Re: Tolderas' last moon

[YeweLion]

Andromedeux’s expression soured. He wasn’t too fond of the way he was being spoken to, even if it was a God who was doing the speaking. Somehow, he imagined a more…holier presence, even if it was a God of war.

Jaw clenched until his teeth ached, Andromedeux let out another breath as if to calm himself – fear and agitation.

“I am just travelling.” He bit out the words, throwing caution to the wind for a short while. An air of haughtiness laced his presence, although it was hard to mask the fact that he was growing quickly ill. “It was not safe back home. I decided to hide amongst the humans.”

Though his words were true, the blonde knew he wasn’t giving the whole truth. He figured the God didn’t need to know everything about him, after all, it wasn’t like he was lying. His face grew pensive, marked by sadness for the villagers and…something else. It made him upset that he was being written off from the scene like his actions didn’t matter. He may not have cared greatly for the people of Tolderas, but he had feasted with them and shared mead. In the end he had tried to assist them, but even he had his limits.

“I am not the one you should turn your anger towards.” Turning a pale chin upwards, Andromedeux expressed petulance, cobalt eyes shining with silent emotion. “I fought alongside your people.”

Silently he dared the creature to mock his words from his crouched stance, because although Andromedeux was afraid of dying, he was never one to back down easily. Honestly, if he wanted to truly be venomous, he could point out the fact that maybe the villagers would have survived if their beloved God had showed his intimidating face sooner. Alas, that wasn’t him. Not truly.

Andromedeux sighed with a frown before turning his gaze away, lips set unhappily. It upset him to think he had almost offered his soul to this...beast.  He was delusional. Though it occurred to him that it was probably futile. He wasn’t sure how long it would be, but he could still feel the burning of his flesh as though he had just been stabbed. Suddenly he wished greatly that he had paid closer attention to the lectures in his past.

[Wolkenser]

Ah, now they were getting somewhere… with tiny steps, but usually a well-placed push drives the unwilling and hesitant into a stride.
The creature was not like to back off from preying on a peacock simply because its feathers were too long and grand; if only, that made them all the more collectible.

His curiosity was still pricked by this one’s sharp thorns and even he had to admit that it took serious steel guts to dare someone like him. Color him impressed.

A guttural laugh vibrated in the monsters’ chest and only for a second an orange glow emanated from the back of his throat and lit rows of pointy, sharp fangs.
“Anger? No, you’re mistaken.” The creature said amused and perked upon strong legs. “Futile attempts at misdirection bore me.”

The creature suddenly had a moment of realization, however. The fae had made a rational decision to hide amongst humankind out of his own free will. He could’ve chosen several refugees, yet decided to come here. He didn’t know what to make of it. He’d never actually talked to many of his kind, as he simply emanated a natural aversion to others, but he’d observed; oh, he’d observed… for so many millennia.

A smirk twisted scarred lips under the thick shadow of his helm.
“Your kind hiding amongst humans resembles a human sleeping in a pig barn. You must be desperate to have come here, tylwyth teg.”

[YeweLion]

Cobalt eyes slowly slid back to the hidden features behind a ghastly helm. Andromedeux found himself narrowing his eyes and returning the smirk that he couldn’t see but instead felt. Was his presence that obvious? The skin he wore was…nicer than the average human, sure, but he felt that his magic had weaved a nice illusion. Aside from his quirky behavior, not one single person had managed to see through his disguise.

For a moment he wasn’t sure what to make of the large entity in front of him. It hadn’t killed him yet. He lifted a brow at the words directed at him, blinking as a bead of sweat dripped down into his left eye. “Desperate?”

Andromedeux relaxed a fraction and winced as he pulled his hand away from his wound. Fresh blood covered his fingers like wine. He supposed he was desperate, but he didn’t want to say why. Pursing his lips he glanced back up at the God.

“You seem to be knowledgeable about my kind.” It shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise, but Andromedeux found himself slightly perplexed. He didn’t know very much about Gods, so it was strange to have one know more about him than he did it.

