Fantasy [Private] El Stories

[Late]

Xavier stared up at Cornelius, as the dragon stared back down at him. There was a strange sense of tension building up around them, especially when Cornelius often shift his gaze at Eosforos. Xavier can tell the dragon was upset, angry, furious, and so many other negativity. They already explained to him about what caused Athena to go on a rampage, the demons being the main cause of it and the fact it was reasonable to put her out since she would not stop. One thing that Cornelius won't let it drop was about where her body went.

"We keep telling you, a robot came by and got rid of it into dust. Xavier saw it himself and there was nothing left by then," Eosforos explained to the dragon, sounding bored that he had to repeat himself. "Ask the red beast if you don't believe me."

Cornelius slightly shift his head to see Aragorn yet the dragon was rather tucked away from socializing. Only Komodo was next to Aragorn, feeling sad as well. The black dragon harshly growled and leered over at the angel. "Why do I have a nasty feeling about you, angel?" Cornelius grunted, his eye narrowed to focus on him only.

"I don't know. I would relax if I were you though. You're looking pretty aggressive," Eosforos sneered as he took a step back. Cornelius took a moment to look around as the nearby humans were giving nervous look at the black dragon for being angry. Cornelius started to back off eventually, laying back down as Eosforos had a satisfying smirk on his face. "I am sorry for your loss, Cornelius, truly am," Eosforos said after the black dragon settled down. For that moment, Cornelius felt like Eosforos' tone of voice was familiar, especially the way he said his name. Yet no matter how much he thinks about it, it felt too painful to think about the past. "I'm sure Xavier is sorry as well."

"Xavier? Sorry?" Cornelius repeated sharply, snapping his gaze back to the soldier next to him. "Look at him. You made him still like an obedient dog!" Cornelius almost roared that out, causing the townspeople to panic in alarm. Even the nearby soldiers were looking concerned about what was going on, whispering to each other on what they can do.

Eosforos only took a step back with a sigh as Xavier glared up at Cornelius, his hands closing to a fist. Cornelius glared right back, unsure what he wants to do. He lost another close friend and everything felt like it was splitting about. This boy, this innocent boy that the dragons raised him, who suddenly became 'corrupted' and split them apart from the moment he got them involved with the war. He truly wants to throw the blame on him yet at the same time he doesn't.

"...you're not Xavier," Cornelius grumbled out, biting back his growl. "Not the Xavier we raised. Not the one that Octavia found in the forest. Not the one who called Aragorn his big brother..." The red dragon seems to slightly perk up at his name but made no other movement, except Komodo took careful steps to be next to Cornelius. "Not the one who described what the stars look like to Ivy. Not the one who laughs with a full heart at Fujin's jokes. ...Not the one who called Athena beautiful." There was a small painful emotion building up in Xavier but he kept still with his cold gaze. "Not the one who called Komodo his best friend...and not the one who put up with my tough love."

Xavier only lets out a deep sigh, ignoring this guilt inside of him. His fists got tight and he took his last looking at Cornelius. "I think we're done here. We gave you answers, you got what you wanted. Have a good day." Xavier turns around to leave them, Eosforos smiling in amusement on how Cornelius tried to break through Xavier's cold heart. For a second, he thought it worked but Xavier was loyal as ever.

Cornelius sighed and he turns to see the angel who was about to leave. "I will eventually know who you are, angel. It won't be pretty the time I find out," Cornelius growled as Eosforos simply smirked at the dragon.

"Time may not be on your side, but best of luck, Cornelius," Eosforos said, his voice light as he was teasing him and waved his hand as he walked away.

The dragons were left alone to think for themselves, Cornelius vowing to himself to keep an eye on the angel. "Eosforos...Eosforos......" Cornelius mumbled to himself, thinking hard about where he heard that name from.

 

[Fume]

"Ho! For your first time, you've certainly got there well! Well done, Phantom!

At this point, your energy is still a bit small, but this is truly a good start! Practicing everyday will increase the amount of energy that you have bit by bit, and sooner or later you'll be able to create a sphere the same size as you.

Keep doing what you're doing until it feels like you can tap at your energy at free will. Make any object you wish other than a ball if you wish, afterwards you'll be learning about the elements and to implement them into your own mana." He cheerfully responded to him, praising him for his efforts.

"I'm sure your goddess is proud of you too, Phantom. Keep going like this and at the end you'll truly see how much you've changed with this training, I assure you that you won't regret it." He spoke with confidence in his words, he couldn't help but chuckle when his chest puffed a bit with pride.

Phant0m

 

[MementoDei]

Elesis

The news of the dragon's death reached her ears. Demons were already playing dirty, yet no other demons had appeared on the outside. It had come to her attention that Lento had been severely injured, but the messengers seemed rather nervous to tell her anything else. She didn't like how secretive they were all being to her and she decided to go briefly back to see for herself what was going on.

To her surprise, she found Lento putting back his armour as if he wasn't injured in the first place.

"How...? I heard he couldn't move for days."

Lento turned around and noticed that Elesis had come back. "Good afternoon, commander Sieghart. How is the situation outside?"

"That should be my question to you. I heard you were wounded, shouldn't you rest?"

The knight lowered his gaze and said: "...I was treated by the best medics. I'm feeling better, I don't want to be a bother for other injured. As you might've heard, the Athena's death caused some people to get injured...and Elesis...how are..."

Lento rubbed his temples and Elesis told him to sit down, which he did, but not because of her order. He was having trouble to concentrate that he hadn't lived Lara's life. He had never met any of the Knights, Lara was the one that knew Penensio, Amelia, Speka, all of them. He finally felt that Lara's power stopped creeping up and he looked up to Elesis, who was getting worried.

"Lento, you clearly still need to rest."

"You don't understand, Ele- I mean- Commander Sieghart. The sooner I get back, the better I'll get. Too many familiar faces are around."

