Third POV
"Ezekiel. Leon." "Hai Hime."
A muttered chant sparked a light glow over a deck of cards. The glowing plastic dispersed to form a protective dome around four armoured figures. A metallic trigger was pulled, lighting a small campfire in the middle of the glowing dome. Gentle warmth pulsed soothingly around the wearied travellers, luring their fatigued, overworked, beaten bodies into a fragile state of calm.
Tinkling metal echoed in the air as they settled into their temporary shelter. Armour was shed, muscle knots stretched out, their weapons kept close. The shared tension dissipated, just slightly but still noticeable to all in the room.
Slender limbs folded themselves in front of the crackling flame. The small flame casted a radiant amber glow on ghostly pale hair. Coral pink eyes closed shut in quiet contemplation.
Concerned honey eyes lingered on the solemn female.
"Hime, do you need–" "I'm fine."
Her reply did little to assuage his concerns. Heaving a fond sigh, she turned to her loyal friend. "Stop worrying Ezekiel. I'm fine. Save your strength."
A subtle fluctuation in their surroundings alerted the four to the return of their remaining comrades. The young girl turned her attention to the two new figures.
The shorter of the two was the first to report, "Hime, the perimeter is secured. We should be undetectable for the next 4 hours, maybe 6 if the traps hold–"
"I'm sure they will. Thank you for your hard work Arty, Rei." She had no doubt that they had done their jobs perfectly.
Taking a glance at the others in the room, her heart swelled with affection, touched by their unyielding loyalty. After all that had happened, they were still here. Not once had they doubted her or abandoned her. They were still here. Although technically, they don't have a choice-
Orange eyes furrowed at the sight (and sound) of their young mistress drowning in her insecurities, again. "Hime."
Glazed eyes sharpened back into focus; the worried tone shocking the girl out of her spiralling thoughts. The girl stiffened, skin prickling at having the unyielding attention of her 5 companions. They were all staring at her with unhidden concern.
"Ah sorry Akemi. I'll be fine, really. No need to worry. Please rest. You've all done well.", she sheepishly replied.
Green eyes softened at her embarrassment, softly replying "So have you Hime. You did well." Silent agreements echoed in the room - a bright orange grin, a calming yellow smile, proud purple eyes, and a subtle blue nod.
After what had happened on their recent… adventures…, their continued affirmation meant everything to her. Warmth bloomed in her chest. The corners of her lips turned the slightest bit upwards. It was smaller than she intended but it was all she had left to offer. "Thank you."
Green eyes glimmered with mischief, "So… story time? Did y'all hear about the time Rei got chased out of the–" Orange-lit silver whistled through the air, shavings of red hair floating to the ground. An undignified yelp signalled the start of vindictive blue chasing playful red.
Yes, everything will be fine if the ruckus the others were making had anything to say about it. Everything will be fine as long as we're all still here.
Eventually, the other five settled around the flickering light, the comforting warmth quickly lulling them to a peaceful tranquil. In the quiet stillness, the girl's sleepy eyes drank in the sight of her knights:
Short dark indigo hair framed magnetic amethyst eyes. The first knight, Artemia, mistress of shadow. The oldest and most experienced of the five, always working from the shadows, away from the limelight. Despite being the smallest in stature, she was the most astute of the troupe, serving as the group's strategist. Always so earnest.
Blazing red hair that matched light green eyes. The second knight, Leon, miester of the elements. His ability to conjure and manipulate the elements demanded finely tuned control, at the price of painfully heightened senses. Yet, he was the loudest of the group in looks and personality, always striving to lighten the mood. Always so strong.
With ash grey hair and soothing yellow eyes, he was the picture of gentleness. The third knight, Ezekiel, master of spells. He supported the group with his vast collection of spells and knowledge, devoting much of his time nose deep in some dusty, old, forgotten tome. His mellow personality invited trust, the default mediator when dealing with outsiders. Always so supportive.