Actually, he was just in a really strange situation. He had never dreamed of meeting the village’s beloved Lord Rhyfelwr, especially not like he currently was. Could he smell fear like the hounds beside him? Andromedeux figured he reeked plenty of it, probably death too. As if in a show of good faith, the blonde shifted to be more comfortable before dragging his bloodied fingers along the ground in sweeping motions until the lines made fae runes.

“Minda rŷn.”

The runes beneath his fingers seemed to absorb his blood before the hounds at Andromedeux’s sides shuddered and collapsed into twin pools of rot. The blonde wrinkled his nose in mild distaste at the scene but returned his dark eyes to the creature. He shifted in his spot on the ground, grunting in pain until he was sitting with one leg bent underneath him and the other bent at the knee. He used it as a rest for his arm while the other returned to the ground, nails biting into the warm earth.

Expression expectant, Andromedeux gazed at the beast with a sense of impatience.

[Wolkenser]

The creature observed quietly and with keen interest and amusement as the fae wrote words on the soil.
It felt like centuries last he was witness to their strange magic. It was manifesting not with spoken words or spells or even will, but through writing. How droll. Even so, he was completely intrigued by this one’s change of heart. Mere moments ago, the comely fae looked more than willing to raise a hand against him and thus spell out his doom. It had been so long last he had felt such diversion…though it hadn’t, not truly.

For the longest of time, his amusement had come from the rites done to him by his human village and had remained the only reason he’d stayed here.
Sacrifices of blood, flesh and sweat that came after a ludicrous feast filled with drink and merriment – it had become monotone in every aspect minus the combat.

It was always a delight to see them. Sometimes, bad blood between neighbors would find itself festering during the Trials in the form of challenges or volunteering; like bubbles beginning to form as water came to a boil. That’s when the creature was the most entertained.

Blades would clash while dripping hate and anger, taunts and insults would fire up the fighters’ hearts and burn them so hot that they became prey to their own wrath and surrendered to the bloodlust.
Then, it didn’t matter if one of the poor sods had forfeit during the combat. Their minds had surrendered themselves to the violence, and they cut and slashed and gut each other with such brutality that it wasn’t even rivaled by the corpse-eating ghouls. It even made them look civilized in comparison.
He reveled in it.
Yes, his precious villages’ motto… Pride and Battle. But if the creature was being completely honest to himself, he stuck for the battle. For the splashes of blood and the savagery that gripped their hearts during the heat of a fight.

Until this night.
His nature had won over his care for the village, though he would never admit it out loud. He was there, and he did but watch. He watched as a conflict between a lumberjack and a knight leaked in the arena, and he liked it. He watched as the houses began to blow beyond his very feet, housing children and peasants too tired and drunk to continue the night…and he liked it.
He also watched as the outsiders began to reap his people like a farmer reaped wheat and as he sat over a boulder, motionless and cloaked in shadow, he tasted it…and delighted in it.
It had taken him an unfathomable amount of effort to rip himself out of his trance, but by then it was too late.

For someone like him – for a demon, feeling this amount of interest over another being usually brought naught but misfortune for them, as it had to his village. He wanted to smile at the fact, but he didn’t. Centuries of loyalty shouldn’t have brought Tolderas that fate. They didn’t deserve it.
Slowly, the demon rose from his crouch and retired his threatening wings around the young male. The smirk had faded from his lips, and all that remained was a stern, somber face.


“Do you wish something from me?”

[YeweLion]

Andromedeux’s eyes narrowed as he silently observed the beast before him. He had expected a quick response, maybe in the form of smiting or whatever it was that Gods did. He wouldn’t really know. After all, he had never seen one before that day. He was starting to wish he hadn’t. But the smiting never came. Instead, it felt like he was being dissected by the winged creature, and morbidly the blonde wondered if it was thinking of ways to end him.

It was hard to figure out what was going on behind the helm it wore, but Andromedeux figured it couldn’t be good. That’s why when it spoke next his eyes fluttered in stark surprise.

“Uh,” Andromedeux’s brows drew close as he shut his mouth to stop his dumb stricken sounds from continuing. After a moment he tilted his head to the side with a not so much nervous laugh as it was confused. “Should I not be asking the same of you?”

Perhaps it was because he had expected a much different response from the God, but Andromedeux found his anticipation falling flat. Confusion grew along his features and was soon joined by wary disbelief. So as to not fall into silence, he gave his shoulders a small shrug, trying not to jar his torso too much.

