Xxxxx

Soundless

Xxxxx

Val smiled as he heard the colorful curses of his Necromancer Trainer, Rairon, echo through the warm sunny air, causing him to carefully make his way past through the large leaves of the trees to take cover. The young Dusk Bloom have decided yet again to go on an 'adventure', as Rairon calls it, having decided to skip the day's Necromancy lesson to have a bit of fun on his own.

Chuckling to himself, Val knelt down and traced his fingers onto the warm sandy hearth, whispering the incantations under his breath before raising his hand, summoning two small bone minions, hearing them release small high pitched cries as the black and green mist dissipated around them.

"If you do not mind," the dark skin Sylvari reached out and caressed each one on the head with each hand, hearing them emit small purrs as he did so, "could you be my eyes for today?"

Small high pitched cries was his response, causing Val to smile as he stood up and headed further deeper into the forest, fingering his scepter and war horn sheathed around his waist as he heard the small forms of his bone minions slither across the earth.

"Should I summon a bone fiend too?" he muttered to himself, contemplating on what to do next as he tilted his head towards the hearth, placing a hand onto his chin to help him think.

Hearing his bone minions release high shrieking cries of warning caused Val to pause, lifting his head as he strained his ears to hear his surroundings, "Who's there?"

When he received no answer, Val shifted nervously before he knelt down once more and traced his fingers onto the earth, standing up and raising his hand as he finished the incantation. Hearing his bone fiend come to life, Val strained to hone in on his surroundings, his ears perked for any unusual sound.

Nothing.

Shifting nervously once more, Val slowly moved forward, hearing his minions following him as he made his way through the sand. Almost instantly, his feet touched water, startling Val before he relaxed, recognizing the small stream to a path near Sandycove Beach. Just a bit further and he'll be near the harvesters, the young Necromancer having full knowledge that there was strength in numbers.

However as his feet left water and onto dry land, Val froze, his ears barely picking up the sound of clanking armor.

Was a it a Warden?

He strained his ears and mentally shook his head. Warden armor were heavier, the material would have made a heavier sound if it were the Wardens. But then, who else would wear armor like that in the middle of the day?

Hearing the clanking armor come closer, Val quickly made his way across the path and clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, sensing the shelter of pods not too far from where he was standing. Ensuring that his minions were surrounding him, Val quickly made his way towards the pods, hearing the familiar voices of the harvesters ring throughout his ears.

"Val!"

Hearing one of the harvesters call in greeting, Val turned where he had the voice and gave a nervous smile, earning a giggle as a response, "You're suppose to wave back silly."

Staring confused at the harvester, the harvester who greeted him released an, "oh" before the Necromancer heard the sounds of footsteps rush through sand and water, "Here, this is how you wave."

He then felt small and gentle hands grab his right arm before lifted up into the air and moved side to side, causing Val to blink several times before feeling the hands let go of his arm which flopped lazily back onto his side.

"There," the harvester chirped as she clapped her hands, causing Val to tilt his head slightly to one side, "whenever someone says 'hi' or calls your name, you just wave, alright?"

Giving the harvester another nervous smile, Val listened as the young Sylvari sprinted off, perhaps to work on another part of the beach.

Standing where he is for several minutes, Val closed his eyes as he let his body absorb the warmth from the sun, spreading out his arms as if to embrace the sky.

"Enjoying this fine day, Sapling?"

Startled, Val snapped open his eyes and twirled around, clicking his tongue to help sense who was there. Wait, not who, they. Val blinked several times as he clicked his tongue once more, feeling the sound vibrate off the three Sylvari standing in front of him and bouncing back towards him.

"What an interesting sound you're making," one spoke, petite and slender and from the sound of her voice, female, "tell me, what does it do?"

Startled, Val stammered, "I-I have no use of my eyes so I-"

"No use of your eyes?" another spoke up, taller, sturdier and male in Val's sense, and tall enough to intimidate the young Sapling into silence, "are you blind?"

