#shadows-bane and flower dancer

[geth-consensus]

I was inspired to spend every moment free I had at work today writing instead of studying. But I had so much fun imagining these characters I wanted to share it.

A Dance of Fire and Flowers The wind threatened to whisk the hat from her head but she didn't care, the rush of the wind was worth it. She soared through the air aloft on wings of magic, dancing lights that gleamed like stars danced around her, just wanting to be close to her. All below her were upturned faces as the people of the town diverted there gaze to see her dance through the air. Her dress white as snow fluttered around her and seemed to shine in the dazzling sun, she was a marvel and she knew it. That had of course been her intent, to spread joy she must be joy, and she felt no more joyous then when sailing upon the winds. Suddenly a powerful gust blustered into her scattering the dancing lights and tearing away her hat, which danced a brief while in the jaws of the whirlwind that had ensnared it before plunging towards the city below as if dragged by an invisible tether. Lyanna laughed as she dove after it, the world surged up to meet her as she saw a hand stretch up from a rooftop below and snatch her hat out of the air. She slowed herself and alighted upon an opposing roof top. "Why do you insist on wearing this misshapen thing? It's so gaudy." said Vaelia as she stretched the hat from it's top attempting to smooth out the jagged creases that had formed over it's long life. As soon as she released it however the hat simply bounced back to being just as jagged as before. "I prefer to say it has character." said Lyanna. "I suppose that's one way of putting it" Vaelia said flicking it over in her hands, despite it's age the hat seemed to glow just as brightly as the day it had been stitched together. Lyanna flicked her wrists and the hat jerked from Vaelia's grasp and seemed to jaunt merrily across the gap between roofs before coming to sit softly upon her head once more. "I've never heard you have any complaints about the way I dress before, what's with the sudden criticism."  "Oh I have nothing against the way you dress, I find that all rather elegant" she said. "It's the way you showboat in front of crowds that agonizes me."   "You never seem to take issue when I do so when we're alone, is it that you might be jealous" Lyanna teased. Vaelia looked like she flushed but it was hard to tell beneath her deep tanned skin, "Me? Jealous? Hah, that's rich. I just don't think you should be so flamboyant all the time, it ill befits your reputation."   "My reputation? What could better suit she who fended off the shadows then to revel and be jubilant at that fact, and to ensure the people of this world still live with merriment within there hearts." Vaelia rolled her eyes and sighed "You'll never change will you."   "You wouldn't love me if I did" Lyanna said smiling across at her.   "I suppose not, but were the lights really a necessary addition?"   "I didn't summon them you know, they simply joined me in my revels"   "Of course they did...well, if you're insistent upon attracting all eyes to you then at least make a show of it"   "Oh, you have something in mind do you?"   "As a matter of fact I do" Vaelia said grinning "Let's spar, you and me, in the middle of town"   "Spar, you mean like a duel? With our blades?" Lyanna asked surprised. "And with magic, just like we do on our ventures together, we'll put on a performance the like of which this town will never forget!" she said with a devilish smirk. "Well, when you put it like that, how could I ever refuse" Lyanna smirked back. "Roll up! Roll up!" Vaelia cried "Come see the once in a lifetime duel between the one who banished the darkness, and she who tamed a dragon! I promise you all a performance you'll one day regale to your grandchildren!" she turned with a flourish from her psotion atop the fountain side to highlight Lyanna standing among the gathered crowd. "Here we have Lyanna, banisher of shadows, wielder and forger of Firebrand! The blade of fire, forged into steel, with which she has slain more monsters of the night then I could ever hope to count." at which Lyanna pulled her blade from it's sheathe and brandished it above her head. It shimmered in the light of the sun, glowing orange, yellow, and red and seemed to look like it was flowing all along the the curved arc of the sword. She twirled it around in her hand it looked like she now held a flame itself between her fingers. Lyanna then bounded forward and jumped up to Vaelia's side atop the fountain and gestured to her from down on one knee "And here is Vaelia, she who conquered death itself and bound the soul of a dragon to her own! A women so fierce I've seen her wrestle a gorilla into submission! Chosen by the dual blades Petal & Thorn themselves, destined as the only worthy wielder!" Two curved short blades flashed through the air as Vaelia pulled them loose of her back, one shone as a bright silvery steel with ornate decoration winding there way along the blade. The other was darkened silver, with sharp lined patterns adorning it's surface. The two then jumped down from the fountain and sauntered away from each other for about 20 feet before turning to face one another blades in hand."And now ladies and genetlemen-" Vaelia announced, "-the duel you've all been waiting for!" Lyanna finished. Lyanna seemed to suddenly glide forward without visibly moving her feet, Firebrand held to her chest pointed right for Vaelia. She moved to deflect the incoming blade but Lyanna anticipated this by lowering herself to sweep under the deflection. Without thought Vaelia leaped up and over Lyanna, rotated so she landed on one hand and pushed off again to land on her feet. She had barely landed when she had to lean back to dodge a slashing blow. Leaning back up swiftly she jabbed with Thorn in her right hand to slice her only to find air as Lyanna now fluttered 10 feet above her. Lyanna laughed joyously and seized upon Vaelia's surprise to dive down upon her with another slash, to suddenly find herself in the embrace of Petal as the blades clanged against each other. However her downward charge could not be stopped and she pushed her way down into the blade forcing Vaelia to dance backward away from the blow and letting her land softly upon the ground. Vaelia would giver her no reprieve though as she charged forward, blades flashing like a whirlwind in her hand, forcing Lyanna to back up quickly. As quickly as she was being forced back though Vaelia was keeping pace with her, without even space to raise Firebrand she resorted to the one option she had. Magic. Thrusting her arms forward she summoned a gale that shoved Vaelia back and down to her knees. Seizing her opportunity she pressed forward slashing down toward as Vaelia struggled to regain her footing, with nothing left to her Vaelia lifted her arm to block and the sword struck it dead centre. Her head rang as the blade bounced off her arm, the sound of metal on metal leaving a chattering cacophony in Vaelia's ears. The sliced ruins of her tunic falling away to reveal the metal gauntlet that encased her entire right arm. Lyanna doubled back from the force of the reverberations passing through her blade allowing Vaelia to again press the attack, calling upon her own inner power she reinforced herself with her own inane power so that every sweep of her Petal left a track of crimson flames in it's wake, and a dazzle of lightning following swiftly behind Thorn. Sweeping forward she lunged Petal towards Lyanna for it to plunge straight into the side of Firebrand, causing the blade to in turn catch fire as well. Lyanna jumped back as Firebrand suddenly found itself wreathed in flames, the blade and flames turning to a deep shade of blue as she fed power into it increasing the strength to an inferno. Raising it swiftly above her head she freed the flames and allowed them to cascade down and around, encircling her with a barrier of blazing sapphire. If this was to be a show she though then it deserved to have a certain flourish to it. "Afraid to face me I see! See how she cowers people, hiding behind her blue curtains, terrified to face me" Vaelia declared to the crowd surrounding them. Lyanna merely chuckled to herself and then amplifying her voice she announced over the roar of the flames "I hide from no one, this is no shelter, it is a cocoon! Soon I shall rise out of it more glamorous then you can imagine!"

Vaelia grinned, it had been a while since they'd had this much fun together. "Is that so! Then let us unveil this new form without further a due!" she said as she crossed her blades together as tendrils of green energy, pure magic, blossomed forth from the unions and blasted the wall of flames diminishing them until at last they exploded outward revealing a white gold phoenix that looked like it was truly made of fire, the patterns dancing around it's feathers matched that of Firebrand. It soared up high and then tore towards the ground producing an undulating melody that echoed across the town, it aimed itself at Vaelia who in turn rose her metal cased arm as an ethereal flame shrouded her arm before it suddenly leapt upward and away from her, taking on the visage of a grand gold dragon, and roaring it's glory it surged ahead towards the phoenix.

A second sun shone bright where the two collided, drowning the world in light. The song of the phoenix and the roar of the dragon mingled to a form a music that could elate the hearts of all who heard it. The light blinked and vanished in an explosion of colour that fled higher and higher into the sky forming an arc, birthing a rainbow. Below it, atop the fountain's statues stood Lyanna and Vaelia, a hand each raised high and beaming as they soaked in the wonderment of the crowd. This was her goal in life Lyanna thought to herself, not to be the bane of darkness, or the hunter of monsters, but to bring light and joy to the world. She would pursue that goal with Vaelia by her side, she knew it in her heart, this was there destiny.

[loving-life-loving-lysol]

Masterlist!

