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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Choosing an easier path would be might beneficial for poor Augustine. Half-vampire or not, he's exactly used to all this hiking and it shows. He's not really a seasoned adventure despite how much he likes wandering. While he managed to wander throughout most of the harbor, he has yet to really explore beyond the port. The Netherworld is still very foreign to him. Even though he's eager to explore more of this realm, he hasn't been back to the Shadowlands after narrowly escaping it the first time around.]

Indeed, I would loathe for us to lose our quarry so soon.

[He mentions before following after Cedrik's lead. The slope on this side of the hill is a bit treacherous but nothing either of them can't handle. There's a old dirt road that leads down from this angle, one that's thankfully stone free.]

Although, I cannot help but wonder why someone would want to steal something so...important.

[Judging from what the old woman said about that lantern, it was crafted to appease the malevolent spirits in Serene. If such is true, then why would anyone want to tangle with such powerful magic? Augustine can't help but think that their alleged thief is a villain in disguise.]

Maybe this is a trap of some kind.

Edited 2022-10-11 03:27 (UTC)

[ Once they make it down the other side the trek becomes much easier. Cedrik changes his pace to walk alongside Augustine rather than strictly leading, keeping his gazed fixed on the heading he'd made atop the hill. There's no power or magic that helps him, it's all down to experience, which means he needs to maintain some concentration. ]

Mn, most likely.

[ Cedrik regards the possibility of walking into a trap about as casually as one would the possibility of rain. ]

It's either that or a fool in over their head, and I doubt a fool would have lasted very long. As new as I am to this land, I'd struggle to guess at a 'why'...

[ He trails off, brow furrowing. There's something other than smoke on the wind, now, and it makes his nose wrinkle. It's worse than the usual decay of fallen logs and leaf litter; it smells like rotting meat. ]

...do you smell that?

[No magic or powers? Augustine would be at a loss if the same was for him. While he's hardly as powerful as he once was, he can still rely upon blood sorcery. However, he sure hopes he won't have to use such an ability here. The chances of their quarry relinquishing the lantern without fuss is slim to none but he hopes for just that.]

They're certainly in over their heads but why take such a risk?

[He questions before suddenly pausing in mid step. A scowl slowly forms upon his face as a familiar putrid scent suddenly greets them at the base of the hill. That's not rotting meat, that's--]

Corpses. [The dhampir mutters before sparing his companion a glance.] Many of them.

It seems our would-be thief is a killer in disguise.

[ Cedrik's ears are tense as Augustine agrees with his suspicions. Suddenly the potential for a trap is a lot more dire--but he resists the same conclusion Augustine draws. At least for the time being. ]

It could be the woods as well, turning against any perceived intruders. [ The sounds of violence in that initial call for help had painted an ugly picture. ] Either way, we must take added care.

[ Which means pressing on, sacrificing speed for caution. The mist seems to be growing heavier, thick enough that soon enough Cedrik reaches out a hand for Augustine to take. Not that he fears the dhampir will trip again, but at this rate he honestly worries they'll lose sight of each other.

Leaves crunch underfoot, fallen branches snapping--or was that bone? ]

[There's an uneasy, almost nervous, energy in the air around here. Augustine felt it the moment he wandered through the main gate. Despite all the beauty here in Serene, there's something dark and twisted lurking within the shadows. Cedrik is right to be on edge, especially now that the Oakwoods have lost their ethereal flame. The heavy mist that blankets the landscape almost feels like it has a life of its own, especially the deeper they wander through the woods.

He hesitates briefly to take the adventurer's hand but eventually he does out of worry. If he could barely see through this thick fog as a vampire, then he figures that Cedrik is practically blind out here. He gives the Viera's hand a light squeeze indicating him to keep moving.]

This is land is tainted much like the Shadowlands.

[He whispers once he hear something akin to bones crack underneath their feet. His grip on Cedrik's hand tightens just a tad once sees an orange light flickering in the distance. That must be the lantern judging from the magical power emanating from it. It's faint but Augustine can feel magic emanating from that lantern quite acutely. The closer they get to it, the thicker the fog becomes.]

Whatever you do, Cedrik, don't look down.

[The dhampir is almost certain they're walking across the bones of the damned.]

