genedara

[genedara]

Dancing With Death

Death smiles at us all; all we can do is smile back.

Bridget stumbled forward, left hand clenched over a weeping wound. She tripped over her own feet and fell forward and slid down the stairs, groaning in pain. After a moment of lying there on the floor the Miqo’te drug herself back up to her feet and carried on her journey, face pale and clammy. Her clothing was stained crimson, both hers and the blood of others.

Hollow footsteps carried her down a narrow hallway. She leaned on the wall as she slowly walked, the strength leaving her as she moved. Bridget could feel the life leaving her as it bled through her fingers. A trail of blood followed after her, small droplets of red on an otherwise clean floor. She came to a stop before a door and leaned up against it, using her right hand to gently pound on the door. What little strength she had left went into knocking, sounding more a dull thump than anything else.

“Please be home,” the Miqo’te told herself, eyelids drooping.

The door opened and Bridget stumbled forward, nearly running into the occupant. Standing with the door ajar was a Viera woman with blonde and white hair pulled back into a ponytail. She braced herself against the door as Bridget put her full weight on it, unable to stand anymore.

“Gene,” she gasped. “Sup.”

Bridget then collapsed, her knees giving out. She hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, crumpling there before Genedara’s feet. The Viera did not look down as the Miqot’e fell down, instead her gaze was locked on the space where Bridget had been. Her eyes started to shimmer and she looked down at Bridget, who sat there breathing quietly.

“What is wrong, why are you on the floor?” Genedara asked, keeping her weight pressed up against the door to prevent it from spilling open.

“I need… H-help,”Bridget managed to get out, wincing as a lance of pain shot through her gut. It felt as if her stomach were on fire, an all consuming blaze that was slowly creeping up her body.

“Clearly. What is wrong?”

“Stabbed,” was all the Miqo’te managed to get out. “Help.”

It took a second for the words to register in the Viera’s mind before her eyes went wide and she took her weight off the door. It opened up until her apartment, spilling Bridget all over the floor. The Miqo’te groaned as she lay there, her blood pooling out on the ground beneath her.

Genedara reached down and hooked her hands under Bridget’s armpits. She grunted and dragged the Miqo’te into her apartment, keeping the door open for now. The Viera gently eased Bridget back down onto the floor, careful not to drop her.

“I need you to stay awake,” Genedara told Bridget. “Do not go to sleep. Do you hear me?”

“You g-got it boss,” the Miqo’te managed to drone, giving the blind woman a thumbs up.

“Where are you injured?”

Bridget didn’t reply and instead took one of Genedara’s hands and pressed up against the wound. It was roughly two inches long and sat at an angle, digging deep into the Miqo’te’s stomach. She couldn’t see the wound, but she could feel the blood leaking out between her fingers. Without removing her hand, Genedara closed her shimmering eyes and started to mutter something under her breath.

“Healing is not my strong suit, but I will do my best,” Genedara said, trying to reassure Bridget. “Worry not, you are in good hands.”

“B-best doctor e-ever,” Bridget said with a weak chuckle which caused her to wince in pain.

The Miqo’te’s head lightly thumped up against the floor as she grew too tired to hold it up. She looked up at the woman tending to her wound, a warm sensation filling her up. So this I what it felt like to have a wound healed by a mage. For some reason, Bridget imagined more pain.

“I cannot stop the bleeding,” Genedara said quietly. “I’m afraid this wound is beyond me.”

“D-don’t give up on m-me like that,” Bridget groaned, looking up at Genedara with half-lidded eyes. “Help me, p-please.”

Genedara was silent as she thought this problem over in her mind. She called back to her studies, trying to find a spell in her bank of memories that would work. While she did this, her hands kept a steady pressure on the wound, giving off a faint white glow as she continued to heal the wound. Finally, something sprung to mind and Genedara nodded her head.

“I am going to get up. I need you to keep pressure on the wound. I will be but a minute,” Genedara said, taking both of Bridget’s hands and placing them over the wound. “I will be fast. I promise.”

Bridget didn’t reply, instead offering Genedara a thumbs up. The Viera saw this and got up from her seat next to Bridget. She ran over to a display cabinet littered with crystals and started pulling them off the shelf. She plucked them up at random before leaning forward and scooping them all up into her arms.

With her arms full of crystals, she ran back over Bridget and dumped the mess out next to her. She quickly started laying the crystals around the Miqo’te in a circle, the crystals all giving off faint blue glows. Each one as charged with a different type of aether, acting like a battery. Genedara worked quickly, her eyes locked on the bleeding Miqo’te.

“Tell me of yourself. I know so little of you,” Genedara said as he worked, trying to keep Bridget conscious.

“’M a bounty hunter,” Bridget drawled, her speech sluggish. She was fighting to keep her eyes open, waging a war within herself to stay there with the Viera. “Gonna get… M-married.”

“Then all the more reason not to die on the floor,” Genedara said as she placed both hands over the wound.

“You’re… Y-you’re a good person,” Bridget managed to get out her voice soft. “T-thank you.”

“That sounds like the words of a quitter. Do not give up on me, Bridget,”Genedara told the Miqo’te.

Genedara looked down at Bridget as she went limp, her chest rising and falling briefly before falling still. The Viera’s eyes went wide when she noticed this, moving her hands from the wound to Bridget’s chest. She quickly checked for a pulse and felt nothing, not even the faint murmur of a heart beat.

“Shit,” the Viera swore as she started to perform CPR on Bridget. “Don’t die on my floor. I forbid it.”

Genedara closed her eyes as she worked, keeping track of her movements by humming a song softly to herself. She leaned over Bridget’s head, placing a hand over her mouth and nose. There was the faintest hint of breath being expelled from the Miqo’te, meaning she wasn’t dead yet. A weak pulse could be felt in her neck, her heart struggling to keep up as more blood pumped out of the wound.

The Viera swore again and moved both hands down to the wound. She closed her eyes once more and started to focus, calling back to a spell she had learned a century ago. It was a forbidden spell, a White Mage’s spell used for bringing people back from the brink of death. Genedara could cast the spell easily, but she lacked the aether to pull it off. And so to avoid drawing the aether in from her surroundings, she relied on the crystals laid out around Bridget.

The words spilling out of Genedara were ancient, a dead language spoken only by scholars and historians. Above her the light to her apartment flickered, briefly casting the world into darkness. This did not appear to bother Genedara as she spoke the words needed to power the spell. That spell circle on her back was giving off a brilliant blue glow, illuminating the room whenever the power flickered.

Genedara’s hands were giving off a bright white light at this point, the crystals all around Bridget shining brilliantly. Cracks started to spiderweb across the surface of several of the crystals, the splintering audible over the words being spoken. Traces of aether traveled from the crystals and into the Miqo’te’s body, powering the spell and returning the aether she lost while bleeding out.

Bridget lay there on the floor, her face ghastly pale with beads of sweat peppering her face. Her eyes were closed, mouth moving gently without a sound as she tried to speak. It looked as if she were saying a series of names over and over, thinking of her loved ones while she danced with death. Her clothing was stained crimson, a small puddle having formed under her.

Working tirelessly, Genedara continued to speak in her dead language. Her hands continued to shine brilliantly, casting shadows throughout the apartment. Someone walked past the open door, peeked inside and upon seeing the grizzle scene, quickly ran off. This didn’t involve them and it looked as if the Viera had things under control.

This went on for some time and when Genedara was done, it felt as if she had just gotten done running a marathon. Her forehead was slick with sweat, her bangs clinging to her skin. She looked down at the Miqo’te, listening to her say the names of those she loved. The Viera reached down and placed a bloody hand on the woman’s shoulder.

“The danger has past. You may sleep now.”

Bridget didn’t need to be told twice. She nodded her head once and quickly slipped unconscious, having been fighting it this entire time. It felt wrong going to sleep on this woman’s floor, covered in her own blood. But there was no helping it, as Genedara was the only healer Bridget knew of that would be available at a moment’s notice. She was thankful for the woman’s help as she slipped into a deep sleep, thinking only of her partners.

------

When Bridget came to, she found herself in unfamiliar surroundings. She groaned as she looked around the room, only to spot a sleeping Genedara hunched over the bed she lay in. The Viera sat upon a stool, resting her head on her folded up arms, sound asleep. Bridget looked confused at first, but then the day’s events started to come back to her.

She had been out on a job, and on her return journey, was ambushed by a group of her bounty’s friends. She had managed to fight them all off, but in the process she lost the bounty and was stabbed and left for death. It was a miracle she was able to walk to Genedara’s place.

“Hey,” Bridget croaked, her throat dry. She placed a hand over her neck and sighed, feeling very thirsty.

Genedara stirred in her sleep and slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked down at the prone Miqo’te, who had been put into a comfortable nightgown after her clothing had been cut off of her. The Viera offered Bridget a tired smile and bowed her head.

“It pleases me to see you awake,” she said, reaching out to gently pat Bridget’s shoulder. “I was worried you weren’t going to wake up.”

“How long have I been out?” Bridget asked, rolling her head over to look up at Genedara as she stood up from her seat.

“A week,” the Viera said with a nod of her head. “You lost a lot of blood. I was worried you were not going to wake up. I have done my best to tend to the worst of the wound, but there is still a laceration on your stomach that you will need to be mindful of. This means you cannot work for some time.”

Bridget sighed and looked away from Genedara.

“Thanks for saving my life,” she said finally after a moment’s silence.

“You are most welcome.”

“When can I go home?”

“In a few days. Until then you are going to be staying with me,” Genedara said as she bent over. She picked up something and set it down next to the Miqo’te. It was Honey! The small black cat let out a meow and bumped his head against his owner’s arm, purring loudly. “Your cat hasn’t left your side. He showed up after you had been asleep for the first day.”

“Oh, Honey,” Bridget said as she carefully scooped the cat up. She hugged him close to her chest, nuzzling her head against his. “Good kitty.”

“He has done a good job of keeping my cats company,” Genedara said, looking down at the fattest cat Bridget had ever seen and a little fluff ball of a kitten.

“That’s a really fat cat,” Bridget said with a light laugh. “Ow.”

“Yes, miss Yuuki is very large. I am trying to get her to lose weight.”

The fat cat meowed and climbed up the blanket and onto the bed, sinking into the plush mattress. She waddled over to Bridget and took a seat next to Honey, while the kitten hopped up onto the bed and started playing with Yuuki’s tail. Genedara took a seat back on the stool, reaching out to pet one cat at a time.

“How are you feeling?” Genedara asked after a moment’s silence.

“Like I got ran over by a flock of Chocobo,” Bridget said, placing a hand over where she had been stabbed.

The spot was still store and she winced and withdrew her hand when she touched the wound. She carefully laid her hand out over the spot, careful not to put too much pressure on it. The Miqo’te looked from the cats to her savior and smiled.

“I owe you,” she said with a small nod of her head.

“Indeed you do. I used up all of my crystal reserves saving you,” Genedara said, her voice flat as usual. “But. On account that you have just recovered from a major wound, I am willing to forgo your debt and call us even.”

“Nu-uh,” Bridget protested with a shake of her head. “I’m gonna pay you back, Gene. I don’t like owing people.”

“Very well. You can either repay me in gil, crystals, labor or a mixture of all three if your wallet is light.”

“Gil sounds like the easiest route. I don’t know the first thing about crystals. Knowing me, I’d get you the wrong kind.”

“Impossible,” Genedara said with a shake of her head. “All crystals serve a purpose so long as I am capable of storing aether in them. They do not need to be fancy or expensive or even filled with aether. I can do that myself.”

“Okay then, you just made that really easy. Crystals it is.”

Genedara reached out and placed a hand over Bridget’s, looking into the other woman’s eyes. “You died while I was helping you.”

“I what?!”

“I had to use a forbidden spell to save your life. Should my peers discover what I have done I could face serious trouble. So please, keep this to yourself.”

“Mum’s the word. Secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell a soul.”

“Good. Thank you, Bridget. Now, are you hungry? I can make you my favorite, eggs and breakfast sausage.”

“Some food sounds great, actually. I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week,” she said with a smirk.

Genedara offered the Miqo’te a weak smile and got up from her seat once more. She walked around the bed and into her small kitchen just to the left of her bedroom. There was a soft whoosh as she lit the stove and soon after the sounds of grease sizzling filled the room. Genedara scrambled the eggs and tossed in a pinch of salt and black pepper. She then added a small handful of cheese before stirring the mixture, merging it all together.

After a few minutes, Genedara emerged from the kitchen with three small plates. She set one down on the floor and all three cats hopped off the bed to eat their meal. Once the cats were off the bed Genedara set down Bridget’s plate next to her before taking a seat on the stool once more. The two spoke as they ate, getting to know each other better properly.

Bridget spoke of her partners, telling Genedara all about them and how much she loved them. When the subject came around to her, Genedara told her sad story to Bridget, who offered her sympathy and a gentle hug. The next few days would be like this, Genedara would tend to Bridget when she was home, which was pretty much all the time. It was if she never left, choosing to isolate herself over spending time with others. She was good company to have, quiet, polite and friendly enough.

In time Bridget was finally able to stand up and walk on her own without any help. She was giving a walking cane to keep her upright and a set of clothing that fit her nice and snug. Genedara gave her one last hug before the two parted ways, Bridget slowly making her way back home so she could rest some more.

Time for a vacation.

[genedara]

Drowning in Grief

It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/etSbOs3aUqI?si=0ctkxThRuKMkjFpA )

Genedara hit the surface of the water and slipped beneath the waves. The air rushed out of her lungs and she gasped just as her head slipped under. She sputtered and flailed about as she sank into its depths, trying to swim to the surface. But she was unable to see which direction she was headed in and ended up swimming deeper into the cold waters.

Panic began to set in as he heart hammered in her chest, threatening to break free of her rib cage. Genedara activated her aethersight but found it to be useless in this situation. All she could see all around her was more water with no hint as to where the surface was.

“Someone help me,” Genedara thought as she continued her slow descent.

Visions of her family swam through her mind, her husband’s smiling face lingering in her mind’s eye. She would have gasped were she not submerged in salty water, and instead her lungs hitched as they attempt to draw in fresh air. But the only thing that entered her was water, every alarm bell ringing in her mind.

“You need to let go,” Gustave’s words echoed in her mind. “It’s okay. We’ll be okay. Just let go.”

“But if let go, what else do I have?”

“This is no way to live, my love. You cannot keep living in the shadow of the past. You need to let go.”

Genedara shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to silence the nagging voice in the back of her mind. She tried swimming to the surface once more, but continued to go deeper into the water’s depths. Her lungs were starting to ache, so she released the air from them, listening to the bubbles as they drifted upward. If only she could see where they were going. Maybe then she could finally reach the surface.

A pit started to form in Genedara’s stomach, consuming everything in its path. She could feel it eating her alive, thoughts of death darting around in her mind. Maybe it was okay to stop struggling and just let the water take her. Maybe she should just open her arms and embrace death.

The air in her lungs was starting to burn now and she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She coughed out the last of her oxygen and breathed in the sea water. Her body felt like it had been lit on fire, every ounce of her screaming in agony as the water filled her up. The pit in her stomach grew, becoming a black hole that sucked up all the joy from her life.

“It’ll be okay, Gene. Just let go.”

“No! I love you too much to let go of you. Please don’t leave me, Gustave. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“But you’re not alone, my love. Look at all the friends you’ve made since you started opening up. What of Lara? Or Goro? And Maral, too. What would they do if you gave up?”

“I don’t want to live for them, I want to live for me. I can’t do that with you and the kids gone. Do you have any idea what it’s like living alone? Truly alone?”

“I do not,” Gustave said, his voice soft in her mind. “Don’t give up, Gene. It’s time to let go.”

“NO!”

“If you keep walking this path it’ll lead you to ruin. You will end up killing yourself at this rate.”

Genedara felt as if her scars were on fire, searing her flesh. She tried to scream in pain, but more water slipped into her lungs. Her chest felt like it was going to explode, heart hammering in her chest. She both wanted out of the water and wanted to die at the same time. It was as if her mind was waging a war with itself and she was on the losing side.

“It will be okay. You need to let go.”

She wanted the voice to stop talking. There was no way in hell Genedara was going to give up on her family like that. She held onto the grief, clutching it to her chest as if it was the last possession she owned. Nothing of he family remained, save for the memories and the pain of their loss. She didn’t have any of her daughter’s toys to snuggle with, none of Gustave’s shirts to breathe deep his scent. The pain was all she had left.

Genedara stopped swimming and surrendered herself to her fate. She sank into the depths, sinking well beneath the surface and dipping into the permanent gloom that as the ocean. Her body stopped trying to breathe, resigning itself to its fate. So, she sank, the void inside of her consuming her whole.

“Don’t give up. There’s more to life than this pain. There’s so much joy in life, you just have to be willing to seek it out. If you give up now, who else is going to make that big discovery that you’ve always sought after? What would your friends do with you gone?”

“They will be fine. I am not that important to them or anything in this world.”

“You are important to me, Gene. I may be gone, but I’ll always be with you, watching over you. Please don’t give up. You must keep fighting. You need to let go.”

An image flashed through her mind at Gustave’s words. Everyone she had met in the last few weeks was there, standing together, motioning for her to come closer. They all wore smiles on their faces, hands out stretched towards Genedara.

“You need to let go.”

------

When Genedara’s eyes opened, she saw nothing but darkness. She could still feel the water pressing into her lungs, but fought back the coughs. The Viera slowly sat up on the bed, letting out a soft sigh as she looked around the room. Her eyes gave off a dull shimmer as she activated her aethersight, allowing her to properly see her surroundings.

She wasn’t in her apartment, instead she was sitting on a bed big enough for two people in a small bedroom. The walls were lined with books and scrolls and other tidbits of knowledge. It was Genedara’s home in Sharlayan, a place she hadn’t visited since leaving with Gustave over a decade ago.

“I don’t want to let go,” she told the empty room. “If I let go, what do I have?”

The scent of her husband still lingered in the room, an empty bottle of his old cologne sitting on the nightstand next to the bed. She reached over to the small vial and picked it up and brought it up to her nose, giving it a good sniff. The smell brought back a rush of memories and Genedara couldn’t help but sob as they consumed her.

------

“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind Genedara.

Looking up from her work, the Viera turned in her chair and looked at the source of the voice. Standing there with a goofy smile on his face as a much younger Gustave, a bundle of flowers held in one hand. It was a dozen roses, freshly cut and smelling fantastic. She looked at the flowers and then up at Gustave.

“Are those for me?” she asked, raising a single eyebrow.

“They are,” he said, a toothy grin spreading across his face.

“Why are you giving me flowers?”

“Because I think you’re really pretty and I wanted to ask you out on a date. So, what do you say, will you go out with me?”

“Gustave,” Genedara started but stopped herself after saying his name. She looked from him to the flowers and then back up to his handsome face. “Okay, fine. I’ll go out on a date for you. BUT! If it doesn’t go well you can’t ask me out again, okay?”

“Who said it wasn’t going to go well? We already get along rather well from the few times we’ve talked. Plus, you’re really nice and I can’t see you being mean to me, even if things don’t go great. But let’s not think about things going bad, let’s think things are going to be fantastic instead. C’mon, it’ll be fun!”

“That wasn’t an answer to my question,” Genedara said, her voice flat.

“Fine, fine. I promise to leave you alone if the date doesn’t go well,” Gustave replied with a big grin.

“Good, thank you.”

Gustave held the flowers out for Genedara. She fully turned around then, reaching out with her right hand to take hold of the flowers. She brought them to her face and took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the roses. Roses had always been her favorite flower, a fact that she hadn’t disclosed to Gustave. So, how did he know?

“How did you know I liked roses?”

“Eh, call it intuition.”

Genedara laughed and shook her head. “Intuition? You hit the nail on the head. Roses are my favorite.”

Gustave’s grin only managed to grow at her words as he pumped his fist once. He looked down at the Viera, studying her delicate features. She had always been so pretty, but up close like this he couldn’t help but stare at her. They hadn’t known each other for very long, but in the short time they did know each other had been great. They got along really well and would talk magic for hours on end. His mind was like hers, curious and in love with the idea of learning new things.

“What do you have in mind for this date of yours?” Genedara asked him with a soft smile. Her cheeks had taken on a rosy hue, matching the flowers in her hand.

“Well, I was thinking about a nice romantic picnic. I’ll do all the cooking. All you gotta do is just be your beautiful self.”

“A classic date idea. I approve,” she said, that smile turning into a big grin.

“You do, do you?” Gustave teased, playfully nudging her shoulder. “Well, I’m glad you approve. I’ve got everything ready outside if you want to do this now.”

“Now? Isn’t it going to be night soon?”

“I want to watch the sunset with you,” Gustave said softly.

“Sunset and picnic it is. Give me a few minutes to finish up what I was doing and then we can go out on this date.”

Gustave fist pumped once more. “Awesome,” he said. “Mind if I wait here with you?”

“Please, make yourself at home,” Genedara said before turning back around to face her work.

Sitting on the desk before her as a pile of tomes, several of them as older than she was. Resting directly before her was a notebook flipped open to a blank page. To the left of the empty paper was a series of notes written in tight handwriting with highlights pointing out the important information. It was a well organized journal, something that impressed Gustave. He took a seat next to her and quietly let her finish her work, that grin never leaving his lips.

When Genedara finished with her work she grabbed her journal and stood up. Gustave joined her and pushed his chair back as he rose to his feet, standing a few inches taller tan her. For a Hyur, he was a tall one. The two of them then left the library behind, Gustave grabbing a basket from udder a tree.

He led her to a secluded spot that faced west, giving them a perfect vantage point. The sun started to dip below the horizon, casting purple into the sky above them. A brillaint display of yellows and oranges glittered overhead as they spoke and ate. Genedara laughed at one of his jokes and he grinned at her before launching into a story that made the Viera chuckle several times. Before either of them knew it, the sun was gone and the moon hung high in the sky. They had sat there for hours just talking and getting to know each other, time losing all meaning to them.

It was that night that Genedara knew that she was going to marry this man. He knew how to make her laugh so hard it made her sides hurt and he knew exactly what to say to win her heart over. It was almost as if he had been practicing for this moment. After several hours the two decided to go their seperate ways, but not before Gustave gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Genedara had never been so happy in her life. Finally, someone had taken an interest in her. Her days of being alone were over.

------

The tears came to an end not long after they started. Genedara clutched the empty bottle of cologne to her chest, savoring the scent that radiated from the bottle. She slowly drug herself out of bed and once more activated her aethersight.

Genedara had come here originally to get some books from her collection, but had gotten distracted once she had entered their bedroom. She had fallen into his side of the bed and hugged his pillow, trying to find his scent on the old blankets. It as a futile gesture, that is until she noticed the vial of cologne.

“I’m taking this home with me,” she told herself, holding onto the vial as if her life depended on it.

She walked from the bed to the bookshelf lined walls and started to dig through the titles of her books. So many of them weren’t enchanted, so she had no idea if she was grabbing the right books or not. He memory of where she had placed certain tomes was fuzzy, her mind still reeling from the dream she had just moments ago.

Genedara would spend some time digging through the books, using it as a way to distract herself from where she was standing. Being here was too painful and she wanted out. For this home was where they had spent the first twenty years of their marriage. This room alone had plenty of memories associated to it and Genedara wanted out. Desperately.

So, she hurried up with her task and gathered up the books she had been looking for. The Viera left the bedroom, first looking around one last time before closing the door. She walked down a flight of stairs and into a cramped living room filled to the brim with more books. It was almost as if the two had an obsession with learning new things.

With her books in hand, Genedara left the house behind and traveled deep into Sharlayan itself. She wandered the streets and eventually found herself at the library, her old stomping grounds. Without thinking, Genedara stepped into the library, where she would remain for the next several hours, using it as a distraction from her problems.

She was so tired of running from the grief. She just wanted it to be over but she refused to let go of her family, thinking that holding onto this pain will somehow bring her some comfort in the end. But all it did was cause more pain, whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not.

[genedara]

A Favor

Genedara was minding her own business as she strode through Ul’dah’s streets. Her white cane swept the space before her, moving from side to side as she walked. Coming up on a set of stairs, Genedara carefully strode up the stairs, taking them one at a time. She could hear the annoyed sighs of someone behind her and after a couple of seconds she felt someone brush past her.

The familiar sounds of the Quicksands could be heard as the door was opened and closed. Genedara made her way to the door and tossed it open before striding inside. She walked over to her usual spot and started to fold up her white cane.

This is where she would come to kill time when she had nothing else to do. It wasn’t the most exciting of locations, but it served its purpose well. It didn’t seem like anyone she knew was here, as she could not hear their voices over the crowd. The Viera let out a soft sigh as she shook her head, already boring of standing around doing nothing of import.

“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind her. “Are you Genedara?”

Well that was fast.

Genedara turned around to face the speaker, crossing her arms under her chest. She regarded the stranger in silence, activating her aethersight to get a better look at who was standing before her. Whoever it was had a most unique aether profile, as it was made entirely of dark aspected aether. Genedara raised a single eyebrow and looked into the eyes of the man before her.

“Yes, that is me,” she said with a nod of her head after a moment’s silence. “What can I do for you?”

“Ah, perfect. Yuki told me you spent time here, so I’ve been waiting around for you,” the man said, reaching up to swipe a lock of hair out of his eyes. “I’m Yuki’s brother, Matthias. We met in passing a few days ago when I gave you and Bridget a ride.”

“I remember you,” Genedara said with a nod of her head. “Your aether profile is hard to forget.”

“Wait, you can see that?” Matthias asked, eyes wide. “You have aethersight? Is that how you see?”

“Indeed, that is how I primarily get around. Have you never met someone with this ability?”

“No, I haven’t. But regardless, this isn’t the best place for me right now. Can we go somewhere to talk? I have a favor to ask of you.”

Genedara shrugged her shoulders and said, “Sure, I can speak with you in private. Do you have a destination in mind?”

“Yeah, I was thinking we could speak in my airship. Come,” Matthias held out a hand. “I will lead us there.”

With a nod of her head, Genedara reached out and took Matthias’ offered hand. He would then guide her through the Quicksands out one of the other doors. Not entirely trusting of this stranger, Genedara activated her aethersight once more. She used it to figure out where they were going, and it seems he as keeping to his word and was leading them up to the airship landing.

After a few minutes of walking, the noises around them would shift into silence as they passed into a cramped area. It smelled of engine oil and ceruleum inside, and faintly of fresh paint. Genedara looked around the interior of the airship, having been here before with Bridget.

“What is it you wish to speak to me about?” Genedara asked as she moved over to the sofa and took a seat.

“Well, I have a simple request. I need to restock on ceruleum, but Yuki and Bridget are both busy. If you’re okay with it, I would like for you to watch my back. Make sure nothing goes wrong, keep the bad guys off me. That kind of thing.”

“Hmm,” Genedara hummed. She leaned back into the sofa and crossed her arms. “Why ask me of all people?”

“Because both Bridget and Yuki said you’re reliable and good in a fight. I don’t really have a ton of friends I could ask for help, either. Yuki and her friends are pretty much all I have,” Matthias explained.

