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| Shadows of Reflection | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 28 2012, 06:53 PM (24 Views) | |
| Fran | May 28 2012, 06:53 PM Post #1 |
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Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 14 2011, 11:42 AM The corridors of the crystal palace were empty. The beautiful mosaics and statues were as unmoving as always, and the only sound was the silent song of the Void, it's echo ringing in the every corner of the fortress. Normally, the Void was only a limitless empty space with no light or sound in it, truly a place devoid of all life, the dimension consuming and devouring everything with even hints of magic or life in it whenever it had a chance. However, in one particular spot of the dark void, there was a vast city made of crystals. It's size was immeasurable, and closer of it you got, the more apparent it's incredible size became. Everything in the city was made of crystal. It had dozens of towers and small palaces, roads reaching into every direction, and thousands of smaller buildings. There had once been a city like this in Mobius, and the lone living being in the void had shaped this city from his memory to be a precise replica of that ancient city. However, the city was only a sad memento of it's original version, because there was nothing moving in the city. There were not any hints of life, and all the houses and streets were completely empty, devoid of all life. At the center of the great city, there was a huge tower, that reached high up in the air, and could only be called a tower because of it's shape, it was enough large to house a small town in it's each floor, which numbered over dozen. This tower was also a replica of a same kind of building that had existed in Mobius in ancient times, although, this crystal version was much more larger than the original tower had been. And in it's decorated corridors, there was a sound of steps audible. Ixis Naugus, master of this crystal city, and also it's only inhabitant until just recently, was deep in thought. There was only the sound of the old unicorn's steps audible, and the occasional sound of the base of his scepter hitting the floor in regular intervals. The old mage could had just used magic to quickly move from one place to an another, but for now, the old unicorn preferred walking. He had given his visitor a room from one of the highest floors of the tower, which had a balcony with a great view of the empty city. The dark wasp had been very tired and fatigued in more ways than one, so the old mage was curious to see, how a night of sleep had affected the young noble in this dimension. Even though, there was no day or night in here. After a lengthy amount of travel, Naugus finally arrived to the door of the dark wasp's room. The unicorn mage politely knocked on the crystal door, and after a moment of wait, stepped inside, looking for the young wasp in the room. "How do you feel?" Posted by: Sphex Aug 15 2011, 04:03 AM Sphex had never before seen such a spectacle in his life! The beauty all around him surrounded by nothingness. A monumental empire. It was more then Umbra had to offer yet in his Umbra there was signs of life. Well, beings that wished for it anyway. How he wonder what would happen if the two could do together. Could he someday ever pull it off? Two fantastically dark worlds merged together, twists in time and dimensional planes. But the wasp didn't have much time to admire this new world, sleep and complete exhaustion had overtaken him. When he was left on his own he quickly collapsed into the crystal bed. And oh how amazingly soft and comfy it was! Eyes closed, being lulled to sleep by the sweet chorus of the Void. Its words still foreign to him but enticing, soaking its power into his very pores, stirring up dreams of the past so vivid it was as if the young Mobian was living it all over again. A youth, far younger then this present years. Hearing the temptation of his own shadow coaxing him into the abyss. Reliving a time as a child when he had openly conversed with the inhabitants of shadows. Often quietly conversing to himself and often wishing others could hear what it had to say. The habit constantly punished by his father till he mentally blocked out the soft whispers, forced to repress them and the memories. Dreams weaving in and out of his past like soft ripples on waters surface. But no nightmares came, no images of horror or resentment or pain. It was as if it was kept from him here. The Void promising much kinder things to him. There was no telling how long he was out. Sphex only felt rejuvenated and rested when he finally stirred. Sitting up in bed, rubbing away the sleep from his eyes and combing his fingers through his thick mess of black hair. He was on his feet, again examining his quarters in such awe. At first he thought it all a dream but the physical feeling of it and hum of raw power proved it all real. Out in the balcony and overlooking the city again just like the first time. Depressing. Lost in his thoughts when the mage came knocking. Antenna twitching the wasp glanced over his shoulder at the elderly figure. Standing up straight and bowing to his Master, a sign of respect. "Better." A simple answer to a not so simple question. Knowing well what he had left behind and the ache in his chest was a dull throb but he would manage. "Its beautiful but so very lonesome. It must have been forever since any other has ventured here. It sings so." Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 15 2011, 12:43 PM Naugus just nodded to the dark wasp's overly simplistic answer, not intending to push the young warrior in this regard. The old unicorn smiled almost sadly to his apprentice's remark about the loneliness of the place, and slowly walked to the balcony of the room, looking at the majestic view. After a moment of silence, the unicorn mage decided the dark wasp deserved some answers to his hidden question: "It took me centuries to build this place from my memory. It is a precice replica of the city of my people, thousands of years ago. This dimension which name fits it rather well, the Void, has many strange and unique traits, but life is something that does not naturally exist in it, at least on in any form we can comprehend. At first, I just wanted something to remind me of my old life. But then once I had finished it, this place managed to be only drive me more insane than the featurless void before it." Naugus sighed, and then turned around to face the dark blue wasp again, starting to walk back inside, the crystal scepter hitting the floor with each step. "Here in the Void, my powers are almost limitless. Mage's weakness is that he has only a limited supply of power in himself, and even if he has some magical item to boost his reserves, all mages run out of power sooner or later. Here however, I can't run out of power, because Void is composed of it." Naugus thought for moment again, and then finally snapped his fingers, like he had just remembered something important, and turned to look at the dark wasp. "Well, it has been centuries since I last time had anyone else to converse with in here, I might as well show you the parts which we will be using during your training. It seems that the Void supplies you with energy, I don't think you need food or water during your stay, and neither do I." Posted by: Sphex Aug 15 2011, 02:18 PM Sphex nodded, still gazing down at the forever silent capital down below. Hoping that whatever madness Naugus was facing wouldn't creep into his own mind. Imaging himself, alone and without an outlet, recreating his own ruined home. In doing so it would bring back the worst memories. What Sphex really wished he could create at this moment was impossible. "Will I run out of power outside this realm too?" It was unbelievable to hear that the aged unicorn himself claimed to not be so limitless with power when Sphex had felt it radiate off him during their encounter. Curious to know if such a thing would happen to him too. Never realizing that it was a possibility but then again he had seen when the twins poured their magiks into their airship how drained they were and unable to do much else but stand. And in rare occasions when he saw the other mages in the Jiyuu. But it would call come back... right? Following after the mage and again quietly listening to every word his Master had to say.. and immediately felt disturbed at the last bit of it. "That is quite difficult to get used to, if you are so sure about it. The not needing to eat part." In fact, Sphex hadn't felt any hunger pangs or even the slightest rumble in his stomach. Surely it had been well over a day since leaving home base and yet nothing.. Magik was a perplexing thing, still completely oblivious to its extent. Umbra was just the same. Within that cold, infinite place the wasp needed no sleep or sustenance. It just felt so wrong. Just shaking his head, hoping what training their was to come would at least occupy his mind and keep his focus on the reason why he was here in the first place. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 15 2011, 03:03 PM Naugus pondered for a moment the dark wasp's questions, and then answered: "Staying near void crystal nests helps you to keep your reserves up, since they give you a portion of their magic whenever you are close to them. Training and discipline with natural abilities help to increase the amount of magical energy you can store in your body. Some mages have naturally large reserves of magic, some can mold their spells in any shape they want, and some can cast them in quick succession and only with a few gestures or none at all. Just like any warrior, all mages have their weak and strong points." When the dark wasp mentioned the fact that he would not need any sustenance, Naugus just chuckled, and then continued: "You get used to it. And I have small reserves of food in here, I stored them in case I would have any visitors who would need sustenance, if anything, eating is only a occasional habit for me. However, Sleep is something I think you will still require. Mind needs it's time to rest and mind can't be sharp at all times, so you don't have to give up your dreams with everything else that this place changes if you live in here for an extended period of time." Naugus walked to the dark wasp, and then grabbed the young noble's hand, with a faint smile in his lips: "I have wanted to try would this work with someone else. let's see can we spare some time and effort." The old unicorn concentrated, and said a single word of arcane power. Suddenly Naugus and Sphex were gone, and in their place was only a rolling cloud of wind, that disappeared in the air just as quickly it had appeared. ---------------------- There was a dash of wind in an another location of the crystal tower, and the two mobians appeared in an another room. Naugus let go of the dark wasp, and then said a word, that caused the crystals walls on the room shine with a dim light, illuminating the room. The room, or rather hall, was full of statues in varying shapes and sizes. Some were minitature figurines resting on a table, some mobian sized or evern larger. They were either heroes of the past, or then mythological creatures of ancient stories, and there was even a large dragon at the back fo the room, not unlike the one that the dark wasp had seen in the crystal cave. "Elemental magic is a bit difficult, but I think that here is a good place to start your training with shaping void crystals. I have a feeling you might have natural talent for it, at least as long as we are in this dimension." Posted by: Sphex Aug 15 2011, 04:22 PM Quiet contemplation. Sphex understood, some things just didn't last forever. But with combined affinity to Void and Umbra was something different then what unique was it not? Did that mean he could hold twice the reserves as others? More questions then answers, a game he wasn't enjoying. He would let his training show him his limitations and he would experience the answers. "There is alot to get used to.. but I will manage." Keeping his head held high and sharpness in his silvery eyes. Blinking when Naugus took hold of his hand and in that span of time when his eyes opened they were in a different room. Not sure if they had changed places or the room itself shifted. Guess it didn't matter. Pulling his hand back when he could he glanced around and found his eyes glued to the figures so nicely formed from crystal. What his Master said next fell of deaf ears as the youth moved in closer to inspect the finely crafted peices. Though normally one to withhold himself and show a little more restraint. They just looked so real! Wanting to touch but at least kept himself from that. Refocusing his attention on the mage, inclining his head some. Not knowing what would come or how it would all start. He had a rough idea about muttering words of power or wiggling ones fingers. Always relying on simply slipping into shadows to hide from enemies or ambush them. Umbra had only ever been used as a weapon once in the past.. a very violent and uncontrollable event. Though his training with Dash had proved to be useful but still unstable.. how that name still burned a hole in his chest. Keeping his expression trained and devoid as ever. "I am ready to begin when you are, Master." Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 15 2011, 05:41 PM Naugus noted with a faint smile on his lips the young wasp's curiosity. It had been a very long time since the old wizard had been able to be a teacher to someone, and the feeling was almost refreshing. Not to mention since the dark wasp was clearly very interested in all this. "I can show here in short examples what I can do with void crystals. We start from a simple task, but I show the whole thing over once." The old unicorn walked to the one of the unmolded pieces of crystals a bit shorter than himself, and then started moving his hand along it's surface, eyes closed. "First thing to learn is to learn how to shape crystal into forms you design..." Next two or three minutes were silent, the old mage working on the crystal statue, and slowly changing it's shape and form with his mind alone. Finally, the old mage opened his eyes again, work being complete. In front of them was standing a Sphex, completely made out of crystal. It was a perfect copy of the original, only thing that broke the illusion where the few edges and points which were not as smooth as a real body of mobian would be. "This is what we will be aiming first. You getting enough control and experience to shape the crystals with your mind. Hardest part is to decide an image, and then not to change it even a small bit, constantly only thinking of a same thing when you do you work. However, what I can do too, is..." Naugus put his hand on the statue's forehead, and then something strange happened. The statue changed it's form a bit, so that the sharp edges disappeared, and the statue was starting to look completely life-like. And when Naugus removed his hand, the statue rose up it's head, it's eyes shining with an inner light, and then walked in front of the dark wasp, the crystal having commemorated the young noble's handsome features perfectly in it's shape and form. The crystal wasp bowed in respect in front of the original wasp, and then unsheathed it's sword, leaning on it with it's hand, clearly making a pose of a guarding warrior. "They are barely anything else than automatons with only a limited sentience, but they can still mimic the living beings. And depending on what I want, they can be either crystal hard, or then as soft and smooth as normal mobian's skin. Colors are something I have not been able to create, unfortunately. If I could add that and speech, then they would work rather well as duplicates of original ones." Posted by: Sphex Aug 15 2011, 06:48 PM The wasp watched in awe and enraptured silence. Studying how his Master worked the crystal block like it was simple clay. Amazing how the figure started to form beneath skilled hands and wondering if he could produce something as artfully crafted. Eyes widened in wonder when Naugus pulled back to reveal the end results. It was a mirrored image of himself! Opening his mouth then closing it, about to question the slight roughness in the crystal creation but as his Master went on he kept his mouth shut. And once more before his eyes the crystal was shifted and completely formed to perfection. "That is.. spectacular. Endless possibilities." Eyes widened in the way the stone even began moving. Taking a step back and instinctively reaching for his weapon when the faux Sphex reached for his. The guardian pose didn't much put the insect at ease but his hand loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword. "It looks so real.." Reaching out to touch his mirrored image, touching the hair and face. And never once admiring his own physically appealing characteristics. Hands running over what had once been touch points now smooth. Curious of what he could do on his own. It didn't look too difficult.. "Voiceless, mindless drones.. that just seemed so wrong." Brushing the faux hair from his clones face. Staring hard at the blank face. If he could give them a voice.. what would that make them? What would it make himself? But that didn't stop his train of thought. Presented with a problem he immediately found his solution. Nightkin. Their insane, ceaseless speech that could mimic every voice and sound. If he could infuse one of those damnable shadow beasts into the shell of one of these Void statues.. but he would keep his thoughts on that to himself. "Make them as hard as crystal or as soft as a real Mobians skin?" A number of ideas on that alone came to mind. Each one much darker then he would ever admit to. Taking a step back from the image of himself. "I want to try this for myself, please." Once more inclining his head and waiting for permission. Having an idea of what he wanted to try.. but in no way would he attempt it in front of the mage. He might think him strange! And once given the ok he would start off with something simple. No need to jump into something that was going to put a strain on his new found abilities. Yet. Small beasts like birds and insects and flowers too. Any attempts with creating full on Mobians forms was far too complex. Finding it harder to clear his mind and keep a focus on just one figure completely. It was safe to say anything he tried for was coming out misshapen, disfigured or disproportioned. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 16 2011, 06:08 PM "Yes, the body heat is easy to simulate with some simple fire magic enchantments, but voice and colors are something that would require much time. I could create a charm to make an illusion of colors, but it would take a bit too much time to be really productive. And voice is something I can't figure out how to add. If you have any insights, feel free to say them." The old unicorn was silent for moment, and looked how the dark wasp started his training, almost smiling at the enthusiastic tone in the young warrior's voice. Of course, Naugus had guessed what sorts of thoughts moved in the young wasp's mind when the old mage had mentioned the last bit about the properties of the crystals, because the old unicorn had done the same at one point too. But even if you could had moving statues of your loved ones with you, it did not make the pain of the loss any smaller, and actually only increased it. Naugus had destroyed all those statues which held form from his past after some time, not being able to endure their blank stares. And as spies or doppelgangers, the statues did not work without voice or intelligence. Neither of which Naugus could give to them. "I can leave you here for some time to practice. I recommend starting from simple, small works. Just making a simple ball or any other object is something that requires a considerable amount of concentration, I strongly recommend to learn how to crawl before you start running. I have some other things to prepare anyway, I will come back here in a few hours and see what you have managed to do." And with those words, Naugus was gone again in a dash of wind, leaving the dark wasp alone in the room. The old unicorn was very curious indeed what his apprentice could work out during this time, even though the old mage would be positively surprised even if the young wasp would manage to create anything at all during his first day of sculpting. Posted by: Sphex Aug 17 2011, 04:23 AM Oh Sphex had plenty of ideas to build upon the crystal beings that Naugus had mastered in sculpting. But for now he wouldn't voice his ideas till he knew he could actually pull it off. And part of what he wanted to do couldn't be accomplished here, or so he believed. Simply nodding his understanding, curious as to where his Master would go and why he would leave him alone. Aside from when rest was needed the wasp thought he was going to have to spend every waking moment with the elderly mage constantly looming over him. This was actually sort of a relief. Watching Naugus leave in yet another display of his magic. And again the insect Mobian found himself very much alone. Well aside from the replica of himself that was never moving and stood within its guardian pose. It would go ignored, for all the creepiness it held it was still a vivid example of what could be done with much effort. Never having minded those times when he was put into solitude by either his own accord of by rule of another. Yet, alone here in this vastness called the Void he felt torn from one self, alien, lost. On the other hand he never felt so swept up in soothing comfort. As if a mentor was there, just over his shoulder and murmuring words of encouragement. The magical properties that formed this world were a constant companion to his steady slope to madness. Plopped down and legs crossed the iridescent mud dauber slaved over a fresh slate of polish void stone. The work did not come quick nor easy. Glad he could take his time in this though he wondered if he could create behemoths of such wonderful crystal that would prove useful in the battle against the Horde. Never once would he consider the possibilities of using these creations to hard his fellow Mobians... as easy as it could be done. Beneath his steady hands, gloves and sword tucked at his side, he ran his fingers over the crystal and felt it pulsate. As if it craved life, wished to be shaped and used. Building simple shapes that became the small lifeforms he was most familiar with. Birds and flowers. Small replicas of his home. Lost in his work, Sphex had forgotten time. Well, it wasn't as if time existed here. Having no hunger to stop him, no clocks to have him glance up and check and absolutely no distractions. But it was distractions he so missed. Nearing the end of the hours left to his bidding before Naugus showed the young, noble wasp had managed one and only semi complete work he could be proud of. A miniature figure, no bigger then a foot, detailed enough to make out the face and feminine figure. A name and a face only recalled from memory. It was pushed father away from him, back turned to keep himself from gazing at it. Once more trying to mold perfect petals on a crystal blossom and not have it look so sharp and wilted. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 17 2011, 02:53 PM Yet again there was the dash of wind, and the old mage was back, right on the spot from where he had disappeared hours earlier. Naugus noticed how the dark wasp had not even noticed his arrival, and was frantically trying to smoothen the edges of a crystal flower. The amber eyes noticed a small figurine on the floor that had not been there before, and the old unicorn walked to it, and then looked at it with care. The old unicorn remembered the two names the dark wasp had said when he had left, and then looked at the clearly female figurine again. Could it be...? "Well, I have to admit you have progressed more than I thought you would. Being able to create even some shapes is better than I could during my first day of sculpting." The old unicorn did mean it, normally it would had taken days for Void to start responding to the touch of a new user. This was just yet an another example that the dark was was somehow special. The Void seemed to treat him like a lost child, and not a source of energy like it would do to anyone else. Naugus had fused himself with the Void, and he could feel that it wanted the young wasp to stay here in it's reach forever. Momentarily, the old mage thought had he maybe started something dangerous by exposing Sphex to this dimension and it's dark energies, but soon just shook the thought away. If the Void desired the dark wasp's presence, then Naugus agreed on it. That was how the pact worked. "And now I think you can leave these statues alone for a moment, I have an another place to show you. It is likely, that you will be spending most of your time when training in either here or then there." Naugus offered his hand again to the dark wasp, and then when he would take it, said the word of power again, causing them to disappear into the thin air again. They could had spent hour or two walking to their location, since either one of them would get tired very quickly, but the old mobian preferred this way of travel. This time, the old mage had taken them to the highest floor of the tower, and you could see the incredibly long fall from the windows and from the balcony of the room. The room was dominated by a huge table on the center of it, that held map of Mobius on it, completely sculpted to be a part of the table itself. On one wall there was a huge and intricate crystal mirror, and on the crystal bookshelves there were the only objects in the room that were not made of crystal. A series of old scriptures and other scrolls filled the shelves. There was also stairs leading downwards to a lower floor, and something resembling a star chart on an another wall of the room. this place looked very much like a wizard's room of invocations. Posted by: Sphex Aug 17 2011, 03:58 PM It was true, the young wasp was caught up in his own imagination to notice the old mate's return. Still trying to figure out how to smooth out rough edges. Something in him twitched when Naugus examined the miniature figure he molded. He looked over his shoulder with an expression that was unreadable before putting his current project down. On his feet, gloves on and sword tucked away. His goal was to impress his Master but not sure how he should take the mages comment. Good right? "I feel I could do better.." Saddened to leave this place behind. "And I will." Taking hold of the mages hand they vanished and reappeared. Even if it lasted but a second Sphex couldn't help but feel uneasy each time. Once he had his bearings he took in the sight of the room. Looking much like a study with his graphs and scrolls. Not quite as breath-taking as the crystal statutes but knowing it was just as important. This time the wasp kept his curiosity in check and hadn't run to touch and look at everything. Peeking at the map and glancing over at the star chart. This seemed to be the more scholarly part of his lesson. And again he wondered when was the last time his teacher had shown this to another? And never once had he mentioned teaching others in this way. Thoughts kept to himself. "I must ask this, if you pardon my rudeness. You are teaching me of the Void, the arcane magiks among others. But what of the Sha-... Umbra? What knowledge do you hold of it? You mentioned it before, of the past." A question that had been lingering in his mind. Wondering if another knew the full extent of such a cold place. Perhaps to learn something or share what was known. "But, ah, I am perhaps off topic here. I'm sorry.." Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 17 2011, 06:32 PM Naugus just smirked at the dark blue wasp's questions, or actually more to the overly careful way he had asked them. If anything, the young wasp needed some confidence in himself. Then again, wasps were not much better than ants in that regard regarding their society. "If you have questions to ask, ask them, in a clear voice. Teacher's task it to teach his student, and only a very bad teacher limits his work on the topics of the moment. You are not the first student I have had, so ask away whatever comes to your mind, and I either answer or then say why I won't. If we want to take a full advantage of the limited time we have, then we have to be open to one another." The old mage snapped his fingers, and a chair grew from the floor behind the dark wasp, while Naugus walked to the great crystal mirror, and then waved his hand in front of it, stepping then aside. The mirror started glowing, and then suddenly stopped, revealing a dark realm of shadows. Naugus walked behind his table, and started explaining, very much like any teacher would to his student. "Shadowland, Black Void, Shadows, Gehenna, Umbra...it has many names, and most of them are unable to describe the dimension from which your powers originate from. I used to be the archmage of my people, and even before me, many mages had studied it. I think I won't go now in detail of the formation of the zones and their types, all we to know about now, is that Umbra is one of the unique planes, it has no multiple versions of it like Mobius does. A black realm of shadows, many classify it to be a some sort of sub-realm of Fade, or then a link between it and Mobius. However, in reality, it is just a zone like any other, with it's own rules and own beings, mobians just have a tendency to turn into religional explanation when they can't understand something. It has it's own denizens, ranging from the simple imps that always swarm over any visitors..." The mirror shifted again to show a swarm of shadowkin circling around the inner side of the mirror, their dark faces going through series of expressions while Naugus continued: "...and ending in huge Shadow Lords, being of immense power and strength, which live in the deepest depths of that shadow realm. They are terrifying creatures, and unlike the idiotic shadowkin, they are much, much more intelligent." The mirror shifted again, now showing a shadowy figure of a being of immense size, pure power radiating from it's body. Just for a moment, the mirror moved over a huge eye, that was nothing more than a black spot in a dark void, before finally disappearing. "Normally they are not interested in anything not happening right in front of them, but there have been expections. The power that runs in your blood was gained by making a pact with one of them, that also as far as I know, was strongest of them all, a being with almost divine power. I don't know what your people had to sacrifice, but in exchange, a chosen few gained part of Umbra's very essence, a spark of shadows, that can only be moved through blood. Power, that has been passed through generations to you." Posted by: Sphex Aug 18 2011, 05:13 AM "Ah.. well, alright." The whole teacher and student thing wasn't new to the wasp it was just a matter of how Naugus wanted questioned approached. Quick incline of his head meant he understood and thus meant his plethora of questions would be voiced. Taking a seat in the chair formed for him, eyes, ears and antenna honed in on the mage to take in everything he had to say. Staring into the mirror as his Master begun his lecture. Feeling that bit of excitement stir within his chest at the mention of the various names dubbing the empty, dark abyss. Some new and others known. Adding the new knowledge to his understanding of this place he so boldly traversed over his lifetime. It was rather... uplifting to hear someone speak so well of a place that up till now the wasp hated and cursed. Knowing of the Nightkin, or Shadowkin as mentioned, and how in their simplicity they were no less dangerous. Vicious little deities that served as the first, and often last, wave of defense against intruders in the Shadows. Single eyes that blazed bright, wings that looked deceivingly crippled with a streamline body ending with two jagged protuberant hooks. They mimicked sound, their laughter and incessant mutters would drive any Mobian to madness. And beneath it still, that single ocular could vanish into a grizzly grin with serrated teeth. Not many ventured into that Zone and even fewer could tell what they had seen. It was the massive Shadow Lords that sent that surge of fear and odd recollection through him. Trying to remember seeing such a thing in times when he was swallowed up by Umbra. Never recalling seeing such a beast and yet Sphex never once dared dive deeper then the first level of the everlasting nothing. Curiosity getting the better of him. Looking down at his arms, his wrists, at the mention of sacrifice, of blood and carried genetics. Keeping quiet till the elderly Mobian finished. "I have seen blood being used as magic, or a link between an object and a mage. Because of that pact, could I perform something similar?" Though not sure how it would be useful or when. And dealing with blood was something he was sure he couldn't stomach. Frowning, shaking his head and making his fuzzy antenna bounce, hands tucked in his lap. "I remember my father telling me a story, I always thought it a telltale. Generations before the Hive I grew up in was even constructed there was a war that split a kingdom. In a last ditch effort the last line of royalty, devoted to keeping their subjects safe, gave up something precious to them to gain the knowledge to slay their enemies. But the end was inevitable, salvation came in pain and bloodshed. The enemy was destroyed but in doing so the kingdom itself was laid to ruin. The last of the survivors became nomads and the nobles that gave up everything became outcast and faded into myth." Looking up at the unicorn, not sure if what he said made any sense. It seemed like the two bits of information was intertwined. "My dads moral of the story, 'Never try to be a hero, it will always end in failure.' My father, the great motivator." The slight smile on his face became a grim one. "I wonder if he suffered like me. Plagued by what came natural but unable to understand it or willing to accept the whispers... could be why I never knew my mo-" cheeks darkened till they were a bright shade of red, turning his gaze elsewhere. Feeling like he was getting off topic yet again he fell quiet. Trying to soak it all in. At least he better understood some of his powers origins but left feeling none the closer to actual control. "Thank you for indulging my question. My curiosity seems sated enough on the matter.." Hoping the topic would change to something less personal. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 18 2011, 05:44 PM "Blood holds power, if you dare to use it. Blood is a powerful source of magical energy, since it holds the life-force of the caster. Any mage knowing right rituals could probably bleed his own blood to enforce his spells, but it would get risky in the long run. That is why most of the people who start using blood magic, decide to bleed someone else than themselves. What you could do if you really wanted to use that spark of dark power in your blood....difficult to say. I don't know the exact terms of the pact, so I can't say what kind of rights or restrictions it places on you." Naugus shrugged when saying the last words, obvious that the old mage had maybe some ideas what the dark wasp could do, but maybe did not want to overwhelm his apprentice with too much information at the same time. Or then did not just want to start speaking about finer details of magic, that had as it's main point to gather large amount of blood. "Surprisingly accurate description of the events, when you think how much time has passed since then. I could spend next day or two telling you some ancient history of nations which were destroyed centuries ago, but in short, yes. There was a huge war, that lasted years and years. Your people, or rather, their ancestors, were right in the middle of it, and even though they managed to win, their kingdom's power was decreased greatly." A small smile got into the old mage's lips when he said next words, which were said in almost nostalgic tone: "And I don't know about that, I was a hero, and it worked very well for century or three, and..." Suddenly Naugus's smile disappeared, and for a moment, there was a hint of sadness and most of all, anger in the old unicorn's face, before the old mage just took a deep breath, before continuing, and ignoring both the last words from the wasp, and his last sentence, going back into the calm and determined tone of a teacher, almost giving an apologetic smile because he had lost his composure for a moment: "People rarely understand their powers, especially if there is centuries worth of tradition and superstition