RuneScape Forum Archive | Fall From Grace

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"My father is dead, he can't think anymore," his mind bringing Lucia's rather heartless, apathetic reply before him. Was Raphael so callous that he'd be willing to answer the same way now that he was asked the same question? Thinking strongly about this, these words Soter spoke harshly but kindly to him.

Telvern saw the look on Raphael's face from these words washed over him, seeing just a flicker of hope, just a small spark. Still, it was not truly enough to pull the young man out from under, but it was a start. Pulling his head back down as his face began letting go its shock, the silver haired young man closed his eyes and took a long, hard sigh.

Letting loose his grip upon his dismay, Raphael knew he had to find something else to hold on to. He couldn't live the rest of his life like this, but he knew he couldn't live his life like how he was before. Was the fighting truly worth all of the killing, all of the death, all of the suffering? His mind like a barren wasteland riddled with the scars of war, and as he walked the land of his own consciousness, his ankles were drenched in the bodies of his fallen brothers-and-sisters-in-arms.

The young man's body then ascended, slowly rising to his feet. The skin sheathes concealing his eyes pull off, revealing his altered purple eyes once more. He looked to Soter, withdrawn but holding an answer that the titan sought, one he would wait an eternity for. "...I'll hear what they have to say," Raphael informed the messenger, giving him that which he looked for.

The genius' vision then whiplashed, going back to the titan who shook his head to Raphael's reply. "If Raphael is going, I intend to follow in his stead," Telvern told Soter, his voice demanding and undeniable.

"As you wish," responded Soter, submitting to Telvern's request.
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:35:51

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The red-headed archer took notice of this, pushing his body off of the wall it leaned for support upon. "I'm heading off with you all," said Shinon. "I'm a part of the Resistance too, so..."

Soter looked to Shinon. "Very well," he agreed.

"Ooo, ooo," said a voice excitedly like a child in a toy store, its source past Soter. "Mind if we tag 'long? I wanna see these Elder Gods fer myself."

The green-eyed titan spun his head to his back, twisting his torso just enough so that his face might have a look upon the view behind him. He saw Calvin, his hands behind his back as his pose was calm and relaxed. Just to the assassin's right was Daevarro, who seemed almost as energetic to join in on the meeting.

The genius' eyes then flipped over to Daevarro and Calvin, his eyes harsh. "This isn't a field trip, you know," he earnestly reminded the two.

The dark robed young man looked upon the messenger. "Please allow us to come," the young man politely asked.

"This is business that only concerns—"

"—Members-a the Resistance, right?" interrupted Calvin, finishing Telvern's words since he knew exactly what it was that he was going to say. "Well, don't ya think dat shady 'ere fits dat profile?"

More so than anything else, Daevarro could see an intense glare in Soter's eyes. His stance weary, as tight as a rope in the middle of a tug-of-war. He wielded such tension that it felt as though his fingers were very eager, very ravenous for the blade he kept to his waist. For what purpose, and why? Daevarro knew he could take a guess, and for a guess, he was fairly confident he'd get it right.

In the midst of this confrontation of eyes, Calvin and Telvern continued to trade words. The genius put up an eyebrow, looking at the assassin with question. "And what would be the point of your coming along?" he asked.

"I gots special interests ta fulfill," Calvin answered.

""Special interests," eh?" the genius repeated, not believing for a moment. "...Yes, I'm sure that's it."
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:36:42

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"The assassin can come to as envoy of his ilk, since they shall be participating in the fight along with the Resistance," Soter then suddenly spoke, giving Calvin clearance. But his eyes would not pry off of Daevarro for even a split second, digging into the young man's face. "You, however, cannot come."

Indeed, Daevarro had guessed the truth. He felt the cautious, the suspicious, the almost angry-like air that radiated off of Soter like a harsh scent. He knew well what it was, why he was singled-out compared to someone like Calvin. It was all connected to this Avae'vatu, this presence that hung around the young man. But whether it hung like a axe or like the light of the sun was unknown to Daevarro at this point, still not entirely sure what it even meant himself.

Raphael seemed almost ireful himself by Soter's outright denial of Daevarro accompanying them, his eyes bolting into the back of the messenger's head. Soter turned himself entirely around, having to walk by Daevarro and Calvin. "Let us take our leave," the messenger advised.

The titan stepped forward, pushing -- almost shoving -- Daevarro aside. His body began moving towards the stream that split the room in two, but not without a pair of daggers getting thrown into his back. Calvin sighed, dissatisfied with the way Daevarro had been treated. "Sheesh," he responded to Soter's subtle but cruel act. "someone woke up on the wrong side-a the bed dis mornin'."

The assassin's pale blue eyes then looked to Daevarro, smirking. "Eh, don't worry 'bout it, shady," Calvin attempted to comfort the young man, who seemed bothered and confused by Soter's hostility. "Ain't nothin' special 'bout dis. Just make yaself cozy, y'know? We'll be back."
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:37:22

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Daevarro shook his head quietly, understanding the message sent out from the mouth of Calvin. With that acknowledgement, Calvin, Raphael, Telvern, and Shinon took their leave. The dark robed young man watched as they grew further and further away, distancing themselves from him. Daevarro was out of reach, out of the picture, only had himself to put together the pieces.

