Fallen Oak (PK)

[Spellblades 751]

Spoiler

 

Unlucky.

 

Luck had never been on Leif’s side, ever since his youth. Being born into a time of war, grief, and uncertainty had an impact on him. Sworn to a Kingdom that once helped slaughter his ancestors like cattle, the Silasian did what he had to do to survive, but. . . Why did it feel so wrong? Like he had betrayed the ancestors he held in such high regard - were they disappointed, angry, sorrowful? Perhaps he’d never deserve to know.

 

 

Leif sat by the campfire with Arturas and Nuvilta Whitewood, conversing about their lives. He noticed that his uncle’s hair had started to become gray, and his face had weathered with time. He was afraid of the inevitable, but Leif knew he couldn’t protect someone from old age. The Knight stared into the fire, the voices around him fading into quiet mumbles. He wanted to enjoy these moments, but he knew that death awaited him soon, as well as sickness would take him eventually.

 

“How’s life?”

 

“Tiring.”

 

Leif’s moment of disassociation was interrupted by a familiar infernal voice, a voice he never wished to hear again in his remaining lifetime, as he turned to the source. A prayer resonated in his mind. God knows that he needed it. “Hello Leif, long time no see. You have the means to summon me. Why haven’t you?” Leif got up from his seat by the fire, drawing his spear as he stared at Malkael in his wretched face, hatred welling up inside of him.

“What the **** are you doing here?” he asked, ignoring the creature’s question entirely. Nuvilta rose next to him. “Leif, what have you brought into our home?” he glanced over to her, wishing he had an answer, but he didn’t know. Leif was already coming up with an apology in his head, before he could finish thinking of one, the Chimera called two other people out of the shadows, a blue-looking demon and a hooded figure.

 

“Nuvilta, can you stall The Chimera?” 

 

Nuvilta nodded in compliance, but he knew that there was more on her mind. Arturas, being old and gray, couldn’t do more than use Kani to protect himself, charging a calm resonance behind the two of them, focusing on the hooded figure heading towards him. Suddenly, the blue demon in front of him began growing in size, the thing’s clothes ripping off of itself like paper. Revealing its reptilian visage beneath. Before Leif could react, the creature revealed a boomsteel hammer, hurling it towards him. The Knight had little time to react as he held his spear up in hopes of lessening the impact. It worked, but he noticed the shaft of his spear couldn’t withstand an attack like that again. The demon continued his pursuit while he was recovering Leif with a determined look in his eyes, lunging his weapon forward towards the creature’s head, but to no avail as it caught his weapon, throwing him against a wall with a CRASH. 

 

“Now, where is that winning spirit? You’re not impressing me, filth.”

 

The demon mocked before throwing him into the nearby tavern, tables and chairs flipping as he flew like a leaf in the wind. Leif felt the familiar burning sensation in his lungs, a feeling he’d come to accept, coughing blood into his helm, then suddenly a BOOMING voice came from outside the tavern. 

 

“Leif, fight. Do not care if you’re injured. Fight until your bones snap beneath your own blows. If you lose your weapon, claw with your nails. BITE WITH YOUR TEETH!” The Chimera demanded, moving towards his injured cousin, “This is your chance. Save her.” Malkael paused for a moment, as if contemplating something 

 

“Perhaps an impending death will motivate you.”

 

Rage, rage he’d held inside for most of his life, he’d been taught not to let his emotions rule him, and yet, rule they did. Leif forced himself to get off the ground and began sprinting towards the Chimera, ignoring the blue demon entirely. In wrathfulness, he failed to see the massive tail coming towards him.

 He managed to block it just in time, hearing a light crack in the spear’s shaft, but he couldn’t give up. Leif noticed that the blue demon’s back was turned to him, so he got an idea, jumping on the thing’s back and attempting to plant his spear to keep himself from falling.

 His plan failed as his spear failed to pierce the skin. “God damn it..” The Knight whispered to himself as the demon began to grab at his back, eventually finding his colossal hand over Leif’s entire head, slamming him into the ground.

 

THUD

 

Leif’s head felt like it was spinning, and his body felt like it was smoldering as he gathered his last remaining strength to look up at the unconscious bodies of Arturas and Nuvilta with a sense of hopelessness filling his entire being. He had failed.

