Domitorem Corvo

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Rebel Camp
Karnariel returns Lexianna's uncertain expression. Jaylen sets himself at the table where thre map is.
"First, I want to thank you for recusing me. Even though you foolishly fell for an obvious trap. I'd have been left there to die otherwise. You have my deepest gratitude." Jaylen produces a small pastry he found in camp and takes a bite. "Secondly, this place was designed to trap people such as yourself. Paracausal beings of reality. Easy to get in. No way to get out." Jaylen stops. "Well, that's not exactly true. There is one way out. If you seize control of this subdued reality and negate the "rules" put in place. But doing that is a daunting task. The Lords hold the keys to the Realm where the False One watches. And only all six unison can open the way."

Jaylen is quiet for a moment.
"Lastly, there is the matter of the hands. He's made them using blood. Demons blood and blood of a person whom he calls the Messiah. I don't know much about this Messiah but he's a wound in reality. His very existence seeps darkness. " Jaylen sighs. "I'll answer whatever questions you have to the best of my ability."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Rebel Camp
Karnariel, half naked and surprised by Lexianna, stumbles and falls over. He has countless scars. Some of which are from terrible injuries. He quickly redresses and takes the Sphere.
"Haven't you heard of knocking." He mutters as he approaches. "That was quick. Though, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Karnariel sighs. "When the Sun Cloaks have the Marines situated they'll march for Shadowhold. I've sent a letter to Shadow informing him of such. We've decided that it is the best place to meet."

Karnariel takes a deep breath. He cuts Lexianna a glance filled with uncertainty.
"As for the kid..." He starts to explain. "It's best if he tells you himself." As Karnariel finishes a young umber skinned and silver tressed child steps into the tent.
"Hello Lexianna. We have much to discuss."

South Point Ocean
Sea Wolf tries several times to interupt Lexianna but to no avail. She gives him a parrot and vanishes. He sighs heavily.
"Alright lads, we have a bird to deliver." With command of the weather again he turns the winds back to West Point Cove.

The Father's Prison
Nel thinks for a moment. She rocks her foot back and forth while she does.
"No, I almost mistook him for Father but he's different." Nel explains. She stands up and takes hold of Razz's shackle chains. Giving as hard a pull she her tiny frame can manage she tries to yank the chain out of the wall. When it doesn't work she pouts. "I don't think these will break."

She sits on the floor. Looking across the hall at Nevermore.
"We were made from the blood and bones of the Nevermore's siblings. But the siblings aren't from Karna. Father brought them from his home way far away. I'm not sure how it works, exactly. But Father has said that he was impure. He said that he saw the truth and it made him pure. Made him whole."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Mountain Fort
Ghuul howls with joy as his Meat Golem is eviscerated. As soon as the muscle and sinew are cut away more replaces it. For the briefest of moments a cage of thick bones can be seen protecting Ghuul. Mouths rip open along it's back as it slams its fists into the ground. Then a cacophony of tormented wails fill the air. Ghuul channels pure horror and abject fear through the wailing mouths. The sound reverberates inescapably throughout the mountain and causes all who hear it to become paralyzed with unfathomable terror.

The Bloodstones inside Blaze and Flame pulse softly as they resist the howling. The women however are stricken with absolute terror. So much so they forget to breath. The goats stiffen and faint, collapsing on their sides.

Deeper in the mountain at the bottom of the deepest cavern filled with blood a voice still whispers.
"Partake. O Seeker Mine." The words reach and pierce deep into Flame who is closest. Her blood stone writhes in her veins.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Father's Prison
Nel shakes her head.
"No that's all he said." Pondering a moment she recalls her hazy dream. "He has longer hair. To his shoulders at least. He wasn't as dark as me but he was brown. And he seemed confident. No that's not right. He was arrogant. Everything he did, even the way he walked, was done with snide coincidence."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Mountain Fort
There is a thunderous inhuman roar as a man approaches Gaul. He wears a helmet made of shattered skulls. He looks around to his fallen drones.
"Good, you kill well. Ghuul kill better." Ghuul stomps and the corpses all squirm and writhe as they rush towards and cling to Ghuul. The mass of flesh and bone congeal into a titanous horror filled with razor sharp bone and tightly wound muscle. A massive surge of Life and Death Energy spill forth from Ghuul as he bears down on Gaul.

One of the women tug on Blaze's sleeve. She points further down the tunnels where a sickening stench emanates and violently shakes her head. She points down another tunnel that travels adjacent. From this path the ocean water can be heard. The women all travel down the path in a clump. The tunnel opens up to a shelf that has been seemingly cut into the cliffside. Gathered here are thirty or so enormous mountain goats. The vast ocean is cut short by a massive storm wall. Down the below a spout of magma spills endlessly into the ocean. Gathered around the magma fall are pirate ships.

Deeper into the mountain are massive caverns filled with boiling blood. It churns and rolls heated by magma and convection. But it is also teeming with dark Blood Arcana. A soft whisper drifts up from its depths.
"I am the strength of thousands. My blood gives life. My blood is pure. Partake of my bounty oh seeker mine."

The Father's prison.
Nel looks across the hall.
"Oba-san is still weak from blood loss. This cell will keep her alive." Nel looks to Razz with a very concerned look on her face. "A man came to me in my sleep. He said he knew you. He wanted me to tell you that night is coming. He looked like Father."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle First Floor
Raia pulls Sia off of Gin.
"Sia stop. Let him up." Raia says as Gin scrambles to his feet. "Gin, if you really want leave I won't stop you. I've taken enough of your life. You don't owe me any more."
"You mean everything to me Raia." Gin says. He turns to leave. Raia grabs his arm.
"I've decided. You are still my attendant. Now and forever. Return to me when you are through with your journey." Raia takes a deep breath. "Please Gin." Gin is quiet for a long time.
"Sia, I'm counting on you to keep Raia happy." Gin says. Raia releases him and he takes his pack and leaves without saying anything more.

