That had the summoner raising one brow before chuckling. Off course the little duckling would take the mother's name. "I know she will," he smiled.
“If sissy approves this the time she returns. I wish for nothing more than being a part of this Clan.”
Marking has been a very painful experience. Not only does it drain the magic of the person being marked but it also causes huge amounts of pain not only on the mark itself but shoots through the whole body. At times, it could paralyze member and others would have them scream in sheer agony. That was why most of the people who got their marks were on their limbs. Rarely will one see marks like his or large enough to cover the whole chest.
"Let..." the summoner mused. "Let's wait until you are old enough," he stated. "I do have an alternative, though. Are you finished yet? Let's get you to where we could get the mark."
Her fork was literally thrown across the room, hit a servant or normal civilian as a brief shout of pain and surprise.
She hadn’t cared, anyway.
“Of course I am! Have your eyes failed you?,” she hummed at his question if she was done eating. Well, Aeyra still could have robbed a whole kitchen and a second, but she was fine with what she had already eaten; but her plate had been empty
Jumping from her seat at his invitation to get a mark, was another kind of answer. Sticking her hands behind her back, she grinned at Yew.
“Let’s go Uncle!”
Whatever it was. Whatever Aeyra had to fulfill or endure to be a part of this clan— of Glumisun’s Clan— she would bear with it. No matter what.
The officer raised a brow, staring at the projectile's victim briefly before turning back to the brat sitting before him. He watched in amusement as the girl jumped off and called for him as if the activities today was of importance.
"Let's go, let's go," he chirped, leveling his enthusiasm with the brat. They left the dining area and Yew gave a bit of tour [lay out soon to be added]. The ones he told were where she could hide from when something goes wrong and when Aeyra just wanted to be alone.
"Basically, we will be heading to the institute and register you there before looking for tutors and trainers," Yew announced their itinerary. "Then we get you your mark." He grabbed the offered reports from another officer and read through them quickly. Good. The territory is stabilizing itself rather quickly. There was a gray text, barely visible but it was in the report.
"Man hunt underway for the officer Ceryl."
Is he not part of Nelyvia's troop? Yew raised a brow before turning to the skies and catalogued the smoke he sees. Manhunt it is then.
"Aeyra," he called out, moving to walk beside her. "How do you feel about magic?"
Her steps halted immediately. Magic. Had he sensed something powerful like that inside of her? Was it only an assumption? Magic.
“I don’t,” she swallowed, “...know if I possess magic.”
The truth. Nelyvia had told her to state the truth, to state what she hadn’t known— if she was here.
The elf still gazed at the floor underneath, ashamed that she couldn’t recall any information about herself. She felt so, so useless.
Humming in thought, he got him and Aeyra out of the house and into the greenery of the compound. To a leader's standards, the house where they lived was small, almost only good for ten fully grown men compared to the elaborate and spacial mansions of the others. The gardens, though, was different. It had more care than anything in the compound.
"This, my dear child, is the Garden of Bane," he stated, gesturing at maze-like entrance of the said area. "You will typically find me here along with most of the workers of the house. And here, we will see if you have magic or not. I just need a training dummy," he smiled, not showing his intentions to the child. He walked him through the garden so they can take a boat to the heart of the territory for Aeyra's registration.
Sitting the child in a safe place on the boat, he instructed her to not lean on the edge of the boat too much and just enjoy the ride. Grabbing his phone out, Yew texted Nelyvia. 'Alright, mother dearest, looks like your elfling here wants to marry you and take your surname. Gonna register her under yours.'
Her head angled at the impressive sight of the Garden of Bane. He had told her if she ever desired to find him, he would be here. An useful information.
Then, Yew placed her in a boat, ordered her not to lean over. He said they were going to register her, before his fingers waltzed over his cellphone.
“When are Nelyvia and Glumisun coming back? Can we visit them?”
After the registration, of course. She enjoyed his presence and the time he had spent with her, but she had so many questions— shameless little questions she only wanted one of her sissies to hear.
“How does a registration works?”
Her chin lifted as she was too small to even face him. With wide eyes, Aeyra awaited his response.
