Starflame13
Moderator
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Oh let me tell a story, About a maiden fair! She wore the night sky in her eyes - And starlight in her hair. As graceful as the twilight, As gorgeous as the dawn! She captivated all who saw her, But left them all forlorn! Oh, li li li, li li li li, li li li li li li! Oh, li li li… She lept, she whirled, to the gasps of the town; this mud-spattered village of little renown. A twist, a twirl, her limbs she pushed on; she kept to her time as she fought off a yawn. Turn fast, turn fast, and don’t let them see - the pain of your heart, how it clipped off your wings. They cheered with applause as Cirra danced and swayed. Coins clattered about her in a tinkling rain. Silver and gold for lodging tonight, for a roof and a bed and a bowl of stew. And then onward tomorrow at the first break of light, in the hopes of outrunning pursuit. And so for the crowd, she spun and she sang. A light-hearted jig, with a simple refrain. Her silks, they swirled, draped loose ‘bout her skin. Though dirtied and torn, they still danced in the wind. Evening drew nearer; chill crept in close. Dusk’s final rays faded with the last of her notes. A smile, a bow, as she gathered the gold - hiding a shiver at the onslaught of cold. You could have stayed, came the incessant thought. It caught in her throat, made her shoulders grow taut. A palace, a kingdom! And her by your side… But the Princess wouldn’t listen, however hard Cirra tried. Disputes and quarrels, blended of anger and fright - until she couldn’t stand it; ran away in the night. I made my choice - she pushed past the regret. Though her soul kept reminding - and yet, and yet… Always remember and never forget how her eyes shone like stars when she danced along. Her hands were your timbrel, her heartbeat your drum - and still you are caught in the beat of her song. A toll - a gong? - broke her from her reverie. She rose with a frown, pushing back at the memories. Stillness, silence, the villagers frozen and tense. A single moment of terrifying suspense. It snapped, shattered; the crowd scattered in alarm. Parents grabbed for their children; others grabbed for their arms. And above the din, the bell clanged yet again. A futile warning of the danger at hand. Then screams - they struck like the snapping of strings. Arrows fell forth about them like rain in the spring. Riders, raiders! charged into the square. Black crests on their shoulders and raised swords in the air. No - the war?! It had traveled that fast?! Cries echoed around her, more bolts whistled past. Go - MOVE! Came the shrill screech of her mind. But terror held fast, fear raced down her spine. How did they reach us, the river’s between us, the army stands guard at the crossing - A horse drew beside her, a soldier turned and eyed her, and Cirra took off and ran without pausing. Dread and panic, they clawed at her throat. The air crackled behind her; the sky filled with smoke. Torches, torpedoes, the weapons of war. Explosions rocked the ground below her; shook her to her core. She flinched, stumbled, fell hard on one knee. Pursuers behind her; Cirra needed to flee. Strange hands gripped her shoulder - she threw back her head. Bones crunched at the contact and she scrambled ahead. Blood drizzled, trickled downwards from her crimson-drenched scalp; the pride-wounded soldier now calling for help. Quick, down an ally, skin stinging and scraped. Her legs shook and trembled as she raced to escape. Harsh words and the thuds of boots followed near. And beyond them the wailing of those stricken by fear. Eyes burned, throat spasmed, the pandemonium spread. She turned a sharp corner - to a dead end ahead. An impasse before her, more soldiers behind her, and walls pressing inwards from either side. Skies filled with smoke and land filling with death and nowhere between she could hide. A laugh, a snarl, from the mouth of the aisle. Cirra faced the attackers, her tongue tasting bile. You’ve fought before, as her hands curled to fists. Though greatly outnumbered, she had to resist. Then a song, a refrain, drifted across the back of her mind. A long-forgotten lesson almost lost to time. A power, forsaken, when she abandoned her heart - but though it hurt to recall it, it could never depart. Born of the heavens and bound to the mortals and forever trapped in the space in between. Remember your teachings and push past your heartache; I lost her I cannot lose me. __________I left her so I could fly free. Listen to the starlight’s song. Always does their light shine strong. Remember how to fly… A word, a prayer, as she turned away from her foes - heartbroken still but not bereft of her hope. A step, then a sprint - but her feet made no sound. No longer did the dancer trod upon the hard ground. Instead she raced on thin wisps of air. Delicate crystals forming a silvery stair. Curses, then arrows, chased after her flight. But with clouds leading each leap she sprang high into the night. Onwards, upwards, the wind rushing by! Cirra couldn’t help but laugh as she danced into the sky. The slaughter, the chaos, it all fell away. Nothing could touch her, nothing could lay claim. Over