“You could have done more, why didn’t you do more?” Feels like a very Clandestine type of sentence. :3c
-🐈⬛
it rlly does!! and i've been thinking about it thru out work and i finally came up with the pairing for this ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬
"Heeey... I'm just gonna get on out of here now."
"Wait, Eevee!"
He didn't stick around. Didn't want to. Not when it was becoming increasingly clear that they were going to be left to their own devices ——— the lingering threat of unspoken words and thoughts wanting to be voiced hovering in the air like a looming storm cloud. Brent had wanted to talk to him, about something, but Sophist didn't want to have a part of it. Finding some abandoned quarters, the sorcerer immediately ducked into it, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It felt too hasty for his liking. Not even months ago was the king in his own land, holding a blade up to his neck after Brent had been told of the angel's condition.
Now? He's wanting to talk about something. What could there possibly be to bring attention to? Sophist wouldn't want to face the great and vast unknown head-on, despite his own unpredictable presence that gave no indication on how the tides will turn.
Not yet, chimed the voice at the back of his head. The calm before the storm, he would call it. He just isn't sure why it sounded similar to the king himself.
Either him...or Vernias...or...
That's when Sophist brought his head up. A twitch of his nose, then a scoff came from him. "You reek, by the way. I can smell you from all the way over here."
He saw strange movement along the bed. Someone unseen shifted within the air that he could see the small area distort and waver. Then, it colored into the shape of orange and white where the prince reverted back to becoming visible. "Fuck off, Bofist. I just thought you were one of the guards or something." Sophist rolled his eyes before taking a few steps forward. "What, you're hiding from them? Not wanting to join in with the festivities that are still going on a week in?"
"Why are you even here, then if you have a problem with it?"
"Well. Maybe I just wanna have a change of pace! It's not every day I get invited to a party like this. It makes me feel like I actually have friends!"
Silence filled the room, the joke ( if one could even label it as such ) clearly so piss poor that it fell flat on its face.
Unable to think of a rebuttal, Nick got up from the bed to go over to balcony, opened to view the wondrous sight of the ocean. The minute the scent of sea salt wafted up to his nose, brown eyes closed and there is a deep inhale. A much needed refresher for his lungs, and to bring in a pleasant chill that settled comfortably in his veins. The prince hadn't minded the fact that his back is turned towards the very person that many would have warned others about.
"Overwhelmed?" came Nick's rumbling question. He could hear footsteps behind him, then rounding around to settle next to him. They could hear the waves in the distance, crashing against the jagged rocks, and the seagulls crying out in joy as they flew around the castle. A purple hat sat between them and it took everything in Nick to refrain from turning to face the sorcerer.
"Yeah."
"Hmm."
They stood there in silence, neither comfortable or awkward. It's rather nice when it didn't feel like either or. The familiarity of it made Nick relax despite himself. "So..." The prince wets his lips, anticipating some form of conflict or retaliation as he pondered his next set of words. "....Are you amicable with them? Brent and Vern?"
Rather than whatever he had thought, Nick's surprised to hear the heavy sigh. Weighted. Unsure. "No. I mean... I don't know. What Vernias has done to make me angry at him... You know what sort of power I have, Nick."
"I know."
"And yet you're here, talking normally to me as if I didn't nearly kill your best friend."
"You favor to speak with Brent, then? I'm sure that conversation would have been better than--"
He went still. Nick hadn't missed the way Sophist's shadow seemingly moved on its own ——— a twist of the head, followed by some gnarled reflection that would have fit a monster's form than Sophist's human one. Brown eyes blinked. The shadow returned to normal. Nick frowned, finally bringing his gaze over at the other man.
Sophist wasn't returning his own magenta one.
"Sorry."
Now that silence began to teeter towards discomfort. An unpleasant feeling attempted to burrow under the prince's skin, threatening to make him pull away from the topic at hand and perhaps the regent entirely. Fortune may have blessed the prince, but even that would pale to the wrath of a destructive force that displaces both logic and reasoning. "...What did you mean that I smell? I don't smell anything myself," Nick asks instead, curiosity shown on his handsome features.
To his credit, there was a semblance of a chuckle from Sophist; the kind where he exhales through his nose. "Not a physical scent. Like one bestowed by some magical being that wants to scent its property or claim something as its own."
Nick blinked. That chill from before now felt sharp; it pierced through as though someone thrust a blade within him.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Was it that dragon?"
When Nick didn't answer, Sophist turned to him this time, a brow raised. "Wait..."
"Don't. Just...Just drop it."
"...I could have killed it."
Nick's eyes immediately snapped towards him, his expression ( and the shadow over it ) unreadable to the sorcerer. All he gave was a sardonic grin, now leaning against the stone railing. "So you do know it! Here I thought the prince of Lyros has more enemies than allies with the way you talk nonsense. You have a dragon at your beck and call?? How in the--"
"Sophist. Can I remind you that that thing was about to kill us?" Here, his tone grew irate, sharper than what Sophist intended to elicit so his grin faltered. "Me, Brent, and Vernias... And possibly my kingdom as well! Don't talk about this like I got a secret weapon or something. He isn't like that..." Nick trailed off, his jaw going slack upon his mistake but just as he averted his gaze to stare out into the ocean, the regent took a step closer. Hesitant, but intrigued.
"...He?"
Nick stared down at his hands, witnessing fortune dancing along his fingertips as golden flecks of light. For a brief second, red stained at his hands ——— completely soaked and drenched that it dripped from them as thick, disgusting strings. The prince blinked. Gone...
Like...
Nick's lips trembled. He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, leaning on the railing with his elbows anchored to the stone. "I fucked up." The ocean crashes its waves against the rocks once more with a gull crying above them. "I fucked up where I could have... I should have just..." Sophist had seemingly moved a tad closer, their sides almost touching, yet he continued his intense gaze down at the prince. Something gleamed within his eyes, a hint of blue green that mixed into grey before disappearing into faint streaks.
The prince continued after a shuddering sigh, "I feel like I've made things worse now. All because I got... No, not greedy. Just...Just very curious. Fascinated..." A hardening lump arose within his throat and no matter how many times he swallowed, it hadn't sank into the depths of his chest. Nick could taste the acidity of these feelings, how he could see those eyes peering into his very soul.
His eyes.
