candybox | FOR TAISA - Reincarnation AU

FOR TAISA - Reincarnation AU

It had been two weeks since the attempt on the Regent of Khura'in's life. He had given a speech in the temple plaza, which coincided with the annual festival of Khura'in's founding and continued sovereignty. Now, it also became a festival to celebrate its freedom from tyranny once more, mirroring the acts of the Founder and of Lady Kee'ra all those centuries ago. The political nature of the celebration was important, but it also made it a perfect time for Ga'ran loyalists to strike. A sniper had narrowly missed a shot and had been apprehended at the scene, as had several other armed individuals, all shouting, 'Ur dihara Ga'ran!'. Since then, a search had been on to find the one who had coordinated the attackers.

Unease had spread throughout Khura'in, and with it, the rumours. A masked figure had been spotted, some said, stopping the sniper from taking a lethal shot. Others denied it, not wanting to pin their hopes on what could turn on to be a fraud like the rebel-hunting Lady Kee'ra.

As for Nahyuta, he had heeded Amara's advice, retreating from the public eye for the time being except to prosecute in court. The rest was televised statements or interviews of reassurance to the public that all was in hand, and that the revolution would not be quelled so easily. To the public, he embodied the perfect combination of the unwavering determination of his father, and the pragmatic caution of his mother.

Privately, however, was a different story. Fear hounded Nahyuta everywhere, because he knew if something happened to him, Khura'in would likely be ruined, Apollo would be in danger, and his mother and sister would be prisoners once again. Not only did he have a family to protect, now, but an entire kingdom, and once again he needed to be prepared to lay down his life for that.

So his nerves were frayed, he was becoming increasingly on edge which each day that turned up no new information or leads. Even meditation did not help. So when he went to sleep at night in the palace, it was a fitful sleep, wracked with dreams of spiders ensnaring him and the palace burning. Tonight, however, was different. Tonight, his dreams were interrupted as he was struck in the world of the waking -- hard -- across the head. Dazed, he could feel someone yanking him upright by his silvery hair, and the feeling of cold, sharp steel at his throat.

If he was half asleep before, he snapped awake in an instant. The assassin was a dark silhouette, their face covered, so it was impossible to discern their identity even with the pale strand of moonlight streaking across his bedchamber. Then they spoke in a low voice that identified his assailant as male.

"Before I kill you, tell me where the Founder's Orb is."

Nahyuta swallowed, trying neither to flinch or cringe away at the blade at his neck, but instead to lift his chin in defiance.

"You cannot threaten a dragon. I would sooner cut out my own tongue than tell you."

Despite his confidence, Nahyuta knew how dire the situation was. The guards outside were surely all incapacitated; no one would come to save him this time. All he could do was pray to the Holy Mother that if this was the end, his soul would be safely conveyed to the Twilight Realm.

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[Nahyuta is almost regretful that he takes his hand away. It brought back a lot of memories, all of them fond, if bittersweet. Still, the company is welcome itself, so Nahyuta nods and takes a sip of his wine.]

Ordinarily, meditation and prayer are solace enough, but they have not been, of late. Perhaps the company will help.

[Company of any kind, really. He has Amara and Rayfa around the palace, but in some ways, their company only places more pressure on him. His constant fretting over their safety has not abated much since Ga'ran was deposed; in some ways, they're in more danger than before now the kingdom is less stable. As for Apollo, neither of them have much time to spend together beyond work.]

Heh, there is no better cure than being in the company of others you trust. [That's what his past life thinks anyway. He lifts his mask slightly so he could drink from his dish.]

You should find people you can talk about things with. It doesn't have to be always serious, it could just be about what you had for lunch.

I understand now why Queen Amara shunned the throne, once it was restored to her. It is a lonely and difficult place.

[Nahyuta isn't even used to the life of royalty to begin with, so adjusting to it on top of the position of leadership has been an uphill struggle. In some ways, Rayfa is already far more prepared for it than he is, even if she isn't yet ready to assume her duties.]

But perhaps you are right. Even monarchs require confidants, and I ought to find mine.

It can be a difficult place to be, but she was never alone. She had her family, a loving husband to support her when she was our Queen. [He raises the wine bottle, offering to pour more for Nahyuta.]

It doesn't have to be a lonely place, I know you have people you can depend on in time of need, if you allow yourself to let them in.

[Nahyuta takes another sip, before offering his bowl. He doesn't get inebriated easily, but he's starting to feel a warm buzz from the wine. It's not unpleasant.]

"Our Queen"? [He echoes the phrase, looking at Dhurke.] Then you consider her as your Queen as well?

[There's a note of surprise. Certainly, animals adore Amara, and if they had the capacity to speak they might have considered her their Queen. But a dragon?]

