Under the Hill - First Circle: Judgement

[Chevaleresse]

Marcus grabbed Ixidor's shoulder firmly. Not roughly, but his now-superhuman strength came through. "Don't leave. I haven't figured it out yet." He realized how tightly he was squeezing the boy's shoulder, and loosened his grip slightly. "I apologize."

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor noted Ethic's slowed movement. Mr. Taylor was doing exactly what he had been trying to avoid to do, get in the way. "Ethic, lad don't slow down on my account, if you can get there and help then do it." Mr. Taylor finally placed his cane on the ground and started walking, he couldn't keep running, the exhaustion was just too great. "Don't worry about me, I've been on my own quite a bit since I've gotten hear and I'll catch up on my own watch."

[Ragnar]

"Whatt the!? Aggghh.." as the young painter wince in pain while his shoulder was in the grip of Marcus, he feels threaten as anxiety enters his mind What if he change his mind, cant do something foolish at this range. he takes a gulp and out of the distress he heard a apology and the grip was loosen. Wait what!? he question himself and confronts the troubled killer.

"Figure out what? I don't really know what to say nor your problem is mister.. you said you don't feel but that's a lie, just let it all out..i think you should do some soul searching."

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

Oh--

Enya landed softly on the ground, conjuring a big, fluffy stuffed bunny to break her fall from the massive dragon. But now that everything was gone, she made the big bunny disappear too. The leather jacket covered her protectively as she lay on the ground, appearing to check her bear for injuries, before cuddling with it. The little girl was tired-- the power that surged through her from the strange boy earlier had only kept her from passing out.

Slowly and shakily, she stood up and made her way to Miss Rose and Mister Damian. The young mister who gave her energy seemed to be healing her. There wasn't exactly much the lass could do, either... Except... Except...

Yaaaaawn~

Enya curled up next to Miss Rose, cuddling Ace tightly and fondly, and fell asleep.

[Notus]

The Panther

The Panther landed sliding on the marble floor as it's prey dodged the attack. The man was quick, but probably not enough for it's next trick.

The Panther's shape started to blur. In a second, it was practically invisible, except for it's shining green eyes.

Now that the Phantom could not see it precisely, it jumped again towards him, claws ready for ripping the prey apart.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Notus

[Sutoratosu]

"Ethic, lad don't slow down on my account, if you can get there and help then do it. Don't worry about me, I've been on my own quite a bit since I've gotten hear and I'll catch up on my own watch."

Ethic sighed as he heard Mr.Taylor tell him to leave him behind and go ahead, he didn't really want to leave the elderly man on his own down here... but Taylor had a point.... and it's not like Ethic couldn't just come back for him later...

"All right... Mr.Taylor..." He said "But, please...don't go anywhere unless someone... or rather, Something chases you; I'll be back for you once I find out what's going on."

With that, the young man turned and speed off down the Aisle towards where he had heard the noise earlier, keeping straight for a while and then turning, he was eventually able to see the group, Rose was on the ground, with what looked to be blood on her, with the other guy from the group, Damian, kneeling beside her...

and as Ethic got closer, he noticed a pale teal glow had enveloped Rose.

...There's only one guy who could produce such a glow

He walked a little further, seeing that Kenny was there as well, using his ability to attempt to heal Rose.

So, He thought to himself guess death really doesn't last in this place

He was glad to see his old friend alive and well, but he noticed that Kenny was concentrating hard on his task, and so decided to speak to damian instead

"Damian, What happened, man? Where did the wolf go?"

he looked around, noticing even more things had changed

"And where's Enya... and that surge of Lava?"

Edited June 4, 2014 by Stratos

[Flux]

Phantom was taken by surprise as the beast became nearly invisible. He could still make out its eyes, but its body was unclear to him. As the eyes took into motion, he tried to dodge again, only to feel a blunt impact in his shoulder as he ducked low. The impact threw him to the ground. Before the Panter could attack again, he made a portal in the floor, falling through it to the mirror dimension.

