RuneScape Forum Archive | ||...Agony...||

Infinity A8

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~Chapter XXIV~

Black pawn B takes white pawn C
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"Relinquish your answer," Evan commanded. "Do you fear death?"
"It is not death I fear; it dying before I have lived long enough to achieve my goals and ambitions," Robert explained. "I would gladly die knowing that I've done all, or at least most, of the things I've aspired to do."
"Curious. What if death granted you more goals or ambitions to achieve?"
"I've answered my one question."
"My sincerest apologies! Please, make your next move."
Robert immediately moved his diagonally adjacent bishop over the pawn Evan had recently used and removed it from the table.
"Tell me, how do we get out of your mansion?" he inquired.
"There is only one exit and that is entrance. The only possible means of you departing through it, however, are one of the two methods: I permit it or I cease to exist."
Robert was somewhat stunned that Evan had answered honestly. He could see from Evan's overly confident expression that he no longer cared for lies. He was in control.
"For the moment..." Robert thought to himself as Evan pondered over his next move.
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Black Rook A takes White Pawn B
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"Please answer my previous question."
"I have no desire for anything death may grant." Robert then stole the rook with his other bishop.
"Are my other friends, those not in this room, alright?"
Evan bent his head back and seemed to focus for a moment. It looked as if he was listening to the house. After a moment, he returned his gaze to Robert.
"Well?" Robert asked calmly.
"Heheh. Most fascinating..."
"What is?"
Evan's empty eyes locked with Robert's.
"Veronica and Edward seem to have stumbled upon my diaries. That's a shame, they know most of my secrets now."
"So they're alright?"
"Yes, Jaden too," Evan uttered an amused chuckle. "He's having a nap."
"And Georgia?"
Evan's eyes looked like they were laughing.

18-Oct-2009 12:13:07 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2010 12:43:47 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Say it." Robert demanded, his voice rising with fear and impatience.
"I'm afraid that our courageous though reckless friend Georgia is on the brink of death," Evan explained. "But my! I admire her. Such composure! Such spirit and determination!"
"What happened to her?!" Robert almost thundered.
"That," Evan smiled whilst eying Robert's pieces. "Is another question..."
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Black Bishop C takes White Bishop C
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"Who of your group do you love the most?"
"What?" Robert raised an eyebrow.
"It's a simple question. Who of your companions do you hold the most affection for?"
"Er...I...uh...um..."
Natalie was looking at Robert with a look that could have been perplexity but with the amount of terror scarred into her face by the blade centimetres from her throat, it would have been hard to tell. Robert continued to stammer for a bit before Evan lost his patience.
"There may not be a time limit, but I will start to chastise you for delayed responses."
Robert's response was almost a whisper. "Natalie."
Like the glorious sunset, Natalie's face shone red and all fear and confusion had been swept away and replaced with a most uncharacteristic panoply of positive emotions.
"Oh Robert, really?!" Natalie exclaimed joyously. Robert seemed to ignore Natalie's sudden changed of emotion and bent his head around to address her. His face was also tinged with an amorous red.
"Uh, yeah. Do you like me too?"
Natalie was about to nod excitedly, but remembered the blade positioned beneath her neck and simply murmured a shy 'yes'.
Evan was roaring with laughter and clapping his hands like a mad penguin, the sounds snapping Robert's attention back to the grey-haired boy.
"Ohoho! How bemusing!" Evan grinned like a demon. "I shall ensure I wield this knowledge to my advantage..."
Robert was on the verge of losing his equable manner, but remained composed and used his knight to capture Evan's remaining bishop."

