"Indeed I am. As is your companion." they turned to Vye, but oddly enough the latter flinched, and if anything, seemed to find the acknowledgement upsetting, "Though it seems you're still a mere Coty."
What?
Vye was trembling.
Zeal would've thought his young charge would be ecstatic to see another Shol. This moment could be the objective of their search. So what of with this oppressive tension lingering in the air like a suffocating fog?
"Lost your seed leaves yet, pup?" despite being all smiles, there was a distinctive note of something akin to disdain or disapproval as they towered over Vye.
Vye shifted, averting his gaze and huddling low.
An intimidation of sorts? The Seeker knew little and less of Shol behavior and how they intermingled amongst their own, but from Vye's stories though he hadn't imagined it to be so cold.
Zeal pushed Vye behind him, sidling between the two. That bitter tone didn't seem friendly in the least. Something was very off.
But the moment his hand touched Vye, the Shol's expression darkened.
"How cute." The newcomer's eyes glinted and suddenly the breath was knocked out of him. Sharp pain shot through his back as he was slammed into a tree, the wood flowing fluidly over his hands, an odd sight for how very much solid they felt around his appendages.
But his attention was elsewhere.
Poised languidly just above his heart was an extended branch that had transmogrified into a pike. It weaved back and forth slowly, in a distastefully pendulous motion that Zeal found heavily reminiscent of a serpent.
Ready to impale him at a moment's notice.
This wasn't mere jest, it had been intended as a finishing shot.
Would've, if not for Vye.
Even then the small Shol was wrestling with the Bluepine for control. But whereas the young Shol was winded just stopping the spear, the other stood effortlessly, peering over their shoulder in an almost bored manner at Vye's interception.
True conjury. Vye's little organic manipulation was child's play to this.
This wasn't even a match.
Zeal grit his teeth, pulling against the wood, but this went beyond even the most adept of botanical conjury.
Whatever the Shol did, the tree wouldn't burn either. His hands were bound, and the organic bindings there to stay.
Sharp, slitted eyes flickered back to his, and he held the slitted stare.
The Shol studied him for a moment, and deeming his efforts futile, smirked.
Curiosity was likely the only thing keeping him alive, for if they so desired, the Bluepine could overpower Vye's heckling with neither thought nor effort. But they didn't. Instead they turned to Zeal, "So you survived, and I give you my congratulations. Quite a sturdy thing you are, I hadn't thought you'd fare half as well against my beloved pet." They sighed, "Poor thing, you did quite a number on them."
"You can manipulate a Crier?" Vye grit out, still straining with all he could to pull the makeshift spear away.
The other Shol glanced up and smiled gently at Vye, "If your guardian were as weak as your powers of deduction, you'd be as good as dead."
Vye's colored but he forced himself to his feet, "Y-you're severed."
"How very observant of you." the Bluepine Shol replied cooly and clapped for him.
Zeal stared. That was a dark Shol? Truthfully, whatever difference Vye honed in on, eluded him altogether. There was little he could discern that differentiated the Bluepine from any other Shol.
They didn't appear any different say, for the typical identifications of their flora. From the way Vye talked about them he'd have thought it an obvious trait.
"W-why would you attack us?"
"Attack? Oh no, I prefer assessment. An Assessment to see the extents of your, shall we say, companion's ability. Well, and to give him a little something to take all that excess energy out on for good measure... Though, that reaper bit was a pleasant surprise." the Bluepine scrutinized Zeal, and to his annoyance, the cold vines slithered under his garments, searching him for other concealed weapons. They carried on as if in casual conversation, "Fleshlings are much more receptive, and easier to... discuss with, when they've had something to wear out that feisty nature of their's. A bit of gentle persuasion, really."
Gentle persuasion. Zeal snorted, "What do you want with us?"
