The Furry Forums
Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Døvu on August 25, 2012, 06:00:47 PM
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"Im young but I know what Im doing." Dovu said to his uncle as he got on his horse. "Ill come back. I promise. You know how long I've been waiting for this. You said you wouldnt..."
"You're right. Im sorry." His uncle said stepping back with his head down. "You're parents would be proud."
"See you in a few months. YAW!" He slapped the reins of the horse and it took off.
He tied his horse up to an old wooden fence at the meeting point just outside of the boundaries of Old London. The tops of the buildings intruding out of the ground rose a large distance over head still, despite their incalculable age, maintaining their structural integrity. So it seemed.
"Incredible isn't it?" Dovu said to his horse. "How did they ever build something like this. I wonder how far down it goes...." The horse snorted.
Dovu walked up to the clearly visible boundary that ran around the circumference of the entire city. The ground seemed to suddenly die when it got to a certain point, making a brown ring of dead foliage.
"Hmm."
He sat under a tree sharpening his axe, waiting for the others so they could begin.
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After a tiresome horse trip Suzzen was approaching the meeting point, she had left what was left of her tribe one and a half weeks ago. "They are probably happy that I left" she scoffed at herself. Shaking her head and focusing she could see the tops of the old building protruding from the ground as well as the dead foliage. "There has to be answers here I just know it....."
Tieing up her horse she walked the last 50 or so meters she could see that one other person had gathered and was sitting under a dead tree sharpening his axe. She approached and introduced herself "Hello I am Suzzen" She made no visible attempt to hide the marking on her arm as she extended her hand towards him.
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"Nice to meet you." He shook her hand observing the markings. "Im Dovu. There will be a couple others joining us."
He decided it put the axe away, then turned over to the buildings.
"My father said it's unholy ground." He said, referring to the dead ring around the entire old city. "Im not much to believe in stuff like that. I just want to learn about those who lived before us...and what happened to them. It must of been thousands of years. Look how much the ground has risen around the structures."
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It had taken him a full month to reach this place, but Ghorlo had finally made it. The meeting point. He could already hear the crows that mostly inhabited the upper parts of the dead cities, smell the metallic scent of the rusty buildings, feel the atmosphere tighten as he approached this dead area. He already hears other beings talking. He smells a Lion, and another Lizard, though of a different race than him. Iguana, probably. They always have this distinct scent. So he wouldn’t be alone on this travel. But still… It could be some kind of evil trap… You never know nowadays… Ghorlo lets go a slight hiss, checks his two swords bound crossed on his back and his two bands of ten small, lethal knifes each at his hips, and he walks towards the talkers.
“Good day. Is this the place for the quest???”, he asked when arrived at the scene.
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"Hello there. Yes, you're in the right spot. Im Dovu, and this is Suzzen. We will be starting as soon as the others join us." Dovu noticed the swords and knives on Chorlo's back and waist. "Those are fine pieces of art there...who made them?"
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Hearing the foot step approaching, Suzzen turned around flicking some of her lavender hair over her right eye,making sure it was was hidden. Seeing that it was another reptile she smiled faintly, noticing the blades he was carrying. "Suzzen a pleasure to meet you".
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Ghorlo nods into the general direction the two other travellers.
“Nice to meet you both. My name is Ghorlo, Tribesmen of the Burning Plains, son of Hortyuiok, Chieftain of the Tribe of the Ones. I have come to join you on your expedition to the centre of Old London.” He turns to Dovu. “My blades are forged by my great-grandfather, the First Chieftain after the First Great Reptile War. They are called Life and Dead, showing the double-sided nature of us, Burning Plain Lizards. These throwing knifes are of my own creation.”
He is still somewhat surprised by seeing another Lizard. “It has been a very long time since I saw another of my kind.” He says to Suzzen. “You’re Iguana, aren’t you?”
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In the distance Sij spotted the group of beings gathered at the edge of the now extinct city. As he approached he began to notice that there were no humans in the group, he's not even sure if there ARE other humans, let alone how the group will react.
As he approached he steadily prepped himself for a possible battle, he is sure that the group he spotted is the group meant to go into the city, but as well all know well enough, you just don't know these days. Once he reached at about 20 meters away from the group, he stopped and held his shield up, yelling at the group.
"Are you lot the archeologists? To go into the city?"
As he awaited an answer, he quickly noticed the races and looks of the group. Two lizards, one lion. One seems to carry 2 blades, the others he's not so sure. Either way, he's outnumbered. We'll just see how this goes.
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Suzzen grinned at Ghorlo. "Why yes I am, and yourself?" She turned her gaze towards somebody approaching. Seeing a shield go up she reached back towards her daggers.
"Are you lot the archeologists? To go into the city?
Hearing his enquiry she relaxed her grip on the dagger and glanced at him.
"Yes please don't be shy". She replied, the first thought in her mind as she said it Hes a human, isnt he? I havent seen one of those before.... Quickly pulling out a torn black cloth she slung it over her arm and shoulder making sure it was well covered.
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Sij relaxed as he got his answer and approached the group, as he got within range he looks at the woman who gave him the reply.
"I apologize for taking such an aggressive stance. You can never tell whose who these days."
Extending his hand towards the iguana, he began to speak once more.
"It's good to meet you my friend, are there any others?"
