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 Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 1:12 am
 Glyph had managed to keep his balance but he'd staggered a fair distance into the street past the door and when he finally stood, he laughed, "I barely touched the door! I think its hinges were rotted or something..." The grin he wore was rather embarassed as he ran a hand through his hair and shrugged at Xun and Tien, having caught the disbelieving tone.
That Ankou couldn't sense Forge any stronger frustrated Glyph and he rumbled his annoyance as he turned to look down the street. Here and there paper was plastered to the street or walls, lamposts with shades that had long since been shattered swung in the wind.
Moving further in, he came to an intersection, a wagon had been jammed into an alley, the goods rotted and left... and at the front of the vehicle, a pair of skeletons lay, their bones mixed and disturbed. He could feel the ghosts in the way one can sense another watching but they were calm - a pleasant change from the rush they'd been greeted with.
In the alley beyond the wagon, dozens of skeletons littered the ground, either left to rot where they died or tossed there after, he wasn't sure. The streets had been kept clean.... but the shadows were full of ghosts. Sighing, he backed away from the alley and looked down each of the streets at the intersection, "Plague.. plague ravaged this city if Famine and Greed didn't cripple it." Each had its place... but each, too, spun systems beyond their breaking point.... and now they stood on edge of a city felled by Gehenna's fatal embrace.
It was depressing. Even the dirt between the cobble stones was bare, the blight that had swept the plants sparing nothing green and growing. Kicking a rock, he watched it bounce and careen off a wooden porch that sheltered something. Tilting his head, he followed after the rock and found a patch of moss and grass that grew between the cracks in the ground and up through a sun bleached rib cage. The body had fertilized the ground... Smiling to himself, he crouched and rearranged the bones, forming a protective barrier from the rib cage as he could not find any other bits of the skeleton. The plants grew well under his attention and from the clump of grass and moss, a native tree pushed forth.
It gladdened him to see that life was returning, in small parts yes, but it would return... resettle in whatever form suited. "Which way? It looks like the crossroads leads to different sectors... If a plague ravaged the city, maybe looking for the sick houses?"
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 2:30 pm
Cosine watched as they stumbled their way into the city with a smirk of mild amusement on her lips. The smirk faded qui,ckly, however when she saw the devastation that lay behind the doors. As with most of the places they had been death was everywhere. Death in its wost form. Pain and suffering was thick in the air. She wandered further in and looked away as Glyph arranged the bones. Of course she understood his motives. Necessity, bodies rot and give way to plant life, or animal life. Still, the part of her that was close to mortals felt uncomfortable.
"we could split up, though I am not confident it is safe?" she glanced to Ankou to see if he was still with them. "Sorrow is everywhere here. Suffering and pain i doubt the spirits here will be playful."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 5:35 pm
Cosine was right - sorrow and pain was everywhere here, and he swore he could actually feel it, and it brought a chill down his spine, made all too evident by the sudden twich his tail made. And that was while the ghosts were under control...
Xun Jiang did not want to know what would happen if they came unbound.
"I could take altitude... Spot the bigger buildings, and try to guess where the sick houses would have been." Really, a part of him just wanted to put some distance in between himself and this place. He had gotten used to the ghost's presence, even gotten used to not reacting when Ankou did slip and lost a few. But this... This was something else. "We should probably stick together, just in case."
He was not sure if he could resist this alone, if all that pain and torment did come crashing down on him. It was bound to be worse than when they arrived, even.
Glyph really had no idea how right on the money he was, but Ankou was not quite in the state of mind to appreciate the irony. The presence of two so connected to life had it's own effects, and the spirits' reaction were indeed, very violent. They lashed and trashed against his hold and it made him wince.
He only caught the tail end of Cosine's comment and he shook his head, as if trying to clear his thought away. "Quite... Accurate."
