Thibor the Cruel
Thibor snarled as he guided the unwieldy warrior into the landing bay. the massive beast thrashed and roared, unwilling to go back to it's captivity but Thibor was not in the mood for such impudence. His telepathic force came down like a psychic hammer upon the tiny mind of the massive creature. A pitiful yelp and an almost apologetic burbling sound came from the amorphous armored thing and it began to slowly make it's way back to it's holding pen.
Thibor stalked through the halls until at last he came to his workroom where he slammed the door, a sign that he did not wish to be disturbed. Immediately he began to transcribe the horrific imaginings of his dreams to parchment with furious sepia colored slashes of his quill. He created plans, strange plans the likes of which had never been seen before. First he designed massive smelting furnaces, created from the rich spoils of his planar mines. Several of the air shafts that fed into the mountain's interior would be utilized for chimneys but more could always be dug. The new furnaces would occupy a massive area that
Thibor had once considered making into a sort of entertainment chamber for affairs of state and the like, but then it became painfully clear that he would never be able to be diplomatic. Not only would these furnaces provide raw metal to create his magichanical abominations but they would also allow him to process the precious metals that he had been excavating. He had thought at one time to open trade relations with the other realms around him, but this seemed to be a singularly rich world where all the needs of a kingdom could be found within it's own borders. The ore simply sat in the mine gathering dust and taking up space, space that could be saved by smelting it into ingots. He was painstakingly detailed in his drawings, making sure to note every measurement and every material, giving cross sections and shapes when necessary, all the better for his servitors to understand.
Thibor had once considered making into a sort of entertainment chamber for affairs of state and the like, but then it became painfully clear that he would never be able to be diplomatic. Not only would these furnaces provide raw metal to create his magichanical abominations but they would also allow him to process the precious metals that he had been excavating. He had thought at one time to open trade relations with the other realms around him, but this seemed to be a singularly rich world where all the needs of a kingdom could be found within it's own borders. The ore simply sat in the mine gathering dust and taking up space, space that could be saved by smelting it into ingots. He was painstakingly detailed in his drawings, making sure to note every measurement and every material, giving cross sections and shapes when necessary, all the better for his servitors to understand.
The next set of plans were things of horror indeed. Orcs and humans were the subjects of his work but not as they were created on this world but instead altered by his strange new inspiration into something more than what they were. Missing arms were replaced by bladed talons composed of metals and gears and pistons and cylinders. Eyes were great gems that allowed the bearer to see the unseen and the true nature of things. Legs were replaced with new constructs that would allow them to run faster than any man and jump over siege walls with a single leap. The process itself was still untested but the inspiration was there. He would have the furnaces built regardless as and he would being his experimentations on the cattle below his Aerie. The enchantments and the actual surgery involved in putting all the new apparati on would be masterworks in and of themselves but once perfected it would be a relatively simple matter that he could even teach the brutish shamans to perform, thus making the process go quicker.
He smiled as he looked upon his work and he knew the world would despair. "Smite Eye come here!" He bellowed. His voice carried through a series of crystal lined channels and resonant veins that ran throughout the aerie and soon Smite Eye, his finest siege engineer, was knocking on the door. The orc had earned his moniker from his one blind eye that many believed to have the power of the evil eye. "Come" Thibor said brusquely and the squat orc came in."I have a project for your corps Smite Eye." Thibor said as he unfurled the plans for the furnaces."How long do you think given our current stockpile of metal and the very unique components that will be required to smelt some of the more resilient compounds?" Smite Eye examined the plans with a practiced eye, noting the scale and dimensions."If we utilize some brute labor from the infantry and the miners themselves we can have it done inside of a month. That's working through the night and into the day." Smite Eye didn't seem to mind this too much. He wouldn't be working only directing the work of others.
Work had continued unceasingly until at last a new horror had been born deep within the dark, cavernous womb of
the Aerie. The once peaceful mountain now shot black smoke and cinders high into the air. the sun was obscured for miles around, utterly blocked out and unable to light even the smallest shadow. Ash fell like snow as the foundries began to pulse and breathe with the ebb and flow of magic and burgeoning technology. Deep within the Aerie Thibor looked on pleased as the very first of his new children began to emerge from the protective work cocoons that they were born into. They were once men and some orcs that had become too wounded to serve but he had given them new strength in the form of abomination.
the Aerie. The once peaceful mountain now shot black smoke and cinders high into the air. the sun was obscured for miles around, utterly blocked out and unable to light even the smallest shadow. Ash fell like snow as the foundries began to pulse and breathe with the ebb and flow of magic and burgeoning technology. Deep within the Aerie Thibor looked on pleased as the very first of his new children began to emerge from the protective work cocoons that they were born into. They were once men and some orcs that had become too wounded to serve but he had given them new strength in the form of abomination.
The limbs that the Creator had given them were now twisted mockeries of metal cogs and steel struts and pistons coupled with razor talons and strange tubes that occasionally hissed and belched forth smoke. They knew not why or from whence their inspiration came but the moment these newly rebirthed constructs awoke they began to work beside the orcs that carefully extricated them from their cocoons. Parts came together and crystals were placed just so and soon the process itself was being handled by disembodied brains connected to armitures with all the various tools needed for such a work.
No longer would he place the prowess of his army in the hands of mere genetics and blind chance. Now he would create the ultimate soldier and when the time was right he would march his army forth to bring a new order to this land, one maintained by his gauntleted hand and his new army. He would found a dynasty that would last for ages and in time he would be revered as a god. Thoughts of dynastic grandeur though were useless without a dynastic union from which such imaginings could take root and come to fruition. He thought of Xytrinah.
She had promised to return but that had been such a long while ago. Still Thibor was confident she would return to him. As far as he was concerned she could do nothing else. They were like opposite sides of the same coin and as such they were destined to be together, to rule together even if they pitted themselves against each other for the mere sport of it. " Atra" He breathed her name as if the very word was power enough to summon her forth and into his arms again but that was mere fancy and not the way of things. She would return of her own free will and that was simply all there was to it.
She had promised to return but that had been such a long while ago. Still Thibor was confident she would return to him. As far as he was concerned she could do nothing else. They were like opposite sides of the same coin and as such they were destined to be together, to rule together even if they pitted themselves against each other for the mere sport of it. " Atra" He breathed her name as if the very word was power enough to summon her forth and into his arms again but that was mere fancy and not the way of things. She would return of her own free will and that was simply all there was to it.
He withdrew from the massive foundry room and wandered through the halls of his massive palatial home. His thoughts were on many things. They were on the sudden disappearance of his strange antagonist, the strange dreams he had had and of course he thought of her. Even is she herself were not there her name was enough to conjure forth those strange ephemeral stirrings of emotion deep within him that caused the ghost of her lips and the spectre of her skin to haunt his senses. It was like trying to remember a taste or a smell. It was impossible to accurately capture until you experienced it once again. His wandering carried him into a sort of entertainment parlor. It was a large room festooned with huge soft pillows and soft gas lights.
No gaudy fireplace ruined the ambiance of the room itself. Instead ambient heat from beneath the floor was employed to keep everything comfortable. Currently there was very little in the way of entertainment. Thibor's chosen subjects were vicious and bloodthirsty but they lacked other more refined qualities of aesthetics that he would have liked to have had in his people. Still he did have five human slaves, their vocal chords altered to sing one perfect note and nothing else, that made the most beautiful music for their master as he entered. Thibor collapsed onto one of the large silken pillows and breathed a sigh of relief as the weight of the past several weeks fell from his shoulders.
No gaudy fireplace ruined the ambiance of the room itself. Instead ambient heat from beneath the floor was employed to keep everything comfortable. Currently there was very little in the way of entertainment. Thibor's chosen subjects were vicious and bloodthirsty but they lacked other more refined qualities of aesthetics that he would have liked to have had in his people. Still he did have five human slaves, their vocal chords altered to sing one perfect note and nothing else, that made the most beautiful music for their master as he entered. Thibor collapsed onto one of the large silken pillows and breathed a sigh of relief as the weight of the past several weeks fell from his shoulders.
The entire process of making his new soldiers was now entirely automated by the half living automatons that Thibor had created. They patrolled the halls with the clank of metallic limbs and the clatter of razor talons. At last Thibor could simply work. He had isolated one of the work rooms from the rest of the Aerie via a very particular spatial twist. It was imperceptible to the outside world and was centered on the doorway to the laboratory itself.
Thibor had found that in creating the power source he had outdone himself. Magic simply could not function within the boundaries of the Aerie. The power source, a magnet for energies of all sorts, simply sucked the arcane impetus right out of any spell or magical effect attempted, including his own. It was due to shortsightedness on his part. He should have anticipated such an effect however, it did have it's uses. For one it insured his privacy and his safety for he was more or less impervious to harm from the more mundane sources of aggression that beings on this plane of existence tended to employ.
Thibor had found that in creating the power source he had outdone himself. Magic simply could not function within the boundaries of the Aerie. The power source, a magnet for energies of all sorts, simply sucked the arcane impetus right out of any spell or magical effect attempted, including his own. It was due to shortsightedness on his part. He should have anticipated such an effect however, it did have it's uses. For one it insured his privacy and his safety for he was more or less impervious to harm from the more mundane sources of aggression that beings on this plane of existence tended to employ.
As usual he was scribbling, working, drawing and calculating as he began plans for yet another incredible device. The box he had crafted for Xytrinah remained some of his finest work but this newest artifact might potentially rival the genius of his latter works. Put simply Thibor was no longer content to make his way up the celestial ladder the hard way. He had studied and researched and determined that there was a shortcut to true immortality and to true power and with his power source and enough lives he would be able to achieve this end. He called it simply the God Machine, for that was precisely what it was intended to do. It would divorce him at last from his flesh and give him the ability to exist as a being of pure thought and arcane energy, taking only a physical body for those things that required a more solid form.
The materials alone would take some time to assemble and each piece would have to be made and taken out piecemeal. The massive machine would take up most of the remaining space he had in his Aerie and it would require no less than two hundred human lives to infuse him with enough vital energy to break the bonds of his flesh and move on to a more enlightened state. He had little else to occupy his time except to follow through with his ambitions now that she had gone. As the nights passed he found himself wondering what was keeping her. He still could not fathom that possibility she had found another or that perhaps she would not be returning. It was simply impossible to his mind that she would willing reside with any lesser being.
The materials alone would take some time to assemble and each piece would have to be made and taken out piecemeal. The massive machine would take up most of the remaining space he had in his Aerie and it would require no less than two hundred human lives to infuse him with enough vital energy to break the bonds of his flesh and move on to a more enlightened state. He had little else to occupy his time except to follow through with his ambitions now that she had gone. As the nights passed he found himself wondering what was keeping her. He still could not fathom that possibility she had found another or that perhaps she would not be returning. It was simply impossible to his mind that she would willing reside with any lesser being.
His quill danced furiously across the paper as he made his notes and scribbled equations and he pushed the thoughts of her from his mind. Such thoughts would only serve to feed his leech and allow it to drive him into passions that would be detrimental to his work now. Still where Xytrinah was concerned he had only just been able to keep his lusts in check during their first encounter and when she did in fact return he doubted it would be possible to deny his carnal desires a second time. Of course this time there were no pesky insects to interrupt him.
Days had passed in timeless darkness beneath the shroud of ash that covered the land and tireless toil was the order of those never-ending days. Great works were afoot, works that would change history and make the very multiverse shudder in terror as a new nightmare was birthed from this darkling womb of granite and metal. A significant portion of the northern face of the mountain had obviously collapsed inward and from the dark scar a new tumorous growth of twisted metal and glistening crystal arose. Several large orbits were transcribed, one within the other, of a multichromatic metal that glowed with arcane numerals and runes so large that they could be read from miles away by an adept with enough training. The entire structure pulsed with a sickly green light like a gigantic will o' wisp tempting travellers to their doom.
The plains below the mountain were covered in pockmarks and craters and huge patrols of magichnical infantry scoured the land, their alien crystal oculars trained to see even beyond the veil of planes and touch the invisible. Occasionally the silent ashen sky was split by the unearthly roar of gigantic beasts. Once warriors now they bore the same unnatural grafting of magical arcani upon their flesh. Large tubes capable of spouting arcane destruction protruded from the backs of the beasts and unhealthy new growths of pulsing green light ebbed and battened upon the backs of the monsters.
At the center of this nightmarish landscape sat Thibor, Lord of this blasted realm and architect of this new order. Upon a throne of gilded bone he watched over all his efforts and supervised his great works and they were good. All his life he had but one goal and aspiration, ultimate power, and here, now he was close to taking a giant step towards seizing the power he so desired. His armies were growing larger by the day and his understanding of magic was unmatched to his knowledge. All of this Thibor possessed and yet something was missing. Here he was closer than he had ever been to making his grand aspirations a reality and the only thing he wanted still eluded him. "Xytrinah." He whispered as if the name itself would bring even a fragment of her to him.
She had yet to return and yet he knew that she would, she must. This would not be complete without her. The bond between them was still there and yet it faded in and out as if she were in a permanent state of flux or her location was alternately becoming more and less obscure at different moments in time." Xytrinah" Nails bit into flesh until blood flowed in ruby rivulets to the flagstones beneath his feet. An offering of blood to bring forth the only woman who had ever proven to be his equal, the only woman he had ever truly loved.
She had yet to return and yet he knew that she would, she must. This would not be complete without her. The bond between them was still there and yet it faded in and out as if she were in a permanent state of flux or her location was alternately becoming more and less obscure at different moments in time." Xytrinah" Nails bit into flesh until blood flowed in ruby rivulets to the flagstones beneath his feet. An offering of blood to bring forth the only woman who had ever proven to be his equal, the only woman he had ever truly loved.
Yes love, such an alien concept and yet it was the only thing that would fit. He had deliberated it for all this time she had been away. Every night he arose and there was an emptiness within him that only she could fill. Lust had been the original suspect, a desire forced aside due to pests and botherances had simply begun to reassert its appetite only to find that the one person that could sate it was no longer there. Yes he was a creature of lust and yet when it persisted he was forced to admit that even his carnal desires rarely lasted so long. Perhaps the bond they shared was sapping his strength but no that was not true for no matter how much he partook of the Power source he was still empty. Something was gnawing at him, something softer than what he was used to but no less powerful or intense. It helped steel his resolve to further his ambitions so that he would be suitable for her when she returned even though he knew that she could have no one else.
So Thibor sat upon his gilded throne atop his mighty fortress while the culmination of his ambition unfolded around him and he waited. He waited upon a breathe and a name." Xytrinah." She would come. She would send word and she would return and together they would once again take up their game and play their pieces and fight their battles and take what they wanted and they would have each other at last. Great amber eyes hooded in shadow stared out the window at the slowly falling ash. Below he heard the thunder of his armies march as they trained and destroyed the landscape in mock battles to harden their discipline.
The thunderous whooshing of air and a roar of challenge resounded through the arched vault of the throne room as a warrior streaked by the window, it's speed and maneuverability enhanced by Thibor's own designs. He waited for the day that through the ash he would see her coming back to him. Everything was ready. The time was right. the ether pulsed with energy and the entire multiverse held it's breathe. Something was happening and of all the inhabitants of the vast reaches of existence only thibor smiled knowingly and patiently waited as time marched inexorably forwards, carrying him with it towards his destiny.
The thunderous whooshing of air and a roar of challenge resounded through the arched vault of the throne room as a warrior streaked by the window, it's speed and maneuverability enhanced by Thibor's own designs. He waited for the day that through the ash he would see her coming back to him. Everything was ready. The time was right. the ether pulsed with energy and the entire multiverse held it's breathe. Something was happening and of all the inhabitants of the vast reaches of existence only thibor smiled knowingly and patiently waited as time marched inexorably forwards, carrying him with it towards his destiny.
Bloodashiya
It had only been a few days ride, hooves colliding with the harsh terrain landscapes and mountain-jagged peaks before arriving in Dracostack. The reception was less hospitable in the intrusion and alarm raising of the Orcs; disgusting creatures, large greyish-brown bulk so sluggish in motion but the large clubs yielded were enough to the damage if one was not so quick enough- regardless of scores of them lining the ravine like granite sentinels, Shiya could only determine through assumption that the Aerie was somewhere in close vicinity.
She did not know the full extent of the details of exact location, but Shiya knew enough to enable the observances of atmospheric changes and the dark toxic energies these abided and exhumed, Wamphyri signatures and sighs were effortlessly detected yet still the 'slight' apprehension would administer through an abrupt snort through nostrils. Through cracking bones and the revolting squelch of flesh changing to fit the normal structure of Shiya's face, allowing skin to be more smooth and less texture and harsh, features softening to that of beauty. Left hand unravelling from the leather rein to rest upon hilt before digits wrapped around, curling around the hilt so that if it was needed to be drawn, there would be no hindrance.
She did not know the full extent of the details of exact location, but Shiya knew enough to enable the observances of atmospheric changes and the dark toxic energies these abided and exhumed, Wamphyri signatures and sighs were effortlessly detected yet still the 'slight' apprehension would administer through an abrupt snort through nostrils. Through cracking bones and the revolting squelch of flesh changing to fit the normal structure of Shiya's face, allowing skin to be more smooth and less texture and harsh, features softening to that of beauty. Left hand unravelling from the leather rein to rest upon hilt before digits wrapped around, curling around the hilt so that if it was needed to be drawn, there would be no hindrance.
Coming closer...so close to the entrance only to find resistance, nine Orcs guarding the very entrance, neither looked willing enough to listen, only bring their bodies crushed and beaten unto the ground before them. If only their targets were not so resilient enough to actually stand and fight against the disgusting smelly beasts. Shiya was not here for a fight, but they would sure as hell get one should their idiotic minds decide to actually but arm into action and start swinging. There wasn't usually much else in the brain of an Orc, not overly bright creatures after all, but then brutes were never known for wit and conviction.
