V To search for a Wizard (NPC)

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
The sun bore down on the red hair of a travelling woman. Making it seem much more Crimson than it actually was. Sweat rolled down her brow as she trudged along, carrying a pack of varying supplies on her back.

She was nearing the forest, a ways away from her home. As she called it for the last few years, quiet for the most part, but quiet doesn't often mean peaceful.

And currently she was far from it.

Where to even begin? Her mind wandered, she'd heard of the Dante's Abyss, by this point the better question to ask was who hadn't? She saw Izaneus fight. Alongside peers, those he genuinely trusted. He seemed so free

And in those moments she knew she made the right decision sending him away. The smile he gave when drawing for the first time, free from the malediction of his parent. Listening to that sweet, somber tune, she'd taught to him.

It was beautiful.

Of course, the cameras had shown this to everyone. Including The Phortean Matriarch. The sick smile she'd given in contrast was horrifying. Disgusting. Given the context of his departure.


It wasn't much later she'd been ordered to leave the estate to search for the Heir.

It wasn't that big of a deal, she'd planned on leaving soon anywho, joining Iza on his trek around.... Wherever he was going next.

Now she had an excuse.

Pulling the travel pack she'd gathered closer to her, she picked up the pace a small bit.


Shikiria had a Wizard to find.
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
With various amounts of effort, Shikiria found herself trekking through the plains of the Hinterlands. Now miles away from her "Home", it was frankly surreal. The farther she went, the more free she felt. Yet, a strange sense of longing also clouded these emotions, it made her wonder what kept a piece of her heart chained to that place. She pondered this as she walked, but after nearly tripping in her ruminations, she decided she would think more on that subject later. Luckily, it seemed as though a small town was coming into view. A port town, it seemed, lucky! Port towns always had the best inns...

...

Well, from what she'd read in any case. It was difficult to say you knew what something would be like when you've only experienced it through a book or movie. It was times like these when she wished Izaneus was back. By her side, telling her things would be a certain way, and usually being right... She wanted to say a myriad of things to the rising wizard, yet she'd genuinely no clue where he could be, so her first goal would be to ask for clues. After she rested a touch.

Finding her way through the port town proved somewhat difficult, as it was much larger than one would expect. Or from how it looked from the outside. Traversing a few alleyways and streets to - smack
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
The sudden visceral smack of fist against face immediately caught Shikiria's attention. She ducked around the corner slyly, doing her best to stay out of sight for the time being. Until she discovered what that was about. "Y'really thought ye could steal from us 'gain?" The first voice sounded, gruff, and angry, with the hint of an accent to it. Then the other echoed through the alleyways. " C'mon guys? I just stole a couple rings! ....and a sword or two- and your family portrait- but!" He was cut off with another violent smack that echoed through the empty alleyways. " Yeh really don't know when teh shut it eh?" a third voice sounded out.

Shikiria snuck around the corner, to see a small, grimy kid with patched clothes and a mop of brown hair with golden highlights, getting mercilessly beaten by three large guards. She was not one to stand idly while such an atrocity was committed thief or not.

Walking out to make herself known, she stated softly. " What's going on here?" Fully aware the guards might turn hostile to her, as she was now a witness to their cruelty.

"Nothin' you wanna step into miss, I suggest ye run along now." The first sounded, standing to his full height in a vein attempt at being more intimidating. " Yeah! What he said! I can handle these guys on my own!" The kid sounded, a smug smirk plain on his face, even as he got another fist for his words. He was having fun, making these guards lose their composure. It was almost as though this entire thing were a game. " I'm sure you'd rather not implicate yourself with this thief here, wouldja?" The guard approaching her asked menacingly.

It was frankly pathetic.

Shiki opened her mouth to speak. But was interrupted by the cries of pain from one of two guards harassing the poor kid. Both the guard threatening her and Shiki herself turned to see what had happened, spotting the thief in question with golden lightning shooting from his fingertips.

He'd started a fight. She could only hope he stuck around to see to it's conclusion.

Drawing her sword in a flash, she quickly jumped toward the man who'd attempted to intimidate her, and sent it's pommel into his neck. before kneeing him in the back. The man let out a gasp of pain, falling to the ground with a blunt thud, at this point. The guard the kid attacked was also thoroughly unconscious. Leaving only one to deal with one kid with magic, and another with a sword, who knew how to use it.

Drawing his own blade, the guard leapt at Shikiria who riposted gracefully, before sending him toppling over with a blast of pure arcane force. On his back, he opened his eyes to see the thief crouched over him with a shit-eating grin. Giving a playful, " See you in the morning~" As he sent the same golden electricity into the man, rendering him unconscious.

