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. :)
[As if it could not get any worse, somehow it does. Benedikta has seen plenty in both Valisthea and this one, but there is something very different and very horrifying about seeing souls give themselves up, and to this... thing, whatever it is. She isn't sure that she has a name for it. She does nothing to help those ones, simply clinging to Cid as it swallows them down like they are a mere snack. She swears she still hears them calling for the resurrection of the Great One as blood sprays across the ground at the creature's feet.
But of course that isn't just the end. She sees movement from above, hears the screams, and she is just as quick to act on it as he is.]
Gods damn it...!
[Alongside his lightning, the wind spreads with the heat, immediately creating a small storm around them, everything darkening with clouds. As his lightning strikes the beast, her wind sweeps up to knock the soul off course as it falls. The hands of the beast strike it, smacking this soul to the ground, and the impact is messy, their body bouncing and sliding until it comes to a stop. She can't tell from here if they have survived, but as the monster turns on them, they have far bigger things to worry about at the moment.
The beast shrieks, louder than before, carrying so many different voices. It tries to dodge the lightning, but Cid's power strikes it. Its body must have grown from those offered souls, but at least it makes it an easy target.]
One more hit should do the trick.
[She rears her hand back, winding up her magic, and it picks up around Cid's feet—]
[He's grateful for Benedikta's winds at least sweeping it away, even if it does end up falling. A hard landing is better than getting eaten.]
Together then!
[Seeing the souls consumed by the creature along with how one was almost taken, there is a renewed vigor, a motivation to get this done now. Gathering his aether into his fist, almost to the point of semi-priming, he just trusts that Benedikta will follow suit in whatever way she seems fit as he rushes at the creature. Using her winds to help increase his speed, he covers the distance quickly, letting Benedikta do her work before lightning surrounds him to make that final dash, fist raised back as he prepares for the final hit...]
[It is always nice when he picks up on what she is putting down, quite literally, with the wind under his feet. She watches him move, always in awe, like a streak of lightning passing through the clouds. She has to shake herself out of it for a moment, long enough that she can strike it too.
There's a sharper wind, the kind that can weather stone and cut through a tide, that descends upon the creature. Its many hands continue to fling about, searching for its purple target. To no avail of course, but they might prove to be a problem when Cid gets close enough. In a single motion, swift and quick, the wind shifts direction, and like a hundred sharp, invisible shards been flung at it, its limbs are severed from its body in dozens of clean cuts.
Its screams are ghastly, loud and shrill, blood spattering everywhere. Its heads turn, trying now to look for her. For Cid. For the one fallen to the ground. A soul. Any soul that it can devour to strengthen itself again like they had seen before.]
Not today, you!
[Cid will feel himself pick up speed now as clouds grow around him, giving him the momentum and the extra power he needs to make that final strike.]
[With Benedikta's winds clearing the way and slicing off those limbs, Cid can only smirk in pride and admiration as he now has a clear shot of his target. Seeing his approach as he darts through, cutting down cultists that try to get in his way, the creature slowly turns to him. Without its limbs, it now relies on its giant mouth and with an ear piercing wail it opens wide, sucking in everything around it like a vacuum and aimed right at Cid.
For a moment, it looks as if Cid is caught in the vacuum, but there will be a sudden burst of lightning that hurtles him faster to its gaping maw. With a loud shout, Cid slams his fist right into opening, but before it can sink its teeth into him, there is an explosion of lightning and thunder that booms over the area as it rips up from the inside. Screams fill the air as it can no longer hold onto its form, numerous souls flying out like shooting stars.
And in the center of it all, covered in the black residue and chunks and bits of the now destroyed creature, is Cid kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily before coughing a bit. But even then he doesn't think about himself but instead looks up as if searching for soemthing. By now they had surely caught the attention of others in the area, and sure enough, there are streaks of light and shouts of the guardians that were making their way.]
[The screams send Benedikta's hand darting up to shield her ear again as she turns away from it, a sharp groan under a breath. She glances back just in time to see him streaking towards it at lightning speed, another flash of purple levin before she sees him again. She fumbles forward a step, wondering if she needs to help him, but he answers that within seconds with the explosion of his power that comes after, tearing the monster apart from the inside out. She only has a moment to watch before she's forced to dodge the flying remainders... with little success.
The sound of his coughing makes her heart jolt, and she cares little for the things that cling to her, shaking off what she can as she rushes to his side, her hand gripping his arm, her eyes filled with both worry and pride as she looks him over. She doesn't even look up to see the souls that are screaming and scattering, or the guardians that are coming to their aid.]
You are alright?
[Ignoring the fact that she sounds a little winded herself.]
[There's another cough into his hand, and as he opens to look there is some relief that it's not stained in blood. Then again, would he as a soul here? But it's around then that Benedikta appears, and he tries to give her a reassuring smile.]