Really, not even Ankou was stubborn enough to pretend he could do this. "I do not think I can..." He winced again, nearly losing his balance. He could already feel the angry scream start to crash against his mind, threatening to pull it in all direction again. "I need to go send them... Can't... hold them..."
Not here, through. He had no idea how making a soul path here might - or might not - affect the already fragile ground. He really had no idea, and if he could not risk it...
Well.
He made his mind rather quickly - that is, darted off, and all but yanked the dead, forcing them to follow him.
They did not like this, only making the trashing worse, and he could only hope the others would not decide to follow him.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 6:44 pm
 She watched the Spirit Guide leave, knowing better than to follow him. Be careful, Ankou.
"I agree, we should stick together. If only so no one gets lost." Sure, the ground covering would go a bit slower but there would be less to worry about in the end. That and they would be able to take shelter together when it inevitably rained.
Looking for sick houses was a good idea. If Forge was here then that was probably a fair guess as to where her host would have ended up with plague destroying the city's population. "A temple maybe, if such a place existed here?" Of course the existence of such a thing depended upon the beliefs of the mortals that had been here. She tried to think of other places a sick house might have cropped up as well.
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 11:06 am
Glyph nodded as he rejoined the group, "And more then that, confusion. Remember Baadris? They had no idea why their world was reeling, just that it was. Some fled but most clustered together for safety. I do not know what happened after we left, though." Since most of the refugees had remained, he assumed the world had met a tragic end.
"You could also navigate for us." Glyph replied to Xun, gesturing at the roads, "Be our eyes in the sky. Si-" He cut himself off as Ankou spoke and sounded more then a little strained. Turning to offer his friend assistance, Forest reached out only to find Ankou darting off, "Ankou!?"
But he was gone. Puffing out his cheeks, Glyph set his hands on his hips and shook his head, "You'd think 'we should stay together' would translate to the opposite of 'run in the opposite direction of the group.' Xun, keep an eye on him, whatever he's doing.... I think he wants space." The lurch in mana around him as he felt a very decided tug in the direction Ankou had gone suggested as much. "Cosine?" He tossed a smile at the woman to confirm if his translation of Ankou-ese was correct.
Tien's suggestion made Glyph smile, "If that crest above the gate is any indication, I'd say a temple is the best place to start." Every one of them knew what a temple would look like, on some level, and would easily recognize the glorification of one force or another. "Healers' Houses would also be used... but if a plague swept the city, any sort of open space might've been converted.
"Xun? See anything temple-like or a block of warehouses?"
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 2:25 pm
Cosine pushed the the bad thoughts away, reaching for positive thoughts and sending them to the others in the group. It was not a major use of power but hopefully enough to stop the group absorbing the atmosphere, and as she watched Ankou tense she hoped it might prevent some of the spirits attacking.
His sudden bolt off into the city was unexpected.
"Ankou!" She called out, starting after him then realising the reason he was running off in the first place."Fin, follow him."
She glanced to Glyph as he said her name and breathed in deeply. She really hoped he was able to cope with them all.
"He's taking them away from us. Away from the edge to make a path. I imagine." She frowned and rubbed her arm as the chill of the spirits blew over. "I'm worried about him."
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 3:29 pm
The pull - no, the yank was so strong that Xun Jiang felt it. "Right." He would keep an eye on him from up above, and with Infinity trailing him...
Well.
He nodded and gained altitude with a few strong flaps of his wings, sending dust kicking up in his wake. The city - what was left of it, at any rate - was still massive in it's own right, and added to that, he had to make sure to keep an eye on Ankou - who he had to admit, was making his way up that mountain like he had an army chasing him.
Might as well be literal for all he knew. At least up here - and possibly down on ground level, with the ghosts being dragged away - the sorrow was more or less gone.
He was not sure if he could make it.
He really, really was not sure he could make it. He could feel his grasp on the spirits struggle under their pressure, and his steps were turning into near-stumbles the more he pushed himself. But what else could he do ? If his influence on them came undone, well...
He did not even want to think that in the realm of possibility.
