R A I Y A
G E A R H A R T
||| ||| |||
|| Elven {possible hybrid~?} || Immortal ||
T H E N
|||- Nomad, Fugitive, Warlord, Dragon Rider -|||
__________
The begining is hazy
Much like how one never recalls the start of a D R E A M
||| N O M A D
She grew up astride the back of her guardian, Obsidian. The elf and the dire wolf led a nomadic life, traveling the planet at their leasure for as long as Raiya could remember.
Dangers of such a life were inevitable, for they occasionally found themselves in the crossfire of multiple wars, territory disputes between opposing civilizations, and tracked by hunters who so desperately desired the ancient wolf's hide. It was still a quiet, peaceful life for the majority of it, and it was a life that they were both content with. As Raiya grew older, her desire for knowledge and new experiences grew. Obsidian eventually allowed her to go off and visit populated areas when they stopped to rest, and he stayed out of sight with a watchful eye. Raiya socialized and learned from those she encountered, picking up various skills such as different languages, cultures, self-defense methods, healing, and much more. Raiya found that each place provided a different skill, and she could not get enough. Obsidian would always appear again after a few weeks, and he and Raiya would continue on their way.
They had no home of their own, and they never stayed in one place for too long. Raiya was fully content with this lifestyle.
Until, that is, She met Maigra Lainé.
||| F U G I T I V E
It was a chance happening, and one that would alter the course of life as she knew it. Raiya and Obsidian ran into Maigra Lainé, an ex-member of the infamous Warlord Army, and Leer, her black-feathered dragon companion, while ambushing a slaver's squadron as they transported their newest haul of prisoners. The four of them quickly subdued the slavers and freed those imprisoned. The squadron leader used his final breaths to mock Raiya and Mai, stating that they have done nothing but brush dust away from the surface, and had saved no one in the long run. The women soon found leads to the potential headquarters and, filled with determination to sever the head from the snake, began to plan their attack. Leer and Obsidian warned them to leave it be, but did they listen? Absolutely not. Alas, the pair were inevitably captured and faced horrors untold within a gargantuan underground slaver's prison.
Yet their spirits remained unbroken, and their treatment only fuled their motivation. The two ultimately broke free, and their escape and aquisition of the prison's database ultimately led to the violent self-destruction of the entire facility.
Raiya was absolutely devastated at the loss of so many innocent lives. Mai argued that that the lives sacrificed are miniscule in number compared to the lives saved in the future. Thus was the mentality of a Warlord, and it was a mentality that Raiya had yet to accept.
The four of them had to flee due to the following investigations. Raiya and Obsidian found a home with Mai and Leer, and they all lived together for a bit over a year. During this time, Raiya helped Mai study the lands and the creatures in it, and Mai taught Raiya various forms of advanced skills. Obsidian still had the heart of a Nomad, and soon became restless. He wished that he and Raiya move on, yet the elf protested. She enjoyed what she was doing with Mai, and felt like she had much still to learn. Mai found a solution; she would reach out to a colligue for a due favor;
And thus, Raiya and Obsidian traveled to the Warlord territory, and Raiya was taken under General Creed's wing.
||| W A R L O R D
Their initial arrival to the Warlord territory was met with quiet hostility from all of the high-ranking generals. General Creed himself seemed quite disgruntled that he had to take the young elf under his wing, yet he kept true to his promise to Mai, and took on the roll of Raiya's mentor.
Raiya was no stranger to magic and its many uses, yet Creed mentored her on exactly how magic worked. The physics, the theories, he overall taught her to better grasp exactly what magic was, how it interacted with the planet's many elements, and how it can be paired with more "artificial" components to enhance desired powers. Raiya gained a much deeper understanding of how to use magic, and thus, her abilities and strength increased tenfold.
Magic was not the only skillset that Raiya sharpened. She partook in weapons training and routine sparring matches with the other soldiers, hence honing her combat techniques both with and without weaponry.
Her time as a soldier did not come without qualms. The Warlords were a brutal bunch, and they relied on the strength of their teams and the strength of the army as a whole to survive. Any form of weakness in a soldier was seen as a threat to the rest of the squad, and hence, weakness was not tolerated.
