A Hint of Velvet (Chapter 1)

Book I - A Hint of Velvet

Chapter I - Birds of a Feather




Xixas stood at the peak of the crowd. After six days of rain and mist, the majority of the calling had spread. Xixas sat on a boulder, freezing his ass off from the last week of waiting. Upon the first day, Zechs had arrived. However, Xixas remained stoic without a word. A day later, the Concuclare party followed. Next, the Bolitarian party had arrived, and passing the time was not so simple. Xixas had to interject a contemporary argument more than once.

The Dyserians had arrived on the sixth day, along with a few new faces.

Again, more contemporary arguments.

The dawn had just settled upon the sky, chasing away the clouds for a few hours. Xixas waited an additional day in order to allow the clouds to clutter the sky again, gently drizzling down. This was actually an act to set the mood... And because Xixas loves rain.

He slowly let his senses clear to listen to the area. The Dyserians had a few tents set up with a campfire doused. The Bolitarians had their own camp set up, and appeared to be in meeting. Xixas' own retainers; Zechs, Sumaru, Kylar, and Celestia, were settled next to Xixas with no camp built.

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Anyone in Dyseria has a small camp with casual tents, spread around their chosen area.

Anyone in Bolitaria is huddled within their camp, deep in conversation.

Anyone in Concuclare are sitting next to Xixas' silent form, drenched from six days of rain and no food.

From here, respond accordingly. Remember, tensions are high as the Kingdoms have been at a standstill for the last three years. Also, a mysterious call has brought them all here only to find the un-moving form of Xixas Averall, previous leader of Concuclare that has been thought dead stopping Exsolus Dei Mori, and vanished for the last three years.
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Bolitarian Leader Kureno Hatak sat, looking at his people conversing, but then said to anyone who would listen, "Are we to trust... the old leader of our rivals?" He would wait for an answer.

Gidori sat in his tent, deep in thought.

Zechs was unchanged by the rain, and kept his icy gaze forward as he would normally, his comrades all nearby. "Xixas seems troubled.." Zechs thought to himself, without moving his eyesight. "And why he would invite our enemies.. There is something going on."
    Zechs contemplated his thoughts until the next course of action was given to him, keeping his guard up at the same time with one hand on his sword and multiple battle strategies in mind.

Celestia


Celestia stood quietly next to Sumaru. She held onto his shoulder and was shivering and extremely hungry. Not to mention the appearance of a man who was to be the previous owner of Concuclare he scared the hell out of her not mentioned. His whole being leaked power she also pondered how he would react to her new face....


Dante

Dante was furious but also heavily confused, "Why dont we just go over there and attack them now?" Although Dante was one of the Captains to Bolitaria his young and irrational mind would definitely get him into lost of trouble, "Were all just standing around looking stupid while this whole thing could be a trap by Concuclare to get rid of us all." He walked over to his king and raised his sword, "I say we should attack them now!!!" His loud and ignorant comments could surely be heard by Concuclare and Dyseria. He thought he was right no matter what anyone thought and regardless of the fact why they were all called here....

Alaude

Alaude stood outside the tent of the Bolitarian group he'd rather not let Dante's ignorance get on his jacket... He stared over to the Concuclare group, "Whats so special about them?" He would whisper that under his breath. Alaude noticed another Vampire and what seemed to be a pretty young lady wrapped around his arm, two slightly older men and lastly there leader the man that gathered us all here on said to be dead, "Xixas Averall......" He whispered once again.

Sumaru stood there looking at the members of the other factions. He then looked at Celestia who was shivering and he removed his jacket and put it over her shoulders attempting to warm her up. He then looked over to Xixas the man who Helped Sumaru become powerful. Under his breath he whispered "Where have you been all this time..."

Monde sat in his fairly small tent, chewing on a piece of bread he had brought for the occasion. He inspected his allies, aswell as his enemies, analysing each of their comments and facial expression. Yet he wondered why he had been called here, and what would happen, thus keeping his guard raised.

He stared over at his comrade, Gidori, who seemed to be thinking.

"Quite peculiar," he said to him, "Do you not think?"

