K0mori
Servant Supreme
"Let's try to avoid him, if we can," Mariette suggested. "I'll go first and see if there's any other surprises," she added before skittering up the wall on her fingertips and toes, and into the open window.
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Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]
- Thread starter Infab
- Start date
joshuadim
the writer
Venextos had listened intently and followed along with the current plan to infiltrate the palace alongside the rest of the group, having made their way without much issue thus far. But a complication arose when it was seen that one of Sazak's sons was nearby. Although not an Icon, such a demon was still rather powerful all things considered and the wizard agreed with Mariette's sentiment to avoid him. However, what gnawed at him was the possibility that Sazak himself was in the palace as well... and should they cross blades with an Icon then it would perhaps lead to all of their deaths. Venextos remained quiet and on guard as Mariette went to scout ahead as he got a good look around. "I would have expected more guards... perhaps something's drawn his efforts?" he whispered aloud as a thought.
Dmaster
Herald of the Changer
Hudson crossed his arms over his chest as he looked over Mariette's plan for them to sneak in, doing his best not to look terribly distant as he looked down at the drawings on the ground. He was getting the most horrible sense of déjà vu from this situation, and when Jakob stated that he should try and be quieter the hunter shook his head from side to side. "You and me both. Clearly both the countess and Cam think me some kind of expert in being covert, for some reason." he grumbles, suddenly raising his arms and gesturing to his getup. "I wear bloody chains around my waist for gods' sake..!" With a halfhearted sigh he took up his position, relegating himself to the insurmountable task of trying to remain quiet. He proceeded cautiously along the walls of the palace, skulking with only the slightest clangs and rings of his chains as they moved up. Guards were easily dispatched with stabs and slashes of his blade, showing that despite Hudson's grievances he was quite familiar with this sort of work indeed. Sneaking about behind some bloodthirsty Escarian woman in dead silence was an experience Hudson was not expecting to repeat in present company, that much was clear.
Crouched and hidden he looked up at Ergran, glancing to both Mariette and Riberta. He knew nothing of Ergran and cared very little, just knowing that whoever held esteem in Sazak's court was a blight that needed to be removed. Despite that, the hunter remained quiet as Venextos weighed in on the situation. "They may know that we're coming. This could be a trap." Hudson stated simply, tightening his hand around the grip of his blade. "I'd like to see them try and stop us."
Crouched and hidden he looked up at Ergran, glancing to both Mariette and Riberta. He knew nothing of Ergran and cared very little, just knowing that whoever held esteem in Sazak's court was a blight that needed to be removed. Despite that, the hunter remained quiet as Venextos weighed in on the situation. "They may know that we're coming. This could be a trap." Hudson stated simply, tightening his hand around the grip of his blade. "I'd like to see them try and stop us."
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joshuadim
the writer
"I'd exercise extreme caution, Hudson. An Icon is not something to trifle with." Venextos warned with a hushed tone, "Such power would require more than just us to beat. And even then it would be incredibly difficult. Our best advantage is the knowledge of the danger we face... as well as the current element of surprise. We must maintain the latter as much as we can." Venextos didn't show it, but he was rather scared of their current situation as to how precarious it was. They needed to stay quiet, and if luck would have it they had a chance to maintain it.
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
The group moved up the wall, each moving as quickly as they could in order to slip through the window into the palace. And once everyone was in, with Venextos being the last, they got a good look around. They were now in a well decorated hallway, with a stone floor and walls. The floors were a dark grey, but the walls seemed to have been painted beige. Lining the walls were paintings of various designs, signed by their authors. Most seemed to be from Ergran, and were of an abstract nature. Maybe he had been here looking over his works? Riberta glanced at a few of them as they moved, raising an eyebrow. "The kid's got talent. Too bad he's the spawn of Sazak." she muttered.
They continued on, carefully traversing the halls and rooms as they followed Mariette's lead. She knew the palace inside and out, so it was easy to avoid large rooms where guards might be patrolling. And from the sounds of a few guard conversations, Ergran was down in the grand dining room. Easily avoidable.
They did run into a few more guards along the way, whom were dispatched with brutal efficiency and their bodies hidden. And it wasn't long before the group found themselves stepping inside the study that Sazak often relaxed in. There was no fire in the fireplace this time, it seemed, which meant one thing.
Sazak wasn't here.
He always had a fire going when he was at the palace, or had Astraal order Mariette or Cassandra start one before his arrival. And there wasn't any sign of Cassandra either, for that matter, or Astraal. Riberta looked around the large study, examining the bookshelves and the grand piano sitting in the middle of the room. "These Icons really like dragging mortal realm things down here." she said to herself, as she stepped over and gazed down at the piano. "...I wonder if angels are the same way?"
