Chapter I-Rumors and history...Do they mix?
It`s a surprisingly humid day in the Tangled Wood, light summer rain softly pounding on the forest floor of the silent Wispwillow grove.
The ghostly pale blue glow cast by the towering mushrooms--- though eerie to most dragons not native to the Shadow flight or well acquainted with it--- combined with this rare phenomenon is making the foorest look ethereal and near heavenly beautiful.
A young Mirror is trotting down a dampen path, exiting the Driftwood dragg and approaching her clan borders at a quick pace--- cursing faintly under her breath at the unpleasant humidity as rain dropplets bounce off her wings and dripping down her tail.
Soon the sight of a familiar team of guards enters her line of sight and she slows down,a cheerful grin tug at beginning to her lips as she abruptly halts.
No matter what the weather is, or what time of the day---there`s always at least one group of guards or warriors stoically patrolling the clan borders.
The previous leaders were very strict about security..well okay, most of them, were.
Take the notorious Neuma clan for instance: After Seraph`s fall, during its Renaissance, not a single thief or spy managed to set foot an inch furthur than the borders before being aggressively chased out.
But let`s return back to the present.
---''Heeey guys! What up? Aren`t you gonna catch a cold out here,eh? Oh,
hi Persy!'' The four eyed dragon calls joyously as she runs over, shaking off the water off of her wings and fixing them to look a smidge more presentable.
She nods her head to the patrols in greetings--receiving both a chorus of equally refreshed 'Hello Avi!' and solemn nods from the quieter lookouts along with a few chirps back of ''Hey!'' here and there when she draws closer.
Upon finally reaching the two watchtowers, or guard cabbins like she has jokingly dubbed them in her mind some time ago, something grabs her attention:
A tall condorwing champion is standing in front of her watchtower-- ever serious and stony-faced, her sharp piercing gaze watching her team mates sauntering the area.
Huh, usually Persy is up on her station at the top...Wonder who she is waiting for.... The apprentice jumps out of her skin when those critical eyes lock onto her approaching form and she lowers her head slightly whilst resuming her walking.
Oof. Looks like I maaay have screwed up.
I mean-- I know this is the harpy's default leer, but holly smokin' mama doesn't she seem grumpier than usual! Someone must have seriously irritated her this week.
....Or one of the crew has reported me to her for wandering near the ruins.
---''Greetings, Avisa. Welcome back--Tymeth and young Verian were looking for you along with Moonlight and Avea. Here is a letter from Tenuem.'' -The head guard says flatly in a rather cold voice, that, paired with her near robotic behavior would unnerve strangers and guests but not Avisa.
Or anyone else from the clan for that matter.
Today, though, Persy's voice sounds a tiny bit less...tense.
The necromancer more than glady takes this as a good sign-- considering that the elite warrior usually can be heard eighter clashing blades in one on one training spars or angrily shouting commands at her poor trainees whenever they make the smallest mistake.
....Or just stay quiet and pierce them with icy irritated eyes, which in Avisa's opinnion is far more terrifying than her yelling. Because then one has absolutely messed up a big time for sure and hardly knows what would be their punishment.
She accepts the envelope casually, flashing Persephona a dopey and easy-going toothy smile:
---"Heheh, thanks Persy. I'm sure they will swing by."
Peeking at the letter- Avisa lets out a short laugh in fond amusment at her younger brother`s writing then tucks it in her basket, cooing teasingly.
---''Aww, so mister Edgey boi has gotten nostalgic for his dear older sis?
Oh poor Tennyro,I`ll write to him when I get home." And then her grin freezes as a thought flashes in her mind, followed by a realization. It was like a slap to the snout with a clay brick--the aspiring necromancer finally registering what the red-haired beast had told her a minute ago.
Verian and Tymeth came to look for her because she is running late.
Yesterday she and Moonlight just had escorted their brother to the clan borders and
reeeeaaally wanted to gather the gang to hang out at the quiant cafe near the open theater, sending out Howlers to each of their friends.
(Their sister Avea included-- because she is their most best comrade.)
But unfortunately everyone said that they are swamped with work and can't make it, promising to paint the village red the next day. Although exactly
when said day was unclear since their schedules vary greatly.
Flashback
The three of them were walking up the worn path to the northern gates, having spent the day talking about anything that came to mind: From simple daily life woes and mundane adventures, to cogs, skrews and robots, to silly jokes that they used to laugh at when younger along with pretty much anything in-between.
Alas, by evening the sight of the watchtowers and a small group of techno geeks comes to clear view, waving animatedly at the phantom walker.
