Faysal

...discovery always has a price. With curiosity comes consequence... ...SEEK JUDGEMENT. GROW

[faysalthelost]

I Hope You're Better Now

Splintered from [Dug Too Deep]

...It is. I think.

Guardian, led by Kendra, and followed by Liam, arrived at a makeshift medical building. Zsil drummed on the door frame as he awkwardly squeezed through. Kendra explained the situation to a nurse who motioned to a nearby cot. Zsil lifted a lever on his frame, and with an audible thunk and hiss the torso of his suit slid open. A child, appearing no older than 14, slumped out Zsil caught her and gingerly laid her onto the cot.

Guardian slumped down after the compartment Alesha sat in closed back up. He waited for his human to wake up or his sister to arrive, nervously clicking his fingers together as he did.

[tree-the-cat]

Liam looked down at her, dumbfounded, as Kendra immediately knelt down and began checking her over for any signs of injury or illness. “You didn’t say you had a kid in there. She’s not feeding you, is she?”

[faysalthelost]

No, dumbass. Zsil shook his head. Has Nala ever fed on you?

He shook his head before peaking over Kendra's shoulder. The floor creaking as it strained under the weight of him. Despite her age, and appearances, she is one of the most powerful human mages I have ever met. That, and I wish mom or Archon were here to help explain this, she is the second human I've found that is a Catalyst for me.

[tree-the-cat]

Liam, who had pinned his ears back in annoyance, pricked them up at the new information. “No, no it’s alright...we know what that is. But...that’s not a thing, right? I thought demons only Catalyzed once.” Kendra also looked up in interest at the conversation, following the Guardian’s words with her mind and Liam’s words with his hands.

[faysalthelost]

The Guardian drummed his hand once on the floor. All I have anymore are theories, all tied back to the Bogeyman that is High Central. Because no, I shouldn't have another catalyst. But, "supposedly," humans also couldn't make suits that demons could inhabit and pilot, and they also "supposedly," couldn't make little machines that can turn me off like a lantern! Zsil's left fist tightened and popped as it nearly crushed itself. He pried it opened with his other hand and shook it loose again.

Between this suit, the labs, Hel, even finding Alesha. They're cooking up some sort of demon centered plot. And I'm dumb enough to take every bit of bait in front of me.

[faysalthelost]

I Hope You're Better Now

Splintered from [Dug Too Deep]

...It is. I think.

Guardian, led by Kendra, and followed by Liam, arrived at a makeshift medical building. Zsil drummed on the door frame as he awkwardly squeezed through. Kendra explained the situation to a nurse who motioned to a nearby cot. Zsil lifted a lever on his frame, and with an audible thunk and hiss the torso of his suit slid open. A child, appearing no older than 14, slumped out Zsil caught her and gingerly laid her onto the cot.

Guardian slumped down after the compartment Alesha sat in closed back up. He waited for his human to wake up or his sister to arrive, nervously clicking his fingers together as he did.

[tree-the-cat]

Liam looked down at her, dumbfounded, as Kendra immediately knelt down and began checking her over for any signs of injury or illness. “You didn’t say you had a kid in there. She’s not feeding you, is she?”

[faysalthelost]

No, dumbass. Zsil shook his head. Has Nala ever fed on you?

He shook his head before peaking over Kendra's shoulder. The floor creaking as it strained under the weight of him. Despite her age, and appearances, she is one of the most powerful human mages I have ever met. That, and I wish mom or Archon were here to help explain this, she is the second human I've found that is a Catalyst for me.

[faysalthelost]

I Hope You're Better Now

Splintered from [Dug Too Deep]

...It is. I think.

Guardian, led by Kendra, and followed by Liam, arrived at a makeshift medical building. Zsil drummed on the door frame as he awkwardly squeezed through. Kendra explained the situation to a nurse who motioned to a nearby cot. Zsil lifted a lever on his frame, and with an audible thunk and hiss the torso of his suit slid open. A child, appearing no older than 14, slumped out Zsil caught her and gingerly laid her onto the cot.

Guardian slumped down after the compartment Alesha sat in closed back up. He waited for his human to wake up or his sister to arrive, nervously clicking his fingers together as he did.

[faysalthelost]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 5]

[x]

Zsil took in the small travelling party, doing a quick assessment of what appeared to be their strength. Even if they had magic users with them, these tunnels were exceptionally dangerous. These tunnels lead directly underneath High Central. Anyone that’s gotten too close to the city hasn’t made a return trip.  The only thing of use I’ve found in these tunnels is this demon housing suit, and schematics for a much larger version. Beyond that if I’ve ever gotten too close they’ve caved it in on me, attacked me, flooded me, tried to set me on fire, threw me into a pit.... Lots of traps and tricks that would kill you soft, corporeal folk. 

If you choose to go further down this tunnel, it leads to a reverse fork, the other one taking you to a base to the east of the jaw that used to house the Scarab Clan. It was another “splinter” of Central that Alrund and his rebellion took out about a month prior. If you were to continue the other direction, it would probably lead too close to High Central and have a good chance of killing you. 

The Guardian grasped his chest, but I must take Alesha to the infirmary. If something were to happen to her...

[faysalthelost]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 4]

[x]

Woah, hey there little human, no need for swords. You might hurt Alesha! Zsilelac chuckled as he attempted to pull more of his body out of the pile of dirt. I’m Zsil, though most people call me Guardian. He grunted as one of his legs dislodged from the rubble. Even without a head, the suit moved as though it was looking through the occupants of the tunnel. I’m afraid I don’t recognize any of you, you aren’t with Alrund’s forces, are you?

