ᑭᑌᖇᑭOᖇTEᗪᒪY ᔕᑌᗷᔕIᗪIᗩᖇY､ O͎w͎l͎ ͎H͎o͎u͎s͎e͎

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Philip runs through the thick vegetation of a foggy forest, navigating through the muddy soil and coming to a stand still when spotting movement up ahead. Something unfamiliar in the forest he has come to familiarise himself with.

The sunless early hours of the day and thick clouds tied down to the earth's surface did not help with trying to identify the kneeling figure. He pulls down the handed crafted wooden mask his brother has made him, over his face when cautiously approaching the figure. He is also sure to pull out his dagger, an added measure in case the figure just so happens to be witch

Philip had long been warned about the dangers that lurk in the forest and the enmity with a village neighbouring just past the stretch of the forest.

As Philip draws closer to a figure that appeared less intimidating the closer he got, he alerted the other person. This mystery person, or rather boy, locks eyes with the Philip. Both of the boys holding faces mix with wary curiousity, both seeing as they were just as startled as themselves.

The two boys stood there, unmoving as the tensions of their villages' hung heavy in the noiseless air. Philip's heart pounded ceaselessly against his chest, not from fear of whatever horrors lies further in the forest, but from the unknown intentions of this boy from an enemy village.

"Who are you?" Philip cautiously asks, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. "I'm Gael.. what about you?" The boy answered, equally as cautious.

"I'm Philip," said the brunette as he gradually lifts his mask from his face, "what are doing out here in the forest?"

Now that Philip could get a better look at the other boy, he was rather fascinated by his wild long inky hair that reached his shoulders and his eyes. Those piercing dull green eyes that contrasted his an ochre color - the colour Philip would often see when the forest was bathed in a mellow-brown light at a certain time of day.

"Just exploring is all," said Gael as he stood up and dusted of the remaining dry mud on his knees. "This forest is meant to be dangerous, but I wanted to see it with my own eyes. What about you?"

"I usually come here often to play. I have heard many tales of this forest and the village on the other side," said Philip, "I am assuming that is where you come from?" Gael pauses and gradually nods his head. "I have heard the village on the other side, your village, does not take too kindly to us. Is that true?"

"They tell us the same stories," Philip starts hesitantly, "but I have never come across anyone from your village before." Gael nervously huffs a laugh. "Me neither.. you do not seem like an enemy. Not as frightening as they say."

"Neither do you. Perhaps.. perhaps things are not as bad as they make it out to be." Philip opined with a sure nod, safely putting his dagger away. "Perhaps it is not," Gael gives a small smile, "say, would you want to explore further together? We could have each other's backs."

Philip visibly relaxes by a bit. "Of course, I would like that. Let us see what we can find during our explorations."

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Belos sat in his thrown room in silence, he stood up from his throne in silence. He soon stood to his feet and saunters of to his own wing of the place he now reluctantly calls home, his castle, the on place that eases his mind as much as it brings back unwanted memories.

Many guards on duty wordlessly tremble in terror as Emperor Belos strolls the hallways to his wing of the castle; off limits to anyone and everyone throughout the entirety of the Isles. Once in the sanctuary that is his room, casually closing the door behind him. He walks over towards a large shelf and stares over what looks to be a framed illustration of a large castle atop a mountain on the very top sheld.

The illustration was not masterfully drawn or really grand and spectacular, given it was drawn by child who was in the early stages of learning and attempting to draw. The Emperor notes a fond smile makes itself known on his face under his mask.

Memories of the past, shared by the many objects scattered in his room brings a an unbearable hulking weight to his heart. Belos acts quick in snuffing out the growing flames of shame and regret when looking at the poorly done illustration. He focuses his attention on in acting his plans for the future of the Boiling Isles.

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".. he can honestly be so stuck up that it gets sooo annoying!" Aspen huffed while spiralled on Hunter's bed. Going on a lengthy tangent about the Emperor.
Hunter absently hums in response as he focuses on the unceasing stockpile of paperwork on his desk.

Aspen clicks his tongue in frustration, sitting up and crossing his legs as he glared at the back of the other witching's head. "You are not even listening to a word I am saying!"

"Just how you do not listen to a word I say about you finishing your highly crucial documents?" Hunter jabs within a heartbeat, Aspen throwing a pillow at the back of Hunter's head. "Hey!"

"You are all the same. The Guards and Scouts, the Emperor, you. Never taking me seriously or listening to me. Nothing I do is good enough for any of you." Said Aspen as he falls back on the bed, hearing Hunter dismissively hum after hearing his mini rant.

"Argh--! Hey!! Did you really have to throw a crystal ball at me!?"

"I am bored out of my mind! You make for some awful company, complements your awful looks very well. Later loser."
And with that, Aspen leaves Hunter's room - leaving the door slightly ajar.

"You have got to be kidding me.."

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