"Lots of questions, these ones." They sighed, but didn't deem to answer Zeal's, "Now, if you don't mind, it's Time to finish the job. It's unbecoming to dawdle and poor etiquette to play with one's food." The Shol tutted at Vye. "Oh, but before that, there is one thing I'd like to know.
And suddenly the Highland Shol was at his neck, wooden spear still and coiled, poised to strike.
Curiosity was likely the only thing keeping him alive, for if they so desired, the Bluepine could overpower Vye's heckling with neither thought nor effort. But they didn't. Instead they turned to Zeal, "So you survived, and I give you my congratulations. Quite a sturdy thing you are, I hadn't thought you'd fare half as well against my beloved pet." They sighed, "Poor thing, you did quite a number on them."
"You can manipulate a Crier?" Vye grit out, still straining with all he could to pull the makeshift spear away.
The other Shol glanced up and smiled gently at Vye, "If your guardian were as weak as your powers of deduction, you'd be as good as dead."
Vye's colored but he forced himself to his feet, "Y-you're severed."
"How very observant of you." the Bluepine Shol replied cooly and clapped for him.
Zeal stared. That was a dark Shol? Truthfully, whatever difference Vye honed in on, eluded him altogether. There was little he could discern that differentiated the Bluepine from any other Shol.
They didn't appear any different say, for the typical identifications of their flora. From the way Vye talked about them he'd have thought it an obvious trait.
"Attack? Oh no, I prefer assessment. An Assessment to see the extents of your, shall we say, companion's ability. Well, and to give him a little something to take all that excess energy out on for good measure... Though, that reaper bit was a pleasant surprise." the Bluepine scrutinized Zeal, and to his annoyance, the cold vines slithered under his garments, searching him for other concealed weapons. They carried on as if in casual conversation, "Fleshlings are much more receptive, and easier to... discuss with, when they've had something to wear out that feisty nature of their's. A bit of gentle persuasion, really."
Gentle persuasion. Zeal snorted, "What do you want with us?"
And suddenly the Highland Shol was at his neck, wooden spear still and coiled, poised to strike.
The melodic lilt in their voice was dangerously smooth, "What is a reaper like you doing with a juvenile Shol?"
Zeal grimaced.
"Leave him alone!" Vye stumbled to his feet, pulling at the dark Shol.
Bemused, the severed Shol turned to Vye, "You turn my spear away, and now you would vouch for him? Whatever stories he's fed you, it's best to see them for what they are and nothing more."
They turned back to Zeal, "Reaper, you want to know what really turns a Shol? Contrary to popular belief, it isn't simply just the consumption of blood that one becomes severed from the Verdance. It is not so simple, aye?"
He didn't like where this was going, but he forced himself to bite back a blatant "no". Vye was stalling, buying Time. They both knew that even without being weakened by their travels, Vye was no match should the Bluepine decide to end things then and there.
This was never a match to begin with.
This Shol was on a completely different level than anything either of them knew.
"It isn't simply the lifeforce of those parasites who sup upon the Verdance and thrive by his good grace."
"Parasites." Zeal echoed back humorously. The remark went ignored.
But the pain that pierced deep into his side moments later where he'd taken the frostbite told volumes, and had definitely been dealt with more than just a little vengeance. What little warmth remained in his body seeped out of the fresh wound where it froze nigh immediately, but not before staining his garments a dark red. A blessing, truly, for had it not been for the frigid climate he'd have bled out.
"Get away from him!" Vye was screaming, pulling at the severed Shol, but the other, without turning around to face Vye, backhanded him with their free hand and sent the younger Shol stumbling back.
The bluepine Shol lapped at the dark red blood on their other hand.
"The first is hatred." the word was spat out of a grinning mouth of fangs that dripped red. Luminescent eyes glinted mirthfully at him and he felt the cold spread deep inside him, "The consumption of the life essences."
"No! No, no, no, no, no--" Vye scrabbled to get up. Shols were highly attuned to the aethor, and he could feel it draining faster than the blood has blossomed, "Don't hurt him!"
