The Fall

[Music]

The overwhelm of emotions was a struggle to contain. Mirith had found strength in emotions- but they would also bind her fate. She vowed to not show emotions to the best of her abilities, for emotions would lead to the downfall of those around her. Happiness from the heart could set flames in all, but sadness or anger could bring darkness snuffing the flames out. She had learned that price in her youth.

Her connection with arcane and light were in balance, as was her birthright. The man who had swept her off her feet and allowed her to feel every bit of joy she could, would be the one to shatter the barrier protecting herself and others. The pirate had taken the one thing she believed could not be stolen away- her heart. And with that, he used his hands to take the rest of her in pieces and leave her broken and scarred. Her radiant blonde hair would dull to barely a silver after he had made his escape with the treasures he stole from her.

She had trained to regain the Light within her and to keep the Shadows at bay, but fate was always a cruel thing. Her younger brother and his wife had fought against a cruel family to bare a child- one that would cost them their lives. She had to give her nephew to another to keep him from ever meeting the same fate. Her silver hair had dyed crimson from the blood of her kindred who had sought her families end.

Blood will be the reminder of why she would vow to keep her emotions at bay.

After hundreds of years, and the secret of her brother and his family kept hidden from the world, she found herself beginning to crack the shell that stayed around her. She had returned home to find her sister and niece surrounded by shadows and void by the man meant to protect them. Before she could raise a hand to stop him, he had bound her to his will through trickery and cultish practices. She was helpless to fight against him as he began corrupting her body and breaking her spirit. When her Niece had finally gathered friends to break through and defeat the monster, she found herself shattered.

She had lost all sense of purpose and identity. Her niece asked for her aid to free the brothers who had aided in protecting her, and the priestess had agreed. It was simple enough to talk circles around the nobleman seeking a bride for his eldest- and she was unmarried. The Cindergleam House was known for its magic and trade, and proved convenient for a prestige grabbing man. When she had been introduced to the brother, she was unprepared for how quickly he'd break the walls she had spent hundreds of years building up.

Their conversations were easy to speak of, and he wanted to stick with tradition to earn her hand- even if it was merely a presentation for his parents. Soon though, she realized she had gotten in over her head as jealousy began to flare and she began losing control of the magic that stirred within her. A simple flame of jealousy had nearly destroyed his home and killed those inside. The pain she felt for her acts was enough to remind her to step back in line.

Every step forward felt like another back. With Vyrissa, she found no way to step forward and was faced with cliffs on either side. The entity had begun to drum up emotions that the Priestess could not feel. Every inch of pain she had long since buried was beginning to burst at the seams.

Anger.

Anger for the injustice her brother and sisters received. Anger for the man who had stolen everything from her to flee with another woman. Anger for the man who had abandoned her for finally opening up. Anger for the man who sought her aid, yet walked with no shame for what he did unto others.

Sadness.

Sadness for the family she had lost due to the actions of others. Sadness for the man who had his child taken from him for reasons he could not control. Sadness that welled within her for the thought of how she had selfishly tried to return to him after hurting him. Sadness for the knowledge that there was little chance he'd chose her in the end.

Norris. He had presented her with something she had not dared to try. Suppress it. Suppress the emotions, the magic. Dull every inch of pain and sorrow. So she took it and left. She went to the field she had spoken words of family and loss. And she wept. She let out every last bit as screams of anguish as the Void and Light conflicted within her and around her. The field that had been stained from bloodshed was now ablaze in black and purple flames, while pillars of Light surrounded its edges.

She had broke her vow- and now she will pay the consequences.

Darkened Cell

[Music]

The outting at the club had ended in disaster. First Vix'il had abandoned the Priestess with the Grandfather and the man she had attacked. The tension and regret she felt being by the farmer's side was palpable. She had decided to wander for a bit to steady her nerves and to be away from the loud music playing from the building.

"The prize is close. Allow me out, and you will have what you seek." The entity whispered as the priestess felt her body begin to fight against her.

"No. I've already caused enough harm. It is not alright." Mirith hissed to herself, trying to keep control.

"No. You will obey." And with those words, she felt herself pushed from her own body.