He had made it to the top of the mountain after what seemed to be forever, time stretching out in slow-motion, and he did not even bother to look back - did not even bother to turn around - and just trust Gungnir down into the ground as hard as he could.
The soul path did open, even if at this point it felt like he might as well just have ripped himself apart in the process. He could not stop his body from shaking, and yet his grip on Gungnir was rock solid - perhaps sheer force of will, at that point.
But sheer force of will only got one so far.
The angry spirits were forced down the path, yes, but they clawed at him on the way, and after this - after all this - there was little he could do stop them.
It was not long before he was pulled under, vanishing from sight.
"There is something that looks like a temple." The Dragon King announced after a quick survey of what remained of the city. "It has the same symbol than the gate had, at least... It is close to the part were the city broke off, however." Which could theoretically be dangerous. "There is what looks to be makeshift settlements too, kind of like market tents bunched together very clo-s**t."
He did not really have time to explain, really. His tail cracked the air, whip-like, as he suddenly darted in Ankou's direction, having noticed what was happening.
But by the time he did get there, it was too late. The air was oddly light... And Ankou was gone, only leaving the spear behind.
He sighed, and pulled at it with his maw, ripping it out of the earth to carry it back to the group, which... In itself was quite telling.
He hovered close to ground level, waiting for Cosine to take the spear from his hold before he could finally talk. "I am not sure what happened... I was too high up. By the time I got here... He was gone." Maybe Infinity had been closer, had seen...
"...I am sorry." That was aimed at Cosine, even if in a way he was not sure what he was apologizing for. Even if he had made it to Ankou in time... Well, what could he really have done ? And maybe the Spirit Guide had meant to do this... But then why leave his spear behind ?
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 6:16 pm
Tien stared at Xun when he returned with just the spear and not the Spirit Guide. She had hardly seen him let go of the weapon, let alone leave it behind. Had something happened to him? Oh boy. Her gaze flicked to Cosine, wondering what she thought of this. She knew him best after all, perhaps she had some idea of what was going on. No sense getting worried before there was actually something to be worried over.
She bit back a sigh. At least the sorrow that seemed to hang over this place was gone or at least mostly gone?
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 11:58 am
Glyph had been looking up, listening to Xun, when the dragon suddenly darted away too quick to follow. "Xun!" He called after, concern heavy in his voice as he ran after the other god for a few paces before registering he'd never catch up on foot.
Biting his lip, he set a hand on his hip and paced until the dragon returned only to still. That was Ankou's spear... Exasperation vanished in an instant and he hurried over to Xun, making sure the dragon was alright while he explained what happened. "He... vanished?" Glyph wasn't sure what that meant.
"Xun..." He murmured when the other apologized, running a hand over his neck. Looking over to Cosine, he frowned, "Has he vanished before?"
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 3:56 pm
Cosine looked up to the skies as Xun swore and dived in the direction Ankou had headed. A chill seized her heart and she too started to run, though she stopped as Xun reappeared with Gungnir. She reached out to accept the spear, it was heavy, though she held it tightly and looked up to the skies.
"No." She replied to Glyph. "He would not leave this." He said he had been struggling, perhaps it had gotten too much. Just the thought of that ... she wiped away a tear and watched as Infinity circled down towards her, listening to her caws.
"The ground took him." She did not wait for a response before she started to run. "Show me." Infinity soared low through the streets to the mound where Ankou had disappeared. There was nothing ...
"Ankou!" She shouted, though she knew it was mostly in vain. She knew the underworld might have taken him, though if he had put too much strain on himself ... what if he had met the same fate as forge. "Ankou!" tears were running freely now and she didn't care what her companions thought of her, all she cared about at that moment was Ankou.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:40 pm
"The ground took him ?" Cosine bolted and he did not stop her, instead letting out a low sigh. He understood her pain... Would do the same thing if something like this happened to Glyph, through at least he had the comforting embrace of his lover.
