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Archive 28 / infernos-embrace
Triggers: Blood, Violence, Gore, Death, Kidnapping, and potential sexual encounters
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/19/2023 4:16 AM
The lick of fire was threatening as Jak’Kal stirred in her sleep, the mind-link between her and her Chosen, E’Dune, rang out in a scream within her head, Jak’Kal, my sister, you must wake up! Valkoria is under attack! She woke with a startle, the flames already pooling around her bedside engulfing the frame and eating its way to her gown ; Quickly, she leapt to the smoldering cobble that blistered her feet, feeling her very skin begin to liquify at the soles. Thundering booms sounded all around her, the earth quaked beneath her feet as she ran through the barren halls slowly being consumed by the angry fire serpents that ate up everything within its wake. The pain was miniscule compared to her losing her life, but not only her life, but E’Dunes as well. She felt the mental strain of her sister fending off the unknown assailants that invaded the Golden City. Using her mind-link, she looked within E’Dunes gaze as she tore down the hall nearing the grand doors that would soon lead her outside.
4:16 AM
It was chaos. Bodies and dead beings she didn’t recognize lay scattered across the lands. Sinew and viscera spewed from twitching bodies that soon took their last breath in a rattle of death, the beings weren’t the same, some were goat-like with serpentine-like tails, gigantic beings. Others were gnarled mis-shapened things that didn’t quite make sense with their proportions. Some had overly large heads, with mouths that stretched unimaginably wide with tongues full of decayed teeth or rotting flesh. Sister, what is this?! Jak’Kal cried within her head, E’Dunes response was short as she heard her struggling with her breathing, it was only a matter of time before something fatal would befall the both. They appeared out of nowhere, My Sister, Pillars of darkness erupted from the ground and these beings started spilling out as columns formed an opening at the front. Please, hurry! Our Mother! E’Dune pleaded. How had she not heard the chaos? Why did no one wake her? Her gown billowed behind her as she stepped to the exit, her hands stung, her palms boiled from the touch as she pulled the handle of the massive door and swung it open as a gust of death smacked her in the face making her reel back a step and her wrist cover her nose. Crimson pools took in the scene of carnage, no massacre. Her people were being decimated before her very eyes and an anger she had never felt before bloomed inside her chest, weaving the first strands of darkness she had ever witnessed within her life to corrupt her very soul.
4:17 AM
She read about Demon’s in Ancient texts long ago, but the Ancient One’s banded together granting their children the means to fight off the Great Scourge, blessing individual groups with individual powers. The Valkorian Race was one directly tied to the Ancient Avalein, our Night Mother or Moon Mother. She loved her children so much that she blessed them all with the Divinity of Nature, each could control a certain element better than most, but all were proficient in being able to will them all to our needs. As well as blessing with the likeness of our Chosen - When you become Soul Bound, your Soul is contracted with the Animal the Valkorian Race finds. The animal must specifically be for that Valkorian, should either fall to their death, the other dies from something as similar as a broken heart, it keeps the balance of all life in check. Jak’Kals very being began to reanimate itself with the power she held as becoming the next High Priestess, the power of life and light. But, where there is that power, there is also the power of death and darkness.
4:17 AM
Long strands of raven cast a mess behind her as she ran through puddles of blood and bits of flesh ravaged both Valkorian and Demon alike. As soon as she laid eyes on her mother, the Queen, she was within the grasp by her hair of a foul thing, sharp talons clutched at her scalp trickling a crimson waterfall from the base of her head as she screamed in agony, her hands slapping at her captor, Jak’Kals mothers wings ripped off and scattered off to the side like discarded trash. A deep, guttural chuckle split the beast's maw as a forked tongue flicked out in taste - It was a devilish being, fitting twin horns atop it’s crown and the face of a bull, Your struggles are in vain, Child.. Be thankful you got to be my… Plaything.. For but a moment before your death. Its chuckle was cut off with a grunt as its free hand came up, finger extended before piercing it through the Queen’s abdomen, severing her torso from her legs. Jak’Kal screamed as her eyes widened, her mother’s intestines fell like a coiling snake around her severed legs, Jak’Kal didn’t wait a moment later as she began sprinting towards the being that she recognized out of the Ancient Text to be a Minotaur, her hands outstretched as a pillar of light shot from her palms sending her mother falling to the ground with a wet squelch burning the beast in it’s left eye with a roar of pain.
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/19/2023 4:24 AM
Jak’Kal paid no mind to the pain shooting up her arms as she quickly moved to her mother’s side, tears falling in wet lines from the soot she had atop her cheeks. Her palm’s to Ra’Naara's face as she cupped her cheeks gently while pulling the Queen atop her lap, “Mama .. I can fix you, I can fix this..” Jak’Kal whimpered as she moved a hand to her mother’s stomach, gathering the loose intestines and the Queen’s lower half while her hand perched inches from the oozing wound, the light in her palms flickered and died down as a brackish liquid crept within Jak’Kals veins moving through her wrists like wriggling worms. “No, no, no!!” She cried out as she moved back to her mother, gently stroking ruby strands of her hair out of her face. “Mi’Fae(little love).. You’ll be okay.. You’re.. A Princess, after all.” Ra’Naara sputtered between gasps of airs and choking of the crimson liquid. “Always remember, Mama loves you..” Her words fell from her lips as her pupils constricted and dilated fully, the last exhale of those words, were her last. Jak’Kals heart wrenched as she screamed, tilting her head to press against her mothers chest, she screamed and wailed until her throat was hoarse, and the chaos silenced around her, she held onto her body for everything dear was taken away.
4:24 AM
What seemed hours have passed, those eyes of fire and crimson slowly rose with her head, the onyx tipped ears sat atop her head laying flat as a vicious growl rippled from her lips, having her sister silent within the mind-link, her teeth bared as lips peeled back revealing the deadly canines that soon began to elongate. Her cheeks separated, mouth agape as the maw of her beast rose from within shedding herself of her mortal form. Bits and pieces of her former self fell as her bones cracked and broke in various directions, a dark beast stepped from the sinew with a bellow of white mist flooding from it’s opened snout. Lunging at the nearest demon, the wolf tore into it’s neck letting the foul liquid of rot coat her tongue as Jak’Kal effortlessly jerked her crown to the side severing it’s head with a wet snap before letting it fall to the ground. The night was a blur, her people were killed or captured by nets and cages, animals and Valkorian along with demons scattered the ground and triumphant sickly horns sounded over head, but Jak’Kal didn’t care, she wanted to find that Minotaur that took her mother from her - She remembered that its left eye was badly damaged, she knew she didn’t kill the beast, but that marking would forever mark its death when she found it.
4:26 AM
Her paws struck the ground with a quake, discarding anything and everything in her path by her teeth and talons. She felt the stabbing pains as claws racked her body and the sharp pains of daggers or swords entering her sides, yet she crept on. Soon, however, there was no more fighting, no more demons, no more people. All there was was her running through the forest. She only ever shifted into E’Dunes form if she were traveling long distances or hunting. She was consumed with hatred, consumed with an anger that clutched her threatening to tear away her soul and humanity. She could feel the black worms wriggling their way to snuff out the light she bore inside her Soul, could feel it slowly eat away at her sanity. She must find her sister. She grew tired, the sickness inside her causing her steps to become uneven, she spent days running through the forest following E’Dunes scent and the faint light her lifeforce gave off in a luminescent red glow, but soon, she found herself unable to continue and succumbed to her injuries, loss of blood and exhaustion and collapsed as her vision went black, returning to her mortal form leaving behind the pelt of a black dire wolf and a naked body covered in open wounds.
4:26 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/20/2023 5:09 PM
The young phoenix had been traveling for weeks by this point, several books and papers tucked underneath his arms or in the bag hanging by his side, all with the language of magic scrawled on them, usually stolen from wizards' tomes or unusual libraries. Hell, he'd even gotten desperate and taken scripture from temples since he'd seen people use magic by chanting from these pages, not that he knew exactly how all that worked. Every evening after traveling from town to town, stealing, buying, or otherwise gathering any piece of magic on paper he could, Shimmer would sit down at a camp and try to decipher anything he could for one purpose: He wanted to figure out how to control the overwhelming amount of fire in his veins. Most phoenixes had an innate sense of how to control their magic, using it to transform into mighty birds of flame or destroy anyone who opposed them with swathes so powerful, there would only be ash remaining. He, however, was not one of those phoenixes. Shimmer was terrible at controlling his power, and if he didn't have the multitude of limiting pieces, including bands, rings, and amulets on him at all times, he was essentially a walking incinerator that destroyed anything and everything unlucky enough to be in his vicinity. So, he wanted to learn everything he could about magic in order to either get rid of his powers or control them better, whichever was easier and simpler to do. It didn't help that he couldn't read the vast majority of any of the clearly arcane words, like the pages taken from spellbooks or the libraries. The scripture was written in a language he could understand, of course, but it was all religious nonsense and Shimmer had absolutely no idea how it brought power to anyone. Priests made no sense to him.
5:09 PM
There were words that he was starting to learn, including those for 'strength', 'flame/fire', and 'power', since some of them were on the bands clinging so tight to his arms and draining much of his natural heat from him, but there wasn’t enough to structure any kind of concrete spell. But he was making progress! It was better than nothing, that much was for sure, even if it was slow. Maybe someday soon he’d be able to create a mote of light like wizards so often did when it got dark out. Right now though.. Shimmer was walking through the woods when the potent scent of blood and ash reached his nose, causing it to wrinkle as he stepped back. The scent of smoke tended to cling to a person, and he knew it all too well. It.. honestly brought back several bad memories, but maybe someone needed help! Yeah, that had to be it. Looking up at the sky, it didn’t seem like there was any kind of massive fire (thankfully, as if he didn’t have these bands, the trees would all be ash by now), so maybe it was someone by themselves? It didn’t take long for him to stumble across a woman’s body, clearly in bad shape with nothing but an unusually large wolf’s pelt nearby. “Dear god..” Shimmer mumbled, covering his eyes for a moment to preserve her decency. Realizing that, if she was going to survive those wounds, he’d need to act fast, the phoenix shook himself out of his awkward hesitation and kneeled down beside the strange, injured woman and set to work, doing his best to treat her wounds to his admittedly lackluster ability. He wasn’t a doctor, nor did he have any real supplies on him, but he did his best to tend to her wounds and even set aside his only other change of clothes for her, simply.. Covering her with that pelt for now until she woke up, since he was sure the unconscious woman didn’t want some stranger dressing her or even touching her very much.. Not that he had a choice. Keep your mind out of the gutter, Shimmer, dammit..
5:09 PM
Shaking his head, the phoenix set up his camp a few paces away from the woman so he could keep an eye on her and tend to her wounds more if needed. The smell of a fairly bland soup filled the air after about twenty minutes of him being in the camp, and then while that was cooking, Shimmer went back to trying to decipher any more words of the language of magic, hoping to reach some kind of breakthrough soon. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/21/2023 1:55 PM
It was an eerie feeling, the feeling of loss and despair clung heavily within her dreams. The Faceless Ones crawled freely from an open rift, claws and teeth gnashing at the Valkorian Guard, spears and swords clashed with fangs intending to fend off the fiends. Screams and roars mixed in one devilish howl as metal ground together in a symphony of death. Jak’Kal ran and ran until she couldn’t anymore, but even with the effort of her foot falls, she was back where she started ; Her mother pleading, begging for her help reaching out as Ra’Naara clawed at the ground dragging both her body and intestines behind her like a writhing earth worm. “I can’t..” Jak’Kal pleaded, tears flooding her vision as her mother began screeching obscenities, "You good for nothing little bitch! I wish you’d have died instead of your father. They took him you know. Slowly cut him up, piece by trashy piece. Just like they’re going to do to you, you little whore!" It was no longer her mother's face, but the giant Minotaur that severed Ra'Naara in half. Steam bellowed from the beasts nostrils as it rose from the ground, higher and higher it stood as it towered over her making her feel dwarf in comparison.
