Under the Hill - First Circle: Judgement

[Notus]

On the middle of a dense, dark forest, the Hill stands empty.

Long ago, on the days of it's discovery, this place bursted with people: explorers, militars, scientists, jornalists, mystics and curious people in general. Now though, it's a deserted piece of land, with people scared of it's strange powers and kept out by a high fence surrounding it. It's a place nobody want's to visit anymore.

Well, almost nobody.

Our story begins at a stormy night. The wind howls over the trees and wistles through the gaps in the old fence, seeming to go straight in the Hill's direction. If you follow the gale, you will walk under the heavy rain until you spot a big stone arc appearing out of nowhere in your path. Although you should be able to see through the arc, it's center is filled with a complete, unnatural darkness. Atop of it there is an inscrition in some ancient language, but for some reason you are able to read it before proceeding into the dark.

"Abandon all Hope, ye who enter here"

[K_H]

As Kenny approached the Stone Arch, he noticed the warning atop it.

probably just some of their superstition at work... those Ancients!

he then walked fearlessly underneath the Arch, heading into the Hill.

WOAH! i feel... a lot more powerful!

he then tried going to the end of the path immediately, and failed, but not before opening a portal to somewhere a few meters ahead of him in a hidden passageway.

this'll come in handy!

he then realized he'd forgotten a light source. he wished he had a flashlight, and one materialized in front of him to the accuracy of what he'd thought about.

this is also pretty useful. i've definitely changed. i'm MUCH stronger now. BRING IT ON, DANGERS!

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

A watchman strolled around on the beat, carrying an umbrella to shield himself against the cold nocturne rain. A powerful torch shone from his hand to illuminate the darkness in front of him as he walked carefully, not wanting to disturb a spectre in the night.

"Bloody freak storms.. And to be so close to this fishy hill... Ugh... Makes me shudder," he muttered to nobody in particular.

Suddenly, a flash of light lit up the dark forest and the man recoiled as thunder seemed to sound as if the sky itself was breaking open.

That was when he saw the child.

A child-- a mere lass, probably no more than ten years of age-- pranced around in the deluge and wind as if it didn't bother her, swinging around a huge stuffed bear or... a little body. The policeman shook his head. Why'd something so macabre come into mind?

"Hey, there, lassie, what're you doing out there? Where's your parents?" He called out, swinging his flashlight in the girl's direction.

She couldn't seem to hear him... But strangely, he heard her, somehow, as the bright light showed him her features.

He'd nearly dropped his torch.

The minute figure dance around in a grey sort of button-up dress, with a pink bow tied around her neck. On her delicate shoulders clung a brown jacket-- leather, it looked, judging from the way it shone-- and on her feet were lacy little socks snugly kept in simple black shoes.

It wasn't her outfit; in every way they were a normal little girl's dress and clothing, save for the jacket, perhaps.

She herself looked like a ghost, what with her bone-white skin. Her hair was shiny black obsidian, and whenever she turned, he caught a glimpse of her huge, round eyes, blue as ice that seemed to bore into his mind. The gleeful smile helped nothing to calm his nerves.

What was more, she sang so cheerfully... It didn't fit the words to the song at all: "Ring around the rosie, a packet full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!"

For all knew that it told of the horrible disease that once killed so many-- the Black Plague, it was called nowadays.

The man stood rooted to the spot as the girl, as if blissfully ignorant of the legends that spoke of the infamous landmark, skipped her way through the portals of the forbidden hill.

[Ragnar]

Ixidor was cowering and as shakes uncontrollably as the vicious wind howls and the trees rustle.

"oh man what i've gotten into, what kind of parents send their child on a quest like this" as he mumbles.

he makes his way inch by inch as he holds one of his chisel like a weapon with his 2 hands. he made his way to the arc by accidentally bumping into the side of arc as a huge loud thunder booms into his ears as he drops his chisel and shrieks like a girl. He panics and runs through the dark portal of arc without reading the sign. cuz logic!

Edited April 24, 2014 by typhlosionrulez

[Chevaleresse]

Well, this is a lovely night, Marcus thought as he made his way through the tempest. He noticed a massive arch that a few people seemed to be headed through. Might as well go make an impression, he thought, fondling a knife. As walked, he glanced up at the arch, squinting at the inscription. Abandon hope? Yep, they'd better, it's not gonna do them a lot of good.

