A Soul of Darkness
Chapter 1: Anniversary
Those final minutes of the battle, Nyra looked at the sight of her first husband go after the owlet named Soren, challenging him to the duel that lead to his death… Impaled on the flaming stick the young owl wields. How the mighty have fallen… To have been killed by nary an owlet, oh how karma had rewarded the owl who had destroyed lives and tore apart kingdoms. But those left behind… Especially those who were close to Lord Metalbeak, like his wife, Nyra, and the General of the Pure Ones, Elanore, were devastated, unable to get to grips with what happened.
When Kludd had returned, he made a promise to the Pure Ones and to the widow of the fallen leader. It has been a year since Kludd Canner had been crowned the lord and sovereign, the Lord High Tyto, of the Pure Ones. In the year that has been, Kludd has done much, even sieged against the Ga'Hoole tree and nearly killed the owl who killed their last king, who is also his younger brother, Soren. And in this year that has been, since the coronation, many things have changed, especially a relationship status. Kludd married Nyra three months ago and their lives could not be happier.
But tonight… Happiness may turn to sadness…
Kludd is lying in bed, asleep with his wife, Nyra resting on him. The first rays of moonlight come into the room and Kludd opens his brown eyes, peering down to see his beloved girl happily asleep. It has been hours since he saw her last, a long while when you have undying love for the only one to ever share the same feelings. Caring about him more than his family would, and no matter what, she will always love him, she promised upon the night she had taken his last name, upon the night of their marriage.
"Evening, beautiful…" Kludd murmurs, kissing her head as she stirs awake
"Good evening, my love…" Nyra softly replies before a yawn, "Happy coronation day…"
"I am lucky to be king to a mighty kingdom such as this one…" He smiles, as Nyra sits up a bit and turns to face him and he runs a wing down her face, "And to be husband and mate to a woman like you, my Nyra…"
"Someday you will be king, legend, husband… and father." She answers, before another yawn and stretching a bit, it seems she is not an evening person, she is. Oftentimes struggling to get up by herself without gentle encouragement from her mate
Kludd immediately sits up in urgency, "Nyra, are you pregnant?"
"No, Kludd…" She sadly sighs, "How can we? We have not mated in so long, ergo, not with child… And you have been so busy to pay me mind…"
"I have been busy, Nyra." He says with a whiny tone, like a whiney brat of an owlet, proving her point "Running a kingdom and managing a monarchy takes work."
"I know…" Nyra distantly answers, before a dishearten sigh, "I just don't want our marriage to go like my last one… Too busy to be in each other's embrace… And then… you die and leave me all alone in this cruel harsh world…"
Kludd holds her close, "I promised never to leave you on our wedding. I promised to stay with you, and sure as hagsmire I will not perish by the hand of Guardian nor my brother, the coward Soren. Nyra… the memorial will be held as planned… before my celebration of my coronation. This night means more to you than I, the night being when became king… it was the night where your husband's life was… Torn away like petals from a flower."
"Will you be accompanying me...?" She asks, trying to stifle a smile to grin and bear the pain that the memory brings to her fragile heart. She plans to go to where he was buried… to lay flowers with Elanore, who was nary so young to have been put through the same traumas of losing someone like a father to her.
"I will. I will not leave you alone on this night, my wife. I promised that I wouldn't let you go through this night alone…" He answers, kissing her head, "One year ago… My brother did something to hurt you without even raising a talon. He took away your husband, and killed the king. But, now… as I took his place as lord of the Pure Ones and your husband, his murder will meet the demise that I plan for him… as well as for all the things he has done to me these past years… He let me fall…"
Kludd looks at the scar in the dressing table, in the wall in front of their bed and remembers what was, before seeing flames in his reflection. Closing his eyes and shaking off the thought, things return to normal. Like Nyra he bears the battle scars since that night… that night where everything changed forever. The Guardians saw it as a great victory, but the Pure Ones saw it as a tragedy…
"This is a stressful night for us… Celebrating my rise to power, at the cost of an owl who shares the same blood as I killing the former." Kludd continues
"Will you be coming to lay flowers with me, Kludd?" Nyra asks, tears starting to fall from her beautiful blue eyes, "Coming up to where we used to sit and look over this castle to lay flowers with me and Elanore at the site that he rest?"
