Life Is But A Dream...
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Post by fleabittengray on Feb 21, 2024 6:06:42 GMT -7
x HEAVEN'S HYMN He was healing. Physically, anyway. But his pride was still wounded. His first task as a brother, as a Versai warrior, and he had failed. Drastically. Dahlia was gone and he? He'd nearly died. Would have died, had it not just been luck that Valfrid had returned at the right moment. That he had been able to get Ragnar away and off of him - he dared not think of what that had resulted in. Valfrid and Hymn knew it had been the right thing to do, the only way to prevent Hymn from dying, but he could tell that his older brother was still beating himself up over it. Ragnar was Dahlia's father, after all, and the boys were damn sure the event had been traumatic for their young Cambion sister. Yet now she was taken, by the Helkaer, supposedly kept in the Outlands, and they had to figure out a way to get her back without causing yet another war on top of the war that was already happening. And in the middle of that? Hymn had found himself stolen. By the Dark Queen. Thomasin. The fucking irony of that was not lost on him. This was to be his second time in the Dark Royal lands. He did not think it was going to go as smoothly as when he was just a colt, however. There had to be a nefarious reason behind this steal. He'd started his journey from Lyrarcor earlier that morning, as the sun was rising, after a hard goodbye between him, Valfrid, Lirana, and their mother. They were all feeling the heavy loss of Dahlia. And Hymn still wasn't 100% healed. His throat was surely going to scar - but he was alive, and that was what mattered right now. He could only hope that he would return sooner rather than later. On the bright side... maybe he would somehow see Elina while he was here! He was going to try and remain positive in the situation, otherwise he felt like he might just crumble from the stress and the added pressure to prove himself. He felt like a complete and utter failure. He knew nobody blamed him, but he couldn't stop blaming himself. He'd tried his best, but his best had not been good enough. Ragnar had gotten the better of him and they had all paid for it. Sighing, the Nephilim made his way through Wild Equines, the sun rising steadily on that cold morning. He could see the border of The Howling Keep and did his best to keep his head held as high as he could comfortably hold it, without causing any irritation to his still healing wounds upon his throat. The scabbing was ugly, but it would, at least, heal. But it also made him vulnerable. He knew this. Thomasin would know this as well, upon seeing him. To say he was not a little nervous would be a lie. Regardless, he was marching toward the Keep, ready and willing to fight for his life, if he had to. Several minutes of walking and finally he'd arrived at the border. He continued to walk until he was spotted by a guard, at which point he halted and spoke to them. "I am Heaven's Hymn. You Queen stole me, so here I am." The guard eyed him for a moment before they let out a loud bellow, he supposed as a way to summon the Queen herself to their location. A z z y w/ Thomasin and eventually Xerxes??? 579 | ProfileOkay so this is for the steal Thomasin made, and she's going to summon Xerxes, and then Rasa is gonna come and trade Hymn's freedom for Sly's soul. That's the plan~ 3 years 1 month, a winter morning after The Dahlia Plot, approximately 2 months after that thread
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Post by A z z y on Feb 21, 2024 22:28:54 GMT -7
Fury rolled through her like a wildfire, another strike against her kingdom, another loss for her herd. Ragnar had perished at the hooves of the Versai, the first born son of Xerxes no less. Was fate truly such a fickle mistress? Was the irony not lost upon the world around her? Nemesis had come to her home in the dead of night, under a starless sky, to inform her of what had become of one of her denizens. Savagely ended by the child of Allocen - some would say in self defence, others would say Ragnar didn't have to die. He could have been apprehended, restrained, brought to justice perhaps in such a way that didn't look like a sour repetition of history. But that hadn't happened. Thomasin had been informed of the ins and outs, why Ragnar had gone to the Versai lands, why the helkaer had too.He had tried to reason first, but when the child announced his presence to the Versai, he had attacked. Then followed death. She had listened, as her ire rose within her like vomit. Her relationship with the obsidian and mahogany cambion had only ever been a professional one, she his queen, he her subject. But even she could not deny the ravenous injustice in his eyes every time they fell upon her and Selven - afterall, had the Versai not taken the life of his father, it would have been him upon the throne.
