Jinx

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Baer 13th, 3294

I certainly haven't done this for a while, but the feel of a pen in my hand and the smell of new paper is nostalgic of my life before. It's hard to believe it's been nearly two years since I last seen the world of my origins. Though I miss home every now and then, it was probably for the best that Isaac sent me to this world I now reside in. What kind of ridicule would I be enduring there for being a cold blooded murderer?

What am I doing? Already spiraling down tragedy lane. Granted many things still haunt me, but I figured this journal would be good for me to talk about my new life, not the past.

Like I mentioned, it's been nearly two years since I've been here in this nameless world. The Aarakocras I've lived among called the world Gaja, but I've come to learn quickly the ways of the bird like folk were not necessarily common knowledge among the world. Not that that really matters, I've actually enjoyed my life among the Aarakocra. Their way of life reminded me a lot of what I envisioned my life being if I was still with Cloudbreaker.

I woke up the morning of Dwadoj 28th, 3292 to find myself in a nest of sorts. Cloth was under my body to protect against the sticks used to compose a type of enclosure similar to a hut. One of the bird folk, whom I later learned her name to be Niaejma (Nigh-yay-ma), took care of me. Goodness, I felt so numb that day. Once more I was waking up to a strange new place which included its own folk I had never seen before. Since they were caring for me, I went along with it, unsure what their intentions were. Niaejma took the most interest in. Once I was on my feet again, she mentored me in learning to fly and how to channel my magics. In time I was strong enough to leave the nest and take on my own responsibilities to help the tribe.

Eventually, Niaejma asked about my missing finger, tattoos, and my white skin. I couldn't tell her why my middle finger was missing, but I told her it likely correlated to a friend who's calling card was that of a stone that fused with my palm. I explained the names on my left arm the best I could, some of the names being too distant to grasp. And as to my skin, the best I could say was it was a sign of my exile. I was banished from the Kingdom, and likely for good reasons too.

Niaejma and the tribe were beginning to feel like family. I remember smiling more and joking around with the other Aarakocras. I sung songs from my childhood and regained some of my competitiveness when playing games. I loved learning the ways of my adopted family and being more immersed in nature. My favorite thing was waking in the mornings and going for a flight high above the tree tops and to the near by mountain. For once, I had no cares in the world. They were all left behind.

Then came Sux 8th, 3293 when the forest burned down. It will scarcely be a day I forget. Niaejma had left two days prior to go on her coming of age journey. It was accustom for young Aarakocras to fly away from the tribe and walk home. Typically they'd fly a days journey away and so it was expected that we wouldn't see them for up to a week. On the third day of Niaejma's journey, the village was set a blaze. I looked on at the inferno crushed by what was happening. It was like when my home was burned down as a kid... only this time it wasn't just my family involved.

Niaejma returned amidst my grieving. I was so startled by her presence. Guilt took hold of me and I said what I could. I said I was sorry and added that I had just returned from my flight to the mountains twenty minutes prior.

Together we cried. Once our tears were spilt, Niajema insisted that we hunt down the culprit(s). I gave a weak smile. I didn’t want to linger on the past by seeking revenge, but I had no where else to go, so reluctantly I agreed to help.

The Aarakocra proved to be quite the bounty hunter. She had a knack for tracking people and creatures down. Because of this talent, those who hired us began to call her a jinx. It certainly was easier for the townsfolk to catch on and soon Niaejma was replaced with her acquired nickname.

Our efforts to gain funds to hire on people were proving profitable and Jinx was getting ready to start searching for hired help. The plan was to create a search party of sorts, to conquer and divide on figuring out who destroyed the village. Or hiring someone who was a particularly good sleuth. Right now no one seems to know of Jinx’s tribe nor any real enemy of the Aarakocras.

But we’re back to square one on obtaining funds for we were robbed in the middle of the night four weeks back. All our earnings were taken with the few weapons and equipment we had. Jinx was furious and couldn’t understand how anyone would do such a thing. I shrugged my shoulders since being robbed and left destitute was a common thing in my life, and said, “At least they left us with our lives.” I told her of my first kidnapping and right quick she realized we certainly were better off.

We took on a few more jobs before coming into the town of Crystal Lake yesterday. There was a buzz in the city in which many guilds were vying for members. I looked to Jinx and told her that we might have better luck joining one to secure our money over hording it ourselves. She immediately began to ask the various guilds if we could join. Many looked at her and me, clearly perplexed by our presence.