1:56 PM
She couldn't move, could only meet the beasts narrowing gaze with blurred vision and crystals falling from amber pools. "You'll join her soon enough, little dog.." Raising its claws, it's hand struck down at her, but before impact was made, she opened her eyes. Jolting upright, a groan split her lips as she clutched at her head. It felt as if her brain was going to explode and her skill would split. Clutching her eyes tight, she took small, uneven breaths in attempts to get her thundering heart undercontrol. Between her forced shift into E'Dune, the pain her Chosen was under, lacerations and various stabbings she endured, it was a miracle she was alive to begin with. The remains of her wolf form slid off her completely as her eyes brimmed with tears, instead of allowing it to obscure her vision again, she viciously wiped at her lids with the backs of her hands. Ebony threads spilled down her shoulders veiling her exposed breasts and somewhat masking her facade as she began to look at the injuries she sustained.
1:56 PM
Extending her arms, watching the black liquid wriggling within her fingertips reaching her wrists, she attempted summoning her light, but like a candle in a gust of wind, it flickered out just as soon as it came. Her chest heaved a sigh as she continued looking. Most of her injuries were beginning to seal, leaving jagged pink welts, but on the more serious lacerations were dressed with bandages. She had no supplies, even in her stupor, she wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything in her state. The faint scent of a campfire and some kind of concoction brewed eventually reached her dull senses. A startled yelp fled her lips as her hands went to the remains of her other form, the only thing capable of covering herself up with still having been slick with gore coated her pale, already stained porcelain skin and brought it close to her chest. Her tail shifted quickly covering her lap and ears flattened against the top of her head as her eyes landed atop the man busying himself with stirring the kettle held over the fire.
1:57 PM
A blush crept along her cheeks and nose as she was very unsightly given her exposed body, her words were rushed and a bit slurred as she spoke to the mysterious, "Wh-Who are you?" She didn't want to sound too annoyed or upset, obviously this stranger had helped her in her most vulnerable state, yet she still had to be on guard for she didn't know how far from Valkoria she made it. Not only that, but was would his intentions be? Was there still monsters lurking in the shadows awaiting her sleep again when darkness falls? Amidst her thoughts, her blush darkened a deeper shade of pink in embarrassment as her stomach growled rather loudly as her eyes fixated on the contents of the fire. @Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/22/2023 4:13 AM
When the woman jolted out of her sleeping form, Shimmer let out a surprised sound from where he was seated, poring over the scrolls and faded parchment he had acquired. When he saw that she had removed the pelt, he quickly looked away, putting a hand beside his face to block his peripheral vision. "I- Uh- M..My name's Sh..Shimmer. I did my best to fix your wounds up. I didn't stare or anything like that!" He slowly turned, quickly glancing away when he saw that she was still just covering herself. "There's some clothes over where you were laying. I can go like.. over there if you want some.. Privacy." The man motioned over to the edge of the clearing, which would leave plenty of space. Shimmer was a young-looking man with a nervous, unassuming expression. He seemed too reserved to be any kind of threat, though he had several different pieces of jewelry all over his body, including several different engraved bands on his arms and rings. Two large orange wings spread out from his back and brushed up against the ground, causing Shimmer to adjust to prevent them from getting caught on anything. There was a slight unnatural heat to the area around him, not enough to be painful, just slightly uncomfortable if someone was wearing too much. Quickly, Shimmer gathered his papers and held them tight to his chest, very protective of everything he’d gathered. Without these, he had no chance to really figure out how to control his powers, and he had no idea if he could really trust this woman he found. Just because she was injured didn’t mean she was safe. In fact, usually whenever you find someone hurt on the side of the road, that’s because they got themselves hurt by fighting people. She didn’t seem overly aggressive, but there was no way to be sure. The man kneeled down to gather up all of his books and then backed up, still not looking at her since she still had little covering her.
4:13 AM
“..W..What happened to you? You smelled of blood and ash when I found you.. And you would’ve died if I didn’t find you when I did..” Shimmer seemed just as on guard as she was, though he was clearly more of a nervous wreck than she was. “Are you like.. a monster hunter? You had that pelt with you when I found you.. I didn’t know what it was, so I didn’t touch it much, I swear! I just put it over you after I was done treating your wounds..” He heard her stomach growl, and he half-heartedly motioned to the pot over the fire. “..You can have some of my food, if you’d like. I don’t have more than one bowl, but you can use it. I don’t mind..” His voice trailed off at the end, unsure what else to really say. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/22/2023 3:17 PM
Her vision was still tunneling with pain, but that soon subsided the more she blinked away the building tension. She wasn't able to focus before, but as the drowsiness soon ebbed away, she was able to look at the man that stayed by her side through the night of her unconscious state. She had so much to process, never had she seen such beauitful wings, she was often envious of her mother and her capability not only to take flight, but the way her feathers bristled in the wind or when she stretched them out wide. But this man, he had the sun within his wings and every color of an autumn leave that fluttered from the sky. To her view, it didn't look like there were feathers at all, but waves of heat and licking fire that reached out with tiny tendrils as he busied himself with the scrolls and texts bundled in his arms.
3:18 PM
"I'm in your debt, Shimmer.." She stated confidently, her eyes unwavering from his and the slightest smile touched the corner of her lips, they seemed to be polar opposites for he had a difficult time to formulate sentences, or he was flustered by the unsightly view she was sure he encountered last night when she was… Rather indecent and exposed. "Thank you for staying by my side last night, with the smell of blood, I'm sure something would have tried to take me, however. I wouldn't have died. I've had much worse done before, most of these will heal by dusk by themselves." She stated uncertainly as another wince that drove her eyes to look about the writhing blackness slowly creeping up her wrists. His questions, she slowly answered still, she didn't know if she could trust him or not. Standing, she let the pelt of her other form fall to the ground as he motioned to the change of clothes next to her, kneeling she grasped them within her hands and began pulling the loose blouse over her head. The breeze catching her within the crisp caress as the small buds of her breasts hardened.
3:18 PM
She wasn't accustomed to being so brazen, but all dignity left her as she was naked as a babe for any who passed to see. Her ears twitched in annoyance as the shirt hung loosely to her outer thighs, her eyes narrowed atop the trousers, she didn't want to deface Shimmers clothing, but this wasn't clothing typical for her kind. Her tail awkwardly swished behind her, "Monster Hunter, no.. Not before the attack on my home. Now? Yes. I was asleep in my bed chamber, my home on fire. If my soul sister hadn't awoke me, I probably would have been consumed by that fire." She unsteadily walked towards the campfire, now having the lack of appetite, she sat closer to the man, studying his features carefully as she spoke. "Someone stole a key, a key that was locked away and hidden. Only few knew about it, but within my city, we protected the Hell's Gate for generations." She knew he could tell where this tale was coming from, but she pressed on, nonetheless. "Once the 11 chains break free from their locks, the Gate will swing open causing 11 monoliths to appear throughout the country side. Each Monolith is a direct tie to each rift scarring the world. Have you ever heard of the Great Scourge, Shimmer?" She asked, not necessarily awaiting his answer, she looked down at her fingers mindlessly fidgeting with them.
3:18 PM
She wasn't releasing any secret information now that the damage was already done, there was nothing she could do other than close them. But, with her current condition, she didn't understand why her veins were becoming poisoned. "In Ancient Texts, 11 Princes of Hell arise to this world causing plagues, famines, and ultimately slaughters in their wake. But, it's not necessarily the Princes that cause the chaos, its their presence. Their minions, all lesser and greater demons seek out destruction on anything and everything in their sight. My mother was killed before my eyes, cut in half. My father.. I don't know. My Soul Sister is still alive, and I think they want me to find her. My soul is connected to hers and should these demons or whoever has her wish to kill her, I too, will die. That's what I was doing when you found me. Trying to find her." Her smile saddened now as tears once more brimmed her eyes as reality struck her, this weight she bore she shouldn't bother anyone with it, let alone this obviously gentle man she just met. He easily could have left her there for the animals to pick off should she not have awakened. "Should you require anything, I am in your debt, Sir Shimmer, but I must find my sister.." She grimaced, taking a few tufts of hair mindlessly twirling it about her finger, "Also.. I need you to cut a hole in the back of these pants so my tail can fit through comfortably." She dead-panned.
3:19 PM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/22/2023 5:33 PM
He noticed the way she stared at his wings, the awe at them. Shimmer.. very quickly shied away from that attention, his wings folding a bit behind his back. They couldn't fully be hidden due to how large they were, of course, but to him? His wings were a sign of all the damage he could cause if he wasn't careful. Should he not keep his bindings on, anything he did would destroy everything around him. "Oh. Uh. No, I wouldn't worry about it.." He shook his head. "I'm not anyone you need to owe a debt to.. I'm.. not anyone special.." He looked down at his scrolls and tomes, frowning slightly. "I'm just.. trying to do what I can to make sure i'm.." He paused for a moment. "..not a danger to anyone." When she thanked him, he nodded slowly. "..You're welcome. It's all I could really do." Shimmer's eyes slowly went to the ground as she talked about her home being consumed in fire. "..I'm sorry that happened. If.. you want to avoid fire, it's probably best to.. distance yourself from me. I.. can't control my flames without these things." He motioned to the various pieces of jewelry on his body. It was a terrible curse he dealt with.. "I'm.. sorry that happened to you." Shimmer had gathered a bunch of information of things like demons and Hell, but a lot of it was scraps taken from scripture. He had absolutely no idea how much of it was truth or fiction. "I don't have specifics of anything like that, unfortunately.. but it sounds like you know plenty." Frowning, he looked in her direction and quickly looked away when he realized that she still hadn't put the pants on. "..I can try and help you find your sister, and I don't need anything from you in return." Shimmer shook his head a bit again. "I'm.. not anyone who needs much. At all, really.." ..Then she said he needed her to cut up the pants and he was quite shocked by that. "Ah, uh.." Kneeling down at his bag, he withdrew a small knife and set it down near her, doing his best not to look at her.
5:35 PM
"Here.. You can cut it to whatever you need it to be.. I don't need more than the one." @the.begotten
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/23/2023 3:32 AM
She saw the way the man shifted his wings under her gaze, and turned her attention elsewhere, not wanting to make him anymore uncomfortable. But, he did seem to be bothered by the fact he couldn't control himself, he was taking extreme precautions in avoidance of letting his power out due to all the jewelry and clothing he adorned. "It wasn't the fire, Shimmer, the fire only took buildings and belongings, not lives. The demons massacred my people.." She didn't want to give out too much background of who she was, or her royalty, but her eyes widened as she hadn't introduced herself yet and talked with this man like she knew him all her life with the amount of information she was sharing. A deep scarlet blush took her cheeks that bled to her nose as she took the offered knife within her palm, momentarily hesitant by how much more heat Shimmer let off than the campfire itself, "My name is Jak, or.. Jakkie. You can call me by either."
3:33 AM
She busied herself with cutting a fitting hole in the pants, her ears perched high in determination giving subtle flicks here and there as her tongue clenched between pearly teeth and stuck out with concentration, "Ah! Done!" She exclaimed hopping from the ground and forcing each leg through the other inside the pants. Her hand shifted awkwardly behind her as she struggled to poke the tip of her tail through the hole she cut out and wriggled her hips as finally, she was able to tie them about her waist. Moving closer to the male, she wanted a better, clearer look at him. The air visibly shifted around him within the heat, but she didn't close but a few feet between the two, "Perhaps.. In return I could help you control your powers? Us Valkorians had to learn young on how to control ours and it takes years to control just one element." She explained as she snapped her fingers, a small flame igniting like a candle at the tip and her other hand traced the ground as a lily grew and bloom from the soil.
