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black-dhalias · 9 months

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Only In Silence

Raine Whispers X EmperorsCoven!Reader

Mentions of dying, some violence

There is a distinct difference for Raine when it comes to their love interests—Eda was the old friend that gave Raine consistency. You were the kind of interest that took over every sense and enamored them, you made them too stunned to speak on more than one occasion. And all you had to do was walk into the same room as them, and boom!—Raine would begin to stumble over their words until you either left, or they finally gave up on talking at all. The fact you even existed was enough to send them into a panic, because who let you exist at all? Something so perfect?

The Bard sits on the picnic table, violin in hand as they begin to play a soft tune—it is only for them, or at least they thought they were alone. Instead they find themselves in your presence without knowing, you adore music. Especially from the Bards, sticking close, but there's one thing that keeps you from ever joining their coven. One reason. You aren’t good at music based magic, because your hands eternally shake from nerve damage. The memories of then seem so far away, you don't even remember how it happened--the blurriness is something you've just accepted.

Instead, you became adept at illusion magic—specifically shadow magic, dark illusions that dance from your finger tips and shape the world around you. Beautiful illusions that both haunt and entrance. Raine leans into the music, unaware of your approach and your intent gaze. The way you seem to study their movements, seeing the way they bring the world to life—the way music embraces the universe in a hug right before your eyes. They are perfect.

You see the way the music crests over their cheeks, their eyes shut behind their round glasses and you bring yourself closer. Just wanting to know more about Raine, to see the music from their perspective. They were a bard, and you were a wild witch, one that had yet to choose a coven yet--nervous to make such a decision.

You brush your thumb against your middle finger and watch the shadows extend towards Raine--their embrace is gentle as you begin to make them dance. The darkness twirls and dances with the notes of their violin, a song of shadowed whispers. You smile, melting into the music and resting on the bench beside them. However, as you join them, they realize that they are no longer alone and their eyes open. And there you are... At first, their bright green eyes are wide and remind you of an animal caught in a net, but the creases smooth as they realize what you are doing.

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From the corner of their eye, they see the dancing shadows and let the music shift from neutral tones into something different. One that sings as you smile, and they smile back—your shadows are not terrifying to them, but a welcomed beauty. Just as you are. When the world seemed to grow dark, you did not shrink away from the shadows and instead chose to embrace the dark. Nothing on the great wide plains of the Boiling Isles scared you, and Raine found that amazing because the idea of being near you—terrified them.

You were the kind of witch that embraced the world, understanding that when you enjoy the sunshine—you must also embrace the shadows that come from that light. Raine feels the build of the music as your shadows are puppetted from the palm of your hand, and they remember every moment spent with you.

They reminisce about your time together often, because it is easy to miss someone who is no longer familiar. Raine lives in the moments when they were close to you, before you disappeared into the oblivion of your shadows—that's what they tell themselves happened. Too scared to admit any alternatives. Raine climbed through the ranks of the Bard Coven, and life happened so quickly that they had less time to remember.

That was until they were forced to see you once more, and face the truth—that they had driven you into the darkness.

Raine lets the music come to a gentle halt, the notes carry until they dissipate into the air as if they were never there at all. However, you are a very real reminder that you had listened to them play, and you danced in your own way to their music. You even seemed to enjoy it. They always seemed to like the way your eyes lit up, as if there was a song hidden behind the eyes that enchanted them.

Little by little, Raine gathers some confidence and uses the fact that you hadn't run off as the final push to remain courageous. They set aside the violin and fold their hands into their lap, playing with their fingers before they begin to speak.

"I forget how much you love music." Their voice alternates pitches as they gather some more courage and continue. "At least, I figured you enjoyed it since you are here." You smile, and that did it, their cheeks blistered a vibrant red.

"Mostly because it's you. But I do love music." You are confidence incarnate, you speak with such assurance and your words are always steady. That kind of energy is not something that can be faked, or taken, especially when your aura is so bright. No one would expect it, but it is there and Raine has seen firsthand just how powerful it can be.

