Strikes On The Horizon

Spiritual cleansing. Alye needed that sort of thing right now. This year has been absolutely terrible. Alye had her magic stolen from her, her husband had been killed, her guild was burnt to the ground... Any of these things would have broken a normal person, but for them all to happen at once...

Well, good thing Alye was far from normal.

The halls of the Holy Castle blazed brilliantly in the daylight. Stark white doves flew effortlessly through the air around the ramparts as their flags snapped commandingly in the breeze. People mingled about quietly or murmuring back and forth about any number of things. Religion, spirituality, charity. Clergymen dotted with the public, praying or giving them words of wisdom. It was all very calming. Something that the Weather Witch needed right now.

One aspect of Alye's magic was that the weather would always reflect her mood if she didn't focus on keeping the sky clear. Most days, she was okay. Then she'd see a happy couple and get tremendously sad. Or she'd feel the space on her thigh where her guild tattoo had been and be overwhelmed with rage. Just thinking about it made Alye stop walking and take a deep breath. A shiveringly cold wind blew through the landscape that made everyone pause in conversation. The wind hadn't been natural, that much was certain. Those citizens or clergymen that held any magical prowess began to stare in Alye's direction. This reaction made the woman pull her feathered cloak a little tighter around her body. She wasn't here to cause trouble. Just to pay her respects.

To say one last goodbye to Reiki.

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

Alye began walking towards the entrance to the castle once more. It would seem that the place they were in was just a open air courtyard that people seemed to flock to when they wanted to partake in church activities that were too loud to be done inside the quiet hallowed halls. She'd already garnered some unwanted attention so she decided that going to the altar quickly and then getting out of here would be the best idea.

As Alye walked forward towards the towering doors that were opened to the public today, she couldn't help but get swallowed up by her thoughts. There had been a time where Alye herself had been revered as a Goddess herself. Yet, when her magic had been siphoned from her spirit, her connection to the divines was completely severed. She didn't miss the worship. Nor did she miss the power. What she missed most was the peace, the serenity. Left braced and broken, Alye had no idea what to do with herself anymore. Her husband - her guild - it was all gone. What would you do if everything you held dear was suddenly ripped from you?

The white-haired woman had been so engrossed in her sad musings that she didn't even realize that she'd ran right into - and knocked down a elderly woman. She snapped to quickly. Her son looked at her with abhorrence. "How dare you!? Can't you see she's already in pain!" Alye's blue eyes blinked for a moment before she recognized the pain arching through the woman's face. The white-haired woman knelt down - her light blue cloak billowing out around her. "How did you get hurt?", she asked simply while her words danced on the winds. "It's just a old ache from a fall a couple years ago." Her son gave Alye an annoyed look. "And you certainly didn't help anything running into her like a idi-" He would have finished his remark if he hadn't noticed the side look that Alye gave him. The sheer lethality of her gaze scared him into silence.

A Goddess - former or not - is not something to trifle with.

Alye reached out towards the woman and muttered something before a slight breeze rolled through the pavilion again. This one was different, however. It was light and benevolent. Just breathing it in seemed to give life to everyone around. The fingers on her outstretched hand twirled for a moment before the air around the woman began to sparkle and twinkle for a couple of seconds. As soon as it had appeared, it vanished. The elderly woman exclaimed. "I-It's gone! The pain is gone!" Alye got to her feet and gave the woman a little smile as she hair billowed in the breeze and her cloak fell against her body again. "I apologize for knocking you over. Have a nice day ma'am." Alye began walking again. "Bless you, oh, bless you!"

Alye said nothing else. She just kept walking forward, hoping to get to the altar sometime soon.

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

A soft sigh left the Windrider's lips. Now she'd attracted much more attention than she wanted. Although, helping that elderly woman did make her feel a bit better. When she'd first joined Eclipse Soul long ago, one of the first things that her master had taught her was the first step to redemption was assisting those without the strength to help themselves. And now that guild was gone. Alye's brow twitched for a moment as she kept moving away.

Was it all worth it?

The white-haired woman kept walking forward but glanced upwards when she noticed a presence in front of her. Her two eyes locked with one and an eyepatch. Alye stopped. The man in front of her looked to be around her age - or perhaps a bit younger - but his clothes were impeccable in every way. His militaristic garb piqued her interest just a tad. He didn't bear the colors of the Rune Knights or any other military faction that she was aware of. So at this point, Alye could say that she didn't know him. But did he know her? Being a more modest person, Alye isn't one to announce her titles, but she had quite a few. Wizard Saint, Goddess Slayer, Ace of Eclipse Soul, sister to Heero Reyold - the most famous Sorcerer Magazine model ever. Alye had to admit she had a reputation. Did this man want something from her? Was there some armed force looking for her assistance?

