Howling throughout the great walls did winds rove, blighted dark remaining ever so shrill and still above the sleeping city. Stars began dying out in the wake of fading night, yet the solitude and serenity belied this sinful deed. Movement shifted behind shadowed cobble and cement, metal clicking against pavement throughout this vacant plaza.
"Stealing a malak from an exorcist... How did you pull that one off, Magilou?"
Uncaring of their clear words through this haunted dark, the band of evildoers trekked the grand centre with the mutterings about this long and winded night crept on.
"Bienfu was my malak to begin with. Then, he betrayed me and ran away from his rightful home." Gleaming with horrendous mischief, those viridescent eyes glanced on towards the hovering malakhim that nervously inched away. Springing forth from the woman's clutches, a waterfall of tears streamed from the Normin's buttoned eyes as he leapt onto the nearest refuge: nestling worriedly into a soft head of white.
"Nnghh... Miss Magilou treats malakhim so bad-bad-bad... I couldn't take it anymore!" Hand cloaked in cloth, plucked the shuffling malak from his own hair, holding the feline-esque creature with an uncomfortable gaze. "After a little while, I came across Madam Eleanor. She was soooo much nicer to me!" The huing red painting over the malak's cheeks at his explanation only served to weird the half-breed out even more.
"I see, I see..." The lowly and conniving tone sent a shiver up Bienfu's back, before he was suddenly plucked from the safety of Sarid's wary grasp and tightly bound in a vice grip. "Now, how am I going to punish you for THAT little slander on my character?" Magilou irritably remarked, thrusting a rough finger into the cat's cheek.
"Bieeeen! The bad-bad days are here agaaaain!"
"You're an exorcist, then." Velvet's cold statement caught attention, and the Witch's torment upon the creature halted for the moment.
"Bzzzt! I'm a witch, silly! Bienfu here is the catalyst-thingies for my magic!"
"But only exorcists can form a pact with malakhim."
"Oh yeah? Says who? Someone who likes making dumb rules?"
A grisly growl of irritation came once again, and Rokurou simply shook his head to dissuade the attempt. "Enough, Velvet. Questioning HER is a good way to go mad."
Sarid's exhausted massage of his temple was evident at the Witch's side, "As if we haven't been driven there already..."
Soon after, the chilling bite of the everlasting dark was cleansed, brushed away by the soothing warmth and cozy atmosphere emitted from that of the tavern they so frequently found themselves in. And, even through these hours of waging and action, Tabatha the tavern owner remained comfortably awaiting their return at the bar.
"You did the job well, it seems," she began at the ravenette's approach, commending their efforts.
"You heard quickly."
"That's about all I'm good for. And with these old ears, sometimes it's hard to hear at all."
"And did you hear anything about the 'key' for passing through the barrier?"
"Yes. Only the high-ranking exorcists can enter through the barrier protecting Artorias and his temple." The lady's silver stare leapt from each of the full malakhim standing in the room. "An exorcist is considered high-ranking if they are accompanied by at least four greater malakhim."
Rokurou's hum of thought interrupted the spew of information. "So, if we had four powerful malakhim with us, we could slip through."
"But malakhim outside the Abbey's control are rare," Eizen interjected, "They thought this through."
With a sudden spectacle of glistening green, the unorthodox Normin appeared with a dramatic flourish; paws at the hips with a proud smile. "Well, I may not look it, but I'M a greater malak!"
"Eizen, Laphicet, and Bienfu... So we just need one more."
"Wait," Velvet abruptly remarked, eyes snapping to the figure adorned in gilded white and crimson; "What about Sarid?"
"I'm afraid that won't work," the Owner interrupted with an unfortunate grimace, "As powerful as your ally here may be, he doesn't abide by the usual malakhim rules. His creation would ordain he is more human than malakhim."
Sarid's lowly shrug at this revelation was one of slight shame, but they did not dwell. Velvet expected this either way.
"Too human, figures."
A grunt of recognition at the remark. "We'll have to steal it, then," the daemon concluded sternly.