[tree-the-cat]

A barrage of memories flooded into Kendra’s mind’s eye, and she gasped so suddenly, those around her thought she had gotten hurt. Her hands shook aimlessly in excitement, and then she dashed forward and threw her arms as far as they would go around the suit’s waist, tossing her consciousness against his at the same time in joyful greeting. Liam stood like someone had whacked him over the head with a rolling pin, too stunned to stop her.

“Zsil, what…what the fuck!?” he sputtered. 

[faysalthelost]

Wait… those ears… Liam! Kendra! The Guardian bellowed in laughter. Oh it’s so great to see you two! He pulled his other leg from the mound of dirt and scooped up Kendra before rushing to Liam and pulling him into the bear hug. Oh I never thought I would see you kids this close to Central, let alone in one of their tunnels! and you’ve gotten so big Kendra! And my sister, she must be with you, right?! And who are your friends?! Oh this is just so much! He released the two from his hug back onto the ground and took a step back before doing a little dance of joy.

[hubwalker1]

Normally Lila would have stabbed this thing where it stood, but Kendra had moved first, it threw her off. “Does someone want to explain what’s going on?” She asked as she sheathed her sword.

“I’m as lost as you are sis.” Kettil replied quietly.

“Best I can figure, either this is a suit of enchanted and/or cursed armor, or a demon body, possessed by said demon.” Jari assessed.

The commander hummed as she crossed her arms. “I take it you’ve been down here a long time. Central as it was is a thing of the past, fractured into factions. And even now this faction, the Conclave, has been destroyed, their leader scheduled for execution tomorrow.”

[tree-the-cat]

“It can’t have been that long,” Liam wheezed, catching his breath from the Guardian’s bear hug. “We saw him, like…”

Kendra had been counting. I was twelve, she said.

“Okay, then yeah, I was like sixteen or seventeen. Where the Hel have you been?” he demanded. While he talked, Kendra rapidly caught Jari up on their relationship to Nala’s older brother. “What do you mean, one of Central’s tunnels?” 

[faysalthelost]

A barrage of questions for me, your favorite demon! The Guardian let out a hearty laugh. And you, you’re correct on two accounts. He moved to look at Jari as he spoke.

I’ve been quite busy these past few years, chasing ghosts, mostly. Ghosts that  always lead me to Central. Now, keep in mind, almost everything I know about Central is a theory, Whoever is in charge of Central is so far ahead of me, almost everyone thinks I’m crazy. Guardian shifted again to look at Lila. 

I’ve been trapped down here since you took the Jaw, six days ago, right? I had to put Alesha, Guardian tapped his chest, into a deep sleep just in case we weren’t found for some time. I don’t know how long a human can survive without food or water, I’m working on waking her up now, but that’s besides the point. 

Your rebellion took the jaw from the Conclave, which means… He trails off and counts on his fingers. If you haven’t killed their leader yet, Central will be by shortly to finish him off. They can’t have any loose ends, not with their plan, not with how much this system runs like a clock.

[hubwalker1]

Lila paled as she heard this. High Central, come here? They weren’t ready for that, they’d be slaughtered. She shakes her head as she tries to calm herself. “No, that’s not possible.” She says. “Our Intel said they were under siege. They don’t have the capability to come for us. And besides we killed most of the leadership in the battle and Vidar will be put to death by tomorrow.”

[tree-the-cat]

“Hold up, stop.” Liam took an aggressive step forward. He’d been around the block with Zsil before. “You can’t be taking this seriously. A plan? A system?”

Kendra, in the meantime, was tapping curiously on Zsil’s chest and putting an ear to it, feeling for the human he was referring to.

[faysalthelost]

Zsil patted Kendra on the head, Not yet, she’s not ready to wake up. I might have to take her to an infirmary, if you have one. 

Like I said, everything I have is theories and guesses. But I would expect an assassin coming for Vidar soon. That much I know for sure. Everything else I have on Central is a very educated guess. I’ve been on their trail for years now. This isn’t the first time we’ve taken out one of the “splinter factions.” The guardian puts visible air quotes up when he says those last words. 

[faysalthelost]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 4]

[x]

Woah, hey there little human, no need for swords. You might hurt Alesha! Zsilelac chuckled as he attempted to pull more of his body out of the pile of dirt. I’m Zsil, though most people call me Guardian. He grunted as one of his legs dislodged from the rubble. Even without a head, the suit moved as though it was looking through the occupants of the tunnel. I’m afraid I don’t recognize any of you, you aren’t with Alrund’s forces, are you?

[tree-the-cat]

A barrage of memories flooded into Kendra’s mind’s eye, and she gasped so suddenly, those around her thought she had gotten hurt. Her hands shook aimlessly in excitement, and then she dashed forward and threw her arms as far as they would go around the suit’s waist, tossing her consciousness against his at the same time in joyful greeting. Liam stood like someone had whacked him over the head with a rolling pin, too stunned to stop her.

“Zsil, what…what the fuck!?” he sputtered. 

[faysalthelost]

Wait… those ears… Liam! Kendra! The Guardian bellowed in laughter. Oh it’s so great to see you two! He pulled his other leg from the mound of dirt and scooped up Kendra before rushing to Liam and pulling him into the bear hug. Oh I never thought I would see you kids this close to Central, let alone in one of their tunnels! and you’ve gotten so big Kendra! And my sister, she must be with you, right?! And who are your friends?! Oh this is just so much! He released the two from his hug back onto the ground and took a step back before doing a little dance of joy.

[hubwalker1]

Normally Lila would have stabbed this thing where it stood, but Kendra had moved first, it threw her off. “Does someone want to explain what’s going on?” She asked as she sheathed her sword.

“I’m as lost as you are sis.” Kettil replied quietly.

“Best I can figure, either this is a suit of enchanted and/or cursed armor, or a demon body, possessed by said demon.” Jari assessed.

