Hunters of Terra Dolor (Role Playing Section)

[ExoGrim]

Dark Secrets
Part 2

As she did however, the Huntress could hear the door opening behind her, turning to look, Sylvie was shocked to see Kva.

The Priest looked as grim as ever in her coal black helmet and leathers as she stood there, causing Sylvie to ask. "Kva...? What are you doing here?"

"I heard around you did something stupid, impressive, but stupid, and ended up here." Kva replied, crossing her arms.

The shaking worsened when the fox girl noticed Kva. Her breathing became uneven and her eyes widened as she stared at the armored Elf.

"It wasn't stupid, I was defending myself." Sylvie pointed out.

"Right... Doesn't it defeat the point of defending yourself if you hurt yourself doing it?" Kva said, her eyes being pulled towards Terra. "Who're you? I haven't seen you before."

The Thrope girl merely sat there, too scared to do anything but stare at the woman.

"She's ah..." Sylvie looked back, noticing her trembling more. "Hey... Don't be scared, she's a Hunter here just like me."

Kva leaned forwards slightly, noting her injuries before stating, "Heh... It's the Mask, isn't it? It's a reaction I get every so often..."

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I thought I killed you..." The former slave said in her shocked state.

"Killed me?" Kva said ominously, "Who are you?"

"Slave number sixty." The girl said without hesitation, as if she as practiced the line for many years.

"I don't recognise you. I've never seen you before and I've never fought with a Slave." Kva crossed her arms, "Seems to me you have the wrong woman."

Terra's expression suddenly change from fear to anger. "I don't care who you are. What you are is a murderous zealot working for a damned cult. All your people care about is killing innocent lives to please some false entity you call a god."

"What makes you think I kill innocent people?" Kva walked closer, looming over Terra. "There are plenty of cruel people out there to kill. Even more than 'Innocent' people. Besides, We all die by the hundreds of thousands a day... I'm here to kill monsters."

The fox Thrope took hold of Kva's armor, pulling her closer while giving her a menacing glare. "Innocent or not, that doesn't give you the right to treat us like lamb for the slaughter."

Sylvie looked between them, actually shocked by the Thrope's sudden boldness and words.

"And by whose authority do you have to determine that, Fox?" The Death Priest barely gave a response to her pulling her in. "Like it or not... Everyone is going to die. So why not speed it up? Either I kill them, pay them the proper rights, and respect their passing... Or they get torn apart by worgs the next day... Eaten by a Manticore... Tortured by demons... Or Worked to Death in Slavery."

"SHUT UP!" Terra briefly reeled her head back before attempting to slam it into the Priestess' helm.

However, the headbutt merely passed through her as she suddenly turned to smoke. The Death Priest quickly moved to the side and reformed, grabbing and immobilizing her uninjured arm while placing her other hand around Sixty's throat, the pointed fingers of the gauntlet digging slightly into her neck. "So... Fresh out of bondage and you are already testing out your new freedom by swinging above your weight class... I'm not like the others here, try that again and I will kill you. Understand?"

Terra thrashed in the Death Priest's grasp. Her size would suggest that she would be easy to hold, but the seer amount of strength she possessed made it difficult to control her movement. "Let me go!" The former slave demanded as she continued to attempt to free herself.

"Fine. But try that again and I won't hesitate." Kva replied, pulling her hands away from her throat and arm, red marks where the gauntlet had been.

The moment she let go of the girl, Terra's teeth clamped down onto her clawed hand. The force that went into the bite was enough to pierce her gauntlet and go deep into her skin.

Kva pulled away, noting the bite on her finger and even drawn blood. The Death Priest calmly stared at the wound, making it hard to tell if she was in pain or not.

Suddenly, Terra began to feel funny, almost calmed and placated, almost as if her anger towards the woman was being suppressed. Something about the blood tasted strange, a coppery taste like normal, but it was stronger somehow, it coated all her taste buds.

Her eyes became droopy and her head started to feel dizzy. The Thrope child coughed a few times before losing her balance and falling onto the hard floor.

Sylvie quickly shot up and out of bed, the sudden movement giving the Huntress a painful headache, but she quickly put it aside as she knelt by Terra. The Maiden looked up at Kva while a few of the nearby healers heard the noise and quickly made their way over.

Kva stood there still, sighing while looking at the bite mark, forcing Sylvie to say something first. "Kva? What happend? What did you do?"

"Nothing. She did it to herself." She replied, a drop of blood dripping off her hand and down to the floor. "She ingested my blood."

"Your blood?" Sylvie confirmed, "What's wrong with your blood?"

"It's... Toxic. Especially when ingested." She explained, "Us Death Priests purify our blood with a harsh concoction that has the secondary effect of stopping Beasts and the rare Bloodsucker. Purifying our blood makes necromancy particularly difficult on us, so we drink a weak form of it when we are sworn in, then it gets stronger and stronger as we built an immunity to the toxins. Anyone without that immunity will become very sick."

"Well, is there a cure? How do we stop it?"

"There isn't really Sylvie." The Fencer replied, "Either she fights it off through her own strength, or she dies."

As the two fought, Terra laid in her bed, fighting the toxin in her veins in silence.

"You can't be serious! Just..." Sylvie looked around, spotting a rectangular pot of various plants on the window. The Huntress quickly ran over and removed it from the sil, bring the entire pot over to the side of Terra'a bed.

The Huntress quickly pulled healing energy from the plants like she had done many times before, passing it through Terra in an attempt to at least speed up her body's processing of the toxin.

Her weakness in her breath began to diminish as her fight against the blood was fought. It began to look as if she was winning... even though she never actually woke back up.

As Sylvie finished her healing, she noted the wilted plants and frowned, however, her eyes were then drawn to Terra's hand. It seemed as if the terrible, scabby stump had been healed clean, a fact which the Huntress found particularly odd seeing as she focused her healing throughout the Thrope's whole body, not just the hand. It was as if something had increased the potency of the healing, but the Green-Haired Woman had no idea what.

After a moment of thought, the healing earlier had done little, the only thing different this time was the plants and the...

Sylvie stopped herself as a realization hit her, causing her to look up at Kva once more. "Is... Is there something you're not telling me?"

However, the Fencer merely stood there for a moment before replying, "There are a lot of things I don't tell you."

Then she left the room, leaving Sylvie to her thoughts as she waited for Terra to awaken once more.

 

[Dahlexpert]

The thoughts of an conqueror

Serasam
Alice castle
July 14 3349
10:15 Am


Alice is training with Crixus and Lorica, Lorica got close to Alice swinging her Axes at Alice until finally kicking her forward sending Alice into a wall. While Crixus charged Alice with a Warhammer. Alice ducked under the war hammer and charged Crixus knee bringing him down, when Lorica tried charge her with a spear Alice moved to the side dogging the spear and up cutting her sending her flying.

“Aw come on you two I’m barley warming up here, you need to work together more and communicate the opponent that you will be teaming with Rumi to face is no armature. He’s a very powerful man and hunts my kind for a living, so he’s no pushover.” Alice helped Crixus up. “Crixus you’re my warlord your job is to lead my men and the same goes here.” Alice looked at Lorica. “Lorica you are my huntress, I need you to take this seriously like any pray but this one is no savage beast he’s very powerful man treat him as a man not a beast.”

Lorica bowed her head. “I understand Alice, I’m not that much of a savage that I’ll treat this person like an animal. I understand the situation perfectly madam and will treat it seriously.”

Crixus also bowed his head.” As do I madam I will lead my men to victory and capturing this man.”

“Good now shall we continue were we left off?” Ackerley then opened the door to the training yard. “Excuse me madam may I have a minute of your time?”

“Ou Ackerley what can I do for you?”

“I have something for you madam if you will acompaney me.” Alice shrugged her shoulders and fallowed her blacksmith to the armory.

“Alright then Ackerly, what exactly did you want to show me here?”

“I have a new armor for you madam, no offence but I think an overlord should look menacing and send fear into her enemy so I made this for you.” The Netzi showed Alice a black plated armor, with a black hood. ”Here madam this is your, I figured that this will fit an overlord of your standard.”

Alice gasped in shock of the armor.”It looks wonderful mind if I try it on?”

“Not at all madam, I also have another surprise for you once you put the armor on.”

“Thanks Ackerly just give me a minute.” Alice put the armor on the armor was black with some red chain mil underneath as well as red cloth around her hand, the armor looked like something that came out of hell it’s self which made Alice smile wearing it. “Ou I do love the way this looks a piece of armor for a warlord, so Ackerly what’s this other surprise you have?”

“Aw yes the other surprise is a two new weapons, Crixus told me your quiet the dullest when it comes to too duel welding weapons so I made two swords for you when you’re not using your ax.” Ackerly revealed two swords to Alice. “These are called windlass falchion swords that are perfect for slashing and pricing armor should be great for clearing a deck of a ship quick or whatever you want to use them for.”

“These are wonderful you really out did yourself with this.” When Alice looked on of the swords over and felt kind of a weird vibe from it. “Ackerly is one of these swords made of silver?”

“Ah keen eye, or it must be those vampire hatred for the stuff. But yes one of your swords are made of silver that should come in handy for your fight with the seven and the council of vampires.”

“I appreciate it it’s something to weaken them, and set them up for my ax.” Alice rubbes her finger across the silver her finger being burned by the sword.” Ah forgot how that felt it’s been a while since I felt silver burn my skin not since Rumi tried to kill me, hum hay Ackerly how’s are food supply looking?”

The food, oh were running low madam we need more food water and other things as well.”

“Ah that’s going to be a problem later on during the war effort, we need farmers on our side because taking food that’s good for the moment and will last a few days but farmers they can grow food and keep giving us food hum not to mention once we take Drăculești we might want to secure the border to the east were Beveland is then there’s the north with Helvan, one will be easyer to take then the other since Helvan has a booming slave trade it won’t take much to convince the slaves to join us and storm the country. Now as for Beveland might be harder to take but not impossible.”

“I’m sure you’ll find some way to handle that malady, we will also need to think what to do with your sister.”

“Don’t worry I have a plan for her but for now let’s focus o taking the seven one by one, then the council then Havebrook and then Terra then after that killing that bastard god Hastur.” Alice put the swords down.” Thank you Ackerly for the weapons make sure Crixus and the others are prepared for their battle alright.”

“Of course madam.”

 

[Dahlexpert]

The fallowing is done by Dhalexpert&Zombiespliter53
The recruiting of a berserker

Serasam
Twelve Miles west of Alice's Castle
3:45 p.m.

Slowly, Alice's crew made their way through the small forest where Gravel Elador supposedly was, at least according to Tecunte. Apprehension tug at Rumi's chest. Gravel was important to her, and the last person she wanted to go after for this mad scheme, but now he was their first target. She glanced to the side, Luicia and Crixus her traveling companions, along with a dozen or so bandits. "This won't be easy," she warned. "None of them will be. Don't let my defeat fool you into thinking any of them will be taken down without a fight."

Crixis looked over his war hammer, the man himself was wearing red armor and galuents with small blades on them. "Ou i'm aware Rumi hell I just threw you around when we first met, I know that these guys will be tough."

Lorica was sharping her duel axes, she herself was wearing heavy leather armor and petting her dire wolf." Good I can't wait to see these guys Alice wants us to capture, and this is our first hunt together ou I can't wait to fight with you guys!" Lorica says in gitty fashion.

Rumi shot a dirty look at Crixus. She couldn't do anything about his comments. As far as she knew, Alice didn't tell them she was free from her influence, and if Alice didn't want them to know, best not expose herself by breaking Crixus' nose.

"I'm... excited to see your skills too." Rumi pulled a small vial from her belt. "That toad of an alchemist said the hypnotic potion works best if the person has less stamina to fight it, so we'll have to beat him down. But do not kill him. Alice has great plans for the entire Band, and I am sure she would be quite unimpressed if all we brought back was another body for her collection of undead."

"We know that Rumi don't worry we won't kill your former comrade, even though it will be tough not to." Crixus looked at Lorica. "You hear me Lorica no killing."

Lorica keeps sharpening her axes and boled her fist and her gallant claws came out, her still gitty. "Yes yes no killing fine fine ruin my fun but I can't wait is all." Lorica jumped up and her expression changed to something much darker, she looked like someone hunting a monster she's been tracking for years." What are we waiting for let's go."

I'm surrounded by mad people. Rumi shook her head. "Gravel is a Berserker. Be extra careful when you fight him. Light wounds won't stop him from following up an attack."

"Giving away all my trade secrets, Rumi?" The man in question stepped forward from behind a tree. "You really are that woman's Thrall, huh." He hefted his gigantic horse slayer onto his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll help you. Though I'll have to kill all your new friends first."

Lorica smiled at the man and licked her lips." Well aren't you an interesting one your big and strong and swing that sword like it's nothing, ou your like a giant cave bear I can't wait to tame you like any other animal."

Crixus Whistled and suddenly arrows came from the forest hitting Gravel sides." My master told me about what you did to her I will pay you back for what you did to her."

Gravel grinned. He reached to his side, and yanked an arrow out. "Well, now... this should be fun. Excuse me for a moment." He took off to his side, pinpointing where the arrows had been shot from despite not seeing them coming. Three bandit archers rose their bows again, confident they could get their shots of with the trees acting as cover. They were wrong, and their heads and shoulders flew from their bodies, along with a tree toppling over. "Ah... good to get in a warmup kill before the main course."

Crixus looked shocked at the raw power of the man thinking how is he human."

Lorica on the other hand smiled even more gitty. and rushed the man. "Ou yes come one you big animal I can't wait to tame you!"


Gravel raised an eyebrow. "You're crazier then me," he muttered, and swung his massive sword.

Lorica doged the sword and when the sword was down Lorica released the blade in her gallant and stabbed the side of the man, in fact she swiped at the man like a she was trying to maul the man.

Gravel stumbled back a few feet, grinning. "You're a fast one, aren't you?" He rolled his shoulders and moved his hand to his side. Instead of holding his wound, however, he instead reached into a belt pocket and tossed a round pellet at Lorica. It exploded in a bright flash of light, blinding her.

Lorica cried out and she herself was blinded. Crixus grunted." Damn savage Lorica, Rumi form up stay behind me and look for openings and use those guns that Alice gave you, and most importantly you git in close if you think you can handle it i'll go get Lorica and save that damn lunatic." Crixus rushed the man swinging his war hammer at the man.

Gravel prepared to run Lorica through, and almost did despite the charging man, but decided at the last minute to block. Despite the size of his weapon, he blocked Crixus blows with speed, though was on the defensive for now. "Hey, you're not bad. Why not drop the evil vampire chick and join our side?"

"I will never leave the woman that saved me and given me purpose, you on the other hand will join her weather you want to or not!" Crixus swing his war hammer at the man despite his new strength as a Thrall he still was not as strong as the man." Damn it your tough but no matter you will surve my master no matter what!" Crixus punched the man and tried to swing at the momentary stun man.

Gravel rolled with the hit, rolling several feet back and tossed something at Crixus' feet. He had a moment to wonder what the small, spiked objects were before Rumi slammed into him, sending them both flying. Moments later, the objects exploded where Crixus was previously standing.

Crixus looked shocked at the explosion. "Thanks Rumi didn't think you save me thanks for the save." Crixus slowly got up." So any ideas for this guy?"

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2
"I have one." Lorica came at the man again,only this time actually using her axes and tried to slash the man." That was a lame tick blinding me with that little pellet now you got my full attention now." Lorica slammed her axes into the giant sword.

Gravel's arms shook a bit. He was stronger then your average human, but she was a vampire. "I hope you're not upset with me for using any tactic to win," he said with a grin.

Rumi took aim with her handgun, but they were moving around too much. "I can't get a clean shot without risking Lorica." She turned to Crixus. "There is only one way to beat him. We'll have to sacrifice a few of your bandit buddies. It they rush him, they'll draw his attention long enough for one of us to move in."

Lorica whistled and her dire wolf came out and bit into Gravels arm and dragged him across the ground.

"If Lorica keeps herself controlled that is, but i'm sure she can be useful herself she's like a true berzerker going into a frenzy if she could control her blood lust however she will be very useful." Crixus put his hands up."Men push forward and over whelm him, Lorica need you back up a bit you and your dog."

Lorica looked like she wanted to disobey that order, but did what she was told and returned to Rumi and Crixus along with her pet.


Gravel huffed, seeming annoyed that she backed off. A sinister grin crossed his face as six men rushed him from behind. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" He lifted his sword, blocking all off their attacks and somehow standing up to their combined strength. With a grunt, he pushed up and swung his fist, punching one of them hard enough in the face to kill him instantly. He dropped down low and swung his sword, cleaving three more in half.

"Attack now!" Rumi shouted, aiming and firing twice. The first shot bounced off some armor, but the other hit the man in the shoulder.

Crixus charged the man swinging his war hammer at the man the man did his best to block Crixus blows and did a fairly good job at first, it wasn't until Loricia jumped over Crixus showing that they do work together well, Lorica used axes swinging wildly at the man actually getting some blows on the man and chopping off bits of his armor.

Rumi dashed to his side and stabbed her dagger into his arm, between plates of armor. Gravel let out a primal yell, and swung at Rumi, though despite his usual speed, she found it unusually easy to dodge.

Gravel grabbed Crixus by the arm, lifting him and swinging him around like a ragdoll. Releasing him to go flying, he grit his teeth as one of the few reminding bandits stabbed into his leg. Gravel stabbed his sword forward, running the man through. The Berserker lifted his sword, dead man and all, and swung at Loricia, causing the body to fly off the sword and towards her.