Standing just before a bend in the stream that separated the entrance room into two sections, Soter pulled his right hand out as though he were reached for the water. Not used to having to accommodate more than himself in a teleport, the messenger knew that he couldn't just take them all if he just grabbed onto them.

It came into his mind, not a teleportation via contact, but a portal. He began to focus his energy outside of his body, feeling it as it escaped from the palm of his hand. It aimed for a focal point, and that was the water just in front of him. The liquid glass steadily became choppy, violently swaying and rumbling.

The world could feel the energy build up, flashes of light and electricity bolting from the source. The group of the Resistance and the one assassin watched on, amazed by this display of power. His will shifting the very water, it hailed to his call. The water bending to his command, swirling counter-clockwise. It very swiftly rushed around in a circle over and over, becoming a mad whirlpool.

The whirlpool's depth went far below the actual bottom of the stream from which Soter created this spiraling dash of water, being a vast, long way down. Inside had walls of swirling water, constantly circling. But in the center was a ever-darkening, cone-shaped path that led down to the small hole surrounded by a frenzied clash of water. But the hole was uncertain, black, and led to nothingness.
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:37:57 - Last edited on 20-Nov-2014 20:38:38 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

No one could say for certainty where this portal actually went, or where it was that they were going. What would it be like, a place befitting the beings said to have created the existence and world as they knew it? Soter put his right hand down, tilting his body aside to make way. His body waited for them to make a move, but his eyes kept watched over Daevarro to make sure nothing was tried.

Diving into the unknown was quite intimidating, a fear almost impossible to conquer. But that is, of course, if it is something that you fear. Seeing the large whirlpool before himself, Calvin couldn't help but to get almost unnaturally excited, the corners of his lips pulling up. He showcased a large, confident, happy-go-lucky smile. "Last one in's a dung kalphite!" he playfully exclaimed, jolting for the whirlpool.

Having begun darting for the whirlpool, along his way, the assassin quickly grabbed onto his chain necklace. Attached to it was a horseshoe-shaped ornament, a symbol of good fortune. He pulled that horseshoe up to his lips, planting his lips against its metallic skin as his body leaped into the air. Soaring through the air, his body hung now over the whirlpool and over the darkness.

The momentum of his jump ceasing just moments after his jump, his body hovering over the heart of the swirling circle of water. Its terrifying image reflecting off of his eyes, an image he wholeheartedly embraced. He began to tumble into the black, his hair and loose articles of clothing whipping upwards like his arms.

As he fell down, disappearing from their sight, everyone could hear a distinct holler of intense enjoyment. "Wooohooo!!" the assassin's voice let out an rather exhilarated cheer, its echoing sound very rapidly fading away into nothing.
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:39:26

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Telvern sighed, unable to make even a thought at Calvin's perhaps oppressive enthusiasm, a rush into the uncharted, incomprehensible blindness with gusto. Shinon composed himself, staring off into the whirlpool. He forced saliva down his throat, trying his best to swallow down this bitter medicine, the harsh taste of apprehension.

The archer took one quick, heavy, anxious breath, attempting to push out all of his angst. His feet sprung to life, stomping down upon the beige stone and sand at lightning speed. His step was like a child's first step; small, hesitant, nervous. But like a child growing up in fast forward, his motion grew more and more certain and fearless. A meager ran became a bull rush, a vigorous gallop. He became headstrong, doubtless, ready.

He catapulted his body like a rock in a castle siege, sailing across the air and into the black. Now that the assassin and archer had cast themselves into the ocean of mystery, it was time for Telvern and Raphael to also dive head-first. The genius looked to his nephew, seeing the frightening images of the swirling vortex captured vividly upon his tautly eyes. "Are you ready?" Telvern asked.

Raphael then shook his head, knowing that even if this led to death, there was nothing to lose. His apathetic eyes watched as Telvern slowly rose to the occasion, proceeding on before Raphael. Telvern stepped up first, reenacting the exact animation as Shinon and Calvin before him.

Briskly but reluctantly did that man charge, like knowingly leading an army into an ambush, a deathtrap. He thought about many things in these few seconds, feeling as his heart pounded heavily like a hammer upon a door. Closer did that spiraling hole draw, he had to get himself prepared.
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:40:09

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Telvern's body vaulted over the water's edge, staring down into the throat of the abyss. His body began to descend, Raphael looked on as the genius fell feet-first into the shadowy depths. He acknowledged now that it was his turn, his turn to fall into the watery hollow. He closed his eyes, pushing out perhaps his final breath, for who knew what laid before him.

But he was not like his comrades, he was not so gallant and bold to charge in steadfastly. His feet became slow with motion, picking up grains of sand under his step, dirting his new boots. He walked over to the water's edge, peering into the window into the house of endless night. His eyes saw the uncertainty, its appearance like watching a hurricane from above.

His mind plagued by thoughts then, a blur of images and memories, of words spoken to him. They all came at him like the bombardment of a thousand cannons, a overwhelming volley in their fullest velocity. But then, his mind grew still, these thoughts silenced as suddenly as they came. He stood there, overlooking the circling insanity, unafraid for his own life.

