catmint

A World Away

Marcus had been waiting a while by Gorchek's side while everyone else finished up their business. He had been chucking dirt rocks against the steep hill, amusing himself to the rocks break apart when he threw it hard enough. He climbed to his feet once Orky had strayed back to the group and Gorchek proceeded to advise everyone to make their way back to the shuttle.

"Oh good, just when I was getting bored of all this dirt." Marcus chuckled to himself, dusting off his dirtied clothes. Marcus was oblivious to the growing anxiety of Gorchek, instead more distracted by the obvious distraught Orc. "You good, big guy?" He said while giving a light slap to Orky's thick arm. He did not wait long for a reply, instead more eager to get back on the Stone-Turner.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Ambrose was about to leave, thinking Caleb wasn't even there. But at the last moment, the door opened to reveal a half-naked Caleb, glistening and grinning. Ambrose might have stared longer if he hadn't been ushered in. Ambrose leaned into Caleb's kisses, giving a soft sound of encouragement.

"Oh, I thought I could meet you here and walk to the bunker together, if you want..." Ambrose trailed off, wondering around Caleb's large room. It was still just as spectacular as when he first saw it. "Or at least hang for a little bit... Before we try and figure out our plan." Ambrose resisted the urge to Snoop around while Caleb got dressed.

Ambrose found a seat on a plush couch, reclining back with a relieved sigh. "You dressed yet?" He called out, running a hand through his curls.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

After a while Ambrose was ushered from the room, which he was willing to let happen. He was so exhausted from the near death experience, he thought he was gonna pass right onto the sidewalk. But he was able to stagger back to the dorm and find his bed. Ambrose rested as best he could, and when Caleb was finally out of the infirmary, he was happy to spend time with him. It was strange, going on a normal date with someone he really liked. But it was nice to take a breath from allt he craziness of the school.

Ambrose stretched in his seat, packing up his things into his backpack before leaving the empty classroom. It was his last class of the day, he was infinitely thankful for it. The group of course needed to meet up, discuss their next course of action, especially with the janitor that was found dead in a especially gruesome way. But Ambrose wanted to stay away from the library bunker for a bit, just a bit longer until they had to face this thing again.

He strolled across campus leisurely, breathing in the clean air. Ambrose stopped outside the dorm building and made his way up to Caleb's dorm room. He wasn't sure if Caleb was there, or even awake, but he figured this was the best place to find him. Ambrose rapped on the door three times, waited a couple moments and then knocked again.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

He really thought they were gonna die there. Ambrose was almost ready to perform the spell Caleb had tried teaching him, but he was infinitely grateful he didn't have to. He memorized it the best he could, but he wasn't certain he could do it on the spot. Ambrose shook on the gronud, still trying to regain his composure. Jeremy had scrambled underneath from him, panting as well. He instantly went to Sam's side, questioning her to see if she was unscathed.

Ambrose found the strength to push himself up when Alex mentioned Caleb. He nodded, "I'll take care of it. Here take the knife and keep it safe until we're ready." Ambrose pushed the knife into Alex's hands. He took a quick moment to thank Sam and make sure Ariana was alright. Ambrose took Caleb's arm and put it over his own shoulder, making it so he was able to take most of Caleb's weight.

"Here, I can help." Jeremy said, taking Caleb's other arm to support him. Ambrose nodded in relief and the two hauled Caleb off to the infirmary. The nurse ushered them into an empty room as soon as she spotted them.

She shook her head in disapproval, "Somehow I knew he would end up back here soon." She sighed, obviously worried for his wellbeing. She turned to Ambrose and Jeremy, who were standing awkwardly in the doorway of Caleb's infirmary room. "We'll do everything we can for his wound, but right now the best thing he can do is get rest."

"You can go back to Sam and them... I'll keep an eye on Caleb." Ambrose said to Jeremy, who clapped a hand on his shoulder before leaving. Ambrose's shoulders sagged once he had a moment alone and he took a seat by the window of the room.