The corpse hit Lorica sending her flying she whistled and her wolf came back again, as commanded the wolf attacked Gravel the wolf bit hard into the man for hurting his master. The wolf flung the man across the field, the Wolf looked at the man defending his maser.

Gravel panted softly. "Loyal beast. I can... appreciate that. Doesn't mean I won't kill you for getting in my way!" He rushed the wolf, and dragged his sword along the ground, swinging it up to make a cloud of dirt. From out of the cloud flew three more of his mini explosives.

The wolf took the explosion hit the wolf bringing it down to it's belly."NOOOOO my baby." Lorica got up and charged the man you will pay for hurting my baby!"

"Now I've lit a real fire in you! Bring it!" Gravel charged himself, yelling as he did.

Rumi gave Gravel a sad expression. "Crixus... I think I have an idea about how to finish this."

Crixus slowly got back to his feet."I could use any ideas here Rumi, i'm starting to see why our master wants this guy on our side."

Lorica for her end acted more savage then normal and swung her axes with a purpose and slashed at his sword, then Lorica played dirty and low blowed the man while he was knelled over in pain Lorica pounced on him and bit into him.

We need to work fast, or this fight will end with one of them dead," Rumi warned. "Listen... I need you to leave yourself open. Attack him, let him throw you off balance... and leave yourself open for a killing blow. You... you have to trust me on this."

"Your asking me to leave myself open for a death blow, you better know what your doing because if i die Our master will be very angry at you for it."

Lorica continue to bit into the man as if trying to eat him. "I'll devour your for harming my baby, i'll break your bones with my teeth and rip into your flesh until I see your heart and drive my ax into it."

"Damn, woman! You sure love your little pets! Tell you what. After I kill you, I'll patch your puppy up and set him free. Sound good?" Gravel punched her in the side of the head until she stopped digging into him. In her dazed state, Gravel pushed his legs against her and shoved as hard as he could. Sending her flying into a tree.

The Berserker jumped to his feet. "She better not have rabies..." He turned to Crixus, approached him hammer drawn. "We doing this again? Alright. Gonna have to kill you this time, though." He hefted his sword, wiping blood out of his eyes as he moved towards Crixus.

Crixus did what Rumi had planed and left himself open for an attack he didn't even attempted to doge the attack or parry it. You better know what your doing Rumi

Gravel easily knocked Crixus' weapon away and laughed. "Giving up? Whatever. Makes things easier for me."

He lifted his sword over his head and brought it down. Moments before it split Crixus in half, Rumi ran in front of Crixus and held out her arms. Gravel's eyes widened, and his sword stopped just short of cutting them both down. "I'm sorry," Rumi whispered sadly, and stabbed her dagger into his belly. Channelling, she sent a powerful blast of dark magic that sent him flying, smashing into three trees hard before finally slamming into the ground.

Crixus sighed in re leaf looking down at Rumi. "Thanks kiddo that was a hell of a risk you know that, don't like risking my life like that if I don't know the plan."

Rumi kept her head turned away, suppressing her tears. "Gravel is... was like a brother to me. I knew he couldn't bring himself to kill me." She reached into her side pouch and gave Crixus the potion. "Here... make him drink this, and... and he will belong to Alice."

"Ou with pleasure, ou and go check on our savage friend there and her beast alright." Crixus grabbed the postion and made his way to Gravel. When Crixus got to him he flipped him over to his back. "Well look at you now beaten and batter but don't worry you will join your comrade again." Crixus opened the bottle and poured the fluid down Gravel throat.

"Lorica?" Rumi ran over to where the woman had fallen. "You alive? Break your neck? Where did you go?"

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 3

Lorica came out of the bushes blood all over her from the dead body that was tossed on her." Ugh my baby were's my wolf?" Lorice looked at her dire wolf and ran to him. "My baby my little baby boy, how hurt are you I can patch you up don't worry once we get back to the castle I will heal you up and make you better again." The wolf was whining as it was in pain.

A shadow loomed over her. When she looked back, Gravel was standing behind her, his sword on his shoulder. He had a glazed look in his eyes, seemingly in a trance.

As Lorica growled and was ready to attack him. but Crixus stopped her." Hold on Lorica he's in a trance he's on our side, though he's more like a living zombie though. I'm sure once we give him to Alice she will memorize him and bring back his personality or she will make him her Thrall, then she will have three thralls right Rumi?"

"R... right?" Rumi took in a deep breath, and looked into her best friend's empty eyes. She wasn't sure what Lilith had planned or why she was supporting Alice, but she hated to have to subject someone like a brother to this.

"Right well come on then, let's get back home and give our master the good news." Crixus looked at the dead bodes around the area. "And we might want to tell Alice about this place with all our men dying and all."

Lorica nodded her head and her and her wolf fallowed Crixus."

Back at the Castle, Gravel slept soundly in one of the rooms, the second dose of the potion knocking him out while the magic worked its way through his mind. Rumi sat alone in the main entry hall, starring down at the entrance in silence.

Alice came down wearing her button up shirt but not her overcoat. and looked at her assistant." You alright Rumi, I take this was a hard thing for you to do."

"I only turned the man that practically raised me over to a vampire who will be using him as a puppet, a tool, to kill others." Rumi sighed. "Yeah... it was a bit tough..."

"You realize that was you until my sister freed you, but I will see if I can give him some of his personality back but Rumi what did you expect this was the plain after all."

"Of course I knew it was the plan. Didn't... make it any easier..."

“Rumi they currently think you’re my thrall from when you were then, but hay at least you’re not killing them and I’m a much better master then the council.”

"I wouldn't go that far." Rumi turned to Alice. "Just... promise me you'll treat him right. Don't throw his life away needlessly."

“You’re alive aren’t you and I haven’t mistreated you. Besides the thing with the bandits, I can’t apologize enough for that by the way.”

Rumi sighed. "Okay. As long as you treat my friends right, I'll continue to cooperate. Though I do wonder why you haven't told the others about me."

“Ou so you want me to tell the others you’re free. That my sister freed you, and that all it take for people to one up me is through my sister, or I didn’t punish my sister for freeing you and that I could show mercy.”

"Of course not." Rumi rubbed the back of her head. "I'm just wondering why. Why... haven't you? Why not tell them so they can treat me with suspicion like I am sure you do."

“Why she ask because I don’t want to, me telling everyone that you’re free from my control will put you in extreme danger that’s why.”

"Why..." Rumi shook her head. "I give up on trying to understand." She stretched her arms. "I guess you don't have to like me to want to keep me safe. But like I said, I'll play along as long as you don't kill my friends." She walked past Alice, heading for the hallway where her room was.

Alice smiled as Rumi left and started sing to herself.” Ou there all trying to figure out what’s my plan but if they really knew they call me mad, but that’s all ok and it’s alright cause once it’s all over.” Alice smiled looking at here sister room.” There will be one true ruler of my home and it won’t be the council.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Good to be Home
Part One

Havenbrook Manor/Guildhouse
July 29th, 3349
8:21 a.m.

Souring high above the Havenbrook manor, the young demon in a teen body known as Eliza giddily flew around and around. No longer was she hidden in one lab or trapped in another. She was free from her captors and her good deeds had earned her enough trust to move about. Freedom was sweet. Refreshing. To her, it was the bright sunlight on her back. It was the wind whipping at her hair and wings. It was the smell of fresh morning dew. She had never even known how big the world was until she was taken away, and now it was hers to explore.

Still, she was fearful. She had grown so in her time away. She now knew there were people out there that thought very little of her, and of her existence. What would she do if she had to face them again? Her hands balled into fists. No... it wouldn't happen like that again. She was weak back then. Much weaker then she thought she was. But no one will ever take her again, no matter what.

Her thoughts were quickly broken up by an unusual spotting on the roof of the manor. There was a figure up there, with his arms behind his head dressed in black. How had he gotten up there?

Down she swooped, landing silently some distance behind him. She lowered herself onto all fours and crept closer. Why was he up here? A spy, looking to do harm? She wouldn't allow it, but she was smart. She would rush in with out checking him out first. And so, slowly, silently, she approached.

Soon she heard the sound of light snoring, the person apparently asleep. He had on leg up, the other extended out, and like she saw from the air, he was laying on his arms. He wore a black robe that was cut really weird like no other clothes she had seen before. The sleeves were very large and cut short, the bottom of the robes divided to show tight black pants and boots. The collar was high to his chin, but his face was plainly visible, a handsome, boyish face, with equally dark and unkempt hair.

She crawled right up to him, sniffing. "Strange boy... strange smell." She carefully looked him up and down before placing her face over his. 'Who are you, strange boy?" she asked, lightly poking his cheek.

"Mmga..." The young man waved his hand. "Leeeeave... I wanna sleeep..." He spoke lazily, stretching out and scratching his stomach.

Eliza pouted. Despite her new appearance and rapid maturity, she still lacked experience. Much like Drayce when he first arrived, she was more childish then she looked. "I said, who are you?" When she didn't get an answer, she covered his mouth and pinched his nose shut.

Opening his eyes slowly, Drayce stared up at her with a look of annoyance. He reached out, lightly pinching her sides like he did with his girlfriend that made her a giddy mess.

Eliza giggled. "S-stop!" She leaned back, and shook her head. "I'm Eliza. Who are you?"

"My name is Drayce..." He grumbled, rubbing his face. "Why did you wake me?"

"Because I wanted to know who you are." She thought on it. "I remember you. I saw you on the way home from Merinada. But you slept almost all the way."

"I was very tired. Still am. I had to fight hard so that means I had to relax harder." He noted lazily, then stared up at the girl. "Did you... Want to join me?" He asked like he didn't really want her to.

Tone and context clues were not Eliza's strong point. She simply took it as an invitation. She laid next to him, mimicking the way he laid. "We are to nap then? Seems boring."

"You do not have to do it if you find it so boring." Drayce snapped at her, "You came and woke me. Do not complain when you choose to mimic."

Eliza pouted once more, but said nothing, closing her eyes. For a few minutes, it seemed he could fall asleep again, until she said, "Are you a dragon boy?"

"Hm? Of course I am!" He said, despite his wings and tail not being visible. "How could anyone doubt that?"

"Because you just look like a little boy." Eliza turned to face him. "Dragons are big, and don't look like humans."

"Yeah, well... You're wings are small. I am surprised you can fly with those giant boobs." He snarked, crossing his arms and turning up his nose.

"Giant..." Eliza scrunched her nose. "At least I can fly." She stood up and vigorously flapped her wings, both to hover and to annoy Drayce with the wind. "Puny not Dragon."

Drayce chuckled, shooting out a fireball out at her.

Eliza yelped, barely dodging. "W-why did you do that?!" she demanded, her eyes glowing red.

"Because I am a dragon." Drayce said, getting up and stretching as he jumped off the roof, leaving her alone.

After a few seconds, he heard the sound of another fireball flying towards his back.

Drayce jumped out of the way, growling. "What are you doing? I have to go meet someone!"

"Oh, so it is okay if you do it?" Eliza dropped in front of him. "You can go... when you aplaigise."

Drayce frowned, "You should be apologizing for ruining my nap!"

"You should aplaigise for being such a brat!" Eliza returned.

"You should learn how to speak properly!" He said, baring his teeth.

Eliza grit her teeth, her skin starting to turn the same blue it was when she fought the Chimera.

"W-what's going on?" Rushing over as quickly as she safely could, Aemilia approached the two. "I could hear you two from the other side of the manor."

"Go away, Aemilia!" Eliza shouted. "I'm gonna kick his butt!"

"Don't talk to her like that! I am going to kick this bimbos butt!"

"I am not a... whatever that is!"

Aemilia held up her hands. "Please... no more..."

"You're ugly and stupid!" Eliza shouted back to Drayce. "A-and... and weak! Like all dragons!"

"I'll show you!" He said, tackling the woman, rolling around on the ground with her.

Eliza clawed at Drayce viciously as they rolled along the ground. "Stop!" Aemilia yelled. "Stop it!"

Drayce shivvered a bit, then quickly let go of Eliza, sitting on the ground with back straight. Not much scared him. Angry Aemilia scared him.

Eliza blinked in surprise. "Get... get up and fight! What, are you scared?"

"Sit!" Aemilia demanded.

"You can't tell me what t-"

"Sit NOW!"

Eliza's eyes widened, and she quickly dropped to a sitting position. "Okay... geez..."

Aemilia took a deep breath. "Now... what is the problem, Drayce?"

"The problem..." Eliza said, but Aemilia held up her hand to silence her.

"Eliza came and ruined my nap and then insulted me by saying I was not a dragon and that dragons were weak!" He stated very irritably.

"And Eliza?" Aemilia asked.

"I-I just... wanted to know about him. H-he said me wings were tiny and my... something was too big! And he just called me a... um..."

"Bimbo." Aemilia sighed. "Did you say he wasn't a dragon?"

Eliza folded his arms. "He... he doesn't look like..."

Aemilia cleared her throat loudly. "Did you?"

Eliza looked away. "Yes..."

"And did you insult her wings and... something else?" Aemilia asked Drayce.

"Yeah... Her boobs are too big!" Drayce snapped, fidgeting a bit.

"Don't make fun of my boobs!" Eliza looked over to Aemilia. "W-what... what are boobs?"

Aemilia blushed. "They, um... he means... chest, uh..."

"You don't know? These things." He reached out, both hands touching the orbs on her chest.

Eliza gasped. "Amam said no one touches my breasts without my permission!" She practically screamed, tackling Drayce and punching him in the face.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Good to be Home
Part Two

In retaliation, he headbutt her, the two once more rolling around like a pair of rabid animals. "Stop fighting! Please!" Aemilia rushed towards them. A stray arm flew up, and slashed her in them arm. She cried out in pain, falling back.

With a terrified look, he threw Eliza into the woods like she weighed nothing, quickly going and holding the small blind girl in his arms. "Are you okay!? I... I am sorry, I didn't mean for you to get hurt!"

"I-I... I don't know, it feels..." Aemilia she shuddered, holding out her arm as some blood leak out of a gash. "P-please, don't... touch my blood. It's dangerous."

Eliza rushed out of the woods, but her urge to fight was gone. "I'm sorry! I... I will get some bandages!"

Despite her warning, he put a scaled hand over her wound. "Everything about you is dangerous! I am tired of hearing it. You are the girl I love. I will deal with you without fear!" He said defiantly.

"Even as he said that, his hand began to burn. Aemilia started to sob. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get hurt. I just didn't want you to fight."

Eliza erupted out of one of the windows, a medkit she had stolen from the infirmary in hand. "H-here... l-let me see her arm!"

He removed his hand, wiping his hand on the ground. "Why...why are you the one apologizing?" Drayce question, looking very distressed.

"B-because... I got hurt... and upset you..." Aemilia answered sadly.

"It isn't your fault." Eliza quickly, somewhat sloppily, wrapped the wound. "It... it was mind. I'm the one who should be saying sorry." She gave Drayce a sad look.

"N-No... It's my fault too." He admitted, giving her the same look. The Thrope looked down at the crying girl, leaning down and giving Aemilia a kiss to make her feel better.

When she was finished, Eliza gasped. "L-let me see your hand," she said. In his worry, he didn't notice the terrible magic burns on it.

Looking over his hand, Drayce grimaced, "I-It's fine. I... I barely feel it."

Eliza gently took it. "You... I'm sorry I woke you up. I was just curious. I... you're a dragon. Sorry. I called you those names."

"And I was too agitated. I'm supposed to be more grown up, but I still act like a child a lot." His other hand touched hers tenderly, looking her in the eyes.

She smiled back. Turning to Aemilia, she said, "P-please tell them it is my fault you got hurt. I... will take any punishment Amam, Erin, or the grumpy lady wants to give me."

"I-I partly to blame to. Get... Me in trouble as well. We will do this together." He said with an assured nod.

Aemilia chuckled softly, reaching under her bandages to wipe her eyes. "Why don't we just say I fell down. I don't want anyone to get in trouble now that we are all friends. A... are we?"

Eliza looked back to Drayce. "If... that is okay."

The Thrope nodded too. "Though... More than friends?"

Eliza tilted her head. "What is more then friends? Family?"

Drayce looked to Aemilia, as if wanting assistance. Aemilia needed a moment to realize this. "O-oh, um... I think Drayce wants you to be his girlfriend. Even though he already..." She lowered her head. "He must want a... new girlfriend. A stronger one."

"Hm? No. Not a replacement. Another. I have to show Eliza how sorry I am. So I have to show her the sort of attention I show you." He rubbed Aemilia's head. "I even lost my eye like you!" Drayce told her happily.

"What?!" Aemilia shouted, not sounding very happy about it. "Y-you lost your eye! I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry. I can just get it back from Nid when I beat her busty butt in a battle. And with my new powers, I plan to! When... I am not too tired..."

"Oh... you gave it up to a... goddess..." She cleared her throat. "That is quite a gift. She must have left a... good impression. I could never... measure up..."

"Hm? What's wrong with you? I think your better than Nid. Why would you doubt that?" With a smile, he pounced on the girl.

Aemilia gasped. "But... is that not the goddess of power? What do I have that she can not outmatch?"

"Well, you are mine..." Leaning down, their noses pressed together, "Isn't that enough?" he whispered to her, giving her another kiss.

Eliza gasped. "You two are like Amam and Erin, yes? Is that what a girlfriend is? You two are girlfriends, I understand!"

Leaning up, Drayce scratched his head, "But I am not a girl." he also pouted, "And I hate Erin. She won't leave me alone about probing me..."

Eliza nodded. "I understand. But she is okay when you get to know her. She gives good candy." She tapped her lips. "Well... if you are a boy... then you are a boyfriend, I guess. You are Aemilia's boyfriend. Are you Nid's boyfriend?"

