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Meditations
Posted: 21 Apr 2004 03:31 PM |
The Fall, part 1
...he fought alone in the darkness. The invisible, incorporeal demons made their presence felt by the pain of the slashing claws that rent flesh from the bone. Even his training could not protect him. He could stop one blow by instinct, only to have two more strike home. He would lash out only to discover that again, there was nothing there to strike. Even so, he still managed to find them. Two of the powerful demons already lay dead at his feet, but at least three more still surrounded him, with more being summoned every moment.
"Get out now!" he called to his companion. "Run away while I distract them".
After that, there was no time to think, only to fight. There could be no escape in this life, only victory.
...
The two dark ones stepped into the room. One was female and beautiful, her bearing filled with purpose and power. The other was a male and by appearances, her guardian. Together, they looked over the remains of the disemboweled and dismembered human.
"Well, well, well... what do we have here?"
"Look Mistress, it appears to be another fool"
"Yes. Quite the sight... the Mariliths did an excellent job gutting this one"
...
Death itself isn't painful. Oh, the manner of ones death may be unpleasant or even downright gruesome, but the moment of death, the actual moment when the soul finally releases its grip on the flesh is painless, even pleasant. What follows then is the euphoria of flying, as the soul slips free of its earthly bonds and rises high into the heavens. What lay beyond only remained a promise, for he had never taken the journey that far. One does not think about it, one just goes with it is meant to.
It was not the first time this soul had experienced this.
...
"Shall I cut it up as feed for the Choldrith?"
The dark female stopped for a moment in thought.
"No. I do say they prefer the taste of elf flesh to the foul taste of those disgusting humans"
As she spoke, she kicked the offending bits of corpse away from her.
"As you say Mistress, and this one does smells worst then most"
"We could have a lark with him..."
Evil laugher chuckled away from the protector’s lips. "Yes Mistress? What did you have in mind?"
"I could forcefully recall his spirit and speak with it"
"That would be.... amusing. Perhaps you could let it argue for its mortal life before you torture this pathetic spirit?"
"Yes, I think I would like that. We could see if perhaps the spirit wishes to return to its corporeal form. It would be fun"
"Maybe it could even be made to serve"
The female nodded her assent only briefly as she began to speak words of great power over the corpse.
...
How does one measure time in a timeless place? The transition of the soul from the mortal realm to its final resting places takes time, but one cannot say whether it takes a day, a month or a year or more, only that it takes some time.
The soul continued upwards, gradually releasing itself from its memories, its worries and its cares. But it was not to be. Words were spoken, a request was made, and a link established when the soul was grabbed by something icy cold, sharp in its intensity. Suddenly, the soul came crashing back down while the claw of dark energy merged within it. All at once, it all came back to him. The pain of his death, the horrible memories of recent events, the abandonment by his so-called "friends"; the people he trusted with his life, the hatred of his own weakness and failures, and the burning desire to have his body back whole as it should be
The spirit stood over the corpse from which it had fallen, taking in its surrounding, coming to grips to its new state. It then turned and stared directly into the female’s eyes.
"Hmmm, this is a powerful spirit. Look at the form he has taken? Interesting." The female addressed the spirit directly, "Tell me, once human. Do you with to return to your corporeal form? Go on. Speak! I demand it!"
Without thinking, anger and hate formed its reply, "The dead are always envious of the living; of course I would."
"Do you not think it ... unwise?"
"I know there would be a price, there is always a price"
The smile grew on the female’s face; such a willing victim she had.
The guardian spoke up, "Unwise indeed, as unwise as it was for you to venture here, fool!"
The spirit turned towards the guardian briefly before speaking. "It is the prerogative of the living to be foolish, for they never learn until it is too late"
"And so it appears to be the same for the dead. You will set a fitting price, perhaps, mistress?"
"Of course it shall be fitting! The price WILL be heavy..."
The spirit took a half step over, its eyes gleaming with its inner desire. "And what price would that be, my mistress? You command me in death, so shall you command me in life?
"Oh, you may choose to be my willing servant in death, or I shall give you life, either way, you shall pay my price." The female laughed as if only she could understand the joke, the wicked edge of which was unfelt by the spirit before her.
