Fall 70th, 516AV
early evening
early evening
The constant buzz of the city refused to die down even as the sky above turned to a darker shade of blue. Shadows turned longer, and the lamps one by one started casting their dim flicker upon the faces that surrounded or walked past him. Taking these long walks through the city had already become a habit to him. An old habit that he’d never forget, despite the years he’d lived away from home.
Ravok’s countless alleys and canals, her bridges and ropes, her sturdy wooden platform floor. Like an old friend, a familiar lover, this city had charmed him anew. And he savoured her charm, seeking solace and clarity of mind. He’d just walk around, aimlessly wherever his feet would take him. and all the people around him, their murmurs laughter or prayers just flowed around him, evolving into a blessed noise that gave him peace of mind. Exactly what he needed to stay focused. It was one form of meditation for him after a long day or night of work. The steady rhythm of his steps, his soles gently tapping against the hardwood floor followed the beating of his own heart. Air coursed through his lungs, back and forth like waves, washing away thoughts that did not belong in his head any more and remnants of feelings long forgotten; as if they were grains of sand. Before his eyes, images merged and blurred, faces passed through and were forever gone; colours and places of the beautiful city he called home. He took a turn into an alley, leaving the crowded street behind.
And inside his head order ruled. Behind his closed lips words were phrased. Words that made no phrase and made no sense. But by repeating them again and again and again, Hector had found a way to concentrate into his very essence. Lonely strands of Djed pulsed under his skin, the promise of power, still at it’s infant stages, swam through his veins. And little by little, day by day he gained insight about himself, about his potential. It would take a lot of time, that he knew very well, but slowly and steadily he would gain control over his Djed. He’d find ways to draw it out and use it, like the way they had tried to teach him so long ago. How fool he was back then...
It wasn’t just another day though. And that buzz he knew had taken a darker undertone. Because two bells had rung a few chimes ago, and that made everyone nervous. The Stryfe seemed to be everywhere; with their watchful eyes and menacing looks. That old beautiful paranoia that each and every Ravokian nurtured had once again bloomed.
He didn’t really care. Rumours always were and always would be. People would always find a good excuse to hate the outsiders. and rightfully so, he might add. They were not blessed to belong under Rhysol’s protection. They hadn’t sought this blessing, why should they enjoy it ? The world outside Ravok was a nightmare. something he’d experienced in the cruellest of ways. Why should they be safe ? What if they were there to ruin it all ?
Such thoughts raced in his mind and he find it cleansing to just let them freely flow till they were out. He would not let them linger. His words echoed and repeated pushing everything else out. There was this slight tingling sensation, a sweet taste and he knew the feeling. It was...
BUMP
It all collapsed.
Someone had just bumped into him at a time most inconvenient. Everything he’d just built up, was crashed in a mere moment of someone’s carelessness. His focus fluttered away and his balance was lost. Next thing he knew, he was on the floor with a dark clad figure over him.
Emotions inside him had died and he’d buried them a while ago. Yet encased in their dark tombs, rage and anger boiled and their ever present offspring called indignation grew inside of him. This would not do. Much as he wanted to surrender, he knew that loosing control would be to null all his efforts. He felt his head almost bursting, a loud roar tumbling out of his chest so he desperately clawed for calm thoughts. Something distant and pleasant. Like childhood ?
He stood up and struggling with himself he managed to keep the subtle smile that he was born with. But by going back through memories to keep his temper, a long forgotten word, a Eupharian curse his carer used, found it’s way through his lips.
“Azmashe !"
He felt his eyes almost bursting out, but he’d managed to keep his cool. A foreigner’s word. Who would know? Who would care what was just uttered? It was just a quiet alley, right?
Keeping a straight face, and trying to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze he turned to walk away.
.