[Enter] Nerrisa walked in slowly, she didn't know why she had come to this place, it wasn't familiar or even pretty, but she longed to explore. She had also hoped to perhaps meet someone make a connection of some kind, she wasn't sure why it just felt important after leaving The Shrine. Instead she found herself within the cavern, dark but she entered it anyway because she noticed one of the Goddesses entering and so she made the trek. If she wanted to ever find answers to her multitude of questions she had to look for them herself. The red slashes had guided her here and now she looked around things only dimly illuminated by the oddly shaped cracks in the walls. The cavern seemed empty but for a raised slab of rock with what looked like a crude bowl on it.
What is this place?
Did I really see the Goddess up here?
What am I doing here?
She stepped a bit closer and Examined the Bowl it was large and when she touched it she knew at once it wasn't to be budged. It was crudely decorated and she shrugged turning to look around a little more and contemplating just leaving.
Then she heard something, a muffled thud that made her turn and for a moment her breath froze. A huge beast was thudding forward it's eyes glowing dully as she looked into them.
What is that thing?!
She felt her heart pounding inside and in her state of fear and confusion she found she couldn't move a muscle. Instead she struggled to control her breathing and worked very very hard to just hold still. She waited out the heartbeats her mouth slowly going dry as she waited for the huge beast to leap at her, or ignore her and go away. She could feel her heart pounding wildly a fluttering creature in her chest that she struggled to soothe.
Finally she noticed that the creature was looking not only at her, but at the bowl, back and forth it's gaze travelled slowly between her and the bowl. She looked at the bowl and noticed something beside it, something she had missed.
What is that?
She slowly picked it up her hand trembling.
What if it attacks me for moving?
What if it's guarding this?
She finally touched her fingers to the long thin object crackled with red marks that matched the altar. A knife, it was a knife. Her grip on it slowly tightened and she stared at the unmoving beast terrified and uncertain. She considered the weapon and then realized there was no way a mere knife with her non-existant combat skills were going to defeat that huge thing, instead she continued to hold still, very still and hoped it would leave. Sadly the creature didn't budge it's eyes were locked on her and the longer she waited the tighter her grip on the knife became until she let out a little gasp of pain as she cut herself with the knife. Hastily she moved her hand over the bowl to avoid dripping on the floor, where the consideration and clean thought had come from she wasn't sure, but it seemed appropriate. Suddenly she felt something…something though she wasn't certain what…but something left her body and fell into the bowl.
That was when the creature moved.
She gasped and waited for those jaws to clamp down on her, to tear her to pieces, instead the huge head pushed her back a little and then started to lap up whatever she had allowed to fall into the bowl. She blinked as it suddenly looked up and bowed it's head, so big and she was still alive. Then the head lifted and she started at the glowing eyes sharp now and watching her with…gratitude. The feeling of it was strong and all encompassing.
Why is it so grateful?
The creature stepped back and nodded towards the bowl, she looked confused for a moment.
What does it want?
Should I?
She stepped forward moving to look into the bowl and then suddenly she felt the strangest sensation before landing with a painful thud. Ouch! Nerrisa frowned and looked up slightly dazed, a grey foggy sky greeted her instead of the dark cavern ceiling.
Where am I?
Then the voice from inside Move! She moved left rolling on the ground and then gasping as something bright slammed into the spot where she had sat dazed only a moment before. It was shining and beautiful, but so dangerous it seemed. She sprung to her feet and blinked at the sudden feeling of a cloak flapping behind her as she moved back. She felt something in her a roaring that suddenly made it clear. Had she believed herself incapable of combat? Had she thought she had no skill? Had she really believed she couldn't defend herself? Of course she could! She didn't need any crude tools, she was a weapon in her own right! She looked down at her hands, she could use her hands.
She watched with a slow smile as her hands grew, the long delicate fingers transforming into solid muscle and claw. Not just any claws, she brought one set of claws up to block that beautiful weapon as it swung at her. Her other hand lashed out the claws slicing her opponent and making her grin. She advanced eagerly as they winced and recoiled eager to continue using her claws she moved with fluidity and grace easily blocking and parrying with her natural weapons. Soon her arms were covered in thick luxurious fur protecting her and driving her to fight on. She felt alive, she felt comfortable, but she had more than her claws, she could use another skill.
She gave one last slash and then hastily moved backwards in a battle dance preparing to use a different trick. Her opponent might know, but she would do what she would do and she could feel it on her skin. She felt a force inside, more then the mere thud of her heart there was power, and it was ready. She began to grow, bigger, bigger, elated by the sensation she almost missed it, but then she heard something. Though it was soft she listened to the whisper and despite it's softness she gave it her attention because it promised what she yearned for. She strove for it and it eluded her, but here was a promise that she could have it, if she would just take her opponents weapon.
