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| The hill was not a difficult climb despite Ravi's last few years of calm her new work has kept her somewhat fighting fit. Oddly the hills here were covered in thin grass, and other vegetation grew noticeably denser here. \\ | The hill was not a difficult climb despite Ravi's last few years of calm her new work has kept her somewhat fighting fit. Oddly the hills here were covered in thin grass, and other vegetation grew noticeably denser here. \\ | ||
| As she climbed the road up the hill against this deeply calm scenery, Ravi's mind and heart were racing. Anticipation, | As she climbed the road up the hill against this deeply calm scenery, Ravi's mind and heart were racing. Anticipation, | ||
| - | //"Oh jeeze oh gods, hes gonna be ancient! if hes not dead already!! ohhhh whyy did it take so long to realise? | + | //"Oh jeeze oh gods, he's goanna |
| Ravi was constantly in her own head about the time, Several justifications would flow in and out of her head, perhaps Exilis had given him longer life, perhaps he got a moment of grace from his god. But equally Sinicism would flow, He is already passed o or he is so ancient he won't recognise her. what if he never made it out of Exilis?! \\ | Ravi was constantly in her own head about the time, Several justifications would flow in and out of her head, perhaps Exilis had given him longer life, perhaps he got a moment of grace from his god. But equally Sinicism would flow, He is already passed o or he is so ancient he won't recognise her. what if he never made it out of Exilis?! \\ | ||
| The torrent of ideas coupled with a flood of practicing greetings. A simple ‘hey’ does she start with an apology? \\ | The torrent of ideas coupled with a flood of practicing greetings. A simple ‘hey’ does she start with an apology? \\ | ||
| Mubling to herself as she goes through scenarios in her head. Putting on a voice to play Robert’s responses, if anyone was nearby they would surely think this bumbling red head had lost her mind. \\ | Mubling to herself as she goes through scenarios in her head. Putting on a voice to play Robert’s responses, if anyone was nearby they would surely think this bumbling red head had lost her mind. \\ | ||
| - | Although age does not grip Ravi she had still physically changed quite a bit. Monstrously tall over 8ft, and far more hefty that she once was it was certainly a change from there last meeting where she was just an overly chubby short woman. She would blame Robert if he thought | + | Although age does not grip Ravi she had still physically changed quite a bit. Monstrously tall over 8ft, and far more hefty that she once was it was certainly a change from there last meeting where she was just an overly chubby short woman. She wouldn' |
| - | Needless to say, everything was stacked against her, Ravi’s anxiety running | + | Needless to say, everything was stacked against her, Ravi’s anxiety running |
| + | ---- | ||
| Another quiet afternoon quickly fading as Robert wrapped up the chores for the evening. Some new weeds had sprouted along the graves and he was quick to deal with them. \\ | Another quiet afternoon quickly fading as Robert wrapped up the chores for the evening. Some new weeds had sprouted along the graves and he was quick to deal with them. \\ | ||
| A swing from a water skin half cut with wine letting the pains and worries become a haze to push away for another few hours. \\ | A swing from a water skin half cut with wine letting the pains and worries become a haze to push away for another few hours. \\ | ||
| - | Walking through the graves there were people he didn’t know, people he did, loved ones, family. Strangers, | + | Walking through the graves there were people he didn’t know, people he did, loved ones, family. Strangers, |
| - | Robert was a regular human man. Around eighty (80) years old in appearance his brown hair and bearer | + | In a world full of diversity |
| + | |||
| + | The Cemetery itself was larger than you would expect. a large graveyard that had been expanded many times over the years with a old stone work house that was showing its age when Robert first arrived, yet it still holds strong against wind, rain and time. \\ | ||
| + | Slightly separated from the Graveyard was an old home of wood and stone, Stone that had darkened with age and wood that had started to grow new life within it yet it was still well maintained and would not be faltering any time soon. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Looking out to the sunset, the orange glow was beginning to fade behind the horizon. He threw the weeds into a compost bin and stretched the stiffness of the day away. //" | ||
