Goddess' Wish
Xxxxx
Your Son
Xxxxx
In all her life, Khayru had never seen a person so furious, especially after awakening from several kicks to the head. The instant the Guardian awakened, he jerked up into a sitting position, demanded why the Elf Queen knocked him out, and before the Tempest can even explain herself, he jumped out of bed and marched out of the room. Where he was heading, Khayru had no clue but she knows for certain that he left the home and hadn't returned for several days now.
The same goes for the Moon Lord as well.
Heaving out a tired sigh as she sat on the couch, Khayru brushed her fingers through the blonde strands of her son whose head was upon his mother's lap, sound asleep.
"What to do in a situation like this?" she whispered as she continued to caress Xsayara's head, causing him to a stir a bit before he shifted positions, "though I've only known them for a short period, I know how close Edan and Shian just enough that one would go crazy without the other but..." She paused for a moment, "But I couldn't let Edan go out there in the rain like that, especially since Shian was long gone by then." Khayru halted her hand, letting it hover over her son's head before she calmly continued her motherly action, "Only if your father was here. Though brash and thick-headed he maybe at times, he at least would know what to do."
A small smiled faded onto the Tempest's features as she recalled the time when it was just the two of them, only a few days after Khayru had rescued the Swordsman from the claws of Saslavan. They were both lost after given a mission to Dead Man's Road, being told that something suspicious was occuring there. After several hours of searching, Khayru had long given up hope, practically collapsing onto the ground out of pure doubt and exhaustion. She recalls Nabiha turning around after she had collapsed and demanded why the young elven was sitting there while they had a job to do. The Elf Queen remembers lashing out at the Swordsman though she didn't mean to. She recalls yelling that she was tired and that there was no way that they would find their way out. Then, to her shock, the blue haired warrior just grinned and replied that they just had to follow the edges of these cliffs until a clear road could be found. Helping her up, Nabiha led the way and sure enough, after only several minutes of following the edges, they found a clear road and were able to carry out their mission successfully.
After the memory faded back into the confines of her mind, grieve flash over the eyes of the Tempest, her hand completely halting on brushing her fingers through her son's hair. Feeling her son stir from the absence of a mother's touch, Khayru attempted to restart the action however, she found her body unwilling to respond. Grief overwhelmed her senses and the familiar sensation of emptiness weight heavily upon her heart.
"Nabiha..." she whispered, placing both hands together onto her chest, biting her lower lip as tears formed in her eyes.
Blinking back the tears, Khayru wiped away of what flowed from her eyes before they spotted something familiar on the table before her. It was a simple green bottle wrapped with a simple paper, the lettering and words all but faded from existence. The Elf Queen blinked several times in response. Shian did tell her the story of what had happened several days back about Xsayara taking a sip of the bottle's contents. They must have forgotten to put it back after the ordeal. Hesitating for a moment, the Tempest carefully leaned over, pausing now and then every time her son stirred upon her lap. Finally, after several minutes of ensuring that her son was asleep, Khayru finally was able to wrap her delicate fingers around the top of the bottle, bringing it close to her chest as she leaned her back against the couch.
Staring at the bottle she held in her hand, Khayru twirled it around several times, her eyes brightening as she recognized the familiar 'sloshing' sound within. From the way the contents inside stirred, Xsayara and Shian hadn't drunk much of it and there was still plenty in there to last at least a night. Glancing down at her son once more, Khayru slowly removed the red stopper from the green bottle before tilting her head back, raising the bottle to her lips.
"You do you know how much your son disapproves of that habit of yours right?"
Surprised and caught off guard, Khayru quickly tilted the bottle away from her lips as she cough and sputtered, letting the liquid that had slipped into her mouth sprinkle out onto the floor.
Raising one eyebrow, Aoshiro calmly appraoched the sputtering Tempest before gently prying the green bottle away from her fingers, "Consider yourself lucky that your son hadn't awaken yet from the sudden action."
Hearing the words of the Guardian, Khayru suddenly paused, her blue eyes wondering down to her lap only to reveal the sleeping face of her son, sleeping like as though nothing had occurred.