Straightening up her back, shoulders trusted backwards bringing her chest to puffed pride beneath the intricate display of armour bearing the gilded insignias. Long wreathes of black tresses flowing over the armour as if serpents swayed and struck against the winds which rushed along the ravines and canyons. Thibor would certainly recall the emblems; it was the same crest holding the Dimmu Stone around her precious slender neck, never removed or at least so Shiya thought.
Straightening up her back, shoulders trusted backwards bringing her chest to puffed pride beneath the intricate display of armour bearing the gilded insignias. Long wreathes of black tresses flowing over the armour as if serpents swayed and struck against the winds which rushed along the ravines and canyons. Thibor would certainly recall the emblems; it was the same crest holding the Dimmu Stone around her precious slender neck, never removed or at least so Shiya thought.
Black leather glove tensed around the reigns, slender athletic knees digging against the armoured plate of her mount, boots digging deeper into the metal brace of stirrup preparing herself for charge and manoeuvre - curvaceous form tensing upon the saddle, chin rising to that of a grandiose haughty appearance, full of pride and arrogance and above all else allowing them to see deep into her eyes and not that the gates of oblivion waited to gnaw upon their souls and leave their pitiless forms for carrion consummation- to be nothing but fertilizer for the barren.
Approaching and halting at a few yards before the first Orc would lash out, bulk moving in suspended motion (or so it seemed due to weight), feet thumping along the ground, club with titanium spikes held poised before risen and then swept through the air in a swiping motion towards the flank of mount. Already waiting for such attack, Shiya yanked upon the reigns hard to the right as feet kicked to usher the steed to a fastened pace only to whip the black stallion around and manoeuvre between club and Orc; just enough to dodge and appear behind the creature as sword was drawn.
Approaching and halting at a few yards before the first Orc would lash out, bulk moving in suspended motion (or so it seemed due to weight), feet thumping along the ground, club with titanium spikes held poised before risen and then swept through the air in a swiping motion towards the flank of mount. Already waiting for such attack, Shiya yanked upon the reigns hard to the right as feet kicked to usher the steed to a fastened pace only to whip the black stallion around and manoeuvre between club and Orc; just enough to dodge and appear behind the creature as sword was drawn.
Charging forth, Mithril blade raised to reflect the light giving the impression of metal grinning, exuberating in the thirst and slaughter which would follow- mount rasing upon hind legs before allowing a hellish-nicker to scream in defiance; flanks stomping down in thunderous clamour before charging. Right hand holding the reigns tightly whilst left hand gripped sword, elbow folding snug against hip as blade was held very much like a lance, at first. Slender digits wrapping tighter around weapon approaching to the right leg of the Orr which had yet to figure where she went before turning around.
There would be no time, before the cretin knew what was coming, sword would be thrust in stabbing motion through the area just behind the knee; blade retrieved just before the Orc would stagger, falling to that knee and allowing Shiya the opportunity to decapitate the Orc right there. This would allow for another sharp movement around the Orc, the others standing, blinking mindlessly as if running it through their thick minds whether they should help or simply stand their scratches their asses. Either choice, they were well reputed for, but this one would be given no mercy. Brining mount just directly past the Orcs shoulder, blade risen again for another strike, though this time it would be done so in a swiping motion, allowing the teeth of weapon to sink deep into the neck, severing past vertebrae, muscle, tendon and trachea, allowing the sword to slice though just enough so that the head hung like a perverse lid to a jewellery box.
There would be no time, before the cretin knew what was coming, sword would be thrust in stabbing motion through the area just behind the knee; blade retrieved just before the Orc would stagger, falling to that knee and allowing Shiya the opportunity to decapitate the Orc right there. This would allow for another sharp movement around the Orc, the others standing, blinking mindlessly as if running it through their thick minds whether they should help or simply stand their scratches their asses. Either choice, they were well reputed for, but this one would be given no mercy. Brining mount just directly past the Orcs shoulder, blade risen again for another strike, though this time it would be done so in a swiping motion, allowing the teeth of weapon to sink deep into the neck, severing past vertebrae, muscle, tendon and trachea, allowing the sword to slice though just enough so that the head hung like a perverse lid to a jewellery box.
Leg removing from stirrup to grant the head a sharp brutal kick, the final action before the creatures head would detach and roll along the ground, eyes revolving back into the skull creating a ghastly effect to look upon his brother...revelations in his eyes of the death which would soon follow them. Like an over-ripe peach the head collided with their feet, the final factor that made them seethe with ire. Cankerous maws dropping to exhibit snaggle-rotten rotted teeth, sharp yet undefined by natural means, perhaps chewing rocks granted such perfection in dentistry?
There had been nine, one already fallen but it seems they broke into two groups, four going for Arkadia and the others straight for Shiya- the only fraction that would come into play was to leave one alive, but wounded enough that they would comply and take them into the Aerie to see Thibor. It was his minions which attacked first, so already it was justified why their deaths would be served to the Wamphyri Lord in the form of broken trophies; their severed heads. Again manoeuvre were easy, Orcs attacked clumsily on open ground, and especially in enclosed places which didn't allow for much room, whereas Nightmare and skilled ridder definitely had the advantage and that is without using innate abilities of umbra-jumping or other delicious secrets.
There had been nine, one already fallen but it seems they broke into two groups, four going for Arkadia and the others straight for Shiya- the only fraction that would come into play was to leave one alive, but wounded enough that they would comply and take them into the Aerie to see Thibor. It was his minions which attacked first, so already it was justified why their deaths would be served to the Wamphyri Lord in the form of broken trophies; their severed heads. Again manoeuvre were easy, Orcs attacked clumsily on open ground, and especially in enclosed places which didn't allow for much room, whereas Nightmare and skilled ridder definitely had the advantage and that is without using innate abilities of umbra-jumping or other delicious secrets.
Each team would attempt to surround, closing the gaps to prevent escape and allow the clubs one by one to pulverize Shiya and Arkadia into the ground- barbaric and ingenious, but quite effective nonetheless; i would make sense to again apply blunt and sharp kick to mount, snapping black leather reigns from left to right weaving the mount between Orcs, as one club descended and crashed against the earth, mount would dodge, in a shying-motion to the left or right of the club before sword would be thrust towards the forearm of the Orc, if severed enough they would no longer be able to sustain weapon in that arm and if lucky the limb would be dismembered altogether.
Every opportunity Shiya had to strike against the ones at Arkadia, it would be taken, any injury to prevent motion would be well accepted. Each Orc would be sliced and diced, limbs severed beyond capacity to sustain their monstrous weights- making them easily pickings for the art of slow demises which Shiya would dismount her steed for, to move among them with great leisure and pleasure; where she could relish in the art of carved flesh to sculpture it beyond the memory of existence.
Every opportunity Shiya had to strike against the ones at Arkadia, it would be taken, any injury to prevent motion would be well accepted. Each Orc would be sliced and diced, limbs severed beyond capacity to sustain their monstrous weights- making them easily pickings for the art of slow demises which Shiya would dismount her steed for, to move among them with great leisure and pleasure; where she could relish in the art of carved flesh to sculpture it beyond the memory of existence.
Shiya lived for the slow serrated rape, victims force-fed their own face whilst screaming in the agonies of a thousand deaths; forced on their knees, hacked and raked backwards to choke on their own please and creation. A ring of bright slaughter staining the ground in the hues of their ichors, slitting guts to free the moist faeces from rectal tracts leaving only but one to marvel in sculptured horror...appetite slightly wetted as carrion crows circled the heavens, her halo of darkness- the ring on her middle right finger glowing a abysmal black, extracting and imprisoning their menial souls for later use, their DNA was useless to her.
Claws assailing on the last one, bowed in submission as her nails caressed the back of cranium, like a pet, each finger splaying and adorning in harsh, gnarled affection as words spat, not requesting but telling... "You WILL take me to your Lord! You WILL announce me by my name, Bloodashiya, Captain of the Nex bequeathed by the banners of Noctae! You WILL announce that I come in the name of the Illustrious One! And you WILL announce your defeat to our blades and that I have only allowed you to live for this reason, after which, your Lord may do whatever it is he sees fit to unleash upon your pathetic hide. Now, take us to Thibor, Lord of Dracostack and be hasty about it, time is valuable...shame I cannot say that in regards to your life." Dismounting and waiting for Arkadia to follow...
Claws assailing on the last one, bowed in submission as her nails caressed the back of cranium, like a pet, each finger splaying and adorning in harsh, gnarled affection as words spat, not requesting but telling... "You WILL take me to your Lord! You WILL announce me by my name, Bloodashiya, Captain of the Nex bequeathed by the banners of Noctae! You WILL announce that I come in the name of the Illustrious One! And you WILL announce your defeat to our blades and that I have only allowed you to live for this reason, after which, your Lord may do whatever it is he sees fit to unleash upon your pathetic hide. Now, take us to Thibor, Lord of Dracostack and be hasty about it, time is valuable...shame I cannot say that in regards to your life." Dismounting and waiting for Arkadia to follow...
With a harsh slap around the back of the Orc head before gloved hand would usher towards the Aerie doors... "Move it!" Allowing the broken beast to ascend and slow move towards the Aerie doors before fists would thump upon the harsh surface of indigenous metals, yelling something inaudible out before the grunt of steel would be heard, jaws opening to devour the beast and allowing them to enter into Thibor's domain...into the maws and into the belly of the beast, hundreds of Orcs stopping their chores to look upon their comrade beaten, leading these women down to the area where Thibor was residing. Making Shiya and Arkadia halt before the Orc slid past the doors leaving them closed behind him.
Wounded bulk appearing to his Dark Lord, shamed and head hanging low like an unfaithful pet...blackened by the beating it had received, wounds seeping thick ichors, afraid to speak but knowing either way there was no choice..."Mazter...Dere' iz a Bloodashiya 'ere ta spek wif yer frum ther Noc-k-ta-en n' ther nime of 'er Illustr-ioush Wun." Each word was painfully slow and languid, barely able to speak a word let alone make it coherent enough to understand. Waiting for the Lord's response....Shiya and Arkadia waited outside the door....impatient, but waiting without forcing entry and demanding to be heard.
Wounded bulk appearing to his Dark Lord, shamed and head hanging low like an unfaithful pet...blackened by the beating it had received, wounds seeping thick ichors, afraid to speak but knowing either way there was no choice..."Mazter...Dere' iz a Bloodashiya 'ere ta spek wif yer frum ther Noc-k-ta-en n' ther nime of 'er Illustr-ioush Wun." Each word was painfully slow and languid, barely able to speak a word let alone make it coherent enough to understand. Waiting for the Lord's response....Shiya and Arkadia waited outside the door....impatient, but waiting without forcing entry and demanding to be heard.
Thibor the Cruel
Thibor raised his head up from his introspective gaze at the floor to regard the orc with something of a surprised look as he mentioned one of Xytrinah's many appellations. " Send her in immediately and then get back to your post." He sat up straight and regal on his gilded bone throne as if the very mention of her name had invigorated his ancient body. Thibor had chosen minimalist attire this evening. the more comfortable he grew in his new youthful skin the more he found that he liked to flaunt it. Only a leather skirt like garment that swept the floor about his legs covered any part of his frame. The rippling musculature of his torso was left bare by any extemporaneous fabric.
Xytrinah had never mentioned any of her militants and as his eagerness and curiosity grew so too did his sense reach out and touch upon the unmistakeable taint of one like himself. He was instantly on his guard. It would be a clever ruse by an enemy to invoke Xytrinah's name to gain entrance to his aerie. Trust was not something that was fostered between the great vampires. As the gilded doors to the throne room parted he let his eyes wash over the two with an appraising glance.
Well at least one of them bore the correct emblems on their armor but that too could be faked if proper planning and forethought were put into this intrusion. Still as a statue he sat until they were within five feet of the throne." So you come to me of your own free will invoking the name of Xytrinah? Funny she never mentioned you to me. This also begs the question as to why she did not herself come to visit me here in my home. She and she alone has been given permission to come and go from my territories as she sees fit." From the shadowy halls at the back of the room clicks and whirrs were heard, soft mechanical sounds and the occasional gleam of metal or crystal shone froth from the abyssal blackness. " This all brings me back to the main point. Why are you here?" He leaned forward, propping his elbows upon the arms of his throne and resting his chin upon his hands.
Well at least one of them bore the correct emblems on their armor but that too could be faked if proper planning and forethought were put into this intrusion. Still as a statue he sat until they were within five feet of the throne." So you come to me of your own free will invoking the name of Xytrinah? Funny she never mentioned you to me. This also begs the question as to why she did not herself come to visit me here in my home. She and she alone has been given permission to come and go from my territories as she sees fit." From the shadowy halls at the back of the room clicks and whirrs were heard, soft mechanical sounds and the occasional gleam of metal or crystal shone froth from the abyssal blackness. " This all brings me back to the main point. Why are you here?" He leaned forward, propping his elbows upon the arms of his throne and resting his chin upon his hands.
He held a certain ease about him, the ease of power. The knowledge that he could exterminate these two with a modicum of effort gave him room to breathe and relax his guard ever so slightly. For while they both appeared to be capable warriors neither of them seemed to bear any of the outward signs or accouterments of a practitioner of the magical arts. He could do nothing but wait upon their answer and hopefully it would shed some light on his missing Xytrinah.
//Confined.
Of course she'd not been coming on her own will of appendages, no, she'd been graced with a mount like no other. Saeul, the Sombre Unicorn. She'd never seen one like it before, yet she was graced with ownership long ago. Mane of the deepest shade of black coated his muscular frame, every tensed form explicitly defined in the night's radiance. Pearl rows of teeth, and burning chasms of crimson coated his vicious countenance, streams of blood pouring from said oculars; not tears of pain or sorrow, but a rage which burned deeper than any mortals' soul could bare.
Crafted by the most devious hands of the abyss, hatred and rage were but the key elements in this astonishing horse's creation. For his own protection, he too had been empowered with various capabilities which made it's taming near impossible - yet Arkadia had taken control of such a vile beast with but the touch of the index finger. Nonetheless, Saeul's ability of shadow travel allowed her to maintain a constant speed with Blood's pace, rather effortlessly in all truth.
Crafted by the most devious hands of the abyss, hatred and rage were but the key elements in this astonishing horse's creation. For his own protection, he too had been empowered with various capabilities which made it's taming near impossible - yet Arkadia had taken control of such a vile beast with but the touch of the index finger. Nonetheless, Saeul's ability of shadow travel allowed her to maintain a constant speed with Blood's pace, rather effortlessly in all truth.
Coming to the colossal structure before he, the image which plastered itself all about the walls of her mind was magnificent. Somewhat awe-struck, she finally decided to pay attention to the imbecile-like creature whom dare rose against Shiya. It brought forth the most minuscule of chuckles within her mind, but she would not let it manifest into a physical shell. Her ruthless demeanor would not be interrupted, it would be suck a horrible lacking if she laughed at such a time as this.
The Orcs movements were sloppy, far too out of order to even touch Shiya if he wanted to. The calm always one of the agitated, and Shiya was bout to prove this in full force. The actions took place, and the result was a makeshift opening with the Orc's helm- a pathetic sight. A vile, rancor taste was birthed within her 'maw, causing her gorgeous countenance to contort in disgust. "Such vile vile creatures these Orcs are, I wonder why they are even here- they serve no purpose."
The Orcs movements were sloppy, far too out of order to even touch Shiya if he wanted to. The calm always one of the agitated, and Shiya was bout to prove this in full force. The actions took place, and the result was a makeshift opening with the Orc's helm- a pathetic sight. A vile, rancor taste was birthed within her 'maw, causing her gorgeous countenance to contort in disgust. "Such vile vile creatures these Orcs are, I wonder why they are even here- they serve no purpose."
Just then, she was interrupted. Four Orcs were coming her way, and had ignorantly in-closed her to a confined area. He did not stir, she simply sat calm and serene. The heel of her left leg clicked with the Mount's side, causing both him and her to pour into the shadow beneath their figures. Puzzlement filled the creatures' minds, questioning of her location whispering between each of them. But, their questions were answered by her reappearance; her form slowly rose from one of the many shadows which covered the earth beneath them.
Her slender form, cloaked in a ebony robe, slowly slipped the hood back so they could be graced with her sight. Just as quickly as they calmed, they roared up again, raging with violent and murderous intentions. However, they were ignorant of her initial plan, which they so willingly fell into: she simply wanted to break their formation. Now, instead of four at a time, she could simply pluck them off one by one. "If you wish to die, atrocious things, by all means try to soil my flesh," her slender lips ushered forth. They wasted no time, and before long the creatures came to her, baring their arms proudly.
Her slender form, cloaked in a ebony robe, slowly slipped the hood back so they could be graced with her sight. Just as quickly as they calmed, they roared up again, raging with violent and murderous intentions. However, they were ignorant of her initial plan, which they so willingly fell into: she simply wanted to break their formation. Now, instead of four at a time, she could simply pluck them off one by one. "If you wish to die, atrocious things, by all means try to soil my flesh," her slender lips ushered forth. They wasted no time, and before long the creatures came to her, baring their arms proudly.
The first Orc which came to her was a rather large thing; it assuringly stood seven feet, and most likely weight in at about four to six hundred pounds of muscle. Thick, metallic armor glistened in the ever-shifting stance as he rapidly sprinted to Arkadia's form, which compared to his own was nothing. Several spikes protruded from each shoulder pad, while a thick, ebony helm shook in his figure's form. From beneath, thick oozing saliva dripped from his large 'maw which hung agape while vicious groans of war filled tones escaped. In his main hand did he hold a rusty, tarnished great sword, spoiled with dry blood of past victims whom dared try and challenge his superior strength.
