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Post by Samuel on Feb 20, 2010 2:45:27 GMT -5
(There's not that many sheets but hell, this setting is pretty much open so there's no harm in starting.) (Prologue) Clouds of storm choked the air, clouds of dust strangled the ground and all who walked upon it. The dieing crashes of thunder echoed away into the night... when it all cleared, so many lay dead. So many had given their lives, made the ultimate sacrifice in the hopes that the world would persevere. Where so many had rallied from across the remaining world, only a small fraction remained. Now a new storm burst forth, tears of sorrow and joy, as many wept, elated at their success, or despaired, crushed at all they had lost.
Like flies, the Undead dropped. Towering tendrils of bone collapsed to the ground. Flesh Golems lost their form, became heaps of skin and muscle. Zombies hit the ground. The numbers of the mortal kin were decimated as their unholy allies returned to their eternal sleep. Samuel Allen Washington pulled back his hood. Many shot him looks that would make even the most stalwart man quail. Yet, his face remained passive. Uncaring. Unfeeling.
The Storm Spirits, in their true forms, towering elementals of wind and water, had lost several of their kin in the battle, even at their most powerful. One by one they shrank down....forty feet...thirty....twenty...ten...six. Six was the tallest. Five and four inches was the shortest. With a flash of lightning, and a deafening burst of thunder resulting, they returned to their mortal shells.
"Xaelrundus...you goddess-fucking son of a bitch...I don't know how you talked us into this." Their leader joked, gazing at the one many knew as 'Evan'.
"Hey, if I can fuck a goddess, I can do anything." Evan replied, giving a smirk.
"Come back, Xaelrundus..."
"Ha...Avulin, I wish I could. But my place is here. With the mortals. They're going to need someone to help them through."
"So be it, you crazy goddess-fucker. If you change your mind, you know where to find us." The smell of ozone became thick in the air as electricity crackled all around. And with even more lightning and yet another burst of thunder, the Storm Spirits took to the sky, leaving their brother behind, as he had desired. Evan gazed at Sam, concern evident in those emerald eyes of his. He hurried over to his old friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Samuel...the wind tells me...these people are enraged at you. Now the battle's over, they want you to answer to your crimes..." He whispered. "Find it in your heart to at least apo-"
"Evan. My heart is gone." Sam said, his voice monotonous, a hollow remnant of the charismatic, slightly insane, fun-loving man it had once belonged to.
"Look, you emo fuck, I understand it hurts to lose your--"
"I do not act like this because I grieve over the deaths of all whom I loved and cared for. I act like this because it is necessary. Necessary to stand against impossible odds, to commit heinous acts in the name of the greater good... and necessary to face my end with honor. But I cannot die, yet. I have to . . . .at least, try, to give back what I took."
"...Samuel...you damned fool."
"Perhaps I am...." Sam turned and walked briskly away, nimbly making his way over the shattered walls, the out of shape and twisted gates. Moving to the center of the once-grand city, he scribed in the earth a circle of runes. Around him, a barrier went up...a strong one, at that. He would need it to buy time. Sure enough, as the hours passed, many took to beating their weapons against the shield. Only the most fanatical, those whom Samuel had directly offended by turning their dead families and close friends into undead servants with which to do battle, wanted his head. The rest were content with exiling him...a few stood in the back, indecisive.
"I sense a strong build up of Negative Energy..." Evan muttered.
"Ya hear that!? 'E'S CHARGIN' A SPELL TO KILL US ALL!!!" Riled up even more now, the most offended doubled their efforts to break his shield. Sure enough, cracks began to appear. Sam's face remained impassive, stalwart in the face of his encroaching death...but death by the hands of a mob was not what he desired.
"No, that's not--he wouldn't--" Evan was flustered. He didn't know what to do.
Fate has toyed with me all my life... these survivors...they would seek to be the hand of Fate. The blade of Karma. No. I am not letting them kill me. I am not meeting my hand by Fate...
Finally the magic was done. The barrier shattered--and a wave of energy pulsed out from Samuel, knocking everyone back...but not killing them. No, the blight, the wounds in the earth, the demonic taint was beginning to creep towards him, quickly accelerating.
"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, REDEEM YOURSELF IN DEATH!?"