The commander hummed as she crossed her arms. “I take it you’ve been down here a long time. Central as it was is a thing of the past, fractured into factions. And even now this faction, the Conclave, has been destroyed, their leader scheduled for execution tomorrow.”

[tree-the-cat]

“It can’t have been that long,” Liam wheezed, catching his breath from the Guardian’s bear hug. “We saw him, like…”

Kendra had been counting. I was twelve, she said.

“Okay, then yeah, I was like sixteen or seventeen. Where the Hel have you been?” he demanded. While he talked, Kendra rapidly caught Jari up on their relationship to Nala’s older brother. “What do you mean, one of Central’s tunnels?” 

[faysalthelost]

A barrage of questions for me, your favorite demon! The Guardian let out a hearty laugh. And you, you’re correct on two accounts. He moved to look at Jari as he spoke.

I’ve been quite busy these past few years, chasing ghosts, mostly. Ghosts that  always lead me to Central. Now, keep in mind, almost everything I know about Central is a theory, Whoever is in charge of Central is so far ahead of me, almost everyone thinks I’m crazy. Guardian shifted again to look at Lila. 

I’ve been trapped down here since you took the Jaw, six days ago, right? I had to put Alesha, Guardian tapped his chest, into a deep sleep just in case we weren’t found for some time. I don’t know how long a human can survive without food or water, I’m working on waking her up now, but that’s besides the point. 

Your rebellion took the jaw from the Conclave, which means... He trails off and counts on his fingers. If you haven’t killed their leader yet, Central will be by shortly to finish him off. They can’t have any loose ends, not with their plan, not with how much this system runs like a clock.

[faysalthelost]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 4]

[x]

Woah, hey there little human, no need for swords. You might hurt Alesha! Zsilelac chuckled as he attempted to pull more of his body out of the pile of dirt. I’m Zsil, though most people call me Guardian. He grunted as one of his legs dislodged from the rubble. Even without a head, the suit moved as though it was looking through the occupants of the tunnel. I’m afraid I don’t recognize any of you, you aren’t with Alrund’s forces, are you?

[tree-the-cat]

A barrage of memories flooded into Kendra’s mind’s eye, and she gasped so suddenly, those around her thought she had gotten hurt. Her hands shook aimlessly in excitement, and then she dashed forward and threw her arms as far as they would go around the suit’s waist, tossing her consciousness against his at the same time in joyful greeting. Liam stood like someone had whacked him over the head with a rolling pin, too stunned to stop her.

“Zsil, what…what the fuck!?” he sputtered. 

[faysalthelost]

Wait... those ears... Liam! Kendra! The Guardian bellowed in laughter. Oh it’s so great to see you two! He pulled his other leg from the mound of dirt and scooped up Kendra before rushing to Liam and pulling him into the bear hug. Oh I never thought I would see you kids this close to Central, let alone in one of their tunnels! and you’ve gotten so big Kendra! And my sister, she must be with you, right?! And who are your friends?! Oh this is just so much! He released the two from his hug back onto the ground and took a step back before doing a little dance of joy.

[faysalthelost]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 4]

[x]

Woah, hey there little human, no need for swords. You might hurt Alesha! Zsilelac chuckled as he attempted to pull more of his body out of the pile of dirt. I’m Zsil, though most people call me Guardian. He grunted as one of his legs dislodged from the rubble. Even without a head, the suit moved as though it was looking through the occupants of the tunnel. I’m afraid I don’t recognize any of you, you aren’t with Alrund’s forces, are you?

[tree-the-cat]

Dug Too Deep to the Right [pt 3]

[Part Two]

Kendra yanked her face up out of the ground and spouted mud, sticking out her tongue in disgust, while Liam carefully felt across his back, gritting his teeth as his claws snagged against a sliver of glass, and pulling it out with a grunt. Before he could remark on the possibly life-threatening experience, the sound of earth moving and stones grating drew their attention to the rest of the tunnel ahead, which, upon Kendra highlighting the way once more, led to another cave-in. The Whispering Death mother had zoomed forward, her babies gathered around her, and had begun to flee through the side of the tunnel even faster than before, sending chunks of damp soil scattering through the air. Her thorny tail lashed quickly back and forth before disappearing, and the sound of her teeth shredding through earth quickly grew quiet. She had fled.

“Great,” Liam complained. “Now what?”

[voxarnason]

Vox groaned as he turned over to prop himself up on his arms, feeling every strain and pain in his back. Between the force of his impact and his age, it was impossible to ignore. The bleeding from his head had slowed substantially, but it was still enough to leave him slightly lightheaded. He wouldn’t be getting to his feet on his own anytime soon. His spine had taken too much damage for him to be able to continue for the long haul without Kettil’s intervention.

“We put our hands together and thank the Gods that we didn’t die, Liam.” The scout looked over to his children, who looked well beyond superficial wounds. “Then we ask our daring leaders to get us out of this mess.” He glanced up at Jari and Lila, anticipating any sort of plan they could muster.

[hubwalker1]

Lila looked over everyone. “Juro.” She called to the bird. “Can you send Kettil our way?” She asks.

[akkeyagentofhelheim]

Juro exhaled a little thinly through his nose at the extra strain on his golem, but complied, still with a grin. The connection was cut, and Virion tittered as it folded into itself, then opened into a portal. It was big enough for only one human to pass through.

“You’ve been summoned,” the Bookkeeper called towards Kettil, before leaning his head back to appear at the other end very briefly, “Limit our back and forths, Commander. This isn’t an easy form for Vir to switch to often. Also, update. We opened our door, and we’re checking it out soon.”

[hubwalker1]

“Stay out of trouble and he won’t need to.” Lila replied.

Kettil quickly made his way through the portal and began tending to both Arnasons. “I can’t leave you guys a lone for a second can I? First the Chief now you two.” He says with smile as he finishes up with both of them.

