Radiant looks stunned at Vē'Êtherñøth's outburst, standing where she was for a moment, looking down in shame.
"I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean…" her words falter.
"I don't know what to say about this… but I might have some ideas as to where Cassiel went." she says, picking up one book.
When she looks up at the sound of running, she notices On'nyosh is gone.
"Fuck…" she says, setting the book back down, sitting next to Vē'Êtherñøth.
(Figured I’d do this, just for the hell of it. I used pieces from a post in the original rp, so yeah)
(Sorry about the length)
On’nyosh ran to an older portion of the city, and found a crumbling stone house, graves of the former inhabitants nearby. He entered, throwing caution to the wind, looking around for three familiar signs of the person he sought.
He quickly found the first, a stone statue depicting a beastly winged creature with a long tongue. The eyes began to glow as On’nyosh approached.
“It’s On’nyosh again. I come seeking assistance,”he immediately said.
Those eyes settled into a soft gleam and the statue seemed to stretch slightly before animating and moving off of its perch.
“She takes no visitors, jester. She said to not be disturbed,”the gargoyle growled at him, approaching, its voice deep and hollow.
“I think she’ll be interested in this request,”On’nyosh replied, trying hard to keep the desperation from his tone.
The gargoyle growled at him. A soft whisper suddenly passed through the house, and the gargoyle sighed and calmed.
“Why she likes you, I don’t know,”the gargoyle hissed, returning to its perch.
On’nyosh shrugged, having no time to waste words, and he found a hatch nearby, stepping into the cellar. A sarcophagus lay nearby in the empty cellar, wisps of magic around it.
“Madam Gidālia, hello again. Your help would be considerably appreciated. I need to find someone, quickly,”On’nyosh said.
The wisps faded and a ghostly figure appeared from the coffin, sitting up. The ghost, that of an aristocratic woman with tattered robes, then lifted up out of the coffin. She approached On’nyosh, floating a few inches above the ground.
“You are always so polite, my lovely jester. Who is it you seek?”Gidālia asked.
On’nyosh suppressed the instinctive shudder he felt at her appearance. He didn’t fear the woman, a powerful necromancer that had transcended death by becoming a lich, but that shudder always happened.
“Her name is Cassiel. She’s a friend, and I fear something bad is about to happen to her,”On’nyosh explained.
A soft, nostalgic smile appeared on Gidālia’s face.
“Always the charmer. I know of this Cassiel, and have heard many harsh things about her past. You would be wise to tread with care around her, particularly where she’s likely to be at. Cassiel is…”Gidālia paused to concentrate a moment.
“… with her father, Tiamat, in the Alyiin Mountains.”
On’nyosh was about to thank Gidālia, but paused, sputtering.
“Wait… Tiamat is Cassiel’s father?”he burst.
“Yes. I sense their relation. Quite a dark one you’ve found, my love,”Gidālia answered.
On’nyosh hesitated, putting the pieces together. He could only hope Cassiel wouldn’t return to her darker roots. He didn’t know what he would do in that case.
“Thank you,”he finally said.
“Farewell until next time, my love,”Gidālia cooed, blowing him a kiss before fading away.
On’nyosh sighed, shaking his head in bemusement. It had always amused him that Gidālia, a lich, could be so enamored of him, but he still had no idea why.
He sighed then left the house and rushed back to the castle. By the time he arrived back in the throne room, he was breathing heavily from the run. He also appeared a bit pale, a side effect of his visit with Gidālia.
“Cass… is with… Tiamat,”On’nyosh said breathlessly, still catching his breath. He was clearly quite concerned by his words.
Cass suddenly pauses, feeling something tracking her. The feeling quickly dissipates, but not before she gets a lock on the location and the one who was tracking her. And their intent.
On'nyosh… why? she wonders, and warps to the location of the person who tracked her. She immediately senses the presence of a powerful mage…
"Hello. I assume you know why I'm here." she says politely, hoping not to come off as rude or annoying.
