*A white wolf the size of a small pony stalks the forests of Myth Drannor. She pauses, locked on the scent of a small rodent. Her ears prick with the sound of tiny feet in the underbrush. She lowers her body in a crouch, anticipating with a drooling mouth the kill she will savor.
She lays her ears flat, the rodent is close. She cannot contain the saliva that comes flowing into her mouth. In silence she licks her jowls and read- ies to pounce. With a jolt, a pair of green eyes flash into her mind. She shakes her head, as if the image is a mere sneeze she can cast away. It is not.
She sees herself on a beach and hears the laughter. She smells the scents of herbs and the green eyes that smile with warmth. She shakes her head as the taste of tea floods over her tongue. Barely, the wolf has enough time to remember the face - Throm, and understand where the memory is heading. And why.
Crystal blue eyes widen in horror as the piercing pain of blade to heart is felt in her chest. It knocks her onto her side and she releases a deep howl that drifts into a whine. She tries to draw in a breath, but her sides feel as though they are on fire. She shudders, her limbs twitching. She begins choking. She cannot pull in the air - she cannot pull in air - she cannot -
Kaliadra twitches on the ground, an elven woman. Her eyes flare brightly for a moment, then slowly dim.*
Final Words
Sanria had gone as far north as she could. Her throat raw from breathing in the freeing air. The tears on her cheeks grew icy before they had even coursed their way down her face, leaving a dried trail of saltwater. She couldn't feel her feet. She couldn't feel her hands. She couldn't feel anything but the void at the center of her chest that spread from her heart and into the entirety of her being. She stumbled and fell into the snow on her hands and knees, her palms reddening with the cold. Karen, the help's voice rang in her mind, 'I'm sorry, M'lady... we found him by the fire... he's dead.'
Sanria let out a roar of anguish and sat on her heels. She had lost Emalia. She had lost touch with Tarran. She had lost two children that never even made it to birth. She had lost her grasp on a realm that made everything okay. She had barely kept herself together. She had dared hope that the night spent by the fire with Throm was the beginning of what should have been and what finally would be. She had no idea that it would be the last time she'd see him alive.
Sanria slid from her heels and sat in the frigid snow absolutely broken. She wanted to tear out the thick feeling that curled in her chest and throw it away, but she couldn't grasp it. The pain was beyond her reckoning - as was everything else. She let out a gut wrenching howl and gripped her head in her hands. She screamed out his name, the word billowing steam from her mouth. There would be no Bastion in the skies to save her this time. There would be no rescue. There would never be.
Sanria opened her pack, barely able to see for the tears that continually welled up in her eyes. She found what she sought, and could barely grip the handle of the dagger, so numb were her fingers. She stared for a long time at the glinting metal, the steel shining white in reflection of the ground and the overcast skies. Snow began to drift down around her in thick, lazy flakes. She looked skyward and the flakes caught on her eyelashes and face, staying whole and remaining.
A flash of green eyes aglow. A long stretching memory of time in the sand, time in a garden, cups of tea. As if guided, the blade slid between Sanria's ribs and into her heart. The pain was excruciating, blinding, then - exquisite... the tea was exquisite. There was no more cold, no more pain. Sanria was sitting in front of a fire and beside her was the one being she could never attain. Throm smiled back at her, his eyes sparkling. She took his hand as her body fell into the snow. She leaned over and gave him a kiss as the blood left her body to turn the snow crimson. She whispered the words, "I love you," before the image faded and Sanria's life parted ways with Sanria's body.
Sanria let out a roar of anguish and sat on her heels. She had lost Emalia. She had lost touch with Tarran. She had lost two children that never even made it to birth. She had lost her grasp on a realm that made everything okay. She had barely kept herself together. She had dared hope that the night spent by the fire with Throm was the beginning of what should have been and what finally would be. She had no idea that it would be the last time she'd see him alive.
Sanria slid from her heels and sat in the frigid snow absolutely broken. She wanted to tear out the thick feeling that curled in her chest and throw it away, but she couldn't grasp it. The pain was beyond her reckoning - as was everything else. She let out a gut wrenching howl and gripped her head in her hands. She screamed out his name, the word billowing steam from her mouth. There would be no Bastion in the skies to save her this time. There would be no rescue. There would never be.
