Keiko listened as this new stranger spoke to them all. It sounded as if she had been right to mistrust this creature. And yet, she must have trusted him at some point? She could feel as if there was some truth to what he had said. If she had volunteered to fight, she would see it to the end. Even if the end was her existence.
As the girls began to divide between the two figureheads, Keiko focused her attention to the monster before her. Someone needed to stay and fight, someone needed to defend whatever was left of their existence. Even if she stood alone in the end she would continue to fight until her last breath.
Keiko moved in for her first hit but it wasn't very effective. She was too distracted and startled as the fragment of an old memory came back to her. She couldn't make out any faces or even any of the voices. All she could see were figures standing around a bed, but what were they doing? She didn't know who these people were, if they had been her friends, her family, or fellow students. All she knew was that the memory felt right and familiar. It felt like it was hers.
Determined that she had made the correct choice by staying with this creature, Keiko made her second hit and landed with full force. This time, an emotional blow struck her as she struck the beast. Before her eyes she saw a man in a white coat. His features were fuzzy and the scene began to waver before she could no longer focus on it. Her heart felt heavy and tears began to well up in her eyes. This memory was distant but also familiar. She tried to hold onto it, to remember as much of it as she possibly could, but it slipped out of her mind like trying to cup water. In the end she simply felt sad and empty.
Her heart heavy, Keiko made her last attack on the creature, shouting out in fury as her staff came down onto it. Unfortunately it seemed the last memory had also left her weak as well as sad. Yet with the third blow she felt another memory coming back to her. This one was the memory of a promise. Was this what she had said to the creature? Had she been protecting someone? It felt right, felt like something she would have done. Yet again, the details were still unclear to her. The more she tried to grasp at them, the more they drifted away.
She didn't know if the emotions were making her feel weak, if it was because the creature was so much stronger, or if something was simply wrong with her. Whatever the cause, Keiko felt fatigued after her attack and stumbled to the ground as she was hit by the monster's claws. Keiko felt an odd feeling as she tried to steady herself. She was unsure of what it was or what it meant, but she figured it might have something to do with the black cracks that started to spiderweb over her entire body like some sort of plague.
Unable to help herself, Keiko let out a shriek at the sight. She watched in utter terror as the cracks spread over her entire body. No longer able to stand the sight she shut her eyes and waited for her body to shatter into a million pieces. Yet somehow she held together. Still afraid, she opened one eye, and then another. The cracks were still there, but they were no longer spreading.
Watching the scene unfold, Jessie was shocked to see the thing that had attacked them had solidified into a being that was taking to the furry creature. It spoke of them being deceived, that it was the cat that was at fault. It was absurd to hear this, but Jessie felt herself torn. The cat...wasn't saying anything in it's defence. It wasn't denying anything.
She felt nauseous as the figure pointed out their broken bodies, her eyes drawing back to the injury she had sustained before. It didn't look like a regular injury. There was no blood, just a mass of black corruption. Could what she was saying be...
There was the talk of that promise again, the thing she had apparently done but had no recollection of. Jessie looked as if she was in pain as she tried desperately to recall something, anything to help, but there was nothing. The figure was promising to return her memories to her if she followed...
As much as she didn't like it, she wanted, no, needed her memories back.
Though she tried to dodge the incoming claws, she wasn't nearly as agile as some of the girls that were fighting up close. As they connected she felt like she might fall apart; as if it had hit just a little harder she'd have joined the many other girls who were disappearing leaving nothing behind. She grasped at the crystal she had tucked into her blouse but even with how fragile she felt, and like she might slip away at any moment, she still couldn't bear the thought of using it on herself if someone else needed it. So as carefully as she could she climbed to her feet and attempted to survey the damage. The way things were going, someone else was going to need it or they would die and she couldn't let that happen if she had any say about it!
Arietta could leave. It was tempting, the choice, as Arietta staggered on the battlefield. She almost wanted to take a different path so badly, she could taste the bittersweet taste of cowardice. But when she stared at the people around her, dropping like cut flowers, she realized she couldn't leave.
