And so the Daughter of Holondom, "Guardian of Light" and "Keeper of Darkness", was bestowed upon the last Kingdom of Light as to aid them in maintaining the balance of good and evil. The malevolent desired to use her powers for their own purposes of transforming Delilus into darkness, so she was kidnapped by Vincent Black to satisfy his own personal desires as well. Tormented, physically tortured, and emotionally broken down, Ava is caught in the Dark Lord's twisted snare, unable to escape his grasp. She knew what they wanted and she would never give up her secret power. However... Ava foresaw a rescue that would one day save her from her wretched hell.
~TOB History
This is where you can read the rp history to catch up on happenings. But please don't rp in there.
The Sar'dan Kingdom (under construction)
The Volkrar Kingdom (under construction)
The Helvina Kingdom (under construction)
The Black Union Castle (under construction)
All battles will be held in this section, along with all rogue character activity and traveling activity.
Day 1
Craous couldn't help but shake his head. "Yes, let us prepare for the birth of
your son. Never mind that you have yet to actually sire a child at all." He rolled his eyes. "I will no longer fight your war for you, Vincent. You service only your plans and expect all of us to bow to your every whim. You forget yourself." He ignored Ava, not needing the drink she was delivering. The girl reminded him forcefully of the daughter he had somewhere out there. If not in face or stature, in her very being. He shook his head. "Why do I not stay here bedding the wench while
you go out and watch our armies. After all, I have already seeded a woman and will most likely have more luck than you."
Denali's impassive facade broke down into a nasty chuckle as he cast his gaze over to Craous for a moment. His heinous grin quickly vanished, however. "While this is welcomed news, I believe your plan will need some...
acceleration, he growled, his cerulean wings ruffling at his back. "And while this may be our key to finally blanketing the lands with our rule and returning peace to this realm, we
cannot wait. Craous is correct, we need more than just drawn out schemes, we need action and change now, or we will be weakened by constant bloodshed."
From the General's viewpoint, his habitutal attatchment to the battlefield meant he saw a very different view of this war than the numbers Vincent saw after a brutal conflict. "We cannot let arrogance cloud our ways, and we must be vigilent! You need me because our enemy is
formidable, and I am of their blood, I can help us win this, but not this way. I then ask of my King," Denali paused, as if he had a bad taste in his mouth after saying words of such fealty, "that he execute his plan. I may be able to wield my magics to accelerate the...developm
ent, of your son, our Savior."
Vincent ignored Craous' complaining and Denali's preaching. What he did allow himself to hear was the general's offer to aid the growth of the child within Ava. "Our Savior, yes... You will aid me Denali... and your knowledge of the enemy will be useful and to our advantage." The king stood up and folded his arms. "I am going to aid in the training of my men. Denali, give our little prisoner a visit and attempt the magics. I will meet all of you again at dusk." Shadows engulfed Vincent, taking him to his next destination.
"That arrogant, deluded, selfish, ill-bred, egocentric, boy-child!" Craous yelled as Vincent departed. "Enough of this idiocy!" He disappeared in a wave of flame, not caring one bit that anything flammable in half of Vincent's hall went up in his anger. He would not put his troops into battle for the man anymore. And he was pulling his troops from Vincent's castle. His mind was made up. If Vincent wanted to be in charge, fine, he could do it on his own. Craous 'ported himself to his own castle, along with the remaining men he had stationed with Vincent. He didn't care anymore.
Xavius stood in front of the soldiers of Vincent's army with a wicked grin on his face."You have been training, but we will not be done until I deem you worthy of completion." he said then smiled,"YOU will be the STRONGEST ARMY in the WHOLE DAMN WORLD by the TIME I'm done with you," he continued motivating the soldiers in the best known way possible yelling and causing a raucous in the training yard."Now spar with each other until you become great and if you gain an injury report to the nearest medic or myself depending on whose closer." he finished then started making rounds around the training yard watching the soldiers fight and and mages work their magic. Unfortunately he noticed that Craous's men had been taken from the castle, but he didn't want to know why this event occurred.
The ground beneath Xavius' feet gave gentle tremors in a very relaxed 1-2 gait before General Denali's towering form eclipsed any natural light that struck the man. "Telling my men what to do again?" he mused in an ambiguous tone, leaving it to be open to be interpreted as friendly or critical. "Come, I'm in need of your enthusiasm, and our men are in need of some better weapon than that of the promised future."
"Your men General Denali," Xavius said with a smirk and a unyielding tone,"Now thats something I would have to find incomprehensible due to the fact that you would never allow YOUR soldiers to become fatigued with exhaustion, injured, or killed by the enemy so easily," said Xavius with a wave of his hand,"but I am willing to let you begin training them if you so desire at this time General," he said looking slightly discontent with this proposition as he continued making his rounds looking for any men with wounds or other injuries. As he came to the end of the line he carefully walked out of the training grounds leaving things in the hands of someone else.
