It was so cold for Varduk. He'd much rather be in a warmer climate than in Fell. Somewhere like the Isles or even the desert for all he knew. Liliak had been away taking shelter from the cold as much as she could since she was still not as resilient to the cold then Varduk was. Still he missed her terribly, every day felt like it was extremely long and he felt extremely lonely for the first time in years.
He shivered as he rubbed his arms with his hands trying to warm them. It wasn't snowing in Fell but the cold stone and breeze made it feel even worse. The small fire he had made didn't help much either. It was a weird place indeed. Earlier before the cold started to effect Liliak she had seen some weird beings but she told Varduk not to worry. Which of course he did.
So he sent his Pluizig off to some place in the desert they both knew well. Even then could he feel a tiny trickle of her life force. Varduk took a deep breath and started to pray to whatever god he could think of to help him complete his job to find food.
After several days of confusion, spent wriggling around somewhere dark, wet and cold, they had managed to pry themselves out into the new world. New World was what they had taken to calling it. The one they'd left had not been this frozen, this full of biting wind and stone. New World was a barren wasteland, still of life or at least, not showing any sign of it.
Like shadows they crept, reluctant save for the hunger that pulled at them, forcing them forwards. In the harsh winds that whipped at their loose skin, they sent out their hardiest bodies, what was left of them at least. So many had fallen since they woke up. What remained was brittle and old, mostly bone and black rot. A few Ithni carried one body in a black cloak, wrapped up away from harm. For awhile they roamed, sometimes pausing to observe the area, as if searching for some sort of landmark.
One sentry in the front suddenly turned their head, essentially a skull, detecting something in the distance... Lights. Smoke. A fire. Living. By the point that word came into focus, the choice was clear to them all.
In the dark of Fell, the sound of footsteps approaching in this ghost land would turn any adventurer's stomach. What awaited that unlucky traveler though was a motley group of pale figures, about 5 in all at first, with ten more a fair distance away. They were slowly moving towards the fire, as if in a daze, their white eyes staring directly at him.
The one in the front, a female wearing rags with thin, white hair still clinging to her skull was reaching out. Her hand ended in long, black claws, almost as if frostbitten. The skin around her mouth stretched back as if grimacing, showing many teeth.
They were about to reach the campfire, and the female's hand seemed to beckon for him.
Varduk felt something weird around him. He smelt something off. Probably just these old ruins. Still he added some fire wood hoping to make it warmer. But when the weirs feeling got stronger he aigh and got up withdrawing his two swords je walked arouns fhe campfire and put a sword down the lighting a torch to keep by his side.
Hopefully this isn't gonna be bad luck. He thought before saying aloud, "Hello?! Anyone there?" He paused then walked away from the fire to go deeper into the darkness. He pauses seeing something that startled him upon seeing the skeletal woman. "Do you need help ma'am? You seem hungry. Perhaps I can get my Pluizig to bring you food." He wasn't offended hy her looks. He had seen many weird things on his journeys and this wasn't the nimber one thing. Still he wanted to be kind to her and help her. "Is ahyone else with you?" He didn't want to take eyes off her just in case but in doing so he neglected to see the woman's other friends.
The living had come closer. Ithni shuffled forward. Five of them were now beginning to thread out, forming a semi-circle around the living, attempting to keep the traveler herded away from his fire. Fire would burn their skin, render the cells useless, and in their weaker numbers they wouldn't dare risk losing a body.
In front of the man, the undead woman seemed to be grinning. She opened her mouth, a black hole where her tongue should be. Many white eyes were staring, a few mouths opening and closing, mimicking the action.
A gurgling noise hissed up from the woman's throat. At the same time, that noise seemed to come from every direction, the others imitating the same exact sound. She reached forward, aiming to grab the man's arm, the one holding a torch. By aiming for the torch, Ithni was aiming to rid the human of any source of light or fire.
At the same time, the five others began to close in sync, arms stretching forward in an effort to grab and pull the living to the ground. Ithni were slowly catching up, the only two left behind still carrying the original a fair distance away.
However, the word Pluizig rested upon Ithni's mind, even as they began to swarm the human.
What it meant was unclear, but the promise of more living began to intrigue the shambling mass.
