MASKTOURN

At the very top of the cliffy mountains stands the Acropolis. The complex appears to be a temple of sorts- decorated in ornate relief and supported by fine-carved pillars. The only entrance to the sprawling, surprisingly intact structure is a large, open gateway built into the mountain stone, easily accessible by the paths that wind up the mountain face. Once one passes through this, they find themselves in a great, open chamber that comprises most of the temple space. There are low, rectangular  basins for handwashing near the chamber entrance, but no other furnishings. Long, thin skylights line the ceiling, illuminating the empty chamber. This place is clearly meant for worship, but how, exactly, is one meant to worship here? At the very back of the temple is a freestanding wall, decorated in ornate high relief. Behind the wall, one can find open passageways to other parts of the temple.

The reliefs depict five figures, organized symmetrically, with two figures on each side, surrounding one in the middle. The figures on each side gaze longingly at the center figure: a round-faced, elegant woman with wavy hair and a serene smile. She holds forth a low basin, filled with the same water held in the hand washing basins. On her immediate left is the figure of a stern, shorter woman, whose hair is wrapped in an embroidered scarf, and on her immediate right is a slim, long-faced androgynous figure with straight hair wrapped into an ornate style. The far left and far right plinths are both occupied by men- on the left, a square-jawed, heavy-browed man with the aire of a poet about him, and on the right, a lithe, bony man, whose identity is far harder to discern. The figure on the far right has been decapitated, despite the apparent lack of wear on the rest of the relief. No remains of the broken statue can be seen anywhere. There are two more empty plinths on either side of the relief- the one on the outside left appears as if it might've once held a statue, while the one on the outside right is empty and new.

To investigate this wall, roll a divine intuition check and notify me. (edited)

All things considered, they weren't bad at hiking. They just really hated it. Ellie would adore this hike, though. Nice, not too steep, not too...awful. If it was 'a pain in the ass and absolutely terrible' for them, it would be a breeze for her. How was Ellie doing? Did she come home yet? Was she worried? Did it think he went home, too? Was she living her life as she was before? Ace pants heavily at the top of the stairs, clearly worn out and exhausted from that impromptu hiking trip. It wasn't like he had sneakers or anything- just these sandals- and maybe hiking up this thing while nauseous and sore was just a terrible idea to begin with. A circular observatory-like building wasn't too far down from where he was standing. He could look inside afterwards- and from how high up he was, he could actually see And there, not too far in the distance- bits of fields, and just an endless expanse of water. Ocean. "Ah," he sighs, groaning inwardly. That itself didn't seem to be the best view. "Great. hou leng. Fucking beautiful." Was there a port? Maybe. He hadn't explored this place in it's entirety yet. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... As he turned his back to the large door opening, he'd be able to smell an increasingly pungent odor wafting from the inside. It smelled like dying, rotting roadkill that not even the vultures would want to pick through. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"h." Near instantly, Ace whirls on his heel, magic coalescing at his fingertips. By the time he's turned fully, he's drawn back a bow and arrow made of pure mana. A glowing, golden arrow sits waiting, at the ready for his command. The scholar just...stands there, string pulled absolutely taut as he aims into the depths of the hall? Interior? Whatever that is. "Reveal yourself," Ace calls, eyes narrowed into a squint. It reeks. "Who are you." [Rot, decay, death; meat? Corpses- rotting corpses.] @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The glow did nothing to penetrate the darkness residing within the temple. Or the stench. Slowly, dark green tendrils crept out from beyond the doorway toward him. They thinned and slowed as they approached, fully stopping as they neared the sunlight. ".. A.. al.. a.. alb..." A voice responded from beyond the door. The tendrils curled closer toward Ace but.. They didn't look as threatening. The voice itself was muffled and echo-ey, as if spoken from far beyond the door in front of him. It was a bit gruff, but still feminine. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Their eyes widen the fraction of an inch as the tendrils present itself from beyond the dark, but aside from that, they show no outward shred of fear. [Internally, they are withering away, and silently wishing they had not decided to go on this hike.] The longer they stand here, the more their head begins to hurt. Nausea returns yet again, building in the pit of their chest now. It really reeks. They lower their head slightly to focus better on the nearest vine, fingers starting to ache. Shit. And it speaks- not the tendrils, but a voice from the darkness. It's unfamiliar, as most things are here, but it does not sound malicious. The tendrils, as terrifying as they are, certainly do, and he takes great care to avoid them from reaching. "Alb," Ace quietly murmurs, brows furrowed now in thought. He shifts back only slightly as the tendrils draw closer, stepping further into the sunlight. "Alb. Alb...anes? Albanes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The tendrils tried to follow, but as soon as they reached in to the sunlight, they withered and turned to sludge, which fell with a splat on to the floor. When Ace spoke that name, they again lurched toward him, flinging the ooze further from the building and landing next to his feet. "Alb.. anes... Yes.. I.. I think.." The voice spoke. "Come.. here.. Why... why did you.. why.." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace watched as the tendrils essentially...melted as soon as it left the shadows, and they lower their bow cautiously. As long as they were in the sunlight, they'd be. Fine. Heeeugh. Scratch that- Ace takes another faltering step back, a look of mixed disgust and concern written on their face. Their attention shifts back to the voice- speaking more than just noises now. It's coherent...somewhat, at least. "H...ello," Ace calls, a bit louder now that he's further off. Aiya. "I....I'm not Albanes. Who are you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Not.. Alb..." The voice grew quieter, and the tendrils ever so slightly retreated back in to the darkness, leaving oily stains where they previously had been. "Who then... Who.. Per... or.. or.. Kal..." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace doesn't move closer, but he lowers his bow fully so that it simply rests at his hip. The arrow vanishes into a scatter of golden particles, left unattended. "I know none of those names," he says, head tilted upwards ever slightly. "I don't know those names, this place, or you." If it's fear that claws at them, they pay it no mind. "I...I am Ace. Who may you be?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"Ace..." The voice repeated. Luckily, that name was within the three letters she could remember of people's names, currently! "I am.. Mel.. No.. no.. Ma.. me.. ma... I don't.. Know.."_ @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

At that, the bow completely vanishes just like the arrow did, and Ace releases a quiet, wobbly sigh of relief. This is fine. This was fine. "Mel," he repeats, inching forward just slightly. He doesn't step into the shadows just yet, still biding his time. "It's, ah, alright if you don't remember. What...do you want me to call you?" It feels a bit. Bizzare? That feels the wrong word- strange- up here in the mountains, talking to a (possibly not) disembodied voice from the darkness. They mentioned Albanes, though. And two others; Per and Kal. Lifebringer adjacent? @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Call me.." She repeated, and paused for a long time. She wasn't sure. "You.. pick.. I don't.. I don't know.. Besides Albanes.. Where- where is Albanes. Albanes. I need to. Albanes.." Oops, seems like she got stuck in a loop of some kind.. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ah. "Ah," Ace falters, tentatively stepping closer into the shadows. "I'm sorry, I don't entirely know who Albanes...is." [Mel- Mal- Melanie? Mallory? Mellissa? Mmmm. .malaysia.] @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The tendrils just as tentatively approached him as he stepped in to the darkness. "Albanes is. Is. is. someone. Important. She.. she.. Albanes.. Albanes." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

The scholar freezes up again as the tendrils approach, but he makes no move to take out his bow. "Is she...a friend?" he quietly inquires. "A lover? Your family?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't.. I.. Important.. Albanes.. is.. important.." She repeated. The tendrils were right up to his feet, and they had brought that putrid odor all the way with them. "Come.. let me see. you.. haven't seen person in.. very long.." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Albanes, Albanes, Albanes. Darcy spoke with her when he arrived. In contrast, Ace spoke with Naiyta when they arrived. Was she someone of equal status as Naiyta? She must have been. Out of two- three of the people they had met, it was...clear that...ah. Ah, they didn't know. "Hm," Ace asks, blinking a bit before they look down at the ground. When did they get here? Rot, decay, death. [The sweet taste of blood resides in the back of their throat.] "I- ah, um. Please don't touch me," he carefully says, shifting slightly. "I- I'll, let you look, but- khm. How. How long have you been in...here?" (edited)

8:23 PM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The tendrils did not retreat, but they did not move any closer. "I don't.. Know.. A long.. time.." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

...They stopped moving. Nuwa almighty. Fucking bless. If this tournament didn't kill him, the frequent heart attacks would. "A long time, huh?" Ace echoes, carefully stepping over the various tendrils, as he slowly, tentatively, approaches the door. It was certainly a poor idea, but it felt wrong- innately so- just to leave them here again. (But on the brighter side of things, Naiyta did want the contestants to die via...that death fight. This was not the death fight.) "That...I understand. Being alone for quite some time does take a toll," he sighs, "it's nice to. Talk to people." Ace looks up into the depths of darkness, their shoulders pushed back ever slightly. The wind rustles the black fabric of their robe, their earrings glistening slightly as they're disturbed by the wind. Their eyes, while still concerned, have relaxed into a less...tense sort of look, amber eyes sparkling faintly from the lingering traces of mana. "...Hello. I'm. I'm here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. The stench only grew stronger as he approached, but he didn't let that stop him. The hallways inside showed no signs of life, however, sitting against the wall beside the doorway, tucked in to the corner, was a woman.. Or.. Maybe there was a woman, at some point. Seems more like a corpse now. What skin the woman had left was pale, and dotted with occasional freckles. Her hair was short, unkempt, and green, stained with some black liquid. One light blue eye watched Ace enter, half lidded shut, while her left eye was missing. Only an empty socket was left in its place, leaking out that same dark ooze. She seemed to have on some kind of hiking outfit, with a tan shirt and cargo shorts tied off right below her knees. Her hiking boots were half rotted away, giving a clear view of nothing but bones underneath. The thing that stood out the most, however, was her chest. The left side of it was entirely melted away, through all layers of clothing, skin, and muscle.. The ribs were even half melted away, maintaining a half liquified looking form. Beneath the ribs there were no lungs, and where the heart should have been, there was only darkness.. An unnatural darkness. The melted look continued down her left arm as well, all the way up until her elbow, where normal skin resumed. She was sitting in a disgusting mess of the tendrils and black ooze, with seemingly no urge to remove herself. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

(( > > >,, , , ))

Despite it all, Ace persisted, still carefully picking his way across the tendrils. The last thing he wanted to do was step on them. If he thought it was dark before, well. It certainly was darker now. It took a moment for them to adjust to both the light and that stench, and he blinks, releasing his composure for just a moment to cough. Fuck. He looks ever so slightly to the side to see the room better and is instantly surprised by a human corpse that is watching them. "A-a h. Ahh, h,," Ace gasps, damn near slamming straight into the door in his fright. "A h. .h,. oh. O-oh. ." Bones and rot- could it even be called rot? Melt. No wonder that stench was driving him half-insane. It was...all just...liquified at this point, exposing bones and...and. Not-muscle. Not-muscle, and not-organs. Darkness in place of rot, in place of organs, in place of decay. Just pitch black darkness. That itching, clawing feeling is back in their throat again. The longer they stare, the more details they take in, and the worse they just feel. Nausea grows and festers, and their grip on the door only grows. The living dead. This was...wrong. How long had she been here? Was she alive? Was she dead? The tendrils and ooze were...certainly a sight. He supposed that's where they came from, then. What did this Albanes have to do with her? "H.hh,ello," he says after he's mostly regained his composure, still pressed up against the door. "...H-hi." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The corpse only stared as he spoke. Her eye didn't move, but it felt like she was scanning over his entire body... Taking in every single detail.. Studying him. "Not.. Familiar.." She spoke, still rooted in her place. How long had she been there for..? "Am I. Scary. and mean." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

The hairs on the back of their neck are raised yet again as she just stares back at him, and they lower their gaze to the tendrils and her...well, what's left of her legs. [Hiker...? Contestant? Unsure- darkness powers? Tendril powers? Unsure, unsure, unsure.] Ace's brows are immediately furrowed when she speaks, and he lifts his gaze from the tendrils to meet her remaining eye. "M...mean?" he echoes. "I. No, I wouldn't say so. That's not 'mean' or- or anything of the sort." "I. You- you startled me, yes, but. I...wouldn't say you're. Scary, I suppose." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What.. who.. Albanes. I need to talk to. Albanes." As she said the name, her right arm slightly pulled against the ooze, making a disgusting squelching sound echo out across the halls.. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