The sun rose that morning as it always did, the season causing the usual warmth of it to feel distant, hollow. Thomasin had already risen, the night skies still lingering on the horizon as twinkling stars faded away into the dawn. Despite recently birthing twins, she had ensured her slender physique had returned, she ensured her fitness was at its peak. She had ascended the slopes of the mountain range that ensnared the lands of the royal helm, their black sides shifting into white as the snow storms dashed their peaks at night. Her goal was a usual destination - the tomb of Black Phillip. A cold, painful reminder, that still Albion and Julius were at large, that her first born babes were still nowhere to be seen. Part of her believed them to be dead, but hope remained. It had to. As she breached the summit, her daggers pushing through the snow, she cast her attention to the world below, studying her home in all it's slumbering beauty. Alas, the peace was soon disturbed - with smouldering optics, the witch queen watched as a distant figure approached the borders, their image quickly masked as they entered the trees that surrounded her home. She paused, her eyes and ears diligently glowering at the location until after a moment, a deep bellow rang out, drawing her attention with rabid eagerness.
Without hesitation, the night hag spun on her haunches, her nape held in a gentle arch as she thundered down the slopes once more. The descent was quick and easy, her winged companion soaring beside her with every step she took. Eventually, the terrain levelled out and her stride lengthened more, devouring the distance between she and her prize until eventually the scent of her guards and a stranger accosted her nares. Slowing to a determined, brisk walk, the dark regent pushed through the shrubbery, whilst she had not broken a sweat just yet, visible steam left her mass in hazy plumes. Marduk perched upon her shoulder, eyeing the gathering that took shape as Thomasin moved through the low hanging boughs of the conifers. She stood before the group, the guards dipping their heads yet her scrutiny was kept entirely upon her target. Without pleasantries, without a greeting, she jerked her atlas viciously as a signal for her guards to listen. Follow me, the words were not raised not aggressive, a softly spoken command that had the soldiers form a triangle around the colt - one behind, one at each shoulder.
Wordlessly, she turned back the way she had came, knowing that should Hymn make a bolt for freedom, he would be quickly apprehended once again. There was significant scarring to the throat of her prisoner, Ragnar had clearly left a mark upon him, yet he still breathed. In silence, the group moved through the woodland, the path a worn rabbit trail through the timbers over soft mossy grasses until they came to the base of the mountain that she had scaled not that long ago. Stepping to the side, she allowed the guards to escort Hymn before her. Behind him, a large flat slab of stone that towered over them before merging into the mountain itself, to their sides rocky outcrops of fallen boulders. There was no easy way out - unless Hymn could scale a mountain, the only way to freedom was through the dark queen and her entourage. The guards moved to stand behind her, neither encroaching nor abandoning, they were there should they be needed. Marduk took flight from Thomasin's shoulders, perching on a fallen boulder to the side, watching, waiting. The silence hung around them for a moment before Thomasin turned, facing Hymn with an ire in her gaze few truly ever saw. Do you have any thought as to why I have brought you here, Hymn? She queried, her tones eerily calm despite the ravenous shimmer in her optics. The game had begun, and whilst there may already be a war at hand, there was about to be another.