This is a full list of all the requested and specially themed moodboards I have made. If I missed anything, or if any links are wrong or missing, please let me know! 💖🙏💖

((I’ve been having some technical issues getting certain links to work on desktop, so if there are any problems, please let me know!))

Compatibility and Relationship Moodboards

Leo x Scorpio

Taurus x Taurus

Virgo Sun, Virgo Moon, Virgo Rising x Cancer Sun, Leo Moon, Capricorn Rising

Capricorn Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Pisces Rising, Capricorn Mercury, Sagittarius Venus, Pisces Mars x Aquarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Aquarius Mercury, Pisces Venus, Scorpio Mars

Female Aries x Male Cancer

Butch Female Aries x Femme Female Scorpio

Female Taurus x Male Aries

Female Gemini x Male Sagittarius

Female Gemini x Male Cancer

Female Gemini x Male Leo

Female Cancer x Male Gemini

Female Cancer x Male Sagittarius

Female Cancer x Male Capricorn

Female Cancer x Male Virgo

Female Cancer x Male Pisces

Female Leo x Male Aquarius

Female Virgo x Male Leo

Female Virgo x Male Sagittarius

Female Virgo x Male Scorpio

Female Virgo x Male Aries

Female Libra x Male Aquarius

Female Libra x Male Virgo

Female Libra x Female Aquarius

Female Scorpio x Male Taurus

Female Scorpio x Male Leo

Female Sagittarius x Male Capricorn

Female Sagittarius x Male Leo

Female Capricorn x Male Cancer

Female Aquarius x Male Leo

Female Aquarius x Male Scorpio

Female Aquarius x Male Gemini

Female Aquarius x Male Capricorn

Female Aquarius x Male Virgo

Female Aquarius x Female Aquarius

Female Aquarius x Female Sagittarius

Female Pisces x Male Gemini

Female Pisces x Male Aries

Female Pisces x Male Leo

Male Aries x Male Gemini

Male Virgo x Male Pisces

Male Aquarius x Male Sagittarius

Male Capricorn x Male Gemini

Male Cancer x Male Cancer

Male Gemini Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Leo Rising x Male Sagittarius Sun, Pisces Moon, Virgo Rising

Female Taurus-Gemini Cusp x Male Capricorn-Aquarius Cusp who are too shy to admit that they like each other

Female Hufflepuff x Female Slytherin

Personality Moodboards

Catholic, Lesbian, Ravenclaw, Fire-Ox, Aries, Gemini Moon, Leo Rising, Capricorn Sun, Vitiligo Female

Cancer Sun, Aquarius Moon, Capricorn Rising, Supine, Neutral Good, Oak the Stabilizer, Hufflepuff, ISFJ(-T)

Sagittarius Sun, Aries Moon, Aries Rising + ENTP

Pisces Sun, Pisces Moon, Leo Rising, With Dominant Aries

Slytherin Libra Sun, Taurus Moon, Taurus Rising

Gryffindor Aries Sun, Cancer Moon, Gemini Rising

Scorpio Sun, Virgo Moon, Libra Rising

Scorpio Sun, Leo Moon, Libra Rising

Sagittarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Sagittarius Rising

Sagittarius Sun, Aries Moon, Taurus Rising

Gemini Sun, Leo Moon, Scorpio Rising

Gemini Sun, Scorpio Moon, Aries Rising

Pisces Sun, Gemini Moon, Gemini Rising In Pink

Cancer Sun, Scorpio Moon, Cancer Rising

Cancer Sun, Aries Moon, Capricorn Rising

Cancer Sun, Pisces Moon, Virgo Rising

Virgo Sun, Taurus Moon, Gemini Rising

Virgo Sun, Leo Moon, Pisces Rising

Libra Sun, Taurus Moon, Virgo Rising

Capricorn Sun, Virgo Moon, Aquarius Rising

Capricorn Sun, Aries Moon, Scorpio Rising

Capricorn Sun, Scorpio Moon, Sagittarius Rising

Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, and Cancer Rising

Fierce Leo Fashionista

Bisexual Slytherin Male

Book Nerd Slytherclaw on the Ace Spectrum

INFJ Libra

INFJ Sagittarius

INFP Gemini

INTP, Cancer, Slytherin

Slytherin Aesthetic

Friendship Moodboards

Scorpio x Cancer Best Friends

Cancer x Leo x Scorpio Best Friends

Female Libra x Female Sagittarius Best Friends

Female Libra x Female Aquarius Best Friends

Female Virgo x Female Aries Best Friends

Female Virgo x Male Libra Best Friends

Female Aries x Male Sagittarius Best Friends

Gemini, Sagittarius and Capricorn Female Best Friends

Adopted Female Bisexual Leo Ravenclaw x Female Aro/Ace Libra Sun, Cancer Moon Slytherin x Male Gay Libra Sun, Libra Moon Hufflepuff Best Friends

Name Moodboards

James

Kai

Dean

Ava

Laila

Amira

Eureka

Solace

Ashleigh

Noah

Hailey

Rui

Gabriella

Henrietté

Alexia

Amber

Rachel

Mikayla

Paula

Magali

Adrienne

Mason

Diana

Jules

Freda

Ollie

Celina

Dante

Lívia

Sienna

Lynn

Natalia

Zander

Leonardo

Katariina

Marina

Yuuka

Max

Chris

Ezra

Agata

Lois

Mark

Kylie

Alicia

Estelle

Alex

Mia

Booker

Lune

Declan

Username Moodboards

wherepeoplehavenoname

lavendertulip

esoteric-champagne

aqua-is-an-alien

pafwu

lesbeannnnnn

star-less-city

takenheadlinesblr

redwards12

fa11ingf1ux

beetle-paws

verbenaluna

toiistr

solitaryomnivore

nosferatuprivilege

jelly-cheesepuffs

astrology-babyy

glossyy-julyy

cowboyjakedillinger

syrxpvania

druid-study

mimibunny46

lazydreamlandblaze

someoneyoudespise

walking-ball-of-anxiety

caffeinatedreader54

happiness-cache

artsy-dreamer

staplerrr

tryingtoohard-noclue

galacticlead

moonllotus

of-stars-and-moon

winterrs-child

li-ionsandtigersandbears

ohoneyno

delicatedamoiselle

cookiescr

twilicat24

angel-ette

aroacelittlemy

somajesticdonki

blissfulthoughts

abigsoftea

thunderstruck-owl-gal

f-1-ux

nightlight-glimmer

paperclip-dragon

manic-pixie-star-child

kylieerinjosiphineparksworld

gabbiisawesome

whisper-yelling

confused-may

withrewings

azureshine

hauntyouinthend

coffeeteenager

needscaffeine

blackthornstele

neonblack22

no-theme-on-this-one

youngchaosflower

downtothe-tee

weird-reading-hole

sisroks

pomesa

nicloetje

azelmathenardier

rayjayo

stefanovalentitty

drarryandharry

im-definitely-hermione-granger

prof-iupin

roonil--wazlib

angel-loki

muggleborngirl

ann-a-lightwood

homaka

anxiousabbozzo

acciowolfstar

remus-and-sirius-lupin

snarkyherondales

asras-badonkadonks

marichatisfam

holy-shit-its-wolfstar

famdommcfanface

itsdestielislifeuniverse

hildaoflorule101

shadows-of-a-life-before

psychocypher666

adriancrevan1827

nocturnalrobots

cloudymels

whose-potato-am-i

sashasthoughtsaretakingover

stuff-of-pi

loneshadow17

whereevenamitho

im-not-an-armrest-im-short

bloody-hell-im-the-fucking-pope

paininmyheart-imalive

nerdyrobot124

sakurastardust

minty-princessgirl

myshortinfinity

chaoticrex

cerulean-bonaparte

dovelyromantic

jojoandcupcakes

the10ne1yweird0

ld0l

punksatanic

life-is-full-of-flowers

lostinmyinsomnia

communist-pickle

nisargasinha

mimiryuukyu

ejays-things

sdewan6

kathrinemccarthy01

small-and-terrible

thefantasticsuperouatgirl

qweklz

ancoraqui

OC Moodboards

Katie Eastburn

Kolo

Z

Wallace Scott

Pride and LGBTQ+ Moodboards

Bisexual Pride!

Bisexual Boy

Pansexual Pride!

Gay Pride!

Gay Positivity!

Introverted MLM + Space

Enchanted Forest MLM Relationship

Trans Pride!

Lesbian Pride!

Lesbian Pride! (With The Blue And Purple Flag)

WLW!

