Azrie Part: 1/2
What does it take to be a warrior? Why were we different? What was life outside the village like?
I never understood it. Everything seemed so quiet and detached, at the same time I was never allowed to do things others could. Why could they play with the stick swords, but I couldn’t? I never understood it. All I could do to help was gather flowers, plants of the Deep Dark. They were familiar but also felt detached. The trees for our houses always seemed odd to me, but I never thought much about it.
Mom and Dad went out of the village quite a lot and more often than not came bloodied. I didn’t understand much. I remembered one of my few friends. Priscil, she was quite happy and endearing, bubbly and always smiling. But at some point her parents saw her with me and scolded her. It never really clicked. But why was I different? Why wasn’t I allowed to play with swords? Why was I sheltered compared to the other kids?
I didn’t understand why some men would fight to gain a woman’s hand. I did not understand the apparent affection they felt for each other. Perhaps it was because I never had anyone, maybe the drunk elves that would sometimes hang around me. Well, me approaching them was the right wording. They were always very welcoming so long as they didn’t know who I was. But even then, I appreciated everyone, it just felt detached.
The only affection I knew was from my parents. I was lonely. Sometimes they would be missing for days on end. It was different the last time they were back, they showered me with praise and affection like never before, though they also said something I didn’t quite understand before.
“Never turn your back. Never forget who you are. Blair.”
I looked at the prompt once more. I still felt listless.
[Forsake the (D Grade) Prophecy: Scarlet Bloom?]
The day I ran away was different, well they asked me to go gather something very far away. But they also said to watch out for predators and to hide under the dark bushes if necessary. It was a warning that they had never issued before. But then, as I reached the—
Royal Azalea. My head throbbed recalling.
Ashes rained. The war horns blared within my ears. And I tried to return but it was too late. Everything was ignited, set ablaze with nowhere to go. I didn’t know how I hid, or where I hid—I didn’t remember it. It was almost instinctual. But I had managed to survive, I had managed to avoid the Woodland Elf search parties, and I had managed to stay alive and carry the words of my family.
At the same time. I didn’t miss my people… I missed my parents. I wanted revenge, but at the same time most days they were missing.
In the end. I am conflicted.
I closed my eyes.
I don’t wish to forget.
The prompt was denied. And Lumina’s smile became deeper.
“Then I take it that—”
“No.” I opened my eyes. “I don’t wish to make an enemy out of the universe.”
She frowned. “That’s not how it works.”
“I don’t want to.” I finally shook my head as I struggled to not cry. I had forsaken a lot of things. I had focused on just getting stronger and failed at whatever revenge I had. But I was at least going to heed their final words. “I am not turning my back on the universe. Even if I bring death I wish to do it on my own terms.”
“Listen here.” Her frown deepened. “You cannot not forsake the universe, it’s literally built within you to do so. The entire fucking universe hates you!”
I grit my teeth. Hate me?
“Then I’ll just kill them when they come!” I snorted. “I don’t wish to do your bidding. I don’t wish to be you. I just want your help but if it comes with strings attached then I don’t want to. Perhaps The Illusionist said that I had no room for negotiation against someone of a higher power. But here I do.”
She scoffed. “Now you’re just being stubborn. Don’t you get it? This is not a choice you can make.”
“Maybe.” I finally agreed. “But I still want to try. If I turn my back on the universe then that means everyone is my enemy.”
I don’t want to turn my back.
“I don’t want that.”
A sigh left her. “I suppose with the way I worded it, yes. Though thinking there is room for negotiation is foolish, you underestimate me, Blair.” She shook her head. “Though I won’t attack you or even wish to harm you in the first place. There is no point in sabotaging someone who carries my will. I’ll say it this way, this is my compromise. For being annoying, I will limit my mentorship. But it is also good for you, maybe you learn a few things on your own. You aren’t me nor can be me.”
I nodded carefully. Realizing that I was being skeptical for no reason. But I also agreed. I just wanted her occasional help rather than to get everything for free. Maybe in the end, I also enjoyed the thrill of the constant power gain and risking my life for it. Maybe...
A smile appeared within my face. My memories were still a bit cloudy, but in the end I was finally becoming a warrior. A proud one full of scars with a bright smile. I now understood some of our warriors.
“The— what are you grinning for?” Lumina huffed. “You sure are hopeless. Self sabotage left and right,” she sighed. “Alright, a promise is a promise. I will show you glimpses of the next level, but my help will be limited from now on.”
I couldn’t stop myself, but I replied. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, just look.” She snapped her fingers.
