Afterlight [ IC / PG-16 / Started / Not Accepting / Co-Hosted by the sexy Axi ]

[Astolfo]

[acronym="Thanks to .Rai for the gorgeous logo, thanks to Aix for the wonderful idea and co-hosting, thanks to Magi and everything else that existed so I would have music/images/ideas too, and OOC Format copypasta" d from .:Blu:.'s OOC "Odiad Chronicles" and tweaked slightly']Credits[/acronym]

 
 

OOC Link

 
 

An Original RP Hosted By Neph & Axi

OP: V.I.P.

ED: The Bravery

 

~ - Into A New World - ~

Chapter I: Reaping

~ Sintel ~

 
Sintel was sitting on the edge of the rocky "beach" of the spring he had found, the warm water lapping at his feet. So much had happened. Tilting his head back and looking to the dark ceiling, he let his mind flash back. Just roughly a month back, he had stumbled upon this mysterious place. Just a month back, he had found his gleaming red blade, named Schere. Unsheathing the said blade, the reflective red material shone light back into his eyes, and he turned it about in his hands, still in awe. He also remembered how he started to practice trying and using his sword, imagining as if he was a valiant knight from the lore and myths of long past. Sighing, he knew that his technique was amateurish, and flawed, but without any sort of way to learn more, that was the best he could do. It felt balanced in his grip, and it could swing smoothly, but without proper knowledge, Sintel felt like it was almost wasted. The metals rippled with light as it swished through the air, and he idly distracted himself with a few basic swings, but he felt a niggling sensation, like he was forgetting something. Sitting down, he tried to remember, but he was drawing blanks.

As the bell rung, his mind snapped onto the right track, and he remembered. "It's the day of the Reaping!" Getting up quickly, he snapped his wrist backwards in a practiced motion, letting the blade fold back up into its oblong grip shape, which he fastened to his belt with a clip for that purpose. Running back to the main village with an excited grin, he made it in, skidding to a stop with all the other people. Headmaster Saros glanced at him disapprovingly, but continued on. "… In about thirty minutes, the drawing for the quarterly Reaping shall take place. Those who will be chosen will become the grand pioneers for history, exploring into the wondrous world outside which we had left so long ago. They will be remembered in history as the greatest, whether or not they succeed. To be chosen is a great honor, and may luck favor you." With that, the headmaster left the pseudo-stage which had been set up, while preparations were being made.

The citizens wandered around aimlessly, some excited and waiting to be chosen, while others were uncaring and just went on, not doing anything particularly while they waited. A few cynics who believed in some outlandish conspiracy that this was just to kill off troublemakers or annoyances or to fix some imaginary overpopulation problem, grumbled about, but Sintel didn't notice any of them. Enamored, his eyes watched the Headmaster as he had walked off the stage. He desperately wanted to be chosen, as he had always dreamed of looking at the outside world, like a large number of others did as well. Shivering with excitement, he paced about, waiting for the time to arrive, as it would. It seemed so close, yet so far away, in his excitement.

Unknown to him though, the fate of six others would intertwine with his on what would become a massive journey through Alithea, and have much greater effects than any one of them, or perhaps even the entire world, could ever imagine…

[Super Chaos Sonic]

"… In about thirty minutes, the drawing for the quarterly Reaping shall take place. Those who will be chosen will become the grand pioneers for history, exploring into the wondrous world outside which we had left so long ago. They will be remembered in history as the greatest, whether or not they succeed. To be chosen is a great honor, and may luck favor you."

 

Most Heartful OST ~ The Truth

 

Izaya heard the the Headmaster all the way from his home. He fixed his clothes as he put his fingerless gloves on, as he turned around to find his blade: Narukami Kiba wrapped up in a few things of cloth. He picked it up and lugged it over his shoulder. In the Futatsu family, they had always gotten themselves prepared before hand...to which there was no needing to return back home and grieve even more. The sad truth was...Izaya would be part of the Reaping...

 

The young Futatsu boy walked out of his room, only to see his parents standing idly by. They stood looking at each other before the three hugged each other tightly. "No matter what happens, Izaya...we wish the best for you." his father said, as Izaya simply nodded. With that, he left the home...fighting back the tears.

 

The day has arrived...man...I honestly don't want this to be happening... Izaya thought, making his way to where the drawing would take place at a sluggish pace. But at the same time...these stupid diplomats shouldn't have invaded in a matter that wasn't theirs! Especially when they got the story twisted!

 

The second thought...Izaya sighed as he knew that was Hanshou...he tried ignoring it...as he kept trudging his way through the masses that had gathered on the streets.

[Ren✧]

Damien's eyes snapped open. He wasn't sure what had awoken him, but he knew that something was amiss. He began to take in his surroundings, noting every detail so as to pinpoint the source of his unease. He went down the checklist. The cave was still standing. Check. The fire had been put out after dinner. Check. Was there an intruder? Damien had been sure to not stir when he had awoken on the chance that there was someone in the cave that meant him and his family harm, he didn't want to alert them to his awareness. So far he hadn't heard anything and his sixth sense hadn't set his spine tingling yet. Figuring that it was best if he move and take a look around, Damien rolled on his side, taking his view of the cave wall away and replacing it with a view of the rest of the cave. There was no intruder. Check. 

 

Then what was keeping Damien's gut in a twisted knot? Then he did a headcount. Mom. Check. Carmen. Check. Adam...where was Adam?! Panic struck through Damien's chest. He instantly jolted upwards, nearly hitting his head on the cave ceiling. "Adam?!" He whispered urgently, making an effort not to wake his sleeping sister and mother. When he got no reply, he nimbly moved to the cave opening to look around. Both Adam and Carmen knew not to go out in the morning without first waking him, so a disappearance like this obviously meant that something was wrong. 

 

Damien looked out of the cave, desperately hoping to see Adam crouched outside it, but, alas, there was no one there. "Adam?!" Damien called again, his voice louder and more panicked. "Dammit." He muttered after getting no reply. Damien whipped his head back and forth, straining all of his sense to find his younger brother. Isahron wasn't huge, but there were plenty of places that Adam could be if he was taken or hurt. Damien wouldn't even know where to start. Damien opened his mouth to call again, but just as he took a breath to shout he heard something. Stopping mid breath, he strained his ears farther. It was the sound of sobbing. 

 

Moving to a nearby outcropping of rock, Damien moved behind it to find the figure of his younger brother curled up in the fetal position as his body was racked with sobs. "Hey, hey, hey," Damien cooed gently, moving to one knee as he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder to comfort him. "What's the matter, Adam?" Damien inquired.

 

Adam lifted his head, meeting Damien's concerned gaze with eyes filled with tears. "Nothing." He reported stubbornly, desperately trying to calm his sobs and wipe the tears from his eyes. 

 

"The Hell it's nothing, what are you so upset about?" Damien asked, taking a seat next to Adam, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. 

 

"I'm worried." Adam relented, wiping the last remnants of tears from his eyes.

 

"About the Reaping? Don't be. Remember what I told you?"

 

"That you'll always protect me." Adam replied immediately, having had that mantra drilled into his brain.

 

"Exactly, I'll always protect you." Damien said, figuring that, that would be enough to calm his brother down.

 

"But who's going to protect you?" Adam asked, tears once again threatening to fall from his still moist eyes. When Damien didn't have an answer, Adam moved to get up, but before he could a shadow passed over where the two brother's sat. 

 

"Crying like a baby. Pathetic." A mean looking boy spat at Adam. 

 

"Shove it up your ass, Marcus." Damien said, rising to his feet in defense of his brother. Marcus was a common bully around the small homeless community in Isahron. 

 

"Who's gonna make me?" Marcus taunted further. Instead of offering the bully a reply, Damien hit him with a powerful right cross that sent the boy stumbling back a few paces. 