“Are you guys good enough to keep going? I can send you back if you need to.” Lila says as she crosses her arms.

[voxarnason]

It wasn’t a perfect fix, but Kettil’s aid placed Vox in a far better position to proceed than before. He managed to get himself to his feet with the young man’s assistance.

“That’s won’t be necessary.” Vox jokingly hobbled forward with his hand on his lower back. “The next hit will kill me for sure, so we don’t need to worry about me getting hurt again. Just leave my body to the dragons.”

[tree-the-cat]

“Holy shit, Dad, shut the fuck up.”

The light bobbed and moved suddenly, leaving the group in the dark. Kendra was pacing towards the cave-in very intently, focused on something nobody else could see. “Kendra!” Liam called, trying to use the vibrations from his voice bouncing down the tunnel to get her attention. She didn’t turn. 

[hubwalker1]

Lightning began to crawl up and down Jari’s arms, providing some light for the group. “Well let’s hope you can keep up then.” Lila said as she rushed after the Half-Breed

[tree-the-cat]

Kendra bounded to the next mound of earth, which was steeper than the last, almost forming a kind of clay wall with how many streams of water ran over it. She regarded it for a moment, head tilted, then looked over at the new hole that the mother dragon had left behind, feeling her way into it, and then poking her head back out. Let’s keep going!

You got a feeling again? Liam signed from all the way back at the last obstacle.

My feelings are always right, and you know it. She insistently gestured with a glowing hand. I think we can push back into the main tunnel if we go far enough down this one.

[hubwalker1]

“Does anyone want to interpret?” Lila asks.

“She says we should keep going and that she has… A feeling? I’m not sure what she means by that.” Jari translates. “She thinks we can get back to the main tunnel if we keep heading down this one.”

Lila hums. “I wanted to keep going anyways. Let’s press on then.”

[tree-the-cat]

This new tunnel was haphazard, but the dragon knew what she was doing by avoiding the loose falling dirt that would have caved in on her children had she intersected through it. So the group came close to approaching the main tunnel wall again, but there was a substantial layer of earth between their current space and the cavern they were investigating. Already being covered from head to toe in muck, Kendra pushed right into digging away at the dripping earth, and after a second of hesitation, Liam joined her, his leaner muscles doing more to make headway through their current obstacle than her lighter build. At this point, he was expecting to find literally nothing but more mud. 

[faysalthelost]

The pile began to clear out with the remnants of this collapsed tunnel being moved behind the group. The pile was reaching a manageable level and they were almost able to proceed further into the tunnel when Liam’s hand met something solid in the dirt. “What the...?” he muttered under his breath as the mound began to shift as though it was a creature of earth taking a deep breath. Dirt, mud and stone shifted around as a metal and ceramic hand flailed out from beneath the pile, followed by a flicker of lights and an upper torso. Buuugh! The strange suit of armor cried out in surprise. Finally someone found me.

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister III

[X]

Faysal stood, dusting himself off with one hand, and offering the other to Liam to help him onto his feet. Faysal had a small cut above his eye that was trickling blood, it mixed with the dirt kicked up during their scuffle.

The shield and armor around Faysal evaporated into mist as Sol drew Nala closer in their embrace. Sister... Sol's voice softly cracked as she drew in all the death that had happened while she was away. Sister I am so sorry, I... she paused, holding her even tighter. I should have been there, I could have helped, maybe Igl or Kiaama would still be... Sol faltered, finally loosing her grip on her younger sister. She looked her up and down and a wave of energy waned from her as though she were sighing. I am sorry for the deception, I needed to be sure you were really... you, before I revealed myself. Faysal and I needed the safety of my cloak, I was afraid.

[faysalthelost]

Running Circles

"Two months, through the desert, and we are exactly where we started."

Faysal grunts in a fowl tempered agreement. He wasn't built for that much heat, the trek through the forest and mountains was much preferable to the last few weeks and he was very, very vocal about it to Sol.

The sight of Haligan island, once more, is a welcome one though. He might try his luck tracking down Clover, Darien, or Grey to see if they can offer any other clues to the location of Nala.

[akkeyagentofhelheim]

Aria kicked at a rock impatiently, bouncing at the balls of her feet. She was supposed to wait to meet up with her sister, but she was never one to sit in quiet for prolonged periods of time. She sighed again for the fifth time in two minutes, before spotting someone coming up on the docks, and watched him in curiosity.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal's eyes softened as he spotted a child watching him from a short distance. "Hello there, little one!" His face was alight with a smile as he approached.

He stopped a few meters away before crouching down and extending a hand out.

[akkeyagentofhelheim]

The man was huge and he towered above her height of four feet. She had to crane her neck up to see him even at a small distance, but it didn’t deter her from breaking into a bright grin and extending a tiny hand of her own, “Hello! I’m Aria! Who are you?”

[faysalthelost]

He stifled a low chuckle, "You can call me Faysal."

Faysal peered her up and down, "Tell me, are you a warrior like the Chief Grey? Or perhaps you've got the wit and cunning of a mage or a little sneak."

[akkeyagentofhelheim]

She shook her head vigorously, as if the idea of her being any type of person to rock the boat like that was unheard of, “No! I’m a healer! Like my dad.” 

“You know the Chief, Mister?”

[faysalthelost]

“Yes! She was a great help to me a few months back when I stumbled upon a strange dungeon. She and her son pointed me towards this place as I searched for one of my friends sisters.” Faysal sat down on the grassy knoll and reached into his bag. He produced several rolls and offered one to Aria. 

[akkeyagentofhelheim]

The half breed happily accepted it with both hands, but waiting for him to start eating as it was only polite, her mother had always said. A dungeon! She tilted her head, “Your friend’s sister? What’s her name? Maybe I know her!”

