Welcome to Gaia! ::

As it turned out, he didn't in fact know very many songs, but singing the few he did know, even if only in the confines of his own head, gave him a bit of a boost, enough to help him get further. He glanced up just for a moment, bracing himself on the wall, and thought he might be, perhaps, close to half way there. Whatever, or wherever there was.

Westus stopped for a moment, peering up the stairs with a frown. How tall was this place? And if he could hear The Voice from here, surely he didn't need to go any further.

The top of the tower loomed close. Almost there. His chest drew tight with eagerness. His footfalls landed harder as he hurriedly climbed, shaking loose and weakened steps. Kiwi faltered a moment, and his grip tightened about the fan. Haste makes waste.

He lightened his steps and continued forward.

This new door had her letting out a sigh that nobody could hear, before she stepped through it and continued on her way up. She was disappointed and faintly alarmed to find that in this area, not only could she not hear, but now she could no longer speak as well (not that it really mattered when there was nobody to listen).

Still, she was done with the silence. Despite how weary she was beginning to feel, she knew that she had to press on.

He was starting to consider counting how many swear words he knew when he heard The Voice again, louder, closer, but stranger. It didn't tug at the depths of his heart strings so much as it once had, and it's sense of power was... not gone but weaker.

He pursed his lips and resolved only to march on. Thrown away? He'd already been thrown away. His kingdom was rubble, he'd been told they weren't good enough, they were the lesser toys to begin with.

Anything could be his? A kingdom of his own? He touched his fingers to the bridge of his nose, which still ached, but it ached less than the desperate promises thundering in his head.

He could be a king, could he? He could be a king of ashes and lies The lies might sparkle, the ashes might be a beautiful and subtle thing... but that would be all they were. He would be a useless king. A king of nightmares and games for a terrible child, watching his people bashed together like someone smashing toy soldiers.

Better to just be ash. He was already wearing gray. He'd fit right in.

Now was just a time for silent thought, it seemed. A time to ponder, and to come up with conclusions regarding her own fate. But she did not wish to do this. Not now, at least. So instead, she concentrated on those others who climbed with her, on their silent footfalls, on their movements.

......When she got out of here, the first thing she was going to do was scream. Just because she wanted to.

He considered stopping this futile climb again, he had even crouched down to take a seat when the booming voice sounded in his head once more.

Remember your Kingdom, and why you were created into this world. Without it you will be lost.

No, he tried to say, bringing a hand to his throat when nothing came out. Silence. He had forgotten his sacrifice somehow.

Westus watched the fragments and kings climb around him. And where was she? The one who had seemed to know what he was. He hoped she was far away from here.

His pace slowed even more. What was he doing?

He had to get to the top, but he was so weak. Why was he so weak?

It pissed him off.

A guttural sound died in his throat due to the lack of speaking and hearing, and he took more steps forward, nearly stumbling.