“I see. Very well, then. I will act as your eyes, so to speak. Are you expecting any trouble?”

“No, I’m not. Like I said, I just need someone to watch my back while I work. If everything goes to plan, you won’t much to do.”

------

The airship shuddered as it touched down, groaning as it sat down on its landing struts. Matthias pushed the yoke forward and slid back his chair and rose from his seat. He walked over to where Genedara was seated and tapped her on the shoulder.

“We’re here. You ready?” he asked as he tugged on a comfy looking jacket. “You need a jacket? It’s cold out there.”

“No,” Genedara said, shaking her head. “I do not require a jacket. I can warm myself.”

“You sure? We’re out in Garlemald, so it’s like a blizzard out there,” Matthias said as he walked over to a coat rack and removed another warm jacket. He walked back over to Genedara and offered it out to her. “Here. Take it, it’s okay. You’ll need it.”

“Why are we in Garlemald?” Genedara asked as she took the jacket. She rose from her seat and slipped the jacket on. I was much too big for her, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.

“That’s where all the fuel is. We’re on an old abandoned base. After the war a bunch of supplies were left behind and I’ve been mooching off of them since.”

“Ah.”

Genedara let out a soft sigh as she followed Matthias through his airship. He slapped a panel and lowered the boarding ramp. A gust of freezing cold wind shot through the open passageway, freezing Genedara to her core. She took he jacket and zipped it up, suddenly thankful she had been given it.

“Okay, so my job is simple. I’m gonna be running around hooking up hoses to the ship, so I just need you to keep an eye on me and the surrounding area. Super easy stuff. Think you and your aethersight can do that?”

“Indeed, a simple task,” Genedara said with a nod of her head.

Matthias nodded and ran off to get started on the work. He grabbed a hose hanging off the side of a building and started to unravel it. He took the hose and ran it over to his ship, hooking up one end to a port on the side of the airship.

Meanwhile Genedara was doing a good job of keeping watch. She scanned the area around them, seeing no signs of life anywhere. With a light shrug of her shoulders, Genedara continued to keep watch.

The minutes ticked away and soon an hour had passed since they had arrived. She hadn’t heard or seen him in some time now, a sign that he was probably inside the building to her left. The man seemed like a hard worker, the kind of man you could count on if things got dicey. They hadn’t said much to each other, but Genedara could see why Yuki spoke so highly of him.

“The fuck?” a voice said to her right. “What’s a Viera doing with an airship out here?”

Genedara turned to face the source of the voice, crossing her arms under her chest. She shivered against the cold, hugging herself briefly.

“I am lost,” she lied, buying time for Matthias to finish whatever it as he had ran off to do. “May you lend me your assistance? I got turned around in the blizzard and don’t know where I am.”

“Afraid neither of us can fly a ship,” another voice added.

“Yeah, we ain’t fancy or rich like you are,” yet another voice said. Just how many people were there?

Genedara activated her aethersight once more and looked at the group. Standing before her was a crowd of men and women, roughly ten in total. It was hard to tell what they were wearing, but it looked as if they all wore matching outfits, their long black coats billowing in the wind. The Viera looked at them and took a cautionary step backward, towards the ship.

“There are a lot of you,” Genedara said quietly. “Why are there so many of you?”

“Because the boys and I saw someone stealing our supplies, and that someone happens to be you and your friend. Where is he?” the lead voice asked.

“I’m afraid that what you saw was a trick of the eyes. We are not stealing anything. The people here are dead, and the dead cannot claim property as theirs,” Genedara said as she took another step backward.

She took in a deep breath and started to focus. The runes on her back started to give off a dull blue glow, unseen thanks to her jacket. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, but a nagging feeling in the back of her mind told her it was nothing good.

“It wasn’t a trick of the eyes, you daft bunny. Get the fuck outta here or else the boys and I are gonna have rabbit for dinner.”

“Your casual attempts at racism will illicit no such reaction from me. Please, just walk away and we can all forget this happened.”

“Yeah, not happening,” one of the men said before he charged forward

The oncoming attacker drew a sword from somewhere on his person and thrust it towards Genedara. She simply waved her hand and sent the man flying through the air, having hit him with a strong gust of wind. He screamed as he flew through the air, vanishing into the blizzard.

“What the fuck?!” someone shouted as they watched their friend disappear into the snow.

Without wasting a second, Genedara flung both hands at the group of people. A sheet of ice started to form on the ground surrounding her as a wall of ice shot up from the ground. But, rather than protecting her, the wall angled itself and sent out a wave of shards of ice. The shards darted through the air and drove themselves into the bodies of the would be attackers. Several of them fell to the ground howling in pain, clutching the spikes of ice that jutted out of their bodies.

Genedara raised her right hand high into the air and balled her hand into a fist. She tore her hand downward and flung her fist at what remained of the group. The sky went dark as dark clouds started to form overhead. A flash of light blinded everyone as a bolt of lightning struck the group head on, striking the leader directly.

He cried out in pain and fell to the ground, clutching his head as he screamed. The group scattered and took off running in every direction. Some of the men and women took off running far away from Genedara, wanting nothing to do with a mage. But a select few, maybe four men in total, all charged at the Viera.

“Gene, look out!” Matthias cried out from behind her.

Matthias dropped the bundle of gizmos and gadgets he had in his arms and ran over to where Genedara was standing. As he ran he shot down into a combat slide and slid through the ice and snow and past one of the attacking men. He roared and grabbed the man by the leg and drug him down into the snow as he slid past, taking the man with him.

In a flurry of snow Matthias rolled over and drove his fist into the face of the attacking man. His skull caved in with a loud crunch as it was struck, Matthias’ hand sinking into his skull. He drew his arm back and flicked the grime off of his hand, looking up just in time to see one of the attacking men catch a fireball to the face. The man’s screams rose in pitch as he ran around, flailing his arms around in the air in a desperate attempt to free himself of the fire.

By now the rest of the attacking men and women had seen how well Genedara and Matthias worked together and took off running in the opposite direction. Before either of them could get very far however, they’d find themselves struck my lightning off in the distance. Matthias could hear their screams from where he stood, watching as they fell to the ground.

“Godsdamn, nice work,” Matthias said as he got up from his prone position.

“Thank you,” Genedara replied with as shake of her hands. “That as a lot more trouble than you said there would be.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t count on a bunch of people seeing us land in the middle of a blizard,” Matthias said, looking over at Genedara. “You did well. No wonder why Bridget called you a total badass. You handled those thugs like they were nothing.”

“That is because they were nothing. Their injuries will not be fatal, so they will recover in time.”

“What about the guys you stabbed?”

“They will live,” Genedara said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I did not aim for any vital spots and the lightning was not charged enough to kill anyone.”

“Badass and thoughtful. Why didn’t you kill any of them?”

“Because I am not one to kill so frivolously,” Genedara said with another shrug of her shoulders.

“Well, I bet they’ll be super appreciative when they come to.”

“I am sure they will.”

From that point on, the rest of the trip went by uneventfully. They encountered no further troubles and the rest of Matthias’ work went without a hitch. When they were done they loaded up onto the airship and took off, heading back to Ul’dah.

It had been quite the eventful day and Genedara was eager to get home so she could play with her cats.

[genedara]

Why I left

Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.

(The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included are child abuse. Read at your own discretion.)

Neyu knew they were going to be in trouble. They had stolen a book from the village elders and was currently out in the woods near their house, reading its contents. The book was a magical tome of spells and enchantments, meant for a beginner. The pages were written in Eorzean, a language Neyu did not know. But the spell circles were easy to reproduce given enough practice and it was just a matter of channeling their aether into the spell circle to complete the casting.

But something had gone horribly wrong. Rather than creating a small ball of fire that hovered in the air for a moment before winking out of existence, it crated a hellish explosion. It had ripped through the woods and sent them flying, smacking into the thick trunk of a tree. They groaned as they sat there on the ground, their head spinning and their ears ringing.

Off in the distance they could hear someone shouting, followed by several other loud and concerned voices. The first to arrive on the scene was one of the village’s defenders, thinking they were under attack. But it was just Neyu and the stolen book, which was now a smoldering pile of ashes.

“Little Neyu, did you see what happened? Are we under attack?” the defender asked them.

Neyu hated that pet name. They weren’t little anymore. They were the age when puberty was set to begin, starting their life in earnest. It was at this point in their life where their fate would be decided for them. They would either live in the village or out in the forest with the rest of the men. Neyu didn’t want either life. They wanted freedom to explore and learn. They wouldn’t get that here.

“I’m not little,” the young Viera said, their voice soft. “And no, we’re not under attack. That was me.”

“What do you mean that was you?” the woman asked them. “That was an explosion and I see no weapons in your hands.”

“Magic,” was all the little Viera said for now.

It was at that moment when the others arrived on scene, and among them was the elder they stole from and their mother. Neyu swore under their breath as they looked up at their mother, fear in their eyes.

“That was you, wasn’t it?” her mother demanded. “You stole the book again didn’t you? Where is it?”

“I didn’t steal it. I was borrowing it. But it doesn’t matter anymore. It got destroyed in the explosion.”

“You are in so much trouble,” their mother seethed with rage as she spoke, her balled up hands shaking. “Get your ass back to the house. Now.”

“No.”

“Excuse me? I did not ask you, Neyu. Get back home now or I’ll be forced to punish you in front of half of the village.”

“I don’t care. You’re going to beat me regardless of where we are. Just get it over with,” Neyu said with a sigh.

Their words were true. Whenever they made a mistake or did something wrong they would get a beating from their mother. Each time they got worse and worse, to the point now where they would be limping for days after their beatings. No one did anything about it though. They all turned a blind eye to the violence going on inside the home, pretending it wasn’t happening at all. It wasn’t exactly a secret that Neyu had always been a difficult child to raise. They didn’t want to live in the forest. They wanted to learn.

Neyu’s mother snarled as she stormed forward. She grabbed the child by the scruff of their shirt and hoisted them up to their feet. Without another word she dragged Neyu away from the group and back to their small cabin. She kicked the door open and slammed it shut behind her once they were both inside.

“You filthy thief!” their mother bellowed as she backhanded Neyu across the face.

The small Viera fell over backwards, bleeding from a small gash on their lower lip. They scrambled back up their feet, only to get smacked back down. Their cheek was bright red from the repeated strikes. It stung something fierce and the pain in their lip was only growing as time went on.

Neyu rose to their feet a second time, only to be pushed back down and then kicked in the ribs. They groaned as the wind was forced out of their lungs they felt a white hot pain in their chest and it hurt to breathe. Did she really just bruise one of their ribs?

“I hate you,” Neyu gasped as they curled up into a ball, tears flowing down their cheeks.

“Excuse me?!” their mother screamed.

“I HATE YOU!” Neyu screamed back.

The house shook when Neyu shouted back at their mother, amplifying their words with magic unknowingly. The door trembled and rattled in place, the windows vibrating before shattering into several large shards. Neyu’s mother reached up to cover her long ears, pressing them against her head.

Neyu scrambled back up to their feet and with as much force as they could manage, shoved their mother out of the way. They ran past her confused state and into their shared bedroom. Behind them their mother roared with fury and stormed after the child. She grabbed her by the leg and dragged her out from under the bed, a backpack churched in their arms. It was packed with a bedroll and a sleeping bag, something Neyu had been working on for the last few weeks.

They had every intention of running away tonight.

“Get over here you little shit,” their mother snarled as she drug Neyu away from the bed.

Neyu reached around the side of the bag and took hold of a knife’s handle. They tore the blade free and swung it upwards towards their mother. A red line was drawn across her face, running diagonally up her face. Blood wept from the wound and she screamed as she stumbled backwards, hands flying up to her face.

With her rage barely contained, Neyu’s mother lashed out and threw a punch at her child. Her fist landed and drove itself into the soft flesh of Neyu’s face. Pain exploded in their left eye as they were hit, hit so hard they were forced onto their back.

Neyu’s mother stumbled forward and threw herself at the child, landing on top of them. Neyu shifted the blade around and drove it into their mother’s stomach, twisted the knife and violently ripped it back out. Neyu’s other screamed in agony and fell over sideways, clutching the spot where she had just been stabbed.

Using this distraction to their advantage, Neyu drug themselves up off the ground and grabbed their bag. They took off running, flying through the small house and out the front door. They could hear their mother crashing through the house, howling with rage. By the time that she made it to the door, Neyu was already one hundred feet away. They vanished into the woods and their mother snarled, punching the door frame with one hand, the other clamped over the fresh wound.

“You’ll just die out there!” their mother shouted into the night. “You’ll die like the rat you are!”

———

Neyu gasped as they finally stopped running. They had darted through the woods, dodging out of the way of anyone in their path. They made a beeline for the forest’s edge, moving with as much haste as they could manage. In time they reached their destination and stumbled out from the protection of the trees.

“If you leave they won’t let you come back,” a voice said from high up in a tree.

“I don’t care,” Neyu responded, taking several steps away from the talking tree.

A handsome man dropped out of the tree and landed before Neyu. He held a bow in one hand, the other resting on the trunk of the tree. He looked around the clearing, and when he saw no one else took a few steps closer towards the child.

“I’m serious. If you leave they will exile you. If you try to come back they will kill you. Are you sure you wish to leave?” the male Viera asked Neyu. He didn’t speak as if he was angry at them, the concern audible in his voice.

“I’m positive. If I go back my mom will kill me anyway. I’m as good as dead if I go back now.”

“Very well,” the man said with a sigh. He walked up to Neyu, who held out their knife in a defensive gesture.

Rather than striking them, the man dropped down to a squat, bringing him eye level with the child. He reached out and placed a hand on their shoulder and held it there. He looked into the child’s eyes, seeing the pain and sorrow in their gaze.

“I cannot come with you, but what I can do is give you supplies. Wait here and I will get you some food and a weapon to use. You’ll need one if you are you survive.”

Neyu slowly nodded at the strange man. Why was he being so nice to her?

The man rose back up to his feet and released Neyu’s shoulder. He took a few steps back before spinning around and running into the woods. It would be at least ten minutes before he returned, a small in one hand and the other a small bow. He approached Neyu and set the items before them.

“There’s enough food for a week in that bag. It’s not a lot, so you will have to ration it. There’s a water skin in there as well. Make sure you drink plenty of water on your journey. And this bow will keep you safe and help you hunt. Do you know how to use one?”

“My mother was training me to defend and live in these woods. I know how to use a bow,” the child replied as they picked up the bag.

Neyu took the bag and stuffed it into her backpack before accepting a quiver of arrows. They slipped the quiver around their shoulders and tugged on their backpack. The bow was then taken into one of her small hands and they did a test draw of the string. It snapped back into place and the child nodded their head.

“Thank you. Why are you helping me? They’ll be mad at you.”

“Because you are my child, little one. I have watched that woman raise you your entire life. How she has treated you has angered me a great deal, but there is nothing I can do to help. This is the least I can do for you, Neyu.”

The child’s lower lip quivered as they looked up at the man claiming to be their father. They shuffled forward and wrapped their arms around his legs and gave him a hug. He gently ran his fingers through their hair, muttering comforting words.

Behind them the shouting of the rest of the village could be heard. The man released Neyu and gave them a gentle nudge backward.

“Go. I will hold them off long enough for you to disappear. Go now, my child. Live the life you always dreamt off.”

Neyu nodded their small head and spun around. They took off running, their small legs propelling them across the landscape. Eventually they vanished over a hill and the man could no longer see them. He let out a soft sigh and turned to face the village as they came running up.

“I tried to stop them but they took off running. I lost sight of them ten minutes ago,” he lied. “I’m afraid they’re gone.”

“Fuck,” Neyu’s mother swore as she looked over the area. “They’re as good as dead then. They didn’t have any food or a weapon. If they come back, kill them.”

———

The first few days were rough. Neyu had no idea how to properly survive out in the woods and had to learn everything on their own. They were suddenly very glad that their mother had taught them the basics on how to survive in the wild, and even more thankful for the bow they had been given.

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Thanks to the kindness of a few strangers, Neyu was able to make it just fine out in the world on their own. They had no idea what the people were saying to them, but that didn’t stop the strangers from feeding and clothing them.

In time Neyu would learn to despise their name. So, they picked a new one. Genedara Munnin, they had decided. It was a pretty name, one that they felt suited them. Eventually they would begin to learn Eorzean, thanks to the help of a traveling gleaner. He taught them a great slew of things, and even told them about Sharlayan, a city of knowledge.

It was then that Genedara decided what to do. They were going to travel to this city of learners and study magic there. That is what they always wanted to do, and that’s exactly what they will do.

Genedara’s new life started now.

[genedara]

The Day I Lost Everything

It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.

(The following contains subject material that will be triggering to some. Themes included are death, graphic violence, suicide and self harm. Read at your own discretion.)

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/ztbPkvqRiGg?si=U7y1XUWc53DKVpYB )

          Genedara’s eyes fluttered open as she felt the sunbeam on her face. She groaned and rolled over, her arm falling to rest on an empty space next to her. The spot was still warm, a sign that whoever had been there hadn’t been gone long. She sat up in her bed and let out a yawn, reaching up to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

          Elsewhere in the house the sound of a little girl laughing could be heard, as well as the gentle sizzling of food on the stove. The blanket was tossed aside and Genedara swung her legs over the side of the bed. Bare feet pressed up against the wooden flooring as she drug herself out of bed and into the realm of the waking.

          “Go wake up mommy,” her husband said from the other room. “Tell her breakfast is ready.”

          The pitter patter of small feet filled the house as a five year old exploded into the small bedroom. She flung herself at Genedara, wrapping her small arms around her mom’s legs. The Viera smiled as she reached down and ruffled the mop of blonde hair that was her daughter. She ran her fingers through the little girl’s hair, smiling down at her.

          “Good morning mommy!” Margot chirped as she squeezed her mother’s legs. “Daddy says to wake you up ‘cause breakfast is ready, but you’re already up! Come on, mommy. I’m hungry.”

          “Good morning my little angel,” Genedara said, her voice soft.

          Inside her belly Genedara could feel her unborn son rolling around. She felt his feet brush up against her stomach, bulging out and kicking his sister in the face. She giggled and started to rub her mom’s stomach, moving her hand in a circular motion. This brought a smile to Genedara’s lips, glad that her daughter was already in love with her baby brother. It was a good sign.

          “C’mon, mommy!” Margot said as she peeled herself off of her mom’s legs and instead took one of her hands and started tugging her towards the kitchen.

          Genedara smiled as she was dragged along by the little girl. She went willingly, letting Margot guide her through the house. She had yet to lose her eyesight, so it was not as if she needed the help. She simply enjoyed the feeling of her daughter holding her hand, tugging on it as she walked. The two walked out of the bedroom and into a much larger room. A small living area with a handful of bookshelves dominated most of the room, whereas a small kitchen and table sat to the left of the living space.

          Standing before the stove was a man in his early fifties with graying dark blonde hair and brilliant brown eyes. He looked over at his wife and smiled broadly, eyes glittering with love as he gazed at the Viera. Margot looked between the two and rolled her eyes before tugging her mom over to the table.

          “Mommy, sit! Let’s eat,” she said as she released her mom’s hand.

          Genedara ruffled her daughter’s hair as she gripped the back of her chair and slid it backward before taking a seat. She leaned forward and placed both elbows on the table, resting her head in the palms of her hands. Green eyes gazed out at her husband, watching him as he worked the stove. She could smell the sausages from there, the grease sizzling on the pan.

          “Breakfast is served,” Gustave said as he gripped the cast iron pan’s handle with an oven mitt.

          With the still sizzling meat in the pan, he took it and walked over to the table, setting the pan down in the middle of the table. Inside the pan, alongside the sausages was a healthy portion of scrambled eggs seasoned with salt and pepper and a dash of cheese. It smelled amazing.

          “Thank you, sweetheart,” Genedara said as she stood up from her seat and leaned forward to kiss her husband’s cheek before sitting back down.

          “Anything for you two,” Gustave said, sitting down in his own chair.

          Margot vibrated in her chair, clearly eager to stuff some food into her mouth. When her food was served, the little girl leaned forward and grabbed her fork with a small fist. She started to scoop up eggs and bring them to her waiting maw, where she would munch on her breakfast happily.

          “What’s on the itinerary today?”

          “Well, we need to continue Margot’s lessons,” Genedara said, motioning over to the chalkboard hanging from the living room wall. Scribbled on is surface was the common alphabet and a series of numbers going up to twenty.

          “Sounds like a plan to me,” Gustave replied, shoveling a portion of eggs into his mouth. “I can start with her word training and you can do the math?”

          Genedara nodded and smiled.

          “Yes, that sounds like a good idea to me. What do you think, little Margot? Do you want to continue learning how to read and do math? It’s okay if you want to take a break for a little bit to play and color. We have all day to fill your brain with knowledge.”

          “Yes mommy!” Margot said, nodding her little head. “I wanna learn how to read more so one day I can read you a story! I can read you my favorite about the turtle and the rabbit.”

          “I would love for you to read to me, sweetheart,” Genedara said with a warm smile, looking at Margot with hearts in her eyes. Oh how she loved the little girl. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined how much love she would feel for someone. The first two hundred years of her life had been so lonely and devoid of joy. To go from that to this was sublime, a kind of love Genedara would never forget.

          It wasn’t until Gustave came into her life and swept her off her feet. The two had met in Sharlayan, back when Gustave was just a student and not a professor. They had run into each other at the library, the place where Genedara spent most of her time back then.

          Gustave had his arms full of books, all on various subjects with no real pattern. He was still new to the city and hadn’t had the chance to make any friends yet. So he was quick to chat up the pretty Viera whom he saw in the library often. After working up the courage to do so, he approached her with his stack of books and tried to start up a conversation. But, being the nerd he was, he just stammered awkwardly until Genedara looked up at him, clearly confused as to why this man was trying to talk to her.

            After multiple attempts, Genedara finally caved in and invited Gustave to her place for coffee. Little did she know that they spend all day just talking and getting to know each other. They had a surprising amount of things in common and were even studying the same things. So, the two hit it off almost instantly. Having been glad she gave this man a shot, Genedara and Gustave went on many dates before making things official between them. In time they would discover their love for the other, and soon before they knew it they were married.

          Thirty years of bliss followed after. Genedara and Gustave made a great team and worked together really well. They argued very little and were constantly surprising each other. Seven years ago Genedara got pregnant with Margot and the two decided then to move out to the countryside to live out the rest of their days in peace and quiet.

            And so, a home was built in the middle of the woods somewhere in northern Eorzea. It had taken them some time to build the house, but with the power of magic they made short work of it. In time they had a cozy little cabin in the woods, big enough for a small family to live in. They filled it with their belongings from back home, their walls lined with various books on different subjects. An impressive collection had been imported and carried here, a bulk of their collection back in Sharlayan in their shared estate.

          Genedara snapped out of her daze, having been staring at her husband. He smiled back at her with a mouthful of food. A bit of egg was stuck to his mustache, his beard in need of a trim. Genedara reached out and plucked the egg off his face and flicked it back to his plate. She then reached out and cupped Gustave’s cheek with her hand, gazing lovingly into his eyes.

          “I love you, the light of my life,” Gustave said softly.

———

          When Lars woke up this morning, he hadn’t expected to be so damn cold. He grumbled to himself and rolled over in his bedroll, trying to shake off the morning chill. His blanket was tossed aside and the soldier sat up in his bed and let out a sigh. He was sitting alone in his tent at some undisclosed location deep in the woods and far removed from everyone else.

          Him and his troop had been diverted from the main force and were paired up with someone from headquarters. They were all given crates to carry and orders not to open said crates until they arrived at their destination. Well, they had reached that point last night shortly before breaking camp. The group had no idea why they were out here, or what they were about to do, but orders were orders had he had to obey if he wanted to become a citizen.

          “This is bullshit,” Lars told himself as he stood up and tossed aside the flap for his tent.

          Outside his tent a small group of men and women were gathered around a small campfire. They all looked up when he emerged from the tent, forks hovering half way to their mouths. It looked as if they were eating oatmeal of some kind.

          “Well look who finally decided to grace us with his presence. Come on, Gaius is about to tell us why we’re all here,” a woman with brown hair said, patting an empty space on the bench next to her. A bowl of oatmeal sat there, its steam drifting lazily into the air.

          Lars nodded and walked over to the group and took a seat next to the woman. He reached down and picked up his bowl of oatmeal and dug in. As he did this, a man wearing a crisp uniform stood and up and addressed the unit as a whole.

          “Okay everyone, enough speculation as to why we’re out here. You all have been gathered here because you are some of the empire’s finest. You have proven yourselves loyal to the cause and worthy of our trust. Today, we are going to be testing new munitions for the army. Our R&D has come up with an ingenious new way of delivering explosives onto the front line and we’ve been tasked with testing them.

          “Now, you’re probably all wondering why we’re here and not out on the battlefield. Well, the answer is simple, we’re not ready to roll this tech out for the rest of the army to see. So, we must keep things hush hush for now, and for that I apologize. It was not my intent to deceive either of you, and you have my deepest apologies if you felt that way. But for now, I think it’s time we get to work and test these explosives. What say you?”

          The group exchanged glances before nodding their heads in unison. The job sounded easy enough, and the risk of civilian casualties out here was slim to none. No one would be foolish enough to live this far removed from society.

          Gaius rose from his seat and walked over to one of the crates. He opened it with a crowbar and started to unload and set up its contents. After a few minutes a small mortar tube was set up, its barrel angled slightly. The group oohed and aahed at this new wonder of technology, eager to get their hands on this new piece of machinery.

          “Okay, so the boys in R&D have instructed me on its use. It’s simple. You take the explosive,” he said, holding up a single explosive round. “And you slot it into the barrel, drop it down and let gravity do the work. Come, let’s get yours all set up and ready to go.”

          The next several minutes were spent opening of the crates and setting up the mortars. In the span of fifteen minutes everyone had their weapon platform set up and ready to go. They broke up into teams of two, one person manning the cannon and the other dropping the munition down the tube and onto the fixed firing pins.

          The mortars fired off their rounds with dull thumps, belching out clouds of smoke from the barrel after a round was fired. The group waited for a minute before hearing the sound of explosions off in the distance. But there was another sound that followed after. It was someone screaming bloody murder.

          “What the fuck was that?” Lars asked the group. “These woods are supposed to be empty!”

          “Fuck,” Gaius spat out before he started sprinting towards the direction of where the explosives landed.

          The rest of the soldiers were quick to follow, running after their commanding officer. They ran through the woods, weaving through the thick underbrush and crashing through bushes. Eventually they came to a small clearing where the remains of a house stood.

          “Good gods,” Lars muttered as he looked at the caved in roof.

———

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/t-0mhtjEATE?si=aQvttzbbBadwZ7lV )

          One moment Genedara was gazing at her husband, the next her world was fire and death. The explosives hit the roof of her house with a thump before detonating. Shards of metal shot out in every direction as the support beam for the roof collapsed under the barrage of explosives. The large wooden beam crashed down onto the table, hitting Margot on the head and falling onto Genedara and Gustave.

