Under the Hill - Second Circle: Lust

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor whipped around to see Ellaria, Annie, and Enya coming. He was excited to see them and was about to call out to them, but suddenly a large explosion ruptured from bellow. He looked around and noticed a thicker stick on the ground and decided to pick it up and use it as a makeshift cane. He turned to the rest of the group, "Alright boys and gals, that explosion is likely our best way out, we'll need to get down there as quickly as possible." He turned to Phantom in particular now, "Is there any way you can move us over there? I fear time may be of the essence in this situation."

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

"... Snakes... rage... demon..." mumbled Enya in her sleep, incoherently. Then she clutched onto Annie's shoulders comfortably, with Ace still attached to her, and carried on snoozing away.

[Ragnar]

"No, You stay away from us!" Kayle said with authority. Kayle slid forwards the two and blocks the path of the snake demon with intensity in the angel's eyes, She plunged the tip of her sword into the ground, as it ignites its Sacred fire, and went straight to the ground, the fire crawls around the cave's surfaces creating a huge fire wall separating the Lilith and the three. "Hurry" The angel winced and tries to hold off her spell, keeping the fire wall alive.

Ixidor nodded as he resume talking to Mia. "Mia, i know we're both scared, but please help us, i know you're good person and you know deep in your heart what Lilith's doing right now is wrong even tho she's your mother, this madness has to stop. Please tell us what's her weakness. I'm counting on you." Ixidor plead while holding Mia's hand.

[Rosesong]

Rose saw the demonic woman head toward Ixidor and tensed, ready to try again to defeat her, when the angel stepped in and engaged. "Kenny, if we want to attack, we need to do it now," the young woman stated urgently. Without waiting for his reply, she ran from their hiding spot and hollered, "Freeze!" as loud as she could. Keeping her concentration solely on the succubus, hoping that her spell/charm/whatever it was was in place and would work, she yelled, "Stab the heart! Stab the heart now!" Her voice rose to a shriek as she ran to Ixidor in hopes of bringing him and the younger, kinder demon to safety while letting the angel do the hard work. As she did this, her focus and eyesight never left her target.

[Notus]

The Second Circle Battle.

"Her... Weakness..." Mia spoke as if in trance. Then she realized, in terror."She's not like me, she's way stronger! I... I don't know how to beat her!"

Lilith stopped cold on place as Rose's spell got her. Oh no, this won't work twice.

The demon's eyes glistened and she disappeared into the ground again, like she had done before killing Byron. As she did so, the earth shook hard in the cave, knocking everyone out of balance. As if that was not enough, she made a pillar of stone rise brutally beneath Kayle, throwing the angel high in the air.

The next moment, she appeared right in front of Ixidor and Mia. "I think I told you to stay away of my daughter." she spoke, making stones grow around the boy's feet so he couldn't move. "I know you think I'm a monster, and I am, but I am not letting Mia become your slave. Goodbye, painter boy."

The snakes on her tail prepared to struck swiftly at the boy, without a second thought...

And Mia jumped before them.

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

Mia

She didn't feel pain as the snakes closed their fangs on her fragile body. Maybe it had something to do with she being a succubus, or maybe it was only that her mind was too set on saving Ixidor for anything else to matter.

She saw her mother's eyes widen, her mouth open in surprise and shock. The snakes retreated, and the Lilith, forgetting all that was happening around her, fell to the the ground holding her daughter and crying.

Mia never had seen her mother so sad. Then she realized her "weakness". The great lady of Lust, incapable of even comprehending human love, or so they said, loved her children. And when you lose someone you love, it's like a dagger in the heart.

The girl was already starting to turn into dust, and she placed her hand on her mother's face tenderly. "Hey mom... I love you." she said between Lilith's sobs. "But I love Ix too... and everyone. See, not everything is lust like you said. So, if you could please let them go... I'd like it a lot."

