Fandom Fairy Tail: Legacy of the Twilight Prophet

[Bolts]

As they walked further and further, the darkness started to fade. A light in the distance guiding them for the last travel. It wasn't till they turned the corner when they saw the light. It beckoned them towards it. Some prize for their efforts as they were to claim this light. As they continued forward, the typical results came. Loss of breath, lead filled legs, and a new problem. Their own clothes turned against them. It was a similar feeling to before, during the dinner date. The clothes tightening to ungodly proportions. She could feel the uncomfortable slimming coming to pain as it wrapped around her. Beads of sweat trickled down her face as she tried to keep her cool. After last time, this was nothing. She knew what to expect and this wasn't going to stop her.
Without a word, she took one strained step forward. A grunt was let out as she shivered from pain. Then she took another. She was bent on a mission to finish this. Not even her clothes would get in the way.

 

[DawnAntalios]

This had to be the final push to the core of the maze... or so Aeris wanted to believe it. Both of them were weighed down by the incredible powers that assailed them. Bodies quivering, minds hurting, breaths abating... everything was something akin to a nightmare. But they pushed on, regardless of what they had experienced or endured they moved on... they walked ardently towards the part which would probably allow them to claim the first piece. They did not relent... they did not fear...

A cough. That is what came from Aeris as she felt the ornamented clothes wrapping around her. Her lungs were squeezed to the minimum, her body was trembling under the pressure and only now did she realize her folly. Her eyes became hazy, blurry vision replacing her normally clear and sharp one. She almost stumbled forward, causing the duo to tremble.
"I... I..." she began but another cough overwhelmed her... this time followed with blood.
She fell to her knees, letting Eias go as not to drag her down with her fall. She saw that the room was close, so very close... but her strength just fled her. Her body heaved as she desperately tried to keep herself refreshed but she knew all too well that she was unable to. The long days of training, the long moments of pain did not vanish without a trace... she realized that pushing herself to the limits without resting took its toll, it was evident back in the garden where she became numb and senseless for an extended period of time... but now she just felt... weak...

She looked up at Eias, crawling on the ground, grunting.
"I... I just... just need to... rest..." she managed to bark, panting. To her horror she heard something coming behind them: the pathway behind them was now filling up with all the dark mist that they managed to elude now, the concentrated shadows threatening them to overwhelm the duo. Their path was clear... their goal within their reach... but Aeris was simply unable to lift a finger with all the combining magics and restriction working at her.

 

[Bolts]

Eias struggled with each step as it shook her whole body. The pressure of everything was unbearable. Still, she kept moving forward with Aeris behind her. Things seemed hopeful. The goal within reach. That was when she heard the fall of her friend. She looked behind her with strain only to see Aeris lying on the floor. She looked terrible and weak in this state. Without hesitation, without looking back, she turned around slowly and took steps back to her. She didn't care if she didn't get the prize. All she knew was Aeris was in trouble as the darkness started to pour in.
"Okay, you rest." She said as she knelt down in pain. She wrapped an arm around her and began to rise as fast as she could. There was no doubt the mist would reach them but she wouldn't leave her behind.
"We are getting through this."

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris felt being raised from the ground and her eyes widened. Eias was doing everything she could for her and it felt humbling... but also very nice. A strange warmth rose within her again... but she was sorrowful that she needed help like this. She felt the mist creeping on them and she knew that it would catch up with them... she wanted to stand up but faltered. She wanted to walk forward but she faltered. She felt the magic consuming her.

"E-eias..." she whispered as she felt a sudden surge of desperate power flow within her "It... it is not... our time to fail..." she gritted her teeth as her eye glinted for a moment, mustering enough courage to stand up with the help of Eias. Her lungs burned... her mind jumbled... but a burning determination, a fear of falling here with her friend... that was that drove her. She knew that she had to do it... somehow...

They were almost there. The light began surging, welcoming the two of them as they began to appear closer to them. She let out a yelp as a soft crunch around her ribs signified that the magics were reaching their apex. She cried out in frustration and pain as she felt the dark mist closing on them. Her shaking, gloved hands seized Eias now and looked at her.
"Go... inside!" she managed "Go...NOW!"
And thus she pushed Eias forward, hopefully into the light and away from the darkness... right before she fell in and enter before the mist would have claimed them.

Her body was too numb and mind too hazy to notice that they entered a room of perpetual white aura around it. Her illusion shimmered then broke totally as the room embraced them. Her pain induced by the magic vanished. The spells, the powers... everything was muted inside this chamber. In fact... nothing was to be heard. Not even their own breathing, not even her speech. No sound, no magic, no power was there to help her see them through this time. She entered into the chamber where the first fragment was hidden, somewhere. She entered the Chamber of Silence.

