OF WISPS AND WHISPERS

ORION - In Nightmares

The thunderbolt crashed, and rolled into the ruins with a strangely muffled sound--the thunder of a suffocating summer storm in thick evening fog. It seemed to be drawn into the labyrinth of ancient stonework, sucked away into silence.

A soft brush of bitter laughter passed over Miru's ear, and the fox seemed more shrouded in darkness than she was to begin with, as if standing in darker shadows.

Another soft, distorted call, broken and overlapping in a way impossible for any mortal voice:

i̙͈͍̤̙̣̇ ̷͙̭̰̳̯͐͢ͅc͈̤̯̳̠̼̯̲ͦ̂̀ͧ̀ȧ̵̝͙̰̭ͪͣͯ̓͟n̩̱̜̪ͭ̒̽ͭ ̃ͫ҉͚͉̬̻̲̞̖͞s̝͈̮̹̣̬̒̑̋͗̕͘ț̵̛̜̪̩͛̽̕i̵̢̠̱̘͗͝ͅl̴̪̲͍̺̫̜̭ͪ̎͟͜l̝͕͙͇̣̹̋ͬ͂͘͠ ̧̜͙̩̫̫͖ͬͫ̏̄̿ͬ̀͞h̸̰̭ͣͬ́̂͌͘e̜̯̠̩̾ͫͭͯͪ́̀ǎ̶̵̗̞ͪ̎͞r̜̰̱̥̂̄́̆̾̂ͥ̆̕͝ ̧̡̼͖̞̪͇̦ͣͣ̌ͮy̶̸͕̤̗̙̦͐͂̋̅̌ô̳̰͉̌̏̐ͮͨụ̵̥̼̗̙̼̭̺̰͐̊͋

It sounded almost pleading, and fainter, now, than before.

Reseda's double slipped into the maze. Regardless of which way it turned, it would find itself deeper and deeper, the shadows thickening, retreat impossible. Yet she could plot a way to the center, though it was an uncertain and seemingly-shifting route. But it was possible. There her double would see a taller figure, briefly--a mass of darkness in deeper black, something that turned and moved forward and--...

Greed's double was torn from her control, vanishing as if it had never been there.

@Reign @Greed @Zevruu @Dread @Miru @Aries

Adrenaline spiked through Miru's system as sounds of laughter accosted her senses. In an instant she was on her feet again, the pain in her skin undetectable behind the shock of survival instincts.

Darkness clawed at her, in that moment of weakness it had moved in to take back the space she had carved out. Usually darkness was a friend, a shroud in which one could hide to avoid danger and spy prey. Here, she suspected, was a predator much more accustomed to it than any of them. It didn't want them in the light; in the light they could keep watch over one another. What luck then that no one had yet become separated from the group!

The twinge of the backfired spell was fading, not that it mattered. This was life or death, no amount of difficulty would be enough to convince her to stop fighting. Still though the magic would not take hold. Adrenaline alone was not enough to weave the magic of light.

"And we can hear you. Keep your distance, eyes of shadow!" she yelled back as intimidatingly as possible despite her small stature.

Much more softly she turned to the cat nearest her. "There are too many paths, too many walls. We need to try to make our way away from the ruins"

---

Though my thoughts are my own
"This is my greatest tool to hone"
Tags: @Reign @Greed @Zevruu @Dread @Aries

Dread glanced down at the others, and found himself suddenly, utterly fed up with the dallying. With the whispers, and the shadows. With a screeching roar--one again lost to the muffled darkness--he lifted up. Wings beat at the air, stirring dust up below, and clawed hind feet pushed off the ruined wall with a clatter of pebbles and cracking stone.

He spiralled skyward, spinning and turning, then banking to arrow directly into the black that lay oppressive over the ruins. His magicka sparked up, eyes glowing a little more brightly as his spell drew through him. He sought to see through the darkness: to look past the magic, and to find, instead, some hint of any living beings beyond.

Be they predator or prey, be they the creature calling for help or the monster from his dreams, he would find them.

He saw only the faintest flicker of red, of a black-beating heart somewhere far below and much deeper in the ruins' maze. Then it was gone, coalescing shadows congealing to hide it, but Dread's voice rang out sharp and triumphant.

