So pick up your drinks and dance in the streets and let the Blackbird weep.
Ashes covered the village of Tempestclan like a veil the next morning, hanging in the air and blanketing the streets. The prison was leveled and still smoking. The air smelled like rotting wood.
Two escapees. Three deaths.
Jeremiah the third in command: impaled by cell door.
Melly, a five-month-old girl: succumbed to a smoke-induced asthma attack.
Anoki, one of the young men in the cells: succumbed to injuries.
The village was quiet in some places, loud in others. Insignious could hear small riots being had in some of the houses- clanfolk arguing about their leader's decisions and what could have happened last night. The wailing of mothers and fathers, friends and siblings.
He was sitting by one of the smoldering pits. The sky was still dark as the sun was only just beginning to show, and the courtyard and fire pits were littered from last night's celebrating. Insignious' hair and face were caked in sticky ash, smear marks around his eyes and mouth from where he'd attempted to wipe it off. In this quiet moment on his own, he sat under what felt like crippling weight of what was soon to be dealt with- too many things to list, honestly. So much loss in such a short amount of time, so much panic and so many questions. Those three members, their blood was on his hands. If only he'd allowed Etoah to destroy the demon when he'd tried to. His deputy was right. So right. And sitting here in the filth-covered grounds felt fitting for Insignious, forced to face what his decisions had caused.
The warden's footsteps felt heavy as he approached the leader, worn by the pacing he had walked over the last hour or so. His hand was still stained of the blood from his shoulder wound, which he had yet to still wash or wipe off. There were much more important things to think about. Two died under his watch, and a third from his failure. If he'd have jumped forward instead of back- perhaps that wouldn't have saved the others, but it'd certainly not have left meaningless deaths. Everything was under the warden's watch.
He didn't ask permission to sit down with Insignious, but instead slowly took a seat with a sigh. There was a bit of a gap between the two, Kahu leaning forward towards what little was left of the smoke. He gave it a thoughtful moment before saying anything. He knew-- little could change by his words alone.
"My sincerest apologies."
He shook and hung his head, disappointed in himself. Strangely for him, he even avoided the leader's gaze, choosing instead to stare into the dying embers. He might've been called negative or solemn from his cold outermost appearance, but this was a first he had felt internally so.
He didn't wait for Insignious to feel burdened with having to answer him, thus, he continued.
"Every prior precaution was taken, but little could prepare for the unknown ability the demon possessed. Regardless, deaths have occurred because of my failure to enact your orders."
Golden irises shifted to the corners of his eyes, towards the direction the other sat.
"The blame largely rests on my negligence and failure to act accordingly... Whatever guilt and responsibility you may feel for tonight, you shall not shoulder alone."
Insignious' dark teal eyes focused on the ground as the man joined him. While he listened, his brows pressed together in a disapproving frown.
When the warden finished, Sig raised his hand to stop him from speaking further on the subject. "Kahu...Please. I am the one who made all the decisions that brought us here. I should never have kept him in the village, I should never have given you such a task on your own. I did this."
Feeling young and immature in this moment, the leader felt he must look a fool in front of warriors senior to him- such as Kahu. He shrunk back slightly in shame at the thought.
"I'm glad you're alright..." Insignious muttered quietly before quickly adding, "-You and Zinnia." His eyes then traveled to the warrior's shoulder wound.
"But you'll be getting that looked at as soon as the Clinic can take you in, that's an order." He knew better than to leave Kahu's wellbeing up to Kahu.
In the stillness of the dawn, the distant cries of Melly's mother could be heard loud and clear.
Closing his eyes, he took a long, drawn out breath as Insignious expressed his concern. He'd insisted on being treated last, given his wound wasn't life-threatening. Any protests fell on deaf-ears.
"Consider it done."
Volume of the mother's wailing overshadowed his own voice. Both of them felt responsible, but there was nothing that could be done. Kahu straightened up slightly, turning his head to actually look at the mess of a leader.
"Before that, I return what you've entrusted to me."
Taken from the secured buckle on his side, he held out the dagger, no longer wrapped in fabric. That had been lost in the accident, likely torn, if not burned by the fires which ravaged the area.
"I can explain what I witnessed before the fall, but I don't wish to overwhelm you. I apologize for my failure."
