Rex was not a smart creature, he did not truly understand all that had happened, or why there must be a battle or fighting. As such, he could not fear death. What he did fear, was hunger (he was still HUNGRY!) and the ground falling out from under his feet. Maybe...maybe if he fought for this kingdom, maybe they'd feed him? Maybe?
Warily, Rex approached the shadow king. His voice was harsh, spoken between hisses.
"I...fight...for you?"
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:55 pm
The loud CRACK! as the black kingdom split in half made him jump, scrambling to recover the cards as the kingdom's ruin interrupted his reading. The Voice brought him up short, forcing him into a stillness as it spoke.
They had fallen. There wasn't much time.
Merope abandoned the remaining cards, scrambling to run. "My king! My king!" He called out, running. Searching.
There he was! "My king!" Merope called out, trying to get his attention. "King! Sire! Your highness!" Why wasn't he paying attention? Merope reached out, grabbing the Shadow King's cape in a gamble. "Aymet!"
AstaraeI
ur peon wishes 2 have a wurd w/u
Quote:
Name: Merope Major Arcana: The Hermit Rank: Dark Herald (Pawn) Current Location: Black Tower - botherin' Aymet HP: 38/40
Physical Description: A Shadow with defining, illuminated teal-blue lines. Much of him is hidden beneath a simple hooded robe. His beastial form is much like his true undead sea serpent form. While as a humanoid Shadow, Merope wields a staff with his draconic form's characteristics complete with a lantern hanging from its mouth.
It was a crack that split deep into the earth, dividing his kingdom down the center. And again, and again, the abyss reached up through the rock and dragged his kingdom down. The rumbling seemed to come from everywhere at once. There was a moment of horror at the base of the tower, Sun's shield in hand. And then he fled, along with what few Shadows now remained, until their feet no longer touched shifting darkness and acidic grey, but merely solid earth. The buildings that twisted out of the rock had started to crumble. Chunks of stone and metal disappeared into the rising grey. Behind them, the tower shuddered, and finally shattered. It was sinking. All of it was sinking. Gone.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" he roared from the precipice of the destruction, an empty gesture of rage. The vision from the chamber flared in his mind, his kingdom, people, his own reflection, all of it erased. His soldiers had brought back plenty of miasma - how could it not have been enough? The kingdom was gone, only a memory now. And yet they were still alive. Displaced, but alive. The Voice had spared them all for a reason: one last great battle, one last chance.
"I don't hide, Advisor." The Shadowlord's blue eyes fixed on the grey pit that had once been their home and empire, before meeting her gaze. Aymet sighed, heavily, and reached out, to grasp her wrists in his heavy hands with surprising gentleness. He seemed exposed them, and in the etching of his shadowy face she could see the regal confidence beginning to fray, giving way to desperation. But it passed in an instant, and just as suddenly he was cold and hateful, a living tool of revenge. "The tournament awaits us. I intend to see it through to the bitter end."
He had looked so tired, so helpless. It was the look of a man who knew he was going to his death.
He let his Advisor go, finally, and moved to gather the group to him. He hadn't taken more than a few steps before something pulled at his cape. There simply wasn't time for this. "What do you want. Speak, Herald!"
Enoh Love
Marushii
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:26 pm
Oh Jack why did he do that? Merope quickly let go of the king's cape as if it burned. This wasn't the Aymet he knew. Then again, who was Aymet? It had been a long time since he had last spoken to Aymet. He remembered that had caught glimpses of him from time to time before, when they were both Awake. His friend had changed. Would Aymet even recognize him? Did it... did it even matter, what he did?
The Hermit drew himself up, mustering his courage as he stared his king in the eye. "When you are crowned High TRUE King, what will you do?"
Merope had to know. It wasn't his place to determine what was best for Aymet. Would his friend be better off locked away in his fantasies? Was there any benefit to waking him up?
A stray thought questioned whether Merope was doing this out of concern for his friend, or for himsel- the thought was quashed quickly as he waited for an answer, trying to hide his trembling form as the King's full stare weighed down on him.
AstaraeI
Quote:
Name: Merope Major Arcana: The Hermit Rank: Dark Herald (Pawn) Current Location: Black Tower - botherin' Aymet HP: 38/40
Physical Description: A Shadow with defining, illuminated teal-blue lines. Much of him is hidden beneath a simple hooded robe. His beastial form is much like his true undead sea serpent form. While as a humanoid Shadow, Merope wields a staff with his draconic form's characteristics complete with a lantern hanging from its mouth.
"I know! I was just gonna suggest--" Amrita trailed off as large, formidable hands grasped her untwisted wrists with a gentleness she hadn't expected. She had tensed for a moment, expecting everything all at once; for him to realize there was something off about her, or perhaps to notice that slight flower mark on the back of her hand and get suspicious. She expected her half-cocked, mostly bullshit last second plan to backfire quickly and easily, and yet that didn't happen. Instead...well, it was a gentleness she had felt before from him, in either world. She was sure of it.
