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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 12:47:03 GMT -6
A library? I wonder what sort of books this Van Halen fellow owns.
"Do people come here often?" Arcturus asked as he was trying to get used to the waterbreathing. "An underwater city like this would attract all sorts of scholars and researchers."
He swam slowly compared to Pearl but continued following her nonetheless.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 13:23:00 GMT -6
"How say, not very often. People who come get lead by master. He invites them." She swims into the courtyard. Two guards open the huge doors, but the water doesn't flow in. She enters the building, reverting to her regular form. Turning to face him, she says, "You must hunger. Let's eat first" She leads him down a maze of corridors that end at an extravagant dining room. At the head of the long table sits a man with pure white skin and long onyx hair. His golden eyes narrow as he sees Jam approach with Arcturus. "Jam I asked you to entertain our guest of honor, not invite him over." Jam begins panicking and speaks to her master in the ancient language, "I-I'm sorry master! I just wanted to take him up to the library. That's where the last person I met liked to go." He leans back sipping his wine. He continues to give her orders in Cleatian, "Take him to your room instead. If he refuses your favour then take him to the first floor only." He speaks louder to call the staff in the kitchen. "Make an extra plate for the unaccounted one." A group of Nymphs who can speak Cleatian fluently bring out the rest of Arcturus' research group to the table. Jam grabs him by the arm, simply stating "Please follow."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 13:38:30 GMT -6
Van Halen... is a vampire? He doesn't seem to be a normal human, and that's the only kind of metahuman that fits him. Why would nymphs work for a vampire?
Arcturus' train of thought was broken when Pearl tugged at his arm.
"Of course." he responded kindly to the nymph as he followed.
She looks at me differently than the others. Her eyes are full of curiosity.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 14:07:27 GMT -6
This human seems nice. I hope master doesn't have plans for this one. She climbs three flights of stairs on the left wing of the main hall. Unlocking the very last door, she opens a plush room dressed to the nines in the softest fabrics available with a mostly scarlet color scheme and hot pink undertones. She plops down on the massive heart shaped bed, exhaling a content sigh upon crashing into the horde of pillows. " She sits up and nervously looks towards her guest. "J-Jam not like sisters. Jam still... what word for it? V-virgin. Sisters spend many nights on master, but master say I too naive for it. He say I shouldn't involve in lust I not want. B-b-b-b-b-b-b-but if Arcturus want to.." She takes in a deep breath and steels her resolve, "Jam is ready. U-unless he prefer library."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 14:15:46 GMT -6
"Let's go to the library." Arcturus spoke as he turned his head and blushed. "I'm not sure you're ready for what you're asking for. I know I'm not ready. Such a thing should be reserved for marriage."
Why does she have those pleading eyes? Does she not understand?
Arcturus then turned back towards Pearl and sat on the bed.
"The bed is comfy though." he admitted with a smile. "So, where is the library?"
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 14:35:08 GMT -6
Jam pounces on Arcturus hugging him with joy in her eyes "So nice! Library in building over there." She points out the window to the largest spire of the castle. It's surrounded by several watch towers and armed guards in light armor. Jam opens the window, and once again the water does not enter the room, not even the gap created by the arc. She jumps out in the water waiting for Arcturus to follow before closing the window. She swims down to the base of the spire where two more guards open the gate. With a bow they enter the first floor of the spiraling library. The first floor contained mostly novels of adventures and murder mysteries. It also had several type-3 spell books from the old days and one book of forbidden type-3 spells Alucard forgot to put away. The forbidden book had a sinister aura of it's own. Jam looks quizzically at Arcturus, "Marriage... What is marriage? Is it tasty?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 15:07:21 GMT -6
"Marriage is a form of bond." Arcturus answered as he set his hand down on one of the Type-3 books. "When a man and a woman fall in love, they later undergo marriage. This means that they make a promise that they will stay faithful to eachother and help eachother no matter the cost. It also means that they are ready to have a child. My country forbids interracial marriage though. That means that a human cannot marry a creature of the metahuman or pseudohuman class. Your master Van Halen is a metahuman, while you are a pseudohuman."
