Sorry that it starts out so abruptly, I plan to flesh it out more as the story goes on (can't wait till I end up writing myself into a corner). It was a personal decision to keep the beginning as is from how it was written late at night/early in the morning last year. I welcome any criticism as long as it is constructive. If I made any spelling or grammar errors (i'm quite sure I did) please send me a private message with the details of where and how I messed up, and I will fix it as soon as I can.
Lastly, thanks for reading!
Chapter 1
The Traitor
Spoiler
[Sid]
Don't... Don't you dare... Please...
Sid pleaded in his mind, as he crept quietly across the open courtyard near the barracks...
"Hey! You there! Halt!"
Damn!
Sid sighed as he stood up and turned to the approaching Knight-Guard. After checking that his hood was pulled low over his head Sid made the mistake of looking the guard in the eye.
It should be okay as long as he doesn't recognize me...
"Sid, is that you? What are you doing here at this time of night?" the guard asked, curiosity filling his voice.
"I'm sorry..." Sid muttered
"What?"
"I'm sorry" he repeated quietly.
The guard got the message clearly, and reached for his blade, slightly hesitant to draw his blade on a minor noble. Though still young, Sid himself was very influential and popular.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked.
He never got an answer, as Sid dashed forward and grabbed his sword hand, forcing him to let go of his half-drawn sword and try to force Sid away. sid stepped around the guard's kick which was aimed for his chest. Quickly Sid drew his knife and lashed out at the guard's left ankle with it. The blade slid through the armor as if it wasn't there. The guard opened his mouth to yell in pain, but was stopped by a hand covering his mouth. Sid hooked his right leg around the guard's right, and pulled the guards' leg while pushing down and forward on the guard's face. The movement was smooth, and effective. The guard's head crashed into the stone path with a thud.
Sid took the guards' sword and stabbed it through the armor, making sure the guard wouldn't wake up from his cold slumber. Sid hid the body and moved on to the last destination in his "walk", the barracks. he peeked inside to see that the feared Flame Bearer battalion was asleep. He sealed every window with a strong adhesive that was stolen from one of the workshops. It could not be opened from the inside without an enormous amount of effort. After sealing the windows and placing wedges underneath the door and sealing it, he lit The Flame's barracks on fire and fled as quietly and quickly as he could.
I'm almost out... just a little bit more and I will be free from this horrid night.
Sid had become a murderer and traitor within the span of 24 hours. He walked up a hill that was next to a crumbled old wall, preparing to escape. He spotted someone lying down looking up at the bright moon. Sid froze at the thought of possibility of having to kill once more. The figure staring into the stars was much smaller than one would think of a guard or servant. It was the silhouette of a thirteen year old girl, one he knew well, and one he had never hoped to see again. The girl's amber eyes stared drowsily at the moon, apparently having just awoken from a nap.
The princess of the kingdom which Sid loved and had just committed an unforgivable act against lay before him. Between him and his escape.
"Eh?"
was all that managed to escape her lips as he lunged forward before she looked towards him, quickly covered her mouth and cast a basic magic spell that blinded her and caused any word she said to be lost with the wind. All she would see is blackness, until he was gone. Sid walked through the gap left in the crumbling wall, but he was lost in thought. He thought he had prepared himself, that he was ready to kill.
Sid shivered under the crescent moon, suddenly scared. Not scared of being caught, not scared of being tortured, not even fearing death. What he feared most was a single feeling he had, one so small, insignificant that it could have easily been ignored. But he noticed it, and it scared him.
When he stabbed that guard he was excited. Ecstatic even. He had genuinely enjoyed the feeling of slicing through the guard's flesh and slamming his head into the ground.
------------------------
[Aisalyn]
Who was that?
Aisalyn thought as she laid on her favorite hill, unable to see after being blinded by magic.
What was he doing in the castle? What is going on?
The only thing she did know is that the attacker had blazing emerald eyes. She only knew of one person like that, but it couldn't have been Sid. He was a kind, easygoing person. Though he was very understanding and got along with everyone, he had always seemed a bit distant, like he kept walls thicker than most castles around him. The princess refused to believe the possibility that Sid would do something like this.
But his appearance wasn't what shocked her the most. In the short moment she glanced into those eyes, her skin stood up on end, her body froze, and a chill slithered down her spine. She tried to reason that the chill was just from the cold night, but she knew that was just an excuse.
[Sid]
Don't... Don't you dare... Please...
Sid pleaded in his mind, as he crept quietly across the open courtyard near the barracks...
"Hey! You there! Halt!"
Damn!
Sid sighed as he stood up and turned to the approaching Knight-Guard. After checking that his hood was pulled low over his head Sid made the mistake of looking the guard in the eye.
It should be okay as long as he doesn't recognize me...
"Sid, is that you? What are you doing here at this time of night?" the guard asked, curiosity filling his voice.
"I'm sorry..." Sid muttered
"What?"
"I'm sorry" he repeated quietly.
The guard got the message clearly, and reached for his blade, slightly hesitant to draw his blade on a minor noble. Though still young, Sid himself was very influential and popular.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked.
He never got an answer, as Sid dashed forward and grabbed his sword hand, forcing him to let go of his half-drawn sword and try to force Sid away. sid stepped around the guard's kick which was aimed for his chest. Quickly Sid drew his knife and lashed out at the guard's left ankle with it. The blade slid through the armor as if it wasn't there. The guard opened his mouth to yell in pain, but was stopped by a hand covering his mouth. Sid hooked his right leg around the guard's right, and pulled the guards' leg while pushing down and forward on the guard's face. The movement was smooth, and effective. The guard's head crashed into the stone path with a thud.
Sid took the guards' sword and stabbed it through the armor, making sure the guard wouldn't wake up from his cold slumber. Sid hid the body and moved on to the last destination in his "walk", the barracks. he peeked inside to see that the feared Flame Bearer battalion was asleep. He sealed every window with a strong adhesive that was stolen from one of the workshops. It could not be opened from the inside without an enormous amount of effort. After sealing the windows and placing wedges underneath the door and sealing it, he lit The Flame's barracks on fire and fled as quietly and quickly as he could.
I'm almost out... just a little bit more and I will be free from this horrid night.
Sid had become a murderer and traitor within the span of 24 hours. He walked up a hill that was next to a crumbled old wall, preparing to escape. He spotted someone lying down looking up at the bright moon. Sid froze at the thought of possibility of having to kill once more. The figure staring into the stars was much smaller than one would think of a guard or servant. It was the silhouette of a thirteen year old girl, one he knew well, and one he had never hoped to see again. The girl's amber eyes stared drowsily at the moon, apparently having just awoken from a nap.
The princess of the kingdom which Sid loved and had just committed an unforgivable act against lay before him. Between him and his escape.
"Eh?"
was all that managed to escape her lips as he lunged forward before she looked towards him, quickly covered her mouth and cast a basic magic spell that blinded her and caused any word she said to be lost with the wind. All she would see is blackness, until he was gone. Sid walked through the gap left in the crumbling wall, but he was lost in thought. He thought he had prepared himself, that he was ready to kill.
Sid shivered under the crescent moon, suddenly scared. Not scared of being caught, not scared of being tortured, not even fearing death. What he feared most was a single feeling he had, one so small, insignificant that it could have easily been ignored. But he noticed it, and it scared him.
When he stabbed that guard he was excited. Ecstatic even. He had genuinely enjoyed the feeling of slicing through the guard's flesh and slamming his head into the ground.
------------------------
[Aisalyn]
Who was that?
Aisalyn thought as she laid on her favorite hill, unable to see after being blinded by magic.
What was he doing in the castle? What is going on?
The only thing she did know is that the attacker had blazing emerald eyes. She only knew of one person like that, but it couldn't have been Sid. He was a kind, easygoing person. Though he was very understanding and got along with everyone, he had always seemed a bit distant, like he kept walls thicker than most castles around him. The princess refused to believe the possibility that Sid would do something like this.
But his appearance wasn't what shocked her the most. In the short moment she glanced into those eyes, her skin stood up on end, her body froze, and a chill slithered down her spine. She tried to reason that the chill was just from the cold night, but she knew that was just an excuse.
Chapter 2
The Escape
Spoiler
[Sid]
The black shape that was Sid sprinted through the forest at full speed. In such a thick forest, one would think that running full speed would be quite difficult. It is, but Sid wasn't worried about running headfirst into a tree. His mind was occupied with other thoughts as he weaved through the tree-riddled forest to his family's house. It was nothing fancy, but that wasn't something Sid liked to say in the presence of peasants, slaves, or lower families. He liked their home, and the forest around it. Sid found that the homes of many of the top nobles to be too formal. It felt like you were being judged as soon as you entered. Often enough, you were.
Sid decided upon reaching the entrance to the area where his family lives that he would enter from a different direction then the main path. He wouldn't have to avoid trees if he took the main path, but that was like telling everyone in the world who he was. The higher nobles didn't need a reason to dislike him any more then they already did. Even if he hadn't been the one pulling this off, his family would be one of the first ones questioned. That was something Sid understood quite well. It wasn't because his family was an ambitious one. It had more to do with Sid himself. Sid was adopted when he was roughly 8. He is now 17 or 18, he wasn't sure if that was right, nor did he care. What caused his family to become suspicious was a matter of Sid's origins. Sid wasn't a native of the Alsef Kingdom. He knew that much, he also knew, that where he was born, green eyes like his, and brown hair is quite common. Or was.
