Alea Iacta Est

"The marks we leave are too often scars." Schala || 31 || Original

[atlantean-schala]

Panic Cord || Mina & Schala

Schala strolled down the blocks near the Cityspire, taking in the scene around her. The city was nearly fixed and, perhaps, had grown even better now that the Atlanteans had set foot. Over the past few days, she had watched them, observed them as she always did. The more she watched the people, the Temen rebels, thrive on land, the more guilty she felt about her actions. It was a relief to know that she had been pardoned, though that still did not stop the resentment she felt in the air of those she was around. If it got worse, she almost wished she had been locked up inst-

Schala stopped in her tracks, eyes clouding as a vision came to mind.

Smoke. Flashes of light. The city once again in chaos. An Atlantean army with the faces of her former leader’s comrades.

The Atlantean swallowed hard and placed her hand against the wall next to her as the scene slowly faded. Gathering her bearings, she rushed back to the Cityspire, debating about taking the elevators and then deciding to float up to the top instead. There was no time. This was urgent. I wish to speak to you. May I come in? She thought as she hovered outside of the young woman’s balcony. She wasn’t used to such informalities but with her visions, she didn’t like to delay.

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“My father is in custody, and he will more likely be dead before this all over, my city is ruin, my people are scared and injured or worse, and I can’t get in contact with the one person I think I would have any chance of working with from the surface dwellers….. I’m about as good as you could imagine.”

“I’m sure your father knew this would happen eventually, despite his attempts to keep it secret. As for this city and the people... they are fixable. The best you can do is to restore what has been ruined. We still have a chance.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“I just wanted to see how you are holding up with everything. I am sure you have heard that they have taken your father into custody.”

[atlantean-schala]

Opportunities || Runa & Schala

[atlantean-schala]

runa-in-ruins:

Runa was silent, listening, watching, always watching. Not once did she raise her voice, though her eyes seemed to grow colder, darker the longer she stared at the other Atlantean. 

Was this to be every Atlanteans excuse? Were there none who would admit to their attrocities? Perhaps some of them were true, but all of them? Runa watched Schala, jaw tight, fists clenched behind her back. It would have made sense, though. At the very least, it would have made sense to keep the Council in the dark. 

“Schala.” She said, her voice strained as she turned, not allowing the other Original an undefended shot at her back. “For your sake, I hope you are honest. Your mother may be a fighter, but I don’t think she could survive the discovery that you could have done something yet chose inaction.” Without giving her a moment to reply, she went on. “The survinvg Atlanteans who are awaiting their trials have been allowed to repair the island. Any found outside of its borders have been marked as hostile and may be pursued with deadly force. It may be destroyed, but you have a chance to fix it.” It was obvious that last sentence could be taken one of two ways, but she didn’t elaborate. 

She stopped in her tracks when the other Atlantean spoke up again, listening intently to what she had to say. She didn’t dare turn around, in fear that she would show even more weakness. That was what she was now. Weak. She was willing to account for Temen, as she was a part of Adamen’s council, but for the people who were being sent down there, she really had no clue. She had thought the people there were enemies of the city, people who committed crimes and endangered citizens. Little did she know that Adamen’s definition of enemy was different from hers.

Schala kept quiet as Runa went on, occasionally opening her mouth to reply only to be shut out by the other Atlantean. She didn’t mind. The young woman had every right to speak now that she was free from the lower grounds. She was finally getting her justice. When she had finished, Schala nodded. “Then I shall fix it to the best of my ability,” she said quietly. There was much work to be done to the city, both physically and systematically. There was no doubt in her mind that a new council would be made, that is if there was going to be one again. Adamen was going to be arrested for his crimes and it was up to the mainlanders to decided if they were going to allow his heir to take over.

Before taking another step, Schala turned to Runa and bowed her head.

“Thank you,” she muttered before turning away. Thank you for informing me. Thank you for taking care of her.

[atlantean-schala]

Opportunities || Runa & Schala

[atlantean-schala]

runa-in-ruins:

Runa had begun to answer the question before Schala uttered those last words. Fidgeting for a moment, she swiped at her nose and scratched at her eyebrow. “You didn’t know…” She chuckled hoarsely. “What did you think, Schala? Did you think she got lost on the way to market? Took a wrong turn and decided to spend seven centuries away from home? It’s not as though she had a whole lot of places to go.” Her tone lost it’s laugh and grew more spiteful the more she spoke. 

