sakuramiyawakii - Tumblr blog

sakuramiyawakii · 6 months

Text

beautiful story just like the person who wrote this

Well! I finally finished that Valax fanfic I was writing. YAY!

Did my interes t in Valax start as a bit of a joke? Yes. Kind of. A little. No.

Is it a joke anymore? You guess. (Nah )

The idea actually was inspired by a tiktok from @/book0bsessedd !

Here it is on ao3. (Not the tiktok, just my fanfic. That wasn' t so funny sorry )

Remember to drink some water, have some food and stay safe and well! <3

Thank you so much for indulging me and my little fanfic ! Hope you enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------

It was another one of those nights they had lately. Tired -in every possible way- but restless once they finally laid their body on some makeshift bed or the cold, hard ground. So, instead of tossing and turning (and listening to their friends’ sleepy mumbles and snoring) they decided to head up this relatively low cliff above them.

Traveling like this had some perks despite the stressful situation they were in. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore parts of the world they hadn’t seen yet- well, that was most parts of the world but still.

They sat at the edge, their legs hanging and moving back and forth lazily. Their bored, almost pouty expression, switched to a huge amused grin as their eyes widened and their back straightened when they looked up to confirm- yes!

Huge, bright and beautiful lines ripped the night sky. They let out a soft, excited giggle. It has been years since they have seen a meteor shower. The last one was when Kade and they were but young kids, barely the age of ten. Their expression turned wistful and bittersweet.

Kade. Sweet, sweet Kade.

What was he up to? Did he think of them as much as they thought about him? Did he miss them as much, too?

Memories flooded their head- memories of Kade and them as kids, getting up to all sorts of trouble. Them as teenagers and adults- doing exactly the same.

They smiled, and it was one of the rare genuinely carefree smiles they had since they returned from the shadow realm.

They focused on the constellations Kade made out for them when they were kids, laughing softly at the names he chose and the memories themselves. They could remember Kade oh-so-seriously explaining the made-up constellations and themselves nodding along seriously.

They grinned amused when another meteor ripped across the sky.

They were so amused by the meteors that they didn’t even hear the - familiar by now- portal being opened behind them- the literal rip of reality wasn’t enough to get their attention (!) and Valax, face hardened and glaive in one hand, throbbing shadow magic in the other, stared at their unmoving form confused, eyes blinking.

As she was about to make her presence known, she noticed their expression- grinning and awed, light reflecting in their eyes. Her expression softened slightly mirroring Raine as she looked at theirs and she scolded herself for it, quickly hardening her features once more.

She followed their gaze and her own lips parted in surprise, eyes big as she took in the sight. The shadow magic disappeared from her hand and her other arm relaxed, the large glaive hanging loosely from it, grazing the ground for a moment. Awe-struck, looking up at the sky, she forgot all about the hunt and Raine’s blood and whatever other nonsense she was thinking besides the flashes of light across the sky.

“What is that?” she mumbled softly, her deep voice carried by the soothing breeze. Raine’s expression shifted to one of horror as they glanced over their shoulder, clumsily reading their weapon.

They cussed at themselves quietly for not realising she was there sooner.

Valax barely spared a glance at them, raising a hand to stop them before pointing at the night sky, her black and long nail looking too much like a claw. Raine gulped.

“I-It’s a meteor shower,” they replied, their voice slightly shaky. Despite the fact their friends were close, they were alone out here with her and she was obviously not here to chat.

They glanced down at their friends’ sleeping forms, their voice caught in their throat.

Valax, as if in a trance, moved closer to the edge of the cliff, her eyes only looking up. At some point, Raine even thought she’d fall off, but she just sat at the edge- keeping a relatively big distance from them. They thought that was for the best.

Their shoulders tensed and they gripped their weapon just in case.

Memories of their past encounters flashed in their mind, memories of Valax picking them up by their throat and squeezing, or tearing their arm to get their blood with no sympathy whatsoever.

They glanced down, the skin of their lower arm bruised and they winced at the painful memory.

Valax’s voice snapped them out of their thoughts.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” she confessed, voice softer than Raine had ever heard it.

They glanced at the night sky, smiling faintly at the sight, before looking back at her.

“You don’t have anything similar in the Shadow Realm ?” They asked, despite already knowing what her answer would be. It was weird, asking her questions like this, their life not being threatened.

She scoffed, resentment sneaking into her voice.

“No. Just storms. Nothing like this.”

Raine hummed and tore their eyes away from her form, now looking at their swinging legs. Below them, Raine’s friends, sleeping, peaceful and unaware.

They felt a pang of something in their body- hurt? Ache? Anger? They didn’t know. They didn’t even know what for.

They sighed, glancing at Valax again. She had lowered her guard, at least a bit. Maybe this was their opportunity to finally get some answers.