"So I have to come too? Sounds like a pain." Magilou's unsettled moping as she swayed childishly on heel already scored a rise of irritation.
"Then stay. We don't need you. We'll keep Bienfu, though." At this the lavender Normin's smug bow from the barstool was apparent, almost fluttering over to the ravenette before a dramatic palm pushed him away.
"You have no courtesy. How about, 'It would be an honor, Madam Magilou.' More like that."
"Would you come if we asked? To attack the Shepherd?" Velvet rejected the Witch's attempts at riling up her temper, crossing arms to evoke the seriousness of this matter. In addition, drawing out a flinch of shock from widened black pupils, as the composed Normin slipped at the tabletop.
"Depends on how you ask. A battle between Shepherd and daemon sounds like a real fine spectacle."
Bienfu's dreadful slump of despair and disappointment accentuated his mumbles, "I'm afraid this is just how Miss Magilou is."
Creak
"Miss Magilou..." At this sudden voice, the shifting and pompous Witch had her attention flicked to the approaching boy. As was everyone else's at the young malak's sweet and innocent attempt. "Um... I... I would like it... If... If you came with us. Pl... Please."
The Reaper's stoic expression faltered with surprise as he caught the flipped coin, pushing off from the wall. Similarly, the Samurai's grin broke free, as he rubbed his chin at the surprising turn of events. Even Sarid couldn't shake the pleased grin bore from this adorable sight, arms to the side of his casual seat and watching; benign.
Magilou's pale face almost cracked with a brushing streak of red, before it was shaken off to impose her demeanour once again. "Well, what choice does that leave me? I suppose I could tag along a little while longer." This typically impish expression finally gave way to a miraculous grin at the boy's words.
"You can count on me," Rokurou firmly added, a nod of respect to support the Therion's sacrilegious plot.
"Us." The slight elbow to his sunset kimono brought a smirk to bear, as Sarid hopped in from the relaxed position of a groaning tabletop.
"Melchior will be there," Eizen added, "You and I still share the same goal."
Laphicet plopped back onto the surprisingly comfortable wooden chair with an ecstatic smile. Sauntering back to the wiped-down bar, Velvet placed the insignia booklet of the Bloodwing Butterflies back upon the top. "Our business is done. You can have this back."
"Keep it, dear. As long as you have that, we will count you as an ally worthy of aid."
"Allies of the ones trying to kill the saviour? You might regret that." Despite Velvet's dark and warning tone, the elderly woman's chuckles echoed out into the pleasantly silent Inn.
"Such a considerate young lady." Gilded stare now lidded, the ravenette's puff was written off while Tabatha explained why. "Listen, dear. All of us live on the fringes of their so-called 'reason', do we not?"
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Twisting on heel, the Therion made to traverse the steps for another rest of unfulfilled sleep, until Eizen's twirling coin and stern voice caught her step. "Velvet, wait."
She turned, before the roving golden orbs immediately found the peaceful slumbering form of Laphicet over the table he had sat minutes before.
"My, my..." the Witch wondered aloud, as the rest of the group surrounded the snoozing malakhim with understanding.
"I can't blame him," Rokurou snickered, "It has been a long night."
"And he hasn't even eaten his favourite meal yet..." Sarid commented with a humorous smirk, looking to the stairway where their rooms all resided above.
Velvet stepped close, a somber light in her eyes while the voice came out low and soft. "Some aid for your allies?" she questioned, looking to the watching Owner aside.
"Of course," she pleasantly smiled with a slight bow, "Right away."
~~~
Another sleepless night belied the storm they would wrought through the dawn, and as dirtied steel crunched upon dust stone and paved sand, the waking of nature signalled by delicate tweetings questioned why this figure rove the fading dark. Swaying trees that carried soaring leaves were blessed by serenity, as the grassy viridescent fields and rolling hills of vibrant flowerbeds filled the horizon; the glare of a rousing sun inching moments from its appearance.