Reid looked up at the towers of the city that the dragons had flewn over and landed within. He was kneeling on a branch high in a oak tree just outside the city. He pulled the cloak around him closer as he leapt from the branch, landing gracefully on the ground below. "With hope...this leads to answers..." he whispered, as he headed towards the enterance of the city.
Adani watched him from the floor of the forest and laughed to herself quietly,"Who knows," she said to no one in particular,"it all depends on who he meets first," she continued with a slight yawn afterwards."What I do know is that I wasn't made for long travels and I could use a bath right now," she looked around as a bird chirped at her,"Will you show me the way friend?" She asked the bird who chirped back at her in understanding. "Thank you," she replied then followed the bird back into the forest in search of a place to bathe.
Trinity was thrusted out of the shadows and onto the forest floor unconscious in front of Adani dreaming of someone who she didn't know. Her thoughts were confusing and unplaced within her mind and she carefully watched trying to understand what was going on in this scene when she saw him walk in and what he had done to her.
Adani looked at assassin with slight confusion as she appeared out of the shadows in front of her. She smiled slightly and grabbed her to continue on to the bathing place that she was being lead to. As she arrived by the guidance of the bird she carefully removed her clothing and walked in enjoying the feel of the water across her pale skin.
Trinity shot up awake and immediately looked around seeing the forest environment around her.'I was in the shadows what happened while I was dreaming," she said to herself. Then heard a noise from the water and saw Adani standing naked and began to blush as she saw more then she wanted to see.
Adani turned around picking up on images of Trinity's childhood randomly as she looked back at her."Will you join me in the water," she spoke in a nice pure enchanting tone of voice as she beckoned her to come forward closer into the water. "Please, it would be so nice to have company as I bathe."
Reid headed into the city, he face hidden under his cloak. He walked down the streets of the city, speaking to no one, as he searched for any sign of the dragons he had followed here. As he come close to the center of the city, Reid came up to the main gate of the castle. He looked up, taking in all of what he could see of the castle. Perhaps I can find answers from those in charge... Looking around some more, Reid saw the door that appeared to be the servants enterance. Sneaking through the door, Reid moved through the shadows with sped and grace as he worked his way to the main halls of the castle.
Dokuja stared at the glass surface of the table for a moment longer before she heard Marneus enter, her green snake eyes flitting to his form before her nose wrinkled in disgust. She looked at Aionna and stood from the table, clearing her throat. "Pardon, friend... But my appetite seems to have left me." she whispered. "I'll retire to my room... and ponder a new attack strategy. Visit me later, in private, and we shall discuss." She bowed her head respectfully to the queen whose kingdom she was merely a guest in, before turning and heading out of the dining hall. She passed Marneus slowly, her eyes glaring at him hard before she brushed past, heading down the halls towards her bedroom. Surely Magnus would be waiting for her there.
"Pardon" Marneus said quickly as Dokuja brushed past him. The glaze had left his eyes, replaced by a somewhat distracted look as he continued to block out the thoughts of those around him. "What news from the front?" he asked Aionna.
Aionna wasn't quite sure why the presence of Marneus bothered her friend so much, but she allowed Dokuja to come and go as she pleased. She gave Dokuja the right to roam freely. Aionna didn't care if she was a guest because Dokuja was like family to her and gave her access to everything in the kingdom. She nodded to her friend as she left before turning her attention to the visitor. "Marneus," she said in a rather depressed tone. "We came close to defeat... we had no choice but to flee. The Alliance would have had the upper hand if it wasn't for the Union's reinforcements."
"Better to lose the battle than to sacrifice them and lose the war" Marneus sighed "Next time i hope i can be of use M'lady, i didn't get the summons in time....i was...attending the funeral for my old former legion" he said slowly "You wouldn't happen to have a map of the field and reports of their movements by any chance? I ask only because i fought the Union for some years before fleeing here and i might be able to help you establish a pattern to counter them even if we are outnumbered"
Out of her pocket, Aionna pulled out a rolled up, small map of Delilus and handed it to Marneus. "As such?" she said rather simply. Then Aionna sat back in her chair with crossed legs and folded arms. She closed her eyes tight as she wandered off in thought. "Dokuja seems rather uneasy whenever she's around you, Marneus. Care to explain?" Aionna eyed him closely.
As soon as Jezra had landed, she had moved straight to her rooms, thinking. She had seen her father on the battlefield, that wasn't what worried her. What worried her was that he was using the plane of fire to teleport a great number of men at once. She summoned her sparrow sprite, Flame, and sent her to Aionna with the message that Jezra needed to speak to her immediately. She had news.
Aionna took notice of the sprite and held out her hand so the creature could land. "Tell Jezra that I will be there as soon as possible." She immediately stood up. Before she left and before Marneus could reply to her question, Aionna continued to him, "We shall continue this conversation another day. As of now, I must meet a special friend since it is rather urgent. Please excuse me." The queen dashed down the hall, heading towards Jezra's room. After running through a series of hallways and stairs, she found herself in front of the bedroom door. She politely knocked. "Jezra, it's me, Aionna."
