Alyah slowly opened her eyes and blinked at the blurry sight. She lay on the warm soft fur waiting for the fuzzy vision to go away and rubbed her eyes. Her face felt raw as she moaned at the feeling. While pushing herself up slowly, her vision was becoming clear and she was able to look around. The air was musty and the crystal like walls of the room was a-bit dirty. The small room itself was empty, all except a big brown bag against the wall nearest to her.
"Where am I?...is this my new prison?" she thought.
She looked down at her chest and to her surprise, saw bandages wrapped around her body.
"This couldn't be a prison, where am I?" Alyah thought confused.
As curious as she was to see the outside, she couldn't go anywhere without feeling so painful and weak. Alyah lifts up her hand to her chest, makes it to a fist and chants a healing spell from a whisper. When her fist turns to a shimmering glow, she opened her hand and lets the spell process heal throughout her entire body.
Few minutes go by and she could feel the pain subsiding. Alyah walks over to the bag, untied the rope and peeked inside. It was full of warm outfits, cloaks and boots. She picked out an outfit of pink, gray and white and got dressed.
The dress was a little too tight and the boots had too much room in the toe area. Asmodians have claw like feet so that would explain the wider toe of the boots. They also have manes on their backs, so whoever got her the clothes must have thought it'll be best to give her one smaller size.
She decided to stay in the dress for now, since it was beautiful and wanted to explore outside of the room. There were no door for the exit but a sheet of ragged cloth hanging from the door way. She pushed the cloth over and peeked out, it looked to be a living room with the same crystal like walls. Only a small table was there with bags and other things around it.
Alyah stepped out of the door way and walked over to the table. Lying on the table was a note, she picked it and it read:
To Alyah,
There is food and water for you nearby. Outside of the house are two Asmodians guarding you, they are my comrades and can be trusted. I apologize for taking you in and for what my people have done to you. If you would have told me sooner about your wish, all of this could have been avoided. My comrades have risked their lives for what we believe in so I ask you to respect them and avoid conflict. If you do not see me, I will be there when the time is right for me to leave, which I also must apologize for not being there. Keep in mind that if my people knew it was my idea to have you escape, they would have me exiled. So be patient and please do not run off. We have much to talk about.
Get some rest,
Dreiden
Alyah couldn't believe what she read, going over it again to find the words, "for what we believe in." She was shocked at first but seeing those words made her relieved and she smiled at the thought. Now she knew what this was about. She didn't think he heard her at the dungeon, the way he tried to talk her down was aggravating but it was worth a try. Saying her wish to him wasn't to get her out of the dungeon intentionally, although she is very surprised and grateful. It was more to let him know not all Elyos wanted constant war on each-other.
Alyah was able to open the door where she was and slowly opened it just a crack. It was barely opened but she could hear someone talking outside and she listened.
"Your gonna burn it! Leave it alone, ya moron!" Someone yelled.
"What? I'm the one who got the firewood and the food" someone else said.
"You couldn't boil water if you wanted to. I'm in charge cooking here...remember!" The other yelled again.
Alyah wasn't sure if she should go out there with them just yet, the one seemed to be very angry at the other Asmodian. Besides, she could tell the air outside was extremely cold. Then she remembers seeing fur cloaks in the bag of the room she was previously in. Without thinking, Alyah left the door slightly open and went to get a cloak. When she came back and put it over her, she over heard them yelling again.
"Look! You left the door open, ya stupid imbecile!" The angry one yelled.
"I closed it...I did. Stop calling me stupid!"
"You didn't close it. There's your proof,...well? what are you waiting for?"
Alyah could hear footsteps coming, she was just about to open it when the angry one said.
"Must I tell you what to do all the time? Ya so dumb!"
The footsteps turned into fast footsteps but going away from the house. Next she heard what seem to be growling noises and movement in the snow.
She didn't want them to hurt themselves and didn't mean for them to do that. All she wanted was to hear them, to know if they were nice enough for her to come out. It didn't work and they're now fighting each-other because of her. Pushing the door all the way and took a step to find them wrestling in the snow. An olive green haired Asmodian was on top of the dark brown hair one and with one hand, squishing the side of dark haired ones face into the snow.
As they both stopped and looked up at her, Alyah could see the red glowing eyes staring at her. It made her flashback to a memory in the Abyss of fighting the Asmodians. She remembered how terrifying and intimidating those glowing eyes were, the feelings were coming back and it made her feel sick.
A knot in her stomach rose and she could feel anxiousness throughout her body. She stood there paralyzed when the olive green haired Daeva got off of the other Asmodian and walked towards her. The feelings of defending herself took over her body and soul, till the green haired Daeva took out his talon like hand in a form of a handshake.