She barely hesitated a second before her grip latched down onto the shining weapon, so beautiful, so dangerous.
"What the ******** are you doing?!" Her opponent was enraged now and that pleased her deep down. They struggled for the weapon both gripping tight. "Don't you ******** dare--"
She did dare though, she didn't just dare but with a fierce snarl she moved to try and rip the weapon out of their hands, and it was simple. With the knowledge that she was better, stronger, unique she easily ripped the weapon from her opponent. It might have been harder once when they were equals, but here and now at the cost of…she was stronger. The beautiful dangerous shining weapon was like a toy in her hands. She felt a sense of dread, a sense of elation, a moment, she saw her opponent lunge, heard his voice, and then she brought the weapon up.
She blocked, she hit, and with a CRUNCH that was sharp in her ears her opponent fell at her feet, stunned.
She slowly grinned and let the victory of the moment seep into her, so powerful, she was so powerful. She looked down at her pathetic opponent and decided to show mercy. Slowly she held her hand out her palm facing him, she felt the power, it was everywhere around her waiting for her to command it. She drew it in and smirked placing her hand on her opponents head, broken.
Victory.
She smiled and turned leaving her opponent defeated behind her for another time and keeping the weapon slung casually on her shoulder. She was ready to survey her kingdom.
Am I still in control?
Who controls?
Who holds the power here?
Nerrisa gasped and jerked awake trembling she sat up with a jolt and looked up, the dark cavern ceiling, no fog. She slowly looked around, the red lights of the cavern faded slowly from bright to dull crimson. Slowly she stood realizing she should go, but on the altar she saw two items. She squirreled both away and left feeling far more troubled then when she had entered.
[Exit]
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:30 pm
[Enter] The spire is not a fond area for Vaneda, simply because she didn't particulary like ruin. Not the goddess herself, but the idea of it. Ruin, it w as a corrupt power she wanted no part of. The yellow tinge of her heart, the pendant that glowed blue around it...those were okay. But the red glow from ruin always offset her.
And yet she felt herself lingering towards the spire, with its long three towers. At first she didn't notice the cavern, until the goddess of ruin dipped in and out.
Curiously, she followed the power, slinking down a path carved with slashes and odd marks. It glows faintly enough for her to see, and soon enough she is in the middle of a room, a stoned table in the middle. Around it is more glowing letters, scratches... something, She examines the shapes.
As she examines them, she starts to make out what they are. A bright moon like the goddess, and another one that calls to her. A pendant with wings.
As she reaches to touch it, something slinks in the room. It's paws a heavy thud on the ground. her eyes are drawn up, it breathes, sniffing her. At first she stays still....It's eyes meeting hers. Then it looks to the bowl, and back to her again.
her hand whispers away from the shapes, slowly dragging over the table until it grooves over something not quite right. A knife.
The beast looks at her, she looks at it....And then they attack. The knife curved upwards at it.
[Exit]
[Enter]
the battle was hard, and the creature strong. But she had friends, and when the prey flocked together, eventually it over took the predator. The blessing was ripped away from the altar, as Vaneda smugly stared at it. Then she left with her treasures.
Shaw hadn't noticed it at first - but as he explored the world, and came to know its ins and outs, he wondered.
He wondered about the strange cavern that his Goddess seemed to frequent.
It took him some time to work up the courage to make his way up himself - the going was surprisingly easy. The way was marked by red, glowing slashes in the wall. He soon discovered the inside of the large cave was lit in the same fashion, oddly shaped cracks lending their angry glow to give the interior a strange and intense atmosphere.
There were others here too, exploring; some that he even recognized. He waved to Vaneda, Shasa, and Remye almost absently, intent on exploring. There was an altar, adorned with only a simple bowl. It looked like it had almost been carved by hand -
And then something stirred in the shadows of the cavern. Something with glowing, red eyes.
Shaw looked to his companions, and raised his staff.
It had been a long, tough fight, probably the toughest they'd yet experienced - but he found himself grinning, nodding at his companions and saluting him for their show of courage and might -
With a thumbs up.
And an eyebrow waggle, for good measure.
Loot:
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:34 pm
[Enter]
Remye wandered to the side of the spiral, and it didn’t take long for her eyes to see the dark, wide opening almost halfway up one of the massive pillars. She would have left well enough alone, except for the Goddess of Ruin’s frequent visits. Something important must be up there. Something terrifying, but also very, very important. Remye wanted to know what it was. Therefore, she climbed.
The path wasn’t hard to find, and it was easy enough to ascend to the cave. The cave was dark, save for the cracks in the wall that provided some light. Her eyes had to adjust to the darkness before she could make out the contents of the room: bare, for the most part, save a raised slab of rock in the center. An altar. There was a bowl atop it as well. Remye ventured closer to the table, examining the altar closely.