 

"Come on, Adam." Damien said, fixing Marcus with a dark glare. Leading his brother back to the cave, he looked back over his shoulder just to make sure that the boy had gotten the message.

 

An hour or so later...

 

"...In about thirty minutes, the drawing for the quarterly Reaping shall take place. Those who will be chosen will become the grand pioneers for history, exploring into the wondrous world outside which we had left so long ago. They will be remembered in history as the greatest, whether or not they succeed. To be chosen is a great honor, and may luck favor you." 

 

"Exploring? An honor? Bullsh*t! You just found a quick and easy way to get rid of us! Simple as that!" Damien shouted at the headmaster. He waved a sign protesting the evil of the Reaping, standing alongside fellow protesters of the "great honor". Damien was one of the youngest among them, standing beside a motherly looking woman that had to be in her 60s. "Watch the language my dear boy." She scolded lightly.

 

"Sorry, Mrs. Fredrick." Damien said somewhat humbly. Mrs. Fredrick was the leader of the protesters, and had been so since she had lost her son to the Reaping over twenty years ago. 

 

"Oh...to Hell with it." She said, confusing Damien slightly. "Who cares if I'm an old lady and I'm supposed to be too dainty to hear such words? These rat bastards deserve it! So to Hell with it and to Hell with them. I won't tolerate any more of this sh*t!" She proclaimed, waving her own sign all the more wildly. Her words brought a smile to Damien's lips. If there were more people like her in Isahron, then families wouldn't be torn apart and hearts wouldn't be broken. But the smile was only halfway sincere. Damien knew that no matter what they said, there was still a chance that he would be called into the Reaping today, or worse, Carmen and Adam would be. 

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

Madeline Lillyvick had been up all night, disassembling her musket and flintlocks, and wrapping all the parts together in a sheet of cloth. She had a feeling that she'd soon be sent to her death, and it was this feeling that had been keeping her awake for all this time. She didn't know how long it would take for her to stop thinking about it, but the same could be said for worrying about her unborn boy Hope. Then again, Madeline would always worry about Hope, and had every reason to. Last time she gave birth, not a single other soul was there to help her, and needless to say, it all went horribly wrong.

 

...

 

Now though, both those things were in the back of Madeline's mind, as she eventually made her way to the city center where everyone else had gathered. As Headmaster Saros spoke, Madeline gave him a cold, blank stare. It was rude to do much more than that though, but she knew better than to believe this hogwash. She knew that there was something more to this Reaping, and she wouldn't be surprised if those selected were meant to be forgotten rather than remembered. By the sounds of it, she wasn't alone in this thought; someone else had called Saros out on his little speech. As she turned her head, Madeline managed to find the source of this voice. A couple of protesters... of course they'd have something to say about The Council.

 

'Why do they even bother?' Madeline sighed as this thought came across her mind.

[Cray-Crow]

Nothing had been found so far. Ahri had been awake for several hours now, along with his father, Cairn, digging, searching. They turned to each other and shared stern faces. Typically, one of them would have found at least one piece of scrap by now. Today was starting off difficult. Fitting, really. For today marked the Reaping. Having said any and all goodbyes that may possibly been needed the night beforehand, Ahri simply addressed his old man, stating he was leaving to attend the ceremony. His father nodded his head forlornly, and continued his work. After fixing his coat, Ahri picked up his shovel and went home, intending to take it with him if he was chosen.

 

Stopping near the hole he called home, he made his way a couple meters more outward from the center of Isharon. There, was a medium sized crevice in the stone that twisted and turned. Reaching in with his arm fully extended and his face against the rock, Ahri retrieved his treasures one by one. The antique weaponry was then holstered to small leather loops Ahri had fashioned to the inside of his coat. He wasn't sure what use, if any, he'd find for these items, but Ahri was taking them anyway. For whatever reason, it felt... needed. Or inherent. After fixing his coat once again and grabbing the shovel, he made for the town center.

 

~:~

 

"… In about thirty minutes, the drawing for the quarterly Reaping shall take place. Those who will be chosen will become the grand pioneers for history, exploring into the wondrous world outside which we had left so long ago. They will be remembered in history as the greatest, whether or not they succeed. To be chosen is a great honor, and may luck favor you."

 

In some corner of the crowd, someone yelled their discontent with the event, with similar dissent from others following suit. Ahri was leaning with his chest on the shaft of his shovel, the metal struck firmly into the ground. He was unperturbed with the Reaping as a whole, not really caring for its reasons or implementation. He was here only because he or either of his parents could be chosen. He felt he was ready, if it was so. Ahri exhaled, closing his eyes. C'mon. Get this over with.

[Aix]

"Are you... are you really going to go?"

 

The pain in the boy's voice almost made her rethink her decision. Almost. But the holy maiden of the Church of Aix Vitae could not be swayed so easily from her life's calling. Vivian turned, the movement swaying her hair, letting the golden strands catch in the light. That elegant movement alone marked the difference between her and the miserable-looking boy like Heaven and Earth. She shone like the sun while he was but a worm crawling on the ground, living day to day to barely get by. Her existence brought meaning and hope into the lives of others while he may very well be a hindrance, just another mouth to feed in this already overpopulated town.

 

An uneasy silence passed between them as they both knew the answer to that question and there was no point in saying more. Besides, it was too late now, she had already approached the Council with her decision and the Reaping was to commence in forty minutes. The choice was, in actuality, very simple. To her, this expedition was everything, and she did not, truth be told, hold much attachment to this boy. There had been many like him and if all goes well, many more to be like him - people that she helped, rose from the dirt and placed onto the proper path which Aix decreed. His face was soon to be forgotten like the many others as she was swept onwards by the currents of fate, leaving them behind.

 

For the boy, however, Vivian was everything. They had only known each other for a meager period of four months, but they may well have been together all their lives from his point of view. He had lost his parents to plague and thus himself became lost. Lost the life that he had known, lost all that was dear to him, and ultimately lost the will to live. However, Vivian... Vivian had filled that gaping void within him. She soothed him, talked to him, and sang him hymns, she nursed him and fed him, taking it upon herself to cook them meals. The boy did not truly care for Aix Vitae, like many others he simply believed that after the Great Incident, Aix had abandoned them, but the boy still said his prayers, praised Aix and declared his undying faith in the hopes of appeasing his true goddess.

 

"Kyle, are you going to come see me off?" Vivian finally spoke, her voice a harmonious timbre that only brought peace to the soul. However, the boy's face only grew more wretched with his desperation that Vivian had to steel herself against those puppy-dog eyes. She tore her eyes from him, ignoring the pangs of guilt that struck her within, and, without saying another word, walked out of the filthy hovel which she had been staying. The Church was in desperate straits. Rather, a prudent man would say that it was over, but Vivian had her faith. It gave her strength, it gave her righteousness, and with that strength and righteousness, she strode down towards village center.

 

"Wait! Wait! Please!"

 

She ignored his desperate pleas as he chased after her.

 

"Stop! What do I do if you're gone?" Tears streamed down his face, but she did not turn to see them. She did, however, know they were there.

 

"Father will take care of you," she said coldly and the difference in her tone struck the the boy like lightning. He froze, unsure where all her compassion had gone. He was being unreasonable, he knew, but there was nothing reasonable about this situation. He cared. He cared just too much. He was dependent on her.

 

"Are you abandoning me? Just like Aix had abandoned the world?"

 

That ignited the fire in her eyes. The blasphemy spoken by who she thought was her last loyal follower. Fury burned through her, great was her compassion and perhaps great was her wrath, fuelled by the fiery passion of her faith and the deep despair she had felt when the Church had collapsed. "Kyle," she said softly. "One day. One day, you will see, everyone will see, that Aix is here for us. For us all. It was Him who brought you and I together and it is in His name that we part..."