The male hummed. "Well, they are going to ask you questions, dear. Do not worry, they would not ask you anything hard," he stated, watching a certain bluish smoke. "Just answer them honestly and we will be free to go and visit Nelyvia and Glumisun but are you okay going back to where you were locked up?" He has never been a person to think of other people aside from those two. Unlike other people who were conflicted with their duties to the city and their loyalty to friends, Yew never had that problem. This will be the first time he was considering someone else's feelings instead of just going about like his usual self.
They hopped off the boat and walked towards the entrance of the institute. Luckily, the contingency plan was lifted and everything was back to its proper place. Those injured were sent to the local hospitals while the development crew were working on cleaning the destroyed statue. Yew bowed to a few people they met, moving to shield Aeyra from the curios eyes of a few. Once they were in the registration section, questions were already being fired at Yew.
"The fuck are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be by the leader's side assisting her? Or the fucking temples praying like you're supposed to?"
Yew was quick to cover Aeyra's pointy ears as he stared at the person behind the desk. "If you are finished with your demands, I would like to register this foundling."
"The fuck is that?"
"Are you even listening," Yew stated, brows raised and eyes wide in challenge. "A foundling. If you are going to be an incompetent ass right now, I suggest you resign from your position so I could replace you with a less douchy person."
That made the person behind the desk sit straight and hand over a form. Yew was quick to write the vital information before asking the child of her real age. Completing that, Aeyra was given a necklace with the Serpent's Kiss' insignia etched on it. The person explained to Aeyra that no matter what, until she was ready for the mark, she was to always wear the necklace. Yew turned to the results of what kind of magic the child could do and whistled in surprise. After that, Yew suggested that they will be looking for a certain person.
"Have you ever played Hide and Seek before? Because that is what we will be playing. We are going to be seeking a certain person. He is going to be there to see what your magic could do," Yew chirped, actual excitement glimmering in his eyes.
"Well, they are going to ask you questions, dear. Do not worry, they would not ask you anything hard.Just answer them honestly and we will be free to go and visit Nelyvia and Glumisun but are you okay going back to where you were locked up?"
Locked up. Indeed, she was. Locked up, isolated, and misunderstood. Yet... "I will be fine," smiled the Elfling. "Because I will never be locked up again, never again." She was certainly assured that either Glumisun, Yew, or Nelyvia would blow the whole place up if anyone jailed her ever again. And as long as those... A shiver ran down her spine. Alone the imagination of them feared her, ice her bones, and awake something that always tried to come out. She never knew what clawed at her veins, tried to break free... And she was scared of it, hoped it would sway away.
Playfully Aeyra hummed, "And do not worry Uncle, I am an elf of the truths!" She was, especially if it meant to reunite with her new family.
Then they arrived. Like a game, she stood closer to Yew and pretended to be his shadow. Which was fun, as long as she ignored the stares and endless pairs of eyes. She supposed they reached the other destination- the registration place- as the man before her halted. "The fuck are you doing he-" He was swift and rapid to cover her ears. Gee, he has some cold hands!
But, despite the standing hairs, it was calming as her body adjusted his temperature. Her eyes peered to whatever stranger, saw him furious and in the next second he just... straightened his back, shut the mouth of his and handed over a sheet of paper. Cold hands were lifted from the pointy ears of hers. He had asked for her exact age.
"900," Aeyra responded.
And then... A necklace was handed over. With tiny stars flaring in her eyes. The mark- Serpent's Kiss emblem engraved in it. Gods- GODS! She was a part of the Clan! Glumisun's Clan! She had a home! A clan! She was a part of something bigger! Tears edged her eyes for mere seconds, but she was fast to swipe them away as the Person who had handed her the necklace, began to talk. "Whatever happens, wear this jewelry. That way people will know that you belong to us." Belong. Belonging somewhere suddenly sounded like paradise.
The little Elf was quick to nod and once again peered over the pass- her sign that she had belonged somewhere.
Then, the priest whistled at whatever he had read there before he turned to her and asked about Hide and Seek. O, how well she knew that game, watching other kids hiding and laughing when they were found. "He is going to be there to see what your magic could do," he chirped, the excitement was not to be overheard. That had meant Aeyra possessed magic. Real magic.