"If i knew Lady Aionna, then i would have ammended it. Sadly i don't, i was actually hoping you might have had some insight on the matter" Marneus poured over the map, pointing to a narrow mountain pass "That, that would definately be able to hold out. Look" he showed the far side "The nearest passage is miles from the actual battle field, and by the time they even get there they will be to weary from scrambling over the steep rocks. Also" he pointed south to the forest "Rangers and archers can easily hold off numbers ten times their number here and you're not here" he sighed realizing she'd left
Jezra opened her door and nodded at Aionna. "Come in. I have some news I figured you might want to know." She moved back so Aionna could enter and closed the door. "Craous has moved his troops out of Vincent's castle. He brought all of them that I knew of and some I did not through the fire realm to his own keep. I am not certain what that means as far as relations go among them, but my father was very angry when he used the fire plane. I could feel that much." She put her fingers together and twisted her hands in anxiety. "Craous has a much larger army than Vincent, and by him removing his men from Vincent's holdings, that leaves Vincent at only two thirds of his former strength as far as men go."
"So... you're saying the Black Union is no longer? Vincent must have done something that upset Craous..." Aionna stepped into the room and sat on a wooden chair. "Now there could be a future war between Helvina and Volkrar. The Alliance could use this to our advantage. Because the numbers have weakened in Volkrar, there's a chance we could invade and rescue Ava..." Her sea eagle Vosco entered the room through an open window and landed on her shoulder. "Oh... good morning Vosco." The eagle gave a small cry of content.
"That is not even the beginning of it," Jezra said. "Whatever Vincent has done, Craous is thinking on revenge. I could feel it. And Vincent has lost his only tie to the fire plane. His troops will have to be moved either on foot or using Vincent's own power. As Craous has more than double Vincent's troops, should there be an all out war, that much is a forgone conclusion. Craous has powers that Vincent knows not of. He can turn his men into fire sprites should he chose, though it would take a great deal of power and leave him temporarily at risk. As you know, sprites cannot be harmed by non-magical means."
Aionna laughed lightly. "They could get too caught up in their own battles to the point where they might even forget about the Alliance. Or... one a worse note..." Aionna shivered, "they could end up killing many of my men and woman as part of competition means... The news is neither good, nor bad... but could prove disastrous depending on how it turns out. I'm going to have to go train our troops more in case we end up having even more problems on our hands."
"I thought the news might interest you," Jezra stated. She looked at Aionna. "What you do with it is up to you. I prefer for people to not know I am so intimately connected with Craous, so as usually, I would appreciate my name being left out of whatever report you make."
"I swear solemnly that your identity will remain a secret. However..." Aionna stood from the chair, staring out the window, "others will have questions concerning how I have obtained such information. Now that Ava's not around to aid me, they'll all believe I've gone mad." She chuckled at the thought of it. "Although, I do have ties with the indigenous." Aionna grinned, peering into Jezra's eyes. "The indigenous know every event that has come to pass, never missing out on a thing. Do my people know about my originalities...? No, but they'll soon find out. I can use my heritage to my advantage and to yours. Thank you for being kind enough to alert me of enemy movements. The Alliance owes it all to you, Jezra." She gave an assuring nod to Jezra before leaving the room.
While Dokuja was making her way to meet Magnus within her room, Xanther laid a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention. "Dokuja... Do you need to talk to someone? I'm here to help you however I can. After all, you took me in when my tribe was destroyed. I've been here for you ever since. Is it Marneus?" He sighed, stepping back a foot. His tail swept over the floor while he awaited her response.
Dokuja wasn't startled by Xanther's hand. In fact, she was very hard to startle these days. She seemed more numb to everything around her. She turned to face the Draconian, and sighed a little sadly. "Yes... among other things. I just don't trust him. Believe me, I know a snake when I see one." she hissed, glaring down the hall at the way she'd come. She looked back up at him and her eyes softened. "Plus... My heart has been sinking of late... Up until this point, I've found it fairly easy to get along without my family... I gave them a proper burial and ritual.... and I should be comfortable knowing they rest in peace now, instead of in this world of torture and war. But I'm not. I keep thinking of my family... and what I could have done differently to spare them of their deaths. These emotions confuse me, Xanther.." she whispered, her voice cracking just a little. She was never one to cry though, far too proud for that, so she simply gulped it back and straightened her shoulders. "But I'm babbling. How are you, Xanther..?"
"Babbling? I certainly think not, Dokuja. Don't weep for the death of your loved ones, for they now wait for your turn to sleep. I promise you that you will see them again. Transform the sorrow into strength and fight for those you have lost. You and I shall have our revenge together. I want to see a smile of faith on that face of yours and a grin of pride for your heritage. I also have a feeling that you will see your brother again as well. Keep your chin up." Xanther smiled warmly and stood up straight. "I honestly can't wait until we fight side by side on the battlefield again." His smile faded in a frown of disappointment. "Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you last time. Aionna's injuries wouldn't have had occurred. At least the negotiations with the other tribes went well. They will be joining the Alliance shortly."