With a stretch, and a smirk. The boy lifted himself from his crouched position. " Yo! Thanks for the help! I coulda' handled it, but thanks anyway!" He stated, before rummaging through their pockets. " Hey, you probably should leave them alone. You attacked a guard, which is heinous enough. If they wake up and find their stuff gone, they're going to kill you." Shikiria warned. To which the boy snickered.

" I'll tell ya a couple things. When they get up, they'll have to explain Why they were unconscious in an alleyway, to actually sentence me that harshly. In the end, this'll just go down as another thievery at worst, at best, they won't even bring it up. These guys harass me all the time, and I get away with it pretty handily" He explained, grabbing a coin purse from one, as well as a pen. " Secondly, y'also did some damage there, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't give me law advice"

Shikiria frowned. Grammar aside, he was right. She had planned to find an inn, but with the guards in the state they were, she figured that might be the best idea anymore.

" Alright. Well, since I'm your accomplice now. Got anywhere I can spend the night?" She asked, with a slight amount of disdain laden in the tones of her voice.

" Hmm, not really, Anyway, I gotta goooo....-" The boy stated, inching toward the wall, seemingly ready to clamber up it's side. " What's your name, thief?" Shikiria pressed, inching toward him.With the boy becoming immediately unhappy at being called a thief

" Uh, Tatio? Why're you getting-" Tatio was thusly interrupted by Shiki planting her hand on the wall next to him, causing him to go on alert if she tried anything. " Here's the deal right? I went out of my way to help you out, and ruined my perfectly good chances at sleeping in an inn tonight. So you're going to take me somewhere I can get some rest, capiche?" The swordsmage ended her sentence with finality, not accepting anything less than yes.

Tatio sighed, he guessed it was fair...

" Alright... fine. But if you can't keep up I'm leaving you behind."

With that, Shiki backed up, giving Tatio the room needed to scramble up the wall.

This was going to be exhausting, she could tell.
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
"Shiki! Come on! Don't give up you've almost got it! Stop thinking so hard and just let it flow." Izaneus moved to place is hand on her shoulder, to which the former apprentice shook away from. "Listen... Just... Leave me alone for a bit. Alright?" She pleaded, rampant emotion roiling and festering within her as she attempted to walk away. How could he ever understand what it was like to fail as she was. How could he? Failure was an experience he'd yet to discover. Shikiria felt it in her heart. But she also knew Izaneus wanted her to be more. Something she couldn't live up to. How could she? The feats Izaneus was capable of were wonderful and extraordinary. Shikiria herself, had grown to see herself as nothing more than ordinary. It was a painful endeavor every moment she tried magic, watching Izaneus cast such wonderful complexities she could never understand. Knowing in her heart she would never be able of more than a gout of flame or a gentle breeze.

Disappointment clear within the Heir's eyes as he once more tried to reach his friend. " Shiki, seriously it's not that hard!" He called out, causing her to turn around, fire and anger in her eyes as powerful as the scorching sun above, sending chills and fear deep within him. For a multitude of reasons. These feelings only grew as she growled out her next few words. " Just. Leave. Me. Alone." With that she stormed off, leaving a mixture of fear, guilt, and disappointment within Izaneus. Who was too shocked to follow.

They wouldn't talk for weeks afterward.




Shikiria woke with a start, a thin layer of cold sweat draped across her brow. Which she moved to wipe as she slowly began to regain her bearings. Not the Phortean estate... a blessing and a curse both. But currently she just praised her sleep. Painful though it was, and short. But rest was rest all the same. No matter how horrid it felt, or the painful memories it dredged up. It still allowed her to physically recover. Mentally....

She sighed, dwelling on it would only make it worse. She would instead continue on with her day... Starting with a shower if she could find one. Or at least something similar. For now.. conjuring a sphere of water she doused her face and hair with it, before using a whirlwind to dry herself. A suitable application of rudimentary evocation. Serving to allow her a modicum of cleanliness. It was after the cool of the water faded that she noticed the humidity of her current lodging. It was disgusting. She could hardly breathe.

She scanned the area.

The place Tatio had taken her was broken and run down. Littered with dirt, grime, and decay. This place hadn't been tended to in a very long time. Which was likely why he'd chosen to shack up here. Though he wasn't the only resident. As they arrived, Shiki found it plainly obvious of the fact that children had made their home here. Covered in the same dirt and grime as Tatio. She surmised they were the reason he stole, as he offered coin, and bits of food to each of them. Before showing Shiki to an open bedroll they had. Which consisted of couch stuffing, and a woolen blanket that looked dirtier than the rest of the building. She opted without it.

