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| Forbidden Magic; Three amigos are back | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 16 2014, 02:07 AM (9,070 Views) | |
| RiddleMeThis396 | Jun 16 2014, 02:07 AM Post #1 |
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LET US.....BEGIN!! |
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| mallyapple19 | Jun 16 2014, 02:39 AM Post #2 |
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~ They called it The Sanctuary in mirthful irony of it's dark purpose. The walls were made of solid, dark stone that rose up 200 feet and curved into an ebony-glassed dome that at it's peak was 300 feet above the Initiate's head. The walls of the Sanctuary were adorned with nothing but floor length black silk tapestries that had a single white symbol embroidered on them -- the symbol of the Order. His footsteps barely echoed as he stopped at the beginning of the 100 foot walk to what would be the alter in a normal temple or place of worship. There were no pews here, no chairs, just empty space of stone, interrupted only by the pillars that kept this hidden place standing. He was dressed from head to toe in the garments of an Initiate -- intricate black leather armor held onto his body by leather straps and the occasional buckle. Over his armor, he wore a deep grey, full length robe with an over-large hood that hid his sun-soaked skin, ebony hair, and rich, dark brown eyes. The outfit would have been stifling if the Sanctuary wasn't a few degrees above freezing. After all, they were at least a thousand feet below the surface of the light-drenched world above them. This place had never seen daylight and never would. The only light source were smokeless torches that were placed intermittently on the pillars. The flames didn't burn a warm, welcoming orange, but a deep sapphire, and at their heart, white. The Initiate saw them file in, one by one, from the aisles along the outer rim of the Sanctuary. Six of them, draped in heavy, full robes like his own, save they were of the deepest black money could buy. They gave away nothing to gender or age. Their hoods were not as large as his, but each of the six wore a mask, forged of of a precious metal in the face that the wearer felt best suited them. The took their seats around a crescent table that soon, the Initiate would be standing in the middle of. He could hear the low vibrations of their murmurs, but nothing more ; the Sanctuary was not forgiving to sound. It absorbed it, fed off of it. After a brief pause, a voice, skewed presumably by the mask they wore, called out: "Come forward, Initiate." He began walking without hesitation. He had dreamt of this day, played it through his mind a thousand times (he had counted). His boots made no sound on the stone as he took each step with purpose, with surety, with self-satisfaction. He deserved this. He had been born for this. As he took his place in the middle of the crescent table, six pairs of metal eyes gleamed out at him, given faces only by the blue candles that were burning in front of each body. There were no words spoken as he settled into his place. He could hear his own heart beating steadily, not quickened by nerves or fear, but a sure, steady rhythm that had come to annoy him here and again. "Remove the threads of your life, Initiate," came another voice, to his left, he concluded. Piece by piece, the Initiate removed the life he had built with the Order. His robe dropped first - his academic instruction. He had been locked in the Order's library, forced to read and memorize text after text, tome after tome, scroll after endless scroll. But now, his mind was sharp and infallible, able to remember and notice the tiniest of details. Then his greaves, boots, and bracers - his weapons mastery. Forced to learn and perfect every weapon known to man, as well as the art of making his surroundings a weapon. Lastly, his chestpiece - his training. Gruesome, torment, torture, unending misery. His body and mind had been broken and rebuilt time and time again to achieve the Order's perfection. Now, it could never be broken again. When nothing remained and he stood nude in front of six metal-faced bodies, he made no attempt to cover himself, to show any discomfort. He was at his very weakest, utterly exposed. He was an infant again, being reborn into a new life with a new, glorious purpose. All six robed people stood in unison. They had been chanting quietly as he disrobed, mantras in a language known only to them; to the Order. Their voices rose with each dropped item until they were now chanting loud enough that even the Sanctuary couldn't stifle them. They walked around the crescent table, standing in a close circle around him. He kept his head held high, his eyes straight forward. The first hurt the worst. He hadn't been prepared to feel the white hot brand pressing between his shoulder blades. His flesh sizzled and his stomach, which had been empty now for six days, turned over itself at the smell. Just when he was about to grasp himself, the second brand pressed against the front of his right thigh. More sizzling, more agony. A third brand, on his left thigh. His vision was going black. If he lost consciousness, if he even wavered, they