 

 He awoke inside a pit, the smell of death making its way into his nostrils, almost causing him to puke on the spot. Leif gazed up, trying to get an idea of his surroundings, and that’s when he saw the top of the pit was encompassed with demons, peering down at him, and that’s when he knew that he was not making it out alive. So he made a decision, glancing up to meet the group’s gaze 

 

“I will not beg for my life like I’m sure the rest of your victims have. You’ve made yourself an enemy for the rest of your pathetic lives. I will not be the one to kill you today, but someone else will, and that is something you can count on.”

 

Eventually, the blue demon he’d now learned his name was Krozul, picked him up by the neck, getting ready to kill him. Malkael stormed over to the group to look over at Leif, trying one last time. 

 

“You will die here if you do not embrace my offer, submit.”

 

“**** you,” he shouted at Malkael, a last act of defiance. He’d always tried separating himself from his de Senna side of the family, instead embracing the Silasian heritage of his mother, but in the face of death, spite controlled him. 

 

Krozul’s attention then was focused back on Leif. He began to feel like his soul was being scorched, a familiar feeling he’d been fighting demons his entire life. This was nothing new to him, but it hurt more this time, knowing it was the end. He began reminiscing about his past until he stopped on a particular memory. The face of his mother. Leif began to whisper to himself, “Mother, did I do well? The responsibility I took upon myself to fulfill?” Perhaps he’d never know the answer, but he hoped that she wasn’t watching up in the skies. He closed his eyes one last time as Krozul opened his maw and bit down on his head, his last thought being of the Vuiller keep.

 

 

The news of Leif's demise spread across Azuras, and crows could be seen across the continent delivering letters.

 

To my children.

Spoiler

Hello there, my children. If you are reading this, then I am dead, either from illness or something else outside of my control. I just want you to know that I am proud of every one of you, despite the environment you grew up in. And most importantly, I'd like to say I apologize for leaving you all like this, but I believe in your strength and know that you all will lead beautiful lives.

 

Addressing Edgar Ledicort de Senna. Hail, it's me, your father. I know the last time we talked wasn't what you expected, but I'd like to thank you for keeping my secret. I also heard that you're courting one of the Greyes. Hold onto the happiness she gives you for as long as you can so that you can have the strength to pass that happiness onto your future children. I know I didn't exactly teach you great parenting, but I have faith in the man you're becoming. I've left you my blade in the mail; use it wisely. -Leif

 

 

Addressing Melinoe Sofija Ąžuolas. Hello, Mel. I hope you're doing well. From the last letter you sent, you were close to figuring something out. While I don't exactly know what that means, I hope you find the answers you're searching for. I do ask you one last favor: come home to Silasia every once in a while and help out your siblings. Along with Arturas, Nuvilta, and Kajus are going to need it. Take this knowledge that you were my pride and joy, and continue to live for as long as God wills. -Dad

 

 

Addressing Neia Ąžuolas. Hello, Neia, our last conversation didn't have the best conclusion, and I'd like to apologize for that. I hope you and your friend are doing well...Wherever you are. I've heard from Edgar that he kicked you, while I won't excuse his violence, I will say that, from what I hear, it's time that you do some self-reflection and figure out who you want to be. You're almost an adult; it's time to act like it. Don't take this as me trying to put you down; it's a lesson. You have a long life ahead of you, longer than I can comprehend. -Dad

 

 

 

Addressing Silas Ąžuolas. Hello, my son. If you're reading this, then I have passed, and it's your turn to lead the house. Forgive me for not finishing your lessons, but sometimes fate has other plans. I've left you my spear, The Verdant Fang, only unholster it in the defense of another, that is what its purpose is and will continue to be. I name you Patriarch of House Ąžuolas from this day forth. I know you will grow up to do great things, make me proud. -Father

 

 

To Edith Barclay.

Spoiler

We both knew this was going to happen eventually; there was no avoiding it. I knew that when I swore that oath under the White Tree, I'd die in defense of another. When we were kids in that Celia'norian forest with that creature, my only focus was trying to get you out of there before myself. After that day, I decided that I never wanted to see myself or another child in that situation ever again. Now I'd like to apologize for lying to you. I was sick and didn't want to worry you. I hope that you and your family go on to live happy and full lives, even if I'm not there to witness it, and always remember you were my favorite sibling. You were there for me during some of the worst times in my life. Thank you. -Leif

 

To Arturas, Nuvilta, and Kajus Whitewood.