Heaving out a sigh, Aoshiro placed the green bottle back onto the table, "You have to stop that bad habit of yours you know? Your son is extremely worried about you," He turned his pale blue eyes towards the Tempest, "especially since you seem to 'change' every time you drink."
"When did you get back?" Khayru asked as she wiped away the remaining alcohol from her lips with the back of her hand, "and where have you been all this time?"
The Guardian's eyes narrowed in response, causing a shiver to run down the Tempest's eyes. Guess he still hasn't forgiven her for knocking him out so suddenly.
"I was around the Haven," Aoshiro replied as he picked up the green bottle and twirled it several times, "looking for adventurers who were willing to aid me on the search for my brother."
Khayru's blue eyes looked up at him curiously, "Did you find anyone?"
The frown that faded onto the Guardian's features gave the Elf Queen her answer, "The rumor of my brother being a cold-hearted killer had already spread. No one wanted to help me, especially since that I'm..." Aoshiro paused for several seconds, "...a Cleric."
In frustration, the Guardian plopped down next to the Elf Queen, causing Xsayara to wake up with a start.
"What?" he mumbled as he sat up, rubbing his eyes as he glanced around in confusion before his gaze locked onto Aoshiro, " ?"
The Guardian released a gentle smile, "Nice to see that you had a good nap, Xsay-"
"Welcome back!"
With a small 'Oomph', Aoshiro felt himself fall back onto the couch, the blonde boy sitting upon his chest as his eyes showed relief, "I was getting worried when you and didn't come back!" He bounced a little on top of the Guardian, "So did you find ?"
Silent for a moment, Aoshiro gently picked up the half elven before he sat up, placing the young child onto his lap, "...Sadly...I have not."
Xsayara's face fell, "Oh..." he turned his blue hues towards the floor, "...he's going to be okay...right?"
The Guardian forced a smile, "I've known him for years and the best thing he is great at is not dying."
"I hope so," the Elven Prince murmured as he slid from the Guardian's lap.
Watching the blonde exit the room, Aoshiro waited several minutes before he turned his gaze towards the Tempest, "I understand that you have 'problems', Khalil and don't you dare try to deny it." He frowned as the Tempest closed her mouth, "Xsayara told us everything when you and Hilal were out on that mission." Aoshiro sighed, "He's really worried about your well-being and wants nothing more than your recovery."
"...I know that," Khayru replied as she wrapped some of her blonde locks around her finger nervously, "he told me a while back and I've tried to quit since then but..." Her eyes sadden, "Every time I think of...of 'him', I want to forget it all, to slip into a world where right here doesn't hurt." The Elf Queen placed a hand over her heart.
Silent for a moment, Aoshiro shook his head as he spoke, "I understand your loss Khalil. Everyone has at least lost one loved one in this war, however..." A serious expression took hold of his features, "do you want your husband to see you like this? Wasting away in alcohol as he lies in his grave?"
Khayru's hand tighten, "...No..."
"Khalil, I understand it is hard to move on," Aoshiro sympathized, "however, you have to remember that the more you cause yourself to suffer, the ones around you suffer as well."
With that, the Guardian stood up, "I'm going to check up on Hilal. I want to see how he is faring with his injury." Then without another word, he left the room.
Left with nothing but the words of the cleric ringing in her head, Khayru sighed as she plopped onto her side, gazing sadly forward.
"Nabiha..." she whispered before eyeing the green bottle set upon the table.
Sitting up, Khayru hesitated before her hand reached forward and plucked the bottle off of the table and stared at it. Her blue eyes stared at it longingly, her temptation telling her to down the bottle. Instead, the Tempest stood up, went toward the kitchen, and dump the bottle's contents down the sink. Hearing the liquid swirl down the drain, a smile formed onto Khayru's lips before a realization dawned upon her.
"How did Edan know that my husband was the one I was mourning?" she asked herself, confusion clear in her eyes.
Xxxxx
"Xithyl?"
The Elven prince pushed open the slightly ajar door, releasing a smile as he recognized the white-haired cleric sitting up in his bed, "Good, you're awake."
He jogged up to his cousin's beside, "So...you feeling better?"
Releasing a smile of his own, Xithyl nodded before pointing at his throat, signifying that his injury was healing well.