How they looked up at him like...
The red that stained his hands were seen dripping from parted lips. A question of why he had done it.
go away. go away. go the fuck away. i know i fucked up but....
"Why..." At Sophist's lingering silence, Nick brought his eyes up and straightened his posture until they are face to face. His expression mirrored on the sorcerer's handsome features as the wind blew around them and towards the thunderous waves. "Like you said, you could have done more. Why didn't you do more?"
All Nick could see is a shattered mirror; Sophist could pick up the pieces if he wanted to, but all it would do is reflect what was around him with missing spots and jagged edges. He's certain the sorcerer knew of this. Why else would he be around them if he supposedly harbored any malice or animosity towards them? In the wind, his purple cape fluttered towards the prince. It beckoned to him.
"...I'm sorry."
Those words are forever lost within the wind. It stole them right from frowning lips and a heavy heart into the horizon alongside the seagulls and sun.
✩ clandestine, the dark!fantasy AU of the poly crashers! ✩
inspired by: final fantasy, zelda, soul calibur, their dnd-like sessions with magic the noah, personal headcanons and interpretations of their personas
setting:
primarily focuses on this side of the world ( known as gaia, expansive and grand ) where there are four main dominions: the kingdom of skill - Cintir ( north ), the TC nation - Lyros ( south ), the sophisticated society - Umbradon ( west ), the vern nation - Gedwen ( east )
↳ cintir is a kingdom that is situated upon a grand lake, which separates the royal castle from the city proper, and a rowing ferry serving as transport between the two, within a valley. the city itself is large, often considered the largest community with many entities and humans alike calling it home or merely traveling through as merchants or to sight see. many villages and towns sit just further down in the valley, the sight of the castle itself being visible even on the outskirts of them
despite the sunshine for the majority of the year, it's considered continental with lukewarm summers and frigid winters where the kingdom is no stranger to blizzards and snowstorms
↳ lyros is often named the "realm of eternal paradise" with its rich, luscious environment and temperate climate. a walled and multi-leveled city built around the royal palace, the buildings are sculpted out of white stone and concrete in a terraced slope approaching the sea. at the base of the sea, where the superstructure meets the water, several docks allowed quick access to the sea, while provisions are made above for many types of commercial shops and residential housing
it is an absolutely gorgeous view for those who visit, especially if they are wanting to see the famous fields where daisies of all colors are said to grow and bloom thanks to the sea
↳ gedwen is a nation nestled within the sky. separated into several districts ( transportable via the air cabs ) within a grand castle, it's situated atop a mountain peak far above the clouds and overlooking the east of the country. fortified from every side by the castle's grand walls and towers, the main city is currently only safely accessible via airship through a gate at the entrance. the nation is blessed with heavenly sights of the cosmos at night and a cool, dry climate with the warm sunshine raining down on its inhabitants
magically advanced compared to the rest of the locations, the nation is home to many magical beings, primarily angels and other celestial beings
↳ umbradon, labeled as the municipality of nobles with an ornate mansion set upon a hill, is economically polarized as the community has no middle class; instead, its inhabitants are either extremely wealthy or extremely poor. the nobles live down on the waterfront, while the poor live in the slums around the city. the land is known as the dark city due to the perpetual state of darkness, the bright celestial stars and two moons of gaia being the main sources of natural light along with the marvelous lighting from the city. canals run through it, providing transportation along the grand city
more technologically advanced thanks to the usage of magic, umbradon is often at odds with the other locations due to the stigmatized idea of using natural magic to power machinery, especially weapons used for war
leaders of each dominion:
brent -- king of cintir. his coronation recent, brent finds the responsibilities thrust upon him overwhelming but still handles them with urgency and grace. very rarely does he leave his kingdom if they aren't for diplomatic reasons, so he's always grateful whenever his friends visit him for games and other fun activities whenever he has the free time. brent is responsible for the strict monitoring on umbradon, not only keeping its leader from attacking brent's kingdom ( and the others ) but also being able to trade for certain goods and materials not available elsewhere in the world -- however tense things are between the two dominions
while he doesn't utilize magic as much as his friends, he uses a limited set of abilities that would aid his friends in battle and that focuses on dealing heavy damage
main weapons: battle axe and enchanted swords
sophist -- regent of umbradon. many claim that he's an abomination birthed from darkness disguised as a human, having such destructive magic that shouldn't be in the hands of a human. upon first impression, sophist is a sorcerer that's enigmatic and unpredictable with his thoughts as with his actions. misfortune befalls on anyone who dares provoke him, and there are many cases when other towns and cities within gaia are said to be destroyed by his hand. has a very rocky and strange relationship with the other leaders that has many buzzing with gossip and rumors
his magic is on par with vernias, a powerful angel in his own right, tho it utilizes the more harmful area of effect that would strike both ally and foe alike if he's too careless. his specialty is implementing status ailments and elemental, particularly with lightning / thunder
main weapons: staff that enhances his magic and elemental physical strikes
nick -- prince of lyros. while he is a brilliant strategist, he is often criticized for his massive ego and arrogance that has -- on many occasions -- created more enemies than allies along with the many attempts on his life from failed assassinations. he will almost always betray someone at any given opportunity, even when there's no advantage to doing so, and doing anything to win the situation at hand -- no matter how much it may challenge his morality. as much as he cherishes the bond he has with the other leaders, nick will make it his god-given mission to ruin someone's day should they do anything to piss him off
due to his royal lineage, nick has exceptional magical abilities that excels brent's own. good fortune smiles upon him in the heat of battle ( effectively turning the tides of an otherwise impossible battle ), and he is able to utilize his very essence to enhance his speed and even become invisible for a moment, making him effective for scouting and infiltration on enemy territory
main weapons: knives / daggers created out of pure energy and small firearms
vernias -- leader of gedwen. not fond of the concept of monarchy or a government body controlling its citizens, he is considered a free spirit that enjoys spreading his wings ( literally and metaphorically ) and helping those in need. his nation is heavily involved in the affairs of lyros and cintir, leading to the union of the three dominions. it is said that vernias is higher on the heavenly tier, more than the common angel, but has confined his cosmic soul into that of an angel to interact with humans and other entities
his magic is completely on the defensive and support, his healing aura so potent that simply being around him would heal simple wounds. because his essence is tied with the cosmos, vernias would need to pray to restore whatever energy he uses in battle
main weapons: bow and arrows made from holy magic, and a double-bladed weapon that can separate into daggers to be dual-wielded
“they're counting on me to fix this.” Smth smth Clandestine :3 ~@brentolo3
hehehehe. why not shine a spotlight on your blorbo? ♡ (ʘ ꒳ ʘ✿)
"Brent, wait-"
Vernias, stumbling on his feet when the king continued his brisk walk, flapped his wings to float towards him. "Brent, you really think this is the time and place to worry about this? That was so long ago, and Nick needs our help more than ever right now." Almost offended that Brent hadn't given him attention or even replied in any manner, the angel huffed and sharply flew up with wings nearly slapping against the floor. He dropped down in front of Brent, straightening up with his arms crossed.