"Me?" You nod, your lips pressing together as you tilt your hand, trying to will them to understand what you mean without a word. And they do, but they don't believe it for one second. A witch like you, now that just really cannot be true in the slightest. "I don't think—" Yet your eyes tell a different story and Raine finds themselves looking at their hands rather than you.

However, you do not let that last long because you reach out and lift their chin so their eyes are level with yours. "Don't sell yourself short, Raine." How could they not? You were the exact opposite of them, almost entirely contradictory to their very core, and you were all consuming. You see it though, the shaking confidence under their soft exterior. "You do such amazing things." With kindness, every word is laced with golden honey and it is not painfully sweet. It is simply kind.

"Says you." They whisper, and you watch a conflict form as they scoot closer to you. Your lips pull upwards into a soft smile, scooting closer to them. Enough that the gap between you two is nonexistent, and the outer parts of your legs are pressed together.

"Says me." Voices echo across the green, and a group of witches shout your name as they spot you with the bard. "Meet me later, at the cafe near the markets?" You request quietly, not wanting to part, but you see them edging closer and don't want to bring unnecessary anxiety to Raine. Or have the two worlds meet, the clash could obliterate you—it could change everything.

Raine nods, and as soon as your smile brightens, they lose sight because you've lent in to press a kiss to their cheek. You don't say anything else as you walk away to the group, but Raine feels warmth spread from the spot you kissed. They reach up to brush their fingertips against the spot, feeling a flutter in their chest as the memory surges back over and over.

When your friends asked who that was, you hushed them and just smiled because sometimes you enjoyed your little secret crush. You liked having those feelings all to yourself, and you couldn't wait to see them later tonight. You imagined you'd finally have the courage to admit the long standing feelings, explain the reason you were so captivated by their music and brought to near tears at the notion of joining any other coven. You know that doesn't make sense, but it does to you—because Raine doesn't expect perfection from you, they just expect you to exist and that was enough.

With a smile, you speak quietly as they talk about their plan to join the Emperor's Coven and that wonders that will be bestowed upon them. They imagine great wealth and privilege, but you do not imagine yourself in the throws of gold and prodigies. You imagine yourself beside Raine, but you suck at Bard magic—you clench your hands into fists as the tremors increase. But given a second, they fall away and you swallow, just focusing on your smile.

"So Y/N..." You look up and see all of their eyes on you, with the knowledge that you are only hours away from a very different reality. Maybe you don't have to care about Bard magic at all, so long as you just get the sigil.

"Soooooo?" You repeat, your lips forming a thin line as you walk side by side with them. Wondering what they even asked?

"When we try out tomorrow? Are you coming with us?" You hesitant and see the disappointment in their eyes, and it hurts, but you don't know.

"Maybe... I have a couple things to think about..." They sigh and you shrug your shoulders, holding your hands up in defense.

"Oh my titannnnnn, you really are the worst." Their words are defeating as they walk off ahead of you, to the point that you just slow down and then stop entirely. You hate to disappoint people, especially your friends, but when are you ever going to put yourself first?

Raine walks through the streets as they empty, almost everyone having cleared from the markets entirely—the Boiling Isles are consistent in their people. Some are scared to be out after sunset, and others only ever come out when the shadows are at their longest point and stretch through the alleys. Your image keeps Raine moving forward, a pep in their step as they of all the great things you represent. They were almost certain they were going to tell you how they feel, it was the only thing that made sense. And to an extent, they were certain you felt similarly. Just the thought makes their heart pound furiously in their chest.

The feeling does not last long as a group of hooded witches move towards Raine, their hands clench into a fist as the group does not seem to be moving quickly. And instead, it felt like they were waiting for Raine to pass through. That instinct was correct, as Raine feels hands grasp their biceps and pin them in place.

"You can't go see Y/N." Its haunting, the way the voice echoes off the stone and buildings. And even as other's pass by, no one says a word in the Bard's defense. Instead, they just pass by and continue on their way.

"I don't think that concerns you." They have no idea where the confidence comes from, but the audacity of anyone to say otherwise.

However, the grip on their arms tighten and Raine hunches over when the first hit collides with their stomach. Titan, that is a miserable feeling. They groan, forced back into standing up straight position and looks their attackers on. Raine doesn't recognize them though, seems they are intent on them not meeting you.