"That's good," Xsayara placed his head onto the covers, "so...can you speak yet?"
The brightness in Xithyl's eyes fell and slowly, the young cleric shook his head. This caused Xsayara to sigh, "Man, and I thought for sure that in about a week you were going to get better." The elven prince striaghten himself out, optimism in his eyes, "But sooner or later, you'll get your voice back, right?"
Blinking once at his cousin, a nervous smiled flashed onto Xithyl's features before he nodded once.
"H'mmm..." The half elven once again placed his chin back onto Xithyl's bed, "wonder how long that's going to take?"
The young cleric just shrugged.
In response, Xsayara straighten himself out before pulling himself onto the bed, seating himself before he asked, "Why do you think Uncle Shiro and my father are here?" He plopped his eblows on his knees before putting his chin onto the palms of his hands, "it doesn't make sense that Uncle Hilal and my mother saw them die but here they are, alive and well." The Elf Prince turned his gaze towards his cousin, "What do you think?"
A concetrated expression faded onto the young cleric's features, his eyes wondering up to the ceiling as he pondered. Finally, his eyes widening in realization, Xithyl motioned for his cousin to come closer.
"What?" Xsayara scooted closer to his cousin, "What is it? Do you have a guess?"
The young cleric noded his head several times, lifting his hand and pointing up. Confusion flashed onto Xsayara's features, "...I don't get it."
The 'Are you serious?' look faded onto the young Cleric's features before he frustratingly jabbed his finger at a pile of scrolls piled nearby before pointing back up again, a signal to the young prince that he should know the answer. Pondering for several seconds, Xsayara's eyes went wide.
"Are you saying that the Sleeping Goddess sent them here?" Xsayara guessed where he gained a nod as a response, "that's just...too hard to believe."
A frown formed onto the younger cleric's face as he crossed his arms, immediately causing the young prince to raise his arms in defense, "I'm not saying that the Goddess doesn't exist or anything but it's just that..." He hesitated for a moment, "Why?"
His features softening, Xithyl can only give him one response. The young cleric shrugged.
Xxxxx
"Damn" A guard closed the slightly ajar gate, "it's still pouring like hell out there. It's been how many days now?"
"Who cares?" A second guard leaned against the wall beside the gate as he took out a pipe and lit the end before taking in a few puffs before continueing, "as long as the gates are secure and the monsters and Traitors don't get in, I don't care how long it rains."
No sooner had he finished his words when several large 'Bangs' echoed from the metal gate. Alarmed and suddenly on guard, both soldier's snatched up their spears and pointed it towards the entryway, their helms completely covering the hesitation in their eyes.
"Who goes there?" the First Soldier demanded, tapping the pointed one of his spear on the metal door.
He only received several more bangs as a response but this time, the bangs sounded more desperate.
"...Should we open it?" The First soldier turned to the Second.
"Are you crazy boy?" The older soldier snapped, "Who knows what's behind there? It could be a monster trying to get in."
The younger soldier hesitated, "But what if it's a nomad on the other side, not a monster?"
"Don't you know the chances of a nomad surviving out in the rain?" The older soldier hissed, "its second to none. It couldn't be nothing else but a monster."
Another loud bang snapped the two soldiers from their argument.
"Well..." The younger soldier paused for a second, "it won't hurt to check."
Before the older soldier even react, the younger sheathed his spear onto his back, walked up to the lever and pushed it down.
The creaking of the old gears caused both soldiers to glance upwards, watching as the old machinery struggled to pull the steel coil attached to the doors, causing the large gates to slowly open. No sooner was the gateway halfway open when a brown blur came rushing into the room, causing the younger soldier to yelp and fall backwards while the older soldier lifted his spear. However, instead of the blur coming towards him, it suddenly collapsed, surprising the older soldier while he slowly and cautiously made his way towards it. The younger soldier then gasped.
"It's a person," he cried as he stood up, running to the side of the fallen nomad.
Huffing and puffing, blue eyes glanced towards the younger soldier before he spoke, "Sh-Shut...the door."
The younger soldier stare at him bewildered, "What?"
"Shut the door!"
Alarmed, the younger soldier slowly stood up before running back towards the lever and pulling it back up. Once again, the old creaks of the gear echoed throughout the hollow corridor as the doors slowly started to shut.