Black and White WLW

WLW Nature Witch

Non-Binary + Yellow

NonBinary + Soft Things

Closeted Bisexual + Pastel Colours

Trans Girls Are Girls!

Lesbian Fairy

Queer and Demigender

Lithromantic and Pansexual

Song and Music Moodboards

Baby by Clean Bandit

Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Sleep Alone by Waterparks

Oxygen by Catfish and the Bottlemen

Colors by Halsey

Animal by Neon Trees

Los Ageless by St. Vincent

Alrighty Aphrodite by Peach Pit

Medusa in Chains by The Fratellis

Cemetery Drive by My Chemical Romance

Green by Cavetown

Hazel by Cavetown

DEVIL by Shinedown

Shy by HUNNY

Tiny Dancer by Elton John

Fred Astaire by San Cisco

Coffin Break by Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble Shadows

Character Moodboards

Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Melissa Hastings from Pretty Little Liars

Lexa from The 100

Gengar from Pokemon

Magnus Bane from Shadowhunters

William T. Spears from Black Butler

Noriaki Kakyoin from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Steve Rogers from Marvel 

Ship Moodboards

Undertaker x William from Black Butler

Taehyung x Jungkook from BTS

Hermione x Ron from Harry Potter

Ginny x Luna from Harry Potter

Shiro x Keith from Voltron

Stimboards (GIF Warning!)

Shiny Mega Gengar from Pokémon

Other Themed Moodboards

Hopeless Romantic

Purple, Blue and Pink

Sky, Moon and Stars

Stag Beetles

Moths

Valentines Day!

Midnight In Tokyo

“Shook”

“What Colour Are Your Socks?“

Vintage Indie

Lust in Red

Primary Colours

Pastel Architecture

Warrior Girl

Mermaid

FFXIV OC

Sex, Drugs & Violence

Nostalgia

Neon Drug Trip

Treasure Every Moment

Pastels + Kitties

Fun Pastel Colours

Inspiration and Motivation

A Splash Of Colour!

Soft Pink

Soft Black and White

Lavender + Orange Boy

Do you dream in colour?

A New Kind Of Magic

Pastel 1970’s

Beautiful Lies in Pink, Black and Orange

Soft Yellow Things

Horror, Plushies, Sweets, Rabbits, Anime and Pastel Goth

Art Is All Around Us

Space

Pop Art

Orange Taurus

Classical Music

Роковая Женщина // Russian Femme Fatale

Snakes!

[wallpapernifty]

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[geth-consensus]

Here’s another short story for anyone interested.

The voice of the Void

The walkway materialised before them, leading to the dais isolated by the vast chasm surrounding it, a pedestal stood at the centre of it with a soft glow emanating from the top of it. Besides that that the room was pitch black, even Lyanna's were-light was consumed by it, this was unlike anything she had ever experienced and for the first time in many years she was unnerved. The doorway that led back to the maze they had traversed to get here had vanished, swallowed whole by the encircling shadows. "This place in unnatural, it feels wrong, like-like, I don't even know." Vaelia muttered behind her.

Lyanna agreed, this was not what she had anticipated at all, whatever had made this place was different to anything else that walked this earth. But they would find no answers here, tentatively placing her foot onto the stone of the walkway she was briefly relieved to find it was solid, and seemed in no immediate hurry to fall away into the inky blackness below. Feeling slightly more confident she began to walk forward, Vaelia trailing behind her, her gaze shifting from shadow to shadow searching them for any signs of threat. This place has also unnerved her, she was never this twitchy even when fighting.

The walk across took far longer then it should have, or at least it felt like it did, it was becoming increasingly difficult to track time accurately. The dais was stark, black stone with no seams to be mentioned of lining it, the pedestal was as much the same. The object that lay hovering above it though was so bizarre Lyanna had trouble rapping her head around it, a jet black cube interlaced with criss-crossing lines from beneath which a dull light emitted. What held her fascination though was how the cube seemed to move despite being stationary, when she held her head still it appeared like a regular cube, but when she moved it began to rotate as if did not fully occupy the same dimensional space as the world around it.

"What is Ly?" Vaelia said, her voice hushed with wonder and fear. "I'm not sure, but whatever it is something put a whole lot of protection around it, they did not want people finding it" she said leaning over and peering into the ever shifting depths of the cube. Something tweaked at the back of her mind luring her toward it, inviting her to touch it, to unravel it's mysteries. Without thought she lifted her hand and moved to touch it, "Whoa! What are you doing!" Vaelia cried moving to stop her, but it was too late as Lyanna's hand entered the tangle mess of the cube's reality.

"An endless eternity ends, and a new song is spun at the twilight of there victory turned failure" a voice echoed through Lyanna's head, she tried to recoil but the cube had held firmly in place, panic began to wrack through her as the feeling in her hand numbed and flared with sensations she couldn't identify. Meanwhile the voice continued to boom in her head growing louder as it continued "Fumbling at my mind, a child lost in the dark, seeking truths beyond mortal comprehension. This is delusion". Lyanna's vision began to dim, only the voice persisted now, it's all that mattered. There was another voice, lost now but close by, it seemed of little consequence despite it's seeming instance to the contrary. She began to drift, alone on in the endless voids of her mind which now lulled her towards an end she could not see but knew she must reach.

 Vaelia was screaming, pulling on Lyanna with every ounce of power she could muster, but she was trapped fast, her hand would not relinquish from the folds of the cube. Moving around she gazed into her eyes to find them glazed and listless, seeing without vision. She gazed from Lyanna to the cube and back again, perhaps if she could...tearing Petal and Thorn from there sheaths she moved to strike the cursed box. Thorn rebounded as if had struck a wall of pure obsidian, reverberating do hard it made her teeth chatter. With a force of will she moved to strike it again with Petal, only to be met with the same result. Stepping back she crossed the blades and called upon there power, an orb of green energy blossomed between them before exploding forward to strike the entire pedestal. It washed off the rock like it had never even happened. She roared in frustration tears roiling down her eyes.

 "This timeless purgatory is no longer my own, the vanquished is freed, and the conduit is offered in it's stead." the voice said resolutely, filling ever corner of her mind. The darkness had swallowed her, there was nothing now but the reality of the oblivion that ensnared her. The voice itself now began to fade too, receding further and further away it whispered as if to itself "Time was the greatest ally they possessed, now it is all but spent and squandered." Lyanna no longer cared what it said, she had never understood it anyway, all she wanted was a nice long sleep, a chance to rest. She closed her eyes and began to fade into dreams...a bright light filled her vision, opening them blearily she found before her a wraith, it appeared human but without anything solid to define it.

"Is this how Lyanna Shadows-Bane meets her end? Giving up and falling asleep?" it said, Lyanna scoffed and shooed it with her hand. "How disappointing, after everything I sacrificed you would throw away the gift I parted to you so lazily." it scolded. Lyanna grunted in response, she had no desire to talk, she only wanted to sleep and this thing was interrupting her. "I see now, your mind is addled, of your right sense you would never act so disregarding  of me. But it is not a luxury we can afford now, you slip ever closer to me and this I can not yet allow." It snapped it's fingers and took on form, even in her daze Lyanna was dimly aware that something approaching shock had overcome her. Before her stood a dead man, a man who had been a farther to her, her master who had trained her since she was but a little girl in the arts of magic.

"You are greater then this Lyanna, I more then any other know this, and I will not allow this to be your end." he spoke with utter authority, as if by merely saying it would make it so. "There are those who still need you, those who still care for you, and those who still love you." Lyanna mind began to clear, she suddenly found that she was able to more fully comprehend what he was saying, the fog that hard pervaded her was lifting. "Now Lyanna, WAKE UP!" he bellowed with such force that the void that surrounded them lifted and blew away like dust in the wind. Her head mind wretched, she was no longer no where, she was in her body, she could feel it all again. But there also was the strange presence, that which had forced her out, now it was her turn to repay the favour. She opened her eyes.

 Lyanna's eyes snapped open and Vaelia's blade stopped short of her slicing off her hand as she gazed up at her, she wasn't looking at Vaelia but focused intently on the cube. She seemed to struggle, her face contorted with a multitude of emotions, rage, fear, confusion, determination, defiance, they all seemed to mingle into one. She opened her mouth and a voice that was not her own emanated "This will not become our perdition! Our song can not be undone!" it wailed. Then a Lyanna's voice cut in "You will be condemned here for as long as I deem it, and I deem a time in perpetuity ample punishment for your crimes!" Her hand began to flare as light shredded the surface of the cube, she opened her mouth and yelled as two voices screamed in unison. Then Lyanna's became the dominant and she wretched her hand free of the blazing tesseract and fell to the floor struggling for breath. Vaelia dove down beside her and lifted her into her arm, holding her close, her hand was lined with silver glowing light which was slowly dimming away.