A look of remorse replaces the fear in his features as she lifts her arm, eyes softening somewhat. Oh. How long had she been trapped in here? Ace registers the expanse of the hallway further down, but doesn't acknowledge it. He shifts slightly until he's at a half-crouch, an arm braced against the wall as his back hisses at him for doing this. "I...still don't know who this Albanes is, but. Um." I'll find her? That doesn't seem right. "Wh..what does she look like? I could keep an eye out for her." [Yes; you, the four eyes, and her, the one eyes. Clever.] His grip on the door tightens ever so slightly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Look.. like.." The corpse said softly. Her eye drifted away from Ace, lingering ever so slightly off of him.. "I don't.. I don't know. Why is she important? Why.. why do I need albanes.." She repeated, lost in her own thoughts again. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Silence fills the hall as Ace crouches there, waiting for the hiker [hiker?] to think. It's. Certainly a bit disturbing, the general...everything of this place. From what he could tell, this looked like a temple of some sort? He didn't get a good look at the exterior before...well. This. If this were, say, a temple. Why would a corpse [corpse??] still be within here? Ace seems to be lost in his own thoughts too. Regretfully, he didn't ask Darcy much about this Albanes. [Albanes, Naiyta, and that Yeonaixho...fellow. Naiyta and Yeonaixho were Lifebringers. And so- so. So.] "Is she a Lifebringer?" Ace suddenly asks. Maybe he's just shooting aimlessly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

used /r

# 20
Details:[d20+5 (15)]

@Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 def

(GOD FORB ID> )

7:21 PM

(nuwa please)

Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20-2 (18)]

(If I could stop One Ace from Breaking)

7:22 PM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The moment he said Lifebringer, her attention snapped back to him. The tendrils all around her sprung to life and shot straight at him- But they phased right through his body and slammed in to the wall behind him. It was audible to him the sound they made as they splattered in to pieces on contact with the stone. "LIFEBRINGER!" The woman shouted, lurching forward at Ace. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

[He was rather good at guessing. Not the best, but it was rather easy to guess what Nathan was up to, or what Ellie needed from h] "Shit," Ace sharply hisses, eyes widening at the sight. Their back, still pressed against the door, isn't doing them any wonders in terms of escaping this, and they attempt to scramble to their feet- -before the tendrils launch straight through their chest. Winded, he gasps, and nearly trips in his surprise. There is no pain, no feeling, no nothing. Just a wet, disgusting noise from where that thing landed. Alas, he doesn't have much time to linger on how or why, as the corpse is lunging straight for him. Ace stumbles further into the dark hallway, and away from the light. "Hf- sorry, I-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

The corpse got herself off of the floor, snapping all the tendrils that had previously held her in place, and ran lopsidedly at Ace. She swung her arms at him- and once again- straight through him. "NO!" She shouted, trying yet again to hit him. She clawed and clawed and clawed, but nothing happened. "DIE!! DIE! DIE! GET OUT!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

[Nathan liked to play this zombie game- World War something. He kept getting freaked out over one part, and he called them over to help. They both got scared shitless together.] [It kind of felt like this, except this was a bit worse.] Something awful flares in their chest as the restraints give way, and Ace quickly raises their arms in front of their chest. Damn, they never did manage to learn shield-casting. The hiker claws through their arm, and they'd have half the mind to cry out with pain. Except, just like the tendrils, it just continues to go straight through. Their stumbling slows to a halt as she continues to claw at him, panic shifting to concern to intrigue. The hiker is still swinging at them, clearly, but it seems to just be passing through them instead. "Ah, wait- wait- hold on, wait," Ace gasps, a bit breathless. Ow, their lungs. Ow, that smell. "You- huh." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

She continued slashing for a few more seconds before finally giving up, huffing and panting as she stumbled down on to her knees. She moved her hands up to the sides of her head, loosely gripping at her short hair. "No no no- URGH- why can't I- NO!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace just stands there, trying to get their breathing back under control as he watches her begin to panic. They're much further into the dark hallway than they really wanted to be, and they could just easily...leave. But that feels pretty cruel in and of itself. "Hey," Ace quietly says, shifting to a crouch to meet her. It wasn't like they could hold their hand out for her to take or anything. "Ah. Take your time." Time. "I'll be here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why can't you- why can't you DIE!" She yelled, pitifully punching through him. "No- no no- what's- what's you're name?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

The hiker is still going at it, but it continues to do nothing to them. They just continue to watch her, brows pinched together as she asks for their name again. "My name is Ace," they repeat. "And you said your name was M-something, yes?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ace- ace.. Mmm.. Maa... Mel.. I don't- I don't know.." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A pair of slow footsteps would become audible behind Ace- someone with a prosthetic leg, walking with a cane. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's alright," he reassures, still keeping their voice even and quiet. They still had... many questions for this M-hiker, but judging by the general state of things, she probably wouldn't be able to answer; who was she, and what happened to her? And what did this. Albanes have to do with everything? There's a noise from behind. Ace shifts to see the source, magic sparking to life at their fingertips yet again. Who could it be now? Another ghost-corpse? It didn't sound like one. [A shift in step, not quite as even, not quite as staggered, though. Was it a person?] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No- This isn't right-" Was the last thing that the corpse spoke. ... As Ace shifted his attention back to where she had previously been, she had vanished, along with any lingering odor and signs that she had ever been there. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Ace turned, he'd see Albanes rising up the pathway he had surmounted, stepping slowly with an ornately-carved wooden cane for support. He wouldn't recognize her immediately, but it would be clear by her colorful clothing she wasn't one of the contestants. "Oh, hello. I didn't expect anyone to be up here." She greeted. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

The newcomer didn't...appear to be a corpse. Or torn up, like the corpse was. Ace stands, carefully, shifting to face them fully. [Clothing not quite like theirs or Darcy's; red, yellow, blue, cream- similar looking ornaments to Naiyta, though.] Huh. Yes; the hiker was already gone by the time Ace looks back, his eyes narrowed in a small squint of confusion. Not a trace of her was left behind- no scent, no tendrils, no...well, corpse. It was as if they had simply vanished into thin air, which ...Huh. "Hello," they greet, turning back to look at the stranger. "Apologies, I didn't know this was off-limits. I'll leave now, if it's what you'd want?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Ah, no, you all are allowed up here. At least in these front-facing temple areas." Albanes reassured. "I just didn't expect anyone to come up here. It's a bit of a hike for what all it is." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Hm. That's understandable." So there were different sections of the temple- reasonable enough. "I wanted to clear my head, and I thought I could explore the area while I was at it. It...ah, certainly was a hike. Not one I personally would redo, but it's...nice." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. It's not one I enjoy making often." Albanes hummed, and let her gaze drift to the sea. "The views are nice, though." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ah, yes. The ever-expansive sea, which he deeply hoped it didn't stretch out behind them, either. Hopefully they weren't stranded at this...place, wherever it was. "It is a nice view," Ace agrees, tilting their head slightly as they peer out from beyond the dark hallway. It's a nice sight, however...unsettling is it. He's still not entirely sure who this person is. Someone who lives here? "You're not a contestant, yes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, no, I'm the Lifebringer." The woman laughed awkwardly. "I believe you're one of the ones who spoke to my predecessor, so it isn't a surprise you don't recognize me. My name is Albanes Shairoun." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"...Ah, your predecessor?" Ace asks. They manage to hide the surprise in their voice well enough. "Hm, you're right, I spoke to Naiyta instead. It is s a pleasure to meet you, Albanes." [He was right on the Lifebringer part, then. Not that the corpse's reaction to that word would make them think otherwise. Predecessor; did that mean Naiyta was the former Lifebringer? What was all that about, then?] "I'm Ace. Ace Lao." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. I'm the seventh Lifebringe, Naiyta was the first." Albanes explained. "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Ace." She offers her hand for a handshake. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace looks down at their hand for a brief moment, something stirring behind their eyes. But within that moment, there are already several loud, buzzing thoughts in their ears; [A handshake. What powers did Lifebringers have? (Hopefully not whatever Naiyta did to them.) That hiker; what did Albanes have to do with her? Did they seal her here? Did they hurt her? What powers did she have? (Hopefully not that darkness thing.) How could a handshake unsettling?] Nonetheless, they take her hand and shake it, and that moment of buzzing is gone. "The seventh? I wouldn't have known," they say, intrigue in their voice. "I've, ah, never heard of the Lifebringers until I arrived...here. Are you not a god of sorts?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes's handshake was gentle, and otherwise completely normal. She gave Ace a warm smile. "Yes, the seventh. In the... ten thousand years of our existence, there's only been seven of us, believe it or not." She laughed dryly. "Yes. The Lifebringer is a God of, well, Life. And healing, and a few other things." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

[A normal handshake. Hm. He didn't actually know what he expected.' "Ten thousand years," Ace repeats, releasing her hand. [She laughs at what she says.] "Interesting. I learned a few things about the Lifebringers when I spoke with the first. Stagnance, eternal, immortal-" He counts them off the tips of their finges, "-unless those were Naiyta's specialties, in which case I know nothing about Lifebringers." [And the whole powers thing, to which- ow, that was awful.] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I'll admit, it's even a lot for me to think about, and I'm almost five-hundred." She hummed. "Yes.... we are a creature of Eternity. Immortality, incarnate. Maybe that's why we've all had a rough time dying at a normal age." She hummed. "And it's Lifebringer- Singular. Naiyta and I are the same being." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Hm." Actual surprise shows on Ace's face, blinking once. Their tangerine eyes are sparkling with actual intrigue this time- not like before. "Beings with...longer lifespans is not entirely new to me," they slowly say, considering their words carefully. "I could see how that would be...a bit jarring, though." [Eternity, incarnate, yes, yes. There was...one Lifebringer? Or?] "You and...Naiyta are the same? Or simply of the same being of- of Eternity; Immortality, incarnate." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Knowing of immortal beings is very different than being immortal." Albanes said simply. "It's... hm. It's a bit hard to explain. We are both the Lifebringer- human incarnations of the same thing, just from different points in time. It's like.... a tadpole and a frog are the same being, just taken from different points and time. A river at its source and a river at its delta are the same river." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

[One Lifebringer, with several different incarnations. It'd be reasonable for them to be from different points of time- successor, predecessor, et cetera. But the prospect of two different incarnations existing in the same point of time?] "I believe you explained it...enough for one to understand," he says. "That's...fascinating. Ah, but- how would...that work? Naiyta mentioned that this was...theirs. Yours? The Lifebringer's domain. Is it due to that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Yes. This place, this Citadel, is a physical manifestation of our power. In a way, it's another incarnation of that same power- as much the same being as Naiyta and I. But getting into that gets... difficult to explain, or comprehend." Albanes explained. "This is one of the only places two incarnations of the Lifebringer can exist at the same time." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

12:45 PM

(also naiyta uses they/it pronouns exclusively)

(ty!)

So this Halcyon Citadel- wherever it was -was the dimension as a whole? Another 'incarnation', carved from the same power that they were from. He'd let up on this interrogation, for now. Though, they weren't too keen on talking to Naiyta again. "I see- truly, though this is. Fascinating, to say the least," he says, clasping his hands together. "I heard of only one of the other incarnations- Yeonaixho, I believe? Though you mentioned this place could only retain two of the incarnations." "I'd like to learn more, if possible. All of this...fighting, aside, it is remarkable. Do you happen to have a library or an archives available? I'd understand if not." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Albanes's expression briefly shifted at mention of Yeonaixho- though the emotion it displayed was hard to pinpoint. "Yes. Yeonaixho was my immediate predecessor, the one that came directly before me. Technically, this place could hold all seven Lifebringer incarnations, but... it's just Naiyta and I here." "I'm sorry. We... don't have any sort of archive, or anything. This place is... rarely inhabited by outsiders." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

[Huh.] "I see," they say, peering back out beyond the entrance. "That's still very interesting, nonetheless." "I could, ah, tell. It seems rather quiet-" And it certainly looked abandoned, to say the least. "I hadn't met anyone else on my way up here, contestant or otherwise. Just...a lot of birds." "Well, aside from you, that is, and this hiker- but that wasn't exactly on the way up here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. There's lots of birds here." Albanes nodded. She tilted her head slightly in confusion. "Hiker? What hiker?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"There was a hiker in here earlier," Ace simply says, sounding a little confused himself. "At least, I believe she was. I could only guess by her clothing." "Ah, short green hair, one eye? And freckles, I believe. Unless that was another contestant, but she wasn't wearing any of the robes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh. Hm. Huh." Albanes instantly looked more concerned and more interested. "Hiking gear and green hair, you say? Was she about this tall?" She lifted her hand about an inch lower than her own height. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Hm. "Well," they start, thinking for a moment. The height difference wasn't helping, but it seemed about right. "Ah, about so, I'd say. She was sitting most of the time, so I wasn't entirely...eh, able to tell, unfortunately." "Oh, yes. I believe she could have had...hm. Well, she could control these tendrils at will?" And then more to themself, they add, "hm, maybe she was a contestant."