"Of course, my love." He answers, using his wing to wipe the tears away from his queen's eyes, "Do not cry, my dear. I want you to be strong tonight… I know that it is hard, but… I'll be by your side, and I will not stray away, leaving my girl alone on this night. No… Before we can celebrate my one year… we will honour the life of Metalbeak."
"I love you, Kludd…" Nyra whispers, burrowing her head into his chest feathers and continuing to cry. She has changed over this time, as she has become more open to her feelings, something she hasn't done since ages ago was cry, but around Kludd she can cry… "I never want… Want you to leave me like Metalbeak did… I never want to see you die and do nothing, Kludd. Never…"
"I love you too, Nyra. Oh sure as hagsmire I do and i will never, ever, make you relive an ordeal like that ever again." Kludd says, tearing up himself though he doesn't want to make himself look weak
"I promise…"
A year ago, the Guardians took up arms to defeat the evil that had risen. Of course, it was all towards a plan they have been working on for ever so long… Since their defeats in the Northern Kingdoms, during both the final days of the battles, which lead to The Battle of the Ice Claws, and their defeat in the North, allowing Lydea Schana to reclaim her birth rite, the Northern Throne, the Pure Ones had gone into hiding… In that time building an army of soldiers, kidnapping owlets to moonblink and search for flecks, and then to bait a trap which meant that the Guardians would meet their demise.
They didn't count on a Barn Owl named Soren, who is the brother of the current king, Kludd. Soren and his friend had escaped and then, with the additions of Digger, Twilight and Mrs P. had flown to Ga'Hoole. They didn't count on their plan being foiled… Upon when Soren's young sister, Eglantine, had come out of the moonblinking trance, telling her brother that Allomere is a traitor, Soren and his friends flew to the Guardians' aid. After the daring rescue, and all else that happened, the battle ended in the Pure Ones retreating…
Because Soren had slain Metalbeak, impaling him on the flaming branch he hath carry
A full year on, and several months since the siege that the Pure Ones had done on Ga'Hoole itself, the celebration of that night where the notorious Metalbeak had met his demise, happens to fall upon another celebration. As it turns out, the harvest festival, is held on the exactly the same night this year! Who would have predicted such a coincidence? The Great Hall is to be decorated for the celebrations that begin at midnight… and here to see how it goes on are the higher of command.
"Who knew that the downfall of Metalbeak anniversary would be on the same night as the harvest festival?" Boron, the King of the Great Tree, exclaims, still a little astonished himself
"Well, the dates can work in very strange ways indeed, Boron." Ezylryb, second in command of the King and long-time friend of the Nyctea family says, nodding with agreement as to the coincidence, "And it is only two weeks until my wedding too."
"The preparations that her grace is ordering are driving everyone bonkers." Barran, the Queen of Ga'Hoole, scorns in distain, not to be rude to her friend, but not even she was like this before her wedding
"My Autumn can be quite the bridezilla…" Ezylryb says, pulling a face upon how much she has been like that lately
They enter the hall and everyone is hard at work doing the final additions for tonight. Like a girl with her makeup, or just like Princess Autumn with this wedding coming up, everything has to be perfect to the last detail, as this is to be a celebration for two reasons of course. Decorations are hung by those who volunteer to be in the group, the music chaw is beginning to set up on the stage… It may be a little while until midnight, but the urgency is felt, especially since it's practice before this royal wedding coming up. And let me tell you now, it will be huge as owls from two kingdoms will be present, especially the (remaining) family of the Ambalan Princess.
Boron eyes some food, "I'll be right back…"
Barran and Ezylryb roll their eyes, as sometimes they cannot believe Boron…
"He has a hissy fit about me over-indulging and yet here he is already hitting the snack table." Barran exclaims, fuming with outrage
"It looks like Digger may have a rival." Ezylryb quips
The queen herself laughs, as she knows of how that owl can get around food, much worse than Boron nowadays can be. The lad doesn't get the concept of table manners, but that can be excused, because no one is perfect, really.
"How is The Band, Ezylryb?" The Queen asks, "I hear they have passed their training stage, with flying colours too."
