Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[Infab]

"For your sake, you should hope that you do nothing to make such stints briefer."

Cassandra's grin shifted to a smile, and her red eyes drifted down to where Camille had placed her hands. "For your sake, as well as everyone else's, you should hope that I'm not given a reason to." said the pureblood softly, the words as malicious as Camille's gaze. Her gaze then drifted to Rajko, as the werebat posed a question.

"And why are you so cheery?"

Cassandra smirked, tilting her head playfully. "Two very simple reasons, young inquisitor!" she stated, "My former associate, one Rayne Devonshire, made me laugh quite a lot before she was put down for good. That's reason one!"

She then gave her stomach a pat. "Reason two: I'm hungry! You're never yourself when you're hungry!" She reached up and poked at one of her fangs. "I have some vials of lamb's blood among my things, so I shall partake of those."

"Then go do that." stated Rebecca, her voice cutting into the conversation. "We need you calm and focused, not poking and prodding at your allies."

Cassandra's gaze shifted to the Saint, and she soon nodded as her smile quickly vanished. "Yes, of course. I'm not being particularly helpful to my 'allies' at the moment." she stated, before looking back to Camille. The smile reappeared, but no words were spoken in Camille's direction. Instead, she took whatever items she still had on her horse and moved towards the entrance to the Inn. "I shall see you all in the morning. Bright and early."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko tilted his head in bemusement anticipating the answers from the joy-driven Cassandra. What came next did not surprise him exactly, but it did raise questions in his mind about the integrity of the vampire. Words better left unsaid.

"A Devonshire manifested as a spirit? Tricky imp."

To lighten the nerves, Rajko reached for the pipe in his pocket. Lighting it with an accompanying match. "Times like this, I'm glad I don't need to feed like my bloodsucking relatives."

 

[Breadman]

The trip back from the tower wasn't too long, but for Royland it was more painful than he liked to admit. The skull didn't betray any emotion, but the wraith was struggling. He had nearly forgotten to return his helm to its rightful place. Holy work on not, it would have had dreadful effects on the local inhabitants if they saw his true form and may jeopardize their mission.

By the time they met with the others, he felt better, although the uncomfort was still there. Although he would grit his teeth through it, Cassandra getting catty with the huntress was irritating. For some brief few moments he considered looking the other way if Camille would stake her then and there.

A Devonshire manifested as a spirit? Tricky imp.

"Likely something to do with the grimoire." Royland tried to change the subject away from the pureblood "Both are banished to the fires in the Abyss now."

 

[K0mori]

As Cassandra entered the inn, Sebastian looked up from the floor. He was standing in the hall in his new clothes, smoking one last cigarette with his hands in his pockets. His shotgun was propped up against his leg, loaded entirely with silver shot, which he had prepped after meeting the Konstantinovs outside. While he had no reason to suspect ill-will from the travelers, he had little reason to suspect any of the things which had happened after he departed for war. Some people lie, and with smiles on their faces. It was better to be prepared for it than to be unarmed and surrounded by vampires.

Still, there stood the pureblood. There existed no more fake a cheerfulness than the arrogant façade on that monster's face. She didn't even hide the red of her eyes anymore, nor the fangs in her mouth. And yet if she wanted him dead it would make no difference if he were fully expecting it- she could cover the distance between them in less time than it would take for him to pull his hands out of his coat pockets.

But something came over Sebastian in that moment. His hand snapped out of his jacket and snatched the shotgun off the floor. He turned, and his finger nearly reached the trigger as the barrel leveled on Cassandra.

Amazingly, she hadn't moved, but instead stared at him in mild disbelief.

"Verzeihung," he said, lowering his weapon. "You never know who will walk through that door. Might be a demon."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille's gaze only intensified as Cassandra continued to spout her drivel, a rage building in her like no other. The suffering the huntress had to endure over these years, the turmoil that had befallen the world - the way she saw things it was all Cassandra's fault. The gods saw it fit for this maniac to accompany them, and it frustrated Camille to no end. Her lips tightened as she began to grit her teeth, her stance getting subtly lower with each passing second. It seemed like she was preparing to strike right then and there.

Rajko and Rebecca interjecting gave her the slight pause necessary to hold herself back, yet the rage within her continued to burn hotter. By the time Cassandra had made her exit with another barb thrown her way, Camille's hand was tightly gripping the white oak stake holstered behind her back. "Pompous cur, I'll kill you where you stand before you ever get the chance to harm us or anyone," she spat, though it was spoken well after Cassandra was out of earshot.

Despite the inquisitor's efforts to make light of the situation, the huntress straightened up and adjusted her cape while working to steady her breathing. "I won't tolerate that unstable fiend's boasting much longer. Her crimes are many, and if the gods refuse to give her proper judgment I will take it upon myself to send her back to the hole in the Abyss she crawled out of."

