Post by xennie on Jan 1, 2010 19:21:20 GMT -5
It is a work in progress plot and I have no where else to put it at the moment so please do not mind it. I'll delete it later.
[/blockquote]The Occult
The sound of footsteps pounding heavily against the wet earth was just another sign of the insanity that has seemingly spread like a disease throughout the demon population. The large group, moving swiftly through the thick of the forest like a pack of wolves on the hunt, held their torches high to represent the pride of their race.
It was as if the rain let up just for this very moment.
Dew soaked leaves tried desperately to cling to the grayed flesh of the inhuman wanderers; their very faint silver tones still seemed to glow lightly against the dark of the woods and the night despite the glisten of rain water against them. The torch flames licked fiercely at the moist air as the group paused and waited for their strongest members to chop down the thick foliage that blocked them from their destination with heavy machetes; and as they cleared the path and left it leaf barren and littered with twigs, thorn coated stems, and an assortment of branches, they quickly smashed together in the hurry to pour into the clearing on the other side of the tree woven wall.
The group quickly aligned. The numbers spread themselves out into a massive ring around the old marble alter that stood boldly on the earth in the center of the clearing that lay peacefully beneath the moon's watchful gaze.
From the crowd a small figure could be seen making his accent up the narrow staircase that led into the dark tomb who's doorway remained open, yet was conspicuously sinister. The elderly man stood just before the entrance to the dark doorway on the broad, cracked platform that was coated thickly with ivy vines; his shaking hand gripped tightly at the wooden cane that he hunched over. White beard accenting well against his olive tone that was over layered with a shade of pale gray, it descended low, at least to his stomach, even before he lowered his head in a bow of respect at the entrance way.
The others went to the ground on their knees; quickly they planted the handles of their torches into the loose soil. In unison, each one, including the elderly man, reached up towards their mouth and popped what appeared to be a small white tablet into their mouths. Immediately, a few subtle coughs could be heard afterwords.
We come here today... to honor our great Goddess, Xeries, for her exploits, wisdom, and prowess. With our lives to give her, we come in quest of her help, and in quest of the salvation she can give to those poor souls who do not believe in her, or her powers.
His voice shook, almost as if fear had struck his heart and ripped at his courage with every word spoken. Slowly, his tiny frame turned to face his fellow demons.
May the Goddess of the afterlife arise! Let her unrest soul live it's infinite years in the glory of the Goddess that she should be treated as! No longer will she slumber in the depths of the earth, her spirit trapped, and her ethereal form locked within the bowls of our wretched world. Let her save it. Let her make it a place more comfortable to sleep in than to have nightmares in.
The dark clouds that loomed in the distance had drawn closer, lighting flashing within their thick, misty silhouettes. Screaming thunder, cackling lightning, and weeping winds all added to the eerie setting that the large group were set in. The sound of a chant hummed inaudibly against the fierce elements who seemed to unleash their rage in protest of the event.
And then she appeared.
One foot in front of the other, she stepped through the black portal behind the elderly demon.
No words could seem to describe the beauty of her white, silken pelt. Her long furs danced gracefully against the wind as if the speed in which it slammed against her massive frame did not effect it's movement. Tall, slender auds perched attentively atop her head, she let her pink and blue hues fall to the small, old man in front of her.
You've summoned me, demon.
He turned again to face her, only his expression had gone from proud and aged to terrified and panicky. He fell to the ground in front of her, his palms spreading over the vine encrusted marble.
My Goddess! We have come to ask for your help. Please! The rest of our people suffer under the growing rule of the humans, Tiamet, and despite our advantage in strength and speed, we lack the numbers to defeat them.
He kissed the ground at her feet quickly.
And you believe that by sacrificing yourself and the others of your cult you are going to convince me to save those who do not believe? Why do they deserve to live?
He looked up at her, his hands beginning to shake against the ground while the wind blew his staff far from his reach. The others only dared to even glance up at the white beauty that stood before their elder.
They are our people, still, and we must protect the future of our race.
The Goddess raised her brow at the old man while a slick smile spread over her rigid features.
I am no savior. I am a keeper of souls. I take them, not provide for them.
The old man pulled himself back to his knees and clasped his hands in front of him.
We know, M'lady. That is why we ask you to wipe out the humans. Please! They must be stopped!
Her smile only grew wider, and with that, her pearl shards were fully exposed in a sadistic grin that spoke all to well the words that were meant to be heard, and even before she readied her speech, a look of defeat and terror stained the old man's expression.