Each corner was rounded; care had been taken to carve into this. But who? Was it the Goddess, or a follower? Who would have the strength to do that? The rock seemed hard and ungiving; she rationalized that it must be the Goddess’s own handiwork. The bowl was her next curiosity of choice, and she would have tried to pick it up, save for the sheer size of it. She touched it, running her fingers along the side of the bowl, eying the markings there. How curious…
The shapes were simple, and easy to see. The crescent of the Goddess was a familiar one, but so too were the others. Why were they familiar? This made no sense; she’d never seen them before. But she must have, to recognize them. She would have explored more, but the moment she turned, she heard the muffled thud of steps. She turned around slowly, staring up at the creature. A large, very large, beast.
Her fingers slid up carefully to the spear fastened to her back.
[Enter] Remye returned from the battle, broken and bruised, with her loot in her pocket. When she returned, the blessing was waiting for her. She collected her prize, and used the spear to guide her way out of the cave.
Duke of Donut
Liberal Lunatic
Offline
thyPOPE
Devoted Hoarder
Offline
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 8:38 pm
[enter] He'd seen the Goddess going up the spire, like all the other shadows had. And he spotted the cavern rather easily as he approached, on the easily-distinguished path. Strangely-shaped cracks in the wall somehow managed to illuminate the room, and Sarviur raised his eyebrows. There was a small bare altar in the center of the room, decorated sparsely with even more strange shapes. There was a bowl - Sarviur walked over and ran his hands along it and tried to lift, to no avail. The shapes themselves - well, the moon was easy; that was the Goddess' symbol, wasn't it? But what were those? And that one - why did it seem so familiar?
Lost in thought, he didn't notice the cracking sounds of someone waking up until it was already illuminated. Heavy thuds: they shook the place, though they sounded rather dull. A beast, with a mouth large enough to fit Sarviur inside and dimly glowing eyes.
Well, what else could he do? Sarviur jumped at it and began to fight.
Minutes later, when it was finally slain, Sarviur glanced at the rest of his group and felt his heart carefully rearranging itself...
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:38 pm
[enter]
Curiosity drew Shasa as it often did, and as she made her way into the cavern, she gazed about with a wide-eyed sort of wonder. What was the Goddess of Ruin doing here? What was the purpose of this place? Shasa took a moment to draw in her surrounded before her eyes landed on a small altar and the bowl that rested upon it. She took a moment to inspect the altar. It appeared that the piece of rock had been shaped purposefully. Shasa's brow furrowed as she took in the sight of the shapes, and she paused to inspect the shapes as well.
The crescent moon was familiar - the Goddess bore it, red and glowing. Shasa knew that she had seen these shapes before, but when? She could not remember, and it bothered her.
Shasa's eyes darted towards the bowl, and she took a moment to inspect the bowl, too. It was heavy, and she could not lift it no matter how hard she tried. More of the same shapes decorated the bowl, and Shasa yearned to know what it all meant.
Shasa suddenly heard a movement from the back of the cavern. A huge form, with large glowing eyes - Shasa did not hesitate.
She attacked.
[exit]
[enter]
The fight had been successful, but Shasa had to wonder what - if any - repercussions would follow. Had this been a pet of the Goddess? Shasa was filled with an odd sort of regret, and with that thought in mind she swiftly made her way from the Caverns.
She did not want to linger and chance the wrath of Ruin.
Somehow, he seemed to have missed this spot of the spire, but at some point, as he returned again and again to retrieve the remaining blessing, he stumbled upon this place, having caught sight of something moving within the vicinity of the area a moment before. And then there was the goddess of Ruin herself, who seemed to emerge from it a moment before, peaking his interest.
Following the path, he gave the red slashes a curious look (did they look familiar?) and upon arrival at the cave, he looked around. The cracks in the wall seemed strange, but the thing that drew his attention most was the raised slab of rock, and the thing that rested atop it. Nearing, he inspected the raised slab (perhaps an altar?), running a hand over the red cracks. And these shapes...
Next was the bowl, at which he peered into. Empty. He attempted to lift it, but found it much too heavy, and gave up. But when he touched the sides, he noticed it bore the same shapes and symbols just as the altar. How curious.
The last were the shapes, at which he traced a finger over each, wondering where they came from, what they meant. There was the moon, which he knew, the symbol carried by the goddess of ruin (was that what had beckoned her here?) but this one... this feeling... why did it feel like he was supposed to know? Why couldn't he remember? He turned then, looking at the cracks on the wall, which were the same shapes found on the bowl and altar, but larger. Where did these come from? Or, better yet... who made them?
