Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman. Status: Closed. Where: The Roost, The Farplane. What: Cid and Benedikta move to a new house in the Roost. Event stuff later. Warnings: The usual. :)
... Alright. But I would very much like this needing to save each other thing to end.
[It does little to ease the worry, and her eyes continue to search his face even in the dim light, like she will find the answers there that he refuses to give her. There are some black stains on his clothes, similar to the ones that stick to hers, and she carefully tries to brush it away with her sleeve.]
[Her brow scrunches with distaste, as she tries to wipe more of it from his clothes to no avail. All it does is spread it further, and she's not sure that it's much better that way.]
A shame there is nowhere to wash it off down here.
[That is not a risk she is willing to take.
She leans in to press a quick but grateful kiss to his lips in thanks for what he did earlier. She will be certain to thank him properly for it later, once they are out of here.]
But if you are sure you are feeling alright, then... we can be on our way.
[He smiles a little into the kiss, his own eyes still filled with worry over her before he nods and takes her hand to lead the way.
The path before them is dark and treacherous indeed. As they continue onward toward the blackened ground, they'll be able to feel that malignant energy oozing up and around them, larger pools of that blackwater appearing more prevalent in this area. Somewhere in the far distance they'll hear the occasional clash and see bursts of white light, perhaps either others like them who have ventured this far or the guardians trying to cleans this blighted area. At the very least, it gives some reassurance that should something go awry, there could be help to call on, even if they are a considerable distance away.
But they continue forward, the occasional ghoul or corrupted creature appearing in their way but easily taken down with them now together and more alert, ready to deal with them. And after they reach a small rocky outcrop, Cid pulls Benedikta back down again, hand raised in warning a his lowers his voice.]
Think we're close... If you look just over the ledge, there will be what looks like one of those cracks in the air, with quite the gathering around it.
[It is a vicious cycle that they will never escape—worrying about the other while not wanting to worry the other. Even if that kiss did help a bit, she still feels that concern, her eyes always lingering on him as they start to move again.
She walks at his side through their journey across the Uncharted. So much of it is just black, all of the colour gone, like it's a world completely separate from the one above it. If she did not know any better, she would not have believed they were the same place, held within the same Leviathan. Not to mention that malignant energy that surrounds them, and at some point, her hand goes to her chest, wondering if Garuda can feel it, too. It leaves behind a twinge of worry and perhaps fear that she could, and this would only stir her further.
But with her hand in his, her grip tight, she focuses on that, squeezing his as he tugs her down, ducking them both behind the rocks. She peers out from around it, squinting. A small sound leaves her when she sees that gathering of spirits.]
And do you suppose our magic is enough to get rid of them?
Even in death they don't give up, and it looks like they're trying to perform a ritual, perhaps using that crack to connect to their living counterparts.
[Though there is some uncertainty there, in the unconscious roll of her shoulders and the bite of her lip. Her magic had been iffy against those ghosts that tried to pull her further, and she still feels as if her strength has been drained. She doesn't know if it's her soul missing her body, or the effects of the Farplane, or if her magic is simply not as effective against them...
Her hand squeezes his again, though it's more for herself. An attempt to shove back the doubts that threaten to distract her again, when there is no room for them at all.]
[As that touch of levin brushes over her hand, she smiles knowingly at him. At least she knows and trusts that if her wind is not as effective, he will have her back.
At that, a spark of green lights her fingertips as she slowly rises to her feet.]
[She flashes him a crooked smile and turns her attention carefully to the gathered souls in front of them. They are still a bit of a distance away, but she should be able to manage something. A wind stirs the air, rustling their hair. It starts out warm but turns into something cooler, sharper. It's not enough to gain their attention yet, but it is enough for her to gather it all into one single point of magic...
...
Only to suddenly let it loose, the wind bursting in all directions from where it was centered beneath them. It throws them all back, scattering them as their surprised cries echo, leaving them all open to Cid's strikes. How very efficient of them.]
[A grin as by now he's gathered enough aether to release it all with a snap, the bolts of lightning raining down upon the fallen cultist souls. They scream, some disappearing upon struck while some still try to stagger up.]
Better move in while they're down—
[And it's then they'll hear the ghastly wails of some disfigured soul that had been hidden within the circle of cultist souls.]