Varduk watched the woman as she seemed to smile. But when she opened her mouth and he saw that she had no was flag number one and he immediately felt uneasy and wanted to get out. He backs up a bit only then he noticed the other white eyes.
He wanted to scream but he was transfixed on the other eyes. When the woman started to hiss and the noise seemed to surround him was the final get out of here moment for Varduk. As the woman reached for his arm with the torch he backs up. Trying to avoid the woman's grabbing hand.
When he back up he accidentally backs up into the other Ithni's arms. He turns around with a yelp and slashes his sword at one hoping to make contact and hopefully give him time to find an opening in the crowd. What the hell are these things! They are like a necromancer's pets! Varduk swears and tries to get farther away from the prying arms when he trips on his over feet.
Indeed, Ithni felt the connection of one body reel back, the sharp blade of the living's sword cutting a neat slash through their chest. Fumbling as the one body fell, hands still trying to clutch desperately at the human, another body stepped aside to catch them. Rot was leaking out of the slash. The female body strode forward, even more eager to trap one of the man's arms.
Staggering forward, the many who were catching up began to open their long, clawed hands. The sound of muffled screams and groans grew louder. They seemed intent on overwhelming the poor traveler...
It didn't help that he tripped.
The ones behind him attempted to keep him down, as best as they could with arms that seemed about ready to splinter and pop off. Approaching him would be a cavalry of undead in varying stages of decay. Despite their aggressiveness, none of them were attempting to harm him. Despite trying to force him down, they made no move to finish him off.
The female, no longer reaching for the torch, bent down, staring intently at the traveller. It was then a sudden voice would appear from the crowd, seemingly from the thoughts in the living's mind, if he allowed it.
"Wait. Be still."
Varduk felt sick at the stench of the rotting flesh. They were definetly undead of some sorts.
They should've eaten him by now, or at least have killed him. There were so many of them which approached his hopes went down of ever escaping were dashed at the sight of it. If only I wasn't so tired and cold then this would not have happened!" He says aloud.
He was happy that Liliak wasnt there. She would not have stranded a chance. Not to mention if she was able to fly above this scene right now she would probably laugh her feathers off... then plummet to help him after a few minutes.
Smiling at the thought of that he relaxed his muscles and was about to continue the struggle when he hears something say to wait and be still. At this point he decided that there would have been a very thin chance of him escaping if he did manage to break free so he held still and listened. For something more. While thinking, was that from my mind?
Now that the others had arrived, the bodies stepped aside, allowing them into the closely-guarded circle they'd formed around the human. Their white eyes seemed transfixed on the single figure being held aloft by other Ithni. It seemed fragile, wrapped in torn cloaks to keep it guarded from the wind. That figure was now here, in front of the living. Even if the human struggled now, the hands holding on to him gripped hard, the horde ready to continue swarming if he decided to be uncooperative. The single Ithni being carried began to uncurl and move.
Twin lights glowed behind the cloak. Carefully, the others let it down.
They could see the man, bound for now by their many bodies. Their jawless head was kept attached by many black threads, which seemed to squirm and move within their body. These looked like worms, and most of the other bodies had them too, though not nearly as numerous as this one. This body wore a black, ragged robe and an ornate, jagged crown. In one hand was a blade, which gleamed in the darkness.
This single Ithni was completely focused on the human, and soon, out of thought, came the voice again. This time it would sound exceptionally clear, "We are of one mind and one soul, and we have been asleep for a long time. You will tell us where we are, who you are, and what the world Pluizig means to you. You offered this to us, and for your sake we choose to listen."
A pause before they spoke again. Their voice sounded like many in chorus. One could hear the tone of men, women... children, all at once. "However, failure to speak so will yield... an unfortunate consequence."
Varduk realized why he hasn't gotten killed yet. He sighs' Me and my big mouth. He looks at the black robes creature. "Nice robes. And crown." He smiles which faded when he saw the threads holding the jaws together. He stiffled a scream when he saw them move. This is like straight from Hell.
When he heard they wanted information from him about the Pluizigs. He laughs, "Sorry Mr. Knifey. No can do. Kinda have an obligation you know. Besides if I did they'd know of it." Varduk had a bad feeling about this, an extremely bad feeling. One thing for sure was that he would keep him mouth shut and if it came to it spell false information.