Azrie Part: 1/2
What does it take to be a warrior? Why were we different? What was life outside the village like?
I never understood it. Everything seemed so quiet and detached, at the same time I was never allowed to do things others could. Why could they play with the stick swords, but I couldn’t? I never understood it. All I could do to help was gather flowers, plants of the Deep Dark. They were familiar but also felt detached. The trees for our houses always seemed odd to me, but I never thought much about it.
Mom and Dad went out of the village quite a lot and more often than not came bloodied. I didn’t understand much. I remembered one of my few friends. Priscil, she was quite happy and endearing, bubbly and always smiling. But at some point her parents saw her with me and scolded her. It never really clicked. But why was I different? Why wasn’t I allowed to play with swords? Why was I sheltered compared to the other kids?
I didn’t understand why some men would fight to gain a woman’s hand. I did not understand the apparent affection they felt for each other. Perhaps it was because I never had anyone, maybe the drunk elves that would sometimes hang around me. Well, me approaching them was the right wording. They were always very welcoming so long as they didn’t know who I was. But even then, I appreciated everyone, it just felt detached.
The only affection I knew was from my parents. I was lonely. Sometimes they would be missing for days on end. It was different the last time they were back, they showered me with praise and affection like never before, though they also said something I didn’t quite understand before.
“Never turn your back. Never forget who you are. Blair.”
I looked at the prompt once more. I still felt listless.
[Forsake the (D Grade) Prophecy: Scarlet Bloom?]
The day I ran away was different, well they asked me to go gather something very far away. But they also said to watch out for predators and to hide under the dark bushes if necessary. It was a warning that they had never issued before. But then, as I reached the—
Royal Azalea. My head throbbed recalling.
Ashes rained. The war horns blared within my ears. And I tried to return but it was too late. Everything was ignited, set ablaze with nowhere to go. I didn’t know how I hid, or where I hid—I didn’t remember it. It was almost instinctual. But I had managed to survive, I had managed to avoid the Woodland Elf search parties, and I had managed to stay alive and carry the words of my family.
At the same time. I didn’t miss my people… I missed my parents. I wanted revenge, but at the same time most days they were missing.
In the end. I am conflicted.
I closed my eyes.
I don’t wish to forget.
The prompt was denied. And Lumina’s smile became deeper.
“Then I take it that—”
“No.” I opened my eyes. “I don’t wish to make an enemy out of the universe.”
She frowned. “That’s not how it works.”
“I don’t want to.” I finally shook my head as I struggled to not cry. I had forsaken a lot of things. I had focused on just getting stronger and failed at whatever revenge I had. But I was at least going to heed their final words. “I am not turning my back on the universe. Even if I bring death I wish to do it on my own terms.”
“Listen here.” Her frown deepened. “You cannot not forsake the universe, it’s literally built within you to do so. The entire fucking universe hates you!”
I grit my teeth. Hate me?
“Then I’ll just kill them when they come!” I snorted. “I don’t wish to do your bidding. I don’t wish to be you. I just want your help but if it comes with strings attached then I don’t want to. Perhaps The Illusionist said that I had no room for negotiation against someone of a higher power. But here I do.”
She scoffed. “Now you’re just being stubborn. Don’t you get it? This is not a choice you can make.”
“Maybe.” I finally agreed. “But I still want to try. If I turn my back on the universe then that means everyone is my enemy.”
I don’t want to turn my back.
“I don’t want that.”
A sigh left her. “I suppose with the way I worded it, yes. Though thinking there is room for negotiation is foolish, you underestimate me, Blair.” She shook her head. “Though I won’t attack you or even wish to harm you in the first place. There is no point in sabotaging someone who carries my will. I’ll say it this way, this is my compromise. For being annoying, I will limit my mentorship. But it is also good for you, maybe you learn a few things on your own. You aren’t me nor can be me.”
I nodded carefully. Realizing that I was being skeptical for no reason. But I also agreed. I just wanted her occasional help rather than to get everything for free. Maybe in the end, I also enjoyed the thrill of the constant power gain and risking my life for it. Maybe...
A smile appeared within my face. My memories were still a bit cloudy, but in the end I was finally becoming a warrior. A proud one full of scars with a bright smile. I now understood some of our warriors.
“The— what are you grinning for?” Lumina huffed. “You sure are hopeless. Self sabotage left and right,” she sighed. “Alright, a promise is a promise. I will show you glimpses of the next level, but my help will be limited from now on.”
I couldn’t stop myself, but I replied. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, just look.” She snapped her fingers.
