Jijo had no idea where he was.
Not a single inkling. Not a dribble of a clue, a notion, or a suspicion. He had no idea this floating island had a woodsy area like this. Was he even on the island still? Xhen and Wrath both above and below, what had he gotten himself into?
He shot a sideways glance to the sleeping bird beside him. Mina, his dearest - and now only - friend was snoring peacefully on a makeshift bed of silks that Ji had stolen from the palace on the morn of his running away. Recalling that stressful morning, Ji cradled his head between his hands and cooed mournfully. What on earth had compelled him to confess his sin to the King? Why so cowardly a manner? Another glance to Mina reminded him why. He had forsaken Wrath and Xhen both. He could not worship a being that let such tragedy persist.
The fact this realization only recently came to him, an assassin, was nearly comical. He was incredibly naive for a god-sent death machine, well-oiled to kill and not feel. This girl changed him. Why is it always a girl?
Without thinking about it, he reached a hand over and brushed a section of hair out of her sleeping face - she scowled in her sleep at the slight disturbance. He remembered she had scowled similarly when he had found her confronting her father. It was much more intense, then, much more real and livid and in some ways downright scary. He hadn't known he'd find her that way - weak, vulnerable, hurt, in front of the man she was at a disadvantage to call her father.
Her father had seen change in her. She was clean, well-dressed - at least, not in the filthy rags that Jijo had met her in. He saw confidence, a desire to live and independence in her eyes. He saw that she could see (though he did not realize it was temporary). He hated it. He had cornered her and beaten her in a blind rage of his envy for the daughter he had already abandoned years before. And then he had left her again.
And yet despite this, when Jijo found her this way, she still would scowl. She still would snap at him, rolling witty remark after witty remark from her sharp tongue. She would still see into and through his soul with the piercing green eyes he still wasn't used to. He saw in this intense and tragic moment that no god would - should - let these things happen. He knew there were reasons the temple clergy spouted, but did they ever directly see this abuse behind their stone walls and books? He thought not. They would not so easily dismiss it then. And so Jijo dismissed the serpentine lords - and to do that, he had to confess. So he had left that note upon the King's nightstand and fled with Mina, who felt she would have no place in the kingdom if not for her mentor.
Mentor. He scoffed under his breath at the notion. Mentor to the dark arts and the ways of assassination in the name of a cruel split-personality deity who didn't care about this woman at all. No, he wasn't her mentor anymore. A friend. The only friend she had left, as was the same for him.
Shortly after the escape from the kingdom, Mina's eyes had returned to their cloudy blindness. Jijo knew this was because, at least in part, of his abandonment of the gods. He abandoned their teachings and so they retracted their gifts. Jijo hadn't even seen any Marques on anyone since they ran, though that could be for any reason.
Jijo puffed out a short sigh, looking at their surroundings once more. While the two birds were perched in the lower branch of a girthy tree - large enough in width for the two diminutive birds to camp upon - the rest of the woodsy area seemed mostly shrub and smaller, frailer trees. The ground was sprinkled with colorful woods flowers, some he recognized from poisons ingredients, though many more unfamiliar. No, maybe they were familiar. Did the gods take away his knowledge too?
As he spiraled into a sea of regret and apprehension, a soft hand was placed upon his shoulder, startling him from his funk.
"Come on, Ji.." Mina softly murmured, awake and alert now. Her blind eyes searched Jijo, though he wasn't sure anymore if she could see his soul as she had before. "It's time to go." Jijo looked up, seeing the sky starting to brighten from sunrise. They had a ways to go before they could leave this island behind entirely - and be out of the reach of the terrible gods and the kingdom its teachings controlled.
Not a single inkling. Not a dribble of a clue, a notion, or a suspicion. He had no idea this floating island had a woodsy area like this. Was he even on the island still? Xhen and Wrath both above and below, what had he gotten himself into?
He shot a sideways glance to the sleeping bird beside him. Mina, his dearest - and now only - friend was snoring peacefully on a makeshift bed of silks that Ji had stolen from the palace on the morn of his running away. Recalling that stressful morning, Ji cradled his head between his hands and cooed mournfully. What on earth had compelled him to confess his sin to the King? Why so cowardly a manner? Another glance to Mina reminded him why. He had forsaken Wrath and Xhen both. He could not worship a being that let such tragedy persist.
The fact this realization only recently came to him, an assassin, was nearly comical. He was incredibly naive for a god-sent death machine, well-oiled to kill and not feel. This girl changed him. Why is it always a girl?
Without thinking about it, he reached a hand over and brushed a section of hair out of her sleeping face - she scowled in her sleep at the slight disturbance. He remembered she had scowled similarly when he had found her confronting her father. It was much more intense, then, much more real and livid and in some ways downright scary. He hadn't known he'd find her that way - weak, vulnerable, hurt, in front of the man she was at a disadvantage to call her father.
Her father had seen change in her. She was clean, well-dressed - at least, not in the filthy rags that Jijo had met her in. He saw confidence, a desire to live and independence in her eyes. He saw that she could see (though he did not realize it was temporary). He hated it. He had cornered her and beaten her in a blind rage of his envy for the daughter he had already abandoned years before. And then he had left her again.
And yet despite this, when Jijo found her this way, she still would scowl. She still would snap at him, rolling witty remark after witty remark from her sharp tongue. She would still see into and through his soul with the piercing green eyes he still wasn't used to. He saw in this intense and tragic moment that no god would - should - let these things happen. He knew there were reasons the temple clergy spouted, but did they ever directly see this abuse behind their stone walls and books? He thought not. They would not so easily dismiss it then. And so Jijo dismissed the serpentine lords - and to do that, he had to confess. So he had left that note upon the King's nightstand and fled with Mina, who felt she would have no place in the kingdom if not for her mentor.
Mentor. He scoffed under his breath at the notion. Mentor to the dark arts and the ways of assassination in the name of a cruel split-personality deity who didn't care about this woman at all. No, he wasn't her mentor anymore. A friend. The only friend she had left, as was the same for him.
Shortly after the escape from the kingdom, Mina's eyes had returned to their cloudy blindness. Jijo knew this was because, at least in part, of his abandonment of the gods. He abandoned their teachings and so they retracted their gifts. Jijo hadn't even seen any Marques on anyone since they ran, though that could be for any reason.
Jijo puffed out a short sigh, looking at their surroundings once more. While the two birds were perched in the lower branch of a girthy tree - large enough in width for the two diminutive birds to camp upon - the rest of the woodsy area seemed mostly shrub and smaller, frailer trees. The ground was sprinkled with colorful woods flowers, some he recognized from poisons ingredients, though many more unfamiliar. No, maybe they were familiar. Did the gods take away his knowledge too?
As he spiraled into a sea of regret and apprehension, a soft hand was placed upon his shoulder, startling him from his funk.
"Come on, Ji.." Mina softly murmured, awake and alert now. Her blind eyes searched Jijo, though he wasn't sure anymore if she could see his soul as she had before. "It's time to go." Jijo looked up, seeing the sky starting to brighten from sunrise. They had a ways to go before they could leave this island behind entirely - and be out of the reach of the terrible gods and the kingdom its teachings controlled.
Gryph, rump at foot of lush, padded bed, sat straight into the night while ruby gaze fixed into the nothingness that was the darkness- the darkness that happened into his room each night and snuffed all hope for light until daybreak would shine through the valley and in from his window, rays battling their way through the retreating shadows until eventually the rest of the room was lit well enough with warmth and energy. The morning had dawned birth to a brand new day though for the King, it had all felt like the same day- stuck on repeat morning after morning, the same routine, the same numbed feeling that had seemingly clung itself to his mind and body like a leech. He now spent most nights sleepless, sitting on the same end of his bed staring at the same darkness that slithered its way into his room night after night leaving him cold and unfeeling. Drowsily, crimson eyes wandered from the corner of his room where he had been staring to the area besides him- a bundled ball of white lie asleep cuddled within a nest of the warmest, thickest of pattern blankets that once neatly embraced the topside of the bed now all hoarded and fluffed together in a mass surrounding the small bodied bird. Softly, the blankets would rise and fall with such subtly as he slept all the while lips emitting gentle and hushed coos while facial features remained soft and at peace.
The King quickly turned head to stare back into the corner. His mixed feelings churning within his gut causing him to feel sick- something about seeing Egret's pure innocence and peaceful features made him feel uneasy, damn near queasy to the point when the younger royal stood upon feet he stumbled a bit, raising a hand and placing it against the side of his and hiding an eye. He felt dizzy now, wandering his way almost zombie-like towards his washroom. Where confident tock-tocks were usually heard by sharp talons now replaced with a dragging against the palace tile. Rounding the corner, Gryph would make his way past the mirror while eyes fixed dead ahead- avoiding his reflection as if he were a beaten puppy. He couldn't stand the sight of himself feeling like this- feeling numb. Body plopped onto the dry tile that lined the showering area while ash hand worked at the fixtures where within moments, a mixture of cold and hot smashed together and spat out of the hanging spout where it fell upon his body soon to soak him in warm embrace. Warmth. The one thing he wanted to feel again naturally though could only stimulate this feeling with bathing it seemed.
His mind began to wander now; so unalert to the surroundings and unguarded by what might be going on around him. The days all mashed together it seemed and he had a literal absence of how long it had been since his old friend had confessed to him his terrible deeds. Jijo and Mina's fleeing from the city on top of the admittance of his crime against the kingdom weren't the only reason behind his withdrawal from the world, but it had planted the seed. It had planted a seed that had sprouted with small leaflets- His attitude towards his most loyal companion began to sway, shaken with paranoia and distrust. He had become short with him and without meaning it most of the time. Gryph would say things that in his mind knew they would hurt but couldn't hold them back and after words were spilled he'd be left feeling utterly distressed and disgusted with himself for having been so cruel towards his only friend- his most loyal of the kingdom, the one that he had grown so close to. Deep down he honestly didn't mean it and that's what pained him the most. He was losing control over himself- and yet he had the entire Kingdom to control. The thought of it was almost unfathomable at the moment. After Jijo's confession, he was met with the terrible fact that this bird he had called friend was now a wanted criminal in the eyes of the Kingdom. For the sake of fairness, he wasn't allowed to go easy on this crime and sweep it under a rug- no that would be unjust for the King- unethical and unfair to his people. Crimes were to be paid for in this land and with a very heavy heart the King had issued a crime against the handmaiden. Wanted posters with inked drawings clung to many of the walls within the city and journeymen were asked and informed of the wrongdoings against the Kingdom in hopes to bring justice where it was due.
After Jijo fled, Gryph had sought out the unholy book in which the bird had mentioned- The divine Wrath. The story of the awful side of his god and the horror it brought to him was unlike anything he had imagined. The fact that it had been written from truth and experience and not just a fancy story was what was worse. How.. How could something be so cruel and yet so heavenly at the same time? After reading the book he had started to have nightmares where he saw visions of Wrath, glimpses of what he thought was the God of death but couldn't say for sure as he had never seen him. In his nightmares, the being would drain him of his soul much like a stray and force him to watch his body decay; morph and transform into something unrecognizable while the rotten stench of decaying flesh and feathers filled his nose all met with the horrifying laughter that eerily seeped from one ear into the next. His nightmares had caused him paranoia of things in the real wold- the slightest things made him jump inward and he no longer was having pleasant dreams of his own God. He was able to meet Xhen sometimes when he would meditate and fix himself on worship though their meetings were short and Xhen had offered him nothing but a feeling of warmth- no words, no mention of what he should be doing. Just gave warmth before disappearing and it left Gryph wondering if he had done something wrong- had reading the Divine Wrath shaken Xhen's blessing upon him?
A few days after, many of his people had come down with sickness; some had thought it to be Xhen, cursing the Kingdom's people for housing the criminal and giving him such a high position in the council- a sage and then the King's chamber keeper. However, Gryph speculated that it was his doing- that Wrath had been testing him and his ability to handle his people. Not a full blown plague, no.. that would be too calm for someone like Wrath- but a slow trickle of sick birds and a slower death. Many of them visited the god's shrine and prayed to Xhen, hoping the sickness would dissipate. While a handful of those who lived under the king's rule were glad to be rid of him, they had felt somewhat betrayed and their own faith in their new King was wavering on paranoia- some squawked to one another about rumours of the King planning this out so that he could take the throne. They had feared he would follow in the same path as his father if not worse; even with all the renovations and good deeds he had done in his short time as a King so far, his people still unsure and paranoid. Could he blame them? His inability to show outwards emotions had without a doubt, only fed into their rumours. However, even shaken the majority of his followers still looked up to him and remained loyal even after the old birds from his father's council used the recent happenings as fodder for the rumours, preaching to some of the people about Gryphs "ultimate plan" and how he would run the kingdom to hell with his young, naive mindset and inexperience. Gryph had grossly used this sickness as an excuse to be less active around the Kingdom while he fought his own demons- he had his council announce that he too had come down with sickness and needed rest and limited contact.
The seedling now much more like a vine as the sickness began taking lives and among them Egret's mother. About the only other bird Gryph was close to aside from Egret himself and it took a toll on his mindset something fierce. Such a mixture of feelings had caused an awful concoction to brew within him- he felt as if he had lost his mother all over again and was unable to offer much help to the bird who had infact, lost his mother. Though after all of this, after all the King had said to Egret or his shift in attitude towards him, he had found the happy ball of feathers roosting besides him every morning. Despite everything, Egret was there; unwilling to leave Gryphs side or take anything he said personally as if he understood him and his actions completely. Every morning that innocent, happy and bright being found his way into the young King's bed. It both enlightened and disgusted him. How could someone continue to stay by another's side in the way his adviser had with him. The thought was beyond him- thinking about it had made him sick and very much in the literal sense as throat burned and from ash lips expelled bile that trailed down the drain. After a few more silent heaves and more bile he would shift himself and press head and side against the tile lining the wall, water still pouring over him.
"Maybe I've truly caught the sickness.." Voice but a mumble as eyes closed tight, his head pounding. Lost in his world, he hadn't even noticed Egret poking his head into the washroom- those two toned eyes holding the most distressed and sad look within them to see his King in such a state. He'd continue to watch a bit before pulling back out of the washroom where he'd call for breakfast, high hopes that his King would actually eat today even if he'd have to force it down his throat.
The King quickly turned head to stare back into the corner. His mixed feelings churning within his gut causing him to feel sick- something about seeing Egret's pure innocence and peaceful features made him feel uneasy, damn near queasy to the point when the younger royal stood upon feet he stumbled a bit, raising a hand and placing it against the side of his and hiding an eye. He felt dizzy now, wandering his way almost zombie-like towards his washroom. Where confident tock-tocks were usually heard by sharp talons now replaced with a dragging against the palace tile. Rounding the corner, Gryph would make his way past the mirror while eyes fixed dead ahead- avoiding his reflection as if he were a beaten puppy. He couldn't stand the sight of himself feeling like this- feeling numb. Body plopped onto the dry tile that lined the showering area while ash hand worked at the fixtures where within moments, a mixture of cold and hot smashed together and spat out of the hanging spout where it fell upon his body soon to soak him in warm embrace. Warmth. The one thing he wanted to feel again naturally though could only stimulate this feeling with bathing it seemed.
His mind began to wander now; so unalert to the surroundings and unguarded by what might be going on around him. The days all mashed together it seemed and he had a literal absence of how long it had been since his old friend had confessed to him his terrible deeds. Jijo and Mina's fleeing from the city on top of the admittance of his crime against the kingdom weren't the only reason behind his withdrawal from the world, but it had planted the seed. It had planted a seed that had sprouted with small leaflets- His attitude towards his most loyal companion began to sway, shaken with paranoia and distrust. He had become short with him and without meaning it most of the time. Gryph would say things that in his mind knew they would hurt but couldn't hold them back and after words were spilled he'd be left feeling utterly distressed and disgusted with himself for having been so cruel towards his only friend- his most loyal of the kingdom, the one that he had grown so close to. Deep down he honestly didn't mean it and that's what pained him the most. He was losing control over himself- and yet he had the entire Kingdom to control. The thought of it was almost unfathomable at the moment. After Jijo's confession, he was met with the terrible fact that this bird he had called friend was now a wanted criminal in the eyes of the Kingdom. For the sake of fairness, he wasn't allowed to go easy on this crime and sweep it under a rug- no that would be unjust for the King- unethical and unfair to his people. Crimes were to be paid for in this land and with a very heavy heart the King had issued a crime against the handmaiden. Wanted posters with inked drawings clung to many of the walls within the city and journeymen were asked and informed of the wrongdoings against the Kingdom in hopes to bring justice where it was due.
After Jijo fled, Gryph had sought out the unholy book in which the bird had mentioned- The divine Wrath. The story of the awful side of his god and the horror it brought to him was unlike anything he had imagined. The fact that it had been written from truth and experience and not just a fancy story was what was worse. How.. How could something be so cruel and yet so heavenly at the same time? After reading the book he had started to have nightmares where he saw visions of Wrath, glimpses of what he thought was the God of death but couldn't say for sure as he had never seen him. In his nightmares, the being would drain him of his soul much like a stray and force him to watch his body decay; morph and transform into something unrecognizable while the rotten stench of decaying flesh and feathers filled his nose all met with the horrifying laughter that eerily seeped from one ear into the next. His nightmares had caused him paranoia of things in the real wold- the slightest things made him jump inward and he no longer was having pleasant dreams of his own God. He was able to meet Xhen sometimes when he would meditate and fix himself on worship though their meetings were short and Xhen had offered him nothing but a feeling of warmth- no words, no mention of what he should be doing. Just gave warmth before disappearing and it left Gryph wondering if he had done something wrong- had reading the Divine Wrath shaken Xhen's blessing upon him?
A few days after, many of his people had come down with sickness; some had thought it to be Xhen, cursing the Kingdom's people for housing the criminal and giving him such a high position in the council- a sage and then the King's chamber keeper. However, Gryph speculated that it was his doing- that Wrath had been testing him and his ability to handle his people. Not a full blown plague, no.. that would be too calm for someone like Wrath- but a slow trickle of sick birds and a slower death. Many of them visited the god's shrine and prayed to Xhen, hoping the sickness would dissipate. While a handful of those who lived under the king's rule were glad to be rid of him, they had felt somewhat betrayed and their own faith in their new King was wavering on paranoia- some squawked to one another about rumours of the King planning this out so that he could take the throne. They had feared he would follow in the same path as his father if not worse; even with all the renovations and good deeds he had done in his short time as a King so far, his people still unsure and paranoid. Could he blame them? His inability to show outwards emotions had without a doubt, only fed into their rumours. However, even shaken the majority of his followers still looked up to him and remained loyal even after the old birds from his father's council used the recent happenings as fodder for the rumours, preaching to some of the people about Gryphs "ultimate plan" and how he would run the kingdom to hell with his young, naive mindset and inexperience. Gryph had grossly used this sickness as an excuse to be less active around the Kingdom while he fought his own demons- he had his council announce that he too had come down with sickness and needed rest and limited contact.
The seedling now much more like a vine as the sickness began taking lives and among them Egret's mother. About the only other bird Gryph was close to aside from Egret himself and it took a toll on his mindset something fierce. Such a mixture of feelings had caused an awful concoction to brew within him- he felt as if he had lost his mother all over again and was unable to offer much help to the bird who had infact, lost his mother. Though after all of this, after all the King had said to Egret or his shift in attitude towards him, he had found the happy ball of feathers roosting besides him every morning. Despite everything, Egret was there; unwilling to leave Gryphs side or take anything he said personally as if he understood him and his actions completely. Every morning that innocent, happy and bright being found his way into the young King's bed. It both enlightened and disgusted him. How could someone continue to stay by another's side in the way his adviser had with him. The thought was beyond him- thinking about it had made him sick and very much in the literal sense as throat burned and from ash lips expelled bile that trailed down the drain. After a few more silent heaves and more bile he would shift himself and press head and side against the tile lining the wall, water still pouring over him.
"Maybe I've truly caught the sickness.." Voice but a mumble as eyes closed tight, his head pounding. Lost in his world, he hadn't even noticed Egret poking his head into the washroom- those two toned eyes holding the most distressed and sad look within them to see his King in such a state. He'd continue to watch a bit before pulling back out of the washroom where he'd call for breakfast, high hopes that his King would actually eat today even if he'd have to force it down his throat.
Jijo trudged through a disgusting muck-and-water mixture that had pooled in the lower altitudes of the island. Swamp, now - how lovely. Could this island get any more unpredictable and unpleasant to him now? Mina wasn't much better off at the moment - the effort of lifting her feet from the grossness and then plopping them back down produced a queasying splort, splort that permeated the otherwise silent eeriness of the wastes.
"So, look." Mina took the chance to hop on a log as soon as it became within reach. From here she began to wipe her feet, though it wouldn't do much good - she'd have to get back in that mess in a moment. "We're wanted criminals across this entire rock. Nobody's going to help us off of it. You've thought about that, right?" Her blind eyes searched Jijo, looking more and more tired by the day.
"Of course I have. Do you truly think me so desperately unequipped?" Jijo grinned, glad at the chance for conversation and that he did in fact have a plan. "I master in poisons. Do you think I procured all the materials myself? No. I could, but traveling out here to where most of them grow would be both tedious and suspicious for a Xhen-sage to do, right?" Mina nodded, brow furrowed as she tried to think of anyone who would be willing to help an assassin with his dark tasks.
"Don't think so hard, you might blow a casket.." Jijo's remark was met with a smack to the back of his head, making him lose his balance and nearly go face-first into the disgusting bog. "Pfft! Well, any-hoot. Really, it was quite simple. The old king's followers were full of corrupt people, no? I simply used this to my advantage most the time. I met them masked, of course." When he said this, he procured a plague doctor mask from his belongings, handing it to Mina for her to feel in her hands. She felt the leather material and the glass eyes and burst into laughter. "Really, a plague doctor? That's so cliche!" Jijo snatched his mask back and stuffed it in his bag, cheeks puffed in slight embarrassment. "Hush, you.." He paused, giving himself a moment to curb his shame. "A-ah, but yes. The old king's men. Naturally, since dispatching him and putting Gryph in the throne, getting those materials has become much harder. I've even had to enact Marques on a few of my suppliers. But those men do still linger."
Seeing Mina struggle with some more muck, Jijo plucked her from the mess and put her diminutive frame upon his shoulders. She blushed profusely and batted his head with her fist for some time before settling into a reluctant gratefulness to not be covered in slime. They continued for a while in comfortable silence, now, accompanied only by some stray fireflies that made the bog their home and an occasional swamp gator that saw them in their territory, but was too lazy to act upon it.
It was in this comfortable silence that Mina suddenly gripped Jijo's hair tight, causing him to flinch and nearly drop the girl straight into the grime he'd saved her from. "Hey, what in Wrath's-!??"
"There's someone here!" She squawked in a high whisper, tugging more on Jijo's hair. He straightened out when she said those words though, and placed Mina close to him on another log. He instinctively went to his waist for his daggers - to remember he'd discarded them on his way out of the city. He scowled, but maintained his confidence. "Who goes?" He confidently hooted into the fogginess of the woods. "Show yourself!"
And so they did. Just one at first, but then another, and another, until close to a dozen strays lined the swamps and circled them. Behind him, Mina trembled in fear. She had never heard of these creatures, he assumed - these soulless killers used more often in terror-tactic children's stories than heard about in actual news. Last he had heard, they were far and in-between, but that was obviously not the case anymore. These strays were thin and ghoulish but still obviously strong - their black heads bobbed around in anticipation, their hollow eyes seeking angles to kill.
Luckily, Jijo was hard to catch unarmed. Hardly moving to the untrained eye, Jijo inched his way to the log where Mina sat, taking hold of two thin but sturdy branches that jutted from its side. He looked again to find Mina no longer shaking, but confident. Her eyes, though blind, pierced the fog of the swamp and delivered icy death stares to the strays, promising an end to all their suffering from where she sat. He smiled at this, moving his hands from the branches to instead place Mina's there. "When I give the signal, rip those branches. Use them as daggers. They aren't palace steel, but they'll get the job done." Mina nodded, gripping the makeshift daggers tight. Jijo would be fighting bare-handed after all.
As he moved back to his previous position, a loud squawk rang from one of the ghostly birds' throats, and they moved. They swarmed the two birds, hoping to make an easy meal of them in numbers. But that would not be so. Jijo, though slightly restricted by the thick mixture of the swamp, jumped high into the air towards one of the strays. In no time at all, he took it down by landing on its shoulders and breaking the neck, but he would not continue. "Mina!" He shouted suddenly, startling the girl still waiting for her signal. She figured this was it - with power infused with fear, she ripped the branches free of their home and brandished them. "Do you see a soul here? The strays won't die until you take down the souls!" Mina understood and, using Jijo's soul as a reference, leaped across the bog from her spot and pierced the strays' soul mid-air. An otherworldly shriek rang from it as the branch made contact, then it dissipated in a small burst.
Together they continued this way - Jijo taking down the physical bodies of the strays in hand-to-hand combat and stealth tactics while Mina operated around him to target the core of the strays' power. Soon, the remaining strays figured their power and fled back into the woods from whence they came. Jijo wanted to chase, but he knew Mina was tired. He could hear her heartbeat from where he stood.
"I-I have never seen so many in a single place." Jijo's brain whirled, gears clunking loudly as he thought. He moved to pick up Mina again, who did not argue this time as she was placed upon his shoulders. "Those were what the palace calls 'strays', Mina. Soul-lost birds who take to the outskirts of the island and prey upon, well, people like you and me. They do not usually.. come so numerous. Not at all." Mina had taken to resting her head on top of Jijo's in tiredness, and he caressed Mina's hand where it clung to him in idleness and gratefulness that she had handled herself so well in battle. "I'm sorry to say this, but we have to .. " He felt Mina nod before he could even finish speaking.
"I know. We have to go back. For all you spout about how much you hate this island and everything in it, you're still a big softie for Gryph and Egret. Just go.. I'm gonna take a nap. Kicking ass is hard." Jijo rolled his eyes but grinned widely, glad to have such an understanding companion with him in these hard times. He held onto Mina's arms around his neck tightly and kicked himself into overdrive - if he did not rest, they could get back to the city in two days' time. That was nothing compared to the training he had received from Wrath in the temple.
-- --- --
Mina now carried herself beside Jijo again, fully rested. They were extremely close to the city walls again now, and both were startled at the lack of city security. "Something must be going on inside the walls," Jijo murmured, taking note of the somber atmosphere basically pulsing from the city. "We must be extra careful. Seeing us again would only worsen their mood, no?" He cracked a half-smile, though he was extremely apprehensive about facing the King again. Facing old friends is always harder than killing beasts, as it were. He wondered what the King would do to see him again. He knew, though, he would not be captured. And neither would Mina. He looked down at her again and found confidence there, and so he found it in himself as well. He pulled the plague doctor mask from his things and put it on, strapping it behind his neck then pulling his hood up to cover himself. Then, he procured a band that he used to cover Mina's face as well - ironically, leaving her blind eyes open. "It's a fear tactic, you'll have to excuse me for it," Jijo murmured to her. "Witch doctors usually dress this way outside the island, and they usually are blind by the time they reach your age from their practices. Heh, imagine - a plague doctor and a witch doctor travelling the town together." Mina just closed her eyes and shook her head, incredulous to her friend's amusement. "Whatever, dork. Let's go."
Jijo and Mina moved quickly through the streets. There they found not at all many people. In fact, they saw more often a boarded house or an abandoned crafts-cart. Jijo couldn't imagine what all had taken place here since his and Mina's departure - a minor plague, really? Surely this hadn't anything to do with his abandonment of Wrath.
"Their souls are very quiet," Mina murmured next to him. "Like they're just going to fizzle out. Not die, just... disappear." And that was the most terrifying thing Jijo had ever heard. He picked up his pace, nearly dragging Mina behind him to the castle now. They used Mina's secret entrance from when they first met to get inside, then tried to use previous knowledge of Gryph's soul to find him personally. But this is where things snagged again. "He's sick, too." Mina murmured again, fraught with worry. "Not the same as the others. Emotionally. He's washed out. Not the shining ball of hope I remember." Gods above and below, why did this happen? Jijo again took her hand and they sought out instead the King's room, where he did not seem to be at this point in time. They stationed themselves there - Mina sat in a chair facing the balcony. Jijo leaned against a wall opposite the door, nervously awaiting their meeting with the King again. This could go very badly..
