Images of Foundation

This place brought a lot of memories.
A shore of the ocean, a hill just infront of the beach.

It traced all the way back to their Academy days, when they were just kids going on about their daily lives, when they could afford to be so careless and focus entirely on their studies only. It's almost a shame such time has passed, and now they have many other things to tend to.

War. Improvement of Art. Protecting their family, and more.

But the memory is what he exactly needs. Looking back at everything that Dylerun has taught him, it wasn't going to be that easy to pick it all up, after all the time passed- nonetheless, it's still worth a try to attempt and still master this Art. There are so many applications to it, after all.

"I may need your spare mana to help me visualize more places than I could otherwise handle."

He takes a seat on the grass. It's exactly thanks to her help he was capable of breaking so many limits in the past, whether it was simple encouragement or it's because she shared her mana with him. Without her, he might've not been here at all.

"Do you remember how we used to be here a lot of our time?"
(Arthur Rowan)

She would be lying if she said that this didn't bring back memories. A lot of them revolved around her many talks with the Rowan- some speaking about her own inferiority complex...Others, focusing upon the one girl that used to bully her. But the most impactful were the ones that lead to her own dependence on him. The times when they would speak upon their family and vent...In some strange way, it brings a slight smile to her features. But this sinking feeling within her heart only reminds her of the things that she had missed. Truth be told...She never quite admitted to being depressed, but when faced by this fact...It might become a little more apparent.

 "Using my mana to visualize places?-….I suppose." She says softly, nodding once, twice. "I guess while you're doing that- I could be working on my own technique." She was good for it. And multitasking would help her reach that point a little easier. But as of now, the woman merely shifts slightly.

 "I remember how we used to be here. I remember the others still-....There's something about this place that makes me want to avoid it though. Probably because it makes me miss everyone. Even the bad stuff that came with it, you know.."
(Bei Rowan)

Despite wishing to defy Death, he didn't quite believe himself to ever become truly immortal.

One day, it would change. One day, it will all come to a stop. One day, no matter how much he tries, he will die. It's just the fact that he always felt the human lifespan is far too short to simply accept... perhaps he may be more accepting of passing away in a thousand years, but right now, when he's limited to a century or so?

It hardly suffices.

Because of that, he knows how to cherish moments like these. The memory of such things is what keeps them sane, it's what keeps them hanging on the threads of what they do, rather than forever giving up and doing anything that has nothing to do with their original purpose- it only takes to look at the rest of Agarthans to understand that.

How many of them are pitifully lost.

"You'll understand what I mean in a bit. And, ah--"

"Yes, I know. But we shouldn't be sad over bad things, it's what made us into what we are. Looking back into it--"

"-- I don't regret any of it at all. I'm content with who I am today. Are you?"

His gaze turns to her, with a smile; but before the answer arrives, there seems to be the swirl of mana in the air, and visualization begins- unironically, it was part of the 'homework' that Dylerun used to give to everyone back in the day, and Arthur yet remembers that.

Slowly, something is being conjured...
(Arthur Rowan)

"I don't think that I'm really sad over the bad things that happened." She says softly. "I think that I'm moreso sad over the loss of everything. I guess...My biggest question is rather simple. What happened?" there were moments when they all used to run through the forests and plains. When many children would be sparring and fighting for the sake of not just getting stronger, but creating strong, interweaving relationships that led them to victory. In essence, she believes that this....This academy was the home of many beings. And perhaps, that is also why some are so reluctant to attack. But still, even amidst her own meditation, even amidst the whispers and the gentle rise of the sun...It all stays.

 "I'm not content-....I don't think that I can ever be. I don't have the big dreams that you do, nor do I have the power to do all that you can. I'm simply a drakanite- a woman.I cannot become an eternal, nor do I have the potential to...However." she says, trailing off, her smile beginning to widen. "That doesn't mean that I won't make due with my time here. I'm happy. But I feel that the moment I become 'content' is when I'll stop growing. I can't." she says, nodding silently as she summons her own occultism, practicing her own 'therapeutic' mantra.

