Post by ☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽ on Jan 4, 2015 20:12:12 GMT -5
[smear:40b6d4]☾Aevus Renard☽[/smear:0deeb9]{ "I cannot drown my demons, for they know how to swim"}Password 1
Kuroi’s Shoes
Password 2
Midgets Can’t Dunk
Type
Fractured
Rank
Mercenary[smear:40b6d4]☾Basic Information☽[/smear:0deeb9]True Name
Aevus Renard the Third
Name after death
Aevus
Age of Death
19
Real Age/Age of Appearance
252/28
Birthday (Month/Day)
December 7th, 1770
Blood Type
AB
Height/Weight
5'10/150
Alignment
Chaotic Good
RP Sample (Optional): His face was rather remarkably calm by the threat all around him His cold natured appearance had indeed been no facade, no mere illusion for this situation did not faze him in the least, for death would only succumb him to utter failure and expressive emotion of both fear and surprise had already been but dead to him or much rather forcibly suppressed. It would seem he had been cornered, his body standing all but motionless, the same as the expression on his face. A rather unnerving cold display of soullessness, his sapphire eyes catching the armored images of those around him in this war zone yet no worry, no fear nothing held him in place.
Yet he still stood there cornered while nothing physical or mental was constraining his movement. To put it simply it was as if he had no care at all but this would simply be but a lie. For while in truth he did indeed care about the mission overall, there was something he worried not for in the heat of combat and that was his very being. The sole reason why he would pull himself into such situation was provided by the fact that he just did not care about himself in those moments, achievement of the mission was priority and the safety of the mission only. Complete and utter deluded selflessness, he was but a shell of a living being, a weapon in mere human form and the truth is, he knew that. Emotional distraught, pain, lingering guilt just like fear floated upon an empty ocean. For such things sunk into the very depths of him, drowning as he held captive the ship that sat them anchor.[smear:40b6d4]☾Physical Description☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Aevus has the appearance of an older man. His age based on appearance potentially ranging from late twenties to early thirties. Yet appearances can be deceiving expecially for a shinigami of soul society. And as such he was born just before the revolutionary time known as the french revolution. Yet one would never tell what time this man died based on appearance. At first glance, Aevus might seem like a pushover do to his pale skin and relaxed nature. This can easily make him out to be cocky. but that would be a foolish sentiment.
Aevus’s Reiatsu is rather unique, tending to vary in different hues of blue. This is fully Dependent on his mood and if watched long enough one could easily recognize his current state of being. It is usually a cyan when Aevus is in a calm state. When he is stressed or injured it will flare erratically and become rather faint and barely visible. If he becomes angered, which is very rare, it will become black with a smokey sapphire outline. Because of the state of his Reiatsu, Aevus tends to remain calm and collected while in battle, trying not to give away a weakness that someone could easily exploit.
Aevus’s hair is of a medium length, sporting jaw-length bangs that reside on both sides of his face, while slightly spiked in the back. His hair is a umbrage black, tending to uncontrollably evoke an appearance of dark sapphire undertones that become far more noticeable when he uses even the faintest of Reiatsu in battle. It is rather shiny, with a soft silky texture. Aevus rarely tends to it, doing the very basic necessities to keep it clean while in formal attire, but it remains rather messy and unkempt none the less. It almost has the appearance of one with bed head, while strangely fitting the rest of his face and attire.
His skin color, is what one would call pale, except that it still has some pigment to it. It is at the very least on the borderline of ghostly pale, in which he is generally regarded merely as fair-skinned and alabaster toned. Seemingly at times reflecting the sun and pale moonlight, he has been known to burn rather easily. As such, he tends to remain long sleeved and has never warn anything to reveal his legs. Though pale, it is still very healthy and smooth to the touch, except for his scars of course.
Scars, hold close a mysterious past of when Aevus was alive. He sports a small cut to the side of his right eyebrow. White, stretch marks mark his shoulders and inner thighs, marking a point of when he hit puberty. Along his chest, a scar stands just above his heart, a sign of bullet wound and perhaps his death in life. Two other scars cover his chest, two both from a blade being lunged inside of him. One in his shoulder and the other in his gut, hinting at yet another life threatening wound. These scars being aged are not to noticeable, being marks of when he was alive, they still carry remarkable mystery to the man to this very day.
Aevus’s eyes tend to invoke a visage devoid of emotion in battle, where he generally will present no care for his well being as he throws himself into such a thicket. Yet they are usually gentle and yet still oddly cold outside of such quarry. They are a cold light hued sapphire, stern yet presenting an emotional facade of mystery. Aevus has no recollection of his facial changes, for such things are merely instinctual and never intentional. When emitting Reiatsu in battle, his blue eyes are rather stunning and unique, the white Sclera constantly emit a cyanic bioluminescence and his sapphire eyes become far more distinct in the darkness.
His ears are hidden by the long umbra coated bangs that falter down both sides of his face. They are pierced by silver studs, that can be seen when he is in the thick of combat, but otherwise hidden, by his dark hair. A narrow jawline, a small nose, thin lips and eyebrows. He has been called handsome by some but such remarks are not common, due to his emotionless and plain visage that he generally and unintentionally presents to those around him at times in combat.
Yet he is not always under a frozen serenity of emotions and can be seen smiling at times. In which he will not reveal his pearly whites, but simply a half hearted grin. His smile, is gentle but rarely truly forced. Unless of course he is put under a situation where he see’s the need to feign such a thing, to simply put others at ease around him. When an enemy is put into the picture, things are completely different. No smiles and of course no games, it is serious. Even of course if there is an enemy way below his level, they are but targets and he is beyond playing with the likes of them.
Aevus is definitely not one for his physical strength, instead he has built his body almost purely for speed. For he is rather lean, yet semi-muscular, Possessing a flat chest and abdomen with almost no traces of hair covering him. He has small shoulders, and long arms, yet they are strong enough for him to wield an average katana with ease and reach an opponent if needed. His back is also quite strong, allowing him to support and carry fellow comrades if the need arises, but no more than one.
Even as such, Aevus carries himself well and never slouches when presenting himself to an opponent. Standing up firm and straight, He rarely seems comfortable but is actually quite relaxed. For he prefers to not deface himself in a way that would present a point of weakness for the opponent. It is one such detail that helps others understand Aevus more, he is seemingly respectful to both himself and his enemies. With allies he has a rather quiet demeanor and is Stoic in appearance and personality at times.
His legs are another story. Over the years Aevus has built lean muscle, truly defined to allow him to make the most out of running. They are rather pale, for they rarely if ever, have seen true sunlight and would easily burn under its reign. They are lean and long, one such detail he takes advantage of while in battle. Taking long strides while attacking the opposition to cover longer distances and of course close such distances. He is also capable of jumping large distances in a single jump, allowing him to scale building with ease. Or even perhaps allowing, Aevus to reach a taller opponent in a single leap. They support him very well, even on unstable ground and even if he seemingly trips, his legs will rarely allow him to falter.
Aevus’s attire consists of the common clothing of a shinigami. Possessing a Shikakusho. Which is composed of the standard parts such as a white shitagi, a black kosode and hakama and a white obi. Followed by a pair of white tabi and waraji to suit his feet. Though his black kosode is slightly altered, possessing a hood to cover his face in the dead of night when needed. Aevus’s sheath rests behind him, so that Aevus can unsheathe it reverse bladed, also hinting at him being left handed.
Aevus, also wears a set of clothing when he is not on the field or in formal situations. Generally he wears this set of clothing, while in solitude. He sports a black sleeved t shirt, with a stretched out collar that reveals part of his upper chest. His collar being stretched out reveals a simple silver necklace. His pants, are comfortable form fitting and dark grey in color. Aevus doesn’t tend to wear shoes inside, but outside of his usual attire, he’ll wear a pair of black tabi.[smear:40b6d4]☾Personality☽[/smear:0deeb9][smear:40b6d4]☾Dislikes☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Selfish Aristocrats - He detests those who live lavishly without concern for those of a poorer status. Even though in life he was a noble, Aevus was raised to never become gluttonous under the servitude of others. In the afterlife he knows not why he detests such people and is but another mystery that clouds his fragmented memory.
Fragmented Memories - The past can be a burden and weigh heavily on Aevus, affecting his very mentality at time. It both confuses and infuriates him to no end that he can’t piece together anything that happened to him in life.
Immortality - It is a dream come true for others but to him it is a curse. To live forever can’t possibly be all that its cracked up to be. Unintentionally seeking death, Aevus can’t fathom any reason one would want to live forever.
Suicide - Suicide in his eyes is the weak way out, it is indeed selfish in his eyes. Others will have to live with your choice and perhaps even blame themselves for not doing anything to prevent it or perhaps think they are the reason behind it.
Selfishness - Those who think only of themselves without ever passing a second glance to another. Aevus holds little if no pity for these kinds of people yet he can understand some points behind it and is slightly envious of such selfish behavior.
Sudden Light - Aevus doesn’t necessarily hate light but after leaving a dark area, a sudden bright light effectively blinds him and tends to cause him to sneeze. That being said, you wont find Aevus at any beach anytime soon.
Unneeded Killing - Though he will never outwardly say this, he doesn’t think killing is the true answer to every problem, especially when there are other opinions beforehand. Though because he is a man of a few words and killing another can indeed save someone, he is not beyond it.
War - As stated before with killing, war is something he absolutely hates. It is a means to no just end, only if it is a revolution to take down a faulty government would he ever side with such a thing or perhaps to protect someone he cares about.
Religion - In Aevus’s eyes religion is one of the lead reasons for war. More likely it is an excuse in his eyes to kill and perform ill acts upon people. There is no excuse for it and Aevus could never fathom anything that would make him sink so low as to follow something so blindly.
Hollows - They are a vile scourge, doomed souls in need of cleansing nothing more in his eyes. He pities them, but he will not hesitate to kill the moment he lays eyes on one. He may dislike them but he throughly enjoys tracking and hunting them down.
Quincy - While he would save a soul, a quincy would undoubtfully destroy it and thus they are an enemy. He wont kill one without reason, though oddly enough will defend a hollow to prevent the destruction of the soul.
Chivalry - Such a silly sentiment. Aevus doesn’t believe in one true just form of fighting. Pride, justice, it has nothing to do with battle, it’s kill or be killed, be the hunter or the hunted.[smear:40b6d4]☾Likes☽[/smear:0deeb9]
History - History has a funny thing of repeating itself, through trials and errors humans seem to repeat these same mistakes over and over again. It is human nature to seek knowledge but yet it is also human nature to repeat the same mistakes as our ancestors. Perhaps by brushing up on his history can he avoid such problems or even learn of his own.
Poetry - Poetry is the elegant placement of words to create art and to invoke different feelings both negative and positive in nature. Aevus enjoys both reading and quoting poetry, sometimes even meddling in the craft himself.
Playing the piano - Aevus thoroughly enjoys playing the piano. The memorization of notes, the gentle key strokes, the melody. Aevus can just lose himself in it.
Darkness - It is his ally and friend both in life and the afterlife. Independence takes its reign over the man and dark places aid him completely in his solitude. Being Nocturnal this also aides him, when he is hunting and tracking hollows and other such creatures in the dead of night.
Seclusion - Aevus can usually be seen enjoying his own independent solitude, anywhere he can find for that matter. Where the man can keep to himself without the prying eyes of those around him. Alone he can read and train or even hunt without others breaking his concentration.
Classical Music - In life he enjoyed it and in the afterlife he is no different. Other music might deter him for a time but the sound coming from such works as Beethoven.
Swordsmanship - The dance of the blade is his muse. In battle he is truly alive, a man not tethered by foolish emotions and other such trivial things. He can quickly lose himself in a fight, becoming in a state of true bliss.
Modern Technology - More of a curiosity than anything, Aevus seldom visits the human world and upon making contact he inspects almost anything. This can be quite troublesome, being how he's prone to setting off car alarms periodically.
Mysterious People - Aevus is always drawn to the stranger, the loner. It is something that he can relate too. Even if their reasoning is different than his own.
Women - Aevus is a man after all, he's instinctually drawn to the female form.
Dominate - In combat Aevus is very aggressive, he enjoys being the dominate one in a fight. Though usually he'll present a calm demeanor while doing so but if he enjoys it, that'll change quickly and you may find him smirking. (Get your mind out of the gutter)
Arrancar - They are indeed a threat and he acknowledges that, yet he is strangely curious of them. For they seem to possess a variety of intelligence and other than their fellow hollow brethren perhaps even have regained some form of humanity.
Human Dwellers - They live lives, Aevus is truly jealous of that freedom. He thinks fondly of life and is willing to put his life on the line to protect it.
Kiti - A black kitten Aevus looks after, she is rather curious and he tends to carry her in his robes or on his shoulder when not on the job. Aevus brought her with him when he left District 78 and usually keeps her in his quarters.[smear:40b6d4]☾Flaws☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Vengeful - In life he was consumed by revenge and in death he is no different. Aevus will seek vengeance on any who kill or even dare injure those he cares about. It is something he acknowledges and yet can’t control, even if it means leaving soul society he’d do what he had too, to enact his revenge.
Distant - Aevus remains aloof and cold at times in fear of any form of attachment. It is because of this Aevus can appear to be rather emotionless, becoming easily disliked or even hated by those around him leaving out to be secretive.
Sometimes Apathetic - At times Aevus can appear to not show any form of interest in what he is doing, expecially in battle with fellow comrades. This is a coping mechanism to detach himself from others and make the mission the only priority.
Protective - Aevus will throw himself into any fray if it means saving the life of an innocent or fellow comrade. He will attempt to deter himself from such a decision but no matter what he tries to do, he’ll always act upon his protective instincts.
Lone wolf - He dislikes and hates his protective nature thus he will always seek loneliness. He will leave the presence of comrades during a mission or attempt to go on missions alone. This can put him in danger easily, expecially when he becomes outnumbered by multiple threats.
Guilty Conscience - Aevus is a man who’ll blame himself for almost anything that goes wrong. His conscience generally weighing heavily on his inner psyche. Tending to burden himself for anything that goes wrong, Aevus truly believes he should be the one blamed for every wrong that happens around him.
Negative Self-Talk - Aevus constantly battles himself, having negative and irrational thoughts at times. These battles tend to be internal and can become more intense once his inner hollow starts feeding him lies.
PTSD - Aevus has nightmares of his past. Some of these memories are fragmented but a certain one is not. It is the reason for his general aloofness and overall cold demeanor, he is actually suffering quietly.
Over Sleeping - Aevus usually sleeps til noon, which tends to cause him some trouble in that he generally runs late for almost anything. This is because of his nocturnal preference and hunting nature.
Critical - Aside from his lazy and otherwise stoic demeanor, Aevus can be quite humorous and sarcastic. Though this snarkiness can be seen as rude especially to those of a high rank because he generally doesn't have to be close to them, he'll just do it because he treats everyone the same.[smear:40b6d4]☾Habits☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Being Late - Aevus is constantly late for meetings and such. for he tends to oversleep, this tends to be due to him staying up late reading and or training. Also because Aevus is nocturnal in nature, sleeping late into the day and staying up at night. This can pose a problem with his daily work but Aevus somehow copes.
Reading - Aevus is regularly found, that is if he is found with a book in his hand. He is an avid reader of literature, usually that of poetry and history. It is a way for Aevus to pass the time but there is always something Aevus is after while reading history. He dreadfully seeks answers to his own past and through reading, he believes he might remember something.
Quoting - Quoting the past is something Aevus has found himself doing quite frequently. Be it that it is from a famous scholar or perhaps a line from a poem, it has become second nature to him. He tends to quote someone before going on a mission or perhaps before ending the life of another or paying tribute to a fellow comrade who has died.
Practicing His Swordsmanship - If Aevus isn’t reading he is refining his skills as a swordsman. This consists of practicing duel wielding, single handed, double bladed styles and using chain weaponry.
Finger Tapping - Usually on the handle of his own weapons. Aevus has the tendency to tap his finger excessively, showing a less patient side of him.
Feigned Smile - Aevus has a tendency to force a smile to set those around him at ease. It is fake, usually half hearted and easily recognized. It is because of this smile Aevus can become easily mistrusted by those around him.
Tracking/Hunting - Aevus has cast himself as a hunter of such creatures known as Hollows. He, unlike most Shinigami uses these missions to learn and outsmart these vile creatures. Being that there are multiple breeds of hollow, it never becomes a dull or boring task.
Weapon Maintenance - Aevus is constantly keeping in check with his Zanpakuto or other weapons that he uses. Either cleaning, polishing or sharpening his blades, he'll usually take his time with the task. Making sure his weapons are in pristine condition.
Yawning - Due to his night owl sleeping schedule, Aevus tends to yawn quite a lot. Usually appearing with a bed head and wrinkled clothing, obvious signs that he just woke up.
Heh - If Aevus is enjoying himself, he'll half heartily smirk in a roguish manner. It's usually if someone interests him such as a certain lady or perhaps in a fight maybe even both.[smear:40b6d4]☾Fears☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Attachment - Aevus fears personal attachment to those around him. This is due to something in his fragmented past yet the true reasoning is unbeknownst to him. Aevus will do anything within his power to stay distant from others, such as going on missions alone or even being cold to those around him.
Death Of A Comrade - It is one thing to fail a mission, it’s another dying when you’re on that mission. But Aevus dreads the moment a comrade would die on that said mission. Yet truly he fears the death of another who is trying to protect him.
Failing A Mission Or Comrade - Aevus fears the death of a fellow comrade, yet he also fears the loss of a mission. This coincides with his other fear and usually ties in with it. He fears not being able to complete a mission and he fears not being able to protect his comrades.
Being Consumed By His Inner Hollow - Aevus fears being consumed and loosing himself to the inner hollow that dwells within his very being. It is a fear that becomes present every moment he hears a whisper in the back of his mind or loses control of himself.[smear:40b6d4]☾Goals☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Something Worth Dying For - If Aevus is to die it will be dying for someone or something worth dying for. That being an ideal or perhaps an innocent or fellow comrade, He wishes his death to have meaning behind it.
