bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

@soulsofthefallen

[bound-by-devils]

Anons

Anons or questions! Feel free to send em over. My box is hungry. OM NOM NOM.

As always, you ask me a question you get one in return!

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Nine (End)

After not finding what she was looking for inside the tomb Anadecia quickly made her way back through the garden to continue her search for the violin. “If you're looking for you know who.. he isn't in there... and he wont come.. because its not you.. that fell..” Came a wheezy familiar voice from within the thick overgrown rose bushes. “Or.. if you're looking for what Drac'thias came for.. you wont find it.. and you wont get it..”

She slid to a stop, turning to look towards the voice before she ran head first into the roses, paying no attention to the slashing of the thorns as she moved through..." Am-amon. oh god, you came..are you hurt? I'm so stupid. I just-i..." She swung through the roses, looking up, seeing Auron nowhere and she screamed, swinging her arms harder trying to beat them out of her way. "Help me...i-I don't know what to do...please...don't let me lose the first man I wanted to love in years. " She fell to her hands and knees, gasping in exhausted breaths, even retching slightly with the force of her running hitting her head on.

After several minutes of silence and much rustling through the thorns a hand reached out to swiftly and somewhat carefully pull Ana near. Giving the woman another tug, Anadecia ended up next to a bloody and broken in places Auron. “You should know not to dive into roses.. good way to get tangled.. it's not fun.. trust me.. Sorry.. if you were looking for.. someone else..”

"Auron.." She breathed out, crawling the rest of the way to him, falling to her belly several times. Once she reached him, her hands cradled his face, moving swiftly to hover over his body and she looked at him, looking up and back. "You...i want you..." She cried softly, holding to him gently "Tell me how to stop him...please...let me..." She looked into his eyes, her head lifting as she search them, the puzzle slowly piecing itself together. "Tell me how to help you..."

A weak smile formed on his lips and he shook his head. “You don't help me.. I help you.. remember.. Right now.. we need to leave.. I may not be all that mortal but a fall like that.. really fucks up your body..” He shifts, letting out a groan with the pops and cracks of his bones. “Help me up.. let's get out of here..”

She nodded, lifting her own scratched and bloody hand to wipe at her face and she lifted, wincing. It felt like the entire rose bush was embedded in her flesh. She gasped, taking a breath through the deep sting and lifted, moving to help him get to his feet. "Where's the bike? The path..." She whimpered softly as she looked, seeing nothing but roses. She quickly threw his arm around her shoulder, starting slowly to see just how much she would be holding him up.

Upon lifting onto his feet Auron nearly dropped back down when he felt the pressure and heard a sickening crack come from his leg. “That's probably not a good thing..” He muttered before shaking his head and continuing to move with her best he could. “Just go straight this way.” He instructed, motioning back the way she came. “The tower is there.. so if we go straight this way we'll find the path.. the hog is out front.”

She curled around him, holding him up as she moved, heading the way he pointed. Struggling the whole way, still she didn't give in or let him fall, finding the bike quickly as she continued to look back, making sure the other man hadn't found them yet. She stopped just next to it, breathing a soft sigh before suddenly she started laughing softly. "Looks like you're in my lap for this ride.." She smiled, a hand lifting to brush the dreads from his face once more.

“Hm.. nice try.. I'd probably hurt you if I were to sit on you..” He breathed out, shifting in her hold to swing his leg over and sit on the bike with a soft groan. “Now you sit on my lap.. and you get to drive.. assuming you know how.. if not its not hard.. twist to go.. pedals to change gear.. squeeze that to stop.. simple..”

She smirked, shaking her head as she swung her leg over, moving to sit against him. One deep thrust of her foot and the bike roared to life, her other kicking the stand back into place and she looked back. "Just hold onto me then..." She smiled, leaning into him before she popped it into gear, fishtailing slightly as she took off down the road.

“No problem..” He whispered as he wrapped his arms loosely around her waist and let his head rest upon her shoulder. He watched as the trees went by, the words spoken in the tower bombarding his thoughts and making his ears slowly wilt before he slowly drifted off to sleep. His body giving in, no matter how much he didn't want to.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Eight

“What are you doing in this room.” The voice growled as a large elven man with red glowing orbs moved into the room. “Or rather.. this tower.” The intimidating man was nearly taller than Auron and he was obviously not happy to see Ana on these grounds.

Anadecia spun around, the blanket still held in her hand and she backed away a step, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Au-Auron brought me. Who the hell are You? " She looked down at the blanket clutched to her, dropping it free as she stood up to him from the spot she held. "The master of this tower knows I am here as well..."

“The master of the tower..” The man paused, tilting his head to the side. “Then he must be close. I'll tear that bastard apart for what he has done to my sister and to me.” He hissed, moving closer to Ana he gave the woman a slight once over before letting out a soft snort. “You one of his concubines? You have enough of his scent to be.. Where is he?”

Her hands began to glow and she took a step, her eyes doing the same. Foolishly preparing to defend the man that wasn't in the room. Her heart beat wildly with fear but still she held her ground, her voice full of threat.

"You will not touch him!"

He watched how she reacted and he smirked, shaking his head before moving away to begin looking through the room. “You think I am going to waste my time with killing you. I may have the ability and part of the appearance but I am no monster. Not like the master who once roamed these halls. The same man who killed Evangeline.. my sister. And locked me away for trying to send him with her.” He snarled, his fist slamming through the nearby wardrobe.

“That's enough Drac'thias..” Auron's voice came from the doorway, his stare locked on the large man. “Whatever you're here for is long gone.. There's no need for anyone to return.”

“You've returned..” Drac hissed, squinting his eyes as he stared at Auron with a grin. “Does she know what you're hiding.. or that who you claim to be is a lie.” He shook his head, trying to keep himself calm. “Where is Evangeline's violin.. I know you have it.”

“Gone.. It's not in the tower.” Auron motioned Ana to come closer to him. “What's done is done.. Let the past die.” He reached out his hand for Ana only to have it gripped by Drac. “You lie. I know you have it. You lied about everything to this girl, but let's show her a bit of truth!” The red eyed elf snarled, slamming Auron against the stone wall with enough force to cause a slight indentation.

“Ana run! Keys are in the hog just trust me and run!” Auron shouted before Drac's hand met his face over and over again. The raging elf was losing all control by the second, past anger and pain now fueling his every move as he began throwing Auron around the room.

She blinked watching and listening in confusion, everything happening faster than she could think. She jumped when he slammed Auron into the wall, screaming as he was thrown, instinct kicking into high gear as her hand shot forth, a shadow bolt flying across the room and slamming into the huge, angry man. "You didn't leave me to Mikkeal, I'm not leaving you to him!" She ran to the wardrobe as soon as she saw the attack doing no more than pissing him off further, hoping for him to follow with the plan already formed to too bring it down on top of him, her straining grunts filling the room as she pushed with every bit of strength she had.

Drac stared at Ana for a moment as he moved towards Auron. “You want to stay and help a demon.. a murderer.. creatures that destroy families.. a monster who would watch as you slaughtered your own children just to please him.. a monster that would kill his lover and his unborn child in a fit of rage..”

“What..” Auron breathed out his eyes going wide and he stopped his attempt at moving away from the man.

Drac shouted in rage as he grabbed Auron by the leg and lifted him from the ground with ease. “You want a monster then go catch him!” With that the large elf snarled and swung Auron over through the archway of the crumbling balcony where he hit the ground with enough force to cause the stone to break underneath him. And in his state of shock Auron didn't even realize the balcony had gave way under him until it was to late.

"Auron! " She screamed, abandoning the wardrobe as she flew to the balcony, sliding to her belly just at the edge, reaching for him. She looked back, her body trembling, a panting breath filling the air as she looked back at Auron, clinging with the other hand as she reached for him.."it-it's past... I've seen him, seen his eyes. I know that pain. "She looked back. "Killing him won't bring them back, him or..or..." She looked back, searching for the name spoken only once. "Amon! Help me! Please..." She screamed, reaching even harder, squeezing her eyes shut her torn throat cracking to a whisper.  "I-I don't want to lose him..."