"Go! Go! Go! Hurry up!" A cheerful laugh, probably even full of hope escorted itself. The child hopped around and rushed the much older Demon to move.
And for the first time that day, Yew laughed. He was going to savor the agony that was yet to come. Grabbing his phone again, he texted someone of the Plutrons, stating that he will be the one to take on the manhunt. Though it was not his unit to begin with, he still held a seat of power. He also contacted Nelyvia to give her the details of his plans in case that girl flips and come straight for his neck instead of the 'traitor' she was angry at.
'Mother, I will be the one going after one of your rogue Plutrons. Tell them to seize whatever progress they were doing. No promises of his body being discovered. I am low in supplies in parts.'
"That's the spirit," he cheered. "The game has already begun and the one hiding took a head start." No use actually. Especially with Yew having already met the officer. They were just going to follow the smoke and the fun would start there. What he failed to tell Nelyvia was that Aeyra would be with him the entire time.
And like he said earlier, he was going to use Ceryl to see what the elf could do. From the analysis, she was a mini-Avaddon; able to manipulate the plants around her. He would have to probably be separated from her for Ceryl to attack. The poor sod would be too afraid to take on Yew. As per injuries later, he was going to get both of the to the healing pools in case Aeyra would not activate her healing abilities - if she ever had one.
Jumping on the boat once again, he started giving the instructions of where they were going to find the rogue officer in the territory.
"Meh! A scared cat," complained Aeyra, "Who is that much of an asshole to be that unfair?"
He had only warned her ever so far, not to cuss in the presence of the Leader. Yet... Nelyvia would have scolded her, telling her that this is a word added on the black-list- the tabu-list.
She scoffed while trailing after him. "Does the coward has a name?"
And then, she could find herself back on the boat.
Cyril
"I am certain Pellere gave us our orders," snarled one of the Plutrons. Loyal bastards. As if they were bound to a bitchling of Demon. His injuries had told him what tyrant this devil was. Like written in the stories, she was. A Tiefling from the horror-novels. That was what she was. "Those orders are bullshit," the man said. So long, so long ago he was done with this youngster and her nearly perfect orders. And the day she put Lydia in this district, let her lead and yet alone cost her the precious life... He knew things were going a different way now.
The third-in-command of the bitch's squad laughed at him- him-, "You are stripped of your title, covered in scars of shame." The female behind him jerked with her chin. "Now get out."
As he was eager to yell at them, he heard faint whistles of Yew and the bitch's protégé docking after the registration. Shit, this Tiefling truly had the audacity to keep a stranger's child. Perhaps he could fish her out alone and play with her a bit and his breaking tools. It would be enough to crawl under Nelyvia's skin, after all. Yet... not with the priest around. Alone. Him and the pointy-ear thing.
The Plutrons got out, probably to greet Yew for a short moment and then call Nelyvia Pellere. And Cyril just leaned back on the wall. The try to mislead the troop failed miserably. This, too, would tear the bitch apart. Her own trusted soldiers, dead because of her absence- just like Lydia.
'Airhead, be aware that you are dead meat swimming in the rivers of Serpent's Kiss if Aeyra is in trouble because of you. She got the necklace. Or else I would start praying if I were you.'
The young man smirked. 'Off course the necklace, MOTHER. I am not that sadistic enough to kill the little bitch. Don't worry so much.' Tucking in his phone, he hopped off the boat and gestured for both the boatman and Aeyra to wait. Approaching one of the Plutrons. The summoner was surprised that Cyril was still alive and... well, well.
Yew raised a brow at this. "Oh? Has the unit grew soft over the destruction of the statue?" he mocked. "Excuse me for a bit, miss," he smiled. He craned his head and started calling out to the rogue. "Five minutes to try and hide, child. I am quite merciful right now." He rubbed his chin, thinking. "Or do you not value your life? you could just come out and surrender to me now. I will take good care of you." He grinned, not really caring of the double meaning of his words. Nobody would even know. He was always viewed upon as vicious and serious anyways.
