light

I am older than the Universe. [ written by Gat ]

[travelerrx]

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[travelerrx]

 apollycn:

While the Darkness tears away the Guardians from their bones to their flesh to their skin, the being is distracted. A light and irritated sound is what the rockets earn, gaze turning towards the various sources. The Darkness focuses on them and the same power begins to work its way into the specific areas of the ward where the standalone Guardians fire rockets at them. Instead of sounding any more upset, the entity laughs. Rockets collide with them and do nothing more than shift the endless patterns of stars on the robes. 

As the Traveler begins to speak, the dark God’s attention shifts back to them. They relax back and set their pairs of hands together in front of them. The Darkness that has gathered at the bottom of the Tower has begun to tear into the very building materials, speeding up a natural rot and decay of the structure. It begins to sway, and their amusement rises. 

“There are other forms of Light that will keep the peace in your absence. Though, I would think that you should see my other motives for the need to wipe out this system.” More or less the loss of the lesser God, the Hive King.

The entity shifts at the word, eyes turning downwards at the mention of other Lights. The Dark entity was, more or less, right in that sense -- the Traveler certainly wasn’t the strongest Light but while they weren’t also the weakest Light, they weren’t exactly favorable among their own people. Light or Dark, it seems that the only way to achieve equilibrium was through total annihilation by their own judgement -- something that never sat right with them.

         [ ‘ If by “peace” you mean “make this Universe significantly smaller”              then I suppose everyone else would do nicely, yes... ’ ]

A hidden brow is raised -- did it... care about that chitin worm? Why not, the thing was practically its trump card in every single system it followed the entity into. The revelation is accompanied by probably their fourth sigh in the last ten minutes alone.

         [ ‘ Your reliance on that worm was bound to be shot down some day.               By “lesser beings” no less. How ironic considering this conquest you have. ’ ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

The tendrils pull away, having provided more than needed- a light joust at demise that was so very close to consuming them. “There is no need to take back something that has yet to leave me.”

A hum follows, and the feeling of a smile. That feel is only shared with the other high entity, lost on the motes of Light that have started to move. But, that was not how this game was going to be played. The dark that has begun to consume the City shifts. Like a wind it moves across the landscape in a wave, running over people and buildings alike, gathering at the base of the Tower. 

“My purpose. You know as well as I do what my purpose is here, as it is anywhere and everywhere. I span galaxies so far that these creatures have no idea they even exist, only to make sure you, and others like you, do not upset what small equilibrium is in place. If you think me empty then so be it, your opinion will be meaningless soon, as both you and your subjects parish.”

As the Guardians move back away from their God, the Darkness is quick to lash out upon them. A heavy constriction binds them in place as they leave the ward that was keeping them safe, setting a harsh burn that settles into bone and begins to tear apart the host from the inside out.

[travelerrx]

More of the rockets suddenly fly out in rapid succession, a combined attack now as the Traveler jams their sword into the ground of the courtyard, scowling at the entity’s words, the blade becoming a standalone beacon and temporary ward and wall as they turn to the Guardians that have remained inside, trying not to look nor hear the agonized screams of the caught.

         [ ‘ You must leave, I will place a temporary ward on all of you.               Get these citizens to safety while I... ’ ]

They trail off, taking a moment to strengthen the sword’s ward for several more seconds, shutting down a protest one of the Titans begins to make.

         [ ‘ Do not concern yourself with me. So long as I live... not...               all of you will perish... You have suffered for me,               but this game is not yours to finish. This is for you. Leave. ’ ]

They don’t wait for a protest as they stand again, this time with more carefully placed wards on every Guardian in the vicinity, making a subtle gesture to the ones that have consistently (and maybe foolishly bravely) distracting the other entity before facing it and speaking once more,

         [ ‘ What is Darkness without Light? Equilibrium would need them both...              wouldn’t it? A natural cosmic balance that is the equilibrium you seek. ’ ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

The sword slices through tainted imaginary flesh, separating it from the towering creature though they remain encompassing the small group. Not even a glance is given to the explosive that connects with them- it does not even leave a mark on the star-like robes that cover the entity’s body.

Their arms pull back but wings remain clawing at the Light that protected them. A short laugh leaves the Darkness, injured wings snapping back and folding along the fabric behind it. Amusement radiates off the being just as the cold does. 

