???

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Murder scene

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Trudging through the snow in the dark, a young man in town guard uniform was cold, tired and confused. He stumble about following fresh tracks laid out before him. He could only just make them out under the starlight. He didn't know why he was following them or where he was going, but all he knew was that he couldn't stay still out here, for that would mean certain death. His movements had a hint of frantic urgency and he felt a fear that he couldn't quite explain.

His hands and feet were both already numb and he was shivering badly by the time the tracks lead him to a road, and while he didn't know what to expect, it certainly wasn't this.
In a wide radius the snow was gone and had been replaced by a thin sheen of ice instead. In the centre of this strange circle stood a tall monument to the carnage that had recently transpired here. Twisted shards of ice reach up to the sky standing taller than a man and as sharp as swords.

A feeling of utter dread sat heavily in his stomach as he look at it. This place, this ice triggered something in his subconscious, but no matter how much he try focus on it, it was simply buried too deep for him to see. So he did the only thing he could. He slowly, nervously, circle the jagged ice sculpture.Blood was splattered all over the other side. Dark crimson rivulets running down to the floor. On the ground a headless body lay. A few feet further away, a faceless head. The confused guard quickly turn away as he expel the contents of his stomach. The vile acids burning his throat as he cough and spit. He, he knew that person.

Dropping down beside the corpse, tears started to run from his eyes. They came slow at first as he fought them off with clenched teeth, but once they started he could not stop them. They were silent tears. Tears of anger and frustration. He felt that he cared about this person but he also didn't know who he was.
He grabbed the head and put it to the body, but it offered no clues. Only blood. WHY COULDN'T HE REMEMBER!?He let out an aimless loud shout. A roar of sadness and frustration. Slamming his fists into the ice. He didn't know what was worse, the bloody scene before him or the fact he didn't know this headless man, or even himself.

For a spell he just sat there with the corpse, his clouded mind battling with itself. Searching for answers, searching for meaning. Trying to understand what happened here, who was he, what went so wrong. What was he to do next.

Persephone sighed, crunched up her eyes as she held her head and vision blurred, it was a full blown migraine and she looked out into the distance. Each time she opened her eyes she saw a pain into her eyes and closed then again. It felt like something that was forcing its way into her mind, something that was forcing her to see it.

Much as she tried to resist it the pressure Built up like water against a wall, each moment it built up in the flood till it washed the walls she erected away 1 by 1 till the full weight of the vision hit her.

Painfully and slowly she cracked her eyes open, slowly she saw a light fuzzily form into her vision, it was a blurry form, the shape was phasing in and out of existence. She rarely had such things waking, but her abilities were somewhat unrefined to say the least. She had been boosted beyond her sklill to use her abilities.

Slowly she forced her mind to concentrate on it despite the blinding pain she was feeling, Persephone was used to pain and a harder life, duty was not a easy path. A shape came to slowly form, golden lines Slowly resolved, silver and gold, the form of an animal, it was a … A wolf, slowly silver shifted into the form of an dark wolf letting tears of gold fall to the surface of the lake, but it moved across it like it was solid ground.

The entire scene started to slowly…glitch and it's movements where choppy, out of sync, the wolfs head looked at her directly before turning away with a choppy motion like a slowly spinning shadow play item, too slow to be smooth. Persephone watched unsure as to its meaning or who sent her this vision, her own mental stress or had selene showed her somthing?

It's passage across the lake was jerky, phased and leaving a trail of that gold that flickered and moved in her vision, it made her brain hurt to just look, Her eyes burned as she watched it, and it's passage. It phased one last time into an mountain area past the lake, the gold faded, the wolf was not longer seen and it's only sign was ice left on the lake to prove it was real and even that faded away completely to nothing at all.

Persephone mind gave up fighting.