[As soon as it finishes its ghastly cried, Cid is finally able to register what it is as he can see its erratic movements as if trying escape from restraints he can't see.]
...Fuck me, were they trying to send that thing outside?
[He doesn't know if they should try to save it or destroy it, but for now his only option is to try and stop it from going through that crack. Suddenly jumping down, he shouts back at Benedikta—]
Close the rift, I'll focus on that thing!
[—and flings several levin bolts to divert the monstrosity's attention.]
Ugh, it is never simply a walk in the park with you.
[It's something of a complaint, said with a click of her tongue, but if he looks, he won't miss the glint in her eye. A fondness beneath the weariness of it all.
She does groan a bit as she leaps down after him and rushes forward and past Cid, trying to get closer to the crack itself while he has the wailing creature's attention.]
[Another large bolt of lightning strikes the figure, which continues to try and break through the bindings. But he has at least made it turn towards him instead as he wonders if he needs to semi-prime for this.]
[She sure as hell hopes not, or she'll have several words to say to these cultist souls when they're finished.]
Helpful.
[She shouts back at him before she's forced to shove one soul lightning-charred soul that's clambering towards her away with some wind, hoping that he will see it and strike it down. A blink of an eye, a flash of wind, and she's at the crack. She needs a moment to try and catch her breath before she's flinging her magic at it, all while fighting against the pull that her body feels to escape through it. It's as if some magical force is grabbing her and tugging her...]
[Seeing the cultist she had to deal with, he'll finish it off as she hopes, lightning ripping through it to make it disappear with a swear. He really has no idea if this is just making them run or destroying them, and he's not sure which he would prefer. But then he has to actually draw his sword to cut down another that had suddenly risen up in front of him.
Now closer to the disfigured soul, he can now tell that it is in pain, screaming in anger and agony... No it's not one. It's several.]
The devil are they trying to do?
[They were trying to send this thing through? Why? For what purpose? Well none of it good, clearly, and he just channels more of his aether to create several orbs of light that surround it with a chain of lightning before it explodes.]
[She's right at the edge now, clinging to the only thing that separates the Farplane from the land of the living, her nails digging into the wall of distorted sea on the other side. She grits her teeth, pushes more of her magic outward not to close it but to try and destroy it completely.
A glance back, and she swears under her breath again when she sees that thing writhing and screaming, flailing until it's freed from the invisible constraints that had held it down. One of its many arms swings at Cid, but it barely has any fight left in it, charged only by what it has been fed... which, judging from the many screaming faces, are... other souls...]
[He had been preoccupied focusing on the soul that he didn't notice Benedikta's precarious position until she calls out to him. After avoiding that arm, he swears under his breath and dashes past the soul, narrowly avoiding another swing of arms before grabbing onto Benedikta's arm to pull her away from the rift.
But it's tough as he can feel the pull now, mustering his strength to dart away.]
[Her fingers grab around his wrist, securing a grip on him as well, a silent plea for him to hold on tight because she is about to—]
... what the fuck they did to this thing!
[—whip them back from the crack with a powerful wind. It sends them flying down and to the ground, and she takes him in her arms to help break their fall, having been prepared for the impact before it even came. On the bright side, that burst of magic had done something, the pull from it lessening.
From somewhere else, there's a cry. "No—! It must stay open!"]
[His arms will instinctively go around her, one around her head to help cradle it before he feels the impact of the ground and they roll a bit. With a grunt he shakes his head and stares up at the crack slowly closing as more shouts can be heard.
"Quickly open it—!"
"It's not enough we need more souls!"
"Use theirs!!"
"Die for the Great One!"
It's the last voice that suddenly appears from beside them, a ghastly soul rushing out from the ground to try and strike them. Immediately Cid lurches back and pulls her while slamming it with a powerful burst of lightning, the explosion like thunder roaring around them.]
[A question that she doesn't realize she voices aloud as she watches them rush for the crack, shouting things at each other. The thought is broken when she is suddenly pulled back along with him, heat and lightning flashing all around them as Cid dashes away from the ghost that tries to grab them.
It takes a moment for her to register what is going on before she flicks a wrist and slams her hand shut, guiding the winds to the others that are left out of the lightning.]