          For a long while the house was still as bits of roof rained downed from the sky. Something was on fire, the thick black smoke filling what was left of the kitchen. Genedara coughed loudly as she struggled to sit up, only to find herself pinned to the ground, tapped under the support beam. Her stomach was already showing signs of bruising, the beam resting in her lap.

          Genedara screamed as she tried to bush the beam off, eyes locked onto the still body of her daughter. Gustave was nowhere to be seen, buried under a pile of roofing tiles. The Viera screamed again, this time as she pushed the support beam off her legs. The large wooden log rolled off her legs and hit the ground with a dull thud.

          Without hesitation or any thought to her own self preservation, she crawled over to where ever daughter lie. She reached out with shaking hands and took hold of Margot’s shoulders and pulled her limp body over towards her. It didn’t take a doctor to know that there was no life left in her little body. Her eyes were open and vacant, a large gash on her head weeping blood. When Genedara checked for a pulse she found nothing, not even a slight murmur.

          The scream that came out of her was soul crushing. She wailed and clutched her daughter’s body close to her chest as she wept. Just moments ago she had been laughing and eating her breakfast. Now she lay dead in Genedara’s arms, her little face frozen in a mask of fear. With a trembling hand, Genedara reached down and closed Margot’s eyes, tears strolling down her cheeks.

        “GUSTAVE!” Genedara screamed without looking over at where her husband lie. “Please wake up. Please for the love of the gods wake up.”

          Genedara crawled over to where Gustave lie, his arm visible under all the rubble. With Margot still in her arms, she started to clear off the shingles, tossing them aside with haste. It wasn’t until she saw the state her husband was in that she knew it was too late.

          A roof shingle had embedded itself into his eye, driven deep into his skull. There was no need to check for a pulse. Such a wound was simply impossible to survive. Another soul crushing wail escaped Genedara. She hunched over the bodies of the two people she loved most in the world and sobbed.

          Genedara remained like this for some time, clutching the bodies of her husband and daughter. The tears simply would not end, flowing endlessly down her cheeks and onto Gustave’s chest. The Viera clutched the bodies as if her life depended on it.

          Memories of the time they had spent together came rushing back. She could remember the day her and Gustave got married. It had been a small ceremony, only their closest friends were invited. Genedara had worn a flowing white dress and Gustave looked sharp in his suit and tie. They spoke their vows and shared their first kiss as a married couple.

            Thirty years of good memories flashed before Genedara’s eyes as she sat there, grieving the loss of her entire family. It wasn’t just Gustave and Margot that had been killed, but the unborn baby still growing inside of her. She hadn’t felt any movement since coming to, and that was not typical of the baby inside her belly. Little Quincy was an active baby, always rolling around in her belly. He was in a constant state of movement as his little body grew. But now, he was still and Genedara could feel that something was wrong. Her entire body cried out at her, screaming that something had happened to her baby.

          It was here where Genedara remained, clutching the bodies of Gustave and Margot. She could hear a group of people shouting outside, their voices drawing closer and closer with each passing second. Genedara eventually released the bodies and slowly rose to her feet. She stood on shaking legs, threatening to give way and send her crashing back down to the floor where her family lie.

          “Is anyone in there?!” a voice shouted into the house.

          Genedara started to walk towards the source of the voice, her movements slow and jerky. It was as if her body was moving without her say so, acting purely on impulse. She stumbled towards the voice, hands groping at the air as the smoke was too think to see through. Her coughs were loud and painful, her body trying to expel the smoke she was inhaling.

          When the source of the voice stepped into view, Genedara came to a halt. She stared at the Garlean before her. She knew that uniform from a mile away, as it was one she and Gustave had been trying to avoid. The whole point of moving so far away from everyone was so that they could leave the war behind them, letting the rest of the world deal with Garlemald and its seemingly pointless war. Genedara’s breath hitched in her chest and she took a few steps backward.

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/1CQWt_Z9efo?si=LywLA898OMgYwTLR )

          “You killed my babies,” she whispered.

          “What? Ma’am you’ll need to speak up. Come,” a hand reached out and grabbed her by the arm. “We need to get out of here.”

            “YOU KILLED MY BABIES!” Genedara screamed as she threw her arms towards the soldier.

          “Ma’am, it was an accid-“

          Before the soldier could finish his train of thought, a large spike of ice formed next to Genedara and shot forward, burying itself into his throat. His eyes went wide as his hands flew up to his neck, feeling the ice lodged into his body. Before he could grasp what was happening, Genedara snarled and ripped her hands back, tearing the wedge from his neck and throwing it down to the ground.

          The soldier sputtered as he fell to his knees, hands desperately trying to keep the blood from spilling out of the wound. But the gaping hole in his neck was far too big to stop the flow of blood. He took a single step backward before falling over, dead before he hit the ground.

        Rage filled Genedara’s heart as she lurched forward, stepping over the body of the fallen soldier. She stepped through the ruined doorway and out into the crisp autumn morning. There was at least a dozen men and women all running towards her, shouting words she did not understand. She couldn’t tell if they were telling her to stop or to come to them. Regardless, it mattered little.

          Genedara strode forward and started to draw upon the aether around her. Above her, birds would fall from their roosts, their little bodies hitting the ground with soft thumps. What little aether they possessed was ripped from them and drawn into Genedara. The entire tattoo on her back started to give off a bright blue glow as each rune was activated. Her tattoo acted as a focus, allowing her to cast spells without a staff, crystal or nouliths. The magical ink shimmered in the morning light as the Viera pulled more at her from her surroundings. A look of concentration settled on her face, eyes blazing with an unquenchable fury.

          These men murdered her family so she was going to murder them all in return. She carried little what happened to her afterward. The only thing on her mind at this moment was death.

          “What the fuck is she doing?” Lars asked himself as he ran towards the grieving widow. “Miss, please, we’re here to help!”

            But it was too little, too late.

            A small pinprick of light took shape in front of Genedara’s chest as her spell started to take shape. She snarled and squatted down, as if she were riding a horse. Her hands were held out at her sides, slowly being raised towards the sky as if she were trying to lift a great weight with each strained hand. Her fingers were splayed out, muscles bulging in her arms as she drew the aether out of the very ground she walked upon.

          The orb swelled in size and started to pulsate with power as Genedara poured more and more aether into it. She closed her eyes and started to scream as she dumped her aether into the spell, using every ounce of her reserves to power it. With muscles bulging in her arms and neck, Genedara roared with raw fury as the spell grew in size once more. It seemed to quickly reduce itself in size only to rapidly expand once more before shrinking back down. Whatever spell it was, it was becoming harder and harder to control, the spell threatening to explode right then and there.

          “Shit, run!” Lars shouted at his squad mates

          The remaining soldiers turned tail and took off running in the opposite direction. They didn’t get very far before Genedara launched the spell after them. It shot through the air and detonated after traveling one hundred feet. The explosion was so loud that it shook the ground and everything around it. Trees were blown out of the ground, the soldiers vaporized. The explosion rapidly expanded outward, consuming all in its path.

          Genedara dropped down to her knees and spread her arms wide as the explosion closed in on her. She closed her eyes and with the last bit of strength, she subconsciously cast another spell. Just before her own explosion consumed her, Genedara was whisked away, teleported away to some unknown destination, her instincts the only reason why she did not perish that day.

———

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/ggu__p1WhV4?si=NfW-DqyKmCNNn_v3 )

          When Genedara came to she opened her eyes and saw nothing. Confusion filled her mind as she reached up, feeling for a blindfold. She found nothing covering her face and the feeling of confusion only deepened. Confusion was replaced with panic and Genedara could feel her pulse quickening. Her hands trailed down her face and down to her stomach.

          A whimper escaped her as she felt how flat her stomach was. There wasn’t a baby there anymore and it felt as if a white hot line had been carved into her belly. She felt the bandages covering the wound and started to weep, knowing what this meant. Her baby was gone.

          Genedara groped around in the dark, her fingers brushing up against something smooth and cool to the touch. She pushed the object and sent a flower vase spilling to the ground. It exploded upon contact with the ground, sending water and shards of glass in every direction.

          Seeing no alternative, Genedara leaned over the edge of her bed and felt around. Her fingers found what she was looking for and picked up a shard of glass from up off the floor. She took this razor sharp object and sat up in bed. With a shaking hand she brought the shard to her wrist and without hesitation drove it deep into her flesh and drug the shard upward. She hissed in pain as the glass cut through her skin with ease, blood running down her arm.

          It was at that moment she heard someone enter the room.

          “Miss? Are you alright? I heard something break in… Here… Oh my gods,” a woman’s voice said, her final words laced with panic and concern. “Miss, no!”

            The woman ran over to Genedara and pried the glass away from her fingers, tossing it aside. The glass hit the ground and shattered into a million tiny shards, scattering in every direction. The woman pressed something soft to her forearm and scresmed for help.

          Genedara just sat there, numb to what she had just done to herself. She heard as two more people came running into the room, heard their panicked voices and started to feel a little woozy. As the blood poured out of her, Genedara could feel a peaceful    feeling creeping up on her. Before she had time to enjoy this feeling, she blacked out.

———

          The second time Genedara came to she had a vague feeling of déjà vu. When she went to raise her arms she found them bound to the bed where she lay. She tried to sit up but too found herself strapped down to the bed. Someone next to her stirred in a chair and cleared their throat.

          “I’m sorry for the binds but it was something we had to do. You woke up twice and tried to kill your self. Twice. So we were forced to strap you to the bed. Can you tell me your name?”

          “Genedara,” she said, her voice soft. “Where am I? I cannot see.”

            “You’re in Ul’dah, and I was worried about that. When you arrived we tried to check your eyes but found them entirely non responsive. I’m afraid that whatever you just went through took your eyesight.”

          “How did I end up in Ul’dah?”

          “We’re not sure. Someone found you passed out at the Aetheryte crystal here in town. Do you remember anything about how you ended up here or what happened to you?”

          “Where is my baby?” Genedara asked as she tried to touch her stomach but found herself unable to do so.

          “I’m afraid we weren’t able to save the baby. Your body had taken quite the beating and unfortunately the baby did not survive. I’m so deeply sorry, Genedara.”

          The breath hitched in the back of Genedara’s throat as she sat there. She could feel tears streaming down her cheeks as she silently wept for her family. Part of her had held out hope that her son was alright but something in the back of her mind told her something was very wrong. It felt strange not having him rolling around in her belly, kicking her in his sleep. It felt as if all the joy had been sucked out of her life, and instead a giant gaping void remained. She found herself unable to feel anything but intense grief, an all consuming feeling. It ate her alive and showed no mercy.

          After a few more questions that went unanswered, the woman left Genedara alone so she could weep in private. And so she wept, a soul crushing feeling that was inescapable. One moment she had everything, the next it was all ripped away from her.

          After the first day, Genedara was finally released from her bindings. She no longer felt like killing herself. In fact, she felt nothing. There was just a gaping hole where her emotions had once been, unable to feel anything but the loss of her family. This thought consumed her whole, leaving nothing in its wake. She no longer felt the drive to learn new things, nor did she care about her studies.

          A week went by and Genedara was finally discharged from the healer’s care. She was introduced to a group of people who promised to set her up with an apartment in town so she wouldn’t end up homeless on top of losing her entire family.

        The following weeks were some of the hardest of Genedara’s life. She had never felt so alone in her life, and spent most of her days locked away in her apartment, shutting out everyone. The only reason she didn’t stave to death was because of the same woman who had saved her life not once but twice. When she visited the would converse quietly, the healer doing most of the talking.

          Such was Genedara’s life from this point forward. A life devoid of joy and laughter. A life without her children and husband. A lonely, miserable existence. Genedara hated her life and what it had become. She just wanted to be happy again.

          It would be several years before she attempted to reclaim her life. It was not until recently that she decided to step out of her comfort zone and interact with strangers once more. She felt as if enough time had passed that the worst of the grieving was over. In time she would learn to love again, but her heart needed time to heal.

          In time the wounds would heal and she would start to slowly come to terms with their passing. It brought her no joy to do this, but it was better than wallowing in self pity for the rest of her days. And so she went about the rest of her days, doing her best to survive in a cold and cruel world. Alone.

[genedara]

Rage

(The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included are death. Read at your own discretion.)

(Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/1CQWt_Z9efo?si=z2Mt2aTD8fvJFQ-f )

A flash. A proclamation of love. The sound of children’s laughter. It all started the same as it always has. First joy then tragedy. The one good thing Genedara had going for her was ripped from her hands and taken from her.

It all made her so very angry.

Genedara stumbled out of the ruins of her house, covered in soot and blood. A gash on her head bled profusely, the hot crimson liquid running down the side of her face. Her vision swam as she struggled to breathe the clean air outside the house. The image of her daughter laid out before her fresh in her memory.

A group of people emerged from the woods that surrounded her house on all sides, wearing black uniforms and carrying weapons of war. They were shouting at her, their words foreign to her ears. Someone was waving their arms at her, carrying a large bag full of supplies. They ran over to her but came to a halt a few feet from her, speaking softly.

“You killed my family,” Genedara snarled at the unformed man.

The man said something in his language, his voice soft and sincere. He wasn’t here to cause any more harm, that much was clear.

But Genedara was so angry. Too angry. Rational thought left her mind as the vision of her daughter rose to the surface. Her small body crushed under the weight of the support beam that had fallen from the ceiling. She hadn’t even turned five, her nameday just around the corner. It was so close that Gene and her husband had already made her gifts, hiding them in their bedroom closet.

The uniformed man said something, repeating what he had told her before. He could see the look on her face and the anger that burned in her eyes. A hand reached out and touched her shoulder, a gesture she violently jerked her body away from.

“Don’t fucking touch me, murderer,” Gene spat.

The Viera closed her eyes and started to focus on a spell. She picked the strongest spell she knew that wouldn’t require any prep work outside of gathering up the aether needed to cast it. If that meant stealing from the world around her, then so be it.

Genedara dropped down to a low squat, like she were riding a horse, legs spread wide, her butt low. Her hands dropped down and fingers splayed out and she started to raise them as if she were carrying something of great weight. She struggled to raise her hands higher into the air, drawing the aether out of the grass around her. Gene went a step further and started drawing the aether from everything around her, starting with the man before her.

The man dropped down to his knees and started to scream in agony as the very life force was violently ripped from his body. His cries were cut short and his now lifeless body hit the ground, his aether drifting towards a growing orb that hovered in the air before Genedara. She continued to pull aether from all around her, killing the birds in the trees, their bodies raining down from the skies. The forest went silent then, the only noise that could be heard was Gene’s voice as she spoke the words needed to cast the spell.

Pulsing with energy, the orb that floated before her continued to grow in size, rapidly expanding outward. It gave off a blinding bright light, like looking at the surface of the sun. The magic radiated dread, like the very world around her knew how bad this spell was and was urging her to stop. The grass and trees around her went grey as their aether was ripped from them, used to further power the spell.

In just a few moments the orb had gone from the size of a pinhead to that of a basketball. It seemed to pulse energy, struggling to maintain its form. Ripples of aether ran along the surface of the magical orb, swirling around in a deadly dance.

Genedara’s face was a mask of fury, the rage burned into her delicate features. She spoke through gritted teeth, lips moving rapidly as she spoke the magical words, casting a forbidden spell. The runes on her back were giving off a brilliant blue glow as the entire spell circle was being used. Power radiated from the Viera as she stood there, shouting the words now.

By now the uniformed men knew something was very wrong. The Garleans may not know magic well, but they knew a spell when they saw one. Their leader barked an order to retreat and the group fled into the trees, running for their lives.

Behind them the spell had been completed and Genedara set it loose. She flung her hands forward and threw the spell at retreating men and women. The orb zipped through the air at incredible speeds, moving like a bullet slicing through the air. Before it reached its intended targets the orb started to rapidly expand before detonating.

The explosion ripped through the woods, vaporizing everything in its path. It did not discriminate against what it killed, plant life and animal life was treated all the same, turned into dust by the spell. As the explosion continued to grow in size Gene dropped down to her knees, exhausted. She spread her arms wide as the explosion expanded towards her.

But before she could find peace, she blacked out. Everything from this point was a mystery to her. She had no explanation as to how she survived or how she ended up where she did. The only thing that was certain was that Genedara was alone in life again.

———

When Genedara awoke she could still feel the anger from the dream. She could feet its white hot embrace as it hugged her tightly, an all consuming feeling. It would be a while before this anger subsided, or so Genedara thought.

A large fat cat meowed and crawled up the side of the bed and trotted over to the Viera. The cat let out another meow before bumping its head against Genedara’s, nuzzling her. Gene let out an amused huff and reached out to stroke the cat’s back.

“Good morning, Yuuki,” she told the cat. “You have impeccable timing.”

Meow!

“Yes, yes, I will get out of bed and feed you.”

Genedara threw aside the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed and slid down to the floor. She walked from her small bedroom and into her equally small kitchen. The icebox was opened and a bowl of tuna was taken out and set down onto the floor before Yuuki. She let out a trill of a meow before going to town on her breakfast.

“You are telling me I need to get a cat of my own,” she told the cat, the rage subsiding for now. “I had no idea cats could be so comforting.”

Yuuki looked up at Gene and let loose another little meow before she went back to eating.

“Okay, I will get a cat. If you insist. Would you like to come with me to the market to see if we can’t find a cat?”

Another meow.

“Perfect. Then it is settled. Today we will go find a cat for myself. Maybe two so it does not get lonely while I am not home.”

The rest of the morning went by without any issue, the dream fading from memory. The rage was forgotten for now, the fury no longer present in the back of her mind. It was amazing how comforting an animal could be.

After getting dressed and ready for the day, Genedara took Yuuki into her arms and carried her through her apartment building. She would set the cat down on the ground once they were outside and she started walking towards the city, Yuuki following happily behind her.

Time to find a cat. Or two.

———

When Genedara arrived in the market, it was rife with activity. People moved around, going about their days, mostly ignoring the blind woman and her fat cat companion. She carefully wove through the busy streets, using her white cane to guide her.

The sounds of dogs barking drew her attention and Genedara started to walk towards the source of the noise. After a few minutes of walking she found the stall she had been looking for, her nose itching. She turned to the side and let loose a sneeze before rubbing her nose with the back of her hand.

“Pardon me,” she said after composing herself. “But I am looking for a cat. Do you have any for sale?” she asked in her trademark flat and monotone voice.

“I do! What kind of cat you looking for. I’ve got old cats, young cats and cats in between. I’ve got orange cats, black cats and every color in between! What can I get for you today, miss?”

“Oh, the color does not matter to me. I am looking for a kitten, so that I may train it as it grows.”

“Perfect! Well, I’ve got the perfect little friend for you.”

The merchant went silent as he turned around and started digging through several cages. Gene could hear the animals meowing and barking, and the occasional duck quack and honk of a goose. After a moment of rooting around, the merchant turned back around and present Gene with a small kitten. He held it out for her to take, which she did so willingly.

“This little guy should be exactly what you’re looking for! That breed is a smart one, so it should be easier to train. Give me a moment to tally up a cost and I’ll get you on your merry way with your new friend,” the merchant told Genedara.

“Thank you,” she replied with a bow of her head.

The merchant spun back around and grabbed a ledger. He cracked it open to a page full of numbers and jotted something down real quick. The merchant then requested payment from Gene, which she forked over happily. The kitten calmly laid out in Gene’s arms, small paws playing with a lock of her hair. When the transaction was completed, Genedara walked away from the stall and into the hustle and bustle of Ul’dah.

Time to go home and spend time with her new friend.

[genedara]

Dear Gustave

(Recommended listening; https://youtu.be/t-0mhtjEATE?si=LwsxQiOSH-TQIqby )

Genedara took a seat at her dining room table, a mess of books to her right. Sitting before her was a single blank piece of parchment and a pen. She sat there in silence, staring at the objects before she reached out and picked up the pen after a moment of contemplation. The tip of the pen was placed to the paper and Gene tried to start writing but could not. She bit down on her lower lip and leaned forward, looking down at be paper.

“You can do this,” this told herself. “It’s just a letter.”

No matter how many times she did this, it was always difficult for her. Genedara made it a promise to write to her late husband a few times out of the year to help with the grieving process. It may have been years since his passing, but to the Viera it felt as if the events that took her family from her happened just days ago. The wound was still fresh in her mind, the loss of her entire family weighing heavily on her soul.

After several minutes of just staring at the paper, Genedara finally started writing. She started in the margin, writing her husband’s name. Her handwriting was neat and tightly spaced together, nice and easy to read. As she wrote tears would flow down her cheeks and onto the paper, smudging some of the words.

Dear Gustave,

Hello my love. It has been some time since my last letter and for that I apologize. I have been trying to stay busy, but to no avail. Work has been slow thanks to the war being over. Things have been quiet in Eorzea for the first time in years. A relative peace has settled over the land. You would have enjoyed the quiet.

The business, despite being slow, is going well. I have a somewhat steady flow of clients. Most of their requests are for sex toys, but I do not mind so long as the work pays. I care little what people do in their own free time.

I met a woman by the name of Cercei yesterday. Her… Associates kidnapped me on accident, thinking I was a magical artifact due to my runic tattoos and the latent aether that surrounds me. She offered me a job. I accepted, of course. I will be helping around her tea house and going to explore ancient ruins in search of artifacts. I am looking forward to this, as it will nice to go out and see the world again. I am also looking forward to getting to know her more, as she is a very curious individual.

The apartment in Ul’dah is finally finished. I had a loft installed a few weeks ago where I can sit and read in quiet. It is a nice little space. The couch would have been perfect for snuggling up after a long day. Despite you having never lived there, the apartment feels empty and devoid of life without you and the kids.

I have said it before, but life is not the same with you gone.

My days are long and empty, devoid of Margot’s laughter. I miss the days where I could feel Quincy in my belly, rolling around as he grew. I miss the noise and the hustle and bustle of our old lives. Things simply are not the same.

I have tried to make new friends in an attempt to fill the void of your absence. I met a really nice Raen girl last week. Her and her friend Bridget recruited me to join their merry band of adventurers. Bridget took me bounty hunting yesterday. Said she wanted to test my combat capabilities.

I am unsure of where we went, but the area was hot and humid. You would have hated it. The air was hot and sticky, like we were walking through a bowl of soup. When we got to our destination, Bridget had me create a distraction so she could slip inside and get to work. Needless to say, I created a sufficient enough distraction. We made short work of the beastmen we had been hired to take care of. It was nice feeling useful again. It has been a long time since anyone has relied on my skills in combat.

I think the last time I did this is when you and I were going to explore those ruins. We got lost on the way there, since your sense of direction is awful. When we finally arrived at the ruins, there was another party there waiting. So, we joined forces and went into the ruins and fought off the voidsent that had moved in. When the place was clear, we went inside and started picking through the rubble. You found an old tome about voidsent, which I still have to this day.

It was nice.

How are the kids? I hope they’re behaving for you. Is little Margot still a picky eater or did she finally grow out of that? I hope she did. It was always so frustrating when she refused to eat what we made for her. But I still loved her. She was a good girl. I miss her.

I know this will be painful to read, but I met someone. It has been… Difficult without you around. You were always there to help me when I needed it, and even on the days when I didn’t. But he has been there for me in my darkest hour. He has been a steady source of comfort since we met.

His name is Goro. He’s a Hingan steel merchant from the Far East. He is a very kind man with a big heart. He too knows the pain of losing someone he loved, a fact that we bonded over. It had been nice being in the presence of someone I care for again. It is nice actually feeling something other than this void in my heart. I know that this would make you happy that I’m finally moving on.

But this is hard. I cannot simply forget about you and the good times we shared. I cannot forget about our children. I cannot simply move on from this. Everything I ever had was taken from me. But Goro makes this pain tolerable. He may not know it, but his presence has helped me in more ways than one. You would have liked him. I bet you would have gotten along really well with him, just as you did everyone else.

I know you would be telling me that it is okay that I have feelings for someone else, but it is hard. I still love you so much, and that will never change. But Goro is right, I cannot hold onto this pain forever. As painful as it is, I must move on if I am to live a good life. I cannot carry this pain any more. I’m so tired of it. I’m tired of the emptiness inside. I’m so tired of it all. I just want to be happy again.

I lost you and the kids. How does one go from that to joy?

I am sorry. I am crying now.

I just miss you so much. I wish you were here now. I wish I could hold you in my arms one last time.

I just… I don’t know how much longer I can do this. Goro has been of great help, but there is still a very large part of me that wants to die. I never told you this, but after I awoke from that fateful day, I tried to end my life a handful of times. Each time I was stopped or saved at the last moment by someone looking out for me. I may have not seen it then, but their kindness saved my life. Were it not for them, surely I would be dead by now.

I’m sorry. I know that was difficult to read, but it is the truth. It is as if I am waging a war within myself, fighting for control. The dark side is slowly winning, but I cannot let it. I must keep fighting. I must keep going. If not for me, but for you and the kids. I cannot give up.

You may be gone, but you still give me strength every day. Just knowing you are watching over me brings me a good deal of comfort. I am sorry my life is not more exciting, but you knew that already. You fell in love with a bookworm after all.

I still remember the first time we met. You kept slipping up your words and stammering, all nervous. It was adorable. The second time we met you brought me flowers, a dozen roses. I think that is the moment I fell for you. It was your perseverance that drew me to you. You never gave up, not for a moment. You didn’t rest until we were together, something I am most grateful for.

You gave me the best years of my long life. You gave me two beautiful children and a love I never thought I’d get. You showed me that there is more to life than just reading books and studying. You proved to me that life is worth living, even during the hard times. You showed me so much, opened my eyes to a plethora of new things and experiences.

And for that I want to say that I love you.

It is time for me to go. I am sorry this letter was not as long as my last one, but I have run out of words. I hope you’ll understand.

I love you, Gustave. I will write again soon.

Much love,

Genedara

A sigh escaped the Viera as she finished writing her letter. She looked down at the enchanted ink, the words giving off a faint glow. A moment of silence passed as she sat there, silently sobbing. It always hurt so much to write those words to someone she knew would never get a chance to read them. But it was cathartic in a way. It helped with the pain of their loss, connecting them despite having been torn apart.

Genedara reached out and folded up the paper three times and slipped it into an envelope. She slipped the fold into the envelope and gently laid the letter down on the table. Her hands rested on the piece of paper, unable to look away from it. Eventually she got up from her seat and walked over to her bookshelf.

A small box the shape of a book was removed from the shelf and the lid opened. Inside was a stack of letters, all addressed to Gustave. She gently laid the new letter to rest with the rest, knowing that they will go unread. The box was gently closed and returned to its place on the shelf and finally Genedara deactivated her aethersight. She sighed as her world was cast back into darkness once more.

“I miss them,” Gene told herself as the deafening silence settled in, creeping into her and leaving her hollow on the inside. Gone were the days of laughter and joy, this new bleak reality consuming her. The only light in her life was one man, a man she missed fiercely right now. She longed for his presence, his comforting arms wrapped around her, the scent of his body filling her nostrils.

She stood there, alone in her apartment, and wept.

[genedara]

That was the trouble with explaining with words. If you explained with gunpowder, people listened.

(The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included are graphic and intense violence. Read at your own discretion.)

“Yo, Gene,” a voice said from behind the Viera. She slowly turned around to face the speaker, raising a single eyebrow.