…

Lord Coswain was about to quietly sit and make arrangements before a scream broke through, a scream of panic and pain not a scream and shout of joy. “Mi lady, duty calls, il leave my wife in your care. Selene bless you, il stop whatever that is before it gets here. That or die trying.” He did not run, but strode out drawing his long sword, the long steel blade had the worn acid etched design of a Paladins Oath Still just about visable in the light.

“Seph.. Seph…” He called striding over following her foot steps and finding her holding her head with a whimper, and keeping her eyes closed. “Seph, I know your hurting.” He did not need to finish, that as she forced herself to stand and moved shakily to the Temple. She knew him too well, he knew her too well.

“Be safe.” She simply said and kissed him before she made her way to the Temple and forced herself to make way to the door, each step was a effort, each one harder than the last but she made it to the door and slammed the draw bar down before she fell to the floor, her last thought was reaching out the icon of Selene in thanks and hope of protection. “Selne,... pro.tec.t….Adon….” She managed before she lost all concious thought.

But she had barred the door, her duty was done. She was sprawled out where she fell, one hand reached out though thankfully her cloak had got caught about her padding some of the fall..

…

Adonis Coswain watched the door close with a heavy heart, but duty was this way. He walked forward looking carefully, heavy sword raised in a guard position ready to strike. Each step took him a step away from his love, but duty was his to walk into the dangers not away from them.

His powers where on the very edge of his mind as he moved, fluidly and quickly ready to be unleashed at a heart beats momment, a mere slither of time to decide life or death. He moved with purpose and the pace and form of a seasoned warrior, not rushed but smooth, efficient as he scanned each area ahead and above.

“Freindly to me, Royal Guard.” He called Out with a tone of command, either he drew his foe away from the vulnerable, or the civilians to him. Both worked, he would damned, dead if it be do his duty to them and face what lurked In the darkness.

He had slain monsters, men, and more though this was hardly ideal he was not going to show cowardice, he faced whatever it was, speed would be be his weapon though not as fast as his Squire, she was lithe and fast like none he had ever trained with, he had speed, skill…and experience on his side.

“To me if it's safe. What's going on?” He asked as he advanced, he did ot know what was going on, but something was wrong, the chance was that others were too far here, he would have to work with what he had, or had not in case that may be.

...
Mentions
sub]Collab between Amaya @c3p-0h, Elara @Qia, Valthyr @Fetzen, Vellion @Dark Light@Dark Light

Aurora Halliwell

Eye of The Beholder
Outside the Inn

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Aurora took a cautious step back, positioning herself slightly behind the monk to grant the princess the space she needed. She stood silently, her attention focused intently on the princess’s words. When she heard the princess express her worries about her legs, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of Aurora’s lips, a silent gesture of encouragement and empathy.

At that moment, the monk beside her spoke up. His voice was calm and soothing, attempting to reassure Aurora that the man they were helping would be fine. Aurora’s mind churned with thoughts, her brow furrowing in concentration as she silently thought, I’m not worried about the stranger; I’m worried about the princess.

Suddenly her train of thought was interrupted by the monk’s unexpected comment, calling her “kitty cat.” Aurora’s eyes widened in disbelief-she had never anticipated that a monk would say that, especially in such a situation. The surprise left her momentarily speechless, and she could only listen to the conversations that were taking place.

After a moment, she gathered her composure and replied with quiet determination, “I will stay here as you said to my Lady.” With her voice steady, she turned her gaze to the stranger who stood nearby. A feeling of suspicion settled within her as she scrutinized him closely; something about him felt off to her, but she couldn’t place what it was. The unease lingered in her mind, a puzzle she was determined to solve.

Once again, the monk drew Aurora out of her thoughts. She heard his calm voice making a statement to the stranger, and in a gentle gesture, he ruffled Aurora’s hair. This simple act brought a rush of memories flooding back to her memories of her father, who would do the same gesture whenever she got lost in her thoughts and worries or when she stared into space, deep in contemplation.

The warmth of nostalgia filled her heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by a wave of emotions. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she instinctively looked down, focusing her gaze on the ground beneath her. Her hand clutched tightly around the pendant that hung around her neck, the one that held a small, cherished picture of her parents.

