Ardyn & Arryn - Age 8
Somnus - Age 5
"No you can't have it."
"But I just want a bite."
"NO! You'd eat the biggest part of it."
"Oh come on, sister. I would never! I am hurt you would think me to do such a thing."
"Mother, tell him to stop. This is my tomato."
A sigh fell from Caitlynn's lips as she gaze to her two oldest children. One had her booted foot up against the others face on the side keeping the fruit out of the window of the wagon, while Caitlynn's son reached both arms out towards her daughter. Being this was normal for the twins Caitlyn decided to ignore them and put her attention to her youngest son by running a hand through his dark hair. While her twins had red/violet hair, like her hair coloring, he took after her husband with black hair. Both sons of Caitlynn had her husband's blue eyes while her daughter had her amber eyes.
"Ardyn!" came the exasperated voice of her daughter. Turning back to the twins she found Ardyn leaning away quickly eating the large red fruit letting much of the juice run down his chin. Suddenly a punch was thrown into Ardyn's chest making the boy curl in some and slightly choke with half eaten chunks flying out.
"Ewww." Her youngest stated scrunching up his face at the display of his siblings even if this was a normal occurrence.
Once Ardyn was able to clear his throat he sent a mock glare to his sister while placing a hand over his heart as if wounded. "You really want to kill me, don't you, Arryn?" She scoffed at his fake accusing tone. "You would have been fine. Besides that's what you get for stealing my tomato." She said twisting to look out of the wagons window keeping her back to her brother with arms crossed.
Caitlynn could only smile softly at this. "Ardyn, apologies to your sister. You can buy her another one once we reach home."
At that, Arryn quickly shot Ardyn a smirk. "I want the biggest tomato they have."
Ardyn waved a hand at her as he went about wiping the juice up with a handkerchief. "Yes, yes, dear sister. Whatever you so desire." Completely voiding the apology.
Abruptly shouts were heard making Caitlynn glance out of the window to see several villagers making their way on horse back towards the cart. "Rolvin, stop the cart." With a small jerk the wagon rolled to a stop as Caitlynn stepped out to greet the villagers that she could recognize. "Hail Olindi, what has you all in a fright?" she asked them with a raised hand in a way of greeting. Her three children peeking out from the open doorway.
"My daughter and several others, your highness, has the infliction. Once we heard you were nearing from your travels to your husband's brother, we knew we needed you to stop at our village for a moment." He informed with a begging tone. "Please come help." Caitlynn gave a nod turning back to the driver of the wagon. She would never leave her people without her help. "Rolvin, follow this group. I must preform my duties." Rolvin nodded as she reentered the wagon taking off once she settled.
Ardyn glanced from his sister to their mother. "What is this infliction?" he asked. They have heard of it
only a handful of times, but no one ever told them what it was. Caitlynn looked to her children in thought. "It is a disease that corrupts a being that takes a months' time to infect that person fully. It transforms them into beasts of the dark that have a hunger for those still within the lights realm. It is still new and rare for it to come about, but I have made it my duty to rid those inflicted by this disease. You will see when we reach the village. I must warn you, stay far away from those inflicted."
The tone she used told them she was serious about this. The ride wasn't long as they were already near the village since they were on their way home, so it was only a small detour to the house with those inflicted. Caitlynn stepped out quickly making sure that her children stayed in the wagon before pacing to the house to enter.
"Shouldn't we follow?" Arryn asked glancing to Ardyn. "Aren't you a little curious what mother can do?"
"She wants us to stay here in the cart. Now is not the time to disobey." Somnus stated shifting back into his seat. Arryn gave him a dull look as Ardyn spoke. "Come now, Somnus, it wouldn't be fun if a little disobeying didn't happen. It makes mother's days oh so better by chasing after us."
Somnus rolled his eyes. "Sure, it does. It also makes her want to pull her hair out of her skull with frustration."
Ardyn gave a cheeky smile at that. "You sure you don't want to come with us to take a peek?" Arryn giving a sly smile. "I bet you're dying to see mother use her powers too. Since she rarely shows them." Somnus glared, but the twins could see his resolve failing, before he shot forward past the two out of the cart. "Fine! Let's go." Both Ardyn and Arryn high fiving each other as they followed.