They continued on, carefully traversing the halls and rooms as they followed Mariette's lead. She knew the palace inside and out, so it was easy to avoid large rooms where guards might be patrolling. And from the sounds of a few guard conversations, Ergran was down in the grand dining room. Easily avoidable.
They did run into a few more guards along the way, whom were dispatched with brutal efficiency and their bodies hidden. And it wasn't long before the group found themselves stepping inside the study that Sazak often relaxed in. There was no fire in the fireplace this time, it seemed, which meant one thing.
Sazak wasn't here.
He always had a fire going when he was at the palace, or had Astraal order Mariette or Cassandra start one before his arrival. And there wasn't any sign of Cassandra either, for that matter, or Astraal. Riberta looked around the large study, examining the bookshelves and the grand piano sitting in the middle of the room. "These Icons really like dragging mortal realm things down here." she said to herself, as she stepped over and gazed down at the piano. "...I wonder if angels are the same way?"
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EdwardDewey98
Professional Argentine
"Gods forbid." said Jakob, while looking at Riberta. "One would hope Angels to be free of vanity and greed...although, I've met one before Cassiel..." He looked over at his companion with a slight smile on his face. "...Remember that, Mariette? When Wesley was with Cassandra, and the angel told me about it? I think it was the same day Camille kissed Aleister." He then glanced over at Hudson. "Don't worry, I'm sure she regrets that everyday."
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Until reaching the study, Mariette had remained silent and concentrated on her surroundings. Anxiety was building in the pit of her stomach as she searched for Cassandra's familiar aura but didn't find it. Perhaps she's merely in the catacombs with Ser Edmond... she tried to reassure herself. Hopefully, they'd be able to locate Valeria as well, although she had a sinking suspicion that not all would go as planned. In the midst of her agonizingly tense thoughts, Jakob began reminiscing, as he often did, but this time he mentioned something that he had never told her before. "She did what!?" Mariette blurted out, and then, thinking of the exact day Jakob was referring to, remembered sitting in a bar with the others, taking her leave, and...
Suddenly, it all came rushing back to her. She had been standing just outside the door, casting a spell on Camille and Aleister, playing with their psyche as a bit of a mean-spirited practical joke. She hadn't lingered to see whether it payed off, however, and this was the first she had heard of this affair. She couldn't help herself, her palm slapped onto her mouth to stifle the hysterical laughter brewing inside of her. She turned and paced the floor she had polished so many times, struggling with herself until she was ready to explain. "Jakob, I cast a spell on those two when I left the bar," she said, chuckling so much that she actually snorted. She looked to Hudson next, and nearly lost her composure again. She wiped a few tears out of her eyes from all the laughter before sighing, her expression souring.
She remembered how, within days of her little prank, she had been fighting alongside Camille against a dullahan, and had intentionally released the corrupted knight from her grapple in hopes that he would maim or kill the huntress. It all ceased being funny to her immediately.
"Ahem... Nevertheless, help me search for a grimoire." she said as she began browsing through the collection. Her suddenly flat tone told Jakob what she was thinking better than any words could.
Suddenly, it all came rushing back to her. She had been standing just outside the door, casting a spell on Camille and Aleister, playing with their psyche as a bit of a mean-spirited practical joke. She hadn't lingered to see whether it payed off, however, and this was the first she had heard of this affair. She couldn't help herself, her palm slapped onto her mouth to stifle the hysterical laughter brewing inside of her. She turned and paced the floor she had polished so many times, struggling with herself until she was ready to explain. "Jakob, I cast a spell on those two when I left the bar," she said, chuckling so much that she actually snorted. She looked to Hudson next, and nearly lost her composure again. She wiped a few tears out of her eyes from all the laughter before sighing, her expression souring.
She remembered how, within days of her little prank, she had been fighting alongside Camille against a dullahan, and had intentionally released the corrupted knight from her grapple in hopes that he would maim or kill the huntress. It all ceased being funny to her immediately.
"Ahem... Nevertheless, help me search for a grimoire." she said as she began browsing through the collection. Her suddenly flat tone told Jakob what she was thinking better than any words could.
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
Riberta was already perusing the bookshelves on the right side of the room, peering down at the pages of each book she pulled off the shelf. Most of the books were old...really old. Ancient texts from the eras before the Age of Darkness. And most in languages she couldn't even begin to understand. Some were in what seemed to be the demonic language of the Abyss. Those certainly weren't useful.
The rest of the group did the same, searching the shelves around the room for anything resembling a grimoire. Mariette soon found herself scaling the shelves like a spider, moving to the upper shelves which was typically reached via ladder. And soon, she found just what she was looking for. An old, leather bound grimoire, filled with hundreds of spells. The writing inside seemed oddly familiar, really, as were the references to a staff. Still, this was the very thing she was looking for.
