Seraphina was pulled out of a deep sleep by the flames within her. The heat from her body slowly pushed to the surface as she fought for breath. Opening her eyes, half expecting she had set the entire room ablaze, Phina noticed nothing around her. Slowly, she sat up, pulling on the gloves that sat by her bedside for moments just like this. After a breath, then two, she still felt the fire pulling her as if it were trying to grow inside her. Her need to set something ablaze sharpened as she found her way to the window.
The village below was covered in barely lit fires. She could see the outlines of people running for their lives as people set the houses and shops ablaze. Phina dressed in the military uniform she kept stocked, one that her guards gave her in case they had to flee. Her hair was up, and she started through the manner while her real family servants ran around, and the head guard announced orders. It was mayhem, one that she was sure they had prepared plans for but not one they ever thought would happen.
She was at the door to the stables when she was finally stopped. "My lady..." the stable hand stuttered. She turned to him with a fury in her eyes, only known for her enemies. "Ready Blaze. Now." Her words came out calmly as the stable hand dropped the saddle he was holding to ready her massive dark horse.
"Seraphina Rose! You better not be doing what I think you are!" Only one person dared to use her middle name. That man was her trainer and head guard, Zayn. The brut walked over, a line of guards being him. "I'm not standing by while my people suffer. I'm the strongest person in this house. I'm helping." The forty-year-old looked her up and down; he would have been impressed if she wasn't the Princesses he was sworn to protect.
There was something in her eyes that showed how determined she was. Zayn knew there was no stopping her, and instead, he started checking her gear. When he checked the tightness of her gloves, he finally spoke. "If I ever have a daughter, I hope she is as noble and loyal as you. Go in grace, milady". "Thank you. I'll see you when the flames burn out.
The stable hand returned with her house, Seraphina mounting Blaze in one swift motion. He was the only horse she had ever met that showed no fear when she approached. It was almost like the horse loved having the heat on his back. Please, gods, protect my people. Seraphina's prayer was met with the raging hot wind from the fires below. The Arabian was bred for speed and was down at the village in record time.
She hopped off at the first fire she saw, running in and pulling people out. The flames licked at her skin but never actually hurt her. With every house, she would go in, pull everyone out, and then hand them off to the guards sworn to protect her. If she found anyone that wasn't one of hers, the flames that called to her would burn them to the point they weren't recognizable. This was her ritual, one that did nothing to quell the fiery rage within her.
Finally, when dawn broke, most of her people were at her manor, and Seraphina kneeled in a pile of ash and bodies. Burning flesh still filled her nose as she kneeled without a rage filling her and adding kindling to her fire. Zayn slowly draped his jacket over her while she clung to her torso. "You did well." Her father mentor whispered as her guards did one last sweep. She could hear the wailing of parents mourning the children she was too slow to save. "Not well enough." Seraphina stood, whistling to Blaze. "Take care of them like you have taken care of me.
The older man stood, nodding once. "I know I can't stop you." Zayn paused long enough to help her into the jacket, brushing some ash off her face. "I don't want to watch you lose your humanity in a war that's not yours."
"Then don't watch." Seraphina pulled the only father figure she had ever known into a last embrace. She was sixteen and still had so much to learn, but she knew it was time to put away the childish things that plagued her. "The nearest front is toward Hyouden. Don't tell anyone your name. I'll have my men tell the king and queen that you escaped in the chaos of the fires. We didn't see you, and nobody knows where you are headed." He pulled away one and kissed her forehead. "May the flames guide you.
They pulled apart, her hand on the reigns as she hopped back on Blaze, doing as her mentor said. She rode hard and fast, only stopping for Blaze when necessary. It was brutal, watching as most villages had been burned or ransacked as she passed them. It seemed like so few survivors, and the ones she saw told them to head to the manner. Zayn had promised to protect her people, and she trusted him to do just that.
The longer Phina rode, the more her rage boiled, the flames itching to come out on her enemy. She made it to the front near Hyouden, watching men with hollowed eyes as she passed. They were in dirty tents, and most of their uniforms were just as filthy. This front was one of the hardest of them, the kingdom of Ice knowing to be one of the tougher fronts for the kingdom of Ice to fight.
Seraphina dismounted Blaze, handing him to a younger man caring for the other horses. Seraphina had stopped long enough to wash the ash off of her, but she could still smell the fire burning on her as she walked. The men and women around the camp took notice, watching as the young woman walked through their ranks with a confidence most people would shy away from. Her head was straight, and years of practice gave her a posture that would let anyone know she was no mere commoner.
Zayn had told her to hide her identity, but she doubted these people would recognize their princess. She had some hope, walking into the most enormous tent in the encampment. Around the war table was a group of rough-looking men, eyes staring at the table as she walked in. There was silence as they turned to the young girl with little respect for their meeting.
Here was the moment of truth. She could tell them exactly who she was and risk them sending her back, or she could lie and hope they were desperate enough to keep her. Seraphina's eyes locked on the grey-haired man at the end of the table, recognizing something from her childhood at the palace, but she was unsure of what.
"I'm Phina Oleander. I'll be with this company from today on. My powers are fire-immunity and burning touch. I can start a blaze from anything I touch, and I will never be burned in the inferno." Seraphina didn't take her eyes off the man in charge and approached the table. "The village of Serphintine fell three nights ago. I'm here to kill the ******** that did it."
She looked at each man, daring them to question her authority and place in this war room. Her eyes landed back on the red-eyed man as she made her next demand. "Catch me up to speed. The sooner I can kill some Hyouden soldiers the better I will feel." She could still hear the screams and smell the embers whenever she closed her eyes.
S u u r i A a l t o
PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:43 pm
The cold never left Enzo, it clung to his bones like a second skin, even under the layers of armor and wool. The battle against Hyouden had been unrelenting since the start, but the past week had been the worst. Not because of the enemies’ brutal tactics, but because they had taken his best friend from him. His second in command. The man who had laughed with him through a thousand nights and saved his life at least a dozen times. Gone. The days that followed were a blur, but he was told he had taken out an entire crew all while yelling something about a man with white hair.
He slept when he could, usually upright, leaning against cold stone walls or slumped beside dying fires. He ate because he had to, not because it tasted like anything and he fought. Every fight now was a chance to bleed out and call it honor. The air reeked of soot and frozen rot. Men stumbled into camp with missing fingers, eyes bloodshot from the lack of sleep, and despite the fire running through the veins, their skin was blistered from frost.
The duke kept leading, because that’s what he was trained to do. Bury the dead, prepare the living, and make impossible decisions before sunrise. His people followed because they trusted him, or maybe it was because they had no choice. Every time he looked at the empty spot beside him, where Ahsan would have stood, something inside him sank deeper. He didn’t have time to grieve, that kind of softness got people killed. Still, it haunted him at night.
The map was useless, at least it felt that way. Enzo stood and hunched over the war table, hands planted on either side of a map that had been redrawn and re-stamped so many times it barely resembled the land it once represented. Ink lines crossed trhough forests that no longer stood, arrows pointed to bridges that had been blown to hell. Every village marked with a red dot that had either fallen or been swallowed by silence. The commanders around him muttered, tired and frostbitten. They tossed out strategies in broken sentences, flank from the east, draw them through ravines. But none of it mattered, not really. Not when their soldiers were stretched thin and the Hyouden kept adapting.
Enzo exhaled slowly, the breath fogging in the frigid air inside of the tent. He didn’t list his eyes when the flap opened- he assumed more scouts probably. But the murmurs stopped, it was the silence that made him look up. A woman stood in the opening, light cutting in behind her in a sharp silhouette. She walked in with her chin high and steps steady, confident like she had every right to be there. When she spoke, the words came out smoothly, almost as if they were practiced. Although, she was not nervous. She listed her abilities, fire immunity, burning touch. A spark from anything. But Enzo wasn't listening to her powers, he was staring at her face.
That voice, that stance, the fiery attitude.