[faysalthelost]

“If I’m not mistaken,” Faysal paused to take a bite from one of the rolls, “your village would know her as The Warden.” He spoke through a mouth full of bread. 

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister II

[x]

Faysal gripped the arms of the halfling wrapped around his neck. He thrashed about for a few moments attempting to pry him off before opting to slam backwards into a building, knocking the wind out of Liam. Even still, Liam remained attached to the hulking frame of Faysal and his vision began to darken around the edges. Sol began channeling a massive amount of energy into the shield on Faysal’s arm and it began to pulsate with a deep hum. The first major pulse of it deafens the two of them temporarily and Sol uses the energy to nudge Nala out of Faysal’s mind. 

A second pulse lashes out and throws the two of them away from the building, Liam’s demon-enhanced strength allows him to hold on, but only just. Sol uses this pulse to throw what remains of Nala out of Faysal and barricade her into Liam’s mind. 

A third pulse explodes out, the foundation of the building cracks, several of the nearby stalls collapse, and Faysal and Liam are flung apart. Sol slams into Liam’s mind directly with a wave of brute force before retreating into her shell again. Faysal is sprawled out on the ground, haggardly catching his breath he throws a fist into the soil and pushes himself up. Coughing he calls out to Liam, “Fancy tricks, boy. Tell me, which demon taught you that?”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Liam barely heard him through the blistering headache pounding in his temples, and only managed to wheeze a faint, “What the hell?” out loud as he stirred at the base of one of the plaza’s torches.

Then his throat constricted and mangled for a second, and he rolled over onto his belly, and his shadow-covered claws dug into the ground as he growled, “The one that is about to end your demon’s miserable existence for continuing to play games with me.”

Liam shoved himself to his feet, briefly grabbing his ribs in pain before starting to stalk towards Faysal again. He picked up speed, his legs spurring into a sprint and he dove and rolled off to Faysal’s right as they nearly clashed again. He whipped around and kicked into the back of the huge man’s knees, and as he buckled in reflex, Liam seized him by the arm that currently carried his astral shield and dragged him downwards, once more yelling with the effort of manipulating someone so much bigger than him.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal fell with Liam’s attacks, his mind tracking the scene in slow motion. As his body crashed down he whipped an arm around Liam and pulled him into a bear hug. He put all his might into choking the other man and subduing him. He hooked Liam’s neck with his right arm and braced behind him with his left and began to squeeze while rolling around on the dirt road. 

Sol’s orb began to twitch and stir in the bag, she was haphazardly tossed out with the fall. Cracks began forming along the seams of metal and glass, wisps of green and cyan energy formed arcs and spirals in the air. Time itself slowed as her astral form began to coalesce for the first time in a century.

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

As Liam struggled and kicked, slowly losing air as his vision began to break up, Nala turned her attention to the presence emerging from the odd device that had fallen from Faysal’s side. She rolled off of Liam like a bright smoke, forming her own scarlet, feminine form on the road, in front of the few terrified onlookers left. Liam hooked his blackened claws into Faysal’s arm, digging and tearing what flesh he could find while his face reddened. 

Call him off, the Warden thundered, her essence tainted with a very real fear that Liam had gotten into more than they bargained for. You wished to see me so badly–leave them and face me.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal loosened his grip enough to let Liam catch a breath before rolling on top of him and pinning him to the ground. The two of them were able to watch as the two forms began to approach each other and grow in size and become more and more menacing. 

Ribbons arced through the air, feathers and petals wrapped around the orb at the center. Eyes and veins began to peak out of the cracks in the sphere bubbling into a grotesque display hovering in mid-air. A voice that was reminiscent of shards of glass trickling down a stone whispered through the air. “Tell me your name, demon, and I may spare your… child.” The voice resonated, repeated, and crescendoed into a crashing wave of sound as a second, larger sphere of violet and cyan began to envelop the twisting astral form of Sol-Dha. 

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

You will spare him no matter what, Nala snarled, and a wave of astral flames engulfed the road to combat the other demon’s show of force; a blast of hot sparks and wind blew out from her as she took a clawed step forward. I am the Warden, and you have trespassed on land, people, and wards that I have claimed to be my own. She summoned a long, shimmering blade into her hand and it, too, rippled with heat and fire. And now you will leave, or face destruction.

[faysalthelost]

NALAAGURA 

Her voice exploded out from the hovering orb, a banshees scream echoed through the surrounding buildings and into the dusk. A six armed figure descended from the cloud of ribbons, one of her arms extended outwards towards the other demon. Her cloud of many things began to reform into a crown obscuring her face, the ribbons danced down and around her form and she spoke again, but only in a whisper. Nalaagura I have searched for you for so long. It’s your sister, Sol.

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Nala lurched backwards at the screaming sound, the fire pulling inwards to form a barrier around Liam and Faysal in reaction. Her furred legs drew low into a crouch as she spread her arms, still ready to bare her astral weapon if needed. There was a tremor in her soul. It couldn’t be, so much of her family had been lost over the years…

Prove…prove it. She hesitantly reached out a hand glowing with amber and carmine veins, reaching out with her mind but ready to retract and harm at any moment. 

[faysalthelost]

Sol drifted closer towards Nala, wrapping her in a tender embrace before connecting their minds for the first time in centuries. She tried to show her everything since their last meeting. Her travels, her eventual capture, and her time in stasis. She showed her the last year of travel with her linked human and the powers the two of them possessed from whatever the mages in Skyburner did to them. After all this she impressed one question to Nala. Where is H’zola, where is our family?

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister II

[x]

Faysal gripped the arms of the halfling wrapped around his neck. He thrashed about for a few moments attempting to pry him off before opting to slam backwards into a building, knocking the wind out of Liam. Even still, Liam remained attached to the hulking frame of Faysal and his vision began to darken around the edges. Sol began channeling a massive amount of energy into the shield on Faysal’s arm and it began to pulsate with a deep hum. The first major pulse of it deafens the two of them temporarily and Sol uses the energy to nudge Nala out of Faysal’s mind. 