"No, Evan. I am not trying to redeem myself. I am only doing what is necessary." Sam coldly responded in that devoid voice of his. As the blight and taint crossed the circle of runes, it began to flow up Sam's form. Threatened to consume him...but as it did so, Sam infused himself, and the poison of the land, with lethal amounts of Law. As the darkness crept upon his form, it was trapped by a layer of stone that was slowly creeping upon him.
"Sam...don't do this, just...stop!"
"No. I am not fate's plaything any longer. I am meeting my own end. I have served my purpose..." He said, fixing his hood up over his head again before unstrapping his swords, tossing them to Evan.
"Give these to Suki. They'll look good on her wall." Sam's face flickered in the shade of a smile for a split second. For that brief instant, his eyes softened...just a little bit. Then, that cold look came over them again. Strangely he felt little pain as the feeling went numb from his legs up. It did not hurt at all...no, it tickled. It was almost, a pleasant feeling. There was of course, the discomfort of not being able to breathe as it claimed his chest and throat....then finally, sweet silence.
"That damned fool turned 'imself into a bleedin' statue! What's he think to do, turn into a monument? Be remembered a hero? I say we tear--"
"Don't. You'll release the demonic poison and the blight and gods know what he's keeping contained." Evan said, his voice breaking. He walked up to Samuel. "Damn it...you fool. You taught me to care. You gave me a heart. Why...why did you have to do such a stupid thing!?...Did you just up and forget about me? You still had a friend left..." Evan turned away, taking deep breaths, trying to keep himself composed.
On that day, Sam was trapped. He could still see.... he could still watch the village grow. For years he observed it. For years he contemplated. Much to his surprise one day, a voice rang out in his head.
Samuel Allen Washington...
Who...what are you?
That does not matter...the heavens turned their eye to your endeavors when the Storm Spirits went to war... some mark you hero. Some mark you defiler. None the less... a friend of yours paid us a visit. He knows your soul is in the statue. He wanted us to extract it...we could not. So he begged... 'do the next best thing'. Your combined efforts can not be ignored. We do not know what the next best thing is, that lies with you....so tell us, oh he who believes the ends justify the means... what single boon do you desire?
My children. He thought, almost immediately. They never had a chance. Please. Please, put them on this world, even if it is twisted and destroyed, give them a chance at life...
As we can only grant a single boon, we can only let one being pass into life. But...I am aware of a loophole. They will live...as one. Two souls, in harmony in one vessel of the flesh...
That deep regret welling within him, the joy that his children could have a shot at life... two shimmering tears formed in his cold, stone eyes. Two shining crystals, each containing an innocent soul that never entered the world, slid down his face and hit the ground. With a burst of light....there came into being the manifestation of two souls joining together. The end of Sam's greatest regret. . . (End of prologue) Fast forward fifteen years into the future. "Damnit, Allen!" The fruit vendor yelled as the boy made off with his prize, a shiny, crimson apple. Polishing it with his shirt as he ran, Allen tore down the street and turned into an alley. He was agile, even for a half-elf. Onto a crate, then a sill, then a roof. Then from roof to roof as the nimble brat leapt about. He was always caught in the end...always punished for his transgressions. He never learned, though. He never cared. It was just too fun screwing with people. He bit into the apple, feeling the satisfying crunch of his teeth breaking the skin. Tearing off a chunk, he chewed thoughtfully, swallowing his bite then taking another. He jumped down from his rooftop post, and began to walk the streets, while they were still largely unaware of his fruit thievery.
Mayhaps I'll pay the ruins a visit...yeah, make it much harder this time for them to find me.
Mischievous smirk blooming to life on his face, he quickened his pace as he headed for the gate, eyes glinting as he hurried towards his destination.
Near the center of town, Evan sighed as he stared at the statue. Many refused to go near it, children would often saunter up, tools of vandalism in hand, then find shivers going down their spines, and, just as quickly as they'd made the decision to deface the statue, they'd flee. He didn't say anything, only stared into those stone, unblinking, empty eyes. "....The other village elders just want the world to forget you. I suppose, though it's hardly fair...that it's the right thing to do. Anyways....today was the same as always. Boring politics. I've been trying to find a way to free you without letting the taint out....but no luck so far. I'm not going to give up, though. You deserve more than this." He finally muttered. The Elders knew why he had a habit of talking to the statue. Everyone else just thought the Storm Spirit was crazy.