would end him here and now. His right hand was pulled forward, a fourth brand pressed into his palm. Unbearable suffering. His left hand, a fifth brand pressed into his palm. His knees were weak, but he willed them to stay straight. The chanting suddenly stopped. After each branding, the Order member had stepped back until there was one left. The highest among them all, though they claimed equality. His mask was made of solid, glittering gold with a vicious scar ruining the perfection. He had no brand, much to the Initiate's relief. None of this had been told to him. No one had been allowed to utter what happened during this rite. "By the laws of men, you are an abomination. You are heartless. You are ruthless. You are darkness incarnate," he said, his voice monotoned and muted. "By the laws of the Natural Order, you are a hero, a savior, a god amongst men. You will hunt down the Heretics and you will Purge them. You, our Grand Master, will bring them cold, irreversible Sleep from which they will never wake." He held out a glimmering vial of clear liquid to the Initiate, who was still struggling with the feeling of his body wrapped in flames. "Drink heartily and you will save our world." a The Initiate, never breaking his forward gaze, lifted the vial to his lips and tilted the liquid into his mouth. It stayed on his tongue, tasteless, for a moment before it set his mouth aflame. It burned it's way down his throat and he could feel every symbol of the Order burning it's way into his body. His eyes clamped shut of their own volition. The liquid burned through his entire body until suddenly the agony stopped. His eyes flashed open and the deep haziness of brown was gone, replaced by a brilliant blue-white, mirroring the flames that burned around them. He looked down and watched, in awe, as his skin twisted and writhed around his bones until yet another, final symbol seemed to push itself out from the depths of his shattered soul. The gold-masked man smiled beneath his mask as he watched the alchemy burn it's way through the naked man's body. It was done. "Grand Master," he said reverently, bowing low, each of his compatriots doing the same. He stayed for a moment before all of them rose back to full standing position. "Welcome home." ~ |
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| never_fade_away | Jun 16 2014, 03:09 AM Post #3 |
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"So... where are we off to next?" Asta Bancroft asked her older cousin as she looked over at him. Aleron Jacobson was quiet for a while as their horses plodded along the road. "I'm not sure yet." He finally admitted, his deep voice quiet but able to carry across over to her easily. She loved her cousin's voice because it was so easy to understand and it simply had a soothing cadence to it. "Can it be somewhere warmer? I'm not really feeling the snow right now." She admitted as she sat back on her giant horse Camulos some, loosening her tight grip on his mane. Asta was odd, she rode her horse bareback; having decided to never mock her noble charge with a saddle. To her, he was not a beast of burden, but a noble creature to respect. "If you wish, Asta. Would you prefer to see the coasts? I know of a stretch of red sand that I think you would find fascinating. Or would you want something more like the desert?" Aleron asked her, having once never looked at her. His eyes were always on the road or the surroundings. Always keep watch; you never knew what would be lurking in the shadows. Asta thought about the question as she twirled her braided blonde hair around her finger. "The coast." She finally decided as she smiled over at him. He simply inclined his head. "There is a rather large town about two leagues from here. We can stop there for the night and resupply before heading out." He told her as he picked up their plodding pace to a nice canter. "Don't we need money for supplies?" She asked as she picked up her pace as well. It was around midday so by the time they would arrive, it would be in time for an early supper. "I've got us covered, don't worry." Aleron assured her as he finally looked over at her and offered a smile. - When the two finally made it into town, Asta was starved. She looked around curiously from atop her giant horse, having never been to this town before. That was the great thing about travelling with her cousin; everyday was a new adventure. Back in her old village, she never would have guess that one day she would be travelling the world and uncovering all of its secrets. It was yet another thing to thank Aleron for and be grateful. "Here's some money, go find some food and I'll meet you at the Sleeping Boar later tonight. Remember that name." He told her as she nodded and took the coin purse from him. Before she could say anything else, Aleron was off and Asta was left on her own until that night. What was a safe thing to do that didn't accidentally get them kicked out? |
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| RiddleMeThis396 | Jun 16 2014, 03:13 AM Post #4 |