 Just breathe.

 In. Out. "I'm happy to be beside you, Arthur Rowan. And I'm happy to be yours...But I want to be more, I know I can be so much more than what I am now- not just to me, but to you. For you."
(Bei Rowan)

The essence of visualization was imagination.

But in this case, it was moreso the memory. Infront of them, a window opened- it was not quite the rift, but the Rowan drawing out the details of a place to which he would perhaps step into the future. It hums quietly, the sound buzzing through the air as the breeze washes over the rocky shore.

- - -

A bridge over a beautiful waterfall that leads downward.

The water, almost magically, comes from the water source which goes from the ocean; despite the unnatural angles, it makes way towards the little pond infront of the waterfall, and the place is fairly dark, making for a secluded, private atmosphere.

It's almost as bright as if it were lit with candles.

- - -

Inhale. Exhale.
He maintains focus to keep the picture open, and he refuses to let it down; there are other things that he would yet conjure up, and to assist him, the runeworks begin to cover the air as well.

"Life happened."

"People change. They become someone different. They begin wanting different things. There's no correct, definitive answer to what happened - there can only be an answer like this."

"And I don't think that being content means accepting everything about yourself, no. I think it's about understanding what you are, accepting that, and realizing there's still more to do."

He turns to her, briefly. The edge of the corner of his eye glances at her, before he exclaims.

"Don't think I would simply leave you behind."

"For as long as I can move at all, I would endlessly work to preserve you eternally, alongside with me."

"I won't let you die."
(Arthur Rowan)

"Life, huh?" She shouldn't laugh at such a thing, but when she thinks of how much 'life' has fucked them over...She cannot help herself. This place used to be known for it's bustling bodies and children. And perhaps...It's not as active because they're not being proactive enough to pull others in. She knows that it's possible- that it's more than possible to reach those highs once again....But the question is if she wants to be one of the ones to pull others into it? This curiosity could be seen upon her features as she continues thinking- the small smile beginning to widen briefly.

 "Life is shit." A simple shrug is offered. "But being here with you makes it a lot better...You know." She murmurs, keeping herself steady- the occultism swirling about, attempting to drain the life out of the knotted grasses beneath her frame. And yet, she refuses. She disallows it to move freely and now begins to flex her magic purposefully. She now places command behind each aspect...Slowly, steadily...

 "I suppose so though. I guess, when you look at it that way, I am content." she adds, quirking a slight eyebrow in thought. "Though, don't attempt to make promises that you cannot keep." She teases him about that fact. She is perfectly fine with growing old. "I won't let you die either....But don't burn yourself out because of me. You've got dreams to get...And I'll find my own way somehow. I promise."
(Bei Rowan)

A second picture appears.

- - -

A cold embrace, as fine as the winter's night.

The wind blows steadily, riling up the snow on the ground with each passing moment- it swirls in tiny hurricanes, and the landscape reminds oneself about the snowy desert, where little to no life can exist.

But it's all an illusion. With coming spring, it would certainly be reborn - as of now, instead, there are the Polar Lights in the sky, conjuring up a beautiful sky in the night.

- - -

"I agree and disagree."

"Life is flawed, yes. It is through many frustrations that people often give up, that they see life as nothing but suffering, and yet..."

"There are things that make it worth it. There are things that get us out of the bed each morning. To me, it's... it's you. It's you, our family and everything I work for."

Though, there's a pause. While he wears his mask, he turns to her slowly once she says of promises he cannot keep, and it's easy to tell he isn't quite approving of what she's said.

"You cannot say things like that. You cannot claim that would be a burden to me."

"I will let you work on that on your own, but if you would not be able, then I will be there to pull you through. There's no way I would leave you behind, watch you wither and become old while I retain my youth."

He sighs. There's a lot at stake in situations like this- he turns, continuing his work, and yet he adds.

