It was my entry for Raru's contest, as well as the past for one of my characters. It fit the theme, so I started working on it, but sadly procrastination got the better of me and I didn't finish. (Not to mention I am still not finished with this.) Something tells me it would have p*censored*ed the 15 page limit as well.
Either way, some people want to read and I've wanted to post some of my most recent works, so I decided to post it up. :3
“We are the Eja—the Angels of our realm, the warriors of Mynah; the symbols of purity and perfection, a being whose ti
tle cannot be stained or soiled. A ti
tle in which we are to bear with pride. That is what I was taught. That is what I was sworn to follow. And yet, in the mist of my anguish, I wondered what ever happened to that part of me who sought to be just that. I was nothing that I was before, nothing that the Eja should have been. I was and am fallen, crippled, banished; exiled. But I couldn’t stop myself from thinking back to how things were before, and how I had gotten myself in this state. How it seemed one by one fate pulled me stronger towards the end. My end. My end from the world above that had once been so secure…”
~*~*~*~
“Have you found the one, Eyrin?”
Shifting slightly, he managed to awaken himself from the momentary daze that had gripped his mind. He sighed, feeling bothered and making it somewhat evident to see. Eyrin finally shook his head, bright golden eyes moving upward to inspect the Angel before him.
“No, not yet… Finding the right Veir is not as easy as I thought.” He shrugged, parochially impressed with his own remembering of ‘Veir’, the Eja word for mortal.
The Angel before him smiled before walking over to place a hand on his shoulder. He was strong and broad, muscles clearly visible though keeping a very agile appearance. His skin was dark, as though kissed by the sun, and his eyes were a deep blue. His face was soft and kind, though hardened with seriousness that was used at certain times. But even with his elegantly trimmed golden toga and runes written upon parts of his skin Eyrin could not help but glance at those wings of his. They were enormous cream colored appendages with dark brown tips, as if each feather was carefully dipped into milk chocolate. They were strong and powerful, just one thing that crowned him with his ti
tle as commander of the Eja army.
“Tal, how did you choose? You make it seem so easy.”
Tal laughed; a loud hearty laughter that seemed to shake himself and Eyrin.
“It is a calling. You will know who your Veir is from observing them; sometimes by happening to p*censored* by them when you are in the Mortal Realm. But as you know, you may not be seen by them. We are Guardian Angels, not companions.”
“I know, I know. I’ve tried, but I’ve sensed nothing. Is there something I might be doing wrong?”
“I can’t tell.” Tal frowned. “Sometimes it takes longer than other times. It’s a game of patience, and it can’t be rushed. Or helped, for that matter. But you must hope that you can get to them before the Vaau. Otherwise your job will be all more the harder, or you may never have a Veir to guard.”
Eyrin shuddered at Tal’s usage of the word Vaau. Meaning Demon in Eja, it was the ti
tle that the Angels had given to the beasts of Hell as a sign of their hatred towards them. Both powers had been feuding for centuries, but now it seemed as though the Vaau had a new goal. Either that or they had become increasingly more desperate to strike at the Angels.
“Thanks for the help, I guess.” He raised his hand, brushing Tal’s off his shoulder. “I’ll find my Veir eventually. It’s back to the game of looking for me, I guess.”
Trying to keep Tal from saying anything else to him, Eyrin began to saunter away, his head looking towards the floor and his eyes seeming to scan over every topaz lined tile that created the flooring of the hall. It was a beautiful building, one of the many that were in this world; Heaven, as the Mortals called it, and a name the Eja had adopted. A great cathedral with tapestries and banners wavering proudly in the wind, the emblem of wings and a halo embedded on every one. Paintings laced the walls and added a more archaic feel, the different statues furthering it. Eyrin paused as he reached a small staircase leading up to two ancient sealed doors that led out of the palace like building. He stared at the doors for a few moments before beginning to ascend them, his sandals seeming to barely brush on the surface of each step.
Once at the top he pushed the doors open, closing his eyes as the wind from outside rushed to meet his face. It swirled his caramel toned hair and flung open his wings, feathers gently tumbling to the floor. Eyrin felt a refreshing feeling of freedom as he looked at the endless expanses of sky before him and the slowly shifting clouds against the blue sky. It was the entrance from Heaven to the Mortal Realm, or one of them, at least. Here, somewhere, he would be able to finally find his Veir and become the Guardian Angel that he had always wanted to be; now he could only pray to his Goddess Mynah that everything would be alright. Every time he settled atop the case between these doors he felt hesitant, almost indecisive about leaving.