"No more apologizing- that's another order." The leader said, taking the weapon and resting it beside him. Though he could feel Kahu's eyes on him, he kept his own focused on the embers.
"And go on, if you're up for it. Tell me all you can."
Kahu's hands fell back to his sides after they were emptied.
"Very well... Consider it done."
An iconic answer, something he said when replying to any of Insignious' orders. Only to a trained eye would one notice a bit of weight taken off him, although he looked away from the leader to tell his story.
"I managed to secure the beast in the interrogation room without incident. Initially, he complied."
His tone turned bitter while the wails continued, a couple of shouts off in the distance distracting him a brief moment. His face contorted a bit, annoyed. The memory wasn't painful, but rather irritating. The experienced warden felt foolish trying to explain it all.
"He was midway through the route before announcing that he refused to "go back". Of course, it doesn't take a genius to know what that entails. However, the most curious thing occurred thereafter. Everything he touched crumbled. The cuffs turned to dust, the chains, the chair, even the desk itself. I cornered him whilst drawing out the dagger, but even the walls began to crumble. And yet, he was still begging for his life. Feigning innocence, apologizing. Had I been a second quicker, both of us would've ceased to be."
"In that case I'm glad he escaped." Insignious said quietly, throwing a small twig into the coals and watching it shrivel. "But this is certainly a new power, one I've never witnessed. I'll ask about it at the meeting- see if any of the other leaders have heard such a thing."
Without turning his head, he shifted his eyes towards Kahu. "Thank you for your report, if that is all, you may carry on. If not, I thank you for your company." He knew very well the strict soldier's regimented lifestyle. "You are no failure in my eyes. A loyal, forthgoing and brave warrior. One any leader would be proud to call a part of his company. And one I would not sacrifice even to tear down the greatest enemy."
Kahu nodded in support of sharing the information to the other clan leaders. It was certainly nothing he'd ever experienced before, nor could he recall such a power.
Regardless that he favored solitude, he continued to sit beside him. Somewhere or another, Insignious picked up on how to comfortably speak to the warden-- something few knew how to. Hinting at a smile, he looked up and out, past the fire pits, towards buildings and their surrounding forestry.
"I'm grateful for your kindness. The world could be progressing through end days, and your words would still possess a thoughtful air of wisdom."
And who was to say otherwise? What felt so commonplace a few days prior was unknown now. Anything outside their territory-- or even within, for that matter. If one were to announce the sky to fall, who would think otherwise?
Clearing his throat, he set his gaze downwards, ignoring the low light of the rising sun. Whatever more he had to say, he left it be to the circumstances between them.
Insignious smiled to himself as Kahu remained beside him, something that he found truly an honor. There were feelings towards the warden that he'd harbored in his heart for many years- an unexplainable affection he'd never felt for anyone and never spoken of before. He'd kept these desires hidden for they were foreign and made him feel as though something was broken inside of him. For a man to love a man was a strange and uncommon practice he'd seen very little of in his lifetime and his culture. Surely something in his brain was wired incorrectly.
"If this is truly the end, I am proud to have fought and lived beside you." The leader said, "But I think we have still a long journey yet."
Insignious' face warmed as he looked away. "Would you accompany me to the meeting? Etoah will be taking charge while I am gone, and I'd like to take an escort."
Though it was an entirely appropriate request, he couldn't help but feel shy asking the man.
Kahu’s sight once again drifted towards Insignious, considering the offer. For a moment, he wondered if he stole the chance from Jeremiah. The young man been the true third in command as Kahu remained elsewhere, hidden away behind stone and clay or keeping an eye on the clan. He wasn’t being forced to take a more active role in clan affairs, but what had he with the jail in ruins? Plus Insignious was requesting it; surely, if that was what he needed, it wasn’t asking too much.
“Consider it done.”
No orders needed; the question itself sufficed.
“How do you say… I’ve been “cooped up” here for too long anyways. Some air should do the both of us well.”
A false excuse to his reasoning, but something he figured Zinnia would say. More akin to the common speech of his clan mates; returning the efforts that the leader had shown him.
Insignious' expression lifted with a partially amused half-smile. He recognized the warden's effort and he found it...sort of adorable.
"Very well." He said, nodding once. Suddenly hearing heavy footsteps approach from behind them, he looked over his shoulder.
