Greetings To An Old Friend {Shrine Prompt}

KIVO

Kivo was hungry. Hungry for more. More power, more magic, more control. He knew, in his heart, he was better than his previous selves but he also knew, he could be better still. There were ways he could improve himself naturally but he hadn't the time nor the patience for any of that. He needed the loopholes to jump through to his success.

There were other ways to get the results that he wanted but there was always a price to pay for the shortcuts. The golden mask he adorned every day was evidence enough of the sacrifices he was willing to make for what he wanted. The heaviness of his scars always burdened him with a pinch of regret but there was no denying the perks of what was on offer. He had lived enough lifetimes to prove that. Thinking about all of that soon made the regrets fade away.

As it was meant to be, Fortune answered his calling, knowing there would be advantages for them. In return for what he truly desired, Fortune asked to be amused at the expense of someone else. Kivo smiled, knowing he could deliver. Even with this promise of making someone else the fool, Kivo knew that, deep down, there would be some other form of payment to receive the gift he so desperately wanted. Nevertheless, he would pay anything for that dream to come true.

Word Count: 234

AIHONISTRA

Aihonistra returned to Namarast like a last wool returns to a loom with the old  sickened sheep no longer inside. Gone were the days of awesome pageantry to Destiny spent carving a pedestal for her name in the hearts of the people of the City of Mages, carved in flowers on a shifting wall of murals. Here were the days spent wrestling with the internal aftermath of the mage's first battle with monstrous forces, with the invisible scars raked deep by the eyes of the Miasma. The golden spirits of Tempest and Liberty trailed behind like toys dragged by a tired child up the road and into town, earning strange glances from passer-by. 

That said, there was a crazed glint in Aihonistra's eyes, cubic halo spinning frenetically. A hunger, a triumph. She was muttering something to herself under her breath, clopping along the smooth cobbles.

Shouldn't be hard to make a fool of the eccentric, unhinged looking ghost leash woman.

Word Count: 160

KIVO

With temptation dangling in front of him, just out of reach, he set out to find the jester for his play. It couldn't be too close to home, though, so he left Faline behind to search for the perfect unassuming victim.

He wandered as far as Namarast before he found the perfect fool. A wild-looking creature wandered into his path, so wrapped up in their own thoughts that they didn't even seem to notice anyone else around.

He scanned his surroundings. It was a quiet day in Namarast and there were only a couple of people around. Not enough for Kivo to worry but enough people to watch the spectacle about to unfold.

"Hey good-looking," he said with a smile as he approached the strange woman.

Word Count: 126

AIHONISTRA

The equine stares through Kivo dully with an unfocused eye before seeming to really notice him. “I don’t have time for you. Goodbye.” She trudges forward once more.

Word Count: 28

KIVO

Kivo looks taken aback, dumbfounded at the response. Nevertheless, he chased after her, not willing to let her slip away so easily.

"Oh no, you don't!"

This time, he planted himself in front of her, attempting to stop her from moving any further. He stared into her eyes that looked like they were somewhere the body was not. She was a strange being. It made him wonder what her life was like and the things she must have seen. His red eyes glowed, pulsating softly with every beat of his heart.

"Shush now and listennn..." he whispered softly, barely audible to anyone else but the two of them.

Word Count: 108

AIHONISTRA

She sits down, entranced. The two golden spirits drag themselves along with a semblance of walking this time, beginning to catch up.

Word Count: 22

KIVO

"You're going to do something for me."

They both stood, enchanted with one another. From the outside, it would seem like two lovers having a deep, meaningful moment. Only Kivo knew the truer, darker intents.

His senses closed down, the world going quiet as his magic began to take hold.

"I need you to embarrass yourself. Do something you would never do outside of your home, no matter how stupid you may feel. Once you are finished with your routine, you will forget about me but will remember what you did here today. May the foolishness haunt you."

He smiled a wicked smile, ready to watch her perform.

Word Count: 108

AIHONISTRA

The strange puppet spirits had seemed dead, lifeless, empty. But as Aihonistra gazed deep into Kivo’s eyes, blissful with the taste of dark and tainted magic, hungry for it, the small golden cervine illusion stands up wobbly, confused. “…What?”

The golden pig spirit remains lying down, but speaks up in a frightened yet desperately charged whisper. “Hush. It will be…a funny idea.” She looks a bit queasy. “A great prank. Mr., will she remember anything we say afterward?”

“Filthy dead things,” Aihonistra mumbles pleasantly.

“Anything for you. The truth.” Aihonistra stands up as tall as she can, which isn’t much, draws closer, nearly touching, face to face. “We’ll all blossom rampant, drink deep, deeper, the light, no hiding, out, out, out! Anything for you!” 

Word Count: 125

KIVO

Ghosts spoke, their voices gleeful despite the fear they held towards him. They wanted to play along with him, eager to lead their mistress into a prank of their own. Their bored little minds seemed welcome for the new chance of fun. He was happy to give it to them.

"If you want to be forgotten, it can be done. Have fun little ones."

Word Count: 64

AIHONISTRA

“And us as well, if you will, good sir."

Suddenly two more spirits appear. One is a disfigured, large male equine, the other….

is Aihonistra?

Same looks. Same voice. Different manner. Shaking with emotion.

