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+---- Thread: [SE] is this the end of everything we know? (/showthread.php?tid=11557)
is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-19-2025
[say]"... and then I woke up,"[/say] Alys was saying as they traipsed through the Burrows, telling Deimos about her most recent vision. In truth, she should have told him long before now, knowing how involved he was in the battles against the Family - but she'd trusted Sunjata to pass along the messages. [say]"I never know when I'll have another vision, but it seems like I see something new every season."[/say] She wished she could control it, but that was neither here nor there.
The pair arrived at Frey's Breath to find it mostly deserted. Alys was surprised, but then it was quite warm in the Climb this time of year. Uncomfortably so, even. The seer peeled her hair off the nape of her neck, tying it up and out of her face. Sascha padded along beside her, grumbling every so often. If Alys was hot, then her companion - built and made for the tundra - was dying.
---
The vision: Alys's vision will darken. She will hear dripping water, the sound echoing as if in an enormous, underground space. Flickers of bright violet will occasionally dance across her vision, writhing, like they might be markings on something enormous. Something with many, many tentacles.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-19-2025
Deimos would’ve appreciated any piece of good news this season – and perhaps he already had, with blood chiseled away on daggers – because today didn’t represent anything hospitable. A long and vague sigh flowed through his lungs at Alys’s description of her visions, eyes closing momentarily to absorb the latest blow, before flickering back open and continuing their motions into the springs.
[say]“Lovely,”[/say] he gave in a very facetious and dry rumble. After some point his head might wrap around potentials and what they’d have to do to destroy the latest, upcoming, foreboding piece of precision and might, but then he frowned, forgetting his manners. [say]“Sorry. Thank you for telling me.”[/say] He didn’t wish those hazy moments on anyone; for having been the bearer of bad news many times, the cords always struck in a harsher outline.
He also peeled his hair away from his neck, habitually rendering it into a messy bun, before long strides persisted and angled around a pool. He wasn’t certain if he should tell her the latest string of debacles from Halo, or really just his own, ends. [say]“That will likely affect our team dynamics.”[/say]
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-19-2025
Deimos's dry rumble was accompanied by various emotions, giving Alys a minute window into the machinations of her her friend's mind. Waving off his apology, she grimaced. [say]"Just once, I wish I would see something actually helpful,"[/say] she groused. [say]"Instead of all this doom and gloom. Like maybe the location of more seeds for the garden, or something."[/say] She sighed heavily. Apparently she was cursed to be the bearer of bad news. In any case, the seer kept an eye out as they approached the pool, looking for any telltale signs of flowers. [say]"If I see anything more, I'll send word,"[/say] she promised.
She might have said more, but they were interrupted just then by a low growl that had the hair standing up on the back of Alys's neck. From the shadows of the cavern, a burning pair of eyes stared them down. Alys gasped as a Voidforged Fyrhund stepped into the open, its hackles raised, and its otherworldly glare trained squarely on them.
---
Voidforged Fyrhunds (Uncommon): The once molten vitality of Fyrhunds is now tainted by the void, transforming them into Voidforged Fyrhunds. The black armor plating that once protected them takes on a shadowy, ethereal quality, and their eyes burn with an otherworldly flame. Instead of breathing traditional fire, they exhale void-touched flames that can consume not just physical matter but also the essence of magic itself. Their territorial nature becomes more pronounced, and they guard their nests with a malevolent intensity, threatening both the physical and magical balance of The Climb.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-19-2025
His eyes narrowed, scanning the periphery for telltale signs of lilies; snorting at her insinuations in that roughened, dry amusements, shoulders weighted down so severely that he bore it with all the unyielding fibers rankled through his spine. [say]“It may be. We just do not know yet.”[/say] There were multitudes to get through before their next gardening venture, and he’d be certain to pass the information on to when he met with Hadama next as well, nodding at her insinuations.
He might’ve offered more too – but instead, the usual flare for the dramatic flared around in growls and tainted figments. Wholly unbothered and tired of the semblances, he rolled his eyes, before directing a fully embedded and lacquered streamline of Mastered Air, bolstered by all his other stacked might, directly at the fyrhund.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-19-2025
Spending time with Deimos never failed to weigh heavily on the seer, if only because she could not take his burdens and help to lighten his load. She'd hoped that this would be a calm venture, devoid of any dramatics, but that didn't seem to be their fate. As the fyrhund appeared to growl at them, Deimos reacted first. Alys admired the way his emotions stayed level - no fear, no hesitation, just pure disdain - as he shot a wave of air at the fyrhund. For her part, she conjured her mastered illusion to create duplicates of Deimos - one to either side - hoping to confuse the fyrhund, if it survived the initial blast and chose to attack.
