Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He blinked, and cocked his head, following along. He wasn't quite up to full speed anymore, but he would do his best to try and help out the few people left in this world he cared about. After all, he couldn't just sit around and do nothing.

 

[poohlive]

(Anna's condition gets worse...)

Kevin got into the truck and started it up. In a moment, the engine roared, and he went to the shouts of others, getting it ready.
It was honestly so weird how things looked now in the light. He had thought that perhaps they had traveled miles and miles into the woods, when in reality the huge clearing where the carnival was, was just a few hundred feet away. He swore driving nearly a mile in the truck, but now it was parked just at the edge of the forest.
"Come on, we can get somewhere safe, somewhere to rest."
He supposed they needed it, the way each and every one looked battered and whatnot. He wondered if he might be able to help them, and then realized there might just be a way.
His blood.
Kevin didn't say much after that. He kept his head down, and did as he was told. Dark images of being gutted and them each taking a turn on his still warm carcass made him clutch the hilt of his sword tight if any of them got too close.
He didn't talk, but listened very well, and as time went on, he filled in the empty parts of just what had happened during the night.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Climbing into the truck and getting settled took little time. Anna was cradled in the corner, looking like some orphaned girl out of the trashiest neighborhoods.

Poor girl. I had hoped that she'd be alright by now, after all IT had said she wasn't under his control..

"There is a hotel just down from the airport.. Take us there please.." Too much had happened.. I was in control over Ray's properties now and all I could think of was wanting him back. He was our strength when we needed it and when we didn't. Alway protective and reliable and now he was gone..

Lance was a nut case.. well he was trapped with a nut case in charge of his body!

Kat was wounded but healing and Joseph needed so much healing before we could go further.. Now I had a choice to make and no way to understand what choice to make in this.

His words had made little sense to me, they all seem fabricated to appeal to my softer side... He could control this world just the same as Mongrel could.. I had much to think on.

"Thank you.." I reached out and grasped Christian's hand with my own, giving it a little squeeze before releasing him. "I am glad you found her..." He didn't appear wounded, this was a good sign.. But Anna was still looking... I couldn't explain it but the girl looked lost.

Outside the Hotel, I went inside and paid for a suite with cash. Signing in as a traveling band, I fed the clerk some bullshit story about our plane breaking down..

Back outside I helped wrap Anna into my own coat. "We have our room. Top Floor.. Let's get inside and get some rest." I helped joseph out of the truck and Kat, leaving Christian to tend to Anna which I hoped did not bother him too much?

"Keith if you want your own room just say so.." There were three bedrooms in the suite and I could tell by the scent of him and his heart beating he was scared of us still. I didn't blame him in the slightest, I was scared of whatever was controlling Lance.

Taking the elevator up, I unlocked the room and let everyone inside. Shower, sleep and food in that order.. or maybe shower food and then sleep.. I was lost in thought over what I wanted most.. Take out would probably work.. Delivery guy would make an interesting snack.. But it wasn't safe.

"I will return.." I asked Keith for the keys to the truck. I could go get our things from the plane and stop and get something to eat as well.
"Christian? You up to helping me?" The others were wounded and tired, and I doubted I could get Keith to help since he didn't want to be alone with any one of us.

We'd need clothing and weapons and some food, then sleep and tomorrow I could discuss with an alert group what IT had said to me.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He was lead up to the suite. He hated this. Hated being blind, hating having to depend on others. Things were so different now. He wasn't one of the strong, helping to protect the others. He was weak, and getting the distinctive feeling he was holding them back. He groped his way to a chair, and sat down.

