For our City

[Rien Novalys]

Frost, 10th. 119

"Foolish. Fucking bastards. Damn creeps from hell." He shouted as his fist met the wall again and again. Blood dripping from his arm. He was pulled away from the wall by a few people. People concerned by the wound on his arm and some that knew him. Either by him being the owner of the tavern or just be being who we has. He knew he couldn't save them all. But damn if he wasn't willing to try. Every urge in his body called for him to rearm and rush back out. To fight whatever damn shadow plagued their city now.

He winced as a makeshift bandage was wrapped over his wounds. Pulled tight over the deep gashes from the beast with a club arm. He thanked them before moving towards the center of tavern. Near the fire pit as his name was called out. "I am here Bellmari. Near the fire." He pushed the logs and ash around with the metal prod that rest at the edge. Watching the metal warm. He sat the prod down while he loosened the bandages. The blood began to fall again. He stared at for a moment.

Willing himself to bring the hot metal to his flesh. A story that he had been told time and time again by some of the Sky Guard... The Sky Guard, he wondered how many of them had fallen in the battle. How many had been struck down by the Shadow much less the beasts that flew in the air. He brought the metal to his flesh. The sizzling sound of flesh burning as he forced the wound closed. Pain coursing through his body as he winced. A groan slipping through as the pain made him light headed.

Bracing himself as he redid the bandages. By this time Bell should have been able to find him. He would look at her and offer her a smile. A smile that tried to hide the anger and pain that resided within him. He gave her a nod before stepping up onto the edge of the fire. "Alright, listen up. Make yourself comfortable, I don't know how long we will have to wait. But it is not safe to go outside right now. There If anyone is injured do what you can. If you know how to cook then take to the kitchen. Make something for everyone. Take the children to the middle and anyone who is able to fight stay on the outer edge. I trust in these walls but it is better to be ready"

He hopped down and turned his attention to Bellmari again. "It's good to see that you are safe."

[Kotoru]

☵ 10th of Frost, Year 119, Age of Steel ☵

"Common" ☵ "Synskrit Speech" ☵ Thoughts

---

☵ His mind was racing as he came to grips with the reality of this day, that many fellow Kalzasians will perish. He found some solace however that he was able to save some of them if only for a moment. But hearing the cries of the many outside of the building, the sound of death behind the walls he had sought refuge in, Koto could only feel ashamed.

Looking around the building he came to realize it was a tavern or pub of some sort, one he hadn't been to at all. He could see the many faces, plagued with fear and doubt as the shadows cascaded over the windows. Among the many here, one individual was making sure the people remained calm. Upon closer inspection, he found it to be the shielder from earlier.

He was relieved the Avialae survived, he was capable and it would be a damn shame to lose talent to these scourges. Slamming a fist into the ground, Koto could help but feel weak as he was unable to do anything but hide. Then it hit him, he had no idea how the rest of his family were fairing or if they had gotten caught up in the shadows.

It was a lot to think about but he had more pressing matters to attend to. Hearing the shield-bearer ask those who could fight to stand guard around those seeking refuge, Koto took the task immediately. Turning to the retainers that made it inside with him he quickly put them to task as well.

"I want teams of three or four at every entrance to this place. Those of you that can and are willing to fight, form up with one of my retainers. If something happens to get inside, kill it, but don't take any unnecessary risks." the young noble commanded, watching as the people sprung into action to keep the place secure. "I also wanna see barricades on every opening, we don't wanna make it easy for whatever remaining creatures lurking out there to get in here."

Moving over to where the shieldbearer was he sat in a chair next to him. Sighing he wipes the sweat that had been cascading from his face, no doubt from the fear he had felt not too long ago. ☵

[Reima]

Bell's ears perked when she heard Rein's voice, swiveling in his direction with her head following shortly after. The thud of her heart in her chest was nearly matched by the rushing of blood in her ears as she made swiftly toward the heat of the fire. The Rathari felt an unease, something quite different from the abject fear that one might expect. It set her hair to standing on end, and when finally she made it out from between the press of bodies and into the light of the fire her tail was making quick, jerky motions as if to express the distress inside her heart.

"Rein." Bellmari spoke breathlessly, starting slightly at the sudden sound of sizzling flesh and the man's groan of pain. Her tail swept forward, finding Rein's foot as she made to step closer. The sensation of something wet met her toes, and looking down she noticed the small pool of red liquid that had accumulated there. Looking up in alarm Bell breathed, "You're hurt?" She came closer still, hand moving to touch the newly fixed bandage on his arm, but his smile made her pause.

Stepping back Bell wrapped her arms around her body, her tail curling closely around her waist with the tip twitching in barely restrained agitation. She waited to the side as Rein gave out his instructions, shifting restlessly from one foot to the other. When Rein finally stepped back down and returned his attention to her she would quickly close the distance between them. One hand moved to the man's arm, the other pressing gently on the wound as she looked at it in concern. Unconsciously her tailed wrapped them both, and unintentionally familiar gesture. The roughness of the cloth beneath her fingers acted almost like an anchor to the present, and the slight dampness there as well shook free the webs of confusion in her mind just enough for her to choke out, "Rein, something is wrong."

As the words left her lips the certainty of them solidified themselves in her mind. Looking up Bell sought Rein's eyes, the fingers of her hand tightening slightly on his arm as she stared intently upward, "I... I don't think we can stay here." The words came out barely above a whisper, and her ears laid flat against her skull. Her skin shifted to subtle shades of green and yellow beneath the black that was normal for her, "That... that thing it--" the words would not form in her mind, and after a moment of silence the Rathari shook her head and looked back at Rein, "I don't think these walls can stop it if it decides to come after us."

