the fellowship of the thing The Fellowship of the Thing - I'm bored. Let's mess around! (Retired)

[Channelknight Fadran]

Fadran suddenly comes up with a genius idea, and starts scribbling it down on a notepad.

[Scarletfox]

48 minutes ago, Nathrangking said:

Circesran smiles brightly again. A wall of warmth radiates from her. Like flares in the night the emotion flies forth filling the air with its power. She nods. "It was. We met many other times on the field of battle and despite my skill I could never beat him. I always ran and he let me go."

Fox shuddered as a memory passed through her, the one where she was kicking Nath again and again and again... and he let her. Was Nath really such a warrior? Why hadn't he defended himself against her? Why hadn't he stopped her?! Fox was surprised at the emotion she found, the anger she had. Who was she actually angry at? Fox sat there, troubled.

[Nathrangking he/him]

1 hour ago, Vapor said:

"I didn't really see much of them. I kind of... got distracted."

Rish nods. "I should have known that you would be curious about the mysteries of this mindscape. My son was to have kept you from trouble. I will have words with him later. I think it is time to begin to harness your potential. What do you know about mindscapes?"

1 hour ago, xinoehp512 said:

James nods. "I will remember your words, great one." He bows, and turns to depart.

Mita nods. "The answers that you seek will not be found here. It is easy to be lost for eternity in these halls. If you desire to leave tell me. I can send you wherever you wish to go. Explore if you wish. Be cautious this is a dangerous place. Call my name if you wish to go and I will appear."

42 minutes ago, Scarletfox said:

Fox shuddered as a memory passed through her, the one where she was kicking Nath again and again and again... and he let her. Was Nath really such a warrior? Why hadn't he defended himself against her? Why hadn't he stopped her?! Fox was surprised at the emotion she found, the anger she had. Who was she actually angry at? Fox sat there, troubled.

Circestran frowns. "What troubles you? I cannot divulge your secrets you know. So much has happened that I do not know though this tells me a great deal." She motions toward the mindscape. "I do not know if we ever had children. I do know though that if I had a daughter she would have been a survivor like you. You are strong. Holding in your pain will not make you strong. Nath showed me that it eats away at you. It becomes your master. You become little more than a slave who is forever feeding it. Eventually you lose all sense of self. The pain becomes who you are."

[Vapor she/her]

Just now, Nathrangking said:

Rish nods. "I should have known that you would be curious about the mysteries of this mindscape. My son was to have kept you from trouble. I will have words with him later. I think it is time to begin to harness your potential. What do you know about mindscapes?"

"Wait," Vapor said. "First I have some questions to ask."

[Scarletfox]

6 minutes ago, Nathrangking said:

Circestran frowns. "What troubles you? I cannot divulge your secrets you know. So much has happened that I do not know though this tells me a great deal." She motions toward the mindscape. "I do not know if we ever had children. I do know though that if I had a daughter she would have been a survivor like you. You are strong. Holding in your pain will not make you strong. Nath showed me that it eats away at you. It becomes your master. You become little more than a slave who is forever feeding it. Eventually you lose all sense of self. The pain becomes who you are."

Fox hesitated, "Is it not strength to deal with the pain on my own? If I share it, it will only hurt others. I, in a way, am protecting them."

[Nathrangking he/him]

33 minutes ago, Vapor said:

"Wait," Vapor said. "First I have some questions to ask."

Rish pauses. She nods. "Ask. I will answer you as best as I am able."

28 minutes ago, Scarletfox said:

Fox hesitated, "Is it not strength to deal with the pain on my own? If I share it, it will only hurt others. I, in a way, am protecting them."

Circestran sighs and shakes her head. "I thought as you did. In the short term you allow yourself to hurt, but in the long term those who care for you are made to hurt even more. Those who care would take part of this burden." She pauses and fixes Fox in a gaze which transmits an ocean of pure unsullied love. "To hurt with you is a way of showing true love. Denying them this does not protect them. It robs them of the ability to show you that you are are not alone. The pain whispers lies in your ear Fox. It tells you that you are weak for sharing your pain. It says this because it is afraid. It fears that you will defeat it. It uses every tool to trap you. It becomes a prison of gold. It looks luxurious, but in the end you are still trapped. Alone the pain becomes your soul friend. Every word becomes a truth to you. However, the truth is that you are the mistress of your pain. You are its ruler. It is your slave. When you walk with others the pain is trapped by you." A tear runs down Circestran's face. "It took me so long to learn. I thought that I would never learn."

[Channelknight Fadran]

Fadran looks up, about to spout out his great idea to Queen before remembering that she is, in fact, unconscious. He sighs, pulling out a red pen and going over what he'd just written down.

[Vapor she/her]

1 minute ago, Nathrangking said:

Rish pauses. She nods. "Ask. I will answer you as best as I am able."

"Did Nath really open the mindscape gates? And what are you going to do?"

[Nathrangking he/him]

10 minutes ago, Vapor said:

"Did Nath really open the mindscape gates? And what are you going to do?"

Rish does not react. Not a hair falls out of place as she considers the questions. "Nathrangking did indeed free a prisoner from the prison which lies at the heart of all minscapes. His actions caused the gates to come crashing down and all of that place were freed to sow chaos. I will see him brought to justice for betraying his oaths."

[xinoehp512 he/him]

1 hour ago, Nathrangking said:

Mita nods. "The answers that you seek will not be found here. It is easy to be lost for eternity in these halls. If you desire to leave tell me. I can send you wherever you wish to go. Explore if you wish. Be cautious this is a dangerous place. Call my name if you wish to go and I will appear."

"May your path be bright until we meet again," calls James in farewell as he steps off down the hallway.

[Channelknight Fadran]

7 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Somewhat. 

But it's also that it would flow better if the Fellowship Council were created as a response to the alliance between the Curse of Death and the Fallen King.

Speaking of which... @Enter a username, do you have a handle on where the Curse of Death will pop up next?

