MASKTOURN

Behind the great, empty entrance chamber, are sprawling corridors The floors are intricately placed but abstractly patterned tile, and the walls are unadorned marble brick. The corridors are lit by long, open skylights, which let in light and the occasional ocean breeze. The corridors are long and winding, sometimes turning in on themselves at seemingly impossible angles. It’s easy to get lost here…

Roman finally woke in the bright, white temple corridors- a place he had no recollection of ever being in before. Naiyta's hand was on his forehead, and Kairas was crouched on his other side, watching. Once Roman showed signs of life, Naiyta stood up. "Alright, that should be enough." It said, before waking off into the maze of corridors. Kairas lingered by Roman's side. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It took a few minutes after Naiyta had left for Roman to finally wake up, but when he did, he instantly rolled on to his side and began coughing. Sweat was forming all over his body. "Where-" Roman gasped between coughs. "Roque- where is-" He couldn't speak any more as he was overtaken by the coughs that racked his entire body. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas waited for a moment to see if the coughs would get better or worse, but didn't say anything. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, they were just getting worse. Roman twisted around to face where Roque's eyes would be, all that distance away. Once he had that located, he began to pull himself forward at an agonizing pace. It would probably take him days to get there at this speed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas could speed this up. She stood over Roman and picked him up- it required a bit more manhandling when he was awake- and got him roughly into the same position she had before. She flew up through the skylight and down into the citadel, all while holding Roman firmly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman couldn't really protest getting picked up. As they approached where the jar was, his condition was rapidly improving. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Evan wasn't sure what guided him in this direction, but it felt comfortable to walk this far. However, he still wasn't tired. The large corridor felt a bit frightening to be in, but the boy continued forward. He made sure to try and memorize where he traveled from so he wouldn't get lost. It'd be miserable to get lost in a place like this.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The hallways were somewhat dim in the cool night, but as Evan turned a corner, he could see the faint flicker of a flame spreading down a corridor adjacent to the one he was now in. Coupled with it was the faint, pained whining of an adult voice. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan froze as he heard the whines. Was someone hurt? Who would be hurt here- Did a competitor come and get hurt by their opponent? Oh god, was someone dying? Slowly, Evan stepped down the hallway, trembling as he grew closer to the flicker of the flame. It was strange, and he couldn't quite understand just how the fire was moving the way it was, but he couldn't help but admit that he was intrigued. The boy was all about learning things- Maybe he'd learn something here? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Evan turned the corner, he'd be greeted with quite the sight. The source of the flame's light was a person- a person that'd been set on fire. They were slightly above average height, with dark skin patterned with pale vitiligo, barely visible over the flames that danced across their bare skin. Thick dark curls fell over his shoulders, frying awfully in the heat and creating that horrible smell of burnt hair, though it was barely noticeable over the scent of rapidly cooking flesh. She wore only loose robes made of animal hides and coarse-woven fabric, and had large, dark wings trailing behind her, held aloft but not free of the flame that consumed her. With pleading dark eyes, they approached Evan. "Please- please- so alone-" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Ah-AHHH-" Evan's scream got cut off as he lost his footing. He stumbled and toppled onto his back, his gaze locked on the figure before him. He stared in horror as the person stepped closer. The scent was nauseating, unlike anything he had ever smelled before. The boy felt sick to his stomach as he took in details of the figure. Oh god, oh god, this was going to be a twisted core memory- "Y-you ha-have to st-stop, drop, a-and roll!" Evan shouted. "Th-that'll put the fl-flames out!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The person limbered forward, supporting herself with a shaky hand on the wall. "I need- you need- help me, please. I'm so alone. I'm so alone." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"H-how d-d-do I help?" Evan whimpered as he scrambled to get up to his feet. "I-I'm here- But- I don't ha-have any water- I can g-go get some-!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"NO!" The person insisted, more fearful than angry. "No. No. Don't go. Don't leave. Stay." He held out a burning hand, as if to help Evan up. "Won't hurt- you. Safe? With me. Please. Stay." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

Evan stared at the fire person. His mind raced- The fire didn't seem to be the issue- Did the person have difficulty controlling their fire, like how he had trouble controlling his metal? And the person was scared- Evan understood that. He understood the fear. Suppressing down his own fear, he shakily extended his hand out. "O-o-okay, I c-can- I c-can stay.. I-it'll b-be okay.." He made contact with the person. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Stay. Stay." They nodded. As Evan moved his hand closer to the person, the air touching his skin grew hotter and hotter- it was unbearable closest to the flaming person's skin. If he actually managed to touch them, his hand would phase completely through their shaking one. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan winced as the heat grew stronger. When his hand went through theirs, he quickly yanked his hand away. "Wh-what-?" Evan's heart raced in his chest as his breathing began to pick up. He looked at his trembling hand and back to the person. "H-how did- How- Wh-what..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... please. Don't go. Don't leave-" The person still pleaded. He didn't seem to notice the way Evan's hand phased through his own, and kept reaching out. "Please? Friend?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"O-okay- Okay, w-we c-can be friends-" God, Evan didn't have friends, and his first friend became a fire person who can go through things? What? "Wh-what's y-your n-name? I'm E-Evan.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The person stalled for a moment, almost as if they couldn't quite remember. "Raikal.", it said, and then switched up the stress of the syllables. "Rai-kal. Rai-kal. I am Raikal." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"R-Raikal?" Evan repeated. "O-okay- I-it's n-nice to me-meet you, Raikal- D-do you h-have fire p-powers..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Something shifted in Raikal's expresssion- from shifty anxiety to terror. "Fire. Fire- they set me on fire. They set me on fire. Why- why did they-" He sputtered incoherently. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Oh my god the person didn't have fire powers- "Wh-who did? Wh-who d-did this t-to you?" Evan asked in a fearful whisper. Oh god, he was actually talking to a dead person oh god- "I-it'll be okay-!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal fell forward suddenly, her immense grief weighing her body down. "They- they murdered me. They murdered me." She kept repeating, almost like they were shocked by it. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“H-hey- I-it’s okay- I mean- It’s bad that that happened but- You’re okay n-now, you’re safe now, th-they can’t hurt you anymore,” Evan whimpered. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Raikal's breaths grew heavy with panic, the flame danced and flickered- growing hotter, taking over more of their body. With dark eyes, they looked up to Evan, pleading, "Why?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan winced as the flames grew stronger. He was already beginning to sweat from the heat. “It’s- It’s okay- I d-don’t know wh-why they’d do that b-but- You’re safe now, I-I’m here w-with you..” Every fiber of his being was telling him to run, but he couldn’t. Not when someone was hurting this much. If his father was here, he’d know how to comfort a person- Even a ghost. He’d say the right thing at the right time. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The answer didn't seem to satisfy Raikal- he certainly didn't look very safe at the moment. He wrapped his wings around his body. "It- it murdered me." He repeated, softer this time. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Wh-what did?” Evan dropped his voice down to a whisper. “Th-the Lifebringer..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stilled. The fire kept burning. She looked up to Evan. "Lifebringer... the Lifebringer. The Lifebringer once loved me." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-you were in a relationship with the Lifebringer?” Evan asked, slightly confused. “Th-then what m-murdered y-you..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"They killed me," Raikal insisted, and then, almost contradictorily, "I loved them." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan shivered. “S-so- The L-Lifebringer you l-loved, k-killed you? But- Why? I’m s-sure you didn’t d-deserve to d-die..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Why?" Raikal repeated Evan's question, as if signifying they, also, didn't know. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-it’s okay if you d-don’t know! M-maybe- Maybe that’s s-something I can f-find out for you?” Evan asked. His heart continued to pound in his chest. “Wh-what was the Lifebringer’s name? Like- A-actual name..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal put her hands to her chest, and replied instantly, "Naiyta." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan froze. Naiyta, the other Lifebringer that Evan had been warned about. Oh god, oh god, they were even more terrifying now. “O-okay,” Evan whispered. “O-okay, I’ll- I’ll keep that name in m-mind..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I loved them." Raikal repeated absently. "I loved them." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I’m sorry th-they d-did that to you..” The boy trembled. “I’m s-sure you didn’t d-deserve it..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You will- talk to them? About me?" Raikal asked. "Remind them I am here?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“S-sure! I c-can do that!” Evan nodded. He would not be doing that. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... promise?" Raikal asked. "They... left me- not again. Never again." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Dang it- Now Evan had to tell Naiyta! “I-I promise,” Evan managed out. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal seemed slightly relieved at that. "Thank- thank you... my friend... Evan..." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-of course,” Oh god and the ghost knew his name oh goD- “C-can I-.. I think it’s getting late, a-and that I need to go to bed soon, b-but- Can I give you something? S-so that you’re not- A-alone..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "Give... something?" It repeated. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm.” Evan reached into his pocket and pulled out a few scraps of metal. He began to reshape it into- What looked like another little dog. “I c-can make little trinkets with my powers. Th-this way, when I leave, y-you have some company..” When Evan was done, he showed Raikal the dog. It was small, and looked as though it was based on a Pomeranian. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal held out her hands for the little dog statue, but much like how Evan's hand had warmed up and eventually phased through Raikal's flesh, the Pomeranian only briefly lit up with the orange-gold of molten metal, before phasing completely through her hands. Raikal watched it clatter with a brief, shocked look of grief. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-oh- That’s okay!” Evan would give it a second to cool down before he attempted to pick it up. “M-maybe- Do you have a place I could put it? Like- Do-do you have a favorite spot in the t-temple where I could p-put this at for you? Then- You can look at it whenever you’d like..?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal considered this for a moment, then nodded. They stood up and walked past Evan, gesturing for him to follow. The flame trailed behind them as they walked through the temple corridors, back the way Evan had came... @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Aaaaaand now he was going to follow the ghost. Perfect. Evan picked up the dog figurine and used his robe to carry it. He quickly scampered after Raikal. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Finally cresting the mountain, Kenji finds himself within the temple of the acropolis at last. He’d stopped for breaks along the way here and there, and yet, for some reason, he can’t quite seem to bring his heart rate back down. The temple itself is….off-putting. It appears empty, and for all intents and purposes peaceful, but something about it makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He had stood awkwardly in the center of the temple’s entrance for….embarrassingly too long, but when still no one appeared to be around he headed for the corridors instead. Surely they would have been locked or barred in some way if he was not meant to be here. A lone ocean breeze rustles his robes, drowned out by the sound of his footsteps. …There may have once been a goal behind his movement, but the more he walks, it seems that he is just simply..wandering. Even that word seems to have too much purpose to it. But he can’t explain the itch that drives him to keep moving steadily, winding corridor after winding corridor. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kenji would soon begin to hear a steady, familiar gate. It was Albanes- walking slowly through the winding corridors with her cane. She turned a corner to face Kenji. "Oh, hello again, Kenji. Are you feeling better today?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