Both of his jade, rough hands clasped the leather lined hilt in a death-grip lock, hoisting the blade above his head as he prepared to cleave the inferior creature before in completely in half. A snarling scowl before attacking, the monstrous blade speeding down toward her form yet it hit nothing. She simply stepped forward, her body becoming somewhat incorporeal as she used one of her favorite technique, Shadow Step, the blade passing through her and her possessions, coming to a firm halt as it wedge deep into the earth beneath.
Both of his jade, rough hands clasped the leather lined hilt in a death-grip lock, hoisting the blade above his head as he prepared to cleave the inferior creature before in completely in half. A snarling scowl before attacking, the monstrous blade speeding down toward her form yet it hit nothing. She simply stepped forward, her body becoming somewhat incorporeal as she used one of her favorite technique, Shadow Step, the blade passing through her and her possessions, coming to a firm halt as it wedge deep into the earth beneath.
Just as quickly as she faded, she returned, the foot firmly planted on to blade's length. The main hand poised to strike, all fingers fully erected, she simply sped the hand forward. Encasing said hand in a layer of telekinesis, forming a makeshift drill, digits easily penetrated the soggy, malnutritioned flesh. Blood spewed forth from the gaping wound, spilling down his armor and staining it in thick, green gore. Her slender hands which were viciously working the inside of his throat clasped ahold of the spinal column, jerking it to the side as she twisted her wrist which in turn pulled the entire structure out of order.
Without any mainframe to support the colossal weight, the figure simply collapsed upon itself. Just as easily as she put her hand there, she slipped it from the corpse to let the blood consume her hand. There was no cocky retort to the murder, she simply walked forward and rested her rear upon the sword's hilt, the pommel extending from between her legs like an erect member, a mocking of the male species. "Which one of you is next?"
Without any mainframe to support the colossal weight, the figure simply collapsed upon itself. Just as easily as she put her hand there, she slipped it from the corpse to let the blood consume her hand. There was no cocky retort to the murder, she simply walked forward and rested her rear upon the sword's hilt, the pommel extending from between her legs like an erect member, a mocking of the male species. "Which one of you is next?"
There was no verbal answer, another hulking creature simply rushed toward here. This one was much shorter, and far more pudgier than the first creature whom seemed to be pure muscle. Armored exactly like the other, spare the helm, his spear was held blade first- he was ready to impale the 'whore' where she stood. Not only was he dumb, but he was using a weapon he clearly did not know how to tactically use, making the thick, rotting spear nothing more than a broken stick in -his- hands. Yet of course, they easily out did her in brute strength, but she was a god to them in mind power.
The creature had a good reach though, and could attack her while his form stayed safe, allowing for a physical sneak attack which could just as easily end Arkadia's life. Nonetheless, the Orc continued his 'concentrated' path, slobber flowing freely from his acrid mouth, the stench of his former comrade was already permeating through the vicinity. Coming to a complete halt, the main hand which rested on the very rear of the spear jutted forth, sending the foot long, cracked and rusted blade driving right for her heart. Yet, it was nothing more than another failure.
The creature had a good reach though, and could attack her while his form stayed safe, allowing for a physical sneak attack which could just as easily end Arkadia's life. Nonetheless, the Orc continued his 'concentrated' path, slobber flowing freely from his acrid mouth, the stench of his former comrade was already permeating through the vicinity. Coming to a complete halt, the main hand which rested on the very rear of the spear jutted forth, sending the foot long, cracked and rusted blade driving right for her heart. Yet, it was nothing more than another failure.
She didn't need too much physical prowess, her mind was fully capable of making up for such lost. Her main hand slowly, delicately stroked the pommel of the great sword she sat on, taking sweet care of it. The thumb stroked the 'head', while the rest of her idle digits coiled about it's shaft. Her head rolled clock wise, a soft, mocking moan escaping her lips before her helm came to face the Orc with such a disgusted countenance. "Men are so despicable," she muttered before simply raising a hand. Although he'd far outdone her in physical means, her mind out beat both his own and physical tenfold.
Extending a simple index finger, his own spear would become tainted by the means of Telekinesis. It would come to a halt, the displaced momentum causing the Orc to trip over himself and land upon his fallen comrade's corpse, face first into a pile of gore and blood. The sphere, now pointed blade down, began a rapid series of impalements. Multiple deep wounds were placed all upon the Orc's body, easily piercing the leather which held the metallic armor to the front of it's form. In total, fifty-seven wounds were placed before the spear came to a halt deep within the back of it's neck. It was only then that she moved, unsaddling the sword and standing at its side; raising her main had did the great sword come from within the ground, hovering at her right side. No words spoken, they already knew what was to come.
There was an odd silence, only two of them standing there now. They must've been more intelligent than the other two, deciding to rebuild the formation they had, somewhat, and charge her together; it didn't matter, though. No matter how many there were, she could and would kill them all. The creature on the right side was taller, somewhat lanky, but still had a good portion of muscle on him. His armor was thin, mostly comprised of leather but various parts were covered in steel. He bore an Axe, which from the looks of things he had a hard time carrying. The one to the left, however, was of the more muscular frame, very bulky and just the right height.
A large, vicious hammer was bore by this one- a large spike at the rear side, while the front had various stumps studs. Their formation changed, the Hammer holding one taking the lead while the Axe holder fell behind. Accident? No. Everything had it's purpose, but it still held no importance, they would die either way. Finally, they unleashed their assault: The first Orc brought his hammer down in brutal swing and dropping his with it to increase it's velocity two fold, easily capable of smashing every single fragment of bone in her body to dust, but a surprise! From between the head and arm flew the Axe of the other Orc, cleaning sweeping between the narrow space and coming to her; a well planned double assault, but it was their final.
A large, vicious hammer was bore by this one- a large spike at the rear side, while the front had various stumps studs. Their formation changed, the Hammer holding one taking the lead while the Axe holder fell behind. Accident? No. Everything had it's purpose, but it still held no importance, they would die either way. Finally, they unleashed their assault: The first Orc brought his hammer down in brutal swing and dropping his with it to increase it's velocity two fold, easily capable of smashing every single fragment of bone in her body to dust, but a surprise! From between the head and arm flew the Axe of the other Orc, cleaning sweeping between the narrow space and coming to her; a well planned double assault, but it was their final.
The main hand turned downward, thrusting the sword back into the ground, pommel facing the Heavens. She stood there for but a moment, analyzing the entire situation. In her "own little world," everything was perceived oh so differently; speed was nothing when going against her, it truly wasn't. Simply stepping to the side, she'd cleared both the Axe and hammer swing, but there was a price to pay. The right arm tensed, using her psionic power known as Psychometabolism, her strength seemingly doubled the Orc's own. Moving forward, the said arm tore through the belly, a vigorous groan coming from the behemoth as his entrails spilled in front of him, all going black as the she removed her hand.
The creature spun on the left foot, the cavernous tear in his stomach exposed to the lanky Orc spoken of previous. His brethren slaughtered, he was struck with fear and rage. He simply changed, prepared to consume the vile beast who'd taken the lives of his brother in arms. She simply waited, no words spoken as her cloaked was literally drenched in Orc's blood. He came, and she simply side-stepped once more, tripping the fool to come face first into puddles of blood. "Fool," she muttered as he was impaled through the helm, the pommel of the great sword piercing through his right eye socket.
The creature spun on the left foot, the cavernous tear in his stomach exposed to the lanky Orc spoken of previous. His brethren slaughtered, he was struck with fear and rage. He simply changed, prepared to consume the vile beast who'd taken the lives of his brother in arms. She simply waited, no words spoken as her cloaked was literally drenched in Orc's blood. He came, and she simply side-stepped once more, tripping the fool to come face first into puddles of blood. "Fool," she muttered as he was impaled through the helm, the pommel of the great sword piercing through his right eye socket.
The fight had ended rather quickly, to her surprise, and she'd finished taking these worthless creatures out of existence just as Shiya had done hers, spare one. Arkadia said nothing, and simply followed until finally reaching Thibor; she spoke no words, and simply let her 'leader' do all the talking.
Bloodashiya
Arkadia's performance had been no less than what was expected, but perhaps this little tryst was not over quite yet; the Orcs had fallen relatively easy but Shiya knew as with any Wamphyri, the best was always saved for last. There was nothing impressive about the impeccable taste this particular Wamphyri had, each glory was gilded beyond the means of simple wealth and dรฉcor- everything beheld his very mark, so much was indeed left to admire. Now, stepping into the throne room, fingers never allowing the pommel of sword to evade her decadent touch or grasp, instead stroking fingers across it rather suggestively as the Lord spoke. Nothing was surprising when it was Xytrinah whom it concerned, everything was rather amusing and unpredictable when it came to her leader- and nothing should ever be taken for granted, many had fallen to those charms and simply left with nothing to show for her presence.
Tthe Black Madonna seemed to have struck a discordant string within this Wamphyri, but she knew Xytrinah held a peculiar fascination with such creatures, perhaps more of an obsession would be the correct definition. With a slim smile Shiya would bow with acceptance of his questions, they seemed not out of place when questioning her declaration of identification and presence- it was their nature however which delved them into curiosities when an interest is concerned. Shiya kept her demeanour as polite as possible, though an aura of arrogance had already manifested by the stature of the way she held herself before him, head slightly tilted upwards peering upon his form by the sight of glancing down towards her nose as chin raised. It was a gaze which intimidated most, but held no purpose in this occasion other than habit.
Tthe Black Madonna seemed to have struck a discordant string within this Wamphyri, but she knew Xytrinah held a peculiar fascination with such creatures, perhaps more of an obsession would be the correct definition. With a slim smile Shiya would bow with acceptance of his questions, they seemed not out of place when questioning her declaration of identification and presence- it was their nature however which delved them into curiosities when an interest is concerned. Shiya kept her demeanour as polite as possible, though an aura of arrogance had already manifested by the stature of the way she held herself before him, head slightly tilted upwards peering upon his form by the sight of glancing down towards her nose as chin raised. It was a gaze which intimidated most, but held no purpose in this occasion other than habit.
"My empress is usually one of little words, Lord of Dracostack, and my presence has always not held much admiration in her eyes, in my younger years in her service. By my declaration as with many of my peers- metaphorically speaking. The same as many who confess her as their lover when in fact she is not. Games, she's a mastermind at games, Lord of Dracostack; something I am sure you find means to admire. I returned to her service after the burial of my father, after her blade ran him through multiple times, I guess it was an enjoyment long surpassed by him evading her and running from the warrant of Grand Treason, regardless, he was a warrior of the Apocalyptic Knights and deserved some form of release. As for my liege, her appearance is not with us, in this world, and it doesn't seem like our summons are profound enough to arouse her curiosities, perhaps we bore her? Or we no longer arouse her passions. She tends to bore quite easily with pets. But, I come to you asking, since you have stronger ties to her than I do, and the fact her legions eagerly await her return. I know you can ask her to return, but I also know that if the mood takes you, you can pull her here, willing or not, question remains. Are you brave enough to tug on those strings to awaken a serpent? Now, I am no fool, you owe me nothing, but I am sure simply by the questions you have asked me here, this day, is because you have been asking yourself them. Am I correct in that assumption? Now what you should be asking yourself is, Is she listening, anymore? Care to take a wager on the answer you shall find??"
Perhaps Shiya's words would provoke more than arouse his curiosity more to the point where in total realization Thibor had no room in which not to delve in deeper and pull upon those metamorphic strings far more sharply, after all, if it was Shiya in the same position, she would not be able to refrain from unleashing HER will and forcing another to comply. Passions were the fuel, blood was the life, but the curiosity was like an intoxicating drug, was it better knowing or not knowing? Sitting there speaking a name which never replied, or simply allowing it to eat away until nothing else could be thought of, and the only vision when looking upon another woman, he would see only Xytrinah. Such obsessions... and Shiya had been there before.
Thibor the Cruel
Thibor smiled as he listened and waited until she was completely finished before he cleared his throat softly and spoke."You are wrong." He paused for endless seconds as he watched the realization of what he had just said to her sink in. He let it stew and bubble there and he would wait until she was on the verge of offering a retort before he continued."There is no question. There never was a question. I will bring her here. She has forgotten but the bond we share has not forgotten. There was never a question that she would be mine. It is not a matter of fate or inconsistent destiny it is simply a matter of logic. She will never find an equal in another. No one is as well suited to her as I and the same is true of her in regards to me. I was simply waiting for her to return as she must. I have nothing but time and soon even time will be my playground. I have simply been working to enhance myself until she arrives. However since you say this is urgent and I long to see her myself I will bring her here. Make no mistake I know I owe you nothing but as I said time is a luxury I have while you seem to have precious little of it. I think it will be you that owes me for this boon. Knowing this do you of your own free will still ask this thing of me?"
Thibor glared down at them from upon his throne. His once genial, bemused attitude turning Icey cold and hard as steel. This was no game to him. The thought of another like him in such close proximity made him uneasy and it was best to establish leverage early in a situation like this. Her answer would make or break this arrangement. Thibor could wait. He could continue with his machine until he was ready to make the change. then he would certainly be powerful enough to bring Xytrinah there with ease and powerful enough to awe even her. He could certainly still bring her to him but it would require no small amount of ritual and would require a bit of preparation. "Well what is your answer? I do not have time to waste while you weigh your decisions. If you truly desire her return so hastily then you know there is no decision to make. You have only one choice but you must say it." Without her word it was nothing, for entering into a pact of your own free will with a Wamphyri was binding in a way that even the devil himself would envy.
Bloodashiya
Of course there was little to wager, whether Shiya may owe him for this deed was of little consequence to her, she knew the mastermind very well after her father taught her quite well in such things- but all comes down to the matter at hand. After all, once stated that he had all the time in the world would cause her smile to darken- he was a snappy one indeed. Shiya nodded, the motion slow and predatory in motion, would he expect any less? Shiya did not seek reprisal from the fact, her contact with Xytrinah had been short and fair between but she knew of Xytrinah's and Thibor's association simply by word of mouth, and such things do travel fast when in hindsight of one such as Xytrinah, well known and all.
But, given the circumstances- the choice was easy to make, regardless if she ?owed? him for the deed, was little consequence. Had Xytrinah answered her, she wouldn't have come here asking another, quite logical in all reprise. "Perhaps I may owe you for a boon, and perhaps not, like you said, you have all the time in the world, and thus so do I, but somethings I urge, I am not a patient person to endure. Perhaps she may not answer your call and perhaps she shall? So if you call and it fails, do I still owe you or is it a two-edged sword that I agree upon? Time you may have and perhaps if she does arrive by your call, I will have no hesitation in re-paying a boon, I have not the means myself. So my will permits that you summon her and we will discuss the cause some other time when you are less occupied with plans and advancements, for it seems we have a war to fight. Surely, such honor not even she would forget. Do what you must, what price is too great, I sacrifice my life every day for her."
But, given the circumstances- the choice was easy to make, regardless if she ?owed? him for the deed, was little consequence. Had Xytrinah answered her, she wouldn't have come here asking another, quite logical in all reprise. "Perhaps I may owe you for a boon, and perhaps not, like you said, you have all the time in the world, and thus so do I, but somethings I urge, I am not a patient person to endure. Perhaps she may not answer your call and perhaps she shall? So if you call and it fails, do I still owe you or is it a two-edged sword that I agree upon? Time you may have and perhaps if she does arrive by your call, I will have no hesitation in re-paying a boon, I have not the means myself. So my will permits that you summon her and we will discuss the cause some other time when you are less occupied with plans and advancements, for it seems we have a war to fight. Surely, such honor not even she would forget. Do what you must, what price is too great, I sacrifice my life every day for her."
With that Shiya bowed, she did not trust Thibor no more than what he trusted her, it was instinct- Shiya was not overly enthralled at the prospect of owing him anything, but then for Xytrinah nothing was too great, she had information, she had news and she had the invitation beneath the Mithril bodice of armour. Tme was of the essence, and with each passing moment the grains of time slid away; her last words would be enough to urge the course of action? "Do it!" Words, so direct yet held no spite other than the wish for what she requested and respectfully retorted, she had no interest in his business or even delving into the notion of attacking him for what he possessed, the only business concerning her, was the Empress.
Thibor the Cruel
As she mentioned the possibility of failure ego took over. His eyed flashed that deadly red and his voice became a low guttural growl."I do not fail! Xytrinah will come to my summons because she has no choice and so to would I be compelled if she were to summon me. It is not so easy though that I can just...Do it. Even I have to put forth some effort to accomplish this. Wherever she is it seems to be out of synch with the rest of the planes. We can either wait for the next natural conjunction which could be millennia from now or I can craft an artificial conjunction. Considering your haste I think you would prefer the latter." Despite his appearance of nonchalance regarding Bloodashiya's time table he too was anxious to be reunited with his precious Xytrinah."I must prepare for the ritual. You can wait here or follow as you like but stay silent and keep out of my way and most importantly touch nothing."
There was only one place in the Aerie still capable of supporting a ritual of this scope. The warping field of his Power source grew stronger every day and without his constant maintenance of wards and barriers there would be no place in all his realm where magic could be worked. He entered the tiny workshop, in some ways just a glorified storage closet. Furniture was non existent, a chair, a bookshelf and a table with some parchment and a quill with ink sitting upon it. With a serpentine striking motion he snatched the quill and ink from the table and then casually tossed the massive oak table aside, causing it to crash into the book shelf with a splintering of solid wood. Thibor knelt in the center of the floor and dipped his quill before beginning to scribe furiously.
