scndstorms

[scndstorms]

That damned fool...

Azir would mutter to himself, cursing Xerath’s very name. How dare he. To think he could storm the capital, to march on the beacon of hope for all in the sands. Clearly he knew not of the greatness that Azir promoted and all the prosperity he planned to spread across his empire.

“Mobilize the sandcrafters and tell the generals to rally their soldiers. The hour of war is upon us.” 

And sooner than expected...

“Now!”

He roared his decree that echoed in the large chamber, jolting a sense of urgency into his cohort as they scurried off to deliver their emperor’s word.

Azir now stood by himself. It was quiet. The calm before the storm, he thought. Anger and regret filled his headspace. He was angry at Xerath, furious at this attempt of a hostile takeover. It was easy to forget how they were as children, he’d almost forgotten at this point, not from the passage of time, but the intake of hate. Xerath had been an ache he could not settle since his revival and now, in his ascension, he would do anything in his power to stop Xerath, if not for now, for good.

... ... ...

Sweaty, panting, and sprinting, a scout returned to the makeshift forward command post, that was still being set up, making his way to the commanding officer there.

“Karim! Captain Karim!” the scout called out, getting the Captains attention and nearly running into him before delivering a report on the battlefield and the enemy forces.

“I am to wait for the general and sandcrafters to arrive but in the light of this information I do not believe we can sit idle for too much longer.” He had no clue what they were up against, only knowing that his company would only slow them down, but any time that they could buy will be valuable. “Men, arm yourselves. We march now, FOR SHURIMA!”

His soldiers roared in response, with raised weapons, filled with vigor and adrenaline, all ready and willing to lay down their lives for their emperor. Captain Karim motioned for his troops to charge, pointing his short-sword towards the direction of the enemy.

The acolytes toiled endlessly, raising great obelisks to siphon power straight from the desert beneath them. They needed no food or rest, for by their master’s grace, their bodies had been stripped of such menial needs. In the distance, the Sun Disc was just barely visible, making it clear just how precarious this task truly was… However, they were not be deterred. Their master would arrive soon, and when he did, it would at last be time to march on Azir’s capital. Little did they know that the Hawk Emperor was aware of their activity, and his forces would soon arrive to put a stop to it…

@scndstorms

[scndstorms]

Qiyana reluctantly bowed, while Chuma her bodyguard bowed out of respect. "Greetings Your Majesty. We are emissaries from the kingdom of Ixtal. How goes our long lost relatives in Shurima?"

"Welcome, dear friends." The Hawk Emperor broadly gestured, bringing himself to a wide stance with his arms stretched out. "The people of Shurima as I know it to be are well and ripe with enthusiasm for the dawn of our new era. What are your names and have you come to pledge yourselves to my empire?"

[scndstorms]

[scndstorms]

The poro chitters happily at the head scratches! At his question, it chitters happily some more! Truthfully, it has no idea what a shurima is. But if it makes the birb man happy, clearly must be good! Gives encouraging paw wiggles!

The Ascended would laugh again, raising the little one up above his head on his flat palm, as if to present it to the world.

"Then you may be by my side for the rebirth of Shurima! Haha!"

[scndstorms]

"The emperor of the dead kingdom himself..... Azir I think it was." The tall chemist scratched his chin. "You do have some information I am keen on understanding and am willing to buy it."

"And who might you be, traveler?"

The emperor cooed curiously, cocking his head as a bird would to see its meal better to get a good look at the man before him. His covered face did not surprise him but it was different than the usual coverings he had seen to keep the sands out of one's mouth. He also looked somewhat emaciated, like he was in need of a good meal. Azir was most curious what information that he wanted and to purchase it from him rather than some other scribe or historian only made him wonder more.

"And what information do you seek?"

@zauns-doctor

[scndstorms]

The emperor stood atop the dune as he watched his pupil practice the sand magics. Arms crossed and the light from the sun shining from behind him, cascading his shadowy visage down below.

The beast she had tried to create fizzled... Again. Azir sighed and his head drooped down slightly, disappointed that she had not yet gotten it. The magic had come so easy to him, perhaps he should lower his expectations?

“Keep trying.” His voice echoed down the dune, commanding yet supportive in tone. “Be patient and remember my teachings.”

His arms unfurled and he gripped onto his staff with anticipation, digging it into the sand next to his feet. The other sandcrafters were whispering among themselves, their voices were too distracting. He shot a hand to his side, balling it into a fist threateningly and quickly the voices had stopped. Azir sighed again, praying for a successful attempt this time.