Spoiler

Addressing Arturas Miklos Whitewood. When I first met you at the Holy See as a child and you took me in as your ward, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. But I'm glad that I did. You taught me the ways of our people alongside Cosima, and I will forever be grateful for that. Though I do have one request to make of you, make sure that my funeral is done through the Silasian Rite; I will accept nothing more and nothing less. I know that you're getting old, but try and live whatever life you have left and rest,  God knows that you need it - Leif Ąžuolas

 

Addressing Nuvilta Svajone Whitewood. Hello, cousin. During our last conversation, I told you that my condition was mild, but I said that so as not to worry you. I have faith in the leader you're going to become when it's time for you to lead Silasia. Take care of yourself, for yourself and your children. I made the mistake of letting my personal failures get in the way of my parenting, and I don't want you to make the same mistake. -Leif

 

 

Addressing Kajus Whitewood. Hail, friend. I know we've only met a handful of times, but still, I'd like to thank you. Make sure Nuvilta takes care of herself, and I'm sorry for missing your wedding. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas

 

To Ledicort and Helena de Senna.

Spoiler

Addressing, Ledicort de Senna. Hello, Pa. I hope you're doing well in your old age. If you're reading this, then I've done something foolish and I'm dead somewhere. There are so many things I wished to say to you growing up, some more harsh than other's but most importantly, the thing I wanted to say the most is. I'm sorry for all of the headaches I've caused you, the times I've made you gray from stress, and I'm sorry for how I've treated you. I know that you were just trying to keep us all alive back then, but I was too blinded by my own anger to see it. -Leif

 

Addressing, Helena de Senna. Hello, it's Leif. We've never really spoken outside of when you're around Pa, but just know, I may never forgive you for what you did to Cosima. But that doesn't mean I didn't see you as a mother. Make sure Ledi takes care of himself for me, please. -Leif.

 

To House de Senna.

Spoiler

Hello, I'd like to start this letter off by saying that I'm proud of all of you, even the some of you that i've never spoken to because I was either too busy with my duty to Idunia or some other circumstance. Continue to live on despite what the world throws at you all. I know some day this house will regain its nobility and reputation, just hold on until then and be reborn. -Leif Ąžuolas

 

To House Greye 

Spoiler

Addressing Aurellius Greye. Hail, I know this isn't the letter you hoped to receive, especially after retirement, but Fate has a cruel sense of direction sometimes. I'd like to thank you for continuing to stick by my Aunt Johanna and staying loyal to Lotharia. I know it takes strength to stay loyal to something for that long, even in the darkest times. I've grown alongside your kin, even if we were separated by war. You all will always be considered family. Vale -Ser Leif Ąžuolas

 

Addressing Adrian Greye. Hello there, Nephew. If you're reading this, then I am dead. I'd like to thank you for sticking by my son, Edgar. I'm entrusting you with keeping him on the right path. I've watched you grow into a great man, even if you don't believe it now. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas.

 

Addressing Aurus Greye-O-Rourke. Hey, I heard that you're now the head of House, Aurus. Congratulations, you have a bright future ahead of you. I may not be able to thank you in person, but I've sent you a token in the mail; you might recognize it, consider it a gift. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas

  Addressing Aedric Greye when we were growing up together in Balian, I considered you a brother, and I still do. I had hoped that we'd get to spar again someday, but it seems God had other plans for me.  -Ser Leif Ąžuolas

 

To all Knights of the Realm.

Spoiler

Hello, I know many of you don't know me besides when you see me in battle, and that's my fault mostly, but if any of you are looking for a squire. Baudemund Euler is going to have a bright future as a Knight. He was my squire before I passed. Make sure to teach him well. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas "The Brave of House Whitewood"

 

To Arowyn and Theo De Lyons.

Spoiler

Addressing Arowyn De Lyons. It seems God has decided that it's my time. I know we didn't see each other much after the war, but I just want you to know that I wish you and your family long and happy lives. You're the one who set me on this path towards learning about my mother's heritage, and I will be eternally grateful for that. -Leif

 

Addressing Theo De Lyons. Hello, we've only met once or twice, but I'd like to thank you for taking care of my sister. I pray for the success of your house, and I'm sorry for not being able to get that dinner set up in Silasia. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas.

 

To Ser Nathannenel Eruedraith.

Spoiler

Hail, Ser. I know this probably isn't what you were expecting from me; you trained me to be the best Knight that I could've possibly been. I haven't seen you in quite a long time, but wherever you are, I hope that you're doing well. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn under you. - Ser Leif Ąžuolas "The Brave."

 

To Ser Maddock Tam.

