The long lashes of Lyriel lowered, casting dark shadows over his cheeks then he sighed. Head filled with thoughts. Lyriel released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. That was relief in action. She hadn't gone yet. At least, not without a notice.
His gaze raked over her features, Lyriel imprinted Melwyn visage like the portrait of an ethereal moon nymph that could disappear if he risked to blink.
He took in the color of her hair. How they danced to the winds whispers. Her eyes—similar to the darkest gems. Her majestic form as she stood erect with the catch. The dark red blood a sharp contrast to her milky pale skin. Although few metres tore them apart. Lyriel perceived a whiff he swore to never forget even if she left. A beautiful figure surrounded by the drops of gentle white snow etched itself at the back of his mind.
Then, Lyriel's attention dashed to the other figure, the black form now leaning on a close by tree.
A man dressed in a black leather outfit with his arms crossed before his chest was staring deeply at the both of them from several metres behind. Jet black hair thrived his scalp, accentuating his edgy appearance.
He gave an amusing smile but the gleam of his eyes was just as similar.
Purple-flecked black — Just like Melwyn's.
"Brother?"
Following Lyriel's gaze, the quick spin from Melwyn was confirmation of the youth's speculation. The catch dropping as she caught sight of the man secretly watching them. Her eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
The silent Lyriel shook his silver head watching as the scene unfolds before him. Ah... So they were siblings. He slid both his hands behind him unconsciously.
"Well, well, little sis. Is this where you've been all this while?" With a grin, the man in question leaned off the tree, moving across the yard in one swift movement. He was quite fast Lyriel had only caught a blurry flash.
That single movement was enough to make anyone marvel at how powerful the man must be. A Sardonyx, a harnesser perhaps, one did not need to be informed twice about how he wasn't a force to be reckoned with. On the contrary, though impressed Lyriel concealed his face with an indifferent look. He wasn't a fan of people showing off. He spectated silently. Ahead him, Melwyn glared daggers that never seemed to affect the approaching man.
"That does not answer my question..." She focused on his every step. "What are you doing here? Why can't you let me be."
"Haven't you made enough mistakes already." The heel of his boots finally stomped the ground heavily. Footfalls ceased with a heavy silence descending. The longer the man stared at his angered sister for a while. He lifted a hand to rub his temple, sighing. If only she would just calm down and somehow listen to him...
His hand fell to his side, and he spoke. " Father's impatient. You know what that means. Both Tyrian, Angus, and I can't keep pleading on your behalf. Mel. You have to listen to me. Whatever that happened back there, is for —it's just for the good of everyone. Please, come back." Each words were silent, but they cut through the woods with grave bitterness.
"Why does it always have to be like this?" Melwyn's fist clenched by her side. Lyriel sensed the hurt in her tone. "A chase. After all this years. And you... You still don't think he's doing the wrong thing?"
"Father's choice are his, not mine... " The black man's head lowered, he mumbled." We're only bound by duties to obey whatever order he has, and you know it. So, please. Let's go home. We could sort it however you wish. Just —" His voice cracked momentarily but he lifted his head. Black hair falling beside his face, the anxious look on his face grew.
"I'd rather not be desperate this time."
...?
Lyriel perceived expectant purple eyes clash with his questioning ones. The edge of his left brow pulled up. Lyriel's just a spectator, he does not know how to react nor say to the attention casted on him. The black dressed man also focused on the man behind his sister. Internally, he hoped Lyriel might help convince his sister peacefully.
Being trapped under such intense gazes, Lyriel's face averted glancing at the clocking paper lanterns and he cleared his throat. Lips whistling, he stared back few more time until they had both turned away. He did not forget to heave in comfort.
"Fine. I'll go with you... " Melwyn shook of her amusement, coldness replacing what faced her brother."But on one condition."
Seriously! "What is it? Anything?"
The man calmly sighed in relief and fixed his composure. 'Thank heaven's. she finally agreed to come home. He couldn't bear to tie her up like his father had ordered. Phew-'
"You'll give him a traveler's quilt." Melwyn's said, slender finger was pointing at Lyriel.
"Sure! Of course!" Melwyn's brother nodded in agreement and started searching for the unseen object in his pocket. Along the line he paused, fingers frozen in his pocket as he looked ahead with realization dawning on him. He straightened up in knitting brows, hands tucked in his pocket. Wait...
Did she just say travelers quilt?
"Mel, you know I can't" Each word fell on deaf ears.