He didn’t react, not outwardly at least. There were no sudden movements or shouting. He stood motionless, keeping his eyes glued to hers. His heart pounded against his ribs. She kept talking, scanning the men, almost like a threat, then her eyes landed back on his. She didn’t recognize him. Enzo turned slowly, and stepped away from the table, approaching her in silence. Her presence, her sheer audacity his him like a slap. Not just for who she was, but where she was. In the middle of a brutal, bloody war. Covered in smoke and blood, pretending she belonged there.
Then, without hesitation, Enzo reached out and firmly grabbed her by the upper arm, although keeping it hidden by the rest of the room, so he wouldn’t bring up any suspicion. “We’re done here,” His said flatly to the room, not looking at anyone else but her. Without waiting for her reply, he pulled her through the tent flap, out into the freezing air. Steam curled from his breath as he turned her to face him just beyond the canvas, far enough away from the guards and the war table so they would not be heard.
He finally let go, but his expression did not change, “Your highness, forgive me, but…” His voice was low, daring her to interrupt him, “What the hell are you doing here?” It was his job to protect her and the royal family, and now she just shows up? Thinking she runs the place? That she could help? No, she would be a distraction. His eyes narrowed, but behind them was a pool of concern, “You shouldn’t be here, you shouldn’t even be alive out here.” He gestured toward the forest beyond the camp, toward the smoke on the horizon, “This isn’t a game. There are no rules, no glory, there is just blood. It doesn’t care how noble your reasons are.” He took another breath, but it didn’t calm him, if anything it just filled his lung with ash.
“You show up thinking you’re ready for the front lines?” He laughed bitterly, yet short, “You think that’s brave? It’s suicidal.” He really looked at her now, there was dirt smudged along her cheek, her jaw was tense, shoulders squared, but behind the fire in her eyes, he could see the grief she held for the loss of lives. His fingers twitched his sides, then reluctantly he raised his hand to gently brush the dirt away, before letting his arms fall back to his sides. He knew she had training behind her. He knew because he used to spar with her when they were young, and deep down he respected her for risking her life and joining them, but the thought terrified him, “Does your father even know where you are right now?” If anything happened to her he knew it would be his head. No anyone elses. His.
He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something but stopped himself. He knew she wasn’t going anywhere. Despite his wishes. “You want to be a part of this battalion, Princess?” He muttered finally, face flat, “Then you follow orders, and keep your damn head down. You will get this entire crew killed if the enemy finds out.” He shifted on his feet, then dragged his hand down his face, before crossing his arms across his chest, “Do you understand?”
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
Seraphina hadn't expected a huge welcome on the front; there was no reason to think that. War was long and brutal, but she figured that they would look better than this. The general's eyes seemed haunted and hollow, and not one of the men in the tent reacted to her. She watched them, looking down at the map, and she tried to glean as much information as possible from the marks. It was a montage of red dots and arrows, things she didn't fully understand.
She looked up when the general stalked toward her. For the first time in her life, she felt like prey, his hand gripping her arm. She noticed how the man took his time to shield their interaction from the rest as he dismissed himself. He only pulled her far enough away, but she could see the men on the ground shivering from the cold. A side-effect of her inner fire was not feeling the cold, she was sure everyone else felt.
Her breath came out as steam as the man pulled her, facing her toward him, before letting go. 'Highness.' She paused, breath caught in her throat as she looked up at the man. His eyes looked like something she should remember, but the memories were buried deep in a place she didn't let herself go anymore. She shook off the thought as she spoke, "I told you, Serphintine fell. I've been studying there for a decade now. They burned everything. We were only able to save the manner." Seraphina paused, thinking about the faces and the full house.
She watched his eyes narrow, but there was something else behind them. He was right, she should not be alive. Those men had been after her; she was sure that was why Zayn let her leave without a fight. She would have been less protected in a house filled with villagers if there had been another attack. "I know exactly what I am." She paused, thinking over her following words. " I lost control. I was pulling people out of their burning houses. I had to rip mothers off of their burning children, knowing it was too late for them. I killed every enemy I found, but it wasn't enough. The manner is all that is left, and I couldn't stay. I'm a liability, I always have been, as you so kindly pointed out. So, I hope there's blood. I'll happily shed mine for my people."
She paused when the man slowly brushed dirt off her cheek. She stopped, thoughts of the man suddenly coming to view—a kid she used to spar with, the only person who didn't shy away from her. He had been kind and just as fierce as her. While she was on fire, that kid would take her flames and turn them against her. He had been the only one she wasn't terrified to hurt. Zozo had been her fire tamer for the brief time they were together.
Seraphina slowly started to put it together, including mentioning her father and how he knew who she was when she didn't recognize anyone in the war tent. She hadn't been at court in over a decade, but she knew there was a portrait of her in her father's office. Or at least she sat for one year and was told that's where it was kept. It wasn't her fault that she didn't recognize the man before her. He was hardened by war and grown into someone beautiful. Phina brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes to confirm the past. Zozo had become a leader; she should have figured her father would have wanted him there.
Enzo finally relented, saying to keep her head down, and she smiled at him. "Thank you, Zozo. I'll follow orders and I will do my best." She finally looked him over, recognizing the man he had become. He was only two or so years older than him, and was quite the leader from what she saw in the war tent. She turned from him, looking around the camp, now that her haze had gone.
Everyone looked so haunted, and fires burned so low that they were practically frozen. She turned to her left to see a group huddled around a dying fire, the wood was too cold and probably wet from the freeze on the ground. Phina slowly walked over, removing her right glove. She grabbed a piece of wood and watched the wood sizzle, then burst into life. She added the wood, holding two other pieces to start a better fire. She could see the men's faces begin to thaw slowly.
Phina turned back to Zozo, noticing how tired he looked, and nodded at him. "I'll keep my head down, but I won't let your men freeze or starve. What is the biggest structure around? I'll start a fire and keep it going. A warm rest might do them some good. You should rest too. You look like you haven't slept in a week, Zozo."
She watched as a man hobbled along. Frostbite from the look of him. Phina closed her eyes and shook her head once. "My father doesn't know I'm here, and it looks like he forgot you were too." Phina turned to Enzo, her smile probably seemed out of place. This place was hopeless, and she needed to give some hope if they were to continue. If she had to act as the lone ember in the dark, then she would do just that.
S u u r i A a l t o
PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 12:21 pm
His gaze softened as she explained why she was there, how she’d dragged screaming mothers off dying children and pulled strangers from burning homes with her bare hands. Her voice didn’t tremble when she said it, just the opposite. It rang with bitter conviction, “I'm a liability. I always have been, as you so kindly pointed out. So, I hope there’s blood. I’ll happily shed mine for my people.” Enzo winced, just barely. The words were harsh but not untrue. She was a liability. Not because she lacked courage, no, she had too much of it. But because she was the Princess of Funkazan, and that meant having her here, in a war zone, was reckless at best and ruinous at worst.
Then he saw it as she raised her hand to brush some strands of hair from his face. There was a flicker of something in her expression that told him she finally remembered him. It had been far too long. Their last meeting felt like another life. Enzo’s chest tightened, he had questions, many questions. But he also knew she wouldn’t have answers. She hadn’t been at the palace then, she likely didn’t even know what happened to Zarah and Jamal.
As she turned away to scan the camp, he watched her carefully. She couldn’t be older than sixteen or seventeen now, but war had left its stains on her face, just as it had on his. He exhaled slowly, the cold air curled from his lips. She shouldn’t be here, she should be at in a ballroom, dancing in silk slippers, not stomping through mud and ash. But he knew that dragging her back to the palace would accomplish nothing. She’d come again, next time, she might not survive the journey. So he made a decision. He’d train her again, like when they were kids, only this time, the stakes were real. Besides, she was useful. Her fire, the way she could conjure flame from the air, it paired perfectly with his own abilities. A tactical advantage, at the very least.
