THAMAYA ATIYA

THAMAYA ATIYA

Twenty-four | She/her | 170 cm | Human | Ghlaesian

Love, it will get you nowhere You're on your own Lost in the wild So come to me now I could use someone like you Someone who'll kill on my command And asks no questions — Muse

Prompt from:@oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

CW: Torture, blood She is a little crazy. It's fine.

~ Charm

"He's not coming."

Thamaya ignored the woman now dangling upside down from the trap she had set up for someone else. A minor setback. The boy was her target but having his mother would surely lure him out of his hiding spot.

She started to pace, waiting wasn't one of her strengths.

"I don't know why you're doing this, but he is just a boy. He did nothing wrong. Let us go and nothing will be lost."

Thamaya spinned the knife in her hand skillfully. One foot tapping impatiently on the wet forest floor. The words of the Queen did nothing to sway her, the boredom was more pressing. Whenever she gets bored, she does something rash and then there was no stopping her. A gleeful smile crept over her lips. My, it wouldn't be the worst losing control now. No one said anything about keeping the former Queen fully intact. Barely alive is still alive.

"You're getting paid for this, aren't you?" The former Queen keeps on talking, "I have valuable belongings hidden away. They can be yours, if you let us-"

With one swift movement Thamaya throws her knife. It hit the tree only inches away from the babbling woman's head.

"Bla bla bla." She leans down to retrieve her knife, close enough so that their noses touch, "I'm not interested in your riches. I do this for the thrill."

She rips the knife from the bark, returning to her pacing, knife swinging in her hand, "It's most fun if they run, the fear in their eyes, their careless little feet. When they think they have a chance, think they can get away."

She laughs, a deranged sound echoing through the dark forest. "Their screams when I let my knife do the talking. Mmh. Music to my ears."

When her dark eyes snatched onto the former Queen she saw the onsets of the fear she had described only moments ago. Her bravery was waning. Thamaya grinned excitedly.

"That dagger." The woman starts, putting on a brave front, "It looks like something special."

"Just a tool." Thamaya shrugs, "I don't need it to rip you open. I could use my bare hands too."

The former Queen swallows, "It's got a pattern on it. Does it have a meaning?"

"We shit-chatting now?" Thamaya stared at her blankly. "Save those charming words for your servants, Queen."

She drags the last word out mockingly. Then she halts, inspecting her nails, "Besides, I was told to be quite charming myself and if not for my personality, then I still have my Lucky Charm that can convince anyone." She grins, looking at the captured woman, "Do you want to see it?"

"I-" The former Queen had no time to speak, as Thamaya suddenly sprinted over, pushing the woman against the tree, knife pressing against her nose. 

"Can't you tell how lucky it is? Look at it real close, you will feel pure Luck touching you. You should feel honoured." She pushes her knife closer, drawing blood deliberately, but the captured woman didn't even blink. 

Annoyed, Thamaya steps back, licking her knife, she tastes her blood. 

"You're working for the old gods? I've met Fate once, they are fickle, you shouldn't trust in their motives."

Thamaya groans, loud enough so the woman will get the hint. Does she never stop talking?

"I stole this dagger off of a fat arse who said it was blessed by Luck." She turns the knife around in her hands, "He called it a Lucky Charm first, but to me, it's just a knife. It does the job as good as any other would. If you don't believe me, why not test its Luck and see if it would hit you when I throw it your way. Dare to wager?"

The woman shook her head, words all so nicely left her. What a waste of time. This was turning into a real buzz kill. She had been hunting these two for weeks and this is what she gets for her efforts? Waiting? Talking?

"It looks like…" she steps to one side, "That your little boy…" she steps to the right, "No longer needs his mommy."

She gives the former Queen a mock pout, "Have you been a bad mother?"

"I have taught him to keep himself safe first. He won't come for me, because he knows it would endanger us both."

"How boring." Thamaya walks over to the tree behind the trapped woman, "Then you have to entertain me until he learns that you should never listen to your mother. I already have a few ideas on how we can pass the time."