As she stood there, absorbed in her feelings, she noticed that the princess, her lady-in-waiting, the stranger, and the guards had quietly walked away, leaving only herself and the monk behind. The silence hung thick in the air, punctured only by the muffled sounds from the tavern. Taking a deep breath, Aurora felt the heaviness of her heart but resolved to break the silence. Slowly she lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and mustered the courage to introduce herself.

“Hello, I’m Aurora Halliwall. Who are you?” she managed to say, her voice steady despite tears threatening to fall. She fought to maintain her composure, hoping to shield her emotions from the kind-hearted monk standing before her.

Gadez @Dezuel

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^{Fade-To-Black Counter - 0}

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The twins looked to each other in silence for a long few moments, silently communicating a mutual sentiment without even the slightest of the movements. Whatever the Prince had wanted with Tia, it didn't seem good. The two let out an audible sigh, idling in place for a long few moments as they tried to grasp what to do following their mentor's rapid disappearance. It was Ranni who broke their stupor for, drifting forwards through the temple in a silent-yet-graceful movement. Steadily making her way past the pews, with her fingers lightly dancing across their tops as she passed. She didn't speak, lost as she was within her own thoughts.

She didn't stop, not even as she reached the steps up to the brazier holding the brilliant flames of Aelios. Only as she reached their summit, and stepped past where the Priests would typically lead sermons from, did she stop. The girl fell to her knees, head bowed and eyes shut tightly. Her hands clasped at her chest, yet her mouth did not move. Her prayers remained, so she thought, between herself and Aelios. Yet... her thoughts broke free of the cell of her mind. Emotional turmoil seeming to slam those quiet thoughts out with a renewed vigor that far outmatched the previous flows of psychic energy.

---

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Dyna watched on in silence as Tia and Prince Flynn disappeared. Wondering if, for a moment, she should invoke her duty as a Champion to follow. To ensure the Priestess' safety, as she didn't much like the obvious tension in the air between the two. Albeit for more selfish reasons than that of duty alone, Dyna wanted to ensure she was there for Tia. The woman had clearly suffered so much, and after all the good she'd done for Ranni in the past... Dyna wanted to return the favor. Yet, she also knew better than to interject herself into such matters as a private talk with the Prince. So, the Champion decided she would wait for now. Until such time as Tia showed a reason for her to get more involved.

This concentration was soon broken, however, as she spied Ranni steadily moving forward from the corner of her eye. Turning to watch her sister, Dyna watched as the girl approached the altar. A sense of comfort, no doubt, in something so familiar to her. Dyna gave her sister space, even as she ascended the altar, knowing that Ranni likely needed this... after all she'd been through. So even when her sister dropped suddenly to her knees, Dyna did not find herself filled with worry. Instead, moving to stand near the first row of pews and kept a watchful eye on her sister's prayer.

What she was not prepared for, however, was to hear Ranni's prayer. To hear every word within her own mind as if she were the one speaking it. Yet, strangely, she could clearly see that her sister's lips weren't moving. Dyna recoiled physically, taking a step back and steadying herself as she realized. She'd been hearing and feeling her sister's thoughts throughout the day. A product of her... new form, no doubt. Yet even as the shock from this realization was shook from her mind, Dyna once again found herself staggered by the words she heard her sister to be speaking. The pleas she made.

The horrific visions and experiences she shared from her sister's memory.

The impact was enough to shake the Champion from her stupor, even as she saw Ranni hold her arm over the flame. Begging for either immolation or salvation. A plea, meant in part, to spare Dyna herself from some false hopes about their being reunited.

She didn't speak the harsh retort she had to that thought, instead starting up the altar and reaching for the collar of her twin's robe. Intent on yanking the young woman away from the flame, and refusing to lose Ranni for a second time.