Her glowing yellow eyes drifted, following the line of his arm to his shoulder, neck, and eventually face...just in time to see that look. That exhaustion, that acceptance of his fate...it shot right through her, sinking hard into the memories she had, and the ones created for her in this little farce.
It made her want to fight for him.
His hands left hers, and it was like a breath of fresh air. She shook her head once his back was turned, clearing herself of those strange feelings, of that need to protect this particular shadow. It wasn't Aymet, she told herself sternly, pinching an arm as hard as she could to mock disciplining herself.
"I was just saying...it's, um, unwise for you to---" When she realized it was Merope who drew Aymets attention, Amrita stared at him. What was...what was he doing? Why would he ask that? Didn't he hear what Medea said? What was the point...?!
All these things she kept silent, but she stared at Merope and she stared hard, her yellow eyes narrowed in dislike of the situation. It looked like she would need words with their Herald soon.
OOC
Name: Amrita Major Arcana: The Moon Rank: Eldritch Advisor (Queen) Current Location: Pesterin Aymet HP: 60/60
Physical Description: Shadow creature in torn robes with glowing yellow eyes (idek see avatar)
Aymet didn't even seem to be looking at Merope any more. The shouts and cries of his people had become impossible to put out of mind. His words echoed the same promise he had always had, the one he had held in his black heart since he first took up the throne. "I will avenge this day, and I will destroy everyone who has ever wronged me. The other kingdoms will fall before me. Not even the darkness will remember their existence."
Aymet regarded the the silver who offered himself to the withered kingdom. He could not refuse the offer of help, and the creature had been useful, in his own way. Perhaps he would be of more use as one of them.
"Kneel," Aymet commanded. The silver cast a shadow that reached to his feet. He plunged a clawed arm into that darkness, and it began to move as if it had a life of its own, receding back toward Rex and enveloping him in darkness. The king removed his arm in a fluid motion. In his hand was a silver card that was rapidly blackening, until the entire thing faded. "You are now a soldier of the Black King of Revenge, of the Kingdom of Shadows. I Name you anew... The Devil."
Amon Larethian
REX = PAWN
Molten Tigrex Crew
Shameless Hunter
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Tsunake
Territorial Friend
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:12 pm
"You'd better. You and him, both!" She muttered peevishly under her breath, but Nevena leaned forward to better catch what Amrita was saying. "I'll stay with you. You may be second in command, but he looks like he could rip you in two!" This apparently wasn't meant unkindly, her golden eyes narrowed even as she searched around for wherever the King in question was. The mention of Night--Night, she didn't think she knew that one--made her thin her lips a little, but she gave a tight nod. Very well.
The roar was enough to make her head snap up, her snakes hissing about her head in a frenzy. It appeared the battle would begin soon.
Nevena had very similar feelings on Merope's question, her eyes going wide with outrage before she just barely stopped herself from planting her hands on her hips. Speak very carefully, Herald, and maybe she wouldn't skin you for a rug!
OOC
Name: Nevena Major Arcana: The Hierophant Rank: Dread Cleric (Rook) Current Location: Tailin' Amrita HP: 50/50
Physical Description: Shadowy naga, golden eyes, tall and thin.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:27 pm
He tried very hard to meet the King's gaze. To hold it. Ultimately Merope was a pathetic weakling, and his gaze wavered as the Queen and Rook near the King both leveled glares at him.
Wait. The Queen. Something about her was familiar. Would she understand where he was coming from? Another glance, another glare. It seemed she didn't. Merope forced himself to meet Aymet's gaze again, worried. It seemed that he was alone in his belief that remaining asleep and trapped within a dream was far, far better than being awake and trapped in reality.
Quote:
Name: Merope Major Arcana: The Hermit Rank: Dark Herald (Pawn) Current Location: Black Tower - botherin' Aymet HP: 40/40
Physical Description: A Shadow with defining, illuminated teal-blue lines. Much of him is hidden beneath a simple hooded robe. His beastial form is much like his true undead sea serpent form. While as a humanoid Shadow, Merope wields a staff with his draconic form's characteristics complete with a lantern hanging from its mouth.
After the hug, Arynek went to the Black King. "I don't wanna see the falling of Black Kingdom, especially after Silver fallen. Thus, I hereby offer myself to your kingdom, please give me the chance to protect this kingdom." The girl looked into the King's eyes in a very sincere way. She came to protect, to protect another kingdom from the fallen destiny because of the evil Voice. She looked back to the Sun after finishing what she wanted to say. Stand was shown clearly.
OOC
Character: Arynek HP: 50 /50 Kingdom: Black (Wild Card)
Appearance: Adapting the Black kingdom, Arynek is now a grey figure that you can tell is a girl with long hair.
Zee Oddwyn
AstaraeI
The Moon?
