Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sometimes we don’t want to heal, because the pain is the last link to what we’ve lost

For a long time, the region of Ru’aun had been dying, slowly but steadily. Now it’s plain for anyone to see, even if you had no memory of the world before. According to long gone philosophers the region, spanning nearly the entire continent, had once been a prosperous land with villages reaching as far as the eye could see and farmland found in every direction. But now the corruption invaded from every side, leaving Ru’aun a former shell of itself, with forest converting most of the landscape.

The nature of the dying land was of no importance to the boy though-at least not on the large scale.

Standing in a peaceful clearing he watched as the moonlight brightened as it gave way to sunlight and found himself doubting what exactly he’s doing here.

Just over a month ago he’d been in another forest(playing in the woods seems all he did these days), doing largely the same thing he was doing now;nothing. The summer just began to blow over and he’d been basking in the cool air, never truly being one to enjoy the sultry of summer.

While standing in complete silence by a lake he had been called out to. By name, his full name, not even Gene knew his full name. Though it didn’t show on his face, the remembered feeling of shock pulsated throughout his body. His name was one thing, the voice that called to him another.

The voice had been bitter and soft, hard and flat,all about indescribable,it reminded him just a little too much of his master.

He didn’t have to turn around to know who the woman was, what she was. The protector or monster of this forest depending on who you ask. He had never met her while alive and this was the first time meeting her while being… in this state.

The woman-Hyria he would soon learn-called out to him letting him know that she had been watching him.

“Vylad,” She called his name once again. “I had thought you dead. It seems that I was not wrong.” She stood by his side  “May I ask what it is that you seek here?” A simple question that he did not answer, maybe out of uncertainty to himself. “Right, well it seems as if you’re leaving soon? I have something to give you, and a request to make of you.” Finally he strayed from his silence.

“Do you know who I am?” The woman spoke with fermalirty, but he had never met her in his life. “I knew who you were.” She said “I was there, when you were born. You been a hard pregnancy, an even harder labor. Do not stress yourself too much to remember me. I've only held you once, I’ve now known you twice.”

Vylad stood in silence as the woman continued to talk with a small smile on her face. “That is why I come to you today. Now for my request?” For a second Vylad contemplated, when you become a shadow knight you leave everything in your first life behind. Not everyone did of course, some were punished for it, some weren't.

He had never broken a rule before, ignored commands? Maybe, but to break a rule made by the master himself? Never.

He contemplated, would he be willing to scorn the master, even if it were just this little thing? Does this even count? By the woman's own account she had only seen to his birth. Maybe this had been the greatest sin of all, the blood of his mother's womb had been on her hands, but he never had any ties to this woman. He could stand here overthinking if he wanted it would not give him an answer to his question.

“What is it?” Nodding Hyria held out her hand and a staff appeared instantaneously. “All I ask is that you take this with you, sell it if you wish, but take it far from here. Best a place that needs the blessing of Irene.”  Along with the staff came a small wrapped cylinder “And this is yours.” Later he found a cooling salve inside.

Now here he stands with a choice to make. A place that needs Irene.  There have to be better, more in need places. Maybe he was just being selfish but what is a Shadow knight if not selfish incrated. To live after your times past, to steal other’s times. Yes, to be a servant is to be selfish and with that he made up his mind.

With a fluid motion he drove the staff into the ground with desire. If this made him a traitor then so be it, he gained that monercur the day he died, then again when he took the staff.

A crack- it started with a crack.

Then a rumble, then an uproar. More cracking followed and the sound that acoupmined was loud, booming as if the world itself was splitting.

Vylad fell to the ground when one of the cracks appeared under him. Then nothing, when he opened his eyes Vylad found himself surprised.

For all of the commotion there was very little damage-in fact it seemed as if nothing had happened. And if he hadn’t felt the ground splitting under him, he would have believed nothing happened. That it may have been a random roll of thunder.

But the sound wasn’t the only thing the staff brought forth. While the staff was gone it was replaced by someone.

A girl laid dead-still in the dirt. A sun kissed arm laid upon her chest, lightly griping a small black jewel in between her fingers. Her other arm laid by her head relaxed in comparison. He had moved towards her, slowly cautious in his approach. He moved to take her wrist in his hand, to check if she was alive.

But he stopped, the girl was alive, and looking at him.

And then he was gone.

Chapter Text

I will never turn my back on people who need me

The previous day had been… peaceful, a well needed break from the havoc that the last months had been. The unexpected murder of the lord had been one thing, a true tragedy but it was not the only problem the small village had been facing and quite honestly it was the least of their problems- an annoyance more than a worry.

Despite the end of summer and winter quickly approaching the weather had very little change. The sweltering heat only persisted as the days got shorter and worse it got dryer. There was neither humidity to be found in the air, nor moisture to be found in the ground. The only saving grace that the little village was able to experience was the constant warm breeze provided by the ocean. And for that He thanked the forefathers of the village for settling by the large body.
He was no farmer or scientist but it was obvious that the land was losing whatever it was that made it possible to grow crops. As the days passed the ground got dryer and dryer, despite Brandon valiant efforts to persevere the darkening plots. With their farmlands only growing smaller their food supply was quickly depleting. The summer harvest not haven been as bountiful as they hoped nor their spring or autumn. It was getting harder to feed the livestock, who hadn’t been reproducing as easily as before. Then there was also the issue of money. Having to pay the other villages to make sure their storehouse was stocked had put a noticeable dent in the village funds.