 "Lyanna! Lyanna speak to me!" Vaelia whispered through tears. She finally found a steady breath and began to suck air down her throat once again, she coughed violently before saying "Hi Vae, what's up with you?" with a pained grin on her face. "You idiot! Why did you touch that thing! I was this close to cutting your hand off completely!"

"Sorry, it was a compulsion beyond my control. I never intended it to happen" she said tears rolling down her cheek, "I'm sorry I put you in that position. But I couldn't do anything, it trapped me." She gazed up at the box, an odd unreadable expression on her face.

"What was it?" Vaelia asked. "I'm not sure, something ancient, something alien, whatever it is it's not something that belongs in this world." Lyanna responded. "What do we do then?" Valiea said. "We leave" Lyanna replied, "and we never come back." Standing up with Vaelia supporting her she uttered a spell and cast her hand over the cube, it vanished before them.

"There, now if anyone ever makes it to this place after us they will assume someone took whatever sat here and with any hope leave." Lyanna said. Walking with her arm draped over Vaelia they walked back across the walkway and out of this prison of the damned.

[geth-consensus]

I felt like writing a lighter story today.

A Rooftop Waltz

Lyanna laughed despite herself, the sight of Valiea cartwheeling was too amusing not too. The churning party behind them might have found it distasteful but she could care less, life was too short to be so humdrum all the time. The cool nights air washed over them, the soaring buttresses of the palace swarmed around the veranda, soft music swam from deeper inside. With a kick Vaelia launched herself onto the ornate barrier that penned them and started twirling slowly before stopping to face her, dropping the hat she 'stolen' from one of the other guests low over her eyes in a mock display of courtesy. "Good evening! My fare maiden, you are the most ravishing thing I have ever yet gazed upon! Tell me how I may win your hand this night, so that we dance till the dawn takes us." she gestured lavishly, bowing over herself and extending her hand towards her. Lyanna giggled, unable to help it "Well I must say you are most forward my good lady, few have I met so bold as you. But for a night with my hand I require far more then words, I'm afraid to say I must see your truth of conviction" she said pretending to turn away abashed. "You are right of course my most gracious partner to be! Words are meaningless in this, to win you this night I must take action like no other has!" Valiea proclaimed, at which she tilted backward and fell from the veranda. Rushing to the side Lyanna found her perched  below upon one of the many budding rooftops that wound the heights of the palace. Calling back up she said "Does this act prove the depths of my devotion!? Will now you join me in frivolity?" Jumping up to the side of the veranda Lyanna gazed down and said "Courage you have my lady, but shall we see if your feet can match the candor of your words!", she leapt into the air, white flames swiftly surrounding her. They peeled away her dress to reveal her brilliant white robes and crumpled hat she was far more comfortable with. Landing with a soft bounce from a whispered spell, Lyanna quickly righted herself to gaze at Vaelia, "I see you are a women of many more talents then I could have ever expected, I wonder what other mysteries you hide from me" Vaelia commented with a mock grin upon her face. "Well then, perhaps our dance shall help us uncover them" Lyanna said. "Aye! The time of our chitter chatter is over, let our actions speak for us now!" she replied moving forward while spinning herself slowly, running her hands through her hair and moving her arms so as they appeared to entwine around each other. Lyanna sauntered forward, her hands a flurry of exotic movements. As they approached each other Lyanna lurched and sailed past her side to avoid colliding, righting herself with a short flourish. Turning she found Vaelia staring at her, fingers snapping melodically by her side she said "I see you have experience in this sort of thing, But I wonder if it's fast enough to keep up with me." Lyanna smiled in the one way she knew always made Vaelia become flustered, "I assure you darling, I can more then keep pace." As expected, despite Vaelia's best efforts to maintain the charade, she detected the twin cherries blooming upon her cheeks. Lyanna's eyes and smile were intoxicating, she couldn't help it, they always managed to ensnare her whenever she put on that blood tingling smile. She lost her tongue for a full 5 seconds before she could muster a response "I see that the maiden before likes to play underhandedly, well I am more then able to match her in such regard." She launched forward towards Lyanna in a mesmerizing display of dancing, before revealing her deception seizing her hands when she was close enough. She led them spinning towards the edge of the roof, where they teetered for a moment, and then fell. They both laughed as they released one hand from the other while the other 2 remained entangled, shoving there boots low they slid down the sloped buttress below, which curved down until they met the short angled roof of the main hall. As soon as they touched down firmly Vaelia grabbed Lyanna by her waist and started to lead her in a waltz across near flat roof. The shuffled too and fro, creeping ever gradually towards the other end. Lyanna began to press harder forcing Vaelia to pick up her pace to match, then quickly surpassing her. Lyanna in turn rose to the challenge, they kept this up until there feet were a veritable blur, as the two moved across the roof in a blaze. Quite suddenly Lyanna found herself hanging by her back, Vaelia holding her, with the courtyard and main entrance dangling behind her. "It would seem, my maiden most beautiful, that you did indeed have another mystery hidden within you." Vaelia said in such an affectionate way it made Lyanna's skin tingle. She had no words left, lost in the dazzling emeralds of her eyes her mind had gone blank. Vaelia gave her a loving smile before leaning down and kissing her.

[geth-consensus]

I’m so enjoying writing these short stories, I can never focus on some big multi-part things. I lose interest way too fast. But a series chronicling the various  misadventures of two characters? That I’m enjoying way more.

[geth-consensus]

I wrote another story today. I tried angst for the first time.

The Stormbird's Anguish

"Freela A-Protori" Lyanna yelled into the raging storm, the wind and water that had spent the last few minutes lashing her suddenly swept apart from the path she flew through. This was wrong, unatuaral, just an hour earlier she had been cruising through blue skies and now all the world was grey and dark, only the occasional bolt of streaking blue lightning punctuated the monotonous clouds. But for as boring as the sight of the storm was, it was certainly made up for by the sound it created. An endless cacophony of noise surrounded her, howling winds, driving rain, and the occasional snap of thunder penetrated her to her core. If not for her cloak she surely would have frozen to death by now, her magic could not help her, it was the only force keeping her aloft and she had to focus the greater portion of her might on maintaining it so. If not for the pull of the world below she may not have even known which way was up or down, but despite the allure of descending and landing she had to keep going. Vaelia was lost in the storm ahead, in her recklessness she had charged into the storm claiming no simple gust of wind would cow her. Lyanna's protests of circumventing had proved fruitless, the vanity borne of dragons blood ran too deeply in her veins to ever be reasoned with.

But now Vaelia was lost, a short snapped cry of mental anguish had forced Lyanna to take pursuit into the storm to save her. She had not heard the lullaby of her mind again since, but the amulet around her neck glowed softly assuring her that she was heading in the right direction. A streak of light flashed ahead of her revealing a monstrously large silhouette hidden within the clouds, it almost resembled an eagle in shape but it was far too large to be. Her resolution on that fact wavered immediately however as the piercing screech of an eagle cut through the chorus of the winds, followed swiftly by a mighty clap of thunder that left her teeth shaking in place. She barely had time to register the fact that the cloud in front of her had not only darkened but was shifting apart to reveal a bird of gargantuan proportions reaching towards her with claws outstretched. She yelped as instinct kicked in and she attempted to dive away from the beast, she slipped underneath it's grasp by mere inches but had lost her focus on the spell defending her from the elements in the process.

The winds again tore at her as she became trapped in a violent down draft that sucked her ever deeper into the cloud bank, and closer towards the ground. "Avas Tiella" she yelped causing her to suddenly soar straight up despite the winds protests as it screeched in her ears. As soon as the air around her stopped blasting her from above she released the magic to find herself suspended in a disquietingly calm space, the clouds swirled in great columns around her though they still hid the rest of the world from her. The gem around her now glowed more brightly, Vaelia was close now, but where had that bird gone?