If there was a chance to just save one more person in front of her--- This feeling, of despair was so familiar. Too familiar, Arietta didn't want to remember it. Maybe that was why she didn't remember, she had probably once welcomed the chance to forget. Somewhere deep inside, Arietta knew she would have chosen to forget.
Her first blow--
-- It was a hug. She felt safe, safer than anybody else in the world. Like a kitten, curled up with it's owner
The second blow.
The screaming was too much to take-- but was it physical or emotional screaming? She couldn't hear anymore.
She smiled at the other girls, albeit it a little grimly. "Pleasure to meet you, wish it wasn't under these circumstances."
Something cold creeped up her spine, like a bug crawling on her skin. The prickle of anxiety started and she turned to face them. Their voices bickered, the words ricocheting in her head.
The small creature had said she promised, but she did not recall giving her word. She recalled that it asked her to fight, and for what? It gave her no help or information only challenged her.
But this other voice...it promised her peace and understanding. It told her that she was broken, but she knew that already. Yet the implication was that this creature...and whoever it was with had placed her in this broken body.
She reached her hand over her heart, but she couldn't feel the thud of anything at all. What was wrong with her?
She had just met these people, felt a kindred spirit with them. Phaedra hadn't known them long, yet she felt guilty about her decision. "I know we've just met," she paused. "I want to stay, I really do..." Somehow she felt connected to them, but how could she explain.
"I want you to be okay, I don't want to leave you. I think we could have...been friends." An ache pulsated in her chest, but she still did not feel the reverberations of her heart beat. Was she insane?
"But...I have to go. I need to remember my real purpose," her eyes dashed between each member. "Maybe I'll see you again, in another life?" She made herself laugh and smile backing away slowly to wave her hands at them.
If she couldn't hear her heart, how could she feel it breaking?
((Bye guys, goign witht he stranger 0_0))
.
phantompanther13
Theidren
Tilly
raja
Izumi tenshi
chirigami
Tamara
Raja rolled 3 10-sided dice:
8, 3, 1Total: 12 (3-30)
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 10:55 pm
Her fingers clenched roughly as Ridley made her choice. This was their choice, yes, but... a tough one. She wasn't sure. Her eyes shut as she let her head fall down a bit. Chaos was surrounding them, those who fought were dying it seemed, vanishing. This was dangerous. Peace... it was so truly enticing. She wanted to go. She did.
But wouldn't that leave those here even more shorthanded? Without help... they would surely die. She took a breath, listening as another chose to go. "Tamara..." Her voice was tiny, delicate, unheard to those around her as she looked up tearing up as she thought about it. Terrified. She didn't want to fight, but... Ridley would be alone. "I won't leave you to die." She looked up, wells of water in her eyes as she looked at the orange haired girl. While she didn't particularly side with the small creature, the others would be safe.
They wouldn't be fighting.
So protecting those who needed her most came first. If her fighting would save them, so be it. She wasn't too hurt. "Let me help you." The words were as strong as she could muster as Orina took the weapons from their latched position, the similar green glow appearing around them again. Winds blazed about the rings as she attempted a determined face. Weak as she was, weak as her will was. She had to try. For those she cared about. It was all she had after all. "Once we are done Ridley. Let's see them again." As if she could predict they'd both live.
It seemed a fatal endeavor to fight, but one she would manage.
A hope forward and she leapt to the thing, weapons out as she took several successful swings at it. She tore at the beast angrily, only slowing more with each attack. Something called at the back of her mind, a vision. Empty void faces, smiling? Laughter. Certainly that. They were all at a park, a holiday. Somehow she knew, these were her friends. One's she'd forgotten. She couldn't recall... but... this memory.
Tears streamed down her face. "It was the last time we were like that..." She whispered it under her breath, motion slowing as she stood there stunned. Yes. They hadn't been able to go out that way again. Not after that day. Not after what happened.
What happened? She couldn't recall. To who? One of them. So close, so dear. They'd been hurt. This was... that... "I... loved you most. Why?" That's all she could recall. The one who had made that the last wonderful day out. The one who meant more than the world to Orina. Someone had happened to them to prevent a future outing for the friends. Childhood friendships could last forever, right? Perhaps that was it...