Jijo was willing to make sure at least one of this duo got out alive. He would make sure, too, that if it was just one, it wasn't him.
"So, look." Mina took the chance to hop on a log as soon as it became within reach. From here she began to wipe her feet, though it wouldn't do much good - she'd have to get back in that mess in a moment. "We're wanted criminals across this entire rock. Nobody's going to help us off of it. You've thought about that, right?" Her blind eyes searched Jijo, looking more and more tired by the day.
"Of course I have. Do you truly think me so desperately unequipped?" Jijo grinned, glad at the chance for conversation and that he did in fact have a plan. "I master in poisons. Do you think I procured all the materials myself? No. I could, but traveling out here to where most of them grow would be both tedious and suspicious for a Xhen-sage to do, right?" Mina nodded, brow furrowed as she tried to think of anyone who would be willing to help an assassin with his dark tasks.
"Don't think so hard, you might blow a casket.." Jijo's remark was met with a smack to the back of his head, making him lose his balance and nearly go face-first into the disgusting bog. "Pfft! Well, any-hoot. Really, it was quite simple. The old king's followers were full of corrupt people, no? I simply used this to my advantage most the time. I met them masked, of course." When he said this, he procured a plague doctor mask from his belongings, handing it to Mina for her to feel in her hands. She felt the leather material and the glass eyes and burst into laughter. "Really, a plague doctor? That's so cliche!" Jijo snatched his mask back and stuffed it in his bag, cheeks puffed in slight embarrassment. "Hush, you.." He paused, giving himself a moment to curb his shame. "A-ah, but yes. The old king's men. Naturally, since dispatching him and putting Gryph in the throne, getting those materials has become much harder. I've even had to enact Marques on a few of my suppliers. But those men do still linger."
Seeing Mina struggle with some more muck, Jijo plucked her from the mess and put her diminutive frame upon his shoulders. She blushed profusely and batted his head with her fist for some time before settling into a reluctant gratefulness to not be covered in slime. They continued for a while in comfortable silence, now, accompanied only by some stray fireflies that made the bog their home and an occasional swamp gator that saw them in their territory, but was too lazy to act upon it.
It was in this comfortable silence that Mina suddenly gripped Jijo's hair tight, causing him to flinch and nearly drop the girl straight into the grime he'd saved her from. "Hey, what in Wrath's-!??"
"There's someone here!" She squawked in a high whisper, tugging more on Jijo's hair. He straightened out when she said those words though, and placed Mina close to him on another log. He instinctively went to his waist for his daggers - to remember he'd discarded them on his way out of the city. He scowled, but maintained his confidence. "Who goes?" He confidently hooted into the fogginess of the woods. "Show yourself!"
And so they did. Just one at first, but then another, and another, until close to a dozen strays lined the swamps and circled them. Behind him, Mina trembled in fear. She had never heard of these creatures, he assumed - these soulless killers used more often in terror-tactic children's stories than heard about in actual news. Last he had heard, they were far and in-between, but that was obviously not the case anymore. These strays were thin and ghoulish but still obviously strong - their black heads bobbed around in anticipation, their hollow eyes seeking angles to kill.
Luckily, Jijo was hard to catch unarmed. Hardly moving to the untrained eye, Jijo inched his way to the log where Mina sat, taking hold of two thin but sturdy branches that jutted from its side. He looked again to find Mina no longer shaking, but confident. Her eyes, though blind, pierced the fog of the swamp and delivered icy death stares to the strays, promising an end to all their suffering from where she sat. He smiled at this, moving his hands from the branches to instead place Mina's there. "When I give the signal, rip those branches. Use them as daggers. They aren't palace steel, but they'll get the job done." Mina nodded, gripping the makeshift daggers tight. Jijo would be fighting bare-handed after all.
As he moved back to his previous position, a loud squawk rang from one of the ghostly birds' throats, and they moved. They swarmed the two birds, hoping to make an easy meal of them in numbers. But that would not be so. Jijo, though slightly restricted by the thick mixture of the swamp, jumped high into the air towards one of the strays. In no time at all, he took it down by landing on its shoulders and breaking the neck, but he would not continue. "Mina!" He shouted suddenly, startling the girl still waiting for her signal. She figured this was it - with power infused with fear, she ripped the branches free of their home and brandished them. "Do you see a soul here? The strays won't die until you take down the souls!" Mina understood and, using Jijo's soul as a reference, leaped across the bog from her spot and pierced the strays' soul mid-air. An otherworldly shriek rang from it as the branch made contact, then it dissipated in a small burst.
Together they continued this way - Jijo taking down the physical bodies of the strays in hand-to-hand combat and stealth tactics while Mina operated around him to target the core of the strays' power. Soon, the remaining strays figured their power and fled back into the woods from whence they came. Jijo wanted to chase, but he knew Mina was tired. He could hear her heartbeat from where he stood.
"I-I have never seen so many in a single place." Jijo's brain whirled, gears clunking loudly as he thought. He moved to pick up Mina again, who did not argue this time as she was placed upon his shoulders. "Those were what the palace calls 'strays', Mina. Soul-lost birds who take to the outskirts of the island and prey upon, well, people like you and me. They do not usually.. come so numerous. Not at all." Mina had taken to resting her head on top of Jijo's in tiredness, and he caressed Mina's hand where it clung to him in idleness and gratefulness that she had handled herself so well in battle. "I'm sorry to say this, but we have to .. " He felt Mina nod before he could even finish speaking.
"I know. We have to go back. For all you spout about how much you hate this island and everything in it, you're still a big softie for Gryph and Egret. Just go.. I'm gonna take a nap. Kicking ass is hard." Jijo rolled his eyes but grinned widely, glad to have such an understanding companion with him in these hard times. He held onto Mina's arms around his neck tightly and kicked himself into overdrive - if he did not rest, they could get back to the city in two days' time. That was nothing compared to the training he had received from Wrath in the temple.
-- --- --
Mina now carried herself beside Jijo again, fully rested. They were extremely close to the city walls again now, and both were startled at the lack of city security. "Something must be going on inside the walls," Jijo murmured, taking note of the somber atmosphere basically pulsing from the city. "We must be extra careful. Seeing us again would only worsen their mood, no?" He cracked a half-smile, though he was extremely apprehensive about facing the King again. Facing old friends is always harder than killing beasts, as it were. He wondered what the King would do to see him again. He knew, though, he would not be captured. And neither would Mina. He looked down at her again and found confidence there, and so he found it in himself as well. He pulled the plague doctor mask from his things and put it on, strapping it behind his neck then pulling his hood up to cover himself. Then, he procured a band that he used to cover Mina's face as well - ironically, leaving her blind eyes open. "It's a fear tactic, you'll have to excuse me for it," Jijo murmured to her. "Witch doctors usually dress this way outside the island, and they usually are blind by the time they reach your age from their practices. Heh, imagine - a plague doctor and a witch doctor travelling the town together." Mina just closed her eyes and shook her head, incredulous to her friend's amusement. "Whatever, dork. Let's go."
Jijo and Mina moved quickly through the streets. There they found not at all many people. In fact, they saw more often a boarded house or an abandoned crafts-cart. Jijo couldn't imagine what all had taken place here since his and Mina's departure - a minor plague, really? Surely this hadn't anything to do with his abandonment of Wrath.
"Their souls are very quiet," Mina murmured next to him. "Like they're just going to fizzle out. Not die, just... disappear." And that was the most terrifying thing Jijo had ever heard. He picked up his pace, nearly dragging Mina behind him to the castle now. They used Mina's secret entrance from when they first met to get inside, then tried to use previous knowledge of Gryph's soul to find him personally. But this is where things snagged again. "He's sick, too." Mina murmured again, fraught with worry. "Not the same as the others. Emotionally. He's washed out. Not the shining ball of hope I remember." Gods above and below, why did this happen? Jijo again took her hand and they sought out instead the King's room, where he did not seem to be at this point in time. They stationed themselves there - Mina sat in a chair facing the balcony. Jijo leaned against a wall opposite the door, nervously awaiting their meeting with the King again. This could go very badly..
Jijo was willing to make sure at least one of this duo got out alive. He would make sure, too, that if it was just one, it wasn't him.
Gryph raised a hand, fingers pushing stray strands from his eyes before they gently touched at the knobs to the faucet and turned them tightly- ceasing the flow of water. Upon shaky stilts, body would rise and stagger a few feet while hand grabbed at a nearby towel that quickly met his face and body. He felt so cold suddenly; not in the same sense as before but physically cold and body began to tremble slightly as towel had been worked against it to soak up any water that had drenched his down. Giving another pat to his face before tossing the towel into a corner he flinched at a pain in his ribs and cursed under his breath; the dry heaving during his shower had caused his muscles to ache and with little nutrition in his system, his body began sending hunger pangs as well that he had tried to ignore for the past few days, signalling to him that it needed food; that it required it- at this point it was a must and it wouldn't be silenced so easily. King would drowsily make his way around the corner of his washroom and past his closet until he stood, frozen, eyes fixed upon a familiar figure then shifted to catch another right outside the balcony.
"..Ji-Jijo?.." Voice no more than a whisper as he stood shocked and confused. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Hallucinations brought on by the neglectful treatment of his young body? Using his hands the King gently rubbed them against blood-red eyes only to reopen them to the same familiarity before him. They were really here- both of them. Mina and Jijo had come back to the city but for what? Why? Didn't he know that he was a wanted criminal? A.. criminal. His guts now twisted within him with more pain though a bit more emotional and he could feel sickness rise into his throat where it burned as he forced to keep it down. From the corner of the room the heavy drapes rustled slightly and from them emerged his older, white friend who held a tray of fresh fruit that quickly met the floor in a metallic sting as soon as two-toned eyes met the two figures, a loud squawk jumping from tan lips.
The sudden sound caused Gryph to jump and feathers to stand on end, fluffing up though easing slightly as the smaller bird raced towards him and positioned himself between Jijo and his King ready to defend him if needed. Egret felt saddened at all that had happened with this bunch though he would protect his King at all costs and would make sure the others knew this as his eyes held within them a stern look while they locked onto Jijo, watching his every move- he was the most dangerous after all. This gesture caused Gryph to feel that mixed emotion once more as he thought to the past few days and his behaviour though clouded mind and thoughts would cease abruptly as he would start to feel light headed- ruby gazers glazing over with a watery film forcing him to squint slightly to stay focused while body swayed ever so slightly as he tried to force himself to stay upright.
"Jijo, Why have you come back.." Lips parted and the million dollar question spilled, riding upon his breath in a tone that conveyed more concern over anything. No special treatment- he couldn't show the other any special treatment when it came to the law.. Of course that went without saying a part of him missed the older bird dearly and Mina as well. His castle had become so dull and quiet and it pained him- maybe even more so - to see these two again than to have them run out of the city.
"I'ts dangerou-.." words were cut abruptly as body couldn't take anymore ignored signals and with a sideways stagger, he was sent downwards though right before hitting the ground, body was embraced in the arms of the smaller white bird who sounded an alarmed chirp all the while eyes scanned over his companion frantically. The king had become unconscious, unresponsive. Resting his beloved King upon the ground gently, Egret scrambled to the large bed where he'd grab at a pillow and held it firm between his teeth while hands fumbled with one of the less heavy blankets before wrapping himself within it and racing back to Gryphs side. Gently, carefully, the older bird lifted the other's head to place a small pillow to keep it positioned upright before wriggling the blanket off his shoulders and body to drape over the young king. Feathered ears drooped down against his skull as he gave a quick glance to Jijo with concern swirling about two-toned eyes though quickly they reverted, laying upon his king as a soft hand brushed away still damp bangs and against the ash coloured forehead though withdrew quickly and eyes squinted a bit. He was warm; a fever- and skin was rather clammy and sticky feeling leaving the older one fearful that his dear friend had in fact caught the plague that had infected much of the golden city.
A few soft coos would be given as Egret crouched over the other, thumb stroking against Gryph's forehead and trailing down across an eyebrow, then to his cheek a few times before a soft groan rumbled within the throat of the younger bird which sent a surprised and rather elated cluck from Egret. Glazed eyes darted around hastily before locking with Egrets own though wavering. What just happened? Had the king blacked out? Gryph raised a hand and placed it against his head while the other worked to shakily lift body up into a sitting position, Egret wrapping an arm around to help keep the other from falling back. He was feeling the scorn of his god to it's fullest now. His punishment.
"I'm alright, Egret.. I'm alright." mumble had bubbled from his lips though as eyes fixated themselves on Jijo he would waste no time explaining what he and Mina had more than likely come to notice. "I'm sure you've noticed a rather peculiar silence within my Kingdom and that silence has been brought on by none other than a plague. It's been killing the elderly, the weak, and it has rendered many of my subjects incapacitated; unable to leave their homes while It has caused great fear in others who now seek refuge within their homes- fearful and unwilling to leave until the plague has dissipated from my land." Swallowing hard to clear his throat and gather control on his shaking voice before continuing.
"I've done my best to do what I can for my people. The almighty Xhen knows this." He decided that was all the other needed to know- for now at least. He had no reason, no obligation to speak to the other about information he withheld from the people beyond his castle. Not about him reading the divine wrath, not about his nightmares, not about his refusal to eat for the last few days (Though it was bound to have shown with his already usual slenderness) No.. Jijo did not need to know these things- and if so, not just yet. His trust was shaken.
"..Ji-Jijo?.." Voice no more than a whisper as he stood shocked and confused. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Hallucinations brought on by the neglectful treatment of his young body? Using his hands the King gently rubbed them against blood-red eyes only to reopen them to the same familiarity before him. They were really here- both of them. Mina and Jijo had come back to the city but for what? Why? Didn't he know that he was a wanted criminal? A.. criminal. His guts now twisted within him with more pain though a bit more emotional and he could feel sickness rise into his throat where it burned as he forced to keep it down. From the corner of the room the heavy drapes rustled slightly and from them emerged his older, white friend who held a tray of fresh fruit that quickly met the floor in a metallic sting as soon as two-toned eyes met the two figures, a loud squawk jumping from tan lips.
The sudden sound caused Gryph to jump and feathers to stand on end, fluffing up though easing slightly as the smaller bird raced towards him and positioned himself between Jijo and his King ready to defend him if needed. Egret felt saddened at all that had happened with this bunch though he would protect his King at all costs and would make sure the others knew this as his eyes held within them a stern look while they locked onto Jijo, watching his every move- he was the most dangerous after all. This gesture caused Gryph to feel that mixed emotion once more as he thought to the past few days and his behaviour though clouded mind and thoughts would cease abruptly as he would start to feel light headed- ruby gazers glazing over with a watery film forcing him to squint slightly to stay focused while body swayed ever so slightly as he tried to force himself to stay upright.
"Jijo, Why have you come back.." Lips parted and the million dollar question spilled, riding upon his breath in a tone that conveyed more concern over anything. No special treatment- he couldn't show the other any special treatment when it came to the law.. Of course that went without saying a part of him missed the older bird dearly and Mina as well. His castle had become so dull and quiet and it pained him- maybe even more so - to see these two again than to have them run out of the city.
"I'ts dangerou-.." words were cut abruptly as body couldn't take anymore ignored signals and with a sideways stagger, he was sent downwards though right before hitting the ground, body was embraced in the arms of the smaller white bird who sounded an alarmed chirp all the while eyes scanned over his companion frantically. The king had become unconscious, unresponsive. Resting his beloved King upon the ground gently, Egret scrambled to the large bed where he'd grab at a pillow and held it firm between his teeth while hands fumbled with one of the less heavy blankets before wrapping himself within it and racing back to Gryphs side. Gently, carefully, the older bird lifted the other's head to place a small pillow to keep it positioned upright before wriggling the blanket off his shoulders and body to drape over the young king. Feathered ears drooped down against his skull as he gave a quick glance to Jijo with concern swirling about two-toned eyes though quickly they reverted, laying upon his king as a soft hand brushed away still damp bangs and against the ash coloured forehead though withdrew quickly and eyes squinted a bit. He was warm; a fever- and skin was rather clammy and sticky feeling leaving the older one fearful that his dear friend had in fact caught the plague that had infected much of the golden city.
A few soft coos would be given as Egret crouched over the other, thumb stroking against Gryph's forehead and trailing down across an eyebrow, then to his cheek a few times before a soft groan rumbled within the throat of the younger bird which sent a surprised and rather elated cluck from Egret. Glazed eyes darted around hastily before locking with Egrets own though wavering. What just happened? Had the king blacked out? Gryph raised a hand and placed it against his head while the other worked to shakily lift body up into a sitting position, Egret wrapping an arm around to help keep the other from falling back. He was feeling the scorn of his god to it's fullest now. His punishment.
"I'm alright, Egret.. I'm alright." mumble had bubbled from his lips though as eyes fixated themselves on Jijo he would waste no time explaining what he and Mina had more than likely come to notice. "I'm sure you've noticed a rather peculiar silence within my Kingdom and that silence has been brought on by none other than a plague. It's been killing the elderly, the weak, and it has rendered many of my subjects incapacitated; unable to leave their homes while It has caused great fear in others who now seek refuge within their homes- fearful and unwilling to leave until the plague has dissipated from my land." Swallowing hard to clear his throat and gather control on his shaking voice before continuing.
"I've done my best to do what I can for my people. The almighty Xhen knows this." He decided that was all the other needed to know- for now at least. He had no reason, no obligation to speak to the other about information he withheld from the people beyond his castle. Not about him reading the divine wrath, not about his nightmares, not about his refusal to eat for the last few days (Though it was bound to have shown with his already usual slenderness) No.. Jijo did not need to know these things- and if so, not just yet. His trust was shaken.
Jijo watched in silence as the King fell apart before him. Due to two reasons - he feared saying anything at all during this time would endanger himself and Mina, and he was just plain stunned at the King's withering away. It had not been so terribly long since he and Mina had fled. How could so much happen in this time? He resisted many, many urges to reach for his old friend and confidant; to comfort and coo at him, to be his chamber keeper once more. He could never go back to that, now. Even if he truly wanted to, the accursed tyrannical gods of this land prevented it.
The king had spoken of the plague, which he had suspected just from being among the commons. He resisted an urge to rub his temples in equal parts frustration and anxiety - he instead stayed perfectly still, again, fearing wrath from his former friend, as frail as he seemed. He had just seen the poor bird collapse under the sheer weight of his emotions and fragile body, and did not want to make it worse. He still cared deeply for this bird, even if he did not consider him his king any longer. He still thought of him as a friend, even if it were not true any longer.
While Jijo was wrapped up in his shock, Mina had risen from her chair and wrapped her arms around Jijo's waist in a comforting hug. She said nothing, as well, but her touch made him feel stronger. He could tell her little arms were shaking as she held him. She was scared of what had become of this kingdom, as well.
However, as Gryph spoke of the "almighty" Xhen, a tiny scowl showed upon Jijo's face. He tried to hide it, but to no avail, as his disgust with this kingdom's deity once again showed itself. "Xhen cares not for these people," he spoke at last, quiet but firm. "He lets the weak and innocent suffer. In fact, he had me kill them, did he not?" He turned his chin upwards in a derisive scoff, eyes hardening. The shock of seeing his former friend in such frailty had worn off. Again, he became cold, hard, and mission-oriented. "I am not here for your plague. That is not my concern. What is my concern is something else entirely. Something much more dangerous than an uncurable cold." Mina gripped him tightly at the waist, reminding him to keep his cool. If he was rude to the one in charge of this entire floating isle, his message would not come across and his chances of being arrested would soar. At this firm yet caring touch, Jijo sunk to the ground and completely fell apart, nearly bringing his apprentice with him. She instead now took a defensive and protective position above him, hands on his shoulders as he knelt with this head in his arms upon his knees. A soft whine came from him, a broken and confused sound.
"I'm sorry, Gryph. I'm sorry. I'msorryi'msorryi'msor-" he stopped himself and took a deep breath or seven. This, too, would help nothing. Still resting his head on his arms in his crouching position, he kept silent for some time as Mina rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. Eventually, he found his voice again, lifting his head from its shameful position and standing up, straight and confident with a clearing of his throat, acting as though his momentary lapse in sanity had never happened. "While your plague is definitely a concern," he amended from his previous statement, "a much quicker death approaches this entire city." He looked at Mina, who now seemed afraid, recalling the fight in the swamp. He took her hand now and grasped it firmly as he spoke. "The strays are on the move. They have become organized. While Mina and I were trying to escape the island, we ran into some. And not just two or three. A dozen." He paused, letting this sink in. "They have herded, Gryph. They've multiplied and come together, presumably under a common leader and with a very specific goal: you." He paused again.
"Your city, that is. It was by pure chance we ran into them where we did, but even all the way out where we were, it was so much closer to the city than their usual lairs. Mina and I together managed to kill all but two stragglers from the group, but nobody can begin to guess how many more may be out there." His eyes hardened again, scrutinizing the frail king. "Now is no time to let your body waste away and your soul grow stagnant. Even from the castle basement, Mina could see you have lost your faith and your shine. Your people need those things in you now more than ever, and with strays looming on the horizon, those things will be the only thing keeping the darkness at bay." He continued to look scrutinizingly at Gryph, stern still, but also caring in the only way he knew how to be any more. "If you fail your people now when they need you most, you don't deserve the .. the blessing, or whatever they call it, the snakes gave you." His derision towards the serpentine lords was clear and unstoppable, but his point was solid and he would not back down from it now. The man before him wasn't a king right now. He was a scared child. And the city had enough of those.
"Don't misunderstand me. I have no desire to return here and I am not so stupid as to think you will not have your men arrest me as soon as I am done speaking with you. I have prepared for this, and be it necessary, I will throw myself upon the pyre to ensure at least Mina leaves." She let out a tiny gasp behind him, not knowing this intention, but he ignored it. "So know that. Know I am not here to kiss your talons and beg forgiveness for what I've done in the past. This is my atonement, here and now: I am telling you of the impending danger. And I'm telling you that you need to get your act together if you want to survive it. That is all I owe you - or anyone in this city - now." He readied himself, arm stuck within his cloak and grasping a vial of chemicals that would fog the room and put its inhabitants to a short sleep, or at least slow them. Mina's and his masks would protect them from it, if it came to it. He would not be trapped here in this city, this life, a second time.
The king had spoken of the plague, which he had suspected just from being among the commons. He resisted an urge to rub his temples in equal parts frustration and anxiety - he instead stayed perfectly still, again, fearing wrath from his former friend, as frail as he seemed. He had just seen the poor bird collapse under the sheer weight of his emotions and fragile body, and did not want to make it worse. He still cared deeply for this bird, even if he did not consider him his king any longer. He still thought of him as a friend, even if it were not true any longer.
While Jijo was wrapped up in his shock, Mina had risen from her chair and wrapped her arms around Jijo's waist in a comforting hug. She said nothing, as well, but her touch made him feel stronger. He could tell her little arms were shaking as she held him. She was scared of what had become of this kingdom, as well.
However, as Gryph spoke of the "almighty" Xhen, a tiny scowl showed upon Jijo's face. He tried to hide it, but to no avail, as his disgust with this kingdom's deity once again showed itself. "Xhen cares not for these people," he spoke at last, quiet but firm. "He lets the weak and innocent suffer. In fact, he had me kill them, did he not?" He turned his chin upwards in a derisive scoff, eyes hardening. The shock of seeing his former friend in such frailty had worn off. Again, he became cold, hard, and mission-oriented. "I am not here for your plague. That is not my concern. What is my concern is something else entirely. Something much more dangerous than an uncurable cold." Mina gripped him tightly at the waist, reminding him to keep his cool. If he was rude to the one in charge of this entire floating isle, his message would not come across and his chances of being arrested would soar. At this firm yet caring touch, Jijo sunk to the ground and completely fell apart, nearly bringing his apprentice with him. She instead now took a defensive and protective position above him, hands on his shoulders as he knelt with this head in his arms upon his knees. A soft whine came from him, a broken and confused sound.
"I'm sorry, Gryph. I'm sorry. I'msorryi'msorryi'msor-" he stopped himself and took a deep breath or seven. This, too, would help nothing. Still resting his head on his arms in his crouching position, he kept silent for some time as Mina rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. Eventually, he found his voice again, lifting his head from its shameful position and standing up, straight and confident with a clearing of his throat, acting as though his momentary lapse in sanity had never happened. "While your plague is definitely a concern," he amended from his previous statement, "a much quicker death approaches this entire city." He looked at Mina, who now seemed afraid, recalling the fight in the swamp. He took her hand now and grasped it firmly as he spoke. "The strays are on the move. They have become organized. While Mina and I were trying to escape the island, we ran into some. And not just two or three. A dozen." He paused, letting this sink in. "They have herded, Gryph. They've multiplied and come together, presumably under a common leader and with a very specific goal: you." He paused again.
"Your city, that is. It was by pure chance we ran into them where we did, but even all the way out where we were, it was so much closer to the city than their usual lairs. Mina and I together managed to kill all but two stragglers from the group, but nobody can begin to guess how many more may be out there." His eyes hardened again, scrutinizing the frail king. "Now is no time to let your body waste away and your soul grow stagnant. Even from the castle basement, Mina could see you have lost your faith and your shine. Your people need those things in you now more than ever, and with strays looming on the horizon, those things will be the only thing keeping the darkness at bay." He continued to look scrutinizingly at Gryph, stern still, but also caring in the only way he knew how to be any more. "If you fail your people now when they need you most, you don't deserve the .. the blessing, or whatever they call it, the snakes gave you." His derision towards the serpentine lords was clear and unstoppable, but his point was solid and he would not back down from it now. The man before him wasn't a king right now. He was a scared child. And the city had enough of those.
"Don't misunderstand me. I have no desire to return here and I am not so stupid as to think you will not have your men arrest me as soon as I am done speaking with you. I have prepared for this, and be it necessary, I will throw myself upon the pyre to ensure at least Mina leaves." She let out a tiny gasp behind him, not knowing this intention, but he ignored it. "So know that. Know I am not here to kiss your talons and beg forgiveness for what I've done in the past. This is my atonement, here and now: I am telling you of the impending danger. And I'm telling you that you need to get your act together if you want to survive it. That is all I owe you - or anyone in this city - now." He readied himself, arm stuck within his cloak and grasping a vial of chemicals that would fog the room and put its inhabitants to a short sleep, or at least slow them. Mina's and his masks would protect them from it, if it came to it. He would not be trapped here in this city, this life, a second time.
Gryphs body shook all the while he lifted himself to his feet while ruby eyes fixed onto Jijo. Watching him batter from anger, disgust, to falling apart and submitting back to a fixed state of stern and disgust again- those deep red jewels only squinted in a leer while ears met with the sound of hatred towards his God. While the comments on his current physical and spiritual condition had reached him, he would defend the very foundation of his Kingdom before defending himself- after all.. Jijo was right. The young King had let things get to him that as a King he shouldn't have and it had only caused him to become sick and weak; an unfit leader.
"You have no place to speak so ill of my Kingdom's god within these walls, Jijo." His voice stern and warning though with these words the King seemed to gain strength. While his faith had been withering slightly, he still had ultimately surrendered himself to the might Xhen as King of the land and he would protect his beliefs.
"However, you're right. I cannot fail my people. I have not told you of my Kingdoms plague in hopes of concern or your sympathy, old friend, but to warn you for your own safety.. It is not in your interest the things that go on here- I know this. But even as a criminal on the run, even for what you have done I wouldn't wish a plague on even my worst of enemies." Eyes still fixed on Jijo while he worked to wrap the blanket over his shoulders and took a few steps towards the shorter bird, listening intently as he spoke of the Stray hoard that pressed towards his land. Egret followed along side him, arms against each side of the King to help support him if he swayed too far to either side; keeping him from falling back over. Stopping a few feet away, Gryph would look to Mina and see her fear as Jijo had spoke then directed attention back unto him. What in Xhen's name had compelled the Strays to work together?