She wouldn't know if she didn't speak.

"That's quite the magic you have there, miss." Alye smiled at him just a bit, reflecting his own radiant grin. "Though I'm a wizard, myself, I am quite jealous." Ahh, so that was what Alye had sensed before. Magic power. Although there was something peculiar about it. It seemed so...ancient. It wasn't vibrant and fresh, but more refined and honed. Alye had never sensed something like this before. Alye lifted her left hand and conjured a small ball of wind into her palm. It soon began to sparkle and twinkle as Alye morphed it's properties to their healing form. "I believe any magic can be used for good. But, then again, any magic can also be used for villainy." The lights suddenly died out. The ball began to expand and darken as Alye sucked in pollutants from the air around them. She stared at her dark creation for a moment longer before crushing it in her hand, sending a faint breeze between them.

It smelled of acid.

"My name is Alye Reyold. It's nice to meet you."

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

The white-haired woman stood there stoically as she watched a young man approach that was adorned in ornate robes and jewelry. She knew the look of a royal when she saw one. However, it did perplex Alye that this prince was here. The Holy Castle was a religious establishment. There were no monarchs residing here that Alye knew of. Perhaps he was here for some other reason? Alye's head tilted to the side a bit as she pondered this. He could have actual business here. Though, Alye thought doing business dealings in a church was a bit macabre. Or he might be here to actually worship. That option surprised Alye even more. Most of the royalty she'd met in her lifetime had been terribly spoiled and self-centered.

Alye's attention honed back in on the man in front of her when he finally revealed his identity. Alito Kizoku. She liked it. Had a nice ring to it. Unfortunately her musings were cut short when the Prince came straight over to them and demanded for Alito to stop what he was doing. Except he wasn't doing anything that Alye was aware of, and she liked to think that her senses were rather sharp. So he must be referring to Alye's display of magic. She found it odd that he thought Alito caused the tremor. Then again, that could be one effect of his magic. After all, this Prince seemed to know the man better than Alye did. He already knew Alito's name after all. But it was something else that he said that perplexed Alye the most. He'd said that Alito was just as old as the Holy Castle itself... Alye quickly scanned Alito's face. That would explain that sensation she'd felt earlier.

There was more going on here than Alye knew about.

The white-haired woman surely did not feel like fooling around with a royal of all things right now. After all, she'd been in the company of Dragons and Gods. This man was a footnote against them. But Alye didn't want to be rude. And she also did not want Alito to get into any kind of trouble. Besides, if there were any repercussions - she'd pay for the damages.

"I apologize, Prince. That surge was my fault. Don't blame Alito, here."

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

Alye smiled just a tad at the Prince's obvious disdain towards the two mages in front of him. What amused her was the fact that he clearly didn't appreciate the fact that Alito wasn't the one to blame; making him look like a fool. There weren't many things that Alye liked more than embarrassing a royal. Their poker faces were never good.

"You are quite the courageous one." Alye turned back to Alito and gave him a little smile. Something she hadn't done much of lately. With so many terrible events happening this year, Alye found that she was beginning to smile less and less. Reiki had told her many times that one of the things that made him fall in love with her was her smile. She'd come here today to pay respects to him but maybe this was why she was supposed to be here today. To realize that no matter what happened in life, that she should always smile.

"Normally, those of royalty will only believe what their mind tells, but you seemed to give off a convincing vibe. That aside, thank you for having my back." Alye waved it off as she smiled just a bit more, making her sky-blue eyes sparkle a bit in the light. Oh, don't worry about it. I can be very convincing when I need to be..." To add a bit of flair to her statement, she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her pupils were gone. They'd been replaced by a snowy incandescent light that glowed faintly. She giggled just a bit before winking at Alito and closing her eyes again to dismiss the magic.

"Anyways, if I recall, you said your magic can be used for both good and villainy. Was that surge an exemplar of villainy, or just a taste of what you generally can do?" The white-haired woman tilted her head to the side as she tried to explain her magic. "Oh, you mean my Storm Magic? With it I have complete control over every aspect of the weather as well as the elements comprised of them. I can cast low level spells or manipulate small areas without calling fully upon the magic. I only use my full power when my eyes meld over into their ethereal white state. When I was much younger I could barely control it. I could only make very small rainclouds. But as I got older and trained harder - and with the help of my...old guild - I was able to produce or project any kind of weather event at any level. Minute or otherwise." Alye lifted a hand to her face as she stared at her fingers while little jolts of blue electricity flashed back and forth from her fingertips harmlessly. "My magic is controlled by my emotions though. The more distraught or angry I get, the more likely the chance of me losing control and bringing about a natural disaster." Alye twirled her electrical fingers for a moment longer before she clenched her hand closed and let the sparks die. She smiled again. "I'm very good at staying calm though, so you don't have to worry about that."