Jude, Melly's father, was standing a few feet away. He was disheveled to say the least, his clothes dirty with soot and his eyes swollen from tears. The young man's expression was dark and seething. Insignious looked back at Kahu with an uncomfortable look that said 'So it begins.' before standing up and turning to face the man.
"Zervas." Jude immediately started, his voice ragged from exhaustion. The leader straightened his posture and prepared himself for whatever was about to be said.
Instead, the father rushed forward and swung his fist at Sig's face, cracking him in the jaw. Insignious staggered back in surprise, holding his mouth as blood rushed through his teeth.
"Rumor has it," Jude continued, drawing closer to the man. "There was someone in the prison last night, someone dangerous that you knew about...and didn't tell us."
Knowing Kahu would probably come to his defense, the leader raised his hand to halt any attempts. "Aye, Jude." He said, spitting some blood on the ground. "Everything will be explained this morning...In the meantime, I can't express how truly sorry-"
"Oh you're sorry, huh? You're sorry that our little girl is dead? She's DEAD!" Jude yelled, grabbing Sig's shoulders and shaking him. "Not even half a year! Not even half a year we've had her and she's dead!" Insignious allowed him to do so, giving only a sorrowful and immensely apologetic expression in return. There was nothing that could be said to comfort this broken man and he knew it.
After a moment of staring hard with anger at his leader, Jude shoved him away and stepped back. "Say what you will today. But don't be surprised if Briar and I take leave of this wretched place."
Insignious nodded with solemn understanding, watching as the man furiously turned and left towards the houses.
As early as the uncomfortable look Insignious gave him, he knew what was about to transpire. He expected the hit, and remained seated as Jude unleashed his anger towards the leader. He straightened himself up and watched the interaction indirectly, holding his breath without realizing it during the entire encounter.
As the distraught man stormed away, Kahu moved to Insignious' side, quick to help the man up and onto the bench behind them. Golden irises scanned over the newest addition to injury before he sighed.
"The vile creature likely knows not what he's done here. Lives both ruined and taken for a goal left unaccomplished."
His voice was low, as if he were speaking to himself. His thoughts were generally serious in nature, the leader being one of few to help him stray from the norm. However, he chose not to speak of the situation from mere seconds prior.
"You don't honestly believe that demon about the girl, do you?"
Kahu's question stung quite a bit. Insignious' eyes darkened with shame as he turned his bloodied face away from the man and stood up in a rush.
"We have all paid for my foolish beliefs." He said, glaring at the ground. "I did believe him. Or...I wanted to? I don't know. I don't fucking know!" With a frustrated growl, the leader kicked a nearby piece of rubble and sent it flying. God, he must look like such a child in front of this man. In front of the entire village. How could he be so stupid?
Rubbing at his bruised jaw, Sig could see clanmembers stirring from their houses and slowly beginning to migrate towards him. He'd made mistakes before, but for the first time, this one filled him with cold fear. Fear towards the vulnerability of himself, his people, their livelihood, fear of what they would all do with him after this. Surely he was overthinking it? Surely they'd understand he was doing what he believed was best- no no, but that would prove he's clearly not fit for leadership, wouldn't it? Even after all these years? Would they turn on him? Fuck.
Clearing his throat and straightening his posture once more, he gave Kahu a small nod of bitter farewell before walking towards the courtyard's stage. He could see his tired deputy slowly making his way through the crowd towards him, of which he was grateful for. Insignious scaled the steps quickly and walked out onto the platform before everyone. Etoah followed close behind him, his eyes low with respect and sorrow.
The people of Tempestclan gathered, manyof their faces contorted in anger and confusion. Sig's breathing quickened subconsciously as he gazed down at all of their piercing, demanding glares. "I..." He started, too quietly for anyone to hear. Etoah looked over to see his leader's hands shaking just slightly.
"I discovered last night," Sig said louder, his voice uneasy, "that Akihito, the man who brought Apollo's children here, is actually Kirai. The demon who once plagued my brother and attacked our clan in its earlier years. He's found his way back. I had him placed in the prison just before the celebration." A regretful confession. Gasps burst from some of the people and they began to shout: "Murderer!", "Snake!", "Evil Bastard!", others wailed their concerns: "How could he just slip by you like that?", "How could you allow him into our clan?", "Why is he back?" Some, however, simply glowered at him. Surely they'd already been told.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US?!" A grief-stricken voice screamed out above the rest.