Her skin changed to an ashen grey suddenly, and a slight quiver entered her words, "I... We have to run away."

[Rien Novalys]

Frost, 10th. 119

You're hurt. The stinging sensation in his arm hadn't past. It had been but a few moments since the mistake cost him some damage. Though he had his life still and he was grateful for that. Tossing a glance back towards the door as his thoughts drifted towards the people that had not made it in. The countless lives that had been cut down in a split second. His stomach churned at the thought of failure. Not being prepared for the situation. It wasn't something he was to fond of admitting. But then again, how could they been prepared for it? The Warrens were ever changing with the monstrosities that brewed within it. "It's nothing but a flesh wound. It'll heal in but a few days. There are more important things to worry about."

He listened to her pleas. An effort to understand if it was more then just common worries that plagued her. In a sense he knew that she was right. There was no telling if the walls would hold. There was not telling if the walls would need to hold. A beast of shadows could filter through the wall. No building was perfect. They could be lambs waiting for the slaughter. Waiting for the butcher to step through the door and cut them all down as they stood. "I understand what you are saying Bell. But where would we go? This is the safest place for the moment. I know it is rough but I will keep you safe. Just trust me."

Turning to face Kotoru as he approached. "Glad to see you made it out. My name is Rien Novalys and this is Bellmari. I'm afraid I didn't catch yours during the chaos. I appreciate your help out there and your help to get everyone in." He ran a hand along his jawline while he looked out at the crowd. "I fear it's going to be a long night if we can not come up with a solution. Though how do you fight shadow? Hopefully it will retreat as the sun rises. Either way. I must tend to the people. It will be best to find out our capable fighters in case the worse happens."

Stepping back he motioned for them both to follow if they wished. As he began to make his way through the crowd. Going from person to person. Checking on those who needed it and just having a moment of conversation with others. His employees would be quick to work. Within a moments notice bringing out what food and drink could be spared. Anything to help calm those who were in an obvious panic.

[/quote]

[Paragon]

“Help me! Help me! Oh gods! Oh---” Pounding on the door to the inn carried over the murmuring of the people huddled in the common room of High Hopes. The pounding became more incessant before a man’s scream, followed by gurgling and the sound of bones snapping and flesh being shredded echoed outside. His screams died off rather quickly and all was silent as people scurried away from the barricaded door as fast as they could. Some huddled in groups, staring with wide, terrified eyes at the barricade as though it were about to rise from its place and begin attacking. Those men and women who were armed, gripped their weapons tightly. The tension in the room was palpable.

Then came the scratching at the door. It started small, like the raking of rats claws upon the grain of the wood. Slowly but then more rapid and manic. It began spreading, the sound crawling its way along the walls until it sounded as though a thousand tiny claws were raking against the wood. Just when it seemed like the sound was about to peak...it stopped.

Silence fell and in many ears, the only noise was the whoosh of blood in one’s ears. Cold sweat beaded on many brows and in the room the darkness on the edges of people’s vision began to grow. Candles seemed to not shine as brightly. The fire in the hearth seemed to dim and cold crept into the room. This was followed by the patter of little footsteps and a child’s laughter.



The darkness continued to spread, pushing more against the dim light being emit by the candles and fire in the room. People began backing away from the edges of the darkness, scrambling to get closer to the fire as it was the brightest source of light in the room. The giggling of the child echoed off the walls, the skipping of feet across a cold stone floor sent shivers up spines.

“Do you want to play?”

[Kotoru]

☵ Frost 10th, Year 119, Age of Steel ☵

"Common" ☵ "Synskrit Speech" ☵ Thoughts

☵ He could only cringe hearing the please for help outside the door. It was a harsh reality he had to face before this night was over, the reality that in these situations everyone cant be saved. It broke his heart and made him question his loyalty to the people of Kalzasi.

Were their lives not worth saving, was his more important? As he questioned himself, he heard what sounded like rodents scurrying across the wooden floors. He tried to eye one each time he heard the sound but none seemed to be around. That was odd, to say the least, but as he listened, he could hear that they were becoming more persistent.

What started as simple scurrying scratching, resounded soon grew to what could only be attributed to thousands of mice running across the floor. Getting to his feet, he looked around, sword drawn and ready as he looked to see what was going on. "This is just a trick of the enemy, don't let it get in your heads. Stay calm," he instructed, though it was more so for himself than the others.

The shadows began to close in along the walls, slowly devouring the light from the flame sources in the tavern. Was this it, was this how he died, cowering within a tavern with many he had not met till today? His nerves were getting worse as he watched the shadows creep ever so close to those around him.

Ordering his subordinates, they ushered the civilians to a safer distance than where they were initially, trying to keep his wits about him. Then came the voice, a chill shooting up his spine as it was of a child, a little girl. Its question was disturbing as well. Play? What are we, toys? But in the eyes of a greater creature than a mere mortal, he could see why it would look at them as playthings. ☵

[Taelian]

Kotoru

Lores
Blades{Tachi}: Aiming for the internal organs
Blades{Tachi}: Survival is the primary objective of a fight
Blades{Tachi}: The best way to keep your opponent from hitting you is to hit them first
Leadership: Giving commands to subordinates
Leadership: Rallying those who can fight into action
Leadership: Confidence over arrogance
Tactics: Retreating to live another day
Psychology: Fear can be crippling

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A

Points 8

Comments: From what I can see, only Kotoru requested rewards so far; please reach out to me with your lore requests if you wish for me to add your rewards.