Cerulean Caves

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

He had been staring at the interesting waterfall in the distance when the man commented back. He nodded. "Good then pl-" Cut off by a sudden push and rush of water in his mouth and face. Gagging he flipped over watching the man cackle gleefully as Cerin struggled to swim towards him. His eyes burned with anger. I'm going to kill him. As soon as he started making headway swimming upwards, an icy sting wrapped around his leg pulling him deeper to a source of light in the pool. Struggling more and gasping for air he recognized the chill of death within his body. The light was ever growing closer, and he could tell that if he entered it that would be the end of him. In a last desperate attempt as the darkness swirled around his eyes, and he grasped at his throat screaming, "Zephyr!" It came out garbled and warped, but hopefully, the dragon would sense his distress. Though I doubt, he'll get here in time. He thought bitterly of the times he had snapped at him. At least, he can tell my parents I'm dead... Letting himself fade into the eternal blue of the water.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

[

Zephyr!
Zephyr stopped smiling when he heard Cerin call out for him.
Zephyr! Zephyr...save me.
Cerin's voice echoed in his mind.
Endlessly tormenting him, bringing back memories of the past.

He shook his head, closing his eyes tightly to block off the images in his mind.
Because of the pact, he and Cerin had a bond.
Zephyr could sense his distress.

Suffocating.
Trying to rise up for air, yet being held down by Zephyr's magic.
Cold.
Colder than the northern chills.
Darkness engulfing his form.
Cannot think anymore...
Fading into the depths.

Zephyr snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes ablaze with determination as he leaped into the water, swimming as fast as he could toward Cerin.

Cerin.

Reaching forward, he grabbed him by the sleeves, pulling him into his arms.

Soar.

The waters around them warped into an icy tornado, elevating them into the air before breaking apart, leaving them safely on solid ground.

Zephyr, still holding his friend in his embrace, raised one hand to his cheek.

"Hey. Wake up."

No response.

"I will give you delicious snacks when we go home if you wake up...Didn't you say you wanted to try my frozen mushroom cubes?"

Silence.

Kill him. Now is the time to finish him off. Something within him said.
No. He resisted, his grip on Cerin tightening.
You fool...this is why you will always be the one to die at the end. And this time, you will have no one to blame but yourself.

Slowly, Zephyr hugged his cold body closer to him, burrowing his face in Cerin's chest.

"Wake up...please." he whispered softly, trying to share some of his warmth with Cerin, though his heart was icy cold.



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

Cerin knew the touch of death. It haunted him everywhere never able to shake off the icy chill on the back of his neck. It was always there a small part of his heart dead, allowing him to expel his spirit and escort others to the afterlife. He felt himself being carried away. Is it the pull of death or...? A distant voice was calling to him throw the wintry storm of death. A voice so familiar almost despised and intimate at the same time.
That voice I-i know it...
~~~
"----! Wait up!" A tall red head turned smiling brightly laughing at him. Out of breath he wiped his brow tired from the morning training in the guard and now running to catch up with his friend. The red head carried a book in his hand and was wearing a crown announcing to all that he was the crown prince. The redhead opened his mouth, "--, -----..." The person must have said something witty because he could feel himself grinning. "Of course, I'll be the head guard, you will be king." He placed his hand over heart pledging himself to the rightful ruler...
~~~
Wh-what was that? Cerin was felt confusion as a fragment of another time flitted into his mind. Who's life is this? He wanted to pursue the chain of memories further, but he could feel the warmth of life at the edge of his conscious. Still, there was something blocking him from waking. There was till water preventing him from breathing the life's breath. Please...air...

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr could feel Cerin beginning to stir, yet prevented from waking by something.
...
Air.
He needed air.
Think, Zephyr. What can you do?
He gazed at Cerin, frowning as he thought about what to do next.
Should I hit him on the back so hard that he will spit out all the water?
No, that wouldn't be wise.
Why don't I choke him and force him to throw it up?
...
Not that either.
Slash his neck and-
No.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Zephyr's gaze drifted over Cerin's body, noticing how the water made him seem...
"Ahahahaha...just what are you thinking, Zephyr."
Leaning forward, he tipped Cerin's chin toward him.
Slowly, he rested his lips on Cerin's.
A gentle moment of silence.

And then...
Zephyr blew air forcefully into Cerin's mouth, performing emergency life-saving measures.

"Wake up." He said, before blowing into his mouth again.
He pressed his hands against Cerin's chest, pumping him in order to get the water out and air back into his lungs.
Then, he blew into his mouth once more, just as Cerin woke up.