He almost walks directly past her—blinking behind the mask, as soon as her voice reaches him—and coming to a jerky halt. “I— Yes, I..think so. Thank you.” A moment of silence, and then he adds, “I’m sorry. I’ve..asked a lot of you.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, you don't need to apologize. I'm here to help you." Albanes hummed. "What are you doing up here in the Citadel?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I’m…” What was it again? Yes, that’s right. “I was..looking for you, actually. It seemed easier this way.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You... wanted to talk to me? What about?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

She seems…surprised? Hesitant? He can’t really tell. “I was hoping you might have some…answers for me,” he says finally. “About what happened at the gala, about the headaches, about everything here, I just..” He trails off, unsure of how to finish. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhhh.... I'd figure you'd have questions about that." Albanes sighed. "You've got... a sort of illness, I guess is how to put it. Something foreign encroaching upon your mind. It's what you came to me for help with. I've been helping you, but I can only do so much. That's where the headaches are coming from, I'd bet." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji listens quietly, and it’s difficult to see what his reaction to that really is save for a tightening of his jaw. “Something foreign…” He repeats, tilting his head. “Why.. Why didn’t I know that? Is that— What about the thing that Aarni said?” Just thinking about it makes him start to feel dizzy. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The way I'm helping you keeps you from fully realizing it. We really shouldn't dwell on this topic much longer." Albanes cautioned. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Aarni called it a parasite.” Kenji ignores her warning, gritting his teeth through the growing throbbing behind his eyes and pushing through. He’s not really sure where the sudden spike of anger is coming from, but he certainly agrees with it. “You want us to die anyways. I at least want to know what’s wrong with me first.” Might be the first time he hasn’t referred to her and the Lifebringer separately. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Kenji, I'm not telling you more. It'll just hurt you." Albanes insisted, her gaze darkening into something sterner. "And I do not want you to die. Naiyta does. I only want to keep you all safe." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Just as quickly as the anger had come over him, it seems to drain and his shoulders slump with it. “I don’t feel safe, Albanes. I… I want to believe you, I do. But for fuck’s sake, why this way?“ @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am beholden to the will of my predecessor. I promise, I do not want things to be this way, but I have been forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Kenji, I am doing the best I can." She sighed. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji looks away, mask tilted at the ground, and doesn’t answer for a moment. When he finally does, it’s resigned. “Why not just kill us all now. That seems a lot easier than all this—“ He gestures loosely. “—this. The fighting, the spectacle, the— the— waiting, I don’t… At the very least can’t the kid go? Put Seki into my fight if you want. Something. They seemed to think I had nothing to live for, and it’s not that, but— if people need to die then when I get in there I’m not killing anyone.” It’s a very….disjointed statement, both acceptance of the situation and refusal to be okay with it, like there’s too many thoughts colliding without rhyme or reason. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes let out a sigh. "I can't stop the fights. I can't stop any of the fights. If- if you want that to change, you'll have to go through Naiyta. I only have so much power here." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

The thought sends an involuntary shudder down his spine, even if it escapes him why. He shakes his head, deep down still believing in her, even if it churns his stomach. “Enough to bring me here,” he murmurs. “You didn’t have to do this to me.” It’s awful to say, sickening selfish, but he can’t for the life of him get it through his head why. Even Aarni hadn’t ended up here in the same way—as far as he knew, it was just him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did not bring you here." Albanes maintained, her voice cold. "If all you are going to do is accuse me of things I did not do, should I redirect you to the person who did?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I don’t—“ Kenji cuts himself off sharply, hands gripping at his hair as he starts to pace. “I didn’t mean it like that, I— Albanes, all I remember is coming here, talking to you, and then I woke up in a room telling me I’m here to fight. Someone else—fuck, I didn’t even get their name—had to tell me about us dying! Now there’s a kid here and I can’t get my heart to stop racing and what is Jax going to think?!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Kenji. Kenji." Albanes repeated. "It's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay. I promise- I know it isn't much, but it's the only thing I can assure you of right now. It'll all work out in the end." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“You keep saying that,” he insists, frowning deeply behind the mask. His mouth tastes like dust. “I— believe you, I do.” Does he anymore? “But it’s not okay now. Is Jax even going to know what happens? How long’s he going to have to wait?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes closed her eyes, a pained look briefly crossing over her features. "I can't answer questions about 'now' Kenji, it's- it's just a very complicated situation." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji’s demeanor shifts again, appearing more abrupt as the mask prevents the shift in emotion to be visible. He moves towards her, almost jerkily, seeming like he’s going to reach for her hands before pulling his own back to his chest. “Albanes, please,” he begs, the crystal of his necklace cutting into his palms with how tight he’s gripping it. “I— I can’t leave him in the dark like this, not again.” He can’t remember what he means by again, of course, but just the thought makes his chest ache. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There is nothing I can do-" Albanes insisted. "Is what you want a comfortable lie, Kenji? That' something I can give you. I just think you deserve better than to be treated like a toddler needing to be pacified." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I don’t know!” Kenji flings his hands up in the air, whipping around as if he’s going to storm straight out of the hallway before turning back just as sharply. He really doesn’t, and it..scares him a little. “You can’t do anything about the fights? Fine. Maybe I just want my husband to have some closure when I never come home.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can't do anything about the fights- and I can't do anything to stop this. I can tell Jax that you're safe- I won't be able to tell him where exactly you are, but I can let him know you're okay. Is that alright?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“No, that’s—“ Deep breaths, Kenji. He waits until his fists have unclenched from his sides, trembling faintly despite the forced attempt at calm in his voice. “That’s not true. You tell him I’m dead. Wait after this is all— all over or whatever, sure, fine, but don’t lie to him.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

To Albanes, there was very little difference between 'safe' and 'dead'. She did not say so. "I'll tell him as such, once it's all over." She replied, voice devoid of emotion. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