Spoiler

Hello there, it's been a while, friend. I know we've not seen each other in quite a long time, which I'd like to apologize for, but it seems that I've died somehow. I'm sorry for dragging you into that situation with The Chimera; it was never my intention to put you in harm's way. I hope you and your family will continue to thrive. -Ser Leif Ąžuolas

 

 

 

 

 

 

OOC SECTION

Spoiler

Hello! Leif was my first real character that wasn't my whitelist character, and I've had an absolute blast playing him. I'd like to thank @OwlofMiracles @TaraJess @cadazio @PoliteEquation7 @xDisarray @Montgomery Cobra @_RoyalCrafter_ @Dramatude @_xMika @harvestskies @_KnightEvil @Mescaffier @Frank_Dog and so many more for making this character so enjoyable to play. I look forward to future adventures on this server. :D

 

[cadazio 2105]

“Oh, Leif!” laments Ledicort, who had lost now two children in less than five years - it was the curse of he, who had so many, “A punishment so great, for a father to go old while his sons don’t.”

 

He lit a little candle, and bid a little prayer, that Leif might find more love in the next life than he’d gotten in this one.  

[yuiilindaos 158]

Spoiler

 

Despite everything that happened, Leif was a character I really enjoyed following from afar. - Well, better, via Discord DMs XD.

 

I'm grateful for everything we went through, from Balian to the Empire. It's somewhat ironic to see him die like this at an unexpected hour,

But in a dignified way.

 

We'll always love Leif, Shadow!

 

[WhimsicalOwl 268]

The letter arrives on the eve of a good day - and weren't good days so rare for her now? The first day of Kretzenfest had been joyous, where Edith could forget her worries. Just for a moment. Only ever a moment. . .

 

Edith settles down upon her couch, a cup of tea held gently in one hand as her other lazily unfolds the letter. There was no reason to hurry, no reason to stress - it was probably just one of her siblings checking in on her.

 

The moment ends, and her teacup shatters upon a well-kept floor.

[TaraJess 2848]

The passing of souls was hard to ignore.

Do net wait for me Leif, for I have fallen.

[Mescaffier 6197]

Helena recieved the letter with a tired smile. She'd been meaning to write to Leif herself; she knew how rough he'd had it lately with Circe, and with his own father - her husband. The boy could probably do with a peptalk. She had never grasped why the poor Whitewood was Ledicort's least favorite. "Letter, from Leif," the woman called up to her husband. "I'll, eh, tell you what it says."

 

She read it, and her smile quickly fell. Helena sat there for a long while, silently weeping over the words. The shock of his death, namely. But the fact he had indeed considered her a mother. It was cruelly ironic how of all Ledicort's children, the one who had kept his late-wife's surname, and who looked the most like her, had been the least awful to Helena. There wasn't a night that she did not think about how all of Leif's sisters minus Arowyn, who she wasn't entirely sure really existed confronted her after the trial, and cursed her name. They had wished her dead, all except Leif. When the Chimera first came for them and Helena fought tooth and nail to protect those children, Leif had been the only one not to abandon her to bleed out.

 

It was the very reason that every time Ledicort asked over the decades, each time more incredulously, which child was her favorite, Helena had always given the same answer. "I don't play favorites! ... But, if I did, it would be Leif."

[Frank_Dog 808]

The man's grandmother Arowyn smiled as he joined the seven skies. "All the pain of life is over dear child. Join your mother and I in the peace. You have done well as I have watched you your whole life. A true Silasian."

[Amesti 247]

Isabela had barely known Leif, but she liked him. He was nice and rather tolerant of her antics. After certain events, the rather shaken girl thought to reach out as he had offered. Trembling fingers wrote a simple letter: "Mister Leif, Can we meet? -Isabela" She wanted some assurance, that maybe what she had seen was a fluke and she thought perhaps he could provide that. The letter was attached to a bird and sent off. No response would come. A small light was extinguished.

[KeiaTypeBeat 3277]

Neia sat upon her bed in absolute silence. Her body trembled as the events of the day played again and again in her mind. The slaughter. The viscera. Blood stained the bottom of her black shoes. The carpet had been utterly soaked in the such.. 

 

She doesn't remember how she got back home to Petra. One moment, people were dying. The next moment, servants were clamoring to get Neia into fresh clothing. The moment she came to, she screamed so loud, it cleared the entire room. She did not want to see another living thing. She did not want to be touched. She did not want to be seen. 