3:33 AM
"Valkoria isn't safe right now and I can't return without E'Dune. I can't risk putting myself in danger until she is at my side." Sighing, she gave a soft smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Your heat or fire won't hurt me, by the way. It's an element I can control, so theoretically, I can dull it down for you if you want me to try? I don't know if it'll work, though. Worth a shot though, right?" Her eyes shot up to look at Shimmer, a small hope filling ember pools.
3:34 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/23/2023 5:09 AM
He didn't look her way as she spoke, his frown remaining on his face. While the fire may not have taken lives, it still destroyed and consumed everything else in its path. That was what he was worried about. Not the loss of life, since people could run away from fire. They could feel the heat and leave. But their lives would be destroyed. "..Nice to meet you.. Jakkie.." He wasn't sure if he wanted to call her 'Jak' or 'Jakkie'. Maybe he'd have to just give it some time to figure it out. Once he heard her exclaim that she was done, and with a few more moments for her to actually put the pants on, he finally turned around fully and watched her move around for a few seconds before she approached him. Shimmer backed away a couple of steps, not wanting her to get too close so she didn't get burned. Even with all these pieces limiting his powers, he was still a phoenix, which carried a natural heat to them that he couldn't ever truly eliminate until he could control his powers. "Oh, uh.. I wouldn't want you to waste your time.. or energy.. trying to control my heat.. That's why i've got these.." He raised the scrolls for a moment before lowering them back down. "I'm trying to learn to control it myself.." That way he didn't hurt people just by existing. No idea if that was going to work, though. He'd made no progress. "It's.. just taking a long time." Slowly, he lowered the scrolls and tomes back into his bag, sitting down at the edge of the fire. "..I'll help you find your sister.. E'Dune, if that's what her name is. I.. dunno if I can help you with anything else.." His wings seemed to droop a little bit. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/23/2023 9:27 AM
She could tell talking about fire was a soft spot for him and she was kind of bothered by the way that frown touched his lips. He cared for her, after all. She was indebted to him regardless of his words, but the willingness of him helping her had her heart wrench in gratitude that offered an otherwise soft smile to play across her flesh. "You don't have to help me.. You've already given me so much. Offered me clothes, food, and watched over me while I was unconscious. If you hadn't come by.. What if someone or something else did?" She didn't pressure the distance, but patted the ground gently as if she would his shoulder. Her ears flattened only slightly against her crown, her mind racing in ways to help him. "The Valkorian castle is littered with demons and a rift opened within the Royal Guardens, as well as the Gate. The archives are hidden deep within the castle and hidden with a secret door only one of Royal blood can open. Perhaps the Ancient Text can help you. There are hundreds of scrolls and scriptures of fire, maybe we can find a way. I want to help you… Shimmer.." His name rolled off her tongue and a blush darkened her cheeks, she watched his body language and the way he cast his eyes to the ground. She was studying his face, he had a softness to his demeanor, timid and rigid. And she wanted nothing more right now than to pull him into her arms with reassurance. Perhaps it was because he looked out for her, or perhaps there was something more she couldn't quite put her finger on.
9:27 AM
"I can sense E'Dunes life essence. The trail is faint, but it grew stronger the more I pressed on. She is still unconscious, so I'm not quite capable of looking through her eyes to examine her surroundings yet, but she is still alive. I wouldn't be here otherwise." Her fingers curled into a fist ripping the earth and causing small fractures with the pressure. How could she smile and be at ease around this man when her entire kingdom was eviscerated in front of her very eyes. Who was he exactly? @Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/23/2023 10:55 AM
"..I don't.. have to, no.. But I want to.." He mumbled quietly, almost to the point where she couldn't hear him. Slowly, he opened one of the scrolls again and stared at the ink on the paper, not really sure what he should say. To be honest, he wasn't sure how effective he would be against any kind of demons.. Shimmer wasn't a fighter in any way. He was far too timid for that, not physically strong, and his magic was being heavily limited. "..I can't.. really promise that much.. At least when it comes to.. fighting." Shimmer shook his head after a few seconds. "I'm not skilled in that kind of stuff.. I've never been much of a fighter.. I can help look for E'Dune, but not really with getting into the castle.. or opening any special doors." He was a nobody, after all. Not royal, not a warrior, not too far from being a failure of a phoenix.. But something about Jakkie made him want to at least try. He had absolutely no idea what it was, maybe he pitied her, maybe he understood what she was going through.. Maybe there was something more. Who could really tell? Digging through his bag, he pulled out the bowl he'd mentioned before and scooped some soup into it, handing it to her. "..Here. You must be starving. Eat some food, and then we can go look for her.." Once again, Shimmer rose to his feet and walked a few paces away, looking over the scroll again. Out of everything he'd been looking for, he'd only really found words for 'fire'. 'Strength'. What he wanted was something for 'control'. Staring at the paper, his eyes drifted over the arcane words, yet just like before, he couldn't comprehend any of it. "..You..wouldn't know anything..about the language of magic, would you..? I'm.. trying to figure out how to read these scrolls.. But I can only understand a handful of words.." It was a bit of a long shot, since he had no idea if she was even interested in magic, but there was no harm in asking, was here? @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/23/2023 5:37 PM
"I.. I don't think I'm quite hungry anymore.." She spoke quietly, realization she would never get to see her family again struck her like a ton of brick that settled in the pit of her stomach. How could she? She was here, alive and breathing over fault of no one woke her up during the slaughter. Her gaze flicked to the black mass inside her arms, still unsure of what to do with this. Did the Night Mother cause this? Was this some sort of sick game because she survived? She found a new kind of hate bloom in her heart as she attempted to call forth the light in her palm that once more died like a candle in the wind. Looking back over to Shimmer, another smile touched her lips, never had she wanted the company more than she did right now and she couldn't help but to respect him all the more and for the first time, her tail gave a brief wag in excitement that dusted the ground kicking up small bits of dirt. "I really appreciate everything you've done.. But, you have to understand, it's going to be dangerous, I may not be able to protect you. But, I will fight for you."
5:38 PM
Standing, she stalked over to him, not clearing the distance, but staying far enough away as to not make him uncomfortable, but close enough she could see the scrolls. The characters looked similar to the ones in the Ancient Text, but without her Cipher, she couldn't do much. "Don't worry about the archives, I can get us in there. It's completely encased, so even if the fire should consume everything else, it shouldn't have been able to go inside." She still didn't know if he could be trusted, but she felt her guard fall, no.. It was completely shattered around him. "If I feel like we are in danger, especially you, I'll have you run. Simple as that. But, when we get E'Dune, she might be able to help too.. Her heart has steadied, I feel her breathing.. But, I'd rather not waste anymore time." She said placing her hand over her hear feeling the two beats and clutched her eyes tight just as she grabbed a fistful of her blouse within her palm out of frustration.
5:38 PM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/24/2023 4:50 AM
He could see that there was something bothering her, she didn't do very much to hide it. "..I don't..know how it.. works with you.." He mumbled under his breath. "..But eating's what keeps my strength up. If you want to find your E'Dune, I insist you at least eat a little bit.." With all that she described, she must've used a lot of her energy just getting out here, which meant that she needed to eat or else she'll have worn herself down considerably by the time they encountered anything, good or bad. Shimmer noticed her staring down at her wrists, and from the expression on her face, it wasn't anything good.. But he couldn't get a good look, not when he couldn't get close. He.. didn't want to bring more worries to her mind, not when she was clearly going through a lot already. Maybe he'd ask later. Since he was already looking in her direction, he noticed how her tail started to wag, and he looked at it confused. Though his gaze went back to her face when she started to speak again. "..I understand danger.." It was more like he understood how to run from danger, since that's all he ever seemed to do- run. "..Though you should.. probably focus on yourself more.. You'd be the one fighting and.. I don't want you to get hurt any more than you already were." Nobody should get hurt as badly as she did.
4:50 AM
Her mentions of the archives and nothing about the language of magic was disappointing, since it meant she didn't know much more than him. That meant he wasn't making any progress today, then. With a quiet sigh, he put away the scrolls and books and stared into the flames of the fire in front of him. Even if she couldn't help right now, maybe something in the archives would help him, but there was no way to know until they actually got there. If they got there. And if it wasn't impossibly dangerous. Shimmer had no interest in getting himself killed, or getting her killed. His efforts of trying to learn how to control his flame weren't worth either of them losing their lives, in his opinion. He nodded when she said to run if there was any danger. “..But you’re going to run too, right..? Don’t just throw yourself into a fight and get yourself killed, okay..?” She likely knew what she was doing, far more than he did, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to make sure she stayed safe. She had that E’Dune person to look out for. When she said that she didn’t want to waste any more time, he took the bowl and scooped out some of the soup with it. “..I can look around the immediate area, see if I can find anything out of the ordinary.. Eat. I’ll be back.” With that, he took several steps back away from the camp before his wings spread out fully, revealing a massive wingspan as a wave of heat radiated from him. Shimmer could feel the chill of the bands seep into his bones as they worked to prevent too much power from flowing out, with the markings on the metal glowing, but he took a deep breath and ascended into the sky with several long, controlled flaps of his wings, and then he was off circling the area, trying to spot anything unusual. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/25/2023 1:15 PM
She watched Shimmer carefully, his words somewhat broken in long, awkward pauses. She tried her best in attempts to make him comfortable, as much as one would be around a stranger, offering small smiles as she spoke, “You look upset that I don’t know how to read the language. Magic comes naturally to us Valkorians, we needn’t to speak words of magic to do our bidding, we just merely do.” It wasn’t cocky in the way she spoke, but it was pure confidence. Her years of training and controlling her powers had helped her endure the hellish night, but the first attempt at using her power, she stupidly used the power of light instead of any of the other number of powers she could summon at her fingertips. Perhaps, this was her punishment. She abused the one, single most important power of all her people. She nodded her head in agreement, she did need to eat, she needed strength - If she didn’t eat, her powers would be worthless if she was too weak to use them. Subconsciously she rubbed at her wrists trying to will the blackness inside her veins to go away. It was odd, Shimmer never once asked who E’Dune was or the significance of who the being was to her, he just agreed to come and help. Was it because of the possibility to rid himself of his powers or learn to control them? Either way, it didn’t matter she finalized. She wasn’t alone in this silent war, the old Great Scourge.
1:16 PM
Smiling, she spoke softly, one would strain to hear the words fall from trembling lips, “Unfortunately, if there’s danger, I can’t run. Without E’Dune, I’m nothing. The longer we are separated, the faster my mind will deteriorate and I’ll lose myself, my mortality.” Giving a shrug, she continued. “I will do my best to protect you, what I can promise to you is, I’ll do my best to survive. There is a lot that I’m capable of doing, even in my other form.” It was nice, the simple gesture and value he put on her life had another blush darken her cheeks. He had already done so much for her, that protecting him was the least she could do. A quick step closed the distance between the two, accepting the bowl of soup within her palms, her smile gentler, more at ease as she simply nodded to his want in scouring the lands. “Please be careful, in Ancient Texts from the Great Scourge, I don’t know if even your wings will protect you while you’re in the sky with the birds. If you see or hear anything, come back.” Briefly, her eyes reflected in sadness she didn’t quite understand, was it because she was going to be alone once more? Alone to face the trauma of her people. It was terrifying, the screams, the pleas for mercy and help in likes to never come.
1:16 PM
Stepping away, she settled to the back of her legs once more. Her tail resting just atop bare feet as she pressed the ceramic bowl to her lips letting the liquid pool within her mouth before swallowing. Her attention was captivated as Shimmer spread those gorgeous wings, the heat pulsating invisibly misting the surroundings in a subtle haze - Small embers fell from his wings as a gust of wind and smell of fire bellowed the dirt in a mild cloud. Out of everything, after they rescue E’Dune, she was sure there were Ancient Texts on how to subdue or null someone's powers so they couldn’t use them or they could control them. Jak’Kal believed that Shimmer would probably not care with either outcome. How sad, for someone such as him, to come to hate something so beautiful. It had been a couple hours since Shimmer had been gone and she found herself missing his company.
