Light IN the darkness ![Deadly RP]!{Plot Twist}!

[19:37] As the rest charged forth, Aranel remained standing behind. Mercury eyes swept out over the crowd before stopping onto a hooded individual; one that for most others would just look like any Jianghese, but to Aranel?

It was, without a doubt, her.

Redemption slamed own into the ground and, from underneath his body, shot an earthern wall. Effectively launching himself up over the fighting forces, Aranel slammed down in front of the woman, Redemption in hand.

"I am sorry. I will not give you the option to choose this time, but I will ask of you once more, as I have before: why?"

She could instantly feel the same procedure repeat, the one that she would be quite used to by now; Her mana reserves felt like someone was pulling onto them- clawing into them like an aninal trying to shed blood.

But instead of blood, it thirsted for mana.

He remained steadfast, not charging quite yet. He wished to, atthe very least, hear her answer before putting her out of her misery.
(Aranel Keseth)
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[19:39] Once more, in the land of nobody.

Her gaze would find upon that Neries she so long fought. It was indeed the third time they meet once more. She is pretty sure she already knows him relatively well. Atleast for the battles they had.

The Grey eyes of the Colonel fall upon Aranel once more as her staff was drawned off. There was no reason to hold back anymore. Nor to actually fear. There was nothing.


"Once more we meet." Her voice tone as Always as she takes her hood. However, there is still dark on the way she was speaking. A lack of interest, and perhaps will. Her eyes would close.

"We can't just... Leave, right? Aranel... You came here wiling to kill, huh? I'm afraid i... Won't be able to change this." A deep breath from her.

Both would fight once more.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[19:54] It was almost nostalgic in a sense how their fights always seemed to replay themselves, with each one of them fallng for the same mistakes over and over, making the same moves over and over and, ultimately, the result not changing in the end.

Her invigorating trees and creatures of nature ha dall wilted, as if they had their life drained out of them. Now that one thought about it, the whole battlefield has undergone a similar transformation.

Grass was wilted and a monochromatic grey, the flowers had wilted and even the mountains around them seemed to have lost what little color they had to even begin with.

And in the center of the colorless field laid Artaius, with Aranel looming over her. A clawed gauntlet was kept firm around the woman's neck. It wasn't painful- quite the contrary.

Her whole body felt weak, as if it had lost the energy to continue moving, but in its stead was this tingling feeling; A tingle starting in her belly and reaching out into the rest of her limbs.

Euphoria.

"I... did never receive an answer. At least not one that I am satisfied with. I respect you, but for you to fight against progress like this--"

His grip tightened for but a second before softening once more- i tbeing but a mild inconvenience for the girl.

"Why?"


(Aranel Keseth)
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[20:08] White robes that once exaled bright and the purity of the color were now tainted in the crimson blood of the defeated. Her eyes locked on him as the pain, that she was now drown in consumes her entirely.

Fear at first, the feeling of being so defeated is indeed painful. Not just by the way she was completelly defated by his hands. But by the way she also felt completelly abandoned now. There was no hope, nor any light in the darkness she was being slolwly drown in. Since the last day, when she thought that things couldn't get worse. At all. Indeed, she was wrong.

As the blood keeps embracing her, she wriggles being liften up by the Neries hand. As his eyes fall over her. The Dryad finds herself facing such a questsion.

It was another battle just to move so she could speak. Her lips were weak. Her body couldn't move. What was that...? That situation. The Fear embracing her body and climbing up her spine.

"I... Am not against progress. I fight for the ones i... Once loved... Even that they abandoned me. I still had to fight for them. Even being so betrayed... I..." A sigh from her as once more, blood is split out.

"Perhaps you are right... I was just a fool..."
(Artaius Lignum)
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[20:19] "I... see."

The Neries' gauntlet releases from her neck, completely. It drops down to his side, Aranel instead just remaining on top of her. His eyes stared her down with something akin to pity- a pinch of regret.

"Perhaps we are more alike than I originally thought- alike enough for us to--" Both his eyes opened wide, his whole body tilting backwards to slide off her body. In a single motion, he rose and extended his gauntlet out for her to grab onto - if she so wished.