Before the creature could control her to act, Vix'il returned to push her back and gather the priestess in his arms. The sound of the various men and entities arguing around her filled the woman's ears but soon she lost the battle for consciousness.

It became a two day long battle. The men had brought her to a strangers home. There she was to be watched until the entity within could behave or they determined its fate. Often times she would awaken to find her body heavy and scars on her wrists with blood under her nails. She wrapped her arms around herself as she struggled to stay conscious. She tried to stay awake through singing.

"A man came across this old tower one day
It was straight like from a book he once read
He lifted his head up and saw this young lady
And here's what the lady said."

She would barely lift her head, speaking in Shal'dorei,

"Moi je m'appelle mademoiselle Noir
Et comme vous pouvez le voir
Je ne souris, ni ris, ni vis
Et c'est tout ce qu'elle a dit."

The men watching her paid no mind as she continued singing to herself.

"The man was so scared, he could only run away
He ran to the town and then said
"I just saw a lady with the longest dark hair
And I think she's a living dead!"

The people, so scared, took their guns and their swords
They ran to the tower and then
They saw the pale lady and felt a great fear
When they heard how she said it again."

She allowed herself to rest her head against the wall as she spoke again.

"Moi je m'appelle mademoiselle Noir
Et comme vous pouvez le voir
Je ne souris, ni ris, ni vis
Et c'est tout ce qu'elle a dit."

She felt the grogginess beginning to return but she shrugged it off for the time being.

"The people, they knew what this all was about
She was clearly a demon from hell
They decided to set her long hair on fire
In the end it would burn her as well

But the lady was no demon, she was a lonely soul
Just like in that book they once read
Still waiting for her prince while her hair was on fire
The one last time she said."

Her eyes began to flutter close.

"Moi je m'appelle mademoiselle Noir
Et comme vous pouvez le voir
Je ne souris, ni ris, ni vis
Et c'est tout ce qu'elle a dit."

Shattered Reality

[Music]

Darian had left without a trace, leaving the Priestess alone with the shadows calling to her. The coven he had joined had taken him from her. She had decided that perhaps it was best for her to remain all alone, and yet Maron had found her as the shadows were beginning to grow unbearable. The night of the Anniversary Party, he had been watching her and even allowed her to speak to him despite the rule he had placed months ago. Seems both of them had the shadows trying to pry them from the Light. She had met his shadow- Vix'il. The entity of void appeared to yearn for nothing more then fun and parties. There was amusement in his words, at being scolded for running from her feelings. While Maron had heard every word, they had agreed to just start over as friends- nothing more.

She found herself everyday wondering just why it all let her feel at ease. Her heart had been wrenched and torn when Maron had forbidden her from coming near him, and yet now being allowed in his presence seemed to mend the gaping wound in her chest. Delrin- his fiance and mother of his child- had fled with his son. No one knew where she went, and he had no desire to chase her down yet again. She bought solace in the knowledge of that decision, yet knew the moment she returned, she would be forgotten on a shelf again. She found herself standing before the shelves of magic tomes, wondering if she should find the woman or find a way to keep her gone. Shaking her head, she knew better and continued to walk and keep her arms around herself. She hadn't noticed she had begun to cry, or the pain of emotions hiding just below the surface.

That night, she was wandering the artifact archives, moving to make sure they would be secure as her grand-niece was beginning to crawl and would soon need everything baby proofed. A particular jar, heavily warded and wrapped in runed paper, had a shadow that was calling her closer. Staring at the plaque that annotated what it held, her brow furrowed. She would need to seal it as anyone of weak mind may attempt to release the creature within.

"Why do you cry for a boy?" The voice whispered from the jar.

The priestess brought her hand up to wipe at her face and stare at the traitorous tear. She pressed her lips together, refusing to speak for that would give it power.. Yet she couldn't move herself from it's presence.

"You could take back what is yours. You know what you need." The voiced continued its lure.

"I don't need some creature to tell me how to handle my life." She began reaching to reinforce the wards, but couldn't stop the hesitance that her body showed.

"Just a little push, and you will be in his arms." It chimed up.

"The darkness always whispers your desires, but it's never the truth." She moved to begin bracing the wards before a scream from somewhere else in the Manor startled her, causing her to knock her elbow into the jar and send it crashing to the ground.