@PrinceAlexus

Aliseth

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Murder scene

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He barely heard the newcomers firm words as they punctured the silence. His mind trapped elsewhere faraway in muddled thoughts and hazy memories. Eventually the words did reach him after the second time. Startled he twist to see the dark figure of the guard approaching, sword drawn, steel glinting in the faint starlight. Aliseth drop the bloody faceless head and scrambled back defensively.

"No. It, it... it wasn't me. I wouldn't do something like this." He blurt out, holding his empty, cold, bloody hands out before himself. Not sounding too sure of himself. He noted the man's armor and relax just a little. Visibly still on edge and extremely cautious, Aliseth called out from a distance. "Who are you? What happened here?" He demanded.

_{Interacting with: Daphne @PrinceAlexus
Location: The Eye Of The Beholder}

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That whole situation had backfired in a manner of... somewhat subpar amusement potential. All Valthyr had wwanted to do was follow the two girls towards the temple and now he had to make a choice between following them at great speed or abort and... he didn't even know yet.

Maybe do something about the mess left behind ? While he had no clear picture of Dawnhaven yet, basic human judgement dictated that chances were its inhabitants wouldn't exactly be relaxed about what looked, or rather even was, a serious crime scene.

Without knowing whether either Amaya or Elara would even finally notice him for real and allow him to follow him into whatever kind of refuge they might probably have been seeking, Valthyr ultimately decided to do just that started to backtrack his own, very feline footsteps towards the Eye Of The Beholder. There was enough of an unobserved route available for him to return to his alter human ego.

Whether anybody would notice the gradual transition from a small cat to a very large male now imprinted in the snow behind him ? The thought crossed his mind, but the track would go lost once inside the tavern at the latest and his anonymity regained.

Good thing his feet had had a chance to warm up again while there had been fur around them. The last bit until he finally reached the main entrance felt freezing enough already. The air rushing towards him felt almost hot and, while his mind perfectly knew it was nonsense, it also felt stiffer. The poor music having to fight its way through all that viscous atmosphere! How much better than it already was might it have sounded in clean, crisp air ?

He was not here to partake in the kind of festivities obviously going on, even though the discovery of an improvised dance floor gave raise to temptations. He was here to notify somebody about what he had just witnessed so not to burden his conscience with it for longer than necessary and then to maybe go back and help clean up the mess before things escalated in some way.

It was not an entirely altruistic move however. Valthyr knew his deception -- though technically it was not really an illusion --, was not impervious to anybody and anything trying to take a nosy gander behind the curtain. If somebody got a hunch about him being a shapeshifter, became aware of the bloody patch lingering far outside there, and then connected the dots in the wrong way possibly fueled by some silly superstition or false beliefs, then he could be in trouble while actually innocent!

As the big man's eyes scanned the room for anybody who didn't appear all too preoccupied, he locked his gaze onto a Daphne. Valthyr had no idea she actually was a guard and thus probably one of the most suited individual to talk to right now, but his instincts told him she might be hailing from the same kingdom as he did. Not to burden any of the Aurelians here with distrust by default, but still this could make things a bit easier.

He approached her still on bare feet and tried to speak in as much of a relaxed voice as he could muster at this point: "Excuse me ? Something's happened and I might need your help!"

Very direct and straightforward ? Yes, most likely. How could he have done it differently though ? Time was something he could not really afford and not having any detailed knowledge about anybody in here, just addressing the first one he could get a hold of felt like the best strategy to him. Also bluntness could serve as a distraction to delay discovery of the blatant oddities about himself.

Gadez's eyes wandered over Aurora abit further, she was certainly putting on a brave face. This was something that the blonde monk could appreciate. He made note of her holding unto the pendant. Something of importance to her for certain. A trinket which reminded her of someone dear to her? He felt a strange feeling in his chest that he had not felt for years. Loss. He had lost not only someone, but something aswell. But perhaps it was for the better, what use was there to dwell on a past you couldn't change?

