Non-Challenge : OOC Triple Triptych
For: Apa (baitedbreath).
Character: Aki (OOC!Maou from omg_maou)
Summary: Aki's history. Or part of it at least.
Notes: Nine drabbles.
I
They were children when they met.
Later, they would remember the worry on their parents' faces and the unspoken tension. But that would be years later, when they were old enough to understand 'war' and 'death'. When their parents were worn down and the sky was black with smoke.
All Aki remembers is Edwyn's long black hair and huge solemn dark eyes. He remembers a child's laughter and the sweet scent of freshly crushed grass and earth. They played for hours in the gardens, arriving home dirty, tired and happy.
That memory is one he treasures - his shield against the darkness.
II
It was impossible, looking back, to pinpoint the moment when respect, affection and friendship became love. Edwyn used to say that he'd fallen in love on that first day and it wasn't until much later that he realised what he'd known instinctively from that moment.
They grew like two saplings planted too close together, roots and branches entwining until even their families found it hard to think of them as 'Alrick' or 'Edwyn', only 'them'. Some whispered that it was unhealthy, unnatural.
Alrick and Edwyn never argued - they knew better.
III
He never wanted to be Maou. He never wanted to be responsible for all those lives, for all the desperate Maozuku. The idea of being the only hope for a people who were half-convinced of their own defeat terrified him. The increasingly frequent pleas from Maozuku and humans for his help made him cold, even with fire spirits coiling under his skin.
It was Edwyn who came to him during one of the long, sleepless nights and asked gently "Who will stand against him if you do not, beloved?"
The very next day Aki sent fire against the Sovereign's armies.
IV
War was worse than he could ever have imagined. Fire, no longer the bright, fickle plaything but a cruel, unforgiving weapon. The green lands turned black with blood and ash. The soldiers who flocked to his banner, aging and dying before his eyes.
He grew pale and thin, the food turning to dust in his mouth. He was so tired...but he - and the people he loved - could not afford respite. He drove them on, determined that soon, there would be an end.
Only at night, with Edwyn's arms tight around him, could he weep.
V
The war ended. History would record a great and tremendous victory but Aki saw none of it - his eyes lingered on the burnt ruins that had been homes, shops, churches. In the end, the Sovereign had fought not for victory or even survival. He had fought to destroy everything he could.
All this death, all this suffering...and he still managed to hide his greatest weapons away
Aki limped back to his tent, blind to the reverent salutes and worried glances.
He wanted Edwyn to be there, warm and understanding.
The camp cot was cold and he didn't sleep for hours.
VI
Edwyn had been in the South during the last terrible battle. He had been helpless; unable to do anything to assist the other half of the army. It had taken him everything he had just to defend the civilians and refugees who fled to his camps.
When word came of the duel between Aki and the Sovereign, he had felt his heart stop. No matter how many times he reminded himself that he would know if Aki were seriously injured or ....dead, he couldn't help the need that drove him to finish everything faster.
When he finally made it to his Maou's side, he took one look at the ancient eyes in that youthful face and nearly crushed his husband's ribs in worry and relief.
They would recover. In time, even this would pass.
VII
Aki was two hundred when he died.
He had ruled as Maou for more than half that time and overseen the dawn of a new age. Edwyn remained faithfully at his side, the tranquil, steady river to Aki's volatile flame. They never discussed it but even the humans knew fire-aligned Maozuku died younger. Add to that the burden of a war and ruling and Aki's life dwindled away.
He died on the balcony of his room, his last breath rich with the scent of spring flowers and his Sage's arms tight around him. The nobles found them there two hours later and, looking away from the Sage's silent agony, they saw the faint traces of serene smile still lingering on Aki's lips.
VIII
It was harder to go back to the world every time. Harder still when he was born a woman and married. He cared for these husbands - human or Maozuku - and raised his children with genuine love and care. But no matter how much he cared, or how sweet and easy his lives were, he missed Aki.
Missed the mischievous smile, the bounding self-confidence and the soft heat of his skin. He missed being able to talk without words. He missed having a partner who understood his fascination with books and history and sharing a rug in front of a fire in easy silence.
But most of all, he missed Aki and he hated to be born, leaving his beloved alone in the dark place between death and life.
IX
There's fire everywhere. People screaming, the meaty sounds of weapons cleaving flesh from bone. Women and children running, men - soldiers - stepping in to protect them. Animals fleeing, heedless of those trampled beneath them.
Edwyn is standing in the Shrine, hands outstretched, pleading. "...n't! AKI!"
Sorrow, regret...surety that this is the only way. Resolve and the cold, fathomless anger that builds into a murderous rage. How dare they!? How dare they attack us?! How dare they seek to kill him!?
An explosion of fire. Light blinding. The feeling of his mind tearing asunder. Edwyn's presence slipping away. So sorry...my love....
Darkness.