Her hand was already starting to disappear. "Well, guess it's time to go. Goodbye". Then, with a last smile towards Ixidor, the golden-haired succubus finally left Hell.

======================================================+

Ethic

Quincy was caught off guard by Ethic's attack, and barely had time to react. He simply let go of the branch he was in, falling straight down and hoping it would work. At the same time, he loaded the Preacher, strangely quiet.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Notus

[Ragnar]

Ixidor remains standing speechless and cant comprehend what just happen. His mind goes numb, his tears started to flow from his eyes down to his cheeks.

Meanwhile after being thrown, Kayle balance her self mid-air as she makes her way to back to his master. The Angel freed Ixidor from the stones around his feet.

"No!No!No! Tell me this is a joke, right?" The boy laughs in misery as he burst into tears and grabs the Angel's forearm "she'll come back just you wait! then we will stop her mother and escape this circle together. death is not permanent here right? answers me Kayle!" Ixidor yelled at his creation and obviously in denial. Kayle shies away a look and didn't answer the boy's crazy talk.

"Its all my fault" Ixidor said with a timid voice to Kayle.

Edited July 31, 2014 by typhlosionrulez

[Sutoratosu]

"Too Slow!" Ethic called out, grinning as he made a slight redirection in the life blade's path, accommodating for the fact that Quincy was now a bit lower than when he'd originally launched the attack. the Thing snaked and hurtled ever closer to the Were-Beast as he began loading his weapon, but Ethic had no intention of letting him get a shot off. he threw the whip into overdrive, a sweat breaking out on his brow from the sheer mental toll controlling it like this for so long was taking on him. he could feel his command over it beginning to slip, and he knew that if it did, he'd be dead from the mistake... a bit of practice using the life saber in this form would probably be necessary later on...

Thunk!!! He heard, breaking his train of thought as he saw the blade drive itself right through Quincy's heart and out of his back... it was over... and now he could really begin.

"got you, You damn psychopath..." he muttered as he withdrew the blade back into himself, the saber leaving the flesh of Quincy and whipping back towards Ethic like a tape measurer, and Quincy now free falling through the air as Ethic took a moment to regather his wits and rest... he'd definitely have to practice this later...

[Rosesong]

Rose stopped cold as the younger succubus fell away in dust, leaving Ixidor in tears. She couldn't believe the selflessness that the girl had shown so much love and compassion for the young artist, despite being a demon. Silently, she moved near Ixidor and waited for the demon to regain her senses.

[Notus]

Lilith

She slowly stood up, eyes fixed on the floor. As she did so, scales, wings and tails gradually disappeared, leaving Lilith back in her human form.

"I... I have been blind." she started saying to nowhere in particular. "Since Adam rejected me for wanting to be his equal... I stopped believing things like love could really exist." she shifted he gaze towards the roof, tears rolling down her cheeks. "And now it was my own daughter that proved me wrong."

A moment later she turned to the cave wall and waved her hand, making a passage appeared out of nowhere in it.

"That's the way to the Third Circle." she said, now with more determination on her voice. "Now all of you, listen carefully. Mia gave her life for your's, so don't you dare dying from now on. Specially you, painter boy. I'm going out, I need to think and see my other children."

With that, Lilith faded away, leaving the way clear for the group.

[K_H]

When Kenny saw Mia jump in front of Lilith, then die, Kenny was shocked speechless. he then felt both anger and compassion for Lilith, as well as sorrow for Ixidor. He then realized that he'd best take advantage of himself, and turned the Emotions he was feeling into Auric Energy. Then, Lilith created the Portal to the next Circle and disappeared. Kenny then walked over to Ix and Rose, and then spoke to the two of them.

"Ix... Rose... We might have been successful in getting a Path to the Third Circle, but it has come at great cost. We should take this lesson to heart: 'Never take anything for granted. It might be lost at any time.'"

Kenny then turned to the Path out of the Second Circle.

"Time is of the essence, my friends."

He then went to the Third Circle.

