#probably Xyrus

[c-large-pancake-with-holes]

Your wish is my command

[fyuyushia]

[5:11] Dense people are dangerous. Ft. Arthur

People hate to see me coming(no.1 Arthur glazer reporting for duty)

The grand banquet was at full swing. The dead retainer encased in ever freezing ice, put on display for everyone currently attending.

After suffering major losses, constantly losing in the war against the opposite continent—Alacrya—a moral boost was needed in order to keep the people of the nation hopeful.

And hope did Arthur provide. Bold, strong, confident. Arthur proclaimed his strength for everyone to see, playing himself to be stronger than he truly was to give the civilians reason to continue believing in the lances of the nation.

It worked, thankfully, but gosh did he bite back his words later on during his attendance in the ball.

Had it not been for Tessia's help when it came to conversing with the other nobles and keeping his posture up straight, Arthur was sure he would've buckled under the pain of his injuries and give himself away to everyone.

Arthur knew he should probably excuse himself as soon as possible—he wanted to do so—but he refused to retreat until he saw the familiar face of a friend he's acquainted himself with in this life. Someone who shared the same secret, and someone who shared the same burdens as he.

"We've already talked to the important guests, are you sure you want to keep strolling around?" Tessia's worried voice snaps him out of his search.

Arthur blinks, and looks down at Tessia. She clung onto his arm, helping him go through the motions necessary for the ball. Giving her a small smile, he nods, feeling his heart sinks with every second that passed.

Were you not coming?

Just before he could let the worry fester, you suddenly walked in, finally showing up hours after the main event.

Your arm was linked with someone—a man—one he didn't know. Dressed to the nines for the event, something he's never found you in.

A small, polite smile played on your lips, the light encasing you and the partner you attended the ball with.

His breath hitched, just a bit.

Maybe it's because it's been so long since he'd last seen you, but the sight of you—the thought of finally being in the same room as you—made his heart pace just a bit quicker.

Though, followed along by the quick beating of his heart was it sinking to his chest. Like something heavy was suddenly put on the fragile organ, leaving it buckling under the sudden weight.

His eyes darted to your parting arms but linked hands. As your partner held your hand by the tips of your fingers, he follows with his eyes as the stranger gives the back of your hand a chaste kiss.

Who was he?

He licks his lips, unconsciously hardening his stare. This wasn't like him, it really wasn't. However, the thought of you being with anyone else made his stomach churn.

What's going on?

You part from your partner with a small giggle. Retracting your arm and bringing it up to cover your mouth, you bid him farewell with the other and say something—he doesn't know what, he can't hear it—which makes the two of you laugh.

"Art?" Tessia blocks his view of you and leans closer to him. Her brows furrowed, worry laced in her features as she took in his unusually hardened stare.

Her eyes followed his, curious to see what's gotten him so worked up. Instead of seeing anything concerning though, she did find you—a friend she earned during the Xyrus days.

She visibly lit up, removing her arms around Arthur, she beams and waves you over.

"[Name]! You came!"

Her loud call made you twist your head to look at the source. Curiously looking around, your gaze eventually lands on her when she calls for you again.

"Hm? Oh, Tessia, Arthur." Curious eyes crinkled with delight when you saw a familiar face.

Wasting no time, you immediately made your way over to them, navigating through the relatively crowded room with ease.

Arthur mildly panics, snapped out of his unusually rough demeanor when he sees you coming over his(and Tessia's way) clearing his throat, he quickly fixes his posture and puts back his smile.

"You're late." Tessia huffs, narrowing her eyes playfully. "I thought you'd never come!"

You chuckle at that, apologetic for your late appearance. "Sorry, I was busy healing the injured during the recent attack. I just got the free time a few hours ago and had to rush to get here."

"Really? How is it now?" Tessia asks, lips quirked into a concerned frown.

"Better. We've healed the more severely injured ones, it's just a matter of nursing them back to health now."

Arthur clears his throat, again, and he hopes Tessia wouldn't notice. Rapturing yours and her attention, he takes a step forward to join in on the conversation.

"Seems like you weren't just idling around during these past few years." Arthur's eyes sweeps over your figure. "You've grown. Changed. You look a lot more mature now, tougher."

You smile, giving him a small nod. "You too. I see you've grown a few inches during your time away."

Tessia steps in, wrapping her arms around you in a tight embrace. "I missed you." She murmurs, squeezing you softly.

Your eyes crinkled, and you return her embrace as well. Rubbing small circles on her back, you smile softly. She pulls away after a long moment, calming down from her initial excitement of seeing you again.

Stepping back, you turn and find Arthur opening his arms as well, expecting a hug. For a moment, you were tempted to refrain from giving him the privilege, but your fondness for the man made you forego such thoughts and welcome him back.

Wrapping your arms around his waist, you give him a pat on the back. Arthur covers your body with his own, bringing you close to him as he gives a playful squeeze. You bask in the warm moment, giving him a pat on the back. Arthur holds you close, a small smile playing on his lips.

After such long anticipation he finally got to see you again. For a moment it was all sweet and wholesome, warm, comfortable.

Until—

Arthur’s body twitched under your touch, a low, pained grunt escaping from his throat.

You froze, pulling back slightly to study him, worried. "Are you alright?"

He pulls back, but you don't let him, moving closer when he tries to step away.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a—" he winces, unable to mask his pain when you suddenly poked onto his side.

You frown when he has to hold back a yelp. Invading his space, a sharp, professional instinct honed after so many time in the battlefield immediately took over.

"Excuse me."

Your hands, once resting harmlessly around his waist, suddenly moved to his torso, skimming across his ribs, pressing gently along his sides as your healer instincts kicked in. You had a sneaking suspicion that this man might actually be a bit more injured than he presented himself to be.

If going by the way he favored resting his weight over the other, the small winces whenever he made a move that involved moving a certain muscle, then there was definitely something going on. You've seen enough injured people to know when someone was a patient undergoing recovery.

"You’re hurt," you mumbled under your breath, more to yourself than to him or anyone else.

Suddenly, without thinking about the possible consequences of your actions, you started feeling him around, pressing your fingers along his body in search of hidden injuries in the public space.

Arthur's entire body locked up.

"[Name]—" he stammered, nearly choking as your hands casually explored his chest, ribs, waist, the sides of his hips—just about his entire body.

You fail to comprehend that to anyone watching (and to that, there were many), it looked...very different from a medical check.

Reverting to your workaholic nature, you immediately pressed around, checked for any signs of injuries. You forgot the crowd, who'd care about that when there was a possibly wounded man in front of you?

Tessia, standing nearby, paled before flushing beet red, hands feebly flapping to her sides as she watched you continue on with your enthusiastic check up.

Arthur, meanwhile, had gone completely rigid, every muscle in his body taut with mortification.

Your hands were sliding up again, fingertips brushing over his chest—and that was his finally straw. Arthur finally snapped out of his initial horror and grabbed both your wrists, holding them firmly in place.

"Are you... injured?" you asked, brows knitting tighter together as you registered every slight twitch of his expression.

Arthur’s breath hitched. Around you, nobles started to glance over curiously. You blinked up at him, completely missing the suggestiveness of your actions.

"Don't." He took a sharp inhale, struggling to rein in his emotions. "Don't do that out in the open."

You blinked, surprised by his intervention. And, bless you, but somehow someway you still failed to comprehend how your actions might have seemed to the rest.

"Of course, right. I shouldn't be doing this out in the open." Checking for injuries, that is. You never know if someone in this crowd was weak to blood. "Then, shall we take this to somewhere more private?"

