Welcome to Gaia! ::

The cavern is large and dark, lit by the soft blue glow of bioluminescent bulbs that cling to the rocks. Shadows shift, their sources revealing to be numberous humanoid-shaped people. Each one is different; fins, horns, scales, antennae. There are only a few things that unite them together despite their differences. Each one bears some form of rot or decay in addition to their softly glowing markings. Some of them glance uncertainly to the figure within the middle of the room, huddled on the floor. They point and whisper, their voices giving the impression of a hissing shoreline within the cavern. They quiet as one figure approaches a raised podium.



The figure is clad from head to toe in a thick black robe, the hood covering their face. Their robe is decorated with bones from a creature larger than they, an external ribcage over their own holding the support of a very large jawbone that still bears its teeth which rests upon their collarbone. The figure raises their hand needlessly for silence. "As you many know," the figure begins. The voice is feminine, edged to command respect, "Interlopers have been infringing on our clan's territory. They have forced some of our own to scavenge in other areas, thus violanting our agreement with neighboring clans."



"Our neighbors have not taken kindly to this. They have threatened with war, and war they have brought. They have preyed on our newly Risen and squeezed us between a rock and a hard place. They will seek to pick our clan clean until nothing is left. However," the voice continues, "This is not new. We have been at war with our enemies for many currents now. No, the reason I brought you here today is because the situation has worsened."



The robed figure stepped off the podium and approached the figure in the middle of the room. A gloved hand went out, the tip of her finger raising their chin. "Merope. Are you aware of what you have done?"



"And in doing so you've lost your fins again."



The leader reached out and gently lifted one of the boy's fins. She traced a gloved finger along the long slash, shaking her head. "Barely. You cannot swim in your humanoid form with this. You are lucky that you do not need to fly. With an injury like this you would have died moments later after receiving it." She released his fin, crossing her arms in front of her. "You are still young, Merope. What were you doing so close to the clan border?"



"You were given explicit orders to not approach the clan borders. In violation of that, not one but two of your clanmates were scavenged." The cavern buzzed as hushed voices reacted to the news. To be scavenged was to be torn apart piece by piece and have your own parts; your own bones and muscles, horns and claws, fins and tails be claimed by someone else. In the depths of the sea, working parts were difficult to come by. That was why they formed clans; by working together they could bring back all they could, and from those parts craft new limbs to replace those lost either by accident or in battle against another clan. To be torn apart and used while you were still there...

"In doing this, our clan territory has been compromised." The clan leader looked around at those gathered, expression impossible to read within the shadows of her hood. "Word of how easily we were torn apart has spurred our enemies to unite against us. Our foes are now greater than before. We are now in a dire state. I am afraid I cannot allow violations of my rules to go unpunished."



"Scavenge him."



"Tear him apart piece by piece so that he may know what fate he has given his clanmates. I have prepared a new vessel for him." The leader turned back to the figure. "Don't you understand, Merope? I have Risen you. If you do not listen, you will be punished. You were told that you could not help, to stay back and let yoru clanmates help. You are weak, Merope. You cannot help, and look where your help has left us." She spread her arms, indicating the cavern. "We are all in danger because of your actions. You will be stripped of your original body and placed in a new one. And yes, that's right." The leader came close, tapping his nose, "You are whole. In our world where our individuality is stripped from us? You are lucky to cling to who you were. But no more."



The clanleader continued. "You will be scavenged to experience what you have done. Those that were scavenged are lost to us -- even if we could find their parts again, they themselves would be gone. We will keep you; there will be one part of you that is your own, that is part of your original form. Maybe one day you will earn the right to your old body back. Or maybe you will find the parts that feel right to you and reclaim yourself." She fell silent, looking up to those gathered. "Remove his eyes first," she ordered, "He will not have the pleasure of knowing what he looks like. He too shall share his clansmates' fate, however he shall be aware of it."



The leader turned and walked away. "You may begin."

As the glowing shadows descend, the memory fades.