Become Stronger - Aevus is one for training and pushing himself to become more refined in various skills. In the end it, this is because he wants to overcome his crutched nature and be able to stand by a fellow comrade without fear of their death, because he could protect them.
Conquering His Inner Hollow - Aevus wishes to overcome the trials of his inner hollow and eventually conquer the vile creature. Through this he can perhaps gain the strength to protect his fellow comrades.
Remember His Past - Due to his past being heavily fragmented and forgotten, Aevus’s true wish is to learn who he was and those in his past. It is something that constantly cripples him and has affected his daily rituals.
Live out her dream - Aevus took it upon himself to become a shinigami to live out the dream of a child known as Aura. Her passing affected him traumatically. She dreamed of becoming a shinigami and saving the world from pain, of bearing the burden of it and easing everyone's suffering.
[smear:40b6d4]☾Overall Personality☽[/smear:0deeb9]“My name? It’s Aevus, and no, I don’t want to know yours”
Aevus is a lone wolf, that is the first thing one will notice upon meeting this mysterious man. He tends to keep his distance, usually appearing cold natured and perhaps even shy to those around him. Defensively keeping himself away from others, he is one who thrives in the shadows of solitude. Much preferring his own company over a party of strangers. Being a loner can easily make him out to be disliked and misunderstood and truthfully Aevus likes it that way.“Don’t you have anything better to do?”
Keeping himself away from others and being disliked easily works in his favor. Even as such, if pestered upon long enough he will slowly open up, though it is very rare that one would even attempt such a feat. Even as such Aevus will deter any of those who attempt to do so. This easily hints at his distant stubborn natured personality that is easily misunderstood. Hinting at some fragility in his inner psyche and possibly leaving himself open to possibly being slightly understood.“Don’t blame yourself. You made a decision, one you thought at the time was best.”
Oddly enough even with his cold nature, Aevus will attempt to put those at ease around him. A strange human empathetic and sympathetic part of the man. Even towards hollows he will show some form of pity, though this is mostly mental in nature, yet he will sometimes outwardly present such emotions. It can be seen as a lie, but Aevus is known for his infamous feigned smile, one he such uses to also try and ease tension in a group. He isn’t one to blame another for a mistake, and will usually try and understand why they did so and attempt to persuade them into not blaming themselves and perhaps in the end blame him instead.“They all die, such is life. Why should the afterlife be any different? I’d much rather be alone than carry another body back on my shoulders.”
He usually presents himself with a silent demeanor, staying away from companionship. Much preferring his own company, Aevus has found himself most at ease in solitude. This is all in due to the fact that he is generally mistrusting in others abilities expecially his own when tasked in protecting his fellow comrades. Becoming self blaming and reliant to extreme ends that it nearly cripples him at times. He’d rather just be alone, then get someone killed because of his lack of skill and he is constantly feeding this fear rather than confronting it like he rightfully should.“Leave now, it’ll save us both the trouble of pointless bloodshed.”
Though never to a hollow, Aevus will present a weaker enemy with the opinion of fleeing from battle out of pity. This is usually presented to those human in nature, such as Full Bringers or even Quincy. Though it can also be to others such as Arrancar and Rogue Shinigami. He’ll only ask them once and only if they have not killed or injured a fellow comrade. If he himself was attacked he’ll also give them a single warning before going in for the kill and as such he wont hesitate.“One down, two, three. Dodge, one to the left, eliminated.”
Within combat Aevus tends to remains content and rather observant of his surroundings usually never speaking. His eyes tend to show a voidance of emotion in an intense situation unlike most who would be serious or frightened by such an event and that he feels no emotion over such victories. This outward outlook bends itself into his very being and the fact that he views threats as only targets to take down. This outlook is limited to respect but also curiosity of his opponent. Though respectful he knows not to underestimate his enemy and will do anything in his power to take them down as fast as possible.“In the fray of battle, I am but a weapon.”
His own views on himself in the thicket of combat mostly akin to that of a weapon. Alas he thinks himself as a weapon and a human second or perhaps not even a human at all rather easily twisting his moral code at the time if he had not already presented himself with a target. This view on himself grants him the lack of any fear or any care at all while in possible a life or death situation. This state of being can easily be slain once a fellow comrade falls prey to battle. In this case Aevus will find himself constantly looking out for them, easily stunting him and destroying that illusion of soullessness.“Heh, this is getting fun.”
Otherwise calm and collected and nonspeaking, if Aevus finds himself in a fight that he's enjoying he'll show a more aggressive side of himself. This is an influence of his inner hollow but also a less serious side of the man where he allows his actions in combat to alter his mood. He can be quite dominate and also rather playful in a manner of speaking.“Friends? I have no interest in making those.”
Aevus has trouble trusting anyone even himself, being the lone wolf that he is. His thoughts on friendship varies but always falls under the same category. They are in the end a distraction and liability. Becoming indulged in another’s life will undoubtfully weight heavy on the man’s self punishing personality. If they were to get hurt or perhaps die, he’d never be able to forgive himself. This is because of his past and somewhere deep down Aevus knows it. Somewhere in his heart perhaps he’d want to get close to someone but as of yet he has decided to remain truly alone.“Heh, now aren't you interesting.”
To those who catch Aevus's interest, either by allure or perhaps mystery alone. He'll present himself in a different light. Allowing that cold façade of his to melt for a time. His words will softly falter from his lips as he set his curiosity on them, usually presenting himself in a teasing or otherwise poetic manner of speaking. It is a moment where Aevus allows himself to be free from his shackled emotions, similar in fashion to when he's in a battle.“I don’t care who you are, and why should I? i’m not like this flock, I’ll gladly be the black sheep, or the wolf. if it means standing up to the likes of you.”
Aevus doesn’t care much for the likes of high authority and he will usually unintentionally make this fact known through body language alone or how he stares down those of a higher class, even go so far with not using proper honorifics, usually only calling them by their first name, no matter the circumstances. He is constantly late for meetings and tends to become unaffected by attempts of discipline that are enacted to absolve him of such issues. If he disagrees with what another is saying he’ll generally speak his mind, no matter who he is speaking too. He has respect, but that respect goes only so far. In that the man will never blindly follow a superiors words and if he strongly disagrees, he will act against their wishes.“No, not yet, I have to keep going, i’m not strong enough.”
Aevus is a man who is never truly satisfied with his current state. Constantly testing his own limit and putting himself into dangerous situations. Aevus is literally consumed by the need to get stronger at times. Expecially when he is driven by such ambitions, such as revenge and the personal need to protect those close to him. This literally drives him forward but it also eats away at his core. For as he tests his limits and abilities, he is also always overstepping those boundaries and in the end if he is not careful it could kill him.“Revenge? No, not vengeance. Redemption.”
Aevus is not one to hold grudges. You can literally beat him to a pulp, you can embarrass him in front of the masses but he will not seek revenge on you. Yet Aevus will always instinctively seek vengeance on those that dare wound or kill a comrade or close friend. His resolve moves him forward and if he has to march forth to the ends of the earth he’ll attempt to enact revenge. This is troublesome to even him and if he could, he’d suppress it. That foolish and selfish instinctual longing to seek such vengeance even at the expense of his own life. In his eyes, vengeance is an act of redemption. It is to bring peace to the comrade or friend in question, that he was unable to save.
“Do you remember their faces or perhaps their names? No, well so be it. You’ll just die without any idea why.”
How he acts towards those that have killed a friend or comrade is completely different than how he’d act towards another enemy. The silent demeanor of the man is stripped and in these times nothing is laying him anchor, not even the presence of an ally. It is in these moments where Aevus seemingly loses control of himself and falls into a true form of a unique rage. It ails him forward to redeem himself from the death of his ally. They couldn’t have possibly died for nothing and he refuses to allow that to be the case. It is during this time where he allows the dark whispers of his hollow to consume him.“If you wern’t here, I wouldn’t have to protect you.”
On the outside, Aevus seemingly seems like a thoughtless, inconsiderate, selfish and callous man. A man that would do nothing for another and sooner save himself than another. Though this statement would rather quickly be set aside once Aevus went into combat with a fellow comrade. Inside Aevus is truly willful, a man constantly looking out for his fellow peers. When it comes to defending his comrades, he’d sooner lay down his own life then thoughtlessly save his own, fighting to the very end. As with most of his decisions, this defensive mechanism comes instinctively.
“I can hear her, she wont stop whispering...”
He’ll fight to his very last heartbeat and it is in these moments where his true fear lies. The overburdening fear of being consumed by his inner hollow, while attempting to defend himself or even allies. This happens both consciously, subconsciously and is constantly plaguing the back of this man’s mind. A whisper slithers forth, the jaws of fate breathing down his very being. Can I control this thing? Will I hurt them? All of these thoughts whirl frantically as Aevus finds himself reaching his limit. It is a true problem and one of the very reasons Aevus prefers solitude and loneliness over companionship.
His Hollow, his shadow the replicant that dwells within his being. A creature, a disease, a monster, the inner darkness that resides buried deep inside him. It is something he would not wish upon anyone and when it comes out, he knows not if he can even control it. All of the control, all of his worries seemingly fade away when this shade emerges from within him. Once his hollow mask emerges he’ll attempt to control it but it literally can become to burdensome and impossible and once it is unleashed he changes.
The stoic demeanor fades from him, he becomes something completely different. He changes and this is also shown through body language, his eyes no longer show that voidance of emotion that he commonly displays, becoming narrowed like that of a predator. As if piercing through those that he is facing just like they are but prey to him. He’ll even talk to them, belittling them, trying to get into their heads at times and force them to lose their concentration. This becomes extreme if he using his hollow mask in the presence of someone he is seeking revenge upon.
Towards allies in this state he still see’s them, but now they are no longer distractions, merely other weapons that could aid him in the destruction of his enemy. Though he’ll still defend them in the necessary times that one should. Oddly enough he becomes more trusting with his mask emerged. This is because it makes him stronger, something he thinks can be used if correctly to protect those he holds dear. He usually doesn’t have enough time to think about why he thinks this way. Sometimes he even thinks of his allies as simple problems and perhaps they could just be used as a shield if needed be. This truly scares him and he attempts to keep such dark thoughts within him.
His relationship with his hollow is one of a hunter and its prey. At times he fears the beast wishing to escape from the jaws of the monster that would seemingly lay waste to him without a thought. A reason why he constantly tracks and watches the habits of hollows so often, is because subconsciously he is trying to truly understand what can never be truly understood. At other times he knows that this hollow’s power are more than curse, that they can be used to protect those he holds dear. The true shift between powers slowly changes, and in the end one will become truly consumed by the other.
His relationship with his Zanpakutou is complicated. At times he is stagnant and cold when speaking to her. Ignorant of how she perceives the world, stubbornly ignoring her warnings. Though strangely enough he has other times where he is a lot more open emotionally to her presence. He shows signs of endearment, hinting that he truly cares about her. All of this because unknowingly to him she is someone he feels close too. Yet all in all he tends to fight back against these emotions leaving his spirit confused and lost.
“Tu fui, ego eris.” (What you are, I was. What I am, you will be.)
The Hollow within Aevus’s being is a reversed mirror of his inner dwelling. This hollow is a creature of chaos and oddly enough complete freedom. She despises the one known as Aevus and aims to take everything from him. One who dwells on his wrongs and burdens himself with others decisions that get them killed, makes little if no sense to this monster. She can’t begin to even fathom the thought of defending someone other than herself and because she pities him, Aevus himself. She calls herself by the title Eternum, the translation literary meaning unchanging, unaffected by the passage of time. Which pays homage and is the opposite to Aevus’s name which translates to Passage of time.
A predator true and true, the replicant is cunning and full of malicious intent. Her philosophy is of the freedom to hunt, untethered and completely unbound, to be a true hunter or perhaps even become the hunted. Possessing keen intelligence in combat, she seeks a more psychological means to having an enemy lower ones guard. Having the same eyes narrowed upon her prey, she is relentless and full of predatorial resolve. belittling her enemy, charging forth like a monster from nightmares themselves.
Outside of combat, she is a cunning trickster, a devious liar much preferring the form of a black fox than her human form. Feeding the man known as Aevus’s thoughts of self doubt, that clatters forth upon the mans inner being. Completely and utterly wishing to destroy Aevus from the inside out, to condemn Aevus to the position of but prey. She wants something of him and seeks a challenge to rise within him and yet she also wants to free herself, and consume anything and everything around her. The Zanpakutou spirit is an obstacle to her, but she is company and she will attempt to at times makes her presence known and make idle conversation.[smear:40b6d4]☾Fighting Style☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Sealed/Overall: Aevus’s fighting style, is completely oriented towards speed based combat. He is known to make fast fluid slashing motions, rarely lunging at his target for that would leave him open in the midst of combat. At the start of combat, Aevus will attempt to access his opponents speed and if he is faster, he’ll only exceed his opponents slightly or just keep it at their level. This speed based combat can be rather taxing depending on how fast his opponent is and is completely and utterly useless against those who are exceptionably faster than himself.
Aevus is also rather agile when it comes to fighting his opponents. Constantly flipping over his target and moving around them, in a fast paced manner. Aevus moves on his toes, allowing him to shift to a flip in a moments notice. This fighting style while taxing aids him in confusing his opponents yet also in giving him an opening to his targets weak spots. He can also use this form of movement, to readily fight off a group of enemies if he finds himself in such a predicament.
Aevus while in this agile motion, will constantly flip and roll. Moving around his target and attacking them with quick fluid swings of his blade. It is a style of constant movement, though not an actual sword style. Meaning each of Aevus’s movements tend to be instinctual and unpreordained. This form of combat can allow Aevus to nearly become unpredictable yet as stated before can become rather taxing depending on the circumstances.
Overall Aevus usually attempts to remain hidden before even attempting to combat an opponent. In a state where he’ll access different techniques of his target and perhaps even weaknesses. He’ll usually do this alone though, because if an ally is having a hard time against an enemy, he’ll quickly break stealth to come to there aid. If he is successful with his seclusion, Aevus will try and take them out in a single blow, usually much preferring them to be alone.
For rarely will he attack a well guarded target, unless he has an opening of course. Preferring to pick his targets off, one by one and restealthing himself each time he attacks. He’ll readily move at top speeds while going in for the kill and will rarely hesitate upon doing so. He is not one for chivalrous based idealogy in combat and will exploit any weakness of his enemy to quickly take a threat down. As such Aevus is constantly looking for any weakness in his enemy. Using his eyes to spot even the most miniscule of weaknesses. He’ll attempt to see past injuries such as a potential limp, current injuries and aim for them. He will aim for the joints in his opponents armor to get through it. Aevus will attempt to exploit even their attributes such as strength, speed and even intelligence. With this he can even attempt to spot their physical strengths as well. Allowing Aevus to plan an attack accordingly or perhaps critically wound and kill his target in one blow.
Unarmed: Unarmed Aevus will fight with the skills taught to him in the academy. Using the fighting style known as Hakuda. Yet being faster than he is stronger, Aevus will use quick jabs and kicks rather than strong kicks and punches. He will even use his flipping motions while in such a state, kneeing his targets head and potentially disorienting them and leaving them open to attack. To further confuse and disorient his opponent using quick and complex movements, than decisively taking advantage by kicking or jabbing them in the face or other such vital places. Constantly being in a state of motion by flipping, rolling and even spinning to keep up his fluidity.
Shikai: In Shikai Aevus will rather quickly take advantage of the longer blade in his possession. Using it to reach his enemy in an instant and perhaps outrange them all together by using the chain affixed to the pommel of his weapon. For use in mid to long ranged combat, he’ll use this chain to constantly leave his target in a defensive stance. Thus allowing Aevus to remain aggressive and offensive as he always is and take advantage of his target while doing so. Such as spinning the chain in a constant arc, or even tieing his opponent to leave them helpless. When implementing his Shikai abilities it easily meshes with his overall fighting style.
Once he marks his target, he’ll seemingly cling to them. Using Libatis umbraculum to constantly teleport to their side. This gives him the ability to reach his enemy from anywhere, and he’ll always be unrelenting once he marks a target. Though it can become easily recognized where Aevus is going to teleport and thus he’ll usually mark his target multiple times before even attempting to teleport to them in the first place. Thus giving Aevus multi directional places to attack from and rather easily overwhelming his enemy with his constant movement alone. He can readily throw a weapon and teleport to it, and appear with it in midair, allowing for a rather unpredictable combat method. His Zanapakuto, possessing the mark, he can teleport to any part of the weapon. Meaning if he uses his chain for mid ranged combat he can teleport to the end of the chain and thus reach his target without even marking them. Or he could just throw his weapon towards his target of choice.
Defensively Aevus will constantly mark trees and other such structures, teleporting to them to avoid getting hit by an opponent. This is effective but doesn’t always aid him in dodging full scale attacks from his enemies depending on the circumstances of the attack. This form of defensive movement, doesn’t contain any blocking for Aevus rarely blocks and thus defensively he has to be in constant movement.
Fatum is the technique Aevus will tend to use as a first resort before even attempting to teleport to his enemy. If he is successful in enacting his will over his target, there is not much more he needs to do. He can give them a command and thus end the fight right there. Though this ability is usually used for its second effect on allies in a duel or those that can withstand his will to begin with. He can tap into the mark and thus as an effect it will delay his opponents senses. Being how he will mark his target multiple times this ability can easily overwhelm his target. In combination with these two techniques Aevus can teleport to his target yet appear as if he is still standing in place for his opponent. This form of combat gives Aevus an edge over his target and thus it becomes his main form of combat. It is fast paced and completely disorienting for his target and thus easily allows Aevus to readily take advantage of his opponent. This form of combat becomes easily more powerful once Aevus has activated Bankai.
Being that Aevus is constantly on the offensive, he is sure to take so blows. By using Fatalis catena after he has marked a target, he can chain his enemies fate to himself. Causing Aevus to become a walking voodoo doll. Meaning even if Aevus is wounded so will his opponent, further going into his favor. If he potentially dies while the link is still active, it’ll also kill his target. Aevus will also use Fatalibus an ability that allows his to send forth an attack before actually issuing it, he can also use this technique to avoid getting hit, allowing Aevus two means of defense in Shikai.