Then the lord died and somehow everything got worse.

So when the day came and passed with little incident he should have been suspicious, he should have taken the cool air as a sign for change, he should have seen the thickness of the sea smoke as a warning.

But he didn’t and so the change came and he wasn’t prepared.

At first the calm rumbling made him think a storm was heading for the village, but then a sound so loud and fracturing made him think a bolt of lightning struck a tree.

Just to be sure the village wasn’t in danger of burning down (something they truly could not take) he removed himself from the comfort of his bed. When he finally made his way outside he found he found himself a little disturbed. There was no fire, thankfully, what was concerning the lack of well everything. No breeze, no sea smoke, no rain, no more rumbling and no one else was around. No one beside him had come to check the sound, no candles were lit, no windows open, no doors cracked. He seemed to be the only one who even heard anything.

A little dazed and confused he was just about to turn around and go back to sleep, ready to take the sounds as something he dreamed up in his exhaustion. Pondering if he should take a day off, knowing that he’s no use to anyone if he can't focus. Then the light- a quick flash that if he had been blinking he would have missed it. And again he was convinced it was an illusion, a trick of the eye if not for the wave that washed over him. He knew that wasn't a trick as the wave rustled the leaves and shook the lamps.

He may have turned around, he could have pretended the event didn’t happen, for some reason he knew that if he did he would forget whatever it was he felt and saw.
And he considered it-turning back around as if nothing had happened, truly he did, but the sun’s warmth caressed him and the decision was made.

Quickly he made his way back to the guard station to grab his sword and cape then left as quickly came. He knew the woods well and if he were to judge he would guess that it came from the opposite of the guard house a few miles into the woods- a clearing that the old lord enjoyed. Another day that would have stopped him, but he found that he was more determined than ever.

He didn't run but he wasn’t slow in his descent upon the space, with sword in hand he made his way quickly deeper into the woods.

It took him half an hour to reach the space he suspected the light came from.

Moving into the clearing slowly, his grip tightening on his sword he was ready for some type of confrontation. But there wasn’t one to be found, only a small comatose girl.
The girl sat rested against an oak tree unmoving, seemingly more dead than sleeping- completely unaware and unbothered by any of the earlier commotion or the current situation.

Once again he moved slowly as he approached the girl until he was directly in front of her. Looking around one last time to be sure there was no one else there, he dropped down to the girls level. Steadily he moved his hand towards the girl's neck, shooting out two fingers he placed them against her juggler. He found himself surprised when a hand shot out to grip his wrist.

The girl (better yet woman, as he could now clearly see) was in fact not dead, in fact she was awake and glaring at him. Rightfully so. Seeing that she was very much alive he tried to pull his hand away but found himself unable with the tight hold he was held in.

“Umm, miss I apologize for touching you without permission, but that was only out of concern for your health. You did not respond when I called to you, I only wished to check on your health.” He paused for a moment when the girl did not loosen her grip he continued “Would you mind releasing me now that I have explained the situation?” She did but not of her own volition, with a groan her head rolled and she was out just as quickly as she woke.

Her grip didn’t cease to exist, just loosen as she once again slumped against the tree. The sun had now flitted in through the high leaves and he was able to truly see the girl. Before he thought it was because of the little light, but her hair truly was jet black with traces of brown, red or blue to be found. He felt sure if he were to see it in direct light it wouldn’t reflect.

When her hand finally did drop from his wrist he wondered what exactly he should do.

Even though this was the woods and the oak tree would provide coverage from the direct sunlight it would get hot soon, it would be dangerous to stay out in the clearing for too long. But the girl had yet to give him permission to move her, she seemed to detest that he even touched her. But there was no guarantee that she wasn’t hurt nor was there one that she was, for all he knew she had just been taking a well needed nap.

Standing up he decided that better safe than sorry was the policy he would follow. If she needed help she could get in the village, if she didn’t he could apologize and let that be that. Who's to say that she wasn’t already on her way to the village? If that was the case he would be doing her a favor, it was 2/3 odds of him helping than hurting.

Sighing he put his sword down and replaced it with the girl, lifting her over his shoulder before picking his sword up again. He walked slower back than he did going, taking the time to figure out how he would explain the situation to the townspeople, or if he even should explain. In all the time it took to return to the village the girl had not stirred once so at least he made one right decision.

Chapter Text

Instead of being the one afraid I would become someone to fear
Drums.

The beatings of drums and the feeling of sunlight flooded his brain. As he sat with his eyes closed he felt the room gradually begin to warm, little by little, and wondered how long he’d been there. He was sure that when he stumbled into the office the sun had been setting. Opening his eyes he saw truth. Dust floated around his face and he traced the erratic patterns with his eyes willing himself to keep track- to focus.

He sighed and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the desk. His hands found his temple and unwillingly his eyes fluttered closed again.