"They are all well." He replies with a nod, "They have really lived up to the expectations and, it was surprising that they passed training stage, though they hadn't even been trained in anything like this before. And they surely hadn't attended the GTA. I believe they have a real knack with it, like you the first time you picked up a sword when you were young."
"I suppose that we all have a good reason to celebrate tonight." She smiles, "Of course, there may be those who find our victory to be of such disgust, they being those Pure Ones. But… Karma did get that destroyer back… For what he did to innocents and… for what they did to my family, and to Lydea's."
Ezylryb has a discerning grimace, as he knows as to the horrors that have gone by as years passed… And in the North, like Kuneer and Tyto Forest, the monarchy was surely destroyed in one night alone. There are presumed to be survivors, like Lydea, but that remains unknown. But to stray away from the negatives of what the tyrant had done, tonight is a celebration and it intends to be a big one, for all to enjoy. –And as Ezylryb thinks of it, the final fortnight until fall comes around and until wedding bells are a ringing…
Oddly enough, the harvest is in the final Sunday of summer this year... Figure that'd be strange like the coincidental dates are.
It is a day where everything had fallen apart. They were on the first step onto taking over this world, until Soren had shown up. The individual memories of that night are burned into their minds, like the scar on the side of Kludd's face. Nyra hasn't much effort to do much, her ladies in waiting feeling that they have to do everything for her, because she just doesn't seem to be moving. Upon the ladies getting out her garments, the very same she had worn on the night that she said goodbye, Kludd calls the ladies off with a wave of his wing. Dressing her as she has this same expression on her face… After placing on her cape, Kludd holds his wife close.
"The memory just haunts me…" Nyra whispers
"I know it hurts, I know." Kludd says, feeling a stinging in the scar on his face, "If you need to leave at any time… Just tell me and we can leave, nothing to it. I will be here for you, as your husband now."
Picking up the crown, silver with black stones, with back veil, placing it on her head, she remains silent and sad… But before they can celebrate Kludd's coronation, they must take time, for Nyra's sake, to remember the night.
"We will be late if we don't leave now." Kludd says, wrapping his wing around her
The door opens and they take off down the hallway… On their way to a ceremony planned for the Inner Circle and those who care to attend. Most stop to mourn the loss, but there are some who just forget the past, and look to the future; they were given the choice not to attend if they so choose. However, for the ball later tonight, it is a mandatory attendance, for all members of the aristocracy and for the soldiers.
The event started early in Ga'Hoole, everyone enjoying themselves, especially the young ones, they don't really know what happened hat year ago, aside from what happened in the story, but they'd just be running amuck. Arriving late, Soren and Otulissa enter and Otulissa is just angry and she storms ahead. The rest of their friendship group noticing and just bracing for it, as their relationship has really hit the rocks, they've been at each other's throats nowadays, but they are sure that it's just a phase. Since Otulissa is in her final year of Guardian Training Academy training, in the highest class, she spends a little more time on her homework and when she plans a date, Soren either seems to have to blow it off, or come late sometimes. He has been busy lately and it isn't his fault, he just finished training stage if anything.
"Where have you been?" Gylfie asks
"Yeah, if anyone were to be concerned, you're late." Twilight says
"We wold have been here earlier if someone wasn't taking his dear sweet time when picking me up." Otulissa coldly snaps toward her boyfriend
"Well, if someone didn't have to spend so much time on her outfit, we'd be quicker." Soren retorts, agitated that they are going to start the argument again
"Oh yeah, sure, blame me. It's not like you have anyone else to blame for how tarty and distant you have been, mister 'I-completed-training-stage-and-uses-it-as-an-excu se'. She scowls
"I was doing stuff for tonight!" Soren growls
"Hey, it's a party. You can't fight during a party, believe me, in the North it is impossible. So stop fighting." Strix Struma mediates, as people have started drawing attention to it, she then looks over to where Digger is, "At least Digger is doing something better compared to you too, arguing with each other."