Bankai: Once Aevus activates Bankai, he becomes far more lethal in combat. Though usually his opponent will first only recognize the change of his weapon. In that it becomes a double-bladed katana. Yet that would be a viewpoint of the blind and can easily allow Aevus to kill a mistaken opponent in an instant. This is the first thing that gives Aevus an advantage over his other form, visibility doesn’t mean other parts of him aren’t invisible. This is because while in Bankai, Aevus is constantly surrounded by twelve invisible blades. That can become a great offensive ability as well as an extremely well versed abilities for defensive and use in his other techniques overall. These blades while invisible, can become visible if something comes into contact with them, or something obstructs their movement. Even so being invisible they pose as a steady threat in both numbers and hidden potential.
Aevus can easily manipulate these slightly differing katanas, allowing for close-mid-long ranged combat. Though their range is entirely based upon how far Aevus himself can sense his weaponry with his tracking passive since the blades are naturally marked. This allows him to teleport to any of his weapon or potentially call them to his hands in a moments notice. Aevus can even add his double-bladed katana to their ranked though only that form and not while their separated. These hovering weapons can be used in multiple ways during combat. Such as having them hover around Aevus in a quick motion, potentially blocking incoming ranged attacks by his enemies in a 360 degree. He can even have these blades twirl around his his body, shredding any of those who dare get close to him. By sending forth the blades, he can make them out to be ranged weapons, increasing his range drastically. He can even teleport these blades to his enemy, potentially impaling them in a moments notice.
The potential combination of these weapons is nearly limitless, yet these are the usual methods upon which Aevus will use them. While wielding the double-bladed katana, Aevus fighting style is drastically relied upon. He’ll perform flips and constantly twirl the long bladed weapon to catch his opponent off guard. While fighting he can instantly unlock these weapons allowing him to duel wield if he so wishes. Giving him two forms of combat while only using a single weapon. This is completely offensive, so Aevus must rely on evading and constant movement. Yet he can also use his other blades if he so wishes.
While using abilities Aevus’s fighting style is further improved. Though mostly possessing passive techniques, his abilities aid in his overall fast paced fighting style. That and the fact that he relies completely on offensive abilities usually forgoing any defensive techniques while in the thick of combat. This allows him to be unrelenting towards his opponent yet can become quickly draining in both his stamina and Reiatsu reserves. Such abilities include Vestige that allows him to see up to a minute in the future. This can easily allow him to fend off attacks from his opponents or even plan before hand. He can even potentially get into his targets head, and thus cause them to lower their guard. It can be used to prevent even death, if Aevus is able to change the fate of an ally or even himself. It appeals to his offensive fighting style and allows him to remain aggressive yet not completely allowing him to rely on the technique itself.
Yet Aevus also has a technique to confront his opponents techniques: Necessum. By Pouring his own Reiatsu into his target of choice, he can potentially disrupt and cause his target to fail in the use of their abilities. This also causes them pain, that can be minimum or vast depending on the Reiatsu used. Thus this technique allow Aevus to get the upper hand on those who solely depend on techniques, such as Quincy and those who use kido. He can also nullify healing factors and progressively make his targets wounds worse by using Calamitosus. His last resort is Sever ingenitae a technique he will forgo using at any cost. It is destructive in the sense, but its drawbacks and costs means it is not to be used lightly. It is a technique for an enemy he cannot defeat with any of his other moves and techniques. It is a technique that he completely dreads ever having to use, for the cost other than his Reiatsu and stamina is his memories.[smear:40b6d4]☾Zanpakuto Spirit☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Upon coming into contact with Lumina Umbra, the first thing one would notice is her sleek silver coat. Snow white in coloration, possessing the same quality of her Reiatsu. Besides the markings that cover her entire form, she is entirely white. The dark markings that cover her lithe body tend to emit a Smokey light silver bioluminescent Reiatsu when she uses an ability. These black markings, are hints of Aevus's bankai and reminiscent of the markings Aevus gains while it is active. It is odd, yet her Reiatsu coloration is unlike her wielders in that his is usually a cyan. Lumina's eyes are a moonlit silver, that tend to reflect even the smallest hint of light. These black markings make an appearance much like thick eyeliner around her eyes that curve outward and under the eye much like a crescent moon. The marking on her forehead is seen as a circle, with two vertical lines. One reaching forth to her snout, the other slightly going up her spine, to the end of her neck. Both sides of her lithe form, possess a twirling mark, that starts above her forelegs and end at her hind legs. Her human form is much like her wolf form, in that she possesses the same markings, hair color, and eye color. Though now, she is seen naked, that too has the very same markings around her curvaceous form. She also still seems to have her tail and white tufted ears. Her white hair is rather long, resting slightly below her shoulders against her back. She also bears an incredible resemblance to the woman Aevus loved in life, though he doesn't seem to remember her.[smear:40b6d4]☾Inner Hollow☽[/smear:0deeb9]
The overall look of the hollow within Aevus is not as monstrous as one would imagine. Though the hollow much prefers to take the form of a black shadowy fox with whisps of darkness falling off her form. Originally appearing with teal eyes, they now shimmer with a golden hue hinting that she truly is a hollow. She possesses similar markings to Aevus's Zanpakuto spirit. Though the coloration of these markings is instead a cyan in appearance, mirroring Aevus's very Reiatsu. Her true form is that of a beautiful woman with long ravenette hair and fair skin. Her clothing is constantly altering, shifting like shadows on her form. Similar to a kitsune she possesses triangular ears and a bushy tail.
Inner World: The residence of Lumina Umbra is a dwelling of both beauty and mystery. It is a realm residing in a permanent twilight. The distant light from galaxies can be seen within the heavens, alongside twin moons. Underneath the aurora filled sky is a bioluminescent forest, that emits all kinds of light. The bioluminescent coloration of the flora ranging from colors such as indigo, blue, violet, and green, even the grass emits a beautiful light when stepped upon. Drifting lights, like that of fireflies or even butterflies reside within this realm. Parts of this forest can bring forth feelings of both fear and peace, such as the passing fog that seemingly meanders throughout the dwelling. A clearing, resides in the middle of the large forest, a place where Lumina settles. Within the clearing is a small pond that also emits its own light, cyanic in color.
[smear:40b6d4]☾Zanpakuto Appearance☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Sealed - At first glance Aevus’s weapon is an average katana in make, with a stylistic appearance. Possessing some of the common tropes of a katana, the blade is moderately curved, square guarded, slender with a single-edged blade. Yet the weapon is slightly more unique than one might perceive upon seeing it for the first time. Just slightly longer than a regular katana, just by two inches, the length being 25 inches and the width 72 centimeters. Allowing Aevus a little more reach than an average sized katana and perhaps giving him a slight advantage over an opponent who is wielding one. The pommel is a pure silver, the handle black with white oval designs going up the spine. The blade, is a reflective silver with black runic designs moving up its length.
Shikai - After calling forth the phrase, “Whisper Softly.” The blades appearance will change ever so slightly. The black square guard will shift shape to that of a wolf design, looking as if the wolf is howling up the blades length. The dark runic designs covering the length of the blade, will emit a smokey Reiatsu when he marks a target with his Zanpakuto. The length of the blade becomes ever so slightly longer, reaching 30 inches in length alone. And a black ribbon will form from the silver pommel.
Bankai - After saying the phrase “Sever All Ties” Aevus’s weapon and appearance will change. Aevus’s hair will become snow white and the length will fall forth to his shoulders. His entire body will become covered with black markings. Even his face is covered with these very same markings of fate, giving him a resemblance to the spirit of his Zanpakuto, he even possesses her moonlit silver eyes. The appearance of his weapon shifts to that of a double-bladed katana that can be unlocked from the middle to create two separate blades for duel wielding or interlocked.
Zanapakutou Release Names(Include both Shikai and Bankai names, and call out phrases) [“Whisper Softly, Umbra”/"Sever All Ties, Lumina Umbra”]
Overall Ability: One could say if god were to play dice, the dice would obviously be loaded. Such is fate, predetermined and bound to a certain destiny. Time and space, link us forth onto this path and there is absolutely nothing we can do to derail this train that has always been in motion. The clock ticks forth, the space between our destiny shortens, there is no hiding from it, our fate has already been predetermined the moment we were born and the moment we died, why should the afterlife be any different? Aevus becomes fate personified, a being bound to his target of which neither time nor space can escape, manipulating the threads of fate to his own whim. Aevus’s ability is the manipulation of the idea of destiny It doesn’t exactly predetermine such motions but it does aid him, in tying himself and another with a mark of fate or perhaps even allowing him to sever those ties.[smear:40b6d4]☾Shikai Overall Ability☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Umbra - As stated with his overall Aevus’s ability is the manipulation of the threads of fate, conceptual threads brought into being by his very Reiatsu. Upon activating Shikai, Aevus will claim a thirty foot territory around himself. This territory is represented by a bleak, cold and dark aura, which surrounds Aevus at all times. A requirement to use most of his Shikai abilities is to mark his target costing 25 Reiatsu per mark. This mark is a tether, a bond if you will, an ability that connects Aevus and his target seemingly by fate itself. A Mark of Fate is created either by wounding his target with his Zanpakuto or by coming into contact with them. Or passively for 100 Reiatsu (once per post) if they are within his territory. Regardless of how, he can mark them. A faint slip of Reiatsu will fall forth from his blade or place of touch, residing within the target, connecting them to Aevus. If a target is marked within his territory, the mark will always appear wherever Aevus wills it. This mark doesn’t disappear until it is destroyed or when his release ends and there isn’t a set number that can be placed.
The bond that this mark creates, connects Aevus to his target in more ways than a mere conceptional thread. Allowing Aevus to speak to his target through a form of telepathy and his target him if he allows it. Even his Zanpakuto spirit and Inner Hollow can interact with his target this way if they so wish. His voice will be distorted and echo faintly. Carrying with it a seemingly different side of the shinigami. Uniquely this gives Aevus a point in intimidation which improves to 2 with two marks and 3 with three marks and immediately adds a point to anyone within his aura. Thus making him slightly more threatening to those marked regardless if friend or foe. Giving his voice and presence a coldness, thus making him out to be rather menacing to those marked or within his vicinity. For Aevus is not merely a manipulator of fate, he has become the personification of fate itself and fate in and of itself is cruel.
The traces of the users Reiatsu from the mark is usually invisible even to the naked eye, masking itself as the targets own while an ability is inactive yet when Aevus taps into this mark, it becomes both visible and able to be traced. Appearing to glow in a bioluminescent form that depends on how it was placed, such as a hand print, a cut from a wound. Even a simple smudge if Aevus merely brushed his target. If marked simply within the territory, it’ll appear as a small circle with two vertical lines, resembling the marking on his Zanpakuto Spirit's forehead. Once visible, the target will be able to see the traces of Reiatsu connecting them to Aevus and can freely displace the foreign Reiatsu. Easily severing themselves from Aevus by centering their own Reiatsu into the marked area. Costing nothing in the process, yet if the marked area is delivered by his Zanpakuto, it is different and it is required that the opponent heal the wound in order to remove the foreign Reiatsu. Those with 50% higher than his offensive stat can't be marked passively within his territory. It should be noted if his release is inactive the mark will fade. Yet on targets who agree to being mark, it'll remain after release. While inactive on those who agreed to being marked, the traces of the Reiatsu will become invisible to the naked eye. Yet they can still sense the mark and destroy it at anytime they wish.
Those who sever themselves from Aevus, those who fight against fate will inevitably fall to it. For the struggle against the threads that guide, is what leads to ruin. Upon disrupting the Mark of Fate, his target will not only be severing themselves from Aevus but fate itself for he has become the personification. Forcing their very fate to be rewritten. This causes them to black out, a lapse both in mind and body for what appears to be nothing to the target but in actuality it will be half a second. This is not static, each time the target cuts ties with Aevus, this lapse will increase doubling for each additional mark removed afterwards. Aevus himself can not cause this and it can not be resisted due to his target deciding this action themselves. This doesn't apply to those who simply sever themselves by healing. One doubling effect is lost for every other post the target keeps themselves bonded to Aevus.
Tracking (Passive) - Regardless of place, time, or even circumstances, Aevus has the passive ability to freely track those that he marks even from long distances of up to two miles. This can easily help Aevus in finding a target. Such as those invisible or those masking their Reiatsu. Because it doesn’t pinpoint them, it is actually pinpointing his own Reiatsu within the mark. Making it excellent for tracking but requiring a 25 Reiatsu cost per post to keep active. It is very useful if his senses aren’t up to par or perhaps even impaired by an opponent and or his environment. So those that are marked rarely surprise him. For they are sensed almost immediately upon coming into vicinity of him.[smear:40b6d4]☾Bankai Overall Ability☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Lumina Umbra - Aevus's Bankai is beautifully ominous. Upon release markings of fate will appear on his skin, mirroring the black markings covering his former Zanpakuto spirit Lumina. His hair instead of turning snow white like it once had, will become pitch black falling to his shoulders, Yet his eyes will shimmer the same silver luminance as his former spirit. The territory surrounding Aevus at all times in Shikai will spread out over half a mile. Carrying with it a semblance of his inner world, causing a bioluminescent light to shimmer on all surfaces within its make. In turn this territory allows him to sense and interact with those within its boundaries as if he had marked them. It naturally carries the intimidation of his marks, causing the world to feel cold, grim and daunting. Which only becomes more severe with each additional mark on a target. As this territory is created from his very Reiatsu, it hides him within its make, carrying his presence throughout its entirety.
If Aevus’s Shikai overall theme is creating bonds with a Mark of Fate, his Bankai expands upon that. Giving the mark an aspect of severing when used with his Zanpakuto itself. This severing has two effects upon coming into contact with a target. It will sever both the targets physical and spiritual connections, twisting their fate to one we all share: death.
Upon coming into contact with a target Aevus will be cutting the targets life-thread, a conceptual thread that represents ones mortality. This in turn fates them to death. The area cut, will immediately show signs of necrosis. For the blade destroys all the capilaries and nerves in the surrounding area. As this is a sever, it locks the area cut to the fate of death. The area can not heal in fact it nullifies and shifts the fate of any healing done to the area, to wound instead. Progressively making ones wounds inflicted by his Bankai worsen over time, due to the fact the targets body will try to repair the dead tissue. This is especially deadly against those with a high healing expertise or those who use techniques that heal and of course those who possess a form of high speed regeneration. Even the smallest of cuts can become a mortal blow to those who rely on their healing factors. The negative healing can be resisted by those with a superior offensive stat yet it would require a 50% higher offensive stat to heal wounds inflicted by his Bankai.
Marks placed by his Zanpakuto in Bankai work differently than in Shikai. Once his Zanpakuto makes even the smallest cut, the Reiatsu from the Mark of Fate will seep into them. Traveling throughout their entire body, lingering in wait. At first nothing will happen as the Reiatsu remains stagnant. Yet once his target uses the smallest hint of Reiatsu, it will reveal itself. His Reiatsu will move within them in a chaotic manner ravaging the bodies of those it finds itself inside. In turn causing intense pain based upon the amount of Reiatsu used by his target. This can cause the pain to be minimum or completely excruciating. This effect is due to a sever from fate similar to when one removes a Mark of Fate. This is because Aevus's Reiatsu is what marks a target in the first place. So when a target uses a technique it will purge their body of his Reiatsu, thus in turn severing their connection to fate. Aevus's Reiatsu cannot enter the targets body if his target has a 50% higher offensive stat. The pain it brings can be completely resisted by those with at least a 3 in pain tolerance.
Sever all Ties (Passive) - Aevus's Zanpakuto in Bankai cannot purify any spirit or living creature. Upon killing a target, it's a complete sever, fating the target to death. Rebirth is impossible if killed by his blade. Anything killed by his weapon will completely fade from being. This complete sever is not an option and it will sap Aevus of 800 Reiatsu alone just by killing someone with it (Npcs not included). This severance is because everything has an origin and thus anything with an origin must also have a fateful end.[smear:40b6d4]☾Zanpakuto Techniques☽[/smear:0deeb9][smear:40b6d4]☾Umbra☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Libatis umbraculum (Destiny is a shadow) If one were to believe in fate, than they would also know that fate in itself is inescapable. A bond of which time nor space can break, a chain that binds and constricts us upon our journey in life and even death. What is to be, will come into fruition, an unyielding and unforgiving force. No matter where one finds themselves, they cannot escape it and thus they cannot escape Aevus. For fate is like a shadow, always by ones side, and one cannot escape their shadow.
In order to use Libatis umbraculum Aevus must first mark a target of choice. Once they are marked, it grants Aevus the ability to appear at his targets side regardless of the space between them. This, as one would think aids in Aevus’s up close and fast paced fighting style. Allowing him to become completely and utterly unrelenting to his opponent, disallowing them from gaining any ground or even catching their breath. Aevus’s Zanapakutou naturally possesses this mark of fate. The Reiatsu cost is determined by the distance Aevus himself is traveling and can be rather taxing in certain circumstances. Aevus can teleport his weapon to his hand allowing him to call forth any of his weapons that are marked. While using Resonare Aevus's weapons naturally teleport with him, yet he can also teleport these weapons individually. Aevus can even teleport those that have consented to a teleport with a mark. Aevus can teleport those that he is touching at the time, though it cost double and they too have to be marked. The teleportation speed is instant.
Cost: 150 every time it is activated on Aevus. 300 on those he is touching with the mark. 500 If used to travel between worlds. 50 if used on his weaponry to his hand, 100 if teleporting his weaponry to another mark without him. 500 if teleporting someone that has been marked prior with consent (Can summon character to thread.)
Disadvantage/Weakness: The first weakness is rather apparent and exploitable in the sense that Aevus must first in fact mark his target, with a trace of his Reiatsu in some way. One could just destroy the mark with their own Reiatsu or heal if they were marked from a cut and completely nullify the technique altogether. Another weakness, is Aevus can only appear in the direction of those marked. Meaning that if Aevus were to cut an opponents chest, he could only appear in front of them. His other weapons if traveling with him always appear clockwise of his target and with this. His ability though fast can become very predictable. So predictable in a way, that his opponent could potentially kill him instantly the moment he appears before them, by attacking beforehand.
