[OPEN] The light that seemed to disappear

[bearshermark]

Who: Eleven and OPEN
Where: First District/Academy
When: September 3rd-ish
What: El has returned from his world, a bit disoriented by a mix of somewhat obscure visions/dreams, multiple sets of memories, and general time shenanigans.
Warnings: None.. at the moment, I think.



His feet hit the ground, and Eleven landed in a crouch. He held the stilled position for several moments, eyes focused on the shadows spread over the dirt a short distance from his fingertips. Then just as swiftly whirled on the person stepping up behind him. A civilian, he noted belatedly, and dropped his sword with an apology.

The newly forged Sword of Light gleamed in the afternoon sun. He rubbed his eyes and glanced up to clear blue skies above. Sunlight so bright that it seemed impossible. A spread of foreign scenery slowly resolved into distant familiarity.

Not Hotto, but Noa.

A world full of life, not yet fallen to darkness. A world ambivalent to the title of Luminary. Overlapping visions of two very different, yet puzzling dreams.

He'd regained his companions only to lose them again, but traded them for cross-dimensional friendships.

Hendrik. Yotsuyu. Isabel. Lea. Tenn. Isa. Kuja. Atem. A number of others.

Yet his feet hesitated to return, found himself caught between a strong desire to stay, and the compulsion telling him he should go. Mysteries and memories held him captive, conflicting, weighted, and scattering his focus.

He stayed.

It took a few days to feel ready enough.

When Eleven finally returned to Anastara, it was with a practiced smile: patient and friendly yet at odds with purposeful strides and drawn shoulders. He passed through the First District and into the Academy grounds with a polite nod to everyone he made eye contact with.

Nothing seemed terribly different from what he last remembered of the place. The people he thought he knew still recognized him.

"Has it really only been a few days..?"

Comments

[temptationaccomplished]

Spotting the young man, Aziraphale smiled and crossed the grounds towards the temple, looking a little pink in the cheeks as if he had been doing more walking that he was accustomed to. Eleven wasn't dressed in his temple robes this time, but then humans DID tend to change their clothes with some regularity in the modern era, and Eleven might well be off duty at this moment. In contrast, Aziraphale was dressed in his uniform, and regrettably had started to forego his pale bowtie because it did not match the red and black Ka uniform and he had standards. (He would be in the market for a matching tartan tie soon, once he had some funds of his own.) The closest thing to his previous palette was the light caramel colored snake that had taken up residence near his collar.

"Oh, there you are!" he said in a manner of greeting, clasping his hands together in front of himself as if in happy relief. "I was here a few days ago and they had told me you had gone! Absolutely failed to clarify where you might have gone off to; did you take leave in the middle of the school year? Not that it's any of my business, but I am glad to see you back and looking none the worse for wear."

[bearshermark]

Eleven blinked his focus from the temple to the man approaching. His memory took a moment to place him.

"Mr. Fell," he greeted slowly. They weren't closely acquainted, but he was memorable. He'd been so conflicted then, so worried. ..He was still worried. He'd even guess that was why he'd returned.

I'm not ready.

Not worse for wear, though.. that didn't feel true. So much had changed.

"I.. I'm not sure how it happened," he said, glancing down at himself like his clothing might hold the answers. "I returned to my world for five- or eight? - months, but then I was in Noa and it's only a few days since then."

[temptationaccomplished]

He would not be surprised if Eleven had forgotten him; Aziraphale wasn’t all that memorable in the grand scheme of things, they had only met the once, and the conversation was undoubtedly more important on Aziraphale’s end than for the young man. Still, after hearing the boy had gone, he had been saddened to lose that momentary connection and was surprised to see him back so soon.

More importantly, he was surprised now to learn where he had gone off to. He’d assumed the young man had left the school and temple, perhaps on a quest or some such. He hadn’t expected he’d have gone home.

That was possible?

“For months?” It hadn’t even been a month since they had met. “Well, that’s nice,” he said, eager to try and make the best of things, “a jolly little trip back home. Do you think,” he added with a pointed side glance at the temple, “you were granted the visit in gratitude for your service?”