"Lento...is your amulet still working properly? Your voice is changing."

"It's because of my...no. Her power. You asked me if I knew Lara, and I did. I did know her for more time than I once told you. She's a Lost Soul and she...transformed me too into one of them. That's why I'm telling you, I am fine, commander. I don't need you to..."

Lento stopped speaking and he glared at her. He looked oddly menacing, making a shiver go down her spine. Something had changed in Lento and it had certainly something to do with Lara Tureen. She remembered having read myths about Vampires, their souls could take over the bodies of those they transformed into other monsters.

"So Lara still lives inside your mind. Can you fight against her?"

"...If you want to talk about fighting, now that I remember, you...you abandoned us, Elesis. You and the red Knights left us all to die. All of Resiam, Lernia, the Holy District, all of it! You left it to burn to ashes and fall under the demon's grasp. For what? I wonder, was your little field trip around Ruben and Elder that wonderful? Was it worth the lives of the people? The lives of White Colossus and his son?"

Lento got up and clenched his fists. Elesis got out her sword and covered it with flames, Lento chuckled and took the blade in his hands, putting out the flames in one single gesture. She charged her hands with flames, but they all died out once they were close enough to Lento. "The demons burnt my town to the ground with the same flames. I was weak back then, but now, I can control all the elements if I wish to. You? You're a poor excuse of a knight, a mere child playing with a spark. Tell me, Elesis, how much time do you think it'll take me to drain your worthless life out of your body?"

Elesis felt that Lento was not only absorbing her flames, but her mana, faster and faster. She let go of her sword and opened the door just as Yullr was about to enter. The elf put a hand over Elesis' shoulders and pushed her behind him to protect her. The elf said something she didn't understand and Lento froze in place. His hands were trembling and his hatred shifted into guilt. She realized why Vampires were seen as monsters thirsty for revenge. They were ready to kill at the remembrance of anything that had occurred in their past lives. They couldn't be considered allies. Lento looked pale and exhausted and he fell heavily over his sickbed as Yullr took a step aside to turn towards Elesis, who continued to stare at Lento.

Yullr's voice liberated her reason from the cold terror that paralyzed it.

"Commander Sieghart, it's better if he doesn't see you for a while. I will inform you when he can control his power better. You seem to be somehow familiar with Lost Souls, so please understand. Not a single Lost Soul asked for the weight they carry."

Elesis took back her weapon, nodded and went back to the head quarters to continue to work on new strategies, but the words Lento and Yullr had said to her never stopped to repeat themselves at the back of her mind. No myths were clear on how Lost Souls were created and all demon prisoners the Knights had taken from the Resiam region had committed suicide before revealing any secrets concerning the strategies they used. She knew that Lento had offered his powers to save two towns already, but his help was limited by how much Lara's spirit interfered. If Lento's spirit vanished, he would become, to her eyes, the same as any demons.

Speaking of demons, the scouts had identified more glitter alchemists and necromancers than anywhere else. If the demons were planning to create another Lost Soul, she was in the right spot to see it happen.

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

When Alec had finally awoken he felt a nostalgic feeling in his lower leg when he looked down he saw his good friend, the smith who had worked on repairing him earlier. "Seems you've gotten yourself into a pretty big mess." He said as he continued to work on his leg. Alec recalled what had happened after that young man left the scene of the crime. Alec's body had suddenly begun to explode all over, he didn't know the cause of it but he assumed it was because of that mysterious power that had revealed itself without his knowing. "W-where is the C-c-commander," Alec asked. The old man looked up at him with a sad expression, "Alec you don't mean to return in this condition, your body is anywhere near being able to move again for at least a day even then you can't act so recklessly." he said, Alec was touched that the old man cared for a nasod like him but right now the demons are becoming a bigger threat that he could've comprehended. For a dragon to suddenly appear rampaging was strange, Alec assumed that the demons could be behind it, "I-I don't know what i-it is b-but my code tells m-me somethings wr-wrong." he looked at the old man with a serious expression, he wasn't going to let himself stay here any longer. He wanted to return and assist the knights he had met. When the old man saw his determination he couldn't keep arguing with Alec. It was pointless to try, once an AI like Alec sets his mind on something it's hard to interfere with it. "Alright, I'll get this leg patched up, your arm and eye will just have to recover on there own," he said as he picked up his speed. Alec was thankful for the old man's understanding.

When he finished all his work the blacksmith let Alec go on his way before he left Alec thanked the man for allowing his selfish request. "Be careful it's only afternoon but from the looks of it soon the sun will start to set down, that's when things get dangerous," he said, Alec took the mans warning to heart. "I-I'll try my best t-to avoid dang-ger," with that being said Alec waved goodbye and began his walk back to headquarters. Along the way, Alec would notice what seemed to be the same spies as those he saw that night in the Residential Area. He kept his sword close as the dangers increased, "Being this out o-of or-order would attract-act attention." When the number of spies increased from 2 to 8 Alec could feel the hostile intent it was like they were waiting for more and more reinforcements to arrive before they took him on, maybe they came for revenge after what he did to the last group, or maybe they saw him as a rather valuable threat.

"Choosing a course of act-action...assault...outcome pe-percentage...88% win rate against the un-unknown enemy..." Alec drew out his blade covered in flames, his undamaged eye glowed red, holding his sword with both hands at his side, Alec walked around in a circle and began to seek out those who would challenge his stare. When his eye made contact he drew his blade back. "Fires Rage." he unleashed the flames stored in the blade at the first assassin that tried jumping forward, it was impossible to avoid the attack in midair causing the demon to be split in two. "I-I'll ma-make sure know one fo-follows me," With a flash of his blade Alec sprung into action, demon after demon fell to his blade, he had to rely on distanced attacks because of the latency of his commands. When he believed the area was secured Alec continued his journey forward. Along the way, he met some knights who had an injured of there own, one of assisted Alec by using a scarf with the velder insignia to patch up Alec's damaged eye. "You won't want to scare the children with a wound like that now." The knight said, Alec thanked him for his assistance. Soon they had reached headquarters, there Alec saw a familiar face, it was Vanessa, the woman who seemed to be Elesis assistant.

