Location: Town Blaze - Fotia Kingdom
With the view of the steaming waters below and the setting sun the sight was beautiful and warm. Even the black reflective metals that towered above their vantage exhaled warm mist. Courtesy of Tearian engineering and Fotian metal work. Fumes caked the town but it was dwarfed by the kingdom of Fotia’s ring. Which was visible and looked quite fascinating from this distance. The cooling waters on one end and the lava of the volcanoes gave yet another beautiful contrast.
Reflecting on this sight was a red robed man, scarcely covered. His firm toned body marked with red and black symbolic tattoos. It was his left arm covered in such. He watched the sunset, a red cup in a reflective glass. Warm to drink, nothing cold could survive here. Such was the custom and blood was best served hot. He lifted his lips to the glass, his body glistened with moisture. It was unavoidable in Fotia even outside of its capital. The roots of the lava flows ran long and deep even to the oceans. Mist covering the waves as they meet the black sands.
Pan was standing in a living facility with no windows and no walls. A bed and other necessities laid out but only the bare minimum provided. A staircase leading up and down and a large support beam in the middle were the only other structures that connect the current floor and the one above. Far below were the homes where the people of this town lived. The breeze from being so high was a welcomed feeling. He watched the sunset intently as if a new day would bring much more than a rested body. His mind was wandering and the sounds of the giant machines connected to the very structure he stood in were not loud enough to break it.
Pan's musings were interrupted by faint shuffling behind him. He felt a familiar presence make its way to his side. The familiar sounds of the machines below was interrupted by an equally familiar voice.
"Enjoying the view?" Asked Freyr in his usual soft-spoken tone.
"I am." He said. Not taking his eyes off of the sunset. He licked the crimson from his lips and gestured to the sunset. "I know it's not your taste to remain in such a humid place. But I have lots of work here to be done. We can leave tomorrow, if you wish." He turned to see his lover's face. The sunlight illuminating both of their visages.
Freyr took in his surroundings. The smells, sounds, and feelings around him. He'd already grown used to the hot and humid environment of Pan's homeland, the awful sounds of the machines and the even worse smells. It would be a lie if he wasn't enjoying himself. Pan was nice enough, he had a great voice, a great body and an attractive personality. But all good things needed to come to an end.
"I've grown used to it." Said Freyr with a reassuring smile, turning in the direction of his voice. "Besides-" The Nayu moved a bit closer to Pan. "-I have you. So, it's easy to forget what's around me."
Pan chuckled with a bit of disbelief. Though he was only trying to hide how much his Frey's words flattered him. He held a hand to cup Freyrs petite chin. "And I you. I hope to leave this place one day. Enjoy the air of the abyss Nero is so famous for." He chuckled at the last part. The appeal of the darkness within Neros endless caverns was lost to him. But he felt within his heart he would live anywhere with Freyr.
Releasing his chin he planted a kiss right on it. Delicately his lips graced his flesh but only briefly. He remained close enough however to possibly perform another. "I don't know how you entered into my life... but I'm thankful you did...."
Regardless of Freyr's intentions he always felt a strange tingling sensation whenever he was touched like this. It made his body tremble and his face feel warm. To this day he still couldn't tell what the feeling was, but he knew that whenever it came, it was a sign that his spell was working. However, even as he planned ahead he couldn't help but imagine himself with Pan. It made him hesitate for a moment. His mind was racing now, casting a shadow of self-doubt briefly making him forget his true purpose. Regaining his composure, Freyr focused on the task at hand.
"I like the present more, wouldn't you agree? Makes me enjoy moments like this even more." Said Freyr, raising his left hand to gently caress Pan's cheek.
"Yes I don't mind the present either." He held Freyr's hand on his cheek. Soon the sun went down and the moon's glow was brimming. Pan no longer stood on the dangerous edge of his abode. He instead now rested in a overly refined seat. A trail of smoke emitting from the end of a long pipe he had between his lips. A paper with the current news in his hands he read silently. A few flames lit around the place to give light in the shadowy places. He was only a few feet from the large bed.
Freyr sat across the room. He was sitting on the ground with his back straight and his legs crossed. The Nayu appeared concentrated and deep in thought. This was a daily occurrence for Freyr. He'd pick a nice spot somewhere and sit down for a few hours in complete silence. Freyr never explained why he did this and perhaps it was best not to ask.