“Zozo?” The nickname took him off guard, his ears turned red immediately, and embarrassment twisted in his gut. “Princess…” He murmured, voice low, shifting uncomfortably, “You can’t call me that in front of my men.” Suddenly he was a kid again. Ten years old, cheeks flushed, worried the older boys might overhear and make fun of him. Except when they did, he remembered how satisfying it felt to break their noses.
She asked about a structure to burn. Something large, something useful. Enzo’s expression dimmed slightly. There was a place, but he wasn’t eager to return there. Memories shot into his head, the blood, the cries. The face of the man who murdered his friend. He blinked, realizing he’d gone quiet, then looked back down at her, “I know a place. It’s a short hike from here so we’ll have to move quickly.” He glanced at the darkening sky, dusk was bleeding across the horizon. The battle near the structure had long ended, but it was still dangerous. “I assume you still have Blaze?” He raised an eyebrow, she had to have reached the camp somehow, “We’ll use our horses to drag back what I can’t carry.”
His gaze swept over her once more, “Do not stray from me. I swear, if you wander off, I will throw you over my shoulder and drag you back myself.” He smiled then, a rare, fleeting grin. Despite everything, despite the smoke and frost and the ever-present ache in his chest, he was glad to see her. And if he was honest, he missed that damn horse, too. Checking for curious eyes, Enzo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, meeting her gaze with a warmth he only held for a handful of people, “It’s good to see you again, Phina.” For once, he dropped the formality, it wasn’t common for him to do so, but honestly, it was war, and he really did not give a s**t about titles.
He led her to what remained of the stables and mounted his horse, “Let’s head out. We’re losing daylight.” He didn’t speak of what waited at their destination, the place where Ahsan was killed. The hollowed-out shell of a hut that still reeked of destruction and bad memories. He kept those thoughts buried, no use letting them rise while awake. Nightmares were easier to box up. As they rode, her earlier words echoed back to him. He glanced sideways at her, watching her breath fog the air as they moved. “It’s not your job to worry about me, okay?” Enzo flicked the reins, quickening their pace, then added under his breath, mostly to himself, “Sleep is for the dead.”
When they reached the ruins, Enzo dismounted, snow crunching beneath his boots. He stared at the remains of the hut, his expression unreadable, “There are pieces I can pull off. With your help, and the horses, we can haul back larger boards.” He swallowed, Images flashed across the backs of his eyelids. His jaw tightened, the only sign of discomfort as he turned to look toward Seraphina, “Will this work for you?”
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
Seraphina laughed at the man, and his face gained a little color when she mentioned the nickname she had given him as a kid. It felt like a lifetime ago. Just a few nights ago, she had decided to put down childish things when the war came for her. Those days felt so long ago; she knew the other kids had seemed afraid of him after she called him that. Phina had always wondered what had happened between them. "Is that my first order, Zozo?"
She smiled coyly, a smirk on her face, knowing she would do just that. Still, hearing how he called her ' Princess...' is a tone that has inhaled too much smoke. It did something to her that child he was had never been capable of. Her childhood friend was no longer a child, but she wasn't exactly one either.
She shook off the schoolgirl thoughts as she pulled back on her glove. However, the haunted expression on his face did her in. War was brutal, but she had only seen a small glimpse—a single bad moment, and he had seen so much more. "Zo..." His name came out only as a whisper. She was at a loss for words but saw the war in his eyes.
Phina stood quietly next to him, unable to figure out how to help. Enzo snapped himself out of it alone, but she could see he hadn't fully processed it. Seraphina finally understood what Zayn had meant when he said he didn't want to watch her lose herself. She was here watching her Zo lose himself.
"Blaze is with the stable. Still the best gift I've ever been given." She laughed, feeling awkward, but still knowing that his family gave it to her on one of their visits. Blaze had never been afraid of her, and for that, she was grateful.
"Do not stray from me. I swear, if you wander off, I will throw you over my shoulder and drag you back myself." Phina laughed, this time for real, as she smacked him on the chest as they walked. "Is that a promise or a threat? Because if it's a promise, I might just need to run so I can ride back on those broad shoulders."
The smile he finally gave her warmed her in a way that her fire couldn't. It was good to watch this frozen man thaw for a moment. His hand's weight on her shoulder, followed by the informal language, had her blushing. She shook her head as she looked down, "It's good to see you too. I missed your visits. It was one of the few joys during my isolation." The statement was true. After her parents threw her out of the palace, so few moments brought her joy.
Phina kept her head down as she followed him to the stables. She slowly walked to Blaze and touched his neck before mounting him. She followed Enzo in silence, understanding that this was hard for him. Still, the building they made it to looked awful, as if a major battle had happened there. The camp looked the same, but at least there was still life. There weren't bodies outside, just scorched earth and destruction.
Enzo was the one who broke the silence between them, "It's not your job to worry about me." He flicked his reins and took off faster. She shook her head, "If I don't worry, who will?" She whispered to Blaze before following suit.
They made it to the shell of a hut. She looked around as Zozo dismounted, doing the same. She hummed in response when he asked if this would work. "Lucky for us, I can make anything work." She muttered before heading toward the hut.
She took one glance before letting out a small cry, a booted foot in the middle of the hut scaring her. Her gloves and jacket were off swiftly to give her as much firepower as possible, a move she practiced with Zayn for this very purpose. The tattoos on Seraphina's back weren't new, but she did know they had grown with her, and her exposed skin was letting off steam as her power flared for protection.
However, nothing moved inside the hut. Phina slowly crept around the entrance to see the body of a soldier lying dead. She had seen a few dead bodies, but most of the time they were charred beyond recognition at her own doing. She kept her hands ready as she walked inside and felt for some sign of life. Her fingers were on the man's neck, hoping for any signs of life. She could see the steam rising off of him, and he had been long dead.
"Dear gods." Seraphina muttered a small prayer before turning to Enzo. "I can burn the body here. That way he can get a proper send off to our gods and we don't have to drag him back with us." Seraphina stood walking to grab her gloves off the ground so she didn't burn anything. However, Enzo's face looked wrong. Haunted.
She crossed to him, forgetting the need for her gloves as she pulled his face to hers. Phina should have thought about how her skin would feel too warm on his, or how she could burn him. But all she saw was her childhood friend looking more scared than she ever had. "Zozo, what's wrong?"
S u u r i A a l t o
PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 2:21 pm
“Is that a promise or a threat? Because if it's a promise, I might just need to run so I can ride back on those broad shoulders.”
Enzo clutched his chest like he’d been struck, staggering a step with exaggerated pain before casting her a sideways look and letting out a soft laugh, “Ah, so you’ve got jokes now, huh?” There was something in her smile that never failed to lift the weight off his chest. Seraphina had always been that, sunlight through thick clouds. A rare friendship that he had come to treasure, she was like a sister to him, family in all the ways that mattered. But today… something about her tone, the gleam in her eye, it flickered different. And when he caught himself wondering if she was flirting, his thoughts stuttered to a halt, ‘No… I must be reading that wrong.’ He dared a glance, just a quick one, when he noticed that her cheeks were dusted pink. A blush? It couldn’t be from the cold. She didn’t really get cold.
As they approached the horses, he shook the thought, it was just her being her, he told himself. Nothing more. Blaze stood waiting, towering and proud. A horse as bold and unwavering as she was. Enzo had chosen him for that reason. As his hand pressed to the animal’s muzzle, a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, “Hey, boy.” He rubbed Blaze’s nose with gentle affection, voice softening, “He looks good... strong.” His gaze drifted to Seraphina as she swung up into the saddle with practiced ease, “I’m glad to see it,” He added quietly, before mounting his own horse with far less grace.
“Lucky for us, I can make anything work.”
He nodded, but didn’t reply. Her voice faded in his ears, drowned beneath a tide of thoughts he couldn’t suppress when they had arrived. She walked into the hut casually, and the moment she did, something inside him cracked. It wasn’t just Ahsan’s death weighing him down. It was all the others. The faces that blurred into one another, men, women, children- lives extinguished because of where they stood when his hell broke loose.