He sighed, and put his face in his hand. He let himself sit, not paying attention to his surroundings. He let himself forget the world around him, and become lost in his own little world, where nothing else existed.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

I thought a moment, looking to Kieth in question. It made more sense that he should help Aria, given that, should Anna take to another spell, he would most likely be unable to defend Kat and Joseph.
I glanced over at Anna, who seemed fairly well out of it, but not in a manner that told me should was harmless should the sudden urge to injure take hold. And if she felt she needed to feed, would Keith be safe?
"I'll let you two decide that," I replied, not wanting to disrespect anyone's judgment. "Maybe it would be best if I stayed with Anna. She's still...impressionable."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"As you wish Christian.." He was correct, Anna could very well be dangerous still.. "I was told she's no longer being controlled by whatever it was.. but she still seems a little.." Looking at her huddled in the corner, eyes darting around and that look on the girls face.. Well it was enough to know not to leave her in any advantage.

"Get her cleaned up if that's possible.. Keith, if you wish to come and help you are welcome to come along." I left it to him as I headed back down to the truck. Supplies, clothing and food and then rest.. and before IT arrived again, discussion time.

~Half hour Later~

Everything needed was in the truck and being carried up by all the bellhops I could find and hire to do the job for me. Duffle bags hid everything from prying eyes and an escort service coming later would provide the meal.




Anna

Inside her head voices kept whispering to her. Denial tore through her mind and laughter.

One second that voice was telling her she deserved to be raped.. She had asked for it.. The next second her mind was denying such things with such venom.

Cold then hot. Tired then too scared to sleep. Silence now and then. Someone mentioned a shower and she stood up. She needed to scrub herself clean, erase that demon's touch from her skin. It would help, again denial. Only her mind could stop the thoughts, not a shower.

But she moved slowly towards the bathroom. Shutting herself in and turning on the water as hot as she could stand it. Crawling inside, she paid no mind to the dirty water washing down the drain, nor hunted for soap. Just sitting there, letting it wash away those thoughts seemed to be an improvement.

She scrubbed finally after rising on shaking limbs. Scrubbed until her white skin was red and angry. Everything burned from the roughness of the cloth she used, and still she felt dirt clinging everywhere.

You deserved it.. You asked for it! Parading around like you do, barely dressed, daring him to do things to you.. You wanted it! You crave it! Just like before.. Just LIKE BEFORE!

Tears fell as she shook her head negatively. She didn't! She did not parade around infront of men, never did! She wiped her nose, rinsed off yet again and scrubbed her hair twice more. Stepping out of that shower, she felt a little better..

Anger and pain fused inside of her mind, revenge was pulsating in her veins.. She was going to go and hunt down this man.. And when she found him.. She was going to cut off his cock and fuck HIM with it!

"Bastard!" She growled out, her eyes narrowing as she stood trembling still. "I didn't ask for it.. I didn't!" She dried off partailly, not caring if she was wet or not. She was going to kill him.. That was all she knew, all that would ease her pain..

Just like before.

She killed the first man who hurt her, now she would kill the second!

She stepped out of the bathroom, hunting for something to throw over herself and a weapon. She came up against Christian in her path. Her head came up and her eyes narrowed as she spoke softly, "Move out of my way Christian.." She eyed his knives.. What she needed was a gun! Something to blow that cock sucker's head off with! "I have something to do..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

Something to do? It didn't take much thought to figure out what that meant, and I couldn't just let her walk out the door.
I stepped aside, but followed her as she went.
"It won't change anything," I said, calmly, "In fact, it won't make you feel any better. I've killed many, and had a reason for every occasion, but the hurt never went away, and in some cases, it became its own hurt. If you'd like, I can come along..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Anna

She growled in warning as he followed behind her, offering his advice when he knew nothing of what she was feeling or wanted... Truth be told, she didn't know what she wanted, she just knew that this feeling of pain and sickness wasn't something she wanted to carry with her anywhere. Nor for any amount of time.

"An eye for an eye.." She mumbled as she searched the suite and then a bedroom. She had nothing to wear but this robe, but it would do.

Again the voice in her head was laughing at her, accusing her of wanting it. She stopped in the doorway and closed her eyes, trying hard to ignore that sickness and head ache again.

"Come if you like.." What did she care if he wanted to watch her slay the asshole? She would prove she didn't want it, nor asked for it by killing that worthless bastard who did it to her!

