RuneScape Forum Archive | Fall From Grace

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2020

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Between the two walls, eight feet of space. The floor was of stone tile, each about one and a half feet in size. But in random places, one of the tiles would be partially broken or even missing, revealing the sandy floor. The path they walked upon was about five feet wide, the rest of space was sand which were off to the edges of the path.

The ceiling was about fourteen feet above them. The ceiling itself was made of stone, cracked in multiple place. Some places had a sand cascade from an opened crack in the ceiling, leaving random small hills of sand to work around. The walls there made of the same beige stone as the floor and ceiling. There were strange words craved into the walls, two words in particular kept popping up: "Drág Essa."

Daevarro wished he could define what actually was being said, but he couldn't even find where to begin. To their left and right as they walked down this dark hallway, they passed by the statues of a woman. Her presence was all along the hallway, hundreds of the same statue stood beside the path leading into the heart of the hideout.

Daevarro shuffled his head, gazing at the face of the woman portrayed in these statues whenever he looked. Her right hand dangled at her side while her left hand was raised up to about the height of her head. She was about five-foot-four-inches tall and had long hair which reached down to her waist. At the point of which it reached her lower back, it's gathered into a small ponytail.

A braid also started from behind both of her ears, which were somewhat pointed. They went down to about her upper back where they kept in a hair-clip. Her eyes were so extremely intense, so much so that they were felt and reflected even through the aging stone. She wore a long, sleeveless dress that reached down to her ankles. Her feet did not wore footwear at all, being bare.
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05-Mar-2014 19:02:00

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Across her torso, she wore a sash of sorts, which went from her left shoulder to her right side. Excess hung from her shoulder, going all the way down to her legs. Her arms were long, her forearms though were about double the size of her upper arms. She also had sharp, pointed fingernails.

It was so very strange, the hundreds upon hundreds of statues of this woman, all of which were completely untouched. Daevarro turned to Raphael, curious about the statues. "Who is this woman?" the dark-robed young man asked, though part of him believed he could perhaps answer this for himself.

"That's Lamia," he answered, looking back at Daevarro. That's who Daevarro thought it was, it was very apparent that she was one that these Desert Assassins truly did worship. They continued to walk forward, from one stretch of endlessness to the next. The dark shadow over this place had a small hole of light at its chest, growing larger and larger with each step the two took.

At times, they felt the buckling of broken tiles under their feet. But their destination was upon them, just in front of their faces. As they came closer to it, they were able to make out the ruins and sand of that room. Managing to fight through the very thick air, the two had finally entered the heart of this cult. It appeared like a paradise after the walk through a dark damnation.

They appeared in a brightly-lit, open land that was three-hundred-and-forty feet long. These ruins felt very old, like if someone touched them, they would break. It was odd, they were able to feel a strange ancient echo from this place. It was as if they were among the ghosts of an old world, as if a crowd of people were all around them. They felt their presence, their energy envelop them. Yet, nothing was there.
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05-Mar-2014 19:02:00 - Last edited on 05-Mar-2014 19:06:13 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Before them, a variety of pillars and obelisks that stood as tall as mountains. Etched in these obelisks were images of suns and moons, and words just like the ones in the hallway. Some obelisks were broken, laying lifeless upon the desert floor. Ruins of an old fortress surrounded a stream of water that was like the borderline between light and dark.

The ceiling -- a rocky, jagged surface -- had a large hole in the center left of it. It let in the heat, the sun's eyes able to keep track of them. But its radiant breath coursed in and out of this place, allowing the water in the center to shimmer so vibrantly. All this water came from a rock that was just pouring tears. It hung on the furthest back wall, beautiful white water falling.

Lush, verdant grass at the center of the light from the sun. Palm trees among the tall, beige colored ruins as well. And then in the center back of the room, a far reaching statue of the very same woman from before, this Lamia. She was holding her right hand downwards, offering a hand to anyone in need.

Truly, this place felt like a magnificent mirage after a long, hard fought battle with the heat. But it was very, very real... Though among the paradise upon earth, several harbingers of death dressed in black. They hung out in random places, some a top of the ruins and obelisks, other others laid beside the water.

