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 Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:47 pm
A forlorn gaze followed Rosel as she simpered to a tree, watching her shake and shiver.
She felt something like pity then, but they had brought it upon themselves.
Aeos' words cut into her as he spoke them.
Death will bring you no pain.
But that wasn't true, was it? If what Ruin had told her was true..and it had to be, because slowly..those memories filled her heart and mind...then wasn't she already dead, since Ruin - no, not Ruin...She had been sacrificed. She had been killed, and that pain kept her somehow 'alive', but only...a half life. She was not whole anymore...and she wanted to be.
A glimmering wetness trickled down her cheeks, but there was hardly any expression on her face.
"Are you really going to kill me, again?" she spoke softly, almost gently.
Surprise caused her to flinch as she watched a confused Noctis leap atop Aeos.
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:57 pm
"I-I'm fine," Frei stammered, the little cloud above him dissipating. He rose to his feet, and brushed himself off. "What about you? Are you alright?" he questioned, with a worried expression. His attention was then drawn back to Haveni. His view was partially blocked by a constellation who was leaping upon another. Frei stared in confusion. What the hell were they doing?
Yet another was slowly moving away from Haveni. The look on her face was one of dread or perhaps surprise. Well whatever it was, Frei got a bad feeling. But it was the same constellation that was attacking those others earlier. Maybe she deserved whatever she was going through; an eye for an eye. Frei was still curious though. He was also tempted to go and try to break up the fight until things could be sorted out.
"Let's go over there," he finally said, motioning for Ro'ark to follow. "I don't think we should allow them to harm Haveni. Something isn't right here."
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:59 pm
Avaron reeled back from Sadako's grasp, as the creepy Twilif was forced back into her well. The tea Twilif was in a state of shock. She couldn't even muster a simple 'thank you' for her savior. She just looked up and peered at the beautiful Holy Beast, but it was short lived as she ran out of the woods into the burning village.
She skidded to a halt. Destruction and corrupted and danger were everywhere. Avaron wheeled around in a 360. Then another. And another. She sunk to her knees. Where could she go? This war was getting out of hand. The All Hallows festival was supposed to be fun. She was going to solicit fresh Pumpkin Spice tea and her special All Hallows Eve blend to all of the other Moonlore. But, this war, it ruined everything! And then that corrupt twilif, what of her?... Avaron was glad for that Holy Beast. But all the same, that pretty horse could not save the world now... tears streaked the robed girl's face. What am I to do now?
Avaron screamed as Haveni was struck at by Aeos. She didn't know why she screamed, but a pretty maiden like Haveni couldn't possibly be evil. Why was a good person to be slain?
Sadako fell into the well, but a simple kick from a horse was not going to keep her down. She had survived thirty years in this well, living on the power her grudge provided her. Everyone would die! That was the corrupted's one wish and the overwhelming sense of death ran cold blood through her veins.
Sadako scaled the well wall again. She slipped over the edge of the well wall and then continued forward in a creepy crawl towards the edge of the wood and straight down the trail to the once been village. Her eyes gazed upon the scene. Death everywhere. The feeling pleased her. Then she found Haveni. She could feel the death radiating, it lingered with this being. Sadako crept closer, she needed to feel the power!
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:43 pm
As it was, her words rung in his mind as he leapt at her. Again. What was this ‘again’ she spoke of? His mind
clawed itself frantically before he recalled the story that had been told over at the previous Festival. The Nameless
One had told Ruin’s story, hadn’t she? He’d heard about the Constellation who had been killed by the hands of the
villagers. Did that meant Haveni couldn’t die? Aeos truly had no idea, and his swords hesitated for a split second
when he saw her tears sliding down the curve of her face. She didn’t look quite as insane as she did before.
However, even as his swords stilled, out of the corner of his eyes, he could see the black-white shape from the
sky, falling. Falling? Aeos couldn’t muster any more thought beyond that before Noctis, of all things, landed upon
his form and caused him to lurch forward towards the ground. His wings automatically spread, attempting to catch
some fragment of wind to keep his body steady and upright.
“…” Aeos landed on the ground, kneeling in front of Haveni for a moment before he shoved Noctis off. His gaze
shifted towards Rosel before regarding the white constellation. “I’ll stop attacking you,” he murmured slowly, trying
to consider the best possible words. His fists clenched the blades of his swords, as he rose back to his full height.
To his sides, some rabbit-sheep phyrefly and some creepy longhaired Twilif crawled towards them.
Seir flew forward, finally. The change in mood amused him. He could already tell that Aeos had lost his fervor.