She spotted one of Aria's daggers on a table and picked it up. This would be good enough, it wasn't a gun but she might get one along the way. She opened a window and started down the fire escape, keeping the dagger and the robe close to her body.

She jumped down the last three levels and stood looking around. Which way did she go to find this beast?

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

His head perked up. He turned around, trying to catch the source of the sound that had broken in to the stillness he had encased himself in, for it so mirrored his own feelings.

He turned, and let his sense out, feeling that he was, for the most part, being left alone. He grunted, and decided to see how Kat was doing. Be terrible to lose one of the ringbearers now, worse yet to lose one of the few members of the Family left.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

My feet struck the pavement outside as I stepped off the fire escape, following immediately after her.
"Where now?" I asked, realizing then that it was possible she just might seek revenge here, not that she was just angry and needed time to vent, but that she might actually be planning to scour the Earth for this man, who it seemed was not even responsible for what had happened.
"I doubt we'll find him anytime soon, Anna, but we've got all night to look if you wish." Again, I was wishing Kayla was there. She'd always managed to offer reason when i needed it most...well, when battle wasn't an option, that was. There had been too much of that in her, just as there was still a little too much of it in me.
I was also wishing I had more than just my handguns with me. If Aria'd gotten back before our departure, we might have been better armed in our leaving. Hopefully, she'd bring my weapons with her. The spear and shotgun would be helpful at that moment.
"To tell the truth, Anna," i began, wondering if I'd regret saying it. "I don't think it was even his fault. I got the impression something else was controlling the man from the way Aria was talking, but I can't say I understand what that was exactly..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Anna

She whirled around to face him, her face pale and drawn. Her eyes looked large in her face tonight, possibly because they were open not shielded..

"What would you have me do Christian? Just accept my lot in life, accept being hurt in.... " She trailed off, she didn't want to say it.

She moved to the brick wall of the building and leaned against her. His words made sense, but she still hungered for some resolution.

The voices did not stop, they kept whispering and taunting her. It made her skin crawl to think she asked for it..

"Do I look.. I mean.. Why me?" She stammered over her words, desperate to halt the voices and whispers. She saught confirmation that she was not a bad person.. She did not give off some sort of vibe that it was alright to force her into sex.

She glanced down at the ring, its glowing felt warm.. soothing.. If she focused on it it seemed to quiet the voices.. not shut them out, but quiet them..

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Trying to stand as Anna and Christian move towards the window then to the fire escape I support myself on a chair but my legs cannot a yet support me and I sit down again. With sheer will power I gather my energy about me and attempt to send a message to Anna ("Come back to the hotel........you need rest and healing...we all do.)

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

His head turned at the smallest of sounds. Oh, good, someone was still around. He cocked his head, trying to figure out who it was, while at the same time applying the process of elimination.

It sounded like that woman, Anna, was it, and that man had left. Aria was gone,....

"Kat, that you?"

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

"Yes k'chara it's me" I turn towards him to make it easier for him to hear me as I speak, looking at him fully with no revulsion or fear. "It's amazing how things come to pass isn't it......there was a time when you looked at me with so much love and passion and now here we are..." My head drops slightly tears coming to my eyes at my own weakness....."You barely able to sense me from anyone else and the closest thing to a look you've given me has been of hate....and I, too weak to currently help you." I stand up as I sense his approach to make myself easier to find..........fear at what he will say next plaguing me.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He shrugged, settling himself into his seat, turning his head, moving an ear in her direction so he could hear her easier. He let himself relax, as much as he could.

"I've survived until now, Kat, without your help. I'm sure I'll be fine. But don't make it out to be me whose fault this is Kat. Everything has a price, and Appearently the price for my love was too high for you to pay..."

He sighed, the memories, the pain, seeping back. There had been so much pain, lately. He was begining to wonder if his life had been anything but it.