| + | Robert lit a few lantern on the graveyard entrance as well as his personal one. Yet as he did The flame flickered in a strange gust of wind. \\ He paused for a moment letting out a concerned grumble. Robert had been up here for many years and he knew when the wind changes that means something was coming. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He herd her first, distant ramblings of a paranoid woman. \\ | ||
| + | a Visitor perhaps? its a cemetery, of course people come to visit at all times of the day, noon or night. But something told him this wasn't just a visit. \\ | ||
| + | He tensed up, became more alert, the tiredness of the day seem to vanish as adrenaline replaced it. \\ | ||
| + | The ramblings got louder as the mystery made their way up the hill. Robert' | ||
| + | How could he forget? perhaps not forgotten, but repressed, locked away. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | This was no visitor, He found his hand falling to his belt, at the ready to grip his axe. e remembered where the voice was from, long ago in his past. But denial crept in, Why now? surely its not //her?// \\ | ||
| + | But Robert' | ||
| + | |||
| + | It seems she had not noticed him right away, having some sort of convocation with herself but soon after reaching the top of the hill she stopped suddenly, just as the sunset light ceased its rays upon the land putting Ravi into full view. \\ | ||
| + | She was certainly different but the same. That same blazing crimson hair, those large pointed fox-like ears, those dark demonic eyes. But she was far...larger than before. Robert remembers she was barely up to his chest in height (Not including her ears) when they first met. Now she was far taller than most goliaths, easily 8ft or more, And not just her height. The sharpness of her bringing up old memories was somewhat dulled by her overly gracious proportions. \\ | ||
| + | Half drunk, high on adrenaline with a whirlwind of emotions swirling in his mind. Attack, flee, offer her a drink, hide, shout, ask her out. Despite everything Robert was still a humble man at heart. \\ | ||
| + | His virtue would overcome and bring focus to his mind. Shaking his head free of the confusion. He stared at her unblinking as memories of Exilis played out in his mind. before he said anything she spoke first. \\ | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi was already at the top of the hill, lost in her own scenarios to notice she had arrived. with the man she was looking for starring right at her, a Look of fear, anger, confusion and even a bit of awkwardness crossed his face, perhaps even a blush? \\ | ||
| + | in her own mind she was caught off guard. //"Oh shit! he is right there! okay okay okay calm, breathed, O jeeze he looks mighty pissed at me."// \\ | ||
| + | She straightened herself and brushed her wind swept hair back, her tail flicked around in her nervousness. \\ | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The words seemed to help Robert focus as any evidence of confusion left his face and was replaced by anger, but only for a moment before fear and nervousness took hold. //" | ||
| + | is voice seemed sad, defeated. but that air of nostalgia was hard to shake. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi's smile faded slightly. Perhaps it had been too long. //" | ||
| + | Ravi's large ears lowered as she took a few steps forward. //" | ||
| + | Ravi Sigs, looking up at the sky, watching the stars slowly fade into existence. //"I guess that's pretty selfish of me...digging up the past that everyone else prefers to leave forgotten. But i would rather be called selfish than let a promise I made be left forgotten. Even if you send me away...at least i tried."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert found his body relaxing a bit as a wave of lethargy crossed his body, the adrenaline fading. \\ | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | He looks her over properly, without the lens of fear. //"I see you did bring something to share at least, Food and Drink....well i cannot be a rude host."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| + | ====Chapter 2: New Legacy ==== | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert stood back. Realising a small issue, Looking up at Ravi's face she seemed very embarrassed but also accepting. She was indeed over 8ft tall and such a large woman would have difficulty with most doorways. \\ | ||
| + | //"Do not worry...my place has high ceilings, just be carful upon entry..."// | ||