"Crap. Crap. Crap!" Vaelia yelled to herself as she dodged and weaved on her broom in between massive talons that attempted to fumble her into there grasp. She jumped to a stand on her broom, trusting it would not let her fall, and summoned a flame in her hand. Casting her palm outward she let it loose feeding an incredible amount of energy into it, causing it to turn into a blaze and then an inferno as it rocketed across the sky to strike the feathered demon. The bird shrieked it's fury as it was engulfed in the flames, Vaelia smiled to herself, it had not been so tough after all. Her self congratulations swiftly gave way to dread however as the fires were extinguished by a shower of heavy rain and tearing winds. The eagle leaving the with singed feathers but otherwise looked unharmed, "You have got to-" she began before she was knocked from her broom by a particularly strong gust, "-be kidding me!" she finished shouting her own anger as she fell.

"Avas Sternum" a voice carried over the howls of the wind to her as she suddenly stopped mid fall. A streak of white robes flew by her in a flourish before vanishing into a cloud bank, moments later a second streak whipped by as the bird dove after it's prey. Vaelia was spun round and dazed as the on rushing air that followed in it's wake slammed into her, she was only vaguely aware of bright colors flashing in the clouds around her followed by the sounds of explosions. Her gaze idled around without really looking before she saw something approaching her swiftly from above, she shook her head to clear it attempting to prepare herself for a fight only to find her broom gliding towards her. She reached and grasped and wasted no time getting herself airborne again. For as soon as she had swept the broom beneath her, a blur of white streaked past her again yelling "A little help would be appreciated dear!". Vaelia jetted after her as the cloud bank erupted apart as the eagle, now a few feathers less, charged outward in a terrible fury.

Lyanna surged upward, they had to escape the control of the storm, they had to reach the blue skies above. The clouds tore by as she accelerated ever faster upwards, the world a blur as she focused on nought else but reaching the freedom of blue skies. Her vision began to haze as she drained herself in her reckless push, before suddenly the world of endless grey gave way to light as the sun shone bright above her. She slowed herself to a glide and gazed down to see a rolling sea of white fluff stretching to the horizon, "Beautiful" she whispered to herself. The tranquillity was shattered however as Vaelia burst from the clouds as well sailing upwards towards her. Then the endless fluff exploded upward in a grand plume, then falling away to reveal the gigantic stark red bird. Under the light of the sun Lyanna could now see something the shroud of clouds and exertions of combat had hitherto hidden, protruding limply from the birds breast was a large steel rod. It appeared to have embedded itself fairly deeply based on the gore that coated the section the bird had managed to remove on it's own.

"Vaelia, do you-" Lyanna began. "I see it" she interjected. Lyanna stared stricken with guilt at the creature which now showed to be labouring with each beat of it's wings, "We have to remove it! No one wonder the poor thing's attacking us." "I agree, but I don't think it's exactly going to let us simply fly up and do so." "I reckon I can do it" said Lyanna, "I just need to get in close, but as you say I may need a distraction to get that close." Vaelia grinned "A distraction I can do." as she raced off ahead towards it. Lyanna dove down till she was skimming the cloud tops, weaving to be able to get behind the bird as Vaelia launched herself skyward with which after enough furious screech the bird took chase. Lyanna seized her chance and headed skyward too, driving herself faster and faster she rose to catch the stricken beast. As she sailed up close to it and passed it's legs she suddenly found herself staring it dead in the eye as it turned to look at her. Lightning sparked across it's beak before a bolt of lightning erupted from within directed at her. She had no time to dodge, to conjure a spell to defend herself, to even consider what was about to happen, all she remembered was the bright light and then darkness.

"LYANNA!" Vaelia screamed as she watched in horror as Lyanna fell, smoke rising from her hair and her cap lost in the wind. Without even considering if it was possible Vaelia turned on a dime and surged downward, streaking past the bird without even sparing it a glance as it itself turned in confusion with the rapid change in direction it's prey had just performed. Lyanna vanished into the clouds, Vaelia willed herself to move faster as she dove. She plunged down through the white caps into the world of rain and winds once more, where was Lyanna!? It was too dark to tell and the weather buffeted her from all directions, a violent updraft seized her but she would not submit to it. She pressed down against the bluster, searching everywhere for her. A glint caught her eye, a slight green glow appeared out of the gloom, Lyanna's amulet! Pushing the broom to the limit she rushed until at last Lyanna appeared to her. Her robes were in ruins, her hair frayed and smoking still, and her eyes were closed. Vaelia didn't even notice the tears rolling from her eyes as she grabbed her into an embrace. Suddenly the clouds vanished and the land became visible again, rushing with alarming speed to greet them.

Vaelia struggled to pull the broom up out it's death dive, trying to hold onto Lyanna at the same time. So intent on her task was Vaelia that the ground took her by complete surprise as her feet touched the ground far faster then she had hoped. She was flung from the broom along with Lyanna into the tall grass as they tumbled forward until finally rolling to a stop. Taking no heed of her own injuries Vaelia turned her attention to Lyanna, blood was flowing down her arm where the fall had ripped something open. Tearing off the part of the robs obstructing she placed both her hands over the wound and began to chant. The chant was not even words she understood, they simply came to her, she didn't even know what they did, but she recited them anyway. The words quavered in her mouth as she could not cease her sobbing, tears rolled down her cheeks and fell to adorn Lyanna's face. 

A white light began to emanate from Vaelia hands, she felt the flesh beneath squirming in response. The chant reached a frenzied pace as she attempted to speak all the words that flashed into her mind, until just as quickly as they had come to her they vanished. she gazed down and tentatively lifted her hands, the wound was healed and looked as if it had never even been there. Then Lyanna coughed violently, Vaelia's heart seized. Through her coughs Lyanna managed to splutter out "I didn't--know you cared--so much" she said with a smile on her face. "Of course I do you idiot" Vaelia cried as she buried the top of her head into Lyanna's neck. They stayed there like that, with the rain pounding down on them, neither really caring, they still had each other, and that was all that mattered.

[geth-consensus]

The Letter

  Lyanna placed the letter back down on the table, her eyes shifting to stare out the window. Her gaze ended up focusing on the motes of dust floating in the sunlight slipping in from outside.

  ‘I can’t agree to this’ she thought to herself. This was a duty that should not be asked of her. She had long since retired from the world. ‘And deservedly too.’ she thought. This was something that should be asked of a new generation, a fiery young sorcerer or sorceress should take up the mantle now.

  She sighed and wondered what Vaelia would say. She had never tired of adventure, always raring to go no matter how many years had gone by. If Lyanna had to guess then she was sure she’d have already slipped on her cloak, and be waiting impatiently at the door for her to hurry up. She smiled at the thought.

  Again she stared at the parchment. The royal seal was adorned in red wax upon it. Could she truly deny the queen this service? She and Vaelia had certainly more then earned the right to a peaceful retirement after all they had done. But now that world was seeking to draw her back in again.

  She sighed and waved her hand causing a fire to ignite under the kettle of water in the fireplace. She picked up her tea cup and made to pour herself another brew.

  Tea in hand she retired to her study. Sitting in her comfortable armchair she pondered a good long while. Hours ticked by. Gwahir snoozed on his perch, seemingly oblivious to the world. She weighed all the pros and cons. Considered all that it would mean for her. She completely reassessed what she wanted out of life. But she came to no definitive answer.

  The sky outside was turning orange as the sun began to sink towards the mountain tops. The light in the room took on a warmth as it did so. She didn't know what to do. Maybe some fresh air would help. She left the study and opened the front door.

  The pleasant little alcove tucked away deep within the mountains that she called home had now been her abode for decades. Could she really leave it behind? She slipped her cloak on from it hook and walked away from the cottage.

  She walked a short distance away to a low grassy hill that overlooked the house. At the top stood a little mound of earth covered in wildflowers, a marble plinth was embedded amongst their midst.

  It read 'Here lies Vaelia Flower-Dancer. Conqueror of Dragons. Queen of Flowers. Wife of Lyanna's Shadow-Bane.' and separately underneath "Life is to be enjoyed by the living. So live for it."

 Lyanna knelt down and sat upon her legs. "Tell me Vaelia. What would you do?" There was no response, even the wind was still. Lyanna had suffered the fate of all magic wielders, the curse of long life. Time had barely touched her over the last 80 years, as she now appeared like a woman in her late forties.

  However Vaelia had spent those long years suffering the ever encroaching afflictions of age, as she had ever so slowly diminished in stature. But never in spirit. Time had failed to steal that from her in the end.

  This was always the cruelest reality all magical wielders faced. But knowing it would happen had made it no easier for Lyanna to bear, as she had watched the women she so dearly loved slowly fade away and eventually pass on.

  Now she was alone. For the second time in her life she was truly lost. Not since the brief period between losing Anavoni and finding Vaelia had she truly felt this isolated. She stared up at the sky as the stars began twinkle as night drew near. She watched as they started to wheel over head in there nightly dance.

