Topic: Monstrous Mistakes - Kiril and Lucien (Read 193057 times)

Sethaniel · « **Reply #100 on:** December 05, 2015, 05:00:33 pm »

Quote from: Drakilian on December 05, 2015, 04:15:05 pm

Carinus shrugs, "Perhaps for mortals, all you have to work off are memories of emotions and arousal, at least as far as Basilio told it. I should assume those memories are more difficult to call to over time."

In the recesses of his mind, Kiril feels Husayn wince.

Sherazhina looks furiously at him, "Wishful thinking!" she snaps back.

oh, what did I do now to irritate you? I suppose you would have let her mock us?

Kiril nods. "I'm sure the guards had some reason to imagine your infatuation.
It's none of my business."

Drakilian · « **Reply #101 on:** December 05, 2015, 10:28:11 pm »

I'd have thought you'd have more tact than to tell a woman she's gotten a reputation as a lustful whore, my silver-tongued prince.

"Like I said, wishful thinking", she growls out, looking away from Kiril.

Especially when it's true.

Barabus gives a long, low groan just then, the first sound he's made since they left Alecco.

It's almost comical seeing how fast Ennius and Elias leap for their weapons, Elias literally diving across two of the tents he and Ennius had just spend a quarter of an hour putting up, ripping the tent pegs out and bringing the small structure down to lay a hand on his sword while Ennius clumsily gets caught in the canvased folds and rope he'd just been in the process of forming into a legitimate structure.

To be fair, they'd both had a fairly terrible experience dealing with the giant bastard.

"Our saviors. Oh mighty heroes, what would we do without you?" Carinus says, flashing small, white teeth in an amused grin.

"Shut the Fark up Carinus!", is Elias' skillfully chosen reply.

The sound is made again. Again. Again. It comes with unsettling regularity.

Cautiously checking the carriage that carries the monstrosity, Kiril might be relieved to know Carinus' good humour is not unfounded. Barabus is still fast asleep, it appears that he has just started breathing again. The groan was simply air escaping the various holes in his lungs.

"That will get annoying", Sherazhina mutters under her breath.

"So will sleeping on the ground," Carinus says, waving his hand towards the collapsed tents.

Grumbling, Elias gets back to work. Ennius follows, rubbing his forehead, presumably thinking back to the terrific beating his face had received.

Daedalus · « **Reply #102 on:** December 06, 2015, 12:40:47 pm »

Quote from: Drakilian on December 05, 2015, 04:42:57 pm

"Continue making your way towards Sofia. Inform Kiril I will be visiting soon, then have him restrain you as soon as you finish the ritual. I will meet you there."

Wait a second, restrain him? What?

"Restrain me? Sire, what exactly is going on? What is happening to me?" He asks with a slightly worried tone.

Drakilian · « **Reply #103 on:** December 06, 2015, 07:24:29 pm »

"I am not sure, but from the sounds of it you are in the process of being possessed by whatever demon inhabited Barabus before he died."

Well, not quite dead.

"I hope that the ritual of burning blood would simply destroy the creature as it dwells within you, as it would destroy one of our own kind attempting to possess another through Eminence of Blood. It has worked in the past with Kupala who attempt to possess others."

Strange, Lucien's will is still his own - he has not at all felt as if he had to fight anything for control of himself (See untouched willpower score).

Daedalus · « **Reply #104 on:** December 09, 2015, 11:52:47 pm »

"Sire, i do not think im being possesed." He replies. "I have felt no presence in my mind, nor do i feel that anything has tried either. Most curious." He adds with a curios tone.

Drakilian · « **Reply #105 on:** December 23, 2015, 11:04:08 pm »

A long pause.

"Do it anyway. I shall have to see what has happened myself before anything can be decided."

Daedalus · « **Reply #106 on:** December 23, 2015, 11:30:24 pm »

"As you wish." He replies with sincerety in his voice.

Daedalus · « **Reply #107 on:** December 24, 2015, 07:32:31 pm »

"If there is nothing else, i wish to get started in purging my body of this taint." He says, and if there is nothing else from Sandors side Lucien will go to pull Ennius aside and discuss the issue with him.

