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

Infinity A8

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Much to the group's surprise, it leapt to the side with astounding agility. It then made a lunge of its own, driving its threatening fangs towards Georgia's right leg. Robert reacted quickly and launched a fire bolt at the creature's face which caused it to dodge again. Georgia took advantage of this opening and performed a jumping slash, cleaving right through the creatures head. The spider's bodily fluids pooled out at Georgia's feet where she stood triumphant, having slain a creature of The Wilderness.
Robert leant down and examined the remains of the spider, primarily its blood and guts, much to everyone else's disgust. He snapped a stick off a nearby tree and dipped it in the gore and watched as it hissed and dissolved rapidly.
"As I expected: a Giant Poison Spider," he proclaimed. "If this thing had even touched you with its fangs you'd be a goner."
He directed his attention to Jaden. "The Wilderness is supposed to get more dangerous the deeper you travel. Given that we went from skeletons to giant spiders I think it's safe to assume we're going deeper INTO, not out of The Wilderness. I will again request that we leave."
Jaden contemplated this, glancing over the spider's corpse when he had forgotten what he was thinking and then looking away from the repugnant sight when he remembered. Just as he opened his mouth to say his answer Georgia interrupted with a cry of excitement.
"A house! A really big one!" she pointed towards the darkness ahead of them, where the faint outline of some sort of structure could be seen by the rest of the crew. It seemed to lie on an island of sorts, jutting out from the land below a great cliff just outside the edge of the forest they now stood in.
"Let's check it out!" Georgia shouted enthusiastically. She bounded off towards the cliffs, ignoring the protests of Veronica and Robert. Jaden just stood there stunned, his face a mixture of surprise and irritation from Georgia's spontaneous disruption.

29-Nov-2008 09:09:19 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2009 22:50:39 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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Nobody was willing to abandon Georgia to the perils of The Wilderness so they were forced to follow her down the cliffs and to the house.
It was more a mansion than a house, at least four stories tall and very ornate in appearance. The front door was large and grand, at least twice Robert's size. Veronica studied the rooftop and noted that there were statues at each corner of the house. They seemed to have been angels at some point, but were all now lacking a head seemingly cut off but someone with a very sharp blade. The numerous windows on the house were all cracked and eerie looking. The curtains were drawn and no lights apparent so looking inside was impossible.
Georgia wasted no time in knocking upon the great door a calling out "Hello?!"
She received no reply but the door seemed to rattle loosely with her every knock, indicating that it was probably unlocked.
"Should we go in?" inquired Tristan, who had drifted besides Georgia for a closer look at the house. Jaden looked back to Veronica who looked to Robert who looked to Jaden. Georgia stood idle by the door and Edward had his arms wrapped around Veronica's leg. Natalie was curiously staring at one of the windows.
"I don't think it's a good idea," stated Veronica. "This place is surrounded by water so we're clearly not anywhere close to the exit and who knows what could be inside?"
"It would make a good place to rest though," Jaden countered. "We've been walking for nearly an hour straight and this is as good a place as any to take a break."
Robert was in a state of indecision. They were definitely tired and it certainly wasn't safe to stop anywhere in The Wilderness. But did that include this mysterious manor?
"Y'know what I think?" Georgia said. "There could be stuff in here we could use. Maybe a map or something."
Jaden tried to wrap his head around the fact that Georgia had just provided a logical argument but nonetheless looked to Robert for confirmation.