As she walked about, she found large green eyes staring at her from across the room. She chose to ignore the child. She wouldn't be here much longer, and it was more than likely that he simply found her presence disturbing, Something she could quite agree with. Shikiria couldn't quite place her finger on why, but something about these children irked her. It wasn't the disgusting status of their hygiene. That was something she could at least look past. Though she did wish they would use the water nearby to at least wash their hair and face.

No, it wasn't something so trivial. Her heart tugged with a mixture of anger and guilt that she wasn't quite sure how to process as she searched for Tatio. It wasn't until small hands grabbed at her coat did she notice how deeply she was in her own mind. Shiki whipped her head to discover the same green eyes looking instead up at her. A mixture of worry, concern, and childlike innocence, with a guise of maturity that they were so desperately trying to fake. Whether for their own or their friends sake. She recognized it all too well, and knew he did as well.

She pulled herself free from the childs grasp with a start, backing up a few paces as she looked deeply into those eyes. Before turning away. The crackle of lightning jumped between her fingers. Displaying her anxiety through a small feature of arcane phenomena. " Woah there! Lets leave the big mean girl alone why don't we?" A familiar voice called, Ushering the kid away into another room, before turning to Shikiria. Disdain and disappointment written plainly on his face.

" Don't give me that look thief.." She deflected, trying to pretend as though she'd done nothing wrong, when in reality she felt all the disgust suddenly turned on herself. " The child was disgusting, You can't honestly expect me to act passively when dirt of that caliber reaches me?" The easier route. Play it off as a bratty noble not wanting to dirty herself more than she already had. The simpler route, the better route. Now she didn't have to display any of the selfsame anger, disgust, and sympathy she'd felt just moments earlier.

Tatio stared harder, unimpressed. Before sighing, and motioning for Shikiria to follow.

" We need to talk."
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
"Excuse me?" Shikiria doubled back, astonished that the thief she aided the night prior would ask something so ludicrous.

" You heard me." Tatio repeated, crossing his arms as he did so, for all his playful bravado he seemed awfully serious right now. Which put Shikiria more on edge. " I need you to help me steal from the guard." Even the second time Shikiria couldn't believe what she was hearing, " You do realize, one? I'm no thief, not only do I have no experience in the field, but stealing from the guard themselves is a horrid Idea, it's their town if last night was any indication." She whispered back angrily, Surprised he would even think to ask that of a noble.

" Firstly? You don't need to steal from them directly, that's my job, I just need you to put on a chase while I loot the place." he rhymed, flipping a coin nonchalantly in his other hand. " and Secondly?" he began, returning his focus to Shikiria. " I've stolen from them a plethora of times. They're just too prideful to do announce anything publicly."

" By that token, why don't you simply steal from them again? If you've done it already?" She retaliated softly, lifting her eyebrow and piercing his gaze with her own. Trying to intimidate him to retract his offer.

It didn't work

" Because they upped security, and I'd owe you one." he deflected her words as though with a shield. Before sighing, and turning to look at the children playing outside the decrepit building they all called home. " I haven't been able to rake in anything lately, these tykes need something to eat." The thief explained, turning back to Shikiria. To emphasize the importance of this request.

" Now I don't steal from this place regularly, only as a last resort, and it is a last resort." Shiki could feel her resolve slipping, her mind flipping back to that child she'd seen not moments before this conversation. " I need your help, these kids need your help. They know the feel of starvation too fondly. Please." He explained desperately, emotion lining his voice as his eyes met the ground, unable to look his "compatriot" in the eyes. But Shiki still tried to look into his. He was right, but did she still want to take the risk of stealing from the place when she might have to return with Izaneus? Was that really such a good idea?

On the opposite side of the argument, could she really go forward knowing she did nothing to help the children with their hunger? That would certainly brand itself into her mind...

Silence subsumed the closed room they conversed in, Tatio's head bowed in guilt and prideful shame as he practically begged someone he didn't even want to help him on a case that she both shouldn't help with, and that he shouldn't need help with. But he didn't really have a choice. They were quickly running out of food, and it wasn't like he could just throw them out on the street..

He couldn't help but feel like life was being a tad unfair given what it already put it through.

He also couldn't help but feel like it could go kindly fuck itself.

Releasing a sigh so his pent up emotions didn't get in the way of the future job. He looked up, hoping to see at least a bit of pity, that would show him he would have a partner in the endeavor.