They all immediately flock over to Raphael and Daevarro, their thirst for the blood of the outsider ravenous. Indeed, these deliverers of death were much like crows and ravens, personifying the bringing of the end of life. With their daggers drawn, they crowd around Raphael. But strangely, they isolated Daevarro from their attention.

Raphael quickly raised his hands to the height of his shoulders, his face calm despite the situation. "Hold on," he requested. "we're not here to fight, only to talk."
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05-Mar-2014 19:09:53 - Last edited on 15-Oct-2014 13:51:47 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

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"Ya heard the kid," said a very familiar voice behind the crowd of black. All the assassins turned to the source of the voice, which was a man coming through from the middle of the crowd. Indeed, the voice came from the one known as Calvin. He turned to his brethren, shaking his head. "They ain't 'ere ta fight, so go off and git back ta ya stuff!"

As quickly and suddenly as they appeared, the assassins went off. Calvin then sighed, turning backwards. His pale blue eyes gazed upon the two outsiders. "Sorry 'bout that," he quickly apologized, then noticing it was just the two of them. He seemed somewhat disappointed, saddened by the lack of a certain person. "Aww... princess didn't come along?"

"You appeared rather quickly," thought Raphael, not even replying to what Calvin mentioned. "Were you expecting us?"

Calvin placed his arms back down at his sides. "Kid, we know if anyone's comin' even before they set foot on the sand." Calvin stated, somewhat jokingly. "Anywho, that ain't important, right?" Calvin's pale blue eyes turned to the dark-robed young man, he then whipped out a smile. "Ah, I see ya took my advice and tagged along, eh?"

Daevarro shook his head. "Yes," he confirmed. "You said I can find more out about my family, right? So, where—?"

Calvin pointed over to the his left, over towards a bunch of ruins. There, the young god was able to see a bookshelf and a table. "—That's where we keep our history," he stated, telling the young man where to go. "You'll find everything ya need over there."

Daevarro quickly bowed his head. "Thank you," he respectfully spoke before heading off.
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05-Mar-2014 19:13:06

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Raphael kept a close eye on Daevarro, watching the young man slowly evaporate. The young leader seemed to somewhat distrust the surroundings, that feeling of something bound to happen. Calvin placed his right hand on Raphael's shoulder, very swiftly stealing his attention. Calvin shook his head, denying the feeling that Raphael was enveloped by. "Don't worry," the assassin advised. "They ain't gonna hurt him. In fact, they'll be more welcomin'."

Raphael seemed to pause once he heard the last bit of Calvin's attempt to calm the distrust surrounding him. The leader gave Calvin a raised eyebrow, unable to piece together what exactly the assassin meant. "Is he a member of the Desert Assassins?" the young leader questioned.

Calvin shook his head. "Nah," the assassin responded. "he's much more." Raphael turned his purple eyes to Calvin, who seemed really confident in what he was saying. The calm assassin's eyes were stuck on Daevarro, that smile from when he spoke to Daevarro still appearing very clearly on his face. It was a moment that Raphael truly believed every bit of word he was fed.

Elsewhere, in that exact moment of relief was perhaps a moment of a heart-sinking reality. Lumbridge, the down-but-not-out capital of the Resistance, returned to travel down the circle of life. Upon its course: renewal; rebirth. Indeed, those of the once-thriving town were getting back onto their feet. Very slowly, like ivy growing up the walls of a brick house, the town of beginnings was destined to return. But as we all know, that ivy was actually a silent killer, eroding the wall from within.

Down below in the castle of Lumbridge, the basement that held so much mystery, both in books and in minds. Piles and piles of whatever, mountains taller than men, were pushed off in the corners of the room. They contained books, sheets written with knowledge, anything that would aid in the pursuit of enlightenment.
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05-Mar-2014 19:17:22

Jul

2020

Serene End

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The white and black checker tile below was much dirtier since the last time, the white was hardly fit to be called such anymore. Cobwebs were a commonplace, dust its neighbor. The air was somewhat dry, it was a comfortable cool with a strange, lingering chill. The smell of ink, paper, and age infiltrated the nostrils of anyone willing to enter this domain.

