[Quest] What Lies Beneath... (Evalin, Rayage)

[Evalin]

Such sounds, such crazed and unexpected sounds assaulted the girl's ears as she turned form the collapsed form. What now have we stumbled upon? More dangers locked away and never meant to see the light of day again? She watched as lights began to shimmer and flicker to life, and her eyes traced their path until, suddenly, the room shook and threw her to one side. Her staff clattered to one side, hitting one wall with a resounding THUNK, but this was quickly forgotten as the elevator plummeted downward. Eva could not think, could not grasp what it was that was occurring, so she desperately held on to whatever she could to keep some semblance of control. By all things true and real, be we now plunged to the pits of fire!? Amidst all this chaos the nuit did, for a moment, take a bit of pleasure in the irony of such an end engulfed in flames, but all thoughts were jarred from her being as the elevator halted and she found herself slammed against another wall, crumpling to the ground next to the man draped in fatigue. Rising slowly she ran a hand down her body, checking for any odds or ends out of place. What trouble it would be to repair a broken limb in such a place as this... Yet after the brief inspection she found she was relatively ok, yet the same could not have been said for her companion. Straightening fully, Evalin's cold eyes turned to look downward at the pitiable form of her creator... The girl paused a moment, silence engulfing her as she watched him struggle to stand and fall once more. She did not speak for a long moment, a full chime falling passed as she allowed the silence to ring. WIthin her mind flashes of her passed welled to the surface, images filled with fire and darkness, all of which was orchestrated by this man... Never before has he been so decrepit... Never have I seen him so low and powerless. A small smile stretched across her lips as she slowly knelt down, tilting her head, As he is now... It would be so simple to... Standing as he did, Evalin stepped forward, closer than ever she would normally. The look in her eyes spoke of... A hand moved forward, touching gently against the man's forehead, her fingers entangling in his hair. That smile widdened, growing into a ghoulish grin as words hissed from her lips, "My dear immortal... how weak you have become... Perhaps the man remembered as she did, that night she had been taught her "final" lesson. A figured bound, calling out words that were lost on ears that would not hear them. Perhaps... he also remembered Evalin reaching forward as she did now, placing her hand upon his head just before the figure was engulfed in flame... Rasping chuckle escaped lips of white as the girl looked deep into Rayage's eyes for just a moment before closing her own, "My dearest immortal... Really you have over done yourself. What dangers could lie in wait before us...? Surely we need all of our strength to continue. You have taught me, after all, to sever all that could pose a threat to my success... Her eyes opened and her grip tightened. From her palm there seeped liquid substance that fell on either side of the other immortals face, wrapping about his neck. The smile never ceased, "Have you... become a burden for me now...?" Whatever response he gave, if any, Evalin would hold the position for half a chime longer, her eyes closed as if in deep thought. In fact, within her raged an internal battle that threatened to tear the girl assunder. Be damned it all, never before have I gained such an advantage! If not now, I may never have another opportunity! No... He is still useful. He knew what this machine was, and his experience is far greater than what I now hold... All things may be learned in time! Now is the time for retribution, for revenge for all that has occurred since first his darkness consumed my light! Other times will come, but now is not the time to be rash and foolish! Has he not taught that to act on first whims is foolhardy? Precisely! HE taught! He is a danger, an evil, a monster! Be rid of him and take all that is here. That will be justice enough. The girl's expression darkened, and a look of disgusts lit her features just as the smile vanished completely. With a sigh she shook her head, removing her hand and turning. Without a word she took up her staff once more, returning to look upon Rayage with eyes that spoke of her loathing, yet a calmness had settled upon her now and when she spoke she was as normal. "Indeed, another time perhaps. Surely the fools will be able to handle themselves for a time longer." Turning, Evalin made to lead the way as Rayage had offered before, but she paused. Looking back she extended the staff to the man, a mocking smile on her lips, "It seems you are of greater need than I for this. Make as much haste as you can, and do not fall too far behind my DEAR immortal." With that she turned her gaze forward, stepping over the threshold into the unknown cavern... OOCPretty much my entire post took place after Rayage motioned for her to lead. Sorry for the confusion

[Paragon]

A weakened Rayage followed Evalin into the cavern. They would notice the walls glowed with a faint violet light, and they sparkled under the torchlight. Crystal shards were intermingled with the rock. They walked down the tunnel for a long time. They weren't sure how far they'd travelled as everything looked the same. There were no symbols, or no oddities to mark their passage. But slowly and surely, the tunnel began to widen out. There was a faint dripping noise. Stagnant water fell in tiny droplets from the ceiling. Was there water above them? Finally, they came to an end of sorts. A room, immaculately circular, with a crypt like chest at the far side. Sitting on the chest was a small stone statue, much like the gargoyles that adorned some of the old buildings in Zeltiva. There was an energy coming from within the box that the gargoyle guarded, something intriguing and curious. But by now, the nuits would know not to simply rummage. There would be a trap or a puzzle. Something to keep them from claiming whatever was inside. And Rayage was still weak. His vision swirled a little, coloured rays lashing around in the air. He was only just able to remain standing.

