Malion: Royal Blood

Anthony Martin

I walked on, still seething as my nails dug into the skin of my palms. He wouldn't get away with doing something like that. He couldn't. I would never let him. I let out a frustrated growl and soon heard my name gently called by one of the Gods behind me.

"What?" I barked bitterly. Selvan lept backwards at the sight of the purple poison that leaked from my mouth. My eyes examined the group behind me briefly. They all had looks of worry painted across their faces. I turned and barged off, stumbling to a stop when I was faced with a familiar gate. A flash of flame appeared before my eyes and the charred skeletons of the houses once vivid and alive lived again, rithing in agony. I saw the flames spread, the panicked screams and the frantic people fleeing. I started to panic. This couldn't happen again... why did I come back? All I tasted was bitterness and all I saw was agony. Not again... not again... please stop!

Kaylum's P.O.V.
I stepped forward, holding my arm out to the side to stop the rest from proceeding past the gates. As I did so, a persistant pain arose. I gritted my teeth in response. I watched as the ground was consumed by crawling purple. The source was clear.

Decoda stood still, I thought I heard her breathing, or was that my own? I wraied through the gates after warning the rest and appeared in front of the Princess. Her eyes had gone grey again and tears rolled down her cheeks. The poisonous mist boiled out in busts as she hyperventilated. I placed my hands on her shoulders and pulled her close. My chest screamed out in pain, but I bit back a yelp or a murmur for her. The poison rolled over my back as she collapsed into my embrace.

"Princess, please calm down. It's alright, My Lady. You're safe with us. Elliott is alright. Everyone is alright. You're ok." I whispered to her. Suddenly I heard her gasp and she quickly returned the embrace and sobbed. I rubbed her back softly, pointedly ignoring the sting that came with Decoda's tight hug.

"It's alright, Princess." I repeated, tightening my grip as she did.

"They died here..." she whispered, still buried in my shoulder. I thanked the Gods that she didn't get to the other shoulder.

"I understand, My Lady. It's ok." I said and held her until she calmed a bit. I escorted her out of the village and instructed Herross to look after her, while Elliott, Michelle and I explored the town a bit. It was completely abandoned. Michelle split off, heading towards the sea. Once Elliott and I got to the biggest building, and from the looks of the broken and burned bookshelves pouring out from one side of the building, the library, I noticed a figure cloaked in dark robes.

"Greetings!" Elliott said, grabbing its attention. It stepped into the shade and removed its's hood. I sputtered and stumbled backwards. Wow.

"Uhm, hello. What brings you here, to this ruined town?" He said. Oh Norvek help me, his voice... his ocean blue eyes met mine and my face caught flames - thankfully I kept the real flames back. His cheeks lit up too. Oh no, he's embarrassed.

"Oh.. uh- Hey- I mean uhm hello." I stumbled on my words. Oh no, come on Kaylum. You can do better than that. I cleared my throat and slicked back a stray strand of hair as I approached him. I reached out my hand in an attempt to shake his hand. As our hands met, my heart skipped a beat. His skin was so soft! His grip was reasuring and strong. A part of my wanted never to let him go while every other part of me yelled at me to run.

"My name is K... Kaylum Laidon." I took a breath and smiled as I said my name. He brushed his golden fringe aside and did the same. Oh, I could have melted. His smile was so charming and sweet... I let out a small laugh and his smile grew wider as his cheeks took on a more pronounced rose colour.

"My name is Anthony Martin." He said, his second hand joining the still 'handshake'.

"You... are a very handsome man." I blurted out, my gaze flicking to his jaw and purposefully avoiding his lips then back to his eyes that pointedly stared into mine.

"I hate to interrupt, but I must ask... why have you come here? My name is Elliott Ruben, by the way. Good to make your aquaitance." He said, placing his hand onto Anthony's shoulder. A surprising ill feeling welled up inside me... was I jealous? I quickly reminded myself that Elliott had Decoda. He didn't seem like the tipe to flirt.

"I'm here investigating Aslen and its strange magic. It seems to be a hub for the power of light and dark. They take on physical manifestations closest to its source, which seems to be either in Skladmir or Rollent, since they materialise in both regions. I have been traveling Aslen to see if any other sources exist. So far, I haven't found anything." He explained. With every word, I melted more and more. His voice was like the music of a harp, melodic and beautiful.

Then, when he stepped forward, I heard a sizzling and he stumbled back, clutching the side of his face. I lept forward to his aid.

"Are you alright? What happened?" I asked, cradling his other cheek gently.

"Gah... Sorry. The sun really hurts me. That's what's with the gloves and the hood... and so on." He said. I looked at him and had a thought. I'd kill to see him... cut it out Laidon. You're a grown man. No need to be so... imaginative. They were still innocent, but who knows where my mind would travel to if I spent more time with this celestial being.

"You must be an Ileth... What are you doing in Aslen? What are you doing awake?" Elliott asked. He looked up at us, his skin red and blistering, slowly healing away.

"I like to study magic but can't actually use it. I don't have the blood for it, but how it works fascinates me immensely. Also, my sleep schedule is seriously fucked. Good luck waking me up when I do sleep at the propper time for an Ileth." He laughed.

"You're crazy." Elliott chuckled.

"You're beautiful." I whispered.