Yes, he did indeed do his job well. Of this he could be sure. Tizack; the way he reached out and wiped out Crescent in a single blow without even lifting a dagger. Without ever making a cut on her skin in battle; was remarkable. It was still a power that he was familiar with but feared at the same time. That kind of ability could lead down a very dark rabbit hole. But when used and wielded correctly it could strike more surgically than any dagger; and hit any target no matter how far away. And Tizack had used this ability and leveraged it to his definite advantage. Once he had Crescent in that holding cell she never stood a chance. It was only a matter of time before he had to erase her.
Throughout the conversation it struck him what Kavala was truly saying. She didn’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault completely. He didn’t need to struggle with this; he couldn’t afford to. The past was just that; and despite everything truth could not be re written. They both knew this to be true now and forever. Her point was strong…no unshakable. Crescent had nothing but her killer instinct before meeting him; before being forced to become his. She was a ruthless killer, and he could see some of that same ruthless streak run through Kavala as well. But was he really Tizack? Was he?
The answer came when she stated the Ruv’na were not dead. He felt something inside him long and dormant rise up. As if it were a Templar long in the grave that suddenly rose from its long dead sleep and broke through that dark hallowed ground. Pushing the casket top aside and rising from the long deep deathly sleep. Picking up the sword and shield once again to meet head on the challenge that was facing once again. It became clear to him in this moment…Once Cytali…always Cytali. That was why he was here, that was why he ran into Kavala. Why he survived through the camps and the torture, why Mura sent him here. The Gods were protecting themselves and their followers. And offering him his rightful spot once again. He was Cytali.
His attention was squarely and intentionally focused on her now, they were in danger and he had seen the Ruv’na in action. Crescent was a perfect example. They had to bind together, find the others and grow in innumerable strength through any means needed. He had to protect his own, and do what was required to do so. He wouldn’t let innocents suffer, and he wouldn’t by any means let ignorance and misguided dogma to pluck lives from the mix. And Serrif did not second guess these thoughts. He had a family here, he would protect them.
They did raise killers, from day one they bred these machines to eliminate any marked by the gods. And to hunt down the Cytali like him mercilessly. In a way it was fitting he would find this issue here in the next life. But he had to ready himself. They had to be ready; because they had enemies now, and would always have enemies. They Ruv’na were just one of many names that they knew of; there were sure to be others. The urgency of this statement hit him squarely in the chest. He as in this; he always had been.
He was looking down into her eyes now, he could see Crescent just as clear as day. Even if she was a Konti Serrif could see Crescent. It was her…the woman who he chose to strengthen his ranks. The one he chose to end this war once and for all. He needed her in more than just one simple way; she wasn’t just a tool to him even if she started out that way. That fierce expression…that was the Crescent he knew. Even if she was in a more delicate looking body now he realized the strength there that resided in her body and mind. She was Crescent. And he was Tizack; a methodical leader. Decisive in his decisions and deliberate in everything he did.
His hand was touched to Crescent’s jawline, she reached out and touched his waist gently almost. Something…wouldn’t let him hold back any longer. He had wanted to say so many things to his dear Crescent. So many things that were left unsaid because now…now she knew the truth. He didn’t want to let this hang inside him any longer. He couldn’t if he wanted to move forward any further than he was. These thoughts would no longer trouble him.
His expression changed as he looked down into that fierce face. His Crescent demanded an answer, and Tizack was not able to filter his response; the Templar had risen, and it was time for him to draw up his weapons once again. “I love you.” His voice started out small but direct; then grew much clearer.
“but not because you are just beautiful. You are fierce, just as you are now. That fierce beauty drew me to you. Your strength…how I had to resort to wiping everything you were just to relieve you of the burden to kill me. That showed me your devotion, something I needed more of in my ranks. I needed one I could trust. Someone I could hold nearest to me that I knew would fierely protect ours from those that would have us killed. I gave you freedom, because you had been misled all your life. And you Crescent…you showed me love that I had forgotten; with your endless devotion to me and ours; both our children and the Cytali.”
He bent forward near her ear and gently whispered into her ear now his warm breath skimming across her neck as well as her cheek like a subtle breeze. “You were my ferocious protector and loving dedicated wife. I would have it no other way.” He planted a gentle kiss on her cheek and when he backed back up to look at her he had a wide smile on his face.
“I’ve waited a long time to say this. You completed me and the Cytali. We needed you.” There was a pause as Serrif came back knowing well that those words belonged to him even if they were not his own now. That hose words had been forming inside him for a very long time. Spilling over into every tense moment between them. And they brought light to Serrif; Tizack did love her. And knew that her strength was her most endearing aspect, as was her dedication.
“Kavala. It was important now to make the distinction that he had changed who he was talking to directly.