From reading old history books, he learned of some accounts of there once being a nation of mostly green-eyed people. It was just their physical characteristics, kind of like how many born in the Alsef Kingdom usually had black hair, with oddly bright amber colored eyes. Further in the Empire of the Holy Sun (often simply called The Holy Sun) the normal traits were light blonde hair, and brown eyes. Sid belonged the the green-eyed race known as Oseans (pronounced OH-see-ans). Sadly, after the old Osean nation got obliterated in a war with The Holy Sun long ago, the losers, as always, were not looked upon by history in a favorable light. Now most of the history books that come from The Holy Sun call the Oseans a bloodthirsty race of monsters who were stopped by the "righteous might" of The Holy Sun. Sid felt no attachment as an Osean, and was quite happy that he had the fortune to be adopted by such a kind family rather then become a slave. Sid absolutely loves his family, and would do anything for them. Such as betraying his own kingdom.
Sid knew he would be coming upon his home soon, and he was exhausted from all the events that had taken place, along with the physical fatigue of sprinting through a forest a full speed. He didn't care that his body was screeching in protest, he kept sprinting, and as he got closer he pushed himself harder and harder.
-----------
[Lyn]
Lyn is a hunter famous in her village for her accuracy with her bow and her ability to cleanly butcher the meat without messing up. Her village lay on the outskirts of a forest. The village was near the capital of the Alsef Kingdom, but unfortunately was not near any of the main trade roads, so the visitors they get are few and far between. Due to being slightly out of the way, the village wasn't exactly full of people or prospering. But they lived on. The people of Pligath village were content with their lifestyle. They helped take care of Lyn, who had no family. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father was killed by a snake bite. The other villagers thought that the bite was nothing major at first, as did her father. But one night, he went to sleep, and never woke up.
Lyn unhappily slid forward, silently easing her way through the forest, eyes darting around searching for prey. She was disappointed that nothing was showing up. But having hunted in this forest since she was a small child, she knew something was wrong, and she would find out what. Lyn was aware that a noble family of some description had a home slightly further in than where she hunted. Today, she thought she would sneak a peek at what kind of house these people lived in, and what kind of people they were. If it was them disturbing the forest, she would leave them a message, that message depended on just how angry she was when she got there.
When she found their house, she stood on the edge of the trees before the clearing opened into where the house was.
When Lyn saw it, she froze. She wanted to turn away, every bit of her body that had been warm with anger froze over as if someone had replaced her blood with melting snow. Where the house should be was a ruined stone building. One that would have been nice, but not overly fancy. Not something one of the higher nobles would go for, but rather a minor noble family. The worst thing about it was, the destruction was fresh. As if it had just happened. Right outside the front door were stakes set up in a line. There were dead bodies on every stake, and their chest's were each carved into shapes. Lyn could tell that no one would live through that, and they were already dead. Whoever had did this, didn't leave one person alive. Seven bodies lined up, five adults, and two children. As if to mock someone who might discover this scene, the children's heads were on separate stakes from their bodies. The children's heads had their eyes missing, and the stakes they were placed on were smaller, and centered in front of the seven bodies.
It was obvious from the way it was set up, someone was sending a message, and it wasn't a good one. Lyn, still frozen in shock, was snapped out of her state by the sound of heavy breathing and the appearance of someone hurtling into the clearing in front of the house. The figure suddenly stopped and it's breath caught. It slowly looked at the nine stakes, seven bodies, and two heads. The figures carved on the seven bodies read:
Lyn watched as the tall silhouette dropped to its knees, and stared at what had happened. It didn't require any heavy thinking. It was obvious this is the one the message was meant for, and when the figure grabbed its head with both of its hands, Lyn heard a sound. It was a sound like glass shattering into millions of tiny little pieces.
[Sid]
The black shape that was Sid sprinted through the forest at full speed. In such a thick forest, one would think that running full speed would be quite difficult. It is, but Sid wasn't worried about running headfirst into a tree. His mind was occupied with other thoughts as he weaved through the tree-riddled forest to his family's house. It was nothing fancy, but that wasn't something Sid liked to say in the presence of peasants, slaves, or lower families. He liked their home, and the forest around it. Sid found that the homes of many of the top nobles to be too formal. It felt like you were being judged as soon as you entered. Often enough, you were.
Sid decided upon reaching the entrance to the area where his family lives that he would enter from a different direction then the main path. He wouldn't have to avoid trees if he took the main path, but that was like telling everyone in the world who he was. The higher nobles didn't need a reason to dislike him any more then they already did. Even if he hadn't been the one pulling this off, his family would be one of the first ones questioned. That was something Sid understood quite well. It wasn't because his family was an ambitious one. It had more to do with Sid himself. Sid was adopted when he was roughly 8. He is now 17 or 18, he wasn't sure if that was right, nor did he care. What caused his family to become suspicious was a matter of Sid's origins. Sid wasn't a native of the Alsef Kingdom. He knew that much, he also knew, that where he was born, green eyes like his, and brown hair is quite common. Or was.
From reading old history books, he learned of some accounts of there once being a nation of mostly green-eyed people. It was just their physical characteristics, kind of like how many born in the Alsef Kingdom usually had black hair, with oddly bright amber colored eyes. Further in the Empire of the Holy Sun (often simply called The Holy Sun) the normal traits were light blonde hair, and brown eyes. Sid belonged the the green-eyed race known as Oseans (pronounced OH-see-ans). Sadly, after the old Osean nation got obliterated in a war with The Holy Sun long ago, the losers, as always, were not looked upon by history in a favorable light. Now most of the history books that come from The Holy Sun call the Oseans a bloodthirsty race of monsters who were stopped by the "righteous might" of The Holy Sun. Sid felt no attachment as an Osean, and was quite happy that he had the fortune to be adopted by such a kind family rather then become a slave. Sid absolutely loves his family, and would do anything for them. Such as betraying his own kingdom.
Sid knew he would be coming upon his home soon, and he was exhausted from all the events that had taken place, along with the physical fatigue of sprinting through a forest a full speed. He didn't care that his body was screeching in protest, he kept sprinting, and as he got closer he pushed himself harder and harder.
-----------
[Lyn]
Lyn is a hunter famous in her village for her accuracy with her bow and her ability to cleanly butcher the meat without messing up. Her village lay on the outskirts of a forest. The village was near the capital of the Alsef Kingdom, but unfortunately was not near any of the main trade roads, so the visitors they get are few and far between. Due to being slightly out of the way, the village wasn't exactly full of people or prospering. But they lived on. The people of Pligath village were content with their lifestyle. They helped take care of Lyn, who had no family. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father was killed by a snake bite. The other villagers thought that the bite was nothing major at first, as did her father. But one night, he went to sleep, and never woke up.
Lyn unhappily slid forward, silently easing her way through the forest, eyes darting around searching for prey. She was disappointed that nothing was showing up. But having hunted in this forest since she was a small child, she knew something was wrong, and she would find out what. Lyn was aware that a noble family of some description had a home slightly further in than where she hunted. Today, she thought she would sneak a peek at what kind of house these people lived in, and what kind of people they were. If it was them disturbing the forest, she would leave them a message, that message depended on just how angry she was when she got there.
When she found their house, she stood on the edge of the trees before the clearing opened into where the house was.
When Lyn saw it, she froze. She wanted to turn away, every bit of her body that had been warm with anger froze over as if someone had replaced her blood with melting snow. Where the house should be was a ruined stone building. One that would have been nice, but not overly fancy. Not something one of the higher nobles would go for, but rather a minor noble family. The worst thing about it was, the destruction was fresh. As if it had just happened. Right outside the front door were stakes set up in a line. There were dead bodies on every stake, and their chest's were each carved into shapes. Lyn could tell that no one would live through that, and they were already dead. Whoever had did this, didn't leave one person alive. Seven bodies lined up, five adults, and two children. As if to mock someone who might discover this scene, the children's heads were on separate stakes from their bodies. The children's heads had their eyes missing, and the stakes they were placed on were smaller, and centered in front of the seven bodies.
It was obvious from the way it was set up, someone was sending a message, and it wasn't a good one. Lyn, still frozen in shock, was snapped out of her state by the sound of heavy breathing and the appearance of someone hurtling into the clearing in front of the house. The figure suddenly stopped and it's breath caught. It slowly looked at the nine stakes, seven bodies, and two heads. The figures carved on the seven bodies read:
Spoiler
T R A I T O R
T R A I T O R
Lyn watched as the tall silhouette dropped to its knees, and stared at what had happened. It didn't require any heavy thinking. It was obvious this is the one the message was meant for, and when the figure grabbed its head with both of its hands, Lyn heard a sound. It was a sound like glass shattering into millions of tiny little pieces.
Chapter 3
The Pariah
Spoiler
[Lyn]
Lyn waited and observed silently for what could have been hours, minutes, or even seconds after the figure suffered the breakdown. It had simply shut down. It's not that there wasn't an emotional reaction, but rather there was so much of one that it caused him to crash. In that time, Lyn maneuvered her way around the treeline in order to get a better look at who it was. She didn't recognize him, but she did understand immediately that his physical features were a bit different from the people that stood quietly on the stakes. He was Osean, and looked to have no other blood in his body. Knowing that most Oseans are slaves, Lyn was curious as to what this guy's story was. There was no way a slave would take it so hard if their masters were killed and they were set free. What was his relation to these people? Who had he betrayed? Why did he do it?