Raphael then just fell forward, as though he were gently pushed. He threw himself so carelessly into the darkness, plunging head-first into the whirlpool. He became devoured by this mouth, its esophagus like being inside a waterspout. The water swished around him, flowing infinitely. Its cool, refreshing air lashing against his skin as he dove deeper into its domain, falling further into its arms.

The young man felt his new clothing rattling around, felt his hair forced back. His vision slowly deteriorating into nothingness, what a realistic view upon his life. From the world of light, he was cast into the world of the dark, whirling downwards like a bird who suddenly lost its wings. Still, Raphael peered into its face fearlessly, despite the prospect of dying being very, very real.
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:40:36

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

...It was then that he was unable to see anything, unable to feel anything, or even so much as think. His grasp upon his consciousness faded away, falling right through his fingertips. The shadow ferociously snatched him away from this place as though it were a bear and he a salmon, clenched in its teeth and made into its latest victim. It felt... peaceful, peaceful like falling sleep, just completely placid.

The moment he was certain of Raphael's departure from this world, this Gielinor, Soter's talon boots began to make their own move. Slowly and cautiously did they shuffle along, the titan's green eyes not coming off of Daevarro for a moment. Knowing that the door into the otherworldly plane was fast dissipating, Soter wasted no time upon his distrust.

Just as all others that preceded him, Soter stepped over to the water's edge. His back to the whirlpool, still not lifting his ever-vigilant leer from those dark gray robes. At this moment, he leaned backwards, falling dauntlessly into the whirlpool. At the moment that his body began to drop into the mad, endless twirl, the jaws of the whirlpool slowly begin to clamp together.

Sewn together by an invisible thread and needle, this wound in the very fabrics of the water and reality itself began to close. His grassy-green eyes watched it as it happened, his armour shaking and his cape swiftly flapping as though it thought it could fly. The curtains coming together, closing to conceal this mysterious window. The vast torrent of radiant light slowly crumbled into a crack, and even slower... nothing.

The glowing waterfall of light vanished, bestowing upon the messenger a world of endless black. As his hazel eyes watched the whirlpool close as if it never existed there to begin with, all Daevarro could do was sigh and wonder. What did it truly mean, that distrustful, almost wrathful glare of Soter's? What did Calvin mean by Lamia walking with him, "both figuratively and literally"?
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:41:12

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Daevarro could have easily passed Calvin's comment as a mere religious view, but what if it weren't so? Did it just stop at a simple doctrine, or was there more to it? Either way, the young man was stranded upon this island, this island blanketed by mystery. The more he attempted to step in the right direction, the more it seemed like he were just hopelessly dawdling about.

Beyond the unknown that shrouded like a miasma around Daevarro's private island, an island of the mind that dragged anyone who came near it into a personal battle for survival. The minds and hearts of all others who fell into the all-consuming ebony body felt their consciousness faded as though they were take a trip into the Land of Nod.

To where did they head? What could possibly lie beyond the gates? The last lingering thoughts brought to them a mile long list of questions, but only time could tell if any of them would get a fitting answer. To the darkness, they traversed, throwing caution to the wind, the wind that blew their sails across the swaying, mystifying, black water seas. Was it truly the second wind that would carry them up? Or was it a cruel wind that would destroy what was left of their fortitude?

The End of Chapter 23,
Next Chapter,
Chapter 24: Between the Truths and the Lies

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it. ^_^

~Serene End
The end

is only

the beginning...

20-Nov-2014 20:42:09

Azigarath

Posts: 9,271 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I’m like a pendulum that sways for no reason.

Alright, back to the desert. I feel sorry for the people who had to flee into the desert. The consistent, hot environment and according descriptions help provide a strong aura of suffering yet persistence.

“that familiar trident-shaped cactus stood like the key into its unseeable jaws.”
Oo, this is an interesting piece.

“He wore a long, black hooded coat”
Uh, why would you wear black in a hot desert? It is mentioned the garments are loose and light, though.

Nevertheless, the survivors follow the Bedouin to the underground base.
Wanna hear something pretty cool? An “Assassin’s Guild” actually was historic, and you may have already known this. Their bases consisted of a few castles, often the employees were Persians and Syrians. Saladin escaped several attempts of his life by them, including one time when, despite ordering a dozen guards to surround him as he slept in a tent, woke up with a letter on his chest, somehow delivered by an assassin who managed to remain hidden from all guards.

“Strange handprints were embedded in the broken tiles that made the floor, all varying in shape, size, and overall appearance.*
Oh, that’s pretty cool.

There are also statues and talking about this and that. I wonder if any of the older RS deities will make an appearance. I like the exchange of doubt and certainty regarding the assassin figure.

A bit later, they come upon the arch bridge and the water-based descriptions, which are really good. Spider webs make an appearance, too, in the ruins. They enter house 23, to meet the dying lady. She has a nervous breakdown or something. Talvern gets in some trouble.

24-Nov-2014 02:56:06

Forums

Fall From Grace