Fantasy The Chosen of Seven

[KiKi Kitsune]

Once Terra and Sylvanus had gotten all they needed to from the city, they finally headed out. They made their way to the west, the sun beginning to sink in its journey through the sky. The mid-afternoon was cooler than just a few hours before, but the weather was still pleasant. The duo rose on a slight hill with a cops of trees on the crest. As they began walking through the small wooded area, Terra began looking around anxiously. She seemed to be going more uncomfortable each minute that passed. "Sylvanus, do you mind taking a quick break? I... Need to relieve myself." She stated with as much dignity as she could. After convincing the spider hybrid that he needed to stand well away, she made her way into the shelter of a large tree. Unbeknownst to her, many eyes watched her with swords glinting in the shadows of the undergrowth.


~~~~~~


Chilali watched the clouds as they rolled passed. Her arms kept her head supported as she walked the path she knew well into Eden. She heard there had been some sort of gathering, but had been too far to reach in time. She passed another traveller on the road - a man with horns and what seemed like several legs - and gave a simple nod in greeting as she walked on. She passed through the mini forest without any hassle. However, something happened at that moment that froze the female in place. A voice rang in her head. "Ice Mage. The lamia... the forest... in danger... I...weakened.... Dementia.... Help her." The voice broke off several times, a strange crackling sound filling the silence. One final statement invaded her mind that rang loud and clear. "Save the lamia!" Chilali had recognised the voice instantly. "Yes Lady Lacus!"


Chilali raced back into the forest. She had caught that much of the message. She heard a muffled yell, as if the person screaming was gagged. There was hushed laughter as well from the same direction. The woman sprinted headlong into the clearing. She scanned the area and noticed a lamia woman tied up against a tree. A group of bandits of various races filled the clearing. Soon all weapons were taken from their sheaths, including Chilali's. Blood and screams soon filled the area, none of which belonged to the mage. If the spider hybrid came to investigate, he would have seen one of the bandits slit the lamia's throat while Chilali fought off 3 others while facing the other way.


@minismurf

 

[minismurf]

Sylvanus nodded as Terra had to do her personal business and waited for her to finish whatever it was, even though he was pretty sure that he already knew what it was, a few moments after her departure Sylvanus saw a woman pass by, supposedly a local however the large pelt that she wore said that she a bit more south than the town she was born in, she nodded as a greeting, Sylvanus just simply nodded mack in response. As it took longer and longer for Terra to finish her business Sylvanus started to get impatient, Sylvanus closed his eyes to try and hear what was going on, sure it would be very rude to listen on a woman, or anyone for that matter, when they're doing their business.


However when the sound of struggle reached his ears Sylvanus started dashing towards the noise, using his various limbs to leap among the branches and vines, however once he reached the place of combat he was already too late, just as he saw Terra he saw a bandit cut her throat clean open. Rage filled his body, since this Terras death most likely meant that their mission would now be impossible to complete, and he'd maybe never find the wife he was searhcing for. He leapt onto the bandit with his legs first, instantly piercing the mans torso with his limbs, he lifted the man in the air and tore him into pieces by moving his arachnid limbs outwards. He then changed focus to the other bandits that he hadn't even noticed until now, they seemed to be battling the woman that'd passed him earlier, with his eyes now nearly blood red, his teeth grew into fangs and he sent out a thread towards one of the men, the one that was standing behind the woman and was about to strike her in the back, the string attached to the mans left arm and Sylvanus pulled his string, throwing the man towards him, "It's very rude to attack women, especially four to one" He said as he catched the man by his head, using his fangs to tear out the mans throat, he felt as blood covered his face, filled his mouth and palm.


@KiKi Kitsune

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

Chilali heard a rustling of leaves was unable to pay it any attention as she had her hands rather full. If she had known that there were so many bandits, she would have cast some magic before rushing onto a battle field. She ducked to the side, narrowly dodging a blade aimed for her head. She followed up with a slash of her own. It caught the man's arm. It wasn't enough to separate it from the owner's body, but it was pretty much useless anyway. She heard a noise from behind her and noticed the men's reactions. All of their eyes had widened in surprise. She allowed herself a quick glance backwards. It was only enough to see a man being dragged towards a multi-limbed person by several threads. She silently thanked the man after hearing the words spoken. It seemed she had an ally.


The mage quickly dealt with two of the bandits in front of her. The one with the half torn off arm had scampered off somewhere. Soon, one was missing a head and you could see through the other's neck and windpipe due to a large hole there. She turned to thank the man who had aided her properly to see his hands and mouth a bloody mess. Darting her eyes back to the corpse of the bandit, she quickly realised that the blood didn't belong to her temporary ally. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wasn't the biggest fan of cannibalism, but the man had helped her regardless. She gave a slight bow, trying not to look at the blood on the man's face. "Thank you for your aid. I greatly..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the lamia. the snake woman's skin had taken on a ghostly pallor.