Tessia gasps, a hand covering her mouth. She was completely taking this the wrong way, if going by the way her face paled, then turned beet red, as if scandalized.

Arthur closes his eyes and counts to five. Social cues. Have you never heard of spatial awareness? Never took lessons for better wording of sentences? He swallows thickly. For a person who shared a similar age to him and live through two different lives, you sure were as dense as a rock.

Whilst he atleast knew how to word things better and pick up social cues, clearly you were far above caring for it.

"I'd like to check your inj—"

Before you could blurt his little secret out to everyone attending, Arthur, face burning, leaned in and clamped a hand lightly over your mouth.

"Don't. Not here." he hissed, his gaze darting around, sighing when he saw that no one had overheard.

Suddenly, without waiting for a reply, Arthur grabbed your hand and tugged you along behind him, weaving swiftly through the crowd and navigating towards a quieter corner of the palace.

Tessia stood frozen, left behind with her mouth slightly agape, jealousy and panic swirling behind her wide eyes.

...

The two of you ended up in a small guest room. A space where guests could come and rest—though, only the more prized ones had access to this space.

"Seriously," he muttered, raking a hand through his hair, "you can't just—do that—to someone in public."

You gave him a confused look, brushing his scolding aside. "Right. Sorry about that, I've gotten too used to how it was in the battlefield. I forget that not everyone is fond of seeing gore and blood."

Arthur looks at you, baffled. He shakes his head, sighing. "That's not what I meant I—" he takes a sharp inhale. "Yes, sure, it's fine."

"Alright, shirt off."

Arthur sputtered. He hugs himself and leans far away from you, scandalized. "Excuse me?"

You tapped your foot impatiently, arms crossed. "Arthur, your highness" you glared at him, referring to his title in your past life. "I can't heal you if I can't see what's wrong. Now hurry up."

He stared at you, utterly dumbfounded by your lack of skills when it came to tact, before groaning and muttering something under his breath about you being "socially oblivious as ever."

Still, after a beat, he started tugging his coat off with a grumble. You watched with the demeanor of a physician impatiently waiting for a hardheaded patient to do as told so you could get your work over with. And, honestly? It probably wasn't that far off.

"You can't just say something so out of pocket and pretend it's nothing serious." He grumbles, but you pay it no mind.

Finally, he took off his coat and undid his garments, revealing his bandaged torso for you to see.

"You haven't changed at all," he said, shaking his head, but there was no real anger in his voice. Only a reluctant fondness. "Back then, and even now."

You rolled your eyes. "And you still don't know how to ask for help properly. Back then, and even know." You huffed, having the audacity to be the one acting annoyed at the other party's actions. "Goodness, you grew up in a loving household this time with great bonds, and yet you still struggle with sharing burdens."

Arthur huffed a laugh, and for a moment, the tension between you lightened, leaving only the comfortable, chaotic familiarity you two shared.

"You have the nerve to say that about me?" Arthur quirks a brow. It's not even about the fact that he was a king and you were only a medic in your past life, it's the fact that you were probably more of an emotionally constipated person than he was that got him.

You ignored his quip, focusing more in healing his wounds. Deftly unraveling his bandages, your eyes narrow as more and more of his injuries reveals itself before you.

Angry dark bruises spread across his stomach, the sides of his ribs, trickling down to his arm and more.

"This is pretty horrible."

Arthur sighs. "Really? I don't think it's that bad, considering I went against a retainer. I was expecting more wounds, truthfully."

"This... Isn't a lot?" You look at him as if he's grown two heads. "Just because it can get worse doesn't mean it's already bad enough as is."

Arthur huffs out a laugh, at ease with you. And then he stops. Recalling a memory he just made earlier.

"right, who was that man you were with earlier?"

You hum, pausing to think. "Oh, the man I entered with earlier?"

He takes a gulp. "Yes, that man."

"Oh, he's someone I work with. He's a good one, that guy. He teaches me how to effectively use this magic thing while I teach him more practical 'healing' that doesn't use much magic."

Arthur hums. "The two of you seem pretty close."

"We are."

His mood slightly sours at that. He doesn't acknowledge it's jealousy, he thinks he doesn't have time for such frivolous feelings.

"Really?"

"really."

You nod. He scrutinizes your nod, checking for any giveaways that you might fancy the boy. Your face remains still however, and you ignore his glare all too easily.

He sighs. Feeling defeated for no apparent reason.

"Hold still," you say, gaze fixated on the wounds that marred his skin. "Seems like they've already been cleaned and all so I'll just go with straight up healing."

Without waiting for a reply, you push your own mana and direct it to your hands, allowing it to slip out of you. Faintly glowing, warm light emits from the tips of your fingers and spread throughout his body, little balls of mana attaching itself to his injuries and soaking it with it's comforting heat.

Slowly, steadily, his wounds began to stich back itself, knitting together, leaving only a scar in it's wake.

"Foolish man." You whisper, the faint light of your magic casting a soft glow on both of your faces. "Is it because you once held the weight of the world once that you continue with the habit of shouldering everything on your own?"

His gaze flicks over to you, his initial annoyance(and fluster) dissipating as he watches you work. "No."

"It's precisely because I've been blessed with company I've deprived myself off in the past that I stubbornly fight." He smiles, bittersweet. "I don't want to lose anyone. I'll stop everything that might be a threat to those I cherish if I can help it."

You don't give away any specific expression. Gaze trained on his scars, you don't give away your thoughts. Any of them. Just as you always had, and it both maddens and comforts him so.

"Is that so?"

He nods. His eyes fixates itself on you, softening ever so slightly. "And that includes you too, by the way."

You blink, expression making way for surprise. "Me?"

"Mhm, you."

You look around, unsure, and then back at him. You tilt your head, confused. "I—thank you."

He sighs. His mouth part, as if wanting to say something, but stops midway. Instead he curls his lips into a smile, small, but genuine. There was no getting through your thick skull.

"Of course."

[pkfortis]

BSF Update: Page 1286 - They have a saying in Xyrus’s adventuring party: If Grrg built it, it’s probably a golem.

[sw124]

Ambrosia

[Reader is Female, for the record there is a rare phenomenon known as Golden Blood where a individual is RHnull having no RH factor which means they have no - or + in their blood. For more information please research it further on your preferred method. This is an Undertale original Vampire AU done by @taytay2656 ]

Here you were, standing in the lions den. The lion in question was staring you down, sizing you up. Lord Xyrus, owner of this lovely castle and noble of the area. You came here looking for work, knowing full-well that this was not the place for you...but you didn’t have much choice.

It was either this or return to your home and be forced into a political marriage to a man who would turn you into another trinket in his growing harem of ‘brides’ so to speak. You did everything in your power to look like a peasant girl, giving away your clothes, bartering for any scraps of clothing and even rolling in dirt. Well it worked, by the time you go there you looked like some vagabond tossed out of their home.

Now here you were asking for help... before a person you knew would be dangerous...especially if he found out your secret. You flinched as he stood up and walked around you, you held your breath as he took his seat again.

“Well you seem to be in good health, you’ll be put to work outside on the grounds. Do well and you may work your way up to being a maid in the house...or be apart of my...nobles.”

He smirked at you, you cursed your face...your mother always told you that you were born with a ‘youthful’ face. Round and cute, you shook your head and bowed to him.

“I will do my best out on the grounds my lord, I promise not to be a disappointment to you.”

He gave you a stern nod and lead you outside, he introduced you to a senior member of the groundskeepers. He was a tall, older man but had such a welcoming smile, his name was Arthur and he took you under his wing. You didn’t have much trouble adapting really, true you were born into nobility you snuck away to help the maids and servants with chores as a way to pass the time. Your favorite thing to do was go outside in the garden an help tend to the flower beds and vegetable patches.

