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Post by Jewel on Mar 7, 2020 20:09:01 GMT -6
Why did he subject himself to these trials, for money?
Jewel's heart raced as he ascended the steps towards the altar, taking frantic glances around as he went. The images in stone - the beasts, the worshippers - he had never seen such a thing, and was beginning to think he would never want to again. He felt fear. There was no turning back, with the required items in his satchel and payment ready to be given, but by the gods he would've done anything to revoke his decision.
This was it. The staircase between him and this strange unknown.
He'd taken to counting them as he went, though the number soon escaped him, and they blurred into one. One continuous, repetitive lifting and dropping. It felt endless, and yet not long enough, because the summit was upon him before he was ready. He stared at the blood on the altar. His would likely join it.
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Post by Jewel on Mar 7, 2020 20:15:00 GMT -6
There were figures awaiting him. Three, outfitted in robes and disinterested expressions, observing him. Waiting for him to either commence, or falter. Jewel stepped closer to the altar, as close as his nerves would allow him, and slowly brought his shaking hands to open his satchel.
The crystals first. Two glimmering with a rainbow hue, and one an acrid green - equally beautiful. They were placed upon the surface with all due care. The final, round and pink, sat alongside them. He took a steady breath. That was the easy part.
He took a look at the carvings decorating the space to remind himself of the proper ritual. The crystals, in the order he'd placed them down. Next, the berry. Then... a small cut, but with big implications, it would seem. Would he remember it? Would he feel the pain for long, or remember it afterwards? He could only hope not.
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Post by Jewel on Mar 7, 2020 20:18:34 GMT -6
Jewel drew the cluster of berries from his bag and held them in his hands, staring. These meagre things were going to help him to... not die? It didn't sound right or logical, but his benefactor had assured him that many had relied on its properties and lived to tell the tale. He had to trust in that. What other option did he have? It was too late to ask questions or, gods forbid, do research.
Would it have killed him to read a book? He'd remember that in future when information sounded to be too much of a burden.
His nerves resulted in him cramming the berries into his mouth and chewing without thought. Sweet; he had expected an unpleasant surprise, and it pacified him somewhat to feel something enjoyable. They were gone criminally fast. He didn't have time to think about it, because he'd swallowed and it was on to the next step.
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Post by Jewel on Mar 7, 2020 20:25:11 GMT -6
The dagger was waiting for him. It was unlike any Jewel had ever seen before, but perhaps that was because he knew what it could do. Even a regular blade would appear terrifying to one about to be harmed by it. When he took the hilt in his grip, his knuckles flushed white with the force. He had to hold it tightly. He didn't want to slip and make a mistake.
His other arm came out to extend over the ingredients. Sharp scratch, sharp scratch - he hissed as he drew the dagger over his forearm, and watched as the blood began to flow. Not a torrent, but enough to drip over the ingredients, one by one. Rainbow crystals, green crystal, pink crystal. They looked far less pretty with red against their colours.
A makeshift bandage with a cloth was hastily tied around the wound. What would be next? He had to make haste.
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Post by Jewel on Mar 7, 2020 20:28:44 GMT -6
Kneeling. That's what was left. Jewel had laughed when he'd heard it at first, because it sounded ludicrous - putting all that effort in only to kneel and await judgement? In the moment, though, it was less amusing. His legs trembled as he bent them, lowering himself to his knees and letting his head tip down, eyes cast to the floor.
He didn't know how long he'd have to wait. Was that a part of the test? Endurance? He had run out of bravery already, and could feel his sloppily-made cut leaking blood against the makeshift bandage. It would certainly be more terrible to try to flee, though. To stick it out was to be safe.
He wanted to know more. How did people do this to themselves, willingly? For the thrill of magic? To conquer, to learn, to heal?
If it was so beastly to him, why, then, did he wish that the node would be his to keep?
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Post by Jack on Mar 7, 2020 20:34:38 GMT -6
Chaos Node - Success! Next Attempt - 3-7-2021
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