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Qualis: Shadows of Genus The sun began to slip behind the trees, leaving a fiery aura capping the treetops. Gentle wind blew the tall grass surrounding the land. The lllicitan soldiers stood watching the final rays of light glare off the stone walls of Genovra city. Jemai knew that he would have an advantage attacking with the suns setting behind them. Genovra's force would have the last rays blinding them as they attempted to counter the attack, and finally being pulled into darkness would cripple the human defenders. The city was manly populated of humans and half-elves, many elves refused to live with the high human population. There would have been a problem with the city's magic-powered lighting system, which would activate on sunset if it still worked, but if the planned was unfolding as anticipated, the power source should have been removed by now. He had little trust in the nekomimi pet he had given to Surinya, but trusted Surinya's judgment when she asked him to allow the cat to help. Jemai looked over the troops before him one last time before he prepared to send them into battle. He noticed his second in command near by talking in a hushed voice with a few of the taurynn warriors in their native language. Something didn’t feel quite right about it but Jemai didn’t have time to fuss right then. He knew he'd be called a 'coward' for standing behind them, not going in with them, but he had a wife he intended to protect. He pulled her close to his side with his left arm, his hand lightly rubbing her plump stomach. "I asked you to no hurt them, why do you insist on doing this?" Surinya's voice pleaded. “You think they’ve found out and hurt Naoko? She isn’t back yet…” He felt her head lean against his chest and hand clutch onto his tight leather shirt. His free hand reached up to meet her's. "I want to give them a warning to not try to stop me, and not give them time to take it, if they’ve discovered what it is I want. They know too much." Jemai replied, his voice was distant. He kissed her forehead softly. "I've told them to not harm Daeual directly, unless he resists, as I promised to you before. Though, if I had my way, I'd slay him with my own hands." He felt her draw away from him; he took the chance to send his army forward. "Alright men," he yelled over the low mumble of the impatient group. The gathered races consisted mainly of Taurynn - the bear race, Ursals – the bear race, and other brutish 'animal-like' races. A few more human races such as orcs and trolls were skittered among the masses, however those races were not native to the forest covered regions of Genovra province like the animal-esque majority. "Time has come to attack.” He continued after gaining their attention. “Spare no warrior, or any who resist. By request of my wife, harm no defenseless civilians. Do not worry, the fear alone of seeing their own army and city destroyed will cause more harm than their death. Also, there is a missing Nekomimi whom most of you have seen before. She stands out with blue hair and white fur, as well as two different colour eyes. I will give one-hundred gold to the man who can return her to my wife, alive.” He gritted his teeth, hearing a few chuckles from the soldiers, seeing them elbowing each other, likely exchanging jokes about him being soft. He choked back the urge to rage, remaining calm and in control. "Each of you will be rewarded for your service once we've completed our mission, I promise you that. Until then, make me proud." He threw his right hand into the air signaling, "ATTACK!" A loud roar erupted from the soldiers are they charged forwards. Shielded warriors lead the front lines to block any archers on the towers and ledges of the city walls. Behind them the ‘berserker’ group wielding two-handed weapons, purely for damage and destruction. These were mainly the orcs and trolls who lived for fighting and would go into raged frenzies in battle not even caring about their own wounds. Most would not give in until their target is dead, or someone killed them. Second to last, the archers trailed behind, attempting to counter the enemy archers on the towers, allowing their own forces to get through. The final force the frail yet powerful mages, wizards, and warlocks were preparing their spells. It was their jobs to cause enough damage to bring down the walls or doors letting the main forces enter, then to contain the area from runners and large scale resistances. Though the animal races were unable to cast magics like many human races, they had their own style of druidic magics from the forest. Jemai had attempted to lure druids in to aid in the fight with their abilities to heal, damage, and shape shift into animals to fight they would have been an excellent addition. However their laws forbid any violence to occur unless they were protecting the forests, themselves, or innocent beings. The Attack had begun. To Jemai’s surprise there was little archery resistance. The few who were on the towers were