Soul Stealer: Mateus

Seraph · #21

(Uh-uh, you're last real update was like last last Thursday when you said you wouldn't be updating until at least Tuesday, so technically its been over a week. ^^ But you're updating now so who cares?)

Mateus spins the left stick in his hand before he smacks it into the male's side. Hard. If time permits in the motion Mateus plans to second strike with the right-hand stick against the pressure point in the male's neck.

Prince Toad · #22

(Setting the odd/even count right. Ignore this.)

Prince Toad · #23

With the first attack, the man crumples over and expires. The woman shrieks in horror, then bashes you in the head. She's not very strong, though.

Go once.

Seraph · #24

Mateus backs up with a leap, behind the crumpled male and a bit away from the female. Something in his chest seems to be burning, and he stares how at the man on the ground, lifeless, then at the ring against his skin. The last time had made him feel so powerful, he couldn't help himself . . . ignoring the female for a turn, Mateus thrusts his fist against the male's still chest, looking for the same reaction as before.

Prince Toad · #25

Your body fills up as your health is replenished, along with some of your magical reserves. Your limits are pushed yet further. But have you reached your capacity to stay sane? --

You hold in your hands two screaming heads surrounded with gnashing, bloodstained teeth. Their eyes and noses are filled with blood and maggots, which drink thereof and become bloated. Do maggots do that? Does it matter? The wails of what may have been your former weapons pierce your skull. You are compelled to join the maggots in their drinking, blood makes you stronger, fills you up, and you want to be full, how badly you want to be full. You tear your eyes away from the feast and focus them straight ahead. There is something there in the shape of a woman, but you see as mosquitoes see, heat and blood. The things in your hands are dead, but this creature in front of you is alive, she's full, you want what flows through her veins sliding down your throat and coursing through your own system. Your hands, grasping what may be sticks, begin to move as she backs off and--

She kneels down, palms outward, weapon dropped. She speaks in a quavering voice:

Woman: I surrender! If you've any sanity left in you, grant me mercy, I beg!

Your left-hand stick has almost reached her exposed head. Your body has been moving of its own accord, or perhaps the accord of some greater power. But you're quick, you can stop it in time, or you can follow through and deal what damage you may deal.

Do what?

Seraph · #26

His hands shaking, his teeth grit together hard enough to make the bone squeak against the gum, Mateus leans his body back, staggering back two steps before being able to stand upright, stopping himself from hurting the woman.

Prince Toad · #27

There is a last moment of conflict as the madness rages within your mind. Your hands are compelled to kill, to draw blood for you, but your willpower restrains them. You stagger back and then stand straight, looking at the woman.

She cringes and then glances up, terrified. Seeing where you are, she stumbles backwards, then dusts herself off and stands up.

Woman: Your eyes...

She takes one step forward, stick still on the ground. This strikes you as quite a courageous act. She draws herself up full and looks you in the face.

Woman: You killed my partner, but... I'll die if I'm on my own. My name is Callih. His was Dulbain. Tell me yours, and if you'll stay with me. I'll help you through your insanity if I may, and we can protect each other. Gods know we need protection. And-- I thank you for your mercy. It shows control of your will, and we'll all need that.

There is a touch of fear at the corner of her eyes, but you can tell that this is a brave woman.

Seraph · #28

Mateus shys away slightly, casting his eyes downward. "I suppose in this realm . . . I don't really have a name anymore." His voice is low, a little soft, but Callih isn't sure if its from guilt, depression, or just weakness in the voice. "Call me Mateus," he says suddenly, slowly, tentively extending his fingers toward her, in a clumsy greeting.

(Did I gain any new spells from that last kill? Am just curious)

Prince Toad · #29

Ah, yes, forgot.

Falcon's Eye: Grants very long vision. Also lowers miss chance for darkness or insanity. Costs MP by the minute.

IC:

She regards the hand cautiously. She reaches out her own just as slowly--

Her arm transforms into a pack of writhing snakes, reaching for your hand. They want to bite you, to poison you, to kill you. You draw away and cry out. You turn to flee, but the ground around you is aflame. The earth splits. The heavens split. Snakes rise from the ground, they fall from the sky, the serpents of the afterlife are all around you. They will leave their venom in your veins and wait until you've become weak, then their terrible jaws will unhinge and you'll be swallowed whole, taken to hell or to heaven, it's the same now, it's death, it's the end--

(...why did you shout?)

The snakes have disappeared. Callih stands before you, a few feet farther away than you remeember, hands on her weapon.

Callih: Why did you shout? Did you see something?

You are unable to speak, but she understands.

Callih: The madness is in you. Again, I will try to prevent you from killing yourself-- or myself-- out of it, but I can make no sure promises. But... we're acquainted here.

Her arm

(the snakes)

extends, takes your hand, and shakes it assertively.

Callih: And you'll look out for me.

It isn't a question.

Callih: Now, then. What should we do? It's up to you.

Seraph · #30

His breath running a bit fast, and his heart racing a bit too hard, Mateus gives a quick, meaningless nod to himself. "Since we were heading in the same direction, I suggest we keep on this route . . ." Mateus trails off slightly, but another nod of his head, he casts his eyes back at Callih.