[Rosesong]

Rose clutched her arms tighter to her body, trembling with unhappiness and coldness, both partially brought on by the rain but neither the total cause. "They threw me away like trash, just because I was different," she laughed to herself bitterly. "They'll regret it, I'm sure they will... I just have to become famous for exploring and discovering what's at the bottom of this damned hill! It can't be that hard..." she rambled, ignoring the sinking feeling in her heart. Glancing down at her clothes, she let out a small groan. Maybe a sarong, crop top, jacket, and flip flops hadn't left her too prepared for this weather. Moving her soaked reddish-brown hair away from her face, she looked around, surprised to find herself in front of a stone arch. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here," she read, chuckling. "My old clarinet instructor had a sign that said that over his door." And without further ado, Rose stepped through the stone arch and into the void.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Rosesong

[Jory]

McKyntyre grinned as he saw the hill approaching in the distance. Perfect, he thought to himself as he continued toward it. All these fools trying to harvest this place's power... They haven't the slightest inkling of the oncoming storm that awaits them. He laughed to himself, striding eagerly toward the stone archway. He stopped at the entrance, looking up toward the heavens and throwing his arms in the air. "Try to stop me now, God! You've never been able to before, and after this I'm coming straight for you!" The red-haired man laughed again, his wide eyes making him look more unhinged than the doors at Home Depot. With that, he rushed into the portal.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

As the rain pinged off his various weapons, Byron strode towards the archway. Ah, storms, my favourite. Byron thought to himself. This treasure will belong to me whatever it is. He then saw the Warning above the door. A warning for the meek, and weak of heart. That means anybody I find down there will be a target, and not my friend. Good thing for me I have always been good at killing, one of my best skills. Killed my little brother cause he wouldn't stop crying when I was 8, how it started. Then the Mafia took me in as Muscle. Became a Hitman in no time. All these people are sitting ducks to me. "Bwahahahaha, BWAHAHAHAHAHA" He laughed manically as he entered the portal.

[Bluewolf]

The strong winds tugged an eventually ripped the feeble jacket from Dam I a n's shoulders.

"Perfect. Now I'm gonna catch a cold. Better get inside this cave."

As Damian readied his flashlight he read the inscription on the stone arc.

"Aww come on! A creepy message that's probably warning that I really shouldn't go in here. *sigh* Well, I've never been a person to back away from a challenge and I'm not about to start being one. Here we go then!"

And with that he took a brave step into the blackness.

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor moved slowly through the rain, his old body filled with excitement. An old colleague of his had told him about this place and his mind was racing, "I wonder what new discoveries can be found in this place, it's been a long time since a discovery this huge has been made!" He had heard the news when it was discovered but decided to stay out of it when the initial rush went through, however that old colleague of his knew that there was something to this place and had convinced him to come out of retirement to come here. Despite his initial refusal, Mr. Taylor was now excited at the new opportunity, what secrets could have forced out so many researchers before him?

As Mr. Taylor lumbered forward by using his walking stick he stumbled upon a strange rocky arc way, which appeared out of nowhere. The arc way appeared to have some unnatural darkness emanating from within. Was this some sort of ancient technology? On top of the arc way there appeared to be some sort of ancient hieroglyphics. Mr. Taylor couldn't make out which language the hieroglyphics appeared in, but he did understand what they said.

"Abandon all Hope, ye who enter here"

"Perhaps whatever civilization built these ruins, used this place as a burial ground or even a sacrificial chamber!" Mr. Taylor reasoned, while thinking of some lost religion that this society may have adhered to. "Well, only one way to find out," Mr. Taylor said as he stepped through the arc.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Supernovae

[Sutoratosu]

Ethic approached the door arc.

The journey from the cafe to here had been unusually hard compared to his usual nomadic travel. mudslides, flash floods, he even once saw an eclipse on the way, though he was apparently the only one who saw it, as when he reached a town and tried to speak about it, no one remembered anything wrong with the sun like an eclipse happening that day.

In mysticism, all these would be considered omens in a way. Bad omens. but Ethic was luckily not much of a mystic. well... except for the fact that he occasionally gave out tarot readings when he was strapped for cash on the road.

"Well... guess this is it."

He stared up at the inscription. he couldn't read whatever language it was in, but yet he suddenly... just kinda knew what it meant.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here

"Dante's inferno, huh? Well then... sure hope this isn't entrance to Hell..."