well hidden, and all high elven archers, the most difficult to counter of all races. They would cloak back into the shadows making them hard to be targeted after they had fired their shot. The lack of resistance made entering the city wall simple for the assembled force. The frontline warriors alone were able to ram down the gates, allowing mages to assist the archers in crumbling the towers above. The tower’s destruction was forcing the high elves back, though more forces were likely to be inside. Still, Jemai was confused why so little resistance was present at such a large, capital city. He stroked his chin a moment, pondering, he noticed Yokaiu seemed to be realizing the issue at hand as well. The final sun was now fallen behind the horizon. Genovra had not powered up its lightning systems as suspected, however there was a strange glow over the edge of the city’s walls. The source appeared to be coming from near the middle where the power source once stood. “M’love, come with me…” he finally said, taking hold of Surinya’s hand. He turned to his second in command. “And you make sure they keep in line, I must check on something.” Rarely did Jemai ever openly move his cloak-like wings revealing their true nature. He spread them widely open, stretching. Taking Surinya in his arms, he jumped into the air and flapped the draconic wings, thrusting them both towards the sky. Drow had an advantage over nearly all over elven races at night. Their ability to see clearer in the dark than in day made him able to fly over the darkened city without being detected but still able to spy on what was happening below. The disadvantage of the moment was the faint light still emanating from the central part of the city. A sharp pain was present in his back as his wings flapped, still gaining height. Surinya’s added weight was something he wasn’t used to carrying with him, the muscles in his shoulders and back ached as they strained to keep them both aloft. After gaining enough height he was now able to pass over the city without being in range of arrows or most spell types. He locked his wings into a gliding position, allowing much less stress on his muscles. He began to drift over the western gates, watching the soldiers below as they surged into the city. Fires were beginning to erupt around nearby buildings after items were pillaged. Torches were being crafted as they stormed further into the darkness. Still no resistance was visible, the only fights were happening with the soldiers arguing over looted gold and items. However the strange light was making a dull glowing pattern on the ground, something that looked as if it continued on throughout the city carved into the stone walking paths. Jemai had never seen anything like it before, perhaps it was a side effect of the missing stone. Surinya’s fingernails were nearly breaking his skin she was holding on so tightly to his shoulders. Normally the feeling would be enough to make him moan in pleasure, but now was far from the time for that. He pulled her tighter against him, the cold night air was making her shiver, or maybe it was her fear of being so high above the ground without a way to save herself if something were to cause her to fall. She tucked her head tightly against him, her cheek bushing against his. The Light source was now close. He followed the trail on the roads knowing there had to be a starting point. They began to descend slowly, circling around it. Jemai’s bloody ran cold at the sight before him. Daeual’s heart pounded hard and fast. Never had he been faced with such an important decision that needed to be answered immediately. His pale skin no longer had any colour at all as the blood drained from his face. He had to say something, people were looking at him, and he was their leader. He couldn’t let himself fall apart when he was needed most. What do I do...? Averi… His call was unanswered. His mind blanked out, he felt as though he were about to faint. The world around him was icy cold, colder than just the evening airs; it felt like the chill of death was setting in around him. He tried to focus his eyes on his friend who was waiting for orders, but everything was a blur. His mouth was open but no words would escape. His knees gave out; the world had stopped to him. A strong, deep, female voice filled his head. Stand, fool. Or perhaps being on your knees before me is better. The dazed feeling cleared his mind. He was starting to regain his focus. He was still in Genovra… Or was he? No one else was around him. The city was burned and broken. Bones and dust was all that remained of people who had been standing around him. Was this a dream…? Or maybe he should call it a nightmare… It’s no dream, foolish mortal. Daeual stood, his strength returned to him. He looked around for the source of the voice, but there was no way to tell where it was coming from, it was inside his head. Unlike an elven send, this felt as if there was no sender, no way to reply back. Must all you flesh be so naive? A soft sound of someone clearing