Slowly, he was exploring all of the Spine, and he had seen the cavern. He hadn't yet gone towards it, but when he noticed the Goddess herself going in, and returning hours later, he couldn't help but be curious.
So, he made his way over. The path was easy to find, and easy to follow. There were markings showing his way, and eventually, he made it to the cave.
The cavern was lit by the odd shaped cracks in the wall, bright enough for everything to be clear. It was empty, with a raised rock in the middle, a bowl like object resting on it.
He approached. The alter was uneven, with shapes cut into the sides, and he briefly wondered who had done it. The bowl matched the shapes as well, and he knew by looking that he didn't want to try to lift it.
Ri looked at the shapes closer, some were easier to recognize than others, like the crescent moon of the goddess, but there was one that just frustrated him. It was familiar, if only he could remember where he had seen it.
From the back of the cavern, he could hear something stir, a beast that appeared from the darkness. It was large, and looked like it could eat him whole if it wanted to. He held still.
It seemed to be waiting for something, with it's eyes flickering back and forth from the bowl to you. What did it want? He noticed a knife, long and thin with red cracks along the side, and he picked it up.
The creature was still watching him, waiting for him to make a move. So, he did. He cut himself with the knife.
He ran the knife across his palm, letting whatever it was drip out of him and into the bowl. The creature pushed him away with his giant head, and began to lap at it, before looking back at him. His eyes were no longer dull. He was thankful when the creature stepped back, motioning to the bowl, and he stepped up to it.
When he looked in, he found himself sucked in before he could grab onto anything, and landed on the ground with a thud. He winced. He was doing this a lot, falling and ending up injured. Where was he? This was not the cavern.
Something screamed at him to move.
He did, moving left.
He rolled aside just in time, as a shining figure slammed down to the ground where he had been just moments before. He sprung to his feet, dancing out of the way, his cloak flapping about. Cloak? This wasn't him, but this danger was real.
Something roared at him to focus, and it occurred to him that he didn't need a weapon, he was one. He would use his hands.
He grinned, watching his hands grow, forming into claws. They were as sharp as metal, enough to block the weapon that the other was using. He struck with his free hand, scoring a hit, granting himself a chance to press the attack.
He would continue using his han-er, claws.
Fighting made him feel as if he could actually make a difference, that he was comfortable using, and he could feel fur growing up his arms for extra protection. He was practically dancing around his opponent, striking and blocking in turns.
But he wasn't going to win this battle this way, but he could use his other skills.
Claws weren't his only trick, and he slashed at his enemy before dancing away preparing himself. He could feel the power ready to come out, feel it pulsing and thrumming, and he could hear something.
A roar!
He listened to the roar, and something strained in him, trying to hold him back. He was dangerous, and if he were to give in too much, it wouldn't be good.
He roared, allowing a vivid white fire to erupt, covering his opponents in flames. They staggered back, and he attacked, lunging and laughing. This was great!
In the end, he was the only one standing, smirking as the light glinted off of his opponents glasses. He raised his foot, and stomped down, head raised as their weapon faded.
He walked over to it as well, leaving behind a sticky and wet trail, and stomped on it as well. He was the victor!
Ri tilted his head back and howled, before taking to the skies. He could not be defeated!
[Rizetmer'yl has acquired ]
He awoke with a jolt back in the cavern, the room no longer bright, and the markings dull. Perhaps it wouldn't be for the best to stick around. He paused at the alter, picking up a couple of things that he noticed, and pocketing them.
Now, it was back out and back to exploring.
[Exit]
Character name: Rizetmer'yl Character appearance: The grey figure is average height but slender, with what might be slightly pointed ears. He walks proudly. There is a shining white skull pin pinned to his pants, and a spear weapon slung across his back. His core is mostly red. Link to Heart LogHeart Log Current HP 30hp Current weapon equipped None.
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:08 pm
Curiosity killed the cat. Eyasa had no clue where the quote came from but she guessed it true for this situation--- Why was there a cave here? She examined the shadows, before noting a heavy presence. A heavy breathing-- that wasn't hers. It was almost comical, the way her face fell when the creature stepped out from behind the cave, as Eyasa would have told Vae or one of her other friends.
"Not again."
But there it was and Eyasa was still. Then she realized that it's attention stood on her and the bowl. Eyasa took a step.. and the creature didn't move. This time, she tip-toed towards the bowl, a very cautious smile addressed toward the monster as she did so. Oh a knife..
How convenient. A little too much so .. but what else did one do with a knife except attack?
She would never have noticed it if the Goddess of Ruin herself hadn’t been walking in and out of it. Actually, Lectoa managed to catch the goddess a couple of times during her trip up and down the path. It was when she spotted the woman a third time that she chose to investigate what exactly was going on. It was too much of a good opportunity to pass up. She was curious. The pathway confused her at first, but once she noticed the scratch marks the walk became smooth. Although a bit dark, she could see the altar and bowl.
Lectoa stiffened when she heard footsteps. Her jaw dropped and she tried not to whimper when a large creature emerged. “A-Ah..!” She trembled, but did nothing as the beast stared at her. Actually no, it was staring at the bowl. No, now it stared back at her. Back at the bowl. She hesitantly reached forward to grab whatever was by the bowl.
…it was a knife.
As if she would attack the beast.
She decided to see if cutting herself would do anything. Something dribbled down her palm, landing into the bowl. Lectoa squeaked as the creature’s head pushed her away and licked up whatever contents had dripped in. Its eyes glowed at her before taking a step back, gesturing toward the bowl.
Oh…! She smiled softly. Her ears twitched curiously as she stepped toward the bowl. Although she reached out for the edge, she found herself suddenly sucked in.
Her landing was anything but graceful. It was downright clumsy and atrocious. She yelped loudly as she fell in a heap.
Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t where she had been. “How nicenice…not.” Lectoa grumbled while she tried to stand back up. Something inside her head screamed for her to move, but she hesitated. The command had come too suddenly. Move…?
A howl ripped past her lips as she something clamped down on her head. She whimpered, grunted; claws tried to reach up. Tears filled the corner of her lips when she opened her eyes to stare at the disbelief painted across her killer’s face. “Why…?” Darkness.
She flew into a sitting position and found herself back in the cave. Oh. Lectoa twiddled her thumbs and decided it best to leave.
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 3:41 pm
He curiously made his way up to the ruin alter. His eyes glances at the spiral and then at the cavern. He slowly made his way over to the dimly lit area and stared inside. his eyes peered closely. He observed the cracks that let the light through. There seemed to be enough light to see.. so he walks in slowly. And then more assuredly when he sees that nothing's going to come out and attack him.
His steps are slow and curious. Each step light so as not to disturb anything. He slowly nears the object that lay in the middle of the cavern and his eyes glanced over them. One particular object struck out to him more than the rest.
He goes to examine the bowl. The bowl is large, and too heavy to lift. Even with the assistance of three others the best that can be managed is a small less than an inch lift before the bowl is dropped again.
The sides of the bowl are decorated with simplistic shapes matching the altar.