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Dovu shook Sij's hand. "Im Dovu, the lead archaeologist. I was unaware there was a human joining us today. This is excellent..." He took a few sniffs. "Youre the first ive ever seen. Apparently your ancestors built this place...perhaps you will be of greater use than I anticipated."
He looked around, and then at the sun which was starting to descend after peaking in the afternoon sky.
"Hmm. One more was supposed to join us here today. A fox I believe. Anyway, hes late. He will catch up with us...lets get moving."
Dovu hopped on his horse.
"The city isnt too far away. Legend has it theres a museum somewhere down there...completely submerged. We will be taking access through the tallest building in the center. There should be stairwells that will take us far underground. From there we try to locate the sewers."
He tugged on the reins making his horse trot forward.
"A museum! Could you imagine what we could learn?!"
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"Good to meet you, Dovu. Although my use to you is most likely limited to combat. But we will see soon enough. This is a journey in which we will all learn from and evolve in different ways. Lets just hope we all make it out alive my friend." Sij chuckled as he started on his path with Dovu and the others towards the barren, underground city. The sun finally setting made the air a lot less hot and a lot more durable, however the night could be very cold. He doesn't know this environment well, or even what dwells this place as he only just got here.
"We should pick up the pace a bit. Night can get real nasty anywhere. I don't know how cold it will get but I can't imagine it won't be warm." Sij had figured the sooner we get in the buildings the better. Night and day won't necessarily matter in there, where there isn't any light anyways.
"Where are you from, Dovu?" The inquiry was simple small talk. Sij was a little on edge from the awaiting possible dangers. Having a good conversation with anybody can help calm the nerves. Panic is death.
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"Im not from this land. I had to cross a channel by boat with my horse. My home is on a very large peninsula to the south east...we call it Italia." Dovu said as they neared the city.
"You know you shouldnt be so nervous." He said to Sij sensing the tone of his voice. "No one is dying on this journey...everything you've heard about this place are ghost stories. People dont come back alive because of inadequate training, not monsters. I assure you...we are very well prepared for this."
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"We know not what dangers my lurk this place my friend. It's not only ghosts or spirits that could be lurking this place. There could be a multitude of creatures. Not to mention the stability of the buildings. Being that far underground can cause buildings to collapse, it's a lot of pressure for them to take. Then again these buildings are far superior to ours. You never know. Always remember, the ones going into battle expecting the worst, are also the ones prepared for the worst."
Although Sij was a bit nervous, he knows that his capabilities in combat are more then enough to get him through pretty much anything. But as he says very often, you just never know. As Sij and the rest near the city he begins to be greatly inspired and rather.. Excited. This is the ultimate challenge for him. If he makes it through this , he will know for sure that he can handle absolutely any situation. His training won't be over, that's for sure, if there is one city underground from this age, there are more, hundreds, even thousands. Each one holding more dangers, more challenges, these will be his new training grounds, he will have seen and fought through things no other man can ever say they have done.
"I will use the best of my abilities in order to protect everybody, we are in this together. I may not know you all, or even trust you all. But you've given me no reason to dislike, and because of that you are all innocent in my eyes. I protect the innocent, and destroy the corrupt." The human chuckles a bit. "Although, you lot seem like you may be able to handle yourselves in combat pretty well. We'll see how this goes. The most important thing is to stay alert. And focus."
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"Komodo... That's my race." Ghorlo answered the Suzzens question after a while. The entrance of the human hadn't left him with a lot of time to talk. He had seen humans before, probably tasted one as well, who knows, the banquets at the Burning Plains had often a very wide range of plates. They were just rather rare nowadays. Getting hungry, he flips open one of his pocket and took out a small piece of dried meat. He swallows it whole, letting the flavour wash over him as he walks after the others, waiting for Suzzen's reaction. Komodo's are not the most... appreciated under the Lizards...
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Sij stops and waits a bit for the others to catch up. Looking back at his new reptilian companions.
"Come, friends. There should be ample time to discuss on the way to the city and in the city. But we do need to make way as we do not know what the night may be like in this area of the world." He says, gesturing in a friendly manner for them to come with us.
He stands in wait for the rest. He cannot allow anybody to wonder off too far, from his range of protection. Although he is sure they could easily handle themselves, he finds it imperative that we all stay close as a group in order to maintain a good bond and level of communication. Communication is key in battle and we cannot risk anything in a situation such as this.
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"Komodo... Iv never met a komodo before, Your much larger than I expected" she grinned " Or maybe im just small, either way we should probably get going before the others get to far ahead. " Looking at him swallow the dried meat whole she walked forward to the rest of the group.
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Ghorlo walks after her. He hears the human stop some way further. Is something happening? No, he doesn´t smell any adrenaline or sweat, so its probably nothing. The guy is just waiting for them to catch up. He notices the throwing knife he suddenly holds in his left hand. Embarassed, he puts it back into its socket. No time to get paranoid now.
''What distance do we still have to cover?'' He asks to no-one in particular.
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Dovu stopped in the middle of the street just before the outskirt of the city. The towering building still seemed to scrape the sky, while others barely poked their heads out of the ground. "I wouldnt say very far Chorlo." He said. "The most stable building will be the biggest. More safety measures I presume. Look...over there." He pointed at the tallest one just a few minutes away. "Its not far either. We have just enough sunlight. Lets get inside before we start to freeze."
