Post by MonkeyandMooseInc on Dec 7, 2015 1:22:24 GMT -6
Zerah had just asked his question to Kama when he heard someone vomit in the hallway, along with what sounded like a body hitting the floor and glass breaking. His initial thought was it was Celty, given the side effects of having a witch possess you, and a scowl grew across his face. She must be spying on him, no doubt seeing if he was trying to get her kicked out of the guild. Little did she know, this was the last thing on the imp's mind. "Hold that thought," Zerah uttered as he walked out the doorway. But to his surprise, it was not Celty, but Manasa on the other side of the door.
Zerah's heart dropped. What had happened to her!? He began to tremble in fear when he noticed a black ooze inching it's way towards him that wasn't his own. He looked toward the vile puke the woman had coughed up, noticing it was a mix of golden blood and the tar-like substance. Zerah began to have a panic attack.
"K-KAMA! SOMEBODY! WE NEED HELP OVER HERE! NOW!!" Zerah cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs. She ingested the blood, and this could only get worse from here on out. The 'Gods Blood,' as everyone he had met referred to it, was already taking effect. Her blood must've been boiling. Zerah searched over the open skin on her body. No marking yet. He laid the woman on her back. "Just breathe, Manasa, you're gonna be alright. This will pass, but you need to calm down. The calmer you are, the easier the process will be." Zerah tried his best to walk the woman through what had been done to him. This wasn't done in a ritualistic setting, however, and the imp had no idea how this might affect the outcome. Zerah's mind was racing a million miles a second, trying to come across memories of how the cultists did it before. He tried look back upon past experiences with the others he had met.
Zerah finally snapped to once more, realizing he had drifted off while the woman suffered. He called out for help once more, this time even louder than before. Having those three in this guild would have helped immensely in this situation, for those three surely knew more about this than he did. All Zerah could do was hope he could get Manasa through this, and that she wouldn't suffer the way he and the others had.
Zerah's heart dropped. What had happened to her!? He began to tremble in fear when he noticed a black ooze inching it's way towards him that wasn't his own. He looked toward the vile puke the woman had coughed up, noticing it was a mix of golden blood and the tar-like substance. Zerah began to have a panic attack.
"K-KAMA! SOMEBODY! WE NEED HELP OVER HERE! NOW!!" Zerah cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs. She ingested the blood, and this could only get worse from here on out. The 'Gods Blood,' as everyone he had met referred to it, was already taking effect. Her blood must've been boiling. Zerah searched over the open skin on her body. No marking yet. He laid the woman on her back. "Just breathe, Manasa, you're gonna be alright. This will pass, but you need to calm down. The calmer you are, the easier the process will be." Zerah tried his best to walk the woman through what had been done to him. This wasn't done in a ritualistic setting, however, and the imp had no idea how this might affect the outcome. Zerah's mind was racing a million miles a second, trying to come across memories of how the cultists did it before. He tried look back upon past experiences with the others he had met.
{Zerahs First Interaction: Human}Ryker. Human.
It had only been about a year and a half after Zerah had slaughtered the inhabitants of the castle, as well as since the fearen arrived, when Ryker showed up. This man was a force to be reckoned with, and the imp learned that first hand. Zerah had been walking around the enormous castle when he had heard what sounded like Fearen outside of the castle walls. He rolled his eyes as he knew he'd have no issue defeating them, but when he made his way to the entrance, some other being had been dealing with them. It looked to be a giant creature made up of dirt, wood, stone, and all other sorts of natural elements, taking on several hound and bulk fearen with ease. Zerah was amazed at the spectacle. This was a creature he had never seen before, but it only became more incredible when he saw the mastermind controlling the colossus. A man with a strange mask, very different from his own, seemed to be using magic to control the beast. Zerah couldn't help but stare on in awe as the man took on these fearen like it was no problem at all. However, his emotions changed from awe to terror when the man noticed him.
"YOU THERE! ARE YOU FRIEND OR FOE!?" Ryker shouted at him. Zerah wasn't sure which he had been, but he sure didn't want to be the man's foe. "F-f-friend" He shouted back. "You're welcome in my castle, if you want!"
The man nodded, and the golem of nature dissipated back into the nature it had been made out of. From there on, it had been mere story telling. They shared tales of their travels over the years, the beasts they had slain, the people they had met, the places they'd been, and everything in between. Everything had been going fantastically until Ryker became curious.
"Say, Zerah. Those arms of yours. Surely aren't natural, are they?" He pondered. Zerah grew very serious, his jovial manner turning into a burning rage. "No. Some damn priests cut my arms off, so I had to make some out of the black blood they tainted me with." Zerah retorted. It was then Ryker, too, became utterly enraged. "So that damn cult made it all the way out here too, aye? Tch. That's a shame. It's disgusting what they've been doing. Taking good people like you and I and treating them like animals! Vile beings, all of them!" Ryker was shouting at this point.
It was from him Zerah had learned about what had happened in the first place. This group of religious figures had been going from town to town, finding these supposed 'chosen ones' and 'enhancing' them with this 'God's Blood.' The whole idea behind it made him sick to his stomach, and it was obvious it had done the same to Ryker. Other than that mention of a touchier subject, the night went smoothly, and Ryker was gone by sunrise.
