Ryhs The Burned (Rise)
He stumbled his way out of the mists into the clearing before the causeway. The slick stone threatening to drop him off the edges into the swirling clouds below. Neaves whispering grew louder, paying it no attention. "Stop, fool! Turn back we would spare you this fate."
The Human in the heavy sweat drenched leather spun to see Pyria holding a spear above his head a few dozen feet skyward, Erlin, his bow quivering from the strength to keep it drawn for so long, stood just outside the fog letting himself be seen. Neaves wings glowed an irie blood red in the murk, putting a show on for the man, her eyes bright points of light.
"You people killed my father, I want my vengeance!" He bellowed back at her, knuckles white on the Greatsword in his hands. Small pistol still holstered on his hip, seemingly forgotten.
"Your Father was a thief and a trespasser, never allowed he was to set foot in the village."
"Shut it, Bitch." He turned finally, noticing me. His face went pale, they all did. Few ever made it to the gatehouse of the Village, fewer still lived to tell the tale.
"Do you believe in the gods, Child?" I asked, as I rose from my prayer. The ash from my torn wing sloughing off my shoulders from the movement.
"What does that matter?" He questioned, brow furrowing as he raised into a high guard. A pointless gesture, he wouldn't be able to keep his footing for long.
"My duty is not to judge the dead. Though I will send you to meet those that will." I said quietly, my own Greatsword feeling like an extension of myself. Effortlessly swinging it as I lunged forward, the fire in my bones propelled me faster than the human should have been able to react.
He skillfully deflected my first strike with the flat of his blade. Though my wings were torn, the heat from them still made his skin blister. "I am sorry, I cannot control it like my siblings." I spoke devoid of emotion as my elbow caught him in the ribs. My second swing he parried but threw himself off balance.
His eyes went wide, the light of my wings reflected in them. The light of the damned as Erlin liked to call it. My third swing he tried to deflect, though he blocked poorly, sending his blade careening off the side of the causeway. "Will you not leave? Will you still maintain this mortal trial?"
"Not until I have found who killed my Father." He grunted, trying to reach for his pistol.
Not fast enough, the arcing electricity weaving its way down my blade, an after image of the motion. His hand fell to the ground, bloodless. Cauterized the moment of contact, just as Mother taught. He was a threat, he needed to be dealt with, I wouldn't allow this human to return to his world with a horror story of our people. My fifth strike took his head, lifeless, his being fell from the bridge. Into the clouds below.
Neaves' voice echoed out from the murk again, "We would have spared him this fate."
"I dislike my duty as much as you. Neaves."Personality Characteristics
Motivation
"So why don't you come with me? Why?" Neaves rested her head on his chest, jumping slightly as Ryhs wrapped an arm around her. "I haven't seen you smile in ages. I know you're just as unhappy as I am here."
He was silent for a long time, merely enjoying the moment of feeling wanted. His voice was as devoid of emotion as the others, years of training etching it's way into enything the Embers did. "I waited for you at the mouth of the Valley, didn't I? But, I can't. Neaves, we grew up together, but I will not abandon Mother Aafjie."
"Then why even bother? Why wait for me, break the Order form the the Father to speak to me. I am an outcast now. I can't return after today." She pouted though mixed with genuine anger.
"You are no outcast, you wanted to leave. Mother made that happen, I can't blame you. I do want to join you, I want to feel like you do. But, I can't." Ryhs said, something like a waiver in his voice.
"You didn't answer the question, Ryhs." She said flatly.
"Because I am going to miss you, not-sister of mine. I didn't want the others see me cry." He spoke softly, as he wrapped his other arm around Neaves. She felt his hot tears drop on her shoulder as his shoulder shook.
"Taking shape and growing skin, Layer by layer it's peeled away. Exhuasted."
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