 

The last of her words were cut out by a scream. A scream of loss and agony drowned in tears. Vivian flinched, visibly, and, seeing this, Kyle turned and ran. Further screams escaped his throat. Screams of bitterness, of unfairness, echoing against the cave walls as he disappeared out of sight. Creasing her eyebrows, she uttered a prayer for the boy before turning back onto her path.

 

This was her path. The path decreed by fate and intertwined with that of six others. A terrible path, but a path that must be walked nonetheless.

[a bad post]

 "It's the day of the Reaping!" Headmaster Saros' nasely little voice rang out over the main village attracting Alice's attention from her father's stall.  "… In about thirty minutes, the drawing for the quarterly Reaping shall take place. Those who will be chosen will become the grand pioneers for history, exploring into the wondrous world outside which we had left so long ago. They will be remembered in history as the greatest, whether or not they succeed. To be chosen is a great honor, and may luck favor you."  Today he had decided it would be best for him if he stayed home, he always did on Reaping Days. They made him far to nervous, so it fell upon Alice today to try and sell some of their wares. 

 

She'd chosen to wear something light today a contrast to her usual black, but she found that on a day like today lighter colors would lighten people's mood and make them calmer. Alice proceeded as normal though with a friendly smile and gentle, comforting demeanor to help put at ease the customers anxieties. The people protesting just outside was a bit grating, but Alice understood that this day meant a bit more to some people than it did to her.

 

To Alice this day was business as usual, and she proceeded as she normally would on a day to day basis. Unfortunately she'd noticed that the protesters were making customers uncomfortable, and even driving them away from the stall (obviously not deliberately, but their shouting was a bit concerning).

 

Before Alice could go to confront them, she felt the familiar pressure of a coming vision behind her eyes. She rushed out the back of the stall hiding so that nobody would see her, before falling to the floor as the white hot pain came searing in full force. 

 

"S***!" The harsh curse word came out as she grabbed the sides of her head, and biting down on her lip trying hard not to scream lest somebody notice her. She'd had less time to prepare than usually did, the vision had come fast and hard... but it left just as quickly as it had come.

 

The vision as usual was a background of white light, this time it should six silhouettes, barely discernible as human before flashing out in little more than 10 seconds. Picking her self up Alice returned to the stall, this time exiting towards the front with her previous intentions in mind she approached the group of protesters, feeling a little sorry for them due to their situations, but well... she had to bring home the bacon somehow, and it wasn't happening while these people were still around.

 

"Ahem. Ahh... yes, excuse me?" Alice said from behind the group to get their attention, "you see that stall over there yes? Well its run by me and my father, but you see your protesting... well its driving away all the customers. I apologize... I'm sorry I really am, I sympathize with your plight, but would you mind well... not protesting its just bad for business you know, and I highly doubt any of us are rolling in money right now." Alice said all this with a polite, calm, and even demeanor within her voice, but she knew that these people may not take so kindly to her proposal. With tensions this high Alice was quite prepared for confrontation, and she very well have stirred a sleeping (though perhaps that was not the best word for it... more light extremely enraged) beast. Oh well though, what had to be done, had to be done.

[Astolfo]

~ Sintel ~

 

Within thirty minute's time, as promised, the headmaster walked back to the makeshift podium. Ringing the town bell to summon everyone once more, he waited briefly, before taking out a bowl from one of his assistants. Swirling his hand about in the flurries and curls of old parchment, closing his eyes, he drew a bundle within a tightly grasped fist. Through time and experience, he had refined his feel, and could get close to a hundred and fifty slips every time, give or take about a dozen. Laying them out on the table, he began to call out the names. "Lorelei. Daryl. Aden Peruvius. Isach…" Continuing in a clear, commanding voice, Sintel listened in rapturous excitement, yearning to hear his name.

 

 

"… Damien Rune… Caroline… Madeline Lillyvick…  Albertran Carus… Marcus… Suli… Kendra Taryvl… Ahriman… Alice Sophe…" As the list of names continued, Sintel was beginning to start to doubt, and became anxious, waiting for his name, shutting out everything else. Those who were already chosen were either weeping in sadness at leaving, in happiness for being chosen as a blessed one, or just not caring, but he paid them no mind. Counting off the number of names already, he knew there weren't much more left. Pacing about, he kept a constant watch on the names called though. "… Izaya Futatsu… Maxwell… Sintel…" In that instant, Sintel leapt for joy, springing up into the air and cheering, unable to keep it down. After a short while though, he settled down, much more relaxed now, and excited rather, at the prospect of being chosen to venture outside. Looking at him with a disapproving look for a while, the headmaster continued. "… Maryel Vert… Kris Dremson… and that is the end." However, the Headmaster drew one final slip, this time, embossed in a fancier outline and color. "However, on this particular quarterly special Reaping, as this young and very capable woman has come of age, we have selected Vivian of the church to accompany the group on with them. How better to earn our Father's favor than to bring one of his most devout followers? Anyways, this is the end of the announcement. Those who have been selected, please pack your things and be ready to leave in two hours." Walking off briskly, Headmaster Saros disappeared into some official Councillor building.

 

When the meeting ended and people began to disperse, Sintel couldn't hold it back any longer, and started to cheer once more. "It's the day of the Reaping, and I got chosen! This is awesome!" Completely ecstatic, he ran around, to see if any of those selected were as happy as him as well.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

The headmaster began the naming process, as he listened...truly hoping his name wouldn't be chosen. However...

 

"… Izaya Futatsu…"

 

Izaya's heart sank and almost broke into pieces. His fist clenched a bit as he lowered his head a bit, as he just stared at the ground. He heard someone actually being happy that they got chosen, but he wasn't concerned with that now. He slowly turned away as he made his way through the crowds once more, this time to head towards the location that they would meet up to leave the hell hole that was Isharon.

 

Its a revelation I should've expected...but... he thought, trying to fight back the tears that were tugging at his heart. Sadness was trying to wedge itself into his heart at this moment, but he kept fighting it...pushing it down...though he knew it wasn't going to be forgotten.

 

Tch...they'll regret it! If I do survive this...I'll be coming back and slitting every one of their th- Izaya stopped suddenly, trying to shake Hanshou's thought from his mind, as he kept pressing on forward to the location, not speaking one word.

[Cray-Crow]

Silence resounded throughout the ceremony grounds as the headmaster slowly came upon his podium. The soft swish of his tattered robes sweeping across the dirt could most likely be heard by a majority of the crowd. Ahri could hear it, and it made him anxious. He wasn't sure why. He wasn't an impatient person by any means, but there was something about the Reaping; maybe the gravity of the chance that a person's life can be changed just by a simple, random roll call was unsettling to him. He hardly would reflect upon himself.

 

With a fist grasping the most significant handful of paper scraps, the names were revealed and read aloud. Some were devastated, others were exuberant. Somewhere in the middle of the 150 names, as far as Ahri could tell, his name was called. He stopped breathing for a moment. For a second, he was completely still, lifeless; he thought even his heart had stopped. With a calm exhale, Ahri closed his eyes and let his shoulders relax. I got picked... I hate change.

 

"However, on this particular quarterly special Reaping, as this young and very capable woman has come of age, we have selected Vivian of the church to accompany the group on with them. How better to earn our Father's favor than to bring one of his most devout followers? Anyways, this is the end of the announcement. Those who have been selected, please pack your things and be ready to leave in two hours."

 

The holy girl? Ahri looked around for her. He'd heard about her from his mother, who frequented the church of Aix Vitae. She'd described what the girl looked like often, seeing as she was an embodiment of hope and solace for the people of Isharon, so Ahri felt he'd be able to discern her amongst the crowd. After a moment of searching, however, he gave it up.

 

Instead, Ahri eyed the remaining denizens to see if any other diggers were still around. He'd heard some of their names be called, as well. If they were to be journeying out, it'd be best to do so in a group once outside. Picking up his shovel, Ahri approached a few he recognized and conversed a while. Many of them were scared. They believed Ahri to be brave, not showing very much emotion towards the fact that he, too, was selected for the expedition. He assured them it wasn't at all bravery.