He grunts as he had tried to lift the bowl. But he could not lift it at all. "Why.." he spoke, mumbled to himself before noticing the simplistic shapes. His eyes slowly slid up to stare at the altar and then he takes a step forward towards it. But before he can approach it he suddenly hears loud thumps.
His heart pulses and throbs erratically. A hand clutches at his chest as he feels a deep stirring of fear. He holds still, mostly out of the crippling emotion that stops every inch of him from moving.
After a while he notices that the monster had stopped moving close to him. And now started eye both him and the bowl. He bends down towards the bowl and notices that there's a knife and some glowing symbols. Something in the back of his mind tells him that this is a very familiar tradition. Ezophyr picks the knife up slowly and runs it across his hand. Wondering what to do-- however he's already done it. The substance coming from his hand drips into the bowl slowly.
The monster nudges him out of the way quickly and immediately drinks up the contents. Ezophyr falls to the floor with a gasp and then groans as he stands up and rubs his bottom. Wiping the dust off himself he gasps once more and notices that the monster is now glowing with .. something. He's not quite sure what. But he feels happy from looking at the monster.
And the happiness continues. He wonders why. His head turns to the bowl and he takes a few steps forward towards it. Looking down inside before he's sucked in and tumbling down into the abyss. He lands with a thud. Hurting his bottom once more. his eyes glanced around at the grey fogged area.
The happiness that was from before quickly faded and the fear returned once more. He stumbled upwards and moved towards the left.
You roll aside as something bright and shining slams into the ground just moments where you were before. You spring to your feet, cloak flapping about you as you dance back on instinct. Wait -- cloak? This isn't you. But for now it is.
Something roars at you to focus. It occurs to you then that you don't need a weapon: you are one. There is much that you can do, so much that you realize you have plenty of choices.
He used his power.
There is more to you than expected. You are not like your opponent. You are different. You are powerful, you are dangerous, you are--
-- a fool, a voice whispers.
You look down to see the weapon lodged into your stomach. With a sickening crunch and squelch your opponent twists the weapon. You try in vain to catch yourself as you fall to pieces, helpless as your legs give out from under you.
The weapon is twisted before it cleaves you in half from the bottom up. Your last thought is that at least your opponent wasn't expecting the mess. Already they were grimacing at the dark stains now present on their previously pristine outfit. If you had breath, perhaps you would apologize for bleeding onto them.
As it was, you allow yourself to slip into oblivion instead.
You awaken with a jolt back in the cavern. The lights in the cavern are dark, the red fading to a dull crimson as if bled dry. There is nothing left for you here. You leave.
OOC
Tbcreated Character name: Ezophyr Character appearance: Grey. Plain. Long silver hair. Tired Bright blue eyes. He wears a bracelet on his wrist which has a glowing white pin... Special Ability: King's Regret: Specie Ability: Monster: Link to Heart Log[x] Current HP 30 Current weapon equipped Simple Grief
She followed her. The Goddess of Ruin. For what reason, she had no idea as to what had brought her to do it. She just followed, like a calling. Something that yearned to be heard.
She followed her, until she had reached a point. The goddess was gone. She had looked around, trying to find her, yet trying to keep herself hidden from her. To be found being spied on would never be a smart move. But when she couldn't find her anywhere, she began to walk inside the area.
She had remembered seeing the Goddess coming up her, only to return after some time. The path that she had taken was not on hard terrain, nor was it even hard to follow either. I mean, there were even red slashes that showed where one needed to follow to get there on top of the easy path.
But, back to the cavern, the entire area was lit up by the cracks on the wall. All of the cracks seemed to have been in the strangest of shapes, but nonetheless, the light coming from them made it able to figure out the shapes that laid in the middle of the room. There, in the middle of the room, was a large slab of rock, with a simple bowl looking object resting on top of it.
The altar itself was a rock, yet the red cracks made her curious. making her think that it was most likely that someone had made it that way. Now, the bowl that matched the altar that it rested on was much too heavy for her to try and pick up. She even tried, but no success was futile. She then peered around the cavern. All over, the shapes matched everything that rested inside. The Bowl, the Altar, and even the Walls. Some were easy to pick out, like a crescent that had matched one of the goddesses, but then there were ones that were making her question. Some of them seemed familiar, as if she had seen them before, but she couldn't figure it out. But the scratches and cuts that were on the wall were so much deeper than those that were on the altar and it's bowl.
And she heard something. Something came from behind her. She didn't know what it was. she slowly, and calmly turned around, trying to see what it was that happened to have been behind her. She slowly saw and heard the large steps that the beast had taken as it emerged from the darkness. It's eyes soon met up with her's, it's dull, yet glowing eyes staring straight at her. She wasn't sure what to do at that moment. That beast was so large, it could easily jumped to where she was, and most likely eat her whole.
She stood still, thinking that it might have been possible for it to not charge. But something caught her eye. It seemed to have been waiting for something. And she saw it's eyes glance to something next to her, and back and forth. The only thing that it could be looking at was next to her was the bowl.
And then she saw it.
It was a knife when she picked it up. She didn't notice that it was even a knife. It blended so well into the altar, it just didn't seem to be what it actually was. She glanced back up to see that the creature was looking at her. It's glance never moving away.
And when she was going to take the blade from her other hand, she did not notice how a strong of a hold she had on the blade, the blade making a deep gash in her hand. She could feel a warm liquid falling from her hand. She raised her hand over the bowl, not wanting to make a mess with blood all over the floor. The beast soon began to charge after her, pushing her to the side, and began to lap up the liquid that was in the bowl before she could see what, or even how much, had been put into the container.
When she looked back up, her gaze met its own. Its head had bowed towards her, before she noticed that it's gaze did not seem dull anymore, in fact, there was a definite brightness to them. Somehow, a feeling of gratitude was felt between her and the creature, before it turned it's head towards the bowl, as if it was saying to look inside. Leia held her hand tightly, still feeling the pain searing in her hand, and she turned her head towards the bowl. And suddenly, she was being sucked into it. She didn't even have the chance to grab onto anything, proving at how fast this had occurred.
She was falling, and soon landed with a loud Thud on the ground. Her eyes opened slowly and noticed that she was not where she once was. And then a voice was calling to her.
Move.
And she did. She rolled towards the left, and soon noticing that some that shimmered and bright had landed into the ground where she once was. Eyes widened, and instincts kicking in, she jumped off from the ground with a cloak following from behind her. Wait, a cloak? I do not remember ever having a cloak on. Not one bit. She looked at herself really quickly. This isn't me either. She soon looked back up, knowing something was there. Or someone.
But something was roaring at her, telling her to attack. She thought that she would have needed her weapon to attack the stranger, yet something came to her soon afterwards. She didn't need one. She was one. The choices that she could choose were endless possibilities. And she decided to use her power that she herself had.
She was more than what her opponent was. She was different. She was powerful. She was even dangerous.
Yet, you are a fool. The voice had said.
And she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She didn't want to look to see what was happening, but she looked, and gulped, her body giving a shudder. There was a weapon lodged deep within her. She looked up to the person just as she heard a sickening sound was heard. She could tell that her opponent had twisted its weapon inside her. It twisted it more than the first. She thought she could handle it, yet she could feel her legs giving out from underneath her. It twisted the weapon again, before slowly cleaving her in half. She didn't even notice the creepy smile that had formed on her face when she had thought at the expression the person had had. Apparently, it wasn't expecting the mess that had occurred on the person's pristine attire that the person had decided to wear.