29-Nov-2008 09:09:20 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2009 12:49:16 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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"She could be right." was all Robert said.
"I still don't think we should," Veronica pressed. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible. It could turn dark at any minute."
"All the more reason to rest and wait until it's light again." Jaden asserted.
Veronica frowned. She was losing the argument.
"Veronica, I'm tired." moaned Edward as he rested his head against her waist and drooped his eyes wearily.
She frowned, followed it up with a sigh and gave in. "All right, we'll have a look inside. But any sign of danger, no matter how small, we're bolting. Okay?"
The group agreed on this and Jaden gave Georgia to okay to open the door. They were heavy and no matter how hard Georgia pushed she could only manage to slide it open a few centimetres. Robert, Jaden and Tristan moved to assist her and with their combined efforts the door swung open majestically. The inside was pitch black, unseeable to all. Georgia was about to request for Robert's fire lighting talents when suddenly a candle flickered into life somewhere ahead of them. The lone flame illuminated little but given its position somewhere up high gave the group the idea that it must be atop a balcony or even upon the ceiling.
"How did that candle ignite?" Tristan shivered as he stepped inside. The manor was cold, icy hands seemingly clutching at the throats of the children. One by one they stepped inside, puzzled by the candle and its origins. Before another word could be uttered, the door slammed shut behind them. It was as if the wind itself was angry and took its rage out on the door.
"Robert, light a fire." Veronica called in panic. Blind and confused there was the sound of shuffling and startled conversation between the children. Before long, a light burst somewhere ahead of them just beside the candle. Relief flooded through the children as their sight returned.
"Thanks Robert." Edward said calmly. But Robert's face was grim.
"I didn't do that."

29-Nov-2008 09:12:45 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2009 13:02:57 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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Fear jolted back through the children as they whipped their heads towards the light source to ascertain its source and also their surroundings. As their eyes adjusted to the light, fear was replaced with wonder and mystification. They stood in what seemed the foyer to a most monumentally magnificent estate. As the legions of candles scattered around the gargantuan room spurted into action the appearance of the manor became apparent. From the door, directly ahead of them was a giant staircase which then split at ninety degree angles about twenty metres up to form two more stairways that lead to other parts of the house. At the top of the initial stairway was a great, glass doorway that lead to a balcony with a spectacular ocean view. A red carpet adorned the steps decoratively. To the children's left and rights were doors equally impressive as the entrance with the same eerie statues seen on the roof to the sides of the doors. The candles in the room were fixed upon an immense plate shaped device attached to the ceiling, a group of stands located above the doorways and lining the banisters for the stairways. The whole room gave off an air of regality mostly owing to its impeccable cleanliness.
The state and appearance of the manor unnerved the three older members of the group however. Why would such a luxurious and pristine clean mansion be located in the deepest depths of The Wilderness?
"Jaden, Jaden! Can I explore? This place is cool!" Georgia asked excitedly, jumping up and down eagerly.
"Hang on," Robert said before Jaden could respond. "We should leave. Doesn't this seem odd to you? The candles, the cleanliness, how fancy this place is...?"
"Why thank you," called a voice, startling the group. "I cleaned it myself. I'm glad you like it."
Descending from the left stairway was a figure which the group studied with interest.

29-Nov-2008 09:12:46 - Last edited on 09-Oct-2009 14:08:09 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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He was as small as Edward, dressed in a very elegant looking, white, button up top with an equally fancy pair of black ankle length pants. What was really unique about this boy was his hair. It was grey, as though it belonged to someone elderly but this boy was barely over ten years in appearance. His eyes, too, were a unique, pale silver. It was possible that, like Georgia, he had simply been born with an abnormal hair colour along with abnormal eyes.
He made his way to the top of the stairway, before the children and spread his arms to address them.
"I welcome you here. My, I haven't had a visitor grace these halls for ages, let alone seven visitors! Ahahahaha!" he laughed a happy child's laugh, like a boy who'd found a favourite toy after months of searching.
"Who are you?" Jaden demanded. That this child had neglected to explain the manor or himself immediately rubbed Jaden the wrong way. "What's with this house and the candles?"
"Oh, that rash impatience leads me to believe you are Jaden." he responded with his cool, calm voice. He spoke with an air of intelligence, much unlike a child should.
"How do you know my name?" Jaden continued. Robert stepped up alongside him.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" he asked.
"Why, this is my abode. I reside here and forever shall."
"Who built it?"
"I am not at like to disclose their name nor title."
"Where are your parents?"
"Long deceased."
"Do you have a name?"
The boy paused, then started to tread down the stairs towards the clique.
"Robert, allow me to propose to you a question," he spoke, confirming that he knew their names. "Do you value life?"
"Of course."
"Veronica?"
"I do." she responded. The boy asked each member of the group until he got back to Robert.
"Now, when you answered, did you mean to say you valued life or YOUR life?"
"Life," was Robert's instantaneous response. This was of course everyone else's response as well. "What is the meaning of this question?"

