dev 10 - payment for insolence

Even if he's been here for a while, he doesn't seem any less down on spirits- if anything, the Shenlong is as ever energetic as one could be. Maybe it's his youth that gives him this energy?

Nonetheless...

There isn't the same look in his eyes anymore. Whatever caused the change, the outlook is different now. There were only two things that remained the same - his desire to bring down Dusk, and one to get out of here. It's not that Briar was bad of a place, really... but his dreams were wasted so long as he stayed here.

So he did the only option he had at all.

"Ashalle, your previous task was completed. I think one of your men was supposed to give you everything that's been taken from the caverns."

"You might find this annoying, but... I'm pretty sure it's clear to you by now that I have other things to do outside of Briar, and I'd rather get to them onceI can. That implies you'd release me - but I'm not sure what else you have in the store for me."

"Do you have anything else?"

Bold to ask your captor just like that. But maybe that's part of what's changed about him?
(Keitaro)


"Someone seemed interested in you." She pauses in thought, her head tilting ever so slightly. "That crazy boy, Adrian Rowan, wanted to make a trade. He said that he would give himself over to me in exchange of you...But honestly, I'm not really interested in him." She grows bored rather quickly, her gaze darkening in thought...Hands lightly brushing through her bangs as she continues to speak.

"You complete one task and think that you're capable of just leaving. Cute." She smiles briefly - almost innocent. almost doll-like. "It's killing you, isn't it? Knowing that you're stuck here...That you can't fight against Dawn. That you can't fulfill your dreams because of a mistake." She turns upon her heel, humming in a sing-song manner.

 It's clear that she's thoroughly amused through his plight. "Unfortunately for you, there's not much that you can do for me." Tut, tut, tut...

"Though, should I let you go...What do you have to offer in exchange for your freedom, hm? I can make deals, you know."
(Ashalle)

There was no hiding it.

It's blatantly obvious that Keitaro wished to go out there and do what he desired in the first place, and so long as he stayed here, that would not be possible at all- in fact, he might end up missing war altogether, failing to ever make an impact on his own, and that would be a tragedy to him.

"No. I do not."

"You told me to take something for myself, and I thought of something that's most valuable to me at the moment - my freedom and my own dreams. I will remain stuck here for much longer than necessary if I keep idling about, just not doing anything."

"Isn't that good that I'm showing pro-active behaviour for something that's all about me and me only, at least for once in my life?"

A pause. He didn't know how else to word it, really, but he figured he would just say what he feels - and that's what it is. She did catch a few certain points, to whichhe admits.

"...And yes, it is killing me."

"I'd rather do something- anything- that would further the potential of my freedom, but I'm not sure what it is you want exactly."

"Resources? Money? Treasures? Fame? What is it?"

After all, before he offers, he needs to know what she's after.
(Keitaro)


"You're smart, you know. Coming to me with something like that - believing that you fighting within the war is selfish on your own behalf when it isn't." A pause is given, her smile widening into a Cheshire grin. "You have nothing to lose, Keitaro. You've no one. You've got absolutely nothing save for a house in Levengard and clothes on your back. Your freedom is not you being selfish. Your freedom is fighting against the one thing that would make you feel whole again. But know.." A dramatic pause is given, she breathes in and then out.

"That I won't be granting such. You've failed. Your people have failed you...And now, you can feel the despair that I've felt." When dreams and aspirations slipped out of her palm as a child. When she could feel all of what she wanted to become slip from the distance...And fall into something much, much more decadent, much more twisted..

"If you want your freedom, then you'll have to convince me with something that you might possess. I'm interested in things...You know. Secrets. Selfish, dark, decadent wants..." A shrug. "Until then, I'm afraid that you might just have to stay here until this whole thing blows over..."

 Oof.

 Unfortunately for him, this was his torture. She wouldn't need to raise a hand to him...Not when his mind would do all the work.
(Ashalle)

It is perhaps one of the things that he was concerned about the most.

That she just doesn't intend to release him at all. That she intends to keep him until the whole thing is over, and that he'll practically miss everything that happens out there - and by the time he will be out, it will be far too late to actually make an impact at all. Wouldn't that simply kill him, deep inside?

"What do YOU know about me?!"