"Hoard of Strays.." He repeated his thoughts out loud as he looked down, hand rubbing fingers against his chin before eyes darted towards the curtained opening to his chamber. He had to alert any guards that were able to defend the land and any abled body that could wield a weapon at this point with the shortage of healthy guards. As Jijo spoke and readied himself for escape Gryph let out a deep sigh while closing his eyes in a long, slow blink before opening them upon the older bird. Parts of his heart were ever so torn as he examined the other a good few moments, recalling how close he had felt for him and everything he had helped with; his former place in the city and how he never fully had thanked Jijo for his services- even the dirty ones that Xhen had asked of him.. After a long pause, lips parted and he finally spoke, all the while body fending off small quivers under the draping blanket.
"I do not expect you to stay or even beg for my forgiveness- I would never. You have your own path and have chosen how you wish to live it and that's fine. My deepest thanks to you for relaying this message to me about the impeding army of Strays. While I don't know for certain why they've come so close to the Kingdom I fear that this plague may not have helped; it might have given them the push they needed to brave as far as they have. I'll send a scout and warn the guards after I gather my people for a counsel, thank you."
A deep nod would be given to the other before talons clicked, legs carrying him back a few feet in hopes to ease Jijo's mind- he wouldn't call his guards on the assassin today. Not this time- he couldn't waste the manpower he had left to contain and chase down his old friend.. Gryph was surprised and almost awestruck, however, as the other had spoke of sacrificing himself to be sure Mina escaped. Of course he had taken note of the defensiveness the girl held over him as well as the hugging but this had confirmed that the two had definitely grown closer to each other in all this; more fond of one another than before and for that, the King couldn't help but smile inwardly if but slightly at the thought. Even in chaos, two souls can still bind together in closeness and loyalty. Another slow blink and he'd direct attention to Egret who beamed up at his beloved King with two-toned eyes as if awaiting direction all the while arms still holding him steady. He could feel that with all that had happened even he had experienced a growing of closeness- Egret. This small white bird's loyalty to him had shown much brighter than before after everything that had happened following the leave the two others had taken and this time instead of feeling disgust, he felt thankful and warm; he was thankful that he too hadn't given up on him and that Egret had been beside him pushing him to his daily needs. A feathered hand would raise and place itself on the other's cheek ever so softly - a soft coo being uttered - while eyes watched into the others for a few moments before breaking off towards the door. He had a kingdom to see to, and he should start by regaining his bearings so that he could lead them in the way that they needed.
Tick tock of talons met the tile below as he made his way towards the entrance of the Chamber. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Kingdom that needs their King now more than ever.." A soft smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, looking back a moment and giving a soft nod as if to signal to the other that his words-while scrutinizing- were truth and that he understood. It was what the King needed. Even while sick, someone in his power should do everything they could to fight and stay on their feet to guide their kingdom till their very last breath. Together the two would push from the curtains and out of the chamber, disappearing towards the direction of the Kitchen where Gryph would fill himself on nutrient rich foods to re-supply his neglected body and refresh his dry throat with purified water.
"You have no place to speak so ill of my Kingdom's god within these walls, Jijo." His voice stern and warning though with these words the King seemed to gain strength. While his faith had been withering slightly, he still had ultimately surrendered himself to the might Xhen as King of the land and he would protect his beliefs.
"However, you're right. I cannot fail my people. I have not told you of my Kingdoms plague in hopes of concern or your sympathy, old friend, but to warn you for your own safety.. It is not in your interest the things that go on here- I know this. But even as a criminal on the run, even for what you have done I wouldn't wish a plague on even my worst of enemies." Eyes still fixed on Jijo while he worked to wrap the blanket over his shoulders and took a few steps towards the shorter bird, listening intently as he spoke of the Stray hoard that pressed towards his land. Egret followed along side him, arms against each side of the King to help support him if he swayed too far to either side; keeping him from falling back over. Stopping a few feet away, Gryph would look to Mina and see her fear as Jijo had spoke then directed attention back unto him. What in Xhen's name had compelled the Strays to work together?
"Hoard of Strays.." He repeated his thoughts out loud as he looked down, hand rubbing fingers against his chin before eyes darted towards the curtained opening to his chamber. He had to alert any guards that were able to defend the land and any abled body that could wield a weapon at this point with the shortage of healthy guards. As Jijo spoke and readied himself for escape Gryph let out a deep sigh while closing his eyes in a long, slow blink before opening them upon the older bird. Parts of his heart were ever so torn as he examined the other a good few moments, recalling how close he had felt for him and everything he had helped with; his former place in the city and how he never fully had thanked Jijo for his services- even the dirty ones that Xhen had asked of him.. After a long pause, lips parted and he finally spoke, all the while body fending off small quivers under the draping blanket.
"I do not expect you to stay or even beg for my forgiveness- I would never. You have your own path and have chosen how you wish to live it and that's fine. My deepest thanks to you for relaying this message to me about the impeding army of Strays. While I don't know for certain why they've come so close to the Kingdom I fear that this plague may not have helped; it might have given them the push they needed to brave as far as they have. I'll send a scout and warn the guards after I gather my people for a counsel, thank you."
A deep nod would be given to the other before talons clicked, legs carrying him back a few feet in hopes to ease Jijo's mind- he wouldn't call his guards on the assassin today. Not this time- he couldn't waste the manpower he had left to contain and chase down his old friend.. Gryph was surprised and almost awestruck, however, as the other had spoke of sacrificing himself to be sure Mina escaped. Of course he had taken note of the defensiveness the girl held over him as well as the hugging but this had confirmed that the two had definitely grown closer to each other in all this; more fond of one another than before and for that, the King couldn't help but smile inwardly if but slightly at the thought. Even in chaos, two souls can still bind together in closeness and loyalty. Another slow blink and he'd direct attention to Egret who beamed up at his beloved King with two-toned eyes as if awaiting direction all the while arms still holding him steady. He could feel that with all that had happened even he had experienced a growing of closeness- Egret. This small white bird's loyalty to him had shown much brighter than before after everything that had happened following the leave the two others had taken and this time instead of feeling disgust, he felt thankful and warm; he was thankful that he too hadn't given up on him and that Egret had been beside him pushing him to his daily needs. A feathered hand would raise and place itself on the other's cheek ever so softly - a soft coo being uttered - while eyes watched into the others for a few moments before breaking off towards the door. He had a kingdom to see to, and he should start by regaining his bearings so that he could lead them in the way that they needed.
Tick tock of talons met the tile below as he made his way towards the entrance of the Chamber. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Kingdom that needs their King now more than ever.." A soft smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, looking back a moment and giving a soft nod as if to signal to the other that his words-while scrutinizing- were truth and that he understood. It was what the King needed. Even while sick, someone in his power should do everything they could to fight and stay on their feet to guide their kingdom till their very last breath. Together the two would push from the curtains and out of the chamber, disappearing towards the direction of the Kitchen where Gryph would fill himself on nutrient rich foods to re-supply his neglected body and refresh his dry throat with purified water.
Jijo's hands relaxed from his tentative grip on his poisons. At first it was just a waver - confusion hazing his mind as he saw the King back away from him and his best friend. Then the haze settled, leaving him utterly baffled as the King solidified the fact he was not going to chase them. And, to be thanked! This was too much, too unexpected. Too undeserved. He scowled, though at himself rather than anyone else. He did not deserve any of this treatment. He should be killed on the spot for blindly following the orders of some giant snake, killing people because they had spooky bruises. Mina tugged on his cloak behind him, pulling him back to his senses as the King spoke of returning to duty. He fully relaxed now, no longer slouched in a defensive, ready-to-flee position and now in his usual aloof posture. He smiled, if only a little, at the frail king who was now ready again to do what needed be done. "I'm glad to hear it.. friend." He paused, letting that word sink in for all it meant to him. He looked to Egret, who had been taking such good care of the King, and smiled gently, issuing a silent thanks for his hard work.
I know you do not trust me any longer, and it was not for me, but thank you still, he thought warmly of the small mute. If there's any chance of you reading me as I think this, somehow, know that even I can see you are what's keeping him together. You're something special.
Then he turned to Mina, reapplying her mask and then putting his own on before turning one last time to the King. "I know I am not welcome here. I have committed crimes beyond redemption... But I will always be near. Especially with this new threat on the horizon, I'm afraid you might need Mina and me, whether you like to admit it or not. We are not sick, and we know how to fight these soulless bastards. So.." He smiled nervously under his plague doctor mask, the irony of his regalia adding to his twisted humor. "I'd say 'you know where to find me', but.. you won't. Kind of the point." He chuckled at himself, before Mina tugged once more, urgently, silently reminding him not to overstay this gift the King had given. He nodded once, sharply, before backing out onto the balcony and then melodramatically falling over the railing, squawking loudly and sharply as if purely accidental - and then he and Mina were skirting the roofs of the city once more, as they once had.
"Getting a bit chummy, aren't you?" Mina glowered to her mentor as they ran, once or twice intentionally bumping her shoulder into him to make him lose his balance. "I don't recall you asking anyone before you suddenly up and decided to stick around to fight these stupid Strays. Where will we stay? How will we avoid the guards? What about FOOD?! Have you thought any of this through at all?" Her angry tone of voice was muffled behind her scarfed mask, but still painfully obvious to Jijo.
He winced at the truth in her words, but shook his head confidently. "Honestly, have you zero faith in your dutiful, resourceful, incredibly intelligent and dashingly handsome mentor?"
"You just made a solid hundred percent of that up," she growled, though obviously alleviated of some of her stress. "I mean, really, handsome? You're asking a blind girl?" She acted offended, taking the opportunity of a break between two buildings to shoot him her best 'how dare' offended look.
Jijo cackled and shook his head, lacking words for his witty apprentice. "Yes, yes, you got me. I'm the actual worst!" He put his hands up in defeat before halting them both upon the roof of the temple. "The belfry on this tower is effectively abandoned due to the palace's bells being used instead. It should make a decent enough hide. And," he cooed in a borderline-seductive manner, purely for jokes, "it's quite roomy, if you catch my drift." Mina squawked and shoved him into the belfry's shaft, grinning to herself as Jijo let out a defeated wail the whole way down, followed by a thump and a 'oof!' that could be described only as comical.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks for asking!" Jijo hollered back up. They had a long way to go in their relationship yet.
I know you do not trust me any longer, and it was not for me, but thank you still, he thought warmly of the small mute. If there's any chance of you reading me as I think this, somehow, know that even I can see you are what's keeping him together. You're something special.
Then he turned to Mina, reapplying her mask and then putting his own on before turning one last time to the King. "I know I am not welcome here. I have committed crimes beyond redemption... But I will always be near. Especially with this new threat on the horizon, I'm afraid you might need Mina and me, whether you like to admit it or not. We are not sick, and we know how to fight these soulless bastards. So.." He smiled nervously under his plague doctor mask, the irony of his regalia adding to his twisted humor. "I'd say 'you know where to find me', but.. you won't. Kind of the point." He chuckled at himself, before Mina tugged once more, urgently, silently reminding him not to overstay this gift the King had given. He nodded once, sharply, before backing out onto the balcony and then melodramatically falling over the railing, squawking loudly and sharply as if purely accidental - and then he and Mina were skirting the roofs of the city once more, as they once had.
"Getting a bit chummy, aren't you?" Mina glowered to her mentor as they ran, once or twice intentionally bumping her shoulder into him to make him lose his balance. "I don't recall you asking anyone before you suddenly up and decided to stick around to fight these stupid Strays. Where will we stay? How will we avoid the guards? What about FOOD?! Have you thought any of this through at all?" Her angry tone of voice was muffled behind her scarfed mask, but still painfully obvious to Jijo.
He winced at the truth in her words, but shook his head confidently. "Honestly, have you zero faith in your dutiful, resourceful, incredibly intelligent and dashingly handsome mentor?"
"You just made a solid hundred percent of that up," she growled, though obviously alleviated of some of her stress. "I mean, really, handsome? You're asking a blind girl?" She acted offended, taking the opportunity of a break between two buildings to shoot him her best 'how dare' offended look.
Jijo cackled and shook his head, lacking words for his witty apprentice. "Yes, yes, you got me. I'm the actual worst!" He put his hands up in defeat before halting them both upon the roof of the temple. "The belfry on this tower is effectively abandoned due to the palace's bells being used instead. It should make a decent enough hide. And," he cooed in a borderline-seductive manner, purely for jokes, "it's quite roomy, if you catch my drift." Mina squawked and shoved him into the belfry's shaft, grinning to herself as Jijo let out a defeated wail the whole way down, followed by a thump and a 'oof!' that could be described only as comical.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks for asking!" Jijo hollered back up. They had a long way to go in their relationship yet.
The King finished up the last gulps of a pouch of water he had plucked from the kitchen's storage- savouring each drop of its charcoal filtered delicacy before setting the pouch onto a counter top along with the dishes they had dirtied- just a few. Belly now full, body feeling rejuvenated, Gryph stood like a new bird and aside from still feeling a bit feverish, he felt a lot better and would use this newfound strength to his advantage. Sick or not, he would help his kingdom until he was on his deathbed- the good and the bad, they needed him. Making his way out of the kitchen and down the hall, Gryph kept his adviser close and would give a a few glances down at the other every so often as they ticked their way to the city's meeting area. Friend.. he let the word soak into his mind recalling Jijo's last few words before disappearing. A part of him didn't want to know where the other would be hiding in his kingdom. Despite his faults, his actions, the things hes done against the Kingdom Gryph also knew that it was under the guidance and call of the almighty. He couldn't take it too personally and while it was in fact his father, King of the mighty land, he had gone corrupt and turned his back on the God. He thought he was /better/ than Xhen and treated his people as lesser beings than himself. Silently while recalling his father's corruption, Gryph had made a vow that he'd rather his own life be taken than to fall into a dark corruption like that of Rukaia. That he would rather himself be harmed in the wake of evil than for his people to suffer at his own hand. Jijo.. it made him smirk a bit as he thought about it some more; a bird who swam with death now flying as a mysterious guardian angel, more or less anyways. He deeply appreciated the other sticking around, risking his safety to help protect a Kingdom that wasn't his own and thus, had given the King that much more courage to do what needed to be done.
Ash hand grasped around the railings as feet were carefully placed upon each step on the platform poised before rows of stone seats. He looked over them a moment then sat rump upon his own stone throne, body sitting straight up- tall and elegant before he'd turn to his advisor who stood besides him proudly. "Egret, if you'd do the honours.." A deep nod would be given to the white bird before he too gave one back and ran off to the side a handful of meters, pulling with all his might in long tugs on a rope that hung besides the tower. From above, a metallic urgency rang through the sky, cracking the silence within the city with its hollow, mourning call. A sure sign to all that the King had requested their presence to the meeting grounds outside the castle and he would sit, waiting all the while Egret give it a few more moments of tugging before following in suit next to his king once more.
They hadn't waited too long before a flock of the remaining people had come to see what it was their King called them for- slightly confused though most with relieved faces and rekindled spirits to see their King before them. It didn't take them but a few moments to find their places and after a few more moments to give what stragglers might be left wandering in time, Gryph would rise to his feet and make his way towards the front end of his platform watching before him as his people gave their deepest of bows before he'd dismiss them to sit with a wave of the hand.
"Loyal birids of the Floating Isle- Fair birds of the Kingdom - children of Xhen. I have called upon you today on behalf of news that has reached my ear. I apologize that the news I am about to relay to each and every one of you isn't good news, but bad. We are in danger. Our city, is in danger. " The king would pause a moment while his subjects glanced at one another, wondering if he was finally addressing the plague or if there was more to it though kept their beaks silent. "I am well aware that we have so many who have fallen ill -and worse - to this plague that has clouded the Kingdom but I fear this news is about something else. I have been given word that there is a hoard of Strays that have come close to the City's walls. They are gathering, they are growing, and the threat is very real.." Another pause, and Gryph would allow eyes to wander over his people, taking in account their condition and meeting their eyes with his own ruby gaze. There were a good handful of strong birds here, but there were also weak ones who still stood before him. "I call upon you now for your help in defending our home. Any able body bird- we need your strength to help fend off this threat. We need to stand together and protect those of us who cannot. I will need scouts, soldiers, and medics in place where we're missing or short numbered. We /can/ defend our home and by Xhen we fight to the end to protect it. We are strong; even in our current state, we are still so strong. Now please, I ask that you join me in this vow to protect and defend our home. Those able and willing, to grab weapon; sword or dagger, arrow or hammer and fit yourself with armour within the armoury. I do not know how long we have but after a scout we will have more information. Until then, we must begin training those who have not used a weapon before. "
Gryph would carry on with his speach and after some time would choose out two sets of scouting groups each containing two of the quickest birds. They were light on their feet and sneaky- perfect for a scout. He would assign Guard duties to a few birds, pairing them off with actual guards to mentor them and even set up plans for training those who were new to weapons with an experience guard that would start immediately. After all assignments were given, he would dismiss his people to their duties and make his way to the city's armoury.
Inside, Gryph walked straight into the back with Egret at his heels who almost quivered at the sight. Their amrouy was full of well kept blades and axes- polished daggers and dangerous arrows. It was a rather exciting rush to him to see there were at least enough weapons to go around and as he looked up, he'd watch his King gently grasp hands around a mounted bow that clung against the wooden wall and lift it up off of its mount. With such delicacy as if it were going to crumble into dust, Gryph inspected the device a good while and then strum the bowstring with a finger a few times before two fingers were pressed tightly against it, pulling back while other arm lifted it equal to his shoulders. Ruby eye gave a squint as he looked through the peep hole for a few moments before disarming the device and smiling down at the smaller white bird who made a soft cooing noise.
"Ah- and we can't forget about yours now could we.." Gryph grabbed at another bow mounted in the same area and repeated the gesture, inspecting and testing it before handing it down to the other and grabbed at their quivers full of sharp, sleek arrows. Excited coos and chirps escaped Egrets lips as he hugged at his bow and quiver as if reuniting with an old friend before slipping the belt over his chest and shoulder and equipping his bow against his back all the while Gryph had done the same with his own. The two would continue out of the armoury and make their way to the stables where the city's ponies were kept and within the stalls was a white mare who within an instant of sensing their presence, galloped her way up to them. Gryph couldn't help but release a soft chuckle as ash hands worked to undo the latch of her stall while she pranced about in place and gave an excited whinny.
"Hello again, my friend. It's so nice to see you again too." He'd coo to her as she murred, snorting out from rose nostrils and giving his bangs a playful nip obviously delighted to see him. After releasing her from her stall she would bolt into the opening of the stable, running circles a moment to release pent up energy before prancing up to face the King while Egret gave a few squawks and dodged her hooves as he was much shorter than her. His presence didn't go unnoticed though as the snowy mare began to give him playful nips to his fluffed ears where he'd latch to her muzzle and be lifted up some.
"We're gonna need to practice some archery today. We're all a bit rusty and we have danger on the horizon." Gryph spoke to this creature as if she could understand him as she lifted her head to meet his own eyes, Egret slipping off and landing upon rump with a soft thud before gathering himself next to the King. A snort was given and a nudge of her nose to Gryphs feathered chest was her way of answering his question and with a tug to the corner of his lip and a quick rub of his hand against velvet nose, he would waste no time jumping up on the mare's back then grabbing at his small white friend who took his place behind him on her hindquarters and together they would ride to the range, taking some time to shoot their weapons both while on horseback and off practicing and honing in on their skills.
Ash hand grasped around the railings as feet were carefully placed upon each step on the platform poised before rows of stone seats. He looked over them a moment then sat rump upon his own stone throne, body sitting straight up- tall and elegant before he'd turn to his advisor who stood besides him proudly. "Egret, if you'd do the honours.." A deep nod would be given to the white bird before he too gave one back and ran off to the side a handful of meters, pulling with all his might in long tugs on a rope that hung besides the tower. From above, a metallic urgency rang through the sky, cracking the silence within the city with its hollow, mourning call. A sure sign to all that the King had requested their presence to the meeting grounds outside the castle and he would sit, waiting all the while Egret give it a few more moments of tugging before following in suit next to his king once more.
They hadn't waited too long before a flock of the remaining people had come to see what it was their King called them for- slightly confused though most with relieved faces and rekindled spirits to see their King before them. It didn't take them but a few moments to find their places and after a few more moments to give what stragglers might be left wandering in time, Gryph would rise to his feet and make his way towards the front end of his platform watching before him as his people gave their deepest of bows before he'd dismiss them to sit with a wave of the hand.
"Loyal birids of the Floating Isle- Fair birds of the Kingdom - children of Xhen. I have called upon you today on behalf of news that has reached my ear. I apologize that the news I am about to relay to each and every one of you isn't good news, but bad. We are in danger. Our city, is in danger. " The king would pause a moment while his subjects glanced at one another, wondering if he was finally addressing the plague or if there was more to it though kept their beaks silent. "I am well aware that we have so many who have fallen ill -and worse - to this plague that has clouded the Kingdom but I fear this news is about something else. I have been given word that there is a hoard of Strays that have come close to the City's walls. They are gathering, they are growing, and the threat is very real.." Another pause, and Gryph would allow eyes to wander over his people, taking in account their condition and meeting their eyes with his own ruby gaze. There were a good handful of strong birds here, but there were also weak ones who still stood before him. "I call upon you now for your help in defending our home. Any able body bird- we need your strength to help fend off this threat. We need to stand together and protect those of us who cannot. I will need scouts, soldiers, and medics in place where we're missing or short numbered. We /can/ defend our home and by Xhen we fight to the end to protect it. We are strong; even in our current state, we are still so strong. Now please, I ask that you join me in this vow to protect and defend our home. Those able and willing, to grab weapon; sword or dagger, arrow or hammer and fit yourself with armour within the armoury. I do not know how long we have but after a scout we will have more information. Until then, we must begin training those who have not used a weapon before. "
Gryph would carry on with his speach and after some time would choose out two sets of scouting groups each containing two of the quickest birds. They were light on their feet and sneaky- perfect for a scout. He would assign Guard duties to a few birds, pairing them off with actual guards to mentor them and even set up plans for training those who were new to weapons with an experience guard that would start immediately. After all assignments were given, he would dismiss his people to their duties and make his way to the city's armoury.
Inside, Gryph walked straight into the back with Egret at his heels who almost quivered at the sight. Their amrouy was full of well kept blades and axes- polished daggers and dangerous arrows. It was a rather exciting rush to him to see there were at least enough weapons to go around and as he looked up, he'd watch his King gently grasp hands around a mounted bow that clung against the wooden wall and lift it up off of its mount. With such delicacy as if it were going to crumble into dust, Gryph inspected the device a good while and then strum the bowstring with a finger a few times before two fingers were pressed tightly against it, pulling back while other arm lifted it equal to his shoulders. Ruby eye gave a squint as he looked through the peep hole for a few moments before disarming the device and smiling down at the smaller white bird who made a soft cooing noise.
"Ah- and we can't forget about yours now could we.." Gryph grabbed at another bow mounted in the same area and repeated the gesture, inspecting and testing it before handing it down to the other and grabbed at their quivers full of sharp, sleek arrows. Excited coos and chirps escaped Egrets lips as he hugged at his bow and quiver as if reuniting with an old friend before slipping the belt over his chest and shoulder and equipping his bow against his back all the while Gryph had done the same with his own. The two would continue out of the armoury and make their way to the stables where the city's ponies were kept and within the stalls was a white mare who within an instant of sensing their presence, galloped her way up to them. Gryph couldn't help but release a soft chuckle as ash hands worked to undo the latch of her stall while she pranced about in place and gave an excited whinny.
"Hello again, my friend. It's so nice to see you again too." He'd coo to her as she murred, snorting out from rose nostrils and giving his bangs a playful nip obviously delighted to see him. After releasing her from her stall she would bolt into the opening of the stable, running circles a moment to release pent up energy before prancing up to face the King while Egret gave a few squawks and dodged her hooves as he was much shorter than her. His presence didn't go unnoticed though as the snowy mare began to give him playful nips to his fluffed ears where he'd latch to her muzzle and be lifted up some.
"We're gonna need to practice some archery today. We're all a bit rusty and we have danger on the horizon." Gryph spoke to this creature as if she could understand him as she lifted her head to meet his own eyes, Egret slipping off and landing upon rump with a soft thud before gathering himself next to the King. A snort was given and a nudge of her nose to Gryphs feathered chest was her way of answering his question and with a tug to the corner of his lip and a quick rub of his hand against velvet nose, he would waste no time jumping up on the mare's back then grabbing at his small white friend who took his place behind him on her hindquarters and together they would ride to the range, taking some time to shoot their weapons both while on horseback and off practicing and honing in on their skills.
Jijo was startled from his first real slumber in a fortnight by the palace bells. Mina had apparently been awake for some time; her blind eyes searched the horizon, undoubtedly seeking the soulseeking ability she once had but had lost. Ji roused from his makeshift bed and petted her head, startling her slightly from her daydream. "Come on, chicklet. The King's issued a summons, and we'd be terrible citizens not to join him." Mina opened her mouth to complain about not being citizens at all before she realized he was being facetious, and puffed her cheeks in slight indignance.
It took only a moment for Ji to take his cloak from the stone where he'd been sleeping and drape it back around himself. He then took the time to wrap Mina's facemask around her, then apply his own. "The King knows these faces now, but the citizenry does not. We'll be just fine blending in with the rest this way. We are but traveling medics, eh?" He smiled and hoped Mina could tell; he had never seen her so vulnerable as she was since the loss of her Soulsight. Sensing her unease, he pressed his forehead against hers affectionately in an attempt to comfort her. "We will find purpose again in this, Mina. We can help so many people fighting the Strays, even if who we're fighting for don't recognize it." She nodded silently against his forehead. He removed his mask to plant a small kiss to her head before reapplying the plague doctor guise and scaling the belfry wall - not realizing the kiss had left Mina stunned, if only momentarily. It took her a little longer than normal to follow him now, as if caught physically off-balance by the gesture.
By the time Jijo and Mina had reached the courtyard where the commoners gathered, there was very little room left for them to squeeze in. Instead, fearing illness from close quarters, they hung off to the side under a shop's awning. They agreed that doing so would make townsfolk less wary of them as well, as they were, for all intents and purposes, complete strangers.
They listened intently to the King's speech. Jijo couldn't help but beam with pride for his friend. He had become stronger so quickly. At least, he appeared so in front of his people, and that is what mattered. And he knew in his heart that Gryph would take up arms alongside his people. Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. "Mina," he started in a hushed voice. "We need to drop by the King's quarters again. Just for a moment. He won't even know until we're gone, okay?" Mina nodded, unnerved completely by the sheer amount of people and her inability to sense and watch them. Jijo frowned and took her hand, leading her away from the masses until she could hold her own. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" He cooed softly, very worried for his best friend and partner.
"I'm not a child, Jijo. I appreciate your concern but if I feel one more ounce of pity from you I will forcefully and permanently close your mouth with beeswax." Jijo reeled for a moment, alarmed by the sudden ferocity, then grinned. "That's the warrior princess I know. C'mon." He tugged her hand one more time before letting go and scaling the palace walls.
"What are we doing, anyway?" Mina complained as a hand slipped from the brick wall. She caught herself easily, instead seeing this whole detour as a major inconvenience rather than threat to her life. "I didn't wanna come back here, especially after you've been getting so friendly with the people who want us dead," she grumbled.
"Hush. Gryph talks tough, but I don't think he'll have our heads. Not unless you talk to him like you talk to me, at least," he grouched jokingly. "I have no doubt in my mind that Gryph will be fighting alongside the commoners against the Strays. He's not the lazy king type. And based on his build, I highly doubt he'll be taking up a blade. He's more agile than strength-oriented, don't you agree?" A soft grunt from Mina in reply. "And as we both know, I am a master of poisons."
"I am, too-"
"No, you're not. You blow up entire rooms and leave furniture smelling of carrion, and the things you want to kill end up with longer lifespans to show for it." A soft growl.
"Anyways, as I was saying. There used to be a certain poison great for tipping arrows with - even with enemies like the Strays, where arrows won't kill it, necessarily. It's a stunning poison. Freezes the muscles up immediately, for a short time. It won't get you a huge head start, but it will give someone enough time to, say, locate the soul of the creature and redirect your resources before he starts coming for your throat again." He grunted as his foothold on a palace brick slipped as it crumbled beneath him. "Wrath below, this place is in shambles outside. I guess Rukaia only cared about the inside, which is the only place he ever saw," he complained as he adjusted his grip.
