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 Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:22 am
DAY 1 TASK
"The Goddess, wrought with Paranoia, created ====, her last and final project before ====. It was then that she discovered how to replicate ====."
Aima had many questions. She was suspicious of this place, of the place she'd come from. Nowhere felt like home. It felt like she was endlessly floating from place to place, scavenging the land for treasure and enemies, and fighting to become a goddess.
Which was a curious task in and of itself. Becoming a goddess. She was instructed to receive blessings, but what did that mean? Was she supposed to just blindly follow the tasks she was given?
With disgruntled suspicion, Aima listened to the yellow goddess. She watched as she was handed a gift of nothing, quietly making note in the back of her head how bizarre it was that an all powerful goddess should need help with a simple task as "getting a part." It was all too convenient. Suspicious.
Maybe it was just paranoia.
Aima followed her line of thinking, biding her time for when she could attack. Aima didn't trust this goddess, and there was more than one way to take power. If she killed her ... then maybe ... maybe ...
The opportunity wasn't given. She was shoved through a doorway before she could protest the action. It was dark once more. "I'm getting tired of the darkness," she mused to no one in particular.
The looming darkness before her opened up to three doors. To her left sat one that glowed with a soft orange. It smelled of cinammon and good thoughts- Aima immediately discredited that one. Way too suspicious. The second sat upon an angry red mark, one that turned Aima off completely. There was no way you could get her in there.
Which left the third door.
She entered.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:51 pm
Aima, as she had stated earlier, was tired of darkness. It didn't even scare her anymore; now it was a friendly companion that occasionally fancied joining her and occasionally disappeared somewhere to tend to its own errands. The silence meant nothing to her, her thoughts filled the void. Questions bombarded her, but she was learning to phase them out, in the same way she phased out the whispered name in her ears. It was an oddly bleak setting for such an extravagant goddess. She vaguely wondered if it was so empty because the goddess had sent her to her death.
Turning around, she realized the door was gone. So she was indeed being sentenced to death. "So I had to be dealt with in an underhanded way like this, hm?" She found it nothing but amusing. An all powerful goddess subject to underhanded deeds such as this.
There was nothing to do but walk. Aima did so, feeling her way down the dark hallway. Eventually, she bumped into the crate. There was an arm sticking out from the top of it. She assumed this was what the goddess had meant. Perhaps the test was still going? If this was death, it was a very strange way to go.
Moving closer, she pushed the arm lightly, checking to see if the person (or something else) was alive or dead. Rather than respond properly like an arm should, it fell back into the crate. All at once, the thumping and whispering that sat in her ears disappeared altogether. "Well that's a relief."
She waited a moment or two, to see if it was a trap. After letting out a long breath of air, she realized she would have to blindly dig around in the crate. It was risky, but what else was there to do?
Immediately she knew the texture. It was squishy, but thick. Rubbery.
Flesh.
Thump-thump.
The beating had started once more and Aima wasn't too pleased. It was annoying. The goal of this exercise was relatively obvious. She had scissors. She knew what was asked of her.
Aima never thought herself a killer. It was wrong that the goddess asked this of her. Yet she wouldn't be able to get out of here otherwise.
The scissors came down, stabbing into the figure. It screamed her name- not her name, another name, but she knew it was hers. Aima would never forget the banshee's scream that sounded in that crate, the frantic clawing at the box as she stripped away flesh and bone. Tears stung in her eyes, but her face remained expressionless. She locked it away, this feeling, this task. It wouldn't be brought up again.
The heart was removed. It remained beating, even in her hand, glowing a dull red as she put it in her bag. With a soft thunk the deed was done, and the heart had ceased beating.
---
"Ami."
Light. It was too bright. She couldn't wake up yet.
"You have to eat sometime, love."
---
It was good. Aima found herself sitting with a smile as she returned, understanding now that she was related to Ami. That girl she'd seen in the memory was the key to understanding this. The goddess had taken this memory for a reason, and she needed to figure out why.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:09 pm
Water up to her neck. Aima was, admittedly, panicking. What could she do when she was drowning, clinging to a heart as though it was her last life line.
Then even the air disappeared. It went silent for a moment, the water overcoming her senses. She knew who was pulling her down. It was him. It was the man in the dream.
Aima would fight. She recoiled back, stabbing the figure with the scissors. Breaking the surface, sound returned. Screams mixed with loud gasps for air, limbs thrashing in cold, black water. They weren't her screams. They were his.
The scissors fell to the ground, where they hit softly as the water receded. The door opened. Aima left.
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:20 pm
DAY 2 TASK
"You cannot escape forever."