Later that night Raia and Sia sit in the upper chamber drinking wine and sake. Raia has been quiet and pensive since earlier with Gin.
"Did I do the right thing? Letting him go?" Raia leans against Sia. "I can't help but feel that I've stolen his life from him. Would he have fallen in love with me under different circumstances?   He never said anything. He never gave any hint to what he was feeling." In the distance a golden bolt of lightning strikes in the desert.

Mountain Fortress
The Blood Baron curses as Gaul slaughters his way past him. As Gaul nears the top three more Barons join and surround him.

Meanwhile, the Bloodmen catch a scent. Bloody like their own but different enough to notice. A small detachment peel off to track it down.

The Bloodmen pursuing Blaze scatter and crash into each other hurling barely intelligible curses.
"Where fox go?"
"Not see. Scent not right."

Rebel camp
Karnariel taps his fingers on the table looking over reports. The Sun Cloaks march for the cove. If Lexianna is right they could be marching unopposed. The Scouts are having no luck finding the Valkyrie. Karnariel crumbles the paper and tosses it into the fire.
"I'll find you Kara. I swear on my mother."

Father's Prison
Nel stirs. She sits up and looks around.
"Candle man?"

Across the hall Nevermore is still unresponsive.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle First Floor
Gin curses loudly. He yanks at the handcuffs.
"Sia! I've said my peace! Let me go!" Gin flips the table and pulls the handcuff off the foot. "I am leaving!"
"Wait! What is she talking about?" Raia steps towards Gin and demands answers. Gin doesn't answer and heads towards the door. There is a blinding soft golden light as Raia summons her shimmering gold sword-staff and pins the door shut. "Answer me!" Gin stays silent. Raia strides up and picks Gin up by his collar and pins him to the wall. "Out with it! What is so terrible that you can't tell me. Me!

Gin shifts uncomfortably. "I love you." Gin says. Raia drops Gin and takes a step back.
"Do you mean?" Raia starts to say but Gin keeps speaking.
"I don't know when it happened. But all I think about is you. When I wake up. While I'm training. Escorting you on your patrols. As I lie in bed one room over just wishing to be next to you. I can't keep living like this! I can't keep doing this and pretending I'm okay!" Gin takes a few measured breathes. "Especially now that you have Sia. Listening you to the other night was torture. I want you to be happy. But there's no place for me in that happiness. At least, not that I could live with." Gin stands there.
"Gin, I..."
"Please. Don't... just, don't. I'm sorry I fell in love with you." Gin can't make eye contact. He turns to Sia. "Is that good enough?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle.
Raia enters the main hall sporting a new haircut. Her raven black shoulder length side braid has been replaced with a silvery pink shaggy layered bob. She smiles at Sia and holds her arms up as if to say: look at me.
"What do you think?" Raia asks but turns as Gin enters the room. She starts speak but stops when she realizes Gin is wearing travelling apparel. "Why the traveling gear?" Gin sets his pack down and kneels.
"My Lord, I ask that I be released from service as your Attendant." Gin says coldly. Raia takes a second to find her words.
"On what grounds are you seeking to leave my service?" Raia asks back.
"I have been in your service all my life. From a young age. I have known no other life. I wish to leave on a journey of self discovery and enlightenment." Gin speaks. His voice though stern wavers once but only slightly. "I wish to know who I am without you."

Raia is silent for a long time. Gin keeps his head down the entire time. Finally Raia gives her answer.
"Very well, I release you from your indenture." Raia feels a knot in her stomach and a tightness in her chest. "Goodbye Gin."

Gin stands and turns to leave.
"Goodbye Raia."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Gin's Hideout
Gin watches all the people below. He sighs and takes a bottle to himself.
"Raia is gonna be pissed." Gin says before taking a swig. "Have... have you ever wanted someone to be happy? Have you ever wanted to see them smile and know that they are happy and fulfilled?" Gin takes another swig.

"I was five when Raia saved me from being gutted by Jiro's raiders. She brought me into their home. I've served her all my life, you know. Ever since then. She gave me this necklace." Gin gestures to the gold chain links around his neck. "I owe her my life. I thought I'd be happy to just be by her side. But recently... Seeing you with her makes me jealous." Gin starts chugging the bottle. He stops only because he chokes.

"You make Raia happy. More than I have in these past years. So I'm leaving West Point. Maybe I'll find purpose somewhere out there."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
Gin leads Sia back towards the dojo.
"Sorry. It's because of me. Raia only lets me drink with her. Though, I occasionally steal a few cups of sake or wine when she drinks alone." Once at the dojo Gin dons the modestly decorated hakama. After tucking his swords into his belt he turns to Sia. He starts to say something but stops. Then speaks. "I want to talk with you. But here isn't private enough. Follow me." Gin leads Sia out through the back of the castle. Then down am alley and to a watch tower. Gin gets a running start and scales the wall by running straight up it. When reaches a small outcrop of stones he grabs it and pushes a small hidden door open. Then disappears inside. From the hidden room he calls down for Sia.
"Come on." The hidden room is filled with books. Plus it has an amazing view of the Castle town. Gin sets himself on a ledge and looks out at the town.