“Yes, what can I help you with?” she asked, her voice flat and monotone.

“Hey, it’s Bridget. Remember me? I’m Yuki’s friend. You ran into us when we were training last week,” the Miqo’te said, smiling up at the taller woman.

“Ah, yes, I remember you. You walked me back to the city with Yuki,” Gene said after a moment of thinking. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“Well, there was something I wanted to do with you. Since you’re joining our merry band of misfits i wanted to make sure you actually knew how to fight. So, I picked up a bounty and you and I are gonna go take care of that together. Sound like a plan?”

Genedara seemed to consider this new information, uncrossing her arms to reach up and stroke her chin. She mulled the question over in her mind, considering the Miqo’te’s explanation. After a minute she nodded her head once.

“Fine then, let us go fight this bounty of yours. I am not doing anything else and if you wish to see me fight, then who am I to argue with you?”

“Perfect!” Bridget exclaimed with a toothy grin Genedara could not see.

“I trust that you will be paying me for my time? Bounty hunting is no simple task.”

“Of course! I wasn’t about to make you do all this work and not pay you. That’d be a shitty thing to do to our new ally.”

Genedara nodded her head and reached down to where a pouch hung from her right hip. She unzipped the bag and slipped her hand inside and eventually withdrew a folded up white cane. The Viera flicked her wrist and extended the cane to its full length, a little over four feet. She placed one end on the ground and turned to face the Miqo’te properly.

“I am ready,” she stated.

“Right then, let’s go fuck up some bad guys.”

———

After a surprisingly short trip on a private airship, the two made it to their destination safe and sound. They left the airship via the boarding ramp and made their way out into Yak’Tel. The humidity hit them in the face like a baseball bat and Gene wrinkled her nose. She let out an annoyed huff and smoothed out the folds that had formed on her dress. Bridget on the other hand looked to be at home in the humid area, mostly unphased by the transition. She smiled over at the Viera, making note of her discomfort, but otherwise said nothing on the subject.

“Okay, so, the bad guys are in this direction in a place called Nightstalker’s Shadow. I was told that this was a fortified encampment, so be prepared for any violent replies to our presence. When we get there I want you to create a distraction while I slip in from behind and start taking out the bad guys before they realize what’s up.”

“A solid plan,” Genedara said, following behind Bridget as she walked. “What kind of distraction would you prefer?”

“How about a big one?”

“How big are you talking?” Gene asked with a single eyebrow raised.

“Make it as big as you can manage without tiring yourself out. I want to see what you can do.”

“Then it would be wise for you to stand behind me while I create your distraction. I do not want you getting hurt in the crossfire.”

Bridget nodded at the Viera’s words, not wanting to get blown to smithereens on some random mission in the middle of nowhere. In fact, where were they? Bridget had never been to Yak’Tel before. It looked a lot like Thanalan but with palm trees and more grass. It was hot as hell out and humid to the point where it felt like they were walking through soup. Beads of sweat had already begun to form on the Miqo’te’s forehead, making her bangs cling to her face. She let out an annoyed groan and shifted her bangs out of her eyes.

“Ugh it’s so hot,” Bridget complained, fanning herself.

“Indeed. Where did your airship take us?”

“First off, not my airship. That belongs to Yuki and her brother. He likes to fly us around whenever we need a ride. Nice guy. Surprised he didn’t say hi to you on the ship. And second we’re in Yak’Tel,” Bridget told Genedara.

“Impressive. I was unaware that our mutual friend was so… Rich. It is not often you hear of someone owning a private airship, never mind one as fast as that. It felt as if we were hurtling through the air.”

“Who, Yuki? Yeah, she’s loaded. But don’t let that fool you. She’s the nicest person you’ll ever meet. I never would have guessed she was a spoiled kid growing up with how she treats others around her. She’s a good kid. I like her.”

“She is a child?” Genedara asked with another raised eyebrow.

“No, no, no. That’s an expression for when dealing with someone younger than you. Kind of. I was just trying to say that she’s young.”

“You are all young compared to me.”

“Yeah, and how old are you?” Bridget asked with a warm smile.

“I am ten hundred thirty five years old, give or take a year or two. It has been difficult keeping track all these years.”

Bridget let out a low whistle and shook her head. “Damn, I knew Viera lived for a long time but I’ve never met one over two hundred before. What’s that like? You must have seen some real shit in your day.”

“I have indeed seen many things. But I can only recall some events. Most of my time was spent in Sharlayan studying. It has been a lonely existence.”

“Ahhh, so you’re a bookworm. Got it. And I can imagine it’d be lonely, especially if you don’t know any other Viera. You’ve got us now though. We’ll be your friends,” Bridget said, nodding her head.

“Your kindness is appreciated, Bridget. Thank you. It has been some time since I’ve had friends. It will be nice having some again.”

As the two women spoke they walked north, away from the airship. Eventually after some time they would see a structure out in the distance. It looked like a tall wall that wrapped around a small settlement. Bridget grabbed Gene’s shoulder and stopped her advance, gently pulling her off to the side and behind a large boulder. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a folded up spyglass. After first unfolding the looking glass, she pressed one end to her eye and peered through it.

“That’s them alright. Tell me, got any spells that will turn me invisible for a short period of time?”

“I may know of a spell that would do the trick, but it will only last for less than a minute. You would have to move fast to take full advantage of it.”

“Okay. So. Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll walk up together with men hiding in your shadow since you’re taller than me. They’ll no doubt start asking questions and that’s when you blast them! Shoot your magic at them and create that large distraction so I can sneak in and start taking down our target’s buddies. You take care of the guys outside and on the fence and I’ll deal with the dudes inside.”

Genedara nodded her head in silence, mentally preparing herself for what was to come. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a large blue crystal that gave off a dull glow. She held the object with both hands and closed her eyes. The glow seemed to subside and lessen as the Viera drained it of its stored aether. Once done she returned it back to her pouch and zipped it back up.

“I am ready,” she said.

Bridget got up from behind the boulder and helped Gene back up to her feet. She smiled at the Viera before dipping into her shadow, hiding behind the larger woman. She then instructed Genedara on where to walk and followed after her, hiding behind her.

Roughly five minutes of walking later and the two found themselves before the structure. It was a tall wall that encircled a small encampment, looking as if it had been thrown together at the last minute. One of the guards standing before a large gate snarled and readied his spear. Without warning it threw it at the Viera, hoping to hit her head.

But Genedara moved at the last second and the spear went whizzing past her head. She let out an annoyed huff and Bridget swore as she narrowly dodged out of the spear’s path. Both women stood there, the Miqo’te doing her best to hide in Gene’s shadow.

“Distraction time,” Bridget muttered to Gene.

Genedara nodded her head and got to work. She raised both hands and as she did so started to drift up off the ground. Bridget watched as the tattoo’s on the Viera’s back started to give off a brilliant blue glow. Her eyes went wide when she saw this, having never seen anything like this before. She listened to Gene as she spoke the words needed to cast her spells, the words foreign to the Miqo’te. A light tingling sensation washed over her and she looked down at her hands, watching as they started to phase out of view.

The guard let out a bellow roar and drew a short sword before charging at the Viera. He didn’t get very far as a large ball of fire was shot from Genedara’s outstretched hand and slammed into his chest. The force of the impact sent him flying backward and into the gate. It was at that moment he exploded, showering the area with pieces of the guard, blood raining down from the heavens. The gate was blown open and off its hinges, the doors flying into the encampment.

Bridget saw this as her chance to get in and quickly got out from behind Gene and started to sprint towards the settlement. As she moved her body went invisible, allowing her to fly through the smoking hole in the wall. She drew her rapier and parrying dagger as she moved, swinging the sword in an arc as she drew close to one of the Mamool Ja. His neck was cut open and blood sprayed from the wound and the beastman spun around, showed the area with crimson.

By now everyone in the encampment had come out of their tents and small huts. They watched as something invisible took out one of their friends, his hot blood squirting from his neck as he collapsed to the ground. Genedara started to advance on the camp, slowly drifting towards it, her feet just barely touching the ground. The Viera raised her left hand and the ground in front of her started to freeze over.

Another one of their Mamool Ja charged at Genedara, aiming to impale her with his spear. But before he could get any closer the frozen ground spat out a handful of razor sharp spikes at the beastman. His body was peppered with the small shards of ice, one of which lodged into his neck. He stumbled forward and collapsed face first onto the ground.

Meanwhile Bridget, still invisible, was wracking havoc among her foes. Her sword was twirled through the air, slicing and dicing the Mamool Ja around her. She cut ribbons into their flesh, their cries filling the air. They tired to fight back, but without being able to see their attacker it was nigh impossible to defend against. Their weapons soared through the air, missing their mark each time. The tip of Bridget’s rapier was driven into the eyes of one of the defending bandits, blinding him in an instant. He stumbled around in a blind rage, flailing his spear around in a desperate attempt to strike the hidden Miqo’te.

There was a clash of steel as Bridget parried the spear’s blade away from her. She in turn drove the tip of her sword into the creature’s neck, tearing it free after a moment. Blood sprayed from the wound and the beastman tumbled to the ground, a twitching mass of flesh as he quickly bled to death at Bridget’s feet.

The tingling feeling started to subside and Bridget was once more visible for the world to see. Before any of the Mamool Ja had time to react to this visible threat they were interrupted but a jet of fire spraying out of the palm of Genedara’s hand. Bridget swore and rolled out of the way, feeling the heat from the attack on her face. She shied away from the magic, watching as the remaining Mamool Ja burst into flames, running around in a desperate attempt to rid themselves of the magical fire.

“Holy shit,” Bridget muttered to herself as she watched Genedara finish off their foes.

The Miqo’te looked around the area, surveying the damage and looking their target. He wasn’t among the fresh corpses, making Bridget assume he had somehow gotten away from them. Before she could warn Gene, a large Mamool Ja stepped out of an equally large tent. He had shiny, iridescent scales that seemed to shift color in the sunlight.

“That’s him!” Bridget called out as she charged at the beastman.

He reached out with one large hand and caught the Miqo’te, putting an end to her advance. He snarled and threw her to the ground, forcing her to drop her weapons. She scrambled to find her rapier once more, right had blindly searching for it as her gaze was affixed on the monster before her. He brought his face close to Bridget’s and snarled, hot breath washing over the face. She wrinkled her nose at the smell, but otherwise was quiet.

With his back turned to the real threat, Genedara took advantage of the situation. She floated towards the large Mamool Ja and started working on casting a spell. She muttered the words under her breath, tattoos flaring to life suddenly. The mage drifted higher into the ground as the sky above them went dark as clouds moved to cover the sun.

“What are you doing?” Bridget asked as she watched as Gene drifted higher and higher into the air. “Oh gods, this is gonna hurt.”

Bridget curled up into a ball and tucked her head close to her body, covering it with her arms. Just as she went into the fetal position the sky opened up and rain started to pelt her prone form. She nearly jumped out of her skin on the first ear shattering thunderclap following a blinding flash of light. Another bolt of lightning hit the ground, turning the sand into glass.

A bolt of lightning struck the large Mamool Ja and he screamed in pain as a spider web of pain spread across his body. He went to charge at the Viera, only to be struck a second and third time. By the fourth lightning strike he had fallen to the ground, his sizzling corpse cooked by the repeated strikes. Bridget finally uncurled herself and looked first at the now dead Mamool Ja and then up at Gene.

“Holy SHIT!” she exclaimed. “THAT WAS AWESOME!”

Genedara gently drifted back down to the ground as the skies started to clear. The dark clouds that hung over them dissipated and the sun shone once more. Bridget rolled over onto her back and jumped back up to her feet, moving to gather up her weapons.

“I trust that is enough to prove to you that I can fight?” Genedara asked, looking at the Miqo’te.

“Dude, that was more than enough. You totally kicked their asses! They didn’t even get a chance to fight back! You just charged in and roasted them.”

Bridget made a wooshing noise with her mouth and pretended to spray fire all over the place. She grinned up at Genedara, who was looking down at her with a single eyebrow raised. Bridget cleared her throat and dusted herself off with a smirk. She walked over to the smoking corpse of their leader and bent over to pluck one of his shiny scales free from his flesh. The scale was pocketed somewhere on her person and she turned to face Gene once more.

“You ready? Matt should still be waiting for us to get back.”

“I am indeed ready. This had proved to be quite the entertaining trip. I thank you for taking me along.”

“Sure thing, think nothing of it. I’m glad you’re on our side and not the other way around. You’d kick my ass any day.”

“Do not be so sure,” Genedara stated as they started to walk back towards the airship.

“I dunno, man, that was some pretty impressive spell slinging. Not only did you turn me invisible but you created ice and fire from nothing! And then the lighting storm? How would I fight against that?”

“Always go after the spell caster. Never ignore a mage on the battlefield. Silence them the best you can and take them out first. Otherwise you might not get a chance to.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Bridget said, looking up at Gene. “Thanks for coming along. I can’t wait to tell Yuki about this.”

“You are most welcome.”

The rest of the trip was an uneventful one. The two eventually made it back to the airship where Matthias was waiting for them. On their way in, Gene stopped and stared at the man with a single raised eyebrow.

“Fascinating,” she muttered to herself before continuing on her journey inside.

Matthias shrugged his shoulders and raised the boarding ramp once both women were on board. He walked back over to the cockpit, sat down and started flight prep. Meanwhile the two women were seated on a sofa in the seating area, talking quietly among themselves. The ship shuddered as it lifted up off the ground and into the air. Eventually it would take them back to Ul’dah, where Yuki waited patiently for her friends.

[genedara]

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.

(The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included are graphic violence. Read at your own discretion.)

It started as it always did. A proclamation of love. The feeling of her daughter hugging her. The sound of her husband’s voice. Then it is all ripped away from her in excruciating detail, forced to relive the worst moment in life. It was like this every night and it had been like this since the passing of her family. It was relentless and unforgiving.

When the dream ended, Generara expected to wake up in her bed. But when she came too she found herself standing in frigid ankle deep waters, standing upon a slick surface. While she could not see it, a dense fog hung in the air, severely reducing visibility. The sound of people whispering could be heard off in the distance, their words foreign to the Viera.

“Hello?” Genedara called out in the gloom. “Is someone there?”

White eyes started to shimmer as she activated her aethersight, which allowed her to see the aether around her. But she saw nothing. Just a black void as she normally did.

“Curious,” the Viera muttered as she looked around, slowly scanning the area around her to no avail. “My aethersight isn’t working.”

Something changed about her surroundings and she couldn’t place her finger on what. A strange sensation washed over her and she paused her scanning. White eyes were narrowed as she tried to focus on the feeling, an alien sense of dread building up inside of her. A nagging feeling in the back of her mind was screaming at her, telling her to flee what was coming. But the Viera ignored the voice and stood there, not wanting to move from her spot.

“You stand before me without fear in your heart,” a calm male voice said from all around her. “You face the unknown with your head held high. How amusing, given all you’ve been through, Genedara.”

“Who are you? What do you want of me? Return me to my home or else I will be forced to defend myself.”

“Threats against me do not work here, not in my domain. Your words are meaningless and your magic ineffective against me. Go on, try to pull upon your aether reserves.”

Genedara did just that and tried to borrow from her own aether, but found herself unable to take hold of it. A frown crossed her lips as she tried a second time with similar results. She then tried to steal the aether from around her and once more found herself grasping at straws. The frown deepened and the Viera regarded the being hidden in the fog.

“It would appear as if I am unable to manipulate aether here. How curious. Where are we?”

“We are everywhere and nowhere. You are in my domain now, and you will be unable to leave until I am through with you.” the voice said, speaking from every angle around Genedara.

“If you do not answer my questions I will be forced to come to my own conclusions about this place. We are not really here, are we? I was asleep just now and I have yet to wake up. It would appear as if you are manipulating my dreams for some reason. Fascinating.”

“You are an annoying one,” the voice said.

“I apologize if my questions have offended you, but I am just trying to understand what is happening.”

“So be it.”

Suddenly Genedara could see again. She blinked several times as her sight was restored, allowing her to see the area around her. A gasp escaped her as the Viera looked around the foggy landscape. How was it that she was able to see? What was going on? Where was she? She had so many questions.

“You have restored my sight. What is it you wish for me to see?”

“Hello my sunshine,” another voice said from behind her.

Genedara knew that voice immediately. She spun around to face the newcomer, eyes wide with wonder. Standing before her was her husband, Gustave. He smiled at his wife, offering her a little wave of his hand.

“No, you are not real. Gustave is dead.”

“But I am real, honey. Come here,” the man who looked like her husband said, taking a few steps closer.

Gustave reached out and touched Genedara. She shied away from his touch, jerking her body backward. Whatever was happening was only managing to anger her. The fury started to swell in her chest, filling her up with white hot energy. She took in a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but found herself unable to. Something about this place was amplifying her emotions, making them stronger than they normally were.

The longer the image of her husband stood before her, the more it managed to anger her. She could feel her void of depression creeping up on her, consuming all in its path. It took the anger and turned it into blind rage, throwing the Viera into a fury. She bit down on her lower lip and focused as hard as she could, closing her eyes.

“This is not real. I am in control,” Genedara told herself. “I mustn’t let the anger consume me.”

Gustave stood before her and started to melt like a wax statue. His flesh oozed off his bones, running into the cold water at their feet. After a moment raw muscles were visible for all to see, unblinking eyes staring down Genedara. But she was unable to see this as her eyes were still closed.

“I am in control,” she repeated. “This is just a dream.”

The anger started to subside and the Viera let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. She found herself calming down, a slight tingling filling her body. It was at that moment she tried to draw upon her aether reserves. And, to her surprise it worked.

A fireball formed in the palm of her right hand and she threw it blindly at the flesh that had once been her husband. The magical orb slammed into his chest and the man was consumed by flames. He screamed as the flames licked his raw muscles, flailing his arms around as he stood there. His voice rose in pitch as the flames spread across his whole body, consuming him whole. He stumbled around before falling backward and into the water.

His body sizzled out as it hit the frigid water below. It sunk below the surface and drifted down lazily. It was at that moment the floor vanished from under Genedara’s feet, forcing her into the water as well.

Now Genedara was scared. Nothing scared her more than swimming in open waters. She was unable to see anything, her legs kicking frantically as she struggled to stay afloat. Despite knowing that this was not real, she was unable to stop the scream that exploded from her.

It was here that Genedara spent what felt like several hours, trapped in the watery hell. She continued to tread water, growing more tired with each kick of her legs. Eventually she grew too tired to stay afloat the hard way, so she tried to float on her back.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she lay there, floating on the surface of the water. Occasionally a wave would wash over her, forcing salty water into her lungs. She coughed and coughed, hacking up a lung as her body dispelled the water from itself. She started to cry, then, unable to contain her emotions any longer. How much longer was she going to be stuck here?

It started to rain, fat drops of water falling from the heavens. Genedara’s sobs only grew louder at this new development. She floated there, her cries occasionally drowned out by the sound of rushing water. It felt as if she were trapped here, unable to do anything but float on the water’s surface.

“You will know fear when I am through with you,” the voice said from all around her. “You will learn to fear me in time. I look forward to seeing you again, Genedara.”

Then she woke up.

———

Genedara awoke with a scream as she shot up in her bed. She was drenched in a cold sweat, her nightgown clinging to her body. The Viera brought a hand up to her chest and placed it over her heart, feeling it as it pounded in her chest. The dream hadn’t been bad at first, but the sudden appearance of her dead husband and then the water left her trembling in her bed.

It wasn’t just seeing her husband again, it was the feeling of being trapped in a vast abyss filled with water that scared her the most. It felt as if she had been trapped there for hours, floating on the water like a raft. She hugged herself tightly, trying to comfort herself.

“It wasn’t real. It was just a dream,” she told herself. “Just a dream.”

———

After some time, Genedara eventually dragged herself out of bed. She walked over to her dresser and selected out an outfit to wear for the day. After a small breakfast of eggs and sausage, the Viera left her apartment and strode out into the sunlight. She frowned as the heat hit her like a truck, making her regret her choice of attire that day. Should have worn a comfier dress.

A brief walk later and Genedara entered the other apartment building in her ward. She went strode into the lobby and then to the left of the room where a small cafe was situated. The door was opened and she stepped inside, a small Raen girl manning the counter.

“Good morning!” she said, her voice familiar to Genedara. “Oh! It’s you! Hello!”

“You’re Yuki,” the Viera said.

“That’s me! Fancy running into you here. What can I get for you?” the Raen asked with her bubbly voice.

“A coffee would be nice,” Genedara said as she approached the counter. She pocketed her white cane after first folding it up.

“One coffee coming up!”

While she could not see Yuki working, she could certainly hear her. She listened as the Raen walked over to a jug of still hot coffee. A mug was grabbed from a rack above her head and filled with the murky brown liquid. The jug was set back down on the table and Yuki walked back over to Genedara, setting the coffee down on the counter.

“It’s on the house, so don’t worry about payment. You look like you need some coffee! Not sleeping well?”

Genedara reached out and felt around for her cup of coffee and eventually found it. She wrapped her fingers around the handle and lifted it up off the counter and brought it to her mouth. After first blowing on it, Genedara look a small sip of her coffee and offered Yuki the tiniest of smiles.

“Thank you, Yuki. And you would be correct in your assumption. I have not been sleeping well as of late.”

“Aww, I’m sorry to hear that. Are you having bad dreams or something?” the Raen asked with a smile.

“Something like that, yes.”

“Well, if you need to talk about it, I’m all ears! Er. Horns. All horns. I don’t have ears.”

Genedara seemed to consider the woman’s statement. It wasn’t often she opened up to relative strangers, but something about Yuki made Genedara trust her. She knew, despite not knowing her all that well, that Yuki wouldn’t judge or mistreat her. It was like the Raen was of pure heart, something that was rare these days.

“While I do not normally speak of personal matters with others, you seen like the good sort. I will tell you of my dream,” Genedara said with a single nod of her head.

“Okay! Come, let’s sit down.”

Before Genedara could object, Yuki was already in motion. She walked around the counter and over to the Viera. She reached out and took the other woman’s hand a gently guided her over to a plush sofa. Genedara took a seat and sunk into the cushion, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. This was comfy.

“I went to sleep as normal,” Genedara started. “And I had my usual nightmare. But when it ended I found myself awake in a vast abyss, standing in ice cold water that went up to my ankles. A thick fog covered the land and I could hear people whispering off in the distance.

“A voice started to talk to me then. It was calm, almost soothing but it carried with it an edge, a sense of overwhelming dread. It spoke to me as if it knew me and it knew my name. Which is odd, given how I have never seen this phenomenon before.

“The area I was in dampened my ability to cast spells. At least initially. The voice taunted me before something strange happened. My… Late husband appeared behind me. He tried speaking to me, but I knew it wasn’t real. I saw his dead body myself. I knew he was gone and that this was some kind of trick.

“So I did my best to ignore him. It was at that point that his skin started to melt off his body and into the water. He stood before me, muscles exposed and his eyes staring at me unblinking. So I did the only thing I could think of and set fire to him, suddenly able to cast spells again.

“When his body hit the water the floor dropped out from beneath me. I was cast into the ocean then, my greatest fear. I tried swimming for hours but eventually I grew too tired to do that, so I floated on the surface of the water until it started to rain. The voice came back, told me I would could to fear it and then I woke up.”

While Genedara couldn’t see Yuki’s expression, she could hear the concern in her voice when she spoke. “So you’ve encountered it as well. This isn’t good.”

“What do you mean? It was just a dream,” Genedara asked with a single eyebrow raised.

“What you experienced wasn’t a dream. It was a being of great power reaching out and making contact with you. This being is terrifying and controls an army of undead minions and monsters. My friends and I have been dealing with this for months now.”

“Then it seems I have an ally in this,” the Viera said softly. “Do you have any more information on this being? I need to know more, and how it was able to dampen my casting so effectively.”

“Well, as far as I know, it doesn’t have a name. It’s worshiped by its followers and commands great power. It can force you to do things you normally wouldn’t. It can raise the dead, including your loved ones, and uses them against you. It will taunt you until you go mad with anger, which is exactly what it wants. It wants you scared and angry.”

“Fascinating.”

“Really? You find it fascinating?” Yuki asked with a small smile. “You’re very interesting, Genedara! No one has ever reacted to it like you have. Do you want to join me and my friends? We could use someone smart like you on our team.”

“If this is as big as a treat as you make it out to be, then yes. I will join you and your allies in your quest to defeat this being. Maybe throughout our time together I will be able learn more of this creature.”

Yuki’s smile only grew as she reached out with one hand. She cleared her throat and Genedara reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle shake. The Raen grinned over at her new friend, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Welcome to the team!”

[genedara]

I Hate Sleep

No trauma has discrete edges. Trauma bleeds. Out of wounds and across boundaries.

(The following contains subject material that will be triggering to some. Themes included are graphic violence, death and suicide/self harm. Read at your own discretion.)

The dream started as it always did. Husband and daughter were embracing Genedara, laughing and having a good time. By then their daughter had been five, right before she had gotten pregnant with her second child. Months before their passing.

The dream shifted, changing course and going back in time to when her and her husband were just beginning to talk to each other. Her husband was absolutely smitten with the Viera and had brought her flowers on their first date. This was over a decade ago now, the memory fresh in her mind. She could still smell the flowers if she thought back hard enough. No matter what happened, her husband was there for her, through thick and thin. He was there for her during her bad days and there during her good, glued to her side like a lost puppy. Never before in her long life had Genedara thought she’d find love in Sharlayan of all places.

All good things must come to an end eventually. Her family was ripped from her grasp in one fateful day. Torn from her fingers and casting her aide like trash. Life was brutal and unforgiving, a fact Genedara will never forget. The events of that day continue to haunt her, despite years passing between the moment and now.

The dream took another shift, this one violent. No more were there happy memories. The next sequence was caked in blood and dirt, smelling of smoke and fire. This exact moment lived rent free in my her head, playing on repeat. It taunted her during her waking hours and tormented her in her sleep. Try as she might, Genedara was unable to shake the memory.

It started with breakfast.

Gustave was hunched over the stove, humming softly to himself. He was making his famous breakfast sausages, a meal Genedara loved because he made the sausages himself. He’d wake up early every morning to prepare a meal for his family, gladly doing so without complaint.

“Smells good,” Genedara said as she took a seat at the kitchen table. Seated in her high chair was Gene’s daughter, Margot. Her blonde hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, a look she stole from her mother. Her large Viera ears twitched as the sausages sizzled on the stove, her nose twitching as she sniffed at the air.

“Mama, why does Papa make sausage every day? Can’t we have pancakes one day? Or maybe ishgsrd toast!” the little girl asked her mom, looking up from her doodles.

Genedara laughed as she reached over to ruffle the top of her daughter’s head. She leaned back into her chair, crossing her arms under her chest and smiling over at her husband. The sun carried on through the window, casting Gustave in a glimmering light, practically shining for Genedara. She was very much in love with her husband, the hearts in her eyes visible to all.

“Papa, Mama’s looking at you again!”