Once inside the quarters, Jijo set away making the poison he spoke of. "I obviously don't have these things on me any longer," he explained after Mina groused about taking time to craft on the spot. "I am not an endless container of all things death, contrary to what you may think. Luckily," he grinned as he pulled a stashed-away pouch from under the King's bed, "I was smart enough to stash some things before we fled, on the off-chance we might be here again. Aren't I just a genius, Mina? Come on, come on. You know you love me." He elbowed her in jest before setting to work mixing the paralytic. Once done, he poured the concoction into two small jars, enough to carry on one's person on a belt. He wrote a note on a small piece of parchment and stuck it to the top, placing the twin jars on the King's vanity.
"Gryph & Egret -
Tip your arrows with this. It will give you the time you need to get ahead.
Think smart. Be careful.
When things seem to be at their darkest, remember that's where we dwell. Call and we will come.
-J&M"
It took only a moment for Ji to take his cloak from the stone where he'd been sleeping and drape it back around himself. He then took the time to wrap Mina's facemask around her, then apply his own. "The King knows these faces now, but the citizenry does not. We'll be just fine blending in with the rest this way. We are but traveling medics, eh?" He smiled and hoped Mina could tell; he had never seen her so vulnerable as she was since the loss of her Soulsight. Sensing her unease, he pressed his forehead against hers affectionately in an attempt to comfort her. "We will find purpose again in this, Mina. We can help so many people fighting the Strays, even if who we're fighting for don't recognize it." She nodded silently against his forehead. He removed his mask to plant a small kiss to her head before reapplying the plague doctor guise and scaling the belfry wall - not realizing the kiss had left Mina stunned, if only momentarily. It took her a little longer than normal to follow him now, as if caught physically off-balance by the gesture.
By the time Jijo and Mina had reached the courtyard where the commoners gathered, there was very little room left for them to squeeze in. Instead, fearing illness from close quarters, they hung off to the side under a shop's awning. They agreed that doing so would make townsfolk less wary of them as well, as they were, for all intents and purposes, complete strangers.
They listened intently to the King's speech. Jijo couldn't help but beam with pride for his friend. He had become stronger so quickly. At least, he appeared so in front of his people, and that is what mattered. And he knew in his heart that Gryph would take up arms alongside his people. Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. "Mina," he started in a hushed voice. "We need to drop by the King's quarters again. Just for a moment. He won't even know until we're gone, okay?" Mina nodded, unnerved completely by the sheer amount of people and her inability to sense and watch them. Jijo frowned and took her hand, leading her away from the masses until she could hold her own. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" He cooed softly, very worried for his best friend and partner.
"I'm not a child, Jijo. I appreciate your concern but if I feel one more ounce of pity from you I will forcefully and permanently close your mouth with beeswax." Jijo reeled for a moment, alarmed by the sudden ferocity, then grinned. "That's the warrior princess I know. C'mon." He tugged her hand one more time before letting go and scaling the palace walls.
"What are we doing, anyway?" Mina complained as a hand slipped from the brick wall. She caught herself easily, instead seeing this whole detour as a major inconvenience rather than threat to her life. "I didn't wanna come back here, especially after you've been getting so friendly with the people who want us dead," she grumbled.
"Hush. Gryph talks tough, but I don't think he'll have our heads. Not unless you talk to him like you talk to me, at least," he grouched jokingly. "I have no doubt in my mind that Gryph will be fighting alongside the commoners against the Strays. He's not the lazy king type. And based on his build, I highly doubt he'll be taking up a blade. He's more agile than strength-oriented, don't you agree?" A soft grunt from Mina in reply. "And as we both know, I am a master of poisons."
"I am, too-"
"No, you're not. You blow up entire rooms and leave furniture smelling of carrion, and the things you want to kill end up with longer lifespans to show for it." A soft growl.
"Anyways, as I was saying. There used to be a certain poison great for tipping arrows with - even with enemies like the Strays, where arrows won't kill it, necessarily. It's a stunning poison. Freezes the muscles up immediately, for a short time. It won't get you a huge head start, but it will give someone enough time to, say, locate the soul of the creature and redirect your resources before he starts coming for your throat again." He grunted as his foothold on a palace brick slipped as it crumbled beneath him. "Wrath below, this place is in shambles outside. I guess Rukaia only cared about the inside, which is the only place he ever saw," he complained as he adjusted his grip.
Once inside the quarters, Jijo set away making the poison he spoke of. "I obviously don't have these things on me any longer," he explained after Mina groused about taking time to craft on the spot. "I am not an endless container of all things death, contrary to what you may think. Luckily," he grinned as he pulled a stashed-away pouch from under the King's bed, "I was smart enough to stash some things before we fled, on the off-chance we might be here again. Aren't I just a genius, Mina? Come on, come on. You know you love me." He elbowed her in jest before setting to work mixing the paralytic. Once done, he poured the concoction into two small jars, enough to carry on one's person on a belt. He wrote a note on a small piece of parchment and stuck it to the top, placing the twin jars on the King's vanity.
"Gryph & Egret -
Tip your arrows with this. It will give you the time you need to get ahead.
Think smart. Be careful.
When things seem to be at their darkest, remember that's where we dwell. Call and we will come.
-J&M"
As the day wound down and the golden sun began to slink away behind those clouds that always seemingly painted the sky, Gryph and Egret had returned the pony to her stall and head back to the castle, weapons against their backs. The rest of the townspeople had begun to do the same; finishing their training and calling it a day taking along with them their newest companions while guards relieved each other's duties for nigh shift. Seeing all of his people come together was a wonderful sight for the king. He felt their trust, their loyalty, and their love for their own kingdom. He could feel that even in such hard times as this, his people still had much more love for his Kingdom than they had before he had became king and that gave him purpose. If he were to fall and lose his own life fighting for his people he would go without remorse or regrets because he knew it was to save the ones he loved- his home. Egret made a soft peeping noise that brought Gryph from his trance who looked down at him and gave a gentle smile while throat began to rumble with a deep hum, following along the tune of the other. It was a lullaby the white bird's mother used to sing when the two had nightmares and together they sang softly all the way back to their room in the castle.
Night had now fallen upon the land and a few lights within the commoner's homes flickered now. The King and his companion mounted weapons on the wall near the large padded bed on wooden hooks that once hoisted painted pieces of art which was placed delicately into the closet. "Our weapons will be of more use to us than these paintings if a fight were to break in the middle of the night, hm?" Gryph joked a bit in hopes to lighten the silence from the air though as his attention had begun to direct towards his friend who tiptoed towards the washroom, they caught a glimpse of two jars upon the marbled counter top. Curious, the slender bird tick-tocked towards them though cautious. There was a jump in his heart as he noticed the note besides them and as he read it the corner of his lips pulled into a one sided smirk. He really did care.. Egret hopped up next to the Kings side and squawked, demanding to know what the other had found with puffed cheeks and a pouting tone held upon his voice. "Jijo and Mina left these for us, Egret.. They really do want to help us- look. Must be poison for our arrows, I presume." Hand lowered the inked note to the other before releasing and touching ever so delicately at the bottles. Mind questioned for a moment, where the other had brewed these potions considering the old room Jijo and Mina had resided in before their departure of the city had been closed off and for the most part, cleaned of any evidence of them living their. It was but another room and a giant, empty house. A few peeps from the white, small bird directed the kings attention for a moment who retrieved the note and placed it too in his closet for safe keeping then grabbed at the two bottles handing one down to the other. "He even made them in travel size bottles.." Gryph spoke mostly to himself as he fitted the potion to clip onto the strap of his leather belt, Egret following suit. The bottles fit perfectly. Armed with the hope of a head start, their belts were now shed and hung on the same wooden pegs after removing a few more paintings besides their trusted bows. Standing back to give them one more look, Gryph would give a nod and make his way to the washroom with Egret on his heels who ran ahead after they rounded the entrance and started the bath while the king shed his garments.
Steam arose from the now full bathtub and the king wasted no time- one foot after the other into the warm water before sinking in up to his neck though dipped down to wet his hair for a moment then back up. Egret had grabbed at a cloth and wet it within the tub water, washing at Gryphs face delicately then scrubbed a rich lather of shampoo into his king's hair before chirping, signalling him to sink back down long enough for small fingers to ruffle through and rinse the shampoo from the other's white locks. He's re-emerge and give a snort to clear away the water from his nostrils, ruby eyes turning their gaze into the other's own two tone stare, watching within them for a few long moments. Egret gave a soft coo, a warm smile and continued to wash the rest of the other, massaging the muscles that had no doubt been worked out through the day. Gryph couldnt help but release a small noise as the other worked, releasing his muscles of stress. It felt great- so much so that the young King felt his cheeks warm with a gentle blush while eyes closed, enjoying his trance-like state. Egret blushed as well at the other's noise though after a few more rubs with his tumbs, his warm smile had turned into a fiendish grin and fingers began to stroke quickly against the other's stomach instantly snapping Gryph from his trance where he'd waste no time curling up somewhat , red gaze glaring back at the other who now clucked with uncontrollable laughter. Eyes narrowed and in the middle of the others laughing fit, the king sent a good sized wave of water to splash against the other and upon the ground. Wasting no time, he'd then grab at the other and pull him into the bath, holding him against his body tightly so the white one couldn't escape all the while chuckling.
"Shouldn't have done that, my friend. Oh no you shouldn't." He couldn't help but giggle now as the other squirmed in his grasp, clicking and squawking as he tried to break free and as one arm held him hostage, Gryph rose the other and formed hands into a stretched out and curled at the tips in front of his companion who only began to squirm about more. Within a moment hand was now pressing fingertips into the other's small side, rubbing here and there into the flesh just enough to tickle him. Egret couldn't contain himself, clucking madly now and splashing about to break free when finally he managed to slip out of the other's arm and wade is way to the other end of the bath, splashing back at Gryph with puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes. "You started it!" He spoke, pointing to the older bird accusingly who just crossed his arms and turned his head. Laughing would subside now and a gentle hand grasped around Egret's own, pulling him closer so that there was but a foot of space between them. Ruby gaze watched onto the other's face now before giving a soft, slow blink and lips parted for words to escape upon soft breath.
"Ahem." He'd clear his throat a bit. "With all funny business aside. Egret.. My friend, I have not yet properly thanked you." Another pause as the other turned head back to the other and somewhat tilting it to a side as if confused. "For everything- for putting up with me.. for sticking by my side no matter; even when I pushed you away and was awful to you those few weeks you stayed.." Gryph felt a frog in this throat as he spoke, climbing its way and lodging itself there where it began to cause pain and discomfort, wavering his voice just a bit as he spoke. He was nervous and his slender body shook ever so slightly. "You even went as far as to sneak into my bed every night despite my being so rough to you. So I sit now, before you not as your king but as your best friend and say that I.." Another pause and he could really feel it now choking him up though gulping hard back down in hopes to release the tension of the muscles but to no avail. Voice now more waived and nervous than they had let on before and cheeks warmed with a rosey hue, eyes now locking with Egrets own once again all the while lips quivered. He was having trouble finding the words now though closed his eyes tight and turned his head away as if fighting something within himself. Egret peeped and sank down to eye level with the other, head still tilted slightly though now concerned more more than curious. A few more hard swallows were given before a gentle touch had been placed on the warmed ash cheek of the King before eyelids lifted slightly to expose those crimson jewels, looking sideways at the other who smiled deeply with the warmest of smiles and cooed out the most pleasant of sounds.
Egret never held the others actions against him and Gryph knew, deep down he knew that the other was loyal to the very end. Awkwardly silent now, the two birds sat a moment and Gryph wiggled his lower jaw nervously while bottom lip was caught between teeth in a firm grip. It didnt take long for the smaller bird to lift another hand and gently wave it over Gryphs eyes that followed the motion and closed softly and within another moment of painful silence suddenly everything began to melt away with the softest feeling pressed against his lips, causing him to release his bite and accept the other's advances. Heart's beat skipped and raced like it had never before in the entirety of his young life- feeling as though it were about to burst from his chest and run away down the hall. Hands shakily rose from the tub and placed on the other's own cheeks before he pushed into the other now returning the kiss with a bit of rushed force almost as if his body had been starved of such affections. What was happening? Together they pulled away from one another and slowly red eyes reopened to find his friend sinking back a ways into the water, eyes guiltily looking up at the King while all but his nose up now hid beneath the water. Tiny ripples of water made their way from both bodies as they sat watching each other for the longest time, faces both the deepest shades of red. Gryph would be the one to break the silence with but the softest of whispers. "T-thank you, Egret." He'd mutter to the other who only stared back in silence. No smile, no coos, no sound or emotion as if he were still processing what had happened; perhaps contemplating wether or not such advancements to the /king/ was a good idea or not but he didn't make a peep. No apologies. Deep down within his own soul, the little bird had wanted this; he had craved the attention of the other in such a way that it almost felt as if he were dreaming. He loved this tri-coloured bird before him who stood as his best friend- his king. His ruler. In his mind he frantically tried to piece things together, add and subtract, see the future and the past and make sense of everything all at once. It all felt like taboo..
The silence had began to make gryph uneasy and he decided bath time was over, stepping up and out of the bath and drying off with a plush towel before reaching a hand over to offer it to the other who reached up and paused a ways from the other's hand as if thinking before finally grasping it as well and hoisted himself up, grabbing at a towel Gryph had too, offered him. Reassuring the other with a soft smile, Gryph set his towel aside and made his way for the doorway. "You're welcome to sleep in my bed tonight, by the way.. I've grown so used to you by my side I fear that I will have trouble sleeping without you. Xhen knows we both need all the rest we can get, hmm?" Egret finally broke from his own mind and smiled deeply, clucking happily before pitching his own towel into the bin with his Kings and then trailed after him. Together the boys nestled in between the satin sheets and padded, plush blankets and together, they drifted away into dreamland.
Morning
The sound of a horn broke the morning silence and with it, Gryph and Egret sprung up from the bed and looked around. They wasted no time thinking and instead, grabbed at their belts and weapons and started towards their door where they were met with a flustered bird, huffing and puffing. It was one of the scouts.
"My king! Your highness; the rumours are true." He'd pause, panting heavily and giving a quick bow while the other scout stumbled her way up besides the other and did the same. "The Strays have hoarded! They're close to our walls.. There's so many we couldn't even count them all." A few more huffs and the female besides him exchanged a look, taking over the explanation.
"Your highness I fear that we don't have a whole lot of time. They're approaching fast and destroying whatever's been in their path. We've seen a wake of destruction left by them in the wastes. My best estimate is that they get here within a days time, maybe two if the hold their pace." Together the two awaited and Gryph mocked their exchange with his own partner before giving them a deep nod in understanding.
"Thank you, you two. Here, hurry off to a well deserved breakfast- you have both deserved it. Please eat your fill, I'll see to this new information promptly." With the cue, Egret twiddled with a small coin purse and handed two coins to each bird who beamed happily up at their King before scampering off before Egret and Gryph too quickly made their way out of the castle and down the cobblestone road to the stables to retrieve the white mare and race upon her back to the city's entrance, alerting the guards of the news.
Night had now fallen upon the land and a few lights within the commoner's homes flickered now. The King and his companion mounted weapons on the wall near the large padded bed on wooden hooks that once hoisted painted pieces of art which was placed delicately into the closet. "Our weapons will be of more use to us than these paintings if a fight were to break in the middle of the night, hm?" Gryph joked a bit in hopes to lighten the silence from the air though as his attention had begun to direct towards his friend who tiptoed towards the washroom, they caught a glimpse of two jars upon the marbled counter top. Curious, the slender bird tick-tocked towards them though cautious. There was a jump in his heart as he noticed the note besides them and as he read it the corner of his lips pulled into a one sided smirk. He really did care.. Egret hopped up next to the Kings side and squawked, demanding to know what the other had found with puffed cheeks and a pouting tone held upon his voice. "Jijo and Mina left these for us, Egret.. They really do want to help us- look. Must be poison for our arrows, I presume." Hand lowered the inked note to the other before releasing and touching ever so delicately at the bottles. Mind questioned for a moment, where the other had brewed these potions considering the old room Jijo and Mina had resided in before their departure of the city had been closed off and for the most part, cleaned of any evidence of them living their. It was but another room and a giant, empty house. A few peeps from the white, small bird directed the kings attention for a moment who retrieved the note and placed it too in his closet for safe keeping then grabbed at the two bottles handing one down to the other. "He even made them in travel size bottles.." Gryph spoke mostly to himself as he fitted the potion to clip onto the strap of his leather belt, Egret following suit. The bottles fit perfectly. Armed with the hope of a head start, their belts were now shed and hung on the same wooden pegs after removing a few more paintings besides their trusted bows. Standing back to give them one more look, Gryph would give a nod and make his way to the washroom with Egret on his heels who ran ahead after they rounded the entrance and started the bath while the king shed his garments.
Steam arose from the now full bathtub and the king wasted no time- one foot after the other into the warm water before sinking in up to his neck though dipped down to wet his hair for a moment then back up. Egret had grabbed at a cloth and wet it within the tub water, washing at Gryphs face delicately then scrubbed a rich lather of shampoo into his king's hair before chirping, signalling him to sink back down long enough for small fingers to ruffle through and rinse the shampoo from the other's white locks. He's re-emerge and give a snort to clear away the water from his nostrils, ruby eyes turning their gaze into the other's own two tone stare, watching within them for a few long moments. Egret gave a soft coo, a warm smile and continued to wash the rest of the other, massaging the muscles that had no doubt been worked out through the day. Gryph couldnt help but release a small noise as the other worked, releasing his muscles of stress. It felt great- so much so that the young King felt his cheeks warm with a gentle blush while eyes closed, enjoying his trance-like state. Egret blushed as well at the other's noise though after a few more rubs with his tumbs, his warm smile had turned into a fiendish grin and fingers began to stroke quickly against the other's stomach instantly snapping Gryph from his trance where he'd waste no time curling up somewhat , red gaze glaring back at the other who now clucked with uncontrollable laughter. Eyes narrowed and in the middle of the others laughing fit, the king sent a good sized wave of water to splash against the other and upon the ground. Wasting no time, he'd then grab at the other and pull him into the bath, holding him against his body tightly so the white one couldn't escape all the while chuckling.
"Shouldn't have done that, my friend. Oh no you shouldn't." He couldn't help but giggle now as the other squirmed in his grasp, clicking and squawking as he tried to break free and as one arm held him hostage, Gryph rose the other and formed hands into a stretched out and curled at the tips in front of his companion who only began to squirm about more. Within a moment hand was now pressing fingertips into the other's small side, rubbing here and there into the flesh just enough to tickle him. Egret couldn't contain himself, clucking madly now and splashing about to break free when finally he managed to slip out of the other's arm and wade is way to the other end of the bath, splashing back at Gryph with puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes. "You started it!" He spoke, pointing to the older bird accusingly who just crossed his arms and turned his head. Laughing would subside now and a gentle hand grasped around Egret's own, pulling him closer so that there was but a foot of space between them. Ruby gaze watched onto the other's face now before giving a soft, slow blink and lips parted for words to escape upon soft breath.
"Ahem." He'd clear his throat a bit. "With all funny business aside. Egret.. My friend, I have not yet properly thanked you." Another pause as the other turned head back to the other and somewhat tilting it to a side as if confused. "For everything- for putting up with me.. for sticking by my side no matter; even when I pushed you away and was awful to you those few weeks you stayed.." Gryph felt a frog in this throat as he spoke, climbing its way and lodging itself there where it began to cause pain and discomfort, wavering his voice just a bit as he spoke. He was nervous and his slender body shook ever so slightly. "You even went as far as to sneak into my bed every night despite my being so rough to you. So I sit now, before you not as your king but as your best friend and say that I.." Another pause and he could really feel it now choking him up though gulping hard back down in hopes to release the tension of the muscles but to no avail. Voice now more waived and nervous than they had let on before and cheeks warmed with a rosey hue, eyes now locking with Egrets own once again all the while lips quivered. He was having trouble finding the words now though closed his eyes tight and turned his head away as if fighting something within himself. Egret peeped and sank down to eye level with the other, head still tilted slightly though now concerned more more than curious. A few more hard swallows were given before a gentle touch had been placed on the warmed ash cheek of the King before eyelids lifted slightly to expose those crimson jewels, looking sideways at the other who smiled deeply with the warmest of smiles and cooed out the most pleasant of sounds.
Egret never held the others actions against him and Gryph knew, deep down he knew that the other was loyal to the very end. Awkwardly silent now, the two birds sat a moment and Gryph wiggled his lower jaw nervously while bottom lip was caught between teeth in a firm grip. It didnt take long for the smaller bird to lift another hand and gently wave it over Gryphs eyes that followed the motion and closed softly and within another moment of painful silence suddenly everything began to melt away with the softest feeling pressed against his lips, causing him to release his bite and accept the other's advances. Heart's beat skipped and raced like it had never before in the entirety of his young life- feeling as though it were about to burst from his chest and run away down the hall. Hands shakily rose from the tub and placed on the other's own cheeks before he pushed into the other now returning the kiss with a bit of rushed force almost as if his body had been starved of such affections. What was happening? Together they pulled away from one another and slowly red eyes reopened to find his friend sinking back a ways into the water, eyes guiltily looking up at the King while all but his nose up now hid beneath the water. Tiny ripples of water made their way from both bodies as they sat watching each other for the longest time, faces both the deepest shades of red. Gryph would be the one to break the silence with but the softest of whispers. "T-thank you, Egret." He'd mutter to the other who only stared back in silence. No smile, no coos, no sound or emotion as if he were still processing what had happened; perhaps contemplating wether or not such advancements to the /king/ was a good idea or not but he didn't make a peep. No apologies. Deep down within his own soul, the little bird had wanted this; he had craved the attention of the other in such a way that it almost felt as if he were dreaming. He loved this tri-coloured bird before him who stood as his best friend- his king. His ruler. In his mind he frantically tried to piece things together, add and subtract, see the future and the past and make sense of everything all at once. It all felt like taboo..
The silence had began to make gryph uneasy and he decided bath time was over, stepping up and out of the bath and drying off with a plush towel before reaching a hand over to offer it to the other who reached up and paused a ways from the other's hand as if thinking before finally grasping it as well and hoisted himself up, grabbing at a towel Gryph had too, offered him. Reassuring the other with a soft smile, Gryph set his towel aside and made his way for the doorway. "You're welcome to sleep in my bed tonight, by the way.. I've grown so used to you by my side I fear that I will have trouble sleeping without you. Xhen knows we both need all the rest we can get, hmm?" Egret finally broke from his own mind and smiled deeply, clucking happily before pitching his own towel into the bin with his Kings and then trailed after him. Together the boys nestled in between the satin sheets and padded, plush blankets and together, they drifted away into dreamland.
Morning
The sound of a horn broke the morning silence and with it, Gryph and Egret sprung up from the bed and looked around. They wasted no time thinking and instead, grabbed at their belts and weapons and started towards their door where they were met with a flustered bird, huffing and puffing. It was one of the scouts.
"My king! Your highness; the rumours are true." He'd pause, panting heavily and giving a quick bow while the other scout stumbled her way up besides the other and did the same. "The Strays have hoarded! They're close to our walls.. There's so many we couldn't even count them all." A few more huffs and the female besides him exchanged a look, taking over the explanation.
"Your highness I fear that we don't have a whole lot of time. They're approaching fast and destroying whatever's been in their path. We've seen a wake of destruction left by them in the wastes. My best estimate is that they get here within a days time, maybe two if the hold their pace." Together the two awaited and Gryph mocked their exchange with his own partner before giving them a deep nod in understanding.
"Thank you, you two. Here, hurry off to a well deserved breakfast- you have both deserved it. Please eat your fill, I'll see to this new information promptly." With the cue, Egret twiddled with a small coin purse and handed two coins to each bird who beamed happily up at their King before scampering off before Egret and Gryph too quickly made their way out of the castle and down the cobblestone road to the stables to retrieve the white mare and race upon her back to the city's entrance, alerting the guards of the news.
Jijo didn't awake that morning.
At least, not somewhere he knew, and not physically.
Instead his eyes opened to a grotesque mausoleum a ghoulish blackish-green in color. The walls oozed and the floor had a sheen of slime that stuck to his talons. His own breath reeked of sulfur and turned to a foul yellow smoke upon exhalation.
He knew this place.
Instinctively, he reached for his waist, where his belt and knives usually rested, but found no purchase. Instead, he took up a defensive stance, ready at any moment to attempt to flee, though it was obviously impossible. There was no fleeing here.
"Don't be so hasty, my wayward priest," a rattling voice echoed through the halls. "Let us negotiate."
A disgusting slapping sound resounded off the wet floor as the serpentine lord Wrath slithered his way to the diminutive assassin. Jijo stepped back, disgusted, angered and terrified all at once.
"There will be no negotiating, demon." His voice was solid, despite his fear. No matter how confident one may be in their convictions, fear was Wrath's domain, so all felt it in his presence. "You have wrought suffering upon the innocent and called it a crusade. It is not. It is a slaughter, and I will have none of it." His yellow eyes pierced the smoke at the massive god-beast, unwavering.
"Mmm.. Perhaps," Wrath murmured. He flashed Jijo a toothy grin; decaying, yellow fangs breathed more of that sulfurous gas between them. "Even Gods stray in their judgment, at times.." His voice rumbled throughout the dismal halls, shaking more drops of viscous ooze from its ceilings. "And truly, some mortals are so evil even I can not match it." Wrath stared daggers at Jijo, who was 'blessed' with visions of Mina's father, abusing her as a small child. Jijo clutched his head in despair, sinking to his knees. He lost his bravado, and his words.
"But I am not here to torment you. Nor am I here to reclaim you as a priest," Wrath rumbled. Jijo's terrible visions disappeared, and he was able to look up at the foul god with the curiosity he was truly feeling. "What, then, would you ask of me, beast?"
"Business." Using smoke as a window to his visions, Wrath showed Jijo a reality. One where Jijo once again had his Marques back, but was not obligated to act upon them. "You are free to use your judgment, since you have so brazenly shown me you do not care for mine." He waved through the smoke, showing more of this reality. Mina's Soulsight was returned to her; in this vision it showed her using her ability for the purpose of killing hoards of Strays outside the kingdom's reaches. "These Strays, as you call them. They threaten us all. Yes, even me." He shifted the smoke again, now laying out a grisly scene of death and destruction, the entirety of the kingdom laid to rest in a single bloody night. "In all things, balance. Wrath and Xhen. Nobles and peasants. Birds and strays... Gryph and Jijo. It is opposites that keep your very land in the sky. It is balance. Should these Strays prevail, we all will vanish." The god let the weight of his words rest upon Jijo's shoulders. "Should you agree to my terms, you will regain that which you have lost, while gaining freedom and purpose. The trust of the people will be much easier returned to you when you have saved them all. Perhaps you can again find a home."
Jijo cradled his head between his hands again, trying to process all that has been laid before him. He was silent for a long time, kneeling on the grimy floor as the god watched on. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and fragile. "Mina will get her Soulsight back?"
"Yes."
"I do not have to kill those I do not think deserve it?"
"Yes."
Some more silence descended upon the two, alone in this dismal realm. It lasted no more than a moment, but felt as centuries.
"Will you release the plague upon the kingdom?" Jijo spoke with confidence now, suddenly feeling the reality of the negotiations. "Will you get rid of this terrible illness? If they are sick, they cannot fight the Strays. They will lose their faith and their strength when they need it most. Their King has proven loyalty time and time again to you snakes. With or without you, I truly believe he can save them. But don't make it harder than it has to be, for yourselves." He glared at Wrath, who only had a small smile spread across his lips.
"Yes."
---
Jijo awoke with a start from the terrible vision-nightmare hybrid. He was broke into a cold sweat, and panting heavily. In the distance, an alarm was being raised. Strays. In a panic, Jijo turned to Mina and shook her gently awake, only to have her jump to her feet in total astonishment.
"I see you!" Mina squarked, pointing intensely at her mentor. "Y-! Your soul! It's there! I see it, and it's different, and--!" Jijo silenced her in a tight hug, holding her head to his chest and making soft cooing noises to calm her.
"Yes, chicklet, it's back. It's back." Hurriedly, he explained the terms of business that Wrath had set for Jijo in his vision. Mina looked incredibly overwhelmed, but nodded nonetheless, albeit a little concerned. She hoped deeply that this would not backfire on them later; Jijo assured her it would not.