“Amon can't save you if he's dying..” Drac rolled his shoulders, watching as Ana reached for Auron. “It wont bring my sister back.. that is true. But it will still make me feel better.” He stated before taking another look around the room. “Find me my sister's violin.. and I'll let him live. If you don't bring it to me. Then you best wish he dies when he hits the ground.”

Slowly he moved over to the woman, reaching down to grab hold of her arm to pull her from the ground. “Start running.. if you want him to live. Save him yourself.”

She looked between him and Auron, her lip quivering before she froze, thinking quickly. "The garden...." She ran as soon as the thought came to her, hoping to the gods she was right.  It made since with the masked man she knew, visiting his love and playing for her. She flew down the stairs, falling over her own feet as she reached the bottom, climbing back up and running further, thanking the same gods at the same time she had taken up running to beat the addiction to the needle all those years ago. "Please be here...please..." She was sobbing, looking up at the crumbling balcony as she ran to the tomb.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils | @dracthias

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Seven

Anadecia smiled, reaching to poke his goggles playfully with a soft laugh. "Better not be bitter, I'll chase you to the nether and kick your butt." She snickered, leaning to lay her head on his shoulder, looking back at the flames licking the hearth.

“Sorry to disappoint you but there is no way I'd let you follow me into that place. You might have seen what death can look like from your encounter with Tristen but that's a whole different monster.” He lightly nudged her with his arm. “Besides, I don't think Traian and Tristen would let you follow me anyway.”

She laughed and lifted again. "Tristen no, Train I am still not sure. " She shrugged lightly and shook her head. "So, what's the plan then, since neither of us is sleeping? I know you won't either."

“I don't sleep. I haven't voluntarily slept in years.” He slowly lays back on the mattress, stretching his arms above his head with a soft groan. “We can.. start packing up what little we brought, I can carry the trunks down and you can look through the rest of the books for ones with pictures you like.” His head lifts slightly to look at her. “Or we can do something you suggest for the few hours we have until sun up.”

She watched him stretch, laying back herself and looking from the side at him. "I have no Idea what to do, besides explore more after everything is loaded. Or we can just relax and do nothing. Might be the last chance we get for a while." She smiled, rolling to curl up, her head pillowed on her arm. "I'm game for any of the above really..." her voice lowered to a soft whisper, her eyes meeting his.

“Any of the above..” He rolled to stare at her with a slightly lofted brow. “We can load up what we have then take the even longer way back to the city. The scenic route and all that.” He offered. “Could even maybe take you to breakfast somewhere.. if you want. Since I know how you just loved what I made for you.”

She swatted at him playfully, laughing softly. "You stop that, your breakfast was good." She chuckled, shifting slightly to get comfortably arranged. "How about this, you load the trunks, I'll clean our mess in here, then we can see what we have left energy wise and decide from there, though this damn mattress is already way to comfortable " She laughed again curling even deeper into it.

“I guess we can do that. But if I come back and your ass is asleep on the job you're gonna owe me.. I'm not sure what you'd owe me but you'll owe me.” He laughed, shifting to scoot even closer to her before slowly leaning in as his arm moved around her. He stared in her eyes for a moment before letting out a soft hum before quickly pulling away with his satchel now in his grasp. The bastard was only reaching for his bag.

“Alright, I'll start hauling these down stairs.” He said with a smirk as he moved over to the door to unblock it to begin dragging the two extremely heavy trunks down the several flights of stairs to his mechano-hog.

A silent gasp left as his arm moved around her, her lips parting slightly and she shifted slightly, until she saw the bag pulled back to him. She lifted, shaking her head and watching as he started dragging the trunks, laughing softly when he disappeared through the door. "And I thought I was a tease.." She muttered playfully, moving to start cleaning up the mess, starting with a fighting struggle with the mattress, finally getting it back in place and working on remaking the bed, paying no attention except to the work she was doing.

It took Auron ten minutes to reach the ground floor and another to make his way out to his bike before he was finally able to situate things the best he could. 

Meanwhile a visitor entered the tower, and he was staring directly at Anadecia.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Six

“I don't think I'm that great of company but.. I guess we'll see by the end of this. Who knows, you might get sick of me by then. If not scared of me if I end up having to show my true colors..” Auron shrugs lightly. “We'll see.”

Anadecia leaned over, whispering playfully. "You met my mother, im a hard woman to scare after her..." She snickered, curling her hand in his as she looked to the statue once more. "Bet she watches over him, just as much."

He fell silent as he shifted his gaze towards the statue, taking him a moment before speaking. “With how she died.. I'm not so sure about that. It was a mess and it fucks with him still. Probably why he doesn't sleep.”

She looked back at him, gripping his hand once more."He beats himself up way to much. When I came too, even as much pain as I was in...I still wanted him..." She sighed and looked down."We punish ourselves worst of all at times."

“The man has reason to be so hard on himself.. she was the only woman he loved with all of what little heart he has.. and she died because of him.” His eyes lowered to the ground as he took in a deep breath. “He hasn't found the right way to fix it, or keep it from tearing him apart.”

Her hand curled around his shoulder, cradling his head and she leaned in, placing a soft kiss to his temple. "I'm cold, this time naturally..."She chuckled weakly as she pulled back. "He will drive himself crazy trying, take it from a woman who has.."

His ears perk up slightly with the kiss to his temple though his expression seemed somewhat confused. With a light shake of his head he looked between her and the tower. “Do you want to head back inside? I can make another fire for you.”

She laughed, taking his hand once more and nodding. "A fire sounds great. We can put it in the hearth this time and sit to eat as well." She moved, pulling him with her slightly as she did so.

“My fire not good enough for you?” He asked with a small smirk as he gently grasped her hand and stood up. “Need me to carry you up the stairs this time or do you want to try to make it?” He glanced up to the balcony. “The climb looks a lot worse from out here.”

She smirked right back, bumping his shoulder with hers and laughed, looking up. "Can I get away with being carried, just because?" Her eyes met his once more, the smirk fading to a soft smile that surprisingly almost held an air of shyness.

“Well..... I suppose.” He said with a light shrug before quickly leaning down to sweep Ana off her feet and into his arms, carrying her bridal style like he had  earlier. “Better?” He smirked with a slight tilt of his head as he stared down at her.

Her arms hooked around his neck as she smiled back up at him, giggling slightly when he lifted her. "Mhm. Didn't get to fully enjoy it last time." She laughed, holding on as they climbed.

He chuckled softly and rolled his eyes. “That right? Well.. glad you enjoy it I guess.” He hook his head lightly. “You gonna enjoy it this much when you're sitting on my lap in the morning?” He asked in a more playful tone.

She smirked, looking up at him, shaking her head. "Depends on the ride..." She snickered lightly, curling around a bit tighter and laid her head on his shoulder.

“Some how knew that would be your answer.” He snickered, shaking his head lightly before glancing at the passing portraits as they reached the final steps. “If you took a souvenir from this place, what would it be?” He asked as they moved through the door and he set her on the bed like he had before, then moving to block the doorway again.

She moved over to the book she had found, picking it up and holding it to her, turning to look at him with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Even though I can't read it, I don't know...maybe I found it for a reason. Your masked friend came while you were away and told me the story. Kinda want to keep it..."

Auron glanced from her face to the book with a small nod. “Then it's yours. I'm sure he wont mind.” He offered a small smile as he moved to make them another fire, this time in the fireplace. “What was the book about?” Once the fire was roaring he moved to pull the blankets from the bed, giving them a shake to remove what dust was left, then pulled the mattress free so she could sit comfortably next to the fire.

She moved over, book still in hand, sitting next to him as she ran her fingers over the cover. "A woman falls in love with a demon, who promises her everything, a dancer. He turns around and forces her to dance forever, dinning on the suffering of her feet slowly withering away." She looked at him with a slight smirk."The pictures though.. fascinating really.  Now that I know what it's about, they almost seem to tell the story on there own."

“Sounds.. fucked up..” He shook his head lightly. “Well least you like it I guess. Probably the only.. not horrible book our masked friend has.” Glancing behind him towards the balcony he let out a long sigh. “Are you sleeping anymore tonight or are you going to think about how fascinating a demon forcing a woman to dance is?” He teased.