“I just…expected smiting to be a part of this,” His pale face twisted as if he fought to find words, “Conversation.”

Though Andromedeux found it to be more like an interrogation. Honestly, it upset him that the creature might be playing with him, and he wished for nothing more than finality. He faced a far worse fate if the God left him be.

[Wolkenser]

Spiked arms folded across the creatures’ chest and for a moment, for a tender moment he thought of burying his wing’s talons down on the fae’s chest and simply end his suffering there and then – although, if he was so keen on suffering, he might do so on his own.

Admittedly, he did draw a snort from him and it was followed by a small shrug. If he’d play games with him, he could do it too. Though one can find that battling in a game you’ll eventually lose is not worthwhile the effort.

With a growl-like chuckle he walked to the fae’s side and dropped to pick up Skjall’s bloodied sword from the ground; it looked like a common dagger compared to the demon’s size.

For a few moments, he thought about licking the weapon… he’d never tasted fae blood. It made him curious.
He controlled himself, however, and only toyed with the blade between clawed fingers.

“I do not need to smite you.” The demon said nonchalantly. “You were struck by an iron blade. Your body will decay overtime, until one day you awake blind and slurring your words.”

The large creature paced slowly around the fair man as he spoke, voice soft yet course-sounding – a dangerous combination. The blade in his grasp had begun to redden and glow, like it was put in a blacksmith’s oven, and the very metal began to emit a strange, soft ringing as it began to brighten intensely.

“Pity.” The monster purred as his back turned to the fae on the ground. “I could’ve helped you, for a price.”

[YeweLion]

For a moment Andromedeux was sure that the beast was going to plunge the sword into his flesh and he felt fear, tasted it, because he had already felt was a mere kiss from the thing could do. He stilled, didn’t even move an inch, not even breathing as the God teased him with his slow walking. The blonde allowed his eyes to trail after him, if only to see the blow coming…

But it never did. Instead, it appeared that the creature had taken a fascination to it. It studied the iron blade, and Andromedeux frowned. His lungs had begun to work once again but they nearly stopped at the growled words.

It wasn’t a secret that was kept with diligence, but it was still not widely known that faeries had an affliction with iron. The fact that this creature knew it right away scared Andromedeux, not that he would ever admit, because that meant that it knew too much about his kind. He was truly at its’ whims.

His ears picked up on the tight ringing that sounded from the blade, sounding more like a scream than the normal singing that was heard during battle. It was a jarring sound accompanied by that gravelly purr that the beast used to speak. Andromedeux found himself furrowing his brows and narrowing his dark eyes, listening closely without moving his body but staying watchful as the God paced in front of and then around him.

It was true…he wouldn’t die swiftly. It would probably be more like something of a week or two, three if he was lucky…or unlucky. Iron was a mysterious poison to his kind. It worked like an acid, burning their flesh and then preventing any sort of healing. Andromedeux knew exactly how he would die, and only because he lacked-

Thoughts broken, Andromedeux blinked and finally turned his body around to stare at the beasts’ back. “Come again?”

He was sure that he had heard wrong.

[Wolkenser]

Ah, he forgets himself.
The fae hadn’t figured what he was. Or perhaps he hasn’t yet had the… pleasure to deal with one of his own kind. Lucky him.

Though it was a wonder how he hadn’t even heard of them – they weren’t all that hard to identify, truthfully. Demons usually don’t guise themselves, if anything the only thing they guise are their words and offers to attract unsuspecting victims like a moth to a burning flame.

Gods don’t make deals… Gods take what they want from whoever they feel like. If they grow bored, they snuff the life of a city with plagues and watch it rot in muck only for laughs. Come to think of it, they had a lot in common with his kin.

“I could help you.” The demon repeated. “I happen to have heard you fae have waters that can heal your ailments. Is it so?”

Droplets of thick silvery liquid trickled to the soil from the monster’s hand as he mused, and he hadn’t quite noticed. Unfocused eyes had drifted towards the sky as he remembered what he’d once wanted from them, long ago.

