Memories of Soule
A collab between Alphakoka, Fallenreaper and Kestrel
Emily nodded as she inhaled, bracing herself for her step out into the hallway. Her hands held out and the smoke, her spirit's visual influence swirled into place forming a bow in her left hand. Her right drew back a bit while an arrow emerged then solidified. The point drawn down, ready for her to next action. Without a single show of fear, her feet lead her out into the tunnel and her head jerked to the side to spot the group that had likely attacked the ghost. Her eyes narrowed on them then raised up her weapon, her arrow pointed at the nearest and pulled back.
The string tightened in protest while she barely had enough time to register the number, her focus primarily on the first one, as she exhaled and released it. It made a twanging sound in her ear when it let the arrow fly pass and to the marked target. Without seeing if the arrow had landed or missed, her arms dropped then twisted about on her right foot toward the other side of the tunnel. Her feet rushed to the opposite end in hope to escape her would be chasers. Her bow was quickly vanishing to be replaced by her gauntlets should they managed to get close enough for a close quarter brawl.
Under her breath, Emily mumbled something. "Come and get me, you assholes."
"Stand down, get back!" The holders would hear a voice echoing through the hollowed homes. "We surrender!"
The image that followed the voice, was one of severely malnourished men and women. Their skins were bleak, and though some held weapons in their hands and spells twirled around those of others, these soon disintegrated from the material plane as they laid eyes upon Emily and Vignar.
"We're not in any condition to fight," The men who had stepped forward pleaded. "Please, have mercy."
For a deep, dark moment she had considered flying down the hallway despite the shout. Her hands already tightened her grip on her bow until her fingers were white and slightly aching from the pressure. She jerked her head back to face the source, her eyes quickly absorbing their image and trying to proper judge her instincts through there was in her judgement abilities. It had grown stronger since the encounter with the dragon and since their near plummet off the cliff, neither choices being safe enough to be suitable as good options. In truth, the Rook's self guilt weighed on everything she was forced to make a choice, each time second guessing herself out of fear over what a wrong one might cost her.
After several seconds, her gaze looked to Vignar with a questionable look. Her mind ignoring her spirit's voice that rippled through her mind bring shame and pain to the surface.
'They weren't helpless before when it came to attacking Vignar's ghost. Even startled, an innocent's first reaction isn't to attack but to run away screaming. Don't tell me you trust them because of their ragged appearance and pitiful claims? You're not that foolish, are you?' Cerberus snarled, his tone indignant at her hands relaxing their grip. Her arrow point lowered while he could feel her inwardly debate with herself and second guess her instinct. He fought-his mind placing a wall between them to prevent her from sensing his worry- to keep the concern out of his tone while he tried to reason again with her.
His sleek, black head lowered to linger closer to her face side enough that his hot, sulfuric breath washed over her skin. The tan skin prickled and shivered, reacting to his breath as if it was truly real. Emily impulsively jerked her cheek away causing her eyes flip over to the empty space to her right, facing the wall, and address her spirit's image. Her voice was quick and aggressive when she snapped back at him.
"Knock it off Cerberus. I didn't rattle your damn chain!" Her mouth inhale but her fingers remained on her bow, loosened only a bit. Arms still ready to coil and send an arrow into the nearest unfortunate individual, she addressed Vignar. Her vision never bother looking at him, she was clearly still bitter from Cerberus when she spoke. "Vignar, what do you think?"
Emily ignored her spirits angry growl at being ignored, his warning and wariness taken for granted then casted away in a thoughtless manner. It obviously irritated the beast to no ends as his image grew furious with decision being left up to Vignar, instead of her trusting her spirit. Her doubts, fears and more were bound to sign their death warrant one day. When that happened, he secretly hoped that by meeting her face to face, his sinking his hunting her down and sinking his teeth into her flesh for the rest of her afterlife would be enough to satisfy his rage.
Vignar paused as he laid his eyes toward the emaciated man before turning his head toward Emily. He could feel that his spirit did not believe the man, but Vignar was willing to believe the stranger and not fighting would be preferable for the Librarians as well. However, it didn't change that they did attack the ghost the Bishop send out earlier. Looking at Emily, Vignar shook his head, it's better to err to the side of caution here.
"I don't know, they did attack first," he replied. "But if they want to talk, no reason to turn it down."
