To Escape This Noir Of Fate (The Silver Crow and Mysti) {M}

[Mysteria]

This game is rated M for Language, violence, and possible sensual/romantic/sexy situations.


I have heard the hoof beats of strangers as they ride past the hidden realms of the dark masters' shadowlands, oblivious to the pleas for help that permeate the air as I cry out in vain each day from the Crystal Palace where I am kept prisoner.

Nothing escapes through this blanket of darkness. The howling winds obscure all sound that would threaten to escape into the dark forest. The demon Lothar continually keeps me shrouded in the dark dank of this place filled with gloom. The only happy moments I find are when I remember my family, and childhood friend, Lorento.

I know not how many moons have passed since the day of my capture when I was imprisoned in this tower. I am alone, here in this nothingness where the moon does not shine. Little light penetrates the small crevices in these tower walls rising high above the empty courtyards from which wafts the pungent stench of his lone existence. I know not why my life was spared. I am provided with all that I need but forbidden to speak to my provider. I pass my time not knowing when another day slips into night and then back again into a new day. The only shred I have of knowing how much time has passed is when food and water are brought to me. My eyes have become adjusted to the shadowy darkness where only small glimmers of dull light ever manage to get into my tower prison.

With patience, I wait, recalling to my mind the memories of my parents and friends stolen from me. I force myself to remember the lessons my mother, the dark priestess began instilling in me at a young age. Those teachings which would ensure our heritage...our legacy, that it might be preserved throughout the annals of time until the coming of age that would offer me the opportunity to take my rightful place as sole heir to the blood line.

I pray my dreams aren't all for naught. Lothar’s powers are relentless in their mystical hold. Escaping the desolation of this place seems futile and my heart knows that no mere man can break through this fortress to release me.

I am given pause to wonder if, without my mothers' guidance, I can ever again cause my spirit to be strong enough to be carried upon the whispering winds of time so that through this silence my voice might once again be heard as it once was when I was but a child playing gaily with my mother who oft’ times would hear my whispers drift upon the breeze. She said it was another unique power gifted to me and that she knew not many who had the power of voice. My thoughts focus often on my friend Lorento and I wonder if he too, along with the rest of my kingdom are no more..if Lothar has taken the entire kingdom.

I fear his wizardry may be so strong that it may not be able to be conquered by even the most powerful of wizards or spirited warriors baring strength and purity of heart, yet, I hold steadfast in my undying belief that one day my cries will fall upon the ears of some gallant and noble would be rescuer.

I cling to yesterday, steadily gaining new strength while waiting that glorious day when I shall be freed from the bowels of this lonesome place to again walk in the light of day and feel the sun kissed warmth upon my skin as I whisper to the heavens, allowing my soul to scream in sweet release.

I exist, for that time when one journey shall end and another shall begin.




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The Dreams Begin: Awakening the Dormant Powers That Lie Within

The sudden crash of thunder awakened Natalia from a restless sleep. She awoke to find that even though the humid air had been dissipated by the storm, her clothing was moist and she was trembling.

"Will this never end" came a whisper from her through the still, dark air surrounding her. Sometimes she spoke to herself, just to hear a voice although it brought little comfort to her.

The dreams had begun to come with more frequency and she knew not what they meant. Each time they remained the same, the image of a faceless rider drawing closer to the castle, yet remaining elusive, a distant shadow at best.

The hoof beats seemed to grow louder, thundering through the silence as she would plead to the rider to help her. Each time, her heart quickened only to be awakened in a cold sweat, the dreams steadily returning with more intensity.

Natalia wondered to herself, could the deep recesses of her mind be awakening her to the powers that she had been taught so very long ago? Was it possible that her cries might yet be heard? Her mind flew with the possibilities as she settled back onto the bed and into the darkness that she had come to know as her only home.

Reaching through the never ending darkness to the stand beside her, Natalia took a drink of water then drifted off, back to dream, with a glint of renewed hope held within her heart.