(don't think u meant to tag aj lmao)

(AU MB,)

"Huh. Okay." Albanes thought. Her free hand clasped around the ring she wore on a chain around her neck. She was visibly taking in heavy breaths. "She wasn't a contestant. I've- I've been able to sense her here, I didn't know-" She abruptly cut herself off. "Ace, why don't you let me walk you back down to the citadel?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah, a resident?" he begins to ask, and pauses, concern flickering over his face. Ah. Did they stress her out? "It would be much appreciated, yes," Ace slowly says, their voice quiet with worry. "Ah, Albanes, are you alright? I could walk you down to the Citadel instead, if you're not feeling well." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. I'll walk you down." Albanes insisted. "I've got business to do up here, anyways. Please. I insist." She was already leading Ace down to the path. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace begins to walk, following Albanes as she leads the way. "Ah, well, thank you," he says, wincing at the sudden light. Aow. "I suppose I won't be seeing you around for a bit then, yes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Probably not. If you need any help, you can contact Kairas or Reagan through the messaging tablets- and if you need me, specifically, they'll be able to reach me." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mhm. I'll be sure to keep that in mind." So that slab on their table earlier was their messaging tablet, then. "I don't believe I've met either of them yet, but they're each side's 'leader', if I'm not mistaken?" Ace begins to make their way down again, a hand braced against any bit of stone they can hold onto. They're not too entirely keen on slipping and dying here. Not once do they look back at Albanes, though. They just keep walking. (It stinks less and less of rot the further they are.) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. You're on the bird side, so technically Kairas is your superior, but either will help you if you ask." Albanes nodded, walking carefully down with her cane in hand. "They're both very good at what they do, I can assure you." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, I don't doubt that," Ace hums. They're not entirely sure whatever it is that they do. Ah, they'll find out down the line. It's really not that bad of a hike going down. It's not too steep, and not as...rough as it is going upwards. It does feel a bit unsettling to know there's someone lingering behind them, though. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes hummed in acknowledgment, but didn't say much else, outside of the occasional 'over here', or 'careful' to guide Ace safely down. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Roman arrived here, wearing his band jacket and basically just a loincloth worth of robe. The eyeball jar was no where to be seen, as well as the blood drum sticks, but clenched in his shivering hand was a small bouquet of flowers. Clearly they had just been plucked straight out of the ground somewhere, as their muddy roots stuck out from below Roman's grasp. He hummed a bit as he looked around for an attendant.. It had definitely taken him longer than he'd have liked to get here- that hike was steep as hell! He was already exhausted and freezing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A few minutes after Roman had arrived at the temple, someone stepped out from behind the relief-wall. They were tall, and wore long black robes that formed a hood over their head, as well as a nondescript black mask that hid almost all their features. "Roman Ricci," The attendant said in a deep, neutral voice, pronouncing his name the lettuce way. "The Nascent Lifebringer has been waiting for you. Please, follow me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Huh, mystery person.. But they got his name right! "Yeah sorry about that- I didn't know it would be such a long walk.." Roman mumbled through half chattering teeth. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The attendant didn't show any sign of emotion or response. They moved closer to the open doorway behind the relief wall, and gestured for Roman to follow. "Follow me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Roman did as he was told.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal brought Evan all the way back to the temple's first chamber, and walked over to the relief wall. They pointed to the statue of the man on the far left statue, with the heavy brow and square jaw. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-oh- This is your favorite spot?” Evan asked. He looked up at the statue. “Who’s this..? Is there- A name or..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My son." Raikal said, and kept pointing at the statue. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh!” Evan looked to Raikal. “You- You’re a father? Wh-what’s your son’s name?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's expression was blank, but they furrowed their brow at the question. "... my son." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-oh, I see,” Evan nodded. He looked at the statue. He reached back into his bag of metal. The boy grabbed a few pieces out, and made another Pomeranian, though it was smaller. He set both dogs upon the statue. “There, now you both have one.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal watched intently as Evan made the second dog, and as he placed them upon the statue. He seemed very satisfied with that, and nodded. "Thank you... friend..." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“N-no problem,” Evan managed a small smile. “Th-thanks for being my friend, Raikal..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Friend..." Raikal repeated, with a faint smile. She kneeled down in front of the statue and looked at the two Pomeranians, and would remain there even if Evan began to leave... @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan looked at the figure. He stepped away. “G-goodnight..” He said as he gave a small wave. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal didn't reply. The only sound was the crackling of the flames that still engulfed him. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

With that little farewell, Evan made his leave from the temple.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes and Reagan sat in the temple together, by the water pools near the entrance. They weren't speaking to each other, but Albanes was healing an array of bruises that'd formed around Reagan's neck and collarbone. Reagan was also, very notably, covered in blood that stained their dress and covered their skin. It looked like they had been coughing it up. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni arrived here, lightly panting with how long it took him to find the right place and how fast he'd tried to get here. His chest was still constrained by anxiety, and he jumped at the sight of Reagan's bloody form. He stood a moment, just staring with wide eyes, before shakily jogging closer. "What happened?!" he huffed, looking from one to the other. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, hello Aarni." Albanes greeted, in part to let Reagan know who it was, since they were facing away from the entrance. "It's alright. Reagan just got into a little bit of an... accident, and I'm healing them up." Reagan didn't comment, and their expression was hidden by their mask, but they didn't seem too distressed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni \

One hell of an accident. Aarni frowned, still glancing anxiously between the two of them, but nodded, seeing the situation was in control. "Oh... alright. Um... I, just wanted to come talk with you again, about something. Hm. I'll just, wait over here, then?" Aarni pointed to the side. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"This will only take a few moments more," Albanes said, and turned her attention back to Reagan. Within a few moments, the healing was done in the bruises were mostly faded. "Do you want to go wash up now?" She asked Reagan. They nodded, and shakily stood up. Albanes walked them over to the door, and saw them off into the hallway before turning back to Aarni. "You wanted to talk?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni waited a few steps aside, and watched with concern as Reagan left. He nodded at Albanes' question, but instead started by asking: "Where did all that blood come from?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's- a private matter." Albanes said. "They're okay, though. The issue's been dealt with." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni sighed, not sure if he was more concerned or relieved. "Okay... as long as they're alright." He shifted anxiously and grabbed his left wrist, a habit he hadn't been able to shake yet. "I read the fight list. I didn't realize it last night, but I'm fighting Kallum." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes glanced away hesitantly. ".... yes. You are. I'm.. sorry, it wasn't my doing." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shook his head. "I didn't think it was, but I can't fight him!" He took a step closer to Albanes. "He's going to kill me Albs, Kallum is going to kill me!" His mask was hiding his terrified eyes, but it couldn't mask his faintly trembling, urgent voice. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes approached Aarni, and put a supportive hand on his shoulder. "He's not- it's going to be okay, alright? It's going to be tough, but it'll all work out okay." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"How? I can't kill him, I would never, and I couldn't if I tried, he's better trained than me, he has fire powers, and if I use mine I'll lose myself to that fucking animal-" Aarni stammered at a faster pace than his tongue could handle, causing his accent to break through strongly again. He was faintly shivering under Albanes' touch. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Albanes kept her hand over Aarni. "It'll be okay. You don't need to kill him- even if you die, even if you both die, it will all work out. I promise. You will all be okay." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked at her anxiously, his gaze bouncing from one eye to the other. "W-will it? How? How..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll take care of you after you die. I'll keep you safe." Albanes reassured, without specifics. "You'll be safe within the Immaterial Fold." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni tilted his head. Without his mask he would have resembled greatly an insecure, sad puppy trying to understand what he's being told, while being at the vet's office. "Im..." He blinked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"I will keep you safe, Aarni. No matter what. I promise." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You promise..." he put his hand on top of Albanes', still shaky and grabbing her fingers haphazardly. "You promise everything will be okay? Yes? Please." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes shifted to hold Aarni's hands gently. "I promise. I would never hurt you, Aarni. It'll all work out in the end. I swear." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He let out a nervous sigh through his nose and nodded, gripping Albanes' hands for comfort. He trusted Albanes, no matter what Darcy said, she wouldn't lie to him. If she said it would work out, he believed her. "Okay..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Don't worry, please. It will all work out in the end." Albanes reassured. "For you, for Kallum, for everyone." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He looked at Albanes with an anxious frown, but her words made him feel better. He didn't know how, but Albanes was going to handle this. He nodded again, stepped closer and leaned towards her, taking his hands out of hers and wrapping his arms around her. He was still stiff and his breathing was shallow, but he wanted to believe his friend's word. He did believe her. "I hate this. This sucks... why do we have to fight?" he mumbled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's what Naiyta wants. A bloodbath. And this situation is far more in their control than mine." Albanes insisted. "But I will make sure things end up okay." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Gross... gross, I hate it..." Aarni murmured, gritting his teeth. He hugged Albanes a little tighter. He felt a little weird and silly doing so. Seeking comfort from her like that, as though Albanes was a little bit a mother figure in this moment, in this weird place, and not just his friend. Everything was odd in this place. But he needed a hug. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes held Aarni tight and warmly, like she was afraid he would fade in her arms. "I'll keep you safe. I promise." She kept repeating. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He nodded, hiding his face into her hair, not that anyone could see much of it anyway. "I want to go home..." he mumbled quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know. I'm sorry." Albanes sighed. "I'm so sorry." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't blame you..." he muttered. He absorbed the warmth and compassion, finding comfort in it, in spite of his nervously racing heart. "I'm glad you are here.. I'm glad it's not just them..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Still, I'm sorry." Albanes held onto Aarni. "But it'll all be alright in the end. I won't let Naiyta hurt you." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

He nodded, his fingers curling to grip Albanes' robes, like he was afraid to let go. He trusted her word, but it couldn't shake all the fear and confusion away. "Thank you", he sighed. He held his head lightly against Albanes' for a while longer, still clinging to her, until he took a breath and lightly cleared his throat. "What am I going to do...? The fight..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You're going to do your best." Albanes said. "You're going to give it your all, and you're going to try your best. Okay? There's ways you can win without hurting Kallum at all. And even if you do loose, I'll take care of you. If Kallum looses, I'll take care of him. It'll all be alright." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni was quiet, but after a moment nodded. "Okay", he breathed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"How are you feeling now?" Albanes checked. "Any better?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Yeah, I.. yeah, a little, thanks...", he sighed. He felt calmer, knowing there might not be any violence in his fight after all. Dying still scared him, and he hated the idea of Kallum dying as well. "This is still feels like a nightmare..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"I know. I.... hope it'll all be over soon." Albanes sighed, and switched the topic to a simpler one. "Have you gotten anything to eat yet today?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded again. He grunted in response, and pulled away from Albanes. "No.. I came here right away", he said, and subtly rubbed his eye. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You should get yourself some breakfast. Do you want me to walk you down to the refectory?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Um... yeah, that'd be nice, thanks", Aarni nodded, and tried to smile, though it hardly showed on his face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes went to get her cane from where it rested against the wall, and returned to Aarni, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Alright. Let's head down there." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm", Aarni hummed, and walked along with Albanes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

At least the walk up wasn't all too dreadful, though...ah. "Ah, the relief is inside," Ace said after a moment, not too out of breath. "My apologies, Kyrie. I believe we'll need to venture inside if we want to take a look at it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... alright." Kyrie said, and took in a deep before entering cautiously. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace took the lead, heading further inside the temple. Hopefully it wouldn't smell of rot or be filled with that all-encompassing Dark again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The temple was actually very pleasant in the midday light. A slight ocean breeze drifted through the room, giving it a warm, open feeling. Kyrie stood in front of the relief, focusing on it deeply. "These are the same people as in the statues," she concluded, and pointed to the man on the far left and the woman in the center. "At least those two, they're the same as the statues I saw." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace hummed a little, a bit unfamiliar with all of the figures depicted. Though, the decapitated one was...vaguely familiar enough. "Well, that looks similar to the headless statue I saw," Ace said, looking over at the figures Kyrie was talking about. "Hm. So the relief and those statues are more than related in some way." He lifted his hand to lightly touch the part of the headless man's neck. "How could this have happened?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Ace would have to reach pretty high up- not only was the man in the statue freakishly tall, the relief was elevated off the floor. "Hmmmmm.... freaky." Kyrie frowned. "But I guess it supports the hypothesis more that these are past lifevbringers? Or- I don't know. There's..." She counted them up. "Five reliefs. So, five statues?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I don't know much about the Lifebringer," Ace admitted, stepping back a bit to examine the relief in full. It was way too tall for them. "But that would make sense. Five of seven incarnations." "Darcy mentioned that this...Yeonaixho was a Lifebringer," they said, "and, ah. I heard the names 'Per' and 'Kal' mentioned, as well- ah, not by Darcy." By the resident corpse, yupyup. "Counting the two that you and Gale saw, and the headless one, then there must be two more statues around, yes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yeah.. not counting Naiyta or the nice lady, this is all of them." Kyrie hummed. "One, apparently, lost their head. Hm." "Huh... that name sounds familiar, yeah." Kyrie hummed. "There's a guy named Peregrine here. And I think there's someone named Kal too..." "Yeah, two more. Wonder where they are..." (edited)

7:19 PM

(ah sorry sauce!!)

