Trenliyan Ke'Mentari (or, A Journey into the Eye)

[Aryienne]

((edited for mother's name))

Aryienne paused before her mirror, ticking things off on her fingers to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Faerylle lounged dejectedly on the bed, pouting because she had been forbidden to accompany them to the Eye of Reshanta. She had even attempted to hide Ary’s boots to use bribery. She neglected to take into account that there weren’t very many hiding places in the dormitory.

“Fae, do stop pouting. I don’t need you to worry about while I’m gone,” Ary sighed, turning to the teenager.

Faerylle glared at the woman, and crossed her arms in front of her petulantly.

“You’re both going! Why are you both going!! Who’s gonna take care of me while you’re gone?” her rant ended in a wail.

Ary rolled her eyes, with an amused look at Faerylle. She tucked a spare set of nicer clothes into her cube before closing it.

“Fae, you are quite able to take care of yourself. And Mali and Rhylian will be here. You can keep them company. Have you bothered to introduce yourself to Equa? I think you’d get along with her,”

Faerylle continued to pout as Ary moved towards the door. As her hand hit the doorknob, Faerylle launched herself off the bed and crashed into her, wrapping her arms around her tightly. Ary returned the hug warmly.

“Behave yourself, sprite,”
“Just come back,” the words are muffled into Ary’s shoulder.

Ary pet the girl’s back and disentangled herself, leaving Faerylle crying on the bed with a soft kiss on the head. The few of them going were to meet in Primum, Lord Isceroth being the only one among them having made the journey into the Eye before. She was glad he offered to come along. His presence steadied her more reckless thoughts, in her effort to not disappoint him.

Though confidant on the outside, she doesn’t know that she will be able to find Trenliyan easily, let alone if he would actually agree to her request. She could demand all she wants, if he was against the idea she could hardly go kill her father without his consent. She highly doubted that Tren wouldn’t be aware of her actions in the years since she had seen him. While her mother was alive, he had come to see how the family was doing at least once a year, even though he had given his title more than ten years before her father married. He would also easily recognize her. Lyeine had made sure Tren had a matching crystal globe to Drevyn’s, her brother’s now residing in Zendrago’s lab somewhere. The image inside grew as she grew, showing her in a rare moment of pure enjoyment, her eyes alight with mischief, her smile impish.

I just hope he agrees she stepped away from the teleporter in Primum, too nervous to even feel the after effects of teleportation.

[Relic Huldru]

Kynn hesitated before entering the small room that Maliqua used as a study in their quarters. He had yet to strap on his armor, knowing that it would just get in the way right now. With a heavy sigh, he knocked lightly on the doorjamb to get her attention. He realized that she had been working on her project almost nonstop since he told her about the trip, except for those days they spent in Ishalgen away from the world, and that night in the Abyss. She looked up at him as she heard the sound, and he smiled at her.

"M'love ... it's that time." He walked over to where she sat and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her and leaning his cheek against her head. "I'll be back b'fore ya realize it. Ya ain't even gonna have time ta miss me." He muttered something to himself, almost too low for her to even hear. Wish I could say the same fer me ... miss ya already. "Could really use yer help with my kit ... if ya don't mind."

She nodded, and rose, and they walked to the front room hand in hand, not saying anything. There, she helped him don his armor, tightening the straps, and making sure everything was in place. She was about to help him with his gauntlets, when he shook his head. Kynn touched her cheek and ran a hand through her hair, before kissing her. "Mali girl, ain't gonna be long. I'll be back, I promise. I got a lot ta come back for, remember?" He struggled to keep his voice even, hoping that the hint of worry that he felt as he spoke wasn't apparant to her. He smiled at her, maybe a little forced, kissed her again, then they walked to the door. After a brief embrace, he nodded to her, whispered three little words, then walked through Vanahal to meet up with his sister in Primum Fortress.

As he walked, his thoughts resided in one place, back in Vanahal with her. His eyes burned, but he refused to give in to it. After all, it was just one more trip into the Abyss, like all the others he'd taken before. Right? He didn't tell her, but he had a bad feeling about this trip, though it didn't change his mind about going. Just before he stepped through the portal to the Abyss, he looked back towards his home and Maliqua, and whispered to himself.

"G'bye m'love ... Keep yerself safe ..."

[Spitfyre87]

Maliqua watched him out the window as he left her behind...her eyes strained to keep him in sight as long as possible...

She frowned as she lost him, and stood simply staring out into Vanahal.

It already felt empty here with everyone gone.
Why hadn't she been asked to go? Was she too weak...or was it his usual worry?