The creature was bombarded with air, a sharp whine cutting through the cavern as the element collided with dark hide. Severely injured, it snarled at Deimos - but it was also confused, it seemed, because its gaze flickered incessantly between the illusions and the real man. Gathering its strength, it lunged towards the illusion to the right - only for its teeth to click shut on empty air.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-20-2025
His brow arched at the sudden illusions – namely him in several designations – and he had to muffle a low laugh beginning to form in his chest, lest he give away the pretenses. Even so, the fyrhund’s reaction inspired another bout (a rarity in that he had to smother two potential rounds of amusement), ignoring its snarls, its ferocity. He had more in spades nowadays.
So perhaps it was fortuitous, to unleash and unfurl all his frustrations, all his acrimony, all his rage and dominion and savagery into one little feral beast. A representation of the things they fought and warred against – there in tangible form – for him to annihilate, obliterate. Thereafter, the rush of his magic conjured again, flickering and bounding all around them, and composed, he billowed the potent Mastered Air incantations directly at the foe once more, aiming for bloodshed and ruin.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-21-2025
To feel Deimos's amusement with the situation had Alys shaking her head - only he would find the fyrhund's antics entertaining - but it seemed that he tired quickly of the situation, for it only took one more burst of effort before the beast fell, its glowing eyes dimmed, and stayed still where it lay. Alys let her illusions fade. [say]"Well,"[/say] she announced to the cavern at large. [say]"That was anticlimactic. I would have thought it would have put up more of a fight."[/say] Wrinkling her nose, she grinned playfully up at Deimos.
Now that they were safe - relatively speaking, anyway - Alys looked around. She didn't see any lilies, which was a disappointment; not only did she need a flower for Tal, but she knew now that there were many uses for the enchanted plants, and either Deimos could have used one or she could have taken one to Sunjata, as well.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-21-2025
He arched his brow at the comment, snorting, as he pulsed another fragment of elements into the threshold, fire beginning to burn at the corpse. [say]“Did you want a big show?”[/say] The Sword had only been interested in a quick and swift kill; no need for drawn out purposes when he could just easily fell the monstrosity and move on. Churning over the flames, permitting a further conflagration, he sighed. [say]“I suppose no lilies nearby either.” [/say]
Wrinkling his nose, his eyes narrowed, gaze still sweeping over the surroundings. [say]“Are you trying to get one for Talyson?”[/say] Deimos would consider it a waste – it was understandable from the Seer’s perspective – but it wouldn’t be what the Warden of Halo would utilize it for.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-21-2025
Flame sprouted, licking at the corpse, and Alys watched it for a moment before replying, wrapping her arms around her middle as though suddenly cold despite the oppressive heat of the tunnels. [say]"Did you know that Sunjata recently asked me to join his council?"[/say] she said finally, her dark eyes flickering up to Deimos's. Letting that sink in for a moment, she sighed. [say]"He shared some interesting information with me."[/say] About the flowers and their uses, among other things.
[say]"If you'd asked me a week ago, I'd have absolutely been searching for one to use for Tal. But now..."[/say] Now she was torn, and she didn't know what to do. If she used a flower on Tal, it would not only be selfish, but it would be going against what her Archon had requested. But if she gave any flowers she found to Sunjata, it felt like a betrayal of her partner. [say]"If it was Evie... what would you do?"[/say]
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-22-2025
His brow arched while he implanted further flames, ensuring the corpse would be nothing more than ash and bones in several more seconds. [say]“I did not.”[/say] But then again, he didn’t need to be privy to other regions’ alterations within their councils. [say]“Congratulations. What does he have you doing?”[/say] As for the information, he let out a long, slow breath, waiting for it to unfurl – when she didn’t press any further, his head and gaze tilted back her way. [say]“Such as?”[/say]
His presumptions about Talyson had been mostly correct – though his notions of ‘wasteful’ stemmed from spite and indifference towards the Messenger, and not the predictable acts of a loved one. The inquiry pressed his way surprised him – but he wouldn’t be the type to pretend it might never happen. Calculating as he was, the answer came swiftly. [say]“March to a shrine and pray to one of the Big Gods.”[/say] He’d want her cured immediately. Much like Remi had done for Ronin, upon discovery of infestation. Or how they’d dropped Sunjata and Ru into the springs, though that option was no longer there. [say]“But I would not relent in search of flowers for other purposes either.”[/say] Twofold goals, to ensure neither was canceled out for their upcoming and prolonged efforts. [say]“It is difficult to pinpoint which is the most important, though I will say if we do not have enough for our gardening ventures...,”[/say] well, he shrugged, permitting Alys to fill in the blanks.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-26-2025
[say]"Thank you,"[/say] she said, flashing a small smile. [say]"He's asked me to be his Seer. I think he intends to use my visions, if he can, but aside from that - I'll just be helping where I can. And, gods forbid something were to happen to him, but this way there's a contingency plan... just in case."[/say] In these uncertain times, Alys wasn't going to assume anyone would be safe. And if she could take care of her home, in any way that she could... well, she would do her best to do it.