Pink eyes met with a dark gaze. A look so stormy and heavy that it would have given anyone a pause. A minute to reflect whether it is a wise idea to challenge the king.
Vernias was not one of those people.
Servants and other noble figures calmly walked their way around them, deliberately bowing their heads to prevent accusations of eavesdropping. When he reached down to take hold of Brent's hands, the king hadn't pulled away. Those fingers, scarred and powerful, slightly curled around the angel's own yet Vernias hadn't comment on it.
He continued, with his features softening in concern. "I know you're still bothered by what Sophist has done to me-"
There, he gasped when Brent tore away from his grasp, incredulity etched on his face. "Bothered? Vernias, he fucking hurt you. Tossed you around like you were some toy and you think I'm just inconvenienced by that? I know you're wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, for some fucking reason, but that's out of line. He should know better!" He pointedly ignored Vernias's hardened gaze, a shadow looming over those pink eyes, as he walked around him.
"Besides, I know Nick needs help. It's not like I can't set my mind on different things. And now...because of your visit with Eevee..." He turned to face the angel. "...I have to answer to your people. About why I haven't given you protection or escorted with you to him."
Vernias blinked, surprised by this information. Taken aback, he can only stammer out, "Wh-What do you mean? I don't understand-"
"Of course you don't," came Brent's sharp retort, the words slicing deep in the pit of Vernias's stomach as though he had been attacked by a blade. "This is what I mean, Vernias. You can't keep yourself in the clouds -- sometimes literally -- and around us most of the time because you're ignorant of these things. You're still a leader to your own goddamn people! They're counting on not only you, but Nick and I to protect this land. You can't keep worrying us with this!"
The angel swallowed a thick lump threatening to clog his throat. His arms fell at his sides, wings bristling as he did when he scowled at the king. "Hey, it's not my fault that I gotta make sure you two bozos aren't neglecting yourselves! You especially, Brent." He stepped towards the king, unashamed with his own frustrations bleeding out. "You can't do shit if you aren't taking care of yourself and just...just thinking about for yourself for once! Cintir can't continue on if their king is losing himself by being optimal every single time."
A glove can be heard crinkling as Brent's fingers curled into a fist.
"Vernias-"
"No, Brent. Just listen! I can take care of myself, and if I have to actually pay attention for once, then so be it! I'll do that! If only you promise to not stress yourself out like this. I know what I was getting into when I visited Sophist. I know that Sophist is more than capable of hurting people. You think I just went there without knowing that? Why do you and Nick treat me like I'm...I'm naive or something?!"
Brent inhaled deeply. Something flickered in that dark gaze that it actually gave Vernias doubt. He hoped that it hadn't shown on his features. He really didn't like the way his best friend looked at him right then and there.
Vernias honestly believed that Brent was going to punch him.
Or worse...
Instead, the king lets out a heavy breath; a weight visibly seen upon his shoulders that it made the angel falter. Vernias reached up to place a hand on a shoulder. It's when Brent gave him such a heated look that he froze midway. He watched as Brent turned on his heel, his cape fluttering behind him in his swift movement when he walked down the corridor.
"They're counting on me to fix this. You're right about one thing, Vern." The angel's hand, still up to reach out towards the king, shook before slowly lowering. "You don't understand. If you want to make yourself useful, go check up on Nick. You two know each other more than anyone else."
Vernias watched him walk away with his jaw slack, Brent became smaller and smaller in his wide eyes.
The question, emphasized by a curious quirk of a brow, made him pause, unsure if he should reveal the magic he wielded or fabricate some form of an explanation that would suffice. Or perhaps, more accurately -- he briefly froze the moment those words are spoken to him. The very presence of the prince had him tongue-tied and it's nothing short of a miracle that he hadn't stumbled out something ridiculous.
Nick seemed patient, surprising his visitor of the nonchalance about the encounter instead of immediately summoning the guards or even moving to defend himself. Had the prince experienced this before? Were there others like him that attempted to gain an audience as he did? He wets his bottom lip.
"Ah... Not to show that your forces are inadequate or lazy," the intruder quickly began with a sheepish smile, a hand reaching up to play with his spectacles. "It had just been my luck that I've found my way through the castle without much scrutiny. Good places to hide, if you ask me."
To his surprise, the prince merely laughed. A show of pearly whites and a melodic chuckle that had red coloring the tips of the visitor's ears. Thank the powers above that it was dusk, the sun already shying down the horizon. "Yes, that's always been the case," he affirmed after his chuckling subsided. "It makes them a little too confident, y'know? The bastards that think they can just come in and decide to have a little fun with me."
Something flashed across the other man's eyes yet Nick hadn't caught it in time. Only the surprise flickering at his features afterwards. "You've dealt with this before?" At Nick's nod, the visitor frowned. "What, to get at you or to take your life or something?"
A grin graced the prince's lips, and his breath nearly hitched at the sight. "All of the above, my guy~. And I can already tell that you aren't like them, considering you don't have a knife at my throat by now or threatened me the minute you stepped foot into the courtyards. Who are you, then?"
The man stared at Nick, almost impassive if it weren't for the intrigue glimmering in his eyes. During their conversation, he can't help but observed the way the prince kept his distance -- not entirely casual or lackadaisical as he would have initially believed given their chatter. He, on the other hand, felt himself guarded, not convinced that this is all there is to it and there were no trickery or traps of the matter to capture him the moment he gets too comfortable.
