ButterflyBabyBlue

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Posts posted by ButterflyBabyBlue


  1. We make our way to the communal tent and I listen to Link, Zelda and Leoni chatting about their days in Skyloft. Sault hasn't said much at all, and I find myself wondering what it is that has him so troubled.

    For now, though, I leave him alone and step into the communal tent with everyone else. Sheik is inside, turning from a conversation with a tribe elder to address us.

    "You're back," he acknowledges. "What news do you bring? And where is Fintan?"

    "We have some more allies at our sides," Link says. "Fintan has something he needs to take care of briefly."

    "The knights of Skyloft have agreed to fight, and Zurin and Batreaux are willing to offer their help," Leoni says happily.

    "What remains is finding allies on the surface," I conclude. "And we still need to do a count of all of the surface inhabitants; we don't know when Skyloft will fall."

    "I'd almost overlooked that," Sheik says. "They'll have to be-"

    Suddenly, Sheik is cut off by a scream of pain, piercing and enough to make me jump.

    "What was that?!" Sault demands.

    "Melaina," Sheik answers. "Come on!"


  2. "What happened?" Link asks.

    "I was... it's strange to say it aloud but..." Fintan appears to falter for a second before coming out with it. "During that battle, I actually got inside Avani's head, just like she got into our heads. I was able to look through her memories, like I was walking around by each one, almost. I saw... I saw some things I didn't particularly want to, but... There may be a weakness there that we can exploit, something that will make Avani tick."

    "Or you could figure out how she has such immense power," I add in, a little hesitantly. "It doesn't feel right at all."

    "There are plenty of possibilities," Fintan says. "The question is, if any of these risks will succeed. Following that question; is the information we obtain going to be useful?"

    "And then there's the 'how'," Link says, and I nod my agreement. "Do we go after Avani, try to let you try out your ability from a distance?"

    "I'm not sure," Fintan says. "Again, there's the risk of being caught, and depending on the amount of us that follow Avani, we could be easily defeated. Right now, we can simply be glad that we have the aid of others. It might be best to consult Sheik before making any further moves."

    I drum my fingers against the table, and stop as I hear footsteps approach us from behind. 

    "Sault and Leoni must be coming," I say, and Zelda laughs in astonishment.

    "How did you hear them from that distance?" she asks. I shrug, a little embarrassed. My senses really have improved, I suppose.

    "Sault, you look a little shaken up," Fintan remarks. "Is everything alright?"


  3. "Zelda!" Gaepora's deep voice sounds out. "It's good to see you again."

    "You too, father," Zelda replies warmly. I concentrate and hear them embrace, setting my hand down on a table to get an idea of where I'm standing.

    "You remember Caoilainn," Zelda says. I wave vaguely to where I think he is, smiling as best as I can.

    "To your right, Caoilainn," Zelda corrects me with a little giggle.

    "You weren't blind before, were you?" Gaepora asks, and I shake my head. "I won't address it if you don't want me to. Now, Zelda, what brings you here?"

    "We need the knights of Skyloft to fight for the Sheikah," Zelda says, seeming regretful. "There is a new threat on the surface, and we don't have enough people to fight with us."

    "The knights?" Gaepora echoes. "They've never been part of a real war, they're not meant for this kind of ordeal."

    "We need them," I say. "There's a demon who is on the hunt for your daughter, the one causing trouble for Skyloft."

    "We need the help of our knights," Zelda says, and I can hear the sincerity in her voice. "Avani is looking for me, Father, and we alone can barely fight her off. Her magic is at a very high level."

    Gaepora is silent for a moment, before he finally speaks up.

    "Very well, daughter. It's hard to deny you anything when you get that look in your eye! I will give you the knights, but only those of your own year and above. Are we agreed?"

    "Yes; thank you, Father," Zelda says warmly. "I'm sorry we had to meet this way, but the situation is dire."

    "I understand," Gaepora says softly.

    "Thank you, sir," I speak up. "Speaking on behalf of the Sheikah tribe, I can safely say that your help is much appreciated. We'll look after your knights."

    "Thank you, too, Caoilainn," Gaepora says. "And good luck to all of you."

    Zelda thanks her father once more and we take our leave, heading out of the front doors and into the breezy air of Skyloft.

    "Well, that went surprisingly well," Zelda says. "Perhaps we should meet with the others, now?"