"My friend just left, I assume. He's probably back at the castle by now, no? You've found me, and suceeded in gaining my attention, and surely my father's. He'll not be happy. I, however, am glad you made yourself know. I can help you." she states in a rush, wanting to finish her sentence before she's interrupted.
Tiamat sensed the mage tracking Cassiel and turned to the castle with calculating eyes. They noticed Cassiel’s departure and their eyes narrowed.
What was Cassiel doing? If she had left so quickly, particularly after being tracked down by a lich, then something was definitely on her mind. And who was this ‘On’nyosh’?
Gidālia reappeared in front of her coffin, eyes narrowed.
“You are Cassiel. My dearest On’nyosh adores you so, you know this? That he came to me to look for you says much about his feelings,”she said.
Gidālia turned away a moment, motioning into the darkness. Two pairs of red eyes appeared.
“I know the risks of tracking one like you, Cassiel. And I know Tiamat is already aware of this meeting. Why would you help me? And why should I accept your help? I am not stupid, and I am also a very jealous woman,”Gidālia added with a harsher tone.
"I how On'nyosh feels. Why do you think I came bacK? I know you knew what you were getting yourself into." Cass replies, smiling. "After all, one so wise and knowledgeable as you is sure to be able to do a lot. But what I offer is something better than what you currently have."
She notices the red eyes and snaps, blocking them from that place.
"I would help you to keep yourself from living this half-life. So that you'd be able to see the world at large. Not feel cold when someone walks unknowingly over your grave. You should accept my help because my help is giving you back life and beauty." she states, looking back at Gidālia, straight in the eyes, mind open for the lich to read and poke through as needed or desired.
A sad gleam breifly flashed in Gidālia’s eyes. Though, it was quickly replaced by annoyance when Cassiel blocked her allies.
“I am quite content where I am at, Cassiel. Few bother me. And the only reason I would re-emerge is if someone I hold dear offered me his hand. Unfortunately, he has already given his heart to you, whether he knows what he has done or not,”she replied.
Gidālia did search through Cassiel’s mind, understanding quite a bit more about her then, but she didn’t back down from her words.
The gargoyle fluttered down then, landing next to Gidālia and glaring at Cassiel.
“You will bring great trouble here. Why should I not attack you?”the gargoyle hissed.
Gidālia put a hand on the gargoyle’s head, and it calmed a bit, but it remained agitated.
Radiant senses these sudden fluxes in magical energy in the city, confused until she realizes what must be happening and where On'nyosh must have went.
"Really, On'nyosh? A lich? Why?" is all she says to On'nyosh before sensing Cass return, going exactly wher On'nyosh just was.
"By the way, your girlfriend, the first one, just showed up at the lich's place and is currently offering her help in the form of true life." she adds, smirking.
On’nyosh looked at Radiant, bewildered. He took a moment to catch his breath, then straightened.
“I make unusual friends. What of it?”he snorted.
His eyes widened at her next words.
“What the fuck? Damn, Cass is fucking fast. But, at least she’s in the city,”he added.
On’nyosh then noticed how the sky seemed to have become darker, and saw clouds in the distance.
“Ah fuck.”
"Okay. I'll let you be." is all Cassiel says to Gidālia next, and turns to the gargoyle.
"I know you. You used to hang around a lot. You should come visit more often. Also, you should not attack because even though I bring danger, I can help you survive my father." she sighs, looking the old gargoyle in the eyes. "You would like that, I believe."
She turns to leave.
"If I die, be wary of Vē'Êtherñøth. She'll fight you for the right to be with On'nyosh. She nearly fought me, until she heard On'nyosh say he was fine with sharing himself with the two of us. Just letting you know. Good-bye, Gidālia. And good-bye, old friend." she then leaves, taking a weight from the room.
She rushes to the castle, bringing the weight with her.
"On'nyosh! ON'NYOSH!" she calls, looking for him first in his room, then the kitchens and all his other stomping grounds around the castle.
Finally, she finds him, along with everyone else, in the throne room. She launches herself at On'nyosh, blinking furiously to get rid of her tears.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry…" was all she said.