He paused when he heard a growl, stifling, and turned slowly towards the muffled steps, staring at the dull glowing eyes with wide eyes of his own. This was... He froze, waiting to see what the creature would do. He had no doubt it could easily crush him, end his life right here and now, but... why was it waiting? What was it waiting for? He watched its gaze trail from him to... something beside him. He turned his head. The... bowl? He turned back to it, noticing its gaze steadily transition from him to the bowl. Or was it the bowl?
Turning back around, he noticed something he had missed before. Beside the bowl was a knife, long and thin, with vibrant cracks along the side. Had it been gesturing to this? Did it want to... fight? With blade in hand, he turned to the creature once more, gauging its reaction. Still watching, waiting. It seemed unless he decided on a course of action, neither of them was going anywhere.
Seconds passed by, minutes perhaps. It still felt like hours. But finally, making his decision, he sprung up, crying out as he brandished the knife towards the creature.
Character name: Kaje Character appearance: A shadow with a blue core and a glowing blue pendant around his neck Link to Heart Log[x] Current HP 60/60 Current weapon equippedGrief Cutter (2D10 -8, 60HP)
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:41 am
[Enter]
She wasn't sure what made her climb that path. Maybe it was the fact that her Goddess spent time in that spire? Or maybe she was still following someone... Either way. She ended up in that odd cave, more or less right after Kaje. She'd hung back, near the entrance, and looked in at the alter, the bowl. She eyed the strange shapes on the wall. Stone and carvings. Carvings that almost seemed familiar. Perhaps she'd seen them elsewhere in this world? There really were more questions than answers. She didn't know what to make of the cave. Perhaps it was a place of sacrifice? Perhaps it was a place they were not welcome int?
The stirring in the back of the cavern caught her attention. What was that thing? It was large and looked... vicious. Maybe. She held her breath, not moving, staring at it as it stared at Kaje. Perhaps it wouldn't attack? Perhaps... Kaje totally attacked the beast. Because that was clearly the best idea.
Rhryse didn't sigh as she joined the battle, but some part of her wanted to.
She was nothing short of relieved when it was over.
OOC
Character name: Rhryse Character appearance: Gray girl with a red heart, it may flicker from time to time to a new color, though it stays red for the most part. She is not short, not tall, and wears clothes of gray, most notably something that resembled a long coat. A light blue pendant hangs from around her neck. Link to Heart Log[x] Current HP 50/50 Current weapon equippedDespairs Razor
Grifferie
Crew
Deus Sherry
Offline
chirigami
Swashbuckling Sentai
Offline
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:30 pm
Something caught her eye while she was wandering the Spire, seeing what it had to offer (this was her first time here after all, or so.. she could remember). It looked like the Goddess of Ruin ascending the spiral to what looked like a cavern. Curious, for some unforsaken reason, Palem decided to follow. It at least was an easy travel, nothing to kill her just yet and soon enough she found herself in the same area.
Yet no Goddess. Just bright red slashes upon the walls, a means to lead her inside. It was very tempting to turn away at this point. Like really really tempting, but she kept pressing on (her core was beating rather frantically now). "H-hello?" she called, but no answer. Just echoes that opened up to a larger cave.
It was lit by intricate cracks, shapes and chunks of cavern missing. All glowing a bright red. Looking around, Palem found herself looking at more scratches, and an alter with a bowl ontop. Her attention was drawn to a bowl, much to heavy for her small frame to lift. There were simply shapes upon it and when she looked they seemed to match the alter.
Her exploration was cut short, much too short and her need to run grew leaps and bounds. For there was something stirring in the back of the cavern and her eyes went large like saucers when a muffled thud was heard. A large beast appeared, his eyes glowing dull. Palem froze, petrified of the large creature (but, part of her thought it looked amazing).
He didn't attack, just seemed to pace, as if waiting for something. Palem still didn't move, but soon enough she noticed its drawn attention to the bowl and how many times it was looking from her to it and back again. Finally she noticed something else. A dagger, sitting right next to the bowl - how had she missed it? Oh Hecate (Hecate?) was this creature who could swallow her whole going to pick up the dagger and kill her with it?!
She didn't move, nor did he. Just stared. Expecting something from her. Finally manning up, she slowly approached, wondering if there was something she had to do for it. Maybe something with the dagger. Maybe. A memory flashed in her mind, something from a previous life and then she understood. She picked up the dagger and carefully sliced her hand, letting it drip into the bowl like a sacrifice. Palem gasped when she felt it, pained feeling it leave and she would never get it back when the large beast pushed her aside and drank what she had given. The girl cried out weakly but it paid her no mind. Simply lapped it up, leaving so little left.