Fatis vinculum (Bond of Fate) Some are said to share their fates with another. In myth and legend, there exists the red string of fate. A bond between lovers or perhaps just two destined to meet for an unexplainable reason predetermined by the gods themselves. The cord is said to stretch and can even tangle, but it’ll never break. Fatis vinculum allows Aevus to link the fates of those around him or perhaps even link his fate with them.
Upon marking or wounding his targets, a thin translucent red thread of Reiatsu will exit from the mark on a target and appear linking to a select number of those marked and even himself if he so wishes. Though he himself can detach this link at anytime. This thread is rather flexible and will not hinder the movement of those it is attached too. It links the fates of his targets, becoming a very useful tool in the right situation. While the thread exists, if one target is wounded or impaired in any way. Those linked to that target will also be affected, This includes healing. thus any form of regeneration will be shared among those linked. Physical, mental and even spiritual exhaustion is shared among those linked, as well as the marks Aevus used to originally link them. If one dies while this thread still exists, it will kill all of those linked to that target at the time. It should be noted that this connection is more than one cast by a thread, it forces those linked to feel and experience the raw emotions of one another. Desire, anguish, hatred and all other emotions stir in the hearts of those connected. It can be overwhelming and even Aevus can lose himself in it. It is the ultimate form of empathy.
Aevus can use this technique in a different fashion. By attaching this red thread to an ally he can take their fate as his own. Meaning any wound or possible impairment inflicted on his ally is instead transferred to him. Making his ally impervious to physical, spiritual and even mental trauma as long as Aevus keeps the link in place. In turn saving his allies from death and protecting them from danger. It is a selfless technique in that regard and aids Aevus in protecting his allies on a whim if he needs too.
Cost: 150 per link. 100 per post active.
Disadvantage/Weakness: The first weakness of Fatis vinculum, is that Aevus must first mark those he wants to link and thus one could simply destroy the mark or heal to nullify it. Secondly healing oneself while the link is in place will heal all those marked and destroying a mark while linked will also destroy the very same mark on everyone who is already linked. Being that it is a visible thread, Aevus cannot hide if he attached it to himself.
Resonare (Resonance) Fate is but an Echo, a reflection of the events brought to fruition by the actions of the individual. Cause and effect shelter this fate and make it a reality. An attack he never wrought can be shifted and manipulated inside the territory surrounding his person. An echo of fate born from events that could have been.
Aevus can create these said echoes anywhere within his territory. Weaving into existence phantoms of his Zanpakuto while within Shikai and Bankai. Up to six of these phantoms can be manipulated alone in Shikai but while in Bankai he can manipulate up to twelve. In Shikai these blades are always visible but in Bankai they are nearly invisible to the naked eye, yet they can still be tracked if focused upon. Only becoming fully visible once something comes into contact with them or obstructs their movement, be it spiritual or physical respectfully. Being phantoms of his Zanpakuto, each blade possesses a Mark of Fate respectfully and can be manipulated as he see's fit. The phantoms can move around his territory at a static speed of 600 and can be fired at 10x their speed, by spending 50 Reiatsu per Zanpakuto. Yet once fired they can no longer be manipulated. It takes 25 Reiatsu each post per phantom of his Zanpakuto to keep them active.
In Bankai Aevus can now create short lived phantoms of both himself and his Zanpakuto spirit. Yet phantoms of his Zanpakuto spirit are controlled by his spirit itself. Resonating from his being these phantoms are ethereal in nature, their forms possessing a spiritual aspect. Appearing ghostly pale they can be weaved into existence anywhere within the far reaching territory created from his Bankai. Yet their existence is short lived fading after a single post and there can only be up to six present in a single post. Like the phantoms of his Zanpakuto they also possess the Mark of Fate. Either mirroring the markings on his body in Bankai or his Zanpakuto Spirit. Allowing Aevus many diverse strategies while in combat. And although their existence is brief they share his speed and offensive stat.
Cost: 100 for phantoms of the Zanpakuto and 200 for full fledged phantoms of the user and Zanpakuto Spirit. 50 to fire phantoms of his Zanpakuto. 25 a post per phantom of his Zanpakuto to keep active.
Disadvantage/Weakness: Resonare is not without its weaknesses. Firstly Phantoms are costly and their offensive power is limited to his highest spiritual stat. While Phantoms of his person and Zanpakuto Spirit can move at his speed. phantoms of his Zanpakuto move at a static speed of 600 unless fired. Also phantoms of him and his spirit are not effective at misdirection. This is because of their overall ghostly appearance. Thus are easily discernable and confusion rarely occurs while facing them. While appearing Aevus's Reiatsu will flare and the place the phantoms are created will flare as well allowing an opponent time to react if they have the instinct. This Reiatsu flare reveals Aevus regardless if he is attempting to hide his Reiatsu signature or not and can easily work against him in certain situations.[smear:40b6d4]☾Lumina Umbra☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Vestige (Premonition) Many throughout the ages have stated that they can see into the future. Be it through the stars or even a set of cards, the fate of many were said to be read by these fortune tellers. For a price, they would tell you what tomorrow held, love or even death it had been foretold. Yet they would have been fooled by these cunning robbers, for the ability to see ones fate is simply impossible. Yet Aevus being able to manipulate the threads of fate, can see through that veil, that is time.
Vestige is a technique to see fate itself, allowing Aevus the ability to see the variable paths that he could potentially traverse and thus choose one most befitting him. It is activated by the Marks of Fate surrounding his eyes. This in terms allows Aevus to see potential attacks or movements before they are issued in a fight. Or plan an attack beforehand and thus see the various outcomes of his actions. Thus in return gives Aevus a longer window of time to react to the said attack but not the ability to stop it. It is up to a minute in total that Aevus can see these various paths and thus they are limited, yet in battle such premonitions can quickly change the tide of a battle. It is an ability of true foresight and in the thick of combat or even before can aid Aevus immensely, yet not completely allow him to depend on it. The paths that are open to Aevus are fully dependent on how much Reiatsu Aevus has put into the technique though the limit is three.
(Multiple paths) Once Aevus activates the technique he can see up to three paths, in the following post his target(s) react to said paths. The next post, Aevus chooses a said path or perhaps moves upon a new path that hasn’t been seen.
(Same Path) Once Aevus activates the technique Aevus throws himself down a single path. While within this path, Aevus can see up to three posts, gaining foresight of their attacks.
Cost: One path, 150. Two paths, 250. Three paths, 350.
Disadvantage/Weakness: Being able to see various futures is not without its flaws. For one, even though Aevus can see multiple paths, doesn’t mean any of them will work in his favor. Thus he could potentially be just setting himself up for failure and be wasting valuable resources. This technique could also be mentally scarring depending on the situation on its use. Such as events where multiple lives are on the line. Thus he must make a decision upon whom to save in such an event.
Sigillum sortem (Seal of Fate) The weft and weave of fate guides, looming over all like a luminous shadow. A thread is spread thin against the branching light of ones life. Some are cut short while others linger in the dark for a time. Like a shear to thread, there isn’t anything that fate can not cut. Aevus’s Zanpakuto and abilities become empowered depending on how many marks Aevus has placed on an individual target. Allowing Aevus to seal the fates of those marked with perhaps a single swing of his blade.
Sigillum sortem is a technique that simply empowers all of Aevus’s Zanpakuto and existing techniques. Once active the markings of fate covering his body will glow. Increasing his offensive stat to any one target, scaling purely off how many marks he’s placed on them. Starting at 1.2x and increasing by 0.2x for every mark placed afterwards. This stops at 3.0x with ten marks. Entities spiritually connected to the target are also included with how many marks placed. Meaning if Aevus marks a target and then an entity, it’ll count as if he has marked the summoner twice. So his offensive stat will be treated the same against the summoning and the summoner regardless of which he marks. This is because the two are spiritually connected and fate does not differ between the two. Thus it works during clashes of any technique that the target uses as well.
Cost: 800
Disadvantage/Weakness: The first weakness is the fact that Aevus must first mark his target. Thus one could simply destroy the mark or heal to nullify it altogether. Secondly this technique counts as a long term stat boost and remains active for the remaining length of Bankai. The third weakness is that this ability only empowers Aevus’s abilities towards a marked target unless something is linked to them in some way. Such as summoned entities in release or other similar techniques.
Secernere (Severance) To the Greeks, there existed the Fates. Who’s ability was to decide everything’s fate. There were three fates, Clotho the spinner, who spun forth the thread of fate. Lachesis, the measurer, who chose how long ones life would be. Atropos, she who cannot be turned, who at the time of death with her shears would cut the thread of life. They existed even before the gods, and were said to even beable to predetermine the fate of them. Aevus’s Zanpakuto has become the shears of fate itself and thus perhaps even a god could die by his blade.
This is one of Aevus’s strongest and is his only offensive technique in Bankai. Before the use of this technique, a flare of Reiatsu will seep from his very eyes and the runic markings on his Zanpakuto will glow. Through his eyes he can see the traces of fate that bind all of us. And with this sight he can cut that thread. When Aevus releases an attack, everything within his line of sight will be cut. Be it a thrust, swing or even an overhead attack, the cut will reach anything within his sight. This is an extension of his blade and its distance can only reach the end of his half mile territory. Anything cut by Secernere will be affected the same as if Aevus himself cut them, allowing him to mark his targets safely from a distance.
Cost: 800
Disadvantage/Weakness: This technique can only be used once per post. As this is merely an amplification of his cutting distance, this technique doesn’t increase the cutting ability of his Zanpakuto. Meaning defenses that could block his Zanpakuto without injury can do the same with this technique. As this technique only cuts those within his line of sight a target could just leave it, making it useless. Even though this technique cuts everything within his line of sight, it still follows the length of his Zanpakuto in Bankai. Meaning if a target can predict where Aevus will cut, they can dodge it.[smear:40b6d4]☾Hollowfication☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Mask Appearance: Aevus is seen activating his mask in a fashion, much like one would put on a hood. Aevus’s hollow mask has the appearance of a fox, similar in fashion of a japanese styled Kitsune mask. It is reminiscent of the black mask Aevus wore at masquerades while he was alive. Aevus’s mask, incidentally possesses the same designs as his Zanpakuto and when he is in Bankai yet now they are cyan in coloration with a few additional markings. Possessing the very same thick markings around his eyes that curve outward and under the eye much like a crescent moon. The marking on his forehead is seen as a circle, with two vertical lines. His hollow mask unlike others is extremely dark, almost purely black with hints of grey scattered throughout as if the mask itself is rotten and decaying.
Ressurection Appearance: Upon releasing his Ressurection, Aevus’s shadow will emerge in the form of bestial fox, and seem to consume his very form, emanating black and cyanic Reiatsu. His Hollow mask, will seemingly meld to his face, consuming his entire head with a dark smokey cyanic colored Reiatsu. After this Reiatsu consumes his entirety, it will dissipate revealing a whole new visage. The first thing one would see, is the bright smokey cyanic light emanating from his eyes, mask and body. His mask, now covers the entirety of his face and is rather different in appearance.
The mask is now completely black, with four jagged scar like markings going down its make, that lie to the sides of Aevus’s predator like eyes. These scar like markings emanate the very same smokey cyanic light as the rest of his body. Rather long straight black tufted triangular ears emerge from his mask.These ears oddly enough are fully functional and are rather long, being about a foot and a half long. His hair is now longer and free flowing, the ends, leaking dark wisps of black Reiatsu and reaching his lower back.
After the Reiatsu dissipates from his now lithe form, it will reveal a rather different look than Aevus’s usual loose fitting attire. His body is now covered in what appears to be black bone, form fitting, segmented armor with cyanic vein like marking covering its make. This armor covers him from head to toe, and possesses the very same bioluminescent cyanic Reiatsu as his mask. Long jagged cyanic bone like growths, emit from both of his forearms going up it’s length to his elbows forming into wrist mounted blades. His knees also possess these protruding bone like growths as well as the back of his calves, possessing three shorter blades.
His hands are now clawed and can aid him greatly in hand to hand combat. He now even possesses a long black bushy tail. This tail is unlike a natural foxes, as it is rather flexible, allowing Aevus to better his overall balance, thus aiding him profusely in combat. Though not actually prehensile while in this form, it possesses a cyanic ring at the tip, allowing for various weaponry to be attached, such as his Zanpakuto for combat usage. like his hair, his long tail also constantly leaks dark wisps of Reiatsu. His feet resemble a foxes, possessing four clawed digits and make him digitigrade, forcing him to walk on his toes. Aevus can fight both on two feet or even four while in this form.[smear:40b6d4]☾Resurrection Powers☽[/smear:0deeb9]
Fiant tenebrae (Let there be darkness) After Unleashing his Ressurection, Aevus’s shadow will merge with his very form. Upon attacking his target Aevus’s attacks will be amplified as if he has issued two attacks simultaneously. This makes him far more deadly in combat, than previously before. This ability doesn’t amplify strength nor speed, but imitates the action of two simultaneous actions while Aevus is only issuing one. This amplification is not only limited to physical attacks meaning if Aevus fired a single cero, once it contacts its target it will be as if he has used two. While the shadow is still merged with Aevus it can also partially manifest itself outside of his body, though this removes the amplification while it is doing so.
Ejicere (Cast out) This shadow can be cast forth from his being if Aevus so desires. Giving Aevus two forms of attack. While in this form the shadow can only imitate Aevus and thus cannot attack without Aevus also attacking but the movements and direction can be manipulated as Aevus see’s fit. This imitates physical attacks as well as Reiatsu based techniques such as Cero, allowing Aevus to fire two cero at the cost of one. While in this form any wound inflicted on the shadow is also applied to Aevus, once his shadow merges back with him.[smear:40b6d4]☾Other Techniques☽[/smear:0deeb9][smear:40b6d4]☾History☽[/smear:0deeb9]Birthplace
Paris, France
Current Residence
Karakura Town
Memorable Figures
Luvena Luna Lupa -“Sometimes I see her face, she haunts my dreams like a nightmare of sorts. The inner sanctum of darkness where I feel safe, she’s the lucid light that eats away at that dark sanctuary. Her name escapes me but I know her, I feel her and this mysterious guilt always comes back when she comes to mind.”
Vito La Morel - “He was a poet, that much I remember or maybe he wasn’t, but I do remember is that he could steal the ear from any man, noble and peasant alike. His words were simple yes, but what they stood for, what he said, he would say to anyone. Noble or peasant, especially Noble.”
History{I}Birth
Born amidst the reign of a cultural movement, Aevus drew forth his first breath into a world dominated by change. Named Aevus, meaning “Passage of time ” in Latin, he was born to a family with a rich background, nobles in their birthright, the Renards, the cunning foxes of France. Fathered to Aevus Renard the second, the boy knew nothing of his mother when growing up. Learning only of a tragedy during childbirth, yet never truly being blamed for such an accident.
During his baby years, Sire Renard had given his servants the duty to tend to all the needs of the child. Such as changing him, feeding him and teaching him to walk. He was as troublesome as any infant would be. Crying and carrying on for hours at a time, driving the entire servants insane at times while tending to the needs of a single child. It wouldn’t be until the age of five, where he would learn discipline, one befitting the lords son, a noble by birthright.
Aevus was taught math starting from an early age. One must know how to add, subtract, divide and multiply if he would ever want to carry himself when he was older. Reading, history were also taught to him with some poetry mixed in to build character. At a young age he was told that the servants were not slaves, that he would need to take care of himself. These were men and women who were paid and one must respect the help, because they are the ears. Yet they are also the voices, that could destroy an entire household from the inside.
The noble blood of the Renards was earned and as such Aevus was taught differently than other nobles of his age. Taught to speak fancy French was not one of them, in which he was spoken in dialect that was natural without any special long words stretched forth to make him look intelligent. Such words were useless around anyone not of noble birth, confusing others would never be a Renards way, upstaging them with true action was. For the roots of the Renards began with Aevus Renald the first, a poor man who built himself from nothing into something. A man who changed his very last name to represent a new house.
This lesson had not sunken in so well and even though he didn’t speak in a fancy dialect, he used the way of action literal. Doing outrageous things and being rather stubborn to the servants of the house. He was indeed a handful and with his father rarely there, he grew to detest the man and actively rebel against him. At the age of sixteen he was betrothed to the daughter of a poorer noble household, Lupa, the wolves of France. It wouldn’t be until his seventeenth birthday, that he would finally meet the girl, that he was fated.{II}
First Dance
During the first month of his seventeenth birthday, Aevus was to meet Young, Luvena Luna Lupa. Her name literally translating to Little beloved moon wolf. Latin in orgin, the Lupa family did not originate in France, hinting at why they were not as wealthy as the Renards. Yet recently the house had dramatically gained in power, gaining the interest in a union between the two noble families with the betrothal of Aevus and Luvena. It was a choice made by the two that fathered these children, they had no choice in the matter and neither of them even knew of the arrangement.
Rarely did Aevus travel by his fathers side, yet it was also very rare for the young noblemen to travel. But this was different, Aevus today would become of some use to the man he called father and Aevus knew nothing about it.
“So, where exactly is this masquerade?” Aevus would ask, his eyes finding themselves staring out of the carriage.
“It isn’t much farther, the land resides by the countryside outside of the city.” Sire Renard would answer stroking his beard as he had always done. “And son, I will not be attending this dance, I have some business to attend to else ware within this estate.”
Aevus Didn’t bat an eye at this for he was not at all surprised, it would have been a joke to think his father would be going just for his son. There was always something in it for this man and Aevus was used to by now.
It had been a short time, when the two had arrived to the estate, that much was true. Two large wolf statues outlined the gates of the estate. Already open, there had been many traveling afar just to attend to a simple masquerade. As was the life of an noble, every Sire and lady paid no expense with decorating themselves in exotic masks even their suits were extremely suited for that of a noble. Aevus himself was different, he held no such trivial interest of extreme decorative attire. His outfit consisted of an entire black suit, even his mask was black. Though it was faintly more decorative than his simple outfit. It was modeled after a fox, similar to a kitsune mask, the insignia of the Renards.
