Hunter, Juggernaut, Assassin, Warrior (DNF)

Footprints in the Sand

(( Tw // Tragic Backstory ™ ))

The ocean was always calming. Clay felt the waves crash up onto the shore, surrounding his ankles before getting pulled back into the depths. It was a constant reminder that nothing was permanent, not one damn thing. The footprints you left in the sand would be gone by morning, nothing left behind but the memory of your toes in the sand.

But Clay knew that lesson all too well. Everything he could ever hold close to his heart had been ripped away from him too soon, like grains of sand slipping through his fingers. Those footprints he had left in the sand when he was just a boy had long since washed away, nothing but the water to remember his name. I guess that was the beauty of it. Each morning, when the tide came in, you could make new footprints, a new story to leave behind in the sand. 

Salt filled his lungs as he took a deep breath, allowing the serenity of the open water to indulge him in sweet bliss. A breeze tugged at his clothes, running through the strands of his hair, for a moment he forgot about all his problems. The waves lapped at his feet, washing away every worry, every fear, every weakness. 

He figured Bad had lead his troupe of hunters to his house on the cliffside. He didn't mind, in fact he wanted Bad to do that. By now they were there, piecing together the puzzle, figuring out who Clay really was. Maybe it was going to be okay, maybe it was time to put new prints in the sand. Clay heard the familiar sound of boots to sand, the soft crunching gave it away. He wasn't scared. His gaze remained on the clouded horizon. Clay wanted to see the line where the sky met the ocean, he wondered how far it went, how far would it allow him to go?

"I know who you are-" It was George who came down to the shoreline. Clay closed his eyes, the cool breeze hugging his body. 

"After all this time George, i would have hoped you know me." Clay spoke to the ocean, his voice carrying along the waves. He threw his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance.

"-Prince Clay." George finished. 

He opened his eyes, greeting the clouded skies with shining eyes. Clay's arms fell to his sides as George approached him, standing next to him on the shoreline. Both pairs are eyes forever looking out the shimmering sapphire waters. 

"I was seventeen when my mother was killed. Poison in her wine. Ember's signature move." Clay began. "She thought she could marry my father in her place. When it didn't work out, well... my father was reunited with my mother before dusk the very same day."

George remained silent, listening carefully to every word that left his mouth. 

"Before my father died, he gave me command. Told me 'Clay, lead us to victory'. I tried. I did." Sorrow was threaded into his voice now. "Ember had won already and i just didn't know it. If i did, i could've stopped the war and save thousand of lives. Ember's soldiers were all illusion magic. Soldiers made of dust." His voice became hushed, as if he were talking to a sleeping child, scared of waking them up. 

George glanced over at Clay. How could he look so brave still? Standing there, looking so stoic and filled with courage. It baffled George. For he was always haunted by war, it forced his hand in surrender. But as Clay spoke, staring at into the seemingly endless water, he was calm.

"My little sister..." A pitiful smile crossed his mew. "Stabbed in front of me. I lead my men into battle not even a day later. Sapnap nearly died on that field too. I held him in my arms as his blood turned my uniform scarlet. He begged to be by my side. He smiled at me you know, as the fire in his eyes burnt out. Told me i was strong enough to finish it... I wasn't..."

"That's why you didn't attack him when we first found you."

Clay slowly nodded. "When Ember took the final city and i was casted out, she took the wounded and gave them shelter in her sick-houses. Gave you all medals and trophies like you won the war. Like she led you. That's why you don't remember. As soon as it was over she was feeding you poison."