 

[Bolts]

She felt the faint push and the yelling of Aeris through the pain. It was a strange feeling of numbness and heat. Nothing could really come close to such sensation as she lurched forward from the extra force. She didn't have the energy nor strength to right herself and stop the falling, all she could do was let gravity take its course.
She laid on the ground with eyes shut while the world stopped spinning for her. With heavy eyelids, she slowly blinked as she looked around. It was all white. Nothing to be seen but that. The numbed pain was but a faint memory now as she got up with no problem, other than a few tight points around her waist.
"Hello?" She tried to say but nothing came out.
"HELLO?" She tried again but with no success.

 

[DawnAntalios]

It took Aeris some time to come to her senses and sit up. She felt it very unsettling that she could hear absolutely nothing in this vacuum like room and she felt like they have walked in yet another trap. But... the serene atmosphere, the white parlor of this seemingly infinite room told her otherwise. Still, not even her heart beat was audible which made her rather unnerved. With a little effort she pushed herself up right. She looked around and saw a distressed Eias trying to form words but couldn't. She was trying to make some sounds but to no avail.. Aeris was a little bit surprised that not even her friend could do anything... so she decided to walk up to her.

Not even footsteps echoed in these halls... very weird indeed. She gently touched the shoulders of her friend, trying to smile and comfort her... when suddenly a myriad of images began to assault her and Eias' mind. Once again a maze got up before them, but this time it was pure white. In Eias' mind the images of the perfect route, the layout and their prize, the carved artifact lay. In Aeris' mind did the location of traps and dead ends together with trickery were shown. It appeared that the whole information was split between the two of them... and only together did it make a whole.

When the barrage of images faded the aforementioned maze formed from the blinding light of white next to them. Aeris, though, did not want to go just yet. In the almost deafening silence she hugged her friend for but a moment to embrace her. At least the feelings and the touching felt real. With conviction she nodded at her friend, trying to tell her that she was fine... even though she could not stop her own body from quivering.

 

[Bolts]

Eias jumped as Aeris touched her. It was so blank white everywhere, she didn't know if she was moving or not until now. She had her friend as a reference. She took a moment to come to her senses and understand that Aeris was real and here with her. She looked around in the room but nothing seemed to lead anywhere. Just blank. Where they came from was still a mystery as well. At least she didn't feel like death for the time being. Only a slight bit of tightening.
She accepted the hug and figured it was endearing. Something to say they were alright.
Her eyes lit up as though data was running through it. A winding path through a maze with a marker to show her the way and a strange artifact at the end. She had a small headache from it, but she understood where to go now. The only problem was telling Aeris. There was only so much communication they could do.
The best she could do was point to herself, then to her temple, and make a walking motion with her fingers after the hug ended. She hoped something could get through wit that.

 

[DawnAntalios]

It took Aeris few moments to realize what her friend actually wanted to express. Without doubt they were to walk into the newly created maze to claim their prize and it appeared that Eias was determined to walk down in it. Problem was, that it was Aeris who knew where the dangers lie within yet no words could be uttered now to share this information with her friend... not verbally. She tried her best to point at herself and nod then showing some bear-trap like emotions with her hands to signal that she knew where the pitfalls are... but she was not convinced that she did a good job at explaining it. Regardless, she gently grabbed the hand of Eias and both of them entered the maze.

Much like the previous labyrinth this one also attempted to make the duo lost but without hearing or doing anything to them it was difficult to actually make it known where they were heading. Aeris felt the pure white walls disorienting and no doubt captivating as well: she could not handle the purity of this place without glancing at it constantly - it was breathtaking and intriguing at the same time... as if they were made of the purest of marbles. As the girls progressed forward she managed to stop their steps to avoid some of the dangerous traps around them, some of which almost caught up with them. Still, the duo pushed onward... towards their presumed goal.

It was then when they reached an opening which had four different routes ahead of them. No doubt that three of them were dead ends or worse and Aeris knew that only her friend could find the right path. What bothered her, though, and what she could not express without words was that even the right path had a trial attached to it which they would find out once they entered... if they entered it, that is. She paused and looked at her friend inquisitively.