"You can. Father has a dozen of those he wouldn't mind. Unless, you don't really want me back?"
Lyriel: What's a Traveler's quilt?
"Fine. " The black dressed man sighed in defeat after minutes. if that would make her come back, he doesn't mind.
Lyriel watched the drama conclude as the man dug a quilt from his pocket and handed it to him. Though reluctant, he still took the object after Melwyn gestured him to. He weighed the object and fiddled it between his fingers as he examined it. Light, it had the exact shape as a quilt should. The round edge of its tip was the only thing questionable. Golden in colour.
So this is a Traveler's quilt? What does it do? Lyriel had wanted to ask out loud but a metallic note strung.
[ Ding! ]
[Congratulations Host! ]
[ System Notification: You have Acquired Traveler's quilt: Tier 3
An extraordinary quilt belonging to the grand house Sardonyx is capable of teleporting individuals to any part they desire, once weaved with memories of such location.]
[ Usage: x3 monthly ]
Lyriel was astounded. How convenient! He had frankly considered the route back home arduous due to distance between this place and their home back at Elthe'am. The dread having to cross path with dangerous gadlings was pressing. And they could be more Lyriel's current level might not handle. But with this, going home would be a breeze.
Melwyn had stood beside her brother before Lyriel could move to appreciate her. Low whispers exchanged between the siblings, he witness the man's expression gleam with evident gratitude. Lyriel wasn't sure, but he could guess why. Two pairs of purple-flecked black pupils skimmed at him, the man asked. "What is your name?"
"Lyriel Neil..." He purposely omitted his surname.
"Thank you for saving my sister's life," He said. "You really earn that Travelers quilt."
Lyriel nodded.
Since the traveler's quilt was a dept being paid there was neither a reason to thank them. It was such a contract. A life for a quilt. Perhaps a good settlement too. Melwyn's smile as she stood closer to her brother swayed Lyriel in the strangest way possible. He smiled back. Her brother flicked his wrist.
A thread of darkness surrounded them. Pulsing in rich energy that compared to rolling shadows. It swallowed them whole. And then from the shadows, so faintly Lyriel mistook for a wave, he heard a voice.
"Save her."
They vanished.
The snow fell and fell until a white sheet of vengeance surrounds the erect form of the youth. A white fluff melted on his skin. Then it all went still. I will. Silver hair bounce as he picked the carcass and heads inside.
That night, beside the fireplace, Lyriel requested his status after performing his daily task. Star appeared as he was summoned too.
[ Name : Lyriel Neil Tharagon ]
[Age: 23 ]
[Race : Human ]
[ Class: Harnessers ]
[ Level : 3]
[Exp: 33]
[ Occupations : Blacksmith ]
[ Ability : Heliokinesis]
[ Strength: 49/1000 ]
[Stability: 100]
[ Weapons: Aether's Bow (Sacred Weapon)]
[ Consumables: 3 mana stones.]
[ Others:
[Artifact : Traveler's Quilt]
[ Skills: Hisense: Grants the user a heightened seeing, hearing and smelling ability towards the environment. Usage: 10 times a month. ]
[ Intuition: Enables the users to dictate an oddity in the environment, with 20% chances to predict the cause beforehand. Usage : 12 times in two months. ]
[ Attacks: Lumos arrows: Materialize glowing arrows while wielding the Aether's Bow.
[ Light shards: conjure sharp shards of spined lights capable of piercing through flesh and bone.]
Lyriel scanned through the holograph delighted at how much progress he'd made. He gained four points in strength, three disheartening points in experience he coped with. So far he'd had just two things in mind; One, to get home and heal the sick girl. Two revolved around getting stronger.
If there was a third, he needed to get questions from the unforseen circumstances likely to happen in the future.
Now that he'd associated with npc humans, he'd gotten a bit of relief knowing what to expect from out there. At least it's niceties. Save the cruelties, the deceptions, the loathings, the mysteries.... Ah, the despairs too. He'd rather embrace them later than sooner.
"You're progressing quite beautifully, host. Once you have made it to the seventh level you will be offered one more unique skill," Star twinkled around the glowing silver holograph facing the bruise on Lyriel's stomach. "But before that, why haven't you used any of the skill given to you already? Intuition would have prevented that bruise on your stomach."
"I honestly didn't think much of it, " Lyriel popped a cherry languidly. " pretty sure the same would have happened if I did. Knowing what I am up against would not save me from what I'm against. We were in the same place already."
The day passed, and the next morning Lyriel prepared to travel.