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Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on April 12, 2019 at 14:02

It had been many years since the night that terror struck between the Ailward faction and the Celestials. Erythreus never wanted to retrace those thoughts ever again, for he had betrayed one person in particular that he had promised to keep out of the crossfire, even if it meant going against his own morals and everything he had been taught. Those thoughts normally crashed over him like ice cold waves, pushing him into a downward spiral that only resulted into his alcoholism being worse. When Erythreus met Artemirta he knew in that very second that all he wanted to do was protect her, and he had promised her just that. Over a period of time, Ery and Arti had became inseparable, but only spending time together in the shadows of everything going on around them, not wanting to face the wrath of what both their kinds would think about a friendship forged between natural enemies.

When everything finally came to final blows, and the Ailwards struck; Erythreus had no time to save Arti, in fact, he helped captivate her and others within her faction to keep up his appearance, afraid that he'd be persecuted by his own if they even caught a sliver of what had been going on between him and Artemitra. He knew he'd betrayed the one person he felt close to back then, the only person he even considered a friend during that time, and he knew he'd broken her. But, Erythreus would have been lying if he had said he hadn't felt pretty broken himself. It was a hard pill to swallow, and to this day the Aspect couldn't let himself feel everything that resulted from the day his and Artemitra's friendship ended. Days had began ticking by so slowly that time seemed to have stopped for the Aspect of Death, he longed to know that Arti was okay at the very least, but he couldn't so much as even check on the Celestial. Journal entry after journal entry, Erythreus had filled an entire book full of thoughts about his long lost friend, and how much he hated himself for betraying her and losing her trust.

Sitting at his desk now, Ery glanced down to the stack of journal in front of him. Journaling his life had became a hobbie, there was nothing he didn't write down; he was sure he had a chapter on everything he had ever been through even if it did sound a little cliche, memories were to important to forget. Last night, Ery had spent his time drinking, and dwelling on things that he probably couldn't change, but something had also happened when he fell asleep, he could have sowrn there was a presence in the room with him controlling his mind when something told him to go find Artemitra, even having a dream of where he thought he was meant to find her, and now that he sat here thinking about it, curiosity nagged at him until he rose from his seat, feeling as though he was being pulled outside by some kind of magnetic force.

It wasn't long after the Aspect made it outside, that he had found himself in the woods. Whatever was going on right now, Ery didn't like it. The further in the forest Ery found himself, the colder it seemed to have gotten. A blanket of thick fog covered the forest' floor as the Aspect wandered through, trying to find whatever, whoever he was being led to, which he assumed was Artemitra. But, the fact that he'd not seen the Celestial since being in Evermore, made it too bizzare that this would be the way he ran into her now after so long. It was only when Erythreus could see clearly beneath the fog, a set of small footprints, footprints that would seem to belong to a female not following any direction in particular, mostly formed into a circle. "What the.." he muttered, but found himself frozen in time as an ear piercing scream echoed through the wooded forest, a scream that matched an all to familiar voice.

He knew now that he was led out here to Artemitra indeed, which didn't sit well with him. Why was something pulling him towards her if she was being attacked. Did that mean there was a plan behind that to attack both of them? The Aspects thoughts began racing to the darkest places he could go in his mind, and nothing he could think of sounded 'okay'. None of this made sense, but surely enough, his feet began pulling him towards the sounds of her screams. For what felt like ages, Erythreus finally made it to the source of the screams, and the moment he laid eyes on the dark haired Celestial he'd betrayed so many years ago being attacked by a rogue Valkyr, anger rushed over him like he'd never felt before. He could see the rogue using as much strength as possible to hold her in place, and while he wasn't garunteed he'd be safe without his guard to protect him, the Aspect lunged forward, just in time to keep the male's fangs from penetrating her flesh. "I'd strongly advise you to let her go" he said calmly at first, but his expression spoke in volumes.

Ery somehow though, seemed much slower than the rogue, as his fangs quickly sunk into her neck, or so it appeared anyways, but without hesitation, the Aspect ran forward, knocking the Valkyr away from her, causing Arti, himself and the rogue to hit the ground. Hoping he hadn't hurt her in doing so, Erythreus glanced back to Arti to see if she was hurt, only to turn back to the rogue, who took the time that Erythreus had his head turned away, to break out into a run. "Don't worry, I'll catch you later you piece of shit!" he called out to the rogue, who was now only a shadow, disappearing in the depths of the forest. "I shouldn't have let him go, but I couldn't leave you here like this.." he stated, unable to make eye contact with her at first. It had been years afterall, and the last time Ery saw Arti, he was pretty sure she hated him, and wasn't sure if that'd changed over the years.

Standing, he brushed himself off before holding a hand out to her. Noticing that she glowed dimly, the Aspect frowned, figuring that, that too was his fault, or what had happened on the Isle of Skye, which still summed it up to being his fault. "Artemitra..." he spoke, his own tone held a brokenness to it when he finally made eye contact with her. "Somethings not right out here, and while I want to stand here and tell you how sorry I am, We have to get somewhere safe first" he expressed. Little did they both know, that this was only the beginning of their day, and that they wouldn't be leaving this forest anytime soon.

It only seemed to continue getting colder, something else that seemed off to Ery, and the more he wondered what the hell was happening, the more frightened he'd became that this was something much bigger than he and Artemitra both could handle. Kneeling, he placed his jacket around her shoulders before standing back to his feet, still with his hand held out to help her up.

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on April 12, 2019 at 21:25

It was a struggle between two species, that were supposed to be Yin and Yang. Expect, this Valkyr was blood thirsty, and had no intentions of letting the woman go easily. As sharp fangs approached her; a very familiar strong voice echoed inside of her ears. A voice; she had no doubt been trying her best to avoid, and didn’t think she’d hear all too soon. But there he was. It seemed, like her luck of avoiding Ery as much as possible-had run out. Or maybe, it was luck? That he came to her rescue? Either way, here he was.

For a few moments, the Celestial had no idea what was even happening. It was like everything happened so quick, yet so slow at the same time. As The Aspect of Death, tackled the rogue away from her. All of them ended up hitting the ground with a thud. A groan escaping the Celestial, as the impact was quick and sudden. For a few moments. Artemis thought, she felt the rogue nip at her shoulder blade in the process as well. There was a sharp sensation; as if the fangs actually pierced her skin. But no blood. Leaving the Celestial confused. Her dark brown hair, slightly dishevelled. As she pulled herself up slightly; watching the rogue vampire run off. Swallowing slightly; as she heard the Aspect of Death address her.

“I am sure, you could have? After all...you left me and my people to rot in steel cages, locked away like animals.” The statement, came out cold; filled with a bitter yet broken tone. But also sounded more like a question. She wasn’t sure, what to think about him anymore. What he was capable, of doing or not. It felt, like she didn’t know him anymore. Not considering his betrayal. The Celestial didn’t blame just his brothers whom gave the orders, she blamed him; she blamed his entire faction. For a short while; the young looking Immortal thought she had her resentment and anger under control. But seeing him in front of her; it seemed to prove otherwise. As much, as she hated feeling this resentment and hatred towards someone she cared deeply for; a part of her wasn’t sure, if she’d be able to forgive him.

The Celestial avoided eye contact with him; But pain, bitterness and sadness written all over her face. It hurt to look at him, without thinking off what once was.

Sitting up more properly, on the ground. Artemitra touched her shoulder blade. Just to make sure, the rogue vampire didn’t hurt her. Feeling something wet against her touch for a few moment. As she pulled back her hand...she saw spots of blood. How was that possible? She didn’t feel anything wet, on her shoulder before. Blinking...the blood was gone again. Artemis wondered if she ended up hitting her head slightly, falling to the ground. Maybe she was just imagining things. Staring at her hand, in confusion. ‘What the hell is going on?’ she thought to herself.

Seeing his hand outstretched towards her. The Celestial glanced towards the Aspect of Death. “Don’t you think, that’s apology a little too late?” Try, like 100 years overdue if anything. She tried to refrain from the cold bitterness of her voice. But it was hard. Considering her mixed feelings. But judging from his voice, he sounded broken about the matter as well. Unless, he was really good at faking it in her presence? But Artemitra would like to think, she knew him better than that. If she knew, anything about him at all. As she glanced towards his hand again, she was refusing to take it. But the sudden strange chill, sent tingles down her spine. In a very uncomfortable way. Did he expect her to trust him? After everything, after his betrayal? That would be a bit too of a major expectation. The moment, their eyes made proper contact. The Celestial was quick to withdraw it. Unable to look at the Aspect, for longer than few seconds.

His jacket adding some warmth to her; as the Celestial was feeling bit colder; despite wearing a jacket herself. It took her a few moments to get her bearings, before she pulled herself from the ground, a bit shakily. Reluctantly, taking his hand for some support. But quickly dropping it; when she was on her two feet.

Looking around, Artemitra tried to think back as to which direction she came from. Turning west….it looked more like she was facing east. No, that can’t be right. Turning south, to her it looked like she was facing north. Turning in all directions, everything looked exactly the same. Unable to pinpoint, what direction to go in. “Is it just me, or does everything look the same?” She wasn’t sure, if it was her lack of sense of direction. Or her mind was playing tricks on her. But the large silvery fern tree, that was in front of them. Seemed to be the only tree, she saw in every and each direction. When in reality, the trees around them were different. Unless, it was his presence that was totally throwing her off course; as her mind was racing.

“Umm...maybe, we should go the way you came from.” As much, as she hated to think. Maybe, he’d be able to lead them away from here. After all, he might have a better sense of direction than her right now. Hoping, that they’d get out of here soon. The wind seemed to be picking up a bit more, with the strange chill. And Artemis wasn’t sure, just how long she could cope in his company. Without emotions and tensions running too high.

Walking, Artemitra tried to keep a bit of a distance away from the Aspect. Just for her own space, to try and gather up her thoughts and calm her emotions; which seemed to be all over the place right now.

His constant scent, that was coming from his jacket around her. Was starting to get to her head too. Stirring up old memories, of once upon a happier time. Shrugging off his jacket. Artemis tossed it back at the Aspect of death, letting it land over his shoulder. The Celestial wasn’t sure how to feel right now, but slightly uncomfortable and jittery was one of the things, she was feeling right now. “How did you find me anyways?” Breathing out, a thought that kept popping up in her head every few seconds. Although, a part of her wasn’t sure, if she really wanted to know. Hoping, he wasn’t intentionally seeking her out. She wasn’t sure, how she would handle it, if that was the case.

Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on April 19, 2019 at 18:58

Erythreus expected nothing less from the Celestial when she spoke to him in a venomous tone. For a brief second, his only response was to hang his head low, shame coursing through his entire being. "Arti.." he stated in a low tone, barely able to make eye contact with the Celestial since her words seemed to cut right through him like daggers plunging through his chest with each one she spoke. "I don't know what else you thought I could do differently Arti. If you ever believe anything, please believe me when I sai that I hate myself with a pasion and I always will for leaving you the way that I did. But, I can't take it back.. no matter how much I want to" the Aspect vented a little.