"Damn," the newcomer stood up, using his sword as a crutch as he slowly stood, "it's not fast enough."
Finally making his way towards the stranger, the older soldier pointed his spear at the young man, "Who are you? and what do you mean it's not fast enough."
"There's no time," the nomad growled as he wielded his blade beside him, preparing himself as he faced the still closing gates, "they're coming."
"Coming? Who's-"
A roar interrupted the young soldier as a black mass leaped through the closing gap of the gates, lunging at the newcomer before the soldier's could even comprehend its presence. Without hesitation, the warrior twirled and swung his blade, feeling the steel slice through flesh and bone before the creature disappeared in a flash of black mist.
"Can't that thing go any faster!?" The warrior roared as he slashed at another black creature that had lept through the gap.
"This thing is ancient!" The younger soldier gulped as he pressed his back on the closing gates in a vain attempt to close them faster, "this is the fastest it can go."
"Damn it!" Cursing, the warrior slashed through another black creature.
No sooner had the black mist disappated from his vision when the warrior suddenly found him face to face with another monster. Unable to lift his blade fast enough, the warrior felt himself being body slammed to the ground, wheezing as he felt the wind leave his breath. Instinctively, he lifted up his left arm to his face, feeling the black creature bite down onto his gauntlet. Praising the Goddess for the secondary weapon, the warrior struggled to push it off of him however, the black creature was stubborn, releasing its grip on the gauntlet before attempting to lean over it to snap at the young man's neck. Pushing his arm against the neck of the creature, the warrior struggled as the snarling creatured snapped his jaws closer to his face every time he pushed him back. Feeling his energy reserves leaving him quickly, the young warrior shoved the creature back one last time before bracing himself. However to his surprise, before the black creature could even recollect himself, a large spear stabbed into its back, causing it to release a howl of pain before a second pierced its neck, causing it to disappear in a black mist. Blinking several times, the warrior groaned before he sat up, tracing the spears towards the two soldiers, both of their mouths gaping open in shock. Raising one eyebrow at them, the warrior glanced towards the gateway only to release a sigh of relief as it slammed closed, shutting off the rest of the black creatures outside.
That's when the warrior saw the point of a spear in his face.
"I am only going to ask once and once only," The older soldier warned as he placed his spear menacingly closer to the warrior's face, "Who are you?"
annoyance gleamed over the young man's features, "I've been only gone about a week and already you guys forgotten about me?"
Ignoring the threat of the weapon in front of him, the warrior stood up as he sheathed his blade and dusted himself off, "I'm Shian, the Moon Lord."
Xxxxx
"Do you have to do it that tight?"
"I have to or otherwise it's not going to heal properly."
"Says the Walking Tank."
"Says the Healer."
Grumbling in slight annoyance, Hilal reluctantly moved his arms about to ensure that Aoshiro was able to wrap the bandages properly around his healing wound.
"There," Aoshiro ripped the end of the bandages, nodding once at his work, "just several more days and soon you'll be able to function properly again."
Hilal groaned, "There is no time for me to sit down and rest when a war is going on. Can't I just use my heal-"
"Hilal," the Guardian's face turned serious, "I understand that you're a Saint and all but you have to understand that when Clerics use their abilities often, the more likely we'll be infected by Vestinel's darkness." He placed the bandages back onto the dresser next to the bed, "The only reason I healed you is because you were in a dire state."
"But you have to remember if we don't use our skills then our chances will lessen once again," Hilal pointed out before frowning as his older brother forced him to lie down, "this one time won't make much of a difference."
That's when Hilal noticed Aoshiro's expression. It was of neither frustration or grief but a mixture of both in the perspective of the Saint. Thanks to this, it caused Hilal to blink once, "Did something happen?"