  She watched them for a time, light tears caressing her face. A wind picked up and started to blow gently upon her. It seemingly felt like it tugging on her back towards the house. She obeyed the non existent command and stood. Leisurely she walked back down the hill, rubbing her eyes to clear the tears away.

  She soon found herself sitting once again at the living room table, her eyes fixed upon the letter. She was no further along then she had been this morning in deciding what to do. But the visit to Vaelia's grave had been nice, even if she did make it every day.

  "Life is for the living." she whispered to herself. It had been one of Vaelia's favourite expression in later years, but it resonated in Lyanna's head for other reasons she could not identify.

  Was this to be her fate? Sitting alone in a cottage on the edge of the world till at last she too passed on as well?

  "Life is for the living." she muttered again. She stared intensely at the letter, her mind working harder than it had in many years. After a time she finally looked up at the window and the stars beyond. "No." she said resolutely to herself.

  She would not waste away her life here. Vaelia would never have wanted her to do that. The world still had need of her. People needed her help and she would do what she could to aid them.

  She stared down from the mountain pass at the cottage hidden in its little alcove. Her eyes slowly shifting to gaze at the hill adorned with flowers. Tears again welled up in her eyes. Of joy and sadness she could not tell. Gwahir cooed softly upon her shoulder, consoling her in his own unique way.

  Tipping her hat towards the cottage and hill she whispered "I will return to you someday Vaelia. The home we made together will forever be my true home. No matter where my feet may yet be swept."

  With that she turned around and plunged her carved walking stick into the snow once more and rounded the corner of the mountain pass. Leaving her self imposed isolation behind her, she marched joyfully onward towards yet new adventures unknown.

[geth-consensus]

Just another short story. I only put my characters through grief so I need not suffer alone.

A Sequestered Life

Lyanna put the letter back down on the table, shifting her eyes to instead focus on the dust drifting by the window, as it was caught in the rays of the sun that slipped through. She could not agree to this. This was a duty that should be asked of a fiery young witch, not one who had long retired from the world.

She sighed and wondered what Vaelia would say, she had never tired of adventure no matter how many years had passed by. If she had to guess she would have already slipped on her cloak and be waiting impatiently at the door, she smiled at the thought. Again she stared at the parchment, the royal seal, imprinted in red wax, adorned the bottom of it. Could she truly deny the queen this service? She and Vaelia had certainly more then earned the right to a peaceful retirement after all they had done, but now that world was seeking to draw her back in again. She sighed and waved her hand causing a fire to burn under the kettle of water, she picked up her tea cup and made to pour herself another brew. She retired to her study, sitting in her comfortable armchair she pondered a good long while. Hours ticked by, Gwahir snoozed on his perch seemingly oblivious to the world. She weighed all the pros and cons, considered what it would mean for her, and reassessed what she wanted out of life. She came to no definitive answer. The sky outside was turning orange as the sun began to sink towards the mountain tops. She didn't know what to do, maybe some fresh air would help. She left the study and stepped outside the front door. The pleasant little alcove tucked away deep within the mountains had now been her home for decades, could she really leave it behind? She slipped her cloak on and walked away from the cottage and up the short grassy hill that overlooked the it. At the top stood a little mound of earth covered in wild flowers, a marble plinth was embedded in there midst. It read 'Here lies Vaelia Flower-Dancer. Conqueror of Dragons. Queen of Flowers. Wife of Lyanna's Shadow-Bane.' and separately underneath "Life is to be enjoyed by the living. So live for it." Lyanna knelt down and sat upon her legs." Tell me Vaelia. What would you do?" There was no response, even the wind was still. Lyanna had suffered the fate of all magic wielders, the curse of long life. Time had barely touched her over the last 80 years, as she now appearerd like a women in her late thirties.

However Vaelia had spent those long years suffering the ever encroaching afflictions of age, as she had ever so slowly diminished in stature, but never in spirit. That had always been the cruellest reality for Lyanna, watching the women she so loved slowly fade and eventually pass on. Now she was alone, for the second time in her life she was alone. Not since the brief period between losing Avashi and finding Vaelia had she truly felt this isolated. She stared up at the sky as the stars began twinkle into view and start to wheel over head.

She watched them for a time, light tears caressing her face. A wind picked up and started to blow gently upon her, seemingly tugging on her back towards the house. She obeyed the non existent command and stood, leisurely walking back down the hill, rubbing her eyes to clear the tears away. She soon found herself sitting again at the living room table staring at the letter. She was no further along then she had been this morning. But the visit to Vaelia's grave had been nice, even if she did make it every day. "Life is for the living" she whispered to herself, it had been one of Vaelia's favourite expression in later years, but it resonated in Lyanna's head for other reasons she could not identify. Was this to be her fate, sitting alone in a cottage on the edge of the world till at last a long time yet away she passed on as well? "Life is for the living" she muttered again. She stared intensely at the letter, her mind working harder then it had in many years. After a time she finally looked up at the window and the stars beyond. "No" she said resolutely to herself. She would not waste away her life here, Vaelia would never have wanted her to do that. The world still had need of her, and she would answer that call. She stared down from the mountain pass at the cottage hidden in its little alcove, her eyes then shifted to the hill adorned with flowers. Tears again welled up in her yes, both of joy and sadness. Gwahir cooed softly upon her shoulder, consoling her in his own unique way.

Tipping her hat towards the cottage and hill she whispered "I will return to you someday Vaelia, the home we made together will forever be my true home, no matter where my feet may yet be swept." With that she turned around and plunged her carved walking stick into the snow once more and rounded the passes corner, leaving her self imposed isolation behind, and walking onward towards yet new adventures unknown.

[geth-consensus]

So I’ve spent a lot of the weekend writing and after like 6-7 short stories with these characters I finally settled on a backstory, well at least some of it. So I want to write a longer form story for them now, to which I wrote the first chapter.

Out of the Past

The soft crunch of the snow followed them as they walked, this deep into the mountains it was always like this. The air was thick with falling snow, Lyanna shivered, even her cloak could not keep a cold like this away. The long journey south had taken the better part of a month and she was worried, the dread that had pushed her here, to the far places of the world, had only grown in that time. Vaelia had protested the necessity of the journey, a bad feeling wasn't exactly substantive proof of her fears, but never the less it was something she could not ignore. "Well if you're absolutely insistent on doing this, I'm going with you. I'm not about to let you wander off by yourself, I can never be sure what mischief you'll get yourself into." Vaelia had asserted, none of Lyanna's arguments otherwise could dissuade her so she had no choice but to allow it.

She didn't understand though, the real danger of what they were facing, she hadn't been there, and those who had who still lived were equally as quick to try to forget and dull the pain. The darkness had never reached the idyllic lands, the people there had never suffered it's wrath, and to think that all the sacrifice may yet come to mean nothing, unthinkable. So urgent was her need to check that they had flown virtually non-stop, only now with the weather so harsh had she been forced down to the ground. But they were close now, to the place where she though she had finally ended it for all and good. Not much further she though with grim determination.

Vaelia trudged through drifts as deep as her ankles, this was hardly her idea of true adventure. Long periods of sullen silence had been the norm since they left, Lyanna was lost completely in her own mind, expressing nothing but grim determination. Whatever it was that drove her was truly something Vaelia did not want to cross path with, for she had never seen anything that could inspire such a reaction out of her. She had been nothing short of a rouge at the time, so all she had heard of the war in the south were the usual rumours and hear say. Ancient evils and powerful magic's, sorceress from across the land travelling to confront it, two years past before suddenly it had ended. Few of those who had travelled south ever returned and those who did were not like to talk of it, even Lyanna was hesitant to say what happened, only ever making vague allusions to events when asked. Her philosophy seemed be that the only significance it should hold is the joy that it was defeated, and that the less said of it the better.

Lyanna lurched to a halt without warning and Vaelia slammed into the back of her falling back over into the snow. "Everything alright Ly?" she said picking herself up, "not like you to want to stop." "We're here" she said in a hushed voice. Vaelia studied the area around her for the first time properly that day, they were in a deep seated ravine and before them lay a wall of blackened stone, snow that fell upon instantly melted and ran off it in long streams of water. At it's base lay the remains of carved doorway, it was cracked and split asunder, only the larger fragments remained visible as the ever falling snow sought to swallow them. Lyanna fell to her knees, tears rolling down her face, "No" she whispered more to herself then anything. Vaelia didn't know what to do, she had been sure this was going to prove nothing but paranoia, but whatever had broken that door was clearly more then real enough.