Sanria opened her pack, barely able to see for the tears that continually welled up in her eyes. She found what she sought, and could barely grip the handle of the dagger, so numb were her fingers. She stared for a long time at the glinting metal, the steel shining white in reflection of the ground and the overcast skies. Snow began to drift down around her in thick, lazy flakes. She looked skyward and the flakes caught on her eyelashes and face, staying whole and remaining.
A flash of green eyes aglow. A long stretching memory of time in the sand, time in a garden, cups of tea. As if guided, the blade slid between Sanria's ribs and into her heart. The pain was excruciating, blinding, then - exquisite... the tea was exquisite. There was no more cold, no more pain. Sanria was sitting in front of a fire and beside her was the one being she could never attain. Throm smiled back at her, his eyes sparkling. She took his hand as her body fell into the snow. She leaned over and gave him a kiss as the blood left her body to turn the snow crimson. She whispered the words, "I love you," before the image faded and Sanria's life parted ways with Sanria's body.
Falling Action
'Throm? Are you alright?' Sanria asked as she looked at him curiously. It was no small wonder she might be able to see that he wasnt exactly himself at the moment...not that he had been for quite some time though. He nodded as strongly as he could muster. 'I am alright indeed. Feels good to be... myself again.' he lied as Karen distributed steaming mugs to them both. It seemed as though Sanria saw right through the facade as she sat down beside in front of the fireplace her look turning skeptical. 'Well, you dont look quite your old self just yet.' And even as he sat there, the life force in him ebbing away, he found himself completely at peace. His mind unfettered by cold calculations and dual motives, Throm was merely able to enjoy being in the presence her familiar company once again, one final time before they were to part ways for the last time. His mug grew impossibly heavy so that he had little choice but to cradle it in his lap as their conversation grew late into the evening. Karen kept the mugs ever full as if she herself was aware of Throms need for this conversation, aware of his need for peace at long last. But as all good things must come to an end, the evening finally came to an end and Sanria eventually went on her way. Throm was left where he sat, content and left with the inescapable revelation that old wounds of past would be healed forever. Karen stood in the entry way smiling over at him. He returned the older womans in kind. 'Karen, I would like it if you could ensure I remain here undisturbed for the rest of the evening.' Karen nodded calling out over her shoulder as she walked towards the door. 'Call if you find yourself in need of anything. I wont be but a stones throw.' Throm closed his eyes and sank further down into his heavy robes. From his hands the tea mug fell softly to the floor but Throm afforded it no concern as he felt his breath leave his body. His time had come. No more would he draw air into his lungs. No more would he enjoy tea with Sanria. Yet what he had been able to experience he was grateful for. These thoughts were to be the last of Throm uth Bannon.
Climax
The sounds of voices breaking the silence of the manors halls caused Throm to turn towards their source. 'Guests?' he murmured as one of his attendants, Karen led another figure to him. 'Indeed. Lady Sanria, no less.' the attendant beamed proudly, as her companion stopped in front of the couch Throm was bundled up upon. Not too long ago, Throm would felt awkward confronted with the sudden arrival of an old interest. Yet the same voice that spoke doom deep within his mind, now resonated relief within every fiber of his being. He didnt try to dissect it was he stared up at Sanria, old memories again blowing through the scars of past altercations.
'Youre not a...' Sanrias voice trailed off into a whisper. 'Specter?' he finished for her as a small smile grew on his face. She didnt answer just cast a short nod in his direction as Karen departed the room. Throm smiled still. 'No, I fear the food didnt quite taste the same as a specter.' she laughed just a little as she sat across from him on the couch. 'I wouldnt think so.' Throm plied his way through discourse, his mind weary but happy all the same. He found himself comfortable once more in her presence. For the first time in a long time he felt no facade, no barrier seperating them as she disclosed that she would be not be returning to the upper planes any more. 'At any rate that is all I came to say.' Sanria stood as Throm was able to manage a weak grin up at her. Throm had much more to say however a sudden reluctance to burden the woman further descended upon him as he just said what he thought would cause her the least confusion, 'Im glad to hear that you will be remaining with us lowly Primers.' Sanria simply smiled as if a little forced as she stepped back from him. 'Ill trouble you no more Throm.' It wasnt quite how he had intended their parting yet he just gave a nod of his head and made a poor attempt at prolonging conversation. Left to himself once more, the silence didnt last long before Karen wanted back into the room holding a tray with two mugs of tea. The older woman cast to Throm a confused glance. 'Where is she going?' Throm gave the barest hint of a shrug and didnt respond for a few moments. 'She didnt say, though I suppose she is going home.' Karens confused stare persisted as Throm cast his gaze back to the fireplace meaning to put an end to the subject. 'Well, was she not going to have tea with you? I asked her if shed be around for tea and she said she would...' From the corner of his half closed eyes his amusement was hard to disguise in the green edge of his stare. The corners of his mouth turned upwards the slightest bit as he smiled not unkindly and shook his head as though the movement cost him much effort. 'Then I suppose she has either forgotten, or has lied to you though I suspect the former as opposed to the latter.' His mind began to drift inward upon itself wearily as sleep threatened to overtake him. A voice pulled him back from the edge of it rather abruptly. 'I forgot my pack...'
