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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[He glances down at him, with the most solemn look a dragon's face could make. He didn't like this, a man who always wanted to be in the company of others being given the cold shoulder like this, from his own son, the world may as well be crumbling around him. One would think he'd be used to this, considering this was exactly what Nahyuta had done to him before. It just felt even worse since he's responsible for things to spiral out of control between them.]

I'm... [Did he have any right to apologize to him? He shuts his eyes for a moment and then stands.] Can you climb up? [He asks as he offers his front leg as added leverage.]

[Nahyuta surveys him, ignoring that solemn look. It doesn't look like the climb will be easy, but he's not about to ask Satyendra for help. He places one foot on the dragon's front leg, then grabs onto his back, pulling himself up, his weakened arms shaking under the effort. It makes his body hurt all over again with exertion, but once he's up, he looks down at him as if he'd had no problems at all.]

Shall we?

[If they're going to act like they're not father and son, then Nahyuta's not going to do anything that might suggest he needs taking care of beyond his basic safety, either. He'll handle the rest on his own, like he did before.]

[Even if Nahyuta didn't ask for help, he kept an eye on him and his progress until he was safely on his back. His ears press against the side of his head as he reluctantly turns to face forward, spreading his wings.]

Hold tight. [To his fur? His hair? He doesn't exactly come with a saddle. And unlike the imaginations of a fantastical flight, it was more like being on a wild buck. The take-off was anything but smooth and there was turbulence afterwards as he flies higher. He'll eventually stop his climb once they were cruising just over the trees, the flight smoothing itself out with Satyendra occasionally bobbing up and down from the flapping of his wings.

He'll carry Nahyuta in silence during the flight unless spoken to. ]

[Nahyuta clings on tightly as advised, winding his hands into Satyendra's mane in the hopes it will help him cling on, then pressing himself flat against the dragon's body to avoid creating as much wind resistance as possible when they take off. He just has to hope his strength will hold out for the journey -- because what other choice does he have?

Once they've been flying for some time, Nahyuta finally speaks up.]

What is the plan when we cross the border into Khura'in? Do we wait until nightfall, and enter the palace under the cover of darkness? Or go on foot and slip inside while it's still light? [Either way, the less people saw of him and Satyendra together, the better.]

Oh. I was just going to take you back to the palace directly whenever we get there. [He didn't think that they needed to be more covert, or just didn't think about the return at all, considering how he just rushed off to rescue Nahyuta.]

It is probably better that we wait until nightfall. A storm will provide us more cover as well.

[Nahyuta nods in agreement, although he realises the dragon can't actually see him from up on his back, so he answers instead.]

Right. That seems like the safest plan.

[At least one of them was thinking further ahead for the both of them. That said, Nahyuta settles back down, trying to shift his weight to be as comfortable as possible... difficult as that is without a saddle or harness of any kind to hold him in place. He wishes he could enjoy this trip -- what Khura'inese child doesn't grow up wondering what it would be like to ride on the back of a dragon? -- but he can't, not with how tired he is, and not after everything that has happened. What should have been a joyous rescue has instead left him feeling bitter once again at the hand that fate would cast his family.

Eventually he lies back down on Satyendra's back and closes his eyes. It's not comfortable enough to sleep, and too dangerous when he needs to focus on holding on, but at least he can rest a little way of the journey.]

[As the day passes them by, their journey would continue on in silence. Soon Khura'in will start coming into view, the sun having not nearly set just yet. So he gathers more speed and starts to ascend, circling the kingdom as gray clouds start to form around them.]

It's nearly time. [As he goes above the clouds he spreads his wings to the fullest, hovering over the kingdom as he waits for night to fall. His ears twitch as he picks up the faintest sounds of chatter and noise from down below. There was widespread confusion and distress, no doubt created from the events that had transpired the last few days. ]

I'm taking us down. [He starts his slow descend, accounting for the fact he had a passenger this time and should not be making dramatic dives. Soon the world will finally stop moving when he roughly hits solid ground. They were back within the palace courtyard and soon a wave of royal guards will come out to greet them. He lays himself down, allowing either Nahyuta to get off or for them to come up and get him, if they were brave enough that is.]

[Nahyuta is relieved when Khura'in comes into sight, the exhausting day-long flight feeling like it might never end. He keeps his hands tightly wound in Satyendra's mane as they make their descent, holding on as much as he can. When they finally land, the guards are all far too wary to get close to the dragon, especially having seen how it damaged the palace in the past. So Nahyuta slides off his back instead, and as soon as he does so, he stumbles like his legs are ready to give out from beneath him.

Two guards rush forward to support their regent and help him walk, and another gives orders for a palanquin to be brought so that he can be taken to his chambers. Though he hates this display of weakness, there's little he can do after his confinement, and then having to cling on for dear life on the back of a dragon for the best part of a day. He's all out of strength left to give.]