I do not take sides between the demons nor the humans. I will not take lives before they are meant to be taken. It is my duty, and always has been, to make sure that no soul goes wandering forever alone and unseen in this world. I am a gatherer. Not a hunter. Demon, you should have paid more mind to your research, I must decline your request.
She was all too polite to look as dark as she did, yet, she managed to keep a slight sliver of pride in the group's heart with her respect to them.
Please! You must! We beg of you!
The old man lunged himself upon her, wrinkled hands gripping tightly against the long furs of her shoulders and chest.
I cannot, my friend. But, I will gladly take your offering as it is imminent now that your souls will soon be freed from those bone and flesh coated cages. Set them free now, my darlings. You have created your fates.
And without being able to say any more, the coughing began. First, in the old man, he struggled in his shortened breaths and continued his raspy pleas. The others gagged and coughed in unison, their hands at their throats. Within moments, the old man began to slink down; his hands loosen their grip, his eyes glazing over, and his final breath slowly seeping from his reluctant body. The others fell over, dead, among the earth which was now becoming soaked in the rains of a saddened heaven that openly awaited their spirits to be sent by the Goddess and her messenger.
The final thud banged against the walls of her ears, and her eyes fell to the old man who lay lifeless at her paws.
Her smile faded into a serious, stoic, expression.
Oh jeez. Xer you really out did yourself this time.
The white wolf's eyes darted back to the stretching, human-like figure that stepped out of the inky, black portal behind her.
Bayonet.
The she-wolf snorted and took a step back from the corpse that lay at her feet. Their life energy seemed to filter straight to her. Already, she felt stronger, more powerful, as the empty handed heaven watched angrily with it's dark clouds looming above while she consumed the energy from the souls that now submitted to her power. They were gone. Non-existent.
The deed was done.
Bayn, my slave boy. Eheh. Tell me, dearest, does it impress you that the citizens of Earth have gained the ability to produce enough poison for a large group such as this and managed to kill themselves for my pity these days?
Bayn threw his hands to his hips and scoffed in the wolf's direction.
Well aren't you just miss prissy-pants today?
The Goddess stepped from her pedestal and let her paws kiss the sweet Earth for the first time in a thousand years with nothing but a smirk.
She could sense the havoc that was about to unfold in the world of La'maea.The Tragedy
Where is Zakurei?
His tall build was leaned against the balcony door frame; sheer white curtains flowing around and behind him in the wind as he looked out towards the sky distantly.
The maid quickly folded laundry over the empty, unmade bed that was centered in the room large room.
Do not fret, M'Lord, Zakurei just went out for his morning walk.
Cerius shifted his position and straightened himself; he walked out towards the balcony and leaned over the railing.
My son isn't normally out longer than a few hours. It is dangerous for him, no, any demon to be out alone during these times.
Maybe he met someone, M'lord. I wouldn't think too much of it.
He half-turned, a humored grin spread over his soft expression. The maid placed a hand over her heart as if it had just stopped from the sight of him.
The demon king made his way closer to her, his palm reaching up to sweep over her cheek and through her golden locks that hung loosely at her shoulders.
My sweet...
His eyes met with her own bright blue ones.
Please undress yourself of those ragged clothes. You can take the day off. He dropped his hand back to his side and moved around her to the doorway, but stopped, and then turned to face her.
You may dine with me, come downstairs when you are ready.
His smile came wider, and then, he continued down the hall.
Zakurei. Met someone. Ha!
The dining hall was dimly lit. The few torches that licked at the brick walls around the room were the only source of light aside from the candles that were scattered over the long table.
At one end of the table, a figure could be seen seating, his head propped up on his clasped hands as he waited for his invite to arrive for lunch.
Cerius...
The lord's eyes lifted immediately to the other end of the table where he thought the voice had come from, but no one was there. Disregarding his name being spoken from the darkness, he shut his eyes.
I have planned so long for this moment.
Once again, he looked up, only this time his eyes locked with the bright green hues of the man who sat in the same position on the other end of the table.
Tiamet!
His voice growled as Cerius stood up attentively to assert his surprise.
Yes, I, Tiamet. Are you happy to see me, demon?
Tiamet stood as well, his hand sweeping his long cloak back behind him as he did so.
Do not disrespect me in my own home. In fact, I must ask you to leave. Now.
Tiamet's eyes narrowed at Cerius; his steps came slowly towards him.
