Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Why? This question is the basis of life, or so Aerlan thought. He glanced at the other passengers on the river-boat as it slowly made its way north toward Etzos along the Southwood River. His ship had docked a day before at the Foster Bay on its trade route from Viden. Why is that man clinging so close to his wife? Is he lonely? Weak? Does he need the support of a weaker being to feel strong? Is he sad? Perhaps he is like a drowning man holding on to a flotation device? Aerlan shrugged, then double-checked himself. What does THAT even mean? His emptiness gave a resounding echo as he thought about it for a moment then let the thought drift away into the void. He obviously did not know what it meant on a fundamental level and unless someone explained it to him, or he had an epiphany, the meaning would escape him. Thus far into his life, he still could not understand the drive for an intimate partner. It looked like nothing more than a weakness and unnecessary stress. What point was there in bonding, caring, feeling, liking, and loving? He had the Earth. He had the Air. And above all, he had Glaren, his Harvester. Aerlan was never alone and this basic drive to fill an animalistic need left him confounded.

He turned his blind-looking Eidisi eyes away from the huddled lumps of humans on the boat and stared north-east across the black, star-filled sky, his mind flowing across the vast expanse of distance to his homeland of Viden. Memories stretched back years as he looked over how long he could remember being the Frayed thing that he was. What were his earliest memories? Four arcs? Maybe mid-way through three? He’d heard the sounds coming from his mother’s bedroom late at night. It was not hard for a child that was not forced into any form of censorship to grasp the concept of what was happening. Why though? She was unmarried. She was not going to have more children. She didn’t have the time or energy for it. Was it just a physical or stress-based release? Another thought struck Aerlan. Oh. Most children get upset and block out the thoughts of their own parents sexual activities. Shouldn’t I do so as well? He lingered on that thought for a moment and subconsciously shrugged to himself. It doesn’t matter. His eyes flittered across the vast expanses of the night sky, lighting upon the moons longer than the stars but his focus disappeared from the present and floated back to the past again.

Years of emotionless memories flittered across his mind. Most of it did not register on any sort of emotional level for a person like him. Primary Education? Nothing more than basic information learned while being studied and the labeled a sociopath. Ending that and beginning to start Secondary? Oh, that was merely being labeled one of the Empaths’ worst nightmares and fears: a “Frayed”. Is that really a problem though? What good is all that emotion? What do they do with it? All I see is chaos and confusion. These “normal” people can barely deal with each other, let alone someone different. It’s a boon, a gift. I am far above these imperfect creatures and their illogical desires!

A cackle resounded within Aerlan’s soul, within his very Spark, and the formless, yellow-eyed shadow blinked into existence before his eyes. “Chaos, my brother? We are nothing BUT chaos. We are a gift to this world, a force of change. Do not concern yourself with the small-minded thoughts of our lessers. Just FEED me! I will forever be the only one that you need."

The yellow eyes blinked slowly before winking out of sight. Aerlan gave a bland smile, more muscle memory than anything. Sure. We’ve fed already though. You should be appeased, Glaren.

“It is not enough…” hissed the voice, dragging Aerlin’s gaze to the pathetic humans huddled with him on the riverboat. Subconsciously, a dangerous light lit within those dead-looking Eidisi eyes. His breath sucked in expectantly as if the most beautiful woman in the world had just grinded against him. The illogical craving struck the chord, a soft but intense melody within Aerlan's soul. The need rose within.

Why? Again this question tormented Aerlan when that accursed desire began to creep its way up his spine. Leaning forward against the edge of the river-boat, his pale blue hands gripped the railing to stop them from shaking. His eyes had never left the huddled forms sleeping upon the deck. Why did their souls call out to him? Why did they hold such wonderful power? It did not make sense to him that some of the most pathetic beings could be a source of such energy. This did, however, make it far easier to justify killing and Flaying them. They had no use for their lives if they did nothing with them so it was only right that he use those lives in pursuit of his higher goals. Only target the weak, the poor, the homeless, the corrupt, or the criminal. Prey like these were usually never missed and tracking them or their killer was rarely a priority for anyone close to the deceased. Such is what his aberration master had taught him those years ago.