their throat caught Daeual’s ear. He looked above to where the fountain had one stood, though it was now a crumbled pile. “Who…?” Before him was one of the most amazing sights he had ever seen. She was obviously a mystic elf in body, but the magic emanating from her was so powerful that his own magical skills felt like mere children’s games. Her eyes were a mystical violets, which drew him in, unable to break her gaze. They appeared slightly clouded as if the colours were moving like magical energies. Her long brown hair was tired into a high pony tail, which flapped lightly in the breeze. Gems, jewels, and pearls decorated her hair with golden jewelry. Lavender and white, translucent, Faerie wings made of magic essence fluttered where she floated in the air. Her clothing was even more revealing barely covering her, despite large amounts of celestial silks draping from her arms and waist. Her actually clothing resembled more of something a person would wear to the beach except for the leathery leg pieces he had no name to describe them with. They appeared as if they were pants-like but cut off at the knee and had open slits from her hips to the knees on the outer side of her legs. “Are you going to just stare at me or do you want this surrounding to become reality?” the female elf asked, crossing her arms. She paused a moment then sighed angrily and landed on the ground. Her movements were as arrogant looking as her voice sounded. “I guess you’re too stupid to figure out who I am still. I, you foolish mortal, am Goddess Maegynsa.” Daeual snapped out of his staring stupid gaze. “Mae- Maegynsa? Surinya’s-?” “Yes, yes.” The goddess waved her hand in a swatting motion to shut him up. “Just stop I’m scared you might hurt yourself thinking. A mortal bleeding makes me ill. It seems to be hard thing for you to do. I can see why I was asked to intervene; dooming an entire city of people because of an incompetent leader isn’t something my clerics usually allow to happen, even if you’re a puny High Elf.” Maegynsa sighed and looked at her fingernails avoiding looking at Daeual now, speaking to him as a lesser being not worthy of her sight. After ignoring him a moment she smiled wickedly. “You don’t understand how my favors work, do you?” Indeed, Daeual didn’t. He’d never spoken to a god before other than the one he followed, Lucaitus. Even then it wasn’t for very long. It was the day Averi came to him, he could remember it clearly. He knew that day would never leave his mind even long after he left the living world. None the less, he was worried what this favor would be. Lucaitus was a very giving and generous god, however many weren’t. He tried to give a brave, unwavering front. “Tell me what you require.” Maegynsa stepped forward, revealing just how much taller than Daeual she was, his head only reached to her shoulder. She leaned forward staring into his eyes. She lifted a hand using a single finger to hold his chin in place so his gaze couldn’t unlock hers. “I require a portion of your life.” Her voice was so eerie and damning. Her breath was like ice. The feeling of death returned to Daeual. “For each life saved I will shorten your lifespan by five hours to feed my powers.” Her breath on his forehead as she whispered created a frost in his hair. He estimated that to be twenty-five years of his life by the moon and planet’s rotations around the three suns. As an elf he would normally have a lifespan of almost seven hundred years, so twenty-five wasn’t nearly as much to him as it would have been to a human. She looked down to him, patiently waiting his answer. He stared forward into her eyes, gathering all of his remaining strength. “I- I accept.” Daeual’s body surged with pain, worse what happened when his illness flared up. The only sensation other than the pain that shocked him was the goddess’s lips on his forehead like a kiss of death. The feeling passed as sudden as it started, the deathlike chill was now gone he was disoriented but could hear someone speaking. “C’mon now we need you.” Qypris’ voice urged Daeual back into reality. “Stay with me now. ‘S not the time to lose it.” The warmth from the day’s last sunlight was still in the paving stones. Daeual’s hands bushed the stones lightly as his senses came back. The warmth was very welcoming after the dealings with Maegynsa. He looked up at his friend’s worried face and forced a weak smile. “I’m alright.” Daeual assured him. He stumbled to his feet with help from Qypris and a concerned citizen. He realized several citizens were gathered talking in hushed, frantic, whispers. When was Maegynsa planning to help? And how he wondered. He expected when she released him they would all be safe in another area, or the illicitans would be removed. Maybe they were? He turned to thank the citizen that had aided him and found himself face to face with a smiling familiar face. A tall mystic elven male. He had the same type of eyes and similar hair as Surinya, though his long black hair hung in a ponytail rather than braided. The appearance