“You are already mine. Theses pathetic creatures will not last-” A soft moment of hesitation is felt from them at the last sentence as the tendrils of Dark begin to reach the Orb that hovered over the City behind them. Their gaze shifts down to the cowering Guardians then to the Traveler and the sword in its grasp.

“Foolish you are to think I have a soul to begin with.”

[travelerrx]

There’s a soft sound, one of realization and the beginnings of pain -- a wince when the cold touches their inner being but they stay tall. They try. There’s a tear in its fabrics and physicality but aren’t they going to try.

         [ ‘ You cannot reclaim what has never been yours-- ’ ]

A sharp inhale, one of habit rather than necessity, their form moving to stand in front of their wards protectively once more, urging them back, urging them away, out. A quiet plead to simply run, something that so few catch onto and begin moving away.

         [ ‘ Yet you will admit to an empty will -- one without purpose or claim.               There’s no reason for you to be here, shell; your purpose doesn’t               exist anymore, unless you were made to simply be. To take up space. ’ ]

[travelerrx]

listen im sensing some tension here. like, serious tension. ask the cutie before you cut off its limbs and make sure you have a safeword

         [ ‘ What in stars’ names is a “safeword”. ’]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

Their wings expand again, all four reaching out to wrap around the Traveler and its Guardians. The points curve in and claw at the walls of Light that keep them protected, but only for now. Black mars the ground around them and has started to seep down the Tower itself, turning the once white symbol of hope into a dark beam of despair.

“I will claim your life, and all the lives in this system, as my own. This is a promise.” 

A sound much light a snarl bubbles up from them and their clawed wings close in, all four hands reaching out to press against the barrier keeping them from the kill they’ve been waiting oh so long for. The Darkness can feel their cold beginning to close in on the heart of the City below, inching ever closer to the great orb that hung in the sky.

[travelerrx]

The Light entity pushes outward, a brief burst of Light to buy enough time to unsheathe their blade, slashing at one of the limbs closest to the Guardians before pushing them back from the cold embrace. There’s a more apparent snap towards the other entity at the feeling of its sapping power, an indignant growl in response to its “promise”.

A rocket discharges from somewhere to their left -- it’s cold, it’s one wreathed in the Void, but its velocity is a ridiculous crawl, and it slams almost lamely into the Dark god as the Traveler lunges forward for another swing, a swipe at another limb, their lower arms reaching to grasp at the others that remain free.

         [ ‘ I will never be yours and you will not take what I have built, not as before--              Your promises are empty, just as your will and soul. ’ ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

There is a smile felt- not seen, at the actions procured from their own. The entity dips its head down to stare fully at the Traveler, and their Guardians. The Darkness presses against the wall of light, light water stopped against a dam. 

“It is. The others are not what is important, the Hive seem to think you are a worth subject to chase, and I have monitored their interest while lacking my own. It seems I should have spent more time watching, since one of my greatest assets is dead.”

Malice has spun itself into the words, anger radiating off of them like the sub zero temperature that was beginning to overtake the City. The Darkness pulls its wings close and begins stepping towards the Traveler, dangerously malicious intent clear. 

[travelerrx]

A hiss slides out, mostly in response to the Dark that presses beneath the bending walls (THEY WILL NOT BOW, THEY WILL NOT BREAK) and they pull themself up towards the Darkness as it steps close, staying their ground -- they could not, would not, break before the Guardians, not cower and flee like the times they did before.

For them, there’s nowhere to go, trapped between two walls that were finally close to closing them into an alley of unanimous decision of war and blood. Their own wings spread further, not ready for flight -- no, they can’t fly anymore, but ready for... what? For what? What are they doing? Why? They don’t know, they never do.

         [ ‘ Well then it is your own fault for not persisting upon your own agenda              born of others’ whims. What is mine is not yours -- my existence is not              yours to determine, interest or not, or are you too invested in the wants              of your own “servants” to claim anything as yours anymore? ’ ]

[travelerrx]

I REMEMBER THE BECKONING OF THE STARS–

                        AND, YET, WHEN I REACHED FOR THEM,

                                                               I WAS P U N I S H E D.

