Tales of Exzalia dying worlds

"Well yeah you're confused and you came out. Hence you're a lesbian." Carson said once again strangely cheerful as he pointed his finger at Pip. At this point it was obvious he was messing with her but how could he resist the temptation?

Marine blinked at Pip for a moment she had caught on before Carson had that something wasn't right but she had been silent simply to watch what had happened to Piper. Once she had heard all that she needed to she decided to cut in. "Pip are you feeling well?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

 

Pip

Pip shook her head, still clutching at it with balled fists and looking very uncomfortable. And once the strange boy had pointed and grinned at her she had shrank back behind Sol as if he was the only thing that she knew was safe.

"Why is everyone looking at me? Why does everyone know my name? I don't know any of you!"

 

"Toren...king of Damiruu, only by allying with him do we stand a chance. It is he we must put our trust in now."

River's face was a picture of disgust. She had not forgotten how he had attempted to rape her first daughter, Pyria. He would have done it without hesitation had she not been brave enough to attack first. And now...they were supposed to ally with him!? "Has the world fallen so far we must ally ourselves with likes of that bashot?" She asked angerly.
Rayla looked at her mom with surprise. She'd never heard her mom call anyone a bad name before. She remembered hearing about Toren during Mom and dad's retelling of their adventures. If mom still feels such disgust for him after 50 years, then he must be even worse than I originally thought.

"What's so bad about him?" Rayla asked. "And whose this wayward child queen Magnolia was talking about? I thought Keiran was the oldest."

"Why is everyone looking at me? Why does everyone know my name? I don't know any of you!"

Piper was freaking out. Rayla had always thought she was an odd bird but now...she was even odder. "What do you mean you don't know any of us? Did you eat night-root or something? That stuff kills your memory for like a week." She smiled at a memory of when she had accidently eaten it. It was funny now but had been scary for both her and her parents back then.

 

"Piper I know you don't like us but that's no reason to act like you don't know us." Marine said frowning.

Carson blinked at Sol and then looked at Pip. "Oh I see what's going on here." He said nodding. "Sol and Piper have fallen for one another." He said jokingly

"Brother don't be stupid." Marine said and looked at Piper with concern. Marine and Piper weren't exactly close but Marine still felt it was her duty to get to the bottom of things. As this was Lyra's older sister. "Piper we've known you for nearly a year."

Carson looked over at Sol. The boy's face was clearly confused. Carson mouthed the words to Sol. 'Seriously what's the deal with Piper?"

 

Pip

Pip shook her heard, but doubt crossed her face. "I don't think so. The last thing i remember was that I was in the water, and then he pulled me out. He was mad too -something about me killing myself?" Pip glanced at Sol, then shrugged.

Then a slow rippled went up her spine and all of her feathers stood on end when she looked at the doorway, her ruby eyes going huge and her face going deathly pale.

"I see she actually had the courage to do it, but I promise that your fate will be the same, Red Reaper." Death said, his voice smooth as fetid meat and the stench of rot coming off of him so strong everyone had to struggle not to retch. A skeletal hand clamped down on a long, black scythe, and Nox poured off of him in waves. Nothing could be seen beneath the hood, but no one even wanted to know.

 

(Double Post)

 

"People FOCUS!" Magnolia said sternly snapping everyone back to attention, "What ever Sol does with the bird is not important right now, let them alone."

Tassy but her hand on River, "We all hate Toren, but what Magnolia say's is true, he is the leader of the last mage ruled kingdom in Exzalia. Wow, what an odd thing to say, last mage and Exzalia in the same sentence. Alright, now about Lucious. the fallen lives in a place called Delvens pit, according to legend delvens pit is an abandon underground city made by an ancient people of unknown origin. No one has been there before, but I think I may know where it is. In the deserts of Caldon, buried under miles of sand." Tassy too a deep breath. "I think I may now how to finish Lucious once and for all, so I should be the one to go, the rest of you head to Damiruu."

Magnolia was taken back by the proposal. "No Tassy, you don't plan on going alone?"

"I do, and I will." The siren said sternly. Lucious took my brother and cause my family endless pain, I will be the one to finish her."

 

Pickles was snapped out of his thinking at what Tassy said.

"I do, and I will."

"No you won't." Pickles spoke up his voice was actually stern. He was staring at Tassy his face was expressionless.


Carson heard what his mother said and simply gave her a blank stare. He'd let things play first.

"No! Mom you just got back!" Marine shouted she wasn't about to let her mom leave again without a fight. That wasn't fair Lyra got her mom and she didn't seem to be going anywhere. Why did her mom have to leave.

