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THE EDGE OF AEPHIX - YZZAYT'S PROMINENCE
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Narrator: One of Nyzai's scouts lands in the mouth of Yzzayt's Prominence, walking around to quickly find Nyzai. Information is exchanged, and soon Nyzai herself is off to relay the message to The Whisperer.
Xeilzrus: ". . .I see. Go get Usid The Swift and return to me, Nyzai The Clever." Xeilzrus responds. The long, vicious skull covering his visage still isn't enough to hide his displeasure at this news.
Nyzai gives a respectful nod/bow to Xeilzrus, then sets off from the amphitheatre to find Usid as requested, relaying information to her scouts to find him faster. Quickly enough, she finds him, at whatever haunt Usid might be at. "Usid." Nyzai speaks up.
Usid is hard at work crafting his bone arrows, never one to trust others with his own equipment. His armor is freshly replaced and repaired, his new mount trained as best he is able for the time being as he waits, certain it is only a matter of time before he shall be sent back out. He does not look back towards the pterosaur, "Hmph. Nyzai."
Nyzai crosses her arms at Usid's attitude, narrowing her eyes and scowling some. "The Whisperer requests your presence." She states.
Usid stops with that, setting the arrow down and straightening up, turning to bow his head to Nyzai. "Then I shall not keep him waiting."
Nyzai nods slightly at Usid, waiting for him to begin walking. She then follows behind him. Soon enough, the pair are at Xeilzrus' Chamber.
Usid approaches in proper fashion. He didn't quite run here, but he surely didn't linger to let The Whisper wait. He enters, walking to the place he knows to stop, and kneels, "Whisperer. You have summoned me? Usid the Swift is ever at your service."
Nyzai drops her scowl and general attitude upon entering Xeilzrus' line of sight. She stands next to Usid, though doesn't kneel alongside him, simply bowing her head again to Xeilzrus.
Xeilzrus: "The two of you are here." Xeilzrus acknowledges the pair, barely. "Nyzai has brought news which Yzzayt finds most displeasing. The Ignorant Ones have mobilized a considerable force against us. As we speak, they are closing in on Yzzayt's Abyss."
Usid rises up from his position, still standing 'tall'. He glances at Nyzai, but his tone isn't actively antagonistic in the presence of the Whisperer, "Their scouts evaded our forces? The more we engage them, the more we learn their fighters are not as weak as we believed, Whisperer."
Xeilzrus: "Silence." Xeilzrus replies calmly, with an undertone of menace, "It is thanks only to your failures that they are both strong enough to reply and know the location of Yzzayt's Abyss. The Blighted failed in the destruction of their crops. You, The Swift, failed in keeping their supplies from the ocean cut off. You failed in transporting Sister Louma to Yzzayt's Abyss." Xeilzrus turns to Nyzai. "The Clever, you failed to kill Sister Louma, as well as the scouts that were close to Yzzayt's Abyss."
Nyzai shuffles awkwardly, keeping her gaze low, quietly scowling at Usid.
Usid bows his head back down, falling silent as well at the reprimand.
Xeilzrus: "You may be Yzzayt's chosen, though do not forget what Yzzayt does to those that fail him." Xeilzrus clicks, prompting two of his elite guard to nod. They walk off, soon returning with a trussed up Saur, one from Usid's unit. Specifically, the one that was on watch the day of Louma's escape, whose knife was mysteriously missing. He is thrown unceremoniously against the hard ground, unable to break his fall. One of the guards draws their knife, offering it to Xeilzrus with a respectful bow. Xeilzrus takes it, only to callously throw it down to the ground between the Saur and Usid. "Prove your loyalty to Yzzayt, child." Xeilzrus instructs to Usid sternly.
Usid is caught off guard, but only for a moment. Everything Usid has done to gain his position, to gain recognition, has been to strengthen his tribe. He clenches one hand tightly as he takes careful, deliberate steps forward, bending down to take the knife. He then turns towards his former companion, his brother-in-arms. With a swift, deliberate movement, he makes the Saur's end quick, drawing the blade across his throat. A throaty growl emerges from his throat, "May Yzzayt forgive you."
Narrator: The Saur's eyes plead with Usid momentarily as death approaches, the only mercy afforded to him is that Usid lives up to his title. He spasms in the aftermath of the slash, quickly wearing out. Xeilzrus gives a nod of approval to Usid, his guard quickly taking the corpse away, leaving nothing left of the Saur but his fresh blood spilt across the rock. "Ruthless." Xeilzrus addresses Usid, pleased. "Remember this feeling well, The Swift, and use it to crush our enemies. You ride out tonight. Together with Nyzai, The Ignorant Ones will never make it to Yzzayt's Abyss."
Usid stares down at the bloodied knife in his hand. He nods, voice low without a hint of emotion, "Yes, Whisperer."
Xeilzrus nods at Usid, sitting down in his throne. "You may go."
Nyzai offers Xeilzrus another short bow, turning and departing the amphitheatre.
Usid gives a quick bow as well, turning to follow Nyzai out in silence.
Nyzai: Once the pair are out of the amphitheatre, Nyzai speaks, though without looking down at Usid. "Nyzai glad stupid bunny-eater is dead. Traitor to our own kind." She spits.
Usid feels dead inside. His empty hand still clutched tight. "Yzzayt holds no mercy for traitors."
Nyzai smiles at this. She continues to walk with Usid in silence for another few steps before speaking. "Nyzai's numbers are thinner. As are yours. We must work together to defeat the Ignorant Ones. We must not fail Yzzayt again."
Usid sighs at this, glancing up at Nyzai at last, the bloody blade still in his hand, the true message quite obvious to him. "Yzzayt holds no mercy for failure either."
Nyzai looks down at Usid now, matching his gaze. "Nyzai and Usid not need his mercy." She smiles.
Usid snorts, but nods in agreement. "Mercy is for the weak. Nyzai and Usid are strong." He pauses. "But the Ignorant Ones are strong too. No easy prey. And they are not stupid."
Nyzai: "Nyzai agree. We make plan, and we ask Yzzayt for favoured weather to fight."
Usid: "A plan... yes." He eyes Nyzai carefully. "This is why Nyzai is the Clever, afterall."
Nyzai nods. "Usid." Nyzai prompts, "Nyzai dislike you. But Nyzai respect you. Together, we will win."
Usid gives Nyzai a slow steady nod. "In this we are the same. Usid dislike you. Usid respect you, your skill."
Nyzai: "Nyzai prepare. Nyzai see Usid tonight." Nyzai replies, splitting off from Usid.
Usid only nods in silence as Nyzai departs. In one hand is the blade, covered with the blood of his war-brother. His other hand is clench tight, his own blood dripping down from the claws digging into his palm. In silence, he marches back towards his barracks near the stables.