gaeistis-fields of red (Original)

in the eyes of the beholder.

As the thick white fog faded. The falling crystals of water, disappearing into the thick white snow.

lanei stood up. as she observed the paddock, she saw Luxia and the others, sleeping on the thick warm hay floor. she grunted a little before rubbing her eyes open. she turned around. thinking that the fog had not abated. yet she only saw a resting corpse of the beast. its metal wires swung around in the air as the metal plates that were scattered around became encased in snow. as she observed further she could hear a noise from behind her. a silent grunt could be heard along with the rustling straws of hay. luxia was deep asleep. her arms stroking the hay as lanei could see her frowning in fear, lanei did not know what to do. she held out her hand trying to help but she could not. she did not want to wake luxia, suddenly loud clunks of metal was heard again from behind her. as she turned around to face what was making that sound, she saw two jormungers, cautiously investigating the metal corpse as another grendal observed the area. she felt terrified. seeing another one of those cursed beasts roaming with the jormungers. the two knights poked into the wires of the beast. jumping as if it could turn on at anytime. then she heard them talking. trying to decipher what they said she heard. "Those machines do really begin to become dangerous whenever they enter their termination phase. dont they have some kind of safety spell to prevent civilian casualties?" the jormunger asked, grabbing on of the plates and putting it to his eye level. "No, they were designed like this. They protect and defend. that's all they can do" the other knight said as he looked with an ominous glare at the corpse.

the other knights gave a loud groan as he dropped the plate on the ground. its loud metal surface clanking against the snow covered ground. "lets go. we don't want the commander catching us by the act.'' They both nodded and began walking towards one of the alley's leaving the other grendal to patrol the surrounding area. Lanei stood in fear. frozen as she was hesitant to do anything. another slight groan could be heard from her back. it was luxia again. she could see that she was shivering as the cold breeze hit her bare leg. "let her be.'' Lanei jumped as another voice of an old man appeared out of thin air. as she looked into the dark corner of the paddock. unlit by the dark orange oil lamp. She could see Veranos. who was sitting calmly with his back against the wooden wall. Lanei bowed. hoping that she would not get punished.