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor's opinion waned from suspicion towards acceptance of the vampiric trio that Sebastian had encountered, which in turn allowed him to be less tense in the situation. While having a certain degree of paranoia helps, he realized just how much of a dolt he was by acting so under all circumstances. Not everyone is an enemy. Until they stab you in the back. Azgon's voice rattled in the princeling's head. A shade of a memory that still lingered, despite the Icon of Wrath's demise. He let out a sigh as he ignored the feelings as best as he could, now noticing the return of the others following their escapades to destroy the Devonshire grimoire. Azathor remained silent as words were exchanged, and emotions flared as Cassandra began to act rather oddly.

Rajko pointed out his own concerns with her oddly happy demeanor, while Camille spoke nothing but ill of the pureblood. The demon prince cocked an eyebrow towards her but said nothing as he observed her mannerisms and words with intent. As Cassandra walked off, he listened to Camille's parting gift that was speech laced with poison which drew another sigh from him. "Hrm." Azathor grunted, "Her crimes may be many, and yet she still is here is she not? She's killed for us." He wanted to give the pureblood the benefit of the doubt, considering their own strengths at the moment to be rather menial compared to what they faced ahead and the circumstances of the world dictated some degree of unity be required.

"Our list of allies is rather thin at the moment. I'd think we'd at least try to see this through for the sake of the world and all."

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou watched his compatriots closely as they made their way back, making sure neither of them suffered any issues, whether physical or... he presumed mental, in Cassandra's case. He attempted to remind both to just head in, do their things, and rest for the night as soon as possible, but the presence of the vampiric guests had distracted her. He could only sigh at the sight of Cassandra needlessly running her mouth, when she needs a drink and rest to calm down, especially given the fact that she is by far the least liked person here.

However, he recalled the goodbyes between Cassandra and Mariette when they departed the Abyss, or rather the 'see you soon' they shared; if nothing else, he wished to aid in Cassandra's return to her beloved, and for that to occur, they needed to finish this with her spirit intact. Aside all the other reasons why she shouldn't be allowed to lose herself, of course. He kept to himself on this matter however, merely nodding at Azathor's comments.

---

Elsewhere, in the Abyss
North of the Land of Greed
Yinjian


News of the fall of Erebus in the south had spread quite quickly across the Land of Greed, and Yinjian was no exception. The settlements within the region had all reacted in their own ways, many not favorable to the Huntun-led regency of the Heavenly Empire.

Zuoqui Huntun's fury could be heard throughout the halls of Youdu, with the former assassin's capacity as Shezhengwang (攝政王) Keggoth's enforcer being cut massively due to it. His demonic force that had first accompanied him when he arrived and cleaned up Youdu in Keggoth's name had begun infighting, as they had made little progress in undermining the rebel forces in the region in light of the success of the rebels outside. Attempts at securing either reinforcements or even supplies outside of Greed had largely failed. With their failure to capture Abahai, and the possibility of the rebel forces outside routing their way to Yinjian to depose them, some had become despondent, believing their end was near.

However, Huntun, in a moment of insanity-induced lucidity, looked upon Yinjian from their offices, and made a declaration none had anticipated:

"[...in this very moment, this region, this entire damnable realm, is crawling with traitors to the Empire, to our beloved Regent Keggoth, and those she works with and serves...

"[...there is nothing good to salvage from this place. All of you who can, head to all the armories still in our possession, take stock of what we have, and head to the dungeons to gather as many broken hands as you can. If this land cannot remain in Keggoth's hands, then we shall purify it with flames and rebuild it anew under her guise.

"[Yinjian has forfeited its existence.]"

Meanwhile, in Luzhou, preparing another strike against local patrols, Abahai and her Anti-Shuntungwui Front (反純同會戰線, Fanshuntungwui Zhanxian) could only celebrate at the news of Erebus' fall. Some within the Front advocated for calling upon Tariun's aid in not just resisting, but overthrowing Youdu altogether, but Abahai resisted such an idea, knowing that the last thing Tariun needs is another distraction when her own front spanned the entire Abyss. Though a shiver went down her spine, she still believed they could settle this matter by themselves.

They just needed a golden opportunity to gather all, and storm the imitation capital.

 

[Infab]

"A Devonshire manifested as a spirit? Tricky imp."

"Likely something to do with the grimoire."

"Ghosts and Specters are a tricky thing to deal with. Most of them have strong wills, not easily swayed, and the reason they refused to pass into the afterlife takes a bit of figuring out. Unfinished business, intense feelings of being wronged and the drive for revenge, unwillingness to leave another behind, immense personal attachment to someone or some object... In her case, probably revenge." said Rebecca, the Saint folding her arms as she spoke. "With ghosts, its best to carefully try and assist them with passing. Figure out their reasons, and deal with them. That or exorcise them. Specters, on the other hand, are more difficult. They always have to be forcefully removed. Exorcisms and banishments, or containment until a proper method of dealing with them is obtained."

"Both are banished to the fires in the Abyss now."

"And hopefully there they shall remain." muttered the Saint. She glanced to Royland, giving him a once over, before looking to Xiaòzhou. "Thank you for tending to his injuries." she said, a bit louder.