| + | Inside, the air was warm, a fire place bathed the house in comforting heat. the smell of spices, bread and wine whispered in the room, following those smells would surly lead you to the kitchen. High ceilings, cobblestone walls, light wooden floor and high quality furniture. You would be surprised to learn there was a cemetery outside such a refined cosy home. \\ | ||
| + | Ravi managed, relying on her flexibility and the sturdiness of the house to squeeze her way inside. Luckily, nothing broken, only embarrassment. The floors creaked and Robert let out a sigh of relief that nothing ad fallen over. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Small Knick knacks were displayed on many shelves, Wooden and metal sculptures, Story books as well as Research Books. Empty bottles of wine, shoes, tools and a few portraits of people. Some were a magical capture, photorealistic and seemed to move ever so slightly with blinking and breath, while others were traditionally painted. You would notice some of the smaller older pictures had one of the people' | ||
| + | Ravi didn't recognize anyone in the pictures, aside from Robert. She assumed the one cut out was his brother, the one he was chasing all those years ago, the one he killed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi dare not move too much, despite the rather spacious home the last thing she wanted was to cause issues. Scanning the room looking for a space of floor to sit. Robert noticed her ' | ||
| + | Even sitting the Crimson haired woman was taller than Robert. he couldn' | ||
| + | Robert' | ||
| + | Ravi was caught off guard by the sudden outburst. staring wide eyed at Robert blinking, Unsure if he was about to attack or tell her off. \\ | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi raised her hand to debate his simi-harsh words, but paused, he wasn't wrong...maybe he could have been a bit nicer saying it though. She paused for a while, the crackly of the fire place filling the silence between them. \\ | ||
| + | //" I'm sorry Ravi, that was uncalled for"// Robert spoke without looking, taking another swing of wine \\ | ||
| + | //" no no no"// Ravi cut back. //"You are right, i, i mean we have changed....and i got....an end of the deal. i wouldn' | ||
| + | There was another long pause before Ravi broke the silence again. \\ | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | Robert chuckled, turning to Ravi. //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | The two did just that. \\ | ||
| + | Ravi told robert of her adventured through the //Promised Archapeligo//, | ||
| + | Of her escape and of her new job in Uthasil. she then became more personally telling Robert about her family. the less than loyal choices she has made and the children that have come of it, and her children' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert spoke of his story in a different tone. His time right after Exilis, searching for the others, loosing hope and his faith. taking the position of Grave keeper. and seeing the faces of those coming and going. \\ | ||
| + | but this changed when he mentioned something unexpected. \\ | ||
| + | //"You see her? the young girl in my pictures. her name is Talia the 2nd, my daughter"// | ||
| + | Ravi Gasped, a bit over dramatically. //" | ||
| + | //"Oh shut it!"// Robert blurted out, mouth full of wine. //"You shouldn' | ||
| + | Ravi pouted //"Um i am sure i am older than you by a few hundred years."// | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | There was a bit of laughter and back and forth before the topic was brought back. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert spoke of his daughter, Talia the 2nd. Named after his mother. //"She was a good kid, despite the circumstances. Sometimes i think she was a sign from the gods not to give up just yet. But it wasn't going to be easy."// | ||
| + | He goes on tell of her rebellious phase. ' | ||
| + | //"oh come on Robert"// | ||
| + | //"it wasn't about being old"// Robert shook his head. //"it was about feeling old. i said its felt in your bones. its hard to shake that feeling."// | ||
| + | There was a pause between them before Ravi spoke again. //"So where is Talia now?"// | ||
| + | //"I Don't Know.."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | The silence in the home was cold. Despite the warm fire it seemed only loneliness settled. \\ | ||
| + | There was a loud slap, Ravi slapping her knees in protest. //" | ||
| + | Robert didn't process the words right away, Turning to Ravi. //" | ||
| + | //"I will find Talia!"// | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //"Nuh uh!"// Ravi stood up herself wacking her head on the roof. //" | ||
| + | //"Of course i do!"// Robert tenced up. //"but what place do i have to demand her attention.."// | ||
