The Death of Vaerick

[Naruthiron]

I thought that some of you might enjoy the read.

 

 

 

The Righteous Courtyard

  You stand in the middle of a courtyard, immaculate gray tiles lining

the floor. Scattered along all sides of you are vast and rich samples

of potted plants, flowers, and other assorted greeneries, making this

small area seem extremely aesthetically pleasing. The edges of the

courtyard are not fenced; indeed, the floor drops off into open air.

Small torches have been lit on the surrounding pillars, providing an

adequate amount of light where you are standing. Otherwise, it is

quite difficult to discern what lies beyond this courtyard on any

side, although light mountainous shapes can be partially seen from

well away in the distance. The cool air would support that your

altitude is indeed quite high. In the middle of the courtyard sits a

mighty circular stone table, with an arrangement of heavy,

tall-backed stone chairs, each having been etched with the names of

their owner. They are arranged around the table in a particular

manner, all equally spaced and none of them seeming more important

than the rest.

 

[Exits: none]

     A large stone circular table dominates the centre of the courtyard.

You have transferred Tarsonis.

local> You find yourself within a courtyard. There is a stillness to the air, but even that seems to

be at the brink of intensity.

local> The sound of the wind is faint, but distinct as snakes its way through the mountaintops.

local> The sun bathes the courtyard in a light so bright, that it is almost violent. As it beats

down on you, you feel a warm fury burning from within.

local> You think you see a figure in the corner of your eye, skirting the edge of the courtyard.

Tarsonis stands up.

Tarsonis scans all around.

Tarsonis sits in front of the large stone circular table cross legged.

local> A shape, indistinct, and yet somehow familiar, steps just into your field of vision. Just as

fast as you notice it, it is gone.

Tarsonis quickly turns his head as if to allow his ears to better hear any oncommers

Tarsonis says 'Hmm..'

Tarsonis scans all around.

local> You are alone. A feeling you cannot shake, even given the recent sensory information.

Tarsonis takes in a deep breath and resumes a position of comfortable meditation.

local> The sound of dripping water can be heard along the back of the courtyard.

Tarsonis says 'Hmm, a new sound...'

Tarsonis slowly stands up and heads over to the sound of dripping water.

local> The sound grows louder until you reach a pond, though the water remains still.

Tarsonis leans over and peers into the pond.

local> Your reflection is not your face. The sounds of the courtyard disappear, and in their place,

the sound of a roaring inferno can be heard. You can feel the heat of the flames licking your skin,

but no fire surrounds you.

local> There! A lone warrior presses forward through the darkness, cutting through it like a knife.

Tarsonis instinctively takes a step back, then resumes his calm demeanor a second later.

Tarsonis says 'Who's there?'

local> The longer you peer, the clearer the scene becomes. You are within a dark fortress, the likes

of which have been seen only within nightmares.

local> The pungent stench of blood and hatred permeates the air in a thick miasma.

Turning his head about in various directions, Tarsonis tries to take in the sights before him.

Tarsonis clenches his fists and tightens his jaws at the stench and dark aura about him.

local> Countless forms of twisted shadow lay in crumpled heaps along the floor.

Tarsonis takes a combat stance instinctively.

local> Before you, the lone soldier continues on into the darkness which seems to eat away at all

else. The farther the soldier drifts from you, the more you feel afraid. As it rounds the corner of

the stairs, its light is gone.

Tarsonis shivers uncomfortably.

local> All you feel now is loathing, hatred, and a lust for blood. As the darkness swallows the room,

 so to does it swallow you.

Tarsonis once against clenches his fists and tries to remain steadfast against the darkness that

creeps in.

local> Steadfast as you are, your thoughts are not your own. Inch by inch, they creep into the front

of your mind, filling you. The darkness has closed completely around you. There is but one choice

now.

local> Embrace it. Join with it. Accept its gifts, and be reborn!