He motioned for the unit to stop whatever they were doing and not help if the Cyril man would come bursting out and trying to cause damage. He wanted the asshole to do that for him to actually step in. It would be a good defense if ever he would be sued for murder.
A single hand grasped onto his gun, in the other a single knife. The Priest— the vicious, vicious officer— was there, right there. He wondered if the bitch herself had sent him
But he saw a chance. Even if it was only a fading light in the darkness. “I will surrender,” he called to him. With every muscle he avoided to smirk as he began with his young plan.
With his words, Cyril hauled outside and jagged his knife into the shoulder of someone random. Shoutings emerged, and the remained Plutrons sheared their own weapons. Pathetic.
“Don’t move or I will shoot!”
Cyril lifted his chin and nodded towards Yew Evergreen. “Has the bitch herself sent you? I heard you are here with her new offspring,” he mused, not trying to hide his sheer hatred. “Aeyra was the valuable elf’s name, wasn’t it?”
While he talked, his steps slipped and slipped to the exit. Buy himself time, speak and buy himself time…
The smile turned into a grin once the young demon took it upon himself to actually hurt one of the people around. He was now dubbed a danger to society. Yew was excited. From what the rogue did, he was already as good as dead. Covering his serrated teeth with his long sleeves his eyes glowed teal.
“Has the bitch herself sent you? I heard you are here with her new offspring. “Aeyra was the valuable elf’s name, wasn’t it?”
He watched as he went for the exit, still holding unto his living meat-shield. "Oh, dear," he hummed. "Are you really going to call Serpent's Kiss' Second-in-command that term in a public place?" he started, not bothering with the question. He calmly walked through the stunned people towards the rogue. "You need to calm down, dearie, else you get yourself killed."
With a flick of his wrist, a paper talisman appeared between his forefinger and middle finger. "Little Aeyra is in my boat if you are asking," he stated, gesturing almost to go and take the kid. "Now, I do not get how you became one of the Plutrons. You look weak, pathetically thin... Did you even underwent the grueling training?" he asked. "I really do mean it. You think you are the greatest and yet could not even think straight. Just because your comrade died and you were punished, you think taking on one of the most powerful demoness here could right that?"
He saw his chance. Now. Now or never. "Fool," he hissed before he stormed off to where he guessed the elf was. He was not pathetic, he was one of the Plutrons, once. Though he guessed he was ranked that high because Lydia had begged the bitch to take him in. But that wasn't the only reason, was it?
His eyes narrowed at the little child, sitting there on a boat and staring at him. Her lips mouthed the silent word. She knew who he was, and knew what he had done, endured, and survived. It almost made him grin. Nelyvia had warned the kid. But what could an elf like that do against him? Nothing, absolutely nothing.
He then shifted to another sprint, another jump, and Cyril was right behind the girl. "Die," he whistled and angled his gun at her. Die and let your death destroy the bitch. Let her feel what it is like to lose those she loved. It had been the Demoness fault, not his.
But right before he was able to pull the trigger, a tiny knife was rammed in his hand. With a shock he stumbled back, almost fell over his own foot. Aeyra's breath was heavy, almost clouded. But that wasn't the scariest thing... Gleaming eyes- gleaming eyes of the awakened magic.
AEYRA
Wow, had she known Yew would take so much time, she would have brought a game with her and played it with the boatsman. Completely bored she taunted back and forth, forth and back. The sailor had watched her in amusement, yet a tiny hint of awe. What were they expecting her to be? A monster? She hadn't even felt her magic- at the thought, something inside of her roared. As if it was saying- responding- to her.
O, what kind of magic had she possessed? What would have happened if she had gone to school and there they had awakened her magic? Then, she wouldn't be that useless to the Clan.
Shoutings suddenly emerged from where Yew had disappeared. Her hair on the neck rose, as her emeralds focused on the direction. What was happening? Was her Uncle fine? "Hey kid, you better go now," mumbled the man as he escaped from the boat. Her brows furrowed.
Aeyra gazed back to where the Priest had gone to, just to see him standing there.
