Fantasy The Escape: Chrestomanci & CosmicFlare

[Cat.Chrestomanci]

It seemed to merely be a typical afternoon. It was on the cusp of winter as the orange and brown leaves floated from the canopy above to rest on the stone cobbles of the city. A light wind would occasionally lift up the plant debris and carry it through the streets despite the gardeners' best efforts to clear the paths. Breath came in soft white puffs as busybodies rushed about in the early morning and late into the evening, going about their business as per usual. It was just another day as time passed by the peaceful civilisation. Generations upon generations had lived through times without disturbance and there was nothing to predict that this would be any different.

It was early in the evening when the air changed. The sun sank to meet the horizon as day transitioned into the night when it began. While the cold of winter hung in the air all around, there was an even more sinister chill that was masked just below it. Those who were not perceptive of the nature of the city went about their nightly activities without a care, but there were a few that felt the baseless foreboding that hung in the air. Something would transpire that night that would change the flow of history and their society on the whole.

--

He rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm them as he traversed the lamplit street. He had ended up walking home alone since his friend had gotten wrapped up in student council business and said that things would run quite late that day. He could feel the seasons changing, as though the air itself were shifting from the calm cool of autumn into the harsh cold of winter. His mother had chided him about dressing too lightly but he had disregarded her warnings and set out for classes in the morning with nothing more than a light jumper.

Although his mother had warned him against abusing his abilities, she had taught him how to utilise his skills from a young age. If he closed his eyes, he could feel the magicules of ether in the air, feel their flow as they drifted about on seemingly random currents that took them exactly where they were needed. He could reach into the ether with his mind and change the direction of their flow to manipulate the very nature of the world around him. Although he had such capabilities, his mother forbade him from abusing this power. Even when he was alone, he could hear her nagging and knew that somehow she would know if he were to abuse his abilities.

He lived amongst the humans easily enough; however, there was always a sort of longing deep in his heart. He wished that he could tell his close friends about his true nature but there was always the fear that they would turn away from him were they to find out the truth. And so he kept his abilities a secret. Over time, his kind, the Kreio, had spread out throughout the continent. There were few who had decided to remain in the city of Noxemor and even fewer who had decided to keep the bloodline pure. He was among the last of the pure Kreio living among the humans with even his cousin being only half.

There were some who revealed their true natures to their partners and others who kept their family a secret, teaching their children of the traditions of old without sharing the information with their spouses. It was an unfortunate existence among humans and never fully being able to live in society. With the dillution of the bloodline, ability to manipulate the ether had decreased and so the Kreio had become nothing more than giften humans, having little connection to nature. There were even some Kreio who forsook their heritage to become more human and live more comfortably in society.

 

[Cosmic_Flare]

Relaxing in the shade of a tall, grand tree, the princess of the elven people admired the beauty of the nature around her. Her soft eyes closed, her mind wandering as she let the ethereal world rush over her. Being a royal, she had greater power than most of her kin, but she had just started learning how to use it. Ever since she was young, she could still do this simple task. Almost every elf could connect to the ether and bask in its ever-shifting waves, feeling every bit that made up reality.

A presence broke the stream of calm, and she opened an eye. “Princess Calarel.” The servant knelt before her, his brown cloak brushing through the dirt. Sighing, she pulled herself back into reality and looked to him, reminding herself to keep up a royal air. “Yes?” The servant held out a letter to her, small and white with a gold seal.

Rising to her feet quickly, she took the letter and opened it. Her eyes read the words at an incredible speed, and her tense body relaxed. It was simply another letter from her friend, who was visiting her family in a different clan. Smiling at the servant, she returned the letter. “Have that put on my desk please.” He dipped his head and walked away with it.

The night sky looked wonderful at the moment, capturing her attention as she rubbed her shoulders. She loved her home deep in the woods, having been raised there since she was small, but tonight it felt different. It felt as if some dark force was ready to pounce on her previous town and devour it. Shivering at the thought, she tried to relax herself again.

 

[Cat.Chrestomanci]

There was a strange feeling that rippled through the city. It was as though a wave of stagnant air had blown in through an open window on a hot summer day. The pure etherial air was tainted by some unknown source. It was not until the forests in the outskirts burst into flames that the origin could be pinpointed. The ancient barrier had been torn like paper by some intruder who was on a quest of destruction. Some force from the human world had been able to rupture the membrane that protected the elves from the rest of the world for centuries and impure air rushed through the rend in the shield.