Edited December 21, 2014 by K_H

[Ragnar]

Ixidor's eyes was sore from excessive crying as his tears dries up on his cheeks. The boy couldn't accept the fact that her succubus friend is gone. They manage to stop Lilith's killing spree and make her see the error of her ways, but at what cost? Ixidor stares blankly at the group. The boy felt somehow better after Kenny's cliche yet meaning lesson that strikes the artist deeply. I guess i did take my friends for granted. the boy thought to himself as he wipes his teary eyes and comes to his senses

"Thanks for the help Kenny," Ixidor gave a nod of approval as Kenny left and went into the next circle. "Oh, wait here" Ixidor said to Rose. The boy grabs the hand of Kayle went to the other side of the room to discuss privately.

"Kayle, don't take this the way wrong or anything, but after this incident. I think you should stay here." the boy paused " and help Lilith around this place,just like Mia did, after all i did create you after her image, so i hear by relieve you of duties as my guardian angel and from now on this is now your new family. Guide them, "

"Are you sure you'll be all right master?" Kayle ask the boy with concern look on her face .

"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. i've been relying on you too much and for that, Thank you."

"Farewell, master, its been an honor" the Angel said as she spreads her wings and flies through the open ceiling following Lilith into the garden.

the boy makes his way back to the remaining person in the cave. "thank you for everything miss Rose, you're really brave back there.but i think need sometime alone after this incident, i'll join your group when i'm ready. Bye now" Ixidor makes his farewell and enters the portal.

I've been watching your little tragic love story, shit happens amirite? i see you got over your denial phase, that's good, next stop anger. a familiar voice that Ixidor wants to forget pops up as he travel inside the portal.

[Rosesong]

Rose watched as Kenny walked through the portal to the third circle. Ixidor had gone to speak with his angel, leaving her in self contemplation. She had killed another of Lillith's children, but couldn't muster the courage to tell the woman about it. Her face imperceptibly paled, and she almost missed Ixidor saying something to her about joining them when he felt ready and walking through the portal, leaving her alone in room.

Rose slowly gathered herself together, and walked around the room, collecting daggers to use later on and storing them in her bag. As she completed her lap, she began to feel the disorientation coming on that came with using her magic. Knowing that collapsing in an unknown place would be no good, the young woman secured her spear to her bag before allowing herself to sink to the ground in front of the portal.

Before Rose drifted off, she prayed that someone she had travelled with previously would help her, all the rage toward them gone. Checking her arms, none of the cuts were bleeding anymore, so she wouldn't bleed out while sleeping. Mind more peaceful, she succumbed to the exhaustion she had given herself.

[Notus]

Ellaria

The girl immediately recognized the kind voice of Mr.Taylor, and opened a smile. Finnaly they've found someone down her who'd not want to kill them.

"Mr. Taylor! Yeah, we shouldgo there to check what is happening." she said. Then, after pausing for a moment to hear, she completed. "Although things are quieter now. Maybe it's our chance!"

And with that, Ellaria started pulling Annie and Enya towards the voice of the old man, holping he and his companion would lead the way.

[Flux]

Phantom walked down the steps, all sounds of combat having ceased. That meant the battle had likely ended. He looked around as he reached the bottom, trying to determine what had happened. The room was a mess, but their were no clear signs of a victory. He saw someone from the group that he recognized laying on the floor, presumably unconscious. There was a passage in the wall, but no clues as to what the result had been. He didn't know who or what they had battled, but it was gone now. He decided it would be best to wait until the older man arrived before deciding what to do. He thought it would be best to wait until the unconscious woman woke, and then ask her what had happened.

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor did his best to lead the girls down the staircase. As he reached the bottom of the steps he noticed a familiar face laying on the ground. "Rose!" he called out, rushing over to her body, which was littered in cuts. He reached to her neck and checked her pulse, which was positive. Mr. Taylor let out a sigh of relief as he looked back to the rest of the group. "She's still alive, just exhausted. Perhaps we should wait for her to wake up, before we make our next move."