Her heart throbbed. Cyril- he fit to whatever description Nelyvia had given to her as she passed her a tiny dagger. "Nevar" was it called, crafted by the Demoness a lifetime ago. And then she had told her all the stories, all the betrayals and about the Plutrons. He- he betrayed her, he wanted revenge.
The glint in his eyes sent chills. She was going to be involved in his revenge, Aeyra noticed. But- but- what was she supposed to do? She never learnt how to fight-
Useless.
The man started sprinting towards her- movements she barely could take notes of. Dying. Revenge. Help- she needed help!
Useless.
He pushed himself to the air, landed behind her in a matter of nanoseconds.
Useless.
Damned body! She couldn't move- she was- was doomed. Aeyra had never learned how to read a book. She wasn't able to say good-bye to Nelyvia, Glumisun, and Yew. She was never going to smile again- she was-
'Attack!'
The red-skinned Demoness flashed in her mind. Her office, the darkness, the flickering light, and the- Nevar. A try. One shot. She was Aeyra Pellere, and a Pellere doesn't die without fighting.
Something inside her clawed at her veins, begged her to release it.
'Do not hold it back.'
Back then she hadn't known- wasn't sure what Nelyvia had meant that night. But now... it was regarded to the feeling inside of her. Could it be... that this was magic? Her magic?
"Die."
NO!
She wasn't sure if she had roared her lungs out, as heat and Adrenalin ran her body, darted her body up. She couldn't remember ramming Nevar into the hand of Cyril, nor couldn't she remember how she gaped the gates in her body to release- it was like a blanket had fallen. Her nose, her head, and hands- no, her whole torso trembled and thundered like a raging storm. With balled fists and tiny roses with Thorns climbing up to the air, she tried to regular her breath. A wide eyes Cyril now stood feet away from her.
'Do not hold it back.'
She could do it- the thing inside her roared for a second time, raging and bloodthirsty. Aeyra couldn't- couldn't attack this man- that was-
'Do not hold it back.'
Fine. Fine! Carefully she tried to reach this boisterous wrath. As if a ghost-hand brushed against her magic, the roses darted forward. I do not wish for him to die, she told herself over and over again, ignored for once the words Nelyvia had told her.
And then, a bit out of control, the roses climbed onto Cyril, who know screamed underneath the tiny stings of the thorns in his silk and flesh. Instead of the legs, she covered him up until his neck. The man fell onto his backquartes.
The roses hadn't frozen, hadn't reconvened her orders as they unfolded over the boat, over the edges. Anxiety ran through her. No, no, no. She didn't- they could harm others!
"Stop," Aeyra fanned through her gritted ivories. And they did. With the boat covered and the rouge lying under the wrath of plants and thorns, she felt her drained vitality. The adrenalin, which probably had abled her to keep her steady demeanor, dissolved. Like a sack of potatoes, the Elf dropped to her knees. Even if her hinges had landed in those thorns, they had not done such things as hurting. As if her body had regenerated itself.
And like expected, the young demon took forth and sprinted towards the boat. Yew just laughed and followed the rogue, not bothering to tackle him or stop him from attempting to get to the elfling. He had to stay a was back to make sure Aeyra not notice that this was his plan all along. "Aeyra," he called out as if alarmed just to warn the little one.
He was pleasantly surprised to see the elf use a small dagger to stop the rogue. The laughter that escaped his lips was that bordering to manic than anything else. Watching the suffering of someone from the hands of another is quite refreshing. His teal eyes glowed as those pearly-white teeth turned serrated.
Yew jumped, landing lightly behind the girl and scooped her into his arms. With the grin still on his face, he summoned one of his creatures. Wing unfurled from behind him before a blood-curdling scream came forth. Darting to the skies, Yew's creation then swooped down and grabbed Cyril. The rogue screamed for mercy and his life as the Manananggal flew him off to only Yew knows where. The laughter from the summoner would be the last thing the poor demon was going to hear once he get to him later on the day. He always wanted to try the execution known as Blood Eagle by the humans and was known to be one of the most painful way to... die?