Dovu picked up a scent of meat. He turned around to Chorlo...."I would save that if I were you. Each person is responsible for his or her own food and water. Eat just enough to keep a stable mental status and physical condition. Ignore your instinct to eat everything you see Komodo." He said with a smile joking around some.
"COMMON SLOW POKES!" He yelled sending his horse into a full gallop to the building.
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Quickly calling her horse with a sharp tongue click, Suzzen grabbing the reins and jumping up as the horse runs towards her. A smile across her as she send him into a full gallop towards the rest of the group. " Who are you calling slow?" The grin on her face getting wider the faster she goes. Looking around "This place really is dead,even the grass looks like its had the life chocked out of it."
"That tall building is the one were are heading to?"
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"What tall building??? Oh, Kratys!!!" Ghorlo runs after the ground, using his hearing and touch to find his way through the dead landscape after the horses. Dead it is. No birds other than crows live here, no plants are able to survive, no insects, no rats, nothing... It's like the life has been sucked out of this place, and Dead himself rules the ground and the air now... For a second, Ghorlo is able to make out a very slight scratching sound to his left. It is gone as quickly as it arrived. Not wanting to scare the others, he runs on, keeping his ears and nose opened to detect any threats...
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Looking at the tops of building poking out of the ground as she approaches the building they were headed towards. Getting off her horse and looking at it. "No point in you going further" She grabs a small backpack that was attached to her saddle and placing a piece of parchments on the saddle. "Go home."
She started to run, as the Komodo who was a little behind her caught up.
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Dovu dismounted and let his horse run free. He strapped on his backpack, sheathed his tomahawk, and adjusted his clothing and light leather armor.
"This is it. If anyone wants to turn back...now is your only chance."
He walked up to the face of building and punched in a window. The glass was brittle and very hazy from thousands of years of corrosion. The stale air inside the building seeped out, giving off an unpleasant scent.
"The faster you adjust to the smell, the quicker you get used to it." He said with a smile, stepping over the bottom of the window frame and stepping into the room. It was obviously an old office building. Computers, although foreign to Dovu, were scattered around. He poked inside one finding hard drives and microchips. He took one out and put it in his satchel. Everything was rusted so badly that nearly anything made of metal crumbled to the touch.
Perhaps these structures wont be as stable as I anticipated.
He poked his head up and yelled out to the others.
"Are you coming in or what? You guys need to see this stuff."
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Sij quickly followed suit, entering though the window of the building. The smell of mold and rust filled his lungs. The dimly lit room seemed to be filled with some sort of strange devices. Different kinds of furniture, things of the like. Sij stood by the nearest doorway and waited for the others to arrive, as well as keeping his ears and eyes watchful for anything that could go wrong.
"Dovu, do you have any idea what these things might be? At all? Or even what language these letters are?"
Sij said, noticing some of the rusted labels on the file cabinets as he positioned himself by the door. The creaking and cracking of the building filling the room causes him to take a more alert stance. But he figures we will be fine. For now anyways. We don't hold enough weight to break the building.
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Climbing through the window, Ghorlo makes his way through the room slowly, touching every device and chair situated there. How smart our races must have been, to be able to use these... computers? Was that the name of them? Again he hears the scratching noise, and again nothing is to be seen. Christ, am I getting paranoid or what... "Guys, I... I think we are not alone here..." Carefully, Ghorlo draws a throwing knife, searching for the source of the disturbance.
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Stepping through the window Suzzen takes a moment to get used to the air. thinking to herself "No good its going to take a while before ill be able to smell things" Brushing the dust off of some papers. "I cant read whats written here the ink is too degraded" Turning her head as she hear a faint scratching noise. "Chorlo might be right, dont get too distracted"
Walking forward hearing the creaking of the old structure around her. "This building truelly is well contructed, thousands of years old and still standing" Taking her cloak off as she walked in the direction where she heard the noises.
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"Chorlo..." Dovu nudges his hand back down at his side. "Its an old building...its going to make noise. Try to relax." He picked up some papers off the desk. "This seems to be an advanced language but with the use of a simple alphabet. Though I cant make any sense of it. Such short words." Dovu's eye catches wires leading to sockets in the wall. He picks on up.
"Interesting...a...power source maybe? But what kind?" He dropped it.
"Lets move on. Answers may lie ahead...or down I should say. We will be back at this room when we leave."
He found the doorway in the shadow of the room.
"This way..." He poked his head through it. "Much darker in here. One of you reptiles go first. You will be able to see well I assume."
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Smiling Suzzen took a step into the room being used to the darkness and the shadows. " Ill go first"
Looking around in the dark."There seems to be some stairs leading down, cant see anything else though"
Starting to walk down the stairs slowly making scratching her claw against the wall marking it.
"Lets head down further" If this is an old office building chances are more of the upper floors will just be the same."
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"Right. We need to find a stairwell of some sort." Dovu said, following Suzzen's voice. His eyes were good, but not that good. He cautiously went down the steps.
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Sij followed the others through the door. Slowly making his way down the stairwell, getting used to the steps he was able to keep up with the others fairly easily. Sij made sure to have his arm ready for drawing his blade-- Just in case. Dovu doesn't seem to understand being extremely cautious. But that's fine. That's why Sij is here, to protect and evolve as a warrior. Dovu is here to take risks and discover.