It's almost unintentional, but despite the fact he always keeps his position in his mind, those frustrations spill over- the very same frustrations he once acted upon. It is now those frustrations that drive him almost crazy, breaking the façade of a 'hero' that intends to save everyone. No, that's very far from the truth now...

"What secrets could you possibly want?" He pauses. His fists evidently clench, the frown growing considerably more. He isn't even sure what he could tell her what she doesn't already know... unless?

"That I'm envious of all Elisheva for being born with their blood, and immediately superior in strength? That Ilui willingly torments people, and is no legacy to their teachings? That Calael is terribly tired of everything, despite smiling? That Thera has already turned from light a long time ago, and now only wishes to burn and decimate everything in her path?"

"What is it? Do you just want dirt on everyone, and that's it?"

He huffs out. This was upsetting him greatly - and it's not even such things being spilled out, but rather the fact he may not leave anytime soon.

How unfortunate.
(Keitaro)

That's the point, isn't it? Throughout her years, she has learned many ways to break a man without lifting a single finger. She had perfected the method when she had gotten Laemor to see that Levengarde was doing nothing more than using him for his glory, for his strength - and when they so easily discarded his words, his freedom of speech....He had told her the one thing that she had been wanting to hear from the moment that he had begun to fight against her.

Ashalle, you're right.

 But in this case, it's much different than what she experiences with Keitaro. He is a flicker - a small flame within the palm of her hand that steadily closes. She can feel the embers of his ambition and desires brush against her flesh on an otherwise chilled night. She can feel his desire to be set free and yet...She does not grant him his freedom.

"..." But despite his words, there is no response. There is nothing more than a placcid, gentle smile upon her features as she reaches out, carefully pressing her hand against his chest as she speaks. "It must be hurting you a lot." A whisper that carries a tune. "But that gives me all the reason to keep you here...If Calael is tired and simply smiles...He betrays the truth. If Thera has turned from the light and wants to kill everything...Then does that not prove me right?" Her gaze flutters..

"I don't want dirt on everyone when I know most of it for myself, your people are fucking fickle. Nevertheless, these demi-angels have invaded us...Both, the good and the bad. And it is now...That humanity should rise again. But unfortunately for you.." A pause is given as her hand drops, her body beginning to turn upon her heel..

"You won't be a part of that outcome. So...While you can, I suggest you do so. Scream. Shout. Yell. Cry. Either of those are a good response to how I felt when my own dreams slipped from me. But you'll see." Her smile falters.

"I'm doing you a favor. You'll thank me later."
(Ashalle)

No matter how much he would struggle against the snuffing out force that kept him here, it was all futile; the desperation to get out of here and actually participate in the greater picture was much stronger than one could imagine, and while she keeps him grounded and in the same place, he has very little patience to wait for whatever it is she had planned for him. Even now, those frustrations continue to rise, coming in waves that try to struggle against the hold.

"You're uncertain of what future awaits, aren't you?" A sudden shift of tone. The scream that lingered just a moment ago dies as quickly as it rose up- those frustrations are still evident by the tiniest grit that expose the shark-like teeth of Shenlong.

"You have nothing. Just like me."

"You can pretend that you have people with you, but these are small numbers against the armies out there. You have nothing when Sors falls, and you know that demi-angels will inevitably come after you."

"You don't even have freedom, and Akasha is the reason. Is that why you clutch me here? Is that the 'promise' that you saw? Am I just your bargaining chip, or a pawn you want to make?"

He could tell the connection. Laemor suffered just like this, and while it's true that Levengard used him, look at where it got him - precisely at Ashalle's feet, right at her servitude.

"You're afraid, aren't you?"
(Keitaro)


He knows. Only a little. There is a moment where she finds herself beginning to pause within her step. Her gaze would flutter, her fuchsia hues beginning to darken considerably as she stares towards the gates of her humble little city. At this particular moment, she wasn't uncertain if she were afraid of what the future would bring...Or if she would entice it and force it to move alongside her. Either way, what is true is that he almost hit the nail on the head. Almost.

"Uncertain? Perhaps....Perhaps not. I know that there is no one in your Levengard that can stand up to the people that I care for, including me. I also know that there is no one in Cruxati capable of fighting me, Ahmir, or Laemor. They're all too weak in comparison. And eventually, they'll falter." Her gaze flutters, her hand brushing close to her lips..