[bearshermark]

"What?" Eleven followed his gaze to the temple, then shook his head. There had been nothing enjoyable about his return. Where before the destruction of the world was certain, he hadn't yet seen it for himself. Now, the images of the dark sky, destruction, fire and glowing red eyes would never leave him.

He shifted, eyes dropping to the paving.

"No, I.. I think Yggdrasil sensed my regained power and brought me back there to- to do what I could to help. But She must know I'm not ready to defeat the Lord of Shadows just yet, so I'm here again."

[temptationaccomplished]

"Don't look so dismayed. You must pace yourself. If you're not yet ready, then it's a good thing she identifies that and doesn't push you. She needs you, obviously," though hopefully not to Eleven's own destruction. Aziraphale had seen how heroics played out and he had seen how God's Chosen had been a lamb of sacrifice. That was an unkind, unfair fate.

"She just requires you to train up for your encounter here, where the Lord of Shadows isn't. You will get there. She would not have chosen you otherwise." She undoubtedly had a Plan for Eleven, even if it turned out to not be the plan Eleven wanted for himself. Maybe they all had something to accomplish in their sidequest here, even if only God knew what that was. So many seemed to think they had penitence to pay here for some fault or another, and maybe guilt was just a collective human condition...or maybe they all really were here to do something they had not been achieving back home. He didn't know. He couldn't know.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Isabel...was not paying attention, at first. Head tilted down to look at her books, she passed along the path towards one of her classes. Still, out of the corner of her eye--a familiar shadow, and even Chaos made a mrrrpt! of greeting, prancing over with tail held high to give Eleven an affectionate headbutt against his leg. He's missed you, human boy. Even if he didn't have a long time to do so.

Look up, Isabel. The quietest of internal whispers, and yet it had her snapping her head up, eyes wide and startled. But it was enough. Her eyes widened more (were that possible!), and she nearly dropped her books in her haste to run after him.

"Eleven? El?!" Skidding to a stop before she could collide with him. "Yeah, it has here--but oh my god I'm still so glad to see you!" Things had been a little strange since she'd divined he had disappeared. Still...Isabel looked left, looked right, to see just how many people were watching. Few? Good! She leaned over and gave Eleven a kiss on the cheek. All casual-like. Nailed it.

"I'm glad you're back!"

[bearshermark]

Eleven started. He knew her well enough to recognize her on sight, but still her rapid and very friendly approach wasn't what he might have considered expecting. His face colored a faint shade of red.

"H-hello, Isabel," he said, fidgeting.

There may have been nothing terribly magical about a kiss to the cheek, but it had certainly made him feel more present. More real and less like a wandering ghost that didn't belong.

"How have you been?"

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Worried as hell, really!" Truthful, and yet with his return, she was perfectly capable of being cheerful now, too. "Where did you go?" Intuition alone has given her a clue, but it's one thing to make a leap like that, and another entirely to get confirmation.

"Beyond that, all right. When I found out--I told Hendrik, because I figured telling him probably would be better than him wondering and worrying, but..." She managed to look absolutely guilty, then.

"I don't think I was much help at all." Especially since she hadn't seen the knight since.

[bearshermark]

There was so much to take in to answer all at once, particularly as the mention of Hendrik spiralled his thoughts along a confusing road.

"I- er, I'm sorry. Hendrik. But he's been with me all this time."

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Oh, that's how it was, was it? Isabel nodded to Eleven--this sort of thing, she was actually familiar with.

"You did have a version of him there. So you're not wrong, not at all. But there was a version of him here, too, and that one is probably worried sick about you. Worse than I was--I had a feeling you'd be back."

Don't be too smug now. The strangest expression crossed Isabel's face for a moment, but she shook her head. "I wish I were joking about this, but I'm really not. If nothing else, it'd do him good to see you back and well. You and I can catch up later, if you don't get totally swarmed by other people." She laughed at that, and grabbed him for a quick hug, not upset at manhandling him a bit.

"I am glad you're back, though!"

