The Historian

High Elvhen Chronicler

[seriswyn]

“Your father was probably right as well,” she stated. It sounded nice, simple even, the idea of pursuing a passion. She missed the times when it was easier to do so: an extended lifetime, a world that was, generally, at peace. Now it felt like there was little time for anything between grief and defending oneself. “Are you certain that’s why he tried to escape your lesson? What was the topic?” But she too would have chosen exploring the wilds or passing her time with some beast or another over a lesson. “I’m surprised you haven’t developed some sort of seeing mirror that allows you to peer at your tomes and documents from a distance. From what I remember, it was rare to get you to leave a room that had a book in it. Now look at you.” 

[chroniclerelris]

"Why else would he want to leave?" Surely those years ago, Abelas wasn't trying to escape him, right? "Well, it varied, but the one I remember clearly was about human expansionism." It was a topic that thrilled Elris endlessly, human were so fascinating. "Well, give me time after all this is said and done and I would have started to introduce memory stones where you don't just read history but experience it." But it would take time that the chronicler didn't have to make work. "You could say I liked exploring ruins too much," he tapped his leg as if to indicate that was how he ended up with his injury.

[abelasx]

Fatigue followed, exasperated beyond realism as the force of the rage and adrenaline that had been previously coursing through his veins. Abelas's body felt heavy, limp, and he couldn't do much beyond follow Elris's line of sight and soak in the reciprocal relief that echoed between the two of them. Maybe love was the cure, maybe love could save him- could whisk them away from this curse. It was a nice thought, so far, seemed to be their only defense too: more and more it became clear why the ring zeroed in on those closest to their bearers. 

"I think it hates you, too." Abelas looked toward his hand, saw the ring settled neatly on his finger there, and exhaled more relief than any set of lungs were meant to carry. There wasn't enough left of his willpower to summon the amused laugh that the quip requested. Instead, his forehead fell toward the Chronicler, resting haphazardly against his chin as he shuddered. He needed to get this thing off, quickly - before it forced him to act quicker than the pair of elvhen could try and fend off its influence. “Don't give up on me,” Abelas asked, mouth turning down at the corner as he “I don't want to die- I don't-” he swallowed, “I think you might be the only one who can save me.”

[chroniclerelris]

“I’ll take it hating me as a compliment.” If an evil ring wanted rid of him it was only a good thing, it meant together they were stronger and the only way it stood a chance was if they were separate. “I never have, even when you didn’t want me around I have been researching for a solution.” Even if Abelas requested him to stop he wouldn’t, Elris doesn’t play by halves, he was all or nothing. “Once we get Ikaros back you will have him to. There’s a human saying about it taking a village to raise and support a child. Count me and I’m sure Ikaros as your village.” It’s meaning was probably going to be lost on Abelas but he ha to at let try and tell the other he wasn’t aimed. “I don’t know about you but I don’t want to sleep anymore, watch the stars with me?”

[abelasx]

Abelas was literally - always - nice? Elris kissed Abelas's open smile, finding both teeth and lips in alongside the pleased look in the ranger's eyes. He didn't know how much nicer he was meant to be, but he could try? “Alright- well,” he sighed, scratching at the back of his head, “he's important to you, so he's important to me.” Hopefully that would help to balm whatever anxiety was crawling around with the other. “Come on, it'll be fine - and I really want to meet him.”

[chroniclerelris]

He would take the other at their word, he knew Abelas could be nice, but he also knew the man he loves could be judgmental. Elris lead the way into the workshop opening up the door, as he did a paper bridge coming shooting towards them, Elris had to push Abelas by the chest the make room for the bird to travel between. A joyful voice came from around a working bench “a bit over zealous but that was remarkable. I wonder how it lands…” Elris faced beamed as it seemed his father was making progress on his latest present from Eterna. A faced popped around, a little manic, a little curious as to who entered “oh Elris I was expecting your sister. Oh you’ve brought a friend, marvellous come, come. First off cane up here let me give it a check. Second, you big fella sit here.” He patted a stool that would be next to Elris from them to sit. “Now why do you look familiar?” He mused as he gazed upon Abelas face.

[hiddenvaldis]

“That memory and only that memory?” She asks pointedly, brow raised as she crosses her arms and leans back on her chair waiting for a verbal and direct response from the elvhen. There is no ring on his finger after all, and while she sees the logic of sharing her memory of the event, she needs reassurance that he will not be snooping through anything else without her permission. She rather wants an answer about the damn ring, after all, and having to kill him for crossing a line would be such a setback.