[Sutoratosu]

Ethic Recalled his blades, somewhat disgusted by the act he had just committed, despite his earlier convictions that it had to be done... his wrathful bout of anger was over now, and he found the taste of bile welling up in the back of his throat as he stared down at Quincy's now dismembered corpse, the head, arms, legs, and tail severed from the torso... luckily there hadn't been much blood during the action, Ethic had figured early on in it that at a high enough intensity level, his saber could become able to cauterize whatever it struck upon extended contact.

"What have I done?" He said, backing away from his handy-work, self-loathing beginning to stir in his heart, as well as fear. Fear about the fact that in his rage, he'd been motivated to do something as heinous as desecrating a body. it was all a flurry, really, the memory of what he'd done a while ago... it all happened so fast when he played it back over and over again in his mind it was, like he'd been in a frenzy.

Just Killing him was enough... that alone would've done the job...so why couldn't I have just ended it at that? He asked himself mentally as he continued backing away from the scene. Why the hell did I have to do this? Then the memories of how he'd Brutally killed, murdered, really, when you thought about it, Both Scott and Rodric flickered across the fore-front of his mind. Following that was the memory of Scott's Effigy handing him that orb, which, as Ethic Recalled, was only because Ethic had come to realized that the Keeper's were people once as well, that they once had people they loved and protected; that they once had friends and family and people who cared about them. And like that, something Ethic had suspected all along, but hadn't had the courage to face until now, dawned on him.

"I haven't been making any progress with being better..." He finally admitted to himself, a bit guilty "if anything, I've taken leaps in the opposite direction." and it was true. This entire time, he had gradually been becoming more and more brutal when ever he engaged in violence, he'd also had gotten more and more prone to jump straight to exchanging blows whenever conflict arose... But even though this was true, he also knew that something else was too; things had only started escalating with his actions after... after He obtained dominion over the Death Arcana. it was far-fetched, but it was still a theory, and one that well prove to be true... the Arcana of the Tarot all had meanings, each and every one of them, each symbolized something significant when they were revealed in the suit of a person's reading. As Ethic thought about it, when was the last time he'd actually given himself a reading?

He Reached into his pocket, withdrawing his Tarot deck and then stopping the action as the white, black, and blue checkered pattern of the back of a tarot Card flashed across his vision, turning itselve over slowly and revealing it's face. Before his eyes was the Arcana of Death, XIII. Then as soon as it had appeared, the card's image vanished, leaving Ethic standing there, speechless at what he'd just seen.

"Guess that solves the issue of doing a reading," he finally managed to sputter after a few long minutes. he didn't know for sure what had just occurred, but he had the feeling it was related to how he'd been about to set up a suit. and as he further pondered about the possible connection, the Meaning of the Death Tarot came to his mind.

"End, Mortality, Destruction, Corruption." he sighed, now understanding exactly what had just happened. The image of Death was indeed his Tarot reading, apparently he no longer had to go to the trouble of setting everything up first. It was simple, really; the Death Arcana stood for Ends, Mortality, Destruction, and corruption, and since he'd acquired power over it, he'd been Endings and Destruction to others. he'd brought Mortality to those who apparently were immortal by killing a Keeper. But the one thing that correlated most of all with Ethic, was the part about Corruption. so that begged the question, could it really be that taking control of Death had some unknown effect on his mind?

Indeed it did. A familiar voice echoed out in his mind, startling him as he looked around, trying to find the speaker before he realized where he'd first heard this voice.

"You're the thing that spoke to me after I killed Rodric." He Acknowledged verbally "The one who gave me the options of either killing or waiting to be killed."

Correct. The Voice replied simply, a hint of pleasure in it's voice Good to see that you remembered.

"I still want to know who you are, and I'm hoping I'll get a straight answer this time around."