As for what information Sunjata had shared, Alys paused, unsure what she could say aloud. [say]"Some gardening tips,"[/say] she said finally, watching as the last ashes of the fyrhund settled to the ground. [say]"I've always grown more herbs than flowers, so I didn't realize how... versatile they could be."[/say] She glanced at Deimos, hoping he'd gotten her meaning.
Her friend's answer to her query came quickly, and she blinked back the sudden press of tears. Even Deimos would choose his partner over his region - did it make her a bad partner that she wasn't sure what she should do, if she were fortunate enough to find a flower? [say]"That's what I'm afraid of,"[/say] she whispered, forcing a heavy breath through her lips. Collecting herself, she shook her head. [say]"How can I choose myself and my partner over the good of all of Caido? But how can I just let him stay with the Family? It's - it just feels impossible."[/say]
Then she looked around. [say]"Of course, we'd have to find a flower, first."[/say]
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-27-2025
He nodded along in understanding; of visions, of potential glances into the future, of contingency plans. It was why Evie stayed on the council, because for as many times as they had leaders going out into treacherous and perilous territory, the risk of losing any of them remained – even immortal, they’d be out of commission for seasons on end, and not quite willing to leave regions in ruts. [say]“Good. I think we are at that point now where any security to be had is valuable.”[/say] And he smiled back at her, pleased for his friend and all her efforts.
As for the gardening tips, he nodded, the comprehension remaining – he just hadn’t known how far Sunjata had described the features. [say]“Not many of us knew about other potential uses. Hopefully it came come to fruition.”[/say] He gave her another wrinkle to his nose, letting the subject pass through – though it dropped as her emotions altered and changed.
Deimos hadn’t necessarily chosen his partner over his region – sometimes they went hand in hand. Beyond the aspects of love and family, there were other multitudes to consider with Evie – she was very much a heart and part of Halo as well. If she were to be infected, there was no telling how the Family could manipulate her, and many others, into their bidding, and then there was Erebos…
[say]“I am sorry there is no easy answer, nor will I tell you what is selfish or not.”[/say] The Sword sighed, eyes cast elsewhere, glancing around as if another petal or bloom would suddenly appear, solve the problems at large. But he knew better. They all did. [say]“We only need one more in order to have everything ready for the remaining gardening trips.”[/say] After that – well, he’d consider the extras to be something each individual could discern and utilize for themselves.
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Alys - 06-27-2025
If anyone would have understood Alys's new responsibilities, it would be Deimos. He was well acquainted by now with leadership and all of the hard choices it entailed. And now she was learning, and growing, and becoming something more than she'd ever dreamed of being - and she knew that all the counsel she had received from Deimos over the years would be instrumental in shaping what came next for her.
There were no easy answers, but that was life, wasn't it? Even with the tarot, everything was always in flux, ever-changing, shifting with each minuscule decision made. Who was to say that saving Tal wouldn't somehow be instrumental in the efforts against the Family? Or that by eradicating the threat, they could more quickly save Tal? There were a million different futures - and perhaps that was why it was so difficult, to be given the gifts she'd received in this life.
But if they only needed one more... [say]"That is good news, indeed,"[/say] Alys said, perking up a bit at that. Perhaps she needn't feel so guilty after all about wanting to save her partner, if there were indeed as many flowers in play already as Deimos indicated. [say]"Thank you,"[/say] she said suddenly. [say]"For all the advice, and the training, and everything else. It means more to me than I can say."[/say]
RE: is this the end of everything we know? - Deimos - 06-28-2025
And while well acquainted with leadership for years, and lives, now, he wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. Work and hardships, pressures and weights, mantles carrying multitudes with little room for error made for a life full of overwhelming quandaries. But perhaps Alys would know how to handle it better than himself, who was currently balancing being Warden, general, warrior, and father, uncertain if he was doing well with any part.
Her emotions seemed to rest though – giving him space to afford another smile, if not a slight amount of surprise at the compliments. [say]“You are welcome.”[/say] Why not share the experiences and the wisdom? He didn’t need to be the only one benefitting from the sagacity. [say]“How about we search over here, and then head out?”[/say] It might give her some piece of mind, to know they’d perused every inch of the springs – and could always try again.
[FIN]