Stay down!
[It knocks them all to the ground, heavy winds pressing down on them to keep them from getting to their feet. The abomination roars and she watches, horrified, as they all start to crawl towards it. Flickers of magic pass between them when one of them cuts open their palm with a knife.]
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[It does little to ease the worry, and her eyes continue to search his face even in the dim light, like she will find the answers there that he refuses to give her. There are some black stains on his clothes, similar to the ones that stick to hers, and she carefully tries to brush it away with her sleeve.]
What is this?
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[He also would like this cycle to end. But at her question, he glances down and furrows his brows.]
My guess is that blackwater stuff they were warning us about. Doesn't look like we got too much on us, but best be careful.
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A shame there is nowhere to wash it off down here.
[That is not a risk she is willing to take.
She leans in to press a quick but grateful kiss to his lips in thanks for what he did earlier. She will be certain to thank him properly for it later, once they are out of here.]
But if you are sure you are feeling alright, then... we can be on our way.
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The path before them is dark and treacherous indeed. As they continue onward toward the blackened ground, they'll be able to feel that malignant energy oozing up and around them, larger pools of that blackwater appearing more prevalent in this area. Somewhere in the far distance they'll hear the occasional clash and see bursts of white light, perhaps either others like them who have ventured this far or the guardians trying to cleans this blighted area. At the very least, it gives some reassurance that should something go awry, there could be help to call on, even if they are a considerable distance away.
But they continue forward, the occasional ghoul or corrupted creature appearing in their way but easily taken down with them now together and more alert, ready to deal with them. And after they reach a small rocky outcrop, Cid pulls Benedikta back down again, hand raised in warning a his lowers his voice.]
Think we're close... If you look just over the ledge, there will be what looks like one of those cracks in the air, with quite the gathering around it.
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She walks at his side through their journey across the Uncharted. So much of it is just black, all of the colour gone, like it's a world completely separate from the one above it. If she did not know any better, she would not have believed they were the same place, held within the same Leviathan. Not to mention that malignant energy that surrounds them, and at some point, her hand goes to her chest, wondering if Garuda can feel it, too. It leaves behind a twinge of worry and perhaps fear that she could, and this would only stir her further.
But with her hand in his, her grip tight, she focuses on that, squeezing his as he tugs her down, ducking them both behind the rocks. She peers out from around it, squinting. A small sound leaves her when she sees that gathering of spirits.]
And do you suppose our magic is enough to get rid of them?
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[He does look a little pensive seeing how many they are... But then as he looks closer, he cants his head slightly.]
...Is it just me, or do all those ghosts look similar?
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Hm?
[Her eyes narrow, but then her brows shoot up at the realization upon seeing all the robes that they wear, exactly the same as one another.]
Oh. I think we may have stumbled upon our little cult friends.
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Even in death they don't give up, and it looks like they're trying to perform a ritual, perhaps using that crack to connect to their living counterparts.
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[Though there is some uncertainty there, in the unconscious roll of her shoulders and the bite of her lip. Her magic had been iffy against those ghosts that tried to pull her further, and she still feels as if her strength has been drained. She doesn't know if it's her soul missing her body, or the effects of the Farplane, or if her magic is simply not as effective against them...
Her hand squeezes his again, though it's more for herself. An attempt to shove back the doubts that threaten to distract her again, when there is no room for them at all.]
Shall we surprise them?
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[He can feel her unease, and he gives her a reassuring squeeze in return, giving her a brush of his levin as he knows that usually helps soothe her.]
A bit of wind to break them apart and some lightning to stop them further should do.
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[As that touch of levin brushes over her hand, she smiles knowingly at him. At least she knows and trusts that if her wind is not as effective, he will have her back.
At that, a spark of green lights her fingertips as she slowly rises to her feet.]
Shall we?
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[A grin and slight nod of his head as his own aether starts to gather more around his hand.]
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[She flashes him a crooked smile and turns her attention carefully to the gathered souls in front of them. They are still a bit of a distance away, but she should be able to manage something. A wind stirs the air, rustling their hair. It starts out warm but turns into something cooler, sharper. It's not enough to gain their attention yet, but it is enough for her to gather it all into one single point of magic...