"Perhaps I am a sinner, too. I said I would not give you any more options, but here we are. I do not ask of you to come to Crafthold, because I do not intend to go back. Instead, I ask of you to join me for something greater-- to make a haven for progress."

It wasn't much, but it was there. Artaius would be able to feel her circuits once more be invigorated by mana, though this time it wasn't her own. Not enough to fight with or even move around freely, but enough to raise her quality of life in this moment above and beyond.

His head tilted to the side, courteously- a bit fake, he smiled down onto the Dryad.

"It may involve dirtying your hands, but I assure you: She does not betray."
(Aranel Keseth)
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[20:34] Upon being release, once more the pure White of her clothings would meet the dirt. The mud on the floor of the damage their clash have done. Also some liquid Poison from where she was.

Even after everything she studied, the Insects she tried to influenze from the hive she colected are all dead. Alteast the adult ones. It would indeed be a tragic end if the life of the Dryad there ended.

Her left hand led to her chest. Trying to grab her heat, that would be... Betraying Awa, the one she once loved. It would be betraying Arie, her best friend. And the ones from the Academy that raisen her to be Strong and wise enough to be called as Colonel of the Fourfold...

This is... Too much.

However, the harm Awa and the others did to her were still there. Perhaps there was still too much pain on her heart for her to think right. Perhaps... She would regreet, however.

Following Ardent and everything she learned until now, just led to Death, Despair and Fear. Perhaps she should just... Open her mind.

Her other hand would slowly slid towards the Neries. Her dead eyes desperately looking for a light. Even that deep inside she knew that only darkness remains. And only darkness lays from where she is about to step in.

...

"I... Don't wanna feel this anymore. The scent of Death, the Despair. Ardent just brought darkness hid in their light. Awa... Just faked on me. Arie, my father? He is a mad man... And every single one of them are blind. I am blind.

I don't want to close my eyes. I wanna see..."


(Artaius Lignum)
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[20:39] * You have been awarded 1.5 Roleplay Points! *
[20:43] "Then, welcome to clarity- to light."

It wasn't a lie, at least not in his own eyes. Her hand is yanked upwards, forcing the woman up into his embrace- albiet a bit forcefully so. The light that surrounded her accepted her in, invigorating the woman with the slightest of mana-- it tending to her wounds. Yet it was still there, the constant tug onto her unfilled reserves; something that it seemed like the Neries couldn't stop even if he so wished.

Arms remain held around the Dryad, her face pressed against his breastplate. "For your own good, I suggest a new name."

There wasn't any suggestion following it. For a pair of two that were just trying to kill each other minutes prior, the moment was surprisingly calm. By the Dreamer, one could even claim that Aranel was affectionate-- or at the very least that was the feeling the energies that surrounded him radiated.

"And a new wardrobe."
(Aranel Keseth)
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[20:51] That was indeed unexpected. It was good, since her wounds were being treated, however it was still a weird feeling. She was yet to understand all that. She... Just betrayed everything she once swore to serve.

And now joining what she very swore to destroy. However, it was necessary. Progress... They were pursuing it. She just can't allow herself to commit any other mistakes on her life.

Such as leaving Ezmara... Such as trusting the ones who should be destroyed since the very beggining.

She wouldn't deny it, anyway. Nor she seemed to care. Her eyes were still blank, her voice tone the same.

"I will abandon everything. Artaius, the Fourfold badges. The title of Colonel. It... Doesn't matter. This is Progress..." She would now remember words of Awa himself when they met. She was doing the oposite, however to her it is now right.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[20:53] Aranel Keseth says, "Mm, but not enough."
[20:53] Artaius Lignum says, "It never is..."
[20:53] Aranel Keseth says, "Mm."
[20:54] Aranel Keseth says, "Think of a name."
[20:54] Artaius Lignum says, "Valkyria..."
[20:54] Artaius Lignum says, "I like it..."
[20:54] Aranel Keseth says, "Good."
[20:58] "It'd be a shame for a pretty face to be forced to wear a mask."

The radiant energies around him focused onto his hand. It was a swift, precise cut that felled the woman's hair, reducing it to a short pixie-cut. And as if that wasn't enough; monochromatic energies envelop his hand before it is placed onto the Dryad's head.

