“It’s definitely human. But it’s like no human aura I’ve ever sensed before...” Suddenly, Ammy’s eyes shot open, and she clutched her chest. “That’s it! That’s it! Bless the Originator!”
“Wait, wait, what’s it? What? Augh, what’s a Seer who can’t See anything?” Yggdrasil was dancing with anticipation.
“You’re too nervous, and you’re not in tune with all of your Sight, dear Drasil. The Humans, we can sense them. But how we usually sense them is through the shedding of blood —violence, killing, the fighting between our kind. Sin. We are connected to their Sin. That’s how we subconsciously track them, is it not? We are bonded to them, bound by bloody heartstrings.”
“But this feels different…” Layrion mused. “Almost….like one of us.”
“How can it be so conflicting? No Icchorian can display the Sin and lust for it as well. As no Human can Sin and feed from it.” Ammy glared into the darkness, as if offended it would not be a clear answer.
“What does it mean then? Yggdrasil you said it was Human didn’t you?” Growled Rune.
Yggdrasil nodded, his covered eyes turning towards the dark sky. “It is but it is not. It’s moving quickly- and I sense Humans further beyond its path. Shall we follow Layrion?”
All three stood quietly while the white-haired Icchorian regarded the distant plane. “Yes. We will track it to the Humans if we must. No one take action when we arrive. I want to see what it is and the Humans it travels to.” They nodded, setting out quickly across the barren ground.
Soon they came upon a forest, and after a quick consultation of the map Ammy carried, they determined that they were 100 miles southeast of a large Human settlement. It was a known refuge for the Humans, and heavily fortified. Icchorians dared not come close, as the Humans here were trained and cruel in their advance and did everything they could to deny the Icchorians freedom. Ammy had once looked up the name of the settlement in the language the Humans of that area used- Leben Festung.
The location they found themselves however, was some distance away. The air here was light and non-threatening. Layrion signaled the others to stop. The strange presence had moved beyond the village that now lay before them. The could feel it fade into the distance, moving quickly.
“I will go alone. Remain here silent.” They nodded, although Ammy clearly did not like the idea of Layrion going in alone. The white-haired Icchorian moved silently through the trees, approaching the firelight that marked the edges of the village.
The Humans moved surprisingly at ease, not seeming to fear any danger of attack, being so close to Leben Festung. There were families moving indoors, ready to settle in for the night as lightly armed guards waved them inside. Smiles seemed to be infectious here, their burdens light.
Layrion quietly observed, drawing closer to the ring of flickering torch light. It was mesmerizing, seeing their enemy at such peace. Almost as if they were...normal. Everyday routines that were comforting to those living the lives laid before them without fear. Layrion felt a deep yearning then, nothing like the hunger she would feel in the dark times her bonded would Sin. It was a yearning for this peace to spread out into the dark world, for their two races to come together and smile at one another. It was with these thoughts that she stepped into the light, making it halfway through the clearing to the cluster of buildings before she was spotted.
Instantly the entire village fell deathly silent and tense. Guards stood with weapons still hanging limply from their slings- mother's wide-eyed clutching the hands of their children. Layrion paused, a soft breeze being the only thing to move in the clearing. She could smell their fear- but there wasn’t the underlying surety of death that most Humans seemed to feel around their kind. No one moved and it seemed an eternity of silence passed as they sized one another up. There was a quiet murmuring as Humans stepped out from their homes into the thick silence only to be swallowed up when the threat was made apparent. An Icchorian had just walked into their village- something that had not happened in many years with Leben Festung’s influence on the area. And from the amount of gold that the Icchorian bore, she was very strong.
The heavy atmosphere was suddenly broken with the panicked cry of an older woman who lost her hold on a small girl. She had bouncy red curls and soft green eyes that sparkled in the torchlight. In her arms was a collection of flowers that she seemed to have collected throughout the day and as she skipped forward, they trailed behind her. Layrion’s golden eye followed her in surprise as the girl came straight up to stand before the Icchorian.
“Are you here for dinner? You’re too late. It’s all gone Miss.” The girl dug in her flowers, holding one up to her. “You can have this though, until tomorrow morning when we have breakfast. Don’t be late next time.” She scolded gently. The guards hissed at her blatant disrespect to the dangerous creature before them- who could only stare in shock at the young girl.
A moment passed before Layrion slowly rose a heavily clawed hand up- gently grasping the flower with a soft smile. “I see. I will do better next time young one. May I ask your name?”