Regardless, he felt himself swayed by the natural allure of the prince. How that fortune blooming from Nick's essence welcomed him in spite of the sudden meeting between them. Something fluttered in the pit of his stomach, like butterflies beginning to fly in a frenzy, and his cheeks felt warm to the touch though he dared not to reveal that flustered state.
Instead, the visitor attempted to mimic the grin, not caring if it happened to look shaky or bashful, and he decided to lower down to one knee to offer a proper greeting.
"Pleasure to meet you, your highness. You can refer to me as Noah."
Shadows flickered and danced along the walls of the slumbering town. They caught every move, every visitor that made their way through twisting alleyways and closed streets. A few guards have been on patrol, but they were few in between -- a resting period for the night before they are to rotate with those more alerted than the previous bunch. They wouldn't know to look for the prince that is jumping along the roofs ( the buildings are so compacted that it had to be taken advantage of for quick maneuvering without the risk of getting caught ) then landing on the cool, white concrete that would have looked marvelous in the sunlight.
Nick straightened up after landing on his feet, ears straining to listen to anyone else that had the same idea of taking a late night stroll. He turned to head down a road just as Noah landed next to him, quickly arriving at his side. They made their way down the road that the prince recognized to be the home of many traveling merchants and shops. He could vividly remember the wonderful smells that emanated from the market, the joyful smiles upon the citizens' faces upon seeing him, the delightful cries of his name...
"Nick?"
The smile that appeared along his lips is cast in a somber light, the moonlight reflecting it from its waning crescent phase. Brown eyes peered around to meet with Noah's own. "Yeah?"
A brow raised, Noah canted his head to the side in an intrigued manner. "Something wrong? You look...sad."
"Oh, uh..." Nick returned his gaze towards the empty space, beginning to walk down the road ahead. "It's nothing. It's just that I'm realizing that I've never really walked through the city alone, much less at night. Don't get me wrong, I love what everyone does and how much they've supported me, but..." He stared up at the sky where he saw numerous stars dotting the night -- several of them glowing brighter than the rest. "It's nice to just walk through here by myself. Other than with you, of course."
He chuckled, to which Noah followed with a breathy titter. "Of course," Noah replied after collecting himself. "There really is something about it. You know, just...just walking through somewhere with only your thoughts. Taken a lot of those myself." A hum surfaced at the back of the mage's throat. "Really does help out sometimes. I mean, you never realize how much you can feel...uh...by yourself alone."
Nick made a noise, somewhat leaning to being agreeable. "Yeah. It feels nice."
The mage lingered his gaze on the prince for a moment longer before staring up at the sky. He's lost count on how many times he's flown through the very same sky. How many times he could imagine himself being a part of the cosmos to join the many other beings that call it home.
He could never see this at Evergarde. Not like this.
His eyes drifted to a bouquet sitting upon a windowsill. The blooming flowers, a mixture of lilies and orchids, slowly swayed in the gentle breeze of the night. His nose twitched upon picking up the lovely scents, noting how they complement with Nick's natural scent. Noah slowly blinked, staring at Nick's back with parted lips. "You ever feel alone, Nick?"
The prince stopped in his tracks, turning towards him with his brows raised. "Huh?"
Noah walked up to him with a shrug. A little hasty to be casual. "I dunno, I just... I've grew up not having anyone around me. Not many people like to hear about the things I like. They either don't have the patience for it or they have other ideas since they favored my ability over luck..." A petal from the bouquet detached within the breeze, lazily fluttering towards the pair. Noah scuffed his shoe against the pavement, eyes focused up at the sky. "As easy as it looks, it's kinda difficult to keep people in your life sometimes. Or...meet someone that really understands you for who you are."
Delicate silence fell between them. All that could be heard were muffled activity from within the residential buildings and the breeze making any fabric left outside flutter and rustle. Nick fully turned to the mage as he continued.
"Everyone knows you, right? Even your friends?" Even when they are left to their own devices, barely giving you the time of day when you want to be yourself?
Nick lets out a slow exhale. He approached Noah, placing a hand at his shoulder and watching the mage direct his attention at him. He motioned his head towards a bench nearby, where they went to sit down. "...You really do have a lot in mind, huh?" the prince chuckled out. Noah can't help the bashful smile, his curls moving as he shook his head in fondness.
"But I understand what you're saying, and honestly...I don't think anyone's really known me. The real me."
At Noah's inquisitive gaze, Nick offered his own shrug. "Who I am to this kingdom, and to most people, is Nicolas. The prince of Lyros, and a loyal ally to Cintir and Gedwen. I am also at odds with Umbradon, though not as much as Brent, so I have to make a name for myself just to make sure things run kinda smoothly between us. That alone gives me enough to work with. To become someone, a figure I guess, that can live up to those expectations. Not just from the citizens of this land, but to everyone else I consider a friend. Not to mention someone that's always pissing someone, somewhere, off..."
He motioned to himself in a faux flourish. "Then, there's me. The me who's ridiculously lucky. The me that can remember seventy-six songs of my favorite band in under 8 minutes. The me that is often, apparently, carried in almost every game I play with the fellas. The me that is not and will never be like a fucking penguin!" That last one brought out a giggle from the mage, Nick flashing a beatific smile at that. "Point is, that me...is me. Nick. That's the me you're talking to right now." He shifted his posture so that they are now sitting practically thigh-to-thigh. Warmth shared between them as Noah found himself lost in those beautiful eyes of the prince.
"I'm not really alone if you're getting to know me like that, Noah. Just like how I know that you're as foolish as the rest of us with your creative ideas and dedication to making things entertaining and chaotic as possible." Nick raised a hand to brush through the brown curls covering at the mage's forehead. He chuckled when they fell over it again as he lowered his hand.
The petal from before -- one from a pink lily -- flew past them. Noah's eyes are wide with bewilderment, and his cheeks had grown red as Nick spoke. "Nick..." The mage uttered it out so quietly that it's a wonder if it even brushed past his lips. His eyes remained on Nick even when the prince exclaimed his surprise upon seeing a shooting star fly across. The excitement and wonder upon his handsome face mesmerized Noah, pondering if he could ever do the same to elicit such a response.
If being alone like this -- with you, Nick -- means turning those years to only days...then so be it. I don't want to be with anyone else.