The three quickly moved to the side of the house lifting slightly to look through a window before moving to another one. Once they found a window that showed their mother they stayed. Being as this was a more humble village the houses lacked that of glass in the windows. Because of that the three siblings were able to listen into what was being said.
"How many have already turned?" Caitlynn asked kneeling at a young girl about the age of her youngest son. By the look this girl was only a week into the infection. Olindi glanced around to the few that had been brought to this house as a way of keeping those infected separated. "As of last night, three now." He pointed to a door. "We were able to stick them in the pantry there as it has no windows for light to get through." Caitlynn nodded moving to another nearby. Taking ahold of the older gentlemen's jaw she moved his head to the side to see the blacken veins running along his left neck and shoulder.
"Alright, we will start with those who have been infected longer." Caitlynn stated taking the hands of the man she was still kneeling in front of. Flames gradually sprung forth at her hands that slowly surrounded the man she held. Many would think flames would boil and blister the skin, but her flames were known for healing only burning away illness. The man's face consort some from the discomfort feeling of the illness being burned from within. As the flames consumed the man fully he let out a sigh of relief as the pain from the infliction was chased away. When the last bit of illness was felt being burned Caitlynn let her flames flicker out and gave the man a small smile. "Better?"
He gave her a bow of his head. "Thank you, you highness. I feel better than before."
She gave a nod in understanding before standing to let another take his spot for healing. While she directed control of her flames to take the infliction away most times, if her flames found other illnesses, that too was burned away. "You are welcome."
Arryn turned to Ardyn. "Do you think we have that kind of power? I know you and brother have the gifts from Bahamut, but do you think we inherited mother's power?" Ardyn gave his sister a smile slipping his hand into her with a squeeze. "If one of us should get that kind of power, I'd say you would sister. Of the three of us, you take more after mother." Arryn returned the smile only for it to disappear at Somnus scoffing. "I have no need of healing powers."
Both twins turned to Somnus with Arryn giving him a look of 'uh-huh'. "It would surely make fighting give you the upper hand knowing you could heal yourself mid-battle." Ardyn then moved forward to grin at Somnus. "Besides, I still kick your butt sword skills." Somnus gave a disgruntled glance. "Oh, sorry dear brother, I forgot you only just started to learn how to use a sword." Arryn couldn't hold it back and snorted a chuckle.
"What are you three doing here." The siblings let out a scream of surprise jerking backwards. Standing at the window was their mother with her arms crossed and a raised eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you three to stay at the wagon?"
"Yes mother." All three answered looking anywhere but her. They heard her sigh and shift her stance. "Then march your tiny butts there now. If I see you out of that wagon again I will have The General make you train till you pass out." Of the three, only Arryn stayed once the threat of train with Gilgamesh's father was given. Caitlynn gave her daughter a questioning look knowing that her children take her threats to heart. "Yes, Arryn?"
Arryn looked to the ground her brow furrowed. "Look at me, child, and tell me what is on your mind." Doing as her mother asked she looked into the same amber eyes. "I just…do you think I will gain your gifts? Ardyn and Somnus have gifts from the Astral Bahamut, but I have nothing. Was I not good enough to receive his gift also?" Caitlynn softened at that. "I did not know of my inherited gifts until I was nearing seventeen. Only then did I find what powers I held. Many of my family will not show signs of that power until near adulthood and it will be the same with you. Do not lose hope as you come from a strong line of the Fenix blood." Arryn could only nod still feeling as if she was not good enough for that family name of either Izunia or Fenix. "Go, I will be out once I finish healing and giving rest to those that have been turned."
Watching Arryn leaving Caitlynn then turned to Olindi with thin lips. "There is much I can heal but those that have been fully turned are beyond my help. Tonight the village will be in mourning for the three turned." Olindi nodded solemnly. "All I can do for them is to help them find rest in the Beyond." She stated moving to the door that held the three turned and opened it.
They screeched as light from the sun filtered some huddling in the furthest back area of the room. "May you find peace in the Beyond." She prayed setting the whole space in flames. Caitlynn grimaced some at the shrieks they let out but in her mind they were already gone, and this was a mercy for those beasts who were no longer that person. After a while her flames flickered out leaving the pantry and the items within unharmed. Turning to those she helped and gave a bow of her head. "Condolences for the three that are now gone."
They returned the bow as she moved to leave. Giving Rolvin a nod she entered the wagon eyeing her children before sitting down for the rest of the ride.