She looked down into her hands that held the Aether crystal he gave her, just days ago, and wondered if he would find the note she had left him in the sleeve of his armor...it was just another heart but...

"What if its the last...?" she said softly to no one, biting her bottom lip, shaking her head to fight back tears.

She turned from the door, planning to tidy up their room like she would on a normal day when he left her to train.

She began to pick up bits of his clothing from yesterday to wash, but paused as she came to their bed...his side still a mess from where he had just slept there....

She sat down in his spot...smiling sadly, laughing a little when she felt some cookie crumbs....she hated when he brought snacks to bed...

She dusted them away and looked around the room. The only thing she had now was research...but it couldn't capture her interest today...

She laid down in his spot, pulling a spare pillow to herself to cuddle. She held it tight, closing her eyes, holding in tears once more...
She pulled the covers up over her head and sighed into the darkness beneath them.

"He's coming back.." she assured herself "He promised..."

She gripped the crystal in her hand tighter, its glow illuminating the darkness beneath the covers a bit...

"If he doesn't come back...no one will ever even know..." she whispered quietly to the glittering gem, which seemed to glow cheerfully despite the pain of the situation.

She closed her eyes, holding it close to her heart, and finally allowing herself to be afraid, as she should have been from the beginning...she began to cry almost silently into his pillow...

[Isceroth]

Isceroth had little to no intention of going to Pandaemonium before the excursion he'd offered to accompany Aryienne and Kynn on. Namri had been written to, and knew that Isceroth was a more than capable ranger. She had little to no doubt that he would return... for he had faced greater adversity in his time. The Abyss was quickly becoming something of a second home to him, considering how much time he spent in it. There was something soothing about the familiarity of the atmosphere. The air was always still... No wind, though the sounds of gusting aether filled the vast area with the illusion of it. There was a mix of tranquility and hostility within this place... and that suited Isceroth just fine.

The place he was leading Aryienne and Kynn was far from tranquil. For some time, Isceroth had warred with the idea of calling upon the entire legion for assistance, but this was a personal matter for the few Ke'Mentaris that wore his legion's emblem. Additionally, it was not entirely worth the increased chance of harm that would befall a larger group of Asmodians, being that the greater their numbers were, the more attention they would attract.

No, this had to be handled quickly and discreetly.

He examined his talons idly, waiting patiently.

[Vitania]

Primum was still an unfamiliar territory for the young Sorcerer who gazed upon its vastness in contemplation. The pink and purple gusts of aetheric energy swirled about with deceptive calm before him in the expanse. Daeje's mouth curved into a smile as he began pondering the prospects of painting such a scene. His attention shifted focus to the smoke from his cigarette as it mingled with the air before him, mocking the abyssal currents. As he waited for his fellow legion mates, his thoughts inevitably began to find their way to the journey ahead.

Certainly Daeje had no obligations other than being a fellow legion member and friend to the Aryienne woman, so embarking on this journey was completely of his own choice. As Daeje took a drag of the cigarette, he realized there was no real reason for going other than to avert the business waiting for him in Pandaemonium. As the heir to his family, Daeje had to mentally scold himself for this procrastination. However, despite his reassurances to those concerned about Equa's well-being, there was really little he could do about his father's decision. His father's word was law, as far as he was concerned. Those who fought against his father tended not to come out of it intact.

This was the prime excuse for running away from the whole situation for now. He would take it with relish.

Of course it would be dangerous. However, he expected that Isceroth at the very least would have the calm and experience to know what he was doing. Although the Eye was not an enticing destination, Daeje did not fear it. Perhaps this was due to his inexperience, over-confidence, or arrogance. In any case, he was fairly certain they all would make it there and back together. And when he did return, he hoped his father would have come to some verdict that he could cope with.

At the teleporter he saw the familiar figure of Isceroth, who appeared bored as usual, followed by Aryienne. Flicking a little ash away from his cigarette, he approached them wearing that familiar smile that was always so pleasant, so approachable, always hiding what lay beneath that congenial mask.

"I have packed five sets of underwear for the trip," He said watching Aryienne. "I hope I have not under packed."

[Aryienne]

“Lady Ke’Mentari, nyerk!” the shugo caught up to Aryienne as she stepped from the teleporter into Primum Fortress. “Military courier, nyerk, nyerk.”

With a surprised look, Ary took the letter and read it quickly. Frowning she dug in her cube for writing supplies and rapidly penned two letters. As she handed them and some kinah back to the shugo, she stated,

“Please deliver these to Lord Repth Atrios and Commander Phelan Dire. They must get there as quickly as possible, do you understand?”