"What are you reading?" Inquired Freyr, turning his head to where he thought Pan was sitting down.
Pan assumed Freyr could hear the night's winds rustling the paper. "The recent happenings. It seems as though an alliance was formed to help defeat the 'God of Death' Nuxta. One who threatens all Kingdoms." He sighed taking an exhale into the air. A plume of smoke similar to the machines earlier which now sit in silence. Only sounds of night revelers far below.
Rising to his feet, Freyr made his way to Pan following the sound of his voice. "Sounds rather unpleasant. Not exactly something to be thinking about this late into the evening." Said Freyr, stopping only a few steps away from Pan.
Even at night, the temperatures were high enough to force Freyr to wear something less fancy. While he preferred heavy clothing such as coats and jackets, the temperature here simply didn't allow it. Instead he settled for something far more revealing. He wore a shirt and pants made of expensive purple dyed silk. Both were slightly transparent, leaving very little to the imagination even when he wore darker colored undergarments.
"You're right." He said gazing into Freyr's lovely eyes. If only he could see his own reflection he thought. His empty cup reflected in the fire he sat up to finally rise and get another serving. As he did so he noticed Freyr approaching. His attire was different from the usual. A perfect addition to his private and unconventional abode. He watched with a predator's gaze, even as he effortlessly poured his own cup of freshly sealed blood elixir. "I needn't worry about such trivial matters. I'm in a position to sit afar from the Kingdom's worries..."
"Of course. I am here aren't I?" Said Freyr who had made his way to the bed, sitting down on the side. "Not everyone can say the same." He continued with a smile, laying back.
Pan was intrigued by Freyr sitting on the bed. Enough to catch him staring at the Nayu while he relaxed on said bed. It was a large bed laid on the floor. Crimson silk sheets laid misconstrued across it. He set his drink down. "You can be too... Maybe. We could escape our duties and alliances and live as free as the nomads." He felt strange. As if a compulsion was taking over him to live a... simple life? Or was that the elixir talking. He wiped his forehead from the beads of sweat left over from the early days heat. Fotia was a bit dizzying at times. He couldn't really think so he innocently plopped onto the bed next to Freyr.
"That's a very good question." Pan said after being straddled. He remained cool but intrigued. Not immediately placing hands on his lover but instead laying back a little and sighing with a relieved exhale. "I can think of a way to pass the night. Not that I only see you as a piece of tender meat." He sat up now. Facing Freyr's eyes with his own. Though he knew he was blind Pan couldn't help but look into them. With a raised hand he snapped his fingers. Tattoos on his arm gently glowed a bright red. A breeze conveniently swept across the room. The candles were now out and Pans hands found themselves on Freyrs bottom. Pan smiled madly. "You'll be mine till the end, I swear it."
Freyr gasped softly at Pan's touch. This was what he was waiting for. All of his efforts and this is where it would all end. He was hesitant though. Feelings that he couldn't describe began to flood his mind, threatening to break the spell he had so carefully worked to build. Now that it was working, losing his goal could prove fatal to his mission. Yet, something in him wanted to stop and speak up. Tell Pan everything.
"Pan..." Freyr called out in a mere whisper.
Pan expected this. The soft calling to him. Freyr was hiding something and despite how charmed he was his chosen career made him suspicious of any and everyone. "Yes...?" He asked pausing any caressing that was taking place.
There was a short pause. Pan stared into Freyr's cloudy eyes, noting that he appeared to be lost in thought. The Nayu snapped out of it, turning his attention back to Pan. He leaned in, whispering in Pan's ear.
"Kiss me. For real this time."
Pan grinned with a delighted chuckle. Kiss him? He thought. He would do far more than that. So he brought his face to his and attempted to merge their lips. Their tender flesh meeting In a hug and a bit of a tussle. Pans arms wrapped around his back and brought his petite frame onto the bed with a twist. He removed his lips from his with a bit of their saliva forming a string. "I love you." He said whilst observing his beautiful form.
If only things could have gone differently, Freyr thought. Maybe, if they had met some other way things could have turned out better. Those words, it made Freyr feel warm. He had become addicted to this for that reason, but never had anyone's mere words made him feel that way.