 

~:~

 

Once home, Ahri told his parents he had been selected for the Reaping. His mother broke into a sob and his father was silent, but behind his eyes was contempt and rage. As the doting husband, he took to comfort his grieving wife. It was a very.. arduous goodbye.

 

"Take anything you need, son. For your mother's sake, may Aix protect you."

 

"I know. I'm taking a shovel and the antiques." His father nodded, knowing what Ahri had meant. "I don't have much time left. The headmaster said I had two hours, and mom kind of took a lot of it. I don't blame her though." Ahri lowered his gaze to the ground. He'd been drenched in the wake of sadness, and now felt the strain of its weight. His throat lumped together and small whimpering sounds came from him without his control. Not before long, he was crying, hugging his father. His father joined him. This time, the goodbye was painful.

 

~:~

 

Ahri was a few paces from where the Reaping selects congregated before being sent out. Some of the 150 were already there. Raising his shovel across his shoulder, Ahri chose a spot and stand and struck the blade end into the dirt, leaning on it once more.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

She knew it. The very moment Headmaster Soras roll-called the people to be banished from Isahron, Madeline knew she'd be selected among them. She merely considered herself lucky that her name was announced somewhere in the middle; late enough for her to know The Council had the decency to stabilize the facade of having a heart, but not so late that she'd get lulled into a false sense of hope. Then again, it was all she could possibly hope for...

 

Among the crowd, Madeline noticed the reactions of some of the others when they were chosen. Some weeped as they were chosen; they were probably the smart ones that knew they were gonna die out there in the wild. Others were happy for being chosen... Madeline could almost laugh out loud about how stupid those specific ones were, if only she were in the mood to. More had some variety in their feelings, and the last few just didn't care. Madeline, however, was somewhere middle of that last sentence. Of course she cared that she got chosen as per The Reaping, but she was completely void of emotion at that point of time cause she knew it was gonna happen regardless, and she also knew that there was nothing she could do to change that.

 

Madeline took the 2 hours that she was given to unpack the cloth-hidden weapons she carried and reassembled them by hand. Each one would take about 40 minutes to complete, and as such, she practically had no choice but to work on them right there and then. But still...

 

"Great, they just have to send Miss Holier Than Thou too," Madeline scowled, uncaring of who overheard her or what they thought of it, "Oh, how I can picture her voice now... 'Oh don't worry, if you die you get to go to a special place in another world where nothing bad ever happens.' Huh, she's just saying that for the sake of preaching, no doubt about that. And even if that was true, then why the hell hasn't she killed herself yet? Who knows? Maybe that way, she can prove her point!"

[Ren✧]

Damien felt a light pressure on his shoulder as a stranger tried to get his attention. As they had been protesting all morning, Damien had received more than a few angry remarks to the group's protests, but this time as he whirled around in an angry flash he quickly took note of a slightly troubled, and yet resolute looking girl. Her almost shy voice carried with it a blunt force that made Damien realize she was prepared for any trouble he might give her. Of course, retaliating hadn't crossed his mind. At least not with this girl. There was something different about her. Something that Damien found interesting.

 

"Oh...um...uh. We're sorry. We didn't mean to-...we won't bother you farther." Damien said, interrupting himself. He motioned for the other protesters to follow him. He wasn't about to stop protesting, but they could at least move away from the few stalls that had been set up. There was no reason to interfere with those that were just trying to make money. Damien and the rest of the protesters moved and continued their chanting until the ceremony began. 

 

Damien's loud protests slowly quieted as the Headmaster called for attention. The thought of protesting during the roll call crossed his mind, but he quickly recalled that a few years ago someone had done the exact same thing and had been escorted out by a pair of burly men. The man was never seen again, he was presumably sent away with those that had been unfortunate enough to be called. Damien couldn't risk that. He had a slim enough chance as it was to escape this Reaping, there was no use in jeopardizing the situation further. So, like everyone else, he grew silent. He felt someone place a hand on his shoulder. It was Mrs. Fredrick. She gave him a weak smile, and they waited together for the names to be called. He wished more than anything that Adam and Carmen were with him right now, but he had given them very precise instructions. They were to wait in the cave during the Reaping. If their names were called, Damien would rush back to the cave and figure something out. He would take their place. He would kill anyone that tried to stop him. He'd kill them all if he had to. 

 

The Headmaster thrust his hand into the bowl of folded paper that contained the names of those that would be selected in the Reaping. His fist closed around a large number of them and slowly brought them out. Damien's eyes watched his every movement. Every second between now and the end of the Reaping would be torture. Damien could hear his heart beat as it thumped wildly in his chest. Not us. Please not us. For a moment he thought about praying to Aix. He had not thought about that since last Reaping, as he never put much stock in religion, but he would do anything to ensure his family's safety. He let out a silent prayer. The next few seconds of his life would cure him of any belief he had in any divine power. 

 

"Damien Rune." His name. The first to be called. The thumping of his heart beat grew deathly slow. His ears filled with buzzing and he sank to his knees. "No. No. No." He whispered to himself. "No. NO. NO!" He said louder. Someone leaned down and looked him in the face. It was Mrs. Fredrick. 

 

"Not here child. Not now." She said, bringing the boy to his feet. Damien tried to calm himself. He needed to stay focus. His family relied on him, he knew that, but that would change. It would have to. He wouldn't be around anymore. Only then, did he realize that Adam and Carmen could still be called. He tried to focus on the rest of the names being called and to his relief Adam and Carmen were not among them.

 

As soon as the names stopped coming, Damien pushed his way through the crowd. He had to get back to the cave. He had to see them just one last time. In his hurried exit he missed the announcement that the church would be sending along a member of their own, but even if he had heard it, Damien would have scoffed. He had prayed to the supposedly mighty Aix. He had prayed and just asked for a few words not to be said. And the almighty Aix had not answered. 

 

Damien finally found himself back at the cave, Adam and Carmen rushed out to meet him. They could tell by the look on his face that something was wrong.

 

"Which one of us?" Carmen asked, knowing that at least one member of their family would be going to near certain death. 

 

"Me." Damien said, his voice strangely even. He would have thought he would have broken down by now, but something was holding him together. Upon hearing his words, tears formed in Adam and Carmen's eyes. "No tears. No time for that." Damien said. "Take this." He said, pulling a rusty knife out from a concealed pocket up his sleeve. 

 

"No." Adam said, resolutely. "You will need more than us." He said.

 

"Dammit! I said take it, Adam! TAKE IT!" Damien roared, tears finally coming to his eyes. "JUST F*CKING TAKE IT!" For the second time, Damien fell to his knees. "It's all I can give you now." He wept, his sobs coming out long and loud. 

 

"You have given enough." Damien looked up. It had not been Carmen or Adam that said it, but rather their mother. Damien was slightly surprised to see her as she almost never left the cave during the day. 

 

"But Mother, you will need it while I am gone. What if someone comes and-" 

 

"Stop." Damien's mother commanded. "You will need it. It is all you have to protect yourself. We will be fine here. We will find a way." She tried to reassure him. 

 

"You have to protect them okay?" Damien asked, all the fight in him gone. The stages of grief were moving quickly. Of course, everything was. The two hours were almost up.

 

"Of course. Now you must go. Give your mother one last hug." Damien's mother embraced him, and as they hugged, Damien was surprised to feel sobs rack his mother's body. "You did a better job than I ever could." She said, now holding him a few feet away from her. "Be sure to come back to us. Please just try." After that there were more tears and more goodbyes, but finally Damien had to leave. He took nothing but the knife. He refused to take the meager food his family had. "I love you." Damien whispered one last time as the sight of the cave finally disappeared as he entered the crowd of 150 people that were destined to die. 

