Pass

"Pass" is a BOTGD 2 Act 1 thread written on June 13, 2019.
==Summary==
Akkey and Fiendal, while traveling to Haligan, come across Dario and Milae at the hatchery, and Akkey portals them all to Haligan.
==Full Text==
Akkey Black: They burst through the lake water in a blast of energy, splashing with wet ankles. Akkey didn’t have time to think about the little things. Hunter!
She and Firkugaan ran up the hill to the Lindholm house, slamming the front door open. Maya looked up in fright from her place by Hunter’s side, clutching his hand in hers. There were tears in her eyes, “He’s… He’s warm.”
Akkey collapsed beside her sister, shaking in relief. She squeezed his hand, “Thank you, Hel…”
Firkugaan: Firkugaan jumped away before the door opened, he knew that the family was going through a tough time, if he could tell anything from Akkey, he didn’t want to scare them with the immediate invasion of a demon. He hid himself above the door and listened in, smiling to himself a bit as he listened to their joy.
Akkey: Maya laughed through her tears, pulling Akkey in for a hug, “What did you do?”
Akkey wiped her cheeks, “I had a reunion with Hel.”
“Hel!” Maya gawked. She hadn’t heard that name in a few years. She grinned, “So? Everything’s alright now?”
Akkey sobered quickly, “No… there’s still a bunch of things that needs taking care of.” She turned around towards the open door, wondering where Firkugaan was.
“You can come in, you know!” she called out softly.
Firkugaan: Firkugaan slunk his head down from the top of the door. Gazing at the family for a moment before bringing hisframe through the door. His current size rather awkwardly maneuvering its way through before he made it inside and slunk down to the ground. He sat, silently, feeling. Really rather awkward.
Akkey: Maya would have taken a step backward if she could. She laid a protective hand over Hunter, feeling his beating hart through his chest, “Uh, Akkey… Who’s your friend?”
She turned around, patting him on the wing, “This is Fiendal. It’s… it’s a long story. He was-is a good friend of mine.”
Maya eyed him warily, but she knew to trust her own sister, especially with things of the magical and other realm. She smiled and nodded a hello.
Firkugaan: The demon nodded a hello back and looked at the family. As Akkey says, I am friendly. He spoke. Looking at the new people he had met. And it is a long story. He added as he stayed nearby Akkey.
Akkey: Akkey glanced down at him. He didn’t seem to remember either Maya and Hunter, and she didn’t know if that’s what he would want. She shook it off for now; there were pressing matters at hand.
She took a seat, rubbing her tired eyes, “I’m glad Hel got Hunter back. Frigga shouldn’t be able to get him anymore… But there’s some problems though. Frigga still has Eir, and I’m 100% sure she’s pissed with Hunter getting snatched from her fingertips.”
Maya gave her a worried look, and Akkey waved a hand, “You and Hunter will be okay… Hel’s mad, too. She won’t let this slide anymore.”
She let her gaze wander, “And we found Milae.”
Firkugaan: He watched Akkey and her family as they spoke, wishing that he knew anything about the situation. That name… Frigga… She was the one who had threatened them in helheim, she was harming a member of Akkeys family it seemed. But something tweaked in the back of his mind. He knew that name from somewhere else, and it just, irritated him more and more. He looked up to the family, tension rising I’m his form. Frigga shall pay, I will do all I can to assist my master against her. For now though, I shall stay alongside you.
Akkey: Akkey’s face softened in gratitude. She placed a hand on him, “I am so thankful for you and your help… but I’d much rather us be friends. I don’t want to be your master.” 
Maya exhaled behind her shakily, “This… this is a lot, Akkey. I…”
“I know…” Akkey said, “I need to find Milae again. He’s… he’s able to do a lot of things, and I need to talk to him. I just don’t know where the Hel I’m supposed to find him. He could be anywhere.” Literally.
The Chief of Yrus pressed her lips into a hard line, “I’m sure you’ll find him again. You already have once.” 
“Those were the girls, they found him first.” Shit. The girls… Akkey turned to Maya, “Has Father contacted you yet? Iona and Aria should be with him by now.” Maya shook her head worriedly. 
“Fuck.” Akkey stood hurriedly and started pacing in front of Firkugaan, thoughts racing miles a minute, “This isn’t good.” I need to find Milae. I also need to find Iona and Aria. This is going to take too long. I need… I need help.
“I need to pass by Haligan.