"Alright." Emily submitted, through her hand tilted behind her back despite herself. Black wisps of smoke folded about her right, the shape solidifying and taking the form of the dagger she rarely used. She hated Cerberus for his incident with the dragon and planting doubt in her mind, but she wasn't eager to risk meeting him in the afterlife. She planned to rest when she died in the end. "Though if they start to attack, things will get sticky. Soule never did like unwelcomed strangers."
Her glare hardened in accusation as she studied the individual's figures, her sight seeking a reason for her to react. Inside she was hoping that would not be the case.
"Thank you." The man uttered, having stared at the exchange between Vignar and Emily with bated breath. "My name is Sikander, forgive my men. They have been on the edge for weeks. We have been trapped by the sandstorms, I am ashamed to admit. When your… Ghost, she showed, they recoiled in fear. Our nights are plagued by nightmares. It was instinct to fight back… I apologise if we have offended you, but…" Sikander turned slightly, motioning towards the people behind them. "We have surrendered our arms now and mean you no harm. It is a terrible faith we have been stranded here… But- That ghost. It cannot be…" The man's gaze widened, and his voice began to stutter; "Y-you are Librarians are you not?" He asked. "So are we!"
Sikander's expression suddenly turned into a heartfelt smile. His eyes teared up as he looked at Vignar and Emily, grasping Vignar's hand with both of his. "Are you here to save us? Thank the heavens! They have sent for us! My friends, rejoice, the Library has not forgotten us!"
Sikander's elation spread across the others, transforming them from anxious and weary to filled with a new hope. "I was wrong, my friends, they
have sent for us!" Sikander shouted, most enthusiastically shaking Vignar's hand.
Vignar could only blink at the enthused Holder's reaction as they were shaking hands. He himself was still wasn't sure why the dragon send them to this place but now that there was another team of Librarians send ahead before them and had been stuck here for awhile without any sort of alert made back in The Hub took him by surprise. Unable and unwilling to think up a reply that didn't shatter their hope to his Spirit's disdain, Vignar looked at Emily, hoping the female Holder was able to make one.
Emily's stomach curdled and soured, dread gradually replaced by guilt swelling in her heart. She knew the truth. They weren't sent by the Library to save them, but rather also waiting out the storm themselves. However, to tell them that was risk killing whatever hope they might've gain and that something she found difficult to do. Even more strange was the fact there wasn't any Soule natives left. Not once, since they got here, had there been any signs of the natives and these people hadn't seen them either, something strange was happening. Something was wrong.
Emily was silent while Sikander shook the man's hand, his voice crying out before she or Vignar could stop him. She inhaled sharply as her dagger fully evaporated behind her back. She could feel Vignar looking to her for help and guidance.
"Sikander?" She started, speaking quietly, her mind unsettled by the possible answer. "Where are the natives of Soule? Have you encountered anyone here since you sought refuge here?"
Sikander's enthusiasm came to a sudden halt. "...Soul." He mispronounced the village name. "So this place is..."
The man shook his head, as his people too began tilting their sights towards the ground. "We arrived here with many wounded. It was coincidence we stumbled upon the caves and to our greater surprise there were inhabited. We asked for medicine and shelter, but they would not have us. I had wounded men to take care of, so we intimidated the locals and forced our way into the caves."
Sikander breathed uneasily, but looked straight into Emily's eyes. She would be able to notice the man was going against his better judgment, but Sikander was too tired for lies. "We intended no harm, but there was this boy… Seth, they called him, I believe. He managed to break through our barricade. He responded to our threats with force… He was a holder. We fought him off, we tried to force him to submit but… He wouldn't."
Sikander closed his eyes, anticipating what would come next. "After that, more villagers attacked. I… Gave the order not to hold back. I feared there were more holders amongst them. We buried the fallen, but we don't know where the survivors have gone…"
Vignar's eyes widen in horror as he realized the grief that Sikander was revealing. He did not know any particular details about Emily's history with the village but having your home assaulted by another group was never a pleasant news to run into, let alone when the invaders admitted it right in front of her. While he found Sikander's group intimidation attempt as a rather awful option to take, they were fueled by desperation and the natives' violent insistent of isolationism did not help at all. The Bishop looked towards Emily, judging her reaction and readied himself to intercept the Rook if her anger made her violent. Even so, he was still just a Bishop and physical work was not his strong point. As such he thought of calling another ghost to help him and if Emily did prove to be able to overpower him by a large margin, he might go through with it.