"Not now." They both say to her
Strix takes some offence to that, she looks to Twilight, and he shrugs and they just have to deal with it. Gylfie herself heads off n Diggers general direction, either to tell him off or just to ignore the once again fight that Soren and Otulissa regularly have. As said before, some are starting to pay attention to their little fight, as they start to make a scene. They don't see it, but their friends are just embarrassed right about now…
"You always forget that I am busy with Senior Year this year, you know that we don't just study to be Guardians, no, we study school subjects to get an education. We get homework! I am not just as free all the time anymore." Otulissa snaps
"I haven't forgotten, you are just so demanding and I have my own problems, ok. I have my own problems." Soren retorts
"Oh, really? You just keep so many secrets from me. You didn't tell me that you were having problems with your parents a few months back, now did you?" She growls, "It is always like I am the last to know about everything."
"I don't mean to…" He says, trying to get a word in
"I'm going to go sit with my friends." Otulissa says, turning her back, "At least they care about me, unlike the owl who is my boyfriend who lives completely two different lives and leaves me last on pretty much everything!"
"Oh, go and sit with the girls, now eh? You spend more time with them and complain about when I am not spending time with you?" Soren asks in aggravated rhetoric
They then storm off in different directions and everyone and everything is silent, even the Monarchs are shocked of how horrible things have become, not even they argue like that whenever they're just really ticked off. Boron then nods towards Madame Plonk and the music starts again, to try and move things on, especially as it is said 'show is over, kits just go away now..'. Attention is drawn elsewhere when they hear the giggling of owlets.
Ezylryb and Boron watch as Autumn plays dance instructor to a bunch of young owlets, the owlets imitating most of the things that she does as it is follow the leader. It is often said that Autumn would make a good mother, as she has such an expertise with the owlets. Barran comes back after speaking something, she notices her friend and all the young owlets, and she chuckles, as owlets don't seem to be the likeliest of those who know this sort of dancing.
"It looks like follow the leader." Barran laughs
"Then why aren't they following me?" Boron quips
Ezylryb merely facewings as Barran has to be the one who laughs, it's funny, but really… Not the best time, never is the best time. And Autumn is a Princess of Ambala, so really, she does have a high command in a sense. But it is still pretty funny, come to think about it.
Soren is storming around, that is before coming across Autumn and the owlets, and upon first glance, and Eglantine runs up and hugs her brother, who is taken by surprise.
"Oh, hey, Eg." Soren says, "Where'd you come from?"
"I'm learning to dance from Miss Autumn. It's so fun!" Eglantine chirps happily
Autumn, with about 20 owlets following her comes up to Soren, twirling around a bit the owlets are before stopping.
"It's more likely follow the leader than dancing." Autumn says
"Mr Soren, could you tell us a story?" One of the owlets say
The other owlets pipe up at the sound of hearing a story, Autumn giggles herself, as she finds it really cute the owlets are so enthusiastic about stories. She finds as being the ambassador to the arts, storytelling is an art, whether it be a story in spoken word, written down in a book or even a performed play. And by the looks of it, these owlets like stories, and it's pretty clear on that one.
"Well, not now, but later I will." Soren says, much to the dismay of the owlets, "I'm sorry kiddies, but I have to go. Later ok. Why don't you keep practicing your dancing with Autumn, hmm?'
"Bye, Soren." The owlets say
As Soren heads off, his younger sister Eglantine following him, while Autumn tells them to a crazy dance, much to the amusement of those who are watching. Back at the officials table, Ezylryb and the monarchs are discussing things that is before seeing Soren in the comer of the eye.
"Ah, Soren, there you are." Ezylryb says, "The owlets are the ones who are having the most fun at the moment, unlike these two who have been sitting around here for the past half hour."
"I'd rather sit it out, just watching makes me tired." Boron retorts, slightly offended at the notion of being called lazy, "It is good to see you in good spirits… Even if you and Miss Perrin had a nasty spat, making quite the scene there."
"Yeah… Embarrassed…" Soren distantly replies
"Lad, are you sure you want to tell the story?" Boron asks, with concern "It does have mention of… well, you know who I mean."
"I'll tell the story of Metalbeak's downfall, I do not care if it mentions word of my brother…" Soren confidently answers
"That is my favourite story." Eglantine says, breaking the very stress of the moment, "It's my favourite besides the Battle of the Ice Claws."
Barran chuckles, "It is mine too."