Tarsonis says 'Augg... never'

Tarsonis strains and stiffens.

Tarsonis does his best to not allow the darkness to engulf him.

Tarsonis says 'I must...'

Tarsonis says 'Not... '

Tarsonis says 'Corrupt... '

local> It speaks to you, beckoning so irresistably.

Tarsonis says 'Like the... ones... i wish ... to stop'

Tarsonis strains further.

local> Pain erupts in your legs as they collapse, forcing you to your hands and knees.

Tarsonis once again looks about for the light that once granted him a bit of haven.

Tarsonis falls to his knees coughing up some blood.

local> A singular thought drowns out all others in your mind, dark, looming, and ominous. SUBMIT!

Tarsonis says 'I.. re.. fuse...! To not give up... that is what will ... continue to carry... the

light of hope... forward...'

Tarsonis struggles to get back on his feet but fails, once again falling to his knees. He coughs up

some blood once more.

local> Just as you are reeling from the pain in your legs, a sharp tug at your hair forces a

startled noise from your lips to cut the silence. Your head is pulled upwards, and the darkness

itself seems to manifest.

Tarsonis says 'Augg...'

local> Even in the lightless room, a creature that is somehow even darker than the air about the

room can be made out, mere inches from your face.

local> You feel scrutinized.

Tarsonis shivers uncomfortably.

local> A cold, wet sensation crawls up the right side of your face, from chin to brow. Your hair is

released, and your head hangs.

local> Submission is your only release.... The thought lingers in your mind. The dread of a lifetime

trapped in the darkness begins to rise.

Tarsonis writhes in agony.

local> You feel the distinct sensation of insects crawling up your skin, from hands and feet, and

even the ground itself feels alive.

Tarsonis squirms for a second then once again takes in a deep breath trying to calm himself.

Tarsonis exhales slowly resisting every fiber of his urge telling him to shake and scratch himself.

local> A single voice penetrates the darkness. 'Tarsonis, my son.' Just like that, the sensation

vanishes. The pain recedes.

Tarsonis says 'Who's there?!'

Tarsonis ones again turns his head as if to listen closely for any discerning features.

local> Darkness swarms your eyes, clinging to it. 'Tarsonis, Is that you?' Your fathers voice.

local> 'You've come to save me! I knew you would!'

Tarsonis says 'Is .. is that you?'

Tarsonis shakes his head.

Tarsonis says 'No... no, it can't be...'

Tarsonis says 'This must be some facade... we are only granted one life span.'

Tarsonis says 'Only those who dabble in darkness are granted life beyond the grave...'

Tarsonis says 'Who are you?!'

Tarsonis peers forward trying to look for any clues.

local> 'What are you talking about? I'm not dead! Please, help me escape this place!'

Tarsonis says 'I... i .. buried you myself?'

Tarsonis says 'I .. i'll not fall for your tricks, dark creature...'

Tarsonis a single tear forms along his eyelid.

local> Did you? As you search your memory, the face of the man you buried seems...unfamiliar.

Tarsonis he quickly bats his eyes to clear it away.

Tarsonis shakes his head.

Tarsonis says 'Aug..'

Tarsonis says 'What... what's happening?'

Tarsonis once again takes in a deep breath and exhales, trying to collect himself.

local> Your head is swimming. Many details of your life seem strangely vague. How did you get here?

Where even is here?

local> 'Tarsonis, please! We have to escape this place!'

Tarsonis says 'Ack'

Tarsonis does his best to not be swayed, his memories being tampered and not knowing what is true,

he reverts back to what he knows best.

Tarsonis sits down and meditates.

Tarsonis says 'Lord Vaerik, lord Naruthion, lords of purity and light... show me what is true'

Tarsonis says 'In this time of darkness and confusion, help me to take the right path.'

Tarsonis once again takes in a deep breath and exhales.

local> 'Tarsonis? Tarsonis, are you there?' Your father's voice becomes increasingly frantic.