"Get away, little Coty, or do you want to wind up like the Fairy Ring yonder?" was the drawled and almost bored response.
Zeal snapped to at the mention, "Those tunnels in the cliffs..."
Vye had been right, there was a fairy ring.
Rather irrelevant, circumstances being what they were, but how had he known? Vye had never been here.
"Good instincts, Reaper. I'll wager they served you well in the Harvest didn't it?" Those eyes never left him, as the Shol smiled, "Listen well Coty, Reapers like him bring with them Death. You would do well to remember that."
"So does forsaking the Verdance!"
"Little pest." The last part was bit out, all humor gone as they whirled around, "What do you know of what transpired? Of the death and decay that has seeped through this land? I embraced Death to pluck those from it, to keep them safe!" They snarled, teeth bared and needles bristling, "You don't know forsaken! I didn't defect to spite the Verdance, I accepted the taint to protect it! I was willing to give up everything--everything there was, to save everything I knew! And in the end--in the end it did nothing!"
The entire grove shook, leaves rustling with their fury.
"You, a little seedling who can barely animate." The Shol towered over him, hissing, "You know nothing. You've been misled, open your eyes before they are plucked from their sockets!"
As if to emphasize the point, the same vines Vye conjured up sprung to life, limber and dexterous as any of true flesh.
He wrestled for a few futile seconds before it overwhelmed him, confining him to a small netted dome.
Vye struggled until he lay limp, leaning upon the selfsame vines that he himself had conjured up, and which now trapped him.
The Bluepine waited until he was certain the other had worn himself out. The webbed vines were gone, braiding themselves into a thick coil.
Zeal grimaced.
"Leave him alone!" Vye stumbled to his feet, pulling at the dark Shol.
Bemused, the severed Shol turned to Vye, "You turn my spear away, and now you would vouch for him? Whatever stories he's fed you, it's best to see them for what they are and nothing more."
They turned back to Zeal, "Reaper, you want to know what really turns a Shol? Contrary to popular belief, it isn't simply just the consumption of blood that one becomes severed from the Verdance. It is not so simple, aye?"
He didn't like where this was going, but he forced himself to bite back a blatant "no". Vye was stalling, buying Time. They both knew that even without being weakened by their travels, Vye was no match should the Bluepine decide to end things then and there.
This was never a match to begin with.
This Shol was on a completely different level than anything either of them knew.
"It isn't simply the lifeforce of those parasites who sup upon the Verdance and thrive by his good grace."
"Parasites." Zeal echoed back humorously. The remark went ignored.
But the pain that pierced deep into his side moments later where he'd taken the frostbite told volumes, and had definitely been dealt with more than just a little vengeance. What little warmth remained in his body seeped out of the fresh wound where it froze nigh immediately, but not before staining his garments a dark red. A blessing, truly, for had it not been for the frigid climate he'd have bled out.
"Get away from him!" Vye was screaming, pulling at the severed Shol, but the other, without turning around to face Vye, backhanded him with their free hand and sent the younger Shol stumbling back.
The bluepine Shol lapped at the dark red blood on their other hand.
"The first is hatred." the word was spat out of a grinning mouth of fangs that dripped red. Luminescent eyes glinted mirthfully at him and he felt the cold spread deep inside him, "The consumption of the life essences."
"No! No, no, no, no, no--" Vye scrabbled to get up. Shols were highly attuned to the aethor, and he could feel it draining faster than the blood has blossomed, "Don't hurt him!"
"Get away, little Coty, or do you want to wind up like the Fairy Ring yonder?" was the drawled and almost bored response.
Zeal snapped to at the mention, "Those tunnels in the cliffs..."
Vye had been right, there was a fairy ring.
Rather irrelevant, circumstances being what they were, but how had he known? Vye had never been here.