“Why do you want to conquer the Light Realm anyway? I mean… Look at this-” They gestured softly at the sky. They knew trying to change her mind was not possible- and they weren’t trying to. They just wanted to understand her better.

“Why ruin it? You seem to like it.”

Valax’s expression turned into a scowl, her eyes turning to them. Her look made them shiver softly. It could have been the wind, but they were certain it wasn’t.

“I told you. My mother, the Empress, wants to reclaim it. What is so complicated about that? Besides, nothing will happen to the sky or your realm’s natural habitat.”

Raine raised their hands slightly, as if in some sort of surrender.

“Sorry, sorry. Just asking.” They found what she said difficult to believe.

Their eyes darted back to the stars, their voice softer as they craned their neck slightly to look at the sky better.

“How could you enjoy anything like this when there’s so much war and pain around you, though? The shadow court itself didn’t care for the mess it left the world in, and they grew up in the light realm. What would make you and your army preserve something you have no ties or links to ?”

They asked, but no answer came. After a few moments, they gulped, curiosity getting the best of them.

“Why is your mother so…obsessed with it though? I mean, most people wouldn’t go through the trouble of capturing someone, experimenting on them -which, creepy, by the way- and then hunting them down without a break . So, why do you go through all the trouble to do all that for a realm you’ve barely interacted with?”

Raine asked, and despite their obvious feelings for the Ash Empire and all of this mess, the question was genuine.

Valax’s reaction though didn’t change. It actually became more hostile.

She scowled again.

“As if you would understand.” She spat, tone harsh and dismissive.

“It’s none of your business anyway,” her familiar scowl, her firm tone filled with an anger that felt about to explode and consume them, made them both shiver and clench their fists.

Raine sputtered and chuckled in disbelief. “It isn- hello? Yes, it very much is my business! You are hunting me down for my blood! How could it not be my business?”

Valax clicked her tongue, looking straight ahead. She clenched one fist, the other hand gripping her glaive. If she risked a glance at them she’d either go on a full fight -which they both knew- or she might actually be tempted to answer their question -which Raine didn’t know -. And she didn’t feel like doing that - surprisingly, she didn’t want to fight now either-.

“No, it is not. Why we will do what we will do after we get your blood does not concern you,” she replied coldly, gripping her glaive to the point her knuckles whitened slightly.

Why did she find it difficult to not tell them? They’re the enemy, it would obviously be pointless to explain and yet she found herself biting her tongue to not say anything.

The breeze traveled through and between them, making Raine shiver softly, caressing their hands up and down their arms. Some strands of hair covered Valax’s face from the wind and she sloppily, even somewhat roughly, pulled them away behind her ears. So much so that even Raine grimaced, pretty sure Valax accidentally scratched her own face.

They looked away, down at their swinging legs.

“Well, you say that. And sure, mother empress wants to conquer the world, cool- well, not cool but you know- why are you so invested in it? ‘Cause it seems like you’re doing most of the work. So… Why…Do you? Is it that you really love your mom and want to help her or something, or-”

They honestly would have stopped talking after that. And they most likely should have been looking at her. If they had, they would have noticed the way she clenched her jaw, the way her teeth grit together, how her expression hardened and how her knuckles whitened.

“Don’t you know when to stop running your mouth?!” She exclaimed loudly, her voice deep, furious and rough. Her glaive, though non-aggressive, turned towards their direction. Their eyes widened in surprise- as much anger Valax had expressed, it was never like this. They lifted their arms again, in surrender.

“Woah, woah, hey! I’m sorry! Sorry!” They rushed to apologise and both of them wondered if it even meant anything. But Raine knew they didn’t wish to pick on anyone’s problems like this, not even Valax’s.

“I mean it, alright? Sorry. I didn’t want to…touch a nerve. Really.”

Valax was about to reply but the sincerity in their look and voice made her grumble and relax her shoulders, facing away from them again.

“Whatever,” she mumbled. The silence was awkward and too loud.

Raine cleared their throat as quietly as they could.

The wind ruffled their clothes and hair again, making them look even more disheveled than before, and the same applied to Valax.

Her hair moved to flutter over her face again and she frustratingly sighed and clumsily- and roughly- pushed the strands behind her ears. Raine winced to themselves once more, certain the elf had scratched herself again.

They shivered slightly in the breeze and ran their hands up and down their arms. They glanced at her, her eyes still on the night sky. It had grown very quiet. They shivered again.

She didn’t seem cold and if she was she didn’t show it.

“Aren’t you cold?” they asked, their own hair currently being ruffled by the wind.

Valax scoffed as she glanced at them her voice calmer, despite everything.

“You day walkers are quite fragile, are you not ?”

