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Post by hoodwink on Mar 27, 2019 23:25:39 GMT -5
Was it a fluke? The jaguar had appeared right as the Vagabond had remembered it. Unable to recall the name of the friend he had met on this world, instead the memory had turned to one of the first enemies he had faced on this world. At the time, he hadn't been nearly as powerful, having fled from it. It had been a form of guardian from this world, though he wasn't sure exactly what kind. "I think...I get...how this...works now!" Speaking in between gulps of air as he sat on the floor of the tent, the researcher barked a laugh, followed by incessant coughing as he waved a hand. "No, no, we won't have to run anymore." Pushing himself up to his feet, the man dusted himself off.
Removing the steel blue jacket from around his torso, the Vagabond fashioned the hot layer around his waist. The brunette man wore a white t-shirt with a tidal wave graphic, finding relief in the adjustment. Boy...this jungle is hot... The heat caused him to remember an image of rushing waterfalls in a quiet cavern, hidden in the depths of the world. Suddenly the man jolted, hearing Ailill. "Focus solely on what happens next and remember there's an exit this time." His dull green eyes found the cloaked swordsman, a sheepish smirk emerging on his face as he rubbed the back of his head, further disturbing his already messy hair.
"Ah, yeah...seems I got caught up in the memory." The Vagabond let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head as he ducked through the tent entrance. Emerging back out into the clearing littered with luggage, the Vagabond lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the blaring sun. Towards their left was a small path, lined with tall rocky cliff sides. Pointing towards the direction of the path, the Vagabond spoke over his shoulder to his comrade. "C'mon, it's this way." Walking through the clearing and onto the path, the Vagabond and Ailill were soon surrounded by the tall cliff sides, small patches of green flora tufted out every now and then.
The faint stench of darkness filled the air, a familiar sensation washing over the researcher as the darkness called out to his heart. He could hear it, the heart of this world. It's just like before...! When he had come to this world searching for test subjects, he had sensed a strong presence of darkness deep within the Jungle. Following the scent had led him here, where the presence grew stronger. Due to the darkness already residing within the man, he couldn't feel the shift in gravity or pressure it had. But I didn't stick around here? It was slowly coming back to him as he took in his surroundings.
A portal of darkness lurked on one of the small tufts jutting out from the cliffside. Looking up at it, the Vagabond sensed a familiarity. There it is. He had abandoned them here, whoever his friend that he couldn't remember was. Thinking they had turned on him, the Vagabond had escaped and fled to where he had sensed the darkness. Hopping up to the tuft of grass, the researcher walked through the portal of darkness, motioning for Ailill to follow.
The two were brought forth into a dimly lit cavern, one where the entrance was shrouded by a large cascading waterfall. There were many other smaller waterfalls inside, echoing throughout the deep cave. "Here it is, the Heart of the World." The Vagabond sighed in relief as he stepped deeper into the cavern. Sure enough, in the deepest corner of the area was a tall wooden door, exactly like what they had seen in the foyer. Grasping the handle, the Vagabond pushed the door open, stepping up the flight of white stairs ahead.
It seems they had found the exit.
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Post by Ziya on Mar 28, 2019 14:34:35 GMT -5
Jason's heart hurt looking at what his love's aura resolved into. He knew it was going to get worse, but all he wanted was to hold him tightly. He did pull him into a hug, not as tight as he wanted, and rested his head on the wolf-king's shoulder.
Rand held his fiancee tighter as she cried into his arms, only letting go when she pulled back to speak. Instantly guilt flooded through him, quickly followed by anger. Not at her, obviously, but at the people of her past who had done this to her. So much pain was hidden in the bond as she smiled that it nearly drove him to tears.
Both men hesitated when Conrí asked who was going next. Both held pasts just as bad or worse than what they had just gone through, and neither wanted to put their love through that again. Instead, they shared a look as they attempted to decide.
"I will."
Jason and Rand's heads snapped to the middle of the room to see Mink, in their hoodie and with their Murgleis Astraeus at their hip, the crystal trailing just behind their left shoulder. An odd look was in their eyes, while their aura showed a mix of fear and determination.
"Mink-"
"No." They cut off their uncle with a sharp tone. "None of you are mentally prepared to face the others' pasts yet. You're all afraid, and that's just fine." They started walking toward the next floor slowly, continuing to speak all the while. "But this is something that you need to see through, and the longer it takes the more likely the worst outcome is. So," They stopped at the door, left hand on it as they turned back, "I'm going to show you a future far worse than any memory you have."
They took a breath, and then opened the door into what appeared to be Lucia's room on the Alyson. Certain things were different, such as a few more pictures of Mink and their parents when they were younger, though none showed them past the age of six. In the corner sat a heavily damaged prosthetic hand, a damaged silver gauntlet, and the shattered hilt of a black blade with a tattered ribbon attached.