Emily's heart throbbed, pounding in her chest silently, as she watched several heads guide themselves to the floor.Guilt was all too clear causing her face to lose its color rapidly. Her eyes scanned each individual, her ears catching every word the holder was stating but not wanting to believe it. Deep inside, she knew Seth would've been among those who fought back an invasion, her sister right behind him, while her mind tried to absorb the words only to choke on them.
Her hands had tightened into fists during the whole explanation, her eyes becoming heated by the excuses and lack of understanding between the groups. The Hub had information, minor amounts, that provided answers and even encouraged holders to avoid Soule. However, not everyone actually chose to read the material or they would've known why Soule's inhabitants couldn't allow visitors. It was too dangerous.
Cerberus, her spirit, merely eyed her carefully. He knew her mixture of feelings swelled and rolled within her chest like a sea about to rage but any words from him would only set it off. The middle head shifted to Vignar, through he couldn't see the holder as Emily wasn't facing him, and spoke to the man's spirit.
'Your holder might want to summon a ghost. Else he'll be too late to stop her. Losing one's family isn't easy and even as a banished native, her heart will forever be loyal.
His only reply was a snort.
The word the three headed dog spoke were true after all because he knew Emily, her emotions and connection with her village ran deeper than she would admit. On cue, Emily's head bowed before her body moved rather quickly. Her feet cut the distance, her right arm raised then gripped Sikander's neck and made to pin him against the wall. Tears leaked along her eyes and started to stain her cheeks while she couldn't help the yell rippling from her lips.
"How dare you! These people were trying to protect you and you just slaughtered them, you bastard! Families, men, women and children all existed here until…" Her voice cracked, the rage still vivid in her tone. Her fingers tightened her grip as if trying to strangle the man within the rags he was clothed in, worn from the sands and battle, causing her to shake throughout her frame.
Only a hoarse gasp for breath managed to worm itself from Sikander's lips. He stared into Emily's tearing eyes with naught but confusion as her fingernails dug into his skin.
As Emily started to choke the man, Vignar almost immediately called for assistance from beyond and hoped what came forth was a Rook that of comparable strength with Emily. His call was answered by a black haired woman materializing in front of him, her figure clad by a cloak that prevented Vignar from seeing what the woman was wearing. From the front however, Emily and Sikander were able to see the ghost's clothes and, more specifically, the manner of her death as her entrails were visible from her exposed belly. As Vignar shouted for Daenerys to interrupt Emily's attempt of strangling the stranded Holder, the Ghost surged forward and put slightly wet hands over Emily before attempting to pry the Rook's grip open. Furthermore, they can hear something dropping to the ground with a wet 'plop' just beside their feet.
Emily's mind was flooded with memories, from her childhood where Seth and her played to her departure when she refused to follow traditions set down. Each moment that passed her fingers tightening and started to slowly choke the man, her eyes alight with a mix of hatred and pain. These people didn't deserve this. To have their homes taken then slaughtered like animals, the survivors likely chased deeper into the caverns if there was any left. Tears were increasing along her cheeks, staining them, while she merely pressed her victim against the rocky wall.
Her attention was solely on the murder of her people when something abruptly interrupted her.
Blood stained fingers wrapped about hers and pried her loose, her scrunched up face twisted to see the source then froze. Her spine stiffen as Emily easily recognized the new ghost and tried to jerk away. The spirit was still fixed in its command, not acknowledging her action, as it finished pulling her off the man. This was getting too much. If she hadn't known better, it would seemed the Bishop was determined to remind her of her failure to protect anyone. For several minutes she tried to rip herself out of the spirit's grasp through each time she felt her throat seize up and word unable to escape. Gradually her body stopped moving as her arms became limp, letting the ghost's touch win before she spoke. "I'm fine. I'm fine now."
Sikander was not fine, his neck was stained red where Emily had pressed her fingers and his eyes had rolled back in his head. Sikander's body fell against hers as Emily's arms weakened, before he finally collapsed at her feet. None of Iskander's people had said a word or dared come between Emily and Vignar's struggle… But now a woman, skin over bone, with grayed skin and lines she shouldn't have at her age, carefully threaded near the fallen man - watching Emily with every step she took.
She kneeled down next to Sikander, holding her breath, and with shaking hands she reached for his neck. She turned her head to the others, her lip quivered and eyes were red, but she had no tears left to shed. Her fingers moved to Sikander's chest, she hesitated before placing her palm under the man's rags… She kept it there only few a few moments before hanging her head. In complete silence, the news dawned upon those left in the room. Sikander was dead.