The removal of a brand in his skin – a disgusting thing he’d been cursed with thousands of years ago by none other than his own brothers. Or who used to be his brothers. And all for what? Waging an unwinnable war that he had refused to partake in.

He did not wish to think of it. He had wished to forget. The brand pulsing in his chest had rendered his pretended ignorance useless every time he took off the layers of armor that covered his body.

If these healing waters cleansed, the fae would be able to boast that he’d once entered in a contract with a demon and walked away, not only with his life, but his soul completely intact. Now that was a feat worth talking about.

[YeweLion]

So he hadn’t heard wrong. However, this only furthered the blonde’s mistrust. Not only did this…thing, know about faeries and iron, but he knew of their mana wells? A warning bell sounded in his head, but Andromedeux calmly pushed it aside to stare at the hulking form in front of him. Things weren’t sounding right.

“….I have never heard of a God making deals.” Andromedeux would have stood, but thought better of it. Falling down would make an impression that he did not desire. So he stood for the next best thing- angling his chin with petulance. He refused to be looked down on. But yet again, he was ignoring the words spoken to him in order to speak his own. It was a stubborn trait that he had taken from both his mother and his father, so he presumed it was even worse when it came to him.

Cobalt eyes shifted to the silvery liquid that dripped from armored hands, or what he presumed to be hands. The sword had melted. With a heavy sigh, Andromedeux attempted to meet the eyes behind the helm, frustration evident in his expression.

“I am not sure what you are anymore,” Andromedeux tilted his head some as he spoke. His skin had grown a bit paler. “But I do not make it a habit to talk deals with men whose faces I have not seen.”

He wasn’t afraid. Well, he was. But at the point where he was at, Andromedeux figured he would die regardless. He didn’t see the point of remaining nice with the monstrous being that so callously spoke of his people and his home. It rattled his cage, and he wasn’t about to grovel.

“Take off your helm, and speak your name.” He gulped, the only sign of his nervousness as he spoke with practiced entitlement. “And then we’ll talk.”

[Wolkenser]

And there it was. It seemed the fae wasn’t as stupid as he acted at times, but he was still a damned fool.
“They don’t.” He answered with simplicity. “You forget, I haven’t claimed to be a God.”

He couldn’t help it. The situation was far too… insane to him. In one night he’d lost his home and his people, and though daybreak would soon be upon them, he was already trying to leave the black burnt ruins behind him.
He did not want the time to grieve. He wanted to forget once again.
The demons head turned to the fae once more as he kept an eerie silence.
This one wanted to see his face.

He drowned the impulse to laugh bitterly and instead snorted loudly with a low hum.
Once again, the monster stepped close to the small, feisty man challenging him while a hand clutched a poisoned, bleeding side.

“The way I see it,” He began, a hand gesturing towards the blonde. “I’m talking to a man hiding his face as well. You make very bold claims for someone who’s guilty of the same sin, fae. But I am not the one dying. Speak, and so will I.”
The last he said with a tint of severity, more similar to an ultimatum than a matter-of-fact commentary.

Yes, the fairy man was very persistent, but he was as well. The demon, though, could keep up his game for an eternity more than his opponent, seeing as he had one to spare. The removal of his brand was in itself an uncertainty, and a demon does not beg for a contract. He will leave a thousand years more with it, if so dictated destiny.

His enormous dark, leathery wings stretched to his sides and were held aloft the ground impatiently, expectantly.

[YeweLion]

Andromedeux didn’t bother hiding his laughter, though it came out more like a choked sound when the skin on his side stretched. His face contorted in pain but he forced it into a grimacing smile. This was the guy that Halbjörn worshipped? Andromedeux wondered if the man was rolling in his grave, or halls, or where ever his poor, wretched soul had ended up. No telling with the beast in front of him.

Something itched at the back of his mind, something about the creature in front of him. However, every time he tried to grasp at what it was, it pranced away like some sort of dancer, forever out of reach. It also made his head hurt, but that could have also been the blood loss.

“It takes energy to re-weave this form.” Andromedeux replied simply as he allowed the grimace to fade from his face, though he didn’t take his stare away from the beasts’ helmeted visage. He wasn’t exactly…prepared to face the attention of humans. His true form would stick out like a sore thumb and he would grow weaker by the hour and day. Protecting himself would become a problem.

