logs | ♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

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♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

WHO: Augustine G. Rosethrawn & others (Open To All)
WHERE: Stygia (mainly Serene)
WHEN: Throughout all of October
WHAT: October Event + General Catch-all
WARNINGS: Possible violence, swearing, and mentions of death.

[ I'll be adding more prompts throughout the week featuring the event stuff in question. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on

devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]

PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

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[The lantern is supposed to be that appeasement but even with this magical artifact within their possession, the Oakwoods is teeming with hatred. It dawns on Augustine while they're fleeing that the lantern alone isn't what purifies Serene. No, that's merely an accessory crafted to prevent the Restless from having to sacrifice each other to appease the evil lurking here. After all, the lantern itself was made by the very bones of Serene's original founder.]

Blood might be the only way! [He suggests over the howling cries of the woods closing in on all around them.] But to do so would only seal our demise.

[A foul thought crosses his mind, one that Augustine hesitates to whisper. It would be beneficial to just steal the lantern from, D and leave him here. That way the Oakwoods would be appeased by the hunter's sacrifice. However, Augustine is no villian and such a morbid thought sickens him to his core.

Instead, he reaches for D's arm and quickly pulls them towards the gates ahead. While D might be a little faster than Augustine on foot, he lacks the ability to fly. He glides upon the howling winds with D in tow. While he's unable to fly too far above the ground, at least they're able to somewhat ride the winds.]

[The idea of spilling some blood for the blood forest does not appeal in the slightest to D. No one else's blood, but especially not his own. It's dangerous, and he suspects his blood may be too poisonous and tainted. It would potentially make things worse.

Before he can answer over the wind, he is being lifted up into the air. Resisting would throw them both down and waste time, so he goes along with the pull then the gliding, letting Augustine lead him by the arm.

He glances over his shoulder into the depths of the woods where they had emerged. An inky pool of darkness is following, taking up the space of the dark already inside the woods itself. The tendrils reach out and grab the edge of the earth and trees like black hands, pulling it forward without disturbing the landscape. He looks ahead again, keeping the lantern held tightly in the grasp of his other hand.]

It's coming.

[But they should make it, he thinks. By a hair's breath.]

[The inky darkness that encroaches them keeps getting closer and closer like a tsunami. It's as if the evil that lurks within these woods have become solid in form. No matter how fast they run or at this point, fly, this oppressive black shadow seems determined to devour them both.

However, Augustine has other plans. He can see the light at the end of this long dark road. They're so close to freedom that he can feel it within his very bones. Every last bit of him aches in protest since it's been decades since he had to put into this level of physical endurance. Flying alone is difficult enough when you have to battle against violent winds but with a companion in tow? It's damn near impossible.

Nevertheless, the impossible is achieved the second they manage to pass through the gate. They slam through the gate with a plume of black-gray smoke trailing behind them. Augustine lets go of the hunter's arm once they're close to the ground, trusting the other dhampir to land safely with the lantern.

As for him, Augustine nearly flies into a nearby pillar before eventually coming to a halt. The darkness that chased them seems to fester by the gate like a cloud of black smoke, unable to cross the threshold.]

[At the very least, D can commend Augustine on the flight out of here. This place has dampened what they are all capable of doing, and Augustine is carrying a heavy load through the resistant winds.

Gracefully, D weights his legs down once they are out of the gate and lands on them in a small sprint until he can come to a stop. He twists to look back toward the gate, standing still with the lantern, watching the festering shadows struggle in the attempt to reach them before finally giving up.

Dicey.

He glances to Augustine, looking the man over briefly.]

Are you alright?

[The gate itself seems to groan in protest as the shadows try their best to break free but thankfully, it can’t do much other than struggle. Augustine watches as that inky void suddenly starts to recede like a malevolent black tide. The shadow slinks slowly back into the forest revealing the tranquil backdrop of Serene once more. Whatever monster lurks within these woods is still present but for now, it seems to vanish without much of a trace.]

I'm...I'm well. [He manages to gasp in between breaths.] But if we had to flee any further, we would be dead.

[Disheveled after that impromptu flight, Augustine takes a moment to right himself before approaching D. Unlike the hunter, he’s utterly exhausted and it shows. Under normal circumstances he wouldn’t be so fatigued but something about the Netherworld just saps his strength dry. It’s frustrating, especially since Augustine knows he’s far stronger than this.]

