Accidental Heroes [Elyan]

[shonz]

The whole kingdom was in panic. There was no fighting these poltergeists, these specters that have recently beset Camelot night after Samhain. It had come as a shocking and surprising news in the form of a girl who had escaped the attack in her village. The way she described it--how they appeared out of nowhere and took the life away from the people--had given everyone in the castle the goosebumps and the nerves. The knights, led by no less then King Arthur, had investigated the occurrence themselves. The girl's village had virtually become a ghost town with an eerie feeling pervading it.

Now, the menace had spread to Camelot and to many other villages. The people had flocked to the citadel asking for refuge and help for their families. Fear and panic were everywhere, and the knights were tasked to make sure that everybody was safe and well accounted for.

Percival himself was preparing for a patrol, to go make rounds down the village to make sure it was cleared and everybody was well protected. He was with a few soldiers in the courtyard, lighting torches. Fire, it seems, was the only way to keep these fearful apparitions at bay. But for how long it was going to keep them safe and alive, Percival could only guess. These unusual menace have a habit of sneaking up on you and catching you unaware. If you’re not quick enough, it could very well mean your life.




When: The Darkest Hour Part 1 (S04E01)
Where: The village
Tag: Elyan

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan had never encountered anything like these, almost ghosts in his life. It was terrifying. He could feel it in every cell of his body that something not natural had invaded this world; the world of the living. So many people were dying and the bodies were only piling up. It was a horrible sight for any man to see; people who were alive yesterday, dead today. That was how it seemed to work with these...monsters. They seemed to creep up on you and if you weren't fast enough, well then that's it for you. You die instantly. So many families were mourning and crying for the loss of their siblings, parents and children...oh the children. It was truly horrid, and apparently all these deaths were at the hands of the witch Morgana. How she could sleep at night was beyond him. She must have the blackest of hearts and darkest of souls.

Elyan was preparing to go on patrol with some of the knights. He was acutely aware that he could very well die out there, but he was a knight of Camelot; it was his duty. He lit a torch and prayed it would be enough to keep him alive just for this patrol, so he could protect the people. He wondered how his sister was in that moment, if she was alright. He knew Gwen was in the castle right now, but was anywhere truly safe from these dark spirits? He decided the castle was probably the safest place she could be, and he hoped beyond hope that she would be alright.

He began to make his way to the courtyard where he spotted a few other knights. They were his brothers of heart and he would protect them on this patrol if need be. He held onto his torch tightly, while walking towards them. He could never be too cautious with these things around. They could kill him when he least expected it. So, his solution was to expect it at all times. He spotted his friend; brother, Percival there. "Percival, do you have everything ready?" He asked, referring to the things they'd need on patrol. He saw that all of the knights there had been lighting torches; their only weapon. God knows how long they'd last. But he had to have faith. Faith in Arthur that he'd bring this chaos and fear to an end; that he'd send those hellish creatures back to where they came from.

[shonz]

They are only just human really. They are nowhere above the villagers or the people who had succumbed and died in the cold presence of these specters that had recently plagued Camelot. But as knights, Percival knew that the people look up to them for safety and protection. Now was not the time to cower in fear. Now was not the time to hide behind the curtains or duck under their beds. No matter how strong the fear and terror was inside them, as knights, Percival knew they needed to stand tall and brave for the people of Camelot, to face these seemingly unstoppable menace head on even if it meant their lives.

One after another, they lit as many torches as they could carry. People were still milling into the castle walls, and King Arthur was only too glad to give them the refuge that they need, even though they all knew that even the thickest walls are no match for these creatures. Percival joined everyone on their silent prayers that may daylight come soon so this suffering will end…at least momentarily.

"Percival, do you have everything ready?"

The tall knight was looking at a woman who was carrying a small child in her arms while dragging another one behind her as they make their way into the castle gates when he heard Elyan’s voice. “We’re ready and prepared as we could ever be,” he replied before patting his brother knight on the shoulder. He was at least glad, feeling confident and assured that a good man like Elyan was going to have his back--just as he had Elyan’s back--if things do go south for them tonight. Towering over most of the guards, Percival then made sure everyone was well-equipped and ready before nodding back at his friend. “Are you ready? Let’s go.”