She cuts into the tree, cracking the bark open, piece by piece. "I think we should test the theory. See if this truly is a Lucky Charm. I always wanted to know. Come on. A little Luck won't hurt no one."

She grins sinisterly. "Oh, but silly me. I guess this one will hurt badly."

[ ~1387 words ]

Prompt from:@oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

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~ Mask

"Can I count on you, Herald?"

"Always." Elora nods, dipping her head lower in respect.

She thought to hear her goddess smile.

Iesis or Uwila | the goddess of wisdom, knowledge and healing | Animal: The Owl | Symbol: Open Eye

Sometimes she appears as a fair maiden, with long white hair and owl wings on her back. On her forehead a giant eye. Othertimes she is dark skinned, wrapped entirely in scrolls scribbled texts on body and paper. Owl wings and one giant eye for a face. Its usually her I- can't- be- bothered- to- dress- up look. She changes her look fairly often, based on whatever new powerful knowledge she consumes. The eye and the owl wings the only prominent feature that stay. Thus they became what people associate with her.

LORNA TINKLEWALD

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Prompt from: @oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

~Food

With a wide stride Lorna walked down the street. Wherever she went, she got greeted by the others and she greeted them back.

It wasn't difficult to walk with your nose high when surrounded by the people you know and love. And Lorna loved her people, even when she didn't know any of them before circumastances forced them to flee their country together.

Many different cities and cultures mixed together under the same threat, perhaps it was the shared misery that had glued them tighter together then ever. If nothing, that was one good thing that came out it.

It was never enough to even out the negatives however. She grabbed the bag in her firm grip a little tighter, her heavy steps not once slowing down when she approached a young dwarven woman.

"Oh, bless you. I don't know what we would do without you, Lorna." The dwarven woman took the offered bag from Lornas hands, her cheeks had fallen in, her clothes were rugged and old. The people were starving and there was always something to do about it.

"It's not much, just the leftovers from the tavern, if not you, Gael would have eaten it and you know he's got way then enough on his ribs."

The young woman laughed, something that she did way too little.

"We would be off way worse without you. You have my support don't forget that."

Lorna stands just a little straighter, "It's not just food I will be giving you in the future. It's going to be freedom, a way to earn a living for yourself. A chance to live a long and happy life without a fear for the Rot."

The woman smiles, clutching the bag of food closer to her person. "Is the meeting still held tonight? I fear Derem is feeling very low again as of late, he could use some hope. Your speeches always manage to lift him up."

"It's not just words. We will force the city to listen to us, if need be. You are a capable fighter, if you want to join us, the offer still stands."

"I really want to support you, but I can't let Derem alone. I fear for him. What if it happens when I'm gone, what if the sickness has taken him?" She lets her head hang low, "I couldn't life with myself knowing I couldn't say goodbye."

"Aye, we'll be fighting for his cure as well." Lorna nods, "You support us enough for showing up to the meetings. Yours and Derems input help us alot."

"I'm glad to be of help and thank you for the food. He always looks forward to it." She smiles warmly, her eyes sunken, marred by the strain this sickness has left on so many of them.

It was time for a change and Lorna would be able to do more for these people than just bring them food. Just a few more days, and the first part of the plan, can be set into motion.

[]

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Prompt from:@oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

CW: A little creepy chase, something stinks of death, all in the fashion of halloween I suppose (I am very bad at summarising CWs, I’m so sorry.)

~Saviour

You woke up with a start.

Something that months of running for your life did to you, is being attentive to any kind of noise around you - even when you sleep.

You did not dare make any hasty movements, if whatever is making those noises is human or animal, it might not see you, if it's not… you don't know what else to do but run.

The trees rustled ahead, it was dark. You realised, you were alone. She did not return. Why did she not return?!

A sudden stomp right next to your shelter made you snap out of the sudden panic. It was close, right next to you behind the twigs and leaves built to hide you beneath. 

You held your breath. Another step, slower this time, as if it was searching. You heard it moan and creak like bending a bark. Not human!