Throughout the night, Freyr couldn't help but think back to those words. It made him feel better than anything Pan could do to his body. As time passed, those thoughts briefly melted away. Even if he couldn't see, Freyr could feel everything. It was an overwhelming feeling of warmth that made Freyr's head feel light and made him beg for more.
By the end of it all, Pan felt oddly tired. Even after all that, it was odd that his body felt unresponsive. Freyr was laying by his side, with his arms tightly wrapped around his torso. Only moments after noticing this, Pan realized that he could no longer move.
"I'm sorry." Pan heard Freyr whisper in his ear, his voice breaking a little. The Nayu climbed on top of him, settling down atop his midsection. "I wish things could have turned out differently."
Pan couldn't explain what was happening. It was the small reason he felt so enamoured by Freyr. Though he was blind in the general sense he was gifted with a sight only beheld by those with his affliction. It was fairly well rumored that the lack of sight gave more spiritual awareness. An awareness Pan enjoyed about Freyr.
Once he realized however that he was immobilized he smiled. But after Freyr whispered a genuine apology his smiled was slowly flipped into an unamused frown. The lack of knowing. That was the eyes of the beast that gripped him. He had an inkling that Freyr could be a threat. But for some reason he trusted the little Nayu with all he had. Curses.
Pan could not speak. Even as he gasped for air to strengthen his body to remove this curse. This spell was stronger than he knew. Blood trickled from Pans tattoos. A counter spell was in the works. But only time could give him an opportunity to save himself. He was a Therosi after all. Blood should have the only thing he trusted....
Pans eyes could not hide the hurt though. He wanted to be furious. But instead he only felt saddened.
Freyr hesitated for a moment, but pushed beyond it. He wasn't about to leave everything behind. This was just another target. There was no room for hesitation now. Slowly, he got off the bed and walked to the side, putting on his clothes. Freyr then sat down on the ground, taking a deep breath while focusing on his surroundings. A few moments later, two figures resembling Freyr emerged from within him. However, these two clones were made of a thick black goo-ish material. Their facial features and extremities were either deformed or crudely recreated giving them a terrifying appearance.
The two beings then approached Pan, each wielding a shadowy dagger. Pan then heard them speak. It was Freyr, talking to hin through the entities. His voice was distorted and seemed to echo across the room.
"I wish we would have met under different circumstances. Perhaps things would have turned out better that way." They said, creeping closer to Pan as they spoke.
Unable to move Pan could only focus on his aura. His very essence was screaming to make him move. However whatever binded him was particuarly strong. A spell not easily broken even by the blood magic he wielded. There was only one thing he could do. With a severe fear for the shadows that walked past the illuminating candle light. Only to reveal a vast empty dark he could hardly see from his shuddering pupils. Blood. It dripped onto the floor and made a rune while he awaited death. His last gamble. I'm going to blow us both up. When the clones got closer he felt at ease. They both would go and in the end he would win. For it was Freyr who was using him. In the end his goal was to teach him a lesson, even after death. However. The rune was formed for some unconscious reason to cast a divine rune of sacrifice. Unknown to him Freyr's spell weaved his mind to aid him even in death. And so. The clones descended upon him. Taking his life.
A cackle could be heard. Then a large figure emerged from behind the pillar at the center of the room. The air seemed to move as the nights breeze gave some comfort to the earlier humidity. A snout grinning and filled with sharp fangs. Eyes glowing with amusement and scales as dark and orchid as the sky. He chuckled with a strangeness that echoed in the winds. "Kukukukuh... Very well indeed." He was a half blooded Dragon. A Descendant kind rarely seen and even more scarcely crossed. He had nothing but pants on, roughed but sturdy. Enough to keep him confident in its continued use and the rope that held it against his top heavy form. His tail stretched into the dark. "You killed him just as they say you could." As he spoke Freyr would feel a seal emerging on his back. Writings that matched what was on the arm of Pan. It was not painful it was instead just a strange feeling. Once it was complete it shed blood down its wearers back before solidifying like a thick yet permanent painting.
The abrupt appearance of the being caught Freyr off guard. Worse of all, he was in a vulnerable state, where he could easily be either wounded or even killed. Seeing no other way out, he simply turned toward whoever was speaking. Then, he felt an odd sensation on his back. Instinctively he felt for it with his hand. Touching it, Freyr noticed that it was some kind of inscription though he couldn't decipher the meaning.