“How do you know about the wells?”

Andromedeux changed the subject like it was nothing to him. He saw that the beast was trying to strong-arm him, but it would have to wait until the blonde bled out before he gave in that easily. Although the wound burned and still fresh, Andromedeux did his best to ignore it, though he wondered if the pain was evident in his expression. He had given up trying to heal himself a while back with his mana because all it did was tire him out faster.

He was desperate, but not quite desperate enough to give the horned creature everything.

[Wolkenser]

Now, it was his turn to ignore the question. Perhaps this blonde man would’ve fit with his people after all. He certainly possessed the inflated pride of Tolderans, though not for the same reasons. Whilst the townsfolk wore pride like a cloak, this was only to defend their identity; their traditions, their family name and their town. This speck of a being was prideful simply because he existed.
It reminded him of human royalty. The ego seemed to be quite similar.

He waved off the fae with a demeanor that was coated with boredom for his lackluster response, as if he were but a persistent fly.
Colossal wings dropped to raze the ground as the demon turned away from the fae on the floor once more. Even then, he did not speak.

He began to make his way back towards the bloody, beaten path that lead to the charred empty square of the dead town. The misty mountains were calling for him to return.
With heavy motions, the large demons' wings began to arch as they pulled themselves back and high above; the demon prepared himself to take flight and leave the magical being to his own fate, however grim it was. It was none of his concern now, and he'd have nobody but himself to blame.

[YeweLion]

Just when Andromedeux thought he had begun to shift the tides, the beast just…turned around. For a second he thought it was another ploy to make him nervous, but soon the blonde realized that no, he had been tossed aside.
Fear clawed at Andromedeux’s throat as he watched in shocked silence as the winged creature walked away like his existence was a tiny blip that meant nothing, and in the grand scheme of things, it was.

However, Andromedeux didn’t want to die. Not really. Although he was prideful and shuddered at the thought of groveling, the image of the only potential salvation walking away was terrifying, to say the least, and he found himself pushing his injured body off the ground until he was swaying on his feet.

After what felt like forever, the blonde managed to find his voice, although it was a tad bit shriller and laced with desperation. Looked like the mask was gone. “W-wait!”

Maybe he should just die, what would his father think? On the other hand…

“What do you want?” Andromedeux swallowed thickly, holding his side as he took a few steps towards the tall beast. He barely reached the middle of its’ torso when standing straight.
“I do not have much to give…”

It was an ugly feeling to beg. Probably why he never did it.

[Wolkenser]

Giant wings flapped over the ground but once, with a thunderous sound as the air gave under their weight, dried leaves and puffs of brown dirt flied in swirls; it had barely lifted the demons’ hooves a few inches. The fae’s call made the monster pause before the leathery limbs lashed down again, but he didn’t shift.
He waited, like he was told, and only listened.
The monster was savoring the young fae’s plead, but he did not make it obvious. Even though he wanted to mock, he knotted his throat and clenched sharp teeth together to keep himself from having any words escape his lips. Though the hint of a purr had returned to the way he exhaled.

He stayed quiet for a few more seconds, and then he gave the fae his side; wings fell and enclosed around skull-adorned shoulderguards. A very soft and faint orange glitter hid under the shadow of his helmet.

“I wish to be rid of a mark.” He answered. “I can take you to your wells. But first, I wish to know … Who are you?”

He tried once more – if the fae had caved, perhaps this time he’ll finally deign answer. Formalities must be paid before a deal; he would do so himself, of course, in due time. After he knows what drove this creature out of the safety of his grove.

[YeweLion]

Andromedeux blinked slowly at the words the creature spoke, confusion coloring his features and diluting his desperation. A mark? Only, before he could question the beast further, it was speaking once more. Brows knitted in contemplation. Should he?

It wasn’t as though his name was that widely known… It was only spoken within his lands though, and the blonde couldn’t be sure that the creature didn’t already know it, just like he seemed to know everything else. He felt trapped, stuck between a rock and a very hard place.