similarities were to be expected, it was her father after all. The elf, Masaki Touka, adjusted his glasses on his nose and patted Daeual on the back. “Mae’ sent me. Guessing Surin’s covering your back.” He looked slightly annoyed for a moment, Daeual wasn’t sure at what. He watched as Masaki took his glasses off cleaning them on his cloak, and then placed them back on his nose. They seemed to have been bothering him, his expression returned to its typical jovial look. Daeual was taken back by how blunt and direct Masaki was. While the others were all struck with fear and worry all around them, the mystic elf seemed to not care. And for him to refer to a goddess by a shortened form of her name was something usually considered rude in most cultures on the moon. He’d never in his life refer to his own God as “Lu’” or any similar abbreviation without having a death wish. “Portal Point’s activated now. I’m suggestin’ you get people out of here soon, front gate just went down.” His voice had no worry at all as he continued to fuss with his glasses. “Damned things just don’t stay clean, y’know… Oh! I forgot the haste spell; evacuations usually go so slow…” Daeual realized he wasn’t the only person dazed by the carefree attitude Masaki was carrying. Everyone was watching him dumb-struck at his actions and words. Qypris mouth hung open, minor sounds came out but no words. Is he fo’ REAL? Daeual finally received the send from his friend. Yes, indeed. Daeual confirmed, he was trying to regain his composure as a leader type. He’s Masaki, the longest living Mystic Elf known to exist. I’ve been told. Surinya often joked about her father being ‘socially challenged’; I’m beginning to believe they weren’t in fact jokes… Masaki kneeled down placing a hand on the ground. He didn’t speak, didn’t make any magical motions, or use any reagents to Daeual’s notice. Magic as strong as he was about to cast would be impossible for a person of any other race without a very long difficult spell with rare or unique reagents required. Mystic elves, he had been told, channel life forces to retain their magical powers and youth. Masaki was a prime example of this. He appeared young enough to be Surinya’s brother rather than he father. When he wasn’t wearing his glasses at least, they seemed to be his way of making himself appear slightly older. Daeual was certain that someone with such power would not require any type of seeing-aid. The recollection of life force energy requirements struck Daeual like a wall of bricks. Maegynsa had taken his life force to channel it to Masaki for the spells he was casting. If he were really as old as it was rumored, he would be one of Maegynsa’s first mystic elves ever created. Daeual realized the elf before him was likely to be considered an avatar to the goddess; likely to be one of her most trusted people. Magical winds swirled around the area giving a mild lifting effect on anyone nearby. Silver lights ripped through the stone streets carving a pattern on the ground. The world appeared the slow down to nothingness as the light reached out, but the people of the city were able to move freely. The water in the fountain was falling so slowly there was no sound of bubbling water behind them now. Leadership instincts began to kick in once again. Daeual ordered Qypris to assemble the guards and gather every last towns person and have them brought to the portal, it was there only chance to escape. A piercing howl broke through the icy air. Jemai’s rage was immeasurable. The city below him was empty except for Daeual and Averi; who were standing at the city fountain. The light Jemai had seen was the portal activation progress, he assumed, since it was now activated. He knew a large scale spell was still going on from the feeling of magical energies; the sensation made his hair stand on end. Surinya remained silent. He realized she knew it was pointless to talk to him once he was enraged, after having been present at other occasions his temper went into berserker mode. He swooped down behind a building, landing softly without a sound. He released Surinya from his arms and withdrew his sword from his side. The sound of metal-on-metal made a shrill sound in the silence that rang into the air. “Do not try to stop me.” Jemai warned, his voice dark with hate. He crept through the shadows, leaving his wife behind where he thought she would be safest. He didn’t want her to witness what he was about to do, knowing it was against her wishes. Please stop… he heard her voice in his mind, but pushed it aside. The smooth rocky walls brushed along his wings and back as he slinked towards his target. His movements were completely undetectable by anyone he had ever encountered, except trained trackers. He was an Assassin of The Vengeful, Goddess Lovina of the Drow. Unlike other peaceful gods, his goddess’ religion was filled with hate and distrust. Healers did not exist under her following, only Corruptors, Warriors, and Assassins. The sole advantage Jemai had over a normal drow was his appearance