He felt the familiar resistance as he entered the place. He began to fall as he came through the portal, the floor seeming to be the ceiling before the entire place righted itself and gravity pulled him back down. At once, he could sense the Panter. He realized that his ability was a direct counter to the Panter's invisibility. If he could not see it, he should simply sense it with the abilities granted to him in the mirror dimension. It was not perfect, as he could not judge specific details, but he would have to make it work. He manuevered himself near to where the Panter seemed to be, opening a portal and rushing through, thrusting the sword towards his target.

[Notus]

The Panther

The black beast felt a presence coming out of nowhere and tried to dodge the move, but to little effect. It roared as Phantom's sword cut the flesh on it's left leg, leaving a big wound. Blood sprayed out, and at once the back of the Panther was painted in red, and well visible due to it.

But the beast wasn't giving up yet. before Phantom could reposition himself, it trust it's claws forward with a dashing speed for something that wounded.

Damian

"Well, it's a little weird." Damian started to explain. "First Rose and Ellaria were eaten by the Wolf, I think, and a moment later they were back and everything vanished in thin air. And than Rose collapsed." he resumed to Ethic, scratching hi own head in a confused manner. "Oh, and Enya is sleeping near Rose and Kenny. The poor girl has to be tired after all those... stuff she did."

Than Ellaria spoke up, still a little shaken from the recent events. "We were being judged, just like you said. The Judge told us that the wolf was some sort of test... And everyone here has been already judged right? That may explain why it vanished." she asked the others, looking for confirmation for her theory. "By the way, did the Panther disappear too?"

Edited June 5, 2014 by Notus

[Sutoratosu]

Ethic listened as Damian explained.

"All right..." he said, noticing Ellaria beginning to stir nearby and explained how she and rose had been judged after being eaten by the She-Wolf

"By the way, did the Panter disappear too?"

Ethic didn't really know how to answer that question.

"No... at least... I don't think so, it was about to close in on me and Mr.Taylor when we were trying to get away, then some guy with a sword and a mask stepped in and saved us... If he's actually skilled at wielding his weapon, he may till be engaged in a fight with the thing as we speak... or maybe he died right after me and Mr.Taylor escaped..."

He cast a quick glance at kenny, who was still focusing on healing rose, then back at the way he came through the aisles.

"And speaking of Mr.Taylor," he began "I told him I would go back for him once I figured out what was going on. hold on, guys, I'll be back with him in a few minutes..."

he walked off towards the way he came, and cast another glance at kenny...

"And Kenny," he said "Thanks for saving me back there when Ix pulled that...stunt..." with that, he dashed off through the aisles, making his way back Mr.Taylor, he waved his hand as he caught sight of the Elderly man.

"Mr.Taylor!" he called "I've found them, come here and follow me!"

[K_H]

Kenny finished healing Rose, and then answered to Ethic's comment.

"No problem, man. If you need anything, just let me know and i'll see what I can do."

he then got a large headache.

Edited June 5, 2014 by K_H

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor nodded and grabbed his cane to keep moving forward, however as he walked towards Ethic a strange smell passed his nose, it smelled like blood. He quickly looked to his left and noticed that some distance away laid a massive pool of blood. "Hold on lad I think ... I've found something!" After the declaration he turned and headed in the direction of the blood. He wasn't sure if he was right, but the place seemed oddly ... familiar.

[Sutoratosu]

Ethic watched in puzzlement as Mr.Taylor began heading towards him, then suddenly stopped, sniffing the air and calling out

"Hold on lad I think ... I've found something!"

Ethic now saw what had caught his eye; a scarlet puddle that was quite large... like the one he had found not long ago with Kenny and Ixidor...

then Ethic also smelt what had caught Mr.Taylor's attention in the first place...

That metallic smell again... what are the odds that we wound up in the same spot that he was murdered...?

Ethic headed over to the puddle, examining it, he found... a small trail of blood about a foot long... that dissapeared abrubtly after that mark....

There's no doubt about it then... He thought to himself This is definitely the same scene I found earlier... I recognize that trail right there...and the smell is exactly the same...

he watched Mr.Taylor as the elderly man approached, admitably a bit curious as to just how a person would react if they happened to stumble upon the scene of their Murder... after being killed there...

[Rosesong]

Rose slowly blinked her eyes opened, hearing voices all around her. Wincing at the light, she made to sit up, only to find that her head was still spinning and Enya had curled beside her and was currently sleeping, Ace snugly in her arms. Squinting, she glanced at those around her, spotting Damian, Ellaria, and another boy she didn't quite know.

