Often called the 'Lover's Triangle' for the trio of waterfalls feeding in to a triangular gorge, the Idalani area is a picture-perfect place to spend time with that special someone, with a beautiful exotic backdrop and countless rainbows dancing across the sky. (+2 Speed)

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The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:56 PM

His back found dirt again. He was so young and so incredibly stupid, but when the Castle called one was forced to answer. Zli had always thought this would be his best way to escape. To be able to leave this dirt behind for something even a little more regal. Oh how wrong he was.

In truth he didn’t mind the dirt. It had always been there to catch him when he fell. He lied there for far longer than was necessary, just taking it all in. “Was that really necessary?” he asked, slipping into his native tongue. His eyes were closed, if only to escape his world for just a moment. Everything was changing around him. What little control he had he would flex. To be swallowed by helplessness was a great fear of his.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:56 PM

Yes, you need to get used to being put in your place,” came her all to serious reply.

Zli groaned and opened his eyes, pushing himself back up. “I didn’t realize you’d always gone so easy on me,” he retorted playfully. How many times had they sparred? How many times had he pushed her to the very ends of her endurance? There was no way in hell, literally, that she had ever not given her best against him.

Alencia was frowning. It seemed even she disapproved of his relaxed attitude. Everyone he’d encountered so far had been more than tense and worried about his situation. “This isn’t something to be joked about,” she snarled and stalked over to him. “They will kill you, or torture you for all eternity. They are more powerful than the gods here, and you’re plan is to just fucking wing it.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:57 PM

She was, perhaps, overly exasperated with him, but he could see the concern she had for him. Zli could only offer a lopsided smile. “It’ll be fine love,” he dismissed casually. The village’s reputation did not come about for lack of evidence. They produced the strongest warriors for the Queen’s army. They were the most loyal of all the clans. It was only a matter of time before he was called away. Most of his clan was integrated into the Queen’s army. Besides, Zli was not the most enamored with his come clan. It was all too easy for him to sever the ties he had.

Suddenly his face was in her hands, and her lips were being pushed against his. Zli accepted her easily. His arms wrapping around her in a tight embrace. It was easy for him to forget her love. A love of convenience for him, so he was not so crushingly alone in this place that was meant to be his home. He allowed her to break their embrace, it was she who was suffering over this, and he could not bring himself to deny her comfort.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:57 PM

You know I will be writing to you. Eventually they will allow me to visit too,” he reminded her.

Alencia untangled herself from him and scoffed. “You will write me reports. When they offer you time to come home I know you will refuse them,” she said dryly. Zli was very easily read in regards to his home, it was one of the reasons why his clan was sending him to spy in the first place. An opportunity like that might as well have been sent from the gods. The proposition had not come lightly, and he had wanted to refuse. He owed his clan nothing. The thought of giving his life for them was revolting, but they would not allow him to leave otherwise. He would become a spy, or he would rot away at the end of the world.

Mmm, perhaps you will find time to come to me then?” Zli wondered. He could practically see her heart soar at his words and he smiled softly. If nothing else, it would be ideal to keep this contact in his old clan.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:57 PM

Let our love never wander.” A prayer.

Guilt flashed through him, but he did not show it. Had things really escalated between them? It was foolish to think otherwise. After everything they’d been through of course things had escalated. The saying was a common one, but it was his understanding that their language was the only one that really carried the meaning of the word so it was practically exclusive to the clan. Those in deep relationships said it to each other before one of them went away to war. It was the only memory Zli had of his mother, those words said before his father had been called away by the queen. His heart felt a little broken hearing it from Alencia. He deserved the choking feeling of guilt now more than ever. Another prayer followed hers, that she might never see him again.

He used people, manipulated them to his will. The reason why he was such a good spy, among other things. Another reason why his clan knew sending him as a spy would not be in vain. He could play the game, would play the game. The game would kill him, but not before he drug a few down with him.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:58 PM

Training was over. There was little more anyone could do for him now. If he wasn’t ready, then he would die and nothing could be done about that. “Father wants to see me before I leave,” Zli said bluntly. “The time is nearing so I better not keep him waiting,” he added before leaving. Surely Alencia knew just how one-sided their relationship was? Perhaps not, he’d done a convincing job in maintaining their relationship, convincing enough to have him believing it for a time. Walking away; he let her go.

His father’s home was but a short walk from the training grounds. The few people in the village offered words as he passed them, but he was not listening. The red dirt at his feet was all that remained. Red stone homes, in the distance towering red mountains reached into the red sky. A reminder that this was a place of hatred and death. No wonder so many considered them corrupt twisted beings, the constant red left little else.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:58 PM

Zli knew red was also passion and love, but how many took that with them? When he had seen other villages and even a few of the cities; all he gathered was that they had succumbed to the red tint in the easiest way they knew how: rage.