Chilali rushed over to the lamia's side. She pulled up the other woman's arm and checked for a pulse. Nothing. The lamia was dead. Her skin would probably be cold already. Someone had told Chilali that people's skin went cold when they died. That was how she knew. The mage dropped her head and closed the deceased's eyes. "I have failed you Lacus. I let this woman die and for no reason other than my inefficiency. I pray for... No, I have no right to pray for forgiveness after all that I have done." She muttered her semi-prayer. She turned back to the lamia and gave a proper prayer to help a soul pass on. She turned back to male. "I apologise for this. I don't-" Chilali froze as the voice once again appeared in her head. "She died? Damn..." There was a pause, but this one seemed intentional unlike before. "Maybe you would like to take her place? Even if the weapon hates you, you can't feel it." The goddess laughed. "Oh, it would hate that." Chilali didn't know where she should look so she just ended up staring blankly ahead of herself. What on earth was the goddess talking about? "Oh right. Wait a moment." The voice disappeared. It was clear because as soon as it was, it was like a space had been freed up in her skull.


Soon after, Sylvanus would hear the voice of Lacus in his own mind. "Oi, spider-boy. Listen close. I don't have much time. The lamia is dead but that doesn't stop the Demon Lord. Take this new girl. Tell her everything. She'll take the lamia's place." There was a slight pause as if Lacus was considering saying something. "Well, I'll see you at my weapon." She finally said before leaving the vicinity of the hybrid's mind. Chilali had taken the moment of silence in her mind to tear off a piece of clean cloth from one of the bandit's clothes to clean off her blades.

 

[Ariel]

Mayweather remained silent for a while, not really sure what to say. It seemed Severis did not want to talk and Mayweather did not want to push her luck with him. Mayweather could guess he barely tolerated her presence and wondered what she could do to get him to open up to her a little more. The journey would be awfully boring if they didn't speak to each other most of the time.


"You know a lot about your weapon..." She said softly. After a couple moments of silence, she added, "It's like you knew you were destined for this for a long time."


It really wasn't her business but she was curious if perhaps there was a sign that he'd recieved prior that told him he'd be in this position. Her eyes trailed down to the horse underneath her and she stroked its mane, in love with the beauty of the creature. Really, to May, all animals were beautiful, just in different ways.


"What did you do before this?" Before they were all chosen by the gods to wield the most powerful weapons in history. Back when life was probably normal for all of them.

 

[TerraBooma]

Romon let out a chuckle. "Adruo, you seem to have a following already, and bard's don't have to play an instrument." He raised a brow. "I've known bards who use drums, those aren't exactly difficult. Not that it matters, since you'll be singing anyway."


Romon decided then to wait for an outburst and let her get any protests out of her system before continuing, should there be any at all. "You wish to learn elven ballads do you not? Weather you speak elvish or not aside, they're called ballads for a reason you know." He smirked. "Besides, it'll be good for downtime. While I practice my crafts; that's both the violent one and my profession, I can teach you the ballads."


Romon wasn't a bad singer, yet another talent he had picked up in his travels and learned from his mother.


"But I suppose that's not quite the point, you seem to me to be the type who can accompish most of what she sets out to do, that's a powerful trait in itself." The elf smirked. "My master was like that, and I wouldn't want to get on her bad side..." Romon's voice trails off before shuddering. "But I doubt you wish to hear of my master."


Romon looked about. "I do wish to say thanks, by the way. For traveling with me. This journey would be a hard one alone, and you didn't have to come." He smiled. "I'll try and keep things interesting, I'm better at ballads then you might think."

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

A following? Adruo wanted to voice her question, but decided to wait for Romon to finish talking first. However, that thought was quickly pushed aside at the elf's next words. "Singing?" Her voice went a few notches higher than usual. "In front of people?" Her question was little more than a squeak. There was a reason she had said nothing about singing. Her mother, grandmother, and even father when he was still around, had all told Adruo that she had a good voice. However, no one else had ever heard it merely due to the fact that the girl had an unexplainable fear of preforming. She was fine in talking to others, even large crowds, but singing was a different matter. She didn't know why, but the thought of singing in front of any amount of people freaked her out .


Adruo grumbled slightly as Romon continued speaking. "I know what a ballad is." She huffed. "I know a few of them as well." She took a deep breath to strengthen her voice. "But knowing something and having to preform it are two entirely different matters." She briefly thought about the fact that she was meant to pass on all her knowledge to someone eventually. "I'll just learn how to write music properly." She muttered to herself in thought. Her curiosity was perked once again as Romon spoke about his profession. He said he was a tradesman, but not of what. Adruo considered asking, but decided against it. She wanted to leave it as a surprise to herself. Instead she gave him a bright smile. "And in return, I will share all the tales I know that you want to hear." She said, recalling their earlier conversation.