7:19 PM

@Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Maybe their head was laying around near the statue," Ace said, hit with sudden realization. "Ah- I'll have to go back later and look around for it- not that I'll be able to recognize them, though." "I...hm. So those two aren't the Lifebringer, then." Affiliated with the ghost or Albanes, in some way? Mentioning the ghost now would...probably be a bad idea. "Scratching that idea off the list." "I'll venture around a bit later. Where did you say you found the two statues?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hmmmm, maybe." Kyrie mused, in response to pretty much everything Ace had said. "I'm no expert in any of this, honestly." "The lady was on the cliffs, and the guy was in the auditorium ruins to the south." She explained. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Cliffs, auditorium, brook," Ace listed out. "I'll keep an eye out for any other statues not in those locations. Hopefully they'll provide a bit more information about this...place." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I will too. If I find any new ones, I'll let you know through the groupchat." Kyrie nodded. "I hope so. I think we need all the info we can get about this place..." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Right, the group chat. I'll let you know about any additional information in here," he said. "This place is just...eerie. Much more than a bit unsettling. It doesn't help that we know virtually nothing about this place, either." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thanks." Kyrie smiled again. "Yeah... it freaks me out, too. But maybe, if we all work together, we can figure out what's going on here." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah, hopefully so," Ace simply said, nodding. "And when we do, this place could finally make some sense instead of just looking like some ruins." "Are you ready to leave?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie glanced over the relief one last time. "Yeah... I don't think there's much more I can get out of this." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Let's get those lemons then," they said, looking over the relief for a moment. "Hopefully none of the venomous snakes decided to run off with it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmm... never known a snake to enjoy lemons, personally." Kyrie laughed, and headed back towards the temple entrance. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah, you'd be surprised," they lightly said, following after Kyrie. "There's quite a few Serpentine who simply enjoy sinking their teeth into something- lemons included." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Really? You're right- I would be surprised. I am surprised." Kyrie hummed. "Hopefully the ones in the garden aren't that kind." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"And hopefully aren't as...'bitey'." Off to the gardens to grab the lemons! @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes didn't say any more til they reached the temple entrance. "Well, here you are." She hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeeeeeep, here I am... Have a pleasant day, madam!" Roman did a dramatic salute before beginning his descent.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeeeeeep, here I am... Have a pleasant day, madam!" Roman did a dramatic salute before beginning his descent.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You too." Albanes nodded, and turned back towards the halls...

Aarni’s body was brought up the mountain in a somber procession, all the way to the temple at the acropolis. There, it was placed upon a pyre that had previously been set up. Kairas was there, as was Naiyta, and any of the contestants that had followed. Naiyta began in a cool, flat voice, “Here, we commend the soul of the innocent and loved Aarni Amosyauro Repo to the Immaterial Fold, where he may find eternal rest and peace. Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.” Kairas led the attending contestants in a reply, “Bring him peace, bring him sleep, bring him joy.” With a piece of flint, Naiyta ignited the kindling clothes they’d draped over Aarni’s body. “Psarae Diyena.” And Kairas led the contestants in replying, “Psarae Solumnena.” The ceremony ended as Aarni’s body burnt from something once full of life, to naught but ash and smoke. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Funnily enough, Aarni's body didn't seem to burn only with natural, red fire. As his body braking more and more, green flames started seeping out. Green, white, cyan, purple, blue.... Tiny at first, but as the fire ate away his flesh, the cold flames erupted. A brilliant flash of colours shot out of his left hand and arm, straight towards the sky, dancing flickering. They reached higher, higher, all the way up to the sky, and they kept coming. Like a magician's never ending little scarfs and flags, the colourful wisps flew from him endlessly, crackling and rattling like static. It didn't sound like anything living, but the feeling that came off of them was gleeful and wild. In the sky, the flames formed into brilliant auroras, that remained dancing even after the last of them had escaped Aarni's burning corpse. (gonna tag @everyone just in case I'm sorry!! but this might affect the way ppl attending the funeral act aha `:D ) (edited)

It ached. She didn't really know him, but it ached. It felt sick- following them up the mountain, following them into this temple, hearing them speak. All the while, it felt unable to even look at the contestant, even as they set his clothing ablaze. (Not a contestant, but an innocent person, someone who deserved to live as much as anyone else did.) "Psarae Solumnena," she echoed, and only then did she lift her eyes to see the auroras.

Roman had made the trek back up this stupid mountain. He was mostly curious what this funeral was like, he had never attended one outside of Mlipuko.. He kind of doubted your cremated ashes got put in to fireworks here and shot off, but just maybe. He watched Aarni get put on the pyre, and instantly knew where this was going.. Oh Naiyta, what a predictable freak. He backed up just about as far as he could as the flames started, and mumbled along with whatever Kairas was instructing. ... Huh, it kind of was like fireworks here! Was this going to happen with everyone? How'd they get the colors to stay up there? Once that was all done, he lingered around, mostly waiting to see where this party was going to be and how he could get in.

…Gale had followed, dread eating away at her in a sickening feeling in her stomach. They looked away as the body burned, but their eyes caught the dancing light, and she watched as the aurora formed above the pyre. She mumbled the response prayer. ”..I’m sorry.. rest well..”

2:27 PM

——— ….Far away from the group, down the mountain, Carrion watched as the light danced and flickered. They didn’t want to go to the fight- they didn’t know those people. And going to where It was felt too dangerous. A shiver racked them as the god within stirred, enraged by the fire, the prevention of natural decay. Carrion turned and ran away. (edited)

Though they closely followed the funeral procession, they didn't stick too close to Ellie and her friend. Naiyta's voice was as unnerving as ever, but they paid no mind to them. It wasn't them they were remembering. Ah. Cremation. Ace watched as Aarni burned, brows furrowed together in silent grief. He looked young- younger than most of the other contestants here, actually. "Psarae Solumnena," they spoke, and felt their nails press crescent-marks into their skin. Young.

Enya joins in the strangely peaceful funeral prayers, mumbling softly with her eyes downcast and trying to avoid looking at the body and the flames. It takes careful breathing to keep her nausea at bay—both at the situation, and the eventual familiar smell. The auroras light her path as she hurries away, fighting back tears.

Kenji lingers towards the back. The voice and the fire and this place, god the circumstances, everything makes him want to run and hide as fast as possible. But he won’t leave Aarni to go through this alone, even if he’s already gone. The prayer responses don’t feel right to him, but it hardly matters as his throat is so choked up he doubts he’d be able to. Tears stream from beneath the mask, lit by the auroras above as static colorful noise rattles his bones. He couldn’t bring himself to believe Albanes before, but now…now he finds himself clinging on to her idea of safety. If only for Aarni’s sake. He stays there too for a while, unwilling to leave even after the flames have long gone out in a silent, trembling vigil.

3

(This is happening technically AFTER all the other funeral posts but yall can still post things for it, this just happens after everyone else is gone) Albanes was silent throughout the entire funeral. Her expression was neutral, at least when seen from a distance, but anyone close would clearly be able to see the trembling in her hands, the quivering of her lip, the tears welling in her eyes and being suppressed with a held breath. She did not take her eyes from Aarni- not as Naiyta spoke, not as the crowd replied, not even as he burned. He burned beautifully- but no beauty would ever repay the life that had been lost today. Nothing could ever repay that. She had been here before. It didn't make any of it better. Once the contestants had cleared away- once everyone else was gone, Albanes knelt by the diminishing embers of Aarni's pyre. "I'm sorry." She whispered to him. "I'll keep you safe."

3

"Who do I have to beg to get an invite to this party?" Roman spoke aloud as he neared whatever member of staff was nearest. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

That staff member was... Kairas! "Only snake contestants are allowed to the feast." She said plainly as she left the funeral. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know, that's why I'm begging! Hey wait get back here-" Roman huffed and hurried off after her. He had been hoping for Reagan, he might have had a chance then. "I'm sure Naiyta could put in a good word for me, and I'm suuuuure at least one of the snakes isn't going to come! There's a spot for me!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Rules are rules. I'm not even allowed." Kairas retorted, and kept walking. At least she wasn't flying off yet. "If one of the birds wins next, you can go to that feast." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If I talked to Reagan would they let me in??" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... probably not. I don't think they're... a big fan of yours." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well duh, that's why I'd intimidate my way in." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't think Naiyta would let that happen." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why not? They love me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas paused, and regarded Roman for a moment. "You... believe Naiyta Hauryan loves you?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"In a weird, freak kind of way, yeah." Roman nodded and smiled. "I know they're not a very good person." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas didn't seem to believe this- or at least, she didn't take it seriously. "Well, if that's the case, you can try with them. I can't help you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hmmm.. Alright, I will! They should get a look at my new hairstyle anyway.." Roman hummed and twisted one of his newly re-done curls around his finger. "I bet you they'll let me in." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't make bets." Kairas said plainly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You really should, with your powers you'd probably win a lot." Roman hummed. "Well, Kairas, wish me luck!" Roman walked off to whatever Naiyta was.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Seki followed the procession with everyone else, quiet and somber, keeping watch on the pale young man who now slept eternally. She didn't know him, but she knew he'd died too early. Though they could do nothing but stay close, they hoped it would somehow protect him from Naiyta's creep-ass witchcraft. Seki didn't join the prayers. They didn't know what the words meant, and they weren't going to do anything to comply with Naiyta's stupid religion. They watched for a moment as Aarni was set on fire, and then lowered their head, not wanting to see all the details as he burned. They sent the boy off with kind, apologetic words of their own, quietly in their mind. Once they noticed the auroras, they watched them for a while, before leaving down the mountain.

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You really should, with your powers you'd probably win a lot." Roman hummed. "Well, Kairas, wish me luck!" Roman walked off to whatever Naiyta was.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good luck." Kairas said, before flying off into the bright night sky.

"Thaaaaaanks!!" Roman called out as she flew away. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Though there wasn’t a body to lead up to the temple, a procession still was held, and at the temple a straw, shrouded effigy laid on a pyre just like the one Aarni had been burned on. Reagan was there, with Albanes, Naiyta, and any of the contestants that had followed. “Here we commend the soul of the innocent and loved- very loved Asha Eliudyouri Issa to the immaterial fold, where she may find eternal rest and peace.” Naiyta said, almost the exact same way they had sent Aarni away into the fold. “Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.” Reagan led the contestants in the call-and-response chant like Kairas had before. “Bring him peace, bring him sleep, bring him joy.” As it ignited the effigy, Naiyta closed the prayer. “Psarae Diyena”. Reagan led the contestants in the reply, “Psarae Solumnena.” … the straw effigy burned far quicker than a body typically would. At least it left less of an odor. @everyone (edited)

Very loved. Right. Dig the nail in a bit deeper, why don't you. Kal still needed support to stand, but he did his best to speak along with them, even if his voice was weak and frail. He forced himself to lift his head and look at the scene before him. He did this. It was all his fault. He'd carry this for the rest of his life. Good. He should feel guilty. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy went to the funeral- how could he not? He clung onto Kal's necklace, and the sparkler Asha had given him, with equal, trembling force. He did not let himself cry. This wasn't his place to cry. He mouthed along with the words, not having the strength to voice them, and watched as Asha's effigy burned. Was this the right outcome? Was this his fault? He didn't know. He didn't know anything.