18-Oct-2009 12:13:44 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2010 13:05:12 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"What happened to Georgia?"
"Your azure-topped companion had the haplessness to wander into my 'Beasts Chamber'. It is a horrid room. It's very existence twists the boundaries of sanity and sanitation."
"What?"
"It's a room of blood and beasts**** Windil," Evan explained. "You see, my talent is creating creatures of violence and turpitude. As such, the room I have contained them within had literally been flooded with the blood of unfortunate victims. Entering said room is said to drag your mind into the abyss of insanity."
"Georgia?"
"She entered and I am genuinely impressed to say, she conquered it. Though the cost of doing so was significant."
"What happened?"
"She scuffled with a creature, one of the lesser beings but a powerful being nonetheless. She was victorious but her arm was irreparably damaged. She opted to sever it rather than have it burden her for the rest of her journey. The amount of blood she has lost is immense however; she will not survive for much longer."
"No! That can't be!" Robert yelled. "Georgia wouldn't die-"
"But she is. Slowly and in agony. But there is still hope," Evan's demon grin widened. "I can give her power in death. She can become like me and abandon all fears-"
"Georgia has no fears!" Robert roared. "She'll fight to the very end! She'll fight Death itself if that's what it takes! But I vow this on her behalf, Evan Edgevil: she will never succumb to you!"
Robert, totally focused and empowered by the thoughts of his dying friend, made his next move.
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Black Pawn * takes White Pawn E
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Evan's eyes were aflame with confidence and simultaneously concern. He presently had one more piece than Robert, but Robert was taking little concern with the amount of pieces he was taking. He was more focused on winning the game rather than gaining answers.
"If I offered you a home here in peace, in exchange for your absolute loyalty, would you take it-nay, consider it?"

18-Oct-2009 12:13:48 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2010 13:23:32 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Not even for a second." Robert replied confidently.
"What if I could give you any-"
"You're allowed one question."
"Right, right..."
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Black Queen takes White Bishop C
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"Well?"
"No."
"Fine..."
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Black Queen takes White Knight B
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"What if you and Natalie could live here? I wouldn't harm either of you, you'd just have to do whatever I said, otherwise I'd kill one of you or maybe both. Then perhaps I'd reanimate your corpses into lesser undead..."
"Still no."
"How truculent you are. Is the pressure crushing you?"
Robert didn't respond, just captured Evan's queen with his rook.
"What happened to our townsfolk?"
Evan entered a paroxysm of demonic laughter. He had evidently been waiting for this question.
"Look around you Robert...they're on the walls and the floors and the ceilings...!"
Evan erupted with insane cackling and without giving Robert a chance to respond to this revelation, he seized Robert's rook with his king.
"How does that make you feel Robert? Your parents guts and organs! Splattered around you like pretty wall decorations! I'm a good artist aren't I? Quite talented! Uahahahahaha!"
Robert and Natalie beheld Evan's sudden descent into madness with awe. A moment ago he had been dignified and eloquent.
Now it seemed like-
"Make your next move! Come on! This is fun!" Evan jeered.
Robert scowled, but confidently moved his next piece.
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White Queen takes Black Pawn A
Black King in check
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"How old are you Evan?"
"I will be two-hundred and fourty-two next Thursday."
"I meant how old is your appearance?"
Evan scowled. Robert had tricked him into answering two questions.
"I'm ten."
Robert regarded this with fascination before watching Evan move his king away. Robert than struck down Evan's Knight B with his rook.
"Why are you acting like a child?"

18-Oct-2009 12:14:26 - Last edited on 03-Jul-2010 10:19:14 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"What?!" bellowed Evan. "A child!? How dare you! How dare you!"
"Before," Robert calmly elaborated, "You spoke with an air of superiority and utilised complicated and difficult to define words. But since I asked about my neighbours and family you've started to behave like a-"
"Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up! I am NOT a child!"
Evan furiously captured one of Robert's pawns, disregarding the positions of Robert's queen, rook and a knight Robert had cleverly placed many moves before.
"I have transcended life and death! I am centuries old! Who do you think you are, calling me a child?!"
"Well, like the children say: 'takes one to know one.' "
Robert moved his queen so that it was on the edge of the board and directly behind Evan's king. His queen was covered by his rook, which along with his knight, covered all available methods of escape for Evan's king.
"Checkmate." Robert declared proudly.
For a moment, Evan studied the board intently, trying desperately to find a way out of this position. When he realised there was none, he went berserk.
Evan slammed his fists down onto the chess board, smashing it in two and scattering the pieces around the room. He delivered a sharp kick to the table, toppling it over onto Robert who fell out of his chair in surprise. Evan began to wildly thrash the wall nearest the door. He tore off chunks of gore and hurled them towards Robert, who was shielding himself with the table. Natalie was abruptly released from her bonds and the blade jutting out of the floor disappeared. She ducked beneath the table with Robert and drew her knife in the event that she needed it.
They cowered beneath the table for several seconds more, when they realised that they were no longer being assaulted. Cautiously, Robert poked his head over the table.
Evan was quietly standing in the centre of the room studying his hands. They were streaked with goo and bits of mess. Evan was panting, evidently tired from his tantrum.

