forum The Veil of Shadows (OxO Closed)

Started July 14, 2023 by @LolaBug

tune

Raziel looks at Cassian for long moments, "You're a smart one, Mr. Cassian." He murmurs, "I know that look in your eyes. But you wont be able to get out of here without disturbing my patents, so please, be considerate of others."

He turns, closing the door behindhim and slides his hands into his pockets, humming as he wanders back to his desk.

'You wanted him to find out, Raz, didn't you?'

It's about time people knew who the real Shadow Bringer is. Their beloved healer who has saved thousands of lives.

Cassian doesn’t say a word. There’s no need. He waits for the healer to leave before he takes a look around the room, silently looking for the best way to make his exit. He needs to alert his commanders about this.

What concerns him the most is how insistent Raziel was that he finds out. It’s suspicious. Something about this situation is just….off.

The people aren’t going to take the news well. Finding out that a trusted healer is actually a prominent figure in a dangerous organization will not go over well.

Raziel settles into his seat, crossing his legs and leaning back, rubbing his temples. He was starting to get a headache. He presses his thumb into the bridge of his nose for a long moment, blowing out a long breath. He was tired of this. Tired of pretending and having to bow to other people's expectations of him.

He sighs and closes his eyes. 'Do you still think the idea is a good one, Raz? Taking down the leader yourself will be difficult.'

I know, Nimari, but maybe I can get Cassian to help. He seems to want to take down the Shadow Keepers.

Raziel stands again, hesitating before walking back to Cassian's room and knocking softly, pushing the door open and stepping in, "Help me take down the inner circle of the Shadow Keepers, and I'll turn myself in."He murmurs.

Cassian looks over, drawn away from his assessment of the room, his expression guarded as he takes in Raziel's words. He doesn't immediately respond, sizing up the situation and the sincerity in Raziel's eyes. After a brief pause, he speaks in a cautious tone, "Why should I trust you? Turning yourself in won't guarantee anything. The Shadow Keepers won't simply stop their malevolent ways just because one of their own gives up." He stands, walking closer to Raziel, a mix of curiosity and suspicion in his eyes.

The admission that Raziel is who he thought he was is disappointing. He hates to admit it but he had been enjoying their interactions up until the man starting getting squirrelly. Now that he knows he works for the enemy…..He feels foolish for even beginning to trust him.

Raziel looks down, "Look. . . I joined the Shadow Keepers with good intentions. They lied to me. They tell you what you want to hear, take your desires and twist them. I have always wondered what lies beyond the vial. And, well. . . They told me I would get to learn, that they were curious as well.

"You know I am a fast learner. I learn what others have been unable too. . . at least you should know this if you did your homework. They used me. I was one of the first to actually use magic from beyond the vial in the large scale that I do. Then used me to teach others how I do it. All because they told me they were seeking knowledge.

"And after that, I rose withing the ranks. But I can't get into the inner circle without pulling something huge off. And I can't take them down without being in the inner circle."

He tilts his head, "And once they're gone, you'll have me. The Shadow Keepers' figure head, to show that they are gone."

Cassian listens intently to Raziel's words, his mind grappling with conflicting emotions. He wants to believe Raziel, but the gravity of the situation makes him wary. The Shadow Keepers are known for their deception and manipulation, and he can't help but wonder if this is another one of their elaborate schemes. He has no reason to trust the healer. They don't know each other and every interaction they've had prior to this hasn't given him any reason

He can sense Raziel's frustration and desperation, but he can't ignore the potential dangers. Even if he agreed to trust the man and let him help, there are other hangups. The Shadow Keepers' inner circle is a place of immense power and secrecy, and attempting to infiltrate it could be a perilous endeavor.

"I don't doubt your abilities, I doubt you," He eventually replies. "I have no reason to trust you and this sudden change of heart you've apparently had."

Raziel looks down, closing his eyes. He runs his hand down his face, leaning against the door frame. "I deserve that. . ." He murmurs.

"Well then, I guess you're off bed rest and I must find somewhere else to be." He bows slightly, "I wish you well in your endeavor, warrior."

He turns, walking out of the room, his hands in his pockets. 'You give up easily, Raz.'

Or maybe it's that I don't have false hopes, Nimari. He doesn't trust me and there's nothing I can do about that. After all, I'm just the Shadow Bringer. . . Bringer of death and destruction. Try as he might and preach as he might, he still lets prejudices get in the way. After all, he can't trust me because of what the rumors say I am.

'Or maybe because you haven't given him anything to go off of but the rumors.'

I healed his leg. . . Knowing what he could do to me if he found out. I have healed thousands of people. . . I could have ket him and his team die, yet I told them about the bombs.