"We are responsible for those we've tamed, Bei. Remember that."
(Arthur Rowan)

She lends him mana - while also contributing most of her efforts to her own meditation. The gentle gleaming of proxima within the back of her mind gives her the patience to remain still and composed- the occultism that writhes and bounds in and out of existence pulses angrily...For it is never to be controlled and yet, as she continues willing herself forward, it bends to her own manipulation- the color flickering, the world changing within her own eyesight, if only briefly. This moments, this snking feeling...She realizes that she's becoming less composed and moreso...Numbed to the experience altogether. This is what mastering the occultism is all about.

 Numbing yourself to it's wants. Fighting against it. And using it within your best ability to not just overwhelm your opponent, but also, protect yourself. It is out of this strange love that she continues to fight on...However. "Don't give me those things." She says, her smile widening. "You're trying to make me happy- I know it's a game of yours that you enjoy." She adds, nodding once, twice. "Life is shit because of the things that we're forced to put up with. You cannot tell me that arguing logic with people should have to be as hard as it is. You cannot tell me that we had to lose one of our own in order for people to see that these vampires are more than just an idle threat. And now...?" she questions, her gaze flickering.

"Now, they are all sins." It is spoken within a chilled breath. The occultism sweeping through, unhinging only slightly as she regains her own control. "Life has a strange way of throwing lemons at us...But I think the lemonade we'll make will be sweeter." A pause..Her smile widening slightly.

 "If you say such a thing, Arthur, then I won't argue it. I believe in you." she adds, nodding, bowing her head briefly. "AndI know...But even sometimes, despite us guiding people-..They do their own thing. We've seen it within Abbigail and the her brother. Everyone that aren't truly aligned to our cause will always be a liability...So I can't imagine saying that we've 'tamed' them. Not yet.."
(Bei Rowan)

The third picture appears.

- - -

A jungle, full of life and activity.

The birds sing, frogs croak, and the howl of a predator can be heard in the distance- the sound of a rushing river, moving and alive, as it flows down from the higher places. The entirety of the ground is covered in myriad vines, roots and plants.

And the air is humid, so much that it's almost hard to breathe. In a moment, that hotness of the air ends, only to be replaced by the hard rain that storms upon the rain forest.

- - -

"I'm not just trying to make you happy. I wouldn't want to let you go. I cannot imagine my life without you."

It's true enough. While they may not share the contact and touch they used to, there's still an overwhelming fear in his heart that one day she might die, that one day, he will no longer have the opportunity to spend time with her like this. It's in the moments like this he knows how to treasure her.

"As for the Vampires--"

"I do not appreciate the sacrifice we had to make. In fact, I will never forgive Crafthold and the rest of these crooks for all that they've done. They were only interested in assisting when it directly concerned them."

"Otherwise? All of them are nothing but a bunch of selfish animals. They live to indulge, and nothing else."

The bitter taste could be almost felt.
But it's quickly replaced by what she seemingly had to tell him. The fact that she misunderstood the meaning of the taming was, in fact, quite a surprise to him- he reached out, to give a single, gentle brush of her hair.

"You've got it wrong."

"I was talking about the two of us. We are responsible for each other."
(Arthur Rowan)

His words do well within her own struggles. She sighs softly - her hands folding infront of her being...Her gaze drifting elsewhere in thought. Truth be told, she was terribly frightened of all that could potentially happen. And while she might not be terribly vocal with her own emotions - perhaps, he knew that she didn't want to be left behind. It's only human nature to not want such a thing to happen, especially, when you cannot imagine life, and the next left, without the one that you love the most. It's a strange weakness that she had been attempting to move over, especially since she isn't well versed in any arcane nor 'closely' related things. But if one thing rings true to her, it is that..

 "I can't see my life without you either." A silent pause- her knit together and then separated. Within the midst of it is nothing more than a single, obsidian orb filled with occultic mana. "I can't imagine what I would become if I were to lose you." She knows that it wouldn't be a vampire...She knows that she wouldn't commit suicide either. Instead, Bei understands that the day she loses him, is the day when she would truly be the one that people would fear. As of now though...

