In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Today was the same as any other as far as the young raven haired woman believed, she was bound and chained as always on the ice cold stone floor as if she were an animal, her eyes were closed but even if they were opened it would make little difference as her room was constantly dark due to the lack of windows in the room which gave her already frail appearance have pale almost sickly look to it. The only time she really seen light outside of carrying out her father's selfish whims was when her father or those who 'cared' for her came but often it left her wishing that they hadn't but she dared not speak against her treatment believing that it would just make things worse. There was one thing that she had in the room that was kept close to her, a single red spider lily imbued with pure aura magic, it was something that she treasured even if the reasoning behind it was morbid. She guessed it made sense for her given her magic and what she could do but still the reason she treasured it was because this was the only gift she had ever been given by her father in all the time she had been alive to her knowledge.
She hadn't been told what it done but she had noticed that it glowed gently when things were dead around her, she guessed this flower was imbued for that sole reason, it stood to reason as she could create armies of undead and the stronger they where the more useful she was to her tyrant father. She believed that if she became stronger that her father would visit more, that he would love her and that she would be able to go out more often but this was just a foolish dream that a naive child had been told growing up not knowing no matter how much she tried she would never be treated any differently by the man who was meant to love her due to his fear of what she could do. She hadn't asked for this magic nor had she asked to kill her mother in child birth but still it was a sin she bore, in honesty each lift she snuffed out and brought back to her service she felt that guilt but it was her gift, part of her imagined she could hear them still but perhaps that was what the isolated woman needed to survive her current world.
Still something had changed in the fact that she heard footsteps near her room which was uncommon as far as she knew her room was out of the way of everything as if she was some sort of dirty secret that needed to be hidden like a skeleton in the back of her father's closet. She opened her eyes just a little and turned them towards the ground preparing for what was to come but it would seem fate would have decided something was to come with the visitor that was heading her way changing both their fates from that day onwards.
Word count: 523
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
A young man finished his patrol of the village early, completing his rounds ahead of schedule for the express purpose of returning to the mansion before everyone else. He knew that the guards to the hidden lower level exchanged posts while everyone else was out. That was supposed to keep the rabble out, and it worked. Nobody prior had ever made it into the 'dungeon', or at least they'd never returned to speak of it. He had noticed this pattern while he was still a mere extortioner, seeing those certain men and women moving at different times than everyone else. He hadn't heeded what was going on there until the master of the village had revealed to him one of his greatest secrets, the existence of the cursed woman concealed from the sun who served as his greatest weapon. He had been looking for his escape for years, and now he saw an opportunity in the form of a terribly abused and malnourished mage that had likely never so much as walked freely a day in her life.
The footsteps were soft, echoing lightly along the stone corridor approaching the room in which the young woman was held prisoner for so many years. They came to stand right outside her door, and a key was inserted. A clink of metal on metal later, and the door swung open. At first the room remained doused in eerie darkness and silence. However, as the door creaked shut and was locked once more, a golden glow arose from an ornate looking grimoire. The warm light illuminated the face of the man holding it, revealing the newest addition to those who would serve as her 'caretakers'. He stood at 5'10", weighing a healthy 150 pounds, giving him a lithe frame, but not quite slender. His eyes were a vibrant, crimson red that reflected the light of his grimoire like mirrors. The hair on his head seemed to sparkle as the golden rays bounced off of his wildly groomed locks.
He approached the young woman without saying a word, crouching down a few feet away and staring intently at her. Unlike the eyes of those who had previously watched over her, or used her to commit atrocities, he looked at her not as an object, but as a person. They were not exactly kind eyes, but they did see her as she was. They accepted her where others' eyes tended to bounce away or fall to the ground in the face of her loathsome reputation and the order of the noble himself. Compared to their neglect, or spiteful cruelty, his voice may as well have been the whimsical call of angels. "Hello, Aeila. My name is Kurai, and I'm going to take you away from this place. I need you to take my hand, and trust me. Will you do that for me?"
That was all he had to offer. No grand speeches, no clever deceptions, nothing greater than a simple explanation of his intentions, and a request. It was the request that made this encounter truly different than the rest. She had received nothing but unflinching commands, or twisted jokes, ever since she was a little girl. This may have very well been the first time she was given an actual choice, and it was coming from a shining stranger in golden armor.
She had remained silent in the darkness listening to the encroaching steps getting steadily louder, her eyes closed for a moment as she prepared herself for what was to come. Upon hearing the sound of the steps stopping and the key being slid into the lock before it was turned to make a clicking noise her eyes opened knowing that she should show that she was alert and ready for what may be happening and what could be asked of her, her hands moved out a little trying to touch her flower but with how she was bound it was just out of her reach as was her own grimoire on which it sat. As it was then the creaking metal door opened she winced as the sudden loud noise invaded her otherwise noiseless room, she couldn't help but clench her eyes at the sudden light that illuminated the small room, she knew she would likely get punished for the action but it wasn't something she could help as much as she tried. Opening her eyes little by little she could see a blurred silhouette of another in her doorway, it was a form she didn't truly recognise as she normally had the same 'caretakers' so she was wondering if this was someone to escort her to her next assassination. She wanted to apologise for her bad manners in clenching her eyes when they entered but she knew better than to speak without first been spoken to and so remained quiet.