After Camille spoke her fiery words, Azathor spoke up. Surprising most of them as they had forgot he was even there, as he had been so quiet this whole time.

"Her crimes may be many, and yet she still is here is she not? She's killed for us. Our list of allies is rather thin at the moment. I'd think we'd at least try to see this through for the sake of the world and all."

Kirill and the other vampiress had watched Cassandra walk away as well, before shifting their attention back to the group. "Its... a bit surprising to see Bainbridge working with the Church, considering that killing Inquisitors and church members was her job for quite a long time." said Kirill, in a confused tone.

Rebecca glanced to the pair. "She's supposed to be reformed. Or at least trying to reform." she said, eyes shifting in the direction Cassandra had gone. "I hope she is actually trying. We do need to keep an eye on her, however."

She then looked to Rajko, Camille, and the others. "And we need to try and help her. If a soul can be saved, we must try to do everything in our power to save it. She can be redeemed, and we will need her in the days and weeks ahead." she stated softly. "I genuinely believe she's trying, so I will assist whatever ways I am able."

She looked to Camille. "I know you despise her, Camille, for all she's done or took part in. And I will by no means force you to be nice to her. She seems only capable of being nice herself when the mood strikes her. But please, just trust me. If she is unable to be saved, then I will assist in putting her down. But for now, we must view her as a wandering soul on the verge of straying from the right path. We can help her stay the course."

"Verzeihung," he said, lowering his weapon. "You never know who will walk through that door. Might be a demon."

Cassandra's eyes shifted from the barrel of the shotgun that had been leveled on her, moving up towards Sebastian's face. His reaction had caught her by almost total surprise, as she had noted his aura in the hall. Just his aura. Not the shotgun he had with him.

"...Yes. A demon. Or some other sort of nasty creature, eh?" she replied, a slight smile soon appearing on her face to replace the look of disbelief. Like... me, perhaps?

She continued on, slowly walking towards and by Sebastian as she moved down the hall. She only paused when she was next to him, cutting him a glance. "Let's not make shooting me a habit, hmm? It's not a good idea to put holes in your allies..." she whispered, her smile growing slightly wider.

 

[K0mori]

"...Yes. A demon. Or some other sort of nasty creature, eh?" she replied, a slight smile soon appearing on her face to replace the look of disbelief. Like... me, perhaps?

She continued on, slowly walking towards and by Sebastian as she moved down the hall. She only paused when she was next to him, cutting him a glance. "Let's not make shooting me a habit, hmm? It's not a good idea to put holes your allies..." she whispered, her smile growing slightly wider.

"Two times is hardly a habit," Sebastian replied, flatly. He took a long drag off his cigarette as he stared her down.

 

[Infab]

"Two times is hardly a habit."

Cassandra and Sebastian's eyes stayed locked for a moment, in a rather tense staredown. But eventually, Cassandra faintly chuckled and shifted her gaze away. A simple "...Cute." was all she muttered, as she continued on down the hallway.

Eventually, she arrived at the door to her room. Without a word, she twisted the doorknob and pushed it inward. She took one last glance down the hallway, eyeing Sebastian once more and giving him a grin, before stepping inside. And a moment later, the door shut behind her.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille's expression twitched at Azathor's words, him trying to grant that monster the slightest benefit of the doubt was getting her all the more angry. Rebecca trying to constantly excuse Cassandra's actions and words was also becoming extremely grating, and her head snapped to the saint at the mere suggestion of giving her a chance.

"Why is her soul more important than the others she's damned!? I don't doubt that people can change, but her?" She lowered her gaze to the ground for a moment, balling her hands into fists again. "Cassandra has had far more time than others of her ilk get to reflect on their horrific actions, and if she is still 'wandering' despite that I see no reason to entertain her murderous ways."

"I know you and your gods prefer to sit and wait, but open your eyes and see where that has gotten us! This war, my curse - it's all on her hands, yet she gets to walk among the daylight and taunt me for having the gall to stand up to tyrants like her," the huntress went on, gesticulating toward where Cassandra had walked into the inn. "I am through with biding my time and hoping things get better. I am risking myself and everything I hold dear by being here, and I will not allow her to ruin what we've worked so hard to attain again. The moment I determine that she is a threat I shall slay her, and I will do so with or without your help, saint."

Camille exhales deeply, fingers kneading into her forehead before she drops her hand to her side limply. "If you consider that rash, you're welcome to kill me once I'm through."

 

[Infab]

Rebecca listened to Camille's ranting, the Saint remaining silent as Camille stated her thoughts and intent in regards to Cassandra. And once she was finished, the Saint simply looked at the Huntress. She held off on speaking, her eyes shifting to Royland nearby before returning to Camille.

"...I won't bother to change your mind. It seems to already be set." she finally said. "And I shall not discuss Cassandra with you again. You are free to make your own decisions and actions, as they are your own. But if those decisions and actions put our mission in jeopardy, or risk the lives of the others, then you will answer to me."