 

[Bolts]

Eias figured Aeris also had a similar problem with speaking and hearing. She began making motions with her how hands which clasped together. It was fairly obvious it was something about danger. Eias just figured it meant the teeth of a monster rather than traps. That may be a fatal flaw, but at least she could understand danger was within the new maze. Luckily she knew where they needed to go.
She went in along with her friend as the next trial started. all around them were blank walls which held no character. It was just white all over. In the back of her mind, Eias grew bored of this maze already. There was nothing scary about white walls to keep her weary. the blank walls just made her sleepy. As she silently yawned, they came to a four way split. She looked hard at the paths and focused hard on the information that she gained. Believing she had the right path in mind, she choose the one given to her.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris found it surprising that her friend was not even phased by some of the traps around them... but she took it as a side effect of the fatigue that crept over both of them. With renewed determination and courage she decided to head into the hallway Eias had chosen and soon enough the white marble around them began to shift. On the walls strange texts appeared, one visible to Aeris only, the other for Eias only.

Aeris' one read: "Through true companionship is when someone can express true affection. Express your feelings to your beloved and your path shall be opened."
Eias' one was different: "Through tenacity and passion must one show how much affection one feels towards her partner. Show your beloved the feelings in the most affectionate, most energetic way imaginable and your path shall be opened."

Aeris was confused until she saw the magical barrier ahead of them. It was clear that until they finished these tasks they would go no further. She, however, was uncertain how to express her feelings right now. Without words or magic she was just her old self, Aeris. She was not entirely certain about what she should do so she just held her friend closer, hoping that her part would be easier to decyhper and done.

 

[Bolts]

As they stepped into the hall, the floors shifted. Eias paused in a shocked state as it happened so quickly. She thought things were going to be monsters, not traps! She scanned the whole area in an attempt to gain the upper hand on this trap, but it was not a simple one. She saw a rune on the side that spoke to her. For a moment she thought it was going to take over her mind but as the voice finished, she felt normal. She viewed the rune with a skeptical look before looking towards Aeris now. She too seemed to have a confused look about her. Eias had a good idea of what she needed to do. She turned away from her friend for a moment as she took in a deep breath to calm down after the fright. In a whirl, she grabbed Aeris hand and pulled her in, giving a big kiss.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris saw Eias being surprised by the spell ahead of them but she also saw her calming down just a bit. This had to be the chance she was looking for, she wanted to show her how passionate and caring she was about her! Somehow, anyway... But just as she was about to wonder on the method of displaying her affection she saw the girl grabbing her hand. Shocked, she paused and stared at her friend as she pulled her in for a big kiss.

Aeris' eyes closed... and immediately something familiar filled her. In the magic neutering labyrinth no amount of protective magic or happiness was to protect her: the endless agony returned to her heart as she felt the warmth of Eias seeping through her. Unbridled pain raced through her entire body, making the girl quiver in fear and suffering... but she did not relent. This had to be the way to show her affection, that even though her life was laced with agony in notions like this she persevered. Where else but here could she dispel her own doubts about her feelings towards her muse? Where else could she feel the unbridled pain racing through her and still show her ally that she cared?

Her body was shaking but she pulled Eias closer, fully embracing her with her own returning kiss, ignoring the burning feeling within her veins. And just as if the maze was watching them the way ahead of them started to clear up, a path forming for the duo to finally walk ahead and perhaps claim their prize. Aeris was oblivious to this - either because of the delirium of kissing or because she had no power left within her to cancel the kiss she did not know. She just held her friend close, hugging her like there was no tomorrow - embracing both her affections... and her own plight.

 

[Bolts]

Eias let the kiss go on for a while as she didn't know when enough was enough for the maze to be satisfied. She could feel Aeris shudder a bit like she normally does and felt bad as the girl pulled her in closer. Gently, she pulled away from the kiss and hug as she took a breath. Flipping a few strands of hair out of Aeris' face, she gave her a gentle smile and rubbed her cheek a bit. She took the time to look around to see if anything changed. Lo and behold, the path seemed to unfold before them. She thought hard again and understood this was in fact the way to go. She let her friend rest for a little bit before pulling her along as she couldn't verbally tell her. She wasn't sure what other traps would show up, but she was prepared for monsters AND traps in the future. She was still slightly embarrassed she didn't think about the second before.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris felt a grasp of fresh air enter her mind as Eias parted from her lips. A slight disappointment filled her for ending the graceful - albeit painful - exchange between the two of them but she also felt the necessity of it. Few more moments and she knew she would have fallen to her knees. This way, however, she felt that they could push onward and do everything that is necessary to complete their task.

The path was strangely empty, devoid of traps and surprises. She found it rather strange and stayed on guard in case she needed to do anything to protect her friend... but nothing came. Letting her a bit down she nodded to herself when they finally arrived into the central chamber - where the first piece of the puzzle floated before them. The room was completely empty save for the stasis that held the puzzle piece floating. Magic permeated it, signaling that perhaps this was the very last part they needed to overcome here. Aeris knew that it was the Matriarch's duty to grasp the piece though she knew not exactly what the consequences would be. Nodding to her friend she bowed slightly as she ushered Eias closer to the mysterious, glowing artifact. All was left to do is for Eias to pick it up.