Stopping at the border, the gloom grey colored dragon turns to look back over his sharp shoulder at the black and white necromancer sitting on her haunches gazing at him wistfully, his little sister standing next to Avisa.
A beat of quiet passes between them- just gazing at each other with mutual sorrow and longing. A moment of simply appreciating the day that they could spend together as a family.
Then Tenuem clears his throat somewhat awkwardly, unable to bear the silence and pipes up- trying to sound nonchalant. Nevermind the fact that his eyes were already welled with tears despite his stubborn efforts to hold them back.
---"Well. It's great we could at long last see eye-to-eye, for once. But the storms are calling and I think I've had enough contact with you old hags for a whole month."
His older sibling stands up and walks over to him making the technician turn around to fully face her as she draws closer-- wrapping him in a tight hug both with her arms and dark colored butterfly patterned wings, burying her head into the crook of his neck.
The petal skinned employee returns the embrace, folding his own wings around her in an attempt to comfort his sister as sobs begin to wrack the female Mirror's body.
---"I already miss you Tenyrooo! Love ya too, y'know?"- she chokes out between fits sniffling and sobbing on his shoulders.
---"
Avii!"-whining in false annoyance, the technician then soften his voice now getting serious. And emotional himself.
Even though he throws mean words at the two in half-hearted teasings, Tenuem always hates these departures. Hates leaving his siblings behind like this.
---"...Don't cry, ok?"-His tone takes on a more humorous note, hoping to cheer her up with his sarcastic joke- " T'will be like last year, me spamming your inbox, and you praying to Drool mama the stream of mean wrath stops."
Avisa giggles at this, voice less shaky. It makes him smile.
---"Pffft,
gods no. Please don't. "
The two siblings pull away from the hug, Avisa playfully punching Tenuem on his shoulder and snorting with laughter at the his silly nonsense--the brother waving his hands as if telling some spoooooky story.
---"Yeah! And I'll do it every. Single. Day, cos I'm evil -Muhaha!"
---"Yeah, yeah,right. Whatever, dork. You be safe over there, alright? I don't wanna be called to resurrect a fried fish, you hear?"
Grinning as he rises back on his feet, the storm apprentice hums in affirmation while giving a quick thumbs up--getting one last wing side hug from Moonlight before finally turning back to the path......
And passes through the gates, vanishing from sight with his buddies as they get teleported. The two sisters heading back down the road, going home.
....
Moonlight impatiently shuffles her tarot cards, draped over her cushions-- the room an absolute mess with herbology, botany and gardening textbooks of varying width scattered around on the floor haphazardly. The walls are simply obscured by vine and crawling plants, clay pots with other flowers and herbs lined up against them.
The single ceiling tall wide window wide open and the small lucky kitsune clock sitting on the top shelf of her wardrobe across from her ticking by.
---"Argh, what
is taking Houlla so long? Tym doesn't live in the Gladeveins!"- The botanist rolls onto her stomach, pouting and kicking her feet up and down- tail resting over her head.
She abruptly looks up when her older sibling steps into her side of the cave, excitedly waiting for the news.
---"What did Hawler say? How did Verian respond? Hm,sis? Hm? Hm? Hm?"
Avisa shakes her head, causing Moonlight to deflate and slump in defeat with a groan. Flapping of wings and squawking yanks both dragons' attention-- lifting their heads up to see a single bird enter the room:
A raven, briefly grabbing onto the wooden stand before taking a turn and landing on the necromancer's head.
---"Hawler? News?"- She prompts the bird, lowering her head a bit when it starts speaking. It took several long years to teach her familliar to listen when being spoken to, learn quickly then replicate exactly what he was told and finally-- how to fly to different homes then return back. And tons of treats.
---"Hey, hi Avi, Moony. Sorry, no can do. I'm just seriously swamped practicing my program for tomorrow but I do wanna hang out- trust me. Oh no...Haw, don't ya dare lil guy. Heh, I'll see you three sometime." For a second Hawler shuts up, tilting his head from side to side inquisitively.
Looking at her sister questioningly, Moonlight drums her fingers on the floor, watching Avi shrug her shoulders. She looks back at the dark avian when it opens its beak to talk again, a continuation of Verian's message for them.
---"Ah! In case you're wondering, Hou is a ragular magpie so Tym's gonna send her off tomorrow. Sorry."
The next day, just as the dancer had said, the botanist's familliar was sent back.
And boy didn't it announce its return: A shrill screech startles the three Mirrors in the afternoon, the magpie then lowering down her volume to speak normaly....
End of Flashback
--''Ah right! We were supposed to meet at Remira's but I got training for reals this time and
kiiiinda forgot to tell them-
yikes.