 "I think that this- the unity between Crafthold and Valmasia in attacking the vampires brings us closer together. Instead of looking as if they've hurt us, even though they have, I think we should continue mending.." A silent pause. "We might've extended our necks out for them a few times but trust me.." she says, her hand drifting forward. "As selfish as they are...I know a few of them have hearts." she adds, going silent...Only to quirk an eyebrow.

"Wait...Are you saying that you tamed me?" Tch.
(Bei Rowan)

Suddenly, he finds himself struggling to perform various different pictures of other places on top of what's already conjured.

Perhaps it's because he's been driving himself far too much into this, or perhaps he extended for much greater length that he was supposed to be capable of, but regardless, it remains a fact that he cannot find himself breaking through with that limit. Instead, he turns to her.

"Maybe. I do not intend to live at peace with those of Gaiar forever, Bei. I think the rule of Demons only harms this land, and yet..."

"I also understand that if Gaiar is crushed, people would turn their sights on us immediately, considering we're next up on the list. It's complicated, really."

But he stifles a laugh. She's really gotten it twisted, didn't she? At the same time, even though that's not what he intended to say, she did have a good point.

"Did I not tame you?"

"I believe I did... just as much as you tamed me. We belong to each other, and because of that, we're responsible for each other."

"It's why I refuse to leave you behind."

Nonetheless, with the pause, he adds.

"Also, it appears I'll need a lot more mana for the next step. Care to share plenty?"
(Arthur Rowan)

"You shouldn't. Demons are demons- and in the end, their true nature will always be in self-preservation and worth." She adds, nodding once, twice. "A demon sees humans as another means to reach their goals. I imagine that this is why Tragedy clings to many of her followers because she simply cant do it alone. She needs Crafthold- just like they need her. And the moment that she and Eiphraem fall within battle, Crafthold will be terribly exposed." She adds. Not saying that she plans on attacking them in the future but...She does expect violence between Valmasia and Crafthold at one point or another. That is...If things cannot be mended properly. However..

 "...I don't think that they would turn against us if Gaiar ends up being crushed. Truth be told, nothing is in Gaiar in the first place. I imagine that it should be overgrown with vegetation by now from so much inactivity b-"

 She loses concentration if only briefly. The orb within the center of her hands becomes hollowed out from the sudden wave of irritation - her own hues becoming beady as she speaks. "No." It is soon followed by what seemed to be a crooked smile. "I don't think that you've tamed me...I think that it's the other way around, if we're being honest." She adds, nodding once, twice. "Don't try to switch things up and say that we've both tamed each other...That doesn't work." she says. "The nature of 'taming' is that there is only one master and one servant....I get what you're trying to do but.." She laughs. "I'm not falling for it. Though, I do appreciate it." Hmph.

 However, she nods..

 "And yes, I'm ready. Just tell me when to go."
(Bei Rowan)

There's much doubt regarding actually choosing to assault Gaiar and the likes.

In fact, he often contemplates doing it... subtly. An ambush, perhaps, or one certain way of taking out someone powerful within their ranks- it's not even Eiphraem that he's terribly weary about, but Tragedy. It's her presence, even if distant, that makes people obey the rule of the Demons.

Even if not so zealously.

Still, all of it would take time, and it's fairly dangerous to even approach that topic at all, to begin with. What about the countless servants that would possibly follow suit the war that would be waged against Tragedy?

"Mm. That remains to be seen. I do not think we would be so successful in turning Tragedy's servants against her, but--"

He pauses. Oh, did she have a belief that it was the other way around? He can't help it but stifle another laugh.

"You always try to struggle for dominance."

"Not that I mind it... but I do not think it's as simple as you make it out to be. Though, that's a matter we can discuss another time... elsewhere."

Instead, he focuses back onto the ritual he's been performing. The rituals rise up, drawing out the words in the air- it's still uncertain what it is, but clearly, the myriad pictures were going to be conjured.

It awaits something. Her mana, surely.
(Arthur Rowan)

"You'd be surprised- Not many people enjoy Tragedy's presence. I believe that at this particular moment, most of the continent is merely waiting for a leader to come and stand in opposition. However.." She says pausing. "I believe that it'd take more than just a natural born leader to take Tragedy off of her own supposed throne. Whatever she did-...Whatever she created that caused that feeling, I imagine that it must be terribly, terribly powerful." She averts her gaze at the thought, grimacing. But still...