Cassian watches Raziel walk away, feeling conflicted about the situation. He knows that Raziel's reputation as the Shadow Bringer precedes him, and it's difficult for anyone to trust someone with such a dark and dangerous image. Yet, Cassian can't help but acknowledge the good that Raziel has done.

As Raziel's footsteps fade, Cassian's thoughts are still filled with uncertainty. He ponders whether he's giving up too easily on building a connection with Raziel. Perhaps there's more to him than the rumors suggest, and maybe he should be willing to look past the prejudices.

There's no chance he's staying here after what he's just discovered. He needs to leave and sort through all of this new information.

Leaving the room, he walks down the corridor, his thoughts still lingering on his encounter with Raziel. He wonders if he should give the Shadow Bringer another chance, to see beyond the rumors and discover the truth for himself. He rubs his forehead as he tries to figure out what to do. He won't make a decision right now. He needs to go speak to his superiors. While he won't tell them the exact situation, he will ask for advice and guidance.

Raziel sighs, grabbing his jacket and pulling it on before grabbing his bag. He clocks out and leaves the sanctuary. Time for another city. Another place. Maybe he would go home. He rubs his face, a small desperation welling inside him. Honestly, he liked the stubborn warrior. Even if he made Raziel want to grab him by the shoulders and shakes him so hard his teeth rattled. Raziel had thought, for one moment, maybe here was a guy who would understand. Someone who could know who Raziel was and not judge.

He shakes his head, slinging his back over his shoulder and walking down the sidewalk, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Whelp, now, he would need to find something else to do. He would still heal, but maybe on a smaller scale. . .

(Sorry for the late reply! I found a kitten on the side of the road yesterday and it was a little crazy lol)

Cassian makes swift work of exiting the building. He wants to talk to someone as quickly as possible to assess this situation. He’s admittedly fond of the healer so he worried that he may be biased when it comes to making a decision on what to do.

The walk to the headquarters is longer than he would like but he didn’t drive and no bus routes go there directly so he has no choice.

(Aww, that's fine!)

Raziel presses a hand to his face, blowing out a heavy sigh. He couldn't even go back to his apartment. He flipped his bag open and dug around it, cursing softly when he didn't find the mask and jacket. On all the days for him to leave it behind, he had to do something stupid and reckless. He turns into a small niche between two buildings, not quite an alleyway. He pulls the collar of his shirt away from his neck, summoning Nimari, "I need you to go to the apartment and grab my things. Then come back to me."

"We are leaving, aren't we?" The small familiar asks, her tone sad.

Raziel nods, closing his eyes as he reaches out and pets her, "Yes. We must leave before the Sanctuary gets stormed by other warriors. It wouldn't help anyone. We'll find somewhere else to be, Nimari. . ." He whispers, holding her close for a moment.

"Now fly, I'll see you soon." He steps out of the niche and continues to walk.

(Thanks!)

Cassian stands before his superiors, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing upon him. With a furrowed brow, he opens up about the dangerous potential ally that has come to his attention. "I've encountered someone with significant resources and connections," he begins, "but their past actions and affiliations are troubling. I'm unsure if forming an alliance with them is wise."

He explains the risks and potential consequences of associating with this individual, laying out all the available information. "On one hand, their support could be invaluable in our mission," Cassian admits, "but on the other, their intentions and loyalties remain uncertain."

Silence fills the room as his superiors contemplate the gravity of the situation. Cassian anxiously waits for their advice, seeking the wisdom of those with more experience and insight. He knows that the decision he makes could have far-reaching implications for their cause.

His superiors exchange thoughtful glances before finally offering their counsel. "Consider the long-term implications of this alliance," one of them advises, "weigh the potential benefits against the risks. If there are doubts about their intentions, tread carefully and gather more information."

Another adds, "Trust is vital in any partnership. If there are doubts about their loyalty, it might be wiser to find other allies or seek more assurances before proceeding."

Raziel sighs softly, flipping his phone in his hand and tapping it against his wrist for a moment. He looks around, looking for a tech shop. He knew there was one on this street. . . He smiles when he spots it and then lightly touches his phone, right over the data chip and casts a small spell, frying the small chip. He grumbles and walks into the tech store, talking with the cleric and getting a new data chip. He smiles, murmuring a thanks after paying for it and leaving the shop.

With a new phone number under a different name, Raziel makes his way towards a train station. That would be his ticket out of the city.

Cassian leaves the meeting, still admittedly conflicted. There were many different opinions being thrown at him but he knows that he should trust his gut. He just hopes that he won’t come to regret the decision that he’s about to make.