"Aurora... the name of the northern lights in the sky. Ahh, we certainly could use more of you in these darkened days. I go by the name of Gadez Paladice, I am a simple gardener, performer, snake-charmer, monk, warrior, puppeteer and if we are including things said upon stages... a golden star lost to time." He said softly, having turned to face her again, walking up close to her, and reaching out with his hand to try lift her chin up with his index finger.

"Keep your head high, fair light. The skies may have gotten dark, don't let your heart become like it. So keep that chin up, smile and approach the morrow believing it will be better than the day before it. People may be lost along the path, but are they truly fully gone when you carry them with you always? In your memories. As long as you remember, in a manner of looking at it, they never truly die." He offered a reassuring warm smile to Aurora and then tried to place his hand on her cheek, and use his thumb to stroke across it.

"Make sure you'll get something good to eat and drink, you need the strength, not only for yourself, but for the sake of those who still need you. Be certain to visit the Aelios temple and the hotspring once you have the time, I would have loved to take you there myself, but I have something I need to take care of which concerns Dawnhaven as a whole. As much as I may disagree with many others, Dawnhaven is indeed one of the last hopes for our world. Which is why I intend to make certain that it succeeds. Stay clear of men like the one who approached the princess or that slimy bard inside the inn, those kinds of men care for nothing but to have others be enthralled by their lies. The sweeter the melody, the more poisonous it typically is." Gadez said softly and walked over to get a bowl with some food and a wooden spoon, plus a little wooden plate as a lid for the food to keep warmth.

"Even priestesses have to eat. Even special ones." He said and winked, before giving Aurora a butlerlike bow. "Til we speak again, light of the north." He waited just long enough to hear any replies then politely excused himself as he headed towards the Aelios temple with slightly swifter steps than usual to make sure the food would remain warm. His eyes would look around to make sure he wasn't followed or spotted. Then upon reaching and entering the main door, he shut it behind him. Stepping inside and spotting two blondes, these were the same ones he had seen earlier by the inn. He sadly didn't have the time to converse with either one of them for the time being, he had to speak with Tia.

On his way however he was met with a familiar sight, it was Prince Flynn, without the girl which he had taken off the stage with him. What business did he have in the temple? Curiousity killed the cat, but this monk was no cat. A little prying was in order. But first...

"Red Star, you may wish to hurry to your princess Maize, she is being preyed upon by a hungry wolf. Seek the prints in the snow left by a grimalkin, a feline and you may find her. Hopefully in time. Make haste if you care for her." He said in an hushed but urgent tone to Flynn, the seriousness on his face unmistakable, there was no hint of jesting at all.

To follow footprints in the snow would be difficult, with so many humans about, but cats were less common. And he had taken note of that particular cat deciding to follow the princess, her maid and the two guards on escorting that young man away. Who did it belong to? He wasn't certain, but if there was any truth to sayings, curiousity may have possibly killed it. Either way there wasn't anything further he could do to aid the prince nor the princess. A bird which never would leave it's nest would never learn how to soar, or even fly.

He gave Flynn a nod and then moved towards Tia's personal door.

He moved with swift steps towards her bedroom door, assuming she would be there when not in the main temple chamber. If not, perhaps the hotspring would be the place?

The blonde reached out to knock on the door.

_{Interactions/Mentions: @c3p-0h Amaya}

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Flynn's thoughts scattered at the sound of approaching footsteps. His eyes snapped up, landing on the blonde puppeteer from earlier in the day. Flynn narrowed his eyes, instinctively wary. What was he doing here? Stalking him? Ready with another round of cryptic nonsense? Flynn was in no mood for theatrics.

But then, Gadez spoke.

To Flynn’s surprise, his hushed, urgent tone carried no trace of mockery. The expression on his face was grim, with no sign of that menacing smile he so often wore. Despite Flynn’s best efforts to remain unaffected by this lunatic, a knot of anxiety began to form in his chest.

