Solstice War - Gathering

[willysilver]

The Solstice was upon them. When the sun went down the magic began to swell, the veil between this world and the Other Side thin as vapor. Mortals could sense it, even, though they may not have a name for it. They gathered together, not realizing the animal instinct of safety in numbers.

But all around the city, from the dark parts, fae began to come together as well. Unseelie filled the city- boggarts and Red Caps and things unseen for many a year with bright eyes and sharp teeth. But they were tricksy, dangerous and malicious but no worse than they ever were. The real threat, the ever present danger this year, were the Milesian that crawled out of the sewers and tube tunnels to prowl they city. They were hunting tonight. They had eyes black and soulless, eyes too wide for their white, gaunt faces. Larger than their eyes were their mouth. The smile of needle fangs glinted in the street lights. Long arms ending with spidery, spindly fingers reached and clawed at passers by from the shadows.

There was a war in the city tonight and the nature of the foe, the Milesian, meant no bound mortal needed to be near any battle. Death would come to one or the other if a killing blow came down.

But there was hope. Seelie fae prowled the city as well, fighting for Light and Air. Even the Queen had seen fit to step through with her sword and shield. Such was the threat to the Fae way of life that the Milesian presented.

The longest day of the year dawned but the sunlight did nothing to frighten off the dark forces. The longest day of the year simply meant the things that went bump in the night were attacking in the light.




(Tag in, tag around! Open all week so check back. Have fun with your adventures. If you don't want any Milesian, there are plenty of Unseelie, too. Day or night, whichever works for you.)

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[prince_of_nymphs]

Are you hurt at all? I can heal you if you are, Fin reminded him, the fox letting out a soft whine of worry.

[willysilver]

"No. I am well so far," Willy answered, walking along and thinking nothing of the fuzzy, white companion he had.

"Stay alert. The Unseelie and the Milesian alike are afoot tonight."

[prince_of_nymphs]

I will bite them the fox insisted, though the fae knew that was a silly thought.

I've encountered a few, Fin confessed, looking up at Will. They're much more unsettling than the fae that came for us before, aren't they?

[willysilver]

"Very much so," Willy said, his long strides challenging Fin to keep up. "The Milesian were banished, dark creatures twisted by solitude. They are infinitely worse than the Unseelie, my love."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin bounced along at Will's side, rushing to keep up with him.

So we fight them. We fight, and we win.

[willysilver]

"That is my intention, little one," he said. Willy looked down at him, then back up to the horizon. "We will conquer this foe. There can be no other option."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin nodded, then slowed to a stop and sniffed the air.

One is near, he said nervously.

[willysilver]

"I can feel it," Will replied, slowing to look around. From the shadows a spindly hand reached out and what followed was a horrific creature. Its teeth gleamed when it stepped into the light.

Willy raised his sword.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Shifting back as they passed through a shadowy patch, Fin returned to his human form and drew his small, but effective, blade.

[willysilver]

The Milesian hissed and lunged for Fin, but Willy swung his blade hard. The thing screamed as the cold iron bit into its pale flesh. Willy moved then, well trained in battle, so they could both attack and not harm one another.

"His hands," he said. "Watch out for his hands..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wasn't half the fighter Will was, and he jumped back before throwing up a shield to give himself a moment to think. What should he do? What should he do...

[willysilver]

Will did not hesitate. The Milesian turned its fury on him and he swung his sword, cutting off its head almost entirely. An unholy shriek came from it before it evaporated.

"Others will have heard that," he said. "Be prepared for more."

He was breathing heavily as he lowered his sword, his hair and eyes both wild with excitement.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Then maybe we should run," Fin hissed, tensing and looking around. "Maybe we should run, Will."

[willysilver]

"And let them win? Win the city? Win the war? I think not," he replied firmly. "I will stand and fight."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hated this, hated the fact that Will was so stubborn, hated that he felt guilted into staying too.

"Fine. ...Fine," Fin said softly. "We'll fight."

[willysilver]

"Fin...it is not your war. You need not fight," Willy said. In fact, he'd prefer it if Fin was home and safe. This night was dangerous. "Go home?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No, I said I'd be by your side. I meant it," the younger fae replied. "If you're going to fight, I'm going to fight right at your side."

[willysilver]

"Then we can be nothing but victorious," Willy smiled. He looked around then, sniffed the air, and nodded toward the intersection.

"I smell kin this way," he said. "More swords mean better odds. Come."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin didn't look so sure, and he glanced down at his dagger before glancing at Will's sword.

"I don't suppose you could make this bigger, could you?" he asked, nodding at the dagger.

[willysilver]

"Of course," he said. Willy waved his hand over the blade and it grew in Fin's hand until it was a full sword, the blade keen and bright. "Use it well, Fin."

He walked for the intersection and there emerged three other fae, all Daoine Sidhe from the look of them. They all had black hair and broad shoulders, all tall as Will.

"Brothers," he said warmly and embraced one. He spoke to Willy in their native tongue, casting a glance at Fin. Will answered, then beckoned Fin closer.

"Meet my brothers, Trooping Prince," he said. "We have an army now, we will surely win the night."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin felt like a dwarf compared to them all, and he offered an awkward wave.

"Um, hello," he said softly, moving to stand closer to Will, dragging the sword along. Did they know they were lovers? Did they know who he was? ...Did they care at all?

[willysilver]

The others took little interest in Fin, other than to bow politely. There was little time for niceties. Hissing emanated from the shadows and the fae took positions, swords raised.

"Here they come," Willy said.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was still looking apprehensive, but after a moment he lifted his sword, moving to stand at Will's side to strike.

He exhaled with a shudder, and wet his lips nervously, ready for combat.

[willysilver]

From every corner, from every shadow, Milesian crept out. Their eyes were hauntingly black, teeth gleaming in the halogen of the lamp posts. They closed in on the group. One of Willy's brothers had no patience to wait for them to come and charged out, sword raised and a bloodcurdling scream splitting the air to announce his intent.

And then everything moved in a flash. Milesian charged, blades flashed. It was no easy fight. One charged Willy and he swung, but only knocked it off balance. It turned to attack Fin. Willy moved to defend the young fae but in his distraction another of the vile creatures leapt onto his back and bit into his neck.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Watch your back, Will!" Fin shouted, fear in his voice as he lifted his sword and swung hard, managing to strike one down. Will didn't need to worry about him, and he didn't need saving. He wasn't a fighter, but he was a survivor. He could get through this.

Throwing his shield up, he managed to push back the creatures away from himself and Will- Though only for a moment. Just long enough for Will to recover a bit. Fin couldn't leave it up long though, it took too much power, and he needed his eyes.