"Who are you?" He asked, his voice trembling slighty even as he tried to control it.
"Just doing my job. Making sure ya did yours." He rubbed his scaly chin on his elongated snout. "I suppose you're not fully aware of who ya just took out..." He approached the body of Pan. The floor next to his slow dripping bed of blood was a symbol for a spell. One that was similar to what was on Freyr's backside. The half blood grabbed the arm covered in crimson markings and severed it with a swift swipe of his claws. "Perhaps ya couldn't see it. I wouldn't be surprised." He held the arm up though Freyr was blind he could smell the blood and hear the severing of bone and flesh. "This is a prize. The arm of a Therosi rune master. Indeed this will do as proof of your success." He began to walk away. "Your reward money will be sent to your next chosen location of rest shortly. You will be briefed on where to go next. Best clear of here before anyone notices... that mess. Kukukukuh.." He walked off without a sound despite his size. Laughing in the breeze as he did.
Freyr chuckled as the Dragon left. He could still feel the faint smell of blood in the air and the odd sensation in his back. It seems like all of this had paid off. He didn't feel as bad as he thought he would after what he did. After all, Pan was just another target. Or, at leadt, that's what Freyr kept telling himself.
Finally, Freyr was able to get back to his feet. He'd wasted enough time self-doubting himself he now needed to get out of here and return to Nero.
Where ever he was. Whether at an inn or on the streets. He was found by the Dolofon and given his bag of worthy jewels and stones. Then a message written in a scroll and sealed with coagulated blood. Once opened it read. "You are here by invited to become one of the seeing. This rare opportunity was given to you by your note worthy efforts in the eyes of the royals. Be at this location to be picked up and sent to Nero. You will be given further instructions from there."
After escaping Pan's home, Freyr had made his way to a local inn to change into a more appropriate attire before heading home. Before he could, a Dolofon agent arrived and handed over his payment as usual. However, he also brought a scroll with something he didn't expect. The letter was addressed to him. After reading the contents, Freyr sat down in a nearby chair in his rented room. He sighed, passing a hand along his hair before putting the letter away.
Perhaps, all this was worth it after all he thought. Either way, there was no turning back from here. All those years of hard work had paid off. He was finally making a name for himself. Freyr packed up his belongings before heading out. He needed to get back to Nero as quickly as possible.
After a day and a half Freyr arrived at Nero. Passing Twilight town was the final glimpse of light he would see. Nero was cloudy and dark and life was scarce, even the grass was hardly alive. Not a drop of green. He would not too long after arrive to a dark familiar cave. One of the many entrances to the Nero Kingdom's capital city and castles. It was there on the dark road within did the poor souls of Nero who lived in these dark tunnels began to emerge. Most wore hooded cloaks with tattered patches. "Please.." Some begged. "Do you have any blood to spare." With a annoyed shout the guide to Nero kept them at bay with a long stick. Poking them away. Who would stumble in their weakness. Feeling around the ground before getting back up. These nomadic outcasts were all blind. The lowest of the low blooded Nayu. Left to survive in the dark and feed on lizards or cannibalize one another. Soon they exited the narrow tunnels and were in a large cavern where the walls of the kingdom was before them. There Nero soldiers guarded the entrance. The guide's horse stopped before them. He got off it and handed the guards a paper. Shortly after seeing the seal on it they allowed them through. Freyr, now nearly two days later was now home. "This is as far as I'll be taking you." The guide said, turning his horse and carriage around to return to the world outside of Nero. A much more welcoming world.
Those two days of travelling were worth it. Freyr had enough of Fotia's unbearable heat. He prefered the cold and damp environment of Nero. Taking his first steps through the entrance and into the lower levels proper was a breath of fresh air, at least for him. Until now he didn't realize just how much he missed his home.
