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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!
A draft filtered through hollow pathways never touched by the sun. Even at the height of Longheat it was cool below ground, perhaps the biggest reason why they had found their way below. And Maea had some history with these tunnels.
"... I used to hide down here during the days, back when I was ascended," she told Liam. Her hushed voice echoed back to them in soft whispers, sending shudders down her arms; or maybe it was the dampness of ocean winds condensing against the black volcanic vents; who knew. "It was dangerous to be out in the sun, and I didn't want to run into anyone I knew... so I had plenty of time to explore. Have you ever been down before?"
Sticking close to him as they made their way down winding pathways, she could feel the glee of her companion like a smile pressed to the back of her mind. Shii had zoomed off to explore, its faint light already swallowed up by the intermittent darkness. Maea wished she could share the enjoyment. Had these tunnels always been so close? The darkness was less concerning than the height of a jagged ceiling or the occasional sound of rushing water, and she caught herself doing breathing exercises without consciously engaging with them whenever they came upon a tidal pool left by receding waves. Maybe that was why she kept talking; a non-stop chatter that betrayed her fraying nerves, distracting her from her hammering pulse.
It was still strange, sometimes, to think of Maea as a person who had once been Ascended. These days, of course, it mattered very little, but if they had met at a different time in Liam’s life, then they would not, perhaps, have grown so close. Still, as they wandered down into Rae’s Fingers, Shii zooming off ahead to gleefully explore the tunnels, the soldier found himself instinctively sticking close to Maea, both in order to protect and to rely on her to watch his back if something were to happen.
The tunnels were dark and close, and there were several times that Liam had to stoop to avoid bumping his head on a jagged rock from above. The sound of the waves echoed through the tunnels, rushing water that made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He’d hate to see what happened if they were stuck down here when the tide came in. He might be a strong swimmer, but even he could do nothing without access to air.
”No, I’ve never been,” he said as they walked onward. ”I’ve really only spent time in Stormbreak and the Greatwood. I’ve been to Torchline a few times now, but I wouldn’t say I’ve really explored.” He reached a hand up to brace against the ceiling, stepping over a section of fallen rock with care. ”What’s your favorite place?” he asked, curious and eager to keep Maea talking, if only to dispel the subtle tension that seemed to stretch in this place. ”Not just in Torchline, but all of Caido. If you could go anywhere - and not freeze in winter - where would be your favorite?”
She'd been meaning to show him the cavern where she made a home for herself, however temporary, but it proved more difficult than she expected. It had been years since Maea went down into the Fingers and the layout of the winding tunnels had altered since, by volcano eruptions and the upheaval after the War. Picking direction on a hunch, she started to wonder whether the cave even existed anymore.
"Right... well, we need to be a bit careful. Smugglers and thieves tend to use these to hide in... if we hear anyone coming, it's probably best to hide." The other dangers were more obvious; walls of volcanic rock bore marks from the touch of water, showing that at least some of them flooded from time to time. Just as there were holes in the roof, so the footing grew precarious in places, and on occasion they had to squeeze through tight passages before the tunnel opened up again.
Grateful for anything that took her mind off the risks of getting stuck while water rushed in, Maea considered his question. She'd been in a fair few lovely spots over the years, but... "I really love the Tunda, up in Halo," she replied. "Especially at night; you can see the stars very clearly, and sometimes ribbons of colored light dance over the sky that reflect on the snow." Not a sight she was likely to ever see again, alas. "And I wouldlove to visit the Draig Cordillera, sometime. I've been offered to, by Ronin, but there never seems to be a good time." Something or other always got in the way, and right now the place was overrun with void.
Turning sideways to squeeze through a tight patch, she kept her eyes on Liam until she was through. Knowing that he was there kept the fear at bay, though she detested the damp draft along her back while she waited for him to squeeze through. "What about you? Got a favourite spot?"
Liam looked at Maea dubiously - not because he disagreed, but because he wasn't sure where there was to hide in the vast labyrinth of tunnels. They could, he supposed, pick one to follow and hope that any pursuers picked another, but that seemed like an option based on luck rather than any sort of skill. Not to mention that getting lost down here might be a death sentence - especially given the water marks on the walls that indicated just how high the water would get when the tide came in.
