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Post by Neo on May 19, 2015 15:54:04 GMT -6
"An explanation of why I'm in this state in the first place," Vincent reminds her, smiling. "Though I expect you already have a vague idea."
He moves to sit on the edge of the bed. "Tell me, Elia... When Krylla took over before... Do you remember anything about that experience?"
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Post by GX1997 on May 19, 2015 16:22:13 GMT -6
"The only time I fully lost control was while fighting Alucard... And then..."
Elia had been busy preparing the mana potion, but at that point her work slowed down, and then... just stopped, while a pained look crossed her face. "When she took over, I-... I don't really know what went on while she controlled my body. But my mind wasn't with my body, I know that, because of what I do remember. It's hard to recall what happened. I think wherever my mind was, what I was seeing... it was beyond my comprehension. All I could see was light, but in a sort of paradox it felt and seemed dark. And I could hear things... Tiny whispers I couldn't understand, and the impression of the words didn't stick in my mind, only that it happened. I felt disembodied, aptly enough, but I could still feel physical pain, and a different sensation of pain that I knew was because my body was comsumed by an overwhelming power that is too much for any human to sustain for long. Kryla had to be unleashing magick at a level humans have never been able to, unlocking it temporarily it seems. The whole time I felt like I couldn't breathe, and the pain combined with things I couldn't comprehend was just too much. I-... It's no wonder why I didn't wake up for days... Not only was I having to physically recover, but whatever I saw, felt, and heard during that time away from my body was so traumatizing my mind had to block it out, lest I lose myself permanently..."
As Kryla displaced my mind, did we simply switch places? Was my consciousness there, on the plane where the gods reside...?!
"Forgive me," Elia said as her strength faltered and she nearly fell to the ground. As soon as she pulled herself together she sat down next to Vincent. "I'm alright now. It's just that recalling those things is so consuming, you lose track of where you are and-... But I'm okay. Now I wonder... Is this what just happened to Silver as well? When I mentioned Mosck, she seemed to have a similar reaction. I'm worried that she may share a fate similar to mine..."
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Post by Neo on May 19, 2015 16:46:52 GMT -6
A look of sadness crossed Vincent's face, and he gently lifted Elia up into his lap, holding her tightly. So Elia noticed too...
"I've been worried about Silver for some time now," he breathes softly to her. "That's why I sent her to Nivian."
He closes his eyes. "Those thoughts, those whispers, those sights... Everything you couldn't comprehend... That was the Knowledge of the Gods, Elia. You were experiencing a very small portion of the Divine Plane. What you saw and felt Elia... That is what I experience on a daily basis, but infinitely worse. While you only glimpsed a tiny portion of the picture, I see everything. All realities, all pasts, all futures, all destinies, all dimensions, all universes across space and time... And what's more, I not only see it, but understand it. Normally, I can hold the information back, but when I sleep, especially during an important period of history... I can't stop it."
He takes a deep breath. "And now, when the gods are active... It's even worse. It floods my dreams, leaving me weak and helpless. But earlier... It was unbearable, even for me. A weaker being would have literally exploded, and even I... I am lucky to be alive. You see, Elia... I am powerful, yes, but I am only a descendant of the Old Gods, not one of them. My mind is not built to withstand this knowledge; I merely acquired it by accident. Eventually, Elia... Unless I can find a way to return the knowledge to its proper owners, it... It will kill me."
He tightens his arms around her. "These metal bands... They're a gift from my uncle. They're powerful artifacts designed to reinforce my mind, and help me cope. However... They will only delay the inevitable. I am living on borrowed time, Yekiri."
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Post by GX1997 on May 19, 2015 17:42:44 GMT -6
"Don't say such things..." she said, and then started to cry.
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 18:38:24 GMT -6
THE PREVIOUS DAY
With enough money received from the job with that cult, things seemed to somewhat look up for Irving: if all went well he shouldn't have any further problems going to Lucin as intended. Naturally, this meant that some unforeseen circumstance would rear its ugly head in the form of someone or something ambushing Irving on the trail in the middle of his trek. He woke up disarmed and in some dark cave somewhere, where he learned that he was ambushed by -- what else? -- kromars and another pact bearer. The abridged version of the guy's monologue is that the last pact bearer Irving and company killed was that guy's brother, and he's out for -- what else? -- revenge. Apparently, it was going to be a torturous end, which was what stopped Irving from invoking the Blood Oath he got from Vincent in a laughably short amount of time since receiving it.
After who-knows-how-many days later (Irving can't really see the sun, after all), it was time for Irving's "execution". Chained to the wall, he watched with a bored expression as the pact bearer and his two kromar cohorts approached with rusty knives.
"I will make you wail in pain and agony!" exclaimed the pact bearer.
Irving showed no reaction. "Oh yes. Please do."