 

[poohlive]

Out from the small aleeyways came a smell. Something strong and pugent, like death that had just refused to stop moving. It was masked though, masked and diguised into something almost as sweet as honey. That made it even worse. Honey covered death.
Lanced smiled, ear to fucking ear as he walked out.
"So many questions. I don't think you're ready for the answers, my pet."
With a swipe of the hand, he cut off Anna from that demon witch upstairs. She was too weak, and here, outside of her element, he could finally get this one just where he wanted her. Alone, without interruption.
"Tell me, am I the one you seek? You want to destroy me with a kinfe and your robe? Many a men have tried to do the same thing, with armies at their back, and have all failed. You are determined though, aren't you? I can see that in your cute little eyes...."
Fire danced around him, devil's fire that played at the outskirts of his skin.
"Perhaps you don't want to kill me. Maybe, you'd just like to take me alone somewhere. We could find a room in the hotel, if you want. I'll do it just the way you like it... just the way you want it."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I carried everything I could up to the room, and apprently at a good time too.

"Where is Christian?" I glanced around as I set everything on the floor.

"Kat you shouldn't be up and about.." I lectured her but it was only in her best interest.

"We have everything we need for the night here. The pilot will wait with the jet." I grabbed my bag and glanced over at Joseph.

"You don't have anything with you, but when we reach New York I will get you something decent to wear." Trivial things, all pointless and not on my mind.. But the conversation helped ease some tensions .. barely.

I had to tell them about IT's little bargain. How did I explain that wack-job? If I had any sense at all, I'd leave here tonight..

We really should go.. Something kept telling me this.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

"We should have killed you," I said plainly. My hands were on my guns already, but I wsn't about to draw them just yet. THis was AB's play, her call, and my words were mostly to remind her that I was here, to back her up in whatever might go down.
I had little intention of allowing her to take him up on his offer, however. I may have just met the man, but I already severely disliked him.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Anna

She instantly backed away, her eyes widening as fear set in.

"No.. no!" She gasped, backing up until she bumped against Christian.

"I'm not going.. going anywhere with you!" She shook her head, her eyes wide and staring. She had to find a weapon, something to keep him away from her.

The voice in her head laughed, saying yet again she had the scent of a whore.. she was leading these sick people to herself.. She did this to herself..

She clenched her eyes tightly shut and grit her teeth. Kat's words had reached her but nothing more came.. She couldn't recall what kat had even said to her, she barely felt Christian behind her.

She felt frozen and her heart was beating hard enough to burst from her chest. Like a coward, she cringed away wishing to slink into the darkness and hide..

"Leave.. leave me alone!" She yelled at him, but it too sounded too weak to be taken seriously.

 

[poohlive]

Lance leaned back against the solid brick wall that hung from the alley, amidst the trash and acrid smell that arose from him and around him. He lit a cigarette, the smoke fuming around him in an almost devilish halo.
"You should have killed me? Come now, even you have more courage than you let on. Raise up your weapon, you warrior. Do that ring some justice, and defeat the evil. Don't make it sound like the chance is over, I'm right here.... this soul is prepared to die, is yours?"
After taking a huge drag, Lance held the smoke in his lungs, seeping in the crisp night air. He looked at Annabella almost with a pout.
"Oh, dear. I must have scared you. I make dashing entrances. I do apologize. It was you who called to me, didn't you? Weren't you the one wanting a quest that may take years to find me, and confront me? You called to me... your mind, your thoughts, that luscious scent between your legs."
Lance sniffed the night air, sex coming rampant to his nostrils.
"Yes, you called to me. I'm right here. I'm here for both of you. One wants to kill me, the other is just too scared? Hmmm, these are the ringbearers? The ones destined for greatness?"
It was an open challenge.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

Aria had already explained that he was supposed to help us, and she'd also said that we couldn't kill him, but I wondered if he knew that. If I pulled the weapons, would he know I wasn't going to kill him? Once I started, the bluff had to work, and bluffing wasn't my area of expertise by a long shot.
But Anna was scared, and what other choices did I really have? I thought for only a moment longer, then stepped between her and Lance, letting my hands hang loosely instead of close to the guns. For a moment, I wished I had my spear. I could easily injure him again, and the silver of the spearhead would keep him weak for a while.
No bluffing. If he advanced on her, I'd pull the weapons and put him down. No more games, no more thinking.
But where was Aria when you needed her? Though I was beginning to question what good a woman with so many demons might be to us now.
"Warrior? You question my integrity as a warrior, he who stalks the night in search fo women to rape. C'mon Lance, tell me there's more to your existence than this. What do you do in your spare time, molest sheep? Throw rocks at children?" I shook my head. "The real question is, Lance, which arm should I tie behind my back?"

