Good evening (or I should say morning at this point being it is after midnight) readers! I am here once again with a story based on the lovely game by Poison Apple Tales called Beauty and the War: X- Playing Pieces! What started as a short story written for them for a Valentine's Day event has turned into... quite a lengthy tale, I must say. Well, I won't ramble on much longer, but if you aren't familiar with their work, please check out their Tumblr, I believe they have a Twitter and Facebook page as well! In the meantime, please enjoy!
Wind. It was the very force that drove him, that drove everything around him. It established direction. It nurtured his skin with the feeling of a cool embrace. It gave him the rush he felt each time he dashed through the trees. It brought the rains that quenched the thirst of the land and then helped the warm sun to return swiftly from behind the clouds. It brought upon its unseen wings the smells of nourishment, of potential danger, of a presence nearby or just past. This is why the word had become a part of who he was, what he was called… he shared a special bond with this element, and it with him.
One day, the wind brought something else to Virgo Island. In that moment, Wind sensed something in the air. It was an urgent message, a quick change in the breeze. He sped through the trees, the vegetation of the forest was never an obstacle for him. He finally came to a clearing, staring as the sky quickly turned sour. Something smelled different. This was no ordinary storm. The clouds began to swirl in a mad frenzy, but there was no rain, no life-giving gesture from the sky. Darkness began to pour out and rain down instead upon the world which Virgo Island existed. Wind saw something- someone among them, but it did not seem to be a part of them. He did not have the opportunity to take a clearer glance- the dark forms now pouring in from the sky's opening began to collide into the terrain, taking shape and taking to chase. Wind was not someone to run from a fight, but he began to see he was clearly outnumbered. He knew nothing of the forms now invading his homeland- he wondered if it had anything to do with actions from the other clans, or possibly the Vi. These questions raced with his feet until he felt a sharp pain collide with the side of his head. He hissed, falling harshly to the ground where his vision darkened.
He did not know how much time had passed as he finally came to. He groaned, mustering his strength to sit up. As he did, he noticed something was different. He slowly touched his head only to feel that soft cloth was wrapped around it. Furrowing a confused brow, he suddenly heard rustling near him. He glanced over to see someone hunched over, seeming to be working on something as they would rummage in their satchel now and then. They wore... odd clothing, a hood over their head, but... the garment wasn't exactly a cloak.
"Who the hell are you?" Wind growled.
The individual looked over their shoulder in surprise. "Oh, you're awake." She replied.
"That doesn't answer my question." Wind pressed.
"I do have a name, if that's what you're asking... but that's not really what's important right now. I'm not even from here. I don't know where 'here' is, but I know I found you and you were in bad shape."
Wind grumbled. "What are you, some kind of healer?"
The young woman raised a brow. "No... but I have some medical supplies with me. I had to leave my home because something invaded it... where I come from."
Wind curled his lip. "So you decided to bring them HERE then... those things..."
"I didn't bring them here. I was... kind of swept up with them. Whoever your leader is, I think they should be warned-"
"Not my problem." Wind cut her off. "Right now, YOU'RE my problem."
She raised her brows. "Me? If I hadn't found you, you would have been dealing with nasty blunt force trauma right now, and worse." She motioned towards something then. "Now stay still."
"Hey, you don't tell me what to- ah!" He hissed, a sharp pain in his leg. He looked down to see he had a nasty cut. The young woman approached, holding a bottle of something.
"This is going to sting a moment... didn't expect you to wake up so soon." She took a swab, pouring something from the bottle and dabbing it on his cut. Wind hissed before she wiped excess away, applying some kind of paste before bandaging the wound. "Didn't expect to ever spend my Valentine's day treating wounds."
"Does this 'Valentine's day' involve torturing people?" Wind asked.
The woman looked at him flatly, holding the dark brown bottle up. "This is called hydrogen peroxide. It helps clean a wound so it doesn't get infected and then you really end up in trouble."
Wind was silent, simply watching the woman with a hint of remaining wariness. "I've dealt with worse than this."
"I'm sure you have." She said, packing her things away.
"So what do you plan on doing in a place you know nothing about?" Wind asked cynically.