“What are you?” one asked me as they scrutinized over my appearance.

“I’m an Ang-” I began to say when Jinx interrupted.

“She's an Aarakocra.”

The guild leader laughed at us, “You’re kidding me right?”

I looked from the man to Jinx confused by the exchange. My friend pulled me along, leaving the man to his amused fit as he shouted, “What a featherless wonder!” Jinx then stood in front of me and peered into my eyes whispering, “Unless you want to get killed, or prevent us from joining any guilds, do not admit to being who you are,” she instrusted me sternly.

“Why?”

“Because your kind has a very bad connotation here.”

I furrowed my brows confused by the sudden shaming for who I was. “If that were so, why haven't they attacked me then?” I pestered.

“Because Angels in this world have varying forms and are all about bringing about their God’s judgement.”

So I went along with it, feeling insecure in my own skin once more. We had no success yesterday joining a guild, but at least we had some funds to get a room. As I rested, I had the idea that we really ought to put our money into acquiring equipment. We just looked like a bunch of women who lived in the woods most of their lives, which wasn’t too far from the truth, but perhaps obtaining the gear that was stolen too, and I getting some clothes and armor, we’d have a better chance at getting hired on.

We went about first thing this morning and were able to purchase a bow for Jinx and a Halberd for me. I then put in a request for a chain shirt with an open back and was able to find some pants and boots for my legs and feet. Then there was the problem of items. A bedroll was desired by me, as well as rope and rations, but we were too poor to obtain a magical pack like the one I use to have. So I got creative and put in a request for a corset that could double as a utility belt. As we shopped for a bed roll, I noticed this journal and pen and couldn’t help but add it to the list.

Tomorrow I will have my chain shirt and corset. The only thing I’ll keep of my old outfit will be the vest I made of the dress I woke up in my first day in Gaja.

Though I was happy in the forest, it sure does feel good to be back among civilization. I love laying on a bed. I love having fitted clothes. I love having the peace of mind knowing my Halberd is nearby. I love writing again.

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The Lone Hellbred

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The Lone Hellbred

I followed after the two as they continued to ignore me. Granted Araja was preoccupied with her agenda while Heinul tolerated my presence. It was curious to discover that Sven was the true evil, something I had suspected but now had confirmation.

As I waited patiently, hoping Araja would obtain her freedom, what I was silently dreading began to unfold before me. Heinul announced that they would need to remove each other’s circlet from the other. The parasite had become too much apart of them and now they needed to die.

Araja looked at me with her empty eyes and her smile faint.

“You will be missed Isaac,” she said, “Thank you for always being there. You were always so good to me despite my childish fits.”

I clasped my hands tightly behind my back, to keep Araja from seeing them shake. This was it. She had chosen her death over me. A contrite thanks being all she had ever given me in return for my devotion. I’ve been tossed aside and only now do I see it. My Dwarven friend was right, there was no one for me in this world... I dug my nails into my skin in an effort to steady my voice.

"So this is your choice then?” She nodded. It felt like pieces of me were slipping away. “Goodbye then Araja. I will think fondly of you from time to time."

A single tear escaped each of my eyes. The first tears I’ve ever cried in my four long years of life. Araja nodded and flashed one of her rare smiles toward me. I’d do almost anything, even die, to be her everything.

I watched as she grasped Heinul's circlet and He hers. I watched as He filled her with His holy might and counted down from 3. Then the sound of cracking bones filled the air as they purged one another of the cursed circlet. Heinul collapsed immediately. Araja eyes stared off in the distance, wide with shock.

"Save... Harbinger... please," was barely uttered as she gave me one final glance. Her knees then buckled and to the ground she fell.

I made no attempt to catch her. Her final words were of a man from her half crazed ravings. Yet as I looked upon her lifeless body, she was all I could see and I was powerless against her. I never thought I would mourn the death of anyone, but her... I’ll mourn, and what would never have been, for the rest of eternity.

Darkness then swallowed my heart. Though she had broken my heart, she still held its pieces in her hands.