The Osean who had charged into the clearing like a man possessed was now slowly fading away. He was fading away, but if one could look carefully into his eyes, even in his last moments of consciousness, he was thinking at a speed that would be difficult for a well rested scholar. Lyn couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she was doubtful that if she knew she would be able to retain her sanity. This green-eyed outcast was unstable. That one word was what could best describe everything about him. Unstable. Even so, Lyn felt that it was just too cruel to leave him behind. She decided, that she would take responsibility for spying on a scene she knew was not meant to be seen. She walked into the clearing, picked up the Osean, and began the walk back to Pligath.
[Sid]
Waking up with a start, Sid unrolled the pelts that had been laying on him. He did so as quietly and quickly as he could. His mind was racing, it was night time, but he could tell easily that this was a different night from when he-KILL, MURDER, SLAUGHTER, REND, TEAR, RIP .Giving himself a quick check, he found that his knife was missing. Sid searched the house, looking for any sign of the person who had brought him here, but it was completely empty. Finding a bow and some arrows, as well as a room full of meat, Sid came to the conclusion that a hunter had found him out in the woods where...
KILL, MURDER, SLAUGHTER.
Sid staggered out of the building, clenching his teeth so hard it hurt. Not really sure where he was, what had happened, or why he lusted after the feeling he had discovered when he had taken that guard's life. Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps, he was outright thrilled. Sid, knowing his grasp on reality was currently very unstable, stumbled his way behind some buildings, attempting to get away from people, from their gazes, their judging looks. It was safer for both them and him that they didn't know who he was, what he was, and how unstable he was. Sid fell down onto one knee, his left arm scrambling to grab something to support him, and he clawed at the right side of his head. Then he felt something gathering around him, dragging him down, cutting into his skin, and he looked up at the stars above as he drifted into the blackness.
[Lyn]
Lyn waited and observed silently for what could have been hours, minutes, or even seconds after the figure suffered the breakdown. It had simply shut down. It's not that there wasn't an emotional reaction, but rather there was so much of one that it caused him to crash. In that time, Lyn maneuvered her way around the treeline in order to get a better look at who it was. She didn't recognize him, but she did understand immediately that his physical features were a bit different from the people that stood quietly on the stakes. He was Osean, and looked to have no other blood in his body. Knowing that most Oseans are slaves, Lyn was curious as to what this guy's story was. There was no way a slave would take it so hard if their masters were killed and they were set free. What was his relation to these people? Who had he betrayed? Why did he do it?
The Osean who had charged into the clearing like a man possessed was now slowly fading away. He was fading away, but if one could look carefully into his eyes, even in his last moments of consciousness, he was thinking at a speed that would be difficult for a well rested scholar. Lyn couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she was doubtful that if she knew she would be able to retain her sanity. This green-eyed outcast was unstable. That one word was what could best describe everything about him. Unstable. Even so, Lyn felt that it was just too cruel to leave him behind. She decided, that she would take responsibility for spying on a scene she knew was not meant to be seen. She walked into the clearing, picked up the Osean, and began the walk back to Pligath.
[Sid]
Waking up with a start, Sid unrolled the pelts that had been laying on him. He did so as quietly and quickly as he could. His mind was racing, it was night time, but he could tell easily that this was a different night from when he-KILL, MURDER, SLAUGHTER, REND, TEAR, RIP .Giving himself a quick check, he found that his knife was missing. Sid searched the house, looking for any sign of the person who had brought him here, but it was completely empty. Finding a bow and some arrows, as well as a room full of meat, Sid came to the conclusion that a hunter had found him out in the woods where...
KILL, MURDER, SLAUGHTER.
Sid staggered out of the building, clenching his teeth so hard it hurt. Not really sure where he was, what had happened, or why he lusted after the feeling he had discovered when he had taken that guard's life. Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps, he was outright thrilled. Sid, knowing his grasp on reality was currently very unstable, stumbled his way behind some buildings, attempting to get away from people, from their gazes, their judging looks. It was safer for both them and him that they didn't know who he was, what he was, and how unstable he was. Sid fell down onto one knee, his left arm scrambling to grab something to support him, and he clawed at the right side of his head. Then he felt something gathering around him, dragging him down, cutting into his skin, and he looked up at the stars above as he drifted into the blackness.
Chapter 4
The Red
Spoiler
[Sid]
Sid blinked and was standing up, in a dark corner of Pligath. Pain assaulted his head and he sank to his knees, biting off the very tip of his tongue. The taste of blood and pain in his tongue helped him stay conscious. He could only describe the pain in his head as if something was chewing on the inside of his brain. This agony held him in place for a moment, but just as the pain had appeared, it vanished. Sid's thoughts were racing, trying to think about what had happened, he had escaped the hunter's house, walked off into an out of the way corner of the Village, and... Nothing. He remembered nothing about what had happened.
Then, he heard the shaky breathing of someone frozen by fear. The breathing sound had been constant, he just didn't notice it, due to his headache crippling his other senses. He looked over to the an area blocked by two buildings, and crammed into the corner, beaten, bleeding, and crying, was a woman. When she noticed his eyes turned to her, she was overcome with sheer terror, but there was also something else hidden away in her expression. Was it... Gratitude? The woman looked like she was poor. She may have even been a slave. What could he have done to cause her to be grateful? Then he realized he was covered in a thick liquid.
What is this gunk? What the hell happened? What did I do? Who is this woman?
The small corner of Pligath in which Sid and this woman were sitting, hidden from the main road in the village, was bathed in a warm light. The sun had risen. Sid froze when the light struck the ground in front of him. There was a body. One that wasn't moving. Sid reached his right hand out to touch the body, when he realized there was something in his hand. He opened his hand and glanced at what it was, but it was strange to the touch, and in color. It was covered in blood and small bumps. Sid dropped it immediately, unsure of what it was. Then he looked at the body to try and determine what had killed this poor guy, and he noticed that the mouth was hanging open, with blood coursing out like a fountain. Looking down, and observing his body, Sid was himself covered in blood, even his face was coated in it. It definitely wasn't his. Leaving only one option.
Thinking carefully, Sid didn't want to believe it, but he had killed someone else. This time by a much more disturbing method. Putting the pieces together left only one solution. Sid had ripped the man's tongue out, barehanded. He turned to face the ragged woman, and walked towards her, until she could back into the corner no more.
"You are going to tell me what happened here, from start to finish."
Sid said in a raw growl.
"Then, you are going to forget EVERYTHING that happened here. Understand?"
The menacing tone to his voice made it clear exactly what would happen were she to speak of this again.
As those words left Sid's mouth, the only thing going through his head was a single question.
Was I always such a monster?
[Sid]
Sid blinked and was standing up, in a dark corner of Pligath. Pain assaulted his head and he sank to his knees, biting off the very tip of his tongue. The taste of blood and pain in his tongue helped him stay conscious. He could only describe the pain in his head as if something was chewing on the inside of his brain. This agony held him in place for a moment, but just as the pain had appeared, it vanished. Sid's thoughts were racing, trying to think about what had happened, he had escaped the hunter's house, walked off into an out of the way corner of the Village, and... Nothing. He remembered nothing about what had happened.
Then, he heard the shaky breathing of someone frozen by fear. The breathing sound had been constant, he just didn't notice it, due to his headache crippling his other senses. He looked over to the an area blocked by two buildings, and crammed into the corner, beaten, bleeding, and crying, was a woman. When she noticed his eyes turned to her, she was overcome with sheer terror, but there was also something else hidden away in her expression. Was it... Gratitude? The woman looked like she was poor. She may have even been a slave. What could he have done to cause her to be grateful? Then he realized he was covered in a thick liquid.
What is this gunk? What the hell happened? What did I do? Who is this woman?
The small corner of Pligath in which Sid and this woman were sitting, hidden from the main road in the village, was bathed in a warm light. The sun had risen. Sid froze when the light struck the ground in front of him. There was a body. One that wasn't moving. Sid reached his right hand out to touch the body, when he realized there was something in his hand. He opened his hand and glanced at what it was, but it was strange to the touch, and in color. It was covered in blood and small bumps. Sid dropped it immediately, unsure of what it was. Then he looked at the body to try and determine what had killed this poor guy, and he noticed that the mouth was hanging open, with blood coursing out like a fountain. Looking down, and observing his body, Sid was himself covered in blood, even his face was coated in it. It definitely wasn't his. Leaving only one option.
Thinking carefully, Sid didn't want to believe it, but he had killed someone else. This time by a much more disturbing method. Putting the pieces together left only one solution. Sid had ripped the man's tongue out, barehanded. He turned to face the ragged woman, and walked towards her, until she could back into the corner no more.
"You are going to tell me what happened here, from start to finish."
Sid said in a raw growl.
"Then, you are going to forget EVERYTHING that happened here. Understand?"
The menacing tone to his voice made it clear exactly what would happen were she to speak of this again.
As those words left Sid's mouth, the only thing going through his head was a single question.
Was I always such a monster?
Chapter 5:
The Hunter
Spoiler
[Lyn]
What awaited Lyn when she returned home was surprising and shocking to her. Or rather, it was the lack of something. The lack of a most likely emotionally and mentally compromised Osean. Lyn wasn't one for being prejudiced, but when she thought about how someone who had just gone through what he had on top of being an Osean wandering through Pligath without anyone knowing who he is. If someone dared say the wrong thing to him, she feared the fate of the person that call him as if he were a slave. This wouldn't normally be something she worried about, as the people of Pligath were generally tough from living off the land. However, when she picked him up after his collapse in the forest she noticed that his body had a relatively small amount of fat. It was mostly hard muscle, built in places that suggest he was not one for physical labor in the traditional sense. She also couldn't ignore the way he had entered the scene that caused his breakdown. His speed and agility was nothing to take lightly.