[Aix]

Vivian had already said her farewells the previous day at the church before the few remaining follower, giving them her final sermon and praying for their good fortune and health. She had neglected to even mention herself, but all else that could be said was left to the solemn silence that followed and those quiet tears that fell. Within that softly sorrowful atmosphere even Vivian felt the tears well up in her eyes. They were good people and meant well, but there was no reason to be sad. This goodbye was only temporary, she would return from her divine mission unscathed, this she held with great conviction. After everyone slowly filed out of the church, she had retired to her room where she had erected a small shrine and prayed until Aix finally released her into the lull of sleep. She slept deeply and, though she had prayed well past the hour of midnight, she felt fully rested, her lithe body full of untold vigour for the journey ahead.

Subconsciously, standing isolated in the crowd, she placed a hand on the holy sword at her hip, feeling a faint but strangely calming effect emanate from the wooden sheath. Aix was telling her everything was going to be all right, she was sure of it and she donned a grateful smile for her almighty saviour, silently thanking him for all that he had done. She would stand strong, as no less was expected of her. She would be the strongest, so nothing could faze her. She would lead them, she would show them the light. Ever dutiful, the fearless soldier of the Church.

"Vivian."

She turned and gave a light but reverent bow to the man that now stood before her. He was tall, towering over Vivian, and had strong, broad shoulders which the world could've rested on as well as a head of silver hair despite the youth that remained in him.

"Father," she responded in kind.

There had been nothing left to be said, but she appreciated nonetheless that he had come to see her off. She gazed up into those kind grey eyes and gave him a smile akin to the one she had given to Aix moments earlier.

"Of course I would see you off," he said, as if he had read her mind. After all, he had been her guardian of twelve years, he watched her grow and guided her step. Her gait, her mannerisms were all familiar to him as the back of his hand. Indeed, it felt like she was a part of his flesh and blood, they had not truly separated since the day they met. He extended a hand and placed it on her shoulder. With a long pause, he spoke.

"May you never lose the light, my daughter."

He spoke not as a Father of the Church, but like a true father of blood and kin and with that he pulled her into an embrace.

Vivian's face crinkled and she hugged back tighter, but the hug was over as soon as it began. Standing back with one final stoic nod, Father walked away, disappearing into the dispersing crowd. Again, she silently thanked him. She thanked him for taking her in, she thanked for taking care of her all those years, she thanked him for doting on her. The things she could thank him for were endless. Those emotions came to a burst and she shouted at the top of her lungs.

"THANK YOU!"

Father had heard her. She was sure of it. Wiping the tear that had appeared in her eye, she turned again and sprinted to the gathering point.

[a bad post]

"Thank you," Alice said with a small smile as the boy and his group left, with no more business Alice returned to her stall hoping that business would pick a bit at least. Thankfully it did, she had 6 more customers until the Reaping. Bored as Chancellor Saros made his way up to the microphone, Alice picked at the wood table in her stall absent mindedly listening to the names being called.

 

"Lorelei. Daryl. Aden Peruvius. Isach…" Chancellor Saros said in the booming voice he had, trying to make the affair more grandiose than it really was, but what came next actually managed to surprise her,"… Damien Rune… Caroline… Madeline Lillyvick…  Albertran Carus… Marcus… Suli… Kendra Taryvl… Ahriman… Alice Sophe…", Alice's name being called out or course she though of it as a possibility, but had never really worried about it, so now at this point she was at loss for what to do,"… Izaya Futatsu… Maxwell… Sintel... Maryel Vert… Kris Dremson… and that is the end."" listening to the last of the names Alice stood up decisively picking her way through the dispersing crowds to her humble home. Something did catch her ear as she left though,"However, on this particular quarterly special Reaping, as this young and very capable woman has come of age, we have selected Vivian of the church to accompany the group on with them. How better to earn our Father's favor than to bring one of his most devout followers? Anyways, this is the end of the announcement. Those who have been selected, please pack your things and be ready to leave in two hours." Someone from the church, how... interesting.

 

Arriving at the home she lived in with her parents Alice entered quietly, finding her parents at the kitchen table, her father hunched over his hands clasped together, her mother was the first one to speak.

 

"It... its over..." Mrs. Sophe asked quietly, to which Alice nodded her head, "we're any of us picked." Alice nodded her response, finding now that when she faced her parents it was hard to put words out of her mouth. "Who." Upon hearing those fatal words Alice's father looked up haggard, dispairing that he might lose his wife, or only daughter.

 

"Me." Dead silence hung in the room, nearly physical in its thickness, it was but a moment before her father excused himself from the room, though she could hear his sobs as he walked into the other room.

 

"Saros," Mrs. Sophe growled, "that son of a b****, is going to have it this time." Mrs. Sophe's chair clattered to the ground as she stormed out into the streets Alice, worried for her followed close behind. Eventually she made her way to the Councilor building bursting, her rage palpable, she glared down at Saros. "What do you think your doing sending my daughter up to that deathtrap!?" Before he could respond Alice's mother rushed him, her face inches from, "who do you think you are you jack@$$!? Who exactly do you think you are!?" Mrs. Sophe's voice was shrill, "Redact her right now, substitute her for someone else, I don't care how you do it, I'll not have this happen to my daughter!"

 

"Mother," Alice's voice came quiet from the back of the room, a distressed look on her face, but over her mother's screaming, nobody heard her.

[Astolfo]

~ Saros ~

Saros was sitting down in his room in the Councillor building, sighing, as he suffered the pain of having to do another Reaping. He really didn't want to, but there was no other solution, and Aix knows how many things have been tried. Just as he closed his eyes, the door to his room was bashed open, and Mrs. Sophe, one of the fellow Councillors, had stormed into the building. As Councillors, they all knew the secret, but to show favoritism would be deadly. He noticed young Alice behind the mother as well. When the mother proceeded to scream at him with a painfully loud voice, he closed his eyes, and waited it out.

"Mrs. Sophe, you know how this system works. We as a society cannot afford to show favoritism in a matter as important as this, because then everyone begins to ask questions, and the society will crumble. It has almost done so, long before most of us here were even born. I am deeply sorry, but there is nothing I can do." Sighing, he waited for the inevitable raging anger that would proceed, and prepared himself to get slapped or assaulted or the like otherwise. He made his mind to take whatever she would throw at him, without any resistance, as what she would lose would be much worse than some pain, and he himself hated himself for what he had to do, and it was a weary task, but one he managed for the sake of the well being of the majority.
 

~ Sintel ~

As he eventually made his way to the area where the hundred and forty-nine others stood, he noticed most had arrived already, and that most had a rather depressed look. Trying to stay optimistic, he kept smiling, until the Headmaster's strong assistants finished preparing the three [acronym="They are decently large and have bunks and whatnot underneath and etc"]ships[/acronym] that would sail. For whatever reason, he didn't notice the Headmaster himself, which was strange. Anyways, as the Reaping was done quarterly, the materials and quality were dropping, but they still were sturdy, just not luxurious. "All of you here are amongst the one hundred and fifty that have been chosen. Please board one of the three ships as directed." Sintel was assigned to the second ship, and amongst the ship, as people were filing on, he listened to the names that would be chosen for the second ship, to see if he would recognize any of them. Alice Sophe? Nah… Never heard of here. Kendra, no… Who's Damien…? Marcus, I think I might've heard of him, but I really don't remember… Ahriman? That's a pretty interesting name, but still haven't… Izaya? Is that some [acronym="Not derogatory but just the way of referral"]Oriental[/acronym]? Wasn't Kris the blacksmith? Caroline? She was that nice baker, but her bread was always a little dry… Madeline… Who's that? Becoming slightly upset when he realized he recognized practically no one that would be on board the same ship, and was grumbling, and almost missed the last name. Vivian? Eh? Wait, I heard that name somewhere… Ah, it's on the tip of my tongue… … Damn it, I can't remember. Eh, whatever.