being entirely black. Normally a drow’s white hair would cause minor difficulties in concealing themselves entirely when not wearing a type of hooded cloak. However, Jemai was entirely black from hair to skin, and the only exception was his blood red eyes which gave a faint glow while in night vision. He was never sure why his appearance was different; he only knew it was the will of the goddess that he lived. He was a ‘deviation’ to the race, imperfect, impure. His mother had been killed within moments of giving birth to such an atrocity, his father was unknown, however would have suffered the same fate had he ever taken responsibility. Jemai detested his father for being such a coward, but knew he too would be facing Lovina soon once his own ‘impure’ child would be borne. Magical forces were once again growing, but it was a faint weakened source, Jemai now knew Deaual was a mage and suspected the energy was coming from him. The drow crept into visual range of the center of the town. The sounds of the angry warriors he sent into the town were now beginning to rumble loudly nearby as they stormed their way in unchallenged. The skylines of the buildings burned brightly in the fiery destruction. Indeed, it was Daeual whom the magic was originating from. Jemai was behind him, to his fortune. However the ghostly Averi was no longer in sight. This troubled Jemai, knowing the undead were able to sense living very easily when they tried to. Some could even without trying. Perhaps she knew he was around and this was a trap. Or had Surinya had the nerve to betray him and send warning… The very thought broke his focus of silence making his wings twitch and a growl escape his sneered lips. “You’ve arrived, finally?” Daeual’s voice spoke, but he did not turn or show any recognition to knowing Jemai’s location. “I must say, I’m not impressed with this war you’ve began on my province…” Despite the power in Daeual’s voice Jemai could sense a fear hidden behind it. He casually stepped from the shadows, his wings now wrapped into a cloak, concealing his weapon as he silently re-sheathed it. “It was not my choice to start this, but your own crusade for freedom which forced this upon you.” He surveyed the area, something wasn’t right. The Daeual he knew would have pissed himself being this close and alone. “My fault for your greed too, I supose?” Daeual snorted and crossed his arms. “You’ve got the item you wanted; there was no need to burn my people’s homes to the ground in mindless destruction.” The war cries grew closer, as did the fires. The night air was now warm and well lit from the burning city. Jemai paused before speaking. He did not have the item he wanted… Nor did Daeual? His eyes swiftly shot to the fountain then back to his adversary. It was indeed gone. Perhaps a trick… “What makes you think I have this item you speak of?” he decided to play a game of his own if this was the case, lure out how much information Daeual knew. He immediately knew the question sparked something in the high elf, Daeual’s eyebrows raised to question him. Somehow he called the bluff, perhaps not realizing he even did it “Then Naoko…” Anger flooded Jemai’s body at the name of the nekomimi. He knew just how disloyal they were when free, and greedy little cats at that. She stole it for her own profit, probably trying to sell it off, he assumed. His eyes shone bright red, bright as the fires now slowly creeping into the area where he and Daeual were standing. The buildings were slowly collapsing as their support beams turned to ash. Smoke and sparks flew into the air then fell, smoldering on the grounds. Jemai’s blood was boiling with rage. He couldn’t feel the heat of the fires and ash around him, or anything else at that. Thoughts of who to blame, who to kill first flashed passed his mind. Daeual was the closest and softest target of all, he would be first. His eyes locked on his target, the high elf’s fear was clear now, his reserves of false heroism had been depleted. Jemai‘s actions were being dictated solely on emotion, uncalculated, unlike his assassination strikes. He didn’t want a straight cut clean death; he wanted pain, suffering, blood. Perhaps even a sacrifice for his goddess if there was enough left of the body. Jemai’s hand instinctively went for a dagger concealed on the under linings of his boots, the movement was so swift Daeual was like an animal faced with bright lights shining in its eyes. Startled and petrified. The dagger drew closer to Daeual’s neck, the blade singing softly as it cut through the air. As Jemai was within inches of making a fatal blow, he felt something strike him in the back of the neck. The pain was nonexistent; the adrenalin in his veins voided it. However it was enough for his strike to fall off course, only grazing Daeual’s left arm. Jemai attempted to regain control of his body, but his strength was weakening causing him to crash into the ground lifelessly. He felt the searing stones against his skin and warm liquid begin to pool around his face. Even if he