@Enter a username

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

28 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

Fadran looks up, about to spout out his great idea to Queen before remembering that she is, in fact, unconscious. He sighs, pulling out a red pen and going over what he'd just written down.

Quote

She'll wake up soon, I promise!!

 

[Enter a username]

2 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

9 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Somewhat. 

But it's also that it would flow better if the Fellowship Council were created as a response to the alliance between the Curse of Death and the Fallen King.

Speaking of which... @Enter a username, do you have a handle on where the Curse of Death will pop up next?

@Enter a username

Quote

Yes. They've recently acquired a new and valuable asset, which will be what shows up.

 

[Channelknight Fadran]

9 minutes ago, DramaQueen said:

She'll wake up soon, I promise!!

Quote

*Antsy Fadran Noises*

 

8 minutes ago, Enter a username said:

Yes. They've recently acquired a new and valuable asset, which will be what shows up.

Quote

* Fadran Noises*

 

[Vapor she/her]

45 minutes ago, Nathrangking said:

Rish does not react. Not a hair falls out of place as she considers the questions. "Nathrangking did indeed free a prisoner from the prison which lies at the heart of all minscapes. His actions caused the gates to come crashing down and all of that place were freed to sow chaos. I will see him brought to justice for betraying his oaths."

"But how?"

[Nathrangking he/him]

10 minutes ago, Vapor said:

"But how?"

Rish is unfazed by the forceful question. "He will be brought before those of us who would judge him for his crimes. I myself will go and attempt to undo all of the barn that he has caused. There are other crimes as well. I will help you reach your potential. Of you wish you can help undo that which was done."

[Vapor she/her]

Vapor nods, satisfied. "Okay. What was your question?"

[Nathrangking he/him]

36 minutes ago, Vapor said:

Vapor nods, satisfied. "Okay. What was your question?"

"What do you know of mindscapes?"

@Vapor @Enter a username

Quote

Autocorrect is my enemy.

 

Edited September 25, 2020 by Nathrangking

[Enter a username]

1 minute ago, Nathrangking said:

"What do you know of landscapes?"

Quote

You mean mindscapes?

 

[Vapor she/her]

Quote

landscapes?

 

[DramaQueen she/he/neopronouns]

Spoiler

On 9/2/2020 at 6:51 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran and I twist and bend through various layers of reality. Images of past, present, and future surge through me as a living darkness races by. Curse her!! I thought that her betrayal would shatter the pulsing warmth that I feel every time I see her smile and hear her laugh. All of the terrible things that she has done seems unable to quench the inferno that is consuming me. I shake head as my throne as my demolished appears. I hear her gasp and I look over. I am fully alert now as I see her eyes dilate. Once again I see her mouth hang open. I smirk for a moment.

Circestran's head turns sharply toward Nathrangking. Her eyes are clouded. She appears to be in a daze. "What have you done?" Her eyes turn survey the damage. Each moment her discomfort grows. In moments she is shaking. "Nath what did you do?" All of the strength seems to leave her. She falls to her knees. The agony seems to pour off her in such waves that Nath is seemingly split asunder. 

Barbs tear at me. I kneel beside Circestran and pull her into my arms. "I destroyed it in my rage before I came to find you. I nearly killed Met and Mes when they interrupted me. My love I almost ruptured the foundations of Mindscape itself."  I almost cannot breathe as I feel her cry. She looks up at me questions forming behind her eyes and then dying. Finally, I see her gather her strength.

"You fool. I know how this was your sanctuary. How could you do this? How could you hurt yourself this way?" Her voice is a broken whisper. "My light what did you do?"

I look at her though it hurts me to see her pain. My agony grows. "This is why I need your help. I need the huntress because I have been driven to this." I can speak no more. My words stop. She nods and pulls me close as my wounds begin to heal.

On 9/2/2020 at 10:51 PM, Nathrangking said:

An eternity in a moment is how long Circestran holds me close. I sense the rush of power before it comes. The chamber becomes impossibly cold around us. The ruins begin to burn before my eyes as though they are the driest of woods. Tremors begin to rock the chamber though I dismiss them with a thought. I rise unsteadily to my feet and help Circestran rise. "I believe it's time to go." I nod my head and send a single thought to the realm with what seems like the sigh of an old friend sending us away the mindscape vanishes around us. For a moment void and then light. Shadesmar appears around us as we land on our feet. I stagger, but remain upright. Goodbye old friend. "I bought us a little bit of time, but she is coming for us. When she does I fear for any who are in her way. There is something that I must do. If you can my love find the one whose mind feels like this." I draw upon the tiny essence of Winters Mindscape which lingers and send it to Circestran through a link that we had long ago stopped using. "Find him queen of light, but do not fight him. He is a dangerous foe whom we should battle only together. Call for me and I will come."

Circestran nods in agreement. She closes the gap between them, rises to her toes and delivers a kiss to his lips. It is a short one, but it causes Nathrangking to sigh. "Stay safe. If you die before we reunite I will find your spirit and make it wish that I had killed it." She quickly turns away and takes to the sky before Nath can respond. She mutters as she rises. The universe tears for a moment. Power, time, space, and the fabric of existence all lose meaning for a moment before she vanishes. Her form becomes one with the power that she has tasted as she hurtles through the space between realms. Before she can think she appears in the sky above a city at night. She can feel that her target is near. She descends onto a deserted road and knows that her target is just ahead in the gloom. She calls her ebony bow formed of the bones and sinew of a demon king and arrow to her. She silently notches the arrow. Without a thought she fires into the darkness.

I shed a tear. "The ancient gods preserve you my love." I reach deep within myself ignoring the emptiness where my mindscape had once been and reach for the bond connecting me to Fox. I draw it close and my body shatters. In agony I race through the realms in little more than the blink of an eye. My body sags as I feel the drain on my powers. I drop down into a forest clearing where I see Fox. I step forward cautiously my hands held high so that she can see that I'm unarmed. As the fear on her face is undeniable. "I came back as I promised that I would."