Now that her eyes had adjusted more she realised it wasn't from the corridor but from the others grimoire, could that mean he wasn't meant to be there? If that was the case should she be yelling and making a ruckus to draw someone's attention? She knew the answer to that was yes but she also knew that she would get into trouble even if she was doing the right thing and so remained quiet hoping that the other would leave so neither of them would get into trouble. It would seem that the man had no intention of doing so, in fact, he not only moved closer but crouched near her. She noticed the difference in how he looked to her compared to the others but still knew that she was little more than a means to an end for him most likely. This was quickly confirmed as he spoke to her, it was true that he said that he was going to take her away from her home but she shook her head a little. She was sent after people who dared to do that and right now she knew she was within her right to end his life as a traitor but she hadn't been given the order to do so, nor did she want to bring attention to herself because it never ended well in her experience. She closed her eyes and mauled over the voice for a moment though, she was sure she had heard it before but it was almost like a distant memory but then she remembered, this was the man her father brought with him personally one visit.
"I remember." she said finally knowing she could talk at least a little as he had engaged her by introducing himself "Father brought you." she continued it was clear that it was hard for her to speak as she stumbled with the words almost as if she wasn't sure if they were the right ones or if they fitted well together. "We can't... traitors go away..." she said biting her lip a little "Father loves and cares for me." she said believing this to be the actual truth of the matter not realising that no loving parent would ever allow what had been done to her to happen more so by their own hands. She wanted to tell him to leave and never return, to promise him that she wouldn't say anything if he did but she knew she had no rights to do so that was the end of her part of this conversation as she closed her eyes. He would have known she wouldn't do anything to go against her father, nor would she attempt to run from the only place she knew and that she has pretty much only done what she was ordered and commanded to do so that was the way she would remain due to the conditioning through her entire life.
Word Count: 744 Total Word Count: 1,267
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Kurai knew very little of the woman, as he'd only encountered her once before. In fact, he wasn't entirely sure he remembered her name. All he was confident about was that she was precious to the master of the town, and that she possessed immense power, as evident by her grimoire that was kept just out of reach. While stories of the grimoires were poorly maintained in their town's oral traditions of story telling, even here, everyone knew that a four leaf grimoire meant something extremely special. Kurai's life had radically changed when he received his three leaf grimoire, he was suddenly awarded such respect and value that he'd previously lacked. He'd been selected to serve in the noble's own household as a merciless enforcer in exchange for a proper bed, real food, and authority over his peers.
He hadn't known the relationship between the noble and this girl in advance. He had only referred to her as an object the entire time he described how she should be treated, and how she should be cared for. When the woman, more of a girl, referred to him as father, he was taken aback. He needed to quickly reconsider his angle of approach for this. She was obviously delusional, and showing such respect bordering on obsession towards someone that kept her chained in a completely dark room underground away from everyone else indicated that she was rather broken inside. He didn't need to fix her then and there, in fact he didn't really need to fix her at all, he only needed her to be on his side. He ran a hand through his hair, straightening up to his full height to look down at her. He painted a smile on his face, the same smile he gave to his former neighbors when he took what little wealth they'd accumulated for them in order to enrich the noble's coffers.
"Very good, you passed the test! Your father sent me to make sure you remembered what you'd been taught, and you're doing great so far. Keep this up, and he may even be so kind as to let you have a piece of fruit for dessert next month." His gaze slowly travelled over her form, noting how horribly malnourished she was, and sickly pale. Perhaps the promise of a treat would delight them? Perhaps she didn't really know what fruit was? Either way, it would give him a further edge in their discussion. The barest hint of a reward would likely spark enough excitement for him to guide her towards what he wanted.
"Now we move on to the second part of the test. I will be escorting you for your next assassination on the most secret path out of the mansion. This one's going to be even more secretive than the rest. Only your father and I know about it, and even he won't tell you because he wants to see how truly loyal you are. I won't give you further instructions until we're beyond the walls, and you'll be leading the way until I tell you to stop walking. I'm sure you can handle that much, if you don't want to be punished." A small part of him, buried deep in the back of his mind that he'd largely ignored throughout his time spent oppressing his comrades, told him that this entire situation was terrible. He knew the noble was a cruel and merciless tyrant, but if she was legitimately his daughter, well, that put his own coward of a father to shame. A drug addict that would rather save his own skin than try to find his wife was someone he couldn't respect. A father that imprisoned and tortured their own child, turning them into a practically mindless husk incapable of independent thought or action was someone he suddenly hated more than he thought he could. That was a great deal, considering that the noble and their filthy murderers took the only person he could remember truly caring about from him as a boy.
