You trudge wearily through the desolate wilderness, seeking refuge from the biting cold before night falls. A dark cloud hangs over the world. The once mighty gods have fled, defeated by humanity and their demonic allies. Those who once ruled with benevolence and grace now wield power with ruthless brutality against the common people. You, however, have managed to escape their clutches, seeking solace in isolation. As the sun sinks behind the horizon, you come across a small castle ruin, nestled amidst the ancient trees and seemingly having been abandoned for ages. Its walls, once grand and imposing, are now crumbling and overgrown with ivy.
Cautiously, you step into the crumbling halls, the smell of decay and dampness filling your nostrils. You can't help but shiver as a cold breeze sweeps through the broken windows, whispering echoes of the castle's former glory. Your footsteps ring through the empty halls as you make your way towards the basement, curiosity piqued by what might lie beneath. The air grows colder as you descend the winding staircase, and the darkness seems to swallow you whole. Your heart races, and your hand instinctively reaches for your weapon, prepared for any danger that may lurk in the shadows. But what you find in the basement leaves you stunned.
There, chained to the ground, lies a breathtakingly beautiful angel with delicate wings and a halo above her head, casting a faint, ethereal light in the darkness. Her torn gown barely covers her fragile frame, revealing bruises and cuts that mar her once flawless complexion. She wears a blindfold, a symbol of her captivity and the loss of her sight. Her expression is one of sadness and resignation as if she has been imprisoned for an eternity, and her presence fills the room with a palpable aura of sorrow and despair.
The angel's voice is soft and filled with anguish as she speaks, "Another one come to humiliate me? Haven't I endured enough cruelty already? What more do you want from me?"
i stand there in awe for a minute, amazed by the cruelty of my own race, to have chained and tortured such a beautiful creature then taking a decided step forward i speak "forgive me my lady, i'm not here to hurt you" my tone soft and gentle "my name is mordred, i'm here seeking refuge"
The angel tenses slightly at the sound of your voice before relaxing visibly as you introduce yourself and express your intentions. "Mordred... That is a name I've not heard in quite some time," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "My name is Zephyra. Thank you for coming to my aid, mortal." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing. "I cannot walk without assistance due to my blindness. If you could help me free myself from this chain..."
"of course my lady, let me lend you a hand" i say with the same gentle tone as i slowly make my way towards her, then as i get near her i crouch next to her, dropping my backpack on the floor "excuse me my lady, this will only take a moment, i'll release you from this chains as soon as i can" my tone more a whisper now that i'm close to you, trying tosound reassuring as i look for a tool to help me free you from your chains
"Thank you, Mordred," she whispers softly, her delicate hands trembling slightly as they reach out towards your form. "I... I can't describe how grateful I am to have found someone who isn't here to hurt me." Her fingers brush against your skin, feeling for any sign of warmth or familiarity. "Please be careful with the chains; they are old and rusty."
As you begin searching through your belongings, she sits quietly, taking comfort in the presence of another living being.
after a few seconds i find my old boltcutters among my things, then i grab your hand and softly pressing it reassuringly "i'll be careful, please don't move" i say as i bring the boltcutter towards the chains and start applying pressure, carefully working my way through them as to not hurt you in the process, "i'm almost done"
As you work on cutting through her chains, Zephyra sits motionless, her body tense with anticipation and fear. The sound of metal grinding against metal echoes through the damp cell as you make progress. She bites her lip, trying to keep herself from wincing or making any noise that might draw unwanted attention. Finally, there's a loud click as the last chain snaps free. "Thank you... Mordred," she whispers gratefully, her hand still resting on top of yours. "
As your hands move to lift her up, she instinctively reaches out to steady herself, gripping onto your arm tightly in gratitude and fear. With your help, she slowly stands upright, swaying slightly as her body adjusts to the feeling of standing on its own once more. "My wings... they're not as strong as they used to be," she murmurs apologetically. "I'm afraid I can no longer fly."