[chroniclerelris]

“I am only interested in the rings. I do not care for your other memories.” He wasn’t aware of a reason why he would need to see more than just the one memory. Unless she was some kind of fountains for lost knowledge he didn’t see a point in trespassing in her memories. He could force her but telling her that he didn’t need her permission wasn’t how you built trust. “It can be disorientating at first, if we use touch as an anchor it will help the process.” He extended his hand for the other to take.

[fyrenxsolon]

Fyren's head turned, cocked slightly to the side, before his eyes panned to the other. "How have you borne witness to this?" The Dalathor spoke of vagueness but said plenty for Fyren to parse through what was left unsaid. "You speak in riddles as though it will protect what you've come to know about these abominations." Though Fyren would certainly be checking his friends and allies for such ring.

[chroniclerelris]

“Magic allowed me and another to see its past, witness its legend.” The vision had been so visceral that Abelas threw up. “I saw have seen your trip in Falondins hollow, I remember seeing you face, your companion and the soul seer.” It had all been from Val’s perspective though. “It will weed out the idiots and those who don’t wish to try. I’m not about to trust you with everything I have collected because you’re a dragon.” It was harder to earn the chronicler trust than that.

[seriswyn]

“It always annoyed me when she said things like that, and every time she told me I would understand or appreciate them when I was older. Now I can’t find it within myself to be annoyed that she was right,” Seris confessed. Elris was right about keeping despair at bay, it kept the heart from giving up entirely. But too much confidence or refusal to accept reality was just as risky. “Ah, Abelas. It’s hard to imagine someone tutoring him when nearly everything I know about animal husbandry I learned from his texts.” She had not met the writer of the many texts she had relied on for what she knew. “I’ll have to build a second home to house that many books, perhaps you could consider sending someone to and from Avalon with your books and rotate them as you finish them.” An unserious solution to a somewhat serious problem. 

[chroniclerelris]

“I know how that feels, my father harped on about passions ad how we should pursue them and it’s infuriating that he right.” No one liked to think that they were wrong and a Dalathor least of all. “You know he has an obscene amount of them? Anything that involves an animal will make him do anything that he wouldn’t have before. He tried to escape my lesson.” Elris would alway find him in the end and force the other to sit through the teaching. It was interesting to think about how different that friendship had been compared to his with Seriswyn. “You know I’m sure I could actually make that work.” Though he might have to make them read the book for him and he just look upon their memory.

[chroniclerelris]

[abelasx]

First things first, Abelas planted a big - wet - kiss on Elris's cheek. Then, he gave him a big hug, wrapping his arms around the Dalathor son and giving him a big squeeze. "Everyone loves me," Abelas affirmed before he slung an arm across Elris's shoulders, he admittedly didn't know much about the other's father, but the truth was he didn't know much about most of the nobility. Abelas didn't exactly have the best reputation around court, at least not when he was younger, but maybe things had changed. "And I'm always nice." Unless given a reason not to be... And those reason? They varied in logic, but that was all part of his charm.

[chroniclerelris]

Surely the other didn't think they could just get away with a cheek kiss? He quickly manged to captures the others lips for the briefest of kisses. "I know they do, he's just important." his father was easily the most Abelas would have the most in common with, so for first introductions it should be the safest bet. The worst introductions were going to be his brother and grandmother by far. "Be extra nice for me please?"

[seriswyn]

“My mother used to say faith is just hope without working hands. But there has been no shortage of helpers pouring in. I’ve been tending to the animals in the livery, and horses are almost as honest as us Elvhen. Their riders are scared but not hopeless yet.” She hoped it might muster a little more faith in the future from Elris’ perspective, but it was a difficult thing as her own inner light of optimism had been extinguished for some time now. Her eyes narrowed and she looked confused. “Who?” she asked, curious to meet this mysterious individual. “Oh, you would like it. It’s quiet and the forest takes care of itself that far from civilization. You know you’re always welcome.” 

[chroniclerelris]

"Now your mother is wise. I may have to add that one to my repertoire." he would never stop furthering his treasure trove of potential inspirational quotes and stories. "Good, we have to keep despair limited." All it took was one shred of hope to undermine despair. "Well, you know i have been tutoring Abelas for years now." he waved off the question like the answer was obvious. "I might have to bring half the library with me." Elris loved solitude but he loved the smell of musty pages also. "You should be careful with such an open invitation, i might take you up on it."

[afshinxeldar]

Afshin wouldn't have really considered himself antisocial. He was really quite sociable, but the problem was always that he didn't speak to people with any sort of respect unless they had some sort of rank. Which wasn't really a problem to him, but it would become more of an issue if he wanted people to believe in him with his father gone. Maybe that was why he didn't mind meeting with someone he didn't really know. Connections and all that.

As the man bowed before him, a brow rose in response. Interesting. Nobody that wasn't Iskaran had done that in the time he had been here in Lysara. He slowly nodded his head, hands folding behind his back. "And why was my attendance required at all?"