With that, Val heard the third and final one, another female but taller and a bit sturdier than the other, approach and waves her hand in front of his face, startling him but nonetheless kept his face straight.

"You truly are blind," the taller female spoke, a soft purr emitting from her voice, "a blossom without its petals."

Shifting nervously from where he stood, Val listened to his surroundings, the harvesters continue on their work, signaling that the three Sylvari who stood before him were no strangers to the area.

"How long has it been since your awakening, Sapling?" the male asked, causing Val to jump, hearing the male circle him.

"Er, about a month ago," Val replied nervously, wringing his hands together, "and if you're wondering if I came here from the Grove by myself, it is a yes."

"A Sylvari with no use of their eyes but yet able to make it all the way here by himself?" the petite Sylvari scoffed, "how is that even possible?"

"Anything is possible if your work hard enough," Val retorted, commanding his minions to close in on him, using them as a barrier between him and the three Sylvari, "now leave me alone, I want to have my thoughts to myself."

The three Sylvari made him nervous; he could sense nothing from them except a cold and dark aura that made the Necromancer uncomfortable. It didn't help that instead of accepting his protests, the three came in closer, causing Val to shift tensely once more.

"We're just here to recruit, Sapling," The taller female spoke, "to recruit those to fight against Ventari's tablet."

Val commanded his minions to tighten around him, "Fight against Ventari's tablet? But the tablet is sacred, it helps us gives wisdom and-"

"It is a shackle, a barrier preventing us from being true Sylvari," The male interrupted, stopping Val in mid sentence, "it is a collar around our necks and the only way to break it is to turn the Pale Tree to Nightmare."

Val's face paled at this, "N-Nightmare? B-But the Pale Tree is our mother. Why would we want to do a horrid-"

"We are doing her a favor," The petite Sylvari butted in, "she has been lied to and shackled as well by Ventari's Tablet. We can free her." He heard the petite Sylvari approach him and place her hands upon his shoulders, "We can free her through Nightmare."

His pale green eyes widening, Val screamed, "No!" and before he knew it, his minions jumped the petite Sylvari, hearing her scream as the bone minions tear through flesh while as the fiend tossed its venom at her from a distance.

"You blind, filthy, weed!"

Hearing the taller Sylvari come his way, Val turned and ran, barely feeling the man's fingers brush against the back of his shirt, hearing him release a curse.

Rushing past a pair of harvesters, Val leaped onto the path nearby before booking it towards the left.

This is Sandycove Beach, Val, Kynaireae's words rang throughout his head, and over there is where the Wardens are. He remembers staring confused into space before his Mentor realized her mistake, Here. She had led him up a path and up a hill, and it was then, Val was taught to recognize the voices of the Wardens and how to differentiate their armor from others. Whenever you are here and in need of aid, you come here, Val. The Wardens will help you.

Shaking his head to help him back into reality, Val failed to hear the sounds of rushing footsteps until it was too late, feeling himself being rammed from behind and falling flat onto the earth, knocking the wind out of him. Wheezing, Val struggled for his scepter, his fingers wrapping around the familiar wooden handle and pulling it out of its sheath.

"Not this time!"

He felt his weapon being pride out of his hand, causing Val to cry out and before he can reach for his War horn, he felt himself being shoved back onto the sandy earth, his arms wrapped around his back.

"I'll take that," The female Sylvari leaned over and snatched Val's war horn from around his waist, causing him to struggle once more.

"A Necromancer," The male spat, "using your minions as a distraction while you try and get away? Nice try but…" The Sylvari locked Val's arms behind his back, causing the Dusk Bloom to flinch, "try and make something that wouldn't get killed in one hit."

"You're lucky you are still alive after killing one of us," Val heard the female Sylvari laugh, "Usually we would kill you right on the spot in retaliation however…" The Dusk Bloom heard the Sylvari kneel down and he felt a hand slide under his chin and forced upwards, perhaps into the eyes of the female Sylvari, "what's going to happen to you next, you'll wish we had kill you then."