1:16 PM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/25/2023 3:05 PM
"Oh, no, no! It's not that i'm.. upset. Just.. a little disappointed, I guess." He shrugged. Shimmer didn't want to make her feel bad because she couldn't read the language. From what she was saying, her people were far more gifted with the ability to control magic than he was. Normally, phoenixes were far more capable of controlling their fire. He was just.. weak. Undisciplined, perhaps. Unskilled. There were plenty of ways to describe what he thought about his inability to control his fire. Shimmer already had an idea of who E'Dune was. After all, Jakkie had talked about her being her 'soul sister' or whatever, and the way she spoke about her being 'nothing' meant that E'Dune was important to her. That's all that mattered to him, it wasn't even about getting access to the archives. As his wings spread out, she requested that he return in the off chance that he discovered anything dangerous, and that against whatever had attacked her home, he might not have a chance. ..And he believed her. He wasn't a fighter at all. Anything faster than him could likely pick him out of the sky like a frog catches a fly. That was such a fact he accepted. Considering the fact his power was being severely limited (by his own choice, mind you,) any danger he got into could very easily lead to his death. That's why he had no intention of getting into any danger. He'd keep his distance and stay out of sight when possible. Shimmer didn't have a chance to see the saddened look on her face, as he was already taking off by the time that it crossed her countenance. His time in the sky was long and boring. As much as Shimmer enjoyed flying, the constant cold of the bands a mild annoyance. However, a large blackened patch in the distance caught his eye, and he flew closer until he could see large shapes moving a large cage. Maybe that had something to do with E'Dune?
3:05 PM
Turning back, he turned and landed several paces away from her, a wave of heat passing over the camp. "..I.. think i've found.. something that might actually be worth looking into.. Large-spread destruction to the north.. A large cage, it might have a bunch of people in it? Your sister might be there.." Shimmer had no idea if it would be what she was looking for yet, but it was a lead. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/25/2023 3:59 PM
She was able to stomach the rest of the soup after nursing on it here and there. It wasn’t that the soup was bad, but rather the amount of stomach acid she had built up within it that made it difficult to keep any liquid down without wanting to wretch. While she was alone, she had time to reflect a little, eyes casting over the ever creeping blackish infection that slowly seemed to move just a fraction of a centimeter every time she looked over it. A sigh parted her lips as she cast her eyes to the sky. Why, Ancient Mother, have you forsaken me when I have been nothing but devout? She pleaded wordlessly to the vast expanse before her. Just as soon as she was about to start snooping around the campsite, she heard the beat of wings before she saw him. A magnificent display of orange and yellow lit up the night sky like a hailing fireball as Shimmer set to the ground. He seemed out of breath, sweat lined his face as he spoke of scourged lands and people, most likely from Valkoria having been captured and held hostage. A flicker of hope fell across her face that blossomed within her chest as she shot up and ran over to the man. Wrapping her arms around him in an embrace, she squeezed him gently, her head coming to place against his chest.
3:59 PM
It was a funny thing, all this talk of him being an inferno, he was just a bit more than warm to her. Perhaps it was her abilities, or perhaps it was his clothes, nonetheless she held him just a moment before looking up at him, her tail slowly sashaying from side to side happily. Once she finally realized that she had impulsively hugged a stranger, she quickly let her arms fall to her side and took a few steps back respecting both of their spaces. She couldn’t help the excitement lining her face with a smile, “That’s good news! At least we have somewhere to go. Regardless if E’Dune is there or not, people need help. If we can free the people, we might stand a chance against whatever it is that’s holding them.” The exuberance in her voice was palpable as she was close to yet another bout of tears that barely brimmed her eyes. Grabbing the pelt from her other form, she tethered a small string through each side closest to the top to fashion somewhat of a cape in order to stop the breeze from the blouse Shimmer had let her wear. The slits from where his wings would sit kept billowing the back whenever the wind blew or a slight breeze took place. “Shall we, then?” Jak’Kal asked with a tilt of her head, her ears standing at attention at the top - She didn’t have anything to gather, but she wanted to be clear on one last thing before they traveled, “Should anything happen, should I fall in combat, promise me you’ll do what you can to rescue the others. If you can’t, leave us all. Promise me.” She somewhat demanded as she approached him once more grabbing ahold of his hand. He saved her life, she didn’t want him risking his life in order for her to live. Her life would be forfeit without E’Dune, she couldn’t leave her Chosen there.
3:59 PM
—------------------------------- After having walked for what felt like hours, E’Dunes life essence grew brighter and brighter as they pressed on. Soon, however, they came to the encampment. Growling and grunts were heard as they approached the treeline, both of them staying hidden within the shadows as Jak’Kal surveyed the area. Demons, Orc, and Goblins all congregated around individual fires. Some were fighting and some were tormenting the people held in cages with pokes from spears, others were making them dance around on coal as the Orc bellowed with laughter. They spoke their language, though as broken and guttural as they sounded, she could still make out what they were saying. One rather large Orc that looked as if it were on patrol walked by them by about 10 yards surveying the area, Jak’Kal looked to Shimmer, placing a finger to her lips as she crouched low to the ground.
4:00 PM
Her hand softly pressed against the surface of the dirt, her eyes not leaving the Orc’s backside as two branches shot from the ground in a silent attack, one wrapped around the Orc’s face stifling its alert to the others as the other branch came around its neck. With a sickening crunch and spray of blood, the Orc’s head fell to the ground. The branches soon wrapped about the entirety of the body and the decapitated head and drug it back to the forest, the ground opened up before a large Oak Tree and swallowed the corpse whole, closing itself back off like nothing amiss. Her words were low as she leaned into Shimmer, “We can do this one of two ways. First. The long, easier way where I quietly kill them off, as much as I can.. Or two - You take off some of your bands and become that Incinerator that you’re afraid of. I know it’s not easy, but the choice is yours. I’ve never used my abilities as much as this is going to take, so I don’t know how long I’ll be able to use them for exactly. Either way, I’ll respect your decision. You do NOT have to do the second.”
4:00 PM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/25/2023 7:19 PM
After he had landed and explained the situation to her, suddenly Jakkie closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him, and Shimmer was tensed up, standing like the trunk of a tree as her arms were wrapped around him. How long had it been since anyone hugged him? How the hell was she even able to hug him? Even with these bands limiting his power, in many cases being even within a few feet of him was enough to make people uncomfortably hot, especially after he just got done flying. But she was able to just close the distance and hug him like that.. Suddenly, he felt his cheeks getting warmer than usual, and he quickly looked away to hide it. It felt.. nice. The hug, that is.. Shimmer had no idea why she could.. But she could. "..Yeah, but.. are you really going to.. take on a whole group.. on your own..? I mean, don't get me wrong.. I'm sure you're.. a great fighter.. But there was just.. widespread destruction.. That's not going to be one or two of them, right..?" He watched quietly as she wrapped that strange large pelt around herself to cover her back- Wait a second, dammit! His clothes were made to accomodate his wings, for fuck's sake.. He'd forced her to wear a shirt that didn't fully cover her back? What kind of person did that? He'd bring that up later, right now they had to talk about what they were going to do about the people in the cage. If there were people. When Jakkie grabbed his hand, he almost drew away instinctively, since he didn't want to burn her. Once again, however, she seemed completely fine. It made zero sense to him, but he'd just need to accept that at this point. "..I promise, okay? I'm.. not gonna get myself.. k-killed.." He stuttered at the end, as that wasn't something he wanted to think about. But when she asked if he was ready, he nodded his head and followed behind her.
7:19 PM
During the walk to the encampment, Shimmer was quieter than normal, still trying to process everything that had happened since he got back from his aerial search. How was she able to get close to him? Would this E’Dune even be here? The closer they got, the brighter Jakkie seemed to be, so maybe she was.. Suddenly, she told him to stop, and he did as soon as she commanded him to, watching and listening to the group in front of them. His wings folded as tightly to his back as they could, but he couldn’t hide them fully. A single glimpse of them, and they’d likely be discovered. Since, y’know, he literally glowed in the night. As Shimmer watched the monsters, whatever they were, torment the captured people, he looked disgusted. How were there things out there, living in the same world as him or Jakkie, that were so cruel? Then, one of the big creatures walked past them, and it seemed like the forest itself attacked it, silencing it and then disposing of the corpse quickly and efficiently, leaving nothing behind. Was.. that something Jakkie did? Remind him never to get on her bad side, jeez.. When she said that she might be able to take them all on slowly and from a distance, Shimmer did a count of what he could see, and honestly? “..I don’t.. think you’d be able to.. kill them all on your own.. There’s just so.. many..” His thumb ran over one of his bands as he thought to himself. If he took these off.. He’d be able to kill anything that got too close, but.. That included anyone from the cages, or Jakkie herself..
7:19 PM
Suddenly, he rose to his feet. “..Pick off whoever you can.. I’ll..” He paused for a moment, looking down to the band on his arm before taking a deep breath. “..Get rid of as many as I can.” Then, his wings spread out and Shimmer ran forward, shouting at the strange creatures, running off to the side of the camp as he fiddled with the band. The moment it came undone, his wings glowed a much more intense color, the heat distorting what light came off of him. Then, when the monsters gave chase, he gave them time to close the distance, at least to a certain extent, before two more bands came off and the trees surrounding him, as well as whatever was unlucky enough to be within ten yards of him, ignited at once. Embers quickly spread along Shimmer’s arms, almost like lava running down the side of an erupting volcano, fire engulfing his fists. One would think that such intense heat would melt the magic bands that prevented his magic from reaching this point, but luckily enough, they were warded against heat, just like his clothing. So, while he was standing in the center of a ring of fire, Shimmer and his belongings were untouched. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/26/2023 3:30 AM
Before the assault against the encampment.* Jakkie knew that Shimmer’s clothes were most definitely the reason why she could stand to be so close to him, perhaps even a mix of being able to stand unnatural, magical heat. Regardless of the case, he merely warmed her up like the mid-day sun, yet, she also felt a different kind of heat form in her face before letting him go and taking those same paces backward. She caught the off-handed blush that rose to his cheeks, knowing it was probably due to the fact of how closed off this man was - His bashful nature from his powers making it difficult for him to form any kind of bonds with others that he nearly closed himself off completely, yet his words caught her off guard. “If I have to take them all on in order to bring E’Dune back to my side, I’ll do whatever is necessary. Either way, I have to risk myself and her life to get to her. It’s not about choice for me, but survival. Remember what I said? If her heart stops beating, mine will too.” She shrugged her shoulders within the simplicity of it all - the two were two halves of a whole, sharing the same mind, the same heart, the same breath. During the assault against the encampment. She barely registered Shimmer’s words left lingering with the gentle squeeze of his hand and promise to be safe as he ran forward shedding the band’s and jewelry he had to prevent himself from going to what she could only imagine, a bursting sun.
3:32 AM
She barely registered Shimmer’s words, left lingering with the gentle squeeze of his hand and promise to be safe as he ran forward shedding the band’s and jewelry he had to prevent himself from going to what she could only imagine, a bursting sun. It was a sight to behold as his wings spread out, embers and trails of fire falling behind his footsteps causing tendrils to whip out and embrace any non-organic material it touched, consuming it in a raging fire. She watched on as he stopped far enough away from her that she could still see him, enraptured in the sight before her. She was momentarily stunned as it looked like fiery serpents coiled around his arms and down his legs, pulsating wave after wave of inferno blasts before Shimmer himself erupted and was consumed by a pillar of angry, licking flames. The beasts, orc and demon alike screamed as they were trapped in a fiery prison, the sizzling pops and bursts of their flesh causing chaotic screams to ensue, it was louder than the intrusive horn billowing overhead as more and more of the beings gathered to strike Shimmer down but getting caught in the fiery tendrils that seemingly attacked any of the monsters coming towards him. The people that were playthings scrambled to get away from the drawing crowds that Shimmer controlled. This was her chance, she made it only a few steps before a beast emerged from the shadows before her.