"I... don't know..." he scratched his chin, "I hope not. She is too... intense sometimes. Not like Aemilia. She is nice, and sweet. And she always gives the best pets on my head."

Aemilia giggled. She reached up and pet his head. "What about Eliza? I know it is probably not normal to have more then one girlfriend's, but I don't see why you can't."

"I am never normal." Drayce said with an innocent chuckle.

"Does that mean I can have a... lip thing to?" Eliza asked.

"Mmm... no." Drayce said, taking Aemilia and quickly running away, jumping into the manor to escape her.

"H... hey!" Eliza quickly bound after them. "You won't get away!"

Finally, Drayce closed the door quietly behind him, chuckling as he jumped onto the bed with Aemilia still snuggly in his arms. "That was fun."

"It was. Except for the... getting hurt part." Aemilia frowned. "Won't Eliza be upset?"

Drayce snickered. "Yep. But she won't find us." he pulled her close, smiling as he gave her a kiss. "I want you to know that I love you. Maybe not Eliza and certainly not Nid. But I love you."

"Do you really?" Aemilia still frowned. "Was it because of me the you... gave up you sight in you eye? To be like me?"

"It gave me the idea, but it was mostly because I needed another reason to fight. And seeing in only one eye is inconvenient. But yes," he put his thumbs on the corner of her mouth, forcing them up.

She finally smiled on her own. "I... want to tell you something. About my eyes."

"Hm? What is it?" He tucked his thumbs under her bandages like he usually did, trying to sneak a peak.

She flinched, pulling her head back. "No, please. You see, I... I am not blind as I said I am. I can see, but... but if I look at someone, I hurt them. I... I kill them."

Drayce laughed, "That sounds impossible though. Your too... You."

Aemilia shook her head. "I don't do it on purpose. I just... it just happens. It's a curse. The same one that... keeps me like this. Tiny... weak... insignificant."

"A curse? Did you make a witch mad?"

"I... don't remember. I just remember... coming here. Being told my cousin Mina would take care of me... and that my eyes were dangerous. That was twelve years ago..." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, this... must all sound crazy to you..."

Drayce shook his head, "Nope. You... Are still okay in my book. That is the phrase, right?"

Aemilia smiled again and giggled. "Yes... that's right." She scooted forward, pressing her forehead against his. "I hope, one day... I get to look you in the eyes. I bet the are as cute as you are."

Drayce chuckled, pressing his head against hers. "Me too."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

MarineAvenger & ZombieSplitter53
Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part One

Havenbrook Manor/Guildhouse
August 2nd, 3349
12:12 p.m.

Sitting on a couch in Mina’s office, Lyr sat back facing towards the open window, watching the curtains sway slightly whenever a breeze disturbed them. His white feathered raven lay on his flat chest, lying down in a comfortable sleeping position. Rubbing the baby bird’s head with his finger, the Ophidian looked over at his mother, looking at herself in her old summer clothes with a disappointed look. “He is blind you know. Why do you care how you appear around him at all?”

“It isn’t just him, you know?” Mina glanced back. “Maybe I don’t like the way I look in my own eyes. Besides, he can see in ways that still tell him how fat I am…”

“He’s marrying you so it obviously seems like a moot point. It won’t be forever either. If you get this pouty with every child you plan to have, I am neutering that man before I have to deal with it constantly.” Lyr threatened with the utmost seriousness.

Mina sighed. “Unfortunately, that probably won’t be a problem. He won’t want any more children. He… doesn’t really seem that keen on being a father to a single child.”

“You don’t seem keen either. You gush in public but all you do is complain to me.” Looking back to the window, Lyr stuck his pinky in his left ear to scratch it, “Seems to me that you need to make up your mind before he should.”

His mother gave him a sour look. “My mind is made up enough. I might not have been expecting this child, but I’m happy to have it now. You helped with that, making me warm up to the idea of being a mother.”

“There are a lot of options to take… a lot of orphanages in cities that’ll take him…” Lyr continued as if she had not talked, “Maybe one of the women here could take them. Not know the truth growing up…”

“Aren’t you listening? I want to keep the child.” Mina grinned and folded her arms. “You’re not worried, are you?”

“I’m extremely worried. I’m actually grown up.” Waving his hand, a small light knife appeared in his hand. “You’re barely grown up more than I am. You’re stuck as a teenager and it is such a tragedy.” He turned the knife and threw it at her face, the thing dissolving into glitter before it reached her. Her unimpressed look made him frown, “The first three times were funnier.”

“Indeed, oh mature one.” Mina huffed. “I’m sure the fact that you just got here, only to find you’re already going to have someone competing for my attention, has nothing on your mature outlook, right?”

The Ophidian narrowed his eyes, “I’ll eat this baby. My people have the rep for it. I believe your diary quoted as such.”

“I wrote that in anger, you… did you read my personal diary? Does personal information mean nothing to you?!”

“You didn’t lock the first three. That’s your own fault.” He noted with an evil chuckle.

Mina’s hairs stood on end as she prepared to shout at him. But she didn’t. She didn’t say anything. Nor did she move. She stood completely still, as if frozen with the same angry glare.

Lyr’s frown deepened, “This was about to be the best part…” he grumbled in an annoyed tone.

“Oh?” Destani leaned back in Mina’s desk chair. “I mean, if you really want, I can start it up again. I thought I was saving you some trouble, though she does have this cute look to her when she’s angry.”

“Gods aren’t impervious to dying, so hit on my mother again and you will learn something pretty new, buddy.” The hunter bearing the patch of the Havenbrooks on his left arm snapped at his friend.

The god held up his hands. “While I doubt you have any Golden Hind blood, I won’t take any chances. Besides, I have other options here…” He trailed off for a moment, rubbing his chin. “Anyway, you remember what we talked about back… well, twelve years ago? Relative to this point in time, I mean.”

“Hm? Wait, that was actually important? Yeah, I suppose I remember…”

“You and your dry wit.” Destani placed his feet on Mina’s desk. “You said you’d want to work with me again if the need arose. The others did too, but you seemed to mean it in a… follower’s kind of way. Did you actually mean it?”

“If you’re asking me to join a cult and worship you, forget it. You gods have too much bad blood to get worshipers from my people. I just meant it in a ‘you did me a favor and I’ll repay it’ sort of way.” The young man responded back, crossing his arms.

“Not asking for you to worship me. Just work for me.” Destani jumped to his feet. “And to be fair, you aren’t exactly the shining example of your people, here in Serasam with your human mother. Least you can do is hear me out.”

“I haven’t demanded to be returned yet, so you could have just started explaining. And I will get you back for that comment.” Lyr warned, though said it in a non-committal way to insult his ego.

“Hmph.” Destani ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll start out by sharing a secret with you. Something I don’t want you spreading around. Time travel is something only specific gods, namely me and my father, are allowed to do, but it… it isn’t as impossible as one might think it is for a mortal to find a way to do it, and it usually results in something messed up that we… and by we, I mean I, have to fix.”

“I thought going back the first time was supposed to stop time from breaking, now you are trying to tell me that by going back to not break time, we broke… time?” Lyr raised an eyebrow, sitting up quickly in a way that freaked out his raven when it fell off his chest and into his lap.

“What I’m saying is that time travel isn’t an exact science and sometimes things break, and fixing them causes breaks in other places, and it all becomes a balancing act until you fill in all the holes… until some moron finds a way to mess it up again.” Destani shrugged. “It goes in both directions too. Sometimes someone goes into the past and changes something, and sometimes someone goes into the future and learns something they shouldn’t have, or brings back something. I fix these issues, but it isn’t easy, especially with my duties in the library of history. I could use someone like you to occasionally help with something I have, ironically enough, little time to deal with.”

“So to pay you back for saving my mother, I have to become your errand boy?” Ophidians were known for being greedy, but now Destani had confirmation, “That… doesn’t sound so good from my end and you know it. So what do I get out of this?”

“Well, I didn’t say it would be all work and no payout.” Destani grinned. “There are certain powers that come with it. You know, to give you an advantage over the people you would be going after. And if you use them outside of the job, well… if no one is looking…”

“The catch?” Lyr rolled his hand as Angel ruffled her feathers, “What is required to get these powers?”

“You’re on point. I like that.” Destani shook his head. “The catch is only the original ten can just make someone their subject and give them god-like abilities. A trust thing, I guess. Apparently they are more responsible, even if they have proven otherwise in the past. If a god like me wants to recruit someone, they have to approve it. And there are usually tests. Trails of a sort.”

“Uuugh… sounds like work…” he complained.

“Anyone ever tell you nothing worth having in life is free?” Destani scoffed. “My father is already giving me flack for wanting someone so young and immature. Don’t prove him right. Please do not prove him right, I hate it when he’s right.”

“If there is one thing I like more than pushing buttons it is sticking it to the man, so guess we are in this together whether I disagree or not. So, when do we start?”

“Immediately. Um…” He looked over to Mina. “Don’t worry about this, it’ll be waiting for you when we’re done.” He held out his hand. “This way to embrace your destany… or something to that effect.”

“Yeah, I am killing you. Just know that.” With a whistle, his pet bird was at his shoulder, the Ophidian grasping Destani’s hand tightly.

In a flash, they were in a pristine throne room. Beautiful marble white with intricate designs woven into the floor and the stunning drapes that seemed to go up endlessly. Lyr had a few moments to admire the surroundings before he felt light headed. It became increasingly harder to breath and he felt like he weighed twice as much. “Here. Swallow this.” Destani offered him a small object, the size and shape of a pill but pink and looking somewhat machine like, with an odd glow. Taking the thing with a hesitant look, he quickly popped it in his mouth and forced it down his throat.

After a few moments, he slowly found he could breath and stand normally again. The Fate god smiled. “Don’t ask me how it works. I don’t make them. I just know they alter your biochemistry so you can stand the increased gravity and heat and the lower amount of oxygen here. Think of it as a gift just for trying. Don’t be surprised if you feel lighter and more oxygenated when you get home.”

“Watch who you call fat in school kids…” Lyr quipped quietly as he looked around some more. It took a great deal to impress him, and you could consider him impressed.

Sitting on the thrones, waiting for him to be waiting, were to unfamiliar individuals, though Lyr could guess who they are. “So, you wish to work directly for Destani, boy?”Jerin'dek asked.

Looking over at the similarly sized god, he put his hands behind his head before nodding nonchalantly. “Apparently.”

The god grunted. “You should kneel and show some respect. Do you not realize who you stand before?”

“Oh, come off it, you big blowhard,” Xia'tar said, giggling softly. “He is a guest of ours. Besides, he’s a teenager. How respectful were you to authority at that age… if you can even remember.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Two

Lyr raised an eyebrow at the women, seemingly impressed enough to turn distinctly away from Jerin’dek, and knelt towards Xia’tar, though did not bow his head. Only one woman would ever get that sort of respect out of him, and she was currently frozen in time. He also did it because he liked bruising egos. He had no love for gods, whoever they were. This particularly cute one just happened to amuse him enough that sticking it to the man early seemed like something he wanted to do.

The king of the gods cleared his throat. “Yes, well… I suppose we can cut the formalities if it is all the same. How confident in your own abilities are you, young man? Just because Destani is confident in them does not mean they are completely passable.”

With a raised eyebrow, he stood smoothly and flourished his hand, twisting it like there was something there. A glaive of light formed slowly, the twirling stopping with the point directed at the king. He questioned in his head if there was a greater disrespect but he couldn’t think of one that quickly on the spot. This would do as his grin curved much too like his snake nature. “Pretty confident.”

Jerin’dek looked as though he wanted to angrily swat it, and Lyr, away, but kept his composure. It was obvious that if his wife hadn’t been there, he likely wouldn’t have tolerated this. The goddess herself stood up and walked over to Lyr. “He is a bit huffy, but he wants to make sure time, and an innocent mortal life of course, are not wasted.” She glanced over to Destani briefly. “One reason lower gods are not allowed to take subjects on their own is because they often underestimate the danger, and often fail to express it. You do understand that there are many risks involved. Do you still wish to take the job?”

“Destani is a god of fate.” Lyr began, his weapon disappearing as he turned his head to look into Xia’tar’s eyes directly. They were beautiful up close. “I would be worried to take chances with anyone other than him. And if that were to fail me, then I would make my own damn luck.” he flashed her a confident grin to show teeth, pointing his thumb at himself, “And he’s a friend. So if I fail, I will make sure I drag him down with me in some capacity.”

“That is impressively sweet and insulting at the same time,” Destani muttered, folding his arms.

Xia’tar walked back to her counterpart. “I like this one.”

“Oh, yes. Young, male, with a pulse. All the things you look for in a man,” he muttered.

“Hush, you. You sense his potential as well as I do. What would be the harm in testing the boy?”

Jerin’dek let out a long breath. “Very well.” He held up his hand, and eight doors appeared, four on either side of the Ophidian. They all had a different symbol on them. A stormy ocean. A sword and shield. A wine chalice. A slumbering wolf. An hourglass. A bow and arrow. A sprouting plant. A crumbling building. “You will be tested by the gods. Eight trials to see if you have what it takes to stand among one of our own.”

“Well then…” His eyes locked on the sword and shield door, We’ll start it off with a bang… With a nod, he went to the door.

Before he could enter, a hand was on his shoulder. “Be careful,” Destani stated. “Not all the trials will be as obvious to complete as they might seem. Think of the god or goddess. Imagine you were in their shoes. I… I trust you can do this. So don’t make look like an idiot, ‘kay?”

“Don’t need me to do that, buddy.” Lyr said seriously, Angel pecking the lower god’s hand as he went inside the door.

Within, he found himself in the middle of a small village. People walked to and fro as though he hadn’t appeared out of nowhere from a door that had vanished. Before him was a two story building, a roomy home. “Greetings, trial goer,” said a soft but determined voice behind him.

Quickly turning around, he stepped back just in case urgently.

Behind him was an armor clad woman of unsurpassed beauty, a look of pride and justice in her eyes as she gazed back. With shield and sword in hand, she looked ready to battle at any time, but was somewhat relaxed at the moment. “I am Nemesis. Goddess of Justice. Bane to all who would try to escape from retribution for their crimes. For centuries, I have recruited many to assist me in my task. Are you ready to face your trial, brave one?”

Lyr looked over her body for several moments, scratching his cheek for a moment, “You know, now I see why you are his second wife now…” the Ophidian mumbled.

“I beg your pardon,” she responded with slightly narrowed eyes.

Waving his hand dismissively, he looked around, “I’ll tell you after I beat your trial.”

“Very well.” She looked past him towards the house. “Within is the target of this trial. He has done so much wrong. Mass robbery. Drug trafficking. Murder. All swept under the table because of his deep pockets. You are to see that justice is done.”

“Simple enough. Sounds no more difficult than a hunter mission.” Lyr looked over the house. “Simple…” he repeated.

“Remember that justice must be dealt to those that deserve it. They might try tricks to avoid it, but it must be handled swift.” Nemesis disappeared, but her voice lingered. “Deliver justice to all who deserve it, or you fail the test.”

With a grunt, mumbling something, he went to the door. He would take the direct approach, pulling up his scarf to hide his more visible scales before knocking on the door.

After a brief wait, the door slowly opened. “Hello?” said a young voice. A boy with bright, expressive eyes stood on the other side, gazing up at him.

“Hey kid.” Lyr said to the boy, giving him a nod. “I need to speak to your parents.”

“Are you a friend of father’s?” the boy asked innocently.

“Not exactly. A business partner. One who has urgent things to talk about.” he said pleasantly.

“Oh. Okay.” The boy opened the door the rest of the way and took Lyr’s hand. “Please, come in. Follow me.”

Allowing himself to be pulled inside, Lyr checked his surroundings, making sure he had a good layout of things. The building had a plain layout. A few turns here and there, but nothing confusing. There were a few messes here and there, signs of children everywhere.

The child led Lyr into a living room, where a very stressed looking woman was trying to calm down a crying baby, one of five children. When the baby finally stopped his fussing, she acknowledged Lyr with a smile. “Hello, stranger.”

“This is a job friend of daddy’s,” the boy explained.

“Well, my husband just ran to the market and should be home any second now,” the woman stated. “Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

Lyr shook his head, “You look like you have enough to do, thank you. I’m just here to make sure some old deals are still followed through. You know the nature of your husband’s work, do you not?”

Her smile quickly faded. “Y-yes, I do. Um… do you speak of his current employment, or… or that career he gave up years ago to support his loving family?”

“Unfortunately, we both know the answer to that question.” he told her with as neutral a voice as possible. “I am sure you have your own thoughts on matters. Since we should make small talk until your husband arrives.”

She slowly placed the baby down with one of her daughters and stepped forward. “Please… please, I don’t know who sent you, but he isn’t the same man. Please… whatever you were paid, I am sure we can work something out.”

Lyr held up a hand, “That isn’t what I want to talk about. Your husband’s work. Tell me what you knew about it. Don’t lie to me. I know how it feels to want to protect someone you love, how it can… muddle the mind. But a good mother teaches her kids not to lie. She should be an example of that.” He pat the child’s head who lead him in. “Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right,” he said with a nod. “And mommy is a good teacher.”

The woman’s eye twitched, obviously holding back tears. “He… he used to work for some bad people. Mobsters in the city we grew up in. He did awful, awful things for them. Please… he didn’t… if this is about revenge, he’s a changed man. An honest man. And if his old bosses sent you, he… h-he has a family. He doesn’t deserve… he should be allowed to walk away.”

“How many people weren’t allowed that luxury from the decisions your husband made?” Lyr asked the woman, patting the kid’s head once more, “If there is one thing I want you to remember from my visit today, boy, is that hate doesn’t give you strength. The things that make you happy and you take pride in do. You’ll come to a point in your life when you’ll think back on this moment and you can think all you want on what you see next. But know your Daddy may have loved you, but he did the wrong things to show that love. Don’t follow in his footsteps.” he shoved him forward towards his mother.