Firkugaan: I never said master. Firkugaan said as he looked at Akkey. We are friends. You are a friend in need and I want to help you. He nudged her gently, in such a way that he hoped it reassured her. Do not let what Frigga said get to you, I am helping you, because that’s what friends do. He looked towards the door and shrunk himself so that he may fit through it when the time comes to do so. We can make better time to haligan by air, and it seems we have no time to lose. 
Akkey: She smiled softly at him, and threw an arm around his neck for a moment in an embrace, “Thank you, Fiendal. I’m… I’m really glad you’re here.”
“We have to go, Sis.” Akkey turned to Maya quickly, “I’m sorry… I just came back, but I have to leave again.”
Maya shook her head, taking her sister’s hand, “As long as you come back, with everybody… that’s all that matters to me.”
Akkey nodded gravely, giving her sister a quick kiss on the forehead, and she and Firkugaan turned and left the house. She could easily take a portal to Haligan Island, but crossing between realms and spaces in a short amount of time under this strain and stress had rattled her. A flight and a rest would be beneficial for a few hours.
She hopped onto Firkugaan’s back, and after bracing herself, they were airborne heading northwest.
Dario Hjort: Dario felt the breeze pass over the fur on his ears; the sun warming his face as he stared off into the distance. He hadn’t been at the hatchery for more than just a few days, but it was almost a comforting presence now. So much had happened in the time since his arrival with Milae, and he felt that more was to come.
Even with the trials faced, he couldn’t keep his mind from wandering back to Vox. He didn’t forget the reason he was sent here in the first place.
I hope you’re doing alright, buddy. I’m still worried about you. 
Yun Milae: The grass softly crushed and snapped behind Dario, and a pair of scarred arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind, and a grinning kiss placed on the back of his neck. “Well, there’s a handsome half-breed if I’ve ever seen one.”
Dario: The unexpected kiss caused him to shudder involuntarily; the smile that graced his face was instantaneous.
“Takes one to know one, little man.”
He stood and turned to face his beautiful half-breed partner, feeling his heart swell as it typically did upon each reunion. He picked him up in his arms and did a small rotation with his body, trying to implicate his returned health without words.
“What have you been up to today? I haven’t really seen you at all.”
Milae: He smiled broadly at Dario’s enthusiasm, but when the deer placed him down, it was clear he was a little travel-weary. The edges of his cloak were tattered and smudged with dirt and ash, and his eyes were a little bleary with lack of sleep. “Ah…returning the second Warden to where she belongs. It was a bit of a struggle…she didn’t want to go. But it is finished.” He bumped Dario’s nose with his own. “No more demon scares. I swear.”
Akkey: Akkey’s lashes fluttered open, waking from her small nap. She sat up, hair blowing in the wind as Firkugaan headed for their destination. The sky was clear, and the rest helped her recollect herself again.
“Hey,” she touched the side of his neck, “Thank you, Fiendal. I’m alright now. I can portal us the rest of the way.”
Firkugaan: Are you sure? I do not mind, I don’t often have need for a rest. He turned his head as if to look at her. His form kept proudly flying, from the ground it could be assumed that he could be any other dragon. Do not strain yourself.
She nodded, “It’s alright. I’d like to get to Haligan as soon as we can.” She dipped her head a little, “Thank you, my friend.”
Dario: The deer stood tall next to his partner, swaying his arm and occasionally batting his hoof with his hand. He was still nervous at the idea of holding his hand when others were around.
“So long as you don’t scare me as bad as you did last night, I think I’ll be alright.”
He took in the scents of the hatchery, as the wind continued to kick up. He felt his pulse in his head, remembering the nature of his journey and being at what felt like an impasse. He assumed he looked visibly embarrassed, but it couldn’t be helped.
“I meant to ask, what do we do from here? You told me… I need to find Vox, but Milae, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Milae: Milae snatched Dario’s wandering hand and held it firm, giving him a small smile while squeezing it. “Well, we need to give you time to heal, your b–” His exhausted eyes blinked and widened, and he looked Dario up and down as though seeing him for the first time. “Now wait just a minute.” He poked Dario playfully in the stomach, which was about chest height for him, but inwardly his heart soared at the realization hitting him. “What’s this? Did you learn to bend time, too? How are you already on your feet?”
He knew he was blushing. He didn’t care.