Oh, crap! What if he ends up causing some trouble for the rest of the people? If someone gets seriously hurt it will be my responsibility for bringing him here!
Lyn grabbed her bow and three arrows out of habit, and as she sprinted out of the front door, the light from a rising sun stunned her momentarily. She realized she had taken her bow and some arrows, but decided that her habit was a good one. If she needed to pacify him, she knew that she wouldn't be able to do it weaponless. Glancing around the area outside her house for any possible clues, she looked into the slightest gap between two other houses and noticed the ground was a slightly darker shade. It was blood. Lyn was scared. It was rare, but the sight of that blood filled her with a foreboding feeling like something had gone horribly, terribly wrong. Rallying her courage before it had completely vanished, she charged down the gap between buildings. Her instincts told her to follow the path that would lead to somewhere out of the way. Somewhere quiet.
Oh no! No no no no no no no no no nononononononononononono!
The sense of urgency rising in her causing her thoughts to descend into an unorganized mess. Coming to a corner that opened up into a small courtyard that was abandoned from general use. Then, she heard a voice she hadn't heard before. It was raw, but there was something disguised beneath it.
"Then, you are going to forget EVERYTHING that happened here. Understand?"
Lyn had no clue what was going on, and didn't peek around the corner to see what was happening, she decided to stay where she was and eavesdrop.
"Y-Yes..."
Came the soft whimper of a woman. It wasn't quiet because it was gentle, but rather out of sheer terror.
"M-Master wanted something, and he t-t-told me to m-meet him here before the sun rose"
This girl sounds like she is on the brink of tears. I don't think I like where this is going...
"And th-then when I got here he told m-me..."
The girl's voice faded away slowly as she tried to fight back tears.
Surprisingly, the male voice took on a gentle tone and said,
"Just tell me what I did when I appeared"
She responded
"He had pushed me against the wall when you came around the corner, blood coming out of the side of your head."
The woman took a deep breath, as she replayed the memory in her head.
"Master called you a bastard, and threatened to have you executed should you interfere. Instead of reacting to his taunts you slowly approached, your green eyes and brown hair became more visible, and he kept calling you all kinds of horrible names and threatening you. When you got too close he let go of me and he threw a punch at you, but you caught his wrist before it hit you."
"He pulled away and started to hold his wrist, staring at you with wide eyes. Then he started yelling, getting progressively louder. He threatened that he would call the town constable to arrest you and have you executed. You moved so fast I almost missed it, and put your hand in his mouth. Then you... pulled his... tongue out."
Taking another breath, her voice had calmed down somewhat, though there was still a hint of fear for her life in her voice, it seemed as though she
accepted the possibility that he would kill her after she finished.
"Master fell backwards and covered his mouth, but he couldn't say anything, then, you stomped on both of his ankles, and they made a strange sound... but, after, you just stood there for a while, staring blankly at the moon. You fell to your knees shortly afterwards, and now you're-"
"Stop. That's enough. I have a rough idea of what happened now."
The male cut her off. By now, Lyn had pretty much gotten the gist of what had happened, and she knew that no one would do such a thing except for a certain Osean who was very unstable.
"So do I."
Said Lyn, as she emerged from behind the corner, looking directly into the corner where the Osean boy was, with the girl trapped between him and the wall. The boy lowered his body, rather fluidly, and pushed off the wall; launching himself at Lyn. Luckily, his movement was slower then the speed he had showed in the forest. Likely due to being caught completely by surprise. Lyn leapt to her left and avoided his charge. In one quick movement she pulled an arrow
from her quiver, which was slung around her hip, and took up a steady firing position, aiming the arrow, not at the Osean’s head, but, at his chest. Lyn didn't know his true speed, so she didn't dare go for the head shot. If his reflexes were good enough, he could probably dodge it. However, there was no way to
dodge a shot to the center of mass at this range.
"Just calm down, will you? No need to get so worked up. You should stop now before you get hurt, and I don’t think you’re so rude as to attack the one who saved your life, am I right?”"
The Oseans eyes popped wide open on hearing these words, and he lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, thank you very much for saving me," he said quietly.
It was easy to tell he was conflicted, and his words were hollow, but Lyn decided she would accept it for now.
[Lyn]
What awaited Lyn when she returned home was surprising and shocking to her. Or rather, it was the lack of something. The lack of a most likely emotionally and mentally compromised Osean. Lyn wasn't one for being prejudiced, but when she thought about how someone who had just gone through what he had on top of being an Osean wandering through Pligath without anyone knowing who he is. If someone dared say the wrong thing to him, she feared the fate of the person that call him as if he were a slave. This wouldn't normally be something she worried about, as the people of Pligath were generally tough from living off the land. However, when she picked him up after his collapse in the forest she noticed that his body had a relatively small amount of fat. It was mostly hard muscle, built in places that suggest he was not one for physical labor in the traditional sense. She also couldn't ignore the way he had entered the scene that caused his breakdown. His speed and agility was nothing to take lightly.
Oh, crap! What if he ends up causing some trouble for the rest of the people? If someone gets seriously hurt it will be my responsibility for bringing him here!
Lyn grabbed her bow and three arrows out of habit, and as she sprinted out of the front door, the light from a rising sun stunned her momentarily. She realized she had taken her bow and some arrows, but decided that her habit was a good one. If she needed to pacify him, she knew that she wouldn't be able to do it weaponless. Glancing around the area outside her house for any possible clues, she looked into the slightest gap between two other houses and noticed the ground was a slightly darker shade. It was blood. Lyn was scared. It was rare, but the sight of that blood filled her with a foreboding feeling like something had gone horribly, terribly wrong. Rallying her courage before it had completely vanished, she charged down the gap between buildings. Her instincts told her to follow the path that would lead to somewhere out of the way. Somewhere quiet.
Oh no! No no no no no no no no no nononononononononononono!
The sense of urgency rising in her causing her thoughts to descend into an unorganized mess. Coming to a corner that opened up into a small courtyard that was abandoned from general use. Then, she heard a voice she hadn't heard before. It was raw, but there was something disguised beneath it.
"Then, you are going to forget EVERYTHING that happened here. Understand?"
Lyn had no clue what was going on, and didn't peek around the corner to see what was happening, she decided to stay where she was and eavesdrop.
"Y-Yes..."
Came the soft whimper of a woman. It wasn't quiet because it was gentle, but rather out of sheer terror.
"M-Master wanted something, and he t-t-told me to m-meet him here before the sun rose"
This girl sounds like she is on the brink of tears. I don't think I like where this is going...
"And th-then when I got here he told m-me..."
The girl's voice faded away slowly as she tried to fight back tears.
Surprisingly, the male voice took on a gentle tone and said,
"Just tell me what I did when I appeared"
She responded
"He had pushed me against the wall when you came around the corner, blood coming out of the side of your head."
The woman took a deep breath, as she replayed the memory in her head.
"Master called you a bastard, and threatened to have you executed should you interfere. Instead of reacting to his taunts you slowly approached, your green eyes and brown hair became more visible, and he kept calling you all kinds of horrible names and threatening you. When you got too close he let go of me and he threw a punch at you, but you caught his wrist before it hit you."
"He pulled away and started to hold his wrist, staring at you with wide eyes. Then he started yelling, getting progressively louder. He threatened that he would call the town constable to arrest you and have you executed. You moved so fast I almost missed it, and put your hand in his mouth. Then you... pulled his... tongue out."
Taking another breath, her voice had calmed down somewhat, though there was still a hint of fear for her life in her voice, it seemed as though she
accepted the possibility that he would kill her after she finished.
"Master fell backwards and covered his mouth, but he couldn't say anything, then, you stomped on both of his ankles, and they made a strange sound... but, after, you just stood there for a while, staring blankly at the moon. You fell to your knees shortly afterwards, and now you're-"
"Stop. That's enough. I have a rough idea of what happened now."
The male cut her off. By now, Lyn had pretty much gotten the gist of what had happened, and she knew that no one would do such a thing except for a certain Osean who was very unstable.
"So do I."
Said Lyn, as she emerged from behind the corner, looking directly into the corner where the Osean boy was, with the girl trapped between him and the wall. The boy lowered his body, rather fluidly, and pushed off the wall; launching himself at Lyn. Luckily, his movement was slower then the speed he had showed in the forest. Likely due to being caught completely by surprise. Lyn leapt to her left and avoided his charge. In one quick movement she pulled an arrow
from her quiver, which was slung around her hip, and took up a steady firing position, aiming the arrow, not at the Osean’s head, but, at his chest. Lyn didn't know his true speed, so she didn't dare go for the head shot. If his reflexes were good enough, he could probably dodge it. However, there was no way to
dodge a shot to the center of mass at this range.
"Just calm down, will you? No need to get so worked up. You should stop now before you get hurt, and I don’t think you’re so rude as to attack the one who saved your life, am I right?”"
The Oseans eyes popped wide open on hearing these words, and he lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, thank you very much for saving me," he said quietly.
It was easy to tell he was conflicted, and his words were hollow, but Lyn decided she would accept it for now.