warping their opinions and knowledge about it. And it is easy mistake shadowkin and the whispers of Umbra to be work of religious devils. People always fear what they can't understand." There was something in a way how Naugus said the last words, that made it feel like that certain thing meant a bit more for the old mage, there was so much bitterness in those last words. However, it only took a moment for Naugus to regain his balance again, and the old unicorn just sat on his chair behind the table, and then asked: "Do you have something else in your mind that you would want to ask?" Posted by: Sphex Aug 20 2011, 05:54 AM Had this been a different time and different place Sphex would have thought this exchange was almost sentimental. Taking turns speaking, listening and sharing a few moments of understanding. Feeling like they had touched on topics bother had faced trouble in. Reading his Masters face and picking up on the traces of chemical changes. All the magic couldn't hide the quick flare up of sorrow and anger. The young hornet offering the older mage a soft and sincere smile. Feeling as if he had learned something rather deep and special. Pretty crazy. Laying back in his chair, absorbing all Naugus had to say and his own personal feelings. Knowing this was going to be the only time he would be able to learn and understand the vastness of his magical heritage. The current topic had put some ease in the wasp but at the same time he felt he had learned enough of Umbra, his supposed birthright, and it was only a matter of digging deeper into it via trial and error. Something more hands on. Thinking on the last part, tilting his head slightly while he tried to think of any other obvious questions. Shaking his head. "Teach me everything. I am a clean slate, ever willing. The various types of magic, how to use it and shape it. Incantations, spells, wards. I just want to be able to control it. I want you to teach me all of it." Then another quick and silent moment. Feeling like any bits of personal information they had already shared was enough, any further advice in that would be pushing it. As was the question still lingering in his head that was borderline mad. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 26 2011, 05:25 PM "Yes, you are a clean slate, and you are willing to learn. But from where should we start then? There are many, many possible things I could teach you, but I doubt we have enough time to go through even a fraction of all we could." The old mage crossed his arms on the table, and started tapping his finger on it's smooth surface, deep in thought, going through the vast amount of knowledge and information he knew, trying to find something that could be useful for the dark wasp, and relatively basic in the arts of magic. After a few minutes of thought, Naugus finally snapped his fingers, and then rose up from his chair. "Yes, I think I know just something that will do. It is relatively simple art, and does not require complicated invocations. Come in here." The old unicorn walked to the great crystal mirror on the wall, and gestured for the dark wasp to come besides him. The surface of the mirror was smooth and clean, and did not even show any reflections in it. "Earlier, I showed you what is the state of the world, by using arts of divination. It is an art, that concentrates on enabling it's practitioner to look at distant places or even times, as long as he has a reflective medium. Magical object designed for the purpose work best, but even something as simple as water can do in an emergency. These void crystal mirror was carefully crafted by myself, and Void answers to your will rather well, so I think just a simple invocation, and the knowledge of the one or the place of which you want to see, should be sufficient. Looking into the past or the future is a bit more complicated, so we can leave that part of the lecture out for now, but still, divination is an usefull skill." Posted by: Sphex Aug 28 2011, 07:41 PM Sphex listened to what his teacher had to say. Excited to learn and wanted to prove himself able to do anything the old mage had in mind. Never one to be boastful or obnoxiously prideful but how things were going and how he was feeling anything was possible within this realm of Void. But what the wasp had been expecting was something a bit more aggressive. Feeling like he was being shown magiks that were too simple and surely ineffective against battling the steel menace that lurked back in the world of light. Forming crystal into shapes sounded more productive then this divination... but he would not doubt its uses. The hornet would not doubt his Master. "I will learn as quick as I can." Coming to his teachers side, Sphex gazed at the polished crystal mirror. Wanting to reach out and touch the smooth surface but refrained from doing so. Listening to the last bits of what Naugus had to say. A slight nod for an answer. But it was the aspects of looking into the past and future that sparked his biggest interest.. if he could see into the past and glimpse at what was once happiness. And a glimpse into the future to witness what was to come.. perhaps not the best. For what was laying ahead? More pain and carnage? But what of his fate? Of his personal path. "And with this I can see what my friends are doing?" A silly question that had already been answered. Frowning at the thought of invading their privacy. Peeking into their lives as an outside entity.. someone that wasn't apart of their lives anymore. A saddening thing but he wouldn't let it weight down on his shoulders anymore then it should. Following the unicorns instructions she pressed his hand to the smooth surface once, tracing it to admire its form before pulling his hand back. Words left his mouth before he could comprehend what he said, his mind asking what he wished he hadn't . The mirrors image swirled with dense fog that began to lift. He could already see them, the Jiyuu. The family he had left behind in hopes of finding power to set them all free. Before the image could clear fully he broke his concentration. The scene rippled like a surface of water disturbed. Looking timid, scared. Casting his eyes down, mulling a few thoughts over. "I think I know of a way to perfect the statues. To give them voices. I... want to show you. But I have no idea how to." Saving face by changing the current topic. Hoping his teacher wouldn't ask too many questions as to why. Looking a bit more confident to be off the topic of divination. "Nightkin." |
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| Fran | May 28 2012, 06:56 PM Post #2 |
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Posted by: Ixis Naugus Aug 29 2011, 06:18 PM Naugus's red eyes looked very carefully at the unclear images the dark wasp momentarily summoned to the mirror. Most of them were just hazy images, but for a short moment, there had been two that the old unicorn had been able to look with enough detail to describe them. Two dragonflies, a brother and sister. The old mage wondered for a moment a connection between these two, and the names the dark was had whispered earlier, it made Naugus wonder... When Sphex mentioned the lowest denizens of the shadow real his abilities were so strongly linekd with, for a short moment the old mage just looked at his apprentice, eyes blinking. But then the old mage understood what the dark wasp meant, and hit himself to his forehead with the palm of his hand, while saying: "Of course! Those beings can mimic any voice, and it is their trick to deceive others by talking with the voices of their loved ones! It is so...simple!" Naugus gave off a small laugh, because this particular problem had been harassing the old mage for a long time. And now, after a half hour of pondering, the dark wasp had realized the correct answer! The old unicorn actually ruffed his apprentice's hair a little, while saying: "What an archmage of the ancient times could not figure out, you managed to come up with so quickly! I have to say, well done!" The old mage was so enthusiastic about this, that did not even pause to think what the dark wasp would think of this suddenly almost fatherly behaviour, and only already thought the possibilities. If the dark wasp had wanted to diver Naugus's attention away from his uncomfortability in divination, the wasp noble had succeeded completely. The old unicorn did not even say a word, and just warped them both again out of the laboratory, back to the sculpting room, where the immobile statue of the was was still waiting, not having moved even an inch after the two had left. Posted by: Sphex Aug 30 2011, 05:11 AM Sphex was glad to turn attention away from his discomfort in prying through divination but he had no idea what he truly set in motion. Not thinking it as big a deal as the old mage was making it out to be. But that look of clear awe and appraisal in the unicorn face was enough to have the wasp beaming a wide smile. The ruffle to his hair only added to the growing respect he had for his teacher. Feeling once more a bond was seemed more then just between a teacher a student. It was almost... father to son. What a bizarre thought! "It was nothing, sir. I only suggested what I had already knew." Before he knew it