Raine scoffed, smiling faintly.

“Nah. There’s plenty of strong fellas here. I know people that can crush skulls like it’s nothing. Orcs, for example, could do it. Easily. I’m pretty sure they are the strongest in Morella.”

Their eyes fell on Imtura, some meters below the cliff they were sitting on and they smiled.

Valex frowned confused at the name ‘Morella’ but Raine waved their hand dismissively, not really feeling like explaining much at the moment.

“I’m not going to come with you,” they clarified after a moment - not that they needed to.

Valax looked down at her glaive, humming as she gripped it.

“Yes, I assumed you wouldn’t. That’s what makes you a formidable enemy, I suppose. No one fights so ferociously even when the odds are against them, just for the sake of it. As annoying as you are, I can recognise that.”

Raine snorted, smiling at themselves.

Imtura fights against all odds, they thought. Just because it’s fun.

They didn’t say that. Different words slipped their lips before they realised it.

“So you enjoy fighting with me? You come to find me whenever you wanna let some steam off?”

They asked, surprised at their own playfulness. Valax was terrifying, their skin crawled at the sound of her name- but having her here like this, under the light of the moon, divine and radiant, the rips of light across the night sky and her– nearly awed, nearly relaxed (definitely lacking the usual hardness and scowl) made the moment almost vulnerable.

Maybe they were tired but it was almost like the lines between them blurred and swirled. Valax scoffed but it lacked the usual hostility. They could swear they saw her lips tugging slightly at the side.

“You really don’t know when to stop running your mouth, do you?”

She asked again, no hostility in her voice this time. She sounded more amused than anything.

Raine grinned, the cheeky words leaving their mouth before they could stop them.

“ I ‘ve been told it’s part of my charm.”

Valax glanced at them and scoffed- yes, again- but the sound was more akin to a chuckle. She smiled to herself ever so slightly, the expression concealed by the darkness of the night.

Raine smiled slightly as they noticed it, despite the princess’ efforts.

A princess. Like Aerin.

Raine had come to realise that royals aren’t as happy as they thought when they were a child. Yet again, can you really trust a kid to not see the world as the best possible version it could be?

They wondered if Valax was unhappy as well. They glanced at her for a moment, the wind ruffling her hair slightly her head tilted upwards and the light of the stars and meteors falling across the sky reflecting on her black eyes.

They didn’t ask.

They turned their head to the sky. The rips across the sky started to mend, to heal and gradually turned to scratches and distant blinks of light until they disappeared.

They sat a moment in silence before Valax’s deep voice shattered it, her hardness slowly seeping in her tone and words.

“You should call for your companions,” she stood up, her presence imposing. The powerful shadow magic returned on one hand, glaive at the ready in the other.

Raine sighed, gripping their weapon. They looked at the distance for a moment, cherishing the last seconds of silence and peace before the fight.

The emotions that swirled beneath their eyes mixed together and their jaw clenched, their grip on their preferred weapon tightening.

“Yes.” They replied, voice unusually serious.

“ I should .”

11 notes · View notes

sakuramiyawakii · 3 years

Text

I LOVE THIS 🤩🤩🤩

Aerin part 4 :)

Hey guys!How are you doing?I hope everything is going well!

If not,I believe in you!It’s going to be fine!

Part four only after a few days of part three?! GASP

It turned out longer than I thought so I hope it’s not too boring or difficult to read!

Constructive critisism is always welcomed :))))

This is part three for anyone who wants to read it:https://ntoraplayschoices.tumblr.com/post/640515264713261056/aerin-part-three

ENJOYYYY

P.S.You’re awesome!

———————————————————————————————————-

Kade’s face lit up with a smile as his eyes moved on the paper across him,his grip tightening around the book he was holding.His smile widened,so did his eyes and he sat more upright against the fountain’s base.

�� The young boy released a shaky laugh as he turned the page-what a plot twist!This writer was his favourite by far,one of the best literary writers in his opinion- Vilius Serskus! A person that was disregarded and looked down upon by many,however their strong point was their pen!The way they could paint a world in front of you always fascinated Kade.

Kade was always a person that appreciated and loved knowledge,besides knowledge is power and a pleasure as well.When he and Raine were younger,he used to study a lot-ever since then-,learning about stories and legends and myths,always asking questions of why and how,however Raine always craved action more than Kade.She wanted to live the legend,be the legend,not read about it.

As Kade’s thoughts drifted off,he smiled gently as he looked up from his book,closing it in the process,his skinny long finger keeping the book half open on the page he was left on.Would books write their legend?Would his sister be a legend,as she always wanted?

He tilted his head to the side subconsciously,remembering the now brave adventurer running around,tying a blanket behind her as a cape,grabbing a stick and raising it powerfully,almost hurting herself,as the object used to be triple her size.