"Your power is indeed great mistress. I am most unworthy to be your servant". The guardian then turned and laughed at the spirit.
The female smiled at the male, the lust of power over others growing within her.
"Will you pay the price?"
"No price would be too great...even though the living may regret it afterwards; the dead care little for these things."
"Then you wish life through me?"
"I wish it...if it be your whim"
"Very well then, you are dismissed!"
With a wave her hands and a few words of undoing, the spirit was smashed away from her presence. The spirit felt itself falling, plummeting, memories again being stripped away, only this time excruciatingly. The pain of old wounds intensified as the darkness increased.
With that deed done, the female prepared herself. "Avenger, do not let anything interrupt me whilst I bring back my fool" She turned towards the corpse and started her fell chants.
...
Being raised from the dead is a truly interesting experience. One is all comfortable and warm, floating free to ones final destination when gently, ever so gently, a voice quietly and softly calls out to you, like a mother calling her child awake from a deep sleep, or like the words spoken between new lovers. "It is not yet time for you, your body, friends and family await". And just as gently as it begins, the process reverses as a firm, yet encouraging force guides the soul back down into the bonds of a newly restored physical body.
This time, however, was completely different
The soul felt as if it was being shredded and torn, eaten and then spat out. The pain of a thousand knives stabbed deeply into the soul leaving scars and the memory of scars. An unholy presence whispered dark things, promises, and more pain. "You are mine and you will serve me now". Finally the soul was slammed back down into a badly broken shell, which slowly and painfully knitted itself back together, the healing wounds screaming in agony.
....
He picked himself up off the floor, his memories a confusion of pain and horror, a nightmare too terrible to recall. His eyes wildly looked around trying to gather enough of his wits to understand what was happening.
The female addressed him. "Unwise one, look at me!"
Slowly he turned towards her. "You...you have rescued me. I...I was dreaming...
"Yes. I have." She laughed. The very thought of which she seemed to find amusing.
He stood there trying to understand the meaning of it all when it came back to him. "There will be a price."
"But are you willing to pay the price, Unwise one? That is the question."
"I am in your debt"
"Yes, yes you are."
"It is now no longer a question of whether I will or not, only a question of what and how"
The dark female smiled again. "You are cursed now."
The two dark ones laughed wickedly at how their afternoons sport was turning out. How delicious it was for them to see how helplessly in her power he was.
He realized that the words, once spoken, were as true as the fact that he was alive. "Aye... so I am."
"Good. It's so much easier when they understand that. There are many things that you will be called upon to do. Failure to do them will result in the worsening of the curse. Already you can feel it growing inside you, yes?" She didn't need an answer.
"What would you have me do that would lift the curse?" The resignation on his face told the dark female all she needed to know.
"The crystalline stones, bring them to me, the red ones." As she spoke of the stones, her eyes gained in intensity and madness.
"How many?"
*smack*
Without warning she backhanded him across the face with her gauntlet. His head rocked back. Blood tickled down from site of his mouth from the force of the blow.
"All of them fool! There are two now in the lands above. Therefore I want both! Where there are three! I want three!" The madness in her face and eyes grew in intensity. "When there are four! I want all four! Do you understand fool?!
He nodded is agreement, "I understand".
If you fail me, I will make you wish you had lay there rotting for an eternity! You have no idea of the pain that the Atalan can bringeth. No Idea! You have only just gotten the smallest taste of it"
The dark male spoke up. "The mistress' power is great Unwise one. It would not do to cross her."
"Do NOT fail me."
Again, he nodded in agreement. "You are gracious in your victory, it shall be as you command, I shall seek out your stones"
"Take this." The dark female reached into a pouch and pulled out a large dagger like tooth. "When you have the stones, use it to contact me." She tossed the item at his feet.
"Let me say one more thing, fool, and I do this out of the goodness of my exceedingly kind and forgiving heart. Dispell all notion that you can possibly double-cross me, or rally against the Atalan. You cannot. Your only hope to continue your pathetic existence is to serve the Atalan."
"Now go!"
Luther turned and left. The full implications of the events had not yet been understood by his confused mind. |
Purpose in life: finding better ways of allowing players to kill themselves. Repeatedly.
--
"...Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good."
--
<@James42> Lawful good isn't in your vocabulary, it's on your menu.