It might be the best he’s going to get. Kenji bites his tongue to keep from arguing further, instead just barely managing a bitter, “Thank you.” Once again, the fight appears to drain out of him, replaced by exhaustion lining his bones. Yet the mask still continues to hide his true thoughts. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I really am sorry, Kenji." Albanes said, her gaze softening somewhat. "Is there anything else I can help you with?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Kenji doesn’t reply to the first part, breaking his gaze away from her and staring at the ground in front of her instead. The second part takes him a moment to think about too. He still had questions, of couse, but given her refusal he doubts it’s worth it to bother asking. He simply shakes his head once, turning abruptly on his heel again yet looking over his shoulder once he’s just about to turn the corner. “Oh. My sister’s having a girl, by the way. We weren’t sure if the letter would reach you in time.” It sounds more hollow than it should, but he’s gone before Albanes would be able to ask anything further. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes only watched Kenji go, and turned back the way she came. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Out of a sleepy, sick daze, Roman would slowly come to... and discover he was neither in the position or place he had fallen unconscious in. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... "Oh, poor Romeo.. Seems like your blood isn't changed enough yet to keep you from getting sick. Guess you'll just have to lay in bed for a while.. Don't worry baby, Radysh and Remoúl will watch over you, I've got some shows to get to.. Bye!" ... Roman coughed and heaved a few times before rolling on to his side. He didn't open his eyes yet.. But it had been quite a while since he got sick- how was it even possible now? Even if that air has contained some viral particles, nothing should have happened... @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Roman would soon become aware of a soft hand on his shoulder, gently waking him, and a soft, unfamiliar voice. "Hello? Are you up yet?" ... he wouldn't feel sick anymore, at least. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Eugh- the door-" Roman coughed one more time for good measure before opening his eyes. "Were you in there?" .. It would he kind of weird if this clearly older woman lived in a room with a door like that, but who was he to judge. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. I found you unconcious at the end of the hallway." Albanes said simply. "For... your own safety, don't be going down that hallway again, alright?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"But there was someone down there-" Roman moved her hand off his shoulder. "They sounded like.. they were in pain. No one else was going to help them here. Did you help them?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There's nothing down there that needs your attention. That hall has... a way of playing with the mind." Albanes explained., putting her hand on her lap. "What you heard was likely an illusion." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... Why is that hallway even here then..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It leads to areas off-limits to the contestants." Albanes explained, her voice neutral. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"How do you get through it- wait, you were with Naiyta on the stage before.. You're Albanes, right?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

She nodded. "That's right. I'm, well, the other Lifebringer. You're Roman, right? I've noticed Naiyta's... taken a liking to you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"That's one way to say it." Roman chuckled quietly. "I think they like me more than you, at the least." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't exactly desire its attention." Albanes huffed. "Be cautious around them, okay? And don't go back down that hallway." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why should I be cautious? We're all going to die here anyway.. Might as well have some fun while we're here." Roman shrugged. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"All I'll say is that I don't trust Naiyta." Albanes said simply. "How are you feeling?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I feel fine now, but those fumes made me sick somehow. Which shouldn't be possible, since I can't catch diseases." Roman hummed. "Let me guess, Magic sickness gas to keep contestants out?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Something like that." Albanes nodded, and didn't elaborate. "Can I take you back to the temple entrance? I'm sure you have better things to do than wander around the halls all day long." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Hm, sure. But I think i could find my way out on my own." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's very easy to get lost in these halls." Albanes warned, slowly getting up. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman stood up behind her, with a bit of a grunt. "Do you get lost here a lot?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. But I know this place like I know the veins of my own body. You, I presume, do not." Albanes started down the hall. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

To be honest, Roman didn't really know his own veins very well. Roque didn't usually aim for anything specific. He shrugged, and followed Albanes. "I don't think Naiyta would let me die from anything other than it's own hand, I'm not too worried about anything." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes paused for a moment. "That doesn't mean you have to spend hours wandering this place alone." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm also used to wandering alone." Roman shrugged. "What were you doing before you got here, as the reigning lifebringer?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, I was ruling over the Loucari. That's... usually what the reigning Lifebringer does." Albanes shrugged. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, I was there before I got taken. Didn't see you there though." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I doubt you would've." Albanes said flatly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm guessing that's because you've been here for a while? Who's ruling now that you're gone?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My advisory council. They handle most day-to-day matters, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Did you have to give a two weeks notice before you disappeared to host a murder tournament?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

That made Albanes laugh, just a bit. "Ah- not exactly, but I did let them know I'd be away on private matters for a while. It's not the most surprising thing for a reigning Lifebringer to do." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman chuckled along with her. "How long did you tell them you'd be gone for?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I didn't give a specific number, just said it might be a while. If it's so long they start dying off, there's measures in place to replace them in my absence." Albanes replied casually. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman nearly choked on his own breath. "What?? Do you think you'll be here for like fifty years??" Roman asked, totally bewildered. "What if they start to go power crazy?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm... not exactly certain how long Naiyta will draw this out, honestly." Albanes hummed. "I hope not that long. If they start to go power crazy while I'm gone, then... hm, I'll figure out how to fix that when I get back. I don't foresee anything happening that I won't be able to fix. There's precedent for this sort of thing. Ten thousand years of precedent." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Naiyta seems insistent that they'll just keep repeating this until they get what they want. So it could be forever." Roman said. "What's your goal with the Fold here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes sighed. "Naiyta told you about the fold?" She paused for a moment. "I... am simply looking out for my own. This will mull over in time." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Naiyta told me about a lot of things.." Roman hummed. "But you're awful casual about things 'mulling over' when it involves a bunch of people dying. You seem so nice too. It's weird." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Everything dies. I couldn't stop death if I tried, and that's supposed to be what I'm all about." Albanes replied. "On an eternal scale, all this is... easier to distance one's emotions from." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Wow, just because people die doesn't mean that suddenly uprooting them from their life is fine. Like- Asha is here. If she suddenly disappears, Mlipuko is gonna go to shit. Especially if her powers can't get out of here, that's basically the life source of the entire village." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You're- very concerned with the individual here." Albanes sighed. "Life, the world you know- it's a fleetingly impermanent state of being. In the cosmic scale of Eternity- none of this matters." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well it's hard to feel like it doesn't matter when you only live once- you'll probably live to 30,000 years old or something and I'm not even gonna reach 30." Roman huffed. "This is my whole existence." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then I suppose it's just a matter of perspective." Albanes hummed, and continued down the hall. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hm. I guess so." Roman said and kept walking. "Whatever makes you happy." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kallum did not feel good. He wasn't sure if it was the real wine or the explosion but now his head hurt and his body ached and he regretted talking to that other fire lady so much. He could have scared her off. But he didn't. Also the explosion was made by a woman. How she'd done something so powerful, enough to maybe be the cause of his head hurting, was beyond him. Perhaps it'd been- well, Naiyta had done something. Yes, it was it, Naiyta, who had caused that. That made sense. He sat on the floor of the temple corridors as he pondered over this impossible conundrum of a woman being strong. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kallum's thoughts would soon be interrupted by the soft padding of approaching footsteps. Naiyta turned the corner, and stalled when it saw him, an annoyed look briefly crossing its features. "What are you doing?" They approached him, and stood over him. "These aren't your hallways to mope around in." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum jolted, not seeing its arrival, and peered upwards guiltily. "I... didn't feel good," he mumbled a simple confession. His eyes flickered downward to his knees, then back with another question, "Did you cause the explosion?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That isn't an excuse. And it certainly isn't an explanation." Naiyta said scornfully. A pause. "No. I did not." And then. "Do you require healing of me, again?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum looked away again, staring at the floor next to him. Instead of speaking, he nodded, a groan pushing from his lips as he regretted the motion. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Don't just groan. You aren't a child." Naiyta scoffed. "And look at me when I speak to you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"My head hurts," Kallum explained, forcing his eyes up to meet Naiyta's. "I'm not a child," he repeated. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You aren't. So don't act like one." Naiyta said simply, and looked over Kallum- judging. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded again, then forced his hands against the wall to shuffle himself to stand, so he could easier meet Naiyta's eyes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Down." Naiyta said as Kallum shifted to stand. "I want you looking up at me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"But-" Kallum started, then stopped. He hesitated, but then sagged slowly back down the wall until he was sat again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta cupped Kallum's face in its hand, making him look up at it. "Let's try again. Did you request something of me?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum flinched from their grip at first, then forced himself to settle. Like with Mattias, he told himself. "I... my head hurts. I think I need healing." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Through the contact of their hand on Kallum's jaw, Naiyta repaired the damage that Kallum had taken in the explosion- and nothing more. It kept him intoxicated. "Better?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

