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midnightmagicks · 4 months ago

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FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Day 19: Taken (Makeup Day)

Taken: Remove (someone or something) from a particular place.

TW: Violence, War, Blood mentions, general Sad Vibes

The day Brotiðgrein fell had started the same as any other. The sun rays split through the thick canopy and the wings of bugs shimmered as they passed through them. Birds and buzzing insects filled the spaces that quiet laughter and chatter did not. Young kits ran amongst the branches and foliage that scattered their village clearing, chasing small lizards and mammals and playing little games amongst themselves. The adults took their turns patroling or keeping a watchful eye on the rowdy kits, ensuring no one ventured too far into the treeline. It was normal. Comfortable. Until everything fell apart.

A distant boom was the first indication. All ears swiveled to listen. It was foreign and unnatural sounding. Mothers and sisters began calling the young back to them, to which the frightened kits happily obliged. The women armed themselves, their confidence in the Warders not keeping them from being prepared to protect their homes. The kits were herded into one of the huts and kept under watch by one village member while the rest scurried about to prepare. The sounds of whirring and crashing trees in the jungle grew louder, as did the voices of men speaking in a language unfamiliar to most here.

One kit, at the time a particularly brave one named Kari, tried their best to peek over and around the woman standing in the doorway. She continued to shoo them back, scolding and warning them to stay low and quiet. Despite the noises and warning, Kari was barely 5 summers old. Not old enough to fully understand the danger nearing their secluded little home. With a little stomp and a pout, they stopped and stared. “I want my mama.” “Your mama is busy, little one. She is helping your sisters keep the village safe. Now go and sit with everyone else.” That wasn’t good enough, but they were too small to get passed the fully grown Viera woman in the doorway. Kari stomped again, but marched over and sat on the ground, arms crossed and ears laid back.

This small rage didn’t last long as a sudden very loud, very close explosion reverberated through the hut. All of the young kits cried out and grabbed their ears, falling into a little pile together. The guardian at the door grabbed her head, leaning against the doorway for support. She stood straight up in mere moments, a terrified expression on her face. She held her lance in shaking hands, standing her ground in the doorway as the whirring of foreign metal monsters was coming from just outside. Shouting could be heard from kin and unknown alike, as could the clashing of steel weapons. Whistling of arrows launched towards their targets followed but exhales of pained breath and shouts of fear. The kits were frozen in place, huddled together and holding onto each other for safety.

The brave little kit named Kari was not so brave anymore. Big tears ran down their cheeks as they shook and hid their face against the others. They were the youngest here, after all. No danger in the forest had shook them quite like this.

The huddle only lasted a short while before the guardian at the door was accosted by one of the unknown men. He charged at her with a blade, swinging wildly as desperately fought to keep him out of the building. A shout from him caused one of the metal monsters to approach, a horrible buzzing noise emanating as it charged up and launched an explosive. An earth shatter noise and shake caused the kits to cry out again as the side of the hut blew apart– debris flying in all directions. The guardian at the door collapsed, unmoving. The man’s blade stuck in her abdomen. Chunks of debris flew into the little pile of kits, causing some to scatter and try to run, and causing others to fall to the ground. As still as their guardian.

Kari had been one to scatter. Their tiny frame leaping from the hole in the wall and frantically looking around. Mama. Where was their mama. Or their sisters. Someone. Their eyes found someone familiar. Her green robes catching their eyes as they ran to her.

“Miðja!” His tiny, shaking voice called. No answer. She didn’t even move. Even amidst the chaos. “Miðja, it’s me! It’s Kari!! Where’s mama!!”

They approached and nearly jumped on her. She still didn’t move. Their little hands reached out to pat her face and felt something wet. Blood. Fearfully, they pushed her blood-soaked hair from her face to see her staring ahead, eyes unblinking and glassy. They were so young. They couldn’t understand. She had to be alright. She was too strong! All of their sisters were! They shook her shoulders, a little sob escaping.

“Miðja…please answer me….we gotta find mama…..”

She still did not answer. Little hands, amidst the chaos and fighting, moved her hair out of her face so gently. They ran their little fingers over the braids they always found so pretty. Leaning in, they pressed their little forehead to hers.

“I…I gotta find mama Miðja. I love you.”

Reluctantly, tears flowing down their little face, they turned and ran in a different direction. The lifeless face of their sister burned in their mind as they desperately searched through the chaos. Weapons clashed, arrows stuck into the armor and chests of these foreign fighters as they collapsed to the ground in loud metallic heaps. Different movements caught Kari’s eyes as figures dropped from the trees above.

The Warders!

Fewer than they had been told were with them, but they were here! Maybe if they found mama, they’d find dada too! Their little feet tapped along the now damaged wooden walkways that connected their huts, scanning for her. A flash of yellow caught their eye and they turned, spotting the familiar robes. With a little jump, they called out, “Mama!! Mama I’m here!!” Her ears spun quickly, the arrow in her bow armed and ready. She whipped around in fear, seeing her tiny kit standing in the midst of the fighting. A metal machine inched closer to them from behind, the kit completely unaware as their focus was on her. She ran, pulling her bow up and launching her arrow directly at the controller of the wretched thing with a guttural yell. Kari froze, ears folding back as they cowered down and away when they finally saw the beast. But mama’s aim was true, and she struck the driver from their seat with one arrow. She swooped over and grabbed her kit into her arms, making a run for the treeline as quickly as she could. Kari clung to her, face buried in her shoulder.