Aelia remained unmoving unsure what to make of the man, it would have been clear to a fully functioning and educated person he was taken aback by what she had called the master of the town but she was under-educated or perhaps it was she was too naive and simple to have picked up the cues that he hadn't known. As far as she knew all of her carers knew the relationship between her and the one they all served obediently. In honesty, she was scared she had said something wrong as he stood once more unsure if he was going to punish her for failing to comply with his wants or just leave her in darkness again for who knew how long. She watched his movements carefully feeling the need to flinch but remained completely still as she was still not fully sure of what he was intending to do. It was true that she was broken but she was far from delusional she knew where her loyalties and obedience lay and what would happen if it didn't remain that way. She noted the smile that he gave her, it was one of superiority and authority a smile she had grown accustomed to but it worried her because that kind of smile usually came with a boot coming full contact with her body so she was surprised when this wasn't the case.
She listened as she was told that it was a test and that she had passed it, she had never been tested in such a way before and so didn't know if he was indeed lying to her but she wouldn't dare question him on the matter. "Obedience test." she said as if she understood what was going on "I remember, not disobey father." she said trembling almost as if she was remembering something that scared her right down to her core "Fruit?" she smiled brightly it was a rare treat for her and even when she was permitted it, it was normally close to being thrown out but she didn't know any better. "More obedience test?" her words were still clearly broken but she was trying to please him with the limited language skills she had. She listened biting her bottom lip she honestly didn't know the way out, she normally wore a heavily veiled hat and was escorted by her escorting caretaker so she wouldn't run "No do." she said shaking afraid to displease him "Not know way." she looked to her grimoire knowing she had one of her former escorts as a wraith within it she wondered if that would be good enough to avoid the punishment.
If he watched her eyes then he would see she was looking at her grimoire and would know that likely meant she had something that could give him the same effect. All he would have to do is unbind her put the veiled hat on that was on the wall outside her room and give her the order to lead and she would do it without fail. Assuming this was done she would pick up the red spider lotus flower and her grimoire "Ahloe" she whispered before her floating would be a black wraith with almost a blue aura her red spider lotus starting to glow a dark red almost black "Escort catacombs." she ordered the spectre of a woman who tapped the wall lightly as she did when she was alive allowing the young woman to move through the catacombs allowing Kurai to follow. They would have been easily walking an hour through twists, turns, secret doors and illusions, eventually, they would be stood outside the walls of the village. She stood silently as she had been told to keep going until they were beyond the walls and now they had been she had no idea who she was being told to assassinate nor did she have any further orders so remained still and quiet with her wraith floating by her.
Word Count: 653 Total Word Count: 1,920
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
His single day of having been introduced to her existence had not imparted on him the general cruelty and disregard for her wellbeing the rest of the mages had picked up over the years. He had no reason to be kind to her, as she clearly did not understand the notion, but he likewise didn't have the instinct to strike her when she spoke more slowly than he would have liked. Nor did he shift to kick her when she did not give him the answer he so clearly wanted. Rather, he maintained the mask of absolute confidence in himself and what he was saying, knowing that a mistake could cause the precarious situation to spiral out of control. He had the advantage that she was apparently so horribly beaten for so long that she'd rather agree to anything than question his weak reasoning for his presence. "Yes, obedience test, very good. Do not disobey father, and until he takes you back, I will be speaking your father's will, understand?"
While saying such a thing made his skin crawl, he had to do whatever was necessary to secure her assistance. If saying what they were doing was by the command of her father, then he'd make sure she associated him with that same authority. He couldn't risk her deciding he was untrustworthy at the wrong time, at least not until they were at last outside the walls. He hadn't stepped on that hallowed ground in fifteen very long, painful years, to the extent he almost believed it never happened in the first place. However, standing atop the mansion, he couldn't help but feel the rekindling of long ignored memories, and so here he was, attempting a possibly suicidal plan to use the master's own daughter to make his escape. She was compliant enough for his tastes. "That's right. Keep obeying what I say and you'll be able to have some fruit."
His jaw clenched when she said she didn't know the way out. If she pieced together that he didn't know the way out either, his ruse would be discovered without a doubt. Even if she didn't turn on him immediately, she'd tell the next person she spoke to. He could try to silence her, but his magic was very poor at inflicting harm. He'd need to use his own two hands on the poor, chained girl . . . he wasn't looking forward to that . . . but then he noticed her stare. She had mostly avoided looking at him, or doing much of anything at all, during their conversation thus far. Having her show such consistent intent meant something. Given how incredibly passive she had behaved, he felt fairly confident that she wouldn't immediately use her superior magic to strike him down. He couldn't stop her if she did, and at the very best, people would be alerted to something going awry. He made the calculated risk of removing her bonds, then sliding her grimoire over to her, along with the flower. He'd been told she couldn't leave the room without being veiled first, so he went to fetch her rather oppressive blinder from outside as quietly as he could. It still didn't seem like anyone above had noticed there was anything wrong down below. He placed it on her head, as he had been shown, and took a deep breath. Things were about to happen now, and he couldn't stop them once they started. "Lead me outside."
