Moon´glade` n. 1. The bright reflection of the moon's light on an expanse of water.
“MOONGLADE” is a non-canon Fairy Tail rp. Our story begins in the northern continent of Giltena, more than 400 years after the “disappearance of dragons”. With a focus on the Kingdom of Valeria, a country with a deep history revolving around the Moon Dragon, you will be able to play a vital role in the development of this kingdom--unless you choose a different journey. In Giltena, revered dragons have chosen to walk among you, and villains posing as heroes litter both the royal courts and the city streets. Weary traveller, what will you bring to the kingdom? Forge your path, and push forward through a world of magic and dreams.
WATER DRAGON FEST
The portside Town of Elmina is holding their annual Water Dragon Festival in honor of the Water Dragon Waka. Water Dragon Waka is a known foodie, so there will be a cooking competition held by the city lord as well as a variety of street vendors set up to celebrate the festivities. Additionally, the royal family of Valeria will be holding a hunt in the nearby Pouring Rainforest in honor of this event. This forest is controlled terrain so they will be releasing captive beasts into it. Choose. Do you want to help or hinder with these activities? The choices are yours.
This skin was made by Pharaohleap of pixel-perfect. Moonglade is the ugly bastard child of Baby and Spade and is a Fairy Tail roleplay. A special thanks to Hiko for his contributions. Fairy Tail is created by Hiro Mashima. All images on site belong to their respective artists.
In it's rarity, Ezrik actually showed a brief look of surprised, partnering it with a comment, "I was readying myself to take a punch just now." And it's true, he had fully believed Enlil would have relished in the opportunity for a little scuffle with another dragon slayer; and Ezrik also believed him to be one to take the first shot whenever given the chance.
There was a small sense of pride at how the junior member was behaving according to the rules. Although his diplomatic skills didn't seem any better than his own.
Still, he'd try to support the white-haired slayer.
"He's correct, those are the rules. But I'd abide by either demand from you," he started, addressing the leader. "But truthfully, it would make for better entertainment if it was one of us against one of you. My partner and I know each other too well that it would just look like choreography. It's watching and competing with the unknown that is the true spectacle," his eyes a little more fervent at the prospect of gambling. He wanted to offer the idea of debris and collateral damage being eliminated as well, considering how raucous their power sets tended to be.
"Or, if you truly want to see entertainment, I could invite you to watch our junior member spar against our guild leader," even Ezrik didn't know if he was joking or not at his own suggestion.
The woman refused to cooperate, and that made the situation all the more difficult to solve—at least enough for Ezrik to be satisfied. He lingered on her last words, trying to piece together the vague puzzle of scenes and words she gave him. It was still too unclear for him to make the judgment of her innocence. As of now, he thought of only one thing.
"List? An assassin, then?" he said, with a sharpness to his voice. Ezrik preferred to not be caught up in conflict, but now there were concerns of dark guild activity; and that news would concern him sooner or later.
What little light that was afforded them in that crevice between buildings decided to dim just a little bit as he breathed. With each steady and unsuspecting inhale, there was a flicker almost indiscernible around them from those civilians are festival attendees that moved to their side. And all the same time, Ezrik eyes seemed more vibrant in the darkness, their details sharp and bright. He wasn't making any immediate action, only prepping in case he had to.
With a small sigh that strayed from his facial expression, he said once more, "I suggest you say at least a part of the plea—otherwise I'd be obligated to take action." Even though his hands didn't move towards the hilt of his blade, his arms were tense, readying for explosive action if required.
nephele remes ● it's getting a little darker and his eyes a little brighter ● 000 words
Ezrik would never deny someone's assessment of him being strange. He was self-aware about his lack of presence and peculiar complacency with events happening around him. At a point in time, it had been effort for him to keep up this facade—but with enough repetition, the act became the truth. And despite all this, he considered the female even stranger.
His eyes flashed to where he hand touched him, and maybe if it was in a more threatening manner he would have drew steel. Instead, he merely rose a suspicious brow while trying to deduce what she intended. "How gracious of you," he said flatly, with a face that made it unclear to tell if he was sincere or sarcastic. "And most people would have gotten rid of the witness," he retorted at her implication that he was the unique one.
As she let go, his eyes continued to watch where her hand had laid, a bloody print in its wake. He let out a sigh that lacked the tone of frustration, "Do you make it a habit to ruin white clothing?" Another military suit jacket he'd have to purchase. At this point, he was considering just staying in his armor.
"If I did something, then I would be acting based off of assumptions of the situation," Ezrik replied, finally looking up back to her, ignoring the flurry of people that continuously crossed the mouth of the alley. "And since you didn't attack me immediately after, I felt that you at least deserved your plea of defense before I made any judgment," she also chose to finish the kill with the white dragon clearly spectating.