[chroniclerelris]

"Well, your highness, it is not so easily explained without leaving you with more questions. " But he had to start somewhere, so from the beginning it would have to be. "I am Elris Dalathor, I work as a historian in Avalons library. My family is charged with the collection, protection and restoration of knowledge." Elris had spent the majority of his life doing just that.

"Recently, rings that priests of Razikale forged in a domain where no light nor god could trespass freely surfaced. Worn on the fingers of liches that, by accounts, yearn for death. The history books tell of nine rings, Zazikel, the Old God of Chaos, and Razikale, the Old God of Mystery will use each to enact their will, to transcend death. The wearer will be overpowered by a force that will drive them to unspeakable acts. My own friend tried to kill me in my sleep thanks to one of those rings." Elris had given the other a lot of information they needed time to process what they had heard.

[chroniclerelris]

Who: @valshirathelight

Elris was trying to be polite as he chewed what was in his mouth, trying to keep it in so he could swallow it. He had thought it would be a fun idea to try some regional dishes because taste in food changed over time with its culture but maybe this time he had bitten off more then he could chew. “What was In that one Val’shira? I don’t like this idea anymore.” His mouth was on fire, felt like he had just dipped it into the lava at blackrock.

[celayawitcher]

"You could say that," Celaya seemed blissfully fine with putting the ring on until such feeling faded and she was stuck with the truth; her grayed and foreign hand. "I worry more about whatever compulsion hit me before. It wanted me to strike her, to twist my blade deeper until I was certain she was dead," Celaya's goal had been to kill the lich either way but the witcher could not forget how she seemed so suddenly overcome with this insatiable need to do so. "One's a pirate, so good luck," Celaya hesitated on the second person, she seemed to owe a lot to Nylathria through what both faced within the Kossith ship and she wasn't sure she wanted to send this one her way just yet.

[chroniclerelris]

This was news to him, it being able to influence before it was worn. The surprise was written across his face “did anyone else that was close experience the same thing? Did it target you?” He wasn’t sure what it meant fully that the rings had chosen three out of a group, did it just happen to be that they were the closest or was it more malicious than that? “This might be too personal but do you have ties to the dark that it might have sought?” He knew nothing about her bar her name so he needed some context as to who she was. “Hmmm, so tricky to get to but not impossible.” As long as it was possible Elris would find a way to contact them. “And the other?”

[seriswyn]

“I hope that isn’t true, but if one of us knows better than the other, it’s you,” Seris conceded with an air of sadness in her tone. Elris held no shortage of knowledge, he would know the ills of the past and the full potential of how cruel the world could be. It was not often that Seris hoped someone was glaringly wrong, but it felt appropriate to wish for such a thing in this context. She attempted something a little closer to a smile when he spoke of sarcasm but it was a genuine comfort that he did not feel a friendship needed constant tending. Strong were the bonds that remained intact despite distance and absence. “No. I settled too remotely for that. The animals sensed something first and then spoke of the Kossith. When they became worried enough I set out for the closest village and learned more there.”

[chroniclerelris]

"I hope it is the case also, but we can't lean too heavily on hope in that regard, as I fear it will only disappoint us." While hope was something everyone needed to keep going on but if someone buried their head too deeply, it would become delusional. "Hmmm, I think I know someone who would be jealous of that remote living. I never thought of the animals coming asking for aid though." Seriswyn's ability did make it easy for her to befriend animals. "If we see the other end of this I'd be honoured to visit you."

[seriswyn]

“You don’t think it has already?” Seris asked as she toed the dirt between where they both stood. Her voice was a mix between humor and fear. She might have posited that things could not possibly get any worse, but inevitably, they always did. But there were still pockets of hope in between, which was perhaps why not every soul in Taravell was forfeit to the Dark one. She glanced up at him, a hint of a relieved smile playing at her features. The Seris that stood before him weighed down by a cloak of grief was different from the adventurous, ambitious girl he had known in Avalon who was always in motion, always looking for her next new experience. “Wise as ever, Elris.” 

“I know,” she said softly. “I appreciate it.”

[chroniclerelris]

"I think we are only at the beginning." There was so much more that could happen, if it would or not is a different matter, but everything could be a lot worse. "Now, if you were anything other than an elvhen I would have taken that as sarcasm," he playfully nudged the other. "With the way I obsess over history it's the friendships I look for, as I can sometimes be neglectful of them." There was a time he had been searching for twenty years on mortal history, he didn't contact anyone from Avalon... well, apart from the occasional letter to say he was still alive. "How have you come to be here? did you receive the message they sent out?"