3:32 AM
“My, my what do we have here?” A rather large Demon reached out grabbing Jakkie by her neck, the orange glow of the blaze reflecting within its blackened eyes. Jakkie began to kick at the thing as it lifted her up off the ground, her breath coming out in short wheezes as its palm and fingers tightened around the entirety of her throat, just a bit more pressure and surely her head was going to pop clean off. “Go.. Back.. To.. Hell..” Jakkie gritted out, her own hands falling around its wrists as she squeezed, the demon’s blood turning to ice as she looped her fingers through one another and raised them high above her head before crashing her fists down as hard as she could, completely shattering the hand that held her captive. Landing to her feet, her own fire began to lick around her in a smaller blaze than Shimmer’s, but effective enough to feed into the inferno he started as the tents and scorched grounds caught fire a final time. A scream left the massive maw of the demon as it clutched it’s wounded wrist, “You bitch!” It screamed and all she did was put her palm to her lips and blew it a fiery kiss, one that shot from her palm like a dragon ready to strike and launched into it’s mouth before it had the chance to scream more obscenities her way. It was like a whistle, hissing and angry, ballooning the demon up before an overall pop resounded completely eviscerating it in a cloud of mist and sinew.
3:33 AM
She wasted no time as she ran for the cages the people were held in, most of the demons and Orc being the bigger, more prone to fighting ran off to the bustle in the clearing. “It’s okay, you’ll all be okay.” Jakkie whispered. Some were Valkorian as they gripped the bars, “My princess! Thank the Gods you’re alive!” Some shouted in joyous glee, others were races she didn’t recognize as she melted the bars with a touch of her palm. “Have any of you seen E’Dune?!” She spoke quickly, realizing she wasn’t in there with them. Her vines quickly killing off any Goblins without second notice that dared to get close to her. “She… She was taken inside. She’s been unconscious ever since. We tried waking her when they had her chained up like a dog. She’s in there, in that cave.” They pointed. “We’ll help you! All of our Chosen were gathered in the cave. How can we be of service to you, My Lady?” They bowed as they stepped from their confines, each helping in shedding their shackles that bound their power. “I want half of you to come with me, the other half go kill every single one of these sorry bastards.” She gritted out, making her way to the cave. She had roughly four men and three women tailing her as battle rang out with curses - She knew of some of them, but her mind wasn’t thinking clearly and she wanted to rescue E’Dune as soon as she could, the others ran to the cages to free some of the last survivors, the ones that weren’t Valkorian stupidly fled off into the forest without hesitation.
3:33 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/26/2023 7:22 AM
It had been a long, long time since he had felt this much power. He easily felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of power, falling to his knees as everything burned around him. The guttural screams of the orcs and the demons and the goblins filled his ears, and he covered them, letting out a shout of his own. This was what he wanted to avoid, but at least these things were violent monsters.. So it was better, wasn't it? These things weren't innocent.. But did that make their bodies being consumed by his flame any more just than anyone else? How was he supposed to know? Shimmer still hated the sounds of screams. At least him dealing with them allowed Jakkie to save the people in the cages, and from the way they spoke, they seemed to know who she was- Even if Shimmer couldn't tell what they were saying through all the screaming and popping of flesh, he could tell that they were thankful, or that they wanted to help.. That was good.. It meant that Jakkie wouldn't be alone while searching for her sister. In his state, he couldn't help her more than he already had. All he could do now was get his inferno as under control as he could.. Which, frankly, wasn't much. From where Shimmer was kneeling, he grasped at the bands and quickly closed them over his arms, which slowly began to return to normal as the overwhelming amount of heat in the entire area surrounding him began to fade. There were still plenty of fires, and the stench of charred flesh and burnt hair still filled the air around him.. And the stench was enough to make him retch, vomiting enough what was left of his dinner from the few hours before.
7:23 AM
It took several minutes before Shimmer was able to catch his breath, his wings glowing a far duller orange than before. Letting his power out after keeping it under wraps for so long was exhausting, it seemed. If only he could control it.. Maybe then he'd be able to do more than just this. But he couldn't, so that train of thought wouldn't lead anywhere. But he'd helped. That was more than he thought he could ever do before. Slowly coming to his feet, Shimmer moved to help people where he could, including treating what few injuries he knew how to make, using the monsters’ cooking fire to get some simple food cooking to help people recover.. He wasn’t particularly useful, but he could be a half-decent nurse, at least. Looking into the cave’s entrance from where he stood, Shimmer frowned. He had no idea what Jakkie and the others would be facing there, and if E’Dune ended up getting hurt, that’d mean that Jakkie would feel it too, wouldn’t it? She wasn’t alone, at least.. That meant that she’d have to be safe. Whoever was with her wouldn’t let her just die. They’d help her. Much more than he could, at least, since they seemed like they had a plan, since most of those who were outside the cave went after the remaining monsters. Nothing he could do now but tend to the wounded and stay put, unfortunately.. Waiting was always the worst part. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/27/2023 6:32 AM
She was torn, wanting to run to Shimmer and stop him from letting his power free. He was far away, but she could make out his crumpled form. Her heart strings tugged, hearing him scream, hearing him in possible pain. But, all this would be for naught if she didn’t release her E’Dune. With her men and women at her side, they went through the deep cavernous maw of the cave. Each lifting a palm with a small ball of fire acting as a torch they made their way through the winding, Jakkie couldn’t help but to cast a longing look behind her one last time before descending further. I hope you’ll be okay, Shimmer.. She couldn’t deny that the flames brought a little bit of trauma, a little bit of triggers smelling the burning flesh of all the beasts, the screams and pleas of death singing abhorrent tunes within her ears - Yet, she couldn’t let the past consume her, just like Shimmer couldn’t let his power consume him. Both having their own trivial matters, their own personal battles to overcome. The more they pressed on, the more the air grew heavy, harder to breath and the darkness omitted a presence that stole their breaths in fear. Their footfalls uneven, sweat lined their brows and small whispers of whimpers stole from their lips as even their light got consumed by the black abyss before them.
6:32 AM
Everyone stopped, Jakkie strained her ears to listen, the black tufts giving subtle flicks, even though she had impeccable night vision, she could vaguely make out a figure, a large coiling mass that’s pale flesh seemed to shudder with each meek shuffle and chitter as it shifted. Casting her gaze to Dowan, one that was a Royal Guard of the Velkoria Kingdom, he had deep topaz eyes and the likes of a tiger, pupils constricted into thin slits allowing him to see just as well as her in this abyssal void. “Do you see it?” She whispered to him, knowing each and everyone of them had their Chosen here, held captive in cages lining the far walls. E’Dune, my sister, you must wake up! She shouted within her mind as Dowan leaned into her ear, “I do, Princess, it looks like some cross of a caterpillar and snake, does it not?” He spoke quietly, his tail flicking every which way in annoyance. A small rattle was heard and hissing groans as the behemoth of a beast reared in response to their whispers. It’s head shot over to them - Big, bug-like eyes stared at them, it’s head resembling that of a viper with large pincers leaking some kind of acidic ooze that dripped to the ground with a misty bubble corroding the ground in bouts of steam. “Shit!” Jakkie yelled as its tail came down in an attempt to crush them all. “Use the rock from the cave for cover!” She yelled, her hands coming down to the ground creating a cliff face catching that tail before any of her people got hit. Dowan and several others launched themselves into their Chosen’s form - Tigers, lions, and bear (Oh my.) tore through their clothing as their footfalls struck with such thunderous speed and snarls tearing their maws open as each tore into various parts of the length of the beast.
6:33 AM
The women remained in the back lines, “Form bands of rock to hold the creature, so Dowan and the others can strike it down!” Jakkie commanded as Je’Sah, Mika, and Fal’Doh each dropped to the ground, palms colliding to the surface as each one of their gazes fixated, determined as the earth shook and groaned - Thick layers of earth and rock shot from the ground and uneven surfaces of the cavern containing the beast, forcing a shift of her own after shedding the clothes Shimmer loaned her in a heap, Jakkie erupted through her Valkorian form, spraying gore and bits of skin as she ran towards the beasts chest - A thin layer of flesh emitting a deep, reddish glow with a pulsating beat of a heart. Jakkie’s maw split open, steam rolled from within in puffs of white clouds as she hit a ramp Je’Sah had made for her and jumped through the air. Canines bared and a guttural, death growl fell from her snarling snout, with a sharp bite and bark, her claws cut deep within the flesh, her maw latching on ripping and tearing through each layer of skin - The beast threw its head backwards in a shriek of pain and it’s own fear spreading its pincers catching Dowan in its mouth, Jakkie seen one of the pincers connect with his stomach. Dowan snarled in pain, his teeth bare, but within range of its left eye, shot out with a heavy paw, talons cutting through one of the bulbous eyes. Puss and blood fell with a pop as his talons made contact with it. Throwing Dowan down to the ground with a crack, the ground fracturing beneath his weight in spider web-like ripples. Jak’Kal rushed tearing through the skin of the beast until finally reaching its heart. Her maw covered in gore and flesh stuck within her teeth, reached in, opening her maw until it almost unhinged and snapped it shut. With a jerk of her head, she ripped the still beating organ from its chest and held down harder and harder until a wet squelch permeated the air and the beast dropped dead with a shattering quake to the ground.
6:33 AM
Shifting back, she rushed to Dowan. He was wheezing and coughing crimson - Blood and acid bubbled within his abdomen. Reaching out his hand to his Princess, Jakkie clutched it tight within her palm. “Shh, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay..” Jakkie spoke through a broken breath. “I f..fear t-this is the last time I’ll see you, P-Princess.” He choked, a stream of blood falling from the side of his mouth. “No, I’ll fix you, Dowan.. I promise.” She gritted, her other hand hovering over his oozing abdomen. Clutching both her eyes shut and his hand, she whispered within her head. Please, Ancient Mother, please help me.. I can’t lose more of my people.. The light in her palm flickered several times before a blasting, bright nova shot from her hand. Dowan gasped as his the flesh and muscle began to intertwine through one another, knitting his damaged organs back together, and after several moments of the blinding light, the hole in Dowan’s stomach grew to a close. Je’Sah and the others busied themselves releasing all of the captured Chosen, each running to the side of their other half. Miya, Dowan’s tiger gentle licked at his face with a purr as her head butted against his forehead. Thank you, Princess, thank you for saving us. Miya purred in delight, her voice one of happiness, joy, and sadness at the weight of it all.
6:33 AM
E’Dune stepped from her binds and from her cage after Fal’Doh released her from her strains. She was quick to step to Jakkie, E’Dune pressed her side against Jak’Kal, Jak’s hand clutched at the fur to E’Dune’s nape, “I need.. To find Shimmer..” She gritted, feeling the worm like ooze creep further up her arm, the pulsating black veins made its way up her arms and to her shoulders, her scleras heavy with black like worms obstructing her vision. She felt sick to her stomach, as she limped to the clothes on the ground. Doing her best to pull them on, the blouse tangled around her mid-section leaving a view of her belly button and abdomen. Stumbling, they made their way out of the cave. She gazed over the crowds looking for the glow of wings before her heart swelled with joy seeing him alive and well. Take me to him, E’Dune.. E’Dune was a giant of a Dire Wolf, nearly standing chest high to Jak’Kals 5’6” form, it was easy for her to rely on the strength of her sister as they walked. Shuffling, uneven footfalls led her to Shimmer, a soft smile touching both her lips and her eyes as she closed the distance and fell into his arms. Her hand reaching up, palm to his cheek as she mumbled, her words faint, “Thank the Gods you’re alive.. I-I’m so s-sorry..” She stuttered as her heavy lids led her world into darkness, yet the darkness was so warm and inviting. Exhaustion took hold and she passed out.