Welp,alright,will head there in a bit after I toss some proper clothing. Anyway,thanks again Persy! See ya 'round!'' Avisa quickly calls out to the beastclans member, slurring some of her words in her hurry.
She looks at the harpy and nods then walks furthur down the cobblestone path that leads to the clan center then stops again, turning her head a bit to look over her shoulder with a fond yet still amused smirk as she adds naturally-
---''Oh by the way: Smile every once in a while Persy, at least for the sake of your poor trainees. It won`t kill you, trust me-in case it does, I`m right here.''
Persephona turns her head to look at her with her brows raised in an inquisitive manner then smiles a lopsided knowing smirk that cause the young necromancer to freeze in her tracks- face contouring into a surprised expression as she stands there, gawking at the guard.
Her jaw nearly drops.
She actually smiled! Holly crowing Death seekers! I got the ice lady Persephona to smile!
''I believe you have a meeting to attend, correct?'' Asks the guard calmly, smirk fading away as she regards the other who snaps out of her daze and grins sheepishly.
---''
Oh! Right! Right! Sorry, bye!''
And with that the Mirror bounds down the path.
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The three were seated at a table near one of the large windows of cafe Remira's Sweetness-- quietly chatting when Avisa comes in, almost busting the doors as she throws them open and bursts in.
The trio's heads shoot up at their friend's rather dramatic entrance and share a collective look of startled surprise while the necromancer approaches them, flopping ungracefully on a free seat, panting from running at top speed.
--''Hi,hello folks,what did I miss here?''- She quizzes after regaining her composure and props her elbows on the table with a smile. Still wheezing.
Avea tilts her head to the side with a concerned face and studies her for a long moment before shaking her head, adjusting her spectacles.
---''Where the Shade have you been Avi? Something held you up?''- The older sister cringes and sinks into her seat--smile turning sheepish for the second time this day. Awkwardly scratching the back of her head, cheeks reddening in embarissement--she chuckles nerviously. It makes the others peer at her curiously.
---''Eheh,weell..Yeah,kinda. I was planning on comin' here much sooner but ol' Waraye held me up with a sudden assignment on resurrection and you guys know her: She's a nice lady but you don't wanna mess around.
So I had no other choice,
I swear!'' -Avisa exclaims,raising her hands in front of herself in defense at the sharp look the astronomer shoots her.
--''You could have warned!'' She chides, puffing up her cheeks indignantly and the older dragoness winces feeling guilty as she mumbles a quiet 'sorry!' in responce then asks:
---"How long have you three been hanging here?''
The younger sibling huffs, rolling her eyes a bit as she answers nonchalantly. As if tottaly disinterested, inspecting her nails.
---''About an hour straight. If you didn't show up for ten more minutes, we would have left.''-She throws her another glare before smiling cheekily and adjusting her spectacles once again.
It's at this moment that the aquamarine eyed Serthis chimes in briefly with tired smile, voice strained and uncharacteristically quiet. Kinda raspy.
---''Thankfully you managed to catch us. To answer your question-no, you didn't.''
---''We were just disscusing our clan history and the rumors about it.'' -The youngest sister calmly joins the conversation, taking a small sip of her lemonade while watching the other two with gleeful eyes.
The necromancer lifts her brows then furrows them in a puzzled frown at the botanist`s words.
She looked at Avea, then at Tymeth questioningly.
--''Hold on. What rumors are flying about here? Ave? Tym? What is Moony going on about here?''
Moonlight glances at her with a bored smug expression as she starts to explain unconcernedly with a shrug of her shoulders, talking in a matter-of-faculty tone of voice. As if it's obvious.
---''Well, pretty much everyone knows about the legends here.
I`m bit surprised that you don't. I can't really tell you much exactly--but Tym is much better with history here than me,so.'' -She makes a pause for a dramatic effect then turns to the centaur, eyes glinting somewhat expectantly with childish glee at the way she practically puts him in the spotlight.
---"So,
what do you know~?''
Her siblings set their gazes on him as well, peering at the painted beast intently.
The guest house keeper looks up from his notes that he is scribbling carefully in his pocket journal and makes a small pained grimace at having to speak of the rumors.
Heaving a short sigh of exhaustion, he starts of never the less. Even though it was plain clear he'd much rather chat on different topics.
---''There is a sickness in Shadow flight, labelled 'the curse' by our ancestors due to how deadly it is and its symptoms. It's been ravin' for decades, strangely enough with the very first recordin's of it starting from the Neuma era and, sadly-continuing to this day.''