Aerlan’s eyes shifted from one sleeping figure to the next. There were two small families huddled together for warmth on this cold night. Too much trouble and they will obviously be missed by someone. Separate and sitting against the opposite railing were two mercenaries wrapped in their cloaks. Definitely not these two either. Last thing I need is to end up in a fight. I really should learn to fight… Dark plains passed by slowly as the river flowed by. A gentle breeze rustled Aerlan’s black wolf-skin cloak before it blew around him twice and passed on. Sighing at the wind’s caress, his eyes followed the direction of the breeze and entertained the idea of chasing the wind to see where it led. He could still hear its gentle voice like a beckoning whisper soothing him and the dark need within him. It wouldn’t last long. The elements always seemed to know when he needed their support most. Aerlan reached out with his mind to follow the wind but didn’t sense any change in the weather. It would remain a cold, clear night. Good. The last thing I want deal with is a storm right before I get to Etzos. A storm here would hardly phase him due to having spent his entire life in Viden until this moment, but the extra time to reach the city was not in his plans.

Glancing at the sky, Aerlan guessed there’d be a few hours left before sunrise. The river boat captain had told him earlier that they should arrive soon after dawn. He decided to try to rest for at least a few hours before his entry into the city proper. The next stage of his life was about to begin and he would need his energy. Sitting down silently, Aerlan leaned back against the railing and wrapped his cloak tightly around himself. Closing his eyes, he slowly breathed in and out in measured breaths until sleep took him. The yellow-eyed shadow hung above him, watching and waiting, oozing an aura of discontent at its partners refusal to feed.

He woke up shivering, but not from the cold. Aerlan's eyes flashed open in an instant as the pain struck his chest and almost fell over on his side from the sudden shock of it. A disembodied voice whispered within the Eidisi's mind. "You haven't fed me in a while. THIS is what happens, brother. Now do what needs to be done as per our agreement!" His Harvester faded into a smug silence. Groaning at the pain stabbing his chest, Aerlan stumbled to his feet while his wolf-skin cloak fell to the planks beneath him. It took a few moments but the pain slowly resided to a dull ache. With a deep breath to focus, Aerlan turned his gaze beyond the ship to the rising dawn. The sun's first rays were just peeking out above the horizon. Do people find this beautiful? Why? It's just light, color, and landscape. Increased vision and more details of the land mean beauty? Is it something else? He shrugged at the passing thought, his lack of understanding ephemeral beauty obvious.

Steps thudded upon the planks behind him, breaking his reverie, and Aerlan turned to find the river-boat captain approaching. Both nodded to each other in greeting as the captain leaned against the railing next to Aerlan, his own gaze watching the sunrise. "Ah, I do love this. One of my favorite views is the sunrise on the plains around Etzos." The captain nodded in the distance to draw the young Eidisi's attention to the northeast of their position. Somehow Aerlan hadn't noticed it in his prior exigent symptom of withdrawal. Before his eyes, growing closer by the second, was Etzos itself. Reaching up to the sky from the plateau upon which it stood, Etzos was being lit slowly by that very same rising sun. Aerlan grunted in his acknowledgement and tried to think of some random, inane comment to make that people called "small talk". After a moment's thought, Aerlan nodded just as the captain looked over at him. "It's quite a...sight to behold, Captain Roalz."

Roalz smiled, hardly noticing the awkward way Aerlan spoke the comment. "Indeed it is. Indeed it is... I assume this is your first time here?" Aerlan merely nodded. "I thought so. Well, after we dock the boat one of my crew needs to run an errand into the city. I'll have him lead you to the west gate. Anyone who visits MUST see the Great Pahrn Gate on their first entry." Captain Roalz clapped Aerlan upon the shoulder and walked away whistling. Shoulder clap... Was that a sign of camaraderie? Shrugging it off, Aerlan sat back down and huddled within his cloak. The cold didn't bother him but for some reason wrapping up made him feel better. And it hides the shaking...