"Ugh, I feel as though Deceit actually did eat me," she rasped hoarsely, gaining the attention of her companions. "Deceit was the name of the she-wolf, by the way. Minos told me and Ellaria that." Rose looked at Ellaria, remembering the events of their trial and flinching slightly in guilt about what she had admitted. "Deceit's job was to test us all, and to see how we reacted under pressure," she continued, unknowingly echoing Ellaria's words.

"Ellaria... What I said in the trial... It's not your fault, nor is it only you. The events that led me to come to the hill have damaged my ability to trust others, or to fully connect with them. And I don't believe you when you say you shouldn't be trusted; it's my own insecurities that prevent me from doing so," Rose whispered, her voice giving out on her. Remembering what the girl said, she continued, "You helped me when I was trying to get the wolf over the lava, and that goes to show that we all make mistakes. Don't keep blaming yourself."

Turning towards the boy she didn't know, she weakly lifted an arm. "Hi," Rose whispered, "I've seen you before, but I don't think we've met. I'm Rose, and it's a pleasure. I'm sorry you've found us like this. Unable to keep her arm up, she let it drop back to her side and yawned. "My apologies, but I think that the amount of energy I spent was far too much. I need," she paused, yawning again, "to take a nap. Until waking." With that, she fell back into nothingness.

[Notus]

Ellaria

The skinny girl listened to Rose, and that moved her. Before she knew it she started wandering, reflecting on what the other girl said.

(Flash back - Grab your popcorn! )

They were running for their lifes.

Ellaria knew it had not been a good idea. She told Kevin so, but he was optimistic as ever and told her not to worry. He knew the dogs were locked at this time of night, and the guard always ended up distracted with his brand new I-Whatever. They would simply sneak in the house, grab whatever they could find that could turn into money, and get out again quickly. It wouldn't even count as stealing, he joked, as the owner of the house was some big shot politician.

Ellaria met Kevin for the first time in the orphanage, right after she lost her parents and her vision in a car accident. She was just a little child back than, frightened and alone in a world that had suddenly turned dark. The people in the orphanage gave her a bed and food, that's for sure, but none would bother to help the little blind girl in anything, so even simple tasks like finding the bathroom were extremely hard to her.

The other kids didn't help either, as they seemed to find funny bullying her. Their favourite "joke" was to spin her around and watch as she tried to get away, dizzy and scared.

Kevin was the only one that actually helped her. With time, they ended up being great friends. And when he planned to escape the orphanage, he made sure to take her with him.

They entered the house with little effort. Kevin had already prepared everything beforehand, locating a small window that the litle Ellaria could pass through. She easily opened a way for him too, and everything was working like planned.

What they didn't count was that someone would have the same idea.

Whoever the politician was, he surely had made the wrong enemies somewhere. Out of nowhere, the kids heard the loud noise of wood cracking in the hall, and than shots. Without thinking twice, they ran out the way they came and started to cross the garden at their best speed. Unfortunately one of the assailants saw them and started to give chase. A shot was fired, and Kevin screamed.

Ellaria stopped when she heard him fall. "My leg!" he shouted "Help me Elly!"

She stood for a moment, listening. She could hear the steps of the shooter getting closer. She wouldn't be able to carry Kevin away from the man, she was too weak for that. She faced Kevin with her blind eyes once again.

"Help..." the boy said agai

Than she turned and ran off, without saying a word.

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor kept moving towards the spill. Then he saw it. His old hat and bag, his suspicions were confirmed, this is definitely where he died. Mr. Taylor picked up his hat and put it back on, then threw his bag over his shoulder. He hadn't had his possessions in quite a long time. But, that was hardly what was on his mind.

The pool of blood had mostly dried now, but in some of the deeper areas, where the majority of the blood had gathered, retained wetness. Mr. Taylor couldn't help, but stare he heard Ethic arrive behind him, but barely payed him any mind.