At the complement, the dragonkin looked away. She was unsure how to respond, so merely nodded her thanks. Romon's thanks came as quite a surprise. "I should be thanking you for allowing me to accompany you. Truly... Thank you." Adruo's smile was softer than the previous one, showing her honest gratitude. She quickly changed the subject. "I am more than happy to listen to any tales you are willing to share. As for your ballads..." She hummed and tapped her chin dramatically. "We shall just have to see, won't we?" She gave a small smirk to show she was only teasing and meant no harm.

 

[The J]

Mayweather was doing that thing, that people tended to do...taking asking inane questions for no reason other than that they apparently felt obliged to make conversation, just when Severis began to enjoy the silence.


"I didn't know that I would be chosen, or even that I would be alive while the seven were chosen. I simply am a follower of Caedis."


Apparently she wasn't satisfied with that, so she continued her interrogation of him...


Ah. What did he do before this? Well he could hardly say that he was an assassin...


"I was a mercenary." He said, perhaps a little fast, and with a little bit of irritation in his voice. He would have to keep his real life to himself.

 

[minismurf]

At first when the woman seemed to be staring into nothingness Sylvanus got a little suspicious about her mental health, however just as he was going to ask the woman about what she was looking at Lacus started talking in his mind, "Very well lady Lacus" Was all he said since any proper conversation probably would even tire out a god, he could feel himself being a little drained of energy after only that short moment of telepathy. Once he regained his mind completely Sylvanus looked at the woman who now was his new companion. "So, it seems that you are now my new travelling companion, in case Lady Lacus have not explain the situation for you so am I and Terr- the lamia here used to be a Chosen one of the gods, we've been chosen to find the weapons of the gods and use them to battle the great demon that is soon to return to this world" Sylvanus approached the woman and knelt down "Please accept this mission and join me, I might be a disgusting hybrid, however this is for the rest of the world, not for me"





@KiKi Kitsune

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

Chilali sheathed her sword and returned her spear to its place on her back. She turned to face the man when she heard him speak. It seemed that Lacus had spoken to him as well, explaining the absence of the goddess in her own mind. Her eyes widened at the information the man gave. "You and the lamia were chosen as the next Saviours?" Her eyes narrowed and gazed across the bodies scattered around the ground. "These bandits clearly knew nothing. Their actions could endanger the world." Her time at the magic school ensured she knew the basics of Pangeros' history. Her rage flared slightly. She silently swore to end the life of any bandits she came across.


With her rage kept in check, Chilali turned her attention back to the hybrid once again. Her brows furrowed in confusion at the male's actions. "Please, you have no need to kneel." She quickly said. "You being a hybrid does nothing to my willingness to accept this task. If Goddess Lacus herself requested that I partake, I am nothing but honoured. Working alongside another Saviour only adds to that. Not to mention, you prevented an attacker behind me. If not for you, I doubt I would be living with so few injuries." Her own words reminded her of her usual post battle tradition. "I will gladly join you in the quest to locate the weapons." She said with a slight nod. "And while I do not wish to hinder you - and I am sure you would like to be moving as quickly as possible - I request that you allow me to take a moment to check myself for injury." She asked with a small, yet polite bow.


@minismurf

 

[Ariel]

His answers left more questions swarming around inside her head, threatening to escape her lips but May kept her lips sealed. It was clear by the way he spoke, his tone and his body language that he would rather not talk to her so she didn't press him for anything more. Instead she titled her head down and began rummaging through her bag for a small piece of jerky. Ezi sensed the smell of the dried meat and came out of the side bag she'd left loosely hanging on the horse's saddle just for him. The little raccoon greedily nabbed the piece and she laughed softly as he retreated the to bag he had made home.


Remaining in silence wasn't easy for her. She wanted to say something about the pretty things they saw, ask him how he felt about certain things, and to ask about questions she still had yet to be answered. But Mayweather still remained silent not wanting to upset Severis. It did sting a little that he would rather not speak to her but she tried not to think about. People didn't always have to like her, that wasn't what bothered her, she was just frustrated she didn't know how to fix it. Aside from things like this, there were plenty of other things to think about. Like the scythe of light strapped to the other side of the horse that she was expected to wield and help save many. May didn't know the first thing about the weapon, she was just glad she knew which end to hit with at least.


Her eyes returned the Severis' back in plain view in front of her. She noted that he looked very serious just about of all the time and wondered if he ever did do simple things that brought small joys. Things like relax in a meadow filled with soft grass. Or swim in a river on a hot day. Or watched the animals of the forest, the birds and rabbits and squirrels go about their lives. May supposed that Severis didn't and probably would not find joy in such things.