A second pulse lashes out and throws the two of them away from the building, Liam’s demon-enhanced strength allows him to hold on, but only just. Sol uses this pulse to throw what remains of Nala out of Faysal and barricade her into Liam’s mind. 

A third pulse explodes out, the foundation of the building cracks, several of the nearby stalls collapse, and Faysal and Liam are flung apart. Sol slams into Liam’s mind directly with a wave of brute force before retreating into her shell again. Faysal is sprawled out on the ground, haggardly catching his breath he throws a fist into the soil and pushes himself up. Coughing he calls out to Liam, “Fancy tricks, boy. Tell me, which demon taught you that?”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Liam barely heard him through the blistering headache pounding in his temples, and only managed to wheeze a faint, “What the hell?” out loud as he stirred at the base of one of the plaza’s torches.

Then his throat constricted and mangled for a second, and he rolled over onto his belly, and his shadow-covered claws dug into the ground as he growled, “The one that is about to end your demon’s miserable existence for continuing to play games with me.”

Liam shoved himself to his feet, briefly grabbing his ribs in pain before starting to stalk towards Faysal again. He picked up speed, his legs spurring into a sprint and he dove and rolled off to Faysal’s right as they nearly clashed again. He whipped around and kicked into the back of the huge man’s knees, and as he buckled in reflex, Liam seized him by the arm that currently carried his astral shield and dragged him downwards, once more yelling with the effort of manipulating someone so much bigger than him.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal fell with Liam’s attacks, his mind tracking the scene in slow motion. As his body crashed down he whipped an arm around Liam and pulled him into a bear hug. He put all his might into choking the other man and subduing him. He hooked Liam’s neck with his right arm and braced behind him with his left and began to squeeze while rolling around on the dirt road. 

Sol’s orb began to twitch and stir in the bag, she was haphazardly tossed out with the fall. Cracks began forming along the seams of metal and glass, wisps of green and cyan energy formed arcs and spirals in the air. Time itself slowed as her astral form began to coalesce for the first time in a century.

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

As Liam struggled and kicked, slowly losing air as his vision began to break up, Nala turned her attention to the presence emerging from the odd device that had fallen from Faysal’s side. She rolled off of Liam like a bright smoke, forming her own scarlet, feminine form on the road, in front of the few terrified onlookers left. Liam hooked his blackened claws into Faysal’s arm, digging and tearing what flesh he could find while his face reddened. 

Call him off, the Warden thundered, her essence tainted with a very real fear that Liam had gotten into more than they bargained for. You wished to see me so badly–leave them and face me.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal loosened his grip enough to let Liam catch a breath before rolling on top of him and pinning him to the ground. The two of them were able to watch as the two forms began to approach each other and grow in size and become more and more menacing. 

Ribbons arced through the air, feathers and petals wrapped around the orb at the center. Eyes and veins began to peak out of the cracks in the sphere bubbling into a grotesque display hovering in mid-air. A voice that was reminiscent of shards of glass trickling down a stone whispered through the air. “Tell me your name, demon, and I may spare your… child.” The voice resonated, repeated, and crescendoed into a crashing wave of sound as a second, larger sphere of violet and cyan began to envelop the twisting astral form of Sol-Dha. 

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

You will spare him no matter what, Nala snarled, and a wave of astral flames engulfed the road to combat the other demon’s show of force; a blast of hot sparks and wind blew out from her as she took a clawed step forward. I am the Warden, and you have trespassed on land, people, and wards that I have claimed to be my own. She summoned a long, shimmering blade into her hand and it, too, rippled with heat and fire. And now you will leave, or face destruction.

[faysalthelost]

NALAAGURA 

Her voice exploded out from the hovering orb, a banshees scream echoed through the surrounding buildings and into the dusk. A six armed figure descended from the cloud of ribbons, one of her arms extended outwards towards the other demon. Her cloud of many things began to reform into a crown obscuring her face, the ribbons danced down and around her form and she spoke again, but only in a whisper. Nalaagura I have searched for you for so long. It’s your sister, Sol.

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister II

[x]

Faysal gripped the arms of the halfling wrapped around his neck. He thrashed about for a few moments attempting to pry him off before opting to slam backwards into a building, knocking the wind out of Liam. Even still, Liam remained attached to the hulking frame of Faysal and his vision began to darken around the edges. Sol began channeling a massive amount of energy into the shield on Faysal’s arm and it began to pulsate with a deep hum. The first major pulse of it deafens the two of them temporarily and Sol uses the energy to nudge Nala out of Faysal’s mind. 

A second pulse lashes out and throws the two of them away from the building, Liam’s demon-enhanced strength allows him to hold on, but only just. Sol uses this pulse to throw what remains of Nala out of Faysal and barricade her into Liam’s mind. 

A third pulse explodes out, the foundation of the building cracks, several of the nearby stalls collapse, and Faysal and Liam are flung apart. Sol slams into Liam’s mind directly with a wave of brute force before retreating into her shell again. Faysal is sprawled out on the ground, haggardly catching his breath he throws a fist into the soil and pushes himself up. Coughing he calls out to Liam, “Fancy tricks, boy. Tell me, which demon taught you that?”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Liam barely heard him through the blistering headache pounding in his temples, and only managed to wheeze a faint, “What the hell?” out loud as he stirred at the base of one of the plaza’s torches.

Then his throat constricted and mangled for a second, and he rolled over onto his belly, and his shadow-covered claws dug into the ground as he growled, “The one that is about to end your demon’s miserable existence for continuing to play games with me.”