She looked back to Royland. "And as Sir Royland here knows, I do not 'sit and wait' unless given a proper reason. I fought and defeated Sazak, the true mastermind behind this war and your curse, by myself. It killed me, and I should have killed him."

Rebecca glanced back to Camille, before looking to the others. "...I believe it's time for us to turn in. We have a good distance to go before we reach Peltragow, and wherever Claire leads us. We should get some rest."

 

[Dmaster]

"Being a willing pawn does not absolve one of their master's guilt," Camille concluded coldly from over her own shoulder, starting to walk into the inn herself. It was true that Rebecca was somewhat at fault for allowing Sazak to persist for as long as he has, yet the huntress held resentment for the actions that took place within her lifetime. There was no use in her dwelling on ancient history by blaming the saint for staying her hand, much as Camille might want to.

On her way inside her eyes met Sebastian's for a moment, and it was possible the soldier may have caught the briefest glimpse of the stress, anger, and powerlessness that the huntress carried in her gaze. Despite it lingering in her eyes, her features were like stone as she carried herself to a room. A restless sleep awaited her, but it would be sufficient for the travels ahead of them, she hoped.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The congregation outside quickly evolved into a heated debate on the vampire madwoman's fate. Of justice and injustice, of pain and consequences. Rajko wanted to step forward at Camille's side but by the time he even took three puffs from his pipe, the entire ordeal had ended at an impasse. Not content with smoking inside, unlike a certain soldier dragging a cigarette, Rajko waited while watching the day slip away. He thinks on the events that transpired. Redemption and punishment, as a hunter and inquisitor, are concepts quite familiar to him. The former in recent years has reached the proximity of the latter in usage, yet he finds their conflict... Tiresome.

He eyed Rebecca with a questioning look, wondering about the level of commitment truly needed for one course. He could have attempted to retort the Saint as Camille did but what would be the point? Especially now when tensions cool. He suspects the Saint knows of his intentions to this hypothetical anyway.

Azathor posited that Cassandra still holds value from a numerical perspective. Rajko agrees with this, but that pragmatic axiom only holds as long as Cassandra continues to provide value, not hindrance. The pragmatic solution then would be to cut her out. Of the equation. Fingers kneaded the bridge of his nose, an exasperated breath escapes him. Rajko grabbed the pipe from his mouth and tapped it against his hand, the burnt material fell to the ground. Then smothered the smouldering stuff with a stamp of his boot. He begins to walk away from the Inn. "Don't wait on me, I'll circle the city again before I turn in for the night." Waving with the back of his hand before stopping and looking over his shoulder. "The road is never obstructed, Saint. But ultimately, the choice to follow it is the Sinner's alone. And that knowledge is always... Too heavy to bear." Tinged with remorse, the inquisitor walks off into the darkness.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian exhaled once Cassandra was out of his proximity. He knew he had gotten his message across, and that things would not be the same. What had happened at the sawmill was beyond his control, but he would never apologize. He had, in fact, just promised to do it again, and that he would make sure not to need a third chance.

He knew that when the time came, he wouldn't be alone. He thought of Camille and the white oak stake she carried, and when she came in they briefly exchanged a look. She seemed tired; that was fair, it was getting late. But he assumed there was more to it than that. Cassandra had to be talking to Camille and the others outside the door when she entered. Sebastian wondered what all had been said.

He extinguished his cigarette in a nearby ashtray and returned to his room. His lungs were hurting. This time, as he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, he kept his pistol within reach.

 

[Infab]

Rebecca quietly listened again as Camille spoke coldly, walking away towards the inn. She then glanced to Rajko as he himself spoke, walking off into the night. Once they both were gone, she sighed rather heavily. Who said that Cassandra had been a willing pawn? From what she had read and been told, Cassandra was driven insane and had been that way for the past several hundred years. One doesn't know, or care, about right and wrong if they've lost their minds. The pureblood had been broken, and was trying to piece things back together after a stint in Hell. It obviously didn't erase the sins she had committed throughout her history, but she could do some right in the here and now before returning to the Abyss as she said she would.

And in regards to the first part of Rajko's statement, she couldn't disagree more. There were always obstacles on the path of those seeking redemption, just as there were always obstacles on the path of those venturing into darkness. No path is clear of trials and tribulations. He was right, however, in that it was the choice of the sinner (or saint) to walk the paths. But it is also the choice of those around them to see them through on their journey, to obstruct them, or to simply watch and allow them to fail and fall.

If she could, she would help Cassandra along the path to some sort of redemption. The woman was here, helping them to end this. Trying to make up for what she had done years prior. However, none of them seemed to care. They only saw the monster she was, and not the person she was trying to be.

She looked to the others that were still out. Azathor, Royland, Xiaòzhou. She motioned towards the Inn, simply giving them a faint smile, before looking towards the two vampires still among them. "...I'm sorry about all of that." she said softly.

Kirill smiled. "No worries. Arguments are just part of life. I hope you all have a peaceful sleep, at least." he replied, before looking to the other vampire with him. They spoke to one another, but Rebecca didn't pay the conversation much mind. She needed rest. She walked by, moving towards the inn herself.