Shikiria looked at him with a mix of pity, and guilt. "...Yeah. Yeah I get it. I'll help out alright? So do me the largest favor you can and shut up already?" She insulted him, but Tatio didn't really care, he was just glad she was gonna help.

the plan was really simple, in, and out.

Some how. Saying those words always made things go awry
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
The light of flame danced across Shikiria's eyes, illuminating rose colored Irises in the black of night. She stared wordlessly shocked at the building before her, the building she'd' just slept in, alongside all those children, as harsh flame danced around it. Consuming all who were left inside.

Hasty footsteps from behind her signaled the return of Tatio, who's feet found themselves unwilling to move any further at the sight of the burning home ahead of him.

In shock the Thief could do naught but fall to his knees, suddenly, the emotions struck him all at once, and his mouth opened, to release raw, and primal anguish. His tears splattered the ground as he, and Shikiria both watch it burn to a crisp, knowing they wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it.

But also knowing that they could have. If they'd just been a tad faster

As Tatio's cries joined the roar of flame, Shikiria couldn't help but think of what led to this point, and how she'd inevitably played a part in it all.

That in mind... She too started to well with tears.

Suddenly.. the images started to form, and she realized how big a part she'd played in it all...





40 Minutes Earlier

Shikiria sat silently in the darkest alleyway closest to the guardhouse. She looked up, wondering what was taking her scoundrel of a "friend" So long. If they'd waited any longer, the next thing she'd be doing is trying to explain why she assaulted two guards. She didn't buy the thief's " Oh! They're too prideful, they'll forget about it." Attitude.

Strangely enough however, the guard were... ominously thin in this area, considering it was their headquarters in the area.

She looked atop the guard's central building, spotting a faint yellow light, that was the signal.

Well shit, time to get up then.

Standing from her position, she moved out into the street. Debating the best way to go about this.

She started of course, by calling what arcane strength she could muster to her hands, muttering the runic " Aam, Tarr" Before throwing forward three bolts of magic power, in the most simple form of the magic missile spell. Izaneus often found that speaking phrases didn't do a whole lot for the spell, thus he didn't use them.

For Shikiria however, they were crucial when performing, and forming the spell in mind. Not necessarily for her own little tricks though.

The weak attack struck true on the armored heads of two guardsmen, who turned to her, and immediately drew their swords. Before calling for others, magic was powerful, and unpredictable, better to have a few more heads on heel, they thought.

With a smirk, Shikiria turned and began her little chase.

Up above, Tatio shared in her playfulness, this was going all too well!
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
Dropping skillfully down into a luckily opened window, Tatio carefully draped a lovely little Illusion over his form, better not to be recognized. If they found out it was him pulling this all off, even those wimps wouldn't sit idly. So with this in mind, and his magick working it's magic, he slowly crept through the mostly empty halls of the large-ish guardhouse. Juuust needed to find the treasury... or maybe the evidence chamber? Well, it didn't really matter, he just needed to hurry up. Didn't really dig the thought of his new partner-ish-friend-person getting impaled somewhere along the way while he was busy.

Through, vain, marbled hallways he crept, peeking his head through doorways.

With a decisive sigh, he just decided he'd look for the gaudiest, most stuck up room he could find, probably something with gold furnishings, maybe some kinda mini statues?

As he turned the corner, he found. Well, just that, gaudy, stuck up, gold furnishings on the sides, and two mini statues depicting two gladiators. It was... well, ugly as hell, but it would probably net him something at least, as he moved forward, he grasped the door handle, and opened it.

To a slew of unarmored guardsmen, talking, and drinking tea, and probably booze.

Now, the illusion Tatio conjured wasn't really... yeahhh. It wasn't the most friendly looking. Harsh scars covered it's face, and a mop of dark hair not unlike his own. But brighter by just a touch. His clothes and "Sword" Also an illusion, were there to scare the idiots of the troupe.

These guys... weren't exactly idiots. The thief sighed as they all stood, grabbing what they could, while others starting conjuring magics.

Welp, time for some unexpected fun!
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
Tatio acted first, throwing a bolt of golden energy into the first spell caster, and dashing over to the next, throwing his foot into their face, knocking him into the wall behind himself. There were three others, the other wizard who shielded his bolt, and two fighters, wielding swords and axes.

Two of which were currently being swung in his general direction.

Using a hidden dagger to parry the first, he ducked gracefully under the second. Allowing him to shove the butt of his weapon into the back of the axe woman's neck, rendering her somewhat unconscious, Unfortunately this allowed him to be struck in the back by a bolt of electricity, which opened him up to another strike from the swords wielding guardsmen.

It left a nasty gash on his chest, one that he would need to heal as soon as he was done here.