'Mr. Knifey' would stare for a few moments, tilting their head to one side as if contemplating what to do. Cold, biting wind continued to howl around them, the horde, the human. It seemed eerily still. As if a dire question was being asked at that very moment. Would they kill and take this stubborn man's soul? Or would they let him go?
Neither was the answer, as the two undead behind the living would grab to attempt to pull him up from the ground. The robed body turned, seemingly addressing their own other selves in telepathy. They pointed at the man with the tip of their dagger, "Then we shall take you by force, and you will speak."
Clambering back up into the crowd, the figure huddled back in the center, sending a few bodies to accompany the man. If everything was successful, the parade of undead would begin to take their prisoner north-wards, towards the original ruins and caves where they'd awakened.
It seemed they were intentionally not allowing the human to walk too far towards the middle of their group. If he did, a weird feeling of nausea would begin to grab hold.
Will speak. Hah! I'd like to see them try! Varduk thought shakenly. He was still a good bit shooken up from what just happened to him. Undead that could use telepathy? And one looking like the leader of some sort. Probably a pack mentality played a role in everything. They definitely didn't look pretty that's for sure.
Varduk looked at his escorts. He really wanted to try to find a weak point but if he did manage to get a way he'd be able to warn someone at least about these walking skeletons. He wanted to try and use the bathroom excuse but he wasn't the best liar. Looking around he sighed, I wouldnt have much to hide in and they would probably find me some way or another. I might leave a trail of footprints. Might at well go with plan B."
Smiling Varduk started to come up with possible safe locations he could lie about. Most of them seemed accurate but the only challenge was actually getting "Mr.Knifey" to believe him.
Northbound, the dead walked in silence, save for the constant shuffling of feet on the cold, stoney ground. All around were ruins, old and deep, layers upon layers of years wearing away at the landmarks. Fell was like the definition of entropy. All things came here to die. The horde seemed to know where to go, mostly due to Ithni remembering the path to where they'd first awoken.
One of the undead was watching the living carefully, noting the smile. For someone in such a state, he did not seem to mind. Ithni was certain it would change. It had to be a front. That was the only conclusion to be made. Nobody would willingly pull themselves along, not unless they had something up their sleeve.
If we were at full strength, we wouldn't have to worry... They were thinking, keeping the thoughts to themselves. We would not wait for answers. We would take, and continue. None would waste their time.
But there was no choice. In the end, this creature had become desperate for any help. Grasping at straws, for more bodies. And this living human kept their answer away, so why not use force?
Eventually, the group would begin to walk towards a mound of rough stone, carved out from the rest of the landscape in jagged relief. There were stairs inlaid, signs of their being here, from deep gouges in the walls to odd constructions, as if trying to turn the ruins into a shelter of some sort. They began to move inside. The two undead behind the human would attempt to push him inside, following the rest. It was incredibly dark inside. If any torches were around, they were unlit
Varduk looked at the stairs and the ruins, Gotta say this is pretty cool. I think. He looks at what the creatures were trying to do in the first place. He guessed that even the undead didn't like the summer or the cold. He stopped and tried to peer into the darkness only able to make out the other undead going into the ruin.
Suddenly he felt himself being pushed and he staggers a bit, "Hey! Can't I at least admire your guys handle work!?" He straighten himself up and half staggers down the stairs bumping into the walls a few times and nearly tripping and falling down them. He would have just let him self fall down the stairs but he would rather not get sick from the stench of their broken bodies and possibly hurt himself in the darkness or get himself killed.
The darkness made Varduk feel extremely uneasy and antsy. He would jump at and sudden drop of water and any sudden thing falllimg in who knows where. Hopefully he'd be able to keep himself sane throughout this. So he decided to stay positive.
At this point, in the dark, the only lights visible were the scattered pairs of white dots that served for the eyes of their bodies, flickering in and out while they bustled around the human. Something dragged along the ground, scraping against the stone as pairs of hands fumbled to move objects around their prisoner, who seemed unadjusted to the lack of any torches.
Even with the smile, said prisoner did not seem at ease. Every noise instigated a reaction, a slight jump, a slight twist to that front of positivity he seemed eager to uphold. Ithni was eager to see what emotions laid below the living's sanity.