 

Emery and Lyra

"People FOCUS!" Magnolia said sternly snapping everyone back to attention, "What ever Sol does with the bird is not important right now, let them alone."

"That bird is my daughter Magnolia, you'd do well to remember that." Emery snapped, glaring at the queen before turning back to Pip. She knew the situation with Lucious was serious indeed, but Pip...not remembering? That seemed to be the greater issue.

Emery's forehead etched with concern as she drew closer. "Pip, sweetheart, do you...not know who I am? I'm Emery, your Mom...adopted Mother."

Lyra heard her mom's voice crack slightly as she stepped beside her. She'd been listening to Carson and Marine, turning over thoughts in her mind. There had to be an explanation for why her sister was acting so strange. "Piper maybe you just need to rest or something, because you don't look so good..." Lyra said, patting her sister on the shoulder.

 

"I'm not debating the issue!" Tassy yelled at Marine and Pickles. "Your short vacation has spoiled you two, our job is not done, and I will not risk the lives of my loved ones. delvens pit is a dangerous place, especially for uncastables. I am going alone and that, is THAT!" Tassy made it clear she wasn't budging on the issue. if tough love was what she needed to use to keep her family safe then so be it.

 

Marine backed down at her mother's voice.

But Pickles didn't. "No that's not THAT! You're not going alone!"He shouted he got up from his chair with such force that it fell over. He knew she was dying and that thought was starting to make it angry. And now that she was running off again certainly wasn't helping. Of course a lot of his anger at the moment was more at himself but Tassy wasn't exactly off the hook. Of course he'd kick himself later for going off but he sort got caught up in what was happening.

"Dammit! I don't know why you think you can just run off on some suicide mission alone!" He continued. "I'm so tired of you thinking you have to do everything on yourself and talking to me like I'm a child! I mean even to consider such a thing to do by yourself is beyond stupid!" He said with sigh. "And if you think that this conversation is over then you're sorely mistaken."

He loved her very much....and really was ready to fight for her to stay or for her to take him along with her.

Marine gulped she'd never heard her dad get mad before. She backed up away from her parents.

Carson of course was simply watching as calm as ever.

 

"Dammit! I don't know why you think you can just run off on some suicide mission alone!" He continued. "I'm so tired of you thinking you have to do everything on yourself and talking to me like I'm a child! I mean even to consider such a thing to do by yourself is beyond stupid!" He said with sigh. "And if you think that this conversation is over then you're sorely mistaken."


"Well if you don't want me to treat you like a child then stop acting like one!" Tassy snapped. "Because that's all you ever do, just behave like a star struck child, always caught up in some fantasy world, were everything is right as rain. Delvens pit is dangerous! more so for uncastables then mages, you simply can not come along. Is it sucidal, maybe, but for you certainly. Dont you get it? I'm trying to protect you."

 

Pip

Pip blinked and Death was gone. As if he had never been there.

Until next time, Red reaper. My buisness is not yet finished with you.

When Emery's voice cracked Pip turned around and her eyes widened at the woman who had claimed to be her mom. Then, before she could really try to think about it everyone started yelling and she was set off like a terrified puppy needing to be held.

"Why is everyone yelling?" she whimpered, wrapped safely in Emery's arms like she used to be when she was little. "Why is everyone so mad? Is it because of me? Should I leave?"

 

Sol patted Pip on the back reassuringly. "We are living in troubled times, I think they're just stressed at the situation. Not you Pip. In all truth we are all a little upset."

Magnolia could sense the tension between the two, never had she seen them fight like this before, but what was more apparent was that Tassy was not doing well. Not only did she look worn, but Magnolia could sense corrupted eather flowing through her blood, eather that would kill the average mage. She had never mentioned it but knew it was there.

"Eather is truely a blessing, and a curse." She thought.

 

Beneath the smile

"You think its easy to do that!?" Pickles hollered. "Acting like everything is going okay! Always smiling and always laughing like I don't have any problems. Half the time what I'm saying I don't even believe anymore and this smile." Pickles said giving a his friendly grin that always brightened up peoples day but he was pointing at his own smile.

"You think this is always real! In case you haven't realized it yet Tassy I'm not a starstruck child. I'm simply using my pain to act like everything is okay!" He said before laughing oddly enough sad tears were escaping his eyes even as he chuckled.