The headache seemed to shift, but did not cease. Kallum shook his head in their grip. "No... well- yes, but not entirely," he admitted. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really? Are my efforts not enough for you?" Naiyta said. Almost mocking, now. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum- did not know how to respond. His jaw fluttered open and shut in their hand, eyes fixed to their face. "My head hurts," he repeated dumbly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you want anything more, you'll have to offer me something in return." Naiyta leaned down close to Kallum. "I don't do favors for just anyone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kallum flickered his gaze away. "Offer you something?" He asked, all at once curious, confused and- not afraid. "I don't.. have anything." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, if you can't offer anything, you won't get any more healing. That's just how things work." It shrugged. "I'm sure you can think of something, if you're desparate enough." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"What do you want?" Kallum asked, bluntly. "I don't- know." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Make me an offer, and I'll tell you if I want it or not." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared, wide-eyed, thinking. He had. Absolutely no idea. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, that's no way to get what you want, is it?" Naiyta mocked. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I don't- know what to offer," he mumbled, looking down at the floor again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you can't offer anything, you won't get my healing." Naiyta slowly moved it's hand away. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum watched its hand move away with wide eyes. "But- I need it. My head hurts," he repeated, leaning forward, away from the wall, as if to stand. "From the real wine." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took a step back, their fingers barely grazing Kallum's cheek. "How badly do you need it? Because it doesn't seem like you need it at all, right now." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stood, stepping closer. "I do- need it- the fake wine didn't hurt." He shuddered at the touch, the light prickles of electric coursing through his face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta retracted their hand completely. "Well, if you really wanted it, you'd stop ignoring my request, for one. On your knees." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum staggered forward and dropped down to his knees. Because it hurt to stand. He nodded. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta clasped its hands behind its back. "Now. Tell me how badly you need me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum nodded. "Really- a lot. I think- it's the real wine, it hurt my head. And- the healing didn't fix it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta pantomined considering Kallum for a moment, putting a finger to their lip. "Ahhh... I'm really not convinced." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum almost stood - but Naiyta didn't want that, and he wanted Naiyta to heal them, so he didn't. "Please." It fell as a whisper. "Please, I've never felt pain like this." It wasn't the pain itself, he'd felt pain like that - it was where, and the pain's feeling. This headache, the type of it, and how it dug downward, was new. "It hurts." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta stepped up to Kallum, so his knees were almost touching their feet. He'd have to crane his neck to make eye contact with it. "What would you give for me to relieve your pain?" "Would you let me use of... your body?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (nsfw im ill)

Kallum did indeed crane his neck - that was what it wanted, eye contact and him to be below and- and more. He blinked. His body was in good condition, even after- it was supposed to be in good condition. It was used for the Guardians, so this offer- it didn't sound wrong. He didn't know how Naiyta would use it but the agreement spilt from his lips quickly. "Yes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta rested its hands on Kallum's shoulder. "You'll allow me to use you, in any way I please?" It was a challenge- a test to see if he'd reply with the right answer. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum jolted, his shoulders tensing under the touch. But he nodded. Mattias had trained him, his body, to become what it had to be for the Guardians. That was using his body, like this. Then he remembered to speak:"Yes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"In any way?" Naiyta leaned in close to Kallum. "Do you understand what I want, my little soldier?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Did Kallum understand what they wanted? Well, his body. That was pretty simple. He nodded, the yes catching in his throat. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta leaned in close to Kallum's ear, their breath tickling his skin. "I want you to fuck me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (nsfw)

His eyes widened. Kallum tried to see their eye at this angle. But- if this would help his headache. It was just his body. So he nodded. "Mmhm." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Have you done it before?" Naiyta asked, one hand traveling up Kallum's neck, the other diving beneath his robe. Its voice was low, dangerous and soft. "Or will I be your first?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's face flushed darker. He'd - well, he had had Jodurr, but they'd never- so he was- it would be. "First," was all he could mumble back. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Perfect." Naiyta drawled, and leaned close to Kallum. "Come with me. This is something better enjoyed privately..." Not moving their hands away from Kallum, they began leading him down the hallway... @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Goodbye gay boy you're going to Hell.

This felt a little familiar. After the funeral, Isi had decided it was high time to actually explore the temple- if only to get her mind off of things. She'd seen Enya, wanted to talk to her even but the other had left before Isi got the chance. Anne was still in her pocket, as always, as she wandered the corridors. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Isi would soon notice she wasn't alone. It'd start with a faint, whimpering voice, always sounding like it was just beyond the hallway she was in. And then there was the smell- of smoke at first, but then of cooking flesh and frying hair. Out of the corner of her eye, she'd be able to see the faint flickering of firelight. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi's ears perked up as she started to hear the voice, eyebrows drawing together in concern as she started to walk quicker, trying to track down the source. she could feel the fur rise under her robe as the voice continued to evade her in senseless ways, something felt wrong. As she started to smell smoke, she looked around more decisively. Enya? that was all she could think of- it smelled much like the arena to Isi. Was Enya back here somehow? When Isi smelled the burnt flesh and hair she stood frozen, bile rising. She shook her head hard. No. This was something. She'd come here looking for something. She couldn't turn tail and run. She continued into the corridors even as her peripherals picked up firelight and she had to cover her nose with her robe as the smell grew stronger. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The firelight grew brighter and brighter as Isi continued down the hall, and she'd feel the distinct sensation of being followed. With the voice nearing her, she'd be able to pick up on a few words. "Don't go- please don't go... won't hurt. It won't hurt. Don't go." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi could feel the brightness crowding in on her vision, and kept whipping around quickly as if she'd be able to catch whatever-whoever was making her fur stand on end. Once the voice started, she was once again frozen. The instinct to run returned, but the voice sounded so pleading. She thought it sounded upset, not scary, not really, even if she didn't understand what was going on she- she couldn't just leave. Her throat felt dry, but she lifted her head to speak. "Where are you?" She called out. She'd walked backwards until her back hit the wall of the corridor, looking down either direction trying to catch the firelight again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Isi walked backwards, she'd begin to feel incredibly, unbearably hot- like she was walking into a campfire. The burning sensation would culminate when she was so hot she'd feel like she was on fire, and the voice yelped. It was near her now- close enough to touch. They were right behind her. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi started to hyperventilate when the heat grew too fast for her to move away right away, a scream ripping out of her as she started to feel burning, smell burning hair- was it her hair? Didn't matter, she had to get away and she was stumbling in the opposite direction, tripping onto the tiles and trying to scoot away. She was looking up to find the source of the fire, the memories of when she was first brought here, the firey person, entering her mind. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Isi turned around to the source of the flame, she'd be confronted, not by the sight of the flaming figure that had abducted her. But it definitely was a person that was on fire. They stood at just over average height, their warm, dark skin covered with pale vitiligo patterns. Coily dark hair fell across his shoulders and face, though it was singing at the tips. Dark eyes looked out to Isi. She wore a simple outfit made of coarse-woven fabric and animal hides, that left most of her chest bare, and had large, dark bird wings held aloft behind her. And they were on fire. They were nearly enveloped by it. Besides the anguished look on their face, they didn't seem to upset by it. "sorry... sorry. Did not mean.... to startle." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi stared at the person, chest heaving slightly as she took them in. She stood up slowly, legs still a bit wobbly, hands checking over her arms and her braid briefly for any actual burning. She tried to breathe mostly through her mouth but even that wasn't too much on her mind right now as the anguish on the persons face and their entire burning visage became clear. "Are- are you okay?" She asked, so completely serious. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Isi was completely fine- despite the contact, and the embers falling out onto the floor, she hadn't caught flame. The person was hesitant, and watched Isi stand. "I- I am so lonely. Don't go." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi's arms lowered, one went fiddle with the ends of her robe, frowning as the fire person continued speaking, looking concerned again. "I won't go. I mean- eventually I'll need to eat or something but I won't go now-" She amended, then smiled nervously. "You surprised me, I'm sorry- are you okay? Is it- is the fire hurting you? Can I do something?" Isi found that she was speaking quieter without meaning to, she supposed the fire persons own quiet voice encouraged her to do the same. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Don't go." They said again. "Fire- it doesn't hurt me. Not anymore. Had it a long time." A pause, and then with a resigned sadness, "It set me on fire." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi tensed a little bit when they said not to go again. She was watching them curiously, no longer looking fearful like before, though still didn't seem keen on getting close. "It?" Isi asked, head tilted. "What did?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The flaming figure stared blankly ahead for one moment. Her brow furrowed, and she covered her eyes with her hands. "I- it hurts to- to remember." He whimpered. "I loved them. I loved them." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi raised her hand up instinctively as if to comfort, though had to pull it again once it started to feel too hot. "I'm sorry" Isi replied instead. "I'm really sorry they did that to you thats- thats awful" Isi told him, and she sounded like she meant it. She'd guessed by now that this person wasn't- alive. Not entirely, and not based on how she had found Isi. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Why?" They cried out, though their voice was still soft and hoarse. "Why? Why? Why?" They repeated the word endlessly, till it became their heaving, dry sob. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi, despite instincts staying otherwise, took a step closer. "I'm sorry- I wish I could help you, I don't. . ." Isi trailed off, jaw shutting. They didn't know what to say but it clearly pained them to watch him, to be unable to go closer. They contemplated a little. It's not like it...actually burned them though. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The figure continued to sob, though he fell silent after a while. The only sound in the corridor was the crackling burn of the flame. @sketti | Isi 🦌

