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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
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Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
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Post by Annasiel on Jan 16, 2016 8:28:52 GMT
...talks of failings... queen stricken ill...
Arcanus paced down the quiet, rain-soaked streets, muttering under his metaphorical breath. To any mortal passerby, he was not there, and to any immortal, he was. It was something even he had trouble understanding, but the mysteries of the universe seldom lent themselves to answers. The there-and-not Lord of Dreams had more pressing matters on mind. Lately, dreams had been plagued with terrors and tension, wrought with an intangible peril that snapped and screamed at the Firstborn's approach. Dreams were his domain, and when they would not calm under his touch, there was much to be worried about. The balance of his calling was at stake. Thousands of sleeping Etirathians, millions more around the globe, touched by this tendril of nightmare-spawn in Sonder, and for no reason whatsoever? No, no, this was a message of some kind. A reflection of some motion in the mirror world of physicality.
"Timore!" the being cried out to the solitude for the hundredth time of the night. There were simpler ways to call on his brethren beyond the use of voice, but Arcanus didn't care, didn't mind the lack of response. His role was as a watcher, an observer, a caretaker behind the scenes, not some daft hero blazing ahead to fix the broken things. He would be better off curled in the depths of his personal dimensions, pondering the inner workings of whatever mechanisms interested him... safe from all this chaos and turbulation that inhabited this city like a plague.
...no damn point... he amended in an undertone. ...shouldn't risk...told Timore I'd aid him, but not in this travesty...
A body lay nearby. Not just any body, but the supine, tarry form of what appeared to be... to be...
Sister Azalea.
She lay injured for certain, possibly unconscious. The Secret-bearer slowly came closer, his shadowed eyes shifting for any sign of danger nearby. Finally satisfied that her attacker was nowhere near, his pace quickened, soon arriving at her side. He knelt down onto the wet ground, placing a hand on her forehead. Cold. No response at Arcanus' touch, either. It was not his duty to interfere, not his duty to act. She might not be breathing, there was... there was a hole the size of a fist in her chest. If he left now, he could pretend he never saw this, pretend he never considered altering the timeline. She needed help. She wasn't healing. She was dying.
Stay strong. I will find you aid.
He hoped to the blackness of Congeria and the silence of Limbo that Timore had not caused this. He hoped, but he knew better, he knew the pages were soon turning to a new chapter. This was just the beginning.
There was worse to come.
Arcanus flew away, an obsidian bird in the night, whispering in the minds of all he could reach.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Jan 17, 2016 6:48:25 GMT
Loretta stepped outside of the building that serves their kingdom as their infirmary only to stand beside the entrance. They had all made it in time before the sun settled past the horizon but that mattered little now with the starry sky blanketed by thick blankets of foreboding clouds. Thunder rolled in the distance as stretches of white lightning dance in an entangled embrace. Rain had already been pouring down as Loretta stared off unfocused. The soothing rain had lulled her senses as she fell into a state of oblivion.
And there! A large black bird flew about in the rain. It was odd, and even odder, after spotting it she had the urge to follow it. Quiet pleas whispered gently. Loretta looked about her surroundings hastily in search of the one in need, but to no avail.
Help.. Someone needs help.
Someone needed help? Who? Where? Loretta frantically searched the street with her eyes in hopes of pinpointing who called to her.
Must hurry.. Danger.. Dying..
Seeing no one in her proximity that was remotely in need of anything, Loretta stepped out into the rain, away from the safety of buildings. She hastily called out to the voice that whispered within her mind.
'Where? Who needs my help?'
She didn't bother standing around waiting for a response, she had to keep moving and not waste time!
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Fang
Commoner
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October 2015
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Post by Fang on Jan 18, 2016 6:09:37 GMT
Wake leaned against the wall of the infirmary with his arms crossed, watching as Gurath was healed with passing interest. He had changed into his black set of clothes, the others too wet to continue wearing. In his left hand he held his sandals, their last moments lived just before he had followed the woman who led Gurath, Aurora, and him through the woods into the medical house. Despite the fact that they were now uses less, he couldn't bring himself to simply toss them as if they were trash. Many lands hand passed beneath in thanks to those sandals, and he would find a way to keep them with him.
Aurora had parted ways with the group as soon as they had entered civilization, mentioning something about seeing the queen. The hubris that, to Wake's perception, Harbor instilled into its members only grew with their ranking. He had scoffed at the Justicar's belief that she was important enough to speak to a royal, but said nothing. Despite the knowledge that his opinion was biased, he found himself distrusting of the eyeless woman without any rhyme or reason beyond his previous experience with others of her order. Until he could reasonably vindicate his feeling or disperse it he didn't plan to say too much to implicate himself.