Drakilian · « **Reply #108 on:** December 26, 2015, 04:25:25 am »

Kiril sees Lucien come and pull Ennius away from them, he notes a general air of concern.

"What did Sandor have to say Lucien?", Ennius asks quietly.

Daedalus · « **Reply #109 on:** December 26, 2015, 11:17:22 am »

"He said.." he pauses. "He said i may be under the process of being possesed."

He turns around and stares at the horizon. "During the fight with Barabus, before he collapsed, he spewed tainted blood over me, and forced some down my throat."

He paused, and turned his head so he could look into Ennius eyes. "I'm sick. It gets worse every night that passes."

Drakilian · « **Reply #110 on:** December 30, 2015, 10:08:58 pm »

Ennius places a comforting hand on Lucien's shoulder.

"Your will is strong, and your master skilled. We will find a way to fix this."

Kiril, his senses sharper than a knife, of course hears every word.

Daedalus · « **Reply #111 on:** December 30, 2015, 10:30:34 pm »

Lucien smiles genuinely at Ennius. "Thank you, my friend."

"The rational side of me, says i should get rid of this.. thing that dwells inside me." He says. "However, my scholarly side, wishes to know if the tainted blood is what gave Barabus his powers."

Drakilian · « **Reply #112 on:** December 30, 2015, 10:41:06 pm »

Ennius raises an eyebrow.

"Last I checked, you haven't gone around madly slinging people through walls, followed around by a small host of demons, half naked and significantly increased in size and strength."

Daedalus · « **Reply #113 on:** December 30, 2015, 11:33:03 pm »

"Barabus was a weak man with a strong body." He replies sternly.

"But i see your point." He says in a softer voice. "If there is any chance of me going insane the risk is not worth it."

He do, however think to himself or any unknown entity in his system. "Hello?" He shrugs

Drakilian · « **Reply #114 on:** December 31, 2015, 09:06:55 pm »

Lucien receives no response.

"No, no it's not" Ennius replies.

"Come on, I just about finished setting up your tent, get some rest sir."

Daedalus · « **Reply #115 on:** January 01, 2016, 11:00:46 am »

Lucien looks at the tents. "Thank you. Once the evening comes, i will start with the ritual to purge me of this... Thing. Now, get some rest. You earned it."

He patted him on the back and started making his way to Kiril.

"Kiril. We must discuss something. First, i should have told you sooner, but i am sick. Tainted by wicked blood. It gets worse each passing night, My sire Sandor thinks im in the process of being possesed by whatever foul spirit that resided in Barabus."

"When i spoke to my sire Sandor, he informed me of what must be done, but i require some aid from your side. Once i finnish a ritual i need you to restrain me, and i'm also to inform you that My Sire Sandor is on his way."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #116 on:** January 01, 2016, 12:12:33 pm »

~~Are you going to strip naked & vastly improve in appearance?~~

"Of course, I'm pleased to assist."

Daedalus · « **Reply #117 on:** January 01, 2016, 12:27:20 pm »

"Thank you. I will start the ritual when evening comes."

If there is nothing else, Lucien will take his leave and retire for the day.

Drakilian · « **Reply #118 on:** January 02, 2016, 02:37:48 pm »

Sherazhina moves up to Kiril while Lucien moves away.

"This is an excellent opportunity for you."

She places a hand on Kiril's arm and leans in, whispering conspirationally, "He will never be more vulnerable than now. Sandor has some power and influence in Transylvania, and if Lucien puts himself in your mercy like this you can use them both."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #119 on:** January 02, 2016, 05:03:59 pm »

oh, you're speaking to me again?

"What exactly do you have in mind?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #120 on:** January 03, 2016, 09:00:12 am »

"There's quite a bit of opposition to your rule in Sophia. Boukephos' influence is great but it would be best not to have to rely on him alone. A... "Friend" among the Tzimisce would help."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #121 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:07:47 am »

"A friend. Yes, of course."

A brief shudder swept over him-- the thought of diablerizing Sandor.