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Feb 20, 2010 23:19:29 GMT -5
The playful breeze kicked up, playing with her coat tails as she sauntered towards the village. Reports of strange and unexplained activities had caught her attention. Anything like that near Samuel's statue wasn't a task for a lesser apprentice, no this required the Order's attention, not the mage's association.
Suki was easy to spot and some reconized her as the archmage. A mad hatter to say the least, she certainly liked to look the part. A top hat and coat tails from her longer over coat adorned her, along with fine robes beneath. With a flick of her wrist she had the hat vanish into purgatory as she was sick of the breeze trying to constantly take it from her head. If she had to guess, Evan was behind it as he would no doubt sense her coming by now.
With a sigh she hoped the storm spirit wasn't around, his constant infatuation with her at times was very annoying to her work. However instead of a storm spirit approaching her, it was a child enjoying an apple in his hand. She thought nothing of it as she tried to straighten her long, furry ears. What a joke she always thought...a god damn rabbit of all immortal spirits..she had to screw up and pick that one..
As she neared the boy and took a closer look at him..something sparked in her. Like she knew him or who he was supposed to be..and yet nothing. Her long memory could find nothing about him or having ever met him..he just seemed oddly familiar.
Without much warning a small girl floated out from Suki's back, literally. Like a ghostly form she drifted to the ground and took a more solid shape. White eyes transfixed on the boy as she was close enough to stop him in his tracks. Meet Iris, Suki's personal assistant and secret weapon. Though blind in bound form..she could see certain things, magical auras and unexplainable energies. Apperently...she could see Allen. Her creepy eyes were transfixed on him.
"Iris! Leave him alone!"
Suki shouted to her as she caught up, taking her by the shoulders and gently moving her away with a roll of her eyes.
"My apologies..she's...a bit different. Though..for Iris to see you...that's something..means you're a special person..do well to remember that.."
Suki sighed and had Iris and her continue on, her ears flopping down the sides of her head as she walked towards the village. However she did glance back once at Allan..if Iris could see him..that confirmed her suspicions..he had a purpose.
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Post by Samuel on Feb 20, 2010 23:38:00 GMT -5
"Quite alright...special? Ha....that's one way to describe me..." He said, referencing his odd entrance into this world, his lack of parents, family, or a proper home. He was like a stray cat, in a way, staying each night in a different house as long as he could remember. The entire village had pretty much pitched in to raise him, and even if he was a pain the ass, they still loved him. Now then, he thought... should he sneak through the gates...or scale the wall? Sneak through the gates...or scale the wall...the decision was made!
Hastily making his way over to the wall, he found a set of foot and handholds that only he could seem to locate. It was child's play to make his way over the wall and land on all fours on the other side. A smirk played to life on his face he made his way into the ruins. As he went along he let the fire inside him breathe. Two flames appeared in his hands, trailing along behind him in the air as he walked away. Back in town, the guards were searching for him, tired looks on their faces.
"No sign of 'im."
"Must be in the ruins...."
"Must be."
Allen was already far ahead, his gaze transfixed on a preening crow atop a gnarled and ruined tree. He let the fire build, placed more power behind the blaze. Taking deep breaths, he aimed carefully, and let loose a small ball of flame.
"AWK!!!" Screamed the bird as it was singed and knocked unconscious, falling to the ground with a thump.
"I have slain thee, foul beast!" He said triumphantly. The ruins... so many people were paranoid about them. However, he had yet to find out why they were so dangerous. People said Allen had the devil's luck. The half-elf moved about the ruins, gazing from destroyed structure to destroyed structure. He sat upon an old, charred bench, soaking in the sun. He was tempted to lose his clothes to fully embrace the afternoon light...but, no. People were no doubt after him. Chasing him down for stealing one little apple. People usually bought like...ten or twenty at a time. What harm was there, therefore, in taking just one? It wasn't as if he was stealing the entire cart.
Meanwhile, Evan sighed, lightning crackling for a second in his fists. He was tempted to destroy the statue and take on the poison himself, if only to allow Sam to find freedom. Yet, what would that accomplish? The village would lose a vital source of water. He sighed, and simply let his eyes mist over, as he thought back to all the fond memories he'd shared with Samuel and the others. Evan decided to take to the skies for the moment. Lucky for Suki, she would arrive at the petrified Samuel moments after the Storm Spirit ascended into the clouds.