was too dazed to see the substance, he knew the smell. It was blood, and a large quantity of it expanding rapidly. He fought to keep his eyes open, to stay with the living, but the darkness was winning. Something had stuck him in the back of the neck. His arms and legs were unable to move, feeling in his body quickly degenerated. From the amount of blood forming he knew it was a fatal blow. My goddess, not yet. I plead to you, not yet… The world was fading to blackened death. All feeling stopped. His last conscious recognition was the sound of his wife’s blood-chilling screams calling his name. The deafening cry of Surinya drew the attention of more than just Daeual. Averi made herself visible at Daeual’s side. The angel had been there the entire time guiding Daeual and ready to act if something were to happen. However it wasn’t Averi that had attacked Jemai. Daeual’s heart was pounding fast and hard, he thought it was going to beat as hard it would explode. He felt his illness starting to flare up again, the unbearable pain, but he was also feeling numb from adrenaline. The combined effects left him with a dull, irritating ache he was trying to deny until he could come to his senses. He knew Qypris was near waiting to strike. However, he was nearly dead from the fear of seeing the blood thirsty drow so close to making a killing blow. He glanced for a moment upward to see his friend descend from the building he’d been on waiting to snipe. He was running to the portal point calling something as he beckoned Daeual to follow. The shrill sounds of Surinya’s cries were drowning out all sounds, even the incoming warriors. His attention turned to her. She had run to where Jemai’yu laid on the ground, presumably dead. Her body was thrown over his as she cried, her hands clutching onto his shoulders, her face buried into his back. The blood surrounding them stained her white robes red. His first instinct was to tell her ‘It’s okay you’re free now’ when Jemai’s body hit the ground. Now the realization she didn’t want to leave him was slapping him in the face. Had she played him like a well tuned instrument with what they spoke about earlier? Or had he missed something… Was everything that happened that day part of some plan to… No, not Surinya. He thought, She’s not like him… Watching her cry, he wondered where Masaki had gone. The mystic elf had been present to cast spells and oversee parts of the evacuations, but Daeual had not seen him leave with the citizens of the city. His daughter was suffering a loss indescribable and her father appeared to be avoiding coming to comfort her. A lost… Daeual flashed back to the morning’s events. Surinya’s magic had saved him, why couldn’t she do the same for her husband? If she was a high cleric she should have the power to do so he thought. Maybe she used up her power for the day requesting to save the city… Or even on me. Self-loathing began to fill Daeual, he had just betrayed the person he cared for most. If she had given up her powers, then she had done his city, his people a blessing. In return… they killed the man she loved, and father to her child. Averi pulled sharply on Daeual’s arm, jerking him along. “We need to go, now.” She insisted, pointing out the looming group of orcs and trolls approaching the scene. Daeual looked back at the smoke and soot stained warrior as he was being pulled along. The gruesome faces looming in the edge of the open town square were enough to make his heart stop. He was scared they would do something to harm Surinya with Jemai being dead. He tried to pull away from Averi despite his true desire to run away, but her unearthly strength was unbeatable by any mortal. He reluctantly followed watching as the trolls and orcs approached Jemai’s body. He caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a very large, cloaked figure approaching Surinya and Jemai, but he was jerked along too quickly to take notice of what or who it really was. “We have to help her.” Daeual pleaded, now pulled so far as he was unable to see what was happening. “She helped us; I told you she sent Maegynsa to help us…” A sharp slap to the face stopped Daeual in his tracks. “Don’t be foolish. Gods don’t care about you, or anyone but their own reputations.” Averi scolded. “I should know. I work for one. They won’t help someone just because a cleric asks them to. It’s not their style. “The only reason I was even sent to you was to shut up your aunt from nagging Lucaitus every day three times a day. Believe me, if I had my way I wouldn’t be looking after a spoiled whiney child like you. Everything these past years has been about you. Help you, save you, care for you. You’re the only person you care about.” His jaw dropped. He’d never, in all the years of knowing her, heard Averi speak in such a manner to anyone. He shook his head slowly as he stared in disbelief. She had always been controlling like a mother would be, but never were he words so cruel. “You just want to help her because you feel guilty about killing her husband.” Tears