Effigia sat among his faction the rain pooring down seemed to watch over him it was truly a soothing feeling though it seemed to allude to something in his mind, a calm before a storm if you will.  With this in mind Effigia was not truly paying attention to the talk as his focus was more on this man who had compelled all these people here.

as the dante sparda spoke of battle effigia merely shook his head " what good would it do attack if he was out to ambush us? Clearly if that was the plan then he has the confidence in his power to bring out both us and dyseria and if he does its better to just wait and be prepare if he intends to strike  or if perhaps he has found some sort of peaceful solution and has brought the warring factions here to speak of it. as he walked towards the bolitarian leader he stopped to look at dante "you are a captain perhaps you should act like one and be prepared to lead not just to fight.

effigia sat with kureno seeming quite frank "I know this may be out of my place to say but we were willing to trust xixas when he seemed to be nothing but a faceless nameless feeling should we not at least hear him out now?" the thoughts in his head where different then his words as something honestly made him feel like xixas should be trusted and yet something else told him this choice could lead to disaster

Erza looked around at the others..they looked quite strong especially that Xixas guy. "We need to plan things Dante stop rushing into things...it gets annoying." she said to Dante. Erza's eyes wandered around the others and she noticed that this one member of Concuclare was wrapping his jacket around a girl. "That one figure promised me love....where is it?" Erza thought, sighing afterwords.

Athena was in one of the Dyserian tent, sleeping happily. Many didn't know she was female still well other than Kureno Hatak and Sumaru Amaya. It's been hard to keep it all a secret but it had to be done if she wanted to find out about what happened to her parents. She slowly woke up to the sound of someone talking.

Ylva:

Everyone around me was nervous. The rain was, as always, soothing to me. Generally cool, but not too warm to be a nuisance. Arondale sat on my shoulder, eyeing the crowd and the enemies.

"I heard the call. But... I do wonder, if this is indeed a trap. My troops grow antsy, and my allies are wary. What could Xixas POSSIBLY have called us for..."

My lips curled into a wry smile, as I looked over them.

"Arondale, I need you to deliver a message..."


Ayasha:

My place in the shadows was uncompromised, as I looked from the Concuclare area. Zechs was fidgeting, but Xixas was calmly gazing over the land. I could still feel that powerful aura emanating from him. Something was off, though. Unable to place it, I merely traveled from shadow to shadow- keeping away from those with life force.

This feels so wrong...

Xixas opened his eyes, closed them. He took a heavy breath with the utmost care, and expelled his lungs. He stood as the first spell of rain within the hour greeted his senses. Words trampled his thoughts, the wind stole his focus, and the glares of others bore into his mind. Everything was silent.

Xixas opened his eyes and stood from his boulder. He stepped onto the wet grass, the stalks sliding along his legs. The boy who had spoken up, within the Bolitarian company. Three years ago, Xixas would have laughed, taunted the boy. Bolitarians were supposed to be wise, and collected. This person would be better suited to the Dyserians. Instead, Xixas offered this boy a solemn smile.

He raised a hand, and placed it above his heart. "My friends. I have not seen all of you for so long. My memories betray me, as my mind has traversed away from what I once knew..."

"All of you. The Dyserians of north, the Bolitarians of west, and my family from the south. I thank you for heeding my call, despite what events may have transpired in my absence". Xixas slowly walked forward to the middle of the tri-part camp.

"I understand the treachery placed within us, the distrust and rivalries between the ruling kingdoms. However... Aside of discovering the world, aside from controlling the world, and aside from the destroying the world, there something lurks that exceeds the threat of each other. To explain this further, I have brought someone I would like to introduce". Xixas extended his arm in a butler's formality towards the boulder he had stepped away from.
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A shimmer of light; a flash of dust to glitter with the rain. A woman appeared. She was glowing, neon lights glittered from the glass and silver that formed around her perfectly shaped body. Shadows of illumination were shining around her body, as glass spheres enveloped filled with sapphire lightning shaped her. She was translucent to the eye, as a body silver and steel. The ingots within her eyes were piercing blue, riveting spheres that swirled with the cascade of the rain. She was beautiful; breathtaking. She was far from this world, alien and mesmerizing. Half of her body was cloaked in a shroud of silk that seemed to repel the rain; oil to water as it slid off around her to make a veil of drizzle.