Raiya got into frequent verbal spats with one of the Grandmasters, Mitchel Blade, most commonly known as “Wrath." Accurately titled, the inflammatory personality of the Grandmaster did not mesh well with Raiya's unsubmissive temperament, and those verbal spats quickly escalated into a physical altercations. The altercations proved to be a source of both amusement and annoyance to the colleges that had to pull them apart.
As time wore on, she began to gain a better understanding of the complicated world they lived in. The more she learned about the world, the more she learned about herself and the history of those she lived with. One could say that she learned a little too much. The familiar feeling of restlessness grew. One final and brutal battle with Wrath left them both with severe injuries; That was the final straw in the elf's mind. Raiya was no Warlord. She never could be; the difference between her nature and theirs was far too stark.
Raiya gained Creed's permission and forgiveness, and she withdrew from the Warlord army.
||| D R A G O N . R I D E R
The Empire of the Night-Winged, or more commonly known as "Nightwing." It was one of the two segments of the whole planet that was entirely untouched by the modern world, and it was completely and viciously free from the influence of outside forces. The gargantuan territory and all who dwelled in it were ruled under the fierce and watchful eye of Kaida and her trusted Draconian council. The territory was as great and feral as the beasts that called it home, and it was there that Raiya found her own true home for many, many years.
After Obsidian's departure, she found herself bonding with a dire Dragoness by the name of Atheria. Atheria was the mate of Chanook, the Dragon who ruled the lower crescent of the Empire.
Raiya and Atheria collaborated with their many companions to help build and defend the Empire. Raiya flew with the kings and queens of the sky, she fought wars side by side with friends, she helped nurture the young dragons and new life that blossomed during times of peace.
She learned, she loved, she thrived,
;---- and she l o s t,
The Empire of the Night-Winged met its premature and devastating end.
N O W
| | | - Drifter, Redemption, Keeper -| | |
__________
" --- You must live o n "
||| D R I F T E R
Raiya experienced death on that fateful day. The mental bond between Dragon and Rider allows the pair to share feelings, sensations, thoughts and notions even from afar. Raiya felt everything when Atheria fell to her violent and abrupt end, and with the loss of her partner, a part of Raiya died too.
Once she scrounged up enough strength to travel again, Raiya searched the ravaged territory for any signs of life. Any hope she had of finding those she cherished was quick to dissolve ;; with every death confirmed and every life unaccounted for, it became all too real that the life she knew was over.
Raiya began to withdraw deeper and deeper into herself. For the first time in her long life, she was truly, completely, and terribly alone.
||| R E D E M P T I O N
Light has an odd way of reaching even the darkest corners;; A gleam of hope was birthed by the unexpected meeting of Naomi Shimura.
Raiya's adaptation to life in the bigger city was a smooth transition thanks to Naomi's help. Rehabilitation came with time, and soon enough, Raiya found purpose once more.
||| K E E P E R
Omnia Oddities is Raiya's current "project." This two-story shop features a library on the top, and a general oddities shop below. It appears fairly normal to the untrained eye, yet Omnia provides necessary items and valuable tools for magic users. Some of these commodities include ritual tools, healing supplies, various herbs, stones and a plethora of other things both on display and hidden away. Ask nicely, and she may have it.
One best mind their step and keep ill intents at the door: Omnia is guarded by an array enchanted beings that are hidden in sight. These creatures become self-activated upon the detection of a thief or a patron with sinister intents both towards the shop or its keeper.
Comments
A brow was raised when she proposed the idea of him exchanging an answer for an answer, not the most outrageous request since Tempest was undoubtedly gaining quite a bit of information from her. There was little reluctance from him since the offer seemed reasonable to say the least, not like he was expecting the ravenette to ask anything /too/ personal after all. With a brief shrug, her reptilian guest agreed.
“Hm, why not.”
Prior to making the deal, her customer fetched himself a chair to sit in while she prepared the ingredients for the substance he’d be purchasing soon. The Oceanic Dovah concealed in mortal flesh listened very carefully when she started with the origins of said fallen empire, not once did she receive an interruption. What came as a surprise was the tale of Yurrei, another Dragoness he never learned about until now. Both orbs slightly narrowed as Raiya explained what she did to her former rider and his loved ones, and he did not want to imagine what the large female inflicted on them. Unlike his more docile bloodline, these creatures didn’t sound so peaceful, but for great reason knowing humanity’s thirst for Draconian blood.