Aeos wouldn’t be able to find the will to kill her any further when he couldn’t sense the potential danger. “He won’t
be able to attack you any more,” the thief Constellation chose to insert. “Not unless he receives orders to kill you
from me.”
Letting his head tilt slightly to the side, Seir regarded Haveni with considering eyes. “They say you and Ruin were
the same person. That you were killed by the village you healed,” his tones were only mildly sympathetic. He could
understand betrayal; he could understand that sort of pain. “However, you can already tell that you can’t stay here.
Not in this village any longer, and not just because we set out to destroy it. Because, the moment you woke, you
would have done the same thing.”
“Tell me, Haveni. What is it that you want?”
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:04 pm
Pale eyes glanced at the other Moonfolk, who had seemed to regard her with fear, confusion, maybe even disdain. Corrupted, eerie...horrifying, she knew they thought it. Her eyebrows furrowed together, a look of upset worry and concern on her face. She felt the dead in her slowly subsiding for now, until she remained herself, and only herself.
"I-it was cold in there..and dark, so...dark." her voice wavered. She had woken up with all of these horrible memories and lonely, painful feelings, and it clashed with the person she was before. It was unbalanced, two sides in this one-half of a person tearing at each other. It was maddening.
Her eyes roamed the scene in front of her until they rested on Seir. "What I want..." she paused her words, thinking carefully. It broke her heart when she realized what it was she did want - and it was something she couldn't have, especially not now. So, she said the next best thing.
"I want you to leave this place," she spoke her words carefully, calmy. "Turn away, and n-never come back." Though, in her heart, she knew that she too woudl end up doing just that.
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:48 pm
"Really, Miss? Is that what you want?" Noctis asked, mud splashed all over his coat. Mud.. and blood. He stood up, staggering as he did so, clutching at his arm tightly. A sharp wooden debris was stuck in it, wincing as he pulled it out. The procedure seemed painful, the blood flow renewing along his arm. Red blood dripped down into the burnt ground, despite that, a grin spread over his face.
"Sorry to say darling but bad guys might not always listen to the girls right away. Even if we did, what are you going to do afterwards?" He inquired, walking towards the saddened constellation. What was she going to do? Besides having them leave.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:22 am
Sage stopped Epona before she could reached Rosel, Haveni and the others. She struggled but she soon realized no one was paying any attention to what she was saying or trying to do. Neither of the adults paid attention to them. Was it because they were children or rather because they were too small to notice?
"Sage," she told the rabbit with a sad tone. "Let me at least talk to the white lady. Maybe we can help her..." But Sage shook his head. It was too dangerous but Epona gently took his wrists and made him release her. "I'll be ok," she promised him. "Just wait somewhere safe and I'll be right back." Sage lowered his bunny ears and watched his sister go toward Haveni.
The young phyrefly approached the white constellation and looked up to her. She looked sad and confused...or was there something else behind that beautiful face? She couldn't tell. She slowly reached for her hand and gently pulled it.
"Miss...what's wrong?" she asked with her childish innocence.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:38 am
Haveni gave a wayward glance at the child who approached her. Why were children still here? "This is no good place for a child, little one."
She turned her attention back to Noctis. She studied him, Aeos and Seir very carefully, her eyes then roaming over the remains of their cursed moonfolk they had gathered.
"So many cursed..." she mumbled. "Then surely you must know where Ruin is. I want to go to Ruin. Take me to her."
She didn't know what she had planned to do once she found Ruin. She was terrifying to behold. Ruin might try to consume her, but what if she could kill Ruin? Or somehow make it stop? Or somehow, be whole again...
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:46 am
"But...But..." Epona was once again brushed aside. Embarrased, she stepped back and watched the adults talking among themselves, ignoring her. But quickly, she stomped her foot on the ground and glared at them.
"I'm tired of being ignored! Me and my brother are always being pushed aside and we have no place to go! There is no safe place to go..." She sounded sad. Of course she didn't want to be there, among people who keep fighting each other for no apparent reason. She didn't understand the conflict and she knew it was good reason enough to not take part of it. But where could she go? What could she do?
"None of you care of what will happen to us, children! You...you... YOU'RE ALL MEANIES!!!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:42 am
It struck a cord with Avaron when she heard Epona wail that "You're all meanies." She wasn't a meanie. Avaron was a good girl. She was on the good side, with Epona and her brother and all the others. She slunk forward towards the small Phyrifly, leaving her lantern discarded in the road, and stuck a sleeved arm around Epona's shoulder.