"I don't think you understand." Another hit, Raine doubles over and for a second, they see stars. "You will go home, and you will not tell Y/N a word of this." Another hit. "You'll be the reason they screw up their life." The hands on their biceps drop, and Raine folds in on themselves and hits the pathway. Feeling the kicks, before they disappear and the hooded figures become just that.

Had Raine been smarter, they would have went straight home, it might have saved them a little heartbreak. However, instead they head in the direction of the cafe—but when they see you, sitting at the table alone. A rush of guilt overwhelms the witch, as they realize they might be taking something away from you. Not that they didn't care. Not that they were unsure of their feelings, or that you didn't enamor them completely. You were perfect, and powerful... And while Raine was good, they don't know if they are powerful? If they match the energy that you give off day to day, and they never want to hold you back... Raine watches you for another minute, they can see the rush of emotion as a thought hits you—they wonder if you've realized that they're not coming? Your eyes get sad and dazed, and then your expression hardens and its like they see the shadows bend to your emotions. Raine digs their fingernails into their palm, and breathes out a shaking breath—they care too much, to take anything away. You don’t sit there for a moment longer, Raine forces themself to watch you walk away and when they no longer can see you—Raine pulls the white cloak over their head and walks in the opposite direction. You were everything Raine wished they could be and so letting you go was the only logical option, it made sense. No matter how twisted it might sound.

You, however, did not fair well after being stood up by the famed Raine Whispers. You were so certain of your feelings, trusting in your heart entirely, and you were wrong. That was the worst part, to feel betrayed by your own heart. In that moment, you felt the shadows become less rigid in your palms and they writhed with the pain you felt. You do not shed a tear, do not allow yourself to stoop to that level.

When you stood on the edge of the stadium, where you'll officially audition for the Emperor's Coven—you hesitate, seeing those vibrant eyes stare back at you. Only they are not there, and you do not care what they think anymore. A witch's duel decides whether you make the final cut, or not— And you have no idea who is going to be on the other side of the arena. Only that you're going to do whatever it takes to win, your hearts not going to rule you this time.

Raine sits in the stands, the ones who try out for the Emperor's Coven are the best of the best—beyond powerful. They don't like them very much, but they at least respect the power that these witches hold. Matches went by quickly, until it came down to the last one. Their breath hitches in their throat as they see you stride to the ring, not daring to step beyond the line just yet. Then across from you, is the witch that attacked them; however, in the way you hesitate that tells them that you know your opponent. The witch parallel to you does not hesitate in the same way, instead they smirk and Raine is able to see the way your eyes darken.

They watch you step into the ring, fingers poised, they can see the twitch in your index finger—familiar with the way your illusions conjure without incantation. They wouldn't be surprised if you won long before really showing off, titan really tortures them with your memory.

You almost thought about walking out of the duel when you realized the witch you'd be fighting was one of your childhood friends, someone you admired—now it is you or them. And after losing Raine, you weren't losing this duel.

At first, you do not move even as your opponent conjures a ring of abomination goop—you pop your lips, watching the goop mold into abominations. "Useless." You taunt, popping your lips as you raise your hand. "My turn though." With a flex of your fingers, the shadow of your opponent comes to life and twists around them. And where Raine expected the illusion to break with the contact, they see the other witch struggle against the bonds.

They lean forward in anticipation, in only a matter of days—you managed to weaponize your illusions. Although Raine isn't even sure how that's possible. However, the shadow does break eventually as you relax your hand—your opponent dusts off their shirt, sneering. Yet you do not seem affected by their ill will, you seemed above it all. An unwavering force of nature, the only reason why Raine even came to these stupid tryouts.

"Is that all you've got!?" The other witches voice is staggering, if it had form—Raine imagines that it would be stumbling across the ring, barely even able to reach your ears.

Both your hands twitch, waiting—you are patient and your opponent is not, they seem impulsive which explains why they attacked Raine last night. They rush and Raine knows, that is the moment when they decided they were going to lose. If they had just waited you out, or hesitated just a little, then they stood a chance. Rushing up on the attack, it opened them up to whatever hell you had planned.