I looked upon her broken body, waves of emotion crashing against me like the ocean against a lighthouse. I continued to stand in place, scouring my mind of her memories. I saw her how I remembered first seeing her in the village square of Podunk. My emotions churned as I replayed every memory I had of her to the very end. Then, when there was nothing left to remember, I pulled my emotions around me like a heavy cloak. My rage, anger, and love. Soon nothing was left, or so I thought.

A faint intake of breath escaped her lips. I looked closely, unsure if my eyes deceived me. Once more, a shallow gasp, her lungs raising and falling ever so subtly. I had to act fast. I grabbed her blood soaked hand, tossing the circlet it clutched aside. Then channeling the magic of my amulet, I beckoned unto it for a place, anywhere, as long as it was safe and away from this world. Somewhere that would protect her from the current eviil. I felt the magic engulf us, pulling us wherever it saw fit. The haze and fog, that had barely encompassed us, soon faded.

Trees were all around where marble halls and dead Angelic once littered about. Among the trees were buildings, tree houses really. And in the tree city were curious folk I never seen before. They were literally birds! Perfect! I thought, Araja should feel right at home. I was noticed by them as I demanded their help. Together we got her into a home and healers were soon at her side, preserving what little life she had left. I waited, hoping her eyes would flutter open. Instead I was pestered about who I was and what she was.

I explained that Araja was an Angelic. They almost lost their minds at that. Apparently angel folk in their world are mindless servants that bring about their Gods will and not necessarily in a pleasing manner. I assured them that she was no longer subject to a deity and had full range of her accountability. I left out the chaotic details that lead to many of our less than grand adventures.

The Aarakocra (I think?) were a kind folk. I paid them what I could saying I had business to attend to, what with saving the world and all. But I promised I would pay them back any costs Araja imposed beyond what was paid for, once I returned.

For I will return.

I went back to her bedside. Though she breathed, it still panged my heart to see her laying peaceful like, as though she were dead. In away she was, for she never would love me. I took her hand once more and clenched my jaw tight as I prepared to say goodbye.

"This... It's almost like a disease. I know soon you will be over the lies. You'll be strong. You'll be rich in love and you will carry on, but no...... you won't be mine." I finally whispered, my last words of love for her. I then grasped the amulet once more, thinking of the town of Pride where I last saw Cortanna, Penelope, and that wretched Kedra! The new world soon faded and the familiar city I had left formed in front of my eyes. Anger laced my heart. Sven took from me my love.

Harbinger indeed. The world will need one to protect itself from me.

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Return to Athvala pt. 2: Justice, the Lack Thereof

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I woke up to some kind of noise... someone singing. My ears strained to hear the familiar voice.

Two become one

One made whole

The cycle completes

When thrice angels fall

Awaken now Harbinger

Open your eyes

Take up your mantle

The Devil shall rise.

“Did anyone hear that?” I asked. I felt somewhat embarrassed as I observed the lateness of the night and a few new people standing in camp.

“Hear what?” Bal Vyr asked.

“Are you okay Blackwing?” Harbinger’s voice called out to me. It was good to see he had returned, but I was troubled by what I had heard. The words were spoken as though the Mayor were right next to me, whispering in my ear. I scanned my surroundings once more.

“We did kill the Mayor right?” I asked.

“Yes. By my hands he was slain,” the Goliath reminded.

“I swear I just heard his voice...” I trailed off as I realized how stupid I sounded. Clearly I had just dreamt the poem into existence. Let alone with all that had transpired recently, it’s no wonder I was dreaming non sense.

Everyone else continued about whatever they were doing, paying me no mind. I was later filled in that at midnight we would proceed back to Lake Town. When the time came, I took my spot next to Harbinger as we began our trek toward town. Bal Vyr kept pestering the Goliath about why Garth would need to see us at midnight for our own safety. It would seem if the Thorplewood brother had enacted himself as Mayor that he could make it so that we weren’t criminals. Part of me agreed that that did seem fishy, but Harbinger held such trust in them (and had discussed with them hours before) that surely there was reason for the midnight rendezvous.

We came to the West Bridge to which the Goliath told us to wait back while he made sure it was safe for us to approach. As I stayed put at the foot of the bridge, I watched as he knocked on the gate’s door. Whisperings could be heard, but nothing distinct. As I continued to observe, I caught sight of Harbinger beginning to act funny.