Maea's favorite spot took Liam by surprise, though he wasn't sure why. He'd just assumed that it would be somewhere warm, or at least comfortable. Still, he nodded at her explanation. He'd always wanted to see the lights that lit the tundra skies, but he'd yet to have the chance. "It sounds beautiful, when you describe it." Cold, but beautiful. As for the Cordillera: "You know, when I was younger, I was content in Stormbreak. But now I think I'd like to see the Cordillera, eventually."
The tunnel narrowed to a squeeze, and Liam met Maea's gaze as the Ancient pressed through the opening. When it was Liam's turn, he had a bit more of a struggle; the rock caught at his clothes, and he had to stop to wriggle free a fair few times before he made it to the other side. To hide a shudder at the thought of getting stuck, he continued talking. "I think... my favorite spot is the Falling in Stormbreak. I always used to go to watch the sunset, and I'd think that there was no place more beautiful than the edge of the world." He laughed. "The edge of my world, anyway."
His laughter filled the hollow space and turned cold rock into something warmer. Like a shelter instead of a hiding place, like this was an adventure rather than a trial. He had a knack of doing that, she'd noticed. Unpleasant and uncomfortable things became bearable and manageable when Liam was around, like his presence acted like an alchemical substance which turned ordinary things remarkable. The idea of remaining in one place for a lifetime had always filled her with a panicked dread, but the way Liam spoke of his contentment had her wondering if it was the view that made the difference, or their outlook. Between a deadly barrier and an endless horizon, was there any real difference in the borders they'd been living behind? If not, then perhaps she could learn to see the world the way he did. It seemed a happier place than hers.
"Mmh, it does sound wonderful," she replied with a smile, gazing up at him as he caught up. "Would you show me, some day? I've seen some of Stormbreak, but far from everything." The times when she felt comfortable exploring the city were growing shorter, admittedly, but Maea refused to accept them as gone. There was going to be an after the Family, there would be lifetimes to explore and travel and fill with whatever they chose.
Guiding them down a few more intersections, the rock quite abruptly took on a different quality. Older and worn from the passage of time and tides, in the dim light Maea could see faded chalk marks on a wall. "Thief marks," she said and pointed them out to Liam. "Old, probably outdated by now - I knew we were going the right way." Eager to see what had become of her cave thee slender ancient picked up the pace, her feet finding the way even as light faded. Just before even her pale hair was swallowed up by the darkness, she reached back and caught Liam's hand to pull him to the left, into a crevasse that would have been impossible to spot unless you knew it was there. Another tight passage followed - then a sense of space opened up around them. Their shuffling footsteps echoed less than before, muffled by vegetation creeping up the walls towards a slight crevice in the ceiling where light trickled in. A pool of water lay still and black, undisturbed by wind or other waves - and in a nook a pile of rags had been piled up. Forming a nest of a sort, as 'bed' seemed too grand a term for the damp, moldering heap.
"Well. Here it is." Maea turned around slowly, fingers cold as she kept holding on to his hand. "Looks like nobody's been here since..."
Liam had never wanted much in life. A home, a family, a fulfilling job. And he'd had it. He'd been more than content with his life in Stormbreak - and then it had all been torn away. Still, enough time had passed since then that he could look back on his favorite haunts with fondness and only a hint of the sadness that had once controlled his life. It was a strange place in which he found himself, these days - no longer drowning in the memories of the past, but looking forward to a bright future.
At Maea's request, Liam blinked, startled that she would wish to see it and not really knowing why. "Of course," he said enthusiastically. Then his expression fell, just a little. "As soon as it's safe to do so." Meaning, of course, that he wasn't inclined to visit while the Family was in power - especially not if it meant putting Maea at risk, too.
The rock around them was older and worn now, less jagged edges and more smooth, as though it had been ground down by the tides. On the wall, there were faded marks; Maea pointed them out, and Liam reached out a hand to touch the stone beside them, studying them in the dim light. "There are similar marks in Stormbreak, particularly among the Silk Houses," he murmured. "Though I'm sure they've all changed since my time there." But thievery was ever-present. Of that, he was positive.
On they went, into the depths of the caverns, until Maea grabbed Liam's hand, pulling him to the left and through a tight passage that Liam had to suck in his breath to fit through - and then there was a sense of space opening up around them. Light trickling in through a crack in the ceiling, revealing a pool of water and a nest of rags surrounded by vegetation creeping up the walls. Liam took it in, his hand still in Maea's. Her hand was so small in comparison to his, and so cold; before he could think the better of it, he laced his fingers with hers, squeezing gently.