Velvet's tailcoat fluttered in the dewy breeze, her jingling of glinting silver the chorus to nature's nightly song. Danann Highway remained void of life as she rove its snaking lanes and past great rocks, yet she could feel a harrowing sense sting the back of the mind. She knew he was here. A breath, and the swishing of bushes stilled the daemon's clicking stroll. Left, right: there. Far off, settled under the veiling curtain of a flowing tree, was an eye-catching bed of violet intermingling with the army of white.
Velvet drew closer, and soon found a fully kneeling figure present at this silent shroud. A flourishing breeze slipped through, ruffling the flowing blanched strands at that same coat. She eyed the shimmering decor woven upon its fabric, the gilded drake scouring the back throughout shrill guiding winds contrasting the stark black and scarlet within. Another step, and the daemon was not first to speak at this time.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here, but I figured you'd follow eventually. Can't stray too far from the pack, ain't that right?" Velvet glowered through his low chuckles, and yet he did not turn. But, the woman could feel the weight immersing his shoulders in this calm solitude, and relaxed the stern intensity.
"What are you doing? What are with the flowers?" she inquired with a rising brow, steadily approaching the lowered form with crossed arms. Before her, Velvet could grasp a fair view of these dazzling plants below. Cup-shaped petals of a distinct lavender - matching the half-malak's irises - and whitened outlines, binding about a twining yellow bud within. At the base, these beautiful blooming flowers had the greenery beneath coiling the healthy stem and supporting the lively petals.
"Parlanis. A cultural flower of my hometown," Sarid explained without sparing a look; voice melancholic and burdened by nostalgia. The ravenette couldn't close off her focus on these unique plants, a similar sentimental seed planted within as she listened. "They symbolise something like respect, dignity, and success. They would thrive in our harsh snow conditions, and even bloom in the thick storm around us. It became somewhat tradition to plant them around homes in good faith, and it partly cemented the village as one great family. Save for any... outliers, of course."
During Sarid's heartfelt revelation about his past - answers unexpected yet welcomed - Velvet found a similar blossoming feeling inside to that of the young malak that became such a important anchor of their group. Swishing away the skirting tailcoat, the daemon knelt to his side and admired their pristeen condition. Until, a hand hovered out, and between its smothered fingers, was a single uprooted Parlanis from the bed before them, plucked by the man's unusual caring touch.
"As a gift, also stands for a symbol of admiration. Take that however you like."
Velvet turned away with a tensed jaw, the entire ordeal of this night becoming overbearing, along with the strange and unpredictable antics of the half-malak at her side. Merely a week before, this abnormal half-breed remained an impudent and unreliable ally that almost rivalled the irritable Witch in her tomfoolery. And now, after only a single day and night seperated from their malicious group, he returned; changed, resilient and determined.
And still, no less of a nuisance.
A long sigh dwindled out, and the daemoness stayed her vision from the man; bandaged hand accepting this small gift from another.
As soon as the flower was pulled from betwixt his grasp, Velvet abruptly shot up and twisted away; whisking a wave of dirt to marr the undisturbed flower bed. Sarid stifled an exasperated exhale, but no less let the victorious smirk enrich his features with a similar rise. "Velvet..." he began, wiping down dirtied palms with an added stretch. "I'm sure we've got some time before we need to move out. So, I wanted to... test some things." The hand crept to rest at the hilt of his formidable blade; "Shall we?"
Shifting steel boots stilled, the soft click of her shoes resting at stone as she made no turn to address the offer. "...When did you get so confident?" she snidely remarked, but made no motion to reject.
"Well... comes with the territory."
The Therion's aureate look was daggered at the side-ward glance, the lidded glare evident over his verbal riposte from the past. "You couldn't handle me before," Velvet bluntly reminded, "What makes you think you can now?"
Expression lightening at the woman's wordless acceptance as she turned to face him, Sarid tore the sword from its nestled place, bringing out a spinning kunai at the coiled belt with a daring smirk. "Probably can't. But let's give this another go," he honestly stated; baring his paired armaments to rest at each shoulder in ready; the blazing morning star raising its shining sight at the half-breed's back.