"Survive. What choice do I have?" She replied. As she stood, a bit of her hood fell back a bit. Wind narrowed his eyes a bit, baring his teeth.
"Wait a minute... you're one of those high and mighty twerps."
The young woman turned, blinking. "Uh... excuse me?" To her surprise, Wind shot up, his hand moving like lightning as he flipped off her hood, revealing a head full of golden hair underneath.
"I knew I sniffed something out with you. So... they're the ones responsible for this. Amazing, they go through all this stupidity."
"What in the hell are you talking about-"
"Did they send you to hurt me? The others?"
"Who? Who is 'they?' Look, you're obviously still suffering from-"
They both stopped, hearing footsteps approaching. Wind curled his lip, taking a moment to look the woman over. She certainly fit the profile as far as bodily appearances went, but... she smelled different. She acted different. She couldn't be that good an actress even by their standards. Still, he wasn't taking any chances. He couldn't stand those upstart, pompous know-it-alls.
And speak of the devils, he saw the familiar heads of golden hair make their way like floating lights through the trees.
Upon seeing Wind, the individual at front halted, putting a hand up as he silently commanded the remaining dozen or so behind him to halt as well. Only he took a step forward, but kept his distance.
"Imugi." He spoke, his voice smooth like silk. "We bid you a good afternoon."
"I'm sure that's not why you're all here, so get to the point, Hulder." Wind spat.
"Very well. We were collecting food for the winter season when we witnessed something rather unpleasant."
"I think all of Virgo Island saw what you saw. What about it?"
The man pursed his lip, his eyes traveling to the young woman Wind was keeping behind him. "Well then... I had no idea you weren't alone. Who is she?"
"None of your business."
"Is she the one who fell from the sky?"
"Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. Looks a lot like YOUR type."
"I'll be the judge of that, Imugi." The man smirked lightly.
"I have a name. It's Wind." He glanced at the young woman briefly.
"Well then, Wind... allow me to either confirm or dismiss your suspicion." He was about to step forward, Wind emitting a threatening growl. At this, the other Hulder silently and simultaneously took hold of their bows, nocking an arrow and pointing them at Wind.
"N- Now now, let's not be so hasty." Another of the group said, sounding a bit timid. He approached the first. "Uncle, we are already on negative terms with the Valkyrie and the Trold, the King would not appreciate if we were to engage the Imugi as well." He looked about, eyes appearing within the trees.
The first simply chuckled. "Come now Wind... surely someone of... your nature has not already become attached to the girl? Now, what's this? Wrappings about your head, arm and leg... is she responsible for those? If she is a healer, perhaps she is more akin to the Phoenix."
"If she's the one who came from the sky, then... it seems she wouldn't belong to any clan." The second said quietly to the one he called his Uncle.
"This is very true, Viktor. But let us determine this for sure." The first said. "Imugi- Wind... we have much to attend to, rations to secure. If you would kindly allow us to examine the girl, I would greatly appreciate your cooperation."
Wind was about to snap at him, but he whipped his head back when he felt the young woman touch his arm gently.
"I'm not going to be the cause of an all out battle here." She said.
"Don't flatter yourself, we do just fine with that on our own." Wind said.
"Then what do you care what they want with me then?" She asked, Wind growling with a hint of defeat. "Let them do what they have to, you've been beat up enough today as it is." She said. "I may have some medical skills but I'm not a miracle worker."
Wind reluctantly stepped aside, the first approaching. He pursed his lip, lifting the young woman's chin to look over her face. He did this for about a minute before taking her hand, closing it in both of his and closing his eyes for a moment. "Viktor."
"Hm? O- Oh, yes." He fumbled a bit as he approached. "Do forgive me for this."
"Forgive you for what- ow! Damn..." The young woman hissed when Viktor pricked her arm with a small pin, handing it to his uncle. He tasted the drop that threatened to fall, seeming reflective for a moment.
"No... she is certainly not of the Hulder... though I can see why appearances made you believe she could have been." The first said. "Forgive me, my dear, for my ill-manners. My nephew also apologizes for his ill-manners." He gave his nephew a look.