As the sun rose the next morning, the first to rise was Cassandra herself. And she was far less cheery than she had been the night before. In fact, she was quite silent most of the first few hours of the day. Staring off into space as she stood outside the inn, looking up towards the sky. She had shed her inquisitor garb she was so fond of, simply wearing a white long sleeved blouse and black breeches. Her blonde hair hung loosely, scattered about by her shoulders as she let her hands rest on her hips.

The second to rise was Rebecca. As she stepped outside the entrance of the inn, her freshly polished plate armor gleaming a bit in he early morning sunlight, she glanced over and was caught off-guard by Cassandra's presence. Standing near the fence where their horses all stood. It seemed Cassandra was ready to go, all her gear having been packed onto her horse. Honestly, it struck Rebecca as strange. Cassandra was never one to rise this early during their trip. She also favored her inquisitor garb and hat, and here she was without either. No chatter, no smart remarks, nothing.

"Good morning, Cassandra." said the Saint, as she approached. "You're up quite early."

As Rebecca walked out to where Cassandra was standing, Claire appeared in the doorway behind her. Just out of view. She had woken shortly after Rebecca, and had gathered her things up for the journey ahead. And just like Rebecca, Claire was caught off-guard by Cassandra. She set her bags down, leaning against the door frame of the inn's entrance. Arms folded, but with her hand slipped beneath her coat. Fingers resting on her revolver's handle. Her red eyes bounced between Rebecca and Cassandra, watching both as Rebecca approached the pureblood.

Cassandra simply glanced to the Saint, giving her a soft smile. "Good morning, Saint." she nearly whispered. "Decided to go ahead and get up. Prepare myself for the day."

Rebecca stepped up next to her, nodding. "Right. You did say bright and early last night." she responded. She eyed Cassandra for a few moments, as the pureblood looked back up to the sky. "...Cassandra, are you alright?"

Cassandra held in a laugh, simply smirking. "No, Saint, I'm far from alright." she replied, shaking her head slowly.

Rebecca turned her head fully, looking at the pureblood. "What's wrong?"

Cassandra shifted her gaze, looking down to the street before them. "You recall that I said we encountered Rayne Devonshire at the tower, correct? Well, I distracted her for a time, while Royland and Xiaòzhou went and destroyed the grimoire. During that time, Rayne pelted me with several bolts of... some sort of magic. Dark magic, I believe, because I've felt different ever since we left that tower." she explained, "And the Cassandra that came back and spoke to you all last night wasn't me. I think the dark magic did something inside of me. Opened a door that was already slightly ajar."

Rebecca listened as Cassandra spoke, her eyes studying Cassandra's face as the pureblood spoke. "...Corruption." soon said the Saint. That would explain some things.

"Yeah, she was rambling on about how dark magic corrupts and such. She used the same magic on Rosanna, the dullahan, in an attempt to brainwash her. Adona fixed that little problem, I believe." muttered Cassandra. She sighed afterwards. "...I haven't been right since I came back to the Mortal Realm. And the longer I stay here, the worse I'll get."

Rebecca nodded, folding her arms. "The Abyss has a way of cleansing the mind of impurities, so one realises just what they have done over the course of their lives. Your broken mind was mended, like someone repairing a shattered mirror. And as long as you remained in the Abyss, your mind remained mended." explained the Saint. "And now that you're back in the Mortal Realm, your mind is coming undone again. Ever so slowly, the cracks are reappearing in the mirror. What Rayne did to you was force the cracks to spread more rapidly via her corruptive magic. The you that came back last night was but a sliver of the old you."

Cassandra went quiet for a few moments, but eventually whispered a response. "...I shouldn't stay here. I need to return to the Abyss. For their sake, and yours. I don't need to stick around and eventually snap." she said, glancing to Rebecca again. "And it doesn't help matters that I'm working alongside three people that genuinely loathe me, and would rather see me dead in a ditch somewhere."

"We need as much help as we can get, Cassandra. Plus, Lord Adona himself picked you to join us. He saw something in you, or saw something in your future, and he wanted you to be part of this. I will not question his decision." said the Saint, "...I will do what I can to aid you. I can try to reverse some of the corruption, if possible. If I can't, I can at least try to halt it long enough for us to do what we need to do. Then, we can send you back to the Abyss."

Cassandra eyed Rebecca for a few moments, before sighing. "...Alright, but I hope you're ready for Camille's vitriol." she soon replied, gently shaking her head.

"I had a taste of that already. I've heard worse." states Rebecca, with a shrug. She soon glanced back, eventually noticing that Claire was standing in the doorway. Apparently having listened to the whole conversation. Well, that's one person that didn't need to be told about things.

Cassandra spoke again as Rebecca looked back at the inn. "...I should tell the others, honestly. May help me a bit in regards to their trust, though I doubt it with Camille, Sebastian, and Claire." muttered the Pureblood. And as she finished, she felt Rebecca's elbow nudge her. She glanced over, then looked back to where the Saint was looking.