You felt truly at ease here, yes it was dangerous to be in the presents of Lord Xyrus but you’d take this over being a harem girl any day.

.....But this ease would not last long...

[six months later]

It was one particularly nice day that you were outside, one of the workers...a young girl came running up and telling you the lord wished to see you. You waisted no time stepping down off the ladder with your basket of apples, handing them to the girl you made your way to the castle where Lord Xyrus was waiting.

“Ah, there you are. I need you to do me a special chore, my brother who lives up the way needs his home cleaned and since I can’t spare any of my indoor servants at the moment an you seem to be the most...studious you seem to be the most qualified for this.”

You tilted your head, he had plenty enough servants to spare...but then again it was best not to argue. You nodded and listened closely to his instructions on where to find his home. You listened carefully and headed off into the woods.

Odd that the two don’t live together given their family but then again sometimes family are better living their own lives. The path towards the home spiraled through the woods, you didn’t mind really. It was so nice to see the beauty of the woods here, for a moment you stopped, extend your arms and breathed in the luscious air of the woods.....

That was a mistake...

The wind was knocked out of you when arms wrapped around your midsection, next thing was the sharp prick of teeth sinking into your skin. You got a look at your attacker, his burnt umber kimono slowly staining with your blood. You noted he was rather large frame...that and you were practically lifted off the ground into his hold. You could feel his tongue dig into the muscles, ripping them to produce more blood, he took flesh that was for sure. Yes he got a taste of your blood...and he wasn’t letting go any time soon.

“.......Are you done yet?” You groaned, folding your arms across your chest.

You felt him jump a little as he let you go, you fell flat on your butt. You turned and glared at him but it faded when you saw his...scared expression. Slowly you stood up, slightly dizzy from the loss of blood but it was slowly coming back. Along with your wound closing up.

“Next time don’t drop me, you must be the masters brother. He didn’t give me your name so mind telling it to me?”

He didn’t answer...he just stared....you stared back and sighed. You looked around and just barely through the tree’s you spotted a small cottage, probably his home. You turned to him, took his hand and started pulling him towards the cottage in question. He needed to clean up and so did you...funny he didn’t resist.

“Well I suppose we can get you cleaned up and we can do introductions then hm?”

You weren’t sure what to say, poor thing looked lost...alright sure he just tried to kill you but you just survived his attack. That probably not only surprised him but scared him, the cottage inside was small but it felt like you stepped into the story book.

The floors inside were lined with tatami mats, there was a cute little square filled with sand and a fire going in it. There was a line from the top of the ceiling holding a pot, a nice place to cook a stew. There was a smaller room where a futon mat was laid out for sleep, you doubted he slept much but it was still nice. There were scrolls and books on shelves about.

This place was truly a little slice of heaven, if things were different you would have loved to live here...even if you had to live with someone who just tried to take half of your neck off. You walked to the little washbasin in the corner of the room, it was half filled with water. Taking up a rag you dipped it in the water and walked over to him, he backed away when you came close.

“Now don’t be difficult, your brother Xyrus sent me to take care of things around here an my guess is also take care of you. So be still please, if you leave blood sitting on your face it’ll get sticky.” You managed to get pull him close and dabbed his stained mouth clean.

Once he was clean you washed off around your neck, you poured some water into the washbasin and let the rag soak. You went to the smaller room and proceeded to look for a clean kimono to change your....right you didn’t know his name.

“Whats your name please, I need to call you something.”

“C-Cayden!” He practically hiccuped his name, you almost giggled at it but kept your composure.

“Very good then, come here master Cayden I got a clean kimono for you. Please change an I’ll go wash that one, don’t want it staining.”

In a daze he took the kimono, walked into the smaller room and proceeded to change, you waited till he came out. Seems all his kimonos had the same color, orange. You took his sullied kimono and headed outside, just a few steps away was a stream. Kneeling you began washing and scrubbing the kimono clean of your blood. You heard him come up behind you, he knelt down beside you.

“Y-you shouldn’t be at my home, does my brother know about you?!” You couldn’t miss the waver in his tone.

“No your brother doesn’t know, doubt if he did he’d send me to you. An if your referring to my blood...I took great measures to make sure no one found out about my blood, golden blood isn’t exactly something you want others to know about.” You smiled at him and patted his head, he was so sweet.

“Well...when your finished with that we must head back to his castle, my brother would be very cross with me if I kept you.”

That made you sad, you kinda hoped you’d stay and be ‘his’ servant but its not like you had a choice, you were obligated to obey.

“Alright master Cayden, as you wish...if its not too much trouble do you have a cloak or anything I could wear. Don’t wanna walk into his home covered in blood, might scare the others.”

He nodded and ran back to his cottage, by the time he got back you were just hanging his kimono on tree branch to dry in the sun. It was adorable how he put it over you and fastened the clasped around the front. He took you by your hand and swiftly lead you down a carved path towards the castle, if you knew this was here it would have made the trek to the cottage easier...but you digressed. The sun was starting to set by the time you reached the castle, you barely stepped foot into the castle grounds when you saw master Xyrus.

He was damn near running towards the both of you, you were tempted to hide but then why? You didn’t do anything wrong, in a blink he was before you tearing the cloak from you. He gripped the part of your clothes that were still stained with blood, he inhaled and turned to you. Eyes widening, you could have sword you saw a glint of saliva forming in the corner of his mouth...

“Inside...please.” He whispered to you as he fixed the cloak back on you.

Doing as you were told you walked back in, looking back to be sure Cayden wasn’t getting yelled at. But instead Xyrus was simply patting his brother’s arm and sending him on his way, thats good at least there wasn’t bad feelings between the two. You were careful to avoid the maids and servants around, just because your clothes were covered didn’t mean they couldn’t smell your blood. Finally you reached master Xyrus’ quarters, you closed the door and were about to sit down before it opened again, the master stepping inside.

He closed and locked the door, again the cloak torn from you. His arm swiftly wrapped around you and pulled you into an embrace, his fangs the color of ocean pearls gingerly pierced your flesh. Compared to Cayden it was a change, to steady yourself you held on to him. This did feel a lot less painful, after a moment he pulled his head away. Kissing the mark he left, already starting to heal.

“Hmm yes...to think I had you in my possession and never knew.” He purred, he cradled the back of your head as he tilted it forward.

“You’ll live among my nobles from now on, on top of that I think I’ll give you a name.”

You blinked at him. “An..what name is that?”

You watched as a Cheshire grin formed on his face as he leaned in to your neck.

“Ambrosia...” he hissly moaned as he again pressed his fangs into you..for another drink.

End, more to come if you wish to have more.

[taytay2656]

So i See Lord xyrus can also eat things besides blood .... so i do wonder what else does he likes to enjoy at least sometimes?

It took a lot of time and practice but yes he does eat other things!  He enjoys sweeter things, especially fruit. He has a rather lavish farming situation on his estate so he nearly always have fresh fruit on the table.  He also enjoys a good piece of meat, though that’s probably his predator side coming through haha.  His favourite snack though is candied apples. He had them when he was really young during a festival and it’s one of the reasons he actually worked hard to be able to eat normal food again. Gives him those happy memories. 