I don't see how this could be useful to her though. It's sad. She might never leave this lake.
Arcturus then focused his mind toward the books, specifically the one with the different aura.
This one is definitely more valuable. I probably won't have time to discover its true secrets though. After all, this is probably a one-of-a-kind book that Van Halen wouldn't dare part with. The others he more likely than not cares less about.
He opened the book and found himself at a page labeled "Dimensional Fusion".
Not useful at all.
He turned a couple more pages to a chapter on "Gravity Obliteration".
Too dangerous.
He turned back several hundred pages in the dark tome to find a section on "Time Travel."
Excellent. Let's see...
"Time Travel is incredibly unstable and if the proper precautions aren't taken, will result in disaster. The ritual is fairly easy, but the prerequisites are very costly. First, you must find a temporal anomaly, which appear in places where two different timestreams cross eachother. Then, the caster must sacrifice his soul. When the caster dies, his soul will be forever trapped inside his body, unable to find rest. However, once the ritual is completed once, it can be repeated infinite times. There is a problem with this. If the spell is abused, it can create holes in time, unmaking reality itself. This is why this spell is forbidden."
Arcturus slammed the book shut before looking around for anything that could destroy it.
Now I see why this book has its dark aura. This knowledge is far too dangerous in the wrong hands. Actually, it would be best to keep it here, where no one could find it. After all, a book containing such power can't easily be destroyed.
"Pearl, why was your master interested in me?" he asked the nymph who just stared at him. "He didn't look at me like food, but like if I was a book, a game.
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Post by GX1997 on Jan 30, 2014 15:20:07 GMT -6
The next day brought light rain, and Elia figured she would be stuck inside all day. She was supposed to help clean in the monastery that morning after helping with breakfast.
Might as well start with cleaning my room.
As Elia walked back into her room, she saw that her roomate had obviously been looking for something. Several of the boxes from underneath her bed were pulled out, their contents strewn in the floor.
Like usual...
Elia sighed and cleaned up the mess, carefully putting her roomate's belongings into the correct boxes. After that she slid the boxes back under the bed, and turned to her side of the room. A few books were out of place on the shelf, and the desk needed to be cleaned off because of regular everyday clutter. Within just a few minutes the desk was clean, and Elia was sitting in the floor reading, instead of putting the books away like she should.
Some time later there was a knock on the door, and Elia sprung up, just then noticing how she had lost track of time.
"One moment, please!"
Elia quickly closed the last book and shoved it into a random place on the shelf. She ran to the door, almost tripping on a broom as she did. When she answered the door one of the elders stood there, a slightly disappointed look on her face.
"Elia, dear, you should have been helping in other parts of the monastery by now. We were starting to worry about you."
Elia hung her head, and didn't say anything. Then she felt and hand on her shoulder, and looked back up to see the elder smiling gently.
"Let me help you. It looks like you still have a few things to do," said the elder.
"Elder Sophia, you don't have to do that..."
Despite Elia's protests, she let the elder come inside and help. As Elia swept the floor, the elder spoke.
"Look at all these books, some of them are out of place. I bet you were reading, weren't you?" Sophia asked with a knowing smile. "You're so young Elia. I know things here seem dull now, while the stories in your books seem very interesting. But you'll soon find your place in the world. You'll find adventure when you do, and I know that you'll do great things."
"You... you really think so?" asked Elia.