The rest of the group did the same, searching the shelves around the room for anything resembling a grimoire. Mariette soon found herself scaling the shelves like a spider, moving to the upper shelves which was typically reached via ladder. And soon, she found just what she was looking for. An old, leather bound grimoire, filled with hundreds of spells. The writing inside seemed oddly familiar, really, as were the references to a staff. Still, this was the very thing she was looking for.
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EdwardDewey98
Professional Argentine
Jakob look at Mariette as she laughed, and he himself laughed a bit even after the revelation of it being all a mean joke. But when her face went serious, Jakob noticed that the joke was over. Something troubled Mariette, and while he wanted to ask her what was wrong, she quickly stopped him from doing so. She needed a new grimoire, and this was the perfect place to look for it. After a few minutes, Jakob watched as Mariette climbed the large book cases like a creature. "Found anything good?" he asked, while looking at a book written by some demonic writer trying to imitate human literature. It was too Escarian for Jakobs taste.
joshuadim
the writer
"Such knowledge... such a waste to have it lying down here." Venextos muttered as he looked over the vast collection of literature and writing before them. He decided to take some of the older texts and scrolls with him so that they could be put to better use elsewhere rather than to collect dust in the Abyss. And so one by one he started searching through the shelves and picked off certain texts one by one to take with him in his bag... however many he could take anyhow.
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Mariette blinked a few times in disbelief as she thumbed through the pages of the grimoire on the high shelf. "Yes, yes I have," she declared in response to Jakob. She dropped to the floor and showed the interior of the leather-bound book to the others. It was written in a handwriting which was familiar to her; she was almost certain that this was another of Undite's works, perhaps even older than the one she had been given and lost. Along with the hand-written invocations, there were the intricately-patterned runes- nonsensical to the common observer, but easily understood by those familiar with the dark arts. "This will more than suffice," she explained as she took out a vial of blood that Riberta had given her earlier. "Now, I will attempt to render us invisible..."
Spirits, conspire to betray the eyes... Hide the phantoms who seek to kill... Let death come by unholy surprise...
Spirits, conspire to betray the eyes... Hide the phantoms who seek to kill... Let death come by unholy surprise...
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
The blood sizzled, bubbling and turning into a reddish smoke as Mariette uncorked the vial. It flowed out quickly, and soon the red smoke surrounded each of them. Spinning around them rapidly till it faded from existence. Apparently the spell worked, but they could still see one another. Most likely, it cloaked them so that they could still see one another but nobody else could see them or their auras.
Riberta glanced to the others. "...Well, only one way to find out if this worked or not." she muttered, before stepping over and flipping up the wooden cover over the grand piano's keys. She then slammed her finger down on just one key. The noise was loud enough for whomever was in the next room or out in the halls to hear...and hear they did. A guard opened the double doors at the end of the room which lead out into the main hallway, and stepped inside, looking around the study.
He apparently saw nothing, as he continued to look about before shrugging and stepping back out into the hallway. Riberta glanced to Mariette, before grinning wide.
Riberta glanced to the others. "...Well, only one way to find out if this worked or not." she muttered, before stepping over and flipping up the wooden cover over the grand piano's keys. She then slammed her finger down on just one key. The noise was loud enough for whomever was in the next room or out in the halls to hear...and hear they did. A guard opened the double doors at the end of the room which lead out into the main hallway, and stepped inside, looking around the study.
He apparently saw nothing, as he continued to look about before shrugging and stepping back out into the hallway. Riberta glanced to Mariette, before grinning wide.
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Dmaster
Herald of the Changer
Hudson simply tilted his head at Jakob upon hearing that his wife had apparently kissed a vampire. And not just any vampire, one that she wanted to shackle to a post to wait out the coming dawn. "That doesn't sound like -" The hunter was cut off by Mariette's outburst and then her laughter, the explanation that came next got him to sigh. "Yeah, that makes a lot more sense." Hudson stated with a nod. "Must have been some powerful magic to pull that off, all things considered."
He helped search for a grimoire rather quietly and halfheartedly, seeming more annoyed to be rifling through such books than helpful. Even still he took up his own section of the library and began pulling out volumes. What does a grimoire even look like? The hunter couldn't remember one due to the fact that he would burn any he came into contact with mere seconds after learning they were such. Eventually Mariette ascended one of the bookcases like a human-arachnid hybrid, getting Hudson to look over his shoulder and up to see. It was one of those sights he wished he didn't investigate further.
Once she began her incantation and the blood circled around them, Hudson drew out his sword in confusion. Was she summoning a spirit or demon? Ready to swing he kept shuffling backwards, bumping into Jakob just as the spell ends. He only offered a passing glance before Riberta began her investigation.
As the guard stepped in to investigate the hunter readied a combat stance yet again, this time he looked ready to charge the demon. But he never approached them further, instead giving up and returning to his post.