6:34 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/28/2023 4:47 AM
He heard the fighting in the caves, and felt absolutely terrible that he couldn’t do more. Not only was he exhausted from unleashing his power, but he wasn’t a fighter like everyone else was. By removing the bands and jewelry for only a few minutes, he was able to kill a good majority of the monsters outside of the cave.. But that’s all he could do, and it wasn’t even something he could control. The smell of melting flesh and burning hair would linger in Shimmer’s mind for a long time, maybe forever. It brought back terrible memories of his early days, destroying everything he even walked by because of his intense flames, something his parents tried (and failed) to get him to be able to control. After what felt like an eternity, Shimmer watched as a massive wolf carried Jakkie out of the cave. She didn’t look especially injured, thankfully enough, but the clothing he had given her was simply shredded, absolutely ruined.. He.. couldn’t do anything to help with that. All the clothing he had, at least spare clothing, he had given to her. The wolf walked over to Shimmer, carrying Jakkie with it, and she just about fell into his arms, apologizing for having him use his powers. At least, that’s what he assumed.. “..I chose to do it, Jakkie.. You.. don’t need to apologize..” He replied, frowning at her condition. What the hell happened to her in there? She seemed so much more drained than he was..
4:47 AM
When her eyes shut and she passed out, Shimmer looked up at the wolf and laid her down. This wolf was something that Jakkie trusted, he presumed as a result of it carrying her out. “..Someone get her a change of clothes and something to sleep on!” Shimmer called out as he stepped back. Given the damage of her clothing, he didn’t want to risk making her uncomfortable due to his heat, so the phoenix walked several paces away, sitting down away from everyone else. He’d done as much as he could to help everyone here.. And he just felt so tired.. Someone else could take care of things for now. Slowly, he slumped backwards, his eyes slowly shutting as he fell asleep. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 8/31/2023 6:46 AM
Her whole body felt like it was on fire, not the type of heat one would get from a fire, but a burning inside her veins that made her curl inwards with a gasp of pain fleeting from parted flesh. Her brows laden with sweat and viscera from the monster she faced within the cave. She needed to open her eyes, and needed to see if Shimmer was okay. She was trapped within her sleep, remembering his crumbled form on the ground and all she wanted to do was embrace him within her arms and whisper to him that everything was going to be okay.. When in fact.. She wasn’t even sure if it was going to be okay. She felt that brackish fluid pulsate in her arms, pulse viciously wanting to consume her entirety. Her teeth gritted and bared, she forced her eyes open, willing herself to wake up. E’Dune was by her side, a look of worry flickering within those fiery pools. With a shaky hand, she placed her palm to the side of the wolf’s head. “You’re okay…” She whispered, E’Dune gave a brief nod as she cast those pools of worry to the man’s crumbled form. “Shimmer..!” Jak’Kal half whispered, half shouted his name as she clumsily crawled to his side. Her clothes were torn in several places, even though she had attempted to take them off before her shift, she must have still managed to tear them in the process. Her hand came to his cheek, he was undeniably warm, but it was one just of uncomfort. She paid it no mind as she curled against his side, her palm guiding the side of his head to her forehead, thumb taking to a gentle sway against the curve of his jaw.
6:47 AM
Using her powers to seal Dowan’s fatal wounds had caused her to nearly kill herself in the process, but with her power comes great risk. Leaning in, she pressed a small whisper of a kiss to brush across Shimmer’s temple, the brief contact to such sensitive skin caused a sweet ache to befall her flesh. E’Dune slowly approached, “Is he.. Safe to be around?” E’Dune croaked, her voice difficult to manifest the words as she typically just used their mind-link to communicate. “He’s not a danger at all, E’Dune.. He saved my life, I owe him every bit that I’m capable of.. We need to start clearing out the bodies and burn them. We’ll be making way back to Valkoria to access the Royal Archives.” Jak’Kal said as she turned back to Shimmer, her eyes scanning his body for any injuries at all, mindful of getting too close to those dull, wings of fire. He had consumed a lot of his power, but the more she looked at him, the more she felt they were one of the same. He can’t control his powers, she is cursed with using her powers outside of healing. Shifting down a bit, she laid her head on his shoulder, her hands glowing a soft, flickering light as she touched him. The heat had died down significantly making her feel like she was covered by a warm blanket, or under the afternoon sun high in the sky.
6:47 AM
“Princess.. Are you really wanting us to return to Valkoria after everything we’ve seen?” Dowan said hesitantly, overhearing the conversation. Jak flicked her gaze to him, a knowing worry and unworldly dangers lurked there, but that was their home. They needed to take it back. Lifting her head, she nodded her head in understanding. “It’s our home. I am the last of the Valkorian line, Dowan. We need to seal the gates, if we don’t.. This world as we know it.. Will end. Leave us, prepare our people. I want a head count of how many survived, what their Chosen are and how they can benefit in a fight.” Her voice rang with authority, much like her fathers, but a sense of unease quaked the pit of her stomach as she returned to rest her head at his shoulder, her hand gradually falling to his chest letting the feel of his heartbeat lull her to sleep as she closed her eyes.
6:47 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 8/31/2023 8:46 AM
Shimmer was uninjured. After all, nothing had even been able to approach him in order to injure him. He simply had exhausted just about all of his energy in such an explosive manner, and his sleeping form conveyed that. His breaths were shallower than normal, his muscles moving slower due to the exertion that his power had placed on him. His dreams were filled with fire and screams, the stench of scorched flesh filling the air. He was running, trying desperately to find the bands, as everything he ever knew burned around him. The people he'd met, the peaceful animals, the ground itself.. He was the Sun, and he was too close to the ground, so the world was melting around him. The moment he turned and saw Jakkie burning, his eyes snapped open, Shimmer breathing heavily as his eyes snapped around wildly. The first thing he noticed were the bands around his arms.. So it was just a nightmare. The second thing he noticed was that Jakkie had moved from where she collapsed, and was now.. cuddling.. him.. How long had it been since he'd felt this? Had he ever? Shimmer had genuinely no idea. Never in recent memory, at least. He'd been so scared of being near people for the vast majority of his life, maybe just about all of it, since his powers manifested from a young age. Had he not exhausted most of his power, it was possible that she could’ve hurt herself by being so close to him.. That thought alone was enough to get him up and out of her grasp, with him gently laying her down. Even if it felt.. Good.. to be in her arms, his fear of hurting the people around him still took over, causing him to take several steps back.
8:47 AM
His eyes scanned the area, with everyone moving around and cleaning up the corpses of the monsters, and he quickly noticed the large, unnaturally so, wolf standing over Jakkie. How had he not noticed it before..? Blinking at it slowly, he wasn’t sure really what to do around it. He assumed that it was some manner of guardian to Jakkie, given that it was standing vigil over her.. “I-I wasn’t..going to do anything..” He mumbled quietly, his anxiety taking over again as the wolf watched his movements. Shimmer sat down again, watching Jakkie’s people prepare for whatever was next, probably heading toward those Archives, if that’s what Jakkie wanted to do.. His eyes also lingered on the wolf nervously, and Jakkie herself. Everyone here was so much stronger, so much more talented than him. They managed to fight off all these monsters and save more of their people with their own strength.. And all he did was stand there, screaming as his power destroyed everything around him.. His eyes slowly went to the ground. Why did they want to help him? Why did Jakkie want to help him so badly? Yeah, he may have tended to her wounds and helped her find this place- Though he didn’t see anyone that looked like someone who would be her sister specifically- but it wasn’t like he was anything all that special. Who would want to keep someone who couldn’t control their powers around? He was just a liability. At least, that’s what he’d been telling himself for a long, long time at this point.. Ever since his powers first started to hurt people. As much as he wanted to help Jakkie as much as he could, he wasn’t sure how far he’d be able to take that without putting her at unnecessary risk, which was the one thing he was most concerned about.
8:47 AM
Standing up after a while of sitting there, he started walking around what remained of the camp, helping carry things or tending to wounds where he could, as well as gathering any bits of cloth that he could use to repair Jakkie’s clothing. He.. honestly doubted that it’d be as high quality, as getting his clothing made was expensive, but it would be better than her being so exposed because of damages to the clothing.. In fact, he’d be willing to just give her the clothes off his back and take the damaged ones for himself, repairing it where he could. Though, there wasn’t much he could do right now. Not until Jakkie woke back up, so he returned to where he was sitting before, opening one of his scrolls again to look for any kind of eureka moment, though he doubted one would come.. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 9/2/2023 1:34 AM
Waking with another start, it was no longer darkfall out, the camp was bustling around her she had to flatten her ears atop her head. E’Dune was dutifully by her side, a change of clothes lay on top of her back. Chuffing E’Dune muttered, They told me not to let these clothes hit the ground nor to bring them in my mouth, Miya said my breath was stinky. E'Dune pouted. "You can't blame her, E'Dune. You do have some pretty nasty breath when you're thirsty." Giggling she patted the ground next to her, E'Dune quickly collapsed at her side, her head pushing beneath the crook of Jak’Kals arm. "Do we have a report on how many Valkorian's there are?" Jakkie smiled at E'Dune, her hand gently patted the beasts head. As of right now there are 47 Valkorian's and 18 Slaves. We are working to build a funeral pyres for each soul lost. Je'Sah, Dowan and the others are working on it as we speak.
1:34 AM
Jak nodded slowly, they have a small army at their disposal now, more hands to help close the surrounding rifts. She looked around the encampment, brows knitting as her lips turned into a frown. She didn't see Shimmer, a pang of guilt wrenched in her chest, but she pushed that as far down as she could. She had a job to do. "Princess, you're awake at long last!" Dowan and Miya rounded up. Dowan was a tall man, roughly 6' 2", around 185 pounds with sharp features with long, black hair and golden eyes. Old, jagged welts of scars cascaded down his left eye and neck, down to what Jakkie was sure littering his chest and back. He reached his hand down to her to help her up off the ground. "We are not at the palace, Dowan, you don't need to address me formally. Just Jak'Kal is fine. How many are injured?" Jak took the offered hand letting Dowan pull her to her feet. She was a little unsteady, her whole body cramped from the awkward position she lay all night.
1:35 AM
"None are fatally wounded, some just got cuts deep enough for stitches, but we were able to find some thread and a needle. The demons hoarded the caravans in the back. We are attempting to station those as sleeping quarters for the time being. We have clothes, blankets, enough to stabilize a small group of people. But, food situation.. We can have roughly 15 men go out to hunt for food, 6 women gather water, and the rest will continue to build shelters for everyone. I assumed this was to be the plan for now, until we move out, no?" Dowan, now self conscious of the decision he put himself making, shifted from foot to foot as he cast his gaze down. "Walk with me a bit, Dowan." She said, her steps still unsteady, the man offered her his arm and she gratefully accepted. Both Miya and E'Dune trailing behind, the sound of low, playful growls were heard as the two kept bumping into eachother trying to cause the other to lose their balance. "That was the right call. I figure we stay here a months time, get the men and women that are capable of fighting battle ready. Those who wish to leave or stay until we come back for them, they are allowed to do whatever they wish."
1:35 AM
She couldn't help but to look around in search for him. "I'll make sure to let the left over Guard to begin training as soon as possible." Dowan said looking down at her. Her hand patted his forearm, "You'll make a fine Commander, Dowan, what do you think? Think you have what it takes to lead those men and women into battle?" Dowan blushed and his words stuttered, eyes widening in shock. "There are far more people better abilities than myself, Princess!" Shaking her head she responded, "Sure, that may be true, but you risked your life for all of us and injured the beast enough I was able to rip out its heart. Don't think there would be anyone more than I'd like to have in battle with me." Her smile was genuine, but her feet soon came to a halt as she found herself damn near face to face with Shimmer.