Andromedeux wondered if his warring thoughts gave themselves away on his visage, but it was hard to focus on keeping a straight face when trying to come up with a solution. Part of him had a feeling, a fear that somehow the beast would know he was lying if he used his alias. What would happen then? It would surely fly away this time, because Andromedeux was not at the top of his game and found it hard to believe that he could sound believable.

His teeth chewed at his lip and after what felt like forever, he made his decision before the beast could change its mind.

“Andromedeux.” His voice came out small, defeated. He was terrible at keeping secrets. “My name is Andromedeux.”

[Wolkenser]

The demon whispered the name on his tongue and tasted it – it felt nasal and melodic, almost. It, however, did not feel familiar.
The fae had given him what he asked for, and though demons are known for hidden conditions to any if not all their statements, he had once prided himself in not being like the rest of his kin. At least not fully.

The fingers of his hand twitched; they folded into a soft grip, and released. Behind the helm, the large monster was reflecting on simply not returning the gesture only because the fae had not expressed a want of it. However, if he was being truly specific, he had – at one point.
Regardless, the demon did not want to treat the fae like he had been treating him in response. He was already delighting in the thought that a being like him could be bigger than someone like a fae… and yet his kind will always be seen as evil incarnate.

Quietly, he raised his clawed hand towards his head and grasped the thick plates of his helm from behind his great horns and pulled forwards slowly. Oh, so very slowly.
A tangle of long dark hair cascaded downward as the heavy helmet was removed, black as tar and shining like raven feathers with the grey light of a cloudy cracking dawn.
The heavy headwear dangled from the monsters hand to his side, and it had revealed dark ashen skin and coarse, squared features marred by light-colored scars and small bony spikes on cheekbones and temples.
His expression was tough and harsh as he stared down at the fae with flame-colored eyes as terrible and bright as burning coals.

“Call me Zepar, tylwyth teg.” He said heavily, though no smirk or smile played on the corners of his lips.

[YeweLion]

Suddenly, like a rush of cold water to the face, realization crashed upon Andromedeux’s body and he felt sick and speechless. Numbness soon followed as he raked his cobalt eyes over the creature’s – Zepar’s, features. He had never seen one before, not in his lifetime. Demon…

“Oh.” The word dropped from his lips like a mindless thought, one he couldn’t contain because of the sheer absurdity. No wonder it seemed to know so much about his kind, it had to have been old. Much older than him, as Andromedeux was barely over a millennia.
The blonde faerie felt stupid now as he took in Zepar’s appearance, acknowledging his size silently, wondering how he hadn’t known right away. Of course, maybe it was because none of the lore ever stated that demons watched over villages and human.
Andromedeux’s expression rapidly turned from awe, to confusion, and then with finality- curiosity.

“Zepar…” He tested the name aloud, letting it roll over his tongue in subdued amazement. He could have laughed.

This was what they had worshipped? The blonde narrowed his eyes at Zepar and couldn’t help the scoff that forced its way from his throat. He didn’t know much about demons, admittedly, but so far he didn’t exactly think highly of them.

A laugh bubbled out from his lips as he felt hysteria creep up his back and clutch at his nape. Oh, what had he stepped in? For a moment Andromedeux didn’t know if he could stop his hysterical outburst, and he had to sit down so that he didn’t just keel over.

“Let me get this straight,” He sucked in a breath, trying to regain a shred of composure. “You want me to get rid of this, what, mark?”

Andromedeux spoke with his hands and tossed them in the air before letting them drop to his lap. The action caused his wound to ooze and his eyes seriously questioned if the beast in front of him was real or if the iron had already poisoned him past return.

[Wolkenser]

From spending only hours of his time with the fae, he’d already assumed the likely reaction he’d draw from him. Regardless, he had not quite done it for him – he’d done it for himself. He was ready for the disgust or the mockery, even both. And thus, he got both.
But he did not flinch or waver. He remained with a face as serious as if it was carved from solid stone.

As before, Zepar did not answer the blonde. His eyes however, lowered to observe the wound on his side; it dripped scarlet and stank horridly of iron and blood. Slightly hooded eyes lifted again to the blonde’s face and the scowl upon his dark-colored features deepened, though barely noticeably.

A thousand years having nothing but a village that worships you can make you unaccustomed to other beings not respecting you – however, the demon remembered what it was like. Even then, most of the fae’s treatment came wholly unjustified and unexplained. And again, he reminded himself how much of a fool he’s proven to be.