Liam shoved himself to his feet, briefly grabbing his ribs in pain before starting to stalk towards Faysal again. He picked up speed, his legs spurring into a sprint and he dove and rolled off to Faysal’s right as they nearly clashed again. He whipped around and kicked into the back of the huge man’s knees, and as he buckled in reflex, Liam seized him by the arm that currently carried his astral shield and dragged him downwards, once more yelling with the effort of manipulating someone so much bigger than him.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal fell with Liam’s attacks, his mind tracking the scene in slow motion. As his body crashed down he whipped an arm around Liam and pulled him into a bear hug. He put all his might into choking the other man and subduing him. He hooked Liam’s neck with his right arm and braced behind him with his left and began to squeeze while rolling around on the dirt road. 

Sol’s orb began to twitch and stir in the bag, she was haphazardly tossed out with the fall. Cracks began forming along the seams of metal and glass, wisps of green and cyan energy formed arcs and spirals in the air. Time itself slowed as her astral form began to coalesce for the first time in a century.

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

As Liam struggled and kicked, slowly losing air as his vision began to break up, Nala turned her attention to the presence emerging from the odd device that had fallen from Faysal’s side. She rolled off of Liam like a bright smoke, forming her own scarlet, feminine form on the road, in front of the few terrified onlookers left. Liam hooked his blackened claws into Faysal’s arm, digging and tearing what flesh he could find while his face reddened. 

Call him off, the Warden thundered, her essence tainted with a very real fear that Liam had gotten into more than they bargained for. You wished to see me so badly–leave them and face me.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal loosened his grip enough to let Liam catch a breath before rolling on top of him and pinning him to the ground. The two of them were able to watch as the two forms began to approach each other and grow in size and become more and more menacing. 

Ribbons arced through the air, feathers and petals wrapped around the orb at the center. Eyes and veins began to peak out of the cracks in the sphere bubbling into a grotesque display hovering in mid-air. A voice that was reminiscent of shards of glass trickling down a stone whispered through the air. “Tell me your name, demon, and I may spare your... child.” The voice resonated, repeated, and crescendoed into a crashing wave of sound as a second, larger sphere of violet and cyan began to envelop the twisting astral form of Sol-Dha. 

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister II

[x]

Faysal gripped the arms of the halfling wrapped around his neck. He thrashed about for a few moments attempting to pry him off before opting to slam backwards into a building, knocking the wind out of Liam. Even still, Liam remained attached to the hulking frame of Faysal and his vision began to darken around the edges. Sol began channeling a massive amount of energy into the shield on Faysal’s arm and it began to pulsate with a deep hum. The first major pulse of it deafens the two of them temporarily and Sol uses the energy to nudge Nala out of Faysal’s mind. 

A second pulse lashes out and throws the two of them away from the building, Liam’s demon-enhanced strength allows him to hold on, but only just. Sol uses this pulse to throw what remains of Nala out of Faysal and barricade her into Liam’s mind. 

A third pulse explodes out, the foundation of the building cracks, several of the nearby stalls collapse, and Faysal and Liam are flung apart. Sol slams into Liam’s mind directly with a wave of brute force before retreating into her shell again. Faysal is sprawled out on the ground, haggardly catching his breath he throws a fist into the soil and pushes himself up. Coughing he calls out to Liam, “Fancy tricks, boy. Tell me, which demon taught you that?”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Liam barely heard him through the blistering headache pounding in his temples, and only managed to wheeze a faint, “What the hell?” out loud as he stirred at the base of one of the plaza’s torches.

Then his throat constricted and mangled for a second, and he rolled over onto his belly, and his shadow-covered claws dug into the ground as he growled, “The one that is about to end your demon’s miserable existence for continuing to play games with me.”

Liam shoved himself to his feet, briefly grabbing his ribs in pain before starting to stalk towards Faysal again. He picked up speed, his legs spurring into a sprint and he dove and rolled off to Faysal’s right as they nearly clashed again. He whipped around and kicked into the back of the huge man’s knees, and as he buckled in reflex, Liam seized him by the arm that currently carried his astral shield and dragged him downwards, once more yelling with the effort of manipulating someone so much bigger than him.

[faysalthelost]

Faysal fell with Liam’s attacks, his mind tracking the scene in slow motion. As his body crashed down he whipped an arm around Liam and pulled him into a bear hug. He put all his might into choking the other man and subduing him. He hooked Liam’s neck with his right arm and braced behind him with his left and began to squeeze while rolling around on the dirt road. 

Sol’s orb began to twitch and stir in the bag, she was haphazardly tossed out with the fall. Cracks began forming along the seams of metal and glass, wisps of green and cyan energy formed arcs and spirals in the air. Time itself slowed as her astral form began to coalesce for the first time in a century.

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister II

[x]

Faysal gripped the arms of the halfling wrapped around his neck. He thrashed about for a few moments attempting to pry him off before opting to slam backwards into a building, knocking the wind out of Liam. Even still, Liam remained attached to the hulking frame of Faysal and his vision began to darken around the edges. Sol began channeling a massive amount of energy into the shield on Faysal’s arm and it began to pulsate with a deep hum. The first major pulse of it deafens the two of them temporarily and Sol uses the energy to nudge Nala out of Faysal’s mind. 

A second pulse lashes out and throws the two of them away from the building, Liam’s demon-enhanced strength allows him to hold on, but only just. Sol uses this pulse to throw what remains of Nala out of Faysal and barricade her into Liam’s mind. 

A third pulse explodes out, the foundation of the building cracks, several of the nearby stalls collapse, and Faysal and Liam are flung apart. Sol slams into Liam’s mind directly with a wave of brute force before retreating into her shell again. Faysal is sprawled out on the ground, haggardly catching his breath he throws a fist into the soil and pushes himself up. Coughing he calls out to Liam, “Fancy tricks, boy. Tell me, which demon taught you that?”

