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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 24, 2019 13:39:25 GMT -6
Victor kept growling as the whatever it was approached, but his cries were cut off as Fiera yanked at him. “Sorry, bud! We gotta go!” She said, panic in her voice, and she surged downward into the darkness. She wasn’t sure how Victor’s night vision was in comparison to hers, but she wrapped his leash around her hand several times, just to make sure he was following close by her. She internally wished she had something that she could use to cover the hole behind them, and thus their tracks, but unfortunately that statue was way out of their way now. She’d just have to hope that whatever it was was either too big to fit down the hole, or too dumb to figure out where they had gone. She sighed- guess that’s what you got when you disrespected a mausoleum god- or whatever that was a statue of.
Fiera 8 Victor 19.3/21,3 128
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 24, 2019 13:43:22 GMT -6
The rumbling grew ever closer as Fiera flew down the stairs, three at a time. As opposed to earlier, she was the one dragging Victor, as opposed to the other way around. While Fiera was trying to go as quickly as possible, Victor kept stalling, trying to look over his shoulder or snarl at the creature that was presumably pursuing them. Fiera couldn’t afford to look back though. This stairwell was narrow, and it was completely unlit. Fiera’s torch was the only source of light, and as far as she could tell, the staircase was suspended in midair, with a no doubt lethal drop down to the ground if one of them tripped. Needless to say, Fiera didn’t feel like dying today and kept her eyes laser focused on the stairs ahead of her, using the rest of her focus to keep Victor from flinging himself off the steps.
Fiera 9 Victor 19.4/21.4 129
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 24, 2019 13:50:58 GMT -6
Just then, Fiera realized that the light shining in from overhead had gone out- or had been blocked off. She glanced up nervously, only to see... something above them, in distinct but prowling, moving around above the hole. Whatever they had unleashed had arrived. Victor growled softly, but Fiera shushed him desperately. Unfortunately, from her vantage point Fiera couldn’t tell what the movement was, what texture the supposed creature was, or even what size it was. She could only hope it was something that couldn’t follow the pair of them down here. She crept downward more, continuing their escape, but more quietly this time. Every few steps, Victor seemed ready to break out into growls against, but Fiera was quick to calm him down. All the while, she kept a death grip on the torch, her knuckles bone white. Without a way to see, they really would be screwed.
Fiera 10 Victor 20.0/22.0 130
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Post by Renathan on Oct 24, 2019 14:37:37 GMT -6
A pretty golden wax leaf blows on the wind, and comes too close for comfort to someone's face!
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 10:30:41 GMT -6
Just then however, a brightly colored wax leaf, floating down with an aura of chaos. It, of course, landed directly on Fiera’s face, blinding her. She flailed around uselessly, quickly losing her balance. The world slowed down in her perception, a series of decisions flitting across her mind. She couldn’t see with the leaf in her face. She’d need to remove it. That meant moving one of her hands to take it off. That meant letting go of either the torch, or of Victor. If she let go of Victor, he’s likely rush back up the stairs in his aggression, not only attracting the attention of what was looking for them, but getting himself (and possibly her) killed in the process. If she let go of the torch, they’d have no way of seeing where they were going or navigating the stairs, as they’d be completely dark.
Fiera 11 Victor 20.1/22.1 131
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 12:35:32 GMT -6
The options flickered through her mind- she had to make a decision fast, or she’d fall off the stairs completely. Finally, opened her hand- thus flinging her torch into the void. It spiraled down, but Fiera didn’t bother watching it go, as she still couldn’t see anything. She fell right on her butt, but thankfully now had a hand free to catch herself, keeping her from falling off completely. Victor’s growling was cut off as the leash was rigged suddenly, silencing. When she had finally stopped moving, Fiera huffed and yanked the leaf off. Great. She had a leaf, but now she had no light. At least she knew how to get the leaves back into her bag on instinct by this point, and she shoved it in with the others. “Of all the dumb luck...” she growled to herself, ears pushed flat against her head.
Fiera 12 Victor 20.2/22.2 132
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 13:04:14 GMT -6
Fiera looked up at the hole, now further away. Whatever she saw up there seemed to be gone now... but she knew she couldn’t risk going back up. For all she knew it could still be there, lurking just out of sight. Waiting for them to come back up. Or, it was trying to find a way to them. They needed to keep moving, that she knew. She couldn’t see Victor any more to gauge his reaction however, and took the time to peer down the stairs instead. Fiera breathed a sigh of relief as she realized that she could still see the torch below them. It was a couple floors down now, practically a dot of orange light, but it was enough for Fiera to use to orient herself and her pet. She curled the leash another loop around her wrist, holding Victor even closer than before.
Fiera 13 Victor 20.3/22.3 133
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 15:33:36 GMT -6
The torch would just have to be enough down there. She didn’t have any other options. Fiera pushed herself up, shaky due to not being able to see well. And she pushed for ward, creeping slowly down the stairs. Victor looked up at her, whining softly. “I know buddy. It’s dark for me too.” She said, her pupils blown wide. The stairs were ten times more precarious like this. Not only were they thin, they were suspended in mid air and spiraled downward. As a result, she couldn’t walk in a straight line and was forced to adjust her course with every step. At least Victor was heeling for once, instead of barking backwards or rushing forwards. It was a small blessing, but one that Fiera was infinitely grateful right now, when any misstep could send them both tumbling down into the darkness and gloom below them.