The stone walls were completely painted... in paper. They were impaled in the forehead by hooks installed into the walls. They contained crude pictures as if a crazy man drew them, and words just barely readable. Torches occasionally appeared on the walls, giving the room a brightness. But it didn't exactly make one feel like this was a 'room.' Perhaps more like a prison.

And there he sat, alone upon his wooden throne. He was hot in the pursuit of knowledge, attempting to eat the fruit never meant to be consumed. To grasp control over life would be one that would be invaluable, so frantically did he chase after that fleeting dream. Upon his table that helped burden his journey, the books and many sheets of paper. But cherished all too preciously, that one thing he spent countless nights: the all mighty Life Rune.

There, sitting isolated upon the lower left of his desk, a strange cornflower blue gem. It was about the size of an apple. Despite its small, fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand appearance, it was actually rather heavy. With a ruffled feather dripped in black in his right hand, he wrote down his notes, his thoughts.

As he did so, that strange jewel began to flash. It emitted a bright light, one that hung for a split second, before fading. Then after a moment or two of normalcy, it returned for the exceptionally brief life that it lived. The genius scrolled his brown eyes downwards, gazing upon the flashing gem. In that gem's eyes, his own face gazing back at him.
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05-Mar-2014 19:20:32

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Whatever this flashing was for, he knew it was for something that he would regret. His uneager hand slowly reached for the smooth gem, grasping onto it. After his hand held it for a few seconds, he let it go. Turning back onto his work, he readied himself to receive the darker side to his world. "Lord Balor," Telvern addressed with respect.

"Telvern," Balor's voice then suddenly spoke, its source from the gem. His voice wasn't clear, but he was definitely there. "I have something for you to carry out."

"What is it?" he anxiously asked.

"Kill the boy," the king commanded. Just up from the cellar door, Elena was walking by. As she walked on by, she heard that very unsettling thing pass into her ear. It was a command she knew came from the mouth of her very own brother. She froze, plagued by that unnerving sinking in her stomach. She quickly rushed over to the cellar door, kneeling beside it to catch what was being said.

She wanted to back pedal, knowing in her heart the very thing she promised Raphael. But her body felt restrained, as if she partly felt she just had to stay here... Especially after what she just heard. Telvern stopped in his writing, his brown eyes glaring at the enchanted gem. "You wish for me to murder Uriel?" the genius questioned with a bit of disgust. "Wasn't he a part of your plan?"

"No," Balor answered frankly. "he was always just a lure. But now that he and Soter are together, I think it a time to strike. If the boy is to Soter as you claim, I know exactly what he'll do afterwards."

"And if I refuse?"

The genius and the archer then both heard a rather vile laughter from the other side. "You intend to shake your fist at me once more, Telvern?" the king questioned in the midst of his laughter. "You and I both know that that will get you nowhere."

"You've yet answered the question," the genius pointed out.

"It's either you and the entire Resistance or him," he quickly returned.
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05-Mar-2014 19:24:16

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Telvern sat there, his gaze stolidly placed upon the enchanted gem. "You wouldn't launch a full-scale attack on Lumbridge." the genius truly did believe, his voice shaking with an emotion he so very rarely showcased. "If you were willing to, you'd have already done so. You're afraid Lucia will get hurt... and trust me, she will."

"Ha ha ha ha!" his laughter once more erupted. "You think yourself so full of aces that you'd be willing to threaten me?"

"Buy it at whatever price you're willing,"

"Tell yourself the same," he advised. "How much are you willing to put on the line? How truly do you believe I won't barge in right now, kill every single human standing, and find you? Will you be able to look at your Jeanne in the eye and tell her what you caused? Her precious little Resistance, her petty little hopes, all decimated... All by your hand."

It was plain to see Telvern's emotion, his eyes beaming at the gem with blades. His teeth gripped so tightly, his mind desiring nothing but ill-intent upon the king. Balor was able to hear the ire seething from the genius. It was crystal-clear that it felt as though he were standing right next to him. A long, steady silence grew between the two, causing Elena upstairs to wonder.