"If we aren't here alone. Then I'm afraid whatever it is will be getting one hell of a surprise. I'm sure we can make sure of that quite easily." Said Sij, in a half joking manner.
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"I'd prefer you didn't," said a voice slightly behind Sij... close enough to hear, but just far enough away so that none of their weapons would reach. "I didn't come to be killed, just to help."
(I won't be able to get on much, just a warning... my parents are monopolizing my laptop. >:( )
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Sij turned around quickly and tried to make out the supposed companion behind him. Making sure to be a safe distance.. Just in case.
"You must be the missing one. Welcome to our group. We will make small talk soon enough. Just stay close, we don't know what could happen in here, these buildings are very old. And who knows what may dwell in here."
Although the new person joining us surprised him quite a bit, he still plans on protecting them just the same as the others. Innocent until proven guilty is a phrase that Sij goes by when it comes to who to protect and who to destroy.
"You've given us quite a shock, it probably would have been better to yell when you entered the building. Sneaking up like that could have proven to be a very big disaster." Sij chuckled slightly.
"Either way, welcome to our group. But lets get going lest we lose the others." And with that Sij continued on his way down the stairs with the rest, motioning back for the new friend to come closer. "Make sure to stay close."
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Spinning around suddenly at the sound of a new voice behind the group, and immediately reaching back and pulling her daggers out. She looked at the new comer. Her scarlet eye now uncovered by the spinning motion giving off a very faint barely visible bioluminecence.
Hearing his voice, She sheathed her daggers again and turned to move down the stairwell calling back. "Next time dont sneak up on people down here,Everybody is a little tense since we cant sense thing as well down here"
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Dovu laughed after the scare by the new adventurer. "See, the only thing we have to fear down here is ourselves."
Just then, the brittle stairs creaked louder than usual and started to cave in. Dovu nearly fell down into even heavier darkness, but caught the stair in front of him. Suzzen's bioluminescence mixed with a rush of adrenaline made things much more visible for the time being. He wasn't sure what happened to the others behind him and Suzzen, but he quickly started to pull himself up.
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In a flurry of action, Sij immediately grabs both lizards by their cloths and throws them behind him as far as possible. as soon as that happened the stairs broke just under his feet. Sij manages to barely grab the ledge. Cutting his hand on the shattered steps. His strength is great but because of the shape of the stairs they are difficult to hold on to. With blood dripping from his hand he begins to slip. So he quickly grabs as much as he can with his other hand in an attempt to hold on longer. His grip now is better but not by much.
"My new friend, can you give me a hand here?" Asking the new feline in our group. "I've got the strength but not the grip. Haha"
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Ghorlo is surprised by the newcomer, but not that much. When he walks down the stairs next to Suzzen, he is puzzled by a creaking noise under them... Without realizling fast enough that they are in danger, Sij is already there, gabbing them both and pulling them back to safety. He falls himself, and Ghorlo is scared that his rescuer has dropped to his dead, but Sij's voice is enough to prove otherswise. Because of his blindness, Ghorlo doesn't dare approaching the gap, not sure if he knows where the edge of the pit is. So he waits for the others to come and rescue Sij. However, as he steps back, a shiver goes through his body as he feels a dark force nearby. Something... strange, and ancient... Evil...The others may say whatever they like, there is SOMETHING with us down here...
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Hearing the creaking noises,and feeling herself being thrown back. Taking a moment to find her balance as she looks around trying to see where everybody is. Throwing off the cloak on her arm she moves closer to the edge of the whole. "Are you OK?, Quickly grab my hand" She extended her arm toward the human now dangling. "I cant see the bottom, so if you fall i dont know how far it will be" using her tail she wraps it around one of the still intact railings.
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"Is everyone alright?" Dovu said once he pulled himself to safety. The gap was a good six feet wide, and would prove a challenging leap of faith for anyone. Then he thought of something. That might have been our only way out.
"We should find something to use as a bridge..."
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Beatnory had no idea where he was and what he is doing. the only thing what he know for sure is that he needs food and water. fast.
step for step to somewehere to uknown. when beat decided to give up he heart something. it wasn't close to him but there was something.
I could be food so he has to go. quickly he ran towards the sound.
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Sij grabs Suzzans arm and uses his cut hand to push himself up as he pulls on her arm. Once he was safe and sound on the not so safe stairs he realizes how much of a challenge this may be. The gap was huge, he might be able to clear it, but he would have to get a running start. And he's pretty sure the stairs would break where he lands anyways. So that's a no go.
"Thanks, friend, for your arm. Is everybody else okay? Is anybody hurt?" As he was saying so Sij ripped a bit off of his cloak, just a small strip and wrapped it around his hand. Thankfully it's his shield hand. So he doesn't need it for his sword. It's not extremely deep but he should still keep it wrapped.
"So, how are we going to pass this?" Sij chuckled a bit. "Do we have any source of light even?"
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beatnory stumbled over a stone. he could almost cry so much hungry he was. He stood up and wiped the filth of his coat.
he tryed to look around but everything seemed blurred. probably due to the hunger.
with difficulty he could see a building left of him. without thinking about it he did enter the building.
beat didn't had energy to worry about where he was and looking around. just walk, everyone what he did.
after a walk he saw a group of furriers. they where doing something but beat didn't care. mabye they have food.
with his last energy he ran to them.