What came as a shock was her informing him that other dragonkin were permitted to join. With more beasts came a lot of physical altercations for power as she just explained; much like what his father once told him, their none aquatic cousins could be quite volatile towards each other. If the white haired male he met earlier was right about them being much larger than himself, Tempest would easily be demolished if he dared to challenge one back then. They almost seemed like proud warriors from his point of view, not to be taken in a negative way or anything. When being told that two legged beings were allowed to live among such titanic beasts, his bottom jaw dropped out of shock. One of the last few things he expected to hear was mortals co-existing and even working /with/ Dragonkin rather than against them, this could explain why Spencer was permitted to be a rider.
‘Why didn’t he tell me all this…? Either that guy left out lots of details or she’s playing me. Maybe a better question is how does she know all this.’ He thought, placing a claw like hand under his chin. All this only brought more questions than answers since there was much more to go over, probably hours worth of explanation at least. Since the young drake assumed she wouldn’t allow him to stay there forever, he’d only ask about the most crucial details.
To his amazement, Raiya wished to know about where he initially came from, nothing too personal obviously. Given that there wouldn’t be any harm in giving a truthful response, Tempest answered her question, despite the vague reply since no details were asked for. “Australia mostly, hence my accent. My family and I would occasionally visit New Zealand since half of them were from there, the land of the kiwi’s as they call it. It’s a pretty beautiful country, especially with its beaches and what not. Let’s just say I got to see the Great Barrier Reef quite a bit in my spare time, my mom used to take me there a lot.” Having an excuse to talk about his former home provoked the corners of his lips into curving upwards, giving off a warm but low smile as a result. Bringing it up made him remember roaming the waters south of said continent, back when he was a mere hatchling always clinging to his mother’s side like the needy one he was. The memory of his beloved pod made his emerald hues water up and come close to tears, even now he still felt those bonds linger while most were in the afterlife.
While attempting to avoid a complete breakdown in front of this stranger, the reptilian decided to test her on whether or not her stories were true, starting with those who rode on the backs of others. “Anywho~ Since it’s my turn, tell me about the riders themselves? Maybe their names?” He requested, mostly in hopes there would be a mentioning of a certain white haired hybrid to confirm the legitimacy of her tales.
“Yeah… still.” Nikolas responded. Although the possibility was there, he still seemed all to willing, a nod of his head given as he eyed the bird across the table. His eyes followed Raiya then as she reached into the bag for the item. It made sense enough that he certainly wasn’t going to question it. Not knowing when he was going to do so next in his life, it was easy enough to nod in understanding to her words. Still… with what books he might have picked up, maybe there was something inside the covers to aid in his conjuring. When she reached out for his arm he did as she instructed without any friction, holding it there when she was done.
“Elbow lower than the wrist… got it.” He responded. Hand in a fist. Thumb up. He told himself in his head, meanwhile. Once more he kept the pose, nodding his head eagerly when she was done with that bit of instruction as well. There was no mistaking how his eyes were lit up at the prospect, playing off what was a grin under his composure he was keeping calm.
Pressure put on his arm, he wavered at first before catching on to the reasoning, holding his arm firm. Elbow lower than wrist. Fist kept, and so on. When she dug into the bag for the scrap of meat he held his hand out when it seemed right to do so, rather wide eyed at the final instruction, nodding once more, silently watching as Raiya stepped back.
Given a moment of silence, he looked from her to the raptor. Remembering all the details before he raised the hunk of meat up some in his right hand, his left arm kept rigid. When he was ready, Nik gave a clear whistle, standing still.
Confirming the sound of her footsteps coming from behind, Spencer wouldn’t hold up as he followed down the street in pursuit. To the sounds, he reminded himself to give a wayward glance to the surroundings, where in their favor, seemingly no one was out and about walking to see their chase down the sidewalk. The scratching sound was followed diligently.
Turning the corner little by little, the image of the creature hard pressed in his mind, Spencer took a glance into the alley. His expression fell when he was greeted with… well, nothing. More casually than he had done so he walked into the alley, heading towards the end, eyes doing a sweep across the ground as he went.