I wouldn't be so hasty as to call this your home anymore, Cerius.
What!?
In a movement too fast for the eye to catch, or for one to notice even in a glimpse, Tiamet had flung himself toward Cerius. His hand fell to his waste and quickly a sword was drawn; it aimed for the demon's throat, and within seconds Cerius had fallen.
Tiamet stood firmly in place behind the body on the floor who's head had rolled off slightly to the side. He lifted his blade, swiped his finger over the slim, shining surface, and looked at his fingertip.
Clean, fast, and a perfect execution.
He lifted the body as if it were nothing and placed it back into the chair. Bending down once more, he picked up the head, looked at it, and then laughed. Carefully, he fixed it back onto the beheaded neck of the corpse, looked it over, and then turned to the shadows.
He was gone, vanished.
In a short, strapless dress that clung to her body, the blond maiden walked briskly down the long, spiraling staircase to the dining hall. At first, her eyes didn't meet with Cerius who sat on the dark end of the room. Instead, without really making an observation, she sat down and looked at the plate that was decorated with steak and potatoes in front of her. Her fork lifted and she picked at her food.
So, did you mind cooking tonight?
No answer...
Lord?
No answer...
Cerius? She spoke a little more loudly and with concern.
From her side of the room, she could barely see a thick fluid dripping from the faintly concealed mouth of Cerius, who's hair draped over his dead expression. The maid stood up quickly and ran over to him. Instinctively she reached down to cradle him and to turn his head towards her so that she could see better, but, as she did so the head lifted completely from the body.
Her eyes went wide, and too scared to scream, she look horrifyingly at the head in her hands.
Finally, the shrill shriek echoed through the empty halls of the dark castle.
Zakurei never returned.The Promise
Sirens blared loudly in the small town of Y'nara, but the city seemed all too empty as the sounds echoed off of the buildings and ricocheted throughout the empty streets.
We made good timing, it seems as though there might be a festival or something at the demon's castle.
Bayn walked slowly at the wolf goddess's side, and his eyes lifted up to her ear as it flicked almost dismissively at his comment. He looked back to the ground, intimidated by her height compared to his own.
We cannot be seen either way.
He smiled in response to her comment and ruffled a hand through his hair.
Eh, well, I just figured you didn't want to weave your way around a whole street full of people.
Xer tossed her gaze about the street towards the few empty, and lone cars by the small apartment buildings.
You seem to have forgotten that half of the city committed suicide at my feet.
It is such a small, small world.
Xer decided not to comment on how is remark had nothing to do with what she had just said. Instead, she went along with it.
No, this is such a small town, unfortunately for the people who live here. It won't be long before our next stride through the city is going to be greeted by nothing but the ruins of a town who was once plagued by the wrath of the humans.
Sirens continued to scream in the distance by the castle that could be seen perched atop a hill; it watched gloomily over the lonely town.
Bayn chuckled, Well why doesn't their King do something about it, he seems kind of lazy to me.
He died only a few hours ago, Bayn.
Her smile would have been surprising to most.
Whoa! That's right! So that means that little bugger, er, ... what's his name again?
He scratched his chin in thought.
Zakurei?
Xer responded, proud in knowing that she remembered the name.
Zakurei! That's it. Glad I could remember it.
Bayn pointed his finger in the air victoriously while Xer only grunted at his false recollection.
Anyways, he is going to come into power now, right?
Xer waited to answer as they passed a women crying at the street corner, her husband trying desperately to comfort her.
We must find Lord Zakurei! We need a leader!, she cried out, and Xeries stopped with Bayn to eavesdrop with the advantage that they could not be seen.
We will group everyone together when they return from the prayer session at the castle for Lord Cerius. Do not worry, Meredith., the husband cooed. The wife continued to weep, but her cries were muffled by the siren's continued screaming.
What is all of that racket for?
Bayn's question caught Xer off guard, she blinked, and kept moving forward.
They have been going off since the death was discovered. I assume the town has gathered there to mourn their loss as the body is bagged and cleaned from the castle. Zakurei is obviously not here to help these people, and I have a bad feeling that there is no hope of them being able to find him.
The duo continued on in an eerie silence as they slowly made their way out of the city, down the dirt path that bordered the outskirts of the town, and back into the forest.
Death's intent spread quickly through the wood, searching, searching...
until it's victim had been found.
Meanwhile...
