Desolace had not seen so much activity as this, the anxiety alone almost tangible in the stifling air. The three knew the location of the hermit known as Ryvin, and after much heated discussion, confusion, and unspent emotion, a strained truce was formed between the warlock and the couple. Sueno had agreed to give up the soulstone containing the essence of the Lord of the Scions as long as she were present during the transfer. Too many had been angered in the death of Catrionae, and Keruptis' death had been…untimely. The elf's husband stood guard next to her on the shore, his mind a torrent of frustration. Decidio watched the elf as she stared out to sea, quiet, wishing for his love to be whole once again. The warlock had promised her life to him if anything happened to his wife, and he was determined to follow through, not trusting the Scion in the slightest. There was no sign of the fisherman they sought on the shore of Ethel Rethor. He brandished his blades, vigilant, and the two waited patiently for the scarlet-haired Cultist.
Soon, the scream of the felsteed could be heard nearby, and Decidio turned to look in the direction of the eerie noise, spotting the warlock driving her wicked mount toward them. Before he could speak a word however, Sueno dove into the water toward a small island across the way. He turned away from Annaliese to follow his wife, even as she sent the hell horse back to the Nether. Sartheris Strand was nothing but elven ruins there, hauntingly beautiful against the ocean. The warlock seemed to trail behind the other two as they swam, her fatigue apparent. As they reached the ruins, a surprised Ryvin greeted the strangers, setting his fishing pole aside, his cat mewing as it tore into a recent catch of grouper.
"My I seem to be getting a lot of visitors of late," he replied with a sigh, the words tinged with annoyance. Still, he eyed the three with genuine kindness, oblivious to his looming fate.
"Are you lost?" the fisherman asked, and he received a gentle smile from the warlock, her hair drenched from the swim, clinging to her face and neck.
"Hardly," she answered softly, her voice mixed in with the ocean tide. The elf druid remained in the water, holding a countenance with the soul within the stone, loathe to let it go. Decidio watched every move the warlock made, listening to every word spoken between the two.
"For a hermit, I don't seem to remain as alone as I'd like to be," he chuckled, smiling down at his white cat as it happily feasted. Annaliese took in a breath as she looked upon Ryvin, a mirror of her Lord, innocent of the darkness that reigned in her own soul. He had to die, this simple man, and the Scion looked away from the exile, a lingering hesitation crossing her benign face.
"Is there something I can do for you?" he said at last, breaking the silence, his eyes traveling between the man and woman. He began to grow nervous as Sueno emerged from the ocean to stand near him, the soulstone glimmering upon her chest.
"I believe this belongs to you, my friend," the elf said, slipping the necklace from around her, and he threw his hands up to protest, but the warlock interrupted him with her tender voice.
"I think it is time for you to be reunited, Ryvin."
"What? What is the mean--"
"You have a destiny to fulfill."
The fisherman strained to listen, for the lady seemed to be murmuring, and in her amber eyes, he found intent. There was more, however, as his gaze connected to hers, even as he heard the softly whispered words continue, louder in his skull. How solemn were the woman's eyes, pleading for forgiveness, even as pain ripped through his body, and brought him shuddering to the moist ground. He understood there, this destiny, as he screamed out into the night from the scalding pain, the fel energy burning him inside, as she slowly stole away his soul, leaving him a husk. Ryvin Sa'Diablo knew then, the reason for his murderer's pity. This death was hardly merciful.
The three stared for a moment at the body of Ryvin in quiet memorial, his body twitching its last upon the sand he so loved. Annaliese took the newly stolen soul, and tucked it deep into her satchel, a small consolation prize for the effort. The silence of the three was interrupted by Sueno's silken voice, the Dark Lord speaking through her.
"Give her the soulstone, Sueno. Anna…its up to you now. Release me from my prison," the voice spoke, and Sueno obeyed, trembling as she gave the necklace to the warlock They walked to the edge of the ruins, leaving Anna kneeling before the corpse of Ryvin, the dark orb grasped firmly in her hands. She winced as the soulstone shattered upon the stone, but closed her eyes as she felt the soul's release, guiding it into the lifeless body. She could hear her heart pound in her chest, waiting for any response from the body, a whisper escaping her lips to be carried on the ocean breeze:
"Darkness embrace you!"
No comments:
Post a Comment