The girl straightened up and seemed to think her question over. “You may. My name is Alina, my daddy is a guard here. My momma is over there- her name is Marinel.” The girl waved her hand dismissively behind her. Layrion could only smile at her seemingly self-important attitude that only children seemed to possess. She knelt down causing the other Humans to shift in a nervous energy as they watched the strange conversation.
Layrion bowed her head, holding her hand to her chest. “Ms. Alina it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Layrion, daughter of Dicion and Elysia. I would ask your permission to speak with your family and friends.”
The girl considered her still form, a heaviness suddenly settling in the young girl’s gaze. “You are dangerous aren’t you? Not now, but you can be.”
Layrion glanced up at her, the torchlight making her gaze sharp. “Yes I can be young one. But I can control it, and I will not harm you or yours while I am here.”
The two stared at one another until Alina nodded. “You may talk to them. But I don’t think they will let you stay.”
Layrion smiled and stood, now looking to the nervous Humans that had come around them. “It is in peace that I come before you now. I will not hide who I am, many of you have heard of me. The Hunters from Leben Festung would give everything to catch and kill me. But I am not here to make a stand against them. I wish to talk to you as equals striving for the same goal.” She smiled down at Alina, who looked up at her curiously. “You are different than other Humans I have encountered. You did not immediately attack me when I came into your home, instead you waited to see what threat I posed to you.” Her gaze pierced one of the guards in question, and he nodded his assent.
“Then why are you here….Madam Icchorian…?” Spoke one of the younger guards with a growing confidence now that he was sure she wasn’t going to start killing them- despite her reputation.
“I wanted to talk to you. We have misconceptions about your race, and I want to clear them up. Do all Humans wish for everlasting war?”
Silence filled the air as the question hung heavily between them. Finally Marinel spoke. “No one wants that Madam Icchorian. We want peace.”
Layrion’s gaze trained onto her, sensing she would be the one to answer for them. “And do Humans think that Icchorians want war?”
Marinel regarded her. “At times it seems like that is so.”
“Do you think that I am going to kill you, Marinel, mother of Alina?” Layrion’s tone was gentle.
The Humans teetered and looked worriedly amongst one another, afraid to ready their weapons should that insult the seemingly peaceful Icchorian. Marinel merely stared at Layrion, as her daughter had done. It was easy to see their relation.
“No.”
“You are wise Marinel. Now one final question. Do you think we could live in peace?”
Marinel looked down at her daughter, who was now smiling up at the golden monster who should have slayed them all by now. She could feel Layrion’s heavy gaze upon her, and it seemed that her answer would weigh heavily on everyone’s future. Could they find peace with ones that were monsters? Murderers that had abilities far past their own? Setting that aside there was still the Icchorians need to feed on Human blood.
“Peace could happen, but the Icchorians drink our blood almost constantly. Often ending in our deaths.” The Humans shifted uneasily waiting for Layrion’s reply.
Layrion nodded. “It is true, but there is a grave misunderstanding as to why we must. And it is very possible that we can work towards a solution. It is not a thirst we control- much as your bodies need water to survive.”
Several widened gazes were exchanged, soft murmurs passing between the Humans. This what not what they had been taught by the Hunters and even their own parents. Icchorians were senseless monsters who only wanted to spill blood, but to need it as they need water for life..that was new. The young guard from before stepped forward. “Are you saying...Madam Icchorian, that if you had the choice you would not drink our blood?”
It was a thought that had never occurred to the Icchorian, and even after the question was asked it rang throughout her very being. Not drink the blood of a Human without feeling the thirst? It had always been a constant for them, so natural it was almost done without a thought. No, it was more than that. It was a necessity to keep their natural monster forms at bay. To appear more Human the blood of a Human was needed. A double edged blade- to not drink their blood would bring a chance for peace, but also release their primal Beast forms of which they have very little control.
To Marinel and the other Humans it was obvious that she was lost in this inner battle at the boy’s question. And that alone was the sign they needed to know that this Icchorian was willing for a chance at peace with them. She could be trusted in her words and actions.
“Madam Icchorian, please do not tear yourself apart at the question. The fact you would consider it is enough for us. Please come sit with us inside, and we can talk more about what you propose.”
Layrion looked at the woman gratefully, striding forward with a wave of her hand to her fellows hidden in the trees. “I will gladly sit with you.”
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