Aima glared at the woman with disgust as she spoke. The curve of her lips curled downwards in distinct frown. She said nothing, biding her time. Instead she was using the time to observe, taking in details and possible weaknesses. Asking questions of herself and of the red goddess.
"You must face your Fears. Eat or be eaten. That is the way of it here. Were it another time... I wonder which one you would be?"
"What do you mean?" Aima asked flatly. Was the goddess toying with her? The way she spoke so casually about eating made Aima feel as though the goddess was about to swallow her alive. When the goddess swooped down from her little perch in the sky, Aima couldn't help but take unsteady step backward, rolling on the ball of her heels, unsure of what to do next as her suspicions were being confirmed. The goddess stopped inches before her, Aima's breathing picked up.
"I wonder indeed. Perhaps we shall solve this little mystery? Take this." A dagger was presented before her, but Aima didn't accept it. It could have easily been a trap. It was no secret that Aima was not on the goddesses' side- she wasn't going to accept a gift from one so easily.
The goddess spoke once more. "That should be more than enough. You will need to learn to fend for yourself, to take on your challenges and judge for yourself what it means to sacrifice. That is the only way you will become stronger, else you'll fall prey to someone greater still." Aima looked at the dagger with dissatisfaction.
"No. I won't be a sacrifice," Aima refused. Absolutely not. She wasn't going to become some goddesses' play thing. "Sacrificing for the greater good-" what kind of bullshit was that?
The blade began to rust, glowing a dull red at the tip. It soon became clear that Aima wouldn't be able to leave unless she took it. The logic went through her head that if she didn't take it, the goddess might just stab her through and turn her into a sacrifice by force. Aima at least wanted to be the one to wield the choice.
"You are ready. Go."
Aima was tired of being denied a choice. Of course, this situation, once more, didn't offer her one as the goddess stared her down, waiting for her to go into the opening she'd created. "Fine."
One day. One day she would say no.
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:32 pm
The first thing she felt was cold. It was a chill that crept up her spine and welcomed her to hell.
The expectation was a sea of darkness that she once again had to fumble around. Instead, it was a blinding white. She let it burn her eyes for a moment or two before adjusting to the bright color. Aima felt around, realizing she was on a table. Hands brushed across the wood for a moment, a whisper of a memory tickling her mind.
She stood up, hopping off the desk with a thump of her feet. There was a door. Seeing as there was nothing remaining in this room, she put a hand on the knob and turned.
What had she expected? The goddess? Something else? The hallway was empty as well. There was nothing but the table behind her so she took a few steps forward. Something slammed shut and Aima whipped around.
Silence.
She waited for a few moments, then kept walking.
Thud.
There was something behind her! Aima turned around for the second time, growing frustrated with the mindplay. Nothing. Again, there was just nothing! She growled and turned walking with two fists at her sides now.
Thud.
"FOR THE LOVE OF-" Turning she saw it. A tiny figure, rusty scissors in hand.
Thud. Screech. Thud. SCreEcH.
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:33 pm
"Why do you have to take pictures wherever we go? Can't we just enjoy the scenery?" The question was an exasperated one, but there was a smile playing on her face. She clearly wasn't bothered, too elated with the situation to truly mind.
"Because you're beautiful and I have to capture every second of it."
Ami laughed, spilling some of the water she'd been drinking. The line was just too cheesy for her. She paid for it in karma though, as the water spilled over her white shirt in just the ... most opportune of places.
The camera flashed, clicking rapidly.
"Adam!"
"I have to get the bad too!"
Laughter faded into the white room, Aima found herself on the floor. What had that been? Who were those people?
[ Distance: 45 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:36 pm
There was a piece of paper on the ground, and Aima was intelligent enough to know that in a building with no discernible features, it was probably important.
A=0, B=1, C=2
It was a code. Aima knew this sort of thing. But what part did it go to? Were there letters or numbers somewhere? What did it mean?
[ Distance: 40 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:39 pm
Her eyes glanced down to the paper. Had there been numbers in the first room? Damn, she should have taken the time to examine the table more thoroughly. It might have been written on the underside or something.
There was no time now, just running and heavy breaths.
[ Distance: 35 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:40 pm
Her vision blurred once more. She thought she might have let out a scream, but it was hard to tell with her consciousness fading fast.
"Can you do the dishes tonight? I have a paper to write."
"Can't you just get one of your shadow friends to do it?" By the smarmy grin on his face, it was a joke, but it fell flat. Ami's hand caught on the door, mouth a thin line in frustration.