Your hands fly into the air, drawing shadows from the crowd—bleeding the arena of all darkness and watching it snake quickly to your opponent. It wraps around them, engulfing the witch completely and yet despite obviously winning—you do not let up. Your gaze is downcast, eyes resembling the very darkness you control so expertly.

In that moment, Raine no longer recognizes you anymore.

In most cases, Raine would be comfortable leaving their past in the past. Happy to not have to worry about any of it anymore, but you are someone that Raine has yet to move past. A rigid thought and cruel reminder of what it means to sacrifice everything, for someone else. They let you go, and now they imagine that the lines have been drawn too deep and too long to ever be crossed again. They imagine that you are long gone, just a memory.

You had won your duel and took your place in the Emperor’s Coven—you were the fear factor, the one they sent when witches needed to be controlled. You were an all-powerful, silencing shadow and void that consumed free will when you arrived. You became terror incarnate.

When Raine catches themselves thinking of you, they revert to the hate they have for what the Coven has turned you into and in part, the blame shifts to them. Had they chosen differently, been braver—maybe you never would have become this.

Yet now, you walk into rooms and where you used to be the friendly face to most—witches scurried away after curt hello’s, and you had no smiles to give them in return. A glare here. A tense nod there. Sometimes when you were giving a thinly veiled threat, some could see the remnants of a smirk. The ghost of excitement and enjoyment, but it never lasted more than a second.

The Boiling Isles had become the center of your isolation—a burning urge to be alone because no wants you nearby. Where you went, fear simply followed in your wake. Others in the Emperor's Coven were jealous of Belos' trust in you. So in the end, that's what it came down to—did they fear or hate you?

In some ways, that's the way you liked it.

The lonely nights were a comfort, and when others cried for their losses. You simply enjoyed the solace in your lack of the things that other people treasured. Too many years of disappointments had left you callous and cruel, like a true shadow.

You lean heavily on the rails of the stairway, cloaked in your shadowy minions—watching below as guards pass by. Eyes judging the expressions of strangers, most of their names were simply unknown.

'Y/N... Come to me...' You do not respond, simply adjust your posture and head to the throne room. For actions speak louder than words when it comes to the emperor.

"Sir." You assert, hands tucked behind your back and head bowed in reverence. If one saw you now, they would be certain that the shadows had cut your face in half.

'I am sending you on a special mission.' You nod, the code is simple—it is your job to make someone go away. 'Lillith...' Before, you qualified her as one of your only friends, but betrayal remains once loyalty is broken.

You nod.

Only for the first time, as you leave the throne room and listen to the thud of the doors closing behind you—there is a semblance of doubt.

What is Belos up to?

The answers did not come and as you watch your prey—hidden in the shadows that have never left the bitter taste of betrayal. You hesitate. Lillith was never jealous, a bit of a kiss up, but you liked her. And when she had to make the choice, she chose the one that protected the greatest bond she had—her sister. You couldn't blame her for that. Couldn't fault her.

You bite down on the inside of your cheek and turn away. The Isles had one thing wrong. You were not a monster.

'Why does Lillith still live?' You bow your head in respect.

"I trust your vision for the Isles... But I fear we must contain ourselves; Lillith knows many and for Unity Day to work—we must placate." He believed it, for you had given him no reason to doubt. However, the seed of your own doubt had been planted.

As your pen hovers above the parchment, the letters seem to wrap themselves in thread and tie themselves all up in knots. You can hardly seem to come up with the right words. 'Unity Day will be the end of the Boiling Isles.' Tremors apparent, you fold it into a neat little square and pass it along to the shadowy bird. With hope, it'll find its way to the leader of the Bard Coven.

The minty haired bard had little give left at the council—few were forward thinking and the other half had some of the worst personalities. They were hardly representative of the people, but after a long day of deliberation, no decisions had been made. Raine had reached a bit of a limit, and the quiet of his rooms after such a long council meeting—it was reassuring.

Raine could hear the slight tap before they saw the bird, the small sound echoes in the silence. Only in silence did noises echo like that. And as soon as the window is open, the bird had dropped the paper into their palm and disappeared in a puff. Gone.