The Kingdom's. I was referring to her as the Queen to this kingdom. [The mask hides the uncertainty on his face when he was suddenly put on the spot. Thank goodness this was easy one to explain away.]

She was a respectable Queen I could have stood behind though, heh. [He should stop while he's ahead, but how can he not talk about the love of his life to some degree? Maybe Nahyuta will see it as an amusing joke.]

Ah, I see. [He smiles, apparently satisfied by that answer, even if he doesn't realise the full meaning behind it.]

There is much I have to live up to, both in upholding her legacy as a beloved Queen, and my father's legacy as well.

Hm, well I'm certain they're already proud of you and of what you're trying to achieve. Reuniting an entire kingdom isn't exactly a walk in the park. Your mother certainly didn't have to worry about that back then.

[He takes a sip of his wine.] This is also your life as well. You can learn a lot from the past, but don't let their accomplishments weigh you down. I believe you are just as capable of making the right decisions, s-- [He's not even tipsy and he let himself fall too far into familiar territory.] Nahyuta.

[The familiarity with how he talks about it all, like he was there to witness it firsthand, really is starting to puzzle Nahyuta, and his smile gives way to something more quizzical. Still, he doesn't want to pester the dragon with questions, so he just takes another drink of wine.]

I will try my best. [It then occurs to him he doesn't know how to refer to the dragon, so...] Have you a name or title I may refer to you by? [Please pick one, before he comes up with something like "Your Thunderousness"...]

[There isn't an immediate response from Dhurke as he stares down at his dish bowl. He knew what he wanted to say, but he couldn't answer.]

I was not given a name when I was given life, only a desire to accomplish my mission. [It's not a lie at least. In the end, this was a different life he was living from the previous one.] Although your people have certainly given me a few titles, the Dark One, Vanquisher of evil, Thunder Fist....[the list goes on.]

Her Benevolence would most likely enjoy the first two. [Nahyuta says that with a wry smile, glancing at him before drinking more wine. Names like those sound like something straight out of the Plumed Punisher, something she's still fond of, even if the show was cancelled.]

Of all the names given to you, is there one you prefer?

[He quietly contemplates this. There were plenty of names and titles that emphasized his abilities, but he wanted something to represent his purpose, what he was to the people.]

...Satyendra. [A word he heard the kids on the streets utter a few times, not directly at him, but it was a concept they believed he was. He nods, looking back up at Nahyuta.] Satyendra, the true.

In that case, it is Satyendra that I shall call you as well, then.

[Nahyuta smiles brightly, indicating he approves of the name.] It is truly a moniker befitting a dragon.

[He laughs. The mask may hide his face, but his voice expresses the smile on his face.]

I can drink to that! [Once he finish pouring himself some more wine, there's a pause before he raises his dish to Nahyuta.] Thank you. [He had a name to this life now, something other than just a mission. He may have the memories of his past life, but that is not exactly the life he can live out anymore.]

[Nahyuta raises his bowl in turn.] Then let us drink to that, and to the future of Khura'in.

[They would spend the rest of the night in each other's company, drinking and socialising until the wine had made Nahyuta tired enough that he felt he could finally sleep. By which time, he bade his newfound guardian good night, feeling like a weight had been lifted from his heart, a weight he realised had never really left him. Ga'ran's influence still haunted him even now, but he realised he didn't have to be chained to that, or to his fear of her, forever.

Despite that, it was not to last. Weeks later, Nahyuta travelled out of town to visit a monastery in the mountains when his convoy was intercepted en route. In the confusion, his guards were easily overpowered and Nahyuta himself spirited away to some remote part of the country.

Or so he guessed. In fact, he was bundled into the back of a vehicle and kept drugged and blindfolded for much of the journey, disoriented enough to have no idea where he was going. He could be in China by now, or Nepal, or India, and he'd be none the wiser. It was only after he was released and ushered out into a nondescript cave, flanked by what he can only describe as a ragtag militia, that his heart began to sink. They did not intend to kill him. He was a hostage.

Soon it became clear what they were planning when he overheard them issuing a statement to the royal family: hand us the one you name Satyendra, and we will spare your regent's life. An exchange, one they felt would put power squarely back into the hands of the loyalists, while seemingly keeping the royal family intact.

As for Nahyuta himself, he been gagged, and his arms pinned painfully behind his back and against a stake driven into the ground, angled in such a way deliberately so he could not sit in a comfortable position, only kneel. He had been stripped of his finery, any gold jewellery and his outer clothes that would fetch more than a few dahmas on the black market all taken. For most of the day he was left in complete isolation, so he could not ask questions, get information, or signal any of the guards for help... Not that any of them would be interested in doing so. It gave him a small amount of satisfaction to think they feared the 'corrupting' influence of a Defiant Dragon to this extent.