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

@Stamper @The J


As the duo continued on their path, their horses' ears flicked back and forth. Seeming to pick up something, the animals started becoming agitated. They snorted and stomped their hooves periodically. Shouts were carried on the wind towards the travelling pair. However, as soon as the wind changed, the voices could no longer be heard. It obviously came from a fair distance away.


As they approached the crest of a slight rise, they would just be able to make out moving shapes in the distance if they strained their eyes. The shapes, as they came closer, appeared to be a group of running people. The wind changed again, carrying the shouts back towards the two on horseback. The horses grew more restless, flicking their heads and pulling on their reins. As the group of people neared, one could see by their clothing choice that they were your typical bandit group that resided in central Pangeros. There was, perhaps, a dozen of them. The leader of the group noticed Mayweather and Severis and called out to his men. "They have horses!" The fastest runners of the group sprinted forward with their weapons raised, ready to attack the duo. The rest weren't far behind.

 

[SepiaInk]

Phoebe Silva

​

Phoebe let her fingers swipe across the fabric of her gloves, feeling every bump and dent between the cold dark scales. Dragon skin. That would certainly keep her from getting herself poisoned. What a foolish and ironic way for a chosen to die. She was more than a little disappointed at her predecessor, to say the least, but also glad in a way. One only learns from past mistakes, after all.


Tucking them inside her leather satchel, she approached the blacksmith’s shop but hesitated at the door. It was true she still needed a new knife, but she did not need nor want to exchange a single word with the wolf, at least not so soon. Alas, she’d have to confront him sooner or later, no use in stalling. Sighing, she stepped into the shop, eyes latching onto the assortment of long and short blades lining the walls so they wouldn’t wander over immediately to the one person she wanted nothing more than to avoid.


It was a futile effort though. Phoebe felt him as soon she stepped through the door, and she was sure he felt her too. Making up her mind, she marched over to the counter and told the blacksmith what she was looking for exactly. While she waited, she let her gaze fall on a small blade with a bronze snake coiled around its handle, its small ruby eyes glinting back at her. Something coiled tightly inside her chest.


“Where I was born, blacksmiths refused to sell any kind of weapon to a shapeshifter,” she started without turning around, knowing he could hear her. "'Next thing you know I’ll be giving a crossbow to my wife's pig’, one said.” A snort left her lips. “What a stupid man. I hated him for that. But I hated myself even more for not speaking back.” She tore her eyes away from the snake’s, suddenly aware of her surroundings. “Have you purchased anything?” she questioned, voice slipping back into the usual formal tone.

@Syvas​

 

[TerraBooma]

"A tale eh? I wouldn't mind hearing one now." The elf chuckled. "It's a pretty long trip to the library, so I have a feeling we have time for at least one. Maybe two if I'm lucky" Romon was in a good mood, it was clear to Adruo that the teasing had been well received, another peculiar trait for the elf to have.


Romon had become somewhat more relaxed since leaving the city, not in his stance, as he was alert for any incoming danger bur rather his tone. It was lighthearted, friendly even, where in town the elf had been quite formal and strict.


"No pressure though, if you need some set up or time or something, I can wait till nightfall." He chuckled, then thoguht to himself for abit. "How are your survival skills? You know, herbology, hunting, fire building." Romon shrugged. "Seems to me like your used to living in a village, you spent much time on the open road before? For a long time that is, like i told you earlier I'm basically a merc for villages...a home isn't really something I'm used to anymore." The elf smirked. "It's not a big deal if you haven't, I can teach you the ropes. It is good to know though, especially once supplies run out."

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

"I'm sure there is enough time for several tales. It's almost a week's journey to the library after all..." Adruo stopped herself and furrowed her brow in concentration. "Actually, it will probably take just over a week." She calculated. She had forgotten that she wouldn't be flying like usual. It wasn't that she minded much. Romon had proved to be good company so far. She was actually looking forward to the long journey. "I'm not sure which one to tell. Do you have any specific requests?" She asked. With such a wide knowledge of stories, it was often difficult for her to choose just one. If she even got a vague query, it cut down the list enough to make a decision.


"I know some basics. I can make a fire pretty easily. Hunting... depends on the prey, I suppose. I can't catch a rabbit, but I've caught a few elk." Adruo replied. She gave a small nod in thanks. "I would greatly appreciate that. I will have to take you up on that offer." She gave a wide smile.With her attention diverted, she stumbled a little over a stone. Luckily, she was able to correct herself in time and remained standing.


