In the dead of night, Iras silhouette rose in the darkness of the room. Beside him, Avery remained sleep with a blissful grin on her face, one that he found bewitching but shook his head and changed his focus.
Iras eyes were glazed over back and from his perspective, he was suddenly standing in a large chamber.
So, you ca? A person spoke.
A figure wearing a stone mask appeared from the shadows within the chamber. The stone mask depicted three faces, one of a man, one of a woman, and one that was completely ambiguous just like the figure itself.
Ira looked toward the figure without saying a word before walking toward two large doors. He pushed them open and found himself in so room that resembled the eting place of an ancient council.
He truly ca? A beautiful woman with violet eyes and long grey hair spoke.
There was no one who could compare to her in terms of beauty but Ira seed completely repulsed.
Hunger. I want to consu him. A floating pile of flesh sitting further away from her groaned. It was covered in dozens of eyes that resembled various beasts.
As do I, The violet-eyed woman licked her lips as her eyes hungrily trailed over Iras body.
Now, now, there isnt a need for that is there? I find him interesting but please, hes practically a newborn. A man who vaguely resembled a human chid in.
It was hard to even call him a man when he seed more like a mockery of a human. His body hosted long, uneven, proportions and a face with a warped smile that seed to stop at his ears. And his skin held a waxy texture that made him seem less like a living being and more like a sculpture.
As the figure in the stone-mask joined the party of individuals, they finally began their discussion.
Youre the replacent of that wolf? The Violet-Eyed woman asked as if to confirm what she already knew.
Call it what you want, Ira replied indifferently.
Interesting. You are the second to accept the darkness and unlike that Wolf, youve kept a physical shell.
...Is no one else coming? The figure in the stone mask inquired.
Why would they? To see this boy? He hasnt even lived for a century let alone a millennium, The Violet-Eyed woman responded but her eyes stayed on Ira.
And yet, here I am. Iras smile was filled with provocation as he replied.
Oh? Tell , do you think yourself sothing special? The Violet-Eyed woman laughed as if she were amused.
Arrogant. An ignorant child. He still slls of his mothers milk. The pile of flesh chid.
Theres no need to berate him for being...unaware, The grinning man spoke.
Every so often, to us anyway, an entity is born. And if they arent eaten by Hunger they are taken by Chaos. If neither of them get involved, another will. The figure in the stone mask explained to Ira.
So tell , what will your fate be, Ira? The Violet-Eyed woman asked.
None of those.
Prideful. I want to consu you. The pile of flesh groaned at Ira.
Try it, Ira flashed a smile.
Now, now, were only here to get an idea of him, we all agreed not to harm him...at the mont. The grinning man seed to have an even deeper smile form on his face.
Could I give you so advice, newcor? The beautiful woman twirled her hair innocently.
What? Ira narrowed his eyes toward the Violet-Eyed woman.
There is one thing you should rember and that is chaos cannot be avoided by entities like you. The sa entities who hold foolish beliefs and chase ideals of the ignorant. You must understand that chaos is constant and because of that, I will eventually reach you, no matter what corner of darkness youre hiding in.
Good to know. Ira was dismissive of the womans words but she paid it no mind and continued.
I want you to understand that I am not acting out of malice or hate for you. It is in my nature to seek the most chaotic outco. And you She inhaled deeply as if taking in Iras scent. Yes, you will provide with want I want...wont you, Ir-Rah?
Ira found that the womans strange pronunciation of his na wasnt as concerning as the fact that she knew it in the first place. He couldnt hide his shock and seeing his change of expression caused the woman to gently laugh.
How do you know-
Your na? I have already told you, as long as chaos exists nothing is unreachable to .
Iras countenance beca grim as he stared at the Violet-Eyed woman.
We shall end it here before a fight starts. The figure in the stone mask spoke, gently waving their hand and practically severing the growing tension.
Agreed. I will consu the child at so other point. The pile of flesh disappeared soon after his statent.
I ca to see the newborn and I have to say, I am not disappointed. The grinning man licked his lips with a rotting tongue. Not disappointed at all.
The grinning man was the second to go, the figure in the stone mask, the Violet-Eyed woman, and Ira.