Before that can really be pondered, Aihonistra (the physical one?) looks around. In this bustling entryway into the city, people rush about now that trade with Mead has finally become a possibility again, working on repairs, working on bringing folks back to their homes. Others go about their lives as if nothing has changed of note. Order Mages can be seen and recognized by their unusual forms and their insignias and more obvious magic.

Peers. Masters. Colleagues. The esteemed.

There is a fountain nearby, but evidently it isn’t what she wants.

She heads towards the great oak tree near the amphitheatre, decorated with hanging lanterns and mirrors.

Word Count: 141

KIVO

Kivo blessed their wish of being forgotten also before releasing his trance on the woman. Off she went, seemingly normal so far but he knew it would only get better.

The streets were becoming busier now as the work day began to end. People were hustling, racing back home or into their nearest drinking hole to wallow in self-pity of the mundane life they led. Namarast was the home of the Order and they hunted people like him. He couldn't risk being spotted and caught so he darted down a narrow alleyway to get away from the crowds. Hidden in the shadows, he could still view his victim and the scene that was about to unfold.

If this didn't impress Fortune, nothing would.

Word Count: 123

AIHONISTRA

“You’re a coward!” The physical Aihonistra shrieks at an ear splitting volume as soon as she is underneath the tree in front of a broken mirror, the ghostly version of herself on the other side looking horrified and smug and terrified and fierce.

“And why’s that?”

“Because you would rob me of EVERYTHING you senile old hag! You’re nothing but a corpse! The light is before you but you reach for your lamp to find the sun!”

“You’re nothing but a thief yourself you know, Namestealer.”

“I’m a CONQUERER and you FOOL have no other choice but to rise with me to ascendancy!! But instead of embracing glory you would SHOVE OUR HEAD IN A PILE OF COMPOST AND HIDE FROM OUR DESTINY YOU SPINELESS WASTREL I WILL SQUEEZE YOU OF ALL SPIRIT UNTIL YOU ARE NOTHING BUT MY POWER AT YOUR DISPOSAL UNDERSTAND!?”

Word Count: 144

KIVO

The outburst was unexpected, bellowing across the land. Several people turned their heads to stare at the maddening sight. Soon, a small gathering had formed as people came to watch the show. Kivo stepped back further as the crowd formed, not willing to have a noose around his neck for any sake but, he was still within earshot of hearing every screamed word.

Word Count: 63

AIHONISTRA

Heads are turning, most are confused, somebody asks about the loony bin, a mage couple looks desperately worried, the young ghosts are prancing around her the madwoman, the larger spirit equine drifts eerily jagged above her. They might be talking, but not at a volume to be heard over the din.

“Yes yes you stole my body, finder’s keepers losers weepers but I don’t intend to weep and my power is mine and you need it, and i won’t pollute it as you will.”

“THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR RACE’S THEORIES ON CORRUPTION ARE THE LAUGHABLE BABBLINGS OF IMBECILIC CHILDREN SCARED OF THAT WHICH IS GREATER THAN THEM! WHY MUST ALL THE SEEDS OF MAGICS CHILDREN DOUBT THEIR PURPOSE SO!!! CLINGING TO THE ODIOUS NOTHING OF MORTAL EXISTENCE LIKE A DRAGON THAT WON’T FLY BECAUSE THE SKY IS FULL OF STUPID FRAGILE INSECTS THAT CANNOT SURVIVE THE POWER OF ITS WINGS AND FLAMES-“

The onlookers seem to be a mixture of entertained, fearful, hateful, concerned, and confused.

“That’s the one with the mural…?”

“-some performance piece…?”

“Freaking lunatic. Come Jiminy.”

“-report this?”

“Bad signs when a Mage-“

“What I was telling you-“

“Wait, isn’t that the one went off to fight the Miasma without a team!?”

“She’s lost it”

“The ghosts haven’t?”

“No she’s an illusionist I think-“

Word Count: 217

KIVO

Hushed whispers all around swirled frantically with ideas and theories of what was going on as the spectacle continued. Kivo lips curled into a sinister smile. He believed his work here was done.

He left the strange madwoman to her argument. Maybe someone would help. Maybe not. Whatever the circumstances, he was assured he wouldn't be remembered. His masked face, his black body, the red tips of his wings. Every detail would be erased from her memory and she would just believe it was another one of her deranged outbursts.

Once out of the city, he galloped onwards for home. His strides ate up the ground beneath his hooves. He was headed for Fortune's sacred shrine, the one he had visited several lifetimes ago. Surely, this would be enough to grant him his wish - the lost marbles of a lunatic. He knew that, when he arrives, he would be forced to offer another goody - one of his own marbles. Here's hoping he wouldn't have to have his mask extended. Anywhere but the face, he prayed.

He followed the obvious signposts to the entrance, the path feeling like an old friend. He knew his way to the meeting point. It was forever engraved in his mind. He bowed before the priests who all adorned their wooden masks, featureless and expressionless.

"I have answered your call, Fortune. Now, give me what I seek."

Another chant began, this one shorter than his first pact with the patron. The feeling of corruption surged within him and he embraced it wholly. His eyes stung, glowing brighter than ever before. The wind whistled in his ears, drowning out the chanting. Suddenly, it all ended. He opened his eyes. Everything was quiet. He was alone once more. Part of his shoulder blade had been ripped open in the ceremony, blood dripping down his leg. The wound was already festering with Fortune's infection. It would end up like his other injuries that were caused in this very spot.

It was done.

Word Count: 333