Yet only a hundred yards behind him, his voice was muffled--barely audible to those he'd left behind.

"This way!" he roared. "I can see something alive!"

From the day we arrive on this planetAnd blinking, step into the sun

Reign turned his head at a new voice, seeing a ram approach. He dipped his head, explaining, "We were all drawn here, brought together by a shared experience in our dreams.

He looked at his fellow cat when he startled it, inclining his head in apology. "Apologies, my friend. My intentions were not to frighten you." he stepped over to the fox when she was flung to the ground, asking, "Are you alright?" while deciding that it would be best to use magic as little as possible. A shadow seemed to split from his group-kin, Greed, vanishing into the ruins. And then the dragon boomed, loudly, causing him to look at him.

"It must be - I have met no Gembound who was capable of such a thing." His ears twitched, perking up at a voice - I can still hear you, and it sounded pleading. But he feared it was a trap - not likely to be a Gembound who had been trapped.

His head raised to the lizard, watching as it flew. He raised his voice so that it might hear him, calling out, "Lead the way," and then, to get the other Gembounds attention, he made a loud Thunderclap, before announcing, "Follow me," trailing the Dragon.

@Greed @Zevruu @Dread @Miru @Aries

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

There's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be done

Reseda was so intently focused on what her double was seeing that she didn't even notice the others speaking. And when her double was suddenly cut off, she found herself back to reality with that same inkling of unfamiliar fear within her. She looked up and saw that the dragon was beginning to move off and others were following him. He was being reckless and impulsive. If he wanted to get killed, that was fine with her, she didn't care, but she decided that she should at least warn him about the danger.

She focused on a spot near his head, hopefully where he would hear. "Be careful. The creature within is dangerous and evil. Do not be hasty or you may be killed." She cut the magic off as she moved off along with the others. She glanced towards Reign, the only one who she had known beforehand. For some reason, she felt like he was her responsibility, since they were in the same kingdom and all. After all, if she would one day rule the Sinful Seven, she should have the respect of the people. "Go carefully, Reign. And all of you," she turned to the rest, giving them glances in turn. "I have used my magic to see into the city. Death is what awaits. Flee if you must, but we must not let it know where we are."

@Reign @Zevruu @Dread @Miru @Aries
Note - roll was supposed to be whisper rip

OF WISPS AND WHISPERS

ORION - In Nightmares

All sound seemed muffled, as when a thunderstorm approaches, and presses itself down over the land. Quiet. Oppressive. The air thick with unknown power.

Those passing into--or over--the ruins would find themselves quickly lost in it--with no sight of any escape. Dread, even in the air, will see only the maze if he looks behind him; Reign, too, if turning back, will find only solid wall.

Anyone following will find themselves in the same dire straits.

All paths lead to the darkened center, after much travel: a pitch-black pool of shadow filling a large corner of the ruins.

@Miru @Reign @Aries @Zevruu @Greed

Aries' mind was reeling. According to the cheetah, they were all drawn here by the same dream. He did not know much about the mind, there was no way all these gembounds having the same dream could be a coincidence. He was almost certain this was a death trap, yet he quickly followed the others into the murky ruins, because a part of him longed desperately for the excitement of adventure, and even darker part did not care. If I die, then I won't have to deal with my leg.

There was an ever present veil of darkness over Aries' eyes, like he was peering into a low-lit cavern. He tried to ignite a spell to light the area around him but it fell flat. Of course. He pinned his ears in frustration. My magick is never reliable, couldn't even save a little bat... Aries felt his heart grow heavy with regret when he thought of Pippy. I should have tried harder...

The further he limped through the ruins, the heavier his body felt, like stones were being tied to his soul. He hardly noticed the twisting corridors or the lack of escape. His leg ached something fierce and he just wanted this to be over with. Aries trudged on, almost in mindless apathy his once golden eyes, dark and cold. He had one goal in mind: to find the source, and destroy it or... let it destroy him. He would not run away, like in his dream. He would face the fire, and feel its searing heat. He was no coward, and he certainly did not want to go out like one.