[The Silver Crow]

"Nat? Nat, where are you? We're supposed to be back by sundown." I had to have been searching for at least an hour now. My friend was indeed the best hider in the entire castle. So it had been me who was 'it' most of the time. I didn't mind too much though. I heard a dry twig snap off to my right behind one of the many well-manicured hedges that were planted all over the garden. Smiling, I slowly tiptoed over in the direction of the bush, keeping my head low so she wouldn't be able to see me. Counting to three in my head, I took a breath then jumped out to the other side of the bush, "There you ar... Natalia?"
To my surprise, all that was there was a flowerbed of white daisies. Where was she already?! At that thought, a sudden weight dropped on my shoulders and back, pushing me so I fell forward on my face, "Hey!"
"You should be more aware. How are you ever going to be a knight, Lorento?" Natalia teased from on top of my back, her giggling rocking her body. I couldn't help but smile not only at her comment, but in relief that I finally knew where she was. Despite the fact that I would never say it, my anxiety went up when she disappeared. I didn't know why. It just did.
"I guess I'll just make sure never to cross paths with you, huh?" My laugh matched her's and I softly maneuvered her off my back by flipping over and sitting up. I looked up at the sky, noting the darkness of night slowing creeping over to take the place of the sun's glow. Nearly sundown. "Time to get back Nat."
It wasn't until after getting up and dusting of my front side that I noticed her not answering. When I looked over to where she had been sitting only a moment before, she wasn't there. My head whipped around back and forth, looking for which direction she may have gone, but she was nowhere to be seen. I called out half-jokingly, half-worried, "We really, really need to get back Natalia. Where are you hiding?"
A high-pitch scream pierced the air and the sound of flapping followed after it. My frightened eyes looked in the direction of the noise and my heart leapt out of my chest at what I saw, "No, no, NO!!! Let her go!"
An evil black demon with leathery skin, gleaming white canines, and bright red eyes was starring down at me, laughing boisterously, as it lifted into the air with my best friend in its talons. I ran after them, but it had already raised high enough in the air for me not to be able reach even her toes. With one more monstrous swoop of its large bat-like wings, the demon turned in the sky and headed of in the direction of the forest. Scared out of my wits for Natalia, I ran off after the demon. Even when I reached the edge of the forest I did not stop. Surprisingly, the ground sped beneath me; flying backwards under my feet so I could keep up with the demon. The forest flew past in a flash, but my eyes were locked on only one thing. Nat. Soon though, the forest yielded to rocks and steeper slopes; the mountains. If I were in any other situation, I probably would have questioned how I got to the mountains so quick, but this wasn't one where I could consider such things. Instead, I continued running, never slowing pace so I wouldn't loose sight of the princess. The mountains came and went, giving way to yet another forest. Though this one was darker and thicker. So much so, it got harder to see the flying demon and his package. I panicked and tried running faster, but I was already running as fast as I could manage. Branches reached out to me, pulling at my hair and tearing through my clothes to scratch my skin. Darkness overwhelmed my senses, all of them, but to keep running. I screamed and cried and kept moving forward and soon... the dark forest too disappeared behind me. Now, rocky ground and steep slope carried me higher into the sky to the top of a great mountain. Closer and closer I got to Natalia's hanging feet. I could hear her screams again, calling out for me to help her. Some one to help her. I tried to call out to her, but my voice caught in my throat, choking my own words. But still I got closer.
Now only a few more feet were left between us. I held out my hand, to shorten the distance. Her desperate eyes caught mine and she held out her small hand toward mine. Only inches separated us now. Ten...six...four...two...one. Then nothing. I'm falling. I'm falling into nothing...