“You know when she was first thrown down there, my mother couldn’t believe it. She called it the beginning of the end. If Adamen was throwing down his own council members, it wouldn’t be long before the others caught on. Before they realized the madness. My mother died waiting for them to catch on. Yours kept waiting for you to. It wasn’t long before she figured out you weren’t coming.”

There was nothing in her heart but disgust at the feeble excuse that Schala had given. 

“To answer your question, she’s much better now that she’s not living in squallor. We weren’t sure she would survive the battle, but…” She shook her head. “That woman has an otherworldly resolve.” 

Stepping back from the mouth of the alley, she stood to the side and gestured with her hand. “Go back to your home before I make you.”

“I didn’t know-” Schala was cut off before she could even finish her sentence and with every retort Runa was making, she wanted to shrink within herself until there was nothing left. In a way, she was right. She had been careless. She wasn’t thinking and that made her the perfect mind to control by Adamen. However, the more Runa fired at her, the more furious she became as well. Her eyes shut closed as the young woman went on. 

What kind of daughter was she to leave her mother like that? Her heart ached at the thought of the dear woman having to survive the horrid conditions of the lower grounds. She was all she had left and she allowed both of them to be walked on by Adamen. That was not like her at all. That was not the way her mother had raised her to be. Tears stung her eyes as she opened them, brows furrowed at Runa’s remark.

“You think I would have let that happen to my mother if I had known, Runa?” she spat. “What was I thinking? I couldn’t think! That was the problem! If I had known, Runa, if I had known she was down there, I would have fought tooth and nail to get her back or die trying,” she hissed. “But I didn’t know because I was kept in the dark. Adamen must have toyed with my memory because I remember nothing. Don’t you think for one second that I had turned my back on my mother!” She pressed her hand against her chest, as if trying to keep her heart from shattering into pieces. She drew her gaze down as a lump began to form in her throat. “If I had known... I would have... I would have killed him,” she stammered. I’m so sorry, mother. If I had known... Schala knew the damage had been done, that she probably wasn’t going to stand for the excuses her daughter was making, but if she was still listening, she would make her apologies now than later. She owed her that much and more.

“She is a fighter. Always will be,” she muttered as she hastily wiped at her tears. She only wished she had raised her the same way.

Schala looked at the young woman, face passive once more. 

“My home is destroyed.” Straightening her back and pulling her cloak closer around herself, she exited the alley.

[atlantean-schala]

Opportunities || Runa & Schala

[atlantean-schala]

runa-in-ruins:

For a while, Runa had stood atop one of the taller buildings, observing the city around her. It was damaged, there was no doubt of that, but she knew better than to believe it to be irreprable. She had seen much torn asunder only to be pieced back together, to be made stronger, herself included. 

Despite the destruction, she couldn’t help but think that the city was beautiful, what with its mismatched buildings and the scent of smoke in the air. The sky was so blue in the daylight and gradually turned a multitude of colors as the evening wore on. How had she ever turned her back on such a sight?

Of course, her peace of mind was soon interrupted at the image, far below and to the south, of a figure moving stealthily, clinging to the shadows of the building. Someone did not wish to be seen, clearly, but it had been long since she had felt hospitable to anothers wishes. 

Like her, the scent of the ocean clung to the other Atlantean, but it wasn’t until she drew nearer that she caught that which was familiar only to Schala. 

“You are not supposed to be here.” Runa said in a deceptively even voice. The familiar anger had begun to burn at the very sight of the other Original, but she kept it stowed away in her heart, knowing that it would only interfere for the time being. “The Atlanteans have been isolated to the island until the Clans are ready to hear their cases.” Her jaw ached with how hard she clenched it, but after a moment she spoke again. “If you are looking for her, she does not wish to see you. I am sure you can understand why.”

The guilt within her had increased tenfold upon seeing the young Atlantean. She had been one of the rebels sent down and she vaguely recalled seeing her a long time ago, in a more different setting. “I am aware,” she replied quietly. “I... thought I might get a chance to speak to someone about something I have seen and whether or not that will help my case is... up to the people who will listen to what I have to say.” Although she realized the crimes she had committed for siding with Adamen, there was a sliver of hope left for her. Her gift of precognition had to be considered of some use to the mainlanders, even if they despised her. She wanted to stay alive, to prove some use to them. If they declined, then she would accept the consequences regardless.