“What? No!” the Goliath suddenly exclaimed. I began to walk toward Harbinger.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I called out. The Goliath turned about, seeming to be undergoing some internal struggle. I narrowed my eyes on him trying to see if I could figure out what was happening. Bal Vyr began to cast a spell to examine the magicks at work as the gap between me and Harbinger lessened.

“Blackwing!” he called out to me as I came within a few feet. His mouth then clamped shut.

“What’s happening?” I demanded. Unable to speak, Harbinger held up a hand to me as though to stop me from drawing closer. I looked toward the gate beginning to suspect that the guards might be the cause of what was taking place. Had they done something to trigger his rage and now he was struggling to keep control? However, with it being night, I couldn’t see past the dark square that marked the shutter in the gate.

“Bal Vyr, can you sense anything yet?”

“Just a moment,” the Drow responded as he continued to concentrate.

Harbinger then stood up straight and reached a hand behind his back to draw his sword.

“Forgive me Blackwing,” the Goliath choked out. My eyes went wide and quickly I pulled my halberd up to defend myself. If I hadn’t acted so quickly, I probably would have been dead from how swiftly he brought his sword down upon me.

“What are you doing!?” I exclaimed as I deflected his sword. Whatever was happening to him left me confused. Was this the work of the mark? I could only hope that Bal Vyr would figure it out quickly.

“Harbinger!” fellow comrades called from behind, reiterating my same question.

“You need to stop this now!” Trickfoot shouted.

“Why are you trying to hurt your woman?” Tornar questioned as he attempted to intercede.

“Guys, there seems to be some kind of dominating spell upon him. I would seem it’s coming from the armor!” Bal Vyr announced. I looked into the Goliath’s eyes and could see a sense of pleading as he remained helpless to the spell upon him. My anger began to bubble under my skin as I realized the Sylphsbane Clade had tricked us- no, tricked him! They had sponsored his armor and now it seemed evident why!

“Harbinger,” I said calmly, though I’m not sure why. It wasn’t like my tone would make a difference with the struggle he was facing, “You can fight this spell. Just keep your focus on me,” I encouraged. I then attempted to fatigue him, thinking if I could zap his energy that perhaps we’d be more successful in stripping him of the corrupted armor.

The Goliath flinched away from me and with swiftness that would suggest my spell had no effect, swung his sword into my side. I felt a rib crack and placed a hand to my bleeding wound. As I fought for breath against the pain, Harbinger implored of us to flee. “Please run before I kill you all!”

“Rip your armor off-” I began to shout when my vision was suddenly splattered with Harbinger’s blood. The crusader finally made his attack on the Goliath and his strike was true. It happened so fast that I stood stunned as the decapitated form of Harbinger lingered in front of me. Soon he slumped to the ground, to which the crusader stepped over him, uttering aloud, “You have evaded Justice for too long.”

“How was that Justice!?” I spat. I stood to my full height and got into Grendel’s face, “He was under a spell! He wasn’t responsible for his actions!” Let alone I had one task to do! One task! Not to let any of my comrades succum to the mark!

“Hey Araja, you know he isn’t really dead,” Bal Vyr interrupted.

“Shut up Bal Vyr! Grendel, if there’s any ‘Justice’ to be had, anyone to blame, it’s the Sylphsbane Clade!” I shouted. My body shook as I managed to restrain myself. I could feel everything about me spiralling out of control and there wasn’t anyone who could hold me together. I fell to my knees next to Harbinger, my sobs escaping me.

“Well, I’m gonna take his armor off-” the Drow began to say when the gate opened. I looked toward it, my rage set. I was gone. My anger and pain took over. I would have killed Grendel then and there, but Bal Vyr was right. With the mark upon us, we weren’t really dead after being killed. Though I loathed the man, Grendel was one of those I was charged to not let die. And so I settled for the guards who now served Garth Thorplewood. They, and everyone associated with them, would die as my soul now cried out for it’s own ‘Justice.’

I flew into action, striking the guards as they came. A few were able to get a hit on me, but my adrenaline kept me going. Abu took a moment to heal me which allowed me to continue with vigor as I fought along side Tornar, Bal Vyr, and Grendel.

Amidst the blood shed, a guard instructed his men to keep their grounds while he sent for the other platoons.

