Ruin (Open)

[Deedlit]

Her eyes widened, ears raised and all the color left her cheeks. Every bone in her body stood in terror at the sight of her home in ruin. The shadows permanently etched into the ground where her fellow elves were incinerated. How or why she didn't know. She had wandered away from the forest when her people had warned her never to leave but had she obeyed Deedlit would be among the casualties here today.

"No..."

Was all Deedlit was able to get out as she fell to her knees. Still in too a shock to even weep for her loved ones. Watching the fire reach out towards the sky above as the smoke reached even further into the heavens. It was gone. It was all gone. What was she going to do now? Where could she possibly go now? Once the shock finally faded and the mourning was allowed to seep through the High Elf dropped down to her knees...

"AHHHHHH!"

And screamed in terrible anguish.

[Ares]

The God of War had witnessed the great battle that happened here, among many other great battles that plagued this world. He admired the weapons and tactics of both sides, though one was clearly outmatched by the other, both were great examples of war and it was a shame that it was short lived to one battle. But fate was fate. There was no denying that.

Something else would call him back to the ruins of Essancee. Something he knew all too well. Pain, agony. The screams of anguish that only came with tragedy. It was the thing that molded people for the good and the bad. It was what bred new warriors and fueled the fires of war. And so the God of War appeared on the scene, not as himself, but as a High Elf like her. Male. As far as she knew, a survivor. He came up behind the weeping Deedlit and rested a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Do not despair, Deedlit. All hope has not been lost."

[Deedlit]

Deedlit looked up and over her shoulder to see another elf standing over her. Looking on in disbelief as she slowly rose back up to her feet. Deedlit stood up and brought her hands over to the male's face to make sure that he was in fact real. That she hasn't just dreamt him up in her dramatized state. Her hands made contact with his skin and she knew right then that he was real. Her entire race hasn't been purged from the earth. She wasn't alone.

"You're real... You're real!"

Deedlit was overjoyed, hugging the fellow High Elf that stood before her. She didn't recognize him but then again the tribe was a large one. It was possible they never really had contact with one another before now. This encounter gave her hope that more of them had managed to flee from the destruction on their home.

"D-did anymore get out?"

[Ares]

"Yes, Deedlit."

The male placed his hands on Deedlit's arms.

"I am real. You haven't lost your mind. We were attacked by a mysterious and powerful force from the sky."

He looked up to the sky for a moment to illustrate his point before looking back down at Deedlit.

"They called themselves the Dark Empire. Many of our brothers and sisters were killed. The rest they took away. I know a place where we can hide out for a little while. Come."

He smiled towards Deedlit and then lent her his hand to lead her away from these ruins and to someplace safe.

[Deedlit]

"The sky?"

Deedlit looked up when he did. The sky was always so peaceful. To think something terrible enough to wipe out a whole village could have come from it. She was afraid of the sky now, like a dwarf afraid he'd fall into it. Deedlit was afraid the sky would consume her like it had her village and her people.

"T-they took them? Up there?"

Deedlit pointed up to the sky now, too afraid to even look up now after she did so the first time. Seeing him lend out his hand the High Elf took it and allowed him to show her this safe haven. Anything was better than being out in the open like this.

"I didn't catch your name."

[Ares]

He nodded in reply.

"Yes but do not worry. We will get them back that I promise you."

He smiled when she accepted the hand and began to lead her away from the ruins of Essancee. Hearing her ask for a name he smiled again and answered.

"My name is Eöl Eärfalas. I was one of the rangers here who guarded the city. We were taken completely by surprise."

[Deedlit]

Deedlit began following Eöl, unable to so much as look back at the ruin which was all that remained of their home. She could understand why she has never heard of him but not quite sure how he knew her name. The High Elf wasn't exactly famous among her tribe and was just another kid as far as the others were concerned. How did he even know her name?

"Eöl Eärfalas. That's a nice name but how do you know mine?"

[Ares]

"My apologies. I mean not to eavesdrop but when you patrol a whole city it's hard not to overhear certain conversations. I heard your name uttered before and recognized your face during one of my patrols. You're hard to forget."

They had entered the forest. The once luscious forest was now just a barren wasteland of fire and smoke. Eöl led Deedlit over fallen trees and around burning flames that only grew with the more time that went on, never letting go of her hand or loosening his grip on it an inch.

[Deedlit]

Deedlit cocked an eyebrow at Eöl's statement about her being hard to forget. What was that supposed to mean? Was he hinting that she was just that annoying or was that meant as some kind of compliment? Feeling herself become angry Deedlit pulled her arm out of his grip and stared at him.

"Now what is THAT supposed to mean?"

[Ares]

Eöl' felt Deedlit's hand leave his grip and turned around to see her looking upset. Laughing nervously, he scratched his cheek and looked for the right words to say to th girl. Or in other words, Ares acted as a nervous elvish male towards a lady he might have liked. The God of War was certainly no stranger to acting.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way..."

[Deedlit]

Deedlit felt her cheeks become warm, her face turning red in response to the male's reply. Quickly covering her now rosy cheeks to the High Elf with her hands, becoming nervous in his presence.

"H-how did you mean it?"

[Ares]

Eöl' lowered his hand and chuckled lightly as he witnessed Deedlit's cheeks turn color.

"You are a charming young woman with a lot to offer and deserve a lot more than..."

He looked around at the fire and smoke that surrounded them.

"This. Come now. We mustn't be sluggish."

[Deedlit]

"Th-thank you!"

Deedlit took the man's hand again and allowed him to resume leading her away from the destruction that was now her home.

"So just where are you taking me?"

[Xemnas]

November had wandered for days searching for the familiar feeling that was a God's presence. There were many gods and goddesses out there but this one was familiar, so familiar November could tell which one it was. It was Ares.. God of War. He could hear fighting and commotion ahead. The forest seemed to want to hold him back. It was that dense, or at least this part.

When he did exit the clearing, what met him was the most breathtaking of wails he hadn't heard since World War One. He had stumbled on an Elven village. Then, he saw him. Ares, the God of War. His disguise may have her fooled, but Athena had given November the ability to recognize a god. Even if he didn't see him, his essence was swirling around that male elf so strong that it had to be him. They were leaving. November had to catch up! He tilted his hat downward as he approached them. Oh how exciting it was to finally find one of them after two millenia

[Deedlit]

"Who's that?"

Deedlit looked up to see November approaching them, instinctively gripping her hand tighter on Eöl's hand while standing behind him. Her eyes looking the unknown male up and down, not looking like anyone she had seen around here before and he definitely wasn't an elf. What was a human doing all the way out here? Deedlit waited to see what Eöl' would do towards the newcomer.