"NAT!" Lorento yelled and jolted up in his bed, sweating and crying uncontrollably. His breaths came out in heavy gasps and his eyes opened and closed repeatedly trying to erase flashes of his nightmare from behind his eyes. The cool chamber air circulated around his sticky, bare upper body and a flimsy wool blanket lay draped over his legs. Soon, his breathing evened out and his tears dried in his eyes and on his cheeks, but the feeling of falling into nothingness stayed. He weakly lifted the blanket off of his legs and swung them over so that his feet touched the rough rug that covered a large portion of his cold stone floor. Bending over with his elbows on his knees and hands holding up his head, he tried to wait for the feelings to stop or for him to break out in tears again, but neither happened. It was probably for the better. No one needed to see the head knight's son with puffy eyes. If he didn't have them already.
Pushing up with his legs, Lorento got to his feet and pursued over to the wash basin at the opposite side of the room. Weak grey morning light streamed in light rays through the high window of his chamber, providing a little bit of light for him to see. A simple mirror hung over the basin reflecting the image of a pale-faced version of himself with a rough beard and as he guessed, puffy pink eyes. Sighing, he scooped both his hands in the cold water he had left from the night before and splashed it on his face a couple of times. The cool suddenness awakened him and caused a little intake of breath. When he looked back up at the mirror, his face had been returned some color as with the tear tracks erased and his eyelids returning somewhat normal. Satisfied to a point, he continued to wash the sweat from his body and dress himself in a tan tunic and new leggings with his tied boots to match.
The feelings from the dream had retreated to just a memory at the back of his mind now; leaving him some room to think it over if he wished. He did not.
The wooden door to the right of him swung open and in entered his mother as she always did each morning to wake him up. She looked at him in surprise to find him not only awake, but washed and dressed. Her hands went to her hips and her weight leaned onto her left leg. "What got you up this morning mister? It wasn't one of the cook's boys was it?"
"No, mother," Lorento assured her, walking over and kissing her on the forehead, "I had something I suppose you could refer to as a bad dream."
When he looked down, he could see the worry clouded over her eyes. She knew better than anyone else the struggle he had had over the princess's disappearance. He remembered the many nights after, when she would sit, holding him and singing lullabies till he would finally be too exhausted to stay awake any longer. It wasn't until later that he truly appreciated her for it when he learned that she had to work deep in the night to finish the chores she had missed helping him, and still wake up very early in morning to work again. Even with all the intense training he had been through to get at the top, he never worked quite as hard as his mother.
"Oh, dear. I thought you were over those." She didn't mean it offensively, just in care. Her hands brought his head down to her level where she kissed his forehead back.
"I did too. This one was stranger than the others though." He admitted, letting himself enjoy her love and comfort for just a moment. A young maid called out her name from the hallway, demanding her presence for some chore that had to be done to keep the castle from falling apart. They both sighed at the same time and smiled.
"You'll have to tell me about it later. Love you dear. Good luck today." She hugged him forcefully even though she was a bit smaller than him. Then she gave him one last look of concern before retreating out of the door.
"Goodbye mother. Love you too" He jested to the empty air where she was just moments before. He took a deep breath and headed over to the table where his sword and dagger sat in their scabbards. Tying them both to a belt he put on over his tunic, Lorento proceeded to the still open door. Before stepping out, he took meaningful glance back to his unmade bed, then turned and headed out the door, trying to forget the nightmare that would otherwise bring back his hope.

[Mysteria]

Natalia had long since lost all track of time, the days and night blended together in one blur. She often laid down to take rest not knowing if she were actually in daytime, or nighttime. She had tried to keep time straight in her mind but the truth was that all sense of time had slipped from her.

So much time had passed that she didn't actually know how long it had been that she had been held in the gods forsaken world that had become hers. She had been taken as a young maiden and had been brought new clothes to wear, as she grew out of her old ones. It was some indication of how many years had slipped past as Natalia filled out and bloomed fully, but just how much time had passed, she had yet to discern.

She was prohibited contact from others save the meals, water, and other things that were required for her to survive. She’d not been treated poorly as far as that went, always being given what was required for her to be comfortable, but no more or no less though. Even when things were brought to her she was not allowed contact, not even was she allowed to utter a word to them. She thought perhaps it was in order to prevent anyone from becoming pliant to her cause. It was too dark for her to tell who it was, male or female and they never spoke. She would be ordered to sit on her bed while replenished her necessities, then they would be gone.

And she would be left alone to the sheer silence that surrounded her.

Natalia opened her eyes and moved to the tiny slit in the wall that offered the only vision to the outside wall. Always she was met with the same thing, the nothingness, merely gray shadowy images but nothing concrete that she could see. The day arrived, or so Natalia assumed it was day. In the tower it was impossible to tell what was day and night. Through the tiny crack of the window it always appeared a dull gray outside to her. She heard nothing save what she believed to be the breathing of the demon, Lothar, he who had stolen her, accompanied only by a damp dusty smell which lingered in the air at all times.

Slumping down against the wall she brought her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth as she wondered why had she been brought here? What purpose did this serve and how long was she to be kept prisoner? Although she had always tried to keep a positive attitude there were moments of darkness that seemed to consume her soul and this was one of those moments. Natalia felt the tears trickling down her face as in a sing song, half whisper she kept repeating the words "Why oh why can't anyone hear me? Please hear me."

Natalia could remember as a child her mother hearing her "whispers". Her mother said she had a gift of voice although Natalia had no idea what it meant. Her mother had told her she had special gifts that would grow as she got older but all that Natalia could think of now was that if that had been true, why was she still here and why couldn't she reach anyone? Why couldn't anyone hear her now, especially her childhood friend Lorento? If anyone could hear her, surely it would be he, now that her mother had been lost to her. Her father, had never been able to hear her and she assumed it was because he was rarely around, always off fighting some war or another and he knew that Natalia despised the fighting, the killing and unnecessary loss of life.

Leaning her head back against the cold stone as the tears dripped from her cheeks she kept repeating "Please..please someone..hear me."