"But we have other things to worry about now. That alarm; it has to do with the Strays. We have to investigate. We have-" Jijo was now in his own panicked rush, despite having calmed Mina not a full minute ago. Feeling helpless, Mina crossed her arms and waited for the panic to pass. It usually did, she mused. Just took a couple of minutes. However, a couple minutes passed and still Jijo rambled on about battleplans and "jerkwad snake demons" with no sign of stopping. His eyes carried a craze to them that seemed to her a mix of battle-lust and genuine fear, and she couldn't take it any longer.
Using her regained Soulsight to center herself across from him, Mina reached out and grabbed Jijo's cloak as he paced. Using both her hands, she clenched the fabric between her small fists and pulled her mentor to her, raising her head to meet him halfway - kissing him full on the mouth, full of feeling and confidence. Jijo stopped his frazzled antics immediately, his heart pulsing so hard that Mina could feel it through their robes.
She pulled away once she felt that he had calmed enough to not go immediately into a frenzy. He stood there, dumbfounded and redder than a Death's Door poison. "You're an idiot. You're being silly, and there's no reason to get this worked up over a silly business contract with an oversized greasy worm. You're spacy, a bit daft at times, and sometimes your jokes are really more cringey than funny, but I love you, you dingus, and if you don't calm down now we are not going to be able to fight the things you have now been charged with exterminating. If you don't pull yourself together again, Wrath damn it all, I will repeat everything I just said, and maybe kiss you again if I have to, and you should know just as well as I do that I do not speak my feelings lightly, much less act on them." She patted his cheek in a half-affectionate, half-jokingly-condescending manner. "Stop being a dingus."
At least, not somewhere he knew, and not physically.
Instead his eyes opened to a grotesque mausoleum a ghoulish blackish-green in color. The walls oozed and the floor had a sheen of slime that stuck to his talons. His own breath reeked of sulfur and turned to a foul yellow smoke upon exhalation.
He knew this place.
Instinctively, he reached for his waist, where his belt and knives usually rested, but found no purchase. Instead, he took up a defensive stance, ready at any moment to attempt to flee, though it was obviously impossible. There was no fleeing here.
"Don't be so hasty, my wayward priest," a rattling voice echoed through the halls. "Let us negotiate."
A disgusting slapping sound resounded off the wet floor as the serpentine lord Wrath slithered his way to the diminutive assassin. Jijo stepped back, disgusted, angered and terrified all at once.
"There will be no negotiating, demon." His voice was solid, despite his fear. No matter how confident one may be in their convictions, fear was Wrath's domain, so all felt it in his presence. "You have wrought suffering upon the innocent and called it a crusade. It is not. It is a slaughter, and I will have none of it." His yellow eyes pierced the smoke at the massive god-beast, unwavering.
"Mmm.. Perhaps," Wrath murmured. He flashed Jijo a toothy grin; decaying, yellow fangs breathed more of that sulfurous gas between them. "Even Gods stray in their judgment, at times.." His voice rumbled throughout the dismal halls, shaking more drops of viscous ooze from its ceilings. "And truly, some mortals are so evil even I can not match it." Wrath stared daggers at Jijo, who was 'blessed' with visions of Mina's father, abusing her as a small child. Jijo clutched his head in despair, sinking to his knees. He lost his bravado, and his words.
"But I am not here to torment you. Nor am I here to reclaim you as a priest," Wrath rumbled. Jijo's terrible visions disappeared, and he was able to look up at the foul god with the curiosity he was truly feeling. "What, then, would you ask of me, beast?"
"Business." Using smoke as a window to his visions, Wrath showed Jijo a reality. One where Jijo once again had his Marques back, but was not obligated to act upon them. "You are free to use your judgment, since you have so brazenly shown me you do not care for mine." He waved through the smoke, showing more of this reality. Mina's Soulsight was returned to her; in this vision it showed her using her ability for the purpose of killing hoards of Strays outside the kingdom's reaches. "These Strays, as you call them. They threaten us all. Yes, even me." He shifted the smoke again, now laying out a grisly scene of death and destruction, the entirety of the kingdom laid to rest in a single bloody night. "In all things, balance. Wrath and Xhen. Nobles and peasants. Birds and strays... Gryph and Jijo. It is opposites that keep your very land in the sky. It is balance. Should these Strays prevail, we all will vanish." The god let the weight of his words rest upon Jijo's shoulders. "Should you agree to my terms, you will regain that which you have lost, while gaining freedom and purpose. The trust of the people will be much easier returned to you when you have saved them all. Perhaps you can again find a home."
Jijo cradled his head between his hands again, trying to process all that has been laid before him. He was silent for a long time, kneeling on the grimy floor as the god watched on. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and fragile. "Mina will get her Soulsight back?"
"Yes."
"I do not have to kill those I do not think deserve it?"
"Yes."
Some more silence descended upon the two, alone in this dismal realm. It lasted no more than a moment, but felt as centuries.
"Will you release the plague upon the kingdom?" Jijo spoke with confidence now, suddenly feeling the reality of the negotiations. "Will you get rid of this terrible illness? If they are sick, they cannot fight the Strays. They will lose their faith and their strength when they need it most. Their King has proven loyalty time and time again to you snakes. With or without you, I truly believe he can save them. But don't make it harder than it has to be, for yourselves." He glared at Wrath, who only had a small smile spread across his lips.
"Yes."
---
Jijo awoke with a start from the terrible vision-nightmare hybrid. He was broke into a cold sweat, and panting heavily. In the distance, an alarm was being raised. Strays. In a panic, Jijo turned to Mina and shook her gently awake, only to have her jump to her feet in total astonishment.
"I see you!" Mina squarked, pointing intensely at her mentor. "Y-! Your soul! It's there! I see it, and it's different, and--!" Jijo silenced her in a tight hug, holding her head to his chest and making soft cooing noises to calm her.
"Yes, chicklet, it's back. It's back." Hurriedly, he explained the terms of business that Wrath had set for Jijo in his vision. Mina looked incredibly overwhelmed, but nodded nonetheless, albeit a little concerned. She hoped deeply that this would not backfire on them later; Jijo assured her it would not.
"But we have other things to worry about now. That alarm; it has to do with the Strays. We have to investigate. We have-" Jijo was now in his own panicked rush, despite having calmed Mina not a full minute ago. Feeling helpless, Mina crossed her arms and waited for the panic to pass. It usually did, she mused. Just took a couple of minutes. However, a couple minutes passed and still Jijo rambled on about battleplans and "jerkwad snake demons" with no sign of stopping. His eyes carried a craze to them that seemed to her a mix of battle-lust and genuine fear, and she couldn't take it any longer.
Using her regained Soulsight to center herself across from him, Mina reached out and grabbed Jijo's cloak as he paced. Using both her hands, she clenched the fabric between her small fists and pulled her mentor to her, raising her head to meet him halfway - kissing him full on the mouth, full of feeling and confidence. Jijo stopped his frazzled antics immediately, his heart pulsing so hard that Mina could feel it through their robes.
She pulled away once she felt that he had calmed enough to not go immediately into a frenzy. He stood there, dumbfounded and redder than a Death's Door poison. "You're an idiot. You're being silly, and there's no reason to get this worked up over a silly business contract with an oversized greasy worm. You're spacy, a bit daft at times, and sometimes your jokes are really more cringey than funny, but I love you, you dingus, and if you don't calm down now we are not going to be able to fight the things you have now been charged with exterminating. If you don't pull yourself together again, Wrath damn it all, I will repeat everything I just said, and maybe kiss you again if I have to, and you should know just as well as I do that I do not speak my feelings lightly, much less act on them." She patted his cheek in a half-affectionate, half-jokingly-condescending manner. "Stop being a dingus."
Gryph and his companions wasted no time in their race to the gate, arriving but a handful of minutes after the alarm has been sounded though even then, it had been too late. The two guards were now on the opposite side of the wall; squawking and screeching battle cries while the sound of weapons meeting flesh mixed within the air. Quickly, the young king positioned his mare along the wall and carefully stood upon her backside, a hand signalling for Egret's own.
"Quickly- It's safer for the kingdom if we don't open that gate.." The white bird quickly grasped at Gryphs own and within an instant was hoisted to the top of the kingdom's mighty wall; their last line of defense against the strays. Once his friend had safely made it up, Gryph bent himself at his knees and quickly bent back up, jumping from the snowy mare and landing with his forearms and hands pressed firm to the top of the wall. Razor talons scratched at the side, getting their grip while upper body lifted and eventually, the King had made his way besides Egret and within a small moments time He had stood up straight, readied his bow and allowed an arrow to launch from the bowstring with precise aim where it flew through the air cutting through and penetrating a small glint he had caught sight of in the shadows. A small explosion of light and energy dissipated once the glint had been shot and he witnessed one of the approaching Strays' bodies disintegrate into a foul black soot. A few more arrows from the two and there went a few more bodies before enough were cleared they could safely make their way off of the wall's top and onto the ground where they quickly took to the guards' sides.
"Are you hurt?" Gryph cooed to his two guards while crimson eyes scanned over their bodies. They clearly showed cuts and gashes from the strays, one of the birds more pale than the other.
"Just a bit banged up - nothin' we can't handle your majesty. Thank you." one spoke though the other, paler bird looked mortified, eyes but a blank stare watching out into the forest beyond speechless before he was met with a rough elbow to his ribs. Gryph narrowed his eyes with concern as the other guard snapped back into reality and directed his attention towards him before squawking.
"Ahem-! Close call was all, sir. I'm fine." The tone he carried within his voice was far from assuring though the young ruler would simply give a deep nod before he too directed his attention towards the forest before them.
"How many? Did you kill any?" All formalities aside, the King had been more worried for his Kingdom than to uphold any sort of righteous upbringing. Here on the battlefield, everyone was equal, fighting for one sole purpose and that was to save their home.
"About 15, sir. We brought down as many as we could before you showed up.. The bastards don't go down easily that's for sure."
Before not too long they could head noises on the inside of the gates as the commoners now turned warriors requested to be let out to which the four birds gave a sweep of the area and opened the gates revealing a large group of civilians wielding tuned weapons ready for battle. The group looked larger than the amount that had shown up at the meeting the day before.. were his people feeling better? Had they recovered from their sickness or were they simply pushing their limits to defend their homeland. It brought pride to the young king to see so many willing souls ready at arms and he wasted no time to direct them what to do and update them on the situation.
"People of the golden kingdom. It seems the Stray hoard has sent a group of scouts to test our defenses. These two guards managed to bring them down but that's not to say they haven't investigated the rest of our perimeter I need half of you to our second post in case they decide to strike us from behind- the rest of you stay at this post. These two guards, Egret, and myself will advance to the river's edge to investigate how far they've come and to attack what Strays might still be coming." Gryph would pause and allow the information to sink into the other birds' minds before beginning again. "Remember, go for their souls. They rarely keep their souls on their bodies so be quick to look for them nearby. They cannot go far without them, a max 10 feet so be weary of this and think fast. They often reveal themselves in a small glint. No matter how hard you hit them, unless that soul is destroyed they will continue to come. If they manage to corner you or grab you they will take your soul as their own so be cautious and ever vigilant." The large group of warriors would nod in understanding.
"These are not living, feeling creatures like you and I. Do not feel pity for them and do not show weakness. They are like a plague in tangible form and will stop at nothing to have at your soul.. Make haste and sound the alarm if any of the Strays make it to the other post." Slender crane gave a quick nod back to the crowd before hoisting himself atop the white mare, companion climbing up behind him ready to head off. With a glance down at the two guards they would exchange nods with them and start off towards the edge of the river not too far from the castle's walls; eyes keeping a vigilance on the surrounding areas for any sign of movement.
Rounding the trail to the edge of the river, the forest grew thicker and darker. Out of the corner of his eye Gryph had caught sight of a swift movement but when he turned to face it, it had vanished. Egret saw it too, and then another and the air suddenly began to grow very still, very quiet and very dead. The area reeked of decay and even the trees had began to feel the sickness of the Strays presence- sucking their life from them once by one to fuel themselves with energy. Again, another shifting shadow was caught in the corner of his eye though before he had time to wield weapon and ready it to aim, slender frame was met with a strays own that launched up at him, knocking him off the mare's back and landing hard on the ground, quiver and belt slipping off and falling a ways away. Within that instant, a small group of Strays now too launched from the shadows in an ambush at the others lashing out at them with razor like talons and needle-toothed beaks. Egret gave an alarmed squawk though quickly fired a few poison-dipped arrows into the bodies of the surrounding Stray that left no time to think while Gryph wiggled beneath another, back legs lifting up so his own talons could get a firm grip on its underside. With a horrible screeching noise it tightened its clawed grips on his arms, cutting into his flesh and pinned him down while those soulless eyes peered right into his own ruby gaze- right into his soul. Quickly, Gryph would give a forceful kick against the body, tearing through the flesh and ripping loose one of its legs from its socket taking with it a good chunk of the strays stomach. Black ooze poured from it- a blood curdling screeching emitting from hits throat and entrails slipping out from the tear onto Gryph's once white feathers. The insides smelled worse than the outside- a mixture of foul rotting corpse and a heavy musk of grime that took your breath away. Wasting no time as the being no longer had control of it's leg, Gryph would grab at his bow and slam it against the creature's side, knocking it off of him then rolling into a somersault to his quiver and belt where he'd quickly fire a tipped arrow into it's skull standing up and watching about for it's soul. There- a shimmer that quickly attempted to push itself farther than it's limits as it had been discovered. Without hesitation another arrow would cut through the air and strike it, dispersing what remained of its energy. The two guards had their hands full, quickly striking blows at a few while the other searched for their souls not too far off.
A concerned coo emitted from the smaller white bird towards his companion as if asking of his well being to which Gryph would just give a gentle smile, brushing off his lower stomach of the Stray's grime before leaping up on his mare to get closer to the guards. The two fired more poison arrows at the bodies, retrieving their others along the way, slowing down if not disabling the remaining strays momentarily to give the other guard more time to search for souls. A few bursts of energy here and there as his blade met the hiding souls; the group handled the current wave with minimal complications..
"Quickly- It's safer for the kingdom if we don't open that gate.." The white bird quickly grasped at Gryphs own and within an instant was hoisted to the top of the kingdom's mighty wall; their last line of defense against the strays. Once his friend had safely made it up, Gryph bent himself at his knees and quickly bent back up, jumping from the snowy mare and landing with his forearms and hands pressed firm to the top of the wall. Razor talons scratched at the side, getting their grip while upper body lifted and eventually, the King had made his way besides Egret and within a small moments time He had stood up straight, readied his bow and allowed an arrow to launch from the bowstring with precise aim where it flew through the air cutting through and penetrating a small glint he had caught sight of in the shadows. A small explosion of light and energy dissipated once the glint had been shot and he witnessed one of the approaching Strays' bodies disintegrate into a foul black soot. A few more arrows from the two and there went a few more bodies before enough were cleared they could safely make their way off of the wall's top and onto the ground where they quickly took to the guards' sides.
"Are you hurt?" Gryph cooed to his two guards while crimson eyes scanned over their bodies. They clearly showed cuts and gashes from the strays, one of the birds more pale than the other.
"Just a bit banged up - nothin' we can't handle your majesty. Thank you." one spoke though the other, paler bird looked mortified, eyes but a blank stare watching out into the forest beyond speechless before he was met with a rough elbow to his ribs. Gryph narrowed his eyes with concern as the other guard snapped back into reality and directed his attention towards him before squawking.
"Ahem-! Close call was all, sir. I'm fine." The tone he carried within his voice was far from assuring though the young ruler would simply give a deep nod before he too directed his attention towards the forest before them.
"How many? Did you kill any?" All formalities aside, the King had been more worried for his Kingdom than to uphold any sort of righteous upbringing. Here on the battlefield, everyone was equal, fighting for one sole purpose and that was to save their home.
"About 15, sir. We brought down as many as we could before you showed up.. The bastards don't go down easily that's for sure."
Before not too long they could head noises on the inside of the gates as the commoners now turned warriors requested to be let out to which the four birds gave a sweep of the area and opened the gates revealing a large group of civilians wielding tuned weapons ready for battle. The group looked larger than the amount that had shown up at the meeting the day before.. were his people feeling better? Had they recovered from their sickness or were they simply pushing their limits to defend their homeland. It brought pride to the young king to see so many willing souls ready at arms and he wasted no time to direct them what to do and update them on the situation.
"People of the golden kingdom. It seems the Stray hoard has sent a group of scouts to test our defenses. These two guards managed to bring them down but that's not to say they haven't investigated the rest of our perimeter I need half of you to our second post in case they decide to strike us from behind- the rest of you stay at this post. These two guards, Egret, and myself will advance to the river's edge to investigate how far they've come and to attack what Strays might still be coming." Gryph would pause and allow the information to sink into the other birds' minds before beginning again. "Remember, go for their souls. They rarely keep their souls on their bodies so be quick to look for them nearby. They cannot go far without them, a max 10 feet so be weary of this and think fast. They often reveal themselves in a small glint. No matter how hard you hit them, unless that soul is destroyed they will continue to come. If they manage to corner you or grab you they will take your soul as their own so be cautious and ever vigilant." The large group of warriors would nod in understanding.
"These are not living, feeling creatures like you and I. Do not feel pity for them and do not show weakness. They are like a plague in tangible form and will stop at nothing to have at your soul.. Make haste and sound the alarm if any of the Strays make it to the other post." Slender crane gave a quick nod back to the crowd before hoisting himself atop the white mare, companion climbing up behind him ready to head off. With a glance down at the two guards they would exchange nods with them and start off towards the edge of the river not too far from the castle's walls; eyes keeping a vigilance on the surrounding areas for any sign of movement.
Rounding the trail to the edge of the river, the forest grew thicker and darker. Out of the corner of his eye Gryph had caught sight of a swift movement but when he turned to face it, it had vanished. Egret saw it too, and then another and the air suddenly began to grow very still, very quiet and very dead. The area reeked of decay and even the trees had began to feel the sickness of the Strays presence- sucking their life from them once by one to fuel themselves with energy. Again, another shifting shadow was caught in the corner of his eye though before he had time to wield weapon and ready it to aim, slender frame was met with a strays own that launched up at him, knocking him off the mare's back and landing hard on the ground, quiver and belt slipping off and falling a ways away. Within that instant, a small group of Strays now too launched from the shadows in an ambush at the others lashing out at them with razor like talons and needle-toothed beaks. Egret gave an alarmed squawk though quickly fired a few poison-dipped arrows into the bodies of the surrounding Stray that left no time to think while Gryph wiggled beneath another, back legs lifting up so his own talons could get a firm grip on its underside. With a horrible screeching noise it tightened its clawed grips on his arms, cutting into his flesh and pinned him down while those soulless eyes peered right into his own ruby gaze- right into his soul. Quickly, Gryph would give a forceful kick against the body, tearing through the flesh and ripping loose one of its legs from its socket taking with it a good chunk of the strays stomach. Black ooze poured from it- a blood curdling screeching emitting from hits throat and entrails slipping out from the tear onto Gryph's once white feathers. The insides smelled worse than the outside- a mixture of foul rotting corpse and a heavy musk of grime that took your breath away. Wasting no time as the being no longer had control of it's leg, Gryph would grab at his bow and slam it against the creature's side, knocking it off of him then rolling into a somersault to his quiver and belt where he'd quickly fire a tipped arrow into it's skull standing up and watching about for it's soul. There- a shimmer that quickly attempted to push itself farther than it's limits as it had been discovered. Without hesitation another arrow would cut through the air and strike it, dispersing what remained of its energy. The two guards had their hands full, quickly striking blows at a few while the other searched for their souls not too far off.
A concerned coo emitted from the smaller white bird towards his companion as if asking of his well being to which Gryph would just give a gentle smile, brushing off his lower stomach of the Stray's grime before leaping up on his mare to get closer to the guards. The two fired more poison arrows at the bodies, retrieving their others along the way, slowing down if not disabling the remaining strays momentarily to give the other guard more time to search for souls. A few bursts of energy here and there as his blade met the hiding souls; the group handled the current wave with minimal complications..
Jijo and Mina had been a few hundred yards out from the gate for some time before the King and his companion arrived. Ten, twelve Stray corpses lay strewn about their hunting grounds, fizzling in death. Jijo and Mina both had renewed vigor for the fight - though whether it was due to their new charge or the feelings between them was anyone's guess.
When Ji heard the King address the battalions, he and Mina pulled back to watch from above. When the crowds dispersed and continued their fight, Ji and Mina joined them from the shadows, silently taking out any Strays not connected to the main group of scouts. Once the soldiers seemed to have the wave under control, Ji felt a rush of euphoria - at last! Killing again! He laughed heartily, and loudly, as Mina watched from the side with a grin of amusement and understanding. Ji could try to hide his darkness all he liked, but he was a natural-born killer. It was his calling, no matter how dumb and kind he may be. Ji leaped from shadow to shadow, striking here and there at Strays, even when they were within eyesight of the main battalion - he didn't care any longer. He wasn't even dealing deathblows at this point; mainly incapacitating the enemy so that the squadron could more easily locate the Soul of each Stray. They watched, bewildered, as the plague doctor shot his way through the wood. They suddenly didn't feel he was such an enemy after all.
Still on a high, Ji swung from tree branch to tree branch until he landed as close he could to being above the King. He laughed again, now breathless from exertion, before yelling, "Heeey, Gryph! You're late to the party!" He'd lost any semblance of normal sanity; he was fully immersed in the battle. And yet, he was also extremely happy to see the King and Egret on the field with him. "We've already taken out about a dozen of these guys before you even got here - me and Mina alone, that is! I think your soldiers got about the same.. Hey!!" He barked, exhilarated. "Are you using the poison? I bet you are! It's great stuff right? Ahaha! Man, I shoulda kept some for myself. .... Oh well!" With a hoot and a holler, Ji swung himself back into the shadows, once again throwing himself into the fray, slicing and stabbing away at the ghoulish monsters.
Mina shook her head, more amused at her mentor's behavior than worried. He could handle himself better than anyone else on the field, with the exception of the King and Egret. And he was much smarter than any gods-forsaken Stray. And Jijo had been in the dumps for so long now, she was honestly relieved to see him let loose this way. However, the King probably felt differently; he probably wouldn't know how to handle this crazy-eyed bird hacking and slashing away at Strays. Ah! Mina realized with a start that the King had no way of knowing about the new contract with Wrath. Agilely, she made her way through the branches to where Jijo was speaking to the king moments before. She waved down at the two nobles, whistling loudly. "Oy! Riches-for-brains!" she teased, grinning. "Jijo's renewed his contract with Wrath! All's well in the kingdom, eh?" Of course, all wasn't well - duh. But what's wrong with a little dark humor? Mina threw Gryph and Egret two over-excited thumbs-up before leaping back into the trees to fight with her mentor. Following the zig-zag of his Soul, Mina found her way to him as he fought off the beginning of a new wave of Stray scourge.
"Oohh, they mean business, Mina!" Jijo howled excitedly, twirling his twin daggers in his hands with renewed bloodlust. "Man, I could do this all day! If only they didn't smell so damned bad." Jijo grinned at Mina, though she could not see it, before leaping at the nearest Stray. With a quick slice, he decapitated the Stray to incapacitate it so that Mina could move for the kill.
Her Soulsight made extermination quick work; Stray souls looked a bit like mutated fireflies to her - bright but black at the same time, undoubtedly corrupt and evil and unlike anything else she'd seen. It was made so incredibly obvious to her that these creatures felt no feelings and were far from the birds they may have once been - this made killing them all the easier. Back-to-back they fought this way until time lost meaning; in battle, Mina, too, found herself. She was finally good at something - excellent at it, even! She channeled her rage at her deadbeat father into every slice, every jab, every whizz of her blade through the Soul of a Stray. She would be lying if she said she never imagined the Strays were him.
When Ji heard the King address the battalions, he and Mina pulled back to watch from above. When the crowds dispersed and continued their fight, Ji and Mina joined them from the shadows, silently taking out any Strays not connected to the main group of scouts. Once the soldiers seemed to have the wave under control, Ji felt a rush of euphoria - at last! Killing again! He laughed heartily, and loudly, as Mina watched from the side with a grin of amusement and understanding. Ji could try to hide his darkness all he liked, but he was a natural-born killer. It was his calling, no matter how dumb and kind he may be. Ji leaped from shadow to shadow, striking here and there at Strays, even when they were within eyesight of the main battalion - he didn't care any longer. He wasn't even dealing deathblows at this point; mainly incapacitating the enemy so that the squadron could more easily locate the Soul of each Stray. They watched, bewildered, as the plague doctor shot his way through the wood. They suddenly didn't feel he was such an enemy after all.
Still on a high, Ji swung from tree branch to tree branch until he landed as close he could to being above the King. He laughed again, now breathless from exertion, before yelling, "Heeey, Gryph! You're late to the party!" He'd lost any semblance of normal sanity; he was fully immersed in the battle. And yet, he was also extremely happy to see the King and Egret on the field with him. "We've already taken out about a dozen of these guys before you even got here - me and Mina alone, that is! I think your soldiers got about the same.. Hey!!" He barked, exhilarated. "Are you using the poison? I bet you are! It's great stuff right? Ahaha! Man, I shoulda kept some for myself. .... Oh well!" With a hoot and a holler, Ji swung himself back into the shadows, once again throwing himself into the fray, slicing and stabbing away at the ghoulish monsters.
Mina shook her head, more amused at her mentor's behavior than worried. He could handle himself better than anyone else on the field, with the exception of the King and Egret. And he was much smarter than any gods-forsaken Stray. And Jijo had been in the dumps for so long now, she was honestly relieved to see him let loose this way. However, the King probably felt differently; he probably wouldn't know how to handle this crazy-eyed bird hacking and slashing away at Strays. Ah! Mina realized with a start that the King had no way of knowing about the new contract with Wrath. Agilely, she made her way through the branches to where Jijo was speaking to the king moments before. She waved down at the two nobles, whistling loudly. "Oy! Riches-for-brains!" she teased, grinning. "Jijo's renewed his contract with Wrath! All's well in the kingdom, eh?" Of course, all wasn't well - duh. But what's wrong with a little dark humor? Mina threw Gryph and Egret two over-excited thumbs-up before leaping back into the trees to fight with her mentor. Following the zig-zag of his Soul, Mina found her way to him as he fought off the beginning of a new wave of Stray scourge.
"Oohh, they mean business, Mina!" Jijo howled excitedly, twirling his twin daggers in his hands with renewed bloodlust. "Man, I could do this all day! If only they didn't smell so damned bad." Jijo grinned at Mina, though she could not see it, before leaping at the nearest Stray. With a quick slice, he decapitated the Stray to incapacitate it so that Mina could move for the kill.
Her Soulsight made extermination quick work; Stray souls looked a bit like mutated fireflies to her - bright but black at the same time, undoubtedly corrupt and evil and unlike anything else she'd seen. It was made so incredibly obvious to her that these creatures felt no feelings and were far from the birds they may have once been - this made killing them all the easier. Back-to-back they fought this way until time lost meaning; in battle, Mina, too, found herself. She was finally good at something - excellent at it, even! She channeled her rage at her deadbeat father into every slice, every jab, every whizz of her blade through the Soul of a Stray. She would be lying if she said she never imagined the Strays were him.
A dozen more arrows sliced through the atmosphere from each of the two castle birds, screaming as they flew until piercing decaying bodies and bright souls. Back to back on their pony with bows in hand until the Strays had gained some front to which the boys would make swift efforts to slash their skulls and necks with daggers that once nestled against hips. Here and there were bursts of bright light, small poofs of energy being released and bodies strewn across the forest dirt; a foul smelling scene but a sweet essence of victory could be felt with the sight. Overhead, the voice of Gryph's old friend could be heard and despite his good mood it almost sent a chill down his spine- this bird was mad in every which way.. But at the same time it had felt good to him the other was on his side; that Jijo was not only helping but doing so of his own will and enjoying it or so it seemed. He couldn't help but flash a grin at the plague doctor who as soon as he emerged from the shadows had slipped back away within them to advance in the battle. Ruby gaze could see him slashing, hacking, destroying the creatures with ease and minimal efforts as if second nature.. after all, he was an assassin. His work was clean and professional- his euphoria however..