Her smile saddened a bit as she looked towards the ground. "I used to be the Storm Goddess Slayer but my magic was stolen from me a while ago. Thankfully, the Goddess of Storms, Ororo, took pity on me and granted my original magic back upon me. It's... still not the same though." The white-haired woman dwelled on it for one more moment before dismissing the thought. "I would have to say though that I prefer wind and ice spells. I love wind spells because there is absolutely nothing like flying without wings. I'd say I like ice magic because my husband was the Prince of the Ice Dragons - the Ice Dragon Slayer." Alye put a hand on her hip, causing her feathered cloak to float about a bit. "So yes, my magic is very destructive by nature. But that doesn't mean I need to stay in that one way of thinking. What can destroy can also create. It was through training with my Storm Magic that I found I can also generate a specific kind of air that promotes rapid healing. That is why I say that magic isn't good or evil. It's neutral. However you choose to use it dictates it's alignment."

Alye was just about to ask Alito what magic he used but she too noticed how there were more royals coming around now than before. And with royalty there is always security. Alye clearly recognized the white and black robes of the Holy Calvary - the security force for the Holy Castle - marching to and fro around them. Alye was beginning to get on edge until she noticed how they were all making their way towards the opening of the church and the ground beyond. The palace shook again but it was much more forceful than before. Alye's attention snapped back to the outside. She could sense several sharp and quick changes in air pressure in the distance.

Explosions.

"Something's wrong."

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

Demons.
It had to be those.
Then again, those infernal beasts were the only ones that Alye knew of that would have the gall to attack a holy place. She'd never heard of bandits attacking a church... Even they had to fear someone. Unfortunately for the royalty, they had someone far worse than the demons to be afraid of. For Alye had heard that soldier before he was killed and she most certainly was not pleased.

Of course, when the sounds of fighting entered the halls, the royals squandered up a small regiment of guards to protect them as they fled deeper into the castle. The sunlight outside seemed to dim slightly in conjunction with the amount of unholy power that was rising to the surface. The windows inside the entrance hall - that Alye and Alito were still in - shattered as hundreds of demonic wails sounded off in the distance. Following the stained glass's destruction, a embankment of that revolting fog began spewing from the window sills and rolling onto the gleaming floors in the hall. Alye shuttered a bit at the sight of it. She knew what fog was supposed to look like and blood red certainly wasn't it. She lifted a hand into the air and conjured a swath of fresh air to blast the fog from above, dismissing it. For now, at least. In it's wake however, the marble had been stained with red blood. Alye's lip curled a bit. "Disgusting..."

Alye's senses alerted her to the fact that the demons had finally arrived. She could still hear the sounds of struggle outside as reinforcements from the sorry security force began combating the demon horde. One would think that people guarding a Holy Castle would have some degree of skill against demons but Alye couldn't see anything special from her view. Especially since it seemed that they were letting demons slip through their ranks and breach the Castle's perimeter. Alye sighed. All talk and no show.

"Alito-" Alye raised her hand towards the front doors as a electric blue magic circle bloomed from her palm and proceeded to spit forth several arcs of lightning that smacked into four demons trying to enter the hall. She didn't even have to look in their direction. The sounds of their vaporization echoed off the walls. "-I'll leave these things to you for right now. As for me..." Alye turned away, her cloak snapping in sheer command as a shiveringly cold wind swept through the place.

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE

Solid steps echoed grandly through the-now-deserted hallowed halls of the Holy Castle. To say that Alye was upset would be a very good description of the situation. Before, Alye could probably tolerate some piddly little royal trying to backstab her. But not now. Not after the year she's had. She wasn't going to kill him, but there was no way that she was going to let him get away with it. Subconsciously, Alye also knew that she needed to secure these said royals from the demons now roaming the halls they they were supposed to be protecting. She just couldn't get over how ineffective that poor excuse for a security force was. Did they honestly think that they would never be attacked?

