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 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 5:50 pm
Awake
Solo #1
546 words
In. And out.
In. And out.
Consciousness was a strange, hazy thing. It had not been conscious for eons now. Why stay awake? Why not succumb to the sweet lull of darkness? It could sleep for so much longer...
But who knew when its next wakening would be? There were glimmers of something, of a life it had once lived--ruled in.... but the memories were fragmented bits of nonsense. The darkness pulsed again, threatening to drag it down into eternal slumber. it was a warmth and soothing silence, peaceful and without hardship.
It resisted.
It wanted to know more, wanted to regain those fuzzy recollections of glory. Focusing became difficult. Still, the god persisted, resisting the cloying dark. It shrugged off the strands that sought to clung to its consciousness, refusing to succumb so easily.
It wished to live. To breathe once more. To experience the world, rather than slumber for an endless eternity. It had no strength to give, but the god gave what it could, forcing up the essence of Itself into something that resembled a more tangible sign.
It needed. There was a hunger that echoed in its very being. A body. A soul. Something beyond itself to sustain itself and emerge back into this world. Had the gem possessed lungs, it would have exuded a shriek from the exertion. It had no energy to spare, and yet, it had no choice. If it did not try, then it would surely Fade in truth.
Somewhere, there was a host destined to die for the sake of rebirth. The cycle must continue. Countless numbers of its brothers and sisters had either succeeded or faded away into oblivion. Its fate was not yet decided one way or the other, and had it more sense of self, it might have called out to its fellows for rescue.
It sensed that the very being of All was fragile yet. Something had happened. What, the god could not say. Still, it was not content to die here in this darkness. Like the call of a siren, the god put forth a silent call to those who might be suitable of mind or body, beckoning creatures of all shape and size towards its current location.
Where was it, exactly? Somewhere cold. Somewhere dark. Trying to sense more was too much of a tax, and the god gave upon the pursuit before too long.
Come to me. the thoughts were an echo, weakening with each breath. Serve a purpose greater than your own. That was all it could muster. The being receded back into itself, its hazy stream of consciousness rapidly dwindling.
It had done what it could, had sought to alter its own fate by the strength of its own hand. Should it die now... at least, it thought groggily to itself even as the darkness devoured the whole of its thoughts, it did not simply lay down and take it.
Though Phobos could be a passive, patient predator, it could also be swift and effective. There was no time to sit and allow its presence would fester. Those who were worthy would feel its summon like a sudden cold sweat on a warm summer's night.
It would not be ignored. Could not.
It would be born again.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:09 pm
Struggle
Solo #2
1,055 words
All things considered, Roshan was a former shell of his proud and haughty self. The End of All had set upon them so quickly, and his summoner passed away. She had succumbed to the initial pulses of the Gehenna, though the Asura could not have known any of this. The air had grown thick, and he had sensed the wrongness of everything. It made little difference, in the end. He had a vague suspicion that his Opal Armor was the only reason he survived, deflecting the most potent of the negative energies flooding this realm. Without hesitation, he had taken back his shakujo, vowing to never let it stray into the hands of another besides himself.
Forced to escape the chaos that bloomed in the wake of all the death, the Asura became little better than the mortal filth that covered this earth. He pillaged, murdered, and seized what he wanted without any regard for anyone but himself. Some had thought to take his shakujo from him, and he had slain them with a viciousness that was unbecoming. Still, he felt no shame. If anything, there was only a savage sort of pleasure, knowing he had rightly defended what was his. Was that so wrong? Was he not a god in comparison to these creatures?
Somehow, stripped of all his precious gems and metals, covered in filth and blood, his Chi weakly flickering within his abdomen's tooth-lined maw, Roshan did not feel anything at all like a god. Something was tugging at him, forcing is more primal, darker impulses to surface with little to no coaxing whatsoever. His mind did not seem to be his own. Indeed, he felt little more than a primal beast, relying on visceral feelings and wants rather than using his considerable intellect.
A wanderer. A filthy vagabond. Every day promised a struggle to ensure his own survival, and Roshan would walk for miles each day. There was no such thing as a safe haven any longer. Resources were coveted and squabbled over, and even minor conflicts could escalate into full on war. Roshan wished to linger, to give in and make himself king of these miserable fools. Something would not let him.