Wake winced as the healers began their work on Gurath. It seemed that magic frightened the large man, and so the healers were forced to stitch him up without the aid of spells. To his credit the half-giant did not make too much of a scene, but it was clear he would rather have let the wound rot. Wake could sympathize with his new friend even if he couldn't quite understand it.
Loretta stepped past Wake without a word and he took the opportunity to admire her figure from a closer distance. As she stepped away something began to nag at the back of his mind. Loretta looked to the sky as the buzzing continued, a concerned look upon her face. Suddenly the voice boomed in Wake's head as if a floodgate of sound had opened. "Dying! She is dying and you must help her!"
Wake jumped at the voice and saw the healers do the same. Gurath seemed as oblivious as ever, though. Suddenly Loretta ran down the street, her eyes glancing up into the sky a few times before she disappeared.
"Dying," the voice continued as if it were on a loop, and instilled a sense of panic within Wake that he had not felt in many years. His heart began to beat faster and his breaths became shorter as the panic set in. He pushed himself off of the wall and attempted to maintain his control as he stepped over to where the healers were nearly done with their stitching. Unfortunately all of the caretakers seemed as rattled as he was, and their hands were shaking horribly.
Wake took the needle and black thread from the medic who was staring blankly at Gurath's arm and looked at the stitches he had already set. It seemed to be a pretty simple stitch, and Wake assured himself mentally that he could finish it as he took a deep breath.
"Don't panic, b-big guy. We are almost done and then we have to go." He couldn't keep the stutter from his voice, but he was immensely proud of how steady his hands were. Through quick practiced movements the final stitches were set and Wake cut the thread, patting the larger man on the leg as he stood up.
"Dying..." the voice was growing fainter, as if the owner was moving away.
"Okay, Gurath. Lets go. We need to follow the pretty lady. Someone needs our help, and I don't know that she is completely safe." With that he turned and darted through the door, following the path he saw the curvaceous woman take without checking that his companion was behind.
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Post by Maur on Jan 18, 2016 7:01:57 GMT
Apparently the halfgiant was inside an Infirmary, after inquiring as to what the word meant, Gurath protested greatly, he was not 'Severely injured', the wound would not 'get infected' he wasn't 'choking the nurse too hard' and in no way shape or form was he going to be healed with magic, what kind of fool did they take him for? They were just being wimps, a little scratch was all it was, to him at least, he'd been through worse, and his immune system was stronger than that of humans, just like he was stronger than humans. After Wake threatened him and Gurath's laughter receded, he agreed to sit and let them clean and stitch his wound.
Ever the embarrassed, Gurath showed no signs of pain as they proceeded, whether he was in agony or not was anybody's guess, because the big guy didn't show any outward signs, nearly killed the person who tried to remove his helmet, and refused to speak to any of them except for Wake and Loretta, who were too busy trying to get him to talk to the Caretakers, it was a vicious cycle. Then the pretty one went outside, and it was just he, Wake, and the pests. For whatever reason the fragile people began shaking and his friend was startled. Gurath would have been concerned if not for the fact that humans are strange and even though he was half human he still didn't understand them all that well. Little did he realize the thoughts that were placed inside the heads of everyone present shook them to their core, strangely he could not hear it, too thick a skull perhaps.
The people around him were twitching like a deer with a spear through its head, those death throes can be gentle or violent, here he was referring to the gentle and erratic ones, unlike the powerful kicks that broke one of the poor creatures' legs against his shin armor. Wake seemed calmer, not as death throe-ey as the others, so he logically took the metaphorical helm and brought them to the figurative home. After some words which the Giant either ignored or couldn't hear beneath his tankard of a helmet, Wake blah-blahed for a little while and then said they needed to follow the pretty lady, Gurath automatically began scanning the room for the prettiest lady present, so he could pursue her to whatever end. Just as he was about to fulfill Wake's order, the man just up and bolted for the door. Gurath of course instinctively waited a few seconds, got his bearings, and followed, he misjudged the height of the door frame unfortunately, and broke a good chunk of it, and the wall as he attempted to pass cleanly underneath. Dust spilled into his eyes, and he was reduced to a coughing fit after accidentally breathing in sharply. With veritable rivers streaming from his optics the Giant stumbled to regain his balance, and followed as best he could while proceeding to make thunderous throat noises, in the form of rasping coughs that would likely pain the ears of a deaf man.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Jan 19, 2016 23:13:17 GMT
No matter how many times she called out to the voice she heard, there was no response. Was she mad? She probably looked it running frantically through the rain. She wasn't sure exactly where she was going, she just felt it was right, the feeling in her gut told her so. Ducking around the closed shops and the many bends in the road, she found herself in housing part of the upper district she recalled walking through. Her immediate thoughts fell on her friend Ariani and her heart nearly leapt into her throat in fear. She ran as fast as she could only to stop as she turned about the last corner to the street that would border the palace courtyard. A small body lied deathly still in the distance. She rushed to the body's side noticing how small it was first as she came closer. Her heart nearly fell at the thought of someone harming a child. To make an innocent child witnessing the horrors of the world is the worst crime in her book.