"However.." Out of her pocket comes nothing more than a single, idle remote. She flips over the case and candidly presses the subdue button...Opting to electrocute the drakanite through the mana collar.

"Don't speak on things as if you know them. We might be similar, but I can assure you that we are not in the same circumstance. If I were to die, there would be people that would avenge me. People that would not forget me. People that would call my name as they killed over one thousand magi for my worth. You, on the other hand, have nothing. Nobody. Nothing to claim as your own." Her chin tilts upwards, her smile widening.

"Numbers do not matter. I proved that when I single-handedly crippled Dawn before their war. I proved that when I was the one on the frontlines, fighting the ones that your people were too frightened of." She presses it again. And again. And again.

"You're attempts at reaching my situation are pathetic." However, he's right. But Akasha isn't the only one that has trapped her. It is Laemor as well...To each their own. However, she cannot say that she wont be reaping the benefits of her cage...Eventually, she'll spread her wings again. And when the time comes, she'll fly.

"And I can assure you that the moment I become afraid of any 'man' or 'Divine' will be a fucking hailstorm in Hel. Nothing compares to me. Not Akasha. Not Thera. Not any fucking Elisheva." The button mashing continues, shocking him time and time again until he lays upon the ground..

 That is, if he does so.
(Ashalle)

Shock, one after another.

Although he made his best efforts to tame the storms in the past, the shock that would course through his circuitry was no less painful; at first, the Drakanite was only leaning forth in a motion of a bow, forced into such unflattering position due to the pain that collar on his neck brings. It pains him greatly, really... and it's only his resolve that keeps him upright. Temporarily.

Though, from him? Only an idle, quiet laugh spills from the lips. If anything, this is a proof to him, the evidence that he certainly got to her in some way. If he hadn't, she wouldn't care to use the remote like this - she wished to inflict pain for his insolence, for the words he's spoken, but all without dirtying her hands.

"Aha... hahahahaha…"

"This got to you, didn't it?"

Before he can look up, another shocktravels through his body; instinctively, his body cranes over, falling on a single knee, but it's also evident that the Drakanite resists with as much might as he can even muster right now, despite the wounds and the pain.

"You know that this conflict is inevitable... you reek of anxiety, Ashalle. And now, you're trying to save as many chips and pawns on your table as you can - all that youth traversing your city, all those people that swear allegiance, you would dispose of them just to ensure your own survival."

"But you're preparing. I can see that."

He huffs out. The pain becomes almost overbearing, but he refuses to collapse entirely. Although he's on a single knee, he holds himself up with a hand here and there, sometimes even two.

"Is this why you're making me suffer like this? Because you're so uncertain of your future?"

"Because you have no idea what it holds, and because you want to vent your frustrations? Do you think any of this will help, but making connections out there?"

"I know that deep inside you realize my release might be more beneficial that my captivity here - it is the only reason you ever considered it. But now... now you're more convinced that I might be of use here, aren't you?"

"You're just so full of uncertainty that you keep bouncing between decisions... even those related to alliance with Dusk."

"You can't tell me that I'm entirely wrong. Not after you resorted to the toy in your hands."

He looks up, with a tiny smile widening on his face.
(Keitaro)


Everyone wears masks. Some of them are to hide emotions. Others are to tell a story of what happened. But most of them are to hide the true intentions of those that wield them. The enigma of the mask is an exegesis to those that are wanting to hide - to escape from the world and bare terrible, dark, twisted secrets. And in a way, she would be lying if she said that she didn't possess a few herself. But the strangest thing is that she operates off of trust. Off of the truth. Believing that no matter what happens, the truth will eventually come out. And with the letter...Perhaps, others see it now. Dawn might be an issue, but Levengarde. Huangzhou. And even Gehenna herself are the worst things to exist.

"..." The gaze that was once filled with amusement is now filled with something entirely different. Emptiness. An expanding void. A moment when the sin itself takes over all reasoning and waits...Waits eagerly as it counts the sins that Keitaro verbally commits. Surely, he must understand something...No?