"Hello," he said cheerfully. "My name is Sylvan and it's finally nice to meet you sleeping lady."
The other sighed. "She isn't sleeping, ya dope," he said in a low voice as he got up and brushed off the snow.
Sylvan heard him but he ignored his words as Alyah shook his hand carefully.
"Are your friends going to join us to fight them?" Sylvan was referring to fight the Balaur.
"Umm..." She didn't know what to say but noticed the other Daeva coming towards them.
The other Daeva grabs Sylvan by the arms and pulls him over to the camp fire, then turns to her.
"My friend here doesn't think clearly sometimes. Please sit with us at the fire." He said nicely.
He motions for her to go first, she did and sat down on the opposite side of the fire from him.
"I'm Noireth, we're friends of Dreiden. I'm the one who got you out of the dungeon." Noireth said while trying to sound he did more then Sylvan.
Sylvan pokes the fire with a stick which made the flames go up higher.
"Stop it! Just stop it!" Noireth was on his last nerve and took the stick out of Sylvan's hand.
"It'll probably taste bad anyway." Sylvan pouted.
Alyah looks over next to Noireth to see a long spoon and few pouches.
"May I?" Alyah said to Noireth about the pot cooking above the fire.
"Uh, sure." His voice hinted of a refusal .
Alyah grabbed a potholder, a long spoon and opened the cover. It was bobbling with a few ingredients that didn't have much of smell as she stir it. She opened a pouch and took a pinch of what was inside. The herbs was nothing she knew of, so she smelled it and she did this to all of them to find the right flavor for the stew currently cooking. When she found the right ones, she took big pinches and dropped them into the stew and stirred them in. Alyah carefully tasted the stew from the spoon and wiped the spoon off in the snow.
"Is it ready yet?" Sylvan said and was ready to eat.
Alyah places the cover back on the pot, "In two hours or less, if you can leave the fire alone and have it cooking on low heat, then the meat will be tender and juicy."
Tender and juicy made both Sylvan and Noireth's stomach growl loud.
"I can't wait that long!" Noireth said loudly.
"If it's what she said it'll be, then I can." Sylvan cheerfully said.
Noireth shook his head, he wanted to get his mind off of his growling stomach so he looks at Alyah.
"So your name is Alyah, how are you feeling?" Noireth couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Much better, thank you." She forgot about that already, "How long was I sleeping for?"
"Almost three days, Dreiden should have been here by now." Noireth answered her.
"He said he was gonna come within a day." Sylvan was disappointed.
"No, he said he was hoping for it...lets just hope he didn't get caught."
Noireth paused. He thought if Dreiden was caught and told them where they were, he would be exiled if they found him here. It'll be best if he left Sylvan with the pretty Elyos woman to go somewhere...faraway from them. That way, he can tell the Asmodian guards he didn't know anything about the escaped Elyos and was surprised to find out his friends were behind it. The perfect plan and he needed to go now since it has been days. Noireth grinned and got up but heard sunken footsteps coming towards them.
Alyah, Sylvan and Noireth heard it. All of them got up and looked around. Alyah tugged the cloak hard, hoping it wasn't the Asmodian guards. Sylvan grabbed the stick in his hand and turned around if anything was swooping in on them. Noireth panicked, he didn't want to be exiled or live without drinking in the tavern. He looked around but there was no where to hide but inside the house and he didn't know where the footsteps were coming from. Since he was an assassin, his stealth ability was ready so he used it and he turned invisible.
A cloaked figure appeared, Sylvan quickly ran over to Alyah and stood between her and the figure. He readied to fight and focused his attention to it. As the figure came close, it pulled off the hood and looked up at Sylvan. It was an Asmodian woman with short dark purple hair and her bangs flowed to the side of her face. She seemed to be in her early 20's and her skin was a pale gray.
Sylvan lowered the stick and relaxed his body.
"Quai?!" He dropped it and dashed towards her.
She ran to him and both hugged the other hard.
"Sylvan, I was worried about you." Quai happily said.
Noireth unsheathed and rolled his eyes, "Yay! The atrocious woman alive is staying with us!" Noireth said with sarcasm.
Quai lets go of Sylvan, "Yay! The most irritating and repulsive man alive is here!" Quai jumps up and down mocking him.
Alyah wasn't sure if they were playing around or hated each-other, but she was so relieved Quai wasn't a guard. Being surrounded by strangers...well, she felt very isolated and nervous. She's never been surrounded by this many Asmodians in the longest time and didn't know what to expect from them nor what they plan on doing.