Somewhat embarrassed, she decided to create conversation in hopes that her clumsiness wouldn't be made note of. "You're speaking differently." She blurted out the first thing that came to her head. It had been in the back of her mind for a while now. "I mean, you speech patterns are a lot less formal than they were earlier." She tried again, hoping the elf wasn't insulted by her thoughtless statement.

 

[Syvas]

Destin wove his fingers down the blade of the weapon on the counter before him. The craftsmanship of the great sword was impressive, the shifters hand placed flat upon it barely spanned from spine to the razor sharp edge.


"I hope I've made it to your standards sir." The proud blacksmith beamed behind the counter. "It's an honor to have served a chosen." He smiled and bowed as he refused the payment offered. "Not a copper!" He repeated until Destin accepted defeat. "I just hope it tastes the blood of a demon! That would be payment enough. But... It is a large blade.. I don't mean to doubt but it's as long as you are tall! How will you wield such a thing!?" He finished with a booming laugh.


"I'm sure it will serve me well. You are truly a master of your craft." Destin clutched the subtle leather of the over-sized handle and lifted the sword from the counter. In this form it was slightly encumbering, but he refused to let it show. "It's not that bad." The shifter said with a slight grin as he placed the wrapon back on the counter.


He had nearly allowed himself to forget the events at the stables when Phoebe arrived. The rhythmic tapping of her boots seemed to echo through the now silent shop.


Destin's gaze fell back to the blade. He was unsure of how their reunion would play out, she seemed so angry when he left her, and rightly so. Thankfully, she spoke first.


"Where I was born blacksmiths refused to sell any kind of weapon to a shapeshifter."


"I'm sorry.." He said without looking up. "It seems that we have both endured much in our time here. Oh, I did." He motioned to the blade before him. "You will be pleased with this mans work, he is a great smithy. "


"It was that place.. " He felt he owed an explanation for his brashness. "The look in their eyes. I just can't take it. Humans.. They take these animals and break their spirit, enslave them and cage them. The look in their eyes is just unbearable." The shifter forced himself to face his partner. "This was no excuse to take out my frustration on you. I shouldn't have said those things to you, can you forgive me?"

 

[minismurf]

Sylvanus stood back up and nodded at the womans request. "Certainly, I too have something to do before we departure, however I reccomend you not to watch, it isn't really anything a human should see, especially not a woman, and even if you are from a powerful tribe so will my actions not go without harm should you decide to view them" As he ended his sentence Sylvanus turned to the corpses of the bandits and his old companion, he put the corpses of the bandits in a pile, and one by one he started taking pieces of flesh, organs and belongings off the corpses using his arachnid limbs and hands, the flesh he put in his satchel for future use and any belongings they had he put in his hands and walked over to the corpse of his old companion, his limbs starte weaviing a cocoon of silk around her corpse and he then started digging a large hole to put the body in as a grave, it took a short while, however eventually it was long and deep enough to fit the lamias tail. Carefully he picked up the cocoon and carried it over to the hole, slowly he put the corpse in the hole. He then filled the hole back up and turned back towards the human female and threw the valuables he'd looted off the bandits to her. "I believe these might be useful in the future, personally I don't have that much need of currency, however they might be needed sometime"





@KiKi Kitsune

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

Chilali raised a brow at the hybrid's words. She didn't know the man. Could she trust him enough to turn her back to him? 'Chilali, Lady Lacus trusts him. Who are you to think otherwise?' She scolded herself. "Alright. I will face away then." She stated before making her way to the far side of the small clearing. She plopped cross-legged onto the ground.She checked her legs for any damage first. Not seeing any new marks on her armour she gave a small breath of relief. Then the sound of tearing flesh reached her ears. The image of the bloodied face that the hybrid man had caused her to shudder. She could guess what was happening. She was glad she had heeded the spider's warning and didn't watch.


The mage did her best to concentrate on her own task. The less she focused on the sounds, the better. She had noticed a small cut on her arm and decided it would be fine on it's own. She removed the red material that acted as her face mask and touched her tongue. She saw no blood when she brought her fingers away. That was always a good sign. She looked over her shoulder as she heard something land just behind her. She glanced at the items before giving a small nod to the hybrid. "We can sell them when we get to the next town." She placed the items in a small pouch attached to her upper thigh. Chilali stood to face the hybrid, doing her best not to look at the blood on the ground nearby. She gave a small bow from her waist. "I have yet to introduce myself. I am Chilali Ursa, sometimes referred to as Frost Fang, a water mage."


@minismurf

 

[SepiaInk]

Phoebe Silva

​

There was a long pause as Phoebe pondered over Destin's words.


Forgiveness. No one had ever asked her for forgiveness before. What did it entail exactly? Forgetting every ill thing that had been said and done? Her mind wouldn’t allow that. Perhaps it was something different then. Like letting go of an old theory that no longer fits with a new understanding of the world. It won’t be forgotten, it’ll just be discarded.