But then a scream tore through the air. His heart seized, and panic clawed at his chest, dragging him brutally back to the present. He stormed into the hut, senses alert and pulse thundering in his ears, “Princess? Are you oka—” He stopped short. She was crouched over something, no, someone, and when she turned to face him, his breath caught. Not just a body, it was Ahsan. Even beneath the bruises and blood, despite the swelling that had distorted his features, Enzo knew. He knew the shape of his friend’s jaw, the curve of his nose, the broken knuckles that had thrown too many punches in defense of others.
His stomach twisted violently.
“That’s right…” The words fell from his lips, “I remember now. Yes… I left him because I wanted to find…” The sentence ran off, and his voice was barely audible. His eyes locked on the body as the realization settled in. He had forgotten to come back when he lost his ******** mind. Seraphina’s voice filtered through the fog, but it didn’t register, she was speaking to him, he could tell by the shape of her lips, but her words might as well have been spoken underwater.
Until suddenly, she was right in front of him, her hands were warm against his chilled face. He blinked, once, twice. Then met her gaze, but only briefly, “Nothing,” He muttered, the word came out hollow and sharp, cold even. He stepped back, the heat of her touch lingering as he turned toward the body again. Every muscle in his frame tightened. His fists clenched, veins rising beneath his skin. Without a word, he stooped and gripped Ahsan’s legs, dragging the corpse from the hut, ignoring the stiffness, whether from rigor mortis or the bitter air, it didn’t matter.
He pulled the body to the edge of the trees and propped him up against a trunk, then stared. Just stared, the silence was deafening. He remembered it all now, the screams, their eyes. His voice was coarse when he finally spoke, “Let’s start from the front. Get the loose pieces first.” He turned to her, his eyes were bloodshot, his expression stone-hard, but the crack was there, in his voice, “Then we can burn the body. So it doesn’t attract animals.” And then he moved, ripping wood from the shack like it had wronged him personally. Each board splintered in his hands as he tore them away with growing fury. His breathing had grown ragged.
“This... ********> He yanked another piece loose, “Piece of s**t...” The next board snapped and sliced across his knuckles, blood welled immediately, but he didn’t pause, “Shack.” He hurled the wood to the ground and just kept going, ignoring the sting. Ignored the shaking in his limbs, “Start tying them to the horses, its getting dark.” He barked the order, but didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. Because if he did, he wasn’t sure he could hold it all in. He knew he sounded like an a*****e, knew he was pushing her away. But everything hurt so much.
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
"Princess? Are you oka-" There it was again, Him calling her 'princess'. As of right now, when she was kneeling over a dead body, she shouldn't feel the flutter in her chest as he did. The body was swollen and old, something she realized after she had touched it. Her heart beating slightly quicker at how Enzo called her by her title shouldn't have happened.
Phina didn't let her servants call her Princess; her confinement had changed her that way. She almost saw herself among them, and she put on her royal mask only when her nobility was needed. She learned to hate the title in her isolation, but it was almost like a breath of fresh air from him.
Only as he said it in worry and she turned to look at him, she saw the fear and the agony on his face. "I remember now... I left him behind..." She should have known this one was of his men. The uniform was the giveaway as to why she had offered to burn it. However, that haunted look on his face was what war did to people. The torment that didn't go away clung to his skin, even as she crossed to him and forgot herself.
She did it so easily to try to snap him out of it. She knew he was lying when he said "Nothing." However, she knew that there was no getting through to him. When he took that tone, it meant that something was swirling in his brain that wasn't something she could pry out of him. She watched as he dragged the body out, following long enough to grab her jacket and gloves so she didn't set anything on fire.
So, she nodded at the following order, taking the sharpness of his tongue like the good soldier she promised to be. She ignored the small cracks in his armor, the way he held himself too tightly. She knew he would break, and his men couldn't see it. If they did, they might lose the will to fight, leading to a bigger disaster.
So, she did as she was told, and the Princess turned soldier. Walking to the front, she braced her leg on the side of the hut to pry off the boards that he seemed to do with such ease. She snuck glances at the man beside her, watching him hit the boards and rip at the edges. She knew he was angry at something she would never understand, so she let him.
Phina stopped trying to help him pull them off when he started to swear. Instead, she slowly turned and watched as his knuckles bled and muscles shook. This was the boy she admired, becoming a man in war and breaking. This is what Zayn had warned her about. This was going to be her fate if she gave in to her anger and pain that swelled in her chest.
"Start tying them to the horses, it's getting dark." The order was barked in a way she didn't recognize, but it pulled her out of her trance. She ran to Blaze, grabbed the rope out of the pack, and started to tie as many boards as possible. By the time she dragged the first bundle to Blaze, she was sweating, but didn't stop. Zo was taking out whatever emotion he needed to on the hut, and this was how she could help. So, she moved with a swift fury she didn't know she had in her.
She finally turned to the man before her when both of the horses were fully weighed down. She approached slowly, her steps soft. "Enzo." She muttered with a softness that she rarely used. "Enzo, we have enough. You can stop. You did enough." She slowly touched his back, ready to move if he lashed out with more anger. "You did enough, Zozo. She whispered, hoping to calm his rage.
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PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 11:35 pm
It wasn’t working.
Why wasn’t it working?
Enzo’s brow furrowed so hard it ached, his jaw clenched until the bone trembled. Frustration twisted through his chest like a thorn, coiling tighter with every breath he took. This usually worked, this brutal, physical release. This need to break something, to destroy something, anything, in place of what he couldn’t fix. He yanked again, shoulders burning with effort, muscles straining, and ripped another stubborn plank from the broken down hut. The sound it made echoed through the clearing, jagged wood tore into his hands, embedding splinters deep into his palms. Blood smeared against the board, warm against the winter air. But it didn’t slow him, in fact, he barely noticed. Pain had become just another background noise.
Behind him, he could hear Phina’s gentle voice, carefully calling his name. She had been telling him to stop. But her voice sounded so far away. Like it was coming from behind a wall or something, and somehow, that only made it worse, like she wasn’t real. Like nothing was real except the heat surging in his bloodstream, hot enough to burn despite the snow on the ground.
Another violent pull and crack of dry timber. Another sting of pain and more blood. Then something shifted as he felt a new sensation. Softness. A light touch on his back that was arely there. The weight of a hand. It was enough to stop him mid-motion. Arms suspended, and breath hitched. The noise in his head didn’t go silent, but it hesitated and staggered. He stopped, just… stopped. Like something inside him had finally snapped, not broken, but snapped still. And for the first time in minutes, maybe longer, he remembered. She was here. The princess was here watching him. Watching Enzo fall apart.
No.
No, no, no. She couldn’t see him like this.
He turned quickly and his chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, like the air had grown too thin. Fury still shimmered in his eyes, wild and crazed. He didn’t want to look at her, he couldn’t. Because he didn’t trust what might happen if he did. But then against his very will, he did. Enzo’s gaze lifted and met hers. That was all it took, something inside him cracked. Not in anger though. It was the kind of crack that came after too much silence. Too much holding it together, and far too much pretending.
He stared at her, really stared, like he was trying to communicate something he didn’t have the words for. A desperate, silent plea that flickered behind his eyes. Look away. Don’t see me. Don’t leave. All tangled together in a single, breathless look. His shoulders that were once drawn high with rage, began to lower in defeat. There was still fire in him, yes, but underneath it now was something heavier. Grief.
He was full of it, overflowing with it, a dam that had held too long and now couldn’t hold at all. It had been simmering beneath the surface for weeks, maybe years. And now it was all leaking out at once, no matter how tightly he tried to seal the cracks. Before he even realized what he was doing, Enzo stepped forward. Just one step and then another. Suddenly, she was in his arms. He pulled her into a tight, crushing embrace. It was rough, almost desperate. His body remained rigid, locked with tension, but he held her like she was the only steady thing left in the world. Like if he let go, he might disappear entirely. His forehead dropped forward, pressing against her shoulder. And then, worse of all, his knees gave out.