Perhaps later, Ethic. I fear that you would still be unable to comprehend if I explained things to you right now.

"So you're still going to give me crap answers..."

If you continue asking me the same question, then yes, that is all you will get. but enough on that, I've addressed you right now in order to tell you this; You are right in your conclusion that as you gain Dominion over the Arcana, they will each effect your psyche according to their meaning, and you may begin to lose pieces of the person you truly are. The first Arcana will always have the greatest impact on you, but all those you gain after will have lesser and lesser psychological influences on you as you go about acquire them.

Ethic took a moment to think about that... with each one... with the more power he gained, the more and more his true character would fade into the background, smothered by the force of the very things he was seeking....

No, The voice again interrupted his thoughts You were exaggerating the effect when you thought about it's outcome just now. You will not fade into a frenzy of power, you will not become a drone of the Arcana. you will be lord and master of it, and nothing less. if you were to acquire all twenty two of the major Arcana and successful bring them under your control, you could even completely undo their influence on your personality. if you succeed, then you can retain who you are. But the choice is always yours, if you don't want to continue this, all you need ever do is voice your desire.

He thought about it a little more... but in all honesty, did he really have a choice? it was either do this thing, or wait around to be offed as soon as an opportunity presented itself to the Council... this whole personality thing only provided a little more motivation for him to not simply give up, especially if he wanted to be able to control himself from now on... If he just threw his hands up and quite right at this moment, then he had the feeling things would only keep escalating, and he'd never be able to get over his Wrathful nature. and like that, he had decided, he'd keep doing this gig, even though he'd have to go through a bunch of emotional confusion and psychological hell in the process, he'd ultimately be fine at the end... but that didn't change the fact that he still wanted to be free of Death's influence, and all the things it would probably make him do in the future, immediately.

"Fine."He said, knowing what he was going to ask "I'll keep doing this. but you have to answer me something: Which Arcana would I have to get next in order to negate Death's effects on me?"

For a minute, there was silence in his mind. then that minute stretched into two, and two to three, and three to five... He was beginning to think that whatever had been speaking to him was ignoring the question, until he again heard the voice in his mind.

There are two Arcana that can possibly balance out the Effects of Death. it answered finally Obtaining Either the Empress or the Emperor Arcana should eliminate the changes to your personalty that have occurred so far; both their Regular and Reversed meanings are the equivalent opposite of all that the Arcana of Death Stands for.

"Alright" Ethic began, making sure to take a mental note of the information "So... are you gonna tell me who the Keepers for them are?"

The Keeper Named Elenore stands supreme over the Arcana of the Empress. The Keeper known as Tavarus stands supreme over the Arcana of the Emperor. You know what you must do if you want them. and like that, the Voice was gone. Ethic didn't know how, but he just knew in the back of his mind that their little Q&A session was officially over.

"Elenore and Tavaros..." he mumbled to himself as he walked off towards the way he'd entered the clearing when he had heard Ellaria's scream. he had Targets now, and that was all well and good, but it's not like he'd be able to fight them whenever he so pleased, that would take some planning and a little luck. But for right now, he remembered the strange noise from where He'd seen Ixidor earlier on, the one that had sounded like a miniature sink hole had opened up. He might as well go and investigate it, see if anything was going down.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Stratos

[Notus]

Ellaria

"Rose?! Is she all right?" Ellaria asked, afraid of Mr,Taylor's worried tone.

"She's still alive, just exhausted. Perhaps we should wait for her to wake up, before we make our next move."

The girl rushed towards mr. Taylor's voice, finally letting go of Annie's hand. She kneeled and felt the ground around her with her hands until she found her friend's body. She smelled blood, and could feel the hot liquid covering Rose's skin. Still more worried, she raised her voice again. "She's still bleeding! Does anyone have bandages or something like that?"