“How could it have..?” Spencer cut himself off to the sight of the substance left on the ground, unmistakable in their size, the small spots left showing a clear path. He grimaced. While Raiya crouched down to take a look, well… he waited on standby. The exclamation she gave was a shared one, nose wrinkled to the fact.
Holding his breath some, Spencer nodded diligently. “If you did… then I certainly did.” He responded. Tone perplexed, just as well as curious. His eyes traveled to the bars with a frown evident. “Mere minutes, and it has the strength…” Either his words were lacking importance, or he’d merely trailed off to the thought deeper in his mind. Were those.. teeth marks? Add concern onto the list.
“This can’t be good… how we are to trace something like that when- do we even know what this creature is..?” His head flipped back through the pages of the book he’d so shortly memorized not long before. Had it mentioned anything of the behavior of the creatures? He thought not.
Only for the first two seconds did her most unusual customer fail to notice her brief gaze on him. When his serpentine hues locked onto her own irises, he could somewhat recognize her short lived stare. His initial thought on this was Raiya getting suspicious once more, fortunately she chose not to interrogate him with questions on whether or not she was being lied to. In a casual manner, the ‘alleged’ lesser reptilian glanced away as her search continued.
Underneath the cloak that concealed the rest of his inhuman aesthetics, his webbed ears perked up prior to being informed about the absence of a certain book he sought. A low sigh escaped his lips before the raven haired female offered to share some insight about the fallen Draconian Empire. An almost overwhelming amount of doubt initially crossed his mind about whether or not she had true stories about it, but something in the back of his thoughts urged him to be open minded for this.
“Eh, why not. There’s really no point in hitting up a library anyway.”
Since the Elven woman gave him approval to enter, the hooded figure anxiously stepped inside to join her by that table. Both talon like palms were rested against the furniture’s surface as silence filled the room from him contemplating on what to ask specifically. His unnatural emerald orbs fixed themselves on the table’s hard surface until he was ready to propose a few questions. With an enormous amount of potential lore to go through, his first choice was to learn more on the prideful beasts that once roamed their skies.
“What all do you know about the Dragons who used to live there? Especially their rulers? My /friend/ told me they were basically a nation of titanic behemoths that lived together in unison. Two ancient females were said to have started it all, both of which were incredibly powerful, one of them being like a Draconian Goddess. Their ranks weren’t limited to just their own kin, but there were some exceptions for other lesser beings too. Sadly they weren’t without enemies. Something called the Warlords caused them to fall apart overtime, either they perished or went into a deep slumber afterwards. That’s all I know.”
To anyone’s surprise, the would-be Australian gave a summary of their tribe, someone or ‘something’ had obviously shared a few stories with him. Whoever that individual may be, they never provided any details regarding the disbanded Empire, and he came to the right place for it. With so many questions to be asked, the Sea Drake tugged at his cloak when flashes of lightning partially illuminated the room, just to avoid her spotting his webbed ears underneath. Before she could respond, the aquatic male spoke again on where to start.
“On second thought, I wouldn’t mind hearing everything. If you can give me anything on the fate of those who survived as well, it’d be appreciated. And no I’m not planning on abusing any of this information, I’m anything but a loud mouth, trust me. Sorry if I sounded rude.”
Zoriko nodded her head, her lips curved upwards into a smile as she spoke. From her lips escaped a small thank you, yet this was not all she came to say. Words failed Zoriko, and she was simply basking in the moment, she had come to learn that seeing a friend after a while is a very warming feeling. Funnily enough, the moment Raiya saw her face, she understood nearly all of what Zoriko came for. Perhaps she knew what Zoriko would say next too? Yet words would not come easily to the young dragoness, as timidity would take its spot still.
"Ah yes, all is well now, I trust it has been well on your side as well?" Zoriko raised her arms to fumble with her hair a bit as she looked away, her ember hues facing the side wall of the shop, a shelf adorned with the artifacts that made Omnia as unique as it was. Clearing her throat slightly, she spoke again, quietly, her words much faster paced than normal. "Um, the offer I made last time...flying... it still stands."