He then felt the male Sylvari grab his leaves upon his head and slammed him into the ground.

Then… darkness

Xxxxx

Screaming

That's all Val's sensitive ears could pick up as he regained his senses, causing him to groan as he pushed himself into a sitting position.

"Someone help! Help!"

A crack of a whip caused Val to stiffen, hearing a scream follow soon after.

"No one is here to help you, Dreamer." He heard someone hiss.

Nervously pushing himself onto his feet, Val clucked his tongue, only for his face to pale when the sound bounced back and showed an image of briar thorns woven together around him, trapping him in a prison.

"You're awake."

The familiar voice of the female Sylvari caused Val to snap his head in her direction, hearing her purr behind the woven bars.

"I was waiting for you to awaken," The female Sylvari smiled, "that way we can get started."

Hearing the sound of branches tearing away from each other, Val's face paled even further, backing away from the entrance as he heard two pairs of footsteps approach him.

"You're trapped, Sapling," The female Sylvari laughed, "No use in running away or resisting, all it would so is make the situation worse for you."

Val gulped as he took another step back, only to release a yelp as his back pressed against the thorns behind him, causing him to leap forward; Right into the arms of the two Courtiers.

Feeling their hands grab his arms, Val yelled, "Let go!" Trying to pry his arms away from his captors, Val instead felt the two Courtiers lift him up, causing his feet to dangle in the air. In retaliation, Val started to kick, causing the Courtiers to release a grunt of annoyance as they struggled to keep him under control.

His attention too focused on the two Sylvari, he failed to notice the third, the female, approach. It was then he felt a sudden impact into his abdomen, feeling his breath leave him as he wheezed, coughing and gasping afterwards.

"That's better," he heard the female scoff, "tie him up over there, I need to grab my tools first."

Still struggling to regain his breath, Val felt himself being dragged, recognizing the feel of wet marsh beneath his feet. Where ever he is now, it is far from the Grove. Far from help.

Taking in one more breath, Val's lungs once again filled with air, helping him breathe out and take in another breath. By the time he did this, it seems that they had reached their intended location for they paused and one of the courtiers grabbed one of his wrists and started wrapping what Val recognizes as one of the many vines you find hanging in the trees. It slowly dawned upon him on what they were going to do.

With a cry, Val pried his hand away from the Courtier, hearing him curse as the grown rope unraveled from the Dusk Bloom's wrist.

"Keep still," He heard the Courtier hissed, feeling the other tighten his grip on his arm.

Shaking his head rapidly, Val leaped up and before he could realize on what he was doing, kicked, feeling his foot come into contact with something soft but sturdy. It was only when he heard the first Courtier curse that he realized that he had hit him – what did the humans call it?- below the belt.

Before he could process this however, he felt a force hit him on the side of the head, strong enough to cause his head to snap in the direction he was hit, dazing him.

"Blasted Dreamer," Val heard the other Courtier growl before he was slapped again, forcing his head to the opposite direction, "you are not making it easy for us."

Stunned by the second blow, Val failed to notice the Courtier that he had kicked grabbed his wrists and started tying the rope around it, not until after he had tied his opposing wrist. Crying out, Val felt himself being shoved to the ground, falling onto his back, feeling the ropes tighten around his wrists.

"Struggle all you want, Dreamer," One of the Courtiers spat, "even if you are able to free yourself, you still have the rest of the Court against you."

Val then felt a hand wrap around his throat, causing him to choke as the Courtier added, "and once we capture you again, we'll make sure that you'll suffer something ten times more painful than what you are going to receive."

Feeling the Courtier's icy grip leave his throat, Val took in a deep gasp before coughing, failing to hear the two Courtiers leave and the female entering the pod that he was imprisoned in.