In these close quarters, the fact that the man was surrounded by dead was becoming incredibly clear. The whole place reeked of rot and decay, more so than Fell could typically bolster. A few figures were lying on the ground, unusable, just adding to the unpleasant atmosphere. These old bodies were too fragile to work with. One step into them and the bones seemed to crumble into ash.
Eventually, the horde stepped back, leaving the human for a moment without any solid walls around him.
The one Ithni, 'Mr. Knifey', curled back their hand, and a dim light brought some of the features of the room into vision. It revealed a flat stone in between the two of them, and what looked light another behind the living, something like a rudely carved bench. Behind the one were several undead, half-hidden in shadow.
"We believe creatures such as yourself are ill-accustomed to the dark. This is for your convenience. Now you will see, and you will speak. We are giving you fair warning." They curled their hands together, showing a few silver rings along the black claws. "We will reiterate our demands. We are of one mind, one soul. We have been asleep for a very long time. Firstly, we will know where we have awakened."
Blinking his eyes to get them adjusted to the sudden light in the room and looking around he sees the flat stone and bench. He didn't like the sight of those and even more of the undead hiding in the shadows, "Thanks for the light."
Varduk wondered why they would even care about where they "awoken" but he decided to give them the simple answer, "Your in Fell. Its the ruins of a city that fell long ago which housed both the ancestors of today's Sperinity and Connaloth. Or so I've heard." That was all the imformation he was gonna give them regarding the topic since that really was all he knew about Fell. Other then it being creepy and cold. He looks at the ceiling and then at what was producing the lights.
Do I wish I had fire magic right about now. He thought to himself grinding his teeth slightly, "What are you gonna do with me, "Mr.Knifey." He was dead set on protecting his secrets no matter what but he would rather get insite on what was gonna happen to him.
"Fell." Ithni repeated, sinking back slightly at the table. Their tone appeared to be satisfied with the answer. Not to mention they had caught the names of more realms, beyond Fell. Serendipity and Connaloth. Two other new locales. It intrigued them to know there were more places out there, an entire new realm to explore, to harvest from. Take and take and take. A few of the undead in the back stirred, fidgeting as if restless.
The lead Ithni's eyes turned towards the human at his question. If the jawless could smile, they would. Instead, the ropes of tissue keeping their head connected warped upwards, making it seem like they were grimacing. "You will refer to us as Ithni Karr. Why not relax? We may not do anything with you, living, if you remain cooperative." Their hand curled around the magic light, not letting it disappear, but threatening to. "However, we could always use more bodies... Organic matter means a lot to us. One body can last centuries, as we have learned."
Behind the lead Ithni, many of the horde seemed in various states of decay. It could be assumed not all of them had been picked up at once. Several of them had been leering at the human for a while now. Judging their expressions, the word hungry would come to mind.
"Do not tempt us with the offer." Ithni waited, and the undead who had been staring averted their eyes. "We will ask the second question now. It is an apt time to do so. We have given you our name. You will grant us your name in return."
The Ihni Karl huh? Varduk had never heard of them before. He sure wish he had though they would make a great scary story to tell Liliak. He decided to keep that thought for later. He carefully eyed the creatures hand around the light and he felt his heart pick up a bit. He looked at the other ones looking st him as if he was a piece of chicken or a potato. He hated this with a burning passion.
When he heard them ask for his name he snapped out of this thoughts with a growl, I suppose giving them my name wouldn't hurt anything. He thinks to himself. "My names Varduk. Nice to meet you Ithni Karl." He probably slipped up on the pronunciation of their name. So he guessed it was an old name and one that would require some practice to get it right. "Sorry If I mispronounced you name." He raised his hands a bit with a smile and a chuckle, "Though I've never heard any name like yours before. Even in my twenty four years of life."
With a flat look, the undead responded calmly, "It has been many years since our awakening, Varduk. In many ways, your name is as alien as ours is to you." They relaxed their hand away from the light, appeased by how readily the living had answered them. The living - or Varduk, as he wanted to be called - was thankfully obedient. He would make a nice new body...
That thought, Ithni tried not to ponder about too long. They did not wish to kill this one... at least, not yet. There was still valuable information to call out of Varduk. That strange word they'd heard still perplexed them, despite the empty feeling of starvation closing in.