Chapter 6, Part 1:
The Princess
Spoiler
8 Months before Sid's betrayal.
[Aisalynn]
It was an exciting day for Aisalynn. The day she got to choose who, out of a group of noble's children, would become her personal Guardian. The Guardian was, essentially, a single person guard detail. It might have been strange for someone such as the heir to one of the great kingdoms of the world to be guarded by a single person, where as other nations would surround them with many organized guards and create as many lines of security as possible, but this was simply one of the few things that made the Alsef Kingdom different. The Alsef Kingdom held independence and freedom in high value, while the King still exercised complete control he held freedom in high regard and as such very rarely did he intervene in matters. Only when it was of dire importance did he take command and straighten things out. Though it seemed like an unreliable way to do things, the people were happy and had absolute faith in the King. Even though he seemed very irresponsible, he was, in fact, incredibly capable. Aisalynn, being his daughter, also showed the makings of someone who would grow into a fair ruler of the Alsef Kingdom.[/color]
Guardians, being one person in charge of protecting the heir of an entire kingdom must go through a number of trials in order to earn the right to become a prospect. The trials were often quite dangerous and not for the weak of heart, and as such, there were usually less than ten Guardian prospects for the person to be protected to choose from. Aisalynn had a choice of ten. She was quite excited to see if there was someone truly spectacular among her choices.
As she entered the chamber she gave a quick glance over each of her prospective Guardians; seven females and three males. ff the Seven female prospects, she didn't recognize any, though the emblems on their clothes gave away their families. She recognized one of the male prospects as the son of some high-born noble who had always contributed a son to the Guardian trials. Not surprised at all, she gave him a nod of acknowledgement. She had met him before, and he seemed alright, if not a bit uptight.
I think his name was Shin? Or something like that? Oh well, I won't pick him, though he seems to be my father's favorite choice. I don't think I could stand him being around for a continued amount of time. He looks like he would restrict my activities heavily.Ahhh! I can't get any information about them just from knowing their families. Nothing other than a rough estimate of how they were raised or how far back their lineage or history goes.
Aisalynn turned her head to the left and spoke to the person standing in the corner of the room holding a bunch of papers.
"Sid, can you lay out the papers for the female prospects?"
The tall young man had been standing in the corner ever since Aisalynn entered the room, making almost no sound. Aisalynn didn't even see him when she walked in, but she knew that there had to be a reason why some of the prospects, who were standing neatly, were nervously glancing towards the corner. As if his origins weren't obvious enough, the corner he was standing near was quite dark in comparison to the rest of the chamber, and this darkness in the corner made his bright green eyes stand out quite a bit.
Sid nodded quietly and walked towards the center of the room, where a small table and a chair was located. Sid glanced through the papers and neatly laid out seven of them in two rows; four on bottom, three on top. He then once again returned to his original position in the corner of the room. His movements were so quiet and measured that Aisalynn knew instantly he was trying to do his best not to draw attention towards himself. He was the son of a minor noble, but an adopted one, and an Osean. This was enough for some of the less accepting nobles to try their hardest to make it known that they did not welcome Sid. They also spread these thoughts to their children, and apparently some of them had made it through the Guardian Trials, judging by some of looks they were giving him, even when he hadn't spoken a word.
8 Months before Sid's betrayal.
[Aisalynn]
It was an exciting day for Aisalynn. The day she got to choose who, out of a group of noble's children, would become her personal Guardian. The Guardian was, essentially, a single person guard detail. It might have been strange for someone such as the heir to one of the great kingdoms of the world to be guarded by a single person, where as other nations would surround them with many organized guards and create as many lines of security as possible, but this was simply one of the few things that made the Alsef Kingdom different. The Alsef Kingdom held independence and freedom in high value, while the King still exercised complete control he held freedom in high regard and as such very rarely did he intervene in matters. Only when it was of dire importance did he take command and straighten things out. Though it seemed like an unreliable way to do things, the people were happy and had absolute faith in the King. Even though he seemed very irresponsible, he was, in fact, incredibly capable. Aisalynn, being his daughter, also showed the makings of someone who would grow into a fair ruler of the Alsef Kingdom.[/color]
Guardians, being one person in charge of protecting the heir of an entire kingdom must go through a number of trials in order to earn the right to become a prospect. The trials were often quite dangerous and not for the weak of heart, and as such, there were usually less than ten Guardian prospects for the person to be protected to choose from. Aisalynn had a choice of ten. She was quite excited to see if there was someone truly spectacular among her choices.
As she entered the chamber she gave a quick glance over each of her prospective Guardians; seven females and three males. ff the Seven female prospects, she didn't recognize any, though the emblems on their clothes gave away their families. She recognized one of the male prospects as the son of some high-born noble who had always contributed a son to the Guardian trials. Not surprised at all, she gave him a nod of acknowledgement. She had met him before, and he seemed alright, if not a bit uptight.
I think his name was Shin? Or something like that? Oh well, I won't pick him, though he seems to be my father's favorite choice. I don't think I could stand him being around for a continued amount of time. He looks like he would restrict my activities heavily.Ahhh! I can't get any information about them just from knowing their families. Nothing other than a rough estimate of how they were raised or how far back their lineage or history goes.
Aisalynn turned her head to the left and spoke to the person standing in the corner of the room holding a bunch of papers.
"Sid, can you lay out the papers for the female prospects?"
The tall young man had been standing in the corner ever since Aisalynn entered the room, making almost no sound. Aisalynn didn't even see him when she walked in, but she knew that there had to be a reason why some of the prospects, who were standing neatly, were nervously glancing towards the corner. As if his origins weren't obvious enough, the corner he was standing near was quite dark in comparison to the rest of the chamber, and this darkness in the corner made his bright green eyes stand out quite a bit.
Sid nodded quietly and walked towards the center of the room, where a small table and a chair was located. Sid glanced through the papers and neatly laid out seven of them in two rows; four on bottom, three on top. He then once again returned to his original position in the corner of the room. His movements were so quiet and measured that Aisalynn knew instantly he was trying to do his best not to draw attention towards himself. He was the son of a minor noble, but an adopted one, and an Osean. This was enough for some of the less accepting nobles to try their hardest to make it known that they did not welcome Sid. They also spread these thoughts to their children, and apparently some of them had made it through the Guardian Trials, judging by some of looks they were giving him, even when he hadn't spoken a word.
Chapter 6, Part 2
The Guardians
Spoiler
[Aisalynn]
Aisalynn stood in front of the table quietly, and the male prospects seemed slightly anxious about her request of Sid. Before she even took a glance at the papers laid out before her, she scanned each of the male prospects head to toe. Her carefree demeanor had let the prospects relax with the exception of the few who were very aware of Sid's presence. However, when her gaze fell upon the male prospects, they shivered almost simultaneously. It was a stare that felt as though it could pierce the very soul. After a short minute that felt like an eternity, it had become clear by her facial expression that none of them had made the cut. Aisalynn made a simple motion with her arm that was obviously a dismissal. The prospects, seemingly accepting her choice left quietly, except one. A prospect of average height stood there defiantly. His brown eyes blazed with outrage at this command, and he slowly shook his head. His long blonde hair that stopped above his shoulders swung with an odd effect that seemed to further emphasize his anger.
He took a step forward and glared at Sid with so much hatred that Aisalynn was surprised. This guy was beyond hatred. Had he the ability he would, without a second thought, cleanse the entire world of Oseans. If only he had the power.
"I have one question. Why? Why dismiss only the male prospects??" He calmly asked, his words not matching the expression on his face.
Aisalynn was furious at this prospect.
How dare he disobey the Princess of his own Kingdom!! His ignorant racism and arrogant behavior will not be tolerated!
Her expression was calm, but to everyone except the prospect it was obvious he had crossed a line.
"You have only further proved your unworthiness to be my guardian with this outburst. Now, I should not have to say this, but if you make me repeat it, you will regret it. The Alsef Kingdom's heir, Aisalynn Valder commands you to leave. Now."
The last words rang throughout the chamber, her voice slicing through the air with a force one would not expect words to have.
Mr. Blonde-Headed prospect snarled at Sid viciously. He had just completely ignored Aisalynn. Somehow, she managed to keep her composure and she stared coldly at the prospect. In response to his actions the seven remaining prospects, all females, turned towards the male prospect and a golden-haired female named Anna opened her mouth to say something. Probably something condemning towards the defiant prospect. She never even got a sound out. Every person in the room froze. A crushing pressure surprised every one of the prospects, it was a feeling they knew well, but it was also different somehow. It was something similar to the killing intent felt from beasts, but this could best be described as the presence of Death itself. The eight prospects quietly shook uncontrollably as they tried to find out where this feeling was coming from. Aisalynn wasn't surprised in the least, and only turned her head just enough to see Sid standing in the corner. He hadn't even budged an inch, but she knew it was Sid causing this. He had this weird presence to him. You wouldn't even notice it if you didn't observe him closely. She didn't know how, but he could, if he really wanted, make a room know he was there, and that he was not to be ignored.
Then, the pressure passed was gone as quickly and suddenly as it had come. The chamber was now so silent that it felt as though the silence had weight. Seven pairs of female eyes had locked onto the Osean standing by the door with a mixture of all kinds of emotions. The amounts varied from person to person, but the most prevalent ones were surprise, curiosity, and something else Aisalynn couldn't quite read. The male prospect, while not having moved a step at all, was obviously reeling mentally. It wasn't just the pressure that Sid had let off to pacify him, but Sid had also looked each and every prospect in the eye with the exception of the male. Mr. Male Prospect obviously got the message, which was something along the lines of "You aren't even worthy of being recognized by the Oseans that you hate so much. Your value is below that of an insect."
Aisalynn smiled, and the last male prospect said nothing as he left the room. He knew that further complaints would be met with harsh punishment.