29-Nov-2008 09:12:47 - Last edited on 21-Aug-2009 11:33:49 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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"I do not value life," the boy ignored Robert's question. "In life you are weak, frail. You value it and waste it either upon others or yourself. But in death, where there is no weakness, there is no pain...in death we are free of agony."
"You haven't answered my question."
"And I do not intend to. At least, your second inquiry," he glanced over the seven as he reached the bottom step. "In life, power is useless. We are blessed with it, we waste it and we, ultimately, lose it. In death, where loss is an unheard of concept, when we have already lost all worth losing, then and only then can power truly be called power."
"I've had enough of this," growled Jaden. "What are you trying to say?"
The boy smiled.
"One of you was lying. Only six of you value the lives of others over the lives you hold."
Without any warning there was a screeching sound followed by a anguished cry. Six children whirled around to see Tristan impaled through the throat by a blade jutting from the floor. Shock didn't have time to set in but fear raced through the minds of the group of six as they flicked their attention back to the boy.
"Now I have taken that which he cherished most," he said without emotion. "Who should I rip from you next?"
"Who...who the hell are you?!" a shaking Jaden screamed.
A smirk worked its way up the boy's face.
"I am Evan Edgevil," he declared. "And I intend to make you suffer."

29-Nov-2008 09:12:48 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2009 14:01:45 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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~Chapter XVII~
Tristan's eyes were so void of life that even if there wasn't a bloodied blade embedded through his throat a total stranger could identify him as dead. He lay on the ground facing the ceiling, his blood smeared on the ground around him messily.
It took a few moments for what had occurred to set in for Edward and when he finally realised his brother was dead, his scream was so loud Veronica and Georgia (who had been standing closest to him) covered their ears in pain. Jaden clamped his hand over Edward's screaming mouth and roared for them all to get out of the house. Georgia practically dove for the door and was a mere millimetre from impaling herself on a row of freshly spawned spikes jutting out from the ground before her.
"I'm afraid," the sinister voice behind them uttered. "That I cannot permit you to leave."
More jagged and crude blades stabbed out at Georgia from the floor. She dodged swiftly, drawing her blade an instant after the first row had appeared. She spun and lunged towards Evan, roaring with rancor, seeking to take an eye for an eye; Evan's life for Tristan's.
But Evan didn't move a muscle. Even when the blade pierced his chest he remained motionless. He then let loose a sickeningly evil laugh and slammed his fist into Georgia jaw, knocking her backwards and the sword clattering down onto the floor below. Georgia hastily retrieved her weapon and leapt up with fury boiling in her eyes. She slashed savagely, slicing through Evan's torso and right arm.
He didn't even wince. Furthermore, he didn't bleed. Instead, the blood simply spilled out from the clean cut running from his left shoulder diagonally through to his elbow.
"Tch," Evan shook his head in contempt. "I would have preferred you didn't inflict such a slovenly wound upon me and my apparel."
Georgia stared at him in utter disbelief and wondered how anyone could possibly survive such a grievous injury.

29-Nov-2008 09:12:48 - Last edited on 22-Aug-2009 13:29:03 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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Her pondering didn't even last five seconds for Jaden had grabbed her roughly by the shoulder.
"Don't just stand there! We're moving!" he growled and hauled her along to the left doorway where Robert was beckoning the rest of the group. While Georgia had been fighting he had directed everyone over. Evan glared at them as if they were a bunch of delinquents.
"I believe I forbade you from absconding." he raised a hand towards them and more blades burst from the floor in between Georgia and Jaden, and the rest of the group.
"Quick!" shouted Robert. "You two go through the other door!"
"But-" Jaden began to protest.
"There's no time! Escape or we'll die!"
Jaden cursed and fumbled for a bundle of runes. Evan eyed him curiously but did nothing to stop this. When Jaden pulled out the runes necessary for casting bind he instructed Georgia to run. Evan caused more blades to spring from the floor as Georgia ran but she leapt over and around them skillfully. Suddenly Georgia found herself with blades on all sides of her and approaching rapidly so she dove forward and towards the ground to dodge. As Evan moved to raise his hand, Jaden thrust out his and cast his bind spell. Evan was immediately immobilised and without any hand movements could not impale Georgia with his blades.
It was a risk Jaden had to take, if Even could control them without his hand then Georgia was as good as dead. He breathed a sigh of relief as Georgia stumbled through the door safely. But the five seconds had worn off and Evan was free to move again, this time causing an encirclement of blades to rise and aim for Jaden's stomach. Jaden had predicted this and used the weaken spell on the blades directly in front of him and ducked. They passed over his head and with several of them now brittle from the spell Jaden punched a hole in them and rolled out. He made a break for freedom, heading in the same direction as Georgia but stopped before making it halfway.