| + | //"you have not right!"// | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi nodded and began to move, getting out of the house carefully before stretching. //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //"A lead is a lead Robert. Somewhere to start is better than nothing at all"// Ravi started to warm up, doing big stretches and loosening up as if she was about to start a marathon. The Moon a cresent above with the bright starts filling the night sky, the glow of Ferrabreeze in the distance. \\ | ||
| + | //Will it be difficult for that bird of yours to fly in these winds?"// | ||
| + | //"i Don't imagine these winds would even phase Remington."// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert stood back, Bracing the door before it got caught by the wind. Even in the night, the light was just enough to see the monstrous transformation on display. \\ | ||
| + | It sounded like Ravi was in pain at first, she might have well been. As her body began to swell and a swirl of primal energy wrapped her body. The sound of bones cracking, reshaping, expanding. The tearing of clothes, The groans of Ravi changing pitch to be something lower, more monstrous. \\ | ||
| + | Robert stared wide eye unable to look away, He feared if he could see it in the clear day he might run. But the dark night concealed enough for the mind to bare it better. He caught the flash of large claws, Sharp teeth and a mane of wild crimson hair. \\ | ||
| + | A Werewolf? Was Robert' | ||
| + | //"n no Werewolf....a a Dragon?! a Weredragon? | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ravi let out a deep sign of hot breath as her transformation finished. Her Piercing yellow eyes intensified from her transformation like starts in the dark. Her silloet was large. Perhaps the size on an ancient dragon. \\ | ||
| + | She stretched out similar to a cat. Her claws digging into the earth. Looking over to Robert she saw him in a combination of shock and confutation. //" | ||
| + | The Dragon Ravi walked over an huffed a puff of flame on the touches outside, lighting up the area and revealing Ravi's form more clearly. \\ | ||
| + | It seemed the reveal calmed Robert down. Looking over her he noticed that much of her body was not scales but that same dark brown fur she had in her humanoid form. Scales only partial covered sections of her legs, wings, tail and other parts of the dragon body. Patches of fur on the body are longer than the rest and shared the same crimson red she was known for. A mass of crimson red hair runs from her head down her back like a mane. Her head has to massive thick horns with a slight twist in them. Her wings are gargantuan, as they should be for such a large form. They could easy cover a squadron of soldiers and have room to spare. Her same cursed eyes, an air of danger but the way she looked at Robert, an air of desire? or perhaps a desire to help. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | Robert gulped, Found his body shaking slightly, Adrenaline or fear he wasn't sure. Maybe just surprise...or maybe it was hope. | ||
| + | |||
| + | //"i will be sure to send letters back with updates as much as i can Robert"// | ||
| + | //" | ||
| + | //"Its fine Robert."// | ||
| + | With a beat of her wings enough the shake Robert' | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| + | ====Chapter 3: Hunting in the Borderlands ==== | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ten days of travel over the nation of // | ||
| + | Travel by foot or fly higher? On the ground would be far slower, But Flying High still runs the risk of being spotted. Time a nagging thing in her mind so the risk was worth the time save. \\ | ||
| + | Her great wings took her high into the sky, The temperature dropped the higher she climbed and breathing was effected. //"Not to High. Passing out this high will be the death of anything."// | ||
| + | Finding a good ratio of high and comfort of flying took a bit of effort but eventually she found a good spot to cruise along. she could barely see any fine details bellow, she hopped her figure was likewise passed off as a bird or other flying creature that wasn't a dragon. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Days went by uneventfully, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ashlem Rise came into view. After a few more days Ravi is at the base of the natural mountain border. But things are alot more active than she had thought. It seems there had been a battle here, a Big one. There are several soldier tents and camps around the area. Ravi had seen the smoke while flying in and had made a discrete descension further away to transform out of sight. Though even her humanoid form was far from stealthy. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