"Good instincts, Reaper. I'll wager they served you well in the Harvest didn't it?" Those eyes never left him, as the Shol smiled, "Listen well Coty, Reapers like him bring with them Death. You would do well to remember that."
"So does forsaking the Verdance!"
"Little pest." The last part was bit out, all humor gone as they whirled around, "What do you know of what transpired? Of the death and decay that has seeped through this land? I embraced Death to pluck those from it, to keep them safe!" They snarled, teeth bared and needles bristling, "You don't know forsaken! I didn't defect to spite the Verdance, I accepted the taint to protect it! I was willing to give up everything--everything there was, to save everything I knew! And in the end--in the end it did nothing!"
The entire grove shook, leaves rustling with their fury.
"You, a little seedling who can barely animate." The Shol towered over him, hissing, "You know nothing. You've been misled, open your eyes before they are plucked from their sockets!"
As if to emphasize the point, the same vines Vye conjured up sprung to life, limber and dexterous as any of true flesh.
Vye struggled until he lay limp, leaning upon the selfsame vines that he himself had conjured up, and which now trapped him.
The Bluepine waited until he was certain the other had worn himself out. The webbed vines were gone, braiding themselves into a thick coil.
Zeal winced as it swung back, and before Vye could get a word in, snapped like the crack of a whip and struck Vye across the midsection with a jarring impact that knocked him clear off the ground.
This Time he wasn't just sent sprawling.
"Mayhaps that'll finally knock some sense into you." A shadow darkened over him.
Vye yelped as the vines hoisted him up to dangle in the air.
The Shol stepped closer, close enough to hiss out for him alone to hear, "I know what it is you seek. And you will not find it."
Vye yelped as the vines hoisted him up to dangle in the air.
The Shol stepped closer, close enough to hiss out for him alone to hear, "I know what it is you seek. And you will not find it."
With a harsh shove, they carried on, "There's nothing left of the Circles. Not in the Lowlands, the Highlands, or elsewhere. And certainly not here." the last part was bit out vehemently and the vines holding him disappeared, dropping him unceremoniously into the snow, "Give it up and go to whatever is left of 'home'. Pick up the pieces and do your best to establish a Fairy Ring far, far away from this mess. And maybe one day--Sol will smile upon us, and the Verdance shall return once more."
Vye tried to climb to his feet but was pushed back into the snow, his head held down by the other Shol. "Begone. And do not try my patience again or you wont find me so lenient."
A last forceful shove smacked Vye deeper into the frigid ground, and dazed eyes blinked up at the Bluepine, widening, "No!"
The icy blue Shol raised a brow, and was suddenly aware of a presence behind them both.
Vye tried to climb to his feet but was pushed back into the snow, his head held down by the other Shol. "Begone. And do not try my patience again or you wont find me so lenient."
A last forceful shove smacked Vye deeper into the frigid ground, and dazed eyes blinked up at the Bluepine, widening, "No!"
The icy blue Shol raised a brow, and was suddenly aware of a presence behind them both.
"How?" They whirled around, eyes large. The tree Zeal had been bound to was sliced clean through.
The scythe sung through the air--and stopped just short of their neck.
Vye had lunged between them, pushing the other Shol behind him and covering them with his body.
"Figures this is what I get for taking my eyes off of a Reaper." The northern bluepine stared distastefully at the wicked blade curving around them both, "... I should've torn your Heart out and rammed that stake through you."
The mercenary met the scathing glare with his own, ignoring them in favor of addressing his charge, "Step aside Vye."
"No." Vye stayed where he was, arms encircling the other Shol.
This disobedience was quickly wearing.
"Vye. Move."
"Let go me Coty." the Shol growled, doing what Zeal couldn't and pulling Vye off. A rough hand pushed him away and Vye stumbled, catching himself. In the same instance, a sharp spear of wood burst from the ground forcing Zeal back.
