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Raftel
Feb 19, 2012 23:54:51 GMT -5
Post by Rygand on Feb 19, 2012 23:54:51 GMT -5
"A perceptive brat, aren't you?" A dry, tired voice echoed in the area. The strands of shadow that had wrapped around the buildings all began to concentrate in one spot, right next to the four. As the flames illuminated the form that seemed to be gathering itself, it eventually took a humanoid appearance.
A spitting image of the grim reaper, the form was tall and intimidating, completely cloaked a black robe, which seemed more like a never-ending cape of shadow. Two white eyes shone inside it's hood, but no other features could be seen. It carried a large scythe, as one might except, though the blade was an obsidian black, glinting in the fire.
"It was my intention to wait longer before appearing, but there is no sense in hiding if I have been noticed." The creature seemed almost disappointed in himself. "Where are the other children? There are only four of you. There should be seven. Answer, quickly. I am a very busy man."
Just being in the presence of this creature made their skin crawl and turn pale. There was just something fundamentally wrong about it -- as if whatever it was, it should not exist. A true monster's aura. Even with the burning flames between them and the figure, they could still feel a distinct cold in the air.
Thatch stared at the figure. His shock quickly turned into anger, as if he had seen the creature before. Fear was clear in the boy, but he somehow found the courage to speak up. "Y-You! You put that mask on my bed! I s-saw you!" The boy pushed himself up, his hands tightly clenched into fists. "W-Why would you... why did it turn into..." He looked at his hands, his teeth tightly clenched together. The courage his anger had given him quickly disappeared, as the child fell quiet.
The creature looked at the boy with apparent amusement. "I would not expect a puny insect such as yourself to understand. Not yet, at least. You will come to understand in time. You all will." The form clicked its bony fingers, a large black throne simply appearing behind it. It looked highly decorated, with exactly what one would expect. Skulls, chains, gargoyles. The creature sat down, and raised its voice. "I ask again. Where are the other three?"
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Raftel
Feb 19, 2012 23:57:41 GMT -5
Post by (´・ω・`) on Feb 19, 2012 23:57:41 GMT -5
"What other three?" Tim said, leaping to his feet, his fists clenched. "What the hell are you talking about? What's with the masks, why the secrecy? What the hell is going on?!" Tim nearly screamed the last words, but managed to keep his tone down to a low snarl as his knuckles turned white.
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draconiccdm
Opinionated Massive Git
Subterranean Lava Dragon.
Posts: 32
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 0:04:51 GMT -5
Post by draconiccdm on Feb 20, 2012 0:04:51 GMT -5
Tori jumped and her hands flew in front of her face.
She just stared, terrified, petrified. Was this true fear? She couldn't move, she couldn't speak, she just stared. Then, she sidestepped in front of Thatch, and steeled herself. She was staring down the grim reaper, but she wanted to karate chop the shit out of it. "I don't know what you want with us, or the others, but you can just take your bony ass back to hell, or wherever it is you live," she said sharply. Tori had a rather colorful vocabulary for her age, she blamed her father. "Why did I do that?" she thought immediately afterward.
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 4:31:43 GMT -5
Post by Luke on Feb 20, 2012 4:31:43 GMT -5
After several long moments of getting absolutely no sleep, Clement sighed in defeat, and sat up, sliding on his jacket and shoes, finally content to go to the campfire, which he had hoped to avoid. Large gatherings really weren't his thing...no matter how badly he wished to make friends. His mind still absentmindedly wondering about the mask and the mysterious happenings from before, the boy made his way outside his cabin, and began treking to the campfire...only to see the scene that was unfolding from a distance. *What IS that?!* Clement's mind screamed to him. *A..giant moving shadow? No...Reaper...Grim Death?! How is that possible? He is a myth, a legend, holds no physical form in reality...then..how was he staring at him right now?* Clement's mind raced from conclusion to conclusion, and none made any sense to him, causing his body to freeze in place, behind the tall throne that was created. Suddenly, Clement grew more aware of the presence of the more human shapes below the floating...shadow thing. He swore he recognized them from the large group from before, though he never got their names. What were they doing in front of that thing? Was it...here to claim a life? Clement wasn't sure, and didn't intend to be spotted, ducking to a nearby building, hoping not to be spotted by the monstrous thing.