"Aah good, they got you all tied up and ready," She chirped, causing Val to sit up and give her a wary look, "Do not worry Sapling, I'll go easy on you." Val heard footsteps approach before a hand grab him by the chin, "For now."

Xxxxx

Val awoke what like a 100th time, only to whimper when his wounds throbbed, wrapping his arms around himself as he curled up.

He had lost count on how long he had been in the Nightmare Court's grasp but even then, the Necromancer had his fair share of his 'visit' here. Besides the female Courtier and her knives, other Courtiers would come in and take their turn on the Dusk Bloom, using different tools that they call their 'toys' on him. He shivered as he remembered the whip of one courtier and how another tested one of their poisons on him, leaving him in agony. Val whimpered again as he hugged himself tighter, ignoring the fact that the ropes around his wrists rubbed against his skin, drawing more sap from his wound.

The female courtier had just left, leaving Val in a bloody mess of his own golden blood, leaving the Dusk Bloom to feel the throbbing wounds from the fresh cuts of her knives.

I'll be back with more toys, the female Courtier had told him before she left, causing Val to shiver and whimper as her voice echoed through his mind, imagining a sadistic smile planted onto her features.

Should I remove those eyes of yours? Val covered his face with his hands as her voice continued to echo through his mind, after all, they don't exactly 'work'. He recalls the reasoning of refraining herself of doing so was that sooner or later that Val was going to join their ranks and the image of a Sylvari with no eyes amongst the court wouldn't be a great pride in their reputation.

Val hugged himself once more.

The female Courtier sounded so sure that Val is going to join the Nightmare Court to the point where she was already telling him the rules of the Court and how it functions. Every time he says, 'No', she'll add several more fresh cuts, ensuring that the sharp object cut into his flesh cleanly and slowly.

Now filled with the knowledge that she had other plans for him, Val shivered before releasing a choked sob, burying his face into the hearth of his prison.

He doesn't want to join the Nightmare Court. He doesn't want to turn the Mother Tree to Nightmare. But he also doesn't want to feel pain. The feeling of the knife cut into his flesh and the way the female Courtier laughs as he screams in agony… he doesn't want to experience that either.

Val placed his hands onto his head, grinding his teeth together as he squeezed his eyes shut. A plan. He needs a plan. A plan for what- an escape plan! But what can he do in the condition he is now-

His thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sounds of footsteps entering through the entrance of his prison causing Val to pale.

"Aaah, you light up so brightly with that white luminescence of yours," The Courtier purred, Val hearing her kneel down so that her hands could caress his arm. The young Necromancer scooted away in response, flinching as one of the ropes rubbed against his raw wrists.

The female Courtier just laughed, "I can tell that you're almost ready to break." Val heard the female Sylvari stand up, "You can make it easy for us. Just agree to join our ranks and we'll cut you free and the pain will end."

Val slowly opened his eyes, his pale green eyes illuminating in the dark as he turned his blind gaze where he thinks the Courtier stands, "No more pain? You won't hurt me anymore?"

"As long as you follow orders," The female courtier smiled, "and perhaps maybe-" She paused, her eyes trailing the sigil drawn by golden sap hidden near Val's arms, "What is-"

Finishing the incantation under his breath, Val rolled onto his opposing side, leaving enough room for the Flesh Golem to rise out of the floor, releasing a war cry as it charged towards the female Courtier. The next thing Val heard was her screams, then silence.

Rolling onto his back, Val sensed the Flesh Golem stride back towards him, before feeling the ropes around his wrists slack, signaling that the Golem had listened to his command. Pushing himself onto his feet, Val felt his knees buckle before collapsing, releasing a small hiss of pain as the wounds throbbed.

"Clear out a path," Val reached out and patted the Flesh golem several times on what he believed to be its arm, hearing it trudge through the exit. Val then heard the surprised cries of the courtiers. His head filling with knowledge that the Flesh Golem will not last long, Val stuttered out the incantations, summoning bone minions, a bone fiend, and a shadow fiend, feeling them rise from the earth as he finished. Directing them so they surrounded them, Val pushed himself onto his feet, gritting his teeth as his wounds strained, feeling more sap slide against his bark skin.