Princess Maize preyed upon by a wolf. The mere suggestion set him on edge. But was Gadez talking about Nyla, whom he brought on stage and called a Princess, or did he actually mean Amaya?

His mind flashed to his last interaction with Amaya, recalling the dark-haired stranger—the way he had smiled at her. The thought made his jaw tighten.

Flynn remained silent, untrusting but unwilling to dismiss the warning outright. When Gadez moved past him, Flynn paused, glancing back, debating whether or not to investigate further. ‘Why tell me this?’ He wondered. ‘What game is he playing now?’

Flynn frowned, his gaze flicking between the puppeteer and the door to Tia’s room, where Gadez stopped to knock. ‘What is his business with Tia? Do they know each other?’ The question added to his growing pile of doubts about the Priestess. What else had she neglected to tell him?

Deciding not to linger, Flynn turned away. ‘He’s just trying to get under my skin,’ he told himself, refusing to give Gadez the satisfaction of a reaction. Still… If there was even the slightest chance Amaya was in danger…. His pace quickened. He had intended to find Amaya after this anyway. Surely, he would find her back at the tavern, and this feeling of sudden dread would have been for nothing. And he would learn not to take this man's words seriously.

Without a word, Flynn continued back down the hall. His footsteps grew heavier as he descended the corridor, doubt creeping into the corners of his mind. Whether or not Gadez spoke the truth, Flynn needed to find Amaya.

Suddenly, a sharp pain at his temples made him wince. His thoughts, already scattered, grew muddled as a voice pressed into his mind—a woman’s prayer? As he rounded the corner, the source of the voice came into view.

There, standing over the brazier, was the blonde woman who had tried to hide behind Tia earlier. Her horns glinted in the firelight, tail flicking behind her. Flynn’s eyes narrowed slightly, observing the way she held her arm out over the flame, close enough that the heat would surely sear her skin. But she didn’t flinch.

As he listened to the prayer weaving its way into his thoughts, he couldn’t help but notice its elegance. This was not a desperate plea of someone borrowing faith for comfort—it was the practiced devotion of a true Priestess. It struck him then—the voice he was hearing was hers. Her words were not spoken aloud, and yet, they resounded in his mind with remarkable clarity. Somehow, she appeared unaware of her psychic projection, her focus entirely consumed by anguish.

His eyes swept over her again, noting the Priestess garb she wore, which he had thought to be a simple loan from Tia. But now, when she wasn’t hiding, he saw the way she carried herself, her posture, her familiarity with the flame. She wasn’t just wearing the robes—she belonged in them.

‘She must have come to Dawnhaven to aid Tia.’ He thought, his brows drawing together in empathy. Had the clergy sent a blight-born Priestess, or had she been taken by the blight during her journey here? Whatever had happened, it hadn’t seemed to strip her of her connection to Aelios.

He noticed the second woman then, golden-haired like the blight-born woman—the Champion of Aelios. The realization dawned on her face as she, too, seemed to hear the prayer. As the Champion moved toward the blight-born, realization settled on him—they were twins. Sisters, despite the stark contrast between them now.

Flynn watched as the Champion reached for the woman, pulling her arm away from the brazier before the heat could leave a more permanent mark. The interruption seemed to break the psychic connection, and Flynn’s mind began to clear, the headache fading into only a dull ache.

“You don’t need to repent for what you’ve become,” he said calmly, his green eyes softening as he took a few steps forward, revealing that he had heard her prayer. “I can’t speak for the Goddess,” he met her gaze, his eyes flicking to the Champion briefly before returning to the blight-born woman. “But, you are welcome here.”

He offered them a small nod before turning and leaving the temple, his mind racing once more. He’d need to ask Tia about this one later, as well as Gadez. And then there was the matter of interviewing the blight-born Priestess before their departure for the blight lands.

But first, Amaya. He would return to the tavern for her, just as he had promised.

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_{Interactions: Gadez @Dezuel, Ranni, Dyna @Queen Arya}