Vessels and Tears (Archived Version)

Memories

  The sound of nails clashing rang out through the large, open roofed arena that you and Hollow were supposed to be training in. Hollow had gone first, and was definitely better than you could ever be. They were graceful, landing only for a second and then launching themselves back up into the air and evading all of Dryya's attacks. Even with a wooden nail, they could both beat the ever living crap out of you.

Watching intently from the sidelines, you sometimes would cheer them on in your head. It had been hours since Dryya started with Hollow, and neither of them looked at all tired. You just excepted the fact that you were probably going to get your butt kicked and awaited to be pulverized. How tragic.

They wrapped up their little dance to the death whoever can hold the other down for five seconds. Dryya caught them and won. "Better luck next time." She moved back and let Hollow jump up. They plopped down next to you, chest heaving, trying to catch their breath. You guessed that adrenaline was to blame for their seemingly lightness.

Dryya approached you. You looked up and moved quickly out of the way. No less than a millisecond after you did, she swung the wooden nail at the spot you were just in. She smirked and commented "Some ones light on their feet. Lets get this over with." Nodding, you jumped up and retrieved the nail Hollow had dropped. You still had no idea what you were doing. That's the point of being there, right?

You both stood at the very center of the room, six feet away from each other, staring each other down. Neither of you moved. And she looked at you. And you looked at her. And she looked at you. And you looked at her-

"DRYYA WE NEED HELP!!" at that moment, Hegmol burst through the door. But still, neither you you broke eye contact. "Uhh, Dryya? The King needs one of you world class crazy ideas right about now." "Shut. I'll be there in a second." She inched her way towards and out the door, yet never looking away. You stayed in place and did the same.

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"Weren't you supposed to be teaching the little thing how to fight?" Hegmol asked, looking down at Dryya. "Well, yes, but Hollow took ages to beat. We made a little game, who ever gets held down for five or more seconds wins. I won, naturally. I was about to explain the rules when you came in." She sighed and looked up to meet his eyes. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Anything. What's up?" "This will sound weird, but I think that something's wrong with Isma. What do you think is wrong with her?" Hegmol looked confused and shrugged. "She looks the same and acts the same as always. Sweet and cute, why would you think somethings wrong?" Dryya growled. "How have you not noticed?! Clearly somethings bothering her!! Look Hegmol, she hasn't pulled a knife on any of us in forever, refuses to eat, and no longer wants to spend time with us!!"

"..." Hegmol remained quiet. "It can be explained logically. She probably wants to be less violent with us, she's probably not hungry most of the time, she does drink a lot of water after all, and being part plant contributes to the fact that she might not want normal food. She's just busy, that's all." "You don't understand." Dryya was getting upset now. "We've been friends since we were somewhat twelve! We practically grew up together! I know somethings wrong." She ran ahead and threw open the door to the throne room.

Dryya put on a fake "Oh my heck what is it this time" face and ran to join the line in front of the throne, where the others were. Hegmol followed quietly and they all stood in a line, Dryya, Isma, Ogrim, Ze'mer, and then finally Hegmol. The king remained silent as they awaited instructions.

"I'm sure you all are wondering what this is all about. Sorry to interrupt your training Dryya, its important." Pale sighed and put his head in his hands. "Its about that bitch I call a brother. We have a location and I'm sending three of you to teach him a quick lesson." "Excuse me.." Isma spoke up from her spot. "Yes, what is it?" "Two things... please watch your language, you never know when Rift or Hollow or any of the other children might be listening from a lamp or something. And... only three of us?"

"Yes, I am only sending three of you." The five looked at each other confused. "Why though? We always go together. Even on stealth missions for hecks sake!" Ogrim looked increasingly worried by the second. "I know, I don't usually do this, but knowing him he'll try to memorize your attack patterns and come back for round two. Which is why I'm sending the three with similar fighting styles. So, Isma and Hegmol you are dismissed."

"I thought you said you needed one of my insane ideas." Dryya huffed. "We do, just be patient."

They nodded and left. Closing the door behind her, Isma yelled "DANG IT!!!" Hegmol laughed and agreed "Yep, oh well, better luck next time." "Oh well, guess we'll just wait for when they leave and tag along, this will be the only time ok?" Isma usually never did that, but she was usually picked for that kind of thing.

"Kind of reminds me of last time. And the other times?" Hegmol and Isma laughed.

Nearly a year ago...

"So its settled!" Pale clapped his hands and smiled. "Isma and Ze'mer, you'll be sneaking into the City of Tears and seeing what kind of odd things are happening. Normally I'd send Dryya, but she leaves chaos everywhere she goes and the City is apparently dealing with enough." Everyone but Dryya giggled a little and she huffed. "Oh for fucks sake guys, I do NOT."

"Anyway, how are we supposed to pass off as commoners, aren't we some of the most well known figures in existence?" "And WHY exactly aren't you going?" Isma and Dryya both started speaking at the same time and they looked at each other, then started laughing. "Well, to answer both, this is how no one will recognize you." He then proceeded to throw two bags at the two girls. They caught them and looked at the contents. "You will put those on and no one will suspect a thing." They nodded and he continued. "And this is A: more fun B: Easier and C: I don't think you know this, but I'm like Dryya in more ways than just white in color."

So, long story short, the two female warriors stood in the rain, just barely resembling themselves. Its incredible what some hoods and a fake pair of wings could do. They just stood there in the city square, watching closely to any sign of movement, and unfortunately, there was a lot of movement. Its raining. Rain moves. L O G I C. And yet, they didn't notice the three other disguised figures on the other side of the square. One was a red beetle wearing sunglasses and looking inconspicuous, no really. And the other was reading a very very large book, hiding her face entirely and had a bright pink cloak and a Maggot on a leash, whom was wearing a bow.

Isma was the first to take note of the slightly suspicious group but payed no mind to them. Ze'mer approached them out of pure curiosity and quickly realized that it was Dryya, Hegmol without his armor, and Ogrim. "What are you threez doing here?!" What followed was a long quiet lecture from the two who were supposed to be there for the three rebels.

And from then on, they always went together, and got a funny story out of it. Now back to the present...

"Yeah, that was fun. Before the whole entire 'OMG MY BROTHER ESCAPED THE DREAM REALM WHAT DO WE DO RADIANCE SAVE ME' thing." Isma dramatically pretended to pass out while she said that and Hegmol caught her. "She seems fine to me..." the warrior thought. "Eh, Dryyas always been protective."

"When are they coming back?" You asked Hollow and they shrugged. "No clue."

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Heyo!! So, I lied, no action in this chapter, I scrapped the original because I felt like it was just dead up slow. Hope you enjoyed!

And yes, my head cannon is that Hegmol is a maggot. You can fight me if you want. He also hates bows.

Erase and ascend, PEACE.