Veiled Trust

Year 30

*As the parties cart travels through the mountain path.. Ruddy looks down at a letter then looks out in the distance as he steers the cart with Falicia sitting next to him. They reach a town and stop to ask for directions from a beastkin as they walk by.*

Falicia: Hi, sorry. We were hoping you could help point us in the right direction.

Beastkin: Not a problem at all. Where you trying to get?

Falicia: You wouldn't happen to know where Clayton lives?

Beastkin: Who?

Ruddy: Clayton, Big silent type.

Beastkin: Oh him! He and Sunflower live at the base of that mountain at the Seasonal Inn.

*The beastkin points towards the largest mountain surrounding the valley.*

Beastkin: I just saw him last week. Are you the person that sunflower said he was meeting?

Ruddy: Yeah. We were hoping he could help our elven friend.

Beastkin: *Smiles* I’m sure he can. Clayton. Huh, is that really his name?

Falicia: That’s what we were told. What do most people call him?

Beastkin: most people just call him by a nickname they’ve given him. He seems to prefer it that way.

*Falicia hops off the cart.*

Falicia: Well I’ll go find a place to sleep. I’ll meet you all later.

Ruddy: Okay, I’ll come find you after we meet him.

*Emma helps Kimmy step out of the back.*

Emma: Kimmy listen to Aunt Falicia while you’re with her.

*Kimmy grabs Falicia’s hand and waves the cart goodbye. The cart arrives before a large tavern. Ruddy and Ariella walk in, leaving Emma in the cart. The only person inside is just a smaller female beastkin; she has a dark face with yellow ears of a canine. She smiles as she walks towards them.*

Sunflower: I’m sorry we’re not open for a few hours.

Ruddy: We’re here for Clayton. David told us this is where he lives.

Sunflower: Oh! You must be the elf he talked about.

Ariella: No, she’s waiting outside.

Sunflower: Oh. she can come in. I’ll go see if he’s awake.

*After a moment Sunflower returns. Behind her, towering over her, stands Clayton. Clayton's body covered in scars, He wears loose pants and two thick bracelets. Clayton places his hands together and bows his head, Ariella just looks in awe. Clayton starts moving his hands around after he smirks.*

Sunflower: He said, David described you as taller.

*The two look confused for a moment.*

Sunflower: Oh sorry. My Father doesn’t speak. His words have power. Each word is like a powerful spell. He uses sign language with his hands. I can translate.

*Sunflower continues to translate for Clayton. The two describe the situation the best they can to him. Clayton looks perplexed for a moment then signs for them to follow him.*

Sunflower: He also asked if you could bring Emma.

*Reaching a cleared out section of the woods Clayton and Sunflower stand in the center. The three arrive with a blindfolded Emma, who's able to walk without needing help thanks to her sense spell.*

Sunflower: Emma can you hear me?

Emma: Yeah.

Sunflower: We’re going to remove the blindfold then step back. Can you count from.

Emma: I can sense you. Just tell me when.

Sunflower: *Smiles* Sounds good.

*Ruddy and the two girls step back after removing her blindfold. Emma opens her eyes. Clayton’s soul is a spiral mix of solid blacks and whites. He stands up right. The voice begins to starts whispering. Clayton uses his hand to speak*

Sunflower: You have to ignore them! Think about Kimmy.

*Emma’s eyes start to turn purple. Her gaze fixed on Clayton.*

Ariella: I don’t think it’s gonna work. She was saved by him.

*Clayton signs to Sunflower.*

Sunflower: Keep your focus. Even if you lose yourself don't give in. Now. It's about to get more difficult.

*Emma nods and locks onto Clayton as he speaks.*

Clayton: Give

*Emma feels an overwhelming urge to give into the voice. The whispers turn to an audible voice.*

Voice: Kill him.

*Emma’s eyes start to spiral with purple.*

Ruddy: What did he say?

Sunflower: It looked like ‘give’. From what he told me, it pushes people to give in.

Ariella: So he’s trying to force her out?

Sunflower: Yes. If Emma can fight off his voice, then she should have nothing to worry about.

