Title: Illusion
Characters: Hayzel Baker
Rating: T for Teen
Notes: N/A
A single candle flickered in the dark room, just enough to light the table it rested upon. On the side, Hayzel smiled into the shadows.
"It's not much, but I know it's your favorite," they sighed, fingering a wooden utensil before dipping into his bowl, wood scraping against wood just audible in the confined space.
They brought it to their lips, blowing lightly over the wood before taking a sip of air.
"Sorry, I guess it got a little cold waiting for you…But I don't mind…I'll always be happy to wait for you…forever, Charis."
Chapter 9: The Lotus Stand (Hard)
Characters: Keith Summers, Hayzel Baker, Y'mhitra Rhul, Shadowhunter, Raya-O Senna, A-Ruhn Senna, some wood-wailers, Elementals
Rating: Teen
Notes: Non-descript dead bodies
- Previous - First - Next -
Things had been quiet after Keith explained his vision. Shadowhunter had gone silent, seeming revolted by what the Echo-blessed Midlander had told him. Y’mhitra seemed to reflect on the situation, leaving the Padjal siblings to eat on the bench, staring between them all. Rubbing the back of his head, Keith cleared his throat awkwardly until the Seeker among them broke the silence.
“This might be a mixed blessing. From what I’ve heard from the scions, Emet-Selch was among the more powerful of our masked friends…and was felled by the Warriors of Light. Your friend…er, the Ascian’s utility has passed. Without the greater power to guide them, what might they be hoping to gain? Surely their leader’s demise, not to mention their god’s, would have demotivated them. And what of their hostage? Does your brother possess the Echo?”
“Chaos…,” Shadowhunter grunted.
“I didn’t sense anything like that until Keith fell. Afterward, I was able to pinpoint him,” Raya-O mused.
“I didn’t notice anything either, and I’m sure Y-Sumi or Kan-E would have said something if they sensed anything more,” her brother added before joining in with the others as they looked to Keith.
“Ah. My little brother’s only claim to fame is being kind of broody and wielding a big sword. It doesn’t sound like Asicans have want of money and my family, while in good standing with the Sultanate, don’t have any power to sway over them…and Carter is the third brother in a line of four, hardly the one to kidnap for any imagined leverage at all really.”
“Almost as useless as the second them,” Shadowhunter sighed.
“Exactly,” Keith agreed before tilting his head. “Wait a minute…”
“The blind leading the blind then,” Y’mhitra sighed, “At the very least…we’ve established they’re probably not going to try and end the world…and that Carter is a disposable hostage,” Y’mhitra sighed.
“Disposable!?” Keith yelped.
“Unless you feel that we’ve missed something, there’s no clear reason to keep Carter except leverage against pursuers.”
Keith lowered his head, heart racing as he let her words sink in. Clenching his fists, he shook out his head, not wanting to believe that the Ascian would harm him. Looking up, he watched the grey skies through the yellow leaves of the Shroud. “Guess we’re getting fall early this year,” he let out weakly.
The other white mage turned his attention up as well. “That’s not good...,” he started before reaching up to rub at one of his horns, “The elementals…their scared.”
Raya-O nodded while the other three looked at them confused. Standing, she looked to the sky, following the yellowing pattern. “This isn’t right. It’s worse towards Old Gridania…come, let’s go see if it’s related.”
Following the older Padjal’s lead, the five of them wandered into the older part of the city, the canopy looking more and faded as they got closer to the conjurer’s guild. As they approached Nophica’s Alter, Raya-O gasped. The area seemed to have been cleared save for a trio of wood wailers anxiously looking about.
“What are those,” Keith asked, approaching the alter itself, finding a couple of, what looked to him, like little glowing rag dolls. Reaching down, he picked one up and held it in its arms. The creature weakly wiggled its arms before going limp. “Ah, is it okay!?”
“An elemental…It’s not dead…but weakened for sure,” A-Ruhn observed while kneeling down to check the others, “That’s probably why the leaves are turning.”
Raya-O shifted then moved towards the clearing that led down toward The Lotus Stand. “Something…is down there.”