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:56 pm
There hadn't been enough time. Sun had simply grabbed Ary's hand and ran with her after her King, until they'd left their shattering land behind.
Tears drying, Sun flinched at the simple offering of a hug, and then returned it gently, accepting the comfort. Strange to think they were both in the same boat now. They'd both lost their homes. It seemed a cruel joke that Ary had to lose hers twice.
Sun's smile was one of astonishment when Ary claimed she would stay and fight, and it shifted to an admiring pride when the gray girl stood before her King and pledged her loyalty. Sun stepped forward as well, hand coming to rest on Ary's shoulder.
"I'll vouch for her." she stated, voice steady and certain. She looked beyond her King to her gathered comrades. Her hand stiffened on Ary's shoulder as a thrill of alarm ran through her. The tension among them was nearly palpable. Sun wanted to blame this new anxiety on the shattering of their Kingdom, she wanted no more complications to this day. Let them all remember their oath to the King, and focus on the coming battle! Now was not the time to fight amongst themselves!
"I... see." His shoulders slumped as he stepped back, clearly dismissed as the King turned his attention elsewhere. The King said that he would destroy everyone. The implication chilled him, made him falter and want to run. He didn't want to be on his hit list. If he tried to strike against him -- then what? He was already disliked in Amityville, shunned and forgotten. He was well onto being cast aside here as well.
But wait! If he could make himself useful; if he could prove to himself and Aymet that he was worth keeping around then... Maybe...
"My king," he said softly. No, that wasn't enough. He raised his voice a little higher, hoping that the King would hear. "Please beware the silver gate."
Quote:
Name: Merope Major Arcana: The Hermit Rank: Dark Herald (Pawn) Current Location: Black Tower - botherin' Aymet HP: 38/40
Physical Description: A Shadow with defining, illuminated teal-blue lines. Much of him is hidden beneath a simple hooded robe. His beastial form is much like his true undead sea serpent form. While as a humanoid Shadow, Merope wields a staff with his draconic form's characteristics complete with a lantern hanging from its mouth.
AstaraeI
Enoh Love
Tsunake
(( ^ assuming you three heard him |D ))
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:04 pm
Uru was no where to be found, and it worried Maple greatly, had he gone down with the rest of the Black Kingdom or had he managed to find some great hiding place? She was unsure and it made her pout.
She made another small loop of the area, not daring to treverse any of the buildings bits or pieces that had managed to survive. Not after the falling of the Silver Tower, she didn't want to fall into some unknown thing again. But she made it back to where the others had collected themselves, relieved to see their King as well.
As well as some new members into their circle of Warriors.
Quote:
OOC:
Character Name: Maple Major Arcana: The Tower Rank: Dread Cleric / Rook Current HP: 50/50 Doin': Nothing much Description: Maple is a petite girl, short in stature with large horns at her hair line. She is completely black, made of shadows with the only coloring the red accents of her clothing and her eyes.
chirigami
Swashbuckling Sentai
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Enoh Love
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:15 pm
...
Merope said the magic words. Well, less magic and more trigger. Beware the Silver Gate? But they had to get him to the Silver Gate to save him! How could Merope want to leave the Aymet imposter alone?! The Merope she remembered wouldn't--
"Hierophant." She hissed out, pausing as she passed the other ghoul. "Watch him." She ordered under her breath, him of course referring to their fake, face-stealing King. Then, she turned towards Merope more fully, raising her voice to match the Hermit's tone. This farce had to be kept up a little longer; she wanted to sink her claws into the imposter right now, but it wasn't safe here; there were too many Shadows around for that to happen. Her mind reeled with her options, and before she really thought about what she was saying she was already blurting out a counter.
"Silver Gate? That Kingdom fell. He doesn't need to fear ghosts." Amrita hoped and prayed that she sounded Queenly, or at least befitting of the odd title of Eldritch Advisor. The ghoul stepped forward then, closing a clawed hand around Merope's upper arm. "A word, please." She whispered to him, giving him an almost desperate but quite pleading look, one that only he could see. "In Private." She was already lightly tugging on his arm, urging him to step away from the crowd with her.
Marushii
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:21 pm
Shock was swiftly replaced by fear, followed by annoyance. She knew. She knew and she was trying to stop him. He opened his mouth to reply.
His answer was caught in his throat as she placed an hand on his arm, the Shadow trying to shrink back from the touch. Merope said nothing, meekly following her as she pulled him along.
Quote:
Name: Merope Major Arcana: The Hermit Rank: Dark Herald (Pawn) Current Location: Black Tower - botherin' Aymet HP: 40/40
Physical Description: A Shadow with defining, illuminated teal-blue lines. Much of him is hidden beneath a simple hooded robe. His beastial form is much like his true undead sea serpent form. While as a humanoid Shadow, Merope wields a staff with his draconic form's characteristics complete with a lantern hanging from its mouth.