Walking down the sidewalk, he pulls up some surveillance footage on his phone. He knows that he needs to catch Raziel before the man is able to escape the city. He hasn’t decided if he’s dragging him back in cuffs or accepting his help. He’ll have to make that decision when he finds him.

Raziel grins and buys a ticket for a later train and then moves to a bench, shrouded in shadows, to sit down. After a long moment, he looks up, gazing at the camera for a long moment before waving and smiling. He pulls out a book and starts to read, humming to himself softly.

Cassian spends a few minutes searching the cameras and trying to spot the man. When he finally does, he shakes his head at the smiling and waving. He then goes to grab a cab. He needs to intercept Raizel before he gets on that train.

Raizel sits back and kicks his feet up on the bench. Cassian had five minuets to reach him before the train arrived, and if it got here before the warrior did, well then Raizel would be off and he would probably never see the man again. As if he actually needed the train to get out of the city. He was simply giving Cassian a little extra time to take his offer.

If the train get here before tha warrior did, Raziel would board and then shadow jump to the next Keeper base and set up headquarters there.

Cassian is insisting that the cab driver hurry but there's only so much he can do about it. Luckily, he arrives at the train station and with a whole minute to spare. He pays the driver before jumping out and hurrying over to the bench where he had seen Raziel sitting on in the camera. "Raizel!" He calls out when he spots the man. It's a relief that he made it here in time. He needs to talk to him before it's too late.

Raquel looks at the time the moment he hears his âme and stands, walking closer to the warrior, his hands in his pockets and flashes a grin, “Ah, so, you have decided to come after me after all. Are you here to arrest me, or continue our conversation?” He looks the man up and down before scowling and takes his arm, manhandling the, by far, bigger man to the bench and forcing him to sit down.

“You could at least have grabbed a crutch on your way out of the Sanctuary. Yopu’ve done a number to your leg again. Just because I closed the wound and gave you magical pain killers, does not mean it’s 100% healed.” He crosses his arms.

Cassian's piercing gaze meets Raziel’s. As the other man approaches, his stance retains a warrior's confidence, hands resting casually in his pockets. A half-smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he responds, his voice carrying a hint of challenge, "Arrest you? Tempting as that may be, I do believe we had unfinished business to discuss."

His scrutiny of the smaller man is returned with an unspoken acknowledgment of the dynamics at play. However, before he can react, he finds himself taken by surprise as Raziel takes his arm and guides him to a bench, forcing him to sit. A wince of discomfort betrays his resistance against the action, though he concedes with a subtle roll of his eyes.

Cassian's expression shifts from the initial bemusement to a mixture of amusement and exasperation as Raziel chides him for neglecting a crutch and exposes his injury's true state. A rueful grin tugs at his lips as he raises an eyebrow. "Closing the wound and those pain killers did make it feel almost 100%," He informs him, not seeing the need to be fussed over. "But I suppose it's fortunate you're here to keep me from turning my half-healed leg into a full-blown disaster." This last part is dripping with sarcasm.

Raziel laughs softly, sitting down beside Cassian. “Unfinished business?” He raises an eyebrow, leaning back against the branch and looking at the mass exodus of people as they go to their train.

Raziel hovers his hand over the wound, humming. “If you don’t want a nasty scar,” He drops his hand.

“Then you need to take better care of yourself. I may be a wanted criminal, but I am still the most well known healer.” He looks at Cassian for a long moment.

“Well, yes, that’s the point, because under normal circumstances, the patient would stay in the sanctuary for a few days before leaving.” He wondered what the warrior was feeling, being this close to Raziel, and knowing he was the wanted Shadow Bringer. He looks away, staring at the concrete floor of the station. He stares for long moments, listening to the warriors speak. He picks up on the sarcastic tone, but says gravely, “Actually, you’re right. It could get worse.”

Cassian shakes his head a little at Raziel's playful comment, settling more comfortably against the bench. The corner of his lips twitches as he feels Raziel's hand near his wound, the healer's words prompting a soft chuckle. He does, however, swat his hand away to insist that he’s fine. “Half of my leg is missing and you think I care about a scar?”

"Well, you've got a point there," He concedes, his gaze meeting Raziel's with a mixture of amusement and appreciation. "Wanted criminal or not, your reputation precedes you." He tilts his head, studying Raziel's features for a
moment, finally deciding what to do with him.

The air feels charged with unspoken tension as they observe each other, the weight of their circumstances hanging in the air. "So, what is your plan?" Cassian asks, assuming that the other man has something in mind. He shifts his gaze to the bustling station, his thoughts momentarily carried away by the ebb and flow of activity.

"Time in the sanctuary isn't a luxury I can afford," He replies simply, much too busy to stay there while he heals. He lets out a contemplative sigh, his eyes tracing the patterns on the concrete floor. “My leg is fine. Stop fussing.”