“Asican,” Shadowhunter growled before pushing past her.
“Wait! You can’t just go down there,” the girl huffed, chasing after.
Y’mhitra and A-Ruhn followed along with the three guards, leaving Keith to put the elemental gently down, giving its head a little pat before spacing out the others so that they weren’t all uncomfortably strewn on top of one another. Standing, he looked back to the stand as he heard Shadowhunter scream. Hurrying, he went to the path then ran down as fast as he could to the springs.
Standing near the small falls, Hayzel stood quietly, hand outstretched toward them while Shadowhunter crawled away through the waters, grasping for something Keith could not see.
“Cid…Mili…Allie…Alfonse…Rex…Ricon….please wake up. I can not have failed again…,” Shadowhunter weakly breathed out.
Keith swallowed then looked to find Y’mhitra trembling and backing up shaking her head before starting to cry, “Shtola…Zel…who…who did this…”
The three wood wailers also seemed to be muttering something, spears dropped, and attention spread. Looking to Raya-O and A-Ruhn, he frowned, the two holding hands and keeping their eyes closed while everyone else seemed to be seeing something he could not. Turning his attention back to the Ascian, he quickly hopped over the logs and onto the table at the center of the meeting area. “Hayzel. Please! Where’s Carter!? Why are you doing this,” he asked.
Hayzel’s attention snapped up to Keith, and in that moment his hand faltered. “Keith…” he whispered before shaking his head and gesturing upwards, “Just let us leave this forest in peace.”
“Not with my brother! Were you faking your friendship with us this whole time!? Carter really liked you…You don’t need to do this!”
“If I don’t I will be hunted and struck down like the rest. You know nothing of what I’ve been through…I want only to remain awake and to be with the one I love!”
Keith shielded himself as a dark aura flung from his friend’s hand toward him. His eyes itched for a moment, and when he opened them, his blood ran cold. Laying in the water where the bodies of his two other brothers…the youngest Qody with his blitzball…and his eldest Casumus in his favorite jeweled coat. Shaking, Keith fell to his knees on the wooden table, trying to catch his breath.
Punching the wood, he looked up, tear in the corner of his eyes as he looked on to Hayzel. He panted then stood back up. “So this is what the guy meant about nightmares…but, you left out Carter on purpose didn’t you? Stop this Hayzel!”
The Ascian seemed to be stepping away before shaking his head and clutching it with a scream. Everyone soon came out of their trances, seeing things as they were as Hayzel cried out in terror. The wind soon shifted, and thunder started to roll. Shadowhunter getting back to his feet drew his blade, readying to aim it before Keith body-checked him back into the springs.
“You fool,” the elder grunted, pushing Keith off him as he got back to his feet.
Lightning spread above the canopy before thunder rolled through. The ground shook and in another flash a suit of armor crashed down from above then assembled before letting out a deep sinister laugh from the wolf-shaped helm.
“Sirus…” Shadowhunter grunted, yanking Keith back to his feet and thrusting a spare sword into his hands.
“It’s just another illusion…right,” Keith asked, the others behind him readying themselves for battle, “Right?”
The armor stepped forward then manifested a war hammer and swung. Metal against metal echoed sharply through the arena as both Shadowhunter and Keith held their swords up flat to block it while the Padjals casted a watery shield around them. From behind Y’mhitra cast out a carbuncle that began to fire magics the apparition’s way while the wood wailers slung their spears and arrows their way.
Keith was quick to squat, heart racing before he bounced upward, shoving himself into the flat end of the hammer to try and make the giant recoil. Freed of the parry, Gaius tried to break through to swipe at the Ascian beyond, only to be blocked as Sirus rotated to face Hayzel.”
“It’s turning on its summoner,” Y’mhitra called out, spouting magicks out from her book.
Keith slid through the stream then popped up in front of Hayzel then thrust his sword into the stomach of the armor before trying to uppercut with the blade and knock of the helm. Sirus faltered taking a couple of steps back before finding itself berated by stones by both A-Ruhn and Raya-O until it fell backward, sprawled out nearly the length of the stand. Taking a leap, Keith jumped back beside the Asican.