Pickles continued to glare this time at everyone in the room and then back at Tassy. "Its not right as rain in my world. Its only as right as me lying to myself and everyone else. You wanna know how I really feel.....how I'm starting to feel? Why bother with this world? Why bother with acting the way I do? Being nice clearly has not done me one lick of good." He bit his lip as he continued. "You're already d........I mean you're......I....j....you're not going alone! I don't care if its me or someone else but don't be an idiot! That's my job!"


Marine was looking back and forth between the two. Her mine was blank and she was simply hyperventilating to try and cope with the situation.

 

"Pickles you CAN"T protect me, don't you get it? This isn't a fairy tale, in this world if you're not a mage then there is nothing you can do for me, NOTHING!" She screamed that last word in a screech only a siren could make, breaking glass and causing everyone to suddenly hold their heads. Tassy trembled after the sudden outburst, and then suddenly, she tipped over only barely catching her self with her knee. She covered her mouth, but could not hide the crimson flowing over her hand, another cough brought up more.

"Are you all right?" Sol said running to her, but Tassy held up her hand in protest. She glared at Pickles, "I have lost Tess, my sister, my mother and my younger brother. You were kidnapped and I nearly lost you too, never again will my family be put at risk I am going alone and there is nothing you can do about it."

 

Emery and Lyra

Emery hugged closer and brushed her fingers through Pip's red locks. Another flash from the past appeared before her eyes, a memory of Pip as a tiny airmid. How long it had been since she held her, touched her even. If only the circumstances were better.

"Shh, you're alright sweetheart," Emery whispered in Pip's ear as Sol offered his words of encouragement. She knew Sol meant well, but Pip had been with him earlier. Had he played a part in Pip's condition?

Emery took a few steps away from the others, taking Pip with her. Staring into her daughter's eyes, she tried to hold back tears. She needed to be Pip's strength, her strength that had disappeared.

"Pip, I need you to listen to my words carefully, ok? I know you are frightened and feel lost, but no one wants to hurt you. We're all friends here. But some of our friends, well, they need our help. They have become overwhelmed by the evil of our world and have given into the danger. I need you to stay close to me, can you do that?" Emery managed a smile as she ruffled Pip's drying white feathers. "I promise I'll take care of you."

Inside, Emery's heart was breaking in two. Their past together, was it truly gone from Pip's mind?

---

Lyra's gaze shifted as she looked from her mom with Pip to Marine's parents fighting. Yelling, crying, screaming...she couldn't take it anymore! Lyra gritted her teeth, about to say some words of her own, until she noticed Marine. Lyra's heart skipped at seeing her friend in such distress.

She made her way over, putting a gentle arm around Marine's shoulder. "Marine, I'm sure everything is going to be ok." Lyra said quietly, but she didn't quite know if she was right or not.

 

Pickles's face went pale and he was generally horrified at what he'd made Tassy do.

He couldn't even look at her as she coughed up blood. He was felt sick....sick of himself and like a coward. He just wanted to keep her safe.

Marine shrugged off Lyra's shoulder and shouted. "Mom!" She said tears were streaming down her face. The mer then glared at her father and rushed over to him. Marine then did the unthinkable and started hitting him in the chest in blind fury.

"You hurt her! Why!?" Marine shouted as she kept pounding away. Marine would never have done something like this half a year ago but now.....things were different and she a lot of anger in her. Seeing her mother go down like that was the last straw for her as well. "You're a hero. You're supposed to help people not hurt them! Let alone you're own wife!"

Pickles caught Marine's wrists and shoved her away from himself. His face was so filled with pain and grief it was obvious he had been completely......broken. But he kept his face stoic. "No." He said calmly. "I'm not a hero." Pickles turned his head to Tassy.

Carson wasn't bothered by the fight. That was a natural thing for couples to do but seeing his mom go down made fear shoot through his body. But he knew his mom would want him to get Marine out of the room. He quickly grabbed her and started dragging away from the scene. Marine was of course was balling as she was being dragged away.

"Tassy I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you and the kids. I'm clearly not fit to be with you or protect you.....let alone anyone else." He said with a bit of broken smirk. He simply left after that. Pickles walked up stairs into his room. He couldn't be around people anymore. He'd been defeated. Not in physical combat but his soul had.

As for what Red and Clarus thought........

 

The Lady of the House

The screaming in her home reached a crescendo and ended in many of River's favorite glass dishes shattered, and Tassy crouched down coughing up blood. Too much chaos. Who knew a quiet breakfast would turn into this? The Lady of the house took charge. River knelt beside Tassy and put her arm's around her. She handed her cloth napkin to wipe her bloodied face and helped Tassy to her feet. "Emery, see if you can help calm the children. Vayla, can you make some hot tea? Will..." She looked at her husband imploringly. She didn't have to say anything, but her face was clearly begging him to talk to Pickles.
"Come with me, Tassy." River said calmly guiding Tassy out of the living room and to her and Will's room where there was quiet and privacy.