@KyL

 

On 9/3/2020 at 8:21 AM, Nathrangking said:

 

Circestran calmly calls for another barbed arrow as the monster that she is hunting looks up. She aims for the creature's skull and looses the arrow before dismissing her bow. She begins to mutter archaic spells. The air around her crackles with power. As she chants she angles herself to the ground and descends at intense speeds which whip her hair about. In a moment she touches down. Two long thin barbed ebony blades of razor bone appear in either hand. Vast energies circle her she takes a fighting stance holding the blades at high and low guard.

 

I grimace, but I don't move. "I have no quarrel with you. I am here for Fox alone. I will leave you in peace if you wish, but only once we have leave to go." I look over at Fox a look of concern appearing on my face. "I was worried Fox. When you stabbed yourself with that knife I was afraid for you. I don't know what Winter did to you, but we must go before he comes back." My eyes return to the man holding the sword. "I can free you from him."

@Scarletfox

 

On 9/3/2020 at 8:41 AM, Nathrangking said:

Despite the danger or possibly because of it Circestran smiles. Finally, a worthy adversary. She spins her blades and leaps forward with all of the speed of the ancient demon gods whom she has slain. Time stops as she runs forward an almost maniacal grin on her face. Power pulses around her as she moves.

 

"Why do you serve him? He has trapped you. I will free you if you let me." Once again my eyes return to Fox. My voice fills with genuine pain. "You should have used the knife on me. That I would not have shrugged off." My pain rushes along our bond despite my attempts to stop it. I temper it with a wave of warm light as I did before. "You made me stronger. Kill me if you must, but I will not fail you."

@Scarletfox

 

On 9/3/2020 at 10:06 AM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran grins as she sees her enemy pivot and strike from the right. She jumps out of the way and brings down her blades on the extended arm. Her right blade vanishes after she strikes. She taps the arms and sends a curse up  it. The limb bursts into unnatural flames which grow stronger by the moment. She takes to the sky out of his attack range.

I sigh. Summoning two great swords of light. "Winter has done nothing, but take from you. Are you free? Can you love? Have you seen the cosmos beyond these walls. Have you known beauty in its rawest form?" I take a defensive stance. "You have not truly been freed. You are in a prison of your own making." I look over at Fox a tear falling from my eye. "I could not battle my demons alone Fox. Neither of us could. I swore to protect and do whatever it took to keep you safe, but if you don't want to go I can't make you. Stab me Fox. Go ahead. If you need to stab someone let it be me."

@Scarletfox

 

On 9/3/2020 at 11:31 AM, Nathrangking said:

A buckler of raven bone appears across Circestran's arm as she watches the burning figure ascend to meet her. He will be cautious now. Let us see how skilled this one is. Behind her shield three floating throwing knives appear. She releases them, turns, and flies away. She stops a mile away, turns back, and waits.

 

"You claim to know love. Is this why you seek war? None who are so wise and knowing seek battle when peace can be achieved. He gave you a body which he can easily take away. How long will you be free once he tires of you? I do believe that you care for Fox I hear it in your voice. Don't do this. I can defeat him with help from my friends. He is young and brash. He does not understand as you do not. I will not leave my friend behind. I swore by the ancient gods to protect her on pain of my death. I will not fail her. " 

 

On 9/3/2020 at 11:56 AM, Nathrangking said:

Fool. Circestran instantly folds her wings and drops farther than thought. As she falls she lashes out with her blade and catches him halfway through the leg. That same moment she strikes it with her hand. The wound begins to fill with poison as it festers. Circestran continues to fall as the wind whistles a solemn tune. She twists space around her and appears a mile behind her enemy. 

 

"Is he your god that you worship him? You so wish to die that you follow his words blindly? By keeping her trapped you have already failed. Her life is not yours or his to control her fate is her own. If she sought to leave would you allow her? Think of this what would you do to live life anew?" 

 

On 9/3/2020 at 0:31 PM, Nathrangking said:

 

Circestran's face blanches. She curses. My love he's coming! She reaches out to the poison which infects her victim and pulls on it. Reality twists around her and her bones burn as she latches onto him. She emerges in a wood beside Nathrangking. 

I hear the message that my wife yells in my mind through the void. "Darkness crush his bones." I call the wind and toss aside the man who stands in my way as my wife appears beside me. Gusting winds lift me above the woods I fly low and see a figure stumbling through the woods. I drop down in front of her and dismiss my weapons. I drop to my knees. My head is bent and I don't look at her. "I don't know what lies he fed to you. You fear me and run into the prison you fought so hard to escape." I form a knife and toss it in front of her. "If you want to kill me you will need that. If I have wronged you let justice be done."

 

On 9/3/2020 at 0:42 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran sighs. She races forward. Draws back her blade and strikes him hard with the pommel on side of the head.

 

On 9/3/2020 at 1:20 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran stands unimpressed. "Do you think that I'm impressed? When Mindscapes were young I had mastered them." She dismisses her shield and blade. A blinding wall of scarlet energy surrounds her as she starts to chant. Armor of thick plates of demon carapace appear over her body. A helm that radiates an aura of death rests upon her head. Empty eyes stare vacantly from atop her brow. An intricate metal poled polearm with axes and a spike on either side appears in her hands. Spells are inscribed on every surface. The axes gleam like a predators eyes. With a though Circestran dismisses the light. "I am known as the huntress of the damned, the slayer of infernal deities, the sorceress queen, empress of mindscapes, and the conqueror of death's own realm." She bows slightly then straightens. Circestran raises the polearm "Today you die."

 

On 9/3/2020 at 1:34 PM, Nathrangking said:

Great. He is a big talker. As though I have never slain one of those. "This mindscape is a rudimentary thing. Let me show you. Eshaor." The ground begins to burn. Thick billowing smoke fills the sky. The earth begins to come apart as molten fire erupts from the ground. Stone begins to melt. Circestran unfolds her wings and rises off of the ground.

