logs | ♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

[Still mentally reeling from how quickly the hunter managed to blow their cover, he nearly misses when D calls back towards him. He lets out a tense sigh as he strolls out from the darkness, the entire time glaring daggers at D. While he doesn't doubt either of them could simply take the lantern, something tells him there's more to this energetic youth than what meets the eyes. He knows a thing or two about the Fae folk from his realm but he knows nothing about the faeries who linger here in Stygia.]

Must you be so boorish? [He questions before glancing at the child in question.] Only a ruffian would do such a thing and not expect some sort of reprisal.

[The comment certainly wins the trickster's intrigue. Puck seems overjoyed at the thought of having guests to entertain, so much that the youth encourages them to join him by the makeshift campfire nearby. The whole interaction seems innocent enough, that is until they stumble across a small camp. If the moth-eaten tents weren't warning enough of something more sinister at play here, then maybe the telltale scent of decay does. It's enough to nearly make Augustine gag.]

Goodness, what transpired here?

[He muttered as he brings a white handkerchief to his nose. What? Every proper gentleman in Voltaria has one. Stop judging.]

[Augustine gets a silent, but flat sort of glare for the accusation. His lips thin, but he doesn't argue.

The whole state of the camp is exactly why he knew he should have just made an attempt to get the lantern back initially. The furrowing of his brows makes his nose wrinkle slightly; he doesn't cover his face even though the scent is atrociously heightened. He carries no hanky for times like these...]

The forest didn't let them leave.

[Not literally maybe, but this is where they did not escape. He stands by the camp, refusing to sit, probably to keep the notion between him (and them) and the Puck as distant and unbalanced at possible. When the wind picks up, his body is mostly too covered, but his face isn't. The leaves nick him on the cheeks, drawing blood. And then, slowly, they begin to knit over, healing.

Puck decides to regale them with some fabulous tales and song. D glances at Augustine. As if he's... still... offering just wringing Puck's neck to get it over with.]

[Bloody hells, is it too late for them to try and steal the lantern back? The thought certainly crosses Augustine's mind as he regards Puck. The boy seems all too eager to regale them with his fantastical tales of adventure and love lost. It's just a shame that all of this is nothing more than a mere farce.

While Augustine dared to humor the youth by taking a seat by this makeshift fire, his companion doesn't. This is actually a blessing in disguise since the youth is distracted. It's very easy to ignore D's presence when the hunter doesn't want to be bothered. He shoots D a glance once one of those razor sharp leaves strike him. A thin little cut forms upon the top of his hand. Instead of the wound instantly closing as it should, he allows his blood to flow for the time being. It goes without saying that some sort of dark afoot here and it's not just Puck's doing.

A sigh of frustrated escapes him once the boy suddenly mentions a riddle.

"I am a word that is hardly there. Remove my start, and I'm an herbal flair. What am I?"

Why is it every time to the Fae comes out to play, there's always some asinine riddle involved? Augustine can't help but scoff. Much like D here, his patience is running thin.]

Hardly there? [He mumbles while contemplating the answer.] Hmm, I've never been good a riddles, sadly.

[He shoots D again glance, this time with a fanged smirk. It's time.]

[Hmm. The stories don't sound inspiring exactly. Eerie. Like something else may be at play. A change in the wind, the forest. Movement.

The eyes looking at Augustine narrow slightly before shifting to Puck again. The riddle takes him a moment to mull over. He wonders how quickly he could twist the Puck's neck, if he could, and get the lantern. The odds are a bit better with Augustine.

Honestly, he's more worried the Puck will do something with it if he tried. Guess that means he has to go for the lantern.

Without warning, he moves with incredible speed, hoping Augustine will understand. He goes for the lantern so long as Augustine doesn't mind dealing with Puck.]

[The second D springs for the lantern, Augustine finally makes his move.

With just a snap of his fingers a flurry of bright red chains suddenly unfurls from his hand. They slither across the dead grass like serpents before suddenly ensnaring Puck within their iron-like tendrils. The chains tighten and tighten as Puck struggles, determined to keep this mischievous youth trapped. While some people might revile such underhanded tactics, Augustine was left with little choice. Stygia’s future is in jeopardy right now and with so little fertile land left within this bleak city, it would be a shame if the Oakwoods fall.

He tightens the chains around Puck’s neck as he rises from the log, keeping the Fae from talking. The last thing they need is for this pest to mutter a spell or two. If the hunter manages to grab the lantern in time, then they’re home free.

If not, well…they’ll cross that bridge when necessary.]

[While Augustine deals with Puck, D snatches the lantern.

The woods are still alive and unwell. The woods are probably going to eat them. Something is rumbling in the depth of them, hurrying their way. He turns to face Augustine and the Puck, holding the lantern in his long fingers by his side. Quietly, he says:]

...Sparsely.

[...]

The answer to the riddle.

[Maybe answering would have merited them the lantern, but maybe not. It would have been a waste of time to take chances. The Puck distorts in Augustine's chains, then spreads away into the wind, disappearing under the chime of a laugh. D looks to Augustine.]

We need to leave.

Sparsely?

[He repeats with an bemused expression. It takes him a moment for him to realize what D meant but once he does, Augustine lets out a sound of distaste.]

Marvelous work, D. Now only if you had answered sooner--

[It would've saved him the trouble of having to distract Puck but nevertheless, it worked. However, he cannot help but growl once he realizes that the boy escaped. No matter how tightly he wove those bloody chains around the Puck, the boy still managed to escape using some form of magic to dematerialize himself. How frustrating but at least they've managed to save the lantern.]

Lead the way!

[He says as he chains he summoned suddenly burn to ash. The wound upon his hand is healed for now but Augustine is feeling a tad lightheaded now. This marks the second time he has to use such magic in this realm. He sure hopes there won't be a third time.]

[Normally, D does not mind so much when things flee he had no real interest in killing. But the Puck absconding without retribution... Strangely, it irritates him? He finds himself briefly wishing Augustine's chains, yes, had strangled the life out of the Puck.

D, a crackly voice says in his head, you feeling okay, pal? What was that?

He turns away from the putrid camp and starts back in the direction they had come. This time, his pace is slightly quicker, though he isn't running or sprinting. The sooner they return the lantern, the sooner the woods won't roll into a hungry conglomerate ready to--what?]

Keep up.

[There's no need to tell him twice since Augustine is hot on his heels. He can feel the chaotic shift of magic within the air. It's almost as if the entire forest is screaming at them now. Every shadow here feels like it's teeming with violent and malevolent energy. It's like the Oakwoods has become an entity of its own. Those annoying buzzards from earlier are nowhere to be found as a foul wind howls through the woods. Augustine turns slightly to see what chases them but all he can see before him is darkness.]

We've angered this place. [He mutters to D once he manages to catch up with the hunter.] We should've waited, who knows what we've unleashed.

[While his worries are well-placed, Augustine couldn't help but pause when a voice in the back of his mind mutters "who cares?" Something is truly amidst here and it's not just the howling winds causing it.]

It was already angry.

[But Augustine is still right, they did not help matters with their small disturbance even if it's to retrieve something needed to pull the taint of the wood away. To appease it--isn't that the way the old woman had spoken?]

We just need to return the lantern. Watch behind you.

[He doesn't trust something not to run up on their tails. His speed picks up just a little; he misses having a horse, too, on top of his sword.]

The end is ahead.

[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.

♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

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