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Millicent forced a smile as Lelia finished up her corset. “M’lady, why do you insist on going into the marketplace? It is a dangerous place for a young woman like yourself.” She insisted for the millionth time. “I will be fine. Alek has never let anything happen to me. Never lets me out of his sight. Aside, why should I trust others to get my things? I fear they’d just as well poison me. You know better than to trust anything out of Damon’s mouth or hand.” She said simply, though her voice was soft as usual as she slipped on the green traveling dress and waited as Lelia buttoned up the back. She stole a glance in the mirror, tilting her head a little as her red hair was moved out of the way. It was only pinned back in the front by two braids. Her make-up was very simple and the only jewelry to speak of was her pendant. The pendant from her father. She instinctively reached up, the metal cold to the touch even through her gloves. “I still think you are better off sending someone else…” Millicent turned then, placing her gloved hands on the older woman’s face and smiled sweetly. “I will be fine. Just as I always am.” She assured her once more before climbing down from the pedestal to grab her cloak and bag. Her boots made soft clacks against the stone floors of the palace as she made her way downstairs. She had just clasped her cloak around her neck when Kida appeared from the hall. “It’s not fair you get to go to the market, Milli, but I don’t…” She said simply, following her sister towards the main gates. “Trust me, it is nothing to be jealous of, little one.” Millicent mused with a small smile as her sister huffed. She knew the only reason her step-father let her out of the castle was in the hopes she would be kidnapped or worse. Not that her mother cared much more. She shook her head as she realized Kida was speaking again. “Alek is waiting for ye. Does he ever smile? He doesn’t look like much fun.” “Now, Kida, you know he takes his job very seriously. He can’t very well be seen goofing off, not can he?” She asked, laughing softly as her sister huffed. “I still think I would be more fun….” “I told you, love, you’re too young. Too easy to lose. When you’re older I will take you.” Millicent smiled as her sister seemed contented by the answer. At only nine years old, Kida had a lot to learn but Millicent didn’t want to speed the process any. She looked up to see Alek waiting, stoic as always, by the front gates. “I guess he’s cute at least…” “Kida!” “He is…” She giggled as her sister squirmed uncomfortably. Milli had always been weird about boys. No matter how handsome the suitor she always turned them away. “Father says Prince Phillip is coming back tonight.” “Joy.” Millicent grumbled, sighing and giving her sister a quick hug. “I’ll see you later. You have to save me.” She mused, glad when her sister giggled. She watched as she ran off before finally approaching Alek with a small smile. “Ready?” |
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| mallyapple19 | Jun 16 2014, 03:25 AM Post #5 |
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The afternoon sun was relentless today as it bared down on Alek in his full Royal Guard regalia; he never could understand why they were required to wear full regalia when on duty. Most of the slobs that were hired could barely move in it, much less fend off attackers if it came to that. Fortunately, Alek had accustomed himself to the armor instantly, feeling almost... uncomfortable now when not in it. It was perfectly polished silver armor and a heavy or light cloak (depending on the season) with the Royal crest on it and their weapon of choice. Alek's was a greatsword nearly the height of himself, but when he wasn't guarding the palace, he chose a simple longsword that could be pulled from it's sheath much faster than a hundred and fifty pound beast. His sharp brown eyes looked over the instant he picked up the voice of the Princess, soft as it was. He had been leaning against the wall, but straightened immediately as she made eye contact with him. "My Lady," he said, his voice strong, albeit respectfully quiet. "I am always ready." -- "No, you'll give me th'price we agreed on at first sale and that's the final of it," Farron folded her long arms over her chest as she stared at the tanner. "I don't care what you consider 'life risking situation reparations', I'm not paying a bedamned copper more. Do you really want to lose my business, right in the middle of the hot seasons, you lecher?" She was glaring at his weak-chinned, bearded face. Her voice had raised since she'd arrived to pick up her order and now people were starting to look over, just as she'd planned. Make a scene and she was bound to get her way. No one wanted to deal with a picky tanner.... not when there were at least 10 others within non-sweating walking distance. |
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| RiddleMeThis396 | Jun 16 2014, 03:29 AM Post #6 |