Telvern's quill at the point of breaking, his grip of anger so tight. Even that sheet of paper he was writing on would succumb to his fury. His clenching hand would shrink the paper, bending and folding it into an crumbled mess for therapy. The fact that he no longer spoke felt like a sort of compliance, allowing an iniquitous grin to grow on the king's face.

"Be sure that it is done promptly," Balor demanded. "Do not fail me."

"...As you wish," the genius mumbled, lamentful but still very infuriated. As soon as Telvern acknowledged his orders, the flashing of the enchanted gem ceased. His eyes a haze, his heart rendered cold at the thought of taking the life of a boy. He slowly rose up from his chair, his hands still planted upon his table.
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05-Mar-2014 19:27:17

Jul

2020

Serene End

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His ears then caught the sound of the cellar door opening and then slamming shut. The pale blue eyed archer then appeared, able to now gaze upon the man who accepted the job of murder. She stood there in this barely lit room, glaring at the back of Telvern. Her hand then reached for her blade, its steel casting a dim shine as it is drawn.

Telvern turned his head to his right, Elena was unable to make out his face due to the lightlessness of this room. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised," the genius thought. "You know, if I could choose who would catch me, I'd choose you."

Elena knew now that she's gone to do something she swore she wouldn't, she felt disheartened. But what was she to do? Let him go and kill Uriel? She believed that if she had the power to end this, she would do so. "Well, it seems fitting, don't you think..." Elena spoke, halting her voice for just a moment to gain the ground to utter the last word. "...Brother."

Her declaration was one that brought Telvern to a pause, that they were related in some form. Telvern closed his eyes, lowering his head. "So, Balor told you, huh?" asked Telvern, then he sighed, turning around to face the archer. "I guess that's another thing I'm not surprised about. He can't ever deny you, after all."

"Who are you?" she questioned. "Why assist Balor? What do you gain?"

"I am a descendant of a bloodline never meant to be," the genius explained. "Long ago, on our homeworld, Asmodeus -- the grandfather of our Hero King, Dias -- ruled for fifty-five years. His reign ended when he suddenly passed away from illness, correct?"

Elena nodded her head. "Yes,"

Telvern shook his head. "What most knew as illness was actually execution," the genius then disclosed. "His crime: secretly taking the hand of another and having a son that was not of his wife, the queen."
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05-Mar-2014 19:31:43

Jul

2020

Serene End

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Her face quickly changed to accommodate this sudden take of information, information she was very reasonably shocked by. "He went against one of our greatest principles..." Elena responded, startled by this tale.

"As a Solasúian, you know that one of the greatest crimes we can commit is falling in love with another." Telvern continued to tell Elena, washing all of this upon her. "It is an inarguable, natural law placed upon us. He and his lover were both killed, and the same fate would have fallen upon their son if it weren't for then Prince Bres."

"Lord Bres, known for his generosity and kindness,"

"Lord Bres raised the boy as if he were his own, but kept his existence a secret from the closest to him, his wife even," Telvern informed her. "The boy would grow up and start a family of his own, retaining the secret all the way to his grave. Lord Bres, upon his deathbed, would tell then Prince Dias of the secret, and asked him to swear to never tell it anyone, unless absolutely necessary. And henceforth, the secret would be passed down only upon death. Upon arrival here, to Gielinor, descendant of the bloodline, Denrox, would be a slave master under the hand of King Nomos. He was Lord of Lumbridge, which at the time was a base for the capture, collection, and sale of slaves. He was a savage in every term of the word, using his name like some kind of entitlement. He was a power hungry fool who got a thrill overpowering inferior beings, such as the slaves in his care. In one such case, he took advantage of one of the women: my grandmother Prisca."

Telvern sighed as Elena listened to this story, quietly stunned for perfectly good reasons. "Out of all the slaves in his care, my grandmother was one my grandfather was very... attached to." Telvern explained. "A few years after giving birth to my mother, Prisca managed to escape from Denrox's captivity. She fled off east, towards the desert. There, she would be found by a member of the Desert Assassins: Felix Thaddeus."
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05-Mar-2014 19:35:35 - Last edited on 12-Sep-2014 17:08:13 by Serene End

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