Youre trying too hard, but I need it. Brent saying to Vernias, interpret however!
sometimes, you have to lend a hand! sometimes, you can't help but realize that you aren't as helpful than you think
"I still need time to think on it!"
The resulting groan made Vernias's reassuring smile to fall, arms falling to his sides. He wasn't certain as to why they needed to have this conversation nearly every time he visited -- he absolutely refused to change his answer on the matter, darn it! "You said that a month ago," Brent tersely remarked, dark eyes peering up from where he was soothing a headache that threatened to surface. "And within that month, we had to make sure that no one had an eye on your land. Ready to attack."
Vernias sighed in weariness. "I appreciate the concern, but know that my people are well-equipped and prepared for that sort of thing. Heck, I've been threatened with that so many times whenever I have attend those meetings with you and Nick!" His wings fluttered behind him, the tips curling around the angel as a means of comfort for himself. "Besides, I can take care of myself. I may not have the knowledge on these types of things, but I know what's best for my people. You're not the only one who's stressed about this!"
Brent eyed him warily, a knowing gleam flashing in his eyes before it disappeared before the angel could properly deduce it. Other than a low hum, he hadn't responded to Vernias's claims -- instead, he turned his chair around to stare out one of the opened windows where he could see the vast courtyard of the castle. Servants were working on maintaining the gardens, and he could hear some knights training somewhere on the grounds. Birds merrily chirped their songs that carried in the slight breeze that kept the day pleasantly cool.
Everything felt so peaceful. A picture of normalcy and serenity that Brent was born and raised into -- to think, it could all be reduced to rubble and ashes in mere minutes in a blink of an eye.
Imagining that with Vernias's home caused his frown to deepen, an uncomfortable pit forming at his stomach.
Why is he so damn stubborn about this...
"Brent?"
He blinked. Rays of the sun began to pour into the room, causing his crown on the desk to gleam brilliantly. Brent glimpsed at it before he focused on the angel sitting at his bed, concern evident in his pink eyes. The king leaned back in his seat, exhaustion settling in like a heavy weight slowly sinking into his bones. "...Vernias. I know you want what's best for everyone, I know. But you can't keep living like this." Brent gestured vaguely between them. The angel didn't know how to respond, instead focusing on some threads of the duvet.
The chair then creaked, Brent standing up then rounding the table to approach Vernias. "Vern?"
Once the angel peered up, Brent quietly continued with his arms crossing. "You'd never win that way, you know. You want it to work out where everyone's happy and no one dies or get injured from all the fighting. All the wars... We're often up against tyrants and warlords, on top of those who have no will to live other than committing violence and causing misery for everything that breathes. And you'd still want things to be okay? You can't live thinking that way. Not for long..."
Silence befell them.
The birds continued to chirp away with blissful ignorance to the turmoil brewing below them. Vernias's eyes lowered as the words sank in. Not quite to change his mind necessarily, but it made him falter in place. All he wanted is for everyone to get along, to veer away from making such abhorrent decisions that have led to animosity between each other. It's all politics, they say. Anything to gain the upper hand or to maintain it for the greater good.
"You're trying too hard, Vernias...but I need it."
His brows knitted together, the angel slowly looked up to meet with Brent's eyes. "...Need what?"
He said nothing, at first. Instead, Brent approached until his knees were touching the side of the bed and he reached up with warm hands to cradle Vernias's face. Surprised, the angel could only flutter his lashes, leaning into that sweet warmth as their gaze remained transfixed into each other. "For you to be okay. I have no problem living like each day could be our last, but..." Brent paused. His teeth dug into his lower lip as he then rested his forehead on Vernias's. His grip tightened ever so slightly yet the angel did not complain nor comment.
"...But I can't if you're not living those days with us. With me. Just promise me that you'll be okay, Vernias. Please."
Vernias, heart tugging, reached up to mimic his gesture, his thumbs caressing at Brent's soft cheeks. He slowly closed his eyes, nodding into him. "I promise."
That headache never came back for the rest of the day.
Given the description of the places and the domains, it seems like Umbradon has the most strained relations.
Can I get a “ i told you… to… stay… quiet! ” perhaps from the purple bastard man himself, perhaps directed at a certain angel?
I like to think that Vernias would try to befriend Sophist. He would've tried. - 🧠🔪
he only wanted to help out! no one else would want to give him a chance or they would immediately go straight to antagonizing him for whatever reason
what was vernias doing wrong?
No matter where he walked, the whispers continued to echo. Down the canals, traveling along the alleyways, the hush carried in the wind and brushed against the angel's ears. It unnerved him, how far and quick gossip will spread the minute something new arrived in the city. It didn't take long for Vernias to find his way towards the path that would take him straight to the ornate mansion set upon a great hill -- he wondered if the sorcerer could see him from the many windows, even as a single pink speck.
Reaching the gates, Vernias bristled his wings when the guards snickered among themselves. "Returning back so soon?" one sneered. His lips twisted into a frown, clearly not amused by the snide tone -- here, he found himself wishing he truly was of royalty, if only to spare him of the needless disrespect -- , but that was bound to happen when word had gotten out that Vernias had not only visited Sophist, but let spill something that should have remained behind closed doors. It hadn't been the angel's intention to cause such a ruckus ( why, he could hardly believe that it'd be this that the citizens of the darkened city would latch onto! ), and Vernias couldn't bring it in him to return within the moment to apologize.
Oh, how the guilt festered deeply within him until he couldn't bear it any longer. He had to come back! And perhaps, with the lingering hope in his heart, that Sophist would come to realize Vernias's efforts to befriend him -- to invite him to several events and gatherings that he'd routinely hold with the king and prince of the other domains.
The gates creaked open, jolting Vernias out of his thoughts and prompting him to continue on, if not to spare himself of any more jeering and subtle insults hurled his way. Both pairs of his wings folded behind, showing the angel's own uncertainty as he reached up to open the doors. He could not rid himself of this simmering dread that made his blood run cold. Vernias wouldn't be surprised if someone, somehow, utilized an ice spell to freeze his nerves, to make him feel as though he's walking on a thin sheet of ice.
He can already envision the yawning abyss awaiting from below, eager to claim the angel as its next feast to devour-
"Your Grace?"