"Is this what dark magic feels like? I thought it would either boil my skin or pop my eyeballs, or something."
He helped search for a grimoire rather quietly and halfheartedly, seeming more annoyed to be rifling through such books than helpful. Even still he took up his own section of the library and began pulling out volumes. What does a grimoire even look like? The hunter couldn't remember one due to the fact that he would burn any he came into contact with mere seconds after learning they were such. Eventually Mariette ascended one of the bookcases like a human-arachnid hybrid, getting Hudson to look over his shoulder and up to see. It was one of those sights he wished he didn't investigate further.
Once she began her incantation and the blood circled around them, Hudson drew out his sword in confusion. Was she summoning a spirit or demon? Ready to swing he kept shuffling backwards, bumping into Jakob just as the spell ends. He only offered a passing glance before Riberta began her investigation.
As the guard stepped in to investigate the hunter readied a combat stance yet again, this time he looked ready to charge the demon. But he never approached them further, instead giving up and returning to his post.
"Is this what dark magic feels like? I thought it would either boil my skin or pop my eyeballs, or something."
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Moments after the demonic guard had departed, Mariette secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It had been decades since she had been able to cast a spell, and being perfectly honest with herself, she wasn't entirely sure if it would work as intended. Once it had been proven, however, she returned Riberta's grin with smirk. Then, she replied to Hudson. "Sorry to disappoint you," she said. "Now, we must hurry, before the spell wears off or the guards begin to notice how many of their own are missing."
She led them from the study along the path they had agreed upon before, easily avoiding the remaining guards as they reached the first floor of the palace. Now that they were less concerned with detection, the team were able to take in their surroundings better. Each room was beautifully decorated, glittering with treasures gathered from all over the Abyss and the mortal realm alike, and each carried a stately portrait of Sazak, one of his sons, or past icons of Vainglory. But as they went, they also noticed a lack of furniture, a lack of any evidence of daily life. Every surface was polished to a shine and every floor was clean. It was the sort of home that belonged to someone so fastidious about the portrayal of their life, that they forget to live at all.
Finally, they reached it. The entryway to the catacombs was a spiral staircase built into the exact center of one of the largest chambers, ominously surrounded by a ring of reddish tile and intricately etched stone flooring which gave the appearance of a burning ring of fire. As they slipped below the surface and left behind the luxurious and civilized palace above, they entered the hidden world of torture and self-loathing below the surface. The sound of damned souls crying out began at first as a distant chord, before swelling to a nightmarish symphony around them, echoing off the walls endlessly as they plunged deeper below the surface. Mariette stalked ahead of the group, jogging faster and faster still, fiercely darting between each opening in the wall, each overlook, muttering beneath her breath angrily.
"Where is she?" she repeated aloud. "Where is she...?"
She led them from the study along the path they had agreed upon before, easily avoiding the remaining guards as they reached the first floor of the palace. Now that they were less concerned with detection, the team were able to take in their surroundings better. Each room was beautifully decorated, glittering with treasures gathered from all over the Abyss and the mortal realm alike, and each carried a stately portrait of Sazak, one of his sons, or past icons of Vainglory. But as they went, they also noticed a lack of furniture, a lack of any evidence of daily life. Every surface was polished to a shine and every floor was clean. It was the sort of home that belonged to someone so fastidious about the portrayal of their life, that they forget to live at all.
Finally, they reached it. The entryway to the catacombs was a spiral staircase built into the exact center of one of the largest chambers, ominously surrounded by a ring of reddish tile and intricately etched stone flooring which gave the appearance of a burning ring of fire. As they slipped below the surface and left behind the luxurious and civilized palace above, they entered the hidden world of torture and self-loathing below the surface. The sound of damned souls crying out began at first as a distant chord, before swelling to a nightmarish symphony around them, echoing off the walls endlessly as they plunged deeper below the surface. Mariette stalked ahead of the group, jogging faster and faster still, fiercely darting between each opening in the wall, each overlook, muttering beneath her breath angrily.
"Where is she?" she repeated aloud. "Where is she...?"
joshuadim
the writer
After having collected a decent amount of ancient texts and scrolls in his bag, Venextos followed the group shortly after as quickly as he could. With the spell in effect it was rather easy to move through the palace without worry of being detected. Every room they passed seemed as glamorous if not more so than the last with all matter of vain objects and idols placed within them to signify status and identity... such vanity was to be expected from its own Icon, yet the wizard couldn't help but feel sickened by such extremes. Yet once they entered the horrors below the palace, sickening turned to outright disgust as the true nature of Sazak's crimes became evident with his victims. If Valeria was here, they needed to get her out as soon as possible.