Everything was more worn than they were used to, years of neglect evident even in the walls. Sitting on the bed produced a groan of springs as they looked at the others. "Welcome to the other side of my heart. Mom calls this the bad timeline." They took a deep breath, then gave the others a level look. "This is my memory. A world where Cefious, the Heartless of Null, killed everyone but my cousins Zane and Hannah, and me. Every single other person that I know was slaughtered just before my seventh birthday. This memory happened when I was fifteen."
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Post by Conrí on Mar 28, 2019 15:39:44 GMT -5
Ailill chuckled when he noticed his colleague taking off his jacket and tying it around his waist. He himself didn't feel the heat of the world as much, ever thankful that Tamara had managed to teach him that trick for not being affected by the heat or the cold. He smiled when the man explained that they wouldn't need to run anymore.
The cloaked man followed Ba'alzaemon out of the tent. He was curious as to why his colleague seemed to be sniffing at the air slightly. Shaking his head, he kept his focus on the path in front of him. He stopped and looked at the portal in front of them, and watched as The Vagabond stepped inside. He'd been motioned at to follow, so he did, but, he thought he felt something of sorrow when he had observed the other man before he'd stepped into the portal.
"Did something happen here, Ba'alzaemon?" Ailill asked as they exited the portal. He was blindsided by an intense feeling of pressure in his chest, as the Vagabond explained that they found the Heart of the world and the exit. Unconsciously, he laid a hand on the lad's shoulder and nearly fell to his knees. "Tell me more about this spot before we leave. It feels like this place is rejecting or calling to me, and I know not which." His breath was heavier than usual, and images of his world spun in and out of his head.
Conrí felt his lover's hug, and squeezed him nearly as hard as he could. He shuddered when Jason's head touched his shoulder, and he took a moment to breathe in the scent he loved so much. That caused him to relax, though, he could also tell from the auras from Rand and Jason that they were nearly crying like Éirín.
The wolf boy sighed and nearly just went for the door, when Mink stopped him by just suddenly being in the castle. He folded his arms over his chest, but, before he could stop them, they brought everyone into a memory of the future that made him nearly fall down after they had spoken.
The would be king just stared at Mink for a brief moment, before finally finding the words he wanted to say. "First, I am sorry that this ever happened. Second, if we couldn't handle each other's pasts in private, then how do you expect us to deal with this right now? Is it your intention to break us, then, changeling?"
Éirín finally recovered herself enough that she stopped smiling. "Mink, I need you to think through this carefully, like the adult you are now. We don't know for sure what Ailill has planned, but, shouldn't you actually be back there in the ship in this present, helping us avoid the worst outcome the best we can?"
She'd forced the pain out of the bond and replaced it with nothing. It had been a long time since she'd done this to herself, but, she did whatever it was that she needed to to get through it. "I suppose it is what it is now. Let's just get through this, then." She let go of Rand's hand and stepped forward. She knew something of the cruelties of time.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 30, 2019 1:09:39 GMT -5
The Vagabond walked through the cavern littered with waterfalls, noting how the Heart of the World appeared how he remembered it, safe and sound after had had absorbed its darkness. This was a significant world, the first that The Vagabond had realized his potential as a vessel of darkness. "Did something happen here, Ba'alzaemon?" Ailill's voice was heavy on his shoulder as the cloaked swordsman spoke out. The Vagabond looked over his shoulder for a moment, his dull matte eyes not betraying any emotion in the slightest. "Hm...you could say that..." He became seemingly lost in thought as his eyes wandered to the doorway that revealed the staircase.
"Tell me more about this spot before we leave. It feels like this place is rejecting or calling to me, I know not which." Raising an eyebrow a bit, The Vagabond looked around at the silent space, which harbored the Heart of the world they resided on. Well, technically we are in a memory... The thought tethered the researcher as he remembered how the castle worked. They were not actually at the Deep Jungle, instead simply in a recreation of it based on the man's loose memories. Glancing around, The Vagabond spoke absent-mindedly, almost as though he were remembering something long forgotten.
"This place...it was pivotal to my research." The man pulled up the hood of his unbuttoned steel blue jacket, shrouding his features as he walked away from the doorway and towards a dark snaking tunnel entrance so small one would have to crawl to fit in. "Deep within the gut of a world lies its heart, nestled safely in the core of it all. Some have guardians, while others have been left to rot." Raising his hands towards the ceiling, the hooded man looked up as though there were a sky above him.
"Did you know? Darkness doesn't really care what it resides in." The Vagabond was facing away from Ailill at this point, looking off at the cave wall as though there was something there that only he could see. His features were hidden by the shadows of his hood, though his head stayed fixed in that direction as he spoke. "As long as there's a vessel...it doesn't matter." Turning on his heels, the hooded man stepped back towards Ailill and the doorway, raising his finger as he spoke in an almost bored tone.