 

Pip: Light and Dark

Pip nodded, swallowing back her fear as the fighting came to a crescendo and then suddenly stopped. Turning her head, she inadvertently exposed a part of her throat and a tiny, white mark could be seen. Like a birthmark -only it was shaped like a kite shield with the pale blue design of outspread wings in the center.

"Light Shield." she whispered suddenly, and a soft, glowing light scooped up all of the shattered glass and placed it in the trash bin. Her eyes shimmered and glowed with Althea, and warmth flooded the room -like the first break of sunlight after a storm.

When the light faded, Pip looked down at her hands, eyes wide. "How . . .? How did i do that?" Then, a concerned look came to her face and she knelt, touching the floor. Her face went pale and she rose up, looking at Emery with panic in her eyes.

"Why is the world sick!?"

 

led Tassy to her and Will's room. She sat Tassy in a cushioned chair and began preparing a hot compress with eleven herbs. She only knew a little healing magic, and found that she preferred more nature-pathic healing methods. River came up beside Tassy with the compress. "May I?" She asked, gesturing that she wanted to place it on Tassy's chest.

"Do what you will, it won't help." Tassy replied sounding worn. Her brow knitted together away from pickles she let the rough exterior she got from her mother drop making her look genuinely upset. But more worried, perhaps even regretful.

"Stupid Pickles." She muttered.

River lay the hot compress on her chest. "It should help with whatever pain you may be feeling." She weaved healing waters as she held the compress, enhancing it's potency. "You didn't have to yell at him so." She said after a moment. She knew she was treading a dangerous line, but as a fellow wife she hoped Tassy might listen and in return, share this burden she seemed to be carrying. "He just wants what's best for you and the children."

"He may want what is best, but he doesn't know what is best. He isn't like Will, he's naive, and stubborn, and oh so childish at times. Sometimes I feel like I'm his baby sitter always telling him what to do and what not to do because the big lug doesn't think! Too much kindness not enough brain." She ranted letting off steam.

River pulled up a chair, sighing quietly as she sat down. It was alot more comfortable sitting than kneeling, especially this late in her pregnancy. "And yet his kindness and naivety is what drew you to him." She replied. "You knew the day you married him, Pickles was not like most men." She placed a hand on Tassy's. "So what's really bothering you?"

Tassy avoided her gaze as thoughts and emotions swirled inside her, "I envy the stoicness of the elves. It would help me bear my burdens, my fears and my guilts. To be honest with you River I wanted to have a talk with you for sometime, I guess this is the best time to tell you before I am gone. There are two great things you need to know, firstly that I am sorry I have, wronged you."

River studied the young siren's face. She remembered when they had met for the first time. Nearly fighting to the death. Then she had made the decision to save Tassy rather than sacrifice her to Vampira A decision she had never regretted. Tassy had just been a child then. Happy, ignorant. She hadn't even known what a tree was. Now she was suffering terribly, alone, and feeling like she could share her burden with no one. It burdened River's heart to see her this way. "Wronged me? How have you wronged me?" She asked incredulously.

"I...when the events of fifty years ago came to a close I was deeply grieved, I lost both my brother and my mother, and at the time I also thought I had lost a younger sibling along with her. And though I gained a family, the truama of having lost so much never went away. Regardless I devoted my life to finishing of Lusious, I knew the fallen was weakened, trying to gain strength, in the process I have been exsposed to her corrupting eather, it is in me, harming me. In my dispair I looked to blame someone, I blamed you." Tassy looked her deep in the eye's. "Deep down I think I still do, perphaps it is my Siren nature, we sirens are creatures of grudges and despite pickles efforts, a siren will always be a siren. So I hated you, because I had to blame something, I just couldn't understand why you and Will were so happy, and I was so miserable? Why did you find it so easy to move on with your life? It almost seemed like you had forggotten us, forggotten me."

Tassy took Rivers hand, "You speak to me as a woman, But I still see you as a mother. Regardless I should not have blamed you for my suffering It was not your fualt and you are not my mother, I wished too much of you, and for that I am sorry."

A moment of silence followed, Tassy seem to hesitate to tell River what the other things was that tormented her. "I swore,never to tell you this, but my time is short, and I needed to get this off my chest before I leave this world, forever." Tassy swallowed hard.

