Character Closure RP

[ATTN: Gosalyn, Open]

Even when it counts I'm a shitty liar. His mouth twitched into wry smile for only a moment. He really couldn't do anything right.

He looked back down at Taeyrn. Did he...? "I have my fears," he said, "but I'm not sure, I don't want to jump to conclusions."

If it came down to it, he knew he wasn't strong enough to protect Taeyrn. He had to keep trying. Maybe... if he tried, Isaac would forgive him.

[ATTN: Gosalyn, Open]

His face went red with embarrassment. "How about you fucking drop it, eh?" he snapped. "Can't the interrogation fucking wait?"

He looked back up at the Guardian. "Where did the mage take this girl?" he said, trying to change the subject.

[ATTN: Group]

The Guardian's eyes flicker, flashing up to a brilliant white, then black out into a pitch darkness before returning to their usual hue. They are looking at Drios, just after he has uttered his threat.

"No death threats shall be uttered any longer," The Guardian warns, "I do not know where the Gargoyle was taken--only that the Wind Mage has taken her with him. He has killed a Guardian, so you must keep from the badlands until they are healed."

Celsetta gasps, standing up with a shocked expression and all of her tools are now dropped. The food was about ready to be cooked, but now it lays forgotten. She looks almost scared as she asks, "Which Guardian? How could someone kill a Guardian?!"

"I am afraid that the Wise One has perished." The Guardian says with a sad note in his voice. It is the first time that any emotion is evident in his speech.

Taeyrn is slowly waking up and sitting up. His head hurts, but he's had harder days. Looking about, he seems somewhat confused. Celsetta's face has paled, her arms dropped to her side and she stares blankly at the Guardian. She seems to have lost her words.

[ATTN: Gosalyn, Drios, Taeyrn, Group]

As Drios loomed over him, Asher felt his anxiety melt away and get replaced with... anger. The Guardian told Drios off, but Asher stood up and turned to face the gargoyle looming over him.

"You take care of your own family," he hissed. "And I'll take care of mine."

He looked back as Celsetta gasped, and saw Taeyrn starting to shift. Asher turned away from Drios and knelt back down next to Taeyrn - next to his brother - and waited for him to wake up.

The Guardian was saying something about another Guardian being killed, and Asher kept his head down and his eyes on Taeyrn as the Guardian spoke. He was actually... surprised. That Isaac would make a decisive move like this so soon wasn't his style - but then, this wasn't their home. He didn't intend to stay here.

"Sleep well there?" he said as Taeyrn began to sit up.

[ATTN: Group]

Celsetta has clenched fists. If her face could be any paler, it would be. She looks white as a ghost as The Guardian's gaze has locked onto Gosalyn, though the creature has not moved. The air has gone cold--dropping so quickly that there is no way in any world that it could be natural.

The quick movement and interaction between the Gargoyle and the half-dragon had little to no effect on her, but Gosalyn's last few words are what made her blood run cold. This is probably the first time in a long time that the Guardian has spoken to in this way in a long time.

Each Guardian represents something different in this world, just as the Wise One represented Wisdom and Knowledge. The Wise One was the most intelligent and intriguing person that Celsetta has ever met and now he is gone. Celsetta wants to say something--anything--and beg this Guardian to spare them.

These Pillars are new and they don't understand the things as they are. Gosalyn is just doing what she does, even Celsetta can tell that. Yet, all of the signs of this Guardian are here and she willfully ignores them. Celsetta wishes that she had been given more time to warn them or to prepare. This Guardian is the Guardian of Retribution.

Begging is not an option. Every person in the group, save for Brelion, are brought to their knees. Of course, Taeyrn is already seated on the ground, the poor confused man, and what is about to happen to him will not help in the least. With a heavy heart, Celsetta begins to cry. She wishes she didn't have to endure what is coming, whatever it is.

The Guardian's eyes have gone black. Celsetta and Taeyrn are both so freezing cold that they cannot move. Their vision blurs, going dark. Memories flash into their minds. They see so many things, things that ache and burn with emotion and death.

