boxofkururu | its its own thing now

its its own thing now

[ A final circle of the electrically-charged, barely standing Vault. It was almost a nightly deed for Haurchefant, to see if the Primal would leave as the sun set. After all, it was not often that they... he... left during the night. Travel was harsher, with the light of the single moon barely breaking though the clouds of Aether brought on by the sorrow and rage of the being within.

It was his duty to stop this. Though his body had been cursed to that of a unicorn (with large wings coated in feathers, and a dragon-esque head - well, he liked to think he were a Unicorn) at times - well, it was more reason. A life after death was what he had wished for, and if he could save but one from being tempered, it would be... okay. Roaming and then turning back to a man whenever he desired - if the old government of Ishgard were still standing, he would have been seen as a heretic and shot down by now.

Satisfied that his job were done for the night - at least, for checking this building - Haurchefant continued to soar gently above the broken air. The gates which could have been used to leave to the greater Eorzea were still sealed by adventurers - who could repeal, but not kill. Much of Eorzea had turned their back on him, if he were honest. But they had let Eorzea down. His gaze turned to the airship docks, where small devices still remained. In case people came who needed to soar to the Sea of Clouds, and safety, and he was busy holding back the beast.

His idle thoughts were interupted, however, when he saw something. It didn't seem to be one of the tempered Heavens' Ward, nor a dragon child who'd not grown their wings quite yet... had somebody fallen from the land above? Without looking to see who it is, he darted - wings stretched out, long lizard-esque tail flat out. ]

Ser!

[ Haurchefant roared out, hoping to either catch him on his back... or in his mouth. He were only the size of an alicorn, after all. ]

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[Don't jinx it!]

Aye, it is good not to be alone...

[Now that he mentions it...Aymeric's eye lids were feeling a little heavier. He's about to protest but he knows the knight is right: they both need to rest.]

Just don't push yourself for my sake.

And the same to you.

[ He says, as he moves to seal the door off for the night... and sit by it, pulling a nearby blanket over himself. After all, this was where he always slept - the bed was not where he could hear sounds of monsters easier.

--

However, the morning seemed to come far too quickly for Haurchefant. The light of dawn was bright, as always - and his dream faded. Were seeing somebody he could have saved a dream? It couldn't be true. Why? Because all his happiness were fleeting. He should move towards trying to simply eliminate one of the Ward - or try and negotiate again with the Beast Tribes (who had turned against them due to Ascian influence and fears) - or--

His thoughts ended with seeing his Lord Commander still there. He really was here. Perhaps he should go and start cooking some meat, then? His shifting body, however, let in more light. Odd. The door was clearly fixed yesterday... and he could not smell any intruders.

Eventually, after getting his armour back on, he moved towards his Lord Commander, placing a hand to him. ]

Ser. It's morning. Did you rest?

[It had to have been some kind of dream. While his sleep was uneventful nor did he wake up during the night, Aymeric was thinking that he would be in his chair from the paperwork on his desk. Or Yua hovering over him poking his cheek or maybe Yukiko was-]

Mmm?

[He awoke, seeing Haurchefant as he was before and verifying that he was in fact not in Ishgard anymore.]

Haurchefant...

[It was real, he was real as his gloved hand reached over to touch the one on his shoulder.]

I...I fell asleep right after you did. It felt like nary a bell ago...what about you? How are you feeling?

[ His voice gentle - masking his worries that something may have gotten in - Haurchefant gave a gentle smile. ]

It was as nice a rest as to expect in war. [ A pause, before he gives a slight nuzzle to the nearby hand: ] Do you still... desire to fight alongside I? You may get hurt more.

[ He will get hurt. But Haurchefant will protect him. He will not let his friend fall again - and he will not let him be taken. ]

[...ok, that has to be the dragon part doing the nuzzling. Only because he isn't sure what the hells is going on with that so 'it's a dragon thing' sounds legit.]

We both know the consequences to battle. The only reason why they scold me when I go to battle is because they say I am the only one who can make Ishgard better. But I cannot let you do it all, depend on you to save me at every turn.

[He can't help but think of a conversation he had with one of the Warriors, hearing about how she depended on others to rescue her when she didn't want to do the work herself. Seemed hard to believe but Aymeric had to be better...for everyone's sake.]

[ A few moments pass, as the nuzzling finishes - thoughts moving though the dragons' mind. ]

If that's what you sai[h]...

[ Haurchefant says, quietly... not showing any indication of what he were to do next. (Or noticing that he had said a word in the language of Dragons.) And what was that?

His face lit up, and he almost grinned. ] Then we must go - but not to the battlefield yet. You seem to be mostly unarmed - and that cannot be! You are in luck, Commander, however - for I know a bountiful harvest of weapons and armour!