[anime-lover-forever-1127]

A Woman With Vision {Arthur Leywin} - 20. Beast Glades

Beast Glades

*****

Disclaimer - (Cause fanfiction is tricky ground and I hope not to offend the creator of the original story and get sued)

I do not own "The Beginning After The End", it belongs to its original creator TurtleMe. This is only a fanfiction that I was inspired to write by the original work. Please support the official release. Most of the media - such as the art and illustrations, gifs, video's, etc. used in this fanfiction - are from the web. Thus, most of them aren't mine (because I really, really can't draw) unless mentioned. To fit the story, images are also edited by various apps and websites. So they aren't mine, just edited. I get much of the text, especially the fight scenes and thought, aside from my oc's, from the original novel, which can be found on Library Novel. Please support the official release.

Also if you own a picture or Video that I found online, and you either want your name added, or me to take it down. Please contact me and we can talk it out. P.s. I also ask that you do not copy my work and publish it onto any other website.

If you're gonna use my idea, please ask me (If you ask nicely, I for sure, will agree). If I don't contact you within a week, then just assume I'm giving you the all clear and go for it. Just remember to credit me.

I will be writing out scenes even if my Oc isn't in them. As long as she's mentioned, or influencing the characters in some way. This may seem a bit annoying. But that's just how I write. I like to embed my characters into the story line. Because of this, most of the dialogue/scenes will come from the original work.

Playlist

For the playlist you can go to my YouTube channel, which is under "Anime-lover-forever-1127" and click on the playlist titled "A Woman With Vision {Arthur Laywin}". Or you can use this link watch?v=GYlAaNM7WS8&list=PLVKYkztH1Zd8bdl2_a1C8F6u8gPPwfa6D&ab_channel=7clouds 

Warnings: Spoilers for Chapter 30 and chapter 54 of the comic

*****

Today's Special

No one tells you that the hardest part of MOTHERHOOD is when your kids grow up

~ sitiraihana

*****

{Morgana P.O.V.}

Crossing through the teleportation gate, my senses jolted from the scenery. The City of Xyrus had the most teleportation gates among the cities since they were the only way one could enter it, it being a floating city and all. The one we crossed led us directly to the front entrance of the area known as the Beast Glades.

The chirps of birds, occasional cries and roars of beasts, and the constant sound of water flowing filling the background all created an enticing symphony of nature. The sight of tall trees and numerous hills covered in various plants and shrubs made it hard to believe that this beautiful landscape was filled with magical beasts capable of killing even the strongest mages. However, because of abundances of natural resources on the outskirts, it was mostly only the lower rank beasts that inhabited this deeper an adventurer traversed, the more mysterious and treacherous the landscape turned, filled with the lairs of powerful beasts that have amassed their treasures and power in the solitude's of unexplored regions in the Beast Glades.

I took a sip of the crisp air as Jasmine and Arthur arrived behind me through the teleportation gate when, suddenly, I heard a wish, and from the corner of my eyes I saw Sylvie scurry off.

"Wait, Sylv! Where are you going?" Arthur called after her, dumbfounded.

Sylvie transmitted a vague response; I could feel her emotions of excitement as she sent out thoughts about her plans to train as well.

"Did she just?" I asked, pointing at the direction my baby just ran off to.

"Yep, she just ran away from home." He answered weekly, his tone going a little high.

"Oh, Arthur." I sighed, pulling him close and giving him a shoulder hug. I had only known Sylvie for a couple of months, and I felt as if something was missing without her here.

But she was Arthur's bond, and had never left him since the day she had hatched. I could only imagine how big the hole in his heart must feel.

"Are you gonna be ok?" I asked. "We could take a break."

Arthur shook his head, "We just got here. Plus, I'm only a little…" He struggled, unsure of what world to use, "...uneasy. But… I can sense her whereabouts. So it should be fine."

"You can sense her whereabouts?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded, "Wait! You can't?"

I shook my head.

"Close your eyes, and try searching for her aura."

I did what he had said. I could see the mana floating around me, but no Sylvie. I opened my eyes, "Nothing. No trace of her. Maybe we're not just there yet."

Sylvie had explained to me that the longer me and Arthur were with each other, the stronger our mate bond would become. And the stronger it becomes, the easier it would be for me to create an adopted bond with Sylvie. Of course that would only be possible after spending time with her. And if I ever got a bond, it would be the same with Arthur. He would form a bond, through me, until he had a second, slightly weaker bond, with my own, on his own.

So because of that, until my bond with Sylvie was complete, I would be using Arthur's bond, to support my own developing one with her.

Now it was Arthur's turn to give me a sympathetic and reassuring hug. "It's fine mama bear."

"You're right." I nodded, "Knowing you can still

"She'll be okay. Mana beasts have a natural instinct to grow stronger. She must've felt very suffocated being in a sheltered environment all of her life," Jasmine pips up , walking next to Arthur.

"I know." I nod, "But that honestly doesn't make it hurt any less."

Jasmine lets out a chuckle, "It's like your her mother."

"She is" - "I am"

Arthur and I answer at the same time.

Jasmine stops a bit, staring at us long and hard, before smiling, "I think I get what your parents meant now. Well, to each their own."

Both me and Arthur smile at that. She really is a great woman.

Putting her hand on our shoulder, she signalled for us to start moving. "There's a place I wish to visit first before going to a dungeon. We have to hurry though; it gets a little more dangerous at night."

Willing mana into her body, Jasmine bolted off into the distance, her wind attribute mana propelling her even faster.

I followed after her, forming two gales of wind below my feet as I dashed after her, Arthur doing the same, followed.

Everyone in a while, Arthur would give me an update on Sylvie.

"I just hope that she doesn't go after bigger beasts until she's ready." I sigh.

"Don't worry. She knows she has us if she ever gets in over her head. She knows she can always ask us for help." Arthur says, petting my head.

*****

The journey lasted a few hours and it began to grow dark. The only reason Arthur and I had been able to keep up with Jasmine, even when she was at a dark yellow stage, was Arthur had been using mana rotation throughout the way, and I had controlled mine to only use the bare minimum amount mana needed to create a controlled, constant amount of wind. This skill had become almost second nature to me now as I utilised it unconsciously whenever I exerted mana.

By late evening, we had cleared through a dense forest and arrived at a small clearing. Surrounded by trees, there was a small field of grass with a stream of clear water flowing through it.

"We'll camp out here for a few days," Jasmine announced as she set down her bag and took out a couple of items.

"Weren't we going to a dungeon right away?" Arthur asked, setting down his bag as well.

She simply shook her head, picking up a few branches of wood and gathering them together.

Well Arthur and I went into the forest, finding some decent-sized branches to make a fire with. After a bit, we had a fire crackling and popping in the middle of our camp. Making myself comfortable, I leaned against Arthur who had removed his mask and sat silently by Jasmine, next to the fire.

Trying to break the silence, Arthur asked Jasmine, "What made you want to become an adventurer?"

"…"

Her gaze never left the fire and after a few minutes of more awkward silence, I just stared back at the flame, assuming she didn't want to answer.

"I wanted to get away from my family." I almost missed what she said from how quietly she spoke amidst the wood of the fire snapping fiercely.

"I see… were you on bad terms with your family?" Arthur responded, his eyes focused on the fire.

I choose to just listen to their conversation.

"…"

"The Flamesworth House was a major contributor to the war against the elves. Our house has provided many powerful mages, both conjurers and augmenters. Our lineage in the fire attribute element was second to none. We took great pride in this, because fire is considered to be the most powerful of the elements," she stated monotonously.

Despite her short sentences, this had been the most Jasmine had talked in one sitting.

"But Jasmine, aren't you a…" Arthur asked, looking up at her as she nodded in response.

"Since early on, when I had first awakened and started training, my family tried to test my mana for fire affinity. I went through various tests so they could see how my mana was exerted and how it flowed through my mana channels." She took a pause and poked at the fire before continuing on. "When it was made clear that I had no aptitude for the fire attribute, my family regarded me as lesser."

