Flames burst from the nozzle of a thrower, scorching the land underfoot. With each pass it makes, sprouts of Dabria wither away with cries that almost go unheard beneath the sound of the fuel that burns them. As the stream of fire passes, another is ignited. Then another, and another. Footmen walk along Maciofim's outskirts as they incinerate all that they can, but the efforts remain futile. No matter the work they get done on this night, the next will be more of the same. Within the city, tired eyes and hushed whispers fill the streets as homes remain in disrepair and food becomes more scarce with every passing moment. However, faith serves as a guide and The Bethel's lower floors remain full of life. With the rebels and Craws all but forgotten, peace- though felt only in spurts- befalls the hallowed walls.
Beyond the brick and mortar, cast aside by the city, a small fire burns bright. Its flames lick at poisonous air and whisk away what infection approaches, but it does nothing of the sort for those around it. Four disheveled faces watch its fanning, red-hot blades cut through the darkness of night. Each wishing that things could be different. Knowing that- if not for their choices- things likely would be different. They sit in silence for most of their time, not knowing what to say, nor when to say it. Still, something must be said, and something grand must be done.
"D-do you think... that all of this is truly... our doing?" Marne questions to any who will answer, but an answer never comes.
"I think that we are greatly in over our heads. That we should have turned back long ago." Lee chugs at a flask full of water, wishing it to be something other.
"What we did is what we had to do." Hael spits, rubbing at her shoulders and looking off towards their parked wagon.
"How will we get anywhere without a horse?" Yuler asks, being reminded that their only means of travel has succumbed to the spreading ilk, and now lies limp at the head of the wagon.
"The old-fashioned way." Suggests Marne. "We walk."
"To where?"
"Home." Says Lee.
"The source." Hael mutters.
"Anywhere but here." Marne recommends.
The unison of their voices leaves Yuler feeling even more hopeless than she has already been, but she does nothing more than shake her head and cross her arms.
"You wish to continue with this death sentence?" Lee snaps, now shooting daggers in Hael's direction.
"What else is there for us to do? We can't go home- as you so wish- when our home has or will surely fall to Dabria. There is nothing more or less that we can do."
"I must agree with Hael on this." Comes Marne's defeated tone of voice. "We truly cannot return home when we can't even be sure if we are at fault, and we can't simply wander about when there are so many places that no longer welcome us."
"Maciofim is foolish for blaming us!" Insists Lee with gritted teeth. "We overturned that rebellion. Without us the city would have fallen into your father's hands like milk in a rancher's!"
"Lee, we must do something." Hael insists with pity in her voice. "Look around us." She motions with her arms as she speaks, showing the walls of a cave surrounding them. "This is the only place we have found refuge and the only place we can be sure we are welcome."
"We're only welcome here because we've purged it of the beasts that once roamed it."
"Precisely!" She shouts, now feeling validated. "It is what we do. What we always have. We can't allow our home to fall to the very thing we have sworn for so long to rid this world of!"
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Nostrum: Tales of Valor
Werewolf*Completed Story* In the heart of an Old World that has been filled to the brim with unimaginable horrors, one of humanity's final forces has founded itself. Yet, the glory days are long gone. With only the guidance of those who have come before the...