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ThatOneGuysBro
Murdered One Of The K-ON Cast
Problem officer?
Posts: 407
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 11:44:17 GMT -5
Post by ThatOneGuysBro on Feb 20, 2012 11:44:17 GMT -5
With the blinding pillars of suffused light now all but scattered and diminished Jacob sat bewildered and dazed, squinting his eyes in flinching pain. Small circles of varying colors dotted his vision, his sight hazy and his head light. His ears rang as he sat rubbing the temples of his head as the symptoms subsided. As all within the cabin was restored to its former state Jacob sat with a dumbfounded look plastered on his face, an occasional blink of disbelief flashing over his eyes. He looked around the room searching for evidence of the blinding force's visage. No such trace was found.
"What-", his lonely voice echoed in the cabin. "What just happened?" His arms stretched back as he laid his hands on the sheets behind him, leaning leisurely before something ticked in his hollow head. 'Where'd the mask go?' He peered over the side of his bunk suspecting he may have dropped it but his hasty search was in vain. He sat scratching his head for a moment still trying to contemplate the situation. "Well, I'm not really tired anymore.", he sighed.
A light flickered in his eyes as if he had remembered something. Quickly on hands and knees he moved to the end of the bed, shuffling through his duffle bag. He pulled out a small, featureless notebook and searched further for a pencil. Zealously he etched the lead into the blank pages of the book. A few minutes past he looked at his finished work, a furrowed brow and shifted lips as he focused intently at it. A look of dissatisfaction was wrought onto his face. He murmured something inaudibly under his breath and closed the book before throwing himself onto his sheets again.
He gazed at the ceiling. Suddenly he remembered everyone was out by the campfires. He wasn't really one for sitting still for too long a time but he figured it was better than sleeping after being so abruptly awakened. And at least he could find something to fill his stomach. He shuffled through the duffle bag again careful to, almost hide the notebook it seemed, under everything else that was disorderly packed. Jacob drew the yo-yo that laid by his pillow into his pocket before leaping off the bed.
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 14:47:54 GMT -5
Post by thatfallout3guy on Feb 20, 2012 14:47:54 GMT -5
'A dream?' Alex asked himself inside his head, 'yes... yes it has to be. Some strange dream, there's no possibly way this is possible, and there's no way people would actually respond to... THAT in such a way as these two did. This is a dream. It has to be,' he continued to think, having fully convinced himself that all this wasn't real.
Alex looked on at the reaper creature, a curious glance on his face, "A very busy man you say?" Alex asked, a slight cockiness to his tone, "very well. I'd simply LOVE to tell you where the other three are, but the fact is I doubt any of us have a single idea who the hell you're on about."
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 15:17:00 GMT -5
Post by Rygand on Feb 20, 2012 15:17:00 GMT -5
The creature looked at Tori, seemingly blinking in surprise. The look continued to Tim, and finally Alex. A low, almost guttural laughter came from the reaper. It only rose, the form raising its bony claws to it's face, leaning back in its chair. Then, a sudden stop came to the laughter, and the coldness in the air became only stronger, its force even choking out the flames of the campfire, bringing even further darkness to the area.
"You arrogant brats seem to lack any and all basic instincts. If I were in a worse mood, I would teach you humility." The form gave a gentle waft of its hand, sweeping it through the air, strands of shadow released from it.
"Sit."
The command almost felt like it made the ground rumble, as all four of them were forced into sitting by some unknown force. It was as if someone was pushing down on their shoulders. The weight was uncomfortable, and almost painful. The creature nodded to itself, crossing it's arms.
"Now... I grow weary of waiting. I suppose I must take matters into my own hands." A deep sigh came from the reaper as it clicked its fingers again. The shadows still twisting and turning around the creature began to twist and warp, eventually forming three other creatures. They were vaguely humanoid in form, but they had dragon-like wings and large, rather dangerous looking claws. As soon as they appeared, they were gone. But moments later, they re-appeared.