All of them sat by the fire but Alyah, who was in deep thoughts and didn't snap out of it till Sylvan and Noireth motioned her to join them. She sat between Noireth and Quai who were the furthest away from each-other.
"Where's Drei?" Sylvan asked Quai, then held her hand to his.
"He's coming. He was acting very strange when we were getting close-by. But I think we need to make him sleep. Is there a bed ready for him?" Quai looked worried.
"No but I can get it ready for him." Sylvan got up and went inside the house.
There was a moment of silence which was awkward for all three.
Quai looks over at Alyah, who was mesmerized by the fire, and thought of things to ask her.
"I've heard much about you."
Alyah looks over to Quai and smiles, she didn't know what to say.
"My name is Quai, by the way." She reached over and shook hands with Alyah.
"Pleasure to meet you." Alyah smiled.
Quai giggles, "I've never expected in my life to hear an Elyos say that to me."
"I've never thought I'd be doing something this crazy and foolish." Noireth wasn't gonna be left out.
"Crazy, maybe. Foolish, well I for one want a change, something needs to be done about the Balaur...foolish or not." Quai said.
All of them heard footsteps coming, they stood up and looked in the direction where Quai came from. There, a shadowy figure appeared with what looked like carrying two heavy bags. As it got closer in view, they could see it was Dreiden.
He was carrying two bags on each shoulder with no emotion on his face to tell if the bags were heavy or not. Only, they could see he had dark circles under his eyes and he was walking slow. Noireth, not quickly, goes over to him and takes the bags and goes straight to the house. Dreiden walks up between Quai and Alyah, sits down and closes his eyes as if too tired to keep them open.
"Drei, Sylvan is making your bed now. Since it is getting dark, you should go and all of us can talk in the morning." Quai's voice hinted of worried.
Dreiden looks over at Alyah with no emotion and stares at her wanting to say something. Alyah could tell he was very tired and she looked worried. She nodded at him, letting him know she agrees with Quai. Dreiden gets up and walks into the house just as Sylvan and Noireth comes out.
"Why does he look so worn out?" Alyah stared at the door to the house as if Dreiden was standing there.
"When Pandaemonium was under a lock down, everyone was being investigating. The guards looked in every building, questioned every person and counted every living being. Not many people was able to sleep." Quai answered.
Noireth and Sylvan sat near the fire as she stopped talking.
Sylvan said, "I've made all our beds and if anyone is hungry, I brought out the bowls for us to eat in." He passes bowls and spoons to everyone.
To everyone's surprise, the food was tasty and it filled their appetites quite well. It was dark already and all were getting tired, all but Alyah who slept along time. She wanted to go inside, where it was nice and warm but she didn't want to disturb anyone while they slept. She thought maybe to just lie in her bed and think, that way she doesn't bother anyone.
"Well, I say lets all go to bed and see what Dreiden have to say in the morning." Quai said.
"I'll be leaving in the morning so I don't have to wait for anyone." Noireth declared.
Everyone ignored him and went inside...but Sylvan who cleaned up the fire place and then followed. As Alyah came in, she could see Dreiden at the end near the wall in bed sleeping. He seemed to be out of it and she was glad he got to sleep quickly. She felt a tug on her arm and looked over to see Quai.
"We'll be sleeping in the room while they sleep out here...we get to have privacy." Quai chuckled.
Alyah wasn't sure why she chuckled but followed her inside anyway. Quai went over to the other bag, guessing it was her's, and took out some clothes. Alyah took off the cloak, fold it, and placed it neatly near her bag. Quai throws Alyah, who was on the other side of the room from her, a sleeping garment at her softly and Alyah caught it easily.
"Dreiden said he forgot to put some sleeping clothes in your bag so you can use one of mine." Quai said and went back to her bag.
Alyah thanked her and looked at it, the garment looked comfortable and it was long enough to reach her ankles. Quai and Alyah both got undressed and dressed into their sleeping clothes then both climbed into their beds.
Alyah thought a lot as she lay awake. She thought many questions, like how did he do all of this? Was this all for her? What was his plans and what he intended from her...or use from her? If this is all just a trick? Do the other Asmodians truly believe to join forces and help save our world or were they forced into it? Her thoughts raced with so many other questions till she looked over at Quai. Quai was sleeping peacefully in her bed...if she believed to join forces like her, what about Noireth? Something about him is different then the rest of Dreiden's friends. She shook her head, her questions could be answered in the morning. Alyah turned to her side, closed her eyes and relaxed. Her body and soul, after an hour in bed, finally drifted to sleep.