She laughed,  shaking her head as she looked back into the flames. "Don't know if I could sleep really. I feel jumpy,  like something else could happen at any minute. Mikkeal is not going to be quiet about losing control of Tristen for long...something is brewing, I can feel it..." Her eyes lifted to his and she smiled weakly. " Or I'm just paranoid. " She shook her head, sighing softly.

“Maybe both. But can't really blame you for being on edge. You've been through what hell the nether can summon on Azeroth.. Give it time though, we'll kick his ass and you'll be free to live your own life.” He chuckles quietly. “I bet that line sounds like a broken record at this point but not going to stop saying it until we reach the end. No matter how happy or bitter that end may be.”

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Five

“Why not just dance with your bare feet?” He asked with a tilt of his head. “Might find the occasional rock but it's mostly just dust and dirt as far as I can tell. Dancing slippers don't seem that thick anyway so it's about the same.. except the flat part by your toes.”

She laughed, looking at him. "Its much different. Shoes give the support just a toe doesn't.  I haven't danced barefoot in forever.." She trailed, kicking her shoes to the side and taking a breath. Lifting slowly, she quivered slightly until she was on her toes, looking back at him. "Just don't make me dance forever..." She trailed, laughing softly as she realized he hadn't seen the book she found, shaking her head as she started to move slowly across the floor. Just as graceful, but slower as she moved.

He hummed softly as a smirk tugged at his lips, watching her dance silently for a moment before making his way to the small stage. “I don't think any of these work anymore or I'd give you music to dance to.. well.. they might work but they sure as hell wont sound right.” He muttered, tapping a dust caked flute with his foot before moving to sit on the edge of the stage.

She winced slightly, lowering back down and shaking her head, muttering softly herself."That was much easier when I was 8." She laughed, moving to sit next to him, dangling her feet to kick slightly. " Bet the shows were amazing...this place is great, its a shame to see it crumbling like this." She looked back, bumping his shoulder lightly. "You know a lot about i. Did you live here as well?"

He perked a brow slightly, taking him a moment before shaking his head. “No. Just things I've heard. I.. lived with the Darkmoon faire.. with mother. As they traveled and on the island. Performer and all that.”

"What did you preform?" She looked back out into the room . "Only been once to the fair. Obviously mother didn't take me. I went once though, by myself after...." She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Don't think its quite as exciting alone."

“Acrobatics.. things that involved fire, juggling it, dancing with it. .eating it. I uh also would on occasion do kind of an acrobatic dance with my cyr wheel.” He looked over at her before adding. “A thick metal ring.” A soft sigh escaped him as he tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. “The faire is usually more fun with other people, probably safer that way too.”

"You will have to show me one of these days, maybe even take me as well. " She smirked lightly at the wording, though she did mean the faire, and looked back at him. "Okay, now, you show me something, since I chose the ballroom first. "

He lifts his hand to scratch his chin as he thought on where to take her. “I guess I can take you outside to the cemetery and garden. Probably a bit overgrown by now but something should still be alive.” He slid from the stage and offered her his hand. “We can cut through the back so we don't have to go all the way around.”

She took his hand, hopping down and looked up with a nod of the head. "Lead the way then." She laughed, looking down as she laced her fingers with his.

Lifting a brow slightly he looked to their hands for a moment before slowly closing his fingers around hers as he began leading her out of the room and through the large dinning room, kitchen and storage area on their way out to the garden.

“The woman from the portrait loved plants.. nature in general really. So our mysterious friend had this garden planted for her. And.. when she died.. she..” He shook his head lightly. “He had a tomb built on top of the small hill in the cemetery so she could always see the garden.” He trailed off, motioning to the statue off in the distance. “There.”

"He must have loved her very much." She looked to where he pointed, taking a step as she released his hand, looking around. "Wow, i can only imagine this place in full bloom. Its wonderful, all of it. "

“He did..” He said quietly, shaking his head as he looked around what remained of the garden. “A sacred place of mystery and beauty.. From what I heard.” He motioned her to follow him as he began heading further into the gardens, taking her through a little hedge maze before reaching the center fountain. “If you look up there. You can see the balcony of the room I took you to. Just like he wanted her to see her garden, he wanted to see her.”

She looked up, the soft smile on her face before looking back to the fountain, going quiet.  " I was cruel to him. Traian. I never should have pushed him away like I did...." she trailed and looked back up, finding the statue once more and taking a breath.

“You had just lost your son and you were dealing with it how you could. You shouldn't beat yourself up for what you did. All you can do is apologize and move on. Or else the past will eat you alive.” He glanced to the statue before slowly moving to a vine covered bench, giving it a test with his foot to see if it would break, once he saw it was fine he then sat down with a soft huff. “You're getting a second chance. Still a little chaotic but you have people to help you.”

She moved over, sitting down with him, taking a breath as she took his hand once more, laying her head on his shoulder. "Yes, you are right. Kinda seems bittersweet though. Soon it will be just Tristen, already out in the world as an adult..Traian will go back to his own thing as he helps him." She sighed, chuckling softly. "I have my little apartment,  a manor full of ghosts...you have your mother..."

“You say that like I still live with her.. I have my own wagon thank you.” He said with a small smirk before shaking his head and looking to the sky. “I only visit on occasion. It's better that way so she doesn't get involved with things. She understands. Still worries but.. she knows the things I do are usually dangerous. So she stays on the island and continues making her 'unique' food for adventurous faire goers.”

She laughed and looked up at him." Shes a mom, its what we do." She smirked and shook her head. " I hope you know you are welcome with us any time."She met his eyes. "I might even miss you a little if you disappear on me.."

He perks a brow. “You want me to stay with you?” He asked curiously, lowering his goggles to rest around his neck as he looked at her. “And you'd miss me? Really?” He squints his eyes slightly, seeming surprised by her words. “Why?”

She shrugged looking back up at him."I have gotten use to you being around." She laughed, and shook her head. "You don't have to, but yes, i would like you to stay..." Her eyes met his again and she smiled.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Four

Two more hours passed before rustling came from behind the closet door, taking another five minutes of thuds and cursing until Auron finally kicked open the door, tugging two large trunks behind him. “Stupid fucking hoarding... weapons and armor out the fucking ass... fucking tomes and scrolls everywhere.. vials of bullshit..” The large elf muttered between each tug of the trunks until finally he had them where he wanted and he flopped onto the floor with a huff.

Anadecia whipped up out of the bed, still half asleep, peering around blindly.

Rubbing his hand over his face Auron rolled onto his stomach. “Oh good you're awake.” He said as he looked over at the bed. “I have something for you to drink.” He shifted onto his hands and knees to crawl to one of the trunks. “Our masked friend liked at one point to keep a vial of everyone's blood, didn't matter if they worked for him or were close to him. And one of those vials has Daciana's blood. Which I used a drop or two with a bunch of different herbs to make something that should stop you from being cold. Should.”

"Jolly green jesus you scared the shit out of me.!"

He paused, tilting his head slightly. “That's.. a weird thing to say but alright..” He said with a small smirk as he carefully searched through the trunk before pulling out a vial of purple liquid. “Here.” He slowly stood up to move around the bed offering her the vial. “Don't think about it, just down it.”

She snatched the vial from his hand. "I'll pretend its my morning glass of wine!" She shot it back and stomped back to the bed, climbing back under the blankets like a lump.

He squints his eyes slightly as he stared at her. “Alright then.. Still weird but okay. I guess.” He slipped his hands into his pockets before moving back to the trunks. “We're taking both of these back with us. A lot of stuff but most of it is probably useful.”

She sat back up, huffing softly before lifting again. "I'm sorry, you startled me. "

“And when startled you go into a weird mode.” He smirked slightly before shaking his head and shrugging. “It happens. One with the shadows and in a spooky tower. Least I didn't do it intentionally.. or you'd probably have a heart attack.”

She laughed, pushing her hair from her face and moved over, looking between the trunks. "What is all this, and how are we getting it home on the bike?"

“Uh..” He tilts his head, looking from one trunk to the other as a hand lifts to scratch his chin. “Put one in the sidecar.. I can tie the other on the back.. and.. you sit on my lap? Unless you feel it brave and want to sit on top of a wiggling trunk.” He shrugs lightly. “It's weapons, scrolls, tomes, uh some old armor, some personal stuff, secret stuff. Stuff.”