How she would try to look around for other species and always ask him about them because- “you read so many books,you’re so smart,you must know!”

Kade chuckled and as he looked down,shook his head to move some hair out of his face.As he was about to clear his throat and go back to reading,he heard someone’s footsteps loudly echo from inside the castle,heading to the courtyard where he was.

His head shot up,as he hurriedly got up,worried for what-who he might see.However,when the figure came into view his lips broke into a smile and his eyes light up.He run towards the figure,the book still tight on his hands,and his arms thrown around the person.The girl hugged him back giggling.Even though her skin was a bit more pale,her clothes slightly ripped and dirty,she was glowing.

“Hello adventurer” Kade spoke with a purposfully deep voice,making Raine grin and slap his cheek playfully.Kade dodged the playful hit with a smile and smirked at his sister.

“Back so soon sister?” he asked,his smirk still on his face,however his eyes glinted with excitement.He was very glad his sister was safe and came back so soon.

“I took three!” Raine said excitedly,her grin widening so much she felt her cheeks hurt.She pulled out three small sacs from a small bag around her waist.

Kade’s eyes widened.“Wow,are these really moonblooms?” he asked before grabbing one of them and opening it,his book going under his armpit.

Raine smiled and nodded,“Don’t they look pretty?” Kade nodded astounded as he pulled one of them out,admiring it.

Raine grabbed the book from under the man’s arm and held it herself,in which the man hummed as a thank you.He looked up at her with a smile,“This is amazing!” he exclaimed and Raine nodded excitedly,her head moving fast.“I know!”

Raine extended her hand to her brother “I need to get started.” she stated and Kade raised an eyebrow.“So soon?Don’t you want to rest?”,the girl shook her head.“No,not really”.

Kade took a good look at his sister again,her clothes were slightly ripped,and dirtied and he also noticed some blood on her knee,to which he frowned.Raine followed his line of sight,and smiled once he saw what Kade was looking at.

Once she looked up she reassured the man,“I’m fine” and after saying it her smile grew a bit and she nodded at her brother.

He sighed,placing the moonbloom carefully in its little bag again.“I thought we talked about this Raine…”,he looked up at the girl,still tying the little bag,his head low.

The adventurer sighed and took the bag,giving her brother the book bag.“I know,but I’m fine trust me,"she smiled,her tone of voice changing”,you can come with me too!Supervise me and all",Kade chuckled.

“Sooo….” he dragged the sound,“You are bored and need company?” asked Kade with a knowing smirk and Raine groaned,her head falling back “Yes please!”

Kade laughed and followed his sister as they hurried into the library,crossing the courtyard and walking into a long hallway leading to one of Kade’s favourite spots.

Hours passed and progress was made,even though both of them felt as if they could fall asleep on top of the table-not that they would mind,it did sound like a very good idea.

Raine moved her hand slowly against the small pottery container with a tool,crushing the moonbloom slowly.The night was beautiful,you could see the sky from the big window of the library.It was a full-moon tonight -and that’s why Raine decided to get the moonblooms then- and the stars sparkled-it felt as if some blinked at her.The moon was big,bright and appeared a bit too close to them,but it made it look even more fascinating that way.

“You need to push harder” Kade commented,dragging his words sleepily as he sat on a chair,his book touching his elbow as he crushed a moonbloom himself.

Raine somewhat glared at him and resumed working,“look at your pushing,I doubt you’re even touching it.” she retorted,her voice more lively than her brother’s tired one,

“Hey!” he exclaimed,and his head shot up,his brows furrowed and a small pout was apparent on his lips.“I am touching it!” he argued and Raine shook her head.“Whatever,as long as it does the work,step on it for all I care.”

Kade raised his eyebrows,step on it? He licked his lips and stood up,placing his own pottery container on the ground,ready to literally step on it.

“Kade!” once Raine glanced from the corner of her eye at her brother,she screamed his name.Kade looked up at her,his foot mid-air and his eyebrows raised.

“What?!” he exclaimed,his voice more high pitched.Raine glared at him and moved her head up and down,motioning him to take the container and crush the moonbloom properly.

With an exaggerated sigh,Kade did exactly that.

After some time,Raine brushed some sweat off her forehead with a satisfied smile.“I’m done!”,she turned excitedly towards Kade to see him sleeping on his chair.She smiled at him,she was glad to see her brother rest.

While he layed there on the chair uncomfortably,slightly sliding on it sometimes,Raine noticed that he had put on some weight and smiled.When they found him,he was wounded and very skinny and weak too.So as soon as they entered the caste,Raine fed him with all sorts of goods in order for him to gain his weight back.