Time had frozen within the cave. Within a few minutes, Emily had suffocated the last hope out of the people who had once thought her a saviour. There was no crying, there was no rage, there was just eight pale ghosts standing besides her, Vignar and the dead body of Sikander.
Only Vignar would recognise another set of eyes looming. It was a similar presence that had stalked him earlier outside in the desert. "Green like emeralds." He could hear Daenerys murmur under her breath, as the ghost he'd summoned stared outside. If Vignar followed her gaze, he'd be able to make out the silhouette of a werecat, which before soon would make itself scarce and leap out of sight.
Emily's rage and pain twisted and churned like a living thing, filling her close to bursting. It was no surprise she had forgotten what these people went through or how fragile they were. Lost was a powerful thing and much as she wanted to make the misery vanish, it would always haunt her. Blame and guilt nailed her in place, her eyes widened at seeing Sikander crumbled at her feet with realization at what she had done.
Her foot instinctively took a step back to give the woman more room, her skeletal figure bend down to check his pulse. For several long seconds Emily prayed she hadn't killed him. However, the woman's eye told more truth than ever once believed. Emily's rage and pain was suddenly doused by ice cold reality.
Everything became numb. "Vignar... " Emily said quietly, her tone hollow. Her eyes bent low and unable to look at the eight figures staring at the murderess or see the fresh tears rushing down her cheeks. Her voice held no strain while she continued. "Take these people to the upper levels which is that way," She pointed the opposite way she originally considered flying down earlier, "as there should be a exit from these tunnels. Take Fran and Diana with you and when the storm lets up, contact the Hub. Tell them you have a group here that wandered into Soule and need extraction."
When Daenerys released her, Emily slowly gestures for the woman to move away as she bent down to lean over the man she had killed. Her expression was empty. Voided of any earlier rage or emotion at all, she spoke quietly to the man through her voice was magnified by the cave. "I'm sorry."
With those last words, she -with surprising gentleness- scooped up the man's corpse then began to walk down the opposite way. After a few steps she passed long enough to mention something to Vignar. "I'll meet up with you after I bury him and see if there's any of my Family left."
Not another word, Emily turned on heel and started walking again.
Vignar was left speechless and stunned over Sikander's unfortunate death. Too stunned to acknowledge the owner of the extra set of eyes among them, he only barely registered Daenerys' voice before the presence make itself scarce. When Emily talked to him, anger bubbled in his chest. Anger at Emily for her recklessness, at himself for being too slow, at the other Librarians for their blunder and at the people of Soule for being unaccepting shut-ins. Just as the anger was quick to rise, it was immediately cooled down as the Bishop numbly nodded. He then spoke to the rest of the group as he tried to take them to where their comatose group were lying in before looking for the exit Emily spoke about. As the castaways proved to be unresponsive to his words and only walked slowly at his nudging, Vignar had Daenerys help him with it, to whatever degree that the bloodied ghost of a holder who died a gruesome death could help instead of making the castaways even more depressed.
There was little to be packed, it was a simple wait for the sandstorm to calm. The survivors split into two groups. One followed Vignar, prodded and herded like sheep, down to the cave he had first sought refuge. Diane was still out cold, but Fran was sitting straight up. Not in a much better mood than she had been before, she paid little attention to Vignar's following.
"We're going, aren't we?" She spoke meekly, as she struggled to push herself up; clutching onto the ridges of the wall to stand. She walked towards the bishop, before inadvertently leaning on his shoulder for support.
"I saw something in this cave, Vignar. Not… Seen, but felt. I felt something that's been following us. Have you felt it too?"
The group that followed Emily, was there for Sikander's burial. They kept their distance and watched Emily prepared for the burning. They only approached the flames when Emily had turned her back on it. They knelt down, murmuring small words that she would not be able to make out. The woman who had confirmed Sikander's death took a ring off her finger and threw it into the fire, but not for a moment still, she could cry. She just stared into it blankly, as if it was not truly there.
The first hours of Emily's search deeper in the cave would not lead to her people, but the sky was opening. The best chance for the survivors was to leave immediately. Emily decided to stay behind, leaving Vignar with instructions and a compass, that would lead him and the others back to the civilised world.
Vignar's return would not be without losses, but he, Diane, Fran and five survivors eventually made it back to the Hub. Emily wouldn't return until several days later…
::End of Mission::