Vernias stopped dead in his tracks. He had been so involved within his thoughts that he hadn't noticed that he was walking into the mansion's interior. Pink eyes shifted to see a robed figure -- a man in his seniority with thinning hair and deep wrinkles that showed his age, though Vernias acknowledged the power that emanated from the minister's presence. A power that would have come from the darkness itself, which never failed to impress the angel.
How could anyone harness such dark magic...
Immediately did the angel bowed his head, missing the amused quirk of the man's lips. "Sir..! I humbly request an audience with the regent," Vernias declared, straightening with his eyes illuminating brightly in the artificial light. "I am aware that I have arrived on such short notice, but...it's urgent that I see him right away."
The minister did not answer.
His dark eyes remained transfixed on the angel, his gaze quite intense that Vernias nearly averted his gaze. Sweat threatened to bead at his forehead, and that icy, foreboding feeling remained.
He wondered...did Sophist instructed him specifically about this? If Vernias were to ever return...?
No, no, he wouldn't. No matter what anyone says, he's not that type of person!
Finally, the man blinked and straightened his figure to a staggering height that the angel hadn't been aware of. "Wait here," he instructed, the smooth timbre of his voice never giving the warmth or comfort that one would expect. His robe fluttered behind his figure as he ascended the grand stairs, leaving Vernias's line of sight once he entered the east wing of the mansion. The angel released a heavy breath that he wasn't aware he was holding. It had to be due to the perpetual night of this kingdom -- that much, Vernias is certain of it!
Many outside of Umbradon claimed that Sophist is the very reason why the night never ends. Why the economic class is vastly one side and another with no middle ground to settle in. Why thievery, debauchery, and corruption ran rampant even in the throes of the wealthiest parties. It couldn't be! Vernias could never imagine that the regent would allow for this. Would even turn this kingdom into sordid grounds for misdeeds and crime.
If only-
"Your Grace," the man reappeared from the top of the stairway, shimmering gaze settled upon on him once more. "He accepts. He is waiting for you in his studies." Even though Vernias knew where to go, he still bowed his head in thanks and ascended the stairs, forgoing the need to fly since he deemed it rude to do it within someone's home. He attempted to ignore those shadowy eyes,observing him still as though the angel is an interesting specimen to behold. Vernias slowed his pace once he reached where the study is. He can hear his heartbeat drumming in his ears, that sweat now making its way unto his skin as a very thin sheen. He failed to think on what was need to be said; whatever words he had prepared for this very moment died before they reached the tip of his tongue.
He brought a hand up, knuckles poised to knock on the wooden door-
"Come in."
Vernias blinked. He hadn't reached the door yet! Could Sophist sense him somehow?
His hand reached down for the golden knob, turning it and making his way in. "Sophist..?" came the angel's meek greeting. Unlike the foyer, the room is dimly lit with several candles being the main source of light, the dual moons of Gaia -- Sirena and Xelos -- filling the view of the wide window before him. Vernias could make out the man's form as he sat at his desk, tinkering with some sort of gadget that must have came from the workshop downstairs. Hat and cape discarded elsewhere, only the jeweled mask is left and that sense of familiarity encouraged Vernias to step in, closing the door behind him.
Sophist hadn't acknowledged him. Not yet. It wasn't until Vernias took a few steps forward did magenta eyes rose up. Other than the admittedly mesmerizing glow, nothing betrayed whatever emotions is going through the man. He merely stared, neither delighted nor annoyed that the audience that wished to seek him had to be the angel. Vernias nibbled at his lower lip, shuffling in place. "Sophist. Hi..." he again greeted, emphasizing with a weak wave.
It wasn't returned.
"...Listen, I..." Vernias lowered his hand, now hovering at his midsection with his other hand fiddling with nervous fingers. A way to ground himself to the difficult conversation at hand, no doubt. "I know our last meeting ended up...bad. Like, really bad. But I can assure you, though, that I hadn't meant for it to cause you stress!" Boldly, Vernias advanced with his determined gaze locking with an impassive one.
"Things haven't been...the best lately. I didn't know what was I thinking -- I.... I just thought that hanging out with you, and getting away from all of that, would help! Or no, not like I used you for any gain or anything-" In that moment, Vernias noted that Sophist's grip on the gadget tightened. .The way his gloves made a noise when fingers curled. "Again, n-not like that!" he stammered out with his hands flying up in a pacifying manner. "I just... Oh gosh, I'm not used to explaining. See, I wanted to get to know you. That's all! I know how Brent and Nick are-"
"Vernias."
"-with how stubborn they are! I kept telling them that you're not so bad, and if they just gave you a chance-"
"Vernias."
"-maybe things wouldn't turn out like this. Like everything's about to fall about-"
Suddenly, the air became tense. Or rather, it's like every particle of it is vacuumed into the void, Vernias realizing that his lungs slightly strained to take in that precious air. Before he could react, his arms and the wings at his back is held back. He cried out in surprise, attempting to pull his arms out from behind where they are poised tightly over each other like someone bound him with rope. Only there wasn't any sight of rope. There wasn't anything corporeal that he could see or feel. Feathers fell to the floor due to Vernias's attempts to struggle.
"Wh-What's going on?!" When he turned back to Sophist, he saw that the man had also stood up from his seat. A disturbingly casual smile settled at his lips, when his features had been blank not just a few minutes ago. "Verny, Verny, Verny," he started in a sweet cadence, something that made Vernias shudder unpleasantly, as he slowly rounded the desk. "As much as you put your sweet, little heart into these things, I don't think you realize that you got a problem. A simple problem that has the very unlucky ability to become such a fucking inconvenience to everyone else."
His smile then turned into a sneer, remembering the looks on everyone's faces when they heard Vernias's cry from above when he had fled his home. The onslaught of questions that came soon after that barraged into Sophist's head like a violent migraine.
"It's because I care about you, Sophist! We're friends!"
Friends. In what fucking world is this bastard living in?
Sophist's eyes, along with the gem at his forehead, began to glow, becoming a deep purple that swirled with unthinkable magic that the angel has only read in tomes. He could feel his own retaliating ( no! please don't make it worse! ), its holy nature struggling to break free of these binds. "I kept telling you to keep your mouth shut," he hissed out in contempt, turning those hateful eyes that could have send shivers down the toughest spine. Vernias took a few steps back, pink eyes widening in trepidation when the sorcerer's lips twisted into a delirious smile. "And what did you do? You tried to act like a fucking hero!"