the fire, away from the cries - with a small twinge of guilt, she gave a last glance behind. And blanched, went pale at how high she had flown. A vast expanse spread beneath her in the light of the moon. High as the mountains and high as the moonrise and higher than ever she’s flown before. A falter, a misstep, a loss of her balance - and with broken cadence she plunged… ___________________________________plummeted… _______________________________________Slammed into the - floor? Uninjured, unbroken, Cirra slowly rose to her feet. She stood entirely alone in the middle of a street. Black. White. A city so stark, a pristine and completely untouched work of art. White. Black. It was all she could see. How had she come here? How could this be? An unknown conurbation, an unrecognizable sky. An absolute silence - no hints to provide. Miles of tiles spread out from her in rows. Cirra kept turning and looking - then suddenly froze. Her garb, once ragged, was somehow transformed. Restored to the livery of a guard’s uniform. And mail atop it, the chains new and pristine. Shades of orchid and lilac that glimmered and gleamed. An outfit forsaken when she abandoned her post. She moved as if to discard it - then saw something approach. Comrades now faceless and companions now voiceless all pointing the way towards an empty throne. Against will and desire the dancer drew closer - and found a sword there embedded in stone. What - How?! I renounced my right to that blade! She had ran from the war, her duty betrayed. She collapsed before it, body wracked with shame. Neither peace nor her Princess remained hers to claim. Wasn’t it worth it? To know I’d survive? And yet… here she was, stranded, miserable - alive. She glanced about her, but the false guards remained still. Bereft of emotion and devoid of their will. Like soldiers, she grimaced. Good soldiers, at that. She hugged her arms tight about her, breath coming too fast. A trick, a trap? But no attacks came her way. She forced air into her lungs, tried to keep panic at bay. No sunshine, no moonlight, yet still the blade gleamed. A quick pinch - but no, this wasn’t a dream. Her banner, in purple, stretched forth from the grip. It fluttered out towards her, made her heart jump and skip. She named you Stardust and called me her starlight and said it was fate that you fit in my hand. Cirra stretched an arm forward, fingers caressed the cool steel, but her soul burned as if touching a brand. __________It burns like when I let go of your hand. “Listen to the music flow. Let its chorus guide you home. I want you by my side…” She flinched, gasped, as the words hit her soul. Cirra sprang to her feet, pulled the blade free from its hold. The guards bowed, their forms peeling apart. And before she could follow, a force seized her heart. Breath, motion, all frozen within time - and though Cirra struggled, she could not defy. Sounds, colors, all started to warp. The entire city twisting to deform and contort. Worlds raced about her and air itself drowned her and Cirra knew nothing but the sword in her palm. Silence then bound her as realms shuddered around her and - then she stepped out into stillness and calm. Tick. Tock. An incessant beat. It clashed with her rhythm, made her dance seem offbeat. Tock. Tick. An echoing note. Forever chasing the first asymptote. Tick. Tock. A triplicate chime. A series of clacking all disagreeing with time. A crack, a crash as lightning flashed against bronze - a bolt held briefly in stasis before retreating above. The timekeepers swung, the heart of this realm. Their constant disagreement enough to overwhelm. Five others, all strangers, encircled the room - Cirra stood amongst them as above thunder boomed. Betwixt person and storm, strange sigils suddenly flashed. One the brightest of white, the other starkest of black. Two matched, three differed, from the one over her head. Voices sounded in thousands - and her heart sank with dread. Prove yourself worthy or perish in stillness - the myriad of speakers about her proclaimed. Whether a pawn or a princess, none could escape bloodshed - in the end, all worlds are the same. Right, an ally - a diminutive creature. A mask on his brow that obscured all his features. Left, a rival - a simply-dressed swordsman, looking about in awe at the abnormal expanse. A debate, a decision, and Cirra’s sword caught the light. The nine rings upon it chimed forth in delight. A pawn, a soldier, she knew how to be. Back to your comrades; blade to your enemy. She gave a quick word, and a high peal rang out. The first ring shattered to release a glittering cloud. A sparkling-black nebula that shimmered and grew - dust thick and heavy to obscure her foe’s view. Breath in, prepare for her last moment of accord. Though she had fled to avoid it, she could fight a war. Quick steps, to the side, and she broke free of the fog. A nod to her ally, though she kept her sword ready to block. A palace of traitors and a field of turncoats - she must never forget the ease it took to betray. Recall all your training and don’t trust another - whatever may happen she will live through today.
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