Zakurei kicked aside a small rock that tried to bury itself in the leaf litter. It was uprooted and rolled forcefully out of his path; a narrow dirt trail that was no longer used by anyone but the deer, and was bordered by an assortment a berry bushes that only grew under the dense shade of the towering oak trees above them.
He sighed, re-situating the brown duffel back that was thrown over his shoulder, unaware of the being that stood watchfully in the shadows unseen.
Xeries had moved on ahead of Bayn, her swift feet carrying her far these days. She sat, watched, and grinned as Zakurei walked out into a small clearing in the oak forest. It was about to happen..
and she was there to witness it.
The death of Zakurei Tenoichi.
Her ears flicked back as the sound of footsteps slapped quickly against the earth somewhere behind her.
She turned her head slightly, and Bayn zoomed past her in an attempt to catch up, unable to slow his speed until finally his foot caught against an uplifted root.
Bayonet, No!!
Xer's scream did not stop him from falling.
He flew forward in a loss of balance, arms flailing about, and upon losing his focus his invisibility spell was uplifted, making him blatantly noticeable to Zakurei, who turned to face the slender man just before he was knocked to the ground by their weight colliding and combining to force them to the earth.
Just at the moment that Bayn was about to fall into Zakurei, Tiamet had already been charging, his sword once again aimed for Zakurei's throat. Yet, his eyes went wide as the man suddenly appeared in thin air, knocked Zakurei out of the way, and altered the fate of the dead King's heir.
Tiamet caught himself before he too fell from the miss. He turned, and glared angrily at the two that lay on the ground.
Oops.., Bayn already knew he was going to get punished by Xeries for this.
Normally it would have been known by Xer if something was going to intervene in the death of someone, and she would not have bothered to show up, yet, since she and Bayn were intangible beings, normally not existent in this realm, she would not have known if she or Bayn were to interrupt. This young man's life was spared because of Bayn's silly mistake, and although it enraged her to feel Death loom out of the area now, disturbed by this sudden alteration of fate, she was also slightly amused.
Tiamet lunged forward again, this time aiming for both Bayn and Zakurei, only this time, Xer lifted her spell and made herself known; she jumped in Tiamet's path and stopped him in his tracks.
Fur bristled, and body rigid, she glared at the leader of the humans, asserting her dominance over him as a god.
The son of Cerius will not die today.
Her words were stern.
Tiamet only smiled, his sword lifted and rested against his shoulder with his hand gripping around it's hilt.
Says who?
The Goddess of the afterlife!
Bayn waved his hands in the air while making a 'duuhh' expression.
Tiamet only snorted in response, and pointed his sword at Xeries, his mouth opening to say something, but he was cut off by the shouts of a search team behind them who were looking for Zakurei.
Xer threw her ears back, clearly eager to make her disappearance and to not be seen by the group of demons.
Another time, another day, Tiamet. I will assure you that the boy will get stronger, more worth killing, if you can. As for myself, we will meet again. I promise you, human scum, that we will spar at another date.
Tiamet look over his shoulder as the group drew nearer and nearer, and then to Zakurei who had already recovered from the fall and was brushing off his jeans.
Fine..
And with that, he was gone.
Bayn drifted over to Xeries and tugged at he ear.
We have to go, nooooow.
She ignored him, and looked firmly at Zakurei.
Go, boy, there are greater things to fulfill in your life. Your people are doomed and being with them will only cause you your death.
Zakurei, though, was already running, not a word spoken at all.
Xer and Bayn fled, and the search party entered the clearing only to meet disappointment.
Xer, I think I did a good deed today.
Bayn was once again at her side as they continued travelling along the dirt path that now led up the side of a mountain, further towards the human's terrain.
You interrupted the course of life and death. How is that a good deed?
Bayn smiled victoriously.
Well I saved someone's life!
Who most likely would not have wanted to be saved., she countered.
He frowned, and pocketed his hands.
It was just a one time thing. It won't happen again.
Xer smiled, You are right, it won't.
And with that, Bayn stopped, looked over his shoulder, and two little black wings sprouted from his back. Not looking big enough to keep anything aloft, they surprised the man but instantly picking him up into the air using the magic they were created with. He flapped the poor excuses for flying appendages and squealed at how cute he thought they were.
I won't have you tripping and preventing death, yet, another time.
Bayn didn't respond, instead, he floated along side of Xeries with a grin more wide than he could have ever imagined to make.The Plight Of The Butterfly
There he stood; the balcony of his room hung out above the various pine trees that grew against the rocky heights on the side of the mountain. Their tips were close enough that if Tiamet wanted to, he could reach out and touch them through the bars of the balcony railing.