"That goes for anything's darkness. It isn't loyal, the darkness. It latches on to whoever opens themselves to it. It'll leave one vessel and move into the next without so much as a parting 'good-bye' or welcoming 'hello' to its host." Placing his hands in his jacket pockets, The Vagabond had returned to the doorway, placing a foot on one of the first steps that led up the staircase. Their exit.
"So, is your curiosity slated? I thought we had somewhere to be?" His tone wasn't harsh or agitated, simply unfocused and blunt.
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Post by Ziya on Mar 30, 2019 21:44:14 GMT -5
Mink looked from Conrí to Éirín before holding up a single finger. "One, none of you are nearly as emotionally invested in this as you are your own pasts. This is a dead timeline that can't ever happen now. Two," they held up a second finger, "I can time travel. I'm from after the mod was installed, and I'll pop back to when I left once were done here."
Jason finally spoke up. "They've got a point, much as I hate to admit it." He had been terrified to show the others his past, and if the others had anything close to what Éirín had gone through there...
"Okay then." Rand stood and walked over to the door, which had changed to match the doors within the ship to seal them in. "So what are we to do here?" He didn't know anything of what they were talking about, but they needed to advance as quickly as possible.
Rather than answer him directly, Mink addressed the ship"Aura, what's the ship's location?" The ship's speakers hissed with age for a moment before the familiar voice issued through them. "Certainly, Mink. We are currently within a mile of the ruins of Radiant Garden. Cefious will arrive on the planet within the hour."
Nodding, Mink rose and looked at the others again. "Right, so we need to get to where the base was. Back then we barely got there ahead of the horde of Heartless, and that's where we used time travel to get back here the first time."
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Post by Conrí on Mar 31, 2019 16:57:52 GMT -5
Ailill nodded when Ba'alzaemon explained everything. So, this was the heart of the world. He looked at it, and thought he heard a voice for a moment. It sounded like Tamara's, but, it wasn't. Chosen...you are a champion still...stand, and use the next two doors to find yourself.
The cloaked man shook himself slightly and wondered who's voice it had been. It seemed so familiar, but, then, it also seemed devious, too. He smiled sadly when the Vagabond asked him if he knew anything about Darkness. "I knew something. Anyway, let's continue on, shall we? I'll take the next two floors, then."
With a flourish, Ailill walked up the stairs and through the next door easily, not seeing the reason to rest. He stepped out into a familiar looking hallway. His blue-gray eyes stared back at him sharply, and a shiny stone like a pure white opal was hanging in the air about half an inch from the other man's face.
The stone floated back into his hands. "Why don't you ever listen, Therin? I've got my entire team of students working day and night trying to find any way to stop this before it leads to a war. Trust me, buachaill, you don't--"
The cloaked man tsked his tongue and started to turn to leave, knowing he was about to be thrown out anyway. He glanced at the woman who had just walked into the hall. "Ailill, Lews, can't you, for once stop your bickering? It's not like the world will end in a night."
Only because you haven't seen it, Illyena. Only because you haven't seen it. Ailill stopped, wondering why Therin hadn't yet thrown him out. He walked up close to the man who most would have considered intimidating. Listen to me for once, please. We're failing. There's no--"
Finally, the man held up his hand and shook his head.
Ailill sighed, only to be confused when he opened the door behind him not to a staircase, but to a stained glass panel, depicting a field of rose petals and Tamara kissing Therin. The cloaked man hit his knees, and the panel flickered out of existence, to be replaced with the pathway. A kind hand was on his shoulder. Then two.
He looked up and saw Illyena and Therin looking at him, their eyes clearly filled with concern. Therin asked him how hard he'd been pushing lately. Illyena, did I stop loving you? And, to answer that, friend, too hard... "I never stop, Therin. I can't afford to."
Instead of the memory ending, he found himself back on that stained glass platform, but this time, it showed him in place of Tamara. Ailill forced himself to his feet. "Champion. Losing my friends. Broadening my horizons." Whatever he was talking to caused the hilt of a blade to be stuck in the platform.
The panel disappeared again, and he found himself looking at Therin, a blush coming over his face, before he bowed, looked at the Vagabond and just left the house without another word.
Conrí grit his teeth and only calmed down when Jason admitted that Mink had a point. He just barely managed to keep his face from contorting into a glare. He breathed out when Rand asked what they all should be doing next. He wished he could just teleport there, but found himself stuck.
The wolf boy hated feeling stuck, and started pacing back and forth. "Portal?" He finally asked after a moment of silence.
Éirín raised a hand while glaring at Mink. She knew she'd done this often enough, but she lowered her hand. Becoming a goddess had given her a weird insight to those closest to her, or, had it? Knowing she'd taken this pose with her sib kid was somewhat off, it was more like a sense, unless the castle had started messing with her head, too.