"Alright, if I may have everyone's attention. Madame Plonk, if you may please silence the music." Boron says
Everyone turns around and Madame Plonk silences the choir and the members of the ensemble by giving a gesture. With nearly a thousand eyes peering at him, Soren takes a deep breath, as he doesn't want the pressure to get to his head. It is bad enough that the true identity of this Metalbeak is his brother. It is bad that the King of Ga'Hoole knows now, but to tell the denizens of Ga'Hoole the story of the downfall of Metalbeak, which has through mention of his brother, Kludd, whom is now the o who leads the Pure Ones assuming his alias… It seems pretty difficult now don't it?
"It was a year ago this very night, a year ago that a terrible owl was slain. He had raged wars, killed king and queens, caused the downfalls of monarchies. He was known as Metalbeak." Boron begins
The crowd is within a murmur of discussion, the ones at least maybe in their early thirty's and above should remember the Northern Coup, in the tundra, should remember the Northern Tyto War and Rosewood Siege in Tyto Forest and all the things that happened in Kuneer. They should remember all the things in Ambala with the Kin Royals and the senate massacre, and if anything, the wars and battles are what gave Metalbeak the title, The Destroyer. Before it just starts to get a little carried away, and Boron's patience with the sudden interruption running out, the king himself tells them to silence, politely.
"Well, Soren had asked me if it would be wise to tell the story, how the owlet that was kidnapped later on found the tree and then had slain the bastard Metalbeak, and by the looks of it, it seems necessary to. As this is a celebration to commemorate the night that he had died, a major turning point in the history of the world. As we strive for well important peace in this world, I guess that stories are important when it comes to history." Boron says
Barran cuts him off, "Enough of your blabbering, dear."
"Oh, yes. I should." Boron says, realising his common error, before turning to Soren, "Soren, I'll hand it over to you to tell the story."
Soren breathes a sigh as the audience applauds and he stands. He said that it wouldn't be a problem when he had said he would, since he understands the significance, but in the back of his mind, there is mention of Kludd and all, but regardless, it means to be told for the last part. Soren tells the story, through the mention of his brother's name oftentimes just brings pain, as he now knows what betrayal really feels like, but there is persistence on his side.
At the end, everyone applauds and the owlets are especially happy, because they like when they are told stories. The Queen, Barran, applauds before seeing in the reflection of her glass faint white markings glowing and she then gets out ochre, no one notices really that the queen is touching up her makeup, since all eyes are on Soren, to the left of her husband. The celebrations continue and just about as Soren is going to go back to where his friends, barely getting a few centromeres from the monarchs table…
"Soren, I want to dance with you." Otulissa says, walking up to him
"This counts as an apology?" Soren asks
She sighs, "I'm sorry, alright. I was just a little mad and a little stressed from school and… yeah."
"It's alright." He says, before looking behind him to see the monarchs and Ezylryb giving him the 'go with her' gesture, "Alright, come on. You said you wanted to dance, now didn't ya?"
Soren and Otulissa head off, those three breathing a sigh of relief, as they really don't want them making another scene and the three of them, Ezylryb being Soren's mentor and Boron and Barran being Otulissa's teachers (being in Moon Master in the GTA), hearing the end of it seems the least of what will happen.
"Their relationship has really hit a snag, and I do mean that it has hit hard." Ezylryb says, looking upon the two like Barran is doing, "Ever since she started Senior Year in your class, and since he finished training stage, they've been getting into all sorts of argument. Oftentimes Otulissa causing these arguments and then Soren follows suit."
Barran sighs as she then turns to Boron who has gone off to speak with someone, "All relationships hit a snag at some point…"
A forest which boarders the St. Aegolius Pure One Base to the South East, it was burned down last year during the fight. Kludd remembers fighting his brother here so well, but to Nyra… it is among serves another meaning. The forest itself was a smouldering mess when Nyra and Elanore last came up here with the procession. Kludd was unable to follow Nyra and Elanore up here, given that he had a broken wing and couldn't fly, and when Morin returned with them, Nyra was barely able to stand on her talons and Elanore… She supported a grim look on her face, and tears streaming down her eyes. Nyra dare not go near the forest, as she fears herself too weak, as over the year, she has noticed that she has indeed grown weaker… emotionally. Physically, she remains fine and her skills of flying, combat and otherwise remains fine, but emotionally… the poor dear suffers enough.