With a heave he threw himself downward, knocking the swordsmen from his standing position with a sweep of his feet. Before throwing himself upward using uncanny acrobatics. Landing a swift, golden electricity enhanced kick on the neck of the other spellcaster. Rendering him fully unconscious.

"one down..." he whispered, swinging his knife forward to defend against an incoming mote of magic.

He dashed forward, leaping upward, and heaving his knee into the other Wizard's jaw while he was in the middle of a chant. Nothing a good spell couldn't fix, but that would keep him out of the fight.

The familiar ring of a swordsong in motion made the thief's hair stand on end, giving him just enough time to deflect the incoming blade aimed for his midsection.

The swordsman moved to stand, but Tatio threw an echo of golden electricity his way, making him spasm painfully on the marble ground, next to his fighter friend.

He stopped once the man was weak enough, at which point the thief simply rendered the foe asleep using a simple magic he used on the kids when they were being to unruly.

Panting heavily he rested temporarily against the wall. Using the golden light from on high to revise, and suture his wound.

"That... had certainly gotten out of hand.."
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
Shikiria dashed and ducked through the empty alleyways, and streets, making damn sure her captors kept chase, both by taunt and by blade. Giving them just enough room where they would nearly catch her. Before she'd jump ahead, using some manner of acrobatics or arcanum to gain the upper hand. Needless to say, this was going well. She could only hope however, that her "partner' in crime as it were, would hurry the hell up. The longer she drug this out, the more she would run the risk of actually being caught. Or worse, the guards would get suspicious.

They were a dumb lot, but they weren't that dumb, and it looked like sooner rather than later they would catch onto this whole deal. Which, needless to say, was not exactly helpful to their little plan.

After "Narrowly" dodging incandescent evocations, she turned her head to the guard's headquarters. "Hurry the hell up already..." She mentally chided, as though she knew how to project her thoughts across a distance. She didn't. Tatio was taking longer.




On the other side of the pressure, Tatio ducked through the different rooms, after thoroughly looting the unconscious warriors and spell casters of any valuables (wizards always carried dumb vain stuff) he now looked for the treasury, if what he found before was the lounge, then of course he was off likely nearly the entire building off..

He was only just beginning to curse his luck when he dashed past a large, oaken door, engraved with elegant markings, the brass nameplate read, "Commander Sentius Gerald IV" to which of course, the thief could only " Oooooh, That looks like a grand ole jackpot." he joked, smirking playfully as he moved to open it.
Jiggling the knob a couple times, he found it to be locked. Huh. Looks like they were smart.

Their lock however? Ugh, childsplay at best.

After making sure to mentally demean the guards for not taking a more complex locking system. Tatio sauntered in to the commander's office. and he was not dissappointed.

A myriad of trophies, paintings that looked valuable and strangely enough. A curious little magic bauble, which glowed softy, and vibrated to the touch.

It was of course after Tatio had touched it that he realized his folly.
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
A swath of flame roared as Tatio's fingers gingerly brushed the device causing the thief to violently throw himself backwards into the commander's desk as the device slowly whirred to life, a small tempest of flame dancing around it as those same orange and yellow colors began to slowly take the form of a flame golem. Now Tatio realized why the place had such lax patrols, they didn't need them.

A tendril of fire soared toward him, reflexes barely saving him as he ducked and rolled out of the way. The smell of burnt hair began to fill the room, as well as an intense heat.

Wiping the growing sweat from his brow, Tatio couldn't help but smirk. " Alright! Now we're getting somewhere!" He exclaimed, flashing his knife, before dashing forward. Baiting an attack from the golem. Looking to use the time between it's attacks to launch his own.

Another fiery tendril soared toward him violently, looking to impale the thief on it's elemental body. To which Tatio lithely dodged, maneuvering through the air like a ga-

He was interrupted in his ruminations of how great he was by the sound of the air exiting his lungs, as the other "Limb" of the Golem launched another painful reminder that it wasn't in fact a turn based battle. As he was flung like a ragdoll violently across the small room, slamming into the wall behind him. "Well!" He exclaimed, fighting to get some air back in his chest. " That wasn't all that fun.." He spoke, welling a great deal of celestial empowerment within his left hand. After making sure that there were no open flames on his person

" I hate getting hit.." he sighed, as he dashed forward once more, not willing to take anymore chances.

So much for a simple job




Shikiria sprinted her breaths beginning to get shorter and more hollow, she needed to duck and hide for a few make sure she was able to keep running before they caught her and locked her up for arbiter knows how long.