Tears now running down his face, Tarsonis speaks words meant for his father.

Tarsonis says 'I am sorry father. You've raised me well. You've given me so much. I couldn't save

you, i know...'

Tarsonis says 'But i will take this life you've given me... I will be strong and protect others

against the evil that took you'

Tarsonis says 'I will use this life... as you meant it for me... and make you proud...'

local> Your father's voice comes to you, confused. 'What are you saying? You are not here to free me,

 then?'

Tarsonis says 'I sense darkness... and only the children of the darkness ever return ungodly and

unholy from the dead'

Tarsonis says 'Show yourself, dark formed spirit'

Tarsonis says 'I know you are there!'

local> A warm touch can be felt on your skin. Old, creased hands, calloused from a lifetime of work.

It is a familiar touch. 'Tarsonis, my boy...'

Tarsonis wipes his eyes dry.

Tarsonis says 'Ye... yes?'

local> Cold. So suddenly, you feel cold. A sharp pain tears at your sanity. You can feel it. Plunged

into your chest, five fingers close around your heart, ripping it from its chest. 'I never loved you.

' A tug, and your body falls to the floor.

Tarsonis lies limp on the floor.

local> As the blood seeps out of the hole in your chest, the darkness seeps in. You can feel it

working its way through your body, somehow made physically manifest.

Tarsonis begins to seize uncontrollably. What is happening?

local> You are dead. There is a stillness. You feel nothing. You think nothing. This is the end....

Tarsonis lies dead...

local> And then you rise. Standing on your feet, your eyes penetrate the darkness. No longer do you

feel afraid. No... instead, this feels like home.

local> You can smell him. He is here... Vaerick.

Tarsonis slowly stretches his stiff neck still startled by the experience. His soul warms up at a

nastalgic and comforting scent.

local> Bloodlust fills your mind. He is here. He must be killed!

Tarsonis sniffs the air once more as if to take in a huge waft of the smell.

local> Without a thought from you, your body begins to move. Clearly, you are not in control.

Tarsonis says 'Lord... vaerik... help..'

The words barely escape Tarsonis's lips.

local> As you speak them, the words change. 'Must... kill.. Vaerick.'

Tarsonis continues his advance forward.

Tarsonis struggles trying to regain control of his limbs but fail.

local> You bound up the stairs, and you notice your form has changed. No longer are you Tarsonis, a

name that now holds no meaning. You are something...different. But as you make that realization, you

can't shake the feeling that you have never been…

local> ...Tarsonis. No, that is the name of a dead man.

local> Up the stairs you climb, over the bodies of your nameless comrades.

local> At last, you reach the top of the tower.

local> There! Vaerick is locked in combat with a horde of your comrades. Easily, he repels the

attackers, save for the one he fights most vigilantly. Your master.

local> Your master does not even acknowledge your presence, though his voice fills your mind. 'Good,

you have come. Strike him down, and rid us of this menace once and for all!'

local> You glance at your hands. Monstrous things, they are. Each finger is long and meaty, and

close in long, sharp claws. Perfect weapons for killing... You have a choice: bide your time and

wait for an opening, or strike now.

local> You must choose now, before the choice is made for you.

Unable to control his body, Tarsonis feels the body begin to move in obedience to his master

bounding down toward Vaerik.

local> Vaerick sees an opening at your master, and plunges his blade deep within his chest. With

this, though, he is finally aware of your presence, all too late. You plunge your clawed hand into

his back, and your other hand sweeps across his neck.

local> Vaerick screams in agony.

local> He then takes his blade and drives it through his stomach, piercing you as well.

local> FIRE! You feel as if your insides are alight with flame!

