Creative Corner

Eeeeeeee!

woo!

EYYYY THIS LOOKS SO GOOD AND SO EXCITING!!!! AAAA I CAN'T WAIT YOUR WRITING IS SO GOOD AND THIS IS ALL GOING TO BE SO GOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!! AND IT'S VAYNE'S STORY TOO, AAAA THIS HYYYYPE!!!

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wUTLwJa.png[/img] [font=times new roman][size=5]Chapter 1[/size][/font][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54500356] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1119098209327919124/1198119122907713587/RadiantVayne_beginning.png[/img] [/url] [img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/familiar/art/24509.png[/img][/center] Vayne had to admit that it was a relief to be back in the Light of the Sunbeam Ruins. The Tangled Wood had felt rather oppressive to her, the Shadow magic having suppressed her Fire magic. Out in the open sun, she quickly felt rejuvenated, warm; like home. Yet there was still that twist of doubt in the pit of her stomach as she soared over the sun-dappled woodland, which was dotted by crumbling structures and laced with an ominous mist that had been growing thicker upon the ground. Was she ready for this? “There it is,” Rasmus’s voice called above the rushing wind. She could feel him shift on her neck where he was perched alongside Sethos, her quillrunner. “Ten points to larboard; your left.” She appreciated that he was trying to help, but she hardly needed his direction. She could see their destination, set into the very heart of the crumbling Hewn City. She banked slowly and began a gradual descent so as not to dislodge her passengers. She could feel Sethos’ claws sink harmlessly into her scales, and she commiserated quietly with him. Her own anxiety increased as the world seemed to mysteriously darken around them as they drifted down into the cursed air of the ruins. The only area of light left shone like a beacon in the dimness, a great, golden structure that rose out of the dust and ashes of the crumbling city around it; the Great Library of Stars. The Library was surrounded by protective magic which acted as a shield to keep out the dark mist that consumed the land around it. Vayne drove toward it, knowing the dangers of remaining outside its influence for too long. Even now, she felt a heaviness weighing on her, like something was reaching out to pull her back. She did her best to block it out, fixating on the tall towers of the Library before her. [i]Just a little further…[/i] She let out an audible gasp of relief as they slipped through the magical barrier and into the Library grounds. She landed clumsily on the stone road below, barely stopping her momentum in time. She could feel Sethos scrabbling on her neck and she quickly lowered her head to let him and Rasmus down. The quillrunner trotted around in agitation, though he didn’t leave the shadow on her wings. If Rasmus had been rattled, however, the longneck didn’t show it, merely adjusting his armor and walking ahead of Vayne into an escort position. He turned to her, bowed, and held out a hand to motion toward the Library. “Shall we, your Radiant?” he said, though it sounded less like a question and more like a strong suggestion. She sighed, turning to comfort and gather Sethos. Once he had calmed, she looked back at Rasmus and nodded. “Yes… lead on,” she murmured. He led the way briskly up the wide walkway to the grand, golden doors. Vayne couldn’t help looking up in awe at the massive building. She had been groomed to protect this place, but this was the first time she had actually seen the Library in person. Most of her training had been down in the Ashfall Waste. The first Imperial born outside of Light to become the Library’s guardian. She gave herself a shake; it was too stressful to think like that right now. With a sharp tap from Rasmus, the great doors swung open, slow and smooth. They stepped in the entrance hall, which was illuminated by a well-engineered series of windows and mirrors so it seemed like the very walls radiated a soft glow. Grand staircases twisted their way toward the various floors and open doorways gave a glimpse of the maze of corridors and rooms. It was all quite daunting. So enraptured by the architecture, Vayne didn’t notice the smattering of longneck guards, one of which approached Rasmus to speak to him quietly. She was jolted back to her senses when Rasmus called up to her, and he motioned to the other longneck. “Your Radiant, this is Lucetta,” he introduced her. “She will show you your quarters, which are up in the central tower.” “Oh,” she said instinctively, taken aback. She had thought Rasmus would help her acquaint herself with the Library, but now that she thought about it, it seemed silly. He was obviously a commander of sorts, now that she was looking at his armor compared to the others, so he must have other duties than to look after her. When the silence stretched and she realized she was being rude, she quickly ducked her head and said, “I’m sorry, my name is Vayne. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Lucetta seemed about as surprised by this reaction as anything else and she exchanged a glance with Rasmus. Vayne suppressed a sigh. She really wished she could have stuck with someone she knew, but the only one she could think of was Rasmus. And perhaps… “Vayne!” The Imperial’s head snapped up immediately at the sound of her name and the rapid approach of footsteps. Rushing toward her was a yellowish Pearlcatcher, her Light eyes shining in relief. “There you are! We’ve been so worried about you!” [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=57904849] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=57904849&skin=0&apparel=42693,30036,28360,28362,28366,28397,3541,28364,22698&xt=dressing.png[/img] [/url][/center] “Tami!” Vayne breathed in relief. After all, it had to be Tamika; she had kept a correspondence with her during her training. Their parents had introduced them knowing that their lives might be lonely, given their circumstances; one meant to become a great defender, and one born to the Library and often confined to its walls. Tamika’s letters were something Vayne always looked forward to, because they told her things about the Library beyond all the technical stuff she had to memorize. The Pearlcatcher came to a halt in front of the Imperial and beamed up at her, looking her over. “Rasmus said you disappeared on the way here!” she said breathlessly. “What