  4. Zelda guides me over a bridge and up a flight of steps to what must be the Knight Academy.

    "So, Zelda," I say curiously. "Did everyone sleep in this one big building, then?"

    "Almost all of us, yes," Zelda tells me, and I listen to the way her tone turns nostalgic. "It was quite a nice arrangement, it helped us to grow closer, I think."

    "I can't imagine being in such close proximity to everyone," I remark. "I mean, Fintan and the other Sheikah are pretty okay but -don't tell them I said this- I don't think I could stand to be sleeping next to them, waking up at the same time as them and whatnot. I like having my own schedule."

    "I see..." Zelda murmurs. "We really aren't alike, are we?"

    "How do you figure?" I ask, as I hear the sound of doors being pushed open.

    "Well, I've always loved being around people," Zelda tells me. "And you prefer to be alone. And while I've never had any training in fighting, you're... well, you're a powerhouse!"

    "Thanks," I mutter, mulling over those words and the fact that we are polar opposites. I'm the furthest thing imaginable from a goddess... Hm.

    "Here's my father's quarters," Zelda says. "Let's hope he's willing to offer some knights..."


  5. Deciding not to bother Fintan for the moment -he doesn't seem in the mood to talk with anyone- I make my way to Zelda. Fintan is at Link's side, his eyes downcast. Sault stands next to Leoni, the pair of them chatting briefly.

    "Alright," says Link. "Let's head off."

    The Hylians whistle for their Loftwings, and the birds come swooping down to retrieve us.

    "Ready, Caoilainn?" Zelda asks. 

    "Of course." 

    She helps me onto the birds and I lace my fingers around Zelda's waist, hanging on as the bird takes off at amazing speed into the sky. 

    The wind whips my hair about me, and it's an  effort to stay silent. Not being able to see anything as you're flying through the air is a little daunting. 

    But after a short while, Zelda is preparing me for our landing. After a moment of free-falling, Zelda and I land squarely on Skyloft. 

    "It's good to be back here," Zelda says happily. "This place makes me feel like a whole other person."

    "It's very peaceful," I agree. "Even if we are here to recruit forces."

    "Which is unfortunate," Zelda says with a sigh. "I hate to see my people- that is, the people of Skyloft, have to fight."

    I don't respond to that, frowning at her initial choice of words. "Hylia slipped in for a second?"

    "It happens sometimes," Zelda tells me. "A little more often than usual, lately."

    "Hmm..." I'm not sure what I can really say; her tone isn't giving away anything and I can't see her expression.

    "Anyways," she says a little more loudly, "lets go and talk to my father."


  6. Deciding not to bother Fintan for the moment -he doesn't seem in the mood to talk with anyone- I make my way to Zelda. Fintan is at Link's side, his eyes downcast. Sault stands next to Leoni, the pair of them chatting briefly.

    "Alright," says Link. "Let's head off."

    The Hylians whistle for their Loftwings, and the birds come swooping down to retrieve us.

    "Ready, Caoilainn?" Zelda asks. 

    "Of course." 

    She helps me onto the birds and I lace my fingers around Zelda's waist, hanging on as the bird takes off at amazing speed into the sky. 

    The wind whips my hair about me, and it's an  effort to stay silent. Not being able to see anything as you're flying through the air is a little daunting. 

    But after a short while, Zelda is preparing me for our landing. After a moment of free-falling, Zelda and I land squarely on Skyloft. 

    "It's good to be back here," Zelda says happily. "This place makes me feel like a whole other person."

    "It's very peaceful," I agree. "Even if we are here to recruit forces."

    "Which is unfortunate," Zelda says with a sigh. "I hate to see my people- that is, the people of Skyloft, have to fight."

    I don't respond to that, frowning at her initial choice of words. "Hylia slipped in for a second?"

    "It happens sometimes," Zelda tells me. "A little more often than usual, lately."

    "Hmm..." I'm not sure what I can really say; her tone isn't giving away anything and I can't see her expression.

    "Anyways," she says a little more loudly, "lets go and talk to my father."


  7. I sleep like the dead and wake early enough, judging by the surreal quiet of the camp. Getting out of bed, I tie my blindfold around my head and feel my way out into the chill morning air.

    The camp is silent aside from the sound of my feet on the grass and the sounds of birds singing some distance away. I stroll around aimlessly, trying to stick to the areas I'm now familiar with.

    Since being blind, my other senses have accelerated steadily. My hearing is better than ever and I've become familiar with the ground under my feet.