He reported to her what had happened at the refugee camp, along with the sudden increase of demons around this area. "I ran into a squadron just outside of here who was pa-patrolling...they told m-me they we-were ambushed by the demons i-in black." He described the assassins that have been appearing all around the area when the sun began to set down. "Why not tell Elesis yourself? I could request a meeting." Vanessa said but Alec raised his hand. "I am critically da-damaged, my..appearance i-isn't very...e-engaging. A-also I'm just a na-nasod, s-she has more i-important m-m-matters to attend t-t-t-to." Alec was stumbling on his words as his voice box began to cut out, his one good eye was constantly flickering. "Alec, your condition..it seems worse than you make it seem." Vanessa said getting closer but Alec stepped back. "I'll m-manage on my o-own for now! N-now now now..." It was getting worse to speak and to even stand that Alec quickly used his scabbard as a short of cane. "S-show me toooooooooo! A-a room." Alec requested. Vanessa nodded at his request, with the help of another knight Alec was guided to a room. When he entered and the door was closed right behind him for a brief second Alec examined the room and in the next his body shut down. "S-seems I....over...d-did it....System shut down."

MementoDei ​

 

[MementoDei]

Vanessa came by her office to inform her that Alec had come to see her. However, he was so badly injured that Elesis decided to wait a few days for the Nasod to recover. After two days, Elesis got out to visit the blacksmith's workshop, taking a large detour to avoid the infirmary.

It was around midday when Elesis finally saw the Nasod.

"Hello Alec. How have you been?"
NinthSomnus9029

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

During the days he was recovering Alec suffered from low energy levels. This causes him to act insane for a short span of time, he had gotten in contact with the smith he knew, Adams. He had requested him to help with his recovery and that he did. Alec was getting better but as he did, when Adams adjusted something Alec would remember 1,000 years ago. He wondered why did he have memories of the time? He shouldn't have been active during that time, at least that's what his memory logs tell him. Through his memories, he could faintly hear the voice of his creator Adrian, he would speak about Alec's rare ability that would let him create but also destroy. Was this that ability he had shown when that dragon died? Thinking about it he asked Adams to help him test it out. Alec searched all through the night the first day for a clue on how to use this ability. When he found it he learned it was related to his El conversion ability accept instead of Voltage he would create particles or plasma that could destroy material but only on a small scale. "So this is why I exploded..." To not let the fact out Alec requested Adams to bring logs of different sizes and so through trial and error and constant repairs, Alec found out his limit. The current him did not have enough power to destroy an entire body without his body suffering major damage, he could not destroy even half, this idea struck him odd, he wondered how did he make the dragon disappear?

Next, he went on to learn that he could channel the particles into his blade like he did with the fire and water el, the particles allowed his blade to cut through anything, the problem is the most he could cut in half 100% was the body of a person or a door that was thin, anything thicker would over exhaust Alec causing him to shut down, there is also a limit to how long he can keep the particles going, Alec decided this would be his trump card for now. Thanks to that he learned that he could channel it into his fingers and destroy objects about the size of a rubber ball. This was enough to kill a person if aimed in the right area, best not use it too much.

Later in the day when Alec's eye was finally restored, he held the scarf with the velder insignia on it, clenching it in his fist, "I think you should keep it, let the people know your not a threat," Adam suggested, Alec was a bit taken back by his comment, was it alright to wear this? looking back at it, a smile formed on his face. "I owe it to them." and so Alec tied it around his right arm, the velder insignia sticking out. Later it was around high noon of the second day. Adams had stayed awake with Alec for a day and a half with no sleep. Alec suggested that Adams rest that he was already restored, Adams hesitated for a little bit but took up Alec's suggestion. While Adams slept Alec walked around the room testing his reaction time, he would adjust it over and over again till he was finally back in top shape. "It's been a while since I've been 100%," Alec said, he practiced swinging his sword, channeling the fire el into the blade, he took his nasod battle suit top and used it as a dummy, since the armor had shields he wouldn't have to worry about accidentally destroying it. For this practice, he tried to stop the blade from touching the barriers range. Over and over Alec would dance with his blade, the flames taking different shapes and form like extending the blades reach or becoming a wildfire dancing on the edge. His red eyes were never off his target, he could almost feel where the barriers range was when he prepared for a quick draw, he heard a voice call out to him, with a swift motion Alec spun around stopping the flame-covered blade a bit away from the neck of Elesis. "Ah. My apologies commander." Alec said the flames vanishing from the blade, his eyes returning to there grayish color. "What brings you here?" he asked walking over to his armor, putting the top back on then his overcoat.

MementoDei


​

 

[Late]

Eosforos silently watches how the people move around in the village they have left to survive. He mind wanders off, already gave Xavier a task to do. He recently already talked to the four demon archers, a plan was going through in which makes Eosforos smile with joy. He repeats the conversation in his mind, remembering how it went with the four plus one more...

A few hours ago...

"Nice to see you four alive."

Eosforos smiled at the four demon archers in front of him, surrounded by debris and many broken buildings as they were far from Velder. The archers only gave nods of their heads and behind them was a dead body of a dragon.

"It's also nice to see that the spell implanted in those arrows worked. I got to hand it to you guys, all did a fine job to recite the words I told you about. You as well kept close by to make sure it worked! It's a shame that part of the dragon's face is gone but it shouldn't be an issue here," Eosforos said in their language.