Upon arriving, she could easily sense was what wrong...the blight and poison Samuel had sealed within the stone. It was leaking. Only a small amount, nothing lethal at all at this point. But such a leak would over time grow. With the seal weakened, she could also sense Samuel's soul. However, should she try to reach out to him, all she would pick up was an overwhelming sense of contentment, along with a blank mind. It was obvious: Samuel was truly at rest. If she could get more input into the process that had created the seal in the first place, she could strengthen it again. But with Sam's soul asleep, she could not ask him directly. Perhaps the key would lie in one of his journals...'twas rumored logs of Samuel's life, specifically the loss of his heart, were scattered abound the ruins.
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Feb 23, 2010 2:42:18 GMT -5
Iris would quickly run up to the statue, looking over it with gawking eyes. The blank slates in those shining orbs could see it..the leak, and the overwhelming power behind the seal as well. Suki heaved a sigh and lightly tugged Iris back with a hand on her shoulder.
"You can see it..can't you?" Suki said with a pang of sadness in her voice. A rarity indeed.
Iris nodded and always knew when Suki was mad, glad, sad, confused..a familiar could always tell thanks to the close bond they shared. Iris tugged Suki away and pointed in the opposite direction back towards the boy, towards the ruins.
"That way..." Iris said with a firm tone.
"What is suppose to be that way? You are blind to all but the world's mysteries Iris..what is it that could lie this way?"
"I don't know..but the other boy..his aura is like this one..only untainted."
Suki hesitated for a moment, the words coming to her lips but shook her head, finding the possibility of Rika and Sam's child alive absurd. With a small grin and a crack of her knuckles Suki turned away from the sad sight that was Sam and set off back towards the ruins.
"We have no other leads..we might as well investigate. Lets go." Suki said, patting her ears down the sides of her head, they always seemed to be fussy at the worst possible times she thought. Her coat swayed as she walked down the empty road, playing in the breeze that was left behind to play.
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Post by Samuel on Feb 23, 2010 2:53:38 GMT -5
Allen would eventually be found stretched out across a sunny patch of grass in the ruins. Thankfully he was still dressed, as he knew there were people looking for him. Thus, when Suki approached, he would jump to his feet and dart away, seemingly effortlessly climbing up a wall and disappearing into a window without caring to look and see that it was not a guard that was after him. Suki got a good glimpse of him. He was a half-elf. Rika had no elven blood....unless the children Sam had sired with Rika and Aredhel had somehow combined into one being..? No, that was completely absurd. Upon entering the building, Suki would find that it was the inn that they'd stayed at when Rycarius had emerged. Once she tracked him down, she would, to nobody's surprise, find that he was hiding under a charred bed. The walls were cracked, yet one could make out writing upon them. Suki would recognize that handwriting...Samuel's. The runes were not fresh, so Allen could not have written them. The words were scribed, over and over..
"The ends justify the means. The ends justify the means. The ends justify the means. The ends justify the means." And so on, and so forth. They had stayed in this inn around the time Sam had, according to most accounts, become a heartless monster. Allen breathed quietly as he could, unknowing that Suki could track his aura and "see" him plain as day.
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Feb 24, 2010 19:08:22 GMT -5
Suki only rolled her eyes as Iris pointed out he was 'up' and not moving. Suki knew that meant he hadn't left the room yet. Deciding to take the easy way up, she casually took her time reaching the room. She knew what room it was and what she would find in there. Many times she had studied it.
"Alright boy...I don't know what your game is or why you're running..but only the guilty run. You have three seconds to reveal yourself..or I drag you out.."
Suki said as the door swung open the room with a loud bang. She cast her glare about the room as she stepped inside. Heaving a sigh she raised her hand slowly with one finger in the air.
"One..."
"Two.." A second finger rose to the sky
"Thr--There you are!" Suki figured out where he was and without finishing her count, a red tendril had wrapped around Allen's leg, dragging him out into the hallway of the ruin. The other end seemed to come from her fingertip like a puppet string. Once he was below her she put a foot on his shoulder and leaned in.
"Name and explanation as to why you're here and running from me. I warn you I'm extremely impatient and I know hundreds of spells that can cause you pain you've never felt before..."
