_Annalise_
Not so much salty, just a little frosty
Ann rose from her position in front of the tree and walked towards Boreas, a question in her eyes as she watched Djac stalk away.
"Djac?!" She called worriedly and started after him, but Boreas grabbed her arm, holding her rooted to the spot. Annalise whirled, her eyes narrowing. "Let go! What did you do, Boreas?"
"I wanted to know why the hell some no name from the lowly fire realms was sniffing after you when he isn't even worthy enough to look you in the eyes! And now I know!"
Her jaw dropped and without thinking, she lifted her free hand and slapped him, hard enough to make her palm sting, but at least it caught him off guard enough to drop her arm.
"Why you little bitc.."
She raised her hand to do it again, but he was more prepared this time and caught it. Still, she wasn't done with him yet, and her blue eyes sparked with rage. "He is NOT a no name and he has every right to be here just as the rest of us!"
Boreas' eyes narrowed and he tugged her forward. "Do you forget who you are and where your responsibilities lie? What hold does he have over you?"
Annalise jerked her arm free and poked him in the chest. "That's just it Boreas! He has no hold. He is the only person in this gods forsaken world that has asked me for nothing. NOTHING! The rest of you expect everything from me. Every time I turn around I have to give a part of myself...to ALL of you! But not him..."
Boreas' gasped. "You are besotted with him...."
"He has been a friend, when no one else has. Gods, are you all so greedy that you would not even give me that? I know my duty Boreas. I have never shirked it, nor do I intend to. Your meddling in this is uncalled for and disgusting." Leaning forward, she whispered menacingly. "I don't care how you do it, but get him back here."
He opened his mouth to speak, but she shoved him. "...I only have one more hour until dawn and everyone will arrive. ALL elements will need to be present. So if you caused him to leave, my failure in this is on your conscience. Not mine...and certainly not his."
They stared at each other some moments before he strode off and she walked to the little campsite to prepare. She wanted to go after Djac herself, but there wasn't much more time, and she wasn't quite sure after what Boreas pulled he would want to see her. Ann poured water from a flask and hurriedly washed the best she could. Was Boreas right? Was she besotted? Ann froze, dread filling her heart. No...no, her head shook. It was simply a strengthening friendship. She hadn't had one of those before, so the connection she felt...well...it had to be normal, right?
"Ahh, there's no time to think of this right now." patting around until she found her small satchel, she hid herself in the alcove and changed, trying to compose herself the best she could until the small group arrived.
The hour passed quickly, and Ann's heart seemed to get louder as the minutes droned on. Finally she heard footsteps behind her, but didn't turn, staying knelt before the valley with her eyes closed. Just as she felt the sun begin to crest, she rose and walked slowly out towards the tree. Her shoulders and arms were bare as were her feet, and wore no adornments other than a simple white sheath and a dagger belted at her waist. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing existed except for her and the ground where she stood. Stopping, she stared at the tree that lay barren and weeping in front of them all, and softly began to sing. A lilting cadence echoed across the valley, an apology, a mother's plea. Her tones rose and fell in a mesmerizing cadence and she started slowly moving around to form a circle some feet from the roots. Her hands cupped into a ball, the outside of her thumbs lifting to touch her lips, then...just as the palms parted a swirling ball of water formed from what she had breathed inside, suspended in the air, whites and blues circling over and over again, an infant storm that grew larger and stronger with the encouragement of its' mothers song until finally it split into four orbs. Annalise's head bowed, her fingers weaving keys of ancient runes that had long since lay dormant. A tear slid down her cheek, unnoticed as the orbs began glowing, like fire was burning within them. Faster and faster and faster it swirled, her voice rising with it, until the four burst and slammed into the ground around her, the ancient signs of the four elements shimmering in golden life, a stark contrast against the pearly white of the ground.
Her voice softened then, as she backed away until she stood over the water rune. Life, she had felt life. Like starving tentacles desperate for sustenance she felt it crawl up her legs, rooting her to her ancestral sign, and her voice became breathless, pain shooting up her spine until she wondered if she was being torn apart.