As she opened her mouth, it came as a shock. Her body seemed almost fully solid, the material of her lips and cheeks seemed stoic and frozen until she began to speak, her skin moving like silk with her words. Her voice was soft and strange, enchanting to hear as it echoed with the air.

Spoiler:

As she opened her mouth, it came as a shock. Her body seemed almost fully solid, the material of her lips and cheeks seemed stoic and frozen until she began to speak, her skin moving like silk with her words. Her voice was soft and strange, enchanting to hear as it echoed with the air.

"Hello... Thank you for accepting me into your time. I am called Vyrcetta. Xixas Averall. I can feel the flow of Echo within your kind... It is so many things at once... If it were not for your warning, the Echo above our company might have shattered my own"

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Xixas felt his body chill at the mention of Exsolus Dei Mori, who floated thousands of feet above the air, listening to everything said. His powers kept him completely hidden from literally everyone present, only the bond between them allowed Xixas to know his presence.
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"Our time is short and grows shorter with every passing drip of rain" The silken voice tethered. "I will make haste as I explain... The Xixas Averall that stands with us, as well as myself, are not of this time yet as of this world. We are from Ae'Ire nine years in the future. A future ravaged and destroyed... Shattered from the new kind of being that visits here to colonize and destroy".

Vyrcetta stood within a second of silence. "My kind, a people from trillions of years travel away have escaped our home, to take yours and begin anew. My race is new and different... Our power is advanced millions of years outside of magic alone. Our power comes from technology, taken magic and turning it into the slave source of power. Technology. The brother and rival to magic".

Vyrcetta took the hour to explain how Ae'Ire fell. This world was not prepared, engaged in war against each other as the Relicuu began their assault. It was a plan set in motion years before, with every aspect within the finest detail in the favour of Relicuu. The Kingdom leaders took years of the world's devastation to finally come together, but by the time, it was far too late. The Relicuu and their technology, powered by magic destroyed the world and slaughtered all of those who would not submit to slavery. Their resources were nearly infinite, as technology is made to be recycled and re-used.

As Vyrcetta finished her tale, a strike of lightning; a pounding thunder ceased all focus.

If you require more than words... Let me show you.




Images flashed throughout the minds of every inhabitant around, the world ablaze with fire and unknown power, destroyed and severed from the ties of peace. These were not pictures... They were memories, and they were not a farce. That much was obvious to anyone with any sense of logic or reasoning.

=

Xixas extended his focus to the leaders of Bolitaria and Dyseria. "What say you, my old friends?"

Gripping the wooden stool that served as my seat, I stared at Vyrcetta with what I was sure to be slit eyes. Arondale returned to my shoulder, having delivered my message to Katal and Vilkas.

"I say... What are we to do? I care more for the land of Ae'Ire than I do for my rule, but to care for it, we must have some idea of that which we are against. Vyrcetta, if what you say is not fictional in all parts, then please tell us how we can prevent this tragedy!"

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I could feel my form shift over into ice- a product from my stress and fear.

With my voice now the echoes that all Vaiums had, I turned toward Xixas.

"And you. You once wanted the destruction of the world, and that is what the future entails is it not? You could be leading us into a trap- albeit a magnificent and artfully crafted one. However, I must inquire as to how you are going to prove this is not. Vyrcetta may be an image, and everyone knows the power which Sicarians can wield. I wish to believe in this, to ally ourselves against this future, but my people come first.... So... Please. What is it that we can believe?"

The area around me now frozen, I walked forward- leaving ice along my path.

"Vyrcetta, may I inquire the ability to touch your arm? To see that you aren't an image? Or even a demonstration of that which you call 'technology'? I mean not to sound ignorant or even distant, I merely wish to know that this is a true happening."

My troops now behind me, I looked upon the silver visage that delivered such a dooming message.

Kureno sat, his mouth curled inward. With what he had just seen, it was hard to shake the fear, and the fact was, if he trusted these words, it meant the three kingdoms would have to band together to face this... this new race, and this thing called technology, which seemed dangerous. The fact was, the words said, and that image... it was horrible. and if what was said is true, this could mean the end.