EdwardDewey98
Professional Argentine
Mariette was now able to use her magics again. He wouldn't admit it publicly, but he missed the way Mariette recited her incantations and noted how Venextos never recited his. Probably because she was a Witch, and he was Sorcerer. With the guard gone and little else to say, the group moved downwards. While they were invisible, it was smart to keep avoiding the child of Sazak and the guards. Jakob followed the countess as closely as possible, until they were nearing what he assumed were the dungeons of Sazaks castle.
They began descending down the staircase until they were inside the dungeon, filled with several broken human souls and disfigured demonic creatures. "Keep following me and Mariette. We know Valeria's aura... besides, all of the human souls here are... broken." he said with a hint of hate, most likely these people were innocent and Sazak approached them in a moment of weakness. Promising what they wanted while they were unaware of the fate that awaited them in the afterlife. "...Sick bastard."
Mariette lead the group deeper into the dungeon, but soon it became clear that she was becoming desperate. It didn't take long for Jakob to realize why. He couldn't feel a pure-blood vampire's aura anywhere near and that most likely worried Mariette. "Mariette, please calm down...Maybe she's deeper down the dungeon or in Edmond's cell? Can't feel any other vampiric aura." he said, trying to reassure her as she jogged ahead of them. "God damn... they better be here."
They began descending down the staircase until they were inside the dungeon, filled with several broken human souls and disfigured demonic creatures. "Keep following me and Mariette. We know Valeria's aura... besides, all of the human souls here are... broken." he said with a hint of hate, most likely these people were innocent and Sazak approached them in a moment of weakness. Promising what they wanted while they were unaware of the fate that awaited them in the afterlife. "...Sick bastard."
Mariette lead the group deeper into the dungeon, but soon it became clear that she was becoming desperate. It didn't take long for Jakob to realize why. He couldn't feel a pure-blood vampire's aura anywhere near and that most likely worried Mariette. "Mariette, please calm down...Maybe she's deeper down the dungeon or in Edmond's cell? Can't feel any other vampiric aura." he said, trying to reassure her as she jogged ahead of them. "God damn... they better be here."
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
As the group decended into the depths beneath Sazak's palace, a familiar face appeared on the surface. A portal opened, appearing behind the rocky formation that the group had been behind before, and out flew a pride demon. Having been beaten rather badly, covered in blood, bruises, and cuts. A moment later, a woman stepped through. "There's a good boy." she said, gazing down at the pride demon as she stepped over next to him. Her red eyes locked onto his head.
Cassandra had finally made it back to the palace, after a brief hunt for clothing then a fast route back to the palace. Lucky for her, one of Sazak's lieutenants had been around. Heading for the front in Azgon's territory. After clothing herself, she played a little game of hide and seek...and the lieutenant lost. "Now, to give my thanks." she said, as she slowly lifted her leg. And a moment later, her foot snapped downward. Crushing the demon's neck. The demon made a gurgle, before simply going limp. Lifeless.
She then glanced up, looking towards the palace. "...Interesting. Less guards than before." she said, a bit more of a cheerful tone to her voice. She had intended to come back and let Ser Edmond lose from his bonds. The man deserved a little revenge on the Icon holding him captive. And while she was doing that...maybe cause a little damage to the palace? Break a few of Sazak's prized possessions? Maybe...hurt one of his sons? Her smile grew into a grin at the last thought. "Well, I guess I better make my way inside. Save the fun for after Ser Edmond is loose..." she said to herself, before vaulting gracefully over the rock formation. Thankfully, the leather outfit she procured from a wandering hollow provided excellent range of movement.
As she neared the palace, she started to notice the hidden corpses of guards scattered here and there. She raised an eyebrow in response. "Very interesting..." she whispered, before slipping through the outer wall. Then, she made her way around the lone window overlooking a small hidden alcove. The perfect way in. She slipped in without a problem, and quickly made her way through the building. Heading towards the dungeon and catacombs. And killing any remaining guards that decided to get in her way.
Cassandra had finally made it back to the palace, after a brief hunt for clothing then a fast route back to the palace. Lucky for her, one of Sazak's lieutenants had been around. Heading for the front in Azgon's territory. After clothing herself, she played a little game of hide and seek...and the lieutenant lost. "Now, to give my thanks." she said, as she slowly lifted her leg. And a moment later, her foot snapped downward. Crushing the demon's neck. The demon made a gurgle, before simply going limp. Lifeless.
She then glanced up, looking towards the palace. "...Interesting. Less guards than before." she said, a bit more of a cheerful tone to her voice. She had intended to come back and let Ser Edmond lose from his bonds. The man deserved a little revenge on the Icon holding him captive. And while she was doing that...maybe cause a little damage to the palace? Break a few of Sazak's prized possessions? Maybe...hurt one of his sons? Her smile grew into a grin at the last thought. "Well, I guess I better make my way inside. Save the fun for after Ser Edmond is loose..." she said to herself, before vaulting gracefully over the rock formation. Thankfully, the leather outfit she procured from a wandering hollow provided excellent range of movement.