"Lucious eather is slowly killing me, I'm dying River, I won't make it to next year, I may not make it to next month. Pickle already knows, the kids do not." She sighed.

"And now you know."

No wonder Pickles had been so upset. His beloved was dying, and knowing Tassy...she'd probably already search everywhere for a cure. River squeezed Tassy's hand, unsure of what to say. Sorry didn't seem cut it. "Don't give up hope yet, Tassy; even if there appears to be none to be had. Hope is the essence of life and without it...you and your family would wither away. Even if you can not hope for yourself, hope for your family...so that your last year with them may be filled with life rather then anguish." River removed the now cool compress and replaced it with a warmer one. Tassy's color seemed to be returning. "I realize this may be forward of me, but I think you should let Pickles accompany you to the pit. If you were to be killed while you were there, Pickles would never forgive himself for not being there to protect you."

"And if he died, which may very well happen, I would have lost yet another family member. I can not risk that River, I just can't. And, more importantly, I don't want him to be there when I finally die, nor do I want the kids to see me in such a weak state. I am already half blind, and weak, I'm doing this for his own good. The fool thinks he can save me, I don't want him to waste his time chasing a hopeless dream."

"Then don't go." River's face took on the look of a reprimanding mother. "You may not want your family to be there when you die but do you think that's what they want? Don't you think they would rather spend your last days with you, rather than knowing you died in an unreachable place on a suicidal mission? That's the most selfish thing you can do right now." Her face softened and she removed Tassy's compress. River stood and turned her back to Tassy as she cleaned the leaves out of the bags. "I'm sorry. That was harsh of me." She said after a brief silence.

"If Lucious isn't stopped then they will die with me, I'm the one who studied her, I know how best to stop her for good, I must go! There is no other way River, and if I'm going to die, shouldn't I die fighting for my family? For Exzalia? How is that selfish?"

"It's not...its just...this whole thing isn't right." She leaned heavily on the counter and stared at a vase of flowers. "We've all sacrificed so much to save Exzalia once before." River said, Pyria being at the forefront of her mind. "You and and I have both lost loved ones, seen friends die and watched as the world nearly ended in front of our eyes. And now you're about to die from trying to preserve Exzalia yet again." She turned back towards Tassy, a sad look on her face. "Sometimes it seems like Exzalia asks for too much, and doesn't give enough in return."

"Are you willing to sacrifice anything, to save a world not worth saving?" Tassy stated. "Do you remember that? "That's what Tess said to us, River we don't do these things because we will be rewarded, we do them because they're the right thing to do, because if we don't the sacrifices of our loved one will be for nothing. My brother taught me that even if your child is cruel and ugly, you still love it, Exzalia is that child. and I will fight for her till my dying breath, even if it means hurting the man I love the most. And losing everything, again."

"I used to feel that way as well. In some ways I still do." River gave Tassy a sad smile. "But having a family has changed my priorities. That probably makes me the selfish one now." River returned to seat beside Tassy. "I can't begin to imagine the place you're in right now. Perhaps, if our places were switched I would feel as you do." She took her friend's hand. "If there is a way I can ease your burden, don't hesitate to ask."

Tassy thought for a moment. "Don't tell Pickles that I am going now, as far as your concerned I vanished without your knowledge. He will want to follow me, so I must leave unnoticed. River, I doubt I shall return, when I am gone, please be there for my family they will need all the friends they can get."
Tassy took a deep breath, she began to steel her self. "One last thing I ask, please, stay with me just a little while."

Tassy fell into River's embrace, and together they just held each other for a while. Tassy cried a little, letting out years of pent up grief and worry for her fate and the world.

 

Eli

Toren, they wanted to ally with Toren... The scum, vile, pustular cancer that had sucked the life out of his home? The monster that had stole the throne? The bastard who had taken everything from him, even his eyes, then cast him off into the sea to die?

Eli stood silent, listening to them bicker, his blood boiling. Not a word escaped his mouth, not a sound. But slowly, the corners of his lips curled upward, ever so slightly. It was the hint of a smile, a dark and terrible smile.

At least he would have a clear shot...

 

Seth Turian, Berk Strongarm.

Seth gasped for air. The scent of smoke clogging his nostrils, he coughed and rolled over. Ground. Why did he always end up on the ground? He swept his hand across his eyes and glanced around. A tall, broad shadow loomed over him.