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

Fresh air flowed through Cerin's blood causing his heart to slowly begin beating again. His eyes flashed opened and he rolled over heaving up flowing blue water. Leaning on his arms be weakly pushed himself up and began taking inventory. He had lost his pack in the struggle, but still held his sword and bells. Sighing relieved he looked over his shoulder to se who had saved him. He saved me!!! he growled softly and shifted away from him. "Why did you save me? You pushed me in!" He voice was hoarse and raspy from almost drowning. He glared accusingly and moved his hair out of his face to see under the hood better. After a few moments of silence he looked away. "...Thank you..." Unaware of how the person had recitation him, he
muttered begrudgingly. Tbe rushing of waterfall continued as Crrin stood up slightly wobbly and headin towards some random tunnel.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr avoided his gaze uncharacteristically, unable to respond.
...Thank you.
His heart ached at Cerin's words, a mixture of emotions rising from within him.

He took a deep breath.
Then, he smiled, as if nothing had happened between them.
"Ah, you see...there were some old legends." he began, as he caught up to Cerin, hoisting his arms over his shoulder, supporting the human as they walked, "The pool of water over there is said to be enchanted with ancient magic."
He leaned closer to Cerin, as if he were whispering something secret to him.
"They even say that the waters have anti-curse properties."

Before Cerin could reply, Zephyr skipped ahead, raising a hand to his forehead as he scouted the area in the distance.

"Is that light I see before me? Off we go, partner! Let's brave the storms of destiny!"

He grabbed hold of Cerin's hand, pulling him as he laughed.

"To the light!"



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

Cerin tumbled his heart rushing through his ears. anit-curse He also turned around at that instant to take another bath, but the stranger's support was keeping him in place. The insane person skipped ahead as if frolicking in a field of flowers., and before he knew it he was being dragged down a tunnel.
"You're NEVER supposed to go towards the LIGHT! that means you're dead." He shouted anxiously trying to pull back his hand from the person that had tried to murder him a second ago. He was still weak though from his unintentional near death experience and could only allow himself to be dragged forward.

It was indeed brighter. There were more of the cerulean rocks speckled with indigo and navy. The sound of the waterfall also faded leaving their footsteps and the occasional chuckle from the maniac to echo down the tunnel. He justed wanted to run and hopefully find the way out, but something kept nagging him to trust the other, and the fact he mentioned earlier the pool area had reminded him of the way out. So he followed hesitantly wishing that his clothes would hurry up and dry since they slowed him down and were uncomfortable. He was also worried what the man would do if they stayed loss and started to starve. If offers me mushrooms, I swear I will murder him... Completely unworried what he would do if the man led him to another trap. After a few more minutes of walking in silence, he began growing angsty, "Are you sure you know where we are going...sir?" Maybe he took insult to me calling him an old man? Thinking the title would get him in the others good graces and out of the caves.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr laughed melodiously, as they continued walking.
"Of course!" He said confidently, giving Cerin a grin, "Just trust me, partner! I got this."
They walked for a long time, toward the light that never seemed to draw closer.

Hmm...maybe I'm lost, haha~
"Would the young gentleman be willing to answer a foolish question of this old man's?" He asked, as they walked toward nowhere in particular.



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

"]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

Hearing the man laugh did not reassure him at all that he knew where they were going. He nodded his head suspiciously and gave the man a side long glance. "Sure...I guess." He mumbled unsure that he wanted to answer anything that the man asked of him. "Only if you answer a question of mine in return."

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr smiled at Cerin.
"It's a deal then." He said, before beginning.
"You see...a long time ago, I was a wandering poet. I traveled from kingdom to kingdom, across the vast oceans and over the highest peaks, through the harshest deserts and ice winters of the North."
He paused, turning his silvery eyes on to Cerin.
"On one of my adventures, I came across a majestic empire. The lands were bountiful and the people rejoiced. Life was wonderful, yet inside, the empire was rotten to the core. Nobles conspired against each other, betrayal ran rampant. Families thirsted for their own blood, friends turned a blind eye to each others' miseries.
Zephyr's eyes grew a bit distant.
"And, in the midst of it all, were two best friends. The King and his General. The two grew up together, nearly inseparable, trusted each other with their lives in countless battles. Yet, human nature could not be overwritten. The General made a final choice: to kill his best friend for the throne."
There, he looked directly into Cerin's eyes as he spoke.
"Now, I, the poet shall decide the true ending of this story. What will you do, young man? If you were the betrayer and your best friend the betrayed...what will you do if you two were to meet again in another life?"