[ It's a good thing Augustine wasn't too stubborn about the offered hand. Cedrik was about to start waving it at him in silent insistence. It's not unease--not entirely unease. It's just good sense at this point. Neither of them want to end up joining the corpses they're treading on. ]

...gods be good.

[ Of course Cedrik looks down. He didn't exactly need to, the viera could hear it. Those long ears know the sound of cracking bone. Still, he'd been almost fooling himself until now.

It's not just bone and bodies. There are glimpses of trampled fabric--tents and bedrolls among the debris. ]

They were only camping...killed in their sleep if they were fortunate.

[ The smell of smoke is getting stronger, cutting more through the decay. The campfire they spotted isn't far now. ]

[A frustrated sigh escapes Augustine once his companion glances down. See, there's a reason why he told Cedrik not to look. The rancid stench alone gave away the truth along with the crunching of bones. The dhampir didn't need to look down to confirm what he already knew.]

I told you not to look.

[He mutters as he gives Cedrik's hand a reassuring squeeze. It feels so odd to he holding someone's hand like this. Then again, Augustine is quite unused to such things since he typically keeps people at arm's length.]

The monster that prowls these lands most likely kills during the cover of night. That would explain why some of these corpses are still in their bedrolls.

[Either that or the people were lulled to sleep by forces unbeknown to them. That could also be the case. The thick mist that surrounds them can easily disorient the senses and make it very difficult for someone to breathe. Even now, the two of them are having a time trying to reach that mysterious glow up ahead. However, what most likely killed these people were the dozen or so decaying leaves scattered across the ground. The second the wind blows, one of those razor sharp leaves flows past Augustine's cheek leaving a thin red cut there.]

Be mindful of the leaves.

[ The squeeze is more startling than the bodies. Cedrik has seen death before, a lot of it. He considers it a blessing that he isn't completely numb to it yet, but he won't be scared off so easily either. He glances back to Augustine, his expression confused at first before it connects...and he smiles in spite of their grim surroundings. ]

Forgive me, taking the safer option has ever been a struggle.

[ Camaraderie may be new for Augustine not so much for Cedrik. He recognizes the offer of comfort, even if it's a little clumsy.

There's no time to dwell on it, however. Every step takes them closer to their goal even as it takes them deeper into danger. Is it a monster? Or the trees themselves? Cedrik's gil is on the latter though, as that's probably worse than the monster Augustine suspects, he doesn't mention it. They're surrounded by trees, after all.

Speaking of, the leaves that are carried by the wind have a strange whistle to them, enough for Cedrik to tilt his head and try to sort out the sound before Augustine discovers the hard way. ]

Augustine, you're--ah!

[ His ears make damned large targets, the next gust slashing a nick into one of them. And in the distance the wind is picking up...

They need to run. ]

[Idly examining the blood upon his cheek, Augustine pauses once he hears that faint whistling sound. The winds are picking up again. A powerful gust of wind flows past them causing a flurry of leaves to follow in its wake. It's difficult to tell whether foul play is involved but you're bound to die right here if they don't run.]

Come! Towards the light!

[He commands before yanking Cedrik forward. There's no telling if the faint orange glow before them is indeed the sacred lantern but Augustine is willing to bet it is. There's something strangely warm and inviting about the light before them, something magical to say the least. While he doesn't know if heading towards the light will save them, he's willing to try.

The dhampir doesn't dare let go of Cedrik's hand as he uses the howling winds to propel them forward. He outstretches his wings and glides the two of them towards that very light hidden within the mist. The closer they get towards it, the weaker the violent winds become. It seems they've found the lantern but it's accompanied with a young boy who looks all too thrilled to see them.]

[ Cedrik's not usually the one being rescued but he's not about to complain. He tries to keep up, running as fast as he can, but at a certain point his feet leave the ground entirely as the dhampir goes from running to gliding. Augustine's wings not only carry them further and faster, but it knocks away most of the leaves before they can do any significant damage. It's lucky they ran into each other...Cedrik probably would have made it through if he were alone, but he'd be a lot more bloodied on the other end than he is now.

The clearing they find holds both the lantern and the campfire they spotted from the hilltop, the mist recoiling from the warm firelight. On the other side of it, with the lantern dangling from his fingertips and a stringed instrument in his lap, the young boy waves the pair closer. ]

You made it! Welcome, welcome...here, stay a while and keep me company, won't you?

No.