A stiff smile faded onto the Gaurdian's features, "It was about sixteen years after the war had started when we discovered the effects of Vestinel's darkness on us Clerics." Aoshiro paused for a second before he continued, "His name was Zahan, a loyal follower of the Sleeping Goddess and he was only 15 years of age." A small smile faded onto the Guardian's features, "I found him one day when he was a child and as such, I raised him alongside another child as my son." He chuckled, "I remember the two of them running around, calling each other 'Brother' like as though they were blood related." Just as suddenly when the smile faded on his features, it faded, "But one day, Zahan appeared to us in a monstrous form. He had neglected his skills as a Cleric and had not heeded our warning about the effects." Aoshiro then slowly stared at the palm of his hand, "As such, he went on a rampage, killing and destroying anything in his path. The only way to stop him was to end him." He then clenched his fist, "and that's what this hand had done." Lifting his gaze towards his younger brother, Aoshiro released another stiff smile, "So Hilal, understand that though your Healing Relic will speed up the healing process, I don't want to repeat what had happened to Zahan." The Guardian paused for several seconds, "You do understand...right?"
The Saint met his older brother's gaze, their mental connection immediately taking place, "I understand."
A gentle smile faded onto the older cleric's features, "May the Goddess bless you in your rest."
"And may the Goddess protect you from the dangers of reality," Hilal chanted back, a small smile forming onto his lips as his brother quietly exited the room.
Definately nice to have Aoshiro back.
Xxxxx
"Do you have a 4?"
A small fading onto the young cleric's face, Xithyl shook his head several times causing the young blonde to sigh as he picked up another card from the small deck in the middle, "Your turn Xithyl."
Glancing down at his cards in his hand, the young Cleric then raised up 2 fingers in which Xsayara murmured, "Yeah, I have one."
With that he withdrew one of his cards from his hand and held it out to the white haired boy whom calmly accepted it, "I don't understand how you always beat me in Gold Fish Xithyl. Did the Goddess give you mind reading powers or something?"
Another smile flashed onto Xithyl's features as he shook his head before motioning to Xsayara that it was his turn, "H'mmm...do you have a 8?"
When he saw his cousin shake his head once again, Xsayara slammed his card onto the side of the bed and threw his arms into the air, "I give up! You're going to win anyways."
Xithyl shook his head before motioning to his cousin, "Let me guess? You say that though you're winning so far, that I might have a chance to win in the end?"
The young cleric nodded.
"Well good luck to me then," Xsayara sighed as he collapsed backwards onto the bed, causing his young cousin to blink, "cause that's never going to happen."
Staring at his blonde cousin for several seconds, Xithyl shrugged before throwing the covers off of himself, causing Xsayara to abruptly sit up, "What are you doing?"
Glancing up at his cousin, Xithyl pointed at himself before pointing at the door in which his cousin shook his head rapidly in response, "Oh no, you can't go outside. At least not yet." The young warrior slid off the bed before placing himself between him and his cousin, "You're not fully recovered yet, it's not safe."
Giving his cousin a blank look, the young Cleric rolled his eyes once before he shook his head, pointed at himself, then the door, then at the floor. Processing the words of his cousin for several seconds, Xsayara's eyes widen as he came to a slow realization, "Ooooh, you just want to wonder around the house for several minutes."
Xithyl nodded.
A large grin faded onto the young warrior's face, "That should be okay then." With that, Xsayara turned and pried open the door before standing to the side, "Need some help standing?"
Shaking his head 'No' in response, Xithyl slid from his bed, easily keeping his balance as he calmly walked out the door with his cousin following not too far behind him.
"So what do you want to do?" Xsayara leaped in front of his cousn as he walked backwards, the young Cleric tilting his head to one side in response, "Oh come on, you just can't wonder around the house doing nothing all day you know?"
That's when a low rumbling sound echoed throughout the hall. Both boys came to a slow halt, giving each other a glance before the rumbling sound appeared once more. However, this time, Xithyl's face turned red as he placed a hand over his stomach, his hand feeling it vibrate as it rumbled once more.
"That's right, all you had was liquid food," Xsayara smacked a fist into the palm of his hand, "It's not very filling is it?"
Xithyl shook his head.
"I think you should be alright for solid food now I think," Xsayara's eyes wondered up as his face contorted in concentration before he turned his eyes back towards his cousin, "Are you gonna be alright getting solid foods?"
The young Cleric gave him 'Isn't is obvious?' look.
"Alright then," Xsayara grabbed his cousin's hand before turning around and jabbing his finger in a direction, "The kitchen we go."