“We did it,” Keith breathed out, eyes wide before turning to Hayzel as the Ascian cried out then faded into an abyss of darkness.
“Move now boy,” Shadowhunter demanded, dashing forward to pull Keith against him as a red sword thrust out of the portal and struck him.
Retreating back with the rest of the group, Keith watched as a horned figure emerged from the darkness. Straightening up, the handsome figure looked down at them, eyes white and sword held high before it struck down into the center of the armor.
“A voidsent,” Raya-O cried out.
“Doesn’t he look a bit like…” Y’mhitra started, looking to Keith.
“It’s in our way! Just strike it down,” Shadowhunter shouted before firing a round from Heirsbane as he launched forward to deliver the creature a series of blue-flamed strikes before being knocked away with a parry.
Keith swallowed, staring up at the larger image of himself before he chucked the sword away then pulled out a pair of studded gloves from his pockets. Fitting them, he squared off then flew forward, feeling Y’mhitra’s castings wiz by him before he landed a fury of strikes into his dark mirror’s stomach.
The creature merely grunted then swung its sword about, trying to sway Keith away before grabbing him by the throat and throwing him back. Holding his sword with both hands, the incubus closed its eyes then summoned eight swirling six-pointed stars around each party member before exploding dark aether about them. Keith hissed as it burned but was soothed as both siblings cast various healing magicks that made his foil recoil.
Swooping back from of them, the incubus swung his sword high. Keith looked down, noting a dark circle coming from below. He leapt forward as a dark sword came forth from the ground, followed by a flurry of blades that seemed to come from all directions. Flipping forward, he did his best to dodge each one before looking up as a giant blackened blade barreled down at him before a silvery dome appeared around him and caused the sword to vanish before it could collide in full.
“Strike him down while he cools off from the attack,” Y’mhitra called out.
Keith nodded then closed his eyes then channeled his aether in his palm. It flooded like he’d never felt before, glowing brilliantly as he took his stance. “Go back to where you belong,” Keith called out before launching forward, striking the incubus hard before finding himself engulfed in light.
He was blinded for a moment, but he could feel his target’s aether slip away. Once things came into focus, he looked back to his new friends and Shadowhunter before giving a little thumbs up as he crashed down into springs face first.
Chapter 4: Sort It Out
Characters: Keith Summers, Carter Summers, Hayzel Baker, Shadowhunter
Rating: Teen
Notes: Day 7 in Challenge
- First Chapter - -Previous Chapter- -Next Chapter-
A light breeze swept across Carter Summer's chest as he slowly roused from sleep, or so he thought. He wasn't a stranger to sharing sleeping quarters, often lumped in with his brothers when they were younger; but as brothers, they took precautions to somewhat avoid intruding into each other's space. With Hayzel, he found those efforts now completely eroded, waking to find a passing sensation, not the wind, but the quiet breathing of his new friend.
Cheeks tinting red, he slowly rose up, trying not to let Hayzel's head fall too far from his chest and wake him. Across the campfire, his brother snored loudly, sprawled out, still blissfully ignorant of the budding relationship. While not his intention, he reaped the benefits of being a perceived savior. Idle flirting and hand-holding had quickly escalated into making excuses to sneak off together on their journey to embrace and steal kisses. Now, to him, it seemed pretense was very well on its way to be cast aside, Hayzel having found a place under his arm and his chest to lay his head.
Scowling, Carter slid free of his dreaming companion, guiding the other to his pillow before standing up. While the ego inflation was gratifying, he didn't want Keith to wake and see them together. He could already tell his big brother was hurt by how fast Hayzel has taken to him, somehow unable to read between the lines. He often wondered how the other could be so naive with the eldest brother having quite the reputation as a rake. He too had managed to charm a handful of women himself on his travels, leaving him baffled at his closest brother's lack of awareness when it came to matters of the heart. Keith wasn't hurting in his ability to make far more friends than he ever could. He even had a couple plainly simpering for him; yet, nothing came to pass as far as he knew, and it bothered him. Not so much as he felt a need to be involved in his brother's personal affairs, but in that he could sense the growing frustration from Keith that he didn't understand why Hayzel wasn't giving him as much attention.
