It's All Over Now

[Tismri]

OOC: Title courtesy of Saosin.

Gloriann knelt to the ground, panting and sore. Her head was aching, along with her entire body. The sand beneath her feet seemed to be swimming. Katriana had been driving her hard every day, pushing her to perform better with her blade and other weapons.
Every day was the same. Mornings were greeted with strict magic practice, and she was given more and more difficult tasks to test and develop her dexterity and mental creativity. In the afternoon, she would speak with various others who were gathered in the desert, listening to their reasons for being there. Oftentimes, their motiations left her confused or concerned. She would go ask Katriana about it, and she would give her a new perspective on the matter, easing her fears. Glory would then meditate on what she had learned from her comrades, her comprehension of the world around her growing.
When evening came about, she would begin her weapons traning. She would shoot birds with her arrows, her draw coming quicker and her aim more precise. Then she would find a sparring partner. A different person fought her each night, and her opponents were progressively tougher. This night, she had just finished a one-on-one battle against an elf. They had both been amazed that she had been able to hold her own for nearly an hour. Glory had noticed that ever since she arrived, she had been gradually growing stronger, faster, and more agile. Sundavar too, had been growing swiftly, gaining strength and power, though this change was even more subtle than her Rider's.
Gloriann stood as her breathing finally evened out, while the elf sheathed his blade and bowed his head respectfully.
"Well played, Shurtugal," he told her. "I have not experienced such an invigorating spar in many months." Glory felt honored that an elf would acknowledge her in such a way.
"Ver well done," a familiar, smooth voice rang out behind her. Glory turned with a growing smile to see Katriana behind her, looking quite pleased. Months had passed since the girl had first arrived, and she had come to value the Shade Rider's opinion highly. To receive praise was a goal worth suffering for.
"Thank you, my lady," Glory replied, bowing her head. Kat stroked the girl's hair gently.
"You've grown so much, Gloriann. I think it is about time I sent you and Sundavar on a mission." Glory looked up at her, excited and curious. She'd not left the desert since she arrived, and was more than ready to go the Shade's bidding. "The town of Lithgrow in Surda has been troublesome for a long time. They are full of hateful people who only care for humans, and actively speak out against the other races. I would like you two to...show them our ways. We will not tolerate such injustice. Our land must know peace. And in order to achieve that, we must cut out those who push so intolerantly against others." Glory nodded to Kat, her words making sense.
"We will eagerly deal with them," Glory replied. "When am I to leave?"
"As soon as you wish. I would suggest waiting until morning, though. You are obviously tired, and I believe Sundavar is as well. Rest for now, and then you may spread our message of peace to Lithgrow tomorrow." Glory bowed her head and skipped off to find her bond.
You heard that? We're finally being sent out! Glory told Sundavar excitedly. Sundavar shared in her thrill, and the two of them spoke of it at length until they fell asleep.
***
It was afternoon by the time Gloriann stood in the center of the town. She'd been listening to the local gossip all day and was disgusted to find that Katriana had indeed told her the truth. The town was full of completely racist people who only thought of humans, and even watched them send a group of peaceful dwarves out of the city. She felt her blood boil at the sight.
This is not the peace Surda takes pride in. Katriana will bring about true peace. Glory drew her sword on the townsmen who had escorted the dwarves away, and before they even realized it, she cut them all down. Within moments, Sundavar came low over the city, unleashing a torrent of flames upon the large buildings that housed the nobles and officials. So Gloriann and Sundavar began spreading their message of peace.

OOC: YAY! Irony!!!

[Max452]

Nearly a year had gone by since Master Sidhion had taken Seth as an apprentice. The young boy that had once entered the tuteluge of the ancient now stood tall as a man as he mediated in a meadow. The baby fat on his face was now gone, and he was more lean and muscular than before; he nearly was as tall as his master now. Seth may have undergone physical changes, but his heart remained as true as it was a year ago when he met Glory.

Seth's face was toward the breeze as he stood in the field, his hands gently caressing the tall grass. His eyes were closed, though it would have made little difference, as he listened to what the energy in the earth had to tell him. A great dark energy seemed to be disrupting the peace of the land; Seth frowned. It was coming from the edge of the Hadarac Desert, near the towns that bordered Surda and Aglaesia. The young warrior snapped his eyes opened, his eyes seeing the dark hues of pulsating energies of the grass and wind, but never the actual beauty of green nor the flecks of dust he felt the wind carry. It was a natural thing for him now, to be connected with the energy of the earth; Master Sidhion had taught him well and now, Seth felt strong enough to save Glory, however, was it enough?