Making his way to the upper levels, he started to think about the beggars in the entrance tunnels. All he could feel for them was pity. Someone should go and put them out of their misery, he thought. Going past them was the least of Freyr's concerns though. The heat, the long journey, and traversing the tunnels had all been worth it…
It was by far the darkest district of any kingdom. Wounded soldiers. Fed by the kingdom for giving it their lives, watched as Freyr went by. His elegant clothing and untarnished complexion. Their bleak presence was only the beginning. There was debris and rubble scattered about still being wheeled away in heeps by some poor soul. It was clear through the wailing and moaning that a battle was fought here. One that affected all of Nero's kingdom. Or so it seemed as he would continue. The faint sound of a slow violin could be heard in the upper districts where he was headed.
Approaching the upper levels put a grin on his face. He felt an indescribable joy as he neared his destination. Perhaps it was his reward. Not every Nayu could claim they had the favor of the nobility. As the violing music drew nearer, he started to walk a bit faster. There was a spring to his step, a rare sight for the mostly formal and well-dressed Nayu assassin.
Many citizens outside their shops had brooms sweeping up left over debris piles. Thankfully the upper districts were the best looking district not only visibly financially but having been saved from the wreckage of the Dragon battle it remained entirely intact. There was little in the way of a passerby blind or not. The sounds varied as children were more strictly regulated to the inside of these regal buildings all lined next to one another. The moans and cries were behind Freyr however as he neared the middle of the upper districts and to the castle gates. Where two guards stood in wait.
The Guards stood perfectly still. Their armor was black along with the cloth beneath it. Within the shadows they would be invisible. All save for their piercing red eyes. One of the guards gestured to those standing up high. They stood among the gargoyles. Watching and waiting. They raised the gates open. This allowed Freyr and one guard accompanying him to apprach the castle via a decent stretch of a path. Decorated with flowers both crimson and black all scattered within poisonous dark ivy green and glowing purple veined bushes. The visual beauty was tailored to astound but the smell was even more elegant and regal. Indeed the royals loved the beaty of a deadly thing. The castle front doors now opened. Massive as they were, as if a giant had lived within, it moved rather quickly. Allowing Freyr into the main reception room, where many guards and a few idle royals could be seen. Freyr would be taken to another guard within the large dimly lit room. One could feel the winds of a dark cavern similar to the ones outside of Nero's capital within this place. As many halls leading else where were all connected to this room. A room that seemed made of a black crystal and lit with purple flame torches within the mouths of stone basilisks. Whether these statues were once real or not was a mystery. But the head of a few basilisk were hung on the high walls all over. Basilisk skulls you would not want to run into outside of Nero's walls.
"This way." A guard spoke. Bringing Freyr down a specific hallway. Onward they would walk, for what would feel like a maze for at least twenty minutes. Before reaching a large metal door. A knock on the door would echo through the hallways before silence. "We wait." The guard said.
The door began to open. A cold mist escaped the room it led into. It seemed like yet another narrow hallway. Yet it had light at the end of it. Freyr would be motioned to walk inside. The only thing missing for Freyr's senses however would be the warmth of the fires that illuminated the cold stone walls and floors. His footsteps would echo making it easy for any true Nayu to navigate. But once he was at the end of this hallway and into the light he would find himself in the middle of a circle. Surrounding him above several meter high walls were the royals of Nero and high class citizens. Many were in assembly observing this ceremony with interest. As above them all sat the King. "Come here." Spoke a voice centered in the middle. Freyr would be wise to enter the middle. "You stand before the royals of Nero and the King himself. You have been recognized by the infinite powers of Nero as a worthy recipient of the gift to see the light. By seeing the light you will step into a deeper understanding of the dark. But before we continue... State your name and what family you hail from." The voice that spoke seemed to be nowhere in particular. But in the eyes of those that could see it was an eldery Nayu with a missing eye and pale wrinkling skin. He stood in the circle infront of Freyr. Holding a cane in both hands. His words would move about place to place. Giving the illussion he was in one ear, then the other, behind him, far away and so on as he went on. "Go on."
"My name is Freyr. And I stand here under no one's name but my own."
For years, Freyr had worked to squash his family's name. This was his chance to finally end it all with just a few words. He had stood on his own all these years, his parents had nothing to do with it. It was his way to get revenge for everything they had done to him.
The air was silent. Nothing could be heard. Yet something stirred. Something above the perceptions of the five senses. It enveloped Freyr. His face was caressed and his chin was brought up. His hazy eyes would be peered into like never before. He, who has never held a gaze against another, now felt its deep piercing touch. His eyes would feel no pain. But blood dripped from them like tears. The blank haze now full of color. Before Freyr was the young prince of Nero. Known as Anui. His golden gaze peered into the eyes of Freyr who could now see.