[cherryblossom131]

At Percival's answer to his question, Elyan nodded with a sombre face. It wasn't a particularly appropriate question, but it was just like routine for him to ask it before they went on patrol. Routine made him feel more comfortable, like they weren't potentially marching towards certain death. But how could they ever be truly ready to face these things? The honest answer was, they couldn't. Nothing could kill these creatures, torches only managed to cast them away. Elyan feared that if they didn't find a way to end this madness, then all hope was lost for them. The deaths were only going to increase and it terrified him. He had to keep his hope, because it was all he could hold on to and be sure of; that and his sister.

He was glad to have Percival on patrol with him. Although all the knights were well trained, Elyan felt that much more assured that a knight he could genuinely trust with his life would have his back. It was almost comforting, though he could hardly feel comfort at a time like this. Elyan could see people rushing towards the castle to get a space of protection. As if being there would actually help. Thicker walls wouldn't stop these creatures; it wouldn't even slow them down. He guessed just being together with others probably eased their minds. Elyan wasn't exactly going to tell them there was no point in going to the castle; that they were just as susceptible to death there as anywhere else. No, they deserved hope.

“Are you ready? Let’s go.” Elyan grabbed a torch from one of the several that had been lit. "I'm about as ready as I can get," he said, almost mirroring Percival's previous words. Before setting off toward the unknown Elyan looked at Percival and attempted a smile, though it came out strained. "Good luck," he said meaningfully. It wasn't a goodbye or anything, seeing as they were patrolling together. Elyan just felt the need to say it, as if it would make a difference.

[shonz]

As ready as they could ever be. That was all Percival had hoped to be when they go out there tonight and scour the city for people who might need help, to keep it safe. Unknown to him, he was echoing Elyan's thoughts about the situation. They can never be ready. If any, it was to be prepared for anything and everything that might come in the night. If any, it was to be ready to face death. Percival had faced death many times in his life that this was nothing new. Although, he had to admit, he was just as scared as everybody else. More scared now than ever before, for their enemy was not mortal that can easily be slain by a sword. He doubt anything would vanquish them at all. Hope. That was all they needed to keep going and to keep themselves from getting crazy.

"Good luck."

Percival nodded, noticing the sombre tone in Elyan's voice when he spoke. He knew what it meant. They were about to face death, and there was no telling what was going to befall them. "Good luck to you, too, my friend." Percival didn't mean to make it sound like he was saying goodbye as well, but it still came out that way. He heaved a deep sigh and then held his torch high as they started making their way through the courtyard and out of the castle gates. This is it, he told himself.

The city was starting to feel like a ghost town itself. When normally the streets would still be bustling with people trying to get to their homes in time for dinner, it was now all quiet, eeriely quiet. Only the sound of their own footsteps rang through the pavements as the troop slowly walked the streets all on guard. Percival took the rear as he inspected one dark alley after another, just to be sure. His torch was always on the ready, held up not only to illuminate the dark passageways but also to easily ward off any of the specters that might suddenly zoom his way. "Can you smell the fear all around? I've never felt anything like this since I came to Camelot. You've live here. Have you had anything like this happen before?" he asked Elyan.

[cherryblossom131]

"Good luck to you, too, my friend." Elyan nodded in appreciation at Percival with a sombre look on his face, but he attempted a weak smile. He hated the way the whole situation was like they were saying goodbye to each other. He also hated the fact that they sort of were actually saying goodbye. He wasn't naive enough to think they had a large chance of surviving tonight. Not to say he didn't have hope, of course he did. If he didn't, then what was the point? If he didn't, he might as well sit in a corner and wait for death to take him. No, he was going to fight with everything he had, until his last breath, which seemed morbidly possible with the particular foe they were now facing. He just knew that reason was telling him they might not survive tonight and that even if they did, these monsters could possess the power to finally cause Camelot's downfall. The thought sent shivers down his spine.

As they began walking out of the castle gates, Elyan felt his heart quicken its pace. He was afraid; no he was terrified and he knew it. But he would not let the fear consume or affect him. He couldn't afford to, not now when his life and the potential lives of many others were at risk. He held his torch tightly in his hand, ready to swing it in either direction should he need to. They walked through the deserted streets, the sight pained Elyan's heart more than he'd care to admit. They were usually so lively even at night, it was almost unreal to see the place so quiet. But he knew most of the people were either terrified, which they had a right to be, or dead. It made Elyan cringe.