[That stubborn reply is instantly followed by a flash of red as the dhampir summons his magic. While Augustine had every intention of not using his unique brand of sorcery for this venture, it seems he has very little choice now. He can instinctively tell there’s something off about this boy. Maybe it’s the mischievous glint within the boy’s gaze that gives away his intentions or the faint scent of blood that alarms the dhampir. Whatever it is, Augustine is reluctant to give his ear towards this thief.

Instead, he summons forth what seems to be a blood-red crystalized spear crafted from his own essence. The wound he suffered earlier bleeds as he points the spear towards the youth with an unflinching revolve. However, instead of just skewering the child where they stand, he gives them one chance to surrender.]

Release the lantern or we will take it from your corpse.

[It’s a miracle that he’s feeling merciful at all considering the peculiar weather as of late. Everyone has been on edge lately, Augustine included. However, the purple dhampir seems more capable of hiding his displeasure under mild-mannered pleasantries and general kindness. Unfortunately, he’s not in the mood to play nice with this child. So unless Cedrik has something to say about it, this boy is going to be ripped apart.]

[ Puck's eyes widen in surprise, though he looks far from afraid. He leans back, the hand holding the lantern swaying to the side where it tilts so precariously from the tips of his fingers-- ]

Wait!

[ Cedrik steps between Autustine and the strange boy, one arm holding firm over the dhampir's chest while the other reaches towards him--and the lantern--in a placating gesture. ]

You know why we've come, I'm sure...the lantern you carry has caused a great deal of misery in it's brief absence. Will you return it, please?

[ There's a part of Cedrik that's 100% with Augustine. Enough of this nonsense, they have their thief, let them be done with it so they can be given their empty platitudes and move on. Fray's cranky like that. But the boy has made no attack against them. Every injury and inconvenience they've suffered has been caused by the wood. If there's any chance that this can be settled without further bloodshed, Cedrik would reach for it first.

Puck seems to think it over, balancing the lantern in question and letting it wobble...but not fall. ]

Perhaps...if you can indulge me.

[A sigh of frustration escapes Augustine once the adventurer decides to intervene. There's a fifty-fifty chance that the dhampir could've caught the lantern before it fell but the odds weren't great.]

I could've caught it.

[He mutters as the crystalized spear suddenly bursts into a million or so tiny little shards. The glass-like shards harmlessly drift away towards the night sky above like translucent diamonds. As for the wound on Augustine's cheek, it's all healed now. The dhampir takes a step back away from their quarry and crosses his arms across his chest.]

Very well, I suppose we have to play this game.

[Augustine turns his sights away from Cedrik and towards the youth with a look of absolute loathing. Even though he has decided to stand down for now, nothing will stop him from glaring daggers at the boy.]

Indulge you, how?

[ Cedrik relaxes, being sure to look back at Augustine and give him his best and most grateful smile. ]

Thank you for humoring me all the same.

[ Between the two of them, especially with Augustine's impressive magic, Cedrik has no doubt they could teach Puck a very thorough lesson. Though without a proper weapon they might have ended up relying on that magic more than his own skill...

It's better to try for peace whenever they can, he hopes this will convince Augustine of that. ]

Why don't we begin with some good, old-fashioned ghost stories, eh? Here, come make yourselves comfortable by the fire, I'm sure two worldly gentlemen such as yourselves have plenty of wild tales to share.

[ Cedrik blinks. He didn't know what to expect exactly, but telling the boy a story certainly wasn't it. Looking back at Augustine, he shrugs. ]

Better that than having to fetch some other trinket or some such...eh, do you know any?

[ Cedrik does indeed have plenty of tales, including one that would fit the request for ghosts, if Augustine does not. ]

[Judging from the annoyed huff Augustine gives Cedrik in return, he's not very pleased with their current arrangement. He can just tell by looking at Puck that the boy means trouble. Hell, there's a chance that this "boy" isn't a child at all. After all, there's all manner of beasts that lurk within the Netherworld. It wouldn't surprise Augustine if Puck was some sort of fae-like creature. He certainly has the sinister child-like demeanor of one.

He regards Puck with a bored glance once he realizes that the boy means to harass them for most of the evening. Honestly, it would've been easier to stab little prick through the neck.]

Wild tales, hm?

[A thoughtful hum escapes Augustine as he regards Puck. He's not certain what kind of stories would suffice here but he's not at all keen about telling about himself. This little trickster is bound to use their words against them if they're not careful. That's why he settles on telling a fairytale over anything personal.]