He'd been vaguely instructed about what her magic was, but seeing it in person for the first time sent a chill down his spine. Being trapped in the town as they were, he had only experienced a very select few types of magic being used by the miners to excavate precious metals, as the team of enforcers and body guards that ensured things continued to run smoothly no matter what. Her Wraith magic was downright terrifying. If he wasn't so sure that she wouldn't do anything against him, he would likely have been quaking in his golden boots. He kept a wary eye on the shadowy figure as it walked to a hidden mechanism to reveal the entrance to the catacombs. The stagnant, murky air that flowed from the dark place was unsettling enough without following an actual ghost into it. Still, he followed closely, knowing if he was somehow separated from her down there, he'd have little hope of finding his way back out again. After countless twists and turns, they emerged beyond the walls. He took his first real breath of free air in his life, and he felt an immense weight fall from his shoulders that he hadn't realized he was carrying. He almost forgot that she was there until he could no longer ignore the floating wraith. He paused for a moment to consider what his next words should be.
"This is what we're doing. You will stay by my side, and we will hunt for the target your father designated. Only I know who they are, and what they look like. You will do everything I say as we hunt them. Do not listen to anyone else other than me. Obey my commands to the letter, or you'll be punished. We are going to function as a team now, you and I. We are going to live together. We will do everything together. Listen to me well, and you will even be rewarded by your father. I have been given permission to give you gifts when I am impressed with how well you obey. You are free to use your magic to accomplish the goals I give you, however you see fit. I will tell give you new tasks as we reach important places. Your first task that you will always have . . . protect me at all costs, and keep me from harm. Your second task, protect yourself at all costs, unless you are using yourself as a shield to protect me. Do not tolerate anyone hurting you other than myself. We will need to spend some time learning about where our target is, and acquiring disguises so that we can reach them. I will handle all of the thinking and the planning. You will handle most of the fighting. Do you understand?" He waited with bated breath, the fate of his future freedom and chance to really live his life riding on whether or not she would believe what he said.
I would have been strange for the man to see as she had moved quickly to keep up with the wraith she called, each step precise and completely silent, it was clear to see that she was expected to be efficient and that noise regardless of how small wouldn't be tolerated. From under her veil, she couldn't smell the stagnant and stale air nor the decay of anything that may have found its way in and got lost. She was completely blind and he knew it but she was still moving as if she could see perfectly thanks to the gentle taps she was following. She knew her magic made people uncomfortable but at the same time, she couldn't help what she had been blessed with. "You are father's orders, I obey father's orders." she said finally understanding what he had said although her wording was off. What she meant to say that he was her father's will and she obeys it but he would still understand what she was getting at. She smiled under her veil thinking of which fruit she may get if she behaved well enough but it vanished quickly as she realised she shouldn't get her hopes up as it wasn't a definite and there had been plenty of times that she had been told she would be given her treat and it was delivered only for it to either be left out of her reach or stepped on she silently wept not wanting that again.
Once they exited she remained silent and still but she did notice the others deep breath and was confused by it and wanted to ask why he did such an action, to her knowledge the escorts she had often went outside the walls to get supplies but decided against it as she knew it would end badly for her. He, after all, was her father's will and she knew punishment always came for disobeying it either directly from her father or one of his proxies. she listened to him as she was given her instructions, there was far too much for her to take in her body language changed she gripped her right sleeve with her left hand as if trying to reassure herself everything would be okay. It was the second sentence that got her because it had never worked that way before "No." she said simply her voice was shaking a little due to what she had just said "Not how work." she turned her head back towards the catacombs "Traitor!" her voice was still shaking but it showed she wasn't fooled "Ahloe lead back." she instructed the wraith she was breathing heavily as her wraith took her wrist but it was holding it tightly making her whimper in pain it was then she realized she had been in the wrong her head looking up to the wraith "Yes, stupid..." she whispered most of the wraiths inside her book were former carers and escorts and due to knowing how they worked she could still hear their voices mocking her.
She turned back to Kurai "Forgive... pathetic... stupid..." she pleaded for his forgiveness of her behaviour towards him before tearing herself down showing she had no idea what she was talking about "Secret task only you and father know." showing she realised that only two people were to know and she wasn't one of them "Stay by side. Listen only you. Do all say while hunt. Obey order exactly..." it was clear she was trying to take in everything her voice holding pain as her wrist was still clenched in the wraiths hand she cried out a little as she felt her wrist squeezed as if to tell her to continue showing she understood the information given to her. "Do together, function as team, live together, free to use magic on tasks given, new tasks be given while hunt, always protect you first, if not doing protect self, only you allowed to hurt..." she turned her head to her wraith but it only held her tighter making her wince it had made its point it was no longer a person thanks to her. "You not person now order doesn't count." she said to the wraith showing she knew her place and felt the pain ebb as it loosened its grip "You think and plan I can't do, I fight." showing she knew she wasn't smart enough to do things on her own "Obedient reward, disobedient punishment." showing what it meant to make him happy and unhappy but she worried as she had just called him a traitor, she was ready to walk away from him and back into the catacombs she had even denied him before she had been reminded that this wasn't a normal mission and so the rules likely had been changed for it so it could succeed.