Aisalynn moved on as if the defiant prospect had never been there in the first place. She looked over every single one of the female prospect's papers, talked to them to get a feel for their personalities, and asked whether there was anything in particular that they wanted. As this process went on, she eliminated the prospects she believed didn't have enough drive or their personalities would clash. Their were certain requirements she needed filled before she was comfortable enough to accept one of them as her Guardian.
[Sid]
At last, only two left. Not surprisingly, that one with the golden hair is still here. She seemed like a really good pick with how quickly she responded to the... obstacle. The golden haired prospect is obviously from a noble family, but as for the other one. She is no noble, I know that much. If I had to take a guess, from her clothing or how her attitude seems, she is the apprentice of a mage. If she made it this far then she is without a doubt skilled.
Sid looked on from the corner as Aisalynn indecisively looked between the two prospects. The golden haired noble, who he believed was named Anna, and the black-haired one he believed to be the mage. Aisalynn was pacing back and forth, unable to come to a decision. She came to a sudden halt and turned towards the prospects, the movement so sudden that Sid nearly jumped in surprise.
"How about the three of us go out and relax a bit? I need time to think, and I want to get to know you two better." Aisalynn asked.
The entire chamber fell into complete silence as the prospects were unsure of what to do or say. The mage was the first to say something. "Princess Vald-" but she was cut off.
"Ah! That's quite wrong, Bree. You will call me Aisalynn, and I will call you by your first names. Okay? If you can't do that, then I guess my prospect has been chosen."
Aisalynn's teasing caused Sid to internally cringe, then, she said something that caused him to physically frown.
"Sid! You're coming too. I know you aren't a Guardian prospect, nor would I pick you if you were, but I do consider you a close friend who can't be replaced. This has led me to the decision that you need to relax more. Consider this a break from work, and you even get to spend it with three attractive girls. You should be thanking me."
She said those exact words, with the same smile she had on all the time. Sid looked at her disapprovingly, but he knew that he couldn't deny that he wouldn't mind some relaxation. The two prospects left looked at Sid with genuine curiosity. They seemed to be shocked that he was close friends with the Princess. He shrugged and joined them as they exited the chamber.
[Aisalynn]
Aisalynn stood in front of the table quietly, and the male prospects seemed slightly anxious about her request of Sid. Before she even took a glance at the papers laid out before her, she scanned each of the male prospects head to toe. Her carefree demeanor had let the prospects relax with the exception of the few who were very aware of Sid's presence. However, when her gaze fell upon the male prospects, they shivered almost simultaneously. It was a stare that felt as though it could pierce the very soul. After a short minute that felt like an eternity, it had become clear by her facial expression that none of them had made the cut. Aisalynn made a simple motion with her arm that was obviously a dismissal. The prospects, seemingly accepting her choice left quietly, except one. A prospect of average height stood there defiantly. His brown eyes blazed with outrage at this command, and he slowly shook his head. His long blonde hair that stopped above his shoulders swung with an odd effect that seemed to further emphasize his anger.
He took a step forward and glared at Sid with so much hatred that Aisalynn was surprised. This guy was beyond hatred. Had he the ability he would, without a second thought, cleanse the entire world of Oseans. If only he had the power.
"I have one question. Why? Why dismiss only the male prospects??" He calmly asked, his words not matching the expression on his face.
Aisalynn was furious at this prospect.
How dare he disobey the Princess of his own Kingdom!! His ignorant racism and arrogant behavior will not be tolerated!
Her expression was calm, but to everyone except the prospect it was obvious he had crossed a line.
"You have only further proved your unworthiness to be my guardian with this outburst. Now, I should not have to say this, but if you make me repeat it, you will regret it. The Alsef Kingdom's heir, Aisalynn Valder commands you to leave. Now."
The last words rang throughout the chamber, her voice slicing through the air with a force one would not expect words to have.
Mr. Blonde-Headed prospect snarled at Sid viciously. He had just completely ignored Aisalynn. Somehow, she managed to keep her composure and she stared coldly at the prospect. In response to his actions the seven remaining prospects, all females, turned towards the male prospect and a golden-haired female named Anna opened her mouth to say something. Probably something condemning towards the defiant prospect. She never even got a sound out. Every person in the room froze. A crushing pressure surprised every one of the prospects, it was a feeling they knew well, but it was also different somehow. It was something similar to the killing intent felt from beasts, but this could best be described as the presence of Death itself. The eight prospects quietly shook uncontrollably as they tried to find out where this feeling was coming from. Aisalynn wasn't surprised in the least, and only turned her head just enough to see Sid standing in the corner. He hadn't even budged an inch, but she knew it was Sid causing this. He had this weird presence to him. You wouldn't even notice it if you didn't observe him closely. She didn't know how, but he could, if he really wanted, make a room know he was there, and that he was not to be ignored.
Then, the pressure passed was gone as quickly and suddenly as it had come. The chamber was now so silent that it felt as though the silence had weight. Seven pairs of female eyes had locked onto the Osean standing by the door with a mixture of all kinds of emotions. The amounts varied from person to person, but the most prevalent ones were surprise, curiosity, and something else Aisalynn couldn't quite read. The male prospect, while not having moved a step at all, was obviously reeling mentally. It wasn't just the pressure that Sid had let off to pacify him, but Sid had also looked each and every prospect in the eye with the exception of the male. Mr. Male Prospect obviously got the message, which was something along the lines of "You aren't even worthy of being recognized by the Oseans that you hate so much. Your value is below that of an insect."
Aisalynn smiled, and the last male prospect said nothing as he left the room. He knew that further complaints would be met with harsh punishment.
Aisalynn moved on as if the defiant prospect had never been there in the first place. She looked over every single one of the female prospect's papers, talked to them to get a feel for their personalities, and asked whether there was anything in particular that they wanted. As this process went on, she eliminated the prospects she believed didn't have enough drive or their personalities would clash. Their were certain requirements she needed filled before she was comfortable enough to accept one of them as her Guardian.
[Sid]
At last, only two left. Not surprisingly, that one with the golden hair is still here. She seemed like a really good pick with how quickly she responded to the... obstacle. The golden haired prospect is obviously from a noble family, but as for the other one. She is no noble, I know that much. If I had to take a guess, from her clothing or how her attitude seems, she is the apprentice of a mage. If she made it this far then she is without a doubt skilled.
Sid looked on from the corner as Aisalynn indecisively looked between the two prospects. The golden haired noble, who he believed was named Anna, and the black-haired one he believed to be the mage. Aisalynn was pacing back and forth, unable to come to a decision. She came to a sudden halt and turned towards the prospects, the movement so sudden that Sid nearly jumped in surprise.
"How about the three of us go out and relax a bit? I need time to think, and I want to get to know you two better." Aisalynn asked.
The entire chamber fell into complete silence as the prospects were unsure of what to do or say. The mage was the first to say something. "Princess Vald-" but she was cut off.
"Ah! That's quite wrong, Bree. You will call me Aisalynn, and I will call you by your first names. Okay? If you can't do that, then I guess my prospect has been chosen."
Aisalynn's teasing caused Sid to internally cringe, then, she said something that caused him to physically frown.
"Sid! You're coming too. I know you aren't a Guardian prospect, nor would I pick you if you were, but I do consider you a close friend who can't be replaced. This has led me to the decision that you need to relax more. Consider this a break from work, and you even get to spend it with three attractive girls. You should be thanking me."
She said those exact words, with the same smile she had on all the time. Sid looked at her disapprovingly, but he knew that he couldn't deny that he wouldn't mind some relaxation. The two prospects left looked at Sid with genuine curiosity. They seemed to be shocked that he was close friends with the Princess. He shrugged and joined them as they exited the chamber.
Chapter 6, Part 3:
The Magic
Spoiler
Two hours after Sid, Anna, Bree, and Aisalynn left the chamber and headed into the town...
[Aisalynn]
As she sighed from a mixture of exhaustion and happiness, Aisalynn glanced at the motley band she had led through the capitol. The golden haired guardian prospect Anna, the fire mage guardian prospect Bree, and her friend Sid sat with her underneath a tree located in a corner of the Alsef Kingdom's capitol; the bustling city known as Juder. Bree was sitting cross legged talking to Anna, who was gazing peacefully at the people as they headed home for the night. The sun had set, and the sky was dyed a deep blue the further one looked away from the sun, but it transitioned into a smooth purple near the horizon where the sun had just disappeared behind. Sid was laid out a little away from the group of three girls staring at the sky. The distance bothered Aisalynn a little, but she knew that there was nothing she could say about it. If she brought it up he would either make up an excuse to leave or dodge the question.
No matter how hard she tried, and she really did try, she could not break down the impenetrable walls he put between himself and others. Aisalynn did recognize, though, that she was the closest person to him outside of his family. She had seen others try to socialize with him and the speed at which he can shut someone out was impressive. Aisalynn attempted to stifle a yawn before it exited her lips. She failed miserably and the resulting sound was so strange that her three companions dropped everything they were doing to stare right at her. The two girls, having become much more comfortable being in the presence of a princess started laughing uncontrollably. Then she heard something strange. She turned her head towards the noise to find something she had never heard before. Sid was laughing. At something so stupid. And it was a genuine laugh. He was holding his sides shaking his head as if he couldn't believe that such a sound could have come out of her mouth.
Aisalynn practically launched herself into a standing position with such force that it made Bree cry out in surprise.
"Okay, I think it's time to head back. I don't have my decision yet, so you two can just stay in the castle with me for the time being. If you are alright with that?" Aisalynn said, directing the two prospective guardians.
Being taken completely off guard, all the two could do was excitedly nod their heads.