(I hope this is okay)
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Hearing the footsteps coming quickly Dovu's heart began to race and his blood flushed cold from his skin. He took out his tomahawk and prepared for anything that could be coming down the stairs. "Somethings coming!" He shouted, getting to the front of the group up the stairs. Beatnory bumped into him nearly sending him tumbling down the stairs. It was just another furry. "Jesus, you scared the crap out of me....let alone nearly killed me. Dont run in here..."
He gazed back over the hole. "Welcome to the group. We're in a bit of a situation."
Dovu looked to the side of the wall and saw the old rusted handrails that stretched along the wall. He sat down over the edge and grabbed a hold of them. "I think this will hold." He tied a rope around his waist and threw the other end to the group expecting someone to catch him incase he fell. He started hanging off the handrails and slowly worked his way to the other side of the gap. The rails creaking and bending violently.
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Whispering to herself "Wasn't planning to use this in front of others again" Reaching back to her dagger and very discreetly making a small cut on her arm. Moving some of the blood onto her markings. The Marking on her arm shifting a little as she does, cringing in pain, She looks around to see there isn't anybody standing to close to her "I am sorry about this...." Whispering in a language she barely understands the marking on her arm and eyelid starts to glow with a dull eery purple light, not very bright but enough to illuminate some of the stairwell and the hole.
Her breathing much heavier "Do what you need to do I cant hold this for very long". She noticed Dovu making his way across the gap with a rope, she cringed again. Using some the power she had acquired clearly having a heavy cost
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There it is again. The dark, satanic aura. He smells blood as well. Lizard-blood. It is the Lizard-woman. She produces the dark signs, speak a forbidden language. A slight growl comes out of Ghorlo's throat. Let's... keep an eye on her... I don't trust this devilish magic... or whatever it is... I can take care of her if she threatens us... or herself...
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Standing firm Sij grabs the rope that Dovu tossed over. Not worrying too much about the new fur that just arrived at the moment. His primary concern was Dovu. Gripping the rope tight and lowering his stance in case anything happened.
"Just take it slow Dovu. I've got the rope and I'm sure I could hold you but lets not experiment with that." Directing his speech at the new fur he spoke in a somewhat lively tone. "You've arrived at a bad time right now my friend. Just take a seat until this is all sorted out. I say the same for the rest of you, take a seat and gather your nerves. Everything will be fine."
Sij returns his focus to the situation at hand. Dovu is the only one with enough experience to guide us. Or at least that's what he is assuming.
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A figure suddenly dashed forward to Sij, gently taking hold of his hand and wrapping a bandage around it. "Ok... you should be fine," it said in a distinctly male yet young voice.
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Dovu reached the other side safely. The floor creaked just as much as the hand rails. "I'm going to go find something to lay across the hole, Suzzen, I'll need your light. Why don't you vome with me. You won't fall I promise. "
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"No need."
Suddenly, the figure jumped across the gap, a feline face being revealed in the light before it landed and disappeared in the darkness on the other side. Shortly after, a large plank extended across the gap. "Hold on," the voice said. "More are coming."
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"That works too. Wish you would have stopped me from risking my life trying to get across." Dovu said smiling.
"Enough horsing around. We have work to do...lets keep moving. There must be a stair well connecting all the floors." He continued down the steps into another dark hallway. There was a slight breeze, and even fowler smelling air. Chills went up his spine. This place is creepier than I expected. Father, watch over us please.
"I could use some light down here!"
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Seeing the planks begin extended Suzzen slowly made her way across holding her arm at a 90 degree angle to the ground trying to light as much as she can, her breath was still laboured but not as much as before. "Where do you need me to shine?" she enquired.
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Dovu noticed a sign with an arrow pointing to the right, and below that was a depiction of stairs.
"If that means what I think it means, I suggest we go this way. Just shine where were walking so we dont trip or hit our heads on something."
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"The rest of you go ahead of me. I will follow behind. One at a time across the planks. Stay close, stay alert. I can't help but feel we are not alone."
Sij had entered his serious protector state of mind. His main concern now was to move on, and keep everybody safe, and alive. Approaching the new fur that had entered the building, he noticed the serious condition he was in.
"Just relax. I've got you."
Sij then picked up the new fur and cradled him in his arms, returning to the steps.. Deeper into this mysterious realm.. He cannot help but feel something is here. This fur needs to be nursed back to health as soon as possible. We need everybody in tip top shape for whatever may come.
"Here, eat this, and drink this. You need it more than I do."
He said, reaching into his pouch under his cloak, taking out some bread and water and putting it into the new furs hands.
"We need to find stable ground to rest. So when we reach a stable, flat surface, I suggest we set up a sort of camp to rest and eat at for a bit."
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Walking forward Suzzen stops. And looks back " Welcome newcomer " turning back she starts to follow the sign to the stairs telling Dovu. "We should hurry, I really cant keep this up for very long...and i wasnt planning on showing it to anybody here."
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Following the others, Ghorlo gives a curt nod to the new guy and says "Welcome. Try to keep up." To Suzzen: "How did you get that? The Dark sign..."
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Turning her gaze to Ghorlo for a moment "It is what you get for being to curious...When i was younger I found something deep in the forest where we lived. I had never seen markings like that before on the stones and dagger....I felt compelled to place some blood there. All I remember was time freezing and a shadow thanking me and promising to give me power as a reward. I Passed out and when I awoke this was on my arm and my right eye had changed." Taking a deep breath as her arm shakes a little "I dont wish to talk about this more,I came here to find out what this is, if somebody knew about these Shadows I am sure the people who built this city have that information" Whispering "Everything has its price,and i had to pay dearly."