    "I guess some good came from this," I remark drily, stretching with a yawn.

    "Caoilainn," someone to the right says. I identify it as Zelda, her soft footsteps coming toward me.

    "Zelda," I greet her, stretching my arm out a little and letting her take it.

    "I've been thinking," she says quietly. "About when I tried to heal you a while ago. I'm sorry it didn't work. It's interesting to me, in a way, though. You and I, in a sense, are polar opposites."

    "That's definitely true," I agree. "We're different in almost every way... aside from being blonde, that is."

    She laughs at that, but it's quite fleeting. "I think we should pair up today."

    "Are you going to dissect me or something?"

    "No!" she says quickly. "The heavens forbid it, no. I just think that it could be a valuable experience for both of us, is all. You don't have to, of course..."

    "It's fine," I tell her. "You're one of the only ones who doesn't get uncomfortable around me, or makes a show of my being blind. So, I appreciate it."

    "I'm glad, Caoilainn."


  8. "Well, yeah," I say, not liking how frail my voice sounds. "I don't know how far Majora can reach; I can't feel it but... it's there, you know?"

    "Do you think it could possess you, even with your mixed race?" Leoni asks.

    "I'm not sure," I admit. "Anyone I saw had that terrible mask on. I just... I really hope not. What if I attacked somebody?"

    "Well, technically, it wouldn't be-"

    "I know, I know, but..." I take a deep breath and step just out of his reach. "The next time something like this happens; the next time I do something crazy, be it stabbing one of you or, I don't know... setting fire to the camp even. Please, please don't forgive me for it."

    I can tell already that he's upset, without needing to see his expression.

    "Caoilainn," he says, "I couldn't. I love-"

    "Would you still love me if I was holding a knife in your ribs?"

    "... I think I would," he answers.

    Momentarily caught offhand, it takes some time before I take another step back, uncertain.

    "I... You should... I need to go and get- to train. Bye, Leoni."

    I turn and walk quickly away, feeling my way along the trees and doing my best to keep my composure.


  9. ((Just gonna back up to where Knuckle was!))

    My foot pauses in the air and I falter at the mention of Majora. I regain my balance and turn to where I heard Sault. It's been a while since I've had to think about Majora.

    "Majora... is more of an 'it' than anything else," I say. "It's... When I first saw it, I... I hate saying this, but I was absolutely terrified. It's like an incarnation of fear... It's so strong..."

    "Caoilainn, if you don't want to talk about-"

    "I'm fine," I tell him. "I'm not a coward. Majora wears a sort of mask. And it doesn't speak on it's own, it kind of... touches other demons and speaks through them. I've seen others wearing the mask around too, giving orders and the like. What I'm scared of is whether I'm within range... Fintan said I'm one of those 'key players'..."

    I pause with a sigh. "I'll tell you anything else I remember later. Right now, we should look after Melaina.

    "You're right," he says, taking my hand. "Thanks, Caoilainn."


  10. Fintan leaves, likely to find Sheik, and I'm left to sit and wonder what's happening elsewhere among other members of the tribe.

    My thoughts are interrupted when I hear someone making noise in a nearby tent. It sounds vaguely like Melaina, and I push myself up with a grimace, ignoring my back's protest.

    I make it to my feet and follow the sound, out of the tent and a little ways to the right. Feeling about for a moment, I pull back the flap of the tent and continue towards Melaina.

    "Melaina," I say softly. She lets out soft whimpers as she sleeps, sheets rustling as she turns over. "Melaina, wake up..."

    I kneel down and find my knees somewhere on the sheet. A little hesitantly, I reach out and find her hand. Moving along, I find her forehead and draw my hand back with a sharp hiss.

    She's on fire!

    Not waiting to make my way out, I shake Melaina a little and call for help.

    "Fintan! Sheik! Help!"

    I keep my hand on Melaina's as she continues to shift uncomfortably in her sleep, sounding as if she's in some amount of pain.

    "Hold on, Melaina," I say softly.


  11. ((Just gonna back up a tiny bit, if that's okay!))

    Zelda pauses in the act of healing me, making a little noise of confusion.

    "Is... Is everything alright?" I ask, lying as still as possible on my front.

    "It's not working," Zelda says. Link steps over, and I hear him crouch down beside her.

    "It could be your biology, Caoilainn," says Link. "I'll get some medicine and bandages."