Please summon Her Mercifulness and Her Benevolence to my chambers. Tell them I am well. You, please likewise send a message to Apollo Justice. [He orders two of his men, who dash away to do as asked. Then he looks back at Satyendra for a long moment, deciding what to say.] ... Thank you for everything.

[It's sincere. Even acting like his father, as much as it hurt, was nice while it lasted. But they need to say goodbye to that now, and so Nahyuta will do it here.]

[He watches, making sure he was well taken care of before leaving, or perhaps he just wanted to prolong this moment. The inevitable will arrive when Nahyuta thanks him, telling him it was time to part ways.] ...Be safe.

[He gets back on his feet and takes off without a back glance, disappearing into the clouds as a downpour begins. It was like the heaven was crying, eventhough Nahyuta's return should have been a happier occasion.

The visits will stop soon after, with reports coming in of Satyendra's deeds increasing in frequency as the weeks go by. Focusing on his task meant it kept him busy and one step closer to finishing his task. Despite all the good that came from it, there were a constant flow of unsavory rumors spreading throughout the kingdom since he returned with Nahyuta. The kidnapping may have ended in failure, but Satyendra had left his enemies with ammunition to plant the seeds of doubt throughout the kingdom. Loyalists started to spread claims that Satyendra was nothing more than a murderer, slandering him as a demon, a false deity. Backing their claims were photos that surfaced of the scrimmage in the cave, of the savagery he had displayed, the beast that showed itself. Many at first chose to ignore it, believing to have been fabricated since it had happened a ways away from the kingdom. They were extremists anyway, good riddance to them. But then the killings started to happen in Khura'in.

The papers printed photos of people, presumably Ga'ran loyalists having been slain in the most brutal fashion, Satyendra visibly seen leaving the scene. Fear and confusion spread like wildfire soon afterwards, families and friends tore each other apart when they learned someone close to them were a loyalist. It brought back the same uncertainty that the false Lady Kee'ra once did. They soon demanded something to be done to Satyendra, that he needed to be stopped and answer for his crimes, if he had indeed committed them. At first, Satyendra tried to handle things on his own, believing he could stop the killings before they happen. He was only one man though, as powerful as he was, he could not be everywhere at the same time. When the people he saves starts to fear him instead of thanking him, it becomes clear how serious the situation had escalated. He could only think of one thing to make it stop.

And so the next day, he presents himself to the authorities of his own volition. If it'll stop the killings then he was willing to turn himself in. This wasn't him giving up though. The battle just had to be fought on a different stage, the courtroom. He was confident, with Apollo as his defense that they'll be able to put an end to the killings and reveal the real mastermind behind them.]

[Nahyuta could scarcely believe history was repeating itself again. His father, unjustly on trial against someone determined to pin crimes on him that he would ever commit. And his father, playing along once again, because... Because what? This time, it surely was not to protect his wife. This time, he simply wanted to clear his name, still respecting the law even as a mythical beast that should seem beyond such things.

This time, Nahyuta chose one of the finest prosecutors Khura'in had to offer to prosecute, because he could not bear to do the deed himself, but also because he had testimony that would help the defence. He had tried not to work too closely with Apollo, not wanting to seem like the head of state was unduly influencing a trial in the way Ga'ran would have. Still, he testified to his various rescues by Satyendra, and his peaceful incapacitation of the assassins that had assaulted the palace, proving the dragon spirit was not one to commit murder.

Even if it risked the prosecution accusing Nahyuta of using Satyendra himself for political advantage, and therefore having a vested interest in lying on the stand, he simply had to trust the prosecution had no will to raise unfounded accusations against their own monarch. He would also have to trust Apollo would find something to corroborate his claim of forged evidence pinning crimes on Satyendra, a task Detective Skye would doubtless assist with under the table.

In the meantime, Nahyuta had a visit to make. Everything hinged on this trial, and he's both angry at his father for simply giving in and handing himself over, and -- though he would not openly admit it -- yearning to see him again. He hoped nothing would go wrong in this trial as it had before, but he truly had no way to be sure. Or even a way to be sure of what Satyendra could be hiding from him.

Not that he would let on that he was motivated by such sentiment. When Satyendra is taken to the visitor's cell of the detention centre, the arrival of the regent is announced. Then, on Nahyuta's command, the guards leave to allow them to talk in private.

Nahyuta takes a seat before the iron bars that separate detainee and visitor. He looks in much better health than when they last parted ways, at least, but there's no warmth in his expression when he looks at the other man.]

So, everything hinges on Apollo once more.

