The City in Flames

[Ivoreyy 2303]

The City in Flames

---

Elizabeth Anne sat within her Novellen Palace bedroom, pouring over her latest addition to an ever-growing collection of books. Yet, this time, she wrote herself - neatly scribing a piece of fiction for her youngest son. The woman lamented the lack of newer literature for the boy to grow up reading, and as such, took matters into her own hands. The air held an absurd dryness, as if the city itself was hinging upon the break of a new season. Nevertheless, she dismissed the thought. For her mind focused now upon her quill, and her other gloved palm reached down to absently pet the jackalope seated by her feet.

 

That was, until the ear-splitting blast rang out across the city.

 

‘Twas a sound unheard of, a chorus of crashing wood and pillars. It echoed throughout the palace walls, shaking the very frame of the building. Elizabeth stood quickly, a sense of heightened panic to her eyes. Though not a woman shy of battle, she had yet to see a time where the city itself - her home, had been faced with considerable danger. The princess craned her head, pacing toward her bedroom’s balcony. It faced just above the city square, highlighted by the rooftops of each building - The wider palace, Varoche Hall, and the city church. Yet she could see little now beyond a stifling cloud of black smoke, forming loosely into a tornado like shape above the city. Screams rang out from the square, and though so far away, she could make out a chaos of figures running for dear life. A wind like never before blew through the air, and piece by piece, the city began to crumble.

 

For a moment - just a moment, she watched in awe. 

---

 

 

Minutes passed, and the jackalope behind her seized in fear, scratching the floors in a desperate attempt to reach its partner - a similarly sized white creature. Together they huddled within the corner of the Princess’ room, alarm plain across their small eyes. Elizabeth turned quickly, grasping the nearest satchel to her. Shrill voices had begun to cross the palace, shouting a plethora of commands. Clear within them was one- to escape the city.

 

She piled the things dearest to her quickly within the bag, with treasured books, medals, and other items being taken hastily. Barely a moment was spared, as black smoke had begun to creep through the balcony space, leaving a thick smog lingering within the room. The two jackalopes trailed her as she darted to the door, paying only a small glance behind her. It was the place she had grown up within, and those four walls held more memories than Elizabeth could recall in that short moment. Soldiers yelled more commands, growing louder each time. The princess turned, fleeing down the staircase, and out of the palace.

 

Crowds of courtiers had begun to amass in the gardens, with pale and fearful faces being ushered along by the State Army. Comments swirled - ‘twas the Inferi and the demonic forces returning, or the revenge of a long-defeated enemy. Though none knew quite clearly what was to be had, there was nevertheless one certainty - they could not fight it. Elizabeth called out to the nearest soldier, a familiar Fourth Brigadier, to find her son. Panic gripped her heart at the thought of her little Anthony amongst the crowds, his tiny frame bound to be lost within a moving sea of people. That soldier assured her that he had been within the first escorted from the city, a group of children bound for the safehouse of the Eye of Man. 

 

She was spared not a second to ask further, for the crowd had swept her forward.

 

Led on by the army they began to advance across the city, whilst the very ground beneath them was torn up and destroyed. It was a scene of pure chaos, children desperately clinging to their mothers as darkness enveloped the streets, letting building upon building crash down upon them. The square itself was unrecognisable from its former glory, depicted now only by the screams of civilians amongst the rubble. Elizabeth stood at a standstill, with people rushing forth at each side of her - looking to the city of her birth and home. Never before had Helena’s walls seen such a struggle.

 

A hand reached deftly toward her neck, snatching in a moment the pendant chain she was wearing. As quickly as it had been, it was gone - the princess losing sight of that dearest item to an opportunist thief amongst the panic. She looked desperately about, pleading in quiet tones to those around her. Yet, her pleas fell upon deaf ears, and the pickpocket made away with that treasure of her youth.

 

That was, until the glint of lunarite caught her eye. A rugged man made way across a nearby alleyway, and the Princess Imperial, in all her stubbornness, broke off from the crowd in pursuit. With a terrified Atticus in her arms, she dashed toward that alleyway - only realising too little and too late that all that remained of the jackalope’s white companion was a tramped corpse outside the Varoche. Bitter tears welled within her eyes, yet she was left with not a moment to grieve that white jackalope. She dashed forth in chase of the thief, winding down crumbling alleyways of the city in flames. Though a swift soul, the thief lacked in his judgement - soon being cornered amongst the tiny houses of the city edge. 

 

The necklace glistened within his hand. They paused in checkmate. 

 

“Give it back to me, and I’ll leave you be.” Elizabeth warned, slowly setting down the Jackalope - her eyes never once leaving the man’s own. His frame was was a rugged thing, however beneath the grit and grime upon his face, a terrified gaze was plain. HE paused, seeming to consider for a moment. 

 

Not a sound was made as the necklace was released to the floor, landing a foot away upon the cobblestone street. The princess lunged forth with a gloved palm, securing the pendant within her tightened hand.

 

Yet, the thief struck once again. A fist connected with her head, and the entire world went black.

 

When she awoke, hours later, there was no longer the sounds of chaos. She did not reach the Eye of Man with the rest of her family.

The Princess found herself alone in that darkened alleyway of the city in flames.

---

 

[Axelu 4333]

Somewhere, amongst her children, Baroness Elizaveta thought of her dear confidant and friend as the world around them seemingly erupted into discord and chaos.  The thought festered dread in her innards, her arms furling more tightly about young Sofiya. 

[Mescaffier 6197]

Viktoriya stood amongst the remains of the great Bastion - her footsteps thundering against the stone in the abandoned ruins, her surroundings silent - save for the ever present crackling of flames, and rumbling of stone. A placid grin sat atop her twisted visage, as she limped toward the throne room of the the Novellen Palace. 

"A time to be alive . . ." the woman mumbled, as she pried open the boarded entrance. 

 

The woman crept along the displaced rubble, her brows knit in a look of thought. She ascended the stairs to the dias, pacing atop it. 

Spoiler

It was fun as hell hosting the event! Hope you all liked it - Here's to more chaos next map!

 

[BobBox 3798]

A young Basrid child ran around the Eye of Man aimlessly, his gaze flicking between the various stone towers. As he made a swift turn, a snowball hit him dead in the chest. The young Basrid quickly wiped away the snow, an angry expression resting on his features "I... I told you if these clothes get dirty, Mother will be upset with me!" His frown then deepened, his mind stuck on a particular word. Mother. Where was his Mother? Glancing around once more he began to call "Mother? I, Anthony Alexios Basrid the great - who was once six but is now seven - and who is great again - and who is born of almost perfect blood - and who is the finder of the wisest - and defender of the Freedom Fort - and the Dessert Decider - and the Snow Champion - demand that you appear!" As his cries were not instantly answered, they only became more frantic until he finally grew tired and went to sleep - without a bedtime story for once.