When she finally sat up, Ery watched as she seemed to seek out any wounds from the rogue, and noticed the expression on her face when she pulled her fingers back, staring at them blankly. "Are you okay?" he then questioned hesitantly, knowing he'd only get a snarky response in return. Giving her an eye roll, The Aspect shook his head before withdrawing his hand after Arti dropped it just as quickly as she had grabbed it,  "Yeah, okay Arti, got it. Crystal clear" he then said, clearing his throat before gazing out into the distance, or at least attempting to do so. But, the longer they were out here, the darker and colder the forest seemed to grow. Ery knew something was wrong out here. Never had had been creeped out by darkness.. hell, he was the ruler of the underworld, where only the dead resided, but the forest, and whatever was out here with them, was something that for some reason, had scared Erythreus.

It was only when Artemitra spoke that it'd dawned on Erythreus that they were indeed in danger, but Ery decided he'd keep his cool, so that he didn't scare Arti any more than she may have already felt right now. Swallowing harshly, Ery looked in all directions just as Artemtira had currently been doing, but to no avail as he saw exactly what she did, which was no way out for them. "It is all the same.. what the fuck" he expressed, now showing the fear he had tried so hard to hide earlier. Giving a side glance as she made a suggestion, Erythreus placed his hands on the back of his head, spinning around in each and every direction before chuckling, and not because this was even remotely funny. But, because it just seemed to be the Aspects luck. "I don't even remember what way I came from.. something is really wrong. We gotta find a way out of here, quickly" he expressed in what would have probably sounded like a panicked tone, as they began walking.

While Artemitra walked with a distance between them, The Aspect chuckled, finding amusement even in a moment like this. It was true that Ery's sense of humor was as warped as he was, and sometimes even morbid, but if one couldn't find something to laugh about in moments of fear, despair, sorrow and heartbreak, it would cause a person to go insane. He knew that best. Erythreus could sense Arti's emotions, he knew they were all over the place, and he would have been lying to say his hadn't been the same way; but right now he sincerely did just wanna get them away from here safely and deal with whatever else later. As Arti suddenly tossed his jacket backward, landing it perfectly over his shoulder, the Aspect jumped, startled "Seriously.." he grumbled, giving a bitter glare to the Celestial who was well within her rights to be acting the way she was right now.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am. I know it's to soon to even debate on whether to forgive me or not, but something is going on out here that requires you to hate me a little less, or at least pretend to.. after we make it out of here safely, you can go back to hating me with a burning passion" he stated. To her question, the Aspect stopped dead in his tracks. It was actually pretty insane how he had made his way to her "Well.." he started off, before trying to figure out how to explain it. "I was sitting in my room writing in my journal, something's been nagging at me since last night, a voice you could say, telling me that you were in danger. It was like a magnetical force pulling me to you.. and well, here I am" he stated, eyeing her for a moment, trying to offer a warming smile, to assure hr that her thoughts about his intentions were wrong. "I promise I didn't seek you out to hurt you Artemitra. Past decisions made on my behalf, well i can never be sorry enough..." he trailed off, frowning.

Before the Aspect could say another word, a gust of wind powerful enough to knock Ery down swept through him and Artemitra before a sharp pain coursed down his spine. "Arti.. you may have to run.. go without me" he grunted through a heavy breath, finding it hard to breathe while reaching around to feel of his back, nothing appeared to be struck through his flesh, though the feeling that he was bleeding felt all to real, and the pain didn't subside. "So..Something is out here with us" he stated, trying to catch his breath before pulling himself back to his feet, still there was nothing around that looked different. They still seemed to be walking in a circle that would never end. Out of fear that something would happen to Artemitra, and again be Ery's fault, didn't sit well with the Aspect at all, with that came more will power to fight for the both of them to make it out of here safe. "I promise you this time nothing will happen to you.." his voice rang out unsure. Erythreus didn't know who or what had caused he and Arti to wind up here together, but whatever/whoever it was, had done so for a reason "this feel to much like a trap..." he then stated, before falling silent as the sounds of another being seemed to close for comfort, even though the Aspect saw absolutely nothing or no one.

 

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on April 21, 2019 at 18:56

Hearing him use an old nickname for her..or was it new now? As a lot of her friends used different variations of that one now-a-days. It tugged at her heart-strings. “Don’t!” Artemis said sharply. “Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare stand here...and call me that!” As angry as she sounded, her voice also shook with heavy emotion. As far as she was concerned; he lost that right to call her sweet nicknames; a long time ago. To him, she was just Artemitra...if he ever got the privilege of calling her anything else other than that...it would just be Artemis. And that’s as far as it would go. Tears clouding her eyes, as they threatened to spill. But she was fighting, to not let him see the tears welling up in her eyes. “I am sure, there’s plenty of things you could have done differently!” Artemis breathed out, after a few moments. “Including, being the man you said you were! But no….you went...and turned out like the rest of the Ailwards! Liars! Betrayers!” The Celestial was getting more closer to yelling at him louder, with each breath.Was it fair to call him a liar and betrayer? Maybe not...but that’s what he was in her eyes. His actions...betrayal cut deeper than a knife.

She felt angry, hurt, betrayed, broken. And needing to unleash her anger out somehow. Because reckless actions on her behalf would have ended up getting her killed. And no matter how her friends were trying to help her cope, how she was trying to have some sort of normality in her life, move on; she still remained broken and hurt deep down. And now in his presence struggling to keep that anger and hurt under control. Artemis almost stared at him in disbelief; the anger swimming more in her eyes as he had the audacity to ask her to believe him. “Be...lieve you? I believed you once...I trusted you...cared about you….lo…” her words trailing off. Because the last few years...maybe even more than that she wondered if any of it was real. But now, that the damage had been done over 100 years ago. Believing him, seemed like a joke right now.

Blinking back the tears in her eyes. Artemis looked away from the Aspect in anger. Hearing his concern for her however; when she was dazed in her hallucination that she was injured and bleeding. The Celestial chose to ignore him out of anger. Seeing that the blood marks on her fingertips were gone. She indeed, must have just been imagining them. Maybe it was the stress of the entire situation, and shock of seeing him. And with how eerie, everything was around them. No wonder, she felt like her mind was getting played with.

Out of the two of them; the Aspect seemed more calm. Then again, he had more centuries of life and experience in tricky, sticky situations under his belt. He had probably been trained, and learned how to keep calm. But as he expressed he didn’t know, the way he came from. The Celestial closed her eyes...a slight hiss of annoyance escaping her. “Oh great...like that’s...of any use!” Aremitra muttered. Great...I am stuck in this freakin forest...with someone, I don’t want to be stuck with. The thought echoing around her head. Did all the Gods and Stars in the sky hate her, that they made her be stuck here, and with Ery?Of all the people...she had been doing her best to avoid. Then again, it could have been worse; if she had been stuck with Ven. Artemis didn’t think, she’d keep her self in control around the leader; both because of her anger towards them all in general...but because Ven also hurt, her closest friend; the Celestial leader Ophelia. At least, with Ery...her anger towards him..wasn’t as doubled. But still fierce in it’s own right.

Raising a sharp eyebrow, as he seemed panicked. That was so unlike Ery...let alone to be forgetful. “Are you suddenly getting memory loss? Isn’t that for like really old people?” The Celestial asked; her tone coming out with a hint of sass and annoyance. Her eyebrow raised sharply. It sounded, like the brunette was implying he was suffering Dementia or something of the sort; if he couldn’t remember the way he came from.

Trying to shake the annoyance, anger and in general off her mixed emotions. Artemitra was headed in no particular direction. She didn’t know, which way she was going. Let alone which direction she came from anymore. Hearing him chuckling, Artemis closed her eyes. Shaking her head, with a groan of annoyance. “Oh great, Hades’ strange sense of humor is coming out to play.” The celestial muttered to herself. Obviously, not finding amusement in what-ever had him chuckling all of a sudden. Artemis avoided looking at him; until she caught his steely glare after chucking his coat back at him. “Oh...I am sorry...did you want me to smell like you?!” Artemitra rose a sharp eyebrow, with a frown. Her words coming out sharp and irritable. She didn’t exactly want to smell like an Aspect. Especially, since that scent was making her more unstable right now; with her emotions being all over the place. If she had to freeze...than so be it. The Celestial, would rather make that choice, than be covered in his coat and scent.

The Celestial was trying to get herself under control. But his words didn’t really help her much. It had been too soon, seeing him. Let alone forgiving him, for what had been done. Even if she could ever find a way to forgive him; It was way too early. But she would never ever forget.The past having made, deeper marks on her, than he knew. But living with such anger and hatred-it didn’t feel like her. And she didn’t want it to consume her. But his request to hate him a little less, was almost laughable. “I am not a fake.” Artemis reminded him. “You either get the good side of me...or you get the bad side of me...not some fancy, fake-in between side.” The Celestial scowled at him. Unfortunately for him; he was getting the bad and the ugly. Pretending to not hate him, would probably take a lot more energy and will power. And right now, she was using that will power to keep her emotions in check and not break down, from it all. Maybe, if she calmed herself down enough. Then she would contemplate...trying to at least...work alongside him...but hating him a little less? Artemis doubted, it’d happen that easily.

Listening to how, he found her. Artemitra narrowed her eyes slightly. Her brows furrowed. He had the urge, to find her? To protect her, due to some kind of a voice? Seeing that smile, damn him and his charms. It made her features soften slightly, but she still didn’t look too impressed with the entire ordeal. Not sure, if she should trust his word for it either. It all seemed, a little too convenient; if you asked her. Past actions, on his behalf? Was he kidding. Artemis jaw clenched. In her eyes...he was guilty as the rest of them. Before the Celestial could argue. The strange chill sent shivers down her spine. Before the gust of wind knocked her over. Landing on her back.. Knocked back.few paces away from Ery.

For a few moments; the face of the rogue Valkyr swam towards her in the thickness of a sudden fog. Making the Celestial jolt up in alert. But then the image of the fog and the rogue were gone. "Are you kidding me?!" Artemis breathed out, looking at the Aspect "and go where?! If you haven’t noticed! WE’RE GOING IN FREAKING CIRCLES!” the Celestial snapped in annoyance, when he told her to run.”I am sure, it would amuse you to great ends, to see me running around like a helpless chicken!” She wasn’t going to give him the benefit of amusement, by running around in circles like a lunatic.  Seeing him reach for his back. Artemitra had managed to pull herself up onto her feet. What on earth was he playing at now? Artemis wasn’t sure, what the heck was going on. But she was starting to feel a little more scared...and his strange behavior...like something had hurt him? She didn’t know what that was about either. His words about something being out here with them, made her jaw clench. “Yes! Yes! Something is out here! It’s that ROGUE YOU LET ESCAPE! HOW COULD YOU BE SO IDIOTIC?! IT’S A ROGUE! IF ANYTHING IS AFTER US, IT’S HIM!” Artemis voice was raising more and more, now feeling more panicked; it’d come after her mainly….if she went off on her own. “THAT’S A LIE! THE ROGUE WANTED TO KILL ME! IT’S STILL OUT HERE!” Artemis was now yelling at the Aspect frantically, as he promised nothing would hurt her. But he was uncertain. And she couldn’t deal with uncertainty..not in this situation. Artemis had  no idea what was going on; but she couldn’t see anything wrong with him. “WHATEVER IS GOING ON! SNAP OUT OF IT ERYTHREUS! YOU’RE THE GOD-DAMNED ASPECT OF DEATH! YOU’RE STRONGER THAN THIS! I AM NOT DOING THIS ALONE!” Her small hand flew up. Slapping him hard across the face. Both from her frustration and maybe in an attempt to break him out of what-ever had him so confused. The impact of her small hand against his face; resounded in quiet a loud slapping sound; that echoed throughout the entire forest. Making her hand ache. Trying to ignore the pain in her hand. Trying to remember, what he once told her about fear staring them in the face? Stare right back at it...not run? No..that sounded wrong. She couldn’t recall the exact words right now. But it seemed to be something along those lines.

Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on April 24, 2019 at 3:56

Stuck in the depths of the woods, it wasn't like Ery could exactly ignore the fact that she now stood there yelling at him. He had apparently struck a nerve by using an old nickname he had called her once upon a time when she trusted him. "Artemitra..." he then said, swallowing harshly and avoiding eye contact with her at any means. "I'm sorry Artemitra.. but you're not going to hear that right now.. all you know is hatred, and that's fine, I don't deserve anything less, but right now can I at least get you out of here safely?" he asked, before glancing over to her hesitantly "to do that, i'm gonna have to have you work with me.." he finished off before scanning their surroundings again, still hazed by confusion.

The more Artemis yelled at him, the worse Ery felt about those specific events when all hell had broke loose for the two factions. For a few moments, those words replayed over and over again in the Aspects mind, 'liars', 'betrayers'.. things he had never meant to turn out to be in Artemis's life "I can't turn it around, no matter how much I want too, and you have no idea how bad I want too.." he expressed, his tone matching a set of sad eyes. It was only when Artemis mumbled out the next set of words in anger, but mostly heartbreak, not only could he see it in her eyes, but he heard it, felt it even, and it caused the broody Aspect himself to tear up, thrown for a loop when she nearly dropped the l word. "I don't know what to say.. I wish you knew how sorry I was.. I know it's not even a humane thing to ask for your trust, you're right, believing me is asking to much from you right now, I was out of line for that" he admitted, barely able to keep his own emotions hidden at this point.

"It still haunts me that you put some much trust and faith into me, and still I led you around blindly. Not because I wanted to, you have no ideal how much I hate myself Artemis" he added before shaking his head, only able to stand here feeling guilt stricken. He deserved it. Erythreus was indeed more calm even if on the inside he was terrified beyond expression. No training he and the others had ever been through would prepare him to be stranded in the woods with a woman he had let down so many years ago, a woman he couldn't deny, that truthfully he had fallen for at one point too. Saying it out loud was another thing entirely though, and besides, it's not like she would have heard it, or believed it. When it appeared as though she then blamed him for being just as lost as she was out here and not remembering what way he'd came from, Ery shook his head, giving an eye roll before hanging his head low, only to snicker.

“It’s not like I could have seen this coming. Do you really think this is what I had on my schedule for today Artemis? I always wanted to find you after everything that had happened, but more so in a place where I could walk away when you started making me feel worse than I already do, there’s really no where to escape out here, and sticking together right now seems like our best bet” he stated, acknowledging the way she arched a brow just before a sassy comment rolled off her tongue without hesitation. “For old people? You’re right, i’m only 1500 plus years old” he added sarcastically, sighing out of annoyance himself now. “I don’t have memory loss. Something’s not right, trust me.. And yeah I know asking you to trust me is an impossible stretch, but at least trust me when I say there’s something wrong out here” he finished, giving her a side glance before desperately looking around a circle again, still seeing nothing but the exact same trees surrounding them.

Erythreus bit down on his lip, avoiding the laughter that nearly burst out of him when she then threw his coat at him. “Not at all, though I do smell pretty good if i must say so myself. So be it though, if you want to freeze. Freeze.” Erythreus stood there for a moment just staring at the Celestial blankly, before picking back up and walking whatever way he could, the sooner this ended, the better off they’d both be. Right now Artemis made him want to drown himself in whiskey. “I get what you’re saying. I don’t expect you to give me anything in between the good and bad side of you, I get what side you’re giving me, trust me, you’ve made it quite clear how deeply your hatred for me runs” he stated before glancing over her shoulder to what had appeared to be a shadowy figure, pointing into a direction.

Erythreus being the Aspect of Death meant that he could communicate with the dead, and they appeared between the two relams in the form of a shadow, so Erythreus silently acknowledged what he had just seen, and felt that it may have been some sort of help from the underworld he ruled. After they had both been knocked down by the gust of wind, forceful enough to have even put two beings like Artemis and Ery down, Erytrheus’ jaw muscles flexed angrily, but he decided not to lash out after realizing Arti had again seen something that wasn’t technically out here with them. “This is only getting worse.. But if youll allow me, I think we should go that way” he stated, pointing into the direction that the shadow figure had pointed too before disappearing like it was never even there. Little did he know, Ery would be leading them into much more danger than they were in now.

Erythreus sat there pained by the sharp blow sent to his back, and for that moment, Artemis had finally angered him enough for him to retaliate as she only continued screaming at him. “IM NOT PLAYING AT ANYTHING!” he stated, swearing he could have just opened a portal to another world with how loud his voice had echoed through the forest, in the form of a growl, while slamming his fist through the ground, making a decent sized hole in the ground. Ery pushed himself up, despite thinking he had an object impaling his spine right now and inched towards the Celestial with a wicked glimmer in his eyes. “DO YOU REALLY THINK I WANTED THIS?!” he shouted again, this time standing face to face with her, dropping his hands quickly after the anger had caused him to grab the Celestial by both arms with a force he hadn’t meant to use.

Ashamed, he hung his head again, “Im so sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. But there’s no rogue out here Artemis.. That sounds as crazy as…” he stated, almost accidentally blurting out how he had just seen a shadowy figure pointing them into another direction. But if he seen that, then it was possible that what Artemis was saying was also true, that she had in fact seen a rogue, weather it was true or some kind of supernatural mist in the forest causing them to hallucinate what they were seeing. Erythreus frowned, he saw how scared she was, and why would she have believed for even a second to think he was honest when he’d told her he wasn’t going to let anything hurt her.

Either way, he had to prove it. “Im not going to let it hurt you Arti, whatever you saw, I owe it to you.. And I don’t expect nothing ive said to make up for anything that I did” he admitted, taken aback by the hefty slap she’d sent across his face with her dainty hand, moments later, realizing the pain in his back had disappeared. “The pain, it’s gone…” he stated as he felt of his back a few times over, looking at his fingers every time he touched and pulled away, Something got inside my head.. Nothing was ever there..” he then trailed off, realizing that just the mere sound of her voice, even if it was her shouting at him angrily, had taken his mind off of it. “You took my mind off of it” he added, before shaking his head, frightened that something could overpower him that much to have caused him to think he’d been impaled with something.

Reaching up, Ery rubbed his cheek for a second, before glancing at her, now making eye contact. “I promise you aren’t alone. Let’s just make it away from this screwed up mess and figure the rest out later” he added, before glancing into the distance where the shadow figure had disappeard. “As you just stated, i’m the Aspect of Death. I can communicate with the dead, and unless it was another delusion, Im hoping we were just pointed into a safe direction. Youve saw a rogue, we’ve been knocked down by a force of wind, and i just saw the form of a shadow pointing that way” he stated before he began walking into the direction he was referring too. Erythreus couldn’t lie to himself though, the further he walked in this direction, the more hazy things became for the Aspect of Death. Though, to keep her from being any more frightened than she was right now, he decided not to comment on his own fear.

“I see that time has treated you kindly..” he stated, trying to distract himself from whatever it was he was feeling now, and even more as he continued walking. Ery gave Arti a side glance, a faint smile gracing his features at the hot headed Celestial. It had only been another matter of second when Erythreus saw something run behind the tree’s “Did you see that?” he questioned, widened eyes averting over into Artemis’s way. Grabbing a dagger from out of his boot, Ery was done playing games. Whatever, whoever this was, it was time to stop them.

The figure seemed to have ran closer, close enough for Erythreus to make contact with them, with the dagger. After plunging it into the being, Ery’s shaken form kneeled to see what or who it was, unable to comprehend the face that came into his view. “OH FUCK!” he shouted, panic consuming him as well as fear “Artemis! HOW?!” he struggled, unable to form words, or any sense of how that had just happened. “OH GOD ARTI IM SO SORRY” he stated before pulling her form over to him, relieving her of the dagger. He could only count his blessings right now that she was a suprnatural, and that he hadn’t pierced her heart.

Whatever was going on, just like his gut had told him earlier, was beyond anything they could control. And right now, Erythreus was out of ideas. Getting them out of here safe? Well that was out the window now too. Tears poured down the Aspects face, ‘WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!” he then called out, unsure of who he was calling out too, but something had to give.

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on April 27, 2019 at 21:33

At this moment in time, Artemis wasn’t sure that any amount of sorries was enough. It didn’t cover the extent of her hurt. Or erase the anger, bitterness, resentment, sadness and maybe the fear that something like that might happen again. The Celestial was an emotional mess; one single word from him had caused her more confusion and touched a nerve. A big nerve at that. To work aside him, that means trying to keep a good control over her emotions. But was that possible. “I didn’t expect to see you, let alone work with you.” Artemis breathed out...her voice shaky. As she was struggling to keep herself together. It seemed, like she was going from one emotion to another. She looked away from him; trying to blink back the tears that kept forming in her eyes. Trying to suppress them. Artemitra was quiet, listening to him speak. She was quiet; but avoiding looking at him for the most part. Finding that if she looked at him, it got her even more upset. “You’re right...I don’t know!” The Celestial breathed out. “I feel, like I don’t know anything about you anymore.” In all honesty, what happened with the capture of her kind; changed her view on Ery as well as his family. It felt like everything, she thought she knew about the Aspects, Ery in particular was more lies than anything. Artemitra was sure, others felt the same way. It wasn’t just her, or Ophelia that had been second guessing things. A part of her would have liked to hope; that she still knew something about him, that something about him from back then was still true. But his actions made it very questionable.

Her heart clenched hearing him admit, he led her around blindly even if he didn’t want to. “Yet, you still done it! If you knew, what Ven was planning on doing, you should have fought against it, if you cared about any of us!” Artemis was struggling keeping her voice even, let alone quiet. It kept going between anger and sadness...cracking every once in a while. “For what? What did we do...what did any of us do to any of you?!” Artemis croaked out, as tears slide down her cheeks. It was one of the things, that she and the others never truly knew. Why? What made the Aspects turn against them. “I actually liked all of you...I thought you were family! You all made us believe that’s, how things would be! So why?!” Artemis almost yelled again, whilst trying not to break down, right in front of the Aspect. But her voice failing her; trembling. Mainly from the emotional turmoil than the unnatural chill. As one of the captured; there were a lot of things that she didn’t know. Things,Ophelia hadn’t told them. Artemis never dared ask, why the Aspects captured them, because she knew it was painful for Ophelia...and she never spoke about the subject much. Not until, the other day when the two had a bit of a heart-to heart during a girly evening. But the subject of why, they got captured never came up. But now, face to face with an Aspect. At least, someone could give her an answer. Although, she wasn’t entirely sure the answer would make her feel better.

