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Character of the Season
Frail in body but dangerously quick of mind, Nikandr is the sort of character who proves that curiosity can be just as perilous as any weapon. A necromancer, inventor, and problem-solver with more ambition than self-preservation, Niki approaches the world like a puzzle box begging to be opened, even when what’s inside has teeth. Blunt, dry-witted, fiercely independent, and carrying a history best left partially buried, he has a knack for making even failure feel fascinating. Whether he’s raising the dead, moving across Caido to King's End, or experiencing a hangover for the first time, Nikandr brings a wonderfully strange spark to Caido, and we can’t wait to see what trouble his brilliant mind wanders into next.
Congratulations, Niki!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Lena had never been to Frey’s Breath before – despite knowing of its wondrous properties, the occasion and time had simply not been coerced into her movements and travels. But now, with options, opportunities, and chances to do something about these infected regions, she approached it with boundless determination and energy; renewed from the downtrodden aspects.
Turning the corners within the caverns came on long steps and more animated conversation, an excited lilt and chirp to her usual regal and calm presence. Shifting her bag slightly on her shoulder, towels within to absolutely go with the swimsuits already piled on, she rolled up the sleeves of her light cover and breezily talked with her hands to Zavien. “I’ve read about the Rae’s Lilies before! They used them with the second blight, so it makes sense that we could utilize them now…” and it would rid some of that disappointing plunge in her chest from those failures within the Feverlands. “Supposed to be white with a little turquoise and gold on the edges.”
And then the sights unfurled before them – and her eyes widened, taking it all in. From crisp plumes of warmth and gently shifting waters. It wasn’t unlike the one at home, save for the obvious clear ground within Stormbreak, and the world shifting below their feet. Gracefully pinning up her hair, she immediately traipsed over to an outcropping of rocks, and began to search.
Zavien hadn't been to Frey's Breath either and the excitement between the two of them was palpable. His own steps were buoyant, practically bouncing as they made their way through the caverns. He couldn't keep the smile from his face as he listened to Lena's enthusiasm. There was no denying her passion for nature and he was grateful to have her help in this task for the Halo Warden.
Nodding at her description, he recalled the image Deimos had drawn for him. "That sounds about right. So you haven't seen one before? Even in the Celestine?" The structure was so vast; it was hard to imagine that there wasn't every type of flower within. However, the words died on his lips as they stepped into the open cave filled with steam from the naturally heated pools that wafted up like tendrils of smoke. His mouth hung open in awe at the incredible structure of high ceilings and wide rippling waters. The glistening red pool caught his attention, its color unnatural to his eyes.
Only Lena's movement roused him enough to remember their task. Without an excess of hair to pin up, Zavien removed his shoes to let the warm stone seep into his feet, wiggling his toes at the pleasantly damp surface. Picking an area opposite the Caretaker, he started his own search amongst the rocks, green eyes scanning for any flashes of white. Simultaneously, he looked for any shining yellow rocks for his quest, piling the shimmering stones into his hands. Calling out, he asked, "If you find any yellow or fiery stones, could you grab them for me?"
Humming a few notes under her breath, rather out of energy and enthusiasm instead of the usual way of self-soothing, she shook her head. “No. Supposedly they can only be found here.” There’d been plenty of beautiful drawings about them though – diagrams in tomes, outlining the wondrous ways they’d been used to heal and prosper. A flower out of her own heart and soul; capable of mending – capable of impact if given the opportunity.
Removing her outer layer so she could occupy the hot springs in her swimsuit and not drag along additional veneers, she traced her way along the initial outcropping of rocks, keeping to the shallower reaches. Her eyes peeked over one of the edges though to find an additional pool of…red nearby. “What do you think that is?” She hadn’t heard of anything like that – and the last time she’d seen such a picture had been Stevie’s untimely death in the falls close by.
Not indulging herself into those heinous thoughts and ruining the entire mood, she flickered around, content with the warm reaches of the water trickling around her ankles and calves. Zavien’s own request echoed and bounded off the walls, and she placed it amidst the additional notions for observations and peering about. “Sure. Are they for anything in particular?” She wouldn’t be surprised if Zavien simply wanted to collect them – but chances were they’d have a bit more meaning.