Oh how she wished she could apologize for the terrible mess that she had made. Yet, she was so close. She could have defeat it. Yet, she felt ashamed. She felt this, like the cloak that covered her body, a memory that will hinder her future interactions. She would never be enough in anything she would do, no matter how perfect she thought it was, it would never be correct. But slowly, before she could think of any more ways to feel ashamed. she was slipping away, into a dark abyss.
Suddenly, she awoke back in the cavern. Her breathing heavy, her eyes wide, and herself grasping the area that was, at least thought, was stabbed at. As she tried to calm her breathing, she noticed the difference in the cavern. The lights had become darker, with the red seeming to look now a dark crimson, as if the color had been bled dry.
She no longer needed to be there. There was nothing sensed in that cavern that needed to be completed anymore, besides the thoughts of shame from that encounter. She slowly rose to her feet, and walked away from the cavern, now being more worried about the place that she and the others in this place were in, and her personal confidence.
{END}
Longing
Character name: Leia {Alice} Character appearance: A small figure of a girl, aligned to Longing. Link to Heart LogHere Current HP 30 - 2 = 28! Current weapon equipped Broken Wings [2d8-6]
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:10 pm
She found the Goddess of Ruin walking out of a pathway she had never seen before. The first time, Skaaal chose to ignore the goddess and instead continued on her way. The second time, however, the shadow grew curious. What was she doing there again? Was there something important at the end of that pathway? Still, she chose to walk on. But the third time she finally decided to step into the pathway. Perhaps something interesting and useful could be gotten.
Navigating her way through was easy. So long as she followed the scratch marks, Skaaal assumed she would never go astray. Her prediction proved right when she found herself in a cave filled with something. The cracks that covered the wall let in enough light to allow her to run her hand over the slab of an altar. She didn’t pay a lot of attention to the red cracks and shapes all over it. Thin fingers slid over the edge of the bowl, large and likely heavy. She didn’t try to lift it. Most of the shapes inside the cave were simple. One she could at least recognize because the Goddess wore it. Another tugged at her brain, but she couldn’t figure out why it was familiar.
Something stirred from the back of the cave. Her jaw locked and she took a step back, allowing the beast more room when it entered. While her instinct was to attack, she didn’t think she had the ability to take down a beast of this size. Skaaal did nothing, and so did the creature. She narrowed her eyes when she watched it switch between her and the bowl. What? Tentatively, she reached for what she quickly realized was a knife.
Pause.
The blade cut into her palm to let something dribble into the bowl and she was knocked backwards. Skaaal hissed, glaring at the monster before it looked at her with glowing eyes. It stepped back, giving her room to stand up and reach for the bowl.
Until she was sucked in.
Falling was painful, but she ignored the pain in favor of standing up and staring at the foggy sky. Guts told her to move, so she did.
Her cloak—cloak?—whirled behind her as she rolled to the left and something white slammed against rock. She stared at her hands for a weapon, but then realized she was one. She nearly snickered as her hands transformed into monstrous claws and she easily blocked the weapon.
She almost laughed as she continued to fight with her claws. She hummed as she moved with her opponent; it was almost dancing. Her movements were smooth, brimming with confidence. But it was her pride that allowed the opponent to pull a feint and ran their weapon into her. She choked, claws to stomach as she fell to her knees. There was barely any time for her to notice the smile on their lips before her head fell off.
Skaaal took in a deep breath when she found herself at the altar once more. “Lovely,” she muttered, standing up to leave.
Syusaki
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Natsuko-neko
Unstoppable OTP
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:57 pm
Andie studied where the Goddess of Ruin had come from. The cave didn't look special, at least not from the outside. He walked into it and looked around, finding an alter, bowl and some artwork. He wondered why they were here in the cavern but no answer had come to him by the time a beast arrived. He turned to look at better it but stood still other wise, watching it watch him. Nether one of them did anything besides look until Andie noticed it was looking at a knife he hadn't seen before.
Since the beast hadn't done anything but watch, Andie didn't use the knife against it but held still some more. At least until he realized just what the beast was waiting for. With a small frown he picked up the knife and cut his hand, letting blood drip down into the bowl. It was a bit gross to watch the beast drink his blood but he supposed it was better then being attacked by it. When it stepped away and bowed, Andie did as it asked and stepped over to peer into the bowl only to get sucked in.
Instinct screamed at him and he dodged to the left in time to avoid the attack. He held up his arms and attacked what ever it was that was attacking him with his bare hands that had some how turned into claws.
Andie smirked gleefully as he fought with the person, taking a swipe at them with his claws, just enjoying the fight. He wasn't even worried about the fur growing on his arms as they were a sort of protection against the bite of the blade.
The glee was turning into pride now as he continued with his claws and Andie made a mistake. A mistake that cost him his head though before he was beheaded he saw a smile on his opponents face.
He woke to the alter with everything dim and no beast. He picked his self up and found a bit of loot to pocket. He then left with out a backwards glance.
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:09 pm
Naian didn't like the Spirals. Not at all. They were sullen and graceless to her eyes, ruin more profound than the actual Ruins. She wasn't sure what drove her to this place, to follow the path set out by claws - really, the safest thing would be to settle in an abandoned shrine at the World's Edge and eke out her days as best she could.
But safe wouldn't get her any answers... and she wanted to know the truth behind what was happening to her. Why her head hurt, why her brain felt raw and squeezed and empty. Why the Longing in her heart had increased.
Slowly, she climbed... only to find another shrine. It was almost disappointing. There were so many shrines at the World's Edge that another one was really not that exciting, particularly when Ruin was not there. With a sigh, she stepped forward to examine the bowl. It seemed a fairly standard offering vessel.
Hrm.
Movement caught her eye, and she froze, her hands cupped against the sides of the bowl. The approaching thud, thud made her feel almost ill, and she swayed and held on to the altar for balance. A great beast emerged, dragging darkness behind it.
She couldn't move. Naian closed her eyes and waited to be unmade-
-and yet, when after a moment nothing happened, she opened her eyes again, very slowly. The beast was watching her, the force of its gaze intense, and yet she didn't get the sense that she was about to be attacked. Instead, she swallowed hard. The beast's gaze seemed to flick from Naian herself down, to... the bowl?
She followed the gaze and realized something else lay on the altar. Slowly, Naian lifted a blade, thin and traced with red runes. A knife. An offering bowl. It didn't take much to connect the two. Perhaps if she appeased the beast it would leave her alone...
Naian winced, then wrapped one hand around the blade and squeezed. Pain made her whimper, but she held her injured hand over the bowl to let her blood flow free. She had the strangest sensation, as she heard the first drops hit the bottom of the bowl, that more than just blood alone was leaving her, though she couldn't think what else she might have to lose.
Another whimper escaped her throat as the beast nudged her to one side, lowering its head to drink greedily of the bowl's contents. It then stepped back, nodding at the bowl.