He reached inside a pocket in his jacket, soaked with the heavy downpour. his hand closed around his tarot deck. an old good luck routine of his. he let go of the cards in his pocket, and walked towards the vortex that was the door

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Instantly he was engulfed by utter blackness, almost as if the portal had reached out and sucked him in.

"What the hell...?" He fumbled around for his flash light, when his vision adjusted a little, and he was able to see something on the floor of the inky blackness

There was a path in the inky blackness before him, and what seemed to be the light of a door that stood ajar.

"Good God... this is some strange stuff here..."

He turned to look for the entrance, hoping it might not be too late to head back out. There was no sign of the entrance. just darkness.

"That's just great." he said sarcastically. Something screeched in the darkness, it sounded like thousands of people wailing in misery. he leap backward, startled. The screams grew louder, and closer.

"Sh*t! Looks like I really might have walked right through Hell's front door!"

The sounds grew closer. he had but one choice. he sprinted down the path to the door. something grabbed his ankle halfway, pulling his leg out from under him and sending him to the ground. That's when the door... Leaped outward, engulfing him in a soft white light, whatever had him screeched in horrible pain as it let go. the door retracted back to its original size. he was still in darkness.

He felt some heat source in his jacket pocket. it was so hot that it was stinging his skin. he reached in and felt around it's various inner pockets, finally finding the heat source and pulling it out. His Tarot deck was blazing with a hot white light, and hot to the touch. the glow intensified as he stood there, watching it in disbelief.

"What...Why...How..."

The door rushed out ward once more, growing closer as the tarot deck grew brighter. it engulfed him once more, he shielded his Eyes. then took away his hands. he was still standing just outside the door way.

"What the hell was that!?"

He looked down at his tarot deck. there was no glow coming from it now, but when Ethic placed his hand just over it he could... sense some type of power emanating from them, the feeling tingled on his finger tips. he put them back in his pocket, deciding just not to acknowledge the issue right now.

"Screw this!" he said turning around and preparing to sprint away from the obviously cursed place."I'm getting out of here, there are other ways to save the family fortune!"

Then he suddenly had a strange thought, a complete change of heart.

No. I need to keep going. I have no choice but to keep going.

He stepped back up to the arc, and entered.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Legendaries tamer

[Notus]

After stepping through the gate, you find yourself in a place that doesn't look like a cave at all.

It's a library, and a huge one. You are alone in a wide gallery with polished marble floor, going straight ahead as far as the eye can see. Actually, when you look around the gate is not there anymore, only more of the corridor. High bookshelves reaching to the roof line up at both sides, with secondary corridors between them. The books themselves are different. They have no titles printed on them, just names, and each one is a different color and size.

Only a faint light illuminates the place, coming from nowhere in particular, and the silence is so complete that you can your heartbeat.

Before you can do anything you hear a deep, severe voice that echoes through the ambient.

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

With that warning the voice fades, leaving you again alone in the endless gallery.

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor's eyes gleamed when he saw the library, he was excited about all of the literature this lost civilization had left. However, despite his enthusiasm he began to wonder how he got here. In his old age he knew that certain inconsequential moments popped out of his head, but he knew something about this wasn't right, one second he was standing before an arc (which appeared out of nowhere, something he decided to blame on his poor eye-sight), leading into a cave, the next he was standing in a library. "Must have been those mushrooms I had for lunch," Mr. Taylor half-joked, half-worried to himself deciding that these were merely illusions of his old, feeble, possibly drug-addled mind, however that's when he heard something.

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

"Who's there!" Mr. Taylor yelled out, he was becoming more and more afraid of this place and was starting to realize why the other researchers had left in the first place.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Supernovae

[Ragnar]

Being startled by that loud thunder, Ixidor continues to run with his eyes close as he makes his way through the ark. As he opens his teary eyes, he sees a flashing light and finally making it into the library. He wipe his runny eyes and nose with his sleeve and was amazed that this place exist in this dark scary place in the middle of nowhere. before the can wonder off a voice was heard as it startled him again.

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

Ixidor takes a gulp as he hesitated to take another step.

Edited April 25, 2014 by typhlosionrulez

[Sutoratosu]

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

Ethic leapt backwards upon hearing the booming voice, reaching down to the sheath on his belt and pulling out his Knife, "Man without Honor".(OCC// Let's see who gets the reference...)

he heard what souned to be other people nearby as they reacted to the voice.

"Who's there?!" he asked. he realized he had just made a loud noise in an area that was probably filled with people who wouldn't be very pleasant to meet. The memory of his talk with the coffee owner rang through his head.