His eyes darted between the two as the dark Shol climbed to their feet. Zeal stood his ground, scythe poised and ready, but they both knew his injuries were deep, his body stiff and movements awkward with the cold, never mind the encumbering snow itself.
The Shol trudged towards the Reaper, clicking their tongue, "Go to your room Coty. It's Time for the adults to 'talk'."
"Stop fighting! Zeal, why wont you put your scythe away!" Vye tried to pull the bluepine back.
"Do you even have to ask?" Zeal shot back irritably, eyes trained on the severed Shol before him.
"We're not fighting, we're talking. Violence is the language of the reapers." the Bluepine shook him off again, "You should know that by now, pup."
If this was supposed to stop them it was a rather pathetic attempt. A child true.
"For your safety and mine, no." he returned easily.
"Stop it!"
The bluepine growled, their hollow eyes glinted with mirth as their mouth twisted in a malicious sneer, "Do you know why you're alive?"
That stopped the smaller Shol.
"For the same reason your brethren are all dead."
"Stop it." Vye was tearing up.
"Because, and what was it you said? Oh yes, 'because of idiots who only after the fact, realized that without the flowers, there can't be any nectar! Isn't that right Reaper!" they threw their head back in humorless laughter as they parroted Vye's words back at him, "Stupid seedling. Can't you tell he's playing you for a fool? He's using you as both compass and bait to sniff and lure out what few of us remain. And it worked."
A bitter chuckle as those dark pools cast their chilling gaze back to the bound Reaper.
But Zeal was looking elsewhere.
Because for a moment, Vye had met his gaze. Had been staring with a look that told of the conflict waging inside of him. One that was searching for answers, though to what exactly he could only guess.
Confusion, doubt, betrayal, and hurt were writ across the Bræmbel Shol's face. But what stood out the most was the haunting look of utter fear.
And he found that underneath all the conflict was one emotion, pure and true. The same Love he had held for him from the tentative beginning of their travels, and which had only grown stronger and burgeoned through the trials of their journey.
Vye seemed to be searching him for an answer, an affirmation, though he knew not for what. Nor could he say exactly what look he himself had.
Zeal pleaded silently, praying that Vye would trust him. To not be swayed by the Bluepine's words.
In the midst of this mess he couldn't reassure nor assuage Vye's fears. But after, he promised to himself he would.
Perhaps Vye's naivety was infectious, for only fools made such a flimsy bond as that of a promise. How easily they, amd people themselves, were broken.
It was utter foolishness, and had he not been the one bound but an outsider instead, he'd have deemed Vye exactly as the Bluepine had. A stupid fool of a Shol for trusting him, especially given their troubled history.
But he had been.
Still he found himself a little disappointed, for he refused to admit it to be guilt, with how much Vye wanted to believe in him.
But all of it lasted but for a moment, and he knew not if Vye found what it was he was searching for.
The forest seemed to swirl around them, the leaves rustling as the trees arced high, stretching and contorting, gnarled and grotesque as the shadows danced around them, demons that skittered just out of sight in the twisted shadows.
Zeal grimaced and ran, spiked wood spearing a trail behind him. He was tired of fighting on someone else's turf.
This had to end now. His wounds needed treating, and he was at the end of his rope, for both patience and stamina.
Slicing through wave after wave of spears and sending sparks flying off his scythe, he turned sharply, pathing towards the two and diving at the dark Shol.
Only for a viscous amber bubble to materialize around them.
Pine sap.
Unexpected, but it wouldn't help.
The scythe carved into the thick bubble.
And stuck.
With a flick of his wrist, the amber shifted.
And his numb hands lost their grip.
The Bluepine jerked the scythe out from his grasp, and drew it deeper into the sticky sap, lodging it firmly in to stay, "Not today, Reaper."
But Zeal returned the wry grin.
And flames engulfed the resinous coating.