“Again!”

Bahiti closed her eyes and concentrated. She recalled her lessons, recalled her emperor’s words in her mind. She focused on the image in her head, the image of the Sandcharger, and channeled it into her staff. The image traveled outward into the nearby grains of sands, causing them to rise into the air. Slowly but surely the construct began to take shape… And then fell apart. Bahiti sighed in frustration, but tried to keep herself composed. After-all, her emperor was watching.

@scndstorms

[scndstorms]

The emperor’s head twitched ever so bird-like, his head cocked nearly profile to look at the other. She couldn’t possibly be serious, could she? Standing before the glory of the Sun Disc itself and questioning the majesty of it all? Unheard of.

“Look around you and see the prosperity. The water that flows from the Sun Disc that fuels our way of life, is it not such a sight to behold?” Curious he was why the other was not so impressed. He knelt down to her level, now looking straight ahead in a more ‘human’ manner. “Would you like to know our history? Would this put things in perspective?”

“And who has come to witness Shurima’s glory today?”

[scndstorms]

“And who has come to witness Shurima’s glory today?”

[scndstorms]

I forgot what my OOC post tag was. Just laughed about it.

Anyways, who wants to talk to King Birb?

[scndstorms]

Is poro! Is snuggly! Is adorable ram creature! Attempts to snuggle the birb human! Friend? Friend of poro?

The ascended one was ever so curious about this tiny creature. His golden plated digits lightly brushed over the horns of this diminutive thing, scratching the top of its head softly.

"What a curious little thing you are." He lifted the poro on his palm, looking into its eyes. If he could still smile, he would be at this moment. Something about this made him feel bubbly inside.

"Have you come to bear witness to Shurima?" A chuckle would slip from his beak. A joke for himself. A tiny ram couldn't possibly care about the renewal of his empire but it was funny to think about.

[scndstorms]

@infinite-xerath:

Xerath laughed. “And you think you are? Simpleton… You would not have even become emperor, were it not for me! You were always your father’s least-favored child…” The Magus paused briefly. “I did more for you than you ever even realized, Azir. I am OWED this power, and the freedom that comes with it!”

The emperor sighed, thinking about their shared past and the overwhelming sadness of the memories seemed to physically weigh down his shoulders. He fought back those thoughts, realizing once more that it was the past, and he has changed forever, but there was always hope.

“I may not have been my father’s favorite, but I considered you a friend... And you through that all away. Your greed has consumed you, Xerath.”

[scndstorms]

“Do not give me a false label, betrayer! You are not fit for Ascension! That power should be stripped from you!”

“Magic like this is forbidden, and for good reason.”

Xerath laughs. “You think just because you fear my power, you’ve a right to restrain it? You are a coward Azir; case these petty excuses!”

[scndstorms]

AZIR (ﾉ∀`*)

[scndstorms]

The worst thing is that                                       they aren’t even nightmares                                                                                           they’re memories.

[scndstorms]

she has him with back upon the floor & hands set on either side. features tilt & strands drift over skin. curious eyes swallow him and lips part, "you're kind of cute."

“ I am flattered that you would equate me to one of my smaller counterparts, if I am to call another, actual, bird that. And I must request you climb off of me, I would not want to do it by force.”

[scndstorms]

The ascended quickly cocked his head, much like the mannerism for a curious bird. He was confused by this one’s words. ‘Again’? Had they met before he surely would have remembered, though his form is still new and it may be some sort of side affect, he thought.

“ I apologize, but I have no recollection of our previous meeting, but it is a pleasure to be reacquainted.” 

He bowed.

“ And I require nothing, as I am just passing through, but if you are taking requests, I ask nothing more than a smile. Your pose would have me suggest stress, and it is not wise for one to dwell upon such a thing.”

( @aira-the-ancient-star )

( @scndstorms started following)

Aira kept to herself, as she looked at the person in front of her, her aura calm and serious, hiding the note of her dislike towards the other like that. She couldn’t really need anymore drama and getting in a conflict with Shurima’s empereor, no matter how foolish Aira saw him as, would probably be a bigger chunk of drama.

“I wonder what brings me the honor of meeting you again, empereor. What do you want, Azir?”, she asked, her arms crossing in front of her chest, as she narrowed her eyes slightly.