There are three stages to recovering from trauma, the first of which is safety and stability; that is how the city of Fha grew. Elizabeth took the pains of her past and forged a future for her people, raising a safe haven from the ashes of defeat. The walls that protected the city also protected the woman's sanity, they stood to defend against any and all threats.
The city not only was an impenetrable fortress, within its walls stood remnants of the past. Everlasting memories of what once was, and what will never be again. Denizens and visitors alike remembered and grieved for the losses of the past: the second stage of trauma recovery. For years Elizabeth stood alone with a torn soul, but the woman was strong and she would persevere.
Yet when he walked back into her life, the queen was able to finally heal. The final stage of recovery came with the slow restoration of a past relationship; with the renewal of her love for Grog. Together once again the spirit can now heal, it can now shine once more, and the wounds of the past could finally fade...
...that was until the walls came crumbling down once more.
Flames ran rampant along the docks as denizens struggled to battle them. The Vile Whore laid in refuge as it drifted out to sea, slowly falling to the depths below. Water rushed into the blown out shell of the once massive and feared galleon, remnants of such dotted rained down upon the shore in ashy rain. The docks themselves crumbled as stone and wood broke free from their base and splashed into the waves beneath. The screams of the injured tore Elizabeth from her stone stance.
"Elizabeth...Elizabeth!" Grog's voice broke through the shadows of shock as he grabbed the Queen. "Our son be on that ship!" The large man turned and ran down the path toward the burning coast.
The explosion that tore apart the Vile Whore also tore apart the buildings and walls that surrounded it. The Queen stated on with wide eyes as the memories of the past rushed through her once more. "It...it's happening again." Elizabeth's clenched her wrist as her hands shook, tears of unknown emotions ran down her face. The woman's soul urged her to move, but her memories from times past cemented her feet. All she could do was watch as the man she loved once again forged through the flames to help those of Fha. The queen would not let him do this alone, and so she forged ahead to help.
"Thomas! Margo! Smeagle! Josiah!" Grog shoved a flaming beam from a collapsed building aside as he searched for signs of life in the destruction. People ran past him with blackened and charred skin, fear and pain coating them as they searched for safety. The large man pointed toward the path in which he came and looked upon the group. "Get inland! Get to the infirmary!" He said helping them out out of the collapsed rubble.
From the other side of the docks and across the blazing battlefield was Thomas, Josiah, and Patricia. "Lift!" Thomas yelled out as the three world together to raise a massive stone pillar that trapped several people underneath. "Hurry, get out!" The large chested man demanded as they struggled to hold the pillar as those that were trapped moved to freedom.
"Wh-what happened? How? Why?" Patricia said in a panic trying to make sense of everything going on. Josiah was behind them, silently guiding those they saved toward the inner city. "Who?" Patricia was at a loss; just moments before the three were making their way to enjoy the night, only to be tossed aside as an explosion ripped through the coast behind them.
"It's going to be okay, we are going to be fine." Thomas said to his friend as they dropped the pillar. "Go with them, help them get to safety." The young man urged Patricia to retreat with them but their friend stood their ground.
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The Maelstrom
FantasíaThe world had been trapped within the maddening storm for as long as history could date: This storm was known to all as the Maelstrom. No crew nor explorer dare step foot beyond the barrier; stories have been told of those that have.... ....and nev...