Covering her face with her hands. Mitra had her back turned away from the aspect for a few moments. Trying to keep herself together. Keeping her emotions under check, would prove to be a bit of a challenge. He wanted to find her? “Mhh, you wanted to find me? Funny...I spent the last few years avoiding you and your family, as best as I could...guess my luck run out.” It was true, she couldn’t avoid him forever.Even if she had been avoiding him; Artemis was too stubborn, to admit she wondered how he had been doing himself. But bumping into him; during this kind of a situation. It was unexpected. “Just don’t get in my personal space..” Artemis warned him, as he spoke about them sticking together. If she had to bare it; she’d find a way to work with him despite how angry and upset she felt. But having him too close...that wasn’t something, she exactly wanted hence the reason, why she walked with a gap between them. Hearing him remind her, how old he was. Artemis rolled her eyes into the back of her head, as he claimed he didn’t have memory loss. Hugging her arms around herself. Artemis felt like she could curl up to keep warm. Despite having a coat of her own. Ery’s had been much warmer, on top of hers. But she could survive. However, the Aspect was right. Something wasn’t right. “It’s probably that strange fog. I can’t think straight.” Him being here either, didn’t help the thinking process either. As she felt torn between so many emotions right now, every few moments. It felt like a inner battle inside of her self, emotionally.

Artemis made a slight face in annoyance, as he said he smelled pretty good. “Well, sorry to disappoint...I’d rather not smell like you...so thanks...I can manage.” she hissed back. Even if she froze to death. At least, she’d be out of his hair. With how she felt, freezing seemed like a better option. She didn’t glance in his direction, avoiding eye contact when she could. As much as she hated to admit it; deep down, she still cared for him. She always would. But Artemis was too hurt, to say it out loud. Artemitra wasn’t even sure, that it’d make any difference. She couldn’t let herself trust him, and repeat the cycle of betrayal. So the Celestial was keeping up her guard. The strange misty fog was making it bit harder to breathe, as it seemed to be getting thicker. And everything looked identical. Seeing him glancing over her shoulder. Artemis looked in the same direction; but saw nothing.

When Ery pointed in a direction. Artemis glanced towards the more foggier/darker part of the woods. “You want us to go in the...there?” The Celestial looked in doubt. Why enter more fog and haziness? They were already lost enough, entering the darkness as that...she didn’t see how that’ help them. Unless, he saw something past the darkness and fog, where they’d be led to safety.

Her eyes growing slightly wider, as the Aspect was becoming angry himself. The feel of him punching at the ground, made it quiver beneath both of their feet. It wasn’t often, she saw him angry. But this was something different indeed. The size of the hole he had punched was quite big...probably big enough to have ripped a hole through someone’s body, killing them on impact...if he hit a person like that. Before she could stumble back; she was in his tight grip. Letting out a yelp of pain at his tight squeeze.

“Yes there is! I saw him!” Artemis countered, as he said there wasn’t a rogue. As he trailed off..she narrowed her eyes, hoping he wasn’t trying to imply that she was going crazy. It was almost like in every corner she looked; the image of the rogue Valkyr kept floating around in the fog. At that point, she wasn’t sure if it was just the fog playing tricks on her or not. It made the Celestial shiver uncomfortably. Hearing him promise to protect her, Artemis tried to decipher if he really meant it or not. Or was it just some sort of intricate lie, to get her to believe him?

Whatever she had done, or said seemed to have brought Ery back out of the trance. Artemis rubbed her sore hand slightly. “How is that?...no one is here... besides the…” Artemis trailed off herself. Was someone else out here with them also? Looking around, Artemitra tried to see if there was someone else out there with them. But besides Ery, and the strange fog that seemed to be never-ending in patches; she saw no one else. Hearing him explain, he saw a figure pointing them in the direction of the darkness and more fog. Artemis looked at him. “I am not sure, that’s a safe direction t….” it felt like something clouding her mind. The Celestial rubbed her temple, forgetting the rest of the sentence she wanted to say. Trying to shake it off. Walking a little reluctantly in the same direction, as Ery. Maybe he was right, maybe they’d get to safety through there.

His compliment caught the Celestial off guard slightly. Was she supposed to give one back? “You don’t look bad, yourself...for almost 1600.” Was probably the nicest thing she had said to himself so far. Although, her tone of voice sounded uncertain; due to so many emotions. It was a wonder, she didn’t explode just yet. “See what?” Artemis looked confused; not seeing anything. But looking around frantically, trying to make out what he had just seen. The Celestial tripped over a piece of log, that was sticking out from the ground, hidden among the fog and grass. In the process...she saw the Rogue jump out at her from the midst; making her scream as she stumbled back further. Before a choked gasp left her...feeling something pierce through her. Her eyes wide, as she stared up at Ery.

Trembling. Artemis saw a dagger stuck in her chest. Feeling the tip piercing through her heart. She felt strange warmth and wetness forming across her chest. The Celestial blinked, coughing up some blood as he pulled her close, pulling out the dagger from her. “You…” she choked out, before her eyes started to close, blood oozing out of her quickly.

The Celestial felt like she was dying; but she hadn’t slipped away just yet. Realising that the dagger had pierced her shoulder instead...but for a few moments. She had seen herself slipping away in his arms, from getting stabbed in the heart. Pushing him away from her. Artemis felt a surge of anger run through her, that she couldn’t explain. Almost like someone was controlling her. “What the hell did you just do to me?!” The Celestial was shocked, and the anger was growing “Oh don’t worry! I won’t let anything hurt you!” she mocked his words, not long ago. “You liar! You’re the one stabbing me! Are you trying to kill me?!” For a few moments, it felt like something else was controlling her, as Artemis spun around quickly. Her foot colliding with his jawline, in a forceful kick.

That’s when, a fight began to break out between the Celestial and the Aspect. Given, the current situation, it was dangerous for her to fight an elder being than herself; especially if she had a death wish. But he had crossed a line and pissed her off.The anger was enough, for small amounts of celestial energy to be building up. Looking at the glow in her hands. The energy slowly formed into small energy balls. Artemis had no idea, what the energy would do the Aspect. But she was about to find out; as she sent one hurling towards him.

Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on May 5, 2019 at 18:58

With the shake of his head, the Aspect sighed "I guess that makes two of us Artemis" he stated, but decided to continue gazing anywhere except for at her, because that only seemed to make things worse. It's not like he didn't already feel enough guilt for what'd happened to her in the crossfire between the Ailward faction and the Celestials. A huge part of him had wished back then to propose a deal, that the ambassadors handle it amongst themselves, and both choose one or two turstee's to witness whatever happened between them, but no, war was always the answer for everyone, and during that war, it'd caused Erythreus a lot. He had lost Artemis's trust and friendship, but he'd also lost himself a little; there's no way he would have ever turned on his very own family, not to save any friendship or lover.

When she yelled at him, reminding him that he'd still done it, asking why, asking what any of them had done to the Aspects to deserve it, Erythreus gritted his teeth, flexing his jaw muscles as anger coursed through him once again. "It wasn't you in particular who did anything wrong; it was your kind, the threat you all posed to us among others. Ophelia was sent back to the time of  a woman named Raven's death, to fix it, and bring her back, well that went down hill, and she ended up causing thousands of deaths instead of fixing just one. After that it was decided .. for EVERYONES safety that you all would be better off in confinement" he explained as in depth as he was going to. Ery figured that if anyone should be telling her this story, it should be Ophelia.

Ery couldn't help but snicker then as she stated her luck had ran out, due to the fact that she'd been avoiding Erythreus and his family, yet here they stood face to face. With a blank expression, the Aspect glanced to her "I did, and I have wanted to for a long time now to see if there was any way that I could attempt to make up for my part in everything that happened to you.. i have no regret for what happened to the others, it wasn't my doings, but I did stand by my family, and I can't.. I won't be sorry for that.. I just wished I could have stood by both of you.. sadly, a man can't always have his cake and eat it too" he expressed, assuming his way of saying things was just enough to piss her off all over again. The Aspect glanced down to the fog when she mentioned it may being the reason that the two of them had forgotten how they'd gotten out here, or at least the direction they took. "You could be onto something with that, but i feel pretty powerless right now, any ability i have isn't enough to protect us from what's out here.. I deal with dead people .. me and you are very much alive still, and i'd like to keep it that way"

This had probably deemed one of the most awkward moments of the Aspects life, and even in the midst of her and Erythreus throwing one snide remark after the next to each other, he somehow still found some humor to it. Her comment about not wanting to smell like him, only caused him to laugh, how could he be mad at that? Giving an eye roll, Ery shrugged simply. "Suit yourself, something tells me you'll be asking for it back anyways" he stated with a knowing grin gracing his features. With that same crazed grin on his features, the Aspect nodded in response to her aksing if he really wanted them to go in the direction where it only seemed darker and foggier. "I didn't stutter" he said simply, his snarky tone making him sound even more arrogant than he typically was. Erythreus could tell the size of the hole he'd punched in the ground below them had scared the Celestial a bit, which wasn't his intentions, but he couldn't show sympathy to her fear right now, something had fallen over him where he couldn't fight the feeling of wanting to ... hurt her.

Even the whimper she'd let out alerting him he'd gone to far didn't stop him. But, somehow after what felt like ages, she'd brought him out of it, and now Erythreus stood here struck by guilt and agony once more. Would this ever end? All he wanted right now was to get the hell out of the forest.. alive preferrably. "I don't see him.. but you do, so i'm not gonna say you're lying, you obviously see something that i don't." he admitted, glancing away from her, still staring into the direction of where he felt like they'd been led by the shadowy figure that had now disappeared beneath the blanket of fog and darkness. Erythreus watched Artemis, he could see that something was indeed controlling her mind, she'd cut off mid sentence and rubbed her head, like anyone would have who'd forgotten what they wanted to say that quickly into a sentence. "This is crazy.." he voiced out softly, he knew something was out here now, and so did she.

With everything being in a sea of confusion, the fact that Arti now laid in a pool of blood because of Erythreus assuming he'd struck someone that was out there with him, when in fact he'd plunged that dagger right through Arti herself, made him want to give up. He'd lost all hope that they'd make it out of here, at least both of them. "Please don't ..." he started, unable to form actual sentences "Don't think i wanted that to happen.. I didn't mean to .." he stuttered before stumbling back as she spat at him asking if he was tying to kill her followed by the swift kick of her foot to his jaw, and he was pretty sure she'd broken his jaw. Even if it healed, it hurt like hell and knocked him into a daze. For now, he saw stars, stars that hadn't been in the sky before she kicked him. Holding his jaw, squirming in pain, he choked on blood as he began laughing hysterically, not that any of this was funny, just that, laughing beat the hell out of coweirng in fear.