Being slightly coy, and repeating her own syntax, he said, "You didn't didn't do anything to me, why is that?"
nephele remes ● he's just standing straight and still ● 000 words
And just like that, they had avoided wasting more effort, and were drawn closer to their goal—or at least that's how Ezrik was interpreting the situation. Were these men the cause of the travel troubles? They did seem to be quick on impeding their trail during the trade route. Perhaps more research was to be done, and Ezrik had nothing but time to contemplate the next step as the marched across the desert.
By the time they did stop, it was within the confines of the village complex, Ezrik's own body weary, and tongue rough with dryness. He had seen the water on the way in, but there was little left in his body to help him salivate at the sight. Despite such exhaustion, he still looked as stoic and unfazed as ever.
"Imagined? Not quite. I expected more creative layouts that maybe possessed some unique cultural appeal. This is actually very practical and efficient. Your resources are abundant in terms of the desert thanks to the oases, and it seems you can move to and from here without wasting time or energy—further increasing effectiveness of your scouts or primary military body." he prattled about, though it was unclear to tell if Ezrik was impressed or disappointed.
Enlil spat his complaints, and the blonde chose to highlight the important part of the question. He needed to be sure this was the cause of the disturbances in the desert, then they'd hopefully be able to return with little conflict. "—and, what we'd like to know is the disturbances within the area. The Kingdom traders and traveling civilians are having difficulty passing through. The Kingdom gave us very little information to go off of, but we were hoping that you had an answer. Maybe your own blockades? Or is there more to the story?" he pressed with sincerity.
"Also, my partner is correct. We are separate from them. Just legal mercenaries wanting to complete their job."
The woman made for a poor assassin. Loose ends were one thing, but she had every opportunity to re-evaluate her decision and choose to attack at another time. Instead, she chose to finish the task right before Ezrik's curious eyes.
He wouldn't flinch, however. Giving a cock of his head as a method of visible confusion, he instead chose to observe a bit more at the man's fleeting life. Ezrik was no lover of blood and death, nor was he a stranger to the sight. He'd seen dozens upon dozens of bodies, and taken a good number as well; the majority of these occurring during his tenure as a member of the Kingdom. A vague sense of duty was trying to claw its way back to his fingers, yet he stayed motionless. That call for righteous justice had long been locked away, and now he preferred to not get caught up in the dramatics of life.
That was until she gave her laughable advice. "Good will? You intruded on my night of rest and relaxat—" he had no chance to finish what he was saying before she was darting off.
"Just leave it. Follow her instruction, no one remembers your face anyways," was what his mind was begging. But his body rejected the command. His instincts still drew him to some sliver of morality. The least he could do was press her for a reasoning, and maybe after he'd be able to put his feelings back to sleep.
Ezrik gave chase, almost forgetting the idea that his ally was also supposed to be joining him. Maybe fortune would be on his side, and he'd run into him on the way out of the docks. With that worry to rest, he following the silhouette of horns while speaking calmly during his sprint, "Killing someone then threatening me doesn't mean you get to run away without repercussions." His words lacked any hint of dominance or command presence.
These were fortunate circumstances for the tribe's mage. To be a wielder of magic that manipulated the sand while also calling the dunes his habitat. To be birthed in such blessings almost made things the result of grand design. Was he born here purposefully? Or before this was he just a wandering soul that devoted himself to living among the desert after discovering his own prowess with its elements. These were more than passing thoughts as the sand crept up his leg, constricting tighter as it rose.
The most surprising thing of this all wasn't with their adversaries however, it was with Enlil's response. He did choose a passive approach to the situation, and Ezrik wanted to compliment the man. Another time, maybe. Raising his hands in a surrender, he echoed his partner, "Very well, if that's the bargain being made, we accept." Of course he had run the probability of emerging victorious. With the two of them, it was possible, but it was definitely a fight not in their favor. The desert was the determining factor, and prolonging combat out in this heat would only make the task more difficult to complete once the fight was finished.
"I agree, water would be pleasant," he said with no change in his complacent expression. Enlil might have been playing coy, but Ezrik was quite parched from the lack of solid reservoirs thus far.
As aimless as Ezrik seemed, he was one that did have goals and dreams and hopes and passions. They were just ill-expressed; a haunting repercussion from his past. One of these passions was art and the beauty of the world. Even if he hardly looked pained by stress or annoyance, the frustration did tend to well up, and after too much of it, a breather was needed.
Being by his lonesome in only the murky river of light from the moon was what he desired, its reflection brilliant against the calm waves of the bay. But he could not even get that—for within minutes a rambunctious group had marched along the wood in a cadence that was partnered with laughter and song. They bid him a short hello before suddenly they had forgotten all about Ezrik, despite he was sitting not ten feet away. It was always like this.
Still, they provided entertaining distraction, and he let his scenic viewing be paired with the sounds of life and happiness; even if they were a bit crude with their topics.