Still, he was cold, hungry, exhausted, and he ached to his very bones. Yet he prayed Satyendra would not come to save him. The dragon could protect Rayfa and Amara better than he could in his position, and right now, that was all he could hope for.]

[Unfortunately, Satyendra carried the mind of a man who didn't always make the best decisions. When news of his son's disappearance had been announced, his influence could be felt throughout the Kingdom. The sun no longer shined throughout the kingdom, obscured by a lightning storm that increased in ferocity as time passed. There's a part of him that knew they were doing this to test him, to see what he would do, if he would leave his protection of the kingdom to rescue one man. Unfortunately, being rationale was being overshadowed by another thought, the fact that they had used his son to get to him. To an extent, Dhurke knew he had put him in this position, all those visits...they must have caught on. He could not forgive them, or himself for giving the enemy such an opening. He had to do something to make this right. He was a dragon, he had no reason to back down or fear anything. He'll show them what it means to cross a dragon.

It would be slow work unfortunately, as Dhurke did not know where they had taken his son. He had to rely on the network he had created to find this information, but as more time passed, the more impatient he grew. It gets harder not to snap at anyone until he got the information he needed. He tells himself that he'll apologize and make it up to them once this was over, it will be fine. When he leaves, he will be sure to send extra protection to the palace, by sending a warning to previous members of the Defiant Dragons. They were people he could trust, who would be willing to help, even if they didn't realize it was their leader asking for it. It should be enough protection, for he didn't foresee himself being gone for very long.

Nightfall will arrive by the time Dhurke makes his move, taking the loyalists by surprise when he suddenly appears at the entrance of the cave. He gives the guards no chance to retaliate, taking them all down and trying not accidentally kill anyone, as tempting as it was right now. He was here for one thing, and there was nothing that will deter him from his objective. Eventually, after threatening a few men to talk, he'll find his goal. A rumbling of thunder was loud enough to be heard inside the cave when he saw the state they had left his son. He immediately starts to tear at his restraints with such anger behind it, pulling the rag off his mouth.]

Can you stand? [He tries to keep his voice steady, even when he was shaking with fury.]

[Nahyuta begins to lose track of time as the days wear on, and he has no idea if a matter of days or even weeks have passed since he was taken hostage. Though he's been trying to keep track by watching daylight progress to to night outside, exhaustion, pain and hunger mean he'd fitfully pass in and out of sleep. To make it bearable, he would meditate, though only when he was sure he wouldn't be caught doing so.

He'd stayed in that trancelike state for a while, even the dim sound of distant thunder not rousing him. Though thunder has come to strike fear in the hearts of many in Khura'in, Nahyuta has come to find it oddly soothing. Never did he guess it meant the thunder dragon was close, though, until there were sounds of a disturbance outside, and finally, someone tearing at his restraints. The roughness of it hurts, but he barely allows himself even a soft hiss of pain.]

Satyendra? [Is what he tries to say, his eyes fluttering open. But his throat is too hoarse, so he nods, instead. Still, he doesn't make an effort to move. He swallows, and tries to speak again, this time more audibly.] You must leave at once. Please.

[This is a trap, he knows it must be. He couldn't bear it if Khura'in's guardian dragon met the same fate as his own father.]

[Dhurke of course ignores Nahyuta's plea, far too concern over his son's diminishing health to care about whether this was a trap or not. Concluding that Nahyuta could not move on his own, he places a hand on his shoulder.]

Did they do something to you? Can I move you? [Did they plant a bomb or something? There was the distant sound of reinforcements approaching, but he was choosing to ignore them at this moment.]

[Nahyuta looks from the masked man to the entrance of the cave, anxious that whatever forces had been lying in wait to spring the trap were now closing in. He uses what strength he has left to grip Dhurke's arm.]

It is not me they truly want, but you. Please go! Send the Defiant Dragons for me.

[Surely that would have been the more sensible option in the first place, rather than playing straight into the enemy's hands. Why would Satyendra jeopardise himself, and therefore the whole kingdom, just for a hostage?]

[Dhurke looks at the hand gripping his arm, and then to Nahyuta. He then leans forward, their faces nearly inches from each other. Crimson eyes peeked through the mask, staring defiantly at Nahyuta.]

I will not leave you behind. [Believing there was nothing that would at least directly harm Nahyuta, he'll pick him up in his arms, carrying him in bridal style fashion and starts to move away from the spot. He won't get very far as the trap they had prepared for him triggers. Something from above comes falling on top of them, a large metal containment, trapping them both inside. There were no visible openings in the metal walls, and so he would have to make one. The insurgents arrive, believing they had successfully captured both the regent and the vigilante Satyendra, but their victory would be short lived. Loud pounding noises can be heard coming from within the container, a bulge starting to appear in the metal. Fueled by his rage, he breaks through the metal, his fist visibly coming through the opening.