The gargoyle huffed, fluttering away.
“Don’t mind him. Gredakūl has earned the nickname ‘the Grouch’,”Gidālia commented.
She then laughed when Cassiel warned her of Vē'Êtherñøth.
“Oh, my dear On’nyosh. He can’t resist. But, this other doesn’t need to worry. I long ago accepted that On’nyosh would not be happy with me. He is just that way. Farewell,”Gidālia replied.
When Cassiel finally returned to the throne room, On’nyosh breathed a heavy sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around her.
“Please, don’t fucking do that again,”he whispered in her ear.
The throne room continued to darken as the clouds arrived at the edge of the city.
Cass laughs, still crying.
"Okay… I promise, I'll try my best not to…" she whispers back.
"Is it just me, or is the room darker- Wait. Fuck. My father comes for us. Radiant, gather the armies. Vē'Êtherñøth, go summon the Kind and Queen. Tell them it begins. Tell them… I'm on their side. They also need to know that my master entity will be here. And they are nothing like my father, I can promise. On'nyosh, inform all of your spies-yes, I know of you network-to keep eyes on the skies, the waterways and the lands." she snaps all this out in a suddenly crisp, sharp voice, one that shows that she expects to be listened to.
"And for the love of all that is divine, get me a shirt." she adds, grinning when she realizes she's been topless the entire time.
On’nyosh sighed in relief again, then snickered as Cassiel called out her orders. He looked at her with a surprised raised eyebrow at how she had known of his spies, but didn’t comment on it.
“Fuck, another run. Damn, I’m going to get some exercise today,”he snorted.
He then laughed at her next words.
“Why, Cass, you look just fine without a shirt,”he said with a mischievous grin.
On’nyosh then reluctantly ran off again. He went into a particular alley in the city, standing next to a rune carved on the wall. He whistled a specific tune twice and waited. When he got the replying tune, he nodded and ran back to the castle, once again out of breath.
“My spies… have been watching, but… they’re on high alert now,”he said.
Ëvêāhn looks on in amusement.
"Well, you certainly came back quickly, Cass." they say, smirking.
"Now, do you want to explain what the fuck is going on?" they add. "Like, when were you going to mention that Tiamat was your father?"
They raise an eyebrow at On'nyosh's last statement and summon up the lightest, smallest and toughest armour he can find in the armory.
"Those should fit reasonably well." they say, grinning.
(I edited my post a bit, just in case some missed that)
(I saw!)
Cass smiles at his words and playfully slaps him, then dons the armor Ëvêāhn summoned up for her, finding it a perfect size and lightness.
"Thank you. Also, never would have been best for me." she replies, already racing off to monitor the situation.
"Now, where are my weapons…" she mutters.
There they are! she thinks brightly, grabbing the familiar shortsword (read: longsword) and dagger (read: shortsword) and strapping them on.
Radiant looks startled at this sudden reappearance of Cass, then goes off to rally the armies like she had been told, confused as to why she was listening to Cass.
"Stupid Daylighter… or whatever she is…" she mutters, sighing and taking flight, going to rally the generals and officers for planning.
Vē'Êtherñøth immediately goes to where the King and Queen are, having placed a spell of tracking on them both at one point.
"King and Queen. Tiamat returns to the capital once more. Prepare yourselves. We fight once more." she says, leaving immediately afterwards.
She morphs into her human form, donning clothes and full steel plate mail. She grabs a kite shield, a broadsword, steals a horse and rides off to find her own spies. Along the way, she finds a bloodred cloak and tosses it on over her armor.
Eventually, she reaches her destination: an unmarked grave at the edge of the city. She whispers a single line in Elven, and the ground splits open. She grins, and descends, noting the inscription that was put there on the wall as a joke: Easy is the descent into Hell.
She reaches her goal: a coffin, containing the dry, bony corpse of one long dead mage.
"Hello, Æñere. Long time no see!" she says, smiling.
Slowly, the ethereal form of a dark elf resolves itself from the coffin.
"Yes, Vē'Êtherñøth? What is it that you need?" he asks.