"Hmm... interesting. I wonder why?" The question was more aloud to himself than anything. He wasn't versed in plants and what made them grow in one place over another. Honestly, other than sunlight, he didn't know what they needed at all.
At Lena's question, he took a moment to investigate the red pool. Zavien walked around the edge, inspecting the surface. It wasn't clear like water, and the ripples seemed slow, almost like it was thick. Kneeling down, he was about to place a finger into the liquid when the scent hit him. The coppery tang was sharp and familiar, causing him to recoil slightly. Not sure if he was delusional, he forced his index into the warm pool before pulling it out to smear between his finger and thumb. It stained his finger a bright red, becoming sticky to the touch. He grimaced and glanced to Lena. "I might be crazy, but I think it's blood."
Zavien wiped the feeling onto his shirt and promptly decided he didn’t like the idea of having blood on him. So he proceeded to remove his shirt as he tried to ignore the strangeness of it all by continuing with a more joyous topic. "I finally got a quest from Nature Frey for my very own dragon!" He could barely contain the lift of his voice from the bubbling excitement. After all, he'd waited so long for this time, he could barely wait for the time to come. Moving back towards the normal waters, Zavien picked up another iridescent orange stone to add to the other one he'd already found. "This is one of the things the herald asked me to collect for the firepit I'll have to construct." At least that's what he understood about the assignment.
Lena didn’t have the answer to that one; mild speculation at best. “Maybe Rae thinks this is exactly where they should be,” and nothing more than that. If they were utilized too openly or frequently, perhaps it would cause other issues and alterations within nature itself.
Besides, as she combed through portions of rocks, the intrigue over the other distinct pool kept her attention. Zavien’s investigation and subsequent observations made her grimace and stomach gnarl; wondering if it was repeated effort like Stevie, and if they’d stumbled upon something barbaric and twisted. “Oh. Do you think we should see if there’s anything in there causing it?” Swallowing down the image of the woman from before, she shook her head, waiting for his answer while searching again.
Though she was momentarily distracted by shirts being removed and notions of quests for companions – so she’d maintain any flush on her cheeks was via hot spring plumes or discussion of impending dragons. “Congratulations!” slid along a widened smile and rounded cheeks. “That’s amazing! What other things do you have to get?” Having never quested for her bonded, as Mittens had found her, so to speak, the notions of what was required hadn’t quite reached her mind. But with the new enthusiasm and vigor, and perhaps avoidance of the blood pool nearby, she snagged at another orange rock, putting it aside for Zavien.
Shaking his head, he moved away from the bright pool of blood, trying to put more distance between him and the glistening copper liquid. "I think there's too much of it to be a natural occurrence." He knelt to pick up a fire opal, admiring the way the sparkling red surface differed so much from the deep scarlet of the pool before placing it with the others.
By the time he made it back to Lena, he had a large handful of yellow, orange, and red stones, resembling a bundle of flames. The reflection illuminated the handsome curve of his excited expression as he met her infectious smile. "Thank you! You're part of the reason I was able to ask them. After all, your description of Nature Frey helped convince me to give them a chance. It also helped me pick the right offering." He gave Lena a bright smile and a wink of understanding. Zavien didn't know if he'd have thought to ask Nature Frey for the quest without her input, but he was extremely grateful. Trying to recall the other portions of his quest, he lifted his fingers to list them. "Fiery stones - which we're working on, sand from the Hak Etme, and meat from a hunt, then I have to use the different components to cook the meat." Setting his pile of rocks off to the side, he sat on the edge of the clear blue water, letting his feet fall into the warmth.
Zavien kicked his legs gently, rippling the surface. He leaned back on his hands, his head falling back and causing his golden hair to shift lightly. Sighing, he glanced around at the far corners of the cavern. "I think we might be out of luck. I didn't see any signs of Rae's Lillies. You?"