“This might be a good time to flee then,” Trickfoot suggested over the chaos. I ignored him as I pursued another guard. Once I rendered him dead, I looked up and could see what appeared to be a hundred guards making their way toward us. Suddenly Trickfoot’s advice didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

“Perhaps we should leave,” I announced, pointing toward the troops.

“Let them come,” Grendel barked, “Let them taste our vengeance for the betrayal they’ve done to us.”

“Heaven’s you are insane!” I snapped.

“And think about it Grendel,” Bal Vyr jumped in, “These men are just following orders. We ought to figure out who’s responsible and apply Justice like a scalpel to the perpetrator.” Guilt tried to pang at my mind at the Drow’s words.

“Justice should be applied with a hammer!” The crusader retorted.

“There are too many for just the 6 of us to fight off!” I reminded, “And- oh heavens, look at Harbinger!” I stated. The Goliath’s body was contorting in all sorts of ways that was unnatural. It was too unsettling and I felt myself choke up. Part of me was grateful that he was turning because it meant he had a chance to come back again. However, he was decapitated... I could only hope he’d live once more.

“I’m gonna cast some fire to hopefully ward off the guards as Harbinger kills them. If we're lucky he won’t be dumb and rage into it as he attacks the troops,” Bal Vyr announced. He went about lighting the guard house on fire, leaving a portion of the bridge for the demon Goliath to unleash his fury. We all then high tailed it to the woods.

As we ran away, a few minutes passing before the night was rent with a familiar roar. It was stronger than when I heard it back in the Goblin’s cave. We all turned around and through the trees could see an enormous silhouette. Harbinger was even larger than before. He had to have been well above 30ft tall... Heaven knows what’ll become of him and the town, for all I knew, our best chances now laid with the Elves.

After some time, we all came to a stop. We gasped for air as the adrenaline wore off and reminded us of how limited our physical bodies were.​

Though my rib was healed, my chest felt as though something had been ripped from it. It was comparable to when Meryth wasn’t Exalted. How I was left with her blood on my hands, never to see her again. Maybe I’d see the Goliath again, but it was the crusader that turned him into a monster in such a manner that had me convinced otherwise.

“You!” I seethed, walking toward Grendel, “You didn’t have to kill him!” I shouted, hitting his armor. I winced as my knuckles hit the metal, but continued yelling at him, “Did you not hear what Bal Vyr had said!? All we had to do was remove his armor!”

The crusader stood rather still for someone who’s just ran a mile or two. “He carried the taint of Injustice upon him,” he simply replied.

“Your obsession with this notion of ‘Justice’ is so convoluted that I have to wonder if you even know what it means!” I exclaimed.

“Foolish woman! You’ve allowed your infatuation to cloud your vision!” he barked.

“He was under a SPELL!”

“You deny yourself the truth!”

“Do I?”

“He was an agent of Injustice!”

“When is it Injustice when you’re forced against your will!?” I shrieked, “He was helpless. He begged us to flee! He warned us!”

“And all the previous times? When he acted against the people of this town? When he acted against me!?”

I scoffed at the crusader. “So that’s the reason!? He slighted you and therefore death is your solution? Oh Grendel,” I chuckled, “You and your grudges. So where’s my death? I’m pretty sure I’ve slighted you too,” I baited. The crusader took a step toward me, reaching for his sword, when the Srow interveined.

“Araja, we’ll go fetch Harbinger in the morning. I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Bal Vyr said attempting to calm me. I kept my eyes locked on the crusader. Part of me was reveling in the fact he couldn’t harm me.

Bal Vyr let out an exasperated sigh, “We know who magicked him up and we’ll be sure to deal with them,” he continued to explain, “I tell you, those Dwarves in town really have it out for us,” he continued, devolving into his paranoia. Tornar gave a mild grunt. I shook my head.

“That whole town is damned,” I said with an air of defeat. With my anger and sorrow still about me, I then flew up into a tree to mourn in private.

The moon was out, giving a soft glow to the tree tops. In the distance was a reddish glow that I assumed to be where Lake Town was.

I hated the predicament I was in. The relationship that formed with the Goliath was nice while it lasted, having someone that almost felt like family. Someone who didn’t just tolerate me. Now I had to wonder if the few weeks of bliss was worth the pain I was feeling. Would it subside with the blood I sought for payment? Would it lessen if Harbinger returned? I didn’t like how out of control I was with my anger, no matter how much I try to justify it through the crusader's actions. My temper has always been a weakness of mine.​

The feeling of failure was equally crippling. What was to be done? Was it really that bad if only one person turned one more time? I suppose the Raven Queen would have chastised me by now if that were the case...