 

On 9/3/2020 at 2:15 PM, Nathrangking said:

A talker who is trying to goad me into making an error. They never learn. "Impressive, I'll admit. Knowing a secret such as this is no small feat. You are correct that my spells are useless in this place. However, to battle using such weak things as spells have always been beneath me. Let me tell you a secret, little metal angel. I call myself this day the name with which I was born. Then I was not Circestran, nor was I  the huntress of the damned, the slayer of infernal deities, the sorceress queen, empress of mindscapes, and the conqueror of death's own realm. No, then I was Kishuphra firstborn of sorcery and magics. The power which birthed the ancient gods and the cosmos are my younger siblings. My turn." The darkness fractures and with a heave explodes in a wave of scarlet light. The realm vanishes and the storm defended doorway appears. "You have nowhere to run this is the mindscape at the soul of mindscapes. It cannot be broken for the will of the ancient ones are it's fabric. You cannot escape, for only those who know it well can leave. Welcome to my former prison and your grave." Massive bolts of lightning strike the ground. Hurricane like winds gust and scream. Massive hailstones rain down.

 

On 9/3/2020 at 4:35 PM, Nathrangking said:

Tears come to my eyes as I feel her soul shattering agony. My own heart is heavy as my wife battles for her life. I hold shut the gates that trapped my wife for so many eons. It comes crashing down. Every failure drives spikes through my heart ripping it apart. My spirit is drowning in pain compounded upon itself. My strength does no waver though my emotions are clear. "I'm sorry my light." I look into Fox's eyes without sorrow or hate. I send through our bond only warmth and love. I send it all to her leaving the connection open and flowing endlessly. My voice betrays the sadness that inundates me. "I did not kill your brother. I could never harm you Fox. It should have been me. You should have used that accursed knife to kill me. I'm sorry Fox. Once again my prison was made by my folly. I failed you. Kill me. It will not free you, but perhaps it will ease the pain. I had hoped that I could do so. Perhaps I still can." I don't look away from her eyes. "I gave you the knife to protect yourself and now you are doing so. If I fail you then I have nothing. I destroyed my mindscape completely. In these last moments my only comfort is that at last your mind will be at peace. Remember this Fox, live with caution not fear."

 

On 9/3/2020 at 7:53 PM, Nathrangking said:

Pain races through my face as Fox's knee smashes into my jaw. My head snaps back as lightning arcs through me. More tears run out of my eyes, but I remain strong. I increase the flow of warm light flowing into Fox. I take a shaky breath and calm myself. "Ask yourself this Fox, If I'm lying why give you the knife. If I wanted to kill you why didn't I? I care about you more than you can imagine." My jaw burns and yet my voice stays soft. "Fadran and the others they are waiting for us to return to them. Your demons did not go away Fox. I suspect that I have become your demon." With a pained thought I transform the knife into a short-sword. "If you want to cause me pain perhaps that will serve you well." I reach out to the ingot of light that I gave to her is iunfolds filling her with true knowledge of my being. "I have never lied to you. If I have failed it was in not showing you that you are not alone. I bore your pain only a short time ago. Would that I could shoulder this burden with you again." My tears continue to fall and my control starts to slip. I keep a tight reign on the gates. "Fox if I could show you more than I have that you are not alone in your pain I would. The ingot which is filling you is all that I can offer. There exists no more knowledge of me in existence than what you now have. Blame me if you want to blame someone. Use the sword and take your revenge if you believe that I indeed deserving of it." I bare my neck. "The pain cannot control you if you do not let it. If killing me will help you get by do it."

 

On 9/3/2020 at 10:04 PM, Nathrangking said:

I keep silent as Fox delivers a harsh blow to my ribs which knocks the air out of my body. I see the hate in her eyes and something else too. Curiosity comes alive in her eyes. The slightest hint of desire. She saw the world through my eyes and we wanted more. Despite my pain I sit up straight and keep my eyes on her. I slow my tears and take in a deep breath. The ache in my body forgotten. I reveal no pain at all. It fades as I project to her the truth. Love, Warmth, and concern flow to her. "Fox, you saw the truth. Those memories were mine. There are no words in all the world which could do justice to the truth. Even if there were words are  cheap enough things. Promises made and promises broken exist in this world. Trust should be earned." I pause and let out a slightly pained cough. "My words should not be enough Fox. Only your heart can reveal the truth. You can see through lies and you keep the fellowship grounded. Yours is a perception that I speak to. Does any of this make sense? When we met you were running from your pain. Now you are running to inflict it. Be your own ruler Fox. Let no mere words dictate to you the truth. " I break the floodgates and open myself to her. I speak into her mind. "Where do the lies reside? Let not mere words be enough. I'm not asking for you to take me on my word. I'm asking you to trust yourself."

 

On 9/3/2020 at 10:38 PM, Nathrangking said:

"It leads you Fox not in contradictory directions, but toward the truth. There is so much more to all stories than simply what lies on the surface. Let it guide you. Look to what it tells you. Not just the words, but the deeper things. The truths that it tries to show you." Again I cough fire playing me like an instrument. I do not wince. The pains washes away as I force it down. I try to stand, but I cannot. "Fox yours is strength. You knew caution and let it guide you. Fear may have been your companion, but judgement was your power. I trusted you with the cursed knife because I knew that you would have the judgement to use it well. I never had a daughter Fox. Had I had one I imagine that she would have been very much like you. You are strong because you know how to survive. You know how to thrive. Tell me now. What deeper truth does your soul tell you?" I wince and cough again. "It is not the heart which is fallible only what we read in it. I conquered my demons can you conquer yours?"