Thibor's rituals were different from most mages. There was an instinctive ease to them so long as one knew the proper variables concerning the effect you wished to accomplish. Thibor's diagram consisted of a series of equations scribed into angular forms that overlapped and crisscrossed one another with no apparent rhyme or reason to their placement. It was an ever expanding jumble that he seemed eerily familiar with despite his never having done this before. The diagram would continue to expand and would no doubt take several hours to transcribe. Whether his guests elected to remain and watch was immaterial to him.
From a central core only about a foot in diameter the jumble of converging angles now stretched out to four feet in diameter with no sign of stopping. Each angle was an important facet in what basically amounted to a tunneling drill that would bore through the multiverse itself to make a path to Xytrinah which she could either take of her own accord or he would pull her back. It didn't matter to him if he played the hand of inevitability. Xytrinah must be by his side. It was an undeniable truth of the multiverse and if he had to remind her of this with a not so subtle tug upon the bond that they shared then so be it.
Thibor's rituals were different from most mages. There was an instinctive ease to them so long as one knew the proper variables concerning the effect you wished to accomplish. Thibor's diagram consisted of a series of equations scribed into angular forms that overlapped and crisscrossed one another with no apparent rhyme or reason to their placement. It was an ever expanding jumble that he seemed eerily familiar with despite his never having done this before. The diagram would continue to expand and would no doubt take several hours to transcribe. Whether his guests elected to remain and watch was immaterial to him.
From a central core only about a foot in diameter the jumble of converging angles now stretched out to four feet in diameter with no sign of stopping. Each angle was an important facet in what basically amounted to a tunneling drill that would bore through the multiverse itself to make a path to Xytrinah which she could either take of her own accord or he would pull her back. It didn't matter to him if he played the hand of inevitability. Xytrinah must be by his side. It was an undeniable truth of the multiverse and if he had to remind her of this with a not so subtle tug upon the bond that they shared then so be it.
Thibor hadn't really noticed whether or not they followed him and so he spoke with the full knowledge that he might not be answered. Still he didn't dare take his eyes off the work at hand lest he make some crucial mistake."You speak of war. I too have a war to fight but not here. That is what all of this is for. Eventually my interests will return to this plane but for now I require a greater power. I aspire to bigger things than dominion over rotting husks imprisoning a much purer being. In time I will come back for the dregs that everyone seems to preoccupied with. At one time I fought wars for territory but then I discovered that my territory was rich enough for even my greedy heart. I would fight for honor and then I discovered that is a pointless sentiment. Honor will slit your throat while smiling. There are only two things in the entire sweep of existence worth fighting for now, power and her."
He continued to scribe as he reached the walls, a continuous whirl of angles until at last he seemed to finish. He inscribed the capping equation. The entire jumble lit up with a brilliant white light and thibor smiled."There. We simply have to let that saturate. Tomorrow we bring my beautiful Xytrinah back to me."
He continued to scribe as he reached the walls, a continuous whirl of angles until at last he seemed to finish. He inscribed the capping equation. The entire jumble lit up with a brilliant white light and thibor smiled."There. We simply have to let that saturate. Tomorrow we bring my beautiful Xytrinah back to me."
Bloodashiya
Was it simply the Wamphyri ego tugging upon the strings to cause the arrogance to seep through the fine barricades of etiquette, Shiya was not delusional, her years were not as adept as Thibor's, that could not be disputed even by the ego. Patience was not one of her strong points either, and surely even Arkadia sought something to unleash her energy upon- surely anything would be better standing there when she could be placed at better use to unleash terror and fear into the hearts of men, women and children. What better hobby was there other than unravelling painful deaths upon unsuspecting people?
"Arkadia, perhaps you may find something of interest in the village we passed a few miles back. Maybe their screams shall sate your thirst for action, perhaps we shall find some once this task is complete. I would like to sate my own thirst, alas, I have no such luxury. Go! And make sure their last screams are your name. Let it be known that we are here, and one step closer to dominance!"
Shiya would flash a sadistic smile towards Arkadia before slowly turning back waiting for Thibor, his voice reverberating through the corridors allowing Shiya to pinpoint his direction, listening to every single word and not making assumptions on which way they may be defined, only that to the method they were spoken?
"Arkadia, perhaps you may find something of interest in the village we passed a few miles back. Maybe their screams shall sate your thirst for action, perhaps we shall find some once this task is complete. I would like to sate my own thirst, alas, I have no such luxury. Go! And make sure their last screams are your name. Let it be known that we are here, and one step closer to dominance!"
Shiya would flash a sadistic smile towards Arkadia before slowly turning back waiting for Thibor, his voice reverberating through the corridors allowing Shiya to pinpoint his direction, listening to every single word and not making assumptions on which way they may be defined, only that to the method they were spoken?
Thibor was no fool, but nor was she. Wars, it was her favourite pastime, what better ways to unleash ones will in the fear and terror of dead eyes staring blankly as their families are scourged, defiled and slaughtered, ighting over scraps like wild dogs was for the barbarians not by decree but because animals know no better than to fight for every last scrap thrown from a masters table. in her eyes it was not only a rise for power and dominance but also the recognition awarded by Xytrinah- that is what she craved. Passions condensed, thick- clotting her veins with lust and pride, but also that of wrath, perhaps even she had some form of lust towards the woman, craving that lithesome body revealing every mystery that none were permitted to revel upon.
Lust, war, famine and disease- this entire world could be theirs just by a single infectious bite. Many times Shiya had even thought about passing that onto her mistress, but then also knew it would be her downfall.
Lust, war, famine and disease- this entire world could be theirs just by a single infectious bite. Many times Shiya had even thought about passing that onto her mistress, but then also knew it would be her downfall.
Smirking to her, thoughts running through her mind of various depravities that could be unleashed upon a body so piquant in desire- the even scent of her filling the senses to cause nostrils to flare before administering a slight grunt. The anticipation unnerving her as eyes glanced around the room. Mind changing directive just for the sheer exuberance of pressing his buttons should she allow her hands to grace along one of his prized possessions.
Obsession marking territory over what in their mind belonged to him, should she query this? It was after all, so invigorating. The term "my" beautiful Xytrinah caused her brow to arch, but then it wasn't surprising to hear others place claim to her, whether it be affectionately or because they in their minds held sway over her mistress, but who was Shiya to claim such things, though it did strike a nerve of jealousy.
"Hmmm perhaps honor does slit the throat for some, simply because they cannot keep their minions under control or grant another enough power to place them at a disadvantage- honor doesn't mean always be loyal- sometimes honor can be placed in the form of keeping them weak in order for them to think, you are honourable? It can be such a two-edged dagger. I honor my empress, not because I am weak and she maintains my strength by applying me status and resources. In my eyes, she is the only one worthy of my service. I am sure you may be able to understand such things perhaps even relate, and then, maybe not. I am not here to dabble or meddle in your affairs, but I am not strong enough to reach her, and if swallowing my pride to admit such things, then so be it. No price is too great for an obsession, or one that I admire, I hate to think of her as not in this world, i would such a waste of the only perfect thing left in this world. And then, the fact we are no longer important in her eyes."
Thibor the Cruel
Now that the bulk of his task was done he had time to converse and he did so with all the relish of a bird of prey swooping in for the kill."Honor as I understand it pertains to living by a certain moral code. Morals are misplaced sentiments. Take and hold what you want. That is the highest law. Be bound only by your desires. What good is it to be the most lethal predator known to exist if you spend your life caged by the sentiments of a lesser species? Morals and ethics are human inventions. The wolf does not sympathize with the lamb." This last was said in a chiding tone though the whole of it was a mild rebuke to her statements. His loyalties were based on desire. He aided Xytrinah and even those who sought aid in her name, not because of honor but because he loved her and what was love but a more potent type of desire?
A desire that burst the boundaries of mere carnal desires and yet was as potent a driving force as lust. He could not fault her for not understanding. Love was a rarity amongst their kind. Even he could only remember three instances of a Wamphyri loving another in all of his years.
A desire that burst the boundaries of mere carnal desires and yet was as potent a driving force as lust. He could not fault her for not understanding. Love was a rarity amongst their kind. Even he could only remember three instances of a Wamphyri loving another in all of his years.
"We will speak on perfection and how it relates to this world some other time. For now I am famished and I'm sure you must be as well. Follow me." He flowed from the room and beckoned her as he took a left and began the descent into the undercity that housed his cattle. The long stairway seemed to stretch on forever into the black, cold heart of the massive mountain. Occasionally insect like chittering was heard and Thibor would raise his hand and if she were alert she would catch a glimpse of gleaming metal and pallid flesh before it slinked away into shadows so deep even Wamphyri vision could not penetrate them.
At last they arrived in a cavern carved from an ancient lava chamber at the very core of the mountain. A bright unnatural light permeated this bleak subterranean landscape from where the lower point of Thibor's massive power source penetrated into this gloomy demesne. It's strange pulsating light illuminated a sprawling city of low stone houses. Yellow squares of firelight were everywhere and hushed voices could sometimes be heard. Thibor looked around before uttering."Emoth Larhashti." A sort of low thrumming noise began to echo throughout the city and soon the sounds of screaming drowned out even that as crystalline pain generators within each home began to drive out the inhabitants.
They all lined up in the street as they knew they must. Men, women and children stretched as far as the eye could see. Thibor enjoyed these little extravagances. It was a means for him to display his power and still leave witnesses who were not insane or inconsolable. "Take your pick." He said as he began to stroll along the street, surveying his herd and trying to decide what would sate his appetite.
They all lined up in the street as they knew they must. Men, women and children stretched as far as the eye could see. Thibor enjoyed these little extravagances. It was a means for him to display his power and still leave witnesses who were not insane or inconsolable. "Take your pick." He said as he began to stroll along the street, surveying his herd and trying to decide what would sate his appetite.
Bloodashiya
Shiya simply nodded, there was little desire to get into a debate between the extremities of opinion, and both were arrogant enough to not see the other's point of view anyhow- as for this was his domain she would simply force a blunt smile and accept his words for what they were worth. Thibor was clearly no fool, but how much did he know about her lustrous mistress? Many in which to toy with, but Thibor was correct in one assumption, the need to taste blood on her palate, teeth sinking into soft flesh- or maybe it was a direction from the current topic. In all her passion and obsession with Xytrinah, Shiya hated her as well, the strive for perfection but never reaching the limits of satisfaction, she craved to be Xytrinah to have the power and admiration that Xytrinah had, but also knowing that she would never have it.
What a struggle tugging on the strings of assertiveness and pride, it was a constant disappointment for all Wamphyri strived for complete perfection. It was one that Shiya could never possibly reach and that killed her on the inside, a constant nemesis of ego. Shiya did not understand love outside of what was used for manipulation, to gain what she desired and never caring about the needs of another, it was a luxury she could dare state to not posses. Admiration and affection maybe, but never love. Shiya would follow him, slinking behind him slightly admiring the sheer force of power and structure- after all it was only in her nature to silently admire, what was there not to admire about this specimen.
Eyes glanced freely and leisurely before slipping against his right side, staring ahead and not even hinting that admiration was evident, Shiya knew he would not trust her, nor would she trust him, but it was the excitement of never knowing when the other would strike the other in order for dominance and power, after all both craved it.
She would not speak after these instances, simply watching as the people moved into line like animals for the slaughter, that is what they were so it was most humbling that they accepted the fact- their destiny had been met by chains and slaughter, nothing but cattle for the greater predators. Obviously none dared challenge Thibor, and Shiya was interested in seeing just exactly what he was capable to full extent not merely games of subtle evils. There was much she could say to provoke temper, but knowing his intellect he would refrain simply just to disappoint her, making another failure evident.
So young by comparison, possibly by quite a few hundred years, who was she to even contemplate absorbing his essence to benefit her own, Shiya could never defeat Xytrinah let alone Thibor, it caused her features to brood, darkening the pallid features as features transformed, becoming more heinous and wolven- this was her true self, what she was now, far from elegant but still stunningly beautiful or so she believed. The wrath Shiya would lash upon her chosen victim, the choice would stimulate her palate was yet to be chosen. Eyes gleaming in ominous illumination studying each person before her, before taking to step, walking along the rows until she found herself a pretty one.
Perhaps imbibing her essence Shiya's would drain some of that beauty away to maintain her own. Her envy and jealousy would be evident to the studious and wise eyes of Thibor, but then Shiya made no attempt to hide those psychotic desires and emotions, the passion boiled and brewed turning her once stabile appearance into a menacing monster. But surely Thibor would be accustomed to such things.
"Excellent choice of cattle, dear Thibor, it has been quite sometime since I have had the pleasure of a welcoming kill, though I do prefer those who thrash and scream for it feeds the frenzy. I am appreciative of your hospitality; it is something rare in our kind or at least with those whom I personally know. My brothers can act cordial but it is never without a price. I have nothing to offer, anyone other than my skills which funny enough are not even my own, I could barely stand when she took me in, my own kind had turned on me, I guess seeing me as the weaker of evils and could no longer sustain me. Enough about me. I am not here for me, nor do I think you would tolerate me, if it was not for her and even then I am possibly on thin ice."
Continuing to walk along the row, examining each standing their in submission...
Thibor the Cruel
He strode along the rows of trembling humanity until a certain sound caught his sensitive ears. There was a wailing and screeching accompanied by a low thrumming sound. His pace quickened as he swooped in on the source of the noise. Two trembling humans stood in front of one of the low stone houses. Inside the sounds of a baby in pain could be heard. Thibor's beautiful features warped into the stuff of nightmares. His nose rippled back as huge nostrils gaped with convolutions and his ears grew more pronounced and conch like in their intricacy. The popping and cracking of bone sounded out above the infernal din of the wailing child and the pleading parents who even know sought to invoke mercy from a creature who obviously did not understand the concept.
Scythe like fangs burst through his gums in a crimson spray and his voice sounded like the foul bubbling of noxious gases form the bottom of an ancient cesspool." You dare to withhold what is due me? I did not even have it in mind to dine on the tender flesh tonight but now that I know you begrudge me it I will have it." The man rose, not to attempt some foolish defense but to pleading grasp at Thibor's shoulders. the Wamphyri Lord's fists bunched and his powerful arms rose and t hen fell like the executioner's axe upon the man's collar bone.
Twin pop's like the fracturing of a green stick sounded out and the foolish father's ribcage seemed to collapse and his body crumpled in pain as he began to gasp his gurgling last. The woman he left alone. She was still young and would breed again. He strode into the house, the wails of the hidden infant assaulting his ears until at last he caught the scent. A pile of rags in the corner concealed t he fussy movement of an aggravated baby and soon the cries of pain were replaced by wails of terror and the lamentations of the mother as Thibor bore his prize from the hovel.
He smiled as best as he could manage in his current state as he held the infant aloft by it's tiny feet. His powerful hands gripped the soft skull and with a pop like a cracking walnut he split the head in two like he was cracking an oyster apart. His jaws gaped as he held the defiled infant over the cavernous maw. He lifted his hand as the first luscious morsel of grey matter fell onto his tongue. Metamorphic flesh responded and the bulk of his hand and the length of his fingers increased and with a movement like a spider seizing it's prey he wrapped his hand about the infant and began to squeeze.
Flesh and bone was pulped along with blood and the other internal savories and slowly fed down his gullet in a disgusting display. He tossed the empty husk at its mother's feet and turned to smile upon her with a bloody smile and an almost tender caress."Don't weep. You will have more. Just not with him." And then she began to scream as other cattle began to try to shush her before she aroused Thibor's ire.
"You're right. I don't trust you . There is nothing so savory as the taste of our own kind. There is no delicacy so rare as the egg of another. I know the desire to taste that gnaws at you but luckily your sense of self preservation keeps you in check. I tolerate you because you invoke Xytrinah's name and your desires happen to coincide with mine. Make no mistake though her name will only get you so far and grant you only so much protection. If you betray my tolerance I will kill you and you may believe that."
His features began to shift back to normal, only the slightest remnant of crimson betrayed his grisly repast and even these were taken care of by delicate lashes of his forked tongue." Now please eat and I will show you to your quarters. It goes without saying that you are forbidden from roaming about without me. Don't worry I'll see that you are well taken care of. Being powerful has its luxuries such as being able to entertain a potential adversary with impunity."
Bloodashiya
Shiya moved along the crowd, hand placed under the chin of a young female approximately one of Shiya's age before being turned into a hideous monster...she was not proud of what she was and held no respect of self for the fact, but still like all living things she had to nourish the leech within her, there was no choice but to comply. Fingers clenching the girl's chin violently shifting it upright, a sharp action that would have flesh pierced by those long serrated claws.
A forceful nudge causing neck to tilt, main vein pulsating in hypnotic motion before Shiya's teeth would tear through jugular and chord, ripping chunks out of flesh before fingers would entangle with vocal chords ripping them from the roots like weeds. Facial features shifting flesh bubbling allowing elasticity to encompass the rising bone structure beneath of forehead and chin, both become more elongated and triangular. Plates of bone emerging through flesh- allowing the Wamphyri to fully manifest, eyes glowing like smothered embers within the black void.
Fingers ripping through chest cavity in search for the palpable heart, the seed of life and mechanics...it would now be her fuel. Maws clenching it as if it was a ripe peach before full consumption and then dining on other delectable parts of the young girls body, untouched by the hands of a man, just the way she enjoyed them...pure and untainted from the loins of a lover...she fed rather violently and with a frenzy that most experienced in the early centuries of transformation. After that body would fall limp to the ground another would be taken, appetite hankering for more bloodshed, but Shiya would not appear gluttonous, not when she was merely a guest.
She smelt the fear in his cattle, Shiya loved the sensations preening and creeping over flesh almost orgasmic, a sense of utopia washing over her replenished body, fatigue no longer present only the query still of Xytrinah. Maybe it was the fact of just feasting, but Shiya did detect a faint presence that was not there before, her Dark Mother had entered the world again, but why was she not here...now. Surely Xytrinah would return here soon, she must...she had to.