"Let's get out of here." He said through gritted teeth, stumbling through the doorway of his prison.

Xxxxx

A Sylvari slid down the side of the island, his red skin illuminating a darker shade, causing his features to be seen as fierce if it wasn't for the kind illuminating blue emitting form his eyes. Humming to himself, the male Sylvari knelt down, his fingers repairing the crab trap near the shore when in the corner of his eyes, he caught movement. He abruptly stood up, his hand immediately unsheathing his blade as he turned and faced the intruder only to pause as his blue eyes caught the white illumination against dark skin and leaves, causing him to stutter out, "Er, Hello?"

It was then the newcomer turned his eyes towards the Sylvari, his light green eyes locking onto red, "Help me…please."

He then collapsed, startling the Sylvari, "Wait, what?" He approached the fallen Sylvari, dropping his weapon as he added, "Come now, this must be a joke-" As he laid his hand upon the fallen Sylvari's shoulder, he felt a warm and sticky substance stick to his fingers. Startled, the Sylvari pulled his hand back, only for his eyes to widen when he recognized the golden color of sap, "Talaith! Pedr! Anyone! Someone needs our aid!"

Almost immediately, the illumination of several Sylvari could be seen exiting their pods, their glowing eyes full of concern as they approached.

"Hey, hey, wake up," The Sylvari shook the fallen one's shoulder, earning a stir and several blinks as a response, "tell me, what is your name?"

Looking at him through exhausted eyes, the fallen Sylvari responded, "V-Valan…Val." He closed his eyes again, only to be startled awake as the Sylvari who had found him shook him once more, "Hey now, don't go to sleep on me, wait until you receive care. Understand?"

"So, tired," Val muttered, earning a concern glance from the red skin Sylvari, "Could you tell me at least what happened to you?"

Val's eyes opened, and instead of giving him is answer, his lower lip quivered before he released a sob, startling the older Sylvari, "D-Did I say something wrong? Come now, don't cry, you're safe now."

"Th-they hurt me," Val cried, feeling comforting and gentle hands brush through his black leaves, "even when I told them to stop, they would take out their knives, their 'toys'." The Necromancer hugged himself, "How can a group of our own people turn out that way?"

The Sylvari who had found him was silent before he whispered, "Was it the Night-"

"No! Don't say it!" Val cried, placing his hands against his ears, "I don't want to hear it! I don't to hear that blasted name!"

He sobbed again, causing the red skin Sylvari to give him words of comfort, "It is alright, help is here."

Almost on quote, Val felt comforting hands gently pry his hands away from his ears, whispering soothing words as he felt something warm but refreshing press against his wounds.

Wanting to feel the warmth of the Dream, Val reached out to the connection of the Sylvari around him only to feel nothing, a void, almost like as though nothing existed.

"Get some sleep," A gentle hand delicately brushed some of his leaves away from his eyes, "you had experienced enough for tonight."

Taking the advice of the voice, Val slowly closed his eyes and he fell into a deep slumber.

Xxxxx

He could feel it, that darkness crawling near the edge of his Dream. He can't see it, but it is definitely there, proven when he felt a chill run through his spine. Val dares not call out who is there or what, as he fears that he might attract the darkness towards him.

The Dream shall slowly corrupted and all Sylvari connected to the Dream will feel its corruption.

The voice of the female Sylvari rang throughout his head. It can't be true, right? The possibility of the Dream being corrupted is small, perhaps non-existent, right? Though he tried to convince himself, Val does not believe his own words. How can he, when he could feel the darkness right there in the edge of his mind?

He is terrified of it. He does not want to feel the corruption of the Dream. He does not want to be connected when that happens. He does not want to feel it turn corrupted. He wants away from it, as soon as possible. But how?