"Sorry to say, you don't scare me anymore."
Velvet's veiled limb twitched at the side, as she let its delusory claw within tense outwards and open despite her casual stance still firm upon the earth. The opposite clenched palm resting sternly at the low buckle of the woman's belt. Calm and bitter eyes flared, the simmering medallions brought to a boil in the wake of furrowed brows.
"Then, I'll have to remind you."
Shing!
The wristblade sprung forth with a volatile sheen, and the woman's stomp amongst dirt propelled the glaring Wolf to pounce right at this opponent; the half-malak's swift manuever landing her savage assault to split petals. A rush of splicing winds, and she darted back to the crack of earth, the carving attack rendering grass blades to remnants as Sarid leapt after.
Metal sparked and screeched once more amongst the rising dawn, deciduous treeline shedding waves of leaves to accent this aggressive bout. Kicks clashing like a cyclone, the half-malak would fall back to his newly tested ranged winds to divide the foe - simply flipping the kunai up into its iridescent grip - and leaving the growling Velvet to flip through and batter crying gales in her unyielding hunt. The pair bound forth, half-malak ripping back his tearing green before slamming the reverse kunai to grind against wristblade.
"I'm not sure if you're brave, or stupid to have done this."
"You seem to be enjoying it either way...!"
Shredding this floral shrubbery, a pleasant aroma of natural dew and pungent stenches of wounded bush graced the noses of these fighters; the daemon's hammering heel kick striking down desperate guard, at which he was sent reeling. Sarid's arm went numb in moments.
Retreating to the harsh track that slithered along this trade route, their sweeping boots crunched its paved dirt before a bolting side kick blew the half-malak to smash against it. Skin burned with rashes bolstered by the path - like falling atop sandpaper - as his lungs panged with discomfort and he choked out a spluttering breath. Velvet's boot crashed down, but the bruised man was already up with a rapid flip upwards in dusting mist.
"Heads up, glutton!"
Gilded vision narrowed, and the billowing winds that cried to ear speckled with a crackle; the kunai wielded blossoming into a blaze as it sung forwards towards the Therion. A crater erupted behind, the searing wake hovering at her cheek it scathed: a single boiling mark scored. Velvet's snarl was wrathful, before sheering winds bespoke of scorching heat.
He smirked, and ripped back the connecting sword.
Following through even as the Therion ducked right under the returning dagger, whirling gales concentrated at their eye. As Sarid's weapon cut into the space and engraved the path underfoot, winds wreathed around him to dice the area in lacerating webs.
The tip shrieked out, the bladed end bulbous with smoldering amber, rocketing right onto gauntlet and blade with profound detonation.
Boom!
These illusory gales casting hellfire decorated the once rich patch, charring grass and rock alike; burned away under the cleansing flame. Sword and kunai, interlocked by nature's element: forming that of devastating, smoldering whip.
Squelch!
And yet, from this cloaking cloud of smoke barring the land, did the veiling black grow with a crimson hue bubbling at its smog.
"Devour!"
Sarid's boots left the ground in desperate alarm, as those tensed vermillion fingers plunged into the earth's flesh where he once stood; sending corrupted splinters along the ground that brimmed with savage miasma. Midair, the explosion of visceral scarlet energy blasted outwards from underneath the daemon's blighted palm. Impacted by this devastating shockwave, the body shot off through the air while the disconnected kunai gouged earth. Falling into a violent roll; he crashed to dirt with the sword flying off along grassland as the figure stilled - knee and boot scraped from earth to halt. Head banging like a blinding drum, violet eyes relented under the dazing light wracking the senses; instincts being all that wrestled Sarid to a stand.
"I-I'd almost think you're trying to kill me." The half-breed's unfaltering chuckle sounded after, and the woman's clicks came first; nighly before the cold tone cut clear.
"Don't say I didn't-"
"I get it, I get it... you warned me."
Her growl reverberated louder than the heaving breaths he clambered for.
