Waking the Past

Bajie let out a slow breath as he knelt beside the ancient elven sarcophagus, his fingers hovering just above the intricate carvings. Velassa's name was etched into the stone, the letters softened by time but still clear. He had been bracing himself for what he’d find—whether she’d be gone, or worse, found by someone else—but here she was, untouched, still lost in the ageless slumber of their kind. His gut twisted. He had been avoiding this moment for centuries, but now there was no more running, no more excuses. He wasn’t about to let Tevinter be the one to wake her. That was a cruelty even he wasn’t capable of.

He traced the sigils meant to break the enchantment, fingers tingling as ancient magic stirred in response. His other hand rested on the hilt of his blade, a habit he hadn't shaken in the twenty years since he’d awakened. He wasn't sure which he feared more—Velassa waking up enraged at him, or waking up and realizing Tevinter was just as monstrous as the world they'd once tried to escape. A strained chuckle left his lips. Well, Bajie, he muttered to himself, this is either your best idea or the worst one yet.

With a final sigh, he pressed his palm flat against the center of the rune. Light flared, golden and blinding, and the stone beneath his hand grew warm. The air thrummed with power, ancient and familiar, and Bajie swallowed down the unease creeping up his spine. There was no turning back now. Alright, Velassa, he murmured, voice low and steady. Time to wake up.

@Velassa

Velassa had put herself to sleep centuries ago, never had she expected her slumber to last so long. Nor did she prepare for the world she would be waking up to. When Bajie pressed the last rune to wake her, she felt the stale air slide into her lungs to wake her up.

Her head swam with the fresh oxygen her mind reeled, the last thing she remembered was having a fight with Bajie about little flea and yelling at him to leave. She hated change but she could do this alone if she had to. When her eyes finally cracked open she saw Bajie sitting there staring at her, she sat up still wearing her armour. She blinked a few times and tried to clear her throat but it was too dry to speak.

She looked for her water canteen but could not see it, she was sure she had brought it with her, maybe someone had robbed her while she slumbered. Then her thoughts jumped to the sword she reached for it and sure enough, it was there along with her staff. She calmed and sat up out of the coffin-like bed, she held out her hand for his help and she climbed out.

Her limbs were stiff and ached from the long slumber, she saw he carried a water canteen and reached for it opening it up and taking a sip. The water felt good on her dry throat, she cleared her throat a few more times before speaking. "Why have you woken me?" was all she said, Was all she could think to say.

Bajie rocked back on his heels, watching her like a man bracing for a punch. Not that he’d blame her. He rubbed at the back of his neck, letting out a breath through his nose before finally answering.

Oh, you know, just missed the sound of you yelling at me. Thought I’d ruin your beauty sleep and relive the glory days.

His smirk was weak, barely there, but it was something. Truth be told, he hadn’t prepared for this moment. Not really. A few centuries was a long time to let guilt simmer, to twist and warp into something ugly. And yet, here she was. Real. Awake. Glaring at him like she could set him on fire with a look alone.

You look good for a corpse, by the way, he added, nodding toward her armor. Same outfit and everything. Bet you smell delightful, too.

She was still staring. Of course she was. The weight of her silence pressed down on him harder than any battlefield. His fingers drummed against his knee before he finally sighed, all pretense of humor draining away.

Couldn’t let the Vint’s find you, right pretentious lot that bunch, they have a proclivity for putting our lot into slavery.

@Velassa