Enzo sank, slowly but without resistance, until he was kneeling in front of her. His arms stayed wrapped around her waist. His head bowed pressed against her stomach, and for a moment, just a moment, he was still.
Then the tears came.
They were quiet, practically invisible. But they came, he didn’t sob or gasp for air. Just the slow, silent breakdown of someone who had been holding it in for far too long. His shoulders trembled and his breath caught. Warm tears slipped down his face and clung to his chin before falling to the frozen ground.
Gods… What kind of man was he?
A soldier who couldn’t keep it together. A man who broke down like a boy, kneeling in the snow with bloodied hands. It was pathetic, shameful and weak. His grip around her tightened unconsciously. Blood from his palms smeared against her side, but he couldn’t stop it. Couldn’t do anything but hold on. His voice, when it finally came, was barely more than a whisper, “Nothing is ever enough.” The words felt like razors in his throat. It hurt to say them. Humiliating, yes, but honest in a way that made his entire body tense with shame.
Still, he couldn’t stop them. Never again, he swore to himself. Never again would he let himself fall like this. Never again in front of someone else. A long, heavy silence settled. Then finally, he let her go. His arms fell away, but his head stayed bowed, his forehead still resting lightly against her stomach while he tried collecting his thoughts. His tears had already started to freeze on the ground in front of him. This ******** place, this bitter, miserable cold. He hated it. He hated Hyouden.
Enzo drew in a sharp breath, almost choking on it, then scrubbed his sleeve across his face. It didn’t help though, the grief was still there. It wasn’t going anywhere. Eventually, he stood and the motion was stiff and awkward- his body wasn’t entirely cooperating. Still, he didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. “Please…” His voice caught on the single word, but the rest never came. He wanted to beg her not to speak of this. Not to say a word of what she’d seen. To anyone. But instead, his throat closed around the words and his jaw tightened, face hardening into something unreadable.
Without another word, he turned away, one step then another. He crouched beside the horses, checking the rope that bound the wood with hands that were still shaking, bleeding, and stiff from the cold. “Good job,” He muttered quietly, then he stood, brushed the snow from his coat, and looked at anything but her, “Let’s head back.”
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
Savage was the only word that came to mind as Seraphina watched Enzo work. She moved behind him completely on her own accord, telling him it was enough. He was enough, because he had always been enough for her. Still, she could feel Enzo trembling under her hand as she spoke, trying to bring him back to this moment. "You did enough, Zozo."
Phina's hand was ripped from the man's back as he turned sharply, chest heaving. She had only ever seen him this winded once. They had been kids then, and she had challenged him to see who would win in a contest of powers. Would her ability to burn overtake his ability to draw in that flame? He had won, breathing heavy and sweating just like now. The only difference was his eyes. While she had been laughing then, setting the trees on fire as she ran through them, she now watched this broken man.
She breathed in time to the rise and fall of his chest, the movement steadying her as she hoped it did him as well. The way he looked at her, the gaze deep into her soul. She felt naked, stripped of everything, leaving just her in his gaze. Nobody had ever looked at her with no regard for her status. She hadn't ever been perceived in this way. Seraphina froze, the offer to burn the body now a thought that left her lips as Enzo's red eyes begged her for something she didn't understand. Seraphina thought he might want space for her to go, but she was prey caught in the predator's gaze, too afraid to move.
Zozo stepped forward, a movement she wanted to back away from, but she couldn't. She was trapped in the spell of his eyes as he closed the distance between them, gripping her tightly. He was rough, straight as a board, as he grabbed her like a lifeline. She stood still, hands outstretched as she did. Seraphina was afraid that any movement she made would scare this man off. One breath and he might leave her like everyone else always did.
Enzo's forehead fell to her shoulder, followed by the line down her chest to her stomach as he fell to his knees. She could feel the tremor in his frame as he sank. She placed a gloved hand in his hair, slowly petting his head to calm him. She thought of all the times she did this, crying silent tears when her parents didn't show for their visits. How alone she felt. She thought of her maid who used to sing to her those nights, so Phina started to sing. [X]
She didn't mind as his hands gripped her waist tightly, the way she knew blood was pooling into the fabric of her jacket. When she finally stopped singing, Phina continued petting his hair, feeling a few tears falling down her cheeks. Her strong Zozo was on his knees, breaking, and she was too weak to do anything about it.
"Nothing is ever enough." He pulled from her, even with his head still resting on her stomach, she knew the moment was shifting away from them.
"Zozo, you will always be enough. Don't ever forget that... I-" She whispered to him, stopping herself from saying she loved him. He was like the brother she had always wished Micah or Uriel were allowed to be, but he wasn't. He wasn't someone she could say that to, even if he was her best friend.
It was a relief when he pulled away, a break in the feelings swirling inside of her. She watched him scrub his face free of the tears as she turned around to give him a moment while she pulled herself together. It wouldn't have been the world's end if she had told him those three words; he was her best friend. Still, she was a Princess, even if she was on the front. Phina had to remember that when it came to being around everyone.
She watched as he checked the ropes and smiled when he praised her. She nodded in a swift motion before mounting Blaze. Seraphina went to open her mouth, to say anything to the man in front of her, but she was at a loss for words. Never had she been rendered so speechless, let alone by her best friend. Zozo was just the kid who would occasionally visit her and let her be herself. He was only a friend, so why did she feel turmoil over watching him break down like that? She had cried in front of him time and time again, so why was this any different?
She contemplated that she was unsure whether she should say anything to him on the ride back to the camp. Knowing him, Seraphina shouldn't ever speak of this moment again. So, instead, she turned to look at him. "Where should we start the fire when we get back? I can build and start it if you want to round up as many people as possible. Then you should really think about sleeping. I can watch over them for a few hours." She nodded to herself and her plan. "I just want to be helpful.
S u u r i A a l t o
PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 9:19 am
It was amazing how easily she grounded him, even after all that time apart, Phina still had the ability to quiet the thoughts in his head. Just her fingers threading gently through his hair managed to loosen something inside him. His chest rose with a sharp inhale, then slowly fell. A breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. It didn’t fix everything, but for a moment, it made breathing possible. Yet, he still couldn’t move. His limbs felt heavy, weighted and suffocating. His thoughts were overlapping, chaotic and too loud to sort through. But then, her voice broke through.
“Zozo… you will always be enough. Don’t ever forget that. I—”
The rest never came, but that one sentence gripped him tighter than anything else had in days. His breathing slowed and became somewhat measured. The haze started to lift just enough that he could finally register the words she’d spoken, even though she’d stopped short. He wanted to ask her what she’d been about to say. The curiosity buzzed beneath his skin, but he didn’t ask, and he still didn’t look up. His gaze remained pinned to the snow. Whatever she’d meant to say, he told himself it was just kindness, an attempt to encourage him. He didn’t believe her, that he was enough, but he definitely wasn’t going to spiral again. Not now, or ever. The cold had returned in full force, biting into his skin like needles, it was time to move.
On the ride back to camp, Enzo said nothing, he didn’t have the energy, and even if he did, he wouldn’t have used it on words. His eyes stayed locked ahead, scanning every hill and shadow. This terrain had been tread through before, by them, and by those who wanted to see them fall. Ambushes weren’t rare, not out here. He tightened his grip on the reins until his knuckles ached. Never again would he lose himself like that. The words repeated over and over in his head. The wind stung his face, made worse by the lingering moisture on his cheeks, a pathetic reminder of his earlier breakdown. The cold didn’t just burn, it mocked him.