 

Her bloody footsteps left a trail throughout the castle that led straight to her room. And so she sat onto her bed, and she stayed there for who knows how long. She replayed the day in her head, over and over. She saw each face that had grown familiar to her twist in fear and pain as they were slaughtered. And now her favorite shoes were covered in their blood. 

 

She didn't know how long he had been standing there: he was human, wearing clothing Neia cared not to remember. Just as she sucked in a breath to scream at him to leave, he informed her of her father's letter. 

 

Neia's world stopped. She felt her heart skip a beat. A twinge of a microscopic smile formed at her lips. "Father.. wrote to me?" She ripped the letter from the man's hand, and before he could offer her a word of warning, Neia gave him a glare, her eyes filling with rage at his continued presence. He left the room without another word.

 

Neia watched him leave, and the moment her door closed, her smile grew. She ripped open the envelope, removed the letter, and she began to read...

 

And as the girl read, her smile dissipated. Her trembling returned. Her eyes danced across the words. "No.." Her breathing became quick, and each exhalation became more labored than the last. "No.. no no no." The girl brought a hand to her hair, moving it beneath her bonnet so she could grip at her hair. "NO NO NO!" She shot up from where she sat, and the world around her spun. The hand holding the note shook like a tree in the deadliest of storms. "NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOO!" 

 

The seventeen year old howled with rage, and sorrow, and regret, and hatred. She ripped the letter apart, and, with another banshee-like wail, she threw a table, and the tea set stop of it, to the ground. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" She grabbed ahold of her wardrobe, and she huffed and pulled until it slammed onto the ground. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" She grabbed a book, and she threw it at a window. It missed, hitting the wall harmlessly. "IT'S NOT FAIR IT'S NOT FAIR IT'S NOT FAIIIIIIR!!!"  She held the last word in a scream so long, her lungs were relieved of air, and she became dizzy.

 

She collapsed onto the ground, sputtered out a coughing fit, and she began to sob. She balled her hands into fists and slammed them into the ground repeatedly, and she violently kicked her feet upon the floor. She tried to scream again, but all that escaped with her breath was a hoarse, cracked whimper. 

 

And so she sobbed. She sobbed, reached out to grab the stuffed dog Leif had gotten her when she was so little back in Aevos, and she just sobbed. 

 

"Why d-didn't you m-miss me, P-papa? W-was I t-truly so a-awful?" The seventeen year old girl whispered in her broken, hoarse voice. 

 

"I hate my life.."

 

Spoiler

Gg I'll scream at you irply again another day 

 

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Maddock looked at his children sleeping as he held the letter in his hands. He clenched his fists as he recalled all the good times with Leif. 

"Oh GOD on high, hear my prayer, give me strength so that I will kill this creature for what it's done to Leif, and so that no one else may know his family's pain."

Edited November 16, 2025 by Ryfin Chany

[xDisarray 553]

[Hom 1987]

Melinoe scans the note with a dull, glassy expression. Little hint of what emotions her father's passing stirs in her is visible on the outside- But within her, there is a quiet turmoil. Then she closes her eyes, and murmurs out to the empty room. "I have found the answers, Father. And I will advise them... If they are willing to hear those truths."

[EmiliainWonderland 2309]

And somehow, there she was again. Had she ever met Leif who's son was her most cherished of cousins? No, but that did not mean her heart did not ache. For Edgar, who had already gone through so very much time and time again. For Edith, Ledicort, and Francesca. Alexandria may not have known him personally, but she knew he mattered to all of them. It was such a shame that she'd never know him. 

[PoliteEquation7 187]

"Oh Leif. . ."

Adrian gasped out the words, the world had not only stolen his uncle from him, but the very air from his lungs he wished to scream with.

As he continued reading a new oath had been sworn onto his heart, one forever burned into his soul.

"I won't fail you. . .not again"

[APurrfectPossum 148]

Eirene sat beneath the wide-leafed spruce tree, letting the steam of her Qalasheen coffee curl gently against her face as she savored the calm of the morning. When the courier stepped into the garden, she straightened with a sudden, bright hope. Her twin, At last. After years of silence, had finally written her. She smiled, almost laughed as she broke open the envelope.
 

But as she unfolded the parchment, her breath caught.

Eirene’s smile quickly faded, her eyes filling with tears as she clutched the letter to her chest. Her younger sister’s passing was still an open ache, and now this devastating goodbye from her twin carved that wound wider. The garden’s warmth seemed to drain away, leaving her sitting in silence beneath the spruce tree, holding the last words she would ever receive from Leif, and Eirene into a ugly crying mess.