"The depths of your despair bring us delight like no other" a dreadful voice carried upon the wind uttered. Staring around Vaelia drew her blades and prodded Lyanna on the shoulder "Come on, there will be time to be sorrowful later." "I disagree" whispered the voice. Lyanna sat up ram rod stiff, her eyes alight with recognition, she rose to her feet and a her eyes took on a look of malice. "Show yourself, I know you are here!" she cried out, her only response was a deep skin crawling laugh that unsettled Vaelia like few things had ever done so. From beneath the hood arch of the door emerged a figure, shrouded in flickering shadows it almost seemed to slither over the world, never touching the snow below. "We have been waiting for you Lyanna 'Shadows-Bane', we knew you would come and we are nothing if but no patient. So long as it is that we have desired this reunion." "You have been freed for near a month now and you have sat here waiting for me!?" Lyanna exclaimed with genuine shock. "Oh yes, rather then us seek you, you have come to us, and now we may finish what you so abruptly halted all those years ago." "How did you even escape! That seal was forged of the mightiest magic! None could sunder it so short after it's creation." The shadow seemed to flare outward for a moment before it simply said " Anavon sends his regards." Lyanna's face went pale white and stared ahead blankly.

It was then that Vaelia noticed the light from the snow was no longer quite so bright, and the world was slowly being bled dry of all it's light, they were surrounded all of a sudden by dancing shadows that grew more oppressive with each moment. "You're time has come, while ours is just beginning anew" it said pointing at Lyanna. She abruptly fell to her knees again, pain etched across every part of her face, dark splotches forming along her neck. Vaelia looked with horror as her best friend was recued to such agnoy, her resolve determined she moved to run at the creature. But she couldn't, her arm and legs were bound by liquid shadows that started dragging her back towards the swirling cloud of darkness that surrounded them. She fought and squirmed but to no avail, it's grip was too strong. The last she saw of Lyanna before being sucked inside was her screaming towards the heavens while the dark figure continued to laugh.

 The grass ran slick with blood, whips of light and dark clashed around her, she didn't care. Her only attention was of the dying man in her arms, her master who had been with her as long as she could remember. He coughed, blood running down the side of his sodden robes. "I'm so sorry, if I had been faster I could have saved you" she sobbed, "I could have stopped it." "Lyanna, you were the greatest student I ever had, and the opportunity to mentor you was the greatest joy of my life." he wheezed between laboured breaths, "I want you to live on, and to flourish and to enjoy all of my life's delights. But I fear to that end I have failed, when I allowed you to convince me to let you accompany me here." She leaned down and sobbed into his chest, unable to control herself. "Lyanna" he gasped, "Lyanna...take what little I have left, may it guide you safely away from this place so that you may yet live." She leaned back up but before she could respond the aged man, who had walked this earth for many countless years, at last brought his eyes too rest one final time. Lyanna stared down at his ruined visage and felt the deepest parts of her joy extinguish, at the same time though she felt a rush as the incredible power of multiple lifetimes surged through her.

Laying his body down gently she rose to her feet to find a wraith before her, it spoke with his voice but looked less then nothing like him, "Your journey is not yet done Lyanna, this time is done, focus on the present and what you can do now." Her head throbbed, wait, this was wrong, she had been here before, or was going to be here again. She could no longer keep track, the memories were intertwined and confusing, "Lyanna wake up and live, there are those who still need you." the phantom whispered. The world started to dissolve and yet remain the same, the grass below turned to snow, the shouts and lances of pure magic vanished and yet the shadows persisted. "Lyanna. Wake up!" the voice commanded, Lyanna snapped open her eyes.

 Vaelia struggled as though she were drowning, her breath cut a little bit too short each time she tried she found it hard to remain conscious. She was being suffocated, she knew it, and she was powerless to stop it. The world had no where to shrink too, it was as dark with her eyes open as they were closed, she could no longer even tell whether they were even open or not. There was nothing else she could do, this is how it ended, she thought there were tears rolling down her face but she couldn't even be sure of that. A piercing light blistered forth followed by an unearthly scream that penetrated her to the core, she fell to the ground gasping as she tried to make sense of the world again. Sitting on her hand and knees she gazed up to see Lyanna standing tall, concentration creasing her brow, a blazing light in her hands as she uttered words that seemed to reverberate from just there own force. The figure of shadow had vanished and all around the columns of darkness fled the pillaring twister of light that soared around them. Wrenching herself to her feet Vaelia tried to run to her only to collapse over her own feet into the snow. A shimmering light surrounded her now, spiralling and dancing orbs that flew into a frenzy as the cliffs, the snow, and the shadows all began to fade. As they disappeared entirely the last thing Vaelia remembered was the same unearthly shrieking she had heard before wailing across the valley.

[geth-consensus]

I got so invested in writing I wrote an entire third short story in one evening!

The Worth of a Puzzle Box

Vaelia bounded down the stairs taking two at time, she had barely rounded the corner into the corridor when a crossbow bolt slammed into the wall facing the stairs. "Austepor" she said snapping her fingers, the building shook as the stair case exploded inward leaving it strewn with debris making in impassable. she fled down the corridor only to hear the sounds of swords and armour rattling to her side as a secret passage opened spilling out guards trying to intercept her. She twirled out of the grasp and kept running, there was only way out of the mansion now. She aimed her fingers forward towards the ornate window that formed the end of the corridor and snapped her fingers again yelling "Austepor". It exploded outward in a hale of glass as moments later she jumped out as well, she hung in the air a moment before gravity reasserted it's authority and pulled her down to the ground as she landed with a roll before springing back up and continued running. She heard whistles as arrows zipped by as she dodged and weaved to throw them off, the main gate was still open! There was the sound of the clanking of chains as they tried desperately to lower the grill to trap her. She grinned sharply as she slid underneath it with inches to spare before jumping up and continuing to run down the hill towards the town.

She weaved through back alleys until at last she stopped panting hard and doubled over, a figure emerged from the shadows in front of her. "Well?" Lyanna asked "did you get it?" "Of course I did! Who do you take me for!?" "Well right now I would take you more some common miscreant with that shimmer cloaking you" she said. Vaelia removed the amulet from around her neck and passed it back to Lyanna, as it left her hand she shimmered as the face of the peasant boy Lyanna had engineered faded away. "Clever little idea that, the orbs also came in handy I must say" as she parted her cloak to show 3 orbs hanging from her belt, 2 were dull but the third still shone with a deep orange glow. "Pre-made spells like that don't come cheap you know" Lyanna said "I'll be taking my payment now please". "Yeah, yeah, here's your prize. Still don't know why you care so much, it's just an old puzzle box." "To you maybe, but this was a gift to me from my mentor, I couldn't abandon it to his possession" "Whatever you say Ly-Ly, here you go" Vaelia said tossing it into the air.

 Lyanna caught it with magic and slowly lowered it into her hand with as much delicacy as if it were a new born chick, "So tell me, what's inside?" Vaelia said leaning against the wall, her hands pressed against the back of her head. "I don't know, my master said I would only be able to resolve it the day I truly understood magic..." Lyanna seemed to be lost in thought staring at it. "So how'd old grouch on the hill managed to weasel it out of you." Lyanna seemed to snap of her trance and now had a look of irritation "He didn't weasel it from me, he stole it from me years ago, couldn't take it that I'd beat him in a wizards duel. So he stole this from me the next day and made himself scarce." "You didn't go after him?" Vaelia queried. "Oh I did" she said looking away into the sky "I spent weeks tracking him, but just when I nearly had him he slipped away and the trail was lost, it's taken me the better part of a decade to track him down again. And I wasn't about to squander the chance to reclaim it."

"By using me? You're best friend to do your dirty work?" Vaelia said with feinted indignation "I never suspected you could be so cruel" she said placing her hand over her heart and sagging slightly. "Oh you enjoyed it, and we talked about this, if I had walked in there he would have know immediately I was there blowing the whole darned thing." "Ugh-huh" Vaelia said looking away "So...can we open the box?" "I'm not opening it in some dingy back alley! Come on, let's go find somewhere quiet and see if I can."