happened? Were you kidnapped? Were you hurt? Was it those Shadow dragons?” Vayne visibly flinched and Tamika paused. To the side, Vayne could feel Rasmus’s eyes boring into her; again. He was leaving it up to her to tell the truth. She shifted uncomfortably and looked back at Tamika, into her quizzical expression. Finally, she opened her mouth – and her courage failed. “I… got lost.” She heard the quietest huff from Rasmus, but luckily Tamika didn’t seem to notice. The Pearlcatcher blinked, then smiled warmly. “Then I’m extra glad that Rasmus was able to find you. And hey, don’t feel too bad – this is your first time coming here. I think you’re allowed to get lost once. Right?” “Yeah,” Vayne answered faintly. Tamika nodded and hopped up, deftly tossing her pearl to catch in her tail. “Come on! I’ll show you your rooms. You get the best view in the whole Library!” she said enthusiastically, trotting toward the stairs. Vayne didn’t dare look back at Rasmus as she followed after her, knowing just what she’d see if she did. [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/f7d654d2648aa8ce6a71cf869c9d61e4/tumblr_inline_o21bn2e4fq1r3lvtf_400.png[/img][/center] “Sir,” Lucetta drew back Rasmus’s attention from watching Vayne ascend the stairs to the upper floors. He wasn’t surprised to see the very serious expression on her face when he looked at her. “May I speak frankly, commander?” “You may,” he replied. If he was surprised by anything, it was that she would actually hesitate to ask a question. She was typically too strong willed to keep silent. “What is it?” “If I may be so bold; is the new Radiant up to this task?” He frowned. That [i]was [/i]a bold question. She stood tall though, ignoring the discomfited shifting of her peers in the background. Rasmus was about to reprimand her, but he caught something in her eyes. There; she was only so brave in asking such a question because there was something far greater that worried her. Perhaps even scared her. He turned to face her properly and he saw the slightest falter in her stance before she regained her composure. “The outer defenses appear to be holding,” he said, trying to determine the root of her anxiety. “I didn’t see any weakness in them. The spells of the previous Radiant will still hold for another three months. Yes?” “Yes,” she replied, confusing him all the more. Then she added, “But something’s happening, sir. All of us have been able to feel it; the days are getting dimmer, and the nights are getting darker.” “What?” he snapped. “It’s getting stronger,” she continued, not letting herself be interrupted. “The old spells can’t hold it back as well as before.” He nodded slowly, turning to pace in contemplative silence. That’s when he noticed how intense that silence was. Looking around, he was struck by how empty the Library seemed. Usually there would be some odd creature flitting by overhead intent on some task; but there was no sound of wings, and the air felt oddly stale. “They’ve begun evacuating,” Lucetta murmured, interpreting his expression accurately. “Quietly, of course, so as not to raise panic. But most everyone is gone by now.” He looked at her again, his face grim with understanding. “… And you? Why has your battalion not gone?” “We serve the Library,” she said, strong and proud. This encouraged the others behind her, who drew themselves up as well, expressions set in determination. Rasmus himself shared in their pride; it was welcome news to know they would remain loyal even when so tested. “Good,” he nodded, beginning to pace again as he thought. “Now, perhaps we can-“ “There’s one more thing,” Lucetta interrupted him again. Apparently a bad habit she had picked up while he was away. “Yes?” he prompted a little impatiently. “… There’s something out there,” she said, motioning vaguely out the still open gates. He narrowed his eyes and followed her gaze out toward the perimeter. “We haven’t been able to see anything properly beyond the barrier, but many of us have spied shadows moving about in the streets.” “Has anything breached the wall?” he asked briskly, quietly scanning the grounds himself. There was a rattle of armor as Lucetta shook her head. “No,” she answered. He wished he could feel relieved, but the information was unsettling. The spells were set mainly to keep out the strange mist and other dark magics, not necessarily solid objects. “… Lock the doors,” he said quietly. “Now that the Radiant is here, we should be more… discriminant as to who enters.” “Of course,” Lucetta answered. She and her fellows trotted away to the mechanisms that shut the massive opening. Rasmus continued to stare out at the golden beams that marked the edge of the Library’s spell dome as the entrance closed with a resounding clang. ----- [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811#post_41782150][color=sienna]< [i]Previous[/i][/color][/url] [color=transparent]____________[emoji=glimmer tile size=1]_______________[/color] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811/4#post_41924333][color=sienna][i]Next[/i] >[/color][/url] ----- [center]Items used: [item=iron wrench] [item=bluespot weather loach] [item=pine branch] Long post today because of the two writing prompts~. And so it begins~! Not gonna lie, coli battles were a little brutal with the mimics. Also because I forgot Vayne is already level 12 and Tamika is starting at level 1, and they're both mages. Managed to stumble through 30 battles in the Scorched Forest with them, but man was it a struggle. Can't wait until Tamika gets a couple more levels, at least. [s]I apparently like to torture myself early game in my nuzlockes, ugh.[/s] Also I managed to scavenge up this this morning! [item=unhatched shadow egg] So I have a free breed change already! (This feels very familiar to my previous nuzlocke, lol. Tamika is now level 4. ----- @Eversnow @VeniVidiVici @Dachshund59 @Snapshadow @chewynoodles @Rosesinger @Petall @AlchemyFox @RadioReprise @MisterMylez @FallenEclipse @Kaivyrin @KyaTessa @kijauni @Tanukiception @BarbaraFett @snad @DragonPrincess27 @dragonhorselover @myriadofstars [img]https://i.imgur.com/wrp9ClQ.png[/img][/center]

That was a fun read! Really excited for this

Oh, this is wonderful! Loved the ending especially. It was so foreboding, with the doors locking. *shudder*

gah, i'm already loving this!! your writing is lovely, as always!

!!! yay!

Oh, this is interesting! Can I be put on the pinglist, please?