Killing Ausar

The Vanirhallan would approach the both of them, tilting her head. Lord Zaruma and a Drakanite coming here? How odd. The Vaalmooran offered them a gentlle smile, giving a slight bow of her head.

"How can I help you two?"

Of course, her fellow Vanirhallans were asleep. Great...
(Shanka)

The Drakanite was leading the Demon down to the southern beach until they were stopped by a Vanirhallan. Wait, a Vanirhallan? What were they doing here?

He quickly shook his head before waving a hand.

"This does not concern you."

Of course this was Ausar's response. What Zaruma could say would be different overall.
(Ausar Kesandri)

The Archon did not seem to pay much attention to Shanka even as they passed by, up until she actually spoke out.

"You cannot. We're here for the matters that are not relevant to you."

On that note, the Archon kept on floating down towards the beach. There was no point talking to her much longer.
(Zaruma)




Coast

 You hear the sound of soothing waves. If you look out into the distance, you can see grey mountains, the Spires, piercing the sky.



Well, well, I see how it is.

There was a settlement on the beach, a Vanirhallan settlement. However, Shanka wouldn't be the one to stop them crossing their territory. Not alone at least.

"Mhm, mhm... " She crossed her arms, her soft blue hues tracking the both of them with a cold expression on her features. She wouldn't interrupt them.
(Shanka)


Ausar Kesandri says, "Anyways..."
Ausar stepped down onto the beach as looked off towards the vast ocean complimented by the beautiful night sky. So many memories of this particular beach came rushing back to the Drakanite.

From his first discovery of it.

Proposing to Aesperus on it.

...Sending Aesperus' body off to the ocean in a casket.

So many good memories, and so many bad memories. If Ausar had to chose a spot where his final moments in life resided, it'd be here of all places. It'd be a fitting place for him.

Of course, the spires were jutting out from the ocean. Those damned spires... The reason why the factions fought one another. The reason why there was so much death, so much misery on this continent. In a way, he appreciated them for introducing him to all of his friends and his mate. Yet... at the same time he loathed the shards for putting him through so much horrid events.

Closing his eyes, he'd reach down into his satchel to pull out what looked like a sacrificial dagger. One made with the image of Ryujin on the hilt of the blade. It was the weapon that claimed Aesperus' life by being stabbed through the heart. He'd turn to hand the demon the dagger before reopening his eyes.

"If I could make one last request from someone who's helped you in Ezmara over the years... I'd... Would you send my body off towards the horizon behind me in a casket or something of sorts? That's what I did with Aesperus' body per her request."
(Ausar Kesandri)

Amyas uh-oh, did i just walk into zaruma's first date?
(Amyas White)

Zaruma overhears the crackling lightning which transported the man. The Archon speaks.
(Zaruma)


Zaruma says, "Amyas. Leave."

Amyas White says, "Okay-.."

Amyas White says, "Sorry for interrupting your date, jeez."

Ausar Kesandri says, "..."
The Archon's crimson hues were pointed towards the Drakanite while he spoke.

--And previously, he could catch his glance towards the Spires mountains. Indeed, they had caused much trouble, both to Demonkind and the humankind alike. A reason as to why there was so much bloodshed, and the reason why his civilization crumbled.

They could probably relate on that level, at least, despite their natures being so different.

"You haven't warned me well enough, Ausar."

"I've experienced grief and sorrow myself. It felt much-- like the knife you hold, stabbed into me, but I was unable to remove it."

"While we stand here, on the edge of an ocean, at the grace of the Spires and their power--"

The Archon made a pause.

"I understand. I finally understand what you meant, all those years back. I understand why you wish to leave this place for good."

The knife was carefully taken from Ausar, a pair of crimson eyes briefly scanning over the dagger's design. Marvelous. Only to imagine that it's about to take the life of a man...

"--Very well. That much I can do for you."
(Zaruma)

The Drakanite nodded at the demon's assurance that the Drakanite's final request would be fulfilled. A soft smile, the first of none in the past few years would crack upon his lips. Finally, after all this suffering and pain from the guilt he's lived with, it was all going to end. He was going to fulfill Aesperus' promise.

"Now you understand, Zaruma... Why emotion is a fickle thing. Don't let your grief and sorrow consume you like it has me or... Well... you're staring at the result. A broken person with nothing left for this realm."