Drakilian · « **Reply #122 on:** January 04, 2016, 02:56:37 pm »

"Are you okay?" Sherazhina asks at the shudder.

Terrible thoughts to hold, Kiril. Did my sacrifice mean so little to you?

Sethaniel · « **Reply #123 on:** January 06, 2016, 04:23:24 pm »

"I-- yes. Yes, I'm fine."

You're such pleasant company. I thought perhaps we might add another companion.

Kiril doesn't mean it, of course. Of course.

Drakilian · « **Reply #124 on:** January 08, 2016, 05:07:23 am »

Kirin notes Husayn's habitual displeasure.

Your humour hardly befits the situation.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #125 on:** January 08, 2016, 04:36:05 pm »

So. What would you have us do with Lucien and Sandor?

Drakilian · « **Reply #126 on:** January 09, 2016, 11:11:44 am »

No ally earned through treachery can be trusted, but a friend, especially one of the immortals, will last you an eternity, for they will have nothing else by the end of it.

We bond with so few in our lifetimes, and we grow so lonely. The ancients themselves have no friends, only enemies, and they do not kill their enemies for fear of destroying the only things left from an age they recognize. So they debase each other and live forever with their twisted company.

Do you wish to grow old with nothing but begrudging enemies? You can help Sandor, Kiril, and trust in his honour. Or you can spite him, and know of his hatred.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #127 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:37:46 am »

Friendship does not endure even a mortal lifespan-- how could it hope to withstand eternity?
Sandor will not be our friend. But we will help him.

Drakilian · « **Reply #128 on:** January 11, 2016, 01:58:00 pm »

A bit of a pause, then with some concern

It hurts me to see you so weak and scared Kiril. I am a part of you now, please listen to me. No good will come of igniting a feud with Sandor.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #129 on:** January 11, 2016, 03:02:28 pm »

Do you only listen to half of what I say? I'm not planning a feud! In fact, I just told you we would help him. I simply don't share your enthusiastic optimism towards a future friendship.

Drakilian · « **Reply #130 on:** January 12, 2016, 10:21:45 pm »

If you say so.

(The time has come for Lucien to perform the ritual of Burning Blood)

Daedalus · « **Reply #131 on:** January 13, 2016, 01:32:50 pm »

Lucien begins.

Drakilian · « **Reply #132 on:** January 15, 2016, 07:33:19 pm »

Taking some earth into his hands and heating it through his own powers, Lucien magically absorbs the stuff into his own skill. His eyes flare briefly with the power of the land as his blood turns to the blood of the earth. His skin goes dry and extremely hot, and when he exhales it's a blast of searing heat.

Not too bad, for someone who just basically took internal combustion to a whole new level.

He feels the evil within him scream, and goes light-headed, needing to sit down.

---

Kiril sees something black ooze out of Lucien's ears and mouth and nose, bubbling and hissing and spitting as it does so. Lucien stumbles a bit as he finishes his ritual and falls quite flat on his ass, seemingly thrown.

Be cautious

Ennius moves quickly to Lucien's side and puts a reassuring arm around him.

Reassuring perhaps, but see how tightly he holds his master. Ennius is also cautious, it would seem.

Daedalus · « **Reply #133 on:** January 16, 2016, 05:16:42 pm »

Lucien coughs upbsome more black blood.

"Ennius.." he says in a searing voice. "I feel it screaming inside me. Its in pain."

Drakilian · « **Reply #134 on:** January 19, 2016, 05:46:24 pm »

Ennius smacks Lucien forcefully on the back with a gauntleted hand. Had Lucien been mortal it might have bruised his backbone and possibly damaged some internal organ, as it is it simply made him retch out more of the black stuff, steaming and burning where it hits the ground, the grass around it growing brown and dying.

Lucien finds himself in terrible pain. Blood-Sweat shines on his forehead and he has to bite his tongue to stop himself from screaming. It's as if he's being burned alive. Everything in him is telling him to undo the ritual. He feels like he's going to die.

Daedalus · « **Reply #135 on:** January 19, 2016, 06:52:31 pm »

"it burns..." Lucien spits out in a loud coarse voice."i can't contaarrghh" he almost screams the last part.

