Kalicity

As the seconds ticked by, Kalicity’s head turned slightly and her eyes slowly traced over Gabriela and her lovely form. There was something about her that the Dark Goddess could not pin point; she had a lavish taste of style when it came to her attire. “Have you spoken to your other children yet?” The silence was broken, and without hesitation Kalicity answered. “I have actually. Aside from you I have met Malaysia and Alukai, and also my granddaughter Anastasia. It is all very strange as they all had different reactions to me. At first I had no memory of them and I thought they had mistaken me for another person, their mother. Then a morbid angel fell from the sky and granted me memories of my former self.. my former life. I’m not sure if you know him, but he is a father to Alukai and his name is Colvin. He was quite angry with me much like our son, but Malaysia was so calm and so kind. Her daughter is also quite resilient.. they are going through a lot at the moment.” Kalicity was not sure if it was her story to tell that Gabriela’s niece had been taken by the Underworld, only for Malaysia to rescue Anastasia and take her place. She was now being held in a different realm and different plane, forcing her husband Ayden and brother Alukai to fight the Underworld’s demons to save her. It was all a very complicated situation, one where Kalicity did not have all the pieces to the puzzle in order to tell the tale properly. “If I know anything about my siblings, which I don’t -- not much, anyway -- it’s that they are as stubborn and strong as their mother was. But they’re also just as intelligent, and therefore, I think i can safely safe that time will help us all move forward on this new path. Just don’t expect too much from them initially. Perhaps the most any of us can offer you at this point in time is this,” Kalicity nodded to this advice, “I understand it may take time, and perhaps not enough time will go by. Alukai seems willing enough to understand, as long he is given the correct information. He has pain that needs soothing, and hopefully my hands are graceful enough to accomplish that.” “Do you have a place to stay? Where have you been living? While you figure these things out, I would be very happy to have you stay with me. You’ll be comfortable here, and it could serve as good neutral ground to visit with the rest of our family.” Bringing her right foot up and around, she did a half turn so that she would now be facing the Black Queen. “I do for right now, Malaysia has been kind enough to allow me to reside in Vdara. However, I do not have a place to reside here during my stay. I would be honored to stay here in your lovely castle, thank you for generosity Gabriela.” She paused, “May I ask, is there a reason why you do not know siblings well, or is that rude to ask on my part?"

Gabriela appeared unnerved by the description provided by this stranger regarding her mother, yet the response that the Black Queen provided was the complete opposite of what Kalicity’s previously encountered. The Dark Goddess caught a glimpse of those sun kissed hues and she kindly accepted the motion to join the Queen at her side. She was hesitant at first, her strides were slow and hidden underneath the folds of her gown as she moved towards the steps only to quaintly arrive at the top. Then her pace lightly hastened, she was a bit bolder with powerful movement as she finely found her place genuinely observing the beautiful city of Orisia with Gabriela standing to her right. Again the Dark Goddess’s hands were neatly folded at her waist and with a tilted head, she calmly peered at Gabriela through the corner of her eye as her daughter told a story of fate. In all honesty Kalicity was surprised at the tranquil and controlled disposition that Gabriela had on display, and she had to wonder if the Black Queen was always this way? Gabriela was quite lovely up close, with her dark hair, porcelain skin and golden eyes; even her gown was no match for her splendor. She had to listened intently to the story of how the original Kalicity had spared her life and given her a mother when all the world was dark. It was a touching tale, and perhaps a side of Kalicity's former self that she thought few knew existed. With her previous encounter with Colvin which left Kalicity with a sense of unsure affection, the Dark Goddess had seen what Kalicity was and what she was driven to be. In the beginning, she had such passion for the sword and could take life without a thought. It was what drove her to become bigger and better than everyone else, and she was drunk on the idea of unlimited power. She had accomplished all of this and more, as well as acquiring a few children to carry on her legacy. This new Kalicity was well aware that at least one of her children was very angry with her, having abandoned those that she loved for the sake of power. Up to this point the Dark Goddess has not spoken to Malaysia yet to see if she felt the same way as Alukai, so she wondered why Gabriela viewed her with so much understanding. When Kalicity left Vdara for this short visit, she thought that she did not want to know more about who she used to be. Yet now.. now she was curious. Kalicity was but shadow of her former self before she decided to leave this world and be born anew at the hands of the Marquis. So, what type of relationship did she have with her children? Was it as broken as she originally thought? “And you, not-Kalicity, why did you come looking for me?” There was a moment of silence as Kalicity actually thought about the question. “You are my daughter, Gabriela. Even through space and time; even though I am but a fraction of the woman you once knew, I have come to try and make amends for the broken pieces she..- no, I left behind. It is a tall order I know, and if you wish to send me away then be that your wish. But not before I say, I am here to try.” This was the side of Kalicity that no one ever got to see, because it had been buried so deep in the beginning of Kalicity's life. The Dark Goddess was not here to make threats, she would not make demands on anything or anyone.. unless of course she was threatened. Gabriela had seen a glimpse of that side of her when Roen had stood up to her at the Cathedral and suggested that she come to he and his Queen's little celebration which she never made it to for personal reasons. The Dark Goddess was no longer influenced or controlled by those that lingered around her, she was no longer a slave to their will. Instead she was here to make her own decisions, and be who she was truly meant to be.