Far to the east, something beckoned him ever closer. It was a promise of something with substance, something even more important than satiating his base desires.
On blistered and broken feet, Roshan continued forward.
The journey was not an easy one. Weeks passed. The world grew ever darker and more dim. For a while, he believed that this truly was going to be the end of All. After all, with no sky above them... well, it truly seemed like a bleak and meaningless existence.
Then, implicitly, it stopped.
The aura of dread and overwhelming loss that hung over them all lifted without warning. There was brightness once more, even with the lack of sky above, and a terrible weight eased itself off the battered and exhausted Asura. Roshan still felt unkempt and in desperate need of a hot bath and proper pampering, but there was no time.
He needed to press on.
He walked for hundreds of miles more, his own mind blank even as he occasionally stumbled and caught himself time and time again. Only when the horned being realized that he had reached his destination did he draw up short, staring into the mouth of the dark, dank little cave that gaped before him.
The musty smell was enough to have him curling his lips, baring overly sharp teeth with distaste even as he began to pace. Something about this place sent unease shuddering straight down his spine, and yet, the compulsion to obey still throbbed in every bit of his being. Why? Did he not possess his own shakujo at long last?
Though hesitation still threatened to grip him like a vice, Roshan eventually stepped into the cave. His toenails clicked against the slick stone, the sound resonating eerily in the darkness. Unable to see, he felt for the walls beside him, grimacing as his palm pressed into something wet and fuzzy. Moss, no doubt. There were no words for his disgust, and the Asura allowed himself a low, vehement snarl.
As the light of day began to fade the deeper he transgressed, the more and more the rocky ceiling of the cavern began to bore down upon him. Stalactites threatened to smash against his horns, and the Asura squinted in a vain attempt to see a little more clearly. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he realized with a sinking heart that the cave only grew more narrow the deeper he went in. He was forced to stoop, his back soon aching as he continued to press on. The ceiling bore down on him even further, and Roshan became vaguely aware of how hot and humid it was inside of this place. It felt like he would choke, if he was not careful, and no amount of pausing to catch his breath would relieve the sensation.
Deeper, deeper, and deeper still. The proud Asura had abandoned his hunched state, for the unrelenting cavern was now so compressed that he had to crawl on his hands and knees if he wanted to make any progress. He was close, though. Every bit of him seemed to ache with that revelation. Soon, he was writhing on his belly like a worm, fingers clawing for purchase to pull himself closer.
He felt as though he was going mad in this darkness, the smell of earth and stale water flooding his senses. Stone scraped against his hide, his horns constantly banging against the ceiling, and just when Roshan felt ready to scream, the cavern blessedly opened.
Panting, the Asura hauled himself free of the tomb of stone. His roughened fingers bumped into something, and everything seemed to stop. Roshan was hardly even aware that he was holding his breath, fumbling with the strange, smooth object. It was emanating a warmth that no stone possibly could.
It was his now, it and its magic, pulsing with heat. Clutching the treasure close to him, Roshan began the arduous task of making his way back out the way he came.
Strange. It felt like, for a moment, that same flicker of dread when he'd thought All was lost had returned...
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 8:18 pm
Claimed
Solo #3
1,040 words
His emergence from the maw of the cave was no more graceful than his entrance, and the Asura found himself covered in muck and filth. His entire being rebelled against such a state, and he shuddered with revulsion even as he stumbled back out and into the fading sunlight. Hastily unclenching his fist, he stared down at the stone he’d obtained. It gleamed dimly in the light, and Roshan made a soft sound of awe as light bounced through the stone. It wasn’t a stone at all, but a gem. Hues of blues, purples, and golds danced through its surface, and his irritation and stress quickly began to fade at the sight. It had been worth it. Why he’d felt drawn to this place to find this secret treasure, Roshan couldn’t say… but it was his now. His and his alone. Asura were proud creatures, and had he the chance, Roshan would have had himself surrounded with other gleaming treasures and rarities. His life proved to be the most valuable treasure of all, as late, and all other objects of metals and furs and silks… well, they’d been insignificant in comparison.