She took in a sharp but quiet breath at her response. “I... I understand that completely,” Schala murmured and drew her gaze down. Her mother had to understand that it hadn’t been her doing. That she had no control over her actions. That she had no idea she had been sent down there by Adamen himself. That she would have never let that happen to her own mother. Her knuckles were turning white with how hard she had been clenching her fists. She let out a sigh and clasped her hands behind her back. Her frame fell to the side, leaning against the alley wall. 

“Is she okay?” she asked quietly, still keeping her head down. Despite the resentment she probably held over her, Schala wanted to see her more than anything. She needed her mother now more than ever. “I didn’t know she was down there,” she whispered, her voice sounding like that of a lost child. 

[atlantean-schala]

Opportunities || Runa & Schala

Schala pulled her cloak closer around herself. She kept her senses sharp as she moved through the streets of New York. Although the city was once again in shambles, it couldn’t compare to the destruction of her home. Her once shining island was now a blemish off the coast. Its desolate state matched the murky waters it was floating on. It was a miracle how she was able to get out alive. A part of her hoped the others made it out as well but she knew better than to hold onto that hope for too long.

Everything that she thought could go wrong did go wrong. She didn’t even need her gift to recognize that. Simple intuition was all she needed - intuition that she had received from her mother. The thought of the woman made her heart heavy. She had heard her voice amidst the chaos. For the first time in so long, Schala heard her stern and oddly melodic voice in her mind. She didn’t know if she had imagined it - that it was simply her brain giving her a chance of solace - or if she was trying to get through to her. For years, she had no idea of her whereabouts and being a councilwoman offered her no time to even ponder any suspicions.

Schala stepped inside an alleyway, leaning against the wall to clear her head. She had been gone for so long and she hadn’t bothered to know why. She bit at her lip, forcing herself to not let any tears fall. She wiped at her eyes hastily and rested her cheek against the palm of her hand. She would never be forgiven for the sins she had committed. Hell, she wouldn’t even forgive herself if they were in her place. But she had to try. It was not like her to give up so easily.

The soft patter of footsteps echoed in her ears but before she could get a chance to react, Schala could already see the young woman by the entrance of the alleyway. She retreated even more into the shadows, watching her intently.

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“What’s done is done,” she said simply, giving up on the conversation,”We can’t change the path we’ve followed.  All we can do is move forward and try to keep ourselves from being wiped out entirely.  We are very close to understanding first hand what it was like to be living beneath the city, because that’s exactly where they will put us if they win this battle.”

“No, we cannot.” Schala sighed. Her journey on the mainland would end before it would even begin. All of those years without the breath of fresh air and the feeling of the sun against her skin, they were going to be taken away from her once again. She needed to fight her way out before that could happen. “Let us do what we can then. What we must.” She bowed her head. “After you, princess.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“And what is balance to you?  Allowing the people who so long ago attempted to murder us all roam free?  Allow them the constant opportunity to kill my Father,our chosen leader?  If we are not the top then they are.  There is no in between.  With how close you are to my family do you honestly think they would hesitate for you as you are for them?  I can assure you they will not,”  she grasped Schala’s shoulders to move her to look out the window,”  Look at our city.  Look at the destruction.  It is not us bringing it to it’s knees.  It is them.  The ones you defy my father to defend.  They’re savage, they’re hellbent on dragging us to the ocean floor once more, and with it they’re destroying any progress we’ve made with the surface dwellers.   So, tell me one more time, how you believe in sympathy for those who light your home in flames.”

Schala kept silent as the young woman went on. She was right. With such a close alliance, she was going to be branded and punished with the rest of them. Directing her attention to the window, she pondered the thought. She was going to be punished accordingly and yet, she was compelled to stand by those who wish to exact penalties on her. Their oppression made her feel sympathetic towards them. Adamen’s firm grip and influence on everyone made it harder for her to feel such sympathy towards them all those years. Maybe that was why she felt guilty now. Schala turned to look back at the woman. “They were oppressed. How do you think it would feel if you were sent to the bottom of the ocean floor then pushed even further down to the depths of the city? Our progress with the surface dwellers was shattered the moment they brought us up. Do you think your father would have hid this secret forever? How did you expect him to shield the mainlanders away from the bones he built this very city on? I know I will not be forgiven for what I have done but at least I can acknowledge what I have done.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“Of course I know my people.  How dare you even question that!  Everything you’re saying just shows you’ve already lost your hope for us.  We have survived centuries, we’ve fought our battles and we’ve built our city from our victory.  If she falls completely in this war, then we will rebuild her from it’s ashes.  I think the question here is not who I am fighting for, but who are you fighting for if you cannot recognize your own brothers and sisters in battle?”