Just under two breaks later, the river boat docked and Aerlan stepped upon solid ground again for the first time in more than a few trials. The trip from Viden had been long and he had never been so far from home. He felt nothing but curious. I guess most people would be excited? Aerlan stood waiting for a little while as the other passengers of the boat disembarked as well then headed off. The two families stuck close together and left first, followed shortly after by the two mercenaries. The Harvester whispered again. "Good, good. Now you are alone and without witness when this human comes to guide you. Take him. I'm sure you will not want to do it again so soon while you get settled in this new city..." Aerlan nodded. "You are right, Glaren. Get ready. As usual, you may keep 60% of the energy." A dark chuckle was the only reply.

Within another break, Aerlan watched the crew member that Roalz had mentioned make his way off the boat and towards the Frayed Eidisi. "To Etzos, yes? First time, yes? I'm Derlo. Let's go, yes yes?" Derlo gestured and waved for Aerlan as he set a quick pace off towards the east to Etzos. If I felt annoyance, this human would do it...

"Good. More reason to Flay him. Make sure it is out of sight of the boat, city, and those other humans."

I know, Harvester. This is not my first time.

"Just making sure, brother. Last thing we need is you getting caught and killed before we gain power enough to kill any that come at us."

Aerlan merely grunted in acknowledgement and tried to follow the crew mate's pace with a backwards glance at the river water. As they walked away, Aerlan could feel the distance from the water grow greater and a small sense of longing touched him. Within half a break his legs were burning and he felt his calves beginning to cramp. A life of academic and arcane pursuits thus far in a city had not conditioned him for constant physical activity. Derlo looked back and noticed the Eidisi beginning to breathe heavy. "We are no more than a break out, yes? It's a straight shot east, yes? You can make it, yes?" Thankfully, he did slow the pace down slightly as he began whistling a tune. It was enough for Aerlan to catch his breath at least. A quarter of a break later, Aerlan saw his chance. The path they had been following passed through an area of brush. Good place to hide a body...or the husk of one

The Eidisi sped up to close the distance, his horrible attempt at stealth covered by the sound of Derlo's whistling. Once close enough, he leapt forward and wrapped his right arm around Derlo's throat while pushing on the back of his head with his left forearm. Derlo bucked immediately and dragged both men to the ground. How long are you supposed to hold this before they pass out? Unsure, Aerlan squeezed tighter. The crew member thrashed, slinging his elbows into Aerlan's side. Grunting against the pain, Aerlan's world focused to merely holding on and ignoring the pain as best he could. It was no worse than withdrawal pains afterall. After what seemed like an eternity, Derlo's thrashing weakened until it stopped completely. Aerlan waited another moment before releasing his victim and rolled up to his knees. Pain shot through his ribs immediately. That's going to leave a nasty bruise. He didn't want to waste any more time and quickly put his right hand, palm first, on Derlo's forehead. Then he pulled. The rush of energy struck Aerlan like a wave, the closest thing to ecstasy he had ever known, and the pain from his ribs dulled slightly while the withdrawal ache disappeared completely. The body of Derlo quickly dried to a husk as the power of his soul was Flayed from him and into Aerlan.

Once the deed was done, Aerlan stood as the yellow-eyed shadow appeared before him. "Delicious meal, brother. Absolutely delicious. Please find another soon. We can never get enough of this, yes yes?" Glaren chuckled as his current form disappeared from sight. Aerlan faked a grin and looked down at the husk of a corpse, noticing that he had been lucky not to be seen doing this on the path. Next time I should try to get them off the main thoroughfare first. Making the mental note, Aerlan reached down and grabbed the corpse's hands then proceeded to drag him off the path and into the brush for about twenty-five feet. The Frayed did his best to cover the remains with any loose leaves or dirt he could see within arms' reach. It won't do much under scrutiny but what is the chance anyone will look for a body here? Finishing up as fast as he could, Aerlan immediately returned to the path and headed east towards Etzos in a far more leisurely pace. His ribs began to throb. I hate bruises...