He would like to say the shift in the room is what woke him, that the opening of the door startled him awake, it was not. It was not even the body that stood directly in front of the desk that woke him in the end, it was the soft, slow taps on the wood that sent vibrations through his body numbing his brain that woke him.

“I could have ended you,” the body said as it slid onto his desk “just then.” It finished. For a few seconds he was completely unaware of who was talking to him and the threat was taken seriously, for just a few seconds. He sat up slowly pulling his hand back and rolling his neck.
“I'm sure you could have.” Staring up he was confronted with a wash of white. Silver hair, blue eyes darker than his, extreme tan skin dotted by lighter scars. He wasn't wearing his Jury uniform, only dressed in the basic black of rudimentary garments, his sword nowhere to be found.

Janus proceeded to throw his legs over the desk, careful to not hit him. With his legs now to the right of him Janus stared down letting a smirk grace his features. He was deliberately testing his patients he knew, confirming his mood, seeing if he reprimand him or leave it be.
He decided to save his strength to fight another battle another day. “You’ll be happy to know that Gene completed his mission.” Zane watched his muscles contract under his black cotton, needing to focus on something lest he succumb to his drowsiness. “Oh, did he?” He responded, not really paying attention to the received information. Janus chuckled, leaning his head down and shifting his body so that Zane would not strain to look at him “You don’t sound surprised.” Zane turned his head so that he could just see the sun reach its apex out of the corner of his eye. He lifted his hand so that it hovered above the desk surface. As Janus took it and brought his lips down as he said, “I never doubted him for a minute, of course I didn’t believe in him either”

“Zane.” Stopping in his tracks he didn’t need to be looking upon the woman to know who the voice belonged to. Even in his delirious state with the sounds of the world being distorted he knew who spoke, there would be only one person who would, who could walk these halls and speak his name as if they were equal. Even Janus who cared not for titles regarded him with a level of respect, but not this person, even if she held some respect for him, she still believed him beneath her.
He stared towards the end of the corridor wondering how far he could get by pretending he did not hear her, probably not far. Turning he quickly bowed before stiffly straightening his back.

Dress in white and green she played the regal look well, her dress fitted just for her. The woman from which he took all his features-exceeded the perfect prowess fitting of the high lady of Okais.

“Mother, what brings you here?” He asked, his voice wavering for just a second. He found his headache growing and his finger twitched.

“I was not aware I needed a reason to visit my son.” She responded head cocked, her voice sickly sweet, her smile just so. “Well this is a sacred place with only allowed personnel.” He turned his eyes towards the stain glass that seemed to glow in response to her while rejecting him.
Zianna only nodded. His eyes fell back down to her smile, that cheeky, conniving smile that he copied so well in his childhood. “As the high lady of Okasis I was not aware there was a place in this region that I was not allowed. Though as the high priest I'm sure you know best.” Her tone and stance let him know that he hadn’t misinterpreted, she was challenging him.

Technically as the high priest he held more power than her, though that was only in name; in practice the priest had been serving the family of Okais almost since the position had been created. Oh there was also the fact that she was his mother.
From the corner of his eye he saw Jauns move closer, in swift short steps- the way he moved towards his prey. It was just a shame that she saw him too.
“Good morning Janus.”

Stopping he straightened his back as he nodded in recognition of her, something he should have done the moment she entered the hall. “Good morning, my lady.” Turning her attention to him she continued “Yes, it is. I had not heard you’d returned.” Janus narrowed his eyes, wondering what was the question in that statement. “I’m sure you hadn’t. I just got back.”

“A success I hope?” He nodded and Zianna took that for what it was, the end of the conversation-at least for his part. “Very well, it was a particularly long mission. I'm sure you would rather be resting than talking to me. Do come have tea with me sometime, I would love to hear about it. I will let you continue on your day. You were escorting the high priest to his rooms, correct? I will inform the workers on my way out, but do see that special attention is paid to his keep. I’m sure you already recognized, but he is not in the best condition.” The aforementioned high priest lowered his gaze as his mind wondered, of course she knew, she always did. No matter how consistently or inconstantly the window of people revolved around him, she always knew the most minute things about him, his condition, his work. He would have to hire a new flurry of workers soon, shame he liked this batch.

“And Zane, I will come visit you again tonight alright?” Her tone was a request, in only the way a parent could consider their order a request. “I will see you then mother.” He said almost dropping to his knees once she was out of sight.

“She really is a rigid bitch.” Turning his head he glared at Janus, who was somehow at fault for this confrontation. He wouldn’t have left the office if not for his suggestion, and she would have to meet him there if she wished to talk to him. On his terms, in his space, not hers, better yet she may not have come at all. “Do not speak of my mother that way, you do well to remember she is your high lady.”

Turning he continued his walk down the corridor, to his rooms. Janus made the move to follow him but he put a hand up. “Were you not given an order?” He said while not stopping. “She said after I take you to your rooms.” Zane nodded she did in died say after, still he did not slow down nor give the motion for Janus to move from his spot. He made it to the great oak doors before he turned back around to face Janus, who was in the same place, smiling, waiting. He contemplated for a moment before removing his hand from the door handle. “Come on then.”