“Please.” The woman wrapped her arms around her son. “Don’t hurt us.”

“A child doesn’t continue the sins of his father. I just wonder if that applies to the wife. And that if she wants to get through this, she confesses to anything she knows before the wrong people she wants to meet find out.” his gaze looked to the small boy, “Bad guys lose, son.”

“That’s enough,” said a deep, tired voice behind him. “Your business is with me.

With an intake of breath, Lyr slowly nodded. “We can do this here, or somewhere private. Whichever is up to you. Consider it a final gift I’m good enough to give.” the teen said without turning.

“Come on.” The man turned and walked down one of the halls. “Come to my study.”

With one last look to the wife, Lyr turned to follow him.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Three

Entering a sizable room with a desk and bookshelves, not to dissimilar to Mina’s office, the man walked to a side counter and pour a glass of brandy. “I’d offer you a drink, but I’m sure my wife already did. She’s good like that. Trusting. Understanding. The kind of woman who sees the good in people.” He turned to Lyr. “The kind of woman who would never be caught up in the kind of work I did, you hear? If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have left. So hands off her.”

“It’s hard to keep a life like that totally separate and we both know it.” Lyr told the man in an understanding way, locking the door. “I either hear the whole truth now, or later. And unfortunately I don’t think either of us want the latter.” he waved his hand for the man to sit down.

He did so. Despite obviously knowing what was going on, he was unguarded. “I was a hitman. I did odd jobs here and there, but I was mostly responsible for making troublesome people go away. My then girlfriend was blinded by love. Deep down, she knew what was going on, but she refused to accept it. Then one day I came home with a gaping knife wound in my side. Scared the hell out of her and my then two kids. Refused to go to a doctor obviously. While she stitched me up, I told her everything. She was horrified to hear it, but like I said, part of her knew. She gave me a month to get out. I believed she was bluffing until I came home a month later to find her and the kids gone. I lost my resolve then, but… but what really did it is something like this.” He chuckled at the cruel irony. “Target with a family. He grovelled and begged, but not in the usual way. He just wanted to be there for his family. So I just left… to go find mine.” His eyes peered into Lyr’s. “I’ve been waiting for someone like you ever since.”

The Ophidian’s held no sympathy for the man. He held out his hand, a bow of light forming in his right hand. “Write a letter to your family. I have no desire to hear your last words. They aren’t for me to deliver.”

The man nodded, and took out a quill. It took him ten minutes, stopping every so often to think, but Lyr was patient. When he was done, he folded the page and placed in an envelope. His hands were shaking ever so much as he sealed it and placed it on his desk. “I… I don’t want to die. I don’t want to leave my wife… my kids. I’m afraid of what comes after this.” He gave Lyr a sad smile. “But I’m not running. A real man… has to face responsibility sooner or later.”

With a slow nod, he formed an arrow, drawing it back and aiming it at the man. “Close your eyes or not. It’ll be over either way soon enough.” His target nodded, and chose to close his eyes.

Lyr let out a slow breath, loosing the arrow. He turned, unlocking the door and shutting it closed behind him, going downstairs with his bow in hand to find the family. His wife was in the living room with her children. The three youngest were playing on the floor, the baby giggling. The oldest, a girl around Lyr’s age, was consoling her mother. The woman looked up, her eyes fixed on the light weapon.

“I made sure he suffered before judgement was cast. He deserved to feel that pain. He deserved the outcome he got.” Lyr spoke with a soft tone, looking to the boy who stared wide eyed at his weapon. “Every day is a new box boy. You open it and take a look inside. You’re the one who determines whether it is a gift or a coffin.”

Lyr’s gaze went to the mother for a brief moment as he turned to leave, “He left a message for you on his desk. You’d best go read what is says. Last words tend to be the most honest.”

Opening up the front door, Lyr closed it shut, softly, squeezing his eyes shut. “Yeah, yeah… I know. But there’s two sides to a story. Blood today would have just created more monsters. You knew that, didn’t you?” he asked Nemesis sourly.

“Of course I did.” Nemesis walked over from behind him. “Tell me child… why did you lie to them like that?”

“I didn’t lie to them. I made sure he suffered before I made my decision. And he deserved to feel every ounce of guilt he felt. That boy’s going to open up that door and learn a valuable lesson about what justice means. I am sure that man put as much in that letter he wrote thinking he was about to leave him. He’s lucky. I didn’t get such a luxury.”

Nemesis slowly nodded. “I have given a trial like this in the past. Many others have told me it is cruel, and the low success rate had made me abandon it for the longest time. You are one of the few who have ever passed it. You might not feel like it now, but you should be proud.”

“All I feel is dirty…” Lyr spoke raggedly, letting out a sigh, “Guess that’s a good thing…”

Nemesis waved her hand, and seven doors appeared before Lyr. “Go, young one. Your next trial awaits. For what it is worth, I am hoping you will succeed.”

Lyr nodded slowly, “I’ll hold my end of the deal too. What is the deal with you and Janne? Why does he care so much about you?”

“Ah… yes.” Nemesis held a hand over her heart. “His trial was even harder. One that made me feel dirty, as you said. But he too passed it, and he has my blessing for it. And for it, I have helped him seek the resolution he sought for so long.”

Lyr nodded, walking towards the door with the wine cup. He only hoped this would be lighter on his heart than the last. Another town, though this one at night. It was bustling and energetic. Fireworks went off in the air, and the sound of music could be heard from everywhere. It was a celebration, and the whole town seemed to be in the festive spirit. No one was there to greet Lyr, though there was a large gathering ahead of him.

Somehow the sights didn’t really please him, with the slump he felt in at that moment. Still, he moved towards the procession, his body feeling heavier than it had in the throne room. Despite all the noise, one voice seemed to stick out to him. “So I tell him to relax, it’s just a party!” It belonged to a rather well built man, his face hidden behind a party mask, who was surrounded by many others (mostly women), and had a goblet twice the size of anyone else’s. “But he kept pushing and pushing! So what do I do? I curse him, of course! Now, he can drink and drink and drink until he dies of alcohol poisoning, but he can never get drunk again.” He took a swig. “Like I said, his wife came on to me first.”

Nothing grated Lyr like a pompous man, but he could hazard a guess that this was the god who was to give him his trial. He waited, seeing if he would be addressed or if he would have to get attention himself. It seemed it was the latter, much to his annoyance. The likely god just kept prattling on, drinking, and eyeing the women without a care in the world. If he was supposed to be giving a trial, he wasn’t exactly the most responsible of the gods.

Lyr growled, forming a ball of light that went off like a flashbang, temporarily blinding everyone who hadn’t had their eyes closed. “Ahem… I don’t exactly have forever here pretty boy, so if you’d please stop wasting my time…”

Even the man blinked a few times, despite the mask shielding his eyes. “Who the hell do you… oh! Lyr! What are you doing over there?! Come on, come on, take a seat with me so we can… do this trial thing.” Grating his teeth together, Lyr followed the order.

“Oh, you’re so tense.” One of the women behind him started rubbing his shoulders. “Relax, it’s a party.”

“Are you an Ophidian?” another asked. “How exotic.”

“Heheh… Lyr, my boy, I am Rume'lurm, god of celebrations. God of spirits. Embodiment of all things joyful and fun. So… what’re you drinking?”

“That’s two times women have asked me today and the answer is the same. I’m not here for a drink.” Lyr told the god, the woman who touched him getting pecked at by the white feathered Angel.

“Oh!” she cried out. “Nasty little pigeon…”

Rume'lurm sat up. “Well, the thing is… you kinda are here to drink.” He held out his hands. “Welcome to the trial of Joy! The most enjoyable trial I’m sure you’ll have today.” He pulled out a cup of wine from nowhere and offered it to the teen.

Looking back, Lyr crossed his arms and looked over the cup. “Explain.”

“It’s simple.” Rume'lurm nudged the cup forward. “You are an incredibly serious person. Such overwhelming seriousness can make you lose sight during a mission. Tension can diminish flexibility, both literally and in terms of adaptability. I want you to show me that you actually know how to relax a little. Simple, yes?”

“The ways you think I relax seem a bit skewed to reality. I do know how to relax! It is just not often I get to the way I want.” He responded, reaching out and grabbing the cup. He looked down at the cup, growling, “And drinking is not usually a part of it.”

“Not a fan of my trial, are we?” Rume'lurm sat up and leaned forward. “Shall I devise something better than simply sitting and enjoying a good, drunken time?”

“I prefer modesty myself. Not being a drunkard, so yes. Bring it on.” he said, dropping the cup.

The god obviously was not pleased with the waste of good wine. “Alright then…” He snapped his fingers, and there was a blinding flash. When Lyr’s vision was back, he was in a medium sized room. The decor told him it was likely an inn. The was a slight squeak of the bed behind him. When he turned back, there was a girl on the bed, a Light Elf around his age he had seen among the party goers.

“You know, this doesn’t exactly seem like you are taking this seriously…” Lyr spoke aloud, knowing the god could listen.

“Oh, I always take enjoyment serious,” was the echoey answer he got from some unseen place. “You trial is simple. This girl is new to this, same as you. Give… her… joy. Make her happy. Give her a night she will never forget. Good luck.”

“I’m not into girls like this Rume!” The Ophidian snapped.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Four

There was no response from him. The girl, slightly tipsy, looked around. “How did we get in here? Where did everyone else go?” She looked at Lyr and blushed. “H… hello.”

Lyr ignored her staring for a few moments, letting out a frustrated yell. He went over to the corner of the room and sat down hard, letting a leg rest on the floor while he pulled the other close, “Bastard really is everything I hate in a person. Gonna build an effigy in Kemar and burn it to the ground.” he grumbled to himself.

The elf watched him for a few moments, then lowered her head sadly. “I’m sorry.”

Finally, Lyr seemed to finally acknowledge the girl, raising his gaze and sighing, “What are you sorry about? I’m the one who dragged you into this… albeit indirectly.”

“Because if it was another girl, this would be easier for you.” She pushed back so she could bring her legs up and hug them. “All the other girls at school tell me how lame I am. How I ruin parties. I thought this one would be better. Guess that’s what I get for thinking, huh?”

“Look, doesn’t matter if you were the prettiest, smartest, and funny girl alive, I just wouldn’t be interested. I’m not in a position in life to get… attached like that bastard is trying to force. Are you actually disappointed a god tried to use you? To let a stranger bed you?”

“I was glad to be picked for something for once. No one ever picks the dirty Light… picks me for anything.” She lowered her eyes against her legs and started to sob. “Even when a god chooses me, I fail.”

I am going to kill you for this Rume… Lyr thought angrily, getting up quickly, grabbing her arm softly, “I know you’re a Light Elf already, so don’t think that it is something to be embarrassed about or anything. One of my caretakers in a way is like you.”

She wiped her eyes with her free arm. “It must be… (sniff) had for you, being around non-Ophidians. It’s lonely to be alone, and to have people constantly remind you of it.”

“Again with bringing up my race…” he said, noting if every trial would be a reminder he was an Ophidian. “Look, we have a name for people like that, and that word is asshole. They are people who will say mean stuff no matter what, but you have to tough it out and be the better person. You have to be strong, else your bullies win. Trust me, there are worse things than mean kids on the playground to worry about in the world.”

“It doesn’t always feel like it.” She turned her head away. “I know there is a lot of pain out there. I want to help people when I graduate. But the words… the attacks, the eggs, the constant reminder that no one loves me… it makes me wonder… what’s the point…”

Lyr growled, forcibly picking up the girl and bringing her over to the corner where he had sat, sitting down and letting her stay on his lap facing him, “Now you look at me.”

She looked up at his face, a bit of worry in her eyes. “I don’t want to hear a single tid bit of that giving up nonsense. There is enough negativity in the world without one of the good ones thinking she can just call it a day and that’ll do any good.” He looked down at his scarf and pulled on a loose string, getting it to a pretty long length and cut it with his teeth. “Know how to play cat’s cradle?”

“Um… y-yeah, I do. You… want to play?”

“Yeah.” Reaching out, he tenderly took her hand and began to wrap the string around a finger, “Tell me about these people who torment you. Are they ugly?”

“Well.” She scratched her cheek and laughed softly. “I don’t like to judge, but Marie needs to lose some weight, and… a-and Jen has a… kinda pig nose.”

“And meanwhile you are perfectly fit and your nose is small and cute. You have something those other girls don’t and they don’t like that. So they try to deprive you of something they want themselves. Nothing they say holds any weight.” he began tangling a simple shape, “Do you know any magic or are you just plain normal?”

“I, um… I know light magic. A… little, anyway.” She lightly touched her nose. “Is my nose really cute?”

“As much as a nose can be I suppose.” Lyr noted absently, “Well for the eggs, just do what I did at the party and give them a good flash. It isn’t hard to do. You just make a ball, close your eyes and imagine firecrackers going off. That’s how I was taught. And when they try to beat you, don’t just stand there. Run. The other girls are probably so fat they won’t be able to keep up. Then you can run circles around them and destroy their confidence. It isn’t right to pick on someone, but a bit of retaliation is always good.”

The girl giggled loudly. “Yeah, I can do that! I can make them feel bad without hurting them, and if they want to get me, they’ll have to get in shape. And… and if they’re in better shape, they won’t want to get me as much.”

“Yep.” He pulled free his hand from the cradle, which was going nowhere. He was never particularly good, but it was a good time killer. He pet her head, folding her hair over her ears. “And stop hiding these. I did notice them, and don’t feel ashamed. I only feel self-conscious of my scales because many more are shocked by my kind than yours. I’m also not as pretty. I’m pretty rugged and the kind of face that says ‘Don’t let your light elf daughter date me.’ Tell them that. Your big bad Ophidian will come and gobble them up after taking them as slaves.”

She laughed. “Okay, I will. But… I think you’re kinda handsome to be honest.” She bit her lip for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. No one has ever been this nice to me. I… I’m not sure when I’ll see you again, but I promise I’ll be better and more confident.”

“I am sure once the boys take notice of the new you, you won’t need to see me again.” he pulled her close, letting her lay on his shoulder, “Also go to sleep. You’re still drunk and I can smell it on you.” he chastised, yet still stroked her head.

She chuckled softly. “Okay. Thank you.” She closed her eyes. After a minute, she started letting out the cutest little snores.

“Impressive.” Rume'lurm was sitting on the bed. “Though I’m afraid you fail. The goal was to sleep…” Noting the looking he was getting, he quickly threw up his hands. “Kidding. Just kidding. You were great.”

“Imagining the amount of times you’ve put girls like her through this makes me want to hunt down this Golden Hind stuff just for you personally…” Lyr told the god harshly, looking down at the sleeping elf. “Where does she live? Back where she really belongs?”

Rume'lurm snapped his fingers, and she vanished. “She is now safely back in her own bed. And don’t insult me. I knew you wouldn’t do anything with her.” He smiled. “You really are nothing like the man you called father. Didn’t touch the girl. Kind and heart warming. Opposed to the debauchery he would have dived head first into. Your mother… any of them, all of them, would be proud.”

“Now I am really going to kill you for bringing him up…” Lyr said, standing up, “But thanks, for as little as that means coming from me. You still didn’t tell me where she is from.”

“Oh, you actually wanted to know. I thought you just wanted to nobly carry her home. We’re in Helvan. Not the best place for Light Elves. She’s one of the lucky ones born outside of slavery.”

That explains a lot though, “Thank you.” he said again tightly, “Now if you please, the six doors?”

“Yes, of course.” He snapped his fingers, the doors appearing on the walls. “Whoa, you went to Nemesis first? You’re hardcore. Good luck, man.”

Moving a bit more quickly than he probably wanted, he merely chose the closest door to get him out of there - the one with the slumbering wolf. He immediately felt an increase of pressure on his body once more, even if it didn’t effect him again. He was back in the city of Ethereum, standing before a same, Stormrend-style building.

Lyr scratched his head, looking over to Angel on his shoulder, who was laying down and shaking a bit. Maybe he should have considered how all the changing pressures would affect her. Please, enter my child, an Ethereal voice said in his mind.

Putting his hands behind his head, Lyr went forward, entering the building as commanded. It was a simply decorated room, most of the contents around the outer walls with the middle of the room open. A thin layer of dust covered everything. At the far end of the room, on a rather large pillow, was a woman with deep black hair. She appeared to be asleep. There was another pillow a few feet in front of her, perfectly sized for Lyr.

Looking over the beautiful woman, he wondered why they all had to be seemingly perfect yet never his type. He didn’t concern himself much with women, but that didn’t mean he didn’t ever think about them. Pushing the thought aside, he went over to the pillow, looking one more time at the goddess before lying down, and closing his eyes.

He had a brief moment of realization that he felt unnaturally sleepy when he suddenly felt wide awake. Opening his eyes, he found the room had changed. It was now more lavish and vibrant, not to mention well dusted. As for the woman, her eyes were open, and she wore a pleasant smile. “Hello, Lyr. Welcome to the Domain of Methos, Goddess of Sleep and Dreams.”

“So… wait… this isn’t real right now?” he said, looking over his hands. He also noticed Angel was not with him. “So this is a lucid dream?”

“It is. Do not worry about your raven. She sleeps elsewhere. Considering the danger of my realm outside of a dream, I felt it best that she sat this one out.” Methos stood, and offered her hand to the teen. “Shall we be on our way?”