 

[Bolts]

As they made it to the central chamber, she gazed up towards the prize. The artifact was floating there, prime for the taking. She wondered how there was magic to keep it afloat but that was the least of her troubles. She didn't run into any traps after the first which seemed off. Was it truly that easy? Or was the prize also a trap.. Either way, she would need to grab it to continue. The pain that it may bring was expected and so she wasn't fazed much.
She looked to her friend and nodded to her as she still couldn't speak.
She walked up to the center and stood nearly beneath the relic. Extending her hands, she attempted to grab it.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris watched in anticipation as her friend walked up to the artifact. Her heart was beating faster as she watched the Muse deciding to go for the mysterious item that they needed to obtain and could scarcely restrain herself from following her directly to the pedestal but she knew that this challenge was mainly for Eias to overcome. Still, she could not help but watch eagerly as her friend stepped up and reached out for the item bravely.

The moment Eias had touched the shining artifact the magic around it began to react violently to her. Myriads of light-born spirits began to swirl around the item - and in extension around the girl - as she was enveloped in a brilliant, beautiful light. Slowly and steadily the vortex of spirits began to close up on her... until inevitably they seeped into her, her clothes, her body... her mind.

Mere moments later the concentrated light began to glow within Eias for a second before it began expanding outwards.The light seemed to scan her, searching as if it would look for her whether she was worthy of its blessing or not, finding a surprising amount of power and life magic within her. The moment this happened the spell knew that the girl was worthy of its blessing, the artifact and more. Her vision was blurring for it had to be overtaken by the sight the spirits wished to provide her: ahead of her the trials that remained offered no light, no solace... only difficulties.

Two distinct images kept swirling in her head: one with caution, careful steps and mistrust of illusions... the other was a realm of perpetual midnight, infused with the latent horrors lingering in the darkness. No doubt that both of these sights were warnings of the coming trials but what they exactly meant they did not tell the girl.

The sound-cancelling aura and barrier dispelled around the two girls as the light-lit room began to vanish, leaving two open paths before the duo. The light-infused magic, however, did not decide to just simply fade out of existence - it seeped into Eias, more precisely into her very lungs, nesting itself into the girl as if it would be a strange guardian angel, working on to provide a small sheltering spell from the coming trials - whilst obstructing her way of breathing for a moment as it did so. In the girl's ears a whisper came from the light:

"You have proven yourself to be a powerful noble, Matriarch. You and your companion had overcome the Trial of Tenacity, proving that your bonds will not break even during hardships and difficulties. Your everlasting affection will be needed for the fights that are ahead of you."
The voice paused for a bit.
"I am the presence who is bound to the artifact that you now carry. It is attuned to you, it belongs to you: both its blessing and its curse now shall accompany you through your path. Seek the aid of the light if you must. Seek the aid of the illumination at your risk. The path is open before you both, Matriarch. Choose carefully."

And thus the voice - and the pressure for now abated... waiting for the Muse to recover, endure... and possibly rest a bit with her friend before choosing.

 

[Bolts]

Eias felt warm for the moments this event took place. Though her vision was sparse, she looked around to gather any information she could about her whereabouts. To her pleasure, she was still in the room with Aeris. She had a crutch for herself now. Shakily getting away from the center, she walked back to her friend. With her fingers wrapped around the artifact, she slumped to the wall next to the red eyed girl.

"That... was something. Not sure how I feel right now. Still tired. I do know some stuff about the next paths though. Illusions and mistrust. Or, things hidden in darkness. Either way, I need to sit for a moment."

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris was ready to embrace her friend, calmly, happily. She expected her to be tired from... whatever she had to face in the center of the chamber and she was more than happy to be with her here. Gently, she tried to comfort her as she spoke, the words still being alien to her after the almost deafening silence. That Eias had seen ominous things did not surprise her, the mirages and illusions cast upon them by the most powerful of the Ca-Elumians was not unexpected. Still... she was happy that her friend was fine.
"Rest as much as you need, dear." she said warmly "We only continue whenever you are ready. And wherever you wish to lead us. I will keep an eye out for danger until then - I will guard you, worry not."