 

On 9/3/2020 at 10:55 PM, Nathrangking said:

I take a calming breath coughing all of the while. I give her a wan smile the shows my pain. "What do you feel? The confusion. The memories. The emotions. They are yours to command. Reach into your mind. Block out all else. Immerse yourself in your depths. Let yourself be guided." Some of my pains fade, but I fear she may have cracked a rib. I let all that I am rush through her. I send as much calming warmth and love as I can manage. I begin to shiver as weakness begins to set in.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 7:12 AM, Nathrangking said:

My tears fall freely now as her emotions are set free. I swallow the razors that cut at me. Gingerly I pull Fox into my embrace."I forgive you with all of my soul. You did what you had to. I will heal in time. What matters most is that you are no longer alone in your pain." Nothing but love and care fill my voice as I speak. I seek to soothe the storm tossed seas and hold back the shattering of worlds. I hold her as tightly as I dare. The dulling of the pain compounds the longer that I shoulder a part of her burden. I let out an involuntary shudder as the exhaustion sets in. My every cell screams as a strange sort of fatigue takes hold. No words come to me. Every thought is lead sinking in the ocean. I sag and my eyes flutter closed. With a surge of will I wake and my blood becomes an ocean of solid ice. I feel different and I gasp as I realize why. She actually did it! She dared defy the council. When I get my hands on her... "Now I too know what you felt Fox. I am mortal." My waves of love do not cease, but beneath terror grips me in a vise. I look at Fox and hold her tighter still.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 0:09 PM, Nathrangking said:

I release Fox from my embrace as I feel her pull away. I can sense the emotions rushing even as I struggle with my pain. There is little strength remaining in my body as I allow Fox to lie me down. I grimace. All pretense of hiding my agony is gone. It is though a raging storm of raw burning flesh has washed away my strength. I have just enough to speak. When my voice comes out it is tinged with fatigue. "I can die now Fox. I have angered a dangerous being and she seems to have cursed me. She and her children likely combined their powers to strip me of immortality. I bleed as any mortal and I can be killed as any other being." It is impossible to keep the fear from my eyes. "It is not dying which I fear you know. I had long resigned myself to the possibility that a weapon that could kill me would be used against me. What I fear is failing you and the others." I cough my body writhing in indescribable torture. Every breath makes me long to be taken into blissful sleep.

 

Circestran tenses. All of the agony that Nathrangking is feeling strikes all at once. She can feel his very being wither beneath a curse. She gasps as his soul begins to fray. His mortality begins to infect her being. Her strength begins to wane. Panic and rage combine within her. Chaos breaks loose. Vengeance grabs her heart and infects it with a poison which blinds her.  She will die, but first... All of her caution burns away. She makes a slapping motion with her hands. A wall of force smashes into Winter. She flies at him polearm raised. Wall after wall buffets Winter. A bolt of lightning strikes Circestran, but she ignores it. Wind stings her. She bellows a terrible cry which is lost in the storm and calls horrific beasts of shadow from the ground. They tear themselves from the fabric of the realm. As one they attack winter. Out the corner of her eye she sees the spells on the gate begin to fade. The moment that she sees it it is forgotten.

@KyL

 

On 9/4/2020 at 1:32 PM, Nathrangking said:

I do my best to still my body. "This is wisdom. This time though I don't think that my best to help Fadran and the Fellowship." Rage fills me from another place. Circestran. My fear redoubles she releases the hidden one. Her rage forces me freeze for a moment as if all of the life has left me, but an empty shell. Be careful my love, your rage blinds you. I let out a violent cough. I take in a breath and shudder. "Yes breathing brings me pain."

 

On 9/4/2020 at 1:52 PM, Nathrangking said:

 

I cough and barely suppress a scream when Fox touches my stomach. My eyes roll back in my head as the agony transports me to another place and time. I see fields of dead. Broken bodies and souls litter the earth. I am standing above the carnage with Circestran. I turn to her, but my words are slaughtered in my throat. The destruction explodes before me. I return to myself and nod. Maintaining the bond I pour my last reserves of love and light into Fox. My eyes become unfocused as only pain exists for me. Somewhere I feel doors unlock, but I no longer care. 

 

On 9/4/2020 at 2:28 PM, Nathrangking said:

I hear a vague voice above me, but it means nothing. I'm empty. Shock and pain float around me meaninglessly. My eyes see nothing.

Circestran turns with supernatural speed and grace. A  piece of her armor falls away. She swings her axe with all of her strength. She grins as it bites deep into Winter. With a thought she fills the wound with pestilence and fire. She calls a massive bolt of lightning and it strikes Winter head on. Not letting up she summons a wicked lance which she stabs toward Winter's throat.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 2:47 PM, Nathrangking said:

I float in the endless void. Shapes stir around me. Distant echos descend, but are lost. I am hungry in ways that cannot be called hunger. I thirst for something that I cannot even begin to describe. Words, ideas, concepts they are without value to me. Silence is my companion. It holds me tightly and pulls me ever deeper into its arms.

 

On 9/4/2020 at 4:20 PM, Nathrangking said:

 

Circestran raises an eyebrow. "Demon, you ask why I have a quarrel with you?" Armor of golden light forms around her replacing the shattered bones that she had been wearing. She grins. "Simple you hurt the one who means everything to me." With a thought she transforms his arms to stone. The sky burns and shatters as massive bolts pour from the heavens. Inhumanly fast she races forward and plants both the axe of her polearm and lance in his chest. She fills the wounds with a spreading frost which expands rapidly. She releases the weapons and vanishes. The next moment she far beyond his reach with two gleaming long swords in hand. 

Below the gates shudder once, twice, and then a third time before flying open. An army beyond count begins to flee through the carnage. Some are burned instantly by the lightning and heat. Some freeze to death in moments. Others are swept away by the winds. A song of chaos shatters the air.

 

On 9/5/2020 at 9:05 PM, Nathrangking said:

I feel something akin to a cup siphoning water from the ocean. The agony takes me into a deeper darkness as something pulls me down. In this void I hear a voice. For moment I stir, but then resume my floating in the pool of apathy.