------------------------------

"You want to know what?"

"I know you heard me, man. Where is that hill they just talked about in the news?"

"I don't know nothing bout that hill..."

"Yes you do. I can tell from your eyes that you're lying."

"I meant I ain't gonna say nothing but that hill..."

At this point Ethic ha gotten feed up with the man. here was his chance to restore his family's lost glory, and this two-bit cafe owner was denying him the information he needed to seize it. he had reached across the counter and grabbed the man by the lapel.

"Careful friend..."

Ethic felt something poke his chest, he looked down to see the owner pressing a gun to his heart.

"In this town, Entrepreneurs have the right to defend their business from robbery with lethal force. and it looks to me that you're about to do just that to my shop..."

An old man had walked up and placed a hand on Ethic's shoulder.

"Ytilarom..."

Ethic had turned to him.

"How do you know my house's name?"

The elderly man had pointed to his temple

"The crest boy... Every competent business man knows the crest of the Ytilarom name. they were a economic power house on the rise. they might still be, if things turn around soon... Why don't you let my friend here go. A little info isn't worth you getting killed."

Reluctantly, Ethic had let go of the owner. The old man had sat down in a seat beside him and he was the one who was willing to answer all Ethic's questions on the hill. but it was one part of his advice that now echoed in Ethic's mind...

------------------------------------------

that bit of advice was this:

Only truly desperate people try to navigate the hill.

He scolded himself for being so careless, and walked forward, passing by shelf after shelf of books. he turned the corner and saw boy standing rather timidly, apparently intimidated by the voice.

He doesn't look like much trouble...

In fact, the boy looked to barely be thirteen.

Why is a kid in here? The old man told me that only the desperate came here,that and most of them never come back out...

Ethic Sheathed "Man without Honor" and hid in a small alcove in one of the shelves, making sure that he could see the boy but the young lad couldn't see him.

"Might as well continue the practice of observing before interacting..." He whispered to himself "Even if he is just a kid..."

Ethic once again felt heat in his pocket, he pulled out his Tarot. again it was glowing, just like in that episode at the entrance way. but at least the heat was far lower now, even somewhat comforting. He noticed something about the glow that he hadn't before: the twenty two major arcana were glowing much brighter than the fifty-two lesser, whose faint glow was probably only visible at all because Ethic was in a darkened space.

"Again?" Then the glow faded. Ethic hovered his hand over the cards. he could feel far more power in them now then he had in the entry way, it was as if the tingling sensation then had turned into a torrent of steam.

"I have no Idea what's going on with these things..."

He placed them back in his jacket pocket, then continued his vigil of the other boy.

[Rosesong]

Rose walked around the room that had appeared on the other side of the void, looking around in stunned amazement. A library had appeared, with rows of books going all the way to the ceiling. A bitter smile crossed her face. This has become my place of solace recently, she sighed mentally before shuddering with the cold again. Rose shut her eyes, and imagined herself in dry, warm clothing, only to find herself suddenly feeling warmer and much more content. "What's this?" she questioned, bewildered. Recently, Rose had become an accomplished magician, but to accomplish true magic was preposterous. She frown as a slight headache came on, beginning to feel tired.

Continuing to look at the shelves, Rose jumped as a voice came seemingly out of nowhere.

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

"Sentencing? Court? This is freaky... But only a fool commits perjury..." she muttered, treading cautiously and taking glances over her shoulder. Suddenly she stopped, as more, softer voices, began to reach her ears. Padding gently, she began to make her way toward them.

[Chevaleresse]

Court? Pff. Like they could ever catch me. Still, he idly fondled a knife he carried in a hidden pocket. After looking about for a moment, Marcus strode forward confidently through the library, looking for someone to . . . greet.

[Bluewolf]

Damian cautiously strode through the gilded corridor, the sheer silence unnerving and laden with uncertainty.

And suddenly a voice like gravel shattered the silence like hammer hiting stone, causing Damian to unceremoniously fall on his rear

"This court is now in section. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

"Gah. Where in the world did that come from. I don't see any loud speakers. Well, whatever it was I better be smart about what I say around here, something tells me that whoever or whatever that voice was, it wasn't joking about this sentence. And I really don't wanna find out what it is."

With a deep breath and a heavy sigh Damian continued through the labyrinth of books. Maybe if he just followed the rules and played it smart he could survive this perplexing dungeon. He might look at a book or two, possibly thinking the answer this place may be hidden in one of them.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

What a wide hall! Oh, what a loud voice!