She smirked, snickering lightly as she turned,"Well, you want me to sit on your lap for stuff, hm? " she looked back, still smirking, pulling her flask free, unscrewing the cap and moving back over.

He perked a brow slowly. “It would be a lot easier for both of us if you sat in front of me. That way if I make a sharp turn you don't go flying off.. and probably would be more comfortable than sitting on the trunk.”

She chuckled, lifting the flask to her lips, peering at him as she took a drink. "Okay then. So, what now?"

“Well.. we can either stay here until morning or we can haul these down to the bike and head back. And by we can haul it.. it's probably going to be just me. If I have a bit of struggle carrying them then there's no way you can.” He smirked. “Your choice though, do you want to rest or leave?”

She looked up and around, fascination on her face before she looked back at him. "Lets rest, i kinda want to explore, just a bit?..."

“You know walking around doesn't exactly fit in the resting category.” He said with a soft chuckle before nodding. “I guess it wouldn't hurt for you to explore a little.. As long as we stay above the basement we should be fine.”

She grinned, capping the flask and putting it in her bag, moving over to the blocked door and  waited. "This place is amazing, creepy but awesome."

“It's definitely.. something.” He shrugged, stretching his arms above his head before moving to pull the wardrobe away from the door. “Where to first? Library, lab, ballroom, training area, cemetery or.. gardens?”

Her eyes lit up as she moved to the door, looking back, " The ballroom." She laughed and moved through, looking everywhere all at once.

“Alright, so we are headed all the way down to the first floor.” He smirked as he began moving to the stairs. “Can you handle going up and down all night?”

She smirked right back, holding back her own comment as she moved down the steps and chuckled. "I wonder what the parties were like here."

“Depends on which party you go to.. There was the one you see when you walk in and the one you were given a special invitation to. One had more blood and death and the other was more elegant. I'll let you figure out which is which.”

She chuckled, still looking everywhere and walking by his side. "Sounds killer..." She snickered as she looked at the passing and fading portraits. "All these family or...?"

“No.” He stated rather quickly before shaking his head and letting out a soft laugh. “No.. Founding members, the council and people who were high above others in certain areas of work.” He glanced at the portraits, shifting his gaze away when they came across the only seemingly elven female.

"Oh..." She paused before the same, looking up. "Well, about time i see another woman in here, kinda.." She chuckled and looked to him, going quiet when she saw the look on his face. " Sorry...who-who was she..? "She whispered softly, hesitant even to ask.

“She was.. uh.. she's complicated. I don't want to spoil your exploring with that story.” He said with a light nod, slipping his hands into his pockets as they continued down the stairs. Once they reached the first floor he slowly led her through the entrance hall and into the ballroom where dust covered instruments rest on the small stage and broken chairs lined the wall. “Tah dah.”

"Oh wow..." She walked in, moving through the dust stirred by their feet, moving into the center as she looked around, spinning with her gaze. "I so wish I had brought my slippers..."She breathed softly, lifting to tippy toes before lowering again.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Three

Anadecia's hand moved to rest on his forearm, her eyes lifting to meet his as she spoke quietly. "Not if I can help it..." She chuckled, her eyes lowering as she shook her head. "Its a noble thought, but I can't allow two men to meet their fate sooner than intended, for me..."

“You are strong I give you that but I do not think you quite hold the power over death. Especially since we have been cheating her for years.” A small smirk tugged at his lips before lightly shaking his head. “While I am here is there anything you desire from me?”

She looked back at him. "Yes actually. I told Daciana I wanted to face my demons, and save myself...but I am not sure...I mean, well, could you help me? Maybe if I can do it, Auron can be safe, you as well..and he can go on for whoever he might care about?"

“Auron lives alone. Usually in his wagon. There is no need to worry about any he may care for, they do not exist. But I will do my best to help you how I can.” He tilts his head slightly as he thought. “First you must learn what demon you are facing, only then can you defeat it. With that said.. what demon of yours do you desire to leave you?”

"Selfishness. Pride..." She whispered, hear eyes lowering and she sighed looking away though her hand stayed at his arm. "My mother...."

“She is your demon? And if you were to face her, without physical contact.. what would you do? What would you say to this demon? What words would you speak if your words alone could destroy her?”

She looked back, shaking her head, taking a deep breath. " Those words are for her alone. " She looked down, scoffing lightly. "The things she said...did...she kept me from...." She sighed, shaking her head and looked back. " Maybe i am just grasping at straws...i don't know. I have no control iy feels like with him still at least holding the rope."

“She is a demon deep within your mind no matter if she holds a grasp on you herself or holds a never ending grasp from all the things she had said and done. To tell me the words you would use to defeat her is to tell them to her face to face. If given the chance would you use actions that are physical against her?”

"No, i would never hurt her..I tried, didn't work.." She scoffed, looking down.

"I forgive you. "

She looked back up, a tear rolling down her cheek. " I just want peace..."

He reached into a small pouch that was tied to his belt, pulling free a very familiar crystal. One that she had seen Auron hold.. while trapping her mother within. “Then I shall grant you peace from this demon..” He said before swiftly closing his hand around the crystal, crushing it in his grasp.

She watched, her eyes following the tiny bits of glass as they fell to the floor, lifting back to his. Her hand laid on the fist still holding the crystal, her other hand lifting to wipe the tear. "Rest in peace, mother..." She whispered,  her eyes lifting to his once more. "Why are you so good to me?"

“You have given me little reason to not be this way with you. I simply desire for you to be free of all demons. Hm.. at least the ones who bring you harm. So you may live and watch your child grow and have his own children. Something many who face these creatures do not get the chance to do.”

She gripped his hand gently, looking up and smiling, shaking her head. "I will never see you as  one of them. I want you to know that. You are not..."

“You say this because you have never truly seen me.” He stated with a small smirk tugging at his lips. “This thought may change in time, just as it could easily change if you truly saw Auron.” His hand lifted, hesitating slightly before placing it over her own. “You have.. an open mind.. I will admit this.. but there are still parts that are closed. Parts that cause you to not see things for who or what they truly are.”

"I see you..." She moved a bit closer " right now, right here, I am seeing you, I know I am, even if you are still tucking away what you don't like, or want me to see. This is all I could ever see. I don't care about any of the rest. That was then. This is now."

“And then can still hold a grasp on now.” He said, giving her hand a light pat. “You will learn in time. And I have no doubt that you will learn to truly see things for what they truly are. Perhaps even before you face your remaining demons.”

She chuckled, shaking her head as she looked up at him, suddenly shivering violently as another rush of pure cold went through her. She drew back quickly, curling the blanket around her tightly as she turned back to the fire."Go-gods..." She chattered  breathlessly, looking from within the blanket with a smirk. "Yo-your n-n-not go-going t-to let m-me hav-have the la-last wo-word, are y-you?"

“Not unless that word is goodbye..” He reached down to place his hand on her shoulder before stepping away towards the balcony. “Auron should return soon.. Until that time, continue to feed the fire and perhaps read a less depressing book.” He turned to look at her with a small smile, lowering his head to bow at her. “Do be safe.. Anadecia.” Without another word he suddenly vanished in a cloud of black smoke that quickly faded away, leaving the shivering woman to her fire.

"Go-goodbye..." She exhaled, still shivering violently and she lifted,  moving to the bed to pile under the rest of the bedding, though it still didn't help.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part Two

A hour went by and Auron hadn't returned with anything. The moon was shining brightly through the tattered drapes that hung over the doorway of the balcony and a cold wind was blowing causing the drapes to not only dance but the fire that was keeping Anadecia warm to flicker and nearly die out.

“Why are you here?” Came a familiar voice but no one could be seen, even with what light still remained from the fire. “This is no place for you.. It is far to dangerous.. even if there are things hidden within these walls that could save you. At least temporarily.”

She lifted, turning quickly, the book dropping from her lap as she swirled around, pulling the blanket around her. "Auron brought me.." She breathed. "I am linked to Lady Daciana now, he is searching for away to bl-block her chill..." as she spoke she shivered, trembling as the cold fell on her fully once more.