"That's great news." Dokuja conceded, nodding softly with a weak smile. It was almost like recieving a present. "I do not blame you for not being there, Xanther... and I'm afraid Aionna's injuries would have happened either way... Gods know I love and respect her, but she rushed into things.. Her fighting style is... brash." she whispered. "We could all use some training. And rest." she whispered. She looked at the floor, then looked up to Xanther again with a small smile. "Will you accompany me to my room..? I told Magnus he could spend some time outside to hunt... He should be back by now."
"Yes, I find the news rather wonderful myself... and your probably right. Sounds like I need to teach her a thing or two. She keeps fighting with her father's style, but she needs to battle like her mother did. Did you know her mother was from an elegant sister tribe of mine? They are killed off now unfortunately..." Xanther nodded in agreement and his smile returned. "Of course, I'll come with you."
Dokuja smiled gratefully at him and turned to continue walking. She always enjoyed Xanther's company. She kept her hands folded in front of herself as she walked, her room coming up quickly. She opened the door slowly and stepped inside. "Magnus..?" she called softly. When there was no response, she frowned and stepped further into the room, checking the window. It was opened... "Magnus?" she called again, looking around. There was a soft hiss from the bed under the sheets and she smiled. He was trying to sleep.
Xanther couldn't help but to laugh. "Hello, Magnus. Long time no see." He stepped into the room and lightly poked the sleeping snake when he came to the bed. Did you have a good hunt?" He sat down at the edge of the mattress, waiting for Magnus' reply. "Good morning."
The sheets shifted as Magnus coiled and uncoiled beneath them, then he slithered towards the pillows and appeared above the sheets, his slitted eyes focusing on Dokuja and Xanther. "There were slim pickingsssss..." he hissed at them both. "But I managed to find a rat of conssssssiderable size." Dokuja laughed and nodded. "Good to hear, friend." she whispered, going to the bad as well and offering her arm. Magnus welcomed the warmth of her skin, slithering up her arm and resting on her shoulders, wrapping lightly around her neck under her hair to keep warm. She stroked his scales with delicate fingers, then smiled at Xanther. "Thank you, for everything, Xanther... You've been so good to us through these hard times.."
Xanther sighed as his visage softened. "There's no need to thank me, Dokuja. I just do it because you've been a kind friend to me as well and I care about you. That's what friends do. A phrase of cliche, of course, but it's true." He gently petted Magnus' head. Suddenly, an idea came to his thoughts as he scratched his chin. "I know of something we can do during the time we have to take our minds off of ill tidings." Xanther grinned. "Does horseback riding through the forest trails to the waterfall sound enjoyable? Magnus, you might even be able to find better fare over there as well."
Dokuja blinked a little bit at Xanther's suggestion, her eyebrows raised in a light confusion, but she smiled a little bit. "That sounds... wonderful, Xanther. It really does... but.." she trailed off and sighed. "These are dangerous times to be out in the open... and at night.." She looked at him and frowned a little before giving a sad smile. "There is very little time for luxury.."
"I'm guessing you never knew that there are protective barriers against the outsiders, did you? I put them up," Xanther laughed. "And who said anything about luxury? Adventure isn't luxurious, Dokuja. Please tell me you're joking! It's not even night time. Look outside." He pointed towards the window Magnus left open. "It's morning and the sun has already risen. However, if you don't want to, I understand. Just thought it would be something to keep our minds occupied until Aionna sends us a mental link for her next plans."
Blinking, Dokuja's green snake eyes focused on the window. How had she not noticed that before..? The battle had been so long and arduous... and the aftermath so devastating. She must have been too far into concentration to even notice the shift in hours. She bit her lip and looked at Xanther, watching him for a moment as Magnus hissed in her ear. "Jusssssst go, Do. I know you want to almost as much asssss you do." he hissed teasingly. Dokuja hissed back at him and glared at him slightly before smiling at Xanther. "It sounds.. wonderful. Let's go."
"Alright then." Xanther stood up so he could make his way towards the door. "I'll take you down to the stables where we can decide which steed to take," he continued while opening the door for Dokuja and Magnus. "If you honestly don't wish to, please let me know, and I'll find something better for us to do." He was really hoping on taking her through a fantastic secret path he had found only recently after he returned from the negotiations. Xanther also discovered interesting creatures there and he was so ecstatic on sharing the place with a friend. It wasn't very often he came across these things.
"No, this sounds like a dream come true, honestly." Dokuja admitted to him, smiling at him warmly as her hand graced his arm as she brushed past him through the doorway. She shifted out into the hall, her bare feet making no sound on the stone and marble, and she headed for the stables. "It's so kind of you to do this for us."