"I care." She whispered, her voice shaky. She was still frightened of the whole ordeal, but for a child she would be strong. "It was you and your friend... who... who saved me." She spoke. "... I owe you." A small smile curled across her face, but it was short lived, this was not a happy time. She turned the girl around. "This way." Avaron led Epona back to her lantern, where she knelt to the ground and stayed to survey the conversation between Haveni and the baddies, but keeping her eyes averted from Sadako as best she could. That creepy twilif would give her nightmares for the rest of her life.
Sadako's crawl came to a halt. The feeling of death had dissapated from the white one. Where had it gone? She wanted that raw emotion to run her veins frigid! She glared through her long dark hair.
"You'll all die..." She hissed.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:56 am
So many things....so many things had been happening in the very area she was in. Rylia could only watch, frozen by the actions being committed right in front of her. She wasn't that far away, but she wasn't so close as to be affected by the battle much. A gust of wind or small pieces of debris found it's way to her, but that was all that happened really. She was mostly watching...listening...analyzing the situation from where she was. So many new and strange moonfolk all about in one area. Some with good and some with bad intentions. It was a surprise to see any she recognized from before she met Kiru a while back. She couldn't say she was surprised either because she had not gotten to known any of them during that time before.
It was strange that she was tracing a lot of this back to that faithful festival non too long ago. So many things....made so much sense now, not just because she hadn't witnessed them all with her own eyes but because she could not understand them before. This...All of this...was far beyond anything she could have comprehended before. But what was worse was that she couldn't do anything to help or change the situation. She could protect herself to a degree, but she was still much too inexperienced and young to compare to the constellations stretched across the battlefield. She was a twilef, a young moonfolk, still developing, growing and learning new things each and everyday that passed. But that didn't stop the growing feeling she had.
Thoughts ran about in her head as her ears perked slightly. A sigh escaped her as she stood up from the bush she was hiding behind making a gesture for Kiru to jump up onto her shoulder. Kiru nodded to her as he remained silent, leaping up onto her shoulder. She then looked forward at Haveni, Aeos, Seir, Rosel, Rhyme and all the other constellations and moonfolk in the area around her. She glanced at each one of them briefly before turning towards a tree nearby and jumping onto its branches in order to climb higher. She wasn't running away or even hiding away this time. no. She wanted a better look at everything from above in order to attempt and make her decision.
"What are you doing?" Kiru asked.
"Making a decision. I can't do anything...but..."
"But what?...."
"I don't want to hide anymore...if those other moonfolk..the small ones I saw run up to Havani that probably don't stand a chance either against any of the adults around...can run right up into what I would consider the most dangerous part of this battlefield....then maybe..I can at least do something...."
"Wishful thinking. Just don't be hasty...the best you could do is make a distraction if need be..."
"...I suppose...but...I don't think this....what this is right now...is something I can participate in..."
"...."
Rylia sighed and looked down towards the two small twilef, blinking at the brave one that called everyone a meanie.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:11 pm
"YOU'RE ALL MEANIES!"
Rosel groaned and put her hands to her hands. "Put a sock in it, you insufferable child." The words slipped out without a conscious decision to say them and her eyes popped open in surprise. She could speak. She could see. She could, somewhat unfortunately, hear. The dead - she shuddered at the sudden memory and realized with a further start that that was all it took to push the memory away. She had not been infested with the dead, and if she were, it was only for that single moment. That moment would admittedly stay with her for...ever, but at the moment she just appeared to be shaken.
Lifting a hand to push at the tree next to her, she reveled in the feeling. She was alive, for a Constellation, and sane for the time being. She cast a look at the child who had shouted, apparently a small phyrefly, being led away by a twilif. Haveni was still up, talking to Noctis. The crowd had not yet dispersed, despite Haveni's wishes, though she seemed content enough for the moment, if a bit depressed. Pushing herself up, so she was at least standing, she kept her eyes on the pale, mysterious Constellation, and kept her silence. The drive for power had gotten her in serious trouble this time; it could have ended far worse. Her eyes slid to Seir. Strategy was a far better plan for the future.
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Silent Comet Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:43 pm
Aeos gave Noctis and Seir a sidelong glance before his gaze slid back to Haveni. Her first answer to Seir’s question was something he expected entirely. After all, that had been what she had told them first, too. His attention shifted back to Seir, narrowing his eyes a bit. In the past, the ice constellation had repeated the story to Seir, who had seemed to merely tuck the knowledge away without comment. Now, it appeared it had given his older brother some ideas.
He turned his away, backing off a few steps behind Seir to leave the older constellation to whatever he wished to do. His attention shifted towards the interruption created by the sheep-rabbit phyrefly. A troublesome tantrum, one of many he’d seen, but entirely too out of place in battle. Should she not be trembling back in fear of death? Children, or rather the mental state of children, had always bewildered him to no end; they were far too innocent to perceive the bloodthirsty echo of battle. Did that mean they had some sort of odd courage? Aeos watched a kimono-clad twilif deal with the Epona, mouth curving into a thin frown.