The snake slithered from the broken glass, sliding and coiling around her leg and along her body. "I can hear your doubts.. Your fears.. Your jealousy. And they're quite delicious." With that, the priestess felt the pain sear into her neck as fangs bore down on her.

When the priestess began regaining consciousness, she found herself looking from within. Her body was on it's own! Snakes surrounding Norris- Maron's brother, and some troll? She felt panic beginning to surge from her. She could not risk the Noraethul's rage- especially Norris'. She began to try and call upon the Light, but found it to be quite painful, causing her body to begin coughing blood as it burned from the inside out. Once she was free, she felt the hollowness that was left behind in place of the snake having been locked away for a time.

After sending Norris and the troll home, she fell back to her knees and began to weep. She had risked everything again because of a careless mistake. When Maron and others heard, she would be left in the shadows again. No one will love such a mess. She found herself wandering to her favored beach to hide beneath the large standing tree.

She just leaned against its wood, her mind wrestling and grasping for straws to hold on. Would it not be easier to banish the creature if she were to take her life? They require a host or form to hold onto. The tears had finally dried as she began to think of a way to handle the creature that had begun to dig into her body.

"Mirith?" His voice rang out to her, snapping her from her thoughts.

Maron had stumbled upon her hiding spot and began inquiring what had happened. She could feel the sting of the pain rise from where she had been bit as it tried to take control. She broke down and confessed to him, though he didn't seem mad from the news. Once she had realized another was there though, she tried to defend him in case of a battle- but instead found herself losing control of her body once more. Shoved back into a prison within her mind. When she became free, she was barely able to bind the creature into a makeshift cell within her amulet. She healed the man she had caused injury to, and then found herself collapsing into Maron before everything faded.

Veredelle should help.

Confrontation

[Music]

Mirith had taken an hour to regain her composure before seeking out her sister, careful to avoid Darian so he would not be able to tell what she was up to. Upon finding Zara in her office, the priestess shut the door and placed a seal on it so no one could overhear.
“Something the matter, big sister?” Zara gave an innocent look, putting her writing away.
Mirith stormed up to her desk, slamming her hands down on the wood, “How could you! I told you not to harm Maron! Why would you do that?! Do you realize the ramifications of your actions?!”
“Oh. Is that who left the estate?” A dark gaze overtook Zara, “Had I known, I would’ve had him shot.”
Mirith’s eyes flared brightly as she lurched forward to grab her sister by her shirt, “Touch him again, and I will remind you why I was the one sent to war, Sister.”
“Calm yourself, I’ve had some tea made. I knew you would find out and we would need to have this chat.” Zara pat her sister’s hand.
Slowly Mirith released her younger sibling, glancing at the pot and filled cups. “Why? You know how I feel, so why would you hurt him?”
“Same reason you tried to fight Kartheol. He hurt you, so I hurt him back.” Zara picked one of the cups to take a sip from.
Mirith’s shoulders sank but she took the cup, “You can’t just do that. He had a right to break off the engagement..”
“A right? He played with you. Toyed with your feelings, then tossed you aside. He has a right to torture.” Zara snarled softly.
“That’s not your choice to make! I am the head of this family and I will-” Mirith began.
“You’re job as head is to ensure our safety. You can’t do that while crying.” Zara retorted before sighing, “Drink your tea.. It will soothe the nerves and we’ll come to an agreement.”
Mirith conceded, taking a drink of tea. After swallowing her eyes went wide with horror as she dropped the cup and began coughing harshly.
Her hands went to her throat as she coughed out, “What-.. What did.. What did you do, sister?!”
“A simple potion.. I’ll quell that flame he has stoked and bring you back to your happiness.” She held an enchanted vial up.
Smoke began bubbling and escaping Mirith’s mouth, the glow in her eyes dimming. The smoke fled into the vial before Zara corked it. Every feeling for Maron, every memory of him, corked into a bottle. Mirith collapsed on the floor, falling unconscious.
Zara walked over to brush some hair from the fallen elf’s face, “Don’t worry sister.. I will make sure he’s amply punished for you.”
Shattering the spell on the door, Zara hid the bottle before opening the door and shouting, “Darian! Guards! Someone help! Mirith has fallen!!”