"…"

Arthur didn't know how to respond to her. For the first time, the always aloof and cold Jasmine seemed…vulnerable.

"I'm sorry for what happened…" was the only response Arthur managed to utter.

But so much for staying silent, I stood up to my knees and crawled over to Jasmine until I was face to face with her. Looking her directly in the eyes, I told her firmly. "Your family is wrong… and crazy." Her eyes went wide at my statement. "Wind magic is probably stronger than fire when you get down to it! All your family is, is a walking matchstick. All they can do is shoot out flames, a pillar if they're really getting creative. But with wind magic… we can create tornadoes, fly, move objects across a room. I mean it was because of wind magic we covered a distance that would have taken us days, in mere hours. Do I really have to say more?"

Jasmine's eyes widened and she shook her head, she gave me a faint smile. "The Twin Horns have treated me well and I don't dislike what I am."

I smiled, "I know that. I can tell it on your face whenever you're with your party, that you're clearly happy. But I'm just letting you know that your family is wrong. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but theirs… is just plain stupid."

I glanced at her palm as Jasmine formed a small swirl of wind, different emotions running through her face as she peered at her hand.

This world was a place of discrimination and classification. The hierarchical roots embedded into this land would never truly disappear. Normal humans were considered second-rate people, while even amongst mages, augmenters were discriminated against by conjurers. It went further than that where, unless one was a deviant or a dual element specialist, some elements were considered "higher class" than others.

Being born from a family of powerful fire attribute mages, she was discarded as inferior because of the elemental attribute she had; something that most mages would kill to acquire. She was a dark yellow augmenter skilled in fighting and mana manipulation at the ripe age of 24. Many would consider her a genius but from the standards she grew up with, she considered herself lesser.

We placed more wood to last through the coldest parts of the night and laid out our sleeping bags a few feet away so we could still feel the heat.

As we got ready to go to sleep, Arthur leaned into my ear and whispered, "I know subtlety isn't really your strong suit. It never has been."

I sent him a glare, "This better be building into a compliment."

He sent me a smile, "Well, more of a request. But I'm not shy to add one in there. Anyway, if we ever meet with nobility… and royalty again - assuming you haven't scared them enough yet. Could you at least try to hold it in. Until we least have a chance at beating them."

I huffed, "Speak for yourself. I already have my network ready. Of course it really isn't anything that great yet, but it has potential. The seeds are planted, and ready to sprout like a butterfly bush at a moment's notice." I winked at him.

He stared at me confused, "Who would-"

I cut him off, "Finishing school is quite boring when you've actually played the high society game. But, when it comes to making connections with little girls eager for your approval, there's nothing like it. As for informats, they're easy to buy. Mom and dad's allowance has always been generous, and I know exactly how to put it to good use." I smirked as I thought of the various amounts of blackmail I had collected for various families.

Arthur stared at me, wide eyed. "Damn, why didn't you say anything?"

I shrugged, "I thought you knew me?"

"I do!" He defended himself. "But I may have accidentally underestimated you. I thought your network may take you another two to three years. Sorry. Never again."

I smiled into the fire, "Well… If I'm being honest. It's nowhere near as good as my old one. But it's better than nothing. Information is the name of the game. And plus, every now and then, I do find a few pieces of gold." I said, remembering the little golden nugget of information I'd collected on a certain elf princess. I don't wanna be mean, but if she pushes my hand...

My eyebrows furrowed as I remembered, "Where's my compliment?" I pouted.

Arthur chuckled, "What you said to Jasmine, was truly amazing."

"Of course it was." I said, smiling and accepting the compliment. I ran my fingers through his hair, and added, "Though, we really do need to work on your elements. You need to do so much more than just creating pillars of fire." I felt a sweat drop roll down the side of his neck as I began making plans. "I've made a lot of progress with my wind, though I definitely need to work on my water. Before we start school, I would like to start working with ice a little bit. Though I'm not sure how much I could exactly get done between practising wind, and working on water, and relearning the sword." I pouted, eyeing the blue blade Arthur wouldn't let me touch unless he knew for a fact I wouldn't drop it on myself.

As much as I hate to admit it, I don't really blame him for it. Considering he never lets me forget it, I know for a fact he remembers how bad my first sword training lesson went. And to be honest, as fun as it would be to swing it around again, I don't wanna know how well it would work out with my current build. It was too big for my current body. So until I grew a bit, I'd have to use a practice sword.

Eyes closed, I waited to drift off when I heard Jasmine mumble something.

"…It's weird. When I talk to you two, it doesn't feel like I'm talking to children."

I didn't respond. Pretending to be asleep, I hoped she wouldn't push further for a reply.

*****

"Good morning." Jasmine was up and cooking something over the fire by the time I had gotten up and out of my sleeping bag.

My stomach rumbled to remind me that I hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon as I looked hungrily at the skewered fishes being grilled on the fire.

"Good morning! You should've woken me up, Jasmine. There's no need for you to do all of the chores on your own."

I turned my head to see Arthur rubbing his eyes.

"…I tried waking both of you up… But you wouldn't budge." Her half-closed eyes that give off an apathetic stare regarded us with concern. "If I didn't hear you breathing, I would've mistaken you for corpses."

"Haha…" Arthur let out an awkward chuckle. "I'm sorry, I really need to fix that."

"You and me both." I nodded. I usually woke up early on my own. But if I didn't, then nobody could wake me up.

After devouring the grilled fish for breakfast, we put out the fire. Using the nearby stream to wash myself and my clothes.

Arthur put on his mask and swords, well I wrapped my cloak around my shoulder, and placed my contents lenses in, assuming we'd go hunting for some mana beasts around the area, when Jasmine stopped me.

"Your opponent for these few days will be me."

"Huh?" I couldn't help but be surprised at the turn of events. We came all the way here to spar?

"This area is close to the dungeon we will be exploring, but for these days, I want you to focus on fighting me. I noticed that your fighting style seems… awkward at times. Like, you know it in your head, but your body doesn't listen to you… or something like that." She told Arthur and then turned to me, "You have your control down. But you need to focus on increasing your mana amount. We can stay in a dungeon for days at a time. So you're going to need to work on that."

Unsheathing her two daggers, she pointed one at me, continuing, "We won't use any kind of mana for these next few days while sparring."

I hadn't expected Jasmine to catch on to what I had been worried about, but it was a good opportunity.

"Good idea," Arthur replied, unsheathing his short sword.

I sat down on the grass, getting ready to meditate.

{Arthur's P.O.V.}

"Use your other sword…" Jasmine's eyes flickered toward Dawn's Ballad.

"How did you know this was a sword?" I wasn't planning on hiding my weapon from her but I was still caught off guard.

"Knowing you, that black stick should be something more than just a cane or a practice stick," she shrugged, walking a few steps closer to me.

Giving her a confirming nod, I tossed the short sword to Morgana, who caught it with her eyes closed. From my position, I could see the mana around us, begin to gather towards her.

As the sword soundlessly glided out from its scabbard, the translucent blade glowed a light teal as it reflected the sun's strong rays.

Holding it out in front me, I positioned myself. "Ready when you are."

"Y-Yeah," Jasmine stuttered as her eyes remained glued to Dawn's Ballad.

We dulled the edges of our weapons using mana before beginning. Without mana strengthening my body, I realised just how much I had been neglecting myself. After a few swings, my arms felt heavy and my legs trembled as they pushed feebly off the ground.