The wolf girl smoothly lowered her hand, but, ice had taken over her eyes. She sighed. "Whatever." Her voice was hollow, almost empty, but, there was an edge of ice to it. She sat down and tried to force the memory to her will. There was something of a shifting, but, the best she could do was get them to the Maw, it seemed, and, she was aware that this should have been impossible. It wasn't her memory, was it?
The priestess smirked sadly and shook her head. "If we existed in this timeline, Rand, I'm certain we died here. But, that's an if. Not that it matters. Will this do, sib kid? Can we make it within the hour now?" There might have been a flicker of flame in her eyes. This is why I don't mess with time. They were a bunch of punks, from what I could see in Avalon, but Éiriú told me not to get involved that time.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 31, 2019 22:20:08 GMT -5
It seemed Ailill had a new spur of motivation, as the cloaked swordsman was swift with his scaling of the staircase that led to the next floor. The Vagabond shuddered at the thought of going through another of the man's memories. "I hope this one involves less running...and death." His tone was a mixture of forlorn and doubt, his dull matte eyes focused on the steps they took that led up to the large brown door. Ailill was quick to open it, the Vagabond following behind as the two emerged into a large hallway, unfamiliar to the researcher. The two suddenly came to a halt as a man that had the same eyes as Ailill stood in their path.
The shining stone suspended in the air made the Vagabond grateful for the hood he wore, shadowing his features and shielding him from the bright light. The two began to speak of things beyond the man, as an unknown woman emerged into the hallway as well. Where are these people coming from...? He was still so curious as to how this castle functioned. We aren't in the past...just in memories. But can they change? He had a handful of questions, this just being one of the more prominent ones. Suddenly the strange man opened a door, which at first led to a glass platform, shifting into a pathway. Ailill had collapsed onto his knees, causing the Vagabond to start forward, reaching a hand out momentarily before retracting it.
Let the memory pan out... There was a nagging feeling tugging at him, though he wasn't sure why, or what it was. Suddenly Ailill was out on the platform, talking to either himself or something the Vagabond couldn't see. What a peculiar memory. Where were they? Where a room such as that existed in a hallway? Everything moved a bit fast to the Vagabond, who stood in a stunned silence as the world shifted around him. Suddenly the two stood once more in front of the strange man, though Ailill was quick to bow and duck away. Habitually, the Vagabond flashed a single peace sign with his hand before following the cloaked swordsman out of the house.
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Post by Ziya on Apr 1, 2019 19:40:47 GMT -5
Mink started as the group was suddenly in the Maw, immediately dropping to the ground before looking at their surroundings in fear and hissing at Éirín. "You've taken us further away, and might have just killed us. These places don't work like your dreams. The more you try to break the rules, the more likely it is to break entirely."
Jason and Rand crouched cautiously, though the former whispered back as he did. "Why you afraid of the Heartless now? Back when you were 15 I'd understand, but you've faced way worse than even Orcus Heartless by now."
Mink looked him in the eye and said two words. "Demon Tides."
Jason immediately paled. "Tides? As in multiple?"
Mink nodded, then looked over at the others as Jason did the same, the latter explaining just what he was afraid of. "Demon Tides are Heartless that control Shadows and other Purebloods, the kind without emblems. The Purebloods that they control are basically part of their bodies, and can number in the millions. I heard that it took damn near a miracle to kill one, and they can't be reasoned with. Lucia at full power might be able to take one on, but even she'd probably need help."
"Right, which is why we need to get out of here ASAP. If they sense us, we're dead." Mink started moving from cover to cover, always keeping an eye out on the horizon as Jason motioned for the others to follow.
Rand did so, though he tried to stay near Éirín as well, keeping his voice to a murmur. "I would have tried the same thing, honestly. For now though, we should probably treat this as the waking world rather than a dream. Much as I wish it weren't"
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Post by Conrí on Apr 1, 2019 20:15:55 GMT -5
Ailill was sure the Vagabond was confused. But, what could he explain, really? Did he really love more than one person for that long and never say it? No, no. It had to be the madness. For some reason, he felt like he could conjure the hilt in his hand, but didn't. What would be the point? His head was spinning.
The cloaked man spent a full five minutes in silence, trying to remember what happened next, well, not quite. He wondered if changing that one thing would be too much strain to the memory itself. He summoned up his courage, and walked back to the door. He stood there, then knocked on it. Therin answered, to his horror and relief. "I know what I'm supposed to do, and I will go to it, Tamilyn, but...you should know that I--"
Stairs suddenly appeared in front of him. He sighed, crestfallen and just walked up them, hoping his colleague would just follow him. You should know that I hate you. The image of that stained glass with the hilt of the weapon sticking out of it bloomed in his mind out of protest, it seemed, but, he saw the one who reminded him of Tamara standing on it.
"It will make sense on the next floor, and I can explain what I can. Apologies, it seems this place is indiscriminate of what it does."