It had only been about a year and a half after Zerah had slaughtered the inhabitants of the castle, as well as since the fearen arrived, when Ryker showed up. This man was a force to be reckoned with, and the imp learned that first hand. Zerah had been walking around the enormous castle when he had heard what sounded like Fearen outside of the castle walls. He rolled his eyes as he knew he'd have no issue defeating them, but when he made his way to the entrance, some other being had been dealing with them. It looked to be a giant creature made up of dirt, wood, stone, and all other sorts of natural elements, taking on several hound and bulk fearen with ease. Zerah was amazed at the spectacle. This was a creature he had never seen before, but it only became more incredible when he saw the mastermind controlling the colossus. A man with a strange mask, very different from his own, seemed to be using magic to control the beast. Zerah couldn't help but stare on in awe as the man took on these fearen like it was no problem at all. However, his emotions changed from awe to terror when the man noticed him.
"YOU THERE! ARE YOU FRIEND OR FOE!?" Ryker shouted at him. Zerah wasn't sure which he had been, but he sure didn't want to be the man's foe. "F-f-friend" He shouted back. "You're welcome in my castle, if you want!"
The man nodded, and the golem of nature dissipated back into the nature it had been made out of. From there on, it had been mere story telling. They shared tales of their travels over the years, the beasts they had slain, the people they had met, the places they'd been, and everything in between. Everything had been going fantastically until Ryker became curious.
"Say, Zerah. Those arms of yours. Surely aren't natural, are they?" He pondered. Zerah grew very serious, his jovial manner turning into a burning rage. "No. Some damn priests cut my arms off, so I had to make some out of the black blood they tainted me with." Zerah retorted. It was then Ryker, too, became utterly enraged. "So that damn cult made it all the way out here too, aye? Tch. That's a shame. It's disgusting what they've been doing. Taking good people like you and I and treating them like animals! Vile beings, all of them!" Ryker was shouting at this point.
It was from him Zerah had learned about what had happened in the first place. This group of religious figures had been going from town to town, finding these supposed 'chosen ones' and 'enhancing' them with this 'God's Blood.' The whole idea behind it made him sick to his stomach, and it was obvious it had done the same to Ryker. Other than that mention of a touchier subject, the night went smoothly, and Ryker was gone by sunrise.
{Zerahs Second Interaction: Elf}Ruth. Elf.
Zerah's next introduction to this supposed 'God's Blood' went much smoother than it had with Ryker. Muuuuuuuuuuuuch smoother. Ruth arrived at the castle in a much quieter manner, assuming the place was abandoned about a month after Ryker had. She had made herself incredibly comfortable as she explored this castle. When Zerah finally found the woman, her having removed nearly all articles of clothing, nearly fainted as he felt all the blood in his body rush to his head. Ruth, however, felt very little embarrassment. She was more embarrassed she hadn't realized somebody was living here rather than the one inhabitant seeing her in her undergarments. Once Zerah was able to contain himself, the two got to talking.
Ruth was a disciple of Yakoshi, travelling Ignis and healing those in need. While healing was her main focus, she was a force to be reckoned with. Through this blood, she had gained the ability to control seismic activity, whether it be making earthquakes, raising the ground from beneath their feet, or opening fissures, she was certainly a capable warrior. This had truly captivated the imp, as he found himself falling for this woman very quickly. She seemed to have found Zerah incredibly cute as well, and the two engaged in.....bonding activities...
Ruth stayed at the castle much longer than Ryker had, nearly being there for an entire week. While she was there, the two had quite the time with one another. But alas, it had to come to an end at some point. It was a starry night when Ruth left. She and the imp shared a kiss goodbye, and she promised she'd come back to see him soon. However, that was the last he saw of her, the most beautiful person Zerah had ever laid eyes on.
Zerah's next introduction to this supposed 'God's Blood' went much smoother than it had with Ryker. Muuuuuuuuuuuuch smoother. Ruth arrived at the castle in a much quieter manner, assuming the place was abandoned about a month after Ryker had. She had made herself incredibly comfortable as she explored this castle. When Zerah finally found the woman, her having removed nearly all articles of clothing, nearly fainted as he felt all the blood in his body rush to his head. Ruth, however, felt very little embarrassment. She was more embarrassed she hadn't realized somebody was living here rather than the one inhabitant seeing her in her undergarments. Once Zerah was able to contain himself, the two got to talking.
Ruth was a disciple of Yakoshi, travelling Ignis and healing those in need. While healing was her main focus, she was a force to be reckoned with. Through this blood, she had gained the ability to control seismic activity, whether it be making earthquakes, raising the ground from beneath their feet, or opening fissures, she was certainly a capable warrior. This had truly captivated the imp, as he found himself falling for this woman very quickly. She seemed to have found Zerah incredibly cute as well, and the two engaged in.....bonding activities...
Ruth stayed at the castle much longer than Ryker had, nearly being there for an entire week. While she was there, the two had quite the time with one another. But alas, it had to come to an end at some point. It was a starry night when Ruth left. She and the imp shared a kiss goodbye, and she promised she'd come back to see him soon. However, that was the last he saw of her, the most beautiful person Zerah had ever laid eyes on.