Darcy cautiously approached Kal- not because he was afraid of his friend, but because he had no idea what to say. He payed no mind to the attendants still helping him, and stood by Kal's side for a long moment. "Kal...." He held out the necklace towards him. "I'm- I'm so sorry- that seemed awful." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-yeah,” Kal’s voice was low and strained. “It was.. P-pretty awful..” ’Just as awful as knowing that one of your best friends plotted a bit against you.’ A part of Kal wanted to vocalize that, but he knew better, not in front of the attendants. There was a time and a place. Trembling fingers reached out and gently took ahold of the necklace. “.. Thanks for.. Holding this for me, Darcy..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course." Darcy said. He didn't know what else to say- 'how are you feeling' seemed insensitive. "... I'm glad you're alive." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal stared at the necklace in his hands. He wasn’t sure what to say. “.. Thanks..” Kal mumbled. “But.. You don’t gotta lie, Darcy, it’s.. It’s okay if you actually wanted Asha to win, I don’t blame you..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No, I- I don't know who I wanted to win. I swear- I wanted you both, equally, to win. It was an impossible situation." He took in a heavy breath. "And I don't blame you, for what you did." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“W-were you-.. Thinking of doing that thing to Asha too, o-or just me?” Kal asked quietly. Slowly, he put on his necklace. It felt heavy around his neck- Made him think of a collar that they’d put on prisoners in movies. Yeah. A heavy weight for him to have now. A burden, a reminder of all he’s done. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The- what? The tracking spell?" Darcy asked, his face falling into a grimace. "I didn't. I didn't do it on you, and I didn't to it on Asha. I'd only have done it on you if I asked you and you said it was okay. I promise. I... know my word might not mean much, but I swear. I wouldn't have done that without your consent." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I didn’t- Wanna say that out loud,” Kal mumbled. There was a good amount of people around. “She just- Made it seem th-that you might’ve picked a side, and- I don’t wanna- Make it seem like an issue or something, I respect your thoughts and everything, but- I just- I dunno.. I dunno h-how to explain..” His chest felt tight. It felt harder to breathe, and his vision blurred slightly. Kal didn’t want to believe any little bit of what Asha had said, but- God, his head was hurting. He didn’t know what to think. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy wanted to curl up in a ball on the ground. He wanted to leave. He wanted this coversation to end, and for everything to go back to normal. "I'm glad you won. I really am. I'm... sorry about everything." Darcy sighed. "If you want to talk, I'm here, but... if you wanna be alone, I'll respect that." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“N-no- It’s okay, you don’t gotta leave or anything, I’m just-” Kal waved a hand over his head and face. “Not good up here. Bit- Of a bummer, to uh, be around, I know, and I’m sorry about that, if anything- I’m the one who’s sorry about everything, it’s all my fault, so- Hell, if you wanted to be mad with me, you can, I’d respect it.” Kal continued to ramble. “After all, I just took a whole life right now, so- It’d be understandable if you’re mad. You can be mad, or upset, that’s fine and valid- Your emotions are valid. The way you feel’s valid. Who wouldn’t be mad? I mean, I’m even mad with me. It’s fine. It’s not fine, but- It’s fine to be mad at me, if you are.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm not mad at you, it's just- I'm very stressed right now. And I don't think I've processed... everything I that's happened yet. But it's not about me right now, it's- it was your fight, you went through... all that. I just want to make sure you're alright." Darcy sighed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“It’s okay to be stressed- Stressed isn’t a good thing but it’s valid,” Kal nodded his head. Okay, that made the headache a bit worse. “I’m..” Kal paused. He wasn’t alright, that much was obvious. He couldn’t even figure out how to describe how he was feeling. “.. I’m not so alright right now- A bit on the crispy side right now, but- As for what’s going on inside? It’s.. Not so alright,” Kal sighed. “But it’ll be alright eventually..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy didn't seem convinced- of anything, really. His brow was furrowed in a permanent, strife-filled worry. "Kal, you don't need to be reassuring me right now." He sighed. "That's... about what I expected. But... it's something you can get through. If you need any help- with anything at all, please, just ask. Okay?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Why not? We’re all in this together, so- You know, maybe I can pass reassurances around.” Kal fiddled with the dog tags on his necklace. Maybe he’d get a dog tag for Asha. Another memory of someone who he let die could linger with him physically. “Yeah, I’ll.. I’ll let you know. Thanks, Darcy,” Kal attempted to give his boy a smile and two thumbs up. wedoinggreat

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, then let me reassure you. It's going to be alright, Kal." Darcy said, the optimism awkward on his tongue. "It's going to be okay." "Do you want to get heading down the mountain now? You probably need some rest after... all that." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Eyyyyy, thanks for that, appreciate that big time.” Kal hummed. “Means a lot.” “Oh yeah, the mountain,” Kal nodded. “I fell off the mountain earlier. Bounced off the ground. Yeah, maybe I.. Should get a bit of rest, huh?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll help you down to your room." Darcy said, and then turned to the attendants. "Ah, I'll take him from here. Thank you." Wordlessly, the attendants moved Kal to a position where he was leaning on Darcy for support, then left. Darcy led Kal towards the temple entrance. "I'll try to bring you some food later. I don't know if they'll let me into your quarters, since we're on different sides." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Kal blinked a few times. “Huh. Different sides. Right. Forgot about the sides stuff. Don’t.. Worry about bringing me anything to eat, I’m okay. I think I ate something before the fight? Maybe? I think I did..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll just bring you some water, then. I want to check on you later." Darcy said, leading Kal down the mountain now. He moved slowly and cautiously. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Ooooo, water, water sounds nice,” Kal nodded his head, noting that he shouldn’t have done that. It made the world spin. “I mean that water sounds nice to have, but it also sounds nice to hear. Nice and relaxing. I’d appreciate some, thanks, Darcy.” He slowly walked with Darcy, his legs trembling with every step that he took. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I'll definitely get you some, then. Some nice, cold water." Darcy nodded. He slowed his pace whenever it seemed like Kal needed it, and supported his friend with an arm to his chest. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Thanks, Darcy. Keeping me hydrated.” Kal nodded again- Definitely shouldn’t do that. Right. Stopping now forever. He’d never nod again. Even with the necessary support, Kal did his best not to lean so much on Darcy. Better not to drag the poor guy down to the ground if he fell. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Carrion was flying around the mountain, attempting to ignore the rising smoke, the rage of the god within them. Their hands itched to cover their ears, silence the screaming, but there would be no relief. Clouds have been gathering for some time now.. A light drop of rain plops onto their face and Carrion’s throat tightens as the rain rolls down their cheek. Then another drip, and another- [‘DAMNED FALSE GOD!! IT WILL DIE, ROT!! IT WILL- WILL. WATER? WATER! WATER!! ’] Their body shakes and seizes, wings failing them, hands hopelessly grabbing at the air as he begins to fall down- down, down falling again into the water into the well- Instinct catches them, desperate beats of their wings keep them from entirely smashing into the ground below. Breath ragged as if they were being drowned, he pulls himself to their knees. Any pain from the landing is pushed down by the sensation of water soaking through his hair, through years of tangles and mess, down to his skin, chilling, writhing, weighing them down as they desperately crawl towards the temple entrance. The wind picks up, thunder roaring through the stone halls, urging them further into the temple, away from the storm. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Though there wasn’t any need for attendants to carry Levi’s body up the mountain, a procession still was held, to the temple where a small pyre lay waiting for the body it would burn with. Kairas was there again, as was Albanes (who looked like she hadn’t slept well the previous night). Naiyta rested the egg upon the pyre. “Here we commend the soul of the… ‘innocent and loved’,” That was said with a slight, irreverent tone, “Levi Alphanzeyauro to the Immaterial Fold, where he may find eternal rest and peace he did not know in life. Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.” Once again, Kairas led the funeral attendees in the response. ““Bring him peace, bring him sleep, bring him joy.” Naiyta ignited the straw of the pyre and let the egg burn. Gross. It closed the prayer, “Psarae Diyena.” Kairas led the contestants in the reply, “Psarae Solumnena.” Levi’s weird body was burning, predictably, weirdly, but it definitely was burning! @everyone

Enya’s not sure if she should be here. She stands numbly by the entrance of the temple, enough to be able to see everything going on yet not necessarily be seen herself. At the very least, it…it feels like she owes Levi this much. She’s not sure why. If she was thinking clearly at the moment, she’d guess that Levi likely wouldn’t have thought the same if the roles were switched. But she isn’t, and nothing makes sense, and everything hurts. Her lungs wheeze with every breath and her ribs still ache despite the healing and her head is throbbing and that smell and— Too much. It’s all too much. Enya ducks out of the temple as silently as possible while nearly hyperventilating and all but sprints back down the mountain.

A procession, like all the others, brought Armand’s body to the temple, where funeral preparations had already been made. The attendants rested his body on the pyre. Truthfully, he looked much better than all the previous corpses had. No visible wounds, no weird state of body. Just a dead fish man. Reagan and Albanes were there again to lead any attending contestants in the funeral procedures. Naiyta began, “Here we commend the soul of the innocent and loved Armand Anatoliusyauro to the Immaterial Fold, where he may find eternal rest and peace. Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.*” Reagan and Albanes led the attendees in the reply, “Bring him peace, bring him sleep, bring him joy.” As the incantation was said, Naiyta lit the pyre on fire, and Eremurus’s body began to burn. “Psarae Diyena.” Reagan and Albanes led the contestants in closing the prayer: “Psarae Solumnena.” Armand’s body was left to burn til it was naught but ash and smolders. @everyone

Isi’s body was brought up to the temple by a procession, accompanied by a chorus of cawing, screaming crows- but when the procession entered the temple, they did not follow. Naiyta laid Isi’s body on the pyre, and Naiyta stood over it. Reagan and Albanes were there again to lead any attending contestants in the funeral procedures. Naiyta began, “Here we commend the soul of the innocent and loved Isi Ronaldyouri to the Immaterial Fold, where she may find eternal rest and peace. Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.” Reagan and Albanes led the attendees in the reply, “Bring her peace, bring her sleep, bring her joy.” As the incantation was said, Naiyta lit the pyre on fire, and Isi’s body began to burn. “Psarae Diyena.” Reagan and Albanes led the contestants in closing the prayer: “Psarae Solumnena.” Isi’s body was left to burn til it was naught but ash and smolders. @everyone

Seki was here in the funeral. They had only talked to the kid once, but they were mourning still. The sky above the temple was red and blue.

Kyrie followed the funeral procession up to the temple, but couldn't bring herself to enter it. She stood at the door with the other crows and tried to ignore their distressed cries and caws. She tried to ignore it all. After the funeral, when Reagan and Albanes left towards the temple interior, Naiyta approached Kyrie. "I hope you haven't forgotten the terms of our deal. And you did win..." Kyrie couldn't muster words, but managed a weak nod. "Come with me." It took her arm in its own, and led her down the temple halls...

