Unseen Tapestry [Isla Ashen]

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He felt her hand pull away from his, her form bent in a bow that appeared to him to be one of forced posturing as if she is fighting to remain with him. The internal struggle making her body tremble and her appearance change .. and her voice. Not the beautiful lyrical song he is used to her speaking but something more harsh and unknown, not Isla. Her eyes, bent to the will of the presence turn black as the night, staring at him with nothing but hate and a lust for death. Not only his, but her own as well.

In his mind the evil spoke once more, You are the light and strong with it, if you want to save her then touch it! Touch the tapestry.

Théo was hit by the shifting wave of emotion, heightened fear coming from Isla, it is consuming her making her become something she is not, taking her away from him. His hand lifted as if to grasp hold of her, stop her from being pulled away on a rip yet as much as he tried to take hold, the further away she seemed to go.

“No!”, he said in a firm voice, never allowing her to drift over the horizon into the beyond of pure darkness. And as he realised his position, he saw that the tips of his fingers were only mere millimetres away from the tantalising fabric of the tapestry.

The sound of laughter burned on his ears, issuing forward from her mouth but it is not her laugh but before he could do anything he felt the wave of the force pound into his back, strong and with intent to harm. His body hit the stone wall with nothing to protect him save a thin shirt, the wind in his lungs pushed out making breathing laboured and he slumped to the floor on all fours dazed.

Fighting for any sense of reality, Théo shook his head to clear his mind and vision, and pulled up his body from the cold surface, the room temperature had plunged below zero, his breath visible on the cutting air but he stood up and looked into the face of Isla and for a second she was there, terrified and pleading for him to kill her. It did not last long, the return of those cold black eyes looked back at him goading him.

“You need me”, Théo finally spoke realising now what this evil presence needed for release, “You need her”. This was why they had both been summon, the evil force needed the light and the dark to be freed from its ‘prison’. He took one step away from the wall toward Isla, “I will kill you”. Belawir ignited, the white blade of his lightsabre filled the room with blinding light, and even the red monk threw up his hands to protect his face from the overwhelming sight. The room trembled, the very walls seemed to shiver as if anticipating what was to come, and so did the evil and in this moment fear had turned inward, pulling on Isla to stop him. Yet, it was too late.

The white blade of the sabre blurred as it turned with a roll of his wrist and with two hands, one forcing the hilt forward, Théo plunged the blade into the heart of the tapestry. The fabric erupted into flames, the evil presence fighting him with everything entering his mind trying to fill it with doubt, fear, images of death anything it would grasp hold of to stop him, but Théo’s mind remained solid, only the will to save Isla powered it and his resolve, and that would be more than enough.

[member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

A dark smile remained painted on Isla’s pale lips, widening at the sight of Théo’s body hitting against the wall. Midnight eyes watched patiently as he fell to the floor, pleased at the sight of him momentarily suffering. Though the laughter had stopped, Isla could still hear it ringing in her mind, over and over. It was a sound that could easily drive one into an unending madness. And she was close to losing her grip. As the moments passed, it almost felt like she was watching the scene before her play out from far. Her gaze took in every detail, but there was nothing she could to do affect any change. Not while the grip of the Tapestry bound her will.

Like a fool, she had given in to the promise of power. She had allowed herself to become a tool of chaos, a stepping stool for this evil force to come back into this world. Perhaps she deserved to perish. For a long moment, she contemplated giving in completely. Her body would become the home to the ghostly being that was trapped inside the Tapestry, and Théo could truly end it all. He could save himself. Deep down, Isla knew that sparing him would be the best parting gift that she could ever give. There was conflict apparent in her gaze, eyes growing wide with struggle.

Isla could hear Théo speaking now, and she knew what his actions would be before they came to pass.

“Stop him! Now!” The voice cried into her mind, desperately trying to force her to step into the saber’s path, to block the Tapestry from harm.

Isla gritted her teeth, using all of her strength to focus on keeping still. Do not lift a finger, she silently willed. The blazing saber came in contact with the Tapestry; the fabric gave in to the flames. But the fight was not done. The room filled with anguished cries, the air became charged. Isla’s body began to shake violently, her eyes began to roll backwards, and her head tilted listlessly to the side. There was only darkness now; it was pulling her down, clinging to life. It meant to take her too, a price paid for a failed attempt at crossing into the living world.

The flame-haired woman collapsed into a crumpled heap. There was life still within, but it was a dim flicker. Emerald eyes were hidden away from sight. Isla’s form remained motionless upon the ground, but in the background... the red-clad monk was laughing. But the sound was hollow, and soon turned to sobbing. He slid to the floor, clutching as his head... he had failed his master.