Looking down at the small form, Loretta was at a loss for words. Eyes gouged with black substance clinging to her fear stricken face. Her chest ripped apart. She almost didn't notice the small glowing sphere within, a sure sign of life for sure but.. for how long? Who could would torment someone so? No one deserved this kind of punishment.. Distraught with no idea what to do she pleaded to the voice once more in hopes of an answer. She pleaded to Milova to Sympati, anyone to help her save the poor thing.
"What am I to do? I.. I can't do anything for her on my own.."
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Fang
Commoner
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October 2015
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Post by Fang on Jan 20, 2016 4:37:52 GMT
Despite the considerable lead that the woman had on Wake he caught up with her rather quickly. At first he barely caught glimpse of her rounding each corner, but as their trip continued he drew closer and closer to her until he skidded to a stop behind her almost as soon as she came upon the gruesome scene. Immediately the buzzing in the back of his head, nearly the same as the buzz that he had felt before the booming telepathic voice had alerted him to the danger, continued it hum as he took in the scene before him. Loretta seemed to be in shock from what she saw, her face paler than a ghost's as she simply stand in place. Even with his experience Wake was disgusted by what he saw, the black substance covering the fair and delicate face, the jagged edges of the chest where it had been ripped apart. It all pointed to only the most depraved of creatures, and Wake's core trembled with anger at such an injustice. He placed a hand on Loretta's shoulder, visage grim as he turned her to face him.
"Did you know this girl? Do you know what happened?"
A sharp pain behind Wake's eyes caused him to wince as a flash of color created a momentary veil between Loretta and himself. He ignored both as they faded quickly, instead directing his gaze past Loretta to the prone form behind her.
"I don't think there is time for us to get her to the Infirmary, if she is still alive. Can you do anything to help her heal?"
He held more questions than he could ask, primarily of the color of the injured woman's skin. Despite how superficial it may have seemed, such a color was the domain of plants and rot, and he wasn't sure which was the case here. He shifted his gaze back to Loretta, keeping her attention on him so that she could retain what sensibility she still possessed. He was sure that Gurath would be close behind, and the big man was likely to be able to pick the victim up without as much damage as the fumbling Wake might be prone to with his size. However, Wake felt sure that it would be easier if he were to hand the woman to his friend.
He stepped past Loretta and removed his shirt, using one corner of it to attempt to wipe the black gunk from her face as he covered what he saw as a nude form. gently he slid his hands beneath her and lifted, surprised by how light she was despite the fact that she was as small as she was. He turned back in the direction that they came, and waited patiently for the next step of his plan to become clear.
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Post by Maur on Jan 27, 2016 2:36:40 GMT
The titanic man rounded the corner shortly after Wake, arriving upon the small assemblage, and swiftly took stock of the situation, off to the side with a look of dismay plastered across her face, stood Loretta, the cynosure of every scenario wherewith she partook, Wake was right in one aspect, she was a pretty lady Gurath had to admit. Wake stood shirtless for whatever reason, his visage was also inexplicably darkened, something was amiss, they were not their usual selves, a quick glance at Wake revealed to the Giant what could cause such an appall.
A perfunctory examination of the man would reveal to any cognitive entity the horror of the situation, the aforementioned absent shirt had been wrapped around a motionless form that lay in Wake's arms, she (as it was obviously female) had a tone of skin that could be described as the epitome of nature, verdant flesh was stretched across her miniature frame, and a despicable substance was crusted upon her eyeless face, a ravaged cavity in her chest looked more painful than Gurath could imagine, and he had once stepped bare footed into a bear trap, whilst being attacked by three fully grown male wolves simultaneously, with two feet of heavy snow upon the ground.
Gurath wordlessly accepted the surprisingly light woman from his friend, and searched both inward and outward for an explanation of what he must do.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
223
August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Mar 8, 2016 2:39:34 GMT
"Did you know this girl? Do you know what happened?" Loretta shook her head, her voice still caught by the lump that plagued her throat. "I don't think there is time for us to get her to the Infirmary, if she is still alive. Can you do anything to help her heal?"
"I-i.." Her attention on Wake's question helped her gain some sensibility but not enough to exact an answer from her. Wake had already stripped and covered the poor victim and Gurath soon showed up and took the young figure from Wake. Loretta had not the slightest idea of what she could do for her, but she had to try at least, right? "Please hold her still." She held the shirt up slightly enough for her to see the cavity and slipped a hand underneath. Her hand hovered over the gaping hole and the soft glow followed after. Unfortunately, there seemed to be no affects what so ever. It was as if there was something obstructing the healing process. The black substance perhaps?