"You must think of me as vulnerable then." Words soon break the silence as the gold mana spills outwards. It blossoms in ways that he might not think possible and yet...It doesn't flourish, even as she steps towards his figure..

"But you should know something. I never asked for people to come here save for those that wanted the truth. Those willing to die for the truth. And you know....? Even when I didn't want them, they begged me to stay because there is no one else."

 It is strange. Innocence mixed with something much more dark. Much more corrupted. It was almost as if she couldn't breathe because her next words....Had fallen deaf upon her own ears.

"I am the light that people need through the night. I am the beacon, the example that people want to be. I am everything. The beginning, the ending, the fucking savior."/font> Her foot is brought back, kicking the stomach of the Drakanite until he doubles over upon his back.

 Once done, with the remote discarded back in her satchel, he'd find her sitting atop of his chest, her hands wrapped around his throat, tightening as she strangles him. "I am the future that these people look to. The ones that will set them. And Agartha free from what destruction your fucking people are doing." It tightens, her clawsdipping into his neck...Her teeth gritting..

"You are nothing. You have nothing. You're not even strong you pathetic, fucking ingrate. How could someone like me want YOU! Words are like venom as she leans down closer to his visage. The unruly sin now blossoming, the earth rattling...

"What would you know about uncertainty when you don't know if you'll live through captivity?" It happens. More, more. Her knuckles nearly redden from the intensity of her grip..

"I don't need you. I don't need anyone. I can only count on myself...And as long as I remain, then I will be. This city will be indomitable." It continues. Her wrists shaking his head and neck...Her words dying down into whispers...

"And you..? You won't ever get to realize your dream. Suffer. In knowing that you've failed."
(Ashalle)

Everyone wears masks. Some of them are to hide emotions. Others are to tell a story of what happened. But most of them are to hide the true intentions of those that wield them. The enigma of the mask is an exegesis to those that are wanting to hide - to escape from the world and bare terrible, dark, twisted secrets. And in a way, she would be lying if she said that she didn't possess a few herself. But the strangest thing is that she operates off of trust. Off of the truth. Believing that no matter what happens, the truth will eventually come out. And with the letter...Perhaps, others see it now. Dawn might be an issue, but Levengarde. Huangzhou. And even Gehenna herself are the worst things to exist.

"..." The gaze that was once filled with amusement is now filled with something entirely different. Emptiness. An expanding void. A moment when the sin itself takes over all reasoning and waits...Waits eagerly as it counts the sins that Keitaro verbally commits. Surely, he must understand something...No?

"You must think of me as vulnerable then." Words soon break the silence as the gold mana spills outwards. It blossoms in ways that he might not think possible and yet...It doesn't flourish, even as she steps towards his figure..

"But you should know something. I never asked for people to come here save for those that wanted the truth. Those willing to die for the truth. And you know....? Even when I didn't want them, they begged me to stay because there is no one else."

 It is strange. Innocence mixed with something much more dark. Much more corrupted. It was almost as if she couldn't breathe because her next words....Had fallen deaf upon her own ears.

"I am the light that people need through the night. I am the beacon, the example that people want to be. I am everything. The beginning, the ending, the fucking savior."/font> Her foot is brought back, kicking the stomach of the Drakanite until he doubles over upon his back.

 Once done, with the remote discarded back in her satchel, he'd find her sitting atop of his chest, her hands wrapped around his throat, tightening as she strangles him. "I am the future that these people look to. The ones that will set them. And Agartha free from what destruction your fucking people are doing." It tightens, her clawsdipping into his neck...Her teeth gritting..

"You are nothing. You have nothing. You're not even strong you pathetic, fucking ingrate. How could someone like me want YOU! Words are like venom as she leans down closer to his visage. The unruly sin now blossoming, the earth rattling...

"What would you know about uncertainty when you don't know if you'll live through captivity?" It happens. More, more. Her knuckles nearly redden from the intensity of her grip..

"I don't need you. I don't need anyone. I can only count on myself...And as long as I remain, then I will be. This city will be indomitable." It continues. Her wrists shaking his head and neck...Her words dying down into whispers...

"And you..? You won't ever get to realize your dream. Suffer. In knowing that you've failed."
(Ashalle)

Her wrath was inevitable.

