[Sunfrost]

Harlan did not know the gift she had given Regina. In her gloating, in her words, Harlan had revealed to Regina the information she wished to know above all else. Solovey was alive. He was imprisoned in Oinaze by the Helkaer Commander herself, Sly. Regina was also a prisoner; she was in Sinheim. Or, at least, she had been. The moment Harlan had left, Regina had utilized her steadily developing knowledge of the lands she was imprisoned within to escape. She had set off for Oinaze. Regina had been there before, prior to running into Harlan. She’d run into some Helkaer supporter there, and fled. The Light mare fled no longer. Her allegiance was clear, her heart forthright. She would go to Oinaze, and she would free Solovey at whatever cost. Thoughts of her son, their son, faded from her mind as she cantered with purpose. The weakness that had set in over her captivity slowed her, but did not stop her, and she more than made up for it with the fortitude in her heart.

Escaping notice was paramount to survival as a prisoner. Regina’s senses were attuned to the land around her as she entered Oinaze, careful to keep downwind such that her scent wouldn’t carry on the wind to the horses in this land. She hoped not to be followed, not to be seen. How would she find Solovey? The land was riddled with caverns; she began to wander into and out of them, desperate to find Solovey and heedless of the risk as she did so. She prayed to whomever would listen – Utopia, whomever – that luck would stay on her side as she wandered. She came out of one cavern, crested a hill, estimating maybe she was in the center of the land…and suddenly, looking down into what looked like another cave, she saw him. Solovey. Tired, thin, but him.

As her turquoise eyes alighted upon him, Regina resisted the urge to run to his side. Instead, she hid as best as she could, finding some undergrowth and noting the scent in the air of…death. Perhaps the scent would mask hers. She looked down, desperately searching for some logical way to free the holder of her heart from his prison, but couldn’t find anything. What could she do? She’d finally found him, but could she just leave him there?! He was likely under guard by an unseen horse, and she tried to be aware of that as she desperately thought through ways to save him…it seemed like only divine intervention would succeed…her brain stuttered on that, coming to a sudden stop. Divine intervention. Utopia! She was an ally of Utopia; surely they would help her in her moment of need! Her eyes glued on Solovey, she tried to call out with her mind to her allies, desperate for them to answer. She couldn’t make a sound without bringing the Helkaer down on her; surely Utopia would hear her, given she was connected to them after being on their side during this war? Utopia! Help me free Solovey! I will do anything! she mentally shouted, ferocious determination adding an edge to her words as she surveyed the scene before her. Surely they would answer! Utopia would not abandon her, not during a moment like this.


timeline// after Regina learns from Harlan that Solovey is alive
tagged// A z z y for Xerxes, aliyaah for Sly, Pippin for Solovey
notes// For Regina to make the deal with Xerxes; for Sly to carry out the deal, and for the passing on of these two characters. Apologies for artistic liberties taken with Regina finding Solovey - I figured we would want this to move along and this thread could wrap that up. Intention is for Xerxes to make the deal with Regina and for both Regina and Solovey to pass on in this thread as previously discussed in this plot. Xerxes to answer Regina's call for help. Let me know if any details should be changed. Trying to get us going prior to Act 3.

[A z z y]

The white serpent had taken to slithering about the mortal lands more often than not since the declaration of war had rung out. His lengthy appendages devoured the earth as he strode along it with ease, his flame hued optics darting too and fro, devouring the landscapes he passed through with vigour. His movements across the mortal realm had been diligently planned and considered - his main goal was to prevent those of his enemy, or the enemy themselves, from entering lands they were not welcome, lands where harm could come to those that had chosen the side of darkness. Then, there was simply opportunity, to be in the right place at the right time, to discover those who had chosen the light path and sway them otherwise. Afterall, the devil found he could be quite convincing when necessary. Today he was in Oinaze, having recently passed through the Dark Kingdom, it seemed the done thing to turn his attention to his other most trusted ally. The earth was still barren, charred and cracked from the wrath of the flame hued woman, his knives cutting into brittle, black dirt with every step. Xerxes halted, his nasal passages flexing as he inhaled the aroma of the world around him. Fire and death, Sly personified.

