Viewing Single Post From: Farewell Aerillia

Viewing Single Post From: Farewell Aerillia
Anastasia	Yesterday, 9:42 PM
Posts: 84 Group: BattleWriters Member #6 Joined: Apr 24, 2011	Chapter 5: A Reluctant (But Appreciative) New Home Within An Alien World “So we’ll be taking you to see our leader, Fenix, first,” Ethan continued telling Eknara as much about Thracs and the Khaotics as he could. She had a few questions here and there, but he was doing most of the talking. The other twin, Malek, was even quieter than Eknara. “He’s a big guy, but don’t let that scare you. He’s really friendly, and has made Malek and I really comfortable here on Thracs.” Ethan slapped Malek on the shoulder and smiled. Malek didn’t appreciate the gesture as he was the one carrying the pair of raccoon-sized rodents while Ethan entertained himself with the newcomer. “He’s even named Malek, here, his successor. And we’ve only been on Thracs for about five years.” The immense amount of information Ethan was filling her with was almost a bit overwhelming and Eknara felt it would take some getting used to. However, Ethan was being really friendly and helpful to her and she felt he was being really sincere and not putting up a facade. She didn’t like to make judgements of people so quickly but she was getting a really a really good vibe from him. He certainly wasn’t hard on the eyes either, she noticed. “We’re here,” Malek called out. Eknara was greeted by the sight of a simple, but large wooden house. Malek walked straight by the guards by either side of the door and knocked. A gruff voice answered, “come in.” Malek walked straight in. Eknara, hesitant to enter the house, was urged to follow by Ethan. She gulped and walked in as she held Aicatul close to her chest. Malek bowed and placed the dead carcasses by a wall. “I have brought you a newcomer.” He motioned to Eknara. Eknara eyed the tanned large muscular man. He was covered in furs and sported a thick beard. Although he was sitting down in a large chair in the rather spacious room he looked like he would have been nearly two and a half metres tall (8 feet) standing up. Just the sight of him frightened Eknara and she found herself taking a few steps back before Ethan stopped her. “Don’t worry. Like I told you; he’s really friendly.” Fenix, still sitting in his chair, spoke up in his gruff voice. “Welcome, young lady. What is your name?” He smiled as he asked her this. Eknara, being very far from her comfort zone, found herself staying quiet. A few seconds passed before Ethan answered for her. “She’s a little shy, sir. But I believe she said her name was Eknara? Did I say that right?” Ethan turned to look at her. Eknara nodded timidly. “Well, welcome to the Khaotics stronghold, Eknara. Malek, let’s get her fed and in some more comfortable clothes.” “Yes, sir.” -==Approximately Two Years And Three Months Later==- Eknara lay flat on the grass looking up at an opening in the tree leaves above her as she mused about her present whereabouts and circumstance. ‘It’s such an auspicious day. There are only a few clouds in the sky, but it’s otherwise very sunny, warm and only slightly breezy. So why am I in such a bad mood?’ Eknara moved her upper body to sit up. “Ah, yes. Because that Ethan is late! I don’t believe this. Today of all days, and it was even his idea to come here of all places.” Aicatul, feeling Eknara’s rise in anger, swooped down from the sky. “Calm down. I see him. He’s on his way.” Eknara sighed. “How long before he gets here do you think?” “Maybe three minutes?” Aicatul speculated. “Is he at least walking very fast?” “More like a jog.” “I guess that’s some consolation.” Feeling relieved, Eknara lay back down with her hands supporting her head. “Hey,” Ethan was panting lightly as he approached the small, roughly four metre (~13 feet) diameter, opening in the forest that had a huge tree on its northern end. Eknara was laying in the shade of that tree, wearing little else but a simple light blue blouse and a short white skirt. A large box wrapped with some red cloth lay by her feet and something that looked like a picnic basked sat right behind it. The small opening was otherwise heavily surrounded by vegetation that included a variety of colourful and blossoming flora. It was a beautifully breathtaking sight. Although she had been waiting impatiently for him just a few minutes ago, Eknara couldn't help but to roll towards the tree and away from him when she heard his voice. A pained look crossed Ethan's features at the obvious snub. He really did try his best to make it on time. The young man, dressed in long black pants with a matching vest and a white shirt, moved forward nonetheless. He quietly dropped the package he was carrying on the floor, opened it and used the packaging sheet to spread flat on the floor from end to end right beside Eknara. He then took the package’s contents and pulled out a small piece of pastry from it. He lay on his left side, facing parallel to to Eknara’s body and just a few centimetres. He brought the small piece of pastry to hover precariously in front of Eknara’s mouth. Eknara smiled quietly to herself for a moment: Her favourite. He hadn’t forgotten to bring them. She moved her right hand to encase Ethan’s and bring the pastry to her mouth before taking a bite. She relished the taste in her mouth for it felt like a little piece of heaven to her. A couple of silent and languid minutes passed as Eknara enjoyed her treat. Ethan, relieved, smiled. “Sorry,” he said as he wiped his sticky hand on the grass bringing both of his arms to wrap around Eknara’s waist. “What kept you?” There was no hint of indignation or anger in her voice. He was very good at dampening such emotions from her. “Fenix tried to get me to accompany him and Malek on a hunt. It was really hard to get out of. Even after I told them that it was our anniversary. And Malek barely had my back this time. I think he’s starting to resent the fact I want nothing to do with Khaotics politics more