Echoes of the Past

[Music]

“It’s a son.” The doctor stated proudly before all eyes went wide and the newborn was passed to a nurse, “She’s bleeding out.”
The white robed nurse took the child, “Sir you need to leave while we handle this.” Guiding the elven father out before moving to go clean the child.
“Hang in there, sis. We’ve got you.” Mirith spoke as she assisted the doctor to try and stabilize the elven woman.
“Caelia!” The man called from outside the room in a panic.
“She’s losing blood too fast.” The doctor spoke, combined with Mirith, they couldn’t slow it.
“Caelia no. Don’t close your eyes.” Mirith ordered, watching her sister-in-law growing pale, “No no no.”
As everything grew silent in her ears, Mirith felt her heart drop as she stared in horror at the blood that stained the now ghostly woman. They had failed. Slowly she took off her gloves and walked out to talk to her younger brother and hold him in comfort as he crumpled.
“There’s no time to mourn.” The nurse returned in a hurry with the child.
“They found us?” Mirith looked to the nurse in alarm.
“The guards went to slow them. You three need to get out of here.” The woman passed the child to Jeald.
The man was torn but took his son, looking at Mirith, “Let’s go. We’ll collect her body for proper burial later.”
Mirith nodded, staying behind her brother as the trio fled out the back.
“Damn them. This wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t so certain that the child was a demon.” Mirith cursed under her breath.
They skid to a halt and Jeald clutched onto the swaddled child. Before them was a group of men dressed in black.
“The child.” One man called, hand held out, “Give them to us so we can eradicate it.”
“Like hell, you damn bastards. It’s bad enough your daughter died because of you, we aren’t losing her child either.” Mirith shouted, summoning her bow and arrow.
“Stay out of the way, Priestess. Or we will execute you as well.” The man growled harshly.
Jeald summoned his Spellblade, carefully holding his son with one arm protectively. Mirith let loose a shot and the battle began. Mirith had managed to keep most of the men back or killed outright, but she heard a sword clash behind her. Turning in time to see two men on Jeald, one had locked swords with the man, and another was just running him through. Her eyes were overcome with holy light as rage filled her, silver hair rising as power came to her.

“NO!”

Her voice rang out, a halo of Light throwing the men in every direction as she ran to her brother and nephew, creating a bubble of Light around them to both protect and in hopes heal the wound. The men began to stand again, glaring through their hooded masks.
“Give up. The child will die. You, along with him, if you do not give up.” The leader spoke.
Wisps of firey Light rolled off her, “You killed my sister.. You killed my brother.. You will be lucky if I DON’T DESTROY YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE!”
With the child secure in an unbreakable bubble of Light, Mirith turned to the men, flames coming from her eyes as her bow shattered and the scythe Light’s Burden came to her. The ground scorched and smoldered beneath her steps as she charged to fight the assassins.
Once the battle was over, and blood stained her once pristine robes and silver hair, she let the weapon vanish so she could collect her nephew. Her wounds healing on their own, nose twitching angrily as she looked to the body of her fallen brother. Tears streaming only to turn to steam on her cheeks.

“I will return for you… You and Caeliea may rest now..” Her voice was weak, but she took the child and held him close as the power began to fade from her.
She began her trek towards the dense forest, searching for the hidden home deep within.
“Kath'nian!” Mirith called out as she approached the house, “Kath’nian Runefate!”
A scrawny man came out, using a cane to walk. Seeing the woman covered in blood, he quickly hobbled to her side.
“My Lady, what happened? Where is Caeliea and Jeald?” He asked, though guessing the answer already.
“Dead.. Those bastards..” She passed the child to the crippled man, who merely nodded.
“Then a secret he shall be.. Did they give a name?” The man frowned, looking at the crying child.
“Caelia wished to name him Eri’thas..” Mirith looked around to ensure she wasn’t followed as they went inside.
“Then Eri’thas he shall be. Go.. I will keep him safe.. You know I can.” The man looked at her pitiful expression of anguish.
“I need to collect their bodies..” She nods, “I will inform my father.. That his only son is dead.”