In each of their grasps was one of the remaining kids. Jacob, Clement and Kenna all had not even noticed being caught -- it had all happened in what at least seemed like seconds. Dumbstruck as they were, they at least were able to stand, unlike the other four. The shadow demons that had carried them disappeared once again, and seemed to join with the shadows slithering around the reaper.
The coldness then subsided, the campfire waking up again, illuminating the towering creature.
"Now that we are all present, allow me to introduce myself. I am Hades, your guide."
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draconiccdm
Opinionated Massive Git
Subterranean Lava Dragon.
Posts: 32
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 16:04:34 GMT -5
Post by draconiccdm on Feb 20, 2012 16:04:34 GMT -5
"HOLY SHI-" Tori's voice failed her as she suddenly found herself sitting. Nevertheless, she struggled fiercely against the unseen force, trying to shake it off. "OY! You leave those kids alone if you know what's good for you!" she barked. It was a bittersweet feeling, seeing Jacob. She was glad her little protege was okay, but how long would that last? Guide? What? What the HELL was going on?! This certainly what she had signed up for. Her mind raced as she tried to think up a solution to the situation.
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ThatOneGuysBro
Murdered One Of The K-ON Cast
Problem officer?
Posts: 407
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 18:51:18 GMT -5
Post by ThatOneGuysBro on Feb 20, 2012 18:51:18 GMT -5
Jacob stumbled as the grasping shadow released him from its embracing clutch. His arms were ridden with goosebumps and his hairs stood up on end, his body reacting to the situation faster then his mind could. Baffled at what had happened he managed to stammer an unsure "What-". Oblivious to the imposing throne and the figure of fear behind him he looked at the subdued expressions on the faces of those who proceeded him. As the flames of the campfire were rebirthed he realized where he was. He scanned the few faces gathered around the flickering fire, shadows flitting about over their grave expressions.
Lost more so than usual over the context of the situation Jacob began to speak unsuredly. "Uh... hey guys.", he spoke slowly. His stomach sounded like gurgled trumpets. "Got any smore-" He cut himself off when his gaze met Thatch's stained skin. "Holy crap!" Not much else on his mind besides those two words remained in the uneasy silence before Jacob felt a lingering feeling. It was like the same feeling of the mask but intensified. He could feel the source of the unnatural presence that exuded from the reaper behind him. He froze as the feeling became more apparent- more pronounced. Slowly and with growing fear, an unknown fear, he turned himself to face the shroud of shadows that sat enthroned before him. The pair of incandescent eyes that shone brighter than the flame pierced Jacob's courage. His body trembled noticeably, overcome by the influx of primal instinct and raw fear. After the bulk of the fear ebbed away he fell on his backside, breathing heavy as a single bead of perspiration fell down his cheek. "H-Hades? Wh-what are you?", he stammered uncontrollably.
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Raftel
Feb 20, 2012 20:50:20 GMT -5
Post by (´・ω・`) on Feb 20, 2012 20:50:20 GMT -5
Tim's jaw clenched, set in his determination. Without a word, Tim began to push against the force holding him down. 'Whatever this is, I won't let it stop me!' he repeated to himself over and over. His knuckles turned white and a bead of sweat slowly began to trickle down his forehead as he continued to push. He opened his eyes, just now realizing he had closed them, and saw the frightened look on many of the kid's faces. 'No.' was the only thought that crossed his mind in that instant. He couldn't let this boney faced bastard hurt these kids. With one final push, he threw all of his being into breaking that damned invisible force that held him.