Her features dimmed at the thought, but then another came to mind – for the reasons the Voice had utilized Stevie, and many others. “Maybe it’s for Ancients then?” Would they enjoy a pool of blood? She didn’t know enough about them to confirm such notions, but left it laden there, for something other than a vicious crime laden in its depths.
Wandering back over to outcroppings and pools, hands busy moving and shifting rocks (whilst praying to see buds and blossoms in their midst), she listened to other aspects necessary for Zavien’s quest, nodding and smiling all the while. She flushed again when he noted she’d been the influence; uncertain if she considered herself one at all. “Well, I’m glad for it,” she nodded with a brightening smile – swallowing down something she couldn’t quite measure, and then placed another orange stone amongst his growing pile.
Yet to actually relax into its depths, too consumed and determined, the notions of being out of luck hadn’t really occurred to her. Perhaps the Caretaker had simply believed if they stuck around long enough, and searched and devised and conquered, then the flowers would eventually reveal themselves. Hope was a buoyant and powerful thing, and gods she’d yearned to right the wrongs of being so wholly ineffectual in the Feverlands. To be able to do something; play a small part in a cast of greater roles.
So her grin fell, and her eyes went down to the springs, the rocks in her hands, the ripple of water undulating around her. Placing more of them within, and biting her lip, she tried to forge her way out of the foggy and dismal mood settling in her chest. “Let me fly around and see, just in case.” What if they’d missed one? What if there was one stuck along the rocky cliffs?
So she shifted into her avian form, drifting upwards, striving to catch sight of gold amongst the plumes.
Glancing back at the bloody pool, he considered her statement. "That would make sense. We are in the Climb after all. I guess we should be glad that they're not all blood." Zavien laughed at the comment but was secretly thankful that the water was still blue when he looked at the other areas.
"Me too! You'll be the first person to meet my dragon!" he promised, totally oblivious to her blush as his excitement buzzed about. "After all, you're the animal expert. And I feel like you're the only one who knew how much this meant to me." Zavien turned to her with a bright gleam in his eyes and a warm smile on his face. He felt like she'd understand him best. She'd seen how much he'd hoped to have a dragon one day, and now that it was here, after her advice, he couldn't imagine sharing the pivotal moment with anyone else.
Peeking his eye in her direction, he noted the shift in her mood enough not to comment. He couldn't read minds, but he could tell that there was something weighing on her mind, and when he had something heavy in his brain, he wanted nothing more than to take action. So with a nod, Zavien didn't stop her as she shifted, taking off into the upper reaches of the cavern. It was possible that they just couldn't see the hidden buds, but the cave wasn't that big and he hadn't seen any white despite the contrasting black rocks. However, he understood a need to find something and he didn't want to discourage Lena from exhausting every option to reassure her. He sorted through the rocks as he waited patiently for her, occasionally glancing up to spot her colorful feathers above.
When she would finally touch down again, he would give her a soft smile. "There's not much we can do about it. Maybe someone already picked them all. Or maybe they don't bloom this time of day." Shrugging his shoulders, he slid his body fully into the water, relishing in the warmth. "We'll just have to come again another time." Zavien gave her a playful grin, more than happy to have any excuse to visit the relaxing atmosphere with her again while also trying to lighten her mood. Deimos may have said that the flowers were important, but Zavien wasn't about to get caught up in worries he couldn't control. Void; he could fight. His own actions; he could manage. Rae's Lillies; not within his capabilities. So he shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes against the steam wafting up from the water. "We were still able to get part of my quest done, so it wasn't a waste of a trip. Let's enjoy the fact that we're here." His arms were propped across the side of the pool, pulling his tight muscles into a comfortable stretch, eased by the heat that seeped into his skin. Sighing with contentment, he opened his green eyes to see if Lena had settled enough to join him.
There were greater things in those moments over hidden and undiscovered flowers; future companions with wings and connections, and she could soften the billowing expanse of her diminishing expectations with a soft and gracious smile. “That would be lovely. I’d be honored.” She thought back to her sister’s own dragon, who occasionally still flew in and out of the Celestine gardens, or of all the others met along the road and ways. “Did you ask for a specific kind?” For air, fire, ice…or maybe it didn’t matter. A bond was a bond, after all.