As he started to put on his leathers and gear, he watched Hayzel sleep cursed silently to himself. Dressed, he picked up his claymore and then stood over his companion, eyes trailing from their soft sleeping face down to their lithe form. His cheeks reddened once more, embarrassment sending him away from camp to take a walk and clear his head as his own frustration mounted.
“If he wasn't so, gods damned dense, I could talk to him about this shit," he growled inside his head. “He's supposed to be the knowledgable one. Why do I have to fucking worry about ruining his innocence? I'm the one struggling with...struggling with..."
Carter paused as the sound of ambient kupoing invaded his thoughts. Turning, he found himself with an unwanted companion. "Why the long face, ku-," the Moogle started to ask before finding the entirety of its face being crushed in the palm of the dark knight.
"NONE OF YOUR GODS DAMNED BUSINESS," Carter roared, winding back his arm before giving the creature a chuck.
Rather than the familiar panicked cry of the flung creature being flung into the distance, its scream was short-lived, bouncing off something with a squeak while the impact point let out a deep grunt.
Rage subsided, Carter blinked and watched as a red-robed figure rubbed his face and punted the Moogle aside. "A powerful right arm you've got there, boy. I'd say you've makings of a ball player," the man complimented in an attempt to hide his annoyance.
"Sorry, sire. I somehow attract pests," Carter apologized before tensing up as the man lifted his hand to slick back his salt and pepper hair, revealing his third eye. "Fuck."
"It is too early to cross swords boy. Stay your hand and I shall move on and leave you be."
Carter swallowed, stopping himself from reaching back to his claymore, finding the stranger's hand already upon his blade. Knowing he'd lose in a quick draw, he did as he was told, though not ready to let the old man by without interrogation. "Why are you here Garlean?"
"I am hunting an elusive mark. And you? You don't resemble a soldier, despite your apparent pride."
"My brother and I are passing through to meet with family," he lied, balling his fists at his side. On further inspection of the man, he noted he was not only well armed but seemed to be carrying an assortment of strange masks strung to his belt.
"I see," the man answered, crossing his legs. "And you've come this way to brood and let off some steam? I'd assume sibling trouble; however, you look grown enough to part ways if that were the case. A lass I take it?"
Carter glared before looking away, the man hitting the nail on the head, mostly. "I didn't ask for your insight old man."
"And it was plain that you were not going to simply let me walk by, boy. Better to pacify you with idle chatter than being forced to lay you out," the Garlean retorted.
The Ala Mhigan stayed stiff for a moment before relenting that there would be no cause to fight, the man reading him all too well. "How'd you know," he asked, tilting his head back in defeat, embarrassed his enemy seemed more attuned to his situation in seconds.
"I've attempted to raise a few sons, albeit poorly. I remember the signs Low mood, quiet, hostile. Then you're unblemished and do not strike me as a pacifist. At the very least, if you felt travel necessity with your brother I imagine you'd solve it with fists before having the sense to storm off."
Pegged again, Carter just grimaced, letting the man monologue.
"A lover left behind, or on your mind at least. There's nothing you can do about that other than sulk like a babe. If you would intend on keeping me, you might get something in talking it out. I do warn I find myself lacking in matters of the heart."
"Fuck, fine."
"Watch your tongue, boy."
"Seriously," he asked, getting a reproachful nod from the man.
“You’ve barely the whiskers upon your chin to use that sort of language at me.”
Carter rolled his eyes, sticking out his chin, absently showing off his meager patch of hair before deciding to let it go. “It’s as you said. A matter of the heart. I’ve become attached to someone…that’s not quite a lass. We’ve grown rather close and it’s only a matter of time before things progress naturally. I’m just worried about growing too attached. There are, things I feel that might get in the way.”