Blinking back into reality to shoot at a few more creatures he'd notice Mina's voice now calling from above, bringing to light their renewed contract with Wrath. Taking a few moments to process the newfound information he stood almost bewildered.. Jijo /hated/ wrath and yet he was willing to renew their contract? Gryph couldn't help but feel warmth within his chest as he turned back to glance at the nimble, older bird. Sacrificing what pride he had after leaving Wrath's clutches for the sake to help the kingdom- To help Gryph. This bird was full of surprises and as Mina joined him at his side Gryph couldn't help but smile warmly in their direction, looking back towards Egret who equally glowed up towards the King.
"Come, my friend.. Let's push onward." Gryph spoke softly and together the two rode upon Jijo and Mina before mare gave a great leap over the small wall of Strays who stood in their way only to land firm on a few where she crushed their skulls and decaying bodies between sturdy hooves and hard ground; a disgusting sloshing noise emitting as their black insides spewed about. Trot quickened now as they rounded their way to the river's edge before a sudden halt. The mare reared up, throwing he head back as the two tightened their grip on her and leaned forth, looking beyond the river. As she finally settled, they looked closer and made out a wall of shadow- only this wall was moving. A massive hoard of Strays had now began to make their way to the opposite side of the river directly before them and the kingdom. Gryph couldn't help but let out an audible groan, obviously frustrated now more than before. These creatures weren't at all smart but yet, they had formed mass groups with one another somehow which in itself, was a very interesting and peculiar thing considering they were solitary beasts.
The massive river was the Kingdom's first line of defense and chances were high that some of the hoard would be too weak to make it across the rushing waters and be washed away downstream where they would be forcefully torn from any soul they hid resulting in death. Within his head Gryph attempted to run calculations, eyes scanning the giant hoard quickly in hopes to pin point some of the weaker ones, trying to guess if this really was just a mindless gathering of strays or if there were more strategy behind it. Egret made a squawk loudly in Gryph's ear before pointing towards one of the leading Strays which made Gryph flinch a moment and give a rough glare at his companion. "Egret!-" though before he could scold the other, crimson eyes caught the glimmer of light shining through a hollowed eye socket of the aforementioned Stray. Baffled and now concerned, Gryph gave a hard gulp before the two birds exchanged a worried look.
"They're housing their souls- They're going to cross the river!" Gryph would exclaim and Egret would nod in agreement, clutching tight at the other's arm while two-toned eyes began scanning the area for possible ideas. It wasn't long before the leading Stray let out a bone chilling, disgusting scream that seemingly caused the rest of the floating world to flinch with silence. It rang and echoed within the Kingdom's walls and made its way into the very core of the beings that lived and protected there, causing Gryph's feathers to sting as they fluffed on edge along his neck. A stray was by far a scary thing in itself- mindless, lost creatures that lacked much intelligence or purpose other than to feed on souls. A group of strays? A bit scary- but a hoard of Strays with a seemingly intelligent leader was terrifying.
A few moments passed and the giant hoard began to advance almost in sync with one another though the leading Stray would back away and hide somewhere within the masses. By now, Jijo, Mina, and the guards would have made it to their side and seen the advancement. Like he had predicted, a few of the Strays began to be swept up though their decaying bodies worked to keep skulls above the water, protecting their souls from being washed away and ensuring body and soul stay connected as long as possible. Of course, there were a few who perished with small bursts of energy creating light but still the rest of the hoard pushed onward.
"Hold them off here, I need to move a group East to take care of the Strays who wash up along the river." The mare gave a small crow-hop, anxious and weary with the impeding smell of death and decay; it was something that made even the bravest of horses uneasy and nervous. Then Gryph got an idea! There was a dam to the west up river that held together the Kingdom's water supply. If he could take a catapult and make his way up there, he could break away bits of the dam until it was weak enough and collapse from the pressure of the contained water thus resulting in a massive and powerful wave that would without a doubt, sweep away the impeding hoard. There was a high chance with the pressure behind the rush of water that most would succumb to death- their skulls in which lighted souls rested in would be crushed and as such, their souls to follow.
"Stay here and help the others fend off these in the front, Egret. They need you" Gryph reached back and grabbed the other tightly before setting him down off the pony where talons met against the hard damp soil then slipped off his quiver, handing it down. Two toned gaze locking with the King's own with much concern and almost begging for him to rethink his decision. "I'll be alright.. I promise- They need you and Song can run faster with just one of us on her back. There's no other way." His decision was firm and though he could feel that familiar frog in his throat much like the previous night begin to choke him up, making it hard to breath while eyes glazed over slightly, he had to do this alone. Egret made a mournful peep and jumped up, latching to the other who wrapped slender, winged arms around the smaller framed white bird in a powerful embrace where he would hold him for a moment, savouring the warmth- the love emitting from Egret's small body unto Gryph's own. He could feel their hearts racing, both in sync with one another and although terrified that this may be the very last time they'd see each other the King was refreshed with this affection. Before another moment could be wasted, Gryph pushed lips to his friend's own softly while a hand supported itself upon the freckled and now dark rose cheeks of the other.
Egret let himself sink back to the damp ground now away from the King, biting his bottom lip between his teeth and giving the other a nod who returned it and began off in the direction of the Kingdom at full speed. He kept but a handful of arrows, sacrificing what remained of the quiver to his older companion- after all, he would need them far more than Gryph at this point; the King would have to rely on speed and daggers primarily. The adviser wasted no time re-equipping his bow and loading an arrow then releasing it into one of the opposing strays. It smashed with full force between its hallowed eyes and split the skull in two, soul falling out and being swept down stream. Poof! An explosion of light. He'd continue this very same tactic without a moment to spare in between reloads, releasing a wailed battle cry. Even with his watered eyes and a tear beginning to fall and cool his once warmed cheeks his aim was spot on. Ferocity aiding his force and allowing him to land a few double kills with just one arrow.
Blinking back into reality to shoot at a few more creatures he'd notice Mina's voice now calling from above, bringing to light their renewed contract with Wrath. Taking a few moments to process the newfound information he stood almost bewildered.. Jijo /hated/ wrath and yet he was willing to renew their contract? Gryph couldn't help but feel warmth within his chest as he turned back to glance at the nimble, older bird. Sacrificing what pride he had after leaving Wrath's clutches for the sake to help the kingdom- To help Gryph. This bird was full of surprises and as Mina joined him at his side Gryph couldn't help but smile warmly in their direction, looking back towards Egret who equally glowed up towards the King.
"Come, my friend.. Let's push onward." Gryph spoke softly and together the two rode upon Jijo and Mina before mare gave a great leap over the small wall of Strays who stood in their way only to land firm on a few where she crushed their skulls and decaying bodies between sturdy hooves and hard ground; a disgusting sloshing noise emitting as their black insides spewed about. Trot quickened now as they rounded their way to the river's edge before a sudden halt. The mare reared up, throwing he head back as the two tightened their grip on her and leaned forth, looking beyond the river. As she finally settled, they looked closer and made out a wall of shadow- only this wall was moving. A massive hoard of Strays had now began to make their way to the opposite side of the river directly before them and the kingdom. Gryph couldn't help but let out an audible groan, obviously frustrated now more than before. These creatures weren't at all smart but yet, they had formed mass groups with one another somehow which in itself, was a very interesting and peculiar thing considering they were solitary beasts.
The massive river was the Kingdom's first line of defense and chances were high that some of the hoard would be too weak to make it across the rushing waters and be washed away downstream where they would be forcefully torn from any soul they hid resulting in death. Within his head Gryph attempted to run calculations, eyes scanning the giant hoard quickly in hopes to pin point some of the weaker ones, trying to guess if this really was just a mindless gathering of strays or if there were more strategy behind it. Egret made a squawk loudly in Gryph's ear before pointing towards one of the leading Strays which made Gryph flinch a moment and give a rough glare at his companion. "Egret!-" though before he could scold the other, crimson eyes caught the glimmer of light shining through a hollowed eye socket of the aforementioned Stray. Baffled and now concerned, Gryph gave a hard gulp before the two birds exchanged a worried look.
"They're housing their souls- They're going to cross the river!" Gryph would exclaim and Egret would nod in agreement, clutching tight at the other's arm while two-toned eyes began scanning the area for possible ideas. It wasn't long before the leading Stray let out a bone chilling, disgusting scream that seemingly caused the rest of the floating world to flinch with silence. It rang and echoed within the Kingdom's walls and made its way into the very core of the beings that lived and protected there, causing Gryph's feathers to sting as they fluffed on edge along his neck. A stray was by far a scary thing in itself- mindless, lost creatures that lacked much intelligence or purpose other than to feed on souls. A group of strays? A bit scary- but a hoard of Strays with a seemingly intelligent leader was terrifying.
A few moments passed and the giant hoard began to advance almost in sync with one another though the leading Stray would back away and hide somewhere within the masses. By now, Jijo, Mina, and the guards would have made it to their side and seen the advancement. Like he had predicted, a few of the Strays began to be swept up though their decaying bodies worked to keep skulls above the water, protecting their souls from being washed away and ensuring body and soul stay connected as long as possible. Of course, there were a few who perished with small bursts of energy creating light but still the rest of the hoard pushed onward.
"Hold them off here, I need to move a group East to take care of the Strays who wash up along the river." The mare gave a small crow-hop, anxious and weary with the impeding smell of death and decay; it was something that made even the bravest of horses uneasy and nervous. Then Gryph got an idea! There was a dam to the west up river that held together the Kingdom's water supply. If he could take a catapult and make his way up there, he could break away bits of the dam until it was weak enough and collapse from the pressure of the contained water thus resulting in a massive and powerful wave that would without a doubt, sweep away the impeding hoard. There was a high chance with the pressure behind the rush of water that most would succumb to death- their skulls in which lighted souls rested in would be crushed and as such, their souls to follow.
"Stay here and help the others fend off these in the front, Egret. They need you" Gryph reached back and grabbed the other tightly before setting him down off the pony where talons met against the hard damp soil then slipped off his quiver, handing it down. Two toned gaze locking with the King's own with much concern and almost begging for him to rethink his decision. "I'll be alright.. I promise- They need you and Song can run faster with just one of us on her back. There's no other way." His decision was firm and though he could feel that familiar frog in his throat much like the previous night begin to choke him up, making it hard to breath while eyes glazed over slightly, he had to do this alone. Egret made a mournful peep and jumped up, latching to the other who wrapped slender, winged arms around the smaller framed white bird in a powerful embrace where he would hold him for a moment, savouring the warmth- the love emitting from Egret's small body unto Gryph's own. He could feel their hearts racing, both in sync with one another and although terrified that this may be the very last time they'd see each other the King was refreshed with this affection. Before another moment could be wasted, Gryph pushed lips to his friend's own softly while a hand supported itself upon the freckled and now dark rose cheeks of the other.
Egret let himself sink back to the damp ground now away from the King, biting his bottom lip between his teeth and giving the other a nod who returned it and began off in the direction of the Kingdom at full speed. He kept but a handful of arrows, sacrificing what remained of the quiver to his older companion- after all, he would need them far more than Gryph at this point; the King would have to rely on speed and daggers primarily. The adviser wasted no time re-equipping his bow and loading an arrow then releasing it into one of the opposing strays. It smashed with full force between its hallowed eyes and split the skull in two, soul falling out and being swept down stream. Poof! An explosion of light. He'd continue this very same tactic without a moment to spare in between reloads, releasing a wailed battle cry. Even with his watered eyes and a tear beginning to fall and cool his once warmed cheeks his aim was spot on. Ferocity aiding his force and allowing him to land a few double kills with just one arrow.
Jijo had made his way to the river some time before the King and his righthand, but it hadn't stopped the massacre of Strays he had plunged himself into. Mina, a bit more cautious, had been eyeing the many, many Stray souls on the opposite bank and staying out of combat. Her mind was racing; how many were there? A hundred, easily. Occasionally pops of energy showed the death of a Stray carried by the river's current, but it did nothing to diminish the extreme numbers. She, of course, did not know the Kingdom as well as others, as she couldn't see it as others did, but she couldn't seem to figure a solution to the horde of undead monstrosities before her.
It didn't faze Jijo. Not one bit. With loud whoops and hollers of bloodlust and craze, Ji performed assassination after assassination, leaping from the tops of trees onto his targets before propelling the same momentum to his next target. His Soul was a constant blur in Mina's vision, quicker than any arrow whizzing on the field. Mina pursed her lips, trying to figure out what she could do now. Even as she picked off the Stray souls that Ji had separated and moved on from, it seemed so pointless to her. Despair washed over her in waves, ebbing and flowing over her conscious and blurring her vision - or was that tears?
She shook her head, clearing the uninvited waterworks from her eyes before steeling her determination. She looked further down the bank and saw the King on the move; he had an idea, which was in itself a reason for joy. Just as she looked, she saw the King kiss his righthand; she quickly averted her eyes, feeling mixed emotions - joy for them both, sorrow for the ill timing of their romance (much like her own), and a need to give them privacy, even on the openness of the battlefield. She couldn't help but smile anyway, though; in fact, it inspired her. Even in this, the horizon of potential death for an entire kingdom, they found each other and showed their love.
With a grin, Mina brandished her own daggers now. A new wickedness entered her expression, similar to that which had adorned Jijo's face since the mention of battle. With a shrill warcry, Mina threw herself back into the fray, no longer just following behind her mentor and lover - she now picked her own trail across the shallows of the river, swiftly ending the lives of the Strays that didn't cross the current. Jijo pulled himself from the blood craze enough to notice her and stopped mid-battle with a Stray to stare in awe and desire. Heat flushed his face when he realized the latter of those emotions, and he suppressed it with a slash at his opponent, sending a decaying Stray skull toppling across the bank, making a disgusting shlorp! as water filled the hollow crevasses of the bone.
Ji continued to work at the same time in conjunction with and opposite his apprentice, and together they covered much ground against the crossing horde. Still not enough, he thought bitterly as he ripped an arm clean off a Stray, who shrieked a deathly, hollow sound in response. There's still too many. He looked over at Gryph, praying that whatever the King planned would end this. As much as he enjoyed the battle, he didn't enjoy not knowing he was gonna win it.
Then, suddenly, a jolt. Jijo looked around confusedly, as no bodily harm had come to him. He checked himself over a couple of times, completely lost, and then looked around at others, as if the jolt he felt had maybe come from the ground itself. It had not. Suddenly, panic washed over him. That shock he felt wasn't his - that was the shock of an empathic link being severed. "MINA!" Jijo screeched out, panic high in his voice, taking every inch of his body and throwing it into wild disarray. He wildly hacked at a Stray between him and his apprentice, whom he couldn't even see, but knew where she was. The Stray wasn't killed, but still went down sloppily, now a mess of limbs with no center. Jijo paid it no mind. "MINA!" He screamed again, his panic rising into a state of pure hysteria. He chopped down another Stray in his path; it too was not a clean kill. Normally, he'd never leave it alive. No matter what.
And Mina wasn't returning his callings. Why? Why wasn't she replying to him? Any kind of noise from her would be better than this!
Where?
Where is she?
Where did she go?
Jijo was now blind with the hysteria. His vision was red and purple and white and nothing normal, nothing normal at all. Where is she? Where? Mina, where are you? Finally, a puddle of green on the battleground. Jijo all but threw his weapons to the ground at the sight of her, throwing all caution to the wind as he slid along the ground to her, lifting her small body to face him. Her eyes were more vacant than usual, but still she breathed. Jijo quickly inspected her, his breath coming in short gasps. Finally, he found the culprit - a stab. Right through her back. Her spine. It didn't pierce her front but it had definitely damaged far more than he could fix.
No.
Nononono.
Nononononononononono.
"Mina. Mina, my love. Look at me. Can you hear me?" He cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers, tears immediately falling to her face. "Mina, chiclet, come on, say something. Please." Mina let out a tiny cough in reply. Bad sign. Very bad sign. No!
"Hey, there you are." Mina finally croaked, her blind eyes searching his soul. She must've seen something there she didn't quite like, because she scowled, a scowl unrelated to her physical pain. "Quit that. You're soul's looking darker." She lifted a hand feebly and pawed at his shirt, joking even now. "I mean, I hate being late to stuff too but it's no biggie, right?" She smiled, and Ji's heart broke completely at the gesture. "I have a question," Mina said suddenly, forcing her voice into its normal steadiness.
"Anything."
"For people who follow Wrath.. Who follow a god of death.. What does it look like for us?" Mina's voice wavered slightly, the first and only betrayal of her fear. Jijo clutched her to his chest, in utter denial. "I don't know, chiclet. But we're not going to find out today, either. Not today, okay?" Mina shook her head weakly in response.
"Sorry, birdbrain, but I've got a reservation." She grasped Jijo's cloak and brought herself to him, kissing him deeply and with every ounce of feeling she'd ever felt. Her own tears now spilled across her face and fell to the dirt below. "You saved me from so much, Ji." Jijo let out a sob at this, shaking his head. No. No, you saved me. "In this there is honor, and I have lived more in these past months than the rest of my life. I've said some harsh stuff, and I swear it's still true, every bit of it." She grinned, laughing feebly. "But I said harsh truths because I loved you, from the freakin' start. You know that right?"
Jijo was still shaking his head vehemently, not allowing this - any of this - to really happen. Finally, Mina grabbed his face and stilled him, looking him, somehow, dead in the eye. "I'm sorry, my love, but you can't stop this. This - I don't know if it was Wrath's final say, his catch-all from the new agreement.. if it seemed too good to be true, because it was. But.. Even so, even if that's the case, and even if I served him and you.. I won't let him win." She smiled, a fierce and whole and sincere smile, pressing her head to Ji's who now held her to him as close as he could without hurting her. His hands, which were wrapped around her small body, were now covered in her blood instead of the viscous ooze of the Strays.
"I won't let him win," Mina repeated, and something glowed about her. Terrified, Jijo clutched her all the tighter, thinking it was her last breath he was seeing. But it wasn't; not quite. The glow about her seemed to enlarge, then concentrate, becoming smaller and focusing on her (tiny, Jijo thought; so tiny) right hand. With her remaining energy, she shoved her glowing hand at Jijo's chest with such force he felt a physical blow, as though he'd been thrown back by a battering ram. The glow in her hand left, and instead sunk into the small of his chest, before disappearing within him completely. Jijo stared at his love, confused, wanting answers, wanting her to stay.
"Huh," Mina said, her voice fading. "I didn't think that'd actually work." And then her hand slipped from her chest, and she said nothing else, and her eyes looked at something that wasn't there.
Trembling, Jijo no longer found it within himself to cry. He held Mina's body to himself a while longer, a black rage swelling in his chest. He pressed it down, remembering Mina's earlier words. You're soul's looking darker. He knew what she had meant; he felt a new blackness upon his soul as soon as he felt his link to her severed. Don't let him win, he also said to himself, repeating her. Wrath knew she was to die; had calculated it into his plans. He probably knew, too, how Jijo would react to it. That he would feel this new stain upon his very being. And while, at a glance, it would seem this would make Jijo once again cast Wrath aside, throwing away his life until that point, it had the opposite effect. His resolve was strengthened. He would truly become an instrument of death. And whether that was Wrath's intention or not - whether he had known this, or simply gambled on it - Jijo's heart hardened to the world in that moment.
"You won't win," Jijo growled out loud, bringing himself shakily to his legs. "You won't be rid of me so easily," he snarled. He looked down at his dead apprentice - no, love of his life - and clenched his hands into fists multiple times before regaining his calm. A deadly, dangerous calm. With steadiness unfitting of his situation, he gingerly picked up Mina's body and carried her swiftly through the trees to the city walls. The skirmishing hadn't quite reached this particular area yet, and he placed her, sitting up, against the wall as a couple guardsmen ran to him. He looked at them icily; he was obviously changed from the bloodlusting but goofy bird he was before. The guards shook at the sight of him, and he regarded them as trash. "She is to be treated with utmost respect," he stated steadily, glaring the two guards down. "Let nothing touch her. If so much as the fabric of her tunic is blown by the wind, I will hunt you both down, do you understand me?" They nodded, utterly terrified. "Good." And then Jijo turned and stalked back to the battlefield on foot.
As soon as Strays were once again within his sights, Jijo noticed the difference. He could see the stashed souls now. He paused, confused, and realized with shock that that was what Mina had done to him. She had given him literally everything she had, down to the last ounce of her power. A new wave of blackness set in, and he felt it harden upon his soul now; could see its effect on him. He shed it just as quickly, again reclaiming the deadly calm; she had given everything, and he would not waste it.
He drew his twin daggers and channeled his rage into them instead. He swung them a few times experimentally, testing his own strength after the emotional trauma he had just faced; he found himself stronger. He imagined the hard, black shell of his rage on his weapons instead of his soul, and the blades slowly reflected it. Where the simplistic daggers had originally been, an obsidian sheen now coated them; a multifaceted blade oozing his intent towards the Strays. The obsidian made the blades longer; now they were halfway between dagger-length and broadsword-length each, a gleaming black that seemed to suck in the light around it. He examined the blades curiously, but unsurprised. This would do just fine.
And then he tore back into battle. But where blind recklessness had been before, he now regarded the battlefield with cold calculation. He would take out Strays in single hits, instead of leaving them only mangled, where Mina would come in after him and strike the soul. He was alone now. He would take them out alone.
Time lost its meaning. Before long, Jijo had wiped out the entirety of a squadron of Strays before him, and he hadn't even blinked, much less broke into a sweat. In fact... He frowned, as if he wished for more. But no more advanced in his direction, so he went searching instead for Gryph and Egret further along the riverbank.
They would surely, without a doubt, see the change in him - in everything about him. They would see his obsidian blades. They would see Mina no longer trailed behind him. More than likely, they would be afraid. And yet, Jijo couldn't bring himself to care. Not now, not after all of this. Let them be afraid, he thought bitterly. But my anger isn't towards them.
It didn't faze Jijo. Not one bit. With loud whoops and hollers of bloodlust and craze, Ji performed assassination after assassination, leaping from the tops of trees onto his targets before propelling the same momentum to his next target. His Soul was a constant blur in Mina's vision, quicker than any arrow whizzing on the field. Mina pursed her lips, trying to figure out what she could do now. Even as she picked off the Stray souls that Ji had separated and moved on from, it seemed so pointless to her. Despair washed over her in waves, ebbing and flowing over her conscious and blurring her vision - or was that tears?
She shook her head, clearing the uninvited waterworks from her eyes before steeling her determination. She looked further down the bank and saw the King on the move; he had an idea, which was in itself a reason for joy. Just as she looked, she saw the King kiss his righthand; she quickly averted her eyes, feeling mixed emotions - joy for them both, sorrow for the ill timing of their romance (much like her own), and a need to give them privacy, even on the openness of the battlefield. She couldn't help but smile anyway, though; in fact, it inspired her. Even in this, the horizon of potential death for an entire kingdom, they found each other and showed their love.
With a grin, Mina brandished her own daggers now. A new wickedness entered her expression, similar to that which had adorned Jijo's face since the mention of battle. With a shrill warcry, Mina threw herself back into the fray, no longer just following behind her mentor and lover - she now picked her own trail across the shallows of the river, swiftly ending the lives of the Strays that didn't cross the current. Jijo pulled himself from the blood craze enough to notice her and stopped mid-battle with a Stray to stare in awe and desire. Heat flushed his face when he realized the latter of those emotions, and he suppressed it with a slash at his opponent, sending a decaying Stray skull toppling across the bank, making a disgusting shlorp! as water filled the hollow crevasses of the bone.
Ji continued to work at the same time in conjunction with and opposite his apprentice, and together they covered much ground against the crossing horde. Still not enough, he thought bitterly as he ripped an arm clean off a Stray, who shrieked a deathly, hollow sound in response. There's still too many. He looked over at Gryph, praying that whatever the King planned would end this. As much as he enjoyed the battle, he didn't enjoy not knowing he was gonna win it.
Then, suddenly, a jolt. Jijo looked around confusedly, as no bodily harm had come to him. He checked himself over a couple of times, completely lost, and then looked around at others, as if the jolt he felt had maybe come from the ground itself. It had not. Suddenly, panic washed over him. That shock he felt wasn't his - that was the shock of an empathic link being severed. "MINA!" Jijo screeched out, panic high in his voice, taking every inch of his body and throwing it into wild disarray. He wildly hacked at a Stray between him and his apprentice, whom he couldn't even see, but knew where she was. The Stray wasn't killed, but still went down sloppily, now a mess of limbs with no center. Jijo paid it no mind. "MINA!" He screamed again, his panic rising into a state of pure hysteria. He chopped down another Stray in his path; it too was not a clean kill. Normally, he'd never leave it alive. No matter what.
And Mina wasn't returning his callings. Why? Why wasn't she replying to him? Any kind of noise from her would be better than this!
Where?
Where is she?
Where did she go?
Jijo was now blind with the hysteria. His vision was red and purple and white and nothing normal, nothing normal at all. Where is she? Where? Mina, where are you? Finally, a puddle of green on the battleground. Jijo all but threw his weapons to the ground at the sight of her, throwing all caution to the wind as he slid along the ground to her, lifting her small body to face him. Her eyes were more vacant than usual, but still she breathed. Jijo quickly inspected her, his breath coming in short gasps. Finally, he found the culprit - a stab. Right through her back. Her spine. It didn't pierce her front but it had definitely damaged far more than he could fix.
No.
Nononono.
Nononononononononono.
"Mina. Mina, my love. Look at me. Can you hear me?" He cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers, tears immediately falling to her face. "Mina, chiclet, come on, say something. Please." Mina let out a tiny cough in reply. Bad sign. Very bad sign. No!
"Hey, there you are." Mina finally croaked, her blind eyes searching his soul. She must've seen something there she didn't quite like, because she scowled, a scowl unrelated to her physical pain. "Quit that. You're soul's looking darker." She lifted a hand feebly and pawed at his shirt, joking even now. "I mean, I hate being late to stuff too but it's no biggie, right?" She smiled, and Ji's heart broke completely at the gesture. "I have a question," Mina said suddenly, forcing her voice into its normal steadiness.
"Anything."
"For people who follow Wrath.. Who follow a god of death.. What does it look like for us?" Mina's voice wavered slightly, the first and only betrayal of her fear. Jijo clutched her to his chest, in utter denial. "I don't know, chiclet. But we're not going to find out today, either. Not today, okay?" Mina shook her head weakly in response.
"Sorry, birdbrain, but I've got a reservation." She grasped Jijo's cloak and brought herself to him, kissing him deeply and with every ounce of feeling she'd ever felt. Her own tears now spilled across her face and fell to the dirt below. "You saved me from so much, Ji." Jijo let out a sob at this, shaking his head. No. No, you saved me. "In this there is honor, and I have lived more in these past months than the rest of my life. I've said some harsh stuff, and I swear it's still true, every bit of it." She grinned, laughing feebly. "But I said harsh truths because I loved you, from the freakin' start. You know that right?"
Jijo was still shaking his head vehemently, not allowing this - any of this - to really happen. Finally, Mina grabbed his face and stilled him, looking him, somehow, dead in the eye. "I'm sorry, my love, but you can't stop this. This - I don't know if it was Wrath's final say, his catch-all from the new agreement.. if it seemed too good to be true, because it was. But.. Even so, even if that's the case, and even if I served him and you.. I won't let him win." She smiled, a fierce and whole and sincere smile, pressing her head to Ji's who now held her to him as close as he could without hurting her. His hands, which were wrapped around her small body, were now covered in her blood instead of the viscous ooze of the Strays.
"I won't let him win," Mina repeated, and something glowed about her. Terrified, Jijo clutched her all the tighter, thinking it was her last breath he was seeing. But it wasn't; not quite. The glow about her seemed to enlarge, then concentrate, becoming smaller and focusing on her (tiny, Jijo thought; so tiny) right hand. With her remaining energy, she shoved her glowing hand at Jijo's chest with such force he felt a physical blow, as though he'd been thrown back by a battering ram. The glow in her hand left, and instead sunk into the small of his chest, before disappearing within him completely. Jijo stared at his love, confused, wanting answers, wanting her to stay.
"Huh," Mina said, her voice fading. "I didn't think that'd actually work." And then her hand slipped from her chest, and she said nothing else, and her eyes looked at something that wasn't there.