Well, excuuuuuuse me, princess for just trying to help and in the end make things worse. Éirín dropped to the ground, but very much did not want to follow orders, not after all of what she had just gone through and was now having to deal with. She really couldn't care less what this stupid memory of a long gone timeline was, but, at Rand's murmur, she managed a soft sigh.
The wolf girl took Rand's hand for a second, then pulled away, getting the strangest flash of a platform with roses on it. "Can't take this damn castle much longer," she growled under her breath. "I was prepared, and I warned you, but, no. Had I known that, I woulda just kept going on my own and pulling eejit through with me," she continued.
The priestess watched Conrí just following Jason and sniffed. She pulled away from Rand a bit without explanation, and had no intention of explaining later. She started rubbing her wrist where the bond seemed to manifest itself in her mind. Wherever they were going, she just wanted to get there and be done, and the little detour through la la land in hell wasn't helping anything.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 2, 2019 11:29:14 GMT -5
The Vagabond followed his comrade, silent in order to allow Ailill his own space and time to think. It seemed that the memories they were going through were causing some sort of stress for the man. This castle... It all seemed so familiar, the toll it had on others, the odd feeling of revisitation while not really remembering exactly how it all panned out. I wonder...what will happen if we forget our memories? What would the castle work on, then? "Maybe we aren't forgetting, but feeding it." The Vagabond's voice was a soft murmur to himself under the shadows of his hood.
His theory was this: This castle didn't cause people to forget their memories. It took their memories, using them to craft the floors that built it. The further one went, the more memories they would have to sacrifice. Give up memories to go through them and proceed through the castle. What a cruel and pointless cycle.
Grimacing a bit and lost in thought, the researcher followed the cloaked swordsman back to the house, where the man from before answered. As Ailill began to speak, the room seemed to shift into a staircase, no longer leading into the house. How odd... Was the memory cut off because of a change? Or did that count as completing it? There were many variables at play. "It will make sense on the next floor, and I can explain what I can. Apologies, it seems this place is indiscriminate of what it does." Ailill's response caused the Vagabond to nod in affirmation, thinking aloud again. "It does seem to have a mind of its own." A weak chuckle escaped his lips from beneath the shadows of his hood, shaking his head a bit.
What a weird place. It reminded him of another castle he had been too. It looked similar, but he couldn't really remember the details. Shrugging the thought off, the Vagabond followed Ailill up the staircase to the next large White Castle foyer.
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Post by Ziya on Apr 2, 2019 17:38:43 GMT -5
Jason followed Mink through the blasted landscape, making sure to keep his love close. Something was off about their aura, but he couldn't quite figure out what and so assumed that it was their trauma resurfacing. They seemed to be quite a bit more emotional than they used to be as well, but again, likely due to the memory.
Rand didn't know Mink well enough to pick up on the same things Jason was. Instead, he tried to watch the horizon as they moved, using what attention he could spare to listen to Éirín. He was worried about her, but also understood why she felt the way she did.
As they neared the city he noticed something near where they had been just minutes before. "What do these Demon Tides look like? Are they cyclones of Heartless several paces tall?"
Jason frowned and looked over his shoulder. "Yeah, but that's oddly specific for a guess. How did you..." He trailed off as he saw exactly that moving toward them and swore under his breath. "It hasn't seen us yet, but we've got to move!"
Mink looked back at that point and cursed as well, floating over the ruined buildings as their voice drifted down to the others. "I'll scout out the path, but we've got to move faster! If that thing sees us there's pretty much no hope!"
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Post by Conrí on Apr 2, 2019 19:44:49 GMT -5
Ailill sighed when he got to the next landing. His breath was ragged, and his brain was swimming. If you had acted out on that last platform just once, would he have understood it? He absentmindedly nodded in agreement to Ba'alzaemon's observations. "You are seemingly correct about that. This place is more unsettling than I thought. At first, I was thrilled to just see my wife again, but, now, it's like the castle is trying to make me face something greater."
The cloaked man sat for a while on the floor. It wasn't that he needed rest, it was that he needed to think for a moment. He motioned for the Vagabond to sit next to him. "The man you saw back there was the past life of the one with red hair we seek. You can still target him, but, there's something I need to make sure he hears first."
Ailill looked at his colleague, and he smiled softly. He started twidling with his fingers the way he did when he needed to solve a problem. "Do you have any follow ups to your observations? We are researchers after all."
Conrí would have snickered at Rand's specific description and Jason's reaction, but, instead, he found Fen at his side, and noticed that he had also transformed into a wolf. He looked back at his sister, and nodded. If she wouldn't get on his back, then Fen would pick her up, and that would be that.
The wolf boy grunted slightly, surprised that his sister had chosen him. The weight was different, but not unbearable. He decided he was fleeing a threat, and rushed twice in a row, hoping that would be enough. "Portal?" He asked Mink, who he was hoping would keep up with him.