Claire eyed both of them, arms still folded and still leaning against the doorframe of the inn. She straightened up after a moment, moving away from the frame. She didn't breathe a word, simply looking at the two for one more moment before turning about and heading back into the inn.

"Well, better prepare yourself. I think Claire is going to wake the others." said Rebecca, giving the pureblood a pat on the shoulder.

 

[Dmaster]

Though she did not rise as early as the purebloods and saint, Camille did get up early on her own accord. After a quick rinse, she had changed out of her sleeping clothes and equipped her armor and gear, though her eyes lingered on the white oak stake that was fixed to her belt. She told herself that she would be preemptive this time, as being reactive had burned her plenty of times already.

Yet she was unfortunately forced to bide her time, and her deliberation and planning was put to the back of her mind as she closed the latch on her belt. For better or worse, she was prepared to face the day.

Camille made her way out of the inn, though did spot Claire entering the building to wake the others. The huntress gave the enforcer a nod, moving to step outside into the morning light. The huntress' face carried no expression as she looked between Rebecca and Cassandra, and she chose to remain silent.

 

[joshuadim]

Unlike the others, Azathor had no desire to sleep as he instead borrowed a few magazines and newsletters from the innkeep and spent the hours reading away and absorbing all forms of information: both benign and important. What interested him the most was how easily important information was spread through simple parchment, delivered across many hundreds of miles. All easy and readily available for the average reader to digest in their own thoughts, he wondered if the Abyss could use such a system themselves as every realm was so disjointed and disconnected. He didn't understand the idea of the stock market however as mortal economics sailed right over his head entirely. Looked like a bunch of numbers with no meaning together that somehow promised greater wealth being made.

Aside from the news, the magazines were of more interest as many of them advertised certain products which even included firearms such as revolvers and hunting rifles. Though there too were articles that were written less about objectivity and more about opinions. Various things such as clothing and fashion, or medicinal advice, all of which also didn't necessarily mean much to him as he didn't care for appearances all that much. Medicine on the other hand was a bit of a curiosity as he read about a special laudanum made from specific herbs that claimed to cure impotency in a man. It sounded too good to be true as he furrowed his brow towards the pages. If such a cure existed so easily, would it not have been made readily available already?

His reading ended once everyone started getting up and prepared for the journey ahead. He gently folded the pages together from the table he sat at and carried them over to the main desk before appraoching the others. "Morning. I trust everyone had a good rest?"

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou had nodded in response to St. Rebecca's thanks, though it was the least he could do, but he otherwise kept to himself as the discussion continued. He was sure this wouldn't be the last time it would occur either, merely responding with a sigh, and returning Rebecca's faint smile knowingly as he headed into the Inn to rest for the night. He did his usual routine, and rested well, though he noted Azathor would remain awake for the rest of the night.

By the time he heard Claire knock on his door, he had awoken himself and packed all his things. He noted by aura that Rebecca and Cassandra seemed to be together at this hour. Whatever the reason is, hopefully it's positive.

"Morning, Madame McLachlan," the hermit said to her, with a greeting from her end, though he noted her demeanor. She soon moved on to the remaining rooms. He felt where the others were gathering, and made his way there.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The night walk proved an invaluable remedy to Rajko's dour mood. This is what he wants out of life, he thinks. A pragmatic yet beautiful style, contemplating as eyes drift to the nightsky. Though uneventful, an experienced hunter such as himself appreciated these kinds of patrols. He wonders back to that day and compares it to the now, was he too harsh in his judgments of the pureblood?

He likes to think he isn't as observant as the others or possesses their deductive skills, but he admits that the symptoms are not foreign to him. The pureblood's affliction is not the same, no. But the madness is patterned in a similar fashion.

It explains why he felt dejected after parting ways from the Inn moments ago. It all seemed so terribly poetical that Rajko may have unconsciously, habitually even, lowered the battlements around his mind.

As the wind howled, Rajko flinched from the sudden cold despite his garb. It was time to head back.

Finding the front vacant, Rajko assumed all returned to their rooms and the refugees scattered. Very well, he thought looking to his hands. Piety as a personal endeavour had fallen out of favour with him a long time ago. But as he clasps his hands in prayer, it could not hurt to at least hope for success in their struggles, even the Saint's and Cassandra's.

Now to rest for the night at last.

--------------------

Despite the lateness of his sleep, Rajko awoke with a rested body and spirit. Practically flying off the bed, the shifter attended to matters of morning hygiene and routine. Maintain your body and mind, then your armours and tools. But as Rajko inspected the barrel of his revolver alongside his new acquisition, his keen hearing picked up talk from the Inn's lobby. Through all the wooden walls it sounded dim and blurred. But Rajko could still interpret some of them, namely the words corruption, abyss, Lord Adona's name, cracks. The voices were faint as well, but he knew at least one of them well enough. That being the Saint's, if she had not been present Rajko's thoughts might have turned to a darker level than previously possible.