“If you mean to imply a means to leave a legacy, I will tell you now boy, you are unworthy of their affection and wanting of character. Truly having feelings for this person, the only thing that should matter is what is in thy breast. Family is not writ in blood but forged in love. That is the only true legacy. If you need another example, look to the Warrior of Light and Eorzea’s love for them. Your bonds and deeds are all that you can leave behind.”
The Ala Mhigan took a step back as the other condemned him for his lack of perspective. Crossing his arms, he closed his eyes. He stood quietly for a moment, turning the man’s words around in his head, feeling confusion replaced by shame, then shame into resolve. “You’re right. I’m not worthy…but I want to be. I feel all that dumb sh- Er,...stuff that bards sing about when I’m with them. I guess I need to not be a coward and make my intentions clear to them… The Twelve I sound like a damn fool,” he anguished, palming his face.
The man nodded and then moved to take his leave from the young man, “Well, then it sounds like you’ve already made peace with your feelings; however, do not progress lightly on the whims of your hormones. Ensure you’ve been thorough with your personal inventory and ensure that you articulate yourself in a manner that lays plain your feelings and assures them of your commitment to move forward.”
“You sure do like the sound of your own voice,” Carter called out.
The Garlean paused then turned, face twisted in what the Ala Mhigan assumed was an attempt at a smile, “So I’ve been told,” he answered.
“Yeah, well. Thanks, I guess. You’re not as bad a guy as I thought for being a Garlean. Earned your dad points at the very least.”
The man looked up to the sky a moment before returning to his hunt, leaving Carter to reflect further on his situation. Calmed, he made the trek back to his camp, finding Keith and Hayzel in the process of waking. Kneeling beside his companion, he lightly brushed his fingers across their cheek then leaned down, pressing their lips together lightly before pulling back, ignoring his older brother’s shock in the background. “Sorry to make you wait…”
What was home? Hayzel couldn’t say. There’d been times in their captivity that they’d been given a place at a table, maybe even talked to like a person; however, it was never long before they were reminded that he was a guest. Perhaps it would be in the displeasure of telling one of their reflection’s shortcomings, quickly being sent from their room and sold off by the morrow. Though, even delivering something beautiful did not guarantee a secure place. Memories of their life before their time in Garelmald were fleeting. On occasion, a flash of their father’s smile or the scent of their mother’s cooking would bring them back to a moment in time. When or were was lost to him.
Now, sitting at the Summers’ table, watching his two Ala Mhigan rescuers trade barbs across the table and laugh and openly invite him into their conversation, no strings attached and no punishment for an odd phrase, they thought it might be the semblance of what they’d missed out on. In only a matter of days, Hayzel had come to feel rather comfortable with them, as if they’d always belonged among them.
Chapter 10: Dreamer in the Lost Paradise
Characters: Keith Summers, Hayzel(Hypnos Unsundered), Priapus (??? Unsundered), Shadowhunter, Y'mhitra Rhul
Rating: T
Notes:
"Leave me be."
Keith looked on in awe. A tree towered overhead a round plaza with crisp linens string overhead. Beneath it, Hayzel sat, looking out into the horizon. A picture of peace, if it were not for the sky aflame.
"Hypnos, please! There is still hope for our star. Another path we can take," Keith heard someone plead.
Something was off with the voice. A familiar, yet unpleasant tonality that made him want to rub his ears. Hayzel turned, responding to the name, listless gaze, a striking electric blue.
"That is what Thanatos said when this all began. And it didn't work. Loss after senseless loss. I have no reason to have faith in Venat's honeyed words and believe her solution will be any different. Her dream would part me from Charis, and she's convinced Echo to be a part of it.
“Tell me Priapus, what good is a world bereft of your loved ones? My brother given to Zodiark. My love, your brother, following a heretic with my sister in tow into another flavour doom. Ethyris is dying because we chased perfection over learning to love life as it was. Without love there is no meaning.
“I'm content to burn with this star. At least in the endless dream that waits for us, we can be united."
Keith felt his fist tighten and head shake.