Éirín barely glanced at Rand. She was shocked when her brother changed into a wolf and Fen appeared next to him. The glance given quickly hardened into a stern one. "If you can't keep up, arseling, hop on Fen. Whatever you do, do not bloody try to fight it. Consider that a prerequisite for marrying me. I prefer my husbands to be alive, generally speaking." With a wink, she was gone down the road Mink was scouting.
Fen looked at Rand and seemed to smirk. Can I take him through the spirit realm?
Sure. Wish I had that option. Anything beats this hell.
Wasn't this your idea?
Shut up, sheepdog. You're carrying a goddess here.
Well, excuuuus--
Don't. Had you manned up and actually done ya damn duty none of this shite would be happening right now.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 3, 2019 0:09:12 GMT -5
As the two emerged into the large white foyer, Ailill's voice echoed off of the massive looming walls and high ceiling. "This place is more unsettling than I thought. At first I was thrilled to just see my wife again," The woman from the first memory? In the field of flowers? Or the one that he threw into the Bore? "but, now, it's like the castle is trying to make me face something greater." A chill ran through the Vagabond's spine, gazing at his friend from beneath his hood as the cloaked swordsman sat on the floor. Having followed him across the foyer, the Vagabond continued past his comrade to the steps across the hall, sliding a finger across the white pedestals that guarded the stairs up to the next platform.
"The man you saw back there was the past life of the one with red hair we seek." The Vagabond's head jolted towards the direction of the swordsman. He was curious as to how he would have the memory of someone else's past life. How old is he? He didn't look ancient, but looks could be deceiving. "You can still target him, but, there's something I need to make sure he hears first." The Vagabond simply shrugged, his hands in his open jacket pockets as he tapped the ground with his foot. "I'm simply following your lead here. Cashing in the favor, and all." Its not as though he had chosen to come to the castle, it was simply where Ailill had needed him and his assistance for the task at hand. He wouldn't do anything without Ailill's command when it came to the confrontation. Truthfully, he hoped the swordsman would end up being powerful enough to deal with most of it.
He grimaced from within the shadows of his hood, he wondered how strong the others they would meet with were. Most of his combat experience resided with fighting Heartless, it was not often he fought others that weren't creatures of the dark. "Do you have any follow ups to your observations? We are researchers, after all." The question floated through the air, cutting through the foyer as the hooded man crossed his arms in thought.
"Well...as we've discovered, it seems this place works by leeching off of our memories." The Vagabond walked back over towards Ailill, gazing up at the high ceiling above them. "We'll keep forgetting things, as each memory is plucked from our brains and into the castle, forming the floors that keep going up and up." His pale finger rose into the air, pointing up towards the ceiling. "Basically, it's not that we're forgetting, but rather that the castle is stealing our memories to form its own floors." Already having fractured memories, the researcher was curious as to how one restored the missing pieces after visiting such a place.
"What I'm curious about is whether or not we'll get them back..." His voice trailed off, his shrouded gaze falling to the floor as he pondered the thought.
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Post by Ziya on Apr 3, 2019 13:47:05 GMT -5
Without thinking twice Rand nodded in thanks to the wolf before climbing on, grateful that his new blade no longer had to sit at his belt. "I'm sorry for this, Fenrir. I'm fully aware that wolves don't usually like to be ridden, thanks to my friend Perrin, who is a wolfbrother. Please bear with it until we are safe."
Jason quickly started to sprint after the others, a black energy enveloping him as he used Darkness Augmentation to keep up. He could tell that Conrí and Éirín were arguing based on their auras flickering back and forth, but he was too focused on running to tell them to stop. Likely for the best, given that they were both stressed and anxious.
Mink flew down to the others, pointing out the safest path as they also shook their hear at Conrí's comment. "The castle uses these memories to teach and test. Trying to bypass certain things by using dream abilities or portals will only force it it achieve those things in other ways. That's probably why the Demon Tide showed up at all, actually."
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Post by Conrí on Apr 3, 2019 15:48:49 GMT -5
Ailill listened carefully to the other man's observations. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. He slid to his feet easily and looked at the door across from him. He wanted to wait for the others, and part of him wanted to carry on. He sighed after he felt that the silence had stretched on for too long.
"So, if I focused on a very specific memory, do you think the castle would pick that one or not?" It occurred to the man that if he could manipulate the castle, then he might finally be able to get Therin, or at least some version of him, to hear what Ailill had to say.
But, what is more important for him to hear? That I waited for so long? That I fought for so long? That I hurt for so long? Or, would I rather tell him that I-- For the second time that day, the man blushed and shook his head.
"I really don't know what we will regain anymore. But, there are things that are stronger than memories." The cloaked man went forward to the door, touched the handle and pushed it open, to reveal another room with a long table in it. Many of the seats were filled, and he held a finger to his lips when he looked at the Vagabond as he took his seat.
