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Post by Ashe on Jan 9, 2023 16:22:55 GMT -6
    Ashe had been here multiple times before - and it had been a while, truth be told - but each visit was just as awe inspiring as the last. The hum of power in this place, the magic that was here, had been here, and would be here, all vibrating pleasantly in his blood. He felt like it was his calling, to come and master a trace of this magic, and contain it in an orb where he could easily reach for it later. He could just be full of himself, of course, but while some might quake in fear and do this out of a desperation, he did this out of a thrill. Always seeking power, always looking for that next high. And nothing was quite so exquisite as this. Ashe had taken forever to gather the crystals, and even longer to get here. It seemed like one problem followed another problem in an endless cycle. Today, Ashe had left the rest of his life on hold to make sure he got this done. Inyala on his shoulder as always, he began his journey. |
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Post by Ashe on Jan 9, 2023 16:32:32 GMT -6
The inscriptions on the sides of the walls as he passed played out like a picture book. It showed the story of others before him making this same trek - and just how many people had gone before him, anyway, Ashe wondered privately to himself - and performing the ritualistic acts. He knew what he had to do by now, and had never failed an attempt, but Ashe still ran it through his head, almost as if in a chant. He reached the top of the steps and approached the Altar. It was around this point when Inyala usually got a little nervous, but she never communicated why. Ashe assumed it was because of the blood and the magic of the place, or perhaps she sensed it as 'wrong' to trap magic this way. This time, however, she seemed content enough to stay on his shoulder. Had she gotten over her unease?
Or, it occurred to him, maybe she just didn't want him hurting himself. Her contentment could be a good sign for his future.
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Post by Ashe on Jan 9, 2023 16:36:55 GMT -6
Unfortunately, he would still have to blood himself, and she would just have to live with that. The magic didn't just come from the stones, it also came from the human life blood given. The only thing standing between Ashe and death for this sacrifice was the healing berry he would have to be sure to eat, and swallow completely before facing this. Without the berry, it would result in death. So, in short, Ashe understood why Inyala might not like this, but he was much too invested to even bat an eyelash at those dangers.
He had reached the altar now and he laid the crystals - eight chaos, sparkling a yellowish green, and one prismatic that gave off a shimmering rainbow aura - out in a fan shape, with the round mind crystal in the center. The knife was there, off to the side, just waiting to be called into action. Waiting for his blood, and the piece of the soul that would be pulled out as well. Inyala peered over his shoulder, inspecting his work, but not having an opinion at the moment.
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Post by Ashe on Jan 9, 2023 16:40:27 GMT -6
With everything there, Ashe took a moment for himself. He took a deep breath, feeling the excitement buzzing in his blood but trying to keep a handle on it. He had to clear his head or else he would make a mistake and ruin it! He exhaled for longer than his inhale, paused, then inhaled again, slowly. And, just like that, his racing heart began to slow as well. Easy there... Easy... It would be over soon and he would have more power in his hands.
"Almighty Spirit, give me power!" He said, halfway under his breath. The words were for himself, a quick prayer, rather than any entity that might be present.
Inyala dug her claws into the fabric of his shirt as he moved. He brought the berry to his lips and popped it in, chewing, relishing the sweet yet tart taste of its juice, swallowing quickly. He felt revitalized already! Like he could go out and do anything. But he only had one thing he wanted to do.
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Post by Ashe on Jan 9, 2023 16:45:41 GMT -6
Berry eaten, he took up the knife next. It was this part that Inyala didn't like for sure. She ducked under his hair, clinging to the back collar of his shirt for balance. Her master seemed to enjoy hurting himself, and she most definitely did not like that about him!
That didn't stop Ashe. He lifted the knife, admiring it, then raised his arm. He pulled his sleeve down - it was cold outside on the way here, so he had on a black longsleeve shirt - and revealed the smooth flesh of his arm. He saw faint scars from the last times he had done this. He preferred the softer skin on his forearm than the palm, like some people did for show, and it usually healed pretty nicely. He brought the blade to the skin and pressed until blood spilled. He got a steady drip going and hovered over each item in turn, ensuring a single drop landed on each. Once blood splatter covered it all, he knelt, hands pressed together as if in prayer, and waited for the magic to begin.
-Fin-
-c
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Post by NPC on Jan 13, 2023 23:04:43 GMT -6
Node creation: success!
Cooldown period ends on January 9, 2024 |
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