But then she was in the air, and perhaps glad that the Attuned measures of her desperation didn’t flicker out towards the Dragoon. It wasn’t like her to be so diminished and discouraged, and she loathed those sentiments too. So instead of being prey to them, she soared, silver and rose outstretched and swiftly alighting over rocks and rooks and crannies, believing one last surge of drifting along thermals would release something -
But that wasn’t how the world worked and she returned just as empty as before. Shifting back left her amidst the shallower ends of the warm pool, and she tucked her legs against her chest, resting her forehead against her knees. “Right,” she agreed, but it was muffled and disjointed. The possibilities Zavien presented were perfectly plausible, but she’d still had her heart set on doing something other than remaining ineffectual time and time again. And maybe that was the problem – believing herself capable at all. Turning her head so her cheek rested on her limbs instead, and mostly covered in the water, she glanced back at his grin and sighed, now afraid she was ruining the outing with her melancholy. Forcing her own smile, she twisted back around to glance at the wider expanse, taking in long, deep breaths. “I think I had hopes of finally fighting back, you know?” Gaining flowers so they could restore a world ransacked and infected. Achieving something instead of drifting and aching for an opportunity. Striving and trying and not just simmering beneath it all.
Glad to hear her agree, Zavien gave her a bright smile brimming with excitement. "I asked for fire, but I would have been fine with any, honestly." He laughed loudly, his eyes crinkling at the movement. Frey had wanted the distinction as well, obviously intent on fulfilling his desire. It would still be interesting to see what they looked like though!
When she had finally exhausted her search and come to settle in the water, Zavien watched every movement like hawk. It hurt to see the desperation written across Lena's face. She tried to put on a strong facade, but it was obvious that the struggles of inaction were bothering her as much as they were him. Her small figure looked so helpless and fragile. He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. To tell her that her efforts were enough.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to do any of that. He didn't know if everything was going to work out. Who knew if they would even survive the Void? And although her efforts were enough for him, he didn't know if they would be enough to make a difference. It felt like he was facing his own inadequacies all over again and his respect for Lena was too high for him to justify lying. So, instead, Zavien settled for companionship.
His smile was sad as he attempted to catch her gaze. "You know I understand that more than anyone." It wasn't much consolation, but he wanted her to know she wasn't alone. Sighing, he shifted to sit closer to her, hoping to provide comfort in proximity. His body was close enough to provide another layer of heat in the steamy cavern as he ran his hand gently over the surface of the water. He tried to find the words, knowing there wasn't much that would provide comfort in the presence of so much doubt. Tilting his head, he tried to let his earnest green eyes do most of the talking. "Your desires alone are more than most people are willing to contribute." Chuckling lightly, he let the ripples tickle the flat of his palm. "You know, I have to remind myself all the time that I'm not a demigod or a hybrid. I don't have years of experience or impressive abilities. I don't even make a very good accepted, barely able to channel more than a swarm of bugs or rain." He recalled Flora pleading him to channel her father and his inability to help as Maea lay limp at his feet before they vanished together. His smile faltered for a moment at the still tender memory. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to redirect his thoughts before opening them to give Lena an encouraging look. "But then I remember that there are only things I can do. No one else is going to care for the children of the Silk Houses. No one else is going to have my positive outlook on the world. No one else would be willing to be an errand boy when the risk of being discovered is so great." Zavien gave her a knowing smile. "And just like that, I find purpose in the menial or fruitless tasks. I find light in the darkness. I find hope even if my actions don't always produce results. Just like that, I find my faith again."
Realizing that he'd said more than he'd planned, he wanted to turn away in embarrassment, a blush pushing through the flush already present on his cheeks. Yet he held Lena's gaze, determined to show her that her efforts mattered. That she mattered.
Longing not to be buried beneath a rubble of her own beliefs, the Caretaker took a long, deep breath, and began to hum underneath it again, grappling for stability. She watched Zavien meander closer, and she stilled for a moment, before all his words came streamlining along. She watched him carefully, smile trying to form along the veneer; wishing it could bubble up on its own underneath all the disappointment. And she knew some of those notions had pierced through her skull only minutes and moments before, but hearing them again clambered on a different echo.