A loud cracking sound followed by Kari’s mother stumbling made them cry out and cling harder. She recovered, but slowed down significantly. As they reached the treeline, she quickly set her baby down in the bushes, staring into their beautiful violet eyes. Blood had begun to soak through her robes, but she knelt down to her kit and smiled warmly. “My darling baby. My sweet little Kari. I love you so much. Always remember that I love you with all of my heart.” “I–I love you too mama. We have to keep going! It’s dangerous in there, mama! We gotta find da–” She shushed them, gently petting their head. “My darling can you do your mama a favor? You have be very very brave for me, okay?” Kari nodded, eyes shining with tears. “Mama needs you to run, okay? Run very fast. Don’t stop running until you find your dada, okay? He’ll keep you safe.” “But mama why can’t we go toge–” The sounds of men approaching met her ears and she froze, looking over her shoulder and back at Kari. “Kari. Go. There’s no time. I love you. Mama loves you so much. Now go!!”

She pushed them into the treeline and after a moment of hesitation, Kari sprinted into the trees. Not looking back when they heard their mother yell fiercely. Not looking back when they heard the same loud cracks they’d heard before she shooed them into the forest. But she had given them a task. Find his father.

Little legs ran as fast as they could through the thick jungle. The air was heavy and felt thick as bugs flew passed Kari’s ears. The sun was unable to cut through here, and Kari was alone. Afraid. They ran as fast as they could, blood pumping and little heart racing as they crawled over logs and through vines. The jungle was dangerous. Mama had always told them that. Their sisters had too. But no one was here to guide them now. In their little haze, they failed to hear the danger they were running directly into. A “cleanup” squadron marching through the jungle. Kari charged over a log and straight into the legs of one of these soldiers, knocking him to the ground in a tangle of legs and viera kit.

The men drew their weapons and swore, unaware of what had assaulted them. A higher ranking soldier held up his hand when he saw the kit laying on the ground, frantically trying to untangle themself from the man they’d knocked over. With one hand, the soldier picked Kari up by the scruff and held them up, sneering into the child’s face and poking at them. “Well, would you look at that. It’s one of those freak’s kid.”

Kari didn’t understand the words the man spoke. The man made noises and threatening motions towards the kit, and Kari did what mama and sisters had taught– fight back.

With a little screech, the kit kicked the man as hard as they could in the face, clamping teeth down into the arm poking their direction. They bit hard enough to draw blood, and the kick crunched in a way that indicated either a broken nose or broken teeth. The soldier swore, shaking his arm violently and attempting to throw the kit to the ground.

“Kill this fuckin’ thing, would ya?!”

The lower rank soldiers prepared to do as they were told, holding blades up before a booming laugh caught their attention. The laugh was not joyous. It was humorless and cold. “Well, well. Now that is a fighter. Perhaps we can use that fiery spirit instead of wasting it, yeah? Get a collar. I’m sure there are some uses for the little rat.” A soldier approached, black band in his hands as he clamped it around the neck of the kit still latched onto the man’s arm. A shock was sent through it and Kari released their hold with a squeal. The soldier who collared him carried him to one of the bigger machines, tossing them into a small barred box. A little cage. A click and a latch was the final seal of Kari’s fate. With this, the Garlean soldiers had taken them from their home and family. All Kari could do was sit and cry.

—-------------------------

These tears were very real as E’mal sat up in bed, a raw sob clawing it’s way from his throat as he reached forward towards…nothing. This dream–no, nightmare– had been the most vivid one yet. His hands and body trembled as he frantically looked around the room. Foliage through bars gave way to darkened wood and stone illuminated by flickering firelight. The feeling of cold steel under his hands replaced by warm sheets and soft furs as he breathed, eye darting around the dark before a large hand on his back made him jump. A low rumble met his ears and he looked to the side to see a familiar face.

The pale gaze of Ezekiel, filled with concern, met his own. Pale hands reached towards his face and wiped tears away as E’mal melted into the touch. He sniffled, reaching out to wrap them around the larger man’s frame. Another rumble as he was pressed against Ezekiel's chest. A fur-lined blanket was wrapped around the pair as Ezekiel held E’mal to him. They didn’t exchange any words. They didn’t need to. E’mal knew he was safe now. Come morning, they would talk and check in. But for now, all that mattered was the ever-present thrum of his partner’s heartbeat.

------------------ Ezekiel belongs to @bloodredhands :)

#funny bunny// e'mal khama #ffxiv #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2024 #Day 19: Taken #makeup day #Ezekiel Carus #bloodredhands #bro this shit was SAD to write #I made myself cry #A little bg of what happened to E'mal initially #His baby name was Kari :D #Sobs Loudly #ALSO I KNOW THIS IS OUT OF ORDER WHO CARES

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