He thought back to what he did to those arrows. The tips being covered in a magical chemical that can turn anyone into a mindless beast as he attached teleportation spell tags around the sticks of the arrows which can be activated by saying the exact words. He had to set up an area where the dragon can be teleported to and instructed the demon to stay close as they needed the dragon dead to activate the spell tag. They probably stumbled a few words, delaying the dragon's disappearance as the nasod manage to destroy a part of the face yet, in the end, they got the dragon where they wanted.

"You four did tell an alchemist, yes? What was his name again?"

"The name is Joaquin." Eosforos look to the side to see a demon walking over to them as he had a handful of glitter spearman and defender with him, as well other alchemists. The angel smiled at his appearance as the alchemist took a couple steps forward to get a better look at the dead dragon. "When these runts told me about an angel helping our cause, I almost want to turn them into experiments right there and then because it was ridiculous to believe. When they returned back to me with these arrows, covered with a familiar substance that I would know, that's when I got curious. Especially after reporting to me that they retrieved a dead dragon," Joaquin grumbled, adjusting his goggles at Eosforos to get a better look at the angel. "My only question is, what is your game here? Why you, an angel, trying to help us?"

"Honestly, there are some things in the world that cannot be changed but this is one exception. I simply believed it was time for the demons to have what they rightfully deserve. Aren't you tired of this world we live in? Why should the demons be treated differently than the humans of Elrios? They never done anything wrong in the first place, only the words of the humans molded to how you are now," Eosforos said to them with a smile. "I once have a demon friend. A long time ago. Unfortunately, he was killed by a human of a corrupted heart. My friend never deserved his life to be ended like that."

Joaquin scoffed at the angel words, taking another step forward to seek out any sort of trickery. "Strange to hear those words from an angel," Joaquin taunted. "I almost don't want to trust you, but you know what? I want to see how far you will go with this." Joaquin gestured with his staff towards the archers and the dragon's body. "Don't you fear getting caught, angel?"

"The only thing to fear is fear itself," Eosforos purred.

"Heh...alright. Come on boys, we got work to do with this dragon," Joaquin barked at the alchemists, causing them to scurry towards the dead dragon.

Eosforos went ahead to watch with interest, arms folding across his chest with a content smile.

Present time...

Eosforos let out a sigh, now wanting to do something around the village. He got off the pole he was leaning against and figured he could talk to someone around the area just to know them better as well knowing who he was dealing with.

 

[MementoDei]

Elesis frowned at Alec.
"Better be careful with that weapon of yours, Alec. Vanessa came to inform me you wanted to see me, is something the matter?"

Her grip around her claymore got tighter. If she hadn't dealt with Lento's attitude before, she'd probably think nothing of Alec's gesture. Yet, she had now enough reasons to doubt non-human soldiers.

NinthSomnus9029

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

For once he felt a need to laugh and so did, "Well, one thing was I hope those knights I found are doing okay," Alec said as he sat down wiping his blade off, He peaked looking at Elesis hand, he could tell she had tightened her grip on her sword. For an instant, Alec stopped polishing his blade, "I also wanted to offer you my sword, I want to serve under your command. This is a debt I owe those knights and jack for letting me see the world I never got to see before, I feel indebted to protect the world jack once lived in. You probably find it funny for a nasod who just met a human who instantly died later on to feel indebted but, he showed me enough for a nasod who knew nothing to feel this way." Alec finished up his polishing, he walked up to Elesis and put his hands up holding the blade before her, his eyes glowed a faint gold color. "System, Alec Edus offers to serve Elesis Sieghart, Commander of the Velder Knights of Hamel, Does Elesis Sieghart accept this offering." Alec voiced out, his leading a light towards a part of his sword were an engravement was meant to be placed. "If you place your name here, you'll have sub-command, when you need me I'll be able to find your location." What Alec said sounded weird but his creator had made him this way, Alec's primary command was Eve, who was no longer active on his data, the only slot he could use was the sub-command slot that was meant for Adrian but he never had time to put his name down. Alec had a slight smile on his face, "I hope that I'll be able to learn many things from you Commander, you'll make a great leader one day, I just know it."

MementoDei ​

 

[MementoDei]

Elesis' gaze softened a little as she listened to Alec. She appreciated his gesture, but there was still some doubts in her mind. Under brighter days, she might've accepted, but she wasn't a child anymore.

She was a captain that had men under her charge, a sword inherited by her family for generations, one that Lara's predecessors had forged once they gave her family the power to protect Hamel. If she accepted another blade, she would've forgotten what was she truly fighting for. She promised Penensio to protect Hamel with her own power, for all Hamel was, for its history and its future.

Lara was right, the Knights had abandoned them one time, but, at least symbolically, she wouldn't abandon her hometown again. No, the symbol was the angular stone of the resistance. Giving it away would be the same as giving more reasons to Lara's threats, that was certain. If she wanted to be a better leader, she'd need to keep her ideals intact.

"The knights you protected are fine, as far as I'm concerned." Elesis lowered Alec's hands with a small smile. "I see you have the Velder Knight's insignia on you, that's enough proof of what you wish to do. I'm flattered by your compliments, but I still have much to learn. Alec, for most important lineages of warriors, a blade represents their ancestor's pledges. You don't need to give your past and honour to anyone. Certainly not to me, that's not how I roll."

NinthSomnus9029

 

[Phant0m]

I am, Xiopetec agreed with Dust, You did good, my child. I am proud.
Phantom's grin was starting to hurt his cheeks. "So Raime, I'm assuming that this is going to need a special area to train in right?" The sphere then vanished when Phantom's attention wavered from Dust to his right. He heard a muffled fight, and then he looked to the tent's entrance where the nurse walked in with a bowl of a colorless soup.

"I couldn't find any of the fever medication, it seems we have a fever going around...but I managed to snag a ration of food for you," She said as she gave walked around Dust and sat on the bed beside Phantom, "Your bandages need to be changed, so-"

"Whos in that tent?" Phantom asked, jerking his chin to the right.