The arcing flames lapped at the Shol and they shrank away from the fire, lurching back and dissolving the amber that now entrapped them. Though not quickly enough, for the viscous fluid wavered as they lost control, and it splashed over them, burning plumes and searing deep into the skin.
They shrieked, scrambling away from the fire.
The dark Shol lay there, leaves burnt and glaring up at him, over expended and vulnerable.
Zeal snatched the scythe up and swung it.
Only for Vye to get in his way again.
"Vye, you're not helping anything. So on the one point that the two of us can agree on, get out of here." he glared. These interference were more than irritating at this point.
Vye held his ground, "No, you'll hurt them."
"It's either hurt him or he hurts me."
Again. Zeal added in bitterly.
But Vye shook his head, "Promise me you wont harvest them."
Zeal grimaced, still holding the scythe threateningly above the bluepine.
"Zeal!"
He snarled. Bloody. Fine. "Fine. Happy? Now move aside."
"Then trust me. Put it away."
There was a tense moment as he stared at the Shols crouching in the snow.
"Zeal, please." Vye begged, glancing between the two. Yet despite the fire in those luminescent eyes, the Arctic Shol had no fight left.
Vye forced himself in front of their severed kin, blocking them from view and giving him an expectant look, "Zeal?"
Uncertain but hopeful.
It was a conflicting moment as he stared at his young charge.
Words meant nothing. It was all too easy to fall in this world.
But ultimately, he sighed, reluctantly returning the circlets to his wrist and crossing his arms expectantly.
This was coming back to bite him. No question about it.
But he resigned himself to facing that dilemma whenever it would come.
Vye truly expected too much of him. Like a child he was far too hopeful and naive, and cried when adults fought.
In Time he'd learn ethics were nothing more than prettied words. A hindrance, and a greater source of bigotry and conflict. Still, he loathed the disappointment, betrayal, hurt, and fear that stained them so deeply, that though never voiced, had been clearer than any words would ever be when he had summoned his scythe.
Was this what Shols meant by 'communicating through other means'?
Still, if Vye hoped that Zeal would somehow redeem himself in this sordid mess, he would be sorely mistaken.
Unexpected, but it wouldn't help.
The scythe carved into the thick bubble.
And stuck.
With a flick of his wrist, the amber shifted.
And his numb hands lost their grip.
The Bluepine jerked the scythe out from his grasp, and drew it deeper into the sticky sap, lodging it firmly in to stay, "Not today, Reaper."
But Zeal returned the wry grin.
And flames engulfed the resinous coating.
The arcing flames lapped at the Shol and they shrank away from the fire, lurching back and dissolving the amber that now entrapped them. Though not quickly enough, for the viscous fluid wavered as they lost control, and it splashed over them, burning plumes and searing deep into the skin.
They shrieked, scrambling away from the fire.
The dark Shol lay there, leaves burnt and glaring up at him, over expended and vulnerable.
Zeal snatched the scythe up and swung it.
Only for Vye to get in his way again.
"Vye, you're not helping anything. So on the one point that the two of us can agree on, get out of here." he glared. These interference were more than irritating at this point.
Vye held his ground, "No, you'll hurt them."
"It's either hurt him or he hurts me."
Again. Zeal added in bitterly.
But Vye shook his head, "Promise me you wont harvest them."
Zeal grimaced, still holding the scythe threateningly above the bluepine.
"Zeal!"
He snarled. Bloody. Fine. "Fine. Happy? Now move aside."
"Then trust me. Put it away."
There was a tense moment as he stared at the Shols crouching in the snow.
"Zeal, please." Vye begged, glancing between the two. Yet despite the fire in those luminescent eyes, the Arctic Shol had no fight left.
Vye forced himself in front of their severed kin, blocking them from view and giving him an expectant look, "Zeal?"
Uncertain but hopeful.
It was a conflicting moment as he stared at his young charge.
Words meant nothing. It was all too easy to fall in this world.
