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ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"Still I'm whispering the same prayer everyday;
How much longer will this feeling torture me?"

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

The carriage had loaded the bodies before it took off, the gallop of horses slowly fading into the distance. Raziel's hands were still clasped together as he watched them dissapear into the maze of buildings, heading towards the capital graveyard where the bodies of the two would be buried.

"May Cloudian guide you to eternal peace," he silently prayed before he seperated his palms, still shaking from the bottled up feelings in his chest. He grabbed his satchel and headed to the markets to stock up before they head off to see the girl in her cell.

It was eerily quiet as most people have retreated into their homes after the event. Other than a few people, mostly mothers with their children, the area had lost it's normal busy atmosphere. The boy made sure he got all the necessary food and equipment for the long journey.

And a few chocolate bars.

After checking every item on his list, he was about to leave when his eyes caught sight of the weaponary nearby. He considered it for a moment.

Would he need a weapon to defend himself and the two in tow? Normally the guards would handle weapons and the boy was never trained, physically nor mentally, to deal with knives, swords and anything alike. He was too nice to even hurt a fly, let alone try to hurt a person albeit it being a crazy murderer.

It wouldn't hurt to be more careful, he thought, as he entered the store. The owner looks seemingly shocked to see the boy.

"Raziel, is that you? I'd never expect you to come here," he said, astonished. The boy only smiled.

"Yeah, I didn't expect it either, but I'm in quite a predicament and I'll need the extra protection," Raziel sighed. The man nodded.

"Ah, I see. Quite the horrible life you lead, boy," the man said, shaking his head. "Well, I know you're not one who's familiar with weapons, maybe a simple one would do you good for now," the man said, scrutinizing the wall of swords. "I've got no daggers unfortunately, someone'a been being my entire stock for god knows what," he grumbled. Raziel gulped at the thought of a certain someone buying an entire hoard of daggers.

"Did they happen to have black hair by any chance? Or pale skin?" He questioned.

"Oh, they did. Had scary eyes too. Looked like a spawn of the devil that's for sure," the shopkeeper answered. Raziel felt his heart drop.

Of courae it was him.

"Well, I can't find an easier weapon. Would a rapier fit well with you?" the man asked, holding a fancy looking sword in his hands, the golden hilt shining in the light.

"I've done some fencing before with my brothers. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it," Raziel answered, inspecting the sword. It was light, which the boy liked compared to the other heavy looking ones. He nodded. "I guess this will have to do," he said. Although the man insisted he take it, he still left a pouch of golden coins on the wooden counter before he left.

Returning to the square, he reunited with the two, who looked like they were getting to know each other well. The new rapier handing by his hips in a sheath really felt foreign to the boy. The weight of it and the occasional clanks of metal as he walked was something he was yet to get used to.

"Well, it's still pretty early, do you need to go anywhere? Buying necessities perhaps?" he asked the two.  He was suddenly reminded of something,

"Also, you two can ride horses, can you?" Raziel asked. He forgot the carriage was cancelled and they would have to go there by horse instead, which was a better choice considering the path they'd take to the prison cells.

---

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

Suko jumped a little. Back? Already? And he looked different too.

And not like, with the new pretty sword. More like- sad. Or scared? Or something? Something negative that didn't belong on a cute face but was there anyway, because nature was a jerk sometimes.

I wonder if I-

Suko ripped the thought to pieces, and smiled at the boy. "Horses? You mean fast leather demons? Ridden a ton, actually! I love leather demon creatures, and I love smacking them into my enemies even more." They blinked. "At least I used to? So uh, how about you? You like horseys? Is this a flirty conversation, or are we going to die if I can't ride a horse? Not that there's any worry now! No dying on my leather-demon window breaking skills!"

The giggle was high-pitched and forced, even to their own ears. Oh, whatever god there was out there, have mercy on the cute pitiful Suko lying down at their feet, and save them from this onesided conversation with the two cutest, and most socially inept people in the world.

"So, yes?" she finished helpfully.

---

【credit=@earth4120】

ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"What joyous laughter;
A melody of notes in the rain..."

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

Although he was trying to keep a somewhat strict atmosphere, trying his best to not get too attached to either individuals, he couldn't help but let out a bright chuckle, a small laugh that tinkled like wind chimes almost a soft melody amongst the noise of the crowd, at Suko's playful nature. For a minute all the things that burdened him seems to have lighten slightly as their behaviour brightened Raziel up. His smile became warmer, more genuine than the forced ones he'd been holding up.