    He leaves, and Zelda sighs. "I'm sorry it won't work..."

    "It's not your fault," I assure her, though I can't help feeling annoyed that it won't work.

    _____________

    After some time, I'm looked after and left to be alone for a while. That's when someone else comes in, asking for me.

    I identify Fintan and listen as he thanks me for helping Melaina.

    "Don't mention it," I say as lightly as I can.

    I listen as he leaves, but then I decide against letting him leave.

    "Fintan?" I call out. I breathe a small sigh of relief when his footsteps stop just short of the exit.

    "Yes?" he asks.

    "I just... I hope that I can redeem myself in your eyes," I say. "I can't be any more sincere in apologising to you. For stabbing you, for turning against you and Melaina... And against the camp at one point. I know it's difficult to trust me, I'm so... divided... but I hope you can..."


  12. We pass by what must be the ruins of the Temple of Spirit, each of the tribe members falling silent for a moment. I bow my head as I walk. I cannot cry, of course, but nevertheless I feel a chill run through me as we walk.

    I hear Leoni, talking amiably to what I imagine is a younger Sheikah, and Fintan and Melaina conversing quietly.

    "Caoilainn?" a voice comes from close by to my left.

    "Zelda?" I ask. "Am I right...?"

    "It's me," she says. "You have a gash on your back, cuts all over your legs. You need healing."

    "You don't need to use your power for-"

    "It wasn't a suggestion, Caoilainn," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "When we settle down, I'll take a look at your injuries."

    "Not my eyes," I warn.

    "You're very proud, aren't you?" Zelda asks. "Wouldn't you like to see again?"

    "Right now, I don't want or need to," I say decidedly. "Thank you for the offer, though."

    "Oh, it's nothing."

    She takes me by the hand, as it seems I've gone astray. We walk in comfortable silence, and I listen to the Sheikah express their grief, wincing at their soft noises of unhappiness.


  13. Luckily, I don't feel the full impact of whatever power has just been unleashed, but I'm thrown back by the force. Melaina cries out from beside me, and I do my best to shield her. Her leg is still in a very bad way, and my limbs have gone numb with the drastic changes in temperature.

    "What's happening?!" I scream to whoever is closest. 

    Avani's screams fill the air, to my surprise, and I hear a cry from what sounds like Zelda. I don't see any of it happening, but the ground stops trembling so fiercely and the winds die down considerably. I'm able to regain my footing and help Melaina up with just a little difficulty. 

    "Melaina!" I yell. "What's going on?!"

    "It's Zelda!" she replies. "She's fighting Avani, she's beating her back!" 

    Cheers arise from some of the younger Sheikah, spurring Zelda on, it seems. There's a final crash, what sounds like a bomb sailing into the air, and then a moment of silence.

    "The power of the goddess.." Avani's voice breaks the silence. "...It's a privilege, to have seen it. However... I fear I'll be taking my leave now. Don't worry, though, I'll be back... soon..."

    And then, at last, she's gone. Her power fades from the camp and I relax my muscles a little. The camp is quiet, though, and I frown as I wait for someone to say something.

    "What's... what's wrong..?" I ask hesitantly. 

    "We've lost a lot," says Sheik, coming somewhere from the right. "Young ones have died, the Temple of Spirit is... it's..."

    I gasp as I realise what must have happened. Taking hold of Melaina, I let her steer me to where Sheik must be. Stretching out a hand, I set it on his shoulder and try to give it a comforting pat. Surprisingly, his shoulder is shaking, and after a moment I hear his small noises, his tiny outbursts of grief. 

    He's not alone, though.


  14. "Caoilainn!" one of the younger Sheikah cries as a tremor shakes the earth, knocking us offbalance. "What do we do?!"

    I freeze up momentarily; Fintan must have left if they're calling to me.

    "Someone tell me what's happening!" I order. "Quickly!"

    "There's Bokoblins everywhere!" one yells. "Heading for the forge!"

    "Split yourselves in half!" I reply, trying to envision the situation in my mind. "Leoni and Melaina need as much coverage as is possible! We need defence here at the forge too! Those going forward, stick with Sault!"

    Exhausted but relatively satisfied with my plan, I move back with the others, trying to keep my footing.

    'And you, Caoilainn,' a voice penetrates my mind again. 'You're interesting, turning back and forth like that.'

    'Out of my head, demon!' I fight back.