But ultimately, he sighed, reluctantly returning the circlets to his wrist and crossing his arms expectantly.
This was coming back to bite him. No question about it.
Fool is the one who gives to an early mercy, for it brewed naught of gratitude, but stubborn defiance. No, it is far better to crush the opposition and ensure that they felt utter and true defeat. Let them fear you if need be.
But he resigned himself to facing that dilemma whenever it would come.
Vye truly expected too much of him. Like a child he was far too hopeful and naive, and cried when adults fought.
In Time he'd learn ethics were nothing more than prettied words. A hindrance, and a greater source of bigotry and conflict. Still, he loathed the disappointment, betrayal, hurt, and fear that stained them so deeply, that though never voiced, had been clearer than any words would ever be when he had summoned his scythe.
Was this what Shols meant by 'communicating through other means'?
Still, if Vye hoped that Zeal would somehow redeem himself in this sordid mess, he would be sorely mistaken.
... Admittedly though, Vye had saved him. Had it not been for the calculated question his charge poised, nor the cunning provocations to distract the Dark Shol, that spear would likely have long since found its mark.
Through his internal monologue, Vye had sagged to his knees and hugged the other Shol, patting the burnt needles and huffing with an odd clicking noise.
Warmth seemed to emanate from his hands, and he preened and patted the other, the burns healing and color returning to their icy blue needles.
Great. Vye better be right or he would strangle the Shol himself. The both of them.
Zeal stiffened, "Vye--"
The young Shol fell limp, shuddering and slumping into the snow.
"About Time." The Bluepine Shol stood up, patting themselves off, "Much better."
Bloody. Hell.
The scythe was already in his hands.
He was going to murder him. He was going to murder this bloody Shol twice over. Then his foolish charge himself.
"Oh put that away, didn't you hear your little companion." the dark Shol snapped irritably, "I've not enough left to do anything more anyhow."
"What did you do to him."
"Don't worry your pretty little head off. He's overextended himself and fell asleep is all. Though thanks to your inept guidance, he's exhausted and malnourished. I wouldn't be surprised if without treatment, he lapses into eternal sleep."
The twitch in his eye was back, "I wasn't the one who sent a league-long monstrosity that almost killed us both."
"It takes more than just a moon of snow to atrophy as much as they already have, Reaper." they snapped back, "Besides. It wouldn't have touched you or the Coty had it not been for your interference. The Crier I sent to retrieve the seedling. Of course, I hadn't anticipated on your meddlesome involvement. Thanks to you it ended in a brawl and now my poor serpent needs mending."
That would explain why the Crier seemed to zero in on Vye.
"... Although." The Shol paused, eyes narrowing at him, "Few can sense a Crier. It's commendable that you were able to discern one."
The Shol stared at him and Zeal stared back.
If they were waiting for an explanation, Zeal wasn't about to give one.
It wasn't that they were trying to hide it, they simply weren't speaking directly to Zeal just then.
"Coming from the one who was hostile first." Zeal snorted.
"Oh spare me. You attacked my Crier, what was to say you wouldn't do the same to me? And--" they snapped, "--you are a reaper. With a Shol. You can't fault me for assuming the worst. And I''m still not convinced you are anything but a threat."
Thrown in that light, circumstances did admittedly look rather sinister.
"For the last Time, put it away you dolt. Or do you make a habit of making false promises." they gestured towards the scythe still in his hands.
"I've little reason to trust you."
"Trust me and follow, or your little Shol will soon fall dormant, never to wake again. Where will your 'liquid gold' come from then, I wonder?" The highland Shol pointedly jabbed a hand towards Vye, "Somehow I doubt you're equipped with the facilities to nurture them, and weak as they are they are it's all but certain that under your oh so attentive care, they'll not rouse again."
"What exactly do you want with him." Zeal let the scythe flow back onto his wrists, "He's not of your circle."