"O- Oh! Yes, I also ask forgiveness for my... ill-manners." He said nervously.
"Well then, now that this is settled, we shall take the time to learn more about this fine young lady once we bring her back home." The first said.
"Hey, hey, hold on just a second! No one said you were taking her with you!" Wind shouted.
"If she is indeed the one who fell from the sky, which is what we greatly suspect, then-"
"Funny how no one has actually ASKED me yet if I'm the one who fell from the sky. Yes, I am. Now if you're all going to actually acknowledge that I'm not just some meteor or something, maybe you'll find out what you need to know." The young woman said. Victor squeaked a bit as he gulped nervously, the first raising a brow as Wind couldn't help but smirk a bit.
"Viktor..." He leaned over towards him a bit. "Do you see her boldness? Take notes." He then approached once again. "My dear... what is your name?"
"... It's... Kapra." She said a bit hesitantly, glancing at Wind.
"Kapra. I'm sure you are feeling very lost and confused. Please accept my assistance and hospitality while we become acquainted with our situation and how we can move forward." He said.
"Hey, I told you that you're not just going to walk away with her like she's some prized game!" Wind shouted. "All I have to do is go to the king and say you're trespassing in my clan's territory."
The leader chuckled. "Wind... do not presume to believe that you know the King's law better than I. I have an official grant to come upon these grounds for the reason of collecting rations for my people. You have no word against me."
"Fair enough." Wind said as he produced an official parchment. "But does it say on that fancy paper anywhere about taking her with you? Probably not."
Now it was the leader's turn to curl his lip slightly. His patience was wearing thin, and Kapra could see it. "Well then, there's just one solution. Let's allow Kapra to decide what she would like to do."
Kapra turned to Wind, exhaling slowly. "Wind. Um... maybe it would be better if I went with them. I don't want this turning ugly."
"I can hold my own."
"Against all of them? I'm not going to be responsible for that." Kapra said.
"You have no idea what they're capable of. I thought you said you were trying to survive. Seems like a stupid choice if you just walk into a lion's den blindly."
"This is part of how -I- survive. I look out for other people. I never know when I may run into them again." I say before taking a step forward. "I'll go with you on one condition."
The leader raised an intrigued brow. "Go on."
"Promise here and now you won't retaliate against Wind or his people. I heard your nephew whispering how you don't seem to get along with too many people here." Kapra said, making Viktor squeak a bit in surprise, his gaze going to his feet.
"Viktor, keep your chin up." His uncle said to him. "My dear, I wouldn't think of it. How sweet you must be to think so highly already of a stranger. You certainly are a fascinating creature. You have my word that I will not harm a single member of this clan in exchange for your cooperation." He looked over at Wind then, a hint of smugness in his expression. "Well then... the lady has made her decision."
Kapra turned as Wind had to utilize every fiber of his being to hold himself back from ripping the leader's jugular out. "Take this." She handed him a small bottle out of her back pack. "It's something called Neosporin. Put those on your wounds and they'll heal faster."
"Can I ask you again why you're doing this?"
"I need to know about where I am and how I can get back, so making enemies won't do me any good."
"Well in case you haven't noticed already, we're not all rainbows and sunshine here."
"Trust me... I know what that's like." Kapra said. "Just take care of yourself." She was about to go back towards the Hulder when Wind called to her.
Wind. It was the element that became him, and that he became. He could sense what it brought and what it took. Wind did not linger, it was always moving. As quickly as it had brought her to him, she was now being swiftly taken away. A breeze blew through his dark hair a bit as he looked at her.
"... Happy Valentine's Day."
Kapra bit her lip, sighing as she walked among the clan which called themselves the Hulder. They reminded her of elves somewhat- their stature, the way they walked with a regal air- she was honestly surprised that the leader of them wasn't the king. Though, she realized she saw very little of this land and what other clans existed.
She was drawn away from her thoughts when she felt eyes on her, glancing over to see the other- Viktor, quickly glance away. She raised a brow, blinking as he straightened his spine a bit more.
"Viktor, keep up."
"O- Oh, yes Uncle." He said, moving a bit quicker.