It at least seemed grateful, from its now glowing yellow eyes. Her brows creased together like usual. And she didn't move at first even as it gestured to the bowl itself. But she found herself moving again, and then regretted it immediately once her hands were on the sides of the large basin. She could feel herself slipping, pulling and contorting. The bowl was pulling her in, taking her to another place.
She fell less than gracefully on the card hold ground, her vision obscured by the fog that seemed rampant. She coughed, trying to move it away. "Ow..." she cried.
Move!
But she didn't, too unsure... to confused. Scared really to do much else. But it was too late anyways. There was something bright and glowing in front of her vision, dumbfounded really. Her murderer was as stumped as she was, but at least not afraid.
...You shouldn't have done that...
Palem awoke with a jolt, her hand instantly to her chest as she heaved. She was back in the cavern, still alive. Still whole. The cavern had darkened in color, making her wonder how long she had been.. wherever she was. But perhaps it didn't matter much. There was nothing here anymore, so she left.
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:26 pm
[enter]
The Spire was a very weird place indeed. Thean had not really explored there so she decided to. One day when she was exploring, she noticed the Goddess of Ruin walk out of a large dark gap set in the side of the spiral. When she passes by and disappears she decides to go exploring. I mean why not? She follows the path marked by slashes that glow red. Interesting. She enters. The cracks on the wall light the inside. She sees a slab of rock with a bowl on it. Weird. She goes up and notices markings on rock, bowl and walls. They seem very simplistic but may be important. One seems to be in the shape of a crescent, like the one the Goddess wears. There is another symbol though that piques her interest. She has seen it before. Somewhere. But where?
As she though she heard something. A rumble from the back of the cave. That was never good. She turns slowly to see large glowing eyes staring from the darkness. A large beast pads slowly forward looking ahead. She holds very still, hoping the beast won't notice her. But he does. And she is paralyzed. But he doesn't attack. Now THAT was weird. She keeps holding still like her life depends on it. And it really does. The monster starts to look at something else then back to her. She looks over to where it is looking and notices the bowl. But next to it, something new. A long red sharp object. Thean picks it up. its a knife.
Maybe? She realizes what she must do. She moves slowly round the altar and raises her arm above the bowl. She uses the knife and cuts her palm with it. She holds it to the bowl as something slides out. The monster surges forward and pushes her back to get to the bowl. It licks at it. Then the monster looked at Thean. Its eyes were sharp as it bowed its head. There was a feeling of gratitude from the creature. It nods to the bowl.
Thean walks up and looks in, only to be sucked through something into a land of gray fog. Move! She follows a random inner voice and moves left. Just in time too.SOmething bright and shiny slams into the ground where you were. Thean stood up with her cloak around her. She had a cloak? Since when? Huh. Thean realizes that this isn't her, but she is there for now and all she cares about is survival. She hears something roar at her to focus. She faces the battle deciding to use her hands.
Thean's hands grow with sinew, muscle, claws. She feels powerful. She blocks the weapon swung at her and gouges her opponent with her other hand. this seemed easy. She needed no weapon. She kept on fighting with her hands. She felt alive when she fought. The protection the claws and muscles gave her were tremendous. She felt elated. but now it was time to use another skill, to show how she was the best.
Thean dodges back, ready to embrace what was going to happen. The power thrummed through her veins, ready to be realeased. It pulses and washes over her, as a feeling of elation covers her. She feels huge. But what was that? She heard something. Something tiny, tiny and remote. She listens hard to hear a whisper among the blood roaring.
The whisper promises. The promise, that is what Thean is after. It promises the thing she strove for, yet always eluded her. The voice could really do that? Give her what she had wanted all these years? She listened to the condition. Kill your opponent.
Thean turned to her opponent. She felt as if it was a timeless battle. Forever doomed to fight. Clash and break, rinse and repeat. Her opponent knocked her down. She knew that this was minor in the grand scheme of things. As he raises his weapon, she knows she will be back and she will eventually get what she has always wanted. Someday. Life is a cycle. It always comes back and the outcome is different. And she would revel in that difference and her freedom when the time came.
Thean jolted back up in the cavern. The bright red is fading, fading to a dull lusterless red color. She knows she is done here. She notices something on the floor. A blessing, and some fragmented pieces. She scoops them up and exits, strangely feeling her time would come again.
The cave itself was a curiosity. Time and time again the goddess of ruin could be seen making what almost seemed to be a pilgrimage to it. It was not too far to reach, if one wished to make the journey. Etyam had wondered about it for some time. It was finally time to explore it for himself.
The interior was perhaps a small disappointment. He had been expecting something a little more... goddess-like, he supposed. All he could see was a rock table with a rock cup on top of it, lit by the cracks in the walls.
He gave it a push, but the bowl didn't seem to budge an inch. It was heavy. The symbols around it were strange, moons and things he didn't quite remember the words for.