Seeing him asleep in the chair made her long for her bed and some sleep too.The trip was long,but necessary to keep track of time,as for the moonblooms to be activated there needs to be a full moon.

Raine sighed and looked at the tables of their workplace-they left the library after the librarian’s scolding-,all dirtied and messy,thank God though,the book they took from the library on herbs had not been dirtied-God knows what they’d hear from the librarian if so.

Raine shuddered while imagining what she’d hear from her mouth,shaking her head to get rid of the thoughts.However she could already imagine her response “We needed it in order to do this correctly!” and they did!The moonbloms need a lot of work in order to do work of their own-that kind of work Raine wants them to at least.

In case that response didn’t work,Raine thought she could pull the “hero” or “king’s guests” card,however she despised it-the second one mostly,the world is already full of people that abuse their power.

Glancing at Kade,she saw his mouth open and saliva on his chin,to which she grimaced.

“Hey Kade!” she called,throwing one of the empty little bags she used for the moonblooms,some dirt coming out once it fell on Kade.

“What?!What-what happened?!” he spoke loudly,startled while sloppilly pushing himself up.

Once he saw Raine trying to hold back her laugher he groaned and picked up the bag throwing it back at her,to which she yelped and looked at him in shock.

Kade looked at her tauntingly.

The adventurer sighed,wanting to say how Kade is childish yet his reply would be nothing but predictable.

“We need to pour the crushed roots on the moon blooms ,leave them on the window for the night and take them back in before dawn” Raine recapped the procedure,to which Kade nodded sleepily.“Alright,alright I’ve got it.” he did as the girl said,with her following close behind,and lastly they went to the library and placed them on the big window.

Kade nodded proudly and gently hit Raine’s back,startling her and pushing her forward.“Well.That went well!” he nodded at her and turned around,“Good night!” he called as he turned the corridors of the library,being hushed by a librarian.

Raine returned the wish,only to be glared at by the same librarian,barely avoiding scolding.She grimaced and bowed a bit as an apology before watching the middle aged man take off.

She sighed in relief and left the room to go to her chamber.

She closed the door behind her and lit up some candles before changing into a nightgown.

The hallways felt empty now that her friends had left for their own independent missions.Mal and Nia decided to travel and explore together,Mal promised to teach the former priestess about the world,something that caused a slight feeling of concern to Raine.Tyril took off for Undermount,in order to help his family,while Imtura took off for the blue seas.

The adventurer thought of following her friends -very eager to do so-or return back to Riverbent,especially because Kade wanted to,but she convinced him and herself to stay in Whitetower.Firstly,because of a new opportunity of an adventure arising-not that she wouldn’t go through adventures with her friends-and secondly because of that peculiar dream.

It had been some time since she saw it,but she could remember it clearly:A horrible army heading towards her,terrifying creatures,a monster,a shadow and the hooded man.Last but not least,the flaming Whitetower.

She thought that maybe,maybe if she stayed there,nothing bad would happen,or maybe she would get some information out of Aerin.

That line the hooded man said stuck to her also,like everything in the dream-You will need the old gods…

Raine pondered for a bit before shaking her head,she was too tired to think of this right now,she had spent a lot of time thinking about that dream-or vision,whatever it was (even though she preferred the former) and nothing turned up.

She sighed and got under the warm covers of her bed,aching for some sleep.

Eventually,she spent the whole night turning and twisting,she could feel her heart beat very fast,cold sweat on her body,she even shivered.

She was scared,and she didn’t know why,not exactly.Was it the fact she’d see Aerin after so long?And behind jail bars at that?The fact that she’d find out the truth,something she was not completely ready for?Or maybe she was worried the moonblooms wouldn’t work?

Either way,her thoughts kept her up at night,until dawn when she had to get up-but that’s also when she started to feel tired and sleepy.She groaned,she was already annoyed by the fact that she got little to no sleep,and now that she had to get up,she felt tired.

She bit her lips,trying not to curse as she pushed herself to get get off the bed,surprising herself when she did.Admittedly,she wasn’t a morning person.

After she finished dressing and eating a bit,she rushed towards the library,passing by confused guards that took their places.

“Sorry-Yeah,sorry!Excuse me-oh Hi Bob!”

Ah,Bob.Such a nice guy.

After dashing through all the corridors,she rushed in the library where the cleaners and librarians looked at her surprised,receiving an awkward smile in return.

She got the moonblooms while panting,and left while smiling at the strict librarian-the one with the high bun.Her look was so cold,Raine had to suppress a shiver.

Strolling back to her room,she held the containers carefully in her hands,nodding at people passing her with a smile.

Once she got in,Raine placed the moonblooms on a small table on her room,far from the windows where the sun couldn’t harm them,and covered them with some towels.