streamed down Daeual’s cheeks as the angel ripped him emotionally apart. He wanted to scream back at her, tell her she wasn’t telling the truth. But he could do nothing but cry. He knew he really cared about Surinya, he had for years now… but never told her, or anyone else. Still, Averi’s words cut deep. There was truth to part of it… He did feel guilt. “If you want to go play hero, fine. My contract to help you was as long as you followed and held true to Lucaitus. You claim to have dealt with Maegynsa breaking the deal. Or do you wish to withdrawal such claim.” The hate in Averi’s eyes reminded him of Jemai’s hate and loathing. Though her appearance was angelic and holy, even angels could show hate. He tried to regain control of his emotions, but it was a losing battle. His voice wasn’t strong enough to speak yet. To tell her he would prove her wrong about him. He hated that all his aunt’s work, praying for someone to care for him, was about to come to an end, but he had to do this. In his mind, it wasn’t about him. It was about the people of Genovra City who he had sworn to protect. “I-if losing you is because I dealt with Maegynsa… to save my city’s people, at least my aunt should be proud of me.” His voice was forced and breaking up at moments. Time felt as though it stopped. He didn't know what response to expect, and waiting for one felt as if the flames around him had extinguished. His body went cold in anticipation, but the rumbles of voices approaching was still audiable. He knew it wasn't safe to stand there and debate things right now. Without knowing what was driving him to do it, he began to move back towards the noises. The only thought he had was of protecting Surinya from the angry mob of Jemai's followers. Unfortunately, Daeual's body wasn't agreeing with his mind. The pain in his chest began to spark again, Naoko's quick fix was wearing off quickly. He dropped to his knees leaning forward with a hand clutched to his chest. He could feel Averi approaching. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, then kneeled down so she was holding him in her arms. A faint golden and blue glow passed from her hands to him, instantly easing the pain, however the effects still left him still feeling weakened. He recognized the all-too-familiar blessing. It was the one she cast when he was over exerting himself with too much stress, physical or mental. Both stresses often provoked the incapacitating illness he had been cursed with. The feeling pain from it had been present for a while now. The relief felt like an entire mountain was lifted off his chest; he was able to look up to face her. Her expression was no longer anger, but concern. “You have made her proud, I am certain.” She spoke after the long pause. “You’ve finally learned to stand up for yourself against me, do the same to others who block your path.” Daeual was dumbfounded, Averi was testing him? He wished he had realized sooner, he felt like an idiot now. He bit down on his lower lip regaining his composure while his angelic psudeo-mother dried the tears from his eyes with her translucent sleeve. “Now,” Averi held onto Daeual’s hands reassuringly. “You should know, after experiencing an encounter with a goddess such as Maegynsa, that she is very protective of her clerics. She won’t let any harm come to Surinya. However, since you aren’t a cleric to Lucaitus, he won’t be available to save you so that’s my duty.” “But… You said your contract end-“ “Even if it’s ended, I’m free to stay and help until I’m placed into another contract by Lucaitus’ will.” Averi interrupted, looking back over her shoulder. “We need to go, now.” Daeual followed her gaze to where Surinya was still draped over Jemai's lifeless body. He could barely make out any details of the scene before him, but he knew the mob was close enough to her now he wouldn't be able to apporach without them attacking him. Smoke billowed throughout the entire city while flames began to dance from building to building before him. Even the stone buildings had fires erupting from their windows as the items inside them were incerated. Again, a pale blue glow came from her hands. She began to pull Daeual along to the portal point, he wantd to resist and try running to Surinya, but he couldn't resist Averi's unearthly grasp. They raced up the small set of stairs leading to the portal building. Daeual’s eyes were still tearing up, not as much from emotion but from the smoke from the city being burned to the ground. The blood chilling hollers of warrior were dominate over the sound of building crumbling and fires crackling, burning wildly. He looked back once more before entering the building to have a last look of the city he was supposed to protect, hoping to see Surinya running to them to escape with him. Averi jerked him along, the world around him was nothing but red and black. I will come back here and help the people rebuild, once I’ve done what I need to do now… he vowed. |
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Qualis: Shadows of Genus