'Youre not a...' Sanrias voice trailed off into a whisper. 'Specter?' he finished for her as a small smile grew on his face. She didnt answer just cast a short nod in his direction as Karen departed the room. Throm smiled still. 'No, I fear the food didnt quite taste the same as a specter.' she laughed just a little as she sat across from him on the couch. 'I wouldnt think so.' Throm plied his way through discourse, his mind weary but happy all the same. He found himself comfortable once more in her presence. For the first time in a long time he felt no facade, no barrier seperating them as she disclosed that she would be not be returning to the upper planes any more. 'At any rate that is all I came to say.' Sanria stood as Throm was able to manage a weak grin up at her. Throm had much more to say however a sudden reluctance to burden the woman further descended upon him as he just said what he thought would cause her the least confusion, 'Im glad to hear that you will be remaining with us lowly Primers.' Sanria simply smiled as if a little forced as she stepped back from him. 'Ill trouble you no more Throm.' It wasnt quite how he had intended their parting yet he just gave a nod of his head and made a poor attempt at prolonging conversation. Left to himself once more, the silence didnt last long before Karen wanted back into the room holding a tray with two mugs of tea. The older woman cast to Throm a confused glance. 'Where is she going?' Throm gave the barest hint of a shrug and didnt respond for a few moments. 'She didnt say, though I suppose she is going home.' Karens confused stare persisted as Throm cast his gaze back to the fireplace meaning to put an end to the subject. 'Well, was she not going to have tea with you? I asked her if shed be around for tea and she said she would...' From the corner of his half closed eyes his amusement was hard to disguise in the green edge of his stare. The corners of his mouth turned upwards the slightest bit as he smiled not unkindly and shook his head as though the movement cost him much effort. 'Then I suppose she has either forgotten, or has lied to you though I suspect the former as opposed to the latter.' His mind began to drift inward upon itself wearily as sleep threatened to overtake him. A voice pulled him back from the edge of it rather abruptly. 'I forgot my pack...'
Rising Action
Little was there Throm could do to drive the chill from his bones as he sat within his office. Out of habit he attempted to will into existence a warm meal of chicken only to feel no response to his unspoken commands. Yet for some reason it didnt bother the man. No, it seemed to validate everything that he had hoped for. It was a small price to pay to filter from his mind and body the corrupted taint of the black makou that had plagued him for so long. He returned his attention to the document at his desk and with great effort continued to scrawl upon its surface. Yet even as the pen made its way slowly across the paper, Throms mind drifted back within itself as old memories seemed to overtake newer ones. Fond memories of arriving in alien lands as an immigrant flooded past those of tainting the lifestream and his inadvertant fall from moral grace. He remembered the very moment hed been taken in by the Syndicate and taught the ways of these lands. Finding good company in his new home among the Guardians. Through his recollection of a catastrophic fall of both organizations he grasped the memories of forested scents, long brown hair, of an alluring smile found often concealed beneath the edge of a tea mug. Beyond memories of a Vectorian occupation emerged a glimpse of his acceptance within the Tripower halls. All of these latter a representation of those choice moments in his life where all had been truly right with the world. These were the memories he would choose to cling to. Something again tugged at the back of Throms mind and he slowly groped his way back to the consciousness he hadnt been aware he had departed from.
'Stay with it old man. Youve finally made it, this is no time for a nap.