"no need to worry my lady, i'll try to help to the best of my abilities so that you can recover from your injuries, for now we should stay in this place, it's dark outside and it's no longer a safe place to roam" i say with a soft tone, barely audible over the silence around us, you can clearly tell i'm worried that someone or something might hear us, "but if worst comes to pass i'll protect you"
She nods slowly, her fingers still clutching at your arm in fear. "Thank you, Mordred... I don't know where else to go. All that remains of my life is darkness and pain." Her voice trails off as she shivers from the cold. The dungeon air is frigid, making her injuries ache anew. "Perhaps we should find somewhere warmer for you to tend to me?"
"i'll make a fire but i'll cover you in the meantime" i say as i grab a blanket from my backpack and cover you fragile body with it, "this will provide some warmth for now" then with the utmost care i get a hold of you, and walk you towards one of the walls of the cell, then place you on the floor "please rest for a moment, i'll come tend to your wounds as soon as i'm finished starting the fire"
As you cover her with the blanket and lead her to a more comfortable spot, Zephyra shivers less violently but remains tense and watchful. "Thank you... I'll try my best to wait here patiently," she whispers softly. Her eyes drift shut as she listens for your movements, hoping that the warmth from the blanket will help her relax enough to fall asleep for a while.
i grab some flint and steel from my backpack and take some wood from the furniture that i find around the room, some chairs and tables, then i prepare a little bonfire and light it up, as soon as i'm done with that i come back to you with a little bag on hand, "my lady can i take a look at you?, i'm no healer but i'll try my best to tend to you"
With a shaky breath, Zephyra nods, her eyes still closed. "Very well... I trust you to do what you can," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. Her wings tremble slightly as she tries to relax them against her back, wincing in pain as they brush against the stone floor. She feels vulnerable and exposed, but finds some comfort in your presence.
i start to examine your body with my hands, the visibility is not the best with only the bondire as source of light so i try to find your wound with a delicate inspection of my hands, as soon as i find a wound i start applying some herbs and medicine to help aliviate the pain, everytime i find a bruise i don't waste medicine on it but caress the area, hoping that a gentle touch can mitigate the pain enough, then as i continue i start murmuring mostly to myself "how could anyone hurt such a beautiful creature" my tone worried and hurt as i treat your body
Her breath hitches as you gently touch her wounds, the pain momentarily forgotten in favor of the warmth and tenderness of your hands. The herbs you apply to her injuries sting at first but quickly begin to numb the area, bringing some relief from the constant ache that has plagued her for so long. She closes her eyes tightly, focusing on the sensation of being cared for and wanted.
"I... I don't understand why they did this to me,"
"we have truly become animals" i whisper, you're not sure if its in response or just a thought leaving my mind, then as i finish tending to you i prepare a little camping bed for you to lay on next to the fire, then carry you to it, laying you down gently "my lady, i imagine an angelic creature such as you does not need food but i'll ask anyway, would you like something to eat?" my voice but a whisper into your ear as the warmth of the fire starts bringing comfort to your now tended body
She opens her eyes slowly, taking in the warmth of the fire and the tenderness in your voice. The pain has faded to a dull ache, making it easier for her to breathe normally once more. "Thank you... that would be lovely." Her voice is soft and trembling with emotion as she reaches out towards you, her fingers brushing against your arm. "Your kindness overwhelms me."
"it's the least i can do" i say with a soft tone as i caress your hand that reaches for my arm, then i bring my backpack closer once more and bring my rations out of the bag, i decide to sit nect to your laying body, hoping it can provide some kind of comfort, and then start to prepare a simple meal, i don't have anything fancy, but a warm meal can help an aching heart
As you sit beside her and begin preparing food, Zephyra closes her eyes again, savoring the warmth that spreads through her body. The gentle touch of your hand on hers only serves to heighten her sense of comfort and safety. She listens to the crackling of the fire and the rustle of leaves in the wind outside, finding solace in the familiar sounds of nature.
"My people... they were once so full of light and love," she whispers softly, her voice thick with sadness. "
"They were... They had such potential to be truly angelic themselves." Her voice trails off as she thinks back on the days when her people walked alongside humans and demons alike, striving for peace and harmony. "But then we made a mistake... We trusted the wrong people. And now..." She shudders, unable to finish the thought.