With several swift and powerful wing beats Eyrin propelled himself into the heights of the sky, the clouds swirling and tossing as if to avoid being run into. Flying was one of the few things that he truly enjoyed doing; to be weightless in the sky, no restrictions to where he could go. He plummeted through the thick layers of clouds, silently waiting for the moment in which he would spring his wings from their folded dropping position and cause himself to stop. When the time came he did just that, graceful wing beats stirring the stillness of the morning forest and small leaves taking flight. He landed softly, inhaling deeply and enjoying the essence that the forest provided. It made him feel at ease, at peace within himself. He could not linger, though; making a hasty start, Eyrin moved swiftly between the trees, like a ghost, scanning most of the trunks as if there was a sign of something. Pausing, he inspected one carefully before smiling and reaching forward to grasp the bark. It pulled away easily, revealing a hollowed space inside the tree. A simple brown tunic was lying inside and he slipped it out, quickly pulling it on before pushing the bark back into place. Feeling satisfied, he set off for the nearest town.
It was a quiet place this early in the morning, a slight fog still evaporating in the small trickle of sunlight. Straightening his tunic Eyrin tried his best to look as normal as he could; not that anyone would suspect him of being an Eja anyways. In the Mortal Realm, Eja blended in easily as their wings are invisible to anyone who isn’t one. There are two slight exceptions, though; for an odd reason the Eja have just barely understood, Veir the age of six and under can see the wings of an Angel. The only thing they can think of for the reason is that their imaginations are still forming, and logic hasn’t totally altered the young states of their brains. The second is a very odd and very rare occurrence, and has only happened very few times. There are some people who keep this strange ability to see mythical things from the norm, and thus, they can see an Eja’s wings.
Turning slightly, Eyrin began to try his best to use his inner ‘senses’ to see if the Veir for him was around. As he expected, he didn’t feel the slightest hint. Sighing in frustration, Eyrin wasn’t really sure what to do anymore. He had been looking for days on end and had had no success. In many ways this quest seemed futile; it hadn’t taken Tal this long to find his Veir. If he remembered correctly, his friend said it had only taken him a week or so. Well, at least he knew this person was in the area he was in. Just think if he didn’t; there was the whole planet of people. Shuddering, Eyrin tried his best to keep his thoughts positive and kept walking, making sure to glance into windows of different inns and stores where people might have been even at this hour. He soon retired from his hunts and walked into one of the inns, observing the people limited people before he decided that purchasing something was probably for the best.
It was an older themed place still of a cl*censored*y nature; the wooden counters and chairs oiled until a nice shine glossed their surfaces. Although it only had that of a generic inn, it was more than that, maybe because of the quality of the place and things of which they served. Eyrin felt an odd sort of comfort from this place as he had felt many times before, since he had come through this part of the city plenty of times when in search of his ever illusive Veir. His routine was somewhat programmed; proceeding to the counter and ordering a simple drink of which to quench his thirst and frustrations with little or no words to the casher, a moment to pause with his desired liquid in hand before choosing the correct seating. This preferably was the one near the window that allowed him to watch those crossing the roads; he hoped that by some slim chance he would be able to identify the one he had been in search for this whole time.
Sighing, Eyrin could only carefully circle the rim of his gl*censored* with one finger, knowing that his spirits would be crushed for another day. People were now beginning to awaken from their shelters and fill the streets. Carts pulled by horses clacked noisily by, even with the gl*censored* to drown out most of the sound. Carriages were also moving beside those who did not have enough for such luxuries and traveled by foot. They carried their goods in their hands, or pulled them themselves in different carts. Stands were being set and soon the bustle of the city set in to replace the former silence. This also meant that more people began to occupy the inn; it soon filled with more noise, though to a reasonable degree that did not disturb the Eja from his deep thoughts. He was sure that some people who p*censored*ed his table glanced towards him momentarily, but dismissed him as they saw that his head would not rise. Eyrin couldn’t tell how long he had been in that position, his drink untouched, until a strange feeling pulled him from his thoughts. It caused his wings to flare open slightly, the feathers creating a strange humming sound that only he could hear or sense. Confused by this newfound reaction he looked up quickly, noticing a small party of about six or so entering the building.