In instant, darkness completely overwhelmed Val's dream, causing him to snap his eyes open, only choke back a cry when his wounds throbbed.

"You're awake!"

Val heard the shifting of a chair and the sound of someone standing up, "The others and I were worried that you would never awaken."

Blinking several times, Val slowly realized that he was lying in a hammock, leaves sewn together to make a blanket which covered his sore body. The young Necromancer turned his eyes where he thought the Sylvari's voice emitted and muttered, "How long?"

"Several days, almost a week," a female voice, "the Night-", she paused when Val flinched, "your wounds were quite serious." Val heard her approach and felt the back of her hand press against his forehead.

It…feels nice.

"Your fever is going down," She added before Val felt her remove her hand and walk towards the edge of the pod, "that means that the poison that they had used on you has been cleansed from your body." The Necromancer heard her return to his side, sensing that she was holding something in her hand, "Here, drink this."

Val then felt something press against his lips and it took a second for him to process that it was a bowl. Taking small sips, Val felt refreshed as a sweet taste spread across his tongue and down his throat, feeling the soreness and pain from his body fade.

He then felt the tip of the bowl leave his lips, "Better?"

Licking his lips, Val nodded before feeling the back of the Sylvari's hand press against his forehead once more, "You should be better in a couple of more days." He felt the hand remove from his forehead, "and perhaps then you should be able to stand."

"What was that?" Val asked as he heard the Sylvari walk away and put the bowl on a nearby table.

"It is a remedy that we made to fight against the Night- the poison," The Sylvari replied, "They always raid this island, hoping to gain new recruits." Val heard her sigh, "all we want is to stay solitary, away from others and stay isolated on this island as Soundless."

Val glanced towards her, puzzled, "Soundless?"

Silence permeated between the two, before the Sylvari asked, "H-How old are you…Val?"

Val turned his blind eyes towards the ceiling, "A month I estimate, not sure." He smiled sheepishly, "I haven't really been keeping track."

Another silence before he heard the female Sylvari giggle, "So a Sapling then?"

Val turned his eyes towards her, "Not exactly a Sapling. Well, er, maybe."

Another giggle, "Well…Val?" She earned a nod as verification, "I say that is enough chatting for now." He sensed her approach and brushes some of his leaves away from his eyes, "gain some more rest and when you are well enough to stand, you'll learn more about this island and the Soundless."

Hesitation shown in Val's eyes, "But…I want to know now."

"Saplings, always so impatient," The Sylvari giggled, causing a blush to bloom on Val's features, "Fine then…" The Necromancer heard a chair being brought close to his bed and the sound of the Sylvari seating herself, "Let me explain first what Soundless are."

Xxxxx

Val slowly retraced his steps, finally recognizing a path that his senses were able to pick up. He had trouble finding his way this far from the Weeping Isle, actually having to ask for an escort when one of the Soundless was trying to give him directions. It was only then that they discovered that they had been healing a blind Sylvari but even with that knowledge, they treated him like one of their own. It was just several hours ago when Val decided to return to the Grove and just recently left his guide behind when he finally found the path he recognized.

As he carefully traced his steps down the path, Val absentmindedly rubbed his wrists, revealing a firm bark slowly forming over the wound; the only scars that will be the reminder of his run in with the Nightmare Court. Flinching at the mere thought of their name, Val turned his attention back on retracing his steps, feeling familiar leaves brush against his bare arms before he sensed walking into a clear, pausing when he felt all eyes turn on him.

"Val!"

The familiar sound of light rushing footsteps, caused Val to smile sheepishly, "Mentor Kyn-". He didn't have time to finish. The sudden feeling of arms wrapping around him and lifting him up startled the Dusk Bloom, his eyes going wide when he found himself being swung around in a circle.