Slouching on a side of the ship, he sighed. There wasn't anything to have fun with yet. But an irresistible smile crept across his face, when he realized he would be able to see the world outside for the first time ever.  As one of the assistants gave an explanation of what would happen when the ships would be finally sent out, Sintel bolted back up, listening. There were a lot of unfamiliar terms, and it seemed the assistant wasn't sure either, but rather reciting set lines. Something called a "Kann-unn" would launch the ships out through a tube that would lead to the surface, and they would float in something called the "C" which was said to have tons of salt. This was ridiculous, because salt was so rare, and it was basically a treasure, and how on Isahron would there be so much just laying around for free. Even if he didn't believe it though, it felt like he was living in a dream. "I don't really get it, but it sounds ridiculously fun." Grinning, he sat down, barely able to control himself, the ships loading, and ready to launch in roughly ten minutes.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

Madeline had already finished reassembling her flintlocks, and was just doing the final touches on her musket when she heard the summons to board the ships. Of course, she wanted to actually do the finishing touches before going anywhere, which didn't take long, but when she finished, she immediately turned to the specific ship she was meant to board. And while she was there, she figured she might as well try and find a possible father figure... even though it could well be too late for that.

 

...

 

There were three guys that had caught her attention in particular. There was Sintel, who was rather cute in Madeline's eyes, but unfortunately she recognized him as the moron that had cheered loudly for being selected, and to be frank, Madeline hated idiots just as much as she liked cute boys. As such, she figured she'd best give him a pass until she learned more about him. Next was Izaya, who Madeline had heard rumors about having a split personality. She was intrigued by that alone, although she knew damn well that either one of these two personalities the guy had might bite her in the ass, and for now, she figured she best watch him from a distance as well, if only to ensure that such a thing wouldn't come to pass. Finally, there was the obvious choice: Damien, the young man that was protesting against the council. He looked handsome enough, and there wasn't much Madeline could learn from him by staying away from him. So, with her guns all holstered so they couldn't be seen, Madeline made her way towards Damien, being careful around the guards until she caught up with the young man in question.

 

"Hi, my name's Madeline," she forced a smile as she made her introduced, but it had vanished as quickly as it materialized, "I heard your protest from some distance away, though to be honest, I'm not surprised to see you here. Just goes to show that The Council doesn't care about anyone."

 

Madeline paused, and breathed a heavy sigh as she looked down at her unborn boy Hope. She could only worry about what was going to happen to him, and what she could possibly do without him out in the open sea, but now wasn't the time for concern.

 

"That said, do you mind if I ask why you protested earlier?" asked Madeline.

[Ren✧]

Damien stared up at the ships. It was of course impossible to hide such monstrous things in Isahron from the public, but Damien had never seen one up close before. He marveled at the sea vessel, trying to understand its riggings and construction. All the while, someone blabbered on about how the ships would somehow be shot to the surface, but Damien didn't care. Normally, he would pay attention, but these bastards had taken everything from him. He refused to give them any more of his time, considering they had taken away his entire future. He absentmindedly fondled the locket that hung around his neck. Inside was a picture of Carmen and Adam. The black and white images were the only things that stopped Damien from killing himself right there. The horrors of the surface would no doubt be a Hell to go through, and death was obviously a more preferable option, but the small chance that he would one day get to see Adam and Carmen again kept Damien going.

 

Wrapped up in his own mind, Damien didn't even notice the robustly pregnant girl until she started to speak to him. "Hi, my name is Madeline." She said, snapping Damien out of his dark and sorrowful thoughts. "I heard your protests from some distance away, though to be honest, I'm not surprised to see you here. Just goes to show that the council doesn't care about anyone." 

 

Damien recognized this girl. Madeline Lillyvick. Drama and gossip traveled fast around Isahron, due to its closed in nature. And there was not a citizen that anyone could remember that got in as much as she did. Damien recalled that she had gotten pregnant at a fairly young age, but lost the baby in childbirth. However, that wasn't even the juiciest bit of gossip that surrounded her. It was common knowledge that she had shot and killed the person that had impregnated, this being the second, and current, pregnancy. It wasn't a surprise that she was with the group of exiles. Damien recalled his mother using the term 'whore' to describe Madeline, but Damien didn't agree. He figured that there was much more to the story that the public knew, and wouldn't be surprised if Madeline's pregnancies were due to a less than consensual act. 

 

"That said, do you mind if I ask why you were protesting?" Damien eyed the girl, practically a woman. He had never really spoken to her before, so the fact that she would seek him out now was a bit surprising. Why now of all times would she be interested in Damien's protests? He had been picketing for years, and now she decided to state her curiosity. Why? Just as the question formed in his mind, the answer hit him in the face. It was obvious. 

 

Being pregnant would no doubt impede Madeline's chance of survival above land, of course it wasn't like any of them had any great chance of surviving anyway. But, more than likely she was talking to Damien in hopes of gaining protection. He thought about sending her on her way. He had enough to worry about without having to drag along someone, whom he assumed, would be dead weight, but something stopped him. Perhaps it was his brotherly instincts, but the vulnerability about her situation reminded him much of the numerous times he had come to Adam and Carmen's aid. 

 

"Um...we were protesting the injustices of it all." He started, stumbling a bit with his words, but eventually gaining momentum in his speech. "It's obvious that Isahron contains an unsustainable population and growth, so in order to fix that, The Council picks people to die. However, that isn't as bad as the way they go about it. Instead of owning up the fact that they are tearing apart families and destroying futures, they cast themselves in the glorious light of allowing us 'fortunate souls' to travel above ground in hopes of experiencing adventure and gaining glory. The whole thing just makes me absolutely sick!" Damien finished, a wild look coming in his eyes as his hatred for The Council grew in his voice. How dare they tear him away from his family? What had he done to deserve this? Who were they to act s- Damien stopped mid thought, remembering that he was in company of Madeline.

 

"Come over here," Damien offered. "We'll find you a seat." He said, he wasn't about to let a pregnant woman undergo what was no doubt going to be a stress voyage while standing up the entire time. 

[Cray-Crow]

The vessels were immensely impressive. Its a wonder Ahriman hadn't seen them before now, but he never had reason to gaze upon them until now, he supposed. Again, individuals were designated, this time, instructing who was to board which ship. Ahriman was told to enter the second ship. He fixed his coat and filed in line onto the walkway. Once therein, Ahriman's eyes scoured the wooden walls. He was interested by the feat of engineering this sort of structure represented. Many times, he pressed his palm against the deck and bulkheads, listening to the small, slight groan that emanated from the wood. As he did so, his eyes filled with wonder and a pleased smile grew from his usually flat mouth.

 

After his fascination was sated, Ahriman noted the others aboard the vessel. He recognized a few. One was a pregnant girl whom he knew little about. She was currently chatting with someone Ahriman didn't personally know, but he knew this person was the one that openly spoke out during the Reaping ceremony, being one of the protestors. Another was a kid who was a part of the 'excited to be chosen' group. Ahriman wasn't sure he'd get along with him. Finding an empty spot near the bulkhead, Ahriman sat sideways on the wooden seating, slouching against the wall. He sighed.

 

For once in Ahriman's life, he felt like a lot was one his mind. Maybe he was stressed. It's completely understandable if he was. He worried about his family he was leaving, whether they'd be alright without his presence or his help. He worried if it was true that the Reaping was really a death sentence rather than an honor. He worried how viable that was, since he never knew or heard of anyone returning from the Reaping. Laying his head against the wall, the soft thud helped clear him of his melancholic thoughts.

 

Whatever this is, I'll be alright. They'll be alright.