 

On 9/6/2020 at 8:35 PM, Nathrangking said:

The loneliness and numbness that surrounds me shifts. My slumber is fading away. My peace is shattering and I am rising through the apathy in which I am drowning. A familiar presence is pulling me from my sleep. Nothingness is wrapping me in ice. The whole of my body is wracked by spasms as I leave serenity behind. Fog melts from my mind which is a feeling as stones upon which waters crash. In an instant my eyes fly open. Words cannot form in my mouth. My tongue is lead and my head is devoid of thought. I look up at the figure standing above me without recognition. There is death in my eyes. I stare as a blank slate at this unknown being. I would not be known to be alive at all if not for the fact that I am mechanically breathing. For a moment I feel as though I should know this person, but this dissolves as soon as it appears. I am an empty vessel devoid of anything. I gaze ahead and shiver within a terrible cloak of cold. 

 

On 9/6/2020 at 8:54 PM, Nathrangking said:

The figure who stood above me now kneels before me. I gaze into their eyes betraying the emptiness contained within. They held one of my numb hands. I feel nothing. I shiver alone with this other. She speaks, but her words contain no meaning. Again for a brief moment a spark ignites. It seems to recognize her, but it is extinguished mere moments later. I long to vanish and return to the place that I came from, but I seem to know that I cannot. My stare peers uselessly into her eyes so full of energy and life.

 

On 9/6/2020 at 9:18 PM, Nathrangking said:

The figure spoke a name in my ear. It is a name that I know. A name that I abhor. That stokes a fire in me. I stop shivering as I burn. I pull away from the figure as my body becomes an inferno of golden flame. I begin trembling, this time in rage. My eyes are conflagrations that desire to consume all in my way. "That name that you called me is a lie. It was a being who was a failure to all. Speak not such falsehoods again. I am the destroyer of all that I touch!"

 

On 9/6/2020 at 9:45 PM, Nathrangking said:

"Tell me what you know of this. Were you there when this one stood silent as a sentence of eternal imprisonment was declared upon the woman that he loved more than his own life? Did you see him drag her to the edge of the abyss as she begged him to reconsider? When he opened the gates that were destined to be her prison did he even shed a tear? Did he beg her forgiveness or even remember her? He left her to rot for eons without giving her a second thought!" A fiery creature rises within him rearing up ready to consume reality in its burning maw of razors. "What of the closest thing he ever had to a son? He too was sentenced to eternal imprisonment in an endless abyss! He spoke not a word as his friend, son, student, and brother was tosses away! He forgot him! He ran from his memory so that he would never again have to think about his failure!" I summon and dismiss various weapons in rapid succession as I speak. "He met new friends who freed him from a prison built to keep reality safe! They were harmed because he was not strong enough to help them fight those who sought to harm them! Some died because he was a failure!" My eyes gaze around wildly as I speak. Now though the full weight of my gaze comes to bear on the woman before me. "Then there is you. I... he swore to protect you and to never allow harm to befall you! He tried to help free you from your demons! He tried to save you from your captors! He... I..." I cannot speak anymore. My rage and pain merge. I am paralyzed as tears pours down my cheeks as my light dims. I hang my head and begin to tremble for a third time. I lack even the strength to wail.

 

On 9/7/2020 at 8:57 AM, Nathrangking said:

I can barely look at her as she speaks. My body is wracked with pangs of agony and sorrow which rattles my very soul to its core. Why doesn't she hate me? She should hate me. How can she act as though I did not lie to her? I feel her wipe away my tears and my heart clenches. MY every cell cries out creating a song and tapestry which echoes through the air. I finally gather the smallest modicum of strength and direct my eyes to hers. "Why don't you hate me? After all that you have heard how can you do anything other than despise me? Please hate me its what I deserve." My head spins all of my strength quickly draining away.

 

 Circestran curses as Winter disappears. Before she can follow she is overwhelmed by her former colleagues from behind the door strike. Two giant birds grab her. She lashes out sheering through their claws like paper. Blood splatters on her golden armor. She roars and space bends around her. Her mind reaches for Winter and she is pulled through realities as though she is on the end of rope. Her body bursts through the darkness and appears behind Winter on the roof of some castle. A rush of agony and sadness assaults her. Despite her mental defenses she is forced back a step. Nath what is happening to you? "Winter we are not done. Today you die." She bares her fangs and brings her blades up to high and low guard. The metal gleams as though light runs through the veins of metal.

@KyL

 

On 9/7/2020 at 9:41 AM, Nathrangking said:

I fall into Fox's embrace. "How?" My voice is a whisper which seems to carry with it the secrets of the ages. It floats upon the air grabbing at the very fabric of the universe threatening to unravel existence. The single ever present question strips my soul bare. Every insecurity of my eons long life are brought out from the vaults where they hide. I seem to weaken each moment that these truths are out in the open. My eyes seem to gain an ever more haunted look. 

 

 

On 9/7/2020 at 10:46 AM, Nathrangking said:

I cannot speak anymore. My mind is stone and my heart is no longer simple flesh and blood. Scar tissue squeezes me and my breath comes out labored. I gasp and wheeze as air will not come. I cough. It is not so simple Fox. I cannot forget the past. My eyes grow heavy. Sleep beckons me again. It calls to me. I fall limp in Fox's arms.

@KyL

 

 

On 9/7/2020 at 11:32 AM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran spins her blades slashing two parallel lines through the air. With unnatural speed she stabs both blades forward. She sends a frigid wave of ice up the blades. "You will return to whatever pit you came from." Flames ignite the air as she releases a wall of pure power into Winter.

 

On 9/7/2020 at 11:48 AM, Nathrangking said:

She spins away from the feathers, but she is a moment too slow. The edges catch her armor and create a rend in it. In her shock she is caught by the feathers again and a laceration appears in her flesh. Emerald drops fall from the would. Circestran grits her teeth as she ducks under the wings and lunges forward with her blades out.