I suppose I know of a few strange tales but none of them end amicably.

Even better! Have a seat and let's hear them!

[ Puck beckons to the pair and makes a sweeping gesture to the fire where...had there always been three stumps? Cedrik could have sworn there was only one when they first got here. It's fairly obvious that there's something more at play, even Cedrik can tell that. Though he lacks the wings, Pucks mannerisms remind him more and more of the Pixies.

Fae can be dealt with, so long as they're careful.

Cedrik chooses to play along, sitting at one of the offered stumps and looking to see if Augustine will decide to join him. Whether or not he does, Cedrik lightly clears his throat. ]

Then, if I may, I'll go first?

My tale is a recounting of true events-- [ Puck lets out a soft 'ooh' and settles down, chin in his hands. ] ...of a tragedy that befell a party of young adventurers, including two young lovers.

[ Cedrik recounts the story with care, introducing Edda, an aspiring healer and Avere, her gladiator fiancé, Liavinne the archer, and Paiyo the thaumaturge. ]

From the start, they were met with challenges, as are all adventurers. Edda was yet a novice in conjury and her fellows did not understand the value of patience when it came to battle. They mocked her for her shortcomings, even as she did her best, spending the last of her coin on healing potions for when her spells came up short. Even Avere teased her...

[ It's pretty obvious what Cedrik's opinion is, even as he tries to remain neutral. Edda's fellow adventurers were dicks. But that did not mean they deserved the fate that befell them. He recounts that part of the story next, of their final adventure together in the Tam-Tara Deepcroft. ]

...and in those dark, twisting tunnels Avere ran ahead, too eager for glory. He ran beyond the reach of Edda's spells, beyond even her sight, and when she was at last able to catch up to him the man lay dead. His head removed from his shoulders. The party disbanded shortly after, Levinne and Paiyo blaming Edda for Avere's death. Edda, overwhelmed with grief and guilt, took Avere's head and kept it with her, unable to let go of the man she loved. She resolved to return to her home village and renew her conjurer training...along with Avere's head, of course. Twisted as it may have been, she found comfort in it, often speaking to it as she would Avere. She could almost pretend he was still with her.

Moons passed, Levinne and Paiyo each going their separate ways. Levinne attempted a new start with a larger group of adventurers, but was killed in a raid against an enemy force.

[ A massive oversimplification, but getting into the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, their betrayal from within, and the attack on the Waking Sands...that's a completely different story. ]

As for Paiyo, he attempted to simply move on from the tragedy, until he received an invitation in the post several moons later. It was an invitation to a bonding ceremony, between Edda...and Avere. Stranger still, the location was listed as Tam-Tara Deepcroft, the same wretched place their lives had all gone so suddenly wrong.

[ Obviously, shit was fucked. Cedrik finally gets to his own involvement, though he only describes the 'seasoned adventurer' that Paiyo recruited for help. He recounts the horrors found in the deepcroft, how the already dismal place was overrun with voidsent and ashkin, including the resurrected body of Levinne, forced to stand guard and put down any who would interrupt the ceremony. Even poor Paiyo found himself trapped and in need of rescue, lest he join his former comrade in undeath. ]

...at last the adventurer reached the deepest part of the crypts and found a circular platform over a vast pit, surrounded by candles and etched with blood. At it's center stood Edda, wearing the white dress of a proper healer. She saw the adventurer...and smiled. She knew him, you see. More importantly, Avere knew him and admired his strength. He wanted to be just like him. So Edda decided that, as a gift to her soon to be husband, she would bring Avere this adventurer's body and they could finally be together.

[ He describes the monstrosity Avere had become, a bloated, flying head the size of a fully grown hyuran man, the work of necromancy. He recounts the battle that followed, how Avere's head was finally destroyed and Edda, poor Edda... ]

She backed away in fear, drawing too close to the candles. Her white dress was caught aflame and, in her panic, she fell screaming into the dark before the adventurer could reach her. [ ...he should have been faster. ] Still she did not rest. Her spirit could be seen throughout the lands, cities she and Avere had visited, a glimpse of a girl in simple brown robes and a wide brimmed hat, smiling at you, before vanishing from sight.