The nurse gave a cold look, the corner of her lips pulled back in a sneer. "Oh...Lento is currently taking residence in that tent. The main tent is currently being used to treat the injured after that dragon rampaged-"

"What?"

"Is your hearing failing you? I said that one of those dragons went on a rampage and the boy with the tail killed it and protected us-"

"Which dragon?"

"I don't know any of those beasts-"

Phantom snatched his cases and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Those dragons aren't beasts, they're my companions. Allies." He glared at the nurse. "So it'd be best for you to watch your tongue. Aren't you supposed to be professional when dealing with a patient?"

"Like a heretic like you deserves my professionalism. You turned your back on the true goddess-"

"I'd rather be a heretic than a mindless sheep following an uncaring shepherd. I'll take over my own care. At least I won't ignore the basic principle of giving a patient the proper fluids like you and your team did," Phantom hissed.

Child you're still-take it easy. Walk slow so you don't overexert yourself. You just attempted something with mana and you're getting over a fever. Another fainting spell won't do you any good.

The priest gave a small nod and swayed a bit before using a table to steady himself once he stood up and he exited the tent and made his way to Lento's tent.

Fume MementoDei

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

Alec was a bit surprised but her words had a good meaning behind them. Sheathing his sword Alec bowed. "I hope to gain your trust one day commander, but for now thank you for allowing me to assist your proud warriors in defending this place. Also..thanks to you all I met wonderful people." Alec got back up with a slight smile. He knew Elesis didn't trust him fully, the history of nasods and humans are pretty dark. "Ah..demon troops seem to be building up around this area, I don't know the process right now but two days ago there were many."

MementoDei ​

 

[Late]

“Demons are getting bold nowadays since we lost a dragon,” Eosfóros piped into Alec’s and Elesis’ conversation. “Sorry, I just happen to be around and I am trying to get to know everyone around here.” The angel smiled at the two of them yet he slightly squinted at Alec. “You’re...a nasod, right? It’s been awhile since I seen one. And you must be Commander Elesis. Pleased to finally meet you, as well you, nasod,” Eosfóros said with a slight bow of his head.

NinthSomnus9029 MementoDei

 

[Fume]

As soon Phantom left, Dust simply started at the nurse. It unnerved her as his eyes slowly blinking, increasing the tension.

"C-can I help you, sir?" She asked, her voice stuttering nervously.

"Heretic or not, a patient is a patient, even if he doesn't bow to your goddess. That's what it means to be a medic, to treat your patients with care and with respect. You failed both of them here." He responded to her in a neutral tone, but his words carried disappointment in them.

"But sir, he-" He hold her words inside her mouth.

"You're talking with a heretic right now. Choose wisely what you'll say." He advised, there was a deep threat in those words, that her instincts were telling her to shut up in that instant.

"S-s-sir! I think it's b-b-best to end our conversation here. I don't w-wish to speak with someone as f-filthy as y-you." She had the gal to respond to him in that tone. His eyes sharpened as he grabbed her face with a clawed hand.

"You should've listened." He told her. "Scream, cry and struggle all you want. This place is now..." With his free hand he engulfed them and then tent back with the sphere. "Silent." With those final words, he pushed her onto the ground on her back with no effort. She tried to kick him off, but he wouldn't even budge.

He grabbed a knife that was on Phantom's tray, his supposed food, but now it was a wasted on his next action. Dust rammed the knife deep into her gut, making her scream out in pain on his palm. Slowly he made the knife go up, just barely cutting the muscle for it to spread to the sides and offer him the sight of her innards spilling out.

"P-p-please! STOP!" She screamed as she tried to push him away again, but to no avail. "I'll p-promise to be nice! I'll promise t-to treat heretics kindly for now on! JUST STOP IT!" She pleaded to him, but all she got was a violent punch on her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she saw the mans eyes, he didn't care.

"I gave you a choice. People like you... will never learn unless something drastic happens in your life. So I'll make sure you drill in that skull of yours, that no god can save you, no knight will hear you, no civilian or friend or co-worker will aid you. So listen well, I won't kill you, but you'll wish I did." He responded to her with eyes that said that he was serious on what he said, before he quickly reached her chest and down again on her stomach, critically injuring her organs and reproduction ones as well.

Afterwards, he started to punch her face over and over and over, so much that her cheeks were swelling so much, blood started to leak out just being having contact on it. Her arms were bent in such a way that it looked like someone used her as a personal puppet. Her legs were broken to the point that doctors had no choice but to amputate both of them.

At the end, her eyes wouldn't stop crying, being so fearful that her own expression would pity her for anything she had suffered. The torture ended just before the 30 minute mark, before Dust stabbed in her insides two blood beads and re-bent her arms back, while her wounds started to heal in a rapid succession.

He grabbed by her hair and made her look at him straight in the eyes. She made sure she bore in her memory those eyes that contained no sympathy for her.

"Did you learn your lesson?" She nodded to him weakly. "Good. Remember this pain well, otherwise the next time I see you, we'll do this again and again and again, until you finally get it. Heretic or not, your job is to heal the wounded, not badmouth them. Treat others how you wish to be treated, not how you think you should be treated because you worship a god." He let go of her hair and looked at her.

The nurse started to cry silently at her misfortune, as he finally stopped. It's as he told her, she just wished he killed her there and then. The inside of the tent looked like it came straight from a nightmare without end.

She was sitting almost lifeless in her own bodily fluids, blood splattered everywhere and looking completely broken. Dust then left the tent before removing the spell and moving on, using a spare set of clothes since his were coated with blood.

"Maybe it's time for a little chat with Lento. Phantom brought up something important. We need a space to train after all." He headed to the next tent and stood outside. "Hello! Is mister Lento there? I would like to have a word with you, if you may!" He spoke loud enough for whoever was inside to hear perfectly.