    'Demon! That's just it, isn't it? We're one and the same; we hurt people, snuff out their lives. Why, we're doing it right now! Listen to their screams!'

    'Get OUT!' I push against the weight of her power as I stumble along, biting into my lips so hard it starts to bleed.

    Her laugh still circulates the camp, attacking us all.


  15. "Fintan!" I call out. "She's so strong, it's rolling off of her!"

    "I know," he replies. "We need to keep firm, don't let her cause anymore damage!"

    "Sheikah," Avani says, her voice carrying over to us easily as she looks about at the destruction. "My request is merely the goddess reborn. Hand her over, and I'll leave this place be."

    "Never!" Fintan yells back, joined by some of the younger Sheikah around us.

    "Oh?" Avani replies. "I see how it is!"

    I let out a cry when what feels like icy, chilly fingers dig into my mind, rooting out every unpleasant memory from the back of my mind, every doubt and uncertainty. Fintan cries out in unison with me, likely experiencing the same. Even the younger Sheikah are whimpering and begging for the mental assault to end.

    But it doesn't stop, and neither does Avani's cackle.


  16. "Right now, we should find the others and let everyone know," I say. "Fintan will likely have sensed her aura, he may know more."

    I let Leoni take me by the hand and we move to where the others must have gathered. I can hear Fintan, his voice a little shaky.

    "She got into my mind," he said. "I could feel her probing, looking around everything..."

    I cringe at his words, being able to make a good guess as to what he's talking about.

    "So she has more than elemental power?" Sault asks. "Oh, goddesses."

    "She's not far from here," I speak up. "We need to arm ourselves."

    "Both physically and mentally," Fintan says. "She got into my head so easily.."

    I reach out an arm, tottering a little as I try to pinpoint where he is. I give his arm a little pat, highly aware of how uncomfortable he remains in my presence.


  17. Oh, goddesses. Oh, that poor, poor girl.

    I can still hear her dwindling cries, yelling out that Caoilainn has no eyes, that she was so scared. The others had scattered, leaving me alone with my blindfold in hand.

    That was the first time anyone had ever been properly scared of me, I thought, aside from the time I spent with the demons. Sure, I'd been respected as a fighter, and I'd had Sheikah clear paths for me, but this was different. This was actual fear, that I'd instilled in a child.

    I walk, a little aimlessly, to where I hear Fintan, likely talking to Melaina, or another of our group.

    "That child looked terrified," he was saying. "She can't let that blindfold come loose unless it's in front of someone who knows. Thadea was shaking so much."

    I flinch, my hand going to the fabric wrapped around my head, brushing my fingers against it softly. I was something looked on not in companionship, now, but in fear.

    Turning away, not wanting to hear any more, I come back the way I came, feeling along the trees to find my way. Suddenly I stop, my hand resting on a tree.

    The tiniest of reverbrations runs through it, barely noticeable but powerful enough to give me an idea of what's coming.

    "Avani," I say aloud. "She knows!"


  18. ((Good luck!! Sorry about my absences, guys, exams and no WiFi are dreadful things!))

    Goddess Plumes... the name is familiar, but weapon forgery and ancient relics really aren't my areas of specialty.

    I leave the group, planning on getting something to eat. As I fasten my blindfold around my eyes, I hear some of the younger Sheikah running about. They appear to come to a halt as I pass, and I hear their little footsteps approaching.

    "Caoilainn!" one of them calls. "Why are you wearing that blindfold?"

    "Because..." I trail off, not exactly sure how to explain something like this to such young ones. "Well, I'm..."

    "Did you want to play hide and seek?" another asks.

    I hesitate for a moment. Should I..? It would certainly distract from troubling thoughts.

    "Sure," I say, offering them my best smile. Kids were easy to understand; they didn't over-complicate anything.

    "One... Two... Three..."


  19. "Well, hopefully you can do something to improve things with Fintan," Melaina says comfortingly. I take my hand from her and find Zelda. She guides into a run and we fall for a short time before we land on her Loftwings.

    She doesn't say anything to me as we fly, and I find that I rather enjoy the silence. Well, aside from the tremendous noise of the wind.

    We touch down on the surface and I wriggle my toes in the grass, happy to be on land.

    "Fintan and I should probably speak for us again," Link says, and we give our agreement. "Caoilainn, he'll probably want to see your injury."

    I nod. "Okay. Let's get to it, then."


  20. Avani... The name sounds faintly familiar, but nothing comes to mind. Power surrounding the earth, the power to bring Skyloft to the ground.