The Underfolk can see you. It can see through the leaves and twigs, you knew you should run, but something was rooting you to the spot. You couldn't move.

You heard it bend forward, its close, confused by the barrier it cannot see. Clumsy hands started to pat around your shelter. It won't hold. What are you doing! Why can't you move!

Your heart beat rapidly, you think you forgot to breathe entirely. Another stomp and it blocks the entrance now. You stare at the cold and dark legs, like the pitch black night itself, it looked boney and … dead.

Just then, its smell reached you. Rotten and foul, you had to stop yourself from gagging by slapping a hand over your mouth to not make a sound. It's no use, it can see you anyway - your mind tried to tell you as you stared at its legs to see the exact moment, it lost its patience. You need to run! Why won't your legs move! It will break through easily.

Then, a sudden tickle runs up your arms and legs, as you look down you see the shadow of something crawling up your limbs. A bug!

Suddenly your legs work! You sprint to your feet, break through the roof of your shelter and without further ado, turn and run. You hear the creature scream surprised, a voiceless, breathless shout. They no longer have a voice.

You don't wait to hear what it tried to say.

Stomp, stomp, stomp. 

It was quicker than you, you knew that from experience. Your mother always slowed it down with the power of her god. You had no god. Only your legs.

So you ran around trees, stumbled through the darkness, over hatches and moss. Your breath was cold but your hands were warm when you held onto the cold bark of a big tree. The Underfolk was on you in a second, so you slid behind the tree, knowing from experience that it can't see its surroundings very well.

It somehow always sees you however. 

You heard its gaze snap towards you in an instant, a painful crack of its stiffened neck. Then it ran and that fast, you slid down the tree, closing your eyes, waiting for the impact. It didn't take long and you felt the shattering of the creature hitting the tree. It wailed, a quiet scream - then you heard it stumble disoriented, boney legs slipping over wet leaves.

Then it shuffled away and you heard it run back into the forest. Only then you allowed yourself to breathe. It was gone for now, but it found you once, it can find you again. Your mind instantly shifts back to your mother still out there.

What if it finds her?

You sat there for a moment longer, knowing its not wise, but you needed a moment to calm down. The leaves of the trees above rustled with the wind and you felt a small breeze pass you by. Then suddenly a tickle up your arm. Looking down, you saw a small beetle, it was crawling up towards your hand and this time you lift it up and look at it with relief.

"Thank you for waking me out of my stupor." You say to the little thing, "You are my saviour. Without you I would have probably been dead or well, sick with the Rot by now. So, thank you."

You gently place your hand down onto the forest floor so it could scurry away, but somehow, it remained. 

"You don't want to leave?" You can't help a little smile, everyone always leaves you behind, how stupid to expect a bug to stick around. "I'm sure you have better places to be than stick with me."

You try again, placing your hand onto the ground, but the very moment your hand touches the ground, a bright light pops up in front of you and you have to shield your eyes.

It is not by my choice, just to make that clear.

An ethereal voice spoke to you and slowly you lower your arm from your face. There in front of you, was a bright light, floating and blinding. 

Bramble chose to help you.

"Bramble?" You did not know who or what was speaking to you, but it sounded annoyed.

The Rose Chafer in your hand calls himself Bramble, because he likes it so much. Why he likes you, I cannot understand.

You blink, looking down at the back of your hand, where the small green shimmering beetle was still crawling merryly over your hand, wiggling its antenna.

He misses the warmth of the sun. He said you are as warm as its shine. The voice scoffed, but you could not hear any real malice behind it. 

"You know what he says?" You pull the small beetle closer to you, trying to inspect it, and see its tiny antenna wiggle in delight as you do.

"What did he say now?" You wonder, fascinated by the little thing.

You hear the voice mumble something under its breath, you only catch single words like 'humans', 'annoying', 'ungrateful'.

When you look up towards the light, you see it shift from left to right, almost like it was pacing.

He says I should help you and listen to your concerns, despite him knowing that I do not converse with humans.

You blink, looking closer at the shining light, floating in front of you.

