Snake in the Sands

[Malxe]

A murder of crows above the Bastion circle around its center. Soon, the birds break off to individual parts of the city. Perching along rooftops, lamp posts, anywhere they can find their feet's purchase. They seem to merely stare - until a rain of papers begin to fly. All bearing the same words. All addressed to a particular Ice Giant.

Good day.

This is a message to the Snake in the Sands. You know who you are, traitor.

-

Cowardice.

-

You claim to know it where you see it. Yet you hide behind whatever power is convenient. You speak as if you know what’s good in the world, yet you flirt with those of black hearts. There is not a hint of light where you walk. Nor is there an ounce of bravery in your heart. All that faux confidence you show the world?

-

Nothing more than a fragile illusion.

-

One I will take pleasure in shattering. Of all the people in the world, you picked the wrong person to betray. You know how it went last time - and I’ve only grown stronger since then. Every day I see the faces of the innocent men and women you betrayed just to preserve yourself and that sickening display of idiocy you call love. Their routines - etched into my thoughts like chiseled stone.

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Honor.

-

You speak as if you possess it. So here’s your chance to prove it, you fork-tongued treacherous witch. A proper duel - one you know you have little chance to survive. Yet if there is even the slightest fragment of conviction in your heart you’ll still arrive. Of course, it’s never wise to trust a backstabber.

So bring whatever audience you wish. I know I will. Be it that oh so precious love of yours, or whatever pitiful back-up you can muster. Go on. At least my people know not to interfere when a battle is personal.

-

Unlike yours.

-

So bring them along. I invite you to either die in front of a grand stage - or prove how little honor you truly have. Bring Tyranny Tommy for whatever good that will do you. At least you’ll have a chance to show something nearing loyalty as life drains from your eyes.

-

We will dance within the realm of frost. Found it fitting to give you every advantage possible, you are going to need it. The time and day is on you to decide. Do try to make haste. Real fighters don’t tend to wait until someone else handles the problem for them.

-

You are a real fighter, aren’t you? Or… Are the others right about you? If they are, you’re welcome to come up unarmed with your hands above your head. Praying for your life, not to Amier, nor the pantheon, but praying to me, for a mote of forgiveness. Considering the Oracle offered a rare mercy when you nearly walked me to my death? I’ll return the favor if this is the case. Especially since you and I both remember how it ended last time.

Should you happen to show this message to my Uncle Quentin? Pass this onto him;

-

You’re next, backstabber.

-
As it's always been, Ishildr.
Destruction for the damned, salvation for the innocent.
You've turned your back on the innocent.
Now I will destroy you.

And if you cower out?

I'll tear down the walls of your new home.

I'll cast aside all sense of self preservation.

Just to deliver this bullet with your name on it.

[Hello!]

With a single motion, shadows erupted beneath him, lashing out like living spears. The air filled with cries of dying birds as black feathers fall across the Bastion’s stone.
As the last broken body hit the ground, Za'agan reached down, plucking a crow from the pile, inspecting it before tossing it aside like garbage.

“Dramatic,” he muttered, tossing away the paper. “But pointless.”

Child.

Throwing a tantrum, scribbling threats as if they hold weight. That’s all I see.

You condemn Ishildr, the one who saved my life, while you now stand alongside the Forgotten Veil. You spit on the actions of those who marched through Gloomlight to free me, yet hold not a single word for the Jarl who sat safe behind walls of an ally while his people prepared to bleed for me, relations that she built standing to save me.

  Tell me, Malxe, where does your honor lie?

You want blood? Fine. I’ll meet you. But make no mistake, there is no honor in your actions. No wisdom in your blind rage. Just a child who refuses to understand the world as it is.

And if you refuse to listen? To drop your antics? Then the only blood that will be spilled… is yours.

-Za’agan Sun

[Malxe]

Undeterred, a true warrior refuses to back down.
A missive finds a particular Oni.

Pathetic.

Even now she cowers behind her betters.
This isn't about the Jarl.
It isn't about the East and West.

It's about the lies she told to convince me to follow. The capture and death she nearly caused me. This?

This is personal.

Why do you think I was there in the first place, Za'agan?
I was the only one prepared to bleed, while those recreant frostlings were too busy suckling the boots of tyrants.
At least I have the conviction to show who I stand with.
You?
Murderers and False Gods.

So don't you dare speak on my Veil.

If you want to interfere with my personal business?
Fine.

I have no problem dragging your body back too.
Ishildr isn't safe from me.

You dishonor her, robbing her of a rightful duel.

You dishonor me, robbing me of my target.

Do not lecture me about honor. You wouldn't know the first thing about it.

Just name the time you wish to bleed.

I'll dig two graves.

[Chance]

No mass messaging like this while being invulnerable (godmodding). Please do things like this in-game by appearing in person instead! (Feel free to then make a forum post afterwards)
See the pinned guidelines https://chronicles-of-eternia.com/forum/...ml#pid9873

Thank you!

[Chance]

NOTE: The above isn't retconned since that's inconvenient, just a public reminder not to do so in the future.