The grin fell from his face. A stagnant silence followed shortly, its stench filling the air with awkwardness. "I got it," he said tiredly, standing up from the couch where he'd be working. Time returned and Ami went through the door, more unsure of herself as she was the day before. The ring around her finger felt heavy.
[ Distance: 30 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:43 pm
Aima shook her head, shaking the memory. Why always that man and that girl? A thought occurred to her. Perhaps the goddesses weren't in control of her memories at all. Perhaps Ami was the one trying to communicate with her.
She didn't have time to dwell on it. Another piece of paper sat on the ground, and she lurched forward to grab it.
A C E G
That was it! That was the key. Feeling a sudden burst of energy, she bolted to the door, slamming her hand on the keypad. It opened. The door was ajar. She let out a gasp of surprise and joy. Freedom!
[ Distance: 30 feet ]
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chiickadee rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:46 pm
The outside smelled fresh, clean. It was a different kind of clean than the building. This was a natural smell, a comforting one.
Thud.
No. She was supposed to be free. A sick smile came across her face. "So she's not done with me," Aima muttered to herself. No, it was like the red goddess had said.
You can't escape forever.
"GIVE ME BACK MY HEART."
Aima shook her head. "
"GIVE ME YOURS INSTEAD!"
She didn't respond, only ran. The trees provided protection for now, but Aima knew it wouldn't last. She needed more permanent shelter or to kill the figure.
Eventually she came to a bridge. For only a moment, she allowed herself to look around for another way across the ravine. No, the bridge was the only way. It would have to do. Aima didn't hesitate, just ran; feet pounding against wood as the wind roared- it was hell.
SNAP.
One of the boards broke, leaving her foot captured. She turned back, seeing the figure's head snap at the noise. It was on her trail now. "s**t s**t s**t," she whispered, eyes widening at the dire scenario. There was only one option.
Guttural screams rang through the air as the rusty blade met flesh. It hurt. The pain screamed up her leg, rocking her entire body with the agony. It wasn't done. She had one more swing.
By the time the leg broke free, her face was contorted with tears and her entire body was shaking. She didn't have time to be injured. She had to run. The great fault of Aima's was that she would do whatever it took to live. Bow her head at the feet of enemies, undergo the most painful tasks.
Even cut off her own foot.
She hobbled away, each step on he right foot hurting more than the next. The foot was trying to regenerate itself, but it wasn't quick enough. Tears soon mixed with sweat as she ran, ran as fast as she could. She had to escape.
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chiickadee rolled 1 6-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:47 pm
End of the road.
There was a rickety house, mist curling along the bottom in welcoming. Aima didn't want to go in. Whatever the reason, it sat like a pit in her stomach- that place wasn't safe.
The figure was behind her.
The dagger glowed angrily in respond.
Now or never.
Aima screamed, running forward to face the figure tete-a-tete. Her spear was gone, her battle partner missing. It didn't matter. She could fight with a dagger; many insanity creatures had already felled to her blade. One more was nothing on her conscious.
Snip.
The scissors connected with her flesh inches before her dagger connected with the figure's. Agonizing pain ripped across her body as she felt the scissors extend within her. Tears now mixed with blood as the figure patted her cheek gently, laying her down to finish his task. "Don't worry. It only hurts once."
Everything felt fuzzy, as though she was viewing the scene through wax paper. Her head fell to the ground, cheek pressing softly into the dirt. From her view, she watched the figures feet pace away, heart thumping lightly in one hand, scissors in the other.
So this was what the goddesses did with traitors.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:41 pm
DAY 3 TASK
Aima stared at the goddess with disdain for the very ground she stood upon. She was all too happy to send her pawns into war. She was just so chipper to have others murdered in her name.
Aima hated this goddess most of all.
"Yet, you are still so little."
It was a blistering comment, one that made Aima's face sour. How dare she. Not only was she happy, she was belittling. Beleaguering. The blue goddess was a monster, created from the great depths of hell and tempered in the water of suffering.
"Oh! Um, hello. Make yourself at Home."
Aima didn't make a single move. She didn't trust this b***h. A shiver went up her spine in premonition.
"Cookie?"
...
The figure seemed perplexed by her actions, confused by her lack of participation. Nevertheless, there was an eerie smile on the goddesses face as she beamed at Aima. It was unsettling for the grumpy shadow.
"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?"
...
Blank eyes stared back at the goddess, completely unimpressed. Aima dedicated herself to the cause at that moment- if she went through with her plan to kill the goddesses, this one was going to be first. That was a fact she was certain of. Though Aima still hadn't decided how she was going to kill them, this poofy little blue one would be first. Her and her damn cookies too.
"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."