"You'd see us all doomed because you don't believe we'll succeed. If you cannot have an eternity with Charis, let us burn!? Must you always have your stakes so high!? We're joining Venat so that you might have the eternity together you wish! You want all or nothing! He's giving his all so that you won't be nothing!"
Despite the screaming, Hypnos remained unmoved, attention moving to the ruined sky.
"Energetic and passionate as always. You'd have made a good Azim."
"Is there really nothing I can say to change your mind?"
Hypnos didn't respond. Keith's vision shifted, looking down at someone's robes and balled fists as it turned and headed away from the plaza.
He wandered on, through a once beautiful and vibrant garden, blighted by the doomed skies. Arriving at a fountain, the voice let out a frustrated scream then slammed their palms down onto the brick edge. The vision then moved to the water's reflection, and upon Keith seeing a likeness to himself, he jolted awake.
-
"Yikes!"
Keith shot straight up, finding himself back in the inn room he'd woken up in before. The room was dark this time, save for a candle upon a table in the corner of a room that Shadowhunter was using to read.
"Rest boy," the Garlean ordered gruffly, not looking up from his page.
Keith frowned, then jumped as he felt someone shift next to him. Atop the blankets, Y'mhitra snoozed, undisturbed by the Hyur's outburst and movement. He blushed deeply as he checked under the blanket, finding himself bare.
"Why do my clothes keep getting taken," he hissed through the dark, giving the sleeping Miqo'te more space.
"You were knocked out again. It's a surprise you've not taken ill before now the way you treat water as a bed. Though I suppose they say fools can't catch colds," the older man responded dryly.
"Yeah but Mhitra-"
"The lass didn't see your shame and fell asleep tending to your fever. Something about excess aether. That is not my field of expertise so I cannot say for certain what was wrong but the Seedseer said it's akin to what the warriors of light experienced in the early days of their journey."
Keith lit up a bit but before he could even speak Gaius was ready with, "No, you're not a Warrior of Light. Though you remind me of the Miqo’te one.”
“You’ve met the Warriors of Light?”
“...We’ve crossed paths.”
Keith looked on, expecting a story, but Shadowhunter returned to his book. Thinking of what he’d seen, he leaned back against the headboard and sighed.
“You’re sticking around,” he asked.
“I’ve been given permission to remain here, watched, until I take care of the Ascian.”
“About that…I don’t think Hayzel’s trying to do anything bad.”
The Garlean grunted in response then looked up to Keith.
“I saw something in my Echo thingy. They were there looking sad and everything was kind of falling apart around them. They were sad ‘cause their loved ones were all going to do something to save the world but they didn’t think it’d work. It’s all kind of fuzzy, but I think Hayzel just wanted to meet my brother…again? They suddenly felt so familiar…like they’d been my friend for a long time.”
“Ascians don’t make friends with us. They just manipulate and scheme to achieve their end goal, summoning their Eikon.”
“Yeah, but…the Hayzel in my Echo didn’t want anything to do with that. They just wanted to be where Carter was.”
“I’ve fought them boy. Their the enemy of our star and you’d offer friendship?”
“Yes. You’re Garlean. Your countrymen invaded my homeland and now that we’ve ousted them we’re still at odds with one another. Yet, you offered help to my brother and I when we needed it, and have fought side-by-side. You’re my friend. Hayzel too.”
“Your heart is far too big for your own good. We are, at most, comrades with a common goal. Would you be as charitable if I were the man that robbed you of your hearth and home?”
“The Black Wolf? I’d probably sock you one pretty good if you were…I dunno. I’d have a lot of complicated feelings then. But the Warriors of Light already took care of him….right?”
Shadowhunter stared for a moment then returned to his book, “Go back to sleep boy. We’ll go tell the Elder Seedseer tomorrow to see if they have any more information on the whereabouts of your brother and their apparent Asican lover.”
Keith tilted his head then laid back down, making sure to not disturb Y’hmitra as he settled in. It seemed to him that the Shadowhunter was going to be a difficult sell…but he felt a certainty within him that his Hayzel wasn’t bad. Moreso, that they needed help.