"You'd never know it was here unless you knew it was here," he said with a chuckle. "How did you find this?"
Her grin was a Cheshire thing in the dark, fleeting yet bright in a way that left warmth lingering long after her smile had faded. "I'll look forward to it," she replied, calmly assured that such a time would come - regardless of how long it might be.
Once in the cave, as Liam's fingers braided into hers, it was more than the oppressive walls and closed space that sent her pulse racing. His palm burned against hers, strong and calloused and utterly safe - her responding laugh sounded breathless, desperately trying to keep calm, to not let her thoughts run away with her - and she squeezed his hand back. Thrilled and terrified at how natural it felt to be so connected. "Luck," she explained, "and need. I was hiding from the smugglers, and spotted a crack in the wall. Then realised it was deeper than I thought. Afterwards, I usually teleported in and out - that pool connects to the sea, but it's quite a dangerous swim." A long time to hold ones breath, a winding pitch black tunnel, and there was the tide currents...
Shuddering at the notion of putting herself through that, Maea rubbed at her upper arm with a spare hand. It was chilly down here, a damp cold that sank into bones that already dreaded the trial to come.
"I... need to try it, though. It's a quest - from Dygra. Can you help me?"
Thankfully, Liam had never been particularly claustrophobic, nor was he usually afraid of the dark. No, what frightened him was the warmth that bloomed in his chest as his fingers intertwined with Maea’s, and how easy it would be for the world to take that warmth away. Still, he held on all the same, allowing himself this fleeting moment, reveling in the way she squeezed his hand and did not let go.
He studied the pool as Maea spoke. It was dark and still, and if he had to guess, it was probably quite cold. He couldn’t imagine diving into it to follow the underwater passageways to the sea - and yet, it seemed that that was exactly what Maea had in mind. A part of him wanted to protest; it was dangerous, and besides, things were actually quite nice in the cave, standing with her hand in his, thank you very much.
But this was a quest, not a whim, and the soldier understood that this was something she had to do - not, perhaps, just for Dygra, but for herself as well. So when she asked for his help, he didn’t even hesitate. ”Always,” he promised. ”What do you need me to do?”
Oh, how she wished him to protest a bit louder. It was a quest and she had to complete it, but that didn't mean she wanted to. Or that she was ready to face this trial. Stalling, Maea fished through her pockets with one hand, torn between immense gratitude for the man's support and a wild impulse to kick his shin for the same.
"Could you... uh... come with me? I have this Cloud Manta crystal - " finally finding it, she offered a round gem tied into a necklace that would keep it flush against the throat, allowing him to breathe under water, "If you could stay behind me, to help if something goes wrong...?" It felt like asking too much, and yet she couldn't think of anyone else who she'd rather trust her life to. Liam had saved it once before, he would do it again if necessary. Not that it would be - she was going to do this swiftly and accurately and emerge on the other side in one piece - but nevertheless. Having him at her back made her feel safe. And just a little bit brave.
Liam blinked as Maea found the cloud manta crystal, woven into a necklace and offered to him. He reached out to accept the trinket, moving smoothly to tie it around his throat. He’d never used one before, but he’d heard rumors. Theoretically, the thing would allow him to breathe underwater. He wasn’t sure that he was trusting enough to try it - not of Maea, who he would trust with his life, but of the abilities of a crystal tied into a necklace. But she was asking, hesitantly, as though it was too much, and Liam wasn’t about to say no.
Maybe he’d hold his breath for as long as he could - just in case.
In any case, he nodded. ”Of course.” He wanted to ask if she was sure about this, but he didn’t want to detract from her task. It wasn’t like she had much choice, after all, and perhaps when they were done, he could ask about the quest and what she was trying to achieve. For now, though, he offered what he hoped was an encouraging smile and squeezed her hand. ”Whenever you’re ready.”
Just like that, all the ways out of this were gone. Damn his willingness to help and the trust he showed her by simply accepting her word for what the stone was and what it could do. She did not deserve it, yet Maea was pathetically grateful for his faith all the same. Proud too, despite all her misgivings, that he didn't try to stop her, that he thought her capable enough to make this decision for herself.