With a determined face, he reached out and took the goddess’ hand without squeezing it, as if afraid he would hurt her small frame.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Five

They slowly stepped out of the small building into the lush forest surrounding it. Once they were out, they were greeted by a being with the upper body of a woman, the lower body and horns of a deer. “This is him? He’s shorter than I expected.”

Methos smiled at Lyr. “This is Artemia. She is my aid and closest friend. She will be helping you reach the section of the dreamscape we need to go to with haste.”

“You know, in a place where things break the binds of reality, she is still kind of flat. I was hoping for a guide with more to look at.” He told Methos while completely ignoring the half-deer.

Methos chuckled. “Yes, well… Artemia is proud of her appearance. She also says things she does not realize others might take as insults. I am afraid, given her situation, she doesn’t get out much.”

“At all, you mean.” The deer woman stepped next to Lyr. “Climb on. My lack of cleavage notwithstanding, I shall keep you safe.”

With a chuckle, he mounted the woman and wrapped his arms around her. “I will never get accustomed to riding…”

“Imagine how it feels to be the one who is literally mounted,” Artemia countered before leaping up. Together with Methos, the trio flew out of the forest and moved with incredible speed throughout the realm. Despite the high velocity, however, Lyr barely felt like he was moving.

“This would not have been possible a short time ago,” Methos told him. “For a length of time, I was imprisoned in my own dream. It was some of those at your mother’s guild that freed me.”

“So I’ve heard.” Lyr said loosening his grip on Artemia from his slight unease. “If you don’t mind me asking Methos, why wasn’t Mina offered this position instead of me? She seems to be a catalyst for a lot of big things. She could have certainly used the power I stand to gain.”

“A good question,” Methos admitted. “Though her ties to her work, her friends, and her children make her less flexible than you. You are a perfect candidate. Youthful, vibrant, determined, and loyal, with less attachments and a willingness to do what is right. From the moment Destani recruited you, many of us have been watching you. You have much to learn, but so much potential.”

“Am I going to be the same person I was after all of this is done?” Lyr asked her seriously, knowing she would not have the heart to lie.

Methos giggled softly. “Oh, yes. Perhaps a bit stronger and wiser, but the same person. We want you for you. What would be the point if we changed you?”

He looked at her for a few moments, before chuckling and leaning up against Artemia’s back. Soon, the group entered a darker section of the realm of dreams. It felt like the back room of an important building, where only certain employees were allowed. They passed by a few dream bubbles that were encased in a heavenly glow, likely the dreams of other gods that even Methos couldn’t enter without permission. Darker and darker still the realm seemed, until they came across several dreams encased in a more sinister glow, the bubbles like stormclouds, violent and turbulent.

“These are the dream of those trapped in a dream,” Methos explained. “I am not allowed to do much with them except look over them. My business is in the dream world, and to wake these people, mostly coma patients, would interfere with the waking world.” With a soft smile, she added, “Though on occasion, I like to come here and free one or two anyway. But let’s keep that between us, okay?”

“Yeah, between us.” Scratching his head, he looked over the bubble, “So what am I doing? Killing a night-gaunt like the other hunters did, or is this another test of how I am supposed to help a person face their demons?”

“The latter. I lost one too many of my subjects to want to lose another.” Methos held out her hand, and the bubble floated closer. “This is the Trial of Nightmares. Within you’ll face the torment of this individual, and attempt to free them. It might not be possible for you. Even I do not have a one hundred percent success rate. Your success of this trial instead depends on the attempt itself. Show you are as strong mentally as physically, and you will pass.”

Lyr groaned a bit, cautiously holding out his hand, “Never did like nightmares.”

Artemia smiled back at him. “You could always give up now if you are truly that afraid.”

“Save your sass for your minotaur or mermaid boyfriend, flatty.” Lyr retorted back, putting his hand forward fully without hesitation to be pulled into the dream.

Darkness surrounded him. Eternal it seemed, and all consuming. He felt weighed down, his very existence being strained. Dark thoughts of violence and sadness creeped into his mind, threatening to pull him into the torment of this world. Ahead, the only light in the emptiness of black. A simple candle, flickering ever so much, and next to it was a young boy, weeping all alone.

Lyr let out a grunt of effort, forcing himself through the darkness to try and reach the youth. He put up his arm like there was a heavy wind trying to blast him away, but he pushed through till he was at the boy, taking a knee. “Those are a lot of tears, little man. Why are you crying?”

“I’m lost,” he said, his hands over his eyes. “My mother said… she said to hold her hand, but I ran ahead. Something hit me. It hurt for a while, but… now I feel nothing. I want to go home, but… I’m lost, and I don’t know where to go!”

“I see. Well, I want you to do me a favor. I want you to take a deep breath, close your eyes. You see, mothers have an incredible super secret power. If you feel really hard with your heart, you can always find your mother. No matter how far away she is, she will always feel like she is right there besides you. Can you do that for me?”

“I can… try.” The boy wiped his eyes and closed then. His face scrunched a bit with concentration. They sat there for a while. How long was hard to determine. It could have been minutes or an hour. But the boy didn’t give up. Finally, off in the distance, a silhouette of a woman appeared, made of pure light. Though no sound came from her, she looked as though she was calling out to someone.

“Good job buddy. Just keep doing what you’re doing. I can guide you to her. Just hang on to my back and don’t stop reaching out.” the teen instructed, getting low so the boy could climb him.

He climbed on, the boy’s emptiness and sadness evident in how light he felt. He gripped Lyr tightly as the hurried along, but it was not as simple as walking to her. A path through the darkness appeared, looking like the world’s widest street. And on either side of the street were horrid creatures. All seemed to be built around the form of a worse, but bore demonic features. They snorted fire, their eyes burned red. One barely looked like it had any skin. Behind half of them was a pitch black wagon. They simply stood there waiting.

“Just keep your eyes closed buddy.” Lyr told the boy sternly, but calmly. He stepped onto the street at a steady pace with a stone set face. “None of this is real, but you are still young and can’t see that. It is the job of people like me to protect those like you. For now, keep your eyes shut, and imagine every good in your life. Use it to be strong, little man.” Two balls of light formed in the Ophidian’s hands, ready to lash out in defense of his escort.

The boy kept his eyes squeezed shut, but Lyr could feel him shake in fear. Still, the demonic horses didn’t move, but Lyr soon found out why when they suddenly charged. With a quick glance back, he was exactly halfway from where he started. No matter which way he went, he wouldn’t be able to get to safety before they reached him.

Lyr kept walking towards the charging horses, his eyes narrowing. He felt fear in himself too. No one could stare down large, charging animals and not feel it. But he knew if he didn’t show strength, the boy would be lost to despair. “Hey kid, want to see something cool?”

“W-will… i-it get rid o-of the monsters?” the child asked, peeking with one of his eyes.

“Maybe.” the teen said, keeping his voice steady and proud, like nothing could scare him at all. The horses were almost on them now. “It all depends. How much do you want to be with your mother again?”

“M… more than anything,” the child answered earnestly. “I miss her so much.”

“Then I promise, it’ll get rid of every monster.” Lyr said confidently, his legs becoming covered in light conjured runic symbols, despite the weight of the darkness, the glowing Ophidian leaped into the air. The horses passing by below him, Lyr twisted his body. His bow formed in his right hand with a massive light arrow he pulled back, firing at the moving target. The two collided and there was a massive explosion of light that bloomed outwards in a dazzling display. The snake landed easily, on both feet, watching as the shockwave of light began traveling in a dome all around the impact spot.

“Whoa.” The boy watched as the horses were consumed. After a while, though, the dome of light started to fade. Was it his fault? Was he not determined to see his mother enough to help? He quickly squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated. After a few moments, the dome flashed brightly and continued to expand until everything was consumed. In it wake was a small, sleepy town. And a few feet away stood the woman of light.

“Good job little man. Seems you’re pretty impressive yourself.” he told him, setting down the young boy. “Now I think someone is waiting for you.”

The child ran over to the figure, taking her by the hand. “Th-thank you stranger. I’ve been alone for so long. Who… who are you? I want to tell my mother about you.”

Lyr chuckled a little, putting his left hand on his hip. “Just tell her my name is… Lyte. Keep working hard, and one day you’ll be powerful like me. You can help others who are scared too.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Six

“I will!” The world quickly started to disappear in a flash of white. “Goodbye, mister!” he shouted before he was gone, and Lyr was back in the dreamscape, the goddess and assistant behind him.

“Good kid…” Lyr noted in a mumbled, turning to face the two women.

Methos gave him a sad smile. “You did very well, my dear. He has awoken from his long rest. What's More, you passed the trial.”

“Then why do you look so regretful?” the Ophidian asked curiously, raising an eyebrow at her sadness.

She lowered her eyes. “His pain is not over yet, I’m afraid. He has been in a coma for several years. He will have to learn to walk again. He will have to catch up on all the schooling he has missed. He will be a stranger in a new world.”

“A stranger with a purpose though.” Lyr pointed out, scratching his head, “None have more potential than that.”

Artemia nodded. “That is true. With the inspiration of such a hero, he should be okay.” She floated over and bowed her head. “You showed no fear and saved him. You should be proud.”

Blinking a few times, he reached out, rubbing her head behind her ear, “Thanks.” he responded with a cheeky smile.

Methos finally gave a more sincere smile. “I do hope you will pass the rest of your trials, as well as visit us again.” She held out her hand. “Let’s get you back so you can show the rest of the gods your potential.”

With a nod, Lyr took her hand. “When I pass everything, I am going to find them all. I will make sure they remain safe. All of these trials have shown a lot of suffering. I am going through a lot to help them all. Will need to follow up to make sure everything went well.”

Methos giggled. “You’ll have a lot of work to do. Good luck with them.” The world went black, and Lyr found himself back in the waking world, Angel standing in front of him and watching him curiously. When he sat up and look behind him, there were five doors waiting for him.

Petting the white raven and saying sorry for leaving her, she returned to her perch rather happily, going to the door with the sprouting flower. Beyond was a star-filled void, space for as far as the eye could see. Turning back, he saw something few other mortals had ever seen. It was Terra, the entire world far below him.

Lyr let out a startled yell, tripping over and falling onto his rear, his bird quickly flapping her wings to fly in the air so she didn’t follow him down. “Fear not,” Said a booming voice behind him. “You are completely safe as long as I am by your side.” Behind him stood a woman that seemed larger than the planet itself, with fair skin and snowy white here. She gave him a tranquil smile. “I am Ledono, Goddess of Creation.”

“U-Um… you’re… very, very big. Is this really your normal size? Who the hell births something that gigantic?” Lyr asked in complete shock. Seeing the planet was one shock, seeing a massive woman was another.

“It is mostly for show, admittedly,” said a younger voice behind him. When he turned, there was a younger version of the goddess. The giant side was gone when he looked back. “With the power inside me, I feel more comfortable like that. But this works too, and is much easier for you to work with I suppose.”

“Um…” What the hell, they just keep getting cuter! “Sorry for being an inconvenience…” Lyr grumbled in a bit of an annoyed fashion.

“No trouble.” She gazed down at the planet. “Unlike the other gods, I have an adoration for mortals. I assist in creating them, you know? Taking old souls that want another chance at life or making new ones. How can you be so involved and not get attached.” She smiled sweetly at Lyr. “I can’t remember if I had a hand in your creation. I do hope I did.”

“That is both sweet and creepy to hear.” He told the goddess, rubbing his hands together as he stood, being taller than her somehow. That almost made him snicker.

She turned back. “So… how would you like the power of creation? For a little while, I mean.”

“Um… what?” Lyr asked her, leaning back from how close she was now.

She reached out and grabbed his hand. “A creator. You’re one now, as part of your Trial. Call it… the Trial of Sustainability. You’re going to create an entire village, and see how long you can keep it going.”

“T-This sounds a little complicated for just a simple trial! You’ve been doing this for how long? And you want me to just… create something out of thin air?”

“But of course.” She laughed. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to go far. I expect your village to fail spectacularly, in fact! But how well you attempt it will be the determining factor.”

“This sounds almost cruel…” Lyr said in a concerned way, “How do I even begin to start?”

Ledono snapped her fingers, and the pair zoomed down into the planet, the sudden rush making Angel flap furiously and momentarily make the Ophidian teen nauseous. “There.” She pointed to a plot of land. “Make a village. It is all in your mind. Imagine the structures first. Think about the amount of people you want, the kind of town it will be. Think of all the kind of buildings a town might need and make them be.”

Lyr was on the floor, Angel laying half-dead next to him. He put his arm over his eyes, his head still swirling, “Oooo… just fail me already before I hurl…”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” She grabbed his arm and helped him up. She held her hand out to angel, birdseed appearing in it. “You’re young and smart. Your imagination must be quite vivid. And surely there are aspects of a home you have always dreamed of. Upscale it to ideal aspects of a home town. Make it to what you want it to be, not what you think I want it to be. I know you can do it. Actually watching you do it is… a formality.”

Lyr swayed, falling face down this time. With a groan, he closed his eyes. He had already given up, so what was the point of even trying. He imagined the most outlandish things possible, as if just to spite the test giver, but after a minute of doing so, it felt like taking out his invisible spite wasn’t how he should do things. He cleared it all, and still in his lost state, did as she had said. He thought of how he had dreamed of living as a kid.

He thought of all the times he wished his father would come home, and turn out to be a nice man. He missed his house back in the capital of Kemar, a tall but narrow building filled with different apartments because his mother was too poor to afford anything else. He thought about his nights with the nice family who helped him, how he wished to have lived in a place like that with its large fields and spacious room for a family.

But he hadn’t had that luxury. He grew up poor, though with good manners he hoped, only to have to be taken by his family friend after he lost his mother to a foreign place. How many hateful stare he had gotten in Serasam. He wished that Ophidians could live with other people, but he knew that wouldn’t be possible with their reputation. People like the girl he had met in Rume’lurm’s test was proof of that, but he wished people like him and her weren’t forced into such small boxes. For the elf girl it had destroyed her confidence, and for him he had to construct walls around himself so that nothing could hurt him emotionally again.

Thinking of the elf girl had got him thinking about the others. The boy he almost left fatherless with his large family, and the little boy who hadn’t gotten a lease on life until he came along. He knew how it was to grow up missing a part of you, and he would not push on the hurt he had experienced on even the God of Celebrations. Even if a pompous ass like him, with his hordes of sycophants felt such a hurt, he would want to help solve that hurt. His mother had taught him how to care again.

Each god and goddess he met seemed to affect him too. None of the trials changed his views of them, and his hatred for his people’s abandonment, but he felt he understood them. Infinite power they might have, but they still fell to the same shortcomings as every other person. The title of god was so meaningless, they were essentially giving it away to anyone with the right recommendation. As much as he hated the gods, even he would give them a place to feel accepted. He would be the kind of person Mina would never respect if he never gave everyone the same sort of consideration. There was a time and a place to use the forge in your heart to harden it, and for the moment, Lyr had no desire to stoke those flames. He just wanted to stay lying where he was, fantasizing about the world he wanted to see achieved.

A place where the weakest little boy to the highest, most beautiful goddess could be seen as an equal and escape. A place where he would feel truly at home.

Ledono gazed down at the bustling, lively town below them. Warm, leak proof homes. Individuals gladly going about their days, enjoying their work. Parents and children playing in parks. People of all race and creed eating together. It brought a smile to her face, but left an emptiness in her heart. She didn’t read Lyr’s mind, though she could have. But she sensed his emotions. Even if she hadn’t, she could have guessed the turmoil within that would have spawned this place. “You… it is quite the little village, isn’t it? Lovely. Welcoming. It’s a place… anyone would like to live in.”

Lyr chuckled bitterly, his voice broken up as tears fell to the ground, “I’m sure it is…” he said painfully.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Seven

Ledono lifted her hand slightly. Now was the next part of the trial. The part where she created turmoil and hardship for the town to face, and to see how Lyr handled it. If his creative skills could keep them alive. After a moment, however, she slowly lowered her hand again. “You did quite well, Lyr.” The town vanished, and in the goddess’ hand was an orb, a miniature version of the town in it. “I… I would like to keep this, if it is okay with you. Until the day until a town like this would fit in with the rest of the world. A world where your town is the norm, not the vision.”

“Yeah… that’s fine…” Lyr said in a whisper, sitting up slowly, looking down at his hand. “I… thanks. I haven’t… cried since my mother died. It is like a tight clamp in my chest… a burr that won’t go away… but it feels a bit more manageable now…”

“You’re welcome. And… thank you for creating something so wonderful for me to have. And showing me the warm light within a mortal. Please…” She waved her hand to make the remaining doors appear. “Go forth and finish your trials. I will be watching and cheering you on.”

Lyr nodded silently, slowly bringing himself to his feet, shuffling forward and opening the door to his next great challenge. He was now in a wide open garden, on the outskirts of a large city. The air was humid and smelled of flowers. “You the guy?” A woman with pitch black hair, looking like she could be Ledono’s sister, walked forward, using her pinky to scratch the inside of her ear. “Guess there aren’t a lot of Ophidian teens around these parts, but I gotta ask.”

“Yeah…” Lyr said in a heavy tone, looking down. “I’m him…”

“Tch… come on, man, buck up.” She walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Briusu. Goddess of Destruction, Explosions, Decimation, and anything just… falling apart. Your trials might have been hard, but now you're at the fun one! The one where you get to blow shit up!”

“Mhmm…” he nodded, not seeming too enthused.

She scoffed, and lifted her hand. Before them, a tree exploded, splinters flying everywhere. “Come on! Get with it, or I’ll blow you up!” she yelled. Evidently, she was not the Goddess of Patience.

“Just show me what I have to do. If you blow me up, just do it fast. I don’t care. Xia’tar might be disappointed though.” he pointed out to the goddess blandly.