As Loretta's hand drew closer to the girl's face, fingers barely brush the wet cheek when a tiny green hand shot out and took a hold of Loretta's wrist. A tiny shriek escaped the frightened Loretta. She stared with wide eyes at Azalea who's pained voice was just barely audible enough to be a whisper.
"Take me.. Waters.. to the.. well of Sympati."
Just as soon as the girl had spoke and held her fast, her hand slipped away leaving a ring of leaf-like marks behind. Loretta had gasped as she had felt a burning sensation and a heavy pressure weighting her shoulders enough to have her buckle. The pain had subsided as she cradled her hand to herself. A throbbing numbness soon followed which only gave some comfort to what felt like a dead limb. She held no strength in her hand and only the tiniest of nudges gave her any clue on the amount of control she held on her appendages.
"Wha- what just happened?" She asked no one in particular. She felt odd like there was some kind of shared warmth, a feeling of kindness or was it closer to a loving caress? Whatever it was, it left her with a feeling of companionship. Going back to what she had spoken of, Loretta mulled over what she made out from the whisper. She wanted to be taken somewhere specific, Waters specifically, but not just any body of water unless it was an accident. But the well of Sympati? She remembered the stories as a child. How Sympati removed her eye that wept for man and placed it high on the mountain side where it continues to weep and is the source of the water that flows down the mountain side. She vaguely remembers a temple that was off-limits to the citizens but not why. Perhaps the sacred waters.. Sacred waters.. of the world. Of course!
"We need to get going." Loretta patted Gurath's arm to signal her departure and lead him where they needed to go. The only issue she needed to think about was whether or not she can get the girl close enough without getting in trouble.
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Fang
Commoner
Posts: 37
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Fang
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October 2015
fang
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Post by Fang on Mar 11, 2016 20:52:00 GMT
Despite how light the little green girl was, Wake was glad that Gurath wordlessly took her from his arms. The black ichor unnerved Wake in a manner that he could not define. It was simply wrong, as incorrect in this world as a demon risen from the depths of the underworlds. Being near it, without the protection of cloth his shirt provided, made him feel as if his skin was crawling. He let the large man take the girl without hesitation, wiping down his torso and legs despite the absence of any of that black filth.
After he was sure that he had sufficiently cleaned himself of the imaginary muck Wake turned his attention back to the woman he had followed. For the first time since he had taken off after her he wondered if she had heard the same voice that he had, and if that was the cause of her flight from the Infirmary. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it again as he noticed her applying her attentions to the injured girl. Her hand slipped under his shirt and a faint glow could be seen through the fabric. Despite this, however, Loretta seemed disappointed by the results. Her brow furrowed and she withdrew her hand, only to be stopped by the green hand of the one they had come to save.
"Take me... Waters... to the... well of Sympati," came the small voice from beneath the fabric of his shirt. The hand fell away as suddenly as it had grabbed Loretta's wrist, a leaving marks resembling the patterns of leaves in its wake upon the woman's skin. Though Loretta said nothing, Wake noticed her arm sag and a slight look of discomfort cross her face for a moment before she asked softly, "Wha-what just happened?"
Wake had no answer, and offered none as he allowed the woman to contemplate the words spoken to her. He knew nothing of Sympati, and in his mind it seemed an adequate name for a land or person, even a pet. Without anything to reference the request to he simply stood in hopeless silence, contemplating the type of monster that could have caused such pain to such a helpless and frail creature. Anger welled within him and his fists clenched, the energy within him spiraling into it and causing a slight breeze which ruffled the fabric of his pants near his hand. He wanted to find, and destroy, such a beast as badly as he had ever wanted to hurt anyone in the past.
We need to get going," Loretta said to Gurath, giving Wake pause in his anger. It seemed that she had deciphered the riddle of the girl's words, and knew where she needed to go. Wake considered following them for a moment, but instead turned away from the two and back down the alley in which they had found the injured waif.
"You two go where you need to go. I will hunt down the beast that did this and make them pay. Find me when it is done, or if you run into any trouble. With legs as ling as Gurath's I am sure that you can find me no matter where I am in this nation."
He didn't wait for a reply from either of the two, instead taking off in a mad rush back the way he had come. Someone would have noticed the assailant leaving the alley, but the more he dallied the less likely he would be to find anyone who had been around. Hope sprang free in his chest and mingled with his anger, giving his stride a fleetness that was not usually seen in the carefree young man's every day activities. He passed the Infirmary and paused only long enough to grab another shirt and was off again to complete his mission as he donned it mid-stride.
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