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Raftel
Feb 21, 2012 3:24:52 GMT -5
Post by Luke on Feb 21, 2012 3:24:52 GMT -5
How did he get here? Clement had to keep asking himself that. Not the camp of course, he knew how he got there, logic didn't shatter by then. But now it was as if...someone was spewing reality at his face to mock him. He was standing behind that building but moments ago but now...now he was forced to sit in front of this huge skeletal creature, and whats more, he called himself Hades. Hades... Clement searched his mind for the name and any details he could, while others cried out in protest and fear, resisting the restraints, Clement simply sat and thought, thinking was something he was far more comfortable with, his eyes darting behind his glasses from side to side. Finally, Clement seemed sick of not knowing, to the point it nearly infuriated him. Looking up at the thing, in protest of the question of reality in his mind, speaking with it agreed that it existed after all, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that. But he had to say something. "Why..." The boy's voice was soft, barely audible above the other's complaints, but still strong. "What is this? Why are you holding us here, and where is everyone else? Is this some sort of bubble to keep them away? Was it you who sent those masks? Why us? What do you have planned? Are you some sort of demon?" Clement's words were forming a mile a minute, each question more pressing then the last. If nothing else, maybe he'd get some answers to what was causing his mind to ache so. As he ran down the list of questions, Clement finally paused, looking up at the thing and starting again, his voice the only reminder of his age. "And most of all...who are you, and why are you on this plain of existence?" His words felt strange, as if he never expected to say such a sentence, but there it was all the same. When the boy spoke there was a hint of fear, but a need to understand that overpowered it, forcing the questions out. It was things like this that made it easy to forget his age.
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Aren
Feels Up Moogles
Let's play a game. I'll release the deadly neurotoxin, you see how long you can hold your breath. B)
Posts: 218
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Raftel
Feb 21, 2012 19:24:33 GMT -5
Post by Aren on Feb 21, 2012 19:24:33 GMT -5
Kenna's first pick-up on the change was the temperature. One moment, she was in her sleeping bag, the next, she was outdoors... And something was holding her. Was this a joke? She didn't like this... She didn't remember falling asleep, but why would someone steal her away from her cabin? Was this a prank? Why would anyone play a prank on her? She hadn't done anything wrong! Why was everyone yelling? Who was that scary man in front of the fire? Why weren't the other campers here? Her eyes closing halfway, Kenna felt tears of fear and confusion stinging her eyes, her throat tightening up in a somewhat choked sob. She wanted her dad. She wanted to go home. This wasn't fun anymore. The silent sobs of the terrified girl turned into a next-to-silent wail, shaking in whoever-it-is' hold she was in. She made no move to struggle, in fear of making them angry, but instead voiced her discomfort with the semi-quiet sobs wracking her little body.
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Raftel
Feb 21, 2012 21:31:24 GMT -5
Post by thatfallout3guy on Feb 21, 2012 21:31:24 GMT -5
Alex was a bit taken back by the sudden feeling on his shoulders. He tried to resist, but the force was far too great. He looked around at all the others that had just shown up, letting out a sigh before he thought, 'Alright he can push us down. It's not a dream then, it's a damned nightmare,' Alex continued to think, trying his best to keep the situation rational. 'I should go along with it. Perhaps if I go along with it, I'll wake up, but that's not how dreams work you moron...'
Alex looked up to Hades, about to open his mouth when he caught the outburst from Tim, 'Hot headed moron,' he thought with a scowl, rolling his eyes.
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Raftel
Feb 21, 2012 22:10:45 GMT -5
Post by Rygand on Feb 21, 2012 22:10:45 GMT -5
As Tim fought against the lock with all his might, a strange warmth filled the area around him. The flames of the newly renewed campfire, despite the lack of wind, began to sway in Tim's direction. As he growled, strange, purple runes began to appear on his neck. Hades seemed to notice this, and for the first time, the creature seemed almost surprised, or confused. Tim slowly began to rose to his knees, fighting against the weight.
"Interesting, though ultimately pointless. You will end up breaking something, brat. Cease this idiocy and sit do-.."
The reaper was rudely interrupted, as flames burst from Tim's shoulders and elbows, the weight seemingly disappearing. Before Hades was even able to react, the boy was already throwing a fist at him, faster than any human should. It seemed that the flames almost acted as some manner of propulsion for this punch.
Though, in the end, it was futile. Hades was already gone, and Tim ended up punching the air. In the blink of an eye, the creature had reappeared behind Tim, placing his hand on Tim's head. The ground beneath Tim's feet seemed to spiral into nothing, as if an invisible drill had dug a hole there. Tim was now up to his neck in dirt, and unable to move.