Dario: “You aren’t the only one with your tricks, bleaty.” Dario squeezed his hand back, thankful for the goat’s forwardness. It made him feel like his feelings were validated, which felt nearly foreign to him. “I used to be a lot better at healing magick when I was younger. I’m not nearly great quite yet, but at least I can stand on my own now.”
Milae: “Bleaty,” he scoffed in mock offense, using his grip to pull Dario closer. He rested his cheek against his chest and sighed, tempted to fall asleep against him right then and there. He squeezed his arm around Dario’s back gently, feeling the new strength in the slightly-flexing muscles. “I am glad. We should be on the move, soon. I believe they will need our help.”
Firkugaan: When you’re ready I’ll go on your cue. He slowed himself down so Akkey could take in their surroundings and make her decision on how the portal would happen. If it takes too much energy you can rest on my back again.
Akkey: “Got it,” Akkey nodded, scanning the passing scenery below. She was hoping for a water source to strain herself and their resources less. She squinted against the sun, and spotted a collection of curious buildings set against the hillside. “There.” she pointed curiously, “What’s there?”
Firkugaan: Firkugaan turned to face where Akkey was pointing, he spotted the buildings she was talking about and flew towards them. He could tell that they would take about a minute.
Dario: He felt a sudden exertion of pressure; it almost felt hostile. Milae’s hand squeezed his tighter, signifying an imminent change to their environment. The air above them carried the sound of a buffer growing closer to them.
“Hey, do you hear that?…”
Milae: Milae’s ear twitched and he leaned back to squint at the sky, spotting a winged silhouette wheeling overhead. He sighed and hung his head in relief, stifling a yawn. “Good. I was expecting them to find me soon.”
Akkey: They zoomed over the duo, and Akkey dropped lightly down to the ground, carrying her sword in one hand. She scanned the immediate area, then raised the weapon to signal Firkugaan of her location.
Akkey strode up to the two, and got close enough to realize who she was meeting, “Mi-Milae!” she gawked in surprise. And… a familiar face?
Firkugaan: Firkugaan dived down to land next to Akkey after her signal. He crashed into the ground, tearing long, deep claw marks into the dirt as he slid along. He faced towards what Akkey was looking at and noticed who it was. His posture changed very quickly from a low fighting stance to perked up and surprised. It’s you! He said to Milae, not recognising the strange, tall deer half-breed. And… Someone else.
Dario: Dario was bewildered at the sight before him; the duo seemingly knew of Milae already, who at this point was nestled in the crook of his arm, propped up against Dario’s side and effectively asleep under the deer’s shoulder. He took great care not to make any sudden movements, as the goat looked so tenderly content in his sleep that Dario couldn’t bear to wake him.
The woman looked… familiar. He had seen her in some capacity before, but he couldn’t place it. The way they interacted with Milae, regardless of how incapacitated he was, indicated that they were not seeking to harm them.
“Forgive me; have we met before? Milae said he had been… expecting you?”
Akkey: “I feel as if we have, but I can’t quite put a name to the face…” Akkey returned the uncertainty apologetically. She’s come across many people in her lifetime, and her memory wasn’t as it used to be; not that it was particularly stable to begin with since the tampering.
“My name is Akkey Black,” she looked between the two men, “He’s been expecting us?“She looked towards Firkugaan quizzically, “I suppose he would, yes… I’m glad we ran into you, I… I need to talk to Milae.”
Milae: Milae shook his head, trying to jolt himself into a better state to be speaking. He stepped out from under Dario’s warm embrace and reached out to grasp Akkey’s forearm in greeting. “How did your meeting go? I assume talking to Hel came with a degree of difficulty.” He was reminded of his own strange confrontation, but he wasn’t offered any clues as to what had happened outside of that timeless void.
Akkey: “It went well,” Akkey began before hesitating. It had gone well, but she knew there were more things to be addressed.
She tried again, “It went well. Hel isn’t too pleased at Frigga meddling with us,” she couldn’t help but grin, “So she took Hunter back, and he’s safe now.”
Akkey frowned, “But… Frigga still has Eir… and she’s still looking for you…”
Firkugaan: Firkugaan nodded. Hel is, I would say, more than upset. He looked between the people as he spoke. Watching for any odd moves. He looked especially at the deer. We have hel on our side somewhat. But do not gain too much confidence. He looked at Milae. To a God like hel, even our largest battles may be petty squabbles.