Then her voice came through again, slicing through his mind, he sighed quietly, and cleared his throat, “There is a burn pit in the center of camp, we will set it up there.” Her constant effort to help, to stay involved, it wasn’t performative, she wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She just… cared. That stayed with him. Phina cared more about the lives here than her father ever had. Enzo would never say it out loud, but she had the makings of a far better leader than the king who abandoned them.
When she gently encouraged him to sleep again, he said nothing in return. He knew she was right, that he needed to rest. But how could he sleep with her so close? With her safety still his responsibility? Yes, she had skill, she had more strength than he had given her credit for, but she was still the princess. His duty was to keep her safe. He couldn’t allow himself the luxury of sleep while she was there. Not until he was sure no harm would come to her.
By the time they reached camp, the sun had fallen behind the trees. Enzo helped unload the firewood near the pit, stacking some off to the side for later. Once the last of it was set down, he turned to her and reached his hand out, almost on instinct, and settled lightly on the top of her head and he forced a small smile to break the tension in his jaw, “Seems I was wrong, you were very helpful today. Not at all a liability.” His words were part truth, part lie. She had been helpful, extremely resourceful, smart and relentless in her efforts, but the truth remained, her presence still painted a target on their backs. A royal among the foot soldiers? It was a message to every enemy camp near and far. But, she didn’t need that weight, that was his burden to carry.
He watched as the men began to trickle in around the fire. Some moved quickly, others were slower, hunched and limping. Their faces were drawn and gray, every footstep proved fatigue. Morale was in the dirt. His eyes drifted to the crate by his tent, the one he’d kept sealed and untouched for weeks now. Inside were bottles from several kingdoms, most bought through under-the-table trades in back alleys or smuggled caravans. They were expensive. But tonight was the night. Enzo walked over, grabbed the crate, and set it by the fire. Then addressed the men, “Drink,” He spoke like it was an order, “Warm your bodies. Enjoy the night while we still can. Tomorrow is a new day.”
He reached in, pulled out a bottle of Hyouden Vodka, a spirit taken from a charred enemy encampment not long ago. The win had been a rare one, he smiled faintly at the memory, uncapped the bottle, and took a deep swig. The burn in his throat was a welcome sensation. Then he passed it on to the next man. Enzo stepped back, arms crossing over his chest. His eyes scanned the circle of soldiers, silently noting who still stood strong and who looked like they were barely holding together. Filing names into the back of his mind, forming a mental list of those who would need support.
But then his gaze landed on her again, Phina was at the edge of the firelight, her face half-lit in yellows and orange. She looked…present. Surprisingly not out of place sort of like she had always belonged. His stomach twisted, if anything happened to her, it would be on him. Enzo clenched his jaw, he wouldn’t let that happen. After a beat, he stepped forward, until he stood beside her once more. “Thank you again, Phina,” His voice was low enough for her alone then he met her gaze with his, “You’ve made a difference already. My battalion sees it. And so do I.”
Eventually, after she insisted more than once, he retreated to his tent. The air inside was thick with the scent of old parchment and damp cloth. A cot sat unused in one corner, battle plans and maps littered the desk in another. He stood there a moment, staring at it all, weighing rest against the reality of responsibility. Sleep never came easy to him. Every time he laid down, he stared at the ceiling until dawn crept through the flaps. So instead, he lit the lantern and sat down at the desk, pushing a stack of maps aside to make room. There was still too much to plan, they couldn’t afford to stay there much longer. Sooner or later, the enemy would circle back like they always did.
An hour or so passed, maybe more. Then, he heard it, laughter. The low buzz of conversation and clinking bottles. Enzo leaned forward, elbows on the desk, and let his head drop into his palms. The tension drained from his shoulders slowly, “…Finally,” He murmured to himself, his men were alive and warm. That was enough, for now. After a long, relieved exhale, and against his very will, his body finally gave in to exhaustion, and Enzo drifted into sleep.
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
The ride back to the camp was silent, a nicety Seraphina appreciated as she watched the sun dip lower past the trees. She was grateful when they finally crossed the boundary and weren't alone with Enzo anymore. There had been something so intimate about watching a man she had known all her life break down so completely. It was raw and not an emotion that she was ready to handle. So, the silence and darkness were a kindness the gods had brought to her in that moment.
She dismounted Blaze when they finally reached their destination, the burn pit in the center. Even in the dimming light of dusk, she could see the haunted expressions on her men. They were cold, and she didn't have to look at them to know that. Instead, she focused on her task, the fire that would, hopefully, keep them warm for the night.
Their silence broke for the second time since leaving the hut, a gentle hand on her head had her closing her eyes at the softness of the touch. Her hair was a mess; she didn't need a mirror to know that, but it still felt familiar as Enzo reached out.
"Seems I was wrong, you were very helpful today. Not at all a liability."
Seraphina knew that his words were just there to comfort her. She was the most significant liability on the front. The only bigger one would have been Micah, the actual heir-apparent to the Funkazan throne. All because she was sure that the king wouldn't miss his only daughter if she died on the front, she knew that her people would mourn and call for blood. No matter how helpful she was on the war front, she would always be a danger to the people she was trying to help.
Seraphina laughed off his words and nodded a thank you to him. Instead, she kept her hand busy, slowly peeling away her gloves and using her powers to build a fire. She watched as the men trickled in, getting closer to the heat her power provided. Seraphina had been ousted from the palace due to her love of starting a bright blaze, but she found it was nice. This was something productive, tangible she could do.
Just as Phina finished thawing the last board to add to the fire, she watched as Enzo became the leader of these men, providing them with drink and a slight boost in morale. The girl couldn't help but laugh as she stood and crossed to give her spot next to the fire to someone who needed it. She took note that she needed to figure out a decent clothes line for them, a way to dry the socks that were contributing to the frostbite, or how it would be easy to use the coals to create makeshift fire starters for these men for their tent to keep them warm.
Her thoughts were swirling, but watching the flames rise toward the goddess she worshiped put a smile on her face as she watched the bottle get passed from person to person. She waved it off the first time, even if she had snuck drinks before, Enzo needed sleep more than he needed to worry about her being drunk.
Slowly, she took her hair out of its braid, shaking it out and letting whatever lingering snow fall before crossing her arms against her chest while leaning against a building. Seraphina would stand watch over her people for as long as needed, not because it was her duty as Princess, but because it was her privilege. Enzo joined her side not long after that, causing a smile to form on her lips.
"Thank you again, Phina. You've made a difference already. My battalion sees it. And so do I."
As he said the last part, his eyes let her know that she had made the right decision coming to the front. Seraphina had been filled with vengeance and bloodlust, but now she watched her people start to come to life again under the goddess's heat, and she knew this was where she would belong.
"You know, Enzo, if I didn't know better, it almost sounds like you are happy to have me here." Phina laughed, remembering her promise not to call him Zozo in front of his men. She knew it would slip at some point, but her first night wouldn't be it. Instead, she gently shoved the man toward the tents. "Go, I'll keep the fire burning for as long as I can. I promise to be safe and sober. I also promise not to end up in some random person's bed. So don't worry. Go to sleep. May the goddess bless your dreams."
After a little more coaxing, Enzo finally went off to his tent. Seraphina took special care to remember which one it was, knowing it would be the safest place for her to sleep, even if it were on the ground on the other side of the tent. She was a Princess, but Phina also knew she was attractive, so she quickly did her braid again before gathering more wood for the fire.
"Oye, fire princess. We need another log over here!" It had taken the men an hour of drink and warmth for them to thaw more than just their bodies. Seraphina laughed with them, listening to their stories as if they were the most interesting thing she had ever heard. However, the boards were starting to get low, and she knew she would have to get more at some point at night.
Right then, someone was banging out a beat of a song she knew. So, she opened her mouth and sang another song, the second of that day. She closed her eyes and let the beat carry her. Opening her eyes, she saw a few men wiping away tears, clapping for her. She shook her head, but continued to sing every song she knew, until the men were either asleep by the fire or warm in their tents.