 "Is it really a struggle for dominance when I'm always the ruler?" she questions, quirking nothing more than a mere eyebrow. She was used to her position - the accolades and crowns prove it. "You may be the king, Arthur but.." she says softly, the occultism within the orb beginning to lighten, turning grey once more. "We all know what is the most important piece when it comes to a game of chess." The Queen is the strongest. She is the fighter. The do-all and end-all. "Accept your fate...It isn't a struggle when it's all shown." On his back, his chest, his shoulders. She etched herself all over him a long, long time ago.

 But to digress. "-Mhm..." But as of now, her focus returns back to the task at hand. The black orb would dissipate as she would now focus her own mana to the Rowan...The pale light of proxima beginning to shine down upon his frame, bolstering his being with it's reinforcement.
(Bei Rowan)

Maybe that's true. Maybe with time, he could actually turn a lot more people to his side of the fence, to actually gather a much more sizeable army than he otherwise has- but for now, it feels as if entire Agartha would turn against him, should he make a stand against Tragedy.

And in reality, he desires just that... but what of others?

There's nothing but silence to that, a mere nod of acknowledgement and agreement to Bei's words- they may hold different opinions on things, but that's something they could agree on - she has long established herself for many different reasons, and it would take a lot to overthrow her.

"Oh, please..."

"But the game ends when King is defeated, does it not? The Queen, on the other hand, serves her King with all that she can."

It may be true that Queen is a fighter in the game of chess, but in the end, she belongs to the King. That much was certain. To digress, he begins to finally focus at task.

- - -

The myriad amount of pictures begin appearing all around them.

It is no longer a single picture that describes a particular place - it is hundreds of beaches, of forests, of mountain tops, of jungles, of caverns and more. There are so many places, with so much life to them.

And some of it almost tries to peek through the gate he opens, too.

- - -

Arthur sustains such for a moment, and it almost looks like a hall with a thousand fountains, each of them gushing with the waters of life.

But for how long?
(Arthur Rowan)

It could go either two ways. People would join Arthur's side in an attempt to destroy Tragedy or...They would simply say that they'd assist and then not send any reinforcement. In all honesty, it'd be a gamble...Something that he might not be able to afford as of now. But in the end, she's almost certain that Arthur would welcome the fight...After all, they've beaten impossible odds before with quality, have they not?- Surely, it could happen again. Surely, it wouldn't be too difficult. However...

 "That may be true." She says silently. "But that just simply shows you the worth and value of the Queen." She adds, her smile widening only briefly. "A good Queen knows not only how to defeat her king's foes...But also serve him from time to time. I see nothing wrong with it, as long as the King knows his own place." In the back of the line, perhaps used every now and then...But rarely chosen and barely feared in relation to the Queen. Her position will always be solidified in the game. Always. However..

 These brief pictures. The mountain tops, the beaches, the jungles...And within the moment, she seems to look briefly upon the hall. Just what was he attempting to do?- Just where was he trying to go? She understands that all of these are from memories and yet....Sometimes, even she feels lost. For now, continues supplying - the strain causing veins to appear upon her flesh....Muscles tensing briefly.

 One must remember that in order for her to empower others, it often comes at the price of her own physicality. It is the binding that Proxima has given her- life for power. Forever enduring the pain to proceed...

 That, is the nature of her dwarf star.
(Bei Rowan)

There's much that he wished to argue about with her regarding the dominance in their relationship- that of a King and Queen, where she serves him, and yet she attempts to assert herself over him in such notes of importance. A lot of these things were something he would dispute, especially 'knowing his place', but--

-- unfortunately, he had no time for that.

- - -

The last pictures before them would be that of the expeditions they've covered before.

It is the hall full of water, with the riddles all over; it is the hall of the moon and sun, where their age was constantly played with.

Then, it is the separate island, full of dead bodies of humans and Demons; the curse of the island had brought them all to fight against each other eternally, but with Arthur's efforts, they were free.