...
Only to suddenly let it loose, the wind bursting in all directions from where it was centered beneath them. It throws them all back, scattering them as their surprised cries echo, leaving them all open to Cid's strikes. How very efficient of them.]
I've warmed them up for you.
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[A grin as by now he's gathered enough aether to release it all with a snap, the bolts of lightning raining down upon the fallen cultist souls. They scream, some disappearing upon struck while some still try to stagger up.]
Better move in while they're down—
[And it's then they'll hear the ghastly wails of some disfigured soul that had been hidden within the circle of cultist souls.]
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What in Greagor's name... Shut that thing up!
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...Fuck me, were they trying to send that thing outside?
[He doesn't know if they should try to save it or destroy it, but for now his only option is to try and stop it from going through that crack. Suddenly jumping down, he shouts back at Benedikta—]
Close the rift, I'll focus on that thing!
[—and flings several levin bolts to divert the monstrosity's attention.]
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[It's something of a complaint, said with a click of her tongue, but if he looks, he won't miss the glint in her eye. A fondness beneath the weariness of it all.
She does groan a bit as she leaps down after him and rushes forward and past Cid, trying to get closer to the crack itself while he has the wailing creature's attention.]
A bit of magic, was it?
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[Another large bolt of lightning strikes the figure, which continues to try and break through the bindings. But he has at least made it turn towards him instead as he wonders if he needs to semi-prime for this.]
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Helpful.
[She shouts back at him before she's forced to shove one soul lightning-charred soul that's clambering towards her away with some wind, hoping that he will see it and strike it down. A blink of an eye, a flash of wind, and she's at the crack. She needs a moment to try and catch her breath before she's flinging her magic at it, all while fighting against the pull that her body feels to escape through it. It's as if some magical force is grabbing her and tugging her...]
Shit...
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Now closer to the disfigured soul, he can now tell that it is in pain, screaming in anger and agony... No it's not one. It's several.]
The devil are they trying to do?
[They were trying to send this thing through? Why? For what purpose? Well none of it good, clearly, and he just channels more of his aether to create several orbs of light that surround it with a chain of lightning before it explodes.]
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[She's right at the edge now, clinging to the only thing that separates the Farplane from the land of the living, her nails digging into the wall of distorted sea on the other side. She grits her teeth, pushes more of her magic outward not to close it but to try and destroy it completely.
A glance back, and she swears under her breath again when she sees that thing writhing and screaming, flailing until it's freed from the invisible constraints that had held it down. One of its many arms swings at Cid, but it barely has any fight left in it, charged only by what it has been fed... which, judging from the many screaming faces, are... other souls...]
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But it's tough as he can feel the pull now, mustering his strength to dart away.]
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[Her fingers grab around his wrist, securing a grip on him as well, a silent plea for him to hold on tight because she is about to—]
... what the fuck they did to this thing!
[—whip them back from the crack with a powerful wind. It sends them flying down and to the ground, and she takes him in her arms to help break their fall, having been prepared for the impact before it even came. On the bright side, that burst of magic had done something, the pull from it lessening.
From somewhere else, there's a cry. "No—! It must stay open!"]
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"Quickly open it—!"
"It's not enough we need more souls!"
"Use theirs!!"
"Die for the Great One!"
It's the last voice that suddenly appears from beside them, a ghastly soul rushing out from the ground to try and strike them. Immediately Cid lurches back and pulls her while slamming it with a powerful burst of lightning, the explosion like thunder roaring around them.]
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[A question that she doesn't realize she voices aloud as she watches them rush for the crack, shouting things at each other. The thought is broken when she is suddenly pulled back along with him, heat and lightning flashing all around them as Cid dashes away from the ghost that tries to grab them.
It takes a moment for her to register what is going on before she flicks a wrist and slams her hand shut, guiding the winds to the others that are left out of the lightning.]
Stay down!
[It knocks them all to the ground, heavy winds pressing down on them to keep them from getting to their feet. The abomination roars and she watches, horrified, as they all start to crawl towards it. Flickers of magic pass between them when one of them cuts open their palm with a knife.]
Are they feeding it?
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>>> and now things are weird
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✨ timeskip ✨
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