"It's something I take joy in, but I believed it would have been more fun if I shared it with someone," Xanther said calmly. "Besides, after everything that has happened, we need the relaxation and the mirth." He lead her outside of the castle as he head for the woods. Right at the brink of the forest the stables could be found all in white. Xanther led her inside where all the horses would be seen and it was full of so many breeds. "Choose your ride, Dokuja." While he waited for Dokuja to pick one out, Xanther picked out a black one for himself. Then he prepared it with a bridle and saddle. "This one's name is Farahn. He's accompanied me on numerous travels."
Dokuja looked through all of the horses before she decided on a painted mare, the white and chestnut on her body melding together beautifully, and even extending into her mane, unlike her tail which was all white. She stroked the horse's flank, then pulled out a saddle and bridle, expertly fitting them onto the horse. She then pulled herself up into the saddle, heading for the doors of the stables and waiting on Xanther.
Xanther climbed up into Farahn's saddle and led the horse by the reins to the exit. "Beautiful choice, by the way, Dokuja. She's yours if you would like to have her. She just needs a suitable name." After searching for a little while, he at last found the trail that would take them to the waterfall. "Drink in the atmosphere," he said gently as he closed his eyes for a short time to listen to the song of the birds. A slight wind moved the branches of the trees, tossing flower petals and leaves about the air. "I love this place. Perfect for meditating, but not as gorgeous as the pond and the falls. I can't wait to get there."
Dokuja smiled at Xanther, and stroked her mare's mane as she recieved the compliment, then considered his suggestion of keeping her. "She is beautiful... but I'm not a huge fan of horses. I prefer to keep the ground under my own feet." she shrugged. "Nothing against her, of course. But I'm sure she'll make a far better steed for someone else in need of one." She smiled at him and looked around slowly at their surroundings, tilting her head. She was a fan of nature as well, naturally being snake-like, she enjoyed the warm sun and soothing breezes, the wide open spaces and the opportunity to hunt freely. Magnus hissed and his scales rippled as he sat coiled around her neck like a living necklace, his own eyes searching the surroundings. Peaceful indeed... But I do believe he meant to call something--or someONE--elsssse gorgeousss. he hissed. Dokuja laughed and shook her head at him with a slight blush. "Magnus. You're far too forward for your own good." she said softly, her tone only slightly scolding.
"We're here," Xanther said softly, pointing past the brush that blocked the view to the waterfall. The sound of the cascading liquid was't too far off from them. "Now, this is where we'll have to leave our horses." He leaped off and used the reins to tie his steed to the trunk of the tree. He smiled happily at Dokuja before he disappeared beyond the bushes to gaze upon the falls. The waterfall itself was only roughly fifty-seven feet high, smaller than most, but more beautiful. The water fell into a deep, large pond, which was surrounded in a stone landscape and great fern plants. He sat on the rock next to the water, placing his feet inside the liquid. "Fantastic day for this place, too."
After tying her own horse's reigns to the trunk of the tree, Dokuja moved through the brush and stopped with a small gasp at the sight that met her. He hadn't been lying, it was truely beautiful. She put a hand to her chest as she admired it, then realized her actions were a little more feminine than she'd like and her hand dropped back down to her sides. "Xanther, it's gorgeous." she whispered as she smiled at him, moving to a rock as well and sitting on it, but not dipping her feet into the water like he'd done. Magnus uncoiled from around her neck and she outstretched an arm so that he may slither down to the forest floor. I'm going on a ssssssmall hunt. he hissed up at her before slithering away through the grass. She smiled as his tail disappeared into the ferns, then looked back at Xanther. "Thank you for bringing me here, Xanther... Perhaps here, we can relax."
Truthfully, Xanther wasn't expecting a "thank you" from her and he really wasn't sure why. He was actually rather surprised as he sat there staring off into daydream. "Oh? Well... you're welcome," he replied quietly. "I thought you would like it here..." Xanther sighed, shaking his head when he noticed her changes of joyful attitudes and responses. "Dokuja... I understand that you've been through a lot... I understand that you want to keep the image of being strong... and ... I understand that pride means something to you... but please... never let that get in the way of who you are. One day you'll find someone special who will want to love you for who you are and not the image you wish to uphold. There's nothing wrong with opening up. The first rule of relaxing is just letting it all go and thinking only of the current moment of peace." Xanther peered up at the sky with his bright blue eyes. "I'm sorry... I don't mean to preach. I'm just merely looking out for you. It's just... the more you repress of yourself and of your troubles, the worse you feel, and the more stressful life becomes. I only say this because I care about you... as I've said before..." Realizing that he should probably stop talking, he turned his eyes to the glistening water where he watched large coy fish swim. Xanther grinned. "I bet you I can catch that."
Dokuja looked at Xanther out of the corner of her eyes, raising an eyebrow towards him and what he said, letting his words settle into her. Her eyes moved to the surface of the water, but much like the glass table back in Aionna's dining room, she just stared through it, her eyes becoming glassy in rememberance. At some point, Xanther's words passed through her ears with little to no meaning as she heard Reid's voice somewhere in the back of her head, laughing and alive, but she brought herself back to reality at his mention of catching the fish. She blinked a couple times and gave him a small smile. "I'll bet you can too." she whispered and chuckled slightly. "Enjoy it. I'm not a fan of fish." She stood off her rock and moved to a sun-warmed patch of grass instead, laying down on her back on it and sighing, her legs crossing at the ankles under her long skirt, her eyes closing over slowly. Perhaps some meditation would help.