[As Cedrik recounts his tale regarding a group of aspiring but ill-fated adventurers, Augustine takes this time to study Puck. He settles down upon the edge of a tree stump and watches with keen interest as the boy focuses his attention upon Cedrik. It seems the Viera's creepy tale has truly won the fae's attention, so much that the boy has left the lantern unguarded beside him. His fingers itch as he stares down at the lantern.

Would it be foolish for him to try snatch the lantern away before Cedrik finishes? The boy is focused squarely on the Viera, not once glancing at him. Even though this seems like a prime opportunity to reclaim it, something in the back of Augustine's mind warns him otherwise. The woods are watching. Even if the dhampir somehow manages to grab the lantern, the woods itself will try to stop him. That much seems obvious enough after that leaf scratched his cheek.

A frustrated sigh escapes Augustine as he touches his cheek just to ensure the wound is sealed unbeknown to him that Puck is watching him. The boy watches the dhampir from the corner of his soulless eyes with a hint of a smirk upon his lips. Yes, the child knows what Cedrik's companion is thinking. The youth keeps his eyes on the dhampir for a moment or so longer than necessary before turning back towards the adventurer. Cedrik is a fantastic storyteller, someone who pays attention to the smallest details much like him. Puck cannot help but look overjoyed as this tale takes a puzzling turn for the worse. Hearing what dark fate awaited Edda and her friends pleases him to no end.]

You failed to save her...didn't you? [The boy questions with a mischievous little smirk that is quickly turning sinister.] From your failure, she died and became a spirit who would forever haunt the earth.

[A chuckle escapes the youth as he reaches for the golden handle of the lantern. Puck could feel the dhampir tense as he does so, relishing the man's displeasure. He stares at the both of them, his eyes devoid of light as he speaks. The flickering orange glow of the lantern makes him look far more demonic than before.]

No, I--

[ Puck catches him out immediately, having seen right through Cedrik's attempts to keep his involvement hidden. It...probably wasn't hard. Yet Cedrik is still taken aback, partly because he wants Puck to be wrong. He was able to help Edda, though it came far too late. Finding her spirit in that strange, Gelmorran maze and putting her to rest...is that the same as saving her?

His Shadow certainly doesn't think so and Cedrik can feel its laughter, echoing Puck's own wicked chuckle. The protest dies on his tongue and Cedrik finds himself looking to Augustine.

What exactly does he expect from the dhampir? Comfort? He's not sure--the thought ends up being forgotten as Cedrik catches sight of something in the distance, standing just beyond the light's edge near the trees.

A young girl in brown robes and a soft, wide-brimmed hat that obscures her face. Her hands are clasped in front of her and as she lifts her head, Cedrik can see the familiar smile, gleaming through the shadows. ]

Gods be good, that's not possible...

[ And she isn't alone. ]

[There's two battles being fought here, both of which neither of them can physically see. Puck is cruelly preying on both Cedrik's mind and spirit in hopes of causing those nasty self-doubts to unfurl. Augustine recognizes this tactic well. He's spent enough time with the fair folk to know they're not very fair. That's why the dhampir injects when the adventurer falters.]

Cedrik did his best. [He quickly states as he glares at the boy.] He did all that he could to ensure Edda and her companions could rest.

That's the meaning of mercy.

[The demonic faery grins menacingly at Augustine, his features lighting up with maniac glee as he stares at the dhampir. ]

So you claim but his mercy came with…pain.

[Augustine lets out a sound of distaste once he hears something rustling within the shrubbery. He figured that this little monster would invoke the dead but he was hoping Puck wouldn’t take it this far. Nevertheless, he’s not going to waste anymore words on the boy. It’s time for action, especially now that they have several undead fiends born from Cedrik’s trauma encroaching on them.]

Cedrik.

[He glances towards the adventurer with a smile.]

Don’t allow your anguish to define you.

[Without any warning, Augustine holds up a knife towards his right hand and cuts deep within his palm. The telltale metallic scent of blood entices the fiends lurking, causing them to charge forward. However, they won’t get a chance to taste this sweet nectar. In just a flash of blinding red light, dozens of crystalized gems suddenly appear all around Augustine and Cedrik before suddenly forming into a seemingly endless armiger of floating blood red swords.

The intricacies of blood sorcery is relatively known to many but the general rule is the more blood, the better. Augustine purposely lacerated his deep palmar arch in order to get the blood necessary. While he’s relatively numb to pain in general, that actually stings quite a bit. However, Cedrik won’t be able to tell since the dhampir quickly leaps into the fray.]