With a gulp, Naian stepped forward and looked into the bowl - only to stumble, somehow, and fall-
Grey. Everything was grey. Grey like fog, grey like everyone had been before the Goddesses. Grey like forever.
Move.
With a jolt, she obeyed, the energy surging through her surprising even her; a flicker of red startled her, but something in her made her feel calm. Yes, that was new. No, it was not. Both the thoughts existed in harmony in her mind.
Something slammed into the ground where she'd been, and she felt panic rise - but something else came too, a voice inside her urging her towards focus. A giddy realization rose within her: she was powerful. She was strong. She had power. Such power. She had always been afraid. She was going to use it now-
And then the weapon cleaved her in two, and she collapsed into pieces, crumbling away into nothing-
She awoke with a gasp, alone, the wound in her palm sealed. The light had gone. There was nothing left. Slowly, Naian got to her feet and stumbled out. She hadn't obtained any answers... only more questions.
Sosiqui
Enduring Muse
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Bloodlust Dante
Fortunate Hellraiser
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:14 pm
Dark and foreboding was the area called the Spirals, nothing made it stand out to Maiden, made him want to stare a tit for hours, if anything he wanted to get away from it. It reeked of something horrible, panic and confusion. The red streaks were striking, following along its marks as he made his way down the path. The path itself was long, and seemed to stretch for meters, all punctuated by silence, it made the mind wander to the walls and its patterns.
Nonsensical shapes that grew and shrink, twist and bend and taper off, did the pathway lead to something, did it lead to the source of the red streaks? He wasn't sure, what he was sure of, was the path ended with steps. The anticipation of something new welled inside and tricked like a crushed dream at the sight of the plain table and bowl. the cracks that let light in were more shapes, things that begged Maiden to look closer at the shapes. patterns that were interesting and created and brightened as light passed by its crevices, shapes and things that reminded the shadow of things vaguely.
symbols that he new somehow. dwelling on the thought proved to be a mistake as a bit of movement from the corner of his sight caught his attention, one that should have caught him sooner by the sight of the beast that sat there in the room with him. It was massive, taller and wider and obviously heavier than he himself, it stared, almost expressionless. It left him stricken with fear and frozen in place. It didn't move wither, the beast was patient and careful. it never stopped watching him, flicking his eyes to the table once in a while, that caught his own attention as he darted his gaze briefly to the right and back, to test the waters.
The beast did not moved but continued to look on, like a gargoyle or statue, spectating. the glance back at the table revealed a thin knife next to the bowl, red and cracked and in his palm. Still the beast did not move but his eyes were more focused now, intent on watching, waiting with impatience.
For what? it was red, there was a bowl... was it possible? was it a test? it waited for something, something needed to be cut, and it did not seem to be it. Maiden seriously doubted that the little blade could even pierce the beast, much less hurt it.
He went after the next best thing, himself. Slicing part of his hand open, a tiny cut but something drained, something important and pooled, gathered in the bowl and made him feel weak in the knees. whatever it was, it had the beasts attention as it began its slow lumber up to the bowl and away from him and stuck its face in.
what was in the bowl, he wasn't sure, gently nudging the sated beast away, the red eyes hued creature that had its fill and was please with the offering. the bowl still remained, was there anything left inside to investigate?
he did not know,for the bowl made a meal out of him. the contents of the container rushed up to meet him in a blur of shadows and-
grey
everything was grey once more, a dismal color that seemed so bland and horrible and- move.
the sound was faint, urgent and authoritative. Not to mention sudden that had him unconsciously complying, shifting his body to the left by a few footsteps. bright flashes of light flowed from where he once stood. luminescent and blinding and powerful as the waves of energy began to vibrate from the point of contact. whipping up the fabric around his should-
fabric? the fabric was the bright shade of crimson, almost as blinding as the white light, it flapped in the breeze and floated as if it was from a show about cards. there was a fight going on and he had no weapon.
he was the weapon he realized. there were still limbs that could be used to punch and...
make that claws that could cleave and render flesh from bone. it was a thrilling feeling of using the appendages. a primal sort of sensation that had his core pumping, even if the light of it wasn't there, he could feel it.
Maiden felt so alive.
it was at the pinnacle of euphoria when despair always hits the hardest, like a blade across the stomach and a final look into the face of evil.
and then the sky and his body became the final painting of scenery he would witness.
The sky... was vast, and red.
in the red, was the world fading to black. the shades of obsidian gave way to charcoal, eyes that opened and blinked at the feeling of reattachment. a body that was once again whole that didn't seem like it not too long ago.
Regret gnawed at the pit of his stomach, regret that he could have done something differently in life. something, anything.
a simple change that could have created a more favorable outcome. the place had a meaning in its walls, that the choices we make are set in stone,
the choices he made left a few items in the bowl for his way out, tucking them in his sleeve, he never looked back.
not even to the red eyes that burned in the shadows that continued to stare and judge.
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:24 pm
Answering the call of the goddess, Wyng found herself in a cavern on one side of the spiral. It did not look like much, just a wide, dark gap set not quite halfway up one of the three massive spires. It was a place that Wyng probably would have overlooked had something not been seen entering and leaving it, or had the Goddess of Ruin not been taking trips there, disappearing only to reappear hours later.
The path to the cave was easy to find and easier to follow, mostly because three bright red slashes left on ruins indicated the path to follow. Eventually, she had made it to the cave.
The inside of the cavern was lit by the cracks on the wall, no two alike and each one a very odd shape. The cracks were wide enough to illuminate the room enough that Wyng could make out the contents of the room. It was a bare, almost empty, cavern with a raised slab of rock in the middle. A simple bowl-like object rested on top of the slab.
Always curious, Wyng examined everything thoroughly. Examining the alter, Wyng found out that at point the alter had probably been a slab of rock. The red cracks along the corners, however, lead Wyng to believe that someone had cut it into this shape. The top of the alter was rough and uneven, while the sides of it appeared to have simple shapes cut into it.All in all it was fairly plain for an alter. Examining the bowl, Wyng sees that is extremely large and too heavy to lift. She doubted that, even with the assistance of three others, she would be able to even lift it an inch before dropping it. Looking at the side of the bowl, she saw it was decorated with simplistic shapes matching the alter. Examining the shapes she had seen on the alter, bowl and the walls, she noted that they were rather simplistic. Some were easy to pick out, like the crescent moon seen on the Goddess herself, whereas others elude her, like one that makes her brain itch. Where had she seen it before? The shapes on the wall were cut deeper and larger than the ones on the alter and bowl, they appeared to be there mainly for the purpose of letting in light.
Then, from the back of the cavern, something stirred. She could hear the muffled thud of each step as a large beast emerged from the darkness, staring at her with dull glowing eyes. It was large; in a single bound it could jump over the table and swallow her whole. Startled, Wyng held still.
The creature appeared to be waiting for something. Wyng noticed that its eyes were drawn to the bowl. With a start, she realized it was looking from her to the bowl and back. It wanted something. Suddenly noticing something she had not seen before, Wyng saw a long and thin knife with vibrant red cracks along the side of it. At first glance, it had looked like it was part of the pattern on the table, which is why Wyng had not noticed it. Calmly noting what the creature wanted, she picked up the knife. As soon as she did so, she noticed that the creature was now looking at her alone. It's dull eyes did not look away from her as it waited for her to make a move.