Before entering, the guards had stopped the carriage, as they had stopped the others before them. Sire Renard would merely slip him out a letter, with the Lupa’s wolf insignia on it granting the two access to the grounds without any problem. The grounds, were obviously modeled after the beautiful landscape of Italy. Bearing a very faint resemblance to the city Venice, with self made bridges and waterways underneath. It had seemed the Lupa family had done a lot to make France home to them.
The great hall of the Lupa was all a bustle. Servants were working extra hard to care to their guests and it had seemed much had already been transpiring. Many guests clung to the large hall, dancing to the music and mingling amongst one another in private conversation. All hidden behind masks, Aevus had no idea, what the people behind the masks would look like. maybe they were monsters, maybe they were angels: who knew. The hall sported many tables filled with exotic foods allowing the guests to be gluttonous.
Aevus clung to the entrance for a moment. He had been to parties and this one was no different, he was merely never that interested in such things. Escape was the first of his ideas, or at least getting away from the large crowd. The party was put into a floor of rooms, requiring one to rise a set of stairs to get anywhere. Strangely enough the young man had found that less and less people were at the upper floors. There had even been a couple making love at the last set of stair, which set Aevus off but also settled his nerves. If these people were doing this here, there most of been no one at the top floor. But he would be wrong, there was one person there.
She had a body like an hourglass, a white dress clung to her lithe form. Straight blonde hair faltered down her back, covering her soft bare skin that her dress did not. Aevus had found himself avoiding the girl yet strangely attracted to her presence as he walked across the room. It had seemed that this room was covered in art, except for a large aquarium that the girl seemed to staring at with interest.
“I heard your footsteps young lord” Her voice fell through him. As she turned around, he would become completely awestruck. Her beauty had been unmatched, her eyes a gentle hue of blue yet there was something in them that was so mysterious. “You’re the first, to stumble upon me, this night.”
Aevus had prior experience with women, but never ones who were so outspoken.
“You aren’t wearing a mask.”
“I have nothing to hide, young Lord.” She spoke fluent French, but there had been a faint accent and Aevus had quickly picked up on it, she was the she-wolf, Lady Luvena. “But it seems you do, young lord.”
“I don’t either.” Aevus would quickly absolve her sentiment, removing his black mask his tone slightly annoyed.
“I did not mean to insult,” She would giggle faintly before revealing a smile. “Young Lord.”
Abashed Aevus had no idea what to say, he would merely attempt at brushing it off. “i’m not insulted my Lady, merely caught off guard.”
“i’m caught off guard as well, Young lord.’ She would say with another smile. “I wasn’t expecting such a young handsome lord, to be so coy.”
Now Aevus was insulted but strangely attracted at the same time but he had decided to switch her intimidation around. “You’re one to speak, I see you were alone before I arrived.”
“Wrong, young lord, the fish were keeping me company.” She would reveal but another grin. “And me, them.”
“I bet their wonderful with conversations.” Aevus would add in a sarcastic tone.
“No but they’re avid listeners, young lord.” She answered confidently and quickly, her voice soft yet intense.
“Yet can they dance?’ Aevus placed out his hand awaiting the strange beauties reply.
“No, obviously not.” She had raised an eyebrow, but then would look to the young sire, with keen interest before placing her hand on his. “But can you?.”
At first he was slow with his movements, one hand at her waist, the other grasping her hand. She held him gently, her eyes neatly nestled on him. It was but a simple dance, nothing fancy or utterly brilliant. But he was just beginning, With a firm movement he would twist her form causing her to spin once, than grasp her to him once again. She let out a sigh of surprise but quickly regained her composure. The dance was of control, one moment he held her in place the next she used her flexibility to control him.
Wrapping on of her legs around him, she placed but a hand on his chest. Yet Aevus would spin her yet again and with this the two began to parade around the room, dancing in solitude becoming as one. With one more movement he had, he threw her forth, nearly to the ground, his arms holding her in place. She was breathing heavily yet so was he, a few drops of sweat dripping from both their forms. It was in the unexpected but he had found himself attempting to lay into her with a kiss. She was surprised stopping him with but a finger to the lips. “Very bold, young lord.”
“It’s Aevus.” He would pull her up, as she held his chest. “Luvena.” She would lay into him.{III}
The Dance Of The Blade
Aevus’s first meeting with Luvena was an unexpected one yet strangely it had seemed it was bound by fate. Aevus had been told by his father that the two would be staying at the Lupa estate while he finishes up his business. He himself had no problem with such an arrangement, if it meant he could see Luvena again, he was all for the idea. Yet what business his father had that was causing them to stay, he had no idea and simply enough he didn’t seem to care.
Awakening to the light of day, Aevus’s eyes faltered to the stand at his bedside. Creaking his neck, the young man would yawn, stretching forth his arm and scratching his pale chest. Taking another look the dark haired boy would spot an open letter at his bedside. “Luvena...” He whispered gently as he began to read what secrets the letter held. And he would be right, it was a letter addressed to him by lady Luvena. “So she wishes to have another dance, what an odd request.”
Aevus wasn’t one to keep a lady waiting and he would get dressed as quickly as possible. Of course the servants of the house had already laid him out a fresh set of clothing but what they choose never suited his fancy. Plus it was extremely awkward to be dressed by the help, he preferred to care for himself. He had decided to wear something more casual and after he was dressed the boy would hurry down the stairs to the location the letter described. Two large doors led to the room, and Aevus would open them to reveal that hour-glassed form of Luvena.
“Good morning, Lord Aevus.” Luvena brought forth a half curved grin, her eyes passing over him like a predator. “I didn’t think you’d ever show.”
“You, should know by now, lady Luvena.” Aevus would shunter forward placing out his hand as if ready to dance. “I do not disappoint.”
“Than dance!.” Luvena would toss forward a rapier to the young man causing him get caught off guard as he barely caught the blade and she would readily lunge forward.
Aevus barely had time to dodge his knees almost buckling under himself as he moved past the tip of the blade. “Luvena what are you-” But before he could finish his sentence, the young she-wolf was upon him once again with but another lunge causing him to fall against the door. “Luvena?!”
“Your stumbling over your own feet, Aevus.” Luvena would bring forth her blade, lunging once more causing Aevus to instinctively move his head to dodge the bloodthirsty wolf and have the blade pierce the wall. Taking advantage of this, Aevus would defensively move around her, his breathing heavy and the blade rattling in his hand as he spoke. “Calm down, Luvena.”
Luvena gracefully shifted herself, her lithe form spinning as the blade fell from the wall to the man’s throat.
“Do you not know the dance?” Luvena, would ask, an eyebrow raised to the shaking male.
“Dance?” Aevus muttered in a half hearted whisper, his heart racing within his very chest. Luvena would eye him most curiously an eyebrow still raised and the blade still to his neck. “You must take me a fool, for you clearly jest, Aevus.” The young man would hesitantly shake his head to the side signifying both his fear and that in fact he had no idea what she was implying.
“Aevus, you disappoint me.” Luvena would reply, her teal eyes faltering from the man as her blade fell from his neck. Aevus for a moment felt rather relaxed giving a gentle sigh of relief but within an instant he found himself moving up his blade, blocking the attack. It was by instinct but he had rightfully defended himself from the girl’s attack.
“Luvena, I do not know this dance!” Aevus shouted shifting the girls weight away from himself.
“No, you do not.” Luvena would giggle lightly. ”But you’re a quick learner.”
Aevus would eye her wearily, his blade still at his side. “What made you think i’d go along with this?”
“Because, it’s the only time I actually feel alive, where I can let go.....” Luvena would sigh, her voice shifting towards a saddened whisper. “Where I can truly free myself from this restrictive tether my father puts over me, if only for a short time.” A single tear began to stream down the young woman’s face as she settled her eyes to Aevus. ”And I thought you were like me, I could sense it the moment your blade clashed mine.”
“Luvena..” Aevus began to reach out to the girl only to meet the end of a blade, nicking the tip of his right temple.
“I’m no damsel in need of rescuing Aevus!” She shouted, the blade rattled in her hand as she spoke, her breath clearly uneasy.
“Luvena.." Blood began seep from Aevus’s wound causing him to flinch slightly at the pain.”You cut me.”
“You hold secrets in your heart, you just don’t know it yet.” Luvena lowered the blade, bringing up Aevus’s silver necklace. “So i’ll help you.” And with a thrusting motion the girl attempted to drill into the mans chest. But no her blade had not felt the flesh of a man, instead she had only made contact with the air. On the other side of the room, Aevus laid on the floor, his eyes widened as he held himself up.
“What just happened?’ He would ask in a hushed breath trying to catch up with his own actions. “You manipulated the soul of your necklace..” Luvena began to slowly walk towards the man, her voice but a whisper to him. “It must be very precious to you.”
The room became still, all time ceasing its immortal existence. Just a man and a woman, two souls lost in this conjoined space. Luvena brought herself forth to the man, this time, lowering her blade.
“You’re still bleeding.” Luvena would reveal a half hearted smile, using her own hand to wipe away the blood on his temple causing him to flinch ever so slightly. “I’m sorry, Lord Aevus, I got carried away in my mission to uncover your power.”
“I’m alright, Luvina.” Aevus would attempt to reassure the alluring woman who had knelt by his side. “Really”
Luvena would sigh passively at his comment. " As you should be, but be it as it may, my last strike was a deadly one. You truly would have died lord Aevus, if it had indeed struck flesh.”
“But you knew, I would-” Aevus stopped for a moment looking at the young lady literally awestruck, that she perhaps could have killed him. “You knew I would awaken whatever power this is.. right?”
“I knew not, it was but a gamble. One I proceeded upon even when I saw the fear in your eyes. Though I was almost completely certain you held something that would protect you from me, lord Aevus. For I too hold such a power, one uniquely attuned to me, that drew me forth to you and you me, perhaps by fate itself.” With that Luvena leaned in with but a simple kiss.
“Be it fate or a coincidence, i’m glade to have met you, Lady Luvena.”
“And I you, Lord Aevus.”{IV}
Descent Into Darkness
Luvena’s words stayed with him, ringing throughout his being like that of an echo. His fathers work had been complete and he had left without a word. Not even knowing of the reasoning behind their being there in the first place. Not once ever bringing up the fact that he was to be married to Lady Luvina, perhaps his father had concluded that such a union with such a family would only be one of disdain and humility. Aevus resented his father even more for making him leave and he had longed to be with Lady Luvina again. Though something strange was said before their leaving, something uttered under the lips of Lord Lupa himself in a rather threatening tone. “You will regret, your decision.”
Aevus had found himself staring out to the night sky, upon the balcony connecting to his room. It was something he had found himself doing a lot recently, expecially with the thoughts of Luvina whirling through his head. At times he had wished for the ability to use his power once again, to appear before her and hold her in his arms. It was but a simple dream, yet one he held dearly within himself. Life besides his longing for Luvena had returned almost to normal. All of this would change in the coming night, his thoughts of his father and his lavish life style would change.
It had happened so fast, he had remembered the sudden scream, himself jolting down the stairs, only to see the pale imitation of his father. He was but a corpse lying in a pool of his own blood, a blade embedded in his chest, cold eyes open wide towards his own son. He then had seen him, the eyes of a killer, the eyes of a real monster. Appearing out from the very blood of his father, a blood red silhouette with the ghostly eyes of vampire fell into him. The very eyes of a noble, the eyes of one in pedicular: Lord Lupa.
He was frightened and of course outraged but his body would not move. The very vampiric nature of the noble had unnerved him. Yet now, the blood drawn figure, the odor of death coming from his very being, didn’t help either. The monster killing his father outweighed his fight or flight reasoning and he would attempt to strike the creature with a nearby fire poker. Yet before he had struck, the nobles eyes closed in on him intently as if demanding him to 'run’ and he had dropped his weapon.
Aevus had found himself running, his breathing horse and clearly not laxed. “Damnit...” He would strike a nearby brick wall with his fist, completely ignoring the jolting pain that was riding up his arm. “Why this, why now.” The thought of his father being killed, nearly crippled him as he fell to his knees. “Dammit, dammit!” Aevus lashed out against the ground. “We were betrayed, but why,...fuck it!” Aevus’s memories whirled frantically as the image that noble monster came back to mind. He was just staring at him and the servants were no where to be seen. He had escaped, somehow, he had ran away like a mere dog with his tail between his legs.
The man’s pale flesh was illuminated under the damp moonlight as he found himself attempting to gather his bearings. Aevus held his hand against the bricked wall, holding himself there for a short time. The nights fog paraded around the boy as he took heavy breaths, a few tears strolling down his cheek as he knelt to the ground leaning against the wall. With one final act of rage he would slam his fist into the wall and within that moment the scenery had shifted. He had appeared in an alleyway, somewhere he knew not and he cared not at the time as his eyes faltered and his body fell to the cold ground below.
Awakening to candle light, Aevus would shoot up from his laying, covered head to toe in sweat. Four wooden support beams stood around him, a candle holstered on each of them, revealing him a group of shadowed figures. They were all staring at him, through that fog of darkness that hid their appearances to the young noble. He wanted to speak, to shout, do something but he was simply in utter awe. Were they to speak, they would unravel the ruse of being shadows, so they stood silently within the confounds of the umbra.
Just then, he had noticed the obvious, his eyes revealing it to his dismay. Iron bars, rusted around him as if mocking his very existence. How dim witted of him, he had noticed the shadowed figures but not the cage. If he had knowledge of how to use his power he could escape, but alas he was ignorant of his own abilities.
“You’re thinking of running ‘again’ aren’t yah? Once you figure out how to use that skill hmm?” The voice seemingly came from everywhere, not an echo but as if multiple people were speaking at the same time. “Yet let me make you an offer, you shan’t refuse if you indeed hold a grudge on this monster who killed your father.” A being swept into the light, clad in dark robes. “Let me help you refine this so called ‘power’ instead of you rushing towards death with nothing but revenge on your mind and no skill to wit.”
“Who, who are you?”
“Some call me a thief, and others call me shadow but i’d like to think myself a poet.” Just than the robbed man would bring himself to the cage, revealing a bearded face and cold black eyes. “But you can call me, Vito La Morel and you are Aevus Renard, a fox of noble birth and last of his name.”
Aevus had nothing to say, confusion easily falling forth from his visage.
“At last, you are bewildered and for good reason. How does he know this? Will he kill me? Is he holding me ransom? Why does he want to help me? All very good yet simplistic questions” Vito began to parade around the room as he spoke.
“It is my skill, my skill to see into darkness, including the dark recesses of ones very mind where true evil harbors.” As he spoke the dark figures would join him and enter the light all mirroring his very form and his dialogue. “ And of course, manipulate it into anything I see fit, for true darkness can hide anything.”
Vito would lean against one of the wooden support beams eyeing the young noble with keen interest. “You’re still attempting to fathom any of this boy, but you can’t fathom the unexplainable, you embrace it.”
“These powers aren’t natural.” Aevus would comment, truly not understanding what sort of circumstance he was in.
“Not natural you say?” Vito would raise an eyebrow. “Let me ask you this, did you awaken this skill naturally or through unusual means, such as witchcraft or summoning forth a demon from the depths of hell, or perhaps laughably through some form of prayer? Now before you answer let me tell you this ‘noble.’ This is a ‘skill’ not an unnatural power, you refine it and make it stronger, only through true hard work can you master such ‘skill’ and perhaps use it for other means other than running away like a coward.”Aevus’s breath hid nothing as he looked down, he was scared and still confused, the only thing he wanted to do was run away from this strange man and seek revenge on that vampiric noble. Aevus’s eyes would widen deeply as he felt the breath of another at his neck. “ I could kill you at any time boy, I could become that monster you seek or even kill you as a father, a lover or perhaps-.” Aevus looked back revealing to himself the visage of a dark figure, mirroring his own. “-You.”
The dark figure faded, moving forth on the floor, until revealing the dark cladded man known as Vito, Aevus fell on the floor from the transaction of words.
“There is no ransom boy, nor means for me to wish your death for undesirable treasures. Merely the wish of a death of a blood drenched noble such as this Sire Lupa. Whom iv’e never met might I add, only seen through whispers and silly trivial means such as lingering through that young mind of yours. There will be an ending to this ‘noble’ and all nobles that seek to retch forth the bread from the poor. My reasonings are not just, I just want to remove him, to have this vile creature dead and to show him a true breed of darkness. A noble wouldn’t understand but a movement slithers forth in this city, in the minds of every peasant I have seen a desire for true change. Sire Lupa wont be missed, his power little but his ’skill’ a formidable foe. I wish to test myself, through means of training you.”
“So you’ll train me, so I can kill him.” Aevus winced faintly as a shadow slid through the bars and Vito would reveal his face yet again.
“The means of killing ‘it’ is up to you, the skills I shall teach you, but your will is determined by you alone, but first you must be broken.”
“Broken?”
“Broken and Rebuilt” Vito would reveal a decaying grin, his teeth yellowed and black. This had caused Aevus to fall back faintly startled but in a moment notice he would reach out his hand. Vito reacted with some puzzlement, truly hinting that he had gone without human companionship for some time but ended up shaking the young nobles hand in the end.
The room fell through to true darkness, like a fog passing around tree’s in a luminescent dusk falling into the young noble. Two years slipped around the young noble as he jumped into the void. Lurking forth in the life of a peasant, seeking out the nooks and crannies that hid oneself from the prying eyes of light. Crafting his skills to steal from the others and become self reliant. Bread became his nutrition and his lifeline, rations of water his substance to fight off dehydration. Killing from the shadows, tested on the silhouetted figures materialized by his mentor Vito. The desire to kill one man drew him forward towards this dark task. He sipped from the well of revenge and left any morality behind.
“Why, avenge a man I detested so? Why did I mourn for him?” Aevus once asked his eyes shedding forth tears. “Because, this man was your father and deep down you loved him yet you shall kill it not for him, you kill it for you. Its death is fated by your hands but if you do not proceed or die trying, I shall end it. When it is staring into the abyss, we’ll be staring right back.” Aevus lifted himself into the light of night, conquering every mental game Vito threw at him. Even killing the mimicry of those he held dear and even himself.