As such, he then dashed off, catching Xithyl off guard as he suddenly found himself being dragged across the wooden floor. Quickly regaining his composure, the young Cleric attempted to keep up with his cousin only to find himself half running/half draggining, something that bothered the white haired boy greatly. Instead of waiting it off, Xithyl frowned as he reached out with his free hand and grabbed the nearest thing that he could grasp onto his cousin.
His hair.
With a sharp cry, the young warrior fell over backwards onto the wooden floor, his vision suddenly turning black as his head came into contact with the floor. Dazed and seeing stars, Xsayara turned himself onto his stomach, rubbing the back of his head as he did so. As he did this, Xithyl felt the momentum of his cousin's speed still on him and as such, tripped and flew over his cousin, landing onto his back painfully and knocking the wind out of him.
"Xithyl..." Xsayara murmured as he turned his blue eyes towards his cousin as he continued to rub the back of his head, "Why did you pull my hair for?"
Struggling to regain his breath, the young Cleric pointed at himself, motioned running with his fingers before shaking his head and hand side to side.
"Oh.." Xsayara realized as he slammed his forehead back onto the wooden floor, "I forgot, sorry about that."
Waving his hand to show that his cousin is forgiven, Xithyl took in one final inhale before he exhaled, feeling his breath returning to him.
"What's going on?"
Turning their heads towards the entrance of the hallway, both boys released a sheepish smile as the Elf Queen came into appearance, hands on her hips as she raised an eyebrow, "and please tell me why the both of you are on the floor?"
"Mom," Xsayara pushed himself into a sitting position, "Xithyl's hungry."
Raising an eyebrow at her son, Khayru just shrugged it off. Her son is known to direct conversations away from the main topic, especially something that he finds quite humiliating.
"Liquid food isn't enough I'm guessing?" the Elf Queen asked as she approached the two boys, grasping one arm each before helping them up.
Xithyl nodded his head in response.
"Well I would make something for both of you however," Khayru released her grip on the boys hands, "all I know how to make is anything that is with vegetation and I am guessing you two don't want that."
A look of disgust immediately flashed onto Xsayara's features while Xithyl shook his head several times.
"Then I'm sorry boys, I don't know what to do," Khayru sighed as she crouched down to the young cleric and warrior's height, placing an elbow on her knee before placing her chin in the palm of her hand, "people will ask questions if I leave and buy meat and to add into that, I have no idea how to cook them either." The Elf Queen paused for a moment, "Come to think of it, Hilal is the one who does most of the cooking whenever I'm around."
"But we can't ask him to cook though," Xsayara pouted, "he's still healing and it's not right asking a wounded man to cook."
"True," the Tempest laughed nervously as she patted her son's head, "but what else am I going to feed you two?"
"Is something the matter?"
Turning her head, Khayru released a gentle smile, "Oh Edan," she stood up and turned, "nothing much, the boys are just hungry that's all."
"And from the way that you are speaking, you don't know what to feed them?" Aoshiro asked in which the Tempest responded with a nod, "there are plenty of vegetables around so maybe-"
"Xsayara doesn't like vegetables," Khayru interrupted, causing the Guardian to raise an eyebrow, "the elves, pretty much their fault that he dislikes them."
His eyes showing understanding, Aoshiro nodded, "If that's the case, then may I be of assistance?"
The smile on Khayru's face faded, "Assist? How?"
"If I may, I can go out and buy-"
"Oh no, please," the Elf Queen nervously wrung her hands together, "there's no need to risk your life just to buy several pieces of meat."
Aoshiro blinked, "But you said the boys were hungry right?"
"Yes but-"
"But we don't want you to get hurt too, Mr. Edan."
Xsayara took several steps forward in front of his mother, "Xithyl and Uncle Hilal got hurt because they were Clerics and you're a Cleric too." He paused for a moment, "We don't you to get hurt as well, Mr. Edan."
At first, the Cleric'sblue eyes stared at the boy in slight surprise, then Aoshiro's expression soften as a gentle smile faded onto the Guardian's features, "Xsayara, I must thank you for your concern but I am called 'A Tank' for a reason." Aoshiro clamly approached the blonde warrior before kneeling down and placing a hand on top of the boy's head, "So do not worry, I'll be fine."