She clasped her hands excitedly with a grin,her heartbeat started to increase.She was going to see Aerin and she didn’t know what to expect or,now that she thought of it,she didn’t even know what to say.

Hi,guess what?I’ve got the moonblooms that will purify you?

And he is going to ask:Why do you care?

What would she say then?

She shook her head,keep it together Raine,go eat a proper breakfast,do something and then go visit him.

After eating a big and much needed breakfast with Kade,Raine exercised for a bit and then bathed with warm water.

Her body turned cold and she felt herself being showered with cold sweat once more,her heart started beating faster and the colour left her face.

She cleared her throat as she walked slowly down the stairs,the walls were dark,even though they were illuminated by various torches.The room was cold and full of humidity too,something that didn’t comfort the girl at all.

It was surprising to see the jail of Whitetower be so dark.

As Raine stepped down the steps,she remembered Kades words:Shouldn’t you tell the king?You know,get his permission?

Raine denied,and now wondered if it was the right choice.The people of Whitetower considered Aerin a traitor,they hated him and it made sense to do so.However,Raine felt that it was unfair that Baldur was never judged,not that he deserved his death,not at all.Just that Aerin must’ve lived a life he didn’t like,a life in his brother’s shadow,as he had said himself.

The pastors of the light believed that when something is corrupted,there is no going back.Raine begged to differ,especially because of Kade and even though Kade was safe and sound now,she always believed in him and her thoughts of being able to help him if something had happened always comforted her.Aerin was a nice,gentle person-perhaps- and she liked that person,it’s a shame for him to disappear like that,especially because he could make a good and capable king.Without the shadow court’s influence of course.

Raine sighed,now that the shadow court was defeated,he would be less influenced right?

Her foot echoed slightly as she stepped on the ground,a slight sound was made when she completely stepped off the stairs.She wasn’t sure if all of this sweat was because of her nerves,or just the stairs.

She walked towards the guards,her steps slow and her gaze bouncing around.Her body felt numb and her heartbeat became faster,she felt like she could faint.

Once she calmed her heart and breathing,she smiled towards a guard,standing in front of him.Next to him was another one,and a third across the two.They wore an armour with Whitetower’s emblem on it.

The first guard had dark brown eyes and straight dark brown hair to match,his jaw line was sharp,and Raine found herself lifting her head when she looked at him-how tall!

The second guard was shorter,his hair fair and curly and his eyes hazel.He looked younger than the man next to him,maybe even less experienced.He glanced at him from time to time,trying to copy his posture.

The third guard had long brown hair,her eyes hazel and she wore a small smile as she nodded at the girl.

Raine cleared her throat,her voice more high pitched due to her nerves.“Could you please show me Aerin Valleros’ cell?”,her smile was as sweet as her voice.The guards looked at each other nervously “You mean the prince miss?” the second guard asked,his voice sounded like it belonged to a young man,smooth and gentle.

Raine nodded “I do,yes”,her heart felt like it could fly out of her chest.Won’t they let her in?

“I’m afraid that’s not allowed miss.You need the king’s permission” the first guard’s voice was deeper and more mature.Raine tried to reassure herself,Don’t stress Raine,you can do this.

The girl quirked her head to the side,“I’m sorry,you must not know who I am” she extended her hand to the two men,who looked at it curiously,the first guard’s eyebrow was raised while the second one was frowning.

“I’m Raine.”

The guards exchanged looks of shock,the female guard was quick to reply,“Of course ma'am!Come with me,this way!”

She lead the girl through some corridors,passing many cells and prisoners with dirty looks.The guard would glare or feign an attack,making them draw their eyes elsewhere.

Aerin’s cell was secluded,far away from the other ones and bigger,better.There even was a small window in it.

Raine thought about it,even if the king didn’t seem ready to forgive his son,he tried to help him.At the same time,she thought of Mal’s words “You gotta love monarchy”

Raine felt bad about them,really,but who knows what kind of awful crimes they had committed.

“Here we are!” the girl’s voice was neither deep or high pitched,Raine noticed.Her smile urged the adventurer to smile back,“Thank you.” she bowed slightly and the guard bowed deeply.“It’s my pleasure!Also,thank you for your services!” the girl said and Raine felt her heart flutter,“My pleasure.” and with that ,the young guard left,her step light.

Raine sighed,her smile slowly dropping as she turned around.A few meters away,was Aerin’s cell.She cleared her throat,her heart beating faster than ever.The air seemed to flow slowly,and time seemed to stop as she stepped closer.

She was in front of the cell and didn’t know what to say,so she stood there and didn’t know how much time had passed until a male voice broke the silence.

“Hello Raine.” his voice lower,deeper than the gentle voice she remembered from the lake.

A shiver run down her spine.