While not the message they hoped for, the cryptic note reassured them of one thing: you were still very much in there. That was all they needed to know to get them moving and planning, because Raine trusted you. Even if no one else would.

How much time had passed? More than enough for Raine to have begun planning, but no whispers had come your way. It was quiet. That same quiet was filled with orders to force witches into covens, and kill if they did not comply. I her did you go wrong?

You knew it was coming, that the bad was beginning to bleed into the Boiling Isles, but it should not have gotten this far. You let it get this far.

You approach their rooms with care, sheltered the nighttime darkness and the long shadows of the halls. Lights few and far between the further you were from the center. Raine was the only good one you knew of, despite it all—even you know that much.

“Y/N?” Raine had not said your name out loud in a decade, the gentle hum of their voice made your name sound like a song. You glance around, no one is near—so when they prop open their door enough for you to slip inside, you do so quickly.

Heart racing, it pounds heavy in your chest—stomach tucked right up there with it, all twisted up in a knot. Even with your expression so calm, they could see the conflict existing within your eyes—it baffles Raine.

How dark you seemed, but you were beginning to seem warmer and now this visit, has them certain that you are still good. "We need to talk." Raine nods, a twinge of fear or maybe nerves in the way they keep their distance. You weren't sure what it was.

Because the truth is, this is the first time you have spoken to them since that day. Sometimes they still wonder if things would be different if they would have showed up? Could have prevented the way your eyes lost a lot of what used to make them so bright.

"I figured." You nod, just watching them, they seem the same, limber and full of life. That same energy in their steps, like music constantly existed beneath their feet. The ghost of a smile, and red warmth to their cheeks.

"Yes, well Unity Day is a trap; our sigils bind us to our coven, to the magic shared between us—it's like a lock and a transmitter all at once. When the Unity spell is active, our magic isn't going to get stronger—Belos plans to absorb all the magic through the Coven heads." You speak quick and hushed, even in privacy, you fear the prying ears of strangers. Never lingering on any one syllable for too long. "Raine, I could be executed for even sduggesting any of this to you. Let alone telling you it all." Their green eyes widen exponentially more than before, you see the way they adjust—shifting theier weight.

You used to know them so well, knew every movement and reaction. You don't know them anymore.

"No one will know. I would never do that to you." You believe them, and in that moment of trust, Raine sees more of you. The old you and the new you aren't so different at all. The way your eyes soften for them, the way the corner of your lips twitches and then shift your gaze to the floor.

"Belos is counting us not being able to band together." While the covens aren't exactly at war, or in poor connection—animosity always exists when there is a divide amongst witches. "He put his money on me not saying anything." His good little soldier. A bubble of shame, because as you avert your eyes the thought of this all being Raine's fault crosses your mind.

But now you know, the choice was yours to make alone.

You were the one who joined the Emperor's Coven to prove a point to yourself, and only partially was that about Raine.

"I could have told him that he bet wrong." You were their crush, this force of nature. You were not the first to notice Raine but were the first to choose them. The way they say it, the sweet words that roll of their tongue like honey so smooth. They would bet on you making the right choice.

"Yeah..." You know the memories are right there in the back of your mind. Close enough to touch. To see.

"So, what's the plan?" There is a pep in their step, Raine seems so full of hope, and you question if you made the right choice putting them in danger once again.

You felt the potent taste of fear, strong and undoubtedly nothing you expected to pain you so much. It's been a long time since you had Raine at your side, but this is first time you're afraid to lose them. The feeling from before are more loud than quiet, more colorful, and more tender. You feel their thumb brush over your coven sigil, "I don't like that you're going up their alone." You smile, your sweet Bard...

Perhaps forgiveness was easier to attain than you thought possible. To hold it against them, it would be a crime to turn your cheek to their kindness. To their devotion. Their love. Especially when meeting their eyes is inherently what brings you peace.

"Not alone. Eda will be up there, and Darius... And you won't be far." Even you know that does little to comfort them. "I'll be okay." You smile once again and let yourself drift close, letting them guide you into their arms.

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