The disturbance continued to pulsate toward him for another 10 minutes before he was bombarded with a mass energy of pain an sadness, of blood. He had been feeling such a thing more so than before, as he knew that the Shade Army was causing destruction. Only once and awhile would Master Sidhion allow him to go forth and help, as he was still in training, but now, Seth had a feeling it was time for him to use his skills in a more proactive manner. As he thought this, he felt his Master's presence.

"Lithgrow has been attacked." Sidhion's voice was calm, but tense as he stood next to his student.
"Aye. I feel their their cries of pain." Seth rubbed his temple. There was a price to his gift; he would have immense headaches from being connected with the energy around him.
"Reports say that they spotted a blueish black dragon and a red haired Rider approach the border of Surda before the attacks began." Sidhion's voice was cautious as he spoke. "It seems that the Shade Rider has primed Gloriann and Sundavar for destruction."
Seth tensed at the mention of Glory and Sundavar. He then felt Hyperion touch down beside them, having heard the news from Master Locien. "Will you allow us to go?"
"Would you both listen if I say No?"
Seth thought for a moment. "No."
"I thought not. This is the first news of Gloriann and Sundavar appearance in nearly a year - remember my words to you during our training together. She will not be the same girl you remember, Seth. You must help her remember her true self, but you must remember as well, that sometimes to save someone, you must -"
"--Kill them, I know." Seth closed his eyes, remembering his Master's words clearly. "I understand, Master Sidhion, but it won't come to that." He heard his Master sigh, "Do not worry, Master. I told you that day, that I will do what is necessary, but that does not mean I will have that as my only option. Glory is still in there...I can feel it, I don't know how to explain it...but I just can, right here." He pressed a palm to his heart. "As long as she's still there, I will save her." He assured his Master.
"Then go. Fly swiftly and may your sword and teeth," Sidhion glanced at Hyperion and then back at Seth, "stay sharp."
"Thank you Master, for everything." Seth bowed humbly before his teacher before setting off on Hyperion and toward Lithgrow.

~~~

Seth and Hyperion flew swifty toward the dark energy they felt together. Though Seth did not admit it, the energy scared him - he knew it belonged to Glory. Nearly an hour had passed since the attack when they finally arrived to a charred town. Seth could hear moans and cries of pain and sadness and it made the Rider's heart hurt. What have you done, Glory? Why? Seth's features where one of sadness as he and Hyperion circled the skies, trying to sense Glory and Sundavar's presence. They would help the town as soon enough, but something told them that the threat had not yet passed.

[Tismri]

Gloriann tirelessly swung her sword at the occupants of the house, even as they tried to flee. She gazed down at their mangled corpses then, her blood-hazed mind for a moment regaining clarity. She realized after a moment that she'd just killed two small children, who were clutching their dead mother's arms.
They were already corrupted, she justified to herself. Their parents had spread their racist ways. They would have grown up to defy Katriana's rule.
"You monster," she heard a voice behind her say. Maturing male; she heard the cracking from his fright. She turned toward him.
"I'm not a monster," she said. "The people of this town were. They are all impure and corrupted. I am cleansing them in preparation of Katriana's glorious revolution." The boy's frightened eyes tightened, and he pulled out a dagger, rushing at her. She easily dodged him, and thrust Theyna deep into his gut.
"Shh...sleep now," she told him, laying him down on the floor. "You'll see when you awaken. This life will be better." She pulled out her sword and walked outside.
Burn the remainder of the houses, she told Sundavar.
We have a problem, the dragon noted. Glory saw a familiar form through her bond's eyes. Of course, Seth and Hyperion would be on the scene first.
Never mind them, she instructed. Burn the city and let us return home. Sundavar swooped low, leaving her cover from within a cloud to destroy what remained of Lithgrow before coming to land beside her Rider.

[Max452]

Hyperion's eyes widened at the sight before him, and through him, Seth witnessed what Sundavar and Glory had done. They had just arrived after the blue black dragon burnt the town; Seth could smell the burnt flesh and feel the immense heat, even from their high position in the skies. What did she do to you? Hyperion whined as he watched Sundavar land beside Glory.

Touch down. Seth told Hyperion, trying to contain the anger in his voice; they had just murdered those people! They were harmless! Glory and Sundavar knew better! "Adurna!" Seth commanded and felt the energy around them descend from the clouds, causing it to rain on Lethgrow.

The pair landed in front of them, a good berth between them should an altercation arise. Seth quickly dismounted and jumped down to face her. His nose was immediately assaulted by her scent - the bittersweet smell of the black rose mixed with a sweet warm scent of flowers...and something else...darker - along with the wet ash that filled the air. "What have you done?" Seth's voice rang out, a confused expression on his face, mixed with anger. His hair was beginning to be flatten by the rain, but his focus was on the energy that he felt as Glory. "Why have you killed these people?" He stared directly at her, seeing her energy outline her form. "What has happened to you, Glory?"