To Freyr, time slowed down and everything went silent. His sight went from complete darkness to light. An array of colors and shapes that he never imagined were now before him. When he finally made sense of what was in front him, he lost his ability to speak. All he could do was stare. The first thing he ever saw in his life was, to him, at least now, the very definition of beauty. Not only that, but the power emanating from him as well. Everything he was experiencing now was similar to what he felt under the effects of Seraphim blood. But it was five times as powerful.
Freyr wanted to say something. Anything. But he couldn't get the words out. Nothing could describe what he was experiencing. And it was likely he would never feel it again. He didn't realize it, but to anyone laying eyes on him, all they saw was Freyr's unbliking eyes staring into the Prince.
Anui brought his hands away from Freyr's face. He stood tall before the assassin and stepped back. Letting the man have his moment. He turned to the old royal who stood there. It was he who spoke to Freyr after he stepped inside. Around Freyr he could see nearly a hundred royals. All sitting at the top of a large circular wall in columns of seats. They all watched Freyr intently. Despite this being a joyous ceremony there was dead silence. A few masked royals gesturing laughter or applause. But all without sound. "You now have become a branded soul for the Kingdom of Nero. May your step into the light grant us all a deeper understanding of the dark."
The ceremony ended up being nothing like Lila was expecting it to be and fortunately, it didn't have anything to do with her or Anui... Well... Just Anui, as it was a ceremony to accept another one as a Nayu Royal. Lila simply kept in silence, waiting for the ceremony to be completed. She didn't know who the man whom Anui was giving sight was, nor his circumstances, but it wasn't something that Lila had much interest about. She was there merely to accompany Anui and that was all. Since it was her first time seeing such ceremony though, she was sure to pay attention on what was happening and how the other Royals were behaving though.
Lila would see the other royals in their various sleek black or otherwise almost entirely dark attire. They really all looked dressed to vanish into the shadows. Even if their dress sparkled a bit in the dim light. Their faces were all directed towards Freyr. He would be new blood in lower ranks of their kind. In the piercing array of bloodlust in the eyes that watched him. Freyr would be judged for his abilities and saught after by some royal that fancies him. He would then live his life working for royalty until he was prestiged enough to have others work under him. Until the day he died he would be a part of many dark deeds for the King of Nero. His entire life was laid out before him. As many others arround him now were a part of this. They once stood where he was. Anui, as a child even, gave others their sight and began this prophecy long ago.
The King of Nero who started it all sat before Freyr. His mask was on as so were many other royals. Though they were blind they had the ability to see in the darkness. The King raised his hand. The air stood still. Anui and the elder both went to their knees. All having the same humbled expression. Even the elders who once sat with the previous kings were under him entirely. They had full faith. Even as their kings arm was visibly missing. He was indeed bearing the weight of his kingdom. "You may go." The King spoke with a cold easily annoyed tone. This was echoed in Freyr's ears. He was free now to leave.
When Anui removed his hands away from Freyr's face he stepped back a little. The first thing he did was look at his hands, and then at himself. He took a moment to see the room around him, feeling the eyes of every person sitting in the circular chamber staring at him. But that paled in comparison to the surge of power he felt in front of him. Heistantly he looked forward at Anui and then past him to the King himself. What he was feeling right now, he felt the same high as when he smoked Seraphim blood. The sensations were probably even stronger. When he was told he was allowed to leave, he stood there, frozen in that thought. Why did he feel that way? And why was it the King causing it? He found himself staring past Anui at the King.
The air was still. Freyr was obviously taken hold by the grandeur of this moment. For the first time ever many descendants stricken with blindness were cured here. Thus reborn under Nero's shadow. The beauty of the surrounding ornaments dangling from above. The soft sand on the stone floor. The stains of blood from those punished here for the royals enjoyment. The King now stood up high. Anui turned to see Freyr's freightened expression. Fear was a common smell, some may enjoy it, but not he. "I wi-" A knock could be heard on the entrance down the hall. Followed by the sound of footsteps. Now everyone anticipated who approached.
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