"
Despite Aima's begrudging response, a great gate popped up behind the goddess. Iron curled and twisted, linking together to form the iron gates. Hedges sprouted from nothingness, reaching upwards with their leaves to soak up a sun that didn't exist, at least not here. Aima was caught off guard for a moment, but then realized she was being shoved through. "Go on!"
Aima shook her head. "No- No I don't want to-"
"Oh, I'm so curious to see what beautiful emotions you will make!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:14 pm
The gate slammed shut. Aima threw her hands around the bars, shaking them angrily. "Let me out! I am not an animal! You can't cage me forever!" No amount of insults and curses worked. She was stuck. She was cage. It was an interesting feeling, being the goddesses' animal. Their pawn. She spat outside of the gates, disgusting by their actions.
At first, Aima threw a slight temper tantrum, leaning against the gate and blatantly ignoring the goddesses' orders. They couldn't make her do anything. Soon the white flakes piled on her head and she had no choice. She realized if she didn't do it, she'd never leave.
Did she want to leave?
With a sigh, she approached the iron wrought table, seating herself down. There were two jars in front of her. The pink one smelled too sweet. It was somehow wrong, too happy for this place. It reeked of the blue goddess.
She chose the blue jar, only taking a sip of it. She allowed herself nothing more than that- she wouldn't give the goddesses the satisfaction. Treats revealed themselves on the table, but Aima resisted. She wouldn't have more, she promised that.
After a few moments, it became obvious that the goddess wasn't out to kill her. Not in this way anyways. The poison hadn't set in her stomach, hadn't ripped her apart. She was, for the most part, fine.
Chocolate sat on the table, and Aima couldn't resist. The memory tickled that she actually loved chocolate, couldn't resist the stuff at any given point. Her favorite kind was that with the poems on the inside.
It didn't taste good. The chocolate sank in her stomach, weighing her down. She found herself hunching over the table, clutching the edge for support. Water. She needed water. Tea that sat in a grey tea cup would have to do. It was all she had.
She resisted the urge to retch across the surface of the table as the memory took over, dark. Damp rusty. Pain.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:33 pm
Gravity turned, she was laying on the ground. There was blood dripping from her forehead, crusted onto her skin as time went by. Her eyes were glazed over, the spirit lost from her eyes. Defeat.
She was lying in a dungeon, hard dirt was her matress. Rusted bars scattered around her, containing her. It became apparent that she was in a cage after a moment or two. Ami was vaguely aware that the stench of vomit hung in the air, mixing with her own blood and spit. Outsides of the bars, there was a bowl of fruit, bread, cheese. More foods than she could imagine eating in her weakened state. Ants crawled around the food, tarnishing any chance of her eating it. How long had it been then? The last time she'd seen the food, it was pristine. Now there were bugs crawling in it. In her.
The memories took over again. Madeline being impaled through the center with a spear. Wilson being crushed under cars, unable to save him. Tori's disappointed look as friendship ended. The scenes played over and over- time had no place in this area. Medea had sent a curse upon her, and she was forced to watch it play out. Over and over.
Over and over.
Then her own pain took place, sharp as reality set in. The blow to her head was fatal, but the hole on the back of her neck managed to hurt more. A bug had bore its way in, digging away at her skin, crawling up the back of her head. She could feel the blood dribbling down her neck as it ate away at her flesh. It was the one controlling the scenario, she was helpless to its whims. Other holes lay on her skin as bugs crushed her flesh beneath their pincers.
"Reveal to me your path. Fight for them, struggle, and continue to hope." The woman's voice echoed in her dreams, the small one with the coins around her hair. Flowers, brown hair. She was so small, yet so powerful. So few words and Ami was crushed in all meanings of the word.
The dreams faded. The screams disappeared. The hopelessness remained. She didn't move, didn't make an attempt to stop the pain. It had disappeared long ago, numbing her entire body over with agony. From here, all she could see were the ants.
She hated the ants. Those who freely wandered and benefited from her demise.
No, it wasn't hatred.
Hatred required malice, a purpose, an alibi. It was envy that rocked her body to the core. She despised their open freedom, coveted it as her own. She was envious of the tiny bugs, ants she could have crushed in moments, had she not been like this. A thought occured to her.
She was weaker than the ants.
Another scream rocked her body as the dream took over again, the bug biting into another part of her mind. The ants faded, her sight black. In a way, the pain was blissful. It was fake. She felt every moment of it, but no matter how torturous the scenarios were, she returned to the ground, bloody and broken. To the ants. To Envy.
The envy was real and would always be there.
The dream faded and Aima felt herself lean over the table to vomit. That was the goddess' trick. Yes, she definitely despised the blue goddess most.
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