She couldn’t see him,it was dark and he was sitting far back in his big cell,making Raine wonder why.Was he one for the dramatics?Judging by his past it didn’t seem impossible.

“Hello Aerin.” Raine’s mind worked fast,trying to figure out what to say.“Why are you here?Did you come to see my downfall?” he asked,with a bittersweet chuckle.

“What?No!” Raine exclaimed,what in the world did he think?

“Did you come here to mock me?To rub your victory in my face?” his voice was much louder now,his teeth gritted.Raine could also tell he got up,from the shift in the shadows and the noise she heard.

From the corner of her eye,she saw the guard from before apporaching her,to which she raised her hand slightly to stop her,giving her a small smile in reassurance.

“None of those,now sit down-” her voice steadier and more assertive,only to be interrupted by the prince.

“Or were you simply bored and came to see how the failed prince was doing?” he asked again,his voice raised and bitter.

Raine sighed,“None of those Aerin,please stop with the self-pity!I came here for you.” Raine cleared,slightly frustrated at the man.

Aerin stepped forwards,and the girl could clearly see his feet.They were dirty,with a few scratches,probably from the hard floor.

“What do you want?” he asked,curiously this time yet anger still laced his voice.Raine smiled slightly at him,before calmly replying.

“You.”

She tried to contain her smile remembering all the times Aerin would get flustered by her flirting.

The man seemed to step back a bit in shock before clearing his throat.

“Uh-Uhm…What-What can I help you with?” he asked stutteting,his voice higher than before.

“Do you remember when we sat together at the lake?” Raine asked,cusious about Aerin’s response.

She imagined him nodding,muttering a quiet “Yes” to which the girl nodded,her fingers moving slightly.

“We saw the moonblooms.We talked Aerin,we opened our hearts to one another.I refuse to believe it was all an act!” she said loudly,realeasing pent up frustration.The guards heard her and looked her way,before whispering amongst themselves quietly,Raine didn’t care.

What she did care about was the fact that Aerin stiffened.She could tell.

“Raine,what happened that night doesn’t matter.What matters is that we’re on opposing sides.That’s the only thing that matters.” his voice and tone was much more serious than before,his voice back again being deeper than Raine remembered.

“How can you say that?!” her voice became higher as she started yelling frustrated,“How can you possibly say that when we-” she stopped herself from continuing,running a hand through her hair.

“Listen to me Aerin,if you want to ruin yourself,do it-for all I care!But that man I met that day,that man I talked to that night,I want him back.I’m getting him back.So you can just cry about it.” her anger and frustration were released,at least a portion of them.

Aerin was shocked,Raine was as well.

His voice was unsteady as he spoke,even cracking a bit when he said:“I’m sorry”

Raine scoffed,not knowing what to say she closed her mouth.

“Don’t act as if you’d take me back after-” his voice got louder and he sucked in his breath.Raine tensed.

“I told you Aerin,” Raine started,barely keeping her voice steady"I want you.The real you.Not this,whatever this is.“

Aerin sighed,coming even more forward,now Raine could see up until the upper part of his thighs.He wore loose dirty white pants that looked like rugs.Raine looked back up,trying to make out his face.

"Don’t play with me” his voice quivered",what and why would you possibly want from that coward?I was weak and stupid,and pushed around!I was an idiot,Raine!But now I have power,I have-“ his self-hatred made Raine shudder.

"Nothing” she cut in,moving closer to the cell.“You have nothing.You,yourself didn’t want this Aerin,why are you trying to trick me?”

The prince stayed quiet for a few minutes,minutes that seemed hours.

“You don’t know me Raine.” Aerin spoke,his voice giving away his anger,“So don’t pretend that you do.” he stated,turning around disappearing into the darkness again.

“I beg to differ.I think I know you better than you know yourself,in fact I even seem to appreciate you more than you do!"Raine started speaking loudly "You didn’t want this Aerin,we both know that.You wanted to be seen,you wanted the power and you agreed to something you shouldn’t have and you regretted it.Because you didn’t know,you can’t read all about these things,the shadow court and all that.”

She paused,seeing the man listened to her,she continued.

“Guess what?Everyone has these thoughts Aerin,what separates the brave from the coward is what they choose.They choose the right thing!You chose to become a puppet,give up yourself to your worst desires.You lost yourself because you thought you’d get what you always wanted-well newsflash,power doesn’t satisfy anyone!”

Raine finished,panting.Her eyes widened and a shaky hand covered her open mouth.

What did I just do?!

Her emotions seemed to be deeper than she thought,that she knew!

She was scared of Aerin’s reaction to her words.

Her eyes widened when she heard something like sniffling.

She blinked slowly before rushing and grasping the cell bars tightly.