"Thank the Mother Tree," Kynaireae placed the now dizzy Val back onto the ground, "where have you been, you have been missing for days, Sapling. Rairon and I were getting worried that you…" Her voice faded before she pulled the tiny Sapling into a tight embrace, "That doesn't matter anymore now." She pulled herself away from the young Sapling and smiled, "Right now let's bring you back to the-"

Her voice stopped, her yellow eyes staring wide eyed at Val, "V-Val, don't tell me that you m-met the Nightmare Court?"

Val flinched, "U-unfortunately, yes," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I-I didn't join their ranks thought if that is what you are wondering."

Kynaireae placed her hands upon her shoulders, "Then why do I sense nothing from you? Why do I sense nothing but a-"

"He is a Soundless now, Kynaireae."

The Mentor turned her eyes towards a tall Sylvari with birch skin and green leaves, "Rairon? What do-What- What do you mean he's a Soundless now?"

"Can you not sense it?" Rairon sighed, "I felt his mind starting to fade from ours days ago, Kynaireae. It was only yesterday when I felt his connection completely cut off from the Dream." He turned his green eyes towards Val who shifted uncomfortably under his Necromancer Trainer's eyes, "is it not true, Val?"

"Y-Yes, its true" Val stuttered, earning a wide eyed look from the pink skin Sylvari, "I-I am a Soundless now. I only came back to say goodbye."

"G-Goodbye?" Kynaireae repeated, her jaws going slack, "Y-You can't just say goodbye! You have been our student for almost a month! You are like our family now!"

"And I thank you for that," Val responded, earning another gaping look from the pink skin Sylvari, "I have no use of my sight but you treated me like any other Sylvari. No special treatments." He gave the two a smile, "I appreciate that." Val then sighed, "But after the…the N-Night-", He shook his head, "after I met them, I could feel the edges of the Dream become corrupted with Nightmare." He hesitated, "I fear the corruption."

"The Nightmare Court will not corrupt the dream!" Kynaireae yelled, causing Val to Reel back, "They never will!"

"How do you know that!?" Val argued, startling the Mentor in turn, "how are you so sure that the Dream will never be corrupted!?"

A stilled silence permeated through the air, the tension thick enough that everyone watching shifted uncomfortably where they stand.

"I am leaving now," Val announced before he added, "Thanks Kynaireae for being my mentor, and thanks Rairon for teaching me the arts of Necromancy." He paused, "I'll miss you two."

Then giving the two one more nod, Val turned around and walked away, pretending to ignore the cries of his female mentor.


Welp, here's how Val became a Soundless -3-;;;

Yes, it's because he's scared that the Dream will someday be corrupted and that he doesn't want to be connected to it when it happens…not all Sylvari has faith that the Pale Tree will be pure forever :/

Anyways, Val seems like as though he went far in his Necromancer skills for his one month old age in this storyline. In actuality, he was actually still learning how to use majority of his skills. In other words, he just got lucky in his summoning in this chapter. :p

Anyways, Rairon and Kynaireae are both NPCs in Val's life however; I already have a reason why Kynaireae has a suspicion that he already has met the Nightmare Court and how Rairon knew that Val was a Soundless before he could even have a chance to explain himself.

The Sylvari race is only 25 years old (26 now I think) and that makes them the youngest out of the 5 races. This makes me believe that they have the smallest population out of the 5 of them. In short, in what I am trying to say is that since they have a smaller population, the Sylvari know more members of their race than the other races, especially since their minds are somehow connected thanks to the Dream. As such, this had led me to think that each Sylvari knows at least one of their own that had turned to Nightmare or Soundlessness. So that's where I thought that Val's mentors would know what's going on with him or at least a hint without Val making many statements. Which is why Kynaireae took it hard :p

Rairon's reaction is most likely he is us to it…h'mm…I made it seem like as though he had lost more than one friend to the Nightmare Court/Soundlessness O_O

Anyways, that's my opinion; you can think whatever you want. .-.

~123arcalas