After a short few minutes, she managed to lose the tail for a few moments, she would continue her efforts with due haste, after she got some breath back.

She sat against the soaked wooden wall of the storm the night previous, and found herself more exhausted then ever.

Shikiria was no slouch when it came to physical exercise, but these guards were making it really difficult. The training of an actual peacekeeper wasn't to be doubted, though she could definitely take a few on, if they were coming in the droves that they were, she'd be in trouble. She needed a different tactic

It was in these ruminations that she noticed the glint of metal down the alleyway, not of a sword... But of armor. Curiosity beckoned and Shikiria couldn't help but answer, as she crept down the darkened urban path. With a short incantation, the alleyway lit up with a light cantrip. " What?" She asked, discovering the regal uniform of a high standing guardsman... unconscious? No.. Dead. His throat was slit open, cleanly, along the Trachea. He choked to death...

But why? Who was he, and who killed him?

She didn't have time to think about it, as the light from her spell attracted the guards once more, Shikiria groaned and cursed her inability to think too far ahead as she dashed away once more. The chase continued
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
The roaring flame echoed loudly as it slammed, and set it's standing point alight. Causing the Thief to groan. Well now they were gonna know there was a break in!

He supposed they would have known from the guards he'd knocked unconscious earlier.

He sighed, shut up, and got to work.

Throwing an orb of beautiful divine light forth, it slammed and and knocked the magical creation back into the window behind it. If it could feel hatred, Tatio could tell that he'd have gained the entirety of it's Ire by now. Leaping out of the way of another tendril spearing towards him with the goal of impalement, he spun his body to the left, planted his foot down and used his other to launch himself toward the fiery beast, going for a quick, unclean slash at what he thought would be it's neck.

The good news? His strike met it's target.

The bad news? Turns out golems don't have necks.

A boiling liquid splashed and splattered against the walls in the direction of his strike, slowly eating its way through the fickle materials. However, what Tatio had thought would be the finishing blow only served to open himself to another attack, a fiery spear entered and exited his shoulder in less than a second, as another impaled his left breast. Causing the thief to cry out in pain, and grab horribly onto that flame imbued tendril. Burning his hand in the process, while also relentlessly stabbing the damn Golem in the hopes that it would just go down already.

In some manner of luck, a wayward thrust of his knife struck the core of the golem, and the magic suffusing it stuttered, and faintly stopped. Causing the foe to gently fall to the ground. Along with Tatio himself, who limply fell to the ground, immediately getting to work on that damnable stab wound. and also the second degree burns he no doubt had.

He sat there, making sure he was in shape to get up. Healing his injuries enough so that he'd at least be able to run.

"FUCK that. Seriously... Fucking... Gerald.. gonna..." The thief began muttering to himself, as rain pattered against the stained glass window.

He was.. way too tired.



So, as Shikiria was realizing. Guards were trained, and knew how to capture someone. Cantrips and arrows both flew her way relentlessly. It was everything she could to stay out of the wayward projectiles path when they finally reached her. Relying on the sound of effort and whistle-song of arrows to stay safe, barely being able to keep the chase going, and becoming more and more unsure of how long she could keep this up.

Her thoughts distracted her, and an arrow found it's way to her ankle, causing her to slip and tumble as other guardsmen were rushing her location.

On the ground, time seemed to slow, albeit temporarily. Her eyes darted first to the angered, and armored guard who, with his sword drawn, was dashing toward her. then to the direction of the kids this entire operation was for. The world seemed to be giving a choice. One she decided to make immediately.

Time resumed it's flow, and Shikiria thrust her hand against the ground, willing the air around her obey her will, and demolish the guard currently running towards her. Throwing him backward, his armor dented, she noticed a tangible color of blood. Yet, he would live. She just needed to get out of there. The guard who'd been slinging Cantrips went to her compatriot's side, and Shikiria could hear a loud " Get.. me After!!" and the sound of footsteps echoed in the rain splattered streetways once more.

Quickly ducking into an alleyway, the most Shikiria could do was wait, and hide, for the other guard to come.

With how loud they were that wasn't exactly an issue.

Hearing them pass her hiding place, the swordsmage dived out after her, wrapping her forearm around the casters neck, and using her other arm to brace it, making damn sure she wouldn't be getting out of the way.

Panic must have clouded her rationality, as she didn't even try to sling a wayward flame or light, instead clawing at Shikiria's arms in a desperate, if futile attempt to escape.

Slowly, she could feel the consciousness fade in her victim. Which she loathed to admit the guard was, as her body went limp. She gently sat the girl down. and went about limping her way back to their hideout.