Although, The thing... What ever she is, Whoms name is Vyrcetta, seems to be danger in herself, I can't say that She would even attempt to kill the rest of us. She would most likely be defeated, she also seemed to care wether we lived or not. This meant, she was to be somewhat trusted, but not without fear and worry.

He then looked at Xixas, and sighed, still not saying a thing. The fact was, he didn't know what to say, he also didn't know if to go up to the thing called Vyrcetta, and attempt to touch her, as his eyes were surely not deceived. It was not because he didn't have the courage either, it was simply because he felt it unneeded. As well as the Dyserian leader was moving towards her.

The only true way to say what he thought is, "If what is said is true, I feel we need to ban together, to somehow beat them, before they grow so much in power that it is too late. Because, If what I feel is true, this is the only way we can live, as species, and the world itself" He stayed sitting the whole time, not willing to stand up and speak.

Zechs, shaking off the disturbing images, stood up with anger in his eyes, giving off a slight glow. But his anger was not at anyone specific, it was the fact that we all eventually let those destructive images happen.
     "Our three Nations had enough power to protect Ae'Ire, but it was our petty rivalries that prevented us from stopping that destruction." Zechs looked around at everyone, frost now emitting from his eyes. "Now that we have been given this warning to rectify our mistakes, are we going to just sit and hesitate?"
     Zechs lowered his hood, and unstrapped Excalibur from his side to place it in front of him as he began to speak. "Who Xixas has brought appears to house no harm, and with this Technology, we can resist such fates! We all want prosperity for Ae'Ire and everyone in it, and with such a threat on the horizon, we need to join forces, it is our only option for survival."

Zechs looked back at Vyrcetta, who was like nothing he had seen before. He could understand the confusion she brought, as he experienced it as well to a degree. "Technology.." Zechs thought to himself before stepping back to where he sat before, but kept his upright position with Excalibur placed in front of him, his hands resting on the pommel and his eyes returning to their blue color.
     "Whatever it may be.." Zechs looked around at everyone once more before returning his sight to his own hands. "It can save Ae'Ire.."

-As expected- Xixas thought to himself. -The Dyserians hold their lack of faith firm-. The story Vyrcetta told had lasted the majority of the hour, and the night had smothered the last of dusk. The Bolitarians hadn't impressed Xixas with their answer. Vague, and slightly oblivious. Had Bolitaria changed? The kingdom of wisdom and mystery that had always piqued the Sicarian's mind. Their new leader... Where was Vellon? The cold, articulate and stoic mind that had always been his pleasure to pick at. Was he dead?


...


-The bastard had better not be-. This new leader... Xixas would expect great things if he was the one to succeed Vellon Gresa. For his own family, his own Ki-... Zechs' Kingdom, it was everything he had expected. If Xixas were human, or had real emotions, he might have even cried. After three years, his family had grown so much. Sumaru now looked more like a man, putting on muscle. However, that goofy grin on his face Xixas knew was going to show had left smile marks. Celestia was, obviously the same. Immortality does that. However, there was a mark of depth in her eyes, showing an obvious granting wisdom. Kylar was still gone, as expected. After being thrown into another dimension to train, three years would be far too little time to master his out of control power.

Lastly, Zechs. He had grown, in many ways. He was taller if only by a few inches, and his stature was imposing. His aura didn't demand respect, but it earned it. Zechs had a strong look in his eye, and a stronger body. His Echo was nearly double what Xixas remembered, and it gave Xixas just a second of warrior's lust, urging to test his blade against his partner's. Xixas couldn't help but smile.

As Xixas began to move, his eyes went wide. He could feel something. Something far above... Past Exsolus, off course. They were traveling fast. Multiple...? Yes, there were several. But wh-... No. Xixas recognized this feeling. The feeling of dread and an empty soul. Calculating and cold. Xixas had been feeling this Echo for the last many years in the future. But... How?!