Wyng held still, she did not want to attack this creature, because, if the goddess had been coming here regularly, it might be her pet.
The creature was still looking at her expectantly. What was she supposed to do? Then, wondering if the knife was a real one or only a ceremonial one, she decided to test the edge of the knife. If it was a ceremonial one, there was a large likelihood that it would not cut. Testing the edge of the blade on her palm, she cut herself with the knife. The knife had an extremely sharp edge, meaning it either was not ceremonial, or it was meant for a ceremony in which blood was spilled.
Noting the creature again looking at the bowl, she understood what the creature wanted. Cautiously, she held out her hand palm down over the bowl and felt something leave her body and fall int the bowl below. Curious as to what that was, Wyng went to look into the bowl, only to be pushed out of the way by the creature's gigantic head as it lapped up the contents of the bowl.
As soon as it was done, it looked at her and then bowed it's head. When it looked back up, Wyng saw that its eyes were no longer dull, rather, they were sharp with a definite glow to them. As Wyng was trying to figure out what had caused the change, she felt the creature's gratitude envelop her. Taken aback by the overwhelming feeling, Wyng did not notice at first when the creature nodded towards the bowl. As soon as she realized what it was indicating, she moved closer to see if there was any of what had left her still in the bowl, but before she could get a good look, she was suddenly sucked into the bowl.
Wyng unceremoniously landed on some hard ground. Opening her eyes, she wondered if she had fallen over. Upon observing her surroundings though, she realized that she was not where she had been. Instead of being in a cave, she was out under a grey foggy sky. Perplexed and staring at her surroundings, she then heard a voice cry out for her to move.
Jumping at the sound, Wyng moved left more out of reflex than anything. As she looked back at where she had been something bright and shining slammed into the ground. Knowing it would have hit her, she feels grateful to whomever, or whatever had warned her. Springing to her feet, Wyng danced back on instinct, her cloak flapping around her. Finally noticing the cloak, she realized that she was not herself at the moment, so she just decided to be whomever she was.
Just as she was deciding this, something roared at her to focus. It was then that she realized something else, this body she was in was a living weapon, so she would not need one to fight this thing.
Not noticing that this form had other powers, Wyng decided to use her hands to fight the thing in front of her. Then she realized one of this form's powers and caused her hands to shift into much stronger claws. Knowing somehow that her claws were as sharp as metal, Wyng had no fear about stopping her opponent's weapon. As soon as she had caught the weapon with one claw, she struck out with her other claw which caused them to wince and recoil.
Sensing the chance to press the attack, Wyng continued using her han-er, claws, because if something was working, why should she stop?
The fighting made her feel alive. The claws were very comfortable to use, since they did not need to be reloaded, like other weapons she could name. As she continued to fight, her shifting continued gradually covering her arms in extra muscle and fur for extra protection. She was practically dancing circles around her opponent, blocking and parrying every blow they made as they proceeded to slash at her.
Curious as to what else this new form could do, Wyng decided to use another skill. She slashed at her opponent one more time before she danced back preparing herself. Somehow, she knew another trick, another way to deal with her foe. It had come to her much as the shifting did. Her opponent knew what it is, too, she could tell they knew. That was not going to stop her though.
She felt the power as it thrummed across her skin, felt the sheer force that had built inside her. When she realized it was ready, she let it go. Then something pulsed and flowed over her as she grew bigger. Feeling elated due to all of this power, she faintly hears something. Deciding to listen to the whisper, Wyng heard it was a soft voice. Surprised that she could hear it at all with all of the noise around her, she tried to listen to what it was saying. It promised her something, she did not quite hear what. If it was promising her gold, gems, or fame, she could get those with this body. Still, she was curious as to what it was. Then it said that in exchange it wanted her to do something. Again not quite hearing what, she decided to make it easier to hear by stopping her opponents attacks. So she tried to take her opponent's weapon thinking that would be the quickest way for her to end the battle while in this unfamiliar body.
"What the ******** are you doing?!"
Not unsurprisingly, her opponent's face twisted into rage as she grabbed hold of the shining weapon. She and he began to struggle and fight for dominance over it.
"Don't you ******** dare --"
After struggling with him for a while she finally tried to rip the weapon out of their hands and she easily succeeded, after all, she was better and stronger. She was unique. Finding it really simple to take the weapon from her opponent, she wonders back, what had been the price for this strength. Not knowing what she had lost, and finding it inconsequential because of that, she believes it to have been well worth it.
The weapon was extremely light in her hands. As Wyng starts to feel elated over managing to take his weapon, her opponent lunged at her screaming. Using his own weapon to block him, she raised it and struck him hard enough to hear something crunch when it contacts.
With her opponent laying at her feet, she saw two options before her. She could kill this man who had tried to kill her with a sneak attack, which she was sorely tempted to do, or she could show him mercy. Remembering once again that she was not in her body, and not wanting to anger whomever's body this was, in case they came after her, Wyng decided to show mercy. After all, when whomever owned this body returned they could deal with that guy.
Smirking as she held out her palm to her fallen opponent, she knew that it was not just this body, but also this place that made her strong. This was her kingdom and she could feel the untapped power just waiting to be used here. Drawing it into her hand, she then placed it on top of her opponent's head and she felt him break beneath her. Her body smiled as he did so.
Ready to survey her new kingdom, Wyng left her defeated opponent behind and rested her new weapon on her shoulder. Then she remembered once more that this was not her body, was someone else's. This was their kingdom, you were just the pilot for the body or the puppeteer. With that thought Wyng started to doubt whether or not she had really been in control of the body, after all, it had done some completely unbidden. She did not like thinking that another had control of her, for some reason. Even though she obeyed the goddesses, they still let her be herself, right? Herself...who was she? She was one whom led others to the depths, never to return, she was not one to be led.
Startled at this thought, Wyng suddenly awoke back in the cavern. The lights in the cavern were dark, how much time had passed? Turning back to the alter, she found a blessing waiting there for her as well as two trinkets. Noting that there was very little else for her there, she grabbed the trinkets and the blessing and left back for the main section of the spires, still perplexed.
OOC
Character name: Wonenwyng (Wyng) Character appearance: A average sized grey form with a red heart(That occasionally shifts colors), long black hair, a black blank tag around it's neck, and wearing the remains of what seems to be a dress. Link to Heart LogHere Current HP 50/50 Current weapon equippedAgony's Twin
Ariaalina
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OnionGrump
Mewling Trash
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:41 am
Aryn wandered up the path, following the one marked with the crude red slashes.
He had spotted the Goddess of Ruin come here herself and even watched as she vanished up towards the spire, only to reappear shortly after. Though why was she was here and why? He was curious to know. The cavern didn't look like much. In fact, if it weren't for the traffic coming and leaving the cavern he would have missed it entirely.
Once he reached the cave, he glanced inside before quietly approaching the altar. The only thing in the room.