As she neared the palace, she started to notice the hidden corpses of guards scattered here and there. She raised an eyebrow in response. "Very interesting..." she whispered, before slipping through the outer wall. Then, she made her way around the lone window overlooking a small hidden alcove. The perfect way in. She slipped in without a problem, and quickly made her way through the building. Heading towards the dungeon and catacombs. And killing any remaining guards that decided to get in her way.
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Despite Jakob's reassurances, Mariette's movements continued to grow more frantic, until, suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and straightened up. "I can already sense him," she practically spat at the others, "...and that's good, but..." She trailed off. It was obvious that they knew how she felt. Ser Edmond was a friend, but one she could only see on rare occasions during her incarceration. Cassandra, however, was a constant companion. Being able to sense the nosferatu at the depths of the catacombs meant that Cassandra wasn't there.
"I don't sense Valeria, either, do you?" she asked with a sigh, having finally relaxed and accepted the situation for what it was. Like Mariette, Jakob didn't sense the inquisitor as they descended the stairway to the lowest reaches of the dungeon. Finally, they reached his level, and found themselves overlooking the horrific punishment dealt to the ancient knight. Beyond the entrance to the fiery cauldron of a chamber he resided within, the pathway made a circle of an arcade, giving them an unobstructed view of the blisteringly hot iron cage. Mariette hurried to the large winch and turned it, getting the help of others in the process, and soon Ser Edmond was free of the flames once more.
"Edmond! It's time to get out of here!" she announced. "Sazak is away, and we have allies!" Although there remained the question of how to open the massive cage as it dangled over the fire, Mariette was grinning wildly. She had no idea that Cassandra had just entered the same dungeon at its highest level.
"I don't sense Valeria, either, do you?" she asked with a sigh, having finally relaxed and accepted the situation for what it was. Like Mariette, Jakob didn't sense the inquisitor as they descended the stairway to the lowest reaches of the dungeon. Finally, they reached his level, and found themselves overlooking the horrific punishment dealt to the ancient knight. Beyond the entrance to the fiery cauldron of a chamber he resided within, the pathway made a circle of an arcade, giving them an unobstructed view of the blisteringly hot iron cage. Mariette hurried to the large winch and turned it, getting the help of others in the process, and soon Ser Edmond was free of the flames once more.
"Edmond! It's time to get out of here!" she announced. "Sazak is away, and we have allies!" Although there remained the question of how to open the massive cage as it dangled over the fire, Mariette was grinning wildly. She had no idea that Cassandra had just entered the same dungeon at its highest level.
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
Riberta looked to the others as Mariette spoke to the...creature named Ser Edmond. What the hell did Sazak do to him? She shook off the thought, looking around the chamber for a method of freeing him. There was likely a winch somewhere to pull the cage towards them in safety. The question was where that particular winch might be.
As she searched, she kept checking to see if they could detect any auras further into the dungeon...which there were none. It was likely Sazak was holding Valeria somewhere else. They would have to search the palace more to see if they could find a trace of her whereabouts. She soon spoke up, as she continued looking for the winch to move the cage. "Should be some way to move the cage close. Probably hidden somewhere. Help me find it, pup." she said, glancing to Jakob.
As she searched, she kept checking to see if they could detect any auras further into the dungeon...which there were none. It was likely Sazak was holding Valeria somewhere else. They would have to search the palace more to see if they could find a trace of her whereabouts. She soon spoke up, as she continued looking for the winch to move the cage. "Should be some way to move the cage close. Probably hidden somewhere. Help me find it, pup." she said, glancing to Jakob.
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EdwardDewey98
Professional Argentine
"Nine hundred and... forty six million... eighty thousand... no, that ain't right... nine hundred... thousand... damn it Edmond, you... were doing so... well." To those who were experts in demonology and in the field of the occult, Edmond would be considered a rarity just like Mariette and Cassandra. The fact he had not gone hollow despite the thirty years of imprisonment signified the will of the vampiric knight. But truth to be told, Edmond's punishment was nothing compared to the emotional and phycological test that both Mariette and Cassandra endured. His punishment was physical, something he had endured through a thousand years. Yet Sazak did not comprehend his own doing. The demonic icon hated the knight because he would refuse to break, and there was a good reason why that never happened.
Through a thousand years, Edmond lived a life steeling himself for this punishment. He was aware that as long as Velin was a goddess, heaven was never an option. And even after Velins cycle ended and another era of man began, he could have easily been judged to spend an eternity in the depths of Hell itself should the Gods of Order and Chaos select yet another zealous being. With Velin and her flock, limbo was no longer a hall of penance. It was stripped of that noble title. You were either a zealous follower of her order, or just condemned to a life of eternal life of damnation.