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

My head turned to the window I could sense the danger the evil.........."LANCE........Anna!!" It came out of my mouth in a yell and I began walking determindly towards the fire escape pulling on reserves of power from the light feeding from my comrades. Relinking with Anna our link being stronger than the darkness, "FIGHT......" I stand there looking over the ledge on the scene below me pulling one of my knives I take aim and throw, hitting it's mark I see the thing in Lances body recoil from the pain in it's arm, distracting him from Anna. "Chrisitan get her out of there!!"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Anna

She backed away further, the hate in her mind screaming at her to kill him and the fear in her heart was crippling. And that was all it took, the ring couldn't take any more, it wasn't meant to be wron by someone not strong enough to handle outside influence. It vanished from her finger and was only a millisecond vanished before it reappeared yet again.. This time to adorn Joseph's hand.

"K-kill him!" She urged Christian, pushing at him from behind, wanting this demonic creature to vanish forever. It was not good enough that Kat had stabbed him, no.. He had to die!

"He must die!" She said again, backing up further and dragging Christian with her by his coat.





Aria-

All it took was one word, one name for me to get into action.

"KAT!" I yelled at her as I jumped up and pushed past her to the window. Without thought, I jumped, landing on the solid ground with a grunt.

I ordered Christian to stand down, "Do not attack!" Why was I protecting this man!? I had no solid proof Lance was certain needed to end this damned curse.. But there was that thought in my head, I couldn't risk it!

Moving, I almost tore the dagger from his arm but retreated.

"Christian, shoot to weaken..." I stood beside Christian, blocking this ... Lance from Anna. We had no choice now, we had to move on.

If only Joseph was fucking healed! Kat was too weak, it left Christian and I to face him... even two to one wasn't good enough in my mind, but we were stronger than he thought.. We would come out of this alive.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I pull another dagger from it's sheath keeping it at ready, waiting for the proper moment to send it again to it's mark. I can hear Anna's fear and even from where I stand I can see the ring dissapear from her finger. I sense the darkness within Lance eating away at what is left of him. The ring on my finger glows as I search my thoughts seeking knowledge to help us in this battle. I can see Christian tensing for the fight that is about to occur as well as well as Aria. Lightly tossing the knife in my hand I flip it handle up and pulling no small ammount of magical enhancement behind it I throw in at the back of Lances head hoping that when the handle hit it would knock him out to avoid this confrontation......(Please let this work...Goddess help us!)

 

[poohlive]

Lance bucked down to the ground, feeling for the back of his head. Something dark and pusive leaked from a welt there. He grabbed the knife that had dropped near him, letting the blade dance in the moonlight.
"Throwing knives from afar? My dear, I do not frighten you so as to stand your distance do I?"
They seemed to be getting braver. Good. This is what he had wanted. Bravery provided foolish rash reactions. This seemed to be working very well.
The rings continued to grow brightly now, and the thing lodged deep inside Lance could sense them all, surrounding, uncovering, devouring at him.
What were they doing?
This had been his plan all along, hadn't it?
Or had it been Lance's?
Lance had stopped fighting him a while ago. The entity thought him to be dead, but could he have been manipulating him from the inside, making him react so the rings could aid them?
It wouldn't do any good. The beast fought deep inside, and Lance struggled, but could not fight at it long.
"Didn't take much thought after all, did it Aria? You'd rather send them all to death. Did they even get a choice? Did you even tell them? This could all be avoided.... but no matter. Death is at hand. You chose how you want to face it."
The dagger in his hand flew at Aria, as Lance made a mad dash for Christian.