Those smiles would never be the same. Somehow she knew.
The tears wouldn't stop coming as she stumbled back a few steps from the thing. No... it... she shook her head, utterly distracted as she attacked again. The fierce defiance and anger had left her thought, her attack was far weaker, the blades barely glowing with that magic she knew she had.
Now a wave of sadness. Anguish. Pain. That empty, hollow ache rang out again. With it came the shape of a human. Or something humanoid. Devoid of features, she knew who... what it was. Someone so dear, so close. Who? No she couldn't say. But their appearance, warped, broken. She shook a bit as she nearly lost her footing and falling to her knees. A flash of light in the background, perhaps an echo of a siren. Something had gone horribly wrong. She was going to lose them. Lose everything. What could she hold onto, what could she live for if they passed? "No. I don't want that... no.... no no no." She quietly shook, quickly swinging at the monstrous thing that was causing her such anguish. She wanted it to stop. She didn't care anymore. That last strike brought forth more words.
The small figure, that thing that spoke. She had promised it. She'd promised to fight. In exchange for them. For the protection of another she'd said that she'd sacrifice herself to a war she didn't know about. It didn't matter. As long as they didn't die. "I... promised. You. Myself. It." She said it quietly, looking up at the creature.
Still. Even so. Was that the right choice? Was this the right choice? Had... she even wanted to know? "Tamara... was this right?" Not that the girl was there to answer, but she felt perhaps she would have known. She seemed to sure of herself.
Name: Orina Evein Age: 13 Race: Reaper // Mage (Wind) Color: Blue // Honesty Weapon: Dual Chakrams Appearance: 5'3" and seeming less and less sure of her abilities by the minute. She's a fairly standard build, with perhaps a touch more going on in the bust department than a normal thirteen year old? Damage Dealt: Fear Core Damage: 10% Items: 1 Crystal (USED)
There was someone there, someone willing to offer them the chance to step away from all the fighting. A promise that they could get away from this battle, along with...wait, what? False creations? Fake bodies? What were they talking about?
Thalia bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes growing distant as she stared at the shadowed figures. Was it true? They were all being lied to somehow? Frankly, that didn't seem entirely surprising--with no former memories, she had been certain that they were probably being manipulated somehow. Assuming that this was true, the logical choice did seem to be to escape with this stranger who could potentially tell them the truth (as staying here wouldn't reap any benefits), but...
But she couldn't. Looking around her, other girls were choosing to remain behind and fight, and many were being struck down. How could she run now if so many others were sacrificing themselves? If she could attack and contribute even a little to the destruction of this creature, then perhaps more lives could be saved than if she spun on her heel and ran off.
"I'm fighting," She murmured softly, but firmly, as she turned to look at the girls who remained around her, "Run or fight, but promise that you'll be careful. If all turns out well, I'd...like to see you guys again sometime. Under better circumstances, I mean." She offered them a weak laugh, gave Kleio a gentle pat on the shoulder, and then was off.
What she hadn't been expecting was the rush of memories that assaulted her upon striking the creature. The first was pleasant, a vague memory that lingered in her mind and filled her with warmth. Three child-sized figures were running around her, and in the distance, a pair of figures stood by and watched. The shorter of the pair had let out a gentle laugh, and then told her, with such beaming pride, what a wonderful group of daughters she had.
That was...
The next strike brought with it much darker memories. One that involved the same people, with the exception of one of the adults. She could almost feel the weight dragging her dress down at the memory of the children figures clutching at her with their small hands, her heart growing heavy as she thought she heard a pained wail echo through the recesses of her mind. The single lone adult figure was hunched down nearby, shoulders quivering, fists clenched--
The only word that left the figure's lips was why, but the way it was said--the quivering and plaintive pain--shook Thalia to her core. With great effort, she grit her teeth and struck out at the creature once more, willing the sad memory to disperse and disappear back into darkness. Something like that almost felt better forgotten.
Her final hit confused her, the memory that flooded her head becoming more disjointed than the others. She had...made a promise to her siblings. A promise that she would...? After he died--...take care...and then...mom...?