The next moment there was no longer a human hand there, the metal groans from the strain as it is completely torn in half, revealing a massive dragon within. He let out a deafening roar that made the entire cave shake under his fury. There was no compassion or kindness left in his eyes as he threw back pieces of metal at them. Drunk with power, he wanted them to feel his anger, for daring to challenge him. Clutched in his left arm, he carried Nahyuta, keeping him protectively close to his body. Panic spread throughout the cavern as Dhurke makes his escape, deflecting bullets and sparks flying everywhere as he destroys everything in his wake. Anyone unfortunate to stand in the wrong place, may the Holy Mother be with them. Soon as he could see the outside, he spreads his wings and takes off, using the cover of the night storm to disappear from view and out of danger.

His fury will not quell for quite some time until he had put some distance between them and the insurgent's hideout. With his senses starting to return, he remembers this trip back was going to take more then just a night. Nahyuta may not last by then, not without proper rest and food. And so he scours the land below to find someplace to stop and rest for the night, Nahyuta still being held in both his arms, trying to keep him warm from the wind chill.]

[Nahyuta didn't have the energy to protest at being picked up, no matter how much he wanted the dragon to save himself. The deafening roar as Satyendra takes his true form, and the violence that ensues, leaves him feeling helpless and disoriented; it's all he can do to shield himself, curling up to make himself into as small a target as possible from the bullets. Once they take to the air and his adrenaline begins to fade, he's left with a sense of nausea and vertigo. All he can do is close his eyes and bury his face into the dragon, waiting for it to pass.

Years ago, when he'd first succumbed to Ga'ran, he once had a vivid dream his father would swoop in and rescue him like this -- like he promised he always would. But no rescue ever came, and he was forced to discard it as a childish fantasy. Now, though, half-conscious and almost delirious with exhaustion, it almost feels like the dream was prophetic. Selfishly, he feels happy.

When they've landed, Nahyuta stirs and looks up at Satyendra, coughing before asking--]

Are you hurt?

[He lays himself down, easier to rest than stand while holding someone. One of the dragon's eye glares down at Nahyuta, concern.] Are you?

[The end of his snout makes contact with Nahyuta's forehead, his breathing disturbing his fine hair.] You need to eat, and rest. [Nahyuta was lifted once more, but not by a dragon, but by a person this time. He walks in a direction for a short while until there was the sound of a door opening. Apparently he had landed somewhere with a convenient shack they could use, seemingly abandoned for quite some time. It was small, two rooms at most, but enough to accommodate one person. He puts Nahyuta down on the nearest furniture with a flat surface, a couch.]

I will go find food. [Without another word, Dhurke takes his leave to go hunt. He was confident that the location he had chosen will not be found by the enemy that he could spare a little bit of time away. It wasn't discovered the last time he used it.]

I am unharmed, thanks to you. [Nahyuta reaches up to touch the dragon's snout as he touches his forehead, both to reassure Satyendra that he's fine, and also himself, that this is real. He drops it back to his side when the dragon assumes his human form, though, and closes his eyes. He looks paler than usual, but at least he can finally rest more easily knowing he's safe.

When he's laid down on the couch, he opens his eyes again to look up and nods, weakly.]

Be careful.

[It comes out as barely a hoarse whisper, and before Dhurke is even out the door, Nahyuta has already given into exhaustion and fallen asleep. Ordinarily the fear of being discovered would keep him awake, but right now, he needs the rest more than anything else.]

[Nahyuta will remain undisturbed while Dhurke was gone, and when he returns with a wild boar around his shoulders. He will not need the whole boar for what he was going to cook, but what he doesn't use could be a midnight snack when he is finished. Soon the fragrance of wild boar stew spreads throughout the shack and when he was done cooking, he will come to wake Nahyuta up, nudging him on the shoulder.]

Food is ready. [He was crouching over him, with a bowl of boar stew in his hands, a cup of hot tea sat on the nearby table. It looked...presentable at least, edible. He hasn't exactly needed to cooked much in this life.]

[Nahyuta stirs and opens his eyes, groggy at the interrupted sleep. The pangs of hunger gnawing at his stomach and the bowl of stew offered are more than enough to get him to wake up, though, pulling himself shakily up onto one elbow. Even if Dhurke's cooking wouldn't be that appetising ordinarily, in Nahyuta's current state, food is food.]

Thank you. [He sits up properly, trying to ignore his aching body, and takes the bowl. His voice is still hoarse and quiet, and his body aches all over, particularly in his legs from where he was forced to kneel for so long, but the dragon's presence gives him strength.] We were not followed?

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