“Among other things I do not doubt..” The masked man stepped from the shadows and slowly walked closer to the campfire. “Must he ruin my floor when there is a perfectly good fireplace just over there..” He said with a soft sigh, slowly reaching down to grab a chunk of wood to feed the fire before making his way around the room to stand just next to the bed. “You have found entertainment I see.. What book of mine has captured your attention?”

She chuckled, looking down to the book. "I've no idea.." She laughed again, picking it up. " I can't read the language, but the pictures are fascinating, if not a bit gruesome. The artwork is amazing though."

He reached to take the book from her though it was only long enough for him to look at the title. “O gorya aem mchl't.. A Dance Of Flesh.” He said before handing the book back and clasping his hands behind him. “It is of a woman who foolishly falls in love with a creature of the nether.. A creature who finds pleasure in pain.” He explained, tilting his head from side to side as he thought on the story.

“The creature offers the woman a life with him in the nether if she were willing to kill everyone she ever cared about.. and present him with their flesh. She did and the creature kept his word.. just not how the woman imagined it. The creature made a gown from the flesh of her loved ones and made a special pair of shoes for her. Shoes made of iron which he placed over a fire. Once they were red her wedding attire was completed, and so he made her dance, and when she felt she could no longer he made her dance even more.. The creature finding great pleasure in watching her suffer so. And that is how the book ends.. the woman danced for eternity in a gown of flesh with searing hot metal forever searing the flesh and muscle from her feet.”

"She looked down at the book, her fingers grazing the cover. "Wow..that is.." She looked back up at him, pulling the blanket tighter. "Lets hope i am not set to dance forever.." she laughed softly and looked around. "This must have been quite the place in its prime...its amazing now.." She stepped, moving around the room to finally inspect closer, stopping at a painting on the wall.

“It is unlikely that you would find such a creature with having the smell of Auron and one of the children of Ze'thas lingering around you. Things tend to stay clear of that scent.” A hidden brow lifts slightly as he watched her wandering over to one of the paintings. “This place was.. busy back then. But it was only a matter of time before it crumbled as it did.. with the darkness that lingers below.” He motions to the painting. “The artist called it 'The Faceless'.. He insisted that I inspired him to paint it.. I see no resemblance..”

She looked up, her hands going to her shoulders as she curled into the blanket further. "They watch, even with no faces.." She shivered with the chill running through her once more, turning to look at him again. "I was wondering if I would see you again. Maybe we can all three finally get a plan going, if he ever comes back.." she trailed and looked behind her, the way Auron had gone.

“Are you worried about him?” He asked curiously before motioning her towards the fire. “You need to warm yourself. Sit.”

"Yes actually, i am. " She smiled softly and moved to sit by the fire. "He said he thinks he deserves to suffer, just for all he has done, yet I may have done at least some of the same, and I should live..he just seems a lost soul is all, he is not to blame for his creation, any more than I am.." She chuckled, shaking her head as she watched the flames. "You probably meant about him here though..." she breathed softly, going quiet as she basked in the warmth.

He squints his eyes slightly as he listened to all she said, taking him a moment before letting out a soft hum and moving next to her. “Yes.. I did mean here. Though I am curious as to why you feel the need to worry for him. He knew what he was getting himself into. Knew that there was a high risk of him meeting the other side of death. Yet you worry as if he were someone you cared for.”

She looked to home from the side, smiling gently. "I suppose I do care  for him.  He has already done so much for me,  but just being there, ya know.." she laughed again and looked up at him, meeting his eyes behind the mask. "You have both done more for me than any has in a long time."

“I have done nothing but offer you someone to go to. A guide through the chaos. He has done far more than I..” He shifts his gaze from the fire to the shadows. “You deserve life. You have learned much through the suffering caused by others. This is why I offered aid.. I saw the pain in your gaze and the fight that still lingered beneath. You may have caused suffering for others but you have done it for the most part to survive.”

He shook his head lightly before looking down at her. “Forgive me I am.. rambling. Auron will do everything in his power to end the cause of your pain. And I will guide him how I can. Even if it means our end. We will have at least accomplished one good deed before our end.”

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ruins Of The Great Tower: Part One

Anadecia’s chills soon faded back into a more manageable ones, though still holding to her slightly regardless. She held tight as they drove, even managing to snooze slightly some during the ride. Once they finally arrived, she lifted, looking up at the tower and letting out a deep breath."i am so going to get lost in there." She laughed, shivering as the chill returned, coming and going with a regulatory pulse to it.

A smirk tugged at Auron's lips as he stuffed his keys into his pocket. “I'm sure even the ghosts get lost.” He shrugged, adjusting his satchel before resting one hand on the hilt of his dagger while offering her the other. “Come on. We're going to the top. That's where some of the important stuff is.. or at least the secret passage that leads to all the important stuff.”

She looked up, taking his hand and climbing from the bike, following him in slowly, still holding tightly. "What is this place anyway? " She paused as they crossed the thresh hold, looking around once more and she shivered again, moving closer."Dark..." She breathed out, not completely talking of the lighting.

“This place is something... our masked friend built a long time ago. It was a place just as complicated as he is.. He invited people he thought were worthy, or people shunned by others, and on occasion the people who asked.” He explained, leading her through the dimly lit broken rooms of the massive tower until they reached the staircase.

“It's a long climb.. if you get tired I'll carry you the rest of the way.” He said before giving her a gentle tug up the stairs as they began their ascent. “But anyway.. things happened like they do in life and the tower is just a crumbling mess of what it once was.”

"That it is.." She trailed, looking up the stairs as they started up. "Is it bad my first thought is the ballroom, and wanting to practice my dancing." She laughed, shaking her head. "Amon...that was the name Daci spoke, is he here? Or will we see him?"

Auron's gaze shifts to the side, taking him what felt like several minutes before answering. “If you're lucky you'll never see the creature attached to that name. But if it's your masked friend you want to see then you have to call for him.. Didn't he ever tell you that?”

"Yes, I think so, i just haven't figured out how yet." She laughed slightly, looking back at him, her hand lifting to the amulet at her neck. "I am enjoying your company at the moment anyway." Her footsteps slowed, a weakness grabbing to her gently and she leaned against him, grabbing the railing at the same time as another strong wave of cold rushed through her. " I should not have to be carried...i-i hate this.." she sighed, leaning against him. " maybe if I just rest.."

He quickly wrapped his arms around her, shaking his head lightly. “It happens.. Once we leave you'll be able to charge down these stairs no problem and you wont have to deal with the cold.” He said with a small nod before lifting her into his arms to carry her bridal style the rest of the way. Which even with Auron skipping a few steps with every climb took them another five minutes to reach.

Slowly moving down the hallway to the only door that seemed to be on this level Auron shifted with Ana in his hold to kick open the door and carry her inside before setting her on the dust covered silk sheets of the bed at the back of the room. “Here we are..” He huffed softly, moving to close the door and drag the nearby wardrobe in front of it. “Just in case those ghosts want to pay us a visit.”

She instantly buried herself into the bed, paying no attention to the dust though she sneezed softly, curling the blanket around her as she shivered slightly. "What do I need to do?"

“Right now.. You don't need to really do anything. You can just relax in here while I go through the passage to get everything we need and that I find useful.” He smirked slightly as he watched her bury herself in the blankets. “I'll start a fire for you and I have jerky and a water-skin in my bag so I'll just leave it here for you.”

Moving around the room Auron gathered old documents, stone from the crumbling balcony and wood from one of the broken chairs to start a decent sized fire for her before setting his bag at the foot of the bed for her. “If you decide to look through things here just uh.. keep an open mind..”

She nodded, watching him disappear before she lifted, moving to the fire and kneeling in front, reaching for a lone book on the floor, leafing through quietly as she waited.

@soulsofthefallen | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

Supply Run

Anadecia smiled, shaking her head at Auron, lifting the flask once more to take a drink, settling her nerves, only to turn around at the knock at the door. "It's me.." Traians grumbly voice spoke before he entered, freezing as he looked at the almost man, now sitting at the desk and eating. "Well, they always did tell us they grew up fast.." He chuckled and moved the rest of the way in, moving to stand, now dressed in a plain suit jacket and slacks, shirt with no tie beneath. " How are you, son?"