“Stay put” a voice commanded, grabbing Seth by his collar and forcing him back on the ground. Seth didn’t have any choice in the matter. His eyes were merely slits and the sun shone brightly in his eyes, disabling to see the features of the man. Still the voice sounded familiar, harsh, low, yet not unkind.

“What’s your name?”

Seth cracked a smile “it seems everyone wants to know as of late.”

“Very funny, now, what’s your name. Quick, before I gut you” the voice barked. “Alright, alright” Seth replied defensively. The veins near his temples throbbed, apparently he had passed out. If anything, he felt terribly groggy.

“Well…?”

Seth glanced around. Fire, that was the last thing he remembered. Fire, panick, a fight and the rest of the company rushing towards some blasted tree. So much for priorities. Seth shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. “Seth, I am Seth” he said. He could feel a slight tremble in the hand that’d pinned him to the ground.

“So it is you” the voice spat, a venomous contempt dripping through his voice. Seth tried to raise himself to his feet but, in a swift push he was smacked back onto the ground, sending him gasping for air a second time. “What. Have. You. Done” the voice hissed into his ear.

It was only then that Seth recognized the voice. “Berk?” he stumbled. “Aye” Berk grumbled. Seth could hear the metallic swoosh of a dagger being unsheathed. “What have you done to my daughters?” Berk demanded, pressing the iron point of his dagger against Seth’s chin. Seth wrapped both his hands around Berk’s arm in an attempt to push it away. But Berk was the stronger by far.

“Answer me” he hissed, emphasizing his point by squeezing Seth’s cheeks together with his free hand.

“N- Nothing” Seth replied. “I woke up merely weeks ago, where you left me”

“Impossible” Berk retorted.

“If you’d deem it impossible you wouldn’t threaten to gut me, I am Seth. That Seth, I don’t deny it.“ Berk squeezed even harder. “Though I would appreciate it if you’d allow me to..to breathe…” Seth gasped. The grip on him eased somewhat.

“Tell me everything” Berk demanded.

(Several weeks later...)

“Oh don’t be such a wuss” Seth joked as he handed Berk a gray lump of rags. The latter looked rather disgusted.

“Are these supposed to be clothes, by the gods Seth, they reek of” Berk sniffed “death” he concluded.

“Yes you have to” Seth nodded upon receiving Berk’s questioning look. Reluctantly, and with much grumping and complaining Berk undid his travelling clothes and stripped down to his shirt and pants. With the most ridiculous face that Seth had ever witnessed on the ex-royal guard’s face he put on the long, gray robes.

“I look like a damn beggar” Berk remarked on inspecting his new found look. Seth laughed. Ever since Berk had stumbled upon him, he’d been cursing and complaining as only the most hardened soldiers could. It hadn’t been easy. Berk hadn’t trusted Seth at first, and he had every reason to. Even after Seth had explained his own return in painfully explicit details, the veteran had still nearly strangled him. It was of course the fact that Seth had been in Lyra’s and Pip’s company at all that kept Berk from murdering the one responsible for Pip’s grief.

~

They had chased down the company together but, lost their trail and slackened. Partly due to the fact that Berk insisted on tying Seth up and dragging him around like a common prisoner. It was only because of Seth’s wit and a significant amount of luck that some vague, mutual likening began to develop between them.

Berk was still a man of honour, a king’s guard, and Seth still King of Damirruu. When even the ever-so-stubborn Berk admitted that chasing the company further would yield nothing but fatigue, Berk, driven mad by failure, decided to search for his dear wife again instead. Seth had hoped Berk would set him free at that point but whatever trust had grown between them was much too brittle for Berk to release the bad-mouthed boy.

Weeks had passed since their second failed attempt to recover any trace of either Berk’s daughters or his wife. The only thing that Berk seemed to find was a bottle full of wine, and he drank many barrels too much for a man his posture on more than one occasion. Seth, starting to feel very sorry Berk’s losses, and his own. Took care of the man as best he could. But Berk saw very little purpose in continuing to life now that he had failed both his wife and his daughters.

Seth too, had felt broken. His brother James had been taken from him, his love brutally separated from him. But even worse, no thought of Pip had ever demanded entrance into his mind. Had she forgotten him that easily or had their bond been broken? At the time, Seth didn’t know. The only thing he still had aside from a drunken man, well beyond his own age, was his little brother. Locked away in the palace of Damirruu so serve at Fat King Toren’s every whim.

Yet it was this very loss that drove the odd couple onto their third quest. Ever since Seth had told Berk about James, they’d become much more like father and son. Berk, it seemed, understood his loss and now, weeks later still, they were attempting to scale the walls of Damirruu, infiltrate the palace, and rescue James. It was a suicide mission by every standard, but they were more determined than ever to succeed.