 

On 9/7/2020 at 1:28 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran grimaces and drops the shattered swords. Two long daggers appear in her grip. She slashes out at her enemies wrists while fighting against the blinding sun rays. With nothing more than a thought heavy clouds appear and block out the sun. The skies burst open and Icy rain begins to fall. Thunder booms. With a burst of speed Circestran ducks under his guard and slashes them across his throat. With a roar she calls down a spear of lightning which strikes Winter head on. With each slash of the knives another bolt falls. 

 

On 9/7/2020 at 1:55 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran grimaces as the electrified fists smash into her armor. The armor explodes as the light fails. Exposed Circestran dodges back. Her blood flows freely as his wings score several hits. She does not scream, but she begins to slow. Nath's emotions flow through her and give her pause. For just a moment she is frozen a distant look in her eyes.

 

On 9/7/2020 at 3:39 PM, Nathrangking said:

Circestran's face goes slack. A tear rolls down her face and falls into eternity. One of her knives falls to the ground while the other remains clutched in her hand. I'm sorry Nath my light. The light leaves her eyes and she is gone. The universe seems to still for just a moment and then all returns to the way that it had been.

My eyes fly open and the peace dies. The agony from before engulfs me and tears form in my eyes. Circestran's words echo in my mind. I gasp my eyes going wide. "No Circestran. No." Something inside me shatters. Our connection fades away as though she had never existed. I look up and see that Fox is carrying me. "Put me down Fox." The sound of my voice is the wind wending through ancient leaves. My body is trembling. How could I do this? How could I have done this to her? I failed her again. The tears continue to fall as I am truly alone in a cosmos which has taken again and again from me. Curse you Rish!! I will find you and when I do I will tear your kingdom down. I will slay your kin and you will beg for me to take you instead. I shall not. You shall learn what it truly means to be alone. I let out a pained cough.

 

 

 

 

On 9/7/2020 at 5:40 PM, Nathrangking said:

I clutch my side agony burning me from the inside out. My eyes narrow as I see Winter approach. I ignore his question. My eyes go wide when I see the dagger. Her dagger. My suppressed rage erupts within me. The winds awaken, whip the trees, while I begin to glow brightly. Fire grants me strength as I toss aside my pain. A gust lifts the knife from the ground and carries it to my hands. I grab it and clench the hilt so tightly that it seems as though it will be split in two. He will die this day!! The sky becomes black as the endless void at my command. Thunder shatters the air at my call. Spears of lightning ignite the skies with eerie light. The winds grow in intensity. Mortal ears would begin to pop beneath the might of the storm. Funnel clouds form. A light rain begin to fall. "What did you do to her Winter?" My voice cuts the air exposing the innards and bones of nature. I put my free hand on Fox's shoulder.

 

 

On 9/7/2020 at 7:13 PM, Nathrangking said:

The sky grows darker as the fire grows within me. My glow grows brighter and brighter by the moment. Jagged bolts strike the ground between myself and Winter. The earth before me is scarred. My voice is soft as death's own hand. The winds carry my voice to Winter instead of scattering it to the ends of the realm. "You took things that I love. I found you through your own foolishness. I tried to help Fox overcome her demons. I used that connection to travel here. You killed my wife. I will make you suffer for that. You cannot be saved or pitied. No. You must learn what it is to suffer!" More funnel clouds form my light grows. More scars pocket the ground. I don't turn toward Fox, but the winds carry my words to her. "I did not kill your brother Fox. Winter did not save you. He took you against your will. You want to know why I failed? It is because I could not stop him." My eyes glare into Winter's soulless portals. "I will go, but first I will give you a taste of what is to come. In a single instant I gather unthinkable amounts heat from the depths of the ground and the sky above. In a single moment I release a catastrophic wave that I gathered. I grin as the raw heat flies outward. The ground bursts into flame and the trees for miles around begin to burn. In the distance I feel a structure of stone begin to melt beneath the force of the blast wave. I can sense the walls begin to crumble. Metal twists while glass explodes as I grin. The winds drive the carnage on my orders. I turn to Fox whom I sheltered from the wave. "We must go."

 

On 9/7/2020 at 7:29 PM, Nathrangking said:

I give the scene one last look. "Whatever you do don't let go." I take hold of Fox's hand. I pour the last of my waning strength into the reality around us. I focus on my bond with Fadran and in a flash we are gone. I roar in agony as we fly through various realities. The dark reaches toward us, but I pour ever more power in. My eyes begin to close as my might is expended. With a burst of will that I do not even have I bend the realities for a moment. We come to stop and I fall releasing Fox as I do so. My breathing becomes ever more shallow. As I fall into a dreamless slumber.

@Channelknight Fadran @DramaQueen

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I am resting in comfort. The pain is a bad dream. Somewhere my memories flow. What Fox and I discussed flows by as a calm river. In the distance the harm that Fox did to me hides in shadow.

 

 

 

Queen entered Nath's mind. When she first looked around, it seemed serene and peaceful; a relaxed, comfortable scene, memories flowing like a river through the center of the area. Smiling softly, glad to see that Nath was resting, Queen began preparing to return to the outside world. However, as she turned away, she saw the shadows. She saw the darkness, shoved into the small crevices of his mind. Nervous and feeling like she was intruding, Queen reached out and touched the darkness. As soon as her hand felt the cause, she pulled away as if burned. Like a hot iron pressed to her head, Nath's memories of Fox's attack seared into her mind. Nath become mortal, something...happened to Fox, causing her to hate and mistrust Nath. She was the one who had caused many of the injuries that had threatened Nath's very existence! But, then...Fox trusted him again, helped him, even, with the injuries she herself had caused. What had happened in Fox's mind that had caused these drastic changes?