Looking at the tiny thing in his arms, he could not help but lick both his teeth and his lower lip. He was truly impressed. Magic have always been its strongest when the holder was in danger. Plant manipulation. Powerful indeed. If trained right, this girl could take on the world. The first people who popped into his mind were Dyle for fighting back, Nelyvia for combat, Glumisun for magic control, Avaddon... ugh... the asshole for manipulation and then himself for the knowledge. He was going to shape this little rascal into a killing weapon.
"Oh spirits, Aeyra," he sighed suddenly as if relieved when the elf opened her eyes. "I was so scared. I did not think he would have the guts to go and attack you," he stated softly, resting his head on her stomach to hide the triumphant smile on his lips. "Are you hurt?" he asked, still muffled by the elf's clothing and flesh. "You were so great. Thank the spirits you have that dagger. Then those roses."
She had clasped her eyes the moments Cyrils desirous ululations filled the area, just to get elevated in known arms. Aeyra wasn't going to look at the creations she made- at the blood she must have shed, or at the damage. The thought of charging, or reaching for her magic again, hadn't mingled her mind. Yet it fascinated her... She could- plant manipulation or something like that. But before she would ever again try such exercise, she had to ask the others how to control it.
Maybe- maybe a tiny look was not hurting.
"Oh spirits, Aeyra. I was so scared. I did not think he would have the guts to go and attack you," said the Uncle as her lids slightly parted. True, she might have heard his faint voice calling for her in matters of the onslaught. The whole vessel- it was concealed in her plants. Though a few roses weren't fully matured, most of them looked as if they had been stagnant. Thorns were sharp, yet not sharp enough. She had to produce more with it, exercise with it. She knew it would take her up to years.
"Are you hurt?"
Was she? Had Cyril shot? Her legs-
Bending over her own stomach in his arms, her sight flicked to her kneecaps. Not a single scratch- but the signs of blood, her blood. Aeyra angled her head. "I-i don't think so," she mumbled. Her heart still thundered, her breath was variable at a few points. This was madness. Magic was madness. So, so brilliant madness.
"You were so great. Thank the spirits you have that dagger. Then those roses."
Was she, though? Her roses were cripples and the dagger- Nevar- Nevar!
"Where is the dagger?" The question had left her mouth to rapid, the agony- her awe- pressuring her. Nelyvia had made it- crafted it in the forge of her old master. Aeyra was not going to lose it. No. It had saved her life, the Tiefling had suspected something like that and gave her a chance to survive. She had expected and challenged Cyril- had known this would happen. For so short terms, the Elf felt a tiny flame inside her boiling. Yet again, without the incident, she would have never discovered her magic. Had they- Yew and Nelyvia- perhaps planned this? Was it just... that both of them played in each and other cards- by accident?
"I want to sissies!"
With round eyes, she peered up to the male. The ashed face of Aeyra was complimented by her wholesome smile. To tell them what she did, to state this mess and actually be proud of it... it suddenly sounded as if this idea invited her to step into actions. With the brand-new discovering, with the awareness of what she could do.
She was never going to be useless again. Not to her own Clan. Not to her new family.
And that was a brilliant idea. Giving the elf back to her mother and he was free to finally have his daily duties. He could have his hands free from then on.
"Sure," he chirped. "But first, we have to make you presentable." He got down to take the bloody dagger and handed it gently to the child; handle first. He also needs to see a healer competent enough to hide whatever injury the girl attained. If Glumisun or Nelyvia noticed it, he was going to taste the full blunt of a cursed weapon. "Ah, and don't ever tell your sissies that we went and played hide and seek okay? That will be our little secret."
With them being in the middle of the territory, it was easy to lool for a healer and and change of clothes. A bit of wet wipes on her face and she was as presentable as a porcelain doll with pointy ears. "She is so cute," one of the shopkeep who sold Yew a dress sighed. "I do not know who you slept with but her mother is beautiful."
"I did not make that brat," Yew answered. "I am a damn babysitter right now and I have to return her to the mother she never knew."
With that finished and everything was cleared, they headed to the Sky Reach Sanctum and have to wait for the meeting to finish. @Abroxis
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