To be honest, she had difficulty sympathising with such misguided empathy towards animals. He spoke of breaking their spirits, enslaving them, as if these creatures were humans. Wasn’t his animal form a wolf? Did he not hunt and kill prey? If animals could be enslaved, then could they be murdered? It was too much of a confusing mindset to her.


Do all shapeshifters share the same view? Maybe she was the odd one out. It was becoming clear that Destin fully embraced his animal side and willingly distanced himself from the human label. It was a sentiment she did not share, but knowing that helped her to understand him better and brought a few things into perspective.


“I’d be lying if I said your words did not upset me, but I am willing to look past them since, as you said, they were a result of your frustrations. So, yes, I forgive you.” There was a hesitant pause as thought about her next words. “Perhaps neither one of us is innocent in this matter. I haven’t spoken to a fellow shapeshifter in years, and I’m often accused of lacking tact.” That was a gross understatement to say the least, but her fellow librarian’s comments on her behaviour were irrelevant to this conversation. "So I apologise if any of my words or actions have upset you in any way.”


“Hopefully, these misunderstandings will cease to be a problem as we learn more from each other in our travels.” She added, offering him a smile that turned out more genuine than she was expecting. A load had been lifted from her shoulders and she felt like she could breathe properly once more.


Letting her gaze fall to the spot on the counter where Destin had pointed towards, she had to force a gasp back down her throat. Eyes wide, she examined the great sword, mind working out a quick evaluation of its measurements. “In the name of Al-Lāt, how are you planning on wielding that thing?!”


Yep, tactfulness was definitely not her ‘thing'.

@Syvas​

 

[Syvas]

The wolf listened as Phoebe spoke, but concentrated more so on the expression of her features, in particular her dark brown eyes. If one were to try to hide their true feelings it would often be the eyes that betrayed them, and hers held a hint of confusion. It seemed to him that his explanation only served to increase the gulf between them, but he was then equally confused by the sincerity of her smile.


"That means a lot to me." He replied returning her smile with one of his own, one that faded as he tried to ponder back on their conversations. "Nothing offensive that I remember. My interaction with humans is very limited, the priests of the temple have been my only connection to the world of man for a long time... Maybe the gods have placed us together for more than defeating the demon lord."


Destin could not contain his laugh, though he tried, at her apprehension to his choice of weapon. "I assure you it will be clear in due time." He would have loved to explain his other form to her, or to even show her, but the urge to further explain his mindset was pestering him, he wasn't satisfied with his previous explanation. The shifter understood how one could be confused by the redundancies in his logic.


His gaze was turned back to the blade and scabbard on the counter. "You seemed unsure of the explanation I offered before." The leather strap of the scabbard was fastened over his shoulder crossing his chest from left right. "I know how wild it must sound, a predator, such as myself, giving voice to the cruelty that humans inflict upon animals." The slender digits of his right hand clasped the hilt of the blade and lifted it to be placed in its scabbard. The steel blade guard was formed into a hook shape, and a notch in the spine of the blade fit onto corresponding notches in the scabbard to hold it in place on his back with just enough angle to keep it from the ground. "I hunt and kill because I must. I do not relish it, though it is such a huge part of who I am." Destin lifted a much smaller knife, curved blade hunting style, from the counter and fastened it to his waist. "In my world, I have never seen a wolf torture his prey or to kill for the joy of taking a life, nor a mother abuse her pup just because she can." The shifter reached to clasp the tiny golden medallion around his neck, his gaze still transfixed on the oak counter before him.


A door in the back of the room slamming jarred him back to reality. The blacksmith was approaching with something in hand, her knife maybe? Destin let his hand fall back to his side and turned to face his partner. "So anyway.. I hope that offers just a bit more insight into who you're traveling with." He forced a smile. "I think we are behind the rest of the chosen, should we go?"


@SepiaInk

 

[TerraBooma]

Romon quietly mused to himself for a topic for one of Adruo's tales as he listened to her speak. It would be nice to learn about the past chosen. How they resealed the demon god, tricks they had pulled that probably wouldn't work again, any fallacies they had made...especially fatal ones. Any tale of their origin would be a nice change of pace for now however, and Romon smiled to himself. Learning where the heroes of old came from might give the elf a bit more confidence, he wasn't sure if they were ready...not to take out a demon king that was. A ragtag group needed time to train together, learn to fight as a unit and compliment the other's strengths. Being split up like this...


Well it certainly made things difficult, to say the least.


He went to speak after a few moments of silence to gether his thoughts. "I thi-"


"You're speaking differently."


Romon blinked, was she talking abo-


"I mean, you speech patterns are a lot less formal than they were earlier."