“I question it the same way I question your father’s actions.” She kept her face passive as the young woman continued on but deep inside her, she knew there was some truth to the young woman’s words. Perhaps, she had lost her hope for her people, whoever they were. She did not want to be a part of what Adamen had done. In fact, she felt guilty now for even siding with him all those years and allowing people to be suppressed in such a way. At the same time, she felt that it was too late to change her mind. Schala shook her head. "This city stands on sins and the haunted bones of our people. I want to fight for what is right and what will restore balance to our city.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“Where am I going?  I’m going out there to help save what ever shreds are left of our society,” she said, her anger freely seen as she tried to step around the woman.

“If you think you are going out there alone, you are dead wrong.”

“Well, unless you’re coming with me, then I am going out there,” she said,” My father may be a leader who issues orders to others in his battles, but I am not.  I know my people and I will fight beside them if I have to.”

“What is left? Nara, do you hear them?” The cries and yells of battle echoed throughout the city. The thundering roar of footsteps shook the very ground the island stood on. “What is left to save? The city will be in ruins. Lives are already being lost and yours will be an even greater loss if things go the way I have seen them.” She swallowed hard. By the way things were going, Adamen’s actions were going to be difficult to forgive. Her own sins were going to be burdens to face.

Schala took a step as she did, staring firmly at the princess. “Your father is in a bad position and you know that better than anyone else.” Her brows furrowed. “And who exactly are your people now, Nara? Atlantis is in chaos. People are at odds. How on earth do you expect to know who is your people and who is not?” At this point in time, Schala herself did not know who her people were. After years of being under Adamen’s rule, she had no control of her own conscience. Had she been on the wrong side this whole time? She clutched at her forehead and shook her head. “You wish to fight alongside them? Fine. I shall accompany you. I do wish you know who your people are and who you are fighting for.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“Get. Out. Of. My. Way,” Nara stated, each word said fully and dripping with authority.  She would get to CitySpire if it cost her life, and given the chaos oozing from her city, that possibility was all too real.  She was on a mission, one she was bend on carrying out, and she didn’t have time for these interruptions.  She wasn’t sure where she would find Vincent Smith, but she knew she had to.

“Not until you tell me where you are going, Nara,” Schala replied with equal firmness. She stood in front of the young woman, tall and strong. Both cities were in desolate conditions and she never thought the daughter of their former ruler would actually want to step outside to join the chaos. “If you think you are going out there alone, you are dead wrong.”

[atlantean-schala]

Secrets, Secrets || Adamen & Schala [CLOSED]

[atlantean-schala]

king-adamen:

“Then use your senses, child!” Adamen bellowed, wheeling around. “Valik somehow discovered the truth of Temen. Had he gone back to the Shubure, it would have meant an all out war on Atlantis. They have lost their way. They believe every life precious, but we have seen the contrary. Temen is proof of that. If we had not sent them below they would have destroyed us and only a shell of what we are would have risen from the sea!” 

His temples throbbed as he stared down at the woman, somehow the distance between them smaller than it had been before. A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Our people?” He asked, deceptively soft. “Perhaps you have forgotten our people Schala. Our people are out there, not below. The rebels below are no longer our people. They would have torn this city apart if they had their way.” He tilted his head, considering her. “Tell me, Schala. What did you think would happen? That once we were risen, the rebels would get a breath of fresh air and see the error of their ways? No. This was always the way it would be. I can do this. And I will. I will protect our people as I have done and will continue to do. And if you disagree…” He leaned forward so that they were eye to eye, “You may feel free to join them.”

Schala stumbled back at his sudden outburst, knuckles turning white as her fists clenched tighter. She took a moment to think on what he said and straightened her back. They had adapted to the world the only way they knew how. She had seen the clans and they have managed to emerge even more powerful than she ever thought possible. She held her chin high though her eyes couldn’t hold the same defiance. 