[Supernovae]

As soon as Ellaria said it, Mr. Taylor noticed it. Most of the cuts had stopped bleeding, but some were still going. Mr. Taylor thought about using his power, but he pushed the thought away. He'd be far less useful to the group if he used it again, just another distraction, that power was far too erratic. The group didn't have time to deal with Michael again. Not even to help Rose, she just reminded him so much of her. Mr. Taylor pushed the thought away again and ripped the coat from his back and began to tear pieces off. Then he pressed the individual pieces on her wounds and tried his best to stop the bleeding. The bleeding wasn't too bad, and many of the cuts that Mr. Taylor worked on seemed to clot fairly quickly. Mr. Taylor turned back to Ellaria, "Don't worry my dear, she's in no real danger," he began as he kept working, "Still though, she should be more careful about using her power," he looked back to the rest of the group, specifically Enya and Annie, "In fact we should all be careful with our powers, they may be useful at times, but the cost is often great," he looked down to the ground, his cheeks blushing slightly, "I know that as well as anyone else."

[Rosesong]

Rose groaned, still too weak to open her eyes. She could hear voices around her, but in such a disoriented state couldn't distinguish whose voices they were. Someone was prodding her arms, and she could feel pressure on different parts of them, each stinging with pain as the cut underneath rebelled with pain. This is it, she thought dully. I'm going to die. Someone had found her and was going to kill her, right in front of the entrance to the next circle. She deliriously cursed herself out, wondering why she hadn't just gone to the Third Circle. Even if she did come back, she would be faced with the head demoness of the circle, who would no doubt be infuriated that her son had been killed in addition to her daughter.

Mustering all the strength she currently had, Rose whispered with as much clarity as she could, "P-Please don't kill me. I have nothing on me that you would like... Please let me live..." As her voice trailed off, the rest of her strength deserted her, and she was pretty much left to the mercy of those that had found her. The young woman considered trying a Freeze spell in her delirious state, but the logical portion quickly won over. If she were to do that, she wouldn't be able to hold it and in this state the strain would certainly kill her. As difficult as this was for her to accept, Rose had no choice but to hope that her quiet pleas were well received to those who had found her, and that they might take pity or even care for her while she got her strength up. All she could feel was pressure and stinging as she half-consciously waited for an answer to come.

[Notus]

Ellaria

Ellaria quickly grabbed Rose's hand answered to her delirious speech, glad that her friend was not in danger. "Don't worry Rose, it's us; Ellaria Enya, Annie , Mr.Taylor and.. a friend of his. Hang on, we'll take care of you." Then she turned to the others. "There was fight going on here before right? Shouldn't we go to another place?"

[Flux]

Phantom stood behind the group that was now kneeling by Rose, watching behind his mask.

"There was fight going on here before right? Shouldn't we go to another place?"

Phantom looked to the passage in the room. It appeared to be the only other route they could take. He walked towards Rose, scooping her up in his arms. He motioned towards the passage with his head, being careful not to disturb Rose's body.

"...Yes," he began, his voice quiet and calm. "Let us... leave..."

[Rosesong]

Rose would have sworn she had heard Ellaria's voice calming her, but those thoughts were swept from her as suddenly she was picked up. The young woman strained to open her eyes, seeing the person was glancing back to others, saying something her exhausted ears couldn't catch.

Closing her eyes again, feeling the sensation of her bag's weight on her body, Rose let out an inaudible sigh, hoping that enough strength would come to her soon so that she could move on her own again--and escape should she need to later on. Feeling the heaviness in her limbs, she assumed that it wouldn't be for quite awhile, and resigned herself to resting in this strange person's arms.

[Supernovae]

Mr. Taylor turned and gave Phantom a nod. The old man knew where to go, though he couldn't say he liked going in without asking Rose what they were up against. He turned to the rest of the group. "All right then lads and lasses, I believe it's time to head down to the next level," He said with a bit of somberness in his voice, "I suppose we should do our best to stay together. It wouldn't do for having any of us die before we reach the bottom." He sighed and stepped into the portal.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Supernovae