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

He listened curious of what the man could possible want to know.
Until finnaly the question was struck. Throughout the whole story a slow headache had begun to grow and a dull ache pulsed in his chest. Stopping in thought he raised a hand to his heart making a fist and gathering the material there thinking deeply. It sounded so familiar to him almost like a dream that is forgotten once awake. A reminiscint smell and taste you cannot place. A word at the tip of your tongue awaiting to be spoken but forgotten to soon.

A stray tear pricked at his eye and insurmountable amount of pain hit him to the core. His voice trembled as he spoke looking down at his feet.
"Some might hide in fear of what they had done to their friend knowing that he might try to betray them in return, but..." He shifted his gave upward toward the ceiling and the unseeable sky trying to imagine what he would do. "I would most likely try to repay this friend...that I have wronged even though he may scorn me and kill me in turn. It would be right, and I could die knowing whatever my friend had wanted in his new life had been granted by the one that has taken his previous life." He let his words sink into the soil around them before shuffling onwards.

"My turn then...what would you do if you found the betrayer, and you were the betrayed?" A strange light glinted in his eyes. Distant and almost reminiscint trying to grab onto an intangible object.

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr's eyes widened at Cerin's question.
What will I do?
You, of all people, are asking me this?
He could hear himself laugh, though everything sounded distant to him.
"What will I do?" He said, his voice deadly sweet, "My, what an interesting question! I suppose a normal person in my situation would go for revenge. An eye for an eye, that is what the wisdom of our ancestors spelt out for us in our blood."
He turned his crazed eyes toward the unseen ceiling, as if gazing at something only he could see.
"But that wouldn't be fun, would it? Revenge merely satisfies the heart momentarily. It could not heal the wounds that the heart has suffered with the passing of time. Revenge, the most wasteful and pointless concept in human existence!"
He laughed in delight, completely lost in his own fantasy world.
"So, what will I do? Certainly not revenge. Killing him will no longer do. Something more fun, more meaningful, more fulfilling...something that will make me shiver in anticipation."

All of a sudden, Zephyr spun around, pinning Cerin to a nearby wall.
"I will stay by his side. Be with him at all times."
He caressed Cerin's cheek gently, his eyes glowing as he hovered over him.
"I will become his strength. Become his pillar of support."
He traced the side of his face lovingly, his fingers trailing down his neck.
"And, when all he trusts is me, I will bind him. Make him unable to live without me."
Zephyr leaned closer, so that he whispered the next lines right into Cerin's ears.
"It is then, that I will watch with the utmost delight...as his soul longs for me, and I, in turn...merely cast it away into the dust."



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

Cerin had continued down the tunnel listening to the stranger's answer. When he laughed similar to when he had been pushed into the water. It sent shivers up his spine not knowing what was so amusing. He watched him out of the corner of his eye. The man was slowly approaching him with a small smirk on his face, and then he grabbed Cerin's arms forced him against the wall. The air left Cerin's lungs in surprise and at the impact leaving him red-faced and gasping. The redness only increased in his face as the other caressed his cheek and neck angered and embarrassed at how easily the man controlled the situation. There was sick amusement etched across his face, joy from watching Cerin struggling to break free. After he had finished his answer, Cerin finally stomped on the man's toes and wrenched his arms free moving away. "Never touch me again." He growled before continuing down the path. "If that's what you would do, I feel sorry for whoever crosses you," he shrugged, "Who knows maybe he didn't want to betray them, but would you be able to betray them too?"

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly

 

[Jyccly]

Zephyr hopped around on one foot, amused by his reaction.
"Ouch, that hurts." He laughed, as he hopped toward Cerin, "Didn't they teach you in school not to bully the elderly?"
He stopped hopping, walking beside Cerin normally as he answered his question.
"You see, as much as I would like to say that I would do all that, this is but a story. There are no second chances in life. The King had lost, and he paid his life for it. It is the end of the fairy tale, there is no sequel."
Zephyr was about to say something else, when a howl sounded from behind them.

"...Did you hear that as well?"



OOC:

show spoilerhide spoiler

RedWix

 

[RedWix]

Ҫҿгᶖи Ɲѻχ

⌠"Only to those I respect." He muttered ignoring the rest of the man's ramblings. The stone floor was becoming rougher and harder to transverse when a chilling howl reverberated against the walls and into their ears. "I'd have to be deaf. It's amazing that an old man could hear it." He loosened his sword in his sheath. In the caves, it was in possible to really tell how far away the howls were. The creatures could be far enough away that they needn't worry, but there was always the chance they were right behind them. Another hand hovered over his first bell, Somum, hopefully, it might affect the creatures.⌡

show spoilerhide spoiler

Jyccly