#nevermorn

[lady-dusk-balmung]

Page One

(violence)

She had turned it off. The emotions of mortals. The tie that bound the sliver of her soul. The last of the Reaper’s blood to live immortal in another. A beloved, a daughter, a sister, a rapture of her love for her Raven and the world she sought to protect, all within Aspen. Yet every action has a consequence.  This consequence was not unknown to everyone. There was one among them, prepared for this moment.

Within the icy grip of Coerthas she had fled to fulfil another promise. The return of a lost one. She felt her hunter coming long before he arrived. His rage wafting through the aether like a gong being struck. Yet he did not come alone. The Nevermorn and her comrades had come at his beckon. To meet the monster of his past who had caused rivers of blood in her wake. Yet she was not there. In her place was the unbroken wildling of madness, the dark druidess of The Wood, Kahtema.

“You aren't’ enough... “ the whisper through aether to stab at the heart of The Professor who dared to quell her rage. Yet she had not noticed. He too, was no longer the man she had known.

Aulsoix Claimane stares at Dusk for a long moment.   His breathing heavy, slowly returning back to normal.  The implications of what was just said, confirmation of what he had begun to think slowly sinking in.   A smirk slowly forming on his lips.  The silence is broken by the chains bound around his wrist rattling down to the floor and rearing up like snakes, the runes along their length flaring with a blue light.   "Page one..." He says as fire begins to burn at his fingertips. She felt the ward strike her foot. A hiss and growl erupting from her as she landed. "Wards?" she feigned a pout. "All this time we have played and still you fear and still you stay? Foolish owl... " She growled again as the aether spikes found their marks, only to fell the stabbing burn of his light aether piercing her shoulder. She looked at the sword and then to him and started to sing. ♪"In the wood of dark and dawn... "♪ Her runes flared as she disappeared only to be across the cavern with aetherial wings from two large scars in her back. Blood dripping down her arm to the ground. ♪There came a man to the well... "♪ She jetted for him to rip that sword of his hand if she could, a trail of blood behind her.

He laughs, "Fools do not learn...." do not adapt.."  He says as she vanishes from his sight, only to have the blade wrenched from his grasp.  "I have ever been a mortal surrounded by those who are not..."  He would let the sword free before his wrist is at an impossible angle, driving his elbow down into her stomach as he turned, a fist aimed at her head.  Each blow fueled with a concussive shockwave of aether behind them, "It is that quality that has kept me alive all these years... amongst-would be gods and demons..."  Aether was flooding into the man as he spoke, the icy crystals beginning to diminish as they are eroded away.   Each crimson eye burning with an inner fire, he would fully turn to face her, a hand aiming to grip her by the throat.

She ripped the sword from his hand and then wiped it over her blood. The aetherial attunement going dark and fading as if it died as he spoke. She cast the useless blade aside. She had not actually anticipated him ever punching her in the head. He would never have done so before. Her vision burled as the shock of his fist to her skull was surrounded by aether, blinding her from whatever else was happening. She attempted to return the blow but couldn't see him and to feel him was to feel rage. Fina,lly she thought she found a window to retaliated, bloodied face, broken orbital bone, and nose. Instant bruises covered her face, and now her freedom was gone. His hand wrapped about her throat. She growled as best she could baring her teeth as those talons drove into the leathers.  He had indeed come prepared. Who knew? "Join ... me... " She tried to sing the last line. "In hell." And then tried to kick him in the groin. He knew the rules.

He's face scrunches up at the cheap shot, the pain from it beginning to swell and fight against the addrenaline and power coursing through his veins.   Strength surges through his limbs as he roars, lifting her upwards into the air, "I had to become something more!  Something different!  I am here, and all the others lie dead or broken behind us!"  He says, turning to hurl her across the room towards where the chains lay upon the floor, aether flowing through them, eagerly awaiting her. He had won his prize. He had out lived the rest. He had scattered the challengers to the wind. He was alpha and she -would- submit. A mortal man, who did not simply bare his teeth at gods, he made them bow.

[lady-dusk-balmung]

May the Darkness Embrace and the Light guide.

Such a strange farewell, they said. Such an odd thing to say, they said. Such blasphemy, they said. There is no such thing as the Seventh, they said. There is no such thing as the kingdoms of the void, they said. There are no other worlds but this one, they said. There is no truth but that of the twelve, they said.  We are in an astral era.. they said... I wonder if you are all willing to stop being lambs to the slaughter now? If the truth in all of its horror can finally be spoken without fear? Are you listening now? We, The Nevermorn are not your heroes, nor your enemies. We are the monsters who protect you from that which you say does not exist. I am a vengeful creature. Part of me forever feral. For some of you, it is too late to pick a side. You were given a chance, and instead, decided to play with your politics and mundane wars. You care too much for power and gil. For your name in print to glories that will be -meaningless- soon enough. Your lives are forfeit, and do you know why? Because I said so.