This was my mistake. I knew of the limits that my juvenile body had, but instead of trying to fix my shortcomings, I chose only to mask it using mana.

While magic in this world was capable of many things, it should be only used as a supplement to your abilities, not a replacement to cover them.

I lunged out with a sharp thrust aimed at Jasmine's sternum. Even though our swords were coated to prevent fatal injuries, it would still leave bruises and even broken bones if taken lightly; this made the sparring experience much more intense and real.

Jasmine swung her two daggers down in an outward arc, parrying my lunge and knocking the blade of my sword into the ground.

I brought my rear foot forward to maintain balance as my teal blade sunk into the ground below her. However, by that time, Jasmine had already brought her daggers back into position to follow up with a quick, downward slash.

Prying out my sword, I immediately pivoted my body to the side to avoid the overhead slash. As her daggers grazed harmlessly past my loose shirt, I kicked her arm away and stepped away into a more comfortable distance.

My arms were burning from the quick, consecutive movements as I positioned my sword in a defensive stance.

"It's my win," Jasmine said, sheathing her two daggers deftly into their scabbards attached to her thighs.

"You're right," I laughed as I dropped Dawn's Ballad on the ground. We had sparred for a little less than five minutes but my arms and legs screamed in protest from overuse. Massaging my forearms, I picked my blade back up and slid it back into its black sheath.

The duel had ended with me with the upper hand, but I didn't have the strength to proceed. It was my loss.

"Hey Jasmine, I think I'm going to need more than a couple of days to work this out," I confessed with a chuckle.

Her lips curled up slightly as she nodded in agreement.

I had three years before I'd attend Xyrus Academy. During my time at school, I would have plenty of chances to focus on studying mana.

I knew what my priorities were at this time.

Making a rough calculation in my head, I held up two fingers. "Two years, Jasmine. I'll dedicate two years to getting my body truly adjusted to sword-fighting without relying on mana."

"That's it?" she said, surprised.

"Just watch," I smirked.

*****

A Butterfly bush is a really fast growing plant. I could have used weeds, but referring to an information network as weeds, doesn't sound nearly as nice.

Also, finishing school only takes about 6 weeks. So I didn't have to worry about that.

I get the whole bond system is a little confusing, especially with me throwing in mate bonds and secondary bonds. So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Because I do have plans to keep using and referencing the bonds - so it would be easier for you guys and less confusing, if you know what's actually happening. (Or if your just here for the romance - I guess you can sort of skip it - though again - their is the mate bond)

I feel like I should give you guys a heads up, that the next chapter is going to likely be on the shorter side (and the two after that as well). But man will it leave a huge impact on you guys. I'm actually willing to bet the title of the next chapter alone would be worth the hype (and the happiness and excitement you would get from four pages - why four you asks, one page for each word in the title.)

In fact, here's a little teaser (Feel free to try and guess what may be happening, and the contents of the paper):

Next Time~

Morgana untied the bright red ribbon and uncurled the scroll.

Her eyes widened as they flew over the contents of the paper, before tears began streaming down her cheeks.

[thebeginningaftertheendfr]

Chapitre 8 : Questions

La vue floue d'un décor familier me fit cligner des yeux à plusieurs reprises pour confirmer que ce que j’apercevais n'était pas un rêve. À première vue, je semblais être de retour dans mon ancien corps. En me levant du canapé sur lequel j'étais assis, j’ai quitté ma chambre dans le château. Une jeune femme de chambre, qui m'attendait juste à l'extérieur, me salua immédiatement et respectueusement à ma vue.

« B-bonjour Roi Grey. »

Je n'ai même pas pris la peine de regarder dans sa direction, marchant alors qu'elle me suivait  quelques mètres derrière moi.

En arrivant dans la cour où tous les apprentis étaient alignés avec des épées tenues devant eux, j'ai tourné mon attention vers les instructeurs qui leurs criaient dessus à propos de la bonne position et de la respiration. Quand l'un d'eux m'a vu, il s'est aussitôt retourné et a fait un salut militaire ferme, aussitôt imité par toutes les autres personnes présentes. Je leur ai simplement fait signe de continuer avant de reprendre ma route. En arrivant à destination, j'ai poussé les doubles portes, arrivant devant un homme âgé avec une épaisse chevelure blanche qui s’accordait à sa longue barbe et des yeux émeraude qui exprimaient un sentiment de sagesse et de connaissance rusée. Il était le chef du Conseil, Marlorn. Bien que j'occupais le poste de ‟roiˮ, je ne pouvais pas m'empêcher de me considérer comme un simple soldat glorifié. Ceux qui gouvernaient réellement le pays, gérant sa politique et son économie, faisaient parti du Conseil. Que signifie alors être roi?

Le titre de roi signifiait en fait que je représentait une armée à moi tout seul. En raison de la baisse de la natalité et des ressources limitées, les Conseils de chaque pays se sont réunis et, après d'innombrables mois de discussions et d'arguments, sont arrivés à la conclusion que si les guerres continuaient d'exister, nous finirions par disparaître. Se débarrasser de la guerre entraînerait deux résultats majeurs: une diminution du nombre de morts, entraînant une croissance démographique, et une diminution des terres et des ressources exploitables détruites par les armes nucléaires. La solution qu'ils ont trouvée et mise en œuvre était de remplacer les guerres par une autre forme de combat. Ce qui a remplacé les guerres est devenu connu sous le nom de Paragon Duels. Chaque fois qu'il y avait un différend à un niveau qui affectait un pays, un Paragon Duel était déclaré, chaque pays envoyant comme représentant la personne qu'il jugeait la plus forte.

Levant les yeux, Marlorn s'exclama avec le faux sourire pittoresque qui semblait être un trait inné des politiciens :

« Roi Gray ! Qu'est-ce qui vous amène dans mes humbles quartiers ? »

« Je prends ma retraite. »

Sans même lui donner la chance de réagir, j'ai détaché mon badge, un morceau de métal si recherché par tous les pratiquants, et l'ai claqué sur son bureau en chêne démesurément grand, quittant la pièce par la porte.

Qu'est-ce que j'ai vécu pendant toutes ces années ? J'étais un orphelin qui avait été élevé dans un camp conçu pour élever des duellistes. J'avais vingt-huit ans, mais je n’étais jamais sorti, je n’avais jamais été aimé. J'ai passé toute ma vie jusqu'à présent uniquement à m’entraîner pour être le plus fort. Et tout ça pour quoi… ? L’admiration ? L’argent ? La gloire ? J'avais tout cela, mais jamais je n'aurais choisi ma vie précédente face à ce que j'avais dans la ville d'Ashber. Je serais passé à côté d’Alice, à côté de Reynolds, de Durden, de Jasmine, de Helen, d’Angela et d’Adam.

…Papa…

…Maman…

*TOUSSE TOUSSE*

J'ai rouvert les yeux, des arbres imposants et des vignes pendantes emplissant mon champ de vision alors que j’étais allongé sur le dos. Cependant, cette fois, la douleur atroce qui m'a accueilli m'a dit que je ne rêvais pas.

Où étais-je ? Comment étais-je vivant ?

J'ai essayé de me lever, mais mon corps n'écoutait pas. La seule chose que j'ai pu faire a été de tourner la tête, et même cela a entraîné une série de douleurs lancinantes dans mon cou.

