Temple of The Watcher

The ring leader pulled his sword out of the ground. Furious that his strike missed, he gestured for the other two to flank her. 

Aloncra approached the fight, observing them from afar. Seems her assumptions were right. Men with their minds set on war were pathetically predictable. She'd only intervene if she felt her pupil couldn't handle it.

But... she was sure she'd win.

She could feel them surrounding her, circling her like vultures. But her locket emitted a harsh golden glow, and the near cries of ravens could be heard ever louder now.

The murder of ravens now flew above them, ready to strike and aid their closest human friend.

Annelise lunged for the ringleader, knowing that she needed to be on the outskirts of the circle. Her figure seemed to waver with her speed.

Aloncra's elation over her choice of pupil grew as she watched. 


Strategic, powerful, efficient... truly Alagor-born...


The ring leader stone walled her, planting his feet and readied his parry.  The other two closed in, "You think some birds are going to help you?"

"Yes."


Expecting pain from the parry, a horrible shriek emitted from her being, her mouth opening to project this hideous cry. It was the sort of cry that could instantly deafen at full force. Somehow the girl had summoned the sounds of pure nightmare and turmoil through her tongue, as if she were a conduit rather than a creator. 

The ravens became angered, swooping in a swathe of feathers and piercing talons to shield the girl. Unaffected by her scream, it only served to empower them. She could feel the others closing in, knowing that striking one would expose her to an attack from another. But her hands were going to be firmly gripped on the ringleader's weapon in a matter of milliseconds, knowing that the distraction should give her enough time to either escape or take at least one of them out. Once one fell, she knew she could fight back.

The ring leader's bold confidence soon shedded to near panic as she held his weapon. The other two began to fear they had made a costly mistake too. 

But there was no choice. To run from a fight would get them branded as cowards and they'd be sent to Obadh for sure. In Diarmid, it was victory or death. 

Empowered anew, they charged at her as the ringleader dropped his sword and prepared to fight with his fist. The other two started to slice toward the birds to get through to their target.

Aloncra became more and more pleased by the second. These fools thought that numbers were all one needed to win a fight. Not only did they fail the Watcher but now were disgracing themselves as their fellow countrymen. She'd have half a mind to strike them down for their stupidity but that was not her decision to make.

The one who held that authority was on his way back to the Temple as they fought...

The birds were dropping like flies, thanking them for their sacrifice to her. The distraction had worked, thankfully. The weapon felt uncomfortable in her hands, the clumsy and jarring movements she made it with it causing her to discard the sword. She threw it into the crowds, hoping she didn't cut someone in the process.

She needed to be deft, and the sword was useless.

Her own energy surged forth, the adrenaline and potential of death creating the power she could manipulate with her hands. She created a dagger, aiming to land it in the ringleader's abdomen. She targeted the left side, enough for it to temporarily paralyse the man but not kill. Annelise did not want to be branded a murderer, unless she had to be. Her weapon shimmered with the fire of her own soul, flaring red and yellow and emitting blue sparks.

"Gahhhh!" The ringleader fell down, holding his gut. Despite all his practice with a blade, he'd clearly never been stabbed with one.  His cries ended the resolve of his two fellows. 

The both of them dropped their blades in terror. "We.. we're sorry! We'll never bother you again!"

The girl nodded mutely, her energy seeping back into her body. Her skin was blanched, sweat trailing down her forehead. 

She hastily kicked the blades out of their reach, just in case they noted her overexertion. 

"T-that wound won't get infected if you get it treated niw." Her voice had lost its commanding power, but the words rang true. Annelise attempted to shuffle through the crowds, wondering if they would part for the victor.

The other two helped the ring leader up to take him to their healers. Sure enough the crowd did part for her. But one odd noise broke out among the eerie quiet that had ensued.

*clap*

*clap*

A slow clap echoed through the halls. The source was Aloncra and she was soon joined by others. She had fought a valiant battle after all and won against overwhelming odds. This was a perfect first victory that Aloncra couldn't possibly have orchestrated on her own. Seems those failures had use after all. What became of their treachery next was in Polidus's hands when he returned, but Aloncra was certain they'd cause no trouble to her after that display.

The applause provided comfort for her, wondering if her fighting would make her more of a target. Her knees were shaking, her whole body spasming under the pressure of holding her weight. The unexpected fight had completely drained her, her soul power overused and exhausted.

Annelise was going to collapse, sticking her arm out to brace her fall.

A familiar face caught her before she fell, grunting as he helped her to her feet. "Nice work there. Can see why they're keeping tabs on you..."

She gasped at the contact, trying to bring her body back under control. The help was incredibly welcome, surprised at the touch. Annelise had kept a careful distance from most people until now.

"I-i pushed myself too far." She admitted, gripping onto him as she steadied herself. "My.. Abilities aren't under as tight a control as I thought." Her father had warned of this, and she felt emotionally and physically drained.

"Do you believe anyone will threaten me again after this display?"

The man scoffed amused, "I think even the Emperor's might think twice before attacking you after that."

"What do you need to replenish yourself, Annelise?"

If her body couldve sagged any more with relief, it wouldve.

"A companion, human or otherwise." It was an odd request, but she had found spiritual solace in the company of another being, finding the contact and communication rejuvenated her far more than a meal ever could.

"But water would be great too." She offered as an alternative, knowing that keeping her company wasn't an ideal task.

"I got just the thing to satisfy both ends. Want to see the Well of the Watcher?"

She nodded with as much vigour as she could summon, already feeling the dizzying Diarmidian climate having a toll on her. Annelise had left Kastanika for so long that she had almost forgotten how unforgiving the weather was here.

"Please." She offered as an acceptance.