They were all more finely dressed, as though they might have been taking a nice breakfast at the local eatery. He ignored most of them without a second though; his intentions lay on what in the world was causing his feathers to unsettle. Suddenly his vision locked on one of the members of the group. She was a young, attractive woman with long shimmering curled blonde hair and stunning hazel eyes. A face as though one of an Angel, although she was not one, carved into the careful essence of innocence. She wore a quite elegant dress that was strapless and of a light green coloring. It blended with the soft tones of her tanned skin nicely, gems and colorful beads sparkling in what light traversed through the window. She seemed to be in a deep conversation with a man that stood beside her, and he could easily tell that it was some sort of duke from his also formal attire. Then she paused, happening to glance in his general direction. At first, Eyrin was tempted to glance away and muse himself with the drink that sat before him, but there was something about the reading in her gaze that he couldn’t help but look away. A seeming wonder, almost amazement towards him was what he read, though Eyrin couldn’t think why; he was nothing special, or he didn’t look like it, anyways. There was no way she’d ever know that he was a higher ranking of Eja, but that was beside the point. Eyrin was positively sure it was her.
She kept her sights on him for a few minutes, occasionally looking back towards the man that seemed so interested in talking with her. Finally she raised her hand, as though to hush his conversing before muttering something to him. From what Eyrin could see he seemed unhappy about her choice but nodded and allowed her to leave his side. She smiled sweetly, her wink enough to melt some of the coldest men’s hearts, and then began to weave herself through the many tables and chairs that littered the inn. Eyrin continued to watch her, aware that she happened to be approaching in his direction. Her movements were swift and elegant, allowing her to p*censored* through the tightest areas with ease. Finally she had reached his table and she smiled that same smile she had given to the other man as she stopped, one hand resting upon the surface of the table.
“Do you mind if I take a seat…?” Her voice was very timid, although he could tell most of it came from awe. Not understanding why, Eyrin nodded slightly, finding he felt uncomfortable that the Veir would approach him. He was sure she was the one, but he had never heard of them openly approaching their Eja; or knowing they were one, anyways.
“It must be odd having someone come out of the blue to talk, but I’m a bit curious.” She sat down carefully, making sure not to fold her dress too much. “My good sir, there is something about you that is not natural… I have seen someone like you once before, and I felt just as baffled as I do now.” She twiddled with one of her curls absentmindedly. “It may sound odd, but you do know you have wings, right? Are you an Angel?”
Her question caused Eyrin to tense up, his hand gripping the gl*censored* almost too roughly. There was a sharp cracking sound before he realized that the liquid had begun to leak onto the table and gl*censored* shards were lodged in his skin. Cursing quietly—though nothing horrible, mind you—he opened his hand, watching as a red fluid began to fill the crevices of his fingers. The woman seemed shocked by his reaction and also taken aback; she was tempted to help him, but hesitated out of a slight fear of what he might do. Finally she reached forward and carefully took his hand in hers, ignoring the fact that the blood was beginning to stain the silk gloves that she wore.
“Sir, I did not know the question was something that would be taken the wrong way. Please, allow me to gain forgiveness and clean up this wound of yours…”
Shifting slightly, the Eja refrained from pulling his hand back. Instead he rose with her, allowing her to gently take the lead. “Eyrin. My name is Eyrin.” He tried to smile as she glanced back at him with a more positive ex
pression.
“I can’t say we’re well met, Eyrin, but I am known as Kivel. There’s no reason to get formal at the moment, so just Kivel will do.”
The pair continued in an ensuing silence, Eyrin more disturbed by the fact that she knew he was an Eja than that they remained completely quiet. How in the world could she have known?! No other Mortal had seen his wings like that, and reports of such things were dismissed as myths. Many times if the situation ever occurred the Eja would have to find another Veir; the task was could be accomplished after the first Veir of theirs had been located. Kivel certainly wasn’t under six years old, either. She looked as though she was barely in her twenties, maybe nineteen to be more exact. And she was very gorgeous; he could tell by the attention that some of the other men they p*censored*ed gave her that it was so. If it wasn’t for his devotion to his duties Eyrin would have probably acted in the same sense as them, but he couldn’t ignore some of the looks he received from a few of them. Soon they had reached the bathrooms and Kivel seemed to pause again.