Morning approached, darkness was still in the sky. Dreiden was still sleeping but all of his friends were outside sitting near the fire. Alyah came down and greeted them, sat down nearest to Quai and bundled up with her cloak.
Quai looks at Alyah and noticed the look that something was troubling her.
"What's wrong, Alyah?" Quai asked.
"I...I feel so dirty."
"There's hot springs near here if you want to get cleaned." Sylvan said.
"Hot springs?...really? Where is this hot springs?" Quai said quickly.
Sylvan points to the north.
Quai looks over at Alyah, "I'll come with you if you want a bodyguard." She smiles really big.
"Sure" Alyah agreed.
Quai looks over to Sylvan. "Make sure Noireth doesn't go peeking on us."
"Don't worry, no one wants to see your ugly behind." Noireth said
Quai lifts an eyebrow at Sylvan, he then slaps Noireth in the back of his head. Noireth looks at Sylvan with an evil stare. As Quai and Alyah walks out of sight, Noireth punches Sylvan in the arm hard.
"She has you on a leash." Noireth teased.
"Well you did say something mean to her." Sylvan hissed.
It was silent for a moment, until Noireth got an idea.
Dreiden woke up to find no one inside the house. He rubbed his face and yawned, feeling groggy but at least he felt refreshed. Searched in his bag, dressed into warm clothes and went outside...only to find no one there. He wondered where they went and noticed the pot was cooking on a low fire. Dreiden thought maybe Noireth and Sylvan were showing the girls around, so he thought maybe to go wash up, relax and bring in ideas while at the hot springs.
Oh the hot springs, it was nice knowing only he, Noireth and Sylvan were the only ones who knew about it. This place has always been here since he could remember and that was a very long time ago. Who built the house and why? That, he never knew and possibly never will know. Dreiden decided he would go to the hot springs, went back inside the house, grabbed a long linen of cloth from his bag and slowly set off on his way.
The ground near the hot springs were flourished by tall grass and plants. Dreiden brushed the plants away from him as he got closer and closer. He felt presence that he was not alone and was able to see a small view of his designation. He slowed his movement and sneaked to see who or what was there. Whoever it was, came too close to camp and Dreiden was gonna make sure they leave without knowing the Elyos prisoner was near. If they are humans however, they may have to be killed and he was willing to kill a few if it meant to save so many. One careful step at a time while pulling out his hidden daggers, then he stopped immediately.
They weren't strangers...they were Alyah and Quai! Quai was sitting down on the side of the spring and her eyes were closed, but he didn't take any notice of her. Dreiden didn't move, his eyes were fixed on her, his body and mind were captivated by her beauty....Alyah's beauty. Her back was in Dreiden's direction and her thighs were are the water's edge. She was wrapping cloth around her head which held all of her hair in place. Her creamy skin seemed soft to touch and her curvy bare body was different then what he had seen from Asmodian women. So it was true about them, Elyos is blessed with beauty.
"This isn't right," Dreiden thought and shakes his head, "I must go before they see me."
Just as he was about to backup, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looks over to see Noireth by his side.
"Mmm, don't they look delicious." He whispers to Dreiden in a eerie way
Dreiden didn't like what Noireth said, but only whispered back to him.
"Lets go now."
He pulls Noireth in-front of him and quietly both left without a sound and without the girls ever knowing they were there.
Alyah finished wrapping the cloth around her head and sat down on the other side from Quai. She was starting to feel clean and relaxed, both she hadn't felt since she went through the rift and her first meeting with him.
"Him!" She thought, "I don't know Dreiden or his friends. If I'm going to be friends with everyone here, then I need to start asking questions."
"Quai?" Alyah wanted to ease her mind.
Quai didn't open her eyes but said, "yes?"
"Can you tell me anything about Dreiden?...and who is Rose-wind?"
Quai opened her eyes and stared at her, "Roswyne?....nothing much to say about her but she's the most annoying girl. Her and Dreiden dated along time ago but it was only a year of them together when Dreiden broke up with her...well tried to. " She giggles, "poor guy."
"Why does she stay with him when he doesn't want her?"
"She's obsessed...that or she wants to be the girlfriend of our best fighter."
"What about Dreiden? Was he always so...so"
"Empty inside, no, he was a decent nice man to talk to. Very friendly, so helpful and he had the best smile...every girl who seen it would just melt. Yeah, those were the good ole days, whoever met him became friends...till Roswyne came along. Oh, and since he was so good at his job, they made him stay in the abyss fighting the Balaurs and against the...your people. Being in the abyss for too long made some people crazy."