Eventually, his path led him to the darkened center. Aries began to feel the fear creep back up on him. No, I must see this through, I must face it. He took a deep breath and continued onward, his limping more noticeable. Eventually, he came across the shadowy pool-like mass filling a large corner. The way it moved, contorted, and flowed, irked him. He had never seen something to eerie in his entire life, not even Khloros. Despite the cries of self preservation rising in the back of his head, Aries bravely started to limp towards the pool, head held high. "Alright, we found you." He bellowed out to the dark pool, his voice full of fiery bravado. There was glint of pain and anger in his eyes as he continued to goad it. "You can stop with this shadowy magick gemshit now and come out." I'm going to get myself killed. "My leg hurts like shit and I haven't got all day!"...I deserve it.

"Listen to me."
Thoughts...

TAG: @Miru @Dread @Zevruu @Greed // OOC: DEEE-MON?

Red eyes shot upwards as one of their own took to the skies. A brave move, and perhaps the most sound as they seemed to be the most intimidating member of the group. Perhaps they would be able to hold the gaze of death away from everyone long enough to escape?

A path opened: the dreadful one bellowed out instructions to follow. But... something alive? Should they really be going toward the nearest living being? Then again it could be another ally. They needed as many friends as possible at a time like this.

Despite the risk the others proceeded and Miru wasn't about to be left behind. Shoulders low she followed along, careful to blend into the shadows of the larger creatures around her as much as possible. As they walked, however, a small smile crept upon her solemn face. Even amidst the danger and uncertainty there was a sense of adventure in this gathering. Perhaps it wasn't a game and perhaps it would be the last thrill they would have in their short lives, but at least their end would not come amidst a sea of boredom.

Ages of uncertainty, it seemed, passed in the presence of this traveling group of eclectic allies. Through twists and turns they would eventually come to the center of it all- a vessel of deepest dark. The bold limping sheep, eyes of fire and soul of a gladiator, was the first to step forward. His challenge to the darkness echoed off the walls even as Miru held her form low to the ground watching with unblinking gaze.

Her heart longed to join the line of defense, experience the trill of the gamble, yet her sense told her otherwise. With light within powerless against the shade what more might she contribute with frail physical strength? No, here she would stay, watching the movements of the masses and the reactions of their foe. If they were trapped here then any advantage they might draw could be the difference between survival and void.

---

Though my thoughts are my own
"This is my greatest tool to hone"
Tags:

Dread flew first one way, then another. Wherever he looked, it seemed to be more ruins, until his (oddly-muffled) roar of frustration gave voice to his nervous anger. He couldn't get out! Aggressive draconic instincts kicked in, as they had in his fight with Jayberry--if it could be called that. He would simply have to destroy whatever the source of all of this was!

He spotted it only after several long moments further: the ram approaching it, the fox-creature seemingly hiding far behind him. And before them was a mass of writhing shadows.

Dread landed heavily on the wall overhead, inhaling deeply and feeling the heat of embers sparking up within him. Neck snapped forward, jaws springing open, and flame torrented down--but it was muted somehow, like all sound and light in this place seemed to be, a torch's thin flame rather than a guttering pyre. He aimed it at the shadows regardless, his eyes reflecting the firelight, his black-scaled face seeming enraged despite the rigidity of the hide.

Zevruu stayed silent while the others spoke among themselves. He was hesitant to venture into the maze, but he didn't want to be left alone here. And he didn't think he could live without knowing what would happen. Even if it ended up killing him.

Good riddance, really. He was tired of living. So many cycles had passed, they all blurred together. So few points of interest poked out. It was all just a mess, faces meshed together, places he's been. Orion was the only one that ever felt like home. But with whatever it was that was here...could he even still call Orion his home?

Without much further thought, he followed the others into the twisting, turning maze. Behind him, he only saw solid wall. In front of him, a path he followed until he reached the end. The end...a pool of something writhing. It was just shadows, black and moving. It made the fur on his neck and spine rise, and he didn't even try to force it flat. He stayed near the edge, not daring to walk closer, unlike the ram.

He watched as the dragon attempted to breathe fire into it - fire into a pool of shadows? what good would that even do? - only for it to fall short, thin. Who knew if it would even do anything.

He stayed silent and watched, waiting. Waiting to see what the shadows to do. Waiting to see what would happen. Waiting to see what would become of them all.

Waiting to see what would become of him.

"Speech" l 'Thoughts'