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 Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:13 am
It was yet a few hours of travel before they reached the end of that branch, made even longer by the fact that he had eventually insisted that they stop to at least eat in peace before continuing again.
Eventually, however, the branch started to taper out even more, growing yet even wider and wider until the moment where it opened fully as it connected to the trunk. It was an even wider open expense, if such a thing was even possible, with paths curving and angling toward each of the other branches.
"This is where it gets easy if you are going for the Underworld. Straight down, and the opening is quite hard to miss. Especially if you have spirit sight. The complicated part is remembering which branch is the one you came in from." He chuckled. There was obviously memories attached to that particular statement, and his gloved hand rose to brush against a set of five marks carved into the wood by what seemed to have been a very large set of claws as he passed it by.
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Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:18 am
Of course both Goddess and Valkyrie notices his touch to the markings. All three of them would have recognised the intelligence in marking your way back. This was the tree of worlds, it would do no man or god any good to get lost.
"Worldshield?" Val asked, gesturing to the mark before they started on their way down.
The trunk, more vast and intimidating than anyone could imagine. To the roots of all that formed the cage of the Underworld. This felt far more spiritual than the caverns under St Kore.
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Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:10 am
"Yes. We used these marks to keep track of which sections of the tree we had already gone though." Each of them were a little different. He realized now that he had missed travelling with company, knowing that there was another here following him. And now he had that again, retracing the steps he had taken once before, only with different companions.
"There are two ways. The slow way, or the fast way." The fast way would force the errais to wait here, as he could not carry him, but he knew Athanathius did get somewhat unsettled near where the tree parted, and the paths grew too steep for the equine before they could get too close anyway.
The fast way would involve flying. He could make a careful descent while holding the two of them. The two ladies might as well have been feathers for him.
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Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 2:45 am
Alva leaned forward and patted the side of Athanasius' neck as they paused for Ankou to lay the choice out for them. The slow way or the fast. There was a decision and a half, though she could imagine which the goddess that resided within her might choose.
"The fast?" She suggested. It made more sense than lingering around.
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Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:03 pm
"I will have to carry you both then." He said, and he definitively looked a bit amused. ""No need to worry. No one will end up falling off."
If he could carry three wriggly children, then surely two women who mostly stayed put would not be much of a challenge, now would it ?
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Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:19 pm
Sanngrigor looked at the Spirit Guide as though he had just lost the last of his marbles.
"Carry us?" She asked then remembered herself. "My Lord."
Val laughed a little and gave a nod of her head. She was prepared to do what was necessary, if that meant being carried then she would allow him to carry her.
"Well, it would be a novel way to travel, that's sure enough." She slipped off of Athan's back, her legs felt a little like jelly where she had been riding for so long.
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Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:45 pm
Yes, that was about the reaction he expected of the valkyrie. As if touching him was some great sin ! The Spirit Guide was unable to contain his amusement as well as he most likely should have. Just because he did not especially appreciate it outside of certain people, it did not mean he could not put up with it if it was adventurous.
"Well, unless you would prefer to jump ?" Honestly. That would not end well for anyone involved. "It is a very long trek down, otherwise, but that is up to the both of you." Even this way it was a long way down, so much that a mortal who tried to do it would probably run out of energy halfway though.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:32 am
Val peered down and smirked a little.
"I think I will give jumping a miss. I'm not so stubborn I would turn down a lift." She glanced to Sanngrigor who slid expertly of Athan. "Sanngrigor?"
The Valkyrie nodded.
"I'd rather not jump." It wouldn't do either of them to smash.
Val untied their packs, slid her own onto her back and handed Sanngrigor her's. She turned back to Ankou and smiled.
"Well then young Ankou, we are ready whenever you are."
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 5:07 pm
When they were ready, he took the two of them, one on each arm, holding them securely. He made sure there was no way his grip would slip, and when he was certain of that, he jumped and his wings flared up, slowing his descent.
This was by no way a smooth descent - the paths twisted and turned around them like a literal maze, and every now and then he landed onto one, ran a few steps, then jumped again.
And at one point, they would not be alone. The first wisp came, floating down beside them. That wisp was joined by another, another, and another, until the large expense of the tree was alit in bright colors dancing along. If they looked, his lips were moving and he was calling, in near silence, but this was not all his doing. These souls knew who Valrymora were, too. The children in particular seemed drawn to her, echoes of tiny little laughs barely heard as they danced their playful little drift of tag.