When Adventurers fled Ishgard, many left their retainers behind, and weapons alongside them. By now, there are but weapons. But we must sneak by at least one of the Ward - one of the weaker ones, I'd suppose!

[A weapon is good, needed for the better course and didn't even notice Haurchefant speaking the language of dragons. It's when the mention of the Ward that concerns him.]

While some may be skilled with staves instead of swords, that does not make any of the Heaven's Ward have less strength. No matter whose path we intend to cross, we must proceed with caution. Tell me, is there a path less traveled where we can acquire what we seek?

[And if he expects him to take one on while both are injured, bad mistake. He actually wants to help Haurchefant with his goal and dying at first battle didn't seem tempting.]

Well. [ He says, closing his eyes. ] There is another camp I've set up near to here - but we will need to fly, and it's quite chilled. Tell me, have you flown on the back of a dragon before?

[ Haurchefant, you see, took over the fully abandoned Dusk Vigil, and turned it into his nest. Instints, you know. The mix of electricity and ice makes it quite violent and dangerous - not even Ixion has tried to enter. He's not let anybody else in - for it is a harsh way to enter. He does pause, however, grinning.

If it were anybody else, he would be drawing up battle plans. But he is injured... he can protect him and let him heal. And not die. ]

...Besides when I saved you, that is!

Other than that, I cannot say that I have.

[As long as they do not get killed in the process, Aymeric does not care about dragon taxis.]

Well, [ he said, feeling his body shift and change in front of dear Aymeric, ] get on. And hold on, will you? Alas, I have no saddle.

[He's in awe because even being close to a dragon, he was always about ten yalms away but being arm length was something. Gingerly, he sits on his friend's back and shifts enough to try and be comfortable.]

Alright then...lead the way.

[ His wings spread, and they soar off. Haurchefant is focused as he flies though the silent air - diving though crevices and past mountains. Of course he'd be a bit showy, however. This is Haurchefant.

It takes only around 10 minutes for him to arrive at their destination. If Aymeric was familiar with the land, he may note this is where the Dusk Vigil once stood proud. But, instead, there was a fortress covered in ice there, with odd marks carved onto it. (These marks were warnings in the tongue of Dragon, carved gently by Ysayle and Haurchefant both.) Letting out a roar, shaking the ice, Haurchefant then shot out a bunch of electricity - causing some of the ice to melt, and a hole to open. Satisfied, he flew inside... to the well-maintained entrance room of his home in this world. This is when he finally talks, with a laugh. ]
What do you think? Only those whom I desire can enter here - for the ice can only be broken by me or my kin. The ice shall either regrow, or it shall be replaced by one of my dearest friends here.
[ As he talks, a small blue dragon approached - and clung to his leg, seemingly not noticing the Elezen there. ]

[He knows the lands but never really got to see them like this. The cold starts to nip at him and he pulls his hood over for some protection from the elements even if it may not offer that much. The Dusk Vigil as he remembered was more...in ruins than this one. And less ice. He can't help but hang on as Haurchefant flies in lest he wants to tumble off like a sack of popotoes.]

Tis remarkable...

[He has heard from some how vilekin have made the vigil their new home and yet here, Aymeric is awed in how the area is kept up. And the defenses that have been placed so no soul should get in without a warning from the owner but as he starts to speak, he notices the smaller dragon.]

I see...and is this one a friend of yours as well?

Ah... yes. A poor soul who got turned by my blood - he's become one of my most trusted, however, despite his size.
[ There are many of them. He hopes he won't connect who it is, though - even as the small dragon is staring, with a mix of shock and confusion. ] I keep all of my brood here - for is it not my duty to protect my people? Along with those who help me with my eggs.
[ this is the first time he's mentioned his eggs. But it's just so casual! He leans down so that Aymeric may disembark, so that he can shift back to man. ]

[Should he know that little dragon? Aymeric isn't sure as he steps down and takes in the mention of Haurchefant having a brood and-did he say his eggs? And suddenly the Lord Commander is glad that Yua did not go with him unless they really want to hear her words. Spoiler: none are pretty. Not that they would be vicious, just that there would be swears involved.

But the little dragon is still staring and Aymeric can't help but feel drawn to him.]

They say even the smallest can make the biggest impact. It is something I truly believe in.

[Look, asking about how he can lay eggs is rude. And not good to say it while in the middle of nowhere.]

[ It has stopped staring - to approach the man, letting out hisses and trying to ask questions - though there were no words that could be understood. Why? Because he cannot speak even Dragonspeak anymore, let alone Eorzean. Haurchefant, however, has shifted back to man. Be glad to all the Twelve (not just Halone) that his armour returns as he turns to man. And his smile. ]
Yes - and that is what I hope of you. Even one small person - one small change - may save this world yet. That is, if you have healed.
[ There's a pause, and Haurchefant seems to be thinking. His eyes close, and then he turns from a smile to a grin. ]
Shall we go straight to the Armory? I've also a training arena - to see if you are ready.