"You have answered where and who. Now you will grant us our third request, Varduk." Ithni curled a clawed finger under their chin, as if thoughtful. "You will tell us what the word Pluizig means to you. This was what you offered one of our selves upon first meeting. We will learn, so we may understand." The lead undead tilted their head, eyeing Varduk now.
There was still that barely-restrained predatory look behind their many, many eyes. The more time passed, the deeper that desire to kill, to harvest, came forth.
Ahhh there we go. Varduk smilea. What did the word Pluizig mean to him? He paced around in deep thought. Having Liliak made him happier but at the same time made him wiser to how the world works against them. He starts to pace thinking humming theough the thoughts. Mostly Liliak made him feel extreme responsibility towards her kind and a obligation to help them.
"Now Ithni Karr, That's something I can't answer correctly.since everyone has different opinions on them. Some aee them aa machines or just beasts for the hunt. While others see them as caring and they love them a lot." He pasues for a second thinling, "And would definitely go through getting eaten or tortures to protect them." He glares at them with a cold hard stare, "That's the answer. And all I can give you on them. If you want more your outta luck Ithni Karr. Oh and I originally said I'd get her to bring some food as in fruit and water. Maybe even wine. Not man flesh. But she is so far away it would've taken a while." He laughs.
(Ooc: Sorry if this is so short then usual XD typing this on my phone and not my ipad like usual.)
Varduk's response was enough to wear Ithni's nerves thin. A few undead seemed even more restless, displaying that emotion while the lead Ithni remained calm. Their voices seemed like ice, "Fruit and water does not sate us, unfortunately."
The lead Ithni stood up, brandishing the ritual blade. "We recognize your loyalty to these creatures, and we will learn more. It reminds us of an old project we began a long while ago, before our awakening. Non-human bodies, beasts controlled by those who were once their allies. An old project, but one we itch to experiment with."
At that point, a few bodies would attempt to grab Varduk's arms, to restrain him. If all went well, they'd start to push him deeper into the cave, towards what appeared to be a small chamber. It seemed Ithni wasn't willing to let Varduk go yet. If ever.
"We will first have to draw forth the beast itself. And learn the location of more from you." Ithni's voice piped forth from the mind once more.
(ooc: Ah no problem. It's fine. ^^)
Wow they were once people hopefully and they prefer human or "living flesh". Varduk felt ill, hopefully he won't get eaten. He'd fear to get tortured for this information but how else could he get out? Well at this point if he gotten out.
When he heard of the old practice he would definitely not want that to happen, everything would go to war or probably die. He watched the branded blade with a cold sweat. "And how would you dra-" he started to speak but he felt hands grab him in which he yanked his arms away and tried knocked the undead back before finishing his sentence, "How would you draw her here?" He could hopefully put up a good fight until he gets overwhelmed again. His blood was on fire now and his was itching for a fight.
One body's jaw seemed to crack once Varduk attempted to knock it back, having been struck solidly in the mouth. Its arms came back immediately, its loose jaw now swinging from side to side. He'd certainly managed to harm one, but that just seemed to make the undead swarm more.
They were leading him deeper into the cave, to a rudely carved out chamber. In the faded light, it seemed to be some sort of pit. Numerous other bodies were lined up here, ready in case Varduk continued to fight. Their claws were out, their faces twisted. Although the entire horde was currently about fifteen in total, the small quarters crowded everyone in.
"We have methods. It's very experimental, but that's fine for us." Ithni muttered, seemingly unmoved by the sudden event, "Your trail is still warm outside, so it may trace you here if close enough. If not, we can administer pain. Some bonds are mental in nature. Pain draws those bonds forth."
Two undead traveled towards the open cave, scouting. The lead Ithni moved to the side, sitting comfortably away from what was about to take place. Another body strode forth, the female from before. They took the blade carefully in hand, and stood in front of Varduk.
"Since the beast has yet to show, then we will continue with the second method."
With a rattling noise, the female body would then attempt to stab the blade into Varduk's hand. The same one which had struck the undead before.