Ashes began to fall to the ground, the last remnants of the Tapestry.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

In order to save Isla he could not waver from his resolve. Théo's face held firm with the look of pure purpose burning in his heart and soul, as deeply as the plunge of the white blade into the tapestry and beyond into the stone itself. By the time he had finished, the only thing to remain was the black hole left behind by the blade. He had felt her struggle within, the force brimming with it in the room, the pull of her mind deep down into darkness beyond anything even she had knowledge of. It was evil in its purest form. The red cloaked monk stood by watching powerless to do anything to stop him, and even if he did Théo would have cut him down.

The white blade extinguished, Théo stood breathing laboured and still in pain from the hit to the wall but it was nothing compared to what Isla had gone through and in this moment he hated the darkside more then ever, for what it was doing to her not just now through this evil presence by in life with her connection to it. The monk, writhing with pain of his own, at failure to deliver his master from the confines of the prison, sat sobbing on the floor only to be joined presently by the other monks awoken by the sensation of events. They stood around not knowing what had happened save for one. Arnot.

He stepped forward bridging the gap between Isla and Théo and the rest, watched as the last of the ashes fell to the floor and smiled. His eyes found Théo's an understanding within them that the light .. for today .. had won. Arnot turned away from him and issued orders for the others to detain the red monk and they would deal with him themselves. But the battle was fair from over.

Théo turned to find Isla's crumpled form on the cold floor, he kneed down beside her, his hand reached for her cheek and cupped it. His fingers gently caressing the softness of her skin before he lifted her off the ground into his arms. "Stay with me Isla", he whispered close to her ear his lips brushing her skin as he held her to his chest. He took her from this cold evil place back to their room and laid her on the bed. She is not physically injured but she is distant from him. Her mind closed and drifting into darkness of death.

He had to try something to pull her back, his mind fought to enter hers, pushing passed the barriers that death built around her, and little by little his intrusion broke through searching for her in the rooms of her mind. If she see him, senses him there a soft glowing white light with fill her mind's eye, she would see his hand reaching out to her to take. "Isla", he spoke her name asking for her to come to him. He found her, standing in a dark room shivering, and he did not dare move further, in case she could repel his touch, she had to come to him. As his hand remained outstretched to her, in the physical world, Théo's warm soft lips met hers as his kiss sat soft.

​

[member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Isla’s eyes flickered once or twice as Théo brought her into his arms. His face swam in and out of focus, and his voice sounded distant. Once more, she began to sink down into the darkness. By the time her limp form had been placed onto the bed, she was far away from the world of the living. To Isla, it seemed that she had reached a place that stood between life and death. Though there had been fear in her mind moments ago, it had calmed and become quiet. There was stillness here, and a white noise that sounded almost like static. It was not an unpleasant sound. Isla stretched her hand out in front of her; the pale surface of her palm seemed slightly transparent. It certainly was a strange sensation.

Emerald eyes took in her new surroundings; she stood in the middle of a darkened space. It was a small room, a replica of the one she had occupied in her family’s home. The walls were faded, a single bed sat lonely in the corner, the space seemed to be dust-caked and in a terrible state of disrepair. Isla smiled faintly, and wondered if perhaps she could stay here. But just as soon as the thought formed, she began to feel a strange chill run down her spine. There was a sudden and deep sense of dread.
This was not a plane of existence that was meant to be experienced for long.

Shivering, Isla looked down to see her bare feet against the floor. Her arms wrapped around her, but it did little to guard her from the cold. When she looked up again, the trappings of her old room were gone, and now she stood in a shadow that began to close in. In the distance, there was a small spec of light. Isla narrowed her eyes slightly as the brightness grew before her. As she stood transfixed, a hand reached out towards her. And then a voice spoke into her mind, and she knew instantly that it was Théo.

For a momently she only stared at the open palm. Isla could take hold and return with him, or she could turn her back and be lost forever. Slowly, she took a step forward towards the light. There was no turning back now...

Isla took a gasping breath. The first thing she felt was the warmth of Théo’s lips against her own. Her hand curled around his, and a moment later, her emerald eyes opened to meet his.

“Théo...” Still quite weak, she could only whisper.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

He pulled back only mere inches away from Isla but his eyes held her gaze and his eyes would smile as she spoke his name. "I thought I lost you", he whispered in return as his hand lifted bringing hers with it. He realised he could breath again, the moment she took breath so did he, and for a moment all he could do was look down into her face taking in her eyes. "It is over .. you are safe". Was it over? the event had raised more questions then answers, why had it been them that was summon but for now that mattered very little. All that did matter was that Isla was alive and here with him. His lips gently brush the fingers of her hand still craddled in his before he would rest it on her body.