"I'm not going to eat it," Xanther laughed. "I just want to catch it. Besides, I prefer them cooked anyway." The Draconian stood up as he plotted against the fish. Then he dived into the shimmering water for a bit of clean sport. "I caught it!" he cried after he popped his head out of the pool. Xanther lifted the coy above his head with a grin. The fish was constantly squirming in his firm grip, trying to escape from the air so it could breath in its own atmosphere. Chuckling, Xanther let the poor thing go gently. "There ya go. Thanks for the challenge." Climbing out of the pool, Xanther shook the water off of his body. He laid down on his back next to Dokuja so the heat of the sun could help him dry off. "Absolutely fantastic weather," he sighed, closing his eyes.
Though pretending to try to meditate, Dokuja could not help but give Xanther the satisfaction of clapping when he'd caught the fish, sitting up just enough to smile at him. After he'd let the fish go, she returned her snake-like eyes to the skies, watching the clouds as they passed over the trees. There were very few of them, but the ones she saw were very puffy and a bright shade of white. A happy shade. Maybe this was a sign? She gave a smile at Xanther as he relaxed beside her and she nodded. "Fantastic weather indeed." she whispered and sighed, looking up again. "Xanther... I'm not one for crying... You know this. But I do feel that I can speak to you about almost anything. Thank you for being my friend."
Trinity felt a since of peacefulness radiate into her body as Adani spoke to her and looked at her. She felt her body instinctively get up and move closer to the water and sit back down by the shores of it."Do I know who you are?" Trinity asked with a questioning tone as she watched the female sit in the water.
Adani looked at her with a slight smile,"No, you don't Trinity, but people call me Adani," she said while sitting in the water looking at her. "I can pick up on the past, present, and future events of people around me," she said, "and yours has many routes that can be established by how you react now." she continued,"but a word of advice I wouldn't follow that man anymore or your death will be swift and painful in the long run." Adani said then smiled,"You do have a good side though if you choose correctly my dear, but your first step is to enter the water with me right now," she said,"Will you or will you stay along your current course of action?"
Trinity listened to Adani and hesitated as she heard what Adani had said to her. She didn't trust this being to an extent. "What do you mean Adani that you my course of action could change?" she asked with a slight annoyance toward the figure in the water who was emitting an aura of peacefulness into the environment around her and Trinity as they shared this moment together.
Adani smiled with curiosity and moved toward Trinity and kneeled down in front of her,"Your not an ordinary being of this world are you?" she asked and kissed her slightly on the lips then turned around waiting for a response to this unusual action that had occurred between them.
Trinity felt her face heat up as a slight reddening of her face occurred after the kiss,"How did you know that...." she said not finishing the question but instead automatically removing the clothing upon herself to join Adani in the water and enjoy the moment for what it was and how it changed her true outcome on the life she had in store for herself. Trinity then found herself in the water kissing Adani back and not wanting to stop experiencing this passionate moment in her life.
Aionna traveled through the halls, making her way towards the training ground entrance, but then she ran into Reid; however, she didn't believe it was him at the time. Just thinking that he was a lost boy, she considered him as such. "Greetings," Aionna said simply and warmly. "Are you lost, young sir? Can I help you with anything?"
Turning to Aionna, Reid bowed politely to her. "Greetings to you as well...as to being lost, it is not to the point of being lost, but to the point that I am searching for someone...." he said politely, looking at her with his silvery eyes. "I don't know their name but they have been in my dreams...."
The queen nodded in understanding. "So, it is that your dream led you here? Hm... Well, I'm on my way to help train my army," Aionna replied gently. "However, you may follow me around, if you'd like, until we find the person you seek. With me, you have proper escort around the castle." She laid a hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled. "You're fortunate enough that I found you and not the guards," she laughed.
Reid looked at her, and nodded. "Thank you, ma'am...though it was dragons that led me here, and my dream had been leading me towards the person before I saw the dragons and felt it right to follow them..." Reid bowed politely to her again. "Again thank you, ma'am...though 'proper escort'? I must have been distracted in my search...but if I may ask, what makes you a 'proper escort'?"
Aionna giggled as she swayed her tail to and fro. "My young dear, you're quite welcome... and to answer your question... I'm Queen Aionna. I also forgot to ask you your name." She folded her arms, curious as to who he might be and who he was searching for. "Wait..." She looked closely at his face, examining every detail. Her sea eagle squawked with excitement, while Aionna tried to calm him down. "You can't be.... Reid?..." She carefully pulled back the boy's hood so she could see his hair. "Reid!? We thought... we thought you were..." Frantically, she searched around the halls, turning her head this way and that. "I have to call your sister!!" Then she sent a mental link to Xanther. "They'll be here soon, Reid." Then she gave him an enormous hug, almost squishing him in her sheer joy. "I can't believe it!"