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:11 am
It was hard to comprehend what happened next, they were taken by the arms and then there was no more ground, the Spirit Guide was much taller than both of them. They were floating, albeit fast, the air rushing past them. It was almost like falling but Host, Goddess and Valkyrie trusted Ankou to keep control.
Then the spirits came then, drifting, only a few at first, their spirit lighting the darkness around them. More came the deeper they sank into the depths of the tree, Alva watched with wonder as they danced around them, their light shining like stars around them.
Val was drawn forward as their numbers grew. She could hear them, her little ones, the sounds of their laughter and chatter was feint but she could hear it. They spun around them, danced under her free arm, played in Alva's hair and even Sanngrigor, the Valkyrie watched them, though did not seem moved.
Val held her hand out and watched them float around it, they remembered her, no, not remembered her, these were new souls, they recognised her for who she was. That made her feel good. Soon little ones, she thought, very soon.
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:36 pm
This would go on for what seemed to be forever. How long, exactly, was hard to say, in a world where there was no day, no night, simply the large expenses of roots and branches flaring around them, and the dance of the spirits around the three of them. It was obvious that a mortal who had attempted such a thing would have had to stop a lot earlier, or most likely would have perished in some way in the attempt.
It might have been hours - or days, who could truly tell ? - when the fall finally, truly stopped. The branches had turned into roots, and from there on... Nothing. Nothing but a stark darkness that somehow seemed alive in it's own way. The spirits their descent had gathered were not afraid of it, as they entered that expense without an hint of hesitation.
He gently let the two of them down, then. "Below down in the Underworld. The roots flare out and cradles it to the rest of everything." Or so he supposed. He had not exactly gone to see it himself. There was a small platform there, almost deliberate in it's own way, and he crouched there, in sheer force of habit.
One could only wonder how many days, how many weeks of the Spirit Guide's absences had been spend here, luring the spirits home, and watching them dance, with only the sound of his own voice to keep him company.
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:30 pm
Both women had lost all sense of time and place. Neither had an idea what day it was, what time. There was darkness apart from the wisps and spirits. They landed with Ankou on the platform and took a moment to find their legs and balance.
Alva watched with interest as the spirits began their descent further into the Underworld. Inside her Val was buzzing, she could feel it, stronger than the other gate, stronger than anything before. Her home ... and not just her home, Her, she was Underworld and she belonged there. It was luck a drug and she wanted it. She took over Alva and peered over the edge into the abyss, and it was just that. Nothing but darkness, she glanced up to Ankou and smiled.
"I can feel it."
In the darkness of the roots that branched off a pair of eyes watched the three of them.
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Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:19 pm
"I figured you would." It would also help her to know this place existed, to see it for herself so she could keep it in mind and plan around it. As far as gates went, though, this was relatively fool proof by nature - the drop was probably enough to kill any mortal, and even some immortals that grew too curious, and it was extremely far out of the way for anyone to attempt entry. Still, some wards might actually be a good idea.
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:09 am
The eyes watched them for a moment, they had seen the man before, many times. He was of the Underworld, the Spirit Guide, he drew the spirits down to the roots, preparing them for rebirth, though how could they be reborn without being judged. The woman was a strange one, she looked mortal, yet there was something about her that said otherwise.
Campe stepped slowly from the shadows, it was a novelty for her, feet. Before she had left the underworld she had had the body of a snake, now she had feet, though her skin was still that of a serpent. She wore ragged clothes she had stolen on one of the limited times she had left the tree. Her eyes glowed red.
"My Lord." As she spoke she revealed razor sharp teeth.
Alva jumped at the sound of movement from beside them, at the sight of the horrible creature that appeared she drew her sword, quite ready to slice its head off.
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:30 am
Ankou stood at the sound, but one hand rose to stop Alva. There was some sense of familiarity in how the woman looked at him, and honestly, had she truly planned to do them harm, then why announce her presence ? That was a little counter productive.
There was something important here, he just could not quite remember it. "You are vaguely familiar to me... Who are you ?"
With any chance, his memory could be jolted.
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