"That's good to hear. Just making sure as we'd have to travel by horse unless you're willing to break your feet walking," he said with a small grin.

He checked the time on his watch, slowly looking as the second had passed by. They'd have to leave soon or they'd reach later than he planned. Travelling in the dark of night was something Raziel wanted to avoid, since it would be advantageous to those who plan to ambush them.

"Well, then all that's left is for you to make any final preparations. We'll be heading off soon to..." his words trailed off as he was reminded of their destination. "Well, we'd have to stop by Glen Dungeons since I need to see the girl, but it'll only be a short stop before we go to the borders where I need to check on something," he outlined the journey in a little more detail. He dreaded about what he'll see in the dungeons, recalling a memory of the place he didn't want to remember.

"Red blood tainted the white hair,
Slowly covering every strand,
Until none of the white color was left,
Golden eyes lifeless, yet still burning
There he laid,
Behind bars and locked up in chains"

He cleared his mind, trying to forget that event ever happened, cursing at himself for even thinking aboit it. He had promised he'd forget about it. It was their last promise.

He needs to forget it. He must forget it.

---

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

"The Glen Dungeons?" Suko blinked slowly. Oh! Yes, that was- the small child. Girl. They wrinkled their nose at him. What? Did he liiiike her? More than Suko?

Stay in the moment.

They shook their head briskly. "So, uh, anyway- yes. We need to prepare. Preparing is fun." They smiled. "Wanna help? Or am I on my own?"

---

Emika Tenshi-Smith
Emika smirked. Seemed this person had a major crush~. She sobered her expression with ease. "Perhaps you could join me then." She said to the person. "Just need to grab a few things then we should be ready."

---

Eris Everlast
Eris flinched at each plink of water. It was so loud... Impossibly loud... What was making it so? She tried to ignore the water falling and focus on her energy, her magic, to begin to see what it was capable of...

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

Suko pondered it for a second. Hmmm. Both are pretty. Both are my friends. Both are good! They clapped their hands together. "Great! All three of us can go together!" She smiled at pretty-boy. "Come on, cuties~ We'll take over the world, one poisoned dart at a time!"

Darts were good. Poison was good. Fun adventures were good!

They were in the present. They were existant. Suko liked existant things!

"Come on!" Suko seized their arms in theirs, and tugged them along.

---

---

In the Glen Dungeons...

---

The air stilled. It grew muggier, densing in on her. Her magic was draining rapidly, and the air was compressing, her lungs growing tighter.

In a flash the rat was before her, its paw touching her knee.

The magic dissipated in an instant.

The rat's eyes glowed yellow.

---

ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"I'm dreaming. Still dreaming..."

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

As the boy was dragged along he had to grip tightly to the satchel he was holding. Suko had surprisingly good strength compared to Raziel so he was easily carried along like a twig pushed by river currents.

Though he was questioning himself about the poisoned darts. This person was really mysterious and different to Raziel. Then again, he's only ever worked with scholars with their books and academic tales, he probably forgotten the fun of a normal interaction or conversation.

"O-okay" he answered as they left the town center and moved towards the stalls. Delicious cuisines lined the vendors while some promoted crafts and art. The weapons were deeper inside, towards the homes of the blacksmiths. He looked at Suko and just realised she wasn't carrying anything with her. Was she planning to buy something? How would she pay?

"Suko? Do you want to buy something?" Raziel asked, eyeing the items on the counter.

---

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

"'Course!" Suko grinned at him. She deliberately reached for her side- and then let her eyes widen dramatically. "Oh no!" they exclaimed. "I appear to have forgotten my money. Thankfully, I am with a wonderful person who will let me pay him back!" Possibly never, mwahahhaha-

"Thanks for volunteering, cutie." They lifted a finger and pointed to various items around the store. "I want that, and that, and that." Admittedly, Suko had no idea what she was pointing towards, but still. It was the principle of the matter. When you had the opportunity to freeload off of someone, you did it. Especially when-

"Is that a puppy?" they gasped and dragged Raziel down the aisles.

There is no escape from the Suko!

---

Emika Tenshi-Smith
Emika was startled as Suko suddenly took off with Raziel. She shook her head to clear her mind up. Suko and Raziel could do their thing, she would do her own. Emika walked through the markets, examining the wares carefully and making specific purchases. Unlike Suko, she was in tune with the possibilities this quest could entail...