Regardant à ma droite, j'ai repéré mon sac à dos. En tournant lentement la tête vers ma gauche, serrant les dents sous la douleur, mes yeux se sont écarquillés à cette vue et je dus immédiatement résister à l'envie de vomir. À ma gauche se trouvait ce qui restait du prestidigitateur que j'avais entraîné avec moi. Une mare de sang entourait le cadavre, dont le corps avait probablement plus d'os brisés que d’os encore intacts. Je pouvais voir les os blancs de ses côtes sortir de la cavité enfoncée de sa poitrine avec un tas de ses entrailles à côté de lui. Ses membres étaient dans des angles non naturels, avec le crâne du mage brisé dans le dos avec de la matière cérébrale suintant de sa tête. Son visage était figé dans une expression de surprise et d'incrédulité, à l'exception de ses yeux complètement rouges, car une traînée de sang séché était encore visible depuis ses orbites.

Je ne pus détourner la tête assez vite. Alors que mon corps déjà affaibli était assailli à la fois par la vue horrible et l'odeur répugnante, j'ai vomi ce qui restait dans mon estomac jusqu'à ce que mes haut-le-cœur se calment.

Même dans ma vie passée, je n'avais jamais rencontré un cadavre aussi gravement mutilé. Avec la puanteur nauséabonde et les insectes se régalant de son sang, je ne pouvais pas m'empêcher de me sentir malade. Avec des parties de mon visage et de mon cou couvertes par ma propre régurgitation, j'ai finalement réussi à tourner la tête pour débarrasser ma vue des restes répugnants du mage.

Comment étais-je encore en vie ?

Je ne pouvais m'empêcher de me demander ce qui s'était passé pendant que j'étais inconscient. Clairement, le mage était vivant jusqu'à l'atterrissage… alors qu'est-ce qui m'était arrivé ? Je devrais ressembler à ce cadavre en ce moment, peut-être même pire, mais non seulement j'allais bien, et en plus je n'avais même pas l'air d'avoir un os cassé. J'ai réfléchi aux réponses possibles jusqu'à ce que je sois interrompu par le fort grondement de mon estomac.

Encore une fois, j'ai essayé de me lever, de lutter contre les protestations de mon corps ; les seules parties de mon corps qui semblaient m'écouter à partir de maintenant étaient mon bras droit et mon cou. J'ai voulu mettre du mana dans mon bras droit et utiliser mes doigts pour me déplacer en rampant, traînant mon corps, pour atteindre mon sac à dos. Ce dernier se trouvait à moins d'un mètre, pourtant il m’a fallu une heure pour que je réussisse enfin à l'atteindre. En le rapprochant de moi, je l'ai fouillé de ma seule main capable jusqu'à ce que je trouve ce que je cherchais, les baies séchées et les noix que ma mère avait emballé !

J'ai réussi à mettre dans ma bouche une bouchée de la collation que ma mère m’avait forcé à emmener. Ma gorge, surprise par le flot soudain de nourriture, a répondu en me laissant dans une quinte de toux étouffante, réveillant une série de douleur dans tout mon corps. Cherchant la gourde mon sac à dos, j'ai lentement versé un peu d'eau dans ma bouche avant d’engloutir une autre poignée de nourriture. Des larmes coulant sur les côtés de mon visage et dans mes oreilles, j'ai continué à mâcher les rations séchées jusqu'à m'évanouir à nouveau, utilisant mon sac à dos comme une couverture de fortune.

Mes yeux s'ouvrirent alors que la vive morsure du froid me sortait du sommeil. En regardant autour de moi, les rayons de lumière chatouillant timidement le sommet des montagnes m’indiquèrent que c’était l'aube. Cette fois, j'ai pu me lever, mais uniquement avec l'aide de mana. J'ai soigneusement inspecté tout mon corps, m'assurant que tout était en place avant de me permettre de me détendre. Tout d'abord. Je me suis dirigé vers le cadavre du mage en essayant d'éviter de regarder les horribles blessures qui avaient entraîné sa mort. Repérant le couteau que je cherchais, je l'ai rapidement sorti de sa cuisse. Je ne savais pas combien de temps je devrais passer ici, donc avoir une arme était essentiel.

« Oh, tu es réveillé. »

Je me suis immédiatement mis en position de combat, grinçant à cause de la douleur que ce mouvement soudain avait déclenché, mon couteau à la main, me tournant pour faire face à la carcasse. Je jure devant Dieu, si ce cadavre est celui qui parle…

Un rire mélodieux m'a fait chercher la source de la voix.

« Ne t'inquiète pas. Tu n’as pas à te soucier de la réanimation de ce cadavre. »

La voix, qui semblait sortir de nulle part, était douce, mais un digne sentiment de royauté émanait d’elle. C'était un son puissant et retentissant, mais soyeux et apaisant qui vous donnait envie de lui faire confiance.

Toujours sur mes gardes, j'ai réussi à marmonner une réponse moins qu'élégante.

« Qui êtes-vous ? Êtes-vous celui qui m'a sauvé ? »

« Oui à ta deuxième question. Quant à la première, tu le sauras bientôt en arrivant chez moi. »

Cette voix semblait terriblement sûre que j'essaierais de la trouver.

Comme si elle lisait mes pensées, elle a poursuivi :

« Je suis la seule à pouvoir te ramener chez toi depuis cet endroit, alors je te conseille de te dépêcher. »

Cela m'a remis les idées claires. C'est vrai ! Je dois rentrer à la maison ! Maman ! Papa ! Les Twin Horns ! Le bébé ! Est-ce qu'ils vont bien ? Ont-ils atteint Xyrus en toute sécurité ? Si la voix pouvait vraiment me ramener à la maison, je n'avais pas d'autre choix que de la trouver.

« Ahem, cher euh… Monsieur la Voix. Puis-je vous demander la directions pour vous rejoindre afin que vous puissiez me bénir de votre présence ? »

La voix laissa échapper un autre petit rire avant de répondre :

« Ne pense-tus pas que c'est un peu impoli d'appeler une dame ‟Monsieurˮ ? Et oui, je vais te montrer le chemin. »

Ahh… donc c'était une dame.

Immédiatement, ma vision s'est transformée en vue du ciel. En faisant un zoom arrière, un endroit qui était à peu près à une journée de voyage à l'est est apparu et s'est éclairé avant que ma vision ne redevienne normale.

« Je recommande de partir immédiatement. Ce sera beaucoup plus sûr de voyager pendant la journée que lorsqu'il fera nuit. » me réprimanda doucement la voix.

« Oui m'dame ! »

J'ai rapidement ramassé mon sac à dos avant de trotter vers ma destination.

Cela devenait moins douloureux à chaque pas et, en milieu de matinée, il ne me restait plus que quelques courbatures ici et là. Quoi que cette dame ait fait, c'était une magie puissante. Je n'ai jamais lu ni entendu parler d’un sort lancé sur une telle distance. Ou peut-être est-elle partie après avoir lancé le sort juste avant que j'atterrisse ? Alors comment aurait-elle pu savoir que nous tombions, et pourquoi ne m'a-t-elle sauvé que moi ? Plus j'essayais de résoudre le mystère, plus je semblais me poser de questions.

Entendant un léger gargouillis, je me dirigeai en direction du bruit, repérant un ruisseau étroit.

« Oui ! », m'écriai-je.

J'étais absolument dégoutant. Mon visage et mon cou avaient encore la puanteur de l'acide gastrique, tandis que mes vêtements étaient déchirés et maculés de crasse. Presque sprintant, je me suis précipité dans le ruisseau, frottant vigoureusement mon visage et mon corps. Enlevant mes vêtements et après les avoir brièvement lavés, je les ai déposés sur un rocher voisin pour les sécher. Après avoir terminé le bain rafraîchissant, j'ai marché vers mes vêtements encore humides quand…

« Hahaha… comme c'est agréable l’insouciance. »

Par réflexe, mes deux mains se sont abattues pour couvrir ma précieuse zone alors que je courbais le dos, essayant de rendre mon corps aussi petit que possible.