Celsetta watches as The Guardian of Retribution visits with the Wise One. They are both younger, now, neither holding the titles of Guardians and owning only the responsibilities of their youth. As children, they are the best of friends. Celsetta can feel everything--the rewarding warmth of each of these two souls as they bond together and live as brothers would.

Before the Wise One became what he was, he was called Owenan. And The Guardian was called Thoris. Together, these two boys found love and companionship when elsewhere they were discriminated against. As the last of their species, the two orphaned boys had only each other against a world that was so indebted to its greed that they soon found themselves visited upon by beings far greater than their understanding.

The Knights. When they first showed themselves, they offered the world leaders a chance to remove the greed and corruption from their world. They even offered to help. Their warnings, however, were not heeded, and more drastic measures were taken. The Knights committed genocide of various intelligent species that dominated the planet.

It took several centuries, but when it was complete, they left a mess in their wake. The two brothers witnessed the life around them die and then fought with all of their strength to help the world heal after the Knights had taken their leave of the wreckage.

To keep the land alive, each vowed to save the land--giving to the planet itself, a fragment of their souls. In order not to lose too much of their essence, they made a pact with a few other comrades and the Guardians were made. Each Guardian chose a territory of land and bonded their souls to it. This kept the dying planet alive and has done so, since.

The Knights saw that the planet was not destroyed and visited once more with warnings and laws. Laws of expectations of the Guardians and how they ruled over the lives of their people. And Laws of the original Pillars that they had brought with them.

The memories shift forward, pushing through their minds at such an incredible speed that Celsetta can barely breath. She watched as the Pillars were placed outside of the land, and as generation after generation of aliens came in numbers to find their own resolutions. Most found a way to find peace here, or even some kind of closure that they could not be granted in their own homes.

They came and left peacefully and the Guardian of Retribution was happy to see them leave with happiness. Yet, still, there were many others that took the lives of his people and many others. Some aliens came, not by the pillars of fate, but by other means. They dealt more and more damage to the planet, but the Knights did not care, nor did they take action towards those that would harm the Guardians that have done so much to keep life and peace upon the realm.

Instead, the Knights showed only anger and compassion when a Pillar was involved. Should a Pillar come to extreme harm or death, the Knights would follow and all those that played a hand were severely punished. Some tortured, some killed. The Judgements were always final. They were never merciful.

Celsetta had felt the boiling emotion in her lungs, threatening to drown her as the memories flashed throughout. Even Taeyrn, someone who was far more skilled at burying and dealing with emotions on his own, felt as though he would die from the emotional pain. Though the happiness and warmth of the brotherhood did help at the beginning, nothing had compared to watching all life die and melt around him as a boy.

He could see everything from his point of view. And as the memories shifted to the loss of his dearest friend, the pain knew no end as Taeyrn and Celsetta began to weep uncontrollably. There was no seeing it happen or saying goodbye, like the genocide from years before, but he could feel it.

The neighboring land has died. All of the life upon it, from the grass to the trees to the insects to the birds...all lies dead. The Wise One's soul has faded and with him, all of his memories and dedication to the world they had saved together.

And has his brother and friend died, as his land fell away and decayed and took the lives of millions away with him, he stood here. Talking. Talking to damn, clueless Pillars because he knows that if anything happens to these creatuers, his people and land will die next.

Still, his mind has darkened. And the plans, the deep things he has considered doing to his friend's murderer sit on the edge of his mind like an unspoken poem ready to burst onto the page. His anger, which has been growing and sinking over and over like a death's pulse ready to take the lives of all within reach do indeed understand the Gargoyle's response and need to take action.

Taeyrn is finally released from the man's feelings and memories and he gasps for the fresh air as if he had been deprived of it all along. Yet, he never was. And still isn't. He can see everyone around him doing the same and knows that everyone had felt the very same thing.