“I am capable of much. You know I will not give up until my breath leaves my body. I will never give in until my body quits me. I will not stop growing my knowledge both of the known and unknown. I will test myself, push my limits in all aspects. And through this I will be capable of near anything. I would erase again, so that we could end this war against those that would have us killed. I will brave any and everything for this reborn Cytali.” There wasn’t a pause as he then looked to her and spoke one final line.
“Now tell me you will do the same.”
Throughout the conversation it struck him what Kavala was truly saying. She didn’t blame him. It wasn’t his fault completely. He didn’t need to struggle with this; he couldn’t afford to. The past was just that; and despite everything truth could not be re written. They both knew this to be true now and forever. Her point was strong…no unshakable. Crescent had nothing but her killer instinct before meeting him; before being forced to become his. She was a ruthless killer, and he could see some of that same ruthless streak run through Kavala as well. But was he really Tizack? Was he?
The answer came when she stated the Ruv’na were not dead. He felt something inside him long and dormant rise up. As if it were a Templar long in the grave that suddenly rose from its long dead sleep and broke through that dark hallowed ground. Pushing the casket top aside and rising from the long deep deathly sleep. Picking up the sword and shield once again to meet head on the challenge that was facing once again. It became clear to him in this moment…Once Cytali…always Cytali. That was why he was here, that was why he ran into Kavala. Why he survived through the camps and the torture, why Mura sent him here. The Gods were protecting themselves and their followers. And offering him his rightful spot once again. He was Cytali.
His attention was squarely and intentionally focused on her now, they were in danger and he had seen the Ruv’na in action. Crescent was a perfect example. They had to bind together, find the others and grow in innumerable strength through any means needed. He had to protect his own, and do what was required to do so. He wouldn’t let innocents suffer, and he wouldn’t by any means let ignorance and misguided dogma to pluck lives from the mix. And Serrif did not second guess these thoughts. He had a family here, he would protect them.
They did raise killers, from day one they bred these machines to eliminate any marked by the gods. And to hunt down the Cytali like him mercilessly. In a way it was fitting he would find this issue here in the next life. But he had to ready himself. They had to be ready; because they had enemies now, and would always have enemies. They Ruv’na were just one of many names that they knew of; there were sure to be others. The urgency of this statement hit him squarely in the chest. He as in this; he always had been.
He was looking down into her eyes now, he could see Crescent just as clear as day. Even if she was a Konti Serrif could see Crescent. It was her…the woman who he chose to strengthen his ranks. The one he chose to end this war once and for all. He needed her in more than just one simple way; she wasn’t just a tool to him even if she started out that way. That fierce expression…that was the Crescent he knew. Even if she was in a more delicate looking body now he realized the strength there that resided in her body and mind. She was Crescent. And he was Tizack; a methodical leader. Decisive in his decisions and deliberate in everything he did.
His hand was touched to Crescent’s jawline, she reached out and touched his waist gently almost. Something…wouldn’t let him hold back any longer. He had wanted to say so many things to his dear Crescent. So many things that were left unsaid because now…now she knew the truth. He didn’t want to let this hang inside him any longer. He couldn’t if he wanted to move forward any further than he was. These thoughts would no longer trouble him.
His expression changed as he looked down into that fierce face. His Crescent demanded an answer, and Tizack was not able to filter his response; the Templar had risen, and it was time for him to draw up his weapons once again. “I love you.” His voice started out small but direct; then grew much clearer.
“but not because you are just beautiful. You are fierce, just as you are now. That fierce beauty drew me to you. Your strength…how I had to resort to wiping everything you were just to relieve you of the burden to kill me. That showed me your devotion, something I needed more of in my ranks. I needed one I could trust. Someone I could hold nearest to me that I knew would fierely protect ours from those that would have us killed. I gave you freedom, because you had been misled all your life. And you Crescent…you showed me love that I had forgotten; with your endless devotion to me and ours; both our children and the Cytali.”
He bent forward near her ear and gently whispered into her ear now his warm breath skimming across her neck as well as her cheek like a subtle breeze. “You were my ferocious protector and loving dedicated wife. I would have it no other way.” He planted a gentle kiss on her cheek and when he backed back up to look at her he had a wide smile on his face.
“I’ve waited a long time to say this. You completed me and the Cytali. We needed you.” There was a pause as Serrif came back knowing well that those words belonged to him even if they were not his own now. That hose words had been forming inside him for a very long time. Spilling over into every tense moment between them. And they brought light to Serrif; Tizack did love her. And knew that her strength was her most endearing aspect, as was her dedication.
“Kavala. It was important now to make the distinction that he had changed who he was talking to directly.
“I am capable of much. You know I will not give up until my breath leaves my body. I will never give in until my body quits me. I will not stop growing my knowledge both of the known and unknown. I will test myself, push my limits in all aspects. And through this I will be capable of near anything. I would erase again, so that we could end this war against those that would have us killed. I will brave any and everything for this reborn Cytali.” There wasn’t a pause as he then looked to her and spoke one final line.
“Now tell me you will do the same.”