“H-how…” Birusu groaned, stepping away from him. “Why do I get the sad sack. You showed so much fighting potential, but now you’re all… oh! I know!” She walked over to him again and grabbed his arm. In an instant, they were in front of a food stand by a busy street. “Two, please!” The man behind the counter nodded and got to work. “You’re going to love this. Always works as a pick me up.”

Lyr looked over at the goddess with a bit of an exasperated look, before turning his head back forward and lowering his eyes to the ground, letting out a soft chuckle, “You know… for such a blowhard goddess, you are kind of sweet.”

“Thanks… I think.” A couple minutes later, the chef pushed two bowls in front of them. “This is the best ramen in the world. Trust me… I’ve checked everywhere. You’d think it would come from Stormrend, not Elluviana, but here we are.” She started slurping hers up with reckless abandon.

With a small sigh, Lyr slowly began eating into his, sliding his chair over and putting an arm around her waist.

She looked down at his arm. “Uh… you need a hug, bro?”

“No. But if I don’t make it look like we are together, some guy might come up behind you and pinch your butt. If you make him explode, there would be problems.” The Ophidian dead-panned, an amused smirk on his face, however small it was.

“Ah. Good idea, thanks!” She slurped a bit loudly, not noticing a round carrot stuck to her cheek. “So… I was thinking about what we could do. All morning in fact. I mean, I had longer to think about it, but I need a nap, and I kinda overslept by a week. But anyway, I was gonna make you, like, choose between destroying two buildings with different people in them, but I’m not supposed to kill people unless it serves a purpose, like reshaping nations or them pissing me off. So I was thinking of just giving you stuff to destroy. Heard my sis was gonna give you a taste of her powers, and I’ve never seen anyone with a taste of mine.”

“Maybe. Anyways, I’ll be back. I need to use a restroom. Just… have the rest of mine.” Lyr said, getting up and going towards the nearest building.

“Don’t take too long!” she yelled after him, grabbing his bowl and gladly eating. “So when are you going to give me the recipe?” she asked the man behind the stand.”

“When I am dead.” The dog thrope folded his arms. “Forgive me, goddess, but you are too good a customer for me to lose.”

“Guess that makes sense.” She placed a couple gold coins on the counter. “Give me a couple of those instant bowls. Like… twenty. I’m running low.”

“Of course,” the man said, ducking back into full the order.

After finishing the second bowl, the goddess of destruction sighed contently and stood up. It was only a minute later when her foot was tapping, and her arms were crossed. Where the hell did he go? I swear, if he ditched me, I am SO blowing up this entire city… save for the noodle stand. Suddenly she felt something lightly pinch her bottom from behind. She let out a large yelp. “You’re dead!” she shouted, turning around.

A young man stood behind her with a grin, avoiding her swing narrowly, “My, my, quite the arm.” he said, looking rather poor and ragged but in a handsome way.

“Want to see it shoved down your throat, because that’s where it is going to be in about five seconds if you don’t give me a good reason not to kill you!”

“My, a violent little venus flytrap.” Reaching over, he took the carrot off her cheek, chucking it to the side. “Might I cool you down with a kiss?”

She practically snarled, and formed a large ball of dark purple energy in her hand. “Go to hell!”

“Only if I get to take you with me, my sweet.” The man told her, grabbing her wrist and her magic vanishing.

She gasped. “How did you…” She looked him in the eyes. “Wait, you…”

“You know me?” the man asked her with a bright smile.

“Don’t play dumb.” Birusu pulled her hand away. “What are you doing here? And… why are you dress like a bum?”

“I am merely a messenger. My master said she gave you ample time to think up a trial and you spent that time… sleeping. She was in a tizzy that even Jerin’dek was wary of.” Kagami said with an amused chuckle. “And then you take the boy out on a date. Scandalous. He has not been made a god yet.”

The goddess of awesome destructive power looked a bit panicky. “W-we’re not out on a date, he… he has done half the trials, and deserved a break! Plus he was all depressed and… I have a trial for him! Tell her that. And that it’s really, really good.”

His smile widened, “You have absolutely nothing, do you?”

“I do! He was… I… I would give him my power and… he… would face an army! O-of monsters!” She folded her arms. “Really big monsters.”

Kagami let out a sigh, petting her head, “Look, the whole point of these trials are for him to be depressed. He has to learn that his predisposition to construct barriers around his problems would be a fatal flaw. Being a goddess of destruction does not just mean being all big into demolition. You are not some child like Tecunte likes to act sometimes, and she is your senior in the realm of stirring up trouble, even if she is younger in age.”

“I’d fear for the world if you put half the effort you put into being lazy into your actual purpose. But be abstract if you must. The reason why Nemesis didn’t smack him around like she originally wanted was because we know the boy has a fighting spirit already. We must first make him human again before we make him something more. A sword is not what we want. We want the person wielding the sword. Okay?” the man said, continuing to pet Birusu encouragingly.

She slowly nodded, but looked even more panicky now. “What am I going to do? I have nothing! All I know how to do is break things and find the best food in the world. Maybe… maybe I can… um…” She closed her eyes tightly, tapping the side of her head. “Think… think think…”

Kagami chuckled, “Still as finicky as the day you were born. Look, get him uncomfortable. Confront him with the things he has burdened onto him. His greatest struggle is yet to come, and unless we prime him, he will buckle from weight of it. Remember when your sister accidently destroyed some of Methos’ dreamscape and she was all depressed? She would not be so peppy today if not for your intervention. She listened to you. You destroyed her doubts and worries. See what I mean by being abstract?”

“I think so.” Birusu smiled. “I think I have an idea of how I can help him.”

Kagami nodded, leaning down and kissing her forehead. “Good luck. I am sure you have this. And I know Xia’tar believes in you too. Else she would not have sent me. You look at her like a mother, and everyone knows it. Even if you and your sister were created by the universe and not by a mated pair, you will always be her precious step-child.”

“Thank you. Your confidence is more helpful then you might think.” She turned towards the building Lyr had gone to. “I just hope he comes back…”

Kagami patted her shoulder, “Would you after how weird you acted before?” he asked with a knowing smirk. “Run, little dove. I can feel you know who’s seething from here that our candidate is getting away.”

Birusu yelped, and jumped into the air. Large, black-feathered wings sprouted from her wings, and she started searching the city.

Kagami watched her go with a warm smile, his body slowly falling away like dust in the wind.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Eight

Lyr pulled his scarf close to his neck, his eyes downcast as the city was several miles behind him. He had gotten far, but this was all feeling a bit much. He had felt good helping those first few people, but each time they affected him in little ways that were hurting him to his core. He had enough. He just wanted to be back at the manor, having Mina yell at him again for going through her personal entries of angst and erotica.

“You plan to walk home from this island nation?” The destruction goddess dropped down in front of him. “If you were going to give up and go home, you could have told me.”

“The whole point of avoiding you was so I didn’t have to talk to you.” Lyr said in a guilty tone, rubbing the back of his neck.

She folded her arms and looked to the side. “Am I really so bad to be around?”

“You’re kind of obnoxious and loud…” he confirmed with a nod.

“Enough to get you to give up halfway through such an important set of trials, huh?” She shook her head. “Damn. I knew I was unpopular, but… damn.”

“That one is less your fault.” The Ophidian said with his hands up, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I just don’t know how I’m supposed to keep this up. It is like the emotional beatings don’t stop with these things…”

“But you’re doing so well! And each ‘emotional beating’ just makes you stronger. Tell you what. I don’t want me being annoying to stop you from passing. At least fail at the test, don’t walk away. So I’ll stop, you know… talking so much, and will instead listen. We’ll even work it into the trial.” She lifted her hand, but instead of the trees around exploding, they were simply uprooted. Slowly, they started to shift and twist into dozens of wooden humanoid shapes. “And vent some steam at the same time.”

Lyr looked back and forth cautiously, “What the hell are you doing? I don’t want any part of this anymore! I made a mistake.”

“No, you didn’t. Now… vent some steam!” She stuck the dummies into the ground. “Stop being such a coward!”

“I’m not being a coward!” the teen said back to her, shaking his head as he backed up. “I’m not fighting. I’m going home.”

Birusu snarled, and a sword of darkness appeared in her hand. “Oh, you’re fighting alright. You’ll fight, or you’ll die!” She rushed him, sword raised.

A spear of light twirled to life in his hands, meeting her sword and batting it aside as he kicked her away. “Stop this!”

She only came right back, swinging again. “What are you really afraid of?! What is it deep down that wants to make you quit?! Is it really that bad to let your emotions out once in awhile?!”

“This just shows how little you actually know. You gods know nothing about me! You just try to manipulate me like everyone else in this damn world! You guys are no better than my own people!”

“You talk of manipulation from your people? What did they ever deserve to gain the gods favor?! They spit on our names! Many worship a false god! They do nothing to deserve our gaze!”

“They were created the same by your sister as everything else! Isn’t that enough? Maybe you guys just don’t do as much as you seem think!” He swung his spear, a massive crescent of light sending her backwards through all of her wooden dummies.

She stumbled to her feet. Whoa. That actually hurt… She cracked her neck to the left and right. “So what would you have us do, boy? You say we do nothing for the Ophidians, but that we don’t do all that much. Which is it?” She launched a sudden ball of darkness at him.

Lyr jumped into the air in a flash, forming his bow and shooting a volley of twenty light arrows down at her. “You do nothing!” he yelled spitefully as the projectiles fanned out.

Birusu dodged and weaved, but in the end several of the arrows dug into her leg, shoulder, thigh, and belly. She coughed up a mouthful of blood. “And what would you do differently? Is that why you want to stop? Afraid of accepting anything from a god? Afraid of being one of us hateful beings?”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to help those who need it!” He rolled to the ground, a sword in hand he was charging her with.

“That has nothing to do with being a god or not! You’ll have the power! Take your head outta your ass and realize how much good a person like you could do with that power! How much worse it would be in someone else’s hands. Someone lower than you like the man you called father!” She raised her sword to defend, unable to dodge at the moment.

Lyr snarled, battering her defenses with savage fury only enhanced by his light magic all across his body. He battered away her sword and tackled her to the ground, his hands wrapped around her throat.

She grit her teeth. “You… have proven you’re better then him… so many times over. Better than… most of us gods. You could do so good… more than… I ever could…”

Lyr pressed harder, then his face suddenly changed, softening as his grip loosened. He jumped back like her body was fire, looking down at his hands, “W-What the hell was I just doing!? I-I… I’m so sorry!”

Birusu gasped loudly, coughing and holding her throat. “I-It’s okay. I… wanted you to get angry. To vent all the anger you had for the gods. I deserved it.” She shook her head. “We all deserve your hate. We… much of what you say about us is true…”

“Y-You’re… you’re… bleeding I… what did I…” he looked down at his hands, wide and completely horrified.

“You lost control.” She slowly, awkwardly stood up. “It happens to some people, often without them realizing it. But now that it happens, you know it can happen again. And with increased power comes an increase danger.” She smiled weakly. “Now that you know it can happen, you can work on it. Be better for this outburst. Don’t let it happen again.”

“I-I… I’m just like him… I can’t control myself… this isn’t the first time… I’ll hurt more… I don’t deserve… please don’t… give me more power!” he cried out, covering his face with his hands.

Birusu gave him a few minutes to get it out of his system, as well as heal her wounds. She slowly approached him, never being good with talking to people. She knelt in front of him and whispered, “This… is the fear I spoke of. The fear that you can’t be trusted. The fear that you’ll become just like… him.” She shook her head. “But it doesn’t matter if we keep this power from you. It’ll continue to haunt you until you see the truth. The truth I know. That the other gods know. That Mina, and your friends, know. You are nothing like him. One outburst like this or before will not convince me otherwise.”

He nodded his head, Lyr leaning forward against her chest, putting his arms around her, “I’m sorry…”

“So am I.” She hugged him tightly. “You’re so much stronger than you think you are.” She chuckled. “And I don’t just mean your ability to kick my ass.”

Lyr nodded, staying in their position for a long while. “I won’t be controlled… I won’t let me be commanded by his nature, or my people. I’ll have to… protect my own future…”

“And you will.” Birusu gave him a squeeze before pulling back. She snapped her fingers, and four doors appeared behind her. She pointed to the one on the right end. “That one brings you home if… if you really want out. But I truly feel that would be unwise. Please continue.”

Lyr stood up slowly, walking over to the door with the picture of the Havenbrook seal. He put his hand against the door, letting it slide down. Placing his head against it, he whispered something under his breath, and moved to the door to its left: the bow and arrow.

Birusu smiled. “Good luck.” She sprouted her wings and hovered up. “Maybe we can share ramen again sometime.” She took off, leaving him to his devices.

Within the new door lay more trees, though this was a mildly warm forest as opposed to the humid jungle he had just left. In silence he stood, looking about and wondering when the next god would show up, when he heard a familiar whistling sound. He quickly turned towards an arrow flying directly at him.

Without much left to do, a small shield formed in front of him, deflecting the arrow just narrowly. “H-Hey! What’s the big idea?”

“Apologies, young man. I wished to test your reflexes. I am satisfied with them.” From ahead of him, a man in beautiful white armor, much of it having a hawk theme. His upper head was covered with a helmet, but what could be scene of his face said he was a stern, serious face. His head turned towards the white raven, and he let out a whistle that got her attention. “Nice bird.”

“Thanks. I’d let you see her but I am afraid she might be an addition to your next coat.” Lyr told him cautiously.

“Fear not,” he said, moving so Lyr could see the ‘feathers’ of his armor were made of metal. “You have done well to make it this far. But how are your skills as a hunter, Lyr?”

“They’re alright. Used to hunt baby sand dragons back in Kemar. Got attacked by some wolves not too long ago so…” he trailed off in response with a shrug.

“Yes, I remember being told about that in preparation for the trials. As I hear it, you did quite well given the odds.” The god bowed, the first one to show such a respectful nature or speak in a similar manner. “Reht'nar, God of the Hunt, protector of Nature. It is an honor to have you here. In all my years, you are one of the few Ophidians to undertake these trials. A shame, at least for me. The harsh environments they live in require them to hone their skills. They are excellent hunters.”

“Right… so what will be my trial today?” Lyr asked with his head tilted.

“A Trial of speed and swiftness. A trial of perception. This will be your Trial of the Hunt.” The god turned away. “Three deer wander the forest around us. I have used my powers to assure they will not leave the testing area. You have one hour to track them down and make the kill. Do not fear, for the bodies will be delivered to a nearby village, where every part of them will be used.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Nine

“And… the catch? I’ve hunted deer before you know.” Lyr pointed out a bit confused.

“No catch.” Reht'nar smiled. “Though you might find these deer a lot more difficult to hunt then you think. An hour might go by faster than you think.”

Lyr nodded, watching Reht’nar leave. He formed his light bow in hand, looking to Angel. “Show me what Mina praises you guys for. Find me these deer… dear.”

The bird flew up into the air, and sailed far above. For ten minutes, Lyr hunted alone. He then heard a loud cawing above the trees, directing him to the east and to the first deer. It was pure white, but there wasn’t something odd about it. About the way it looked, the way it moved, made it blend in so well with the trees around it.

Pulling back an arrow, Lyr concentrated his shot, even though it was difficult. He just used its eyes as a reference point, then fired the arrow, guiding towards that black dot. It fell, the arrow striking home. As it laid there, a ball of light came off of it, splitting in two and flying off. The dear itself turned brown once more, looking like any other deer.

“I see now…” Lyr mumbled, “Angel, follow the light that went left. I’ll take the right one!” he called out to his bird before running off.

After a few minutes, he lost sight of the light, but knew the general direction it had gone. It took another twenty minutes to find the deer, and several times, he thought he saw it but lost it. He knelt down with a bush, remaining motionless, when he heard the crunch of a brunch to the left. Letting his eyes adjust to the area over there, he finally found it. It was even harder to see, actually easier to see in his peripheral vision then looking directly at it. It seemed some of what powered the other deer had moved to this one, increasing the magic around it.

With a shake of his head, Lyr closed his eyes and listened, dismissing the bow and forming a throwing knife. He listened very closely and when he heard the deer make a sound again, the knife left his hand blindly, going only by approximation. A brief cry of pain told him he hit home. The creature fell to its side, but it didn’t look like it was dead.

Walking out of the bushed, Lyr gave the creature a somewhat sad look, but knew that this was nature, whether he did it or another animal, there was always prey. So he dropped down, his knee holding down the animal’s neck as his light knife was stabbed under its neck, killing it instantly. “Hope Angel kept a sharp eye out.” he said, watching the orb of light lift up from the deer and he followed.

For another twenty minutes, he searched. With time ticking away, he heard the saving grace of a caw ahead. He ran and her ran, until he came across something unexpected. Standing in the middle of the woods were two humans. They were large men, drunk and unkempt. The area around them was surrounded by filth, garbage and bottles all about, with a campfire that was unsupervised. They were laughing over a small change, something with insect wings within it.

Lyr stayed where he was to listen in more closely. “Let me go!” a high pitched voice cried out. “Stupid humans! Ugly humans! Let me go, or you’ll pay!”

The pair laughed even louder. “How much you think we can get for it?” the tall, muscular one asked.

“Probably, like… a hundred gold? A thousand maybe!” The shorter, fatter one rubbed his hands together. “How come no one ever thought of this? They not everywhere. We can corner the Fearie slave market!”

They laughed louder still. As Lyr listen to him, a voice in the back of his mind reminded him he was on a strict time limit, one that was nearly up. Lyr shrugged, knowing that the chances of this being a trick were high. And if it wasn’t apart of the trial, there were worst ways to fail. He drew his bow and shot an arrow into the large, muscular man’s calf, running out of the bushes with lightning speed, sending his foot into the fat man’s face, likely knocking out several teeth from the impact.

