In the mix of the increasing chaos Esmeralda uses the signal of the mist and launches at full speed from inside the carriage with such force the carriage tilts on its side. The lower half of her arms and legs now more resemble a jaguar, with emerald fur with black spots scattered in the shape of simplistic eyes. The fur going down to her now paws, her ears are larger, rounder and more covered in fur as well. Her eyes held a more predatory gaze. Her long tail was the last to disappear behind the treeline. Without a moment to waste Marcellus activated another skill with a roar. The ground shucked and vines appeared breaking through the brick road. Wrapping around the 3 carriages before launching two into the crowd and one directly at Shyrranir. The force of the collision was enough to activate the pressure sensor bombs hidden within for massive explosions. The lingering vines grew thorns and swatted at the assailants.
The explosion created the second signal. Marcellus followed behind Esmeralda, as well as all the others- friend and foe alike, and all without a word shared amongst them. With a blur to the normal eye, they all ran through the forest as fast as they could, all the while striking each other. Dodging just as many trees and bushes as weapons. Colors of all kinds illuminating the darkness underneath dense tree coverage. With the smashing and sizzling sounds of energy weapons colliding against energy barriers, shields and flesh alike. The forest was all but silent. Random boulders destroyed just as many trees as stray energy rounds and fireballs ignited them. Strikes collided, slicing or crushing trees with a single blow as the chaotic battle raged on.
Marcellus, his guards, and the other lavish adorned passengers focusing their attack on anyone who could run faster than them. Doing all they could to buy time all the while taking one injury after another. After what seemed like hours passed It began to take its toll. Their medic was the first of the allies to die and so, one by one they started to fall. Seven by seven still so too did their enemy.
Esmeralda never looked back no matter how quiet it got. No matter how many rips and tears in her pants and shirt turn into many arrows and daggers piercing her body. She never slowed down and never stopped humming a sweet melody with a tight smile. Unlike the others, Esmeralda focused her energy on speed and protecting her child who slept soundlessly. She happily accepted any wound not immediately lethal. Piercing into the minds of the assailants around her, causing the briefest of illusions that led them crash into trees and firing upon each other.
As skilled as everyone was, regardless of how much stronger Esmeralda and her allies are, It wasn't about the bigger the explosion or the greater the power, not even the greater number. The only thing that mattered in a fight against masters was precision, endurance, and prediction. All it took was a single moment to decide the victor. Whoever had the truer shot, endured longer, and predicted better.
The few assailants who managed to get close enough learned it firsthand. Her speed never slowed as she clawed out their eyes, throats or limbs off. Using each moment as another opportunity to trick and or dismember the assailants. She was a confusing blur, becoming harder to pin down her exact movement the closer they got.
As time pressed on Esmeralda finally saw what she was looking for, their meeting point in the clearing. Not letting it distract from the danger; she continued dodging strikes from up close and afar. Pressing forward till she finally jumped into the clearing, passing through an invisible barrier that began to light up as all of the closely followed assailants splattered into it like a brick wall, as well as their attacks bounced off. The ones that survived the full speed collision started shaking off the sudden impact. The assailants started striking the barrier, this time intentionally with tiny cracks already forming.
A wave of exhaustion crashing over Esmeralda with her goal nearby. Her steps slowed faster than she attended, sending her crashing, sliding across the grass near the center. With a heavy breath she began adjusting her eyes from the moonlight that was shining slightly brighter than normal directly into the clearing. Seeing a simple shrine- but a shrine no less directly in the middle. A sturdy 4-foot tree, with a big thick wooden bowl resting firmly on top. A mote of water surrounding the stone platform in the middle.
"Once again... with the odds against you... you've made it."
A familiar angelic voice to Esmeralda's ear. Keeping her tight smile and slow hums flowing sweetly between her heavy breaths. Slowly rising to her feet to meet the face of the familiar voice. The lack of energy softens her smile allowing drools of blood to trickle down from the corners of her lips. Eyes growing heavier by the second. Before meeting the familiar face, she suddenly turns left with wide eyes, her humming ceased just as quickly. Two dark figures were standing there motionless, cloaked in darkness that slowly flowed off like hair submerged in water. Following the gesture of one, she turns her head to the right… Seeing the crying silent ghostly figure of their son all grown up softly smiling... a look of contentment covered her face.
[ Character cards:
Unknown]
"Is... everything okay?"
A sound of concern growing on the familiar man's tone. Looking in both directions to find nothing to explain her reaction. Esmeralda finally met his angelic gaze. An angel, form too hazy and bright for Esmeralda to see beyond the thin layer of shimmering light radiating off him due to her weakened dying state. Only enough for her to not mistake who's before her.
Esmeralda gulped down her mouth full of blood. Even while standing as tall as she could, she still needed to lean on the shrine so as not to fall. Gently lowering her child down onto the offering platform. Without a drop of blood or a speck of dirt on him. With a cheerful tone, she spoke quietly and clearly.
"Everything is fine... Mikala"
[ Character card:
Mikala
Species: Angel
Height: 5'8
Rank: Principalities, Marquess
End of Character Card…]
"...Based on your condition, I will assume we proceed with the emergency plan… I will make sure he goes somewhere safe..."