[ Some 'mercy'. You didn't act until she stood in your way, you barely knew she existed until then. What, no thrill to be had in helping a girl in need? You saw how she was being treated and did nothing.

He can't save everyone, he knows this, but the lesson will never sit well with him. It's an easy angle for his Shadow to exploit, helped by Puck's brazen mocking. It makes it far more difficult than it should to dispute his Shadow's point...what could he have done? He was a nobody adventurer back then. Even if Avere eventually looked up to him, he wouldn't take the word of another 'novice' trying to shame him into being kinder to his fiance...

The conflict distracted him, allowing Puck--or whatever magic is at work--to pull from those memories and put them in yet more danger. It's only when Augustine addresses him directly that he's able to push the doubts aside. The dhampir is right. That's another lesson he's supposed to have learned. Fray would be shaking him by the shoulders if he could.

Before he can respond, even offer a smile in return, Augustine has gone and stabbed himself in the hand and the ashkin are charging from the treeline. ]

To hells with it!

[ This, this, still manages to keep all his doubts at bay. There's no space left for them, not when the world narrows to the clashes of violence. In an instant Cedrik is on his feet, worn down knife drawn and held as Oboro once showed him, his empty hand held open in a defensive posture near his middle.

He can at least spare a thought for wonder, though. Augustine's magic, if one ignores the source of it, is strangely beautiful to behold. As the blood crystalizes it scatters the firelight throughout the clearing, creating their own sea of red stars. The slow moving ashkin are easy targets for Augustine, giving Cedrik the opening to focus on the necromancer herself. He charges past, heading for the treeline, right for Edda's phantom--only to be blocked by the flying, white, bloated head of Avere. ]

--of course. [ Cedrik leaps back from the monster's first swipe, it's spindly limbs holding surprising strength. ] Augustine! When you're able...!

[Augustine had just plunged the blade of his bloody sword through the throat of one of these ashkins, when Cedrik called him. He pauses momentarily once he sees the winged beast, his eyes wide with alarm. Judging from it being nothing more than a flying bloated head with webbed wings, that must be Avere. All Edda could save of her dear beloved was his head according to Cedrik. It's one thing to hear about something so horrific and another to see it. Nevertheless, Augustine plans to make quick work of this monster lest they'll never get the lantern back.

With just a flick of his bloody hand, a dozen or so floating swords suddenly point their blades at Avere before darting towards the beast at top speed. He signals for the blades to dive upon the ashkin, each blade skewering the monster's flesh from every side. It's a rather gruesome affair, especially since Puck spared no detail in creating these monsters but Augustine remains unperturbed. The dhampir seen quite a bit of blood and gore in his long life. It will take more than this to upset him.]

Be on guard. [He warns Cedrik after cutting down yet another ashkin that threw itself at him.] Such monsters aren't very intelligent but they're vicious.

[Knowing that this battle cannot continue for much longer, Augustine turns his sights towards Puck. The boy is still sitting there upon the tree stump with an amused expression as he watches them fight. As for the lantern, it dangles precariously off the tip of his fingers swaying within the ominous cold breeze.]

[ If only Augustine was around the last time Cedrik had to fight Edda's creations. It would have been a much faster trip. ]

AVERE!!

[ Edda's scream is as piercing as Augustine's blades, the anguish in her voice palpable in the heavy air, even over the sounds of combat. Even knowing it must be an illusion, it's hard for Cedrik to shake the guilty pang in his heart. Backing away, he watches the image of her rushing forward, kneeling at the corpse of her love. Dead again. ]

I can--I can fix this, Avere, I swear to you, I'll bring you back again...

[ As if spurred on by her sorrow, the other undead attack with increased ferocity. Edda needs to be stopped--but Cedrik can't afford to keep his focus on her. As capable as Augustine is, he's still vastly outnumbered. ~~Adds first, then the boss.~~

Returning to the dhampir's side, even Cedrik's dull knife is proving effective. The rotten flesh falls away easily with only a few precise slashes, the trouble is they just keep coming. ]

Oh, I'm well aware...

[ He puts his back against Augustine's, mindful of those wing, and braces himself against the assault. Would that he had his armor at least...