TAGGED - fleabittengray WORDS - 900ish MUSE - good! NOTES - 💕Speech
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Post by fleabittengray on Mar 3, 2024 7:12:29 GMT -7
x HEAVEN'S HYMN The guards watched him with heavy scrutiny. Hymn did not move from where he stood. The still tender wounds to his throat ached but he did his best to ignore it. He could not become distracted again, not when his last mistake had been so costly. Dahlia... taken by the Helkaer. Ragnar, dead by his brother's doing. Val had just been trying to protect him, to save his brother. He knew that the Versai Brother was tearing himself up over it. Valfrid had just wanted to get Ragnar away from Hymn, who had been laying on the ground, bleeding out by numerous wounds. Adrenaline and fear and rage must have made quite a potent mixture within his brother, in order to turn him into a killer. Valfrid was truly a gentle soul, a kind soul. He'd only done what he'd had to do to make sure his younger brother hadn't died. Again, Hymn was blaming himself. This was all of his fault. He should have done something differently. Perhaps then he could have changed the outcome of things. But there was no turning back now. They could only move forward. Thomasin appeared through the foliage, a bird perched upon her withers. Hymn stared at her now with his dark amber eyes. He wanted to hate her, for taking him from his family when they had already been through so much. But he couldn't. He could not bring himself to hate the Dark Queen, not yet, not when he didn't even know her. He wondered if she was going to be anything like previous Queens. Then again, she had already proved that she was a woman of action. He had heard about the chaos of Hunroor's Coronation. He would not underestimate her. Honestly, the younger stallion didn't know what to think about her. She said nothing to him at first, merely giving a jerk of her head, a signal to guards as they circled around him. Follow me, What choice did he have? He followed. The Keep was not a friendly place for him to be. This was not the same situation as when Eleazar had stolen him when he was just a boy. There would be no playdates with Elina now. There would more and likely be no kindness shown to him. He kept his eyes on the Queen in front of him, focusing on her every move, ears swiveling to listen to the guards. Eventually, they came to a mountain, and he was led before the Queen with the guards still flanking him. He turned to face Thomasin then. She stood barely an inch taller than himself. Do you have any thought as to why I have brought you here, Hymn? The stocky Nephilim gave a curt nod of his head. "I imagine it to be because of Ragnar's death," he stated, blunt and to the point. He did not yet try to defend his brother's actions. For all he knew, Thomasin was grieving, and everyone handled grief differently. He planned on being more or less apologetic, despite the fact that Ragnar had tried to kill him - and would have been successful, had Valfrid not come home at exactly the right moment. A z z y w/ Thomasin and eventually Xerxes??? 533 | ProfileTense .-. 3 years 1 month, a winter morning after The Dahlia Plot, approximately 2 months after that thread
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Post by A z z y on Mar 12, 2024 6:45:50 GMT -7
Should Hymn have been punished for the crimes of his bloodline? Perhaps not. Perhaps, Thomasin should have let him go, allow him his freedom. But whilst it was not her intention to punish Hymn, it was her intention to send a message to the Versai. Killing a king was one thing, particularly when it had been before her time upon the throne, but to the murder his son? To think this would go unpunished and that a white, blind eye would he turned towards it… Perhaps her mercy was being perceived as weakness. Had her blade not flashed at Hunroor's coronation? Had she not laid herself bare for all to see - none who wronged her, her family, her kingdom, would live to tell a tale. And if she granted them their life, she may not allow them a tongue to relay the horrors bestowed upon them. With a critical gaze, the night jag watched diligently as the guards moved in such a way that Hymn was forced into the cold embrace of the mountain. There was a tension in the air - the guards that stood before her had no idea to what the witch queen was plotting. Their eyes met in cautious glances, yet their steadfast demeanour did not shift - luckily for them.