Yet.. as she ducked and dived behind corners and into shadows. She noticed no one was chasing her anymore. Had they just given up?

She couldn't think of why, but that thought felt more than wrong. As if just thinking it spelled disaster.

It didn't take a few minutes as she crawled her way up the hill leading to her momentary location of respite, for her to understand why she felt uneasy.
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
The light of flame danced across Shikiria's eyes, illuminating rose colored Irises in the black of night. She stared wordlessly shocked at the building before her, the building she'd' just slept in, alongside all those children, as harsh flame danced around it. Consuming all who were left inside. A snicker distracted the mage from the firelight, her eyes darted to the right where the sound originated, She spotted four guards, sitting around the damnable flame that slowly destroyed those eyes she'd seen not yet an hour ago. Inexplicable rage began to suffuse Shikiria's being.

Hasty footsteps from behind her signaled the return of Tatio, who's feet found themselves unwilling to move any further at the sight of the burning home ahead of him.

In shock the Thief could do naught but fall to his knees, suddenly, the emotions struck him all at once, and his mouth opened, to release raw, and primal anguish. His tears splattered the ground as he, and Shikiria both watch it burn to a crisp, knowing they wouldn't be able to do anything to stop it.

But also knowing that they could have. If they'd just been a tad faster

As Tatio's cries joined the roar of flame, Shikiria couldn't help but think of what led to this point, and how she'd inevitably played a part in it all.

That in mind... She too started to well with tears.

Suddenly.. the images started to form, and she realized how big a part she'd played in it all...

"Ey! Lookee 'ere!" Sounded one of the drunkards somehow qualified as law enforcers. " It's the rat!"

That voice sounded familiar to Shikiria, it was the guard from earlier. Whom abused and battered Tatio during their first meeting. "How's it feel ya bugger? Cap'n might'a protected ya but 'e ain't 'ere now is 'e?" The drunkard slurred, providing the perfect clarity for Shikiria to realize what had happened this horrid night.

Mutiny.

Tatio looked up from the ground, his eyes now unable to tear away from his second home. Until they forked directly to the drunken bastard who started the blaze. A new fire was born in that instant. Not one of heat, but of unwavering hatred for all that was evil. The Thief dashed forward, ripping himself from his sullen posture, brandishing his knife and screaming with all that his voice would allow all the torment, all the pain, welling into a single heartfelt cry that echoed for miles, allowing all to partake of his suffering.

In an instant Tatio had tackled his tormentor, and in another his knife was plunged deep within his neck, twisting, and turning, making sure he felt even a fraction of the pain the Thief and his kin had so fervently endured these long, arduous years. He ripped his blade from the contusion, before plunging it inward again and again, shouting until his throat felt as though it were bleeding, and shouting more, unable to contain the pain of loss that continued to well within him to no end.

The other guards by this point were too shocked to do anything, only viewing Tatio as nothing more than a body for them to kick, which occasionally kicked back.

They quickly left their stupor however, as they realized the severity of what had just transpired. " ALVIN!!" One shouted furiously, drawing his sword to strike the street rat down, until he was quickly disarmed, and he found a sword through his own stomach instead. Shikiria coldly pulled her blade from their aggressor, who fell at first to a knee, and then onto his back.

The other two drew their swords. As Tatio finally removed his knife from the so called "Alvin" for the last time. blood dripping from his knife, and different parts of his body where it had splashed in his passionate stabbing.

Eyes full of nothing, the boy walked forward, dagger in hand. Golden, rage-filled light in the other.

Shikiria joined him, wishing she'd never gone to this town... Those children had done nothing but survive.. and they were punished for it, because of her...

"...and thus did they descend... wreaking havoc and writing love filled tragedies wheresoever they managed..." The words she spoke were hollow to her, but were a staggeringly important proverb to the Phortean family to which she'd been indoctrinated. Though Phortea was not her true name. The house Volencula had long since been missing in it's entirety.

Tatio said nothing in response to her ramblings, not that he should have.

He briskly walked forward, before going for a half-assed slash. Which was easily parried, and which he received a harsh pommel to the forehead for. Not that he felt it. He fell to the ground, a slight trickle of blood oozing from his wound. Not that he cared.

Shikiria parried her own incoming attack, using the momentum of her blade to carry through her own horizontal slash. Which was frantically blocked, The guard lost his footing in his drunken state, and fell on his ass, footwork and booze didn't go together. He grabbed for his sword, but Shikiria's pierced his head before he could make a defense again.