"Nothing worse than what you've got planned, Reaper." They snapped back. The Shol shot him an exasperated look, "You know nothing of Shols, do you?"
It wasn't a question really and they swiveled on their feet before he could answer, throwing a flippant, "Follow me." over their shoulder and beckoning lazily.
There wasn'tmuch of a say in the matter.
"Coming from the one who was hostile first." Zeal snorted.
"Oh spare me. You attacked my Crier, what was to say you wouldn't do the same to me? And--" they snapped, "--you are a reaper. With a Shol. You can't fault me for assuming the worst. And I''m still not convinced you are anything but a threat."
Thrown in that light, circumstances did admittedly look rather sinister.
"For the last Time, put it away you dolt. Or do you make a habit of making false promises." they gestured towards the scythe still in his hands.
"I've little reason to trust you."
"Trust me and follow, or your little Shol will soon fall dormant, never to wake again. Where will your 'liquid gold' come from then, I wonder?" The highland Shol pointedly jabbed a hand towards Vye, "Somehow I doubt you're equipped with the facilities to nurture them, and weak as they are they are it's all but certain that under your oh so attentive care, they'll not rouse again."
"What exactly do you want with him." Zeal let the scythe flow back onto his wrists, "He's not of your circle."
"Nothing worse than what you've got planned, Reaper." They snapped back. The Shol shot him an exasperated look, "You know nothing of Shols, do you?"
It wasn't a question really and they swiveled on their feet before he could answer, throwing a flippant, "Follow me." over their shoulder and beckoning lazily.
There wasn'tmuch of a say in the matter.
It was true, he couldn't help Vye, he hadn't the means to. And the both of them had known that his reserves had been running low.
He moved to pick up Vye and was promptly smacked by a vine.
A vine? His eyes darted to the highland Shol languidly walking away. Wasn't the Arctic Shol too weak to use their powers? By the way they were conjuring, they seemed unfazed by the scuffle.
Zeal grimaced and eyed the twisting creeper warily.
Did it just hiss at him?
He could've sworn it was hissing at him before smacking at the offending appendage when he tried to sneak a hand around it to reach for Vye again.
"Don't bother, save your strength for the climb. Should you fall in the snow, you'll be there to stay. I wont be carrying you." the Shol called, vines cradling Vye and carrying him alongside the other Shol.
As they went, they passed into the old growth trees, and despite the aches and pain in his body, he trudged on. There wasn't much of a choice.
The trek seemed endless, and Zeal's already worn self was more than numb by the Time the Bluepine Shol stopped at the base of the cliffs.
"Here we are. Home sweet home." the bluepine chuckled. A fond, yet bitter sound that didn't sit well with Zeal. But as he took in their surroundings, a deep confusion settled over him. This was just a clearing.
"Look closer, Reaper." they turned slightly, smiling a sweet, gentle smile that didn't reach those glassy eyes.
The trees were surrounding them.
In a ring.
"But the cliffs--"
With a merry laugh, the first he ever heard from the Highland Shol that was so genuinely jovial, they spun in a circle, twirling in the snow.
The trees creaked and a cascade of branches extended down, the gnarled knots like steps. At the top of the makeshift stairway, was a hollow that gaped open, glowing with a warm amber light of some form of luminescent moss.
"Never did I thought a day would come when I welcomed a Reaper into our Ring."
"... 'our'?" Were there others?
But the Shol dipped his head, eyes slipping shut, "... mine."
Oh.
Zeal averted his gaze.
"Come now. Frankly I'm impressed you haven't collapsed." they laughed, beckoning to him.
The steps were surprisingly difficult, uneven and slippery with the snow and--now he knew the bloody Shol was messing with him.
"You're doing this on purpose." he glared at the narrow hollow just large enough for the Shol.
The Shol just grinned, the vines gently nudging Vye onto the dark Shol's back, "I hope you're not claustrophobic."
And then the Shol disappeared with Vye into the hollow.
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