"I need you to alert the others that Tiamat returns. Like, now." she says, fast.
He sighs. "Yes, my Lady. It is done."
Vē'Êtherñøth nods and turns to leave.
"By the way, how goes it with the lich?" she asks, grinning.
"Not very well, I'm afraid. She still has her sights set on the jester of yours, although what any of you see in him is beyond me." he replies, fading already. "Good-bye, Vē'Êtherñøth. Good luck."
"Thank you." she replies, but the words get thrown to the wind, as the elf already left.
She turns and races back to the horse, going to find Cassiel.
(Me: Lmao! I love the dark elf!)
(Me: And now for things to get dark)
Tiamat watched the city, sensing Cassiel’s journey. It sent forth its thoughts to a strange mortal near her, understanding that this was the ‘On’nyosh’ from Cassiel’s thoughts.
It caused strong emotions of fear and helplessness to rise within him, then sent a message to him. You have been led astray. All those around you will use you, will betray you and leave you behind. Cassiel will leave you again. There is nothing you can do.
It then turned its thoughts to Cassiel. I do not approve.
On’nyosh flinched as the words entered his mind, along with a sudden rush of fear and betrayal. His hands started to shake, tears dripped from his eyes, and he started to laugh.
What was going on with him? Why was he so helpless now? A useless pawn in a band of immortals.
“What the fuck?”he gasped, his voice cracking.
On’nyosh then fainted, collapsing on the floor.
(I'm sure he just fucked himself even more, lmao!)
Sílsthrïm and Æsûē start, and then warp immediately to On'nyosh, sensing something wrong with him. They immeditely clear his mind of the effects, the trace the psychic attack back to Tiamat.
You've made a mistake too many, Tiamat. they say, exerting their will over Tiamat's mind, forcing him down, down, down to the ground. They then bind him with magic they know he can't escape and warps Cassiel, Vē'Êtherñøth, Radiant and Ëvêāhn to them.
"Here's Tiamat. Do with him what you will." they say, leaving.
Ëvêāhn looks startled.
"What… You know what, I'm not going to complain." they say, shaking their head and walking up to the struggling form of Tiamat.
"Looks like the bird is ready to be plucked and cooked." they comment.
(I’m just going to add a twist here, evil grin)
The bird struggled on the ground, cawing and fighting. You are fools. Letting balance slip away. I will not have any of it. You will be reborn as nature intended.
Lightning flashed, hitting the castle multiple times.
Meanwhile, Tiamat continued to watch from their perch, the illusion working quite well. Though, it couldn’t deny that it had nearly failed to escape the grasp of the monarchs.
It glanced up at the clouds, satisfied that nearly three quarters of Ethrin was covered in darkness now.
Darkness brings light. All emotion will be gone and nature shall reclaim what was stolen.
(Twisty and turny and completely fucked, lol!)
Cassiel replies with a mental image of a middle finger.
Fuck you. I'm done with you. I'll kill you myself. You made me your bane. she says, furious.
She finds herself suddenly with the others and nearly trips and falls, confused.
"What… oh. Thanks." is all she says.
She suddenly goes up yo the bird.
"This bird isn't what it appears to be, is it, Tiamat?" she screams, loud enough to be heard across the continent.
She releases the illusion, which dissipates into shadowy wisps of magic, then turns to the others.
"He's back at the mountains." she says, stopped short at the lightning, which she quickly gets rid of with a snap of her fingers, repairing the castle. At least, the most important parts of it.
She looks up and sees the clouds, and knows that there's nothing more she can do.
(I've talked with Ashene about this, and she agrees that the one who carved the Infernal onto her should be a character rather than an NPC, and I have the perfect person for it. What say you, @Serpentess, @BalanceEternal, @thetrueprimevil, @Mere_Hufflepuff?)
(I'm fine with that!)
(That would be cool. And I’m suspicious of who it is, evil grin)
(And also, just for context, On’nyosh is still unconscious on the floor)
(And yes, I am awake earlier than usual. Evil snicker)