And the weight of flesh, pressing him into the earth and anchoring him to a new world....all alone.
Character: Aki (OOC!Maou from omg_maou)
Summary: Aki's history. Or part of it at least.
Notes: Nine drabbles.
I
They were children when they met.
Later, they would remember the worry on their parents' faces and the unspoken tension. But that would be years later, when they were old enough to understand 'war' and 'death'. When their parents were worn down and the sky was black with smoke.
All Aki remembers is Edwyn's long black hair and huge solemn dark eyes. He remembers a child's laughter and the sweet scent of freshly crushed grass and earth. They played for hours in the gardens, arriving home dirty, tired and happy.
That memory is one he treasures - his shield against the darkness.
II
It was impossible, looking back, to pinpoint the moment when respect, affection and friendship became love. Edwyn used to say that he'd fallen in love on that first day and it wasn't until much later that he realised what he'd known instinctively from that moment.
They grew like two saplings planted too close together, roots and branches entwining until even their families found it hard to think of them as 'Alrick' or 'Edwyn', only 'them'. Some whispered that it was unhealthy, unnatural.
Alrick and Edwyn never argued - they knew better.
III
He never wanted to be Maou. He never wanted to be responsible for all those lives, for all the desperate Maozuku. The idea of being the only hope for a people who were half-convinced of their own defeat terrified him. The increasingly frequent pleas from Maozuku and humans for his help made him cold, even with fire spirits coiling under his skin.
It was Edwyn who came to him during one of the long, sleepless nights and asked gently "Who will stand against him if you do not, beloved?"
The very next day Aki sent fire against the Sovereign's armies.
IV
War was worse than he could ever have imagined. Fire, no longer the bright, fickle plaything but a cruel, unforgiving weapon. The green lands turned black with blood and ash. The soldiers who flocked to his banner, aging and dying before his eyes.
He grew pale and thin, the food turning to dust in his mouth. He was so tired...but he - and the people he loved - could not afford respite. He drove them on, determined that soon, there would be an end.
Only at night, with Edwyn's arms tight around him, could he weep.
V
The war ended. History would record a great and tremendous victory but Aki saw none of it - his eyes lingered on the burnt ruins that had been homes, shops, churches. In the end, the Sovereign had fought not for victory or even survival. He had fought to destroy everything he could.
All this death, all this suffering...and he still managed to hide his greatest weapons away
Aki limped back to his tent, blind to the reverent salutes and worried glances.
He wanted Edwyn to be there, warm and understanding.
The camp cot was cold and he didn't sleep for hours.
VI
Edwyn had been in the South during the last terrible battle. He had been helpless; unable to do anything to assist the other half of the army. It had taken him everything he had just to defend the civilians and refugees who fled to his camps.
When word came of the duel between Aki and the Sovereign, he had felt his heart stop. No matter how many times he reminded himself that he would know if Aki were seriously injured or ....dead, he couldn't help the need that drove him to finish everything faster.
When he finally made it to his Maou's side, he took one look at the ancient eyes in that youthful face and nearly crushed his husband's ribs in worry and relief.
They would recover. In time, even this would pass.
VII
Aki was two hundred when he died.
He had ruled as Maou for more than half that time and overseen the dawn of a new age. Edwyn remained faithfully at his side, the tranquil, steady river to Aki's volatile flame. They never discussed it but even the humans knew fire-aligned Maozuku died younger. Add to that the burden of a war and ruling and Aki's life dwindled away.
He died on the balcony of his room, his last breath rich with the scent of spring flowers and his Sage's arms tight around him. The nobles found them there two hours later and, looking away from the Sage's silent agony, they saw the faint traces of serene smile still lingering on Aki's lips.
VIII
It was harder to go back to the world every time. Harder still when he was born a woman and married. He cared for these husbands - human or Maozuku - and raised his children with genuine love and care. But no matter how much he cared, or how sweet and easy his lives were, he missed Aki.
Missed the mischievous smile, the bounding self-confidence and the soft heat of his skin. He missed being able to talk without words. He missed having a partner who understood his fascination with books and history and sharing a rug in front of a fire in easy silence.
But most of all, he missed Aki and he hated to be born, leaving his beloved alone in the dark place between death and life.
IX
There's fire everywhere. People screaming, the meaty sounds of weapons cleaving flesh from bone. Women and children running, men - soldiers - stepping in to protect them. Animals fleeing, heedless of those trampled beneath them.
Edwyn is standing in the Shrine, hands outstretched, pleading. "...n't! AKI!"
Sorrow, regret...surety that this is the only way. Resolve and the cold, fathomless anger that builds into a murderous rage. How dare they!? How dare they attack us?! How dare they seek to kill him!?
An explosion of fire. Light blinding. The feeling of his mind tearing asunder. Edwyn's presence slipping away. So sorry...my love....
Darkness.
And the weight of flesh, pressing him into the earth and anchoring him to a new world....all alone.