29-Nov-2008 09:12:49 - Last edited on 22-Aug-2009 13:43:55 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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Evan had completely sealed off the doorway Georgia had exited through with rows upon rows of the graceless blades. The only other available doors were the two behind Evan and up the stairway.
Jaden leapt past Evan, expecting him to lash out but was surprised to see him frozen by a spell. As Jaden bounded up the stairway he looked back and sighted Robert preparing his next snare spell. He had abandoned the thought of exiting with Veronica and Edward to aid Jaden's escape. Natalie stood beside him, knife drawn in case any assistance was required. Jaden made it to the top of the stairway and headed up towards the right door, passing through it with maximum speed.
Though Robert had been counting carefully, Evan was released from his bounds a second earlier than anticipated and was able to completely seal off the doorway behind Natalie and Robert before they could escape.
"Get up the stairs Natalie!" Robert cried, pushing the younger girl along when she wouldn't move. Natalie flitted past Evan and quickly decided to take the left doorway with Veronica and Edward in mind. That left Robert and Evan alone in the room. Not wishing to waste any time, Robert sprung up the stairs without looking back. Unfortunately, this caused a blade to grow from the step he was on slice into his shin. He cried out and successfully limped his way up the left stairway, following Natalie. Before he made it through the door, Evan called out to him.
"Very well. You may seek asylum in my home for a little longer. I shall speak to you later, Robert Windil."
"Promise me that next time there won't be any blades jumping from the floor." Robert remarked sarcastically as he lumbered through the door.
Silence dominated the room now that Evan was the only one in it. With a sigh he dismissed the multitude of blades ruining the floor and answered Robert's rhetorical question to himself.
"Perhaps."

29-Nov-2008 09:12:49 - Last edited on 22-Aug-2009 13:58:19 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

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~Chapter XVIII~
Though it initially seemed to be an ornate hallway, it was if Veronica and Edward had walked into a human abattoir. Limbless corpses were suspended from the ceiling, their mouths being used as gruesome candle holders which provided the room with light. There were at least five in sight before the hall would end at a right angled corner, where Guthix knows lay ahead. Despite the grisly decor, not a single drop of blood could be seen. The whole place was completely spotless.
Veronica and Edward had turned around after glimpsing the horrific sight and were frantically attempting to reopen the door, certain that back out there with Evan was a more appealing fate than this. The door had been lodged closed by Evan's floor blades however and wouldn't move a millimetre.
When they finally gave up, both of them sunk to their knees and weeped. They'd been in a mad rush before but they now had time to mourn for Tristan. Veronica cradled Edward's head in her arms as the poor child wailed with loss, his only brother cruelly and brutally snatched from him.
Veronica struggled to stay conscious, the hanging bodies and blood she'd recently witnessed stained upon her memory. But she needed to be there, for Edward. To comfort him, to soothe him, to-
"Ed..." she choked, gasping for breath as her vision turned blurry. The blade slicing through Tristan's throat appeared in her mind.
"Y-yeah...?" he responded.
"I...I think..." the image of a great gouge running down Evan's torso flashed before her.
"Wha-what's wrong? Veronica!"
Her eyes fluttered, then closed. Then she fell face first onto the ground, her remaining tears leaking out and onto the ground at Edward's knees. Edward just sat there and cried, his eyes awash with tears as he waited for Veronica to wake up.

29-Nov-2008 09:12:50 - Last edited on 23-Aug-2009 13:05:33 by Infinity A8

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