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 Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:14 pm
DAY 1 TASK
The ecstatic shadow danced towards the opening that the goddess had created for her. Personally, created for her, mind you. That's why she was so excited- she had been hand selected by the goddess to complete a special, individual task.
It was heaven.
Perhaps hell.
Inside the selected area sat three doors, ones that seemed very familiar to her. The symbols rang and pulsed with recognition, but Igny knew nothing. She stared at the doors with fervor, attempting to discern some meaning from them. The black spires reflected her thoughts in silence, not responding to her at all.
Which one was the goddess' secret lab? They all looked the same to her. Was this a test maybe? "Um, excuse me Miss-" She peered back through the crack she'd entered through.
Silence.
"I ... understand!" She didn't. Igny didn't understand at all, but clearly the goddess was testing her. You didn't fail tests.
Looking back at the doors, she bit what would have been her lip. Which did she choose? The pumpkin left a sour taste in her mouth, one that resonated with memories she didn't possess. The sigil in the middle door matched the one on her forehead. A hand went to touch the red spiral. It felt warm. Familiar. Home.
She didn't bother looking at the third door in great detail. It wouldn't be remembered.
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:10 pm
Cheers erupted as she burst through the door, and Igny was almost tempted to curtsy out of politeness. Faces blurred past her as she took tiny steps towards her goal. They shouted a name, one that didn't belong to her, yet she took it as praise nonetheless. Most faces disappeared into nothingness, a blather of a word and a song, but a few stood out among others. A woman with beautiful black and white hair. A man with a hooded veil. A girl holding many knots. A man with a bow.
Most starkly stood out a man with a black ponytail, cool cyan eyes staring at her intently. Unlike the others, he didn't cheer. He watched her calmly, almost curious.
His curiosities were soon forgotten as the figures disappeared, as though figments of her imagination. Igny shook her head, baffled by the strange addition to her personal narrative.
Darkness befell her. A war flashback to when she'd first formed here, alone and in the cold. Instantly she felt infinitely smaller, a feeling she'd come to know well here. Only her own pulsing heart gave a light in the darkness, and even that did nothing to light the path in front of her. Only her footsteps and her hands moved forward, shaping the darkness in front of her like a potter at his wheel.
The first impression was a strange one. A bump on her head, and a crash of the crate. It thumped to an odd rhythm, almost in time with her own heart. She wasn't sure if she liked this box.
There was a piece of fabric sticking out. Igny was happy to see cloth, cheered even by the sight of it. She felt a great urge to create herself a little dress out of it, using the scissors she'd been given. The shape was wrong though, strangely fit for the box. It wasn't quite right- something was unsettling about it.
With a great crash if fell back into the box, leaving Igny stunned. "Oh no oh no!" she panicked, leaping up to the top of the box. If that had been set up by the goddess, it certainly wasn't supposed to be messed up!
Then she saw it. A soft yellow light pulsing through the fabric. It looked like sunshine on a cloudy day, or warm melted butter between two layers of fabric. It was a heart, not unlike the one beating heavily on her chest. The goddess' words echoed in her head. She needed this. It was her task.
"I see..." Igny concluded, holding up her scissors. "If it is what the goddess wishes."
Slowly, and with utmost precision, Igny began cutting. It felt so comfortable and normal to cut fabric that the task was no difficulty at all. Perhaps the goddess had blessed her with abilities? "Oh thank you!" she cried out, confused as to why she was so elated to cut pieces of fabric and strings.
Medea. A whisper in her ears. She ignored it. It grew louder. It was a scream shouted across her ears, to the point where Igny was crying as she cut the fabric. Any jubilation she'd had moments before was gone, stolen by the screams on the wind in her ears.
SNAP.
The heart ripped free into her hand, thumping one last, sad time. Of all things, it seemed to be disappointed in her.
Igny felt sick.
She quickly threw the heart into the bag she'd been carrying, ignoring everything else she felt in the pit of her stomach.
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:41 pm
The hallway seemed to twist as she walked away, disorienting her. Was it her nausea or the feeling of absolute dread that kept her from moving quickly? Perhaps it was the paranoia that something more sinister would be waiting for her at the end of the hallway.
Sick sloshing sounded from behind her. "Please give it back." Igny stuttered, nearly tripping over her feet. Turning, she saw nothing.
Squish.
Water filled the plaza, nearly drowning her. Igny held back a scream, seeing it as it was a sign of weakness. She had friends depending on her, the goddess looking after her. There was no need to scream or be afraid. The goddess would protect her.
""Please give me back my-" Igny turned. It was too late.
Hands were upon her, teeth jarred in a sickening fashion. "Give me back my heart."
Memories flooded Igny's head. The gentle smile of the priestess. The quiet gaze as she walked through the camp, inspecting their work. Resounding notes as Medea called battle orders against the humans, looking valiant as ever above them all in Disneyland.
She was their gentle leader, one who Igny had sworn to follow diligently. No ... not Igny. It was-
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Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:49 pm
Everything happened so quickly. Scissors were plunged into the body before her, Igny staring at the foreign creature with a horror-struck expression twisting and contorting her face in a scream.