Tatio on the other hand was receiving a harsh beating. Fist, Pommel, Foot, Blade, each grazed against his uncaring form. As the last alive guardsman, stomped, punched, and punctured the thief in an effort to vent his frustrations and pains. "If you hadn't been born! None of this! NONE of this!!!" He shouted desperately. Before Tatio thrust his knife through an incoming kick, causing the man to shout in pain and fall, the blade being pulled, as Tatio thrust his blade into his knee next, causing another shout of pain, and used it to pull himself closer to the man, who fought against his fate. Bludgeoning the boy with fist and stone alike.

Neither of which served to help him, as Tatio relentlessly pulled himself closer. The guard spoke one last idiotic line.

"They were my family!!! All I had!! You robbed me of!!"

At this, the boy smiled sadly, and spoke finally, in a hoarse, quiet voice.

"Glad you know the feeling then."

If the guard had something else to say, it would never be heard, as Tatio slit his throat right after.
 

Izaneus Phortea

Level 3
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Messages
123
Awards
1
Essence
€9,998
Coin
₡32,303
Tokens
100
World
Erde Nona
Profile
Click Here
After the deed was done, Tatio lay stationary on his back, the rain pattering his face, and body. He dared not move an inch, for though the rain began to extinguish the fire that consumed his home. His heart felt as withered as the wood that remained. Too many times had he lost precious people, and friends that he cared about. First his mother, and now those kids? Was he cursed? He could only assume as much even if that wasn't the case. He didn't know what to do anymore. There wasn't anything left for him.

His pockets lined with nick knacks that he obtained by looting the commander's office. His hands still sore from his encounter with the golem, not to mention those guards he just killed.

He didn't even know their names. He'd never met them before. Yet here they were. Lying in puddles of their own blood, which the rain quickly washed away as much that was spilled.

"..." he moved to open his mouth, but no words exited his breath. He had nothing to say.

A faint thud echoed beside him. As Shikiria dropped herself onto the mud that was beginning to form. Dirtying her clothes and self to take a well deserved break.

Suddenly Tatio had words to say.

"I didn't... I'm sorry." The thief spoke.

"Nothing to be sorry for." His partner replied. Her eyes not leaving the stormy sky above. " I should be apologizing. If I wasn't here.." She trailed off, leaving Tatio to rightfully assume her thought process.

He felt his caring self guilt as he spoke his next words. " Don't even start... Didn't you hear them? They'd have come for me sooner or later..." He sighed shakily, fighting the tears that were beginning to well in his eyes. " It just... happened sooner rather than later.."

Shikiria couldn't abide by that. This was her fault, she sat up to make her point, " This happened because of me! If it had happened later you'd have been able to-"

A swift punch across the cheek cut her off, and Tatio went on his own rant. " Don't you get it?? They'd have come for me anyway! If I didn't know now what makes you think I'd have known then!? Shut up and stop blaming yourself!" His tears disguised by the rain, he unleashed his tumultuous emotions, before receiving a fist to the face in kind.
"No! Those kids died by my hand! If I'd have been faster... I'd have been able to stop the fire! If I'd been smarter.." If she'd been Iza.

Another smack echoed as Tatio responded with his own pain filled vitriol. " SHUT the FUCK up. I'd lived here my entire life. I should have known to move them, this is my fault.."

This continued, each other venting emotions held until the bursting point. Each other laying their minds out in front of the other, while visciously airing their feelings out through the use of fist and word alike.

Eventually at the end of it. Both laid, bruised, exhausted, and hurt, as the rain hid their tears from one another, their voices hoarse, their bodies beaten, and a bond formed through pain. Shikiria spoke first.

"We can't stay here.. You should come with me. Help me find my... friend."

Tatio responded with a dark chuckle at first. " Yeah... Guess I could..." He turned his head to the smoking remains of the shit shack he called his home. The fire long extinguished.

"I wanna give them a proper burial... " he said. Shikiria couldn't fault him, but also couldn't wait around. The look she gave Tatio conformed this message.

"There's a town not far.. next over from the trail.." he spoke, Shikiria nodded.

"Guess I'll meet you there?" She asked tentatively. She hadn't expected to have a companion. But here she was.

"Guess you will.."

As he spoke, he got up, and hesitated as he moved to inspect the remnants of memories that he'd long since enjoyed.

Shikiria stood as well. Watching as he moved to agonize over the deaths of children he knew for arbiter knows how long... She would also. If only because she felt she could relate..

She turned, and moved to leave the town. If just looking for a place to rest offered this much pain, she didn't know how long she could suffer looking for Izaneus alone..

Taking once last look back as she snuck through the town exit. She sighed, partial relief.

Good thing she wouldn't be alone for long..
 
Top