He had hoped he had just over-reacted, as he often did, that Cosine would tell them that this had happened before... But for once, his worry seemed perfectly warranted.
"I did not see anything else. He seemed to be having an hard time when I bolted, but by the time I got there... There was only the spear left. If he sends spirits through the earth... Perhaps they might have taken him with them ?"
That seemed strange, but he could not think of anything else. "I could go look through the city... While we wait." Wait for what ? Ankou to come back out at best, but what if he did not ?
He could hear Cosine's anguished screams from up the cliff and it brought a chill down his spine.
Either way, it was obvious that the Dragon King had no intention to move from this town until either the Spirit Guide returned, or that they had a better idea of what had happened. Perhaps if it took too long, Glyph could use his star, go ask Harmodius... He would know.
He could only hope that would not be needed.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 7:01 pm
It was clear enough there was cause for worry when Cosine bolted like that. "What do we do...?" A better question would have been 'What can we do?'. She frowned, wincing visibly when the other goddess called for her lover. It was an uncomfortable situation. The only choice left seemed to be sit and wait for Ankou's return.
If he returned.
She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. It was a scary thought that Ankou could be snatched that easily.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:12 pm
Cosine's chilled response made Glyph purse his lips and he nodded. The crow above returned bearing ill tidings and she dashed off after it with the desperation of one who feared the worst. But, as far as Forest could tell, the god had simply vanished - he wasn't undone.
Watching her go, he sighed and nodded at Xun. Hugging the dragon, he pressed a kiss to the side of his neck then gave a gentle push, "Circle, look for him with all your senses." Turning away, he brushed Tien's shoulder as he moved past, "Come with me, help me search."
Breaking into a jog then, he ran after Cosine and found her weeping at the hillside. Slowing to a walk, he drew up behind her and touched her shoulder, trying to turn her so she could seek shelter in his embrace, "None of us felt anything amiss - wherever he is, he is whole. Every one of us felt Universe perish, and this close I am certain we would feel it if something happened. Do not despair. He's been awfully spacey recently, the trip likely taxed him... he creates entrances to the Soul Paths, yes? Doesn't he travel them?" They'd all experienced his talents more then a few times in the course of the trip, Glyph could make a guess.
"Tien. Look around, do you see foot prints anywhere? Does the atmosphere cloud over with sorrow again?" He could barely feel a spiritual tug but the air was clearer, free of the sorrow that had gripped it moments before, "There's a difference in the air. The goof probably ended up invisible without realizing it. Cheer up, mm?" He offered a smile to Cosine.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:30 pm
Cosine sniffed a little, still clinging to Gungnir, trying desperately to sense him. She glanced up at Glyph'ss touch and turned to lean into his embrace. She did not want to seem over emotional but he was everything to her, if he wasn't gone he might be lost somewhere, taken like Negal nto to be seen for months on end. That thought scared her just as much.
"Yes, he travels them, though. He was having trouble with the spirits. He was too proud to admit it to you all. I ... I think he may be in the Underworld, though I do not know if he will have the strength to return." Glyph's tone and words soothed her a little, though she was still concerned. "I've been so worried for him since we arrived on this planet." She forced a small smile and eased back. "I don't know what we can do to find him."
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:51 pm
Yes, he could circle, and look. Really, anything to do right now would be most welcome, if only to take his mind off the chaos, and of the devastation of the city. Illisia's empathy was certain a very important part of their unified whole, and while it could sometimes work out in his favor... Right now it was certainly wrecking havoc on him.
First thing first, he did fly his way back up the cliff, following Glyph closely, and butting Cosine's free hand playfully. "Maybe if I dig a hole deep enough..." It was playful, of course - he doubted such a thing was really possible, but it was an attempt to lift up the goddess' spirits a little further.
He winked at her, then took altitude again, soaring into the cloud-laden sky to begin his search. The storm would start soon, he could feel it in the air. The electricity, the tension.
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