All of those pictures, dozens of them, they all create a symphony of the world itself, humming and buzzing.

- - -

But there's a pause.

Suddenly, the pictures crack and snap, shattering like the glass, like the broken mirrors; they all fall, and the energy that was infused in them comes crashing down upon the user, the strain of performing it all clearly backfiring against him.

Even though his mask covers the expression, it's easy to tell something isn't right- he leans forward, not speaking a word, the frame of his body hardly supporting the stance he's held.

Motionless. Silent.
(Arthur Rowan)

It is the banter that keeps things lively. And until he can prove otherwise, then she will always push that boundary until he'd make a difference. Assuming that he has the capability to do such a thing in the first place. There is nothing wrong with a man serving his wife- for many others do it. And to be quite honest, Valmasian customs have always favored the Queen over the king- especially since the women have always been more successful in that aspect. However-...There is a time and a place for everything. And as of yet, focusing on the matters at hand is much more important.

 For now, she watches things change time and time again - images of places that they had been popping up into reality, moments when the memory and blood all come rushing back together. Sin the end though, she gathered something from each of these past excursions. A sense of self. And a sense of power...Hm.

 However, as it continues - she watches them beginning to splinter, cracks spiderwebbing through their surface as a mere warning before shattering like glass. The pressure of reality - the practice of it backfiring briefly...For now, she loses her connection, gentle, bated breathes spilling past her lips as she drifts forward.

"Arthur-...Arthur, are you okay?"

 She reaches forward, pressing her hand against the back of his shoulder. "I-...You've got to be more careful."
(Bei Rowan)

It all fades into nothing.

For a moment, he loses himself to exhaustion; he's already held the support of many Undead that have roamed this land, and constantly worked with the Statue's rituals until the full exhaustion. It's not that Arthur hadn't had the energy to support them all, but--

-- when the great feats of magic like this are performed, at times, the body is bound to give in.

He remains unresponsive, at first. Like from a bad dream, he awakens, clearly having fainted from the constant usage of mana to such greater capacity. He's been warned, hasn't he? That performing Riftmancy takes a lot of energy. Clearly that's the result of it.

"...My head hurts."

Slowly, he straightens his back, his single hand rising up to his head- there's a silent huff that escapes through his mask, muffled and weak, before he takes a moment to look around. He didn't teleport himself on accident, did he?

Good. He did not.

"Yes... yes, I'm okay. It's nothing."

"I think I could move on to next steps of my mastery, soon."
(Arthur Rowan)

"You conjured too much." She says, her head beginning to shake from left to right. "A rift magi usually focuses upon one image at a time-...But instead, you chose to create multiple rifts at the same time. It's...Extremely dangerous to do so, especially when they're so close to one another in the same vicinity. The things that you could have done-...The things that you could have created would have been catastrophic." For the both of them. Imagine if two entrances would have pressed against one another? Surely, the lifestream would do anything to fix it...Including destroying the area that caused the issue in the first place. However..

 "You've always had your moments though, I suppose. Instant gratification won't ever happen....Take your time, Arthur. You've got enough time in the world, besides, you've mastered things in just a few months. I'm certain that you can do this in no time either."Just a thought, but as of now, she merely presses him to rest.

 "Come. We can either go home and sit here-...Either way, I think you're a little too tired to do more."
(Bei Rowan)

There's always time to improve more upon this.

At least, he would certainly need her to assist him in growing even better with time. It's no secret either that he's mastered other things in a matter of months, and surely he can master Riftmancy just like that as well, right?

That's what he wants to believe.

But with time, there's only so many new things that you can learn. They do not say that you cannot teach the old dog new tricks for no reason- and Arthur felt like he was becoming just that.

An old dog.

It is why he seeks to defeat the mortality, so he can have all the time in the world to become the Divinity he sought to be for so long. But to digress, it all takes time and effort, something that he already invests as much as possible.

"Yes... I suppose we could head home."

"There isn't much reason to sit here either."
(Arthur Rowan)