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Re: Meditations
Posted: 21 Apr 2004 05:21 PM |
*OOC*
Well thanks for this most interesting and well written piece! You truly ought to write more. :)
Things just got a little more interesting eh... :P
*OOC* |
Luther McIath: I see, so [X is] the right person in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.
[Fictrix] ... And can speak French, like both! Wait, I mean Elven. |
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Meditations: The Fall, part 2
Posted: 22 Apr 2004 10:47 AM |
He fled Undreath as fast as his feet could carry him. News had already spread and the dark ones had let him pass, except for the ones at the entrance. In his eagerness to escape this place he smashed their skulls together, killing the mage instantly. The warrior's helm protected him, but not his neck as it was then twisted around to an impossible angle, his flailings for naught. By the time the warrior's body hit the ground, he had already sprinted up the stairs towards the open air.
...
He wandered aimlessly, knowing not where to go and who to so. He avoided all those he knew. Those he was unable to avoid, he spoke not too them of anything of importance. Still he wandered randomly.
...
He found himself standing before the Seven Sisters; a place he had been many times before. How many times he lost count. It had always been a place of healing.
Sister Mina smiled warmly as he walked into the door. "Luther! How nice to see one our frequent guests walk in on his own two feet for a change. It's been so long since we have seen you last. How have you been?"
He greeted his cheery welcomer with silence.
"May I see Sister Florence please Sister Mina?"
"Luther, what's wrong? I know you well enough by now to know that something is bothering you."
"Please Sister, it..." his voice trailed off, not knowing what words to say next.
"Very well Luther, I shan't push. She can be found in her room. You know where to find her".
He walked slowly down the hall; still not sure of what he wanted to accomplish here. He entered Sister Florence's room. Wordlessly he looked up at her, his face saying nothing, his eyes telling all.
Sister Florence took it all in for a moment, "Ah, Mr. McIath. Perhaps you would like to make a donation to our order? We are always in need of the things gold can buy. I know that giving always make me feel better"
He reached for his money pouch and upended it onto her desk, the contents spilling forth. The riches lay across the table but did nothing to heal his pain.
"My, my, my. That is very kind of you Luther". Sister Florence looked him squarely in the eyes and said, "I cannot imagine to think what weight seems to press upon you." She paused in thought for a moment before continuing, "This is a house of healing the body, not of the soul, and no amount of gold will change that. I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do for you here, your path lies elsewhere"
For the first time he looked her squarely in the eyes and nodded.
Luther turned around and quietly left the Seven Sisters. |
Purpose in life: finding better ways of allowing players to kill themselves. Repeatedly.
--
"...Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good."
--
<@James42> Lawful good isn't in your vocabulary, it's on your menu.
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Re: Meditations: The Fall, part 2
Posted: 22 Apr 2004 01:17 PM |
OOC :
This is great :)
More, More *applauds*
Jane
aka Solitaire
aka Iyana Fiirhaart |
- Solitaire, Wizard
- Ilyana Fiirhaart, High Priestess of Naruth |
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Re: Meditations: The Fall, part 2
Posted: 22 Apr 2004 02:39 PM |
OOC
Absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed reading this so much I read it twice.
Thanks!
Trishy
OOC |
Trishy
Macha Sparrowsong - Song is my life
Coretta Alandar - Cleric of Midoran
Dekla Debena - whatever
Not all people who wander are lost.
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intermission
Posted: 15 Oct 2006 03:59 PM |
((not having the talent for writing as well or as fast as the rest of you do, the documentation of this story was never finished - writing is *hard* especially when trying to compete with the rest of you! 
still, something important happened and I'll write that one up. this is just a placeholder for me)) |
Purpose in life: finding better ways of allowing players to kill themselves. Repeatedly.
--
"...Cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world taste good."
--
<@James42> Lawful good isn't in your vocabulary, it's on your menu.
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Re: intermission
Posted: 28 Mar 2014 02:52 PM |
((not having the talent for writing as well or as fast as the rest of you do, the documentation of this story was never finished - writing is *hard* especially when trying to compete with the rest of you!
still, something important happened and I'll write that one up. this is just a placeholder for me))
...still waiting! :P
Cheers,
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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