[Rayage]

Nothing was ever as it seemed, and although he was reckless in pressing the button, especially with no other energy source around, it was the mage who was at a disadvantage. Be damned his incomplete knowledge of the past, or perhaps sucking the djed from a person was a precaution built into the machine to keep it running when all other sources of power were lost? Pre-val technology was advanced, and its many complexities were lost on the nuit. He was no expert, but he did live in the times before the storm, so he knew about some things long lost.

Putting more of his weight on the wall he was leaning on the mage observed the situation. He dare not cast another spell for fear of his life, he could not see straight, but he still had a grip on his own mind and consciousness, which was the good part in all of this. Now… what could he do? He still had incredible knowledge of times long gone, but what could that do here? All it got him was trouble and all of his magical powers drained. Worse than useless was those without magic, and now he had no way to defend himself. Dare he depend on Eva’s magical powers? It was all that was left. He had to.

The other nuit broke him from his thoughts when the hand graced his forehead. What was this? Memories started to flow back to him, more specifically the memories the night when he made sure Evalin had no one to return back to. The memories of his success in that endeavor and the reminder of his success made him smile. Even in his weakness there was nothing more satisfying than remembering times of success and being driven by that. Yes, he couldn’t give up now. He had done many amazing things in his long life time, and now was another challenge, another chapter of in his book, and what ending would this chapter have? Well, it has yet to be written, and so he was free to choose, and he would choose success.

The others words bit into him like a cold knife, cutting him deep and chilling him to the bone. He had taught her the lessons of life well, and she was under no obligation to keep someone who may be a liability to her success. A chime went by as he awaited her decision, the look in her eyes weighing the odd, calculating, cold. Then a decision was made. He was to live on, for now. The hand removed from his hair and staff extended out to him, his hands all too greedily took it even though the mocking grin met him. ”Child,” he said, yes she was childish, ”Be well that this isn’t you.” he said, trying to get his head together, but the drain was too much. Swaying a little even though he had the staff to support him now, ”For you need your magic much more than I.” he told her, not exactly wishing this sorry state on her because without her ability to produce fire she too would be less than useless.

With that being the only comment for what he saw in the other eyes and heard in her tone and general body language, everything was noted. Nothing was left to change, everything meant everything, or nothing at all. Both could be the possibilities, but he would go with the former making drawing his assumptions from his apprentice’s actions. She had considered getting rid of him. The thought both him laugh, but also made him more cautious of her as he slowly hobbled in her wake. He would not be done in here. No, and as he used the staff he considered its origins. Perhaps it was a time for a change, another change. No reminders, no return. Was this staff part of her life before? He was more than sure this was the case. Remorse built in him as the fact that the pole which was holding him up served as a reminder to Evalin of her past. As he walked, the pathway began to widen, there was a crystals shimmer of the touch light as it touched the lower caverns. Gems of an unknown sort dotted the wall at first, and then just about covered them. What was this place some unknown temple of a long lost god?

They walked for an unknown amount of time, Ray keeping mostly to himself, just struggling to keep up. The toll on his body was far worse than he would have imagined, or have liked. He staggered along, aided, and possibly quickened by the grace of the walking staff. As the way widened and turned into a cavernous area Ray called out, ”Evalin, my dear,” he started, ”best be wary of this place. You saw what an innocent looking button did to me.” he said, putting up an air of caution. He didn’t trust this place anymore. First a Journeyman, multiple traps and doors that needed undoing, what else can lie in wait for them?

Even in his weakened state though, he could sense it. Yes, he could sense it very well; the air tingled with magic, and of an odd sort. Across the room there was to be seen a crypt and atop it, sitting like one would on a throne, was a gargoyle statue. Its face open, mocking them, daring them to move forward. Ray dared, as he hobbled more into the room, ”Be careful, Evalin.” he used her name for once, ”Who knows why the gargoyle sits atop the crypt. Speak!” the last word was no longer directed at the mage who had accompanied him, but to the statue itself, ”What foul magic will bring you to life?” he asked pointing accusingly at the statue, ”What foul tricky is this to guard the treasure which lies beneath you?” he asked another pointed question, giving an untrusting look at the thing atop the crypt as he took another step forward, but stopped, waiting for a reaction. He wondered if he was going to look like a mad fool if he continued, and so he stilled his tongue.