4

5

4

Even if Ryu didn't want to, she followed Enya to the funeral. It's been a while since she's been to one, but Enya needed someone to support her during this time. She didn't quite care for the proceeding, being quiet as she stared off into nothing. Ryu wondered what Enya would say after all of this... @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

This almost feels even worse than the last time she was here. The words of the prayer don't seem to be able to find their way out, and Enya's stomach twists as the fire eats at Isi's body. It isn't until the antlers are all that remain on the pyre that Enya finally speaks. "...I was looking for her," she says, voice dull as she stares straight ahead at the flames. "Just- Just before. This whole time we were a few rooms apart and-- and I..never got to talk to her again." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu only tore her gaze from the nothingness when Enya finally spoke. Very slowly, she reached for Enya's hand and gave it a small squeeze. "I'm sorry.." That's all Ryu could offer her. That's all she ever could offer anyone at one of these things. "...You two were friends. I'm sure she wanted to see you too. I'm sorry." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"..I hope so," Enya manages through her throat choking up, finally tearing her gaze away from the left-behind antlers to stare at the ground off to the side. She gives Ryu's hand a weak squeeze back as her free, still slightly sparking, other hand runs through her hair and subtly tries to brush away the few tears leaving tracks down her cheeks. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu let them stand in silence for a little longer, her thumb brushing over Enya's knuckles in a repeated rhythm. Glancing over Enya, Ryu reached out and helped wipe away some of the tears on her face, a sympathetic look to her eyes. "Do you want to stay a little longer?" She asked. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya closes her eyes briefly as she pulls in a slow, shaky breath. The image of the pyre is all but burned into her vision, though when she opens them again it’s to see it no more than embers at this point. “..No,” she says quietly, looking back down at the ground. “No, let’s.. Let’s go.” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Alright.." Ryu nodded and lead Enya out of the temple by hand. She didn't know how much longer she could stay in here either. Fire and funerals weren't her favorite things either. (We can move to wherever you want lol) @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Seki hadn't slept much. They felt too restless to continue lying in bed, so they made their way up the mountain in the gray darkness before dawn, and reached the temple when the sun peeked above the horizon. Why was he here? Was it to finally confront Naiyta for all they had done? Oh, Seki wanted to do that so badly, but in reality, he was afraid to. So many things could go wrong, and in the end all his efforts could only make things worse. So no... but why was he here? Maybe to meet Albanes? Maybe just to explore? They walked by the pyre. Someone had taken the antlers, it seemed. After a moment of reminiscing everyone they had seen burn here, Seki continued further into the temple @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Seki would soon realize they weren't alone. Out of the corner of their eye, they'd see the flickering of flame, and hear the soft padding of approaching footsteps... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears flicked, and they raised their head a bit higher, turning towards the sound and the light. Was someone approaching with a torch in hand? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It wasn't a person with a torch. Person that was a torch might be a bit more accurate. Raikal stood in the hallway, still very aflame and still very confused. Seki might notice just how much they resembled Roman- similar facial features, the same hairstyle, and the exact same outfit. But they had their differences- Raikal's skin was deeper in tone and patterned with vitiligo, their eyes were dark with white irises, and they had large, dark wings filded against their back. Perhaps most notably, they were very much on fire. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's eyes widened, their fur stood on end and their whiskers flared out. The idea of Roman flashed briefly in their mind, but it didn't stick for long. The much stronger image of a person ablaze was much prominent in the moment. "DOWN!" Seki yelled, and pointed at the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal visibly flinched, but nodded and obeyed. It got down onto its knees and looked up to Seki, a furrow in its brow. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Down! On the ground! Stop, drop, and roll!" Seki continued the directions, stepping closer and waving their arms, motioning Raikal to lie down and roll on the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Raikal laid down on their stomach and rolled as best they could- it was a bit difficult with their wings in the way. It didn't seem to be helping put out the flames any, either. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hastily dropped on his knees beside Raikal and started trying to put down the flames with their paws. After tapping the fire a few times, she looked around for anything of use for smothering the flames. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Seki's paws neared Raikal's body, they'd grow unbearably hot- to the point they'd reflexively flinch away from her. There were pools of water near the temple entrance, but nothing else to put out the fire. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki stumbled up again, and ran to grab some water. They looked around to spot a bucket or a bowl to carry the water. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There wasn't any sort of moveable basin, bucket or bowl. Raikal drew up to a sitting position. "No use. It- cannot be put out. Sorry." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hissed a swear and cupped a bunch of water in their hands, before hurrying back. They slowed down and paused with a surprised expression. "What do you mean? It that just the way you are? Dang, sorry.." So was this person a Fire type? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Just.. the way I am." He nodded. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, okay. Well, you scared me there. I've never met someone quite so much on fire", Seki let out an awkward chuckle. The water was rapidly dripping from between their palms and fingers. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal glanced away, wrapping their hands around their arms. "Sorry. Didn't mean to... scare." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hey, hey, it's okay. Main thing is that you're okay", Seki smiled, tail moving a little. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am... okay?" She asked, her voice uncertain. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, Seki smiled brighter, though soon seemed concerned again with how hesitant Raikal was. "Are you okay?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's gaze traveled to the temple entrance. "I have been- I am trapped here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's eyes darkened, and their ears drew back. Their eyes traveled back to Raikal's hair and robes, and they let out a short growl. "Let me guess, by Naiyta?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's eyes widened. "Naiyta. Yes." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears lowered. "That Naiyta! When I get it in my hands, I'll-" Seki caught himself and shut up, realizing this wasn't the best place to be yelling empty threats against the Lifebringer. He glanced around, fur bristled and tail lashing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "Please- please don't yell. Please." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Sorry..." Seki murmured, lowering their head, tail still whipping in agitation. "I'm Seki, nice to meet you. You are not a contestant, are you? Have you been here longer than us?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am... Raikal." They answered. "I have been here for... for a very long time. I cannot leave." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki frowned. "If we manage to flee, I'll take you with us, don't worry", she promised. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I cannot leave." Raikal repeated, emphasizing that point. They doubted Seki would be able to do anything to free them. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, neither can we at the moment", Seki sighed. "Are you Naiyta's... servant?" Seki guessed, although they were pretty sure that wasn't the case. However they really felt repulsed to ask anyone if they were Naiyta's partner, or something to that effect. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's... lover. Concubine. Partner." Raikal put a hand to its chest. "It loves me. It loves me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears pressed lower again, and they grimaced slightly, their fur bristling slightly. "Ah. I thought so. You have the same style its given to Roman. I'm sorry. That can't be a fun position.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It loves me." Raikal insisted. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Sure it does", Seki said flatly. "Do you love it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You- please, understand, please- it loves me." Raikal pleaded. "I thought- I loved them. I do." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's brows furrowed slightly, and they shook their head slightly, blinking and liftling their ears some. "Why?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"All I have. All I have." Raikal said. Their tone was almost sing-song, but still pleading. "It wants me back." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You only love it because it's the only thing you have?" Seki's forehead creased more, now in pity mixed with anger. "Sorry to say, but that's so sad, and really not healthy at all." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know." Raikal's expression shifted to one of slight annoyance. "But I cannot help but love them." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You need help, honey", Seki sighed, and shook their head. "You shouldn't be held hostage like this. That monster has broken you", the Soileon grimaced cringed slightly, looking down for a moment with darkened eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know." Raikal repeated. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, I'll help you, if I figure out how", Seki said with a desicive nod. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... how?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's what I need to figure out", Seki replied. "How did you end up here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Naiyta- trapped me. Imprisoned my soul. Ten thousand years of toil, ten thousand years of loneliness." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears perked upright, and their eyes widened. "Ten thous-" "Seki blinked, and gasped. "Oh, you're the ghost that lives up here? Anore's parent?" Seki took another good look at Raikal from head to toe. A ghost? Seki had heard they were green... (edited)

"Yes! My son-" Raikal stood up, and walked over to the relief statues of the lifebringer. they pointed out Anore. "My son." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki followed, shaking water drops from their hands all over the place (and did not ge a shit), and looked curiously at the relief Raikal pointed at. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The relief was of a man with a square jaw, heavy brow, and facial features that somewhat resembled Raikal's own. His hair was braided close to his scalp in neat cornrows. "My son." Raikal said, a hint of pride to their voice. "My Anore. My Rukime." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, handsome man", Seki nodded aprovingly. "I understood that he's somewhere here as well." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He is out there." Raikal pointed towards the temple door. "Naiyta- keeps me from him." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki gave a small growl, looking over at the door. "I can imagine they don't get along very well. He killed it after all." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's expression grew sad, and it nodded. "Yes..." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki shook their head sadly, and stepped closer to Raikal, lifting their paw a bit. They wanted to touch them, give a supportive hold on the shoulder, but even though Seki had a bit of a resistance to fire, it still scorched to even get close to the ghost. "Does he know you're here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook her head. "He would have come to see me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm. He's a ghost now too. Do you think he could come if I told you're here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Raikal shook his head. "Naiyta... it would not be allowed." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmph, Naiyta, Naiyta, Naiyta... I'm getting sick of that creep", Seki growled and lashed their tail. "You should be allowed to see each other. Fuck. Evil asshole..." the Eeveon grumbled to themself and started pacing, hands linked behind their back since there no pockets to stuff them in. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Naiyta controls all. It is the Lifebringer." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Control freak god complex son of a bitch", Seki snarled. "I've never been one for rules and restrictions. Grmmh..." he continued pacing. They paused in front of the relief to look at Anore again. "I haven't seen any of the other ghosts. It seems like they are inside their statues. I wonder if they can move..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There is another- that was here. But Naiyta let her leave." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh? Who?" Seki turned towards Raikal. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"M-madel-" Raikal frowned. "It's hard for me- cannot speak her name." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, that's alright. Who was she? Naiyta's lover as well?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook her head. "No. The other one." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Other one...?" Seki tilted her head. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's gaze travelled back to the lifebringer carvings, to the headless one and the space beyond it. They were softly counting under their breath. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki tilted their head the other way, and then followed Raika's gaze. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Seven." Raikal reported. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm? Seven?" Seki repeated, and turned to count the characters in the relief as well. "Isn't there only six?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There were only five figures in the relief, and one didn't have a head. "The seventh." Raikal repeated. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki can't count apparently and I'm not surprised. They never completed jr high. "Uhh..." Seki narrowed their eyes in thought, before connecting the dots. "Oh! Madel ghost was the lover of the seventh Lifebringer? Is that Albanes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal nodded. "Yes. Yes. She is-" They pointed out of the temple again. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ooh, okay... Is she visible as well?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Don't know- I can see her. But..." He shrugged. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hm. Can you turn invisible?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook its head. "I am... stuck. Like this. But I can... mhm. Fade." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, like be a little transparent?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook its head. "When I am alone, it gets harder to retain.... corporeality. Identity. I wander and I wander and I wander. Only when I am in the presence of others do I take this shape. This... knowledge." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ohh, huh, interesting... when a tree falls in the forest, and all that", Seki hummed, nodding slowly, a hand on their chin thoughtfully. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"... yes. I think." Raikal seemed unfamiliar with the phrase. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It's a philosophical thought experiment. 'When a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound?' So if nobody is around to witness you, you kind of, stop existing?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Like that." Raikal nodded. "But... not entirely. I cannot- die completely. I am kept here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, I figured..." Seki looked at Raikal in contemplation again. "Hmm... as a ghost, can you possess people?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "Pos.... possess?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded. "Kind of like take a living person's body as your own, and control them." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's hands went to cover her arms, and their gaze once again went to the door. "Don't know... no one is ever- I have no one to, to try it with." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, I'm here now. You can try it if you want. Maybe I can take you to see your son", Seki shrugged casually. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal quickly stood up and faced Seki. "Yes? Really?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded and smiled slightly and swung the tip of her tail. "Sure! If that's something I can do to help I'm glad to do it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you. Thank you." Raikal said, and offered out their hands, indicating Seki take them. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded with a supportive grin, and reached out to Raikal. He braced himself for the heat and grit his teeth before grabbing Raikal's hands. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The heat was unbearable, and only got worse as Raikal clasped their hands around Seki's, and pulled her into a very warm embrace. The burning sensation of heat would overwhelm all of Seki's senses... blindsiding them completely to the new soul entering his body. Seki would feel their own control taken away, a new presence at the forefront of their mind. The flame faded- something Raikal had not witnessed in their ten thousand years of ghosthood. Seki's appearance hadn't changed- save for their eyes, which were now a pale white with dark sclera. Raikal ran their hands- paws?- over the unfamiliar body they now inhabited. "Oh- oh , wow. Wow. That worked. That actually worked." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's lips rolled back to reveal their fangs from pain, and they squeezed their eyes closed. It felt surprisingly familiar, like the time they got raptured here. She was glad she was a Ground type and not Grass or Ice in this moment. Once the heat faded, Seki felt dizzy. Well, that was an understatement. They were extremely disoriented, feeling their body move without their own input. For a moment, fear rushed through confusion, but is quickly turned into surprised joy. "It did work! You did it! Yes! @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (spoilers for Seki's inner voice, no CWs in there.)