~

Seth eyed Berk. “Nah, you look fine.” He stated rather matter of factly. “Splendid actually” he joked. Berk groaned but Seth ignored him. He undid his shirt and, reluctantly, tossed it onto the fire that they’d made to burn their clothes. Seth had only barely managed to convince Berk not to burn the armour of Aquilla that he’d been wearing ever since his return to Exzalia. They’d buried it several miles outside of Damirruu and Seth, though he feared he would never wear it again, was happy that it wasn’t casted into some fire, like rags. The hot sun burned his skin, even though Seth no longer was the pale boy from Damirruu.

Travelling under Berk’s guidance had changed him, wether for better or for worse, Seth couldn’t tell. His features had hardened, his hair grown longer and wilder, and his skin a few tones darker. He took a deep breath, threw the vale, gray robes over his head and wrestled his arms through it’s sleeves.

“Splendid” Berk remarked, his eyes sliding over Seth. He patted Seth on his head and nodded grimly.

“Right, now what was your plan again?”

“Priests. We are priests of the windy hills and good King Toren has asked for our advice” Seth explained. Even though Berk had largely abandoned his drinking habit, the man had obviously been under some state of influence when Seth had told him about his plan to free James. Not in the least judging by his foul breath, and half-open eyes.

“Right, this is suicide.” Berk said.

And his grumpiness Seth thought to himself. “Don’t be so pessimistic, we look like priests, we smell like priests and you even behave like one whenever you hand reaches for the bottle”

“I say we look like beggars, and, if I am to believe your last attempt at entering Damirruu, beggars aren’t allowed in” Berk huffed.

Seth shrugged, then doused the fire. “Let’s go” he said grimly.

Half an hour passed before they reached the gates of Damirruu.

“Halt!” one of the guards called. “No beggars are allowed into the city” he said harshly. Seth casted a sideway glance to Berk who was rolling his eyes.

“We aren’t beggars, milord, we are priests of the windy hills, we consult the god of silence, King Toren requested our presence.” Seth stated calmly.

“And my wife is the hottest bitch in Damirruu” the guard scowled. “Don’t make a fool out of me and yourself scum, now be gone, before I’ll paint your stinking robes a nice dark red” he added, his hand lingering over his sword.
Seth gave a slight nod to Berk. The latter straightened himself to his full height, towering above the guard. “Since when don’t Damirian gates open for the mighty mages of the windy hills?”

Before the guard could respond Berk summoned a smoldering sphere of fire into existence. It’s heat was so intense that Seth’s hair blew in the gusts of hot, dry wind that it radiated.

“Are you threatening us?” the guard squealed. His voice wavering. “I am not” Berk said. “But I do think that if you ever want to use that in a fight” he pointed towards the guards sword “you’ll need a hand. Now, I can only imagine the grief of the king upon hearing that his very own guards denied access to the priest he’d summoned to seek council. He might just even, being the flattering person he is, seek for the ones responsible, and, in his eternal wisdom decided that one or more of your bodily parts are no longer needed and would be much more useful atop of a spike.” Berk said.

The young guard gulped, bit his lips and nodded. He stepped aside and Seth and Berk casually walked through the massive gates. “Thank you” Berk said with a smile before he mimicked Seth and drew his hood over his face.
To Seth’s relief they didn’t need to pass any more guards. It seemed Toren had grown lazy in the defense of Damirruu, and its maintenance. The houses of Damirruu had been reduced to mere piles of sandstone, with cracks between them. The streets were not nearly as busy as Seth remembered them to be and the lovely scents of the Damirian markets were gone.

Berk seemed to notice the same. “What happened to this place?’ he murmured.

“King Toren, that’s what happened to it” Seth replied. He couldn’t recall hating any name as much as Toren, maybe Haze, or The Walker. True to the creed of the priesthood they supposedly represented, they wandered through Damirruu until they eventually settled in an inn. Now, all they had to do was wait for an opportunity, an upset of sorts, to get into the palace.

 

Will and Pickles

"Pickles, lets go outside." The man looked like he'd just lost all desire to live. Will led the way outside, and then started walking down a little path that led away from the house.

"Keep up," he said without looking back. After a few moments walking through the trees, they arrived at a little wooden bridge built over a creek. Will slid down the bank, and ducked under the bridge. A moment later he was back with two wooden cups and a flask. He poured the cups full with the amber liquid, then handed one to Pickles. "Drink that, don't ask what it is."