Gustave turned around and looked at the table, the back of his right hand pressed against his hip. His wavy brown hair was styled back in a bun, his bangs hanging over his bright blue eyes. His five o’clock shadow clung to his face, a look that drove Genedara wild. He grinned over at his wife and strode over to the table and wrapped his arms around Genedara. The little girl giggled as the parents embraced, Gustave careful of Genedara’s pregnant stomach.

Little Quincy kicked inside of her and Genedara smiled. She reached out to her husband’s hand and took it, placing it over her belly. He joined his wife in smiling as he felt his unborn son jostle about inside of her. A small foot pressed up against her stomach as the baby got comfy, rolling around in place while it still had the room to do so. Soon it would grow to be cramped inside of her stomach and then he’d be in their lives.

The morning couldn’t have gotten any better. They spoke of their plans for the day while they ate. Margot ate her fair share of food, having seconds and stealing plenty of bacon off her father’s plate. Whenever she would reach over to steal something, she would giggle profusely. Gustave did his best to protect his plate, but in reality he was more than happy to let his daughter steal his food. She was a growing girl after all.

One moment the family was enjoying a peaceful meal amongst themselves, the next an explosion rang out, defeating them all. The whole house shook before the roof caved in and collapsed, covering everything inside the house wood and roof tiles. A large wooden beam and fallen down onto Genedara, pinning her to the ground.

When the dust settled Genedara started to cough as she came to. Her eyes went wide when she saw the state her house was in, immediately going for where her daughter had been sitting. But she found herself unable to move as the wooden beam had fallen across her stomach and rolled down to pin her legs down. She could still feel her legs, which was a good sign, but her stomach was starting to bruise up, angry black splotches dotting her skin.

“GUSTAVE!” Genedara shouted into the dust cloud. “Gustave help me!”

There was no answer and Genedara sobbed as she struggled to free her legs. Finally, as the dust started to clear she was able to see her daughter. She was hunched over her place at the now crushed table, her head trapped under the same beam as Genedara.

“MARGOT!”

Genedara groaned and gripped the wooden beam. She let loose a mighty roar and shoved the beam off of her legs, freeing herself. Crawling over to where her daughter was and Genedara shoved aside the wooden beam that had been trapping her daughter.

Margot’s body was lifeless as Genedara pulled her little girl into her arms. She reached up and pressed two fingers against her jugular, but felt no pulse. Blood covered the poor girl’s face, a large gash opened up on her forehead. There was no denying the head trauma had been too much for girl’s body to handle. Genedara wept loudly as she held her now dead daughter to her body, her tears spilling down her cheeks and onto Margot’s still face.

“I heard something from inside,” a man said from outside. It sounded like there was a whole group of people outside the ruins of their house.

“Gustave where are you?!” Genedara shouted into the gloom.

There at the foot of the table was what was left of her husband. He had taken the brunt of the beam to himself and it had crushed him under its weight. He was stooped over backward, bent at an unnatural angle, his eyes gazing over at Margot, frozen forever. Genedara could feel her grip on reality slipping as rage filled her heart. She didn’t know who was responsible, but they were going to pay for what they did.

Genedara got up from her daughter’s corpse and with shaky legs walked out of the kitchen, leaving her family behind. She stumbled through the ruined abode, tripping over rubble and nearly falling over several times. Her front door had been blown off

Its hinges, the gaping hole in the wall revealing a gaggle of men standing outside the now ruined cabin.

“Holy shit, we have a survivor!” Someone shouted.

Stumbling out of the house, Genedara looked at the men and their uniforms. Garleans. What were they doing here? Genedara and Gustave had made sure their home was far removed from society, far from their war. But it seems they were dragged into their conflict, which Genedara approved of this or not. She turned to look at the man in charge, hate burning in her eyes.

“Ma’am I’m going to need you to stand still,” the man in charge said, holding out a hand to stop Genedara from moving forward more.

But she didn’t listen and continued her slow advance forward. As she walked something fell from the sky, landing next to her. It was a dead bird. Soon it stared to rain birds from the trees as Genedara advanced. She was muttering something under her breath, eyes alight with unbridled fury. She didn’t care about the who or the why her family was killed. She wanted her revenge and she was going to get it.

Genedara came to a stop mere feet from the man in charge. She bent her legs and dipped down low, her hands outstretched on either side of her. She moved as if she were under a great strain, slowly pulling her hands upward towards the sky. The ground started to shake and the skies turned dark.

A small orb of pure light took shape in front of Genedara, pulsing with power. Its size rapidly changed from large to small, the spell barely contained as Genedara dumped more aether into it. She had started to draw from the world around her, sucking aether out of the grass, the trees and the men that surrounded her. They were powerless to stop her from casting her spell, several of them pointing rifles at the grief stricken Viera.

“Stop what you’re doing!”

“Halt!”

The men’s words fell on deaf ears as Genedara completed casting of her spell. The orb that danced in the air before her started to quickly grow in size, vibrating in place. It gave off a blinding light, casting shadows in every direction. The men started to flee the scene, casting aside their weapons. The man in charge was shouting something but Genedara couldn’t hear him. She stared into the orb as it grew in size before it simply exploded outward.

The explosion ripped through the forest, creating an orb of fire a hundred feet across. Everything in its path was consumed by fire, burnt to a crisp. The men and women of the Garlean army screamed as their bodies were reduced to ash. Their screams carried out through the forest, echoing off in the distance. The ground shook as the spell went off, the animals of the wood fleeing for their lives.

After some time the fiery orb would start to decrease in size before vanishing from sight. Genedara was nowhere to be found, the bodies of the Garleans frozen in place. Several of them were caught running, their bodies turning into crumbling statues. There was no sign of the small cabin in the woods, and no sign Genedara’s family had ever been there to begin with.

“I love you, to the stars and back,” her husband’s voice echoed in her mind as the dream faded.

———

Genedara sat up in bed, wet tears sliding down her cheeks. She reached up and dabbed at them, drying her face. It had been a while since she had remembered that fateful day in such clear detail. She could still smell the rubble of her house, the smell of her family’s blood heavy in the air. She could still feel the weight of her daughter’s lifeless body in her arms.

The Viera got up from bed and walked into her small kitchen. She bumped up a giant the counter, blindly groping around for something. Her hand found what she was looking for and picked up the knife. She brought the blade to her left wrist, pressing the tip into the soft flesh of her forearm. The weight of her family’s death weighed heavy on her mind, with suicide being the only end to her torment.

The blade was slowly dragged up her arm, cutting a line into her soft flesh. She did not wince, did not react to the feeling of her skin parting forcibly. Before she could get too far up her arm, her hand stopped.

“Mama, don’t be sad,” she could hear her daughter’s words in her mind. “It’s okay Mama.”

Genedara let out a choking sob and dropped the knife to the ground. She dropped down to her knees and hid her face in her hands as she wept openly. Time ticked on as she sat there grieving the loss of her family, the minutes becoming hours. In time the Viera would rise from her seat on the floor, her wrist slick with fresh blood. She grabbed a towel and pressed it to the wound as she took a seat at her kitchen table.

There was no laughter. There was no joy in her household. What little pleasure she got out of life was derived from her work and nothing else. She had no friends, no lover and no family to turn to. The Viera was truly alone in this world.

Genedara sat there and wept, alone and desperate for some kind of connection. Anything to help dull the pain. She needed help but was too stubborn to ask for it. So, she suffered in silence, her pain invisible to the world. She wore her mask well, giving off a look of indifference rather than the soul crushing depression that consumed her.

In time, Genedara found herself calming down. The tears came to an end, not that she chose to stop crying, but because there were no tears left to give. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, nose running slightly. She sniffled and reached up to dab at her face with a sleeve of her pajamas. The other sleeve was a ruined bloody mess, clinging to her pale form.

Genedara got up from her seat at the kitchen table and walked over to where her dresser was. Before she got dressed, the Viera closed the wound on her wrist with a simple healing spell, putting an end to the blood flow. She used her towel to wipe the wound clean before dropping it to the floor, leaving it there for now.

At first she started with stripping out of her pajamas. She left them in a pile next to the bloodied towel as she slipped into her bra and a fresh pair of panties. Next came her pants, followed by her dress. She slipped the dress on and tightened up the corset, lacing it nice and tight. Now that she was dressed, she strode over to where she kept her shoes and stepped into a pair of small heels that matched her dress.

Her hand reached out and took hold of her white cane. She unlocked her door and stepped out into the hallway of her building and locked her door after first shutting it. She let out a soft sigh and stated her walk to Ul’dah, where she would hopefully encounter someone willing to offer her a distraction with work or maybe some idle conversation.

As she walked, her husband’s words played on repeat in her mind, looping over and over without end.

“I love you, to the stars and back.”

[genedara]

There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.

(The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included are suicide and self-harm. Read at your own discretion.)

(Recommended listening: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NUnXxh5U25Y&si=Nvq1ElCJ1-sIGT0c&feature=xapp_share )

The dream started just like how it always did. The sweet embrace of her husband and daughter, hugging her tightly. Sweet memories of her husband perusing her at Sharlayan, not once giving up on her. The sound of laughter filled their house, and for once Genedara was happy. For the first time in her long life she had finally found someone who she could call her own.

But all good things must come to an end.

The next memories were brief flashes, violent images of death and destruction. War had found their home, and in its wake death followed. The sound of gunfire, the taste of blood in the back of her throat. An explosion rang out, silencing the chaos. When the dust cleared Genedara found herself standing in the rubble of her home, the bodies of her family all around her.

Next came the screaming. The begging. The grief was intense. She could see visions of a razor slashing her wrist, cutting her to ribbons. But the blood hadn’t been enough and she persisted. Alone once more. Doomed to a lonely life filled with depression and anxiety.

Finally, the dream ended with her husband whispering in her ear, professing his love for her on the day they started dating. A brief flash of his face and Genedara would wake up.

———

Genedara did not wake with a start or a gasp. Her eyes drifted open and gazed up at the ceiling, blind eyes seeing nothing but darkness. She would toss aside the covers and crawl of our bed, groping aiding her nightstand for her white cane. Her fingers wrapped around the slender stick and she used it to guide herself into the bathroom, taking care of her morning business. Once done the Viera made her way into the kitchen, taking a seat at the empty table.

And so she would sit there in silence, contemplating what she was going to do that day. Her stomach grumbled so she decided to start her day off with a simple breakfast of eggs and toast. After the meal was cooked and consumed, she cleaned up her mess the best she could.

With breakfast taken care of, Genedara went back into her bedroom and got dressed and ready for the day. She let out a soft sigh, the silence ringing in her ears. It had been a few years since their passing and she still hadn’t gotten over the silence. It was deafening. Maddening. It steered her depression into deeper waters, forcing her under frigid waters.

Her fingers wrapped around her doorknob and she quietly opened her front door. Her apartment was small, filled to the brim with books, tomes, scrolls and grimoires. She hadn’t been able to read most of the books in some time, but the knowledge was too much to just surrender her collection to someone else. So, the books and scrolls sat, collecting dust. What joy she got out of collecting knowledge had long since left her, leaving her with a collection she didn’t know what to do with.

The walk through the Goblet was quiet and dull, as it usually was. No one looked her way, no one stopped her to say hello. She just carried on, feeling like she was invisible to everyone else. Her legs carried her through the Goblet and out into Thanalan.

After walking for some time, Genedara came to a halt when she heard the clashing of steel off in the distance. It sounded like it was coming from the direction in which she was walking, so she continued on her way. Five minutes went by and the clashing only grew louder. She could hear two women grunting as they fought, their swords smashing up against each other. One of the women said something in a language she didn’t understand, but her tone indicated she was being friendly. The other woman replied back in the same language before they both noticed Genedara standing there, listening to them.

“Hello!” one of the women said, no doubt waving to her. “Sorry for interrupting your walk. We were just practicing together.”

“It’s no trouble,” Genedara said, looking in their general direction.

The two women went silent for a moment before the first one spoke up again. “That’s a cool cane! Is that how see and get around?”

“My cane is cool? What makes it cool?”

“Well, it’s a nice color and the red bands are a nice touch. It suits you and it matches your pretty dress!”

“Oh. Thank you,” the Viera said, clearly not used to compliments.

“I have a dress just like that, except in black,” the second woman added in. “It looks better on you than it does me.”

Genedara’s cheeks darkened and she looked away from the pair. She lapsed into a moment of silence, awkwardly scratching at the old scars on her left wrist. Even after all this time they still itched from time to time, which drove her crazy knowing that she was drawing attention to them. Her sleeves did a good job of hiding her self harm scars, but a dark line ran up her forearm, hard to miss. If the two women noticed, they didn’t say anything.

“You both use swords?” Genedara asked, her loneliness compelling her to speak to these two strangers. She desperately wanted human connection, even if she were to never speak of it.

“Yeah! I’m a samurai and Bridget here uses a rapier and a parrying dagger! We were just practicing because neither of us have fought against each other’s weapons before. Well, she has fought against a katana before, but I’ve never seen a parrying dagger before!” the first woman said, her voice light and bubbly.

“Interesting,” the Viera replied, looking back over at the other two women. “Have either of you fought a mage before?”

“I have, but it’s been a while,” said Bridget.

“I haven’t but I’d love to spar with one some time! I don’t know many mages though,” the first woman said as she sheathed her sword. Bridget did the same, sheathing both her rapier and parrying dagger.

“I’d be willing to spar with you one day.”

“Really? That would be so cool! I’m Yuki by the way,” she said, smiling up at Genedara.

“I haven’t spared in a while, so I’m a little rusty. We can meet up in a couple days and do it then.”

“Okay! That sounds like fun. What are you doing now? If you want, you can spend time with us. We were just about to each some lunch,” Yuki said, the smile evident in her voice.

“I have some time to spare. I was just going to head into town to kill some time. Thank you for the offer,” Genedara said as she approached the two women.

Her white cane swept out in front of her, moving from side to side gently. Yuki watched as Genedara approached, interested to see how she got around without any eyesight. She assumed the cane was there to make sure she didn’t run into any walls or people.

Yuki smiled at the Viera before she ran over to a basket sitting next a boulder. She dropped down to a squat and started to dig through the basket. Genedara could smell the food, her nose twitching every time she sniffed at the air. Whatever it was, it smelled good. Genedara stood there awkwardly, fiddling with the strap that kept her cane from falling from her hand.

Bridget looked to Genedara and asked, “What do you do for a living?”

“Oh. I’m an enchantress. I enchant armor and weapons to make them stronger. I can also enchant regular items too.”

“Really?! That’s so cool!” Yuki chimed in.

“Damn, you must be loaded then. That kinda shit ain’t cheap,” Bridget said, crossing her arms under her chest.

Genedara shook her head. “Far from it actually. I was rich at one point in my life, but I do not pursue financial gain.”

Yuki walked back over to the group, a bundle in her arms. She approached the two women and offered Bridget something that smelled good. Genedara wasn’t sure what it was, but it was shaped like a fish. The Raen pressed the treat into her hands with a smile.

“There you go! One taiyaki for you! That one has breakfast sausage in it, so it’ll be nice and filling,” Yuki said before taking a bite out of her Taiyaki.

Bridget made short work of her taiyaki. She inhaled the treat in just a few bites, licking her fingers afterwards. She didn’t know Yuki that well, but she did know the woman was an amazing cook. Everything she made her had been great, something the Miqo’te was grateful for. She had really enjoyed getting to know the little Raen, her bubbly personality enjoyable to be around.

Genedara brought the taiyaki up to her nose and gave it a sniff before she took a tentative bite. She chewed quietly before nodding her head slowly. Yes, this was good. Probably the tastiest thing she had to eat in ages. The taste of the breakfast sausage rolled off her tongue, something she hadn’t enjoyed since her husband’s passing. The taste brought up a flood of memories and the Viera let out a small defeated sigh as she deflated.

“Oh, is it not okay?” Yuki asked, that smile persisting.

“No, it’s very good. Just… Brought up some memories.”

“I hope they are good ones!”

“They are…” Genedara said softly as she nibbled on her taiyaki absentmindedly.

“What are you thinking about? It might help to talk about it,” Yuki suggested before taking a large bite out of her taiyaki.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to. I know how hard it can be to talk about stuff like that,” Bridget added, not wanting to pressure the woman into speaking.

Genedara went dead silent for a long while. She waged a war inside of her, debating if she should open up to these two strangers. It would be nice to get some of this off her chest, but at the same time she had just met these two women and she was a very guarded person. But something about the Raen girl made her feel at ease, like if she were in the presence of a loving parent.

“I was just thinking of my late husband,” Genedara eventually said. “He used to make me sausage every morning. Sausage and eggs, his staple meal.”

“Aww, that sounds like a lovely memory. I’m glad you have something good to think back on. I know it makes it easier when dealing with grief.”

“I agree. It helps to think about the good times. It makes their absence a bit more bearable,” Bridget added, smiling as Yuki passed over another taiyaki.

“Oh, I suppose,” Genedara said softly.

Yuki reached out and placed her hand on Genedara’s shoulder. She gave it a reassuring squeeze before withdrawing, not wanting to intrude on her personal space any longer.

“I really should get going,” Genedara eventually said. “I don’t want to keep you from your duel.”

“Oh! It’s no trouble at all. We’re both heading back into town, so maybe we can keep you company?” Yuki asked as she ran over to her basket once more. She scooped it up and walked back over to the two women, ready to go.

“Sure, I suppose I can use the company,” Genedara said, her voice soft. Why was she being so nice to her?

“Yay! Okay! Let’s go back to the city. If you want, I can hold your hand so you don’t run into anything.”

Genedara turned to look at the Raen.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” She asked straight up.

“It’s kinda her thing. She’s like this with everyone,” Bridget said with a smile. “You get used to it.”

“Yeah! I’m nice to everyone. Or rather, I try to be.”

“Oh. I’m not used to it. Most people tend to ignore me since I’m blind. I am invisible to many people.”

“Well that’s not nice! You’ll always be welcome around me and Bridget here. So if you ever need a friend you can find us! Bridget lives in the Goblet and I work there! So we’ll probably see a lot of each other eventually.”

Bridget smiled and nodded her head, adding, “Yeah, what she said. You’re always welcome to come say hi if you ever hear me around town.”

Genedara wasn’t used to such kindness. She took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. “Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The walk to Ul’dah was a quiet and uneventful one. The three women conversed among themselves, mainly learning about their new friend. They learned about her insatiable lust of knowledge and how she lived in Sharlayan for over one hundred years. Yuki was enthralled with the Viera’s stories, hanging onto every word.

In time the trio made it to Ul’dah, passing through the city gates and into the stone city. They spoke for a while longer before parting ways. Yuki went off to her cafe where-as Bridget went back home. This left Genedara alone once more. She let out a soft sigh and would make her way to the Quicksands where she would spend the rest of her day, quietly listening to others converse amongst themselves.

She missed her husband ferociously, even more so after her little snack. She let out a soft sigh and leaned up against the railing. Here we go again, another day of being lost in her memories, trapped in the past. She was exhausted.

[genedara]

No Refunds

((Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/ZTVn6Mse_xQ?si=TsbBPQC64Q88Fnp2 ))

Kylona let out a mighty yawn as she stepped out of the portal, connecting her from Genedara’s tower to Booty Bay. On the other side of the portal Gene stood with her eyes closed, focused on keeping the spell going for as long as Kylona needed. The human girl waved at her friend before wandering through the tunnel leading to Booty Bay and eventually stepping out into the summer’s sun. She brought a hand up to shield her eyes, wishing she had grabbed one of Kallard’s hats before leaving the tower.

“Ah, well, a little sun isn’t gonna kill me,” Kylona muttered to herself as she wave her way through the small town.

“’Eeeey, what’s a pretty little thing like you doin’ here?” a Goblin asked as Kylona passed him.

Ignoring the man’s words, Kylona pressed on. Her flip flops slapped up against the wooden planks as she made her way down the ramp onto the main level. A healthy mixture of Horde and Alliance members were going about their business, their conversations barely audible over the screeching Goblins trying to peddle their wares on unsuspecting customers.

“Come get the best grenades in the whole of Azeroth! Guarnteed to make your foes pop like bubbles!”

“Kaja’Cola, ice cold Kaja’Cola right here with only a minimal import fee!”

“You lookin’ fer a new friend? Well, I got’cha! I gots all sorts of exotic pets for you and your hunting needs! Hungry? Buy two cats and get the third free!”

“Who needs magic when you have GUNS!?”

“Growth potions here! Want a bigger cock? Looking to grow a few feet? Tits too small? Come get Jameson’s Trusty Growth Tincture for all your growing needs!”

Kylona couldn’t help but laugh at some of the pitches the merchants were slinging. She ignored the wild claims, knowing better than to trust a Goblin selling random wares that seem to good to be true. The last time the Felmanns had invested in something a Goblin made it had blown up in their faces in a spectacular fashion, having stained their faces with soot. Since then, the family had made sure to steer clear of anything made by Goblins, fearing for their lives.

Eventually, after a few minutes of wandering around, Kylona found the merchant she had been looking for. The Goblin stood at the entryway to a very small storefront with little more inside than a counter with a register and a door leading into a back room. When she approached, the Goblin looked up at the girl with a wide grin.

“What’cha lookin’ for beautiful?” the little man asked as he puffed away on a cigar.

“A friend of mine had placed an order with you and I’m here to pick up,” Kylona said, slipping a hand into a pocket before producing a slip of paper and offering it over to the Goblin.

“Cool, cool,” he said, taking the paper and giving it a good look over. “Give me a sec and I’ll get your order.”

Kylona watched as the Goblin turned around and wobbled into the store, moving past the counter and opening the back door before vanishing into the threshold. She stood there and waited for what felt like ten minutes before the merchant came back out of his store, holding a cage that was nearly as big as he was. He grunted and placed the cage on the counter and motioned for the human to come inside.

“Uh,” Kylona said, pointing at the cage and it’s inhabitant. “That’s not what my friend ordered.”

“It is,” the Goblin grunted, pointing at the order number written on the door of the cage. “See? That’s your order number, same as the paper.”

“I don’t care what the paper says, that is not what she ordered.”

“I don’t give a fuck, she already paid,” the Goblin practically spat out.

Kylona glared down at the Goblin, who just stared up at the girl with his arms crossed over his chest. He puffed away on his cigar, the smoke quickly filling the small room. After several minutes of staring at each other, Kylona groaned, grabbed the cage and stormed out of the building.

“NO REFUNDS!” the Goblin shouted before slamming the door shut behind Kylona.

“Ugh, Gene is gonna be pissed,” Kylona muttered to herself as she stared at the cage’s sole inhabitant. “I hope she has some crackers…”

------

Genedara let out a sigh of relief when Kylona returned through the portal. Once she was safely though, the portal snapped closed, allowing the elf to relax once more. Her eyes gave off a quick flash of blue as she activated her magical sight. A frown spread across her lips as she saw Kylona set the cage down on the table nearest the camp fire.

“I think you got the wrong cage,” Genedara said as she approached the table.

“According to the merchant this is your cage.”

Sitting in the cage was not a raven but instead a green macaw with blue feathers on his wings. Beady black eyes observed the elf, the parrot tilting its head to the side slightly. It let out a squawk and tried to flap its wings, only to have its movement restricted by the small cage. Upon hearing the noise, Kallard jumped to his feet and ran over to the table, grinning down at the bird.

“Hah, a parrot! Hey,” Kallard said, his voice oozing with excitement. “Can you say fuck?”

“Can you say fuck?” the parrot squawked, repeating what Kallard had just said causing, the grizzled war veteran to clap his hands together as he laughed.

“Are you sure this is my order?” Gene asked as she deflated. “That female Raven was expensive…”

“Yeah, it’s the right one. See, this is why we don’t work with Goblins. They’ll just try and find a way to fuck you over,” Kylona replied.

Kallard reached over to the cage and opened the door, letting the macaw out. The bird glanced around at the group before stepping onto Kallard’s hand. With a toothy grin Kallard took the bird into his tent and came back out a moment later with a small pirate’s hat in hand. He gently set the hat down on the bird’s head and started laughing.

“Oh, we’re keeping him” Cassian said, watching as Kallard set the macaw down on Genedara’s shoulder.

“You’re a pirate captain now! Lookit that,” Kallard said as he took a few steps back, that grin never leaving his face.

“This is the happiest I’ve seen you since Cassian came back,” Marilini added.

“Let me guess, you always wanted a parrot?” Genedara asked, not entirely pleased about the whole situation. “I am going to kill that Goblin.”

“Dude, who doesn’t want a parrot?! They can tank and solve puzzles and swear like a sailor!” Kallard said, brimming with excitement.

“WHAT!” the parrot shouted as it bobbed its head. “What! What! What!”

“Oh for the love of…” Gene muttered.

“This is a side of Kal I haven’t seen in years,” Cassian told Kylona as Kallard took back the parrot and instead placed it on his own shoulder. “The last time he was like this was when he saw a burrowing owl.”

“Hey! That owl was very small and cute,” Kallard snapped back, still grinning.

“Hey doofus,” Kylona said to Kallard, pointing at him. “Your face is frozen.”

“Hey doofus! WHAT! Doofus! Doofus!” mirror the parrot.

“Someone kill me,” Genedara muttered, rubbing her forehead with one hand.

Eventually Genedara wandered into her tower, leaving the Felmanns with their new feathery companion. Kallard refused to let anyone else hold it while he attempted to teach it words only a real sailor or pirate would say. When it came time for lunch, Genedara found herself back down with the others, seemingly amused by Kallard’s antics, seeing a side of him that she was sure didn’t exist up until now.

“Fuck trumpet! Fuck trumpet!” cried the parrot all throughout the day.

[genedara]

The Golden Age

Look at ‘im now boys. Ain’t nothin’ like a little fear to make a paper man crumble.

((Recommended listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmD_kzTMe0&themeRefresh=1 ))

((The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes include graphic and intense violence and sexual themes and imagery. Read at your own discretion.))

“I need to speak with Him,” Genedara told the Felmanns.

The elf stood before the four humans with her arms crossed over her chest while wearing a serious expression. The group before her were all dressed in casual outfits with various weapons scattered across the large tent. Outside Bao and Kun were basking in the sun with their bellied up and pointed towards the summer sun.

“The fuck you do,” Kallard said as he leaned back in his chair. “But, let’s say we entertain this horrible idea of yours. Why do you want to talk to it?”

“Because we face an enemy none of us has seen before. Sure, we’ve seen things similar to him. Things like the Void and Shadow magics. They all feel the same but the power he uses is different. It’s beyond ancient, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. If I am to figure out a way to kill him, I need to understand him. To see where he hails and what exactly he hopes to achieve.”

“I’ll save you the trouble and just tell you,” Marilini added, looking over at Gene. “He aims to kill all of us.”

“I have a hypothesis,” Genedara started, turning her attention to Mari. “You two were only possessed for a couple of weeks at the most. I’ve been with Him for months. Maybe the longer you stay the more you see, because I know for a fact he wants to do more than just kill us.”

“Does he want to make us his slaves?” Cassian asked.

“It’s possible but I won’t know for sure until I sit down at talk with him,” came the elf’s reply.

“Something tells me you’re about to give us some bad news,” Kylona muttered more to herself than anyone else.