There was absolute chaos in the city below as the destructive flames slowly climbed to the citadel. The cries of animals could be heard as their corporeal forms were swallowed up in a cruel blue inferno. The trees cried out in anguish in the face of the devastation but there was nothing they could do to stop the progression of the intruder. Several royal guards had been sent into the forests to intercept the fiery warrior but all attempts were in vain and these lives were snuffed out as easily as flames of candles.

The castle was thrown into chaos as a vindictive doom approached. The first order of business was to protect the princess of the monarchy, the ancient governmental body that had all but died out in the outside world due to its oppressive structure and origin. So long as the head survived the disaster, it was believed that the country would recover with time.

--

He looked in the direction of the forests that bordered the of Noxemor. Tales of a fallen civilisation had been passed down through his family. It was a country that had long ago forsaken his clan due to ideological conflict. There was something about the air that night that did not feel quite right. He adjusted the satchel that was slung over his shoulder, gripping the fabric tighter as the foreboding in the air grew. Before he knew it, his feet were carrying him in the direction of the disturbance. He would only venture to the edge of the forest, for he knew that his bloodline had been cursed and would never be granted entry into the land that had abandoned his people.

 

[Cosmic_Flare]

Soon after the servant left, the princess had fallen asleep. Earlier that week, she had visited several different clans to show her support of each. Though her parents came from the same clan, she was still the princess of the elves, so she had to make sure all of her people knew that she cared for them. Though it was extremely tiring, she truly cared for her entire kingdom. It would crush her if anything happened to them.

A huge boom sounded at the barrier was broken, and she woke with a start. She looked around, the smell of smoke filling her nostrils. Turning to the tree behind her, she climbed up it with elegance, leading over the garden walls. Her eyes widened in fear as she saw the huge sea of flames. “No... NO!” She saw the barrier from a distance, breaking part slowly. “What’s happening?!”

Running inside once she reached the ground, she went straight inside. “Guards!! Guards! The city is on fire! What’s happened?!” Her fear and worry were written clearly on her face. She couldn’t hide how she felt after the sight of such a terrible thing.

 

[Cat.Chrestomanci]

A tall young woman rushed down the corridor, having finally found her charge. Her footfalls were almost inaudible as she moved with a practised stride that provided both distance and stealth despite the fact that others who wore the same tall tan boots would make loads of noise as they came careening down the hallway. The sword at her hip indicated that she was a knight that served the kingdom. The long forest-green jacket with the seal of the crown on the right indicated that she was a royal guard. The dark gloves that covered her pale skin were the final hint to her identity, with the seal of the royal guard on the right one, meaning that she was the captain of the guards.

She kneeled before the princess, eyes averted as she began her report, "There has been a breach of the barrier. We are unsure as to the actual culprit. There have been rumours of unrest within the distant clans but we have no evidence that this is the source. The barrier has been breached, so there must be an outsider involved." Her voice was steady and neutral, reminiscent of a softly burbling brook hidden deep in forested mountains. She had risen through the ranks of the guards rather quickly due to her combat proficiency, strategising skills, and incredible calm in cases of emergency. "The threat has not yet reached the castle but we fear that it will soon be here. The elders have ordered that you escape the kingdom and leave things to the council and guards."

 

[Cosmic_Flare]

She saw her captain of the royal guard rush over to her kneeling beneath her. “The barrier, breached? That can’t be possible! The barrier was made by the Ancients... its held up against dragons! There’s no way an outsider could break it!”

Roaring fires crept up toward the palace, becoming more and more angry. El heard them, shaking her head. “No this can’t be! My people! They’re in danger, I can’t just leave them. I must stay!” She turned back to the garden, only to find her precious safe place in ashes. She screamed. “NO!!”

 

[Cat.Chrestomanci]

"My princess," she began again, more sternly this time. "It is the order of the council that you be evacuated. The danger is too great for you. Things can be rebuilt; however, the royal line cannot be re-established once it has been removed. Surely you understand the feelings of your people and their desire to protect you. They will survive and await your return." She stood to her full, towering height with an unreadable expression. "What good would it do to make a last stand for nought? For now, we can flee and regroup in order to find a way to solve this dilemma."