[ ...Though, Haurchefant wants to hold back. Due to being terrified of what could happen, of course. ]

[He looks shocked because he can't understand the poor creature so he couldn't imagine what he was trying to say...or if he thought him as an enemy. It truly was sad because Aymeric wanted to ask him a few things...like why did he feel familiar? Call it a hunch.]

I am much better than when you have found me.

[That is if he doesn't move as much. But Aymeric wouldn't tell him that.]

One must always be ready when it comes to certain matters. Battle is just one of them.

[Just don't hold back.]

[ He agrees with a nod - as he starts to lead them off. Don't worry, they can rest again soon - Haurchefant is just not a fan of standing still. But as they walk, Haurchefant notices that the dearest of dragons following them is still trying to communicate. ]
...Borelisblade. Stop it - to my arms.
[ Haurchefant then says, looking to the small dragon with such a sad look. They really shouldn't meet, or talk - Haurchefant knows this dragon can write - and use telepathy while a blade, and that cannot be. He hasn't even explained doubles yet! For his part, the small dragon does scurry - into the arms of his master. Being basically tempered, stuck mute as a monster - it's hell.
At least Haurchefant is walking slowly, though - making sure his dear friend can keep up. ]

[Why did that sword name strike a cord? Aymeric can't help but look a little disappointed at how it got handled but for now he kept his mouth shut.]

Was he asking about something?

[While he couldn't tell him that it was pretty rude to shush the little one, he could at least ask if the poor thing was trying to ask about the newcomer.]

Not many Elezen have come by, except for Lady Ysayle, in recent times. Perhaps he was shocked I'd found a new friend?
[ He knew this was most likely not truth. No, it was most likely that he was afraid or jealous of his double - why wouldn't he be? (Honestly, the small dragon instead wished to speak and just... have somebody to talk to who wasn't already on in this scheme. This new Horde, striking down what remained of Ishgard.) ]
He is my second-in-command, after all. And most men who come here, well. Well. [ They're near death. Probably won't survive drinking his blood. End up as feed. ]

[The lady lives in this world? That sounds great but he cannot help but keep his eyes on the little dragon. Maybe when Haurchefant is away, Aymeric can try to speak to them.]

They do not last.

[He doesn't want to think about it so much. But then, he turns to Borelisblade and gives him a small smile. Don't worry little one, he won't ignore you.]

"It is war."
His voice a near whisper, Haurchefant then stopped in front of a room. "And here it is - the armory. Once you've armed yourself, come across the hall - to the training arena. I shall meet you there."

When Aymeric would open the door, he would see many rare weapons - ranging from dungeon drops to even fully upgraded Anima weapons. Armour also stood, cleaned to a shine. Though, a few Unicolt did roam the room - children. Haurchefant had rushed to the training arena with his blade - his dear dragon blade - to hope Aymeric didn't see the next step. For, you see, he was to remove his eye.

A burst of Aether came from the room, a pause, and another. One when the eye was removed, and one when it was placed in the dragon. A scream also came from the dragon, though - or was it a roar? Haurchefant stood proudly with his sword.

Anyone would try to grab the most powerful relic they could find, thinking that they would have an advantage. But it also took skill to wield the weapons and Aymeric knew it. As soon as he found a proper weapon and armor, that is when he hears the roar and rushes out. He may have jumped over a few unicolts while doing it but it happens.

"Lord Haurchefant?!"

As he entered, Haurchefant had... changed. Large wings came from his back, and a tail whipped. But he was also missing an eye - he didn't seem to mind, as he grinned. More dragon then man. The sword he held, however... well, he had placed an eye in Borelisblade. It had a slight aetheric glow, fading as the mind shifted inside.

"I should have warned you! Of how splendid it is to awaken my strengths! Of how my blade and I work as one... to fight forevermore."

This was not as he usually talked. He sounded... dangerous. As if something had loosened a few more screws in that Fortemps mind. His laugh was... twisted, as he pointed the blade to his dearest of friends. The sword itself seemed to stare with the changed Dragon Eye.

He didn't need to be told that something is wrong, Aymeric could feel it in the very air he breaths. He never knew Haurchefant to speak in such a manner or to even tear out one of his eyes to power a blade. Oh yes, he knows of the powers and life force dragons' eyes have but something in his gut is telling him that this could be dangerous.

But...this is also his friend. It...can't be that bad, right?

"Mayhap a warning was nice..." he will not falter nor be frightened. His sword stood at his hip as he carefully took his position. This is just a spar, nothing more.

'But why does it feel like much more?'

its its own thing now

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