Ariella: *Worried* Emma

*As the last of the Green leaves her eyes, Emma unsheathes her blades and disappears. Clayton blocks her attack from behind, using his bracelets. The two start their fight Clayton blocks all of Emma’s attacks effortlessly. As she fights her eyes start to glow brighter, She jumps back and behind her Lily walks out, Her eye’s in sync with Emma’s as they blink in unison. Clayton pulls out a metal pole as Lily charges at him. Clayton blocks Lily and pushes her back while Emma tries to sneak up behind again. Once again Clayton is ready for her attack and faster than she could see, Clayton raises his leg and slams it down over Emma's head. As he picks up his foot Emma quickly darts back next to Lily.*

Ruddy: So this is what's inside Emma?

Ariella: Yeah. I've never seen her like this before. I can barely feel her in there.

*As Emma stands up she smiles before enhancing herself. She dashes towards Clayton, only for him to grab her by the throat. Emma smiles as she slowly starts to fade away in a cloud of smoke. A large cut appears across Claytons arm and turns back to see Emma Petting Lily behind him.*

Ariella: Those clones of hers are scary. She can apply spells to them .Tell him to be careful hitting them.

Sunflower: Dad! It’s like the fight with Mon-juu!

*Clayton nods as he dodges one of Emma’s clones and her smile starts to fade. As Clayton dodges the clones Lily Turns to a copy. As Clayton dodges Lily's first strike she turns to her larger form and wraps around him. Emma slowly walks towards him. Clayton mumbles to himself then his strength swells inside him, he grabs Lily and rips her off him. As he pulls her off him, his arm is covered in teeth marks as blood pours from his arm.*

Clayton: Scar.

*His wounds quickly heal turning into pink scars. He throws Lily towards Emma and she turns to her Smaller size in the air. After catching her Emma pets here.*

Emma(TL): Rest now.

*Her eyes sorrowful, Emma lays Lily down who quickly falls asleep. She looks back to Clayton and a single tear forms. Clayton smiles as he Prepares for Emma's next attack.*

*Inside Emma’s head she stands in a pool of liquid in the Darkness of her inner self*

Emma: Hello!?

*As she looks around she finds a vessel, like the seers. She looks inside to see the fight with clayton. She sees Lily laying unconscious and starts to cry.*

Emma: LILY!!!

*Outside*

*Emma’s eyes glow brighter for a moment and a hint of green can be seen for a moment. Clayton charges towards Emma, taking advantage of the situation and Sends her back, flying just from the force. She catches onto a tree, she laughs before using stealth. She starts to send out her clones again and Clayton picks up a log from nearby taking out a group of the clones. One explodes creating a fire. Another calls down lightning. After the lightning the tree is suspended in ice.*

Ruddy: Where’s all this power in our dungeons?

Ariella: She knows how strong the powers are but she said they’re overwhelming she can’t control them without losing herself.

Ruddy: So why is she trying to Hide it then?

Ariella: Because what if that got pointed at someone she cared about? I've tried to tell her. "If you've made it this far without killing anyone you didn't mean to. What's the problem." Right now she just wants control. Imagine not being in full control of your own body.

Sunflower: That's how Dad feels about his voice from time to time. Then he helps save someone and her remembers what he fights for.

*Emma’s exhaustion starts to become visible as her clones start to slow down and he breathing becomes heavier.*

Clayton: SLEEP!

*Lily and Emma both wake up opening their eyes as if just waking up from sleep.*

Ruddy: What did that do?

Sunflower: Don’t you feel it? His words have power like I said before. Sleep makes the listener feel like a full nights sleep.

Ariella: So he can stay awake forever?

Sunflower: No. Only some words work on him. Scar allows his wounds to quickly heal but leave scars. He can't use magic any other way though. Just his voice.

*Emma’s eyes pulse with bits of green becoming slightly visible. Clayton spells something in the dirt.*

~You’ll have to beat her or me to see Kimmy again.

*inside*

*Emma sees the note through the vessel.*

Emma: How?!

*Emma starts looking around and sees a table. As she walks up to the table she sees a Picture of a small dog.*

Emma: Who's this?

*Emma turns the picture over and sees a name written on the back.*

Emma: Maggie?

*outside*

*Emma freezes as the name Maggie echos in her head. As Emma gains control of herself momentarily she sends Emma away to rest. Emma then turns toward Clayton and her eye’s go back to purple and her smile comes back.*

Clayton: Cold.

*Emma sneezes and shiver.*

Emma: Did you just give me a cold?!