She went to open her mouth, but stopped, teeth clicking together as he continued. Eventually her gaze wandered to the water, watching as it took gentle rivulets along the surface, striving to find her footing in the wake of everything else. “Your abilities will come in time, just like they have for so many others,” she started, taking the mustered weight off her shoulders for a moment – the demigods, the potent, the powerful, had likely held their moments of weakness and annihilation too, just largely unseen or well before.
And while Zavien could rattle off hoards of his own capabilities, Lena tilted her head, wondering about her own. Tending and mending animals, generosity, and her pale attempts at wisdom seemed to be the only things circling through her mind, so she sighed once more, mustering half a laugh. “So we just keep trying, mm?”
Her words rang as he knew them to be true. Cocking his head to the side, his eyes shone with excitement and sympathy. "I know. And your time will come, too." Whether it was as impactful as the defeat of a large foe or as small as gathering flowers, they would assist the cause. His smile brightened and he leaned a little closer in a playful tone. "After all, you're the one and only, compassionate, selfless, wise, incredible, irreplaceable Celestine Caretaker. You are Lena. There is no one like you." His gaze was intense and sincere. Zavien meant every word. Whether she believed it or not, he believed in her.
Her half-hearted laugh may have been quiet, but it still instigated his own as he leaned onto his hands, his head thrown back. When his laugh finally settled around the cavern, Zavien looked back to Lena, humor lighting his face. "Of course. Something has to work eventually. We're much too stubborn for it not to work." Sliding farther into the water, he turned to so that he was directly in front of her, grinning wildly. "In the meantime, we have to enjoy every moment to the fullest. Which means no more sulking and more relaxing! It's much too nice to waste what little time we have here." He winked and sent a little splash her way. Wallowing wouldn't help anyone, but rejuvenating themselves would help keep their spirits high.
Some dismal part of her, the one squandered and overwhelmed by the weight of everything around them, wondered if her time had already come. Perhaps she wasn’t ever going to amount to anything more than what she was now – and while it was certainly accomplished – the broad scope of simply yearning and wanting to save those that she could, would probably never reach its limit. And each moment she failed and faltered was another painful reminder of her abilities; stark and bleak sometimes, when the instances were particularly brutal.
She hadn’t expected the sudden outreach of her accomplishments though – eyes widening, cheeks flushing, parts of her smothering them down and wishing all of it were true. “That’s very kind-,” she started, trying to place all of those things back into her chest. Compassion and selflessness, and wisdom for as much as she could warrant, struggling beyond accepting them and shying away from it. “Thank you.” She opted for instead, so she could have the time to hasten it all through.
“I know. I just-“, wanted a moment to pout? But then she was being pulled away from the melancholy and she shook her head, hands wandering from where she’d been hidden behind her own knees; wondering if she could dodge the rampant edges of sulking when a splash was sent her way. It careened directly across her face, and she gasped and gulped like a fish, shocked, for a second, before everything unwound within and she dashed her arm underneath the surface. Surprising herself with the sudden retaliation, she swept it upward so a careening wave of the warm springs volleyed back towards the Dragoon.
"I just speak the truth." Although he could still see the conflict in her eyes, the reluctance to accept his genuine words, Zavien wasn't about to let Lena sink into a pit of despair. When his splash went a little higher and harder than planned, he was nervous that she might be angry and leave. However, as a wall of water made contact with his own face, the shock and uncertainty transformed into pure delight. His loud laugh echoed across the stoney cavern like a happy rumble. The spread of his lips was wide and unrestrained, glad to see Lena comfortable enough to fire back at him.
"Oh. Now you've done it!" Pushing his arms forward, he unleashed another cascading waterfall of his own, continuing to laugh with a carefree cadence. His golden hair plastered to his forehead and his green eyes glittered like the rippling reflection of the water. Even if the world was ending around them and they couldn't do a thing about it, all he cared about in the moment was making Lena smile and forget her worries for as long as he was able.