In response to the words of the Guardian, Xsayara's eyes looked up into into the older Cleric's pale blue eyes, his own hues staring deeply into Aoshiro's. After several seconds of staring, the young Prince opened his mouth to speak. But before his lips could even form words, several loud Bangs from the living area caused the group of four to snap their head abruptly towards the doorway, concern flashing in the eyes of the younger.
"Stay here," Khayru placed a comforting hand on Xithyl's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before carefully releasing her grip and brushing past the Guardian towards the Living Area. In response, Aoshiro stood up, ruffled Xsayara's hair, before he followed the Elf Queen out the door.
Worry clear in his eyes, Xithyl slowly made his way towards his cousin's side, his blue eyes glancing towards the blond prince.
"I know for sure my mother is safe but," Xsayara's voice faded, "but I'm worried about Uncle Shiro." He turned his blue hues towards his cousin, his eyes showing signs of worry, "Who else would come this late at night?"
Absorbing the meaning of what his cousin was saying, the young Cleric quickly shook his head, stamping his foot once before crossing his arms. This caused Xsayara to sigh.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Xsayara scratched the back of his head, "Maybe I do worry too much."
More banging caught the boys attention once more as they once again snapped their gaze back towards the doorway, a mixture of curiousity and hesitation in their eyes. Tempting as it was to see what was going on, the order of the Elf Queen lingered without the young Cleric's and Warrior's consciousness, causing them to shift nervously where they stood. Another large single 'Bang!' echoed throughout the hall before a single 'Thump' followed suit.
"Shian!?"
Eyes going wide, the submissiveness of the boys immediately left them as they both dashed into the Living Area only to come to a sudden halt as they saw the Guardian and Tempest kneeling over the collapsed Moon Lord. Wheezing and coughing now and then, Nabiha turned and kicked the door, slamming it shut as Aoshiro and Khayru glanced up towards it in confusion.
"Lock the door," Nabiha coughed as he pushed himself onto his knees, pressing his weight against the shoulder of his brother.
Confusion clear in her eyes, Khayru quickly stood up and performed the task at hand only to jump back as the door suddenly bend inward.
"So you really are working with the Clerics huh!?" A roaring voice could be heard on the other side of the door along with a large audience, "Knew it the entire time!"
"Says the people who attacked innocent lives," Nabiha hissed as he slowly made his way onto his feet, using his blade as a crutch while his brother continued to let him use his shoulder for support.
"Innocent!? Clerics are not inncoent!" Another slam on the door caused it to bend slightly, the roaring of the crowds becoming more clear, "Clerics are nothing more than worshipers of the Jealous Goddess! Traitors who don't even deserve to exist!"
"Say that again and I'll-" Nabiha coughed suddenly, dropping his sword to the floor which clattered loudly as he collapsed, bringing his brother down with him as he did so.
"Shian," Concern flashing in his pale blue hues, Aoshiro's hand reached towards his brother only for it to be smacked away.
"Don't waste your energy on me," The Moon Lord flinched as he placed a hand over his right side, flinching once against as pain spiked through it, "Just get those men to leave, they're giving me a headache."
Frowning at the response he recieved, Aoshiro released a heavy sigh as he pushed himself onto his feet, taking several strides towards the door before coming to a slow halt in front of the Tempest.
"When I say 3," he started, causing the blond elf to stare at him puzzled, "open the door alright?"
"Wh-What?" Her eyes going wide, Khayru opened her mouth to protest but to her horror, the Guardian unsheathed his mace from his side and sheathed his shield over his left arm.
"One..."
"Edan what are you planning to do exactly?"
"Two..."
"Edan!?"
"Three!"
Unable to ignore the command she was given, Khayru turned and placed both hands on the knob of the door, squeeze her eyes shut, before turning the lock, hearing the familiar click before she pried it open. No sooner had she done so when the familiar incantations permeated through the air before a loud 'Bang!' echoed throughout the room, causing the Tempest to snap open her eyes. Khayru then found herself gawking as Aoshiro blocked a downward strike by a short sword before bashing it into the unlucky man before twirling around and releasing a bolt of lightning from his mace, causing the crowd to leap back. The lightning then struck the ground where they had just stood, hitting it with a loud 'Crack!' before a charred floor is what was evident of it ever occuring.
