Awaken

.

A W A K E N Shrouder Caution | Control | Manipulate

.................................

Strength ★★☆☆☆

Dexterity ★★★☆☆

Constitution ★☆☆☆☆

.................................

Intelligence ★★★★★

Wisdom ★★★☆☆

Charisma ★★★☆☆

Haunted Stone Orb Trinkets When touched, wisps of smoke begin to swim beneath the surface of this dark stone, becoming more tangible the longer you hold it. (KS-sponsored by Nick B.) 75

Only a fool would try to manipulate the land through brute force. A gentle touch is needed.

Awaken hadn’t meant to wander into Gloomfall’s territory. But Plague lands had proved too much for the coatl, the boils on his hands testifying to that. Instead, he tried to skirt along the border with Shadow, in hopes that he could reach the Viridian Labyrinth faster.

He didn’t expect to be grabbed from behind and manhandled through the woods until he was completely lost. He also didn’t like the look on the face of the fae he was presented before. He instinctively backed away, but pressure from behind pushed him forward.

The fae’s arms were folded tightly against her chest, wings beating quickly. “Styx,” she hissed, “What is the meaning of this?” The dim lighting only make her look more vicious.

“Sorry Brightie,” she said silkily, “But he looked suspicious.”

“Right, because the coatl that looks like he’s about to keel over is certainly a large enough threat to bring him back directly to base.” She gave a pointed look.

Awaken could feel a silent laughter from the other’s chest. “You underestimate my magic.” She unhooked his bag and threw it closer. “Just look, though do be careful. I don’t think your husband would like you to lose a hand.”

She raised an eyebrow, but opened the bag all the same. On top, just like it had been when he checked it this morning, was the flower. “What is this?”

He was as good as dead.

“That, my dear, is a frozen bluebell.” The grip on his shoulders worsened. “One of the most dangerous plants on Sornieth, known to freeze dragons on the spot.”

The fae stilled, quickly covering the bag again. For the first time, she looked at Awaken directly. “And what per se, is a water dragon doing with a weapon like this in the Tangled Woods?”

“I,” he started cautiously. “I was told it could be used to heal certain… conditions by Nature mages.”

This time Styx didn’t hold in her laugh. “Oh no, criminal; don’t lie to us. You heard that among fellow jailbirds. But honey, that’s just a myth we tell the non-natives in hopes the robbers freeze themselves before they finish the journey. Because if there’s one thing Ice is good at, it is making sure that no one can ever escape.”

Truly the gods had forsaken him.

It took him far longer than it should have to notice the – perhaps curious – look on the fae. For once, she didn’t look outright angry. They remained in dead silent, and not even Styx tried to speak up.

“Why were you imprisoned in the first place?” she finally asked.

He had to tell them, didn’t he? Not about how dumb he had been. Believing his clan would actually do what they claimed and keep him. No, maybe he could avoid acknowledging that at least.

“I was spying on them for my clan,” he admitted. “We were preparing for dominance.”

“And how old were you?”

He bit his lip. “Almost old enough for my coming of age celebration.”

At that, Styx turned him around. She was everything he wasn’t as a coatl, he realized. Fine black plumage, a healthy build. The sword attached to her side showed clear use.

“You were just a babe!” she shouted, shaking him out of his thoughts.

The fae only hummed. He had no idea what was going through her head. “Well then, would you be interested in training in the way of the Shadowbinder?”

What? He stared blankly.

“Morpheus is good at healing. And I’m sure Rhun would love someone willing to train under him. It wouldn’t be a bad life.” She shrugged. “You’re not the best fruit on the branch, I’ll be honest, but you could be useful.”

“And you’re always one to accept a new weapon,” Styx said in glee. “What do you think Fire will do once they realize their dragons are freezing to death?”

This wasn’t what he had planned when he woke up this morning, but maybe luck finally decided to turn her gaze towards him.

---

...........

<<<

>>>