[Evalin]

Time... The tick of the clock, the chiming of the hour... by the reckoning of mortals the journey in near darkness would seen like an eternity, but for one who stood beyond time it was but a mere few moments of existence. The sound of falling water in the widening tunnel caused Evalin to gaze upward, the flickering light of the torch showing no signs of visible water, yet so the sound continued, unburdened by the mystery of its source. The rooms shape, its walls smoothed and and curved that it could not have been a natural formation. Stepping forward before the man she spoke, "Worry you not my dear immortal, for I have seen and learned from the follies of others." This brought a brief smile to her lips as she moved further into the room, waving the light over the crypt and its guardian of stone. Tilting her head, Evalin gazed upon the crypt, My my... what curious oddities we have found here... As she was moving to draw closer still, the words of the man caused her to pause and look back. Once he had finished she spoke, "Speak you now to air and rock? Has your fall from power drained you of wits as well as strength?" Though her tone was mocking, in fact Evalin had wondered briefly of doing the same. Certainly she was not about to stride blindly into an unknown situation without precaution, and even now she thought of the scrolls she held in her cloak. Scrolls that held, sealed within them, the means to call forth a little more help if need be...

[Paragon]

The past seemed to crackle between the two Nuits, as if it were very much alive - a cloaked beast rising from its inky depths, finally revealing its horrific face at long last. These unknown depths had tested them thus far, but they were ancient beings, and perhaps it could be said they were more prepared than mortals. From whence they had come, there was a cavernous sound. The lift. Had it risen again? Had it even come back down in the interim? From the cavern, they would not see if anything had exited the lift, but both of them would remember what it was they had left behind in the shadows. When they inspected the gargoyle more closely, they would feel no energy coming from the stonework specifically. It was a gnarled thing, twisted by stagnant water and time. As they moved, they would note the sparkle in the face. The left eye socket held a jewel of some worth, ruby red, glittering under the torchlight. The right eye socket was empty. The gargoyle couldn't be moved, for it seemed to be melded to the crypt which hid the treasure - the crypt that could not simple be opened. The cavern had first seemed empty but small alcoves dotted the stone walls, with little pools of long extinguished candles, and small circular stones encircling them. They were common stones, but perhaps under candlelight, the genuine ones would glisten.

[Rayage]

The nuit heard the words of the witch before him and saw the deadly grin. It shot pangs of guilt and responsibility through him. Learning from the mistakes of others… How conceded was this person who accompanied him? Then again, he should be proud, he taught her well. She was a proud undead, and would remain proud to the end. This filled Ray with a sense of pride. He created her. The immortal could hardly believe that the fateful night was about one hundred years ago, in Ravok. Now he found himself with her again, in these ruins as old as himself possibly.

The sound which echoed to them made the nuit turn to glance behind them. Had the lift gone back up? Was that creature following them after all? How could it draw the machine back up, was there a switch, a lever, another button to be presses? Whatever it was Ray did not have time to investigate, nor did he choose to. The chances of the creature, if the lift did move back up, of picking the right floor was one of two. So there was a fifty percent chance that the creature which they ran into before would choose the wrong floor without some sort of magical help. He would take his chances and allow himself to be drawn back in by the sound of Evalins voice.

”I do not speak out of lost wit, my dear.” he said ”I spoke out caution.” he said crossing his arms, glaring at the statue which, surprisingly, didn’t respond back. Out of all the times that it did nothing, it had to be the time that the nuit called it out. What a stubborn and obscene statue, old and worn by time. Piece of trash that is what Ray deemed it to be. Only meant to slow them down, but it defiantly wouldn’t stop them from taking the treasure.

The nuit then took a moment to investigate the gargoyle further, careful to keep his torch out of the water leaking from the roof. Stepping forward, torch lighting the way, as he put it as close to the stones face as he dared. There was a glinting, a refracting of light, which caught his eye. In the left eye socket there seemed to be a ruby. The nuit smiled at this and observed the stone, wondering if the key lay in taking it out, or perhaps… he looked over at the other eye, finding another ruby to replace the one which was taken from the guardian gargoyle. Perhaps that is why the enchantment didn’t work and the gargoyle didn’t answer… yes, that had to be it. Ray still suspects the guardian of the crypt to be magical in some way. If he is right or not, only time will tell…

”Evalin” he gestured towards the woman, motioning her to come here, ”Come with haste.” he said, ”Look.” he pointed to the gargoyles eyes, ”See something out of place?” he asked, ”I bet if we find the ruby and replace the eye then we can open this crypt.” he said with a grin, ”The eyes are keys!” he said all too triumphantly as if he had figured out some great riddle. Things like this got him excited, just a little bit. It was at these times that the nuit no longer felt undead, despite his body, but very much alive.