veranos chuckled. "don't worry little girl. im not going to hurt you.'' His sinister grin gave lanei a deep sense of dread. yet she could not do anything. behind her was a giant metal machine patrolling the vicinity, she knew it would be a death sentence, and in front of her sat a man who sounded different than she usually knew him. tears ran around her eyes. Veranos widened his eyes. shocked by the tears lanei put out as she cried in fear. he stood up and wrapped his arms around her. hoping that would reassure her that she was safe. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean it like that." lanei wiped away her tears, looking up at veranos who had his eyes wide open. he kneeled, getting on her eye level as he wiped her tears away. "what i wanted to explain is that luxia always has these nightmares. but i can not wake her from her slumber. how hard i shake and how hard i speak, she would not wake up. until it became morning, '' Veranos said. lanei, wiped away her last tears as she nodded and hugged Veranos tightly. The loud metal feet persisted to stomp on the snowy ground as Veranos looked for a way out. yet it seemed hopeless as the grendal just stood there and turned with haste. Just then a group of knights arrived, along with them stood a girl. She had a book in her hand as she looked at the giant machine with confidence. she gave a grin before putting her palm towards the machine chanting "machina loheick estin'' three giant illuminescent circles appeared in front of her hand as her hair swayed with the immense force of wind that hit her. The knights struggled to overcome the harsh wind. putting their armored hands in front of their face. shielding it from particles of snow. the machine roared, swinging its tail around as it charged at the woman. all the knights ran away in fear. hiding behind wooden barrels and their carriages. yet the woman did not flinch an inch as the beast came closer. Then a white blinding beam appeared in the middle of the three circles which were suspended in the air. it hit the beast with great force. knocking it down and destroying its core. Veranos could see the woman grinning a little before turning around to face the knights who were still shivering in fear. "Cowards! calling yourself a jormunger yet you choose to hide behind a piece of bark!" the woman said. closing her book with a loud thump. her eyes were fierce. her green eyes looked ominous as she looked down on the kneeling men. "please salina. have mercy.!" one of the knights plead as he put both of his arms on his head. begging her to spare them. "i will let you go for now. but next time don't run away like a bunch of hogs." the woman said. all the jormungers bowed there head against their knees as they all said "thank you! I will not disappoint next time". the woman scoffed as she turned her head in disgust. "dismissed," the woman commanded. all the knights scattered as they returned towards their horses and galloped away. Veranos stared in awe. but as the woman looked in his direction, Veranos lowered his head below the opening. He sighed in relief. "Do you think we are safe?" Lanei asked. Her big shimmering eyes perplexed Veranos a bit. He gave a slight smile before saying "I think we are surely safe for the coming time." Veranos said while looking at Luxia, who was still turning and whimpering. Veranos felt apologetic but just as he had explained to lanei. He could not do anything. Then Elisia rose up. Strands of straw sticking to his white hair as he gave out a big yawn. He observed his surroundings. Oblivious to the now two dead corpses. He rubbed his eyes clean and looked at veranos. "Is it over?" Veranos scoffed. As he said "no we had a nice dinner while you were asleep" Veranos said sarcastically. They both chuckled. Elisia observed his surroundings further. Noticing that the thick white fog has dispersed. He raised his eyebrows in surprise and patted his horse awake. "Wait!" Veranos said, holding his hand out. Elisia stood confused. "Huh?" Elisia said as he stared at Veranos. Still unaware of what happened. Veranos slowly poked his head above the small gate. Trying to see if that lady was still present. "That's a bit out of your etiquette"Elisia said. Smiling a little as he patted his suit clean. "Hold your tongue young man" Veranos said as he quickly glanced back at Elisia. Looking back at the empty snow filled street. The big empty husks off the metal giants still laid on the thick snow, as time had passed the snow gathered around the machines. Almost covering their metal plates. The place where the women and her men stood was vacuous. Not a single soul was left. It felt desolate. The once crowded streets of eulithia were now vacant. Void of any life as the white snow cloaked the entire kingdom in white. As veranos stared at the empty husks. The gray sky turned into a bright blue turquoise. The bright sun lit up the entire kingdom once again. It's cold breeze still persisting but flowing gently amongst Veranos's suit. He smiled. "We can go." Veranos said. Forgetting that luxia was still asleep. "But sir? Lady kreinheard is still asleep." elisia said while looking at luxia. "oh" Veranos said. Noticing that she still has not awoken. He walked over her and wrapped one of his arms around her legs as he supported her back with the other. "Let's carry her towards the carriage." Veranos said as he glanced towards the carriage which was placed near the entrance of the cathedral. Elisia nodded and grabbed the horse by the leash. Leading it to the front of the carriage before putting on the leather straps and securing the horse to the carriage. Veranos struggled a little