the mage had warped them from one floor to the other. Again the hornet felt that odd disorientation and slight confusion. Blinking, rubbing his eyes before it became clear which floor they were mow transported too. The statues were waiting for them. Staring into the cold faces that made no movement in acknowledgement. It was chilling to say the least. Though he admired their beauty in crystal. Looking back at the old wizard curious as to what he had to do. It seemed like Naugus was waiting for something... perhaps for his student to prove himself and show off his ingenuity? Sphex was more then happy to oblige! It was just the matter of getting his bearings before approaching the statue that looked just like him. Hesitant in what he planned on pulling off next. It was one thing to be within the shadows to be amongst the impish little Nightkin but another to pull them from the very plane of existence then lived in to another. Not even on the bright side of Mobius had he attempted such a thing. Not sure if he could even control the beasts that had always murmured to him from the deepest parts of his shadow, his soul. "What if this goes wrong? Can you stop it? Will you help me?" The worst part in the act he was going to do was to have the patron of Umbra turn on him... and the wasp knew full well that even the lowest grade of shadow fiends could do to a mortal. "I have never truly called them friends, in the years I have known them." Looking back once more at his teacher, his mentor, hoping for some form of approval or encouragement before continuing the act that would spark the darkest chain reaction. Even here in the Void, Sphex could hear them. The deities of Umbra, the shadows ever present voice and comforting hand. They did not sing to him like the crystal or catch his eye but they were the underlying words of effort. A vigilant source of comfort. As much as he tried to suppress the darker side of himself he could not deny its help. And as he stood their standing before the lifeless figure of himself he only wondered if the statue and him were exactly alike. Soon to be given a sort of life by darkness that would guide their voices and be their thoughts. Opening the portal was harder then he first anticipated. The young mud dauber tried his hardest to focus his mind and dip into that endless pool of nothingness. Trying instead not to seep into the cold abyss but to draw it out into this plane. His own shadow used at the gateway to coax the first of his "volunteers" into view. But oh how Nightkin, as any being of Umbra, hated the light. To be removed from the vastness of bleak darkness would put a strain on the beast so the transfer would need to be quick. The first few attempts were just what the noble Mobian had expected. It ended in a bust. The beings struggled, fought and denied their crystal prisons with all the vigor of any flesh and blood beast. Their soulness single eye menacing and blazing with rebellion. Giving up after the succession of many failed attempts. "They will not be housed in stone.. as similar as they are their is something that repels them." Rubbing his wrists idly at the thought. Not realizing how many hand motions he was making throughout the entire display. "They need a tether.. a line that will connect them or the process will be unstable." Lowering his head. "I'm sorry I've failed." Posted by: Ixis Naugus Sep 12 2011, 05:18 PM Naugus watched how his apprentice, opened a small gateway to the shadowy realm from which his power's originated from, and then grabbed it's lowest denizens, shadowkin, pulling them to this reality, and then tried inserting them to the crystals. However, after a few tries, it became apparent that they were lacking something, solving this problem would not be that easy. "Yes, we need something to link them to their hosts, something to make them to cooperate, and not reject each other." The old mage started walking in a small circle, curling his beard around his finger, deep in thought. Naugus went through of all the possible things he could come up with, how to anchor the shadowkin to their material bodies, and to make them understand what was expected from them. Negotiation was out of question, the little demons did not have enough brains for it, they worked mostly on instinct, even their ability to mimic voices was really an illusion, they simply could know what their subject's loved ones sounded like, and their voice changed itself to match the original without any thought or knowledge. "Colors I can add with a simple rune charm, and body warmth can be done with a simple fire enchantment. But we need a way to make the energies of Void and Umbra to mingle together, to accept each other..." Suddenly Naugus stopped his walking, and then blinked once, because he had understood again, that the answer was obvious, he had just again somehow missed it at first. Maybe he was really getting old... The old mage walked to the young wasp, and then looked Sphex, meeting his eyes. "Well, I know one way, how to make the connection between these shadowkin and their crystal homes work...but do you want to go with it, is an another thing entirely, this might be a dangerous experiment. We need power which has already mingled Void and Umbra together, power that is in there..." During the last words, the old mage's finger poked at the young noble's chest, and then moved to his wrist, feeling his pulse. "I'm not going to force you to this if you don't want to, but I can't say that I would not appreciate it greatly if you would. Your choice, once again." Posted by: Sphex Sep 13 2011, 06:45 AM The student listened to every word his teacher spoke. Feeling as if he knew what the answer was himself but it was just out of his reach. Hoping the aged Mobian would have better luck. His silver eyes darting back and forth between the unicorn, the lifeless statue and the swirling black pit at the base of his feet. He could still hear them, the devious little writhing Nightkin as clamored for freedom. Frowning, the noble wasp couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the mindless little writhing shadows of unlife. It was when the tone in Naugus' voice being contemplative if not a little dark that Sphex centered his attention on the mage. His stomach churning, feeling as if what was going to happen next was but another stepping stone into this world. A point he couldn't turn back from and only felt shame like a cold compress against his still beating heart. His shoulders sagged some and his antenna whipped back over his head. A merging of two planes, one who already succeeded? Staring down at the point where the Mobian touched his chest down to his wrist. The hornet took a careful step back, holding his hand over his heart with the same hand where Naugus touched his pulse. It didn't take but a moment to come to terms with what the ancient mage was implying. His mind returning to a question he had asked his teacher earlier. The different types of magic and how to channel it. Blood. The thick, red and iron rich life essence. A curse mingled within his own, vein tainted already. "I don't know what will happen." It wasn't so much that he didn't have faith in his Master or in himself, no, what the mud dauber feared most was the possibility of something going wrong. And it wasn't the fear of bleeding out... though he was worried over that too. "There is power in it." Having witnessed the type of magic in use before. Dash, recalling the name with a heavy heart, had used blood magic in fueling the massive airship's power. The wasp knew for a fact his own red substance would be potent. Pursing his lips together, thinking it over. He was already treading into dangerous depths with his studies so what was a little more damnation? "I'll try it. But.. I don't think I can draw first blood." The twins could make it look so easy but to actually press a blade to his skin brought a new wave of uncertainty and fear. But to ask the elderly Mobian to do it was even worse. His sword left back in his room he had nothing to use... eyes falling on the faux Void version of himself. The fake, crystal blade looking inviting. Ready to make the plunge but still filled with doubt. "And there would be no other way, yes?" Posted by: Ixis Naugus Sep 14 2011, 02:47 PM After the young wasp had said his words, Naugus gave off a small sigh, and then just shook his head, while saying: "I don't think so, we have no other way to connect the powers of the two zones together in a physical construct. If it helps, only a small amount of blood should be enough, shadowkin are such small and weak creatures, that their presence does not require a great amount of power to be invested in them." The old mage turned around, and then walked to the faux mud dauber, ready to give his apprentice a moment to make his decision, and decided to do the other parts of the creation ritual first to the crystal statue. Naugus started invoking a new spell, and it took only a few seconds of spellcasting, before the was a flash of light, and when it disappeared, instead of a crystal statue, there was an another young wasp standing in the room, even it's eyes like it's originals, just lacking the same glint of life, that always was apparent in the eyes of the