Natalia scrambled to the bed sitting upon it when she heard the lock of the door being open. She dared not risk doing anything else. When she had been thrown in there she had been told only that she would be given what she needed to sustain herself, and that when her items arrived each day she was to sit on the bed while her things were brought in and she was not allowed to speak to whomever brought her things. Of course she had once upon a time tried only to be pushed back towards the bed and a finger had been pressed to her lip to warn her. She didn't know if it was a male or female, they did not speak and she could not make out who or even what they were. She assumed by the fact that whomever had done that to her that day was a female only because they had indeed been gentle in their actions. It was as though they had no intentions of harming her but yet they kept her prisoner. As to why though was still a mystery to the imprisoned woman.

When the figure set her food down and moved to the corner Natalia began the ritual of changing into the fresh clothing that they had brought her. Always they waited while she changed and it was during those times that she was grateful for the darkness as she would not have been comfortable changing in front of them in light of day. When she was again dressed she spoke the only words she had been allowed to speak.

"I have finished."

The figure came close to her, taking her dirty clothes and picking up yesterdays tray of food and began to walk away. The silence was maddening to Natalia on this particular day and not particularly giving a damn about consequences she pleaded through the darkness "Please, tell me what it is you wish from me, can you not at least tell me why I am here?"

With a sudden force she felt herself being knocked down on the bed but no reply came. When she again heard the door being locked she ran to it shouting through the bars "Why do you keep me locked in this tower? Why am I here?" Her words were only met with footsteps in the stairwell that she remembered having climbed upon her arrival in this hell.

Natalia sat back down on the edge of the bed and in the darkness took a bite of the meal that had been brought to her. The food was always good. They treated her well enough when it came to supplying her needs but the silence was driving her crazy as was the darkness. Picking up her cup she drank from it as her anger built. It was one thing to know that being angry would serve her no purpose but at times she could not help herself. This day was one of those days.

The cup whizzed through the air, slamming into the stone wall surrounding her. Ranting like a small child Natalia screamed into the darkness "Damn it why am I here, why won't someone tell me what the reason for this is!" Moving to that sole window that seemed to be her only source of air she screamed through the opening "Why do you keep me locked in this tower? Why?"

Beating her fists upon the wall she cried out "Won't someone please have mercy, won't someone please help me?" Sliding down the wall to the hard floor Natalia wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging them as she whispered "Please, by whatever graces that may be left in this world, won't someone help me get out of this prison of darkness? Please...please....help."

Natalias words faded away into the darkness as she sat on the floor, unable to move, to think, to feel anything but total despair. Her best efforts to remain positive were slowly slipping from her grasp. Surely she would soon lose whatever shreds of sanity that she had left.

Her words were met with only silence and as Natalia crumbled to the floor like a small child she hugged herself, pretending that it was Lorento’s arms around her keeping her safe as he had always done before. For a brief moment she had even thought she heard his voice calling her name again but she was certain it was her ears deceiving her. But even in her misery, the fact that she could still recall his piercing blue eyes, and the way he had always looked at her amazed her even now. As a young child they’d held a connection and as youths, he’d been able to look at her with those eyes and he’d reached into the depths of her soul. She felt the bond to still be present somehow.

Lorento Delfor had been her protector, her best friend and she missed him so very much. Natalia cried softly, forcing the air from her lungs and out of her mouth so that the words would form in hopes that they could somehow, someway reach Lorento’s ears.

“Lor, please, don’t forget me.” The words sounded rather eerie as the whisper reverberated through the chamber. Natalia had used her pet name for him almost instinctively. He would always be her Lor.

Natalia closed her eyes and focused on the face that she remembered and wondered what that face would look like now as she continued her plea, her hand stretching out into the darkness as to touch the image of the youth with blue eyes whose image she saw in front of her, the image she held dear to her heart. Natalia prayed to the gods of the heavens to allow her voice to be heard by him; the one she was trying to reach.

“Remember me in your heart, hear my words….please….” her small voice pleaded, echoing as it resounded and floated up and over the top of the tower which held her prison.

Her voice started out strong “Find me Lorento…hear me…” then with each word spoken it faded to a mere whisper again “set me free…..”

[The Silver Crow]

As always, morning training was harsh. It didn't have to be, but Lorento made sure to push himself beyond his limit. That was the technique that allowed him to succeed through the ranks so quickly; along with his father's own discipline to turn him into the star soldier. He didn't mind at all. All the vigorous work and laboring hours. All the grueling missions and lives he had slain for the king. How was he supposed to save the princess one day if he wasn't prepared for anything that was thrown his way? Experiance and practice was the key to it all.