His voice muttered weakly through the dark confines of his office. He took the document and folded it as neatly as he could into a plain envelope upon the desk.
Throm stood slowly and pulled the bundle of robes he wore tightly about him as he shuffled his way to the door. The very act of moving caused a shiver from the chill which he couldnt seem to shake. Again an inner naysayer at the back of his mind pulled at him, trying to tell him something but he set such thoughts once more far from his mind.
'Stay with it old man. Youve finally made it, this is no time for a nap.
His voice muttered weakly through the dark confines of his office. He took the document and folded it as neatly as he could into a plain envelope upon the desk.
Throm stood slowly and pulled the bundle of robes he wore tightly about him as he shuffled his way to the door. The very act of moving caused a shiver from the chill which he couldnt seem to shake. Again an inner naysayer at the back of his mind pulled at him, trying to tell him something but he set such thoughts once more far from his mind.
Exposition
Painblinding pain. This was all that Throm could feel as his very being was spliced together cell by cell. But with each cell that fell into place to construct his corporeal form, he felt more like himself than he had ever felt these past few years. Before the accident that had since merged black makou into his life force. Before the bitter bile of resentment had fought and won its war within him. Before he had tasted real loss, and truly was shown how fickle the world around him could be. Each second seemed to drag on into eternity. Seconds became minutes. Minutes, hours. These hours in turn became days. How many? Throm had lost track long before the pain had subsided and his naked emaciated form fell from the work table to the chill surface of the floor below.
He lay there for some time before pulling himself shakily to his feet. One simple glance down at his chest confirmed that the horrid black scar was no long present. It worked! he thought as realization gripped the Cetra. How could it be in a world without absolution that my sins stand forgiven? Can it truly be I am simply nothing more than a fresh slate of my own creation? Throm thought as he shivered uncontrollably. He grasped with futile effort at the robe that he had laid out for himself ahead of time, finally balling up both of his fists to clutch the garment causing him to once more fall to the floor. Lying there tangled in his own robe, Throm found himself unable to keep a smile from slowly spreading across his face. He marvelled at the prospect that perhaps she might love him again. That his son might wish to be in the same room as him once more. That he could go to Colin with a fix to the problem that had plagued them both and finally be the friend that he had neglected to be.
A series of coughs wracked the mans body as he convulsed into a fetal ball for a moment before rolling onto his back. The cold continued to seep into him and he pulled the robe tighter to his body with his knotted fingers. A grim realization tugged at the back of his mind yet Throm refused to permit such thoughts to intrude upon his moment. Slowly he sat up and stared down to the end of the room where the massive magenta pillar stood. Encased and suspended within it was the visage of Throm before his seperation. Encased within it was all of his power, all of the natural born ability that served to allow him to defy lifes very fickle nature. Throm cast the pillar just one more glance before he slowly crawled from the room, his words coming in the form of a small croak.
'I don't need you anymore...'
He lay there for some time before pulling himself shakily to his feet. One simple glance down at his chest confirmed that the horrid black scar was no long present. It worked! he thought as realization gripped the Cetra. How could it be in a world without absolution that my sins stand forgiven? Can it truly be I am simply nothing more than a fresh slate of my own creation? Throm thought as he shivered uncontrollably. He grasped with futile effort at the robe that he had laid out for himself ahead of time, finally balling up both of his fists to clutch the garment causing him to once more fall to the floor. Lying there tangled in his own robe, Throm found himself unable to keep a smile from slowly spreading across his face. He marvelled at the prospect that perhaps she might love him again. That his son might wish to be in the same room as him once more. That he could go to Colin with a fix to the problem that had plagued them both and finally be the friend that he had neglected to be.
A series of coughs wracked the mans body as he convulsed into a fetal ball for a moment before rolling onto his back. The cold continued to seep into him and he pulled the robe tighter to his body with his knotted fingers. A grim realization tugged at the back of his mind yet Throm refused to permit such thoughts to intrude upon his moment. Slowly he sat up and stared down to the end of the room where the massive magenta pillar stood. Encased and suspended within it was the visage of Throm before his seperation. Encased within it was all of his power, all of the natural born ability that served to allow him to defy lifes very fickle nature. Throm cast the pillar just one more glance before he slowly crawled from the room, his words coming in the form of a small croak.
'I don't need you anymore...'
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