That's when sharp pain ran through the angel's body. "Augh!" Something popped in his ears. A shift in his position made him realize that his arms are suddenly forced back in a painful way. His joints and muscles began to ache so deeply that tears formed in Vernias's eyes. "Stop! Sophist, please stop!" he cried out, not caring to debate on whether to beg or not.
"Stop!"
That's when that tension snapped.
That glow from the jeweled brightened so that the whole room is filled with its marvelous light, nearly blinding the angel just as he heard a haughty laugh, though it sounded breathless. Almost out of air itself. "Stop?! Why would I when you haven't yourself? I told you...to...stay...quiet!"
Vernias soon found himself hanging in the air, hung from his hands behind his back so all the weight is painfully on his shoulders then he's tossed around the room like a doll. What felt like hands took hold of his wings, pulling at them until it felt as though they were going to be ripped from his back. Anguished screams erupted from the angel, his cries shrill and somewhat inhuman from not only the weight, but that icy feeling returning to become like frigid ice injecting straight into his veins.
Everything burned.
It all overwhelmed him to a certain degree that he's not even sure if he's still in the mortal realm.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
His body continued to hang then thrashed around, tears falling from his eyes and his features contorted into one of terror from the devastating pain. What felt like hours passed before Sophist decided to drop him from the air. The angel crumpled to the floor, his arms splayed at his sides like a puppet with its strings cut. His wings twitched from the wrathful force, laying limp along the angel's back like they were depleted of their strength. Soft pink eyes are hidden by closed, fluttering lids -- the rush of relief and sudden absence of the agony had thrown him into unconsciousness.
Sophist panted from the amount of magic he had to use, a hand reaching up to cover at the jewel still pulsating as a sharp ache. Footsteps rushed towards the room and the doors slammed open. "Sire?! What is-" Sophist glanced up to see the guards beholding the scene before them. Upon meeting their astonished features, he simply waved a hand. "Just get him out of here. Throw him out of the city gates however you can without alerting people. Make sure he doesn't try to get in if he wakes up."
"Yes, sire."
He grinned, though it's regarded in a shadow that none of the guards are keen in erasing nor encouraging. "And stay quiet about this. A single word gets out, and we're going to have a nice, long chat~. Understood?"
The resounding "Yes, sire!" finally quelled the regent's frayed nerves, his shoulders slumping as they worked on taking Vernias away. He glanced down at the feathers littering the ground, so dull in color and appearance with no cosmic presence to behold. With a scoff, Sophist waved a hand where the feathers, one by one, disappeared in wisps of smoke and embers.
"Useless... What is he even good for, anyway..." he mutters, returning to the gadget that laid neglected upon his desk.
Gaia was never as peaceful as this. Her wondrous essence is no stranger to barbaric practices between the lands and voracious creatures that rained blood across the fields. The skies were nothing but misty reds and dark, starless nights that frowned upon the ashen, blackened wastelands that adorned Gaia.
Divinity had to intervene. The heavens paved way for their strongest forces to protect Gaia before she is ripped asunder from the strife and death that burrowed deeply within her. Light broke through the bloodied skies, restoring the life that was once breathed from the planet.
Grueling wars had been fought, yet the cosmos and its people have reigned victorious. Whatever is left of the brutish civilizations and the monsters that plagued the lands has withered into obscurity, eventually fading into nothing but terrified whispers told as stories and remnants becoming living descendants and ancient history in the form of old temples and cursed lands.
That is what Gaia has endured long ago. When the chasm of hell opened wide, and began to spew the unholy contents within its gluttonous stomach.
May the powers have mercy on those who have suffered greatly...
"Whatcha reading?"
Noah blinked, the reality of his surroundings apparent as he peered up to see the inquisitive features of the prince. The sun, while hidden behind the fluffy clouds, still shined light behind his head, creating a lovely halo around Nick. He quickly cleared his throat as he closed the tome shut. "Oh, you know. Myths and legends of Gaia. Very interesting read, if you haven't gotten around to it yet."
Nick chuckled, straightening up with his gloved hands set upon his hips. "You know I've read almost every book in the library! Then again... I don't think reading much about my favorite bands count as studying..." Noah joined with an amused chuckle of his own. "What? It may prove useful one day! You never know!"
"Suuuuuure, when gold starts raining down, maybe," Noah jested with a roll of his eyes, ignoring the fluttering in his stomach when the prince walked over to sit next to him.
"Are you well?"
Noah blinked once more, staring up at Nick. "Yes, I am... Why, do I look bad?" At his fingers running through his own brown curls, the prince shook his head with a smile. "Nah, you just look distracted. Like something's on your mind. You've been acting like that for a while now." The mage can't help but frown, setting the tome down next to him.
"Really? I uh...haven't noticed..."
He averted his gaze, curious on the thought of Nick actually observing him and becoming concerned for him. "I always have something in mind, I guess. I mean, it's not every day that I'm talking to the prince of Lyros, and you just have me here! I still have to sneak in every time, y'know." Nick couldn't help but laugh under his breath. "Yeah, but it's worth seeing you around, Noah." At his pleasant surprise, Nick merely shrugged. "It's one of those things since I've made a lot of enemies. I can never have anyone visit me, alone, like this. The only people that I can routinely see are my friends at Cintir and Gedwen."
Noah is silent, more so to process the prince's words. "What, you get lonely around here?" he asked, ignoring the way Nick's voice softened at the mentioned of his friends. "Something like that..." Nick replied after a moment, his tone still soft as the breeze around them. He turned to face forward, a leg across the other and his arms crossed.
"It's not that I regret for making life a little challenging for myself, but I realize how...quiet it can be. When I have nowhere else to go and no one to talk to." When Noah didn't comment nor gave a suggestion, he continued. "I guess it really is of my own doing, but what else could I do? The walls keep closing in when you realize you can't give out trust all that much and with my friends acting strange lately, I'm just..." Nick made an odd noise in the back of his throat, a mixed sound like a groan and a whine that made Noah shift a little in his seat.
He didn't offer physical comfort, but he could see the conflict arising in the prince's eyes. His features became stony, like he often witnessed whenever Nick had to concentrate on a task, but those brown eyes flared with such strife that Noah couldn't help but bring himself a tad closer.