Classic Gabriela to have her back turned as Kalicity calmly walked into the throne room, but the Dark Goddess would not know that would she? Azure hues looked onward and Kalicity thought that it was odd, the way that Gabriela had chose to address her. Boots rolled from heel to to, leisurely carrying her closer, step by step, until she was about fifteen feet away in which she calm to a halt. Hands folded gingerly at the front of her waistline, the long sleeves of her dress seemingly weighing them down. Rosy lips pursed together and through the signature ebony slash that covered her left eye, she didn’t miss a beat. “What took you so long, Kalicity? I’ve been waiting for you to come back to me ever since the day I first laid eyes on you in Patia. Was it a long journey back to yourself? I cannot fathom the challenges you must have faced, or the confusion you must currently feel. What a strange world we live in, where death doesn’t mean the end anymore because it can be undone.” Gabriela looked lovely as she displayed only a portion of her profile, with the black lace dress accenting her delicious curves. Aside from their single meeting, Kalicity had only really heard and read about the infamous Black Queen. How she seemed to have suitors lining up from around all corners of the nation, kidnapping and robbing her of her freedom only for it to be handed back by another. She listened intently to the tone in the Queen’s voice as she addressed Kalicty so effortlessly. Challenges? Confused? If only Kalicity had her memory what would she say in response about her daughter’s comment on death? How many times has Gabriela “died” and then returned to the world, leaving everyone to mourn their loss and then somehow rise again when she chose to reveal herself? Instead, the Dark Goddess’s lips peeled back into a slight smirk as Gabriela turned her back on her once again. “What can I do for you?” “Your majesty, allow me to thank you for gracing me with your presence a second time. - You know, it is funny to me that you think that I am confused. But the only thing that has confuses me now is why you have been waiting for me? Was she truly that special to you, the woman that I once was that no longer exists? Apparently from what I been shown, she was quite cruel.”