Sophia nodded, and gave Elia a reassuring hug. The scene clearly showed the elder's compassion and motherly love for Elia. All of it was seen by someone standing in the shadows, who was beginning to change their plans based on what they had just seen.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 15:40:07 GMT -6
Jam thinks back to when she received her orders, "Master not say. He ask to keep company, but no say why. Me thinks it because of thing inside you. Posses very special power." She then ponders on what he said about marriage. She goes to grab a book of the shelf labeled The Tale of Beren and Luthien. She presents it to him, promptly asking, "In book, two people even though different race find love. They try make union, but law not let them. So man prove himself to Elf King, and they allow union. Why your kingdom not do that? If there is love, why law try hinder it?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 15:55:05 GMT -6
"Well, it creates problems." Arcturus told her as he looked at the cover of the book. "You see, less-than-stellar individuals may seek pseudohumans over humans because of their, talents. Since they can often bring more pleasure with their unique properties, less and less humans would mate together, creating a lessening and aging population. This wouldn't be a problem if interracial children could mate themselves, but this is sadly not the case. That child would inherit properties from both parents, making it able to perform Magick to an extent and other special feats like breathing fire if the other parent was a weredrake or some other creature. It creates so much variety, but due to our biological limitations, would result in disaster. In short, you and I could have a child, and that child could perform both Magick and become water like you. However, that said child could not create children of its own, resulting in disaster for many species. All else aside, true love that breaks such barriers is incredibly rare. All the random variables required to form such a beautiful thing are fickle and incalculable."
He paused for a bit to put the book down at his side.
"I'm sorry if that was a bit long, but knowledge is seldom a bad thing." he smiled as he sat down in a nearby chair.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 16:37:31 GMT -6
"Then rule ban creepy, not love? They make exception then, right?" She sits in his lap shifting into her water form. "Master like it when sisters rest like this. Say water feel good on skin."
"Why yes I did make that remark at some point didn't I." Alucard appears before them from seemingly out of nowhere. Clusters of mist that weren't there before begin to lift, revealing his research team in chains. He instantaneously teleports in front of Arcturus and picks him up by the head. He begins an incantation that causes Jam and the other nymphs to fall to the floor clutching their ears. "Namus' Alalašnan, tukum šargad dirig!" A tatto of a crescent moon inside a sun burns itself into Arcturus skin as Alucard drops him back in the chair.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 16:58:15 GMT -6
"Dammit what was that for!?" Arcturus shouted in pain as he clutched his forehead in pain.
He could feel the smoke coming off of the mark, but he felt something worse, much worse.
"What have you done to me?" he stated much more calmly than his last remark. "What curse have you placed upon my flesh?"
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 17:20:30 GMT -6
"A promise." The whisper coldly passes by his ear. "It is a promise of the soul. You will come back before a years time to kill me, or the flesh will become stone and the soul trapped for eternity." He passes his fingers into Arcturus' skin, draining a little bit of his mana. With such a small dose he erases the space between him and the girl holding a rod. He pushes his other hand into her neck and completely drains her of life, blood, and magik. The husk falls to the floor and he drains even more of Arcturus' mana. He begins incanting a teleportation spell. He reaches out to his mind as small portals surround the rest of the group and Jam. So much potential inside you. Unlock it Arcturus Galatine, Unlock it and show me the limitless potential of humanity! As a parting gift for our pact take the failure with you. Consider her my gift to you. Don't disappoint me now, or the fate of that girl will follow everyone you love. I'll be watching. The group falls outside of Arcturus' house without the chains. Jam sits up groggily, sobbing into the sleeves of the tunic.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 18:05:57 GMT -6
Arcturus watched as his surroundings changed from Van Halen's library to his own home. He took a quick look around to notice that everyone was dazed, including Professor Rhynn. Well, all of them save Pearl, who was bawling her eyes out onto her sleeve. Arcturus slowly walked over to her and hugged her from behind.
"Why are you sad?" he whispered into her ear. "Did your master say something to you?"
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 18:26:24 GMT -6
"M-masters hugging me right now." She buries her head in his shoulder letting the tears stream down. "Mr. Alucard has just banished me from home."