There was a noise behind him, and he turned, face to face with a massive beast.
He held still, assessing his options. It looked at him, and away again, toward the altar. No, something beside it - a knife? Etyam picked it up slowly, hefting it in his hand. He continued to hold still right where he was. Stabbing anything that big in the face right off the bat was asking for a fight. And it was maybe not the best time or place to go looking for one in such a small place with no allies.
The creature continued to regard him, as if waiting for something. The knife, in his movements to hold it better, nearly sliced some fingers off. This seemed to get the creature's attention. What? No. Did it really want... uhh.
He cut himself with the knife and let something drip into the bowl. The creature jumped at the opportunity to lap it up, all before he got a glimpse of it. Strange, he thought, looking at the knife blade but finding no trace on it. When the creature moved back, it seemed to indicate to take a look at the bowl. It seemed... sharper than before. Given that it wasn't a threat, he could afford a glance.
And promptly fell in.
He hit the ground with a loud noise and a yell. Opening his eyes, he found nothing but a grey sky above him. This wasn't the cave--
Move! a voice in his head shouted.
He rolled left.
A bright arc lanced into the ground exactly where he'd been moments before. On his feet again, he felt a cloak whipping around him - wait, what?
There'd be time to figure that out later. For now, he accepted the battle and swung out with his hands.
He glanced down with a small smile at what he found. Oh, he meant claws. His whole arm grew thick and impenetrable, muscle and fur. He lashed out, driving his opponent back. But it wasn't enough.
He needed to use another skill.
He stepped back, and let the power course through him. Raw power that let him grow bigger and bigger. And through it all he could hear - something - not the roaring, but the whisper.
It wasn't a loud voice. But it was a powerful promise it offered. He didn't need long to consider. It was something he wanted, something the voice offered. And the price? Well...
He reached out to grab the opponent's weapon.
They yelled, and they struggled, but of course that was to be expected. Their anger was pointless, especially when it was so easy to rip it from their grasp. This wasn't like before. No longer an equal fight. It had cost him something, but for a much greater victory than ever before.
They lunged one more time, with a yell, and it was all too easy to bring the weapon swinging down to block them with a sickening crunch.
But he was merciful. A quick death was, after all, far too kind for his opponent. He would live a little longer.
The hand placed upon his opponent's head pressed down, crushing him into the earth.
Just a little longer.
He turned toward his new kingdom --
Just a toy, a puppet. It was hardly even a fair fight, merely an annoyance. What is the fly to the horse that swats it away? But the roles could have gone either way. He had won this. They had won this.
He had been a king once before, of course. He could see it, as if through a window, the bleak black kingdom where power had been his to wield like a weapon. How many had died in combat? How many more had died to the paranoia of his throne? The unworthy, the untrusted, the unforgivable, each in turn removed from his presence, never seen again. He had assassins waiting on his word.
There was no need for remorse. He was a king, and his word was law.
Etyam awoke with a start. The cavern was dark, and so too was his memory.
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:20 pm
Maybe that's why she had come to this place, ignored the others in their searching. Because she had seen something, someone had gone up one of the spirals to a cavern. It looked like one of the Goddesses and Viola'i was ever so curious, so she followed her up. Navigated the terrain was easy enough and soon she found herself int a very neat looking cave, one with bright red slashes in the wall that seemed to glow.
Her fingers tapped at the slashes, running them down the contours of the sides before she pressed on to the save where more of these marks greeted her. And others, shapes, more distinct and different but still held the same glow. There was also an alter, a large slab of rock really with a beautiful big bowl on top of it, their markings the same really. There wasn't much else there though, and the Goddess was no where in sight, there was no other indication of where she had gone and why she had come up here and thus the girl frowned.
She was ready to leave until she heard a rumbling sound with a thud behind her, something else was deep in this cave. And when she turned she found her answer, a large cat like beast with dull yellow eyes. "They glow like my core," she smiled but it did not seem to respond. Viola'i stood her ground, even with how large the creature looked and stared at it. She... wanted to touch it. But it seemed to have other plans, like it was waiting for something. As she made her slow approach, she didn't notice how it looked from the bowl to her until her body had made it to the alter. Because that's when she saw it. A really pretty dagger.
She wanted to touch it also. The small girl looked at the beast, wondering if she could ask for it but its face begged its own question. Did it want it more? She knelt down and picked the beautiful thing up and placed it into the bowl. It didn't seem to like it. It stared blankly at her with those dull eyes until she picked it up again, this time getting a better look at it. And then a better look at the large cat. Something else perhaps, these places seemed to like sacrifices but there was no way she was going to kill herself or something. So, perhaps a little one. Physical, because she couldn't pull her own memories out. So she slid the knife across her palm and offered it some blood, and as she had thought nothing else could be offered she felt something else leave her.