Slowly, Phina snuck over to Blaze and mounted her trusty steed. "Can you handle another trip to the hut?" She got a snort in response. Rolling her eyes, Seraphina slowly walked him out of camp before riding quickly to the old hut. The body had long been burned, but there weren't quite as many boards on the ground as she had hoped for. So, slowly peeling out of her jacket and draping the warmth over Blaze, she got to work as quickly as possible.
Her hands were numb, not from the cold, but from the tireless work as she pulled at the boards. Enzo had made it look so easy in his rage, but she struggled through her pain until finally she got enough boards to ensure their warmth for a while longer. Seraphina finally mounted Blaze again two hours later, taking the ride slower this time from the exhaustion that racked her body. She finally returned to camp and slowly untied the boards to ensure her people their warmth yet again. If this were the only job she could do, she would do it with all her strength.
S u u r i A a l t o
PhinaTalking: #24a23d
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:19 am
The corner of Enzo’s mouth twitched in a small smile at her laugh, “Don’t push it, Princess.” There was a teasing edge to his voice, but underneath it, the truth lingered. He was glad to spend time with her, but was he happy she had to be here? On the front lines, risking her life day and night? Not a chance. That part terrified him. He had missed her, yes. But this? This wasn’t how he imagined being reunited. His gaze drifted back to the men nearby, now finally settling down. Calm, or at least as calm as they could be given the circumstances. Then-
“Go,”
He felt her hands on him and turned, startled, then a laugh escaped him before he could stop it, her attempt to shove him back toward the tents was comical, considering her size compared to his. Still, she was determined and he didn’t fight it. Letting her push him off, Enzo didn’t mind being banished if it made her feel better. That didn’t mean he was going to follow her orders. He’d stay awake, he had to, at least until things died down. But before disappearing into his tent, he paused and watched her. She was braiding her hair, oblivious to the worry in his brow. He told himself he’d check on her in a bit. Just to be sure.
Enzo didn’t know how long he’d been out, but the moment he woke up in his own drool, he knew he’d ******** up. He jerked upright in the chair, heart hammering. The tent was dark, way too dark. His eyes adjusted slowly, scanning the space. His cot…the floor, beside the cot… no one. She wasn’t there. Phina hadn’t come back, and she definitely should have. Logically, his tent was the safest place for her. Not because of him, he’d never cross that line, but because of his men. She was safest with him, always. His pulse spiked, cold dread flooding his system. The last time something like this happened he found that white-haired b*****d murdering his best friend.
Enzo grabbed the coat he must have haphazardly tossed off sometime in his sleep, and shoved through the tent flaps, eyes scanning the camp. Nothing, there was no sign of her. He stalked toward the cluster of men sitting around a dying fire, jaw clenched, eyes sharp, “Where is she?” They exchanged confused glances, but Enzo didn’t have time for that. So, he grabbed one of them by the front of his coat and yanked him up, “Tell me. That’s an order.” His voice was low and dangerous. He wasn’t above violence, if any of them had touched her, he’d cut their hands off himself. But before the soldier could answer, a distant sound split the tension. Was that galloping?
Enzo stilled, turned toward the noise, and released his grip on the man, shoving him back down. Then he started walking straight for the sound. His heart pounded in his ears, it was thundering. His mind spiraled with worst-case scenarios. What if her horse was returning without her? What if her body was slumped lifelessly over the saddle, sent back as a warning? But no. That wasn’t what happened. Because the girl on the horse had her head. She trotted right past him into the center of camp, boards strapped to her steed like it was the most normal thing in the world. His stomach twisted, all that adrenaline burned off too quickly, leaving him sick. His hands twitched at his sides before curling into fists.
Irresponsible. She wasn’t ready. Her recklessness could get herself, and his whole platoon killed. He was furious, but beneath it, he knew the truth. He wasn’t angry, not really. He was just so ******** scared of something happening. Without a word, he walked up beside her and started helping unload the boards. The silence coming from him was thick, heavy with tension. Any words she might have said didn’t register, he ignored them. Once the fire was built, and once everyone was warm again, he stepped in front of her, eyes locking onto hers, “Why don’t we take Blaze back to the stables?” It wasn’t a suggestion. His voice was low, only for her ears. After a beat, Enzo took the reins and led the horse, and her, away.
At the stables, he walked Blaze into a stall, shut the gate, then turned and faced her. He knew he was about to overreact, knew it, but he couldn’t help himself. In the privacy of the stables, he stepped closer, gently guiding her backward until she hit the wall of an empty stall. He placed a hand against the wall beside her head, standing just inches away. His expression was hard, his eyes were cold but buried underneath was fear. Quiet, but undeniable. Then, finally, he spoke, “Who said you could leave camp without an escort?” His voice was tightly restrained. But the longer he looked at her, the more violent his thoughts became. All the terrible possibilities replayed in his mind, over and over, “Are you really so ******** naive you think you’ll be fine out there alone? Or do you just not give a s**t whether you live or die?” His voice rose, barely, and he had to take a breath, a full breath. She was still the Princess.
Enzo dropped his hand from the wall and dragged it through his hair in frustration, then turned away from her, “You don’t understand how dangerous it is out there,” His words were caught in the middle of anger and panic, “I know what you’ve seen. I know it was horrible. But there are worse things waiting. I promise you.” His voice cracked on the last part, shifting into something vulnerable once more. When he turned back to face her, his arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his expression guarded. But then he stepped forward, and reached out to cup her jaw, fingers warm and steady beneath her chin, tilting her face up, “I cannot lose you too,” His tone was rough under the whisper, “Do you understand me?” He couldn’t lose anyone else, there had been so many already.
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
Seraphina was tired, but people still needed her. So, she kept up with her work well into the night. She was trying hard to make sure she stayed awake, especially when the drunken mess had turned into a chorus of snores and quiet conversations. So, she mounted Blaze and didn't think anyone would notice her gone.
Much to her shock, Enzo had noticed she was gone. Seraphina hadn't heard the yelling, passing him as she headed back toward the dying fire. However, she didn't miss the tension in his body as she swung off Blaze. He helped her move the boards, even if she could feel the emotions overcoming in waves. Seraphina hadn't even thought about the consequences of her actions when she mounted Blaze, nor did she think about the worry she would cause ZoZo.
The clipped tone he used to suggest they go to the stables together made her realize how badly she had messed up. Her heart beat quickened as they walked, her hands firmly on Blaze's reins while they did. It had been so long since someone truly cared and was worried about her comings and goings. Zane had tried but was only the head guard and had known her since childhood. The man let her have her small freedoms in the village below the manner because it was safe and controlled.
Blaze was safely tucked into his stall when Enzo backed Phina into a wall, his hand next to her head. Her pull quickened in a way that had her questioning everything. After all, why was his anger making her blood heat in more than just shame?
That quickly changed when he spoke. Seraphina could see in his eyes the different realities the man thought of while she was away. So many things could have happened to her, and he cared, even if he only cared for her title. Slowly, she took a breath, her eyes falling to the buttons of his coat as she took the verbal barbs. "...there are things that are worse."
Phina's eyes widened when she realized what he was implying. A quick death at the hands of an enemy would be a mercy compared to what they would do to her as a woman, let alone the Princess. She wanted to fall to her knees, the stupidity of her actions. "...they would have taken more than my life... Her words were a whisper, as she quickly thanked the Goddess that they hadn't found her. Enzo's lecture was nothing compared to what could have happened.
Then, his words shifted to something soft, like his hands on her jaw. "I can't lose you, too. Do you understand me?"
Seraphina looked into Enzo's eyes, knowing the truth of his statement. If Phina hadn't trained to hide her emotions for years, she would break down in tears. Few people needed to scold her, and even fewer dared to question their Princess. So, Enzo's words hurt her deeply, no matter how true they were. "I understand. I..." Seraphina swallowed as she looked down at Enzo's lips as she spoke words she hardly ever had to, "I apologize for my carelessness and promise that next time... Seraphina had to take a deep breath to get the next words out. "...next time I will wake you up for an escort or find someone you trust implicitly to take with me."