Frustrated, Thalia let her weapon arm fall, her other hand going up to clutch at her head. No. No! Why couldn't she remember? It was so close, teetering there on the edge of her mind...!
There was no point in being annoyed with how easily their minds swayed to favor this unknown figure that had appeared to them, Ridley knew it was their choice but she couldn't help but be a little sad that they would be separated. And that they had chosen not to continue with this epic awesome fight. But, it was nothing compared to the surprise when Orina turned those tearful eyes and made her declaration; for sure she had imagined this blonde girl to go with the others. She seemed to delicate, always on the verge of tears. Like now.
Really, she was touched. "Y-you don't have to..." came her lame response as a twinge was felt at the back of her rust colored eyes. "You can go with them it's...." Her words died short, seeing how set the pink clad girl was on this. Ridley honestly felt she would be fine okay alone, because she simply just wanted to keep going with what the rabbit wanted them to do. If the others thought otherwise, she'd be okay with it. Because it was their decisions.
"Yeah, We'll totally just see them when we're done." Ridley finished with instead, fighting back the tears as she plastered a smile on her face (dammit Orina! You were making her cry!)
She didn't follow as closely to Orina as the blonde powered her amazing weapons up to battle, her body stopping short a few feet from the creature as she opened her large book in her hands. Ridley couldn't help but be amazed at the resolve of her blonde friend, and her fluidity in movement. It was a lot nicer to watch than the waves of girls that threw themselves out, only to fall. Because there were so many of them on the ground and Ridley... just.. couldn't look.
The mage took a deep breathe as the pages seemed to flip themselves, finding the proper words for her to enchant. Her finger pointing, her mouth moving as it read the backwards incantations. The orange earth that glowed to strike.
The first one struck with such an intensity that it almost rocked Ridley off her feet, sending her vision into a haze until she realized it was something else. Her mind filled with a chorus of laughter, jeers and teasing as a group of shadowed figures smiled all around her. The girl couldn't hear the conversation, couldn't recall details but she knew it was a moment of mirth and closeness. She felt a tug on her shoulders, as if she was being pulled into a hug before it dissolved, leaving her a little dazed.
Blinking it back, Ridley shifted her feet as her fingers danced across the pages once more. Another spell, a few more words and with a twitch of her index finger the ground beneath her trembled and rocketed towards this new foe as something in her very core almost seemed to take the same blow. A few tears seemed to escape as another recollection flooded her mind like a silent film. The lips were moving, no sound reached her ears but she knew, just knew, what they were saying to her. Shattering something with in her. The figure frowned, and not even heartfelt, something akin to pity as they patted her shoulder and left her in the dream of a memory.
"stop...." She whispered as another tear fell down her cheek. Of all the horrible things to see now, such a horrible sad thing to remember. Of all the times. Of all the places, because her fingers still moved, still turned the pages as she continued to try to fight. Perhaps not only the creature but of the memories that seemed to pick the worst time to come back.
Ridley closed her eyes as she continued to read, the words coming from her mouth on their own as the power surged through her and a promise whispered in her ear. Fragmented, almost alien and not understandable and scattered. A figure in the darkness, smiling in an indescribable way, pleased with what was now shared between them. A memory, but not a complete one. Just like the others.
It sent Ridley to her knees as she felt the last of her power strike at the creature. She gasped and clutched at her chest, trying to soothe an ache that could not be eased. She felt... Ridley didn't know. Probably back to utter confusion. Hurt also. Mentally. She didn't like this at all.
Quote:
character name: Ridley color / gem : orange - hope class: Mage (Wood/Earth element) weapon: tome damage: 25% crystal: [1] unused
Alvar shook her head as an answer to Adelaide’s question about the crystal, she would have said something if the creature didn’t suddenly change form and started talking. The thing they had been fighting was talking to the thing that had created all of them. What was going on?
Her eyes darted back and forth between the two, feeling her headache returning with twice the ferocity. An irritated growl escaped her lips as her eyes glared at the two arguing figure. She would have shouted and screamed, but she felt as if that energy would just go to waste. Another growl escaped when the figure started telling them to remember.
Remember, you think they didn’t try? Ugh.