"About Noireth, does he joke around when he says those things?"
"No no no no, I thought at first he was and I laughed about it every time. He would go too far, so one day I asked him to stop. Do you know what he said to me? When I see you naked in my apartment...That creep! And he wonders why no girl wants to be with him."
"How can Dreiden be friends with him?"
"Not too sure but I think Dreiden felt sorry for him. Noireth had no friends and when Dreiden started hanging out with him more, all of Dreiden's friends but Sylvan wouldn't talk to him."
Alyah smiles, "Sylvan reminds me of a kid, he's so cute and friendly. If you don't mind me asking, How long have you two been together?"
Quai's face seems to light up and she smiles from cheek to cheek.
"I'd say a century now. When he's not with Noireth he is much cuter and so brave. I've been waiting for him to ask me to get married but I think Noireth is telling him not to. Sylvan usually ignores his rude comments, but I think he looks up to Dreiden so he tries to deal with the selfish, rude one."
"What about you?"
"Me? What about me?"
Alyah blushes, "What is your job and do you believe we can join together and end this war?"
"Oh! I'm a spirit-master. I wasn't sure if it was possible for Elyos and Asmodian ladies to chat like this. Now I know it can work, we just need to find out what Dreiden's plans will be next." Quai paused. "What about you? All I know is your a cleric and was tortured by our people. You didn't take it personal?"
"No, I know my people would have done the same if they caught an Asmodian on their grounds."
"So why did you come?"
"I...I didn't know where the rift would have taken me."
"So you..." Quai stopped, Alyah seemed to be in deep thought or regret. So she changed the subject, "are you married?"
"No. I'm not with anyone...but I was married before all of this happened."
"Tell me, it must have been nice."
Alyah smiled and chuckled. "Yes but it was along time ago. Before we turned to Daevas, I had a loving husband, three small children and my parents living near us. My husband, brother and father worked in the fields and barns, as me and my mother worked in the kitchen and schooled my children. When the Balaur waged war, my husband and brother went to help fight. But one day, my husband came back, he had lost his leg in a accident. I decided to go in his place, it wasn't long after that when the Lords sacrificed their lives to help keep this world from splitting apart. As a lot of us ascended to Daevas, I was devastated when I learned I wasn't allowed to be part of their lives anymore. But my brother also ascended to Daeva too and we both worked through it together."
"I know the feeling, it was so long ago now that I sometimes forget where I came from."
"I don't remember what my children...my family's faces look like anymore, even some memories are becoming unclear to me. I wonder if they understood I could never come see them again. If my children were angry because they were waiting for me but I never came home."
"This is what Dreiden said to me when I was missing my family. "I'm sure they are proud of you, they know you will be fighting hard to keep them safe every day. They miss you very much and they pray to Aion your safe and help your battles win victories". Not in those exact words and he had more to it but it helped me when I was feeling down.
Alyah nodded and smiled.
"Lets be on our way, Dreiden should be awake by now." Quai said.
"Okay, I'm glad you came along."
"Thank you." Quai bowed her head.
Dreiden and Noireth sat down near the fire.
"Where is Sylvan?" Dreiden asked.
Noireth chuckled. "Getting more meat for the stew."
Dreiden could tell by his chuckle it was a trick for Sylvan to leave so Noireth could sneak a peek at the girls. He slowly shook his head at Noireth in disapproval. Noireth just gave an evil grin and went over to the pot to check on the stew.
"So leader," Noireth said with sarcasm and begins to stir the stew. "What are your plans?"
"I'm not sure yet." Dreiden answered.
Noireth stopped stirring and stared at him in shock, then got angry. "What do you mean!?"
"My plan ended here, I need to talk to everyone and see what our best options are."
Noireth didn't say anything and turned his attention to the stew. Dreiden couldn't get Alyah off of his mind...once again. Seeing her like that, everything about her gives him feelings he hadn't felt in along time and it felt strange. Was it love he was feeling? No it couldn't be, puppy love maybe. Besides, what would everyone say? What would she think? Silly, crazy, forbidden...but what if she didn't care about him being different then her? What if he lost his touch in...
Dreiden's thoughts were interrupted, he heard someone or something running towards camp and fast. Dreiden quickly got up and looked around, and sure enough, Sylvan comes running from the east side of the mountains. He was out of breathe and looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Did your shadow scare you again while hunting for meat?" Noireth teased at Sylvan.
"I...don't know...if they...saw me." Sylvan said trying to catch his breath.
"Who? Who saw you?" Dreiden demanded.
"The Balaur."