"What's your name? I'm Isi" She smiled at the figure a bit, trying to sound more calm and reassuring than she felt. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Isi....", they repeated, drawing the second syllable out. "My name- I am called Raikal. Yes. Raikal." @sketti | Isi 🦌

"Raikal" Isi repeated, nodding. "Thats a really neat name." Isi was silent for a few moments more, occasionally glancing up at Raikal as if wondering what to say, then her face set determinedly. "I'm really sorry to bring it up again but, I think its important." She paused. "Do you know their name? The person who did this to you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal wrapped their wings around their body, though their face was still visible. "... Naiyta." It whispered. "Naiyta." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi's face scrunched in what must have been anger, though she didn't look surprised. The lifebringer. The one hosting all the pyre funerals. Of course this was its doing. Then, she remembered all the things from before- how Raikal sobbed, said she'd loved them, Isi looked at Raikal with renewed sadness and concern. "They're- really the worst." Isi paused. "-to put it lightly. I'm sorry" She said again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I loved them. I loved them!" Raikal said, almost in protest to Isi naming their partner 'the worst'. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked a bit taken aback, maybe fearful for just a moment, then confused. "I know, I know you did but- look what it did to you, you can't-. . ." call that love. Isi's shoulders dropped, she didn't finish the statement. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal fell to their knees before Isi. "I love them. I love them. I need them. Please- understand, please. I need them." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi crouched down with Raikal, and common sense be damned, reached her hand as far as it would go towards their shoulder before the burning sensation was too much and they hissed out an exhale through gritted teeth, pulling back before ever making contact. They huffed disappointedly at themselves, staring at their hand. Isi remained crouched near Raikal. "Do they- do they visit you or anything?" Isi was half trying to be conversational, half genuinely curious- figuring there had to be some reason Raikal felt so strongly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (sorry I thought I sent this

)

"It- it never talks to me! Why?" Raikal whined. "Did I do something wrong?" @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi shook her head before she realized that technically she had no clue. She just- she felt certain. "I don't- I don't know, but I doubt it. Naiytas not good" Isi insisted again, despite how Raikal had reacted earlier. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"But-" Raikal continued to protest, "But I love them. I need them." @sketti | Isi 🦌

"Why?" Isi asked genuinely and quietly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I- I don't know." Raikal whined. "I just- I love them." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi was silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say. "Okay." She frowned. "We can- we can talk about something else, if you want. I just- I don't want to freak you out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal seemed eager to shift to a different topic. "You are-" It put its hands up to its head, pantomiming Isi's antlers. "Deer?" @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi watched Raikal for a moment, head tilted, then grinned and nodded. "Yeah! Sort of a deer, I'm called a faun, actually- antlers, hooves, the whole deal." She explained. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fawn." Raikal repeated, and put a hand to her chest. "I am... rook." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi frowned in contemplation. "Rook?" she asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Rook." They repeated, and lifted their wings to signify that was related to what they were saying. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked at the wings, some small sense of understanding dawning on them, and nodded. "Oh! Rook!" She seemed pretty excited about this deduction. "I was just thinking, I have a friend with wings kinda like yours, they're really pretty" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal smiled. "Yes! Rook!", and nodded. "You have... bird friend? What kind?" @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi seemed happier when Raikal smiled. "Crow!" Isi replied. "Her name is Kyrie" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Kyr-ie." Raikal repeated, and nodded. "Good crow name." @sketti | Isi 🦌

"She actually startled me a bit when I first met her, too, she turned from a crow to a person right in front of me" Isi explained, then looked to Raikal. "Can you do that? Turn into a Rook?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes- transform. Rook." Raikal nodded. "But not now- too much. Effort." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi nodded. "It- does seem like it would be a tough thing to do on the best of days. Still really neat" she smiled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. I miss-" He paused. "I miss flying." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi nodded, but then her brow furrowed a little. "Could you still fly like this? With your big wings? Or-" she looked around. "Can you not leave?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook their head. "Can't leave." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked like she sort of expected that answer, but was still sad about it. "If you could, you probably would've by now, huh?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal nodded, a sad look on their face. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi frowned. "Does- does anyone visit you here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

She shook her head, then paused. "There is... another. But- she doesn't like me." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked curious. "Who?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"M- mad-" Raikal said, clearly struggling with the name. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi's eyes went a little wide. "Mad...eline?" She asked, in a tone that suggested she thought she may be wrong. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi was silent for a moment, then pulled a little jar out of her pocket, containing a chunk of half-eaten chicken and a worm. "I know this is a weird question but, do you recognize this at all?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stared at the worm, not saying anything. He held out his hand to the jar, but when the glass began to discolor from the heat, he quickly moved it away. @sketti | Isi 🦌 ( @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 incase Anne has any reactions)

Isi pulled the jar back a little bit, staring at Anne worriedly.

Anne did not give a damn about the fire bird creature. It was still eating a little piece of chicken that was remaining, that had definitely gone bad. @sketti | Isi 🦌 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

As Isi confirmed to herself that Anne looked just fine, she looked back at Raikal. "Is- is that a yes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook her head. "Don't know." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi nodded again after a moment, slipping Anne back into her pocket. "I knew someone named Madeline who used to have it is all, I thought they might be related." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal looked back to the worm, and repeated, "Don't know." @sketti | Isi 🦌

"Thats okay, I was curious is all. Things are weird here" She laughed a little. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Strange." Raikal nodded. @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked down the hall, then at Raikal. "Are there more people like you?" Isi asked. "Stuck here, I mean. Burning." She clarified, frowning at the last statement. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook his head. "I'm- alone." then paused. "Mm- Mad... Madel-"" @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi's ears perked up. "Madeline?" She asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Stuck here too. But- not burning." @sketti | Isi 🦌

Isi looked at Raikal intently. "do you know where?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook his head. "She- avoids me." @

Isi frowned. "Oh- im sorry." She was silent for a few moments. "Do you know why?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook her head, a look of absolute dejection on her face. @sketti

Isi tried to smile reassuringly. "That's okay! I bet she's just shy, don't worry about it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She is.... mean." Raikal said. @sketti | Isi 🦌

"She's mean?" Isi seemed concerned. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (so sorry this took so long, work stuff has been a time)

Raikal nodded. @sketti | Isi 🦌 (it's all good!)

Kallum hadn't done much since meeting Kenji - but he was done meeting people who claimed to know him and were wrong. And now he was here. I can't think of a reason for him to be wandering but he is. Soz. Here he is. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kallum was not alone in the halls. He'd soon hear a steady, familiar pattern of arrhythmic approaching footsteps. Albanes. She turned the corner to face Kallum, and was surprised to see him there- not that the emotion really showed over the overwhelming worried grief. "Kallum. I wasn't expecting to see you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum turned at the footsteps and immediately met Albanes with a glare. "Don't call me that," he huffed. Even he seemed to recognise that it didn't make much sense to not call him his name; he looked to the side and grumbled, "You act too familiar with it. You don't know me. Naiyta said so." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Is that not your name?" Albanes replied, almost sarcastically. She frowned. "I know you've been.... consorting with Naiyta. Be wary around them, they aren't to be trusted." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"They said the same thing about you," Kallum snarked, crossing his arms. "They said you're a liar. Sounds more real." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What makes their words more believable than mine?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"They've kept their promises to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What promises?" Albanes's eyes narrowed. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"They promised to heal me fully. I earned it, they did." Kallum's eyes also narrowed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That isn't a promise, that's a trade. And you shouldn't be doing business with them." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"They've been more honest than you've ever been. All you've done is lie so far. They haven't." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I haven't been lying to you." Albanes maintained. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You don't know me. So you lied about that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I do know you. Or at least, a version of you from a different world. And I think that counts." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum huffed, scrunching his face up. "That's stupid- and it doesn't count. And untrue." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... can you prove that I don't know a different universe version of yourself?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

".....................no," Kallum grumbled. "But Naiyta said you're a liar. It's not just me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't think you should trust Naiyta. I think they're trying to manipulate you." Albanes frowned. "I know them better than you do." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum scoffed and shook his head. "Says you. Why should I listen to you? Naiyta's proven that they hold up their side of things. You've done nothing but lie and- lie." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"The more you stick by it, the more and more they're going to ask from you in return. Do you really think what you got was a fair deal? And that's only the beginning.• @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I got what I wanted. That's enough. They got what they wanted too. That's what makes it fair." Not really but okay. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Did you want to give them what they took?" She asked. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum furrowed his brows, as far as they could go. "Why does that matter? If you really knew me, you'd know what I do- did. Did do. My body's supposed to be used for... fitness." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It matters because Naiyta is taking advantage of you." Albanes insisted. "It sees your loyalty as a weakness and wants to exploit that. It wants to use you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