(Dear lord Pickles drinking)

Pickles looked at Will for a moment but said nothing as he gulped it down in chug. He licked his lips for a moment and then let out a cough as if he wasn't used to it....which he wasn't. It had been a very long time since Pickles had drank booze of any kind. The first time he did had not been a good experience.

After coughing for a few seconds Pickles looked over the bridge and at the flowing creek. "What do you want Will?" Pickles asked exasperated. "I'd imagine you wanted to do more then give me a drink."

Will was quiet for a moment, watching the stream flow away beneath. "Actually, that was pretty much it... you looked like you needed a drink. Desperately," Will said with a worn looking smile. "Gods know I needed one." Then he fell silent again.

"Pickles, this world is hell and... we've all done things that we regret to survive. And, we may not always succeed, but that isn't what defines us. What does, is whether or not you let your shortcomings break you. Are you going to let Exzalia break you?" he said, with steel in his voice.

"Enough of that." Pickles replied equally as cold. "No more talk about the world breaking people and no more talk about being heroes . From now on I'll do what I have to do." He said simply his eyes still distant. "I'm done trying to play the hero. It hasn't brought me anything good. My own daughter hates me, I hurt my wife but not letting her alone and besides despite how hard I've tried to do right this world repays me by taking her away from me."

Will flared. "And I'm single handedly responsible for the deaths of everyone in charon. My daughter is possessed by a demigod who wants to bring about the end of days, and I just recently learned that the man who was like a brother to me, Tess, hadn't even been allowed to die in peace because of our collective sins. You want to talk about not being brought anything good, take a look at me!" Will spat. But then he felt a twinge of guilt. "And your daughter doesn't hate you, she's a young girl whose entire world has been turned upside down! And you didn't hurt Tassy! I don't know what happened to her, but I know that you didn't do it! And besides, what kind of man would you be if you were content to just let your wife go off in search of the resting place of a fallen god?!"

"Well I'm not a much of man in the first place I'm a child." Pickles responded. "And look I can't even be upset about my troubles because you have to go and compare them to yours. I can't compete with that why must you remind me of how much suffering you've been through? Such a great friend." Pickles said sarcastically and started walking away. "But I suppose you are right. I can't let Tassy go alone but she doesn't want my protection so I'll simply kill whatever gets near her."

Pickles had certainly changed and not for the better.

Will cursed under his breath. "Pickles, this isn't you... What happened to the idealistic, cheerful knight who wanted to save the world without even a thought for himself? He was a true hero... Don't let yourself be destroyed by this!"

Pickles paused and turned to look at Will one last time before returning and he said something that could be considered heartbreaking to anyone who knew him well enough. "Nothing he simply did what everyone told him to do. He stopped living in a fairy tail." He said and walked back towards the manor.

 

Magnolia had soul sense, and it allowed her to see Tassy departure though no one else could, the siren warped her self soon after leaving the River's room, it was a simple spell and resulted into a flash of water flooding the back garden, like that she was gone. Things settled down a little as they began to pack, Damiruu their last refuge, and their only hope.

"best not leave the kids behind, they'll be safer in Damiruu." Magnolia said putting away her dress, it was a strange thing to see Magnolia in ranger clothing. She had always worn a dress when ever they saw her, now for the first time she had brown pants, leather shoes, a simple vest. Things she would have rather died then put on a year ago.

Luna Gave River a hug as they were about to depart. "Thanks for having me ma'm, I hope you give birth to a healthy babe."

"yes River, take care." Magnolia added, Knob walked by giving a humble bow, and with that they were off.

It was late afternoon when they departed, the sun was bright shining down an a softly tread roade, surrounded by green fields and as they continued, forests. The forest of Lore ancient and dark let little light through the colossal green that were it's tree's, stretching high up they covered the forest floor in shade and made travel easy, by stunting the growth of foliage along the path. Though the sun was hot, this made there travel cool and easy going. That was until the vampire came.

It made no attempted to hide it's self but landed in front of the entire group fearlessly. Magnolia was first to recover from the shock and stepped forward to confront it.
"What biuness do you have with us spawn of darkness? Go back to the shadows and leave us in peace."

"Your blood though appetizing is not why we are here, you have a cursed one with you, and the princess of curses. Give her to us!"

"What?" Magnoia turned to the others, "What ever do you think it's speaking about? and did it say, us?"

Suddenly five more vampires dropped down from the tree's surrounding the company hand to us the cursed one!" they demanded, encroaching ever closer.