"Interesting." Balemaux frowned "Another couple of nobles reached their first artifact. Not quite as an intense test as you have promised, Latosius but they are promising. Our champion goes forth unabated as expected... and now the new nobles caught up too."
"The others are probably just biding their time." Latosius laughed.
"Certainly. That is why only three noble couples are in the game as of now?"
Latosius shrugged.
"Only the worthy can prevail, we knew that all along. I am eager to see what they will do next..."

Meryl said nothing as usual. She kept her composure as she watched the girls struggle through the test she expected Eias to suffer from the most... but she was surprise how well she endured. She thought of Aeris as a strong girl and knew about the growing fortitude of Eias but that she persevered so well surprised her still. She knew that this was but one part of the trial. The others were still ahead of them...

 

[Bolts]

Eias took a short breather as she allowed herself to gain some energy after these strange trials. It wasn't a much needed nap but she would take what she could get. Not to late, she stood back up and patted herself off.
"Okay.." she said assessing the paths ahead.
"There are two trials left and they both don't sound very fun... I think we should go for the mystery trail. Whatever lies beyond that path is dangerous territory since we don't know what to expect. Are you with me?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Aeris looked at her friend and nodded. She knew all too well that the tasks ahead of them were daunting at best and horrifying at worst. Still, something deep within her urged her forward, to be with her friend through the end. Though she was quivering from a momentary loss of energy she nodded and sat down next to her.
"Whatever comes, wherever you lead... I will follow." she said calmly, sighing, and looking at her. "If you wish to delve into the abyss say so... and we shall go."

Just as if it was at a command the dark portal into the abyss appeared before them. It yawned hungrily, inviting and repelling the girls at the same time. Its maddening shadows were swirling maliciously, awaiting anyone to enter at will. Aeris frowned but did nothing, merely glanced at Eias. She knew that this had to be their path... she was uncertain about where it would lead but follow it she would.

 

[Bolts]

As the portal emerged, Eias stared deeply at it. It's swirling nature made her drawn to to yet the force exerted pushed her away. A strange game of tug o war. She nodded at her friend as it seemed this was the path they were to go down. What awaited them, Eias didn't know, but she knew it would be bad no matter what. She could only hope for something manageable.
"alright, I suppose we should head in then." She stated and then focused back at the portal. With a hefty breath, she calmed her nerves enough to venture towards it. As she did, she entered the unknown.

 

[DawnAntalios]

As she followed her friend she did not pay attention how everything turned pitch black around them. The abyss welcomed the two for a moment before deciding to unveil its secrets, opening up the field of view before the girls. This time though, despite them being in the labyrinth and knowing it, the place was completely different. They stood in a shrouded, dark forest which was a bit familiar to Aeris but decided to be on her guard regardless. This had to be something that... caused them to become distorted.

She heard rustling from the nearby bushes but nothing emerged. A long, empty road now yawned ahead of them, almost calling the two of them to proceed. Though the gloomy place gave the girl chills she knew that they could do nothing but walk forward. Meanwhile, to Eias only, a familiar melody began to play. Something she had to be familiar with... something she treasured much. And it came from the depths of the forest itself.

 

[Bolts]

As the entered, Eias watched as things around them changed. She figured there would be some sort of scene shift, but to what she didn't know. All she could see was darkness around them and they continued through the portal. Without realizing it, they had crossed over into a strange area. Though still a maze, there were trees all around them. A fogged forest welcomed them with sinister auras. Though she didn't recognize the place, there was something she knew of. A strange series of notes that hummed in the air which made her curious. She didn't make the choice to begin moving, but the melody drew her in. She began down the path towards the noise without another word,.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Silently did the two of them proceed in the mist-ridden maze. The air grew thick as they walked but the music did not seem to cease. Its intensity grew as they ventured forward, still only audible to Eias. The mist around them almost made Aeris think that she saw something moving within it... even if it was only a mirage.

Suddenly a small path opened up to the right of them, somebody actually humming to song that Eias had heard... or at least that is what was to be believed. As the notes intensified they possessed a calming, soothing voice within them, almost as if they wanted the girls to find them. As inviting as they were they played with a weird purpose: they promised serenity, they promised peace... but something else as well. Something that was more insidious.

It wished them to stay. To stay... and be there until the end of times.

 

[Bolts]

As she continued to walk forward, the noise grew louder. It seemed to grow in power as they took each step. It was some fey like attraction because as much as Eias wanted to stand still and listen, she was forcibly drawn more to it. It wasn't till she saw a path break open to them where she found the collection of soothing sounds to lay. She took a step into the path as she felt herself getting lost in the music. It was beautiful sounds that she could only hope to muster up. She may have muse magic but nothing on this scale of mesmerizing. She went to the center and stood there, looking around for a source of this humming.