It was yet another day. He continued to burn and boil on top of the unholy fires layed by Sazak, counting the seconds of his imprisonment. Something he did those long days where he had no visits from those condemned like him. Mariette and Cassandra had become his friends, and he learned a lot about the countess as well as of his old companion, Cassandra. And he mostly listened to them talk to him, watching and learning about them. For his stories of yore would be useless for such women. He admired them and appreciated their compassion each time they visited his cell. Thus his sadness, when he realized that he did not visit him for the first time in three decades.
This pain... Was he going hollow? Their companionship eased his mind, and counting seconds had lost its ability to give it something to think about. He was growing desperate but the pain was not the reason for that. And it wasn't the fact he was alone. It was the mere idea that they had suffered a terrible fate at the hands of Sazak that pained him. He could not tolerate that another pair of great vampiric minds met their end at the hands of Sazak. "Ugh... mind... together... Gwyn... wouldn't want to see you like this... no, he would not." He continued to count seconds, but it was rather in vain. He had lost the count.
But then a glitter of hope appeared out of nowhere. The angelic voice of Mariette awakened him from his dazed stupor, and his red eyes locked with hers for a moment. "M...Mariette?" he weakly asked as he watched her and a large tribal woman pull the winch to the cage that held him. "I c...cannot believe..." he murmured between painful breaths. She was not alone anymore. With her there was a small posse... he recognized two of the men in her group. One was none other than the constable that accompanied Mariette and Valeria in Grimtham... and the other was a wizard he saw before but never had the pleasure to meet personally. But he knew he was part of the Raven Court.
And after quickly glancing at the faces of everyone in the room, seeing Mariette free from her bonds reignited the will of the knight. This cage made out of cursed iron was strong, but after thirty years of constant and unceasing burning it had grown weak. And so was Edmond. He did not need blood to survive, but he needed it regain his strength. But nothing was going to stop him from finally breaking his bonds. With an inhuman scream, Edmond began to pull the bars of the cage until they shattered due to the heat of the fire below. And he fell down next to the boiling flames that had been used to harm him for three decades. The arcane circle around him was the only barrier now between both him and the group. He looked at Mariette. He was not entirely coherent anymore but he tried his best to speak. "Break the... circle... weak magic, but efficient against... my kin, for... we were made... by Sazak."
Jakob looked at the others, his shotgun ready just in case the Nosferatu had gone mad during his imprisonment. "...Damn, he's tall. Taller than you, big girl." he said in a joking tone while looking to Riberta.
Through a thousand years, Edmond lived a life steeling himself for this punishment. He was aware that as long as Velin was a goddess, heaven was never an option. And even after Velins cycle ended and another era of man began, he could have easily been judged to spend an eternity in the depths of Hell itself should the Gods of Order and Chaos select yet another zealous being. With Velin and her flock, limbo was no longer a hall of penance. It was stripped of that noble title. You were either a zealous follower of her order, or just condemned to a life of eternal life of damnation.
It was yet another day. He continued to burn and boil on top of the unholy fires layed by Sazak, counting the seconds of his imprisonment. Something he did those long days where he had no visits from those condemned like him. Mariette and Cassandra had become his friends, and he learned a lot about the countess as well as of his old companion, Cassandra. And he mostly listened to them talk to him, watching and learning about them. For his stories of yore would be useless for such women. He admired them and appreciated their compassion each time they visited his cell. Thus his sadness, when he realized that he did not visit him for the first time in three decades.
This pain... Was he going hollow? Their companionship eased his mind, and counting seconds had lost its ability to give it something to think about. He was growing desperate but the pain was not the reason for that. And it wasn't the fact he was alone. It was the mere idea that they had suffered a terrible fate at the hands of Sazak that pained him. He could not tolerate that another pair of great vampiric minds met their end at the hands of Sazak. "Ugh... mind... together... Gwyn... wouldn't want to see you like this... no, he would not." He continued to count seconds, but it was rather in vain. He had lost the count.
But then a glitter of hope appeared out of nowhere. The angelic voice of Mariette awakened him from his dazed stupor, and his red eyes locked with hers for a moment. "M...Mariette?" he weakly asked as he watched her and a large tribal woman pull the winch to the cage that held him. "I c...cannot believe..." he murmured between painful breaths. She was not alone anymore. With her there was a small posse... he recognized two of the men in her group. One was none other than the constable that accompanied Mariette and Valeria in Grimtham... and the other was a wizard he saw before but never had the pleasure to meet personally. But he knew he was part of the Raven Court.