She would definitely be able to feel it straight away - the same energies that had so many times before emptied her circuits. But this time, it wasn't aiming for her circuits.

But her hair.

Mana was life, or at least so they said. To suck the mana out of living matter was often much like sucking the life straight out of them - and the same process would happen with the woman's hair. It gradually starts to fade, taking on a shade much akin to the Neries' own.

Not much, but perhaps it was enough; Enough for Valkyria to be born.
(Aranel Keseth)
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[21:03] Her eyes would fall upon him as she notices what he was about to do. No fear from her as she now trusted the Neries. He would be a fellow one she would walk along with. Just like Arie was.

A sigh from her as her hair is cutten. Once more, she is rebirthing. Just like in the past it happened, literally Artaius Lignum will reborn into another one. A better veersion of herself. A one that she wouldn't feel shame for once fighting for Ardent.

Slowly, she would look at her hair Color being changed with his mana as she takes a deep breath. Her new life was just beggining. A life that now she would live by the light.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[21:10] Aranel Keseth asks, "Mm. Anything you wish to seek out before we leave?"
[21:10] Aranel Keseth asks, "Any valuables left behind?"
[21:10] Artaius Lignum says, "What is in the past remains in the past."
[21:10] Aranel Keseth says, "Wise."
[21:12] Nara says, "NERIES"
[21:13] Gearshift says, "Indeed, this church is now for Azrael."
[21:15] Pasis says, "If y'can't answer that, th'answer won't do you none good."
[21:18] Aranel Keseth whispers: May want to get some new clothes-- at least something.
[21:18] Artaius Lignum whispers: Oh...
[21:18] Artaius Lignum whispers: I am out of money.
[21:18] Aranel Keseth whispers: ...
[21:18] Artaius Lignum whispers: I gave everything to... Arie Hon.
[21:18] She nods, smiling back as she brushes some stray hairs back. "Nice to meet you, Laurelai. I'm going to get an actual jacket before I freeze to death."
(Alice Ulfirm)
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[21:19] Aranel Keseth whispers: Why did you--
[21:19] Artaius Lignum whispers: Wich indeed was stupid.
[21:19] Artaius Lignum whispers: I had like, 400. 300 was for this Mythril Chestplate.
[21:19] Artaius Lignum whispers: The rest was because Arie needed somee.
[21:19] {Item} Picked up a bag of 100 dropped by Aranel Keseth.
[21:22] Artaius Lignum whispers: Now i just need Mythril leggins.
[21:23] Aranel Keseth whispers: Should be easily obtained, tomorrow.
[21:23] Artaius Lignum whispers: Yeh.
[21:23] Aranel Keseth whispers: We're planning something big.
[21:23] Artaius Lignum whispers: I see.
[21:24] Aranel Keseth whispers: Aware of Vanirhalla?
[21:24] Artaius Lignum whispers: Hmpf. Ardent is so pathetic that the only thing we could think on was running and evacuating civilians.
[21:24] Artaius Lignum whispers: Of course i wasn't informed.
[21:24] Aranel Keseth whispers: Mm. Ardent dug their own grave by compromising their morals for short-term gain.
[21:24] Artaius Lignum whispers: I... Now see it...
[21:25] Aranel Keseth says, "Mm, since I do believe we spoke about it before..."
[21:25] Aranel Keseth says, "Necromancy."
[21:25] Aranel Keseth asks, "What are your thoughts on it?"
[21:25] Artaius Lignum says, "The b-..."
[21:25] Artaius Lignum says, "Azrael's art."
[21:25] Artaius Lignum asks, "To be blunt...?"
[21:26] Aranel Keseth says, "Azrael's art."
[21:29] Arta- Valkyria would look over to the sky. Stars... There is quite some time she is not able to admire such. Her eyes would bright. Deep inside, she finally started to feel comfort once more. After the times of war and worryment, everything seems to be getting better now.

"I once thought it was wrong. However, i never did know the reason. It was 'because' it hurted the Cycle. I think that it doesn't really matter. If i was to be able to see Azuro again. Or even another dear one that lost it's life." She would nod. Now denying everything she once learned in the academy. Even that... It wouldn't be easy.