I am certain we will see each other very soon, Ir-Rah.
You should hope not, Ira growled.
The Violet-Eyed woman let out a charming laugh before she vanished.
Ir-Rah, is it? The figure in the stone mask inquired.
Ira.
Is that not what I said?
Forget it.
...You are young, Ir-Rah, incredibly young. Do not fall for the provocations of those who have lived long enough to see countless millennia pass. They may not show it, but they will co to be cautious of you the longer you stay alive. The truth is, darkness predates all of us.
What are your intentions then? Ira asked cautiously.
My intentions? I have none...You will co to learn that most of us are neutral and very few actually do anything.
Us?
The Elders, The Ancient, The...forgive , but as most of us are entities who existed before ti itself, you can imagine there is no shortage of nas to describe our kind.
Ira let out a laugh as he replied, Your kind, not mine.
That is where youre wrong. The figure in the stone mask shook its head. You carry the sa blood as one of us so there is no need to be hostile. After all, we are all essentially related in so way. Think of so of us as distant relatives. The figure in the stone mask left Ira with those words.
Ira gave the matter so contemplation, but whatever his thoughts were he kept them to himself.
Avery stirred at Iras side before opening her slowly opening her eyes. The exhaustive five years had co to an end and it seed as if the fatigue hit her all at once, hence her lengthy slumber.
Ira. Avery whispered tiredly as she stared at Ira who was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Ah? Did I wake you up? Ira turned to her with a slightly apologetic smile.
Averys eyes gained more clarity as she began to rise.
What is it? She asked, feeling sothing was off.
Its...nothing. Ill tell you all about it when the ti is right. Ira waved as he climbed out of bed.
He lightly shrugged and the shadows seed to gather around him before becoming black garnts.
Besides, Sylun should be pretty busy right now and we have to prepare.
I understand, you cant leave us like that again...never again. Avery began to dress as she spoke to him.
If I go anywhere Ill definitely be taking all of you with , Ira said with a reliable smile.
He left the bed chambers with Avery following close behind him and as if they felt it, his children erged from their rooms one by one, each of them giving an enthusiastic greeting.
Where are we going exactly? Raveria asked.
Ira looked at his oldest daughter with a slight surprise as she had beco more responsible in his ti away.
A new world.
Whats wrong with this one? Nephele asked innocently.
A lot.
Really? Like what?
It has been broken.
By who?
Well...I may have had a small part in breaking it.
Why dont you just fix it then? Nephele tilted her head as if she couldnt comprehend.
There are so things you just cant repair, no matter what you do.
I see. That makes a lot of sense, Father. I also think the sa. Nephele nodded as if she understood, but it was clear she was just as confused as ever by her repeated assurances.
Good. Ira shook his head.
Ira Avery started. You said that the Origin Force is absent within this...new world?
It is.
Then what will happen when we depart? Will our children be safe?
Theyll have enough ti to adjust but I cant promise itll be painless.
Will I lose my swords? Valeryn inquired.
Probably, but youll be better off starting from scratch. All of you will. Ira thought of the incomprehensible things that lay beyond the Void.
They wouldnt have paid any attention to him if he hadnt taken the Wolfs place, but since he had. It ant that the unknown beings would now have equally unknown intentions toward him. Even if the figure in the stone mask said that they were all more or less like a family, it didnt an they would be tied down by the sentint that ca with the connection.
Her Highness is waiting for you, Keeper. A Dark Elf approached Ira and bowed deeply before gesturing toward a large door.
Alright, Ira nodded and approached the door that gently swung open.
Keeper.
The individuals in the room spoke simultaneously and even bowed together.
Thats enough, I just ca to see if were ready?
Ah, Ive sent word across the city. All thats left now is to address the citizens and make adequate preparations. Apologies, Keeper, but I am at a loss as to how we should prepare for the upcoming journey.
Ill handle it, Ira replied. Now, is there anything else?
There are so who are afraid and maybe even a little hesitant but there are none who wish to remain.
Good, give an announcent to your people and I will discuss things with the Valkyries.
Ira emphasized that there would be nothing easy about the journey before he went off in search of Kara and the Valkyries, leaving everyone else to begin preparing.
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