Dario: The deer felt his heart skip; that last sentence from the woman oozed with concern for the goat that manifested into his chest. The woman’s face spoke volumes about the gravity of a situation that Dario was entirely in the dark about. He reached his arm out and ran his fingers behind one of Milae’s ears.
…even our largest battles may be petty squabbles.
“Eir… Hel… Milae, what are they talking about? Are you in danger?”
Milae: Flicking his ears wildly at Dario’s touch, Milae closed his eyes and nodded wearily. “Hel found me herself,” he said in a low voice to Akkey and Fiendal. “She…wanted to talk about some things, I suppose, and said she would assist when she could. I have not been updated since.” Itchy scars. Very itchy scars.
“All I have the ability to do for the present is wait Frigga out. At least I now know that Hel does not scorn me for my…divine alignment, as it were.” He looked back over his shoulder at Dario, hesitating as his tired mind tried to decode his situation in layman’s terms. “I…may have a god after me and my power,” he said blandly, “but Hel is on the case.” His inflections changed, indicating something approaching sarcasm. He rubbed at his face. Damn, this wasn’t going to soothe his partner at all. “I promise things are fine.”
Firkugaan: Do not fear. The demon said to the new half-breed. Even if the worst comes to pass and Hel cannot outwit or defeat Frigga herself. Milae shall have protection. He sat and watched for any reaction, knowing that what he said could be taken one of two ways. The demon then turned his attention to the goat. I may only be a demon, but I am sworn to Hel, and if her intention is to assist you, then I shall help where I can as well. His tail cracked on the ground slightly as he sat and watched.
Dario: Nothing said by either Milae or Fiendal quelled his fears. What had begun as a journey to find his best friend now held Hel, Frigga, demons…
…what have I gotten myself into?
He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing audibly to imply to Milae that his well–intentioned phrasing didn’t sit well with him.
“Alright, I’m going to try and keep up with all of this. Hel… is helping you, Milae, with something… and another god wants your abilities. I really hope I’m not too far off here.” He felt his back start to twinge a bit; he knew that his magick could only last so long. He turned to address the two strangers before him. 
“So, I guess the only question I have is what the plan is from here.”
Akkey: “We will help you. We will protect you.” Akkey confirmed again with a conviction that she hoped would translate, “I’ve dealt with Frigga before, we’ll do it again.”
“We’re heading to Haligan Island.” she continued, tugging at her braid. The high morning sun filtered through the clouds above, “My Father still hasn’t contacted me, I don’t know where my nieces are.”
Milae: “I can begin a search for Pitch Black when I am able to loop back. My last record of his location is…” He trailed off, lost in his thoughts for a moment, staring off at the grassy horizon. “Ah, uh, it is outdated by several years, I believe. Your nieces found me on Haligan; I would assume they are still there, waiting for me to return with news.” He sighed and pinched his brow. He ached. His eyes were burning. He was exhausted. But he had more work to do, a seemingly endless amount. He knew it was time to escape to the silent timeline and sleep like the dead for an entire day as he usually did, but he didn’t want to leave Dario, even if it would only be an instant for the deer. He wished he could just…stop thinking for once. “Haligan would be…the best place for all of us to go. Dario cannot stay here by himself any longer without risking more injury. The rebels are gathering, they will be…on the move, soon.”
Dario: Dario watched the goat’s eyes strain against the light blinding him from above. Tangible exhaustion was breaking him down to a point where his usually eloquent speech was beginning to suffer, and it pained the deer to see him in such rough shape.
“I don’t think I’m who we need to be worrying about right now, Milae. If it’s Haligan, I will go with you and the others.” He stepped forward to vigorously rub the goat’s arms in an attempt to wake him in any way possible. “Regardless of what we do next, you need to rest. I’ve never seen you like this before. Please, let’s get things moving so you can get some proper sleep.”
Firkugaan: Firkugaan walked to Milae and dipped his head, after hearing about his tiredness. Get on. You may rest on my back as much as possible. He waited on a response from the goat, or possibly even the deer. Come, we have no time to waste.
Akkey: Akkey watched Firkugaan nudge both half breeds onto his back, allowing them to rest. They had a lead and a goal now. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, before bring both arms out and zipping a portal open on the ground using water from the dragon troughs.
Off to Haligan we go.
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Events
Category:Act I
Category:Yun Milae
Category:Dario Hjort
Category:Firkugaan
Category:Akkey Black
Category:Fiendal Hrothgar Hookless