Word Count: 811 Total Word Count: 2,731
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
As they traveled through the stifling darkness of the long abandoned maze of tombs and catacombs, her silence was downright unnerving. He had been told that the veil served as almost complete sensory deprivation, only leaving her hearing intact so she could receive orders, yet somehow she was able to walk at full speed, while he had to carefully watch every step to avoid tripping on a misplaced bone or a rock. The wraith she'd drawn forth with her magic had an oppressive aura to it, dimming the golden glow of his own magic as it passed by the dark figure. The relief he felt when the light from the exit became visible was difficult to describe. His single puff of breath was fueled by several things.
His relief was short lived, however, as she snapped at what he said. He had no idea what he'd done wrong, but suddenly she was turning away. If she went back so quickly, she'd most definitely be able to bring them down on his head. He couldn't much remember what happened to his mother during his previous journey outside the walls, but he imagined a similar result would be achieved. He'd either be hauled back and forced into the mines after his grimoire was taken, or he'd die ingloriously out there in the mountains. Either way, he knew he couldn't stop her if she tried to leave, not without drawing even more attention to their location. His heart thundered in his chest, his lungs seized up, and if the altitude hadn't made the air so crisp, he'd almost certainly be sweating. To her, it might have looked like he was frozen in rage at her questioning his words. Anyone that wasn't so accustomed to being beaten after speaking out would immediately realize he was instead frozen in indecision.
For whatever reason, the wraith was the thing that saved him. She was absolutely correct, he was a traitor and had no idea what he was doing, but the wraith latched onto her as if to punish her for speaking out against someone supposedly in charge of her. Her own faulty reasoning soon kicked in, further driving her away from the truth she'd correctly discerned. Steeling his nerves, he folded his arms over his chest and looked down his nose at her. He tried to look as intimidating and authoritative as possible, puffing out his chest a little. "That's right! You were foolish to question anything I say. Do that again and you'll be severely punished! There is no room for your mistakes out here, this will be a mission of the highest priority. I am your father's authority, and everything I say is in accordance with his will! Questioning or disobeying me is equal to disobeying him!"
As she ran through everything he'd said, repeating back to him his instructions as she understood them, he exhaled once more. It served both to indicate he was calming down, and to help him collected his frayed nerves. He was unused to asserting control over someone more powerful than he was. Somehow, having the nobleman's daughter with him filled his heart with a twisted glee. He was going to use that bastard's most powerful tool to acquire his own freedom, and take from the world everything it had taken from him. One day, he would return to the pitiful mining town they came from, and level the place to the ground. Long term goals, to be certain, once he figured out a way to rewrite the brain washing she'd been subjected to. He needed her to see him with the same level of respect and obedience as her father.
"Yes, very good. That is correct. Stay close to me at all times, do what I tell you without fail, and you will be rewarded. This is going to be a long mission, the person we are looking for will be hard to find. We will spend time investigating their whereabouts, and steadily close in on them. Leave the investigating to me, your only job is to protect me before all else, and to do as I say, otherwise. We need to get moving, we're wasting time standing out here." He leaned forward to lift her veil form her face, and roughly grab her chin to force her to look up at him, a completely false confident smirk on his lips as his intense crimson eyes bored into hers. "Just nod your head if you understand. No more talking for a while."
The young woman remained completely still holding her grimoire close to her chest, the red spider lily in her hand still glowing that deep red almost black until she dismissed her wraith the flower in her hand turned back to its normal vibrant red colour. She had no idea just how close she had been to the truth of the matter and her wraith's reaction showed her that she was stepping over a line she was forbidden to do much to the relief to the one she was to serve as far as she knew. Upon hearing him berate her for foolishly going against his words she flinched a bit clenching her grimoire closer to her body almost as if it was a shield there to protect her. Strangely however not punishment came which shook her even more because she was sure that it would come when she least expected it or she just wouldn't be allowed something such as food for a few days. "Y... yes, sir." she stuttered in honesty she had no idea what to call him, she didn't even dare call her father, father to most people but he had been introduced to the man she was with as her father's daughter so didn't know if she was saying the wrong thing to him, in fact, until she was told otherwise she would just refer to him as sir.
"No disobey. No question." she mirrored what he told her showing she was clear what was expected of her, she was frightened even though he had made it clear that if she did it again then the punishment would be severe but still part of her felt like she was still going to be punished for messing up. She listened as he released a deep breath and guessed he was calming down but still she was on edge as he was an escort she never had before. She smiled weakly beneath her veil as he told her she had been correct in showing him that she understood his orders, she thought perhaps that why she hadn't been punished because her obedience countered the disobedience she had previously shown. She couldn't help but wince as the light struck her eyes suddenly as her veil was raised suddenly without warning making her silently whimper and shake she now believed that was her punishment as normally she was warned that her veil was being lifted and even then it was normally dark when it was. Her eyes opened as she felt her chin was roughly grabbed and tilted to force her to look at him, she seen the smirk but when his crimson eyes met her own indigo one she looked to the side afraid to look him to the eyes and nodded to her head showing that she understood. One of her hands going to her veil with the sole intent of bringing it back down as the sun was hurting her eyes unless he stopped it she would lower it thankful for the safety from the light she wasn't accustomed to having.