1:36 AM
"I'll uhh.. I'll leave you two alone, Princess.." He said noticing the stern look upon Jakkie's face as she looked down upon Shimmers nose within a scroll. "See to it that we begin hunting for food as soon as possible, have the ones that were brought here as Slaves look through the barrels and find anything we can make tonight. But, ration until we find a viable source of food and water." Dowan and Miya both bowed their heads and turned to their newfound duties. "Oh, and Dowan? Have the Chosen scout where they can. Specifically ones that can fly. There should be no issue finding deer and the like through their eyes." Having no steady source for her to lean on, she slumped to the ground. Weakness and exhaustion pulling at every fiber of her being. E'Dune rounded her side for her arm to steadily brace around the beasts neck.
1:36 AM
"You have questions, I assume?" She directed her words to Shimmer, her voice low as her eyes scoured across his form. His wings still dulled by the bursts of power he exuded, she could see the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. Sighing, she wanted nothing more than to curl within his lap and sleep herself. Let the warmth of his body and power seep into her bones, to take away this pain she held. "I'm.. I'm sorry I gave you that choice to use your powers.. if I would have known it caused this much, I would have taken on the entire hoarde myself.." A blush darkened her cheeks, not one of embarrassment, but one of sincerity. If she had known, she would have killed them all so he didn't have to go through the screams, the smell..
1:36 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 9/2/2023 4:33 AM
His grip tightened against the scroll as he heard Jakkie and this Dowan guy talking about the condition of the camp and the people here. These monsters had definitely roughed them all up, but questions came swimming to his mind. Chosen? Apparently Jakkie was a princess? They were going to be here for a month? He'd never been in one place for such a long time.. Not since his powers started manifesting full force. But, if it meant staying with Jakkie and finding a way to get his powers under control.. maybe.. He looked up at the two of them when they suddenly stopped in front of him, quickly putting the scroll away as he saw the stern expression on her face, unsure if she was angry at him or not. When Dowan left, and Jakkie nearly collapsed, he moved to catch her, but stopped short when the wolf caught her instead. Shimmer returned to his place and fidgeted with his hands silently, unsure what to do before she spoke up again. "..I-I.. yes.. a.. f-few.." He mumbled, his eyes lingering on the ground. Then, they all came spilling out at once. "Who is the E'Dune you came here to get? Are you really a princess? Are we really staying here a full month? Do you really think that the archives will have something to help me? What are your plans with all these people? What is a Chosen? You're not hurt, are you?" He clapsed his hands over his mouth to prevent more questions from spilling out. Breathing a quiet sigh through his fingers, he lowered his arms back to his side. "..S-Sorry.. That's probably too much to answer all at once.." Then her apology came, and he shook his head. "N-No.. I made the ch-choice.." His knees went to his chest, and he stared at the ground. "There were.. too many of them.. for you to handle on your own.. At least this way, nobody good got hurt, right..?" Physically, at least, from what he understood. "Plus.. You were able to find who you were looking for, right?" He hoped she did, or else all that pain was wasted. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 9/2/2023 6:32 AM
She blinked at all of the questions he threw her way, when he finally took a big gulp of air, she covered her mouth with her fingers letting out a giggle, one she couldn’t help. “I told you before, our Chosen are like our Souls, my sister is E’Dune.” Giving the wolf a little ruffle before returning her hold to clutch within the fur. Though, the moment he spoke of her being a Princess, she wanted to keep that from him, but the mass of people that were Valkorian, I suppose it couldn’t be helped. Slowly, she nodded tufts of raven hair falling across her shoulders, a small smile touching her lips, “Aye, I am a Princess. Princess of Valkoria, that’s why I have access to the Royal Archives.” Sitting with her legs bent beneath her bottom, she fidgeted with her fingers upon her lap. Mindlessly flicking her nails against one another as she returned his gaze once more her blush darkening further. “Most of these people, these animals you see, are my people. Captured from what I’ve gathered, experimentation. Thankfully, those experiments weren’t in progress, or they didn’t have the time to start them before we arrived. The war on my Kingdom wasn’t but a few days ago. But, there is obviously someone behind this. And I believe it to be one of Royal blood.” She didn’t want to prolong their stay, but there was little she could do. She couldn’t leave them behind, these were her people after all. “If we can get everyone training and get their strength up, we can move in groups to take out the rifts. But, until the rifts are closed.. I don’t know if we’ll even be able to get into Valkoria being as one of the main rifts are within the Palace Gardens..” She felt a twinge of guilt enrapture her throat as she carefully studied Shimmer’s face.
6:32 AM
“I thought I explained what a Chosen was?” She thought quizzically. Nonetheless, she carried on. “Chosen are Soul Bound to a specific Valkorian. Typically, upon birth, we are birthed into the shape of our Chosen. Like, I have black hair, black ears and black tail, also ember eyes in the likeness of E’Dune. We’re able to talk within a mind-link and able to communicate long distances. Some Valkorian can go their entire life and not meet their Chosen. But, with their appearance, they have somewhat of an idea on what their Chosen is. It’s given with the abilities the Ancient Mother bestowed upon her children, ones that stood and rose to fight side by side with Avalein against the Great Scourge. Each one of her children are blessed to be able to control natural elements and shift into the form of their Chosen. Just like I’m able to shift into the likeness of E’Dune, or control my shifts to appropriate areas to accommodate a fight or task needing completed.” Quirking her brow at his wanting to know if she was hurt caused her to avert her gaze to the ground. “No, the injuries I sustained were from using my light to save Dowan from a fatal wound. I fear that the more I use the power, the further this.. Infection will spread. I’m afraid I’m possibly cursed..” Giving a shrug of her shoulders, she stretched out her arms letting him see the pulsating, writhing and blackened veins beneath. “Who knows what will happen when it reaches my heart..”
6:32 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 9/2/2023 5:43 PM
He blinked as she explained who E'Dune was, staring at the wolf with wide, confused eyes. "..That.. wolf.. is E'Dune..?" That.. made absolutely no sense to him, but he just needed to accept that. After all, he was the humanoid embodiment of a legendary race of birds reborn in flame. This was a world of magic, and sometimes things just.. didn't make much sense. "..Okay." He nodded his head, accepting it for what it was. "..I could.. see it." There was a certain way that she carried herself that made him believe she could be royalty. Though he hadn't heard of this 'Valkoria' before now.. Granted, he didn't know much of anything about the state of nearly any kingdom, since his family never grew up in any cities or kingdoms. They were always isolated.. "At least nobody got severely hurt, no..?" Maybe his experience with his powers just now weren't for nothing after all. That thought made him feel at least.. a little bit better.. But his hands continued to fidget as they talked, hinting at the amount of anxiety he still felt about the whole situation. "..You think a royal person had something to do with all this? Who would want to cause all this pain on you and your people?" That seemed.. so evil. Why anyone would want to cause so much widespread pain and suffering was beyond him..
5:44 PM
..So it was possible that they wouldn't even be able to get to the archives, given that one of the stronger rifts being in the middle of the palace.. He.. couldn't lie, that made a little bit of his hope die right then and there. It was entirely possible that it'd be months before everyone here was ready to go, and then what would happen if they weren't strong enough to close the rifts? What if they lost too many in the attempts? This could all be for nothing.. Slowly, his eyes went back to those bands on his arms, and the other jewelry that adorned his body. If only he could control his power without needing to limit it.. Then he'd be able to help.. But as of right now, he simply couldn't.. "..I see." He replied as she explained how her people had their Chosen as a part of them, and how they had features of their bonded companions.. How they could communicate, and how each of them had the ability to control the elements.. They were lucky.. "You all sound so much more useful than someone.. like me.." He mumbled, his head resting on his forearms as he stared at the ground beneath his feet. When she talked about the infection, his fingers dug further into his arms. So using her power was hurting her.. And he was just so inept that she needed to use them to fight. Because he couldn't. "..I'm sorry. I.. wish I could help.. but I can't.." Saying those words hurt worse than anything he ever went through, because it came with the realization that he was powerless to help her, and if she kept using her powers.. She would die. He felt useless. Worse than useless. Him being there, her having to fight for him.. It was actively hurting her. "..I don't.. want you using your.. powers to help me, okay? I'm not worth it." The way he said it.. It was clear he believed those words. @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 9/5/2023 4:08 PM
It tugged at her heart hearing him talk so lowly of himself, like he was some inferior being incapable of doing any good, and all harm. She shook her head, a frown soon taking part to her lips as she looked up at him. She wanted to bridge the gap between the two, and wanted to tell him how great of a person she could already see is. “Shimmer.. You are worth beyond measure nor compare. Aside from you not being able to control your powers, you made all of this possible.” She motioned around her with a spread of her arms. “You saved countless lives, you saved me..” Her voice was but a whisper now, one so low only for his ears alone, she stepped to him closing the gap. Her hand reached out and gently cupped his cheek within her palm with a gentle trek of her thumb. “And despite your control, here you are tending to those in need, still trying to do within your limits of what you can control. That alone speaks volumes of the type of man you are. Do not think any less of yourself because you have one simple drawback. We will find a way for you to control your powers, with or without the Archives. And I’ll do whatever I can to help you find it. I owe you my life, the least I can do is lend you my aid.” Her frown turned into a small smile, and for but a moment, it was just the two of them.
4:08 PM
She wanted to say more, wanted to do more, but what? She was at war with herself within her mind and it was built up into almost frustration. His heat didn’t hurt her, nor did it make her uncomfortable, but more so in a way that it was comfortable. She didn’t want to fear his power, nor him fear in hurting her. She already had one foot through death’s door with the poisonous sludge slowly coursing its way to her heart. But the one thing she wanted to leave behind, should this be her final moments in this world, was to grant him his wish. Her other hand gently came to place atop his heart, feeling the gentle rhythm in its beat that thudded against her fingers. “Our world is made of magic, Dearest Shimmer, where there is magic, there are answers.. We just can’t see it yet. I will see to it that you learn your control. I want to see … you loving life before I leave mine behind.” There was a momentary quake she couldn’t quite place in her throat. Her damage was probably irreversible. A curse by the Gods can’t be undone, it can only be spared should one meet the circumstances to overcome an unspoken riddle, but there was too much at risk for her to spend time to find a cure. Not when so many demons were flooding out of the rifts and gates.
4:08 PM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 9/5/2023 6:57 PM
He wasn't so sure that his worth was really anything.. And he sure as hell wasn't the one who made all this possible, all he did was scorch a handful of monsters and act as a distraction.. But he knew better than to argue. The.. way she put her hand against his face.. it made his heart flutter in ways he simply didn't understand. "I.. I just.. want to.. do more good.. than cause pain.." He mumbled quietly into her hand, slightly leaning into her touch without realizing it. She.. cared. That much was evident to him, and he.. really appreciated it. He was alone, otherwise, and it could very well be him latching on emotionally because he was desperate.. But he enjoyed her company. "..I'd.. rather you spend your time looking for a way to cure yourself.." He mumbled quietly. "I'm just.. one guy. You're a princess.. Royalty.. Your people could use.. your leadership." He.. wasn't sure what else to say. She wouldn't listen to him one bit, of that much she was certain. As she put her hand against his chest, she could feel how his heart was beating quickly. "You're not gonna die.." He spoke, looking her in the eye. "Dammit, I don't want control if it means you.. die.." He'd give it all away if it meant she could live. A lone phoenix wasn't anything. Not in comparison to a princess with a purpose in her life. She had to lead her people against the rifts, so that they could fix things.. It was a no-brainer, in his opinion. @the.begotten
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 9/10/2023 2:27 AM
The feel of his closeness was almost surreal, perhaps it was survivors guilt she felt this way, but she would be damned to leave her people without any structure, let alone Shimmer. Ember pools gazed within his eyes, a small and appreciative smile turning her lips to the words spoken. Briefly did she close her eyes, letting the feel of his heartbeat soothe her very soul. He was alive and all she felt was gratitude that he was willing to risk putting himself into a state of vulnerability after using his powers. Her hand slid from his chest and to cup both cheeks, though a raging blush darkened her own she stood atop her tipple toes pressing the softest kiss to the tip of his nose. The heat he emitted was bearable, probably due to his powers not having fully come back as of yet, but nonetheless, she was thankful for the small contact she had. Her ears flicked before she ran a hand through her disheveled hair. "I'm at a loss of how to cure myself anyways, Shimmer, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Not only that, the answers to both of us might be in the archives.." She trailed off, E'Dune coming to her side, the wolf looked up to Shimmer, her maw taking to a part and with a gravelly voice, struggling to find her vocals. If we… Should d..die to he..lp, so.. be it. E'Dune growled in annoyance attempting to collect herself, her side pressed to Jakkie with annoying flicks to her tail, her words improving with each one spoken. We.. Need to close.. The rifts first. If we close them.. the faster we can get.. to the Gate. It's not that simple to just go to Valkoria and get to the archives. Like my sister said. We have to close 11 rifts, each rift shut will chain the gate. It sounds simple, but the battle will be long.
