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 Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:06 pm
 Life was seemingly peaceful within the Motoujamii-Safi, althought the atmosphere today seemed to prickle with something. Change perhaps, ill-will. Just something that was generally making things today seem off, not least of all Gehenda. He was more restless than usual, more irritable, more frustrated with the way things were. And yet that also seemed to include feeling strangely more patriotic to his 'creed' than usual. He was never one to really feel too much one way or the other, although for show he was always a strong traditionalist.
Worried that sitting in the shade would lead to a rotting of the mind, he left the cool embrace of his den in search of stimulus, be it mental or physical, and perhaps emotional as well. What was this godawful tension?!
Panting a little, Gehenda came to rest once more in shade, this time in a little nook of toppled boulders, looking out onto the heat-haze and sands.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:28 pm
 Dark talons raked the earth, the snap of a twitching tail, a low growl darkness radiating from his very being, charging the air around him with the scent of evil and fear. Tanaka was a massive beast, vicious and cruel, driving by anger and rage. Had his mood ever been foul before, it was nothing to the fury that now surged through him, burning with each wave of pain, the constant torment that plagued his wings.
Did the beast know on what sands he trod? Did he even care? Fangs bared, the beast stalked, eyes narrowed, as if he would lash out at the slightest movement. Towering over the largest of lions, his form powerful, intimidating, even the mighty firekin would think twice before approaching such a beast.
Not that he was especially concerned by the pride in who's lands he had trod. He was a god, he did not fear mortals. And if they should attack him, well at least if he fell it would finally end the INFERNAL PAIN IN HIS WINGS!
A snarl ripped through the air.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:40 pm
Gehenda feared his foul mood and the heat haze were playing tricks on him. He thought he could spy a white apparition in the distance, sliding across the sands in stilted movements.
And then heard the snarl.
Could it be...no...she wouldn't be stupid enough to walk right in to these lands...still, curiosity gnawed at his insides and he had to know. It meant braving the heat and terrible friction that seemed to hang in the air but at least he would be sated one way or another.
He pulled himself up from the shade and hopped down onto the arid ground, making his way toward the apparition which, coincidentally, seemed to be making its way to him.
As the haze lessened (or perhaps his eyesight improved?) the white figure grew larger. Nothing definite yet though. But he couldn't escape the bristling of his fur, the tension in his limbs, the curl of his lips. What was making him so aggressive...so uncertain and yet ready to fight...?
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:59 pm
The beast paused in his steps, his head raised as a scent caught his nose, eyes narrowed at the haze of red moving toward him. A lion, most certainly firekin, no other scents, it was alone.
A malevolent smirk broke through his snarl. Ah, what little fly had the desert delivered to him today, what creature was unfortunate, or foolish enough, to cross his path.
That's right, come closer, come feel the string of my talons as I tear through your hide.
Another day, another life, the beast might have welcomed the company of such a creature, or at least not immediately thought of murder. He would have plotted, played his games, relishing at the though of rending the mind, tormenting the soul, the cruelty he had once reveled in. As he was now, driven by the unrelenting pain in his wings, the beast had become a monster, longing only to relieve his own pain by inflicting it on others.
But perhaps today would be different. Perhaps the fog that surrounded him, the desert mouse that fled from his paws, it was only the start of the game, and not the fury that consumed him.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:12 pm
Gehenda was oblivious to the company he was soon to be sharing. Perhaps if he had known, he'd approach with more reverence and respect, perhaps even admiration. Who else had more control over their own destiny, and sometimes over others, than a God?
Just as the haze appeared to be disappearing, something swept in to further confuse and obscure the ghostly lion. It was not totally impenetrable but made seeing difficult.
Wondering what it could be, he froze suddenly. Muscles already started to ache with the tension building in them. What was that strange black haze? And what was this heaviness in the pit of his stomach? He hadn't felt it often so why should he feel it now? Even when meeting someone new, this feeling always seemed balanced with confidence and courage. It always seemed controllable.
This wasn't though.
"Who goes there?" he commanded, summoning what authority he could find for his voice, even if it meant sacrificing some authority in his appearance.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:33 pm
The beast raked at the sands with his talons, deliberately, slowly, each claw slicing its own path before the next followed. Fangs glistened in the smirk that had split his maw, a chilling, haunting expression, almost as if demonic laughter would echo through the earth at his thought.
"Such a powerful voice you have, a shame the image is ruined by the shaking in your paws."
His voice was cold, mocking, taunting the lion with information he would not give. It did not matter if the lion had truly shaken or not, the monster could see that falter, the slightest trace of confusion, of fear touching his eyes. Oh such a proud creature this way, such an impressive will, but no creature could escape the eventual touch of horror, no creature could truly hide.
"You'll have to do better than that, if you wish to know my name."
The game, had begun. How long before the beast grew bored or annoyed? Before his fury took over?
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:51 pm
The voice that returned sent a chill down his spine, so much so that he shivered as if cold. He'd never felt true cold. The cool of the nights was different, it still held a hint of life in it. This chill....it was empty and remorseless.
And a huge mistake. He could not let it happen again. And when Tanaka spoke again, Gehenda fought every sinew, every instinct, every flashback to a fearful moment in life, to repress that shiver.
It was taking a huge toll on him though, physically and mentally. Whatever he was up against was no mere lion.
"Fine...I shall not trade my name either," he replied. Under his breath, he mumbled 'This ought to be fun, communicating in nods and whistles.'
"What purpose do you have here?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:06 pm
His maw parted, laughter falling from his jaws, cold, mocking, infernal laughter. Oh how he reveled in the struggle that played out before him, how easy it would have been for the lion to simply give in, to flee the white demon. But no, this one was much to strong for that, he would not give in so easily.