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Dovu followed Suzzen's light, hearing his stomach growl and his eyes growing exhausted from being so stressed. He found the doors that lead to the main stairwell. His voice echoed down the darkness, "Hello? Hello? Hello?" except on the last echo it was not his voice, it sounded deeper...more evil.
He didnt want to say anything to the other. Im just tired. Its my imagination. He closed the doors facing the group again.
"Everyone, we rest here. Its been a long journey to this place. Our main decent begins once we've rested. I dont want any incidents like before happening. No mistakes from here on out. Remember to eat and drink your portions sparingly. We carry our own food and weight, however our friend here seems to be starving...we can take turns sharing with him."
Dovu sat down and cracked open his water pouch. He threw a couple pieces of dried meat in his mouth and laid his head back.
-
Sighing en relief as Dovu said they would rest here Suzzen waited till everybody crossed the hole making. The light fading from her arm followed by a slight flicker as the markings returned to their original places. Collapsing to her knees she reaches into her backpack and looks around making sure nobody is looking, she pulls out a small bag with red liquid inside. Biting into it and driking it as fast as she can then discarding it.
"Are we all ok?"
-
"Fine." Ghorlo sits and takes a couple of blocks of meat and swallows them, letting the flavour wash over him. He also takes a small sip out of his bottle. Water, mixed with certain plants and herbs, makes a great drink. "What is the plan for tommorrow?"
-
"We work our way down the stairs. Considering what happened early, we're going to use more safety precautions. Suzzen needs her strength. We cant have her using her...well what ever the hell it is...without her judgement becoming impaired. We need everyone 100%, therefor we will be using torch light. For now. I have cloths soaked in special mixtures that will burn for an entire day. I just don't like using it in closed in spaces like back there. However the stairwell will be a perfect, open space." He laid his head back against his pack, clenching his tomahawk in his hands. "Now get your rest."
-
The cat stared at Dovu, sitting oddly and looking between them all with inquisitive blue eyes. "Very interesting group here," he said. "But I think before we sleep, we should all make introductions." He blinked once then looked at them all. "I am referred to as Michael."
-
Getting back up Suzzen looked at the cat. " I am Suzzen, welcome to the group"
"Dovu,Dont worry about it..." Looking back towards Ghrolo "Im just not used to controlling it yet"
-
"Sense I've yet to actually introduce myself and give my name, I'm Sij. Glad to meet you all. I hope I can serve you all well."
Sij then sat down against the wall next to Michael.
"Thank you for the bandage, it wasn't needed, but it helps that's for sure. Also thank you for grabbing the boards used for the bridge. For someone who scared the hell out of us you sure helped out a lot." He said with a chuckle.
"What about the rest of you? Don't be shy."
-
"My name is Dovu. If you prefer not to get you or someone else killed, I would do what I say." He said with a smile. "We will be beginning soon, so if you want to turn back now, it may be your last chance."
-
Michael locked eyes with Dovu. "This is where I shall be most needed at the moment," he said. "I have a very broad knowledge of this civilization''s language... although I have no clue as to where I acquired it."
-
"Good. Im glad we have someone to decipher for us now. I want you to point out anything you find." Dovu got to his feet. "Ok. Resting time is over. Everyone ready?" He pushed the door to the stairwell open and lit his torch. He held it out to closely examine the integrity of the stairs. Seems pretty sturdy. He picked up a piece of rubble and dropped it over the edge....but never heard it touch bottom.
-
Getting back up Suzzen covered her arm with the cloak, moving part of her fringe over her eye aswell.
"Im ready" Seeing Dovu dropping some rubble down she tried listing for the sound of it hitting the bottom. Unable to hear it "It seems this building is taller than I thought" She chuckled.
-
Even with his above average hearing, Ghorlo didn't hear the rock hit the ground. That is an... extremely deep drop..."Let's not fall off. I'm ready, by the way. Let's move out."
-
Michael got up and stretched. "I'm ready when you are," he said.
-
"Everybody stay close together."
Sij got up and joined behind the rest of the group.
"My friend, do you have the energy to go with us?" He said to our once starving friend.
-
Dovu pulled out a coiled rope from his pack and tied it around his waist. "Here." he said handing it to the closest person. "Tie yourself in and pass it on...if we are all tied together, when someone falls the weight of the others will catch him...I dont want another incident like earlier happening...we got lucky. Try to watch your step."
Dovu started down the stairs. His weight made the metal beams of stair moan and squeak.
-
Michael tied some rope around his chest and passed it on. "Ok," he said.
-
Wrapping the rope around her waist Suzzen made sure it was secure enough not to slip but not tight enough to cause harm incase somebody slipped. Handing it to the person behind her Suzzen smiled. "Ready."
-
"Thanks." Ghorlo binds the rope around him, and moves behind Suzzen. "Ready... but please don't forget: I'm blind. I will try to follow in your footsteps, but be ready of any misstep on my part."
-
"We will let u know of any obstacles." Dovu said going down the stairs cautiously. The torch seemed to be catching some kind of breeze as the flames were n early getting snuffed out. weird.