Word Count: 516 Total word count: 3,247
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
He allowed her what little comfort the veil provided. He didn't need to see her face for the time being. It was time to pretend like he had an idea of where he was going. Downwards was the optimal choice, even he knew that staying on the mountain would be foolish. He'd go down until he found a stream to follow, not talking to his silent shadow. The less they interacted before he formulated a proper plan, the better. Once she was blinded, he ceased maintaining the spell the created his golden armor, letting his freshly bared skin enjoy the touch of free air.
Their trip brought them southwest of off the fringes of the Clover Kingdom, and by pure happenstance, they ended up in the proximity of another border town, Sosshi. While it was small, pitifully so to those familiar with the other regions, to Kurai it was the first time he'd seen the walls of another settlement. He'd never spoken to someone that hadn't been around him since he was a child, other than the freakish girl he'd used to make his escape. He was suddenly extremely nervous. Did these people know the nobleman they were fleeing from? Had news of their escape already spread? Could he trust anyone in the town? What if someone tried to take Aeila from him . . . and then he turned to her with a start. He had no good reason for her to be wearing a veil. That was bound to draw attention . . . and she was so skinny! Even by his low standards, she looked unhealthy . . . this could turn ugly. "Veil off, now."
She pulled the veil down clad for the darkness her eyes not accustomed to the brightness of the blinding light of the sun especially so sudden. She closed her eyes under the veil crying silently due to how they stung her composure however didn't change to show the pain that it had actually caused her. As far as she knew he wouldn't care about her pain and it could likely backfire on her making it worse and she'd rather avoid that. Hear his footsteps moving away from her she started to follow him silently knowing she shouldn't dally behind him too much or he may get cross with her. After the long descent, she heard running water, it was something she recognised but it made her take pause as she couldn't hear his steps over it and there was no other noise to help her discern which way she was to go so stopped her head moving as if looking around as if she was looking something but not being able to find it and it wasn't because of her veil. She guessed which way she was supposed to go and ended up tripping over a rock a loud splash easily being heard behind the one she followed; even while in the ice-cold water she didn't make a noise and instead scrambled to get out of it shivering in her now wet clothing which was sticking to her form.
She got back to her feet and realised it wasn't the way she had fallen so decided to move to follow it hoping that, that was right because she didn't want to fall back into the water again. She had no idea how long they had been travelling but then even if she could see it wouldn't have helped her as she didn't really know how to discern time or how it worked it was just dictated to her what she had to and she did it, she knew if it wasn't done quick enough then she had done was wrong and nothing more. She looked directly to him as he spoke ordering her to take her veil off. She bit her bottom lip she honestly didn't want to, she was scared that she would be hurt by the light again but done so hesitantly her eyes closed instantly. The veil was still on her face but it now dangled over the hat that it was attached to. She slowly opened her eyes thankfully it wasn't so bright but it was still bright enough to cause her discomfort thoughts she didn't show it, she diverted her eyes from him as she had when he had grabbed her chin earlier that day. She didn't appear to be nervous being near the city but then she didn't know that he was a traitor who had technically kidnapped her from their home and so walked towards the town of Sosshi believing that was their destination. What neither of them could have foreseen was a fateful meeting with another that was soon to happen.
Word count: 509 Total word count: 3,756
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Post by Jin Zhongli on Dec 23, 2020 21:15:33 GMT -5
POW 16 | DUR 02 | SEN 22 STA 15 | CON 15 | ALL 70 SPEED 5m/s | STRENGTH 1/2 junior HEALTH senior | MANA SKIN senior POOL 70/70 | REGEN 5 IC / 10 OOC
ITEMS cool gadgets here
TAGS @tag
450 words || 0450 total
Jin Zhongli
One had to pass through Sosshi for many reasons, it was a trading and traveling hub of sorts. Many Green Mantis magic knights pass through to going to and from the next town over Hage. Some others would pass through Sosshi to get to the more exciting town in Aries Garse. The night life and gambling scene in Aries Garse could truly be something special if one knew that right people.
Jin Zhonglie was on his way to Aries Garse, passing through Sosshi but unfortunately for him he didn't really know the right people. Nor that many people at all now that he thought about it, he had no real friends to speak of. It had only been about two weeks since he decided to venture out on his own, and away from his father's influence. The longest conversation he had with someone outside of his father's estate, was a man he had to kill for a job. This didn't sadden the young rogue none, but it was something on his mind.