Clouds began to form overhead, darkness building and building until any sign of daylight was gone and power crackled with lightning across the sky, a rumble of thunder shaking the ground beneath them. Dead languages of all four castes escaped her song, so sure in themselves and their journey that it felt like another singing beside of her. 'Set us free...' words surrounded the audience and as Ann spread her arms in offering, the skies burst, rain hurling itself towards the ground, but stopping right before it hit.
Hovering above the ground like diamonds shimmering against black velvet, it brightened the atmosphere so that Ann could be seen again, and beside her, two golden figures, their features unnoticeable, but their lips had parted to match the fervor of her song. Water ancestors. Together the three of their voices rose and fell in haunting echoes, and then as suddenly as it began, there was a deathly silence. Suspense was heavy as Ann opened her eyes, the orbs matching the shimmering of the hovered rain around them.
One by one, called, more golden images walked from the darkness into the circle to stand behind their runes. But they did not speak and inside her mind, she heard the voice of her mother, singing gently to her. 'They must all stand trial here...'
A shaky inhale. Once, twice. The suspense felt heavy, like a wet blanket wrapping around her, as Ann opened her eyes, the orbs matching the shimmering of the hovered rain around them. Her gaze went to Terra first, nodding, a gentle call to her for encouragement and Terra, as though in a daze, left Nikolas's side and joined Annalise, stepping upon the earth rune.
Now Fire... Deep inside of herself, she registered momentary panic. What if he had not returned? But her eyes shot to his as if bidden to do so and their gazes locked. Relief. A call, just as she had done to Terra was on her lips, but she held back, not wanting to use such against him. No coercion, no tricks of power, just his own will was what mattered right now. So she remained silent, and instead, a hand lifted, palm up, eyes questioning. 'Will you come?'
There may have been a small hesitation, she couldn't be sure, but she felt herself breath again as he slowly walked forward and upon the fire rune.
One left. And the epitome of dread itself. Pulling every last bit of strength within her body, she sought connection, and called. "Air.....Come to me...I know you are there."
Silence, and then the fabric of atmosphere around them seemed to split. A blinding light opening and a tall, imposing figure stepping through. Eyes, black as midnight bore into hers as he shut the portal. And she knew, without a doubt, that she would pay for calling him. Aeolous, the air king, was never summoned. He brushed his gaze across each of them, almost bored, but stepped over the air sign. Ann knew his curiosity was the only thing that would keep him from leaving.
Almost immediately as they all were in their final places, a cone of wind, rain and fire sprang up around them in a swirling mass of contained power, hiding them from the group beyond, and the golden faceless figures pressed close, pulling them into a circle. Faster and faster it whirled, shooting up into the sky and pressing inward until all the others disappeared and she couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. Her body felt as though it was being torn in all directions, and lifted from the ground. She would have screamed if she had the energy left to do so, but was helpless against all else but to go limp.
All of a sudden a terrifying sound, like an explosion rang in her ears and they were all thrown backwards towards the ground. Then as quickly as it came, it vanished.
Silence greeted her as she lay on the ground, and cracking one eye open in apprehension, she glanced around. The storm had passed, but still a soft haze remained, almost dreamlike. Gingerly she moved to sit up, rubbing the back of her head, seeing the others do the same. Looking towards the cliff, the group was no where to be found and alarm rose, a sharp bile in the back of her throat as she realized strangers surrounded them. They were not where they were, but neither had they gone anywhere. "Oh my gods..."
"Yes." Aeolus's voice was dry with disdain as he stood and brushed at his robes. "It looks like you found the string of time and pulled on it." Dark eyes narrowed. "Maybe you and I need to have a little talk about just what you think you are doing...and how you are going to get us back."
"Perhaps you might let the lady catch her breath first, and then we will all speak of it, since it looks like you have traveled far..." A voice, quiet yet commanding came from over Aeolus's shoulder, and as he stepped out of the way to see who dared to have questioned him, a man in unassuming black robes stepped forward. His face was tanned, his beard trimmed neatly, and his hair was bound beneath a turban. Upon his face, dark tattoos graced his cheeks. Fire runes. He smiled, pleasantly enough to not to be frightening, but Ann could sense there was a great deal of underlying power there. Coming from behind him, others of all the four elemental castes, and a small, pretty woman patted his shoulder, giving Ann a smile.