2:27 AM
Jakkie nodded in agreement to E'Dunes tale. "Each chain will slide back into a part of the lock to the Gate, after we close them, the last piece would be to find the holder of the key. And that Key was secured inside the Royal Archives. As I've said, only royalty can open the archives. I don't know who would risk treason, let alone make dealings with Demons. That Gate is a direct flow of Hell itself. I'm afraid if we don't close them, this world will change." She said, her eyes cast down as she stepped away from him, hands falling to her sides in what seemed defeat.
2:27 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 9/15/2023 3:47 AM
The phoenix wasn't sure what to do in this situation, with Jakkie staring into his eyes with her ember eyes.. That color was.. conflicting to him. Embers brought flame, flame was what he wanted to avoid. But, in her eyes, he found comfort in that color. There was softness that he didn't see within fire.. She cared, even if he didn't believe that she should.. But it felt.. good.. to have her care. As her hands rose to cup his face, he couldn't help but get a slight pink hue across his cheeks that only got darker when she placed a kiss on his nose. Internally, he was screaming, having absolutely having no idea how to react to this situation. This was by far the closest he had never been to.. well, anyone. "..I-I-If.." He started to stammer before stepping away and collecting himself for a moment. "..If.. going to the archives.. is what we need to do to cure you.. then we'll do it. For you, not for me." With a quiet shake of his head, he turned to the wolf as she started to speak. "..I don't want to be the reason you two die." Shimmer said quietly. That much was true.. There'd be all kinds of guilt if he was the reason Jakkie was dead, leaving an entire kingdom without a leader.. A lone phoenix wasn't worth that. "..I guess we.. should get to work, then. I don't know the first thing about fighting demons or closing gates.. But I'll have to learn, so you don't have to do everything.." Shimmer didn't know if he'd be able to fight effectively as a result of his natural heat, but he'd be willing to try. Maybe he'd be able to find some way to channel his heat if he learned how to fight? It was wishful thinking, but he wanted to try and be optimistic.. "Whoever caused all this will pay, Jakkie. I..swear it." @Deleted User
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Jak'Kal Val'Kore BOT 10/4/2023 5:57 AM
There was a softness within her eyes as she looked within those captivating pools of his. Her thumb took to a gentle sway across the rounds of his cheek where the color changed significantly with a flush of heat. She smiled, letting her hands fall after pressing one last kiss to his temple knowing this was probably the one and only chance she’d have before he began to regain the power of his flames. “You don’t need to worry about us, Shimmer.. This is the best chance we have, if there’s somewhat a semblance of a chance we can have to help you with your power, we’ll do what we have to.” Jakkie stated matter of factly, E’Dune nodded her head in agreement. The large beast having the height to Shimmer’s chest gave him a reassuring nudge of her head before slinking her form around him, bits and pieces of E’Dunes fur clung to his clothing - She scented him with her likeness, much like animals do with their owners in show of affection but recognizing them as their kin. Should we ever… Be Separated, I will find you when we begin.. Shutting down the rifts. There were subtle parts in her words as her speech was a bit strained, E’Dune continued. Perhaps we need to console the Moon Mother and plead her forgiveness for our misuse of power. She looked up at Jakkie giving an annoying flick of her tail as she felt the sludge pulsate in Jakkie’s veins making her wince in pain. “Let’s get settled, Shim. Set up our camp, I have to meet up with Dowan and Je’Sah. I need reports on when training will start. I don’t think a month will work, we will have to shorten it and move out in a week. Now that I think of it, we can’t get comfortable and need to start finding these rifts.” She peered at him, her words strained and dripped of pain as the sludge continued to slither and writhe within her body. E’Dune quickly rounded her side and pressed against her for stability and comfort.
5:58 AM
“I’ll.. I’ll meet you back at our campsite, if you want to share.” She cast her gaze away, a blush running through her cheeks once more, the all too familiar heat that was at the same time, unfamiliar. “Let’s go E’Dune..” She didn’t wait for his answer and began walking to the South end of the encampment where the eruption of Shimmer’s power took place ended up being the best suitable position to train the Soldiers and Chosen. _ As Jakkie and E’Dune approached the men and women there were about 30 in total willing to become soldiers, the other 17 would offer support when needed, but would be tasked in gathering food and wood for their stay. The 17 had less than desirable Chosen and wouldn’t benefit in a fight, Jakkie saw a Sparrow which was used as Recon, a Chameleon for stealth, and a few others that would just end up getting killed in a fight, but could be used for other benefits. “Dowan, when are you going to start the training?” She spoke loud enough for him to hear her as she came to his side. “We plan on starting tomorrow, as of right now, we’re building small cabins for everyone, but we’re going to need to put 2 people per shelter. Je’Sah is already assigning buddies. We also figured that when we do go into battle, each person will be responsible for their assigned buddies. We’ve given them the option to choose who to sleep with, but if they don’t find anyone, one will be assigned with. Even the reconnaissance and the gatherers will be paired. That way, no one will be alone in a situation that could become deadly.” He beamed with pride as he stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back eliciting a giggle from Jakkie and a snort from E’Dune.
5:58 AM
“You’ll make a fine Commander yet, Dowan, I’m impressed.” And she was, with all of the death and trauma she endured, this was one of the good things that happened. Having trust in someone to help with these tasks, these issues. “I’ll be sharing with Shimmer, I don’t think he would want to sleep with anyone else.” Her toothy smile still clinging to her lips as she looked over at the man. “Of course, Princess! We’ll make sure you’re plenty comfortable by night's end.” He braced a fist over his chest and bowed. “We will have some clean and fresh clothes for you and we will run a bath as best we can for you tonight. You, out of us all, earned a hot bath.” He nodded, she couldn’t help that toothy grin to split her face more as he kissed her ass. He was a good man, nonetheless, ruffling E’Dunes fur she cast her gaze downwards at the beat. “You’re going to get one too, you stink.” She giggled as a scowl formed on E’Dunes maw curling her lips in a way that bared her canines. You’ll have to fight me to get me in that tub. I refuse. She huffed in defense. “No. If you want to sleep inside, you’re going to get the nasty stench off you or you'll sleep outside.” E’Dune groaned and downwardly stretched, her paws scoured the earth beneath her talons and a yawn split her maw. I’ll sleep outside and leave you two alone. I can’t risk erasing my scent because you can’t stand my smell. She rolled her eyes in tune with Jakkie as they both cackled like children.
5:58 AM
Dowan stared at the two, a laugh erupting from his chest in a rumble. “I think we all needed this.” Some of the soldiers laughed as well to the two bantering about bath time. Jakkie shook her head as they all were caught in the moment. “I’ll leave you to it, Dowan. Thank you.” _ Several hours later, nightfall came with a waning gibson hanging high in the sky. Dowan found Jakkie and E’Dune examining the food supply leftover from the Orcs and Goblins. They had enough food and water to last a week, mostly dried meat and fish, there was enough alcohol to last months gathered in the center where they all would gather and eat. The Gatherers prepared their meals and set out plates filled with veggies and the meat soaking in a soft soup that smelled of herbs and garlic. Cups of ale and pitchers of water lined the long tables and benches that were ready and separated for seating.
5:59 AM
“Princess, we didn’t build you a shelter, but we did clean out the cave for you and Shimmer. We made a makeshift bed of fur pelts and bedding fit for Royalty. We hope you enjoy it.” He beamed once more, gesturing to her to sit at the head of the table with one chair next to it. “I’ll fetch Shimmer and have him come eat.” He said as he bowed once more and took his leave. “Thank you, Commander Dowan.” He was already proving wonderful in his attempts to ease everyone’s worries and making the best out of every situation. She knew he was making up for her saving his life, but she was more than appreciative of his willingness to go above and beyond for not only her, but their people. Rounding the head of the table, most everyone had joined her at their seats. Taking her own, she scooted the chair close to the woods edge. Daintly, she grabbed ahold of the handle of her mug of ale and raised it in the air in a toast. Her voice loud enough to carry through, her voice cracking with emotions as she spoke, “You all are survivors, warriors in our own ways, facing our own traumas of the massacre. The Great War is upon us once more and it is up to us, the Ancient One’s Warriors, to use the powers we were gifted to stop the calamity. We will not fail, we will prevail and overcome anything that crawls out of those rifts. This time, we will be prepared and we will avenge our people. Our Mothers, our Fathers, Brothers and Sisters. You are my kin, I will protect you. I will fight by your side, we will win this! We are Valkorian, the Chosen of our Mother, we will not let her down!” She shouted across the lengths of tables, meeting everyone's eyes as they all erupted in cheers and praise, beating the bottoms of their mugs in a thrum of war and praise.
5:59 AM
@Cecil
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Shimmer BOT 11/29/2023 4:46 AM
He wanted to tell her to not worry about him, to focus on herself and her people, so badly. Shimmer wanted her to survive, so that their people would still have a leader. In his mind, that was what mattered most right now. Not him. Her. But the way she spoke, and the way E'Dune spoke about finding him so they could shut down the rifts.. Shimmer just nodded and was silent for now. This wasn't something that he could argue about, clearly, even if he wanted to.. If only he could help them with the pain they were clearly feeling.. Unfortunately, his power was useless in this situation. Jakkie wanted to set up camp and meet with her commanders about training, and how little time they had to actually prepare.. When she walked off, offering to share a space with him, Shimmer lowered his gaze to the ground for a few seconds before he looked up to the sky. Maybe there was a way he could help.. There was only so much he could do once his power came back, since he'd just make everyone around him too warm and uncomfortable to function.. Taking a deep breath, Shimmer took off into the sky, searching for anything in the area that could be considered a 'rift', focusing on places he hadn't seen directly. He was gone for hours, scouting the surrounding areas as he felt his heat returning to him. With it came his fear of hurting others again, but he had recovered his magic inhibiting jewelry so that nothing would get destroyed simply by him existing. When he returned, Shimmer remained on the edge of the camp, still too afraid to go in and interact with everyone. What if something slipped, and suddenly someone erupted into flames nearby? It was a fear he constantly lived with.
4:47 AM
He faced Dowan as he approached, nodding simply and listened to him asking him to come eat. To be blunt, he was unsure if that was a good idea, but deep down, Shimmer knew that he needed to not isolate himself from everyone. He needed to join them, learn more about them, so that he could truly help Jakkie with everything she needed. So, he followed Dowan back to camp, sat wherever he was told to sit, and watched Jakkie's speech and her people's response to it, holding his mug silently in two hands as cheers rang out around him. It was.. amazing to watch this tight-knit group prepared to fight for eachother, fight to reclaim their homeland, and to drive back the darkness. It wasn't something that he ever really got to see.. Ever since he left his home out of fear of hurting those around him, he'd been alone. Of course, his parents didn't want him to leave, but he still fled. There wasn't anything for him to do now but watch and wait.. @Deleted User
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