[king_of_egypt]

"Nice work, Horus!" Atem congratulated his metallic falcon as it concluded it's return flight, by landing on his extended arm. He had sense enough to protect his limb from the bird's sharp talons by wrapping a bit of sturdy cloth about it. With his free hand he reached up to affectionately stroke his familiar's head. It had been a fairly uneventful month save for searching for a missing puzzle piece, and a few recent disappearances. The latter was disconcerting, especially since one of the missing persons happened to be a friend of his. After he learned of Eleven's absence, he'd made sure to keep an eye out for the other as he combed Anastara for the Millennium Idol's missing piece.

Neither of which had turned up yet. It was only now- when he was taking a little recreational break with Horus that he caught sight of Eleven entering the school grounds.

Eyes widening in surprise he exclaimed. "You're back!" After encouraging Horus to move to his shoulder, Atem walked over to intercept Eleven who looked no worse for wear... at least from his initial observations. "Does it feel like it's been more..?" Not really answering the question originally posed. "Where have you been?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven tipped his head with a short grin. For all he felt out of place here, there was something pleasant about being greeted with such enthusiasm. For just being himself, no less.

Atem, yes, he remembered. That hair was near-impossible to forget. Excepting the time spent in his own world, where he had forgotten.

"My world- for a number of months, actually. Is everything all right?"

[king_of_egypt]

Atem wasn't sure what he was expecting but as he drew nearer he couldn't help looking over Eleven again in search of any signs of wear and tear. If any medical attention was needed he would see to it that word was sent immediately. The grin however interrupted his visual inspection.

The style was one that he shared with Yugi- with some variation. That aside it was very unique. Amnesia was actually something he had some experience with should the subject come up.

"A number of months!" Unable to hold in that exclamation. "No wonder you posed the initial question." With a shake of his head. "That's incredible. Oh... yes... everything is fine here. Nothing that couldn't be handled between classes and thieving rodents." He didn't seem to want to focus on the school however. "What about you? How are you feeling?"

[bearshermark]

"I.."

Eleven shifted in place, beginning to frown.

"Odd," he settled on finally. "I remember.. many things. In separate times and dimensions. Odd dreams and memories I shouldn't have seen. It took me awhile to sort through them when I came back, but they still feel a bit.. unreal."

[king_of_egypt]

The subject seemed to be a troubling one, so maybe Atem's concerns were not so misplaced after all. It was just the scars he was looking for were more emotional than physical.

"Mm..." Nodding, and not pushing it, allowing Eleven to continue when he felt like he could. "It sounds very disorienting," He sympathized. "Maybe... you'd like to sit down somewhere before discussing it further? Or get a drink?" Ideally something soothing.

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik walked around the grounds and took the same paths that he and Eleven had taken. Yotsuyu's words definitely gave him a lot to think about and while he hadn't seen hide nor hair of the boy, he tried to keep up his spirits. It pained him to walk the same routes, it pained him not to pick up his sword and practice, but anytime he tried to, he ended up taking his frustration and anger out. There had been a lot of repairs.

He'd even put his training classes on hold and stayed home instead of going to classes. If he was checked up on, he would insist he was fine as he tried to nurse the hole in his heart. Jasper had been one thing certainly, the Luminary was quite another and altogether different.

The knight had signed up to be a guardian, a sword, a shield, a protector. He didn't sign up to be a friend. That had only confused him when lines went to blur because it was unexpected. But as he wandered around, he thought he heard a familiar voice. Not daring to hope. Hendrik went to go find the source and saw the Luminary.

For several long moments he just blinked and thought of how strongly Yotsuyu believed that the boy would return. And then he broke into a run and scooped the Luminary up.

He was absolutely not getting away again.

[bearshermark]

Eleven was halfway to a smile, but it faded just as soon as he realized Hendrik wasn't stopping. He was hauled up and brought along quite as though he didn't weigh anything, holding on dearly while his heart beat a panicked rhythm.

"Hen- Hendrik! What's going on?"

[unswervingcompanion]

He didn't stop until he got to the same place on the temple grounds that he'd grieved at with Yotsuyu. And once he stopped, Hendrik took a few breaths, ensuring that his prize was still tucked safely under his arm.