[faysalthelost]

Skin and Blister

Faysal awoke from a light slumber with a start, Sol was tugging furiously at the edge of his conscience. “Faysal, something powerful is nearby.” She paused, tentatively thinking over her words, careful not to seem too excited. “It could be her, but from what we’ve learned, Nala has been gone a while from this place and a new power could have moved in. So, I’m moving us forward with extreme caution until we know for sure.”

Faysal was still groggy from his nap on the shoreline, he brushed the dirt from his shoulders as he got up. “Okay, point me in the right direction and we can. cautiously, introduce ourselves.” The two of them began walking towards the center of the island, passing by some stalls that were beginning to close up shop with the sun setting. Sol remained hidden in his satchel, she let her powers of concealment wash over the two of them as they walked closer to the presence she sensed. 

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

A trace of black, whispering sand slid across the ground around Faysal’s feet, almost mimicking snow blowing across a frozen lake, and it hissed forward and slowed as it neared the paws of a lanky redhead that was standing with his back to the approaching man. The blackness stopped and drifted loosely around his feet in a circle, occasionally dripping upwards like dark honey. 

The young man turned, and the amber sun shone behind his head as his hair blew in a sharply cold wind. He had a paw close to his chest, and the same blackness was skidding across his fur. His ears twitched. “What are you looking at?” he said accusingly at the huge figure getting nearer to him. 

[faysalthelost]

“Is this the one?” Faysal said aloud, seemingly to no-one in particular. Sol only gave a feeling of affirmation in response, hesitant to speak in the presence of this unknown demon. His eyes narrowed as he appraised the half-breed in front of him. The breeze picked up as nightfall crept closer, the sand and soil began to almost billow. Even through the coming storm he couldn’t help but feel the gaze of the shopkeepers and patrons nearby, eyeing the two of them. 

Faysal cracked his neck and pulled his massive arms across his chest. His eyes seemed to glow a faint green as he spoke again. “Well, boy, I seem to be looking at you.”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Just behind and above him, Nala invisibly narrowed her eyes and sharpened the blades of her consciousness. She couldn’t feel anything. It was maddening. But how else would this man be able to pick Liam out of the crowd? She ran another scan over the area, just to be sure.

Liam tilted his head at the man’s mannerisms and his own pupils narrowed supernaturally in response. “Well,” he said, kicking his feet up a little to swing his legs and leap off the fence post he was sitting on, wiry and catlike. The dark magic at his feet thickened and roiled. “You should look at something else, dipshit.”

[faysalthelost]

Faysal’s face darkened as it fell into a scowl, he continued forward and into a brawling stance as he strode towards Liam. With inhuman speed Faysal brought his open hand through the air and connected it with the side of Liam’s face, static arced from the impact. The growing wind fell silent before Faysal spoke again, “No need to call me names, boy.”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

The surrounding rebels caught their breath at the attack, as Liam staggered and his body seized briefly, a few glints of energy snapping off his profile. He stood haggardly for a moment, shoulders slumped and face turned down, and the shadows around his paws scattered briefly on impact. He slowly turned his head back up to look Faysal in the face. His eyes were lowly glowing solid white, and his lip curled in a snarl.

“Don’t touch me.”

The shadows from the growing twilight surrounding them rushed in and slid up his legs with a howl, and as they did so, Liam hopped both feet up in the air and slammed Faysal in the chest, and despite their difference in statures, a wave of hot force sent Faysal stumbling backwards. Nala’s energy twined with Liam’s and they both burned together as he landed heavily on his feet, the shadows already bulking around his limbs.

It’s been too long.

Wreck him, Nala.

[faysalthelost]

You were right, Sol.

Faysal watched as an aura grew around Liam, the man before him became wreathed in shadow and scarlet. So what do we do now?

You have to draw the demon out so I can identify them. It should be easy enough if it’s Nala. If it’s someone more powerful, say, my mother or her sister, I’ll tell you when to run. 

“Reassuring,” Faysal muttered. The light green glow in his eyes began to amplify, motes of teal and blue coalesced and began tracing down his arms forming a buckler over his left hand. He brought his still forming shield up and put it between himself and Liam. Faysal yelled out in a taunting voice, “come on out, demon. How I would love to talk with you.”

[demon-in-the-dungeon]

Liam stomped a foot, and as dark sparks swirled around him, he curled his paws into fists and the handles of two long, jagged knives made of scarlet light formed with a violent flash. The people around them started to scatter backwards away from the two of them as he raced forward and twisted his body around to build up the momentum for a twin arcing swing, biting the blades into Faysal’s astral shield to test it. “Bet you would!” he yelled through the heat and the electricity. “Not before she finds yours, though!”

And Nala gathered up her mind and turned it into a single spear with which she moved to pierce through Faysal’s mind in order to drag out the being she knew was hiding from her.

[faysalthelost]

Nala’s mind met only the void, as she pushed into Faysal’s conscious Sol guided her into the parts of Faysal’s mind that were erased. The only thing her astral mind could see were neuron ends, pulsating softly like stars in a cloudless night sky. Sol only watched, waiting to gently push her back out. This seemed so like her sister, but she wasn’t quite sure yet. 

Liam swung his blades into the shield, and as they made contact they were erased. The energy binding them was dissipated and reformed as his swing carried through. Faysal backed into a crouch, drawing himself further behind his shield as Liam continued his barrage of attacks. He waited through several more swings before spotting an opening. Faysal kicked his leg out underneath his opponent before bringing it up and driving his knee into the underside of Liam’s thigh. The half-breed toddled, his tail and arms flailing out to regain balance as Faysal withdrew behind his shield again. The gasps and murmurs of the onlookers filled the air, drowning out the static hum of Faysal’s shield.