This petty kid knew nothing, saw nothing. The fairy folk seemed to live in a bubble of comfort when it came to this wretched world, or so it had always seemed to him. It bothered him. Other races’ misery often came ignored by the likes of the immortal – yes, this included his kin. There was a certain beauty in being a spectator to the founding and fall of a civilization.
But he did not claim to know of that which he hadn’t seen, only what he’d witnessed. It is difficult for the immortal races to remember that an old age does not make you immune to ignorance.

And that is why this ‘Andromedeux’ managed to stir his annoyance.
He had put his cards on the table; he’d stated what he wanted twice now and what he’d give in return and he would not explain himself; it was not what he’d agreed. If what he’d get in return was instead nothing but a sharp tongue coated in poison, he’d simply drop it. He had thick skin; he’d not bend easily.

“Suffer well.” The demon bellowed as he turned, cracking the dry earth under large hooves as he began to walk away once more and snapped his wings upwards.

[YeweLion]

“Wait!”

Confused and still very stunned at the new revelations that had made an appearance, Andromedeux pushed himself up onto a hand and both his knees, a pained expression flashing over his features.

“I am sorry!” He gasped, clutching his side as he struggled to stand. Why did he always have to mess things up? It seemed he could never say the right thing, pride always kept him hostage. “I did not mean to offend you…I am sorry.”

It was irritating…he wasn’t used to groveling before anyone, Andromedeux couldn’t remember if he ever had. Yet here he was, on his knees and feeling desperate. His dark eyes darted over the hulking form of Zepar as nausea rose in his throat. It was so…beneath him. But he knew that without help, he would die an agonizing death. How could he endure much more of the iron’s grasp? It would be a lie to say he wasn’t thinking of driving his own sword into his throat just to die a little faster.

“You do not share my humor,” He all but spat out, pain lacing each word. “Noted.”

Andromedeux clenched his teeth together and gave a roll of his jaw, feeling it pop from the stress. Being at the mercy of a demon was…a challenge, to say the least. Especially when it seemed so damn sensitive. Of course, maybe that made sense that it took offense so quickly. Watching over humans for so long surely changed it, why else would it have stayed? Why would it have helped them in the first place?

Thoughts of the now deceased lumberjack floated to the front of Andromedeux’s mind and it took a surprising amount of strength to push it away. How strange. He had grown sentimental over the length of his “trip”.

Maybe they weren’t so different from each other, this Zepar and he.

[Wolkenser]

A hoof almost stomped on the ground when the blonde’s call sounded again. He was sick of coming and going, of the changes in speech and attitude. From the look of things, however, it seemed that the young fae was slowly but surely understanding.
This did not provide security as these sways in mood were volatile at best, but it was another step on the right direction.

Zepar turned his head only slightly and stared without blinking. A few moments passed as he swept Andromedeux with a certain severity; perhaps letting the moment linger as he enjoyed it a few more precious seconds.
For what he swore would be the last time, he approached again – though unlike last time, his defensive predisposition remained rooted itself in his body.

A small feeling of discontent was slowly eating in the back of his mind, however. He doubted that he’d be welcome in fae territory, and he was quite uncertain if Andromedeux would keep his word or simply feign having anything to do with him and get to the wells himself once he was there. Crossing small distances should not be a challenge, even with the wound he clutched in his bloodied side. The demon did not fear for his life, for it was quite doubtful the fae would be able to kill him – but magic could at times hurt. Now imagine magic coming from several users all at once…

He’d rather not. Still, perhaps it’d be worth it if there was the smallest chance he’d get rid of his brand – if not, he had a face and a name. Enough for a hunt, should the need arise.

With a low sigh, Zepar bent towards Andromedeux – just enough to bore fiery eyes into deep cobalt ones.
“Do we have an agreement?” The demon said, a hint of a hiss resounding under a strong voice.

[YeweLion]

With a sigh that so keenly fit his begrudging glare, Andromedeux gave his head a shake. It felt so heavy on his shoulders and for a moment he feared he would fall over and complete his shame.