Another headache, but she dubbed it as lower priority since a new thing has appeared…Oh great, something else is coming at them again. Her eyes caught sight of Thalia staying to fight, and she felt a need to stay behind and help. Alvar gave her pollaxe a twirled.
“Same to you Thalia,” She chuckled, “I pray we all get through this, and meet once again after this ordeal.”
She dived into the fray.
The first hit on the opponent wasn’t very effective, but it brought back a memory. A brief memory of a child’s voice flashed through her mind. A melodious sound, faintly like that of playful laughter went and left just as the memory did. She could barely make out a child-like figure sitting beside where she stood. The suddenly actualization of that memory gave Alvar a fuzzy warm feeling in her chest, but it became rage as the next hit triggered another memory.
The second memory wasn’t pleasant nor was there any actual speech spoken. It only came in the sound of a loud scream. A shudder ran through her body, causing her hair to stand on ends. The memory brought tears to her eyes, and she could feel frustration building even more. Her pollaxe cleaved into her opponent as the need to run from the memory motivated her next move.
The third and final memory that came was no more than pieces of a puzzle. She could hear her own voice, making a promise through sobs. It came out in tattered pieces but not much sense could be depicted from it all. All she knew was that it was a promise to…him.Who was ‘him’?
Who was ‘him’?
It hurts. Not remembering who that individual was, or the importance he posed to her.
Kai considered this new creature's words. They made sense. After all, she couldn't remember anything about a promise, or had no idea of the intentions of the 'cat', where it came from, who-what it is... 'What if it really had taken away everything i've ever known?' Her past, her life, her wish? If she even had one? Transforming them into people they weren't? Who was it to decide what she must do? Who cares about this new world? It was nothing more than a nightmare.
And then she heard it. From her new memories. Screaming.
Her own, as she was knocked aside by the monster's tentacle, even when it seemed she had won. The blood-curdling sounds of the other girls as one by one were hit by the terrible creature again and again and again...
Their cries echoed throughout Kaimari's head, rattling her very core. And this... this new opponent, he created that monster. HE made them suffer... No. She might not remember who she was, and what her purpose is now, but she had the others. She had her weapon. It didn't matter whether they knew she was there or not, she was going to stay and fight to keep them!
Character: Kaimari/'Kai' Gem: Orange/Hopeful Class: Witch Weapon: Scythe Personality: Might have been somewhat of a loner, a little shy, but she's not going to back down now! Appearence: On the taller side, deep blue eyes, brown hair, wearing a black and orange schoolgirl's outfit, has an ornate black scythe with thorn-like markings on the sides.
It wasn't until Melony suggested that the wish might be why they were here that Tara started seriously wondering what hers might have been. "I hadn't even thought of that... I have no clue what mine might have been. I mean, unless it was somehow related to... well... this," she waved her hand in a vague attempt to indicate all the girls in the room, "but we can't all have wished something so similar, right? I just don't remember anything else." Unlike a few of the others, admittedly, she hadn't really been trying. The hear-and-now had seemed more important.
She glanced back over at Macy as the other girl responded. "Yeah, you did great. It didn't get you too bad, did it?" A quick glance didn't seem to show the younger girl to be badly hurt.
And then there was a second figure, and the damn little cat-rabbit-goblin-thing was back, and there was no more opportunity to demand answers than last time. Although it was kind of nice to see someone else give it a dressing down... not that Tara felt any more ready to trust this new figure, who quickly started demanding she pick a side. Yeah, she knew what side she wanted to pick. She wanted the, "Tell me what the heck is actually going on before I decide anything" side.
"If either of you will give us a straight answer, for once, then I'd be willing to actually believe you!" she snapped, not that either seemed to be listening. Tara looked around at the other girls, and heard several point out that the new figure had just a moment ago been trying to hurt them all. "That's right! And it's not like she actually denied the cat-goblin-thing's claim that she was going to collapse this 'balance', or that there are people who need our protection." Besides, if she had to choose, she'd rather be doing something to help. "We may just be children, but that's no reason to give up."
And then Tara made a face, because she was arguing for the stupid cat-rabbit-goblin, which she still didn't like, but even if it was using them she at least felt like it had given better reasons for why they might want to listen to it.