Then as if quickly changing the subject Zoriko, louder now, began talking about the elven dagger she saw last time.
Zoriko's utter lack for people skills was almost ludicrous, and yet to be taken as a sign that she simply wanted to be friends
(I'd love that! And sorry I deleted your most recent reply, I thought I was clicking the reply button but turned out to be the delete button. ^^" I can send a starter out to you right away, unless there's a couple more things you want to add?)
*King Daniel Mcknight had ruled over Lustiria for a decade since his father died in battle, turning it from a small, war torn kingdom into a glittering kingdom that expanded its borders by invading the kingdoms that helped and sponsored the treasonous nobles that started a decade long civil war. He rebuilt its cities and expanded and re armed the kingdoms legions in order to conquer those kingdoms and bring them under Lustirias rule. His days were busy between meetings with generals and construction advisor as he kept enlarging cities and making buildings that improved the lives of his people. When he was finally able to escape, he often loved to go to a secluded waterfall deep inside a thick forest that most dared not go, unless they already knew where it was. He dressed casually in a shirt that hugged his toned, battle hardened form and a casual pair of pants as he ventured into the forest to head to the waterfall to swim and relax. He brought no guards, only himself as he ventured through the thick forest, enjoying the sounds of the forest creatures as he didnt expect anyone else to be around.*
"I... suppose. Certainly there couldn't be harm in leaving it be. Could there..?" Spencer responded, certainty lacking to his words and yet, eagerness overshadowed all the same. He noticed Raiya's head turn, half expecting a visitor to the space when her gaze settled on the door. His own did the same, turning to abandon the counter surface and to look through the-
Perhaps Raiya found the eyes of the gargoyles first. In the meanwhile his eyes were already locked onto the... creature? He could hardly make a guess of it. Silver hues watched carefully as the figure stood crouched. Half expectant to blink, losing sight of it. Half expectant that the fumes of their concoction had gotten the better of him and nothing was settled there at all. Spencer kept his stare heavy set, eyeing the features of the... creature. He knew not a better word for it quite yet.
The snarling of the gargoyle sentry was next to be heard, and Spencer's chin tipped back and forth, gaze shifting between the two. His mouth had dropped open midst their discovery. The sound that came from the creature seemed equally as strange. His brow knitted together watching the confrontation between the two.
"It's... it couldn't be. Surely..?" Before his head could turn to look back at the counter they had worked upon, he noticed the eyes of the creature upon them. Spencer stared back with stillness to his stance. Yet just as quick as he could decide to do so, he saw the end of it's tail slip by the door frame on its way outside. As soon as he had made sense of it, he snapped back to life. A quiet, yet sharp curse was let out under his breath. While Raiya reached back for the dagger behind the counter, Spencer took steps towards the doorway. Peeking over her shoulder to the view outside, he had nothing. He waited for her word.
Spencer stepped outside Omnia, glancing towards the direction she had gestured. Above them in the meanwhile the sun was sinking. Felt by the intermediate dark that hadn't quite yet decided whether to develop or not. "We'd best hurry... there's no hoping that we will in the dark." At that, he left Omnia's front stoop and headed down the sidewalk. Approaching the alley he glanced back to her. His figure appeared around the corner just little by little. Taking a peek as to the creature's whereabouts.
"No kidding." Nikolas murmured, and the disbelief and 'wonderment' over it was there. Yet, what was there to disbelieve? There the raptor sat, feathers now lowered as she worked to bring a stray one back into sorts. Remind me to keep a window open. He thought. Undoubtedly the world wouldn't work in the same way for him, as it had for her. Having claimed them smart, maybe he had been short changing the bird yet.
"Raiya." He stated. In a tone meant for memorization of sorts as he recited the name. A similar nod back was given, eye steered from her books being closed to the ones in his hand. He contemplated for a second or so before something far more important struck his train of thought. "You're serious- ...really?" Nikolas blinked. The sentence seemed foreign enough that the urge to ask was there. When he'd decided she likely wasn't pulling his legs, the two books rested on the edge of the table for the time being. Again. Eyes went from Raiya to the bird, and back. "Yeah, I mean- of course." He responded finally. There was no hindering the grin that was making its way across his face.
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