With that harrowing appendage wreathed in its unveiling miasma, Velvet sauntering forward with its hefty yet intimidating sway aside. Dirt speckled the Therion's form, char biting the ends of her tattered attire and mild stings writhing across skin, whereas a waterfall of blood draped across the half-malak's right eye; smothering the sight and beauty mark with his wound.
Whoosh!
The blade, scattered among the wilderness, adhered to the wind's carry and spun back to grip. A clenched fist - knuckles white, a poised sword; until it swung wide across the land with a shout. Gyrating steel beheaded verdant blades, skirting the grass with its blending rotation. Sneering with contempt, the ravenette grunted as she twisted to a flip: scoring this weapon with a spinning kick that sent it aloft.
She turned back with tensed talons, until the glint of arcing thunder flashed, and a wrenched back right-hook slammed into the jaw of the daemoness.
Wham!
Drops of ivory spat out from lips as her skull rang at the sudden impact. The blade's song sang back to palm once more, and Velvet glared with bloodied teeth.
"Ooh, sorry... am I messing up your pretty face?" The half-malak's taunting yet weary smirk was wiped off with the shake of his stinging fist, as the daemon pounced forth with a seething snarl.
Breath running ragged, Sarid darted around to direly dance with this dangerous daemon, his clean strikes wisped with a searing bladed wind, batted away with uncaring ease at the strength of this voluminous limb. Whereas, the fully embraced beast flipped about wild and targeted strikes, reeling the powerful appendage around in attempt to crush and shred the nimble foe. Evading one swift stab, the Therion twirled with a failing kick that struck air, until a horizontal cleaving left Velvet's body to lean back as the blade passed just above her jostled chest. An acrobatic twist, hungering claw clenched to ready...
Thwack!
Crack!
In a wild side-ward thrash, the limb tensed to a sudden fist and batted away the slicing half-malak. Flailing hopelessly, the man soared into and cracked unto a great rock at the grassy fields. A brutal tumble, Sarid's mind was lost within the aching storm of discomfort flaring across his body; struggling up once more with a firm and exhausted grip over his left shoulder. One last go.
"That's enough, you're done."
"Not... yet..."
Boiling runes skirted fingertips, as he traced a trio of his four final knives that began to hone with a singing heat, before they were hurled forth as one. Each erupting in a blackened haze ahead of the sprinting daemoness. Velvet did not falter at the searing flames, however behind this scorching veil, Sarid twirled the winding blade about his palm with tendrils of a lime gale slicing out: slinging the sword upwards to send a spiralling wave of pure wind right into the back of this ravenous limb.
Boots screeching backwards, the splicing wind blast banged up the darkened flesh of the daemon's claw, an indentation of scarlet wounds over its surface as she sucked air sharply through teeth. Velvet's scowl darkened as the catapulted blast washed away this gathering smog, and the distinct encompassing of air glimmered under the great orb settled in the resolute Sarid's palm. Bandages tore away under the well of pure element amassing in his lone hand, revealing the ornate artistry of his own draconic limb beneath.
Velvet's devouring claw wrenched back, muscles tensing with daemonic mana pumping through every vein, as the man disappeared: appearing at each thrown kunai, an arcing bolt of gold in his billowing wake. Lightning lashed out, echoing as the Therion's anguished roar festered with the vivid and volatile clash between this malignant limb; and the orb of unwavering purity.
BWOOM!
~~~
Dawn had come and gone, it's warm and soothing sunrise having passed well above this serene blue horizon. Hanging skyward, midday now reigned, and throughout this newly scarred trade route were the marks of a waged duel turned violent. And, at the roadside was something that still remained despite the arduous battle, was the shedding oak of great size; its curtain hanging caringly above the mostly untouched parlanis flowerbed.