A sigh...turns out she was. "I...well, you know..." The elf struggled to find the right words. Why was the right thing to say so much harder to find then anything else? "It's...well, hard to explain." The elf was truly flustered. Partially out of embarrassment at being caught, but mostly for not being able to word his phrase properly. After about two more minutes of flustered denials, he let out a sigh.


"Yah...They are. It's uh...kinda a farce I do?" He shrugged. "Not really an arsenal in my bag of tricks but a trick to get by. You know the elvish reputation. So I act all high and noble around officials, especially in towns...around people I'm comfortable talking to, the way I prefer to speak just...flows out." He laughed. "Take that as a compliment, not many can brag that they befriended an elf and in the same day got him to let down his guard."


After Adruo's response, he would give her a grin. "That uh...aside, how about a tale? I'd like to know more about the last set of chosen, who they were...what they were like. That sorta stuff." Romon was glad for a possible change in topic. He liked talking with Adruo sure, but he was a bit too flustered for anything else.

 

[SepiaInk]

Phoebe Silva

​

Phoebe had been listening intently to Destin’s words when the slamming of a door startled her out of her focus. The blacksmith approached them with heavy steps and placed something on the counter. “Here is you knife, miss. I believe this is what you were looking for.” The man gave her wide smile and a wink. Phoebe inched closer and took the small blade from its sheath. It was a boot knife, just like she’d asked for, the right length, balanced weight and textured black handle. Simple but efficient.


“I’m very pleased with it, thank you. My partner was right about your skills,” she complimented, feeling the weight of the dagger in her hand as she slashed the air. She was surprised when the man insisted on her not paying for it, but in the end relented. It would be best to respect his wishes. That said, it seemed that being a chosen had some unexpected perks.


“Yes, we best be moving,” she said after securing the sheathed knife on the side of one of her boots. As they stepped out of the shop and headed towards the outskirts of Eden, Phoebe used the silence that fell over them to mull over her partner’s words.


“It seems we have little in common apart from our races, Destin,” she began tentatively, letting his name linger on her tongue. It was always awkward calling someone by their first name, specially when she didn’t know the person that well. It felt intimate in an odd sort of way, like whispering a secret that was never yours to share. “Excuse my curiosity, but what temple were you referring to back there?” she asked, glancing at the wolf shifter’s mismatched eyes.


The edge of Eden drew nearer, the path that led down the floating islands basked in the red haze of a slowly setting sun.

@Syvas​

 

[KiKi Kitsune]

Adruo tilted her head slightly in curiosity. Despite Romon stating that it would be difficult to explain, he seemed to be thinking of how to do exactly that. The dragonkin waited patiently for the elf to speak. A couple of minutes passed and Adruo considered changing the topic to one the elf would be more comfortable with when he gave a sigh. "Yah...They are. It's uh...kinda a farce I do?" Adruo raised a questioning brow. "A farce?" She asked, her curiosity clear. She gave a small nod at Romon's comment about elvish communities. They were known for being very... proper.


Adruo also gave a small laugh. "Ah, yes, I did it all for the bragging rights." She said with a teasing lilt to her voice. Her face lit up at Romon's suggestion. "Oh, where to start? Ooh, well, first off, each came from a different race. Temero Dipsas was a lamia and wielder of the bow. Your weapon was used by Fahim Dheemant, a human channeller. A hybrid named Dylis Mikil had the dagger. Camillo Elsu, a harpy, had the katana. The claymore had Ezekiel Randahl, a dragonkin, as its wielder. Thaki Chase was a shapeshifter who had the scythe. Who have I missed..." Adruo counted off all the people she had mentioned on her fingers. "Oh, an elf had the twin scythes. She was Chinatsu Nuria." The girl gave a small nod, satisfied that she had mentioned all of them. She looked at the sun that was sinking on the horizon. "I don't think we'll have time to hear all of their tales today. Which one would you like to hear first?" Adruo asked and patiently waited for an answer.

 

[Syvas]

After thanking the blacksmith once more Destin turned, and followed Phoebe outside. To the wolfs surprise the stallion still stood just where he'd left him, untied. Destin's lips parted in a smile that encompassed the entirety of his face. "I suppose even predator and prey can form a bond." He whispered to himself, and nodded his head in motion for the horse to follow the pair, which he did.


"It seems we have little in common apart from our races, Destin."


"For now, maybe." He replied, turning to face her, that same delightful smile still present. "The way I see it, neither of us have truly experienced the others world. I expect that will soon change." The massive stallions hooves echoed rythmically as he followed them. For a time, the shape-shifter fell silent, it was a strangely pleasant sound.


"Excuse my curiosity, but what temple were you talking about back there?"