The shugo nodded with a roll of his beady eyes and tucked the letters into his pouch, before gathering aether and disappearing. Ary gave a worried shake of her head and continued towards Isceroth. There was little more she could do at this point. She gave a slight bow as she stopped before Isceroth and held out the letter.

“Lord Isceroth, Commander Dire has requested our assistance,”

[Isceroth]

Isceroth read the letter silently, grateful for the distraction from Daeje... who he'd not at all expected to be along with them. He wasn't alltogether positive that the man could be of much help to them at all. In fact, he seemed like something of an unnecessary liability.

He read the letter several times over before carefully folding it away and vanishing it in to his cube. With a soft sigh, he looked out to the Abyss, then to the few legionnaires before him.

"Commander Phelan Dire has requested our assistance... It seems there is an Elyos warship headed for Heiron, with a captive Asmodian of high standing... This may warrant our attention."

He slowly came to focus his gaze upon Aryienne. "...Will your grandfather yet be in the core or is this a very time sensitive event?"

[Relic Huldru]

Kynn stood there, all but ignoring his legionmates. His mind was elsewhere, rather than where it should be, discussing what was going to be taking place on this suicide mission. It's not that he doubted Isceroth's abilities, or his sister's determination, but he just couldn't shake that feeling of dread. Out here in the Abyss, things had a way of happening to a man, and that far in, without the chance for rebirth ... He shivered at the thought. He had to make it back. There was a certain promise he had made to Maliqua, that he refused to break. As his mind wandered, he shifted his shoulders, trying to get the plates to rest properly, but the left one just wouldn't sit right, as if the cloth beneath was bunched up.

He reached up beneath the metal to tug down the padding, when his hand touched upon something that shouldn't ... paper? He withdrew it, and unfolded the crumpled bit of parchment, A slow smile formed as he stared down at the little drawn heart. His mind drifted away again, recalling how they stood there, so close as to almost be touching but not quite. Mali nervously adjusted his armor, and tightened down the straps, her small warm hands occasionally brushing against him. She must have slipped this in at the last minute. He gazed at the sketch until it became blurry. He dragged the back of his hand over his eyes, clearing his vision, and turning to attempt to focus on his companions.

Isceroth's voice cut through the haze in his mind, as what he said sunk in. He looked at Ary with a glimmer of hope. He knew how important this was to her, but ... Maybe they can come up with a better way once this new business was through.

[Aryienne]

Not surprised by Isceroth's decision, Ary shook her head.

"He will be there. He has spent the last 50 years primarily fighting there, I doubt her would take a vacation now," she smirks.

While disappointed, Ary understood that this was a difficult trip to ask of anyone. After everything else was taken care of she would get to the Eye, with or without them.

"Let us go, there is an alliance to consider."

[Vitania]

Of all the activity going on within their small group, it was Kynn pulling out the bit of paper from his paldrons that drew Daeje's attention. He peered down at the heart, his mouth curving into a small smile that, on the surface, appeared quite mild.

Ah, how love can completely derail an otherwise stalwart man into this bumbling mass of tears. Such an embarrassing sight. Being able to see this much of my old self in him almost makes me want to vomit.

"Lady Maliqua is so thoughtful." His voice came out softly. "If only we all had those who cared as much about us..." He offered the man a friendly smile before looking to the others.

"Lord Isceroth, Lady Aryienne; if you would like to take the time needed to conclude your business elsewhere, I will wait here for your return. Please take care."

[Isceroth]

Isceroth nodded to Daeje, then assumed the stance to work a return spell. He didn't need to give them any further orders. They understood there was preparation to see to, and that there was little to no time to waste.

//---zomgtimewarp---// ((Assume this is after the meeting tonight sometime))

Days later, Isceroth once more traveled to the Abyss, to the very same place where they had rendezvoused before. Letters had been sent to Aryienne, Kynn, and Daeje, alerting them of the time and place to meet once more--directly before the teleporter.

He sighed. This mission would be much simpler had they controlled Kysis, Miren, or Krotan, but those forts belonged to the Balaur and Elyos respectively, making their task all the more dangerous. Of the upper abyss, Asmodae held only Roah, and so that would be their destination.

Again he waited patiently. After everything that had happened, he did at very least feel somewhat at ease in the Abyss.

[Aryienne]

Aryienne walked slowly to the teleporter in Pandaemonium. She kept seeing the vista from the night before in her mind’s eye and it calmed her. Soon she would no longer be hemmed in by the buildings around her. If this mission worked, she would no longer need to worry about her father, his motives and his plans. She could put all her energy into helping Lord Isceroth and serving Symphony. Her heart and mind would have the time to heal.