At her question, the child nodded, the action firm, sure of itself. "I imagine it to be because of Ragnar's death,” he made no attempt to defend his brother nor the actions that had lead to the death of Ragnar. Thomasin bobbed her crown silently, her golden optics shimmering in the murk. Despite the fresh, clear spring dawn, the dense canopy of the conifers that shrouded them offered little light to make its way to the forest floor. You imagine correctly, she confirmed, her tones still soft, hauntingly so as she left the safety of her guards and moved closer towards the colt. Twice now, the Versai has wronged the dark kingdom. Twice now have you and yours left with breath in your lungs whilst Xerxes and Ragnar have rotted in lands that despised them. She sliced her obsidian cords against her hocks, the tendrils almost like a bull whip as they cracked against the pliant hide of her quarters. Today, Hymn, you shall be left to rot in a land that despises you. Thomasin grinned at him, a devilish wink sent his way before she turned her mass away from him. As she did so, with her lids closing over her golden optics, she called to him. Lord Xerxes, I have something for you…
However, she continued, turning back to face him once more from the shadows of the timbers. I will not be the one sending you to meet your maker… she trailed off, a single lobe twisting backwards upon her poll to ensnare the sounds of the woodland around her. What was a deer and what was the dark lord himself remained uncertain, the woodland whispered around them, anticipating what would happen next. Then, as if he had been there the entire time, Xerxes emerged from the shadows. His aura spat flame, his demeanour one of pure incandescent rage, fuelled by ire and a pain she knew all too well. Her gilded optics trailed him and a curt dip of her crown was given to the behemoth. Yet little more was said, the witch queen taking a step back to allow the leviathan his space. Well done, your majesty, well done indeed… his nordic tones were spat into the gulf between him and Hymn, Xerxes’ attention entirely focused upon the child of Allocen. Not the one he wanted to dismember, but one couldn't be picky in times such as these… slowly, he advanced, his hellish gaze poised upon the child as he rose his horned dome into the air. As the moment came, as he was readying to deliver the fatal blow to Hymn, a voice halted him in his tracks…
TAGGED - fleabittengray WORDS - 600ish MUSE - good! NOTES - hope this is okay Thomasin SpeechXerxes speech
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Post by fleabittengray on Mar 20, 2024 6:55:53 GMT -7
x HEAVEN'S HYMN Hymn was not ready to die. He was still quite young, still more of a boy than a man. He'd never quite expected himself to die so young, but he'd always known there would be a target on his back. He was a Nephilim, for starters, and his mother was a former Versai High Priestess (who had killed Xerxes) and his father was Cadence, a returning Lord of Utopia. Hymn was every bit a warrior, every bit a Versai ally and Utopian supporter. He was not wicked nor cruel. His best friend resided in this very location (unbeknownst to anyone else, of course). He wondered what Elina would do, upon finding out her Queen had stolen him, and killed him - as he was sure that was what Thomasin planned on doing. Had he not been weakened already by Ragnar's attack, still recovering from wounds and infection, he could have defended himself against her. But she was older, and currently stronger, than him. He would defend himself as best as he could (he did not plan on letting himself be slaughtered), but he knew that there would be only one outcome of this. His own death. And though he was not ready to die, he had accepted his fate, even if he didn't plan to go down without a fight, using every last bit of his strength to let it be known that the Versai were not weak, and they could not so easily be destroyed. Thomasin and her guards stood across from him. He was trapped. There was no way out. He could not run, even if he tried to they would catch him with ease and running would use up any extra bits of energy he had left within him. No, he would have to stand his ground and hope for the best. A wintery breeze rushed through, lifting his mane from his neck, forelock dancing across his eyes and his tail twirling behind him. He breathed in the frigid air, used to the cold from living in the mountains his whole life. You imagine correctly, The Queen spoke and Heaven's Hymn looked at her, wondering why she cared so much. Perhaps Ragnar had been a herd member. Or a friend. He did not know and did not plan on asking. Thomasin began to move, stalking toward the youthful Nephilim and away from her guards. He debating attacking