It was an uneasy feeling as it left.
But the beast seemed to be satisfied this time, nudging her away and lapping up the blood she had spilled. "Why did you want that?" She asked it, curious. But it gave no response, simply drank until it had its fill and stepped away. "Well, okay." Confusing. And more when it seemed to nod towards the bowl, inviting her to it. Why would she want to drink her own blood? So weird, she thought as she got close and put her hands upon the rim.
And then she was sucked in, deposited on some other side somewhere else with a small thud. It hurt a little and confused her more when she opened her eyes to see where she was. There was just fog. So much endless fog and something was telling her to move.
So she moved, rolled out the way really just as something struck where she had previously been. A close call, a little too close really and she felt herself stand up, her body seeming to move on its own. Reflexes different and she could feel fabric lap around her legs. Something was different, very different but a roar pulled her attention away. This thing, whatever it was was glaring. She needed to attack and she looked at her hand, hoping to see the weapon she was familiar with but they were not there. Only hands, for now at least, until she began to shift from the dull grey to a deep black. Menacing, muscled and sharp like metal. Powerful. She was a weapon, she didn't need anything else. Just herself, she smiled. She never needed anything else.
Viola'i kicked off from the ground, lunging at the other creature as he swing his weapon down hard upon her. Pitiful, it was easy to block and he left such an easy opening for her to counterattack. Her free had sprung out, slashing and ripping a hole into his side. He winced, she grinned and the fight continued.
Fighting made her feel alive, it fueled her and using these claws felt so natural. She didn't need anything else. They were her strength and her growing fur was her protection, making this such an easy fight. They could do nothing to her. Viola'i grinned, continuing this dance, slashing and swiping as he tried to parry and dodge and offer his own offensive moves against her lethal form. She was a master, even after she had lost it only to regain it again, while he was a bumbling fool, too unused to his oversized weapon.
But this pride she had, would be her downfall. He knew this dance after all, feinting to his right and she fell deep into this trap, bringing her down. She rolled, the only force stopping her was his own foot, pressing hard against her rib rage and the gleaming weapon he held against her chin.
He smiled, it was a rare sight, somehow she knew that. But it was for good reason, for her had won and gained his victory with a simple slice; detaching her head from her body. She felt her body slump and everything went black.
Pain actually began to register, the cuts began to burn and the bruises began to ache. She could feel her fear shield waning, but she needed to protect the others. It had been what she wanted to do, she didn't feel pain normally so she could easily throw herself into the fray.
They needed to protect the gates, its what Miss Selene asked of them. She needed to do this, to go on even if it finally began to hurt. They would defeat these shadows. "Olivia," she heard behind her and then there was a gentleness -
The pain had faded, as did the glimpses of the memory. Gone.
And then she was at the alter and there was nothing left for her here.
chirigami
Swashbuckling Sentai
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kuumeii
Snarky Hunter
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Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:41 pm
[Enter]
Mel'ae had come hear searching for something, but she wasn't entirely certain what it was that called her here, but here she was facing down a dark cavern. Moving slowly forward with her hands out for balance. Earlier she had seen a familiar red glow move up and come back down so she wanted to see herself. She was curious after all. Moving into the pathway she felt the slashes in the wall and walked along them quickly.
Moving forward she followed the strange red marks in the cavern until she reached an open area. Nothing drew her eye except the raised table, but she looked past the other objects and examined the symbols. Twitching slightly she tilted her head one way and the other while looking at them. Hadn't she seen some of these before...? The Goddess's symbol yes but...
She stopped suddenly and turned to the sound of something stirring. Eyes wide she could see the dark outline of a creature coming towards her from behind the shape. A little shakily she continued to stare, but chose to hold still to see if perhaps it had not noticed her. It was far too large for her to take on by herself.
It did not move and instead they seemed to be staring at each other. Looking around the vibrant hue of the knife drew her attention and she took it, glancing at the beat curiously. It seemed to not move at her taking it. She decided again to hold still. After all it wasn't attacking, it was just staring it. If it had wanted to kill me it would have done it by now
However neither of them moving was getting boring and they continued to stare at each other. She blinked and looked at the knife and bowl. Something has to go in the bowl. Curiously she peered around but she found nothing to go in it. Moving over she held out her arm with the knife and watched the beast. It gave her nothing until she decided to make a cut on her palm, the blood moving down into the bowl swiftly. It was an odd sensation and suddenly she was pushed backwards by the beast.
The licking sensation made her cringe but then it was looking at her. It seemed to... thank her with it's sharp eyes? Mel'ae blinked as it hit the bowl. Peering curiously into it she screamed as it pulled her in. She hit with a thud and opened an eye. This was not the cavern, not the Spire not even... anywhere. An inner voice screamed.