[celayawitcher]

Celaya stared at the other for quite some time before nodding after a moment. She'd little reason nor interest to trust them, but also found the information to be somewhat meaningless towards affecting her if this Elris was privy to it. "There was three of us attuned to these things in one evening, near the end of one battle." The witcher tried to remain somewhat detached from her explanation for the reminder of how she seemed to fall into the violence, enjoy it and be pushed to strike deeper against the lich was something that caused a striking bout of inquietude within her. "Three liches, three rings."

[chroniclerelris]

“Was thier a compulsion to wear such an item?” He’d liked to think that most had common sense to not immediately put on such an item. He had pervious accounts that it wasn’t exactly a choice, that before they knew it, it was on their finger. He wanted to make sure it was the case in this instance. “Three liches? Are you sure? Just one is a very rare occurrence itself.” Three in one place wasn’t a coincidence, though one Lich wouldn’t be a coincidence either, what they was with purpose. “Who else obtained a similar item?” He could add them to his list of those he needed to cross reference.

[abelasx]

Writhing agony beget the intensity of force that writhed within his limbs, that twisted his body unnaturally and punctuated the audible crack of his own bones as Abelas warred with himself. The ring would undo him, stitch by stitch, until whatever was resplendent was no more. It wasn't meant to end like this - Abelas wasn't ready, he couldn't be. He hadn't gotten the chance to say it, to tell Elris how he felt, how he'd always felt. Even when he was mad, even when he told him to stay away: it only hurt because of who it had come from.

To be loved, to be wanted, and to know that at the end of it all there was someone waiting with their hand outstretched. He'd promised his father - Ikaros - Icarus - Titania - how many promised could he break. What he said next came from somewhere so deep that it made everything else the elvhen had ever said feel like a lie.

"I'll remember,'' Abelas swore, waiting for the plunge, feeling Elris' fingers on his face. This was a vow that the elvhen could not fabricate: words that could not be woven into a lie. His mind might forget but his soul would remember, his body, and someday when the Wheel turned them out again, they'd have a chance. "I'll find you." A real chance.

Like a light piercing the sky, something broke through. Abelas remembered his own words, shouted countless times before: so long as one of us lives, the Laurelin lives.

We are the light, it shines through us.

The tension evaporated from his body as the spell that sat over his mind suddenly lifted, broken by willpower or something older than the shadow that perverted it. Strength enough to fight one soul, but not powerful enough to battle the weight of two teeming with light. "Elris wait-" Abelas moved his hand, catching the blade however he could before it struck, then the other's lips with his own. Which was, hopefully, enough to stop the judgment in its course. A breath between them, an offering cradled in the dark, draped across the violent night.

"I love you, too."

[chroniclerelris]

The chronicler had kept love from anyone but his close family at a distance. Before Abelas, there was a short list of mortals with whom he had felt some kind of bond. But it wasn't love, it wasn't this. If it were boiled down, you could say it was a fetish. But then again, if you boiled down the chronicler's fascination with mortal history, you could say he observed it for entertainment.

Either way, they paled in comparison to what he felt for Abelas. He never allowed himself to become invested in them because he knew they would all be fleeting. That at a certain stage, they would request him to make a sacrifice, lose his light, and leave his station in Avalon. It was unthinkable that he would make such a sacrifice. But for this... for this, he would give it all up, even if he were academically unsatisfied for the rest of his days. But here was to hoping that Abelas would never ask him to do such as it would be a kin to Elris asking Abelas to leave the sanctuary.

The other oath resonated within the chronicler, even if his loved wasn't an elvhen he would know his words to be true. However, it didn't lift the burden of the task before him. He wasn't saying goodbye to just a love but a friend, a student, one of the very few that had seen the chronicler smile. He wasn't sure he'd be able to look at his hands that same way after this. The dagger quivered as he held it aloft, trying to summon the courage to bring it down on the other. Part of him thought that it might be easier if he closed his eyes. He couldn't do that to Abelas. It left like lifetimes as he held that dagger but eventually it came crashing down.

Until it didn't

His wrist had been captured by the other; at first he thought it was the ring. That it was going to torture him as it happened. Elris tried to resist the others' force as he was intent on keeping his promise till his lips weren't his own. It gave him pause, stunned him in his path. But this, this didn't feel like the one before where Abelas was fighting ungodly thoughts. His lips were stale against the other's until he heard them words. The grip on the dagger that had stopped circulation to his finger faded, as it clattered on the ground.

Instead of becoming a ravenous beast for the others' affection in that moment, his arm went limp first. His body slumped against the other, drained after the burden of the task was released from him. "I hate those fucking rings."

[kojiandrew]

Justin Chien - Marie Claire Taiwan (January 2024) 📸: Hazel Chiu