“Why have you stopped?” Eyrin tried his best not to make the inquiry sound more like a command for a response.
“Oh, because all bathrooms have separate rooms for each gender… this would be easier if you were a woman or me a man, but seeing it isn’t that way I’ll just have to take you inside this one; that won’t bother you, will it?” She smiled towards him again.
Eyrin, understanding her point, nodded slightly. It didn’t bother him much about the whole ‘separation’ thing, but he wouldn’t be surprised if some of the women inside happened to scream with his entrance. Kivel seemed glad with his reply and briskly strode through the doorway, Eyrin following behind. There didn’t seem to be anyone else inside of the room and the knowledge relaxed Eyrin some. He showed no sign of revolting when she slid up the sleeve of his undershirt and placed his hand under the running water. She had removed her gloves now and begun to try and remove what shards of the broken gl*censored* from his palm that she could, acting oblivious to some of the cringes and grunts of disapproval that Eyrin occasionally caused.
“So...you never really answered my question. You are an Angel, right? Or an Eja, as I’ve heard your kind call yourselves.” His ex
pression caused her to giggle slightly. “Oh, I know some things about you guys. I like all the lore surrounding Heaven and Hell and such. It’s very interesting…”
“I’d be more interested to know how in the world you can see my wings… It doesn’t make any sense.” Eyrin shook his head, still perplexed. “It’s not natural. And you say you’ve seen other Eja before?”
“Certainly. It’s not common, mind you, but I see them every now and then.” She shrugged.
There was a moment where they both said nothing, just listening to the continuous and tedious sound of the running water. His cut had been thoroughly cleansed and the gl*censored* removed, Kivel now taking the liberty to bandage the wound up with her silk gloves. The action caused Eyrin to bl
ink a few times and wonder if she noticed what she was doing.
“You do know those are your good silk gloves, right? Why would you soil them?”
She smirked. “Oh, it’s fine. I have plenty more where that came from, and someone’s well being is worth more than some gloves that I have to wear to look nicer. It’s alright, don’t worry about it.”
Eyrin found himself actually cracking a small grin, feeling comforted by her caring attitude. If anything, she seemed like a very kind and reasonable woman; a little outgoing, but there was nothing wrong with that. If only she didn’t have the ‘Cursed’ ability—this was a ti
tle the Eja had named those with the power to see mythical creatures with. Not that there was really anything cursed about it, but sometimes people who could see these creatures would be sentenced as mental and stuck in institutions where they were never released. A pitiful fate, but one avoidable for those who knew how to keep themselves quiet about the topic. Seeing that she was finished Eyrin gently eased his hand from hers, flexing his fingers some and testing the covering. It was a durable casting, and had been wrapped skillfully.
“You seem very intelligent. Might I ask who you are, exactly?” Eyrin turned his attention towards Kivel, and she flushed slightly from his compliment.
“Ah, I’m from a wealthy family. It is important that I am taught with my upbringing, even if women are not considered so important in society. The man that you saw me talking with before was another suitor trying to win my heart… I’m still living with my parents as I have not been married off.” She seemed bothered and glanced away from him. “So many men want me as their bride. But I have no want to be married, or I just haven’t found the right person yet. All the courters that come are snooty men who think all the wealth they have is enough to make me fall for them. All that glitters is not gold, a quote I enjoy to use.”
The two had begun a slow pace back towards the table that they had been seated at before. Eyrin continued to listen to Kivel intently, interested in what problems she had and commenting a few times to fill in the void. She seemed comforted that he would listen and continued without noticing how much she had gone on; it wasn’t long until they had reached the table and taken their former seats again, the gl*censored* and spilled liquid having already been cleaned by a roaming waiter.
“If it makes you feel any better, Kivel, I’ll let you in on something.” She nodded, voice hushing when he had begun to talk. “You just can’t tell anyone else, alright? Otherwise I’m in for a large problem.” “I promise.”
DUN DUN DUN DUN.
That's as far as I got. Maybe I'll keep working on it soon. URGE ME ON PEOPLE. xD Just kidding.
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