Kludd lands first and following him is Nyra and Elanore, as well as the security escort and some of Nyra's ladies in waiting who carry flowers. Nyra falls a bit and Kludd catches her.
"Are you alright?" Kludd asks
"I'm fine, dear… I'm fine." Nyra replies
They continue on a path that Nyra knows all too well, and then they come across where he was buried, Kludd is amazed with the view of their base from up here, he hasn't really ever been up here, being too busy with the sieges he leads and ruling this monarchy. Nyra takes the flowers off the girls, Elanore too, and they place them down and try to remain not in tears like the night…
"We would come up here often…" Nyra mutters, closing her eyes, "We used to come up here to have an escape from the chaos just to… just to have this time to look upon our kingdom that we have continued to build."
"Those were happy times…" Elanore sadly mutters
Kludd hugs both of the girls, wrapping a wing around each one, "It has been a year since that night… And the scars have yet to be healed."
He takes off his helm and touches the side of his face, the fire burned him to the point that some of his feathers were charred black and his face remains with a scar from the burns on its side. Nyra takes off her crown holding with her wings and she bows her head in sad silence and fourteen-year-old Elanore wipes her eyes. Kludd takes Nyra under his wing and they walk near the ledge of the cliff face to see the view from up here.
"The view is brilliant." Kludd simply says
Nyra wipes her eyes once more, "Yes… Yes, it is."
Returning home, passing through the courtyard, unlike months ago in spring, there are not many flowers anymore, unlike back then when their wedding when the whole garden was covered in it. Kludd has Nyra by the wing and she has been supporting a frown all night, pretty much since she had woken up this evening.
"Are you going to celebrate with me?" Kludd asks, a little concerned of Nyra's behaviours, "You know, you could stay in our chamber if you want. I'm not making you come."
"Kludd… I am coming." Nyra answers, turning to face him with a slight smile, "I know that my emotions have affect, but… I cannot just sit in my chamber while I leave you with the Inner Circle and the rest of our faction."
"I am glad that you're coming. Because… I couldn't just celebrate the night without my queen by my side." He smiles, kissing her wing, "Come on, let's go get dressed up all fancy and boss around the attendants."
Nyra rolls her eyes with a smirk as she walks off with Kludd. Bossing around their attendants seems really cruel, but they do have to deal with orders sometimes, they are attendants by the way. The least they have to do every day is follow around their leaders, the most anyone of the attendants do are the chores and Nyra's ladies in waiting often go to lengths just to get the queen ready for an event. Elanore, out of all of them has usually never anything to do, because she is busy with the army, being the General of the Pure Ones.
By later, everyone is I the ballroom as the celebrations have begun. The gest if honour and his wife are still not sit at the head of the room, the General too as they watch the celebrations get underway. Although it is a celebration, Nyra still remains a little upset, but she has to put her mourning aside for at least a few hours because it is the celebration of her husband's first year as their king.
"I have a surprise for you, Kludd." Nyra says, as attendants hang something on the wall
"You got me something?" Kludd asks, surprised
The cover comes off revealing a portrait of Kludd and he is blown away, getting up and walking up to it and then looking back at Nyra.
"Love, it's brilliant." Kludd says, "compliments to the artist."
They applaud in approval and the artist themselves breathes a sigh of relief, as you can never tell if they like it or hate it, especially if it was Metalbeak, who could oftentimes be very picky when it comes to these things. Kludd then takes his seat next to Nyra and kisses her cheek as thank you.
"A toast to the king, Long live Lord Kludd, High Tyto of the Pure Ones." Morin says
"Long live!" Everyone cheers
Kludd just smiles happily as he just couldn't imagine anything better than this party, as they are celebrating his coronation this night and… as far as he knows, he feels more appreciated here than… well… with his family. Hagsmire, since that night in Rosewood, his father denounced him, and Kludd doesn't care, as he is going to have a family of his own soon, well… as soon as he does think it time with Nyra, and maybe when he can actually have some downtime with her without being really busy all the darn night.
If anything, Kludd figures that his planner really does hate him… As nowadays he spends more time with his council, the General and the Lieutenant than with his own wife… Then again, how can something such as a schedule hate him when it is nothing more than an inanimate object? Then again, Nyra can be busy too…
Not enough hours in the day… Not enough