real one's. After this, Naugus rose up his hand, and started chanting an another spell, creating a small ball of fire on the palm of his hand, and then brought it to the face of the faux Sphex, and then blew the flame to the crystal mobian, magical fire quickly disappearing into the faux wasp, and brining a light of life, or at least an illusion of one, into it's eyes. "Now, all that it needs is a voice, and an intelligence of a living being. Both that the nightkin can offer, Void shaping them to a more fitting form once they accept it's power." Naugus turned again to look at his apprentice, with a determined look on his face, and then continued: "Fine, you don't need to do it yourself. Your copy shall do it for you, it's weapon may look like your sword, but like everything else, it is made of crystal, not bound to a fixed form." The faux wasp walked to the real one, and then drew it's sword, the blade of the weapon changing it's shape into a sharp needle. The old mage gave one last look to his student and then nodded to the faux wasp, who made with it's blade a small movement, the needle-like blade piercing Sphex's skin on his hand just noticeably. As vulgar bloody knifes and bowl filled with blood were, the old mage knew that only a brief contact with the blood of the dark blue wasp would be enough. A thin red line started making it's way inside the sword, the void crystal draining the blood of the one who would give it life. After just a few seconds, the faux wasp pulled it's sword out, leaving a small wound no bigger than that made of a needle on Sphex's hand. The tiny amount of crimson liquid on the edge of the sword disappeared in a moment. After this, the crystal wasp just stood still there. Sacrifice has been made, now the only thing that remained to be done was to get an another denizen of Umbra to live in it's new host. Posted by: Sphex Sep 18 2011, 03:20 AM More hesitation and doubt. Sphex mulled over the possibilities far longer then his teacher would have liked. Watching the old mage stare back at him with a sullen expression. Not even the teachers words could ease the apprentice. There was just something unsavory about giving up a bit of himself to the beasts of Umbra. Casting his gaze downward while the wizard busied himself prepping the statue. Sphex contemplated over this, had to wonder if this didn't further condemn his soul. But he wouldn't be alone in this. Even as the waves of doubt rushed over him he felt someone reach out and steady his mind. The soft whispers of the Void melted away the hesitation and the swirling vortex of Umbra at his feet willed away his fears. Perhaps it was their turn to sway the hand of the user. The young wasps resolution was clear. Waiting for his Master to turn and address him. Yes he would make the offering but he would not make the incision himself. The noble hornet presented his hand. Showing enough courage to keep from flinching when the strike came. Or perhaps he was so suddenly amazed at how the faux mud dauber looked so... real. Every contour was correct, his eyes illuminating that inner fire of life. It could even pass for the real deal! ...if not for that ability to change the weapon it presented. He could feel it drawing from him, a sick and ponderous sensation. Giving life to make life. The host was set now all that they needed was the parasitic beast to be locked in the crystal shell. A deep breath and Sphex focused his will back into the endless portal that connected this realm with the next. Feeling the cold, creeping tendrils crawl along his skin. The sensation that always followed the coming of a being of shadow. The Nightkin crawled out of the pit of blackness, its only visible eye flickered back and forth between the insect and the unicorn. Its cone shaped ears, nearly half its size, curved toward the one who summoned it. Wings twitched anxiously before it could seize its prize. "From henceforth your voice will be as mine. You will act as mine. Fill the vessel provided for you. Let my sacrifice be enough." Orders given the low level deity slithered toward its goal. A hiss of approval as it vanished into the hollowed chest of the faux Sphex. There was a deep inhale that followed and a smile that wasn't unlike the originals. With a deep bow toward the two the mimic spoke and sounded no different then the young noble's. "And live to serve I will." Such a thick and rich voice that was near hypnotic. His mannerisms and movement much the same. Who but those well trained in magic could ever tell them apart? Accomplished with his task the young mud dauber felt relief. He was able to produce something not even his Teacher could do. But it was all short lived. All at once he could hear the beasts still locked in Umbra scream into his head. They wanted out just like the other. They wanted freedom, they wanted out. And it wasn't only them, he could hear the Void. Its light humming and oh so sweet lullaby was nearly as loud as the screeching in his ears. A wreched pain that threatened to split his head in two. Ungracefully falling to his knees, trying to dull out the barrage, holding his head and his fingers tangled in his hair. The pressure would surely make him explode.. Slipping into an unconscious state to drown out the noise. The endless haunting noise. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Sep 18 2011, 06:40 AM Naugus was just as amazed how successful their creation was, completely life-like. The old mage had done his best, and his enchantments of illusion were enough good to fool even the senses of magic user. The old unicorn knew that if they could produce even dozen more of these doppelgangers, then the old mage could had the officers of the army he was building. But then the red orbs snapped back from admiring the faux wasp, to his real apprentice, who had fallen down to his knees, holding his head. Naugus blinked in surprise, but then his eyes could see it. The old mage moved much faster than he should had been able, and crouched down in front of the dark blue wasp, taking Sphex on his arms when the young noble was about to hit the floor of the room, unconscious. The red eyes looked to at the magical aura of the young wasp, but Naugus could see how dozens if not hundreds of nightkin were swarming to the place where Sphex had opened the gateway in Umbra, keeping it open with their presence alone. And the old mage could also see how Void had started corroding it's way to the young noble's mind, through the contact of the blood that had been made. Naugus gathered his power for a moment, and then shouted a single word aloud, putting all his magical power and will behind it: "Begone!" The pure power in the old mage's words closed the small strands of blackness that had started to form around Sphex, and blasted the nightkin back to where they had come from, severing the dark blue wasp's connection with the shadowy zone. The same word also made the Void to retreat suddenly away from the the old mage's apprentice's mind and body. "You stupid boy, you either reject your powers, or then accept them fully, and both of those ways can doom you. You have to learn to resist the sway, and use your power with discipline and purpose." Words were wasted, since Naugus's newest apprentice could not hear them, but the old unicorn did not care, and only rose up, the unconscious wasp on his arms, and then turned his gaze to look at the faux wasp, who had stood immobile this whole time. "You are lucky. Of all of your kind, you were the one to gain a body and a mind. Don't make me to regret this." The faux Sphex only looked at the old unicorn with it's eyes that looked so much like original's, and then answered: "Yes, of course. I only live to serve my masters, the one who gave me my body, and the one who gave me a purpose." Naugus nodded, fully aware that the being standing in front of him was the first one of it's kind. The old mage pondered for moment what to do, and thought first about taking the young noble to his room, but then decided otherwise. Just in case something else would happen, Naugus wanted the young mobian to be close him. With a word, the old mage again sent himself, Sphex and his crystal twin to the highest reaches of the great tower, to his laboratory. He could only hope that the dark wasp would wake up sooner and not later, his mind intact. Posted by: Sphex Sep 18 2011, 06:39 PM He never felt the hands that grabbed him or heard the words so scornfully muttered about his ignorance. The young mage was lost in his own mind, one that had already been tainted. Even when the dark coils retreated back into Umbra, the Nightkin disbursed. The Void still whispered its lullaby though much softer now. The damage was done. Once a mind unclouded by such powerful influences began to dream. A dream founded by the two realms, their likeness only further fused by the sleeping wasp. Their seeds of discord flowering a hunger. It was a fantasy that was his but not. This beautiful yet terrible world was encased in crystal. Nature and magic were as one. The streets were filled with Mobians enjoying their lives. Their faces turned up to him, their eyes swirling with color and power. These were of the faces he created. Perfection, warriors ready at his command. There was no