Standing to his feet with a stagger, Erythreus looked at her, and dismissed the glow in her hands, one that she'd formed into a ball. "Oh what's that supposed to do? make me sparkle?" he questioned, wishing he hadn't been so quick to mock her when she sent it hurling right into him, causing him immense pain as he found himself flying backwards to the parry blow she'd sent. Lying there, he knew the two of them would soon overpower themselves with their own abilities but the need to continue striking back was just to strong, especially now. She'd really hurt him this time, psychically. It took a lot to take down an Aspect .. but Artemis had just done that with ease. With that, Erythreus did the next thing he could think of to knock her down and keep her down. What was popularly known as death-force, the Aspect conjured pieces of wood from the trees around them, manipulating splinter sized pieces to fly straight towards the Celestial and pierce her flesh from head to toe, hopefully his aim was on point.

Since standing and fighting her in a hand to hand combat wasn't an option after the blow she'd sent towards him, the Aspect lied there regaining his strength but gazed around to see what sort of things he could turn into weapons aside from the wood from the trees themselves. Still on his knees, Ery glared up at her with a wicked glimmer in his eyes, "This is just one of the few times that I wallow in the fact that I was the one to put the lock on your cage" he spat out in a sinister like tone, trying to muster up the strength to get up, because even if he managed to hit her with what he'd just done, he knew she'd only retaliate when she could. "I used to dwell on the fact that I betrayed you, but here we are.. and there it is.. I.. locked you up, like an animal" his words chimed out cold and monsterous towards a person he once had feelings for on a level so deep that he'd thought  of running away with her to keep her from being caught in the crossfire between their factions, but now, all he wanted to do was end this.. however it would end. And while his words had venom in each one that he'd spoken, tears poured from his eyes like they never had before. He knew he displayed how hurt and broken he was, but that too was over powered by anger.

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on May 6, 2019 at 17:12

Her mind kept spinning; filled with thoughts. Did she do something wrong back then? Did any of the Celestials, do something to piss the Ailwards off, that no one knew about? No matter how many thought and wonderings run through her mind; she couldn’t figure out...why and how everyone turned against them in a flash. Listening to him explain, why the Ailwards had turned against them. The Celestial turned slightly pale. It wasn’t just the cold temperature that made her look pale, but Ery’s revelation.  “A THREAT? We’re Stars….we’re NOT KILLERS, OR SOME KIND OF CRIMINALS!” She yelled out, feeling another burst of anger run through her. Learning more about what happened to Ophelia back then, and how she caused thousands of deaths. Artemis looked shocked.They were punishing them? For something, Ophelia had caused? She knew Phe; it’s not like she’d hurt anyone intentionally. Tears welled up in her eyes some more; more from anger and annoyance hearing his snickering. “Urgh...why are you such an arrogant ass?!” Artemis hissed, his snickering was starting to set her teeth on edge.

Artemis couldn’t help but wonder, how he had intended to mend their relationship; now years after what he had done with his family. Hearing that he didn’t regret, what happened to the others, added to the anger she was feeling. “You might not care about the others, but I do!” she stated sharply, reminding him that they were her people, her family in a way. “You took 100 years away from me! Away from all of us! Some of us may have lived and seen more, but we still lost a 100 years because of YOU ALL! And the younger one’s? All some of them known, was Captivity! Because you hunted them down and locked them up!” Artemis spat out in anger. The Celestial felt more angry for the younger one’s at times. Some of them had spent running from hunters and on top of that, they lost almost their entire life being locked up, thanks to the Ailwards. That wasn’t fair. “You may not have given the order to lock us up, but you’re still EQUALLY GUILTY, LIKE THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY!” The tears were burning her eyes, blinking; caused them to slide down her cheeks. “You made it absolutely clear, who you cared about back then!” And that wasn’t her. Or to her, it didn’t feel like it. He stood by his family, instead of trying to defend her. Any previous promises he made, seemed like empty words and lies. Which at the time, broke her and made her feel like she meant nothing to him. And the anger had festered inside of her, since he personally locked her up himself. He might have as well just put her head on a pike back then.

If the Celestial wasn’t in tears and yelling out of anger and hurt. She was trying to cope with the confusion of what was going on around them both. Artemis wasn’t sure, if him admitting he felt powerless made her feel better or worse. But it was just a confirmation that something was indeed very wrong out here. “Well, didn’t you like...I don’t know...die a few times? So that’d make you undead?” Artemitra asked,trying to figure out the technicality behind that statement. The Celestial knew, that the Ailwards had died numerous times. So whether they were Alive, or Undead. It was an interesting debate.

Ery was the one, that found some humor to the situation. And that seemed to annoy her; as she didn’t usually find his odd sense of humor that funny. Not in a situation like this anyways. “Don’t be so sure about that.” Mitra muttered back stubbornly.  Before glaring at him, as he seemed to get more snarky by the moment. “I see the last 100 years or so, turned you into an even more a snarky ass!” The Celestial huffed in annoyance, at the Aspect. Wether she had made Erythreus mad, or something else was getting to him. Artemis saw a raging anger inside of him; that she yet to understand. She wanted to back away from him; but his tight grip on her made it unable...that was until, he finally released her. Snapping out of whatever had him going. The Celestial was sure, that might leave a bit of a bruise. If it hadn’t already.

When he had previously stated that there was no rouge Valkyr about; this time he didn’t fight her on it. Artemitra looked at the Aspect in surprise for a few moments.  He believed her? “I...thank you...for not thinking I am not crazy.” she muttered, in response. But if she was here, seeing the Rogue. What else could she be possibly seeing next? It made her both curious and scared at the same time. But hoping, she wouldn’t find out any time soon. As her mind was already in a state. The Celestial could only nod in agreement. Whatever was going on, it was indeed crazy. Nothing was normal in this situation. Nothing. And what was the most scary part, is that neither of knew what was around the corner and if they’d make it out alive, or not. Ery might have been nearing 2000 years worth of existence, but she was still young. Only 370. There was so much, she still wanted to do, experience, learn and see. The Celestial didn’t want to die. But if she’d die this evening; she knew her existence was somewhat of a good one. Not taking into account the 100 years of imprisonment. Artemis had great friends, people she loved and cared for. People, that meant a lot to her since she had moved to Evermore. And she’d always be grateful for them; dead or alive.

Artemitra didn’t think, she ever felt that angry. Not until the moment. Everything was happening so fast; yet seemed like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from either. Artemis could hear the Aspect stumbling over his words; but she didn’t fully register the shock of his words; over her own anger and confusion, as to where he had actually stabbed her. There it was again. That mocking, sinister laughter. As if him laughing would make everything better.

There was a dark look in her eyes, hearing his mocking comment about her energy. Artemis rose an eyebrow at him. “Did you just dare, mock a Celestial!?” The words slipped out, in a hiss of anger at the same moment, the energy collided with the Aspect. It was a bad move mocking any Celestial. Especially an angry one, like Artemis was right now. As weak, as she had been feeling and uncertain about her own energy; it was still tough enough to take down someone as strong and old as the Aspect of Death. As she saw him retaliate with his own magic; Artemis tried to focus on her energy..creating a protective shield in front of her. In order to try and block the pieces that were flying at her. It has been a while since she had used her energy...so the shield was bit weak; letting some pieces of splinters through. The Celestial winced as those got through...hit at her skin. The others got burned by the energy, before they could get through.

Falling to her knees, groaning in pain. Her face, neck.. Were covered in small cuts. Some pieces of wood still stuck against her skin. A few marks against her clothes and small patches of blood from those cuts. Hearing his words come out in such a venomous tone. The Celestial glared back at him. Fighting more tears; of anger this time. In that moment. The Celestial hardly even recognize the Aspect in front of her. He just seemed like a monster. Not someone she once loved. But, maybe that monster side of him was always there; it was just wearing it’s ugly head now. “I hope it was worth it.” she hissed out “I hope it was worth, you destroying everything we had!” She hoped, he was happy with the mess he caused between them. And hopefully after the night would be over; she hoped to never see him again. But all of those thoughts and words were said out of pure anger. Even though, she was moving on, finding happiness in her life. That didn’t mean, it still didn’t hurt any time she thought about the past. It hurt hell of a lot. But dwelling on it, would make matters worse. But here she was; dwelling on it. Maybe because he was right in front of her.

Before she could unleash more words of anger on him. She heard a scream that echoed through her ears. Turning her head in the direction.  The same voice begging for her help. For a few brief seconds...she saw a young woman standing there in the thickness of the fog; trying to reach out towards her. Before a pair of strong hands dragged her away screaming. But Artemitra recognised that voice...and that face; as briefly as it had flashed through the fog. The desperation across her friends face almost made her heart stop. It was one thing, that Artemis was in a dangerous situation. But to see, someone she cared for in danger; was something else. And in that moment; she couldn’t think about herself. More of her Impulsive nature kicking in and taking control off her actions again. The Celestial would place herself in more danger, just for the sake of a loved one.

“Ridley!” Artemis called out. Struggling up to her feet; she broke into a run. Ignoring the pain she felt. Disappearing into the thickness of the fog; and after one of her dear friends. The Celestial was now overpowered by concern, rather than anger and hatred. As Dangerous as it was; she refused to let one of her dear friends get hurt. It slipped her mind, to even question how Ridley got here also. She had no idea, where she was running to. Barely being able to see through the thickness of the fog. But following the screams that kept echoing around her...Right...left….right...forward...left.. At one point it felt like she slide down a very steep hill. With a gasp...she managed to catch her balance, before she could fall to the icy ground with a thud.

“You’re a little weakling!” she heard a voice, whisper in the air around her. “You can’t save her! You can’t save yourself!” the voice mocked, with a sinister laugh. And the face of the rogue Vampire kept flashing around her; with an evil smile on his face.

The Celestial’s jaw clenched. “You don’t know me!” She breathed out, towards the monster that kept wanting to torment her. No matter, how many stupid and sticky situations Artemitra had put herself in during her life; she was always determined and managed to come out of them alive.

“Oh, but I do!….I do!...I do!” the Valkyr laughed. The last two words kept echoing all around her. Making her ears ring. The face of the rogue was slowly contorting, twisting into a much more familiar face. Phoenix. Her own Valkyr. Artemis was paralysed on the spot; her eyes wide with confusion and fear. But that didn’t make sense. Phoenix would never hurt her. He wasn’t evil. Yes, he might have had a coldness to him, but he wasn’t...this...he wasn’t the monster, that was taunting her. But someone was trying to mess with her mind and make her think otherwise.

For a few moments, it was silent. Deadly. Eerie almost. Nothing seemed to move, not even the leaves in the trees from the cold breeze. It’s like the breeze also stopped; but the coldness still lingered. The Celestial could see her own breath, it was that cold. But she knew, that her close friend was here somewhere. She had to be. She seen her...and in the distance, she could hear someone calling for her. A voice of desperation and fear. Artemis was calling out for her friend again. But her voice almost seemed muffled. Like nothing and nobody could hear her. As if the fog  in front of her, was starting to act like a barrier. Almost like a wall; she couldn’t get through. Artemis tried to run forward; to try and get to her friend. But she was unable to move more. Like her body kept getting bounced back by the foggy barrier. Reaching out; touching the fog. It felt like a solid rock. Frantically touching around her. Artemis felt like she was trapped in a small foggy fox. Looking around, for some sort of way to escape. But she seen nothing. Nothing that would help her.