Far below its peaceful slumbering, was another that leaned away from the waking world. His sharp, shifting white that veiled about his head with its flared locks, flowing in the dewed breeze as it had only hours before. Long and thin singular strands jutted from its parted centre flailing frantic in the air, with attire once marred and torn thoroughly brushed down for what could be done. The ends still remained withered from his rough battle. Even the battered and bruised skin was remedied out of any major injuries. All that remained as a reminder of this chaotic test of strength, was a great scar barely seen under the blanched hanging hair above the temple. A new member of lifetime wounds joining the handful of others trodden over Sarid's youthful features.
It served to display his growth, the maturity accentuated by the dregs of a stubble lining the sleeping half-malak's jawline.
Velvet leaned away with her signature bitter yet blank face, having finished spreading a healing gel across any lingering wounds open to air. It was simple for the daemon to summon a guise, all she required was a fleshy meal ripped from its meaningless journey as sustenance and energy. Nonetheless, that single burning slash that crudely gashed her cheek remained, cut burned away immediately from the sear. A simple endeavour to explain, she'd obtain many more on this vengeful goal.
Sunlight trickled through grated branches above, and the daemon looked on, lips drawing a thin line as she thought over the past events. He was stronger, worthy of maintaining his place in the group. Sarid truly had changed from the immature 'hero' he emerged as. And, yet... maybe he could be used as something more. Hazel peered downwards, catching the glimmer of Laphi's golden comb that settled upon both hands. Velvet needed a sword of will and reason. With a dismissive hum, the comb was slipped back into the a pocket behind; right at the side of the picked Parlanis.
A groan. Having come grumbling from chapped lips, in response the Therion stood up and shifted back from the fallen half-breed, his hands steadily folding as eyelids flicked open with a grimace. The piercing light of midday brimmed in Sarid's sight, and he flinched with a waving grunt, barely becoming accustomed to the stern silhouette before him. "I tell you what..." he mumbled lowly, "You're quite a sight to be waking up to."
Smack
The half-malak's whimper of pain jolted the weariness from his eyes, rubbing away the soar ache at the shin gifted from Velvet's mild warning kick. "Wake up, its midday. Rokurou and the others are already in the plaza waiting, and I expect Laphicet is still sleeping too." Without hesitation, the daemoness was quick in getting back on track while he stumbled to his feet.
"Yeah, yeah... Good grief," the half-malak muttered tiredly. "Why are you still here?"
"Well," she started with a blank stare, "After you passed out, I couldn't exactly drag you back to the Inn. So, I had to treat you out here and watch for when you awoke." Velvet flicked her wrist dismissively as she explained, a smug hint in the statement that he had lost. Sarid simply nodded along, stretching and looking over the ruinous aftermath. "And, I wanted to ask..." she abruptly added, tone lowering as the half-malak focused on her question.
"Why do you keep getting back up and coming along?"
He went quiet, the weighty inquiry sudden and unexpected, with the reason behind its asking only of pure intrigue and confusion.
"I'm not scared of dying," the man simply answered. The air was still, howling gales in the glistening rays surrounding the pair. Velvet stared on, silent contemplation at the words. Her jaw almost tensed as there was no doubt in this reflecting answer. And, as he gazed on in this thick atmosphere, another trail of crimson trickled from the corner of pale lips. "I've dedicated whatever is left, to the lives of others in this world."
Huffing at this addition, Velvet crossed her arms, "How noble, when you're helping daemons to murder the saviour of humanity," the ravenette drawled.
"I'm still helping those who want to be free of the Abbey and their 'reason'. Even if many die in the process, I know that - in the end - I'm trying my best to save at least one."
Velvet was silent, once again completely drawn to empty words at the ones who stood with her. She sighed, flicking the cloaked limb to the side as she twisted on her heel. "Do what you want, doesn't matter to me. Just don't blame me if you..." the words halted, steel on stone clacking to a standstill. Sarid glanced on, narrowed violet peering with furrowed brows at the Therion's silence. She suddenly growled to herself, as if chiding the hesitance; silver clinking starting once more. "Whatever, just meet us at the plaza once you've got your bearings."
Fingers coiled strenuously, whitened at the knuckles as they shook. "Then... we set out for the Shepherd."