Or was it the figure screaming?
The water receded, thick gushes of it disappearing into nothingness. Igny collapsed on the ground, retching up water from the depths of her stomach. The water mixed with tears and guttural cries, guilt mixing with terror. What had she done? Was this worth the goddesses' blessings?
As if on cue, there was light. A cathartic light poured into the area, comforting her. It was okay.
She could leave.
The figure wasn't there. It couldn't be. She convinced herself of that.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:28 pm
DAY 2 TASK
Once more, Igny didn't understand. The beautiful goddess was giving her a task, but the cryptic riddle that surrounded them left her confused and unaware of the dangers that lurked before her.
Eat or be eaten.
She mulled on the words for a moment as the dagger was handed to her. Was she being offered a feast? Surely the goddess was just seeing that she was well fed ...
So why did she have such a pit in her stomach?
It was nothing. Igny convinced herself of that. Turning back to the goddess, she nodded slowly. "I-I will do my best, miss goddess!" she confirmed. That was all she could offer after all. Her best. As if responding to her resolve, the tip of her blade began to rust a shining red, burning with her feelings.
"You are ready."
"Thank you." It seemed she could never thank the goddesses enough for their kindness, with the way they were always pouring out blessings. With a gesture of her scythe, the goddess had given Igny all the instruction she needed. The little blue shadow departed through the hole, preparing for her next challenge.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:22 pm
For a moment, she thought she'd died. The white color was so blinding compared to the greys and blacks she'd seen her entire existence that the pure explosion of white took her back a step. She threw her hands over her eyes, blocking out what she could.
Slowly, very slowly, her eyes adjusted and she began to see shapes. A table. A doorway. Simple objects, but Igny was now well aware that everything in these goddess rooms mattered very much. She turned around to where she'd come from, somewhat surprised that the door was open; the first task the door had been firmly shut.
She returned to the first task, fully expecting to see the goddess waiting there patiently, but there was nothing. An empty room greeted her with silence, eerie silence.
Thud.
There was nothing to be had there, so Igny moved back to the first room. The noise startled her, but she expected the goddess. "Have you come to join me?" she asked hopefully. It would be very exciting to do a task with the goddess herself!
Thud.
There was a small figure behind her. "Oh um. Hello friend! Are you here to-" It lurched forward, picking up speed with each step. Scrapes sounded across the ground, and Igny could see ... were those ...
Her feet were frozen to the ground, too stunned to move. She felt icy claws wrapping around her neck as her eyes widened in horror.
It all happened so quickly. She kicked out with one of her feet, then used the opening to run. She didn't know where she was running to even. She tripped over the table, banging her knee rather harshly. She tried to ignore the throbbing pain as she ran, breath sounding in her ears as the only noise. Well, no, there was one more noise.
Thud.
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:37 pm
Igny bolted, running as fast as she could. There just wasn't time. No matter how fast she ran, it remained behind her, always following.
Thud, thud thud.
She jammed against a door. There was no exit. She needed to find another path. Igny turned, chest heaving and knees shaking. No. No it couldn't end like this.
She stared at the dagger in her hands. No, she promise herself. No more killing when it wasn't necessary. There would be another way.
[ Distance: 45 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:39 pm
While looking for another path, Igny noticed a piece of paper at her feet. Though it was incredibly risky, she picked it up.
A=0, B=1, C=2.
What did that mean? Was it a code? Her hand turned into a fist, crumpling the paper at her side. She didn't have time to deliberate. While she was reading it, the enemy had inched ever closer. No. No no no.
RUN.
[ Distance: 40 feet ] - has rolled a 2 + 4
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:41 pm
Igny kept running. It was all she could do now. She wasn't even aiming for an exit now (though of course, that was the desirable goal) as she was too busy keeping herself away from the enemy. There was just nothing to think about.
Everything blurred. Igny tripped and she could feel herself scream, but it was lost in the memory.
---
She was beautiful. Small, but powerful- everything Ying wanted to be. Power coursed in the Head Priestess' veins and it emanated an aura of control around her.
Ying bowed her head. "Th-Thank you for accepting us into your clan, Miss Medea!" A larger hand fell on her shoulder. She looked up at it, but the face was blurred, obscured by a strange fuzziness. Who was that? Was he important? She? Who?
--
The memory was over. Igny stood up, shaking her head. She had no time to be confused. She had to run.
[ Distance: 35 feet ] - has rolled a 2 + 4
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:42 pm
She looked back down at the piece of paper.
"Um ... um ... 3 ... 4 ..." She remembered the lock suddenly. This was a key! It was a key!
In the moments she'd figured it out, the figure sped up. Right! She had to keep moving!
[ Distance: 30 feet ] - has rolled a 2 + 4
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:43 pm
Another memory blurred her vision. She shook her head. No. It wasn't the time. It overtook her anyways.
The same scene played. Medea accepting her, warm eyes falling on the twosome. The same obscured face, to Igny's confusing. A girl. Her.