Avisa's frown deepen as she observes the change in the usually friendly and lively beast's demeanor--his expression solemn while he elaborates.
Something isn't right with this.
A single question leaves her fanged mouth in a hushed voice.
---''Does anyone know its origins? Is there a cure or something to counter it with?''
Tymeth shakes his head sadly, replying solemnly:
---''Unfortunately no, nobody knows its origins as of yet and there be no cure for it.
According to wha' I hear from the healers: It seems to be quite tricky to deal with--keeps mutatin' at a truly frightening speed and doesn't allow them to study it properly. Each day it gets only stronger than before, more devastating.
There are a few versions as to how it got here, some speculatin' that a plague aligned dragon brought it to the shadow domain while others think it started on its own at the borders connecting the Tangled Wood and the Scarred Wasteland.''
''Only condition Phoenix can counter it.''-Adds mysteriously the young astronomer, sipping from her mug of hot chocolate and pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. The Beastclans member nods in confirmation then continued lecture, drawing Avisa`s attention back to him.
--''With the curse, only the strongest and luckiest get to live.....Those who are not resistant enough fall victims.
It ruthlessly strikes children and hatchlings most of the time but there are cases of adults meetin' their demise because of it.''
This sounds more like a creature than an illness to me.
The elder Mirror muses to herself morosely with a pensive scowl, falling silent for a few minutes.
---''Do you know of the legend of the elderly Oracle and the three hatchlings, Avi?
It's about the beginning and end of the Shadow Survivors.''The youngest Mirror sibling pipes up yet again her tone suddenly serious and the obsidian winged teen hums in responce, still reflecting.
---''It`s when the curse first appeared, the Neuma clan lived in the Driftwood dragg.''
The necromancer in training tingles, freezing in her spot with her face becoming pale. And only kept getting paler as Moony carries on with her ominous tale.
--''The sole survivors were Yannis, an elderly Spiral sage and three eggs that haven't hatched yet.
She took them and flew as far away as possible, going to the heart of the Shadow forest--the Forum of the obscured crescent where the curse cannot reach.
There the eggs hatched and she raised them on her own, naming the eldest brother Lumineryn wich means 'Light' in old speech.
The second brother was named Arryner-'War' or 'Doom',depending on the scentence you use it in and the youngest she couldn't name because the egg didn't hatch.
One day,the Spiral returned from the Coliseum and collapsed before the nest,two small fishes in her hand-''
---''-The last egg hatched much later, however, and the last brother was a runt whom Lumineryn named Aqyss,meaning 'Poet'. They three-the King,the solider and the poet, built a clan that split in three after a bitter quarrel between the two older brothers...''
Avisa whispers under her breath, finishing the legend for her.
Moonlight nods her head in approval,grinning slowly like she's proven some point in an argument.
The group had fallen silent with Tymeth and Avea listening closely to the conversation.
---
''The three heads of the Emperor-Pacifist,Neutral,Furious.''
-Avisa breathes countless of possiblilities and hypothesis racing trough her mind and she abruptly lifts her head to look at the moon-white skinned dragoness, voice determined.
---''Moony? Do you happen to have the Fate Emperor tarot card?''
The botanist's smirk turns toothy and her amethyst eyes spark with enthusiastic curiousity as she chirps happily.
---''But of course I do! I have the whole deck at my arsenal all the time!'' Rummaging through her basket, Moonlight fishes out a deck of cards with colorful pictures tied together with a string of red twine then tosses it to the orca colored teen seated beside the painted centaur (who interestedly peers at them, intrigued) and leans back on the couch lazily with a smug look.
Avisa cauth them and unties the string--placing it on the table then carefully runs a claw through them while holding them with her other. She pulled out one with a three-headed Imperial and examines it closely, as if the card would suddenly start talking to her and reveal its secrets.
Avea exchanges a mystified yet eager glance with her comrade and turns to watch her older sibling.
---''I'm...not sure how Tarot or Runes will help us. What does the Emperor have to do with the Curse?'' -She puzzles humorously, continuing to surveill the necromancer place it back in the the deck with her eyes closed.
---''Maybe everything, maybe only a little bit or maybe nothing at all.''
Avisa responds to her vaguely, tying the cards back together and tosses them back to Moonlight with a huge elated beam on her lips.
All of a sudden she claps her hands, a purposeful gleam dancing in her eyes as she addresses her friends.
---''Gang, we have a mystery on our hands!''
Tymeth gave her a bemused look.
---''Yes,we've been havin' it for quite a long while.'' He states sarcastically in matter-of-faculty tone of voice, not liking where his friend's train of thinking is currently headed.