"Chaos is not to be feared. Nor... Necromancy. Just because it's opposite to Order. This is just how it Works. Azrael had a kind and noble goal..." Once more, she agrees with her own words.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[21:34] For perhaps the first time during their encounters, Aranel's mouth curled upwards into a smirk. He squatted down by the cliffside, nodding up towards his newfound ally.

"Am I that good of a teacher? You already seem to be getting it." A finger rose to alert, protruded the woman's way- as if motioning for her to not speak quite yet.

He had more to say.

"Chaos is... volatile, but so are so many other things that we use. A weapon can be used to damage, or protect. Anything can be used for good, other than that which halts progress."

"And that which does, is Order."
(Aranel Keseth)
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[21:45] From her a single nod in disagreement for his question. She couldn't get any attempt to joke, it was just that she was studying her own flaws. Now that she just knows she was wrong. Arta- Valkyria needed to correct her mistakes.

Her gaze fell upon him as she just Waits. Crosing her arms as she keeps to stare the sky. To look at the stars, indeed, one of the most beautiful things in the words, for the eyes of this Dryad.

"Indeed. Chaos can be used as a tool for a brighter future. A future where Death is a myth. Order... Stays with the old, it tries to protect what is wrong. It is just... Too conservative, in a world where the past is flawled." A sage nod from her as her gaze remained on the sky.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[21:54] "Mm. Mm."

His eyes follow hers up towards the skies. It did not hold the same beauty as it did to her, but it felt familiar- most likely due to the cosmic connection of Her- the Dreamer.

"Do not get too caught up on Chaos. Frankly, I do not deal too much with it myself nor do I intend to, but--" Once more, that lonely finger waved in front of her.

"Knowledge and progress is what should be pursued. Azrael's arts are perhaps not what we seek and, later down the road, we may even realize that it is counterproductive. But we shouldn't ever rule out a road just because of fear for the unknown, as Order teaches us too."

His hand stretched out, lightly touching the Dryad's own- perhaps in an attempt to catch her attention.

"Do you understand it now?"
(Aranel Keseth)
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[22:05] Indeed, that was a key day for the future. Not just her own. Agartha is also to thank for this day. The day that Ardent Cliff has been destroyed. The capital of Jianghu is now gone. Their people ran to two other weak forts that won't least much.

She would nod upon hearing his words. Indeed she wasn't planning on diving on it now. She has still to finish her studies upon Insectomancy. For now she was just... Learning to live with Chaos by her side Always.

"I won't try to. I am just adapting. Trying to learn and live with it. Artaius wouldn't be able to. I am not that one anymore, however, i still need to understand before embracing." Another sage nod from her before letting her eyes fall upon him.

She would smirk and nod in agreement as her eyes would slid to her own hand. It was still hard and pretty weird to deal with this change. Change of mind, of name, and of beliefs. Yet she knew that she was doing right, somehow.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[22:12] "Good. Continue with that and, after today, you should get some rest." The Neries rose up from the cliffside, standing by her side. She was, perhaps surprisingly, about a head taller than him, but it wouldn't hinder him. A gauntlet rises- a bit in discomfort due to the height difference, to place itself onto Valkyria's shoulder. A firm squeeze is given before he leans to the side, whispering something inaudible for any spectators they would have.

Head pulls away, lips curled upwards into a smirk. The gauntlet drops from her shoulder as he spins onto his heel, taking a step away.

"Rest. You will be required soon and then, real progress will be made."
(Aranel Keseth)
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intend to take our own territory, from the clutches of bandits- even if they believe themselves to be more.
[22:13] Aranel Keseth whispers: Tomorrow, around the same time as the war. Reckon you will be able to assist?
[22:14] Artaius Lignum whispers: I will try to.
[22:15] Artaius Lignum whispers: I... Just need details.
[22:15] Aranel Keseth says, "Tomorrow, dear."
[22:15] Aranel Keseth says, "There will be more."
[22:15] Artaius Lignum says, "I see."
[22:15] Artaius sighs.
(Artaius Lignum)
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[22:15] Aranel Keseth asks, "Sleep tight, mm?"
[22:16] Artaius Lignum says, "Of coure. I need to rest."
[22:16] Artaius walks off and wave. She still have to explore the city a little.
(Artaius Lignum)
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