With a nod of appreciation of the feast, Shiya would once again follow Thibor to her "quarters" and the instructions to follow that she was not to leave them, would he lock her in there as well? More than likely...he seemed the overly possession type of his belongings and treasured items. Shiya would not agree or debate the fact she should just leave and leave Thibor to his own devices, privacy and seclusion. Wondering where Arkadia had vanished of to, it was a query of dedication and reliability that didn't seem to be a strong-point of character; just another thing to dwell and brood upon.
"Thank you once again for your hospitality, but if you prefer, I could always leave?" The question was raised and the vocal expression could be determined in many ways, she still held the Pendragon Ball invitation beneath the safety of armour, it would grant passage should they wish to arrive there, though, Shiya thought it best that perhaps Xytrinah returned on Thibor's ground and not the other way around, after all he had summoned her, pulling tighter on those binding strands demanding of notice and summoning. Something was different, Shiya had always had a bond with Atra, but it seemed to no longer exist...would Xytrinah even remember her? Thibor was a safe bet due to their link and that thus far not destroyed only embraced, but what of her fate? It was an insecurity she did not like...it made her extremely uncomfortable.
Thibor the Cruel
He shrugged and just brushed past her. "I don't care either way. Tomorrow I make the summons. Whether you are here or not to see it is up to you. you came here of your own free will to solicit my aid. I have given it and I have given you sustenance because you invoked her name. You may go of your own free will as well but I will not have you roaming about my Aerie unattended. Many sensitive things are being constructed now and they are at a delicate stage that can tolerate no interference whether deliberate or accidental. If you wish not to have this stricture then you may go if it doesn't bother you then you may stay."
Thibor was in no particular hurry. He had not received an invitation to the celebrations though he was marginally aware of it. After his last visit to he had left rather nonplussed and didn't much care for the place. It was probable that an invitation had been sent but that the messenger never made it there. His new creations were prone to attacking anything that would provide them with some sport during their patrols and if a messenger ,even one with an armed escort, had entered his realm then it was entirely likely that they had not arrived with his invitation.
Thibor continued past her and back up the winding stairs. she could follow or she could remain in the undercity for as long as she pleased it was of no consequence to him. He wanted to check on the progress of the God Machine. The basic frame had begun to come together rather nicely, each of the tiny pieces he had managed to construct in his workshop had fit together seamlessly, the flawlessly inscribed binding runes did their job better than rivets and welds ever could. The crystalline holding chambers were in the process of being constructed now.
These would house the unfortunates who would provide the necessary impetus of life force to sever his consciousness form his flesh. He beckoned one of the orcish overseers over pettishly. The squat, ugly beast waddled forward on it's short ungainly legs. It had obviously suffered some grievous eye injury for now it's eye was replaced by one of Thibor's magichanical creations. A single crystal was tethered into the socket by strands of nerve sheathed in clear layers. This crystal was held in a setting that moved in and out to focus the visions it beheld by means of a series of small gears and pinions.
" Yes My Lord?" The overseer said as he bowed until his long stringy hair scraped the ground." I want to know how the preparations of the host bodies is coming." Ahh the essential peg. It was all fine and good to be disembodied consciousness but there were times when a physical body was all that would do. For these instances Thibor had put his metamorphic vats to a very different task. Instead of creating horrors it created duplicates of his current form, minus the leech and the brain. Thibor's researches had indicated that it was the brain that bound a consciousness to the flesh and without this impedance he could hop in and out of his reserve bodies as he chose. To this end he had crafted a sort of crystalline core that resided in the skulls of his duplicates.
It would give his disembodied consciousness something to inhabit while still allowing him to come and go from the flesh as he pleased. The orc looked up. "We have five waxing in the tanks. the other two tanks are useless ever since that interloper destroyed them. We cannot effect repairs without weakening it to the point that it could collapse on the rooms below." Thibor snarled. He hated when things did not work as they should, but this was only a minor set back. He had hoped to have prepared ten host bodies by now but five would work for his purposes. He did not intend to be frivolous with them right away. "Go about your work. I want this ready within the next few weeks." The orc once again bowed low. "Of course my Lord it will be done." He then turned to the workers beneath him and began to crack his whip." Work faster you lazy whores. Our Lord demands it and it won't be my neck on the block if he is not appeased."
Thibor wandered back to his study. The guards would not allow Shiya to stray too far off the path and he still had calculations to make. This was a risky proposition. It would mean his complete and utter destruction or it would be his first step in his ascendance to divinity. the one thing he lacked were worshipers not of his own design but that would change in due time. Once he was prepared his armies would flood out across the land like a biblical plague. A great Crusade would be launched and all those who would not submit would be cleansed. Thibor did not require observance from any of those he would have worship him but he did require obedience. It was then that he became aware. He would not have if his mind had not touched upon areas of the Equation intrinsically linked to his own essence and it was there that he felt the stirrings of that tether that bound him and Xytrinah together.
"Xytrinah?!" She was here, in this world. Finding her would be simple. All it required was a momentary lapse of conscious though and the searching out of feelings that cascaded along the thread that bound them. His eyes closed only to shoot open again moments later." She would have to be there." He said with a snarl. He despised that place but if she was there he would follow. The business must be pressing for he could fathom no other reason that she would not come to him immediately upon her return.
He allowed his mental tendrils to search out Shiya. It wasn't difficult, she was the only other source of that peculiar mental mist in the entire Aerie. He chose his favorite method of mental communication, pinging his thoughts off the outer surface of her mind." It appears that your errand was in vain. Xytrinah has returned to this world of her own volition though I cannot fathom why she would choose that wretched place to make her entry into this world. I believe that petty little king swore death upon me should I ever return. Well this should be amusing at the very least. I prepare to leave within the hour. If you like you may come with me. I'm sure my means of transportation is much more expedient than your own."
Bloodashiya
Shiya stayed in the confinements of her room, she was not overly the social little beast and preferred to remain in the darkness of her own space, unless it was a matter of military or political issues which were required of her to attend. Slipping hand past armour to retrieve that splattered invitation, eyes examining it for no apparent reason other than slight boredom; it had only served the purpose in which to kill- but all in itself worthless. There was little else to do other than pace to and fro in feral madness until his words tapped upon the threshold barriers of her mind in an almost annoying intrusion, one that caused her lips to curl into a snarl. Shiya has always been the snappy one; after all it was her nature to be so. Extending own thoughts in retort, there was no point in relaying speeches?
"Maybe not in vain entirely, and what is this place you speak of? You speak of it in a manner which I can only detect as pure malevolence, perhaps this shall be an event not to miss. I will travel with you, tell me where it is you wish for me to meet you and I shall be there, or if you would rather escort me, then that is fine as well." It would be left in his hands, all Shiya could do now was wait.
Thibor the Cruel
He allowed the mental congress to continue as he stood and began to walk towards her quarters. He would settle for nothing less than escorting her there himself. "Now she is somewhere else entirely but I don't think it is terribly far form that wretched place and certainly still within that silly little monarch's holdings. Sometimes I think she does things like this simply to aggravate me into showing interest." He had arrived at the door to her quarters and with a few deft manipulations of the intricate scrollwork that adorned the doors the click of bolts disengaging sounded out and he pushed the door open. "Come along then. This ought to be interesting." He turned and began to walk towards the launching bays. He had no intention of riding a warrior there this time. He remembered what that arrogant little popinjay had said the last time he had done such a thing. No this time he would come alone but not without assurance of reinforcements should he need them.
As they came to the bays the beast handler approached." Will you be needing your favorite flyer my Lord?" The orc asked as he bowed. Thibor shook his head." No tonight we walk. In half an hour open the warrior pens and clear the bays to allow them to launch. They will follow me." Yes Thibor remembered the threat of dragon fire on his warrior the last time. Even now they could be seen. Pulsating green crystals bulged from their back. Where there had been chiton before there was now thick ridged metal plates, specifically designed to vent heat away from the sensitive gas bladders that provided upward lift. Thrust however was provided by the powerful crystal orbs arrayed around the beast.
By drawing energy directly form the power source via the taps in it's flesh the beast could produce gravitic distortions in order to propel itself along. These same distortions were also tapped to provide ranged weaponry to the once strictly melee creatures. Thibor had long since discovered that a gravity field applied to a city wall was as effective as any catapult and when applied to large formations of troops it could be devastating. These barrages were released from metallic tubes placed upon knots of muscle surrounding orbs buried in the flesh of the beast. The creature, with it's many eyes, could use the muscle to aim at a target through three hundred and sixty degrees of motion.
By drawing energy directly form the power source via the taps in it's flesh the beast could produce gravitic distortions in order to propel itself along. These same distortions were also tapped to provide ranged weaponry to the once strictly melee creatures. Thibor had long since discovered that a gravity field applied to a city wall was as effective as any catapult and when applied to large formations of troops it could be devastating. These barrages were released from metallic tubes placed upon knots of muscle surrounding orbs buried in the flesh of the beast. The creature, with it's many eyes, could use the muscle to aim at a target through three hundred and sixty degrees of motion.
" Impressive aren't they?" He said as he looked to Shiya." I've taken the perfect killing machine and made it better. This is a god on the battlefield where the insects of this realm are concerned. Even the little king's dragons cannot match the power of my creations. Mokik Anku" This last, seemingly nonsensical , phrase had the effect of drawing his gauntlet screeching form the ether to fade into being around his hand. Now we are ready to go. Silent force of will activated the null space orb as it hovered above his shoulder, generated by the ring he wore upon his ungauntleted hand. This was Thibor capraisoned for war.
The Equation unfurled within his mind as his symbiote unstrung the delicate writ of his DNA to release the ultimate expression of his power onto fragile reality once again. Without warning he gripped Shiya's wrist and said nothing as he pulled her towards the edge of the launch bay. Below them was a precipitous drop that was festooned with dagger like shards of stone below. He began to isolate the variables of spatial relationship and he focused his force of will upon them, demanding that they change.
His arcane might was the iron fist within the velvet glove of his technique as he forced that metaphysical wellspring to gush forth, altering the very fabric of space itself. Then he stepped out into nothingness and he took Shiya along with them. There was a sickening feeling of displacement as they too were distorted and distended by the strange curvature of space he had created. Every step they took equaled a thousand and every time it seemed as if they would fall to their deaths they ended up just slightly higher. A rising and falling of conjoined spatial warps carried them through the air, winking from existence at one point only to reappear some distance further along and plummeting again.
They would flash in and out of normal space time this way all the way to her and their long awaited reunion. Thirty minutes into their journey Thibor flung a mental dart at the squadron of warriors and soon fourteen unnatural monstrosities made even more so by the strange magichanical grafts were streaking across the sky, following after their Lord.
His arcane might was the iron fist within the velvet glove of his technique as he forced that metaphysical wellspring to gush forth, altering the very fabric of space itself. Then he stepped out into nothingness and he took Shiya along with them. There was a sickening feeling of displacement as they too were distorted and distended by the strange curvature of space he had created. Every step they took equaled a thousand and every time it seemed as if they would fall to their deaths they ended up just slightly higher. A rising and falling of conjoined spatial warps carried them through the air, winking from existence at one point only to reappear some distance further along and plummeting again.
They would flash in and out of normal space time this way all the way to her and their long awaited reunion. Thirty minutes into their journey Thibor flung a mental dart at the squadron of warriors and soon fourteen unnatural monstrosities made even more so by the strange magichanical grafts were streaking across the sky, following after their Lord.
Bloodashiya
Everything within the aerie was indeed something to marvel upon, typical that Xytrinah would find one so sufficient and strong whom was not one who clung onto her like a lost frightened puppy- it was no surprise that soon enough the time had come for them to leave, meeting her at the chamber doors, nothing would be said, the silence of the matter seemed more appropriate. Following him along the busy halls as his minions or slaves prepared his leaving.
Something stirred within her stomach, it was an uneasy feeling generated by something in her blood and the bond that she too had with her monarch surely he sensed something like feral madness seeping through every pore? Would she be so foolish to actually speak of it, or just allow it to slide, and leave it to own visual adeptness to decipher? There was nothing else to do but follow and comply with his wishes and nod in appreciation of such splendid work and creativity, he seemed to be a creature who took great pride in his work.
Shiya would lavish a verbal compliment, after all she had never seen anything quite like this and the words seemed to flow so perfectly. "Impressive to say the least, in all my years I have never rested my eyes upon such. It is glad that some of those like us still are beholden to ways to marvel and not false vanity" Standing their admiring, being sure to keep out of his way and those who served him. Waiting for herself and Thibor to leave or stand their in awe of his dark creations.
Thibor the Cruel
Again he felt her move and this time he had had enough. He halted his movement DNA hung there in mid air, fuming as he defied the laws of gravity." Damn her!" he swore as he turned on his heel."You will have to wait or seek her on your own. I will not be reduced to chasing her around the realms like some foolish dog chasing about after it's master." He strode back the leagues towards his home and soon caught up with the flight of warriors that came winging after him. A mental dart and a goad applied judiciously and the unwieldy things had turned about and headed back towards the Aerie. As his feet touched solid ground once more he huffed.
" Go seek her on your own. If she wishes to come to me then she will come to me but I will not chase her. She clearly has an agenda all her own at this point in time and I have plans that I must see to fruition. I've wasted too much time on this hunt and I will not waste more."
And so Thibor left Shiya standing there in the launching bay as he wandered through the labirynthine corridors towards his workshop. There were still pieces to be crafted and parts to be set into place if his machine was going to be ready by the deadline he had imposed. He would not tolerate failure from his workforce or from himself. He settled himself down upon his stool and began the laborious process of engraving the joining runes upon the piece of superstructure he had been working on when Shiya had arrived.
Bloodashiya
Such a turn of events indeed, one that made her feel quite foolish in all hindsight of the matter- but she spoke telling her that to seek Xytrinah she must do it alone, and when looking upon everything in full view it was best she took her leaving now. Leaving her standing their in the dock, eyes looking around to seek the closest possibly means of exit, Shiya would simply bow- leaving his at least with respect in regards to his hospitality.
Shiya would simply leave without a single word, she was in no position to take Thibor one in his own Aerie even if his words spat upon her with his own disgust for the situation, but then who was she to question? Eventually Shiya would find her way through the labyrinth corridors and find herself back where she had once entered- eyeing the Orcs in a manner that she was not to be interjected or stopped. She would leave his Aerie and not bother him again.
Now she would accomplish what herself had sought and place an end to the frustrations of the situation as well as the newly occurring events which gave her more information than originally planned.
Now she would accomplish what herself had sought and place an end to the frustrations of the situation as well as the newly occurring events which gave her more information than originally planned.
Thibor the Cruel
Thibor didn't care what Shiya may have thought of him. He was no one's lap dog and he would not chase after Xytrinah as if he was. Before she would get beyond the gates an orc would hand her a piece of parchment. It was a scrap of some invention he had designed and still bore the marks of it. The most important mark was a single word, Northeast. That was the last direction he had sensed Xytrinah's presence in. As she left he returned to his work and soon a steady stream of workers was moving in and out of his small workshop, each one bearing a new section of the massive God Machine that would help him to finally realize his goals.
Most of the work had been completed. the various interlocking rings were in place and the bulged from the side of the mountain like the frame of a fallen moon. The joining runes and conductive equations burned with a cold white light that was the only light source in the artificial night imposed by the clouds of cinder and ash that constantly erupted from the multiple stacks and vents that wormed their way from the mountain's core.
The real work was in assembling the crystalline holding chambers that would contain the base stock needed to supercharge his metaphysical essence. Each of the chambers was just large enough for five people with over a thousand of them being assembled throughout the lower floors that supported the massive superstructure. Each individual piece of crystal had to be inscribed with the proper binding and joining runes and then each one had to be placed in a very specific place so that their shape was as important a focus for energy as the runes that were etched into their surface.
The real work was in assembling the crystalline holding chambers that would contain the base stock needed to supercharge his metaphysical essence. Each of the chambers was just large enough for five people with over a thousand of them being assembled throughout the lower floors that supported the massive superstructure. Each individual piece of crystal had to be inscribed with the proper binding and joining runes and then each one had to be placed in a very specific place so that their shape was as important a focus for energy as the runes that were etched into their surface.
The entire machine was really simplicity itself. It worked rather like a water pump. It drew energy in from the Power source and used it to burn away the flesh of his subjects and then supercharge the remaining soul, more or less adding "pressure" to the metaphysical essence. This essence in turn was fed to the Throne, the central point in the massive machine, where it would be fed into Thibor until his metaphysical essence had built up enough "pressure" to burst free of his flesh.
It would then be up to his powerful mind and the arcane habits he had formed to focus his energy to retain his new form. Once all was set he would undertake his Crusade, or not. He would finally be free of the limitations of his flesh. Perhaps he would set out to discover the final few secrets of the multiverse. Perhaps he would meet the gods and slaughter them all like lambs. There would be a new world of possibilities open for him.
It would then be up to his powerful mind and the arcane habits he had formed to focus his energy to retain his new form. Once all was set he would undertake his Crusade, or not. He would finally be free of the limitations of his flesh. Perhaps he would set out to discover the final few secrets of the multiverse. Perhaps he would meet the gods and slaughter them all like lambs. There would be a new world of possibilities open for him.
By the end of the week most of the major construction had been done. The only thing left to do was install the hundreds of individual taps throughout the super structure that would draw on the Power source to supply this massive machine with the energy it would require to take flesh, even the highly evolved flesh of the Wamphyri, and make that flesh obsolete in favor of a divine form that was incorruptible. Thibor supervised this last and critical stage himself. He and he alone knew which taps were to be positioned were. Each tap was not identical. While this slight variance wasn't enough to bother the average magichanical device, which only required one, maybe two taps at the most to power it, a device of this scale had to receive even power distribution throughout the whole. This required precise placement of the taps according to output variance, throughout the super structure and the interior.
