RuneScape Forum Archive | Fall From Grace

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Raphael noticed his master's reaction, perplexed. "Wait, can you hear her?" he pressed to see if this were the cause of his master's strange behavior.

Malik's eyes dashed at Raphael upon his words. "I hear a voice, but I cannot understand its words," he informed his pupil. "What... is it?"

"That's Lamia," Raphael answered.

"I-I see," he nervously processed, his stance growing more relaxed.

"Did you ever learn how Culana found out?" asked Raphael, returning right back to business.

"It was eight years ago," Malik stated, Raphael instantly recognizing this year as the year Markus died. "At that time, I was Lord Divus' advisor. We were in the middle of discussing plans when suddenly Markus came to us, hysteric. He felt himself under the eyes of Death itself, and in an attempt to clear his conscience before the end, he began to confess the truth to us. Twelve years before, Culana had a conversation with him one day late into your mother's pregnancy. She had begun to notice Lord Divus' behavior becoming peculiar, which sparked her suspicion. Though Markus rejected any answer she came up with, Culana was not convinced. She left him that day, but then made his life and the life of his family a living hell. She intimidated them: hiring others to bully them, leaving threatening notes, vandalizing their belongings; all sorts of brutish things."

"So she forced him into compliance," the young heir concluded.
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09-Mar-2016 17:30:11

Jul

2020

Serene End

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"Edna, a woman whom Markus had a child with, had begun to fear for the life of that child," he went on. "Markus had nowhere to turn, a human's word against a god would mean nothing. And with Lord Divus occupied with a country to run and a child on the way, Markus felt no option available to him. He told Culana everything, but being that he was human, she would need to seek more evidence other than his word. To that end, he then told her where we planned on taking both Lord Divus and Astrid for the birth. Then everything occurred, it completely broke him. He very rarely visited his child, I scarcely saw him myself. He devoted himself entirely to his life as a soldier, forgoing all other pleasantries."

"I see..." Raphael mumbled.

"He got down onto his knees and desperately begged your father for his forgiveness," Malik carried on with his tale. "And much to Markus' surprise, Lord Divus came down in front of him. He smiled as he placed his hand on his shoulder, looked him straight in the eye, then said—"

""—To deprive a man of mistakes is to deprive him of his very humanity,"" both Malik and Raphael said simultaneously.

Malik smiled lightly, hearing as Raphael could still easily assemble those words. "Markus then made one last request," Raphael's master had begun to reach the finale of his story. "He handed Lord Divus an object, asked him to gift it to "a better man." It was Markus' prized possession, something he had cherished his entire life."

Raphael's facial expression darkened, his presence grew distant. His hand out of his control, reaching for his waist. It found the sword once wielded by that man, his fingers wrapped around it dearly and painfully. The young heir recollecting days long past with Markus, an embrace which lowered Raphael's face.

"Then he was killed..." Raphael quietly stated.
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09-Mar-2016 17:31:36 - Last edited on 19-Mar-2016 23:18:35 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

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His master let out a deep sigh, coming to perhaps the hardest part of the story. "Yes," he somberly affirmed, caught in a moment of grief before snapping out. "Raphael... do you know the assassin who took up that mission?"

Raphael shook his head. "No," he denied.

"It was that woman," he offered him a vague answer.

"Libitina?"

Malik confirmed with a quick nod of his head, leaving Raphael aboard a boat of confusion. Astray in the raging sea of his many questions, he had only himself to paddle to shore. This woman, this Libitina... She sought his life once, yet did not take it when it was right in front of her. What sort of purpose would that serve an assassin? What stayed her?

Malik then stared sternly upon his student, immediately getting a response from Raphael. "Use this information wisely, Raphael," the master strongly advised. "You live not only for yourself, but for all others as well."

Raphael's face grimaced, his grip upon his sword Falcon turned deathly. "I know that, but...!" the young heir shouted, then calming himself down. "She tried killing me too once, she should have."

"What stayed her?"

Raphael shook his head. "I don't know," he responded, mystified. "I was asleep while she was standing at my bedside, ready to take my life."

"Quite curious, isn't it?" Malik attempted to inspire his pupil's thoughts.

"It certainly makes me wonder..." Raphael replied, crossing his arms.

Malik then took notice of a peculiar sound in the background, an unusual thud. He untied his arms, looking off in the distance. "It's probably best we cease this chatter," he stated abruptly. "Certain ears might pry into our conversation, if they haven't already."