“Aerin?” she almost apologised,but held herself back.She had no reason to apologise to him after everything he had done.However,she still felt bad.

She shook her head,right before the man spoke.

“Leave.” his voice shaky,and it sounded like his nose was blocked.

“Please.” he added after a few seconds,his voice quieter and unsteady.

Raine almost protested,but held herself back.She knew she had to give him space.Him and herself too.She nodded,backing up from the bars and looked at the man’s figure,as if he was looking at her.Maybe he was,though she was sure he was turning his back on her.

“I’ll come by later” she said quietly,her voice slightly raspy.“I have something for you.” she added,however her eyes dropped when she saw a shadow move and some low sounds,something like sniffling.

The adventurer cleared her throat and distanced herself from the cell.She nodded at the guards and took off for her room.

“So?” Kade asked,his hands supporting his head,as he leaned on Raine’s desk.“So what?” Raine asked from the batrhoom,where she was washing her hands.

“What happened after that?” Kade asked to which Raine sighed,wiping her hands on a towel.“Nothing,I left.” she threw the towel on a small table.

“You’ll go later with the moonbloom?” the man asked,sitting more upright.Raine nodded,“Yeah,thats the plan.” she sat down,her hands on her knees and a discouraged expression on her face.

Kade approached his sister,placing an arm around her shoulder.“Come on sis,if anyone can do it it’s you!The hero of the universe,that with four other magnificent individuals managed to-” his attempt to narrate their adventures with a deep voice,like a storyteller made Raine laugh.

“Alright,consider this individual right here encouraged.”,Kade grinned.

Time passed by quickly and it was late in the afternoon,the time which Raine started to get ready to meet the prince.She had noticed a small window in his cell,that could probably allow some moonlight to slip in,perfect for the moonblooms.

Raine sighed,taking one little bottle that contained the moonbloom mixture-she was very careful not to spill anything as she transferred it from the container - and stared at it.

You better work.

She smiled at herself,trying to feel more confident.She placed the little bottle in the pocket of her dress before leaving the room,going to see the prince in red (well,white now)

She greeted the guards with a small smile and a nod,bowing a bit and smiling when they returned the gesture.She felt relieve they didn’t ask any questions this time,she wanted to talk more to Aerin seeing how she messed up earlier.

Her heartbeat was faster,but she felt calmer than the first time,she already saw him once and most of the stress had disappeared.Kind of.

“Aerin?” Raine’s voice was met with a small echo,then silence.She waited and waited but no response came.

“You were wrong.” Aerin’s raspy voice startled the female,who jumped slightly at the sound.“What?” she asked startled

“You were wrong.” the man repeated,“You are wrong.” Raine crossed her arms in front of her chest,feeling her body temperature increase.“How so?” she asked,her head slightly leaning right.

“It was me.It is me.Those thoughts,feelings they were all mine.” his voice sounded more vicious and Raine momentarily flinched.

After a few seconds of consideration,she moved closer to the cell,now standing in front of it.“We all have bad feelings Aerin.It doesn’t make you a bad person to have them.” Raine stated.The man moved closer to the cell bars,now fully into the light.

Raine’s eyes widened at the sight.His curly hair were less taken care of and disheveled,his face dirty and his lips had cuts on them.Her eyes subconsciously softened at the sight,before she realised and pulled herself together with the clear of her throat.

“So am I a bad person now?” he asked,his voice softer but not yet his.It felt like he was taunting her,making fun of her.His head leaned left.A small smirk on his face,yes he was taunting her.

“Depends” Raine retorted,slightly gritting her teeth.This Aerin was getting in her nerves,he’d ask to be called Majesty if you waited a bit.

“On?"Aerin kept taunting,the smirk on his face growing,oh how he loved the power.

"Are you regretting it?” Aerin’s smirk seemed to falter momentarily,his eyes glinting with something other than arrogance,however it changed as quickly as it came.

“Why would I?” he scoffed,crossing his arms in front of his chest.Raine frowned at him,“You’re forgetting that you’re in a cell?Like in jail?Like imprisoned?Like-”

“Alright God,stop,I get it!I’m imprisoned!I lost!” he yelled agitated,“Do you see though?You are rubbing it on my face” he smiled in triumph,raising his eyebrows.

Raine decided to ignore him,he wasn’t going to participate any longer in this childish argument.

“I said I had something for you” the girl reminded him while fishing the bottle out of her pocket. Aerin raised an eyebrow at her as he peaked at her hands.

His eyes widened as he pointed a slightly shaking finger at it,his eyes darting to the girl. “Is that…” he trailed off,his brown eyes moving from the vial to the adventurer.

This time,it was Raine’s turn to smile big “Yup.Moonbloom”

————-

LOVE YOU

8 notes · View notes