The scene shifted back to a platform of stained glass roses and there was a white wolf in the middle of it before it disappeared, then seemed to reappear with the man he'd waited for so long to see on its back. Suddenly, in a cloud of darkness, the hilt from before was in his hand, and he was amazed to find a complete weapon there. This is it, then. A chance to tell him...what? "Therin...I...just...end me!"
Éirín glared at Mink when they went closer to her and Conrí. It's not like she knew the rules of this place. She stroked behind her brother's ear subconsciously. She looked behind her, but could only see that Jason was keeping up. Perhaps Rand was being taken through the spirit realm.
The wolf girl shrugged at Mink. "If you're expecting an apology when I was only trying to help, you can forget it. Since you brought it up, though, what are you supposed to learn from this then, since it's your memory?"
Fenrir yawned when Rand finished speaking, and then growled playfully when the man was suddenly on his back, as though the wolf was a horse. This made Fenrir chuckle, and he seemed to flash out of existence. The wolf left Rand alone in the spirit realm for a few moments, and appeared confused by what he'd seen while he wandered off. Still, the wolf came back for the man and trotted off to find Conrí, but instead found himself back on the platform of roses. He gave Rand an apologetic look.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 3, 2019 16:13:42 GMT -5
"So, if I focus on a very specific memory, do you think the castle would pick that one or not?" The question hung in the air, causing the Vagabond to put a pale finger to his chin in thought, finally shrugging as he mumbled. "Not sure..." There was only one way to find out, really, though the researcher couldn't see why not. "I really don't know what we will regain anymore. But, there are things that are stronger than memories." The words reassured the Vagabond, who nodded and followed after the cloaked swordsman as they approached the next door.
Within was a room with a long table. Keeping silent beneath his hood, as instructed by Ailill, the Vagabond lurked against one of the walls. As the scene shifted before them, there was a slight feeling of nausea as the room disappeared, reassembling itself into another stained glass platform. In the center of the platform was the man from the earlier memory, seated upon a white wolf. The creature was beautiful, causing the Vagabond's gaze to linger in awe from beneath the shadows. There was a weapon that appeared in Ailill's hand as the swordsman shouted out: "Therin...I...just...end me!"
The Vagabond started, taking a step forward as he reached a hand out towards his comrade. Was this part of the memory, or a plea? Not knowing what would happen, dark pools began to emerge on the Vagabond's back over his steel blue jacket. The large hands didn't appear yet, though they were ready to be summoned and strike if need be. He couldn't just let the man die, after all, Ailill was leading the expedition through this crazy castle. Standing in a battle ready position, the Vagabond remained behind his comrade, waiting to see what the man on the wolf would do.
He would defend Ailill if he must. The Vagabond wouldn't allow himself to be stranded in this bizarre place.
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Post by Ziya on Apr 3, 2019 19:55:22 GMT -5
Mink turned, and Jason could clearly see the annoyance on their face as they flew backwards. "This memory is one of my biggest regrets, okay? I abandoned this entire timeline for the hope of a better one, because I was too damn weak to save this one." Jason's eyes narrowed at their words, but none of it differed from what they had told him before the fight with Null.
Suddenly, he noticed that Rand and Fenrir were nowhere to be found. Or sensed, for that matter. "Hey Éirín, where'd Rand get taken to? Is he going to be waiting for us at the base?" They were more than halfway there now, but a quick glance behind him showed that their lead was rapidly shrinking despite their speed.
Rand looked about him with concern as he suddenly ended up on a platform depicting a field of roses. In the center he made out what appeared to be his former life kissing a woman he recognized. "Tamara Marien Suchandyani... But that isn't right." Frowning, he tried to change the image, only to be interrupted by Ailill appearing across from him.
Zavilat'a'Aman came to his hand without thought in reaction to a similar blade materializing in the hand of the man before him. The appearance of the blade contrasted sharply with his words, leaving Rand cautious but concerned. "I am not Lews Therin anymore, Ailill. Nor will I fight you, other than to defend myself or those I care about. We can Heal you of the taint and find Tamara."
Willing the platform to its proper form, his previous live was replaced by the man before him. "This is your heart, Ailill. You're the one who Tamara fell for, not me. All I want is to help you be happy again. I swear on the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth."
He prayed that Ailill would listen.
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Post by Conrí on Apr 3, 2019 20:35:47 GMT -5
Ailill looked at the Vagabond and held out his free hand. "I will be okay. At ease, lad. You might want to cover your eyes, though." He stared at the man in front of him, and nearly felt like his tongue was caught in his mouth. He looked down at the weapon in his hand and hesitated. "Why?" The word barely reached his ears, but, his gaze was trained on Rand.
"Burn me, but why should I flaming listen to you, bleedin' Rand bloody burning al'flaming Thor. The Bloody Dragon Reborn who couldn't be bothered to listen to me when he was the flaming strongest person in the world?" The cloaked man looked down, and realised the platform had changed back to what it had been that had left him so confused in the first place, only to be replaced by the table.