Fiera 14 Victor 20.4/22.4 134
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 15:38:41 GMT -6
The pair’s progress was slow, but steady. These narrow stairs were awkward for Victor, having four legs to maneuver down them. Fiera had worse night vision than him too, so she could barely see where she was going. Still, it was going, and so long as the torch didn’t go out, it was getting brighter with every step. They were going to make it, Fiera just knew it. their steps echoed through the darkness. She couldn’t see the room beyond in the gloom- just his big was this space under the mausoleum? Fiera couldn’t help but be curious. She must have been hundreds of feet under the earth by this point. At least the ceiling seemed stable enough. It probably wasn’t the best idea to speculate on these things right now, but it wasn’t like she had anything better to do with her time.
Fiera 15 Victor 21.0/23.0 135
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Post by Renathan on Oct 26, 2019 17:02:40 GMT -6
A hollow wind whistles by... Just what portents did it suggest? Those that don't hear the wind's whisperings may be more fortunate than others.
[Nothing happens]
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 18:22:37 GMT -6
The wind whistled ominously, flitting down the stairs. It grazed by her neck like a knife, as if reminding the humanish what would happen should she make a misstep. She bit her lip. She hardly needed the reminder. At least the torch was getting closer now- she could see the outlines of the steps again, making it easier for her and her rakai sarane to descend. They were finely crafted steps, straight and smooth. They still had some grit however, in the natural texture of the rock. Fiera was grateful for that. Dark, spindly, rail-less stairs were hard enough to descend. Dark, spindly, rail-less stairs that were slippery as well would be a death sentence for the two of them. She glanced back at Victor momentarily. He was having a tough enough getting down the stairs as it was. He didn’t need the wind giving him any ominous reminders.
Fiera 16 Victor 21.2/23.1 136
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 18:31:07 GMT -6
Fiera could see a few of the details on the torch now, flickering bright like a beacon in the dark. She never thought she’d be so relieved to see a stick. She flew down the rest of the steps admittedly a bit too fast, skipping a couple here and there. Victor was right on her heels, happy to get off the endless flight as well. She could hear him panting happily behind her. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed that whatever was chasing them before hadn’t followed them down. She wasn’t about to count her C.O.D. , but she was pretty sure that she was home free. Finally, she leapt down the remaining four steps, nimbly landing on her feet. “Alright!” She cheered, and Victor followed shortly behind her, wagging his tail. “We did it!” She continued as she approached the torch, ready to claim it.
Fiera 17 Victor 21.2/23.2 137
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 18:41:59 GMT -6
Just then however, the wind blew by in another heavy gust... putting the torch right out. Fiera gawped at for a moment, her jaw hanging open in pure disbelief. Then, she blinked a couple times and screeched in anger and shock. “No no no no NO!” She shrieked again, and scrambled forward toward it. She picked it up, but it had gone almost completely out. All that was left of the flame that had been crackling merrily just a moment before was just a few glowing embers, winking out in front of her very eyes, one by one. She resisted the urge to scream again, remembering suddenly that there had been something hunting them just a moment ago. She puffed on the remaining embers a couple times to try and get them to reignite, but only succeeded in putting the rest out. She groaned, falling to her knees and putting a palm on her face.
Fiera 18 Victor 21.3/23.3 138
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 18:47:13 GMT -6
“Great. So now we’re off the stairs... but completely in the dark.” She turned to Victor- or at least to where she was pretty sure Victor was in the void. Then again, he did let off a little light- arcane rakai sarane, like most of their species, had glowing flames that leapt from their back, blue in his case. Being cold and magic in nature however meant that they weren’t very bright. Fiera could see Victor at the end of his leash, but not her own hand in front of her face. “Don’t suppose you’ve got any clever ideas.” She drawled, and Victor perked his ears up. Then, he pressed his nose to the ground and started sniffing. “Oh...? Oh! Oh you do have an idea, don’t you! Don’t let me stop you, lead on by all means, you magnificent sniffer!” She said magnanimously.
Fiera 19 Victor 21.3/23.4 139
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Oct 26, 2019 20:29:17 GMT -6
She let the rakai sarane take the lead, allowing herself to be dragged along in a manner that was familiar to her by now. However, while the tugging was an inconvenience before, it was a blessing now. Victor's nose hadn't lead her astray yet, and he likely had a much better idea of what was in this darkness than she did. Hopefully nothing alive that was being drawn to his beacon-like light. Fiera was disappointed that there wasn't much else to see down here. The floor was made of the same smooth stone that the spiral staircase had been, completely unblemished and free of any interesting markings whatsoever. It was like they were lost in a massive, dark plain of... well, nothing. Fiera once again reiterated her hope that Victor was leading them toward something good. Or at least an exit. She decided that she wouldn't be picky about where it lead.
Fiera 20 (Level up!) Victor 22.0/24.0 140
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