"I missed both strikes purposely," Aoshiro spoke murderously, his eyes narrowing as he continued, "but if you do not leave now, then the third strike will hit its mark."
"Wh-What makes you th-think that an empty threat wil work?," one of the crowd members stuttered, "Y-You won't really-"
"Do you doubt my words?" Aoshiro spat, causing the lone man to cower, "I've fought for over 20 years. Do you not think by then that I would have a long list of lives that I had taken?" The Guardian's eyes turned dark as he finished, "and what difference would it make if I added in several more to the list?"
Seeing the seriousness in the eyes of the Guardian, the majority of the crowd turned and fled, but not before one man blurted out, "T-This isn't over!"
Watching as the large group fled, Aoshiro sighed as he sheathed his mace before he waved his hand once towards Khayru, whom took it as a signal to close and lock the door. Waiting several seconds to ensure that no one else would bang on the door, the Guardian then proceeded to turn his attention back towards the Moon Lord, whom was still kneeling upon the floor.
"Are they gone?" Nabiha murmured as Aoshiro knelt down beside him, gaining a nod as a response, "Good."
With that he lifted his gaze towards the two boys, whose jaws were wide open, their eyes full of shock. Seeing them like that caused a small smile to faded onto the Moon Lord's features before he turned his eyes towards Khayru, "Khalil, could you and the boys leave my brother and I alone?" When he recieved a quizical look as a response, Nabiha added in, "It's a personal matter between Edan and I."
Hesitation and curiousity clear in her eyes, Khayru reluctantly nodded as she slowly approached the boys, patting them both on the head and brushed past them, signalling to them to follow. Reluctancy in their eyes as well, Xithyl and Xsayara glanced back at the two men before they too exited the room. After several seconds of staring at the closed door of the hall and waiting several seconds to ensure that they were truly alone, Nabiha grunted as he attempted to stand. Blinking several times, Aoshiro slowly realized his brother's attempt and as such helped stand before leading him towards the couch. Though curious as he is on the subject that his brother wants to talk about, the Guardian did not speak a word as he led his brother towards the furniture. It was only after his brother was seated did he finally asked, "So what is this personal topic that you want to talk about?"
Taking in several deep breaths, Nabiha's eyes turned serious as he looked upwards towards his older brother, "You may want to sit down for this."
Hearing his brother's words caused Aoshiro become confused but nonetheless, he complied, seating himself on the couch next to the Moon Lord, "What is it?"
At first, no response came from the blonde male as his blue eyes stared intently at the floor in front of him, his hand still holding his side. Seeing this action, the Guardian slowly realized his brother's injury, "Here, let me see."
Once again, the Guardian reached forward towards his brother but this time, the Moon Lord didn't resist as the Cleric removed his hand from his wound. Mid-way of removing his brother's arm, Aoshiro froze. Though no blood was shown, the Guardian could easily tell that the injury was a blunt force from the way Nabiha's armor was indented on the side. The indent was definately deep enough to cause bruising and to add into the fact that the weapon had some sort of sharp edge, had struck through the steel and into his brother's side. Aoshiro flinched as he replayed a mental image of his brother being struck, knowing fully well that the blow could have easily broken several ribs. But that's not the reason why the Guardian froze.
"It's from blow from a flail, isn't it?" he asked, in which his response was complete silence, "you've encountered a Cleric out there?"
Hesitation flashed in the Moon Lord's eyes before he nodded once, "Yes but...not just any Cleric."
Aoshiro gave his brother a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"
Deciding not to answer immediately, Nabiha turned to face his brother, a look of pure seriousness etched onto his featuers, "The Cleric...the Paladin...it was IIarion, Shiro. IIarion, your son."
Sorry for another cliff hanger guys, didn't mean to :/
I would have kept going...if I hadn't realized just how long this thing is -
I seriously didn't realize how long it was until I was like "Done :D Time to read it over" and then scrolled all the way back up 0-0. So yeah, long chapter XD
Anyways, you guys will get to meet IIarion again soon just not in this chapter 030.
Enjoy guys :D
~123arcalas