"Vyrcetta!" Xixas yelled, and she returned his panicked look. -How... How?! This makes no sense...-

"Dyseria, Bolitaria, return to your Kingdoms immediately! Make sure they are safe, secure yourselves and put up every and any walls you can muster. Pray to your Gods that you aren't within range of them..."

Xixas ignored the shouts and calls for answers from his company, and moves around the camp, desperately searching for a location. "Vyrcetta, do it!" He called, but Vyrcetta was already using her Sensory radar (which Xixas still didn't understand) to track the location. The sky was slowly growing brighter in multiple places... There was a physical heat to be felt, and Xixas felt a drop of sweat slide down his neck.

"Eight points south west of Xixas Averall, estimated five-six-six-nine-twelve V axis. Due course... Three points vertical, eighteen cross".

Xixas quickly did the math in his head, and felt his colour drain. Sarizate. Only a few miles from here... They were all in range, and no one even knew what was coming.

"EVERYBODY RUN!!!" Xixas shouted, yet it was too late. A massive orb of orange and red shattered the cover of clouds and rocketed down to the world, passing over head towards multiple locations. Another in visible range, fell all too close to their location. Xixas slammed his hands to the ground, shoving as much Fyre through his body past his physical limit. Vyrcetta placed her gaze, now seeming lifeless. An injection needle shot from her body and sunk itself into Xixas' neck. Painful, yet the shot was an augment to increase his power. The barrier placed over them was met with a thundering crash, and earth shook and cracked, veins of orange light shattered the plains and evaporated any life within a hundred miles.










It was ten straight minutes of a sea of glowing fire washing over the barrier placed by Xixas and Vyrcetta. Even then, cracks in the barrier were visible. Soon, the entire ocean of orange and red vanished into the earth, leaving behind no traces of existence other than the completely evaporated plains that now remained as barren earth except for the perfect circle within the barrier. Xixas fell to the floor, but a violet mist from Vyrcetta's palms fully recovered his body. -The power of technology on the body astounds...-

From here, the sky was on fire, and the world was cracking. Ae'Ire was supposed to have years... Years until this happened.

"Why now...?"

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From here, anyone can post (Once) for each character. You have until Saturday to respond.

Monde sat within the barrier, beneath the orange sky, speechless as to what had happened. The world which he had grown to love......it had been ravaged by these....these things from the sky! Everything that once gave off a peaceful atmosphere was now dead, destroyed by falling rocks. Or were they rocks? Monde was more confused than ever; This strange new being, the concept of technology-which although foreign and strange, seemed oddly realistic, the sudden event which had turned hundreds of miles of peaceful land into a wasteland, and this barrier he currently remained in, created by the mysterious being named Vyrcetta.

Monde's head began aching. Too much thoughts would often hurt his head. As he rubbed his skull, he looked around at his comrades, all who remained inside the barrier. "Is everyone ok?" He asked, directing his question at his fellow Dyserians, though hoping answers would come from additional sources aswell.

What were those things? Monde thought to himself, astounded that they had survived the attack.

Kureno sat, looking at the sky, which had giant balls of flame flying down, and then looked at his company, "Stay calm all, I trust in Xixas Averalls power, he is a powerful man, and much more then me. I fear that the war might come much sooner then we expected... be ready for anything, as this Sky Fire could mean anything..." He said this not frighten, but to warn.

Although, with this slight twinge of fear, came the realization the he might die soon, or maybe not, and the undecison of the world, is what truly made him fear. The coming of the day of war was quite possibly very much sooner, or at least, sooner then anyone of them could have planned. He had no plans for war, he hadn't fully planned anything.

Guldfaxe and Fallhöfnir were watching all of these events pass by. Guldfaxe tried to keep his cool at all times, assured that the situation had a simple solution. Fallhöfnir wasn't really paying that much attention; he was just trying to peek at the technological lady with his telescope.
"Seems like this situation will be tough to handle. Ye catchin', papa?", Guldfaxe asked.
"Ah, yes. I am catching a wonderful sight. I will not be able to turn back anymore... I must accept my fate", Fall said. Guldfaxe took it as if he was talking about the recent events, but in reality, he was just commenting on what he saw through his telescope.