Trembling, Jijo no longer found it within himself to cry. He held Mina's body to himself a while longer, a black rage swelling in his chest. He pressed it down, remembering Mina's earlier words. You're soul's looking darker. He knew what she had meant; he felt a new blackness upon his soul as soon as he felt his link to her severed. Don't let him win, he also said to himself, repeating her. Wrath knew she was to die; had calculated it into his plans. He probably knew, too, how Jijo would react to it. That he would feel this new stain upon his very being. And while, at a glance, it would seem this would make Jijo once again cast Wrath aside, throwing away his life until that point, it had the opposite effect. His resolve was strengthened. He would truly become an instrument of death. And whether that was Wrath's intention or not - whether he had known this, or simply gambled on it - Jijo's heart hardened to the world in that moment.
"You won't win," Jijo growled out loud, bringing himself shakily to his legs. "You won't be rid of me so easily," he snarled. He looked down at his dead apprentice - no, love of his life - and clenched his hands into fists multiple times before regaining his calm. A deadly, dangerous calm. With steadiness unfitting of his situation, he gingerly picked up Mina's body and carried her swiftly through the trees to the city walls. The skirmishing hadn't quite reached this particular area yet, and he placed her, sitting up, against the wall as a couple guardsmen ran to him. He looked at them icily; he was obviously changed from the bloodlusting but goofy bird he was before. The guards shook at the sight of him, and he regarded them as trash. "She is to be treated with utmost respect," he stated steadily, glaring the two guards down. "Let nothing touch her. If so much as the fabric of her tunic is blown by the wind, I will hunt you both down, do you understand me?" They nodded, utterly terrified. "Good." And then Jijo turned and stalked back to the battlefield on foot.
As soon as Strays were once again within his sights, Jijo noticed the difference. He could see the stashed souls now. He paused, confused, and realized with shock that that was what Mina had done to him. She had given him literally everything she had, down to the last ounce of her power. A new wave of blackness set in, and he felt it harden upon his soul now; could see its effect on him. He shed it just as quickly, again reclaiming the deadly calm; she had given everything, and he would not waste it.
He drew his twin daggers and channeled his rage into them instead. He swung them a few times experimentally, testing his own strength after the emotional trauma he had just faced; he found himself stronger. He imagined the hard, black shell of his rage on his weapons instead of his soul, and the blades slowly reflected it. Where the simplistic daggers had originally been, an obsidian sheen now coated them; a multifaceted blade oozing his intent towards the Strays. The obsidian made the blades longer; now they were halfway between dagger-length and broadsword-length each, a gleaming black that seemed to suck in the light around it. He examined the blades curiously, but unsurprised. This would do just fine.
And then he tore back into battle. But where blind recklessness had been before, he now regarded the battlefield with cold calculation. He would take out Strays in single hits, instead of leaving them only mangled, where Mina would come in after him and strike the soul. He was alone now. He would take them out alone.
Time lost its meaning. Before long, Jijo had wiped out the entirety of a squadron of Strays before him, and he hadn't even blinked, much less broke into a sweat. In fact... He frowned, as if he wished for more. But no more advanced in his direction, so he went searching instead for Gryph and Egret further along the riverbank.
They would surely, without a doubt, see the change in him - in everything about him. They would see his obsidian blades. They would see Mina no longer trailed behind him. More than likely, they would be afraid. And yet, Jijo couldn't bring himself to care. Not now, not after all of this. Let them be afraid, he thought bitterly. But my anger isn't towards them.
Gryph and mare made haste towards the Kingdom through the thick forest until they hit the clearing right before city walls where they skid to a halt- the King wasting no time to push from her saddle and land feet firm on the ground, his talons sinking into the packed earth below. "We need groups along the river's edge along the eastern side. Strays have been crossing by the masses- hurry there's no time to waste." Hurried tone carried itself along his words as they sounded and echoed into the world around them all the while hands worked quickly at the chains and fixtures attached to a nearby catapult. Sitching them to the mare's saddle he'd then give a few forceful tugs towards the earth on the hitches; Shink shink-click!
The other birds obeyed without question, their faces plastered with determination as they quickly trekked their way Eastward and broke into groups along the way. The King gave a nod to the pony and she began to pull the catapult forwards firstly with some drag as the wheels needed to build inertia but after with much easy and a little bit of Gryph’s help who pushed with great force behind the device until it was in full motion. Then he’d break from the device and run up along side of her.
“Hyah! C’mon girl- this is our only chance! Let’s make this count.” Words encouraged her and she gave a whinny in reply while hooves beat against the packed earth below before he’d run ahead and clear the path. The two rounded their way keeping close to the walls as the forest had been long over-grown. This path wasn’t often used as the dam hadn’t been worked on in years; it was created decades ago long before the King himself was born, however, he had been to the site before during training as a young bird learning everything there was to know about its history and function. Using his dagger he would slice through the overgrowth as Song trailed hot on his heels, a cloud of dust mixing with the air behind her due in part to the inches of soft dust that collected over the packed earth below.
Hack. Slash. Slice! They made it now to the edge with the dam in full view. The giant structure lay before them in all of it’s glory- the sun’s rays dancing upon the golden boulders that stacked upon one another and protected their water supply. Some were chipped away while others were carefully carved to allow the perfect amount of water flow. A fine example of pure craftsmanship even for back then. A relic, even and he had come to destroy it. Song wasted no time getting into position and calling over towards the young bird breaking him from his moment of trance and with a heavy exhale he’d sprint towards her and work to unhitch her. To save time, he’d remove her saddle completely and allow it to fall upon the ground where it’d stir up the earth slightly.
Ready.. He’d grab at the bucket holding the boulder in place and pull all the way back until he heard a loud click causing the cables and chains to grow stiff in full tension.
Aim.. grabbing both sides of the device now he’d use his sharp archer eyes to pinpoint the perfect spot. It felt as if whole days were passing by him in the few moments he used to carefully scan the dam. Precious time trickling away until suddenly- There! Off towards the side closest to the forest lining he could see it. The overgrowth had began to erode the dam some, cracking through the boulders there and weakening the bonds. That would be his target; that would be his only chance. His body tensed with nervousness now as it gave a few final adjustments while lungs inhaled deeply taking oxygen hostage within them as hand grasped around the triggering lever.
“Fire!” Gryph would let out a loud screech and pulled the lever towards him at full force. The device activated and the boulder within its clutches was soon expelled into the air where i cut through and began to pick up speed until it reached full velocity. Then it happened- smash! Brutally and violently the boulder collided with the weak spot in the dam and crumbled the victimized boulders where together they’d fall down into the waters below. Come on.. Did it work? King still held his breath and body tensed as ruby eyes stared at the hit point though with the sight of water starting to spew he’d give a heavy exhale and throw a fist into the air. Yes! Yes!
It didn’t take many more moments for the water pressure to fully breach the dam and soon it took with it full boulders. It would be sure to collapse the entire side of the dam in no time and as such, he’d waste not another moment running along his pony before leaping upon her bare back. “Let us make haste and warn the others, Song. We did it!” Together the two traveled at full speed through their previous path- hooves beating so quickly against the ground it was almost as if they were flying on air.
Egret continued his battle cries as he’d take down Strays in numbers, watching them fall and rip apart from the current of the river. Two, four, six- his aim was spot on and he’d shoot multiple arrows at a time with reloads that took but an eye blink. Finally there was a break and he would turn to take in his surroundings before replenishing his own quiver with Gryph’s arrows- that is until eyes caught a glimpse of Jijo in the distance. He was still alive! A small breath of relief expelled from the small bird and as lips parted his call had ceased mid throat. Something was wrong. He took note how the older bird was killing Strays one after the other, not leaving them alive for Mina to finish off- the opposite of how he’d carry himself earlier at the start of the battle.
Body couldn’t help but tense up with a thought while two-toned eyes scanned every area he could see in search for Mina though to no avail and instead, they fixated on the others eerily calm features and shadowed face. Then those blades- like nothing he had ever seen before sucking the light from around them. They felt so.. evil. The very darkness almost feeling as if it was beckoning his own soul towards it. He didn’t like this- not one bit. As the other advanced towards him he could only stand paralyzed in fear- fear he never once felt from this other bird and he couldn’t pinpoint why, even. He felt changed..
Body readied itself with flight or fight responses be releasing tremors throughout his small frame in small waves. On the outside it was easy to see him trembling- though it’s not to say he wasn’t a brave bird! But something about the current state was both uneasy and uncomfortable. Brain ceased all thoughts as now the instinct of fear flooded his young mind. Not even an acknowledging glance towards the King who finally made his re-appearance.
“The dam has been breached! We need to get back to higher ground.” Voice echoed out into the air. There was still a good amount of time before the rush of water would make it to them- enough to warn everyone eastwards as well. Gryph pushed off of the pony and made his way towards Egret though all words subsided as he too felt it- the eerie and heavy feeling the plagued the atmosphere around them. Then he’d spot Jijo and froze next to his companion while blood-red eyes fixed upon him. He could feel his soul being drawn to the other and it hurt if only slightly but more so confused him beyond comprehension. Those blades- what in Xhen’s name.. He noted the same changes in the other Egret had and it equally chilled his core. Egret would break from his trance slightly and push himself before the King, ready to protect if he had to while even Gryph; one who wasn’t often a bird of fear could feel his stomach tightening and feathers fluff on end following small subtle shakes that ran through his bones. Where was Mina.. What happened? What happened to Jijo?
“Ji..Jijo” Voice would sound out now, breaking the awkward silence. “Jijo are you alright? Mina- Where..” He’d stop himself and talons gripped into the soft earth below with uneasiness with the other’s approach. Calm and emotionless- unable to read. That is what the King feared most and yet ironically, it was like looking into a mirror. But this was different- Jijo wasn’t like this in the entirety of knowing him- never - and the inability to read him now caused fear to flood in and mix within his own mind now, debilitating him- paralyzing him.
The other birds obeyed without question, their faces plastered with determination as they quickly trekked their way Eastward and broke into groups along the way. The King gave a nod to the pony and she began to pull the catapult forwards firstly with some drag as the wheels needed to build inertia but after with much easy and a little bit of Gryph’s help who pushed with great force behind the device until it was in full motion. Then he’d break from the device and run up along side of her.
“Hyah! C’mon girl- this is our only chance! Let’s make this count.” Words encouraged her and she gave a whinny in reply while hooves beat against the packed earth below before he’d run ahead and clear the path. The two rounded their way keeping close to the walls as the forest had been long over-grown. This path wasn’t often used as the dam hadn’t been worked on in years; it was created decades ago long before the King himself was born, however, he had been to the site before during training as a young bird learning everything there was to know about its history and function. Using his dagger he would slice through the overgrowth as Song trailed hot on his heels, a cloud of dust mixing with the air behind her due in part to the inches of soft dust that collected over the packed earth below.
Hack. Slash. Slice! They made it now to the edge with the dam in full view. The giant structure lay before them in all of it’s glory- the sun’s rays dancing upon the golden boulders that stacked upon one another and protected their water supply. Some were chipped away while others were carefully carved to allow the perfect amount of water flow. A fine example of pure craftsmanship even for back then. A relic, even and he had come to destroy it. Song wasted no time getting into position and calling over towards the young bird breaking him from his moment of trance and with a heavy exhale he’d sprint towards her and work to unhitch her. To save time, he’d remove her saddle completely and allow it to fall upon the ground where it’d stir up the earth slightly.
Ready.. He’d grab at the bucket holding the boulder in place and pull all the way back until he heard a loud click causing the cables and chains to grow stiff in full tension.
Aim.. grabbing both sides of the device now he’d use his sharp archer eyes to pinpoint the perfect spot. It felt as if whole days were passing by him in the few moments he used to carefully scan the dam. Precious time trickling away until suddenly- There! Off towards the side closest to the forest lining he could see it. The overgrowth had began to erode the dam some, cracking through the boulders there and weakening the bonds. That would be his target; that would be his only chance. His body tensed with nervousness now as it gave a few final adjustments while lungs inhaled deeply taking oxygen hostage within them as hand grasped around the triggering lever.
“Fire!” Gryph would let out a loud screech and pulled the lever towards him at full force. The device activated and the boulder within its clutches was soon expelled into the air where i cut through and began to pick up speed until it reached full velocity. Then it happened- smash! Brutally and violently the boulder collided with the weak spot in the dam and crumbled the victimized boulders where together they’d fall down into the waters below. Come on.. Did it work? King still held his breath and body tensed as ruby eyes stared at the hit point though with the sight of water starting to spew he’d give a heavy exhale and throw a fist into the air. Yes! Yes!
It didn’t take many more moments for the water pressure to fully breach the dam and soon it took with it full boulders. It would be sure to collapse the entire side of the dam in no time and as such, he’d waste not another moment running along his pony before leaping upon her bare back. “Let us make haste and warn the others, Song. We did it!” Together the two traveled at full speed through their previous path- hooves beating so quickly against the ground it was almost as if they were flying on air.
Egret continued his battle cries as he’d take down Strays in numbers, watching them fall and rip apart from the current of the river. Two, four, six- his aim was spot on and he’d shoot multiple arrows at a time with reloads that took but an eye blink. Finally there was a break and he would turn to take in his surroundings before replenishing his own quiver with Gryph’s arrows- that is until eyes caught a glimpse of Jijo in the distance. He was still alive! A small breath of relief expelled from the small bird and as lips parted his call had ceased mid throat. Something was wrong. He took note how the older bird was killing Strays one after the other, not leaving them alive for Mina to finish off- the opposite of how he’d carry himself earlier at the start of the battle.
Body couldn’t help but tense up with a thought while two-toned eyes scanned every area he could see in search for Mina though to no avail and instead, they fixated on the others eerily calm features and shadowed face. Then those blades- like nothing he had ever seen before sucking the light from around them. They felt so.. evil. The very darkness almost feeling as if it was beckoning his own soul towards it. He didn’t like this- not one bit. As the other advanced towards him he could only stand paralyzed in fear- fear he never once felt from this other bird and he couldn’t pinpoint why, even. He felt changed..
Body readied itself with flight or fight responses be releasing tremors throughout his small frame in small waves. On the outside it was easy to see him trembling- though it’s not to say he wasn’t a brave bird! But something about the current state was both uneasy and uncomfortable. Brain ceased all thoughts as now the instinct of fear flooded his young mind. Not even an acknowledging glance towards the King who finally made his re-appearance.
“The dam has been breached! We need to get back to higher ground.” Voice echoed out into the air. There was still a good amount of time before the rush of water would make it to them- enough to warn everyone eastwards as well. Gryph pushed off of the pony and made his way towards Egret though all words subsided as he too felt it- the eerie and heavy feeling the plagued the atmosphere around them. Then he’d spot Jijo and froze next to his companion while blood-red eyes fixed upon him. He could feel his soul being drawn to the other and it hurt if only slightly but more so confused him beyond comprehension. Those blades- what in Xhen’s name.. He noted the same changes in the other Egret had and it equally chilled his core. Egret would break from his trance slightly and push himself before the King, ready to protect if he had to while even Gryph; one who wasn’t often a bird of fear could feel his stomach tightening and feathers fluff on end following small subtle shakes that ran through his bones. Where was Mina.. What happened? What happened to Jijo?
“Ji..Jijo” Voice would sound out now, breaking the awkward silence. “Jijo are you alright? Mina- Where..” He’d stop himself and talons gripped into the soft earth below with uneasiness with the other’s approach. Calm and emotionless- unable to read. That is what the King feared most and yet ironically, it was like looking into a mirror. But this was different- Jijo wasn’t like this in the entirety of knowing him- never - and the inability to read him now caused fear to flood in and mix within his own mind now, debilitating him- paralyzing him.
Jijo's ears twitched with slight acknowledgement as the sound of the dam's breach shuddered through the forest. However, his attention was turned elsewhere; he stood now before Egret, his deadly calm clearly unnerving the King's righthand. He eyed Egret coldly, but not meanly. He was like a doctor, methodically searching the other for wounds, more than looking at a friend as he might've once. Just as he registered Egret was fine, and was about to speak, Gryph came thundering in on his mare, forcing Jijo's mouth shut once more as he pulled the same methodical analysis of the King. Still, though, no emotion showed - not even relief that his king and friend was alive. Just cold inspection.
As he was finishing his examination, his subconscious heard the King's words: "Are you alright?" But more importantly to his brain, "Mina-?" His ears flattened against his head, and he shook himself from his hyperfocused stare, turning his icy gaze to the ground. He realized at this point that his blades, coated still in their beyond-black stone, were still drawn, and he quickly sheathed them. They returned to their normal state as he did.
Jijo clenched and unclenched his fists multiple times - it seemed to be his new fidget, in an attempt to curb his seemingly unending rage. His ears still laid flat against his skull, Ji finally spoke, his voice devoid of all variation and tone. "Mina's gone." The sheer lack of emotion in this statement, which the very thought of would have reduced him to a blubbering mess before, disturbed even him. "Wrath decided it was time to take his dues." He rolled his gaze back over to the King, piercing and empty. Then his gaze lolled slowly, lazily towards the opposing army across the riverbank. "If you don't want to end up washed away like them, I'd suggest you two start moving. I'm staying. I want to pick off every last one of these bastards." He grinned, a cruel, toothy, and humorless smile that was surely chilling to look at.
The smile slowly faded, replaced again by his slate-like expression. "Mina has been placed against the city wall north of here." His gaze clouded, the only indication at all he felt anything on the matter. "I have stationed two of your guards next to her to protect her while I'm fighting." He tilted his head and stared down the King and his lover, a trickle of insanity in the depths of his look. "Ensure she receives proper honors if I don't come back, yes?"
A vague sadness clouded his eyes again as he spoke, drawing his blades once more from their sheaths. "And if I'm to be honest with you, I don't plan to." With those words he fell silent again, no longer acknowledging the presence of those whom he might have called friends not an hour before. The concept held no meaning. Not right now. Instead, he focused again on his simplistic daggers, willing the rage within him to again settle on the blade. The transformation came much more quickly this time, the beyond-blackness enveloping and hardening on the weapons. The hardening obsidian sizzled, letting out thin trails of wispy, dark smoke smelling of sulfur and rot. He brandished the dual blades, twirling them in his palms to adjust himself to them once more - he still wasn't quite used to their new, added weight. Then, with a cruel and sad smile plastered to his face, he turned away and waited for the river to catch up.
As he was finishing his examination, his subconscious heard the King's words: "Are you alright?" But more importantly to his brain, "Mina-?" His ears flattened against his head, and he shook himself from his hyperfocused stare, turning his icy gaze to the ground. He realized at this point that his blades, coated still in their beyond-black stone, were still drawn, and he quickly sheathed them. They returned to their normal state as he did.
Jijo clenched and unclenched his fists multiple times - it seemed to be his new fidget, in an attempt to curb his seemingly unending rage. His ears still laid flat against his skull, Ji finally spoke, his voice devoid of all variation and tone. "Mina's gone." The sheer lack of emotion in this statement, which the very thought of would have reduced him to a blubbering mess before, disturbed even him. "Wrath decided it was time to take his dues." He rolled his gaze back over to the King, piercing and empty. Then his gaze lolled slowly, lazily towards the opposing army across the riverbank. "If you don't want to end up washed away like them, I'd suggest you two start moving. I'm staying. I want to pick off every last one of these bastards." He grinned, a cruel, toothy, and humorless smile that was surely chilling to look at.
The smile slowly faded, replaced again by his slate-like expression. "Mina has been placed against the city wall north of here." His gaze clouded, the only indication at all he felt anything on the matter. "I have stationed two of your guards next to her to protect her while I'm fighting." He tilted his head and stared down the King and his lover, a trickle of insanity in the depths of his look. "Ensure she receives proper honors if I don't come back, yes?"
A vague sadness clouded his eyes again as he spoke, drawing his blades once more from their sheaths. "And if I'm to be honest with you, I don't plan to." With those words he fell silent again, no longer acknowledging the presence of those whom he might have called friends not an hour before. The concept held no meaning. Not right now. Instead, he focused again on his simplistic daggers, willing the rage within him to again settle on the blade. The transformation came much more quickly this time, the beyond-blackness enveloping and hardening on the weapons. The hardening obsidian sizzled, letting out thin trails of wispy, dark smoke smelling of sulfur and rot. He brandished the dual blades, twirling them in his palms to adjust himself to them once more - he still wasn't quite used to their new, added weight. Then, with a cruel and sad smile plastered to his face, he turned away and waited for the river to catch up.
Gryph and Egret were silent as the other spoke and within them they hoped to find comfort in hearing his voice but instead were met with a burning sense of despair and sorrow. No.. The King’s ruby eyes winced in pain as if the information on Minda had physically struck him- like an arrow to the chest and he couldn’t help but quiver his lower jaw. Egret let out a gasp behind him and pulled hands towards his own lips while eyes open wide, staring at the now roughed and tattered bird before them in disbelief. While both felt pain and sorrow neither one of them could say it was more than Jijo’s pain- his attitude; his cold and eerie aura made sense now and in itself, the fear began to hush if but slightly as they began to understand. They’d slowly begin to fall back into a normal state as they watched Jijo regather his calmness and sheathed his blades- Egret sliding a once ready dagger back into its home on his hip.
A glaze began to cover Gryph’s vision and all he could do was hold his breath as he watched Jijo’s attention turn towards him and speak of Wrath and his dues. He really was the worst of beasts.. Teeth clenched now and with Jijo’s dark humour he’d feel uneasy wash over him yet again before quickly looking down at his companion then back towards the direction of the dam- though in all honesty the first real sign of emotion the other had given off was a relief in itself.
Leave him here? Any arguing would devour precious time to warn the rest of his people..
“Jijo..” The king would whisper while eyes locked upon him, the pain and confusion of it all swirling within their blood red colour. He wanted so much to physically reassure the older bird- his friend. Ease his pain and make him feel better though Jijo was right. They had to leave and his mind was made up- He would avenge his female companion in any way that he could and to that, The King could understand in its fullest. At the mention of honours the King couldn't help but release the pent up air within his chest out as a stifled shudder while a warm trickle of built up glaze began to grace his cheek and gather under his chin where if lost grip and plummeted into the damp soil beneath them.
“Honours fit for a princess. I promise, Jijo..” Was all he could manage as he grabbed at Egret’s arm and pulled him in the direction of the mare where he’d help him up onto her back only to follow suit and grab hold. “.. And if it comes to it- I call upon Xhen and ask that your souls reunite in the afterlife, my friend.”
Voice was stern now and almost fearless though honesty flowed through every bit. There was no stopping the other; no fighting to get him to change his mind and deep down, Gryph could feel he would only do the same for Egret if the tables were turned. He knew his guards would get her body safely within the city walls once given the warning. Even with the other having no plans to make it back, deep down the King wished it. Despite their shaken history Jijo remained as his friend- his ally, his brother in arms and that fondness caused him to give one last, soft look down at the other who now began to ready for battle once more.
The two would stay for a few moments more, watching the transformation taking place and Jijo summoning the obsidian blades willingly and as he’d turn his back upon the two younger birds, Gryph would grunt and turn his head while eyes squinted shut, squeezing the rest of his pain from glossy eyes all the while ankles jabbed into the sides of the mare and arms giving a forceful guidance to point her in the right direction.
“Hyah!” he’d sound loudly and they’d bolt off- first to the city’s walls to warn the guards protecting Mina's body and then down the river to gather the rest of his people for retreat to safety. As they faded into the thick forest, Gryph fought everything within him to not turn back to give the other one last look and though through his internal battle he had felt the white bird wrap arms around his waist and bury face into his spine as they rode. The warmth of pain emitting from the other’s own eyes dampening his feathers caused the King to move right arm back and rest it against Egret’s own momentarily
“If it were any different, I would be doing the same for you, Egret..” Whisper slipped from lips before they pushed out to the clearing- Gryph shouting his warnings though never let up his pace; He’d continue to ride at full speed and didn’t dare attempt a glance at the lifeless body protected behind two guardsmen. Not yet.. After a few moments, the guards were far behind and the city began to ring with a loud, bellowing horn that shook the thick air around. Someone had sounded the retreat but he wouldn’t stop there. He’d be sure each group would make it home safe. He refused. One group after the other, he'd command them towards high ground while jumping from the pony and hoisting those too injured to make it back upon mare's back where Egret would hold onto them, ensuring their safety upon her so they wouldn't fall off all the while giving them a hopeful and rather soothing coo. That was the last of them now and with a swift swat to the Mare's hindquarters, (sorry girl) Song bolted back towards the city watch tower- Gryph sprinting quickly behind on her heels.
A glaze began to cover Gryph’s vision and all he could do was hold his breath as he watched Jijo’s attention turn towards him and speak of Wrath and his dues. He really was the worst of beasts.. Teeth clenched now and with Jijo’s dark humour he’d feel uneasy wash over him yet again before quickly looking down at his companion then back towards the direction of the dam- though in all honesty the first real sign of emotion the other had given off was a relief in itself.
Leave him here? Any arguing would devour precious time to warn the rest of his people..
“Jijo..” The king would whisper while eyes locked upon him, the pain and confusion of it all swirling within their blood red colour. He wanted so much to physically reassure the older bird- his friend. Ease his pain and make him feel better though Jijo was right. They had to leave and his mind was made up- He would avenge his female companion in any way that he could and to that, The King could understand in its fullest. At the mention of honours the King couldn't help but release the pent up air within his chest out as a stifled shudder while a warm trickle of built up glaze began to grace his cheek and gather under his chin where if lost grip and plummeted into the damp soil beneath them.
“Honours fit for a princess. I promise, Jijo..” Was all he could manage as he grabbed at Egret’s arm and pulled him in the direction of the mare where he’d help him up onto her back only to follow suit and grab hold. “.. And if it comes to it- I call upon Xhen and ask that your souls reunite in the afterlife, my friend.”
Voice was stern now and almost fearless though honesty flowed through every bit. There was no stopping the other; no fighting to get him to change his mind and deep down, Gryph could feel he would only do the same for Egret if the tables were turned. He knew his guards would get her body safely within the city walls once given the warning. Even with the other having no plans to make it back, deep down the King wished it. Despite their shaken history Jijo remained as his friend- his ally, his brother in arms and that fondness caused him to give one last, soft look down at the other who now began to ready for battle once more.
The two would stay for a few moments more, watching the transformation taking place and Jijo summoning the obsidian blades willingly and as he’d turn his back upon the two younger birds, Gryph would grunt and turn his head while eyes squinted shut, squeezing the rest of his pain from glossy eyes all the while ankles jabbed into the sides of the mare and arms giving a forceful guidance to point her in the right direction.
“Hyah!” he’d sound loudly and they’d bolt off- first to the city’s walls to warn the guards protecting Mina's body and then down the river to gather the rest of his people for retreat to safety. As they faded into the thick forest, Gryph fought everything within him to not turn back to give the other one last look and though through his internal battle he had felt the white bird wrap arms around his waist and bury face into his spine as they rode. The warmth of pain emitting from the other’s own eyes dampening his feathers caused the King to move right arm back and rest it against Egret’s own momentarily
“If it were any different, I would be doing the same for you, Egret..” Whisper slipped from lips before they pushed out to the clearing- Gryph shouting his warnings though never let up his pace; He’d continue to ride at full speed and didn’t dare attempt a glance at the lifeless body protected behind two guardsmen. Not yet.. After a few moments, the guards were far behind and the city began to ring with a loud, bellowing horn that shook the thick air around. Someone had sounded the retreat but he wouldn’t stop there. He’d be sure each group would make it home safe. He refused. One group after the other, he'd command them towards high ground while jumping from the pony and hoisting those too injured to make it back upon mare's back where Egret would hold onto them, ensuring their safety upon her so they wouldn't fall off all the while giving them a hopeful and rather soothing coo. That was the last of them now and with a swift swat to the Mare's hindquarters, (sorry girl) Song bolted back towards the city watch tower- Gryph sprinting quickly behind on her heels.
Jijo nodded at the King's promise of a princess' honors. The pain in his King's voice at Mina's death - whom the King did not know nearly as much as he did - brought a new wave of emotion to Ji. Unblinking as he was, facing the remaining army, a single tear found its way past his black defenses and rolled down his cheek, winding its way down to the earth.