Their thighs are nearly touching but even at their distance, warmth could be felt between them. Noah wished he could lean into it.
"Nick..."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry."
That's when he brought his leg back in place, leaning forward with his head buried in his hands. "I don't mean to complain like this, but gods above... I'm so tired. Tired of not knowing what to do." Noah sighed, bringing a hand up to casually pat at his shoulder. "I understand, Nick. From what you've been telling me, I wouldn't know what to do, either. I might as well just shut down myself! That level of just...not knowing is heavier than any responsibilities of someone in your position. If I could, I could roll to give you some form of peace."
At Nick's soft chuckle, that fluttering in Noah's stomach shot towards his heart and he's grateful for whatever fortune he had left that the prince didn't turn to see red coloring at his cheeks. "Yeah? That'd be awesome... No, that'd be perfect if you could do that!" A pause, then a defeated sigh escaping past full lips as Nick lowered his hands. "...If only it was that simple."
Both settled into a comfortable silence. Noah gazed up at the blue and white-spotted sky, the scent of the salty sea wafting up to his nose to ease his mind. A breeze went through the courtyard, making the flowers and trees whisper amongst themselves.
That's when an idea popped into mind.
"...Have you ever left the castle on your own?"
Nick raised a brow as he turned his head towards him. "Uh... No? Not really? I usually have to have someone with me. Like a guard or some kind of escort..." Noah beamed, presenting himself with a somewhat clumsy flourish. "Well, you have me! I can be your escort! We may have to wait until night...and I'm obviously not part of the royal court, but I can accompany you all the same!"
At first, Nick is taken aback by Noah's sudden excitement for it -- if not by the clear opportunity to actually leave the castle of his own accord. Granted, he could but only to the town surrounding the castle and even then, he could always feel the watchful gaze of the elite soldiers that are stationed at almost every corner. He could see the anticipation in Noah's eyes slowly dimming, and Nick is hasty with his answer that appeared as a wide grin and a wink. How goddamn adorable it was to see Noah looking rather flustered at that.
"With an offer like that, how could I refuse~?"
It was like seeing you for the first time all over again. I had wonder if you glow just as brightly as the stars...
X -- X -- X
The minute the die rolled to a victorious eighteen, they had made their escape. The guards have been none the wiser, and any probable cause to venture forth to investigate any suspicious activity had been lowered drastically for this particular night. Despite Noah's earlier offer of being an escort, Nick ended up leading them down a path towards the daisy fields that are known for their colorful beauty, the sea breeze making them sway and dance to a slow melody that only they could hear.
By the time they had the flowers in sight, they slowed to a casual walk now that they are far from ever being discovered. Noah kept glancing around cautiously, prepared for a potential ambush with Nick shaking his head with a scoff. "C'mon, Noah, calm down! It's not like we're completely defenseless -- I can protect you from whatever scum that decides to show its ugly face." Noah mimicked the scoff with a smile in response, though Nick didn't miss how those eyes flashed with something behind the lenses.
It had been too quick to decipher, but he had a feeling that Noah knew something that he didn't. The prince isn't sure if he should be comforted or suspicious from it.
"Wow... I never knew how beautiful this looked at night!"
Upon Noah's gasp of wonder, Nick blinked then turned to see the sky appearing like a painted canvas, the galaxies of stars like brushstrokes streaking along the sky and the two moons idly hovering above them. With their radiant light, the daisies before them illuminated with such a beautiful glow that even the prince himself couldn't help but stare in awe. The sound of waves crashing along rocks further ahead further cemented into the paradise they have seemingly ventured into. Nick had to bring himself down to sit upon the grassy patches, sensing Noah doing the same next to him.
Nick sat there for the longest minute, time seemingly slowing to a crawl as he's mesmerized by the sight. He inhaled quietly, relishing in the fresh air that wasn't buried under the spices and other culinary scents from the town, before slowly letting it out. "...It's been a while since I've been out here like this," he muttered, bringing his knees up and resting his chin between them. "Not even with Vernias or Brent. Just out here, by myself... I've forgotten how the world is when you aren't so busy with...anything."
Noah had turned to gaze at him the moment he spoke, his eyes soft in the light. "Busy being trapped with everything else?" Nick hummed to validate that thought. Debating within himself then mustering up the courage he could scrounge up, Noah decided to scoot a little closer to the other, missing the way the corner of Nick's lips flicking up to an adoring smile.
"You really needed this, don't you." It wasn't framed as a question -- it's a statement. A fact that Nick could never elude from or deny any longer.
That smile faltered into an impassive line, then further into a frown. "I didn't think it'd be this much of a toll on me," Nick voiced in a concerned tone.
Before Noah could comment, whatever words that would have came out became stuck in his throat the moment the prince turned to face him with a sincere smile that isn't all pearly whites or shining brightly with confidence. If anything, the glow from the celestial bodies cast it in a divine light that Noah couldn't think of anything to say. His heart felt like it was being embraced by Nick's warmth, that fortune shining upon him like golden waves of the sun.
"...Thank you, Noah. Truly."
Noah settled back, unable to contain the joyful yet loving smile that spreads across his lips. "...Of course." Their gazes locked, Noah refrained from letting his eyes wander down to Nick's lips. "Nick?"
"Yeah?"
He took in a breath. Several petals from the daisies had flown in the wind to caress them both, dancing around them in a slow waltz. "...Uhm..." Nick raised a brow, silently encouraging him to continue. "...Y-You know that I won't be around for long. I got my own responsibilities to tend to...but while I can't risk sneaking since someone's bound to notice, I can come visit you still. Here, around this time...if that's alright."
Nick stared at him for a moment but unlike before, Noah didn't feel hesitant nor having second thoughts about it. He felt more at ease, fully comforted in Nick's presence to where even if a dark storm approached, he would feel no trepidation. His breath hitched when Nick maneuvered to inch closer to him. Their foreheads touched, and Noah shuddered when he felt Nick's hot breath wash over him.
"...Yeah, it is. I need to learn to leave by myself, anyway. Even if you aren't here just yet, I'll be here waiting for you."
Noah's eyes brightened, his heart racing not just from the contact but from his words, soft and hushed as though they are sharing their most precious secrets. "Promise...?"
I could only wish the kisses we would have shared that night...