And after quickly glancing at the faces of everyone in the room, seeing Mariette free from her bonds reignited the will of the knight. This cage made out of cursed iron was strong, but after thirty years of constant and unceasing burning it had grown weak. And so was Edmond. He did not need blood to survive, but he needed it regain his strength. But nothing was going to stop him from finally breaking his bonds. With an inhuman scream, Edmond began to pull the bars of the cage until they shattered due to the heat of the fire below. And he fell down next to the boiling flames that had been used to harm him for three decades. The arcane circle around him was the only barrier now between both him and the group. He looked at Mariette. He was not entirely coherent anymore but he tried his best to speak. "Break the... circle... weak magic, but efficient against... my kin, for... we were made... by Sazak."
Jakob looked at the others, his shotgun ready just in case the Nosferatu had gone mad during his imprisonment. "...Damn, he's tall. Taller than you, big girl." he said in a joking tone while looking to Riberta.
K0mori
Servant Supreme
Mariette dashed to the barrier as soon as Edmond was free, opening her new grimoire eagerly. "Wizard, help me with this!" she directed Venextos, and she flipped through the pages until she found a suitable incantation. Mariette's expertise had always laid with illusions and such, but dark magic was highly versatile, and with a few stabs at it, she was sure that she or her new ally would find the answer quickly.
joshuadim
the writer
Venextos quickly rushed towards to where Mariette was and looked over the barrier and examined its properties for a moment before raising a hand towards it. A white glow emanated from his hand as it sent a whisper of energy towards the barrier as the wizard began to concentrate his efforts into breaking it down.
Infab
The Demon Fanatic
With their combined efforts, the barrier fizzled before reacting violently to their magic. And with a bit of a surge in magical power from both, providing an extra oomph, the barrier shattered as the magical circle surrounding Ser Edmond's cage was promptly destroyed. Ser Edmond had been set free.
Riberta glanced down to Jakob, and chuckled in response to his statement. "Things can get bigger, trust me." she remarked, before turning her attention to the freed vampiric knight. She lifted one of her spare blood canteens off her side, and held it up before her. "Need a drink?"
Elsewhere, Cassandra made her way through the dungeon. Looking into the various cells and cages as she went. There wasn't really anything she could do for them. All were long gone upstairs, and were simply there acting as trophies for Sazak and his children. She sighed, as she continued downward into the catacombs. But as she continued on, she began to notice the auras of a vampire in Ser Edmond's chamber. As well as the auras of a hybrid, a lycan, and two humans. Strange. Who could that be? Her pace quickened.
Riberta glanced down to Jakob, and chuckled in response to his statement. "Things can get bigger, trust me." she remarked, before turning her attention to the freed vampiric knight. She lifted one of her spare blood canteens off her side, and held it up before her. "Need a drink?"
Elsewhere, Cassandra made her way through the dungeon. Looking into the various cells and cages as she went. There wasn't really anything she could do for them. All were long gone upstairs, and were simply there acting as trophies for Sazak and his children. She sighed, as she continued downward into the catacombs. But as she continued on, she began to notice the auras of a vampire in Ser Edmond's chamber. As well as the auras of a hybrid, a lycan, and two humans. Strange. Who could that be? Her pace quickened.
EdwardDewey98
Professional Argentine
With the efforts of Mariette and Venextos, Edmond was freed from his cage. While he looked at Mariette and her new companions, he extended his wings which had regenerated several years ago after his combat with Camille and Valeria. "....Y-You... have come, to save me... r-risking your own freedom for mine? You silly child..." The knight moved his face away, coughing clots of blood. He looked at Riberta, and the hybrid offered her a drink of blood. Which he gladly accepted. "I thank you..." He took a few sips from the cantine, and was tempted to hog the canteen and drink all of its content. But through his self control, he handed it back with a thankful look in his tired eyes. "Mariette... I thank you...You should have not... [heaving breathing] ...come here. You know what... Sazak might do to you... But... I will be damned if... I let that happen... I see that you are not alone..." Edmond stopped talking for a moment, looking at the door they just came from. "...And I see... that she's here as well."
K0mori
Servant Supreme
"What...?" Mariette started to say as she looked over her shoulder before the sensation hit her as well. "CASS!"
She practically screamed it. A moment later, Cassandra appeared in the doorway to find Mariette so relieved and overjoyed that she almost couldn't bear it. Mariette gesticulated wildly between the pureblood and her allies as she soon noticed the lack of chains on her counterpart. "D-did you escape? I came back for you and Edmond, and - and you weren't here! I was... I can't even describe the feeling!"
She practically screamed it. A moment later, Cassandra appeared in the doorway to find Mariette so relieved and overjoyed that she almost couldn't bear it. Mariette gesticulated wildly between the pureblood and her allies as she soon noticed the lack of chains on her counterpart. "D-did you escape? I came back for you and Edmond, and - and you weren't here! I was... I can't even describe the feeling!"
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