Tristen shrugged lightly as he turned to his father. “Still kind of hungry..” He said before looking from his father to his mother then back. “So whats going to happen now? The bad guys are still out there aren't they? Can I help you fight them?”

"Well, according to Lady Daciana, you are going to, yes, we just don't know how yet." He chuckled, ruffling his hair gently. "Still lots in there that is still growing I'm sure." Traian moved to sit on the edge of the bed,looking between the two.

Ana chuckled, nodding lightly before she paused,  the flask lowered quickly as she held herself close, shivering violently."s-so c-cold..."

Auron quickly lifted from the sofa and moved to Ana's side, reaching to place his hand gently on her back. Keeping somewhat close to her so she could get some kind of warmth from him. “He most likely has another twelve hours until he's at the age he should be. For now.. I think Traian should take him, to train him in combat.” He said, looking from one to the other. “Ana and I will be going somewhere safe, but there are supplies there that we could use.. scrolls, tomes, weapons.. and probably something to fight off Daciana's cold..”

Traian nodded, lifting again and moved over next to Tristen as he glanced at the two across from him. "She is most likely casting, why its so intense right now. " He chuckled and looked down. "I grabbed some gold. We will pick out a sword, and I'll make you one later."

Ana shivered more, curling into Auron as she looked, nodding lightly. "K-keep him safe Tr-Traian..gods..is this...this what you feel?" Her eyes met his as he nodded gently. "Numb to it by now, but yes..." Traian trailed, looking off. " I am ready as soon as you are Tris..."

Tristen looked around the room. “I don't have anything so we can go now. Grandmother gave me Auron's old clothes since mine tore up as I grew.” He said as he looked himself over before standing and moving to hug his mother. “You'll be alright, wont you?”

She hugged him back, lifting on toes despite her shivering, and placed a kiss to his forehead. "I will, yes. Auron will take good care of me. " She smiled, her hand on his cheek. " You be careful. Do-don't get hurt now.."

“I'd worry more about father.” He said with a smirk, nodding lightly before looked to his father and moving to the door to wait for him, seeming rather excited about learning how to fight.

"It would be an honer to have my son whip my ass." He chuckled, flashing a dimpled smiled at Ana,bowing his head to them both as he moved to the door, clapping his hand to his shoulder as they made their way out. Ana laughed softly, shaking her head, still shivering lightly. "You have a fire where we are going I hope.." She laughed and cuddled back up to him.

“We'll have ghosts where we're going. But it wont be any colder than you feel now if that helps you at all.” He said before taking off his vest to wrap it around her. “Might not warm your fingers but it will keep your heart warm.. which in my opinion is a little more important than fingers.”

He offered a small smile before looking around the apartment. “Is there anything you'd want packed for a long trip? It's going to take us about a half a day if not a full day to get there, then maybe another day at our destination. But we should be better prepared.. or at least have the supplies to get prepared for.. whatever is going to happen.”

She lifted and moved too a closet, pulling free a bag packed already with essentials and turned back with a smirk."my own ghosts have already prepared me." She laughed again and moved to his side, reaching casually for the flask on the desk. "Always keep one packed, for trips to check on ho-er-the manor..."

He perked a brow but he decided to keep any comment he might have floating around in his mind to himself. “Alright, let's get going then.” He said as he moved to grab his satchel and reached for his keys before leaving the apartment and leading her to his bike yet again to begin their long trip into the mountains.

@soulsofthefallen | @traianbloodshade | @furiousson | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

A Moment Of  Tension

Letting out a long sigh Auron turned the bike around and sped off through the path they took that led to the ruined building then pushed the bike to go even faster once they reached the road leading back to Silvermoon. The pair reached the city faster than they reached the run down castle, then again Auron was pushing the bike to move at max speed this time.

Once they reached the city gate Auron gradually slowed down until finally stopping once more outside of Anadecia's apartment building. Lowering his hands he gave them a slight shake before making a face at the now bloodstained grips of the handlebars. Something else he would deal with later. Shaking his head he slid off the bike, offering Ana his arm this time so he wouldn't get any blood on her.

She took his arm, huddling close to his warmth as they nade their way back into the apartment,  setting him down on the couch and turning to the bed, only to gasp when she saw Tristen laying on top, fast asleep.

The young elf was much larger than when they left, nearly an adult already and he had only been alive for a short time. Occasionally scratching at the light patch of hair on his chin Tristen was resting comfortably after having spent some time eating and playing games with the skeletal woman who was now tending to Auron's hands. The boy now young adult had tuckered himself out.

She blinked, taking a breath, moving to kneel by the woman and she reached, stilling her hands as she looked at her. "May I help?" Not waiting for an answer, she took up the cloth she had used to clean the one now being bandaged, speaking as gently as her touch. "You don't deserve to suffer, Auron..." She looked up, meeting his eyes, as she began with the other hand.

Lifting his eyes to meet hers he gave a light shake of his head before speaking. “You say that because you don't know what I've done.. I deserve it.” His eyes look away momentarily as he watched his mother move away to pack up her things, offering the woman a light nod when she made her way out of the apartment, feeling she was no longer needed.

"Then I deserve to die..."she meet his eyes, before looking to the bandage she worked around his hand.

“No you don't..” He said with a soft sigh. “Why do you think you deserve all that.. You've not done anything but try to survive.. That's not exactly a bad thing..”

"I like taking souls." She shrugged. "It gives me pleasure watching the life leave their eyes." She finished his hand and lifted to the desk, turning away as she looked through the window. "Im not ashamed of it."

“And I like a lot of the things I've done.. doesn't mean I don't deserve to suffer.” He tilts his head back to rest against the sofa, staring at the ceiling. “I still don't see why you deserve to die.. and I don't see why you would choose me..”

"They're one in the same really. I was going to chose you, just to see the life fade from his eyes...."

“Still not a very good reason to choose someone you don't know.. If you wanted him to die then you just have to wait for him to draw his blade on Ezekiel again.. or Daciana.. both can give you a worse fate then death..”

She looked to the side, her eyes meeting his as she whispered softly. "I don't want to die..." She turned to looked at him in the darkened room, laughing softly. "I feel safer with you than even my own self." Shook her head, looking up at him "I don't understand it either..."

A long sigh escaped the man as he shifted to stand, only to flop back onto the couch. He seemed to have lost more energy than he thought in his moment of slight rage with Traian and Ezekiel.. that or he lost more blood then he thought would effect him. With a soft huff he turned his head to look at her. “I knew you didn't want to die.. You wouldn't have agreed to anything we've done if you didn't care about staying alive.”

She moved to sit beside him, leaning her head to the back of the couch before rolling to look at him.  She took his hand in hers, cradling gently. "Why would you die for someone you barely know?" She spoke softly, lifting to brush a bit of hair from his face.

“You haven't given me reason not to.. Masky and I have been fighting off creatures from the nether for years.. But this time it's more important then a warlocks summoned companion gone rogue or a six armed woman swinging blades everywhere.. You're involved with.. his family.. and you shouldn't be. So he's going to make sure he stops them, even if it means killing him.. and I'm going right with him..”

Her hand lowered resting on his chest now, her eyes meeting his as she moved a bit closer. "What if I don't want you to go?" It was a soft whisper, her lips catching between her teeth gently.

He lifts a brow slightly, glancing down at her hand before returning his gaze to her own with a tilt of his head. “Why would you want me to stay?” He asked curiously. “I'd just bring you more trouble than you need..”

"Maybe I like trouble ." She smirked lightly. Her eyes softly locking with his.

“I have a feeling we're thinking of two different kinds of trouble.” He said with a small smirk of his own before giving a light shake of his head.

She moved to him, her hand lifting to his face and she leaned, brushing his lips with hers. "Probably so..." She whispered against them, still searching his eyes.

His lips twitched slightly, reaching to tug his goggles down to rest around his neck as he locked his dark orange orbs in her gaze. “Probably..?” He spoke softly. “Just probably..?”