"Well then, I'll be off for today. I need to head home. See you tomorrow, Aisalynn. You too, Bree, Anna."
Sid said as he placed one hand on the tree and used it to pull himself to a standing position.
Bree and Anna seemed to catch that he didn't live inside the capitol from their earlier conversations while strolling through the town. Aisalynn had been worried that they wouldn't take too well to travelling with an Osean, but they both liked talking to him, and he even enjoyed their presence. Aisalynn and the prospects waved to Sid as he walked off into the dark of the city. After some time had passed since he faded into the city, Aisalynn made a sudden declaration.
"Lets follow Sid. I'm worried."
A silence followed, but the Princess didn't know how to explain. There was something about how he said his farewell that bothered her. It had a certain edge to it. Something he had let slip after relaxing for the first time in a good long while.
"If you wish, Lady Aisalynn." Came the united response of the two prospects.
The prospects did a good job of reading the Princess' change from joking and being friendly to the calm demeanor she had had when she dealt with the defiant male prospect back in the chamber. Aisalynn had a hunch as to where Sid was going, and after a few minutes, she found out she was quite right. Aisalynn and the two prospects hid in an alley, watching the courtyard, where Sid stood silently. He was not alone. A large group of some rather... shady... individuals had surrounded Sid in a sort of half-circle. He calmly drew his sword, and in an unexpected movement stuck it into the ground at his feet. He removed his scabbard from his belt and held it like a sword. Smiling to herself, the Princess realized that Sid was aiming to incapacitate these thugs, not kill.
These guys stand no chance against Sid. I've never seen him fight before, but I have heard that his style is a strange one. This will be interesting to watch. If I have to guess, I would say these guys are the criminals that have been going around and attacking and sometimes killing Oseans. These racists are about to get just what they deserve, Aisalynn thought as she smiled internally.
The thugs adopted a strategy of going after Sid in groups of between 3-6 people. Their leader was no fool. He was aware that sending everyone at once would only lead to a big mess. The groups were very coordinated and well armed for a group of criminals, but it was obvious from the first blow that they stood no chance. The first group moved in and the biggest one of the five charged in and swung his solid wooden club diagonally at Sid. The club was nothing but a nuisance to Sid, and the way he knocked it aside with his scabbard made the heavy weapon seem like a feather. Scabbard in right hand, Sid reversed his grip and blocked an incoming attack on his right while leaning forward to dodge a stab aimed at his throat. The thugs were dumbfounded that in that short frame of time three of them had missed what was a certain hit. Sid smiled. It wasn't normal. That was a smile of someone who is merely toying with their targets. And toying he was. The largest of the criminals was disposed of smoothly when Sid shattered his left leg with a kick, and followed it up by rotating in a wide circle and bringing the scabbard down on the large oaf's right shoulder followed by a sickening crack. He didn't even have time to scream in pain before another kick caught him cleanly on the side of the head and knocked him out.
Sid was a blur, effectively neutralizing any attacks made against him while incapacitating enemies smoothly with his combination of kicks and scabbard strikes. It was clear that even while his effectiveness had lessened due to holding back, these guys were less than trash to Sid. Admittedly, these criminals could probably give a group of the city guards some trouble. Though the favor would lay with the guards, due to their training and better equipment, these killers had experience on their side.
After a total of five groups, roughly half of the criminals that had shown up were incapacitated. When another group was about to move, the leader stopped them. Aisalynn couldn't read lips particularly well, but she got the gist of it. The leader, while more intelligent then his underlings, was also a bit of a berserker type. After watching all the fights and realizing the people under his command didn't stand a hint of a chance, he got a bit excited. Something about being an ex-mercenary, but Aisalynn wasn't sure. The prospects next to her stiffened, as if waiting for Aisalynn's command to go help Sid. But watching Sid fight was so interesting that she decided that she shouldn't interfere.
The criminal's leader lasted quite a bit longer then his henchmen, but Sid was also playing around with him. It was cruel, but Aisalynn was okay with it, so long as he didn't purposefully kill.
After having fought against him, I doubt they will do something like attack Oseans again.
Sid finished the leader off rather anti-climactically by raising his leg high in the air and swinging it downwards, dropping his heel on the leader's left arm. If Aisalynn had to take a guess, the leader passed out from pain. Their leader having fallen so easily, the remaining members of the criminal group gathered their injured and escaped rather quickly. Sid reattached his scabbard to his belt, sheathed his sword, and reached his arms up for a stretch. Then something red flashed out of a nearby building and hit him in the back, hard. Really hard.
The force caused Sid to stagger forward and he only barely avoided falling face first by driving a knee into the ground. Before he could even turn to see what was happening, a series of the same red bolts lashed out and slammed into the Osean's back. It didn't take a genius to tell that Sid was in some serious trouble. A figure in bright white robes slowly walked out of the building, one of the red things hovering in his hand. It was a fireball, and with that kind of speed and force, this guy was no joke. He was out to kill.
Aisalynn and the prospects charged into the courtyard, Anna and Bree taking up a position between Sid and the white-robed mage, while the Princess moved to Sid and checked his wounds immediately. Upon seeing the damage, Aisalynn couldn't stop herself from shaking. His back was bleeding, and parts of it were without a doubt gone from the burns. It was possible to live through just this much, but if they were any slower in stopping the mage, a few more fireballs would have been all it took. There was nothing they could do to treat him now, so Aisalynn just grabbed his hand and squeezed. His response was not what she expected. He looked up, and when his green eyes caught sight of who it was, rage burned into his eyes.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE!?" He roared.
"Why didn't you ask us for help? Why didn't you tell us what you were going to do?" Aisalynn responded calmly.
Sid shook his head, unwilling to respond to her questions. He clenched his teeth so hard that Aisalynn could have swore she heard them cracking, and forced himself to stand up, despite Aisalynns' attempts to keep him still. While they were talking, Bree had stepped up and was trading blows with the mage. It was, unfortunately, not going in Bree's favor, because she was forced to stay in one place to defend Aisalynn. Anna was injured, apparently having blocked a stray fireball from catching a house on fire. The situation did not look good. The white mage suddenly stopped attacking and looked behind Bree. A wicked grin spread across his face as he noticed Sid moving forward. Sid tapped Bree's shoulder, essentially telling her to move. She stepped aside after looking into his eyes. No one expected what his next words would be.
"The roaring gray sea that erases, HEED MY CALL AND REMOVE THIS OBSTACLE FROM EXISTENCE!!"
Sid's voice echoed around the courtyard, filled with a mysterious force. The mage's expression went from one of excitement and bloodthirst to sheer terror. He couldn't even scream for help. Some grayish mass swallowed him up and vanished, just as it had appeared. The mage was gone. That's all that could be said. He was gone. Aisalynn knew immediately what had happened. It was just as Sid had commanded. The mage had been removed from existence. After a short moment of standing still and staring at where the mage once was, Sid crumbled, and it took both Aisalynn and Bree to keep gravity from slamming his head into the ground. The Princess looked into her friend and prospect's eyes, and saw the same thing that Aisalynn didn't want to admit she felt. Fear. They didn't even need to look at Anna to know that she felt the same.
Before they entered the castle, Aisalynn stopped, and looked both Bree and Anna in the eye.
"I want you two to promise to me that you will not speak of this event to anyone other then the four of us right now. Please. Promise me that."
Bree and Anna exchanged nervous glances, but then turned and looked at Aisalynn and replied,
"Of course, Princess Aisalynn. We swear that we will not speak a word of this to anyone other then you or Sid."
[Sid]
Sid woke up 2 days later, but something was horribly wrong. He sat up and rubbed his head, groaning. Then he heard a clatter from the corner of the room and opened his eyes to see where he was and what was going on.
Sid's head felt like someone had drilled into his head and was slowly dripping acid onto his brain, in steadily increasing amounts.
"Sid? You're awake? Thank god! Are you okay?"
The familiar voice of Aisalynn shook his mind out of its daze, and fighting the pounding headache, he managed to get out a few words.
"Aisalynn! Is that you? What is going on?" He rattled off the questions as fast as he could.
Aisalynn quickly caught on that something was horribly wrong. "Sid, It's me, Aisalynn, you... you passed out after being attacked by that mage. Don't worry, Bree and Anna dealt with him. Right now you are in my room. We brought you here to rest after the fight"
"Really? I'm glad you aren't hurt and that no one died." Sid said, looking in the direction her voice was coming from.
"Uhhh... Sid... I'm over here..."Came the hesitant reply. Aisalynn's voice said it all.
Something was indeed wrong. Terribly wrong.
Two hours after Sid, Anna, Bree, and Aisalynn left the chamber and headed into the town...
[Aisalynn]
As she sighed from a mixture of exhaustion and happiness, Aisalynn glanced at the motley band she had led through the capitol. The golden haired guardian prospect Anna, the fire mage guardian prospect Bree, and her friend Sid sat with her underneath a tree located in a corner of the Alsef Kingdom's capitol; the bustling city known as Juder. Bree was sitting cross legged talking to Anna, who was gazing peacefully at the people as they headed home for the night. The sun had set, and the sky was dyed a deep blue the further one looked away from the sun, but it transitioned into a smooth purple near the horizon where the sun had just disappeared behind. Sid was laid out a little away from the group of three girls staring at the sky. The distance bothered Aisalynn a little, but she knew that there was nothing she could say about it. If she brought it up he would either make up an excuse to leave or dodge the question.