*Clayton smirks and Emma grits her teeth, she casts a spell on herself and sniffles, then charges towards Clayton. Clayton toys with her as she continues to get through every once in a while. He clearly can over power her but chooses to keep her at bay. Suddenly Emma calls out her floating knives*

Clayton: Ground!

*Emma and her blades slam to the ground. She struggles to get back up but can’t control the knives since they've sunken into the dirt. She manages to takes a few steps forward until the words pass. Ariella and Ruddy manage just to stumble since the words were so far. Clayton appears behind Emma. He grabs her by her hair and throws her into the air. Afterwards he throws his pole. Emma uprights herself in the air and manages to grab hold of the pole. As she flies with it she uses all her strength to stop its ascent. She throws it back down using it to gain speed as she dives behind it. As the pole hits the ground it crashes down, creating a crater. Clayton jumps out of the way just in time, then jumps back kicking Emma before she lands. Dust forms as she takes out multiple trees with her body as she's sent flying.*

*inside*

*Lily appears before Emma*

Emma: Lily!

*Emma holds her close kneeling in the liquid, the world seems to brighten slightly.*

Lily: Mama. We need you to come back now.

Emma: I’m trying!

Lily:Just focus, Mama.

*Emma can hear the noises of the fight. The clashing metal, the cracking lumber. She reaches out her hands and tries to focus her energy. Her eyes start to glow green.*

Emma: Stop!

*Outside*

Emma: Shut it.

*Vines wrap around Emma’s leg helping propel her as she jumps towards Clayton. He swings the pole with one arm extending the pole out for a longer reach. Clayton attempts to closeline Emma while she jumps at him, but she puts her left arm in the way causing Clayton to break her arm. Emma uses the sudden break and momentum to send herself into a spiral and manages to stab him with her blade. She jumps back after he attacks, using the vines reset her arms bones.*

Ariella: Oh no.

Ruddy: Didn’t she do that at.

Ariella: The arena, yeah.

Sunflower: What’s wrong?

Ariella: That tournament fight we told you about. She had her chest held shut with those vines. She’ll damage herself for an attack. I don't think she'll sacrifice herself but she'll break bones for a surprise attack.

*Sunflower signals towards Clayton. He turns towards Sunflower and the others and nods.*

Sunflower: We need to help her come back now.

Ruddy: How?

Ariella: I have an Idea.

*Ariella calls out Celestra.*

Ariella: Can you pretend to call Emma as Kimmy?

Ruddy: She can do that?

Ariella: I’ve been practicing tricks with her. She can manage some single words and our names. But she has to hear someone else say it first.

*Celestra chirps for a moment then says Mama a few times in Kimmy’s voice before calling out.*

Celsetra: MAMA!

*Emma’s eyes flash green for a second.*

Emma: Kimmy?

*Emma shakes her head and focuses on the fight again.She starts to charge up a fireball, Then another and another form around her. She starts firing them of each causing an explosion as they impact anything. Clayton dodges them as he reaches for his pole and defends himself.*

*Inside*

Celestra: MAMA!

Emma: Kimmy?

Lily: Come on Mama. you can’t let her win.

Emma: I know.

*Emma focuses harder, Thinking about Kimmy, Ariella, Ruddy and everyone else important to her. The world around her starts to brighten up. The liquid at her feet starts to drain away. Her eyes glow vibrant green. She blinks a few times before she awakens back as herself. Clayton smiles and she collapses. Ariella and Ruddy quickly run over.Ruddy quickly begins healing her arm.*

Ariella: Emma?! Is she okay?

*Ariella looks up at Clayton, he nods.*

Sunflower: She’s probably just tired.

*Emma wakes up with Kimmy and Lily resting with her. She sits up.*

Emma (TL): How long was I out?

*Lily perks up and starts wagging her tail.*

Lily: Only a few hours. Ruddy went back to spend the night with Falicia. They said you could stay here.

Emma(TL): And Ariella?

*Ariella happens to walk in waking up Kimmy as well.*

Ariella: good you’re awake.

Emma: hey.

Kimmy: MAMA!

*Kimmy squeezes Emma and she winces in pain. Her arm still sore from the fight.*

Kimmy: Sorry mama.

*Emma pats Kimmy’s head.*

Emma: You’re okay. Just a little sore.

Ariella: Clayton said your arm is healed but will be sore for at least a week.

*Sunflower walks past the door, notices Emma’s awake then enters.*

Sunflower: I’m surprised you’re already awake.

Kimmy: Mama, are you okay?