A wry smile curled his lips then, turning towards the caverns that were dotted throughout the lands. Would he be surprised to find Sly delivering relentless torment upon her captives? Absolutely not, in fact, it was expected of her, he would be confused should he ever of witnessed her relaxing for once. Yet, from his position upon the grounds, he cast his hellish gaze upwards, his attention falling upon a lone mare who looked down into the belly of Oinaze below. An invisible brow quirked, a dangerous smile curling his lips as he moved forwards with haste. Utopia! Help me free Solovey! I will do anything! Her plea did not go unheard, at least, not by Xerxes. His dragon-like wings unfolded from his sides, beating thrice once fully extended and hoisting his mass from the earth. With several more beats, he ascended further, directing his landing until he braced gently, his daggers landing upon the red stone behind the stranger. Quickly, with his wings now clasped tightly again to his side, he moved forwards, each step eerily silent as he made his way to stand beside her. His mass towered hers, and for a brief moment, he considered pushing her over the edge, let her be reunited with the one she sought so fiercely.

Without her consent nor realisation, he extended his otherworldly magick deep into her grey matter, learning of who she was to Solovey, discovering their story, her plight and all that this meant. A different tact would be needed to navigate this one. With a forced, yet slow, exhalation of carbon, Xerxes sighed wearily beside Regina. They can't hear you here, he began, his explanation a lie, but a lie that held some truth. Since the war, Utopia has abandoned those who do not align with them… Rasa and Cadence will be deaf to your plea here, Regina. His nordic tones dripped with what could easily be mistaken as solemn honesty. As he held her in his attention, a sorrowful smile curved his lips as he too cast his gaze then down upon Solovey. Perhaps I could help? Sly would be more inclined to obey an order from myself than she would anything from Rasa… he trailed off, the offer there for the mare should she wish to take it. Her action could allow his freedom, her inaction would facilitate his death, the choice was hers.


[Words: 610 ]
[Tagged: Sunfrost aliyaah Pippin ]
[Notes: 😈😈]

[Sunfrost]

Regina heard wingbeats in the air. Was a Utopian coming to help her? Excited, she turned her gaze, trying to track whomever was coming for her. She saw him come down behind her, a tall devil of a horse, red gaze likely not belonging to any Utopian. Her heart sank as she realized that she may have called the attentions of a demon to her plight…and given she was in the Outlands, it shouldn’t have been surprising. He was eerily silent as he alighted upon the earth, and within the blink of an eye he stood beside her. She shivered, unable to help herself but also completely unable to do anything else. There was a pregnant pause, and then suddenly the demon spoke. He claimed that Utopia could not hear her here, as they did not listen in lands in which they were unwelcome. Rasa and Cadence will be deaf to your plea here, Regina. She exhaled loudly in shock. How do you know my name? she demanded, suddenly realizing exactly how out of her depth she could be here. Did he have some demonic ability to read minds? And without her knowing, to boot!

Perhaps I could help? Sly would be more inclined to obey an order from myself than she would anything from Rasa… Regina didn’t know how this horse knew anything. She had no idea who he was. Who are you, that the Helkaer Commander would obey you? I thought she answered to no one she responded, her voice a bit breathless. She’d heard about Sly during her captivity in Sinheim. Harlan obeyed her, the Helkaer obeyed her, and they were all heartless denizens of the earth who only obeyed true strength and cruelty. They disdained hierarchy, but they apparently all obeyed Sly. What demon was this that could command Sly’s obeisance? What sort of help do you offer? she demanded. Her tones remained low, hoping no one would hear her, but she couldn’t help the demand that slipped past her lips. If this demon could help, Regina would listen and take it. She also hoped that by engaging in conversation, she could buy time for Utopia to arrive and help her…surely they would be tracking a demon of such renown as this and would be at her side in moments?



tagged// A z z y Pippin aliyaah
notes// Deal time <3