---

Eris Everlast
Eris was struggling to breathe. What was happening to her?! She was suddenly able to breathe, thanks to...more magic maybe? She opened her eyes...when had she closed them?...and saw the rat, and its glowing yellow eyes. Her own eyes widened. Just what or who was this rat? Hesitantly, she reached out to touch the rat. "Thank you, for stopping the bad magic. Who or what are you exactly?" She whispered to it, not wanting the guards to come and possibly take away or kill the rat creature.

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

For some odd reason, Suko was struck by the thought that someone was dissing her. They better watch out! they thought.

---

---

Narrator

---

As soon as her hand brushed its nose, it whipped away and raced back up the pipe, leaving her on the damp dungeon floor. It disappeared at the top.

A tiny pink nose poked out a minute later. It stared at her, eyes black and calm. Then it started across the rafters, yet again, now ignoring her.

---

ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"I'm dreaming. Still dreaming..."

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

Raziel watched as Suko's took everything at the vendor to the point she might as well buy the entire store, pets of the owners included. Raziel only smiled and took his pouch out of his bag. Thank goodness he carried extra gold around which would hopefully pay for everything.

"Alright, but do not carry more than you need. You might have to drop some stuff at your house before we leave," Raziel advised as he handed over the pay to the stunned owner since Suko wiped out almost everything on sale, and probably things which were not meant to be bought as well.

The bags piled up and the two were barely able to carry them properly. His hands full, the puppy had to sit in his satchel and the boy dearly hoped the animal was still enough so it wouldn't crumpled his notes inside.

Emika had seperated, probably to finish off getting what she needs. Raziel really needed Suko to sort out her massive haul of the day so they might as well use this time to do that.

"While Emika's out, let's go through these things at your house. There's no way we're carrying all of this with us," he said. "Unless you need more? We can see the other stalls on the way to your place," Raziel offered, though he silently hoped she didn't because truthfully he might start growing muscles if he had to lift another heavy bag. The chances of her turning that down, however, was slim.

---

---

---

Third Person POV

---

"HMMMMM!"

Suko peered at him closely. There was a mischievous glint in her eye as she took in the excessive amounts of bags she had piled on him. Undoubtedly, there was little to no mercy in that soul. Only delight in his misery.

"Sure!" they chirped. "Come on, love!" They hooked their arm through his and practically flung him ahead of her. "LEAD THE WAY! MORE STUFF SUPREMACY!"

---

Emika Tenshi-Smith
Emika had finished her shopping. She could see Raziel and Suko walking in a seemingly random direction. Were they STILL shopping?? She sighed. Seemed this quest wouldn't be very straightforward... This kind of upset her... And her... Emika tensed. Oh no... She hadn't done THAT kind of spree in a while... She glanced at the retreating forms of Raziel and Suko again. She had some time... Emika snuck into the alleyway, lying in wait for a foolish soul to come too close to her hiding spot...

---

Eris Everlast
Eris winced as the rat fled and ignored her. How had the rat been able to do that? Was it... capable of magic suppression perhaps? Eris decided to meditate on the possibility and her own magic. She did her best to move into a meditation pose and closed her eyes. She began to hum a wordless tune to relax herself.

---

---

In the Glen Dungeons...

---

The tune lilted and spun into a beautiful cacophony, echoing back and forth through the walls. Transparent and haunting, it encircled the stones, filling the chamber with the melancholy song of prisoners of tens of thousands of years.

Then it broke, crumbling into nothing.

The rat stood in front of Eris, staring at her. Its eyes were yellow again.

---

ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"I'm dreaming. Still dreaming..."

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

After a few more hours of shopping, the two gave quite literally cleared out most of the stores and Raziel had appointed someone to deliver the items to Suko's house, only allowing them to bring along important stuff such as food and clothing. He was surprised his pockets weren't empty yet with all the stuff they bought. He looked down at his watch and realized he was runninga little late. He recalculated the journey to the inn and the dungeons. Though it would mean they'd reach after sunset, he hoped that they can at least arrive before nightfall.

"We should get going, the horses should be ready and the other person is probably waiting for us too," he told Suko, still bubbling from the excitement of their massive haul. "Speaking of which, where is she?" Raziel asked as they made their way to the meeting point. Emika wasn't there, maybe she was still buying items?