The white-haired woman could feel the expulsions of magic going off behind her - in the direction that she'd left Alito to hold the line. She was completely confident that he could do it. While he was nice enough on the outside, his magic was immensely dark in nature. But then again, Alye was once of a team with a man that had a demon sleeping in his mind. Alye's anger subsided a bit as she thought about her old teammate, Aian. He was so kind, so forgiving...

That was why Alye decided not to judge Alito just based solely on his magic. People have no power over the cards they are dealt. Something she also learned from her old master, Zeno. Her smiled turned remorseful now. "Oh Master, I couldn't have failed you more if I tried..."

Alye kept walking until she reached a large set of metal doors. They were shut, obviously, but when Alye reached out, she didn't even feel any kind of barrier or enchantment. "By the Goddess..." Did they really think a door was going to stop a contingent of demons? Alye rolled her eyes before she melded into the winds and slipped effortlessly underneath the crack at the bottom. She reformed on the other side, slowly, so the royalty and their play guards would actually know she was coming and not get freaked out. When her body turn solid again, she stood there and crossed her arms with a scowl on her face. She was met by the sound of rapturous arguing and shouting. She had at least expected to see the entitled ones lying in the corner while the guards took point at the door but it seemed that everyone here was just arguing back and forth with one another, trying to blame it on someone.

And it would seem everyone was leaning towards the Prince.

Alye couldn't help but smirk at the irony of it. Betrayed by your so called "colleagues" while trying to be the king of a castle that you shouldn't even be in. Of course, that was the moment that the man looked up and noticed the smiling woman. What happened next was, well, even Alye had to admit that it was clever.

"YOU!"

Alye raised an eyebrow. The Prince rose to his feet with a vengeance. He pointed to Alye and the whole room ceased at once. "You did this, didn't you!? You led these things here to slaughter us!" The Prince was walking now and the people parted like the sea in his wake. "You and Alito are here to kill us and claim this place for yourselves! You'd really kill everyone else in the process!?" Alye was quiet, just staring at the man. He was right in front of her now. "How else would the demons get in!? You summoned them with that magic earlier! I saw you! You must have cast some spell while pretending to be talking to your accomplice!" The royalty and the guards were now completely entranced in his performance. Emotion coupled with a easy scapegoat made for a good turnaround. Alye rolled her eyes again. "Please, I'd be surprised if these demons really cared about anyone by the likes of you." This silenced everyone who had begun yelling at Alye now. They couldn't believe it. She'd insulted the Prince in his own domain? Someone so "important?" The man's already flushed face burned now. Embarrassment apparently didn't suit him well. "Y-You wench! How DARE you!?" His hand rose to strike...

...Alye caught it with the tip of her index finger then grabbed his wrist with a grip of steel. "A-Ah! Let me go!" Alye's eyes turned as hard as diamonds as she stared down at the man. "You...you people make me so sick!" The air in the room suddenly began to get colder as Alye's mood darkened. She could kill him now if she wanted to. He was so close to her, she could do it however she wanted. Turn the air in his lungs into carbon dioxide, pops his lungs with air pressure, turn the water in his blood into acid, electroshock to the brain, hand right through his heart... Her rage was reaching a boiling point now. Everything over the year piled on at one time, driving Alye to the very edge. The temperature was now approaching freezing and people were huddled together, trying to keep any scrap of warmth. "Y-You're hurting me!!", the man wailed as he tried removing Alye's grip. The white-haired woman's head cocked to the side as her magic power accidentally began leaking from her body, her aura shrouding the room in white light. "Ohhh? I thought you said I was here to kill you all? Would you rather it be me, or a demon?" Alye's voice was sickeningly sweet but filled with power. She flexed her hand and the man screamed in agony as he fell to a knee. Liquid satisfaction was running through Alye's veins. This felt so good! She was in control for once! She was the once that chose the outcome now! And she chose de-

And ear-splitting scream came from across the room. Alye's attention turned to it. Two demons were looming over a group of the people, with a lowly guard holding a shaking spear out in front of him. Alye blinked as her eyes locked onto a crying little girl. W...What was she doing? Alye stepped back, her heart beating wildly as she let go of the Prince's hand. She looked around the room quickly and saw more demons melding into the room now. Had her anger led them to the room? Her voice cracked as she flexed her fingers. "N-No!" One of the already formed demons cackled as it radiated dark energy. It began reaching for the little girl, drawn to her apparently delicious screams. Alye disappeared in a burst of wind. She had to save these people! She couldn't let them die while she had the power to save them!

She had to do something!

TAG: @taghere ╳ WORDS: WORD COUNT HERE ╳ NOTES: NOTE HERE