The altar and the bowl were given a quick look over before finally he laid his eyes on the shapes etched into the bowl, altar, even the walls. They were simple design and familiar even. One being the crescent moon of the Ruin Goddess herself. Another however... Aryn eyed it curiously. He could have sworn he had seen this somewhere before. It was on the tip of his brain, but for some reason, he just couldn't recall where. He started to examine another when something in the back of the cavern shifted.
Oh great. Now what?
Very carefully, Aryn slowly lifted his head. But to his surprise, and shock, he saw that it was a massive beast; watching him with dull eyes.
Oh shiii--
What could he do? No doubt if he ran, it would run him down and given the size and build of the thing, he doubted it would have any trouble in outdoing him in speed. But... he couldn't exactly fight it either. He wasn't that strong and his weapon, though helpful, was hardly anything to boast about.
Well.. There was one option left then.
Aryn remained as still as he possibly could. Hoping to the Goddesses that the beast would soon lose interest and leave him be, or fall asleep long enough so that he could quietly escape. But to his dismay, rather than lose interest, it seemed to be waiting for something--not only that, but its gaze was shifting between both him and the bowl.
What? Did it want him to preform some sacrifice or something? Get real!
That's what he would have liked to say. But given that this was a giant beast, capable of maiming him, he kept his words behind closed lips. But really, what did it expect him to do?
It took him a moment, but eventually Aryn noticed something long, thin, and glowing placed beside the bowl. He picked it up and found that it was a knife.
Maybe it really did expect him to preform some sort of sacrifice... He had his doubts that it was meant for the beast. It was much too large for such a tiny blade. It's claws would likely find him first. But maybe...
Looking over the blade, Aryn sucked in a breath and very quickly, pulled the blade over his palm, holding it over the bowl. It was strange though. It felt as though something was leaving his body and dropping into the bowl. However he didn't get a chance to see what it was. Within a heart beat, the gigantic creature was on its feet and he was being pushed back and away from the bowl as it lapped up the contents. Aryn, not really interested with the feeding beast, began to look over his cut when the beast raised its head again; looking directly at him.
"What? I'm not putting anymore into that bowl." He said with a frown. But to his surprise, the beast bowed its head and when it lifted it again, he could see its eyes more clearly than before. No longer the dull eyes from before, but bright and holding an obvious glow to them and though it spoke no words, he could feel a sense of gratitude from the beast. It nodded towards the bowl again.
"No. Seriously. That's all your getting." But when the beast didn't budge, looking expectant, Aryn gave a sigh and approached the bowl. But when he looked inside and before he could even say another word to the beast, he was sucked in, landing heavily with a 'thud.'
"Aww damn it." He cursed, curling into a ball from the painful landing. Maybe he should have attacked that damned beast after all. That bloody hurt!
With another curse, Aryn slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to find that he was no longer in the cave. No, he wasn't even in the same area. This place... the sky was gray with fog and--
MOVE!
Voices were screaming at him, urging him to move and without thinking, he obeyed, rolling to the left.
It was a wise decision. Not a second after he rolled, something bright slammed into the ground, right where he had previously been laying. He leaped to his feet, a red cloak blowing around him as jumped back and away on instinct.
Wait--since when did he have a cloak? Was this really hi--
A roar erupted in his mind, as if demanding him to focus on the situation at hand.
Weapon he needed a--
No.
He was a weapon.
He moved to strike with his hand, a grin forming onto his face as the 'hands' shifted, growing in both size and density and becoming solid muscle and claws. This was enough. He didn't need a weapon. The claws were as sharp as any blade, capable of tearing a man in two and as if to test that theory, as the man swung at him with his scythe, Aryn swiped at him with his claws, satisfied to land a hit on the opponent. The man recoiled from the damage and Aryn seized the opportunity, using this chance to press him back further. He struck at him again with his han--claws, enjoying ever second of the fight. He had never felt so alive before. He felt so at home in this fight, tearing and slashing at the man with his claws. Who needed a weapon?
The thickness grew, traveling up his arms and covering them in a thick coat of fur for added protection. He was still attacking, spinning around and parrying and blocking hits while his opponent continued to repeat attacking him. But claws weren't the only trick he knew. With one more slash, Aryn jumped back in preparation. He had another skill, even his opponent knew it, but that wasn't going to stop him.
It was ready. His skin tingled as the power built up from within. It was pulsing, flowing over as his form grew in size. It was amazing. Aryn reveled in the sensation and yet... something... he could hear something...
He ignored it.
His attention was on his opponent who continued to attack him, even now. Little good it did. He may as well been a woodpecker at a tree. Here he was far more powerful. Here, he was a Goddess. Anyone and anything that opposed would be crushed beneath his power and as if to prove that point, he seized hold of the other; easily holding them up in the air.
He began to squeeze, taking pleasure in the way the man squirmed and struggled his grasp until eventually they stilled, unable to move any longer. The bright, shining weapon dropped, shattering against the earth far below as if it were glass; joined shortly after by its owner.
Laughter erupted from his throat as his opponent collided with the ground, broken and useless.
It was over.
Large wings unfurled, spreading wide and after a few strong, heavy beats, he began climbing into the sky.
He felt free. There was no attachment to this world, nor to anything within it. No obligations. No duties. Only freedom, and yet, the higher he climbed, the more he realized, that he was alone.
...
....
With a start, Aryn woke up. He was back in the cavern now and he was--himself? Had it all been a dream?
He looked around the cavern. The lights once a bright red were now a dull crimson. There was nothing here. Even the hulking beast was gone. It was time for him to go. Though not before grabbing a couple of the objects from the altar.
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:22 am
Lyzzi had only recently noticed the path leading up to a cavern by the side of the spiral. However, once she saw it, she could not stop seeing it whenever she walked by. While she was curious about it, she never thought of visiting it till she saw one of the Goddesses making her way to it; was there something important there?
Feeling adventurous one day, she decided to make her way to the cave; it was easy enough to find, since the path was clear and the markings made it even clearer. When she arrived, however, she found that the interior was disappointingly empty and plain. She had expected a little more than just an alter, a bowl, and shapes on both of those items as well as the wall. They probably mean something, but there doesn't seem to be any sort of explanation around.
Not entirely paying attention, she only noticed that she was not alone when she heard a loud thump. Looking for the source of the noise, she found glowing eyes staring at her from the back of the cavern - a massive beast had appeared, and it seemed to be waiting for her to move.
She did the opposite, and stayed as still as possible.
After a while, she realized that the beast's eyes were wandering - they darted back and forth between her and the bowl on the alter. Curious, she looked at the bowl again, noticing that it was not the only thing sitting on the alter. Beside it was a knife, but it had looked like part of the alter at first glance... Was it waiting for her to pick it up? If she were to move, would it come after her? Perhaps the knife was some sort of weakness...
In a single movement, she darted forward to grab the knife, and then charged at the beast; she would rather attack it first than have it attack her first.
Rojand had been in the Spire for some time, picking his way curiously around the twisted rocks, familiarizing himself with the terrain. Not afraid, no longer feeling so incomplete, he had ventured out of the Ruins to explore. When he saw the Goddess of Ruin making her way up the spiral, he had watched for a time until she vanished, watched a while longer, wondering if she would emerge. When she hadn't, he'd moved on, gone to help a group tearing up yet another melting thing with claws, and had nearly forgotten that he'd seen the Goddess. It was only by chance that he spotted her drifting back down hours later.