He listened to Percival's words intently. He would almost think his voice was loud because of the deafening silence that had consumed Camelot. "Never," he replied trying to steady his voice. "Never like this." Camelot had faced many enemies, but never one like this. Never one that posed such a threat that it almost stripped all of Camelot's citizens of their hope. It was chilling to think that maybe this kingdom had met its match; that maybe Arthur had met his match. He tried to cast the forbidding thoughts out of his mind before they did any more damage. No, Arthur would find a way, he had faith Arthur would save them all. "What about you?" He began. "Have you ever seen anything like this from where you were from."

[shonz]

Percival only shook his head at his brother knight's question. In his travels, he had stumbled upon villages that had turned into virtual ghost towns through the years, but none of them had this eerie feeling to it. Those villages were merely empty and lifeless. Camelot tonight was not empty, it was full...full of fear and that creeping sense of foreboding that comes before a impending disaster. Well, technically the disaster had already struck. Problem was it was done yet. Right now, they could practically be in the eye of the storm, the calm before the chaos. It was a very very bad place to be. Especially when you know that that chaos could mean your death. "Empty villages, ghost towns, yes, but they were merely deserted. They didn't feel as frightening as what happening here tonight."

They continued walking, inspecting houses that had most gone empty or dark. People were either at the citadel or in other more fortified houses all huddled together, seeking refuge, strength, and comfort with their friends and families. Times like this, you would want to be with your loved ones. Should it be your end, it was best to be with the people you love. But not for the knights of the Camelot, the soldiers and the guards who had all gone on red alert, making rounds around the city, all to make sure the people were safe and well-protected. But for how long they could keep the people safe and well-protected, no one could tell. "How long will this last?" Percival remarked, more to himself than to anyone.

Percival had brought the rear once again as they turned towards another street. It was deserted yet again. There were no lights from any of the nearby windows, no movement anywhere about. He was walking a few paces back as the group continued on throwing logs into makeshift fires to light up the place more. Then his eye caught slight movement from behind some wooden barrels to his left. He shone his torch towards it, and saw a small shadow, like there was something hiding behind the barrels. He felt his heartbeat quicken, and he whispered a quick prayer of protection as he started walking cautiously towards it.

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan had expected Percival's answer. Never had he experienced something like this, and he doubted anyone else had either. These creatures were from hell itself, so how could anyone have seen something like this before. It was like the feeling had gotten under his skin in a way that he had never thought possible. It put fear in his heart that such monsters even existed, that there were such unbelievable evils like this in the world. It was enough to make someone lose faith; lose hope in the goodness in the world. How could anyone believe that there was goodness in the world when it was so thoroughly outweighed by evil? He sighed, there was no point thinking that way, at least not now. This could after all be his last night as part of the living. He didn't want his faith and hope robbed from his heart and soul just before he died. That would be unbearable.

He looked left and right at the empty houses. In all of his time living here, he'd never seen it so...lifeless and empty. No matter what hardships it faces, Camelot always had soul and life, but now, it almost looks like it's dying. He tried to cast the thoughts from his mind, but that grew increasingly difficult by each empty and lifeless house they walked past. He sighed slightly at Percival's silent question, but he could not even begin to form an answer. There was no telling how long this hell on Earth would last. For all he knew, it could last forever, since it seemed that's how deep Morgana's hatred was. It was almost scary how someone could have such blackness in their hearts that they'd want to inflict the pain of hell itself on innocent people.

As they ploughed on through yet another dead street, Elyan felt his heart sink once again at the sight. He'd never get used to it. He tried to help the knights make the fires before his eyes caught movement behind him, it was Percival. Elyan slowly made his way back toward the other knight, who seemed to be walking toward some barrels. His eyes narrowed in confusion before his eyebrows rose, realising what Percival might have seen behind those barrels. His torch ready in his hand, he walked behind Percival. "Did you see something?" The question came out quieter and a lot shakier than he wanted it to be. His nails dug into his palms with how tight he was holding the torch.

[shonz]

Percival thought he saw something, but then realized it really were just shadows from the barrels themselves. They looked to be moving as they were reflected from his own torch. Percival heaved a sigh. For a while there, he was afraid some ghost-like creature might jump out from behind the barrels and scare the living daylights out of him. Yes, he was brave. Yes, he was a knight of Camelot. But nothing and no one could ever be prepared for these scary creatures which could only come from nowhere but the underworld. He whispered another quiet prayer, bit this time of of gratitude that it really was just a harmless shadow and nothing more.