The large man held his face, blood pouring from his nose. “Who the hell are you?!”

His friend, brother, and/or father held his leg in pain. “I-It’s one of them lizard people. Go away, lizard man! Get your own bug!”

“You slaver wannabes got three seconds to drop the jar and run before I start shooting more arrows and aim for more squishy, important bits. One.” He drew an arrow. “Two.”

The fat one was one his feet and running at surprising speed for someone so large. His business partner stepped back, holding his hand. “Come on, man, you shot me! I can’t run! Why… why can’t you get your own? There are, like, a hundred of them out there!”

“Three.” He shot another arrow, this time into his shoulder, “Hundreds of them that aren’t yours to touch! And you tell everyone you know the same thing!”

“Alright!” The man started blubbering. “Please don’t kill me! I’ll leave them alone, I swear.”

“Don’t you worry none about this guy.” His nose still bleeding, the other man walked out of the tree line, aiming a rifle at Lyr. “He ain’t gonna be a problem with a bullet in his head.”

Lyr drew his bow much quicker than the man blabbered on about his plans. An arrow flew through the air and into the man’s arm. He really wanted to be on the moral side of things and spare them, but he knew the rep many slavers got, and nothing about the halfwits seemed to indicate they were decent. So he fired again, this time into the man’s fat throat.

For the other he sent three into the tall man’s heart. When they both fell to the ground, Lyr felt sick to his stomach, but otherwise fine. It was for the best.

“Great,” the Faerie said, a boy in his late teens despite his voice, by human terms, sounding like that of a preteen girl. “I get to trade the idiot slavers for a violent one. At least with them, I could have probably tricked them into letting me go. Humans are so stupid like that…”

“If you want to be bitter, I can keep you in the jar and return you to the others looking like a dope.” Lyr said aloud, dismissing his bow as he felt the time reach zero, feeling his connection with Alice at least a mile off.

The Faerie thought on his words for a moment. “Y-you’re a rescuer, right? Then you can’t keep me in here! Let me out! It is stuffy in here because one of them trapped his stinky breath in here.”

“Nah, I think I like the idea of your entire village laughing at the boy in the jar. I am sure the girls will find it hysterical.” The Ophidian said as he picked up the jar. He failed his trial for this nuisance, the least he would get for it was a thank you.

“No! I… you can’t! If they found out I needed a Thrope to save me, I’ll never hear the end of it!” The Faerie banged on the side of the jar. “What do you want? Tell me what you want to get me out of this jar now!”

“First of all, I am not a Thrope, twerp.” Lyr said, bringing the jar close to his face.

“It’s Sig, thank you very much,” the little man corrected. “And of course you’re a Thrope. I see the reptile parts. You’re either a Thrope, or a human playing dress up… or with a weird skin condition.”

“I’m an Ophidian. Completely different from a Thrope.” he corrected this time. When his raven returned, he told her to find the fairie village.

“What’s an Ophilian?” The Faerie asked seriously. “Is that… like a Thrope but… more… snake?”

“No, because Thropes have the ability to be different animals. Ophidians are totally different from Thropes. Anyways, all I want is a simple thank you for saving your life from this jar forever.”

“A thank you? Why?” They Faerie placed his hands behind his heads. “You’re, like… a savior guy. I read about it. I know what Ophidians are. You just said it a weird way so I was confused. Anyway, it said Ophidians love to go around saving people, and justice is its own reward. Thanking you would be redundant. Besides, like I said… I would have escaped eventually.”

Lyr shook his head, “If only you knew how wrong you were boy…” Lyr stood around, waiting for Angel’s return, and then followed her until Sig began to notice familiar woods. And he was still in the jar.

“No, no, no!” He ran to the side of the jar. “Thank you, Mr. Ophidian. Thank you so much for saving me. Now let me out of the jar! Quick!”

He smirked, “I am almost curious how long it’ll take you to find a wife after this. Maybe decades.”

“Maybe never!” Sig folded his hands together. “I thanked you! Come on, man, you don’t know what it’s like for me! Magic attunement is really high for Faeries, with about half getting magic, so naturally people like me who have none are ridiculed and mocked! If you add this to it, I’m finished! Please... have a heart.”

Before he could respond, they already arrived. It was a delightful sight, especially considering it was not something often seen by non-Faeries. Lyr didn’t realize it, but it had a magical shield that made it difficult for people to find it without knowing where it was, and he might have walked right past it without his eyes in the sky.

Naturally, most of the buildings were quite small, built of wood or directly in the sides of old trees. Despite the need for the sixth of the space of humans, the Faeries did not cram as much into the free space as they could, needing room to fly about. Still, with Lyr mentally scaling it down, it was a sizeable village with at least a thousand to fifteen hundred residents, and had recognizable structures, from statues to hospitals to a royal building, though there was very little built below his waist. There were four Faeries in what Lyr assumed were guard uniforms, eyeing him suspiciously to see if he tried to enter or walked by.

He looked around, clearing his throat. “Can I speak to the leader here. I got one of your own here. He told me his name was Sig.”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Ten

They all held up their spears, not very intimidating by their size though the glow of magic from the tips was something to worry about. “Have you capture one of our people and wish to receive a ransom?” one asked. “We do not negotiate with dirty, kidnapping Thropes!”

“Not a Thrope…” he growled, “No, I didn’t capture him. I was put to a task by Reht’nar to hunt some white deer, and this little guy expertly helped me fell them.” He announced to everyone, much to Sig’s surprise. “It was quite a tiring hunt and I wasn’t going to shove him in my pocket, so I let him rest in the only spot I had left.”

“You… assisted this… non-Thrope in a task from the gods?” The guard asked.

“I, um… I…” Sig cleared his throat and leaned against the glass. “Yeah, I did. He was running around, not sure where to find them. You know how our patron can be. I felt sorry for him, and offered help. Normally, I would bother, but… come on, it is a godly task. Gotta make us look good.”

“Then… why is the jar sealed by this… whatever he is.”

“In case he trips on a loose branch! Duh!” Sig pointed at Lyr. “And he is an Ophidian, alright? He received a task from Reht’nar himself. The least you can do is address him by his proper race.”

The guard slowly nodded. “Very well. We will escort Sig to see the Faerie Prince, Sir… Ophidian?”

The teen let out a deep sigh, “Just call me Lyr…” he groaned, opening the jar to release Sig, following the guards while privately scolding the faerie with how much he up-played himself.

Sig shrugged. “I-I had to, man, or else they wouldn’t have believed me. Why’d you say all that anyway? Got the impression you were getting off on the idea of throwing me to the wolves.”

“Watching you run from the hordes of girls will be more amusing than seeing you bullied into submission. Besides… I can’t stand seeing people belittled for their race. I can make fun of how people live, but not from what they are born as.”

“Well, geez. Thanks, man,” Sig said, this time sincerely.

Given the size of the capitol building, the Prince was forced to come out to Lyr, something that seemed to annoy the posh, blonde, over dressed little man with an obvious chip on his shoulder. “So, you are the ‘Ophidian’ who claims to have been tasked by our god, yes?”

“You see any other tall, snake men around here?” Sig muttered under his breath.

“Claim? No. Was, yes.” Lyr confirmed, putting a hand on his hip.

“Uh huh. And…?” The prince flew up to a few feet in front of his face. “What do you want? Think we owe you something because our god favored you for some reason?”

“Not like I asked for an audience. Your guards brought me here. Not the other way around.” Lyr sassed back. “I think you owe Sig some praise though.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” The Prince rolled his eyes. “Sig, while I do not appreciate you assisting this non-Faerie, helping with a task from the gods is important so… good job. You shall be rewarded… with something. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am a very busy man. I am a Prince, after all.”

“Yeah, yeah… I hear dress up is all the rage now…” Lyr mocked under his breath.

He gave Lyr a raised eyebrow, but decided he didn’t care what he said and flew back into the building. Sig was all smiles despite the rude nature of the Prince’s ‘praise’. “Geez, Lyr. I never thought I’d be so grateful to someone like I am now, but… thank you.”

“Eh, don’t mention it. If I was going to fail at the trial, might as well see something else through to the end.” the young man told the equally young fairie, holding out his fist to him.

Sig held out his own tiny fist and bumped it against Lyr’s. “I’m going to go brag to the ladies if you don’t mind.” He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a good word too.”

The guards quickly escorted Lyr out, and weren’t very subtle when expressing their desire for him to be gone. He was a little distance away when he spotted Reht’nar. He had Angel perched on his finger and was slowly stroking her back. “You did well, Lyr. Very well. Better than I had expected.”

“I guess this is the part where you explain your vague plans about how you are covering for me because in reality I failed the task?” Lyr guessed, putting his hands behind his head.

“Not at all.” The god held out his hand, and Angel returned to Lyr’s shoulder. “The real trial was to see if you had a true appreciation for the sanctity of life and nature. Those two men were a poison to this forest. Littering. Poaching. And now kidnapping and slavery. Not only did you give up the trial to deal with them and save that Faerie, but you even escorted him home. I’d say you passed with flying colors.”

“Met the Prince too. Are all of his people like that? I wanted to flick the pomp out of him.” Lyr grumbled, putting his hands in his pockets.

“They do tend to be pompous, though the prince is a bit more so than others.” Reht’nar walked over and offered his hand. “Congratulations, young man. You are two trials away from completion.”

“Thanks…” Lyr took the god’s hand, squeezing it. “I think Sig will be quite busy the next time I see him.”

“I would imagine so,” Reht’nar agreed with a laugh. He held out his hand to summon the two remaining doors. “Go forth and complete your tasks. With how well you have done so far, I have no doubt you will succeed.”

Lyr thanked the God of the Hunt, walking towards the door with the waves, entering inside with a brave face. As soon as the door vanished behind him, he felt that something was incredible off. For one, he was surrounded by water, the surface far, far above him, almost too far to see. And yet, despite this, he could easily breath and felt none of the water pressure. Looking about himself, he had several fins on his arms and legs, making movement in three dimensions easier. Over his shoulder was a white fish with a bird-like look to it, Angel having been transformed as well.

“Welcome to the domain of Uladan, God of the Sea.” The god floated down from above him, trident in had. “How do you like your cosmetic changes?”

“Um… this is… really weird.” Lyr said in total surprise, chuckling, “Snakes are not water creatures…”

“It is temporary, but you might find you like it. Come, swim with me. Try to adjust to swimming with fins while we go to the place of your trial.”

It took around five minutes to finally get some semblance of stability with his swimming abilities, and followed Uladan slowly.

“Tell me, my boy… do you know someone named Drayce?” Uladan suddenly asked.

“Hm? We aren’t friends, but I know of him. I haven’t made a lot of friends, not of a fault of his, more mine.”

“Yes, well, he has not made many either, especially not male friends.” The god glanced back at Lyr. “Perhaps you two would make good friends. You won’t know if you don’t try, right?”

“I suppose…” Lyr shrugged, “Are you trying to say that little dragon is a lady’s… boy?” he asked with a vague questioning tone.

Uladan chuckled. “None were so surprised as I, but he seems to have a kind of childish charm and… animal magnetism to him. It is a good thing he does not know he has such a power, less he use it for wicked means.”

“He’s still got a lot of life left.” Lyr pointed out, sighing, “So what’s this trial?”

Uladan stopped and pointed ahead. “A short distance from here, my merfolk fight a group of beings most foul, known as the Cthulhi. You trial is simple but dangerous.” He swirled his hand around, and a portal of water appeared. “This is a trial of strength. Simply fight to your heart's content alongside the merfolk. They will not question you as long as you fight their enemy. When I am satisfied that you have proven your strength, I will make another portal for you to escape the battle. Understand?”

“That simple? No merladies to offer me a drink or little merbabies to help wake from a coma?” Lyr questioned skeptically.

Uladan raised an eyebrow. “Your other trials were odd ones, weren’t they?”

“You can’t even begin to imagine the day I’ve had.” Lyr grumbled, the Ophidian swimming forward through the portal to start his trial.

It was chaos from the moment he arrived. At least a dozen, combined from both sides, floated dead around him. Merfolk of all shapes and sizes, large to small, humanoid to mostly fish, battled their hated enemies. Most of the Cthulhi appeared as grotesque humanoids with squid-like faces, but they had shapeshifting powers on their side. Thus did many of them take the forms of other terrifying undersea creatures, from the giant pink-tipped giant squid with ten powerful tentacles to the horrifying razor shark with row after row of teeth. By sheer numbers, it looked as though the merfolk were losing.

Lyr took a moment to look and survey the battlefield, forming a bow in hand and began firing on the Cthulhi, not having to aim too hard with such easy targets. “Who the hell is that?!” One of the merfolk yelled.

“Who cares!” Another yelled back. “As long as he is fighting on our side, forget about him and focus on the enemy!”

Several of the slimy green squid-faces turned to face the new threat, including several that were hit but somehow still alive. It appeared they were tougher than they appeared. When in the shape of a massive sea turtle went into its shell and started rapidly spinning right towards Lyr.

With a small smile, Lyr got low, forming a sloping ramp made out of light to send the spinning turning flying into the air. When the ramp disappeared he held his glaive, spinning it and sending three razor sharp light crescents flying towards the creatures. One of them hit between the shell, and it slowly dissolved into its original shape, indicating its death.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Eleven

The Cthulhi cried out in an unintelligible language. Three of the charged him from the front with one as a shark came in from the side. The blade of the glaive shifted to that of his spear, throwing it towards the shark with the enhanced strength of his magic behind it. Still, the shark was able to shift to a side, likely a result of it being a shapeshifter as the motion seemed unnatural. Still, it slowed it down enough so it wasn’t there when the other three arrived, all jabbing their spears at once.

Jumping back, Lyr stayed on the move, sending Angel to keep the shark at bay as he fired several small missiles of light to flank the three attackers. One was injured, another’s head simply popped, but the third got an attack through, some red leaking from a medium wound on Lyr’s side.

The Ophidian grit his teeth, moving away towards the merfolk. “I don’t suppose any of you know how to heal wounds?” he asked curiously.

The two Cthulhi chased after him, but the healthier one died to a harpoon through the eye, prompting the other to retreat to regroup. A female merfolk with a look of fright denoting this was one of her first fights, if not the first one, swam over and held her hands to his side, healing him with her magic. “W-who are you, s-stranger?”

“A helper sent by a benefactor of yours.” Lyr said, grimacing as his wound closed, “Thanks.”

She nodded. “Of course. It is all I can do. Please, be careful.” She suddenly shoved him, the shark from before plowing into her instead of him and sending her spinning.

He knew his bow wouldn’t be enough at this moment, so he formed two flintlock guns in either hand, firing two powerful light bolts into the shark Cthulhi’s back. It let out a cry a creature like it shouldn’t have been able to, blood staining the water around it. It quickly turned and tried for one last desperate charge, its terrifying mouth opening wider and wider.

This only left him an even wider target, throwing away the weapons and forming a big rifle, firing a massive bolt and firing it into the gaping maw. The bolt went clear through the creature, and by luck its dead body veered to the side, missing Lyr.

A portal of water appeared a short distance away, indicating that the god of the sea was satisfied. In the other direction, however, the mermaid from before let out a frightened scream. She held her broken and bleeding arm as five Cthulhi descended on her.

Lyr narrowed his eyes, his rifle shortening and gaining a lever action. He was tired, but he would not abandon someone who had helped him to an unknown fate. He fired shot after shot as he swam towards her, the light made bullets having long trails behind them, zipping through the water as if they were guided to them so the shots wouldn’t miss. “Run! Go to that whirlpool over there!”

“O-okay!” She swam as fast as she could, quickly reaching it and swimming through. There were cried of anguish all around Lyr. This battle was lost, though few of the Cthulhi had made it themselves. What few weren’t mopping up the survivors swam towards Lyr, eight in total gunning for his head.

Lyr found himself surrounded, but that didn’t stop him from standing his ground. Two elongated blades formed in either hand, Lyr turning one over as a staff connected the two. His entire body became engulfed in light as his whole body was being enhanced with runes. He zipped head on to meet the enemy, his blade rotating in a deadly blade dance that saw him slipping in and out of the attackers defenses, withering them away with a thousand cuts.

The other creatures, what few there were, looked over at the terrifying display. As the last of his attackers crumpled before him, Lyr saw the others retreating. They might have been able to take him all together, but it seemed they weren’t willing to try.

“Well done,” Uladan said behind him.

Lyr breathing was ragged, everything dissolving away as he let out a breath, “That was… something…”

“It was.” Uladan swam next to him. “That was quite the brave move, Lyr. Your exit was right there. You were facing overwhelming odds, even with your abilities. And yet you stayed behind to save one person who you don’t even know. That kind of selflessness is rare, no matter what stories of brave, noble knights might have you believe.”

“She helped me, it just felt like the right thing to help her back.” Lyr admitted, shrugging like it was no big deal.

“Well, she’ll live because of you… for now.” Uladan sighed deeply. “But these attacks keep escalating.” He slowly shook his head. “I am just glad you could kill so many of them for me.”

“Yeah, no problem.” The Ophidian said with a proud smile, “This mean I pass?”

“Naturally.” The god held out his hand. The final door appeared, the hourglass shining in the center of it. “Be wary… this might be your hardest task of them all. Go with caution.”

“I am looking forward to sticking it to Destani’s father.” Lyr noted with a final goodbye, going into the last door.

Within finally lied a familiar place. It was a city in the Duchy of Kemar. Whatsmore, it seemed to be the capital of the country, where both the official Virando representative leader and the unofficial, but much more powerful and influential, Ophidian leader resided. It took him a few minutes to realize it was the capital, however, and he wasn’t sure why. It just seemed… different somehow.