He dressed himself in no hurry and stepped through the door, spotting Xiaòzhou leave before him, with Claire going door to door to wake them. "Morning," Said Rajko passing Claire down the hall in a relaxed tone.

He made his way to the others. An awkward neutrality beamed from Camille, he noticed that. Thankfully, Azathor seemed to be in a content mood. "I can't complain, though my experiences may be skewed, you almost can't go worse than sleeping on leaves and twigs on a rainy night in the forest."

 

[K0mori]

When Claire knocked on Sebastian's door, she heard a flurry of movement, a loud thump, and some muttered curses. Moments later, Sebastian opened the door, fully dressed and packed and with a pistol in his hand. His eyes were sunken and dark, and he had an uncharacteristic slouch under the weight of his backpack. Trudging out to meet the others, he could only grunt when Azathor tried to greet him. His eyes lingered on Cassandra for a moment, but he made no indication of his thoughts at the moment. He cleared his throat, coughing violently into his sleeve in the process, then shook his head a few times. He blinked and boggled his eyes before heading over to his horse.

"I could do with a coffee," he finally said to Azathor, once he had tied his belongings down on the horse. "I had a lot on my mind last night."

 

[Breadman]

As the others went to bed for the night, Royland moved to his own quarters. He didn't need sleep, instead he meditated. The damage to his body had been mended but the scars within remained, leaving for a harder time to focus. But time passed as it always does, letting him recuperate his own energy while working on healing what was harmed within. He had been there before and had used his moments of peace to mend the wounds. But this time it was different. The vile sins of the blood demon, the grimoire's putrid energy and the dark magic from the specter might have pushed him to a threshold. Something he must overcome if he was to continue his path.

Claire's knock on the door caught his attention. It had dawned and the group was assembling. A new day had started and more work needed to be done. He got up on his feet and left the room to meet the others.
"About as good as one can get after the battles we've waged in these short few days." He answered Azathor "But we've work to do and no mewling will aid us."

 

[Infab]

Cassandra and Rebecca listened as the others gathered and talked amongst themselves, Rebecca looking to each of them and smiling faintly while Cassandra continued to gaze mostly towards the cobblestone street they stood upon. Mentally, she was composing herself. Finding the right words she wanted to say in regards to what was wrong with her. How to get it across to everyone, and hope they understood. And she fully expected most of them not to, but this had to be done. Claire, meanwhile, soon stepped up next to Camille. Folding her arms and staring hard at Cassandra. She already knew what she was going to say, but she needed to see what the others said as well before she spoke her thoughts on the matter.

Once everyone had arrived, packing their things away on their horses, Rebecca finally spoke up. "Everyone, I want to take a few moments to allow Cassandra to speak to you. There's a few things she needs to explain, and I do hope you listen. Afterwards, I'll say what I need to, and let you talk among yourselves. Then, we'll proceed on towards Peltragow." she said, the Saint looking around at the others once more as she spoke. She then looked to Cassandra, before stepping back and motioning a hand to the pureblood.

Cassandra sighed, eventually raising her head and looking at everyone. Her eyes had returned to their normal coloring, no longer the burning red they had been the night before. Her fangs had retracted as well, allowing Cassandra to look perfectly human once more. "First off, I want to apologize for my behavior last night. As well as my behavior since this entire ordeal began. I've been acting like a complete bitch, either in front of or to several of you. The terrible humor, offhand comments, all of it." she soon stated, her eyes traveling between the group as they stood about. "It was all quite uncalled for, and it's driven a rather large wedge between you all and I. It also strengthened the hatred some of you have for me."

She took a breath, before continuing. "Now to get to the reason as to why I've been acting this way, as well as explain my behavior last night. Before I was cast into the Abyss by Velin, most of you that knew me either personally or through other sources knew that I was... beyond insane. You probably know the story of how long ago, I was a part of the Inquisition and was involved in a raid on a vampire hive. I was captured, others were killed. I was used as a toy, basically, to torture for several months. I eventually snapped, asked them to turn me, then turned around and killed them all afterwards. Another incident happened afterwards that furthered my insanity, but I would rather not speak of such things at the moment."

"Get on with it, Cassandra." muttered Claire, her eyes fixed firmly on Cassandra's own. Cassandra nodded in response, cutting the enforcer a glance before speaking again.

"...When one is sent to the Abyss, as the Saint has explained to me, the Abyss cleanses one's mind of all impurities. That includes insanity. I returned to the state I was before, and was able to realize all I had done throughout my centuries of existing. And I loathed myself. Mariette, whom some of you know, helped me to cope with it. And we helped one another survive the thirty years we spent enslaved by Sazak at his palace... which is around three years here in the mortal realm." explained Cassandra, "Now, after we escaped and helped Inquisitor Beaumont, Hudson, and the others with their ordeal in the Abyss, I chose to come with them back to the mortal realm. I wanted to help. I wanted to stop Sazak. I wanted to help Valeria and the others that I had tried to kill here on Grimtham. Because of me, Sazak was able to get the ring as well as Velin's executioner sword. Because of me, Sazak was able to curse almost every member of that Inquiry. One of those Inquiry members stands here among us. Camille Giguere."