Should you fail to rise with Nevermorn, then again I say to you, May Darkness Embrace and Light guide.

@nigheandorcha @rabbitekki @gunnarsvard

@nanashiabeautifulmind

[lady-dusk-balmung]

Letter - Nighean

When the noonday sun had travelled to its apex and once again found the crest of the horizon, Lady Dusk had stirred awake. Every evening the sensation of waking up was similar to the sensation of dying. Pain, hunger, lack of control, even fear, awaited each waking breath. Every day, Sabian, the estate butler, personal attache and daylight guardian of the Lady, had left her ‘morning medicine’ at the entrance to her solace. Today however there was an unexpected addition. An envelope

Metal laced claws carefully picked up the envelope containing a few sheets of parchment.  A long letter, there was nothing special about the ink or parchment.  The script, however, was flowing:  calligraphy but for the fact that it was easily read. Turning it over and then smelling the parchment she found the scent familiar and yet new. Her brow knit as the slide of her fingers unfolded it and then immediately smirked. 

Dear Sister...  I had thought to continue our conversation after the mortal man had left, but as I was unable to do so, I leave this letter.  Mistake me not:  I am not impatient.  I merely fear that I may forget what was on my mind If I wait…

“Sister? Such endearment. Such sentiment. I wonder if you seek favour or are genuine? Most likely the former. After all, we are two predators and play the game well.” Dusk purred and then took a seat to read the rest. A chuckle was given here and there before she finally shook her head and set the letter down. Her rose-tinted hues shifted to the gryphon quill. “Write.”

Dearest Sister,

I must confess that I was quite delighted to receive your letter. It has been ages since anyone has committed ink to parchment to speak to me. There is something far more honest about the written word. Each letter holding a truth of thought and consideration. More so, you have written these words without spell or charm to erase them once they are read. In this please know that I will take each word I have read to heart with the knowledge you wrote them in earnest.

I will begin with your relationship with Aelwyn and your fear of what she might reveal. Fear not. We are not paladins of great light and some mundane vision of perfection without sin. My Dear One, we are flawed sinners that may walk in the light be we are under no delusion that we -are- the dark.

Whatever you were, whatever you have done, whatever followed you, cease to exist the moment you walked through the door. For we are those who strive to become more than we are. To embrace all that has made stronger and cast away like rust, that which makes us unworthy. As long as that remains to be your path, then it does not matter. Any judgement upon you will be of what is to come, not what was. Such is balance in duality.

That being said, I do enjoy your company and conversation. Share with me anything you like. I shall have the mint tea brought in especially.

As for that which we hunt. I am aware that there are exceptions to every rule. You, yourself, very well be one of them. We do not make a habit of mindless slaughter. After all, even a hunted voidsent may yet serve a purpose to our ends. However, I show no mercy to those who prove devoured by the forced will of the Darkness. Those who would kill or harm another, possess and ensnare the soul of another? It would take quite some convincing not to put it in an urn and place it in the vault for all eternity. Something we can discuss in finer detail. As for the void magi? Nothing in the heavens nor hells will stand in my way, nor any cost is to high. They -will- die.

Lastly, your final concern.

It is with an uplifting heart that I can tell you not to be concerned at all. Those who offer us tasks , do so knowing my price. Should that which they send you or I to hunt be that of innocence, then my Dear One, kill the one who sent you. Even if you must complete the task so that someone else does not, make sure the price is paid in blood.

Now then, I hope to you see you soon.

Darkness Embrace and Light Guide,

~K

Dusk smiled as the finished letter was brought to her and folded. She pressed the fold between her lips, marking them with the rose tint of her ‘medicine. She would deliver it to the Moogles in Ul’dah during her evening walk. @nigheandorcha @scrap-cat ( I love IC letters :D Gimmie more! )

[lady-dusk-balmung]

The Old Man of the Sea

On the shore of The Isles of Umbra the creaking of shipwrecks still fills the air. A sound that vibrates within the body making one wonder if it is the wood of the ships or their bones that are cracking. A place that has been darkened by such misfortune that the very air seems to shimmer with unease. A place where a dark mystery has been left untouched, until now.