“Please announce yourself and your business.” “My name is Kalicity, and I have come to see the Queen.” She had traveled far and wide in preparation for this visit, and she had wondered in the back of her mind how this meeting was going to go. Would she be discarded and dismissed, as Kalicity had done to her so long ago in the cathedral in Patia? She remembered seeing the young woman with flimsy blonde hair approaching her with such excitement, only for it to be completely fade away by a few simple words. Kalicity knew not of what to say, for she had little to no memory of Gabriela before that moment, but with the help of Colvin providing her with a select few details of her previous life, she simply knew. Deep blues hues flashed with kindness as she waited for the guards to grant her passage to move into the thrown room where Gabriela would be waiting to receive her. Long, luscious silver strands were pulled away in delicate folds with caused spiral curls to trail down her back. Created for her in the heart of Vdara, her gown was made with a velvet like fabric and was a mixture of black outlining and different shades of blue for the undertone while her light leather boots tied it all together. “My lady Kalicity, the Queen will see you now.” The guard had addressed her directly and in response, she lightly bowed her head in thanks as she was escorted to the throne room. As she walked through the lovely halls of the DuGrace Castle, she felt an unusual sense of familiarity as she walked through the intricate archways. What would she see when she looked upon her daughter for the second time? The same when she saw her son, Alukai? Would she receive the same amount of frustration, hate, or anger? Or something completely different? She was no longer the Dark Goddes that everyone had remembered. She was not the same bloodthirsty creature that brought hell to her family’s doorstep. She was a brand new, beautiful being, stripped and cleansed of all the impurities that plagued her former self. Her memory stretched only as far as when she was brought out of the Dreamscape by her dear Marquis, and that of the few memories bestowed upon her by her former lover, Colvin. Yet even he was a thought of the past, something in which she discarded when he refused to let go of the hatred and agony in which he chose to live with. She no longer had reason to hold onto the past for she was now in the present, and looking forward to building a new future. @Pasion Pasiva

Kalicity smiled in return at the generosity and kindness offered by this young, elegant beauty. The Dark Goddess had many questions but in truth she asked herself, did she really want all of the answers? The woman who she used to be wanted to do away with this life and her past, so what good was it to wretch it all up again? This was a new life and a new time, one that was filled with new opportunities. With her hands joining together and folding at her front of her gown and resting just below her waist, Kalicity waited until the moment was right to speak and Anastasia had said her share. “I would like to thank you for your hospitality, sweet princess. I would also like to say that I am in no longer in shadows. I had an unforeseen visitor outside when I stepped away to be by my lonesome. A man named Colvin, apparently the father to my youngest son, Alukai, who I am assuming is your uncle arrived unexpectedly. Colvin chose to bestow upon me memories of my former self in all of her malicious glory.” She paused for a second, “As much as I long to know more about myself and my past, in all honesty, I could do without all that. From what I saw, the Kalicity you did or did not know, you’re grandmother, was easily influenced by the will of others and was played like a marionette until they saw no more use for her. “She was a cruel and brutal woman manipulated by those around her, and I, your majesty, am not any of those things.” Kalicity spoke boldly to her granddaughter and as these words came out of her mouth, she felt a twinge of anxiety. Her bottom lip trembled as they were pursed together and she took a deep breath as she continued. “Whether or not I am considered family or not, the truth of the matter is I did leave a family behind and you Princess Anastasia, are my granddaughter. I am not the same woman that I was before, and if I am aloud to do so, I will make amends for whatever I can.”

Escorted by three Golden Shield’s, The Dark Goddess had made her way back into the throne room. Kalicity was not as she left, her long black cloak had gone missing and while her hair was in flawless condition when she stepped out, silver hairs flew astray and the clips holding it back had lost their grasp. The edges of her dress was soaked in moisture as she stepped through the door, she was attempting to brush her hair back to make herself look presentable. Upon approaching the Princess, she lightly bowed her head. “Forgive me Princess for my appearance, it seems that my moment alone was not destined not to be so.” Deep blue hues softly looked onward to Anastasia, quietly admiring the young one’s beauty. From a perspective of a grandmother, she was one of the most beautiful things Kalicity had ever seen. There was a sense of pride and integrity in knowing that this was her flesh and blood, but how would she break the news? How did she tell the Princess that she was Alukai’s mother, and that his father was just outside moments ago? It was all very perplexing and there were so many thoughts running through her head. “Your Golden Shield’s informed me that you requested my presence.”

