AUTHOR NOTE
Hey, all! Just a quick note for character appearance references!
GRIFF has the look of Killmonger from Black Panther (minus body scarring) but the height and physique of Gladio from FFXV.
REIEM is heavily inspired by Chris Harms from Lord of the Lost (specifically this pic https://bit.ly/2UtPrLu AND this one https://bit.ly/2UtUWtC ), and Ignis from FFXV for the glasses and how snappy he will eventually dress.
CHARLIE doesn't have a specific look just yet, but a combination of these pics is the closest I could find to how she is in my head: https://imgur.com/gallery/yk6yiYC
IGNIS is inspired by BirdSistersStock on deviantArt (this photo https://bit.ly/2T4hilb ).
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He could hear the little girl sobbing, which was good. If her voice had gone silent in the Beyond, it would take much more than a few words and ashen marks to return her spirit whole. And even then, there was no guarantee she wouldn't break. But she couldn't break—he refused to let her. He had to save her. Should he fail, then Master would...
The starlit river full of souls held a strong current, but Adagium remained untouched by its pull and waded with ease past the countless pools and tiny whirls that would drag any other under. He could feel the waters sapping his spirit, but his ancient form was strong, so the attempt remained a mere tickle instead of the withering, all-consuming shiver.
He paused to listen, and hearing the cry turn to a scream, rushed forward. There should be nothing in this area to cause such a fright, and he doubted the child's soul was coherent enough to realize where it was.
Somnus' Gate was the first of nine, comprised of a veil of mist with a single dark opening, where the waters poured into the silence between it and the second gate. Adagium hurried towards it, and then stopped. The child screamed not because she saw where she was, but because something had grabbed her. Standing there, looming up out of the glimmering waters was a shadow darker than night, its mass glittering with countless stars.
It stood at relatively the same height as Adagium, and there were glowing green flames where he would expect to see eyes. The scent of moss and fresh earth rolled off the being, reminding one of the fresh scent of the grave.
The immortal advanced on the thing slowly, keeping his eyes on the girl it held in the grip of its shadowed hands. She now seemed asleep on her feet, but restless, and she blindly grabbed at the hands at her mouth and around her waist.
From the waters before the shadow beast rose a new figure: a man, lithe and limber, with silver hair and a cruel smirk, his body swathed in a cloak of starlight. Aside from the jagged scar that crossed his left eye, the man was the mirror image of Adagium. He stood still, his gaze locked on the man before him.
Slowly, Adagium reached into his cloak and withdrew a long, slender black crystal. It glowed with a dark light, and generated a small field of void energy, throbbing with a pulse reminiscent of a heartbeat. He held it before him and parted his lips to speak. The other man chuckled and raised his hand, prompting the shadow beast to increase its grip on the girl. He spoke, his tone like a song, with a subtle condescending lilt.
"How long are you going to avoid this?" He moved his eyes to the girl. "We finally have what we need! No one can cross to reach her now."
Adagium sighed as he held the crystal. "Be silent and fade into memory. It's pointless to keep trying."
"Oh, no, I'll try forevermore if need be. As many times as breaths you take, there, too, shall I come to reap what should have been mine a thousandfold. Spirits are eternal. And therefore, I am eternal."
YOU ARE READING
Ephemeral Reverie #1 - The Silence Between
FantasiCharlie's lost a lot in the years since her father's death. Returning to Miner's Cove where it happened might just help give the closure she needs, and help her ease into the family job. The only problem is that she never received training. With the...