A World Away

Marcus watches the medic's practiced hands fixing Virum for a moment before losing interest. He snorted at Virum's comment to Gorchek, he spun on his heel to find an adequate spot for his own trinket. Wondering a bit further off from the rest, Marcus surveyed the various trinkets and stepped over any dead bodies that happened upon his path. Marcus stopped near the edge of where the atmosphere fromt he ship ended.

He crouched down and fished out the bullet casing, peering at it between his fingers briefly. It glinted in the sunlight as he turned it over, and Marcus felt a twinge of something genuine for a split second. Marcus nestled the bullet in the dirt and decided to look over the other trinkets left behind. He wondered if anything would be valuable enough to trade off.

Marcus kicked around in the dust for a bit until he spotted something golden glinting underneath a pile of dirt. Marcus swept it up, examining it further. It was a rather fancy pocket watch, intricate engravings along it's golden edges. He knew he probably shouldn't take it, especially after Gorchek had specifically warned everyone not to. But, hey, old habits die hard. At least that's what Marcus thought to himself as he stuffed the watch into his jacket's inside pocket, only after making sure no one was paying attention to the young man.

Satisfied with his contribution, Marcus decided he had enough of all the dust and dirt and rejoined the others at the foot of the hill to wait for everyone finished with their own offerings.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Ambrose barely had time to register what Caleb had screamed until Jeremy jerked him forward. The whole group took off sprinting to the exit. The doors slammed behind them, but everyone knew that wouldn't do much against that kind of creature. Ambrose panted as they took off down the tunnels, this time they didn't worry about finding their way around. Top prioty right was putting as much distance as possible between themselves and whatever Caleb had called it. Ambrose nodded in response to Caleb's question, waving the knife slightly.

"Listen-" Ambrose panted, "Get ready to take us back, we can't stay here any longer- and god, the pressure on my chest." Ambrose winced, it was getting steadily worse the longer they stayed.

They slowed to a jog, keeping on the move, but slow enough to catch their breath for at least a moment. Ambrose clutched his chest, as well as a few others of their group. Everyone was feeling the effect of this dimension on their body. Screeches echoed through the tunnels, making it impossible to tell if the Omnisis was on their trail or not.

"I remember the spell you taught me Caleb, just hurry, whatever happens, this knife needs to get back." Ambrose flinched when he realized other hissing sounds were audible now. Sam cursed under her breath, realizing the seal on the door must have been broken. "Just keep running down the tunnels and get ready to jump through Caleb's portal." Everyone flinched when the screeches resumed, and now even the tapping of feet. "Oh god-"

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Ambrose listened as closely he could to Caleb's explanation. He wasn't used to that level of magic, especially as a first year. But at this point they were grasping at straws anyways. He smiled weakly at Caleb's encouragement and tried to shake off that sinking feeling in his stomach. He could see his boyfriend was hanging on by threads, yet still had the power to push through and put on a strong face for the group.

The group came upon large double doors, and were met with a wall of energy. Though they passed through it easily, the atmosphere got intensely heavy as they did. For some it even hurt to draw breath. Ambrose winced but was able to continue on relatively easy. Ambrose waited until everyone seemed ready then turned to open the doors. They swung open with only a creak, he entered hesitantly, his steps echoing. The darkness in the room was unnerving, even with the help of the orbs of light, it was hard to make anything out. Luckily the knife was quietly hovering in the middle of the room, emitting a soft blue glow.

"Okay, let's go." Ambrose whispered, yet it felt intensely loud in the silent room. They approached together as quietly as they could, as if they were afraid they would wake something up. Every noise they made echoed unnaturally, and it got progressively colder as they approached the knife. Ambrose took a moment to admire the blade, which hovered effortlessly in the air. His hand shook slightly as he reached out to grab it. Ambrose grasped it tightly and spun on his heel as soon as he did. "Okay, let's go, don't wait around for whatever shows up." He said, but Jeremy was already staring at something over his shoulder.

Emerging from the darkness was an unfathomable creature, reality looked as if it was warping around it. It had no face.