MementoDei Phant0m

 

[MementoDei]

Lento
​

'Repeat after me Lento, it's a simple spell, you'll see. The Spirit's serenity comes with-'

"Is mister Lento there?"

"Damn it...I told them to let you rest." Yullr grumbled, annoyed at whoever was behind the tent's entrance.

"I would like to have a word with you, if you may!" The voice continued.

'...Yullr. One of them did something horrible to a civilian.'

The elf nodded and took his sword as Lento got up and took his weapon too. He had no problem by passing his days without sleep and it was beneficial to him. In a few days, he had been able to differentiate the different kind of souls around him, but it was very vague. The most he had been able to do was to identify when someone was in pain. This time, however, Lara's power seemed to react to whoever was coming. It somehow made him certain that one of the visitors was behind the pain a human was feeling.

"Come in." the blacksmith calmly said through his amulet.

'Lento, stop relying on her strength.'

'She knew him. No, she knew them both.'

'...That's another reason to turn them down. We don't know what grudge she-'

'She didn't hate them.'

Lento walked towards the entrance of the tent and saw Dust and Phantom. "Hello Phantom." He said. Yullr stood behind him, glancing from time to time at Dust. Something about the man's aura was a mask of some sort, but he couldn't be certain of it. To his eyes, it was either a trap or treason. Lento looked at Dust and couldn't help a smirk to form on his face for a second. His expression returned to its normal seriousness and he let them in.

"It's rare for you to bring company, Phantom. Who are you, sir?" He asked, although he already knew the answer. It was strange to see his old ally under such circumstances, but if he was there it certainly had to be because of a favour. How undignified, a demon commander under the appearance of a civilian. The scent of blood that faded away from him was enough to remind anyone of his true position. There was no difference between him and Ran in that regard. Cruelty bloomed uncontrollably during war, this was no exception. Ideals did, to his eyes, little to justify the bloodshed. That was perfect, he wouldn't have to justify what he'd...
"The Spirit's serenity comes with its light." Yullr mumbled.

Lento seemed startled by the small and almost unintelligible whisper and let out a sigh. He had once again lost to her power. Luckily, it hadn't been for too long and the newcomers were sitting around, as if nothing had happened. "So, besides who you are, sir..." Lento said as he also sat down. "I'd also like to know what brings both of you here. I'm still recovering from my wounds, but I can hear you out."

Fume Phant0m

*****
Elesis​

"Then, let's investigate that first, Alec." She said. As the two of them headed out, Eosfóros appeared and greeted them. "Good afternoon, sir. Pleased to meet you too, what is your name?"

Late NinthSomnus9029

 

[Phant0m]

Phantom nodded before he looked over to Dust. "Actually, I think Raime...is actually the man to talk to," He said as he rubbed his eyes and then winced when his hands stung. "I...I have to go to the dragons. Raime...we'll talk later yeah?" The priest was almost half out of the tent, but he was being polite. If his presence was needed, then he'll stay.

I fucked up Xiopetec...

Well what could you do? You were stuck in the infirmary.

I should've been there. I promised him Xiopetec! Phantom felt the tears well in his eyes and he blinked them away.

Child... it'll be alright. You can make it right.

Cornelius is going to rip me a new one, they're all gonna be pissed at me. I failed them.

Phantom. You're panicking. Relax before you make your condition worse.

Fume MementoDei

 

[Late]

“My name is Eosfóros, an angel of Ishmael. I am here to retrieve something out of this war along with my partner’s help. In fact, mind that we join you two? I am feeling a bit bored here and I think my friend wants to do something new to keep his mind occupied. He is a bit...off than usual, probably because of the dead dragon,” Eosfóros said with a slight concern tone in his voice.

MementoDei

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

"It'll be wise to prepare for the worst commander," Alec warned, right when they were heading for the door a man stood their. He introduced himself as Eosfóros, Alec stood beside Elesis as he greeted the two. He seemed like a kind gentleman, Alec couldn't feel any ill intent from him, when the man bowed Alec also bowed his head to the man. "Nice to meet you Eosforos. My name is Alec Edus." Raising his head he looked at Elesis seeing what she would say.

MementoDei Late ​

 

[Fume]

"Hmm..." He looked at the two of them while rubbing on his mask, where his chin would be. He could see well on Lento on his wounds and the other elf was giving him a glare that he knew well.

"I'll be brief then. I am Raim-..." He looked at the expression on Lento and notice for a split second that it moved. He knew exactly who he was, but was feigning as he was. "I don't think we need to introduce ourselves, we already know each other from that day just before Feita was destroyed.

We made a deal, but that god had to go ahead and speed up the time. You did your best Lento, but even we can't predict the actions of a god. I am not sorry for what I did, I've seen too much of it to not feel anything of the deaths that I took, with or without a shackle around my body.

From the looks of things, you never went to retrieve blood demon that you wanted. I can say that you made the right choice. Their powers are much more taxing than what you would think, however they do pack quite the punch.

But enough of that. I wish to make a new deal with you, one that can benefit you as well. Before that, though." He threw a blood bead onto the blacksmith, which he caught it with a spare hand. "Take that to heal your wounds, think of it as a peace offering.

Recently, I made a deal with Phantom, the priest that was here a moment ago. I would train him in the ways of mana manipulation and in return he would do me a favor, a win-win situation if you could. The only problem is that we need a place to train, one away from the guards and civilians.

That's where you come in. All I ask on my end is for you to find us a place to train for... Approximately 5 months or so. That way he'll be strong enough in combat and in healing. If viewed from another perspective, I'm helping your forces to push the demons while saving lives that they couldn't before." He leaned back while looking at him. "You can join us if you want. Can bring a friend along the way too, if you can keep them silent and not say a word about who I am, that is.