her first, but he knew that the guards would be on him in a heartbeat. There would be no use in trying to attack first. It would be more trouble than it was worth. Twice now have you and yours left with breath in your lungs whilst Xerxes and Ragnar have rotted in lands that despised them."Ragnar was buried, not left for scavengers to pick at his bones. If that means anything to you." His tone was cold, but not malicious. Ragnar had not been left to rot. No one had come to retrieve his body, either. Not Thomasin. Not Xerxes. Had it been up to Hymn, he would have left him to rot, but apparently Valfrid had insisted that his body be buried properly. He was still pretty shaken up about the whole ordeal. Not that he expected Thomasin to care or understand. Today, Hymn, you shall be left to rot in a land that despises you. She grinned at him, winking, and Hymn tensed, readying himself for an attack, every muscle ready to launch himself right back at her in self-defense. But instead, he saw her turn away. Even so, the tension did not leave his body, his amber gaze never moving from her figure. What was she up to? His ears twitched, listening to movement. He could hear something out in the forest. A deer, perhaps, or the guards? An uneasy feeling washed over him, anxiety and fear that he struggled not to show. Was it just his imagination, or had he picked up a whiff of sulfur on the wind? I will not be the one sending you to meet your maker… Thomasin was facing him again. Hymn's mouth felt dry. Still, he stood with his head held high, ready to defend himself no matter what. When Xerxes emerged from the shadows, large and imposing, he would have went pale, had it been possible. He swallowed dryly, his eyes frantically darting from Thomasin to Xerxes and back again. Thomasin he might have been able to handle, if he was lucky. But Xerxes? Lord of the Underworld? It was hopeless... At least I will be with my Dad, he thought, trying to muster up any last bits of courage. Well done, your majesty, well done indeed… The Hellfire Lord began to stalk toward him. Hymn did not move. Did not try to flee. Could only hope that his death would mean that Xerxes would leave his family the hell alone. "Xerxes." Time stopped in that moment. Hymn took a step backwards, as much as he could, from the Lord of the Underworld, peering around him and back into the shadows as there, stepping forward in a flurry of feathers, was Rasa, Lady of Utopia. She was not looking at him, but instead staring at the Devil as she stepped forward with confidence. She ignored the Dark Queen and her guards, forcing herself into the space between Heaven's Hymn and the Lord. Her aura was one of calm rage that rippled off of her in waves. How she kept herself composed in the moment, Hymn would never know or understand. But, gods, was he glad to see her. "Hymn will not be slaughtered here." She stated it like it was a known fact. Hymn didn't know why she had come, or how she had even known where he was in the first place. Perhaps she had heard his thoughts in the form of prayer. "I offer the soul of Sly in exchange for Hymn's freedom." His eyes went wide, shocked, because Sly was the Helkaer Commander, and he? He was just a boy. Nothing special, other than being a Nephilim. He hardly dared to breathe or move then, waiting for Xerxes's answer. A z z y w/ Thomasin and Xerxes 1025 | Profileo_o 3 years 1 month, a winter morning after The Dahlia Plot, approximately 2 months after that thread
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Post by A z z y on Apr 10, 2024 6:11:50 GMT -7
Thomasin "Ragnar was buried, not left for scavengers to pick at his bones. If that means anything to you.” Thomasin felt her scowl deepen, her maniacal optics two burning holes in her skull as they devoured the injured beast before her. And you couldn't be bothered to bring him home where he belonged? Like father like son, at least you left Xerxes with enough strength to bring himself home to die… that was the story anyway. Truly, the witch queen hadn't known of the task Ragnar had been set by Xerxes, she hadn't known he had taken it upon himself to seek to retrieve a cambion child from the Versai, she equally had no idea of what relation he was to the child in question. At least, until Nemesis had informed her. Perhaps if he had told her, Selven, anyone… they could have helped, they could have prevented his death somehow. Thomasin shook her atlas, disappointment scarring her beautiful features as she turned her mass to look at the child. Perhaps it was her own history that stained her perception on what was an adequate punishment for those that aligned with the light yet murdered darks. Perhaps she wished to destroy all who fell under that banner… Perhaps one day she would.