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Post by David on Feb 24, 2010 19:12:35 GMT -5
"And so... the world faded into darkness. Scorched by the flames of hatred and sorrow. And unlike the immortal bird that rises from its ashes, our world shall never rise again from this destruction."
"Twas are fate to begin with. Our cruelty and greed is what caused thy bitterness in the end. Alas, we no longer have much purpose left for this cruel cruel world. Naught even a glimpse of hope is left in the eyes of us mere mortals."
The man flicked his glasses and waved his pony tail and black hair. He had a green tunic on, long white dress pants, a purple/pink sash around his waist that functioned as his belt, and a strap around his chest that was attached to his katana; which was in a snow white sheath. He was making his way towards this forgotten city.
Such tragedies could be seen pretty much every where. He was merely taking a small break near a broken down tavern. He sighed... He still had a long way to go. Either way, once he got to next town, he could once again resume the live of a "doctor". It was his calling after.
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Post by Samuel on Feb 24, 2010 19:19:19 GMT -5
"...My name is Allen, and I'm here because the guards are chasing me after my...what was it..fifty first? Fifty second 'petty theft'? Or maybe my fifty third...but those are only the ones they saw...I gave up counting on the ones that were successful.." He said, no remorse in his tone, only a 'oh well, I'll do better next time' as if he'd lost at a game. "Hey...you're the woman from earlier, aren't you..." He said, suddenly recognizing her.
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Feb 25, 2010 20:57:17 GMT -5
"Your last name boy...and spare me the history lesson. I couldn't care less if you're a petty thief...and I hope to the powers that be you aren't the one who ruined the statue in town...or else I'm going to teach you magic...the fun way..."
Suki glared down at the poor boy, having no patience for his arrogance on the matters at hand. The red tendrils retracting into her fingers slowly until they simply dissolved into the air. She glanced out the window she could see, checking on Iris before glancing back down at Allen.
"I suppose if I have your name, you may have mine..Suki..that's all you need to know.."
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Post by Samuel on Feb 25, 2010 22:45:24 GMT -5
"...I don't have a last name..." He said tentatively. "They found me at the feet of the statue... and what do you mean 'ruined' it? I haven't touched it. No one goes near the damn thing anymore."
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Feb 27, 2010 19:01:57 GMT -5
"...I suppose you're right..a child wouldn't have the power to damage a seal like that..let alone destroy it."
Suki removed her foot from his shoulder and strolled past him into the room of madness he had hidden in before. She had studied this place to the T, trying to figure out what had gone wrong with him. Suki heaved a sigh and crossed her arms, glancing out the window at the bored Iris, who had now taken to examining flowers nearby. Dropping small pearls from her pocket.
Iris was blind, completely blinded...except she could see anything endowed with magical energies. The pearls were Suki's invention. They gave off a temporary aura within a radius..allowing her to see what was in the radius for a short time. Iris very much liked to explore the world using these in her free time.
"I can't place my finger on it...but there's something familiar about you boy...why do you come here of all places?"
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Post by Samuel on Feb 27, 2010 19:26:44 GMT -5
"To find out who I am. I've found few clues in the village...there must be something here in the ruins...everyone else has found tidbits here. . .by the way. You may or may not care, but I found something in here a few years back."
He extracted a journal and held it out to Suki... something just told him she'd want it.
"I dunno who wrote this, but I'm sure he was the person who wrote on the walls. I was wondering maybe if you could tell me who he was, when I ask, the elders just shoot me this look..."
Within the journal, was scribed thus.
Rika is dead. Along with my second chance at being a father...I don't know what went wrong. One second I was fighting...trying to protect her. Then I was swatted aside as easily as a cat would bat a fly... I lost consciousness when I hit the wall. My head took a pretty big blow. When I came to, amidst the blur...I saw her. torn apart as if a pack of wild hounds had attacked her. I think it was Rycarius...I've seen her armies. There is no way with our current standing forces we'll be able to fight back... there's no time to grieve. There's no time to mourn. I have to push my heart back. If we're gonna win this, we're going to need a lot of soldiers. Too many have died, though! Too many have died...wait...that's it. I'll Raise them. They will bolster our forces...