Nonetheless, he waited at the side, holding Suko's arm tightly to make sure the gremlin didn't run off and continue emptying the market shelves. He'll allow a few more minutes, but once their ride arrives, he'll have no choice but to go without her. Though, he doubted that Emika would come late.

---

Emika Tenshi-Smith
The warm gush of blood
The shock in the eyes
The body falling with a thud
Unable to say final goodbyes

Emika smiled and sighed in relief as the thrill inside began to die down. The poor soul probably thought she was a cat in the alley. Luckily they came alone~. Glancing at the sun and judging its position, she realized she needed to join Raziel and Suko soon. She examined the scene and the body. No evidence left behind, as usual and no gore on herself, good. She carefully exited the alley and headed to the meeting point. She was a bit surprised to see, along the way, that many stalls had been cleaned out. Who had bought so much stu- Oh well. She soon found Raziel and Suko. She spoke casually, "My apologies if I'm late. Hope I didn't miss anything exciting."

---

Eris Everlast
Eris noticed nothing around herself. She was in a deepish trance. She was in the vast void of her own mind, searching for... There! A large orb of light, which seemed to pulse and churn even as she watched it. But something seemed wrong. A field of yellow was surrounding it, keeping it in. The yellow seemed familiar... Like the rat's eyes! Eris broke from her trance at the realization and saw before her was once again the rat, its eyes glowing yellow again...

---

---

In the Glen Dungeons...

---

The rat blinked slowly at her. Its muzzle widened, showing its teeth. "Breeeeethhaaaaa," it moaned. "Daaaa'reeee.... te janaa'ee."

The words coalesced together.

Breth' ae da're te jana'ee.

The rat was speaking the language of the old continent. Or something similar- "te" was a new word introduced to the elf dialect- an Orc word. It was the root of the word "to" in the human language. But 'ae'- the way it'd combined with Breth' was a smooth melding and way of tongue that belonged to the Shapeshifters of Briar Glen.

Was this rat mixing tongues? In places like Tilon, without the approval of royal lineage, then inventing a new word was considered blasphemous, and worthy of death. Especially bringing in the language of Shapeshifters.

That was asking for it.

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

He's so clingy! Suko marvelled at the tight grip of his arm, and the distant look in his eyes. He was looking to her for comfort, she could tell. Soft, fluffy baby! Suko's ice-cold, sheltered noble exploitating heart melted.

Even evil couldn't continue to hurt something this cute and fluffy.

He was like a kitten! Or ice cream! Or a kitten eating ice cream with a straw hat on its head!

Focus, Suko! Suko shook their head. So, epic quest time, to save some small elf girl. Suko needed to prioritize their newfound dog in packing, for that one awesome moment where the character who incessantly insisted on bringing everything saves the day over the bridge that's tumbling to the ground and everyone loves them forever.

Heck yes! So, dog comes first. Darts come second... hmm, that was all one needed for an epic quest! Surely nothing else. Everything they'd just scammed out of this poor sheltered child would have to nobly wait for them in an empty empty house where they didn't have to see the empty eyes of people who only saw dead people-.

"Thanksssss, m'love! You saved me!" They tugged him into a hug. "Wanna go get our awesome horses now and forsake the useless third member of our quest for time's sake?"

---

---

Brooksook Myel

---

The crowds had faded away with the dripping sun, falling back into life as the sun fell into the distant Asteriiynx mountains. Brooksook stood still, her breath caught in her throat and her mind caught in a web of pain and terror.

"Oh," she whispered. "Oh, oh no-"

The B'lyth were coming.

Would she have to face-?

No! she told herself fiercely. She can't be- the chances of her coming are low. Lower than anything. And it's been over a decade. She won't recognize me. She can't recognize me.

She'll recognize your magic, a dark voice whispered in the back of her skull. Magic knows blood, even if the senses deceive.

Brooksook ripped that voice away and cast it into the wind. It brushed by her face, clearing the hair from her face. She closed her eyes against it, listening to the thudding of her heart, and the silent world around her. Voices whispered, mothers hushed, and the trees danced to the same tune. The sound of Snavia- a silent sound, and the loudest tune she clutched to her heart.

Tilon had never had winds like this.

No, indeed, she remembered that clearly.