"It won't win." He finally spits out, more corrupted blood probarly dripping from his mouth.

Then he will whisper as quietly as he possibly can. "Ennius... if it wins... run."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #136 on:** January 20, 2016, 11:50:25 am »

Kiril is reluctant to interfere with Ennius. However, he will summon tentacles with which to restrain Lucien should the need arise.

Drakilian · « **Reply #137 on:** January 22, 2016, 12:58:23 pm »

Lucien struggles to keep control of his pained dead flesh, he wants to fly into a terrible rage, to scream and cut and bleed the fire from his veins even as he feels the flame melt them and his flesh both. His will fails him and he howls in abject horror. The world around him shines with a brightness that burns him more than even the fire in his veins. When He comes it isn't truly that Lucien is giving up control. It feels like Lucien never really had any.

---

Lucien's wail makes everyone uneasy. Blood steam rises from his flesh, as if the Koldun's ritual had failed to protect him from it's own effects. As the company looks on, and Kiril has tendrils rise from the shadows within Lucien's body to keep him in place, the Tzimisce's dry skin shows little lines of vivid darkness forming in spiderweb-like pattern across his hands and face, even in his eyes. A second's thought is all that's necessary to deduce that the lines are Lucien's veins.

Ennius keeps a tight hand on his sword. There's the brief sound of a tent collapsing as Elias pulls the wooden stakes used to anchor them in place from the ground, tossing one to Carinus and Sherazina.

It's when Lucien's whimpers stop that Ennius acts.

The knight rips his sword from it's sheath and with a heaving motion swings at his master's neck with both hands, seemingly among to decapitate him. Lucien turns his head to the side with an unnervingly sudden serpentine flexibility, and stops the sword with his teeth. It's almost comical, seeing the bulky knight's swing stopped in place when Lucien bites down on it, the metal bending and parting under his teeth.

Everything is still for a second, all save perhaps Kiril and the assassin that dwells within his mind stupefied by the powerful movement. Then Ennius cries out in pain, jumping back from his sword - which all see is now glowing red and bending as it melts in the heat of Lucien's fanged embrace.

When he speaks again, it is not with his spirit but with the words of an ancient thing, a deep and powerful baritone that seems to set the earth shaking in tandem with the cadence of his voice.

Two simple sentences are spoken, vile horror dripping off each letter as it is spoken in a tongue that all understand and would go deaf if it meant they could choose not to.

"My favoured have marked this one. He is mine to claim."

With that, whatever so briefly inhabited Lucien's skin takes it's leave. It leaves them in a wasteland, the very air and earth appearing to be corrupted by it's presence, little black veins running through all that lived before its passing. Lucien hangs limply in Kiril's tendrils, which were thankfully not destroyed by the heat that burned inside the Koldun.

"That's not good", Husayn says, stating the obvious.

"What the Fark was that", Elias says, asking the other obvious thing.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #138 on:** January 23, 2016, 03:22:52 pm »

So powerful. . .

Do you know what that was? Kiril asks Husayn.

He examines Lucien, trying to determine if the ritual caused any lasting harm.

Drakilian · « **Reply #139 on:** January 23, 2016, 10:41:44 pm »

A monster who makes us seem tame, Husayn says. An odd feeling comes across Kiril in hearing those words, but it passes quickly enough.

I believe... I'd done some research into these creatures. You remember, those dark spirits we saw following Barabus around, almost deferring to him, seemingly almost as sacred of him as we were? Those were Kupala, I think. Lesser incarnations of a great demon the Fiends believe inhabits their sacred earth. What we just saw feels like it was some greater incarnation of Kupala. A truly, especially powerful one.

Carinus looks like he's going to try and stop Kiril from examining Lucien, but reconsiders. Elias outright says "wha- stay away from him!" In warning and Ennius seems to echo the sentiment in his demeanour, Kiril simply goes on however.

Lucien appears to be mostly fine, other than the plainly visible black veins, standing out on his skin as if his heart was somehow beating and sending the black blood pumping furiously through his body.

