The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
Our dearest and lovely admin welcomed her new baby boy, Jet, on Sept 7th! We're so happy for her and her family! Congratulations Mama!! Your boys are all so lucky to have such an incredible mom to love them! God bless!
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Akagi was tucking the children in since their return when he had free time from his many, many duties he spent a great deal of that time with them. The bedroom they were in was the oldest ones, Lorelle, she was four holding the next oldest Akaya who was three. Corinne who was two stood at the rails of her crib watching the same thing the other children were transfixed on: a cube sat in the middle of the floor and from it casting a spectacular light show was as Akagi explained, "These are the star constellations over Arynn Frey," the prince held the youngest, the only boy and the only one asleep, Kato, as he paced through the lights. The lights changed to almost a navy blue, "These are the ones over your Mother's home, Nevermere," and it was Lorelle who spoke in a very sleepish, "the witches brooms," and Akagi beamed, "Right! Well in simple terms yes, they call it Astro Major."
Eventually they all fell asleep and the slaves came to put them in their beds. Akagi went to his room, looked out the door leading to the balcony where he saw his wife. She brought a smile to his face and a still weird beat in his heart every time he saw her, but seeing the sun had finally set he knew it was time.
Tonight though. Tonight at least half of the work on his shoulders would be over and he could focus on his family more, but he would have to patch tonight's future disagreement over when he returned.
"Hello love, the kids are all passed out. I showed them stars tonight, Lorelle loved it," he leaned against the door leading on the balcony a warm smile on his face.
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jun 23, 2022 20:30:47 GMT -5
The sea sounded different in Ayrnn Frey.
There had been so much to learn in adjusting to life here. As Akgai’s new bride, Ophelia had thrown herself into becoming as much an Arynnite as any other woman she met. She was a stranger in a strange land, but she was determined to make herself fit. To belong. Just once. Over time, Ophelia clung to Nevermere less and tried to embrace her new life with open arms. Most of the time, she was successful, but some things would never, ever be like home.
The sound of the ocean was one of them.
Akagi, bless him, had taken the children for the evening. Ophelia had stolen away for some much-needed silence. She stood now with her elbows perched on the balcony railing, listening to the dissonant waves, trying to imagine the black beaches of Nevermere.
Ophelia didn’t notice time passing until she heard Akagi’s voice behind her. She turned with a smile, robe fluttering in the warm summer breeze.
“Of course she did. Lorelle is every bit her father’s daughter.” She went to Akagi and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jun 24, 2022 9:24:03 GMT -5
It was pure love that ordained the look on Akagi's face, she was so beautiful and sweet and he loved every inch to fiber to soul of Ophelia. When she stepped in to kiss him Akagi pulled her closer to him and returned the kiss with his own before breaking, "I'm so glad to have you back Felita," he brushed her hair, hoping just maybe ripping the band aid off was the best approach to excusing himself, "and as soon as I finish this project, which I promise will be completed tonight, I'm all yours..."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jun 28, 2022 19:16:17 GMT -5
“And what project is this?”
Ophelia’s tone was playful but also prying. At the start of their marriage, there’d been no secrets between them - or so Ophelia had let herself believe. Yes, she understood that by nature of his position some things must be kept confidential. But confidential, in her mind, was different from secretive. One was honest, the other scheming. And Ophelia wasn’t sure just where Akagi fell anymore.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jun 29, 2022 21:33:53 GMT -5
"Well over the last couple of years I've lead a team who has been breaking down a few acquired items I received from a friend in Nevermere," he let that sense of amusement he had when talking about his work take over, after all they had been spending years looking at these items and had an abundance of data but it was all just data. It wasn't a complete lie and he was confident in his answer, "Most notably," he stepped back into their shared room and to the bag hanging on the door.
The prince had the plans in the bag, somewhere, a lot of things were kept in the bag over the years. Akagi finally withdrew the drawing of 'The Chamber of Truth' plans, "Based off a truth potion, we concocted this enchantment....a whole room that once entered invokes only the truth. Pure candor, a state or quality of being so frank, so open, and so sincere in speech or expression. candidness. freedom from bias, fairness, and impartiality.....," he faded out as he felt himself droning on, "Sorry, I know that's boooring."
He carefully folded his work back, "I'm thinking once this is done, you and I take off somewhere... Just the two of us...," tucking everything back into his bag he returned to his wife, "What says you Felita?"
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jun 30, 2022 14:06:09 GMT -5
Ophelia’s eyes scanned the drawing. At the beginning of their marriage, when Akagi would show her his plans, she’d be overwhelmed by their intricate markings. Now, she saw beauty in their precision and understood more than she didn’t. This drawing was no exception.
“No, not at all,” Ophelia’s fingers ran over the lines curiously for a moment before he returned the parchment to his pocket. She liked him like this. Excited, buoyant off the energy of whatever project had captured his attention. Ophelia felt guilty she couldn’t match the feeling. The aching sorrow that she couldn’t explain dragged her down too much to rise.
Ophelia looked up at him, hesitating as if the answer to his question was hidden somewhere in his features. It should be an easy yes, but nothing seemed easy anymore. Akagi was a model husband, all things considered. At the very least he loved her, which was far more than others had. They had beautiful children, and a beautiful life.