“Yes…” His voice came out hoarse yet tight to his ears and he clawed silently at the loose dirt beneath his palm. “I will give you what you want.”

Saliva built up in Andromedeux’s mouth like a vile acid, making him swallow to rid himself of the taste. He had probably made a grave mistake, considering he didn’t actually know how to get rid of the demon’s mark. The thought gave him pause but it was much too late. Maybe Zepar would grow to like him and they could be grand friends later on….
Well, judging by the brute’s expression, Andromedeux wryly thought it a pipe dream.

A new thought occurred to the blonde though and he blanched, allowing a slightly defeated note to enter his grimace. “I come from a long ways away…”

Wells or not, Andromedeux would die before he reached one simply because of the distance. Unless the grey fleshed beast somehow had a teleport mechanism of some sort? He doubted that true. Besides, even if he could make it to his lands thanks to some otherworldly power, it wouldn’t be on his own two feet.

“How do they say it?” Andromedeux murmured quietly as he sat back on his rear, eyes trailing upwards until they reached Zepar’s cold, unfeeling gaze. The creature- no, man, looked like a skewed vision of salvation. “Dead man walking?”

[Wolkenser]

Again, he was curious. Andromedeux didn’t seem to have any faith in what he had gotten himself into – but if the demon was being perfectly and utterly honest, neither did he. Then again, he was not the one dying... that would prove to be a very important inconvinience, he supposed.

Zepar ignored the comment regarding the distance and braced himself in silence. He knew what he’d be putting up with when it came to transport; he’d already come to terms with the fact that he’d have to carry this… bitter, offending child himself. He was also sure, however, that if any more mocking came his way, he could simply drop him and send him plummeting into his own demise.
Thus, the demon lifted his tick helmet and placed it on his head once more; this would be easier if he covered his face in shadow.

With strange and unexpected solemnity, Zepar bent a knee onto the ground with some uncomfort; it was almost as if he had given in to his own weight. The very earth under him seemed to manifest and complain with a very faint quake as the monster’s hard right fist joined and dug onto the soil beneath it, clenching tightly. This was harder than what he initially thought.

“Climb. Now.” He did not ask - he ordered. The demon needed this to be through as fast as possible.
His right wing shuddered only for the blink of an eye before quickly -yet graciously- folding and moving downwards until its terrible talons grasped at the ground and gave more than enough room for the fae creature to clamber onto his armored back.

“You will mention this to no-one.” Zepar snarled menacingly, though his voice later calmed into a growl. “And mind the heat.”
The latter he did mean. Though his plate fended off most of his body’s natural heat, it was still very warm to the touch, if not hot. It was quite fortunate that even his wings were clad in plate – it would’ve been very lamentable to accidentally burn the fairy man, indeed. Perhaps.

[YeweLion]

Andromedeux really had to hand it to Zepar, for he was nothing short of amazing when it came to knocking the blonde’s feet out from under him. Was the sky still blue? Was the ground still there? He blinked slowly, as if opening his eyes once more my teleport him back to reality.

“Uh,” His mouth dropped dumbly before he could catch himself, but he quickly recovered and rose a brow silently.

There must have been an actual God looking out for him, because the blonde fae somehow mustered up the self-control to not open his mouth again. It’s as if said entity knew Andromedeux would have been obliterated from any planes of existence.
“Sure thing.”

Pushing himself up from the ground, Andromedeux hobbled a few steps before leaning down to scoop up his fallen swords. Their sheaths still rested empty at his hips. Although dusty from having been thrown into the dirt, the twin blades were still beautiful beneath the dull ash. He flicked them out to the side with a small burst of mana and amazingly the dirt seemed to poof outwards and away from the metal, allowing them to safely be re-sheathed and hang from their red sash.

Although the action was minor, Andromedeux felt it eat away at his strength and he sighed, glancing up at Zepar with bruised eyes. He doubted that heat was his biggest concern.
Mustering up what strength and dexterity he had left, he managed to climb atop the hulking beast’s body- though holding on and making sure he didn’t fall to his death was also an energy drain. Something must have been wrong with him to agree so fast, but things had already passed the threshold and he was too tired to fight it any longer.

“You seem to know all about my lands. I will let you get us there.”

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