As she stood there, watching him, once again detecting his rage and ignorance to the entirety of the situation, she remained calm. She was not here to point figures, for Kalicity had accepted the fact that she had abandoned her children long ago. The Dark Goddess knew that what she did was wrong, that her youngest son should have had at least one parent there to help raise, guide, and teach him; yet he didn’t. Instead he spent his years wandering and lost, trying to find someone who would take him under their wing. Someone that would be able to tell him what exactly he was and how to control the power that he had in him. Even now, working with Ayden, Alukai still had not tapped into a large portion of his abilities, but at least he did have a family to call his own. Nothing could be said on his parents behalf now. Alukai had found his way back into his own family, even if it was his sister, her husband and their siblings. When Kalicity addressed Colvin in such a manner, it was not about who had abandoned him, it is the fact that Colvin was the main source of the chaotic power their son possessed. If he could not see that this is what she was trying to point out then that was on him. It didn’t matter that Colvin was watching from a distance, where was he when Alukai was struggling? Unlike Colvin, Kalicity did not have an eye and an ear on their son. Colvin had an opportunity, multiple, hundreds in fact, to step in and show his son the way.. but he chose not to. It was a decision that they both had made not to interfere in their son's life, and this was the outcome. “It doesn’t look like our son has chosen to abandon anything, in fact from what I saw it looks as if he is choosing to embrace it with the influences of others.” She paused for a minute, “Children learn from their parents, they mimic their behaviors as they age. So as we abandoned him, who’s to say that he will not abandon us? I have accepted that possibility, perhaps you should as well. Also if you wish to send your son a message, then you should do it yourself. I refuse to be your messenger." She took a step back and turned towards the door of the castle. She was done, unless of course he had anything else to add to this conversation. One thing Colvin would notice about this castle, was that it had been magically reinforced to withstand the powers of the Chaotic Realm. For recently, Alukai and Ayden had sparred in this very courtyard. Alukai had been pushed to new extremes, expanding his abilities and training for his advantage. The entire courtyard had literally been demolished to sand and stone, down to its very molecules. Should Colvin choose to unleash his full strength’s purely out of his frustrations, it would do little to no harm to the castle and those that occupied it.

Pride. Pride is what landed both of them in this situation. Had Kalicity been more humble instead of merciless, then there is a chance the outcome may have been different. Yet in the world of the Darkbane, the Dark Goddess could not let go of her pride in the end. She could not fathom the idea of succumbing to what she was; a failure. She had crumbled into something that she never dreamed of being and it left her with a constant longing of what she once was and could never be again. So she let all of that go; all of the Dark Goddess’s history and memories, obliterated..that was until Colvin had decided to bestow upon her information that she clearly required. His continuous struggle was obvious but she did not address it. Whatever battle was going on inside of Colvin, he had to come up with his own outcome. A firm hand to her shoulder left them staring into one another eyes and as he spoke. “Inform our son that should he wish to confront me he needs to understand what binds us….what I have taken from you.” The way he worded his statement could be taken a few ways. Her tongue was quick with a lashing but before she decided to scold him, the Dark Goddess wanted to be sure what he meant before she snapped at him for misunderstanding. She thought about it as he pulled his hand away, turned a shoulder and began to walk, leaving a bloody trail in his wake. The snow that was once so white and pure, was melted by his heat and splattered with crimson. Teeth gritted together, as the more she thought about it the more irritated she became. While she had only physically met Alukai moments ago in the throne room, combine that with the memories provided with Colvin, there was one simple conclusion that she could come up with. Before Colvin decided to stop and not look back, The Dark Goddess would call out to him. The edge in her voice noticeable, “How can our son understand what binds us, when the one who could truly teach him has been absent the majority of his life?” Her lips pursed together as she looked at him, and her once blue eyes began to darken in shade. While she too was not exempt, the entire idea that Colvin expected Alukai to fully embrace his power without understanding the full capacity of it, was ludicrous. Even when Kalicity was a deity, she did not truly understand the chaos, she simply knew that she was untouchable and anything she desired was only a thought away, so the only one that could truly teach Alukai.. was Colvin. Taking a glance towards the guards, reaching out with her left hand she gave them a signal asking for one more minute for she was not done yet. Thankfully they obliged but still waited for her. Walking slowly towards Colvin as he stood there in the snow, not wanting to turn around, her stride was suddenly full of sass. Her hips delicately swayed while her shoulders rolled, “If you hold him to that, then you might as well just leave and not come back. Maybe one day he will understand, but that is roll of the dice. Are you willing to throw away our son on a gamble? There is the also the possibility that he does not want to see you at all, he sure as hell was not happy to see me. Have you thought of that?” She stopped about five feet behind him, her hands resting at her side.