Looking around, Lyr felt a bit of nostalgia to be home. He hadn’t been back nor planned to be back for some time, but having been gone from it for the first time in his life reminded him how much he had missed, the hot sun feeling good on his skin.

“Welcome, young one.” A clock face, set at noon, appeared before him. The hand moved down to six thirty, forming a portal as they went, and from it stepped out the God of Time. There was no mistaking him. Besides his resemblance to Destani, he had the look of pride and wisdom, something only one who has observed as much as he must have could have. “I am Tempora. It is unsurprising you chose my trial last, something I say even without having to look into the future to know.”

“Best for last, am I right?” Lyr asked, rolling his tired shoulder from his last fight, “Your son hasn’t spoken much about you.”

“Of course not. I am his father. And despite his great age, he is still a teenager in terms of maturity. Even the gods are not immune to teenage angst and rebellion to their parents. At least he gets along with his mother, even if the usually only see each other when he slumbers.” Tempora looked Lyr up and down. “To think he would want to trust time to one who has spent so little of it in this world.”

“Funny to think they would trust someone so detached to reality control of time. This is a two way street Tempora.” Lyr told the god, crossing his arms. “I trust your son, especially since I have gotten this far, even with difficulty.”

“Yes. As I hoped you would.” Tempora slowly approached Lyr. “You have me to thank for much of this. Did you not think it an odd coincidence that all of the events that made your trials possible were happening at the same time? A festival in one country. A battle under the sea. Poachers in the woods. I used my abilities to plan this out and make sure everything would be available for you.” He smiled as he stood before Lyr. “Our King postulates, but it was very unlikely he would have refused your right to take the trials after all the hard work we put into them.”

“Hmph… but you don’t sound like you want me to pass.” The Ophidian noted with some arrogance, “You knew I would get here, but I suppose you know some mystic way to fail me right? But wait… wouldn’t you already know if I fail or not? This confuses me…”

Tempora folded his arms. “I could make you fail if I wanted, yes. And I am unsure if you deserve this responsibility. But I owe to my son to give you a fair chance. As for your other question, well… just because I can look into the future doesn’t mean I did up to this point. I do not know if you will pass. I want to find out at the same time you do. Though my trial will not be easy to pass, simple as it is.”

“Others have said the same and it really hasn’t been too hard looking back. Just a bit… tolling.” He admitted freely, “So… I am back home. What is my final trial?”

“You’re not back home, actually. Not exactly.” The god waved his hand about. “This is the capital of the Duchy, over fifteen years ago. Do not worry about the timeline, I have altered your bodies temporal wavelength. You can not interact with anyone or alter anything. You trial is simple.” He pointed to the royal Ophidian palace in the distance. “Go there. Find the queen. Observe the past. To pass the trial, you need but to witness the truth and be able to cope with it. In the end, I will ask you if you have the will to go on with my son’s plans for you. Your simple yes or no will determine if you pass.”

“This seems… like a trap almost.” Lyr said skeptically, looking to the palace, “What am I going to find in there that would be so trialing?”

“As I said, the truth. The truth you might not be willing to accept.” When Lyr looked back, the god was gone.

Lyr let out a sigh, beginning the trudge to the palace. He was cautious until he realized no one could see him, then simply strolled through the ornate palace listening into conversations to try and see where the matriarch was located. He eventually followed a secretive servant into a backroom study, where he finally saw the woman up close. She was a very beautiful woman to be sure, especially being more than a decade and a half since he saw her at a public forum.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Twelve

There was a man in the barely lit room, one who resonated in the back of Lyr’s mind. Not only was the face somewhat familiar, but he bore a striking resemblance to Lyr himself, though with semi-short hair that looked frazzled and a blonde beard around his stone set jaw. The servant set down a tray of snacks and drinks before bowing and exiting.

“You know we cannot keep him. Hiding the pregnancy was hard enough having your body double trying to cover, but now the child is born… he is a danger. To the both of us.” The man said gravely, glancing over to a simply decorated crib in the corner.

“I… I know. But it still hurts. He is our precious baby boy. He has your face… but he has my eyes. Oh, how I love looking into those eyes. So curious about the world and not even three weeks old.”

“I know. But this is for the best. I have family I can send him to who will be more than willing to keep silent about our secret. Bragging is all he likes to do, so saying he got his girlfriend to have a baby will not be a hard story to set. Those who know have already been sworn to secrecy. Today will have to be the last day with the child. Ever. We must never acknowledge him else all our legitimacy goes out the window.”

“I know…” the woman repeated, going over to the crib. Lyr followed her slowly, watching as she reached down, picking up a small baby with golden hair who was sleeping peacefully. She smiled warmly, leaning forward and kissing her forehead. “I’m going to miss you my baby boy. But we all must make sacrifices. This is for the good of Kemar. I hope you understand… my Lyr…”

The teen’s eyes widened, stepping back from the ghost as she turned, facing him directly for a moment before walking over to the man, who ran a hand over the baby’s head. Lyr stepped back, his mouth open wide. “Wh… What the hell is this… what is going on here?” he whispered disbelievingly.

“The truth. Simple as that.” Tempora stepped next to him, watching the family. “You will be responsible for time, and travel through it. There was a very good chance you would find this out eventually. So best you learn it now. The man you called father was actually your uncle. These… are your parents.”

“No… no, no, no…” Lyr groaned, holding a hand to his head, “Shana is my mother… my father took her as a slave and had to leave me in the capital so I didn’t grow up with so much violence… she found me again. She’s my real mother! This is a lie! This is… this is all an illusion, isn’t it? You created this!”

Tempora stared forward, a stern, serious expression on his face. “I wish it were so, Lyr. But I swear on my honor, this is the truth. You were born as the illegitimate son of the Ophidian queen… and sent away to save her image.”

“You… you shut up you liar!” Lyr formed his light spear, lashing out at Tempora.

Tempora shifted left and right, as though phasing in and out of time to avoid the hits. “I know it is painful. This is why I made it your trial. But it is something you must face. Must accept. You must accept that this is where you came from. Does it change who you truly are, though?”

“This changes everything! I praised my mother! I despised my father, and now everything I knew about them is fake! I hated myself for so long, knowing that his blood was in my veins, and now he isn’t even the cause of my violence!” Lyr yelled loudly, unleashing power beyond the levels he used for the trial to try and hurt the God of Time, and with how fast he was moving, it was like he was fighting two people at once.

“Damn you boy, stop this! You will destabilize everything!” Tempora held his chest, the strain of fight Lyr while maintaining their anonymity getting to him. “Yes, you can not blame someone else for you anger, but that only means you need to learn to control it! Stop before I am forced to do something drastic!”

“I don’t care! Everything I have fought for was to make my mother proud! And now… now what!? What has it all been for?” Lyr cried out, pressing even harder to try and harm the god.

“I said STOP!” From other portals stepped two more Temporas, the god have to call on temporal clones in order to control the boy. They fired off beams of pure arcane energy, trying to stop Lyr at any cost, even if it meant his demise. The power grew and grew as it clashed with Lyr’s own magic until there was an explosion of light, and everything went dark.

Lyr was unsure of how long he was out. When he came to, he was somewhere completely different. Somewhere dark. Somewhere humid. There was a long hallway before him, the walls and ceiling filled with statues and murals of various snakes, some frightening beyond reasoning. There was the thick smell of incense coming from the room at the end of the hall.

Lyr held his head, slowly getting up and following the smell, not seemingly left with many other options. “Who are you?” a voice asked up ahead. Female, deep without losing femininity, with a mix of irritation and curiosity. “How did you get into my brother’s realm?”

“What are you talking about?” Lyr asked in response, continuing forward with some irritation himself at being in an unknown place when the person he wanted to take his aggression out on was far away.

“I am asking the question, and you will answer them or be destroyed. Or before being destroyed, depending on the answer. Now, I ask again, how did you get here? Did one of those foolish Terrain Gods send you to attack my brother? Too cowardly to come themself and face the wrath of the other Old Ones?”

“Look, I don’t care what title you use lady. How do I get out of here?” Lyr asked, finally entering the woman’s chamber.

Before him was a beautiful woman sitting on a simple throne. Her dark skin and pointed ears made him think or an Elf at first, but there were some subtle reptilian features here and there. She had large, expressive ears that glowed red. She wore a turquoise dress that was obviously meant more for comfort then formality, and reminded Lyr of a belly dancer’s costume, with her exposed stomach and frills. On her head was something resembling a crown, but of no design he was familiar with. Her throne was surrounded by various snakes, a rather large python around her shoulders. “Oh my… you’re a mortal, aren’t you? Not even a demi-god. How curious. Tell me, stranger. How does a mortal like you end up in the great serpent god Yig’s domain.”

“I don’t know who that is supposed to be…” Lyr shrugged helplessly. “Must not be that important if he is some ‘great serpent god’. Who are you supposed to be, his wife?”

“Were you not listening, mortal?! I am his sister! How dare you come into our domain and speak of Yig in such a disrespectful…” She flicked her tongue out. “You… you have the same scent as her. Who are you, mortal?”

“My name is Lyr Havenbrook.” he answered proudly, the surname being the only real thing he knew anymore. “And who is her? You must be a god if you make no sense like them…”

She stood up from her throne and approached Lyr. Despite have two legs, her movements seemed somewhat serpentine. “You smell of the current Ophidian queen. We like her. She supports those of your race who wish to pay tribute to Yig. How can you be related to her and not know who Yig is?”

Lyr stepped back in a readied stance, a knife of light flicking into his hand and being pressed against her throat. “I’m… not… related to her, lady. And whoever this Yig is, he is no god I ever want to give any praise to if my people think he is a role model. People think we’re savages!”

“And you have a problem with that?” She smiled, showing no fear. “He teaches them to live freely. To forget the morals of the other mortals. They are better then them. Stronger. They should rule this world. Well… my brother should, but with them as his loyal knights.”

“No!” he yelled in her face. “Our people are different than that. I’m proof enough of that. Ophidians are no different than any other race, and thinking we are will only turn the entire world against us. Your brother doesn’t even walk among us. What does he know?” A look of acknowledgement crossed his face, “Yig is the false god Birusu mentioned…”

“No. The gods the rest of the world worships? They are the false ones.” The odd woman leaned her face forward. “But you are different. You scent. The way you hold yourself up. The way you think. The power I sense deep within you. It’s all… intoxicating.”

His knife was pulled away as he shoved the goddess back. “Get away from me. Who are you to pass judgement? At least they are keeping order while your brother sows chaos in my people’s country!” Lyr yelled at her.

She chuckled, and gave him a seductive look. “Such anger. Such determination. I think I want to keep you around.”

“Don’t you come any closer or you’ll regret it.” Lyr told the woman seriously.

“What?” She ran her hands down her sides and across her rear. “You would reject a beautiful woman that desires you. Come to me. We will make such sweet music together.”

Lyr smirked, “Lady, you must really think highly of yourself, because you don’t look any more special than any other broad I’ve come across day. And one of them was half a deer.”

Her brow furrowed, going from seductive to enraged in a flash. “I am the most beautiful thing you have ever seen and you will not forget that! I get what I want, and what I want is you! Take the offer to be at my side before I simply make you a pet! Or perhaps a toy!”

Lyr laughed in her face, shaking his head. “No.” he threw his knife, the point sinking into the head of her python before he turned and ran.

“Insolent bastard! I will kill you! You will suffer!”

“Guess you didn’t want me that badly lady! Maybe if you ask nicely, I’ll take you as a pet!” He called out to taunt her, even if he didn’t mean it.

As Lyr made his way back into the hallway, a temporal portal appeared before him. Destani stuck halfway out and held out his hand. “This way! Hurry!”

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Trials of an Ophidian Teen
Part Fourteen

Lyr reached out, grabbing Destani’s hand, tackling him through the portal as the two fumbled out of Yig’s dimension.

They were in one of Destani’s neutral dimensions, surrounded by white. The god of Fate let out a long sigh. “That was close. Sorry it took so long. I had to find your spacial coordinates. Then your temporal ones. Then your dimensional ones. Then actually find a way to tear a portal open to Yig’s realm without leaving a trace. Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m fine. Thanks for coming to get me.” Lyr said with a relieved sigh.

“Good to see you’re fine physically, but…” Destani slowly picked himself up off the ground. “What about inside?”

Lyr rubbed his eyes, letting out another sigh, this one heavier, “Did you know? Did they all know?”

“N… not all of them. A few of them, though. Kingy and Queeny, obviously. And, of course… me.” Destani shook his head. “I told him not to tell you. I said it was too cruel. But he insisted that you had to face it. I’m… so sorry, Lyr. I understand if you’re royally pissed off at me.”

“That supposed to be a pun joke to make me smile?” Lyr asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No… to worried you’ll punch me if I make a joke about it.” Destani gave him a sad smile. “But… I mean… you’re still you, right? Just because where you came from is different doesn’t mean it affects where you’ll go.”

“I don’t know.” the other teen dropped to the ground, running a hand through his hair. “And now I learn that my true mother is promoting some… some Elder God to my people that is making them the way they are. No wonder all our traditions are being thrown out.”

“When the gods look the other way with the Ophidians, and a different kind of god, a snake god no less, comes promising to rise her people to new heights, it is hard to blame her.” Destani sat next to Lyr. “So… where does that leave you with Mina? She wasn’t the wife of your father, but your uncle.”

“I don’t know what to think of anyone anymore. But she’s the only anchor I have left besides Kara. She… Mina will be my true mother till the day I die. She’s the one who accepted me. She didn’t throw me away at birth to a rapist and a murderer.”

Destani nodded. “And if it is any consolation, you don’t have to worry about being like him anymore. Not that I was ever worried about that.”

“Suppose that is one thing. Now I’m just the son of a snake cultist.” he laughed bitterly. “So… guess your dad failed me, huh?”

Destani laughed. “You kidding me? After he screwed up and sent you to Yig’s dimension? He is probably still being chewed out for it. Even if he doesn’t think you should pass, he’ll say you did to save face. And personally, I think your reaction was justified by how he just… dumped that on you and expected you to simply accept it.”

“So… what does this mean now?” Lyr asked with a neutral expression.

“Come on.” Destani jumped up and opened a portal. “Let’s go finish this. You didn’t go through all this trouble for nothing, right?”

“Yeah…” he said to his friend, following Destani through.

The gods and goddess stood on either side of the thrown room. They walked in right in the middle of a lecture, but Tempora quickly moved to take his place. Jerin'dek cleared his throat. “Lyr Havenbrook. Come, stand before us.” Destani gave him an encouraging smile.

With a nod to his friend, the Ophidian stepped forward, his hands in his pockets as he approached the god. With a smile, Xia'tar held out her hand. “Our fellow gods! What say you on the trials of Lyr?”

“Lyr showed a mature sense of right and young, and an advanced understanding of true justice,” answered Nemesis.

“He resisted the pull of debauchery and general sin and showed compassion to one down and out,” said Rume'lurm.

“He exhibited a powerful will and devotion, facing down his own fears to help another,” stated Methos.

“Lyr shows a good heart, a resistance to the bitterness one would expect given his life, and a true wish for peace and stability,” declared Ledono.

“Lyr understands his own weaknesses and the pains deep within himself, and can be trusted to resist them and better himself,” Birusu announced, giving Lyr a quick wink.

“Lyr is a respectful man, who knows of the importance of nature,” proclaimed Reht'nar. “He is willing to risk and face failure to help another in need.”

“He is also willing to face danger to do the same,” add Uladan. “Lyr is brave and shows selflessness rare for one his age.

Tempora took a deep breath. “Lyr has a troubled past, one he now understands clearer than ever, and I… am confident that he has a respect for the sanctity of time… and can be trust to defend it.”

Jerin'dek nodded. “Very well. Lyr, kneel before me.”

“It is part of the process,” the queen of the goddesses quickly said with a smile. “He isn’t forcing you to prostrate before him or something, dear.”

He flashed her a brief smile, going to the King of the Gods and knelt for the first time. Jerin’dek wagged his finger, and Destani walked over, kneeling next to Lyr. Jerin held out his hands, and both of them started to glow. A warmth built up from deep within Lyr. “With this, I transfer part of Destani’s power to you. You are now a demigod, and like one born as such gains their power from their parents, so to do you gain power from Destani. As such, you gain power over time itself.” He closed his hands, and Lyr felt a surge of energy rush through him. It was overwhelming at first, and felt like he might pop, but his body quickly adjusted to it.

“Congratulations, Lyr,” Xia'tar stated, clapping her hands lightly. “Just remember that, unlike a demigod, your powers were given to you, and can thus be taken away. So don’t do anything that would make us want to. Shouldn’t be hard. Don’t use your powers against a god unless provoked, don’t try to establish your rule over mortals using them. Stuff like that. So… how do you feel?”

Lyr looked down at his hands, squeezing them into fists then opening them. “To be honest… not that much different than five minutes ago.” The Ophidian got up, looking over at the queen. “I guess that ain’t a bad thing… but you guys do realize now that an Elder Goddess wants my head? I’m hardly strong enough to beat her if she comes after me or the guild.”

Jerin'dek shook his head. “You may only be a demigod, but you are one of us. If she targets you…”

“One your friends and family,” his wife added.

“...we will be there to assist you.”

“Hopefully won’t come to that.” Destani slowly rose to his feet, looking a bit on the sleepy side. “After all, you weren’t just there. You were there in the same time you were before going there, fifteen years ago. She probably forgot all about you.” He chuckled nervously and scratched his chin. “I mean… hopefully.”

“Yeah… hopefully.” Lyr said, patting his friend on the back.