Reid just stood there as Aionna hugged him, confused. "How do you know my name? I have a sister? What do you mean, 'We thought'? Thought I was...what? Have we met before?" he asked politely, though there was confusion in his voice. "Please, I don't know much of who I am, but for my name and that she..." he started, as a silver snake peeked its head from under his cloak. "That she is Laci..."
Xanther, where's Dokuja? Is she by you? Her... her brother! He's... he's here! Right here with me! I can't believe it! Come! Come quick!!" came Aionna's mental link to Xanther. Xanther's ears suddenly perked up as Dokuja was speaking to him. He almost completely ignored Dokuja when he heard the fantastic news. "Dokuja! I'm sorry we weren't here very long... but... but..." He instantly got up, facing towards the castle's direction, "there's something much more important and beautiful in store for you! I'm not going to ruin the surprise, but we must hurry!" He dashed through the bushes to ready the horses for their urgent path towards the city.
Dokuja nearly jumped out of her skin at his sudden leap of excitement. She blinked at him and frowned. "Have you gone completely insane?" she whispered, but sighed and got up. Just when she was starting to relax... She stretched and looked around before sending a mental link to Magnus, and he slithered back to her through the grass with a small groan. She nodded understandingly and offered her arm to him, which he coiled around like a bracelet and she carried him back to the horses, watching Xanther with a confused frown and a tilt to her head. "What is the meaning of this, Xanther? First you were so excited to bring me out here, now you're far too excited to get back."
"Please, Dokuja, we don't have much time to ask questions. I believe you would be more ecstatic over the events if I told you .... a family reunion?" Xanther chuckled as he brought the horse over to her. "Now race home to the castle. Leave the horse at the stables and I'll take care of it."
Dokuja's brow furrowed at his words and she felt that familiar sting in her chest. "Xanther... You are my friend, but I warn you, do not play tricks on me." she said softly, though her tone was firm, Magnus' eyes staring the Draconian down with her own. She moved towards the horse and grabbed the reigns, but didn't climb up just yet, her eyes still watching her friend. "I cannot take that kind of torture."
"No tricks. I swear to you, Dokuja. Aionna sent me the mental link. I would never do that to you," Xanther replied, feeling slightly depressed and hurt that she didn't trust him about it. He understood why she was like this and he should have had expected it, but it still bothered him. "Go, Dokuja. He's waiting for you."
Seeming to realize that what she had said might have hurt her friend, Dokuja shifted on her feet a little and frowned at him. "Xanther.. I'm sorry... I didn't mean it that way at all... It just hurts. I can't afford to get my hopes up." she whispered. "I'm sorry.." She turned and pulled herself onto the horse, looking down at him. She opened her mouth for a moment, closed it, then spoke, "Thank you for today's outting... However brief it was, it was beautiful." she said softly. "See you back at the castle." With that, she turned the horse and gave the mare a hard kick, breaking into a gallop through the trees and back down the trail that Xanther had led her out on. She lead the horse to the stables and left her there like Xanther had requested, Magnus riding her shoulders as she ran into the castle doors. She was panting by the time she got to the main hall, looking around quickly. "Aionna?!"
Xanther wasn't able to say much since Dokuja left so quickly. He accepted her apology before taking his horse to the stables. There, he put Dokuja's up as well as is own. Then he returned to the waterfall so he could rest a bit longer. Xanther wasn't planning on returning to the castle just yet. He had so much more on his mind that he had to get rid of.
"Dokuja, over here!" Aionna shouted happily while she motioned for her friend to join her. "Look who we have here! It's Reid!" She ignored all of Reid's questioning since she was too overly excited due to the current happening. "Reid," she continued as she brought her attention back to the boy, " this is your sister, Dokuja. You might not remember her very well because of the long years, but I'm sure you will see the resemblances." Aionna stepped back so Dokuja and Reid could take good looks at each other.
"All those years...?" Reid repeated. "Still don't know how you know me, ma'am...and..." He looked towards Dokuja. "You are the one...the one seeming to call to me in my dreams..."
All of Dokuja's thoughts and motions seemed to stopped simultaneously when her eyes fell on Reid's face. She simply stared at him, her hands by her sides, her feet unmoving on the marble floors. She could hardly even breathe, afraid that any move she made would make him disappear. Did he really not remember her..? Perhaps he was struck with something... lost his memory in the war. Or perhaps he was subconsciously repressing it because of how traumatic it was. She let out a slow, shakey breath, and Magnus hissed in her ear. Well, GO ON! he hissed, before his eyes fell on Laci. He flicked his tongue in her direction before slowly slithering his way down Dokuja's body to the floor so he could better inspect her. Dokuja finally had to force herself to blink and she straightened up. "M-my name is Dokuja." she started and gulped. "I... I'm your older sister. You had an older brother as well--Drake--and our parents... but they were all lost to the war. I--We--were afraid you had been too.. I was so certain.." she trailed off, her eyes looking his body up and down before she finally couldn't hold back anymore. Tears sprang to her eyes as her feet forced her forward to him, hugging him tightly with her face in his hair. "Reid.."