It's been a day or two since I started the army of the dead. So many are glaring at me. Yelling at me. "That's my mother! That's my son! That's my uncle!" I keep telling them..it's for the greater good. That if we all die anyways it won't make a difference what we fought with. They refuse to listen. It hurts, to break their hearts like this, to flaunt their recently deceased. They tell me, how would you feel if Rika was the one being animated? On the inside, that stabs me like a thousand blades of ice... on the inside, it nearly convinces me to stop. On the outside, I just smile. I lie. "I would do it, myself, if she wasn't torn to pieces." The shock on their faces... I'm making them all hate me. If we win this, no one will like me for what I did. There will be no 'Hey, you were right all along, Sam saved everybody!' I will be cold and alone for my actions, for doing what is neccessary to survive, to ensure others survive. . .
(The next entry was blotted with tears. Hardly legible.) I.....they all.....my own friends....push....away. Can't....regain trust.....shattering bonds......nothing.....but....have to go on....ends...justify....means....ends...justify the means. The ends justify the means....
(Most of the entries are like this..finally, one would come across one where the writing was sane and legible...well, only somewhat sane.)
I've done it. My heart is gone. I don't care anymore...there's only the mission left. There's only the mission...and that one regret. My failure to be a father, perhaps, will never fade from my dead heart. I must see to it this world survives--even if it means turning everyone into zombies. Even Suki is giving me weird looks...the others have given up. When I kill the sick and incurable who linger on the verge of death, the others simply shake their heads, they know I am beyond reach. Better to be torn apart in battle then waste your potential on a deathbed, I say. I told them that when I started what was once a heartless facade. I tell them this now, when my being is but a cold shell, dominated by the mission...
Tomorrow we make our stand. They all see now. They know that if they kill me, they will stand against a force twice as big, rather than equal in number. Evan still cares. Evan tries to get me to feel again. Something sparks in my chest when he does this. Pity...or regret? I don't care. I can't care. I persuaded him to go and enlist the rest of the Storm Spirits. We'll see what happens. . . . (Finally, the journal ends.)
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Nines
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Post by Nines on Mar 2, 2010 3:09:23 GMT -5
Enthralled as they were by the discovered text, none among the ruins noticed the arrival of an additional party; none, save, for the girl playing among the flowers outside...but her attention was so easily captured as to account for everyone's. If the particulars of Iris' sight could be compared to a blank wall, and the presence of magical energies as colors on that wall, then this visitor was a hole in it; a void, a rupture, a lack of reality that contrasted sharply with the nothingness of blind sight and was impossible to fully describe to anyone not "gifted" with her special sight.
He approached from a fading light, it clearly trailing the faint images of a spell, and moved among the ruins with a clear, though unhurried, ease. Clearly no warrior, and yet, odd even by the standard of eccentric mages, Sikarsis was a familiar sight to the people of Aethanar...and few else, it seemed. To most others, he was something of a familiar stranger: bringing a sense of déjà vu, but with an inability to ever define why that sense was present.
He stopped at the girl and, reaching into a pocket, drew forth a single piece of neatly-wrapped candy. Starting to offer it to her, he instead cocked his head to one side, then smiled, and knelt down to place the object into her hand.
"Interesting....I certainly didn't expect you here. I'll assume you're not alone. I do wonder what's been discovered...surprising, it is, what's to be located. For ruins, there are always the most remarkable things found...not ruined. Perfectly preserved, even. And those things ruined? Why, they most often were of no consequence. It leaves one to wonder, doesn't it?"
Oddly musing, he suddenly snapped to attention and rose, casting another glance upon his single audience. A wry grin, and he was off once more, footsteps leading him to the very inn where the other now stood, reading over the book. Reaching for the door, he recoiled with a mild grimace as his motion was abruptly halted; whatever the cause, it was certainly unexpected.
"Fine. If it's that important, I'll wait outside for now. But nothing lasts forever."
Glancing skyward, Sikarsis simply shook his head and gave a soft chuckle. Soon leaning against the side of the building, he crossed his arms, and closed his eyes.
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kitten
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The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Mar 2, 2010 8:50:03 GMT -5
Suki closed the book with a grim look to her eye. She kept the book however and shook her head, glancing at the boy. Her face faded to a sadness that couldn't be fully explained. A pain for what once was a friend but..it seems she had already begun to move on. Refusing to dwell on feelings she had already deemed pointless.
A hard shell to crack, Suki sighed a regain her composure, tapping the cover of the old journal.
"It was the man who scrawled his insanity into these walls...the same man that statue beholds in your small town...Samuel Washington.."