Are you talking to a god?

[ 1.059 words ]

Next Part?➜

Prompt from:@oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Education

Sael is teaching the others about stars. (Only an Image for a change)

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ARN ARMUNDSON

Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Ritual

"Are you Ulgrim, the god of Mountains?" Even if you did not perform a great hunt yet, could the god have noticed your fight with the Underfolk? Was this your chance to prove yourself? To be of help to your mother? No longer be a mere burden?

You only further prove my point as to why I do not lower myself to the likes of you. Insulting me, is not doing you any favours. 

If its not the god of mountains you are speaking to, then who is it?

You see the little beetle turn towards the shining light in your hand, it wiggles its legs and tentacles wildly and exasperated now, as if chastising this… god?

Well, fine. That will be the last favour I will do for you, Bramble. Will you waste it for a mere human?

The beetle gives a small assertive nod.

Then let me introduce myself to you, human. It spat the last word and you doubt this will be a pleasant conversation, I am the god of Nothing, I am everywhere and nowhere, I am everything and I am nothing. Is that clear for you now?

You look at it for a moment, never have you heard of the god of Nothing before. What do they do?

As if sensing your questions, you saw the light flicker in annoyance, before it continued.

I am the wind surrounding you, tingling your skin, yet you cannot see me. I am the father of all the crawling insects you know and do not know about. I don't care what my siblings are spending their time on and I do not care for mortal affairs. They are petty at the least.

I do not have a name but the one my creatures give me from time to time and I do not have an appearance, because I see no need to be perceived. The insects know I am there without using their eyes. Humans do not, but I won't do you more than this. Speaking to you is already more than I would do for your kind.

"I-" you are speechless, a god of insects hating humans and they speak to you because of a favour from a Rose Chafer. Perhaps you were never meant for the god of mountains, perhaps this meeting was not by chance, but by Fate. "Can you hide from the Underfolk? If you are nothing, can you be invisible to other humans as well?"

The light flickers, a scoff. I just told you that I showed myself for your pity's sake alone. You wouldn't have even known of my presence otherwise. 

"And the Underfolk? Can you hide from them too?" You sat up, now eager to question this being in front of you.

It did not answer right away, instead it floated to the side, a little further away from you.

You felt the beetle tickle in your hand as it spoke to his god.

I am not-! The god snapped at Bramble, before taking a moment to calm down, You have a lot of questions, human. I promised Bramble to help you, but not to answer all your foolish thoughts.

Well, at least you know they could hide you from the humans hunting you and when you are bound to a god in any form, you could deal with the Underfolk yourself too. You could help your mother, you could have her stay.

"Then be my god! Let me perform the ritual and choose you."

The light stood still, no words were echoing through the forest, no rustling of the leaves ahead - no wind. You almost feared it would leave, so you lift the little beetle still in your hand and spoke to them:

"Bramble, tell them if they want to help me, they need to accept me in the ritual. I am of age, all I need is for them to say yes too."

The beetle tippled along your hand, a moment of hesitation as well, before they turned towards the glowing light standing still in front of you. At least you can read the beetle's reaction.

It spoke, you couldn't understand it, then the light prickled as an answer, but you did not hear it speak. Bramble spoke again, inching closer to the edge of your outstretched hand.

Then the light poofed and disappeared. You felt your heart sink, seeing your only chance gone.

"Where did they go? Did they agree?" You frantically look around, not yet giving up hope. It doesn't have to mean anything.

You watch Bramble stomp his little feet, he too seems displeased with his god, but then he pushes himself upwards and with a loud buzzing noise, sours into the air.

Fearing he is going to leave you too, you instantly spring to your feet. As you jog after the green shimmering beetle, you wonder where your mother was. What will she think when she returns and finds your shelter shattered? You shouldn't roam too far, or she might not find you, but you can't let this chance pass by either.

Making up your mind, you steer your eyes upwards, following the shimmer of Bramble, determined to not let him out of your sight. You will have this god as yours and do as any young boy your age should do - fulfill the ritual. [ ~ 893 words ]