Curiosity drew him up towards the place she'd gone. He had had no desire to follow her while she was there. Goddesses were dangerous. They wanted something, and what they wanted wasn't clear; if not summoned to the shrine or drawn in by Paranoia's silent and compelling call, he stayed out of their way as much as possible. But once she was gone, he wanted to know. What was up there? What had she been doing?
He hesitated when it became clear that she had marked the path, made it clear to anyone looking that this was the way up. Did she want them to investigate? Maybe he shouldn't, after all. In the end, curiosity spurred him on, and he made his way up the spiral to the cavern set into its side.
The cracks in the walls lit the cavern a dim red, enough to see the altar and the bowl that rested atop it. Rojand touched the bowl lightly, then tried to lift it. His arms protested at the weight, and he stopped trying. Too heavy. The shapes etched into the bowl and the altar made him frown, tickling dim memories buried where he couldn't reach them.
A soft ticking sound made him turn. The beast's claws clicked against the stone as it walked, and its glowing eyes remained fixed on Rojand. He held very still. This was not a creature he could hope to kill alone or even defend himself effectively. If he didn't provoke it, it might not attack, he reasoned.
It looked to the bowl, deliberately and pointedly. He followed its gaze to the thin knife that lay beside the bowl. Its eyes returned to him. Slowly, he picked the knife up, angry at himself. He shouldn't have come here. Goddesses were dangerous. Did the beast want him to fight?
No. This was an altar. Rojand exhaled a long sigh and slowly moved to hold his hand over the bowl. He closed the palm of his free hand over the knife, took a breath, then pulled the knife back, slicing into his hand. He dropped the knife to the altar and opened his hand again, letting his blood drip into the bowl.
Something went with it, something essential, but before he could wonder what it was or feel more than a twitch of anger at himself for allowing the theft, the beast's big, blunt muzzle pushed him gently aside, and it cleaned his blood and whatever had gone with it from the bowl with its tongue. When it looked up again, its eyes were sharp, bright, defined, with a grateful edge to their gaze. It nodded to the bowl.
Slowly, feeling that he had no other choice, he approached again, and found himself sucked downward, down into the bowl, falling helplessly until the ground came up to smack him hard.
He lay under a grey and foggy sky, catching his breath, until instinct told him move, move NOW, and he rolled without pausing to think about it as something bright sliced into the ground where he'd been only moments before. He rolled to his feet, cloak swirling around him, and wondered even as he did who or what he was, aware that he was someone else now, somewhere, somewhen. He was here, listening, along for the ride, even as something howled in his mind and he understood that he didn't need a weapon (no, wrong, that was wrong).
He didn't need a weapon. He held power within himself, more than he knew, more than he'd known, and all he had to do was -
- the pain shocked through him, bright and sharp, and he looked down to see the blade embedded in his belly, twisting and slicing, and he collapsed, shocked and hurting and full of regret before the blackness slipped into his eyes and took him away.
He didn't fight. He never fought, it wasn't something he did. It was a waste of time and got everyone involved written up if you were stupid enough to get caught, and guys who regularly got in fights were almost always stupid enough to get caught. He turned his back on the guy taunting him and walked away.
It was better not to get involved, even if something in him stung, hurt and small and ashamed.
He woke curled around himself beside the altar. His stomach was intact, his guts inside him where they were supposed to be. He smoothed a hand down over his shirt, checking, then pushed himself up to his feet, slow and halting.
A prize lay gleaming on the altar. He wondered what he'd given up to earn it. He took it anyway and slunk out. He didn't know what the Goddesses wanted, and he was angry at himself for allowing them to lure him into it over and over again.
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:05 pm
This place he had not seen before, but there were probably many places like that given how little he had traveled in these lands. But what had really brought him to the cavern was something he saw. Not a wisp, not a beast, not even another person but what looked to be a Goddess. He followed like many people seemed to have done, an easy enough trip as it was up so how could be be hard to pass up?
His eyes traveled the interior of the cave, only lit by odd shaped cracks that littered the wall and perhaps even the three red gashes that were leading him further into the confines of the place and what it held. There were objects but the details that littered the cavern help his attention, oddly enough. His finger traced the outline of one of them. It seemed so familiar, why did it look familiar. Had he seen it somewhere before? Besides the moon that decorated the Goddess herself?
But he would find no answer just yet as something stirred from deep within the cavern. Liom turned, daring to take a few extra steps closer as a few more sounds echoed until a large beast emerged. Huge, it was huge and staring at him with dull glowing eyes. Liom's first instinct was to attack, because that's what he always did.
He held still though, stood his ground just like the figure he had seen while making the decent. It had looked cool, he wanted to look cool. He stood, his fingers twitching ready for a fight and ready to grab his two blades. The boy watched it, watching him in turn as it looked between several objects at once. It was looking at the bowl specifically before turning back its glowing eyes at him.
Or was it looking at the bowl? Liom wasn't sure how well taking his eyes off the large beast would play out, but he spared a moment to look where the bowl laid only to see something else there. A knife maybe? Maybe he should go get it, he could attack this thing with it. He wasn't looking, he could go grab it and stab the thing with it. Or would he even stand a chance against it? Usually he fought in groups, he had yet to fight alone and even with smaller prey.
So he stood his ground again, maybe something else would present itself. Liom was actually rather impressed with himself, not giving into those usual impulses; then again, no one would be around to really see him go at this thing and now that he got the thought in his mind he realized he really probably couldn't go up against this thing. Maybe if he got a chance to get away and drag someone up with him. But it didn't look like the creature wanted him to leave, or simply wouldn't let him.
Fine, he would go the road of caution. The boring way. But the beast still wanted something from him, those eyes still looking to the bowl and the knife that sat beside it.
"Do you want me to stab you?" He grumbled, accepting his decision and approaching the looming beast. He took the knife in his hands and then looked at the bowl and the alter. It took him a while to figure it out, for the cogs to click into place and another solution to come to mind. He cut his hand with the knife and held it over the bowl, maybe this was what it wanted.
At least something happened from this action, not something he really liked. That feeling was not pleasant, something was being taken from him and he was pushed aside before he could reclaim it. Lapped up by some stupid giant cat. "Hey!" He cried out angrily. But then it turned its head, those eyes bright and piercing but not actually threatening.
It confused Liom, was it thanking him?
The boy slowly took the invitation that it had extended with the bowl, perhaps some of whatever he had spared was left for him to get back. But the bowl had other ideas, pulling him in before he could push away and escape. Into a world of grey fog - so much freakin' grey fog! - and once again face planting into the ground.
"Gah..." He uttered. MOVE! His head screamed and he listed to the left, rolling out of the way just in time before something slammed into the spot he once occupied. That would have sucked.