Reid stood still in her embrace. He was so confused, but he slowly hugged back. "Dokuja...that is a beautiful name...I...forgive me...I don't remember anything before waking up to Laci hissing into my ear.." he said slowly. Laci slithered towards Magnus as he moved towards her. "You say you are my sister... in my dreams you called to me to come to you, please forgive me for not remembering... but I must say that I...with Laci helping, have been searching for you...for answers..."
Dokuja whimpered and nodded, sniffing thickly as she pulled back to look him in the eyes, her hands on his shoulders fondly. "I'll give you all the answers you need... all that I can provide." she whispered and gave him a shakey smile. "For now... You look like you need food.. and a bath." She hugged him again tightly and kissed the top of his head. "Come... Let's get you cleaned up and fed... brother."
Reid nodded. "Thank you, Laci and I have been traveling for sometime....Luck saw to if that Laci and I saw dragons over head while we were in the forest...and I knew somehow following them would lead me to you..." he said politely.
Dokuja smiled at him lightly and nodded. "Luck it was." she agreed, then turned to Aionna and smiled warmly. "Aionna... If it's alright with you... please allow him to stay in my room tonight..? And has dinner been prepared yet? Or would he have some time to wash first?" Suddenly she was barraging her friend with excited questions. "What about clothes? Do we have some clean clothes suitable for a prince to wear?"
Reid looked at Dokuja more confused than he was before though the look was a calm one. "Prince? What do you mean?" He looked from Dokuja to Aionna then back. "How am I a prince? Isn't Aionna queen?"
"Yes, that is true, but..." Aionna gently and patted Reid's shoulder, "your sister is the Queen of the Sandurn Kingdom, a kingdom of which we will rebuild once this war is over. Since she's your sister, that makes you a prince, Reid." Sighing, she looked out the window. "Now, I think you should wash up, young one. You've had a long journey and rest is needed." She peered back down at him and then at Dokuja. "My friend, I'll give you the honor of giving him the tour around the palace. I'll have to plan a celebration of his return. Enjoy yourselves, you two." With a wave of temporary farewell, Aionna turned happily around and headed back down the hall. She stopped suddenly, turning back towards them. "Oh, yes. I'll send a mental link to Xanther, letting him know that he should be getting here soon. It's about time that he meets a friend and helps me prepare for the festival. I'll send him your way first." Then she continued on her way. "Xanther, relax time is over, silly. Come now and bid a warm welcome to your old friend. Then come join me in putting together a party for the boy."
After getting the message from Aionna, Xanther hurriedly put the horses away and dashed towards the castle. He did stop running until he met up with Dokuja and Reid. "Ah, so I finally get to see you. Forgive me for taking so long. I'm Xanther, if you don't quite remember me, Reid." He took a bow from the waste down before Dokuja and Reid. "Welcome to your temporary home."
"Hello sir..." Reid said politely with a bow of his own. "Please forgive me.... I do not remember your name....nor to I remember much of my past...."
Dokuja gave sort of a sad smile to Xanther as she stroked Reid's hair at the nape of his neck. "It seems my younger brother has been struck with a form of amnesia, Xanther.." she whispered solemnly. "But he is alive, and that is something we must focus on." She hugged Reid to her again tightly, then smiled at Xanther and pulled him into a hug as well. "Thank you so much."
"Were we all friends?" Reid asked Dokuja and Xanther.
"That's understandable and you're welcome," Xanther replied with a warm smile and hugged her back. Then he returned his attention to Reid. "Yes, we all were." Xanther laughed. "We can become friends again if you'd like?" Joyfully, the Draconian patted the young boy's head. "You'll remember your past in due time. However..." His ears perked up in the eagerness to get the party started, "I need to help make the celebration for you! What colors do you prefer?"
"I... I do like silver and green..." Reid said politely. He looked back and forth between Xanther and Dokuja. "A celebration? How long have I been gone...? I didn't start to have these dreams of you, Dokuja, until about a month ago...."
Xavius made his way down a dimly hit hallway that no one ever went to. He continued walking until he came to the door with the embedded symbol and placed his hand unlocking the sealed door. As he walked into the room he noticed the tome that he placed there when he first arrived. "Hmm, almost time my brothers almost time."
Adani smiled as Trinity finally expressed her openly to her. Adani carefully held the other female in a deep embrace passionately kissing her as the water of the lake slowly increased in temperature. Adani moved her lips down to Trinity's nape and begin kissing it deeply in attempts to cause deep satisfaction.
Trinity felt the deep pleasure of Adani at the nape of her neck and smiled deeply in satisfaction. She carefully ran her fingertips down Adani's body taking in the smooth tender skin that aroused her to a higher level.
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~Tears of Blood~
Stumble!