"Don't trust the Lamians?" his pupil curiously asked.
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09-Mar-2016 17:32:24

Jul

2020

Serene End

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"I simply question their agenda," the master clarified, then walking past a Raphael deep in thought. Malik briefly laughed off the serious atmosphere, snapping Raphael out of his state. "Don't pay me any mind, Raphael. My opinions are damaged goods, too many bad run-ins have left them far beyond desirable."

He listened well to what his master had to say, but kept those past thoughts close. Doubts which he held at arm's length, he knew his master wouldn't say them unless he thought them sincere. Even still were other things upon this young heir's mind, the truth about just what occurred, why his mother disappeared, and of Markus himself.

But what truly shone from that story was uncovered like a diamond buried under the sand, the compassion Divus showed to Markus. Divus would be understandable if he went on to loath Markus, to deny his request for pardon. But he displayed kindness, acceptance. A true treasure to behold, certainly a situation Raphael knew he wasn't too far from.

""To deprive a man of mistakes is to deprive him of his very humanity,"" Raphael could just hear Divus' voice utter these words, a photograph for the ears. Raphael recited it over and over in his head, trying desperately to implant it into his brain. Maybe somehow it'll hypnotize him into believing in them, not just agreeing with them for the sake of it.

Yes, as a disciple of Divus' wisdom, Raphael knew he walked a path not just for himself. Beginning to unravel these feelings for himself, the young heir stumbled upon the true intention of this tale told to him. To actually acknowledge Markus' betrayal, his only resort, his truth... To know his father's all-conquering kindness, his forgiveness...
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09-Mar-2016 17:33:08

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Raphael pushed out a deep, lamenting sigh, rekindling his focus upon the search for clothing. His legs breaking free from their stiffness, these chains of interest. He wandered further into the building, finding a door barely clinging to its rusty iron hinges. Raphael stepped by this so-called door, finding himself in a bedroom of sorts.

With a ceiling nigh of failure, the silver-haired heir went on to tread with care. To his left laid an old wardrobe, buried under cobweb and thick dust. Mice bolted out from under the wardrobe upon Raphael's arrival, scurrying under the mattress to feel undisturbed. Raphael took its handles by the hand, pulling it wide open.

Not having been opened in quite some time, Raphael would be welcomed by a wardrobe unsure of how to do so. He was greeted by another, a heavy, tenebrous cloud of dust walloping him right in the face. It quickly seeped into his lungs, forcing an instance of coughing. But once it cleared, Raphael opened his eyes once again, searching through the belongings of those former.

Some garments for every day living were found, but it was evident that someone else had been through here in at least one point. Raphael went through every drawer, bracing for the burst of dust. He found some useful things here and there, but this tree had already been picked of all its ripe apples.

But his eyes were drawn upon something he came across, his right hand reaching into the wardrobe's guts. He pulled out a long, narrow appendage of cloth, an old, thread-bare scarf. He held it up for his eyes to get the full details, examining it up close. Its color had mostly faded, its fabric was just managing to hold together.

Raphael's hand then reached up for his throat, taking hold of that scar. His fingers running along its irregular, coarse surface, a feeling which surely reminded him of that day. Raphael then closed his eyes, pushing past that dreaded thought. The scarf's state was perfect, beginning to wrap it around his neck.
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09-Mar-2016 17:33:51

Jul

2020

Serene End

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He twirled it around and around his head until finally he ceased, excess hanging down along his back. Raphael then reached his hand into a pouch along his waist, his hand fastening around a very precious metal object. He pulled it out with care, holding it up in the palm of his hand. It was that little girl Marie's small, flower-shaped brooch, still covered in the blood and ash of Lumbridge's fallen.

He took another object into his hand from that pouch, a dirty, frayed strip of cloth given to him by Telvern. Taken from Lumbridge, its sullied purple body adorned with the symbol of the dragon. It was covered in blood, old and new. Raphael took the brooch and pierced that cloth, a very simple task given the state of the cloth.

Their sorrows combined, Raphael's purple irises gazed deeply upon its mudded facade. He then pinned that ash-covered brooch to his new scarf to keep it in place, wearing the lives lost like a medal. A medal to honor them, to preserve their lives, their hopes, their dreams.

To the wardrobe's left was a mirror, its glass fractured. This old looking glass attracting a pair of purple irises, Raphael taking a look inside. A shattered image of himself looking back at him, fissures in the glass cutting this image of him in multiple places, including his neck. It was the unfortunate result of a life torn apart by violence, the struggle to obtain position and power.

Raphael recalled that last moment he stood before a mirror, breaking it with his own fist out of fear and self-hatred. Did he contemplate breaking it again? Maybe, perhaps for even a moment or two...