She looked to Camille. "Camille, I'm genuinely sorry. I can't apologize enough about the things I did. Either directly to you and the others, or the things I did that allowed Sazak to do what he did. Nothing I say will ever be enough. You lost a child because of me, and that's something completely unforgivable."

She paused for a moment, before continuing. "...When I returned to the mortal realm, I soon discovered that I was having strange thoughts. Hearing voices. Seeing things. And a moment ago, Rebecca explained to me why this was happening. As it turns out, since the Abyss cleanses the mind, leaving it allows things to return to the way they were before. She compared it to a broken mirror being repaired, but soon cracking once more. The cracks in my mind have begun to reappear, because I'm no longer in the Abyss. My behavior is obviously a clear sign of something being wrong. And the longer that I stay here in the mortal realm, the worse it will get."

She then looked to the others again. "Now, on to my behavior last night. During my encounter with the late Rayne Devonshire, I was hit with several bolts of dark magic. Dark magic, as the undead necromancer put it, corrupts the soul. And I was hit with enough of them, while trying to give Royland and Xiaòzhou time to destroy the grimoire, that I was somehow altered. As Rebecca put it a short while ago, it made the cracks in my psyche far larger than they had been before. And as I put it, a door that was already ajar was opened up wide." She then sighed. "The Cassandra you encountered last night was quite like the old Cass from three years ago. Just... slightly more held together."

She looked to Claire and Camille before her. "I wanted to return to the Abyss this morning. To give up my attempts to help you all, and instead protect you from myself. However, the Saint said that she could try and reverse the corruption. If not, she can stop it until we're able to stop the Icons and this war. Then, I could return to the Abyss in some form or fashion. Either walking through the gates or allowing one of you to kill me."

Rebecca soon stepped back up. "Lord Adona chose each and every one of us specifically to take part in this endeavor. We are all here because he saw something. Either inside of each of us, or in our futures. I will not question his decisions, and I shall carry out his will to save this world from Taranoch and his Icons." said the Saint, "So I will do everything in my power to help Cassandra, as well as the rest of you, along the path. We need to see this through. All of us."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille held her intense gaze on Cassandra for the entirety of her explanation and apology, doing her best to hide her emotions yet failing in some key moments. The mention of her lost child got her eyes to twitch, a similar tick that registered when she was close to an explosive outburst. And yet, nothing came of it as she allowed Cassandra to continue. Once again the huntress crossed her arms over her chest as she looked through the pureblood before her, her mind fraying as she thought on countless ways to retort or act in those moments.

Finally, she spoke once Rebecca had reminded them of their mission. "It is fortunate that Cassandra is aware that her wrongs are unforgiveable," she begins flatly, still staring at the pureblood before she more openly responded to her. "Sazak's curse left me far worse off than simply damaging my pride. For months I wandered my home like a ghost, and later my husband leveled a sword to my newborn twins for fear of what they might turn into. The fact they are alive and healthy is a genuine miracle." Her voice breaks slightly as she shares this among the group, but there is an unmistakable intensity to her words.

"Your pleas of insanity are lost on me, and I cannot ever forgive you for the misery you have caused me and those far more innocent than I. Velin was wrong for many things, yet her tearing you apart and throwing you into the Abyss was catharsis given physical form. It is where you belong," Camille emphasizes. And then, she sighs. "Yet my personal feelings of you and your past cannot jeopardize this mission. If you are genuinely sorry, then us completing our assignment without you falling apart and endangering us is a good enough start. Once we're through, you can return to the Abyss and finish your eternal atonement."

"I won't allow the world to burn because of a personal grudge, and so long as you are more of an asset than a detriment I have no quarrel with you."

 

[K0mori]

Throughout Cassandra's speech, Sebastian seemed preoccupied, checking his pockets repeatedly and his bags tied to his horse, as if he was looking for something. After a while, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he turned, finally looking at the vampire with bloodshot eyes as he knelt on the ground. He had run out of cigarettes. He listened carefully, clenching his teeth as she outlined her past crimes and offered apologies. But when she mentioned what had happened to Camille as a result of her actions, Sebastian looked to Camille instead, and then to Rebecca and Claire. How could they stand there and let this continue?

Rebecca spoke next, explaining her rationale for why they would continue to be burdened with such a liability. Of course, it came down to blind faith in the plans of the divine, as would be expected from a saint. He allowed Camille to respond to Cassandra, showing extreme restraint in her response. Sebastian was a bit more blunt as he addressed Rebecca: "If you fail to keep her in line," Sebastian spat, "then I'll assume Adona stuck her with us because she'll just be another damned thing his chosen butchers can throw into the path of a whirling machine to be bifurcated or something like that."

His voice shook with resentment. This was no petty threat thrown obliquely at Cassandra, it was an expression of loathing for all that had been entrusted to him during the past few months for the sake of the mortal world.