Then, a single tear fell from Mr. Taylor's face into the pool. It wasn't a tear of sorrow. Nor, was it a tear of joy. It was a tear of fear. Mr. Taylor had done his best to forget the moment of his own demise, since it had happened. Sure, he'd mention what happened in passing, but he was sure to never go in to vivid detail and often tried to change the subject as soon as it got brought up. However, that moment hadn't stopped playing in his head since it happened.

His mortality had become apparent to him in his older age, his slowness, decreased health, they were painful reminders to him of his own approach towards death. However, the act of his life being ripped from him, by some ... some stranger. The idea was terrifying to Mr. Taylor, he hated that it had happened. He remembered feeling so helpless, so insignificant.

But, still he knew he had to face his fear, he knew he had to open up about it. "Ethic ..." he began his voice less cheerful, then usual, it was solemn and quiet, with a slight tremble. "This is where it happened. Where Marcus killed me." He turned to Ethic, more tears building in his face, "We had a pact, if I helped him find the bottom, then he wouldn't harm me." The pain continued growing in his face, but Mr. Taylor continued, "Then we were attacked by a group of shadow monsters after a bookshelf had been knocked over. I used some power, to turn back time, which re-sealed the books and removed the shadow monsters." The tears began and Mr. Taylor's voice began to become shattered, but still he kept on going, "Then ... then my memory was gone, at least a good bit of it. I had never felt so old, so confused. I ... I unknowingly called off the pact. This upset Marcus, and that's when it happened."

Mr. Taylor deftly cleared his throat, he was a little embarrassed, but he knew the boy had a good heart, and he needed to get that off of his chest. He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes, then continued, "A stab to the throat and the kidney. I was helpless." He stopped, he couldn't retain eye-contact any longer, "I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. I know my age has been catching up with me it's just ..." He paused again, and decided to look Ethic in the eyes, "It's just that I'm not ready, I'm not ready for any of this Ethic. I want to help, I can't bear to stand on the side-lines when those monsters attack. It's just that I don't have anything left, what can an old man do against such reckless hate? What can I do to starve off the demons of hell."

The tears started to show again, for the first time since Mr. Taylor had returned from the grave, he had lost himself. He had cried and whined in front of someone young enough to be his own grandchild. But, it felt good, he was relieved to be rid of the stress, to be rid of all of the emotions that had been eating him. He felt renewed and let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry for that little ... show," his voice returned to the normal Mr. Taylor, chipper and cheerful. "I just couldn't hold it all back any longer. But, we really must get moving, the group isn't going to wait for us, forever."

[Chevaleresse]

"Whatt the!? Aggghh.." as the young painter wince in pain while his shoulder was in the grip of Marcus, he feels threaten as anxiety enters his mind What if he change his mind, cant do something foolish at this range. he takes a gulp and out of the distress he heard a apology and the grip was loosen. Wait what!? he question himself and confronts the troubled killer.

"Figure out what? I don't really know what to say nor your problem is mister.. you said you don't feel but that's a lie, just let it all out..i think you should do some soul searching."

As a reply, Marcus simply leveled a stare at Ixidor. It contained no obvious menace -really, it was just a blank facial expression- but he had found it was quite effective at quieting people without resorting to removing their ability to speak. After a few moments that almost felt too long, he spoke. "I already told you, I want to figure out why I am repulsed by the thought of killing you." He took a step back. "I'll just follow you about. It should be to our mutual benefit; I am curious about you, and you are a young boy in a library full of dangerous people. Having one at your side will help you."

((If I don't reply, assume I am following you without comment.))

[Sutoratosu]

Ethic stood there at the edge of the puddle as Mr.Taylor confided in him, making sure not to interupt the old man

recently, he had started to debate whether finding this marcus guy was necessary since Mr.Taylor was alive and seemingly well enough... but seeing him like this.... seeing the sheer emotional toll; the trauma, it had on Mr.Taylor....

Oh, hell no.... there's no way I'm letting the bastard who did this to him off now....

the elderly man finished and suggested they head back,

"All right Mr.Taylor... It's this way."

Ethic turned and walked away from the puddle, heading back towards the group... then he stopped where he was...

wait... did he say he turned back time? Ethic was almost certain that Mr.Taylor had said that at some point... but why not make sure?

he turned around suddenly, facing the Elderly man

"Mr.Taylor..." He began "Forgive me if I heard you wrong... But did you mention turning back time just now?"