Emma: Yeah, I’m fine.

*Emma’s stomach rumbles. And everyone laughs.*

Kimmy: Mama, I’m hungry too.

Sunflower: I can get you something from the kitchen if you’d like.

Emma: That would be amazing. Please and thank you.

Sunflower: *Smiles* Of course.

*Sunflower walks away and Emma notices voices outside the room.*

Emma: What’s going on out there?

Ariella: They opened for business today. Ruddy and Falicia said they’ll stop by tonight. Clayton asked to meet her.

Emma: I wonder how that’ll go?

*Later that night The party and Clayton sit down to talk. Falicia is placed across from Clayton, her face strained from Anger. Sunflower goes to walk in but Clayton raises his hand to stop her. Sunflower nods and closes the door behind her as she exits the room.*

Clayton: Sorry.

*Everyone is washed over with Clayton’s memories and how sorry he truly felt. Falicia looks as a younger clayton tries to convince her parents to not go somewhere.*

Clayton: Please STOP! Don’t go.

*Falicia’s parent’s slowly collapse and Clayton drops to his knees holding his now dead friends. As the group awakens from their trance Sunflower walks in with Kimmy.*

Sunflower: In the beginning only a couple of his words were affected. But over time he found out the hard way that his words one at a time were becoming cursed. The term ‘stop’ seems to just stop someone's heart.

*falicia wipes the tears from her face then leaves the room.*

Sunflower: Is she going to be okay?

Ruddy: Yeah. *Smiles* The fact she didn’t yell means she’s not mad. She had every intention to hit him when we came here.

*Clayton signs towards Emma.*

Sunflower: He asks. “ How did that affect you?”

Emma: What do you mean?

Sunflower:”During the fight my word’s didn’t seem to have a full effect on you.”

Emma: I remember give felt like I had been pushed back in my own body. But sorry, just showed me your memories.

Sunflower: You didn’t feel anything?

Emma: Well yeah. I’m not heartless.

Ariella: You didn’t feel like someone else was controlling your feelings?

*Emma shakes her head.*

Emma: I mean I normally feel that way when I'm around evil people. but otherwise no.

Sunflower:” It might have to do with that voice and your eyes.”

Emma: I’m assuming it’s supposed to effect everyone the same?

Sunflower: Well it has so far.

Ruddy: I felt like what Ariella felt. Or that’s the best description.

Kimmy: Mama, I like Sunflower’s tail.

Ariella: She definitely takes after you.

Emma: What? I like fluffy things.

Sunflower: Oh then I’ll bring you some down dolls to show you later.

Everyone: Down dolls?

*Sunflower leaves and brings back a stuffed beastkin doll. Its body is covered in the softest thing Emma has ever felt. Her face is pure bliss as her and Kimmy both rub against the doll.*

Sunflower: It’s made from the down feathers from feathered beastkin.

Emma: Can I have a bed made of this?

Ariella: Oh come on it cant be that soft.

*Ariella takes it away from the two.*

Ariella: Oh.

*Ariella rubs up against the Doll, she turns to see Falicia in the doorway. They both pause and Falicia turns around.*

Ariella: No Wait!

*Ariella hands the doll to Falicia and they all take turns petting the doll.*

Falicia: It is soft. Wait. Emma. You and Clayton just had that huge fight how’re you able to stay calm around him still.

Emma: Right after fighting there tends to be calm for a period of time. Clayton’s in the weird grey area also.

Falicia: You’re not going to like attack him at dinner are you?

Emma: Unless he does something to get under their “skin” we should be fine for at least a few days.

*As everyone sits down for Dinner they start discussing plans*

Emma: How long do you think realistically it will take me?

*Clayton signs something then raises 6 fingers.*

Emma: Six Years?! I’m gonna miss Ruddy’s leave at that point.

Sunflower: No. No. *Laughs* Six months.

Everyone: Wait that fast?

Sunflower: “ I can teach you the basics but beyond that Most of what ails you must be self taught.”

Ruddy: I’ll be honest that kind changes all our plans. Right?

Ariella: Yeah, well after your training we’ll start Ruddy’s journey.

Ruddy: But what about your tenfold?

Ariella: *Shrugs*Oh well.

Emma: *Shrugs*We tried.

Ruddy: Okay, well let's head towards Inferna afterwards then.

*Everybody cheers as they finish their nights and head to bed.*