Sumaru stood there staring in awe as Xixas and Vycretta had protected everyone from sure death. Sumaru swallowed hard and looked around to make sure all for his comrades were okay but he looked around and could not see Frosch. Sumaru called out his name in desperation but his companion was no where to be found. A few tears dropped down his face when he felt a tug at his pants and looked down to see Frosch holding a fish and chewing on it. Sumaru picked him up and embraced him since he though he was dead.

Finvarre:

Gods! Ylva you moron! Cursing in my mind, I could feel my eyes go bright white from fear for my country. King of Conquerors ' Fyre was magnificent as always, the power within him always contained- this was one of the few flashes where he was what he claimed to be.. nearly a god. Turning toward my home country, I frowned. The Monarch that had replaced me was... Very icy- fitting her nature. I will have to have a talk with her... and possibly remove her.
My heart broken from the tragedy around me, I quickly said a silent prayer of thanks in King of Conquerors ' direction, before moving behind Ylva Feleen- speaking quietly in her ear. My words came out slowly, languidly- the threat dripping with malice and animosity for the female Vaium who had replaced me. "If you do not help him, there will be a very bright light waiting for you." Staring at her through my visor, I let the fear sink into her eyes, before chilling into hatred.

Ylva:

My place below King of Conquerors was a vantage point that few got to see. Where he was, I could feel immense power- as I'm sure Finvarre could. Her threat did not go beyond me, for I knew what she could do. Nodding, I let Arondale fly to her and rest- keeping an eye on her.
"As you wish... Monarch."

From here, the story will be told in Third Limited outside of Xixas and Vyrcetta, as the paths are now about to diverge. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING. This post will be short, as Ch. 1 has now officially ended and the story will begin in multiple branches.

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The Sicarian and Relicuu had exhausted their primary source of energy as the burning meteors fell to Ire in a destructive rain of foreign light. The blast radius had been enough to break the barrier's limits, as it shattered and fell to pieces.

Conversation ensued; a flurry of questions and raging words all in desire of knowledge, and for the weak of heart-- safety. The Kingdom leaders gave their piece in an attempt to calm the people under their contemporary rule.

As the Sicarian Xixas felt the breath return to his body, he attempted to inquire with himself and the Relicuu Vyrcetta for the events that has just transpired. It was far beyond belief or thought, as what had just occurred was not set to happen until... Three years from now. How? How did this happen now when the Relicuu vanguard was still millions of paces away from Ae'Ire?

However, the time for thought and consecutive answers was not now. As another meteor, bathing in the alien orange glow of energy, shot down from above. Right on top of our heroes.

"No..."

"How?!"

"Put up another barrier!"

"My lord, please withdraw!"

"We cannot escape this time..."

"We're out of energy; we can't put up another!"

"I fear... All is lost"

"No, no no!"

"Everyone is going to-..."

"I can't... Let this happen"

"We can't give up...!"

"What can we do?!"

Words scrambled across the air as the deep rumble of oncoming death approached. After a few seconds, nothing could be heard except the roaring thunder of the meteor. It was intense... And so hot.

"Ha ha ha ha..." A voice chuckled from thousands of feet above. "Hehe... Hahaha..."

As hope was slain and all attempt abandoned, the camp of warriors fell to their knees.


"Areu ascil erryticia... I descend from blackened heaven..."

As the world turned orange and white, our heroes were suddenly surrounded in darkness. At first, surprise. And then, wonder. The figure far above snapped his fingers, clustering together each of the fighters into a coven of darkness. The clusters split into multiples, each containing multiple characters, and split off, flying in random directions seconds before the meteor struck.

As our heroes flew through darkness, the only thing they could hear was laughing...

A cold, blackened laugh that would stain the minds of them all for the rest of their lives.

The clusters flew over the mountains, over seas, within the clouds, and dispersed far away. Our heroes were saved, but separated into lands they had never entered before...

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Be on the look out for Chapter Two - Twisting Veil

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As of right now, all the characters have been separated into places unexplored in Ae'Ire (Since 70% of the planet is unexplored). Later, your groups will be detailed, areas in the Forums created, and you will continue your story topics with your groups. All groups are randomized, so it's a wonder who you will be with! ...And who you will meet anew?