"It worked..." Raikal repeated. Awkwardly, being far too mindful of wings she didn't have in this body, she tried to walk, and made it all the way to the cleansing pools with only a few stumbles along the way. She kneeled by the pool and scooped water into Seki's paws, running it over their face, arms, down their scalp. She submerged their paws in it, scooped it up to drink. It had been so, so long since she had enjoyed such simple pleasures, and she was like a little child playing in the handwashing pools. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki could feel Raikal's innocent joy of such a simple thing. She would notice a soft vibration start in their chest, rumbling through their throat in a low purr in the rhythm of her breathing. Their tail twitched on the floor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal startled as she noticed their body purring, and put a still-wet hand to their chest. "Uhm. Uh. What's going on." Did she do something wrong? Why were they vibrating? Were they going to explode? @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You're happy, and I'm happy for you. We're happy. We're purring. It's a good thing." The purring quieted when Raikal became alarmed, but she might notice where in their throat the sound was produced, and how to control it. "I'm happy for you. It's nice to feel water again, yeah? Even if we couldn't leave, I'm glad you got this moment." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"Purring. Oh." Raikal said, and relaxed. She put their paws back into the water, but her gaze drifted to the door. "Mhm. Thank you. I am very happy." She said aloud. "Maybe... maybe I can leave." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You should try it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stood up awkwardly, bracing herself on the wall, and cautiously made their way to the open doorway. She held out their hand towards the doorway... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki looked at the doorway in anticipation. What would happen? Their whiskers quivered and the tip of their tail twitched. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal took in a deep breath, and, very cautiously, took a step forward so their hand would pass through the gateway. They passed through. "I'm free-" She stepped completely through the gateway, to the small landing just beyond the temple. They could see the entire citadel, "Oh my god, I'm free. I'm free. HAH! I'm free!" She shouted. Tears began to well in the corners of Seki's eyes. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's heart beat ardently. They felt Raikal's joy and their own compassionate delight mixed with it. Their tail picked up from the ground and lashed a couple of times disorderly. "I'm so happy for you! I'm so happy for you! Yes! Yes! Run free my friend!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

If only Raikal had wings to fly upon... Still, nothing could wipe the smile from her face. She let out one final, whooping cheer, and began descending the mountain. Though she moved awkwardly and carefully, it was still with the quick movement of joyous freedom. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki was internally grinning and chuckling. It felt good to make someone so happy. Well, especially since that someone's emotions were tightly linked to their body now. Their only worry was that Raikal would trip and break their neck or something. The lack of control was really unnerving, but at least Raikal wasn't the type to intentionally do any harm... they hoped. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Though she didn't have the best coordnination, Raikal was definitely trying to be cautious moving down the mountain. "It's- it's so strange to move without my wings," She laughed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, yeah, I bet those are pretty heavy on your back, huh? You can use my tail to help with your balance, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, I've never not had wings, well, I guess in my bird form I have the normal amount of limbs again. But even then I still have wings, I just don't have arms." Raikal rambled, and began trying to use Seki's tail to help balance like she normally would with their wings in the same situation. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh yeah, it must be trippy to be in a totally different body, heh. Man, it must be fun when you can just hop and fly off at any time." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's so weird.... but it's worth it. It's so worth it." Raikal was beaming. "Thank you, so- so much. It means so much to me." She let out a heavy sigh. "I miss flying. There's nothing like it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

A brief purr burred in Seki's chest. "No problem! As long as you don't do anything weird with my body, I'm glad to give you the wheel for a while, heh." "Aww, yeah, I bet it's awesome. I've flown on a dragon before. It's terrifying but amazing at the same time. Flying with your own wings, though, that sounds maybe a bit less scary." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course! I won't do anything weird. I promise." Raikal nodded. "It's amazing. When- when I was with Naiyta, they never let me fly. I guess they were afraid I'd fly away from them completely. But I miss it so much." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Thanks! And aw man, that's so mean. But I guess that makes sense. When did you meet Naiyta?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal sighed, and took a seat on a stable part of the cliff side. "It was.... a very long time ago. I was sent as a diplomat for the corvi, and... mhm. It's not a very happy story past that point." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Damn, it was sad from the very beginning? That's awful, I'm sorry. Was it already a Lifebringer then?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal nodded. "Mhm. Yes. It had already reigned for about a thousand years by then... it was expanding its empire northward into the Corvi lands, which was why I was sent. To broker peace. It, uhm. Took me hostage in exchange for peace with the corvi." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Holy shit it's old. Hostage? No way, that's so awful... I kind of hoped it was originally your choice to be with it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It was my choice. I chose to stay for the sake of my people. And... it wasn't all bad. Not at first, at least." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw... well that's good at least. But it doesn't really make up for ten thousand years of loneliness, huh.. What changed?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stiffened. "I... I don't know. I guess... I just got more resistant to what it wanted me to do- some of it was so extreme, I just- I don't know. And it reacted by trying to control me more- it, uh, it got to the point where it wouldn't let me make any decisions for myself, at all." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's stomach shrunk and their chest tightened. Raikal could feel their throat getting tense. "That's horrible. If you were into that sort of thing, fine, but if it hurt you and refused to see you as a person rather than a toy. ARGH! That really, really makes me sick..." Seki shuddered, and their fur bristled slightly, sending chills and tingles across their back and arms. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm..." Raikal shifted a bit, and tried taking in some deep breaths to calm both Seki and herself down. "It's- mhm. I was, uh, into it, to some extent. But.... it never really respected my boundaries. I was their plaything. For... for a thousand years. That's how long they made me live." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

12:46 PM

(kinda nsfw reference)

"Thousand years?! It could make you live that long? That's... ough." Seki's stomach churned. Raikal would feel a little nauseous. "I'm sorry. You really didn't deserve that. I've done things that make me doubt if I can judge Naiyta's actions but... hell yeah I can. That's way worse than what I've ever done. Not that I'd have been able to, anyway." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Even if they weren't sharing a body with Seki, Raikal would've still felt sick. "Uh. Yeah. I.... mhm. It was... rough." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm sorry..." If Seki was sitting next to Raikal, they would have offered a hug, or a supportive hand on her shoulder, but they didn't know how to comfort her in this state. Instead, they decided to ground and calm themself. They focused on the wind in their fur, mane, and whiskers, how it smelled like salt, fish and algae. They picked up the scents of different people and animals that had passed through here or nearby. They listened to sounds that their long, sensitive ears picked up lower down the mountain and the cries of seagulls. Maybe Raikal would notice them too and feel grounded, or maybe she would at least feel easier once Seki's disgust, outrage, and pity subsided. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault." Raikal sighed. They took in the view, the sights and sounds and smells they had not experienced in millennia. The pure physicality of it all. They had missed this. "... I would like to go see my son, now." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I know, but I still wish you didn't go through all that..." "Alright. There should be A statue of him somewhere. I don't know exactly where, but he's not in the northern ruins, or on the cliffs. Hmm. Pity you can't track a ghost by the smell." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (just in case someone tunes in just now, spoilers are for internal dialogue, no CWs here ✨ ) (edited)

Raikal stood up. "I'll be able to find him." She began descending the mountain further.... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stood up. "I'll be able to find him." She began descending the mountain further.... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's good."

Ace’s body, like all that had come before it, was brought up to the temple and laid on a pyre. Naiyta only removes his glasses before covering him in a white shroud. Kairas and Albanes were there, leading any attending contestants in the funeral procedures. “Here we commend the soul of the innocent and loved Ace Lao-Jiangyauro Lao,” Naiyta said, “To the Immaterial Fold, where he may find eternal rest and peace. Aeyt Sumahride alesa idune. Maiyrit alensbane saulde.” Kairas and Albanes led the attendees in the reply, “Bring him peace, bring him sleep, bring him joy.” As the incantation was said, Naiyta lit the pyre on fire, and Ace’s body began to burn. “Psarae Diyena.” Reagan and Albanes led the contestants in closing the prayer: “Psarae Solumnena.” Ace’s body was left burning til it was nothing but smoldering ash. @everyone (edited)

Roman had made his way up here fairly slowly, but made it nonetheless. He prayed along with the attendants, but couldn't watch Ace burn up, instead staring at the floor. Once he was gone, Roman scanned the room to see if Darcy was here.. Would he show up to this? He didn't know how he and Ace ended up.. He didn't show up to the fight..

…..after a long moment, Gale finally left the arena, following the procession from a distance. Gale stood at the fire until there was nothing but glowing coals, mourning three people in the ash. Roy, Ace, Nathan. Dead at that pale bastard’s hands. Anger simmered within, but more than anything Gale felt grief, guilt, and a deep sense of sadness. She had already lost Roy once- how was she supposed to go on when she had a fragment of hope, only for it to get crushed into losing him again? And for her to live only at the cost of Ace’s life, it made her sick with guilt. Her face wet with tears, they let out a shuddering breath, briefly breathing life into the coals, before dying down into black. (edited)

Kyrie landed with Ellie outside the temple. They'd gotten up to it pretty quickly, all things considered. "Uhm.... do you want me to go in with you?" She asked. She didn't want to see any bodies burning. Didn't want to smell the charred flesh. But if Ellie wanted her there, for support, she could endure it. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie very, very carefully stepped onto the ground, it's knees almost instantly feeling weak again. She used to attend the funerals with him- she. She'd...gotten kind of used to the smell. Eugh. Euugh- oh, it felt so much worse now. It felt so wrong. "y-you don't have to," Ellie murmured, clutching a bit at it's robes. Dizzy. It was feeling so, so dizzy. "mh- u-uhm. you don't have to, k- kyrie." It lingers at the entrance to the temple for a moment, and she wishes she weren't alone. She can see the smoke. She can see the flames. "i- i'll. uh," she falters, swallowing back the nausea. "t-thank. thank'you. i'll- i'll be back." Ellie heads further in. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kyrie frowned, but nodded. "Alright. I'll.... I'll be out here." She faced away from the temple, and let Ellie go pay her respects. Standing over the burning body, watching the flames eat it into nothing but smoldering ash, was Naiyta. It didn't seem to notice Ellie at first. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

He looks so small from here. Ellie couldn't find the strength to continue walking, it's echoing footsteps stopping short. The sudden scent of burning flesh nearly made her choke, but she didn't find the strength to do that, either. It wishes Ky were here. It wishes Jason were here. Gale, someone, anyone- it doesn't want to be alone. She blinks the tears from her eyes- crying again, Ells? -as she registers that there's a person standing there. It'd be a reassuring feeling, someone here, someone who cared for him- if not for her noticing it's stringy, blonde hair. *Them. The murderer.* Quivering fingers ball up into tight fists. Whether it's to stop herself from swinging or shaking, it's unsure. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta doesn't look up- it seems they don't even notice Ellie's presence. It stares at Ace as his body withers and burns, its hands almost trembling with rage. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 ( @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 you can bring Gale in whenever)

Oh, no. No, no, you didn't get to be angry. Ellie stands there a moment longer, teeth gritted in some attempt to stop herself from crumbling there and then. "Hello," she says, her voice cracking like hell. "You have something that belongs to me." To him, but she can't quite say that now. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

(Feel free to keep going :) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Naiyta looked up, only briefly glanced up to confirm who it was, then looked back down to Ace's body. "Do I?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

G. guh. "Jaso- Ace's glasses. His." Fumbling. She's fumbling so badly. "You have his glasses." Why.is it just staring. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do." It said, not looking up to her. "But those aren't yours." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ugh. "F-fine. They're his," Ellie concedes. "And- and I would like them back." Don't look. Don't look at him. Don't look at the glint of his earrings. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can't have them." Naiyta said plainly. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I- why?" Ellie exclaimed, wincing at how loud it's voice was. Hell. "W- what use do you have with h- his glasses? His stuff?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What use do you have with it?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie faltered at that, unsure of what to say, before she countered- "H- he- Jason's my friend. It's his stuff, and it's important to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta glanced up at Ellie again. "No." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Come on," Ellie pleaded, that gnawing feeling starting to pull at her chest. "I- why? What do you want to do with it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It doesn't matter. I make the final decision." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Please- w-what do you want for them, then? I don't- I don't-" Augh. Half the shit she had was stuff from here! And they weren't even good quality, either. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I make the final call. I decide what happens to the dead here." Naiyta maintained. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Shit. Shit. Shi t. She feels trapped. Cornered. It can't seem to get the words out, however hard it may try, to insist, protest- give it back. It doesn't belong to them. The last person it belongs to is his fucking murderer. It's eyes shift from Naiyta's unreadable face to the pyre behind them. "F. Fine," Ellie stubbornly says. She manages to keep the shake out of her voice this time. She won't give in. "Fine. Your final- you make the call." She tries not to look at the fire as she heads further in to find Gale. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Naiyta remains standing over the pyre, watching Ace burn. It doesn't reply to Ellie. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Gale stands a ways away, arms crossed to hold herself as they stare into the dying fire. They stand quietly still, face shining with tears. They don’t notice as Ellie starts to approach. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There they are; standing there, wonderful as ever, alive as ever. "Gale," Ellie softly says. Her knees are wobbling. She'll fight the pull of gravity long enough. Her chest absolutely aches like hell. "Gale, hey, h-hey." I'm so happy you're here. I'm so happy you're alive. I'm so glad you're here. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Once again, Gale showed no sign of noticing her, their gaze distant. ’When was the last time I saw him? December- god, it was fuckin’ Christmas last time, Christmas and he still looked tired- depressed, he was fuckin’ depressed and I didn’t do shit for him and now-‘ They react to Ellie’s second call. The usual energy in her movement gone, their eyes slowly rising from the coals to her. ”..Ellie..?” Her voice crackles, low and weak. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Gale," she repeats, and her voice shakes like hell. "Oh, G- Gale, are you okay? Are you alright?" She can't fault her- she never could. How could it be so wrong to want to live? How could she be angry at her? She just couldn't. But oh, heaven above, if it didn't hurt. Ellie reaches out, shaking hands tenderly holding onto Gale's crossed arms. Is this a mistake? She doesn't want to hurt them- she pulls back soon enough, eyes darting across their face. Are they hurt? She doesn't want them to be hurt- she's so sorry. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