Jin was dressed in all black like usual, a high collar black jacket matched with the same color pants and boots. Being sort of new to all this free roaming he pondered on what kind of things he should do once he got to Aries Garse, and more importantly what should he do after that? Jobs for rogues didn't really just fall into your lap. He couldn't just start and go asking random people in town, who needs to hire a assassin for a job. The pondering rogue wasn't really paying attention to where he was going, just walking in a straight line to where he thought his destination was. His hands in his pockets, mouthing words to himself. His next few steps would have him, walk right into someone a young man with golden blonde hair and a pair of piercing red eyes. Jin with his own piercing blue eyes, stared at the young blonde haired man. Then shifting his sight to the young women walking with him, who looked rather malnourished.
The pair was an odd site to see, and left the white haired with so many questions. Of course a part of him wanted to mind his business, but he simply could not. He had to ask, so the words left his mouth. "Are you starving her?" He asked suddenly, he didn't speak to loudly for anyone but the three to hear. But he made his question clear, the curious rogue wasn't going to just move on. Without some kind of explanation, he wasn't looking to save the girl. But his curiosity simply didn't allow him to let things like this that interested him, go.
Notes and Spells
"Speech #1e3875" Battle summaries and cool spell stuff here
He'd been so lost in thought throughout their trip, he hadn't noticed that Aeila had somehow gotten herself soaked with water. If she'd looked like a half-starved waif before, she looked far worse now that her clothing was stuck to her unhealthily petite frame. He couldn't take her into the city like that at all, they'd stand out like a fire in the dark. He was then so lost in thought about these troubles he even managed to miss the approaching stranger, despite the fact that he was a full five inches taller than himself. He was experienced enough not to immediately break character, having spent so many years putting on a false face, but his eyes flashed. The light was fueled by fear, rather than outrage, but his grim, intense expression would have made that hard to tell. Of course, he hadn't quite thought of a cover story, so a degree of honesty was his lie of choice. "Starving her? This is my first day with her. We're going to this town for food, and a place to sleep."
All of that was true. This person did not need to know anything else about them. The fact that they were actually fleeing a town ruled by an absolute dictator who controlled everything with brute force and coercion, the fact that he had more or less kidnapped said man's own daughter and was attempting to find somewhere to hide from their presumed sight, and the fact that he had no idea where he was or what he was doing did not need to be revealed. Compared to the perhaps more practical traveling clothes the stranger wore, Kurai and Aeila had clothing better suited for staying indoors. They carried no provisions with them, though she had a dimly glowing flower as her sole possession aside from her damp clothing. He likely had dust on his clothing from where he stumbled in the catacombs. Not the most auspicious of entrances into the free world.
Kurai stepped between the imposing stranger and his ticket to safety instinctively. He immediately recognized the gesture as foolish, but he had already moved and it was far too late to do anything about it without looking uncertain. She was the one who could actually fight back, not he. She had the stronger grimoire. She was charged with keeping him safe, not the other way around. Placing himself in front of her, if anything, had likely reduced her combat effectiveness by obscuring her line of sight, if this came to blows. His hand slid to the top of his gilded book, eyes evenly locked on Jin. "What town is this, stranger?" He figured he might as well try to make this chance encounter useful to his cause. He could only hope that Aeila wouldn't do anything more to draw attention to herself.
It hadn't been the first time she had fallen into the water or felt cold in general, her usual caretakers and escorts cared little for when it happened she didn't even shiver when it happened because she was so used to the cold due to her room. She helped gather the firewood and even started the fire to which she took steps away believing it wasn't for her until she was told to get closer. As her 'escort' didn't want to bring attention to himself the assumption she would be called over to the fire was high and so did without question sitting on the ground just watching the dancing flames in the darkness, she almost seemed at peace the glow of the fire almost giving her skin a healthy-looking glow. She was almost as entranced by the flames like a child watching a pantomime in the street or in a theatre. Eventually it came to an end and her concentration was broken as the other once again started to move towards the village. Standing picking up her flower and grimoire before snuffing out the fire. As they were walking she heard a voice she didn't recognise and held her flower closer to her almost as if she was protecting it, though she almost dropped her grimoire not expecting to hear another person's voice so suddenly. She listened to the answer given. "I'm not starved, I'm in poor health. I have been since I was young." she said quietly her voice seemingly ashamed of the fact. It was a question that was often asked when people saw her and so she was educated with the proper response and tone for people to not push further.
She just hoped her words wouldn't upset Kurai, it was just how she was taught to reply to such accusations outside of that she went quiet once more knowing that her place was to be seen and not heard by her escorts while outside of their village walls. She knew this wasn't the first time they had met but it was the first time they had been outside the village together and was unsure if what he was saying was the truth or a lie, then again this was the first town they normally stopped at if there wasn't a time constraint "Sosshi." she whispered even though she knew she hadn't been asked but she didn't want him to seem out of place but it may have been too late for that already. She blinked from her sitting state seeing the other step in front of her she couldn't help but admit that, that was odd as she had never had anyone do that for her she had always been the one expected to defend against another. Picking up her grimoire that had fallen on the ground she slowly stood before making her way to Kurai's side observing the other carefully but eye contact was never made "Sorry if I worried you and thank you for the concern." It was nothing like her normal way of speaking as there was no hint of it being broken but again this was something she had been instructed to say if such circumstances came up.