The apology was rough for her to get out fully. Seraphina rarely apologized for anything she did. Her actions were those of a Princess, and she didn't have to answer to commoners. Her pride would often get in the way of apologizing, but looking up at Enzo when she was done, she couldn't help but understand him. He was worried about her title and maybe even a little about her. She slowly gripped his hand, pulling it away from her face. "If that is all, I think we should head back to the tents. We both could use some sleep." Seraphina let her royalty seep back into her being as she stood up straighter and let go of his hand as she nodded. Her Zozo would be her escort on the front; she shouldn't have thought of him more than that. "I'll follow your lead."
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PhinaTalking: #24a23d Italics = Funkazian language
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 8:30 am
Her eyes widened, had she finally realized what he meant? “Death would be a mercy,” He murmured, the weight of it sinking like a stone in his chest. His gaze softened when he reached out and cupped her jaw, holding her there. Just for a moment, just long enough to see her, really see her. Those same eyes he’d known since childhood stared back at him. Did she understand him now? Enzo’s jaw clenched, ever person he lost, took a piece of him with them. The people he cared most for, took chunks of him, and now, looking at her, he wasn’t sure how much of himself he had left to give.
Her expression shifted, it was subtle, she was impossible to read, always had been. Phina was a master of hiding her true emotions, just like royalty was trained to do. It frustrated him now more than ever. When she finally spoke, her words were disjointed. She wasn’t even looking at him. Was she being dishonest? Trying to comfort him with faux words? His thumb brushed along the line of her jaw before he could stop himself, a gesture meant to soothe, even if he didn’t realize he was doing it.
But then, she apologized. Enzo blinked in surprise, Phina never apologized. Not to him or anyone for that matter. It was so out of character, so unexpected, that for a second he couldn’t form a response. He considered making a jab, teasing her for the rare show of humility, but the words died in his throat. Now wasn’t the time. He gave a small nod, since it was the only thing he could manage. Then she took his hand and moved it gently away from her face. Just like that, Princess Seraphina was back. She straightened and said they should return, with a trained voice again. The sudden shift made his stomach twist, he knew this routine well, push everything down, pretend it doesn’t matter. He did the same thing and look where it got him, unraveling at her feet earlier that day. But with her, it was worse, because her power didn’t stay hidden when her emotions boiled over. It burned wild and untamed, just like she did.
He straightened his posture, mirroring her, then stepped back, no longer caging her. “That is all, Your Highness,” His voice was steadier than he really felt. One last glance, then he turned and left the stables, pausing only to stroke the muzzle of his horse, his last piece of calm in this forsaken world, before beginning the walk back to camp. When they arrived, he stopped and turned to face her, “I truly do not mean to be cruel.” His voice dropped, rough with regret. He dragged a hand through his hair, frustrated at himself. He never should’ve snapped, she was still young, still learning and beyond that, she was his responsibility, his princess.
“Phin—” He stopped himself, he needed to remember the boundaries she had drawn, clearly, and he needed to respect them, “Princess, I only want you to be safe. I was… concerned, that’s all.” He dropped his hand and started toward the tent again, she had agreed that she would be treated like the rest of his soldiers, but the truth was, he couldn’t do it. Not fully, “I’m sorry,” He quietly added, he certainly never apologized to his men. But she wasn’t just another soldier, and they both knew it. At the tent entrance, the fire’s warm glow caught his eye. He almost smiled, just barely, the warmth was a good sign. Maybe things wouldn’t fall apart, at least for the night. Enzo held the flap open for her and followed her inside where there were two cots. One belonged to a ghost now, the other was his.
He couldn’t ask her to sleep in a dead mans bed, not when he could still see the face of the man who used to lie in it. So, without saying a word, he crossed the room and sat on the empty cot instead. “Your cot will be that one,” He nodded to his own, that was covered in quilts and had a singular pillow, “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but comfort’s not exactly a luxury out here. I did what I could.” He patted his “new” pillow, and stood, shrugging off his jacket, then draped it over the back of the chair, kicked off his boots, and rolled his shoulders. He wouldn’t sleep much, he rarely did. But she wasn’t wrong, they needed rest.
To keep her comfortable, he kept his pants on and peeled off the top layers, leaving only his undershirt, tight, warm, practical. It clung to him, but at least it held in heat. Enzo sat at his desk and lit the lamp, dragging the map toward him and let the flickering light settle his thoughts, “Hyouden forces were spotted here,” He muttered under his breath, pointing to a cluster of hills just a few miles away, “Late last night.” It was close. Less than a days trek away. They could be headed their way, or already circling back. “Myself and two others will scout the area tomorrow morning,” He added, then hesitated and looked at her, “I’d like you to come with us. It’s a stealth mission, so no combat.”
He didn’t necessarily want her to go, he wanted her safe, tucked away, far from blades and bloodshed. But the truth was, he didn’t trust anyone else to keep her alive, not the way he could. Not the way he had to. Leaning back, he lazily draped his arm over the back of the chair, “You do know how to be quiet, right?” The smirk came before he could stop it, teasing her was too damn easy.
OOC: N/A Location: Hyouden front lines Company: Seraphina Wearing:Outfit
Seraphina followed Enzo back to the tent, still reeling from saying the apology. It wasn't every day that the young princess was scolded, so she was still processing her actions leading up to this. She had known this was a warzone and there were dangers, but she didn't know anything about the horrors that Enzo had seen, nor the ones she would see.
Still, she didn't know what that flutter in her chest was; maybe it was shock that someone actually would talk to her like that? Perhaps it was the fact that her childhood best friend actually cared for her enough to yell at her. So many people had said they loved her, even a few suiters sent by her parents, but nobody had ever meant it. She knew by the way their eyes would shift from her, the way they should scurry if she caught them in corridors or stop whispered conversations as she passed. Enzo didn't, and he never had. So, what was this feeling blooming in her chest when he yelled at her?
She stopped for a moment when he stopped at the flap of his tent, apologizing for being cruel. His red eyes and white hair typically were what she stared at, but while his features flittered in and out of the glow of the fire, her eyes drifted to his lips. They were full, and she wondered how they would feel against hers. She had only been kissed twice, both by suitors sent by her parents to prove that they loved her, when they were just awful quick pecks that were hard and disgusting. They hadn't made her feel anything, and she wondered if maybe Enzo would be different.
There was a slight noise that broke her out of her trance, and she turned her head with a shake. "Enzo, you have nothing to apologize for. It was an honest conversation, so few people are honest with me. So, thank you for watching out for me." She ducked into his tent and smiled at the small home he had made for himself here. Seraphina rose an eyebrow when he sat on the empty cot and motioned that the full one would be hers. She couldn't suppress the eyeroll she had for he man, crossing over to the cot he mentioned. She slowly pulled back a quilt, well, a few, and folded them as neatly as possible.
She watched him kick off his shoes, slowly peeling hers off too. However, her eyes traced every moment he made as Enzo slowly removed layers. Again, she wondered what his skin would feel against hers, but knew that was impossible. She finally broke out of her trance and removed her layers, even ditching the pants since she usually slept warm due to her power. She also moved the quilts so she wouldn't need to go to his bed when he started talking again. She could hear the rustle of papers, but didn't pay attention until he turned toward her. She was still in a pair of tight shorts under her pants, but she was a little self-conscious of his gaze.
"If quiet is what my general demands, then quiet I will be." She turned her back to Enzo, ensuring her cot was as comfy as possible before crawling in. "After all, Princesses are meant to be seen, not heard, don't you know, Zozo." Phina winked at him, letting a smile play at her lips at their banter. Just like that, it seemed the fight and apologies were forgotten, and she could return to being with her friend normally again.
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PhinaTalking: #24a23d Italics = Funkazian language