Queen took a deep breath, then dove into the darkness with a shudder. Fox's mind was nearby, and Queen was almost overwhelmingly tempted to enter; to learn why Fox had done what she had. Forcing the urge back, Queen instead wandered Nath's memories in the same way an art scholar would wander an art gallery in a museum. Every memory she passed, she examined with the eyes of a researcher. Fox had accused him of killing her brother? Was that why she attacked? Had Nath killed Fox's brother? Had he stabbed her before she attacked him? It certainly sounded like she believed that.

She was just so...so angry at Nath, and she saw nothing in the gallery of his memories that gave a valid explanation. Perhaps...Fox's memories had been corrupted? There was so much darkness here, but not one shadow explained. I'll have to ask Fox at some point. If she's willing to trust me enough, that is. 

Queen, unable to bear the forces of darkness any longer, retreated back into the calm setting of Nath's mind. There were clouds overhead, pain. Distant enough to potentially be imagined, but so, so real, the way a nightmare feels when you're asleep. Terrifying and impossibly realistic. The only difference was that Nath's pain was absolutely real, though there was nothing else that Queen and Herial could do for it at this point. 

Unsure of what she could do, as the state of Nath's mind was so much better than the past times she had visited, Queen gently slipped their minds apart, vowing to delve deeper into the reasoning behind Fox's attack. Having completed her journey into Nath's mental state, Queen felt mentally exhausted herself, so, as she returned her mind to her physical self, her breathing shallowed into a deep sleep, instead of the fitful unconsciousness her body had been experiencing while she examined Nath's mind. She curled comfortably in the stretcher, her eyelids stopped fluttering, and a slight smile found its way to her lips as she fell into a completely still slumber.

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Well, that was underwhelming, wasn't it? Sorry about the unnecessary delay.

[Channelknight Fadran]

7 minutes ago, DramaQueen said:

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Queen entered Nath's mind. When she first looked around, it seemed serene and peaceful; a relaxed, comfortable scene, memories flowing like a river through the center of the area. Smiling softly, glad to see that Nath was resting, Queen began preparing to return to the outside world. However, as she turned away, she saw the shadows. She saw the darkness, shoved into the small crevices of his mind. Nervous and feeling like she was intruding, Queen reached out and touched the darkness. As soon as her hand felt the cause, she pulled away as if burned. Like a hot iron pressed to her head, Nath's memories of Fox's attack seared into her mind. Nath become mortal, something...happened to Fox, causing her to hate and mistrust Nath. She was the one who had caused many of the injuries that had threatened Nath's very existence! But, then...Fox trusted him again, helped him, even, with the injuries she herself had caused. What had happened in Fox's mind that had caused these drastic changes?

Queen took a deep breath, then dove into the darkness with a shudder. Fox's mind was nearby, and Queen was almost overwhelmingly tempted to enter; to learn why Fox had done what she had. Forcing the urge back, Queen instead wandered Nath's memories in the same way an art scholar would wander an art gallery in a museum. Every memory she passed, she examined with the eyes of a researcher. Fox had accused him of killing her brother? Was that why she attacked? Had Nath killed Fox's brother? Had he stabbed her before she attacked him? It certainly sounded like she believed that.

She was just so...so angry at Nath, and she saw nothing in the gallery of his memories that gave a valid explanation. Perhaps...Fox's memories had been corrupted? There was so much darkness here, but not one shadow explained. I'll have to ask Fox at some point. If she's willing to trust me enough, that is. 

Queen, unable to bear the forces of darkness any longer, retreated back into the calm setting of Nath's mind. There were clouds overhead, pain. Distant enough to potentially be imagined, but so, so real, the way a nightmare feels when you're asleep. Terrifying and impossibly realistic. The only difference was that Nath's pain was absolutely real, though there was nothing else that Queen and Herial could do for it at this point. 

Unsure of what she could do, as the state of Nath's mind was so much better than the past times she had visited, Queen gently slipped their minds apart, vowing to delve deeper into the reasoning behind Fox's attack. Having completed her journey into Nath's mental state, Queen felt mentally exhausted herself, so, as she returned her mind to her physical self, her breathing shallowed into a deep sleep, instead of the fitful unconsciousness her body had been experiencing while she examined Nath's mind. She curled comfortably in the stretcher, her eyelids stopped fluttering, and a slight smile found its way to her lips as she fell into a completely still slumber.

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Scud.

Fadran started when Queen moved, but settled again when he saw her fall unconscious. He sighed, returning to his notebook of ideas. He frowned, crossing something out and writing a note in the margins.

[Condensation she/her]

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No, it was great!

 

[Scarletfox]

7 hours ago, Nathrangking said:

Circestran sighs and shakes her head. "I thought as you did. In the short term you allow yourself to hurt, but in the long term those who care for you are made to hurt even more. Those who care would take part of this burden." She pauses and fixes Fox in a gaze which transmits an ocean of pure unsullied love. "To hurt with you is a way of showing true love. Denying them this does not protect them. It robs them of the ability to show you that you are are not alone. The pain whispers lies in your ear Fox. It tells you that you are weak for sharing your pain. It says this because it is afraid. It fears that you will defeat it. It uses every tool to trap you. It becomes a prison of gold. It looks luxurious, but in the end you are still trapped. Alone the pain becomes your soul friend. Every word becomes a truth to you. However, the truth is that you are the mistress of your pain. You are its ruler. It is your slave. When you walk with others the pain is trapped by you." A tear runs down Circestran's face. "It took me so long to learn. I thought that I would never learn."

What was Circe doing? How could this woman already love Fox? This wasn't fair. It was too easy. It couldn't be real. It was too good to be true. Her... somebody from her past used to always say, 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.'

The words themselves also sounded good and all, but would they actually work? Only time would tell. "How do I know people will value my emotion, and not reject it? Or worse, they dismiss mine opening up as something that happens every other day, when they do not know the emotional struggle it took for me to tell them my true feelings."

Edited September 26, 2020 by Scarletfox

[Negative_Null They/Them]

Patch turned to James. "You are playing with all sorts of fire"