Better than they are.
[A grim look around the souls that continue to writhe in misshapen forms, the one that had recently been pushed through the rift still cowering on the ground unable to comprehend anything.
But more white lights appear around them, keeping the souls from flying further away. Seeing this, he slowly gets to his feet.]
[She helps him get to his feet, her hands holding him to help herself as well when she feels her knees nearly wobble and buckle under this new kind of exhaustion. She glances around at the other souls, wincing with pity, and then at the lights that start to flutter closer.]
The guardians? Do you suppose we can leave the souls to them?
[At least the crack has been sealed, so that's a plus.]
[He appreciates her help, needing her support for the moment as he stands. But it's just as he steadies himself and is lending his own support to help her that there is a shout from not too far from them.
"Oy, you there! What happened here??"
Perhaps not so surprising they would he questioned, and Cid just glances at Benedikta with a wry grin.]
No rest for the wicked, eh? Better get this over with so they know what's going on.
[That grin earns a roll of her eyes, though it is not directed at him. Rather, at the situation... and it will silently tell him that he can do the talking and answering of questions before her already thin patience wears out... just like the rest of her. So, while he does relays the information on what they had seen to the tapirs and the kirin that have joined them, she finds a spot on a small rock to sit and catch her breath and listens.
There is some concern shared between the tapirs, mostly about the monster that those cultists had created, and how they were fueling its power. It asks questions about what the cultists had said, and while they do not have many answers, there is some worry and mention of "The Locker", the place within Cassiopea where all of the worst souls go to be tortured and eventually purged.
...
Her thoughts begin to stray, wondering about this place that sends a shiver of fear through all of the tapirs. The place where the worst of the people end up going... It makes her stomach uneasy, her mind racing with feelings that should not be there. Worries that should not exist because she is trying her damnest to change things. To do better... but does the Leviathan see things differently? Is Cassiopea the one to judge the souls? These are all things that she keeps to herself for now, but she knows that it won't be so easy to shake them off—they will be ever-present until she finds an answer.
And once all of that is finished, the tapir looks between the two of them. "You both look like you could use some cleaning!"]
[After Cid told everything they had seen and exchanged a few more words and discussion on how some of the guardians would lead a group to the site outside, he returns to Benedikta to give her a comforting squeeze of the shoulder before they are offered to be cleansed.
Honestly, he wouldn't mind it. He was already feeling the weight and weariness of everything that just transpired, a weight that is only alleviated knowing they may have freed and saved a few souls, not just the ones here but also any that could have been killed for this strange cause they are now learning about.
Thus they are allowed to remain where they are as one of the smaller tapirs and kirin approach. The kirin uses its powers to "wash" then away with a warm, soothing light, the blackwater and remains disappearing from their skin and clothes while also soothing some of those aches and pains. Because there is a lot of work to be done the kirin apologizes as it needs to conserve some energy, but even then they are left feeling more invigorated and refreshed than any normal healer could have provided.
The little tapir, meanwhile, squees and "dries" them via blowing air through its snout like a hair dryer. Which is all... Certainly an experience.]
[The fact that they had managed to help several souls is a... small blessing. The tapir tries to remind them of this as they are "cleansed", but there is a weight in Benedikta's chest now that she knows what all of this was about. For now, she will put on a more neutral face, not wanting to stoke any further questions or comments in the little tapir, whose curiosity in them just a touch overbearing at times.
And when it starts to "dry" them off by blowing at them with its snout, she tries to wave it off, and she climbs to her feet to try to escape.]
What are you doing!?
["I'm just trying to help!!! But you're all set now."
She shoots a glare at the tapir as she tries to fix up her hair, the strands all in a disarray.]
[He can't help but chuckle a bit as he reaches over to help fix her hair, a gesture that has become so natural between them and for him especially.]
No harm done. And all greatly appreciated.
[The tapir just flies around them as the adult guardians continue with their work in containing the souls and purifying the area.
"No problem! We should thank you for all the help, after all. But you should start heading back to the ship, it feels like you've been out for a while."
Hearing that, Cid realizes they have been down here for some time and glances at Benedikta.]
How far are we?
["A bit far... So here! Use this light to help guide you back."
And with a sneeze, a bright orb of light appears to illuminate a path that sparkles on the ground.]
[The sneeze startles Benedikta, especially when it's aimed at them, and she flashes a look of ire at the tapir who seems relatively unfazed by it as it sniffles and wiggles its snout.
"Just start heading back that way—" The tapir points. "—and you'll find your way back up in no time. Just be careful, I think that you bothered some of the souls down here with all that racket."]
Very well.
[She glances at that one that they saved from the monster, and some of the other tapirs seem to be helping them, so she just gives a most subtle nod before reaching out for Cid's hand.]
Then let us be off. It seems they have it all under control.