Lamia observed this change in emotion, this familiar furor. But it was in this space that the silver-haired heir began to recount those words, words spoken to him in a dream. Too difficult was it to consider a dream really, but all too easy was it to feel inspired by the words found in it.
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09-Mar-2016 17:35:12 - Last edited on 07-Apr-2016 14:01:16 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

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"The Resistance isn't about the people fighting for the idea, but the idea for which the people fight for." No matter what Raphael did, it seemed Lord Divus' words resounded in his heart. No, this truth was far too great to be bound to a word, no adjective could properly convey it. A strange warmth then surrounded him, feeling as though his father stood by his side at this very moment.

Like Divus himself were giving him that extra push, that extra nudge that he needed, Raphael felt his goals and aspirations reaffirmed. Carefully did Divus' words pull him back together, firmly did he hold Raphael steady. He didn't want to become trapped again in this snare, this painful arrest like a bear trap which ached the more he struggled.

Raphael couldn't allow himself to get caught once more, not again... After all, he lived this life for more than just himself. He closed his eyes, no longer desiring to see this vision of himself in pieces. He turned away, clinching his fist with conviction. He took a step away, leaving behind this empty carcass, this hollow shell.

He walked out of the room, leaving behind this broken man, this hopeless, self-loathing Raphael... He removed these useless feelings, bottling up all his pain and woe. He proceeded with only one thought in mind: keep moving forward. Moving ever onward like pausing for a moment were a sin, Raphael was ready. And yet, there was still one last trip into the past he needed to take...
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09-Mar-2016 17:35:52

Jul

2020

Serene End

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As all others swooped in and out of houses, Raphael stepped courageously out into the dying light. The bitter winds ravaged by frost, the silver-haired heir's newly obtained scarf fluttering to his right. He drew the raw air deep into his body, the air crisp despite its chilling bite. He stared off towards the sky, the peak of the mountain ahead piercing the heavens.

An ominous glimpse into the future ahead, one could only wonder just what will transpire during its climb. But Raphael was prepared, he had to be. After all, this was the only means to get into Alverra. And thus, the only way to seek a future for humanity. With a strength of thousands suffering at his back, Raphael took his next step, heading into this unknown dauntlessly, stalwart in his direction.

The End of Chapter 28,
Next Chapter,
Chapter 29: Death Mountain

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

~Serene End

I must admit... The time between chapter postings has certainly become quite vast, hasn't it? Hopefully the next one's not too far off from now.
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09-Mar-2016 17:38:02

Azigarath

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Whoa what, a new chapter?
OK, page 133, Telvern and Elliott talk about the believed death of him and his wife. The talk gets tense, Telvern alludes to his faked demise, the struggle of self-discovery, and the human problem. Jeanne was his wife, a victim, and Divus let him escape.

134
Who's Ormemel? Electrical conductor, Lumbridge folk. Telvern gets his dagger out upon a question. They discuss the assault, some history, assassinations, the Resistance.

135
They continue talking, and are interrupted by a guard. Note it's better to grab the bottom of the palm instead of the wrist to secure a held weapon. Elliott may help the Resistance. Foirfeach, once Draynor Village. Ya, lots of willows there. Rimmington is still dilapidated, but gods work here. Melzar's Maze? OK, this seems to go back to the previous heroes.

136
Happy Calvin! I just lost my place :/ Ah, Melzar's Maze I think! I like the personification you give it. Does he find Arrav's shield? Santa Claus! Bread and mead. They talk about the situation and then plans of attack. Lady of Wine? Sounds good! Seems characters get the biggest reactions from words, but I think most people are like that anyways.
“have fun with your waste of time”
Ha, loved this!

137
Six days pass. Village life; Rimmington rather contrasts the rest of the world, hunh? Oo, a jack-in-the-box! Heh, I like how you portray children, Calvin creeping upon that toy, very nicely done. Telvern comes. The assassins are quite loyal to their queen. The genius tells them Momus died, and alludes to the funeral's procession. They plan their attack; causing widespread fire would be useful. Wine lady! Sounds good! Oh, maybe the statue does have magic powers.

OK, I read up to page 138, I'll stop here for a break. But ya, another chapter is up and I'm not done reading this one, and I easily forget about this story, due to me working on several projects over three different websites and reading other peoples' works!

07-Apr-2016 04:30:51

Jun

2008

Seph

Posts: 2,257 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Huh, it looks like this thread's fifth birthday is coming up within the next couple of months. It's hard to believe that you originally posted this back in 2011. Great job keeping this thread alive for so long!

"How Can Mirrors Be Real If Our Eyes Aren't Real?" -Jaden Smith

25-Jul-2016 06:00:12 - Last edited on 25-Jul-2016 06:01:13 by Seph

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