bit while carrying luxia because of his old age, yet he sighed and shrugged it off as he approached the carriage. Laying luxia down on the red cushioned bench before walking over to lanei, happily waiting to be carried too. Veranos sighed. Already exhausted from carrying luxia. But after seeing lanei. Stretching her arms out in front of her. He could not help but let out a deep groan before grabbing lanei by the torso and placing her on his shoulders. Lanei giggled and smiled. "This is the only time," Veranos said. Inside feeling worn out. But letting a slight chuckle as to not give lanei a bad feeling. Lanei happily giggled again and said "don't worry!" Veranos placed lanei next to Luxia as he stepped in. Lanei delicately ran her fingers through Luxia's white hair. Grinning as she chanted out a little poem "for the flowers who fly amongst the wind. For the trees who sway gracefully towards the distant sun. for the one who feels heavy. Shall be met with delicate and graceful paths of gaiety. Do not worry. For those who follow the path of innocence shall be met with a great sense of solace." Veranos sat. perplexed by the old poem Lanei knew. But shrugged it off as he felt a overcoming flow of ease. As Veranos stared in awe, the carriage began rocking forwards. Veranos could hear the horse's feet stepping, crunching in the soft snow. "Hiya!" said Elisia as he swung the leash up and down. Making the horse walk slightly faster. Veranos watched as they passed the giant machines. He noticed on one panel saying :protector of eulithia and beyond. It was written in an old eulithian script which veranos was able to read. "Not so much of a protector if it begins attacking you" Veranos muttered under his breath as he sat back down. As he watched over luxia and Lanei, he had one particular thought which lingered in his mind. "Where was the king when he left? Did the king set this up?" it seemed impossible to ponder about. Seeing that the king left at the same time Veranos left. Yet the grendal attacked right when they were getting ready to leave. He sighed. Seeing that the palace was coming closer and closer. Its immense size. Towering above them. Veranos could see the guards bowing as they passed through the first gate on the bridge. "Welcome back sir" one of the guards said. Elisia bowed his head and looked back forward. Smiling. "Here we are," Elisia said as he opened the door of the carriage, letting a cold breeze in as Luxia groaned again. Veranos could see a tear coming from her closed eyes. "Thank you" said Veranos as he picked Luxia up and walked her into the warm air of the palace. Veranos thanked Elisia before passing him while lanei followed closely behind. Happily galloping like the child she was. "Welcome back sir" Veranos turned to look at the person that was greeting him. It was Zelana. She looked worried beyond comprehension and said "is she ok?" Zelana said while glancing at luxia, who was lying in Veranos's arms. "Don't worry she is asleep," said Veranos. But Zelana could see that Veranos was hiding something behind a dark cloak. She walked over to Veranos and luxia, she gently stroked luxia's hair away from her face. Tears still ran down her face as her eyes remained shut. "Don't worry she will be ok in a few hours." Veranos said. Trying to reassure Zelana. She nodded hesitantly before saying "ok i trust you" Veranos gave out a slight smile before asking "is Cilliya ok?" Zelana shook her head slightly. "Her condition has been getting worse since you saw her" Zelana almost bawled her eyes out. Feeling helpless as she helplessly watched her friend suffer. "She has not come out of the bed and her fever is still high." Veranos felt sympathetic, glancing towards luxia. Veranos was at a loss for words but before he could speak. Zelana interrupted and said. "Let's get luxia in bed." "Good thought," Veranos said. Walking into the bedroom of luxia. Veranos stepped back. The strong smell of roses made Veranos almost walk out of the room. But he ignored it and placed Luxia delicately into her bed. She still shivered as she slept. "Don't worry. It will be over soon." Veranos said as he kissed Luxia on the forehead. Zelana stood patiently behind veranos. Resting her hand on her lap as she looked at luxia. "Now if you will excuse me I will have to ask you something," Veranos said as he stood up and turned around to face Zelana. "Sure!" Zelana said. As they walked out of luxia's room. Silently closing the door. Veranos sighed and asked. "Where is the king?" "the king?" Zelana said. Confused by Veranos's question. Veranos nodded and Zelana put her finger up to her chin. "I have not seen the king ever since you all left." Zelana said. Veranos could feel Zelana was not lying. As the thoughts ran through his head, trying to figure out and contemplate if the king had set up this act. "I did hear that the king had some kind of secret meeting after the cathedral meeting," Zelana said. Turning her face slightly to the left. "Secret meeting?" Veranos thought. The king never mentioned a secret meeting was on schedule. "It's ok. Don't worry, thank you." Veranos said. Sighing in frustration. Zelana noticed and scratched the side of her head before saying "do you want to eat something?" Veranos already felt like he was going to pass from hunger, so he nodded and followed Zelana towards the dining hall. "Please wait here before I get your meal" Zelana said as she gave Veranos a glass of water.

As she closed the door. Silence filled the room. Veranos stood alone amongst the 8 vacant chairs. All empty and desolate. Veranos sighed and took a small sip of water. "Why did it happen? , where did he go?""