18-Oct-2009 12:14:28 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2010 13:53:36 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"He looks so vulnerable..." Robert thought to himself in wonder.
Evan then realised that he was being looked at and immediately composed himself, as if nothing had happened.
"Very well," Evan said, resuming his terse vernacular. "You have bested me at the game. I concede the victory to you, hence you and Natalie may depart this room."
He lowered his voice sinisterly.
"But I will come for you, Robert Windil. I do not enjoy losing."
Robert cautiously made his way around the edge of the room, ensuring that he and Natalie had some distance between themselves and Evan. Evan made no moves against them and, true to his word, did not stop them from beginning their descent into the depths of Evan's house.
Natalie was halfway down the stairs when Robert stopped to turn around.
"I captured your king," he announced. "So I have one more question."
"State it." Evan spat venomously.
"Barring the Beast's Chamber, you seem to have a distaste for blood. You left it all in Edgeville, you seemed irritated when Georgia attacked you in the foyer and I have yet to see a drop anywhere else."
Evan's ghost-like eyes turned to face Robert.
"Blood is thick, cold and messy. It stains and it is such an ugly colour. I hate it."
"Yet you seem to draw so much."
"The disgusting sight of blood is merely the price I have to pay everytime I inflict sweet agony."
Robert's mind drifted to Veronica and her own disdain for blood. He made a quick comparison and declared "Fascinating. Perhaps I shall use this knowledge in the future."
Robert stepped down the stairway and refrained from looking back into Evan's eerie eyes.

18-Oct-2009 12:15:06 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2010 14:04:45 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~Chapter XXV~
Veronica stashed the diaries in the bottom of her quiver and explained to Edward that she was going to attempt to retrace their steps in the hopes of discovering a path they have overlooked before. Instead, when they opened the door behind them, they arrived in a narrow, lengthy stretch of corridor.
Jaden stood several steps ahead of them, his hands in his pockets and his familiar blank expression plastered onto his face. On either side of him were doors.
"Jaden!" Veronica exclaimed, as she took two steps towards him.
"Where have you been?" asked Edward.
"I've been having a nap," he explained, whilst turning around. "I guess I got a bit tired. Anyway, we gotta move."
"Why?" Veronica queried.
"It's dangerous here. I was sleeping in the room there-" he pointed to the door directly to his left. "-when I got attacked by this monster. It didn't follow me through the door but it could at any moment. I say we go through the corridor and see where it takes us."
"Jaden, wait I have to-."
"It will have to wait!" Jaden's tone suddenly changing serious. "Let's go."
He started lightly jogging down the corridor, prompting Veronica and Edward to follow him uneasily. There was a door visible at the end of the extensive hallway but it looked no different to any of the other doors in the manor.
"Jaden, shouldn't we-"
The door Veronica and Edward had entered from suddenly slammed shut with an audible booming sound. Upon hearing the sound, Jaden came to an abrupt halt.
"Jaden-?"
He whirled on Veronica, his left hand now a pale, white claw with jagged fingertips. Instead of tearing the tiny girl's face apart, it was pierced by an arrowhead, preemptively drawn by Veronica who was suspicious of 'Jaden's' behaviour from the start. The shaft snapped off in Veronica's hand as she launched herself away from the attacker. Edward quickly realised what was happening and headbutted the slowly morphing creature in the chest, sending it staggering backwards.

18-Oct-2009 12:15:12 - Last edited on 03-Jul-2010 11:08:15 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Its hair had faded to grey then simply fluttered off of its head, all of its skin had turned white and the clothes it had masqueraded beneath dissolved into ash and were swept away. All features that could be called human melted into the white skin, leaving a mannequin-like figure standing before them. But this creature had no face to even associate it with anything created by humans.
Veronica impulsively noc*ed an arrow and fired through the head of the pale creature, resulting in a black sludge bursting from the wound.
"Ehehehahaha!" a shrill and familiar laughter echoed from the other end of the corridor. Evan Edgevil rose through the door on the other side and watched the final moments of one of his familiars as it dissolved into a black, bubbling ooze on the floor.
"You know it's wrong to read someone else's diary!" he shrieked as he performed an elaborate hand motion.
Dread consumed Veronica and Edward when Evan suddenly vanished behind a wall of mincing and mashing blades that spurted from the walls, floor and ceiling. Almost immediately after, that wall was hidden behind another wall of blades, then another.
"This is my Hall of Fangs!" Evan delighted in elaborating. "My house gets hungry sometimes and will only stop when it has fed! Farewell!"
The droning sound of his laughter came quieter as the blades continually burst from all edges of the room towards the pair who had begun to frantically scurry backwards. The constant sound of grinding metal was harsh and painful to their ears as the blades ground and meshed against each other, growing ever closer to the fleeing duo. Edward had started to scream and Veronica's heart was thumping against her chest like a blacksmith hammering a bar of steel.
"WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!" Edward wailed as he passed the two doors at the entrance, the advancing army of blades mere metres away.
"THE DOOR WILL BE LOCKED!"
They were two metres from the doors.
"Edward! Just try! We have to!"
One metre from the doors.