The longer she was looking around, it was starting to feel like everything was spinning around her. Artemis wasn’t sure, if she was spinning into oblivion; but it felt like it. The Celestial screamed out into the darkness of the fog, but nothing. No sound...nothing in return….no escape.

Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on May 22, 2019 at 5:26

"I kind of told you that you weren't going to like it" Ery stated, referring to his short.. very short explanation of why shit had hit the fan between her faction and his. The Aspect of Death rolled his eyes, he could imagine that he would have been just as angry, to feel that you've been punished for something that was entirely out of your hands, it was a little harsh, but back then it was the only way to keep things safe. "We couldn't take a chance." he said as simple as that. Sighing, Ery reach back scratching the back of his neck as she went on, causing him to wanna drown his inside with liquor and be caught in a drunken haze for the next few years. It partially made him miss his blonde Valkyr too, while things had never truly been easy between Ery and Serena, they also weren't complicated. But, he and Arti was a pure mess.

Ery couldn't help but laugh however, when she called him an arrogant ass. "Artemis if I don't find something to laugh at, it's very likely ill snap. You don't want or need that side of me. Besides, it's me being an arrogant ass that drew you near long ago" he stated in a more over bearing tone than anything. Clearing his throat, the much taller Aspect stepped to the Celestial as she continued yelling at him. Maybe he deserved it, but he very much could say the same things that she was right now. "The others you care for.. if you cared that much, why not fight harder? I fought with and beside my family. I can't say I regret that decision, if I even went there with that thought it would be the very same thing as me betraying them. We did what was best for the time, while I do sympathize that you lost 100 years of your life, you're immortal; you'll get those years back and many more, you have a life time to make new memories.. you could start with letting go.. just a little"

The Aspect grimaced with his arms folded as he glanced down to his feet. It was difficult to look at her when she was this angry. "You're joking right.?" he asked, arching a brow when she stated that he'd shown who he cared for back then. "Of course I did. The Ailwards, they're my family as much as the other Celestials are yours. Let me ask you something" he stated, still standing right in front of her. "If the shoe was on the other foot, and you had to do something similar to us, to protect .. pretty much all of man kind, your home, everything you know. Would you have done it?" he questioned "Because you fail to realize, we weren't just protecting ourselves. In fact ourselves .. we always come last. We were sent here with one mission, one duty; to bring peace among the supernatural/human world and to make sure species could co-exist. That would have been pretty hard if the Celestial's and their powers wiped everything out. I know Ophelia didn't mean to do what she had done, and I even know she feels guilt for it every day, we know one another more than you'd imagine" he added, but decided that conversation wouldn't be had.

Ery and Phe's friendship had been in the shadows of their people for as long as they had known each other now, and to keep balance, they planned to keep it that way. "I realize my promises to you were broken. That's the one thing I do regret whether you're willing to believe that or not, it's true. I wanted to protect you and keep you out of the crossfire, but doing what I did and standing by my family, didn't mean for a second that I had stopped caring about you. It was painful" he expressed, sighing to himself. Wishing things had worked out differently for the two factions. It was hard not to wish for that when the Ailwards had been given a second chance, and only one job. To protect and ensure peace. What had happened between them and the Celestial's that was quite the opposite from his own point of view. But, still yet.. each cage they'd locked with a Celestial behind it, was them assuming that was one more threat out of the way.

Ery placed his hand over his mouth, trying to hide the chuckle daring to leave his lips It was pissing her off more by the second and he knew that. But Ery was one to laugh at the worse of things, rather than fall apart and not be able to move forward. No way in hell could he fall apart right now, they were some how stranded in a piece of the forest that Ery's feet had walked millions of times, yet everything around them had became unfamiliar. It spooked the hell out of Ery. "I did yes. I'm undead indeed. Before I died the second time, it was by two psycho Valkyr brothers throwing me from a cliff above the ocean, smiling as i drew my last breath, and when I woke up, it was as a being of the Shadows.. the last time that I died.. thankfully was the last, but it wasn't without a set fof rules and tasks to follow. Each of us have a job here on this earth. The day we cease to fulfull our duties, we die.. and there's no waking up from that" he explained, because to anyone besides the Ailwards themself, it probably was a confusing ordeal. Whether they were dead or undead.

The fact that Ery had held onto her arms so tightly, that her flesh automatically welped up and bruised, had caused a wave of guilt to pain him. "I don't know how much longer we will last like this. I gotta get us the fuck out of this shit hole" he stated, calmly, yet his features displayed that of a madman in dismay. Each powerful blow from Arti's Celestial energy made the Aspect want to vomit. It was the type of pain that took your breath away, similar to stubbing your toe badly but bad enough to weaken a supernatural being as strong as Erythreus himself, so it only brought him a little bit of joy to see that her shield hadnt been tough enough to stop all the splinters of wood he'd conjured by death-force. It was times like these he thanked the Gods for granting him a second chance and sending him to this mess of a place with such powers. He never knew he'd need them though. Never had the Aspect assumed Evermore was so bad that he'd have to resort to using his powers to harm someone. But, either way it went. He knew something had taken a hold of Arti as much as it had him.

Each of them now covered in each others blood, caused this to become one hell of a sad moment. He had hurt her before unintentionally, but now as he stood here wiping blood away from the visible parts of his flesh from stabbing her with the sword, the Aspect swallowed roughly, unable to forgive himself even if he wasn't in control of himself. "It.." Erythreus started but didn't finish when Arti srtood in front of him with cuts among most of her skin, he couldn't say anything else hurtful. Who was he right now, and where had all this came from? No time for qquestions, if they didn't find a way out right now, they'd end up literally killing one another, without even hesitating and he knew that was how they werent the ones in control here. Hurting each other like they were, was being done to easily, it wasn't their own work. Someone was controlling him, and no human could do that, so it was easy to conlcude that the dark force with them was a supernatural, it just refused to form in a psychical state.

So far nothing had been scarier than the vague image of a female standing beneath the blanket of fog, reaching out for help. Ery had seen it too. Widened eyes peered over to the Celestial who screamed in complete horror "Ridely?" he questioned, confused, but gathered that it was someones name. "Is that someone you know?" he then asked, adding onto his pile of questions. "Why would someone wanna harm a friend of yours? See, thats how i know this is something completely insane. As long as ive been alive, ive never seen something so strong, to control being as strong as you and I. But, somehow, we're seeing people we love the most, who obviously are not out here where we have been stranded for hours now!!" he yelled and breathed heavily, his chest extracting before detracting just as quickly. If he had been human, Ery would have had a panic attack with how hard he was breathing.

The fog had began to turn into some sort of toxic mist, and he supposed that's what made him breathe the way he was. Before he could say another word though, or ask another question about this Ridley, Artemis had broke out into a run, so fast that she had vanished from his eye sight "Goddamnit!!" he growled out. Why would she do this? Surely who ever Ridley was, wasn't this important, important enough that Artemis would end her own life trying to save her, when it probably wasn't her at all. "Artemis please!" he yelled out as he ran off behind her in the same direction, unfortunately losing her for a few moments though. It was now that panic set in and the Aspect felt doomed. Had he lost her to whatever it was controlling them? Something could have taken her .. maybe even worse with every second he was losing. "Arti please say something!" he yelled again, but fromm a distance, the ear piercing scream of Arti's caused the Aspect to jump startled, and immedately without waiting another second, dangerous or not, he ran to the source of sound.

The Aspect could only blink for a moment. There stood Arti entangled by a heavy fog that seemed to have a mind of it's own. Her face was not her own though, how he knew it was Arti was beyond him because right now, he only saw Serena in danger. "Oh for fuck sake! you've gotta be kidding me!" the Aspect yelled, almost confident he had one of those yells loud and strong enouh to create another dimension. It happened when he was angry, but it had been centuries since the Aspect had allowed himself to be this livid and enraged. "Why did you run?!" he yelled at her, but couldn't look at her since it was a very vague image of his Valkyr. After the last dangerous situation Serena had endured and very much because of Ery, a sight he'd never get out of his head. It made him tear up this very second as he reach out, trying to pull her free. He failed though. The fog she was trapped in burnt to the touch at least for Erythreus. It was genious, it didn't burn Arti, it only trapped her, and as it seemed, it burnt anyone who would try to pull her free. "I need you to forget this moment after we get out of here" Erytrheus then said, clutching his staff tightly to his side, he had to see if there was anything beyond them. Something he could see that would lead them to freedom. "Is this what it felt like? to be captured and have no way out?" for now, and only now, he felt like total shit that Arti experienced this the day she was thrown behind the door of a metal cage.

Tapping his staff onto the ground; Erythreus Vanished, and was replaced with a pretty large dragon form of himself. Oh god, why this. He never imagined having to do this .. let alone in front of anyone. But he didn't waste any time before lunging himself into the air, peering out as far as his eyes allowed him to do. What? He couldn't believe this nonsense. The trees and fog had covered things for miles away, towering so high into the sky that he couldn't see past them, and the higher he flew the weaker he got, so after flying a good ways through the forest, and realizing that he and Arti were truly fucked, he flew back to her, immedaitely transforming back. "THERES NOTHINGG!! THERES NOTHING NO WHERE WE ARE TRPPED HERE . WE AREN'T GETTING OUT!" he growled, but he was in utter panic. "And you.. stubborn ass woman. you gotta trust me and work withh me here. Take my hand" he stated. He was hell bent on ending this and now he had an even better idea, maybe combined powers and efforts of two enemy factions would be the very thing to set them free. It began to make sense that whatever it was controlling them, was using their hatred for one another to it's advantage.

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on May 25, 2019 at 17:52

His words about not liking his explanation, kept ringing and echoing in her ears. No, she didn’t like it. She hated it. Didn’t want to believe it. Artemitra was almost holding her breath, hoping that it was some kind of a sick, twisted dream-that he didn’t really mean what he said. That, the Aspects didn’t really punish them for one mistake, Ophelia made. That there was some other explanation. But no such explanation came. Realising it was true. That they were the one’s that suffered, for their wayfinder making a mistake. The Celestial’s expression was hard to read at that point; it was a twisted mix of to many emotions. Of all the things to happen; never did she think this would have been one of them. Not knowing, that she’d even end up in such a twisted, complicated situation with someone she once held close to her heart. It made her miss the good old days, before things turned into the complicated mayhem of a cluster. Even though,she had good things going on her life; she still couldn’t wipe out the past and the time she spent with Ery. He had been a part of her past, and that wasn’t going to change. Nor could the fact, that she still cared...as much as it hurt...and as much as she hated to admit it. She did. As buried as it was, underneath the rubble of messy emotions.