“You are correct, there is bad news. If I am to do this, I cannot do it while the anti-magic shackle is on.”

“Fuck me,” Kallard and Kylona said in unison.

“How long would you need?” asked Marilini.

“Less than fifteen minutes,” the elf replied, looking back over at Kallard. “I won’t do this unless all four of you are on board.”

Kallard groaned and tilted his head back, looking up at Cassian’s concerned face. He stared at his husband for a moment before closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. The man went silent for a spell, carefully considering Gene’s proposal even though he thought it was a terrible idea. After a few minutes had passed, Kallard threw his arms up into the air, let loose an annoyed sigh and looked back over at Genedara.

“I’m in,” Kallard said.

“As am I,” Marilini added.

“If they’re in, I’m in,” Cassian chimed in.

“Ugh,” was all Kylona said, nodding her head in agreement.

Genedara looked at the group, nodded her head and then walked out of the tent. She motioned for the others to follow her as she took a seat next to the ever burning camp fire and got comfortable. Her legs were crisscross, hands laying in her lap. The Felmann’s made their way out of the tent and followed the elf. Rather than joining her on the ground, the others stood around her, all within arms reach of some kind of weapon.

“I’ll try and make this quick,” Genedara said as she allowed her eyes to drift close and her mind began to wander.

The instant she closed her eyes, several cracks split her flesh apart and grew outward from her eye sockets. Rather than exposing the delicate muscle structure below the skin, inky darkness was all the Felmann’s were able to see. Kallard watched as the cracks formed and split across the elf’s delicate features, giving her a sinister appearance. Neither of them said anything, but doubt started to plague their minds, worried that they may have made a tremendous mistake.

------

An immense and featureless space stretched out before Genedara. She stood on solid ground, her feet submerged in an inch of ice-cold water. A thick fog hugged the ground, making it nigh impossible to see more than 100 feet in any direction. Off in the distance voices could be heard, but their words were alien and impossible to understand.

Standing a few feet in front of the elf was Ralitha, the Thing’s first host. She stood there in black armor rimmed with silver highlights. A short sword was sheathed on her left him and a dagger on her right. Her horns jutted out from the sides of her head and curled in towards her forehead and then straight forward, ending in a sharp point. A set of tattered and torn wings lay folded up against the woman’s back, a few stray strands of leathery flesh dancing in a gentle breeze.

“What do you want?” the First asked.

“I don’t need to speak with you,” Genedara muttered while she strode forward to get up into Ralitha’s personal space. “Move.”

“You do not command me, elf.”

“MOVE!” commanded Genedara, compelling the woman before her to obey.

Ralitha’s face went pale as her body moved without her approval, shuffling off to the side and allowing the elf to move past her. She fought against the command to the best of her ability, but it felt as if her master was speaking directly to her. When did Genedara learn to use this magic? She had been so careful in guarding its secrets, hoping to keep them locked behind a sealed door in the chasm of her god’s mind.

“If you follow me I will tear you apart and spread your remains across the stars,” Genedara told Ralitha as she walked away.

“He will end you, girl! You don’t know what you are messing with! Only He will survive, only He will remain!” Ralitha shouted as the elf vanished into the fog.

Genedara walked for what felt like days as she moved through the featureless landscape. No matter how far she moved, the elf was never any closer to approaching the source of the voices off in the distance. With each step a chill ran up her spine, her body refusing to adapt to the cold water she was forced to tread through.

One moment she was walking and the next she was falling into a dark abyss.

At first there was nothing but darkness for as far as the eye could see. But then there were flashes of memories, disjointed and played out of order. A boy was born and immediately following a girl is getting fucked by her first lover. The tender moment is replaced with a drunken man being stabbed by a young boy defending his twin sister. Violence was then love as a couple kissed each other for the first time as a married couple.

Genedara watched as Ralitha stabbed herself with her own sword, driving the blade into her heart. The tip of the weapon was forced out her back with her still beating heart throbbing and gushing crimson liquid everywhere. The Preacher replaced the grizzly scene with her giving a blowjob to a priest, only to rip his manhood off after he finished in her mouth. She spat the mixture of cum and blood onto the floor, grinning up at the man. Her hands were cupped next to the wound and collected some of the blood before drinking it.

Blood was now cherry blossoms, drifting down from the heavens on a gentle spring breeze. The petals danced in the air as a city burned while war consumed the world. Crafts made entirely of metal shot across the heavens before turning into single celled organisms dancing in a primordial ooze. Memories of people warped into entire worlds burning as their inhabitants choked on poisonous air. An orgy became a scene of mass murder. Death became love and shifted into children murdered by a man led down a dark path, his compassion remade into fury.

Flashes of bright, golden light flashed by, its warmth vaguely reminding her of the Light. What was once warm and comforting, the light made a drastic shift into an inky violet that seemed to writhe in place. All around her, Genedara watched as the universe began to rewind back into itself.

An explosion rang off in the distance, its sound played in reverse, first deafeningly loud and then deathly silent. Every visible star was sucked into a pinprick point before the space around Genedara went completely black. There was no light from which she could see, feeling as if she was still falling into this dark chasm.

Then there was light once more, a blinding white light that spread far and wide. A single world danced around this white dwarf, one side of the planet constantly facing the sun while the other always faced the void. On this world lived two groups of beings, one made of light and the magic of life and the other of shadows and death. Together the two groups brought peace to their universe as it grew. Lesser lifeforms, once constrained to their single celled origins, began to spread across the universe of old.

Whatever was guiding the vision forced Genedara’s perspective to focus in on the origin world. She watched as the world grew bigger and bigger as it drew closer and closer before dropping her down towards the surface. Eventually she found herself standing at the edge of light and dark, watching as change started to tear through the world.

A new, younger voice rose to power among the beings of light. They demanded that the creatures of shadow should be purged from the world under the promise of creating a golden age without end. The idea spread like wildfire across the land of black and white, moving across the light side like a plague.

Genedara watched in horror as the creatures of light moved outside of their domain and into the darkness. They slaughtered everything in their path, killing entire families like cattle. The war was brief but bloody. In time the light was able of taking over their entire world, believing that they had cast their light into the shadows, killing everyone.

It didn’t take long for reality to begin unraveling, splitting apart like atoms in a bomb. One moment there was order and the next absolute chaos. An abundance of light spread out across the universe, killing everything in its path. It spread out across the cosmos, a wave of pure light originating from the once balanced home world.

One moment the universe was alive and growing to cold and dead as the light spread continued its outward journey. Just as the last life was snuffed out an explosion tore through the fabric of reality, killing one universe and creating another. Unlike the last one, however, a nigh endless golden age would begin upon its creation, promising galaxies swarming with life and powerful energies. Once contained to just one world, each star contained the soul of one being of light, ensuring that they would forever watch over their new domain, confident that the shadow was gone for good.

But one yet lived. He was all that remained of his people, the only survivor of the lights massacre of His people. He knew not their love, but their hate and it consumed him. Eons passed and his rage grew deeper and deeper. Eventually He was discovered and sealed away, knowing that if He were to remain free, He would eventually put an end to this great golden age. For billions of years He sat, plotting their demise. It was then Ralitha found him after she ascended to godhood, setting Him free without a second though, allowing Him to live in her.

“Now you know the truth,” a voice said from all around her.

Genedara was stunned into silence, the horrors of their war fresh in her memory.

“You feel as I do. You too feel the pain of losing one’s people.” “I do,” Genedara managed to say after moments of silence.

“What will you do with this information?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Do not pity me,” the voice said, a hint of anger looming in the distance.

“I am not here to pity you,” the elf told the darkness. “I seek to understand you.”

“So you can destroy me, just as they have destroyed my people.”

“What if I don’t have to destroy you? Can we not live in unison?”

“No,” the voice boomed. “They will pay for what they have done.”

“More genocide is not the answer to your people’s genocide! More death will not bring them back, you know this!” Genedara pleaded with the beast, trying to talk some sense into it.

“And that is where you are wrong, Genedara Silverfury.”

All around Genedara the area around her began to change. Objects began to take shape in the darkness as a silver light was cast out into the void. Several people took shape, each one a former host to the Thing that lived within the elf. Ralitha stood there with a cocky smirk on her lips, eyes glinting with malice. The nameless woman known only as the Preacher also stood there, her milky white eyes gazing down at the elf.

“Your kind have a gift bestowed upon you by my tormentors, the gift of your soul,” the voice screamed in Genedara’s mind. “This world will burn so mine can thrive again. Your containment will not stop me. I will have my revenge and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

A pair of hands reached out and gently took hold of Genedara’s head. They began to caress the sides of her head, lovingly cradling her skull. The hands made a twisting motion with both hands and snapped Genedara’s neck and then tore it off. She was then forced to watch as her body was violated in every meaning of the word, unable to escape any of the pain as they violated her mind, body and soul.

“Only I will remain.”

------

Genedara’s eyes popped open and she lurched forward and emptied the contents of her stomach in the smoldering coals of the fire. She flopped over to her side as her body convulsed, muscles taut with tension. Cassian was there, and so was Kylona, the two ensuring the seizure passed without incident. It felt like an eternity but eventually the episode came to an end and the elf was left feeling exhausted.

“You okay?” Kallard asked from somewhere out of sight. “’Cause you were gone for a solid hour.”

“I’m… Fine,” Genedara mumbled while Cassian helped her sit upright once more.

“I vote we stop fucking with the thing and let Gene rest,” Kylona added, obviously angry at what had transpired.

“I don’t plan on doing that ever again,” the elf added, glancing up at the smallest of the humans.

“Good. You need to rest,” came Kylona’s snappy reply. “Go lay down in my bed and I’ll keep you company.”

Genedara didn’t need any further encouragement. She held her right hand out and Kylona took it and aided her getting off the ground. Ky then gently guided Gene over to her small tent and onto her plush bed. The elf sank into the soft, plushy mattress as a blanket was tossed over the elf.

“If you ask me to read you a bedtime story you’re outta luck,” Kylona muttered as she took a seat next to the bed.

“How long have you known Kal and Mari?” Genedara asked.

“Not too long, several months now, I think. Why?”

“You trust them?”

“With my life.”

“That is good to hear. I am sorry for bringing this chaos into your lives,” Genedara said softly.

“It’s okay,” Kylona replied with a shrug. “You’re not bad company, just a bit formal. All prim and proper, yeah?”

“Ah, yes, I am a product of my upbringing. My father was one of the mages who taught your people how to use magic. As a result we spent a lot of time with nobles, both with humans and elves.”

“That explains it. What was it like?”

“What was what like, my childhood?”

“Yeah,” Kylona said with a nod of her head. “I wanna know what it’s like to grow up in Quel’thalas.”

Genedara bobbed her head in agreement before retelling her childhood to the human girl, sparing no details. She explained what it was like to grow up not in one house, but many different ones in various kingdoms in the north. While she believed her story to be mundane, Kylona was simply enraptured with the idea of growing up and acting like a royal princess. Her eyes went wide and sparkly when Genedara spoke of the grand balls she had to attend. Tears were shed when Gene spoke of meeting her husband and laughter was shared when the elf spoke of the silly things her husband would do to cheer her up after a long day of work. Before long the two would agree that they were both tired and settled down to nap with the promise of a traditional Quel’dorei meal upon waking.

[genedara]

Home is Where the Heart is

For so long, I have waited

So long that I almost became

Just a stoic statue, fit for nobody

And I don't wanna get in your way

But I finally think I can say

That the vicious cycle was over

The moment you smiled at me

“I have a favor to ask of you,” Genedara said as she took a seat at the table inside the Felmann’s main tent.

Once she had recovered, the Felmanns packed up their gear and moved to the elf’s tower just east of Goldshire. They had decided to live out of their tents rather than moving into the tower, thinking they would be intruding on their new family member’s personal space. The wolves Bao and Kun were excited to have more space to prowl around, clearly enjoying their new home.

“What’s up?” Kylona asked while the others ate breakfast sandwiches.

“Given everything that’s happened in the past few weeks I have come to realize that I am a touch under-prepared for our current predicament. My father was a very prominent figure in Quel’dorei magical society and had a library of tomes that rivaled that of Dalaran. I have been putting this off for some time, but I think it would be a good idea for me to return to my homeland and retrieve some of those books.”

“Quel’thalas?” Kallard asked, perking up at the mention of the elven homeland.

“Correct. My estate lies in Silvermoon City,” Genedara said with a bob of her head.

“I’m in,” Marilini and Kallard said in unison.

“Well, if they’re both going then I want to tag along as well,” added Kylona.

“What, and staying here is the alternative? Count me in. Always wanted to see the towers in Silvermoon,” Cassian said with a warm smile.

“I am unsure as to what the political climate is like back home, but we should be okay. My estate lies in a section of the city that took the brunt of Arthas’ attack so there shouldn’t be anyone around. Should things get dicey I would prefer if no one died. There are only so many of my people left alive and our numbers must be preserved if we are to survive this rough patch.”

“Not really planning on starting the fifth war, so yeah, I agree. No deaths today,” Kallard said with a stern tone of voice. “Leave the weapons here. Should anything happen we’re more than capable of fending off a few folk with our fists.”

Kylona, Marilini and Cassian all reached down to their holsters and slipped their revolvers out before gently laying them down on the wooden dining table. Kallard’s pistol joined the others and he leaned back in his chair, the wood groaning under his weight. Having no weapon to surrender, Genedara sat there, hands in lap, waiting patiently for the others to finish their meals.

“So what’s the plan? That’s one hell of a walk,” Kylona asked after finishing her sandwich.

“Walk?” Genedara asked before chuckling. “You may walk but I will be teleporting us there. Much faster and easier this way.”

“Hold on a tic,” Kallard said with a smirk. “You’re telling me our new sister can teleport us places? Folks, looks like we are done walking everywhere.”

“You would be correct. I can teleport us to pretty much anywhere in the world should the need ever arise. But I will not be teleporting people just because you don’t want to look for an alternative method of transportation. Teleportation is tiring and can be dangerous if your calculations aren’t perfect.”

“Eh, no biggie. We’re all used to hoofing it everywhere,” Kylona chimed in. “Anyway, go get ready. We’ll meet here in ten minutes before heading out. Sound good?”

“Indeed,” Genedara said in agreement with a nod of her head. “See you in ten.”

---

Cassian was the first to step out of the portal that had formed in the Dead Scar. Kylona, Marilini and Kallard were the next to follow with Genedara ending the procession. Once she had stepped through the threshold the portal snapped closed and winked out of sight without a sound. The group stood there in collective awe when they saw the result of Arthas’ march north.

The Dead Scar stretched for as for as they could see, running the entire length of Quel’thalas and continuing through the water and onto the Isle of Quel’thalas. Death hung in the air, the feeling of corruption ever present, ever twenty years later. Off in the distance figures shuffled around, their movements sluggish and without purpose. It didn’t take a genius to figure out it was the remains of some poor unfortunate Quel’dorei who had lost their lives at some point after their homeland had been ruined.

Without a word Genedara started walking north and past what remained of Silvermoon’s city walls. The Felmann’s watched the elf slowly make her way toward her old home before moving to follow her. The air was heavy with the scent of death, an ever present reminder of what had transpired here two decades ago. There was evidence of a massive explosion right where the city walls had been, several bodies having been reduced to ash and forever staining the golden stone walls and buildings.

Despite the obvious danger of undead there wasn’t a single guard or soldier anywhere to be seen. In fact, since the group had arrived they hadn’t seen a single person. While most kingdoms were rife with activity and people going about their lives, Quel’thalas was a complete and total ghost town. There was no hustle and bustle of a busy market nor did the cries of playing children ring out throughout the city.

Silence was the only thing that greeted them.

“My god,” Kylona muttered under her breath as she took in what remained of a once proud and strong nation. “I knew things were bad here but I never imagined it would still look like this. Where is everyone?”

“Most of my people died that day. When Arthas attacked we had believed our walls and gates would keep intruders out. Were it not for the actions of one mad man Silvermoon would still be intact. Instead the traitor opened the gates and welcomed our end with a smile and open arms.”

“Kal, Cass and I were in Stratholme when Arthas attacked,” Marilini said quietly. “SI:7 had caught wind of something running afoul in the northern kingdoms and dispatched the three of us. When we figured out what was going on Cass flew back to HQ.”

“You guys got out through the sewers, right?” Kylona asked, looking over at Mari as the group slowly moved through the ruins.

“Yeah. Barely made it out alive,” Kallard said softly. “I am not a religious man, but I pray that this never happens again.”

The group would go quiet once more, the heavy topic weighing heavily on their minds. The deeper they moved into what remained of Silvermoon the more skeletons they saw mixed in with the black soil. Blades succumbing to rust were scattered about like discarded toys waiting to be played with again after being ignored for years. One of the more common sights was red and gold helmets with their wearer’s skull still tucked away, safe from further harm.

After ten minutes of walking the group found themselves standing before a tower that loomed overhead. A large whole and been punched in the top floor, the remains of an open living space visible from street level. Genedara stared at the building with her heart bounding in her chest. She didn’t need sight to know what she was standing in front of. This was once her home, a place that had housed her family for centuries only for one crazed human to take it all away from her.

“Hey, you okay?” Kylona asked as she approached Genedara. “We can go if you don’t want to do this. Could always try on a different day.”

“No, it’s okay,” Genedara replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Without waiting for the others, the elf stepped through the open door. A beam of sunlight cut through the darkened room, broken shards of glass glittering on the marble tiles that made up the first floor of the once beautiful tower. It looked as if someone had torn through the building, looking anything of value. A cabinet had been smashed open and the expensive dinnerware that was once inside was now long gone with only a single teacup remaining.

“Wow,” Cassian gasped as he entered the ruins of the tower. “This must have been beautiful back in its prime. I knew Quel’dorei architecture was nice but this is like artwork, unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

In drifted a Mana Wyrm, having floated in through an open window. The small creature ignored the group as it drifted around the room giving off a faint blue glow. Kallard and Kylona watched the beast with pure amazement, having never seen one in person before. Marilini was too busy poking through the remains of a shattered bookshelf, pulling aside planks of wood to try and find anything of use. Cassian watched the Wyrm float about before turning his attention back to Genedara, concern visible in his golden gaze.

“I had a piano in this room,” Genedara muttered as she looked over at a comfortable looking bench laying on its side next to another busted bookshelf. Sheets of paper littered the floor, the notes on the pages faded with time spent in the sun over a long period of time. From the looks of it, the piano was mostly used to play classical Quel’dorei music with a few Human composers tossed in for good measure.

“What was your favorite piece?” Marilini asked, glancing back at the elf.

“Flight of the Bumblebee,” Genedara replied without hesitation.

“Oh-ho, we have a sister with TASTE!” Cassian said with a chuckle. “Gods, I’ve had to endure the sounds of Jazz for decades. Please tell me you still have some records back at the tower.”

“For the last time!” Kallard shouted, looking back at his husband. “Jazz is the superior form of music. Embrace the chaos babe!”

“Ugh,” Cassian groaned with a roll of his eyes. “See what I mean? Barbarians! So uncivilized.”

Genedara glanced back at the others with a somber expression on her face. The only one who seemed to notice this was Cassian, who after so many years being married to Kallard knew when someone was more upset than they let on. He watched as she looked back at the empty space where the piano had been, a soft sigh pressing past her lips. She then looked up and around as if trying to find the source of a sound only she could hear.

“I think anything of value has been taken already,” Marilini said as she rose from a squat, having been poking around one of the ruined bookshelves in the room. “Was there a hidden room anywhere?”

“Yes, there was,” Genedara replied, pointing over at the westernmost wall. “There’s a switch hidden behind the portrait there.”

Marilini walked over to where the elf had pointed and carefully lifted the faded painting off its hook, gently setting it down on the ground. She brought her hands up and carefully inspected the area, eventually finding the hidden switch and depressing it with a soft click. The wall to her left rumbled and shook before a section of the wall slid off to the side, revealing a winding set of stairs that led under the ruins of the tower.

“Kal, you’re better and finding useful literature,” his sister said, turning to look at her brother. “Come with me. Ky, you and Cass stay up here and keep and eye on Gene.”

“Roger that,” Kallard grunted as he set down what was left of a statue of Prince Kael’thas. He would then follow his sister down the once hidden flight of stairs, vanishing into the dark and out of sight after a few steps down.

“You doing okay?” Kylona asked Genedara, standing next to the elf.

“Coming here was a mistake,” was all the elf could get out, her voice soft and barely audible.

“If this is too much for you we can go outside,” Cassian added, placing a comforting hand on the woman’s shoulder. “There’s no shame in leaving. I understand how difficult this must be for you.”

Before Genedara could say anything both Kylona and Cassian froze in place. Their bodies were completely still, almost as if someone had stopped the flow of time, cementing everyone in place. She looked around, more concerned than confused. Could it be that the entity had recovered? Was He ready to bring forth his revenge?

“Hello?” the elf called out. “Is there someone here besides us?”

“There is,” came a familiar voice from another room.

Genedara gasped when she heard a man’s voice come from what used to be her kitchen. Her body slowly turned to face where the noise had come from, swallowing her fear and steadying herself for whatever horrors lay just out of sight. She cautiously made her way over to the open archway, crossing the threshold and seemingly stepping into a completely different building altogether.

Suddenly the room was brightly lit by the sun’s light, the smell of fresh bread hanging in the air. The sounds of birds native to the area could be heard outside while a group of children played in the city streets. Seated at a cherry wood table sat a man with his back to Genedara. His long, blonde hair was pulled into a casual ponytail. The long ears that were typical for his species held an assortment of golden earrings and diamond studs, many of them gifts from Genedara. She didn’t need the man to turn around to know who he was.

The man seated at the table was her husband.

“Kath’lien,” Genedara gasped as she took a step forward. “Is that you?”

The man set down a cup of hot coffee, a light brown color due to the dash of milk, and turned around. Brilliant blue eyes settled on the other elf, a warm smile spread across his lips. Upon seeing his wife he rose from his seat and pulled her into a tight, loving embrace. That was all it took for Genedara to break down into tears, burying her face in her husband’s chest and loudly sobbed.

“Hello my love,” Kath’lien said, his voice soft and comforting. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It has been so hard without you,” Genedara managed to get out between sobs, holding a fistful of her husband’s shirt in one hand. “I’m so lost without you.”

“I know, sweetheart,” came his reply, whispering in her ear. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Kath’lien took Genedara by the hand and guided her over to the table. He pulled a chair out for her to sit in and once she was settled he took a seat next to her. A cup of coffee appeared in front of her, made just the way she liked it. The sounds of children playing grew louder, drawing the attention of Genedara. She looked out the kitchen window and into the street her estate once sat on.

“Are they here too?”

“They are.”

“When can I see them?”

“When we’re done talking,” Kath’lien said, placing a hand on his wife’s. “I know how badly you want to see them but I wanted to speak with you alone first.”

“That’s just the thing, how are we talking?”

“I called in a favor or two,” came his reply, a confident smirk spreading across his features.

“A favor?”

“I can’t really say how, but yes, I asked a few god-like beings for a favor. The attendants in the Shadowlands have been quite accommodating now that the Jailer has been taken care of. But, the catch is that this is the only time they will allow us to talk before you join us.”

“Okay,” Genedara said with a nod of her head before taking a sip of coffee. “Whatever it is you have to say must be important.”

“You can win against it,” Kath’lien said, getting right to the point. “It is not as invulnerable as it claims. Long, long ago its enemies managed to kill off their entire population while He was busy elsewhere. The magic is ancient and powerful. I can point you in the right direction but the rest is up to you and the Felmann family. Only with their help can you beat it.

“You must not stop fighting, my love. Do not give up. Do not surrender. Show this thing the power that lies within you. Show it the power of our people and our allies. You must show it that Azeroth is not to be trifled with. YOU are not to be trifled with. You are Genedara Runestrider and it’s time it knew how strong you really are.

“Seek out the Naaru. Seek their guidance and learn from them what you can. Their power is similar to that of its enemies and is the only way of killing it. When you cleansed the Felmann twins you rid them of the taint left behind the Sha and Him. They will be your weapons in this war. Together you can beat it. I know you can. You’re my wife and you are STRONG. I have the utmost faith in you, sweetheart.”

Genedara took a moment to take in her husband’s words. She hadn’t been aware of any previous corruption on the twin’s end and found herself relieved that she didn’t have to worry about the twins losing their minds again. Then, once her thoughts had been organized she turned to face her husband and pulled him into a tight embrace. She dried her tears on his tunic, watching the street outside, eager to see her children for the first time in twenty years.

Almost as if they could read their mother’s thoughts, the children outside came clattering into the house. They tossed aside the toys they had been playing with, running through the main living space and into the kitchen. Three little elves burst into the room and swarmed around their mom, small arms wrapping around her legs and torso. Kath’lien joined the tiny elves and wrapped his arms around his wife.

For the first time in two decades Genedara was truly happy.

---

“What happened?” Kallard asked as he came flying out of the tower’s secret basement with Marilini close behind him.

“I don’t know,” Cassian replied without looking back at his husband. “One second she was standing there and then the next she’s on the ground unconscious.”

“She said someone’s name and just dropped down,” Kylona added. She sat on the ground with Genedara’s head in her lap while Cassian checked her body for more injuries. When he pulled up the elf’s shirt everyone let out a collective gasp upon seeing the state her wound was in.

The bandages had been soaked through with blood, most of it fresh. It appeared as if a couple stitches had broken but that was not the main concern. The flesh was inflamed and hot to the touch with black ink-like features arcing away from the wound like lightning. It was almost as if the toxins left over from the poison had grown stronger thanks to the latent shadow magics that permeated the land they currently stood on.

“Fuck, she picked one hell of a time to black out,” Marilini muttered as she ran over to one of the open windows, peering out into the empty street outside. “The only good part about this is that we’re in a dead part of Silvermoon. I don’t think anyone is going to be coming here any time soon.”

“That doesn’t matter. We’re stuck behind Horde lines with no weapons, no armor and no medicine. She needs to wake up and take us home or else we’re all fucked. What are they going to say when three former SI:7 agents are seen carrying a wounded elf out of the city?” Kylona asked as panic began to set in.

“Please tell me you guys found something downstairs,” Cassian said, looking at the twins.

“Yeah, I found a bunch of books,” Marilini said, setting down a leather sack next to the fallen elf. “Found this bag of holding down there as well. Whatever we found before you called us is in there. I just hope it was something useful. Kinda hard to figure out what’s good when it’s all in Thalassian.”

“Hey, Savant,” Kallard pleaded the fallen elf. “Wake up. You can’t go all useless on us now. You’re our ride out of here!”

“Ugh,” groaned Genedara as her eyes fluttered open. “Just… Place a hand on me,” she managed to get out before closing her eyes once more.

Without asking what she meant, Kallard and Marilini ducked down and each placed a hand on the elf while Cassian and Kylona did the same. One moment they were all seated on the ground in what remained of Gene’s estate and the next they were inside the Felmann’s main tent outside her tower in Elwynn Forest. Cassian and Marilini went right to work, stripping the elf of her shirt and tossing it aside while Kylona ran into the tower to fetch Gene’s healing supplies.