    "How can we find her..?" Zelda wondered aloud.

    "We'd likely feel her before we saw her," I say. The others don't make a sound, and I imagine puzzled expressions.

    "I mean..." I trail off, not knowing exactly how to explain. "It's like when Fintan meditates and reads auras. When I first met Blagdan, there was power rolling off of him. Majora... I can't even begin to describe that."

    "That makes some amount of sense," Fintan says. "I think I know what you're saying. We'll need to be especially attentive, in that case."

    I nod. "She could be anywhere..."


  21. "I'm just... glad we're on good terms again," I say with a sigh.

    "Me too," says Melaina. "I'm sure the rest of them will be happy to hear it too. They're just across from here."

    We stand up and, to my surprise, Melaina takes my hand. She steers me to where I hear Fintan and the others talking.

    "Well, you two look quite content," Sault remarks.

    "We're all sorted," Melaina says, and I smile at hearing her confirm it.

    "So, guys," I speak up tentatively. "What does Skyloft look like?"


  22. "Alright," I begin. "I know that you're mad at me. Very mad, in fact."

    "You got that right," she replies.

    "You were right, when you said that what I did was wrong. It was terrible."

    "You really hurt Fintan," she says, and I can hear the anger in her words.

    "I know, I know," I say, sighing. "I know... but I was extremely agitated, and Fintan was asking me questions that I really didn't want to answer at that time."

    Melaina waits, not saying anything.

    "But Melaina, I didn't want to lose you. For a while now, I'd consider you a friend.... Something not easily done in my case. I know you feel strongly about Fintan, and that you'd give a lot to help him, but I don't want us to be enemies."

    I pause, taking a deep breath. "The choice is entirely yours, of course. Words aren't my strong suit but.... I hope we can be on good terms again."


  23. "I don't want my sight back," I state. "I can work around it."

    "Are you-?"

    "I'm sure, Leoni," I say with a small smile. "Thanks, though."

    I hear a sigh of relief from him, and then get up.

    "Melaina," I call.

    "To your left," Sault directs me. I turn and call her again.

    There's a few moments silence, and I hear Fintan saying something quietly to her.

    Finally I hear her footsteps approaching.

    "Could we talk?" I ask. "... Alone?"


  24. "I'll... I'll just go with Leoni," I say, placing my hand on what I imagine is his.

    "Alright," says Link. "Everyone ready?"

    Before I know what's happening, I'm whisked into the air, a cry of surprise escaping me. Hanging onto Leoni, we land quite suddenly on what must be a Loftwing.

    "Hold on tight," Leoni cautions, and I do as he says.

    "We're headed for Skyloft, right?" I ask.

    "Yep."

    I try to envision it based on what I've read and heard from those who have lived there. It's quite warm, a gentle breeze stirring the air.

    "Ready to land?" Link shouts. The others all seem ready, and I let Leoni take my hand before the bird underneath us almost vanished.

    Our fall is softened by Leoni's Sailcloth, and I land relatively comfortably.

    "Leoni," I say suddenly. "I don't want my eyesight healed."


  25. I sink into Fintan's embrace, extremely grateful. Cautious as it is, I appreciate it. 

    But I can't see, and that is something I can't shake easily. So much has happened in such a short time, my mind is overloaded with clashing emotions and swirling thoughts.

    Pushing myself away from Fintan, I turn and vomit, ashamed but unable to stop myself now. I can feel the rest of them watching me, and I quickly straighten, wiping my mouth without much dignity.

    "Caoilainn," Link's voice comes from somewhere to the right, and I turn in the general direction. "We've found a way to move out of this area; it's too dangerous to stay here, in open sight."

    I nod, and stretch out my hand to where I imagine he's standing. He takes it and the group moves to what seems to be a boat; I can hear it bobbing on the water, and I step carefully inside, sitting down and curling myself up. 

    Ardaia... I'd gotten close to him in such a short time, trained with him, trusted him and now... Now I feel betrayed, as if there's an empty space somewhere inside of me. 

    I shake as my body trembles with little whimpers and other such pathetic noises. No tears, not anymore. I think back to when Ardaia teleported into the middle of the tent, smiling at me before we were whisked away. And then it was blank, and then... then he was dead, lying in front of me as he'd done before. How... how had he done it? 

    "Guys," I speak up. "Can someone... can someone please fill me in a little bit..?"