The towering mass of Xerxes emerged then, congratulating her for her efforts. One by one she would pick them off, one by one they would fall. Well done, your majesty, well done indeed… Thomasin kept her gaze steady on the devil, every movement of his muscles beneath taught flesh were carved into her memory, readying herself to incarcerate this moment into the depths of her grey matter, to witness the devil in all his unholy glory. He said nothing as he advanced on Hymn, yet the hurt, the rage, was a palpable energy of his that seemed to spit fire from his aura. He prepared himself to eviscerate the child, his atlas poised with horns tipped in the direction of Hymn. Yet as he advanced, a motion from behind her pulled her scrutiny from the scene to the intruder. Rasa. Her guards instantly shifted into a defensive position without instruction. Thomasin snarled at the Utopian, her lobes melted upon her atlas as she watched the mahogany wretch intervene. What a surprise.
Xerxes Xerxes glowered at the child, readying himself to end him, to taste his revenge, yet just as the moment came, was it pissed on. He felt her before he heard her, every fibre in his body bristled, his appearance seeming to darken as a single lobe twisted violently backwards. “Xerxes.” She barked his name like a dog, as if her presence would be enough to stop him. As if she had control - Rasa had never had control and that was why she was sorely losing a war she declared. There was movement as she slithered from the shadows, the guards forming a defensive line in front of the clearly enraged queen - and rightly so, Utopians were not welcome here. She moved to stand before Hymn, positioning herself deftly between Hymn and his inevitable demise. "Hymn will not be slaughtered here.” The ivory serpent released a cacophonous cackle, the full power of the Underworld shining in his hellish depths as he devoured the hag before him. Really? he dared her, not waiting for an answer as he deftly sidestepped the Utopian lead, his mug taught across his incisors as he swung at the child.
Perhaps she knew he wouldn't stop simply at her command, perhaps she knew she would have to make it worth his while to allow the bastard runt to see another sunrise. "I offer the soul of Sly in exchange for Hymn's freedom.” His incisors slammed shut but a mere hair's breadth from the fleshy tube of his victim’s windpipe. Well, aren't you a lucky little boy, he murmured against the throat of the child, predatory, eerie, still close enough to change his mind. After a moment, a dangerous smile curled the swarthy lips of the behemoth, his nape retracting into an arch as he pulled away from Hymn, his gaze landing heavily upon Rasa. I accept, was all that he said, knowing such an offering was binding, that the soul of one of his greatest allies may now already be back in the safekeeping of the Underworld. He could feel the weight of the incredulous gaze of the Dark Queen upon him, her eyes two glowering pits of rage. Your revenge will come, this is not the end… a silent memoir for the queen, for her private thoughts alone. Xerxes moved to allow Rasa access to the child, positioning himself now beside Thomasin, silently observing how she handled herself with this challenge she now faced.
Thomasin Thomasin watched keenly through the bristling shoulders of her guards, their stances firm, unyielding despite the very possible death they may face. It warmed her, whether they did so out of choice or necessity, it didn't matter, she would repay them for their loyalty somehow. Yet as the scene played out before her, as Rasa offered Sly's soul in exchange for Hymn's freedom, she could not stop the silent snarl that violated her beautiful features as the dreadlord agreed. Her optics flashed, her mass moving easily through the wall of muscle that had formed around her as she took centre stage, Xerxes standing beside her as she did so. Fuck the gods, this was her home. That's all well and good, Rasa, she spat the name of the Utopian. But he is my prisoner, not Xerxes’. Marduk descended from his perch, taking purchase upon the withers of the witch queen as she advanced upon Rasa, halting but a metre or so from the holy woman. There was no fear, there was no respect, there was nothing Rasa could do to her that scared her. Death just meant they would be equal. Her caustic gaze slithered through Rasa to the cowering brat behind her. This isn't over, Hymn. Mark me. She hissed, before her gaze turned and levelled on Rasa, I suggest you take your consolation prize and get the fuck out of my Kingdom, Rasa. That was their cue to leave whilst they still could, Xerxes may have spared the child for his own benefit, but The Dark Kingdom had been slighted, again. This would not end well. Now, she snapped, before I change my mind! and if she did change her mind, if she did decide to attack, Rasa was outnumbered, she couldn't fight off her, the guards and the devil in one go...