Oddly enough, she was comfortable with Isceroth’s stance. She committed herself to following him and supporting his views. He was trying to help her. She no longer knew if she made an incorrect decision. Her thoughts simply roiled in her head, smothered by the fog of pain that she could not eradicate. Admittedly she did find herself drawn to Ryusho, and she was honest enough to say it was because he made her feel something other than pain. Beside a few fleeting moments where she could smile with Kynn or Rhylian or anyone, she wore her façade well. They hardly noticed, or if they did notice they were not saying. So she gave her judgment into Isceroth’s capable hands, whether he realized it or not. He would protect her.

She opened her eyes once she felt the solid ground of Primum’s teleporter beneath her feet, and pressed a hand to her stomach. With a shake of her head to clear the roaring from her ears, she approached where Isceroth waited, impassive as usual.

“My lord,” she dropped a low curtsey with a glance up at him, her custom smirk in place once again.

[Relic Huldru]

Kynn stared at the letter in his hand, frowning down at it as he made his way back towards his home. Despite his inability to read it, he recognized Isceroth's handwriting and seal, as well as scribbles that he associated with his and his sister's names. His strides slowed, as he realized what the missive must be about, and his thoughts grew dark. Ugh, ya know lad, it were tough enough las' time ya leave, n' ya saw wha' happened in jus' a few hours ... He was so lost in his head, that he didn't see the little boy until he tripped over ... Relic?

A string of angry words that he didn't understand assaulted his ears, as the little man rambled on and on in his native tongue. After a few moments, he calmed and realized who had nearly trampled him. With that big grin of his Relic, greeting the larger Asmodian, then started to babble again, this time using words that Kynn ALMOST understood.

"Hey hey, biggun Ahrey's person! Relic's got tough times n' suches! She goin' agin, n' Relic's no knowin' where she be off'n ta! You's tellses me! Yes? Yes? Tellses!"

Kynn laughed despite the Huldru's panicked state, then graved nodded to him, holding out the letter. "Lad, I think I'm knowin' where she's off ta. She goin' ta see her great grandda ta try ta fix stuff. We're ta meet at Primum." He looked longingly toward home, then back to Relic. "I'm goin' too, after I tell Mali tha' I'm goin' again ..."

Relic stared at him, puzzled. Dese elfses is funny like, all gettin' confuzzled n' stuffs by a ruttin' partner. Why dey only pickin' one, anywat? Suddenly, an idea came to him, and he grinned, jumping up to swipe the letter from Kynn's fist. "Ahrey's biggun' elfs no goin'! You's stuckeding here with um ... um ... Mallet! Relic's goin' insteads! Bye!" Before he could even attempt to protest, the diminutive creature bolted off down the road.

Kynn continued on home, spirits slightly uplifted. Tha's a good lad, though a bit creepy, ta me. He'll keep'r safe as houses, he will. N' ... n' I ain't gotta do this ta her again. He hummed to himself as he walked, picking up his pace, wanting more than ever to get back.



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Relic blinked into the red haze of the Abyss, sneezing a few times at the smell. It always took him a few minutes to get used to it, no matter how many times he'd been here. Up ahead he saw Ary and Isceroth, and sprinted up to them.

"Ahrey Ahrey!" He waved the letter he had taken from Kynn in the air frantically. "Me's telleded yer biggun elfs dat he no goin' n' me's comin' with yous insteaded!" With that, he hugged Ary, then grinned at Isceroth. "Hey hey Ice-roth. Me's gonna helps too."

[Isceroth]

Isceroth frowned as Relic approached, jabbering at him. A customary bored gaze didn't give away his attempt to sift through the Asmodian words he knew, and pick out close matches to the words that came from Relic's mouth. He didn't all together succeed.

He looked to Aryienne, waiting for a translation, arms crossed.

[Aryienne]

Aryienne's mouth fell open as she stared at Relic, her brow furrowing as she attempted to process what he was saying.

"Ahrey Ahrey!" He waved a piece of parchment in the air frantically. "Me's telleded yer biggun elfs dat he no goin' n' me's comin' with yous insteaded!"

She let out a oof! as he latched onto her waist and grabbed the parchment. It was the letter Isceroth had sent Kynn.

"Relic! What do you mean you told Kynn that he wasn't to come?! He's supposed to meet Tren!" her voice rose sharply.

How was Kynn supposed to be recognized if he didn't come meet the head of the family?! She let out a frustrated breath and turned a gaze on Isceroth that was slightly amused and slightly irritated at the same time.

"Apparently we have a huldru instead of a templar to accompany us, My Lord,"