Opening an eye Kiril sees that they've descended to total darkness, as black as Barabus' eyes had been.

He's still hot to the touch, but it seems as if the fire's been taken from him.

The real question isn't just what it is we're dealing with, but what in hell it wants with Lucien.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #140 on:** January 24, 2016, 09:41:27 pm »

Kiril turns to Ennius. "He's . . . Well, 'all right' isn't really accurate, but. . . The ritual hasn't harmed him."

Is Kupala our enemy?

Daedalus · « **Reply #141 on:** January 25, 2016, 12:25:03 pm »

*twitch twitch

Drakilian · « **Reply #142 on:** January 25, 2016, 04:29:39 pm »

He certainly has few friends, Husayn muses.

An enemy of the entire Old Clan.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #143 on:** January 27, 2016, 03:15:30 pm »

I asked if he were our enemy, not Lucien's.

To Ennius, he enquires "Did your master intend to wait here for his sire?"

Drakilian · « **Reply #144 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:51:22 pm »

Look to a man's friends and to his enemies to judge him. Kupala has no friends, only enemies. Make of that what you will.

"No, he wanted us to bring him to a more secure location in the city. Maybe have your necromantress take a look at him. If it is to your pleasure, Lord Veranin."

Sethaniel · « **Reply #145 on:** January 28, 2016, 05:13:57 pm »

"Very well." If no one has any objections, they can pack up everything and head for Sofia.

Drakilian · « **Reply #146 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:02:59 am »

The rest of the trip passes by rather uneventfully. Lucien regains consciousness on the second night but finds himself absurdly tired and starved for blood. He is given animal blood by Kiril and the others, but finds himself unsated. He considers ordering Ennius to surrender his own blood but decides against it. He is not sure he would stop at only a sample if it was offered.

Lucien feels as if he has a much greater connection with the land around him than he's ever had before, as well. He feels great powers moving beneath the surface of this tainted earth, and finds spirits with which to work his koldunic magicks with incredible ease - not that he has the chance to use his powers, so restrained by his companions as he is.

It is on the third night of their departure, near a week since they left the village in ruins, that the group arrives back at Sofia.

Kiril moves past the guardsmen at the gate without question. They welcome back their lord and captain and contain their worry at the apparent fact that of all who had left with him, only Elias had returned - and him... different.

Back in a place of his own choosing and absolute power, Kiril is freer to do as he wishes than ever before - though he notes that Sandor is more than likely already in the city by now. The good Cappadocian could easily be contacted with an outright query to the open air - Kiril never doubts that her spirits are constantly spying on him - or by sending in one of his companions to keep up appearances.

Ennius, ever the watchful guardian, rides his charger next to the wagon where Lucien is kept restrained, tied and chained with Barabus - who seemingly hasn't regained consciousness. Through his time with the unconscious man Lucien has begun to suspect that the kupala possessed thing is simply biding its time, waiting for a chance to attack. Its wounds have certainly healed.

Daedalus · « **Reply #147 on:** February 01, 2016, 11:14:09 am »

"Biding your time huh.." Lucien smiles wickedly at Barabus. Lucien will try to fleshcraft out of his binds. they are wearing him out.

Drakilian · « **Reply #148 on:** February 01, 2016, 08:01:47 pm »

Lucien first tries to simply craft himself out of his restraints, but he is so well secured with frictive ropes, tendrils and chains that he is unable to shake himself free. With a little bit of innovation, however...

The fleshcrafter first forces blood to come out of every one of his pores, making him a dark, slick red and lubricating his normally painfully dry body. He has his skin turn loose and saggy, and elongates his body, slimming down the rest of himself. He thus slowly pushes himself out of his restraints, straining through almost like a snake - even near shedding some of his skin in the process. When all is said and done he is completely free of the extensive efforts of his colleagues and servant to bind him.

Sethaniel · « **Reply #149 on:** February 01, 2016, 08:07:59 pm »

Meanwhile, Kiril requests Carinus invite Amalia to visit him.

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Author Topic: Monstrous Mistakes - Kiril and Lucien (Read 193057 times)