Do that and I have no complains. What about your conditions?" He asked ready to listen to him.

MementoDei

 

[MementoDei]

Lento repeated in his mind the words Yullr had told him to keep Lara's mind away from corrupting his. He listened carefully to what the demon commander Dust was telling him. Yullr remained silent, controlling the urge of slicing the head of a demon commander immediately. After he heard that Lento was looking to control the power of a demon before, he couldn't take it and he left.

'Lento, I hope that whatever you're going to do, you do it with your full mind and not under anyone's control.' the elf thought as he left, leaving Lento to face Dust's deal alone.

"You've got some guts to ask anything out of me. Also, I have no idea what you thought I was seeking a blood demon for my own benefit. The levels of destruction in the Shrine made me quite worried for its destruction. Although even that worry was for naught, not only because of a God, but because of we decided to pick different sides. Raime, was it? Quite the old name, if you ask me."

'Or her.' he mentally added.

"You ask for so little, compared to what you usually ask. You like to blow stuff up, from what I've noticed. What kind of training will you give a priest? Enough for him to blow stuff up for you? Will that be your ultimate price? I wouldn't surprised if it was. This is exactly where my condition will come: You won't try to blow any other town where Yullr, Phantom or myself are. Yullr is the elf you saw leaving, if you had any doubts."

He stared at Dust for some seconds and continued. "You might think it's too much to ask, that you can sneak around like you've already done. Yet, here we are, you failed to burst this place to the ground and you come to ask an enemy for help. An enemy you're also willing to train, but that you won't control. A pretty reckless move, don't you think? Well, that's none of my business, as long as I also benefit from it. Go find Phantom and get him to the outskirts of this refugee camp tomorrow at the crack of dawn, Mr...Raime."

'...hmm. I'm still myself, yet I used her knowledge on negotiations to my advantage this time. Has my control gone a little better?'

Fume

Elesis​

"Eosfóros, huh? I'm glad to know that the goddess of the El is on our side." she said as she looked towards the blue haired man that walked behind the angel. A slight headache made her frown, but she quickly shook the pain off her face. "Of course you can join us, the more people we can count on, the better. I hope it really helps your companion."

Late NinthSomnus9029

 

[Late]

The angel smiled happily and gestured at Xavier as the man seem to give a strange stare at Elesis. "His name is Xavier. First impressions aren't his thing but I'm sure you'll find him rather friendly," he said to her.

"Commander," Xavier greeted her, nodding his head. He glanced over the nasod, recognizing him from the previous days and sighed through his nose. "You again," he said to the nasod.

"Oh right, Alec was it? I wanted to ask you something. How did you make that dragon's body disappear like that?" Eosforos questioned with a curious stare. "It was a large body after all, and you're rather small compared to that beast."

Xavier quietly listened to what Eosforos was saying and was a bit interested as well. Yet at the same time, he doesn't want to think about it. He only closed his eyes, frowning to himself.

NinthSomnus9029 MementoDei

 

[Fume]

"Hmm... Let's get something straight..." He stood up and grabbed his neck with a deadlock that wouldn't budge even by Victor himself. "I have no CHOICE to what I can do under the demons spell. You think I want to blow stuff up because I want to? You think I'm making sure that Phantom gets to the point to THAT? I'm not cruel as that, but push the right edges and you'll see EXACTLY what I can do.

Those bombs that I planted? A diversion, a way to make sure I could move with nothing constricting me. If I wanted to..." His energy swelled up for a brief second, his full, unrestricted power. "I would've killed every single one in this country in a blink of an eye." He could see the mixed emotions in his face.

"Before you go ahead and point fingers, I'm not the enemy here nor am I an ally. I'm a guy that does what he wants for his own will when he can. Me wanting to teach him, was because I see potential in him to defeat the demons, something that you humans have failed to do for a while now.

I DON'T control my allies, I aid them whenever I can, I DON'T act like a monarch and I DON'T act like a fucking god. If I'm willingly to train you it's because I see the same damn potential on you and I don't intend to CONTROL you because I'm being reckless. I'm asking a favor, a deal, as a fighter and as someone that needs to change the status quo for the better.

So in the future, learn to speak differently to others, or you'll simply offend them without realizing it." He let go of him as he recoiled from the shock, for a second he saw death in his face.

"I'll see you at the crack of dawn. You better get your act together or you'll simply get on my nerves. I'll see to it on your conditions." He left while finding a place to bunker down, in the hope of finding Phantom along the way to tell him the news.

MementoDei Phant0m

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Alec

When Alec saw Xavier he didn't know what to expect, Xavier did bring the dragon down himself, he knew Xavier was a strong person to have as an ally. "It's nice to see you again sir," Alec said with a bow, When Eosforos turned his attention back at Alec and asked that question Alec just shook his head. "Classified, only thing I know for sure is that dragon did not disappear with my power, I've investigated myself and found that to be beyond my limits. I suspect an outside source intervened at the same moment." Alec said, yes with all the training he did that was his the answer he came up with. There was also the problem that Elesis now knew of his ability, if she deemed it he would tell her of what little information he has of it.

MementoDei Late ​

 

[MementoDei]

"...you've changed. Too bad they had to put you through the same pain as they did to...her. Like I said, I know we only do what we do because of the side we pick." He said as the demon commander went away without a word.

He was left alone and he decided to train again his meditation to recenter his consciousness as the sole one that inhabited his body. Lara was only a source of power he'd need to control. She had died, most of her was gone. The remains of power was the worst side of her.

The side that enjoyed destroying anything because she had nothing left to protect. He still remembered vividly her last memories. She had given up her liberty to get more power, all to help the right cause, but it was all for nothing.

The power he had inherited from her was the power of her own despair, but he could transform it into whatever he wished to. It would his new power, once he tamed it. He passed most of the night reciting elven incantations to purify the corrosive nature of Lara's power and, when the sun was barely rising, he headed out of the infirmary for the first time.