Nestled down in the valleys and rivers of the grasslands, Tilon was a peaceful, continental place. There were the occasional chilling winters, but summer came back and bloomed into a land of buzzing insects and quiet sobs late at night, overheard by a little elf girl slumped against a thick wooden door. The winds were there or they weren't- the sound of yelling, and the sound of silence as blood pooled against a brick wall.

Tilon had been a land of severes. Either you begged for the future to come, or you begged for the past to return.

There, the present was the worst place of all.

"But it's gone," she muttered. "Tilon doesn't exist anymore."

Someone brushed by her shoulder, an older orc. He gave her a strange look, and continued down the hill, where he would inevitably open the door to some shop, and climb upstairs to see his children. He'd hug them to his chest and promise them a future where they'd live forever, where those selfish children would always be happy at his own expense. He would be a proper father to them, and they'd hate him for it.

I hate you! You're traitors! I hate you! the elf girl's voice echoed in her mind.

That elf girl had wanted to be a part of the B'lyth.

Brooksook hated her so much that it hurt.

And now the sun had bled from the sky, and Brooksook needed to move on. Briar Glen wasn't safe anymore. Not unless that little human girl-

Not unless that little human girl-

You know what you have to do.

Brooksook did.

---

Emika Tenshi-Smith
Emika frowned at Suko. Had she not spoken when she thought she did? She huffed, disliking Suko suddenly... No, that was unfair. Suko was likely lovestruck and Emika was pretty much going to be a third wheel... Whatever... She put on a proud face and said, "Don't think you're getting rid of me that easily. I'm seeing this quest through."

---

Eris Everlast
Eris's eyes widened in surprise. The rat was speaking?! She listened to it carefully. "Breth'...ae...da're...te...jana'ee?"

ℝ𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕃𝕦𝕩 • 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣

"I'm dreaming. Still dreaming..."

Birds of Time - Enna Alouette

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

---

With all he's been through so far, the boy was ready for any actions Suko would have done by now so when she pulled him into a hug, he wasn't at all surprised. Instead, he let her do it, putting on hand on her had as if she were a child.

Raziel you know that'll just fuel her on a voice at the back of his mind said. He retracted his hands and gently parted them away from him, fixing the strap of his satchel.

"That wouldn't be so nice," Raziel chuckled. "And she's here already, so let's get going," he added. He brought the two away from the centre, closing the gates that seperate the town from the rest of Snavia, it's stone walls towering above them. They were met with a man bringing three beautiful horses who greeted Raziel warmly. After a quick exchange, he hoisted himself up and sat on the saddle of one of the animals, getting himself comfortable before he waited for the other two to mount their rides.

"Ready?" Raziel asked.

The boy is leaving?

A pair of eyes peered through the gaps of the alleys. A smile etcged on their face.

We'll meet before nightfall my sweet darling angel. I'll be waiting for you in the shadows of the monumental trees~

---

---

---

Suko Nobu

---

"Sure, sure, nice." Suko squinted at the gravel on the road. It scattered into dust towards the edges, beaten down by age and use. The ground was uneven and bumpy.

Suko queasily wondered if they could keep their feet.

And then their hand brushed the neck of their horse, and they were snapped to the present. They snapped their arm around the hide and yanked themself up. Balance deserted her and she clutched it tightly. Don't fall, don't fall- and then the vertigo was gone, and she was on the horse.

The horse's mane fascinated her. She entangled her fingers in it and thought for a long time.

"I'm ready," she told him. The animal was still, well-trained- it must've cost a fortune. But not for a noble, who could afford anything.

Something dark and ominous brushed against their lungs. They snapped their mouth shut and looked straight forward towards the brick of the village gates.

---

---

In the Glen Dungeons...

---

The rat's eyes faded back to black. It stared at her, not moving from its position. It seemed to be waiting for something. Drops of water fell from the pipe, pinging against the ground in a constant rhythm.

pp-pfh.

p-ph..g

pp..iiiingggg....

SCREEEEE. Someone was opening the gates to the dungeon.

Silence. Had the person abandoned the door? Eeeeee-

The rat sat up on its hindquarters, black eyes surveying the dungeon. Not even the patter of feet sounded in the room. If someone was in here, they were moving silently.

The pinging of water resumed.

pppiiiiiiing.

pfffiiinggg..

The sound had changed. It was hitting a different metal. Someone had changed it, for some reason. Someone had altered the way the pipe was placed, and there was no apparent reason why.

"Eeeeeelllfffff," the rat hissed.

And then a burst of magic exploded from behind Eris.

---