Despite the gem’s radiant beauty, the Asura felt a chill up his spine. Why, he could not say. Unease settled over him, his skin prickling quietly even as he turned the gem over slowly in his dirty hands. He was no treasure hunter. Was there a spirit of sorts trapped within the beautiful confines of this rock, summoning him to discover it? No, he didn't think so. He didn't really feel a call from it anymore. Roshan entertained the thought of imagining the whole thing, but that didn’t explain why he’d gone trawling about in a filthy cave until he’d found this particular stone. Something about its quiet beauty struck a chord with him, and he did not feel as though he could relax around it.
He closed his fingers over the gem again, as though obscuring it from view would help rid him of the sudden spike of anxiety. He needed to find a place to get himself clean, first and foremost. Perhaps a village of mortals who would offer him the respect and pampering he deserved. With an irritated sigh, the Asura started forward, ignoring his aching feet as he did so. Who knew how long he would have to travel? Best to begin now, while there was still some light to guide him.
--
The Pantheon. These damn mortals would not shut up about it. Roshan found himself quite irked in a way he couldn't put his fingers on. Perhaps it was the way they went on and on about gods, and one in particular. This Harmodius… was he an Asura? He must have been. Instinctively, he felt his hackles rising with aggression. He wished to assert himself, to prove himself as the more dominant Seme within these lands—and perhaps claim that kind of worship for himself.
A few days travel would bring him into the bustling markets of this so-called Pantheon, and Roshan found himself peering with interest at the different vendors despite himself. These people… they were not suffering like the rest of the world seemed to be. Or, at least not quite so badly. True, the world had been on the mend as of late, once the terrible, unseen danger passed almost as quickly as it had come—but this place seemed as though the apocalypse had never occurred.
The Asura stalked through the crowded streets, fuming quietly to himself as people didn't so much as even glance in his direction. He was used to being stared at with reverence and awe. Then again, the mud and filth smeared across his obsidian hide did very little to make him look as imposing as he wished. He kept a tight grip on the gem in his left hand, shooting suspicious glances to anyone who ventured too close. This was his found trinket, and he didn't plan on--
Fire seared through his palm, so hot that it felt like something scorched his skin. The Asura snarled with surprise and pain, baring his sharp teeth in menace even as he whirled about to search for his assailant. His first, instinctive thought leaped to offensive Chi from another Asura. The people still bustled about, only glancing at him with surprise at the sudden, unexpected outburst, and none of them looked guilty or suspicious. Glowering fiercely, he lifted hand to peer at said palm—and jerked with surprise.
The gem… it sank straight into the neon blue skin of his palm.
That same, queer sense of unease flooded through him again, and despite the heat of the day, Roshan shuddered. He picked at the gem with his claws, trying to see if he could get it free, but it was like the stone was simply part of his body now. His fingers closed awkwardly, flexing over the gem, and the Asura realized he was still standing in the middle of the marketplace.
The broad-shouldered immortal strode quickly through the crowd once more, cradling his hand to his chest as though to hide it from sight. He wanted a bath. He wanted something to eat, regardless of his lack of need for that sort of sustenance. He wanted to lie down, and most importantly, he wanted to get this thing out of him. It was one thing to own a pretty treasure, but it was quite another to have it sinking straight into his flesh!
His thoughts raced even as he rudely shoved people out of his way, his eyes practically blazing with palpable rage. He’d never heard of such a thing before. Was this a trap of sorts? A curse?
Worst of all was knowing that he’d been a big enough fool to go sloshing about in the muck all to obtain this… this… whatever this was!
Roshan snarled out loud once more, frightening a poor woman as he did so, but the Asura paid little mind. Someone here had to know about this! Yes, that was far more important than bathing or eating or resting. That was how he’d be found snatching up poor mortals left and right, demanding answers that they could not possibly know.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:08 pm
Reflection
Solo #4
He is not the one I expected.
He is not the one that I thought I wanted.
He is a proud creature. Strong of body and heart. I cannot afford to be choosy. He will be mine. His strength, mine. His soul will nourish me, and his body, mine to mold as I wish.
For beneath the arrogance and haughty demeanor… I sense his fear.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:25 pm
Meeting Yu Five ClawsJoint RP #1 ??? words
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