There was nothing wrong with being used. How many times had Jaelyn fought back with those words? She was wrong then, and this stranger was wrong now. Always was. "You don't know anything." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think I know quite a lot more than you do, Kallum." Albanes rolled her eyes. "At least about Naiyta." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"And I know you can't be believed," Kallum retorted. "And I know I don't like you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Just because you don't like me doesn't mean I'm lying." Albanes sighed. This really was square negative one with this guy. "I just don't want you to get hurt." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I don't like you because you're a liar," Kallum argued back. "What do you care? I don't know you, I don't like you, you don't know me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I care because I don't want anyone being hurt by Naiyta. And I do care about you. Even if you don't like me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glared at the wall instead of Albanes. "Naiyta said you're a liar." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know. But you can't trust it." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Says you." Kallum please. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Kallum, I've seen what it does to people. Do you know what it did to Roman?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum scrunched his nose. "I don't know who that is." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He's another contestant Naiyta's taken interest in. And he's been suffering for it." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Then he's not good enough. Not strong enough." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not a matter of strength. It doesn't matter anyways, because Naiyta is far stronger than either of you are." Albanes frowned. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"That's why they're in charge," Kallum retorted, lifting his narrowed eyes to glower at Albanes. "He's weak. Like you. I'm not." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes took in a breath. There wasn't any reasoning to be done with him. "I'll be looking out for you, okay?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No you won't." It was practically a snarl, fists clenching against crossed arms. "I don't need you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can't control what I do." Albanes replied, and crossed her own arms. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"Try me." Kallum. Bad. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There is very little you could do to hurt me." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"There's even less of what Naiyta could do to hurt me." Literally untrue but go off. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That isn't true." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"You don't know me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Even if I didn't, I know what Naiyta can do and what a human body can take." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

He hesitated, but shook his head. "You don't know anything." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

She sighed. "Did you come up here to see Naiyta? I don't think they'll want to see you tonight." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum huffed. "No. I didn't. I was walking." He paused, then slowly asked, "Why...?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes seemed slightly relieved at that. "They're not in a good mood. Because of what happened with Roman." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"What did he do?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes hesitated. "He didn't do anything. Naiyta's just angry. You shouldn't risk angering them further." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"He made Naiyta angry," Kallum filled in. "I won't anger them. You're the one angering me." Anger didn't sound like a word anymore to Kallum. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I was simply trying to warn you." Albanes said plainly. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I don't need your stupid warnings." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes sighed. "Are you going to go see Naiyta?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"I didn't come here to see them. I was just walking." Kallum huffed again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright." Albanes said. "Well, I'm leaving the acropolis. You can come with me if you like." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No." Well. Sorry Albanes you tried. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Alright." Albanes said with a hint of sadness to her tone. "I suppose I'll see you around?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No you won't." Albanes I'm so sorry. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, goodbye, then." Albanes said, and began to walk away. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum didn't say it back, scowling at Albanes as she walked away. Something almost familiar.

Once Albanes was gone, the hall was as empty as a tomb. As cold as one, too. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum continued to trudge aimlessly through the corridor, trying to shove what that strange woman had dared to say to him out of his mind. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The hall was silent.... but Kallum might feel inclined to trace the path back to Naiyta's quarters. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum went to where he felt drawn - to whom he served.

3

3

4

After all that happened with Roman, Raikal returned to normal- as normal as they could have it. She wandered the temple halls, arms wrapped around her body, trying desperately to make sense of what had happened. Everything was so, so wrong. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm, seems like Raikal wouldn't be alone tonight. The other ghost haunting the temple was at the edge of the corridors, slamming against some kind of invisible wall that was in the doorway outside. She'd slam her good shoulder in to it, fall, stand, smack a gross gooey tendril in to it, have that hit the wall as well, and scream. Then she'd do it again, like she had forgotten she had tried that only a minute ago. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal slowed down as they neared the door, and paused a good stretch away from Madelyn. They hadn't even realized they'd wandered towards the temple entrance. "It won't work." He said by way of greeting, and then, "Sorry. But it won't. I've tried." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn just grunted in exasperation before trying to slam through it again. "I need out." She hissed, dragging her nails down the invisible wall. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We can't leave. There's no way out." Raikal said, but it sounded more saddened than angry. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

She glared, at no one in particular, before suddenly standing. "No way out, huh? None at all? Well, let me try something. If it works, at least I won't have you whining around here all the time." She sneered and shot out a few of the disgusting tendrils at them. They struck true, a few wrapped around their waist, one around their wings, and another tightened around his neck. She raised them up in the air by a few feet, and stepped closer. "Maybe your escape can be to die again." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal winced, and could do little to free themself from Madelyn's hold. The flames lapping around Madeline's tendrils put off a dark, foul-smelling smoke. Raikal kept his eyes firmly closed, and didn't reply to Madeline for a moment. "Please- please don't yell at me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Then die!" Madelyn yelled, and tightened up on the tendrils. She was getting increasingly frustrated by not being able to do anything. Couldn't leave, couldn't maim, couldn't stop herself from seeing Kallum... It was all getting to her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal winced, but didn't fight it. Either they couldn't fight Madeline, or they were intending on simply enduring it all. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn held on, longer than it would take to suffocate anything living, before getting too irritated and letting go. Raikal would fall back to the floor unceremoniously, unless they were quick enough to use their wings. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After millenia of disuse, Raikal's wing reflexes weren't what they once were, and they fell to the ground with a heavy thump. She curled up there, hiding her face. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why can't you die. Why can't we die. Why are we here?" Madelyn was not at all cooling off, and paced from side to side in a short loop. Thankfully she didn't go over to kick Raikal while she was down, but she would be extremely easy to set off again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal didn't reply for a while, still cowering from Madelyn. "I don't know." They choked out. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why don't you know?!" She paused her pacing just to dramatically exclaim, before moving again. "Y-you've been here for how long?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know," Raikal whimpered, covering their body with their wings. "Naiyta won't speak to me, and- and now, they're-" He broke off into whimpering sobs. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"If Naiyta won't talk to you maybe they'd- maybe they'd talk to me." She huffed. But if she could remember right, her memory wasn't great when talking to non-ghosts.. She'd be lucky to say anything coherent at all. "What's it doing now." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't- you shouldn't go to them now. They're with- with that boy. The one with the fire powers." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Don't speak of Kallum!" She stepped over closer to her, arms shaking with rage. "I hate him! I despise him! He's why I want out!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal wasn't looking at Madelyn, their eyes shut and hidden behind their arms and wings. "P-please don't yell at me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Then don't talk about things that make me mad!" She yelled, and finally paused to take in some deep breaths. Her good hand rose up to the hole in her chest, gripping on to a set of half melted ribs. Something was missing, wasn't it? She was always easy to anger, but this.. This felt extreme. Through her own intense emotion she could feel it, that this wasn't right. But she couldn't see clearly enough through it that she should apologize. "You said... you said Naiyta was doing something- not Kallum-" She had to force herself to not yell again, but it was clear by her tone that the littlest thing would set her off again. "What is Naiyta doing that made you cry." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal replied to Madeline first only with a whimper. "They're- with their new partner. Doing what they did to me... to him. Turning him into me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn's anger was somewhat dimmed.. and replaced with confusion. "... That guy does kind of look like you, I guess... he could be your long lost brother or something.." Madelyn mumbled. "So Naiyta targeted that guy because he looked like you? And now it's doing.. what exactly? What's the goal..? If you wanted to see you, it.. could see the actual you. Just on fire." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think so. And I think- he's like me in other ways, too." Submissive. Weak. Just how Naiyta liked. "I think- it wants to kill me again. Or it wants a version of me that it hasn't killed yet. I don't know." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Is his stupid ghost going to be here too if Naiyta kills him?" Madelyn crossed her arms. "And unless it's trying to starve him to death, I don't think it'll even get a chance to spend much time with him anyway.. he looks worse every time he's here. No offense." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe. I don't know." Raikal said. Maybe if Roman did end up here, they'd have a friend. Or maybe, more likely, Roman would want nothing to do with them. "I don't- I'm not offended." A pause. "I think Naiyta wants to burn him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Of course it does. And it comes up here and burns corpses every once and a while for whatever reason, so.. Yeah, I'm sure it would be easy for them." Madelyn said. ".. but everyone else that got burned up here didn't have a ghost show up." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No." Raikal admitted. "I think that's because of your Lifebringer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn bristled again, and sunk her nails in to her arms. "Don't speak of Albanes that way." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"In what way?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Use her name when you speak about her. N-not that- that- stupid God. She's not that." She was shaking with barely held back anger. All she wanted to do was yell and scream about this. "She promised she wouldn't be. This must be some kind of long plan to destroy the Godhood." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I forget her name. It's- hard to remember things that I didn't know.... back then." Raikal tried to defend himself, halfheartedly. "And she is the Lifebringer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