With that he spread his gaze across the room, noticing the candles and the alcoves which dotted the walls. Going up to them, he put his touch to the candles, ignoring the rocks for now, trying to light them, ”Evalin help me light these.” he said, proceeding to try to light all the candles in the room with his torch. A little more light on the subject would be good for searching for the ruby.

[Evalin]

Evalin paused to glance behind her, absently wondering along the same lines as the man herself, but then she dismissed such crazed pondering to another time, another place perhaps. Instead she stepped forward, a little after the man, her eyes looking around with quiet contemplation filing her gaze. Her attention was quickly captured by the gargoyle once more, and she could not help but be drawn in by its single ruby eye... Such strange things we find here so far beneath the surface, yet if they be sealed so tightly then must there not be a reasoning for this? There was a nagging doubt centered in the very back of her mind, yet still she could not place what it was, Be this ever stranger... Why seal this place with such magics, and then why develop a device that makes the user useless upon coming here? As she was about to open her mouth to speak her wonderings, the man's voice cut through her attention. "Very much I see that which is before me, my dear immortal, however, must we take away an eye or add it? Certainly I see the obvious answer, yet still I wonder to what ends they would design a lock so?" This man, this beast in human flesh acted as if newly born upon gracing upon some grand riddle. Truly it made the woman smile, though she turned so that he might not notice such. Though know I his true potential and malignant intent, even so I still find myself at times wondering at his childish tendencies. Surely he must know how he appears acting as such? A hand touched her cold lips to surpress a chuckle, Be it that I never forget myself what he is capable of. What purest evil does rest behind those words of silk and smiling lips. She watched a moment as Rayage began to light the candles one by one, and she sighed, "Be you still lest you become a burden. There now go rest by the entrance, I shall give light to this place." Whether the man moved or not, Evalin would close her eyes, tilt her head back and take in a deep breath. Within her for that flow of power swirled and stirred, rising and coursing through her being like a fire through the densest forest. With an will of iron born of long hours of meditation, Eva commanded this flow to move from her hands to collect in the middle of her chest, to swirl until it became a whirling tide over her unbeating heart. With slow, calculated motions the woman brought her hands before her, cupping them as if she were about to collect water within them. That motion within her moved then, coursing up to collect at the very back of her throat. Opening her mouth Evalin moved her head so that it was over her hands, breathing out a steady stream of Res as it was transformed within her and released to collect in her cupped fists. After a short moment her jaws snapped shut, sealing off the opening to her flow. In her open palms there now sat a pooling of res that just filled the open space between her fingers with a warm, liquid presence. A smile touched her lips as Evalin willed the rest into motion, summoning it to rise from where it sat to swirl about her open hands. Clapping her palms together she hissed, "Shi!" The res responded, flying out from her hands to form several floating masses of power, just as they were commanded. Evalin smiled, Shi... to split. Soon I must define a more accurate way to control the numbers, but alas that is for another night. Waving a hand she whispered softly a command which she now etched clear in her mind, "Nai." Scatter. The tinny points of her self, those pieces of her soul flew from her, one to each unlit candle to rest just over the which. Evalin's eyes closed a moment, a hand resting on her head as she struggled to remain in control of so many small points at once, Never before have I divided my attention as such... but no, never shall I fall short in front of this man. Let him see my power... That ghoulish grin appeared and Evalin whipped her hand away from her eyes in a dramatic fashion, straightening her back and calling out in a strong voice, "Hakin!" Evalin winced at the amount of focused such a simple task required, but she felt assured that her expression was well hidden from eyes that would pry... And so each knot of res exploded in sudden flame, lighting as many candles as possible in an instant, though there was some lag between one or two that were not so close to the woman when she uttered the command.