"Jam have selfish request master, please don't leave me." She continues to cry into his shoulders. She shifts into her water form causing the tears to become mana conducting crystals.
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Post by GX1997 on Jan 30, 2014 18:34:56 GMT -6
"Hello Elia," said Jacob as he saw her while he was on his way to the entrance of the monastery.
He has his bow and several arrows. He must be going hunting.
"Did it stop raining?"
Jacob took Elia's hand and led her out into the courtyard without saying a word, allowing her to see for herself that it had stopped.
"It's been a while since you last went hunting, Jacob," she said.
"That's true...," he said, clearly in thought about something. "Elia, if you're not busy, would you like to come?"
I haven't used my bow in a long time, but I know where it's at. I could just stay inside, but what would I do then?
"I don't know. Where exactly are you planning on hunting today?"
Jacob took a map out of his pocket and flatened it out on the edge of a nearby fountain. He had marked all his favorite places to hunt, but one location was relatively new.
"See this?" he asked as he pointed to the area, which was near the old ruins. "I've started hunting here. There are a lot of animals because it's near a stream. It's not far away, it will only take a few minutes to reach it. The only reason it might be longer is if I have to wait for someone to get her bow..."
Elia smiled, and looked back inside the monastery for a moment before giving him an answer.
"Just let me grab my bow and get into something better suited for hunting. I promise to be quick!"
~ ~ ~
"I can't let Elia and I get too distanced. Even if we aren't getting to spend much time together lately," Jacob said to himself quietly, just minutes before Elia returned.
"I'm ready, so let's go."
He nodded, and lead the way to where they would hunt. Along the way he caught Elia looking at the walls of the ruined garden, which they were using as a landmark to help them navigate the forest. They were covered in ivy and surrounded by overgrown shrubs, so he wasn't sure why she kept looking at them.
After turning around the corner of the walls, they walked a short distance before heading west from a large rock. Soon a clearing came into view, and they could hear the sound of a stream flowing through it.
"We're here," he said quietly, as he took an arrow from his quiver. "Want to have target practice while we wait for game?"
"Yeah. Let's see if I can still beat you."
~ ~ ~
I didn't think I would be this rusty...
Despite not doing very well and failing to kill two rabbits, both she and Jacob had laughed and enjoyed their time in the forest. They sat down in the clearing beside the stream, and started to talk at a normal volume again.
"Elia, can I ask you something?"
She nodded as she wondered why he had suddenly become more serious.
"You kept looking at the walls of the old ruins on the way here. Why? You disappear sometimes during the day, does that have anything to do with this?"
Should I? It's been a long time, and I've never told him about it. Jacob might enjoy seeing my garden.
Elia took a deep breath and stood up, motioning for Jacob to follow her. Smiling, but still silent, she lead him to the old apple tree where she knew the entrance she was. Pushing the loose bricks inside the walls of the garden, she turned back to him.
"After you."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 18:52:50 GMT -6
"I won't leave you." Arcturus assured her as he hugged her tighter. "That would be too cruel."
He continued to hold her tightly to calm her and comfort her.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Jan 30, 2014 19:18:32 GMT -6
"Thank you master." The tears stop, but she continues sobbing for a few more minutes. Eventually she shuts her eyes and drifts off in his arms.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jan 30, 2014 19:31:20 GMT -6
He held Pearl in his arms and looked down at her soft face.
I could never hurt you. I promise to keep you. I'm never going to give you up, I'm never going to let you down. I'm never going to turn around and desert you.
He picked her up in a bridal position and carried her into his house and upstairs to his room, ignoring everyone else who was sitting outside. He removed the covers off of his bed and set her down, careful not to disturb her as he laid down next to her.
This should be fine for tonight.
Within minutes, he too had fallen asleep despite the impending doom cast upon him by Van Halen.
One year, huh. That should be plenty.
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Post by GX1997 on Jan 30, 2014 20:28:09 GMT -6
Elia and Jacob wandered the garden, as Elia explained how she found it. Jacob said very little, likely more interested in exploring.