[Aix]

Vivian had never stepped aboard a boat before. Of course very few people have, since boats were not needed in the subterranean Isahron and only a very brave, or foolish, few dared venture to the surface for fear of ambush by the dangerous creatures that lurked in the world above. The thought of dangerous creatures no longer brought any reaction to Vivian, she had completely prepared her heart now and it beat unwavering with conviction. Striding gracefully towards the front of the vessel, she passed a pregnant girl and a boy, both around her age, talking and, on chance, overheard their conversation.
 
"We were protesting the injustices of it all. It's obvious that Isahron contains an unsustainable population and growth, so in order to fix that, The Council picks people to die. However, that isn't as bad as the way they go about it. Instead of owning up the fact that they are tearing apart families and destroying futures, they cast themselves in the glorious light of allowing us 'fortunate souls' to travel above ground in hopes of experiencing adventure and gaining glory. The whole thing just makes me absolutely sick!"
 
Vivian stopped and turned to face the two, they were evidently not in entirely good spirits and she took it upon herself to bring peace to her hearts as Aix brought peace to hers. "You speak as though you are already certain of death, but nothing in this world is certain unless Aix wills it." Catching their attention, she gave them a cordial smile and continued. "This is a trial we must face, but worry not for the pure-hearted and faithful shall survive." She walked closer to them, and bent over, putting a gentle hand on Madeline's stomach. "O blessed child, to set on a holy journey even before birth. May--"
 
The ship took that moment to lurch, and Vivian, already in an unsteady stance, fell over.
 
The Kanon had began to move. A massive beast of a machine it was, invented by a genius of ages past and capable of carrying the large vessel and its fifty passengers without mishap. The two other ships had begun to move as well, carried by identical machines.
 
Their journey was finally about to begin.
 
Vivian could not miss this, though she was usually a sea of calm, a single thought now soared within her, a curiosity that was undoubtedly within anyone who had lived their entire lives underground. She quickly stood back up and brushed herself off. Though she was still unsteady and unused to the rumbling beneath her feet, there was no great indication of such in her movements. "May your child grow in good health in our new world," she said, finishing her previous sentence, and after one last parting smile to the pair, she drifted onwards again towards the bow eager to catch a glimpse of what lay ahead.
 

Chapter II: First Steps

 
The sky. At first there was only a dot of light in the distance, but suddenly, like a miracle of Aix unfurling, the cavern ceiling gave way to an endless blue expanse. Little wisps of clouds drifted lazily around that massive lantern hanging above that nearly blinded them on sight. The sun it was called and Vivian could only wonder how it had been hung there. The air was different, too - clearer, fuller, richer, and, taking a deep breath, Vivian caught the distant smell of salt and brine. Salt... salt was so rare in Isahron that Vivian had barely recognized it, but now, as she gazed towards the sea, it was everywhere.
 
Once more the ships lurched as they were let into the water, causing Vivian to quickly grip onto the side of the ship for balance, but even the ship seemed unsteady and lacking of balance now. Alarm nearly overtook her, but she remembered that this was what it meant to be on a boat. Slowly, she accustomed herself to the steady rocking and stood straight again.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
"O Pioneers of Isahron, today we step upon the first leg of our holy journey. Look around you, to your fellows, these are the men and women chosen by Aix Vitae to lead the reclamation of this beautiful world you see before us! Look above you at the sky, this clear blue sky is the sky under which you shall live, the sky where Aix dwells on high watching over us! Never lose hope, for his guidance is always there for the faithful and pure-hearted to follow." The holy maiden was again in her natural environment, guiding the lost lambs of Aix to salvation, her mellifluous voice a clear note that rang out through light and darkness. Dedicated to her life's work, the girl was beautiful, her face an expression of single-hearted determination and at the same time, serenity, while her short golden hair also shone, brighter than ever, as it fluttered in the ocean breeze.

[a bad post]

Mrs. Sophe opened her mouth and geared up to lay into Saros, until she saw the pained look on his face, and it took all the wind out of her sails. Was this system she had been apart of for so long. The system she had been apart for all these years, for so long she had been ignorant to the pain of others, as their loved ones were wrenched away from them.

 

Mrs. Sophe collapsed to her knees, weeping into her hands, and could've gone on forever until a small pair of arms wrapped around her.

 

"It will be okay mother," Alice's small voice came from behind her, the girl then turned to Saros a small smile across her face, "I am sorry for the trouble Councilor Saros, me and my mother will take our leave now." Her voice was so devoid of fear, of accusation, of anger it was enough to put anyone at easy. Taking her mother by the hand Alice took her to leave, though as they left one could still hear the daughter's small voice assuring her mother, "it is not a death sentence mother. Merely a trial... I promise you that I will return to you." Perhaps one could see the smile on the mother's face as well...

 

-Sometime Later-

 

Alice had just been ready to board the ship, having said her goodbyes a small suitcase in her hand and a bag with what few belongings she thought she might need, when she her name being called out.

 

"Alice! Alice, wait!" Alice's eyes widened in shock as her father ran up to her a small brown bundle in his hands, "Here. This will be useful to you on your trip. Promise me though you will not open in until you reach the surface, okay."

 

"Of course father," was Alice's reply, though she was more than a little confused.

 

"Good girl," he said dropping the, surprisingly heavy, bundle into her hands, "now one last hug." He pulled her into a tight embrace. One last time... just in case... just in case in might never happen again. He released her and moved away into the crowd of onlookers.

 

With that Alice was alone. She boarded the ship in aloof silence, not looking at any of the other passengers, though she could feel there glares upon her, and there insults attempting to take purchase.

 

"Oh, look at the councilor's daughter! Is she going to cry?"

 

"Hey, b****! Guess whose our meat shield when the monsters come looking for dinner?"

 

"Go to hell!"

 

She paid the insults no mind, Alice had already anticipated this possibility. She would not give them the satisfaction of a reaction. Apparently though some found it would be better to just physically abuse her instead of verbally, as one young man decided to push her to the ground, adding a few derogatory words. Though instant karma decided to bite him in the butt, as as soon as the Kanon launched he fell flat on his face.

 

As the ship rocked steadily on the water Alice picked herself up, electing to take a seat near the protesting boy from earlier, and a pregnant woman.

 

"It is a brave new world we are about to enter," Alice whispered to herself closing her eyes, a small hardly noticeably smile coming across her lips, "I wonder how this will play out?" 

[Ren✧]

As Damien attempted to show Madeline to a seat, a girl that was obviously a member of the church walked by, having heard their conversation about the government's injustice and tyranny. "You speak as though you are already certain of death, but nothing in this world is certain unless Aix wills it." She began, trying to reassure the two. However, Damien didn't find it very comforting that Aix's will included tearing him away from the family that depended on him. Despite the obvious skepticism and cynicism etched upon Damien's face, the girl continued to talk. "This is a trial we must face, but worry not for the pure-hearted and faithful shall survive." At that moment, Damien's ears caught the hint of foul language being tossed at some, and turned to see the victim. 

 

A girl had just boarded the ship, a small bag in hand. Damien vaguely remembered her as someone of importance in Isahron, but didn't make the connection until someone made a comment about her being the councilor's daughter. Damien racked his brain for his name, the letter 'A' coming to mind. Allie? Alison? It was something like that. Damien took a step to move to her side, in hopes of perhaps protecting her from further insults, but it was that moment that ship lurched, signalling their ascent to the surface. Damien stumbled slightly, but managed to keep his feet. Knowing that standing was not in the best interest of everyone, he finished ushering Madeline over to a seat, shooting the religious girl a dirty look. He had no need to believe in Aix. Aix had abandoned him the moment that Damien was torn away from his family, and he would not waste another second on the cruel bastard.

