#[ thread ]: the brightest shade of sun (combat)

[fluxrspar]

In just a night, the four lost bodies are once again found—Holst and Reyson by Selena’s own party, Nergal and Harken by their rest. Four—so are they numbered, when none of them should’ve been. (Had seven been all who were lost; had the killings stopped then and no later…)

It takes not a moment longer for Selena’s senses to dull—an unnatural draw into the recesses of her consciousness. (She had to remain sharp in a moment like this, and yet: she finds she is unable.) All that remains is her hearing and the echoing question:

Will you stay in Rusalka and defend it or will you try and make your escape back to reality?

The first thing that captures her: defend. (It proposed that the village was at risk; its inhabitants and their lives unsecured—including His Majesty’s.) The second thing she notes: escape back to reality.

If she could’ve sighed then, she perhaps would’ve, for whatever voice this was soothed her mind in its phrasing: Rusalka was, for all intents and purposes, not real. If such was the case, then the consequences were not so dire as she had thought—those were not their still living, and those were not their still dead.

(He was not amongst them—not truly, at least.)

And as so, the answer resolves itself: for if the choice was between an idyllic fantasy and harsh, cold reality, Selena would choose life every time. If not for any other reason, then because her work was not complete—employment aside, there was still Prince Lyon, cast into the shadows; Sir Duessel, a bond still in the process of healing. The alternative was to leave it all behind: to take the coward’s way out.

Her vision refocuses, and she recognizes suddenly the presence of various villagers, the last of the Newcomers amongst their ranks as well. Though not immediately hostile, they were armed—they were prepared for battle (perhaps against the Outsiders; perhaps against them). Selena sees the villagers; she hears their question:

Are you leaving?

“Yes.” (It is the only way to make these sacrifices worth it, after all.) In turn, the villagers brandish their weapons, a combat already brewing—so too does the ex-captain; the past emperor of Grado. Selena palms red beads in her hand.

It is not Thunder. (Lightning stung; this—though it would bring pain, it would only be temporary; it would be unlike the relics of the sky’s rage.)

“Your Majesty,” and her eyes turn to Vigarde’s directly, gaze focused and sharp: “I’m going to have to ask you to stand down.” (A battle was inevitable now, what with the building tension—but he did not have to be here for it.)

There is a glint of recognition—both a look that she knows and a look that is knowing—in his eyes when Selena speaks to him. The Silent Emperor was a man who said much with very little; naturally, the Fluorspar emulated him.

(She made her choice, and she would go forth with it—to the end.)

Selena attacks Vigarde with RED BEADS: Roll: 7 - 4 = 3—MISS. Vigarde: 10/10HP

But determination was one thing—she could choose a path, but that did not mean to go through with it would be easy; or possible. (Ability was another.) The bead shatters on the ground.

Vigarde counters with SPEAR: Roll: 2 - 4 = -2—MISS. Selena: 10/10HP

She ducks past the spear that flies in her direction, except—when she looks at its path, the course of its trajectory before it is drawn back, she sees it: had she just stood there, it would have missed her still. Mage pretends she does not realize what that means.

“I–”

A sharp spike runs through her heart—not a physical pain, she knows; not a magical one either, she can surmise. It is a turmoil of emotions predominated by an intense and nigh inexplicable guilt.

ET TU? activates! Selena: 2 Ruin

(It is the same emotion she felt during the assassination attempt—twice now, by her hand and her liege.) It grows—monstrous feeling, swirling and spreading as though trying to separate her from her being.

Perhaps this was how he lost himself—would he again? (She forces herself to relax.)

“We can still have peace,” is all he says.

@ashenprofessor

the brightest shade of sun

team theta week 2 combat

[fluxrspar]

The skirmish picks up, both sides embroiling themselves in battle; swords and axes, bows and magic—all dedicate themselves to harm, injury, death. The villagers fall, innocent—though they wielded weapons, this was not their calling: not truly. They fought to protect their home; they fought for peace.

(Funny, how wars were waged by the same name.)

But where Selena waits, senses, feels—the battle rages on; her liege attacks her fellow professor, and the snapping of chains as it flies and then is drawn back returns her to her senses.

Steady, like stone—she breathes until her focus is sharpened like a whetstone; as the spear returns to him, Selena darts forward, another bead in hand:

“Please, withdraw.”

Selena attacks Vigarde with RED BEADS: Roll: 18 - 2 = 16—HIT. Vigarde: 7.5/10HP

And it crashes against his armor, an explosion of light and mist hued red like an angry sky—the clouds dissipate, wisping away like the thought of more idyllic days, and when it clears:

BELOVED activates! Vigarde retreats from the battlefield.

He is gone. (As he should be; as he was.)

It is then that Selena realizes the state of the battlefield—the other Newcomer has already withdrawn, leaving just the remaining villagers (5 of them, she counts, as one has already fallen to the ground, motionless). Her allies were handling themselves well, though she does not recall Andrei getting so injured—another pang in her chest, exacerbating that already uneasy feeling.

ET TU? activates! Selena: 3 Ruin

You’ll be fine—just hold yourself together. (Like shards of stone, threatening to scatter—she could melt them back into place if she so needed.)

the brightest shade of sun

team theta week 2 combat