It was that strength that had caught the god's attention, that had brought the demonic smirk to his maw. A lesser creature would have only met his talons, torn to shreds by his fangs, but it was strength that made the thought of breaking that much more satisfying. How he had missed those delicious games.
And yet, such an empty threat. Did the creature truly think he cared for his name, that his world would simply crumble if he were denied knowing such? No, he'd have to do much better than that.
"Why, I am here...for you."
Darkness, cold, hellish, it surrounded him, echoing his words, the words of a demon. Or perhaps, of a murderer, of the angel of death.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:22 pm
That derisive laughter again, almost as chilling as his voice, and whilst it might not have been physically possible, the sound of it seemed to sap Gehenda of his strength, his will. Had it been a physical blow, it would have been enough to bring him to his knees.
He held fast, but could gain little comfort from even his surroundings, this place he had grown up in. All those fond memories could not console him or give him energy. All he knew now was that black fog swirling about, sometimes lighter than it had been a moment ago, sometimes thicker. It wavered, just like the heat haze.
Why, I am here...for you
Could it be? Did he really believe such things as gods and angels and demons to be so real, as if touchable? And was he here to 'claim him?' The fog thickened considerably then and Gehenda felt a weight like he'd never felt before, just pressing down on him from all sides. Nothing that Tanaka was actually doing, but his own perception of fear.
Under his breath, he muttered through gritted teeth. 'You...can't...have...me...yet...'
With that resolve, he managed to push back the weight, but the fog was still clouding his sight and his judgement.
"There is not much I can do if you truly have come for me, but no matter WHAT you are, you won't go unpunished from these lands with my blood on your paws," he replied, teeth still gritted and summoning authority once more.
Clinging to his duty to protect this land was all he had left.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:44 pm
"I do not doubt you believe that, and yet what reason could I possibly have to fear you or your pride?"
The laughter continued, echoed through his words, the darkness, as if it had sapped all life from the desert but for the demon and the lion, or more likely, sent it fleeing in terror. Oh such a glorious struggle, how the lion fought. He liked this one, might have try to sway to some dark task, were he not so enjoying the torment.
"Such a pathetic creature. Look at yourself, you can barely stand, your pride will fair no better."
Dangerous, vicious, though he was, Tanaka was not a fool. A single lion may not have been a match, but he did not wish to bring the fury of a pride, even the immortal could perish. But he would do what he must to continue the game, and there were worse fates than death. No, he would not waste such a life as this, not when it provided him so much entertainment.
"Or perhaps I will come for you another time, if you can convince me otherwise."
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:56 pm
Now, it was Gehenda's turn to laugh. Or at least try to. He was not at his strongest, but he was still desperately clinging to his heritage and what advantages that had given him. Sure, he might feel a little uncomfortable with his pride's beliefs, but should he need them now, they would come. With a single roar, they would come.
"I'm the pathetic one? I do not hide behind a veil of darkness nor bewitch my enemies. We do not fear anything or anyone," he replied, perhaps bordering on madness now to be talking in such a way to a force greater than he.
The weight returned, this time from his failing physical state. He locked his limbs though, braced for anything.
"Come for me when you will, the answer will be the same - I will be ready for you as I am not willing to leave just yet."
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:14 pm
The beast's eyes narrowed, though his smirk did not fade. He stepped closer, talons bared, easily within range of whatever blow he chose. Would he lash out? Silence the creature with a swipe of his paw? Oh how delicious the thoughts that must have been running through the lion's mind.
"Everyone has something to fear. This darkness is only your own fear manifested."
His voice had lowered, almost to a whisper, the tone one might take while sharing a great secret. For an instant, the darkness vanished, revealing the beast for who he was, massive, broad, terrifying. His white pelt stark against the desert, green eyes burning with cold fire, tattered wings spreading over his form as shadows. He was a horrifying beast, a demon, a creature of the darkness.
"Another time then, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after, I will return. And then, your life will be mine."
His words spoken, the laughter returned, horrific, echoing in the blinding darkness, the world may have very well split beneath his paws. And then, he was gone, vanished, as if consumed by the sands, or returned back to the depths of hell from which he had come.
"I suggest you be ready."
His last words echoed behind him, only paw prints left behind to speak of his presence. Had he ever been there at all?
Yes, there were some advantages to being a god, such a delightful game.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:05 am
Gehenda was concentrating so hard, stealing himself against the pressing darkness and fear as best he could, that nothing of what Tanaka said in his parting moments sank in until he had gone.
He stood there, seemingly alone now. No more dark fog, but likewise no heat haze in the immediate area surrounding him. The ground felt cooler to touch than he had anticipated. The weight had gone but despite that, he still struggled to straighten himself, muscles aching and screaming at him. He tried to take few steps to where he thought the apparition had been but his limbs still felt planted to this spot. Something wouldn't let him leave.
Was this more witchcraft? Was this demon, this malign spirirt, still here but unseen and working his ill-will against him?
That form, as white as bleached bone and just as harsh and ungiving. It had seared itself onto Gehenda's memory and every he looked, he could still that white spirit. If only it had lived up to such notions as white stood for virtue, purity, and innocence. Nothing innocent about that loathesome beast.
What if...what if he hadn't stood his ground? What if it had chosen to make a plaything, even a meal, of him? Something that could literally induce fear by its mere being...what else was it capable of...?
So tired after the brief encounter, although it had felt likes hours if you asked Gehenda, the realisation of his probable demise brought him tumbling to the ground. He moved his limbs in time to make his landing soft, but aside from that, it was exhaustion, it was fear of the worst kind.
Tanaka had made Gehenda think more of his mortality than even his mother's death. He lay there, aching from head to tail and forced to think of his meeting with the devil over and over again.
It was something he wouldn't be forgetting easily.
((end))
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