"Tough guy eh? Let's see how tough you are after this!"
The pact bearer raised his knife.
-----
ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER
Irving tossed the pact bearer's severed head behind him as he left to explore the surprisingly small cave he was brought to. Fortunately, the majority of his stuff was thrown in a pile that the cave's occupants didn't seem to care for (or likely even know how to use in the ryfel's case).
"Well that was annoying", growled Irving. "Between my stuff and the crap I can scavenge from these ass****s, my supplies are fine. Question is... Where the hell am I?"
Irving punched a hole in the wall in frustration. "Damn it! What the hell is going to keep me from goin' where I need to go next?! A pact bearer cousin out for vengeance?! A dragon attack?! A smite of god?!"
He punched another section of the wall. "Whatever. I'll just sleep a bit and just wander aimlessly until I stumble upon something that tells me where the f*** I am."
Irving looked for anything resembling a bed to use.
-----
PRESENT DAY
Irving began his morning with the realization that his captors seemed to have lost the compass he had, meaning he was even more blind than he thought he was. Upon leaving the cave, he observed his surroundings. Crazed or not, he was in a bad mood.
"...This doesn't look like Jorkun or even Shiryu. How far away did that guy drag me from where I was? How long was I out, even? If I had to guess, I'd say I'm in Alibab, considering Cleatia's a little too far away to be believable. Just my luck."
Irving, making sure his ryfel was hidden by his robes, picked a direction at random and began his fruitless wandering. After what felt like an hour or so, he eventually saw a sign of actual human life, namely another person traveling the area. As Irving approached him, he couldn't help but note that the kid vaguely resembled a portrait of some emperor or member of nobility he once saw during his time in Cleatia... Only younger, of course. And potentially paler, though that could've just been the work of whoever painted the portrait in question taking some liberties with the paint.
"Hey, you!" said Irving. "I'll give you a coin if yer willin' to give me some directions. How about it?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 18:45:19 GMT -6
"Directions where?" Arcturus turned and asked, careful to keep himself covered.
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 18:50:25 GMT -6
"Anywhere, really", answered Irving. "I got no idea where I am, 'n' my stupid compass got stolen. Last I knew, I was in Jorkun."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 18:57:06 GMT -6
"That way." Arcturus sniffed the air as he pointed. "I'm heading over there."
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 18:58:58 GMT -6
"Very funny", said Irving. "Fine. I'll change the question, where am I?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 19:05:50 GMT -6
"I'm... not sure." Arcturus answered as he looked around for anything before putting his hand level with his shoulder "Have you seen a girl, yea tall, blonde, sort of gloomy?"
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 19:09:38 GMT -6
Great. Thanks for nothing.
"Tons of 'em", said Irving dismissively. "Varying degrees of gloominess, too. How about a name? You know, something useful for finding someone?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 19:11:27 GMT -6
"She goes by Elia." Arcturus put it bluntly. "She should be about my age."
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 19:19:57 GMT -6
Elia? Gloomy? When it came to the slavers, sure, but she was all smiles with that Vincent guy... Mostly.
Still, if she used "Rosetta" to hide who she is, chances are she don't want to be found.
"Hmm... Doesn't ring a bell", Irving lied. He decided to pry for information. "Tell ya what though, I'm a mercenary. If ya tell me why yer lookin' for her and give me some contact info, I'll let ya know if I learn somethin'. Heck, if she's important enough, I'll do it for free."
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Post by Neo on May 19, 2015 19:21:36 GMT -6
Vincent tenderly squeezed Elia, and began lovingly stroking her hair. He let her cry against him until her tears were finally spent, and then he lifted her chin to look up at him. He wiped away her tears with his other hand and smiled. "What happened to your faith in me, Yekiri? Does it evaporate so quickly? Weren't you the one who said we'd find a way to make this work, no matter what? Believe in me, my Elia. I will not leave you. I will find a way for us to be together, and nothing, or no one will stand in my way."
He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "Better now?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 19:28:18 GMT -6
"She's important to me." Arcturus answered as he looked Irving in the eye. "That, and she's vital to the safety of a very large number of people in a way she doesn't quite understand. She's probably not using her real name if she's hiding. Hopefully she's safe. Monsters aren't a very good thing."
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 19:31:26 GMT -6
"Vital to safety?" pried Irving. "How? She with government or something?"
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Post by GX1997 on May 19, 2015 19:39:17 GMT -6
"But that's exactly why I don't want you to talk like that. Neither one of us is living on borrowed time. We're living on our time, together," she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 19:40:03 GMT -6
"Sort of."
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Post by empireoffire on May 19, 2015 19:43:57 GMT -6
"...Are you from Cleatia, by any chance?" asked Irving, squinting.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on May 19, 2015 19:48:16 GMT -6
"Cleatia is a big place."
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