With all the footwork needed a lot of dirt is being kicked up and soon enough some of it is thrown over the fire. It's only a little, not enough to dampen it completely, but Cedrik sees something strange. The ashkin flickers in and out of existence, along with the light. In that moment Cedrik knows what to do, guided as much by instinct as the Echo. ]

The fire!

[ Ducking a clumsy grab from another zombie, Cedrik holds off his own assault to make three quick gestures with his hands. The magic feels strange but, and Cedrik doesn't know how lucky he is, it still works. Pressing a hand to the ground and releasing the mudra, a waterspout spontaneously bursts up from beneath the campfire, dousing it instantly as well as scattering the logs.

It's quiet again. Quiet and dark.

Above them, Puck claps his hands and cheers his approval. ]

Bravo!

[Augustine would be lying if he didn't feel a pang of sympathy for the poor girl. He can hear the desperation within Edda's voice as the last sword skewers her beloved. It seems so familiar, eerily familiar. Unbeknownst to Cedrik, he was once in Edda's place after losing all his loved ones when a rival house attacked them in the middle of day.

He still remembers that dreadful day vividly. While he does his best to ignore Edda's sobbing, it's rather noticeable that he's hesitant to slay the conjurer. Those ethereal red blades whip around Edda in favor of stabbing the other ashkins nearby. He doesn't think it's his place to put her down. If anyone is going to grant this atrabilious shade down, it should be Cedrik.]

I wish you possessed more than just a butterknife.

[The dhampir mutters once he feels Cedrik against his back. They're surrounded by enemies but thankfully Augustine's magic is making quick work of them. Once they manage to bring back the Mourning Lantern, he's going to demand that they're handsomely compensated for such harrowing work.]

Keep your wits about you!

[Quite aware that Cedrik can hold his own, Augustine didn't quite expect the adventurer to summon forth a geyser of water with some sort of bizarre magic. It was enough to cause him to pause since he had never quite seen anything like that before. Nevertheless, it seemed to have worked to bring this onslaught to an end. All of the ashkin seem to flicker out of existence, the same for Edda herself.

Augustine lets out a shaky chuckle before turning his gaze upward toward Puck. The boy is sitting on a branch of a nearby tree with the lantern still in his possession.]

Enough of these games--[He snarls as he slowly approaches the tree.] Return the lantern at once!

[Augustine makes a rather fearsome opponent with those glowing red eyes but if one looks closely, the dhampir looks a bit paler now. It seems he's used too much of his blood.]

...that was bracing.

[ If Cedrik had more than a 'butter knife', as Augustine calls it, he wouldn't have even broken a sweat. As it is he's a little winded, having had to fight twice as hard just to keep up. And speaking of the knife--

Cedrik winces as he notices the handle still in his hand...with the blade now at his feet. In retrospect he remembers it being in the hand he used to hit the ground when he cast the suiton ninjutsu--it must have been enough to finally break the old blade. With a click of his tongue he tosses the handle aside, looking up to see Augustine preparing to skewer Puck where he floats.

This time, he's not as inclined to stop him. ]

Of course, of course! After a show like that you deserve it!

[ Finally, Cedrik thinks, the tension starting to fade from his shoulders. ]

...if...

[ Piss. ]

You can answer one. Last. Question... I am a word that is hardly there. Remove my start, and I'm an herbal flair. What am I?

[ ...piss. Cedrik looks at Augustine, unspoken panic creeping into his eyes. Hitting things he can do all day, but riddles and the like? That's what his friends have always been for. ]

[An honest to God growl escapes Augustine as he glares up at the little trickster. He's in no mood for games, especially now that he's closely reaching his limit. His tolerance for pain is diminishing by the seconds and that nasty gash in his hand is still bleeding profusely. He really cannot afford to continue with this farce but at the same time, he wouldn't put it past Puck to attack them at their weakest.

Thankfully, the little imp has a riddle to ask instead of more cheap tricks. Augustine lets out a tense sigh as he decides to summon away some of those crystallized blades. One by one each of those ethereal red blades suddenly shatters like glass. Despite feeling quite fatigued, Augustine's mind is thankfully as sharp as a tact. He might lack a fondness for riddles but he knows his herbs well enough.

He gives Cedrik a quick glance in hopes of calming his fears before giving his answer.]

Sparsely.

[The answer is whispered but it's loud enough for Puck's ears.]

♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

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