D&DxD (Nightingale/Jalid)

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It had been centuries since she was last in Bern, that was true, and a lot of things changed over hundreds of years, that was only natural, but it was still difficult for her to believe that the mountain city of Darrun was nothing but ruins in the mountains, and so, she was compelled to investigate thoroughly. It was not off to a good start, the way to the city was not well kept and nature was taking over again along with a cracked and broken staircase the truth was all there. Unlike the mountain roads however she did not mind this climb as much, in fact her mind was far from here as she recalled her memories of the city and the path.

Nearing the top steps she felt the wind picking up, blowing her hair wildly in the wind and into her face. "Pfft, pfft, phat!" Se spat, swatting it away and getting behind the cover of some broken up roofing. The inner city was supposed to run into the mountain itself and her current location was the outer market. Here, her and William had made the biggest trade deal of their lives. Good times those were." She found herself rubbing at her arm longingly, why did humans have to be so weak and pathetic!? It was not fair.

She began to retrace her steps around the city grounds visiting the remnants of what she remembered. Some of it was in good enough shape still to mirror her memories and other places were decimate without prejudice. The moment that became a bit much for her came in the site of a body, a skeleton of a person who was trapped under rubble. She covered her mouth and looked away, the city was not just ruined, but destroyed. Was it natural or combative in nature? Now she needed to know, and perhaps the inner city will have answers.

[Jalid Al-Qabbad]

Ahhh Bern! With its mountains often offering a higher altitude in general than the rest of Elibe, minus parts of Ilia, it was by far one of the colder locations. That set with Jalid just fine. Though he'd spent a majority of his life in Nabata he was born and raised in Ilia. The snow was as comfortable to him as rain on a hot day. Though his skin had tanned and his brow acclimated to the heat of a Nabatan sun which was more often than not, hotter than hot in a couple of ways, he would always enjoy the blessed kiss of winter's crystalline flakes. It was just simply preferable.

Sure Bern wasn't drowning in snow. However those higher altitude winds gave him a shiver of delight and a sense of nostalgia. Nabata didn't have mountains beyond the absolutely absurd sand dunes, and none of which afforded the same atmospheric quality. So when Jalid entered this mountainous region he'd come to simply find himself in a better mood. The male clasped his palms together as he ascended from the mountainous path, large strides carrying him into view of what looked like a town. Now, he'd been no expert in human architecture but he was fairly positive their buildings weren't supposed to be broken like that. Unless advent art had taken a real turn for the worse. That said something.

With golden mask dangling idly upon his hip and gauntlet's firmly tethered to his forearms, Jalid started to slowly wind his way through the ruins. Did humans still reside here? Did others? Beasts or monsters? A sudden crack drew his attention. Beneath his foot he saw a few bones protruding from a large segment of upturned wall, if he had to guess. Well. He wouldn't need that arm anyway. As far as he could tell at-least. Ahhh, but who could tell what he'd find here? Hopefully, it involved finding food as well.

[Deleted]

Nightingale began her journey into the depths of the ruined city mountain halls. It may have been risky, the wrong step treacherous, but she wanted to know what became of this once magnificent and beautiful place! The first thing she noticed as she stepped under the cover of the man made caves was a foul stench. It hit the sense like the thickest walls, it changed the air like a barrier made to keep you out. But she cared not for the warning and continued on.

The entry halls had magnificent pillars a full five feet in diameter and stretching all the way up. The mountain was far from hollowed out but the feat of it was a magnificent thing of beauty. Each pillar marked with designs of the most intricate art! Oh how she had studied their techniques back then. It made her want to give it another go as a matter of fact. Despite the destruction within the wave of nostalgia washed over her and made her simply happy.

It was then the entry path broke into the greater inner chambers, and within this room she saw all she needed to. The destruction was great here. The skeletal remains laid bare to the world, not even within a shallow grave, weapons strewn about, shields rent asunder and arrows within the walls. She briefly had to look away to compose herself. "Well, all things of beauty are naturally going to invite destruction I suppose." Words she knew all too well.

SNAP! Nightingale jumped and spun in place ready for a fight. "Who is there!?" It seemed that someone else had entered these halls around the same time as her. She was not one to believe in fate, that was a child's notion, but extreme coincidence, that she could get behind. Before her was a giant of a man. Oh, she hoped he was friendly.