Kallard plopped down in a chair next to the elf’s bed, watching his husband and sister work. He had only known Genedara for a few days but could feel himself growing attached. She was the only one who knew the pain of losing someone you deeply loved and because of that he felt the urge to protect her like a good big brother, despite her being two centuries old. The fact that she threw her life away to save his life spoke volumes about her character and he wanted nothing more than normality to return to her life.

Once Cassian and Marilini finished tending to Genedara’s wounds, Kallard remained by her side. After a while he had Kylona go fetch a book to read from the tower. Rather than reading it to himself, Kallard instead read it aloud to the unconscious elf. He read her the story of a soldier who refused to carry a weapon and the lives he saved as a result of his bravery and love for his fellow man.

When Genedara finally woke up the sun was beginning to drift below the horizon as dusk set in. Kallard had fallen asleep after finishing the story, the book propped open in his lap. Everyone else was seated around a fire outside the tent, talking quietly amongst themselves. Eventually Kallard’s eyes drifted open and he let loose a mighty yawn before looking at Genedara.

“Whoa, hey, you’re awake,” he said with a tired smile.

“And so are you,” was her soft reply.

“You feeling any better?”

“A little, yeah.”

“Good,” Kallard said as he rose from his seat, placing the book down on his chair once he had stood up. “C’mon, let’s go get something to eat.”

Kallard offered a hand to Genedara, allowing her to use him to get out of bed. She let out a sharp hiss of pain, her left hand falling down to rest on the freshly tended to wound. Seeing this, Kal hooked his arm with one of hers and slowly guided her out into the cool night air.

“Ahah, there she is!” Cassian said with a broad smile as he quickly rose to his feet, offering his seat to Gene. “Here, sit.”

“Thank you,” Genedara said quietly and eased herself into the pre-warmed chair and settled into it. “Whats for dinner?”

“Fish and chips,” Marilini replied as she prepped a plate. “I caught the fish myself and Ky did the potatoes.”

“Sounds good.”

“Did I mention it’s deep fried fish?”

Genedara chuckled and shook her head. “Okay, I’m sold, I’ll take a helping.”

For the next couple hours the group would talk among themselves, keeping the conversation casual without bringing up the whole trip to Silvermoon. They all knew Genedara would talk when she was ready. Neither of them knew exactly what happened, but they were able to see a glimmer of hope in the elf’s eyes, almost as if she had a conversation with her guardian angel. Regardless of what had happened, the Felmanns were more than happy to ease their sister’s concerns.

[genedara]

A Truly Selfless Act

((The following contains subject material that may be triggering/upsetting to some. Themes included graphic and intense violence, horrific imagery, mention of sexual assault/rape. Read at your own discretion.))

“Are you two ready?” Genedara asked, looking at both Cassian and Kylona. “There’s no turning back once we start this. Either we accomplish what we came to do or we die.”

“Gee, you’re sure good inspiring your troops before battle,” Kylona muttered with a roll of her eyes. “Let’s do this.”

“Hey, I’ve heard worse speeches,” Cassian said, smiling down at Ky before turning his attention to Genedara. “I’m ready. Let’s go get our family back.”

---

Since the twins had been kidnapped the remaining Felmann family members worked tirelessly to find them. While Cassian and Kylona were tearing apart both Elwynn Forest and Duskwood Genedara was busy at work finalizing the spell that would draw in and trap the Thing inside her. She saw no other alternative after scouring through the memories the Thing had left behind. Throughout the Thing’s long lifespan not a single person or group found a way to effectively kill it. Some had managed to weaken it long enough to seal it away in a box locked away in the depths of a place called the Heavens.

“He won’t make this easy,” Genedara had told Cassian and Kylona. “While our goal is to save the twins, theirs is to kill us. To ensure no one accidentally kills one of them I will be blunting the blades of your weapons. Oh, and please, avoid any blows to the head. Your friends won’t be of any use to you when they’re concussed and seizing on the floor.”

“What are we supposed to do, then?” Kylona had asked the elf.

“Distract them. Keep them busy. No matter what you do they cannot get to me. Once I start the spell there is no way for them to break it outside of killing me. There is a high possibility that the twins will ignore you two while making great efforts to stop me. I advise putting an anti-magic collar on each of them to keep Him from using any spells.”

“Seems simple enough,” Cassian remembered saying. “How long is this spell going to take to cast?”

“A couple minutes at the most. Most of the prep work is done already so it’s just a matter of drawing in enough mana to pull this off.”

“Are you capable of doing this alone?” asked Kylona.

“While you two were busy looking for the twins I was busy prepping the spell. Every day for the last two weeks I have poured most of my power into my staff,” Genedara told the two, motioning over at her quarterstaff composed of a shiny, silver-like metal. “The core is filled with crystals and other various reagents. There’s more than enough power contained within it to allow me to cast such a complex and powerful spell.”

“And you’re not going to fuck us over, are you?” Kylona asked, looking into Genedara’s milky white eyes. “Because if you plan on betraying us I won’t hesitate to slit your throat. I say this not as a threat, but as a promise. Fuck us and you die. We clear?”

“Abundantly clear. Now, are you done wishing me bodily harm or can I continue planning on how to save your friends?”

“They wouldn’t have needed saving if you hadn’t paid us a visit. Things were fine before you reared your pretty little head,” Kylona snapped, glaring at the elf. “If this had happened to anyone else I wouldn’t stop that thing from tearing you apart.”

“Ky, that’s enough. You’re starting to sound like Kal,” Cassian told her, place a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get them back.”

---

Genedara took a deep breath and allowed her eyes to close. She held both of her hands out, each one hovering over a pair of weapons held by either Kylona or Cassian. The air shimmered as a spell was cast, each weapon rendered non-lethal. The revolvers the Felmann family all carried stayed in their respective holsters, neither Cassian or Kylona wanting to rid themselves of their strongest weapon. They both didn’t want to use the firearms but knew it would be foolish not to carry them should things go south.

Now that their blades were dull the trio slowly made their way through the darkened forest of Duskwood. They approached what remained of a wooden cabin to the south, having discovered that the twins were hiding in the basement. A week into their search Kylona had caught a glimpse of the twins trekking through Duskwood with a small group of assorted men and women, leading her to this very spot. The Thing was up to something and they all knew it. The time had come to put an end to whatever machinations the Thing was up to.

“KALLARD!” Genedara shouted, amplifying her voice with the use of magic. “Cease these games and face us! Either you both come our or I start dropping bombs. Make your choice.”

“Wait, bombs? What bombs?” Kylona asked, keeping behind the elf. “You never mentioned anything about bombs!”

Ignoring the girl, Genedara stared at what remained of the cabin. She slowly inhaled and let the cool night air fill her lungs. Several of the runes the elf kept secret flared to life, giving off a brilliant blue glow. The elf raised a single hand and let it hang there for a moment before tearing the hand downward and balled it into a fist. Cassian drew his sword and shield, taking up position in front of Kylona, standing before her, blocking her body with his own. Both him and the girl took up fighting positions, a look of cool composure washing over their features.

The elf brought her right leg up and stomped the ground as her hand made its descent. A red flame consumed her hand as giant, flaming boulders dropped from the heavens. Several of the rocks punched through the decaying cabin’s wooden remains as if it weren’t there, their impacts felt through the ground beneath their feet. Cassian and Kylona watched in awe as Genedara made fire rain down from the sky, her hatred towards the Thing fueling her magic.

“You better pray they didn’t get squished,” Kylona muttered.

“I could drop the moon down on them and they’d still come out alive,”Genedara replied, glancing back at the little warrior. “You need to stop underestimating Him and His power. Your friends are essentially demigods right now. If my spells don’t work I don’t see any of us walking away from this in one piece.”

Before Kylona could open her mouth to reply the group all witnessed a hand trust itself towards the sky as the dust settled. Kallard crawled out of what remained of the cabin, Marilini appearing at his side. The twins wore confident smirks and started advancing towards Genedara and the remaining Felmann family members.

(( Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/5MfYp3WMmdc?si=99FSOIf88O6yGrHE ))

“Alright, this is it!” Genedara shouted at the other two. “Remember the plan! We can do this, I kn—” Something let loose a bestial roar, cutting Genedara off mid word. She took a nervous step backwards as the ground started to rumble and shake.

The smell of decaying meat hit their noses the same moment dozens of men, women and children spilled out of the darkness. Their bodies were in varying states of decay, some people missing entire limbs where as others looked to be fresh kills. They all had matching shiny, silver eyes filled with mania and blood lust. The zombies roared as they charged forward, their bodies animated with necrotic magics. In the blink of an eye the swarm was within arms reach, their filthy hands hungry for flesh.

“Holy shit!” Cassian cried out and swept his sword from left to right. “This wasn’t in the plan!”

“No shit!” Kylona shouted back.

The two warriors closed in and stood in front of Genedara, assuming she was incapable of fighting in close quarters. The elf muttered hastily under her breath, quickly undoing the spell that blunted the blades the Felmanns carried. When Cassian left himself open Kylona swept in and covered the holes in his defenses, deftly cutting the head off one zombie. Genedara on the other hand was flinging spell after spell with apparent ease. The runes on her arms and hands gave off a brilliant baby blue glow as the elf expertly wove the mana around her and inside of her.

While the trio was busy defending themselves against a seemingly endless swarm of undead, the twins made a slow advancement forward. Their smirks grew and warped, eventually morphing into an unfriendly smile that seemed to match the dread that radiated from them. The crowd of zombies largely ignored the twins, their only focus on the three living people in front of them. The swarm wanted nothing more than to tear the trio apart and feast upon their entrails.

“How did we not know about this?” Kylona shouted at Genedara as she cut the head off a naked woman.

“You can’t plan for everything, Shortstack,” Cassian called out in reply as he swung low, slicing a horribly decayed woman in two before jamming the tip of his sword into her forehead.

“Quit complaining and focus on the task at hand,” Genedara snapped as she flung a spice of ice at the torso of a zombie. The foot long bolt drove itself deep in the undead man’s chest before exploding, sending large chunks of rotten flesh in ever direction.

The twins continued their slow advance, their undead companions swarming in and around the pair, pushing and shoving their way over to the trio. Despite their obvious advantage, the undead were being dispatched at an alarming rate, the soldiers tearing through wave after wave of shambling corpses. In less than a minute a pile of corpses started to build up around the survivors. Thick, black ooze gushed from the fresh wounds, mixing with the dirt to create a sickening smelling sludge.

“Don’t stop!” Kylona shouted while swinging her sword in an arc. The woman’s blade swept through a half naked older male and cut a small zombie’s head in two before getting stuck in a third corpse’s neck. Blood squirted from the wound, spraying Ky with a crimson mist.

“Don’t listen to her,” Kallard shouted over the sounds of war. “Drop your blades and cease your spell casting. Come, join us. Give into His love and become one with Him.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Kylona grunted as she tore her blade free. “Do not relent! Keep pushing!”

The trio continued their fight until the last zombie hit the ground. The battlefield was littered with dismembered limbs, heads and various internal organs. Some of the undead were still moving but incapable of doing any harm. A severed hand dragged itself towards Cassian only to be squished under his boot. With the immediate threat gone, Kylona and Cassian took up positions in front of Genedara, putting themselves between her and the twins.

“It’s over, Kallard. Drop your weapons. Let’s talk this out,” Cassian pleaded. “Please, don’t force us to hurt you.”

The twins laughed in unison as they came to a halt a few feet from the two warriors. But, despite their confidence, a single tear ran down Kallard’s cheek as his body moved on its own. He brought his sword up and pointed it at the Paladin, that cocky smirk of his never fading. Ever observant, Cassian watched the small display of humanity shine through the darkness that had consumed the twins.

“This isn’t the man I married, nor is this the woman who adopted Kylona. You both have such kindness in you. Don’t let this thing win,” Cassian told the twins.

“The twins are dead,” the two said in harmony. “Only I remain.”

“Bullshit,” Kylona spat. “C’mon, Mari. Is this what you want? Do you really want to let this thing win? What ever happened to the woman who killed a bunch of men after they raped me? Where’s that justice now?”

“Your words are meaningless,” the twins said, their voices slightly out of sync.

“Bullshit!” Kylona snapped back. “Mari, what are the wolves going to do with you gone? Those two wolves are miserable without you. Don’t give up on them. Don’t give up on us.”

The twins came to a halt and a vacant look washed over their features. Kallard’s eyes twitched and his head jerked from side to side. It looked as if they were struggling to free themselves from the grasp of a snake squeezing the life out of them. Their muscles bulged and veins rose to the surface of their flesh, eyes narrowed in concentration. Upon seeing this Genedara perked up and urged Cassian and Kylona to continue talking to the twins.

“Keep talking to them,” she said, looking between the twins and their family.

“Kallard, is this really what you want? You went back in time to save me! You broke every rule there is to get me back and now you’re just going to let this thing kill me? You need to fight this! Our love transcend time itself and I’ll be damned if I’m going to watch my husband become a monster! You’re going to fight this, dammit! FIGHT!”

“S-silence!” Marilini screamed in a deep masculine voice. “Cease your games!”

“Fuck,” Kallard gasped. “You. Let us go!”

“NO! You belong to me! Together we will bring a new world order! All who oppose us will perish and I’ll finally have the power to bring my people back. Your words are meaningless!”

While Cassian and Kylona kept the twins distracted, Genedara was busy casting a myriad of spells. The first was to bind her in place, magical chains keeping her tethered in place and making movement impossible. Despite having known the Felmanns for only a few days the elf put her life in the hands of the two soldiers, relying entirely on them to keep her from dying. Once the first spell had been cast she moved onto the second binding spell but did not finish it, leaving the spell hanging as she moved onto a different school of magic all together.

“Kallard, do you remember the day we got married? We had just finished boot camp and Mari was busy stuffing her face with chocolates. You dropped down to one knee and presented me with the cheapest ring you could find and said you’d rather die than be without me. Is that man still in there? I know he is. Our love is strong and I’ll fight to the bitter end to save you my love.”

“CEASE YOUR GA—” Marilini started to shout. Before she could continue her vague threat, the woman dropped down to to her knees and clutched her head with both hands. A pained groan pressed past her clenched jaw as she pushed against an invisible force holding her down. “Let. Me. Go.”

Kallard’s head snapped over to look directly at Genedara as he finally noticed the large amounts of mana the elf was building up inside of her. From underneath her clothes a brilliant baby blue glow could be seen. It appeared as if every runic tattoo etched into her flesh was alight and charged with raw mana. As the continued to draw more and more into her body the twins appeared to grow more agitated.

“NO!” Kallard boomed, his eyes wide with panic. “No, no, not their magic. NO! I WILL NOT BE BOUND!”

Genedara stood her ground and continued to work, too focused on her spell casting to worry about the ramblings of a madman. Before anyone could stop him, Kallard let loose a roar laced with fury and shot towards the elf. He roughly shoved Cassian off to the side and pushed past Kylona. His short sword was drawn back and then driven deep into Genedara’s abdomen. The tip of the blade was thrust forward and through the elf’s body, forcing its way through a kidney and out her back. She cried out in agony and squeezed her eyes shut, pushing past the agonizing pain rushing through her body.

“Shit!” Kylona gasped and spun around, trying to pull Kallard off of the Mage.

“Too… Late,” Genedara whispered in Kallard’s ear. “I win.”

The air around the elf shimmered with magic as eight golden lances formed around Kallard in a circle, evenly spread out with equal gaps between each lance. The magical weapons were then pulled inward and into the bodies of the twins. While there was no physical sign of injury, the spell did seem to agitate the being possessing the twins even further. The creature’s fury bled outward, seeping into the minds of the three survivors.

Kallard tried to pull himself away from Genedara, seemingly frozen in place. Marilini would start to scream in pain as a dense, black cloud burst forth from her open mouth. The man’s rage grew, his hands reaching out and wrapping around the elf’s neck. He squeezed with all of his might, cramming his thumbs into her wind pipe in an effort to stop her from casting more spells.

“I will not be beaten by the likes of you!” he shouted in the elf’s face, spraying her with droplets of saliva. “Entire worlds have risen against me only to fall in the end. You cannot stop me! You cannot kill me!”

“What makes you think I’m trying to kill you?” Genedara asked the twins with the last of her air in her lung.

Kallard’s eyes went wide when it dawned on him as to what the lances were actually doing. The cloud of smoke that had left Marilini shot over to Genedara and forced its way into her body through any means possible. Her entire body began to spasm, held in place by Kallard. A chain composed entirely of magic formed between the elf and Kallard, binding the spirit within him to Genedara, effectively trapping it within her body.

What remained of the creature was sucked out of Kallard and into the elf. He finally released her, letting Genedara fall to the ground before falling over backwards. Marilini ceased her screaming and drooped forward before falling unconscious. Kylona dropped her weapon and ran over to keep Mari from cracking her head open on a stone while Cassian dropped down to Kallard’s side.

“’M fine,” Kallard said weakly, waving a hand in the elf’s direction. “Go help her.”

The last thing Genedara remembered hearing was Cassian speaking softly to her, praising her for her selflessness and bravery. While she was unable to see his face, she was able to hear the smile in his voice. Before she lost herself to fatigue, Genedara muttered the final word in the spell she had paused prior to trapping the thing within her. With the final power word spoken a series of chains sprung forth from the ground and wrapped themselves around the elf like a python constricting its pray. But, rather than kill her, the chains sealed themselves around her and vanished from view. It was then she lost consciousness, falling limp in Cassian’s arms.

---

One week later…

Genedara could feel the sun on her body as she lay in an unfamiliar bed. All around her she could hear the songbirds singing their lovely songs, the world seemingly at peace with itself. Her eyes fluttered open and she slowly sat up, wincing as a lance of pain shot through her torso. A hand fell down to her abdomen and gently landed where Kallard had impaled her. A jolt of anxiety rocked through her upon realizing the wound hadn’t been healed.

The sound of fabric rustling could be heard to Gene’s left. Her head snapped over to look in the general direction of the intruder. She tried to call upon her magics but found herself unable to do so. Her other hand reached up and gently tugged on the metal collar shackled around her neck. Whoever had entered the tent gasped and dropped what sounded like a bucket of water.

“Whoa shit! Cass, she’s awake!” Kylona could be heard shouting as she ran back out of the tent. “Cass!”

Well, that answered the question as to where she was.

“You’re finally awake,” Cassian said with a smile as he entered the elf’s tent. “I was started to get worried you weren’t going to wake up.”

“Did it work? Are the twins safe?”

“Yeah, we’re fine,” Kallard said from behind Cassian.

“Oh, you are?” Marilini could be heard asking her brother. “You’re still fucked in the head.”

“Fuck off.”

Cassian stepped closer to Genedara and reached out with both hands. He muttered a spell under his breath, unlocking the anti-magic collar strapped around the elf’s neck. With a soft clink the device opened and dropped down into her lap. Cassian silently took the collar and placed it on a small bedside table.

Genedara couldn’t help but smile at the reaction of the Felmann family. With her magic restored, she looked between the four humans and was surprised that there wasn’t an ounce of hostility in any of them. They all wore clean casual clothes without a weapon in sight. For the first time it looked as if Kallard was actually smiling at her, a look of respect on the war hardened veteran’s face.

“I’m glad,” Genedara said with a bob of her head.

“But, there is a bit of bad news,” Cassian replied softly as he took a seat at the foot of the elf’s bed. “The blade you were stabbed with was poisoned. I was able to rid your body of most of the toxins, but it seems the main effect is slowly down the rate at which the wound will heal.”

“How bad is it?”

“Pretty bad. You’re down to one kidney. I had to surgically remove the damaged one so you’re going to have to change your diet to adapt. And, due to the nature of the poison used any attempt to tend to the wound with Light magic only caused more harm,” Cassian replied in a soft voice, placing a comforting hand on Genedara’s knee.

“We worked with some Druids during the third war that I’ve reached out to,” Kallard chimed in. “While most of them are busy with the new world tree, one of them is willing to swing by and take a look at the wound. He’ll need a couple days to shake off the Dream before he arrives. My hope is that the wound is only resistant to Light magics.”

“I appreciate the help you and your family is offering,” Genedara said with a respectful bow of her head.

“We’ve served with a lot of people in our time,” Marilini said from Genedara’s side. “But none of them have done what you did for us. Now that we know what was really behind your actions in the past, I want to say for all of us that we forgive you. You weren’t in control and thus cannot be blamed for hurting us and others.”

“Yeah, that was some serious hero type shit,” Kallard added.

“I was just doing what I felt was right,” Genedara said softly. “It is what my husband would have done.”

“I can say, without a doubt in mind that he looks down at you with pride in his heart,” Cassian said, giving the elf’s knee a comforting squeeze.

“So, with that said, I have a question for you,” Kallard stuck his hand out. “Do you wanna join us?”

“Join you? What do you mean?”

“What the big oaf is trying to say,” Kylona replied, playfully punching Kallard’s shoulder. “Is that we want you to join our family.”

“Even after everything that’s happened?”

“Lady, you just tore an evil being out of my sister and I and trapped it inside your body. You didn’t do this for yourself. You didn’t even do this for us. You did this for the betterment of the world itself and I refuse to let that kind of strength and talent go to waste. Join our family and we can work together to figure out a permanent solution to this problem so you can live a normal life again,” Kallard calmly said.

Genedara went silent for a moment as she through the proposal over. It was true, she would need help keeping the beast contained. Such a task is possible alone but easier with the help and support of others. For the briefest of moments she could feel the comforting presence of her husband and children as a warmth that spread through her body. Tears welled up in her eyes as the elf nodded in agreement.

“Okay. I will join your family.”

The Felmanns all let loose a collective cheer and applause.

“But I have a condition. I cannot live a tent. My tower isn’t far from here and there’s more than enough room for you and your belongings.”

“Shit, we get a new ally and a tower to live in? Yeah, I’m down,” Kylona said with a smirk.

“As am I,” Marlini added with a warm smile. “Welcome to the family, sister.”

“Yeah, what she said,” Kallard chimed in, offering a fist to Genedara to bump.

“You all know I’m okay with this,” Cassian replied.

The remaining four members all bumped their fists against Kallard’s, Genedara included. With the new addition to the family, the Felmanns would spend the rest of the day getting to know their new sister. While she normally was a very reserved and private person, Genedara found no issue in retelling her traumatic past to these people, knowing that they would understand her pain. Tears were shed and drinks were had and at the end of the night, the Felmann family drank and celebrated.

For the first time in a long time, the Felmann family was at peace.

[genedara]

What was and what will be

There’s nothing…

I know.

“What did you do to the twins?” Genedara asked the Thing. She stared the abomination down, arms crossed over her chest. The two of them were staring at each other on the top floor of the elf’s personal tower. The Thing wore the guise of the demon woman, a cocky smirk spread across her lips.

“We’re borrowing them,” the two said in unison, their voices overlapping each other.

“That’s great. Give them back to their family. Now.”

The demon woman laughed, shook her head and said, “No.”

“Why? What could you possibly want with them?” Genedara asked.

“We don’t have to explain anything to you,” the woman said as she started to pace around the room. “They will serve their purpose just like you.”

“What is their purpose? Do you really need another host to do your murdering in, or is this a fetish for you?”

“I DO NOT NEED TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING TO YOU, GIRL!” the demon woman screamed. The windows in the tower rattled in place and downstairs in the small kitchenette a couple of glasses fell off the counter, shattering the moment they hit the ground. Genedara shrunk into herself and took several steps backwards.

“Who the fuck are you to demand things from me? Who the fuck are you, hm?” the woman asked, turning to face Genedara. “You’re what, 900 years old? What have you accomplished in that time?”

Genedara opened her mouth to reply but instead clamped her jaw shut and continued to stare down the woman. She knew that most of her accomplishments were due to her parents standing in Quel’thalas society. It was true, she was one powerful Mage but there were others far stronger and smarter than her so she was by means not the best there was. The only thing that she had done herself was establishing herself in the Stormwind economy with her enchanting business.

“That’s what I thought,” the woman said with a shake of her head. “You’re nothing. A fucking nobody. They only redeeming quality is the trauma you faced in the past. That is the only thing keeping you alive.”

“Well, if I am nothing what does that make you? How are you any different than me?” Genedara asked, a hint of annoyance lingering in her voice.

“You dare mock me?!” the woman shouted as she charged forward, her wings unfolding as she moved. She closed the gap between the two women in the blink of an eye and grabbed Genedara by the throat, hoisting her off the ground. “I am Ralitha Moonfall, High Queen of Midgard, slayer of gods and conqueror of the Heavens! I am a goddess! Now kneel before me! FUCKING KNEEL!”

The final word uttered by the demon woman carried the weight of submission, forcing Genedara to obey. The elf dropped down to her knees and bowed forward, touching her forehead to the wooden floorboards. She hung there, her whole body trembling, unable to escape the rage that radiated from Ralitha. She could feel just how powerful this woman was, brief flashes of memories darting through the elf’s mind.

“You are an ant compared to us, Genedara Silverfury. In the grand scheme of things you are worthless to us. You are merely a vessel for Him. If you continue to disobey we will forcibly take control, pushing your consciousness off to the side. You will be forced to watch as He carves a bloody path through this pathetic world.”

“Whatever,” Genedara muttered, looking away from her tormentor. “Are you done? I have nothing else to add to this conversation.”

Ralitha snarled and dropped the elf, letting her crumple to the ground like dead weight. The two women glared at each other before the demonic woman stormed downstairs, eventually vanishing. That left Genedara alone and laying on the ground feeling utterly defeated. It felt as if every attempt to better her situation only made things worse.

Genedara stayed on the floor for some time. The minutes turned into hours and before she knew it the sun was setting and she was still on the floor. Any drive to get up and be productive went out the window when Ralitha made her appearance. On a typical day she would spend most of her time working away in the shop. But the last twenty four hours had been an absolute nightmare, making focusing on work nigh impossible. She considered the idea of going to Stormwind and walking around but the thought of being around others made her feel sick.

“You’re pathetic,” the Thing’s voice said in the depths of her mind. “Look at you laying on the floor. Did the First’s words wound you so severely you cannot drag yourself off the ground?”

“I am not your entertainment,” Genedara muttered. “Just kill me and be done with it.”

“You won’t get off that easy,” the Thing said, seeming to sound like He was right next to her. “You will not be the first host to fight me.”

“No, I’m not. But I will be the first host to kill you,” the elf snapped.

“So confident yet too weak to drag yourself off the ground. Maybe I made a mistake in choosing you.”

“You did make a mistake! At what point in my life did you think I’d make a good home for you and your psychopath groupies? I was a scholar and an educator, not some bloodthirsty adventurer or self proclaimed hero.”

“You remind me of someone,” the Thing said. He stood over Genedara, arms crossed over his broad chest covered in bone-like armor plating. His face shared features found in most of the bipedal humanoids on Azeroth save for the lack of eyes or eye sockets. A series of holes had been drilled into the plates of bone that covered most of his head but did not appear as a way for the creature to see. He loomed over the elf, standing roughly seven feet tall with strong musculature. Lacking any real flesh, the creature’s long, fang-like teeth were visible for the world to see.

“Yeah, right. I bet you knew a lot of people like me in your long, worthless existence.”

