoulder his burdens. Nona’s tasks were monumental. With the aid of Lloyd and the allies who tied themselves to the Unbroken, she transformed the rebel movement into a nation: Unita. Nona was elected its first President, and has served in the office ever since. She founded the country on the hope of building a better world, and such became her life’s work. The call to unify was answered by some, and from the mobile capital of Nebulous City, Nona became a figure on the world stage. She supported the independence of her home of Timber, and the support of Unita was crucial to the reconstruction of Centra. Her work promoting peace and diplomatic ties between Unita and the nations of the world became arguably her finest achievement: the Great Concert.
Of course, a nation is made of people, and Nona’s life was much more than parliamentary procedure. She married and became Nona Nipal, with Lloyd as her pillar of strength when she took the world’s burdens on her shoulders. Unita was always open to those kindred spirits she might have called friends when no one was listening. She took particular care to make sure Koyuki Reiko and her son Kalen knew they always had a home right next to the Nipals’.
None of Nona’s works amounted to the challenge of motherhood. The realization she was pregnant frightened her more than a monster or sorcerer ever had. But along came Rem, her first. Nona’s work was all the more crucial then; she was building a better future for her own child. Rem soon proved to be as fierce as her mother; a great source of pride for Nona. Not long after came the twins. Jae, Nona’s only boy, who blended her mind with his father’s charm. Mae, a gentle soul who shared her parents’ desire to spread peace. And, at last, came Sou-Hi, the youngest. She took after her mother in a way Rem didn’t, and her temper turned the household on its head more often than her elder siblings combined. Balancing work and motherhood made each infinitely more challenging, but Lloyd was ever at her side. She couldn’t have hoped for more in a husband and father.
Nona’s path was never easy, and her failings were many. She struggled, and stumbled, and sometimes fell. She etched her name on the history of the world in blood, and fire, and ink. Nona may never have known peace of mind, but amid the mountains of paperwork, the forests of red tape, the storms of logistics, the endless talks, furious debates, and impassioned speeches, she would find herself soothed by the thought of going home to her family.
. : : Face the future. : : . |
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