Why did she feel so empty?
“Yes,” Ophelia answered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “Yes, that would do us some good. Do us both some good.” It was as if she were trying to convince herself.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jul 1, 2022 10:50:35 GMT -5
"What's wrong?" Akagi asked being the diligent concerned husband he was, he saw how her smile wasn't as bright as it use to be, "honestly, if it's me and my work I promise I'll dial it back. And we can go anywhere love that you want, the kids will be fine for a few days...I just want you to be happy."
He pulled her close to him so he could smell her, feel her. Akagi was madly in love with his Felita and he knew he could show her that more if he wasn't so busy.
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jul 5, 2022 11:24:56 GMT -5
Ophelia buried her face into his shirt, the tears behind her eyes threatening to surface. How could she explain it to him? Everything was perfect, yet nothing was. Her life was full of love, yet entirely empty of meaning. Her body and mind had betrayed her, her foundation worn away, so his love had no vessel to pour into.
But Ophelia said nothing. Such complaints were unbefitting of a Rainecourt princess and future queen of Arynn Frey. By the time she looked up at Akagi, the tears had receded.
“The children love you so much…” Ophelia stroked his cheek, not answering the question she was asked. She paused for a moment, fingers lingering before her smile returned. “I don’t know, darling. I’m probably just tired.”
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jul 6, 2022 13:59:11 GMT -5
"Do...do you love me still?" it was a simple but heavy question and he searched her eyes for the answer before she answered, it was probably a stupid question but he had seen marriages end because one partner fell out of love with the other and he hoped...he hoped very much that they weren't heading down a loveless marriage.
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jul 6, 2022 20:05:16 GMT -5
Ophelia felt the question like a knife in her chest.
She’d moved across kingdoms for him. Broken her body to bear his children. She’d sought refuge in his arms night after night, and when the morning came she’d greeted it with a kiss on his lips. Yes, Ophelia was a finer thing back when they first married. She had been buoyant and bright-eyed and full of wonder. The sadness had closed in tighter and tighter with each new child, but her love for him remained, however muted it may seem.
And to hear it questioned now, in such plain terms, hurt.
“How could you ask such a thing?” The question was soft, barely masking the anguish that lay beneath it.
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jul 9, 2022 12:07:28 GMT -5
It was a stupid question but it was out there and he instantly went to rub that familiar spot on the back of his neck, "Ophilea you've made so many sacrifices for me, for this marriage, I know I took you away from your home you bared our children that itself was a great sacrifice of your body and your mind....I haven't been around much with my Peacekeeper duties and my enchanting, when we are together I spoil those kids with all my time and that isn't fair...I worry and you say you are fine, which I have to take at face value and that you are, but if ever...ever...there is something wrong I want you to talk to me so I can fix it."
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jul 24, 2022 13:58:54 GMT -5
Akagi’s words rattled her inside, sending the pain in her chest shooting through her afresh. Ophelia’s soul was forever tied with his. As such, she could feel his earnestness. His love. His desire for her happiness and safety. It only made it all the pain that should be happy, she wasn’t happy and she didn’t know why.
The tears rose to the back of her eyes. She folded herself back into his arms, stemming their tide before looking up at him again.
“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Ophelia said with quiet sorrow, “If I knew I would tell you. I just feel…” She searched for the word before settling on, “hollow. Ever since Kato, I just feel…not quite right.”
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jul 24, 2022 21:52:16 GMT -5
And for the first time in a long time since the death of his sister Akagi felt a painful prod at his heart. His soul felt like it physically started hurting and the same hurt detailed out across his face, "I...I..I'm sorry Ophilea," he couldn't find more words to say either but his mind instantly found another problem to latch on: was this a trait from her Mother? Was this hollow feeling the same one that her Mother suffered from that left her silent and locked within her own head? Could this be the same path? All that sadness he read off of his wife startled him.
"I do love you, you have to know this and now I have to fix this...and I will, please just don't shut me out Felita," the underlying sentiment he was trying to relay was don't shut down.
Post by Ophelia Rainecourt on Jul 30, 2022 18:38:50 GMT -5
“But what if you can’t?” Ophelia countered through her tears. The weight dragged her down, even now, and she was afraid that it would be too great for her to shake—even with his help. She was no enchantment that could be finetuned to perfection. Perhaps just a thing broken beyond repair.
“Maybe—maybe I should go see Cassian,” Ophelia said suddenly, “Perhaps he'll know what to do.”
Shrine Magic
Akagi wields a saga enchanted naginata, that when touched allows the wielder to cast bright red orbs that explode on contact. Akagi can cast single orbs or produce up to four orbs in a powerup to cast at once for a bigger explosion.
Post by Akagi Llewellyn on Jul 30, 2022 18:52:03 GMT -5
Of course, let's run off to dear brother because Akagi was suddenly incapable of being of any use to his wife. Let's drag dear big brother in, and the way Akagi's shoulders slumped was indicator enough that she had hurt him as well.
"Do what you feel is right Ophilea," he looked outside and saw dark was quickly approaching, "I suppose if I want to be in at a decent hour I should slip off to my work," he kissed her lightly on the cheek, a forced luke warm smile on his face, "I'll see you in the morning yeah?"