"While I am impressed that you were able to break that spell, as pitifully weak as it was, you really should realize the power of your opposition before acting so very recklessly." Hades spoke in a calm tone, almost friendly... before his tone changed completely. One may have thought of an angered god, a mighty and low tone, which made the ground rumble somewhat.
"Do not do it again."
A strange, pressuring aura filled the area, making everyone feel somewhat dizzy. It quickly dispersed, however, though some of the kids may have been left with some nausea from the experience. Snapping his fingers once more, Hades returned to his original spot, and on his throne.
Casting a glance at Tim, who now looked like a disembodied head sticking out of the ground, as if on some manner of very twisted vegetable patch.
"Does anyone else wish to try their luck? I would rather not answer to your foolish shows of bravery all night long."
Sighing deeply, Hades leaned back in his throne. "I should have realized I would be answering to the questions of idiotic brats all day long when I got this job, I suppose. So be it."
Turning his cold eyes to nearly stare down Clement, Hades finally began to answer the boy's questions.
"You are all currently in a pocket dimension I created for the purpose of gathering you for transportation. What you see here is a prop I recreated to settle you in. Obviously, my efforts were wasted on you inferior beings, but there is no sense in crying over wasted effort." Clicking his fingers again, a fittingly sized wine glass appeared in the reaper's hand, filled with a crimson liquid one could have only imagined to be a wine of some sort. It took a sip from the glass, before returning to the topic at hand.
"As to where the rest of those strange creatures are, they are left where the masks, which I indeed set on your beds, took you from. On that pathetic ball of dirt you've named 'Earth'. Creative naming, that." Hades gave an amused, low guffaw. "As to why it had to be -you- seven, I have no idea. You seem just as insignificant to me as the rest of those insects. But orders are orders."
Trailing off momentarily, the form muttered to itself something about deplorable working circumstances and little appreciation for the finer workings of the guide profession, before noticing the kids staring at him. With a clearing of his throat, he continued.
"I plan to take you to Raftel, where you will serve your purpose... hopefully, at least. As to what purpose is, well..." Looking away briefly, the reaper chuckled low. "You'll see eventually."
With another sip of his wine, Hades gave a weary sigh, shaking his head with a mutter about the amount of 'stupid questions'. "And -finally-, I am most certainly not as low a life-form as a simple scum-sucking demon. I am a servant of the Gods themselves. A demigod, if you may. Nothing your puny human minds could possibly understand."
Then, what sounded like distant siren of some sort, like an old air raid siren. Hades looked to the dark lake, a wide grin appearing on it's face, which had up until now been largely featureless. "The raft arrives. You have... twenty or so minutes to prepare for departure. Come to the piers when you are ready. If you are not there, you will be... sent for. I promise it will be -very- uncomfortable."
With that, Hades was gone, along with his throne. The kids were left there, dumbstruck, staring at empty space.
Thatch swallowed deeply, eyes wide from shock and confusion. As anything he could say would seem utterly pointless at this point, he did the first thing that came to his mind. He ran over to Tim, and began to dig at the ground with his hands.
"W-We need to get you out... Could someone help me?" He looked to the others, while digging.
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draconiccdm
Opinionated Massive Git
Subterranean Lava Dragon.
Posts: 32
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Raftel
Feb 21, 2012 22:44:31 GMT -5
Post by draconiccdm on Feb 21, 2012 22:44:31 GMT -5
Tori let herself succumb to gravity and flopped back down on the ground, "This is so not real, this can't be real, I'll wake up in my closet any minute now," she said to herself. Springing to her feet, she searched the fire for a still-burning ember. "Well, nice knowin' ya, dream people, but I'm gonna wake up now," with that she grabbed a faintly glowing ember in her hand. Nearly three seconds passed before she dropped it in horror, "OW! Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit, that HURT!" she gripped her hand and uttered a near-unintelligible string of obscenities. "Well, this is real I guess," she said, pocketing her severely burned hand, "what are we gonna do about it?"
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