 Vaelia shut the door behind them as they walked into the small bedroom they had rented in one of the town's ritzier inns. The light of the midday sun streamed through the windows as Lyanna sat down at the desk placing the box in front of her, Vaelia launched herself on the bed and stretched out "Tell me when something happens so I know when to lean up and watch" she said as started playing with a pair of dice, throwing them into the air and catching them again. Lyanna breathed deeply and forced herself to relax, she found it difficult though, 10 years she had searched for this, her only connection to her former master. A surge of many different emotions were desperately fighting for dominance as she stared at the box, she suppressed them all and focused only on the box. She allowed magic to flow through her as she elevated the box into the air in front of her, closing her eyes and visualising it in her minds eye she began to twist the various twists and turns that adorned it. Searching for a pattern that would reveal something to her, anything that would suggest in what direction it should flow. Time became irrelevant as she focused only the task at hand, the shadows in the room lengthened as time passed, Vaelia dozed half asleep on the bed. When finally frustration got the better of her and she snapped open her eyes it was dark outside, the only light was that of the lanterns in the street. "I don't understand what I'm missing" she whispered to herself in a defeated tone "after all these years I still haven't mastered the final lesson, maybe I am a failure at magic." "That's not true" Vaelia said rousing herself "Even in the time I've known you you've advanced a great deal. Sure you can't open the box yet, that doesn't mean your a failure at magic, so don't talk that way, I won't allow it." Lyanna smiled "Thank you Vae, I just let my frustration get the better of me." "Hey don't sweat it" she said rising herself off the bed "So long as you stick with me I'll always have your back." Vaelia smiled and ruffled Lyanna's hair.

"Right now, my turn to have a crack at it!" she said with a start. "Whu-what!" Lyanna said startled. "Come on, you had all day, it's my turn now!" "You can't- I won't- It's my box! Given to me to solve!" "Ah what harm could it do, I aint anywhere near as clever as you at this stuff but I want to see what the mighty Lyanna spent noon till dusk on and couldn't crack." Lyanna sighed, "Fine, just try not to break it." "Break it? Oh you wound me fair maiden. To consider me such a klutz." she said with repeated feigned indignation. "Not a klutz, bull headed, I don't want you trying to force it open." "I assure you that despite my reputation, I would never damage something so precious to you, I'd sooner throw myself from the rooftops." Vaelia said with total earnest "Now off to bed with you, you might not be able to see it, but there are some pretty deep bags under your eyes. So snap snap, off to sleep." Lyanna smiled as she stood and suddenly realised how exhausted her exertions had left her, collapsing on to the bed she closed her eyes and was swiftly swept off to blissful slumber.

Lyanna awoke to find the mid morning sun filtering through the window, Vaelia sat passed out on the chair. The puzzle box was still closed. Yawning she stretched and clambered out of bed, reaching for her robes she dressed before tapping Vaelia awake. She awoke with a start, seemingly unaware she was till in the chair as it leaned back and spilled her onto the floor. Lyanna giggled at the sight, "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up." Vaelia said. "I take it you had no success with the box either." "I thought I had something for a while, but then it slipped away from me and left me at square one. It's a tough old puzzle all right." "It sure is, but that's ok, we'll have plenty of time on the road to continue trying." "Aye! I can agree to that, I'm sick of being it town anyway, the road awaits!" "Right then" Lyanna said packing her things away into the folds of her robes, taking to care to package the puzzle box away safely "Let us be off!"

 They had barely walked into square at the centre of town when the a voice rang out, loud enough for the whole square to hear "Ah-ha! I knew it had to be you! A street urchin breaks into my villa and the only thing stolen is a musty old puzzle box!? You really have to try harder then that!" There was a finger snap and suddenly armed guards appeared at all the exists to the square. Then atop the rooftop opposite them stood a tall, regal looking man, "Did you really think I would let you leave town without reclaiming my prize?" He jumped from the roof and floated down to the ground ahead of them, "Now if you don't mind hand it back over please." "Never!" Lyanna said with a fierceness Vaelia had rarely ever seen from her. "A pity" he drawled, "Now we needs do this the hard way." "Ha! You think any of these baboons in armour can stop me!?" Lyanna snapped back. "Oh no my dear I would never underestimate you so, no you'll give it back to me out of your misplaced sense of righteousness." "And in what delusion fantasy have you conjured up that I would ever do such a thing!" "Tsk, tsk, tsk. So quick to anger, it's been proven apt to me in our meetings you would name your weapon Firebrand, it so closely matches it's wielder. In any case you will give me back the puzzle box, for if you don't, I'll start killing the people of this town."

Lyanna froze, he would really endanger innocent people just to get the box? "You wouldn't dare!" she said in a voice so full of malice that Vaelia was for the first time actually scared of her. "Oh but I would, the people of this town mean very little to me beyond what services they can provide me, and right now they can best service me by dying as it so happens. You have not the means to stop all my men, and it only takes one- what did you call them?- baboon to swing a sword and end a life. So I'll ask again, the box please." Lyanna didn't move, she glared across the square with pure fury in her eyes. "I'll kill you first." she said flatly. "I'm sure you'd love to try but I'm afraid I can't allow it" He snapped his fingers as his guards behind him shoved forward two young children, a boy and a girl. "If you try to harm me, then my men here will kill these two children here and now. You've walked your way into an unwinnable situation here, so just accept defeat."

 Vaelia had never experienced such disgust with anyone in her life, she could barely contain her loathing for the beast that pretended to be a man before her. "You low life scum" she seethed under her breath. "I don't entirely remember asking your opinion on the matter thief, what was that she used on you hmmm? Some cheap glamour magic, pathetic. Now this is the last time I'll ask, hand me the box." Lyanna stood defiant a moment longer and then visibly sagged, what could she do, she couldn't allow innocent people to be hurt on her account. She removed the box from her robes and strode forward. "Ah, common sense prevails at last I see. You needn't come the whole way dear, place it on the ground between us and then retreat." Lyanna marched into the centre and placed the box on the ground, her gaze cast down and hair covering her eyes. She stood over it, rooted to the spot. "Come now my dear, you remember what I said, retreat back to your thief friend there."

"No" she whispered. "I'm sorry? What do you mean, no?" "I won't let you win, not like this." "You would really sacrifice the lives of these children just so you can play defiant one last time before accepting defeat?" Lyanna seemed to quiver slightly before she raise her head and screamed "NO!" at which she lowered her hand, pointing at the box, and uttered a phrase Vaelia had never from her before. The box shuddered briefly, it then began to glow brighter and brighter until it hurt to look at, then with a sudden crack it exploded with force enough to form a crater in the tiles below. Before anyone could regain there composure Lyanna was surging forth Firebrand in hand charging at the scum who pretended to be human.

He met her with his own blade stretched high, "That was the last mistake you will ever make girl" he sneered. "Wrong, threatening the people of this town was your final mistake" Lyanna growled back. "Vaelia!" she yelled suddenly, "the final prepared spell! Use it!" Vaelia understood immediately what she had in mind, drawing on the strength of the spell and ignoring the guards closing on her she raised her fingers and snapped yelling " Austepor" at the building the man had fluttered down from. Lyanna summoned her might and with nothing more then the sheer force of magic, shoved the scum back into the wall of the building winding him. Then she blasted herself backward as the building collapsed on top of him, she stared into the stream of energy that suffused the world and watched through the falling debris as the life of the scum was extinguished.

 As she turned around she saw Vaelia as twirl of blades as Petal and thorn danced through the air slaying guard after guard. " Avas Risa!" she cried sending herself aloft, she then flew to Vaelia who stretched up her arm as Lyanna grabbed it pulling her into the air with her as the two sailed over the rooftops and out of the town into the rolling green field that surrounded it. They flew for miles without speaking until at last they floated down to the top of a grass covered hill.

"Well that was something else alright" Vaelia said, "I never knew how much fire was buried in you." "Only for him, no one else could have ever inspired such hatred from me." "I'm inclined to believe it. If it makes you feel better I watched those kids scamper away in the confusion after you destroyed the box. So I'm sure they're unharmed." Lyanna didn't respond, she simply stared into the sky. "You all right? Destroying the puzzle box?" "No, but I'd sooner see it vaporised then in hands like his." "I suppose you're right, I'd love to have known what was inside though. A damned shame to leave a mystery like that unsolved forever." Lyanna looked down at her, sadness etched upon her face. Then she lowered her head and raised it with a smile. "Perhaps, but I'm sure my master would have understood." "Aye I'm sure he would have." Vaelia responded. Lyanna returned her gaze to the sky and suddenly reached up and caught something, a feather or blazing red strung between her fingers. "You know, my master had a bird with plumage like this" she said affixing it to her hat. "You don't say..." Vaelia said, "well come on you, no use moping around, days a wasting and there's still plenty to do! Let get going!" Lyanna looked back at her and smiled "Right! Let's get going then!".