[travelerrx]

[ starter call, N E R D S ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

A soft chuckle like sounds leaves the entity at the noticed annoyance they are receiving. The two unclasped hands come forward and gesture to the smaller being before them, to the Light. “Humor would not be the word I would use for this. You have brought many a sentient species to extinction because you would not stay put and let me extinguish you.”

There is a light tone of irritation in the creature’s voice. Black tendrils of corrupted energy begin to seep into the ground of the courtyard where it stands, killing the fauna and beginning to stain the building materials a dark scorched color.

[travelerrx]

The Guardians scramble back, most that were closer to the Traveler taking refuge behind them and in the radius of the minuscule Light that naturally surrounds the entity. Out of reflex, a wall of Light forms through the structure to prevent the spread, the stain, from getting any further -- the emotion is spat back, their stance just slightly more spread, wings stretching farther,

         [ ‘ It is I that is at fault? For not dying when I was supposed to?              There are many like myself out there -- better than me,              and yet, you persist as though I’m some petulant child that              needs punishing-- ’ ]

[travelerrx]

Wow, you're actually really adorable, no wonder the Darkness follows you around. *squishes your cheeks*

        [ ‘ Thank you...?             Please let go of my face. ’ ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

“I see. That will change here soon. They will know fear when their City falls, and you are no longer around to protect them. Their deaths will become permanent, and the will to fight will leave them.”

A hand moves to gesture back behind it, to the city that expanded out below them. The cold seeps in further, every minute the concentrated Darkness remains in the City a sense of dread spreads across the people within like a plague. Few have noticed the strange towering entity upon the Tower that holds their last hopes, the only thing keeping them all from being exterminated.

“What I wonder is why do you not leave? Why did you stop here, of all places? Many species you have helped were far greater than these.. frail, spindly creatures.”

[travelerrx]

There’s a quiet but sharp intake of breath and they close their eyes at the display -- they could combat it, the vessel hangs above the becoming shadow silently but that would leave them and the Guardians practically powerless. Not quite... favorable.

At the question of their missed opportunity to leave, there’s a subtle shift, a slight dip forward -- another display of the ever growing weariness welling up within them and they merely murmur,

         [ ‘ They were more insistent than any other species that I have stumbled upon.              I would have moved on otherwise. Humored you more with this game. ’ ]

[travelerrx]

[ my brother just told his friends to calm their nipples in the most serious tone ever im cry ]

[thcshattered-deactivated2016063]

“Both, actually. We always have the most interesting conversations.”

A deep cold had begun to settle across the walls of the City, seeping in along the buildings and people alike. It had already consumed the Tower, giving the already cold area a far harsher bite. This is what the Darkness did, stole the heat and Light out of everything it touched, everything that was near it. 

“I do hope you realize that you wont be getting away this time. Your attempts to flee were cut short, as it seems. Only, I would have hoped my minions could have slaughtered this army of yours without having to send Oryx along. Even then, it seems they’ve cut him down. How unfortunate. How have these tiny insignificant creatures killed something I built up for so long, so easily? Last I recall your power was never that strong.”

[travelerrx]

         [ ‘ The people condition themselves to last. ’ ]

The Guardians they had raised so long ago with the Ghosts were the first of their kind, a direct source of the Light unlike many others who have only been given a minuscule taste of the power.

If it weren’t for their forced stay, the Traveler was certain that Humanity would have been wiped out during the Collapse. Their power seeped out in the last wave of defense they could think of -- no, their power isn’t much to go by, not since Fundament, but it had grown significantly in the last centuries since the returning of many of their shards.

It’s still...small compared to that of the Darkness. Waning but enough to keep it at bay, to live another day, but it would only be a matter of time. It always would be.

         [ ‘ Your armies have simply made them angry rather than frightened.               They enjoy battle. I merely fanned such flames. ’ ]

[travelerrx]

"facebattling" is the greatest term I have ever heard. Does the Traveler and the Darkness facebattle a lot, are they going through a really bad breakup? I hear flowers and chocolates tend to fix a lot of relationships.

[ i don’t know if utter annihilation and scare tactics is a way to repair a relationship if there was one. darkness cannot do pining correctly, learn from this anon, darkness, G O D. ]

[travelerrx]

so is it hard to kiss the darkness when it doesnt have a mouth?

     [ ‘ Why would I show affection to my enemy? ’ ]

[travelerrx]

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