"Do not be afraid. My name is Saffia. You all are here because you called us..."
"Djac?!" She called worriedly and started after him, but Boreas grabbed her arm, holding her rooted to the spot. Annalise whirled, her eyes narrowing. "Let go! What did you do, Boreas?"
"I wanted to know why the hell some no name from the lowly fire realms was sniffing after you when he isn't even worthy enough to look you in the eyes! And now I know!"
Her jaw dropped and without thinking, she lifted her free hand and slapped him, hard enough to make her palm sting, but at least it caught him off guard enough to drop her arm.
"Why you little bitc.."
She raised her hand to do it again, but he was more prepared this time and caught it. Still, she wasn't done with him yet, and her blue eyes sparked with rage. "He is NOT a no name and he has every right to be here just as the rest of us!"
Boreas' eyes narrowed and he tugged her forward. "Do you forget who you are and where your responsibilities lie? What hold does he have over you?"
Annalise jerked her arm free and poked him in the chest. "That's just it Boreas! He has no hold. He is the only person in this gods forsaken world that has asked me for nothing. NOTHING! The rest of you expect everything from me. Every time I turn around I have to give a part of myself...to ALL of you! But not him..."
Boreas' gasped. "You are besotted with him...."
"He has been a friend, when no one else has. Gods, are you all so greedy that you would not even give me that? I know my duty Boreas. I have never shirked it, nor do I intend to. Your meddling in this is uncalled for and disgusting." Leaning forward, she whispered menacingly. "I don't care how you do it, but get him back here."
He opened his mouth to speak, but she shoved him. "...I only have one more hour until dawn and everyone will arrive. ALL elements will need to be present. So if you caused him to leave, my failure in this is on your conscience. Not mine...and certainly not his."
They stared at each other some moments before he strode off and she walked to the little campsite to prepare. She wanted to go after Djac herself, but there wasn't much more time, and she wasn't quite sure after what Boreas pulled he would want to see her. Ann poured water from a flask and hurriedly washed the best she could. Was Boreas right? Was she besotted? Ann froze, dread filling her heart. No...no, her head shook. It was simply a strengthening friendship. She hadn't had one of those before, so the connection she felt...well...it had to be normal, right?
"Ahh, there's no time to think of this right now." patting around until she found her small satchel, she hid herself in the alcove and changed, trying to compose herself the best she could until the small group arrived.
The hour passed quickly, and Ann's heart seemed to get louder as the minutes droned on. Finally she heard footsteps behind her, but didn't turn, staying knelt before the valley with her eyes closed. Just as she felt the sun begin to crest, she rose and walked slowly out towards the tree. Her shoulders and arms were bare as were her feet, and wore no adornments other than a simple white sheath and a dagger belted at her waist. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing existed except for her and the ground where she stood. Stopping, she stared at the tree that lay barren and weeping in front of them all, and softly began to sing. A lilting cadence echoed across the valley, an apology, a mother's plea. Her tones rose and fell in a mesmerizing cadence and she started slowly moving around to form a circle some feet from the roots. Her hands cupped into a ball, the outside of her thumbs lifting to touch her lips, then...just as the palms parted a swirling ball of water formed from what she had breathed inside, suspended in the air, whites and blues circling over and over again, an infant storm that grew larger and stronger with the encouragement of its' mothers song until finally it split into four orbs. Annalise's head bowed, her fingers weaving keys of ancient runes that had long since lay dormant. A tear slid down her cheek, unnoticed as the orbs began glowing, like fire was burning within them. Faster and faster and faster it swirled, her voice rising with it, until the four burst and slammed into the ground around her, the ancient signs of the four elements shimmering in golden life, a stark contrast against the pearly white of the ground.
Her voice softened then, as she backed away until she stood over the water rune. Life, she had felt life. Like starving tentacles desperate for sustenance she felt it crawl up her legs, rooting her to her ancestral sign, and her voice became breathless, pain shooting up her spine until she wondered if she was being torn apart.
Clouds began to form overhead, darkness building and building until any sign of daylight was gone and power crackled with lightning across the sky, a rumble of thunder shaking the ground beneath them. Dead languages of all four castes escaped her song, so sure in themselves and their journey that it felt like another singing beside of her. 'Set us free...' words surrounded the audience and as Ann spread her arms in offering, the skies burst, rain hurling itself towards the ground, but stopping right before it hit.