The nurses, healers and guards on the prison bowed to him, some of them patted him in the back, all of them had smiles on their faces. The few refugees that were already awake smiled at him and some of them bowed slightly to him. They were all grateful to him, glad to know that he was back on his feet. Lento smiled, their warm gestures reminded him of Lara's last words to him.

The moon had given her strength to him, and he'd become the sun that'd bring peace to this world.

Yullr joined him along the way, with a frown on his face. "I hope you know what you're doing, Lento."

"I know that he's the enemy, but I also know that if I don't train in a safe place, I could become Velder's scapegoat in the blink of an eye."

"You're going to use her world, along those other two. I see." Yullr's eyes softened a little, but Lento could tell that he didn't want to deal with someone like Dust for very long. Five months. They had five months to get Lara's incredible power under his control, five months where both of them would get to know what kind of enemy Dust was. Just as dawn was confortably settled on the firmament, Yullr and Lento had reached the camp's outskirts and they waited for Dust and Phantom to get there.
Fume Phant0m
*****

Elesis​

"Hm. Is that so, Alec? What is the extent of your powers?" Somehow, Eosfóros words seemed to hold more truthfulness. However, that was probably because of how menaced she had felt before by the Nasod. It wasn't good, she needed to be impartial to all her soldiers, but knowing the extent of a soldier's dexterity was always useful. Hopefully, Alec wouldn't take it badly.

NinthSomnus9029 Late

 

[MementoDei]

Lento​

While he walked by Yullr's side, he couldn't shake the memory of Yggdrasil's words. He had no idea what his friend's title meant, Yullr preferred to keep most things to himself. Lento respected that until now.

Yes, now, Yullr seemed more troubled than ever. Even when he tried to hide it, the elf seemed concerned by something.

Lento knew that Yullr would notice his worry sooner than later, so he had waited for weeks for him to speak first. That's how he had helped him get over Lara's disappearance. The elf always took the first step.

Yet, the elf had remained silent. Cruelly silent. They hadn't known each other for very long, but Lento had the feeling that whatever Yullr was hiding, it would slowly but surely change him. Maybe for the worst.
"Yullr. I... heard your name from Yggdrasil."
The elf almost jumped back at his words and quickly regained a bit of his composure, smiling. "...haha, is that so? How embarrassing...That old guy is a real loud mouth!"

Yullr's lavender eyes seemed as empty as Lara's before she left. It was almost unsettling to see an smile when his very soul was troubled. Lento looked down at his own feet, knowing that he had never been good on comforting people. He was always the one who was comforted and now it made him feel powerless. He wanted to give back the light he had been given, but his hands were empty.

How was Lara able to create a last glimmer of hope out of all her suffering? He couldn't understand it. Was it a matter of being immature? Compared to her or Yullr, he was nothing but a child. He knew nothing the world but what others told him. How could he even simpathize with anyone?

Even so, he had to try. He wanted to help, no matter if it was a mistake. He couldn't keep quiet anymore and watch Yullr lose to whatever was troubling him.

"Yullr. I'm not very good with my words sometimes... but I want you to know that, if you feel down, I'll listen. I'll be here for you like you were there for me when I was confronted to my...nature."

Yullr's smile faded away, but his gaze lit up a little. The elf put a hand on the blacksmith's shoulder and let out a short sigh.
"I can't have the commander of Feita's army be this worried by his subordinate. You need to train to beat those demons, remember? I can get well on my own."

"But you're not my subordinate, Yullr. You're a commander on your own right and you're a good friend to me. I can't just leave you and pretend like you're fine when you're not! Maybe we've only known each other for the duration of the blink of an eye from your perspective, but that's more than enough for me to-"

Lento looked towards Yullr's face and saw some tears roll down his dark skin. The elf quickly realized this and swept them away.
"Ahh... sorry. I didn't expect you to... You shouldn't have seen that, Lento. A warrior must be strong, all men should be strong and look towards the future with hope in their hearts. That's why we're here, right?"

Yullr began to walk faster towards the place Lento was going to meet with Dust, but Lento grabbed him by the shoulder, cutting his race short.

"We humans have a saying. The man that ignores his history is bound to repeat the same mistakes in the future. Yullr, if you go on like this, where will you end up? I won't forgive myself if...something happens. You don't want to talk about your past to me, fine. But don't bottle up your emotions like that. There is no shame in crying over the past. Everyone needs it to really move on and light the future with hope."

Yullr turned around and gave short hug to Lento.
"You're quite pretentious for a human, giving advice to an elf like that. I know all of that already, to be honest. But we dark elves have fallen from grace too quickly."

Yullr took out a pack of dried tobacco leaves and a wooden pipe.

"I didn’t know you smoked..."
Yullr looked at him from the corner of his eyes as he lit up the tobacco with a simple fire spell.
" I don't usually do it." He let out long cloud of smoke and continued to talk. "I promised them I would quit for good, but here I am...."
Lento remained silent and let Yullr continue his story in between puffs of tobacco.

"A long time ago we brought the concept of alchemy to humans. The world was a mess in those days. Demons went rampant as they're doing now and we had to form an alliance with humans because our spiritual connection to Ellia's spiritual realm has never been strong. Unlike Forest elves."

Yullr took a long pause and the smoke of his pipe died out, fading away in Velder's own air. The elf looked up towards the orange sky and let out a sigh before cleaning his pipe and putting it back in his pocket.

"I was meant to be the future king of a small tribe of elves. We lived just here. The Myrrh forests were here. We were always ready for war, always scared, yet united. And in the end...I was a worthless ruler when the time came. Just being here makes me....feel the weight of my mistakes."

Yullr's gaze lost itself in the horizon and Lento put a hand over his friend's shoulder.