and more.” He snuggled up more closely to Eknara. “Fenix of Malek?” Eknara asked. Ethan chuckled to himself, and managed to unintentionally exhale by Eknara’s neck; forcing her to close her eyes in response while she enjoyed the accidental gesture. “Both,” he said. “Although Fenix shows it more than Malek. But I guess that’s why Fenix had no problem with Malek naming you his successor. The old man is quite fond of you, and Malek loves you like you’re his own dutiful little sister.” Being reminded of being third in line to Khaotics’ leadership was still unsettling for Eknara. Ethan, Malek and even Fenix had taken her in with open arms and had treated her like family since that fateful day more than two years ago. It was only natural for her to accept their kindness with gratitude and help out as much as she could. Especially after her string of attempts of trying to make it back to Aerillia like she had once pledged to had all failed without a hint of success. She was stuck here. And no matter how much she missed her home, family and even Prilla, it had slowly become very apparent to her that she would never make it back. So she had done her best to make the most of her new home. This, surprisingly for Eknara, meant that for some crazy reason that Malek and even Fenix and the others somehow thought she could possibly be ready for leadership one day. She had accepted the post rather reluctantly and more out of obligation than anything else. Eknara turned around to embrace Ethan. “I don’t ever want to become commander.” “Oh, come on. You’re still saying that?” Eknara huddled closer to Ethan and attempted to hide her face from him. She did this as if he would protect her from the post, even though no one would ever vote him in for leader. “Don’t you trust Malek? Or even Fenix?” “I … I do.” “Do you think they would even consider you to replace them if they didn’t think you were fit to?” He tried to slowly free her grasp on him in order to see her face, but Eknara resisted. “Do you think they don’t notice all your hard work? See your determination? Or appreciate the adept fighter, hunter or sorcerer you are?” Eknara separated herself from Ethan to lean against the tree, hugging her knees. “Oh, come on,” Ethan exlcaimed, suddenly missing the warmth of her body. Eknara mused quietly to herself for a moment. “I’m comfortable with you guys since you’ve become family to me. But I’m still rather shy. I am not aggresive enough or have the courage to lead.” “That’s not true. You’ve proven --” Eknara cut him off. “I’m still the same girl who idiotically messed with magic far beyond her control and understanding to end up on Thracs in the first place!” Aicatul, perched up high on the tree above them, issued a sharp cry. That last point stung Ethan and he quickly stood up. He seemed to hesitate about turning around for a moment before he spoke down to her. “I thought you had accepted your place here already: Accepted it as your home and accepted us as your family.” Eknara bit her lip as she continued to hug her knees. Ethan continued, “accepted us … and me.” Eknara’s eyes started to water. She still missed Aerillia and her family, but she didn’t intend to have what she said hurt Ethan like that. Ethan saw this and he felt his heart drop a bit. He slowly lowered himself to Eknara’s level and sat on his knees. She looked straight at him. “You know I have, Ethan.” She tried to wipe some of the tears trailing down her face. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. I mean, I will always miss Aerillia and my birth family, just like you will always miss your world a little. I just meant I really don’t think I’m leadership material.” Ethan smiled sadly and wiped a tear from Eknara’s face. Eknara relished the gesture and let him cup her face in his hand. “Just give it time, Eknara. It’s not like you’ll have to assume command tomorrow or even in five years. Fenix is plenty healthy and will be around for quite a few years yet. And Malek? He’s even more fit than I am.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “So please, stop worrying so much, let’s forget all our troubles and enjoy our anniversary in our secret spot, okay? Malek worries plenty enough for all of us anyways.” Eknara almost chuckled, but smiled instead. She pondered at how effective Ethan always was at consoling her. Malek was so serious and uptight it was hard to believe Ethan and him were brothers let alone identical twins. Eknara nodded and both began to unwrap more of the food they had brought. It was sunset when they walked back home. The smiles on their faces were wiped away to be replaced by looks of puzzlement and worry as they noticed how quiet everyone. No one would tell them anything, and there were no relevant conversations within the hive. So they both headed straight to Fenix’s house. It was there that a close friend told them the bad news. Fenix and Malek had both perished just hours ago in some accident. No one new exactly what happened, but a scouting team had been sent out to look for them only to return with their dead bodies. Eknara’s thoughts halted altogether when she heard the news, nearly falling into catatonia. But Ethan reacted differently. He lashed out in anger and demanded to see his brother’s body no matter what anyone said. They pitied Ethan and gave him what he asked for. Eknara followed. It was only after they saw Fenix’s and Malek’s bodies, and when Ethan reached out to clasp his brother’s cold hand within his own only to break down into tears, that Eknara finally came to. His pain was much greater than her own at the loss. It was her turn to console him now and be there for him. She embraced Ethan and let him cry his eyes out. Her own tears would come only later on that night, after her shock had worn off, and as they both cried to sleep within each other’s arms. It was only during the next day that it finally dawned on Eknara that she was officially to be sworn in as Khaotics commander.


Farewell Aerillia · ROLEPLAYING