Mikala spoke with a gentle grace, filled with all the sincerity he had. They each offered warm smiles as the angel placed his hands over the water. Esmeralda nodded weekly. The water begins shimmering with blue light as the baby's eyes open. Taking in the full sight of the moon.
"...I know..."
Esmeralda said confidently. Slowly giving in to all her injuries and exhaustion. Using the last of her magical energy to mimic her and Marcellus's voice. Emerald green light flowing towards their child and entering his head. An image of them appearing in his mind. He heard and felt all the love being poured into her words when she said "We love you, Ize-" before collapsing back down onto the grass and unknowingly losing the connection before fully finishing his name.
Soon glancing over to the tree line to see what's the commotion only to find Marcellus entering the barrier barely clinging to life. Countless wounds from head to toe. Impaled with arrows, daggers, swords, and other a sort of weapons embedded into his flesh. Dark chard burns and a few holes you can see through. Missing his left eye and left arm, Marcellus was redder than any other color. Crashing forward, sliding across the grass near the center. Without hesitating he started to crawl. Esmeralda began doing the same. Only stopping as they noticed the water in the shrine grew brighter before flashing of blue light. They watched the disappearing of their son along with the angel.
After the moment of silence, each smiling to their eyes which was filled with sorrow and love after some success from what they sought out to do. Esmeralda turns her gaze back to Marcellus. Seeing behind him half of the barrier is cracked, knowing it won't hold for much longer.
Marcellus turned his gaze back to Esmeralda. Seeing two dark figures standing off to the side motionless, cloaked in darkness that slowly flowed off like hair submerged in water. Following the gesture of one, he turns his head to the right... Seeing the crying silent ghostly figure of their son all grown up softly smiling... a look of contentment covered his face.
Slowly they crawled until their arms were wrapped around each other once more. Driving the weapons that pierce their bodies into each other just to embrace each other deeper. Esmeralda lying on top nuzzled into his neck. Spoken through hush panting glee.
"I… told him..."
"... Good, no need to stay here now… also, Shyrranir is officially family…"
Esmeralda let out a satisfied grunt at his words. They both tighten their grip for one last embrace. Feeling the other's breath growing shallower by the second. Esmeralda's voice was soft, peaceful and pleasant to the ear.
"...Are you coming… Lover?"
"...Right behind you... My Love..."
Marcellus spoke with a similar peaceful loving tone before they both whispered in unison.
"...As always..."
Instantly after two more words were added.
"...Mommy… Daddy…"
Softly spoken through broken chuckles. Although it didn't come from Esmeralda. With blurry eyes they both turn their head to the side, being cheek to cheek as they see the ghostly figure laying on his side, as if laying by the fire romantically. Watching them closely before continuing to speak while they're still in shock.
"How were my first words? Don't worry, I heard you clearly, Mother."
Spoken cheekily before the smile quickly faded. Wrapping his long ghostly tail around and in between them both while sliding closer. Placing his forehead against both of theirs. Leaving no room for reply. Pouring some of his happy memories into them.
"Your seconds from death so I'll make it quick. I'm going to a loving supportive home. You're correct then I'm not dead. I struck a deal to come back here. I could only show up and interact in ways that wouldn't change the outcome. It was a joy watching you over the years to get to know you. I'll share with you what I can of my own life."
Spoken quickly all the while countless memories transferred over to his parents. Of love, joys, pains and sufferings and how he overcame them. One memory after another to the very last second. Tears streaming down all their faces as Esmeralda drew her last breath they were shortly followed by Marcellus… Izeurik slowly stood up… looking at the corpse of his parents one last time before he faded away to return to his time…
The two dark figures glanced at each other before continuing watching. The barrier collapsed and the rest of the assailants rushed in. Shyrranir emerged from the forest and approached the bodies first. She was covered in light wounds from head to toe with chard flesh, frostbite with a few shattered chunks, and needles impaling her. Spiked vines still tightly embedded into her neck and limbs. With each step only serving to draw more blood and pumping more poison into her veins. Her skin was a deep purple around the affected areas. She told the other assailants to clear away from the body and destroy the shrine. Immediately a large fireball was launched. After getting closer Shyrranir got down on one knee as she brought her head to their ears and one hand on top of Esmeralda's head. Whispering for only their bodies and spirits to hear.
"May love like yours find me, and may you find each other in the afterlife. Rest in peace mother… father… and just know I have no need for dragons when you have blessed me with a Hart."
Using the end of the spear she rose back to her feet. A few assailants came closer to collect the bodies thinking she was done checking for death traps like the others she proclaimed but before they could, a horn signaled across the forest making every assailant stop in their tracks before quickly fleeing the scene…
One of the dark figures faded away and the other took a step forward.
…
Somewhere across the land in front of a farmhouse with a church connected to the back, a half-asleep baby appeared in a flash of light. The next second the door slowly opened to a young woman with flowy blonde hair to their jawline, fair skin and kind blue eyes you couldn't help but trust. With a slight southern accent, she spoke sweetly and concernedly.
