The Tombs We Dig [Closed to Shinsou]

How long had she been traveling?

Felicity stumbled through the deep forest, still feeling empty and drained from, well, everything. Loose clothes, heavy bags, and numerous weapons clung to her, dragging her down just like the stones in her heart. Dragging her down like the memories of hands on her frame. Dragging her down like the thick wool blanket of sadness inside. The deep woods of Concordia made a deep canopy overhead, blocking out most sunlight. This indeed felt similar to how she felt inside. No more could her heart feel the warmth of the sun. She was broken.

Her worst fears had come true. After being plagued by her past, her fifteenth year, at nineteen she had lost everything again. She had lost everything. Again. The fears her post traumatic stress had taunted her with for four years were now a reality. Her home had been destroyed, and she had been powerless to stop it. The man she turned to, yearned for as a lover.... she was positive he never cared. She was positive he only used her. Just when she finally had the strength to start building again, it was torn down once again. Hurt. So much hurt. This had been the second time she felt true despair in her life. Only one thing had saved her. As she shambled along, kicking up fallen leaves, she still felt as if she was bleeding out. Unlike with her powers, however, the bleeding did not make her stronger. It only weakened her.

Whitevale was gone. Leoric Blackwell had betrayed her. Almost all was lost.

Almost.

Felicity had been ready to completely give up and just die. However, sensing that he was alive still kept her alive. Through her magical senses, she had felt Shinsou Vaan Osiris still alive, still breathing, still well. Now, he was all she had. She would expend the last of her miniscule energy to find her mentor and protect him.

The still, stuffy environment of the forest, untouched by any wind, was gloomy and depressive as Felicity marched on with a slouch. The green plants and trees used to bring her a sense of joy, of freedom. Felicity always appreciated the plant life of Corone. Now, however, she felt nothing spark inside as a redwood leaf fell and brushed her cheek. No, she felt nothing but the tiniest sense of purpose. All joy, curiosity, and adventurousness were gone. There was only this endless ache inside. Only loss, only sorrow. All colors seemed to fade away, even physically from the forest, as she walked ever onwards. She knew where she had felt him. Now, she was meandering to the location. She knew Underwood well. She grew up nearby. With a loving yet overprotective uncle, and a renowned Coronian Ranger as her cousin. Now, like every other good thing in life, they were dead. Well, everything was either dead or lost to her. Either way, they were gone.

Her boot snagged on something. With nothing more than a faint gasp, Felicity tripped over a root and fell to the ground. She smelled earth and tasted dirt. Leaves flew up around her as the lifeless woman pulled herself up at a snail's pace. The endless forest was hard, yet she barely felt like she was in it. Even now, as she tasted mud on her tongue, she simply was faded like mist from the world. All she had was Osiris. Osiris was the only thing she had left. She staggered to her feet, red hair in her face, and scuffled onwards, into the trees, towards Underwood.

Shinsou Vaan Osiris was her only purpose now. Nothing would keep her from him. He was the only thing she had left to lose, and nothing could hold her back now. Joy was gone. Warmth was gone. Innocence was gone. Purity was gone. Rage was gone. Vengeance was gone. Energy was gone. Life was gone. Standards were gone. Morality was gone. Nothing was left but the cold push to protect the one thing she had left. Shinsou Vaan Osiris was her only purpose now.