As time passed, it was only one of the men left and Ezrik debated starting a conversation. That mental struggle ended swiftly as another joined the company, a woman with lithe yet dangerous movements. She wore an expression that seemed hungry—but for what he had no idea. That was a lie. He knew those eyes, but he willed himself to remain ignorant. He had long foregone responsibility for justice and this was no time to regain it.
Ezrik watched.
Watched as she turned from seductive to sadistic.
Watched as she turned from human to monster.
Watch as he turned from predator to prey.
Watched as the woman froze as she finally noticed Ezrik standing there... standing there as he always had been. Did he perhaps cough? Or drop something? Or did she finally just choose to recognize her surroundings a bit more. Maybe he should have made his presence known for the situation know was a bit awkward. As now that she spotted him, he had the responsibility to act, or to at least stop action. If she remained ignorant, he'd be able to go on his life bearing the burden of letting a murder happen before him—but now that he was a witness, she'd be able to spread gossip about him, or even try her blade against him.
The time for maturity was now.
With a blank expression only embellished by sharp eyes, Ezrik merely watched her and acknowledged her gaze by meeting it with his own. He was lax with in his straightened stance and hands sunken shallowly into his pockets. "Good evening."
The first attempt at diplomacy didn't bear fruit, and his inner spirit winced at the provocations the tribesmen made. Personally, he was unaffected by them—but he could feel the mood around his partner shift immediately.
Ezrik parted his lips to give his response, but it was Enlil that spoke first in a searing tone befitting of a dragon. The situation moved from negotiation to coercion. Maybe these type of people respected shows of strength; in which case the pair were fortunate to have Enlil. Ezrik could only supply what he knew, and what he knew was tact.
"Unfortunately, my partner answers true. We have no intention of returning without a completed mission," he said, giving a more direct answer to the question posed to them. "If you would kindly share any information you possess, or move aside, then we'll be on our way. If not—" he said before withdrawing his hand to rest on the hilt of his sheathed weapon. "—then we'll resort to force as a necessary response to your threats."
It was difficult to gauge how danger Ezrik really was when all his words were voiced with such lack of emotion, and only sharp and inquisitive eyes.
Enlil’s reply wasn’t reassuring. It didn’t dampen Ezrik’s mood anymore, however, already expecting there to be nothing noteworthy. If there was something from before, Magia wouldn’t be sending only two mages—he suspected this was just shaping up to be a tactic in order to assure their guild has first contact with whatever worries the kingdom possessed.
Without protesting the orders of the junior member, Ezrik simply replied with, ”I agree.” Although his mood felt sour, his voice didn’t reflect it.
And then the drums.
Ezrik didn’t need to recognize them to understand the implication. And soon after, the wake of tribesmen to accompany the hostile sound. ”So, this group is unfamiliar to you, then?” he questioned in a hushed whisper while their was still distance between them at the leader.
The leader pressed the two in a voice that implied superiority. ”Greetings, Ahi. I am Ezrik and my companion is Enlil. We are personnel of the guild Magia Dragon and are currently on kingdom business in regards to potential dangers in the desert,” he noted without no reason for secrecy. In his eyes, if they wanted to fight, no amount of coyness or lies would change that. The only thing that truly mattered was that he spoke before Enlil did. The sky dragon slayer had a tendency towards abrasiveness and Ezrik intended to find a diplomatic result if it was at all possible.
”May I inquire as to how we may help you?” he questioned.
The sun weighed heavy on Ezrik's lightly armored body; even dressing for the occasion didn't seem to stave off the discomfort. Midday wasn't the most ideal time to investigate the dunes of the Red Desert, but it was also the most available time slot. Every mage was avoiding it, which made it more appropriate that Magia Dragon would want it. Was it a display of faith and trust to the people? That was too much for Ezrik to consider.
His eyes floated over to the person that dragged his feet alongside him—again he was paired with Enlil. "You've done this request once before, correct?" he posed a question, adjusting the tan hood that he hoped would reflect more of the beams of heat. "What were the results then?"
For the last while, they had been patrolling a common trade-route, and there were rumors of small oases along its trail to provide mild refuge. The only one they saw was hardly a bastion for life but maybe it was just the weather that was creating this pessimistic oppression over him. Although his face didn't show it, Ezrik was annoyed with his mental behavior in all of this. It was uncouth to be bested by such a minor and natural foe.
Normally he wasn't one to complain, but in this moment even he felt like whining about what they could even be looking for.
Although he lacked a visible reaction, Ezrik was thankful that Enlil sided with his point-of-view. There was so much extra work involved for him in regards to deaths on the job. And the rogue mage didn't seem like he'd test the sky dragon slayer anymore, so focused on impeding the bleeding, and not giving Enlil reason to strike swift at his throat.