Suki was tapping upon two initials upon the cover, S.M. obviously stood for Sam's name..she knew just by what was written in there who it was. Slowly she pocketed the book and left it at that, not wanting to look at the sorrowful chapters bound in their leather tomb any longer.
She moved forward to now escort the boy out of the old Inn when suddenly she felt something that wronged her..violated a sixth..maybe seventh sense she possessed. In this world there were many types of magics...Suki dwelled upon more darker and destructive arts and knew well the blacker powers that could be conjured...yet this cold feeling...it seemed different..not good..not evil. Not even neutral just...a feeling that was..well the feeling of being violated. A sense that powers were about..and near by.
With a rough shove, the boy was cast back into the room and into the dusty closet within, the door slamming to trap him in there. Not locked..but her voice a warning now for him.
"Stay in there....I know I've felt this before...nothing good may come of it.."
Suki was a very very old being...but she was not the oldest thing to walk these lands and she knew that very well. She was cautious towards anything like this..very cautious.
Meanwhile, as Suki was looking through the journal provided to her, Iris had been tending to her own business with the flowers. Picking up the pearls and playfully tossing them about to have a look around. The world was simply one giant surprise and she loved it! Though she appeared 15, 16 at best..she was a mere child at heart. Created not born, Iris didn't understand anything but what she discovered or what was told to her by Suki, thus exploring was an utter delight!
The flutter of a butterfly's wings as it sped on by her, watching it move was astounding. She smiled as she watched it go, allowing her eyes to lock onto this...void. She stood at attention now, the whites of her eyes trained on it..studying it. She did nothing to flee, nothing to run away.
Iris was different...she truly saw the world through a new set of eyes, literally and figuratively. She sensed no harm from this man, this thing. To her..it was another wonder to behold. As it drew closer to offer her candy..she didn't understand until an object was placed in her hand. She lowered her hand towards the pearl nearby on the ground to see the object..candy! Candy was so wonderful! What a nice surprise! With a polite tone Iris spoke up.
"Thank you sir! No I'm not alone..Archmage Suki is inside the building nearby. She's investigating poisonous auras in the area and searching for a way to stop the leak of it."
Most knew who Suki was and how old she was...most just believed it was her own pure power that kept her so young and alive...nope...accident with a spirit binding that turned her into a part rabbit..but Iris kept that secret for her. Now it was Iris that most didn't know. A blind helper? What good was that? The truth of the matter was that Iris was her most dangerous mistake and her greatest weapon.
Attempting to call forth a terrible dimensional being as a familiar back fired on her in her younger years and resulted in the death of Iris Kellen, the daughter of an old friend. She could not forgive herself and found a way to kill two birds with one stone. The dimensional demon would be used as a lifeforce to bring the poor girl back..however the girl would need to remain blind and have no prior memories..Suki has since made it her charge to care for her as a penance for her wrongful and selfish act.
Why blind though? Simple..the being devoured light..it fed upon it strengthen itself and use pure darkness and shadows as a weapon..can't kill what you can't find. Ironically Iris' name came up with the solution for Suki...removing her iris' upon her eyes prevented the demon's only way of feeding. A complicated mess..but an amusing tale for another day perhaps..
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Nines
New Member
Posts: 15
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Post by Nines on Mar 2, 2010 11:04:55 GMT -5
"Hmm?"
Sikarsis opened his eyes, the mismatched pair shining with surprised amusement.
"Suki? I expected they would send someone, but..."
He pushed off the wall and returned to the girl, smiling.
"It has been far too long since I've set foot within the halls of that order; I know this name by reputation alone. Tell me, dear child, of your companion and her quest."
Sikarsis knelt beside Isis once again, his gaze fixed upon the door to the inn. He smiled, waiting for the occupants to exit, and pressed another treat into the girl's hand.
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Post by Samuel on Mar 2, 2010 21:38:50 GMT -5
"Hey wait, if this guy committed so many atrocities, even in the name of the greater good, why'd they build a statue of---"
The door shut. He heard her walking away.
"....well never mind then. I'll ask later..."
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kitten
Member
The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Mar 3, 2010 0:06:21 GMT -5
Iris nibbled at the 2nd treat after having already devoured the first. Talking to the void seemed kind of funny to her but he seemed friendly enough. Iris thought to herself for a moment, trying to put it in words she understood rather than Suki's.