No matter how hard she tried, and she really did try, she could not break down the impenetrable walls he put between himself and others. Aisalynn did recognize, though, that she was the closest person to him outside of his family. She had seen others try to socialize with him and the speed at which he can shut someone out was impressive. Aisalynn attempted to stifle a yawn before it exited her lips. She failed miserably and the resulting sound was so strange that her three companions dropped everything they were doing to stare right at her. The two girls, having become much more comfortable being in the presence of a princess started laughing uncontrollably. Then she heard something strange. She turned her head towards the noise to find something she had never heard before. Sid was laughing. At something so stupid. And it was a genuine laugh. He was holding his sides shaking his head as if he couldn't believe that such a sound could have come out of her mouth.
Aisalynn practically launched herself into a standing position with such force that it made Bree cry out in surprise.
"Okay, I think it's time to head back. I don't have my decision yet, so you two can just stay in the castle with me for the time being. If you are alright with that?" Aisalynn said, directing the two prospective guardians.
Being taken completely off guard, all the two could do was excitedly nod their heads.
"Well then, I'll be off for today. I need to head home. See you tomorrow, Aisalynn. You too, Bree, Anna."
Sid said as he placed one hand on the tree and used it to pull himself to a standing position.
Bree and Anna seemed to catch that he didn't live inside the capitol from their earlier conversations while strolling through the town. Aisalynn had been worried that they wouldn't take too well to travelling with an Osean, but they both liked talking to him, and he even enjoyed their presence. Aisalynn and the prospects waved to Sid as he walked off into the dark of the city. After some time had passed since he faded into the city, Aisalynn made a sudden declaration.
"Lets follow Sid. I'm worried."
A silence followed, but the Princess didn't know how to explain. There was something about how he said his farewell that bothered her. It had a certain edge to it. Something he had let slip after relaxing for the first time in a good long while.
"If you wish, Lady Aisalynn." Came the united response of the two prospects.
The prospects did a good job of reading the Princess' change from joking and being friendly to the calm demeanor she had had when she dealt with the defiant male prospect back in the chamber. Aisalynn had a hunch as to where Sid was going, and after a few minutes, she found out she was quite right. Aisalynn and the two prospects hid in an alley, watching the courtyard, where Sid stood silently. He was not alone. A large group of some rather... shady... individuals had surrounded Sid in a sort of half-circle. He calmly drew his sword, and in an unexpected movement stuck it into the ground at his feet. He removed his scabbard from his belt and held it like a sword. Smiling to herself, the Princess realized that Sid was aiming to incapacitate these thugs, not kill.
These guys stand no chance against Sid. I've never seen him fight before, but I have heard that his style is a strange one. This will be interesting to watch. If I have to guess, I would say these guys are the criminals that have been going around and attacking and sometimes killing Oseans. These racists are about to get just what they deserve, Aisalynn thought as she smiled internally.
The thugs adopted a strategy of going after Sid in groups of between 3-6 people. Their leader was no fool. He was aware that sending everyone at once would only lead to a big mess. The groups were very coordinated and well armed for a group of criminals, but it was obvious from the first blow that they stood no chance. The first group moved in and the biggest one of the five charged in and swung his solid wooden club diagonally at Sid. The club was nothing but a nuisance to Sid, and the way he knocked it aside with his scabbard made the heavy weapon seem like a feather. Scabbard in right hand, Sid reversed his grip and blocked an incoming attack on his right while leaning forward to dodge a stab aimed at his throat. The thugs were dumbfounded that in that short frame of time three of them had missed what was a certain hit. Sid smiled. It wasn't normal. That was a smile of someone who is merely toying with their targets. And toying he was. The largest of the criminals was disposed of smoothly when Sid shattered his left leg with a kick, and followed it up by rotating in a wide circle and bringing the scabbard down on the large oaf's right shoulder followed by a sickening crack. He didn't even have time to scream in pain before another kick caught him cleanly on the side of the head and knocked him out.
Sid was a blur, effectively neutralizing any attacks made against him while incapacitating enemies smoothly with his combination of kicks and scabbard strikes. It was clear that even while his effectiveness had lessened due to holding back, these guys were less than trash to Sid. Admittedly, these criminals could probably give a group of the city guards some trouble. Though the favor would lay with the guards, due to their training and better equipment, these killers had experience on their side.
After a total of five groups, roughly half of the criminals that had shown up were incapacitated. When another group was about to move, the leader stopped them. Aisalynn couldn't read lips particularly well, but she got the gist of it. The leader, while more intelligent then his underlings, was also a bit of a berserker type. After watching all the fights and realizing the people under his command didn't stand a hint of a chance, he got a bit excited. Something about being an ex-mercenary, but Aisalynn wasn't sure. The prospects next to her stiffened, as if waiting for Aisalynn's command to go help Sid. But watching Sid fight was so interesting that she decided that she shouldn't interfere.
The criminal's leader lasted quite a bit longer then his henchmen, but Sid was also playing around with him. It was cruel, but Aisalynn was okay with it, so long as he didn't purposefully kill.
After having fought against him, I doubt they will do something like attack Oseans again.
Sid finished the leader off rather anti-climactically by raising his leg high in the air and swinging it downwards, dropping his heel on the leader's left arm. If Aisalynn had to take a guess, the leader passed out from pain. Their leader having fallen so easily, the remaining members of the criminal group gathered their injured and escaped rather quickly. Sid reattached his scabbard to his belt, sheathed his sword, and reached his arms up for a stretch. Then something red flashed out of a nearby building and hit him in the back, hard. Really hard.
The force caused Sid to stagger forward and he only barely avoided falling face first by driving a knee into the ground. Before he could even turn to see what was happening, a series of the same red bolts lashed out and slammed into the Osean's back. It didn't take a genius to tell that Sid was in some serious trouble. A figure in bright white robes slowly walked out of the building, one of the red things hovering in his hand. It was a fireball, and with that kind of speed and force, this guy was no joke. He was out to kill.
Aisalynn and the prospects charged into the courtyard, Anna and Bree taking up a position between Sid and the white-robed mage, while the Princess moved to Sid and checked his wounds immediately. Upon seeing the damage, Aisalynn couldn't stop herself from shaking. His back was bleeding, and parts of it were without a doubt gone from the burns. It was possible to live through just this much, but if they were any slower in stopping the mage, a few more fireballs would have been all it took. There was nothing they could do to treat him now, so Aisalynn just grabbed his hand and squeezed. His response was not what she expected. He looked up, and when his green eyes caught sight of who it was, rage burned into his eyes.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE!?" He roared.
"Why didn't you ask us for help? Why didn't you tell us what you were going to do?" Aisalynn responded calmly.
Sid shook his head, unwilling to respond to her questions. He clenched his teeth so hard that Aisalynn could have swore she heard them cracking, and forced himself to stand up, despite Aisalynns' attempts to keep him still. While they were talking, Bree had stepped up and was trading blows with the mage. It was, unfortunately, not going in Bree's favor, because she was forced to stay in one place to defend Aisalynn. Anna was injured, apparently having blocked a stray fireball from catching a house on fire. The situation did not look good. The white mage suddenly stopped attacking and looked behind Bree. A wicked grin spread across his face as he noticed Sid moving forward. Sid tapped Bree's shoulder, essentially telling her to move. She stepped aside after looking into his eyes. No one expected what his next words would be.
"The roaring gray sea that erases, HEED MY CALL AND REMOVE THIS OBSTACLE FROM EXISTENCE!!"
Sid's voice echoed around the courtyard, filled with a mysterious force. The mage's expression went from one of excitement and bloodthirst to sheer terror. He couldn't even scream for help. Some grayish mass swallowed him up and vanished, just as it had appeared. The mage was gone. That's all that could be said. He was gone. Aisalynn knew immediately what had happened. It was just as Sid had commanded. The mage had been removed from existence. After a short moment of standing still and staring at where the mage once was, Sid crumbled, and it took both Aisalynn and Bree to keep gravity from slamming his head into the ground. The Princess looked into her friend and prospect's eyes, and saw the same thing that Aisalynn didn't want to admit she felt. Fear. They didn't even need to look at Anna to know that she felt the same.
Before they entered the castle, Aisalynn stopped, and looked both Bree and Anna in the eye.
"I want you two to promise to me that you will not speak of this event to anyone other then the four of us right now. Please. Promise me that."
Bree and Anna exchanged nervous glances, but then turned and looked at Aisalynn and replied,
"Of course, Princess Aisalynn. We swear that we will not speak a word of this to anyone other then you or Sid."
[Sid]
Sid woke up 2 days later, but something was horribly wrong. He sat up and rubbed his head, groaning. Then he heard a clatter from the corner of the room and opened his eyes to see where he was and what was going on.
Sid's head felt like someone had drilled into his head and was slowly dripping acid onto his brain, in steadily increasing amounts.
"Sid? You're awake? Thank god! Are you okay?"
The familiar voice of Aisalynn shook his mind out of its daze, and fighting the pounding headache, he managed to get out a few words.
"Aisalynn! Is that you? What is going on?" He rattled off the questions as fast as he could.
Aisalynn quickly caught on that something was horribly wrong. "Sid, It's me, Aisalynn, you... you passed out after being attacked by that mage. Don't worry, Bree and Anna dealt with him. Right now you are in my room. We brought you here to rest after the fight"
"Really? I'm glad you aren't hurt and that no one died." Sid said, looking in the direction her voice was coming from.
"Uhhh... Sid... I'm over here..."Came the hesitant reply. Aisalynn's voice said it all.
Something was indeed wrong. Terribly wrong.
Edited by Orcraniil, 17 September 2012 - 11:03 PM.