It is pretty obvious that Gosalyn knew just the wrong words to say at just the wrong time and the Guardian did not take it well. Tae can see why he is known as the Guardian of Retribution and he is now genuinely afraid of the great being. He is capable of much, of that he is certain.

[ATTN: Group]

Asher doubled over, clutching at his head as the Guardian's thoughts invaded his head. He started to tremble as the Guardian's anger ran through him, and with his head in his hands he felt tears fall down his face. He sobbed, unable to stop himself, as memories that weren't his own flashed through his mind.

His shaking got worse as the Guardian's mind turned to the death of his friend, and the justice he wished to mete out against his killer. Monster that he was, Isaac was his brother, and the only family he truly had until Taeyrn showed up; even now, knowing that all his affection had only been a facade, the thought of his brother facing such gruesome fates...

Asher curled his hands into fists as the burden of the Guardians thoughts was lifted, and he choked back another sob. He kept his head down, trying to pull his thoughts back together.

Isaac killed something like this. Maker, he was in way over his head.

The Guardian cringes, "The Wise One...must be replaced. Another creature willing to bind its soul to the land is the only thing that can preserve it."

He hates the thought of "replacing" his childhood friend, especially with a being that he may or may not be able to trust to keep the balance of the lands. The Drake asks another question and this time, the Guardian shakes his head and shrugs.

"No way to reach the Knights. There never has been." Brelion says for him.

Taeyrn is standing. Celsetta has the meat prepared and is now cooking it...it will be nice to eat, but, he has no appetite, to be sure. After what he almost did to Nymeria, Tae is rather sullen. He can't risk that happening again, not ever. Is this a side effect of his power that is just developing? Could that even happen at such a late stage?

"No." The Guardian says, looking at Taeyrn. He looks up startled at the timely response. "The accident between you and Nymeria occurred due to her abilities, rather than yours. Should you take any of her attacks, make sure that they are disconnected from her body, first."

Holy shit. This guy can read my mind. Taeyrn decides to be more careful about his train of thought. He doesn't want to accidentally insult him. "Thanks."

[ATTN: All]

Asher raised his head in time to see Geneva's little flying companion flit up to the guardian and start speaking to him. He'd pulled himself together, and he let out a breath slowly as he looked around. Everyone's attention was elsewhere now, either on the guardian or the food. Maybe they'd give him a chance to breathe now.

What was he going to say though, when they eventually returned to him? Now that Tae was awake, was there really anything else he could try to do? He was a smart guy, he could figure things out if someone brought him up to speed.

Asher leaned back and crossed his legs, starting to relax as he listened to the guardian. They're not going to forget. It was just a matter of time...

Taeyrn spends his time speaking with Asher privately to get caught up on what is going on while Celsetta begins to hand out food to everyone, including Brelion and the Guardian. At first, eating in silence is the chosen action to take by most largely present, but the silence eventually goes awkward, despite the whispering between the brothers.

The Guardian looks over to Celsetta after he has finished eating and bows gestures to the contraption that she has brought with her that had captured Sullivan's attention for so long.

"Do I still have access?" He asks.

"Yes, Sir, of course." Celsetta nods her head and moves closer. She holds out her armband and he removes it from her wrist, placing it on his own. After pressing a few buttons, a large, holographic screen pops up before them.

It's a map. Tae looks up, interested. He's still not fully caught up and he isn't even aware that Asher's true brother is here, but he pauses the conversation to get closer when he becomes distracted by the prospect of new information of this world.

The Guardian places his index finger against the screen and pokes a segment. It zooms in on it and then changes color. A keyboard then pops up and then he types in a few symbols that Tae doesn't quite understand. After a bit, the screen lowers back onto the full map and that segment is now grayed out in comparison to the other zones. A glance at Celsetta shows that she appears sad. What is the Guardian doing?

Brelion speaks up. "What is your plan of attack?"

The Guardian gestures to the map before him. "Where did she attack you?"