“Be a weapon and a human second, throw yourself into the fray, do not falter or you will die, you will die.” Aevus at one point fell into a state of extreme emotionless, preying forth on complete and utter apathy. His 'skill’ gave him the ability to move without being seen, to leave and go as he pleased. Not only once but many times did he look upon the estate that held his target and the woman he once longed for. “Let her go Aevus, if you hesitate, he’ll kill you first.” Vito had once told him and even threw a mimicry of her at him to kill. He was hesitant, but the blade still struck her shadowed imitation. Yet that is all it was an imitation and coming to terms with seeing her, the real her could perhaps change everything.{V}
The Last Dance
Fallen and desolate two shadows fell over the land, one with an umbrage visage, the other a cold sapphire. Casting forth their foreboding gaze, two beings stood shrouded in nobles attire. “He has given us a key, how naive. An audience between a poet and his apprentice,”
I’ll have to brush up on my poetry.” Aevus would remark his eyes never faltering from his target.Vito would give a soft chuckle instead of a discerning glance for he knew this boy, his nobility had died and a predator was born amidst its ruin. With that the two descended into the folly of the wolves, where such creatures of nobility craved on the poor and weak and these two men of the dark would soon turn the tides.
The night sky was littered with stars and Aevus had found himself looking up to the many Constellations as time swept by, wondering if his father was indeed up there in the very heavens. The two had been dressed in fine suites, ones a decent poet and his apprentice might wear if they were perhaps, the real deal.
“You’ll be meeting Sire and Lady Lupa, Master Renard, mind you be on your best behavior” Vito’s eyes narrowed faintly as he looked to the young man.
“Take your own advice” Aevus would mutter silently to himself, his blue eyes never faltering from their path.
“What was that?”
“Nothing Vito, i’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Mhm well than good, good”
The thick fog of darkness lifted as the two met torchlight. The inner gates of the estate were monstrous, seemingly testing time with their elongated faces. Vito’s eyes had not wavered as he moved forward, almost as if he was thinking the fun he’d have climbing such a skyscraper. The light of the fire, danced upon the guard’s face as the two sauntered forward. It was the usual standard stop and check as they found themselves pestered by these foul faced monsters in armor.
“I have the letter right here gentlemen, with the red seal of Lupa and everything.” Vito would smile as one of the guards gave him back his letter.
“A Poet and his um?”
“My apprentice gentlemen, he is learning the craft, and quite quickly might I add.”
“Well” The guard would eye Aevus for but a moment as if recognizing him for a second before thrusting forth the door and forgetting the entire thing.
“Wait.” The guard would quickly stop the two, eyeing the presence of their weapons.”Your weapons?”
“Staged for decor, gentlemen. Not a threat, merely for show.” Vito answered softly as if he had rehearsed everything he was going to say. The guard had nodded and so the two entered the vicinity without Vito becoming exposed as he has always done.
Entering a room bountiful in etched carvings, painting and the like, the two had found themselves facing a group of rich nobles. The gods and goddesses of the city, the people who become richer while making the poorer became even more profoundly poorer. Their clothing, decorated and plastered with sheer reputable expenses. Each of them, hid behind a mask, masquerading their most likely hellish faces with jeweled shields. Vito had presented himself first while Aevus himself stood to the side.
“My prosperous hosts, I deem thee a good greeting, Iv’e come a long way too accompany such nobles with fine tastes in delightful poetry.” The act was sturdy and presented no sense of coyness, he was direct and proficient with his words as he spoke. One of the noble ladies hefted out a long indeed, which was almost laughable, expecially to Aevus and perhaps even Vito if he wasn’t so caught in his own act. Aevus watched, his handed held gently to his side.
“I cannot breath without my lungs, I cannot see without my eyes, I cannot taste without my tongue, I cannot walk without my legs, I cannot feel without my hands, I cannot hear without my ears, I cannot smell without my nose.” Vito went on and on about what he cannot do without such things. His voice echoed throughout the large room as he spoke, causing many to stop what they were doing and give an ear. It wasn’t any poem Aevus had ever heard, it was so basic, so simple. It held almost little if at all or any substance with the very message. Simply a statement of lacking something and being unable to do it without it.
“And neither can you.” Vito’s voice became rather grim as he continued. “You have the power to take away anything.” Vito glared at every noble in the room, his eyes seemingly piercing them like the end of a blade. ”Yet so do I." The meaning behind the poem changed dramatically, if one could truly call it a poem. Some of the nobles contributed looks and acts of disgusts. “Is that a threat?” One of the nobles asked into a detested scowl. Vito merely looked at the man, his visage plain as can be. “No it’s the truth, even a lowly dog can usurp its master.”
“Iv’e heard enough poet” Sire Lupa was standing by the staircase, his eyes staring at him through his wine glass. He was surrounded by his many so called friends, the nobles of kissing ass. “This poem is of mockery and must I say ill taste.” His voice was of silk, but his gaze was a dagger. “It is a threat, a threat of dampening my party with a rather minor annoyance, might I add.” Sire Lupa kept looking through the glass, as he stirred it with his hand. His face was like a vampire, and the wine like that of blood. He looked hungry, but nobles always do. “Now, I wish to prey further into your endeavors, who are you, poet?”
“Vito La Morel of France at your service.” Vito answered without hesitance, eyeing the lord with profound confidence.
“At my service, hmm, and is this young noblemen is also at my service?” Vito’s eyes shot to Aevus in an instance, the surprise in his face unmistakable.
“Young, Aevus Renard the third, last of his house and name.” Sire lupa’s eyes fell to the young man as he spoke. “We thought you dead, young master, did this one manipulate you into his servitude after pertaining the deed of eliminating your beloved household?” Sire Lupa’s words were as butter slipping off his tongue as his daggered eyes pierced through Vito himself.
Vito’s confident was slipping as the lord spoke or so it had seemed. Guards from around the room eyed him as if completely ready to slip him the sword.
“I think I have over stayed my welcome, Sire Lupa.” Vito would bow to the lord, his breathing unsteady.
“No, no, stay, We have a lovely hole built for such revolutionary poets such as yourself, Vito La Morel of France.” And with this the lord snapped his fingers, fetching his guards on the man. Vito didn’t dare fight back, he seemed to be allowing these men to take him without any resentment.
“I am but one dog Sire Lupa, but one day dear master, you’ll find these jaws around your throat.” He muttered these words without fear of death. “That’s why you always muzzle the dog before you put it down.” Sire Lupa spoke, his silky tongue lisping out of his mouth as he spoke. “Make sure he is treated as one would treat a....disease.” With this the guards had took the man away into the very depths of the Sire’s dungeon, leaving Aevus alone with the noblemen.
“I hope such a diseased vermin, didn’t harm you in the years you were gone Aevus, such poor conditions could severely wound ones body and mind.” The Sire acted concerned as he made his way to Aevus.
“It was an experience.” Aevus answered grinning in the back of his mind as the first step of the plan stirred into motion.
“I shall continue my party, I shouldn’t keep my guest’s waiting for to long, Aevus? Luvena is around here somewhere perhaps you would like to indulge in a dance to catch up on old times?” The Noble was luring him out, his voice singling him amongst these 'nobles’. Aevus couldn’t do anything here, not in public but neither could Sire Lupa, not unless he wanted to foil himself to the world. Plus the possibility of seeing Luvena again was something he couldn’t refuse and perhaps this monster knew that.
Nonetheless Aevus had found himself sauntering forth, his body seemingly finding a path on its own. It had led him to a courtyard, littered with candlelight, causing a group of shadows to dance amongst nights reign. A Florence stylized bridge marked his path, revealing to him the lithe form of a past he once embraced. Clad in a white silky dress, a black familiar fox mask hid her facade yet not her presence. She was looking upon the waters, her soft blue eyes seemingly fixated from his path as he moved onward. It was like a dream, like fate itself had brought himself forth to her once again. Revenge fell from its pedestal and she took its place, an angel drenched forth in light, an eclipse to the darkness around him. He could not find himself faltering from his path, his shadow dancing with each step and the twisting candlelight above.
“ Lady Luvena.” He managed in but a whisper, his words falling forth from his mouth so easily as if he had whispered her name many times before. Yet the she-wolf gowned in white did not answer, her head fell forth to his direction, but not a word breathed air from her being. The black mask, sheltered her, hiding from him the beauty of her angelic grace. Again he spoke. Her name fading from his very being as he softly said each syllable . “Luvena.” Not an answer nor a peep, sound deserted them and she stood silently, her gown swaying gently in a calming breeze, a silver rapier shimmered at her side. He shook all reason to fall back as he brought himself forward. His goal but a memory, Luvena an eternity of happiness, danger fell prey to naivety and lust for a long lost love.
It had happened like a shifting breeze, her lithe form spun forth her blade to his presence as he had found himself in her dance. They twisted amongst each other, words nearly rattling from their cage but never truly being released as he parried and defended himself from her onslaught of attacks. It was instinct but he was fighting it back, fighting the hesitating instinct of ending her with one swift blow. He couldn’t for that matter, he couldn’t even place himself in a position to displace her movement and disarm her. It was a dance he hoped to never fall prey into, a dance of the sword. It wasn’t like last time though, he learned the dance and he knew almost every step, but no matter what he could not find himself to end it. His skill came into play, as he found himself appearing behind her form, only to meet the end of her blade yet again. It was as if she had foresight of his abilities, an ability she had awakened for him in the first place.
It mattered not, with one swift movement he had left himself open only to allow him the split second to disarm her. Not of her blade but the mask that hid her beautiful visage. Her blade struck flesh, yet his revealed the facade of a woman he loved. It drove deep into his shoulder, and he would only smile as he looked upon the the she-wolf clad in white. Tears strolling down her cheeks, her eyes reddened hinting that she had been the entire time. The ruse was up, she hid no longer behind a mask. “Aevus...I thought I could do it” She shook her head frantically holding the wounded man. “I thought I could kill you...If I-” Luvena was interrupted by but a gentle concerning whisper. “Are you alright, Luvena?” The Lady known as Luvena froze, deeply stunned by his words, her heart literally beating forth from her being.
“I hope I didn’t disappoint you...” He coughed after he spoke, gazing into her starlit eyes, two blue jewels clouded in emotion. “You idiot, saying something like that...” She was distraught as she spoke but she did anyway. “It’s my fault everything happened, if I had not forced you to awakened it...you wouldn’t be doing this. My father would not have killed yours to get to you.” She spoke frantically her tears falling onto the man as she wept. “Don’t blame yourself, i’m gonna be alright, i’m not dying anytime soon, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you again.” Aevus would chuckle at his own remark. “Shut up you fool.” Luvena would continue to weep, bringing forth a forced smile as she embraced him. “You need to leave now, you need to get out of here.”
“It’s far to late for that, child.” A voice sounded from behind her, her eyes dilated, widened devoid of light. Aevus saw it, the man, the vampiric noble who had killed his father, Sire Lupa the wolf of France, his target. “Now step aside, child, you’ve done your work.” Aevus didn’t hesitate as he rose to his feet, much to Luvena’s dismay.
“Why did you kill my father?” Aevus only needed this answer and he was ready, he could kill him with zero hesitation. ”Answer that, and lets get this over with.”
“You hold power, Young Aevus Renard the Third, power I desire. Power I will take for my own. Trivial pursuits of a one sided villain you might think. But I am of noble birth, with the blood and power to become more, much more. I wish to transpire myself to a higher state of being to that of god himself.” The creature dressed as a noble began to step forward. “Are you satisfied with your answer.” Before Aevus could answer, Luvena would step in front of him.
“You disappoint me father.” Luvena would saunter but a step closer to the man she called father, her eyes still stained red from her tears. “You have no heart, and no god is heartless.”
“Than I shall, overstep such boundaries, child. by taking his.” he spoke without emotion, he wanted what he came for. “Through means of you, if that is what must be done.” He began to move his hand in an awkward manner and the affects became apparent the moment a blade fell forth to Aevus yet again. Blocking the attack, Aevus would get a hint of what was happening to Luvina. Blood dripped from her eyes, her movement was far more frantic and erotic than before. That monster was manipulating her and she was trying to fight back with the best of her abilities. He found himself attempting to parry her attacks and perhaps use his skill to appear before the Noble and kill him instantly and free Luvena from his clutches.
Yet no, he couldn’t seem to escape the girl. It was as if something held him to her, like that of an invisible chain, forcing him to stay in combat with the possessed she-wolf. “Aevus...you need to-” Her body jerked awkwardly forcing her let out a cry in pain, clashing her blade to his. “ You need to Kil-kill me.” Aevus wouldn’t hear it as he fought back against her blade and her words at the same time. 'Why, why can’t I do this.” Aevus muttered under his breath, blocking yet another attack by the blonde haired angel. “Dammit!.” No matter his movements, he couldn’t escape her, that invisible chain tugged at him, containing him within the length of her blade. “My blood flows through her veins, I can completely manipulate it as I see fit allowing her to be my puppet.” An image of the past, crashed into Aevus as the noble spoke. Luvena had spoken about such a tether and the freedom only battle seemed to heal. This is what she was talking about, she was no daughter but a mere slave, a puppet under the power of this noble monster.
But that didn’t explain it, it didn’t explain why he couldn’t escape from Luvena. It made no sense, why he couldn’t use his skill and attack Sire Lupa instead of her. Why he was held within the grasp of her blade, tethered in an undesirable battle with the woman he loved and desired. It was pure hell, to fight the one he longed for while watch as the one he sought vengeance upon control her like a puppet. Safe while being but a few feet away, close but so far away from the edge of his blade. This made no sense, it was complete and utter lunacy, his mind whirled from the very thought of what his choices were. If he was to allow himself to die, he would save her but end up dying to the very one he loved. Denying his vengeance and leaving her to blame herself for his very death, living forever as a slave.
If he killed her, he knew not if he could take that vile monster in his current condition, making her death completely pointless and if he did. He would be condemned to complete and utter anguish for the rest of his days, leading him to sheer insanity. How long could he keep this going? How long could he fight and not falter once? Disarming her and or possibly disabling her was out of the question. She was being manipulated the limbs would move, no matter if they were broken or not. He had only two choices, kill or be killed, die or live. Yet he had not brought up a third opinion, one that the man had not pondered upon until this moment. One that would end things differently, yet bring peace to the two in the end.
It was instant and swift, the moment two blades struck flesh. When the two tear eyed lovers pierced one another in a deadly collision of saddened resolve. A tide of emotion delivered forth by two blades, mixed with blood and tears. Her eyes shone a young gentle silvery blue, his a cold hearted sapphire, warmed by her loving embrace. They were crying but alas they would also smile. Time ceased for the two, dampening the deadly battle in a lifetime of peace. He delivered the final step in their dance and so had she, the dance of blades was complete. two star-crossed lovers fated to kill one another. The two had fell into one another, using the other as support as they knelt on the ground. They were fading fast and peace was at hand, Luvena would give him but one final gift, a parting kiss to his lips and but a simple whisper escaped her as she fell over his shoulder. “You saved me. My hero....” Aevus held her within his grasp, awaiting his own ceasing existence. “I love you..” yet his words never reached her, she had already faded.
Within a second he had felt himself pierced in the chest by a blood shaped bullet, created by no one other than the monster who caused all this. Holding her within his arms he would collapse, his breathing drastically slowing as he gazed upon her deathly visage, a smile still clinging to her lovely face. He felt no pain as he held her, merely waiting for it to end. The vile creatures voice was but silent to him as the man began to make his move towards him. It was sudden and destructive as the man known Vito La Mortel erupted from Aevus’s shadow, striking forth with the appearance of but a hound. The imagery of but a lowly dog usurping its master coming to fruition, his jaws ripping open his throat instantly. The Vampiric Noble was no more, and his passing brought forth nothing. Aevus laid dying his lips to the forehead of the she-wolf known as Lady Luvena, his eyes closed as he to passed on to the next world, fated to perhaps meet her there too.{VI}
Fragmented memories
What become of Aevus after the events of his life are unknown to even himself, he could only remember his first name. His memory is fragmented in that he remembers being found by a group of Shinigami. Yet he doesn’t remember the faces within the group. He has distant memories of a girl, that seemingly haunts his dreams but he does not remember anything other than her face. Aevus though residing within Soul society didn’t even attempt to join the shinigami ranks until many years later and until he did, he had resided in District 78. He had joined because of his fragmented memories but also because of other events he dares not speak. With the Shinigami perhaps he could learn of his past and himself. In a nutshell he joined because he sought knowledge to learn who he really was but also because he had lost someone he had grown close too while residing in 78 and wanted to get stronger to prevent that from ever happening again.{VII}
A Flower
There were no surprises when it came to the academy. At least, not right away there weren't. Ivy spent a lot of time lurking around the academy and drawing people. If anyone saw her diary... they'd be pretty weirded out. Drawing lewd things was her own fun little secret. A well kept one at that. It was exactly as she'd seen it. People were chattering and hustling to get from one class to the next. Wherever Ivy walked though... she felt as though she didn't belong there. Whenever she walked in the hallways, no one seemed to notice her or pay attention too much. Not so much as a second glance. It was really... weird. Ivy grew used to it after a month or so. She even came around to liking it. She was bad with people anyways.
Crowds were a scary thing. A clash of personalities. People were this amazing and scary thing. Ivy didn't want to be around that. Being by herself was just... really easy. There was a certain freedom she enjoyed. She didn't hate company but she wasn't looking for it either. Besides, she had friends like Mika and Souza. Plus large groups of girls and big mean bullies were a bit much for her to handle. Ivy just acted like the cautious little fox she was and ran where she could be all by her lonesome.
The only time people really noticed her was in sparring. She'd done... decent surprisingly. Her mind took her back to the times she'd seen Souza sparring that time when her family had dinner at the Kuchiki house. He looked like he was doing tricky stuff so she mimicked it to the best of her ability. Sometimes she'd get the best of someone and sometimes she wouldn't. It was kind of like a roller coaster. Yet, she still didn't stand out to anyone. Watching people from afar was much easier. Trying to do what they did and make it better. It was kind of like drawing.
