Lutejk La’Dhroo ab Jujnis, 2997
Once more I’m reminded that I’m nothing but a scared little girl. All the magic that I know couldn’t save me or anyone. I’m tired of being pathetic and yet... that’s probably all I’ll ever be. If there’s more to me than I know, I wish it would manifest now!
We started out on the trek toward the monastery mid morning. We entered into some woods that Zaren mentioned to having been sickly and suffering. The trees have diminished, which I had attributed to the locals over logging. And I should note that Zaren is Aragoth. The Dragonborn had an ego trip this morning and used his Primordial powers to change his looks into a man with reddish blonde hair that stuck out in a wild manner. Dunno why he felt the need to change his name, but alas he’s insistent on being called by his new name.
Well, about an hour or two into the woods, large bug like creatures creeped up from the ground. Everyone reacted quickly enough that they didn’t present a threat to any of us. Just an omen of what was to come.
We then met this wolf girl. She was quite the site to see, her being barely dressed in wolf fur. She spoke solely to Zaren in a language I’m unfamiliar with. The man translated her plight, that she’s trying to protect her woods, but the creatures we fought (which weren’t magical) were the likely culprits to the forest’s destruction and scaring off the Golden Unicorn that dwells here.
I was more concerned about getting to the monastery, but Zaren was insistent about helping since his brother was part of the wolf girl’s pack. The wolves are sickly according to her. Everyone thought it’d be of use to lend a hand, so I went along. Part of me wondered if it was just another wild goose chase, looking for a Unicorn. Then again, we did end up seeing Bahamut, so part of me was hopeful to actually see one.
The wolf girl lead us to a meadow. She spoke of how she’s teleported back to the start of the path when she attempts to go to the lake. We tried helping her, but no matter if she was with us or carried, she would disappear and be back at the start of the trail. And so we went on to see what was causing the magics.
Heavens, Daevri brought up a topic I thought I’d never have to speak of, at least not to the four guys. He wanted to know if I was a virgin in case the Unicorn catered to the lore that only woman, untouched by men, could approach them. It’s bad enough that I’m alone among men and immodest in my dress, but to breach such a topic was most undignified and has only added to how sick I feel.
The lake soon came into view and with it six cat like creatures that Zaren said were displacer beasts. Each one had two, tentacle like tails and they didn’t hesitate for a moment to attack us. It was there that I felt the panic begin to set in, but with optimism and remembrance of Rora, I tried to channel courage. I wanted to be brave. So desperately did I want to believe I could help protect all of us. Instead the false projection I tried to display was chipped away until all that remained was nothing but a useless shell.
Of the spells that came to mind, I tried to use an illusion to generate an animal that the creatures might have taken more interest in. However it would appear that displacer beasts don’t care much for griffins.Then I tried to intimidate some of them with a slurring of words. I’ve seen how the spell would hinder creatures before but these ones... it didn’t phase them.
By then the beasts were upon us and I could hear the cries of pain, the shedding of blood, and my heart thundering in my ears. I raced in my head to know of something, ANYTHING, to protect my group. And in those moments I was suddenly attacked. Two tentacles clapped me on either side of my head and left me hazed for a moment. I remember a voice in my head screaming, “How DARE you!” I whirling around and from my right hand shot a bolt of fire.
From the haze of battle and anger, Bordel rushed before me, swinging a greataxe at the creature. He then looked at me, probably wondering why I was standing in such a stupor, and pointed out Kimaris. The boy lay on the ground, blood all over him. I whispered, “Toir vuk!” a wave of energy leaving me. His eyes opened up right as Zaren fell next to him.
I carefully maneuvered over to the two, Kimaris forcing a potion down the fallen man. He sputtered to consciousness, both still looking terrible. I then placed my hands on Kimaris’s head and sent another heal spell through him. As I spoke the last words of the prayer, I opened my eyes to find a displacer beast charging me.
“Yiv æae bawn yoicd!” I wanted to shout, but my voice failed me. I forgot how to breath as it leaped toward my body in one swift motion. It was my end. The claws and teeth most certainly would have torn me to pieces, but Daevri was there suddenly, driving his sword through the creature’s neck and guiding it to the ground. A loud thud and a final moan escaped the cat like creature.
Why I didn’t faint, I can’t say. I sucked in the air rapidly and returned my attention to Kimaris and Zaren. I placed my shaking hands on the man and sent one more of my energies through him to heal what I could quickly.
What felt like ages was likely no more than a few hellish minutes. Yet they will forever be branded on my mind. Skeletons don’t seem so scary any more...
As we sat, recuperating, the Unicorn came and found us. It was probably the saddest thing I have ever beheld. The creature was a step away from becoming a full on Nightmare. She was black with a single gleaming spark of gold at the tip of her horn. She didn’t like us, we being human. The out lying towns have destroyed much of her forest to the point she gave up hope. And with her corruption, she began to corrupt what remained of home.
The wolf girl came to mind and I pitied her. The loyalty held toward the Unicorn was in vain. The only consideration given the girl was that of being spared her own corruption. I chastised the soon to be Nightmare for giving up, for not taking pride in what she had. Complaining about how it once was beautiful and homely seemed hypocritical when she had the power to keep her realm the way it once was.
Kimaris did point out that the size of woods played greatly into the Unicorn’s powers, but I feel the Unicorn gave up when she still had something to hold onto. Let alone we fought beasts due to her own corruption! She endangered us!
I inquired about why she hadn’t utilized the wolf girl, Saoer as she called her, to speak to the people, to get them to respect the woods. The Unicorn then mentioned that both she and the girl had gone, well before things had gotten so bad, but no one would harken unto them. A new layer of anger came over me. What kind of people didn’t listen to a Unicorn? From the lore I read, they might as well be God’s themselves. You never cross a Unicorn!
With a heavy heart, I followed the party after we agreed to take her plight to the monastery. I know in the towns we pass through, I will be investigating the people, to gather why no one listened and respected the Unicorn and her forest.
Until then, we are resting in the meadow. Kimaris has been a sweetheart, having held my hand as we walked back. I’m trying hard not to let what’s bothering me be conveyed to him or the others. They already have to put up with my ineffectiveness, no need to add to it by lamenting.
Heh. Daevri tried to offer a hand earlier. He was curious about the Lyro Blade. I let him examine it, explaining it was a gift from Bahamut. He marveled at it and wondered why I wasn’t so confident with wielding the weapon. I simply replied, “Most blades are used for the purpose of harming or killing. It’s a talent I have yet to develop.”
The Human smirked and reminded me that the sword could be used to defend myself, I just need to find a purpose. And that’s the unfortunate thing. I have purpose. I have my life to protect, Kimaris, Bordel, Zaren, and Daevri too. I value life and that everyone should be able to live to the full extent of their days. I want the innocent to not be taken advantage of. So many things I could list that I would happily defend against, but to sink my blade into those who opposed me or those I love? I just can’t find it in me to inflict that pain.
I think back to when Kimaris had me punch him. In a way, as much as I didn’t want to hurt him, it was easy to try because he was expecting it. He was okay with me hurting him then. I doubt those I attack will be as willing and of the mind to welcome my Lyro Blade into their gut. I wish there was a way I could just turn it all off. I wish I could step back inside of Rora and pretend to not care. Surely that would be easier than this...
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