war, no Horde. Freedom and peace weren't just words or foreign possibilities. He had made it real and it was all his. HIS. Such a wonderful, horrible dream was just the beginning of the deterioration of his mind. His crumbling will and resolve were hard to pick out from the coaxing voices. When the wasp woke from his unconscious state he still felt that euphoria the image had given him. But glad to be torn away from a word that was filled with.. fakes. All of it. He had been placed on a crystal couch in a room he was familiar with. Wiping cold sweat from his brow with the back of his hand before noticing his wound. The tiniest pinprick was healed over by now but the taint had left its mark. Brushing his thumb over his palm. His antenna twitched and had him looking up... right into the face of his clone. The suddenness made him flail and flop down onto the floor unceremoniously. Looking up in a daze, his abomination kept its unwavering gaze locked on him. It was cold, sinister behind the veil of warmth and modified faux charm. "This is wrong.." Whispering it softly to himself. Crawling back onto his seat, holding his head in his hands woefully. He was taking them far beyond what he wanted. He needed to learn control of his demons... not create them. Even if his Master was proud what would his loved ones think of him? Feeling more alone then ever. Of course they wouldn't think of him. They would learn of his disappearance and soon consider him dead. It was all for the best. "What have I done?" Posted by: Ixis Naugus Sep 22 2011, 04:27 PM "You have created a monster, but you have also given us a powerful weapon to use against the Horde." The old unicorn's hand lowered down on the dark blue wasp's shoulder, the old mage having silently walked and was no reaching over the back of the couch on which his apprentice was sitting on. Naugus's face seemed to show genuine worry for Sphex, and the old mage continued, while looking at the dark blue wasp: "I said you would have to walk on a dark path in solitude, and that is what has happened. I have created more horrible abominations in my time, and have paid from it dearly." The old mage kept a stern look on his face, but not completely emotionless. Sphex was too special to be lost to Umbra, or to Void in that matter. Naugus knew the young mage needed to be taught some self-discipline, and some self-esteem would be a good start to that direction. "When you offered your blood, you slipped in your concentration, and allowed both Void and Umbra's presence to swarm into your mind, overwhelming your mind and willpower. You have to make sure that you won't do a same mistake again. These dark dimensions and their powers are tools as any other magic, just more dangerous, and in same regard more dangerous than most of others. You have to learn to use Umbra, but not allow it to become your master. It has to be you who decides when to unleash your powers, and to what end. Power in all of it's forms always hold risks and dangers, and greater the power is, the greaters are dangers too. You have to learn to control your power. In your blood, there is a presence of king of Umbra, and you have a right to rule over any being that is a vassal of that demigod. You just have to learn to force your will to these dark beasts, to use them against your enemies when needed." Naugus smiled sadly, and then continued: "I think you have just learned a very important lesson, but it is up to you what you will learn from it." Posted by: Sphex Sep 24 2011, 01:25 AM No amount of twisted praise or lecturing would change the mind of the noble mud dauber. He had created something terrible with his own hands and had even given it his own life blood. Spawning something that was inMobian... Sphex would never be able to forgive himself because he knew this was only the first. Again and again he would do it till he accomplished the perfect Void woven warriors that could challenge the Horde's rule. But what then? What would the future hold for his... children. The thought alone made his stomach churn painfully. To even consider such a thing was insane! Yet, it was his blood and magic that gave the crystal not only a voice but a form of consciousness as well. Turning his gaze to the faux version of himself with a heavy frown. His master was right, Umbra was his to call and control with Void nearly a match. Taming the temptation was the next step, denying the dark seduction. The nightmarish future his mind had created in his unconscious state was proof of how powerful the coaxing of this world was. Why would he in his right mind want to replace true life with abominations. "I will learn, I will not make the same mistake again." While the two mages exchanged words the wasp's double kept his hard, cruel stare fixated on the mud dauber. There might have been a life like appearance to the magical creation but one couldn't teach kindness to a denizen of Umbra. Or sympathy. The two locked gazes for a long moment. The faux Mobian didn't need to blink or breathe and the staring contest ended with the organic iridescent blue insect taking a sharp inhale. There was a startling glint in the living statues eyes. There was a fear that still gripped the hornet tight. In that moment of blood transference there was something else... more then blood was given. That dark ambition was there too. Masked behind a growing smile that lacked true warmth. In that instant Sphex knew he didn't want to be alone with it. Ever. Standing quickly he rounded the crystal furniture and put as much distance between himself and his creation. Running his hand through his long, ebony hair. Rubbing his face with the palms of his hands. "I.. I'm tired. I can't do any more today." Back turned to them, looking out the open window, staring out at the empty streets below them. So empty. Leaning over the edge, his translucent wings buzzing to life. Just needing to feel that ease of flight and freedom. Posted by: Ixis Naugus Sep 29 2011, 10:20 AM The red orbs followed how the young wasp jumped out of the window and flew away, and it was safe to say that both of them were deep in thought. Naugus followed Sphex for moment with his senses, until finally let it all go, understanding that the dark blue wasp needed some time to think alone. Well, as much as anyone could be alone here in the Void. The dark dimension was everywhere, and you could not escape it's song. However, then the old mage turned it's attention to the crystal golem in front of it, even though describing it with those words was like saying that Sonic was kinda fast. Not even close of the reality. The old unicorn walked in front of the dark blue wasp, looking behind the illusion of the Sphex, trying to see it's true core. Naugus was perfectly aware that he did not know more of this creature than the one who had given it life did, and denizens of Umbra were not trustworthy by their nature. The old mage pierced with his gaze through the mirage of the kind expression, and then once he had locked the being behind it in place, started talking, using the full force of his magical power to force it to speak the truth: "What do you think of your creator? What are your goals? Are you loyal to us, to me?" The shadow demon inside it's crystal body did not hesitate or resist, and then answered, compelled to speak it's mind: "My goal is to serve, and to be use to my creators. You gave me life, it is yours to use. I am honored that am allowed to wear my creator's looks, and only wish him to use me as he sees fit." Now there was a moment of hesitation, and then the fake wasp continued: "I am the First, and I would wish that there could be others like me. More of us who have been given mind and form. Being alive is a blessing, and I would want here to be others to share it with me." Naugus was a bit surprised, that even an abomination like this, knew that it was first of it's kind, and wanted to have others of it's kind with it. Now the old mage wondered what would happen if there would be dozens of beings like this. Would they start thinking themselves as people? Would they develop feelings and needs, like any other form of life? This was all very fascinating, but at least now Naugus knew, that these things were loyal, and the old unicorn could trust that this golem would not go and try to bleed Sphex dry. However, it had to know that there would be others of it's kind, so it had no need to do it either. The old mage left the crystal wasp to the room, and quickly teleported himself back on on the top floor of his tower, momentarily sensing how the dark blue was was still flying. This had all become very interesting indeed, and Naugus knew things would only heat up more in the future. And with these crystal mobians, the old mage knew that his chances of success had increased greatly. Sphex had been a blessing for the old mage and his plans. Naugus was determined to make sure, that the young noble would not have anything to return to if he would harbor any doubts about this path. Only the Will of the Void mattered. And when it would be fulfilled, Naugus would gain his price, the power he had been promised all those centuries ago, in the dark core of this world. |
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7:55 AM Jul 13