Kapra thought their relationship was... strange. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, glancing around. The forest they were traveling through was vast. Not paying attention, Kapra hissed as she tripped over a tree root. Viktor immediately whirled around, shooting his hands out to prevent her from falling. The leader turned around halfway, looking over his shoulder. "M- Miss Kapra, are you alright?"
"Yeah." She replied, glancing around at the eyes staring at her. "Sorry."
"No need to apologize." The leader said. "Do you think you will be able to fare this journey well? It's quite a bit of a way to our keep."
"I'll be fine, just… I zoned out."
"Zoned… out?" Viktor tilted his head.
"Uh… daydreamed." Kapra rephrased.
"Oh. I suppose that's understandable, this all must be very new to you. We'll acquaint you with all you need to know once we reach camp… and you shall do the same for us… yes?" The leader said.
"Sure. Yeah, that's fair." Kapra responded. They reformed their straight lines, heading onward. The leader seemed to eye something, whispering something to Viktor. He moved back a bit, taking Kapra by surprise when he timidly hooked an arm around one of hers. "What… are you doing?"
"Oh, Uncle said I should look after you. He does know best, after all. Do forgive me for neglecting you." Viktor answered.
"Okay… so… how far is your… camp?" Kapra asked.
"Oh, about five miles." Viktor replied.
"So I'm guessing you travel in groups because of the other clans, huh?" Kapra asked.
Viktor blinked. "Why yes, um… you deduced that quite quickly."
"Yeah. Guess that'll be good for me to deduce things quickly here." She said as she looked up at the tree tops. It was interesting… she always enjoyed walking in the woods back on Earth when she wanted to escape… and here she was. However, before she could think further, she nearly bumped into someone in front of her when they all stopped.
In the nearby distance, a twig had snapped.
"Sir Arsenik, we are nearing Valkyrie territory." One said to the leader.
Sir... Arsenik? Who would name their child something that was a poison?
"We must avoid the main road now, we cannot be seen by any Vi scouts. We move quickly." He replied before stopping, looking among the trees before glancing back at Kapra for a moment. He got the attendant's attention, whispering something to him. He nodded once firmly before they began to head out at a slightly quicker pace. "Viktor, up front. Keep vigilant. The rest of you, spread out." They followed his command, Viktor glancing at Kapra once before rejoining his uncle. Just then, they all halted when a woman ran out in front of them, standing defiant but without a weapon.
"Hulder. You've best hope you've got a permit to be collecting rations from that far south." The woman said. She had cropped hair on the sides of her head, and almost Mohawk-like hairstyle that fell to her back like a mane, a small braid hanging here or there. She wore a tight outfit with a thick fur collar, necklaces of beads and teeth hanging around her neck.
"Indeed, we do. Not that it's any of your business, anyhow." Arsenik said to her. "Now, if you will step aside, Valkyrie-"
"There is one among ye that doesn't belong. I don't think she is a part of collecting rations, is she?" She raised a brow, looking right at Kapra. "Sticks out, doesn't she Arsenik?"
Huh. So they knew each other. Kapra remembered this was one of the clans Viktor had mentioned they were enemies with. Why would they walk into their territory? What was the reasoning for provoking them?
Arsenik clicked his tongue. "Viktor... do you see now why we have so many enemies? None know how to simply mind their own business."
"Maybe you should take the main road then from now on, hm?" The woman spoke, smirking.
Just then, Kapra gasped as she felt her feet separating from the ground. She had been trapped in a net, the woman provoking the Hulder soon being joined by others as they were surrounded. She shouted a command to them in another language before addressing Arsenik.
"How do y' like a taste of your own medicine, hm? Brings back memories, doesn't it?"
"M- Miss Kapra!" Viktor cried.
"Viktor, calm yourself and face forward." Arsenik said lowly to him, curling his lip. Damn those accursed women and their tricks. They certainly learned from the best. The Hulder was known to have tricks of their own up their elegant sleeves.
"The fallen one stays with us." The Valkyrie said. "Now, we're willing to let ye go without spilling blood."
