{ Baden }

''No matter where I go, it seems to follow me like an inescapable shadow...''

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“We've all lost alot, but even so, there are still things worth fighting for— even dying for.”

— Baden: T̶h̶e̶ ̶A̶b̶o̶m̶i̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ Soul of The Knight.

Writer tag: #BoundlessZ

“My soul will never be in your hands! I, Baden Rayne, will never give into the darkness!”

[۟ @sidereumnoxe]

⠀and i can go anywhere i want.
anywhere i want, just not home.

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

‘So uh- any ideas on what to get Tiki for her birthday..?’

“Ah- I'm.. afraid not, admittedly.. my mind is.. drawing a blank. If we cannot come up with anything, I at least hope that she does not mind the company..”

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

+ alright. . ? These weren’t exactly easy to get a hold of. .’

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

Whilst he was unaware of Minty’s birthday today, he does have a gift for both her and @LxghtsVoice — offering a small white box.

Inside of the small box with ribbon tied around it is what would appear to be an intricate necklace with the appearance of a horse at the center. +

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

+ “This is the Rayne family Crest. I had given mine to Thane prior to parting ways with him on the battlefield. While he isn’t my brother by blood— I still consider him family. So, I wish to give these to you. You both are important to me- like family.”

‘Just don’t lose ‘em, +

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

+ It’s also a reference to his line “No matter where I go, it seems to follow like an inescapable Shadow.” (As well as Phantom Commander, but that’s also related to his abilities.)

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

1. It’s mostly a nod to the fact that Baden was a Knight prior to becoming a Graveborn, (and the name of the of his animatic is Soul of the Knight.) ‘Of Shadow’ being a reference to his ability to summon Shadow clones/Phantoms.

+

[‏َ @MVRPSUPPORT]

⠀

⠀ https://t.co/tU1cAkF4mu

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 〔 #MVRP 〕

⠀⠀⠀⠀Retweet this post if your muse would
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀risk their life for someone else .ᐟ

⠀

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

This is.. not the Minty he's exactly familiar with, but the sight of her laying there motionless on the ground was more than enough to warrant his concern.

Thus, he began to approach.

"Minty..?"

[Minty Belmont @DrxgonMint]

Minty’s curled up not far from her tree, and uh…

…She may not be moving.

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

— his head.

“Tiki?”

The Phantom on the other hand, upon seeing Baden's confusion, grins after a moment, but attempts to hold back its laughter so it remains silent instead.

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“...?!”

An involuntary jolt of surprise— he'd never actually seen her dragon form before- in fact, this is the first time he's seen a Dragon's form at all.

He doesn't exactly register what she just did, thus looking up to her with noticeable confusion and a small side tilt of —

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

@XKnightOfShadow

Going into her dragon form to give him a peck on the cheek!

…He’s a bit tall for her to reach normally-

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

— my stepbrother Kelthur were the two siblings I was closest with.

The others were typically away on the battlefield, or sparring far more than I was.”

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“It is alright..I understand.”

There's a frown underneath that mask of his, one could tell just by the look in even his eyes.

“Most Graveborn lose their memories upon transformation; even my memory of my father has greatly blurred over the years..

My older brother Baron, and —

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

“…My apologies. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”

Tiki’s pointed ears lowered a bit…

“I barely even remember my own father…Lord Gotoh and Ban-Ban were the closest things I had to siblings.”

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“..So it is.

…It is.. not a good day for some.”

Baden replied, before the Phantom spoke up.

‘I dunno, the kids on the Island seem to be doing just fine. Mira even got you something!’

“This is not about me..”

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

“Father’s Day…? …..”

Hmm…

It just made her miss Simon more…

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“A similar circumstance, it seems…”

The Fallen version of Minty was first person he thought of, though he wasn’t sure if she’d view him as a father figure..

The children on the Island of the Banished look up to him at least..

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

“…I see…”

“Minty is currently my only child. And…my only kin still alive.”

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

“..I have a niece named Estrilda, she however is..the only remaining Rayne..

And though Thane is not blood related, I still consider him my brother.”

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

“Do you have…any family? Back from when you were a human?”

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

— her to hug her in return, soon gently rubbing her back in hope that it helps ease the pain as well, even if only a little.

His heart may not beat anymore, cold as he could be— but he was still here.

[{ Baden } @XKnightOfShadow]

Time could only heal so much of that pain.. but never completely— he knew this much. It’s like it leaves an empty space that can’t be filled or replaced. The best he can do for her in this moment is offer what comfort he could.

The knight just as carefully brings his arm around—

[Adult Tiki @LxghtsVoice]

Tiki felt the pain of loss all too well. So many friends and family up in the stars, but…this? This was different.

She shared a vow with this man. A ring. A child.

When she sensed Baden approach and place his hand on her shoulder, the pain seemed to slightly ease. But…it-