A labor force of orcs and humans scaled the towering behemoth of the God Machine as they inserted glistening diamond power taps into specially crafted slots throughout the rig. Thibor directed their efforts from the ground. Each tap had been given a name and each name was associated with one specific place on the machine. It was all written down in Thibor's meticulously designed plans. If nothing else Thibor was an engineer who was light years ahead of his time. That was one thing that would insure his immortality even if this experiment failed and he consigned himself to oblivion. His great works and thoughts would live on.
Of course his magic would die with him. He stored the series of tomes in which the Equation was physically written down in a pocket dimension that constantly shifted location the roughout the multiverse according to a random schedule. It was an artificial place designed by him to last into perpetuity even after he was gone. If he ever died the secret of the roving library and the word that would grant access to it would be forever lost.
Of course his magic would die with him. He stored the series of tomes in which the Equation was physically written down in a pocket dimension that constantly shifted location the roughout the multiverse according to a random schedule. It was an artificial place designed by him to last into perpetuity even after he was gone. If he ever died the secret of the roving library and the word that would grant access to it would be forever lost.
He was still annoyed that Atra had not shown up. Of course what started as an annoyance could easily escalate within the Wamphyri emotional core. No doubt she knew this and she did it on purpose just to see him aggravated. He was swiftly becoming disillusioned with this emotion called love and a resolve was beginning to form within him to rid himself of such an unnecessary entanglement once he put himself beyond the plebian bonds of the flesh. He had wanted her to witness his triumph but now he would rather just proceed regardless of her presence. If his calculations were correct then this would be an event that no one would be able to miss. The resulting energy backlash that was integral to the process would light up the sky of half the world in an auroral display and a pillar of light would be visible for hundreds of miles, rising from his mountain home.
Thibor had no idea what his new existence would be like. He had many theories on what it would be like to exist as pure arcane energy and unbound consciousness but they were only theories. The reality would be so much more interesting. He wondered if his perception would differ and to what degree. He wondered if the limitations of travel and existence could be circumvented. Hopefully his research into he realm of magic could go deeper than he had ever imagined and he would unlock those final few secrets, those last few penultimate variables that would make him a god.
Xytrinah
A slight shimmer in the atmosphere, allowing her energies to bleed forth creating a continuance that would allow the pace of reality and time to split, from the location of where she rested, that svelte form would simply melt from its place of slumber. Despite her appearance of black lace draping over her form, ravenesque cascades flowing over shoulders and diminutive frame- again giving her that monochromatic beauty though simply appearing like some regal ornament to stun the heart. It was simply a complacent image of tranquillity, one of leisure which forbid anyone to deny her that privilege, though time and presidency had been everything. She was here at the earliest time available to her. Regardless of instances and fancies of her own passions and desire, placing even that aside she was there. Merging from behind where Thibor so busily toiled away at his masterpiece; something Xytrinah's eyes would not fathom in an instance, and though slightly glancing upon the monstrous creation, black eyes would return up Thibor.
A single step from the ethereal shades of shadow and soft illuminations, within his Aerie once again. There was little to say to allow the situation to seem like a social affair full of roses and music, she knew how to address Thibor without the frills of glamour and prestige; such fanciful things meant nothing to his, and possibly meant nothing to her when the truth really came to surface from the murky waters of self-realization. A voice, silent in cadence and reproach, sirenous in timbre and resolve- almost dreamy in an opiate phase of slumber; such a tainted lullaby pluming, changing in pitch and salacious accentuations, but barely a flung whisper. "Excuse my impertinence, but I could not attend to you sooner due to issues I could not place on hold- we all have our intricate webs to weave and our games to play after all, passion before business, or so they say."
A slight smile would manifest, whether he turned to see it or not, she was here to witness his marvellous creation, its purpose or reason not of her comprehension by first hindsight. Perhaps he would send her away, that would be his choice, his decision to sever those ties. With a soft sigh, the question would usher from those blood-stained lips? "Yet another creation to marvel over, what is the inspiration behind your latest creation, Thibor? Your mechanics astound me, never a disappointment to utter from thy lips. Though from what my eyes perceive, this time you have surely outdone yourself above any other creation crafted by your hands." Words would simply trail off. Leaving her to simply move to his right side, such a voodoo-haunted sway only to once again halt more directive to his attention, not aiming to intrude or take his mind from the work at hand. Complacent, well poised- simply remaining there until his words retorted. Perceptions kept upon the events around her, eyes glancing at the essence of movement, those slaving over his creation- it was quite the sight to behold, one she would be honoured in witnessing.
Thibor the Cruel
" Ahh so I am business now am I?" he remarked, raising a brow and passing the plans along to one of his most trusted siege engineers. " And no this is only my second greatest work. Your box was my first and proudest achievement. It may not be as grand as this in design or scope but the intricoes of the enchantments layered into the creation of that box far out strip the simple processes inherent to this device. The materials alone make your box a work of art that this thing cannot hope to live up to. It is utilitarian in design. It will only be used once. After that the energy involved will likely incinerate it or convert the solid material into energy outright." The whole time he spoke he gestured towards his machine. He was being honest but humble at the same time. Whatever the God Machine lacked in craftsmanship it more than made up for in the scope and grandeur of it's purpose.
Knowing amber eyes turned towards Xytrinah. She was at once the thorn in his side and the reason he worked so hard. He could never pursue her properly until he had achieved his life long ambition. "This is the next step my dearest. I wish to shed this fragile and temporary shell." He gestured at his flawless form but his face held a look of disgust, as if even the Adonis perfection of his physical being were somehow repulsive to him. Even the once touted physiology that was unique to the Wamphyri was now nothing more than a baby step up the cosmic food chain. " So weak and flawed. It has it's uses but not in it's current form. I am too attached to it. It is merely a form of bondage designed to keep me here on this plane of awareness and I will suffer it no more. Bondage is for slaves and prisoners and I am neither." His eyes burned with the zeal of a fanatic." I will set out on my Crusade then and I will become a god. With my new Awareness I could become The God."
He in explicably and suddenly calmed and turned back to the machine." It will be ready in three days. I hope you will remain here as my guest and witness my triumph in person. I only rush the inevitable because it will leave me time for you. I cannot pursue you without first attaining the power I desire. I will reach out and acquire worshipers in planes and realms far from here. Then ,when I have gained all I seek, I will claim you and you will rule not as an Empress, as I once had the petty ambition to make you , but as a Goddess." He turned to her and smiled.
"I have had quarters kept clean and ready for you since you left. I knew that you must inevitably come back here. You will have every convenience you could hope for. You need only ask. One word of caution to you. I seem to have overstepped myself in some small regard. The Power Source has developed an instability and has now rendered all of the habitable sectiones of the Aerie a null zone for any magical workings. Only my small workshop has remained un affected. The only things that seem to operate are those that are powered directly by the Power Source. I have put an Honor guard at your disposal. they will answer only to you and I."
"I have had quarters kept clean and ready for you since you left. I knew that you must inevitably come back here. You will have every convenience you could hope for. You need only ask. One word of caution to you. I seem to have overstepped myself in some small regard. The Power Source has developed an instability and has now rendered all of the habitable sectiones of the Aerie a null zone for any magical workings. Only my small workshop has remained un affected. The only things that seem to operate are those that are powered directly by the Power Source. I have put an Honor guard at your disposal. they will answer only to you and I."
As he mentioned her honor guard there came a clicking and whirring sound from the adjoining corridors. Strange amalgamations of man and machinery came lurching forth amidst a whirring of gears and a venting of what looked like steam. They were heavily armored brutes with one hand removed in favor of a pronged , trident like weapon that bristled with actinic purple sparks of energy. They flawlessly marched in unison and took up a protective formation around Xytrinah. " They will show you to your quarters. I will join you as soon as my work permits." He then turned just in time to catch a worker clumsily handling one of the taps. He bristled with rage." Just because it is made from diamond doesn't mean you can handle it like an ape juggling fruit. If even one of you so much as tilts one of those taps to the side in a way I find unworkmanlike I will personally load you into the crystalline tanks and use your miserable essence to power my transformation."
Xytrinah
A soft chortle escaped through her lips as he retorted in question of her reference towards, business and pleasure. After all the two could possibly word so interestingly together in the right circumstances. Her eyes did not leave him for quite sometime before examining the fine machinery- every intricate detail imbibed by her eyes, admiration and interest well evident in that close examination. Xytrinah simply listened, words seemed inappropriate other than to hear and comprehend in order she too may learn something from all of this? something of herself.
The memory loss game had its purpose, but it is obvious no such games were being insulted upon his form. Even though he seemed to hold some form of disgust being transfixed to the material simply by body, when their was untold resources out there simply waiting to be claimed by one worthy enough to take it. There was no need to even consider if she would remain, his hopes would be granted. After all had she not kept him waiting for her presence long enough, she at least owed him those three days; and obtain the honor to see his work come into fruition. It was a dark triumph she would not miss for the world- his productivity was astounding, eyes darted around the room watching those slaving away to his desires; it was quite the intoxicating event to behold. Again salacious words resounded, just as slow in timber and pitch, only for his ears to hear.
The memory loss game had its purpose, but it is obvious no such games were being insulted upon his form. Even though he seemed to hold some form of disgust being transfixed to the material simply by body, when their was untold resources out there simply waiting to be claimed by one worthy enough to take it. There was no need to even consider if she would remain, his hopes would be granted. After all had she not kept him waiting for her presence long enough, she at least owed him those three days; and obtain the honor to see his work come into fruition. It was a dark triumph she would not miss for the world- his productivity was astounding, eyes darted around the room watching those slaving away to his desires; it was quite the intoxicating event to behold. Again salacious words resounded, just as slow in timber and pitch, only for his ears to hear.
"Of course I will remain here for the three days in which you shall achieve your works desire- it is a passion I would not deprive myself of regardless of worldly affairs and demands. I am sure I can promote myself that privilege of placing thyself in your company once again, time has come to pass, many changes unseen; it would be my honor to watch your transformation into far wondrous than the eyes can perceive. Something's are not meant to be bound to chains, something's are not meant to be fully understood for the mystery is far more intoxicating. In regards to business, hmmm I would like to think that we share both business and pleasure, to some extent- after all I am loyal to you in ways that count the most. I have no need of betraying you for what could I possibly gain from allowing myself such wistful aims. I too am ambitious, just like you though mine may not be as... extreme, as yet."
With a simply nod, she would again move from his side, though counter-acting his frontal position with her own, coming to meet him face to face. "I respect your boundaries, I always have, and such magical chains are placed upon me, then so be it. I is but a small price, a slight sacrifice in my regard. Your hospitality accompanies your finesse, and I would very much like to retire and left to my own devices for a short time, I have much thinking to do in thy own mind in regards to thy own plans concerning events and occurrence. The item you gave me, in the purpose of war has been fed with the souls of those slain by thy own hand. Right now I hold the essence of thy latest fatality- though I would like him to suffer a moment longer in oblivion; perhaps the darkness will quite befitting of his?loyalties. Do accompany me, when you are able, I feel there is much left to discuss between you and I. May your task be accomplished swiftly Thibor."
With that Xytrinah would grant him the final act of obeisance before allowing the guards to accompany out and towards her quarters without so much as a question asked. Long leisured sauntered pace allowing hips to sway in a hypnotic pendulum motion, long raven strands of hair sweeping across bare exposed back allowing the perfect bone structure of shoulder blades to emanate. The front of night attire nothing but layers of fine gossamer lace, triangular exposure allowing perfect cleavage line to flash every couple of paces due to momentum-. Daped in the lavish darkness. Alabaster tones of supple flesh shining through the fabric in variations of light decorating the long halls until finally arriving at the chambers the escort was advised to take her- standing at either side of the door, she would simply step in, allowing the door to be closed... solitude in its finest perfections.
With that Xytrinah would grant him the final act of obeisance before allowing the guards to accompany out and towards her quarters without so much as a question asked. Long leisured sauntered pace allowing hips to sway in a hypnotic pendulum motion, long raven strands of hair sweeping across bare exposed back allowing the perfect bone structure of shoulder blades to emanate. The front of night attire nothing but layers of fine gossamer lace, triangular exposure allowing perfect cleavage line to flash every couple of paces due to momentum-. Daped in the lavish darkness. Alabaster tones of supple flesh shining through the fabric in variations of light decorating the long halls until finally arriving at the chambers the escort was advised to take her- standing at either side of the door, she would simply step in, allowing the door to be closed... solitude in its finest perfections.
Thibor the Cruel
He chuckled." You misunderstand. I have not placed any magical limitations on you. Not even I can work magic in my Aerie without extreme concentration and that is only because I know how the Power Source works. I would not limit you my dear nor do I seek to imprison you however there are some changes in you which are familiar and make you somewhat less trustworthy than you once were. I can smell them, feel them too. It is not that I mistrust you Xytrinah. I mistrust what is in you because I know the nature of the beast. You honor guard is as much a courtesy to you as it is a precaution on my part. Please feel free to enjoy all I have to offer. Your diet no doubt has changed. You have access to the undercity if you wish to select a meal." That was all he had time to say. The honor guard snapped to and began to escort her away.
Thibor in the meantime went back to supervising the placement of the taps. Several remained that needed to be placed and then the crystalline chambers must be filled. The entire process would take the next day and a half and then another day and a half to properly grade and place the necessary human lives that would be used to supercharge his own essence. At the end of the third day he would take his place amidst the gargantuan construction and ascend to his rightful place as a god, or the nearest thing to divinity that he could obtain at this point. Once he was free of his flesh he could rest a little easier knowing that even if she should succumb to what he suspected was burgeoning inside her even now he would be impervious to whatever harm she could do him, at least he hoped so. There was something strange about this new Xytrinah but he didn't have the time to explore the Equation to find his answer.
Xytrinah
In the solitary confinements, Xyrtinah was quite content inbeing alone; moving through the mitigated shadows of the chambers, allowing her essence to be soothed and caressed by the sinister energies which stirred within this particular Aerie. Simply allowing herself to find comfort on the silken pillows which lined the floor granting that total effect of relaxation or time to reflect upon the outer world, notions or ideals- perhaps even the thoughts of war and turmoil would find no place upon the moment. Allowing those lengthy tresses to sweep across the silky smoothness of black satin, body slithering over the pillows in a predatory seductive crawl before allowing her to turn and lay upon the soft cushions- eyes staring up at the ceiling.
Glistening, midnight eyes looking beyond the normal scope of sight, floating upon the very prime evil only to merge with the dark energies and essences of the Dimmu; a salacious sigh escaped twixt sweet crimson lips in a sirenous cacophony- long slender limbs rising to place feet upon the surface and knees arching to point towards the firmament, exposing milky supple flesh of legs and mid thigh before back would slightly arch to partake in a long stretch. Arms ascending just above her head, fingers twirling into the ravenesque mass of delectably perfumed hair with the scent of Black Orchids and Rose, allowing the incense of such aromas to gently infiltrate into the atmosphere, angelic wafts of heaven scent?
Glistening, midnight eyes looking beyond the normal scope of sight, floating upon the very prime evil only to merge with the dark energies and essences of the Dimmu; a salacious sigh escaped twixt sweet crimson lips in a sirenous cacophony- long slender limbs rising to place feet upon the surface and knees arching to point towards the firmament, exposing milky supple flesh of legs and mid thigh before back would slightly arch to partake in a long stretch. Arms ascending just above her head, fingers twirling into the ravenesque mass of delectably perfumed hair with the scent of Black Orchids and Rose, allowing the incense of such aromas to gently infiltrate into the atmosphere, angelic wafts of heaven scent?
This was the perfect chance to allow her mind to clear through the build up of unnecessary taints and procedures, the instances of preteens and masquerade would simply trickle from her mind allowing a sense of dark tranquillity, should such a thing exist, regardless for the time being Xytrinah would simply lay there and welcome the darkness, listen to the bustle outside those chamber doors. Allowing the passing moments to simply evaporate, hours ticking by before those eyes of midnight would close slowly- allowing her energies to return to the Prime Evil, the void in which they were birthed by the resurrection of the Nameless One; the tribulation unleashed about her svelte form. Leaving... though not completely gone, through the gateways of dream and nightmare, filtering through the catacombs of ether and the astral, refurbishing those energies before allowing them to recoil back within the husk of perfection.
In that silken slumber her body would slightly twist, accentuating the slender line of her silhouette. Even though in this languid state, perceptions were still aware of surroundings- here she would remain until he sought her.
In that silken slumber her body would slightly twist, accentuating the slender line of her silhouette. Even though in this languid state, perceptions were still aware of surroundings- here she would remain until he sought her.
Thibor the Cruel
Endless hours cascaded along the time line as the days blurred and Thibor worked without ceasing and without allowing his workers to cease either. He stood there proud and terrible as the last of the taps was positioned and he personally supervised the loading of the crystalline chambers deep beneath the God machine. It was in the middle of the third day that he finally sought her out. He wasn't even trying to make an impression anymore. He wore the same robes that he had met her in, simple black leather. Even his proud carriage was diminished by fatigue and by the knowledge that something better awaited. Gone was the graceful flowing gait and the predatory gleam in his eye. Instead he looked almost child like in his zeal for the inevitable ascension by his own hands.