“Yes… I do.” At that moment, she attempted to look deep into his eyes as if searching for some other answer. She did not understand his quarrel when it came to this woman he has said to love. He refused to accept the fact that her decision was done, it was permanent and the concept that love had no bounds, clearly did. With him gently bracing her hip, the last of the chaotic energy had left her form. “The women that have suffered through my involvement in their affairs are better in my absence. You’d do well to free yourself from the name of the woman you resemble lest others seek you out as I have.” “The.. women?” Her brow raised and there was a curl in the corner of her lip as she drew it back with a smirk. Bypassing his warning, it was at this time that she heard stirring from the castle and she briefly looked over her shoulder to watch three Golden Shield’s stepping out of the entry way door to join the one that was tailing her, and engaging him in what seemed to be an important conversation. Turning back to Colvin, her eyes softly narrowed upon the Deity. “It looks to me that our time together has come to an end.” Bringing up her left hand and resting it gingerly on his bicep, she took a step back thus letting his hand glide off of her hip as hers slid off of his arm unless he chose otherwise. “Colvin, thank you for sharing our memories together. It is unfortunate the way things ended, but again, this is the path that we have chosen, reluctantly so. Now as I can hear those guards are about to mention, the Princess, my granddaughter, has requested my presence and I feel obligated to heed her call. You have completed your task and what is rightfully yours has been returned, so before I depart back into these walls is there anything else I can do for you?” Edited: My apologies, I reedited this as I have been sick for a week and just was not feeling well last night when I posted this. Didn't like the way it was worded. Sorry for any confusion.

With his release, her hand fell to her side, the whole of her fingers and palms brushed up against the etched details of her gown. Even as turned away from her, lovely strands fell elegantly off of his face as she slightly pulled back enough so that she may peer through long eye lashes to catch a glimpse of his profile. She thought briefly about leaning into the curve of his jaw, brushing her crimson lips up against his roughness of his five o’clock shadow, but she refrained. Instead she decided to linger where she was at. “She was a paragon of true beauty and revered by many until she surrendered herself in an attempt to escape her sorrow.” Leaning forward again with a head tilt, enough where she left mere centimeters between them yet was close enough to where he could feel her breath on his skin, “And do you blame her that?” Whether he got upset or pushed her away, it was an honest question. A question that she didn’t think Colvin had truly asked himself yet. His hand secured itself around her waist, resuming the reason why he had originally come here. “Sorrow caused by her failure as much as mine. All of her accomplishments and all of her potential ended by one decision. This finality would never have happened had she known her worth…” It seemed Colvin had answered his own question, and she had nothing to respond with. What if she had known her worth in the end? There was always a possibility of alteration in history’s events, yet it was now in the past and could not be rewritten. What’s done is done, and clearly there were life’s lessons to be learned. As he tilted his head once again, they continued to remain so close to one another and she yearned to seal their embrace, to bring her hands to his shoulders and attempt to sooth his distress but again she held herself back. Who’s to say that he would want her to be that close to him? She would not be the one to test that theory.