Speaking of drawing, academy was full of ALL kinds of people. People that Ivy really wanted to draw. She couldn't wait until her lunch periods. It was a time where she could unwind by herself and just draw and let her thoughts roam free. Dirty thoughts that is. You see, today, she'd seen a very attractive boy that she absolutely had to sketch in the hallways. Whenever Ivy found someone interesting, she immediately had to draw them. He stood out the most to her. He was a loner from the looks of it. That made this twice as better. Drawing him was going to be easy. Not only is she practically invisible at school but she figured he wouldn't notice her just like the rest. Her dirty secret was safe and she could draw happily.
When her sparring class was over, Ivy darted out of the class as fast as she could, trying her best to beat the hallway traffic before it came on. It was on her way out she'd seen him. She didn't know his name or anything like that. Ivy figured he wouldn't be so friendly if she just went up to him either. He just seemed like he wanted to be unbothered and so did she. So, that was a useless thought all together. She certainly noticed him though... so she had to draw! She rushed out to the courtyards, skipping lunch and finding a spot on her own in a wooded area. She sat behind a tree where no one would even think about looking. Often times, she'd look behind her to see if anyone had followed her and in those times she'd smile. No one ever did. Sweet, sweet solitude.
Ivy pulled out her diary and opened it to a clean page and set out on drawing the boy. It was simple at first. She started with a head that was spot on but the rest of the details were a blur. Damn people getting her way. Often times she'd close her eyes to remember details but it wasn't working... so she started to improvise in her favorite way. Everything was always more interesting when someone had their shirt off. At least, it was in her diary. He seemed like the type to always have a sword on him too so, if it made it any more decent, there was that and more to come..
In the academy Aevus felt restricted as if the prying eyes of his superiors were always beating down his neck. Perhaps for good reason, since he slept through most of his classes, and was constantly late no matter the time he was given to attend one. It was almost as if he didn’t care about becoming a Shinigami in the first place and through his actions one might suspect that.
Yet none of this was true, lectures just bored him nearly to death and no matter what form of discipline the academy couldn’t change him. The only thing he seemingly took an interest in was, losing himself in a spar. He had shown great promise in it and roughly it was one of the reasons he hadn’t been thrown out. Though he did at times push himself alittle hard and perhaps attack his sparring partner a little to aggressively.
The dance between blades was truly his calling. A time where he could lose himself in each step and seemingly calculate his far more educated peers. Whom seemingly listened to every lecture and studied for every test and never slept through any of it. But Aevus himself moved upon shere instinct, nothing he performed was learned from any book. It was all spur of the moment and he could easily best those in his class with a blade. But he was no prodigy, merely a man who simply put all his effort into one craft. When it came to fighting with barehanded, he got his ass handed to him no problem.
Today was like any other day and was no different for Aevus. Class was over and Aevus was free to get away from the prying eyes of his peers and find a place where he could lay low in solitude. A few drops of sweat fell from his brow, a sign that he had been sparring most of the day. His white academy shirt had been drenched in it and the stickiness unsettled him. Climbing up a tree Aevus had decided to take a short nap and perhaps get in some shade.
He hadn’t noticed at first that he was being watched and paid no mind to the girl who had spotted and started drawing him. Truthfully he never had cast any interest to anyone at the academy, he had his own reasons to be there and he would see it to fruition. This had made him out to be cold and made him an outcast to the other students. So he really didn’t have any friends. Nestling his back against a prickly tree branch, he would bury his arms out from his shirt causing the uniform to partly falter from him, revealing his chest, perhaps making it easier for this girl to draw him. The cool air felt nice on his body and it was a breath of fresh air to be able to get out of his clothes after a spar. His sword rested against his arm as he took in the sights around him thinking of the past but also of the future. He was relaxed but he couldn’t brush off the feeling he was being watched.
Ivy mulled over her sketch for minutes. Though, minutes felt like hours and she only grew more frustrated. She was having trouble proceeding with her drawing. She chewed on her pencil, turned her book sideways… upside down! Nothing was working! Ah! How convenient was it that that boy from the hallways just happened to be resting in the tree tops not too far? She could hear the rustling of leaves and the creaking of branches. Ivy was far too scared to look fearful that he was staring at her or something, causing her to lean forward, over her book. Long black tresses draped over the side, covering her book in just about the worst attempt to hide her precious work. Shit. Of all the places to go, he came to the trees for some quiet time. Why couldn’t he go on the rooftops or something!? What if he saw her drawing? She bit her lip nervously, thinking about her next plan of action.
Maybe he didn’t even notice her? No one ever did anyway. She counted down to three mentally, deciding to turn and look up at the tree tops. Slowly, Ivy’s head turned in the direction she heard the noise originally. When she finally spotted him, she was relieved. He didn’t seem like he noticed her. Ivy took solace in the fact that he was looking else where. At the same time, she couldn’t stop watching. It was like someone out there loved her and listened to her pleas in the name of trying to come up with a better drawing or something. She could finally continue her sketch! She wasn’t close enough though. Icy green eyes remained on the resting males form as she slowly picked herself up from her spot, careful to not make so much as a twig snap. Her idea was to move slightly farther back into the wooded area and then move closer in that boy’s direction.
One foot carefully moved in front of the other as she made her way over. She was good at moving quietly. Part of her was slightly amused that he was carrying a sword with him. Heh. She was right. The more surprising part though was just the fact that he was shirtless. Then again, she’d been right about that too. Things always were more interesting. Ha. The female sidled herself against a tree trunk. She had her back turned to him but maybe he wouldn’t see her? Either way, she was now much closer. There was something absolutely exciting about sneaking around and not getting caught. She almost felt a little guilty for feeling that way. Even if she wasn’t do anything wrong. She peaked her head out to look at him and pulled out her book, skipping to a new page, scrapping the old one. She’d settled on drawing him in the tree instead. He seemed happier than he did in the hallways anyway. Wouldn’t that be better to look at? Some time later, she had finished, holding her book out with a crack of a smile of her new and improved sketch. Mission accomplished!
…And then she ripped out the old drawing of him and realized just what the hell she did. Ice ran through her veins as Ivy froze in terror. What if he heard that? It became such a habit to rip out incomplete sketches that she forgot in that split second that she was not only supposed to be sneaking around but also much closer to him. Her eyes turned to look at him and went back to hiding behind the tree. Something told her that she was going to have to run. Ivy may have been a little on the over dramatic side but getting caught stalking around while someone’s trying to relax could be the start of some unpleasant times.
Aevus’s breath was laxed, as he steadily comforted his very form on the branch he had settled on. The day was long yet now he was in paradise. The right amount of warmth, and with the cool breeze it was perfect, well it was almost perfect. The man just couldn’t scratch that feeling that he was being watched from afar, a sort of sixth sense if you will.
Though he did attempt to ignore it for a time, the itch would come back to mind and that unnerving feeling would pry over him once more. Maybe it was just his senses getting the best of him or perhaps there was somebody watching him in the shadows. Or maybe just maybe some girl was drawing him....no that’s impossible.
It was than that the man had heard it, the ripping of paper. Rising he would pass a glance towards the direction and than as if he had heard nothing at all, his sapphire eyes would drift off from their position but this was merely but a ploy to ease his hunters nerves. He indeed had heard the noise and knew exactly where it came from. Yet it seemed as if he was brushing it off as if nothing had happened.
His eyes were reminiscent of a frozen pond. Cold yet like such frozen serenity, something stirred under the surface as a reflective image of girl came to him. Having used shunpo he was nearly on top of her, next to the trunk of the tree he would let his presence be known. “What are you drawing?.”
Ivy remained as still as possible. Her breathing was shallow. She swore that if she was breathing normally, he’d sense her. Ivy was starting to feel a little less invisible. She was scared. Her heart beat wildly at the thought of being discovered. He seemed like the grumpy type. Oh gosh, she didn’t want him to yell at her! All she wanted to do was draw! She chewed on the inside of her cheeks, contemplating on looking back once more. Still, she was curious. Could she still get away with it? Her dirty little secret? It would really suck if a cute guy just kinda caught her being an absolute weirdo. Things were silent. If she could work up the courage to look behind her once, then she could do it again!
She’d turn her head as those icy green eyes peered from behind the trunk. To her surprise, he was… gone? What? Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she looked around. What the hell? He was just here! At the point, she’d come completely out of hiding to look around, checking to see if the coast was clear. Maybe he just left! She closed her eyes and sighed as she’d brace her body against the tree trunk, sliding herself down to a seated position. He was gone. She didn’t have anything to worry about and now, things could go back to the way they were. Phew.
”What are you drawing?”
A panicked squeak escaped her lips as the young artist would jump, lurching herself from the trunk forward. She was clearly startled at the voice that came from above. Did she even want to look up? She might as well seeing as she was caught stalking around. Her head tilted upwards, he’d see those bright eyes of hers focusing on his own frozen pair from behind locks of dark hair. He’d clearly see that she was fearful of him. Ivy sprung to her feet with feline grace. In that moment, she really was going to run but then- ”Don’t.” …. that voice was back. It said don’t so for the moment, Ivy stood her ground, turning to face him. “U-Uhm…” she gulped. She looked up at him and then at the book in her hands and the sketch she’d torn out, quickly hiding both behind her back. Her tongue fiddled around with the piercing under her lip as her heels dug themselves into the cold hard dirt, as if it would stop her from being so fearful of him.
“H-Hi..”
It was all she could muster for the moment. She looked at him, remaining silent for the moment. Her lips parted as if to say something. Should she explain herself to him? He’d make fun of her though. He might. She had such a weird hobby after all. “S-Sorry…I…I’m…” She slowly backed up as she spoke, feeling very much like a cornered animal. Those eyes... His eyes. They sent shivers up her spine. They seemed so cold. “I’m so sorry… I…Uhm…I d-didn’t mean to bother you.. r-really! I just uh…” Yet, she couldn't look away. She just kept backing herself up until her back hit a tree trunk behind her, her eyes never left his. It wasn’t exactly helpful that he was still shirtless.. not that she was complaining. Right now though, she kinda just wanted to run away and hide in an empty class room while dying of embarrassment. “D-Drawing? I…Uh…” Lying to him seemed so dishonest and mean. However, it was just easier to dismiss it. “Nothing! …It’s..It’s nothing..I swear.”
Aevus was unaware of the cold gaze he had cast upon the frightened girl. Her shriek brought forth a distant feeling and memory, unnerving him to the very core. His sapphire eyes sheltered upon her, gently glistening faintly much like ice in the coming days of winter. Under the shimmering sunlight, she too would reveal her visage to him and her beauty was truly astonishing. Like a siren her eyes took him prisoner, they were a foreign icy mint of seductive emerald green. Rather alluring yet intimidating, much like the glowing eyes of a predator. Yet she seemed like a puppy in those moments, fear distantly trailing behind those lovely eyes. Revealing to him that fear but also something else entirely: beauty.
Like that of a lithe feline, implied a feral grace to the young girl. Her curvacious form was revealed to him as she shot up. Distantly she lit him with a new sight, he had never seen. It was strange yet cast him in a situation he had never been. He was completely perplexed by the actual sight of a stranger. Her clothes sheltered a lithely figure, much like a wildflower bloomed yet forever being sheltered in shadow. Her true beauty hid underneath those clothes, the rags thusly thrown to the students of the academy.
He watched her emerald green predatory like eyes throughly, noticing them glance down at her sketchbook before hiding the book behind her back. She seemed frightened by him, her movements fidgety, as she nestled into the bark of the tree behind her. He listened soundly as her heels took shelter, digging into the ground beneath her. it brought more of that fear to him, the aura of someone thinking to either make flight or fight.
The voice that fell from her lips, dove into him with a wild ferocity. He noticed her words limp throughly from her sheltered lips, the frightened stare shooting daggers into his very soul. The predator had acted like prey, like a mere cunning fox caught in a trap. As he was the hound, barking soundly sending shivers down the spine of the hunted. If he could see her ears, they perhaps to would be flattened like a vixen, who had fallen into the fray. He than had heard the lie cast forth from the lips of this stranger, clad in a cage she could not escape yet he would not call her out on it. “ You’re rather coy for a Shinigami aren’t you?” He would say rather teasingly.
The bright eyed girl would continue her staring contest… which was very much against her wishes. She wanted to shy away from him and blend into the background as she always had. Since when did anyone notice vines of ivy growing on the wall? To many they were simply background decoration that was only recognized for a fleeting second. Never tended to and always bracing themselves for the harshest of conditions. It was upsetting to her. They needed attention. Perhaps she was getting it now. Though, it was unexpected. Any sort of interaction with her was unexpected considering how she desperately tried her damnedest to avoid coming in contact with people. She often dressed the part, being clad in black. This uniform made it difficult for just about everything.
He seemed to be sizing her up. Was he looking for something or was he just preparing some kind of scolding for her sneaky habits? She prayed it wasn’t the latter. She hoped that he’d just leave her to her own devices so she could put it past her. He terrified her. Something about the way he presented himself to her screamed something akin to a wolf. Stoic but powerful. His actions spoke volumes to her. Even the way he looked at her! Damn. She wanted to draw that too. Would he let her go or keep her captive? In Ivy’s world, there was just no easy way to leave. She was a coward and she knew that. Ivy desperately didn’t want to be but summoning courage was just about the most difficult thing for the shy artist. Finally, her eyes fell to her feet, finding his pensive look too much to keep up with.
”You’re rather coy for a Shinigami aren’t you?”
At that, she’d look at him once more. He seemed much more light hearted than she thought he was originally. “M-Me?” she stammered nervously. Her eyes were wide with bewilderment as she tried make sure he was really talking to her. “I’m s-still just a student. Ehe..” The tension slowly started to leave her body. However, she wouldn’t be without it completely. He was still a scary stranger after all… A scary stranger she really, absolutely didn’t mind looking at. Really. “W-Wait, you actually noticed me?” she asked, clearly dumbfounded. Ignoring the fact that she slipped up when she ripped that piece of paper, she was really just expecting him to go somewhere else and just casually brush off the noise. Should she say that? Ivy wasn’t sure if she should. What if he took that the wrong way? She wasn’t out to offend anyone or start a fight. She was better off not saying anything.
“Coy really isn’t the word to describe me.. ” his teasing would cause her eyes to fall as her cheeks would flush a faint, rosy pink. Ivy was genuinely like that. She didn’t mean to come off that way. Embarrassment easily came over her in heavy waves. Ivy was full of nerves when it came to new people. Even if his tone was friendly. Half of her was startled by his arrival and the other half was a little astonished, staring at his chiseled form. God…dammit…Ivy. Stop it. The diary and scrap paper would slowly come out of hiding from behind her back, her own entrancing pair moving to it, contemplating if she should work up the courage to tell him what she was up to. To tell him or not to tell him… This was still scary her. “A-Again, I’m really sorry…” And just like that, the book and paper was kept hidden behind her back. Once again, she looked at him, trying to reassure him of just about the worst lie in history. “I swear it’s nothing. R-Really!” It was such a bad lie because she really liked what she’d drawn. If he saw it, she’d look more awkward than she already was. If only she could work on dismissing things better…
Aevus would continue to stare into the eyes of this peculiar girl. That emerald tinted visage, had seemed to have caught him unaware. Yet it wasn’t just her eyes that bewitched him, it was also how she presented herself. The fear that emanated from her was offsetting and Aevus felt as if she’d flee from him at any moment. Some part of him wished she would, just to ease her mind and settle her nerves. He couldn’t place the fear but maybe it was because he had caught her in some act. Her nature was truly astonishing and he felt himself lured in by those bright eyes. It had cast him adrift in an ocean, as if during that time she was the only one there.
He had passed the glances from many before, seemingly ignoring the existence of strangers and they had seemed to have done the very same to him. Yet now, like a moth drawn to a distant star he couldn’t look away from the passing light of her being. She had than spoken again, casting aside his words in a nervous murmur, her eyes wider than before. Why was she so nervous and what exactly is she hiding? Aevus would wonder these things as he kept his eyes affixed to her. She had still been caught in that trap, but now she seemed slightly different than before. Had his words surprised her? Aevus had never been able to read people very well, usually because he really was never that interested in others affairs.
“W-Wait, you actually noticed me?”
As she spoke these words, Aevus felt odd, a faint cold sadness flood over him, drowning him in that sea. She was shy, distantly timid and afraid of him. Maybe it wasn’t even his fault that she was acting this way or maybe it was. After all he was a stranger who had just came upon her randomly but perhaps in time he wouldn’t be. He had spotted the rosary of her cheeks. It was as if they had been set ablaze by mystical fire. It startled him, causing the silent demeanor of the man to slowly falter. And as he would hear her yet again dismiss what he had said, he had felt as if she might actually flee from him.
“A-Again, I’m really sorry…”
Her eyes still clung to his as his did to her, the alluring vixen words had escaped from her very lips and he would listen carefully. “I swear it’s nothing. R-Really!” These words echoed within Aevus very being and he would look upon her in a more endearing way. His eyes softening as if the ice within them had melted. “I-” Aevus was tongue twisted, he couldn’t find the words to say to her, and it was than that he would look away hiding the faint traces of embarrassment from shedding off him. He would lie to her during this time, he knew not why but he no longer wanted to tease her, he wanted to, well he really didn’t know. “You reminded me of a flower.” His voice was but a whisper as his eyes still cast aside from her. “A particular flower, that only blooms in the damp presence of moonlight. Alone in a meadow it drifts gently under the breeze of night, a foreign beauty forever clad from the prying eyes of sunlight.” He would make a passing glance to her, his eyes still that softened blue. “It’s alright, you don’t need to be sorry and I believe you.” He didn’t know why he said the words he said and as he spoke his eyes would yet again slowly move to hers. “My name is Aevus.”
There was something utterly satisfying about watching ice melt. Ivy wasn’t sure if it was because she’d get the chance to plant again or just this boy’s eyes alone. She was sure he had a smile that could make any girl lose the feeling in their legs and faint and swoon. The whole nine yards. Yet, he chose to be icy. Was there a reason for it? Ivy vaguely wondered if he experienced a similar experience she did as a child. She swore she could hear the feral rumble of that hollow in her ear sometimes. It was low, curdling. Sometimes Ivy felt like it could devour her whole. That night was dreadful. She’d never wish that on anyone. If he did suffer, she felt truly sorry. Even the idea would warrant a forlorn expression.