Rebellion in a place like this was just a sick joke. Rebellion meant kindness, and understanding, and having pure intentions. Rebellion didn’t even need to be dealt with by the queen, those who rebelled were dead as soon as they had the thought. No wonder so many sought to end them. They were seen as a plight to other planes, as much as they were a plight upon their own.

Night was nearing its end and Zli entered his father’s home with practiced emotions. “Hello father,” he greeted with a smile.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:58 PM

“You grew your hair out,” his father noticed with a grunt. He did not bother to speak in their mother tongue. He probably thought himself above it.

“So I did. Figured it would be best to hide the tattoo, at least from most people who will see me in passing. A haircut harbors less rumors than a tattoo,” Zli responded. His voice was only barely accented. He knew too many languages to have a true accent to anything, and in some languages he had no accent at all. Having an accent in the common tongue was only for his own vanity, and he was quite vain.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:59 PM

“Don’t think you can come back with a bunch of piercings either,” his father said.

Zli laughed lightly. Was that permission? Whatever it was, he was going to take that as permission to never come back. “Am I that easy to read?” he wondered aloud, smirking.

His father frowned. “The queen requested you by name, but that should come as no surprise. Our clan has not only offered its warriors to the crown for centuries, but I have served under her directly. Go with care for all eyes will be on you regardless,” he said.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:59 PM

With a small bow Zli turned to leave. “Thank you father. I will do my best to stay out of harm’s way,” he said.

“Wait.”

There it was. His father was nothing if not a man of exceptions. Zli could leave, but he’d be a spy. Zli could never return, but he’d have to get piercings. Zli would be as safe as possible, but…

“I have something for you before you go,” his father said. He produced two unrefined mana stones from behind his back.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 6:59 PM

Zli’s eyebrows shot up. “A gift?” he wondered, taking the mana stones for himself. A useless gift as well, Zli couldn’t use mana. His magic was based elsewhere. A disguise that would serve him well. There was ancient magic in his clan’s blood, but he was the only one to harness it.

“Don’t give me that look. If you’re going to get pierced…” his father trailed off, clearly flustered.

He couldn’t help but laugh. Not even his father was immune it seemed. What was it, guilt? A small part of his mind reminded him that his father did care, in his own way, Zli shut that up quickly. He was a fool, but no longer for his father. Zli did offer his father a genuine smile. “I suppose if you want to see me again you will have to come find me yourself,” he said, turning the mana over in his hands.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 7:00 PM

“Once you leave the clan you will never return. I just hope you do not lose sight of your mission,” His father said, his normal gruff nature returning.

“Mm. I will uphold my end of the bargain,” Zli vowed. If only until he could return and burn the village to ash, or find some other way to sever his ties. Until then it was paramount that he sent in reports, his life depended on it. Although he had wondered what honesty might get him. Could he go to the queen, explain the situation, and be free? No, it didn’t lessen his chances of death.

Zli bowed again and exited his father’s house. Dawn was upon them, and it was time for him to leave. Someone was coming to get him, someone from the Ruby Castle. Zli had not been given any information on the matter, other than a name. He knew the queen would tell them more than just a name, but his clan never could let go of ‘secrets’ easily. As soon as he was out the door a portal appeared and a woman stepped through.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 7:00 PM

”You are ready?” the woman asked.

“Reign I presume,” Zli said casually.

“Is that all they told you of me?” she asked, her eyes narrowed.

“Yes, unfortunately,” Zli sighed.

Reign looked him over and shrugged. “We can talk later,” she said, beckoning him to enter the portal.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 7:00 PM

“Very well,” Zli said with a nod. There were probably things she needed to tell him that no one else needed to overhear. He took a step towards the portal, it was red as with everything else, and he could not see through to the other side. With no other way but forward he stifled a sigh and stepped through. At his next step he found himself in a whole other place. At least he had not stepped into a trap so soon in his adventure. If he thought the world was tinted red before, he was in for a surprise. It was instantly obvious they were inside the castle, as the world took on a much more vibrant red. In the moment it took his eyes to readjust he realized he was in the throne room. Before him sat the queen and her husband, to the right stood their son. Behind him was Reign. Mercifully the rest of the room was empty.

A small mercy, considering the gods of this realm were sitting before him in judgment.
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Re: The Soulless (Self | LV)

Postby Sarah » 02/11/2017 7:00 PM

“Good morning,” The queen greeted pleasantly.

Zli bowed and smiled. “You grace.” He knew Annabelle as a woman who appreciated the power her position gave her. Even something as insignificant as a bow would mean a great deal.

“Your clan has served us well over the past centuries. Even today many of your warriors are fighting for us. Now it is your turn to fight…” Annabelle trailed off.
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