His slightly over-bearing tone, made her twitch. “I am pretty sure, that wasn’t the quality that attracted me to you, in the first place!” she pointed out. Whilst his arrogance was a part of his charm. There were other qualities, that the Celestial had noticed, back during the better days. But right now, if she were to be asked; she couldn’t state which quality had drew her to the Aspect of Death in the first place. Seeing him standing in front of her, his very tall stature intimidating as always. Making the Celestial feel quite short for her 5’6” of a height. Especially with him, standing so close in front of her. Artemis narrowed her eyes at the Aspect, hearing his words. “I fought, as hard as I could!” she reminded him. “But you left us all defenceless. Steel is our worst enemy, when it comes to our powers! None of us could do anything! We were rendered powerless.” Artemis breathed out. But she had been one of the few-that fought numerous times to get out of there, to help the others. But anytime she was caught, she was dragged back with them and punished. Maybe, she didn’t fight more, because she knew it was no use. Maybe she would have ended up dead, or maybe a part of her hoped that he would have come through, and lived up to his promises. “You have no idea, how it feels...so don’t tell me I should have fought harder...or to let it go.” If anything was irritating, it was Ery telling her to let go of the past.How could she? He didn’t seem to realise, what a big impact it had on everyone-including her. And a big chunk of her past was staring right at her right now.

True, she might be Immortal. And with a chance to make memories again. But Celestial’s weren’t indestructible. They could be easily killed, maybe even more easily than other Supernaturals.

“Do, I look like I am kidding?” Artemis asked, through clenched teeth. Maybe her words weren’t exactly fair. But she couldn’t help but feel the way she did. As his actions seemed to scream the opposite of what he claimed, he felt back then. The brunette went quiet, as she heard her question. Deep..insightful question. How was she supposed to put herself in the Ailwards shoes? How could she, lock up an entire species? How could she betray someone, she cared for like that? Artemis wouldn’t be able to do, what they have done. “No...unlike you and your family. I wouldn’t be able to do something so inhumane as locking up an entire faction.” And from what she knew, her Wayfinder couldn’t be able to do it either. It just wasn’t in them, to do something so cruel. “If Ven was the leader he made himself out to be, or all of the head-figures the world was supposed to look up to, you would have found a better solution, instead of agreeing with Ven, that locking us up was the best solution.” Surely, there had to have been a better outcome, or another solution. But no. Steel Cages and 100 years lost; was the only way in their eyes. As Erythreus brought up Ophelia, back into the mixture of the subject. Artemis bit her bottom lip. “And you forget, how close me and Phe are. I know she’s seen you and talked to you.” The Brunette breathed out, avoiding looking at him. Artemis and Phe, had quiet the heart-to-heart not long ago. About the situation with the Aspects. The girls always so close, they could tell each other anything.

“You broke mo…” The Celestial trailed off, not finishing her sentence. Whilst the Aspect broke more, than just his promises. It seemed like he was aware of it. And Artemis was losing the strength, to just constantly yell at him. As mad and hurt as she was; it probably was clear enough by now. Maybe, she had gotten most of the anger and rage out, with yelling. Her expression slightly softened, as he said he didn’t stop caring about her. But the Celestial also looked confused. “And how am I supposed to believe that? Your actions, made it look like the total opposite.” Her voice cracked again. The Celestial looked away from him. Maybe it was for the best, for both of their tempers. “If you were me, how would you feel? If someone you cared for...and…” She wasn’t sure how to phrase the next part of the sentence But somehow it slipped out anyways. “Loved...and they betrayed you, broke every promise, trust and hope you had in them, by betraying you? How would you feel? Because I doubt...you’d let it go...after 2 years of freedom.” But maybe, she didn’t realise just how broken he was also. It was hard to believe, that he cared given the situation the Ailwards put them through.

It seemed, like the Aspect had his ways of annoying her. Seeing him trying to stifle his laughter. Artemis sometimes, didn’t get his twisted sense of humor. Other times, he used to amuse her. But at the moment, the Celestial wasn’t amused. Listening to the Aspect explain the ordeal about dying, and in regards wether he was dead or undead. The Celestial looked slightly confused. It was a bit of a complicated matter to wrap her head around. And as Intelligent as she was. Artemis didn’t know, what to call the Ailwards. Dead, or not?

The situation was out of hand. And if they continued to fight each other physically with their powers. They would have ended up killing each other, no doubt. A Celestial...and Aspect lost in one go. That would bring more chaos and disorder, then she realised. But she was unable to stop her actions for a few moments. Fueled by anger and something else. Back in the days, of Artemis using her gifts; she had been quiet talented and powerful. Not as Powerful as Ophelia, but she was still advanced. And that power and knowledge still remained there. And Ery had tasted a blow of it.

‘Remember, what Ophelia said to you.’ A small voice, in the back of her head was saying. But for some reason, Artemis could not recall, the words that the Wayfinder had spoken.

Covered in blood and scratches. They both looked like a mess. Artemis almost stared at disbelief, at what she had inflicted on the Aspect. She used her energy, against someone she used to feel deeply for? That was unlike her. Artemis never used her powers, for evil doings. Only to protect, and help those out in danger. Yet, she was treating him, like he was the enemy. In some ways, he was. But he wasn’t the ‘Enemy’ they were, supposed to be dealing with. Something was at work.

The Celestial was aware, that Ery was talking to her. But her ears didn’t fully register the load of questions, the Aspect threw at her. She was too shocked to see Ridley, standing in the misty fog...and scared for her. That against her better instincts; she threw herself in the dangerous situation even more. Whatever was happening and what she was seeing, felt so real. Like a nightmare, she could not wake up from. She couldn’t run and hide from it. None of it.

Despite the Aspects efforts of calling out for her; Artemis could not hear him. The thickness and magic of the fog, was blocking him from her, it seemed. The images she was seeing before her, still scaring and confusing her. The taunting image of her Valkyr/Rogue, all molding into one. The Celestial was panicked. Artemis wanted to go and help Ridley, and save her. But before, she could move and inch. Her eyes widened in horror; as she saw her best-friend get swallowed whole in a swarm of fire; right before her eyes. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” she screamed out, crying.

That was the last image she saw, before she felt like she was spiraling out of control. Unable to escape the misty fog. And it was getting harder and harder to breathe. Feeling something reaching for her. It felt like a tug of war. Ery and the Fog, pulling her in two different directions. And the longer, she felt trapped in the fog. It was harder to breathe. Let alone think. Ery’s yells seemed to muffled to her, no matter how booming his voice was. But the magic of the fog, made it seem like she could barely hear him yelling at her. Somehow, managing to break free of the fog, with his help. The Celestial stumbled out...falling to her knees with a sob. Still terrified beyond belief and scared, from the images she had just seen. The hallucinations, felt so real. Ridley, couldn’t dead...she couldn’t be. She kept telling herself, like a mantra inside of her head.

His question, caught her off guard. Artemis looked up, to see Ery standing right there. He followed her? Artemis had no idea, how he even appeared in front of her...let alone that he followed her down here. The Celestial just managed a weak nod. In some ways, the fog also felt worse. Like, she couldn’t breathe. Artemis was on her knees still on the ground. There were so many things, she wanted to forget right now, about today.

Watching Ery transform into his Dragon form. Her eyes slightly widened. She hadn’t seen his dragon form before. He was majestic. Thank god, he couldn’t breathe fire. Or she might have been roasted alive; if they were still fighting each other. The Celestial remained on the ground, trying to catch her breath. Staring at the trees around her. Almost like she wanted to burn a hole into them. She had no idea, how hard or long she had been staring at the trees. But nothing looked different. As the Aspect joined her, on the ground again. Artemis looked up towards Ery. His panic, wasn’t helping the situation either. Nor did he need to point, out she was stubborn. Everyone whom knew her, knew that about her. She saw him reaching for her. “I...I am not sure, that’s a good idea.”

Given the messy, fight they were in a few moments ago. The Celestial wasn’t sure, how good of an idea physical contact was. And it wasn’t her stubborn side talking. More like the guilty, confused, horrified her that she had used her energy to hurt him. Looking at his hand for a few long moments. Artemis wasn’t sure, how she was supposed to trust the Aspect. But somewhere deep down, she knew she needed to. Especially if they were to get out of this situation together. Taking a leap of faith. Artemis reached out, taking his hand. Her small fingers clasping around his hand. Standing up, with his help.

“What do you suggest we do? There’s got to be something, we missed.” Artemis breathed out, after a few moments of thoughts. There couldn’t be just nothing. There had to be something, somewhere. Maybe, they over-looked it, through the fogginess.

The fog began to wrap around her legs, making the Celestial yelp out in pain all of a sudden. As it felt like it was burning her legs. The Brunette closed her eyes, her face scrunched up in agony and concentration. Trying to ground her messed up emotions and slowly, willing herself to glow. The glow of her energy acting as pain relief for the woman. And it slowly seemed to be pushing, the strange lethal fog away from her.

Ailward AspectPermalink Reply by ✓ Erythreus Ailward ~Admin~ on June 10, 2019 at 2:27

It was slow and painful, being around her now. So unlike his past with her, where each and every moment spent with her was just as surprising and exciting as the next; if not challenging. And with every challenge, Ery rose up. That was the thing about Artemis. She challenged him in ways that made him question himself, and for Erytrheus, it was thrilling. But now things were different, being around her sucked the energy and happiness out of the Aspect; feeling as though he had stepped into another universe, sliding down a gloom and doom spiral that he'd never get out of. Rising a brow, he shook his head, chuckling "So, tell me then Artemis. What quality of  mine was it that drew you in? What's so different about me now, other than the fact you knowing I helped cage you lot" he questioned, before glaring out into the distance with squinted eyes. He had pretty much lost all hope that they'd get out of here anytime soon, and not without hurting each other, because that'd already happened. They were literally stained in one anothers blood after the big fight they had just had.

Psychically, Erytrheus had made a vow to never harm a woman. But, when that said woman had abilties to knock him out without even touching him, he'd protect himself however he saw fit, and that had concluded in sending several hefty blows towards her. Part of him felt like shit, but the other part of him felt she deserved it. She was obviously still in denial, causing Erythreus to groan in annoyance "You assumed we'd leave you any other way" he said simply. "If we put you there in the first place because of the consequences of your abilities, why would you think that we'd give you ways to use your powers, escape and wreak even more havoc than what Ophelia did? It was just simply safer that way. Like it or not" he expressed a little bitterly, almost as if he didn't even try to understand what they may have felt. But, deep down, Ery knew his intentions had never been ill. He only wanted what was best for everyone, and it wasn't having the Celestial' run around unleashing their powers on tons of innocents by complete accident, he could take her hating him if thats what she needed to feel better about his betrayal.