The epitome of serenity with a royal blue high ponytail and cool aquamarine eyes. The fourth knight, Reina, mistress of space. An expert with any blade, her agility and reflexes were the best of the group. Each strike was delivered with absolute precision, effortlessly slicing through anything, even the fabric of space. On the surface, she was the embodiment of calm but beneath her aloof image hid a fiery temper. Always so confident.
Energetic tangerine eyes with blonde double-pigtails. The fifth knight, Akemi, mistress of sound. Moving to the tune of sonic vibrations, she was the most taken with the dance of battle. The youngest of the five, she possessed a child-like personality, often lacking any filter or sense of common propriety. Her manic moments were only calmed by gentle music. Always so brave.
They were her five precious people, walking with her from her start. They kept her grounded, alive, sane. There was nothing she wouldn't do for them, nothing she wouldn't sacrifice.
Everything will be fine as long as we're all still together.
A glowing stream of cyan energetically pulsed with life. There was a buzzing hum in the air, whispering promises of wonder. Raising a hand, the girl allowed the quiet rhythm to pass through her body, filling her with a sense of awe and apprehension. Of hope.
"Are you ready Hime?"
Without turning away, she nodded, silently sensing as her companions faded into wisps of light. Even after all this time, the gratitude welling in her chest was pinpricked by shame and guilt at their support.
"We'll see you soon Hime." Artemia.
"We're with you." Leon.
"Always and always." Ezekiel.
"To the Abyss and beyond." Rei.
"We love you, Hime!" Akemi.
Taking a moment to appreciate their faith and devotion, the girl releases a small sigh. Coral eyes closed shut, her tumultuous thoughts quelled for the moment. Finding her resolve, she let go, dissipating with her own pink glow.
~ Somewhere beyond the Veil ~
Obsidian eyes looked on silently at the glowing city lights. Plans for the future of this world zipped through his mind's eye. Faded echoes of sweetness tangled over his tastebuds. The possibilities. The wonder. The Hope– Not yet.
The sweetest fruits need time to grow, to mature, to ripen. The sweetest fruits need patience, care, moulding to achieve perfection.
Patience? He had them in spades. Creatures of his kind, of his calibre had to be.
Care? How could he not with the promise of something so sweet?
Moulding? With his experienced hands, perfection doesn't even come close to describing what he could do. Just look at the others that had fallen into his clutches.
Six shockwaves coursed through his senses, a sign of tiny blips rippling into this existence.
Coarse irritation rioted in his blood. Territorial instincts roaring at the disturbance, the insolence, the audacity. This world was his. Countless brethren had learnt the weight of his brand when he had staked his right, his claim, His. No, this would not do.
A flicker of recognition rang through his mind's eye. Oh. Oh yes. Maybe this would do after all.
Plans sprung up plans in his mind like weeds, fighting over one another for his attention, for survival. He pushed them all aside, to be reviewed later. Instead, he delved into his archaic mind, calling forth the sweet memory of his achievements, his victories, his devoured fruits.
Getting to his feet, his tongue tingled with the begging of just one more. Decided on his first step – the first of many in his conquest – the man slipped away as quietly as he arrived, quelling the unbearable thirst of his baser instincts. Not yet, but soon.
Welcome to my next kingdom, Hime. I hope you'll enjoy your stay. Your presence makes my work that much sweeter.
Author's Notes:
Hello hello! Welcome to Ignis Fatuus! It's kinda my first time writing a story, but I've had tons of plot bunnies circling my head over the years. Thank you for picking up my story! I hope you'll enjoy!
P.S. I'm really writing this more for myself than anything. My life is a little crazy so I definitely won't be able to stick to any consistent updating schedule. I'm highly doubtful anyone would pick this up anyway, but if you did, thank you!
P.P.S. If you choose to stick with this story, bless you! Just a fair warning, my creative juices run A LOT with music playing, so sometimes it might bleed into the story. A.K.A. there might be chunks of song lyrics in the story. The idea is for you to listen to the music as you read, for the... full experience. If this is not your cup of tea, I completely understand! But if you stay on, double bless you!