"There's some kind of air current. That's a good sign. Fresh air maybe. "
-
Sij put everybody in front of him and wrapped the rope as tight as he could around himself. Also tying the rope around our new friend just before doing himself.
"Lets get a move on. I'm ready for whatever this place can throw at us. As long as we stay together and focus we will all be alright."
-
Michael looked back at Sij.
"Good plan," he said. "Hope it sticks..."
-
As he continued down the stairs about four or five floors, Dovu felt the air growing increasing cold causing the fur on his arm started to stand up. He paused the group for a second to listen. He thought he heard some kind of wind whistling, and soon a powerful short gust of wind nearly swept him off his feet. He grabbed onto the hand rail so he wouldnt fall over. The torch was instantly blown out, causing them to be completely blinded by darkness.
"Shit! What the hell was that?" Dovu got steady on his feet again. "Nobody move, im going to get this torch lit again." He felt through his pack for his flint. He found it and started striking it with his dagger making some sparks. The breezes started up again, he could tell they were blowing up, originating from the bottom of the stair well. He thought he could hear voices, but dismissed them as his imagination. He fumbled with the flint as he grew more frightened.
"New hosts have arrived...just in time. Bring them to me alive." A raspy voice said.
Dovu froze and felt his heart sink and his blood flush cold. He struck the flint faster holding it near the end of the torch. Finally it caught fire again and he got back up to his feet. He turned around to look at the others to see if they heard it too, or if he was just going insane. "No loud movements." He said whispering. I cant believe this. Was my father right?
-
Michael pricked up his ears, loosening his sword a bit in its scabbard. "I think we're going to have company soon..."
-
Sij released the rope from his waist and advanced alongside the rest getting in front of Dovu and pushing him back a little. Taking stance and focusing his gaze, readying his shield and sword.
"Stay back, all of you. They will take no one this day."
"Cowards" Sij muttered under his breath. Awaiting their move.
-
A shadowy figure came from the side, slamming Dovu into the wall, cracking the rotten plaster and wood. He dropped the torch which started to bounce down the stairs, illuminating the shapes of several deformed bodies with deep black eyes. They appeared to be human, at least they used to be. They're bodies looked abused and mis-shapen. They werent the only ones here though. Some were shadowy figures that seemed to attack light. They chased after the torch as it rolled down. The demonic humans crept up the stairs towards Sij.
"We can handle these ones." Dovu said pulling out his tomahawk. "Suzzen, any idea on how to handle these flying demons?"
-
Suzzen scanned the room seeing the different demonic shapes.Hearing Dovu's question, she looked around quickly. "Your asking me that....Im not sure but I can try something." Looking up at them trying to estimate how far away they were. "Ghrolo can you hear their heartbeats? If you can take the one on the left."
Reaching for her dagger SUzzen started running towards part of the rail on the side muttering under her breath "I cant use that again....not yet...not in front of everybody" Using her small light agile frame she quickly climbed as high as she can go digging her natural claws into the weak concrete.
-
One of the deformed humans dodged Sijs AT&qck and swung at Dovu. He ducked under him and struck him in the back with hie axe and kicked him over the railing, sending him into the darkness. More crrawled up the sides ready to attack Chorlo and the others.
-
Michael gently untied himself, then looked down at the ascending creatures. He glanced at Dovu and smiled.
"Be right back..."
Suddenly, the feline jumped right over the side, throwing a small grappling hook up to latch onto something. Drawing his sword, Michael began hacking through the creatures, running along the wall as he did, then swinging back up. He landed lightly, tying the sword into his hand so he wouldn't lose it and retracting the hook.
-
Sij bashed one of the creatures with his shield. Causing him to tumble and take many others with him. As they fell he made quick work of each of them. Methodically making sure they won't turn around and make quick work of him or the others.
"Heh. I've fought insects more fearsome then you lot!"
-
A shadowy creature came from the side and grabbed Sij's leg, pulling him down to his feet, attempting to drag him over the edge of the stairs. Dovu leap down and grabbed his arm.
"Hold on." He pulled out a blade and stabbed at the creature. The creature flashed a bright orange and then dissipated into nothing. The others after seeing this began to retreat. Dovu pulled Sij up.
-
Letting go of the concrete suzzen jumped off the wall dropping straight down onto one of the flying creatures, without a seconds hesitation she swung her claws against it violently causing some of its blood to splatter on her and the walls. Hearing its screeching noises suzzen grabbed her dagger and slammed them into teh back of its skull.
Watching it dissipate underneath her she jumped towards the wall again,slowing her decent with her claws again she hits the stairs with a light thud. The claws on her right hand still coated in some of its blood. Bringing it to her nose she inhales deeply. "Interesting scent "
-
Michael sheathed his weapon and took hold of Suzzen's hand, sniffing the blood. "Yes..." Suddenly, he gently licked a bit of blood off of one of her claws. "Hmm..." The cat spat over the railing. "Interesting indeed... also, when was the last time you washed your claws? That was disgusting! No offense..."
-
"Everyone stay calm." Dovu picked the torch back up and looked around. "We're moving forward. We've barely scratched the surface of something huge. A little conflict is nothing to be discouraged about. Is anyone wounded?"
-
"I'm fine," Michael said. "Nothing worse than some minor cuts and abrasions."
-
"Im ready to press on" Suzzen replied, ignoring the slight burning sensation on her arm,the blood that was on her arm somehow reacting a little to the marking on her arm.