Oh shit. Varduk wasn't sure if the pain part would work but there was a good chance it could work. Considering how long the two of them have been together. The only downside is that Liliak would have to somehow get through and get them booth out without getting captured or hurt. The getting out was almost impossible but it could be done. While getting captured was still a good chance. His mind was racing for any possible chance to get out.
He felt verf relieken and happy that he was able to "hurt" ome of the Skeletor but it quickly melted as his action had made things worse for him as they swarmed even more like a swarm of angry undead bees. He watched as the lead per had moven to the side ans taken a seat to watch what was gonna happen. When he saw ome of thenundeas woman go up to him witha knife he watches her carefully and when She lunges to stand his hand with the knife he takes to blow on his wist instemde blocking it drom his hand. Wuich may not have been a good choice since an arterie was there but all he careed about was still Boeing able to use his hand if needed. The pain was t a lot since there was adrenerline coursing through him already but he knew it would fade eventually and he would feel the effect of this later on.
The blade sunk into the man's wrist with relative ease, the sharp point breaking skin and leaving a gash when taken out. It was gleaming red when the female pulled it back out, taking some effort. At that, the horde seemed in a frenzy, several snapping their jaws and baring their clawed hands. The lead Ithni watched, expression unreadable.
"Tell us where other Pluizigs may be found." The voice would pester within Varduk's mind, repeating the question a few times. It seemed a form of torture had begun, pressing him for information while at the same time using the pain to try and draw forth the Pluizig. "Every moment you decline to answer, we will stab again."
The female held the blade at the ready, bodies still surrounding Varduk.
Somewhere far off, the wind still howled outside. Fell seemed completely ignorant to the torture inside.
Were they IN his mind or were they just using magic? Varduk couldnt tell. He felt the warmte on his arm. If they had stoppen that reched clacking Maybe he would be able to think a bit clearer. That wasn't an option though since he did not control the bodies.
Varduk laughs, "I can keep this going all day. Even to the point of insanity! So try your best. For I am not gonna spil my guts to you demons!" He was angry now. Simce he knew of it came to it he might give them what they wanted weather it was from the effect of blood löss, fear, tiredness or all of those combined.
Iutside Liliak watches the twi undeads keeping watch. She licks her kaas amd gets ready to plunjes from the rock She was using as cover. She was extremely pissed that Varduk was getting tortured somewhere down bellow. She had just manager to fly all the way there in short bursts when She senses zomerhitte was wrong. Which She felt proud about but She still needed to breath her Diest sparks. With her crest and fur flluffed up She Pourcel with her long raptor hond leg claws extended and her small forelegs held close to her chest.
(Ooc: ive updated the Pluizig info Some and a fewthings were added to them also :)
As soon as Varduk would say no, the female body drove the blade down again, aiming for his other hand or wrist, whichever came first. The Ithni seemed almost mechanically doing this, not out of malice, but just out of lack for information. There was no hint of enragement on the undead's faces, but just that slightly dazed, hungry expression. Their tolerance was withering away quickly.
"Tell us where-" Ithni was cut off abruptly. There was commotion outside. The two undead standing sentry were standing there, then suddenly something large hurtled out from the cold. Their eyes saw the beast, at least its talons, before the creature managed to strike one down hard into the ground. A cracking noise would be heard, the weight of the attack giving a solid blow to that particular Ithni.
The lead Ithni was suddenly being surrounded by other bodies in defense. The one outside, looking at their fallen, looked back up and snarled. They leapt up, attempting to grab on to the beast.
Bring it down! The silent command instigated several undead to take their attention away from Varduk and rush for outside. It's here! They ran to leap up at the beast, in an attempt to overwhelm the Pluizig and drag it to the ground.
However, judging but the fact that now there were only five near Varduk, having two creatures to contend with might not have been the best plan.
(ooc: Awesome! I checked it out. ^^)
"Hell yeah!" Varduk smiles and grabs the knife in his hand. Impaling it. "Its better then having to worry about losing your feeling elbow down huh?" He laughs and looks at the other undead, "I bet you Guy's were very Nice when you were still breathing and not decayed." He grabs the undeads worst and twist it. "Lets see how many hits itll take before you never get up again." He trits his teeth.
Liliak hisses and ounces at another of the undead spatting at it and using her tail to hopefully keep Some of them off of her back.