Finally he released the Luminary to his feet and took a few steps back, not knowing what to say for several long moments. The knight breathed in and out, a hundred things running through his mind as to what to say, how to feel, what to think.

And only two things came to mind. "Disappearing on your friends is not allowed from now on if I am to properly be one." He then coughed into his gloved hand. "And have you told your mother that you've come home? If not, you had better do so. She's...been worried."

Yes, he's referring to Yotsuyu.

[bearshermark]

Eleven stood, breathing hard and out of sorts, hand curled around his sword like he might just draw it given any provocation.

Instead he blinked confusion at his surroundings, then the man himself.

Mother. Three faces flashed in his mind's eye. Amber. Yotsuyu. ..Eleanor. The last a face he could finally put to the name thanks to his father's final memories. A spirit long departed calling out for the pieces of her torn family.

"..No," he said finally- heavily. "I only just returned. Why did you bring us here?"

[unswervingcompanion]

"This was the last place I looked for you after you left." He wasn't about to get into how he broke down and Yotsuyu had comforted him. Looking the other over a little better now, the knight nodded.

"You seem the same and yet different. Tell me what has transpired between the time you left and returned."

There was definitely something different and Hendrik wanted to know. "I would also have you tell me how you managed to leave this place."

[darkenedmoon]

"Yes, you terrible boy. You had us all worried--tell me, what happened?" For all her somewhat harsh words, there was an actual smile present on Yotsuyu's face, and she looked more than happy to see Eleven again.

A few days. Had it been so short a time? It had seemed longer. Oh, his absence had not torn at her heart like it had others--she had had perfect confidence that he would return. And, as she had sworn and promised, here he was. Hale. Whole. Healthy. And shining with a quiet confidence that he had only been clutching at when he had vanished.

"It is so good to see you." Yotsuyu enfolded him in a gentle embrace, and kissed Eleven on the forehead. Mind the lipstick, now!

[bearshermark]

Eleven let himself be held, then breathed a sigh and gradually relaxed into it.

Yotsuyu. To think he could mean so much to someone from a different world.

"I'm sorry," he said, voice quiet. "I'd gone back, and everything was as awful as I imagined. The sky over Erdrea went dark, and the people that were left were all frightened and struggling to survive. ..But I regained my power and stand to face Mordegon when I return."

[darkenedmoon]

"You need not apologize." Not to her, in any case--Yotsuyu had been firm in her belief that Eleven would return. But she listened quietly, watching his face, and then nodded. "You were certainly doing so here. Slowly, but you have, now?"

She gave a quiet breath, smiled, and hugged Eleven again, quickly. "I am glad you have returned. I do imagine that Yggdrasil may call you back, again, if Mordregon has not yet been defeated, but I believe you have the strength to do so--not that I have not felt that for a while. But it seems that you have the confidence as well, now." And then, Yotsuyu nodded. For that could only be a good thing.

"I am proud of you." And why should she not be? He may not have fulfilled his destiny yet, but he certainly had faced it, and he was no longer quite so fearful as he had been!

[bearshermark]

He wasn't at all confident; the thought of failing terrified him so badly that it nearly felt as though that fear itself had dropped him back here. He knew exactly what was at stake, if light was not returned to the world- if he fell again. All of Erdrea was relying on him; every pair of eyes that saw his mark sparked with just a little hope. He'd just grown used to living under that gaze as he trudged forward step by defiant step, taking every scrap of encouragement from his companions and packing away the dark part of himself that only wanted to hide away somewhere remote and surrender himself to despair.

Eleven shivered.

"I'm going to retire," he reminded himself, eyes closing. "As soon as it's over. Become a fisherman in Lonalulu."

[darkenedmoon]

"Not before you show me your world, I do hope. Should I be lucky enough to be allowed there." Then again, Yotsuyu knew very well what she had to atone for; her crimes in her world were terrible enough that if she were resigned back to the seven hells after her time here ended, she would go.

It was merely what she deserved, after all. "But that does sound nice. Water is so very calming, and the breezes off the water are nice..."

So were things in Doma as well, before everything had gone so very wrong.