Edited June 5, 2014 by Stratos

[Ragnar]

"Hmm..." Ixidor soothes his shoulder and has a downcast expression "I guess we can work something out...maybe you just need a friend in this hellhole"

Can't believe i just said that. a killer and artist aiding each other? is this a start of a bad joke?

"Just like you, i have a unique ability you know! i don't know how but i can make things come to reality just by sketching them.. i'm capable of protecting myself! " Ixidor said with pride as he pause.

"well most of the time anyways, it often backfires mostly end up putting everyone around me including myself in danger...maybe that's why mr.Ethic left me, I hope you can tolerate that mister." as his pride tone quickly change to sadness.

"I guess we're both misunderstood." and with that Ixidor walks at the end of the aisle not knowing what's ahead, hoping Marcus will follow.

Edited June 5, 2014 by typhlosionrulez

[Flux]

Phantom was thrust into the air from the impact of the claws. The raked his chest, tearing lines through the black shirt he wore inside his coat and cutting through his skin. They cuts were fairly deep and quickly oozed with his blood. If he could finish this quickly and tend to them, they wouldn't be fatal. He puashed himself to his feet from where he had landed, opening another portal into the mirror dimension. He wouldn't be able to resist the rejection of his body here for as long in his wounded state, but it would be enough. He ran to where he believed the back of the panther to be, ignoring the pain of the air brushing the open wounds. He opened a portal and sprinted through, sliding between where he had estimated the panther's legs to be. He bumped into something that he couldn't see, but still slid. He thrust the sword upward as he slid, hoping to cut open the beast's stomach, though he couldn't be sure if he had aimed correctly.

[Notus]

The Panther

Phantom's blow hit squarely, and the Panther let out a painful roar. The fight was over.

... Or so the man thought.

The beast instantly enveloped itself in dark shadows and the next moment it reapeared, intact and angry. It then started glowing a bright green, and pointed a claw at Phantom.

The ground opened beneath the masked man, in in a moment both he and the Panther were gone from the library.

=========================================

The next thing he heard was the deep tone of Judge Minos's voice. "Well, I never expected Malice to have a hard time like that against any of you.That was very interesting to watch , and I commend you for your bravery mr... Phantom. Now, are you ready for your trial?"

[Flux]

Phantom glanced around the courtroom, showing no reaction to the sudden change of scenery. He met the gaze of the judge when he spoke.

"Well, I never expected Malice to have a hard time like that against any of you.That was very interesting to watch , and I commend you for your bravery mr... Phantom. Now, are you ready for your trial?"

He looked down at the sword and his other open hand before moving his gaze the the bleeding cuts across his chest. "Bravery..." he murmered. He took another glance around the courtroom. He felt a faint twinge of remembrance, as if he should recognize the purpose of this room, but the feeling faded away before he could catch it. He spoke again in his ethereal voice.

"Trial... begins..."

The glowing light around the eyes of the mask seemed to flare up for a moment as he said the last line.

[Notus]

Judge Minos

Minos sighed. "Well, I hope you'll try to be less monosyllabic than that on your answers. First of, let's cover the basics: Why are you here, and what do you want from this place?"

[Supernovae]

"Mr.Taylor..." He began "Forgive me if I heard you wrong... But did you mention turning back time just now?"

Mr. Taylor turned back to Ethic, he hadn't actually given it all too much though. You know with his mind focused on just dying and all. "Well, I've only done it once." Mr. Taylor sighed in relief, he was happy that Ethic hadn't asked him about his death. "I can't really say I know how it works, it sort of just happened, I suppose."

[Flux]

"Well, I hope you'll try to be less monosyllabic than that on your answers. First of, let's cover the basics: Why are you here, and what do you want from this place?"

Phantom stared at the judge for a while, before beginning to speak again. He appeared to have trouble getting some of the words out as he spoke.

"I... do... not... know..." He paused for a while, the glow around his eyes dimming. "Need... WANT... memories..."

[Notus]

Judge Minos

"Nine hells, and I thought the day was over. You've got a memory loss mister?" Minos said, the last question more retorical than anything else. "Oh well, could you tell me what you do remember?"