[A wry grin as he takes her hand, and with the light to help guide them, they can start making their way back, the word of warning heavy on their minds.]
Something about resurrecting said "Great One", whoever that may be. Though, I thought I heard the tapirs mention they think they might be referring to their leader? And...
[Her attention turns to him, that sigh drawing her gaze to search his face for answers, eyes flitting about it carefully.]
... I am not sure I like it.
[There are many blessings this world has given them both, the biggest one being right at their sides, but when it rains here, it truly pours.]
A part of me longs for the days when our biggest worry was not a group of cultists looking to tamper with the dead, but... how we might find our next bounty for dinner.
[A small smile as he pulls her closer to him, steps slowing.]
Then it's a good thing this world is full of young, able bodied heroes who can deal with it instead.
While it will be good to keep apprised, even I would say this is something that may be better dealt with by those more capable. As you like to remind me so often, we have enough on our hands as it is.
[She lets him with a hum of agreement, her body singing for that closeness and proximity and warmth right now, especially so when everything is dark and dreary and cold.]
I do like to remind you, yes. Because it is true.
[But there is something more thoughtful, and a little more sad, about her expression, barely visible by the dim light that hovers alongside them.]
But this is far too dangerous for us to be meddling in too much. You saw how those souls had grabbed me...
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But of course that isn't just the end. She sees movement from above, hears the screams, and she is just as quick to act on it as he is.]
Gods damn it...!
[Alongside his lightning, the wind spreads with the heat, immediately creating a small storm around them, everything darkening with clouds. As his lightning strikes the beast, her wind sweeps up to knock the soul off course as it falls. The hands of the beast strike it, smacking this soul to the ground, and the impact is messy, their body bouncing and sliding until it comes to a stop. She can't tell from here if they have survived, but as the monster turns on them, they have far bigger things to worry about at the moment.
The beast shrieks, louder than before, carrying so many different voices. It tries to dodge the lightning, but Cid's power strikes it. Its body must have grown from those offered souls, but at least it makes it an easy target.]
One more hit should do the trick.
[She rears her hand back, winding up her magic, and it picks up around Cid's feet—]
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Together then!
[Seeing the souls consumed by the creature along with how one was almost taken, there is a renewed vigor, a motivation to get this done now. Gathering his aether into his fist, almost to the point of semi-priming, he just trusts that Benedikta will follow suit in whatever way she seems fit as he rushes at the creature. Using her winds to help increase his speed, he covers the distance quickly, letting Benedikta do her work before lightning surrounds him to make that final dash, fist raised back as he prepares for the final hit...]
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There's a sharper wind, the kind that can weather stone and cut through a tide, that descends upon the creature. Its many hands continue to fling about, searching for its purple target. To no avail of course, but they might prove to be a problem when Cid gets close enough. In a single motion, swift and quick, the wind shifts direction, and like a hundred sharp, invisible shards been flung at it, its limbs are severed from its body in dozens of clean cuts.
Its screams are ghastly, loud and shrill, blood spattering everywhere. Its heads turn, trying now to look for her. For Cid. For the one fallen to the ground. A soul. Any soul that it can devour to strengthen itself again like they had seen before.]
Not today, you!
[Cid will feel himself pick up speed now as clouds grow around him, giving him the momentum and the extra power he needs to make that final strike.]
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For a moment, it looks as if Cid is caught in the vacuum, but there will be a sudden burst of lightning that hurtles him faster to its gaping maw. With a loud shout, Cid slams his fist right into opening, but before it can sink its teeth into him, there is an explosion of lightning and thunder that booms over the area as it rips up from the inside. Screams fill the air as it can no longer hold onto its form, numerous souls flying out like shooting stars.
And in the center of it all, covered in the black residue and chunks and bits of the now destroyed creature, is Cid kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily before coughing a bit. But even then he doesn't think about himself but instead looks up as if searching for soemthing. By now they had surely caught the attention of others in the area, and sure enough, there are streaks of light and shouts of the guardians that were making their way.]
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The sound of his coughing makes her heart jolt, and she cares little for the things that cling to her, shaking off what she can as she rushes to his side, her hand gripping his arm, her eyes filled with both worry and pride as she looks him over. She doesn't even look up to see the souls that are screaming and scattering, or the guardians that are coming to their aid.]
You are alright?
[Ignoring the fact that she sounds a little winded herself.]
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Better than they are.
[A grim look around the souls that continue to writhe in misshapen forms, the one that had recently been pushed through the rift still cowering on the ground unable to comprehend anything.
But more white lights appear around them, keeping the souls from flying further away. Seeing this, he slowly gets to his feet.]
Best be out of their way.
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The guardians? Do you suppose we can leave the souls to them?
[At least the crack has been sealed, so that's a plus.]
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[He appreciates her help, needing her support for the moment as he stands. But it's just as he steadies himself and is lending his own support to help her that there is a shout from not too far from them.