Between these Serpent Reavers who worship a beast from the depths of the sea, and the Sahagin , the conflicted area has become practically forbidden. There was however a single survivor from one of the ships that swore he washed up on a distant isle called Moonshade. He had with him a curious wooden box that he would be separated from. He spoke of a key that would open a door of clouds. Such was deemed nonscene by others, but to The Nevermorn, it was a possible clue to their neverending puzzle.

Lady Dusk arched a brow at the mention of their potential deity. Her eyes closed as her head tilted to the left some. "There is most certainly something amiss in the waters there. Rather it is because of what happened at Pharos or the tales for the deep.. " she shook her head. "I currently have something that holds within it a key. A key I would very much like to have. However, I've already failed once. I believe it draws power from something on that Isle. " a soft sigh escaped her lips. "There is no way to get to the island that you know of?"

Wrex shrugs slightly, opening up his notepad and flipping through until he finds a page with a hand-drawn map of the isle. "Well... maybe. Here's what I know from lookin' at sailing charts: There's a beach on the south-west side of the isle, here. The rest is sheer cliffs, so that's the only way to get there by sea. However, some'a the more... unscrupulous people I know claim there used to be tunnels under the sea floor that connected the Umbral Isles and Moonshade to the mainland. Apparently, they all collapsed in the Calamity, but it's possible that some still exist. I have no idea how you'd find them, but I wouldn't rule it out completely."

Lady Dusk watched that book of his and then leaned over to regard the drawing. Puzzlement came over her features as he spoke of tunnels. "One would think they would be filled with water by now. However... " she popped her lips. "There is a tale of those from The Ruby Sea that can breathe underwater. Have you heard this?"

Wrex chuckles and nod. "Every sailor has heard tales like that, aye. And stranger tales still." “Let us hope then that The Nevermorn are ready to face their fears. “

[lady-dusk-balmung]

The Seven

The Seven Hells are spoken of in jest and curse but their existence have been made into nothing more than myth and legend. Any scholar knows that even in myth and legend there is a semblance of truth. In this case, it is a truth so horrifying that those who seek it never return. It is such things that The Nevermorn seek out.

The Seven above are to The Seven below, Only here can Shadows go. Through suffering and trial to measure desire, The challenge winds down the spire. Echoes of times hold no sway, The promise of death gone away. A top the mountain of obsidian made, Lies in wait the Aasura Blade. Be it blood or be it soul, Upon the Crown pay the toll. Prove your worth to be true, From the depths be made anew. The world wrought to One’s will, Seek thee out the Temple of Sil.

The legend was found etched in a tablet, connected to the City of Mhach. Scholars have studied it and pieced together what the believed to be the truth of it. It is said that those who find the gates to the First Hell and can successfully transverse to the Seventh will find a weapon of such power that will not only grant the wielder power of the darkness but give them immortality. That this Aasura Blade is a gift from a Void Lord or worse, to the one who is worthy of it. If only it were so simple and so far out of reach.

The Nevermorn takes legends seriously. We understand that the language is ancient and told from the perspective of those of that time and moment. Someone didn’t take the time to simply write it down because it was a story. They etched it in stone so it would be eternal because it was true.

The working theory at the moment is that The Seven is not in reference to the Seven Hells, but instead to Seven Void Magi. Magi of Mhach. Each with possession of a single piece of this legendary weapon. However, The Seven serve the Eighth, believed to be Voidsent of great power. Their service was granted in return for their life

It is believed that during the war of the magi, not all of Mhach escaped to the Arc. Desperate people in a desperate moment turned to the voidsent they sought to enslave and made a deal. A realm of reality was torn and from it, a pocket realm between The Void and Reality was created. Here The Seven could live, learn, work and hold a small measure of influence on reality. Yet in order for this pocket realm to exist, great power had to remain tethered to it and reality. Thus they enslaved the souls of the fallen, those of Nym, Amdapor and other forgotten civilizations, to act as syphons upon the world. Then the Calamity happened.

Wards and tethers broke, the existence of their protected haven was no longer safe. They required more power and so they cast some of those souls out into the fallen of this new tragedy. Formed what we, The Nevermorn, call shades. These shades are manifestations of the magi themselves and syphon aether from points scattered around the world. We had thought it was merely for their survival, we had hoped that was the case. We fear we were wrong.

It is our understanding that they have bided their time, not because they were weak, but because what they desired could not be done so easily. These mortals, servants of the void, are in fact masters of elements and various schools of magic. So much so that when a Magi of great power is born, these Shades will follow it from birth to age, and tempt it to challenge one of their own and take its place. That these Seven are in fact readying to bring their Master to reality. To aid in transforming our world to The Kingdom of The Void itself.

This is our hunt. The ultimate purpose of The Nevermorn. We will end The Seven.

​