[Quest] meet me at midnight

[Random Events]

stars are not small or gentle - they are burning

The night was awash in the oddest of colours, a myriad of purples and blues and pinks that seemed to dance upon the edges of reality. The horizon stretched out in the distance and yet it seemed all too close, as though the world had suddenly shrunk. A grassy field is splayed out in the darkness, the fronds of shadow-swept green standing perfectly still as though the air were frozen. Far above the silent meadow the sky is dotted with a million stars all sparkling like diamonds amid the midnight blue expanse. Dancing languidly across the glittering sky the aurora borealis waltzes to a song of its own making, shining in a beautiful array of cyan and violet.

Yet for all the beauty of it this world is not right- this world is unknown. The field bears no resemblance to the many lands of Novus nor any known realm beyond. In fact this field may not be in any realm, at least not a physical one. Yet before time allows for exploration a cry sounds out from the shadow-dusted field, a distant yelp of fear from the throat of someone young. There, amidst a small gathering of rocks and bushes was a young fill, back against a particularly large boulder. Creatures of corporeal shadow and dagger sharp teeth were pacing towards her, forms without forms but frightening all the same. Another whimper leaves the young mare’s lips, frozen in the still air. She has not noticed Azrael, instead is wholly focused on the creatures of nightmare.

Suddenly a voice strokes the silence, smooth and silken and dark as night. “This is a dream, Azrael of the Shed-Stars,” the voice croons in melodic tones. A face appears between the gleaming stars and dancing colours in the sky, the face of the Night Goddess herself. “You are in this girl’s dream.”

The face falls from the sky like a shooting star and suddenly Caligo is standing besides Azrael, dressed in the silks of the night. “Save her from her demons and you can leave her dream.” With that, Caligo returns to the stars, her voice whisper all around the field. 

Save her. Save her. Save her.

---

@Azrael has wandered into a young filly’s nightmare and in order to return to his own mind and dreams he must save her from the formless demons. Once he does, and in leaving her dream, he takes with him the ability to walk into others’ dreams.

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This quest was written by the lovely @Darkrise. <3

Enjoy!

[Azrael]

azrael

It is a night for magic and for wonder, where the moon is high and the skies are painted with Caligo’s aurora brush.  These are the sort of nights the shed-stars gather to worship, when the stars twinkle brightly in the night sky, unburdened by clouds and lighting the world beneath with a wash of silver glow.  He walks quietly, bow staff tipped against his side, and his companion perched upon a leather harness on his shoulder.  Noctua seems restless tonight, her feathers shivering in the midnight air as she whispers a warning to his mind.  Be careful… something is not right about this place.  

She senses it before he does, made aware that the world was awry even as a scream pierces Azrael’s wandering.  Spurned into action, he races toward the cry, not even stopping to consider that danger may lie ahead.  It was simply in his nature to want to help, even as Noctua hissed and rose to the sky to be his eyes.  This is magic. her voice warns, and a dark magic at that… it could be a trap.  But Azrael shakes away the warning, pushing his own thoughts toward the barn owl, insisting that he should help even as she resigns herself to follow.

Ahead, he sees the source, a child lost and scared, taunted by the shadows around her.  His turquoise eyes are warm and wide with concern as he watches the shadow beasts, lunging with teeth bared and hissing breath.  his is a dream, Azrael of the Shed-Stars.  He knows the voice without question, even as Caligo appears to him in the sky and he falls to his knees in reverence.  She is stardust and night enfolded, almost as much ether as she is goddess, and the brilliance of her is enough to take his breath away.

Save her. Save her. Save her.  Caligo urges as she stands beside him, and Azrael nods mutely to his goddess, unable to find the words to express his wonder even as she fades into night once more.  With his staff drawn, the stallion of stardust and cyan glow plunges toward the demons, finding his voice once more as he cries a warning to the girl.  “Close your eyes” he warns, even as his dreamcatcher staff plunges into the chest of the closest shadow, drawing a scream as it dissipates into the night.  Again and again, he fights off the haunting creatures, until at least it is only Azrael and the girl who remain.

The night is calm once more as Azrael sheathes his staff, his owl returning to the nearest branches, settling to protect the girl with a watchful stare.  “Come, little one – do not fear the night.” he lowers himself to the ground, wrapping his body close to the girl, touching her trembling frame with a gentle warmth as she melts into him.  “Sleep now, and I will watch you as you dream.  Soar high with the stars, and remember I am with you.”   And with his words, the girl dreams once more.

“Speaking.”  dreams

credits

@Random Events