---''And?''-Chimes in Avea attempting to do her best to keep a straight face but alas, her violet eyes were shining with mirth. Avisa flattened her fins with an unimpressed scoff.
Moonlight rolls her eyes at them and shakes her head in disapproval while still grinning like the Chesire cat she is, then piped up.
---''And we`re gonna solve it,
duh! Sheesh,you two can be slowpokes at times.''
Her older sibling gives her an approving look and nods.
---''Exactly.''
Then she directs her patronising gaze at the two as she asks passionately:
---''Well? You in or nah? Oh,Veriny! Hi! Geez,you've been unbelievably quiet today I barely noticed you're hanging there buddy!''
Avisa greets after noticing the serpentine performer move a little in the far corner of the couch that's closer to the window.
Verian--who was staring at the tablecloth pensively with a scowl on his face warily lifts his blueish gaze to look at her blankly.
His response sounds hollow and weak as he smiles meekly at her, lifting his gloved hand to wave back in greetings, hand droping back on the table surface.
---"Hello."
Both the grey Mirror and the house keeper cast them wary looks, uncertainty and hesitation flickering in their eyes as the beast speaks up carefully-- his deep tenor voice holding a hint of restlessness, accent sounding more clearly.
He is an average tall, about thirty years old fellow with bushy dark brown eyebrows and warm deep chocolate brown doe eyes. His long chestnut woolly hair is tied up loosely into a ponytail and the centaur also has thin lips, body well built. But the fatigue from his job does make him appear drastically aged up.
---''Ye know just how massive is tis, right lassie? There are...dangers lurkin' about.
We can't just run around like headless chickens.''
His eyes regard the three with near fatherly apprehension as he warns them rigidly.
Avisa's smile softens to look more sincere and she waves a hand at him dissmissively. Although it did little to nothing to reassure the centaur. If not anything- it only served to make Tymeth more concerned.
---''Oh don't worry Tym, everything will be perfectly fine.''
Seeing that she clearly either doesn't understand his caution or didn't want to heed it much, Tymeth knits his brows into a slight frown as he crosses his arms and grumbles tiredly.
---''If someone hears ye lot,they'll will think yer off your trolley.''
Moonlight laughs good-heartedly at his complaint.
---''C'on granpops, everyone knows we're wild youghts- that's our charm.
We're just going to see if rumors and history mix. What can possibly go wrong?''
The beast shoots her a sour scolding look, unfaised and unimpressed as he grumbles.
---''Yer bum's oot the windae.''
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When they exited the cafe, the young serpent abruptly turns lively and smiles a toothy grin at the rest of his friends as he hooks an arm around the necromancer's neck in a laid-back side hug.
---"Hey gang, I wanna steal Aviry for a sec or two--that good, yah? Sweet! Come on Avi!" He adresses the group carelessly and simply proceeds to do whatever he has planned anyways, roughly grabbing Avisa by her wrist.
---"Hey! What? Where are we-?" But she doesn't get the chance to protest any longer as the Aerial silks dancer drags her away hurriedly.
Rounding a small corner the duo enters a narrow alley between Remyra's Sweetness café and the other buildings after the crossroads.
Once alone, the Serthis lets go of her wrist and starts talking without turning to look at her.
Something definately is not right.
There is a certain edge to his voice.
---"Sorry for dragging you all the way here Avi. I'll just cut to the chase-drop it."
---"What?"
---"You don't know what you're really getting yourself into."
Avisa tilts her head to the side with a baffled expression.
---"What do you mean? What are you getting at here?" She demand irritably, wincing when the young beast glares at her sternly over his shoulder, his narrowed eyes filled with deep concern.
With a forlorn expression he finally faces her, voice heavy with distress.
---"Avisa, I'm talking about the myths you are about to go after--
especially the Curse and condition Phoenix. Knowing you, that won't stop you, right?"
His gaze softens a little.
---"What I'm saying is: Be extremely careful with the ice you're about to walk on.
I'm leaving for Raff circus tomorrow at dawn and won't get back til a month,or so later at dusk, so......Just wanted to warn you and say farewell."
The elder sibling smiles and nods then hugs him tightly, uttering reassuring words.
Small promises that she would unwittingly break.
---"Of course, homie! Best of luck with the performances and hopefully you stun your audience!"
---"Heh,sure thing,thanks and good luck to you as well."
Well Chapter one is finally finished,had to do some research on scottish slang to do Tym`s accent right.What do you think? Was it good,was it cringy? I hope not. ;v;
If there are any typos and other sort of mistakes,please tell me! I`m not an english speacker.
Always interested in RPing!
Bio codes! (Free)
mist 2