"Jacob, how about I let you look around and you meet me by the stream in the center of the garden?"
"Okay Elia. Thank you for showing me this place, by the way. I always wondered what it was really like inside," Jacob said while still carefully examining the ruins. "I'll meet up with you soon."
Elia waited to see if he would even turn around and look at her, but he never did. She then left and quickly found the path to her favorite place by the stream.
He must be really, really interested in the ruins... it was almost like he was ignoring me.
She sighed and walked to the edge of the water, looking at it and reflecting on her day.
I wonder if this is supposed to be my place in the world... but even Jacob doesn't pay attention to me now that he's here. Maybe this is where he belongs, but not me...
She closed her eyes for a moment as the breeze caught a loose lock of her hair, and a break in the clouds allowed the sun to warm her back. When she reopened her eyes, she saw something reflecting that light in the stream. As she reached down to pick it up, something seemed off within the garden.
Is something wrong?
Elia slipped whatever it was in her pocket as she began to look around for any sign of Jacob. When she didn't see him, she stopped to listen. The garden had become quiet, almost sinister.
"Jacob? Are you... are you close? Jacob?"
As she could feel panic starting to take over, she started walking around the garden while looking for him. She kept searching until she had checked every corner of the garden, and still hadn't found him.
M-maybe he just went back to the monastery. I should look for him there.
After searching the monastery, Elia still couldn't find Jacob. No one else had seen him either. So she went back to her room, and packed up some of her things.
I have enough food and water for several days. I have clothes for both warmer and colder weather. I've already put on my coat for travelling. I have my knife and I still have my bow and quiver.
Elia was about to walk out of her room when she remembered that she had found something in the stream. Taking a moment to slip it out of her pocket and look at it, she found it was an old ring.
It must be from when this place was still a castle, and that garden would have been in normal use. I should keep it, I might be able to sell it if I need money.
Elia put it back in her pocket and then left the room, and eventually walked back to her garden. Her plan was to search for Jacob in it and the surrounding areas again. She had worried about it getting dark at first, but she decided that she would use her magic if that helped her find her only friend.
I'll find him soon. I know it. And I won't go back until I do!
Elia crawled through the hole, and back into her garden. The sun was setting, and it wouldn't be long before the garden and it's ruins would seem like a very different world than the one she knew. She quickly decided to go back and walk along the stream, to see if Jacob had went there to try and find her.
I'm coming. Just please, be okay. Be okay, at least for me...
As Elia walked along the edge of the water, her instincts told her something was very wrong.
"Jacob! If you're there, answer me!"
Silence. Not even birds chirping. Elia then started running until one of the walls was in sight.
Something's not right. Is that... is that a hole in the wall? But that means someone had to take down the boards-
"Elia Arrington, I presume?" a voice from behind her said. As she turned to face the source of the voice, it continued. "I'm sorry to be the one to inform you of this, but you will no longer being living at this monastery."
The voice had come from a man in a dark blue and black uniform, with bronze plates providing some armor. She couldn't figure out if it was a military uniform or that of a mercenary. The one thing that she was sure of, was that not only was that man imposing, but he surely had allies nearby.
"W-who are you?!"
"That's highly irrelevant. Since you didn't say no, I assume you are in fact Elia. We won't hurt you," he said as two more men stepped out from the shadows to stand beside him, "but I do ask that you come peacefully. That will makes things much simpler for all of us, Elia."
"But... I-"
Elia was frozen in fear, and didn't notice the sound of others walking towards her from outside of the garden's walls. Before she could do anything else, a voice in the back of her mind was urging her to just close her eyes, and she couldn't fight it. A Type-4 mage had already managed to gain control over much of her mind, and was forcing her to lose consciousness.
"Don't worry, you won't be alone. You'll be able to see your friend again once we take you to your new home," was the last thing she heard.
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