[Paragon]

Like a small flock of fireflies, light burst around them. Small alcoves of stones and candles shimmered. But they were dun. Simply stones, of no import. Unwittingly though, Evalin had unlocked the final seal. The myriad of lights were reflected in the gargoyles single eye. Here, there was no symmetry. Here, there was only puzzlement. The ruby eye began to lift free from its stone socket, floating in the air for a moment. The candle's light, infused by the res, burned fiercely. There was a sound. A chime. A tinkle. Then an explosion of colour and light. The candle flames glowed all different colours, from scarlet red, to ocean blue. From forest green, to the yellow sands of Ekytol. The ruby had divided, into the colours of a prismatic light. And the gargoyle, born of stone, came to life, animated. The wings unfurled with a creak, and then the being shifted free from the stone pallet, moving to one side as the crypt like chest opened. Before it came to a stop, it stared at the adventurers fiercely, a howling voice coming from within. "Neither living nor dead. You come as a pair. You may take as a pair. But you must choose wisely. For you may only take one thing each. One thing - or you will pay the price." The two Nuit would be left awestruck by the unfolding events, but they were soon able to peer into the crypt. And there they saw an ornate staff, a full bag of Gold Mizas, and a small and glimmering bird statuette cast in amber. Three things to choose from - but the gargoyle's words rang in their heads.

[Rayage]

Having forgotten the burden of his own body in the excitement of the statue the nuit nodded, halting from lighting the candles and standing aside. He didn’t want to get caught up in her magic as well. That would end badly for his already crippled and djed-depleted body. The alchemist hobbled to the back of the cave and just observed the power of the other. Yes, he was right in his assumption that she needed her personal power more than he did. The show was a spectral of personal power that he had hardly seen before. The way the spell split, and how she lit all the candles at once (nearly) was surely something to be respected. With the power noted he would be sure to keep an even closer eye on her. For an unwatched flame can easily burn down a house, especially if that flame is fueled with magic and hate. Yes, the more she showed him what she was capable of the more he grew weary of the mage.

There was a slight delay between the lighting of the candles, but it was nothing the Alchemist was stupid enough to scoff at. Though, as the last candle was lit something strange began to happen. The room lit up and the candles changed colors, and then… then, the stone gargoyle started moving. He knew it! He knew the thing was alive and it was only paying dead to make him look stupid in front of Evalin. Gosh… the lack of Djed really does affect ones personality, uh? Then it spoke. It was going to allow the both of them to take one item from it… did they really want to accept such gifts?

It took the nuit a moment to hobble over, supported by the staff gifted to him by Evalin, but he had eventually gotten to the crypt and looked down into it. ”My guardian.” he said with a weary smile. He could at least try to get them more loot by tricking the guardian, ”It seems that you have miscounted.” he said shaking his head, looking up at the gargoyle, ”There are three of us, right Evalin?” he asked, ”and it would be rude to give just the two of us gifts while leaving the third one out. We came as a trio, so can we choose as a trio? One item each?” he grinned at him, hoping that Evalin would catch onto what he was trying to do and play along with her own talents.

”However, I shall take the bird statuette.” he said pointing, but not taking. ”I already have a staff.” he said gripping Evalins old staff tighter. ”What say you guardian?” he asked, ”Will you allow our third member to take a treasure?” he asked, ”If so, we can go get him.” he said, gesturing down the hall. It was then, the nuit bent over the crypt and attempted to take out the item which he chose.

[Evalin]

By the flickering light of the mage-born fire, Evalin watched as the ruby moved to float, casting a spectacle of colors upon the walls and floor. Inwardly the woman pondered its meaning, watching the flickering flames born of her power, Be this a trap, another means to sap me of my strength as was with the man? But as a chime passed it seemed this was not the case, and she relaxed ever so slightly. Then the statue moved, flexed its muscles of stone and shifted from the coffer upon which it had rested. A smile crept upon those cold lips as she whispered soft words to her companion, "My so it would seem I owe you an apology, for perhaps speaking with stone can, at times, prove necessary." Listening to the words spoken from lips of stone, Evalin pondered their meaning, Is this to be a reward for solving the mysteries up to now? Is it truly so simple as this? She wondered at the vague warning, Certainly we know that only one gift is to be ours, yet I suppose to speak it leaves the breaker of this law all the more reputable in their crimes... Yet even as she thought this, the man cloaked in opportunity spoke his words of venom, turning to Evalin for her answer. She paused for the briefest moment, caught off guard by the suddenness of the question, but then a smile touched her lips and she spoke, "Yes indeed oh guardian of lost treasures, there is in fact another in our company, and we must not forget them. For it is without their aid never could we have come this far." It was a lie of course, but Evalin coated each word with a hint of truth, for in fact she thought of those two bumbling fools left at the foot of the elevator, Perhaps they shall prove useful to us in the end, if not in how we wished them to be... Evalin felt the weight of her scrolls in her robes, assured that she could make this mysterious and unseen companion come to light if the gargoyle did indeed allow them such. Stepping forward after the man, the immortal's eyes were drawn to the staff, "And whether our friend be allowed to choose or not, I would take upon myself this staff, a replacement for what this one now holds." She indicated Rayage as she spoke, reaching down to grasp the staff if she were so allowed.