Hovering above the ground like diamonds shimmering against black velvet, it brightened the atmosphere so that Ann could be seen again, and beside her, two golden figures, their features unnoticeable, but their lips had parted to match the fervor of her song. Water ancestors. Together the three of their voices rose and fell in haunting echoes, and then as suddenly as it began, there was a deathly silence. Suspense was heavy as Ann opened her eyes, the orbs matching the shimmering of the hovered rain around them.
One by one, called, more golden images walked from the darkness into the circle to stand behind their runes. But they did not speak and inside her mind, she heard the voice of her mother, singing gently to her. 'They must all stand trial here...'
A shaky inhale. Once, twice. The suspense felt heavy, like a wet blanket wrapping around her, as Ann opened her eyes, the orbs matching the shimmering of the hovered rain around them. Her gaze went to Terra first, nodding, a gentle call to her for encouragement and Terra, as though in a daze, left Nikolas's side and joined Annalise, stepping upon the earth rune.
Now Fire... Deep inside of herself, she registered momentary panic. What if he had not returned? But her eyes shot to his as if bidden to do so and their gazes locked. Relief. A call, just as she had done to Terra was on her lips, but she held back, not wanting to use such against him. No coercion, no tricks of power, just his own will was what mattered right now. So she remained silent, and instead, a hand lifted, palm up, eyes questioning. 'Will you come?'
There may have been a small hesitation, she couldn't be sure, but she felt herself breath again as he slowly walked forward and upon the fire rune.
One left. And the epitome of dread itself. Pulling every last bit of strength within her body, she sought connection, and called. "Air.....Come to me...I know you are there."
Silence, and then the fabric of atmosphere around them seemed to split. A blinding light opening and a tall, imposing figure stepping through. Eyes, black as midnight bore into hers as he shut the portal. And she knew, without a doubt, that she would pay for calling him. Aeolous, the air king, was never summoned. He brushed his gaze across each of them, almost bored, but stepped over the air sign. Ann knew his curiosity was the only thing that would keep him from leaving.
Almost immediately as they all were in their final places, a cone of wind, rain and fire sprang up around them in a swirling mass of contained power, hiding them from the group beyond, and the golden faceless figures pressed close, pulling them into a circle. Faster and faster it whirled, shooting up into the sky and pressing inward until all the others disappeared and she couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. Her body felt as though it was being torn in all directions, and lifted from the ground. She would have screamed if she had the energy left to do so, but was helpless against all else but to go limp.
All of a sudden a terrifying sound, like an explosion rang in her ears and they were all thrown backwards towards the ground. Then as quickly as it came, it vanished.
Silence greeted her as she lay on the ground, and cracking one eye open in apprehension, she glanced around. The storm had passed, but still a soft haze remained, almost dreamlike. Gingerly she moved to sit up, rubbing the back of her head, seeing the others do the same. Looking towards the cliff, the group was no where to be found and alarm rose, a sharp bile in the back of her throat as she realized strangers surrounded them. They were not where they were, but neither had they gone anywhere. "Oh my gods..."
"Yes." Aeolus's voice was dry with disdain as he stood and brushed at his robes. "It looks like you found the string of time and pulled on it." Dark eyes narrowed. "Maybe you and I need to have a little talk about just what you think you are doing...and how you are going to get us back."
"Perhaps you might let the lady catch her breath first, and then we will all speak of it, since it looks like you have traveled far..." A voice, quiet yet commanding came from over Aeolus's shoulder, and as he stepped out of the way to see who dared to have questioned him, a man in unassuming black robes stepped forward. His face was tanned, his beard trimmed neatly, and his hair was bound beneath a turban. Upon his face, dark tattoos graced his cheeks. Fire runes. He smiled, pleasantly enough to not to be frightening, but Ann could sense there was a great deal of underlying power there. Coming from behind him, others of all the four elemental castes, and a small, pretty woman patted his shoulder, giving Ann a smile.
"Do not be afraid. My name is Saffia. You all are here because you called us..."