« Ne t'inquiète pas, il n'y avait pas grand-chose à voir. »

J'ai frissonné en sentant presque la Voix me faire un clin d'œil. Si vulgaire ! Ma fierté…

Grognant, je voulais presque dire que mon corps n'était pas encore développé, mais j'ai choisi d'ignorer la Voix et de mettre mes vêtements.

« Aww… ne boude pas. Je m'excuse »

La voix étouffa un rire.

Calme ton esprit, Arthur. Un roi doit être calme…

Après avoir mis mes vêtements, la voix perverse a semblé se taire. Ne m'en souciant pas trop, j'ai fouillé dans mon sac et j'ai extrait la dernière de mes rations séchées. L'eau n'allait pas être un problème pendant un certain temps puisque je venais de remplir ma gourde, mais j'aurais bientôt besoin de nourriture. J'espère que la voix me fournira quelque chose.

En regardant autour de moi, j’ai commencé à me demander où j'étais. Étant tombé de la montagne vers l'est, je dois être près du domaine des elfes. Je ne pense pas que je sois dans la forêt d'Elshire parce que je ne suis pas entouré de brouillard. Étais-je dans les Beast Glades ? Non. Il n'y avait pas de bêtes de mana… J'ai repéré quelques lapins et oiseaux, mais je n'ai encore rien vu d'autre. La seule chose étrange que j'ai noté était l'abondance de mana dans cet endroit. C'est principalement grâce à la richesse du mana que j'ai pu récupérer si rapidement de mon état initial. Bien que cela n'explique toujours pas comment j'ai survécu en premier lieu, j'espérais que la source derrière la voix me le dirait.

Je devrais me dépêcher.

Mis à part le fait qu'il n'y avait pas de route, cela s'est avéré être un voyage assez paisible et sans incident, avec un minimum d'obstacles et de terrains que je devais contourner. Alors que je m'approchais de l'emplacement de la voix, la densité du mana devenait de plus en plus riche et épaisse. Ignorant la tentation de m'arrêter pour absorber le mana environnant, j’ai continué mon chemin. La formation n'était pas le plus important pour le moment. J'avais besoin de rentrer à la maison.

Puisque tout le monde pensait probablement que j'étais mort, je ne pouvais pas m'empêcher de m'inquiéter pour ma mère et mon père. Pas tellement physiquement, mais plutôt pour leur santé mentale. Je craignais que maman et papa ne se pardonnent pas ma mort. La seule pensée qui m'a réconfortée était le fait que ma mère était enceinte. Oui. Au moins pour le bien de mon frère ou de ma sœur à naître, ils resteraient forts.

J'ai atteint la zone vers laquelle la Voix me dirigeait, mais je ne pouvais rien voir à part un amas de rochers entouré d'un groupe d'arbres.

« Je suis contente que tu ais pu te rendre jusqu’ici en toute sécurité », fit écho la Voix avec confiance, comme si elle savait déjà que je le ferais.

« Ravi de vous rencontrer euh… Madame ? Mlle. Rocks ? »

« Je ne suis pas un rocher, ni un amas de plusieurs d’entre eux. Il y a une fissure à l'arrière des deux roches adjacentes. C'est là que je serai », gloussa la Voix.

En regardant autour de moi, j'ai réussi à repérer le petit espace, de la largeur d'un adulte, entre deux des plus gros rochers qui s'appuyaient l'un contre l'autre. La légère brise sortant de la crevasse m'a dit que j'avais trouvé ce que je cherchais. Si la Voix ne m'avait pas dirigé vers cet endroit exact, je n'aurais même jamais remarqué la petite fissure.

« Enfant. Continue et entre par la crevasse, mais renforce-toi avec du mana avant de le faire. »

Je vais bientôt retrouver maman et papa !

Sans une seconde d'hésitation, je me suis glissé facilement à travers l'écart tout en voulant que le mana renforce mon corps. Je m'attendais à ce qu'il y ai une plate-forme où poser mon pied, mais à la place, je suis immédiatement tombé dans le trou noir. La voix ne m'avait pas prévenu que j'allais faire une chute verticale.

‟Je suppose que c'est pour cela qu'elle m’a demandé d’utiliser du manaˮ, fut la pensée qui me traversa l’esprit alors que je tombais, hurlant de tous mes poumons d’enfant de quatre ans.

Frottant mes fesses, gémissant, je me suis lentement relevé.

« Nous nous rencontrons enfin, Enfant. »

J'ai senti le sang quitter mon visage alors que ma bouche s'ouvrait et que mes yeux s’écarquillaient. Me sentant étourdi alors que mes jambes ne pouvaient pas me soutenir, je me suis effondré sur mes fesses douloureuses, regardant fixement la personne qui m’avait aidé tout ce temps.

[oolathurman]

sith xyraan is definitely a “new money” sith and probably ends up heading some sort of publicity thing for the sith bc her entire thing is based on how charismatic she is.

tbh the only sith i have that would be considered “old money” might be xyrus but he’s a bastard kid that was barely force-sensitive to begin with.

Rakheshi could???? Be next???? But not really bc his legacy only goes as far back as his mom, who’s one of the first alien sith, and so they can’t really include any force sensitive ancestors they may have had bc there’s no real record keeping of their family.

[oolathurman]

i’ve been slowly chipping away at a new character page and character descriptions right well anyway so i was working on xyrus’ description and holy shit the dude is fucking messed up.

for context, xyrus was my attempt to create and rp as a completely darksided, completely evil character. he’s a sith pureblood, he is narcissistic, manipulative, abusive in every way imaginable, and believes he not only can get away with it all, but has a right to be the way he is, because he is a pureblood. i can’t bring myself to rp as him, but honestly, as far as creating a character that is completely evil and exactly the kind of person you do not want to be? i’d say that i achieved that in creating xyrus.

but anyway this post is basically a list of what harm he’s done and created throughout his life. 

warnings for mentions and/or descriptions of the following:

disembowelment

#slavery cw

dehumanization of slaves

#torture 

torture and murder of own parents

immoral sexual acts ( #rape cw #incest cw )

#emotional abuse, #sexual abuse, #physical abuse, #psychological abuse

basically everything at this point.

so to cover just what he’s done to his own parents

the pureblood father who left him a slave

lured his own father into bed so he could get his father’s guard down enough to kill him, through the following methods

restrained him in bed, used a fairly dull ceremonial knife of his father’s to tear open his abdomen

pull out his guts

crack his ribcage open to reveal lungs and heart

pull brain out of his skull (kinda like how ancient egyptians did during mummification process)

pulled the eyes out of the sockets

and then proceeded to skullfuck his own father

his mother, probably a human

used the same knife to tear her womb out

cut out anything she could use to cry for help

left her in an open cage on the rooftop of his father’s estate for predators to eat

his two slaves, lei’ti (twi’lek woman) and y’ael (human man, an agent from imp intel)

groomed y’ael for his own sexual use

raped lei’ti on a regular basis (lei’ti was a sex slave for hutt company previously)

beat lei’ti and left her permanently scarred and limping because she freed her own brother from ending up like her

said brother of lei’ti, aka azukni’s master, slovir

force-choked slovir with lightning

strapped him to a table and carved shapes into his face

raped him too

and then when lei’ti managed to free slovir from xyrus’ place, xyrus beat her to draw slovir out, knowing very well that he’d be able to feel it

thank god that slovir managed to kill xyrus afterwards though like.

y’all, the dude is fucking messed up.