"Semino's temple of course." He placed his hands in his pockets and allowed his gaze to fall to the cobblestone path. "I've lived in the forest most of my life, ever since Da..." Destin could not remember the last time he'd said his name aloud. "Since.. Darius saved me from the hell that was my life." He could not remember a time when he'd spoken his name to another person. Why he was inclined to tell her, he had no idea. "He and the priests raised me, everything I am, I owe to him."


The weight of the blade had begun to take its toll, he had never liked traveling in human form anyhow. He stopped, turned to the stallion and spoke softly. "May I?" A light toss of his head and a soft snort signaled its agreement. In a singular fluid motion Destin jumped, slid his leg over the horses back and centered himself.


The horse trotted forward a few paces past Phoebe then turned quickly and trotted back to stop by her side. Destin offered her his hand. "We should save our strength, a day's ride would get us a lot further than a days walk." He smiled down at her. Shortly after he had made the proposal he regretted it. He'd been so wrapped up in the joy of being horseback, the repercussions of his offer had slipped his mind. This is too forward, he thought. He dreaded her response, but was in too deep to retract the offer.

 

[SepiaInk]

Phoebe Silva

​

Surprise began to fill and overflow inside of her at each word that came out of Destin’s mouth. All of the information he was now sharing caused her previous statement to crumble down in ruins.

Some people are just two sides of the same coin.

​

“I understand,” the breathless words tumbled out of her lips before she could stop them, eyes wide and eager to express a rush of feelings that had crashed into her. Catching herself, she coughed before continuing, “Almas, the head librarian, she is also my mentor. She took me in when no one else would, when I didn’t even know what I-“ Again, she had to hold her tongue to keep herself from jumping off the deep end. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly so willing to share these things, and with someone she’d only just met. Swallowing, she yanked her eyes away from that wide and warm smile of his. It was getting distracting, to be frank.


“That wise woman taught me everything she new and gave me a purpose. For that, I will forever be in her debt.” She risked a glance towards her partner. “The person who raised you, Darius, he must’ve been a great man. He means a lot to you… I understand that,” she repeated her first words. For some reason it felt important to communicate that to the other shapeshifter. But why exactly?


Phoebe was chewing on that thought, and her nails, when the horse’s snort pulled her out of her musings. Every muscle in her body tensed and her back straightened when the large animal approached her. To be honest, she'd expected Destin to send the stallion away, give him his freedom back, as the shapeshifter had put it. There was just something disconcerting about being around mounts and fellow herbivores; the rare occasions where she’d ridden one felt wrong on a level she couldn’t quite put into words. Specially horses. Never trusted those restless, apple-loving b-


"We should save our strength, a day's ride would get us a lot further than a days walk."


What?


Phoebe’s whole being froze at those words and what they implied. Her flight response began to rear its ugly head but she stomped it down before it had any chance to breathe. “I’m not…” she stammered. Actually stammered. When was the last time she did that?


Rational thoughts, think rational thoughts, Phoebe. Use your higher brain functions. You do possess them, do you not? Or did you drop them at the shop, along with your dignity!


“I suppose it’s our best option for now.” And it was, truly. They could always shift into their animal forms but, at least for her, they were still a bit too close to the city for that to happen without problems. Taking a deep breath, Phoebe stepped up to side of the stallion and raised her hand towards Destin so he could help her get up on its back.


“If we ride fast we should get to the Lake of the Fallen by nightfall,” she informed him, trying her best to sound neither embarrassed nor annoyed at the prospect of having to ride on a mount twice in a span of mere hours.

​

by Acoustic Alchemy
@Syvas

 

[Syvas]

"I suppose it's our best option for now."


His held breath was lengthily exhaled as the fear of rejection faded with her acceptance of his offer. There was something about her that drew him in, made him feel at ease, as if he could tell her anything, and something else that terrified him to his core. It seemed as the two emotions were one and created a new and exciting feeling.


Destin slid back from the withers making room for her in front of him, his weapon prevented her from riding behind. Reaching down he took her hand within his own letting the contact linger a little longer than necessary before instructing her to jump. As she did he lifted, giving her enough momentum to reach her position on the stallion.


"The hair of his mane." He reached around her to place his hand where he spoke of. "These animals have no feeling in this part of their body. You may use it to keep yourself stable, if you need." The stallion stomped his front hoof in anticipation, and turned his head to look back at the pair.


"Well, you heard her." Destin mused as if the horse could understand. "Let's go." The horse turned and began with a slow trot down the path away from Eden.


"Yes." He continued from the prior conversation. "He meant everything to me." The sun was falling in the horizon casting an orange glow over the fields ahead. "I would like to hear more about Almas. How'd you come to be in her care?"