As they started, he regards her for a moment and says, moreso to himself, "Callih . . . you seem more confident in that name . . . is it yours?" Callih looks at him strangely, and Mateus shakes his head violently this time, causing Callih to step back. "I'm sorry," he says quietly, refusing her to answer him, "nevermind me," and moves forward, leaving Callih a step behind.

Prince Toad · #31

(...right. Sorry.)

You keep walking up the mountain. Callih begins to speak quietly.

Callih: Is it mine? I don't know. I don't think it was, before. Maybe it's my true name. They say that some people find that inside the Penance. I just like the way it sounds, really. Sort of rolls off the tongue-- Callih. I don't know any more than that.

She shrugs and says no more.

You walk for about an hour. It's a tough hike, but you make some progress. In a few more you'll probably reach the top. Your companion calls a halt, citing weariness. She looks around, and you do the same.

You're on a tiny little plateau, just a brief flattening of the land before it slopes upward once more. There are some large boulders where the path begins again. It looks like only one person can fit through at at least one point. The plateau itself is scattered with smaller rocks, perhaps fragments of other boulders that had the misfortune to shatter nearby. The two of you pick out a couple of the larger rocks and sit down.

Callih: I'm hungry. Doesn't look like there's anything to eat. How are you feeling?

You feel perfectly satiated. Full, in fact.

But now you're hungry, so hungry. Your hands stray towards your sticks. You could eat, you could feast, there's a capsule bursting with blood sitting down scant feet away from you. She's on her guard, she's not vulnerable, but you are so strong and she is so weak. You could tear her throat out and sink your teeth in, sucking until there's nothing left, then going in further and further until her heart is nothing but a desiccated sac of dust--

The sky flashes red, but you feel back in control.

Callih: Alright... whatever. Let's rest for a couple minutes, then move on.

Seraph · #32

Mateus steals another look at Callih, his head still swimming, his temples a bit too warm, probably a slight fever, that was all it was. The fact remained, however, Mateus was restless, his bones ached to be in motion, but, as he looked around the clearing, he feared there would be precious little to start moving for.

Callih looked over with slight apprehension as Mateus stood up, the slight fear evident in her eyes, "What are you . . ."

Mateus raised his hand, keeping his eyes averted from her face, "Going to look around . . ." he stated matter-of-factly, ". . . for some reason I cannot sit still," he added, more for her benefit.

Taking slow, leisurely steps, Mateus wanders over to the other side of the plateau, examing the chunks of rocks and the boulders with forced curiousity.

Prince Toad · #33

(Sorry. Finals week, plus my net went down for a while.)

You go and look around in the rocks. You don't see anything, but when you're between two large boulders, you think you hear a whispering voice from your left.

Voice: Peace for me, and peace for you. What do you say?

You keep looking, but see nothing. Do what?

Seraph · #34

Mateus blinks, but decides to head to the left, toward the voice.

Prince Toad · #35

Nothin' there but rocks, and beyond that, a drop. You hear the whispering voice again:

Voice: You won't see me until you give me an answer.

Seraph · #36

Mateus draws his weapons, his head beginning to throb again, he will take no chances in this strange place, but this strange voice was offering him something . . . peace. Peace from the visions? From the pain? He had to know . . .

"I accept, now show yourself!"

Prince Toad · #37

Voice: Drop those sticks. I'm not stupid, or blind.

Seraph · #38

'Hmmph, he's afraid of a man armed with sticks, whoever this is, he doesn't sound terribly threatening,' Mateus thought to himself, relinquishing the sticks.

"Fine, I am unarmed. And I accept. Are you satisfied, will you show me peace?" Mateus claims to the voice, growing impatient.

Prince Toad · #39

Voice: In that case... very well.

Right before your eyes, facial features appear within the rock on your left. They bulge out, then the rest of a body follows. The body continues to squeeze out, eventually falling out completely, dropping to the ground before you. The man backs off a few steps, and his hand drops to a knife at his belt. The magic seems to include his clothing and equipment.

Man: Hello.

Your eyes roll back in your head

and the man becomes a giant golem, pounding away at your skull with his stone appendages. You feel every hit's crushing impact, but you do not stagger. You stand and absorb blow upon blow. You must fight back-- you pick up the sticks and advance--

The man has retreated a few steps up the path, knife ready.

Man: Are you trying to trick me? I've got friends behind me, you'll regret it, yeah... I thought you came in peace. If that's right, what's your name? And who's the girl?

Seraph · #40

Slumping a bit, Mateus's breath caught slightly, a strange rush to his head making him a bit dizzy and unsettled. His eyes focused and unfocused for just a moment as he tried to study the man.

"I am Mateus," he said, his voice not betraying him, sounding strong and cold. "Her name is none of your concern," Mateus added, not wanting to put Callih in any more danger then he was already putting her in.

Mateus made a show of putting his weapons away again, trying to convey his promise to be at peace, "now explain yourself, I have told you my name, and I have no intentions, now it is your turn."