The Loss of Violet

[TofuGomi 362]

 

 

It had only meant to be a simple herb-gathering trip. Nothing serious, just an idle thing to do while she waited for the others to be free so she could complete her trial given to her. She didn’t wish to bother Dyonne while she was busy in her alchemy lab, or Liriana whilst she was talking to the citizens of the forested grove. 

Cricket had wandered to the meadow in between Nevaehlen and Urguan, before walking along the treeline that spread across the edge of the mountains. She took in the sights and scents of nature- until she noticed the silence. The birds' melodic chirps were absent, their nests long abandoned, empty shells among the branches. Then, her foot struck something. A carcass. Insects swarmed the worn and bloodied bones, drawn like moths to a flame. 

Something was nearby. Something she most definitely was not prepared for. 

 

This time, she was the prey, having been foolish enough to not carry any weapons with her, for she did not own any. Her hand gripped the basket full of herbs she held tightly, going stock-still as she listened for any possible hint on where the danger was. In the brush, yellow eyes peered at Cricket, observing her like she was a wounded deer, as if she were easy prey. As the big cat circled closer and closer, her heart thrummed within her chest, adrenaline pumping as all she could hear was her ragged breathing, and the rapid beating of her heart within her ears. 

As the mountain lion crept closer, a figure clad in armor surged past her, charging straight at the beast. Cricket watched as the mountain lion tackled her, only to jump off of her to get to the hunter, pinning him down with massive paws. Mustering all the courage she had, and perhaps a bit of the adrenaline that rushed through her veins, she pulled forth the only tool she had on her, her pickaxe. The dull iron tip plunged into the creature’s back, forcing it to twist with a snarl, its blackened claws slashing toward her face in frenzied retaliation. She yelped, stumbling backwards as the pain settled in.

As her vision faded to nothing, a wail tore from her throat. No, no, not again. She could not lose something so vital, so precious. Yet, no amount of pleading stopped the darkness from swallowing her sight whole. A void stretched before her- no shapes, no light, only absence.

Cricket sobbed, hot tears mixing with the blackened blood that clung to her skin. She begged the world for answers, for mercy. How could this happen? Why was she cursed so cruelly? For someone who bore her features- marked, monstrous- blindness was a death sentence. Before, she had the protection of isolation, hidden away from prying eyes and hostile hands. But now, out in the open, she had nothing. No walls to shield her. No safety guaranteed by others. 

With a trembling breath, she tilted her head skyward, clawed fingers gripping at the fabric of her shirt as if she could hold herself together. A choked sob escaped her lips- a desperate prayer, a plea to the void. Anyone. Anything. Just let her see again.

As dizziness overtook her senses, Cricket was lulled into a blank, unforgiving unconsciousness. Yet, strangely, she opened her eyes again and could 'see' once more. Around her was a forest with several different trees, trees that did not belong in the same environment together- spruce bundled with birch trees and acacias. She stepped forward into the uncanny forest, her voice cutting into the still air as she called out for anyone- anything- to hear her. But only silence answered, heavy and unnerving. Cricket continued further until she reached a lake surrounded by thick billows of mist, curling towards her as if beckoning her towards the large body of water. Drawn in, the horned woman leaned over the water’s edge to be greeted by her reflection in the cool waters, yet there was something missing- her eyes. Panic clawed at her chest, Cricket going to scream yet finding she had no voice. She was unable to help herself as her reflection’s hands bursted out from the water and seized her horns, dragging her into the depths of the remorseless lake. 

 

Only later did she truly awaken, sitting up at the table and glancing around. A thought gnawed at her- had her eyes been replaced somehow? Slowly, she reached up, only to find a layer of moss carefully pressed over them, serving as a makeshift bandage.

OOC: thank you to DistantCryptid for running the event and thank you to Foog for doing it with me! :D