For a moment, Insignious did not respond. He stared out into the crowd and his eyes glazed over as he asked himself such a question.
I...Why didn't I...? Ah...
"-We believed he held vital information towards Yuuki's whereabouts." Etoah spoke up suddenly, walking past his leader and facing everyone. "And so we placed him in the dungeons. We wanted to tell all of you. However, a single night of laughter and rest is capable of healing more wounds than one-hundred medics. Insignious wanted you to have that night- though he did not take one for himself. The few of us that knew, we all wanted it. We all chose it. For the good of all of us. The demon was to be dealt with immediately in the morning.
And just think," The deputy stated firmly, glaring back at everyone. "how many more of us would be dead had we told all of you? Would you try to tell me now that you would have taken the information kindly and continued with your drinking? I think not. I think you all would have started a riot and sieged the building. Causing tenfold the deaths when the prison came crashing down!"
The people had grown quiet under Etoah's honest words. Insignious was watching him, feeling as though he was about to pass out.
"It was Kirai that leveled the prison. He had men helping him, identified as Cain, Sergio, and Dominic. They are well known amongst those of us who have been here the longest. These men, all of them, are incredibly dangerous and we are not to go chasing after them. Decisions like these need time. Insignious will be meeting with Dante of Infernoclan and Hakon of Gale in two days. In the meantime: Clean up. Prepare funerals. Mourn with those that have lost someone- for in truth we have all lost them. Let us not sacrifice our very way of life because of this evil assault.
Blame those who wish you harm, not we who have always done our best to protect you. As we reach conclusions, your captains will keep you informed." The deputy finished, strong and sturdy.
Slowly and with much complaining, the mob began to disperse. As they did, Etoah turned and drew near to his leader.
"I am sorry for doubting you. You were right to lead us this way. You did not cost us lives, you saved them. Had he not been confined to the prison, who's to say how many buildings he'd have razed? And clanfolk along with them?" Setting a hand on Sig's shoulder, he gave the man a gentle shake. "You are a good leader, and I am with you until the end. Get some rest."
Insignious watched him go, still speechless, before slowly sitting down onto the edge of the stage. His head was blurry with both relief and fatigue.
Rubbing her eyes free of lingering exhaustion, she felt the sting of unsettled dust every time she breathed. The burn to her lungs was slight, yet the ground around them hazed during the morning hours. Eventually, it would come to settle just as the overwhelming fear and confusion would.
As usual, Sera held tightly onto Bleu's hand, both leading and following the masses while they circled the clan leader. With all the commotion about, they'd managed to slip out of Nahva's sights, but for Sera, it wasn't without reason. Here and there they'd heard the familiar name of their mother's friend, but the young angel wasn't exactly sure its context. Was he caught up in the destruction of the jail? Did he leave them without a word? She certainly hadn't seen him after they arrived that night to Tempestclan, however much she looked. For as short as she were, cyan eyes searched for his soft expression-- for even when he'd grown frustrated with the two, he remained gentle. Even Insignious would do, claiming to know of the man's whereabouts. Just as she thought she caught sight of the leader, it was only solemn Kahu, walking off away from the many, though she paid no attention to direction he headed towards.
Amid searching for the two men, the girl paused as Akihito's name was spoken. Kirai, the murderer. The same man who'd brought them to safety. The same person who told them stories, shared with them little things about their parents. Akihito-- that was the same man their father warned them of?
Releasing Bleu's hand, disbelief urged her to rush through the dispersing crowd, right up to Insignious as Etoah walked off.
"Uncle Siggy."
For a moment, she was at a loss for words. A maelstrom of thoughts left her with only bits and pieces of what she wanted to say-- to confirm and to deny, yet she was dumbstruck. When she finally did speak up, however, she felt silly. There were much more important things which needed to be said, but it was the only thing she could grasp onto.
Insignious nodded to his niece, reaching a hand out to her as she drew near. "That's why."
His eyes traveled to Bleu, who was standing where Sera had parted from him, looking as though all life had left his eyes. Sig winced. It hurt like hell to see them in pain.
"Sometimes...the bad guys are really good at pretending to be nice." He said, hurrying to explain as if that would ease the blow. "Sometimes they're really sneaky, and...We don't always catch them in time." The man's eyes darkened as he lowered his gaze.