A World Away

Marcus noticed that the group was being called back together to Gorchek. Marcus trails a bit behind them, more interesting in getting outand exploring a bit instead of talking. Finally they reach the peak of the hill, looking over valley sprinkled with trinkets and other things. Marcus made his way to the front, crouching on the edge to look over it all. He was caught off-guard when Virum went tumbling down, Marcus couldn't help but laugh at his fall.

After a couple people followed him down to help out, Marcus shrugged and decided to follow down. He was able to descend fairly quickly, moving dexterously down the side of the hill. Marcus dusted himself off as he regained his composure. Marcus didn't stop for the orc, who looked as if he was already being taken care of by Artemis.

"Guess now we find a place to leave our trinkets huh?" He said as the passed by the medic and Virum. He paused to look voer the medic's shoulder, who was already hard at work. "You good champ?" He asked Virum with a small chuckle.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Ambrose walked by Caleb, making sure to keep close to him. Though he had quipped earlier, he was serious with keeping Caleb from self-sacrificing. He had to admit, it often saved the day, but Ambrose had a feeling this time Caleb wouldn't be able to get by the skin of his teeth like usual.

"What-? Oh, yeah I remember." Ambrose was shaken from his thoughts by Caleb's question. "Why, what's up?" Ambrose asked with a slight tilt of his head. As they spoke, the group descended yet another staircase together. The atmosphere of the tunnels grew moer and more oppressive with each step they took.

Alex halted suddenly, causing Jeremy to stumble to avoid crashing into the other male. "Okay, we're basically just a few feet away from where the knife should be." Alex said as he turned to face everyone. "Go over whatever we need to before we even go inside the room." He made eye contact with everyone, making sure they can be prepared as possible for whatever happened next.

Ariana shifted uncomfortably, "I think I'm as good I'll ever be personally." She said with a weak shrug. Jeremy on the other hand was looking Sam up and down to make sure she was in good shape. Ambrose and Caleb were a few feet behind from the group, Ambrose waiting patiently for Caleb's explanation.

BlackBrick Academy [CatMint and Winds of Fate] - {Mature}

Ambrose breathed heavily, holding Ariana's shaking limbs against him as they waited for Sam to pick her way through the lock. Ambrose personally wasn't surprised she had that skill, but he was infinitely grateful for it in this moment. They were all huddled in this corridor, shifting restlessly when Caleb finally rounded the corner.

Ambrose breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank god," He wanted to continue but just then Sam managed to get the door open. She hustled the group in, and Ambrose heard the sound of crashing bodies. When he saw how Caleb was fending off an alternate of their Sam, his first instinct was to drop Ariana and help out. Though he was grateful he didn't listen to that instinct, time and time again proved Caleb could handle himself even in desperate situations like this.

Panting and sighs of relief flooded through them after they got the seal on the door. Ambrose's shoulders slumped and he let down Ariana. He could see her wince when she put any weight on her bad ankle. Ambrose's eyes darted between her and Caleb. "While they're figuring that out, I think I can help you out." Ambrose murmured to Ariana, who nodded and forced a shaky smile. Ambrose took a deep breath to focus and then got to work, fingers dancing in intricate patterns until a small wave of energy was released. "There. That should hold you over until we get out of here." Ambrose turned back to Caleb and Sam to see that they unfortunately they weren't as successful with their healing magic.

Ambrose approached, putting a hand on Caleb's uninjured shoulder. "He's right Caleb, try and take it easy." He squeezed his partner's shoulder, showing he cared without getting too emotional. "No self-sacrificing this mission." Ambrose said, chuckling lightly as he made an attempt at humor. Alex didn't seem to be in the mood though, and instead spun on his heel to get back to his job to leading their way through the tunnels.

Him and Jeremy talked over for a few moments, trying to decide the most direct way to the knife. "Alright, let's go." Alex called out over his shoulder and preceded further down into the darkness. After another staircase the group were greeted with a chilly and dank environment. They were fully in the tunnels now, and the silence down there was nearly deafening. The only light came from Sam's spell, causing Jeremy and others to stumble every so often.

"It actually shouldn't be too far..." Alex mumbled, mostly to himself, looking down at a paper in his hands.

"I remember that after another set of stairs deeper down, we should find a large room with that knife." Jeremy chimed in.