Already, he’d killed enough today. His lax grip on the hilt of his swords tightened uncomfortably and his gaze shifted towards Sadako. A slight discomfort that didn’t come from gripping his swords rose up the column of his spine. He took a step towards her, an unnoticeable and minor step, but if she took action… Aeos couldn’t be counted for what he might do.
His attention snapped towards Haveni as soon as Aeos realized what she had said.
To go to Ruin…
Seir felt pleasure coil at the pit of his stomach, mouth curving into a pleased smile to reflect it. He wouldn’t have left it simply at her command to leave, as there wouldn’t have been any merit in leaving then. Certainly, they had mostly decimated the village. However, Rosel had to deal with recovering from a questionable state of mind and Noctis wasn’t in too great a shape after suffering from one of Rosel’s bolts. His and Aeos’ states also left one wanting. However, that only meant they wouldn’t have backed off easily.
Now though, after Haveni’s new decision, the idea had some value.
“Well, then,” the dark Constellation purred, decidedly ignoring the temperamental yells of the sheep-rabbit phyrefly. He would have ruined his words if he stopped to send a lash of water at Epona in the middle, but at least Rosel told the little thing to shut up. There were a lot of other moonfolk around, too, but as long as they didn’t chose to interrupt… he didn’t have to order any of the mindless to go after them. Seir turned to Noctis and Rosel, gaze still reflecting inner amusement. The thief didn’t have to look at Aeos to know that wherever he went, the ice constellation would follow. “Shall we leave then?”
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:26 pm
Haveni averted her gaze over the remains of the village, which were now smoldering against the ground. Her eyes trailed up the stone steps of the hill, where she could vaguely make out the top of the shrine of candles.
She knew in her heart that they blamed her for this. And the truth of it was that in a twisted way, it was her fault, from so long ago, which she could only vaguely remember. This was the only choice, especially if she wanted to save what remained of this village and its people.
"I'll go." she answered finally, not taking her eyes off of the shrine of candles. At least it still stood.
Booming thuds sounded in the distance, one after the other, getting louder and louder. Some massive behemoth of a monster, made of stone and trees stood there, with a much smaller figure standing atop its shoulder, azure eyes witnessing the scene of devastation before them. So, what that strange creature had said was true...
She looked down at the feet of her animated golem, where several Espion also sat, staring at the destruction.
With a mighty leap, the golem had flung itself from the top of the stone-stair hill, crashing down with a massive BOOM! in what had once been the main square of the village.
Eisha hopped from it, her heavy greaves clanging against the ground. The lights of the golem's eyes dimmed and went out, and it stilled, the blue swarm of spectral blue butterflies flowing out of it and revolving around Eisha's arm, forming into a an ethereal lance made of that glowing blue light, which she aimed at the group the Espion had declared 'evil'.
"An army of beasts approaches soon," her voice was soft, polite and very feminine, a very slight but unidentifiable accent to it. "It would behoove you to gather your living trinkets and recover elsewhere, lest you succumb to it. I would kill you myself now, but there is no sport or fun in felling a tree half-cut already."
Her gaze fell on Haveni. She knew this girl's fate was not hers to meddle in, as did the Espion, whose numbers increased as they crawled onto the lifeless heap that was once the golem, bristling and growling. The size of varying predatorial cats, they were not a creature to be trifled with.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:32 pm
Rylia watched as things progressed from the tree she was in, unsure of what to think and what to do. Not as if she could do anything anyway. She sighed, watching as the situation seemed to shift blinking as the madness from before finally seemed to calm down. Although that might have been good, she really didn't like exact where this was going either. She moved towards the edge of the branch she had been standing on as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing and was moving closer to provide what she heard was inaccurate. "She's not going to leave and be on the bad groups side now was she?" she thought as she looked around her.
She moved quickly, moving down the tree towards the ground, contemplating if she should attempt to run over. She wondered what would happen if Haveni left with them. They never said they would stop what they were doing. In fact, they might just continue their efforts without having to worry about her being in their way because of a promise to take her somewhere. Things weren't looking good. Not at all it seemed. Things were happening fast, going left and then right with these events.
As if things weren't already messed up and covered in this war, it seemed that something else seemed to be happening. Rylia move slowly closer to the tree she was next to, Kiru still on her shoulder as she looked at the new being that had appeared. Pointing a weapon, she spoke of a group of beasts approaching. She was sure what was going on, and no one else seemed to react to this just yet. She waited to see what would happen before she made her move.
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