As his eyes drifted away she decided to take the opportunity to admire the wintry visual of the grounds. The garden itself was quite lovely, it was decorated with perennials that were able to survive the chilling season. The brick walls were thick and tall and wrapped around the entry way of the castle, they were also covered in ever green vines that stretched over the high wood-worked canopy. The entire concept was peaceful and welcoming, surely reflecting on the divine taste and humility of the King and Queen. Pressure was applied to her hand, forcing her gaze to land back on Colvin as he came to a stand. He attempted to brush away her tears with wet hands, those scarlet droplets that were already threatening to freeze on her porcelain skin. Having already been pulled in, she felt the warmth pouring off of his form and it caused her to step in a little closer to him, the tight conforms of her gown threatening to graze his tattered clothing. Tipping her chin, she softly leaned forward only to nuzzle his cheek with hers. Delicate strands of silver entwined with his own and lightly teased the edge of his brow and cheekbone. “Was she really that much of a failure?” Kalicity whispered into his ear.

“This will be over soon. You will be able to direct yourself without the latent possibility of corruption from this remnant of your past. I am only perfecting the cleansing you had sought with the Marquis am I not?” His smile was subtle, and he seemed almost.. at peace? Lost in the consumption of her power, The Dark Goddess continued to observe him. It was rather fascinating, how quickly his behavior had changed once she had given up what he had come for. Perhaps she had viewed this encounter differently than what it should have been. This interaction could have been a lost less trying, however it seemed that Colvin had to say his piece in order for his goal to be accomplished. “You are right. I know not of what your Kalicity wanted exactly, but if I am here and this is the result, then it must be so.” It was the only definition she could provide, at least until she could perform more research on her past. Then, as if on cue, former memories flashed before her eyes. She was beautiful, with her long black hair, always dressed for battle, uniquely designed weapons that she thought were beyond her imagination. There was sadistic affection and a twisted sort of love that was shared with she and Colvin, but she could feel that it was true. Blood reigned supreme as erotic fantasies and animalistic tendencies took place, and death; so much death. Yet in all of these memories, she had noticed near the end how far that she had fallen. How heartbroken Kalicity was, and how she lingered until she wished to linger no more. At one point, Kalicity Darkbane had been a force to be reckoned with. But now she stood before Colvin, a Goddess all of her own. A creature that had not quite found her place yet, but knowing that she would not follow in the footsteps of her predecessor. She would be the mother that Kalicity never was, if her children would have her, and if they did not want her to stand by their side she would support them from afar. She will not be controlled by the wants of others, and her fate would be her own to decide. Sapphire hues softened as she looked up from Colvin, waiting for the conversion to be complete. As sad it was, this was necessary. Colvin and this chaotic energy was the last true connection she had to the Darkbane, who had practically defined her previous existence from the very beginning. “What will you do once this is over?” She asked merely out of curiosity.

Kalicity was willing, yes. However, there was a fine line. She sought information and education, and once she obtained that she would be making her own decision on what was right. Her mind was completely open to new ideas and thoughts, and as she stood over him with tears in her eyes and a hand stretched out to provide him with her unknowing gift, she continued to examine his behavior. He appeared so torn. Even though he did not speak of his sentiments in regards to the entirety of the situation, his behaviors exhibited negative passions. He held himself back, telling himself that he would not dive into the same world that he fled so long ago. The blood poured from his gash on his leg and she took a deep breath, inhaling the bitter sweet scent. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, leaving scarlet ribbons to decorate her lovely face. Her chest still ached, as if begging her to pull her hand away. It was unfortunate that Colvin wanted to reclaim one of the many things that he had gifted her, but in a way, it was understandable. He was a God, and while there was enough war in the world, Kalicity would not wish that type of chaos on anyone as she could offer a variety of other options. He grabbed the hand that she provided, his own hands were so warm compared to hers. “What can you do other than what I ask now? Why shed tears for something foreign to you? Never mind…” “Honestly, I cannot tell you why I am shedding tears. It is a feeling.. as if something inside of me, is telling me that this is not right. Like I am losing a piece of what I am.” Colvin’s embrace strengthened, almost forcefully. Then the transference began, it was an odd sensation. Taking a deep breath her eyes never left Colvin as he drained her of her chaotic energy, and an emptiness settled into the pit of her stomach.