“If you do not cease your disrespectful attitude I will start removing body parts,” the Thing said, its sightless gaze never leaving the elf’s form. “Maybe I’ll take your hearing next. Or maybe I’ll rip one of your legs off and watch you hop around while you bleed to death.”

“Please, you’d be doing me a favor,” Genedara said and rolled onto her side, tired of looking up and seeing Him standing there.

The Thing bent over and grabbed the elf by her shoulders, forcing her up onto her feet. He brought his face down to be inches away from hers, looking very much like an angry parent about to scold their child. Genedara kept her eyes closed, not wanting to look at this new horrific visage the Thing had taken a liking to.

“I grow tired of your games, elf,” the Thing said, speaking to Genedara in her mind. “It is time. Time to end this. You will submit or face a fate worse than death.”

“I will never submit to you,” Genedara spat back.

“So be it. If you remain sane through this then maybe I will grant you some leeway as to how I treat you,” the Thing said, reaching out and placing a large hand on the elf’s head, sharp talons digging into her scalp. “It is time you see what I have seen. Feel what I have felt.”

“What are you tal-” Genedara started to say before cutting herself off.

A hot lance of pain shot into the elf’s mind, so intense she couldn’t help but scream in agony. She could feel herself being dragged through the Thing’s memories, witnessing eons of abuse and death. Several impossibly long lifetimes were spent inflicting pain wherever He went, leaving a trail of dead bodies in His wake. He pulled her deeper into His memories, showing her how He hopped from reality to reality whenever He grew bored or had been met with too much resistance.

Going back through time Genedara witnessed the reverse of the Big Bang, watching the universe shrink and shrink until she was floating in a vast, dark ocean without any light to guide her way. He did not stop there and continued to reveal more and more about His existence. In the vast sea of nothingness two planets formed, orbiting an uncharacteristic large white dwarf star.

For eons the two worlds existed in perfect harmony, each of their inhabitants careful not to overthrow the delicate balance of the known universe. One one world were beings composed entirely of light and energy while the other world was cloaked in a permanent night, its inhabitants just as dark as the world they lived on. The two races were two opposite sides of the spectrum, one representing Order and the other Chaos. For their universe to exist the two peoples had to live in harmony, otherwise everything they knew and loved would perish in an apocalyptic event.

But all good things must come to an end.

Eventually the beings of light grew tired of the games the darkness would play. Due to the nature of their very existence, the darkness fed on the negative energies the beings of light would emit when under intense stress. A great warrior, tired of the status quo, sought to end the darkness and bring light to an ungrateful universe. He aimed to eradicate their entire species just so his people could find a measure of peace.

The resulting war destroyed both planets. The beings of light were able to stick to their goals and eradicated the people of darkness. Or so they thought. The Thing, the last surviving member of his entire species had been gravely wounded in battle. Seeking to bring justice to those who slaughtered his kin, the sole survivor unleashed a devastating magical spell upon his enemies. Not only did He kill the survivors of the great war but He destroyed both worlds.

With the balance of life and death destroyed, the universe collapsed into itself. It folded in on itself until there was nothing but the Thing. He watched as a new universe was born from the ashes of the old one, all traces of his kin wiped clean from the history books. No one would know of His people’s suffering or the horrible spell He unleashed. As time went on, the Thing grew hungry. He turned on the new lifeforms that sprung up, once more feasting upon their negative energies.

Genedara fell to the ground and curled up into a ball, the Thing having dropped her when He was done showing her his past. She remained there for the rest of the evening, her brain struggling to comprehend seeing the death of two species, leading to the creation of a new universe. Is that all there was to life? Light and Dark, life and death. Was that truly all there was? She didn’t seem to care anymore, indifferent to the truth of all things.

And so Genedara carried on about her life as if nothing had happened. She now knew it was impossible to try and resist. And thanks to her actions two people were now missing, their family working tirelessly to try and save them. The elf was determined to help them, even if it meant her own death.

[genedara]

A Bad Idea

Run, run, run, run.

You haven’t changed anything yet. You haven’t changed their futures. You - you haven’t saved any of them.

Close your eyes, Bev.

Fuck you!

If you don’t believe, close them. And see.

((The following contains subject material that may be triggering to some. Themes included: graphic violence and scenes of disturbing imagery. Read at your own discretion.))

Genedara let out a soft sigh as she closed the front door to her store, Mystical Enchantments. She slid the bronze key into the lock and twisted it to the right, engaging the deadbolt and locking the door. The key was slipped into a pocket in her trousers and her other hand was pressed up against the door. A magic circle roughly three feet across flared to life as mana was pumped into it, activating the seal that kept her business safe from external threats, effectively raising a barrier around the building. With her store locked up tight Genedara pulled her folded up white cane and flicked it open. She turned to the right and started the short walk to a quiet spot near the Trade District, the preferred spot for her lunch break. The city was rife with activity today, the Trade District packed to the brim with adventures seeking out new gear for their journeys. Gene made her way through the crowds, sweeping her cane from side to side. Most people were aware enough to stay out of her way but occasionally someone would bump into her.

Eventually the crowds thinned out and Genedara was able to escape the hustle and bustle of a busy market. She walked parallel with the canal and stopped when she was at her favorite bench. A handkerchief was removed from a pocket that was used to wipe the bench off to avoid sitting in a puddle. Satisfied the bench was safe to sit on, she pocketed the handkerchief and sat down and set down her lunch box to her right.

“Nice part of town, isn’t it?” a woman asked, having approached Genedara without making a sound.

The elf let out an annoyed sigh, having hoped to avoid people until after she had eaten. Business had been booming as of late and as a result Genedara hadn’t had time to eat breakfast or lunch the past few days. Coupled with twelve hour days, she was running on fumes. She did her best to avoid sleep, fearing that if she were to lose consciousness the Thing would come out again. Ever since she had learned of the Thing living within her, Gene only slept in short bursts.

“Yes,” Gene snapped back. “Is there something I can do for you? I don’t have a lot of spare time and I’d rather be eating my lunch than providing small talk for a stranger.”

“Jeez, no need to be a bitch,” the woman said quietly. “I just wanted to talk with you. I figured we had a lot to talk about.”

“We have nothing to discuss,” Genedara said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Begone, I am hungry and not in the mood for whatever you want.”

“You can try to banish me,” the woman said in unison with a second, deeper voice. “But He has commanded I speak with you. I am going nowhere until I have said what needs to be said.”

Genedara snapped to attention, her body going rigid as she channeled Arcane magics through her body, activating her Arcane sight. Standing before her was a woman in her early twenties with light brown hair styled into a bob. She had brilliant yellow eyes and a set of horns growing from the sides of her head, a set of leathery wings folded up behind the stranger.

“Who is this? Why are you hiding in the guise of a Succubus?” Genedara asked the strange woman.

“A Succubus? As if. I’m more like you, you see. Same background. Dead kids, dead husband and oh woe is me,” the woman said, making a crying motion with her hands. “I am the First.”

“The first what?”

“The First. The first host. I found Him sealed away in the Heavens, a prisoner as old as time itself, the last of His people.”

“What do you want with me?” Genedara asked, abandoning all hope of eating her lunch.

“He knows what you’re doing. Or rather, what you’re trying to do,” the woman replied as she dropped down to a flat-footed squat. “He knows you’re trying to seal him away in a staff. He wanted me to tell you that it won’t work.”

Genedara sat there in stunned silence. She had hoped that the Thing wouldn’t be able to observe what she was doing while she was in control. She had assumed that everything would be okay so long as she didn’t fall asleep. It dawned on her that she was out of her league and was on a path of destruction rather than one of salvation. If He knew what she was doing, would it even be worth it to try? Is doing nothing to stop things really her only option?

“Won’t know until we try,” Gene said, trying to feign confidence. “Your friend may be strong but he has not faced anything like me before. I’ll learn your weaknesses. I have a long life ahead of me and have more than enough time to figure out a way to end you. I will not go down without a fight, that I can promise you.”

“Fight all you want,” the woman said with a shrug of her shoulders. “You wouldn’t be the first person to resist Him and you certainly won’t be the last. I admit, He is scary at first. I was scared too. Spend a few eons with Him and you’ll change your mind. Soon enough you’ll find comfort in his presence, just as we all did.”

“All? How many of you are there?” Genedara asked.

“Hundreds. Thousands. It’s hard to tell,” the other woman said with another shrug of her shoulders. “He’s been around for a long time and has met a lot of people who wanted to be apart of His journey. We are him and he is us. We are one.”

“And that is what is going to happen to me?”

“That depends,” came the woman’s reply as she stood back up, abandoning her squat. “Work with us and you will continue to live. Keep on resisting and he’ll return you to the state he found you in twenty years ago.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Genedara asked, her eyes never leaving the stranger’s form. “What state was in twenty years ago?”

“Lady, you blew yourself up. You turned your body into a fine red mist when you set that bomb off. Your body was vaporized. Just… Poof, gone! Boy, was that a show. You’re quite the accomplished mage, being able to pull a spell like that off.

“We saw the whole thing, you know; we followed Arthas for his entire journey. Kylona was host back then, that little psychopath. I’m sure you’ve seen her work in your dreams by now. But anyway, the perfect little prince went and did his thing. We watched your house collapse with your family inside. Heartbreaking, really. One moment you have the perfect life and the next it’s all taken away. So sad. The perfect host, a woman defeated by life but too cowardly to take her own life. That’s okay. You’ll have an eternity to come to terms with the death of your crotch goblins.”

“What did you call my children?” Genedara snarled as she rose from her bench. “Insult my children again and I’ll vaporize you.”

“You could try,” the woman said with yet another shrug of her shoulders. “Not gonna do anything. For you see, I’m not really here. You’ve been talking to yourself this entire time. What, didn’t you see the people who walked by giving you the hairy eyeball? Oh. That’s right. You’re blind. My bad!”

And then the woman was gone, vanishing without a trace. Genedara was left there, alone, her lunch abandoned. A couple could be seen walking away in the distance, having passed by just a moment ago while she was having a discussion with the air. Feeling like a fool the elf gathered up her lunch and started fast walking to the city gates.

Ever since Genedara discovered the Thing living inside of her, she had started having horrible nightmares. She knew now that those were not mere dreams but actual memories of her body committing atrocious acts in the name of this Thing. In several of these dreams a pair of twins were seen actively interfering with the Thing whenever they ran into each other. They were the only group of people to consistently avoid dying at the hands of the Thing. Be it through sheer luck or skill, Genedara needed those twins now.

It was time to pay them a visit.

------

“Babe,” Cassian said, roughly shoving Kallard’s shoulder. “Babe, wake up. Who falls asleep cooking?”

Kallard let loose a mighty yawn, closed his eyes, extended his arms and legs and did a mighty stretch with a soft groan. He reached up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sitting up in his lawn chair. Kylona had her nose stuck in some book, wrapped up in a blanket near the fire and Marilini was in the tent drying the wolves off after their afternoon bath.

“I wasn’t cooking anything, I’m smoking meat.”

“Well, you smoked the meat into charcoal pucks,” Cassian muttered, pointing at the now ruined food. “Why don’t you leave the cooking to me, yeah? I want to actually eat today.”

“It’s true, Kal,” Kylona chimed in without looking up. “You suck at grilling.”

“Whoa, hold on there. I thought you all loved my steaks.”

Kylona just laughed in response.

“Shut it, Shortstack,” Kallard snapped back.

“Uuugghh,” Kylona groaned, finally looking up from her book. “I hate that call sign you know.”

“And I hated mine when I got it. Suck it up, buttercup. Embrace the suck,” Kallard said with a wave of his hand.

“Well, your call sign actually makes sense. You’re a fucking rascal, Kal. You’re always up to no good,” Cassian chimed in, elbowing his husband in the ribs. “You’re a menace.”

“Bullshit! I’m not always scheming, right sis?!”

“Leave me out of this!” Marilini shouted from inside the tent. “Shut up and make me some food!”

“FINE! I’ll make us some stir fry you lazy fucks.”

“It’s your turn to cook, dumbass!” came Mari’s reply.

It had been a few months since Kylona was saved by the Felmanns and she couldn’t have been any happier. Finally, for the first time in her life she was surrounded by people who not only respected her, but loved and wanted her around. The Felmanns were a rough bunch but they had their hearts in the right place. Kallard may be abrasive and offensive but deep down he was a kind man who would die for his family. In the weeks that followed Kylona’s rescue she had been formally adopted by Cassian and Kallard and had taken on their last name.

They spent practically all day together, either training, shooting the shit or just quietly existing around each other. Cassian was finally caught up on recent events due to him missing a good ten years of history. Kallard was working Kylona hard, running her through what he called Boot Camp. Every day for a good portion of the daylight hours was spent training and readying Kylona for future conflicts. They had even given her one of the four revolvers the family used, officially making her a Felmann.

“What meat do you bums want?” Kallard ask the group, tossing vegetables into a large wok. “We got chicken, pork and a few shrimp left over from last night.”

“Chicken!” Cassian and Marilini said in unison.

“Chicken it is. Grub’ll be rea-” Kallard had started before a bomb went off roughly one hundred feet from the camp; someone or something had triggered their early warning traps.

Marilini came flying out of the tent, tossing a double barrel shotgun in her brother’s direction before slipping back inside. Kallard snatched the weapon out of the air and cracked open the breach to check it was load before snapped the barrel back into place. Kylona abandoned her blanket and book, tossing both items aside as she popped up to her feet, drawing her revolver as she moved. Unlike the others Cassian did not arm himself and instead took up position next to his husband.

“Watch it be a deer,” Kylona muttered after a moment of silence.

“Ain’t no deer comin’ out here. The Murlocs to the south keep most prey species away which also keeps the predators away. Things know to avoid an area when they see their buddies dropping left and right,” came Kallard’s reply.

Kylona opened her mouth to reply but instead snapped her jaw shut when a woman stepped out of the forest and into the clearing where the Felmann camp was. She held her hands up in the air, palms facing the group in an attempt to show them she was not armed. The woman wore clothing fit for a Gilnean noble with platinum blonde hair pulled into a tidy ponytail. Her milky white eyes gazed at the group, radiating a soft blue. It was the same elf who had had been terrorizing the area for as long as the Felmanns were there.

“The fuck do you want?” Kallard asked the elf, keeping the barrel of his shotgun aimed at her head. “Last time you showed up you tried to kill us. You got thirty seconds to explain yourself.”

“I am not here to fight,” the woman said calmly, keeping her gaze on Kallard. “I know that I have tried to harm you in the past and I want to make it absolutely clear that I will not harm any of you this day. I am here to explain myself and see if you would be willing to offer me aid so we can put this part of our lives behind us. Please. I cannot keep Him contained forever. He must be dealt with.”

“The fuck you talking about?” Kallard spat. “Ain’t no he or him. It’s you. It’s always just been you.”

“I am possessed. You haven’t spoken to ME once. The entire time you were talking to HIM.”

“Yeah, and? Go see a fucking Priest!” Kylona shouted at the woman. “We’re not exorcists or holy men.”

“Well, there is one holy man here,” Cassian said, looking at the woman. “I don’t know your history with my family but I am willing to at least verify what you are saying.”

“What?! No, we’re not helping her!” Kallard snapped back, looking at his husband briefly. “Cass, she’s been killing people left and right. You’ve heard the rumors! What about that church full of people that up and vanished? Or what about that farmhouse that was painted with blood? That was all her! She’s just using this possession bit to garner sympathy for her.”

“Kal, hun, I’m a Paladin. We help people, even those who have tried to harm us. I would be breaking my oath if I were to turn her away,” Cassian said softly, placing a comforting hand on Kallard’s shoulder.

“Please,” the woman begged. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. These hands are covered in enough blood. Help me end this.”

Without waiting for Kallard’s permission, Cassian stepped forward and approached the stranger. He offered her a kind smile and gestured for her to lower her hands before doing the same for his family. Kylona hesitantly lowered her revolver but Kallard kept his shotgun trained on the woman. He did a half circle around the elf and his husband, keeping the former in his sights.

“Ignore him,” Cassian told the elf, reaching out with his right hand. “I’m just going to do a quick probe. If you are telling the truth then I will detect two souls within you, which we all know isn’t normal. It won’t hurt. I promise.”

“Alright, you may run your test,” the elf said, letting the Paladin’s warm hand rest on the top of her head.

The smile never left Cassian’s face as he closed his eyes and focused for a moment. Thanks to his training as a combat medic and a Light based healer, it didn’t take long for him to see the truth behind the woman’s words. There was indeed two distinct and separate souls residing within the woman. Her soul was strong and steeped in magic but the other had a sinister energy to it. Whatever it was, it knew what Cassian was trying to do, a hint of amusement rising to the surface. Cassian gasped and withdrew his hand, feeling as if he had touched a hot pan on the stove.

“She’s telling the truth,” the Paladin said first looking at the woman and then down at his hand. “Whatever else is inside of her is wicked.”

“Now do you believe me?” the woman asked, keeping her gaze on Kallard, the obvious leader of the group.

“Do I believe you? Yes. Do I trust you to roam free around my family? No. What’s to stop that thing inside of you from taking over now and killing all of us? What are you doing to keep it contained? Doesn’t it know you are doing this? Surely it’s not going to sit there and watch us lock it away.”

“Kal, chill. Let her explain herself,” Kylona chimed in, looking over at the man that she now considered to be her adopted father.

While the others were distracted with their ethical debate, Marilini sneaked out of the tent. In her right hand was a large, open shackle. Several runes had been carved into the shiny metal, each one giving off a dull blue glow. Without warning, she leaped at the elf and tackled her to the ground, forcing a cry of surprise and pain as the two women hit the ground. Th elven woman felt the cold metal of the shackle close around her neck, sealing itself with a soft click.

“That’s better,” Kallard muttered, dropping down to a squat as Mari rolled off of the elf. “You feel that? That’s an anti-magic collar. You ain’t castin’ no spells or fuckery. Had this made special, just for you.”

“Are you done? Pretty sure we established that it wasn’t me who hurt you,” the elf said with a face full of grass, not wanting to move and anger the veterans.

“Nope, not done,” Kallard said, poking the elf with the barrel of his shotgun. “I don’t trust you. You can say what you came here to say without your magic.”

“I already told you what I needed to say. I need your help if we are to deal with this problem. Do you think He’ll stop with me? He will come after you next. You’re the one he wants to move to when I die. He wants you to serve as his host, Kallard,” the elf told the group as she rolled over and sat upright.

“Yeah, and? I already knew this, lady. What can you do to prevent that from happening? You gonna wave your hands and make all of our problems disappear? Why the fuck should we trust you?” Kallard asked the woman, anger seeping into his voice. “I have half a mind to blow your fucking head off and be done with this bullshit once and for all.”

“Killing her won’t solve your problems,” said a calm, almost soothing disembodied voice.

The campfire exploded in a giant ball of fire before becoming a giant, flaming pillar. A pair of shiny, silver eyes appeared in the center, gazing out at those assembled before it. Kallard looked up at the fire but kept his shotgun trained on the elf. He narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin with a free hand.

“Oh, wow, look at that. You led it right to us. What a fucking surprise!” Kallard muttered as he roughly shoved the elf with the barrel of his shotgun. “Stupid cunt. Gonna enjoy this.”

Kallard shifted his index finger from the top of the trigger guard and wrapped it around the trigger. Without another word or approval from the others the first shotgun shell was fired, a deafening boom ripping through the camp. A high pitched whine laid over a low buzzing noise came from the elf as the buckshot made contact with a barrier placed around the elven woman. Once the energy had dissipated the small metal spheres fell to the ground, leaving Kallard to sit there staring at the woman with an annoyed expression.

(( Recommended listening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdlvgIFdNZU ))

“You mortals never think before doing something, do you?” the voice asked Kallard, the shiny silver eyes locked onto the veteran. “Genedara is safe so long as she remains my host. Try to harm her again and I’ll end you, Kallard.”

“Okay,” Kallard said with a shrug of his shoulders before firing the second shot. With that done he tossed the weapon off to the side and rose to his feet. He reached out with his right hand and caught something that Marilini tossed in his general direction. In his hand was a grenade packed to the brim with Azerite, a weapon strong enough to vaporize anyone foolish enough to remain within its blast radius.

“You’d kill everyone here just to get me?” the voice asked Kallard. “How delightful.”

“Nah, just you and this cunt,” Kal grunted as he hitched a thumb back at the elven woman. “What’re you gonna do this time? You gonna spook us again? Oooooh so scary.”

“You will fear me when I am through with you,” the voice boomed, losing the sense of calm it carried just moments ago.

From the fire emerged a figure with its skin removed with bone-like armor plating covering the vital parts of its body. The creature stood over six feet tall and was built like a professional fighter. Its body was lean and muscular with spikes jutting forth from its chin. A wicked grin was forever etched into its features with no visible eye sockets. The creature took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, blowing a thick, black smoke from deep within its body.

Something took hold of Kallard and dragged him forward and then up into the air. He thrashed around mid-air, trying his hardest to fight against the invisible hand that was holding him in place. Cassian took a few steps backward and took in a deep breath, calling upon the Light. Kylona didn’t waste any time and opened fired on the fleshy creature. The barrel of her revolver kicked upwards as she dumped all six rounds into the thing’s chest, having barely made a dent in its thick armor plating.

“You will all fear me,” the creature roared.

“Fuck you, I bow to no one!” Kallard shouted back. “Stupid bitch! Fight me like a man!”

One moment Kallard was shouting obscenities and the next he was screaming in agony. Whatever was holding him in place simply tore the man in two, discarding the two halves as if they were trash. Kallard’s intestines spilled out of the gaping hole in his torso, dead before he hit the ground. The rest of his internal organs joined his intestines, his heart giving one final beat before falling still. His gaze was locked on Cassian, he husband’s face the last thing he saw before being brutally murdered.

“KAL NO!” Kylona screamed, eyes wide with shock.

Marilini hissed in pain and clutched her chest, her face dark red and beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. She took a few steps forward, stumbling towards her brother as her body grew weaker and weaker. Her body would then give out, the remaining twin hitting the ground with a pained yelp. A single hand reached out and grasped her brother’s body before she too fell limp, dead without a scratch.

Kylona stood there in stunned silence after watching two of her closest friends die. She stood there motionless, eyes locked onto the corpses of the Felmann twins. Tears flowed down her cheeks as her knees gave out. She collapsed onto her knees and covered her face with both hands and softly sobbed. After finally meeting people who actually cared about her had been a blessing, something Kylona had never had in her life. But now they were gone, nothing more than two sacks of meat.

Cassian on the other hand was not stunned into silence. A column of bright golden light shot downward from the heavens. The Paladin held up his hand and a large, glowing mace appeared out of thin air. With a roar he charged forward, bringing down the mace on the creature that had so effortless killed the two people who meant the world to him. He was filled with a righteous fury, knowing the Light will allow him to act upon his grief.

The creature ducked out of the way of the magical mace and stepped off to the side. The thing stood there, basking in the suffering that now radiated from the remaining two Felmann family members. Knowing the grieving Kylona wouldn’t be joining the fight, the abomination turned its full attention on Cassian.

A pair of brilliant golden wings exploded from Cassian’s back and spread open, giving the paladin an impressive ten foot wingspan. The fury of the Light burned in his eyes, trails of magic drifting off from the corners of his eyes and into the cool air. He continued his advanced on the abomination, swinging his mace around with ease. But, despite his best efforts, Cassian would be unable to harm the thing that killed his husband.

Whether it was due to his grief blinding him or if it was simply due to being overpowered, something was preventing Cass from doing anything substantial. After a few minutes of one-sided combat the paladin took a few steps backwards, breathing heavily. It had been a while since he had called upon the Light in such a fashion, the effort practically draining the man.

“It won’t be today, it might not be tomorrow, but I promise you this,” Cassian gasped. “I will kill you.”

“You will try,” the creature said, letting out an amused chuckle.

And then it was gone.

Sensing the worst of it was over, Genedara relaxed her posture and eased herself out of the fetal position. She sat up and looked around, expecting a bloodbath. Instead the camp was clean and free of any bodily fluids and internal organs. Neither Kallard or Marilini were anywhere within sight nor inside their tent. The elf looked around with a frown, unable to sense the twins presence anywhere hear them.

“Where are they?!” Cassian screamed as he took hold of the elf’s neck, hoisting her off the ground. “Tell me where you took them!”

“I didn’t take them anywhere. Did you fail to see me curled up on the ground?” Genedara snapped back.

“Why the hell did you come here in the first place? If you knew that thing was going to do this then they did you come here?!”

“I thought you could help me!” Genedara shouted back.

“Yeah, well, look what that brought us,” Cassian said, defeated. He dropped the elf and turned away from her and into the tent. “You ought to leave.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“LEAVE!” Cassian and Kylona screamed at the same time.

Genedara looked at the two, their rage and sorrow the result of her poor decisions. Had she not come all the way out here the twins would most likely still be present. There was no indication that the creature was nearby or hiding within her again. The elf reached up with both hands and rubbed her eyes, feeling agitated and defeated. She looked between the two once more before turning around and silently making her way back home, not bothering to say goodbye.

“What do we do?” Kylona asked no one in particular.

“I’ll take Bao and search the forest. You take Kun and do the same to the west. They couldn’t have gotten far,” Cassian muttered. “We have to move fast.”

“I know that, Cass, but it would be really fucking stupid to just rush into this. What are we even fighting? What the fuck was that thing?”

“I don’t know what it was but I do know this: I’m going to kill it and save my family. Kallard ripped through time to save me and I’ll be damned if I don’t put in the same effort to save him and Mari.”

“Wait,” Kylona said, turning to look at Cassian. “What do you mean he ripped through time?”

“I died ten years ago. I was slain in combat during our Pandarian tour. Kallard went back in time to the point where I had just been given the lethal blow and brought me back here,” Cassian told Kylona, finally tearing his gaze away from the tent and over to her. “He broke every rule in the book to save me.”

“Then let’s do the same. Let’s do something so stupid they’ll write about it in the history books,” Kylona said, a grin spreading across her face. “C’mon, Cass. Let’s bonk our heads together and come up with a plan. No point in standing around with a thumb up our asses.”

Cassian smiled down at the shorter woman and pulled her into a tight embrace. The two stood there for a moment, holding each other and processing what had just transpired. After a couple of minutes the two sat down next to the fire and started their planning. At first the pair split up, each one taking one of the wolves into the woods, hunting the twins’s scent. But, despite their best efforts and after an entire day’s worth of searching they met back up at camp and collapsed into their chairs. Neither of them had any clue as to where the twins were but Kylona and Cassian wouldn’t let that stop them. After a quick meal and a short nap the two returned to their search.

------

Kylona and Marilini were suspended in mid-air. Their feet were bound together with iron shackles, their hands tied and shackled behind their backs. A thick wad of dirty linen had been shoved into their mouth and a blindfold pulled over their eyes. Neither of them were conscious at the moment, locked away in a magical coma. The creature stood before them, gazing deep into their bodies and admiring their tainted souls. This is where they would remain, locked away in an unknown basement in some unknown area, trapped in a slumbering state.

And so the hungry god feasted upon their doubts and fears, gorging itself on their grief and rage. And what fine meals they were.