Slowly he leaned in further to capture her lips in a gentle kiss, that was until he heard rustling coming from the back of the apartment and a deep yet slightly cracking voice speak up. “Mother?” Tristen stood a few feet behind the sofa, lifting a brow as he looked from one to the other. “Where's father?”

Her eyes started to close as he deepened the kiss, leaning slightly into him when she heard Tristens voice. She looked up. "He took a walk. You grew.." She smiled and reached around the side for his hand to pull him around, looking up at him. "How are you feeling?"

“Hungry.. Did grandmother leave any food behind?” He asked, looking to Auron with a tilt of his head when the man covered his face with his hand and shook his head. “Is he okay? His hands are bandaged.. Did something happen on your trip?”

She took a breath and lifted, moving to the kitchen as she spoke, looking for food. " Your father and his brother had a difference of opinion, that's all. " she brought a box out to him, holding it open for him to look. "Auron calmed them down. He is okay, Auron will be. " She smiled looking up at him.

Tristen looked in the box, taking a moment to think on what to take out before just taking the entire box and moving to sit at the table. “You mean the man from the story?” He asked before looking down at the box. “So what are you going to do now? Are the other people still going to come for you?”

She moved over to him and opened a drawer right beside him, pulling out a flask, sipping lightly as she Turned to the window behind him. "I don't know. I am guessing your father is blowing off some steam. But we found out it wasn't a curse, and Daci helped, the lady that is with the man from the story, yes."She looked back, chuckling. "I thought you were asleep then."

“The only time I fell sleep during a story was those boring princess fairy tales you told while I was in your stomach.” He said between bites, shrugging lightly before looking from his mother to Auron and back. “Is he going to be my new father?” He asked rather bluntly.

She turned around quickly, catching her breath. "It was a kiss Tristen, no. Traian is your father, no one can or will replace him. "

Tristen's ear wilted at the tip slightly. “It was just a question..” He said quietly before staring down at the table with a more blank look on his face. Now sitting silently as he ate the remaining bits of food inside the box.

"I'm sorry love, it didn't mean to snap. You just threw me of guard is all. " She chuckled, looking to Auron, somewhat for help.

Auron perked a brow with the look Ana had given him, unsure how to add to the conversation. “I have no intention of replacing your father or any of your family.. It's unlikely that your mother would see me in that way so you have nothing to worry about.” He explained, though he was mostly just going with whatever came out of his mouth at that point.

@soulsofthefallen | @traianbloodshade | @furiousson | @bound-by-devils

[bound-by-devils]

The Ice Queen: Part Five

Traian growled lowly, yanking his sword from Aurons hand and throwing it across the room, looking back at Zee, his own eyes black as pitch as he snarled.

"Just as Father would do to us. " He moved, pushing Auron out of the way and stepped up to Zee once more. "I chose to let him break me. To wallow in my self pity. And I chose to come find the man he did not have the chance to taint with his own hands, and see what he had become." He scoffed, his eyes trailing over him before he looked back up. " sever my link. Give it to Auron. My pride came before her once. You dare to think this has to do with my conscience? There is nothing that can accomplish that. The very acts thrust on you." He turned his head to look at Daci. "The acts you endured before and after death. I have committed, and enjoyed. And this conversation is over." He backed away, sweeping a hand along his jaw before he turned, moving to the door without another word.

The doors instantly slammed shut once Traian began moving closer to them, only it wasn't Zee who shut them. With his hand extended towards the double doors, Auron stared at Traian, his fingers becoming clawed and rather twitchy.

“You.. need to watch who you push around. You.. need to listen. You.. need to show respect and learn to bite your tongue.” He hissed, throwing his other hand out in the mans direction, sending forth shadows that would wrap tightly around Traian before jerking him further into the room. His gaze swiftly locked on Ezekiel as the man smirked only to send out the same shadows, and with a jerk he'd send the knight flying into the other.

“Now.. You will both sit.. you will both shut up.. and you will both stop your daddy issues because right now this does not involve your fucking daddy. And there are kids in this world who had normal parents.. ones who don't deal with magic and they had it a lot worse than you..” He growled, keeping the two held in a tight shadowy grasp, no matter how hard they struggled to get free.

Rolling his head Auron tried to relax, but unfortunately it did not work, in fact dark points were now protruding from his skull. “Link her to me. Let me take her suffering and give her life. You know as well as I do that we deserve to suffer for all we've done in the past.” He said as he slowly shifted his focus to Daciana.

"Daci.." Ana spoke quietly, looking over at her, standing straight once more as she moved to Auron, a hand lifting to rest on his forearm, still looking at her.

"I chose...: she took a breath. "I chose to face my own Demons, and save myself."

Daci smiled, moving her frozen hand to cup her cheek,  nodding gently.  "Wasn't so hard, now was that?" She looked to Zee,  then Auron. "She has made her choice. Now it is up to you all."

Auron twitched lightly with Ana's touch, though for reasons unknown to him her touch made him relax causing his claws and the points sprouting from his skull to slowly retract. “Unexpected.” He said before looking to Traian and Ezekiel. “Anything to say?” He asked, though he knew Zee was just going to be silent now that he finally got his answer.

"No." Traian fell just as silent, staring at his brother before he looked at Ana, taking a breath before he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to help you do that when I should have. " Ana looked back, her eyes lowering and she took a breath. "I'm sorry i wasn't strong enough to fight for myself." Daci took a breath, wind sweeping through the halls, lifting a hand to press to her head. Snow swirled, ice coating the floor began to crawl, ending in a frozen pool at Ana's feet. " Let Mikkeal come for me. I have a few words for the boy anyway." She looked back to Ana. "I am one of Arthas first children. The same taint does not run through me. You are linked to me. You will learn from Auron and you will work together with Traian to keep your son safe. Or you will die. By the hands of your own pride."

Auron closed his eyes, shaking his head and dismissing Traian and Ezekiel's binds. “Why does no one listen to me.” He muttered before looking to Daci. “He'd come for you anyway to recruit your lover.. But if this is how you want to play it I wont stop you..” A light shrug was given before he closed his bleeding hands into tight fists and moved his stare to the door. “I'm sure Zee wants us gone at this point, so if that's all I'll take them home.”

"My essence runs through her. Keep her warm, ehh Auron." She chuckled and moved to Zee's side, her hand moving to take his arm. "My king has words for his queen, i am sure. Suffer well."

“I'm sure he has several words.” He lowered his head in a small bow before slowly making his way towards the door. “We'll be in touch..” Was all he said before falling silent. Flexing his hands Auron wiped what blood he could on his trousers before sitting on his hog and kicking the machine to life, keeping his stare on the ground as he waited for the others to sit and get adjusted for the ride back to Anadecia's home.

Traian turned, reaching to grip his sword back to him, stopping to bow lowly to them both, saying nothing more as he turned and moved through the door. He stood next to the bike, gripping the weapon in his hand and looking off into the distance. "Get her home, safe. I will not be far behind." Ana hugged herself tight, lowering the same" Thank you..." Daci looked at her, tilting her head. "I was not alive long enough to save myself from what I had become. Don't waist this gift Anadecia. " She nodded, turning to leave the castle and she climbed onto the bike, her arms sliding around his waist as she lowered her head to his shoulders.

Auron only offered Traian a silent nod, he wasn't going to ask where he was going, in that moment he didn't care. He was frustrated and annoyed among several other things, he just wanted to get Ana home safe so he could have at least five minutes of peace. At least peace inside his head.

@soulsofthefallen | @traianbloodshade | @bound-by-devils | @zshadowborne

[bound-by-devils]

The Ice Queen: Part Four

Traian looked to his brother, taking a breath and stepping forth. "I would still die for her and my son. Will you help her, us...I know nothing of links to the living, only death, as she said. " His eyes lowered and he inhaled deeply.  "She is the one who deserves the second chance..." His eyes found Auron. "Even at happiness..."

“How noble..” Zee muttered with a roll of his eyes. “If you know death, then you know life.. Both come hand in hand.. To be free, you have to be obliterated or she has to die.. but since the point of you all barging into my home without an invitation was to keep her alive.. I guess that's out of the question.”