fleabittengray one more post from you & that's a wrap?
aliyaah for your ref re Sly's soul
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Post by fleabittengray on Apr 30, 2024 5:47:09 GMT -7
x HEAVEN'S HYMN Hymn's whole body was tense. And you couldn't be bothered to bring him home where he belonged? Like father like son, at least you left Xerxes with enough strength to bring himself home to die… And yet, the Darks themselves had not even bothered to come for Ragnar's body. It was not the fault of the Versai that he was buried within the Highlands. It was Ragnar's fault for trying to kill Hymn. Valfrid had acted in defense of his younger brother, but he wasn't expecting Thomasin to understand. Why would she, when she'd already made her mind up about him and his family? About the entire Sisterhood in general, as if they were one entity and not individuals? That was what was wrong with the world. They were not judging an individual, but an entire group as a whole. Not even just the Dark Kingdom thought this was, either. Even those in the Highlands had their prejudices against others, but the difference was that the new generation was learning and growing from the past mistakes of the Versai. Luna was a good woman, and Hymn didn't know much about Oli just yet, but he figured she must be good, to, if Luna and Valfrid were willing to work with her. He'd never been happier to see Rasa than he was right then and there. Xerxes was less than pleased, and Thomasin looked ready to lunge at the Lady of Utopia herself. Really? Xerxes sidestepped around Rasa and Hymn clenched his jaw, holding himself very still as the Lord's maw came toward his still healing throat. He hardly dared to breathe, glaring at the Devil with narrowed eyes and pinned ears. Though he was afraid, he dared not show it. Not now. When Rasa declared she was trading him for Sly's soul, Xerxes kept his mouth pressed to Hymn's throat as he spoke. Well, aren't you a lucky little boy, Feeling the demon's breath against him was enough to send a chill down his spine. Hymn did not move even after Xerxes drew away, Rasa's eyes on the Hellfire King like she was ready to rip his throat out. I accept, Hymn could hardly believe it, because he felt so insignificant, compared to the Commander of the Helkaer, but he wasn't about to say that. Rasa gave a curt nod of her head, though and ear twitched toward the Dark Queen as she raged. That's all well and good, Rasa, But he is my prisoner, not Xerxes Hymn watched as Rasa gave Thomasin a tight lipped grin. "You offered him to Xerxes, so now it is Xerxes' decision as to what happens," was all she stated, her thinly veiled rage audible through the calm, cool tone she was using. Hymn admired the way Rasa held herself even as the Queen approached her, advancing like the predator she was. Rasa did not flinch. This isn't over, Hymn. Mark me. Hymn knew it was't over. It never would be, would it? He met the Queen's venomous glare, stared at her a moment, and nodded in acknowledgement. He figured it was best not to say anything at the moment. I suggest you take your consolation prize and get the fuck out of my Kingdom, Rasa Neither the Lady of Utopia nor himself had to be told twice. Rasa motioned to him to walk up beside her, and together, the duo began to walk away from the Queen, her guards, and the Lord of Darkness himself. Now, before I change my mind Hymn wanted to look over his shoulder at the Queen as they left, but forced himself to keep his eyes forward, walking beside the Lady of Utopia. Neither of them spoke until they were well away from The Howling Keep. Only then did Hymn dare to open his mouth and thank the Lady. "Thank you, Rasa," he said simply, though he still found it difficult to relax. He probably would never relax again, honestly. Rasa looked over at him, but she did not smile. "Do not thank me so quickly, Hymn. This battle may have been won, but the war is still ongoing." It was a grim reminder of reality. Just because he was safe now did not mean he would be safe tomorrow. A z z y w/ Thomasin and Xerxes 712 | ProfileAll done~ 3 years 1 month, a winter morning after The Dahlia Plot, approximately 2 months after that thread
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