And with that, he'd close his eyes and tilt his head towards the starry night sky. His arms were at his side.

The Drakanite awaited for Zaruma to pierce his heart with the dagger.
(Ausar Kesandri)


Ausar Kesandri says, "Also, keep my death a secret to the necromancers of Valmasia. They are vengeful and I don't want to be pulled away from my family. Forgot to mention that."
Oh, the Archon understood that well - perhaps all too well. Indeed, that sorrow and grief had made him weary and cautious of almost everything these days, but...

There was an example of what would happen to Archon, should he truly succumb to such side. No, such cannot happen- he had civilization to build, people to lead and the land to reclaim.

There was much to be done. To be dead before you truly die... a fate worse than physical death.

"I shall not. Your example... will serve as a good warning."

"And very well. Your death will be a secret- and even if they discover it, by that time your body will be long gone."

The dagger was readied. It was time to do the deed.
(Zaruma)

The dagger was driven into Ausar's heart, much like he ended Aesperus- much like the Archon promised to the Drakanite that he would do it.

But oddly, there was almost no pain. Just a brief moment of a sharp object entering his body, and the blood trickled down on the sand- likewise, the blade was painted crimson, and so was Zaruma's hand. With those crimson eyes of an Archon that stared into Drakanite's soul, perhaps that color is almost everything that Ausar would see before his death.

Yet, he was allowed to die at peace while the life was slowly leaving his body. Zaruma's hand had Ausar's face cupped carefully, much like a friend who would stare into the eyes of a dying one - perhaps, their natures were very different.

But all the same, he understood the Drakanite on many other levels.

Silently, the life essence was being sapped from Ausar while the dagger remained in his chest, all too speed up the process slightly and make it almost painless; a feeling of being lightheaded, a feeling of final memories flashing before his very eyes would overwhelm the Drakanite.

It was a final gift of the Archon to Ausar, to breach his mind and invade it with psychic projections of what he would likely enjoy.

He would see Aesperus in a wheat field of Valmasian lands, the picture taken from the mind of the Drakanite- him and her reunited at last, with their son Evan to complete the family picture. It was the final sunset that he'd see with her, the final warmth of her hand that he'd feel, the final joy of seeing his son.

In death, he found life. He would not scatter his sorrow to the heartless sea.

"Goodbye, Ausar..."

Comforting voice of the Archon rang in his head, almost subconsciously so. He was in the beautiful, perfect dream, locked away from pain of the dagger in his chest - before he would succumb to the darkness and re-join them instars.

"You deserved your rest."
(Zaruma)

The Drakanite's eyes widened a bit as he felt the dagger shoved into his left pectoral and pierce into his heart. Yet... there was no pain, only the initial shock. Did the Demon only graze him? That's what he initially thought at first until his vision started to blur. He could feel a seeping liquid trail down his torso and onto his legs. He could hear the faint drips of blood staining the sand beneath his feet.

His eyes stared into the Demon's own crimson eyes as he could slowly feel his life slipping away. There were people who were afraid of death. That was the pinnacle behind Azrael's teachings in the first place. The fear of death was what spurred Necromancy to become an art. Ausar was afraid of death all those years ago. Now?

He coveted it. If it meant he'd see his family once again.

As he could feel his consciousness slipping away, Ausar would mutter a few faint words.

"Aesperus... Evan... I'm c-coming..."

...

Shortly after, the Drakanite's eyes would close before his body gave out from blood loss and collapsed onto the blood stained sand. The Ryujinite dagger red with the blood of a Drakanite.

Just as he was about to pass on into the next realm, he found himself in a field of wheat... The plains of Nostvale where Aesperus and Evan stood before him, beckoning him over with open arms. In a way, he knew this was just one of Zaruma's projections... He's experienced them before. But... it was a nice sendoff gift before he'd journey through the spirit realm to find Aesperus and Evan truly.

The moment he walked up to Aesperus and Evan in the vision and pulled them into a group hug, everything went black...


...


Ausar Kesandri, one of the few first wave Valmasians left... Blacksmith. Drakanite. Traitor. Umbral Slayer. Ryujinite.


Father...

Had perished.
(Ausar Kesandri)