Theo pulled up a blanket to cover her, she seemed to be still cold and there was no warmth from the hearth fire long since extinguished, yet he was fighting within himself for all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her safe, to take her away from this place immediately away from the walls that had all but removed her from this world, but she is weak and unable to move at this point. And it might take several days before she can.

What do you tell someone to do that has faced death, and weak from it? sleep? Probably the very last thing they would want to do, to place themselves within their own mind once more and who would know what awaited them in the dreams. He could not bear her going through any suffering again, but all he could do, would do, would be to stay by her side and be vigilant over her. Once the blanket was firmly placed around her, his hand reached for her and gently pushed back a lock of her brilliant red hair before he lean downward and placed his lips to her forehead.

​

[member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Her vision was blurry, but she blinked her green eyes hard, making Théo’s image swim back into focus. Isla offered a weak flicker of a smile at his words. Indeed, she had come dangerously close to slipping away. The warmth of his hand wrapped around hers, it was something of a comfort. And though she was a woman that took pride in being somewhat hard and stony, she let it be. For at the moment, she felt weak as a lamb. She doubted very much that she could even lift her head from the pillow, so she didn’t even try. Her green eyes slid closed again as Théo brought the blankets up to her chin, and she took solace in his strong presence.

Isla kept her eyes shut, though her mind was still buzzing.

When sleep finally took hold, she had allowed herself to fall into a peaceful slumber, knowing that she was being guarded dutifully. Her last thought that night was of [member="Théodred Heavenshield"], and how relieved she had been to see him. It was a sentiment that would need to be addressed, but not tonight...

​

*****​

A few days had passed since their ordeal; Isla had made a speedy recovery in the company of her friend. Though she bore no physical scars, there would forever be a wound across her memory. The haunting tale of the Tapestry would not be forgotten, to be sure. The two force-users had been allowed to remain at the monastery; they ate among the monks at every meal-time, but had few interactions with them otherwise. Isla had to wonder, would these men be happy to see her and Théo walking away? Most likely. It was true that Isla felt a bond to Théo now, especially given the events they had lived through together. This feeling in her chest, it was probably the closest she would ever come to love. However, Isla was not even sure if she could call it that. Perhaps she was afraid to call it such a name.

No matter what her mind told her, she could not deny the fondness that had grown.

Deep down, she knew that it was not something meant for her. But for the time, she would allow this feeling to linger. At least until they were parted once more. These past few days had been like a different life. Isla felt sorrow to think of her time with Théo coming to a close, but all things must meet their end.

Sitting on the edge of her cot, she dropped her rucksack down at her feet, pulling it open in order to receive her belongings. Her emerald gaze shifted up to Théo, knowing that that was the last time they would share in this space. But she forced a smile.

“Are you almost ready?” She asked, trying to sound casual. “I just need to finish packing...”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Over the past couple of days Isla's strength returned to her. The past couple of days, regardless of the circumstances, had been delightful. Théo was able to witness a side of Isla that was soft and forthcoming and as a bond had established because of events, she had become a friend. It had been but a small glimps into her character, tantilising to him and he wanted to know her more. It was one of those situations in which the players wanted to leave a place where only evil once resided and almost won victory over them, and yet it is a place in which the two of them came closer to each other .. by simply being in each other's company.

The day had finally arrived in which Isla was strong enough the travel and return home and once more they would say good bye. And so they stand in the room where it all began, packing their belongings before venturing back up the path to their ships. She was more then a friend .. his heart telling her as much, as he turned to watch her packing as he did. "Yes, I am just about done", he replied but taking his time and he returned her forced smile with one of his own.

"We never did find out why ..", he stopped himself it was not really relevant, whether is was the force that drew them here or happenstance, it did not matter anymore. What did matter was that Isla was safe and well, and for him, in his life. He had finished packing and when done, Théo pulled the pack over his shoulder and stood ready to wait for her. The idea of not seeing her again was playing on his mind and in his chest his heart raced, he moved toward her as she stood ready and reached his hand to hers taking it gently. Building inside of him was courage to open his mouth and ask her to meet him and as he was about to, the door to the room opened and Arnot entered. "I have come to escort you to the edge of the grounds, to see you both safe". Arnot stood close by the door and would wait for them.

​

[member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

Isla gave a small nod in response and let her attention return to packing. She did not move with her usual briskness and sense of purpose, her hands reluctantly folded her clothing and set it into her bag. When she was finished, she closed the latch on her rucksack and lifted it onto her lap. For a moment, she merely watched as [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] placed the last of his things into his own bag. Her emerald eyes danced away, hoping that he had not caught her staring. Isla found Théo out of the corner of her gaze, listening as he spoke. Indeed, the reason that they had been brought here had eluded them. The force worked in mysterious ways.