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Asta wouldn't have to wait in boredom long. Soon there was a commotion as three young men rocketed down the street chased by what only could be the royal guard. "GET THEM!" "Time to split! Catch you guys later!" One flashed a grin and they each took off in a different direction, two down alleyways and the third through the main throng of people as he blended seamlessly into the busy marketplace. When he emerged from the crowd he was wearing a hat and a different shirt, skirting to the stall behind Asta as two of the guards ran past and nearly knocking her over in the process. She'd hear a deep, amused chuckle behind her as he paid the woman, laughing and shaking her head, for an apple. "Randon you're going to give your mum a heart attack if you boys keep this foolishness up." "Maybe...but she won't be wondering where dinner is coming from tonight." He mused, adjusting his cap as he flashed her an almost unsettlingly attractive grin. His attention finally caught Asta, "My apologies if I startled you. Apple for a pretty girl's forgiveness?" He mused with a smaller version of the same grin. |
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| RiddleMeThis396 | Jun 16 2014, 03:40 AM Post #7 |
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Millicent swallowed the laugh bubbling up as it always did when he greeted her. She didn't know why. "Why are you dressed so? You know you don't have to wear that horrid get-up with just me." She reminded him for the hundredth time. "You're no use to me if you pass out, m'lord." She added, knowing it probably wouldn't do much good. He was too much of a rule follower to ever break command, that much she had learned in her time with him. ((Middle dress: http://fortresstakes.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/legend_of_the_seeker_kahlan_costume.jpg but with thin brown gloves to cover her hands. )) |
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| never_fade_away | Jun 16 2014, 03:42 AM Post #8 |
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Asta was guiding Camulos through the rather crowded city street, eventually having to hop down off of his back and lead him by a hand on his shoulder. As she was walking with the throng, she heard a guard's voice shout loudly. Wincing, not used to the loud noises after a peaceful time on the roads with Aleron, she looked around. She barely had time to move her head when she the guards knocked into her and sent her flying. Squealing loudly, she was expecting one of her usual falls when Camulos stepped in front of her and halted her fall. She grasped his mane, blowing out a breath in relief. Hearing a chuckle behind her, she thought it was about her and going to comment, but thankfully stopped when she heard the voices accompanying it. Turning her head curiously, she caught the man paying the woman for an apple. Wait, wasn't that one of the guys the guards was chasing earlier? Since she was so short, it was hard to tell since she couldn't exactly look over everybody's heads. She watched as the man turned his grin and gaze on her and frowned. He was talking to her? Camulos snorted as he gave the man an unsavory look for a horse. "No thank you..." She trailed off, not sure what to make of this moment or what was going on. - Aleron had not witnessed anything of what was going on near Asta. Instead, he was making his way over to the blacksmith's to order a couple of things for them. As he was walking, he heard some raised voices and looked over to see a woman with her arms crossed arguing with a man. Shrugging it off as haggling, he continued to walk over towards the blacksmith's forge. |
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| mallyapple19 | Jun 16 2014, 03:46 AM Post #9 |
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Alek's eyes filtered over Millicent harmlessly, noting each item she was carrying with her. Pickpockets were the scourge of the city and he would be damned if they returned to the castle with her missing something; too much time would have passed and it would be fenced two or three times before they even noticed. He inclined his head and waved his gauntlet-covered hand for her to go ahead of him, though only two steps ahead of him at all times unless she requested more. He remained at her left flank, as was his station. He was not important enough in rank or to her to walk on her right side. "It's required, my Lady," he answered, injecting well-practiced apology into his tone. "I do apologize if it inconveniences you, but I assure you, I have never lost consciousness while in my regalia. You are safe." |
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| mallyapple19 | Jun 16 2014, 03:53 AM Post #10 |
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Farron stared at the tanner, glaring at him with icy white eyes. "So yes, you're going to give me my mats? At my price?" "Farey," came a small voice and subsequently, she felt two tugs on either side of her breeches. She peered down and saw two of her little brothers on either side of her, shit-eating grins on their faces.... which were literally covered in candied caramel. "You little fetchers! What did you do..." She started, her eyes catching a customer headed toward the forge. "Ugh, later. To the forge, scat! Go welcome our customer." They giggled madly and flailed off, Harlan, the five year old, faceplanting once before skittering back up and running after Elliot. They bolted past the man headed to the forge, passing on either side of him before planting themselves in the open archway of the forge like a midget gateway. |
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