[Tismri]

Glory felt something in her heart tighten when she saw Seth in front of her, Hyperion landing near Sundavar. The cold rain falling on her skin was almost shocking after nearly a year spent in the desert. She pulled back her hair to keep the wet, lank strands from falling before her eyes. She crossed her arms as she heard his agonizing yell.
"You wouldn't understand, Seth," she told him. "These people were anything but innocent. They defied the peace that this land needs, and they needed to be cleansed." She glared at the ashes of the town.
Sundavar released a low whine at the sight of their old friends. She felt that they wouldn't join their cause, but something, some sort of instinct, told her that fighting them would be wrong. Still, if either of them posed a threat to her Rider, she would not hesitate to attack.

[Max452]

"Then help me understand!" Seth yelled out over the pounding rain. "Who gave you the mantle of judgement to lay a finger on these people? There were children in there, Glory! What gave you the right!? How is any peace accomplished when violence is the sole motivator!?" His yell was a pained one. Master Sidhion was right. The Shade Rider had changed his Glory. Her views sounded very much like one of Master Sidhion's old beliefs. "There blood was innocent." His voice died down a bit as he pointed toward the dying city. "This is not peace, Glory." Seth's heart ached. Master Sidhion told him to expect the worse, but Seth didn't want to believe...didn't feel that it had come to it; his heart told him Glory was still there.

[Tismri]

"You're right, this isn't peace," Glory told Seth, gritting her teeth in frustration. She had a feeling he wouldn't listen to her. "But violence is needed to give way to peace. Everyone who resists peace needs to be brought. That's the only way to keep peace in the land going." She turned and pointed to the smoldering remains of the town she'd destroyed.
"Those people were not peaceful. They only ever thought of themselves. They hated outsiders, especially if they were from other races. I watched them with my own eyes. You can't think people like that are peaceful." She turned away to mount Sundavar, believing this whole conversation to be a waste of time.

[Max452]

Seth sighed. His Glory was being manipulated. "The people may have been wrong in their judgements, Glory, but have they committed violence? Words can solve problems more than the sword. Communication and understanding can breed peace without violence. The world isn't perfect, Glory, but that doesn't give us the right to dominion over them because we simply can. They need to be taught to understand what they are doing is wrong - with words, not with violence. Violence will only ever beget violence." Seth told her, his voice slightly pleading for her to understand, but was strong and firm at the same time. He spotted Glory's energy retreating and his heart ached from the mere fact. This was not how he wished their union to be. "Glory! Don't go, please!" Seth took a step forward, his eyes locked onto their energy. "Come back with me. Please." He suddenly felt like that boy again. The one that was waiting on the bench for Glory, only to find that she would never come back. "Come home."

[Tismri]

"The Varden fought their way toward peace," Glory stated angrily. "They just stopped too soon. Katriana won't make the same mistake." Something about his words bothered her. Deep inside, she knew she used to believe that. Even now, his words still made sense. But all her meditations, all her time learning from Katriana, had taught her that the only true way to obtain peace was to destroy all opposition. Itwas the only true insurance one could receive.
She paused midway from mounting Sundavar when she heard his desperate pleas. Why was he being so stubborn? Couldn't he just leave her alone?
"I am going home," she told him spitefully. Still, she went back to the ground, crossing her arms as she glared at her former friend. "What is it that you want from me, Seth? I'm not going back to Bromsland with you."

[Max452]

"The Varden never wished for bloodshed, Glory. There is a difference when someone fights for others than fights for power. The Varden threw down a tyrant and gave the land back to the people - to let them be free to seek their own happiness without harming another. Galbatorix ruled with brute strength and desired only for power! How are you so sure that Katriana is not after that same power, Glory? She will kill all who oppose her simply because they will take away her power! How is that peace?" He asked her calmy as he felt her mount Sundavar. Hyperion whined.
Sun... The blue dragon pleaded with his friend.
Glory's declaration of going home caused Seth's heart to clench uncomfortably. Had she already forgotten? A flicker of hope filled him when he heard her feet touch the ground. "Have you forgotten everything, Glory?" Seth asked her as his hand went toward his heart. "Have you forgetten my promise to you?" I'll wait for you! Seth could hear his more cheerful self declare to Glory as she parted from him. "Home, Glory." He pounded on his heart again. "Not Bromsland, Home. Your home, my home. Here." He emphasized on his heart. "Together. The fields of my home....the laughter of your family...have you forgetton what we promised to one another?" His heart clenched in pain again. Had that Shade Rider forced Glory to forget everything about their dreams and plans together? Had she forgotten how he felt for her?