[ Character card:
Sister Mary
Transcendent Level: Lower Stage 3
Species: Human
Appearance: Southern American
Age: 29
Height: 5'4
Class: Fate Wielder
Rank: Chosen
Title: My Mother's Fateful Daughter
Bloodline: Gardening
Bending: Nature, Life & Death
Affinity: Earth, Water, & Light
End of Character Card…]
"Oh dear, so you're the one I was expecting. I knew you would be young but not newly born. You poor thing. Don't worry I'll take good care of you from now on, Darlin."
Gracefully she crouched down to gently scoop up the baby. Bringing the child inside and continuing examining him with care, seeing the tucked note and beaded necklace. Taking out the note, it revealed the child's full name, the name to go by, date of birth, and some additional information before instructions to burn it after reading.
"Nice to meet you Izeurik, welcome to your new home. My name is Sister Mary, your second mommy."
…
Elsewhere in a place unknown, a woman sat in her chair next to a fireplace in her library. She was covered head to toe with a gentle fitted dress that could only be described as Simplistic Royalty attire, with a hood that covered her head. With a dark blood red mask that looked like it was frozen in motion. Like clashing chaotic waves that reached the small devil horns on top of the mask. All serving to assure not one piece of her flesh was visible down to her gloved hands that had similar red design as her mask. Closing the book, her voice slightly softly echoed as if more than one person spoke at once while she did so gracefully.
"... The end… That concludes the story 'Let Love Lie: The Meaning of Family'. The beautiful tale of young lovers, Esmeralda and Marcellus that met their end saving their child. A story of opposites, understanding, acceptance, family and sacrifice. A story many may say was not a happy ending, but none can deny that it was filled with love and ended with it, something as you know is quite rare in the world of Atsyn… Where every story has an end, and very few leave room for another to begin."
[ Character card:
Unknown Narrator ]
The woman gently placed down the book right on the side table next to her red drink in her silver glass. Picking up the glass she poured a little of the liquid onto her mask. The mask squirmed and quivered all over as the liquid was soaked into it before freezing in motion once again. Placing the glass down she picked up another book and placed it on her lap before speaking once more.
"Lucky enough, Esmeralda and Marcellus manage to save their child, resulting in the beginning of a new story. And I must say, it is one of my favorite stories. I always enjoy coming back to it to pass the time. A comfort story of mine you can say. The title of this one is called 'The Intimate Overlook: Boss Bunny Mafia'. A tale of the faithful and the faithless, of sorrow and despair, of love and friendship. An adventure around the world to find purpose and a sense of belonging. Sit with me once more on another journey where anything can happen as we continue the legacy of the Harts with their child Izeurik and his pet bunny to see what they will do in life."
She caressed the cover of 'The Intimate Overlook: Boss Bunny Mafia' that had a silhouette of a man gazing upon the moon over the horizon. The narrator slowly caressed the book one last time while gazing upon it. Treating the book with love and care, caressing the sides and edges as she slowly opened the book to the first page
[Male Lead Character Card: Self Known Information.
Izeurik B. (Blood) Love
Transcendent Level: Peak Stage 1
Species: Za'lantie Chimera
{Additional information. Chimeras are amalgamation of two or more species. Current amalgamations are human, panther, as well as a mutated Capuchin SpiderMonkey, Peacock, and Za'lantie from Fate's Mutation.}
Age: 18
Height: 6' 6
Bloodline: Eye of Supremacy
{Additional information, Eye of Supremacy. An amalgamation of the parents' bloodlines. This allows the owner to have greater control over one's mental and physical self, as well as conjuring illusions and constructs.}
Mutation: ZeroClimb
{Additional information. Mutations give you inherit basic knowledge and means of activation. 'ZeroClimb' is a hyper mutation allowing the user to control which way their own gravity goes, to 'fall' in a desired direction. As well as the ability to conjure levitating skinny bone white hands fading halfway down the forearms. Allowing the user to grab things from afar or as a makeshift surface. Additionally can also pull bone hands out of the user's dark shadow to hold or pull a target under.}
Bending: Glacier, Plasma, Psionic
Affinity: Psionic, Electricity, Dark, Moonlight, Earth & Water
Traits: Spear Throw
Skills: Bad Spearman; type longsword
Level: 0
Strength: 35
Defense: 25
Vitality: 40
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 30
Perception: 35
End of character card...]
[ Female Lead Character Card: Self Known Information.
Nyx B.(Basher) Love
Type: Familiar to Izeurik
Transcendent Level: Peak Stage 1
Species: Za'lantie Horned Rabbit
Age: 15
Height: 5'6
Bloodline: Eye of Supremacy
Mutation: Strange Attraction
{Additional information, 'Strange Attraction' is a mutation that attracts 2 locations to each other with a magnetic force. One of the locations must be related to the user. Most effective with the user's forehead.
Bending: Glacier, Plasma, Psionic
Traits: Headbutt, Dasher & Power Jump.
Skills: Stealth; type hunter
Level: 0
Strength: 40
Defense: 30
Vitality: 45
Agility: 40
Intelligence: 30
Perception: 40
End of character card…]