She slid her arms through the leather straps of her rucksack, placed her hands on the edge of the bed and pushed up to stand. Isla looked over to see that Théo was waiting for her and took a step in his direction. It wasn’t long before her hand was gently clasped within Théo’s strong palm. Her gaze dropped down to her side, passively viewing the sight of their hands entwined. It was a curious sensation, one of warmth and tenderness.

The arrival of Arnot made Isla pull her hand from Théo’s grasp, her eyes now avoided his. Without a word, she took the first step forward, following along behind the monk. As Arnot drew them through the monastery, a few of the other monks stopped to watch. Though Isla and Théo were leaving this place behind, she had a feeling that their names would continue to be spoken here for some time. When they reached the edge of the stone walkway, Arnot offered a respectful bow. “Go in peace,” He spoke, “Safe travels, my friends.”

Isla nodded to the man, and watched as he turned to move back to the monastery. Now, the two were left alone once more and silence remained between them for a moment. She was not sure what to say, but she cleared her throat.

“Let’s go,” She said simply, just like the last time they parted, the walls were being built around her.

Her hand slid into her pocket as they walked, and she produced the tiny seed that Théo had given her. She turned; a flicker of brightness escaped an otherwise stony gaze.

“I promise to take care of it.”

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

The moment had been lost with the intrusion of Arnot, but it was not his fault but rather his own. A small sigh escaped his lips and before he knew it they left the monastery and all the events behind them, at least for today. What would become of them, or how they would effect the pair was yet to be determind and so he had to be patient. Not one of his virtues, he is like his mother in this regard. It was strange entering the light of day again, to see the surroundings which had remained beautiful as if defient of the events within the walls of the stoney monastery, and he relished the soft touch of nature to his senses once more. It helped give much needed solace.

Théo had said nothing as they walked, the words that had failed him still in his mouth but for now that is where they will remain. As Isla revealed the small seed in her hand he smiled. "I do hope it brings you some light in the darkness". He hoped it will give her something to cling to in times of need, and maybe .. just maybe, it would remind her of him.

The path they had walked together the day they arrived, opened to them .. nothing had changed. He was very pleased about that, life changes too much and too quickly, but at least here, nothing had been destroyed. Not everything succumbs to the darkness, nature does not unless a hand of force is put upon it. He would draw strength in this always, Midvinter his constant.

It was tiime to part once again. They stood on the cross roads, each with their own path to walk alone .. back to their ships which await them. Back to their lives so opposed to each others. It seemed so strange ending this meeting like this, so much had happened that it seems obtuse .. to simply walk away after defeating death.

"Good bye Isla", he closed the seed in her palm once more, curling her fingers around it. His eyes lifted to hers, and he leaned forward to kiss her cheek. He would wait until she leaves to make sure she is safe.

​

[member="Isla Ashen"]​

 

[Isla Ashen]

The two stood in the middle of a crossroads, paths before them ready to see them traveling in separate ways. Their strange journey had come to an end. She let Théo gently close her gloved fingers around the seed once more, and she allowed her gaze to meet his. Isla could not say if they would ever meet again, such things were not for her to decide. But for the moment, she let her emerald orbs become lost in his. She felt him draw closer, and a moment later his lips had brushed against her cheek. Though she did not return this gesture in kind, her hand rose to give his forearm a squeeze, a brief display of affection.

“Goodbye, Théo.” She said, offering him a steady nod.

There was nothing more to say. Even if she tried, she doubted that she could convey the unfamiliar mix of feelings stirring within. A faint smile formed on her lips, just in time for him to see before she turned away. The flame-haired woman let her rugged boots take her down the path, away from Théo. Perhaps she should have said something more, she reflected silently. Would this moment leave her feeling regret? Perhaps it would, but it was a wound that she was willing to bear. After all, such things would only feed the darkness that lived in her heart.

Don’t look back.

Isla squeezed the seed in her palm, and turned her gaze up to the sky. The soft rays of the sun fell upon her pale skin, bringing just a touch of warmth. It was difficult to think that this place had hidden something as dark as the Tapestry. However, Isla felt a swell of relief to know that it currently rested in tiny bits upon that cold chamber floor. She was glad to leave it behind, but the memory would live on. Just like her memory of [member="Théodred Heavenshield"], and how he had stayed by her side when she had nearly been lost to the shadows. No matter what grim times awaited her, she knew that she had something to hold onto.

A light in the darkness…