’Are you alright?’ It makes them laugh, short, tired and sad. “No. I- I’m..” They sniffle, another wave of tears threatening to burst, but she tries to choke it down. A few stray tears escape her. “…I.. I was so close- He- Roy was right there! I-” They sob, hanging their head as her hands grip tighter into their folded arms. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh," Ellie softly murmurs, and she can't seem to stop the tears any longer. "Gale, oh- oh, I'm so sorry-" Roy- her brother, missin' for a year. Oh- a year, missing your brother, Hells- and right when he was so close? The noise in her ears is growing unbearable. It's hands return to settle on Gale's arms, trying to be as reassuring as she could muster. "H-hey- hey, Gale, it's okay, I- I'm here, m'here- it's gonna be okay, y- yeah?" Nathan, Roy, what were they shouting about down there? She couldn't hear a thing. Why was there fire? What was happening? @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

As soon as Ellie touches her, they fall into her hold, sobbing. Gale reaches her hands to Ellie, holding her like an anchor. ”H-he was right there! It ffucking took him ffrom me!” Each word forced out with a sob. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

It took him from them- it took so many people from them. It hurt. Ellie sinks, clutching onto Gale as her lifeline. She can't break. She can't falter. She's already failing, she's not strong enough for this. "I'm so s- sorry," Ellie says, and her voice betrays her composure. It's voice feels thick with strain, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Their hands feel warm in hers. Warm with life, with life, not fire and ash and smoke- life. Alive. She's alive. "Gale, I- I- 'm sorry, I'm s-so sorry, Gale." Murderer. Murderer. She wants to tear it apart immortal limb from immortal limb. She wants to hurt it. She needs to hurt it. It's knees hit the ground of the temple with an angry thunk, and she holds onto Gale as if they are each other's lifeline. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale sinks with it, leaning even further into her with another sob. ”Bastard- I’ll- I…” A shuttering sigh. Their hand moves from Ellie’s, shifting to hold it in a tangled embrace. ”..I just- w-want him back.. I c-can’t.. he- he didn’t deserve any of this..!” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

God, God, God. Ellie squeezes their hand back, as tight as it can possibly muster, if only to feel her pulse in their hands. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair. They should'a had separate fights- separate battles. They could'a both lived- they could- they- they could have had a fair chance of winning, not this. It doesn't know what to say- it doesn't know if it can say anything at this point. Ellie just holds onto Gale, tears dripping down her cheeks. 'You must miss him a lot, right? You cared about him so much. I'm so sorry. I know you're hurting so badly. I'm sorry.' I just want him back. He didn't deserve any of this. Mmh. Ditto. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale held her and cried for a long time, hiccuping weak pleas and regrets. After a while, the tears slow. Gale leans into Ellie, exhausted. ”…Ace.. Ace said he- he misses you.. and Nathan. He- he ssaid you were best friends.... I- I’m ssorry.. I don’t- I tried to... ‘m sorry..” @kipology (edited)

Leaving Kettu behind, Kenji ignores the fight announcement this time, and continues up the mountain. He isn’t really sure what drives him forward, right now. But up the mountain feels right. This time, at least. He enters the temple, footsteps quiet on the stone, and actually takes a moment to look around for once. The statues—even the ones that can’t—feel almost as if they are watching him. Kenji stops in front of the furthest empty plinth, with a sinking feeling in his chest he can’t quite describe. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Brief moments before the fight starts, the ringing of a massive bell sounds out in the temple, and right before Kenji, on the empty plinth before him, materializes a figure. A figure of a person, a rather familiar one at that. Albanes takes a moment to catch herself and catch her breath before she notices who she's in the presence of. "Kenji..." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji’s eyes widen and he takes a few steps backwards in surprise, only marginally relaxing once he recognizes who it is. “Hells, Albanes,” he sighs, once his heart stops thudding in his chest. The sound of the bell rattles in his ears. “What’s all that about?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"I'm just... coming back. It's a bit dramatic, I'm sorry." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji raises an eyebrow. “Coming back from where exactly?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... the Immaterial Fold." Albanes answered after an awkward pause. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

There’s another, more awkward pause after she says that. “..Okay,” Kenji says, with the air of someone who really has no idea how else to reply. “Are… Is there an issue?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No, not particularly-" Albanes sighed. "But I was attacked not long ago, and I had to flee." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Attacked?” Kenji’s voice shifts from careful neutrality to slight concern slipping through. He didn’t remember seeing or hearing anything about that, but he’d mostly kept to himself after the last fight. “What happened?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"During the last fight Naiyta had it's... partner sit with me in the private box. He attacked me during the match. I was okay, of course, but..." She sighed. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Naiyta had a partner? Wild. “Well, I’m..glad you’re alright, then,” Kenji says after a moment. “I didn’t realize you watched the fights, actually.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't enjoy it, but... I like to keep track of who lives and who dies." Albanes said. "And it makes it easier to get the dead to their rightful resting places." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

That sounded like a pretty morbid checklist to keep. Something in Kenji’s expression shifts, a little bit, though he doesn’t make an attempt to comment on it. “Naiyta’s the one doing the dirty work, but it’s not the one transporting us after?” He questions, a surprising lack of accusation in his voice. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No." Albanes shook her head. "It's the duty of the Regnant Lifebringer to watch over the Immaterial Fold." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Hmm.” Kenji’s mismatched gaze drifts back to the statues lining the relief, lingering on the opposite empty plinth for just a moment. “..How are there two of you here, anyways?” He wonders, half to himself. “Neither of you wants the same thing.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's, mhm. Complicated." Albanes sighed. "Put simply, neither of us are strong enough to completely overpowered the other." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"Naiyta called you more god than human when I talked to them," Kenji recalls, the words still tasting like dust in his mouth. He isn't quite meeting her eyes. "...Do I still know who you are? I'm starting to think I don't." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I suppose that's true, now." She sighed heavily. "... maybe you don't. But I'm still looking out for you, Kenji." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"I'm not so sure I can trust that anymore," Kenji says quietly, but still not accusatory. More like matter-of-fact. "What changed? I still don't understand that. You weren't like this the last time I saw you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... it's complicated Kenji." Albanes sighed. "It's all very... complicated. When Madelyn died.... things changed. I don't expect you to understand it all." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“When has anything ever not been complicated?” Kenji sighs with a faintly exasperated smile, though his expression softens entirely at the mention of Madelyn. He shifts, for a moment, like he might try to reach out to her, but seems to think better of his actions. “…I know. And I’m..I’m sorry I haven’t been able to be there for you more. I should’ve been.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes wrapped her arms around her body and looked away. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault it happened." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"Still, Albanes, I could've been a better friend. You've been there for me enough; you deserve better." There's something between them that's awkward and bitter still--but improving. Kenji glances back to the plinth again, briefly. "...Maybe it's for the best Jax doesn't learn about what happens here," he says quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Something vulnerable passes over Albanes's features. "... thank you, Kenji. I really appreciate that." She sighed. "... perhaps not." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"Of course." Kenji's wedding ring is heavy on his hand, and he can't fight back the urge to look down. He swallows back the heavy feeling in his throat. "I'd like to say I'll see him again. But I'm not sure that's really possible anymore." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes was silent for a while. "... perhaps not. If you cannot be reunited in life, well..." She sighed. "You do not deserve immortality, Kenji. It is not a kind existence." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Something is nagging at him about that--a dull, centralized ache in the back of his mind, though muted. "I guess maybe I'm lucky, then," he says quietly. "I don't exactly plan on winning here. I..I want you to know that beforehand." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I think that's for the best, honestly. I don't mean to be rude by it." She sighed. "I simply think... dying here might be your best chance of escaping it. Who is your opponent." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"A little rude. But it's fine. At least you're not trying to talk me out of it," Kenji shrugs with a faint chuckle. Now that he's actually gone and said it, he seems weirdly casual about the whole idea. "I've already spoken to Ellie about it--a while ago, actually. I'll do what I can to help her win, and then...that's that, I suppose." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ellie seems kind." Albanes said. "I understand she's made... connections here." "I will lead you into as peaceful an afterlife as I can, I promise." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"More than I have, at least. Though...can you keep an eye on Carrion for me? At least for as long as you can. I don't think he'll trust you, but... He's a good kid at heart." It goes a little unspoken how similar he feels they are, even if he doesn't have the words or memories to explain why. A peaceful afterlife, though.... "Do I get that kind of thing?" Kenji seems surprised by his own words, his expression subconsciously shifting in discomfort. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

1

"I'll try." Albanes nodded. "... I think it's something everyone deserves. You've been a good friend to me, Kenji. It's... really the least I can do to pay you back. Especially after my part in getting you here in the first place." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji grimaces slightly. "I'd say thank you, if I knew what you were paying me back for." There's a little bit of bitterness that returns to his voice, though he's making a considerable effort not to let it escape completely. "But I guess it won't really make a difference in the end." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes didn't acknowledge the bitterness. "I guess so." She sighed. "I'll miss you, when you're gone." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

A moment of heavy silence passes between them and then Kenji moves, wrapping his arms around Albanes in a tight hug. “Thank you,” he murmurs, voice slightly muffled. “I.. I’ll miss you too.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes startles at the sudden embrace, but leans into it. She would miss this kind of affection. "You've been a good friend to me. Probably... better than I deserve." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji pulls back, maybe a little sooner than both of them might have liked. “Don’t talk like that,” he says quietly as he shakes his head at Albanes’s statement. “That isn’t true, you know that right?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If it is... will you forgive me?" She didn't move to hold onto him as he pulled away. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

He hesitantly considers the request for a moment, unsure how to fit his reply into words. "I want to, Albanes. And I.. I can try. I can promise that much." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Trying is all I can really ask of you. It's all I do ask of you." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"I can do that," Kenji repeats, almost half-convincingly, to himself. "...I guess this is goodbye, then." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... goodbye." Albanes sighed. "Maybe... it'll be better in the next life." Reincarnation was a silly thing for an immortal god to believe in. She stood by her words, anyways. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

"Mmm. Could be," Kenji hums non-committedly, unable to voice his lack of belief further than that past the lump stuck in his throat. "Won't be me anymore. But maybe that is better." Where that comes from, he isn't sure, but something deep down and hidden feels right. "I'd appreciate it if you were there. When it happens." He offers her a faint, resigned attempt at a smile--one that twists the scarring that litters his face and doesn't quite reach all the way to his unfamiliar eyes--before turning away to leave. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes attempts a smile, though it doesn't reach her eyes. She looks away from him, up at- strangely, the headless stature to her side. "It's nice to think about." She concluded. "It's all very... nice to think about. Good luck, with the rest of your life. I'm glad I've been able to call you my friend." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji pauses before he fully leaves, though he doesn't fully turn around. "I'm glad I could call you my friend too," he replies quietly. His hand comes up to grasp the crystal on his necklace, the sharp edges grounding him as his shoulders tense. Hopefully Jax can forgive him for this. "I'll see you when it's time, then," he says finally, unable to bring himself to look at her, before he leaves the temple proper. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I'll see you then. Goodbye." Albanes lingers in the temple for a long, long while, before leaving again.

a rotting memory

what we do not speak of

roman arrives

evan and raikal part ways

aarni and albanes besties 5ever

ace and kyrie look at statues

goodbye freakish twink man

aarni's funeral

asha's funeral

levi's funeral

armand's funeral

isi's funeral

raikal and seki

ace's funeral

the beginning of the end