[ Distance: 25 feet ] - has rolled a 2 + 4
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:43 pm
Up ahead, there was another piece of paper on the ground. Aha! She paused to pick it up, running as she compared the two. 0 2 ...
What about the others?
OH. If she continued ...
Yes! Yes! "0 2 4 5!" Igny called out. Now she just had to find the door. Door, door. Where had it been.
After much running Igny, she found the door. She fumbled the code the first time, anxiously panicking as the figure continued running behind her. "Focus Igny! Focus!" The second time, she took a deep breath and entered the code. Perfect!
With a click, the door opened and Igny ran, slamming it behind her. She'd never been so glad to leave a building.
Thud.
[ Distance: 25 feet ] - has rolled a 2 + 4
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:37 pm
Igny had never been so glad to see the outdoors. The trees of the forest- it was beautiful. Every leaf looked three times crisper, every branch was a work of art.
Thud.
STILL?! Igny panicked, hiding behind a tree. Her back pressed against the bark so tightly she could feel it making grooves and marks against her shadowy skin. She tried to quiet her breath, but she was panting so hard it was near impossible. Instead she clapped a hand over it, trying not to scream.
"Give me back my heart!."
She shook her head, just a millimeter, but it was enough. The figure's head snapped in her direction, a thick white smile forming on her tiny face. She had no choice.
Her feet pounded against the ground, panick written in every flick of movement. Finally she made it to a bridge. It was old, rickety. Just like on top of the Aether Cliffs. Igny felt her heart soar at the sight of it. She could do this! It was just like the cliffs. Igny shut her eyes tight and began walking across it.
Thud.
The noise startled her, causing her eyes to open for only a moment.
It was enough.
The wind blew and Igny was frozen. Terror, cold. It was so hopeless.
The figure was upon her with no way for her to escape. This was the end. She watched as the two white, emotionless. Hands curled around her head, pinkies barely dusting her ears. "Don't worry. It only hurts once." Oddly, Igny felt no screams rising in her chest. Just a dull thud in her chest, which she shortly recognized as her own heart.
SNIP.
Deep, antagonizing pain. Then nothing.
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:01 pm
DAY 3 TASK
"Yet, you are still so little."
Igny was insulted. Hurt, but she didn't know ow to respond. After all, it was true. What did one do with a true statement?
Oh my. It was a goddess. Igny's expression fell immediately, slack-jawed from surprise. She was beautiful, of course, like the other two. Igny stared in aw as the woman welcomed into her presence. "Oh! Um, hello. Make yourself at Home."
"Is here okay?" Igny asked awkwardly.
"Cookie?"
Igny blinked in surprise. It was no answer to her question, but it would have been rude not to accept. To receive a gift from the goddess was wonderful, after all. She awkwardly scraped one from the goddesses pan, munching on it slowly as the woman talked. "I'm glad you could make it! Those others they weren't meanies to you right? I love you most. You love me too right?"
"Oh! Well um. Yes I-"
"Oh, I know! I have a great idea. How about experiencing what love feels like? Love, joy, happiness, despair, hatred, they are all important emotions! We can make the most beautiful tea party together." Igny blinked, caught off guard by the goddesses quick, rapid sentences. She couldn't even get a word in, but she did nod enthusiastically.
Gates opened behind her and Igny gasped at the magic. It was still amazing to her how powerful the goddesses were.
"Go on.Oh, I'm so curious to see what beautiful emotions you will make!"
Igny gulped and stretched the fabric around her neck. She didn't want to disappoint ... Right! She could do this ... Right ...
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:04 am
Igny wandered through the gates to find a strange table set out for her. She took a moment to gasp and admire the white flakes floating to the ground. How magnificent the goddess was! To create a beautiful scenery like this out of the void ... it was nothing short of magic!
Two jars sat in front of her. One was pink, the other blue. It was an easy choice for Igny. The blue one reeked of sadness, of times past and harsh, cold realities. The pink one was much more peaceful to her, serene even. There was a tiny tag on the pot- Drink me. Of course! What else could she do? Her hands fell on the Pink Jar and she arced it backwards to taste the warm honey liquid.
Beside the teapot sat two treats. A fancy cake, and an ordinary biscuit of a cookie. This was also an easy choice. She left the cake for the goddess- the beautiful lady deserved nothing short of the best, most beautiful cake. She, instead, took the pawn's food- the simple cookie. That was her place in life, taking the simplistic route; sacrificing for those who were undoubtedly better than her.
A raw scratch itched in her throat and Igny realized after indulging on the cookie, she needed something to wash the irritability away with. Tea sat on the table, with a few teacups laid out for her. "Oh! How thoughtful," she mused. It was just like the wonderful goddess to provide her a gift right when she needed it. She took tiny sips from the white teacup, smiling rather pleasantly at the taste. It was warm oolong, the scent she'd smelled way back in the World's Edge when she was still collecting fragments. How far away that seemed now.
The liquid in her cup rippled and Igny peered down at it, perplexed by the clear defiance of physics. "Interesting," she said thoughtfully, watching the tea settle once more.
All at once the tea rippled once more, and she felt the familiar wooziness of a memory taking over her senses.
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