That was enough. The tendrils shot back out to Raikal and grabbed their arms and wings, pulling them away from their face. Madelyn stomped over and took in deep, shaking breaths. "No. She's not. She wouldn't." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal winced again, but didn't struggle against Madelyn. They didn't reply, but tried to lean their head away from Madeline's. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Tell me. Say she's not." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's eyes were shut, their expression grief filled. "Do you want me to lie?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't care. Just tell me! Now!" Madelyn yelled and shook them. "T-tell me she wouldn't!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal took in a deep breath. "She wouldn't. I was wrong. You know her better." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Good." Madelyn unceremoniously dropped him, and took in another deep breath. "Now, tell me why you think Albanes is stopping the other ghosts from showing up here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal groaned a bit as Madelyn dropped them. "I'm not sure, I think Naiyta says she's putting them somewhere. I'm not sure why." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"So why can't she get us out of here?" Madelyn crossed her arms again. "She has to know I'm here by now.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... maybe if you ask her, she'll take you to wherever she's putting the other dead people." Raikal suggested. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... She had talked to her before, hadn't she? She'd been here a while.. and she remembered seeing Albanes.. but every time she came around.. Why did she keep leaving? Albanes hadn't done anything to her, but she just couldn't remember sticking around a single time.. She couldn't remember what she looked like here at this moment.. all she could recall was Albanes way back, before her father had died. Everything that happened after that was a blur. ".. What about you. Don't you want to get away from Naiyta. And maybe not be on fire." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't know if she would help me. But she knows you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"She's kind. She would help you out too if you asked. I can ask for you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"..." Raikal didn't believe anyone under the lifebringer title would be kind. "Thank you. I would.... appreciate that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"She'll get us out. Then once she's fixed everything here, she'll.. Come to the afterlife with me. Yes." Madelyn said, sounding unsure even as she said it. "I'm sure of it. And we'll both be happier." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... if you can, please ask her to send my son to me. Rukime." Raikal asked, and finally looked up at Madelyn. They hadn't moved from the door. "I miss him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Rukime isn't a ghost here, so I don't know if she can do that." Madelyn said, like she was certain everything else was totally feasible. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"But he's here. Somewhere here." Raikal said. "If she could go with you- maybe he could too." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Madelyn didn't really get it. "There's another ghost somewhere here I haven't run in to? I thought we were all trapped in this temple." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... Rukime was the Lifebringer after Naiyta. His soul is still here." Raikal explained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. Hm. I can ask, but if he's a Lifebringer he's probably not very nice. He probably changed a lot after you died." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My Rukime was a gentle soul." Raikal said, with more anger than she had ever displayed before. "If Albanes can stay the same after centuries on the throne, so could he." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn glared right back. "Well clearly Rukime didn't dismantle the Lifebringer reign if there's been so many after him. That's the only good thing a Lifebringer could do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He did what he could. I know he did." Raikal maintained. "He was a good ruler." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"How do you know that, you have been stuck up in this stupid building. You weren't there to see it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Because he's my son. I raised him." Raikal sat up suddenly, and glared at Madelyn. The flame around them flickered brighter. "And I know he is a gentle soul who would never fathom hurting anyone. He is kind, he is sweet, and he is just. You don't know him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn was already glaring, but glared harder. One of the skills she developed throughout her life. "Yeah sure, maybe I don't know him. But Albanes never spoke about him, positively or not. If he was so great, and made such a good impact in the long run, she would have mentioned it. All I heard is that the Lifebringer is evil and cruel." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stood up. "If you don't want me to speak about Albanes without knowing her, you should shut up about my Rukime. Hypocrite." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn looked up just a tad, to keep making eye contact while glaring. "The difference is, you died thousands of years before Albanes even existed. We're from a time after Rukime. I'm not being a hypocrite, this just isn't the same situation." "How old was Rukime when Naiyta murdered you anyway?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not that much of a difference. Albanes might've known about him, but she didn't know him." Raikal argued. "He was a boy of fourteen when Naiyta killed me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Fourteen? You're right, that is just a kid. Of course you think he'd be nice." Madelyn stopped glaring, only to roll her eyes. "Did he try to save you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He did." Raikal fell silent for a moment. "And he, and his mother, struggled in vain." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"And yet he never came to see you here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know if he knows I'm here." Raikal admitted. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm. She was hoping that that was more hurtful. "Maybe he's too busy with his ghost partner wherever he is here, supposedly." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe...." Raikal's gaze travelled wistfully out the door. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn also stared out the door. She didn't seem as mad when she could see the outside. "Maybe if we both run at it and hit the wall at the same time we'll get out." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "I doubt it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well we've never tried. There's no way to know unless we do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

".... I guess so." Raikal frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Then let's try it." Madelyn said and stepped away from the exit. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal took a few steps back with Madeline, and braced to run. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As Raikal ran, so did Madelyn. She readied up some tendrils to hit the wall as well.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Both Raikal and Madelyn hit the wall, with no indication they were any closer to getting through. Raikal stumbled backwards and failed at using their wings to steady themself, ending up back on the floor. "Eugh. Ow." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn also fell back to the ground, though her tendrils broke her fall a bit. "Urgh- this is stupid! Why are we stuck inside!" Madelyn yelled and slammed her hands on the ground. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't know. I don't think Naiyta wants the contestants to know we're here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well you were stuck here way before all those other people started showing up! And- even if that's true it's going a really bad job! I've spoken to- to- at least one person.." She didn't really remember, but she knew it was equal to or greater than one. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know. That's just what I think." Raikal shrugged, still on the floor. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well your idea is stupid." Madelyn huffed, and pushed herself back up to her feet. "I'm going to go talk to Naiyta. It's not like it can do anything to me anyway.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "Right now? Are you sure?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What are they going to do? Kill me again?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know. I just think... they'd get angry if you interrupted them right now." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Maybe if they get angry enough they'd kick me out of the temple." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Okay...." Raikal didn't move from the floor. "Tell me how it goes after. Good luck." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Sure. If I'm not back it means I succeed." Madelyn huffed and walked away... @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... "Naiyta said it's letting me go." Madelyn grinned as she walked down the hall. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal was still on the floor. "What? Really? Did they let me go, too?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Her smile faded, just a tad. "Mm.. Maybe. Let's try to go out again together." Madelyn said and stepped up to him. She held her hand out to him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow creased as they noticed the fading in Madelyn's smile, but they sat up, letting Madelyn take their flaming hand. "Alright." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn pulled them up, not really minding the fire. "Okay.. Let's run at it again, and don't let go of my hand." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal held Madelyn's hand tightly. "Okay. I'm ready." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Three, two, one..." Madelyn ran off toward the exit, basically pulling Raikal behind her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stumbled a bit at first, but quickly got the hang of it... When they reached the doorway Madelyn was able to pass through, but Raikal hit the invisible wall, their hand slipping from Madelyn's grip. They fell backwards back into the temple. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn stumbled as she reached the other side, as Raikal was ripped out of her hand. "Ow-" She pushed herself up, and looked back to Raikal pitifully. "I'm sorry. They didn't want to let you go- I figured I might have been able to pull you out somehow.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal pulled themself up from the ground and met Madelyn's gaze. They smiled, but it was clearly masking a greater sense of grief and hopelessness. "No, no, it's okay. You got out- and that's still good." She smiled. "And- I was never really thinking Naiyta would let me out, anyways." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn looked.. neutral. Maybe a bit sad if you really squinted. ".. Why do they insist on keeping you here for eternity if they don't ever want to talk to you..?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... I don't know." Raikal looked to the floor. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I know they were mad about your kid, but.. Thousands of years of being mad is ridiculous.." Madelyn huffed. "But I'm sure their new plaything will join you soon, so you won't be lonely." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... if he even wants to be around me." Raikal sighed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why wouldn't he?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I don't know." Raikal admitted. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You must be pretty similar if you both fell in to Naiyta's trap. And from what I overheard from you and him, you seem to get along.. I'm sure he'd hang out with you after the initial shock wears off." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I guess so. I... wish Naiyta wasn't still hurting others like it hurt me." He looked away from Madelyn. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, that's nice of you to say. I like being alone, but clearly you don't. I'm surprised you aren't excited about someone joining you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not if it comes at the expense of his suffering and death." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You're very kind." Madelyn said. "Maybe I'll.. come back up sometime. If I don't forget." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I would appreciate that." Raikal managed a small, but genuine, smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn didn't smile back, but it's not often she smiled. In a way that wasn't a demeaning smirk. "Bye." She said and turned around to head down the mountain. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn didn't smile back, but it's not often she smiled. In a way that wasn't a demeaning smirk. "Bye." She said and turned around to head down the mountain. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Goodbye." Raikal replied. Once Madelyn was out of sight they turned back, and went back to wandering the temple. Alone.