Liom sprung to his feet, hearing a weird crack behind him and he dared to look. He didn't normally wear a cloak, did he? Did he get nee battle attire curtsey of bowl transport? (It didn't occur to him that maybe he just wasn't actually himself just yet). Maybe he would have come to that conclusion given time, like the alter, but something told him to focus. Because there was still something here. His hands reached for his blades, but found nothing. How was he supposed to fight? You are the weapon. He felt his mind tell him.
He looked down at his hands, wondering what that could entail only to stare in disbelief as they changed and shifted. No longer boring and grey hands, but something of solid muscle and sharp claws. Something to fight with, himself an able weapon. Liom grinned, threw himself at the creature that had almost made him a pancake and slashed with his claws. He felt alive, he felt invigorated. It winced and recoiled, allowing him to drive it back. He continued to use his claws, spinning with a flourish and a grace that he didn't even know he could have. Or maybe, finally found in such an odd way. Or maybe it was because this just wasn't him at all.
But he pressed forward, loving every minute of it. He flexed his hands after delivering another blow. He halted a moment, feeling something else deep down, another power residing in him. He could feel the unease from his opponent, like he knew that there was something else to come, that he was preparing and had pulled himself back from the flurry of swipes for a reason.
It pulsed, filling him, growing him. He could feel the other power, another power he could use. It filled his veins, it seized him and he grinned. He could hear something, always hearing something and he listened to the roar. Listening had not failed him before and he saw no point in ignoring it.
But maybe he should have. The voices usually helped him go forward, to continue but now he could feel something try to hold him back, to stop his progress. He as so close, so close to giving in to it all and letting into every indulgence. How was that so bad? He was powerful, so powerful.
He could breathe fire, engulf his foes with vivid white fire with a simple move of unhinging his jaws. He could could strike them down with a swipe from his mightly claws. Down, down his opponent fell, nothing but a heap on the ground at his feet. How was this so bad, to see the defeat in those eyes and the end of the battle with a smirk on his face?
Liom threw back his head and howled into the foggy air. From triumph? Or something more, there seemed to be a note of sadness in such a cry. Memories tried to fight their way, pushing him to reconsider his actions. A heavy price, he had paid it. Didn't he realize it? But he had so little to remember to make him learn this lesson.
Something he should have remembered, learned. But it faded as did the euphoria of the kill, taken away in an instant the moment his eyes snapped open. Liom felt his body jolt up, arms flailing slightly as he sat up.
He was alone, the room had dulled from the bright glowing red to a crimson that held nothing for him now. Still, he looked around. The creature was gone, there was nothing left and so he was done here.
OOC
*optional image of your character here if you wish* Character name: Liom Character appearance: A male shaped shadow with a red heart, a pendant hangs around his neck. Is that.. a tie? Link to Heart Log[ x ] Current HP 40/40 Current weapon equipped Simple Protection
She looks up at the cavern and its a gaping maw, a swath of darkness, a black hole of shadow. Licraesa doesn't notice it, but she does notice the (false) red goddess, goddess with a lowercase g, plodding in and out of it. Armed with two guns and ample curiosity, she watched the goddess ascend, memorizing where she'd turned and how she'd made her way up the spiral of a spire.
There's three slashes, and Licraesa covers them with her hands. Three slashes, from what monster? From what creature? From what moment in time captured did this occur?
Licraesa steps into the cavern and its illuminated by hints of light. Her eyes adjust, and she stays still till they do, a lurking figure in the dim. She is not so intimidating a person, but her the light makes her shadow runs long and distorts and twists and turns enough to unsettle her own emotions.
The cavern is a room, the cavern is an altar, the cavern holds a bowl. Licraesa creeps closer but the something moves first, and it is large and boundless and she bares her teeth as it looks at her. It does not stir, and she does not breathe and her heart stops, thump-thump, canary stuck in mid-flight, the sun blotted out behind a cloud, and she knows that it's all over and--
The beast does not stir. It looks at her with unreflecting eyes, glowing like embers at the end of a fire. Dull. Lifeless. The creature looks at Licraesa, looks through her, and she feels a chill traversing her spine but wills herself to be strong. Survive, the Goddess has said. Survive. It looks at the bowl and so Licraesa does too, and there's a knife there, resting against the stone, thin and with red like spiderwebs dancing across its surface.
She was very good at fighting, but the monster was larger (larger than life, larger than death) so she raises her hand and curls fingers around the knife, curls them and slices her palm and there's a drip-drip-drip.
Licraesa has made a most grave mistake, for the creature is sharp edges and wild power, unchecked and at large. Licraesa has made a most grave mistake, and the bowl that she sacrificed her lifeblood to pulls her in and spits her out into the grey, there's nothing but mist/fog/haze/drear, and there's dread in her heart and an unfamiliar sensation of movemovemove, your life is on the line, your everything depends on this one thing, you need to survive.
With a duck and a roll, there's sparks of light, she drags her claws around and they're attached to big hands, bigger arms, and Licraesa realizes, as she's covered in fur, from head to toe, and her cloak wraps around her and she knows. This is a body that is not her own, and she's losing the battle but there's a sadistic satisfaction thrumming through her chest, because.
He is winning, but not for long.
Licraesa feels her power surge and she's laughing, but through the laughter is a whisper, within the whisper is a promise.
Claws outstretched, and he's yelling but she doesn't hear him, instead she just pulls the sweet-singer of strength from his hands, she brings him to his knees.
He looks up, stunned. He looks up, vindictive. He looks up, hateful. He looks up and Licraesa smiles in the ugliest of ways. This is her dominion, her land, her victory. She could have ruined him, struck him down, left him crippled and alone, doomed to die in this new world.
Instead, she laid a hand upon his head, condescending, and slung his weapon onto her shoulder.
This was her land, and no other's.
The fog swirls into sunshine and blue, clear skies, the fog swirls and the landscape changes, the fog swirls and swirls and--
"I don't want to play with her," you say, petulant, and you kick the carpet in preparation for a larger hissy fit if you do not get your way. (You always get your way. You are a single child, in a single parent home, with a singular sort of mind.) "I don't want to play with her, because she's a stupid little baby."
It doesn't matter that you're only two years older than her, a grand nine years old instead of seven. It doesn't matter that she's right next to you, clutching a pocket microscope with chubby little hands, already in coke bottle glasses and full of trepidation. It doesn't matter that you didn't mean it, not like that, it's the seed of a grudge that'll grow your entire lives, a rift between you both, and you'll never say it's your fault.
You don't know that, right now. You are nine years old and don't want to play scientist with your least favourite cousin. You want to climb trees and walk fences and trash your neighbor's yard by running over their grass with your bike. You want to taste the sky and do anything outside, while it's light out, because the shadows don't bother you as long as you're on the move.
Your dad asks you nicely, and it doesn't work, but the bribe of dinner does, so you're playing with her toys and inspecting everything with the grace of a bull in a chinashop. She asks you, nicely, with furrowed brows and downturned lips and she asks you, loudly, enough to draw your dad's attention.
In a rage, you step on the toy microscope, crushing it under your shoe. A slide snaps. The plastic creaks. You will never, ever be her friend.
The memory ends and Licraesa stumbles back from the bowl, gasping for breath, but the memory is gone the memory is gone and everything in this cave is gone--
]