Arsenik swore under his breath. He had just managed to secure this very big prize and before he knew it, it was being snatched from him. However, he had a mind to think three steps ahead of him. He would not allow this to be a complete loss. "Very well. Viktor. Let us all proceed quietly."
"B- But Uncle, what about-"
"Quietly, Viktor."
"Hey. Hey! I am NOT going to be passed around like some dirty rag!" Kapra shouted. The Valkyrie leader rolled her eyes, another blonde with a heavier coat and longer hair severing the rope, making Kapra plummet to the ground and get knocked out in the process.
When she next awoke, she noticed the sky was dark now, stars blinking and returning her gaze. She saw sparks dancing upon the air, realizing she was near a fire. Her bag was nearby, several Valkyrie inspecting the items in it before placing them back inside. She barely regained awareness when the woman from before sharply lifted her chin, looking her over.
"Hey, come on!" Kapra exclaimed. "Why the-" She sighed, staring at her flatly when she discovered she couldn't move her hands. "Untie me."
"You would command me? I am Wildfire. Queen of the Valkyrie clan."
"And that means...? What to me?" Kapra asked.
"You are not of this world. This much I know. When something falls from the sky, it could bring one of two omens. The first, is that it could be a giver of life, a defender, a savior. The second... that it means to bring us destruction. If it's the second... then we will return you to the sky." As she said this, wolves began to approach, snarling.
"Look. I'm not trying to hurt anybody. I've literally been here less than a day and I've been bartered, kidnapped, knocked out, and tied up. If anything, I should be wary of all of you." Kapra said flatly.
"Perhaps... but you've come to our land. We already have many threats to our survival. I'm not taking that risk with you." Wildfire said.
"So are you going to just keep me tied up here?" Kapra asked.
"We're going to see what the land has to say about you." Wildfire shrugged lightly. "The land guides us. It is the sky mother that nurtures us and strengthens us. When we fall, it is a lesson that she teaches us. And when our blood is spilled…" She reached out, gracing her thumb over a scratch on Kapra's cheek. "She weeps. And she promises vengeance for her daughters."
Kapra heard something then, looking past Wildfire to see one of the Valkyrie holding a pill bottle, shaking it and speaking in their native tongue as they dug through her bag.
"Hey. Hey, put that down. Put that down, I need that." Kapra said as she sat up, Wildfire taking her chin to look back at her.
"Why's that, fallen one?" She asked.
"It helps me. If I don't have that I get sick." Kapra said.
Wildfire narrowed her eyes, saying something to the others when they tried to hit the bottle against a rock to crack it open. Wildfire took it, bringing it over and crouching back down to hold it up. "Odd object. What is it and what does it do? Looks like seeds. No kind of seed I've ever seen. Must be different where you're from." She leaned in closer. "But if I give this to you… it may save us… or it may poison us."
"Wildfire… if I don't take one of those within the next few hours, I'm going to be very sick soon. You need to untie me and let me do this. Please." Kapra said.
Wildfire raised a brow. "Tell me how to open this seed pod and I'll do it m'self."
Kapra sighed. "Fine. And I'll need water to swallow it with."
Wildfire looked over her shoulder, speaking to one of the others. "Brooks, hente vann." She looked back at Kapra.
"Take the white part and twist it until you feel it click." Kapra said, Wildfire doing so. "Take the top off and take one out. Screw the white part back on until you hear it click again." Brooks, the same that severed the rope from earlier, returned with a wooden ladle holding water. Wildfire slipped the pill into Kapra's mouth, Brooks slowly feeding her water. Wildfire dismissed her.
"Now then. Just as the land mother has provided for us, we provided for you. Now, the night will judge you. By morning, we will ask her for her answer. She will tell us to either embrace you, or to offer your blood for our protection." Wildfire took Kapra's bag, dropping the bottle inside. She then stood up straight, heading back to what seemed like a camp.
"H- hey, you're gonna leave me tied to some wooden pole all night?! Hey, Wildfire, come on!" Kapra groaned as she looked around. Wolves paced a distance from where she was, growling threateningly at her.