After a bit, Raikal arrived back in the temple. They wandered past the main foyer, to a bit into the corridors. "Alright. This should be a safe place for me to get out. Are you read, Seki? I won't be able to communicate much with you once I'm out." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes... I really wish I could do more for you, but I hope you are a little less miserable now, hm... If there's anything you'd like me to do, tell me before you leave." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's... alright. I'll manage." Raikal sighed. "Could you visit Rukime for me? Again? Maybe.... leave something for him? Some little trinkets or stones... I would appreciate knowing he's cared for." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, of course, I'll do that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I appreciate everything you've done for me." They closed Seki's eyes, and a bright warmth enveloped the body. When the warmth faded, Seki had control over their own body again, and Raikal- in ghostly, flaming form- stood in front of them. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki exhaled, swayed, but this time managed to stay on their feet. They opened their eyes and looked at Raikal. "I'm glad I could do something for you. I hope you enjoyed your little vacation", Seki chuckled softly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal was smiling. "Thank.... you. I can- lead you out? You- get lost. Alone." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Okay, thank you. Lead the way, friend", Seki smiled back and swayed their tail in a jovial manner. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal nodded, and started back the way they came, leading Seki along... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

And Seki followed, keeping an eye and ear out for a certain golden-eyed god. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Roman had quickly attended to his.. business outside, in a place he knew no one ever walked through. He sufficiently cleaned his mouth off before heading back in to the halls.. Along the way, he decided to stop for a drink of water at one of the fountains. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

In Roman's current condition, it might be hard for him to feel the increase in heat, but he'd definitely be able to hear the soft footsteps and smell the burning scent that all signaled Raikal's approaching presence. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman dunked his face in the fountain, but as he came back out of it, the scent of burning became clear. He quickly snapped his head around, but paused as he saw Raikal. "Oh- it's just you." Roman smiled. And something about that smile- it was different than all of the previous ones he had gave. There was no tiredness behind it, and his eyes were wide with genuine happiness. "It's good to see you again, did you hear that I won my fight?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Did not- hear." Raikal looked over Roman with a bit of concern. "But- glad that you lived." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had on his altered band jacket, and.. Raikal's pants, put on backwards. "Mm, yeah, it was kinda unfortunate how it ended, but I needed to win. Naiyta needs me." Roman shrugged. "And guess what? I told Naiyta that you can posses me, they seemed cool with it! I don't know why I was keeping it a secret in the first place.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stepped back, suddenly alarmed. "You- told? But it will- it's not safe. It's not safe. I can't-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What are you talking about?" Roman frowned slightly. "You'd be safe, they said they'd even accompany us if you want to go out again, to make sure nothing bad happens. They wouldn't let you get hurt. It would be perfectly safe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal shook their head. "No. No. It would not let me out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I'm confused, it literally told me it would let you go out, in me.. Why would it lie..?" Roman asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It would hurt me." Raikal shook her head again. "It would lock me away. It would not allow me the freedom to run again. To fly away. It would cage me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would never do that." Roman shook his head right back. He held his hands out to them. "Here- just take me over and go talk to them yourself, I'm sure they'll understand. Your memory must be being affected after all these years as a ghost- Naiyta loves you, just like it loves me. It wants you back." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Something was very, very wrong with Roman. Even in their altered, ghostly mind state, Raikal could tell. It stepped away from him. "No! No, I can't-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Why not? I.. I really don't understand why you're so worried about this.." Roman frowned, and kept his hands out. "If you went and spoke to them, I'm sure they'd help you. If you want to stop being a ghost, like you wanted to stop being immortal, I'm sure they'd help you. That's what they do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal kept shaking their head, raising their hands up so Roman couldn't grab them. "No. It would only- It would hurt you, too. It would burn me again. No. I will not see them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

It wasn't like Roman was especially trying to grab at Raikal's burning hands. "What are you saying? I don't understand. When did they burn you? That doesn't sound like them.." Roman said. Perhaps he was talking a bit loudly for the door being open right down the hall from them.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal looked Roman up and down, over and over again, trying to detect something that had changed within him. "Do you not remember?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Remember what?" Roman asked. "I don't know what you're talking about. My memory has always been fine." It didn't really look like anything had changed about him.. Besides him looking genuinely less traumatized and anxious. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal was anxious enough for the both of them. He kept shaking his head. "-isn't right. Something's not right. No. This is bad." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm sorry, but I think it's more likely that a ghost is having memory problems instead of me." Roman sighed and finally put his hands down. "If I got a concussion or something in my fight, Naiyta would have healed me. I don't know why you're so upset, I'm sorry.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal kept shaking her head. "No- no, it hurt you. No. It is not a kind thing. It does not forgive." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It would never hurt me, don't even say that." Roman said sternly. "Look- let's just stop talking about this, okay..? I have some other things you should know, like how I talked with R- Anore." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"My Rukime-" Raikal quickly changed topics. "What is he like, now grown?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Uh.. I don't think he liked me much- he especially didn't like that I called him Rukime.. might've also thought I was stupid, too." Roman sighed. "He was well put together, nicely dressed, straight to the point.. But maybe a bit meek, when we weren't talking about politics.." "And I stopped him from getting absolutely beat up and killed, so maybe he likes me a bit more.. didn't get to talk to him again, though." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal looked to the distance, trying to picture what Anore might look like as an adult- in the flesh, rather than just as a statue. "Thank you, for protecting him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It was the least I could do. He seemed scared.." Roman said. Ghost Raikal had a pretty short memory, right..? Would it have already forgotten- "If you take me over you can go down and talk to him again," Roman said and held his hands out to Raikal. "I'm sure he misses you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal looked longingly down the hallway, but shook their head. "Too dangerous. It would know." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm, maybe not short term enough. "How would it know?" Roman asked quietly. "And even if they do, you must want to leave again sometime.. once everyone else leaves, I'll be your best option. The sooner we go and talk with Naiyta, the more you can go out. They'll understand." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It would know. It always knows." Raikal maintained. "I will not get both you and I hurt, for this." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I just don't know why you think something bad would happen." Roman's hands fell back to his side. "Naiyta loves you, loves us, it would do whatever it can to support our choices." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal took a wary step back. "It fed me to flame. It slaughtered me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman blinked. Fire... ".. No, it didn't. It wouldn't." Roman stated plainly. "You were just tired of being immortal, and Naiyta honored your wishes. Your memory is failing you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal's brow furrowed. "Why- you don't believe me? It's word, over my own? We are like kin. Please." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

They were like family? ".. With everything I know about Naiyta, I don't think it would do that. I know it wouldn't, I'm sorry. I really don't know where this is all coming from.." Roman said, after a time of silence. "I care about you, I really do. I want to do whatever it is that will make you happiest, and I truly think that seeing Naiyta again would be the best thing. They are kind, and loving. They'll understand." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal stepped further away, and only kept shaking their head- subtly, then frantically. "No. No. You lie to me." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman started to slowly close the distance between them again. "Raikal- I wouldn't lie to you, I promise.." Roman assured. "I just don't want you to keep suffering, alone, in these hallways. It seems so lonely.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Every step Roman advanced towards her, Raikal took another back. It didn't reply. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Please Raikal- do you really think I would lie to you? To get you hurt?' Roman asked. "You're losing your sanity in all of this isolation, it's not good for anyone. Naiyta said it wants to release you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You- you don't know." Raikal took a step back, and glanced behind him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I do know, I promise you." Roman said, but stopped approaching them. "Let them help you, please. It doesn't like you being stuck in these halls any more than you do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It PUT me here!" Raikal stressed, trying to make Roman understand. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It- it wouldn't do that. It loves you. There must be some kind of misunderstanding." Roman shook his head. "It wouldn't be able to lie to me for all this time. You never even spoke badly of them the other times we spoke- I don't know what's happening to you this time.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

This conversation was going nowhere. Raikal glanced behind them again- could they leave Roman like this? But he would continue, he would be persistent. And nothing good would come of them seeing Naiyta again. "I- must go-" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh.. Well, please think about it. You can't just stay alone in this place forever.." Roman said. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Raikal gave Roman one sad, final look, before turninb tail and running down the hall. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

.. Weird interaction. Roman sighed and headed back in to the immersion chamber.

healing roman

a burning memory

kenji and albanes

roman gets healed 2

kallum no get out of there

rook and deer

worst sibling reunion

oh my god kallum no

ghost time

taking raikal back

raikal and lobotomized roman