"Nothing. Just a shadow," he told Elyan when his fellow knight came back to inquire. He tapped the man's shoulder and they continued the rest of the way until they joined the group again. What had Percival expected so see really? Would there still be people left in the seemingly deserted village streets? Everybody knows that no wall, wooden or cemented, can keep these nasties at bay. Percival hoped that Arthur had learned something from Gauis. The old man does seem to know so much about the supernatural.

Walking again, as alert and awake as they all possibly could, Percival took the rear again. There were so many abandoned stalls and wagons in the middle of the streets that it took quite for them to weave through. And then again, Percival had to stop to look at barrels that could possibly hide villagers, and bring them to the castle with them. As he walked behind the group, Percival was sure he had heard some noise from behind a stack of barrels. When he turned to investigate, he thought he saw an elbow jut out from behind a barrel. He took a deep sigh and made his way towards it, and sure enough, he saw a young face, that of a little boy squatting behind huge barrels. Percival leaned further in, and saw not one, but two little children all looking frightened. "Hey, hey, it's alright," he told them in his most comforting voice. "You're safe now."

Percival heard piercing screams around him, and he turned to see that the rest of the knights have gone on ahead, leaving him behind again. He looked at the children, and then tried to calculate things in his head. He can't risk letting them run out of their hiding place and out into the open with only him protecting them. And with a flaming torch in his hand, he knew he can't carry all three of them. Torch. Children. Torch. Children. There really was no question here, but he knew he needed to move fast. And so Percival quickly threw the burning torch aside, and scooped the three children into his massive arms.

He ran out of the alley with the three children in his arms and no defense against the Dorocha. His own bravery was only fueled by the promise of getting these children to safety as fast as he could. It was suicide, but Percival knew he needed to do it. He must to do it. But then everything doesn't always go according to plan. Not soon after Percival had started to run with the three kids in his arms and no torch to fight off the spirits, one scary ghost flew menacingly down from behind, all intent on consuming not just Percival but the three innocent kids as well.

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan breathed a sigh of relief at Percival's answer. He knew it was very unlikely but he was hoping they wouldn't have to face the deathly creatures. Who would want to encounter such a thing? He was terrified already and his palms were still aching from how tight he was holding the torch in his hands. But he refused to loosen them no matter how much his hands screamed in protest. You could never be too prepared, and in this case he had to be prepared for the worse. He wasn't just responsible for his own life, but for the lives of his fellow knights, his fellow brothers. He needed to watch their backs just as he needed them to watch his. He couldn't afford to be weakened by fear for their sakes as well as his.

He attempted to smile at Percival though it came out a bit strained. As they walked back to re-join the group he felt slightly safer at having more people around. Being alone with these creatures roaming the streets was a danger in itself. He walked up to the head of the band of knights and began to lead them. He no longer wanted to walk behind the knights, and decided it was probably better to be at the front. Though it had a higher risk of being attacked by the creatures from hell itself, it was a better vantage point to see better, if there were any people who hadn't found sanctuary in the castle yet. He swiped his torch every time they turned a corner, in fear that there would be something there.

He kept himself on red alert and looked in every direction afraid that they'd sneak up on him. As he looked around he noticed there was a knight missing from their group. Percival. He creased his eyebrows in confusion. Where had he gone? This place was no longer safe to be alone, and if Percival had wondered off or found something he'd probably need help. He turned toward the knight behind him. "Sir Edward, lead the group and take anyone you find back to the castle." The other knight nodded at his order and Elyan walked back in the opposite direction that they'd came from with his torch still in his hands, ready for whatever would come at him.

He rounded a corner and saw Percival emerge from the side of the street with not one but three children in his arms. Elyan felt a shiver go down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up when he heard an inhuman scream. The dorocha. It was heading toward Percival and the children. His eyes widened and he began to run to help. There was no time to think or be afraid, he had to act. There were four lives at stake. At the last second he jumped with the torch in hand and swiped at the spirit. For a split second he was afraid the torch wouldn't work. But as he watched it disappear he swiped at the air again, just in case. He gulped down and turned around to face Percival with wide eyes. Never had he been so terrified in his life. He was still breathing heavily. When he snapped out of it, he realised Percival was still holding the three children. He held out an arm, the one without the torch in. "Here, I'll take one, but we have to get out of here quick." Another monster could come back again and they might not be so lucky this time.