[No greetings or small talk. Getting this over and done with as quickly as possible is perhaps the best way to handle this, after all.]

[The sound of chains rattle as Satyendra comes in and settles himself in the chair. Though entirely pointless, the authorities had decided to chain his hands and feet together, even stranger that Satyendra didn't break them yet. The mask still rest over his face, making him a hard read once more. Clearly everyone was afraid of what they would find underneath or believed they be cursed if they removed it.

But it made things easier this way, to confront Nahyuta once more. He seems well at least, even when he gave him a cold shoulder.]

Yea. That's twice I owe him now. [Among other things.] The killings have stopped at least, right?

[Seeing him chained up like that makes Nahyuta's expression stiffen, but he doesn't comment. He's not going to abuse his position by demanding he be unchained, when he has to remain as impartial as possible.]

For now, yes. Detective Skye is still working on getting more information about the identities of the victims. I truly cannot believe Ga'ran loyalists would cut down their own to further their own agenda, when their numbers are dropping by the day as it is. [The lead is better than nothing, at least. Even if public opinion isn't looking good yet, the situation isn't hopeless, either.

He pauses, and then narrows his eyes.]

They are not mistreating you in confinement, are they?

[Nahyuta had given the orders not to, but many of the Ga'ran regime's old habits run deep. If that's the case, he wants to know about it.]

Desperate times can bring out the worse in people. [There's a pause, as Satyendra leans forward slightly.] Even from someone you thought was your ally.

[Was that a hint? Did he perhaps know something others didn't? He falls back in his seat, chains rattling loudly as he sighs.]

Oh it's really not so bad this time around. I could use more to eat, but I'd probably eat through everything they have. [He says with a bit of laughter. There would have been a smile visible on his face without that mask, seeing that his son hadn't quite let things go.] Don't worry, they're only doing what they think is necessary so the people can feel safe. Nothing I can't handle.

If that's the case, I'm sure Apollo would benefit from such information.

[Said very pointedly. Apollo told him how Dhurke kept secrets even from his own attorney in that terrible trial, and so he hopes Satyendra is at least a little more cooperative this time around. Cryptic hints aren't going to help his case.

As to his reassurances, Nahyuta privately feels relieved. He'd hoped that might be the case, but it's difficult for Nahyuta to trust even his own prison guards under the current climate.]

If you're certain. [A brisk nod. N-not that he's actually worried or anything, baka!!] I gave all the testimony I thought was viable today, but tomorrow, is there anything else you believe I should mention? Even if it something you cannot mention yourself in your own defence, for fear of being disbelieved. Or, if there is perhaps a particular victim the prosecution should request a seance for...

[There are simply too many victims in this trial for Rayfa to perform seances for all of them without exhausting herself, so Nahyuta has forbidden it and narrowed the seances down to two or three victims a day, at most. If he had an idea of who to focus on, that might help his case.]

Well, yes, but I'm not sure if a dragon's intuition can be considered evidence in a legal court system. All I can say is, whoever planned this understands how I work.

[It had to be someone within his network of people, had to be. He lowers his head as Nahyuta inquires more information from him.]

I'm not really concerned about myself, I'm more worried that what I say could put others in danger. [He's starting to think that this must have been their plan all along. This wasn't to just to get to him, but to jeopardize the people behind his whole operation. Why, he hasn't worked out.] There was a victim who might have seen me clearly along with the impostor. I think she was the fourth one our mystery masked murderer took down. [That would at least clear up that it wasn't him.] Before the trial tomorrow, you should go and find Datz. Tell him Satyendra sent you and he should know what to do from there. [It was a last resort, but at this point, the Defense was going to need the information about his network to take down this mastermind.]

I will see to it that this fourth victim is called upon by Rayfa, then. If she sees anything of use, her Insights will greatly sway the trial in the defence's favour.

[As for the mention of Datz... If Nahyuta was a little more haughty like his mother or sister, he might've been offended by the fact Dhurke feels like he can treat him like a messenger. What bothers him more, though, is that Dhurke's apparently been working with Datz without him. Was Nahyuta not one of the Defiant Dragons too? He can't quite keep the reproach out of his reply.]

I assume you and Datz will not tell me what you have planned, even if I ask?

[He tilts his head, confused.] Well the plan involves you, so I don't see why he wouldn't. I'm sending you to him, because he already knows what I know. The only difference is, I can't help you while I'm in here.

[He didn't seem to notice what the issue was when he mentioned Datz.] You're going to need more than my words to lure out the true culprit.

Right. [That single word was straightforward enough, but it doesn't convey the mixture of shame and embarrassment he feels at having misread Satyendra so badly. He shifts, looking uncomfortably away, like he suddenly wants to get up and leave. He feels childish, too, in just how poor he is at keeping his anxieties hidden.