She moved left.
It slammed down right where her head would have been in shining majesty. Moving up she gritted her teeth and her cloak moved around in her movement. ..Mel'ae hadn't been wearing a cloak. Blinking away from it to more pressing matters she continued. Something shifted inside of her and she could feel it to focus. But there was no fear, nothing could make her fear like this. She was powerful, she was capable.
She wanted to use her power.
It was a power she was unable to wield and deep inside the normally excitable, happy Mel'ae was trapped inside. A fool. The words echoed and she looked down slowly. Inside of her body was a weapon lodged deeply. Her hands moved shakily towards it and she felt it twist and she gasped loudly. Everything was falling down, clashing and crashing around her. Body falling she could feel the warmth leaving her slowly and the life and breath inside of her growing dimmer, slower.
Perhaps it had been better this way, though her opponent seemed to think differently and as her vision began to fade she felt a little... guilty? Violence isn't everything. A fragment inside of her crackled through and she slowed her breathing, hand clenched onto the ground. A small smile on her face allowed herself to slip into the darkness once more.
With a hauntingly loud breath she jolted awake and jumped up, feeling where the warm hole had just been inside of her body. It was still in tact. The warm glow in the cavern she had seen before was slowly retreating and she was left alone, in the dark. Clenching her fists she was frowning for a moment before releasing and finding the small smile.
This was not a failure by her standards, this was a learning experience. Nothing else here needed her attention and she turned, leaving quickly.
[Exit]
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:35 pm
She did not know why she thought this was a good idea, but here they were. Rostym swallowed quietly as she followed Annabell into the spiral cavern. They say Ruin had been going in and out . . . and a rumor about a goddess was worth following up, no? Especially one neither of them had connected with initially.
Although she couldn't help but think red would look good on them both.
The little shadow cooed as they entered the cavern, daggers close at hand as they walked. She felt an odd need to hum something but had nothing come to mind, and so Ross kept her silence. Perhaps this was a secret task: the goal being to sneak into the headquarters of Ruin to find . . . something. She didn't know. Maybe they wouldn't find anything at all. Or maybe something would find them.
It was thankfully easy to follow the path with the three gouged red marks lighting the way with a gruesome light, and the cavern opened into a cave soon enough. Ross was a little confused by the sparseness of it, having expected something more regal for a haunt of a goddess. The slab that made the alter was curiously wearing red cracks, which made her wonder if Ruin had shaped it with her bare claws or cut it with her scythe to become the shape.
It was as she was moving forward to inspect the bowl that she saw something stir. "Anna!" she said with alarm, the daggers flashing into her hands almost of their own volition as she readied for battle --
- - - - -
and then some text after the battle
medigel
Anxious Spirit
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Seussi
Ice-Cold Hunter
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Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 6:51 pm
(got permission to post this late asdjgklsdjggsdlgajslg ;wink
Sheenah was becoming fond of exploring, but this exploration came when she came upon something rather interesting, and upon further investigation found herself witnessing the red goddess of ruin entering and exiting a cavern set in one of the spires. She decided to check it out, feeling not in anyway that doing so might be considered wrong. She only felt the desire to learn, to have answers to the questions that burned inside of her, though she found that most often, the answers she did manage to receive only made her think of more.
And thus she found herself standing in the entrance of the cavern, a cavern that she did not hesitate to follow, taking the turns as necessary when they were marked, and soon finding herself within a cave, one lit by cracks, eyes scanning the area for whatever secrets it might hold.
Her eyes rested upon the most obvious, a slab of rock raised in the middle, and she moved towards it to investigate, only to find that it was just that...a rock, with not much else to offer except that it was obviously man made. It's most profound feature was actually not what it was, but what rested upon it, and that was a bowl, which Sheenah moved to next, her gaze lingering on it, and on the shapes carved upon it. She reached out to run her fingers over these, and bent closer to get a clearer view of it's shapes.
The moon was the most obvious, but another.....she didn't recognize it, though she felt like she should. It gave her an odd tingling sensation, an itch on her brain that she just couldn't reach, though she pushed against it, hoping for something to break free, to tell her what it was....
But no, it was just a shape, meaningless, apparently.
She stepped away from the bowl.
Something made a noise in the back of the room.
Her eyes instantly snapped in that direction, and narrowed. What was it? She took a step forward, more curious then afraid. Even when the beast appeared, there was not really any fear. Some surprise, her head cocking to the side slightly. It was a very large beast indeed.
Her weapons came to hand. A smile upturned her lips.
"Here kitty." She said, before running forward to attack.
((okay going to the battle now that was set up before today ;; apologies!))
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