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 Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:58 pm
"O Ye who take the last breath and break the first of my seals, reclaim the other Sigils who dwell within their bearers.
Free me, and I grant ye a power most pure and the deepest wish in thy ethereal heart. Fear not the darkness nor the light."
The echoes of the multi-toned voice still lingered in his mind whenever he brushed the stone hidden within his robes.
The echoes, he had learned, grew louder when he returned to the source of the words.
Azra'iel sat haphazardly on the pile of rubble that remained from the collapse of the statue of the Torn. He held the Sigil that had been freed from Haveni's body, idly turning it, contemplating it---wondering what, if anything he needed to do now.
Subconsciously continuing to toy with the stone, he noticed that nature already had begun to reclaim the fallen statue. How long had it been, really? A few weeks? Amazing that already the moss was creeping back over the fresh stone faces, grass springing up in the cracks between the stones. Flowers bloomed in the gently waving grass of the Ruins. Had he not been in the middle of it, he'd never have believed the battle that took place here. To the casual eye, almost no scar remained.
A sad half-smile drifted over the Constellation's face and he spoke softly into the wind, "Not all scars are visible."
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:11 pm
It had felt like years since she had last been here, even though it had been weeks. This place, which had once been her home...she couldn't look at it the same anymore. it alarmed her even more so that all this time, she had not been entirely alone here, as she had always thought, like she always knew, since her years as a child here. She had been born a willo'wisp, and had drifted between the trees like the mist that occasionally roiled between their boughs. This was where she had found solace, always, always alone.
But it was peculiar, because even though she had journeyed back for a last farewell, she was not alone this time. She paused in her silent steps, crimson eyes lingering on the image of Azrai'iel. He'd been the one she had given that unusual orb to. What was he doing here, now?
Ishka merely watched him for a while, until she heard him speak. Not all scars are visible.
She evaporated from her place without a sound, appearing near him, but far enough to be out of harm's reach, should he react with violent reflex. "Indeed, you are right, aren't you?" she answered his statement, hovering some feet in the air, like an estranged specter caught on the breeze. A soft smile lit her soft featured face as she leveled her ruby gaze to him. She had not expected to find anyone here, but she did recall this one. He had such a kind feeling, noble yet just. She had liked that. "What a surprise to find you here. You must want that wish, perhaps?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:51 pm
Startled to hear more than the wind answer him, Azra'iel's head shot up to meet the glowing gaze of the former occupant of the Ruins. He had been somewhat surprised Ishka had not been here when he'd visited in the last week. But considering how the words of the unknown voice had stuck with him, he certainly couldn't blame her for moving elsewhere. The Constellation suspected it would be a harrowing experience to be here now after dark.
Even if the unease was all in one's mind.
Unsure whether the spectral creature would choose to sit or not, he felt rude assuming and so shifted more toward the end of the large, flat stone he occupied. Now facing the lady more fully, Az tried to coax his lips into a more welcoming smile, but feared his gaze remained desolate.
"I believe I am learning there is little joy to be taken from being right, madam." Glancing down, Az turned the Sigil upright to see the rune that glowed within it. Squeezing it lightly, he glanced around the Ruins again before glancing back at his companion. His eyes fell again as he spoke low, tiredly; "I do not seek the promised wish, Ishka. If you thought I would, I doubt you would have trusted this to my care."
Azra'iel forced himself to meet the gaze of the willo'wisp and finally managed a genuine, if still somewhat tired smile.
"I am not here for anything in particular just... it seemed a good place to meditate on what has happened in the last few weeks. I will leave if you feel the Sigil's presence here is a danger."
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:16 pm
The lantern witch evaporated again in a wisp of smoke, appearing next to Az, settling down upon the pile of rubble. She seemed to play idly with one of her dark red, beaded bracelets, a soft jingle coming from a bell that was tied to it. "There's no danger for now." she said softly, her eyes in the distance. She was looking at the other statues. Her eyes settled on one called 'The Dire'...depicting a man surrounded by wolfish figures who devoured others. "That one scares me, though. Very deeply. I would have nightmares that it would come alive and try to eat my heart." Her voice held apprehension as she reached her hand to slide under his arm, her fingers wriggling into his palm and interlacing into his own digits. "I'd often wish my mother would rouse me from those dreams and hold my hand just like this, and say they're only dreams~" she chuckled a little, but her eyes were not smiling.
Finally, she tilted her head just enough to make eye contact with him. "I thought to come back here, to figure out what it is that lingers inside that." she pointed towards the large, stone door that seemed bound by symbols representing each sigil. "And more so...honestly, I'm a little afraid...afraid of..that one." she again motioned towards the statue of The Dire. "I never imagined that these effigies represented real people...and if that is the case, I wonder if that one really will devour me."
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:22 pm
Seeing the Lantern Witch looking so haunted twisted the protective corner of the light Constellation's heart. Gently squeezing the delicate hand that had wriggled it's way into his own, he met the sidelong glance of the spellcaster with a crooked smile ...that did not manage reach his eyes.
"It seems, for the time being anyway, they are only dreams, m'lady. I hope they remain in that realm and do not continue to haunt you so."
The door Ishka mentioned was imposing and had drawn his focus since he'd started visiting the Ruins. He lost himself in contemplation again and only caught the very end of what his companion was saying.
"We all have fears. I do not think I have any as deeply ingrained as yours... I don't know how I'd face it. But I do know that fear can hold you back from taking action." Az was quiet a moment, pondering how to put his thoughts into words. "Do you think any of us can control enough of our fear to face what is locked behind the sealed door, Ishka?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:50 pm
Her gaze seemed lost somewhere between thoughts and wishes for a long moment, the only thing moving about her was a few stray strands of long hair that danced with the occasional breeze.
"I wonder if it's something we should really fear that's kept in there. What if it's something innocent, who just wants to be free? What if it doesn't belong in there?" she sighed, her eyes resting on the statues. "But then, what if it is something treacherous? We will never know unless we open the door. Do we let something innocent rot alone, or do we give freedom to a monster worth punishing?"
The woods around them had seemed to dim with the chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves, as if some presence had taken residence within the dark places of the forest. Ishka shuddered. "It feels like something lurks in the trees."
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:46 am
'I wonder if it's something we really should fear that's kept in there'
The Lantern Witch made an excellent point. The power of the Sigil Azra'iel held, for example, was not in and of itself malicious. It was simply power. The covetous nature of the holder would be what turned it evil. Or the anger... or fear.
Peering sharply at the Sigil, Az's hand tightened around it, "Ishka, it appears to react to emotions. Even the voice spoke of desires of the heart; it---" The light Constellation felt the presence in the trees as well. Pale golden eyes darted about, trying to locate a physical presence to go along with the feeling of being watched.
Cautiously allowing a trickle of his power to move into his hand, he surrounded the Sigil stone with his aura to mask the older power and tucked it away in his robes.
No need to tempt Fate.
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