A soft tremor shook her lithe frame as the burden of that responsibility settled on her shoulders. For a while she stood frozen, the grip of her pale fingers around Liam's growing ever tighter as cold dread washed over her. Then, stiffly, she let go of him and began to pull off her dress. The less bulk around her legs the better - anything that could snag and trap her, anything that weighed her down was removed and placed neatly into a pile on the ground.
Dressed down to her underwear, she carefully avoided looking at the soldier. It was easier that way, to pretend like she couldn't feel his presence like a tangible touch against her bare skin. Swallowing against the dryness of her mouth, Maea padded on bare feet to the rim of the pool, crouched down to touch the water, only to shudder - not so much from the cold, though it was on the chilly side. No, it was the thought of entering it, of feeling it close over her head and know that the only way out lay long meters ahead.
"I hate this," she complained, a half-whispered whine - and with a deep breath she plunged in. Before second thoughts and survival instinct could get the better of her.
Liam stood with Maea for a time, feeling her fingers grow tighter around his as she seemed to work up the nerve to do what they had come here to do. He waited patiently, silently, giving her the time she needed and knowing that there was nothing he could say or do to make this easier for her. That, he suspected, was the point of the exercise. Besides that, he knew she would be able to complete her task, as sure about it as he was that the sun would rise in the east and set in the west.
He should have anticipated that she would remove her dress, but his cheeks still flared red as he quickly averted his gaze. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to look, but it seemed like an invasion of her privacy, somehow - like he’d be crossing some invisible line that couldn’t be uncrossed. Keeping his gaze on the walls of the cavern, or the light trickling in from above, or, occasionally, flickering to her face, Liam swallowed hard. This might be a harder task than he’d originally thought.
Her half-whispered complaint was the last thing he heard before she plunged into the water, and he hurried to the edge of the pool. He waited until she was far enough ahead that he wouldn’t be crowding her, then jumped in himself, taking a deep breath despite the crystal at his throat and diving under to follow.
Somewhere behind her, the water shifted to accommodate an added mass. Never had she been so tempted to give up and turn back, to flee into Liam's arms and let herself be comforted. The memories awakened by these surroundings were painful and frightening, and she wasn't at all sure that she would get through it. It was just... if she did turn back, Liam would probably accept it as easily as he had accepted her request. And despite the temptation he provided, something about seeking sympathy without at least doing her best first didn't sit right with her. So she moved forward. As she reached her arms out to fumble for the opening, the rock felt slimy with algae and bacteria. Rough, then slick, then nothing. The tunnel - and there was nothing to do but pull herself inside.
Darkness swallowed her whole. It was not the first time she had been swallowed up. Cold constricted her chest and made it harder to hold her breath, to keep the precious lungful of air sealed behind tightly closed lips. Sealed shut like the maw of a ghost whale who just caught prey drifting hapless on ocean currents, too headstrong and too naive to listen when told to stay on the ship. Cold fingertips snagged on the rock as Maea hauled herself along, kicking her feet to propel herself onward. A scream was building in the back of her throat, held back only by the lack of air. When she tried to hurry, her movements grew clumsy and she scraped herself on barnacles and volcanic stone, hit her knee...
The light from the cavern behind them faded. Blackness was absolute. And suddenly her hands met with rock instead of empty air. An obstacle was in the way; Maea's heart slammed against her ribcage as she fumbled across the surface, trying to find a way past. Just like they had slid over the ribs of the ghost whale as she fought to get out, while the beast thrashed - to kill her, to fend off the fighters attacking it from above.
Liam was submerged, breath held, darkness swallowing him and a chill seeping into his bones. He moved along the underwater tunnel after Maea, following her by the feel of the water she displaced and the craggy rock beneath his hands. He pulled himself after her, avoiding her kicking legs, staying close enough that he didn’t have to guess where she was.
Which was how he knew without seeing when she stopped.
The soldier paused. Was there a fork in the tunnel? A blockage? If it had been so long since Maea had been here, who was to say that this path was still viable? And if it wasn’t, what were they supposed to do then?
He swallowed down the beginnings of panic, even as he continued to hold his breath. If he wasn’t yet struggling for air, then maybe Maea wasn’t either, and he should give her the chance to figure out where to go from here. And if she took too much longer, he’d haul her back to the surface from whence they came, consequences be damned.