He pushed the gilded doors of the chamber aside as he strode in. Gone was his usual air of enlightened arrogance. Instead he was eager, almost overjoyed. " It is time. I ascend by my own hands not through the paltry machinations of fate nor through some outdated philosophy of community or brotherhood. I carve my own destiny now and I would have you by my side to witness the transformation." This was truly a momentous event. Most of the gods in existence were either created by another god or some happenstance of cosmic causality or they were mortals who came upon some transitive force that changed them. To his knowledge he was the first to willfully make the transformation of his own accord and by his own means. No sweet ambrosia offered by ancient divinity would mold his new form. Instead his own power and ambition would make him what he had always desired.
He smiled." Follow me. Come and witness the most momentous event in the history of the multiverse. This world should be honored to be the staging point for my eventual dominance of the multiverse." He turned and lead her upwards through the now collapsed part of the Aerie, their steps carrying them alongside the massive construction of the God Machine. The terrible apparatus pulsed with arcane power, the individual runes that made up the 'circuits' of the machine arched and spat sparks of brilliant white energy. At last they came to a gantry that lead to a small platform that hovered in the center of the eight nested rings that made up the most visible part of the machine. " I'm not sure how energetic the reaction will be. You may want to observe from the safety of the throne room."
Xytrinah
His voice has indeed stirred her from the passionate union with the prime darkness itself, lips twitching slightly as the realization of self brought her back to such a dreary transformation of her own self. Eventually dark-liquored eyes unravelling from behind the filmy lids and long luscious lashes- it seemed their was little time to speak or do anything of the contrary to his wishes since even after he had spoken it seemed he was already walking out of the room; slowly standing, allowing essence to shift back into the svelte form she had come to know as her material and physical embodiment, she would simply follow- not one for such zealous meetings and passing as this.
But silence would remain on her lips, if it had been anyone but Thibor she wouldn't have been so willing to comply, but she was no puppy following its maters beck and call- should the assumption be made, she was there by his request. Of course she found the machine interesting and a masterpiece in its own right but the understanding of why such extremes were required in his own satisfaction for power- such methods used when surely he could take most of what he wanted without the status of a 'God' or 'Deity'; Xytrinah did not understand why the ultimate power would be taken without obtaining it by the means he currently had available. But, who was she to question his motives, he wanted her to be the witness of these chain of events, and so she shall, without query or question, if he felt it was required, surely Thibor knew what was best for Thibor and damn all the rest to hell as proverbial insects.
Xytrinah simply stood there, studying the machine in close scrutiny, the only words that could possibly flow at this point, "You asked me to be here Thibor, think not of my welfare or safety, it is simply not an issue despite the resonating energy or fallout this machine or instrument of your fate may produce, it is not a factor to consider in my own fortitude; to find safety in the throne room? No I will not hear of it nor consider it. You wanted me at your side, and thus here I am, not as a spectator to some monolithic event but because it suits me to remain. Should anything eventuate from it, and then surely it was written to be so, come what may- I will remain, here."
With that said her chin would rise in that stately manner of arrogance and grandeur, she had no intention of going anywhere and would view this spectacle at the greatest of advantages and position, right where she stood.
Thibor the Cruel
He reached out and cupped her chin in his hand as she lifted it with that arrogance, that had always been there but seemed accentuated now. " As you like. I will not argue with you." He knew why he must do this. He had seen the time lines and they all pointed to the eventual decay of his flesh. Wamphyri flesh, though extremely resilient, still had it's flaws. Sunlight, Silver, fire and Leprosy were all enemies of his unique physiology and any one of them could be a fatal one in the right circumstances. Mortality was the prison that kept all things bound to their place. The fear of risking life itself was what kept great men from being gods. Thibor would not settle for being a feared sorcerer or a powerful warlord or even ruler of this entire realm. His ambitions extended beyond the temporary power of a king or dictator. Had not this land already seen one king fall? Thibor had not witnessed it himself but he had heard of it through his various sources.
With a final look at her he turned and began to slow procession out to the lone floating platform amidst the monstrosity of crystal and metal that he had built. He paused only to pluck the last power tap, his own personal power tap, from a nearby dias. He would create the final circuit in the God Machine. As he moved forwards the runes along the surfaces of the rings began to glow more brilliantly. The gantry fell away in a graceful cascade as he took his place upon the platform. His eyes turned towards the heavens, the proverbial home of the gods. " I come for you to conquer your world." He whispered. There was a groan and a shudder of metal as the rings began to move slowly but surely. A gentle rotation was beginning both amongst the nested rings themselves and amongst the runes that made up their circuits. The nested rings spun in seemingly opposing directions, creating a gyroscopic effect that centered the specific gravity right on Thibor, thus insuring that he would be the recipient of all the energy the machine would take. All around his realm his armies and devices began to shut down as the Power Source itself strained under the growing needs of the God Machine.
As the gyroscopic rotation increased so too did the movement of the runes in their individual rings. the metal itself did not move so much as the runes themselves, rolling in a gentle rotation until at last they would meet their twin carved upon the outer ring at which point they would cease their wandering and anchor in place. An arch of actinic red energy lanced forth from the complete circuit, arching over the spinning orb created by the disparate rings. One circuit at a time the machine began to come to full power and far below the first groans of agonizing anticipation could be heard from the wretches far below. The energy of one hundred and forty four thousand planar boundaries colliding on a microscopic scale would incinerate their bodies and release their essence to power his transformation and make him a god.
Runic circuits opened one by one, each one creating a new arch that danced across the blurred sphere of the now rapidly moving rings. As the number of circuits increased the sphere began to be less indistinct and instead was traced in white light from the powered circuits and the soft fuzzy glow of the arching red energy that danced across it's super structure. the disturbance began to effect the environment and the clouds of ash above began a slow rotation as archs of lightning leapt from cloud to cloud and cloud to ground. The entire magnetosphere was alive with cast off energy. Half the world would see the auroral display light up their night sky and wonder at what portent this was. In the immediate area of Dracostack the lightning strikes began to increase in frequency and severity as the strange red lightning gouged and coaxed irregular shapes from the earth, wrought in ashen glass as a permanent reminder of the deeds of this night.
Inside the sphere Thibor could do nothing but feel the rapid influx of energy as his very essence was supercharged by the power of the planes. Each individual circuit that opened fed more and more of the power he so craved into his being, charging him and giving him the necessary impetus to break free of the prison of his flesh. As the final circuit opened the crystalline chambers below the machine began to buzz with life and light as one hundred and forty four thousand planar boundaries began to collide in each of the one thousand chambers. The five wretches within each chamber could do nothing but scream in agony as searing white sparks of multiversal energy rained down upon them, converting the flesh to energy and releasing the very essence of their being. This essence rose along copper conduits to the superstructure of the machine where it joined in the arching energy that had now begun to dance between Thibor and the power tap he held and the rest of the machine.
The artificial night of his home was driven away as his very flesh began to glow. A roar of triumph burst forth from his lips as he felt his metaphysical and arcane essence begin to feel light in an existential sense. He felt as if he no longer needed to be weighted down by this prison of bone and sinew. The red light began to grow within the sphere, expanding outwards as the mountain itself shook amidst the fury of birth that it's unnatural womb was undertaking.
A crimson pillar of light shot up into the heavens as Thibor's power tap exploded with such force that glistening diamond shards sliced through his fragile flesh, injuring him gravely enough that even his symbiote was paused by it, or perhaps that strange leech was just as taken aback by this sensation as he was. All around the massive machine power taps began to explode as diamond slivers sliced through the resilient metal and the groans and complaints of the machine began to cut through the roaring of energetic reaction. The globe of light grew larger as he last of the souls beneath were ripped from their flesh and force fed into the contraption. The blistering orb burned away rock from the side of the mountain where it made contact and it moved even to the point where it was no more than three feet from Xytrinah.
A crimson pillar of light shot up into the heavens as Thibor's power tap exploded with such force that glistening diamond shards sliced through his fragile flesh, injuring him gravely enough that even his symbiote was paused by it, or perhaps that strange leech was just as taken aback by this sensation as he was. All around the massive machine power taps began to explode as diamond slivers sliced through the resilient metal and the groans and complaints of the machine began to cut through the roaring of energetic reaction. The globe of light grew larger as he last of the souls beneath were ripped from their flesh and force fed into the contraption. The blistering orb burned away rock from the side of the mountain where it made contact and it moved even to the point where it was no more than three feet from Xytrinah.
Then as suddenly and violently as it all began so too did it all end. The globe collapsed upon itself, imploding into Thibor as the beam of light fell back into itself from space. The machine ground to a halt with a shudder of gears and stayed for a time complaining and popping as bits of it expanded and contracted form excess of temperature. Thibor lay upon the platform panting. Every nerve in his body was seared and the pain was agonizing. He felt strong and yet here he was still chained to his flesh. With a growl he forced himself to his feet. He gestured pettishly and the gantry jumped up to allow him egress from the floating platform. As he moved from his precarious perch the machine began to collapse. The platform was the first to go as it turned like a coin through the air before falling with a resounding clang to the sharp rocks below. Thibor paid it no heed, nor did he bother to turn around when the first shearing of metallic girders was heard from behind him and the super structure itself began to collapse.
His flesh felt uncomfortable, especially in light of his apparent failure, as he walked towards Xytrinah. His eyes burned a brilliant red, more so than they ever did before and his face was a mask of rage and disappointment that conspired to create a horrific visage that even she might fear a little. " Worthless." he spat as he brushed past her. His greatest triumph had now become his most embarrassing failure and in front of Xytrinah none the less. He made it no more than three steps before he was forced to his very knees by a spasm of pain so profound that his symbiote went into shock at the very sensation. Thibor's lips parted in a scream of agony and beyond this perfect tiers could be seen a soft glow that grew in intensity slowly.
All around the realm his armies and machines began to revitalize and only then did he understand. He had taken on the metaphysical aspect of the power tap when it was destroyed and only when the Power Source resumed it's normal operation was he finally able to make his metamorphosis. He knelt there on all fours as the ripping pain cut down to his very soul. His flesh seemed alive with some sort of invader as strange ripples and lumps began to move and march beneath his flesh. Simple black leather robes shredded and now it could be seen that his pallid flesh was almost translucent. From within him a dull red light pulsed and grew stronger and stronger.
All around the realm his armies and machines began to revitalize and only then did he understand. He had taken on the metaphysical aspect of the power tap when it was destroyed and only when the Power Source resumed it's normal operation was he finally able to make his metamorphosis. He knelt there on all fours as the ripping pain cut down to his very soul. His flesh seemed alive with some sort of invader as strange ripples and lumps began to move and march beneath his flesh. Simple black leather robes shredded and now it could be seen that his pallid flesh was almost translucent. From within him a dull red light pulsed and grew stronger and stronger.
His skin had become the chrysalis and like all such casings it was time to cast it aside. As the pain began to subside he began to get more used to his new self and soon his pallid flesh split along the spine, laying him open, even his leech, which having made the transformation with him, was nothing more than dead flesh attached to what was once his spine. A sort of glowing mist of red rose from the dilapidated heap. His awareness was heightened and strengthened. No longer was he forced to view only one plane. He had become his own Power Source, his essence was connected to and sustained at it's most base level by one hundred and forty four thousand planes.
One prison for another for now but a much larger prison. For now he was confined to this planar reality. He could no more leave here than he could tear out his own brain. A resonating chuckle cut through the air and the ether as if a thousand voices were all laughing in unison. The red mist began to take on a more cohesive shape before Xytrinah. It was Thibor or at least a representation of his face." I am free!" He shouted as he laughed again. " Such power. I am so aware. Nothing escapes my notice now." He then peered at her intently." Nothing. Especially not the changes in you. What I could only view through the Equation I now see quite clearly" He diverted only a moment of his attention to her but that moment was enough.
One prison for another for now but a much larger prison. For now he was confined to this planar reality. He could no more leave here than he could tear out his own brain. A resonating chuckle cut through the air and the ether as if a thousand voices were all laughing in unison. The red mist began to take on a more cohesive shape before Xytrinah. It was Thibor or at least a representation of his face." I am free!" He shouted as he laughed again. " Such power. I am so aware. Nothing escapes my notice now." He then peered at her intently." Nothing. Especially not the changes in you. What I could only view through the Equation I now see quite clearly" He diverted only a moment of his attention to her but that moment was enough.
"At last I have succeeded and become a god by my own hand. Well perhaps god is too strong a word just yet. Certainly I am superior to anything with flesh. All I require now are dedicated worshippers." He smiled wickedly. "Still there are some things that the flesh is necessary for. I imagine you will miss that rotting husk to some degree will you not? I have fashioned others that are less permanent. Now is the time to speak of such things Xytrinah. What of us. Do you wish to rule with me as we once had it in mind to do? Conquests untold could be ours and we would be gods not just some temporal ruler but gods Xytrinah."
With those words, he grabbed at her arm with a speed most could never dodge, claws seeking that sweet perfumed flesh of her's. If successful immediately ushering her towards the machine.
Xytrinah
As she did wish indeed, perhaps it was the sheer curiosity of the moment or the intoxication of the situation which caused her to remain in the vicinity of the 'machine'- it was his triumphant moment. One that not even she could deny him that glory; everything Thibor sought he had achieved- he was soon to be this reckoning omnipotent power that could easily and effortlessly snuff out entire stars, suns and worlds, should his will permit or crave. The energy provided by the machine, allowing his transformation erupted in mass proportions and eruptions- counteracting and rushing through his form changing the molecular structure into something intangible.
Her energies imbibed that which flowed from and through him- decadent flavours with each contort and arch of seething pain, nothing came without its price, especially a change as warranted as this, when creation itself had been defied and tampered with creating a sub-species of Godhood; manufactured evolution. Still it was his ultimate goal and it had now been accomplished, so what would the next step be since all had been grasped within his own two hands?
Her energies imbibed that which flowed from and through him- decadent flavours with each contort and arch of seething pain, nothing came without its price, especially a change as warranted as this, when creation itself had been defied and tampered with creating a sub-species of Godhood; manufactured evolution. Still it was his ultimate goal and it had now been accomplished, so what would the next step be since all had been grasped within his own two hands?
"Thibor, what is your next goal of destruction now that your end is now the beginning of your means, being master of your fate and those who revere you? Now, as for me at your side, I have my own goals to achieve and acquire, to succeed and accomplish before I even contemplate granting my hand Where once I seek completion in another to fill a void, I now seek in myself, complete what should have been centuries ago if they all ceased with being cowards and running. It cannot evade my attention any longer, and requires my full dedication, time and commitment. I have yet to obtain half the resources required, but I shall- at any price and any cost. Each step I take brings me closer to completion- but I shall achieve this by means of blood and sweat, and the death brought by my own two hands. Perhaps my goals are not as ambitious as yours, I have no desire to yield the entire multiverse to my will, just yet, I shall start with the outer before the inner most darknesses, just as I had initially planned. I do not need worshippers, I do not want worshippers. I have known Gods and Devils and each have been nothing but pompous fools slithering amongst a score of harlots and thieves bowing to their wrath, it is not a vision I see for myself, passion and will mean nothing when you can click your fingers and manifest it for yourself- I like to strive to obtain what my ebony heart wishes to crave. You simply do not understand me..."
Had his madness escalated to a whole new level?
Had his madness escalated to a whole new level?
"Too many times has worlds been placed in the fragile hand of a God, wars fought, worlds destroyed and for what? Once you have the multiverse yielding to your whim Thibor, what is next? When dimensions collide, the stars and sun cease to burn, and every world and planet is nothing but lifeless rock and dust, what next? What shall you evolve to, when there is nothing left but emptiness? You see, I don't wish to be eternal, but I wish to be remembered, and that is a guarantee that I shall be- I have worshippers, I have no need for them, but I still have them...so what is there for me to ascend to, when I already have everything? Do not think of me as imprudent or ungrateful, you have given me far more than requested or ever thought of- everything provided I am eternally grateful for, but things have changed, you have changed and I have changed, it is already a chemical process developed and accepted. I only just lost a consort, and not looking for that memory to be replaced by another, it simply is not in my future plans. Of course, flattery cast aside- I am sure there are others who are my equal and would be more than happy to undergo this adventure with you to bring oblivion upon every race and world. I have existed far beyond your years Thibor, I have seen many Gods come and go, phase out and soon forgotten- the ancients, the very primordial eldritch ones....where are they now? Nothing but fading memories or stories to evade love hatred or revenge? Please listen to me...
We make our mark by what we achieve and wrought by our hands- I am not bound to flesh, I am not bound to life or death- it is nothing I have not yet experienced in one form or another. I am already considered a Goddess to some, Empress or nemesis to others...frankly I wish to just be known as my true self. You do not see me! Perhaps this change in you has inspired many in me, to not remain behind the masks of time...I just hope that your moment of triumph, glory and gratification provides you with the self-contentment and power you seek and not deem to be another Pandora's Box. Excuse the long-winded speech Thibor, to clarify the entire issue before us. To speak in truth and openness for you, it is MY will to do so, and I are far above the means for pathetic fabrications and flippant increases of ego and narcissism.
It is a shame that some resort to such tactics....but what I am saying....you ascend, you do the goals you have placed to achieve whilst I start from the bottom of my list and work my way to the top, step by step. Triumph and failure- I am not ready to share another's goals, I have my own and I adore my independency. I have become stagnant, and the remedy is taking myself back to the days when I didn't stand around being a diplomat and took impulse to action. I am sure you understand my reasoning and answers given and quite sure you shall accept them for they have been uttered from the tongue of truth. I have spared you from the insult of embarrassment, mind games and subtle manipulations, perhaps it is a mutual respect. Time is something we personally have plenty of, while others around us are not so fortunate.
Please do not call on me again. Thibor."
Please do not call on me again. Thibor."