So... The game has began then?

Any more than that, Enya thought no more about the booming voice. She was a mere child; she didn't seem to care about whatever it had just announced.

Enya looked around, having stopped skipping. The water was gone all of a sudden. Enya smiled and petted Ace.

That's good. Ace hates the rain.

The hall has so many books... Maybe they're picture books? Storybooks?

The curious child proceeded to skip from one bookshelf to another, dragging the unusually heavy-looking bear behind her.

[Ragnar]

After the voice fades, his anxiety is acting up for knowing he is not alone in this place.

"Who was that? sentencing? I've not done anything wrong.. maybe I'm trespassing here. Maybe its not too late" as Ixidor catches his breath as he mumbles and takes a looks at the entrance where he came in and soon followed by a look of disbelief in his face.

"It's gone! Ok, ok.. oh gawd this is bad, real bad" as he asked for help in form of a cry "Hello is someone there, Can someone help me!?" as it echoes through the large corridor.

He walks with a guilty feeling through the aisles of bookshelf passing through while touching the books as he goes and trying to figure a way out, not realizing that every time he touches one of the books it vanishes. As soon as he walks through the end of that aisle, the part of the bookshelf that he was touching was missing so does the wood supporting it, which started to collapse as the upper books begins to fall to the ground as it cause a ruckus. as he turn around with a startled look with his hands glowing.

"Oh dear, Im so sorry!" as he cries and run away through the gallery with heavy footsteps never looking back from the mess he made.

Edited April 26, 2014 by typhlosionrulez

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"I've got nothing to hide so your judgement will be easy." Bryon smiled to himself. "Every Person I killed deserved it in their own way." Byron whipped out his calling card, a Double Barreled Shotgun. It was an old Break action, pretty ancient, but that was the beauty of it. Why have more than one shot if you only need 1? "Oh Preacher, we have had some good times, you and me." he said. His Revolver Gleamed at his side. Another antique weapon. A Six Shooter, mostly like a very high caliber. It looked as if it was a Cowboy's Handgun one time in it's life cycle. This was a storied gun, but those stories Byron didn't know. He only knew of the Targets he eliminated with it. He could see every last ones face. Each another tick on his tally. 45 in total, 57 if you count the all out gunfight he was in a month ago. He was a well respected Hitman in his circle, but by no means the best. He meant to rectify that here and now. "I will find that treasure no matter what, and anybody standing in my way, better think twice."

[Notus]

"So you admit that you, willingly, ended other peoples lifes" the voice echoed again. This time though, it was just Byron who heard it, loud and cavernous. "Did you feel joy when doing so?" it asked.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Notus

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Of course! A Man should take Pride in his work. Otherwise it won't be worth doing." Byron yelled back at the voice.

[Rosesong]

"Ayeeeeeeeeeee!!" Rose screamed, hearing what sounded like hundreds of books falling on the floor at once. Looking around wildly, she didn't see anything out of the ordinary, freezing in the process.

"I already thought I heard voices, but those can be imagined. That, however, was real. That means..." she gulped, "someone's in here with me!" she whispered in horror.

Then she remembered the mysterious voices she had first heard, talking about court and telling the truth. "Maybe coming here wasn't the best idea I've had... But I needed something to take my mind off of them, oh, why am I talking to myself?!" she griped.

Continuing forward, she saw a pile of books on the ground. "Guess I was right," she sighed. "Better keep moving."

[K_H]

Kenny's flashlight had disappeared, but he'd been able to see just fine without it. however, he was a little startled upon entering the library. he didn't expect that, of all things, to be in the hill, especially one that contained books. he then heard the deep voice.

"This Court Is Now In Session. Before you proceed, be warned that no lies are allowed. Answer true and answer right, or your sentence will only come faster."

Kenny was slightly startled by the voice. he then thought this to himself while not thinking to himself:

well, it seems that the Ancients still DO exist. things just got interesting.

wait, who are you?!

your Aura.

my Aura?

yes, you were split into two when you first entered. your Consciousness got separated from your Aura, and that led to you gaining a second "Inner Voice", as it were. your Consciousness is the First one, and your Aura is the Second one.

ok, so we're being judged by the Ancients. interesting. if we're to get out of here alive, we need to answer truthfully and correctly. any other things will have to wait.

He then said this to the unseen creature:

"I'm Ready. You may begin whenever you wish."

Edited April 26, 2014 by K_H