"And so you still thought my task was easy? Listen to your very own words. We Aspects, who were sent to bring peace and restore balance between the factions at war, and make sure immortals could co-exist with humans, had to step out of our comfort zones to lock up an entire faction of people to keep everyone else safe, but we didn't only do it to keep everyone else safe, it was to keep you all safe too, and while I made a promise to keep you out of that crossfire, I simply will not go against my own brother, nor disagree when he finds a solution that words, it was temporary, you sound more ungrateful than you do angry, you could have ended up dead, or you could have ended up getting brutally tortured, be thankful my soul isn't that dark"

In that split second, even Erythreus could hear how venomous his words were towards her. But she had to really take a step back and look at the bigger picture, she had to know somewhere deep down that Erythreus nor the rest of them found comfort in what had to be done. "If i had to do it all over again. I would" he then said, simple enough. Erythreus held a hand up at her when she proceeded to talk about Ven, and Ery following Ven's lead. "Enough!" he said loudly, a low growl escaping his chest while anger boiled his blood to hear someone down Veneteus for doing the only sensible thing that he could at the time. "Unless of course you'd like for me to go on about Ophelia's epic fail and why you all were locked away in the first place. Why my brother was forced his hand, and had to make that decision" he added, before rolling his shoulders into a shrug.

"I get it. I broke more than promises, I guess I broke your heart too. I'm not to shy to admit that Artemis. I know what I did to you, I still feel the sting of your pain, believe it or not, for every day you spent in a cage, was another day taken away from me too. You seem to get so lost in your anger at me, that you forget just how much it hurt me too" he expressed, hoping to soften his own tone, and his hardened features which made him seem like he was constantly enraged by her presence alone. "I dont know how I would feel if the situation was vice versa Artemis. I would simply hate you guys had it been vise versa, but i'd learn to let go too, otherwise i'd let the hate consume me, and id be miserable with myself.. much like you are" he added, shaking his head with that same arrogant smirk painted on his lips. "Fuck I could do with a drink right now" the Aspect then grumbled absently. Anything to dull what he was feeling right now.

Especially now that he and the fog played a heated game of tug of war, him pulling Arti one way while it seemed that the fog was pulling her in the opposite direction. All the yells to get her to break free of the hallucinations, were to no avail. She stumbled free of the fog, sobbing. Whatever she saw, scared her pretty good. No matter how much she may have hated him, Ery didn't like seeing her broken. She may have been reluctent to take his hand just now, but when she did, Ery couldn't help but feel a surge of energy flow through him, not one that harmed him either. The thought he had just had earlier that maybe if they worked together against whatever force was hell bent on keeping them out here until they killed one another, would weaken if they would strengthen as one, made even more sense now. "Maybe it's just me, but I think this is what we have to do to get out of here" he added, before swallowing harshly and dropping his hand quickly. Turning to his dragon form came with as many down falls as it did it's perks, and right now, being completely nude was a major downfall. It's something he hadn't thought about before hand as he scurried to put his torn, shredded clothes back on. There wasn't much left to Ery's outfit, since turning to his dragon form, ripped them away with ease.

"Well that wasn't supposed to happen" he scoffed, finding his face heated as a blush tainted his cheeks. Could this night really get any worse than that? A silent thought that nagged at him. Reaching for her hand again, with a coy smirk on his features, the Aspect nodded, showing that he was ready to get them out of here. When the fog suddenly wrapped around the Celestial's legs, Ery knew what he had to do, and he was thankful that Artemis could concentrate throuugh the pain to help him. Her glow somehow sent the fog barreling away from them, as though the fog its self felt the pain of what her glow could do. Ery himself had just felt those powerful blows earlier. The fog hadn't been their only issue though, it seemed that shadow creatures had formed in a circle around them now that the fog wasn't a threat. "Nice.." he stated, shaking his head, but proceeded with helping her cast away the threat that kept them from leaving the forest.

Holding his hands out, even the one that held Arti's, Erythreus conjured up wooden sphere like weapons from the tree's around them, stabbing through each of the shadowed forms surrounding them, one by one, watching them vanish. "It's working.. dont stop" he stated in a weak tone of voice; the more magic he used, the weaker he got. This would end up going wrong as well, if they didn't get out right here, right now. "We have to go" he expressed as calmly as he could, while yanking at her hand as the last of the shadow's vanished. Together, they'd successfully worked through the fog, and now what had seemed to be shadow people. The more Erythreus yanked at her hand, the harder it got, it felt like something or someone was trying their best to pull her away, but he wasn't going to let that happen, if he didn't get them out now, they may as well throw their hands up and give up. It had to be now.

CelestialPermalink Reply by ✓ Artemitra Astrid Bluemoon on June 13, 2019 at 14:41

There were no words, to truly describe what it was like to be around the brooding Aspect again. Maybe Unstable. Unstable. Emotionally Unstable. Her feelings were all over the place. And whether it was sadness, anger, denial, hurt...anything else; she couldn’t keep it under control. He had quite an effect on her, even now. And she wasn’t sure, how to feel about that. Given their history, and their situation now. Things, didn’t feel the way they once used to. Not the passion, not the thrill, and adventure. Just doom and sadness. His question, made her raise an eyebrow. Why was he curious about that? “What does it matter, Ery? It’s not like it’s gonna change anything.” Somehow, despite wanting to say his full name. His nickname came out instead. Darn it. Artemis mentally cursed herself. Artemis withdrew eye contact with the Aspect. Keeping her head low. Unable to look at him, again for a few moments. The smell of their blood, lingering in the air around them still.

As angry as she felt, at Ery in the moment. She definitely didn’t think she'd ever take him on. Controlled or not. Hearing his grunt of annoyance. Artemis sighed, shaking her head. “I am just saying, there could have been an easier way to go about things, than locking us up and going on the path of war.” But the way he sounded, it was unlike him. Artemis always thought, he was more understanding than that. But, here...he didn’t even try. “If you want to know, what’s changed about you. It’s this...do you hear yourself? You’re not even trying to understand, our side. Did that side of you die too?” Artemis asked. The question coming out more sad than angry. Somehow, it felt like she was seeing a new side to him. She hadn’t yet. Artemis felt like, he had changed quite a bit over the last 102 years. Maybe, it was the situation they were in, the anger coming from both of them? That made it seem so, she wasn’t entirely sure.

“You certainly, didn’t make it look hard. But, I guess following your siblings,  was quiet believable, than what you say you felt.” Artemis bit the inside of her cheek. Listening to him talk about Aspects Duty. “This is the part, I don’t get. So enlighten me? Because it seems to me, that locking up an entire faction, isn’t stopping a war and chaos...but rather causing distrust, and a rift between species. Seems like a war path, not a peace path.” It seemed like the exact opposite, of their purpose and what they were trying to do. Ungrateful? “And what am I supposed to be grateful for Ery? For, being made feel like I was a criminal? For losing you? For losing, people I considered friends and family, before you all turned against us? Sounds like, hell of a lot to be thankful for!” Artemis was close to snapping at him again. His venomous tone, was making her anger bubble again. “So, yes...let me thank you, for ripping away the good things in my life, including you!” Her voice cracking, but her words filled with slight sarcasm. Of course, she wasn’t thankful for any of that. If anything, she missed it. Had missed him, more than she cared to admit.

It was hard to see, that he felt any type of regret about the situation. If he would go down the same path again. His slight growl, made her flinch a little. Wether Ven his brother or not. Artemis was speaking her mind, about how she felt about his leadership. Obviously, no one had spoken up about it before. And it was tempting to come back with sassy comments; but it’d make him even more angry.

It seemed like he realised what else he broke. Artemis didn’t say anything. Just trying to hold back the flood-gate closed again. Artemis wanted to believe, that he was hurt too. That he was hurting over the past, as much as she was. But could she? How could she? Believing in him again, would take some time. Not to mention, half the time. He looked as angry, to see her...as she did him. If looks could kill. Both their angry looks, were like daggers. Seeing his expression soften slightly, it made her heart flutter slightly. Almost like, some familiarity was returning to him. As he called her miserable, she shook her head slightly. Obviously, he thought 2 years was plenty of time, to start getting past the trauma and betrayal of everything. “I am pretty sure, drinking doesn’t solve anyone’s problems.” Artemis stated, hearing his mumbling. It seemed like the Aspect, was much of a broodster, than she remembered him being. If drink was his only vice, to get over things. He needed some help.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tonight was probably more than she had bargained for. She didn’t think anyone went through so much, like they had. In just the space of one evening. She hoped, it would be over soon. Artemis wasn’t sure, how much more torture she could take. The moment, their hands made contact. It felt strange. Almost like they were linked together, in strength. Despite his short explanation. It was obvious. They had to work together, as a team. Their abilities to help them.

It took her a few moments, to realise that the Aspect was naked; after his transformation.  Her jaw slightly dropped. God Damn, his toned tall, physique and muscles. Artemis eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, wondering about. Her cheeks heating up, as her eyes didn’t know where to look first. Him. His eyes. Or away. Her eyes eventually, did all three. Her cheeks heating up in a bright blush, as her eyes met his briefly, before glancing away. “Oh great...only you...only you….can stand here, in the middle of the woods, naked with a smirk on your face.” Not that she was purposely checking him out. But he had always made her feel weak in the knees. And an old habit, coming back. Her cheeks still ablaze with a blush. And she was sure, she caught him blushing too. His torn up clothes, not covering much of anything. “Maybe, spare clothes might be a good idea, if you plan on going all...Dragon.”

As his hand reached for her again. The Celestial wrapped her small hand around his. It seemed like there were more than one layer of a threat, keeping them trapped in the forest. She could feel Ery getting weaker, the more he used his abilities. “You’re gonna hurt yourself, if you over do it.” Her voice laced with more concern, than she thought possible in the moment. Maybe it was the extent of what she still felt for him, that being around him hurt more. Artemis formed her energy into arrows. Sending each of them, at the shadow figures. Until she and Ery defeated them.

But something wouldn’t let her go. Artemis winced in pain. As it felt like someone was trying to yank her away from the Aspect. Leaning her weight towards Ery. To try and pry herself off the invisible force that kept a hold on her. Each time, it felt like her hand was slipping. The Celestial tried to hold on tighter. Artemis projected another ball of energy in her palm. But this time. Sending it flying in the direction, she was getting tugged away from the Aspect. There was a strange strong gust of wind. The wind and her energy hitting through some of the trees. The illusion of the forest, looking all the same breaking away slowly. Or at least a part of it. The force also knocked her forwards, into the Aspects arms. Almost knocking them both down, as she tripped over her own feet.

With them so close, it wasn’t what she was going for. Artemis swallowed slightly. Ery making her feel as nervous, as he did back then. But in a way, it had always been good nervous. Her chocolate brown eyes, fixated on his. Her eyes more softer, than most of the night. But filled with a lingering sadness. Being maybe a little bit too close to him, than expected. Was leaving the Celestial a little tongue-tied and breathless. “Okay, we should…definitely....go..” Artemis managed to breathed out, after a few moments. Trying to tear her gaze away from his, so she wouldn’t get lost in his intense blue eyes. Artemis noticed that a part of the woods looked more normal. Their magic had worked through, whatever illusions that was keeping them trapped. And in the far distance seemed like a small hut, or a house. Whatever it was. Artemis hoped, it would be far enough away from all this trouble and chaos. They both needed a rest, physically and mentally. Not to mention, he needed new clothes.

But little did they know, that trouble would still follow them around; even when out of the forest.

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