Al slowly followed the staircase downward into the dark abyss. Rep's intense stare left at the top – but Al could still feel him; watching, waiting, judging. It was time to find his partner. The one he will be bonded to forever, sharing the same mind. Rep made it sound so simple, they would bond and then suddenly Al would be far stronger than he’d ever imagined before. He didn't think this would be that straight forward.
The closer Al got to the bottom, the more certain he was that Rep only led him down here to leave him to die. It was dark, secluded, clearly not frequently ventured, and frankly the idea that people – turned weapons – were being stored down here just waiting for someone like him to come and claim them was quite ridiculous. As ridiculous as seeing shadows that aren't there; he frowned distantly.
He was at the bottom now, in a small space with only a single torch to guide him. It certainly felt like a tomb. Only, he felt like he was being watched; watched by a thousand faceless eyes. Were they also judging him?
Al reached out hesitantly to touch a small segment of wall. A distant voice whispered; unpleasant and scolding. The words he couldn't make out, but it was clear this one wasn't for him. His hand continued to explore the mostly aged and untouched tablets; seeking the one for him. Why was it so hard to find? Was this just a prank and they’re simply waiting for him to give up in tears? Should he turn back now, to scold the man who tricked him in the first place?
A howl called out; haunting, but also scared and alone. It was familiar. He remembered a song as distant as it had been; calling out to him, waking him up. Was it the same voice from before? Why was it so quiet now?
He moved deftly along the wall until he was met with a tablet that looked as new as he felt. He could feel it staring back at him, almost expectantly. Was this the one? He wondered as he reached out to touch it. His question wordlessly answered by something desperately reaching out for his thoughts, a sensation he couldn't even begin to describe. It was terrifying – but also strangely of comfort. Like finding a piece of himself he had been searching for all along but simply had not realized wasn’t there.
Al swallowed the terror that stood in his way and grabbed the tablet tightly with his fingertips. He carefully pried it from the wall of lost souls that have not been so lucky this time. As it broke free; it changed. Al had also changed as he stared down the long gnarled staff that his fingers now held. The head at the top stared back unblinkingly even as it spoke to him, clear as day.
“I thought you were meant to be mine?” Al asked out loud.
“Maybe,” Al still wasn’t so sure this was not just some cruel trick.
“My name is Al,” he offered back.
“Okay it’s… it’s… Corbin. But don’t tell anyone, okay?” Al raised his brows expectantly at the inanimate object.
Al glanced back thoughtfully at the single light source in the room, the torch. The swirling crackling flames mesmerizing. He wasn’t fond of the darkness, but the light seemed to always be somewhere to guide him along the right path. Al glanced back at Nuru who was covered in runes that appeared to be glowing violet. He let his fingertips explore them as he distantly wondered meaning. Did meaning really matter right now? He had this new presence inside of him now. He didn’t even know if they… … they are male, right?
“I know so little about any of this,” Al frowned as he inspected the face of the staff next.
“You’re right,” Al confessed as he stared back up the stairs for that new presence he was certain was still judging from afar. It was too far to see.
“But you haven’t even met him ye-“
Well, Al could tell this was going to be fun already. He started back up the steps; new companion and new presence of mind. There was a lot to discover yet, but at least this part of it hadn’t turned out so bad. He thinks.