Her indigo eyes went to Kurai as she tried to think of the right thing to get them out of this situation but she was finding it hard. "We... We should go, my father will be worried about me." It was clear unlike before that this wasn't rehearsed to the point of believability as she struggled to get the words out and looked uncertain if they were in the right order. She began to move towards the village slowly making sure not to get too far away from him as it would mean she was disobeying his order and she knew it could be deemed as her trying to run away all at the same time and she didn't want the punishment for one of those things to let alone both of them.
Post by Jin Zhongli on Jan 3, 2021 20:49:16 GMT -5
POW 16 | DUR 02 | SEN 22 STA 15 | CON 15 | ALL 70 SPEED 5m/s | STRENGTH 1/2 junior HEALTH senior | MANA SKIN senior POOL 70/70 | REGEN 5 IC / 10 OOC
ITEMS cool gadgets here
TAGS @tag
890 words || 1,340 total
Jin Zhongli
Curiosity. Jin was curious of many things, and how they worked. Growing up in a brothel as assassin he was rarely given the chance to question things and learn about them. So the young rogue was always curious and always willing to learn something. If it would be something that interested him, he would probably try to steal it, take it without permission. If things proved to be difficult, he had other means of acquiring what he wanted. But it was his curiosity that led him to these random like encounters. This duo didn't owe him any answers or explanation at all, but he was still going to try and get it. But not with violence, not all things had to be solved bloody. But with charm and charisma as his weapons.
The blue eyed rogue raised an eyebrow at the blonde man's response.
A slave perhaps?...Is this usually how slaves look?
It was his first day with her, what did that mean exactly? Was this his first day owning a slave, or making a new friend? Was this women his wife to be? Or a stranger that he just met? An arranged marriage perhaps? Many many thoughts flooded Jin's mind on what this blonde man meant. They are not from around here, that was obvious. Looking for food and a place to sleep, gave that much away. And the look on their faces were like lost puppies. Suddenly Jin was a little shocked to hear the young skinny girl speak up, or speak up as much as she could. She was not starved but in poor health. Was that better or worse?
"Mmmmmm. Not starved but in poor health." Jin repeated what he heard, and rubbed his chin thinking. Then moving in bending slightly whisper in the young man's ear so only he could hear. "Do you own her? Is she a slave?" he asked suddenly. Jin a young man of many questions, now matter how awkward they may be.
Jin backed up a little and noticed the young blonde gently had his hand over his grimoire, he was nervous. Not only that he positioned his body to stand in front of the young girl in poor health. Was he willing to give his life for her? Did he save her from some terrible circumstance. The more time Jin spent conversing with these two, the more questions he had. The more he had to know.
The blonde had asked what town this was. It was an odd question, but it confirmed that these two were indeed lost puppies. His nervousness, his protection of the girl, not knowing where he was. Perhaps he didn't own her, but saved her. Maybe he was not the one to blame for her current conditions. A small smirk appeared on the rogues face, he was enjoying this game they were playing with half truths. She answered his question with a whisper, so he didn't have to. Then spoke to Jin apologizing for worrying him and thanking him for his concern. But he wasn't really worried or concerned, just curious. But he was not rude so he returned her response with a gentle smile and a nod.
But she started to break away from the conversation moving closer to the village. This was upsetting for the rogue, he was not done trying to figure them out. He needed more. The skinny girl said something rather important, her father will be worried about her. Was he returning her to her father? Perhaps he did save her from some terrible experience, that had to be it!
A golden savior!
"Ah! You two must be hungry!" Jin said suddenly and quickly, not ready to break from this little exchange they we're having. This young blonde man could be magic knight, but he didn't really dress like one. Perhaps a simple mercenary, no that wasn't quite it. A young man from the church!! Jin had heard about warriors and heroes from the church taking on jobs and missions to protect and save others. Perhaps this is what this young man was, at least that's what Jin was starting to believe.
Jin himself was a rogue, so naturally he would be at odds with someone from the church. But what worked in his favor was that Jin had no infamy at all, none what so ever. Finding jobs as a rogue was hard, but this worked in his favor. This allowed him to interact and go where he pleased for now with no one knowing what he really did.
"A man from the church!" Jin continued. "Surely a hero such as yourself shouldn't be paying for meals! Come with me I will pay for the both of you! I know a great place around here for a meal." Jin said proudly, he had never met someone from the church before so this was rather exciting to him. He wanted to learn more about them, and her and what kind of adventure they just came from. But more importantly how could he exploit them? She must be someone important, she was worth something. The question was just how much? and how could he get his hands on some gold.
Jin had the same genuine like smile on his face, ready to lead them to a tavern if they would follow.
Notes and Spells
"Speech #1e3875" Battle summaries and cool spell stuff here