The knight shifted his stare to Daci, then to Ana as he began walking towards her, swiftly reaching out to grip the woman by her throat, though it was only enough to pull her close so he could give her a once over. “We could always give her a gift of our own.. she wouldn't die but she sure as hell wouldn't be alive.” He said, offering Daci a wicked grin.

Ana froze locked in his grasp, her eyes meeting his as she raised to face him, the flash of her throat pressed into his grasp. She didn't speak,  her hand lifting to curl gently at his wrist. Though he did not try, the grip at her neck was painful, simply from who it was that offered it, the same pain now channeled through his touch, and returned through hers.

Daci watched the display with a curiosity about her,  chuckling lightly. "That would be up to Auron dear. Something tells me he still wants her warm..."

Traian took a step, no more, biting his own growl back and watching the display as Anas eyes found his across the room.

“Well that's no fun..” Releasing his grasp he turned away to slowly move to Daci's side. “We could have your friend take the bastards place. He'd at least be stronger and she'd have much more life than what she has now..” He glanced towards Auron before returning his stare to Daci. “Assuming you can find your friend.. Or the less fun but still amusing option.. we can use a blood orb and a soul shard.”

Ana stepped up, as tall as she could to the mans taunting as they spoke on how to help, her hand at her throat, rubbing lightly. "Whatever it takes to protect my son, I will do it. "

“I was not speaking to you.” Zee growled, swiftly turning to stare at the woman. “But since you're so willing to sacrifice yourself for your child are you just as willing to have him linked to what little soul you still possess? Or better yet are you willing to have him die to save you?” He asked, pointing a clawed finger at Auron.

“You have one who wants to buy forgiveness and another who hides. One who is slowly stealing the life from your body and one who is willing to spend an eternity chained in the nether just to free you. One you've known for years, and one you barely know. I'll give you a choice here.. I'll even make it a little game... Choose who you would rather be bound to.. possibly for the rest of your days. But with that choice.. you let the other die.. You have ten seconds to decide.”

"No..I don"t want anyone to die! I can't...no I'm tired of bending to the will of men gods dammit! Tired of having to fucking chose! " She stepped back to face him, once more. "I WILL NOT ANY LONGER!"

Daci moved to her, hissing lowly as she lifted a hand to strike her, pausing quickly. " Life is choice. Make yours! Avoiding consequences is no longer an option for you."

She sobbed, looking between the two, shaking her head as it lowered and she whispered softly. "Then give my life to my son..."

“I'm sorry I did not offer your child as an option.. I gave you the option of a man that hides from you and a man that's trying to buy his way to a clear conscience.. Now if you want our help, and you don't want anyone to die you will answer my question. Who do you choose.”

She went quiet,  looking down at her hands as she fidgeted lightly, breathing deeply.  Before she could even speak, Traian roared, his sword clanging to the ground before lumbering footsteps filling the room as he charged,  straight for Zee.

Zee swiftly turned towards Traian, his once dull red orbs now glowing brightly. “You dare draw your weapon against me in my home?!” The knight roared, summoning his own blade to his hand with a unholy cloud of tainted energy. “You will wait your turn to be spoken to!” With a quick step back he waited for the man to swing his blade before lifting his own to bring it down upon him.

“Enough!” Shouted Auron as he suddenly appeared between the two, his hands gripping the blades of both Traian and Ezekiel's swords. “We are guests.. You may not like what they say but you will respect their right to say it in their own home.” He growled, looking from one to the other as blood ran down his arms from their blades cutting into his flesh.

Slowly Auron shifted his gaze to Daciana speaking with a low growl. “She chose her family.. The life she created.. That is enough of an answer.. Especially when the choices are equally.. stupid.. A man she rarely talks to and a man she just met.. She was set up to fail no matter her choice..”

@soulsofthefallen | @traianbloodshade | @bound-by-devils | @zshadowborne

[bound-by-devils]

The Ice Queen: Part Three

Daciana looked at Auron, tilting her head. "Wine? You will need your strength with these two. " She smirks. "Your putting quite a bit into this."

“Well you know us.. can't seem to avoid things involving that family. Especially when it comes to Ze'thas and Aziel..” Auron shrugged lightly before lifting his hand to rub over his face. “Things are going to turn chaotic, that's another reason I wanted to bring them to you. I know you can feel the shift too..”

"Oh yes. Mikkeal loves chaos." She  chuckled and moved for the wine, looking at Deb. "Blood or no blood dear?" Deb winced and looked to the fire, shaking her head. "Blood."Daciana laughed, looking at her, " You're still pissed you took powers from a incompetent demon. My want to handle that. " she laughed again, moving to Traian. "Relax. This took balls. Step one." She lifted the glass to him, moving back to Zee and handing him his. Traian moved to rested attention, taking a sip but staying quiet, his own eyes on the flames. Daci moved over to Auron with his, chuckling softly and nodding to Ana, moving to give her the last. "So, what exactly are we dealing with here. "

Auron took a moment to think on everything that is going on and what could possibly happen, taking another few seconds to toss back his drink before speaking. “Traian's brother has half his soul to live, he wants to be whole, to do that he wants to kill Traian but also needs Anadecia's power with souls. At least it seems that way. But Mikkeal is also slowly siphoning Anadecia's own soul which is killing her, so to survive she has been taking the souls of others.. right now I'm giving her fragments of mine. Which in time will come back to me and not go to strengthen Mikkeal.”

Lifting his hand to scratch his chin he took in a deep breath before continuing. “Mikkeal also brought back her child, which when triggered tried to tear out her damn throat. So I took away that part and gave up another piece of me so he'd at least not attack his family.. Other then that I'm waiting to see when Ze'thas will make an appearance.. Since I don't doubt he's helping with what's happening.”

"They are both puppets. You know that.. but what could Aziel want is the question."

“What doesn't he want..” He said with a soft huff. ��If it involves tormenting others, gaining power or trying to take control of something he'll do whatever it takes to obtain it.. even if it means using one of his children and possibly causing their death.”

"So. How are we going to handle the root of the evil? You are missing a piece of your own soul Traian. I don't think I have seen anyone openly defy Aziel like this since...well since you...Auron..." she spoke over the rim of the glass, smirking again.

“Because of our involvement Aziel could have even more motivation to be apart of whatever Mikkeal and Ze'thas has planned.. Involving Ze'thas' first son can also fuel the fire since I'm sure he'd pay him a visit in some form if not just to send him after Traian.”

Running his hand over his dreads Auron tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling in thought. “I need you to give her more time. She's using up the energy I give quickly and if we're going to be fighting off demons I need to have all my strength.. Which is another reason I wanted Ezekiel involved as well, not only is it his family too but he's strong enough to at least be a good defense if things turn to shit.”

"You know he will know as soon as I Do....what the hell. I haven't played with the boys in forever. " She grinned, moving over to a tray and reaching inside. Plucking what would  at first look like a large grape, the eyeball disappeared under a soft coating of frost. She popped in in her mouth, chewing as she thought. "Hes gained some new tricks, i don't know this curse. But it's not Mikkeal's. "

“Of course it's not.. Who is it then?” Auron asked with a sigh, looking from Daci to Ana before folding his arms over his chest. “Someone we know? It's unlikely it would be one of his uncles.. they are each equally as fucked up but most of them would out right kill or keep captive to watch any form of suffering..”

"Oh my gods! Its not a curse at all. " She looked up, over to Traian. "A mortal linked to death. He is a sadistic bastard."

He looked between Traian and Ana, lifting his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “So he's keeping her alive.. or is slowly killing her. Either way.. how do we fix it..?”

"He is slowly killing her. He is death. Death takes life. I have to give his brother credit really. What better vengeance than to find out you are and will, kill the woman you still love." She chuckled,  lowering her glass to pluck another snack and began to pace the room. "I know death. This is not going to be easy for one simple reason. "She turn, shaking her head.  " I've no idea how to sever the bond. A curse, that would be easy, all curses stem from something tangible. I've no clue how he did this"

Traian looked at Deb, her face pale as she looked back before her eyes lowered and she turned back to the flames. “He doesn't just want my soul. He wants me. I am to chose him to get the full soul, enslaved as his wife."

@soulsofthefallen | @traianbloodshade | @bound-by-devils | @zshadowborne