How in the hell did she end up in this position? The last few months of her life were all such a blur to her. All of a sudden, everything had been turned upside down. She wasn't just trying to live life, she was trying to keep it. She remembered the day she saw them. They fell from the sky too- but they did mean harm.
Kara groaned in frustration, blaring her horn as she sat on main street in her normally sleepy little town. "Come on damn it, I have an early meeting to get to tomorrow, I want to get home…" She sighed, leaning back in her seat. She saw a turn coming up, one that went to the abandoned hospital grounds. She shook her head, taking the turn. Why wasn't anyone else doing this, the road was being blocked and traffic was backed up bumper to bumper- there was really no other way to go. Not too often was there an accident this bad in the town, not that she couldn't even see anything, anyway. She drove along the long, unpaved roads, only a fraction of the state-owned property that had fallen into disrepair. This property, taking up about a third of the town, had in the last twenty years become desolate, its only company open fields, expanding woods, and the decrepit buildings that kept the broken memories of the thousands of psychiatric patients it held within the many walls and the horrors within. It was a prison for those who were imprisoned within their own minds.
Kara drove down the road she had traveled, walked, many times, an ironic escape from life, coming to walk among buildings such as these. There always seemed to be a chill emanating from them, even in the high days of summer. There seemed to be eyes even when there were none to be found. Perhaps the windows, the buildings themselves were watching. There were stories, rumors, theories about this place, the truth blending with the made up and making a perfect stew for quite a thriller. As Kara drove by, looking at one of the buildings in the distance, that was when she saw it just above the trees. She thought perhaps she was just tired. She pulled over to a fork in the road where people could set their car aside from the Boulevard, getting out and staring at the sky. The interconnected structures of three buildings sat ominously in the distance as Kara searched the skies. She wandered onto the field, a breeze blowing through her hair. After a few moments, she was about to turn around when she saw it again.
And again, and again.
Dark wisps like angels of hell falling from the sky, their contact with the ground was heard in the distance. Kara widened her eyes, wondering if she had finally lost it. She was about to back up when she whirled around at the sound of impact from behind her, sucking in a sharp breath as she saw the dark creatures rising from their fall in the field behind her near the empty, rusted flag pole.
The car. Get to the car, now.
She ran. No, they were fast, already halfway there from twice as far away. The other way. Get into the building. It was illegal, and quite frankly unsafe. The integrity of many of the buildings had been reduced greatly over the years because of neglect and being exposed to the elements. She ran through the grass, eventually reaching the cracked black top. She could hear them, their voices like whispered screams. She ran to the center courtyard, looking around her. Only one way into this area of the buildings, only one way out. She found a door. She was about to run for it, when she stopped, slowly looking up.
The rooves. She saw them. Dozens of them. Still, poised.
Looking at her. They had no eyes, but she felt them upon her.
She was in the center of the courtyard now. The wind made loose parts of the windows and building collide in succession, the metal making her eardrums quake. A terrifying song of what she thought was the end of her. She couldn't comprehend this. She couldn't explain it. Why did this feel as if it was supposed to be happening when it wasn't?
That was when she felt it.
Now, Kara wasn't perfect, who was? She liked to think she took good care of herself. She felt her heart throb once, her lungs constrict, her stomach tighten as her knees gave. She couldn't breathe, gasping for air. What air she did manage to drag inside, she tried to retain it, to expel what had suddenly inflicted her. The more air she took in though, the thicker the air seemed to become around her, she felt like she was taking in pure poison. The creatures had not moved. Why did it seem like they got closer? Then it happened. With blurry vision, Kara looked down and saw her own blood. When did so much get there? She didn't even realize she was choking, collapsing to the ground as darkness clouded her vision. As she blacked out, she heard a voice- no one she recognized, but it spoke quietly, gently from within her mind.
'Je regrette, mon amour. Je regrette.'
And there you have it for now! So being this is a story I'm making up based on the characters from the game, because only the demo is out right now, character traits and other qualities aren't going to be quite 100% accurate. I do hope you still find enjoyment out of it however, and again, please check out Poison Apple Tales' work- they definitely have a lot of creativity and some wonderful characters! So thank you to those who read, please leave a nice little review with your thoughts. See you next time!