She knew it was the right choice, knew that if she did have her memories it was the choice she would make... up until she saw one of the other girls attack, and when their enemy attacked back, the other girl... broke apart. She just faded into mist, and then was gone.
Tara heard a rushing in her ears, and had to force it down. Because that was a risk of fighting... right? They were fighting so others wouldn't have to. Still... "If you really don't think you can handle it, go. You have to follow your heart, trust what you know of yourself, and whatever bits of memories you might have," she called out to the other girls, suddenly jealous of the ones who'd said they'd remembered something, who had something more than just what the cat-goblin and the female figure said to go on.
Tara knew her own choice, though. She was staying. If to help the other girls she'd met, or to protect these "humans" and that "balance" the cat-rabbit-thing kept talking about, or in order to earn some wish she didn't remember... the reason didn't matter, she just had to do what she knew was right for her.
Kai brandished her scythe, a newfound sense of pride and surge of strength giving her the will to fight back. She would defeat this new creature, just like she did before! She attacked before it could protect itself. "I won't let you take them away!" she yelled. The blade bit into the creature's side... And then she could hear someone calling her.
She couldn't make out their words, or their faces, but she could sense that they were familiar. Like a family. She felt small, but not in a bad way, just very young. These people made her happy, made her feel safe, and loved. She could feel sunshine, a light breeze... And then they transformed into one terrible figure. She was staring at the creature again. Surprised, Kaimari froze for a moment, giving her opponent enough time to tear away from her scythe. It moved so fast, it was behind her in an instant. "Why do you resist, child? Come with me. Fight no longer." It practically purred in her ear. She shook off the eerie feeling of 'deja vu'. "Never." she spat. Kai whirled around, the scythe's blade connecting with its' shoulder... But she could feel the pain.
"Hey loser! Why don't you go home? Oh, right. You don't have one!" The other schoolkids taunted her, but she knew better than to fight back. They would all go away soon, all she had to do was sit against her favorite tree and ignore them for a little longer. She pretended to use her favorite book as a shield, the creatures within Alice in Wonderland forming a circle around her and protecting her from their hurtful words. If only she had somewhere she belonged... And then she was back. Once again staring at the creature as it roared in defiance. Kai was shaking, her confidence waning with the feeling of loneliness. 'Was that... A memory? Why would I try to remember that?' The monster was angry now, it lunged for her, ready to tear her limb from limb. She could only jump away, nearly avoiding it. 'It doesn't matter! I still have to fight here and now!' While the creature's back was turned, she mustered all her strength into this one last blow... And then she was on the ground.
She was kneeling, begging. She could make out the 'cat' through her tear-blurred vision. But this time, the memory played like a broken movie. She felt herself saying something important... A promise that felt like a curse... A vow to fight... To save... She felt her heart leap with hope...
And just like that, it was over. 'WHY?' she cried inside her head. 'Why can't I remember?' Her vision blurred with tears and her heart was on the verge of breaking. She wanted so desperately to remember. Now, she never wanted to.
Character: Kaimari/'Kai' Gem: Orange/Hopeful Class: Witch Weapon: Scythe Personality: Might have been somewhat of a loner, a little shy, but she's not going to back down now! Appearence: On the taller side, deep blue eyes, brown hair, wearing a black and orange schoolgirl's outfit, has an ornate black scythe with thorn-like markings on the sides.
Lost in the swirling memories, Thalia didn't see the creature sweep its claws out at her until it was too late. She felt the sharp pain and the weightless sensation of soaring through the air, but for a moment, something else overpowered both of these feelings. An unusual sensation, a thought, a memory--oh. The promise.
Yes, she had promised something, hadn't she? It was to--
Before the thought could finish, Thalia was vaguely aware of her body suddenly growing stiffer. She could barely move her lips to utter a low groan when she hit the ground at the end of her flying arc, and when her eyes managed to catch sight of the cracks running through her uncovered hand...
There was no time to process what was happening, but really, there wasn't any need to. One moment, Thalia was there, and the next, she shattered and faded away with many of the other girls.
Name: 