Ivy truly wasn’t aware of what she was doing to him. He was good at standing his ground. What did he want? Was he curious? He couldn’t possibly want to see everything she drew in this damned book… Especially the one of him. Especially that one. It pulled at her heartstrings when he seemed to accept her lie. Her mind was running millions of miles a minute. She never did like lying. It was such a trivial matter too. Her heels finally unrooted themselves from the hole she’d made earlier when he showed up. In a way, it was like he was letting her go. She could leave right now. Run as fast as she could from this place and let all the leaves and branches whip at her as she desperately looked for solitude. When you were released from your cage, you were supposed to feel liberated. Why… Why didn’t she feel that way? She almost wanted to stay.
The words seemed strangled in the back of his throat. Something she could relate with. Yet, her own curiosity was piqued. One foot placed itself ahead of the other as she’d leave the tree trunk, her eyes pleading with his own as if it would encourage him to speak to her. She was going out on a limb and it was new, unsettling territory for her. At that moment, something in him changed. Like he’d completely defrosted. She liked the way he was looking at her. It was just… It was nice. Ivy even recognized the look on his face. She knew it all too well. She’d take one last step before he finally piped up, telling she reminded him of a flower.
“A particular flower, that only blooms in the damp presence of moonlight. Alone in a meadow it drifts gently under the breeze of night, a foreign beauty forever clad from the prying eyes of sunlight.”
She listened on closely. His whispers were low but she could hear him clearly. She wasn’t exactly sure when it happened, but she slowly approached the tree he perched himself atop of as he spoke. One hand delicately placed itself on the trunk as the other kept the diary clutched to her chest as she looked up at him. Ivy would find herself speechless by the end of it, trying to register what he’d just told her. Her cheeks grew hot. That rosy tint just grew ten shades darker. Ivy was absolutely red. The corners of her lips would curl into the most delighted and shameless of smiles. She lightly bit her bottom lip, trying desperately to look anywhere else. Anywhere but the set of eyes that looked at her the way his did. She feared that if she stared too long at them, she’d be absolutely captivated. Perhaps strangers weren’t so bad. At least, this one wasn’t. “Aevus..” Her voice lingered, as if it was something she needed to try out.
“Ivy. Ivy Reizei.”
At this point, she felt compelled to tell him about her sketch. It seemed so silly at this point. Looking at him now, she realized she missed somethings in her own sketch. She was closer now. The flower he mentioned… which one was he talking about? “Were you talking about a Moonflower? …Or Casablanca Lillies? I grow both of them.” Her voice was low but he could easily hear the excitement in it. “Moonflowers have an embarrassing meaning to it. Ehe. Casablanca Lilies smell amazing.” If only she’d been carrying flowers along with her. She’d give him one as she’d given many others. Flowers made people happy. Maybe she could show him the less embarrassing sketch, the one she’d pulled out. It was of him resting on a tree shirtless. The one in her book was just a little more… erm.. risque. “I lied…by the way.” Some of that fear was back, somewhat fearful of what he’d say to her. She pulled out the scrap paper and held it out to him. Yet, she continued to look away. If he was going to make the ‘this is weird’ face, she didn’t want to see it.
“T-The one in my book is off limits though…”
Aevus had sometimes heard a faint voice in the back of his mind. It spoke illy to him in a predatorial tone. It was only in whispers yet he could never truly make out exactly what was being said. He could only make out some of it, words like weakling, vermin and mongrel came to mind. The whispering was a curse and came to the man at the damndest of times. Fond memories became obscured by the guilt ridden and depressing ones. Some were simply forgotten, yet he too had wished he could forget the bad ones. These thoughts truly bared a heavy weight on his mind.
Yet memories, they to had been clouded, hidden from him as if a veil thusly fell over his past. The truth of who he was, of why he was who he was, what became of him in life and how he died, etched forth echoes into his very being and weighed deeply heavily onto him. It brought him to solitude, to that inner sanctum of darkness where he locked himself prisoner. Now, now was different, the emerald eyes of a bewitching girl had unshackled him from that place, if only for a short time. Her saddened expression had unsettled him, he had seen it before in the eyes of another from a distant past.
The reddened cheeks that befell her from his words, the smile that drew forth a new uplifting emotion to the girl. It was as if he had freed the cunning vixen from her trap, yet she decided to stay on her own accord. The true light of her, had been cast out into the day. Lighting up the darkened corners laying waste to that fearful aura she had been giving off. Perhaps Aevus had set her at ease, as she had him. His eyes were still that gentle hue of blue as she spoke his name. 'Ivy’ He found himself whispering her name.
As she spoke of various night blooming flowers he could hear the utter excitement lifting from her very being. her tone was certainly different than before, yet it was nice in a way. He didn’t know where to start and in truth he didn’t actually know the name of the flower he spoke of. The flower was really just an metaphor for her entirely yet he didn’t know how to tell her that. Maybe it was best left unsaid.
I lied…by the way.”
Aevus could hear the fear in her voice as she spoke. He would slowly grab the piece of scrap paper held out to him. Examining he would notice something familiar about it. It was him, the drawing was of him. Could this really of been what she was hiding? Is this why she was watching me? It startled Aevus but it had set him at ease, yet he never made that weird face she thought he would. The drawing was amazing, she had captured almost every detail of him, even that expression of his. Did he always look like that? No wonder people avoided him like the plague. “Ivy” He would whisper her name gently as he spoke. “ This drawing..” He didn’t know what else to say and he was still perplexed why she had drawn him in the first place. “You were drawing me?”
As Ivy kept her eyes away, she could feel her heart beat ferociously. She was brimming with nervous excitement in one instant and in the next, the fear of dread was slinking over her skin with that familiar, unsettling urge to run. Ivy wasn’t exactly thinking when she handed Aevus her sketch. Not 100% at least. What the hell did she just do? No one had seen her drawings save for Mika, her childhood friend… and that was pretty much used for making fun of that one bully that pushed him around, Ashitaka. Other than that, he hadn’t seen anything else. Just Ashitaka and his completely inferior, but not hopeless, body. This was so new to her. What did he think of it? It wasn’t so bad in comparison to the others.
”Ivy”. His whispers drew curious attention and she’d look up at Aevus. Even the way he said her name was enough to quell her nerves for a moment or two. “Mm?” she blinked, that inviting gaze of hers shifting to the boy who was still in the trees. ’This drawing…’The length of her back straightened against the trunk when he referenced her sketch. Yes? Yes? What about it? She noticed the mystified look in those azure irises of his as he looked over the paper. ”You were drawing me?” She gulped hard. Her lips parted as if to say something, but she didn’t. She felt as though she’d choke on whatever words she’d try to make out if spoke in that moment. “U-Uhm..” the girl he’d first met was back. Her eyes closed in embarrassment while cheeks were stained with hues of reds and pinks. She was attempting to look for an answer. Heh. Better than running right?
She lowered her head, preferring to look at the dirt for the moment. Were wolves always this good at offsetting vixens? Not that he’d done anything. No, not at all. Ivy was just trying to reveal to him that she drew people for fun… and she also drew them. Today was a day to be brave and strong. How to say it without sounding lame was the tougher part. “I… I like drawing people.” She looked up at him again. “I do that a lot.” Ivy slowly started to have more control over her voice as she spoke that time. It sounded firmer in her throat than the squeak she let when he caught her skulking around. Something about the truth did that. Regardless, she wasn’t lying. He just really did NOT need to know about every dirty little curve and line in her diary.
“Can I redraw you, Aevus?”
She instantly covered her mouth. Ivy realized she’d blurted out the most ridiculous request ever. He just found out that she has world’s most weirdest hobby.. and she had to go and say that! Ivy, what the hell. Seeing as she already said it though, she might as well go on and explain herself. Her hand slipped off her mouth, “I-I’m sorry… It’s just… uhh.. It’s just that you look different now than you do there or here..” she pointed at her book. It was his eyes. They were terribly icy, enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. It was like you could see him baring his canines, letting out that low, rumbling snarl when he looked at you that way. Now though… He seemed so different now. Had anyone else seen him like this before? He was certainly easy on the eyes now. Literally. She wanted to remember him like this. Was that weird? Oh god, that was so weird. She should NEVER say that. Ever.
“You can keep it but I can do b-better… I missed some stuff anyways.”
Her smile was quick, small and sheepish, but he’d notice it. She really did want to. Call it an artist’s prerogative. Did even like the sketch he was holding? Seeing him like this now made her dissatisfied. He hadn’t said anything about it. Suddenly, Ivy was feeling self-conscious. He’s made her nervous and he’s made her bubbling with joy. Was there seriously no in-between here? Feeling helpless in front of a walking Adonis was really just the absolute worst thing right now. If he was going to leave with her sketch though, she’d want him to leave with better. “I-It’s okay if you don’t want to though. R-Really…”
As the vixens eyes returned to his, Aevus’s heart sank. There was something in those eyes, something in those emerald tinted eyes that called him. It was like gravity, they pulled him in and he couldn’t escape them or her for that matter. They brought warmth to him. The ice he held onto for so long, that everlasting winter it had melted now. He couldn’t place the feeling it was foreign and distant, yet some how so close to his heart. Placing it was impossible, a churning in his stomach, his throat flustered from the raw emotion of it. It held his words captive, it held his entire being captive.
He saw that rosary wave ever so quickly flood over her cheeks. The girl from before was back, that fear emanated off her, reminiscent of a tide crashing into the shoreline. It strangled him to see her that way, to see the effect that he had on her. As she lowered her head, the spell that her eyes had cast had disappeared yet strangely he still felt captivated by her mere presence. He thought once again that she might flee, that the vixen may escape him forever.
“I… I like drawing people.”
Her eyes much like a passing shadow, fell over him but once again as she spoke up. Those mysterious two emerald moons, that sheltered secrets beyond Aevus’s understanding. Her timid nature, slowly seemed to pass away with that fear she once held and Aevus would listen keenly to what she had to say. He didn’t understand why she liked drawing people, it was certainly different to him, yet it was also strangely unique and she was good at it, really good. He was curious, so very curious of this girl and yet he didn’t know why. Why was she so captivating to him? What about her kept him drawn to her? He didn’t understand it yet he also wasn’t questioning it to hard. In a way, he accepted that mysterious feeling inside him yet he also resented its existence and at the same time feared it.
“Can I redraw you, Aevus?”
It was than, when she had asked to redraw him, that he became truly curious. Her reaction was odd, it was as if she resented even asking him that question in the first place. As she frantically tried to explain herself, she would speak of his eyes, his gaze would turn ever so slightly in a faint dazzlement. She had seen them too, those icy daggers, but she had also told him he now looked different. He was unaware of how he gazed upon her. It all just came to him naturally, like instinct. “You can keep it but I can do b-better… I missed some stuff anyways.” Dropping from the tree, Aevus would approach her, his chiseled form nearly upon her as he drew forth his eyes to her.
Her smile was there for the faintest of times, yet it was endearing. The words came to him naturally as he spoke. “Ivy.” His softened blue eyes sheltered her reflection. like a pool of water, reflecting the utter beauty of moonlight. To be seen but never to be touched. “I-” Maybe his words didn’t come to naturally or maybe for once he was nervous. “I wouldn’t mind seeing how you picture me.” With that a small grin would pass across his visage. It was the first time in a long time that he had smiled.
It would seem as though winter was finally passing much to Ivy’s delight. His winter seemed especially harsh. She was glad it was gone. At least, in this case it was. Part of her felt as though it would be back once she left. She didn’t know. All the vixen knew was that she liked it and couldn’t help but feel selfish enough to want to see him like that more. Was that wrong of her? It was being selfish after all… Part of her felt guilty, as if she was truly in the wrong to feel this way. She couldn’t help it. Part of her kind of wanted him to jump down from that tree and do all things those valiant men did in the stories with the princesses… only her way. What. Wait. No! Ivy looked away embarrassed… though Aevus wouldn’t be able to figure out what it was. It was just Ivy’s wild mind running amok and her blooming imagination being awfully colorful. Nervous fingers would thread themselves though ink like tresses, running through them. This was so embarrassing…
When she asked if she could redraw him, she was somewhat expecting him to just flat out deny her, leaving her with rough sketches and those oh so familiar broken feelings. Dark thoughts of her receding to the shadows where she wasn’t noticed started to surface. It seemed so unpleasant in comparison to this… at the same time, it was easier. Wolves were loners by nature. Perhaps he would agree? Perhaps not. That skittish nature of Ivy’s was ever so present when Aevus hopped down from tree. She jumped slightly as his descent, gasping. Ivy felt her back pressed against the tree trunk once again. Only, this time she wasn’t fearful. Not like last time. She didn’t know what it was, but she felt compelled to do so. She could feel her cheeks burning and her vision going a little hazy. He was coming over to her. Wh-What does she do now!? She wasn’t prepared for this! Ivy’s face only grew more and more red as his approach drew himself closer to her, sending her into a frenzy.
She liked the look in his eyes, that focused look. There was a surprising allure to his sapphire pair. It was more vivid than she realized. Oh, Ivy had it bad. Only the dirtiest thoughts running through her mind and all work of art would know was her name and her weird little hobby. Slowly the desire to end the staring contest was dissipating. Her eyes were on him with a primal magnetism and before she could stammer, utter or even squeak, she’d see the corners of his lips turned. Who knew Aevus was hiding a such a smile. She was right. He had a smile that was simply sublime. It was infectious, causing her lips to curl in a smile of silent pleasure. Even the way he strode over to her was attractive, causing Ivy to peek in her diary just once, cursing herself mentally for not doing better than she could have. This was something she wanted to remember.
Aha! He said her name again! At that, she’d gently peel herself from the tree. Tilting her head slightly, she’d offer him an inquisitive look, ready to hear his answer. “I-“ Those strangled words were back. At this, she’d step forward, giving him that pleading look once more. She didn’t want him to feel nervous. As far as Ivy knew, she was the most harmless person she knew. To be fearful of something was the worst feeling in the world. He’d quickly recover though. ”I wouldn’t mind seeing how you picture me.” How she pictured him? Good lord, he didn’t want to know that. Her eyes slowly trailed down his body, taking account for every damn scar he had. Ivy boldly meet his gaze once she was done. It was in the name of art… and a little science. No one liked science as much as Ivy did. Not even Mika. Ivy felt her heart rush, beating erratically. With a grin like that, how could she say anything other than yes? She found her smile growing as sweet as it as wide.
Ivy moved back to the tree, quickly flipping to the end of her book where she was sure there were no risqué drawings, ensure that he’d be kept in the dark about the matter. She started immediately look at him here and there. She’d occasionally blush at some part but she kept her book tilted and away from prying eyes. This skilled artist was taking twice as long as she normally did, she wanted this to be her best. She wanted to show him the best and display an artistic prowess that would throw others into awe. Her hands moved wildly still and her fingers smudged the right spots and she shaded as quickly as she could so she wouldn’t keep him waiting. The more she drew the better it came out, this looked like an Aevus she’d adore seeing everyday. It was far more inviting than the one she had before. Who knew this stoic wolf would take such a peculiar interest in the vixen’s view of him? After a while, she finished, she’d sign the bottom corner, in small letters Ivy. Maybe he’ll remember her? She stood up and worked on carefully tearing the sketch of him out of her book. “Aevus..” she called him, trying to garner his attention to the paper she held in her hand. She looked at it one last time, smiling before handing it over to him. Ivy wouldn’t say it out loud, but she liked drawing him.
“Uhm… I-Is it good? I tried to get everything in! I’m s-sorry if didn’t. I really hope you like it. Ehe.”
Aevus watched the vixen closely, his eyes would mirror her motion. He knew he was being different than before, but he couldn’t help it. For some reason he felt that he needed to get to know this girl. He wanted to get to know her, part of him yearned for it. That curiosity is what kept him in place, she was mysterious as she was beautiful and she had peeked his interest. He couldn’t place the emotion but yet he also didn’t fight against it. Every move she made, every little fidget, it startled and yet it amused him.
No other girl had cast such a spell on him before. Why was she any different? What set her apart from the rest of those he had met. He would go through this academy, passing by the whispers and the stares, without even passing them a single glance. They were all sheep to him, a flock of white, tamed under the same roof by the dogs of this place. Her though he couldn’t read her at all, yet he knew for a fact that she wasn’t one of them, she definatly was not a sheep. One moment she seemed fine, the next she was turning red and looking away from him, and next she was gazing into him with those emerald tinted stars, casting that spell. It set his curiosity even higher, yet it also confounded him to no end.
To him this girl was anything but harmless, she was just, he didn’t have the words. Mysterious was the only thing that came to mind. It was like gazing upon a flower, that hadn’t fully bloomed. You knew there was something beautiful there yet you couldn’t place it. It was that kind of mysterious. The scars that trailed his body, were but other mysteries, but the mystery before him was the one that truly caught his eye. The one that had caught him truly unaware.
He’d Watch as she moved back to the tree, her back softly planting itself to the bark. His soft sapphire eyes followed her as she drew him. Like before and even now he couldn’t look away, except for those times he actually felt embarrassment. That embarrassment from before was so not like him, he couldn’t remember the last time he fell on his own words. It was strange for him to be like that, this whole thing was strange for him and new. If he was his usual self, he may have cast her a cold glance, cutting every tie with her before they even formed. But for some reason, some reason he couldn’t explain, he was completely and utterly drawn to her.
The way she she drew, him, she seemed so ‘focused’ it was as if she was in her own world at the time. He’d see those faint blushes from time to time, each one just as startling as the last. Time felt like it had stopped for that time that she drew him, perhaps it did. Perhaps he had been cast adrift in timeless space. His body was ageless, but his mind cracked under the pressure of that immortality. A drawing was usually a fleeting thing, to capture beauty before it wilted to nothing. As she called his name, he would take ahold of the picture, his thumb gently over her signature. It was just a glance, and he would see those eyes, those softened eyes looking back at him. They, his eyes melted from the heart of an angel. His gaze, slowly trailed back to her, he wanted to picture those eyes of hers, those emerald seductive, mysterious and-. “Beautiful.”