There was nothing else left to say, her answer and reasons had been given, and now it was indeed time to prepare for war, there was much work ahead and planning. For all the time apart, the meeting had seemed to fleeting for her, abrupt and unprepared for. Certainly Thibor had his reasons but she could not stay there when her own words had confirmed. It was this moment when words should be brought to action. Resources were still needed to be gathered, samples of DNA extracted as well as other vital ingredients, incantations and coercions. It would take a good five months preparation at the slowest pace; alas; this was not the time for leisure to be considered. Warriors still needed to be brought from the realms she had once ruled...and who were still one hundred per cent loyal to her needs and command- all would be returned to her command and service...Of course this new change caused further questions to stir from the darkness of psyche, of course the temptation for power was exceedingly alluring. That could not be denied- so much to be considered and even she had to stand back and consider her own words just moments before spoken.
The electrical static still emitting over her flesh from the moment his form had brushed against her, tangible and yet intangible in unison; it was not known what to expect next, but Xytrinah had spoken her very desires and will, and of course that was certainly of her own liberty to do so, nothing would change her mind, not at this point? Not even as harsh talons rushed to assault her arm, with the speed and ability renowned to her prowess and fighting ability- Xytrinah pulled her arm away and moved a few paces from where he stood, "Have you lost all of your senses when you obviously lost the best part of yourself, already. Attack me again, I will not entertain the past....?"
Thibor the Cruel
To tell the truth he hadn't even thought about his next step. So long had this been his goal that he never really planned ahead. The assumption had always been that he would have nothing but time once he had completed his transformation and therefore he had no need to make long term plans. His whims were his guidance now and nothing more. For so long he had thought that once he had achieved this new form that he could pursue Xytrinah but even that seemed to be unfated and that fact galled him. " And so love has lead me to a precipice once again and flung me over. I offer you true ascendancy and you would rather set your sights on a fleeting and temporary worlds and stars that would fall to dust eventually anyway. So be it. If I cannot have you then I have no business here in these realms. My next step will be to let my awareness evolve more thoroughly and to find new conquests. There is obviously nothing for me here except the constant reminder of what I apparently cannot have."
A certain bitterness seeped into his voice as he spoke."I wish that I had never gifted you my essence for now I have the constant reminder of you buried so deeply that even now I cannot excise it. I have felt your disappointments and I have felt your attempts to fill that hole within you with the affections of others. Everything has been transmitted along that ethereal cord and yet still I have remained, secure in the knowledge that we were two of a kind and no other would ever do. Alliances and friendships have waned and waxed and yet still I have been a constant. All you ever had to do was seek me out and ask what you would of me and I would have leveled entire armies to be at your side. Loyalties have faltered and friendships faded and yet still here I am and you would spurn me for temporal conquest? You would spurn my gifts because you cannot see beyond the chains of your own flesh. What of the end you ask? And who says there must be an end? Already I see that not everything must have an end. Some things simply go on forever. Still you are attached to your prison and cannot see beyond it's limited confines and so you spurn me and all that I would offer you and as I go on for eternity I will feel all that you feel and when you eventually fade from existence only then will I be granted release from the damnable bonds that I have imposed upon my heart. Foulest of emotions this detestable love. It makes the mighty foolish and it has made me soft. It is no wonder our kind is not given to feeling it. It is a weakness."
A certain bitterness seeped into his voice as he spoke."I wish that I had never gifted you my essence for now I have the constant reminder of you buried so deeply that even now I cannot excise it. I have felt your disappointments and I have felt your attempts to fill that hole within you with the affections of others. Everything has been transmitted along that ethereal cord and yet still I have remained, secure in the knowledge that we were two of a kind and no other would ever do. Alliances and friendships have waned and waxed and yet still I have been a constant. All you ever had to do was seek me out and ask what you would of me and I would have leveled entire armies to be at your side. Loyalties have faltered and friendships faded and yet still here I am and you would spurn me for temporal conquest? You would spurn my gifts because you cannot see beyond the chains of your own flesh. What of the end you ask? And who says there must be an end? Already I see that not everything must have an end. Some things simply go on forever. Still you are attached to your prison and cannot see beyond it's limited confines and so you spurn me and all that I would offer you and as I go on for eternity I will feel all that you feel and when you eventually fade from existence only then will I be granted release from the damnable bonds that I have imposed upon my heart. Foulest of emotions this detestable love. It makes the mighty foolish and it has made me soft. It is no wonder our kind is not given to feeling it. It is a weakness."
He descended upon her again, his form harmlessly engulfing her with no more than a slight tingle like static drifting over her skin." I would feel it no more Xytrinah and yet I have no choice. It seems that I am still a slave to my heart as non existent as it may be in this form. I have but one recourse and that is the quintessential delusion of sentience, hope. I will ask you only once, do you still have a place in your heart for me or should I feel you no more?" the last was said in a mildly threatening tone though no threat was intended. It was simply said in order to express the graveness of what Thibor considered a final solution.
So long had they been bound that she was a part of him and no doubt he had become a part of her. While he could no more cut the link than a sane man could sever his own arm he could put that part of his essence back to sleep within her, dull it to where it felt nothing and sensed nothing. Then and only then would he be free of the constant reminder of his failure to attain the one thing that he desired most in the multiverse.
So long had they been bound that she was a part of him and no doubt he had become a part of her. While he could no more cut the link than a sane man could sever his own arm he could put that part of his essence back to sleep within her, dull it to where it felt nothing and sensed nothing. Then and only then would he be free of the constant reminder of his failure to attain the one thing that he desired most in the multiverse.
Xytrinah
Right hand slowly rose to brush a single strand of raven-cascade from her face, shifting from stance to a more erect military like composure; again she listened to his words and could not help retort in kind. Her own voice bearing the same qualities as his perhaps quieter and more tranquil in timbre and definition but still the dark undertones lingering on the wave of each pronunciation and accentuation, such sultry tones waltzing on the cacophony of nefarious desires and decadent essences licking over her lithe form. "
So, then we stand at the crossroads Thibor, perhaps you wished you had never allowed your energies and essence to mix with mine. Perhaps never even laid eyes upon this, beauty chained to flesh as you called it. But my dear, despite your want of me, and my desire to not give myself fully to anyone, for every one of them abandoned me or simply vanished from my world all because I would simply not grant them something easily, that I feel should be earned by time and preservation. Have we not all the time in the universe Thibor? I do not know where my hearts rests, and I do not place my actions on the whim of my heart because many times that judgment has failed me. Should it be easier for you to cast my existence away, for it to be simpler or as you proclaimed free, then so be it. Do it! That I can grant you, because if you consider love a weakness of a profanity of your species then would it not be safe to assume it is something forbidden to you, something which has made you soft and foolish? Is hatred so rewarding to you Thibor does it calm the angry seas of your epitome? Does it sweeten your tongue more so to turn your back on something your species rarely ever finds or wants to learn more of it? Perhaps it profanes me, that you would rather turn your back on me than witness my own glories and triumphs, because you do not share them with me? Call me weak. Me of all things. Maybe my goals are not yours, perhaps mine to you are not as elaborate but they are just as important."
So, then we stand at the crossroads Thibor, perhaps you wished you had never allowed your energies and essence to mix with mine. Perhaps never even laid eyes upon this, beauty chained to flesh as you called it. But my dear, despite your want of me, and my desire to not give myself fully to anyone, for every one of them abandoned me or simply vanished from my world all because I would simply not grant them something easily, that I feel should be earned by time and preservation. Have we not all the time in the universe Thibor? I do not know where my hearts rests, and I do not place my actions on the whim of my heart because many times that judgment has failed me. Should it be easier for you to cast my existence away, for it to be simpler or as you proclaimed free, then so be it. Do it! That I can grant you, because if you consider love a weakness of a profanity of your species then would it not be safe to assume it is something forbidden to you, something which has made you soft and foolish? Is hatred so rewarding to you Thibor does it calm the angry seas of your epitome? Does it sweeten your tongue more so to turn your back on something your species rarely ever finds or wants to learn more of it? Perhaps it profanes me, that you would rather turn your back on me than witness my own glories and triumphs, because you do not share them with me? Call me weak. Me of all things. Maybe my goals are not yours, perhaps mine to you are not as elaborate but they are just as important."
A brief sigh managed to escape from those lungs of entropy, before further words could surface to continue...."To spurn you for temporal conquests Thibor, I am not complete in myself for allowing these affairs to be settled, but it is difficult to partake in such things when your opponents constantly run like cowardly dogs or scattering rodents. Would you think highly of me, if allowed them to continue without resolve or personal gratification rendering me half the threat I can be, given the circumstances of my natures and will? Would you turn your back that easily? Then again, I do see your point and needs, I cannot promise you my undying devotion- unlike possibly what you deserve, and if so, I hope that in all your conquests and glories you discover what you seek. I am not attached to this earthly prison Thibor, but I have seen through the scopes of dimensions and otherworldly places and they are just as grim, if not grimmer than what I have here. Centuries come and gone, the evolution of the material world, the evolution of this world- it was something to behold, something to admire and be a part of, some monument in time. The darker spheres, there is no beauty- just that of darkness, coalescing with creatures that are nothing but darkness, only for the means of survival- Thibor, every place has its meagre setbacks, but they also have the things to admire and cherish.
There is much to me you do not know, as there is things about you I don?' know or understand- perhaps your earthly husk did not serve your ultimate goal very well, it could not obtain your goals and aims, but that my dear, falls immediately on your failure to manouever that most basic of fabrics; the flesh. It served you up until the time you needed it no longer. Is that what is to become of me, treasured, tolerated and then discarded? I doubt I can make you understand the sacrifice you have made for your goals, don't get me wrong, your evolution has inspired me greatly, but does it make you any more sated? Every question I ask causes another twenty to evolve. It is not my place to question you Thibor. But when I leave this place, it will not be dissatisfied."
His essence had descended from every quarter, crimson miasma; slight concern would filter into her mind but soon wavered from the birth of notion becoming a silent nemesis, questions upon questions. As directly as possible Xytrinah would retort, she would save him the insult of her mind games and riddles, to cast aside the witty sardonic retorts and bitter comments. "I never had a heart Thibor, nothing but a cold emptiness or a ploy to gain my own advantages, manipulation is such a fine art, the one thing my mother and father taught me well. I cannot say what can or cannot happen, you offer the multiverse- when I have been and seen what rests even behind that. You offer me everything but nothing. This isn't about temporal conquests it is about completing unfinished business so I can ascend, screw the feeble balance of worlds Thibor, balance is ruled by man- conquest always starts on your own doorstep, too long has this encroached on my conscience.
His essence had descended from every quarter, crimson miasma; slight concern would filter into her mind but soon wavered from the birth of notion becoming a silent nemesis, questions upon questions. As directly as possible Xytrinah would retort, she would save him the insult of her mind games and riddles, to cast aside the witty sardonic retorts and bitter comments. "I never had a heart Thibor, nothing but a cold emptiness or a ploy to gain my own advantages, manipulation is such a fine art, the one thing my mother and father taught me well. I cannot say what can or cannot happen, you offer the multiverse- when I have been and seen what rests even behind that. You offer me everything but nothing. This isn't about temporal conquests it is about completing unfinished business so I can ascend, screw the feeble balance of worlds Thibor, balance is ruled by man- conquest always starts on your own doorstep, too long has this encroached on my conscience.
I won't lie to your face Thibor, in the time I was away I was with another, but I also suffered the pains of forbidden fruit, the punishment for affections in those like us are rendered to tragedy leaving us with nothing but the ashes of a memory- unless that is forced to evade from our minds or we simply continuing around those as if we no longer recall. If it is easy to forget me Thibor, then you do what you must to ensure that. Should you wish to sever those ties and threads, then do so- my wishes of it are not important, but I will not continue on what disappoints me, is that you are partially involved in what I am now, my triumphs and glories should be that of your own, but it seems you don't wish to even share that, something many would be proud of, but it seems that dedication and strive in me is nothing but a disappointment to you. Just do what you must; if wanting to be free is your primary concern, then it should also be mine to be liberated from you as per your request.Thibor.'
Her head bowed slightly, allowing those ravenesque cascades to smother her features, allowing them to be eclipsed from view, it was not an act of obeisance or submission, it was an acceptance of his wishes, temper boiled from within her epitome, and despite those seething passions stewing to manifest, Xytrinah would maintain her nonchalant demeanour and unleash the howling tempest at a more convenient time. Now, she would have to wait to see what his next move was before she could even contemplate hers- perceptions enwreathed, static energies colliding as the tendrils of darkness unlashed from her form causing a peculiar collaboration of crimson and darkness, his omnipotent energies caressing her form while that of darkness tempered and coerced his, either way it would be directive that neither would surrender nor give in. "Just let me go Thibor..."
Her head bowed slightly, allowing those ravenesque cascades to smother her features, allowing them to be eclipsed from view, it was not an act of obeisance or submission, it was an acceptance of his wishes, temper boiled from within her epitome, and despite those seething passions stewing to manifest, Xytrinah would maintain her nonchalant demeanour and unleash the howling tempest at a more convenient time. Now, she would have to wait to see what his next move was before she could even contemplate hers- perceptions enwreathed, static energies colliding as the tendrils of darkness unlashed from her form causing a peculiar collaboration of crimson and darkness, his omnipotent energies caressing her form while that of darkness tempered and coerced his, either way it would be directive that neither would surrender nor give in. "Just let me go Thibor..."
Thibor the Cruel
If he could have waved his hand dismissively he would have. Old habits were difficult to break and he felt the simple urge to move his arm when he no longer possessed such a thing." Ahh and so you say to me I cannot give myself to you Thibor because I have done so in the past and it has hurt me. And thus in a single breathe you insult my very existence by lumping me in with those disappointments. For to use them as a reason is to say that I may do the same. Fidelity is not something I am prone to and yet I have never turned my back to you. I have been absent but always aware. I have been ever watchful and had you truly needed me I would have been there and yet I allowed you to find your own strength even when I wished to rush in and take you away from your worries and annihilate your enemies."
He flowed around her and regrouped himself into a face once more. It was easier to use facial expressions when communicating with her. He could be far more expressive if she could but see the many facets of his new existence. Still given her limited awareness this would have to do. He scowled at her but soon his face softened." Even if I wished it I could never forget you and I suspect that despite your words you could not forget me. For better or for worse we are a part of one another and we can never be seperated. Just because I find my emotions a hinderance now does not mean that I can so willfully rid myself of them. No, I have no choice but to love you and I believe that eventually you will come to the same conclusion. I have no doubt that you will try many times to find comfort in another's arms but you will always be disappointed. I do not hold that against you. I do not consider it a betrayal. It does disturb me that you would think that I could cast you aside so easily though. Do you not think that I would have done that already if I could? My body and you are not remotely the same. I improved upon myself by discarding that rotting husk of meat. How then can I improve upon you? What will take your place if I chose to discard you? Just as you have yet to find satisfaction in the company of another so to would I be unable to sate my desires with anyone else. So we are inextricably bound into this stalemate or sorts. It merits no more discussion I suppose. What will be will be despite my best efforts. Even with my new power and awareness some things still are beyond my control."
He flowed and condensed into a cloud of red light that still bore the shifting indistinct image of Thibor's face." Now tell me how I am partially involved in these new designs of yours? What stake do I have in your plans? You have my aid simply because it is you. I have no desire for the kingdoms of this land. You have already removed the one irritation I have found other than that I have no enemies of consequence. If I were to undertake my goals here then I would end up in direct conflict with you. For you desire temporal rule I desire the worship and reverence of this world's populace. If I am to launch my crusade what then of your campaign? My armies are now vast and they are beyond even the simple machinations of my fleshcraft. I have enhanced my soldiers and my beasts and now nothing can stand against me. If I so chose I could wipe this land clean of all life under the trampling foot of my armies. Here I have been left alone and for the most part unnoticed. I no longer have to concern myself with the petty machinations of enemies seeking to stop me. Now I am unstoppable. Even if this entire Aerie was leveled and my power source destroyed my armies would march on powered by me. My energy reserves are inexhaustible and unflagging for the metaphysical construct of the power source no exists within me. Your efforts and ambitions do not disappoint me. I could never be disappointed in you. I see so much potential for you and yet you seem content to waste it here. Perhaps I give you too much credit but I don't think I do. Our goals are not mutually exclusive, but I do not see how they coincide nor do I see how I have any stake in this, even a partial one, aside from your wel being throughout this conflict, which I will guard zealously whether you wish me to or not. I have offered you preservation by ascension and if you will not take that then I will preserve you by my own might."
He wavered for but a moment. "Come let me show you something though. Perhaps this will ease your mind since you seem so concerned with my so called sacrifice. I'm sure you remember how to get to the vats still?" He smiled before he let the image of his face fade away. His consciousness descended through the rock floor and down through the crystalline matrix of the granite until he came upon the Vat room. Here five new bodies, all like him in physical perfection and beauty and yet different in that they possessed no brain, only a strange crystalline nodule that would be the repository for his essence while he inhabited the shell.
It was a simple matter to enter the form, all it required was that he descended into the body . The crystal was attuned to his energy and held him without confining him. He rose slowly from the nurturing liquids of the vat and stood in his statuesque perfection, unashamed of his nudity in stark mockery of the idyllic state of Eden. For it was not ignorance that drove shame away but pride in perfection. He waited for her to make her way through the halls and down the stairs before he turned to her and smiled." You see. I sacrifice nothing. I merely improved upon my existence. If I so desire I can take on flesh once more with all the abilities I once enjoyed coupled with my new awareness and power. You should know that I always make allowances for circumstance Xytrinah. I realize that there will be times when only a physical presence will do, either for deception's sake or simply for the tactile properties of a real body." He smiled proudly. He had thought of the angles here. He had considered this course of action carefully and he was confident that he had covered his bases to the point that there was nothing that could shake him now.