Is the lantern safe?

[He questions with a hint of worry as he wipes the sweat off his brow.]

[They would maybe be dead, yeah. Not that D wouldn't try to help them, but... with how this plane is treating them, who knows. He finds it frustrating to have to not be boldly stupid in things he does.

Slowly, he brings the arm with the lantern up, holding it as one would walking down a moonlit path in the night. Even being jostled as it had, there aren't any damages.]

Thank you.

[For getting them out, he means.]

Let's find the old woman.

[A sigh of relief escapes Augustine once he sees the lantern. It seems all their hard work has paid off. Now the only thing they need to do is return it. While he suspects that the old woman in question is somewhere nearby, Augustine honestly doesn't know where Myrtille could be.

Nevertheless, he can't help but look a bit surprised once he hears that bit of gratitude. He gives D gives a smile, one that is borderline playful.]

You're more than welcome, D.

[He wanted to say something witty there but he's exhausted. Instead, he leads the hunter into this pantheon like structure here in hopes of finding the old woman somewhere within. The both of them are strangers to this realm, both unused to the customs here. He doesn't know where Myrtille and the others would keep this lantern but he assumes its within a structure like this.]

[He's polite... mostly. Also, while he doesn't doubt his own strengths, Augustine didn't leave him behind. That's something to be grateful about at least.

As Augustine goes, D follows along behind, not rushed. Inside the pantheon, he glances around. The architecture of Serene reminds him a little of the places back home untouched by desolate desert sand. Old ruins of gardens and temples left behind by the Nobility who coveted beautiful and perfect things.

He lifts the lantern to place it on a nondescript altar, stepping back. Time is of little concern to someone who lives for so long, so he is actually alright with waiting. But there is a new addition on him; out of the edge of the cape, his pale left hand brings a piece of parchment.]

[This old pantheon does look like a temple of some sort. Unlike the churches he seen within the Barren, this place seems to be in much better condition. Sure there's a few cracks here and there on the concrete pillars nearby but overall, this temple seems rather clean. That means someone been taking care of it and Augustine is willing to bet it's the Restless.]

What is this place?

[Augustine asks as he glances around temple. Exhausted or not, he's on guard. If anything was to happen to that lantern now after overcoming the Darkness, it would be a tragedy. That's why when D places the lantern on the supposed altar, he can't help but feel a bit cautious.]

Are you sure this is the right place?

[He questions before D suddenly reaches for something.]

I don’t know.

[Neither of his feet carry him away from the lantern. He folds the parchment up again, and it disappears inside of the long cape.]

It says to return to the door in the Shadowlands.

[In so many words really. His head suddenly turns to glance over his shoulder as the same old woman, Myrtille, steps out of the edge of the shadows and into the space they both occupy. She is here for the lantern shard, of course.

D steps back and away, remaining quiet m.]

[Just the mere mentions of the Shadowlands puts Augustine on edge. The time he spent there was a hellish one, something he would like to forget and never speak of again. While he managed to escape there with his "life" intact, he still can't get passed how utterly helpless he felt. No, that will haunt him for a very long time. Even so, he cannot help but look a bit surprise once he sees Mytrille emerging from the shadows.]

There she is.

[He whispers as the old crone makes her way towards the lantern. From this angle, this seemingly gentle old woman seems less like a Restless and more like an old witch from sort of grim fairytale. It's enough to put him on edge as she draws closer towards the lantern. While something about this encounter feels oddly off, Augustine steps away from the altar from Mytrille to reclaim it.]

What will happen now? [He asks with a hint of curiosity in his tone.] Will Serene return to how it was?

[Crossing the sea is perilous and hell for him; however, D does not look bothered by the notion at least. But when does he look bothered by anything?

His eyes watch the old woman, and he remains quiet as Augustine asks the questions. When she takes the lantern, nothing happens thankfully. She tells them the lantern is but a piece of the actual one, a shard. Serene will return to a calmer state of being when the lantern is returned. If all else fails, other blood will have to be given to satisfy it.

D glances at Augustine without turning his head, then again looks at Myrtille so he can nod his head in acceptance.]

We've done what we can.

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♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

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