[Tismri]

Glory stared at Seth, confused. What was he talking about? If he wasn't referring to Bromsland, then where? She stared at where his hand was gesturing toward his heart. Confused emotions began to well up within her. Happy memories, brief and blurred, long forgotten and buried beneath all the layers of Katriana's words.
Sundavar gave another low whine as Hyperion called to her. Not even Glory had used her nickname in a long time. For a moment, everything was clear to her, and she knew she belonged with him, just as Glory belonged with Seth.
Hyp... she said, but Glory's twisted thoughts dragged her back down the convoluted path of Katriana's teachings. She needed to drag her Rider out of that mindset and back to the correct path, or they would both be lost.
Gloriann contined to stare at Seth, her breathing quickening. She felt something akin to panic beginning to well up in her. Kat. She needed to get back to Kat. She would settle everything for her, allow her to understand it all.
"I...I have no idea what you're talking about," she said to him. She turned and fairly fled to Sundavar's saddle, her mind a hazy jumble.
Get us out of here, Sundavar, she said. The dragon hesitated for a moment, confused but desiring to remain rather than return to the desert. However, Glory was entering such a state that she might become dangerous. She spread her wings and took off, flying back toward where the Shade's army awaited their return.

[Max452]

"GLORY!" Seth yelled after her, panic emotions welling up within him. He wasn't going to lose her again! "Hyp!" Seth called to his friend as he hopped back onto the saddle. The dragon knew immediately what his Rider wanted and cascaded upward after Sundavar. "Glory! Sun! Stop running from us!" He yelled after them, following their energies as Hyp followed his eyes and nose.

[Tismri]

Glory felt so confused and afraid as Seth and Hyperion followed them. She wasn't sure what caused her to be so fearful, but she clutched tightly to one of Sundavar's neck spikes and urged the dragon onward.
"Vindr letta," she said. It was a difficult spell, to stop the motion of air. She felt her strength starting to drain, but she hoped it would last long enough to stop Hyperion's flight and maybe make Seth pass out until they escaped. Sundavar gave an agonized glance over her shoulder to her friend before flying onward. Glory's confused thoughts left her own mind jumbled, and she could only react on instinct to flee from whatever Glory was feeling dangerous.

[Max452]

The air around them thinned to an unbearable point. Fear racked through Seth's body as he realized what Glory was doing; not for his own depletion of air, but from the fact that she had used such a spell against them.
HYP! Seth screamed through their link as he felt his dragon halt in mid air, followed by the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere. Seth! Do something quickly! They're getting away! Hyperion could not forget the way Sundavar spoke to him - there was a moment of recognition and he clung to it like fish would to water.
For Glory and Sundavar! Seth recalled their promise to one another.
For Glory and Sun! Hyperion agreed and felt Seth gather calm himself as he gathered the energy around him.
If they're flying that means we've hit a pocket without air. So...let's get to some air! Seth grunted out to Hyp as he placed his hands together, drawing up a huge amount of energy within him.
Seth! That's dangerous! You'll hurt yourself! Hyp warned, realizing what he was doing.
We need air...and I'm the only one who's gonna give up a bit more.
Air! Launch us! Using the air within his own lungs, Seth dangeriously gathered it up and launched Hyp and himself out of the air pocket that they were trapped in. Seth felt his lungs burn and his body slack as they rocketed forward against the stalled air. It was a painful experience, but it was worth it; for Glory.

Hyperion faltered in the air slightly as he felt a rush of wind caress the membranes of his wings. The blue dragon quickly regain his flight, but was worried about the occupant that rode him. Seth! He could barely feel his Rider's consciousness. SETH! A gasp was heard followed by a mental, exhausted assurance.
I'm okay... Seth replied as they continued their chase after Glory. My throat and chest burn though... Seth felt incredibly drained.
That was a stupid thing to do! Master Sidhion and Locien would not approve!
It got it done, all right, let's just rescue them! Seth waved Hyp's reprimand away as the two continued to fly. Hyperion let out an agnoized roar after Sundavar, letting her know that he would not stop chasing.

[Tismri]

Glory glanced back in surprise when she heard Hyperion's roar. They'd somehow escaped her trap. She shook her head, angry with herself. She wasn't strong enough; she needed to get better. She needed to make Katriana proud.
We're not going to lose them, Sundavar noted, her voice having an odd note to it. They won't give up.
Glory sighed. Land, she said. She was going to have to battle it out against Seth, to get him to stop following her. There was a strange feeling in her chest, as if doing this was going to hurt her.