Just as Enlil had complained, Ezrik too despised these more rabid undead. For legs and a ceaseless mind adverse to stamina consumption made them quick, and relentless. Despite that, they still lacked intellect and though they were a nuisance, he'd fell them all the same.
Two parted the brush, their mangled faces carrying slack yet dangerous jaws. He took a step forward to bait their crossing strike, and with one diagonal cut that bisected the skull of one of the hounds, an echo of mana appeared to do the same to the other on the opposite side. Two limp bodies slid along the grass in a thud that almost perfectly timed up with a droning buzz as a luminescent blue sprayed their back.
A bubble of energy burst from the floor around the mages they were defending, closing the city in a translucent energy only momentarily before the energy closed itself off and died down to only a faint aura—an aura of protection. Even the presence of the light caused some of the approaching dogs to rear, snarl, and backpedal away from it. There job seemed to be done.
"For a D-rank, we sure had to dirty our hands quite a bit," Ezrik noted in observation. Not as dirty as the rogue mage that still grunted in anguish, especially as the other mages worked to provide aid and drag him into town. "If you still desire action, you can remain here and pick-off the stragglers," he said with a shrug before turning on his heal to head into the dome of safety. "I'll be going to collect our reward and report back to the guild."
Ezrik can a reprieve from his normal demeanor. A flash of a smirk at the insistence to loosen up. "When the competition is more refreshing, then perhaps. But with these husks, it'd be wasted effort," he said with a splash of confidence. The tonal shift was a minor difference from his normal soft voice.
Fortunately, even the uncooperative could be worked with under the proper circumstances; and Ezrik seemed to have found that with Enlil. And things would have operated smoothly if not for the interference by an oaf of a mage. The white dragon slayer's view was obscured, but he did see a flash of movement from the distance. And if not for the body that blocked him, it would have been one felled beast before his feet.
Alas, he had not the opportunity as the new foe took its turn at the rogue mage instead, finding purchase shallowly in his body. An unfortunate situation as his reward would most likely be spent repairing whatever damage incurred from the claws and teeth. But if they acted swiftly, at least he would have another day to live to curse his luck and maybe more guild mages.
Ezrik moved to strike down the wolf, only to pause at Enlil's suggestion. "Turned? Ah, I believe you are buying too much into the stories," he withheld a chuckle. He'd save explaining until after the situation was somewhat handled. Energy gathered at his arm, and with a swift horizontal strike, an echo of light fired off a blade of light the carved carefully through the top half of the wolf's head. The snarling died off, and the body went limp. "Turning occurs upon death, not on bit or scratch. It's just commonly thought of the other way because attacks are usually too savage to recover from—or people neglect medical attention when infection and disease is potent with the deceased," he explained, striking down whatever Enlil hoped.
"But, I'll meet you halfway. If at any point between now and the end of the mission this man looks too weak to continue on, you can end him pre-emptively. Even if he protests, I believe none would want their lasts moments to be one of the lifeless damned," he said, his voice loud enough for the rogue mage to hear. "And you, mage, I suggest you keep pressure on the wound, or get another to aid it. My partner can be jumpy, and if your blood loss causes you too get drowsy or pass out for a short while, that would easily be reason enough for him to clean you up. He might even be more liberal with his observation due to your provocative words earlier," Ezrik reasoned, moved to cover the gap in the guard.
They'd have to be wary of wolves from the left now thanks to the rogue mage's injury.
"Quota; a minimum requirement of jobs we are to complete each month. When the guildmaster has a certain level of trust with you, you are expected to represent the guild positively. It is a way to motivate new recruits—revealing that even the veterans are dutiful. Furthermore, it builds public trust and our clients and the citizens show more faith and business to guilds that have even their top brass actively participate in quests of any level," he droned on while maintaining the absent expression during Enlil's onslaught against the undead.
Ezrik was unaffected by taunts, and simply nodded alongside the sky dragon slayer's request. Sound logic, and even Ezrik had pondered how long he'd be able to get by without exerting effort. "Very well—" he started before lifting himself off the slim trunk of a nearby tree he had reclined against.
The blonde male approached the straggling zombie with grace. The beast continued its tortoise-crawl journey towards the lacrima. It was a fruitless effort that would only be illustrated by that of a mindless monster; and that's exactly what the zombie was. With no wasted movements, Ezrik withdrew the basket-hilted sword and delivered a swift jutting impaling strike. The blade sunk into the back of its skull with no resistance, and there was a final jolt before he pulled the blade away and the body slumped over still.
"How about a deal then? You do whatever you like with the enemies, and I'll provide cleanup for any that make it past you, or that you have not enough effort to deliver the killing blow," Ezrik proposed, the flatness of his voice expressing his honesty. To others, there would be worry that Enlil would deliberately not kill several of them, but he did speak honestly. It was a two man mission, and he should get his blade dirty.