Jijo's resolve steeled at the sudden, but fleeting emotion, and his grip on his obsidian blades tightened to the point where his knuckles whitened with the effort. As soon as the first of the dam's flood began to make itself known in the area, Ji half-darted, half-hopped across the bank and up a tree the opposite side, narrowly dodging the slashing claws of Strays along the way. Luckily, they weren't nearly as agile as he when it came to the Y axis, completely useless at climbing trees and walls, and this gave him the proper chance to steel himself further before the current washed away the bulk of the army.
The flood hit suddenly and loudly, ripping weaker trees from their homes and screams and deathly screeches from the throats of those it took with it. With unending patience, Ji waited on his perch for the current to settle, and was honestly surprised to find the river reached to halfway up his current tree; he would definitely have to relocate to find any stragglers from rear guards - all the forward marching Strays were definitely gone now. He darted through the branches, still unblinking, even has the complex branches from the tops of the trees whipped his skin and tore his cloak. Finally, there - he found the base camp for these terrible blighted creatures, and didn't even pause to catch his breath before launching himself into the fray.
He descended on the base camp like a lightning bolt; he clutched his daggers in front of his face and took down two without time for them to even raise alarm - not that it was necessary. He was in the open, and the entire camp turned on him, screeching bloodlust and fury and hollow death. There was a terrible pause, a silence that deepened for one, two, three seconds, until finally Ji lifted a Strayblood-covered-hand and beckoned at the masses, a smirk plastered on his face with the promise of vengeance.
The hoard descended on him then, a deafeningly loud clash of metal, screams and fizzles as Jijo sliced and hacked down Stray after Stray. Skulls rolled, and limbs flew through the encampment as confetti. His cloak took more tears and rips, but overall Ji did well keeping his own tail out of direct contact with the undead bastards, considering their numbers versus him. As much as he was prepared for this battle to be his last, he wasn't going to go down until long after he'd taken down every single one of these creatures as he could. He wouldn't die easy. Mina entrusted me with her power, he reminded himself. I can't waste it.
But out of sheer terrible luck in a day full of terrible luck, Ji stumbled. In an attempt to escape the shredding claws of a Stray, he leaped backwards and into another, that caught and threw him down to the ground. It stamped its decaying foot on the base of his cloak, preventing him from rising and fleeing back to safer ground. Ji managed to reach out with his dagger and thrust his blade deep into the chest of the Stray standing on his cloak; he twisted it and drove it deep as it'd go, spraying his face with viscous, disgusting blood. But still the Stray remained unmoved. Even in its screeches of pain, it did not move. Ji raised his other blade and sliced the thing's head off, finally forcing the body to the ground as he stabbed its nearby soul, but the delay was all the time the Stray encampment needed.
Three at once descended upon him, pinning him while a fourth dislodged his daggers from his hands. This one, the obvious leader of either this particular encampment or the whole thing - he couldn't tell - looked at him with condescending eyes (were that was possible with no eyes at all). It let out a hollow, wheezing sound that must've been a laugh before taking Jijo's own blade and thrusting it far into his gut.
Ji gasped and shuddered with the pain, spitting out blood immediately. The Stray laughed again, but signaled the other Strays and they left him there, obsidian buried hilt-deep in his abdomen, as they went further into the woods to forward their attack. Alone in enemy territory, Ji saw little to zero hope of escape, but he simply laid there for some long moments, resigning himself to this entire fate. He took out a huge number of the undead creatures, and surely what little was left would be taken out by the guards and Gryph.
Oh, Gryph! Egret! Jijo let out a mournsome wail, his first true emotion since Mina's death, regretful of his actions up 'til now. A horrible underling, citizen, and friend he was! There was much to be done yet, he realized, and he coughed again, spewing more blood across himself and his surroundings. In a surge of energy, Ji ripped the obsidian blade from his own stomach and threw it aside, where it now returned to its original state, separated so far from its owner. Ji sat up with a wince and began inspecting himself: by some miracle, the Stray leader failed to hit any major organs, slipping it through his flesh but nothing else. Jijo thanked both the gods for his anatomical knowledge, but as a result of this knowledge, he also knew that if he didn't get help soon, he would still die of bleeding out.
Slowly, painfully, Jijo dragged himself to his dagger he'd thrown aside and sheathed it, alongside the other which had been dropped nearby him when the Strays pinned him. It seems they didn't expect him to make it this far; otherwise they surely wouldn't have left his things so close by. Though, he supposed with a smirk, leaving one of those daggers within his own stomach is hardly just leaving it to be picked up.
He tore a shred from the bottom of his cloak and fastened it around his wound, grunting with the pain and effort of it. He knotted it tightly, hoping to stave off the bleeding if only a little. If only so that help has a few more minutes to come, should it ever. By his estimation, he had close to an hour before the bleeding did him in. The fabric tied wasn't doing much, but it was still better than nothing - it probably had added maybe ten minutes to his life span. He'd take it.
And then, again, so so so slowly, Jijo dragged himself to his feet and then stumbled to a nearby shelter the Strays had made, leaving a thick trail of blood behind him. He plopped himself heavily down outside it, in plain view, and finally allowed himself to rest.
And with that rest came the tears. Finally, finally, the tears came, soaking his face, the collar of his robes, the earth beneath him. He cried for Mina. Gods, he cried for Mina. He cried for himself, for the humanity he seemingly lost, for the failure he felt he'd done upon the kingdom, and, despite all the snake had done to him, his failure serving Wrath.
He had known from the first day he became an acolyte that serving Wrath was dirty business; that the snake was not entirely honest, that he served a god of death and deceit. Of course he would do this! Of course he would - who ever has heard of an acolyte of death not working alone? Surely, one of them would have to go all too soon. And yet Jijo acted entirely on emotion, letting his own loves and vendettas affect his lifelong goal and mission of serving Wrath.
And so he cried. He didn't know how long he cried, but when finally the emotions he'd pent up inside had flowed through and out of him in salty torrents, he slipped out of consciousness, blood pooling around him, mixing with his repentant tears. Gods only knew if he'd ever wake.
Jijo's resolve steeled at the sudden, but fleeting emotion, and his grip on his obsidian blades tightened to the point where his knuckles whitened with the effort. As soon as the first of the dam's flood began to make itself known in the area, Ji half-darted, half-hopped across the bank and up a tree the opposite side, narrowly dodging the slashing claws of Strays along the way. Luckily, they weren't nearly as agile as he when it came to the Y axis, completely useless at climbing trees and walls, and this gave him the proper chance to steel himself further before the current washed away the bulk of the army.
The flood hit suddenly and loudly, ripping weaker trees from their homes and screams and deathly screeches from the throats of those it took with it. With unending patience, Ji waited on his perch for the current to settle, and was honestly surprised to find the river reached to halfway up his current tree; he would definitely have to relocate to find any stragglers from rear guards - all the forward marching Strays were definitely gone now. He darted through the branches, still unblinking, even has the complex branches from the tops of the trees whipped his skin and tore his cloak. Finally, there - he found the base camp for these terrible blighted creatures, and didn't even pause to catch his breath before launching himself into the fray.
He descended on the base camp like a lightning bolt; he clutched his daggers in front of his face and took down two without time for them to even raise alarm - not that it was necessary. He was in the open, and the entire camp turned on him, screeching bloodlust and fury and hollow death. There was a terrible pause, a silence that deepened for one, two, three seconds, until finally Ji lifted a Strayblood-covered-hand and beckoned at the masses, a smirk plastered on his face with the promise of vengeance.
The hoard descended on him then, a deafeningly loud clash of metal, screams and fizzles as Jijo sliced and hacked down Stray after Stray. Skulls rolled, and limbs flew through the encampment as confetti. His cloak took more tears and rips, but overall Ji did well keeping his own tail out of direct contact with the undead bastards, considering their numbers versus him. As much as he was prepared for this battle to be his last, he wasn't going to go down until long after he'd taken down every single one of these creatures as he could. He wouldn't die easy. Mina entrusted me with her power, he reminded himself. I can't waste it.
But out of sheer terrible luck in a day full of terrible luck, Ji stumbled. In an attempt to escape the shredding claws of a Stray, he leaped backwards and into another, that caught and threw him down to the ground. It stamped its decaying foot on the base of his cloak, preventing him from rising and fleeing back to safer ground. Ji managed to reach out with his dagger and thrust his blade deep into the chest of the Stray standing on his cloak; he twisted it and drove it deep as it'd go, spraying his face with viscous, disgusting blood. But still the Stray remained unmoved. Even in its screeches of pain, it did not move. Ji raised his other blade and sliced the thing's head off, finally forcing the body to the ground as he stabbed its nearby soul, but the delay was all the time the Stray encampment needed.
Three at once descended upon him, pinning him while a fourth dislodged his daggers from his hands. This one, the obvious leader of either this particular encampment or the whole thing - he couldn't tell - looked at him with condescending eyes (were that was possible with no eyes at all). It let out a hollow, wheezing sound that must've been a laugh before taking Jijo's own blade and thrusting it far into his gut.
Ji gasped and shuddered with the pain, spitting out blood immediately. The Stray laughed again, but signaled the other Strays and they left him there, obsidian buried hilt-deep in his abdomen, as they went further into the woods to forward their attack. Alone in enemy territory, Ji saw little to zero hope of escape, but he simply laid there for some long moments, resigning himself to this entire fate. He took out a huge number of the undead creatures, and surely what little was left would be taken out by the guards and Gryph.
Oh, Gryph! Egret! Jijo let out a mournsome wail, his first true emotion since Mina's death, regretful of his actions up 'til now. A horrible underling, citizen, and friend he was! There was much to be done yet, he realized, and he coughed again, spewing more blood across himself and his surroundings. In a surge of energy, Ji ripped the obsidian blade from his own stomach and threw it aside, where it now returned to its original state, separated so far from its owner. Ji sat up with a wince and began inspecting himself: by some miracle, the Stray leader failed to hit any major organs, slipping it through his flesh but nothing else. Jijo thanked both the gods for his anatomical knowledge, but as a result of this knowledge, he also knew that if he didn't get help soon, he would still die of bleeding out.
Slowly, painfully, Jijo dragged himself to his dagger he'd thrown aside and sheathed it, alongside the other which had been dropped nearby him when the Strays pinned him. It seems they didn't expect him to make it this far; otherwise they surely wouldn't have left his things so close by. Though, he supposed with a smirk, leaving one of those daggers within his own stomach is hardly just leaving it to be picked up.
He tore a shred from the bottom of his cloak and fastened it around his wound, grunting with the pain and effort of it. He knotted it tightly, hoping to stave off the bleeding if only a little. If only so that help has a few more minutes to come, should it ever. By his estimation, he had close to an hour before the bleeding did him in. The fabric tied wasn't doing much, but it was still better than nothing - it probably had added maybe ten minutes to his life span. He'd take it.
And then, again, so so so slowly, Jijo dragged himself to his feet and then stumbled to a nearby shelter the Strays had made, leaving a thick trail of blood behind him. He plopped himself heavily down outside it, in plain view, and finally allowed himself to rest.
And with that rest came the tears. Finally, finally, the tears came, soaking his face, the collar of his robes, the earth beneath him. He cried for Mina. Gods, he cried for Mina. He cried for himself, for the humanity he seemingly lost, for the failure he felt he'd done upon the kingdom, and, despite all the snake had done to him, his failure serving Wrath.
He had known from the first day he became an acolyte that serving Wrath was dirty business; that the snake was not entirely honest, that he served a god of death and deceit. Of course he would do this! Of course he would - who ever has heard of an acolyte of death not working alone? Surely, one of them would have to go all too soon. And yet Jijo acted entirely on emotion, letting his own loves and vendettas affect his lifelong goal and mission of serving Wrath.
And so he cried. He didn't know how long he cried, but when finally the emotions he'd pent up inside had flowed through and out of him in salty torrents, he slipped out of consciousness, blood pooling around him, mixing with his repentant tears. Gods only knew if he'd ever wake.
The earth rumbled beneath the kingdom as the surge of water rushed over the land, uprooting trees young and old where they’d catch a ride on the swift current towards their grave. Gryph couldn’t help but swiftly turn head at the sound of a nearby tree snapping in two with the force of the current; signalling their time was up. “In through the gates- Hurry!” Voice would call behind with ringing urgency as he stood behind, ensuring his people sought safety within the confines of their strong gold and red painted walls.
The group began to move with a faster pace now as they too heard the water’s road behind and began to push their way through the gates until finally at the end, Egret atop song with the wounded made their way inside as well. White bird would turn top half to direct attention towards the King, making sure he followed though as pictures processed within his mind he’d let out a surprised shrill all the while feathers fluffed; a few even being molted at the sudden gesture. Wiggling free from the horse now as others within safety began to help the injured to a gentle place to rest, Egret landed with a thud upon the palace cobblestone and raced frantically towards the entrance of the gate.
Metallic clanking sounded as each link straddled toothed cogs all the while the gates began to seal the civilians inside and still, Gryph stood beyond them and began to forcefully push them until they sealed tight; still on the opposite side while Egret finally made his way- too late. His calls and cries sounded over the gate as if begging for an answer, pleading with Gryph to re-open them and join him on the other side but to no avail- his mind was made up.
“Look after our people, Egret! See to it that the injured get treatment for their wounds promptly and give everyone a good meal in the great hall- I’ll return to you by sundown, my friend.” Gryph cupped hands over his lips to amplify voice, ensuring words made their way to the smaller birds ears over the gates though he’d wait for no reply and instead, the King would swiftly sprint Eastwards where he’d race alongside the full, rushing river. Through the trees he would push, climb, and spring from one to the next gripping to the bark, branches, and trunks with ever so sharp talons before he’d finally rest a moment with hands delicately plucking a piece of dark violet fabric from one of the branches- it no doubt belonged to Jijo.
With this discovery, The King felt newfound hope. That he would be able to find his friend and that he had not been swept up by the current. Fabric within the trees meant he sought higher ground for one reason or another and so, the King would follow in his trail hoping to track the other down as twigs and stray thorns roughed his own feathers along the way. As the sun made its way over the opposing mountainside, Gryph would push from a limb and to the ground where as he approached a slaughter- stray bodies bubbling and fizzing away as they decayed without souls indicating they weren’t too far gone. Jijo had to have been here- though before the King could finish his thought, ruby eyes had caught sight of a large pool of blood. Bird blood. Not a good sign..
Quickly, King would rush to the pool and inspect it. Ash fingertips meeting with it to test coagulation and better judge how long it had been sitting and to his amazement the blood was fairly fresh. Though the unkind realization dawned on him as he’d scan the puddle and area around- there was a /lot/ of blood and especially so for his friends’ size. There were marks indicating a struggle in the soft soil below and he could feel it within his heart like an arrow. Damn it. Heartbeat quickened as he pulled from his knelt position and followed the trail and soon enough he had found himself a few feet from his friend who lay unconscious upon the earth. Wasting no time, Gryph would sprint at full force towards the other and skid along the ground on his feathered knees all the while hands had made haste to grab at the other and lift his upper half in a cradle.
“No.. No no no- Jijo! Jijo wake up. Friend; I beg of you..” Heart now beat as fast as the wings of a bumblebee now as he clutched the other gently to him, bringing the other into his lap and using a free hand to wipe the other’s hair from his face before eyes quickly scanned him over. There it was. The culprit- Jijo had done wise to tie off the wound though he knew as well as the other that it wasn't enough to end the bleeding or enough to stunt it for coagulation to mend the stab.
Frantically, he’d search for any sign of life within the older bird. Body arched over the other and pointed ear was placed gently upon the other’s chest and to his amazement he could hear shallow gasps. Still alive- for now..
“Come on, Jijo..” King’s voice waivered has hands clutched the other’s arm with a firm grasp while his body shook softly. Fear, grief, frustration, confusion, and a small hint of relief swelled and mixed within the younger bird as eyes graced the other though he could feel Jijo’s body weakening with every shallow breath. He had no surefire way to know just how long the other had been in such a state and with clenched teeth, feet and slender legs pushed him from the ground with his friend secured in a cradle within his arms and he’d make his way towards the downshine of light that warmed the earth below. It was covered in lush grass and assorted flowers- the sunshine poppy petals glimmering in the sun’s rays making them appear as a sea of gold. If his friend was to pass, he’d want it in full light of the beautify of their world than the dark forest.
Gently, King would kneel back to the ground within the lush grasses with Jijo softly placed before him all the while lip quivered and body followed. Hands gently grabbed at the other’s cheek and jawline on each side while he’d push closer and allow his forehead to meet with the other’s. He’d stay in this state for a few moments while eyes were tightly sealed and teeth clenched to the point he could feel his jaw aching with force. Then it came- the onset of tears pushed from the ruby gems that hid behind shields and wetted ash cheeks- no doubt some of them making their way onto the other’s skin as well. Bubbling within him all the while, was a feeling of rage- anger. Frustration building and boiling to the brim as hands clutched tighter to the other now, forehead still pressed against his companions- His friend. His brother under Xhen.. and without warning he would pull head away and let out a powerful screech towards the clouds above.
“Ahhhhhhh!” Voice rang through the subtle breeze and echoed around. He knew deep down that no matter how fast he ran there would be no saving the other- no getting Jijo to proper medical care and it hurt- the truth of it all that his friend had no chance of survival; no reality in which he’d make it out still breathing had only frustrated him more.
“Xhen- do not forsaken me now.. In all of this; after my loyalty to you. Please hear my requests. This bird’s soul and that of Mina.. I wish for you to allow them to join you in the afterlife. They have proved themselves worthy far more than most. They are apart of my Kingdom and we.. We give ourselves to you every moment of every day. Loyally. So please!” Voice still but a wavered mess as he attempted to call upon his God for hope. Pointed ears twitched at a sudden feeling- his left hand had began to warm with an odd warmth- almost burn which directed attention quickly to it before the warmth began to travel throughout his slender frame and to his surprise and confusion he could see a gentle golden aura stem from himself. What in Xhen’s name..
Head and eyes quickly scanned one hand after the other though before he could question any further a flash of light sparked besides the two that began to twist and mold the shape of a bipedal being though details were hard to make out clearly. The being shown with such brightness Gryph was forced to squint and it advanced towards him, dimming slightly. The being said nothing, instead it gave a small smile in greeting before taking the other’s hand and placing it atop Jijo’s wound- guiding him. Instinctively, he’d pull hand back slightly though the being would only flash him a stern look and guid hand back while it’s other hand pushed gently to the King’s chest. Suddenly, he could feel something- an odd feeling that mixed within his very core- energy being gathered and packed together as if creating some tangible form of itself before finally, the energy jolted from his center and down through his arm then hand where he could feel it physically escaping through his palm. It stung and as it all happened he could feel the rest of his body grow colder and colder- the feeling of fatigue setting and other odd feelings he didn’t quite understand. He no longer felt the warm touch of the being and in fact- upon glancing besides where it had once been, the King saw nothing.
Then it began to get colder- frigid almost. Darkness began to creep upon his peripheral where it stunted his sight as if he were about to blackout. Frightened, he’d withdraw his hand from the other’s wound quickly and with a flash of light- no doubt dispersed energy from him breaking connection- he’d fall back where spine kissed the earth under him. His entire being felt drained and bruised as if he had taken a beating or twenty. Muscles ached and his eyes wanted nothing more than to seal themselves behind shields. Vision now a bit hazy though the darkness surrounding it beginning to recede to his relief. He was confused- baffled in every meaning of the word as to what happened just now. What he saw- what he did! Pushing from the earth with his elbows, Gryph would curl stomach inwards and push back to his knees before crawling a few steps back at his friend’s side, all the while each muscle quivered with weakness.
“Jijo? Jijo can you hear my my friend?” He’d whisper softly to the other; not expecting a peep. Soft hands gently twiddled with the other’s binds until they had untightened and fallen to each side. He could see it- the other’s deep gash but instead of blood and guts the King saw something unlike anything he had seen before. Tangible energy that he felt from within himself was now wedged within the other- sealing his wound and becoming part of him, or so it seemed. The energy looked as though it were hardening though pulsating bits of light moved about and to his confusion, follows in suit with his own heartbeat. Coincidence? Slowly, however, the energy would subside and meld with the other’s own skin and feathers leaving but a small mark much like a scar to graze the older bird’s flesh. Silently, Gryph would sit dumbstruck as he attempted to make sense over the entirety of the situation..
The group began to move with a faster pace now as they too heard the water’s road behind and began to push their way through the gates until finally at the end, Egret atop song with the wounded made their way inside as well. White bird would turn top half to direct attention towards the King, making sure he followed though as pictures processed within his mind he’d let out a surprised shrill all the while feathers fluffed; a few even being molted at the sudden gesture. Wiggling free from the horse now as others within safety began to help the injured to a gentle place to rest, Egret landed with a thud upon the palace cobblestone and raced frantically towards the entrance of the gate.
Metallic clanking sounded as each link straddled toothed cogs all the while the gates began to seal the civilians inside and still, Gryph stood beyond them and began to forcefully push them until they sealed tight; still on the opposite side while Egret finally made his way- too late. His calls and cries sounded over the gate as if begging for an answer, pleading with Gryph to re-open them and join him on the other side but to no avail- his mind was made up.
“Look after our people, Egret! See to it that the injured get treatment for their wounds promptly and give everyone a good meal in the great hall- I’ll return to you by sundown, my friend.” Gryph cupped hands over his lips to amplify voice, ensuring words made their way to the smaller birds ears over the gates though he’d wait for no reply and instead, the King would swiftly sprint Eastwards where he’d race alongside the full, rushing river. Through the trees he would push, climb, and spring from one to the next gripping to the bark, branches, and trunks with ever so sharp talons before he’d finally rest a moment with hands delicately plucking a piece of dark violet fabric from one of the branches- it no doubt belonged to Jijo.
With this discovery, The King felt newfound hope. That he would be able to find his friend and that he had not been swept up by the current. Fabric within the trees meant he sought higher ground for one reason or another and so, the King would follow in his trail hoping to track the other down as twigs and stray thorns roughed his own feathers along the way. As the sun made its way over the opposing mountainside, Gryph would push from a limb and to the ground where as he approached a slaughter- stray bodies bubbling and fizzing away as they decayed without souls indicating they weren’t too far gone. Jijo had to have been here- though before the King could finish his thought, ruby eyes had caught sight of a large pool of blood. Bird blood. Not a good sign..
Quickly, King would rush to the pool and inspect it. Ash fingertips meeting with it to test coagulation and better judge how long it had been sitting and to his amazement the blood was fairly fresh. Though the unkind realization dawned on him as he’d scan the puddle and area around- there was a /lot/ of blood and especially so for his friends’ size. There were marks indicating a struggle in the soft soil below and he could feel it within his heart like an arrow. Damn it. Heartbeat quickened as he pulled from his knelt position and followed the trail and soon enough he had found himself a few feet from his friend who lay unconscious upon the earth. Wasting no time, Gryph would sprint at full force towards the other and skid along the ground on his feathered knees all the while hands had made haste to grab at the other and lift his upper half in a cradle.
“No.. No no no- Jijo! Jijo wake up. Friend; I beg of you..” Heart now beat as fast as the wings of a bumblebee now as he clutched the other gently to him, bringing the other into his lap and using a free hand to wipe the other’s hair from his face before eyes quickly scanned him over. There it was. The culprit- Jijo had done wise to tie off the wound though he knew as well as the other that it wasn't enough to end the bleeding or enough to stunt it for coagulation to mend the stab.
Frantically, he’d search for any sign of life within the older bird. Body arched over the other and pointed ear was placed gently upon the other’s chest and to his amazement he could hear shallow gasps. Still alive- for now..
“Come on, Jijo..” King’s voice waivered has hands clutched the other’s arm with a firm grasp while his body shook softly. Fear, grief, frustration, confusion, and a small hint of relief swelled and mixed within the younger bird as eyes graced the other though he could feel Jijo’s body weakening with every shallow breath. He had no surefire way to know just how long the other had been in such a state and with clenched teeth, feet and slender legs pushed him from the ground with his friend secured in a cradle within his arms and he’d make his way towards the downshine of light that warmed the earth below. It was covered in lush grass and assorted flowers- the sunshine poppy petals glimmering in the sun’s rays making them appear as a sea of gold. If his friend was to pass, he’d want it in full light of the beautify of their world than the dark forest.
Gently, King would kneel back to the ground within the lush grasses with Jijo softly placed before him all the while lip quivered and body followed. Hands gently grabbed at the other’s cheek and jawline on each side while he’d push closer and allow his forehead to meet with the other’s. He’d stay in this state for a few moments while eyes were tightly sealed and teeth clenched to the point he could feel his jaw aching with force. Then it came- the onset of tears pushed from the ruby gems that hid behind shields and wetted ash cheeks- no doubt some of them making their way onto the other’s skin as well. Bubbling within him all the while, was a feeling of rage- anger. Frustration building and boiling to the brim as hands clutched tighter to the other now, forehead still pressed against his companions- His friend. His brother under Xhen.. and without warning he would pull head away and let out a powerful screech towards the clouds above.
“Ahhhhhhh!” Voice rang through the subtle breeze and echoed around. He knew deep down that no matter how fast he ran there would be no saving the other- no getting Jijo to proper medical care and it hurt- the truth of it all that his friend had no chance of survival; no reality in which he’d make it out still breathing had only frustrated him more.
“Xhen- do not forsaken me now.. In all of this; after my loyalty to you. Please hear my requests. This bird’s soul and that of Mina.. I wish for you to allow them to join you in the afterlife. They have proved themselves worthy far more than most. They are apart of my Kingdom and we.. We give ourselves to you every moment of every day. Loyally. So please!” Voice still but a wavered mess as he attempted to call upon his God for hope. Pointed ears twitched at a sudden feeling- his left hand had began to warm with an odd warmth- almost burn which directed attention quickly to it before the warmth began to travel throughout his slender frame and to his surprise and confusion he could see a gentle golden aura stem from himself. What in Xhen’s name..
Head and eyes quickly scanned one hand after the other though before he could question any further a flash of light sparked besides the two that began to twist and mold the shape of a bipedal being though details were hard to make out clearly. The being shown with such brightness Gryph was forced to squint and it advanced towards him, dimming slightly. The being said nothing, instead it gave a small smile in greeting before taking the other’s hand and placing it atop Jijo’s wound- guiding him. Instinctively, he’d pull hand back slightly though the being would only flash him a stern look and guid hand back while it’s other hand pushed gently to the King’s chest. Suddenly, he could feel something- an odd feeling that mixed within his very core- energy being gathered and packed together as if creating some tangible form of itself before finally, the energy jolted from his center and down through his arm then hand where he could feel it physically escaping through his palm. It stung and as it all happened he could feel the rest of his body grow colder and colder- the feeling of fatigue setting and other odd feelings he didn’t quite understand. He no longer felt the warm touch of the being and in fact- upon glancing besides where it had once been, the King saw nothing.
Then it began to get colder- frigid almost. Darkness began to creep upon his peripheral where it stunted his sight as if he were about to blackout. Frightened, he’d withdraw his hand from the other’s wound quickly and with a flash of light- no doubt dispersed energy from him breaking connection- he’d fall back where spine kissed the earth under him. His entire being felt drained and bruised as if he had taken a beating or twenty. Muscles ached and his eyes wanted nothing more than to seal themselves behind shields. Vision now a bit hazy though the darkness surrounding it beginning to recede to his relief. He was confused- baffled in every meaning of the word as to what happened just now. What he saw- what he did! Pushing from the earth with his elbows, Gryph would curl stomach inwards and push back to his knees before crawling a few steps back at his friend’s side, all the while each muscle quivered with weakness.
“Jijo? Jijo can you hear my my friend?” He’d whisper softly to the other; not expecting a peep. Soft hands gently twiddled with the other’s binds until they had untightened and fallen to each side. He could see it- the other’s deep gash but instead of blood and guts the King saw something unlike anything he had seen before. Tangible energy that he felt from within himself was now wedged within the other- sealing his wound and becoming part of him, or so it seemed. The energy looked as though it were hardening though pulsating bits of light moved about and to his confusion, follows in suit with his own heartbeat. Coincidence? Slowly, however, the energy would subside and meld with the other’s own skin and feathers leaving but a small mark much like a scar to graze the older bird’s flesh. Silently, Gryph would sit dumbstruck as he attempted to make sense over the entirety of the situation..
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