"They may not be our people, but they are still our kind, our blood, Adamen. We could have avoided this ordeal in a different way, one that does not require us to pay for our sins in such a drastic manner but you would rather take the lives of our kind to protect your own beliefs.” His cold eyes did not settle the emotions within her and she tried her best to match his gaze. She gritted her teeth at his last comment. “War had already begun the moment you sent them down.” She turned sharply away from him and made her way out of his room. All of it was wrong.  She wanted to tell him he was wrong but going against him would do nothing to protect her or her people. Her eyes began to sting with tears and she hastily wiped them away. She rushed down the halls, the sounds of panic already echoing in her ears. 

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“If the surface dwellers didn’t already find us somewhat suspicious, closing off the city will only further their conspiracy theories and distrust.”

“We are slowly breaking our ties. At this rate, the people may never see sunlight again.”

[atlantean-schala]

Secrets, Secrets || Adamen & Schala

[atlantean-schala]

king-adamen:

“You’ve been spending too much of your time among the humans, Schala. You’re being naive.” His patience had run out and he stood, pacing away from the chairs to look out the window once more. “I do not need to tell you anything, you know what is at stake and you know why. Perpetuating ignorance to guard against your own guilt will not change that. Or perhaps you are preparing your defense should the mainlanders infiltrate us. Do you really believe that will protect you?” 

Running a had over his head, he closed his eyes. “There will be nothing left to discover. We will open the floodgates and the proof of our sins will be washed away.” The emotion in his words was difficult to pinpoint, even to himself. He turned away from the other Atlantean and his quiet resolve was once more in place. 

“Please see yourself out, Schala.” 

Her eyes grew wide at his response but as much as she wanted to retort, there was some truth to what he was saying. She was holding as much responsibility as him, seeing that she was a part of his council. Maybe she was trying to protect her guilt. Her fists clenched as she stared hard at her leader. “I am not perpetuating anything, Adamen. I have as much knowledge about Kino’s actions as they do. Do not question my loyalty.” She sighed. “The moment I became councilwoman, my loyalties to this city have strengthened tenfold and you know that information better than anyone.” 

She shot up from her seat at the mention of his plan, her mouth parted in shock. “You plan to kill them all? You plan to kill... our people.” Her eyes were glued to him as she rushed towards him. “You cannot be serious, Adamen. You will only wreak more havoc on this city. If they have any more reason to trust us less, this will surely break the bond we have with them.” The sight of his turned back concerned her, even more so, it angered her. Although they were sent down there for a reason, the idea of killing them was far from her mind. They were still her people.

“Adamen, please. You cannot do this.”

[atlantean-schala]

nara-of-atlantis:

“With the closing of the city… things are going to get very interesting….”

“I believe things have already gotten interesting.”

[atlantean-schala]

Secrets, Secrets || Adamen & Schala

[atlantean-schala]

king-adamen:

Any other day and her ire would have been met with his own, cold as it was. Today, however, he could understand it. Understand it, but not like it. 

“For someone who sees so much, you’re choosing to see very little right now, Schala.” He sighed, his gaze hard as stone. “What happened with Kino was unfortunate and sloppy. So much so that it has brought our people under scrutiny.” He stressed his words to remind her of their place in the world. 

“What do you think would happen if the Beletum came to Atlantis? Flooded our streets, peered into our homes? How do you think they would react if they found the bones our city rests upon? Temen’s continued existence puts our people at risk. And the closing of the passages allows us the time to protect ourselves from that threat.”

Her jaw clenched slightly at his response and she drew her gaze down. In a way, he was right. She was capable of seeing everything and smart enough to make sense of things. Instead of utilizing those skills, she was, like he said, choosing to see very little. Perhaps she was overwhelmed - too excited about the idea that her people were going to take what was rightfully theirs. Or that she was growing compassionate towards the mainlanders. Perhaps she was truly lost about everything. Schala frowned as she desperately tried to push the thoughts away from the forefront of her mind.

“They have every right to scrutinize us for what w-... for what Kino did. I still do not understand why he did it. There are things you are not telling me, Adamen,” she replied firmly, her forehead creasing. She held her breath as he shot question after question at her. Her lips were pressed into a tight line as she pondered each one. There was a reason why Atlantis had to be isolated and remain alienated from the mainland and she had almost forgotten about it. Schala drew her gaze up sharply at his last question. “How do you expect us to protect ourselves from that very threat? Sooner or later, they will find their way in and discover those same bones we have kept hidden for generations.”