His castle, which was built into this mountain, looked down on the city of demons, and his own, which neighbored them, but by a great distance. He looked out at his enemy's town, eyes narrowing as the seconds ticked by.
His eyes flickered upward as a brightly colored butterfly flitted by him; his hand reached out, finger extended, and it perched upon it.
He brought his hand closer to examine it.
It won't be long now until they finally fall by my hand's work. Our world will no longer be threatened by the existence of these demons, who clearly do not belong above the earth, away from hell, in a world among humans.
The butterfly flapped it's wings several times to hold it's balance against the wind. Tiamet smiled.
You will represent the happiness that is about to go extinct in their world. You will represent the fear, the bloodshed, and the tears. You will be the icon of their plight.
The butterfly seemed to shudder it's wings, as if readying itself to take off, but, instead, as the loud bangs ripped through the air in the distance, the butterfly fell from his hand, limp, dead, and disappeared in the branches of the trees below.
Bombs went off; the ashes filled the sky above the demon's town as their homes, their families, and themselves, were burned. The sound of the explosions rippled through the air and could be heard for miles around.
As everyone and everything burned, the dark cloud of ashes continued to loom over the city for days.
Zakurei was far from the destruction now, and would never know that his home was destroyed unless someone told him.
Passing through the thick of the forest, it seemed like forever until he finally discovered what appeared to be a small town that was isolated within the many miles of woods.
His eyes shifted from the many small houses, to the fountain at the edge of the woods, and then to the small bench beside it.
He sighed, and kept walking.
The bell dinged faintly as he walked into the small shop owned by an elderly man and his wife. He paused to look at them, who in return looked at him as though they used to know him since he was a child and had not seen him for years. Which certainly, this was not the case, but, the look still creeped Zakurei out enough so that he averted his gaze and went to the shelves to browse.
Picking up a bottle of water from the shelf, he briskly made his way to the counter and slapped a few dollars down to pay for the item.
Keep the change..
He turned, and left the store.
The elderly couple looked at each other.
The old man spoke first.
He looks just like Cerius.
I think he is Cerius's son, he was only but a young boy when the lord came and freed the human maiden from us.
The old woman put her money in the register, shut it, and placed her hands at her hips.
Do you think that he knows?
Knows about what?
That Cerius and the human woman we captured all those years ago had an affair; they birthed a child.
The old woman chuckled.
I doubt it, Cerius didn't seem like the type to openly admit things, so I doubt he would have told his son of this.
I heard the son that they had is now the leader of a city of humans.
She chuckled again.
Cerius never stayed with the woman, our guards killed her, remember? Word came out that the half-blooded child was sent off to an orphanage and was adopted by a King and Queen who could not bare any children. I do not think anyone knows that Zakurei's half-brother is ruling a band of humans.
I don't think anyone knows Zakurei has a half-brother but us and Cerius.
The poor dear...
Let us hope that we are not discovered, and that the demon does not reveal our town's whereabouts to anyone.
We will have to keep him here, he can't leave. Later tonight we will call forth a meeting with the rest of the town.
The two were interrupted by the sound of the bell dinging again. They had another customer.
Three days later...
A single rain drop hit the leaf of a small tree sprout that sprung from the ashes of the destroyed city.
With that single one, came others close to follow.
Strangely, though, as the rain fell, so did something else. Several loud splats could be heard as butterflies, hundreds, thousands of them fell, dead, to the ground.
It wasn't until several hours later that this rain mixed with butterflies and wet ash had stopped, and the sun broke through the dark clouds.
The tiny body of a butterfly crunched beneath the paw of a wolf who walked into the premises of the wreckage. It looked around, and from the dark forest several more pairs of eyes could be seen behind it.
Slowly they came in to explore, and, eventually, this city would become their home.
There are still many questions left unanswered.
Who is Zakurei's alleged half-brother? Will he find out?
What will become of the wolves who have taken over the former home of the demons? Will they be accepted?
Will this small population of demons that still live, including Zakurei, be discovered?
And what of Xeries and her partner Bayn? Will they ever be reunited with Zakurei? How will the fight go with her and Tiamet?
Also, will anyone ever see another living version of the butterfly that died in the ashes of the city?
Will a war break out between the wolves, the humans, or the small band of demons?
And lastly, what side will you take?