The thought of the princess sharply reminded Lorento of his dream he had woken from; etching a rigid iciness in his grimace. Sweat glistened at his brow and he swiped it off on the sleeve of his tunic. His nerves were still on fire from sparring, but that was done now. His sword in its sheath smacked against his thigh as he walked down the long stone hallways toward the great hall. It was a path that had long ago been engraved into his mind. So many paths of the castle where hidden away in his subconscious, waiting in case he needed them. Unfortunately, he could no longer tell you much about what laid in these long hallways. It had been since he was little that he had someone to help him pay attention to little things that had useless meanings.

When the knight arrived, he noted with stoic satisfaction that only his father and the king were in the large hall; speaking lowly to each other and stopping suspiciously when he entered the room. The itch to raise his eyebrow in curiousity made him twitch, but he resisted. After a round of salutes, the king spoke first.

"Captain, is there something you needed?"The king had a strong awesome aura resonating in his deep voice. Well, every part of him produced that feeling; but Lorento had dealt with the king for a long, long time and could see past the daunting appearance to see what was hiding in plain sight. Underneath laid the same tinge of defensiveness that he put up when he was thinking of his daughter or wife. It was a smart technique. No one needed to see a weak, mourning king.

"Yes, your Majesty. Did the riders return yet?" His voice held all the formality and conformity that had been drilled into him, because like the king, he had to hide his weaknesses. Stupid, trivial rules that bound even the greatest warrior. A strange thing to hold down such powerful people.

"I should have known you'd catch word of them. Though I did send them so very late to avoid that. How did you hear of them?"

"I have ears throughout the castle, sire." Lorento responded.

"Good. Every good commander does. You will make a fine general when your father retires."

"I think you're avoiding my original question, sire." He wasn't going to walk out of here without an answer. No matter how the king avoided an answer.

"Oh yes," the king sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "three of the five returned. They were...robbed by bandits. Nasty fight, I hear."

"So, did they find anything out? Did the lead prove true?" This was frustrating really. Why couldn't he just spit out the information he wanted already? Just as the temper was mentally flaring, his gaze fell into the iron cold warning glare of his father standing beside the throne quietly; reminding him of his place. It wasn't his right to demand anything from the king. They both were trying their hardest to find something out.

"No. Nothing, just an empty house." The captain could see in the king's face that this news had disappointed him as much as it did Lorento. "Just another empty house..."

"Then we'll have to keep looking then. If I may be excused, your Majesty. I have some errands to run." Lorento couldn't look at the king's defensive eyes any longer, lest it put him in further darker thought and mood.

"Very well." And Lorento was back on his ways down the aimless long hallways.

~~~

"Lor..."

"Yes?" Lorento turned to the young recruit standing behind him with a questioning glance painted on his face. He was standing bent over some maps with numerous marks that represented their lands and troops. When he heard his name, he almost thought it was in his head.

"Umm, I didn't say anything sir."The recruit looked absolutely confused.

"I thought I heard...my name...in a woman's voice. It was familiar, you sure you didn't call me?"

"I-I'm not a woman, Captain. Do you need a drink?"

"Of course. Sorry, just...maybe it was just in my mind. Go and get me my wineskin." Great. Now he was hearing voices. This day was already turning very spoiled...

"Remember me in your heart, hear my words….please…."

"Wh-what?!" Lorento jumped backwards, tripped over some chairs, and landed in a heap on the floor. His eyes dashed back and forth across the tent looking for some strange beast to pounce on him and talk to him in the eerie voice. He knew whose voice it was now...it was hers. "Nat! Nat...where are you?!"

"Find me Lorento...hear me...set me free." The voice was so clear in his head that he thought she was there, standing next to him, ready to jump from behind a bush. Though it was changed; matured. That didn't fool him, it was hers for sure. But, h-how? What?

"Natalie. I will! I promise. But tell me where are you?" Lorento shouted out to the empty air like the little boy from his dream. His heart was beating wildly and he was unfocused. "Please, tell me where you are..."

"Captain...?"

The voice of the recruit was like the sharp rush of cold water being poured over his head. For a couple moments, he could only look at the younger man's face as he climbed out of his shock. But eventually, the position he was in caught up with him. The captain got to his feet and brushed the dirt off his clothes, then looked up at the recruit with what he hoped was a stoic face. "Well, what are you looking at? Have this cleaned up and hand me my flask!"

It didn't take a further word for the recruit to get moving and do what he was told, though Lorento didn't hang around to see it done. Instead, he raced back to the castle with his mind tumbling over himself and the biggest sense of hope he had had burning in his chest in many years.