18-Oct-2009 12:15:50 - Last edited on 03-Jul-2010 11:22:25 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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"VERONICA!"
There was a new sound that scarred Veronica's ears; the sound of flesh being sliced and minced gruesomely. She slammed into the door on the other end and fidgeted with the handle, finding, as Edward had feared, that it was locked. She screamed and whirled to face the blades-
But they had stopped and she instead saw Edward leaning up against her leg staring at the source of the slicing and mincing sound.
They saw the door to their left open first, then heard one half of Georgia's sword clang to the ground as the blade she had attempted to block snapped her sword and drove into her left shoulder. She had been impaled all through her right arm and most of her legs and torso, her head and vitals miraculously unscathed.
Veronica and Edward only then noticed that her left arm had been severed previously and that Georgia was hyperventilating roughly and deeply.
"Georgia...?" Edward called, reaching out his hand as if he could save her with a touch.
Georgia turned her head slowly, then tried twisting her whole body around only to have the utterly gruesome occur: her whole body from the waist up separated from her legs as she dropped face first onto the floor. As if alive, the blades snatched up Georgia's discarded body parts and retreated back down the hall, presumably to feed on them.
For once in her life, Veronica managed to ignore the voluminous amount of blood splattered around the room and crawled to talk to Georgia. The girl, still gripping the remains of her sword, propped herself up to look into Veronica's tearful blue eyes.
"Georgia, oh Georgia..." Veronica began to sob. "No, please no!"
Edward had abandoned any speech and wailed mournfully. Georgia, who was struggling to breathe spoke with a painful pause between words.
"Stop...that," she croaked. "I...saved...you. Be...happy..."
"You're dying!" Veronica shrieked.
"Dying...satisfied. I...saved...you. I got...an...adventure."
"But-"
"Shh. I'm...okay. The...pain...isn't that...bad."

18-Oct-2009 12:15:51 - Last edited on 03-Jul-2010 11:38:56 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Georgia, bravest girl in Misthalin, began to cry. But she hadn't lied when she said the pain of being bifurcated was tolerable. The pain of what she was about to say had wrought her tears.
"I wish...I wish I...could...have...had more adventures..." she grunted, paused then continued. "More adventures...with you...and Edward...and Jaden and Robert...and Natalie...and Tristan...I..."
She no longer had the strength to hold herself up and collapsed. Determined, even in her final moments, Georgia continued, resulting in Veronica having to get closer to hear her mumbling into the floor.
"I'm sorry...for the...trouble I caused...I really...really cared for you...all of you...I..."
She was silent for a long moment and Veronica thought she had died but one final, complete sentence whispered from Georgia's blood soaked lips before she slipped into eternal silence.
"I love you all, it was fun, goodbye."
Like Tristan, it was obvious she had died. All the energy, all the excitement she possessed just seemed to fade away. The room fell completely silent as Veronica gazed upon her dead friend in shock, while Edward supported his face in his crossed arms. The blood around the room seemed brighter and more evident to Veronica, seemingly taunting her, reminding her that her friend was dead.
In defiance, Veronica erupted into a paroxysm of bawling as she dove forward and cradled her friend's corpse in her arms, soaking her white dress with Georgia's blood. She held Georgia's face close to her own, Georgia's wide eyes forever closed and stained with her first tears, Veronica's own splashing and mixing with them.
Georgia, though dead, supported Veronica's defiance against all that opposed them and her hand continued to clutch what remained of her father's sword. The adventure wasn't over yet.

18-Oct-2009 12:16:05 - Last edited on 03-Jul-2010 11:55:22 by Infinity A8

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