Soul Stealer: Onus and Kagami

[sage] · #41

Follow. Assume I'm following even if I don't post so.

Prince Toad · #42

Alright.

You're both about a hundred yards away from the wall. The thing resolves itself into two separate forms. They could be people, or they could not. Either way, they aren't moving.

Do what?

KirbyBoy2000 · #43

Go closer still.

Prince Toad · #44

Fifty yards.

They're people all right. Dead? Unconscious? Sleeping? You have no idea.

[sage] · #45

Is there a stone or something on the ground. Stones hurt and no one is really armed or armored well anyway.

Prince Toad · #46

You could dig around near the walls for a couple good-sized rocks, sure. Might make some noise though, if you think it matters.

KirbyBoy2000 · #47

*Throws stick at people*

Prince Toad · #48

You miss, and it clacks loudly off the walls. The two forms stir and leap upright. One of them shouts, "Who's there?" There is an eerie echo.

[sage] · #49

I'll arm myself with a stone, and say nothing, seeing what KB does.

KirbyBoy2000 · #50

I'll sort of hide my knife while still holding it and... see what they do I guess.

Prince Toad · #51

K.

They approach you. "This isn't cute, you bastards. Say something or lose your lives."

KirbyBoy2000 · #52

"Umm... I'm Kagami and this Onus. We were wandering around and found you and thought you might have been dead in here, so I checked. Sorry for that."

Prince Toad · #53

The one who was talking pauses for a moment. It's a man's voice.

Man: Well, Kagami and Onus, exactly what do you think you're doing here? This is our little base, and it's a dangerous place to be wandering around.

KirbyBoy2000 · #54

"We fled from someone stronger than us and made it here. Really it was just chance that we found this place."

Prince Toad · #55

The other person speaks up. It's a man, albeit a younger one. Around Onus's age, you guess.

Younger Man: Interesting. How'd you manage that? You've gotta be really fast or really smart to escape someone stronger than you around here. By the way... have you seen my knife? I lost it somewhere, and... I need that knife.

KirbyBoy2000 · #56

Well... I could tell you how we escaped... but the story is sort of hard to believe. As for the knife, I found it outside in the field. I decided to bring it with me for safety... seeing as it sure beats the sticks they gave us when we entered.

Prince Toad · #57

Younger Man: Aye, aye. My name is Beldic.
Older Man: I'm Kros. We're well-met, I trust?

Not waiting for an answer, he talks on.

Kros: I was a bit of a scholar before they arrested me. Still don't know why, I guess they don't tell you. No courtesy, tsk. Anyway, I've still got the knack for spellcasting, and it carries over into wild-smarts, I'd like to think. I've killed two people already, as it happens.
Beldic: I've killed one, but-- I want more...
Kros: Yes, young Beldic here is quite tough, and smart enough, but I fear his will is not what it should be. That one soul has given him some minor symptoms of the insanity said to occur.
Beldic: Not so!
Kros: Lad, you're speaking of killing like a man lost in the desert speaks of water. You're lucky it's not worse, and you've still got your thoughts. Regardless, I've refrained from further bloodshed after seeing what's happened to him. If I go insane, I'll never get out of this place. So I must keep my wits, but I also must grow stronger, in case I'm attacked. If I'm to grow stronger without more souls, I'll need more people around me, or things to help me withstand the insanity effects. So, what do you make of all this?

[sage] · #58

"Something about this whole place bothers me. I just want to leave. I'll do whatever it takes, and an alliance sounds like a great way to go.

Prince Toad · #59

Beldic: That's smart. I like ya.
Kros: Yes, but-- well, I don't think anyone likes this place, and leaving's not exactly easy. Seeing as nobody's ever done it and all. But that's why man has ambitions, no? In that case, why don't I show you around our luxuriant headquarters. There's a rock... there's a wall... oh! I almost forgot! There's that rock, that's my favorite.
Beldic: Now, about my knife. Cough it up. I found it first, it's mine. I won't hurt you.
Kros: He means it. Because he knows I'll hurt him if he does. We really do need people, although we have to watch who we let join. Can't trust half of these madmen. On that note, if we're to be allies, we must all trust each other. The spell I remembered is a lovely little cantrip I call "Ascertain." It lets me know, for a marginal drain on my reserves, if someone's telling the truth or not. I'm using it now on all of you, even my friend Beldic here.

Beldic grunts at this, but offers no protest. The older man ignores him.

Kros: It lasts for a few minutes. So I need you all to swear, here and now, that none of us will become too powerful, or steal souls unless we're sure that it's safe. This is for all of our good. Even if one person does become too powerful, he-- or she-- alone will go insane and never get out. Probably be dead soon, if that happens. I so swear.
Beldic: I so swear.

You two?

[sage] · #60

I so Swear