Movement below suggested that the group began to move further into the woods in pursuit of the Elves. I was mildly surprised that the cleric remained behind.​

“Araja?” I heard Abu call for me, “are you alright?”​

No! I wanted to snap back, I only witnessed my boyfriend’s head get cut clean off!​

I managed to hold my tongue before realizing how childlike I was acting. An exasperated sigh escaped me. “I’ll be fine Abu. I just don’t like Grendel,” I muttered.​

“I’m not going to deny that what just happened was terrible and I’m not sure if running away was the right answer either,” (so am I to blame for our retreat?), “Only the Gods know what’s happening in that town to those poor people,” the cleric said to me. I looked to the faint glow in the distance. Harbinger was very much fulfilling the will of the demon we left him as. Would the town be able to defeat him and save themselves? Would the Goliath in time revert back without death’s intervention? It would seem that was how I reverted back. I healed everyone and after a matter of time turned back into myself.​

Still... it was wrong for me to condemn the townsfolk for the fault of the Sylphsbane Clade. If there was any amount of good to be had, it would be to stop Harbinger’s murderous rampage. Once that was completed, then hopefully I would have the strength and force to destroy the Sylphsbane Clade.​

But what about Grendel? Another sigh escaped me. Either I would talk Bal Vyr into frying his good for nothing body or set about my revenge the moment the mark was cured from us. Funny enough, the thought of getting Grendel back (hopefully when he least expected it) gave me great pleasure. So much that I finally flew down from the tree to join Abu.

“Let’s go find those Elves,” I said to him. I began to turn when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked back into the cleric’s eyes, surprised by the concerned he was showing for me.

​“Are you going to be alright?” he asked once more. I didn’t want to lie to him, but I didn’t have a solid answer either.

“We shall see,” I said quietly before pressing off after the others.

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Return to Athvala pt. 1

Previous Entry

The Lone Hellbred

I followed after the two as they continued to ignore me. Granted Araja was preoccupied with her agenda while Heinul tolerated my presence. It was curious to discover that Sven was the true evil, something I had suspected but now had confirmation.

As I waited patiently, hoping Araja would obtain her freedom, what I was silently dreading began to unfold before me. Heinul announced that they would need to remove each other’s circlet from the other. The parasite had become too much apart of them and now they needed to die.

Araja looked at me with her empty eyes and her smile faint.

“You will be missed Isaac,” she said, “Thank you for always being there. You were always so good to me despite my childish fits.”

I clasped my hands tightly behind my back, to keep Araja from seeing them shake. This was it. She had chosen her death over me. A contrite thanks being all she had ever given me in return for my devotion. I’ve been tossed aside and only now do I see it. My Dwarven friend was right, there was no one for me in this world... I dug my nails into my skin in an effort to steady my voice.

"So this is your choice then?” She nodded. It felt like pieces of me were slipping away. “Goodbye then Araja. I will think fondly of you from time to time."

A single tear escaped each of my eyes. The first tears I’ve ever cried in my four long years of life. Araja nodded and flashed one of her rare smiles toward me. I’d do almost anything, even die, to be her everything.

I watched as she grasped Heinul's circlet and He hers. I watched as He filled her with His holy might and count down from 3. Then the sound of cracking bones filled the air as they purged one another of the cursed circlet. Heinul collapsed immediately. Araja eyes stared off in the distance, wide with shock.

"Save... Harbinger... please," was barely uttered as she gave me one final glance. Her knees then buckled and to the ground she fell.

I made no attempt to catch her. Her final words were of a man from her half crazed ravings. Yet as I looked upon her lifeless body, she was all I could see and I was powerless against her. I never thought I would mourn the death of anyone, but her... I’ll mourn, and what would never have been, for the rest of eternity.

Darkness then swallowed my heart.    

"She was a noble creature, but confused. She will need you to guide her into my rest," the Raven Queen spoke into my mind.

I knew what to do. Though she had broken my heart, she still held its pieces in her hands.