Brelion saunters up to place his nose on a location on the map and it zooms in on the region of the map where they are located. He then taps it again--this time just near where the pillars were located.

"She's gotten closer to the Pillars of the Knights." The Guardian says with irritation. "We will have to take care of that. I shall summon some warriors and then we will have you as bait."

Celsetta shakes her head, "Use me, instead. Brelion is the last of his--"

"I am not allowed to risk a Pillar. It is law and you know this." The Guardian interrupts.

"It is also law never to interfere with a Pillar's path decision." Celsetta says, her hands on her hips as she stands up. "I choose this as my path."

The Guardian's eyes darken. Celsetta doesn't back down. Taeyrn feels the tension in the air and becomes nervous.

Brelion's gruff voice echoes in their mind. "I do not mind helping as bait..."

[Attn: All]

Nymeria sat in the background, passively listening to the conversation as she inspected her own body. She looked down at her arms, no longer feeling like lead weights. She could feel fresh blood coursing within her, her fatigue seemingly gone. The scent of cooked meat wafted into her nostrils, smelling as savory as food from the finest restaurant she remembered. Her eyes found Celsetta preparing the day's meal, the meat turning a decadent shade of caramel.

Her cravings were interrupted by a scuffle between Celsetta and the Guardian. They were already speaking of luring out the witch to attack her. If that's the way it's meant to be then, Nymeria couldn't bother waiting to see if she was at her full strength. She wouldn't be a hindrance to the group. She didn't like Geneva speaking of her as if she needed special attention, but she had no idea how powerful that witch was. She tried to think of the best way to defend herself without appearing standoffish.

"I'm fine. If the witch wants me...then use me as bait. I mean, if she comes after me, it'd be better for everyone to jump on her the moment she appears, rather than leaving me and a few others to hold her off."

[ATTN: ALL]

Brelion says nothing as Nymeria makes her offer. Rather, he simply looks over at the Guardian and waits for his reply. The Guardian seems to be contemplating as he crosses his arms and his eyes, one last time, moves from Pillar to Pillar with deep analysis.

Taeyrn takes some of the food offered to him by Celsetta and begins to dig in. Brelion seems to be waiting before eating...probably to make sure the others get plenty to eat, first. The creature probably has to eat A LOT...Brelion is huge, after all.

"It seems we will need Dracara." The Guardian says, hesitantly. "She is the best suited for hunting the witch. If we just find her abode and corner her, we will not have to risk any lives for bait and I will not have to risk damaging your paths."

Brelion scoffs with his telepathy, loud in all of their minds with his amusement. "Dracara will not come. Dracara helps no one."

The Guardian smirks, "She will help the half-dragon."

Brelion turns to look at Gosalyn and then growls with agreement, "Then we have a plan. Gosalyn and I can get Dracara while you and the others work out the details of the hunt."

The Guardian looks to the group as he nods his head. "Are we all agreed?"

[ATTN: Open]

Asher sat back after he filled Taeyrn in on what happened while he was unconscious - well, roughly. He tried his best to gloss over the details of what started the argument that had just happened.

The topic had changed to the witch that had been targeting Brelion. He rested his elbows on his knees as they began to work out a plan, listening carefully, mentally shifting gears as he started to relax.

The Guardian looks at Gosalyn blankly, blinking for a few moments as Celsetta places her hands over her lips to conceal part of her expression. Finally, he simply shakes his head as he says, "Dracara chose her own name, as all Dragons do. If you take issue with it, you should take it up with her."

Taeyrn has already stood up, by now, after he finishing his meal and is using a few stretches as he listens to the conversation further to spare a few nervous glances over at Nymeria. Though he is hopeful that she is okay and does not hate him, he doesn't wish to be overly-obvious in his concern.

The Guardian says, "Dracara will be summoned when you cry. Shed even a single tear and she will find us."

Taeyrn finally sits down after just a couple of stretches, now, moving closer to Asher and placing his arm over onto his shoulder and leaning against him after ruffling his hair.