{Zerahs Third Interaction: Vishkanyan}Ninazu. Vishkanyan.
Zerah's final meeting with someone who had been affected by this strange cult was someone incredibly different from the other two he had met. Zerah had been walking amongst the castle, still sulking after Ruth had left nearly two months prior, when he heard something that could only be described as angelic coming from the garden. Zerah was captivated by what he heard, and rushed down to see a man sitting amongst the garden's flowers. He had beautiful golden scales and horns, and was singing a tune in a language the imp didn't understand, but was captivated by regardless. When the man finished his song, he finally took notice that he had acquired an audience of one, his face flushing gold, slightly.
"O-oh. My apologies. I hadn't realized anyone still lived in this castle. I was planning to use it as a place of rest while I....recovered..." The man rubbed the side of his face, his skin turned purple. Zerah had no idea what happened to this man, but offered him refuge for the night. "I appreciate your hospitality, imp. Thank you very much. Where are my manners, my name is Nanazu." He grinned at the imp, only to wince in pain at the fresh wound he seemed to be suffering from.
After the two exchanged names, stories and so on, Zerah's curiosity got the better of him. He apologized before hand, but asked the man about the skin condition he had. "Oh, it is a reflection of my own vanity in a way, but also, a direct result of the tainted blood of the gods." Zerah's heart sank when he heard the man was like Ryker, Ruth and himself were. "If my understanding of the substance is correct, the God's blood that the cult spoke of is a means of activating magic potential in those who do not possess it, and enhancing the magic in those who do. However, using this magic comes at a cost." He rubbed the side of his face once more. "Use too much of it, and it begins to take a toll on your body. I've met quite a few individuals who seem to possess the blood like I do. Humans seem to petrify as they use magic, elves burn, and imps." He stopped for a moment, realizing Zerah was one of these people as well. "Imp's minds deteriorate to the point of total brain death, the more magic they use..."
This hit Zerah incredibly hard. His own mortality was never something he questioned since he acquired the mask, but it was sure to catch up with him eventually...Nanazu consoled the imp throughout the night, singing hymns from the Vishkanyan culture, as well as songs from cultures around the world, until the morning sun rose once more, and it was time for this man to leave.
It would seem, much like the others who came through this castle, he had one goal. "I will be going to join the guild known as the Shadow Slayers. Perhaps you and I will meet again one day." The man smiled warmly at Zerah, who responded with "I look forward to it."
Zerah's final meeting with someone who had been affected by this strange cult was someone incredibly different from the other two he had met. Zerah had been walking amongst the castle, still sulking after Ruth had left nearly two months prior, when he heard something that could only be described as angelic coming from the garden. Zerah was captivated by what he heard, and rushed down to see a man sitting amongst the garden's flowers. He had beautiful golden scales and horns, and was singing a tune in a language the imp didn't understand, but was captivated by regardless. When the man finished his song, he finally took notice that he had acquired an audience of one, his face flushing gold, slightly.
"O-oh. My apologies. I hadn't realized anyone still lived in this castle. I was planning to use it as a place of rest while I....recovered..." The man rubbed the side of his face, his skin turned purple. Zerah had no idea what happened to this man, but offered him refuge for the night. "I appreciate your hospitality, imp. Thank you very much. Where are my manners, my name is Nanazu." He grinned at the imp, only to wince in pain at the fresh wound he seemed to be suffering from.
After the two exchanged names, stories and so on, Zerah's curiosity got the better of him. He apologized before hand, but asked the man about the skin condition he had. "Oh, it is a reflection of my own vanity in a way, but also, a direct result of the tainted blood of the gods." Zerah's heart sank when he heard the man was like Ryker, Ruth and himself were. "If my understanding of the substance is correct, the God's blood that the cult spoke of is a means of activating magic potential in those who do not possess it, and enhancing the magic in those who do. However, using this magic comes at a cost." He rubbed the side of his face once more. "Use too much of it, and it begins to take a toll on your body. I've met quite a few individuals who seem to possess the blood like I do. Humans seem to petrify as they use magic, elves burn, and imps." He stopped for a moment, realizing Zerah was one of these people as well. "Imp's minds deteriorate to the point of total brain death, the more magic they use..."
This hit Zerah incredibly hard. His own mortality was never something he questioned since he acquired the mask, but it was sure to catch up with him eventually...Nanazu consoled the imp throughout the night, singing hymns from the Vishkanyan culture, as well as songs from cultures around the world, until the morning sun rose once more, and it was time for this man to leave.
It would seem, much like the others who came through this castle, he had one goal. "I will be going to join the guild known as the Shadow Slayers. Perhaps you and I will meet again one day." The man smiled warmly at Zerah, who responded with "I look forward to it."
Zerah finally snapped to once more, realizing he had drifted off while the woman suffered. He called out for help once more, this time even louder than before. Having those three in this guild would have helped immensely in this situation, for those three surely knew more about this than he did. All Zerah could do was hope he could get Manasa through this, and that she wouldn't suffer the way he and the others had.