 

Moments later, the girl whom had previously been victim to insults sat next to him. "It is a brave new world we are about to enter." She whispered, barely loud enough for Damien to hear. "I wonder how this will play out?" She asked aloud, causing Damien to place comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

"We don't have to face it alone." He said, not only to her but also to Madeline on his other side. Just as the ship struck the surface, sending a large spray of water up into the air, drenching Damien completely. He opened his mouth to let out a curse, but was stopped by the realization that he was seeing the surface for the first time in his life. New smells assaulted his nose. He recognized the sharp scent of salt, but never before had he smelled so much of it. Another smell, slightly pungent, reminded him of the slimy cave dwelling creatures that he had eaten throughout his life. And the smell of fresh air was all around him. He couldn't help but laugh. Sure, he had been torn away from his family. And he still hated the council, and all of Isahron, for separating himself from them, but the surface was just so...beautiful." 

 

The religious girl began to preach, assuring the passengers aboard the ship that Aix would guide them to safety and prosperity. Damien let out a boo, as did several others that had turned away from religion. He wasn't about to let his girl justify his tragedy by saying that it was for the greater good. He wasn't about to let some invisible, bastard in the sky to be a puppeteer in his life. Aix may be real, and he may be all powerful. However, a god is absolutely nothing to a non-believer. 

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

"It's OK, I prefer to stand. Although..." instead of standing properly, Madeline leaned against the wall in a certain stance, in case the ship would move too fast to allow her footing, or how sudden it would get up to speed. She didn't know if either scenario would happen, but what she did know was a little bit more about Damien. Although he spoke nervously at first, Madeline could tell that the more Damien spoke about The Council, the angrier he got. Perhaps that's why he protested, Damien must've still had the willpower to stand against The Council, whereas Madeline had given up on them completely.

 

“Maybe we have more in common than I thought,” Madeline was about to say more, but was intervened by the worst person she could ever have laid eyes upon.

 

“You speak as though you are already certain of death, but nothing in this world is certain unless Aix wills it.” said Vivian, as though she were nothing more than a drone. She probably just liked the sound of her own voice for all Madeline knew, and there was no telling if anyone had any idea what she was talking about. As such, there was no point asking for clarification on it. Vivian then placed her hand on Madeline's stomach, much to the latter's offense.

 

“Why you...!” Madeline moved to slap said hand off her stomach, but the ship seemed to force it off for her, with what lurching forward and causing Vivian to lose her balance. Madeline pushed most her weight against the wall she was leaning on to counteract the sharp jolt, and was glad she did; there was no telling how she'd respond if Hope were to be hurt because of that jolt. But then again, that hand of Vivian's could've belonged to anyone, and hands were capable of so many things. There was just no trusting her; even if she was a holy girl, she could've truly intended an act of quite the contrary. Her intentions weren't all that clear.

 

'I don't know who or what this Aix Vitae is supposed to be, but her words sound like pure poison,' Madeline thought to herself as Vivian preached, with many people booing to her in response to it including Damien, 'Hmm... she's probably been brainwashed by The Council. Wouldn't put it past her though.'

 

Madeline sighed, and continued to observe Damien and their new companion as she leaned against the wall.

[Astolfo]

~ Sintel ~

As the ship that Sintel was aboard on had finished preparations, and got ready to launch to the surface, he spread his arms out, but as the powerful forces knocked him onto his bottom, he watched from his sitting position in awe. The very moment that the ship had exited, and landed on the surface, they were drenched by a torrent of salty water. He began to laugh, unable to help himself. The sky was a wondrous blue in shade, and the waters a brilliant aquamarine. The air had the scent of salt riding on them, and there was a luminous ball of fire in the sky, and he felt all warm inside. Above all, there was this amazing, amazing, amazing feel of life buzzing in the whole place, and he couldn't help but smile. Running to the edge of the boat, he looked over the edge, and dipped his hand into the sea. It felt refreshing, and Sintel was breathless, absorbing in all the new things he saw, smelt, and felt.

He was about to try diving over the edge, and although he knew he couldn't swim, the deepest body of water Sintel had ever seen was the secret spring he had found, and he had floated in there, but some people started up a ruckus, and he turned to look, intrigued. Some fancy looking Councillor girl was being taunted, and he cocked his head, but peered closer, when he heard the word monsters. That's right! I heard there's all sorts of awesome creatures out there! Shivering with excitement, he almost didn't notice the second ruckus, between the church girl, Violet, was it? No, that's not quite right. A pregnant woman seemed to really detest the girl, who seemed to be trying to bless the child within, and he stepped over to the group, trying to see if he could maybe calm them down.

"Heya, everyone! Isn't this really exciting? I mean look, the sky is so blue, and the waters are so clear, and there's this huge ball of fire in the sky, and it's warm out here! Why are you all so upset? This place is amazing!" Looking towards Madeline, he grinned. "Miss, what's your name?" With barely a break in his talking, he continued. "What's your child's name? I hope everything goes well!" While Sintel knew about the people who doubted in the Council, and the disbelievers of Aix, and normally it would depress him a bit, in this wondrous new world, he felt like nothing could ruin his cheer, and it was this attitude that Sintel radiated as he sat next to the group, with Damien, Madeline, Alice, and the holy girl standing next to them.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Look at them all...lot of idiots...all of them! Izaya could heard Hanshou's thoughts run rampant in his mind, as he stared at the small group assembled. He could recognize one, it was the holy girl from the church...which was still a surprise that she was chosen to partake in this. The others...well, the others he wasn't so sure about.

 

This did not stop him however, as he slowly stood up and put his "tent" equipment slung on his shoulder as he headed towards the group. He had watched the crowd so many times over...he wanted to know these people...as they might've been the only ones he'd have to talk to for a while...other than Hanshou, who by now was in a sort of uproar.

 

What do you think your doing, brother? These lambs are no where near where they should be! Hanshou's thoughts hissed.

 

Izaya sighed and shook his head. I-I don't care...I'm going to talk to them...you promised to me before...that whatever friends come, you wouldn't harm them. he thought, but knew the back-fire to this: if they got in his way or backstabbed him...Hanshou would let them have it. Hanshou remained silent as the young Futatsu boy made his way to the group.

 

"Hi there..."

[Cray-Crow]

Not long after Ahri had made himself comfortable, the renowned church girl graciously carried herself aboard the vessel. Somehow, she walked with such presence, a sense of dignity? Ahri wasn't sure what the word was, but it ebbed from her. It swooned the underground populace of Isharon, and it captivated some even now. On the verge of leaving their home, several of the chosen looked to her for their faith and hope. She embodied it while underground, she'll embody it as they see the new world. The male sitting with the pregnant girl expressed dissent towards the worshiper of Aix, but the priestess only calmly spoke and placed her palm on the pregnant girl's belly.

 

Meanwhile, from behind Ahri, people were getting rowdy and their speech sounded vehement. They were bullying someone. Looking back, Ahri saw they were victimizing some girl Ahri never met. He got up from his seat against the wooden railing to stand beside and defend her, but at that moment, a gargantuan sound erupted, and the vessel lunged forward, causing Ahri to cling onto the woodwork to his side.

 

The outside was... magnificent. The sky, so clear was vast, it made Ahri's eyes hurt as it tried to capture it all. The ocean, though not as immense as the sky, moved. It made loud swooshing and soft crashing sounds as the waves formed and collapsed. Some of the splash went above and into the boat. Being so close to the edge, Ahri caught a taste of how salty the water was: It made him gag on its bitterness.

 

Finding the bullied girl, she was sitting with the small group that had formed around the pregnant girl. The harassing had since ceased. Someone else was there now. He was positively jubilant with the sight of the open world. Before he realized it, other groups among the passengers were forming. It's probably for the best, Ahri thought. Everyone left their families back in the giant cave they called their home, now they must make a new family. One to share new and unexpected experiences and make new memories with.

 

Hm. They aren't so bad. Ahri stood up and walked to the group. Before he made it to them, another kid joined them. "Hey." Ahri nodded his head towards the church girl. "I wouldn't be sure she's okay with you touching her like that."