"The statue in town is leaking...the blighted miasma is being let out into the world again instead of staying with Sam. Suki came to see what could fix it and find out who or what broke the powerful seals. I can even see the leak.."
Iris nodded before stepping back with a grimace. With a sigh she pointed to the front doors and waited.
"You can ask her...here she comes..."
With a growl the doors swung open as red tendrils nearly broke them from their hinges. Not far behind was the rabbit-eared archmage herself. She wore a glare on her face and pointed at the man who stood before her.
"Oh please...what excuse do you of all people have to be here?! If you're looking for trouble you can get lost...last time you came to me you caused all sorts of problems!"
The tendrils dissolved into the air gently and she now stood in the open door way with her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for a reply.
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Nines
New Member
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Post by Nines on Mar 3, 2010 0:30:51 GMT -5
Sikarsis rose, his hand wavering above the girl's head, as though he debating on giving her a rewarding pat for her information.
"How unfortunate...it seems your friend Suki does not remember me fondly. Still, that's nothing within your control...no reason to hold it against you."
That perpetual smirk on his lips, he removed his hand from its position and offered a formal bow to Suki; though he was not so foolish as to take his eyes from her, and left his face slightly uplifted to keep her in his sights. Once risen, he began to pace slowly behind Iris, back and forth, mindful to keep her between himself and the archmage. When he spoke, his tone held an odd mixture of amusement and shocked injury.
"Such hateful words, Suki! If anyone had access to the knowledge, I would have assumed it would be you....or, perhaps, your order doesn't trust you as much as they would have you think. Ever the outsider...powerful, respected...feared? Envied? Despised?"
He paused, an eyebrow arching inquisitively as he allowed the thought to hover in the air for a moment and give it weight.
"But there's no harm in telling you, is there? It isn't entirely by choice that I'm here....though I'd certainly have come, anyway. You know what hangs in the balance. What may come....will come...has already begun to sink its fingers into the land. I've been here, and I know. I move among the town, and I see the people breathe it into their souls. Change is coming; it is unavoidable, and you know this. Nothing is forever. Least of all, peace."
His voice had dropped to an ominous pitch as he finished speaking; and then without warning, switched to one of cheerful mirth. His expression shifted seamlessly to one of joy, and he clapped his hands together excitedly.
"So, while it all unfolds, we may as well make the best of it, hmm? As long as you're here, we'll be seeing a lot of each other. I can put a word in, if you'd like, and get you and your little friend a place to stay; anything you might need, I'll be more than happy to supply you with from my shop in town."
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Post by Samuel on Mar 3, 2010 10:20:38 GMT -5
Allen slid down and found himself falling asleep in the closet...
The infant half-elf was peacefully snoozing in the arms of the villager woman as she wandered up to her friend's house. The baby slumbered, but the woman was clearly exhausted. She knocked three times, and the door was answered.
"Please take him. I already have four growing children..another is too much...please.."
"Just give it another shot, I'm sure--"
The babe was thrust into her arms, and the tired woman departed. After the woman gav a sigh, he was taken into a new home overnight. He proved to be a hassle for her too. The cycle went on. The boy never found a true home.
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kitten
Member
The Itty Bittah Kittah
Posts: 49
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Post by kitten on Mar 3, 2010 19:14:12 GMT -5
Suki seemed less than pleased to have somebody prod at her pride like that. Not to mention having him around was usually a curse for her, it meant nothing was going to go well...call him a bad omen in the flesh.
"Don't push my buttons! I'm not in the mood..and I'm sure you don't want a fight on your hands either.."
Suki noticed how he kept behind Iris, taking the hint that he wasn't looking for trouble directly. That was a plus so far. Suki knew how powerful she could be..but she was well aware she would have issues with this one, neither were push overs and it seemed neither wanted to try and fight the other.
Gentle fingers massaged at her forehead as she glanced about and nodded to his second comment.
"You see it too huh? It's not good...Something foul is up to no good and if that blighted curse gets released again..it will be just like the daemon infested old days...not something I look forward to."
However she always took piece in mind that the Order of Telemanthros..the very hidden order behind the mage council, protected the last Grand Evil. The title given to the demon high lords by common tongue. With those seals in tact within the Telemanthros hall, never again will she walk the earth.
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