-
Michael took out a roll of cloth and some herbs and began to dress Suzzen's wound. "There... this should help," he said as he finished.
-
"It seems that thousands of years of subterranean life has had a strange effect on the humans. They look nothing like our friend. And why wouldnt they just rebuild? It doesnt make sense...unless theyre possessed by something. They called us...hosts." Dovu said, brushing off his clothes. He continued down the stairs.
"Anyway...they seem to be intimidated by light. Everyone stay close."
-
Sij proceeded with Dovu through the dark corridors.
"Bah. These creatures don't stand a chance against us. Annoying things. Does anybody have anything they can burn for another torch? It would be best if we had light on both ends."
-
Dovu pulled out another damp cloth from pack and hands it to Sij. "here, burn this. Wrap it around a sword or something." Dovu stopped after descending about 20 more levels. "Here, we should get out of this stairwell. We're too easy of targets." He tried to budge the double doors but they were rusted shut. He gave them a blow with his shoulder, but they barely moved. "Someone help me out with this."
-
What a demonic creatures... Ghorlo had stayed out of the fight with the creatures that called them 'hosts', because, strangely, he hadn't been able to hear or feel them. It had all been sucked up into the huge, poundering feeling that had tormented him during the fight, whispering voices of evil telling him horrible truths and lies (or lies and truths?). Now they had arrived at a double door. "Here, let me help ya..." He walked forward to Dovu, and kicked once against the door. It didn't budge. "Maybe we can use our minds instead of our strength... We won't be able to open it with all our might combined... Any ideas?"
-
Suzzen approached the door and placed her hand against it. "Ghorlo is right"
Looking at the door she frowned and looked at the others.
-
Michael noticed a sign nearby and stopped to read it.
"Hmm..."
Suddenly, the feline looked over at the others... and cracked up.
"Guys, perhaps we should just go down another flight of stairs to the bottom floor," he said, still chuckling.
-
Uhg. "Why Michael?" Dovu said, still trying to budge the door. He stopped and looked at him impatiently.
-
Michael chuckled. "Because that's a janitor's closet."
-
"A closet?" Dovu grunted. "Enough wasted energy, lets move down a few more floors until we find a door that actually leads somewhere important."
-
Michael nods. "Right." Moving across the way, he stood at the top of the flight of stairs to wait for the others.
-
Suzzen quickly made her way down the stairs keeping alert she she kept scanning her eyes around the stairwell.
-
"Hey Michael." Dovu said. "Whats this?" He pointed to a sign on the wall just on the side of the doors a few floors below. It looked like Elevator. Along with a diagram.
-
The cat walked over and examined the sign. "Hmm... It says "Elevator"," he said. "It was this device they used to move between floors.. it's like a pulley. It wouldn't be working now..." He smiled. "However..."
-
"However WHAT???" Ghorlo says, a bit annoyed by all the pauses
( :P )
-
Michael looked at Ghorlo patiently. "Um... well, I was going to say that we can probably open these doors and use a rope to climb down the shaft."
-
"Mmm... that might work... However, how do you know how deep it is?"
-
Michael shrugged. "Well, I could check," he said.
-
"Logically it would take us to the bottom floor." Dovu stuck his axe head between the doors and pried them open. He looked down the darkness and kicked a piece of wood down. It bounced off the walls a couple times and then didnt make a noise. "Now, how do we all get down together? Ideas??" Dovu asked.
-
Suzzen peered down into the darkness.
"I have some rope, But didnt these thing use some sort of cable to work, we could probably use that to slide down."
Reaching into her backpack Suzzen pulled out some thick leather gloves.
-
Michael nodded, flexing his gloved fingers. "Good thing I always have mine ON HAND!" he said, grinning.
-
"I have no clue how sturdy those cable will be Suzzen...you're more than welcome to try." Dovu handed her a rope. "Tie this around you just incase..."
-
Michael nodded to her. "He's right... I might be able to catch myself, but the both of us together might snap the rope line I have."
-
"The cable should be able to hold my weight" Suzumi tied the rope around her just to be safe then leaned over and grabbed the support cable.
Sliding down it flecks of rust showering down as the thick gloves heated up from friction, a ringing zip line round echoing up the shaft.
-
Dovu held his breath as Suzumi leapt off. He held onto the rope rightly just in case anything bad happened.
"How is it coming down there?"
-
A loud thud echoes up the shaft. Dovu's voice echoes down.
"How is it coming down there?"
Several seconds pass and suzumi replies. "It seems to be fine down here, I can see a door but not much else."
-
"Can you get it open?" He yells down
-
Pressing her hand against the door without much force Suzumi tries opening the latch not quiet sure what to expect. "Hmmmm the latch is rusted but im sure maybe a direct approach might work"
It goes quiet for a moment followed by a loud crashing noise as she slams her full body against the door, the rusted latch breaking open.
"Yeah iv got it" She calls up, clutching her side for a few moment as she recovered from the impact. Old cold dusty air rushes past the door up the shaft. "Ill secure the rope down here so you can use it to climb down."
-
Dovu secures the rope around the top of cable to create friction as he slides down. He effortlessly reaches Suzumi and unties himself from the rope. "Who's coming next?" He yells up after stepping through the door.
-
"Not me," Michael said, sitting on a rock behind Suzzen. "I came down with Suzzen."