Raziel huffs at him, “You have a perfectly fine body, and you want to ruin it with large, jagged scars that could inhibit your work? I don’t think you want that.” He smirks slightly at Cassian and crosses his arms behind his head, watching the people walk past. None of them aware of who he was.

“I know I have a point. When am I wrong?” Raziel grins slightly. “I know it does. I’ve always enjoyed helping people.”

Raziel sighs, and lowers his voice, “The plan. . . I’ve been trying for years to get into the inner council of the Keepers. But they won’t let me in. Recently I found out that they were contemplating promoting me. If I get promoted, I can take them out.” He looks down again, his fingers tangling into his own hair and fidgeting.

“I originally joined the Keepers because they promised me knowledge. I didn’t know it was illegal, or the dark arts until I was sent on a mission which involved killing people. I. . . I did my best to protect as many as I could, but. . . A bomb went off and I was blamed for it. Thus my great debut as the Shadow Bringer. Since then, I’ve been learning my skills. Trying my best to not get caught going against the Councils will and orders. So far, I’ve been successful at it.”

He closes his eyes, “I’ve been planning to take them down for a year now. It’s funny. I’ve become the most loved healer and wanted criminal at the same time in the past three years.”

Raziel s gaze sharpens and he looks at Cassian, “It is not a luxury, it is a necessity. I will not stop fussing, it’s my job.”

Cassian raises an eyebrow at Raziel's huff, a hint of a playful smirk curving his lips. "I wasn't aware you held such tender feelings for my body's aesthetics." He chuckles softly, his tone laced with an amused undertone. "Besides, my body is already covered in scars. One or two more isn't the end of the world."

His original amusement shifts to seriousness as Raziel delves into his daring plan and past struggles. "Ah, the plot thickens," he muses, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The Keepers, a web of secrets and lies that ensnared you in its grasp." His voice lowers in response to Raziel's, a conspiratorial air settling around them. "Promotion could indeed be your golden ticket, but remember, stepping into their inner circle means playing their game on their terms. Are you prepared for that?"

It's a dangerous task and one that he's not sure he wants to put anyone up to. The mention of the bomb has him hesitating. He has to remind himself that several bombs have gone off and this is likely isn't the one he's thinking of.

Raziel blinks and looks away, “Oh. . . Um. . . I didn’t mean it like that. . .” He mutters, crossing his arms.

He sighs, looking down, “I’ve been playing by their rules for three years now, I’m sure I can do it a little longer. It’s not hard.” He closes his eyes for a moment.

“I suppose I should feel bad that I don’t find it hard to trick them. . . That it’s bad that it’s so easy for me. Maybe it shows my real intentions or something. I don’t know.” She shakes his head slightly, blowing out a breath and biting his lip for a moment, thinking. “But I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Too many people come into the Sanctuary due to Keeper antics.”

Raziel falls quiet, staring at the floor again, trapped in the memory of the first time he was put in charge of a mission. How he thought he was doing the right thing, until he knew he wasn’t. The ringing in his ears after the bomb exploded. He shudders, and links it away.

Cassian considers Raziel for a moment, considering how much of this he wants to believe. While part of him know that he should be much more wary, the other part of him wants to trust the healer both about his intentions and his ability to go through with this plan.

“I’ll help you with this plan.” It’s a decision that he makes spur of the moment and he’s not certain that it’s wise but it’s worth a try.

Mentions of bombing always have him on edge after what he experienced. He closes his eyes, and suddenly, the cacophony of war fills his mind.

*It is a moonless night, and Cassian is on a perilous mission deep behind enemy lines. The air is thick with tension as he and his fellow soldiers move silently through the hostile territory. The objective: to disable a crucial enemy supply line. But the odds are stacked against them, and he knows the stakes are high.

As they approach their target, a deafening explosion shatters the stillness. The ground trembles, and a fiery inferno engulfs Cassian and his comrades. Chaos erupts, and in the midst of the smoke and chaos, he feels an excruciating pain rip through his body.

His vision blurs as he realizes what has happened. A bomb has detonated beneath him, tearing through flesh and bone. Blood mixes with dirt, and the world seems to spin out of control. The screams of his fellow soldiers echo in his ears, but he can't hear them over the relentless pounding in his head.

Despite the agony, his training kicks in. He has to survive. With sheer determination, he crawls away from the burning wreckage, leaving a trail of blood in the dust. His leg is mangled beyond repair, but he refuses to give in to despair. Hours later, he is evacuated, his life forever changed by that fateful night. He has lost his leg, but he has gained a haunting memory that will stay with him, a constant reminder of the brutal cost of war.*