"Oy, you there! What happened here??"
Perhaps not so surprising they would he questioned, and Cid just glances at Benedikta with a wry grin.]
No rest for the wicked, eh? Better get this over with so they know what's going on.
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There is some concern shared between the tapirs, mostly about the monster that those cultists had created, and how they were fueling its power. It asks questions about what the cultists had said, and while they do not have many answers, there is some worry and mention of "The Locker", the place within Cassiopea where all of the worst souls go to be tortured and eventually purged.
...
Her thoughts begin to stray, wondering about this place that sends a shiver of fear through all of the tapirs. The place where the worst of the people end up going... It makes her stomach uneasy, her mind racing with feelings that should not be there. Worries that should not exist because she is trying her damnest to change things. To do better... but does the Leviathan see things differently? Is Cassiopea the one to judge the souls? These are all things that she keeps to herself for now, but she knows that it won't be so easy to shake them off—they will be ever-present until she finds an answer.
And once all of that is finished, the tapir looks between the two of them. "You both look like you could use some cleaning!"]
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Honestly, he wouldn't mind it. He was already feeling the weight and weariness of everything that just transpired, a weight that is only alleviated knowing they may have freed and saved a few souls, not just the ones here but also any that could have been killed for this strange cause they are now learning about.
Thus they are allowed to remain where they are as one of the smaller tapirs and kirin approach. The kirin uses its powers to "wash" then away with a warm, soothing light, the blackwater and remains disappearing from their skin and clothes while also soothing some of those aches and pains. Because there is a lot of work to be done the kirin apologizes as it needs to conserve some energy, but even then they are left feeling more invigorated and refreshed than any normal healer could have provided.
The little tapir, meanwhile, squees and "dries" them via blowing air through its snout like a hair dryer. Which is all... Certainly an experience.]
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And when it starts to "dry" them off by blowing at them with its snout, she tries to wave it off, and she climbs to her feet to try to escape.]
What are you doing!?
["I'm just trying to help!!! But you're all set now."
She shoots a glare at the tapir as she tries to fix up her hair, the strands all in a disarray.]
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No harm done. And all greatly appreciated.
[The tapir just flies around them as the adult guardians continue with their work in containing the souls and purifying the area.
"No problem! We should thank you for all the help, after all. But you should start heading back to the ship, it feels like you've been out for a while."
Hearing that, Cid realizes they have been down here for some time and glances at Benedikta.]
How far are we?
["A bit far... So here! Use this light to help guide you back."
And with a sneeze, a bright orb of light appears to illuminate a path that sparkles on the ground.]
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"Just start heading back that way—" The tapir points. "—and you'll find your way back up in no time. Just be careful, I think that you bothered some of the souls down here with all that racket."]
Very well.
[She glances at that one that they saved from the monster, and some of the other tapirs seem to be helping them, so she just gives a most subtle nod before reaching out for Cid's hand.]
Then let us be off. It seems they have it all under control.
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[A wry grin as he takes her hand, and with the light to help guide them, they can start making their way back, the word of warning heavy on their minds.]
Hard to believe everything we saw.
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... What exactly was that thing? Some sort of... abomination made up of different souls?
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[He glances back, the carnage still visible.]
We know those cultists were up to something... But was it this? And was it the only one? More importantly for what?
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... Did you hear what those souls were saying? The ones that had offered themselves up to the beast?
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[Her brow furrows in thought.]
Something about resurrecting said "Great One", whoever that may be. Though, I thought I heard the tapirs mention they think they might be referring to their leader? And...
[There's a heavy pause.]
That place called the Locker.
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The deep underbelly of hell. If they were trying to "resurrect" something from in there then it can't be anyone—or thing—good.
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... Do you suppose that there are others who might be attempting the same thing?
[A beat, and she sighs, feeling her aether trickling into the air on an unsteady breeze.]
They were using all kinds of souls...
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[And now he thinks of Rem and releases a low, haggard sigh, somewhat glad that she's not around for this. If she were...]
This world has gotten a lot more complicated compared to ours.
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... I am not sure I like it.
[There are many blessings this world has given them both, the biggest one being right at their sides, but when it rains here, it truly pours.]
A part of me longs for the days when our biggest worry was not a group of cultists looking to tamper with the dead, but... how we might find our next bounty for dinner.
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Then it's a good thing this world is full of young, able bodied heroes who can deal with it instead.
While it will be good to keep apprised, even I would say this is something that may be better dealt with by those more capable. As you like to remind me so often, we have enough on our hands as it is.
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I do like to remind you, yes. Because it is true.
[But there is something more thoughtful, and a little more sad, about her expression, barely visible by the dim light that hovers alongside them.]
But this is far too dangerous for us to be meddling in too much. You saw how those souls had grabbed me...
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>>> and now things are weird
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✨ timeskip ✨
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