[RP Blitz] When Mortals Fall

Vediatha is a magical haven for magic users, dragon riders, and creatives, but beneath the surface, the hands of the monarchy are felt everywhere.

When three established and respected dragon riders are called by the king to serve as royal envoys, they must leave the city and deliver themselves to the capital to prove their duty to the crown. In a place as Loyalist as Vediatha, though, everyone hides their beliefs behind a smile and lies. As the trio journeys to the capital, they'll be forced to confront their beliefs about power--both institutional and personal. They have the strength to make a difference... but does that mean they hold the responsibility?

Malvis sharpened her axe, her eyes locked on the trees. The only movement was the breeze rustling the trees softer than a mother putting her babe to sleep. It was too quiet. No squeaking of prey animals, no buzz of insects. Not even a single stray birdsong.

Malvis was in the right place.

She finished sprinkling the bait and retreated back, staying downhill from the raw meat. The blood slicked her hands, but she paid it no mind. Her hands were made for it. Acolyte chirped from a tree branch, his tail wrapping around it. His wings were folded tight against his body. The sunlight sparkled against his neon green skin, making the dragon seem to almost glow.

Malvis shushed him. "It's alright, Acolyte. I know what I'm doing." Her voice was nothing but a murmur, barely rising above the breeze. She couldn't risk the beast hearing her too soon. This was a delicate operation. Minutes passed like honey spilling from a pot. Malvis stayed crouched in the forest brush even as her legs started to burn.

A branch snapped. Then another. Acolyte raised his head, his pupils dilatating. Malvis gripped her knife harder.

From the trees, it emerged--a beautiful bird with green and yellow feathers, a long delicate neck, and a full train with a dozen eyes looking every which way. A gazefowl in all its glory. Malvis planted her feet firmly against the ground. This was it.

The eyes of the gazefowl kept darting every which way, no eye looking at the same spot. It slowly walked to the meat on the ground, stooping over to peck at it. Its razor sharp peak cut through the tougher pieces with ease, smearing blood all over its face.

Malvis lunged at the bird, immediately grabbing it by the neck. All of its eyes locked on to her as she shoved it against the ground. Its wings flailed. It kicked its feet against Malvis's thighs. The gazefowl screeched.

Malvis grunted as it thrashed in her grip. She brought the knife up to the base of its head. The bird kept squirming, cutting her arms. She bled as she slashed the bird's neck. It kept fighting, but Malvis held firm. After a few seconds, the bird's kicking grew sluggish. Its wings flapped once, twice more before it finally fell still.

She gasped for breath, her shoulders finally slumping. Acolyte chirped, finally slipping off the branch. She glanced over at him, wiping sweat off her forehead and only succeeding in adding blood to the mix. "Thanks for the help."

Acolyte's wings drooped.

"Don't give me that look. Just because you can't poison it doesn't mean your claws aren't useful." Malvis stood up, shaking the gazefowl to make sure it's fully dead. "Ah well. The meat and the eyes should sell well. The school's been complaining about how no one works hard enough to get the rare potion materials anymore." She hoisted the carcass over her shoulder.

She clicked her tongue at Acolyte, who quickly rushed to her side. She swung a leg over his back and held on. He stepped a couple of feet back before running forward, unfurling his wings. With one big flap they lifted into the sky--higher and higher until the trees were little more than toothpicks sticking up from the ground. The wind caught Malvis's hair, streaking the blood red curls behind her. She took a deep breath, loving the way the cold air burned slightly coming in.

"Today's an important day. I can feel it."

Acolyte only chirped. He didn't feel the blood that still coated Malvis's hands.

It only took an hour for Acolyte to land on The Academy's walls. It was a route Acolyte knew well. Malvis dismounted, taking a moment to stretch her legs. Before she had a chance to properly get settled, someone was running up to her.

It was a lanky man, one whose name she either didn't know or had long forgotten. He bounced on his toes slightly the closer he got. "Ah, Malvis! Our favorite alumni. Always taking care of us. Yes, always always." The man grinned and Malvis got the sickening feeling he wanted something.

"I brought the Gazefowl Professor Milner wanted." Malvis held up the carcass.

The man frowned, his eyes trailing along the blood trail Malvis was starting on the stone. "Ah, yes. And we thank you for that! We thank you very much indeed. You always do so much for us, Malvis. You really do!"

She narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

"Well, it's just..." The man shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He now conveniently found the puddle of blood the most interesting. "You have a message. You're needed elsewhere."

"Elsewhere?"

"Well, you see, it's the king. King Rhys heard of how much you do for us and he's asked for you specifically. To be an envoy."

Malvis's eyes widened. The king? King Rhys specifically asked for her, to enter his palace, his throne room, to end up face to face?

"Now, I know this probably seems like it'd be far below you. But, I assure you--"

"I'll do it." Malvis shoved the bird in the man's arms. He scarcely had time to catch it before Malvis was mounting Acolyte once more.

"Oh?" The man laughed, though his eyes kept drifting to the carcass. "Well, that's great news. "You'll need to meet your fellow envoy members in town."

Malvis nodded. "Who are they?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know their names. All I was told was that you were to head to the Vedietha Plaza posthaste."

"That's enough for me." Malvis nodded. "Good day." She clicked her tongue and Acolyte lept off the wall, launching into the air.

Malvis waited until The Academy walls were far enough behind her before she smiled. "Yes! Wooo!" She pumped her fist into the air, a giddiness she had not felt since she was a child overtaking her. It was finally happening. Malvis would finally have an opportunity to fulfill her life's purpose.

She was finally going to kill the king.

Malvis could picture it now. King Rhys would invite her into his home. She'd eat from his table. Then once the sun hung low and the guards huddled around their magic light fixtures, Malvis would drown the castle in darkness. Her purpose, the prophecy, would finally come true.

Malvis let go of Acolyte, spreading her arms so the rushing wind would hit her entire body. Her hair whipped and tangled behind her. She didn't care.

Malvis the Reign Ender was finally made manifest.