Still: the spirit before him is not his father. That is what they agreed, and he needs to remind himself of that. Satyendra trusts Nahyuta with his plan, and of course Datz does, too.]

... Is that everything?

[It's not clear whether he's asking himself in an attempt to get his focus back, or Satyendra.]

[He went quiet, as if he was going to say something serious, but instead--]

Say I was found guilty, what would they actually do to me? [A valid, if not an inappropriate thing to be asking right now, but he was curious how they would punish a divine being.]

Hm? [Nahyuta is taken aback at the sudden change in topic, particularly with how distracted he is. Still--]

That will be a matter for which we would seek guidance from the new high priest of Khura'in. If it is decided you are in fact a malevolent spirit, no doubt the clergy will attempt to banish you to whence you came. Failing that, they would seek to seal you away, or drain you of your power in some manner.

If the crimes are deemed serious enough, or you as powerful enough, the grand priestess may even be asked to assist in such rituals.

[By which he means Queen Amara. Whether such things could actually prove a danger to Satyendra, though, Nahyuta couldn't say. Satyendra is a dragon after all, not a demon or some wicked ghost. That does not mean the Holy Mother's rites are completely impotent either, though, particularly not when wielded with power like Amara's.]

[He tries to contain his laughter until Nahyuta had finished. He wasn't laughing at their methods, just at the fact they were treating him like a demonic spirit.]

I almost want to see if any of that would actually work on me. [Dhurke no.] But I rather not upset the grand priestess unnecessarily, so let's make sure we win tomorrow. [He'd have a confident smile on his face right now if the mask wasn't there.]

Edited 2017-01-07 05:20 (UTC)

[Nahyuta has to bite his tongue at the laughter, though he frowns in open disapproval. This is all too familiar for him to find any kind of humour in it.]

I trust Apollo, and I trust Datz. [Even if he still has no idea what he and Satyendra have been planning... and Datz tends to be a wildcard even at the best of times, he's still dependable.] These are Ga'ran's courts no longer; so long as all goes well, the truth will be found.

[It goes without saying he agrees Amara shouldn't have to go through any more distress than she needs to, either, so the less involvement she has with this trial or its consequences, the better.]

[He nods.] I know you guys can do it. I believe in all of you. And when we win I'll treat everyone!

[That unfortunately never happens. When Nahyuta goes to see Datz, he will present him with what looked like an earpiece and a note containing a place to meet and an image of a random civilian. It was like a hit list. They were apparently found in an empty bottle of wine. At a glance, the evidence looked like it could damage Satyendra's case even more, considering they were found in his network of operations. It'll become clear during the trial the next day that, thanks to Apollo's workaround, the items actually belonged to someone working for Satyendra, a potential mole.

It'll turn out the true culprit was someone who believed in Satyendra, who worked in his network because he wanted to save Khura'in as much as he did. That ended after the raid to rescue Nahyuta. They had a younger brother, who wanted to save Khura'in, but he sought what the insurgents wanted, to bring back the Ga'ran regime. His brother had participated in the kidnapping of the regent, and no matter how much his older brother warned him, he didn't budge. He too had something to believe in as well. When Satyendra came to rescue Nahyuta, his younger brother perished in the skirmish. Brought to despair, the insurgents took advantage of him and thus the killing spree began, to get back to Satyendra, for going against his own code to fight a bloodless battle.

After that rescue, the whole thing left Satyendra uneasy. He believed, or at least told himself that he hadn't killed anyone during the rescue. Yet he can't deny that moment of blind rage he felt when he believed his son was in danger. Did he really kill someone then? Were there others?

In the end, Satyendra was proven innocent of the murders that were happening in town, but what the culprit brought to light about Nahyuta's kidnapping and Satyendra's underground network has left the people of Khura'in uneasy. Who were these people that worked for Satyendra? Were they really any better than the insurgents? Would their lives be in danger if they crossed Satyendra? Whispers of doubt and fear spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Can Satyendra be trusted? Was he truly a celestial being sent to save them? Although Satyendra gave a small speech to reassure the people that he was here for them, he could not quell all of their doubts. He soon disappears for the rest of that day to do his own investigation of the place where the insurgents had kept Nahyuta.

There was an overcast over the entire kingdom that day and it remain into the night, when Satyendra finally returns from his long trip. He had gone to the royal palace once more, and settled in front of the shrine meant for him. Despite what happened today, he still found offerings left for him. Unfortunately he wasn't in any mood to drink the wine or eat the magahtah'man that was left for him. For a victory, it didn't quite feel like one for him.]

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FOR TAISA - Reincarnation AU

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gets swallowed by January and spat out a month later

Barfs back exposition of a trial I barely remember what it was about