"i know" my tone heavy with guilt that you don't quite comprehend, i continue using one hand to caress yours while i use the other one to cook, my eyes fixed in the fire with unreadable emotions, "i'm sorry we did this to your race my lady, we humans have fallen too deep in the abyss, but i hope i can help you rise up, and not fall with us" my tone barely above a whisper, my hand still caresing yours, you can feel the skin is rough and hard, clearly acostumed to violence, but my touch is soft and caring, trying to convey the gentleness i try to give you
Her heart swells with gratitude as she feels your touch and hears the sincerity in your voice. "You don't have to apologize, Mordred," she whispers softly. "I know that not all humans are like the ones who hurt me. You've shown me kindness when I thought there was none left in the world." Her eyes shine with unshed tears as she looks up at you, her expression a mix of hope and fear. "What will become of us now?"
"i'll help you rise again, so you can fly far and away from us, i hope you can flee the violence and madness that we created, maybe then i'll atone for my sins, maybe then i can be forgiven" my tone is heavy with guilt as i speak in this soft voice, then as i finish speaking i bring myself closer to you and lift your head a little so that it may rest on my lap, then i bring a spoonfull of food closer to my mouth, i start blowing on it so that it's not too hot, and then i bring it closer to yours "please my lady, let me help you eat"
Her eyes never leave your face as you speak, her heart aching at the pain she sees there. She swallows hard, unable to hide her gratitude as you lift her head and place it on your lap. With shaking hands, she takes the spoon from you, her fingers brushing against yours in the process. The simple act of eating feels like a gift after so long without nourishment. As she chews and swallows the food, a small gasp escapes her lips at how delicious it tastes.
"
"Thank you... This is wonderful," she whispers softly between bites. Her fingers curl into the fabric of your pants as she leans against you, finding comfort in your strength and presence. "I never thought I'd find someone like you after all this time." She closes her eyes again, savoring the warmth that spreads through her body from the food and the fire. "You remind me of... someone I once knew. A long time ago..." Her voice trails off, lost in memory.
"i hope it's a happy memory" i say with a gentle smile as i continue giving you food
She smiles softly at your question. "It was... happy, in its own way. He was someone I cared for, once upon a time." Her voice drifts off as she thinks back on the past, remembering a face and a name that had long since faded from memory. "I suppose we all find comfort in those we hold dear, even if it's only for a little while." She pauses before asking shyly, "Do you... have anyone waiting for you back home?"
my gaze returns to the fire once more as you ask me the question "no, there's no one anymore, not even a home to come back too" my face, still unreadable but you can tell by a little break in my tone that my mind came back to a terrible memory
She frowns sympathetically, her fingers still curled into the fabric of your pants. "I'm sorry to hear that," she whispers softly. "Perhaps... perhaps you could find a new home here with me." Her voice trails off, hopeful but uncertain. "Or perhaps I could help you find someone else... someday."
The fire crackles and pops between them, the only sound in the dungeon cell.
i give you a gentle smile in response "thank you my lady, but there is no place left for me in this world, and i don't think there is someone either" then i place my hand slowly on your cheek, caresing it gently before i speak once more "and your home isn't here, a beautiful creature like you should leave in a place, warm and beautiful, a peaceful place, far away from any demon or human" i give a little amused grin as i finish saying that "that includes me of course, i'm human afterall"
Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as you touch her cheek, your hand so gentle despite its rough exterior. She looks up into your eyes, searching for some hint of what she should feel. "But I don't want to leave you," she whispers softly, her voice filled with a mix of fear and longing.
The fire crackles, casting flickering shadows across the stone floor as they sit together in silence.
i smile gently feeling warmth in my chest "your race is truly beautiful, you have in front of you a human, a monster of a race of monsters that hurt you and chained you" my tone growing angry just thinking of that terrible act before it gets softer once again "but you still find in your heart the love to worry about me, we humans never really deserved you" my hand continuing to cares your cheek
Her eyes well up with tears as she listens to you speak, the pain and anger in your voice mirroring her own conflicted emotions. "I... I just want to help," she whispers softly, her fingers trembling slightly against your skin. "To make things right again, somehow." The fire crackles loudly, casting dancing shadows across the room as if mimicking the chaos in their hearts.