"Araja Eloirakn, the fallen daughter of Heironious. Our time together grows short,” I felt a knot in my throat as I knelt down next to her, "All that is left for you to do is to enter the rest of the ancients. I will aid you one last time." The words felt like someone else was saying them. They were too mechanical.

I clasped Araja's blood soaked hand and leaned back, as if to pull her to her feet. She rose up, wispy and insubstantial, but as clean and whole as the day I met her. Only her broken body remained on the floor to remind me that she was in fact dead. I had to guide her to the Raven Queen if there was any hope of her returning to the grand cycle.

While keeping a hand on her, I made a grabbing motion at the sky with my left hand before waving it in a half circle. The sky wheeled overhead, suddenly revealing stars and a waning moon. Our surroundings slowly fade away into mist, the golden halls of Heironious no longer visible. An archway made of stone came into sight, its interior dark. This was the entrance into the realm of the Raven Queen.

I pointed at the archway and gave Araja a gentle push toward it.

"My Queen is just inside. She will take you the rest of the way, to rest in the halls of your fathers. This is as far as I can go, for it is not yet my time to meet Her. Once given time to heal, you may chose to venture forth again and start as a new life. Perhaps when that happens I will meet you again-” I stopped short, wanting to say more, but my throat seized up. Her eyes looked about as though she were lost and that was when I remembered. She couldn’t reply in her insubstantial form. She may not even be able to understand what I was saying. An injury to the body could disorient the spirit, and her spirit was already confused and damaged.

I guided Araja with my hands until her spirit had entered the archway and vanished from all perception. I once more clasped my hands tightly behind my back to keep them from shaking. I stood there long after her passing into the care of the Raven Queen. Waves of emotion crashing against me like the ocean against a lighthouse. I continued to stand in place as the archway faded back into the mist, not moving a muscle.

However I didn’t see the mist. I saw Araja. I saw her how I remembered first seeing her in the village square of Podunk. My emotions churned as I replayed every memory I had of her to the very end. Then, when there was nothing left to remember, I pulled my emotions around me like a heavy cloak. My rage, anger, and love. I scoured my mind clean with the emotions until nothing was left.

I too died today and all that remains is a shell.

"This... It's almost like a disease. I know soon you will be over the lies. You'll be strong. You'll be rich in love and you will carry on, but no...... you won't be mine." I finally uttered, my last words of love for her. I then grasped at the mist and turn the world back.

Psh, Harbinger indeed. The world will need one to protect itself from me.

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Return to Athvala

“Welcome Araja,” a calming voice spoke to me. It was the clearest words I had heard since... since... well I’m not sure. Everything was blurred still, sounds ebbing in and out. I vaguely remember a red personage once walking with me.

“This way my child,” the woman’s voice called. I followed the sound as it lingered on the air. Bright light illuminated the blue gray fog I walked in. In time tree’s sprang into view followed by grassy hills. Though it felt like a summer day, the colors were dark and dreary, as though the sun had lost most of it’s intensity. I stopped walking and looked about the place I now stood.

“Where am I?” I asked. Movement caught my eyes and a royal looking woman stood before me. She was dressed in black and dark blues. Her black hair was long and flowing and draped about her shoulders. She wore a simple, silver circlet upon her fair head and had a warm smile on her face.

“You are in my realm now and under my care fallen one,” she answered. Though her tone was inviting and warm, the word ‘fallen’ pinged at my heart. I remembered clearly how I was cast out by Heironious... and how I had failed Him. Realization dawned on me that I had died... How though escaped me.

“How did I get here?”

“Your friend Isaac sent you.” I cocked my head. “You needn’t be surprised dear one. You were very special to him and he wanted you to rest in peace.”

I felt the emotions of sorrow and gratitude flood through me, but for once no tears came. It was as though I had become a hollowed shell.

“Araja?” someone else called out to me. I turned and beheld a familiar face.

“Lash?” I questioned as I saw the true form of my once dead comrade. “How?”

The silver haired woman approached me and surprisingly gave me a hug. “Welcome to the Raven Queen’s home,” Lash greeted, “It would appear we both have been freed.”

“Freed from what?” I asked.

“It would seem your death has stunted recent memories,” the Raven Queen mused.

“May I show her around?” the cleric asked.

“Please do.” With that, the Queen went her way leaving me and my comrade alone.