In truth, while he expected this, he only didn't stop because there are only so many frustrations that can bottle up within Shenlong before he can no longer endure it; whatever spark of something that remained within him, it spoke of many different things. And with a kick launched to his abdomen, he's shoved backwards.

If only for Ashalle to end up above him, her hands around his neck.

Reflexively, the scales come up against her claws, but they do not disallow her to pierce his skin- at most, they don't let her reach for the arteries within his throat, not so quickly, but steadily she finds her hands burrowing through. He tries to hold himself consciousness enough to speak... but it's difficult.

"You..? Vulnerable? Hah..! As if..."

"But what you possess is... the people that matter to you are."

The words bite against him, but he knows he must think fast on what exactly he would say; he must speak them quickly as well, and it better be something that could actually go through to her ears, even if briefly.

"I know... about uncertainty- because I lost everything to it."

Suffocating, trying to catch the air through her grip, the Shenlong eventually gripped at her own wrists- his body dictated to do so, trying to lessen the grip as much as he can, despite his wounded state.

"Nothing is ever eternal, Ashalle… and you- mmphh… you must know this... better than everyone else..!"

"Even your stay in Gehenna, the stories you told me about, your past tragedies... look at what became of them. It was all temporary."

"And what you have in your hands.. it's- it's temporary too, unless you make effort to preserve it."

Due to lack of oxygen, his face visibly reddens; his body shakes beneath, writhing, trying to get out on its own as the time passes.

"I could hold.. the piece of that effort- I do have something.. that I never spoke of."

"Would you really.. throw it away.. and the good for your people, before you even hear it..?"

"You're a mighty one- but even you.. can't be everywhere at once..!"

It is an odd strategy, to tell the Pride that she's indeed mighty, but to pass the factual check that she indeed cannot be everywhere at once. But would that fall on the deaf ears?

That he will find out soon.
(Keitaro)


Our justice is just too fragile. Small, in comparison to the great cities that linger within this realm. Small, in comparison to the virtues and false godhood given to those that have little worth within this realm. Who, unlike her, never had to struggle for anything. Who never had to start from literal swamps and work her way up to something like this. Something so brilliant, so simplistic. So...Beautiful.

Our happiness is ours alone. Through moments such as this, visions flutter within her mind - the laughter, the tears of joy, of sorrow that occurred when they were offered something from people like Lotus. From people like Alura. People never knew this backstory...All they knew is that they were derived from a bunch of unruly children when in reality, it wasn't so. But still...Still...

The morals and laws created by others deny us that happiness. Thinking about it only makes her grip that much more tighter. The desire to kill him...The way his hands grip at her wrist. How there is respite found within the way his throat jumps and gasps for air underneath the twin palms of hands. There is a richness that cannot be explained...For as the chokes the air from him, it is almost as if she can breathe again..

Everything we've worked so hard to achieve could possibly fall apart and we're supposed to stand by and accept it?! Anyone who gets in the way is an enemy. Anyone who threatens to end what she builds will be met with an unstoppable force. What occurs now is nothing more than a silent growl, the promise of bringing bloodshed. The thought of losing something...Reinforces the need for blood.

 And so, she continues onward. Choking him until his body is limp beneath her frame. But has his words fallen upon deaf ears?...Only time can tell.

"Die."
(Ashalle)

At least he's done all that he could.

No matter how much he'd try to get to her, or reach out to her mind, it was all futile; in truth, the entirety of his ordeal was a fight for his freedom, something that he never stopped doing, no matter how much he'd have to suffer for it. While the death is the ultimate end for everything in his life...

Is being a captive that much better?

After all, in both scenarios, his dreams are ultimately lost to nothingness. It's something that he could not foresee himself simply accepting, no matter how much he'd tell himself to be quiet about it and just carry on, until he'd be presented with the chance to actually make a run for it, if ever. But that's not his way, is it?

"You... don't- understand..."

"It's... it's-"

He reached out to try and grasp at her forearm, but the grasp was weak. By the moment, he was losing consciousness - and even as he tried to utter another word, he couldn't.

Everything is so dark...

Eventually, even something as sturdy as Drakanite's body gives in, and he blacks out. His eyes close, and it is perhaps the most peaceful he's ever been in the last few years.

Unmoving and still.
(Keitaro)