Everyone was staring at him with shocked expressions. What had he done that time? His eyes found Therin and realised he'd hit his mark that time with the shiny stone. He swallowed, cleared his throat and bowed. Then the platform appeared and Rand was there again. "Mother's milk in a cup! Save your flaming oaths. They're just empty words from a lad who doesn't even realise--I hate you, so, why is it that you are here? We'll be at the top, and then, we will see this through."
The table appeared again, and he found himself being restrained by Therin. The man's steely eyes were enough of a warning, but, the platform appeared one last time as he was in the middle of his apology. "--the stress, but, I dedicate myself again to the Tamilyn and his wishes." The whisper seemed to fill the room, and suddenly, stairs were in front of him. Rand was gone. The platform had cracked, and wisps of darkness were spilling from the opening.
Éirín lowered her head. "Weak never has crossed my mind to describe you. We're running from certain death, sure, but, you are facing it and leading us through. That isn't weakness. Have you ever thought of training to become a deity?" The wolf girl winked and urged Conrí to go faster.
The wolf girl turned when she heard Jason speak. She felt Rand still, faintly, and, he felt far away and more like Fenrir. "He's in the spirit realm or elsewhere in the castle. The bond is hard to read. I can have them meet us there." She sent her thoughts to Fenrir as a favour.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 3, 2019 22:06:54 GMT -5
The environment was a whirlwind of shifting scenery as the room took one form and another all too quickly for the Vagabond to keep up. Fighting the waves of nausea crashing upon him, the hooded man staggered and clutched at his head. Voices rang through, though to the researcher they were muffled echoes. None of it made sense to him. What are these memories?! He had experienced his own fractured recollection, but nothing like this. The way memories seemed to mesh and morph together, almost as if the memory couldn't decide what to show.
Was any of this real? Which parts were the true memory? Were others alterations?
His head was spinning as the stairs appeared, the environment finally solidifying as the researcher yelled out in glee. Rushing over to the doorway, the Vagabond made his way up some of the stairs that surely led to another castle foyer. Holding his head a bit, he turned his gaze to the doorway and waited for Ailill. "Just...what was that?" He muttered to himself absently, regaining his senses as he stood on the stark white staircase. It was still an odd sight, the staircase of a building with a whole world outside of the doorway. Such an odd place...
Turning forward, the Vagabond made his way up into the empty white foyer, thankful for the respite as he leaned against a nearby wall. Slumping a bit into the sitting position, he was thankful for the solid ground and environment around him. Everything shifting so suddenly was so jarring to him. His memories seem to be in a chaotic state of flux. Truthfully, the researcher could hardly process everything he had seen. It seemed like something one would need a glimpse into a long backstory for, with complicated relations and hierarchies and turmoil.
How exhausting. For a moment, the Vagabond felt a pang of pity for his comrade.
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Post by Ziya on Apr 4, 2019 15:17:12 GMT -5
Rand lowered his eyes as Ailill rightfully tore into him verbally. He had been a horribly blind person back then, and was more than willing to prove that he was no longer as prideful or ignorant of others. Before he could, the man before him flickered off of the platform for a moment.
He returned shortly, immediately continuing the tirade, only to disappear once more and remain gone. Hanging his head, Rand spoke to the empty space. "You cared for me, and I couldn't see that. I was a blind fool, in more ways than one. Now I see that your fall was aided by my inaction, just as with Mierin's and, through that, the world's."
Clenching his hand tighter on his keyblade, he stood in silence for a moment before dismissing it and turning to Fenrir again. "I'm sorry to have gotten you involved in this, Fenrir. Please, let us leave this place."
Jason nodded gratefully as Éirín confirmed that Rand was still there. He watched as Mink continued to fly facing them as they listened to her. Suddenly he felt an odd pressure in his mind that vanished just before they spoke again. "Haven't thought of that, but yeah, I guess I'm stronger now. Do you really think me being a deity would be a good idea though?"
Jason had to laugh at the thought, though he also knew that he, Jen, and especially Lucia were already bordering on that distinction anyhow. He wouldn't be surprised if Mink ended up on that level at some point, but being an actual deity would require more responsibility than they were usually comfortable with.
Suddenly he felt himself slowing again, letting out a growl of frustration as his Augmentation faded. No longer able to keep up, he quickly fell behind as they raced ahead. "Keep going," he shouted before he fell out of earshot, "I'll catch up!"
While still running, he summoned his Dustflier in a large swirl of Darkness. "Steve! Sorry buddy, but I need a ride!" Without pausing he jumped on the Heartless, quickly closing the gap once more.
Meanwhile, the Demon Tide had grown both larger and closer as it absorbed more of the Heartless throughout the city. The sudden appearance of the stronger Heartless finally drew its attention to the small group of powerful hearts nearing the edge of the city, and with an inhuman roar that resembled a tornado mixed with a Behemoth it began to bear down on them.
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