“This way Araja,” Lash instructed. I followed after her, trying to decipher what we were freed from. My thoughts kept wandering to Isaac and the people I traveled with in Athvala. What were they up to now?

“Do you remember the circlet?” Lash asked.

“The one the Raven Queen’s wearing?”

“No not that one,” the cleric laughed, “Else you and I wouldn’t have a place to call home.” Lash looked upon me appraisingly, “I suppose it’s best you don’t remember. But I’m very much interested in what you remember of Cloudbreaker, Grendel, Bal Vyr, and Trickfoot. Were you able to find the Gnome? Were you able to destroy the undead? What about the Druidess? Did you all fulfill her wishes or did you side with the townsfolk?”

I furrowed my brows as I reflected. The names were familiar and as I pondered them, it came back more clearly. I then filled Lash in on what all happened that I could remember, explaining how everyone had turned into their demon, but, unlike her, we all reverted back to our normal selves.

“They said the reason you didn’t come back had to do with Bal Vyr’s fire magicks,” I explained.

“It wasn’t that,” Lash responded.

“When you say we were freed, is that meaning from the mark we bore in Athvala?”

“Basically.”

I became silent as I thought about that. We were freed from the mark, but by doing so, we’ve died.

“Do you think the others will be able to rid themselves of the mark without dying?”

Lash became contemplative, her features becoming serene, if not forlorn.

“It’s hard to say. The longer they have the mark the less likely they’ll survive it’s removal.”

“And if we didn’t survive the removal... surely they won’t,” I muttered. Harbinger came into my mind and I was sad for him. Though if he died, and his Gods were still around, perhaps he would be sent to live with them. Still, he and I would never be. Whatever life I had hoped for was gone. At least this time the emotions played out in my hollowed shell with no substance to hold onto.

“You miss him don’t you,” Lash said suddenly. I gave a slow nod of my head. I would miss the Goliath for eternity, “If we asked, I would imagine the Raven Queen could send you back to Athvala.” I looked at the cleric imploringly, but then reality weighed it’s hand on me.

“What use would it be? I’m dead.”

“True, but it certainly would be nicer than staying here. He might even appreciate the closure to know where you’ve gone. Maybe you can help rid him of the mark so he might live.”

The idea was desirable, but how would I be of help?

“I don’t even remember how I got rid of mine,” I confessed.

“Well, then maybe to make sure the mark doesn’t continue to evolve over them. Keep him and the others from becoming their demon.”

“Actually, that would be useful Araja,” the Raven Queen suddenly spoke from behind me, “My apologies for eavesdropping, but I think you could do good there if you prevent them from dying. The curse will only grow stronger the more they succumb to death.”

At first, my thoughts were muddled. Then the first tangible emotion to take hold where my heart should be was joy. I’d be able to see Harbinger once more... I’d be able to tell him goodbye and perhaps even help him survive the removal of his mark.

“Then send me back. I’ll see what I can do.”

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I slowly woke up to the sounds of people stirring about me. Food was being prepared by Trickfoot and Tornar as Bal Vyr, Abu, and Harbinger discussed about something. Grendel kept his distance, possibly brooding over his misfortune to be stuck with us. I slowly sat up, stretching my arms and wings.

“Hey, you’re awake,” Harbinger said once he took note of me, “Sleep any better?”

A smile broke my lips as I reveled in knowing I was back, but the weight of knowing I was dead bore down on me too. How would I ever explain that to him?

“Uh, yeah. I slept very soundly.”

“No more nightmares about helpful Giants?” he chuckled. I cocked my head, forcing my smile to remain. I couldn’t recall any nightmare other than dying.

“No... none that I can recall,” I quickly said. My mind raced trying to figure out another detail. I was killed elsewhere, away from this group. Why was that? Where had I gone?

“That’s good. I’m about to head off to town now. I wish you could come.”

“Same. Be quick and safe in the mean time,” I instructed.

“Will do,” the Goliath answered before giving me a kiss, “Kuli’gol ananaka.”

“Uil æaer,” I replied. It was fun being able to use our languages freely with each other.

Harbinger then put on an Orcish disguise with Bal Vyr’s rin. Once approved by all that he looked like a half Orc, he bid us all farewell. I then spent the following hours exercising my wings and contemplating how to remove the curse mark. Nothing came of my pondering and so to pass time, I took a nap.

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