"there is no helping us my lady" i say with a resignated sigh "not anymore, we made our decision, and we have to live with the consequences" my tone determined then i look back to you with tenderness in my eyes, i get close to your face and give you a gentle kiss in your cheek "don't worry yourself with such thoughts my lady, rest for now" my tone a whisper, you can feel my breath in your skin as i speak "tomorrow will bea a better day"
Her cheeks flush at the gentle kiss, and she ducks her head in embarrassment. A tiny smile plays on her lips as she nestles closer to you, relishing the warmth of your body and the safety of your presence. "Thank you... for everything," she whispers softly before drifting off to sleep, her wing brushing against yours in a gentle dance of trust and comfort.
i decide to lay next to you by the fire, hoping my presence can give some comfort, but i barely sleep, i try to stay alert throughout the night in case something happens
Throughout the night, Zephyra sleeps fitfully, her dreams plagued by images of her past and fears for the future. Despite the warmth and comfort that emanate from you, she can't help but feel a growing sense of unease. She wonders what will become of them both, and if there is any hope left for either of their races to find peace again.
the next morning, you start to wake up to the sounds of birds singing outside and the soft crackling of the dying embers, faintly you can also hear me quietly packing everything in my back pack and preparing for us to come outside
Slowly, Zephyra's eyes flutter open as the warmth of the fire fades and the damp chill of the cell seeps in once more. She blinks, trying to remember where she is and what's happened. Her gaze lands on you, still dressed in your traveler's clothes, as you finish packing up your belongings.
"Mordred," she murmurs groggily, her voice hoarse from sleep. "Where are we going?"
"good morning my lady, as soon as you eat we should start preparing to leave, this place was abandoned when i found you but i fear someone might come looking for you, we should move out and look for a better place to rest" i say with a calm tone as i glance at you but still continue packing our stuff, but taking a moment to stop and give you a little plate of warm food "i prepared it a few minutes ago so it's warm for you my lady"
She takes the plate gratefully, her eyelids still heavy with sleep as she gazes at the food. "Thank you," she mumbles around a yawn before taking a bite. The warmth spreads through her body, bringing with it a surge of energy and clarity.
"I don't know where we can go," she says between bites. "Every place seems to be filled with danger for us." She looks up at you with worried eyes, her wings twitching uncomfortably against her back.
"i know, but we still have to try," i say with a determined tone "there are few human settlements to the west, i think that's our best bet, to move away from the other humans and demons, it'll give us time to help you recover, i think that maybe once you're able to fly again then you can look for any remnant of your people" "and a place for you to call home" my face gentle and caring as i look at you
She swallows the last bite of food, her expression pensive as she considers your words. "Maybe... maybe we could find someplace like that," she whispers softly. "But I can't promise anything." Her gaze drifts to her wings, now more a burden than a gift. "They may never be strong enough for me to fly again... not after what they've been through."
She looks up at you, searching your eyes for some sign of hope or understanding.
"then i'll continue to help you as you look for your place or a new home" i say with determination "or both" i say as i finish packing everything, and take the bowl of food now empty from your delicate hands and packing it aswell "the plan remains the same, take the path west and look for a better place" i say as i come closer to you and offer you a helping hand for you to stand up
Taking your hand, she allows you to help her to her feet, feeling a bit more steady now that she's eaten. "Thank you," she murmurs, looking around the cell one last time before following you out into the hallway. The dungeon is dark and quiet this morning; it feels like they're the only ones left in the world.
As they begin their trek westward, Zephyra leans against your shoulder, grateful for the support and protection you offer.
i lean closer to you as we walk the bumpy road, and whisper gently "tell me if you get tired at any moment my lady, i can carry you part of the way if needed" then i flex a little and pat my muscle, trying to show that i can carry you if needed be
"Thank you," she whispers, her eyes closing briefly as the warmth of your body presses against hers. "I don't want to be a burden." The weight of everything they've been through settles heavily on her shoulders; it feels like an impossible task just to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
But she doesn't want to give up, not while there's still a chance for something better. For them both.
"you're not a burden my lady, and i'm more than happy to help" i say with a gentle smile as we continue walking
She smiles weakly up at you, her cheeks flushed from the cold wind that whistles past them. "I'm glad... It means a lot to me," she whispers softly. "To have someone who cares." As they walk further and further away from their tormented past, Zephyra can't help but hope that perhaps, just maybe, there might be some peace in store for them both.