'Noooop!' he thinks to himself, yet the words do not escape Tarsonis's lips.

local> The world around you fragments and disappears. Only you, Vaerick, and his blade remain. All

else is a blank white expanse. Purgatory. You have heard of this place.

local> Slowly, the blade dissolves into nothingness, and you fall to your back, as Vaerick falls

over. Dead. And soon, you will join him.

local> As the blood drains from your body, tears stream down your face. You are in control again,

you can sense that much. No good does it do, as your limbs are limp and numb.

local> As your vision fades, you oddly begin to feel warm. Is death not supposed to feel cold? You

can't remember.

local> Everything is dark.

An Empty Garden [Room 8]

  You find yourself in an unattended garden its ground long overgrown with

various species of weeds.  The growth reaches up to your waist and sways

lightly with your passage. 

 

[Exits: none]

Tarsonis arrives from a puff of smoke.

You have transferred Tarsonis.

local> You open your eyes... Your eyes! You can see! There is a single elven man kneeling beside you,

 the light almost blinding.

You slowly fade back into existence.

You are no longer cloaked.

Tarsonis gasps for air.

Tarsonis says 'Lord, naruthiron... '

Tarsonis says 'Is that truley you?'

Tarsonis tears continue to flow despite his efforts to wipe them dry.

A warm smile spreads across his face as Naruthiron sees that you have awoken. 'Oh good, you are

awake. I am so pleased that you made it.'

Tarsonis says 'What... what . happened? '

local> The smile seems almost empty, as if it reflects sadness.

You say 'I... the light beckoned me to Vaerick. He was in danger, I could feel it. It was urgent. '

You say 'But when I arrived, he...'

Struggling with the words, Naruthiron casts his gaze to the ground.

You say 'I was...too late. Always... too late.'

Tears still flowing, Tarsonis speaks 'I am.. so sorry...'

Naruthiron does something you have never heard him to do. Naruthiron punches the ground.

For an instant, only the briefest of moments, a fire burns in his eyes, and under his breath, you

can swear you heard Naruthiron swear a curse.

Naruthiron recomposes himself. 'Luckily, I was not too late to save you.'

Tarsonis sniffs and once again wipes his eyes dry.

Tarsonis says 'Thank you, lord Naruthiron.'

You say 'My friend, I am not a Lord. I.. I can scarcely even call myself by my own name... The name

of a failure to those I care for.'

Tarsonis says 'I apologize'

Tarsonis looks down as if understanding, a sign of consoling in his own way.

Naruthiron shakes his head, as if returning to his senses.

You say '..sorry. I should be more responsive. I.. I have lost a friend.'

Tarsonis says 'No no... i understand...'

local> You feel a holy power burn within you, stemming from the wound made by Vaerick's blade.

local> The feeling swells, and you feel strong enough to rise. Stronger, even, than you did before.

Feeling more vigorous than before, Tarsonis straightens his posture.

Tarsonis says 'What... what is this feeling that overwhelms me?'

Naruthiron raises an eyebrow.

You say 'What do you mean?'

Tarsonis says 'I feel... different'

Naruthiron thinks for a moment.

You say 'Where ... did you get your wound?'

Tarsonis says 'I... i cannot be certain...'

Tarsonis says 'But i felt I was there... during vaerik's final moments'

Tarsonis says 'And his blade.. i felt it pierce through me...'

Tarsonis nods as if understanding.

Naruthiron plants his shield into the ground, and it gleams with light.

Tarsonis shields his face from the radiant light the exudes forth.

You say 'I hope you don't mind that I have healed your eyes.'

Tarsonis says 'I do not'

Tarsonis says 'Tis a blessing that i thought was not possible'

You say 'My friend, you need not shield your eyes from the light. Bathe in it, and let it fill your

soul. No light is too bright, if you can accept it as a beacon of Life.'

Tarsonis nods.

You say 'Through the Light of Life, all things can be restored.'

Tarsonis says 'Aye... i was simply startled. I had not seen ... in such a long time'

Tarsonis thanks you heartily.

You say 'Are you well enough to travel?'

Tarsonis says 'I.. i feel so'

You have transferred Tarsonis.